cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defining and tracking business start-ups

This paper addresses a curious disjuncture between one aspect of regional development theory and the empiricism required to test its implications.On the one hand, researchers long have argued that firm births fuel the growth and development of regional economies. Just as long, however, they have employed different, often ad hoc, approaches to the definition and measurement of key concepts and relationships. The inconsistency among the studies in this literature creates a validity problem. We begin by providing an omnibus definition of a start-up that applies to some degree to all the articles we reviewed, namely, that it is new, active, and independent. We explain why all three criteria should be applied, rather than a subset. Second, we review the data sources that are commonly used to identify start-ups, and compare them using seven criteria. We conclude that ES202 data is the best source. Third, we develop a step-by-step tracking system for identifying new firms. By matching ES202 files from two different years and applying direct enumeration techniques, it is possible to identify newly created establish-ments during that time period with accuracy. This article serves both to explain the differences among the published studies of new firms and economic development, and to provide a common standard that can enhance the validity of future work on the topic.
An experiment to measure the one-way velocity of propagation of electromagnetic radiation

An experiment involving commercially available instrumentation to measure the velocity of the earth with respect to absolute space is described. The experiment involves the measurement of the one-way propagation velocity of electromagnetic radiation down a high-quality coaxial cable. It is demonstrated that the experiment is both physically meaningful and exceedingly simple in concept and in implementation. It is shown that with currently available commercial equipment one might expect to detect a threshold value for the component of velocity of the earth's motion with respect to absolute space in the equatorial plane of approximately 10 km/s, which greatly exceeds the velocity resolution required to detect the motion of the solar system with respect to the center of the galaxy.
Bayes sequential strategies for crossing a field containing absorption points

Abstract : A sequential decision problem is considered in which N particles have to cross a given field. Two alternative crossing paths are available. An unknown number of absorption points J sub 1 and J sub 2 are planted at each of the crossing paths. The bivariate prior distribution of (J sub 1, J sub 2) is given. If a particle passes close to an absorption point it may survive with probability s, 0 < s < 1. If a particle is absorbed, both the particle and the absorption point are ruined. There is no replacement of ruined absorption points. All absorption points act independently. The particles cross the field in a consecutive order, and a crossing path can be chosen for each particle. The objective is to maximize the expected number of survivors. The Bayes sequential procedure is characterized. The conditions under which the Bayes strategy is determined by the maximal posterior survival probabilities are specified. (Author)
Helping Mothers Discuss Sexuality and AIDS with Adolescents

The current study was designed to alter experimentally mothers' style when discussing sexuality and AIDS with their adolescent children. Mothers of 11- to 15-year-olds (N = 50) were assigned to an intervention or control group, resulting in 20 dyads in each group. All dyads were assessed twice, on self-reported and observed communication, AIDS knowledge, and perceived vulnerability to AIDS. Intervention group mothers received two training sessions. Observational data revealed that intervention group mothers reduced their amount of speaking, asked more open-ended questions, acted less judgmental, and discussed dating and sexuality more than did control group mothers. Intervention group adolescents reported increased discussions of birth control and increased daily comfort talking to their mothers. There was some evidence that intervention group girls increased in AIDS knowledge. There was no change in AIDS-related beliefs.
Flux-balance analysis of mitochondrial energy metabolism: consequences of systemic stoichiometric constraints

Mitochondrial metabolism is a critical component in the functioning and maintenance of cellular organs. The stoichiometry of biochemical reaction networks imposes constraints on mitochondrial function. A modeling framework, flux-balance analysis (FBA), was used to characterize the optimal flux distributions for maximal ATP production in the mitochondrion. The model predicted the expected ATP yields for glucose, lactate, and palmitate. Genetic defects that affect mitochondrial functions have been implicated in several human diseases. FBA can characterize the metabolic behavior due to genetic deletions at the metabolic level, and the effect of mutations in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle on mitochondrial ATP production was simulated. The mitochondrial ATP production is severely affected by TCA-cycle mutations. In addition, the model predicts the secretion of TCA-cycle intermediates, which is observed in clinical studies of mitochondriopathies such as those associated with fumarase deficiency. The model provides a systemic perspective to characterize the effect of stoichiometric constraints and specific metabolic fluxes on mitochondrial function.
Simulation of the effects of weather on an insect population

This paper describes a digital-computer simulation of the influence of weather on the population of the European corn borer (ECB). The program, which is written in a FORTRAN-based language, defines a basical ly continuous-system model that accommodates discrete events in the weather-ECB ecological system. The principal factors controlling the ECB population are temperature, the daily spread of temperature (i.e., maximum-minimum), and rainfall. The goal of the simu lation is to improve our understanding of crop-ECB ecology and to assist corn-pest managers in reducing crop damage by applying control measures when they will be most effective.
A proactive distance-based flooding technique for MANETs with heterogeneous radio ranges

Recently, many flooding techniques for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) have been proposed. However, most of these techniques assume that every node in the network has the same transmission range. Therefore, these techniques have poor performance when the nodes in the network have different transmission ranges. In this paper, we propose a new flooding technique to support nodes with different transmission ranges in MANETs. In our technique, when a node receives a packet it avoids an unnecessary retransmission by both checking if all its 1-hop neighboring nodes have received the same packet or if all its transmission area has been covered by the packet sender. In addition, a node avoids unnecessary delay by transmitting immediately if it has the greatest additional coverage area among all the nodes in the 1-hop neighborhood. We compared our technique with similar ones and simulation results using ns-2 show that our technique, using the features mentioned above, substantially reduces the number of unnecessary retransmissions and the delivery latency while maintaining high network coverage.
Foreign Hypermarket Retailers in China: Spatial Penetration, Local Embeddedness, and Structural Paradox

As the world economy shifts towards services, transnational corporations (s) in the service sector have accelerated their expansion in emerging economies. This paper examines the development and em...
VLSI Potentiostat Array With Oversampling Gain Modulation for Wide-Range Neurotransmitter Sensing

A 16-channel current-measuring very large-scale integration (VLSI) sensor array system for highly sensitive electrochemical detection of electroactive neurotransmiters like dopamine and nitric-oxide is presented. Each channel embeds a current integrating potentiostat within a switched-capacitor first-order single-bit delta-sigma modulator implementing an incremental analog-to-digital converter. The duty-cycle modulation of current feedback in the delta-sigma loop together with variable oversampling ratio provide a programmable digital range selection of the input current spanning over six orders of magnitude from picoamperes to microamperes. The array offers 100-fA input current sensitivity at 3.4-muW power consumption per channel. The operation of the 3 mm times3 mm chip fabricated in 0.5-mum CMOS technology is demonstrated with real-time multichannel acquisition of neurotransmitter concentration
Beyond the classical Rayleigh limit with twisted light

It is shown that twisted stochastic light can serve as illumination that may produce images with a resolution overcoming the Rayleigh limit by an order of magnitude. This finding is illustrated for an isoplanatic axially symmetric system with low angular aperture and twisted scalar Gaussian Schell-model illumination.
The livelihoods of Haitian health-care providers after the january 2010 earthquake: a pilot study of the economic and quality-of-life impact of emergency relief

An effective international response to a disaster requires cooperation and coordination with the existing infrastructure. In some cases, however, international relief efforts can compete with the local work force and affect the balance of health-care systems already in place. This study seeks to evaluate the impact of the international humanitarian response to the 12 January 2010 earthquake on Haitian health-care providers (HHP). Fifty-nine HHPs were surveyed in August of 2010 using a modified World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief questionnaire (WHOQoL-B) that included questions on respondents' workload before the earthquake, immediately after, and presently. The study population consisted of physicians, nurses, and technicians at public hospitals, non-governmental organization (NGO) clinics, and private offices in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Following the earthquake, public hospital and NGO providers reported a significant increase in their workload (15 of 17 and 22 of 26 respondents, respectively). Conversely, 12 of 16 private providers reported a significant decrease in workload (p < 0.0001). Although all groups reported working a similar number of hours prior to the earthquake (average 40 h/week), they reported working significantly different amounts following the earthquake. Public hospital and NGO providers averaged more than 50 h/week, and private providers averaged just over 33 h/week of employment (p < 0.001). Health-care providers working at public hospitals and NGOs, however, had significantly lower scores on the WHOQoL-B when answering questions about their environment (p < 0.001), and in open-ended responses often commented about the lack of potable water and poor access to toilets. Providers from all groups expressed dissatisfaction with the scope and quality of care provided at public hospitals and NGO clinics, as well as disappointment with the reduction in patient volume at private practices. The emergency medical response to the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti had the unintended consequence of poorly distributing work among HHPs. To create a robust health-care system in the long term while meeting short-term needs, humanitarian responses should seek to better integrate existing systems and involve local providers in the design and implementation of an emergency program.
Sex differences and sexology

Gender differences in sexual behaviors and attitudes are often empirically examined. However, the generalizability and the size of gender differences remained unaddressed. In 1993, Oliver and Hyde conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the magnitude of gender differences in sexual behaviors and attitudes and found that many were small. In 2010, Petersen and Hyde conducted an updated analysis with current research and seven large national data sets. Gender differences were analyzed in 30 reported sexual behaviors and attitudes, and the results suggested that men reported more masturbation and use of pornography and more permissive attitudes about casual sex than women. However, most (26 out of 30) of the gender differences in attitudes and behaviors were small. These results suggest that gender similarities in sexuality are common; they also emphasize that gender similarities could contribute to gender equality in sexual expression. Keywords: gender differences; meta-analysis; sexual attitudes; sexual behaviors
Strategic responses to fdi in emerging markets: : Are core members more responsive than peripheral members of business groups?

With increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) into emerging markets, local firms must make critical strategic decisions in order to remain competitive. When faced with multinational enterprises (MNEs) announcing FDI into their industry, local firms can expand operations and challenge the MNE head on, or refrain from responding directly, effectively ceding market share to the MNE investor. We propose that local firms’ responses are shaped by their affiliation with, and position in, a business group. Using data on investment announcements by MNEs and local firms in India from 1995 to 2010, we find that firms that are affiliated with business groups tend to be more sensitive to MNE investment announcements than are stand-alone firms. More professionally managed group affiliate firms are more likely to respond to MNE threats. Furthermore, firms that are in the group’s identity domain—that is, those holding more prominent positions within their group (especially as measured by centrality in the group’s direc...
Role of defensins in corneal epithelial barrier function against Pseudomonas aeruginosa traversal.

ABSTRACT Studies have shown that epithelium-expressed antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), e.g., β-defensins, play a role in clearing bacteria from mouse corneas already infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Less is known about the role of AMPs in allowing the cornea to resist infection when healthy. We previously reported that contact lens exposure, a major cause of P. aeruginosa keratitis, can inhibit the upregulation of human β-defensin 2 (hBD-2) by corneal epithelial cells in response to P. aeruginosa antigens in vitro. Here, we studied the role of AMPs in maintaining the corneal epithelial barrier to P. aeruginosa penetration using both in vitro (human) and in vivo (mouse) experiments. Results showed that preexposing human corneal epithelial multilayers to bacterial antigens in a culture supernatant (known to upregulate AMP expression) reduced epithelial susceptibility to P. aeruginosa traversal up to 6-fold (P
SPROUT: P2P routing with social networks

In this paper, we investigate how existing social networks can benefit P2P data networks by leveraging the inherent trust associated with social links We present a trust model that lets us compare routing algorithms for P2P networks overlaying social networks.We propose SPROUT, a DHT routing algorithm that, by using social links, significantly increases the number of query results and reduces query delays.We discuss further optimization and design choices for both the model and the routing algorithm Finally, we evaluate our model versus regular DHT routing and Gnutella-like flooding.
The effects of extreme drought on climate change beliefs, risk perceptions, and adaptation attitudes

The role of extreme weather events in shaping people’s climate change beliefs and adaptation attitudes has been extensively studied and discussed in academic literature, the popular press, and policy circles. In this manuscript, we contribute to the debate by using data from pre- and post-extreme event surveys to examine the effects of the 2012 Midwestern US drought on agricultural advisors’ climate change beliefs, adaptation attitudes, and risk perceptions. We found that neither climate change beliefs nor attitudes toward adaptation changed significantly as a result of the drought. Risk perceptions did change, however, with advisors becoming more concerned about risks from drought and pests and less concerned about risks related to flooding and ponding. Though increased risk perceptions were significantly associated with more favorable adaptation attitudes, the effects were not large enough to cause an overall shift to more favorable attitudes toward adaptation. The results suggest that extreme climate events might not cause significant shifts in climate beliefs, at least not immediately. Additionally, the results caution that policy designs that rely on increasing risk perceptions to motivate action on climate change may be overestimating the effects of extreme events on feeling at risk, at least in the context of buffered systems such as large commercial agriculture in the US.
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor masquerading as perforated appendicitis

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare and histologically benign tumor that most commonly presents in pediatric patients. Abdominal IMTs often present with non-specific symptoms, and therefore they can masquerade as other more common abdominal conditions. This report describes two cases of IMT presenting as perforated appendicitis. Both cases are of young children who presented with over 48 hours of abdominal pain and who had peritonitis on examination. Pre-operative ultrasounds for both patients revealed complex free fluid. Laparoscopic evaluation demonstrated hemoperitoneum, and further exploration revealed mesenteric avulsion with abnormally thickened mesentery. Pathology confirmed IMT arising from the small bowel mesentery in both cases. Both children underwent limited bowel resection and were discharged in stable condition on a course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Given the association of avulsed bowel to trauma, non-accidental trauma was suspected in both cases and demonstrated in one. Both patients showed complete resolution of tumor on follow-up MRI. The diagnosis of IMT must always be considered when an intra-abdominal mass is encountered as its treatment differs greatly from other neoplasms.
The Language of Science

This chapter is devoted to the background information necessary to understand scientific arguments. Geometry is basic to locating things in space. Trigonometry explores geometric relationships. Much of our knowledge of our planet is presented on maps, but showing a spherical surface on a flat sheet of paper is not so simple. Different map projections have different uses, but some have distortions that give false impressions. Measurement in science involves the ‘Metric System’ where all measurements are based on the numbers 1,10,100 etc. It was developed in France around the time of the Revolution, and was spread throughout Europe by Napoleon. The United States is the last holdout, still using the old English imperial system of inches, feet, miles, etc. Describing things in terms of powers of ten (‘orders of magnitude’) allows us to conveniently describe things on the level both of atoms and of the universe. Very different sizes are easily expressed though using the shorthand of exponents and logarithms. Understanding the implications of exponential growth and decay is essential to making rational decisions, but tends to be poorly understood by the general public. This chapter also introduces the reader to the precise definitions of many words in common use.
Abstract 17408: Left Ventricle Internal Dimension in Diastole Strongly Predicts Long-term Survival Following Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Introduction: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are seldom implanted in small hearts, determined by left ventricle internal diameter in diastole (LVIDD), to avoid suction events thought to impact flows, arrhythmias and LVAD function. No published evidence has confirmed this theory. Hypothesis: We aimed to determine if LVIDD impacts outcomes following LVAD insertion. Methods: A single center, retrospective review was performed of all patients (N=449) implanted with a continuous flow (CF) LVAD between 12/1999-12/2013. Demographics, preoperative and operative data, perioperative outcomes, echocardiographic and right heart catheterization data, and late survival were determined. Univariate and survival analyses were performed. Multivariable regression identified independent predictors of survival. Results: Patient characteristics, baseline echocardiographic and hemodynamic data, operative characteristics and clinical outcomes are summarized in Table 1. Patients with smaller LVIDD were more likely female...
Measuring the Value of Flexibility in Space Systems: A Six-Element Framework: Regular Papers

For many engineering systems, flexibility is an important attribute that allows them to adapt to emerging changes. The existence of flexibility can help space systems adapt themselves to internal/external changes, or even take advantage of new possibilities while in space. Given the potential upfront cost of designing an engineering system to be more flexible, there is a need for a comprehensive framework that allows decision-makers to measure the value of flexible systems design in its different dimensions. Based on insights from the flexibility literature, this paper proposes a unified and comprehensive framework for measuring the value of flexibility in space systems based on six fundamental elements through which flexibility in engineering systems can be mapped. While the illustrative case study presented in this paper focuses on the value of flexibility in a space system, DARPA's Orbital Express program, this framework could generally be applicable for many other engineering systems. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 10: 26–44, 2007
Effects of Vibrio cholerae recombinant strains on rabbit ileum in vivo. Enterotoxin production and myoelectric activity.

Abstract Previous studies have identified the effects of Vibrio cholerae and its enterotoxin, choleragen (CT A+B+), on the myoelectric activity of rabbit ileal loops in vivo. The response was defined as the migrating action potential complex, the single ring contraction that propels luminal contents aborad. In this study the same rabbit model is used to assess whether migrating action potential complex activity or fluid output is induced by recombinant strains of V. cholerae that produce no subunit of cholera toxin (CT A−B−) or only by the inactive binding subunit (CT A−B+). Three live strains were studied: El Tor wild-type N16961 (CT A+B+) and recombinant strains CVD106 (CT A−B+) and JBK70 (CT A−B−). Controls received sterile culture broth. Migrating action potential complex frequency in animals inoculated with CT A+B+ was significantly increased compared with that in all other experimental groups ( P P
A simple tantalum strip atomizer for the flameless atomic absorption determination of trace metals in water

A simple and efficient tantalum strip atomizer is described suitable for use in the atomic absorption determination of trace elements in water. The cell operates with an inexpensive Powerstat-transformer unit to provide the necessary electrothermal heat for atomization. It can be easily fitted in the place of the burner in atomic absorption instruments. The atomizer has been used to determine Ag, Cd, Pb, and Zn in tap water samples and Zn in the presence of albumin.
Maternal Natal Environment and Breeding Territory Predict the Condition and Sex Ratio of Offspring

Females in a variety of taxa adjust offspring sex ratios to prevailing ecological conditions. However, little is known about whether conditions experienced during a female’s early ontogeny influence the sex ratio of her offspring. We tested for past and present ecological predictors of offspring sex ratios among known-age females that were produced as offspring and bred as adults in a population of house wrens. The body condition of offspring that a female produced and the proportion of her offspring that were male were negatively correlated with the size of the brood in which she herself was reared. The proportion of sons within broods was negatively correlated with maternal hatching date, and varied positively with the quality of a female’s current breeding territory as predicted. However, females producing relatively more sons than daughters were less likely to return to breed in the population the following year. Although correlative, our results suggest that the rearing environment can have enduring effects on later maternal investment and sex allocation. Moreover, the overproduction of sons relative to daughters may increase costs to a female’s residual reproductive value, constraining the extent to which sons might be produced in high-quality breeding conditions. Sex allocation in birds remains a contentious subject, largely because effects on offspring sex ratios are small. Our results suggest that offspring sex ratios are shaped by various processes and trade-offs that act throughout the female life history and ultimately reduce the extent of sex-ratio adjustment relative to classic theoretical predictions.
An opportunity to end the arms race

The following seven articles comprise a forum to address the question: “Is this a time of real and unique opportunity to end the nuclear arms race?” The authors, from a wide variety of countries around the world, were asked to consider how Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev's arms control and other diplomatic initiatives have been received by the Reagan administration and what the current state of superpower relations could mean for global security. The Bulletin would especially like to thank guest editor Richard Falk for his efforts in formulating the topic and soliciting the articles.—The Editors.
Learning the Language of Earth Science: Middle School Students' Explorations of Rocks and Minerals.

The approaches and interpretations of a class of 6th graders and a class of 8th graders in a U.S. middle school asked to engage in tasks that involved using observations to describe and classify samples is the subject of this paper. Overall 8th graders were better able to perform the tasks, suggesting a developmental advantage aspect. However, the descriptions of the rock and mineral samples recorded by students can be considered salient for identification purposes. However, the descriptions were not recognized as salient features by most of the grade 6th and 8th U.S. students.
Some measured properties of the ionosphere reflection channel at high frequencies

An HF sounder capable of continuous wave (CW) operation at 800 equally spaced discrete frequencies from 5 to 15 MHz, the hardware of which also allows ranging measurements to be performed, is described. Ranging data that possess periodic spikes which can be used to determine the propagation delay with resolution of up to 10 mu s are presented. Based on these data, the dispersive bandwidth is estimated. In some cases the data clearly show the existence of multiple propagation modes. In CW operation the complex channel transfer function of up to six different frequencies was measured, from which a variety of statistics helpful to characterize the channel determined. Some cases are presented. The measured channel characteristics are discussed. >
Life cycle energy benefits of carbon nanotubes for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications

Abstract Carbon nanotube (CNT) composites have been developed for use as electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding in satellites as well as other land-based applications. While CNT composites are costly and energy-intensive to produce relative to existing EMI shielding materials, they may offer both economic and energy benefits when considered on a life cycle basis. CNTs’ unique characteristics and enhanced physical and chemical properties have made them preferable as alternatives to conventional material. In comparing nano-enabled products with existing technologies, it is imperative to account for differences not just in production but also in performance and delivery. In this study, we considered CNT polymer composites as a replacement for aluminum (the current dominant EMI shielding material) on the basis of shielding effectiveness (in dB). Results demonstrate that CNT-enabled composites offer opportunities for more than 50% reduction in the mass of EMI shielding, while maintaining performance levels within ±10 dB of the shielding effectiveness of aluminum. Reduction in the mass of the EMI component of the satellite subsequently affects the total fuel required to launch it into orbit, reducing it by 6% when using CNT composites. Results show nearly 30% reduction of life cycle cumulative energy demand for the CNT polymer composite shielding compared to aluminum, with concomitant environmental benefits.
Effective Writing Content Conferences in a Sixth Grade Classroom: A Cross-Case Analysis

ABSTRACTConferencing gives teachers and students opportunities to discuss student writing and provide feedback in individual settings. Practitioner guides offer suggestions on how conferences can be conducted, but little is known about what types of interactions occur. Two case studies, including a cross-case analysis, were conducted to describe key components of effective conferences in one sixth grade classroom. Results showed that a structured and predictable pattern emerged in which students identified the purpose for the conference, examined a main issue of content with their teacher, and planned for the future. These students took ownership of their writing conferences by directing the conferences, maintaining a serious tone, and establishing a safe and positive atmosphere.
Accreditation, Professional Identity Development, and Professional Competence: A Discriminant Analysis

Researchers explored the relationship among professional identity, professional competence, and graduate program accreditation status of 134 practicum counselors-in-training. Descriptive discrimina...
Effectiveness of hepatitis C antiviral treatment in a USA cohort of veteran patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background & Aims Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was uncommon before direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications. Real-world effectiveness of DAAs for HCV in patients with HCC is unclear. We describe rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) with DAA regimens by HCV genotype in patients with a history of HCC. Methods We identified patients who initiated antiviral treatment between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015 in the national Veterans Affairs health care system. Regimens included sofosobuvir, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, and paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir and dasabuvir with or without ribavirin. HCC patients were divided into those who were treated with liver transplantation after HCC diagnosis ("HCC/LT" group) and those treated with other modalities prior to antiviral therapy ("HCC" group). Results Of 17,487 HCV treatment recipients, 624 (3.6%) had prior HCC, including 142 with HCC/LT and 482 with HCC. Overall SVR was 91.1% in non-HCC, 74.4% in HCC, and 94.0% in HCC/LT. Among HCC patients, genotype 1 had the highest SVR overall (79.1% in HCC and 96.4% in HCC/LT), and genotype 3 the lowest (47.0% in HCC and 88.9% in HCC/LT). After adjustment for confounders, the presence of HCC was associated with lower likelihood of SVR overall (AOR 0.38 [95% CI 0.29, 0.48], p Conclusion HCV can be cured with DAAs in the majority of patients with prior HCC, and in virtually all HCC patients post-liver transplant. Deferral of HCV treatment until the post-transplant setting may be considered among HCC patients listed for transplantation. Lay summary Over three-quarters of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who have hepatitis C can achieve viral cure with direct-acting antiviral drugs. Among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who subsequently received liver transplantation, over 90% of patients can achieve viral cure.
Rise of Invasive Species Denialism? A Response to Russell and Blackburn

In their article claiming a rise of invasive species denialism, Russell and Blackburn [1] define invasive alien species (IAS) as those that have negative impacts. This definition is said to reflect the scientific orthodoxy (consensus) that IAS have negative biodiversity, social, and economic impacts. The authors’ restricted definition of IAS is apparently derived from an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) document [2] published in 2000 Guidelines for the Prevention of Biodiversity Loss Caused by Alien Invasive Species.
Oxytocin and the initiation of human parturition. II. Stimulation of prostaglandin production in human decidua by oxytocin.

Abstract In the present study we have investigated the effect ot oxytocin on the production of prostagianndins E and F (PGE and PGF) by human decidua, amnion, and myomatrium in vitro. We found that oxytocin causes a signfftcant increase in the proction of both PGE and PGF in the decidua and in the production of PGE in the amnion. In the myometrium the stimulatory effect of oxytocin on PGF production was small and not statistically significant, and PGE production was not affected at all. On that basis of these results, we process that oxytocin provides the stimulus for the accelerated prostaglandin production in decidua and fetal membranes at the onset of labor. Since oxytocin levels rise in the fetal circulation at this time, the oxytocin stimulus may be of fetal origin as well as of maternal origin. (Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 141:694,1981.)
Artificial neural network based predictions of cetane number for furanic biofuel additives

Abstract The next generation of alternative fuels is being investigated through advanced chemical and biological production techniques for the purpose of finding suitable replacements for diesel and gasoline while lowering production costs and increasing process yields. Chemical conversion of biomass to fuels provides a plethora of pathways with a variety of fuel molecules, both novel and traditional, which may be targeted. In the search for new fuels, an initial, intuition-driven evaluation of fuel compounds with desired properties is required. Due to the high cost and significant production time needed to synthesize these materials at a scale sufficient for exhaustive testing, a predictive model would allow chemists to preemptively screen fuel properties of potentially desirable fuel candidates. Recent work has shown that predictive models, in this case artificial neural networks (ANN’s) analyzing quantitative structure property relationships (QSPR’s), can predict the cetane number (CN) of a proposed fuel molecule with relatively small error. A fuel’s CN is a measure of its ignition quality, typically defined using prescribed ASTM standards and a cetane testing engine. Alternatively, the analogous derived cetane number (DCN), obtained using an Ignition Quality Tester (IQT), is a direct measurement alternative to the CN that uses an empirical inverse relationship to the ignition delay found in the constant volume combustion chamber apparatus. DCN data points acquired using an IQT were utilized for model validation and expansion of the experimental database used in this study. The present work improves on an existing model by optimizing the model architecture along with the key learning variables of the ANN and by making the model more generalizable to a wider variety of fuel candidate types, specifically the class of furans and furan derivatives, by including specific molecules for the model to incorporate. The new molecules considered include tetrahydrofuran, 2-methylfuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, 5,5′-(furan-2-ylmethylene)bis(2-methylfuran), 5,5′-((tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methylene)bis(2-methyltetrahydrofuran), tris(5-methylfuran-2-yl)methane, and tris(5-methyltetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methane. Model architecture adjustments improved the overall root-mean-square error (RMSE) of the base database predictions by 5.54%. Additionally, through the targeted database expansion, it is shown that the predicted cetane number of the furan-based molecules improves on average by 49.21% (3.74 CN units) and significantly for a few of the individual molecules. This indicates that a selected subset of representative molecules can be used to extend the model’s predictive accuracy to new molecular classes. The approach, bolstered by the improvements presented in this paper, enables chemists to focus on promising molecules by eliminating less favorable candidates in relation to their ignition quality.
Abstract 91: Activation of The Antioxidant Response Element (ARE) in Human Renal Glomerular Endothelial Cells (HRGECs) Reduces Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (ADMA) And Increases Nitric Oxide by Transcriptional Activation of Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS)

The E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) binds to AREs and transcriptionally activates several genes that protect against oxidative stress. DDAH phosphorylates and activates eNOS and degrades ADMA which is an endogenous inhibitor of eNOS. We detected 2-3 putative AREs in the promoter regions of the human genes for DDAH-1 and -2, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and eNOS. PPAR-γ can increase eNOS expression and eNOS phosphorylation. Therefore, we hypothesized that AREs regulate the DDAH/eNOS/PPAR-γ/ADMA/ NO pathway. Tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) activates Nrf2 by translocation to the nucleus. Incubation of HRGECs for 24 hours with tBHQ enhanced cell proliferation dose-dependently (5-20μM). tBHQ (20μM; n=4) increased medium nitrite by 69 ± 3.7% (P 3 H]-arginine or [ 14 C]-ADMA to [ 3 H]- or [ 14 C] -citrulline) by 58 ± 3.6% and 47 ± 8.5% (P
Seeing and strategizing diversity in engineering classrooms and labs

While there is a plethora of research and inquiry into STEM and diverse populations at the university level, we have found a dearth of solid, introspective, thoughtful advice on how to handle actual classroom/team and research lab interactions such that diversity is at the core of the working experience. We have found that as instructors, leaders of engineering labs, and research managers at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, we often are working on defense versus offense when it comes to addressing issues of diversity, respect, and professional working behaviors.
Mulvey as political weapon

I worked with Laura in the then School of History of Art, Film and Visual Media at Birkbeck College, between 2005 and 2007. Fairly new to academia, I joined a department of women pioneers in their ...
Hospital Readmissions After Pediatric Trauma.

OBJECTIVES To determine the rate, etiology, and timing of unplanned and planned hospital readmissions and to identify risk factors for unplanned readmission in children who survive a hospitalization for trauma. DESIGN Multicenter retrospective cohort study of a probabilistically linked dataset from the National Trauma Data Bank and the Pediatric Health Information System database, 2007-2012. SETTING Twenty-nine U.S. children's hospitals. PATIENTS 51,591 children (< 18 yr at admission) who survived more than or equal to a 2-day hospitalization for trauma. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The primary outcome was unplanned readmission within 1 year of discharge from the injury hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included any readmission, reason for readmission, time to readmission, and number of readmissions within 1 year of discharge. The primary exposure groups were isolated traumatic brain injury, both traumatic brain injury and other injury, or nontraumatic brain injury only. We hypothesized a priori that any traumatic brain injury would be associated with both planned and unplanned hospital readmission. We used All Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Groups codes to categorize readmissions by etiology and planned or unplanned. Overall, 4,301/49,982 of the patients (8.6%) with more than or equal to 1 year of observation time were readmitted to the same hospital within 1 year. Many readmissions were unplanned: 2,704/49,982 (5.4%) experienced an unplanned readmission in the first year. The most common reason for unplanned readmission was infection (22%), primarily postoperative or posttraumatic infection (38% of readmissions for infection). Traumatic brain injury was associated with lower odds of unplanned readmission in multivariable analyses. Seizure or RBC transfusion during the index hospitalization were the strongest predictors of unplanned, earlier, and multiple readmissions. CONCLUSIONS Many survivors of pediatric trauma experience unplanned, and potentially preventable, hospital readmissions in the year after discharge. Identification of those at highest risk of readmission can guide targeted in-hospital or postdischarge interventions.
Coronary sinus morphology in pediatric patients with supraventricular tachycardia

The anatomic basis of atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) remains incompletely characterized in children. Differences in coronary sinus (CS) size and morphology have been observed in adults with AVNRT but have not been well characterized in children. Children (< 18 years) brought to the EP lab with supraventricular tachycardia for ablation underwent CS venography. A blinded pediatric interventional cardiologist performed CS measurements, which were indexed to body surface area. Patients were excluded if they were < 25 kg or had significant congenital heart disease. Forty-six patients (age 14.2 ± 3.3 years) met inclusion criteria, 17 with AVNRT and 32 with an accessory pathway (AP). CS ostium (LAO projection, end-systole) was 7.8 ± 2.9 mm/m2 for the AVNRT group versus 6.0 ± 2.5 mm/m2 for the AP group (p = 0.04). CS “windsock” morphology was more prevalent in the AVNRT group (16/17, 94.1%) than the AP group (11/32, 34.3%) (p < 0.001). Within the AVNRT group, there was no correlation between CS ostium size and tachycardia cycle length (R = 0.01, p = 0.96), fast-pathway ERP (FPERP) (R = 0.42, p = 0.12), or A2-H2 at the FPERP (R = 0.25, p = 0.39). Children with AVNRT have larger CS ostia and more prevalent windsock morphology. CS size/morphology did not correlate with EP properties of the AVNRT substrate. These features may explain the basis for the development of the electrophysiologic substrate for dual AV node physiology in children.
Transient Energy Transfer in Hot and Cold Layers of Radiating Gas during Expansion

Transient energy transfer in the hot and the surrounding cold layers of gray radiating gas during expansion has been studied. The gases have been assumed to be perfect and in local thermodynamic equilibrium. The heating of the gas by a diffuse and a collimated component of radiation flux incident on the boundaries from some external source has been considered and the dependence of the physical and radiative properties of the gas on the temperature has also been accounted for. The governing equations have been transformed toLagrangian coordiantes and then solved simultaneously by a finite difference method. The distributions of temperature, pressure and velocity are presented in hot as well as cold gas layers as a function of time for a variety of parameters and initial conditions of physical interest.
Animal models of opiate, cocaine, and cannabis use.

Basic research in the field of drug abuse has focused traditionally on the major abuse compounds: opioids, cannabis, the central nervous system stimulants (amphetamine and cocaine), and phencyclidine. Historically, by the time developmental research using animal models is initiated on a given compound, some information has accumulated on its adult pharmacology and toxicity in both rodent and man and frequently preliminary clinical observations of its effects on the human neonate have been published. But unlike new pharmaceuticals, drug safety, and risk assessment studies are not first carried out with animals. For a particular abuse substance, animal studies follow in the wake of an identified public health problem, initially to aid in hazard identification and then to clarify pharmacologic activity, toxicity, and mechanism of action.
App inventor for Android with studio-based learning

App Inventor for Android allows people with little or no programming experience to create smart phone applications on the Android platform. This is accomplished by using drag-and-drop UI design and blocks-oriented visual programming. We offered an experimental section during the closed beta testing of App Inventor for Android in which we used Studio-Based Learning to foster positive learning experiences. Studio-Based Learning is a pedagogical approach in which students build their own representations of their knowledge and share these, formally and informally, with both experts and peers. Our students worked in teams on several projects, with the sixteen students creating over thirty Android applications while learning fundamentals of Computer Science. In this paper, we provide the background and inspiration for this work, including a review of literature on Studio-Based Learning and a comparison of App Inventor for Android to other modern visual programming environments. An overview of our semester goals and course design are provided. From our experience and based on the literature, we conclude that App Inventor for Android and Studio-Based Learning make for a powerful combination to introduce non-CS majors to concepts of Computer Science-not just programming, but also ideas that tend not to be covered in conventional CS1 courses such as human-computer interaction, incremental and iterative design processes, collaboration, evaluation, and quality assurance. This paper complements the eponymous Web site at https://sites.google.com/site/appinventorsbl.
Mother-Father Agreement in Temperament Ratings

There is a sizeable literature which demonstrates that temperament ratings by parents predict meaningful psychological outcomes. In the seminal New York Longitudinal Study, for example, (Thomas, Chess, Birch, Hertzig, & Korn, 1963; Thomas, Chess, & Birch, 1968; Thomas & Chess, 1977) parent reports in the form of interviews were used and were found to be reliable, and to relate in meaningful ways to a variety of outcomes. Building on this work and research from other traditions (e. g., behavior genetics), many parent-rating scales have been developed and several have been widely used. These include the Infant Temperament Questionnaire (Carey & McDevitt, 1978), the Toddler Temperament Questionnaire (Fullard, McDevitt, & Carey, 1978), The Middle Childhood Questionnaire (Hegvik, McDevitt, & Carey, 1982), the Behavior Style Questionnaire (McDevitt & Carey, 1978), the Dimensions of Temperament Survey (Lerner, Palermo, Spiro, & Nesselroade, 1982), and Infant Behavior Questionnaire (Rothbart, 1981). Each of the more widely used measures demonstrated acceptable though varying levels of temporal stability and internal consistency, and substantial concurrent and predictive validity.
Preparation of HeLa cell nuclear and cytosolic S100 extracts for in vitro splicing.

Following the initial discovery of split genes in 1977, it took several years before in vitro systems were successfully developed to study the biochemistry of pre-mRNA splicing. The first systems relied on coupling of transcription and splicing in whole-cell extracts and were fairly inefficient, because of the different optima for these two reactions (1,2). It was later shown that these reactions could be uncoupled (3,4), but obtaining discrete pre-mRNAs in useful amounts remained an obstacle until in vitro transcription with bacteriophage RNA polymerases (3) was adopted for this purpose. Another useful development was a nuclear extract preparation procedure that was initially developed for in vitro transcription studies (5). No splicing was detected in this study. However, the same extract preparation procedure, in conjunction with pre-mRNAs transcribed from cloned genes by SP6 RNA polymerase, was used to define optimal conditions for in vitro splicing (6). This system results in relatively efficient and accurate splicing, and is now in wide use, with slight variations from laboratory to laboratory. Variations in extract preparation include primarily the use of slightly different buffers and salts for nuclear extraction or dialysis.