cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From Mindfulness to Right Mindfulness: the Intersection of Awareness and Ethics

Monteiro et al. (2015) have raised important concerns regarding the role of ethics in contemporary models of mindfulness interventions. We agree that this is a central and compelling question in the cultural translation of mindfulness and of meditative practice when utilized in Western secular settings. Here, we address some foundational issues relating to the association of mindfulness and secular ethics that we hope will contribute to this discussion. In doing so, we consider mindfulness to be not only a specific set of meditative practices, but also an integral part of the eightfold path in which right speech, right action, right livelihood, etc., are intrinsically linked. Our view involves a broader translation of the term “mindfulness,” in accord with that of Bodhi (2011), in which mindfulness necessarily encompasses ethical speech and action as part of a complex set of interrelated processes, which include discernment, discrimination, remembrance, and imagination. This expanded definition moves us from mindfulness toward “right mindfulness” by incorporation of an ethical foundation that may be explicitly taught or implicitly communicated by the embodiment of such values in a teacher. In this commentary, we do not discuss the second issue raised by Monteiro and colleagues regarding the issue of spiritual materialism, nor their concerns regarding the utilization of meditative techniques in the service of self-advancement, combat, or other more controversial contemporary contexts. However, we share the concerns of the more traditional Buddhist approach that a delimited approach to mindfulness that does not include an ethical foundation is misappropriated and questionable. We also propose that it may be helpful to begin to articulate principles and criteria to (i) draw a clear line to distinguish mindfulness from right mindfulness in secular interventions and (ii) serve as scaffolding for development of an ethical framework.
Unsteady flow about a sphere at low to moderate Reynolds number. Part 2. Accelerated motion

A full numerical simulation based on spectral methods is used to investigate linearly accelerating and decelerating flows past a rigid sphere. Although flow separation does not occur at Reynolds numbers below 20 for a steady flow, in the linearly decelerating flow separation is observed at much lower Reynolds numbers with complete detachment of vorticity possible in certain cases. The existence of a large recirculation region contributes to the result that a negative viscous force on the sphere is possible. The contribution of the pressure to the force includes a component that is well described by the inviscid added-mass term in both the accelerating and decelerating cases. The force on the sphere is found in general to initially decay in a power law manner after acceleration or deceleration ends followed by rapid convergence at later times to the steady state. For the cases examined this convergence is found to be exponential except for those in which the sphere is brought to rest in which case the convergence remains algebraic. This includes the special case of an infinite acceleration or deceleration where the free stream velocity is impulsively changed.
Hybridoma Passage In Vitro May Result in Reduced Ability of Antimannan Antibody To Protect against Disseminated Candidiasis

We previously reported the enhanced resistance of monoclonal antibodies B6.1 (an immunoglobulin M [IgM]) and C3.1 (an IgG3) against experimental candidiasis. Both MAbs recognize the same fungal epitope. We have since found that a highly passaged B6.1 hybridoma (hp-B6.1) resulted in antibody that has little protective potential. The potential clinical applicability of the antibody and our interest in understanding antibody protection against candidiasis led us to investigate an explanation for this phenomenon. Antibody genetic structure of hp-B6.1, the original hybridoma clone (ori-B6.1) stored frozen since 1995, a subclone of hp-B6.1 that produces protective antibody, the IgG3-producing hybridoma, and a nonprotective IgG1-producing hybridoma were compared. Variable region gene sequences of heavy (VH) and light chains showed genetic instability of VH chains with only the hp-B6.1; the VH sequences from ori-B6.1 and the subclone were, however, identical. Activation-induced cytidine deaminase levels were greatest in the B6.1 hybridomas, which may explain the instability. The constant region CH3 domain remained unchanged, implying normal N-glycation and complement-fixing potential, and antibody binding affinities appeared unchanged. Complement fixation assays surprisingly showed that ori-B6.1 antibody fixes C3 more rapidly than does hp-B6.1 antibody. The VH region primary structure may affect complement activation, which could explain our result. Indeed, antibody from the hp-B6.1 subclone fixed complement like antibody from ori-B6.1. These results show that the greatest protection occurs when antimannan antibodies possess the dual abilities of recognizing the appropriate carbohydrate epitope and rapidly fixing complement; loss of the latter property results in the loss of protective potential by the antibody.
A single-pill combination of amlodipine besylate and atorvastatin calcium (update)

This review describes the clinical profile and rationale for the development of a single-pill formulation of the calcium channel blocker amlodipine besylate, a blood pressure-lowering agent with pleiotropic effects, and atorvastatin calcium, a statin with lipid-lowering as well as pleiotropic anti-atherosclerotic properties. Amlodipine and atorvastatin have been demonstrated in numerous clinical trials to be highly effective in lowering blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Furthermore, both amlodipine and atorvastatin have been demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular events in a broad range of patients. The amlodipine/atorvastatin single pill has been shown to improve patients' achievement of national guideline-recommended blood pressure and lipid target levels and exhibits a safety profile consistent with its parent compounds. The combination pill is available in formulations appropriate for administration across therapeutic dose ranges targeted to a wide variety of hypertensive patients with additional risk factors and differing degrees of cardiovascular risk, or with manifest cardiovascular disease. Single-pill amlodipine/atorvastatin has the potential to improve the management of hypertensive patients with additional cardiovascular risk factors, especially dyslipidemia, by reducing pill burden and prescription costs. This potential has important implications because hypertensive patients with additional risk factors represent a large proportion of those at risk for cardiovascular events.
An Analysis of Fuzzy Clustering and a Hybrid Model for the Auditor's Going Concern Assessment*

This study provides a description and testing of fuzzy clustering and a hybrid model that can support the decision an auditor makes when completing the going concern evaluation. Fuzzy clustering is based on fuzzy logic, and the hybrid system is designed to address the going concern decision through the combined use of a statistical model and an expert system. These models have the capability of identifying categories of firms with particular characteristics that may indicate whether or not the audit report of the firms requires a going concern modification. A prediction of whether or not a firm may go bankrupt is included as one of the components of the going concern decision. As a result, if a firm is placed in a particular bankrupt category by a decision model, it may help in the determination of the auditor's opinion regarding the continuity of the business.
Next-Generation Sequencing for the Identification of Targetable Molecular Alterations in Cancer.

A 64-year-old man was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). He presentedwithprogressive inguinal lymphadenopathyanda leukocytosis of 144 000/μLwith 97% lymphocytes (intermediatemodifiedRai stage). Bonemarrowcytogenetics and fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated 11q and 13q deletions. He received fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab, achieving a complete remission. Sixmonths later, he experienced disease recurrence. He received bendamustine plus rituximab, with resolution of lymphadenopathy and lymphocytosis. Prolonged cytopenias precluded continuation of therapy, and lymphadenopathy and lymphocytosis again recurred. A nextgeneration sequencing (NGS) panel was ordered on peripheral blood to evaluate for potentially targetable genomic alterations (Table).
Contemporary deformation and stressing rates in Southern Alaska

SUMMARY The subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath North America induces broad scale stressing of the Alaskan crust that has led to the development of the highest mountains in North America, the highest slip rates along some of the longest strike-slip faults on Earth, and widespread seismicity that includes the 1964 M9.2 Alaska earthquake, the second largest ever recorded. These features are a consequence of deformation associated with three primary processes, interseismic loading due to relative plate motions, large earthquakes and postseismic processes. How these mechanisms contribute to the evolution of stress in the Alaskan crust is not well understood. Here we use observed contemporary surface velocities to constrain 2-D and 3-D viscoelastic numerical models of relative Pacific/North American plate motions, coseismic slip associated with the 1964 (M9.2) megathrust event and strike-slip earthquakes on the transform boundary in 1949 (M8.1), 1958 (M7.8) and 1972 (M7.6) (the four largest events prior to the 2002 M7.9 Denali quake), viscoelastic relaxation following these events, and afterslip, to gain insight into how these processes are shaping Alaska today. Results suggest that interseismic deformation and on-going post-seismic deformation following the 1964 earthquake both contribute significantly to the GPS measured contemporary velocity field. Viscoelastic relaxation associated with a mantle with a viscosity of � 10 19 Pa s is required to explain southerly directed velocities that are observed in the Cook Inlet region to well north of the Denali fault. Results also suggest that subduction of the Pacific Plate leads to a broad zone of deformation with high stressing rates concentrated in a band that lies several hundred kilometres from the plate boundary, coeval with the inboard location of the maximum locking depth of the megathrust. Interseismic deformation and stressing rates remain high further inland across the Yakutat microplate, where flat subduction extends the width of the locked plate interface. Calculations show that post-seismic relaxation following the large strike-slip events serves to reload these rupture surfaces while relieving stress on the eastern Denali Fault. Post-seismic relaxation following the 1964 earthquake combined with coseismic stress changes, promoted the triggering of the 2002 Denali quake. Calculations also suggest that over the past 50 years high stress has accumulated on part of the thrust interface to the west and east of the 1964 rupture surface and along the Queen-Charlotte Fault to the south of the 1949 rupture surface.
System design based on C/C++: what is needed and what is not

Summary form only given. With complexities of systems rising almost daily, the system community has been searching for new methodology that can handle given complexities with increased productivity and decreased times-to-market. The obvious solution that comes to mind is increasing levels of abstraction, or in other words, increasing the size of the basic building blocks. However, it is not clear what these basic blocks should be beyond the obvious processors and memories. Furthermore, if a design consists of SW and HW, the modeling language should be C since standard processors come only with C compilers. Unfortunately, the C language was developed for describing software and not hardware. It is missing basic constructs for expressing hardware concurrency and communication among components. Therefore, we need a well defined design flow, with well defined models and a modeling language that can be compiled with standard compilers and that is capable of modeling hardware and software on different levels of abstraction including cycle-level accuracy. In order to find the solution, we look first at the system gap between SW and HW designs and then try to bridge this gap by looking at different levels of abstraction. In addition, we define example semantics for each abstraction level, necessary styles of modeling and required model refinements to bring the specification to a cycle-accurate implementation level. We exemplify this by looking in detail at the RTL and SL abstraction levels. From this point of view we analyze the basic approaches in the academia and the industry today, and try to find out where we, as a design community, are going. We finish with a prediction and a roadmap to achieve the ultimate goal of increasing productivity in system design by more then 1000X and reducing expertise level needed for design of complex systems to the basic principles of design science only.
Automatic scoring of medical students’ clinical notes to monitor learning in the workplace

Background: Educators need efficient and effective means to track students’ clinical experiences to monitor their progress toward competency goals.Aim: To validate an electronic scoring system that rates medical students’ clinical notes for relevance to priority topics of the medical school curriculum.Method: The Vanderbilt School of Medicine Core Clinical Curriculum enumerates 25 core clinical problems (CCP) that graduating medical students must understand. Medical students upload clinical notes pertinent to each CCP to a web-based dashboard, but criteria for determining relevance of a note and consistent uploading practices by students are lacking. The Vanderbilt Learning Portfolio (VLP) system automates both tasks by rating relevance for each CCP and uploading the note to the student's electronic dashboard. We validated this electronic scoring system by comparing the relevance of 265 clinical notes written by third year medical students to each of the 25 core patient problems as scored by VLP verses an...
Gαq binds to p110α/p85α phosphoinositide 3-kinase and displaces Ras

Several studies have reported that activation of G(q)-coupled receptors inhibits PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) signalling. In the present study, we used purified proteins to demonstrate that Galpha(q) directly inhibits p110alpha/p85alpha PI3K in a GTP-dependent manner. Activated Galpha(q) binds to the p110alpha/p85alpha PI3K with an apparent affinity that is seven times stronger than that for Galpha(q).GDP as measured by fluorescence spectroscopy. In contrast, Galpha(q) did not bind to the p110gamma PI3K. Fluorescence spectroscopy experiments also showed that Galpha(q) competes with Ras, a PI3K activator, for binding to p110alpha/p85alpha. Interestingly, co-precipitation studies using deletion mutants showed that Galpha(q) binds to the p85-binding domain of p110alpha and not to the Ras-binding domain. Expression of constitutively active Galpha(q)Q209L in cells inhibited Ras activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway but had no effect on Ras/Raf/MEK [MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)/ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) kinase] signalling. These results suggest that activation of G(q)-coupled receptors leads to increased binding of Galpha(q).GTP to some isoforms of PI3K, which might explain why these receptors inhibit this signalling pathway in certain cell types.
The expression of two engrailed-related genes in an apterygote insect and a phylogenetic analysis of insect engrailed-related genes

Homologues of the Drosophila segment polarity gene engrailed have been cloned from many insect species, as well as other arthropods and non-arthropods. We have cloned partial cDNAs of two engrailed homologues, which we call engrailed-related genes, from the phylogenetically basal insect, Thermobia domestica (Order Thysanura) and possibly as many as four engrailed-related genes from the phylogenetically intermediate insect, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Order Hemiptera). Previous to our findings, only single engrailed-related homologues had been found in phylogenetically intermediate insect species (Tribolium and Schistocerca) and in the crustacean Artemia, while two engrailed-related homologues have been found in more derived orders (Hymenoptera and the engrailed and invected genes of lepidopterans and dipterans). Consequently, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of insect engrailed-related genes to determine whether insects ancestrally had one or two engrailed-related genes. We have found evidence of concerted evolution among engrailed-related paralogues, however, that masks the true phylogenetic history of these genes; the phylogeny may only be decipherable, therefore, by examining the presence or absence of engrailed-specific and invected-specific motifs, which will require cloning the full length cDNAs from more species. In addition, we examined the embryonic expression pattern of the two Thermobia engrailed-related genes; like Drosophila engrailed and invected, they are expressed in very similar patterns, but show one temporal difference in pregnathal segments that correlates with the tentative phylogenetic placement of the genes. Thermobia engrailed-related expression also confirms that the dorsal ridge is an ancient structure in insects.
Joint Fixed-Rate Universal Lossy Coding and Identification of Continuous-AlphabetMemoryless Sources

The problem of joint universal source coding and density estimation is considered in the setting of fixed-rate lossy coding of continuous-alphabet memoryless sources. For a wide class of bounded distortion measures, it is shown that any compactly parametrized family of Rd -valued independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) sources with absolutely continuous distributions satisfying appropriate smoothness and Vapnik-Chervonenkis (VC) learnability conditions, admits a joint scheme for universal lossy block coding and parameter estimation, such that when the block length n tends to infinity, the overhead per-letter rate and the distortion redundancies converge to zero as O(n-1 log n) and O(radicn-1 log n), respectively. Moreover, the active source can be determined at the decoder up to a ball of radius O(radicn-1 log n) in variational distance, asymptotically almost surely. The system has finite memory length equal to the block length, and can be thought of as blockwise application of a time-invariant nonlinear filter with initial conditions determined from the previous block. Comparisons are presented with several existing schemes for universal vector quantization, which do not include parameter estimation explicitly, and an extension to unbounded distortion measures is outlined. Finally, finite mixture classes and exponential families are given as explicit examples of parametric sources admitting joint universal compression and modeling schemes of the kind studied here.
Sulfonium Boranes for the Selective Capture of Cyanide Ions in Water

Fischen nach CN−: Das Sulfonioboran [1]+ komplexiert Cyanid in reinem Wasser bei der EU-weit empfohlenen maximalen Arbeitsplatzkonzentration von 50 ppb. Die hohe Affinitat fur Cyanidionen ist das Ergebnis gunstiger Coulomb-Effekte im Verbund mit einer direkten bindenden Wechselwirkung zwischen Cyanidionen und Sulfoniogruppen.
Novel low-cost beam-steering techniques

This paper summarizes and compares several techniques for beam steering without the use of conventional ferrite or solid-state phase shifters. Three methods are presented: a microstrip patch antenna array fed by a dielectric image line (DIL) controlled by a reflector plate, a multimicrostrip line fed Vivaldi antenna array controlled by piezoelectric transducers (PETs) and a movable grating film fed by dielectric image line. Both theoretical analyses and experimental measurements have been carried out. The measurement results agree very well with the predictions. These new techniques have many advantages, including low cost, broad bandwidth, low loss, wide scan angle, and simplicity. These low-cost beam-steering techniques should have many applications in microwave and millimeter-wave commercial systems.
Helix-loop-helix protein p8, a transcriptional regulator required for cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cardiac fibroblast matrix metalloprotease induction.

Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and extracellular matrix remodeling, primarily mediated by inflammatory cytokine-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts, are critical cellular events in cardiac pathology. The molecular components governing these processes remain nebulous, and few genes have been linked to both hypertrophy and matrix remodeling. Here we show that p8, a small stress-inducible basic helix-loop-helix protein, is required for endothelin- and α-adrenergic agonist-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and for tumor necrosis factor-stimulated induction, in cardiac fibroblasts, of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) 9 and 13—MMPs linked to general inflammation and to adverse ventricular remodeling in heart failure. In a stimulus-dependent manner, p8 associates with chromatin containing c-Jun and with the cardiomyocyte atrial natriuretic factor (anf) promoter and the cardiac fibroblast mmp9 and mmp13 promoters, established activator protein 1 effectors. p8 is also induced strongly in the failing human heart by a process reversed upon therapeutic intervention. Our results identify an unexpectedly broad involvement for p8 in key cellular events linked to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cardiac fibroblast MMP production, both of which occur in heart failure.
Infection and readmission rate of cardiac implantable electronic device insertions: An observational single center study

Background Infection is one of the most serious complications following surgical placement of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Infection prevention efforts are necessary in reducing CIED infectious outcomes. These devices, however, are commonly inserted in higher risk patients, which may explain the ongoing risk of surgical site infection (SSI) in this population. The rates of CIED infection and utilization vary widely in the literature. The definitions of infection may also vary between clinical definitions and the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) criteria. Methods The primary objective of this study was to review patient data to identify risk factors for infection and readmission after CIED placement at an academic medical center. The secondary objectives were to compare the rates of SSI identified by NHSN criteria compared to that obtained by applying clinical infection definitions. Results The overall rate of infection (SSI) was 1.9%, which was identical in both the clinical definition and NHSN reported data. The 30 day readmission rate and the 90 day readmission rate were 12.7% and 25.6% respectively with the most readmissions related to the patients' underlying medical conditions. A lower ejection fraction (EF) was identified as an independent risk factor for readmission, inpatient procedures, smoking and device infection were also significantly associated with readmission after CIED insertion.
Celebrity Influence? An Observational Study of Consumer Responses on Social Media and on an Internet Search Engine to News of Angelina Jolie's Prophylactic Mastectomies

We sought to explore US individuals’ internet and social media behavior before and after Ms. Angeline Jolie’s disclosure of her BRCA status and prophylactic surgery. All US individuals using Google’s search engine to search for keywords ‘double mastectomy,’ ‘breast cancer,’ or ‘BRCA gene’ between April 21 and May 20, 2013, and all US individuals mentioning keywords on Twitter, blogs and online forums between February 21 through July 20, 2013 were captured. We performed a descriptive analysis of relative daily number of Google searches for keywords and absolute daily mentions on social media of keywords. Google searches for and social media mentions of keywords were immediately but transiently elevated in the several days following Ms. Jolie’s article. Celebrity news can impact individuals for health behavior. Despite apparent transient elevation of US consumer interest in relevant keywords, it is not yet known whether utilization of BRCA gene testing and/or prophylactic surgery will change.
Defining the rate-limiting processes of bacterial cytokinesis

Bacterial cytokinesis is accomplished by the essential ‘divisome’ machinery. The most widely conserved divisome component, FtsZ, is a tubulin homolog that polymerizes into the ‘FtsZ-ring’ (‘Z-ring’). Previous in vitro studies suggest that Z-ring contraction serves as a major constrictive force generator to limit the progression of cytokinesis. Here, we applied quantitative superresolution imaging to examine whether and how Z-ring contraction limits the rate of septum closure during cytokinesis in Escherichia coli cells. Surprisingly, septum closure rate was robust to substantial changes in all Z-ring properties proposed to be coupled to force generation: FtsZ’s GTPase activity, Z-ring density, and the timing of Z-ring assembly and disassembly. Instead, the rate was limited by the activity of an essential cell wall synthesis enzyme and further modulated by a physical divisome–chromosome coupling. These results challenge a Z-ring–centric view of bacterial cytokinesis and identify cell wall synthesis and chromosome segregation as limiting processes of cytokinesis.
Abstract B87: Cigarette smoking, lifetime exposure to passive smoking, and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the California Teachers Study

Background: Overall, epidemiological studies conducted to date do not support a causal relationship between smoking and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) risk. However, previous studies did not account for passive smoking in the referent group of never smokers, which may have masked subtle effects. We therefore examined the effects of cigarette smoking and passive smoking on NHL risk in the prospective California Teachers Study (CTS) cohort. Methods: The CTS collected lifetime smoking and household passive smoking exposures in 1995 and lifetime passive smoking exposures in three settings (household, workplace, and social) in 1997-1998. Multivariable-adjusted relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by fitting Cox proportional hazards models for NHL risk with follow-up through 2007. Results: Compared to never smokers, ever smokers had a 1.11-fold elevated NHL risk (95% CI=0.94-1.30) which increased to 1.22 (95% CI=0.95-1.57) when women with household passive smoking were excluded from the reference category. Statistically significant dose-response trends were observed for lifetime cumulative smoking exposures (intensity and pack-years) when women with household passive smoking were excluded from the reference category (both p-trend=0.02). Among never smokers, NHL risk increased with increasing lifetime passive smoking exposure [RR=1.51 (95% CI=1.03-2.22) for more than 40 vs. less than or equal to 5 years, p-trend=0.03]. Both smoking and passive smoking were associated with increased risk of follicular lymphoma, but not other NHL subtypes. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that smoking and passive smoking may play a role in NHL etiology, particularly for follicular lymphoma. Studies evaluating the effect of smoking should consider the effects of passive smoking. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):B87.
The Nomenclatural Status and Synonymy of Phyllachora Bambusina, Lateropeltis Bambusarum, and Their Conidial Stages

Phyllachora ? bambusina Speg., Schizothyrium bambusellum Rehm, and Kiehlia obscura Viegas are shown to represent one pyrenomycete species, which is named Kiehlia bambusina (Speg.) Farr var. bambusi...
Long-Chain 3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene/Thiophene Oligomers and Semiconducting Thin Films Prepared by Their Electropolymerization

A series of soluble H-terminated conjugated oligomers incorporating 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) combined with a small number of thiophene units and ranging in length from four to eight EDOT/thiophene groups was prepared with the ultimate goal to investigate if facile formation of a reactive trication radical species would enable electrochemical polymerization of such long-chain oligomers. Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of the oligomers revealed some general dependencies of their electronic properties on the total number and position of EDOT groups. It was the number of consecutive EDOT units rather than total number of these units which was found to have the most profound effect on electronic energy gap and conjugation length. This influence originates from the especially strong planarization induced in the conjugated backbone by the incorporation of EDOT units. In contrast, incorporation of thiophene units was found to result in loss of the conformational stabilization. This phenomenon was analyzed using the natural bond orbital computational approach, which revealed the predominantly hyperconjugative nature of the EDOT-induced conformational stabilization. Whereas shorter oligomers, in agreement with the general consensus, were found to be inert toward electrochemical polymerization due to low reactivity of electrochemically generated cation radical and dication species, the longest oligomer showed an unprecedentedly efficient electropolymerization to yield a stable thin film of an electroactive polymer. The efficient electropolymerization of the long-chain oligomer was found to be in agreement with the formation of a reactive trication radical species. The electronic and spectral properties of the resulting semiconducting polymer film were studied by various electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods, as well as conductive probe AFM technique, and revealed a number of unusual features (such as electrical rectifying switching behavior) consistent with the possibility of increased molecular order in this material.
Pyrolysis Properties of Crystallization Aluminium Chloride

Performances of alumina prepared by pyrolysis aluminium chloride which was a key technology in a new acid process( the double-cycle method) w ere studied by the chemical analysis and X-ray diffraction( XRD). The pyrolysis properties of crystalline aluminium chloride at the static atmosphere and w ater vapor status w ith different temperatures and time w ere mainly investigated. By comparison,the results show ed that the decomposition rate in w ater vapor w as significantly higher than that of the direct decomposition one w ithout w ater vapor. Chlorine mass fraction in the product could be reduced to 0. 14% w ith the optimal conditions for the pyrolysis in w ater vapor of a pyrolysis temperature of 800 ℃ and a pyrolysis time of 30 minutes. w hile for that in the static atmosphere,the chlorine mass fraction of 0. 25% w as obtained at a pyrolysis temperature of 900 ℃ for holding a pyrolysis time of 60 minutes.
Peril Motivacional de un grupo de estudiantes universitarios

RESUMEN. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un perfil motivacional de un grupo de 562 estudiantes universitarios argentinos. Se estudiaron las metas academicas de aprendizaje y rendimiento, junto a otras variables y factores intervinientes en la motivacion, como ser la atribucion causal interna y externa y la satisfaccion academica en sus tres dimensiones, la proveniente de la actuacion de los profesores, la social y la institucional. Por medio de un analisis cluster se encontraron tres grupos diferenciados, el cluster 1, (337 sujetos), con metas de aprendizaje y de rendimiento altas; el cluster 2, (212 sujetos), con metas de aprendizaje altas y de rendimiento medias y el cluster 3, (13 sujetos), con metas de aprendizaje y de rendimiento medias. Los integrantes del cluster 1 con metas elevadas tambien presentaron medias mas altas en las atribuciones causales y en la satisfaccion academica. Prevalecen en los tres clusteres las metas de aprendizaje, pero en la mayoria de los sujetos se conirma la presencia de multiples metas, hecho favorable para aprender en el ambito academico. PALABRAS CLAVE. Motivacion Academica, Metas, Atribucion Causal, Satisfaccion Academica doi: 10.21703/rexe.201628931065
Mechanical use of crayfish chelae

Chela mechanical function was investigated by comparing individuals of the crayfish Orconectes propinquus (Girard) with and without the mechanical use of their chelae (dactyls held closed with rubberbands or glue) to determine if crayfish need the mechanical function of chelae to feed, to deter predators, to survive in the field, and to copulate with mates. Laboratory studies showed that crayfish did not require the use of their chelae to consume algae or snails, but fewer crayfish consumed juvenile insects when their pincers were non‐functional. Male and female crayfish with functional pincers were just as susceptible to snapping turtle predators in the laboratory and just as likely to be recaptured in the field as those with non‐functional pincers. Laboratory mating experiments with two males and a single female showed that only males with the mechanical use of their chelae copulated. These results indicate that O. propinquus require their chelae for mating but do not require functioning chelae to feed ...
Binding of natural humic matter to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rivers of the Southeastern United States

The binding constants (K oc ) of four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were determined for sedimentary fulvic and humic acids and the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) of five rivers in Georgia, USA. The log K oc for the PAH ranged: anthracene, 4.63-5.57; phenanthrene, 4.58-5.62; pyrene, 4.90-5.65; benzo(a)pyrene, 3.48-5.20. Log K oc values for the PAH compounds with riverine DOC were very similar for all rivers and more closely resembled those of sedimentary humic acids than the fulvic acids. The molecular size distribution of the riverine DOC indicates that >75% of the DOC occurs in size fractions >10,000 daltons. Despite similarities in K oc , there appear to be inter-river differences in the distribution of PAH among molecular size classes of the DOC, which have ramifications for water quality both in rivers and estuaries.
Cranial Modification Among 19th Century Osages: Admixture and Loss of an Ethnic Marker

Among 19 th century Osage full-bloods, a modified cranium, specifically a flattened occiput, was an integral part of ethnic expression. An early archival source documenting this practice is a sculpted bust of Black Spirit, who, along with five other members of the Osage tribe, toured Paris in 1827, where a local artisan skillfully crafted this marble likeness of an exotic visitor from America 's frontier. When viewed in profile this bust clearly depicts a tabular occiput. Comparative study of 124 Osages measured by Franz Boas and colleagues at the close of the 19 th century reveals that the majority of mixed-bloods did not possess altered crania, while full-bloods did. It will be demonstrated that Indian-white marriages created a domestic environment where parents chose not to utilize a cradleboard as part of infant care. Their probable motives for this decision will also be explored. The craniometric data analyzed in this report document an important form of culture change among admixed Osage Indians at the close of the 19 th century.
"I Would Quit My Job:" Unpacking Preservice Teachers' Perceptions of Culture and Diversity

With the changing demographics of classrooms across the United States, preservice teachers must be prepared to provide a just and equitable education for all students (Edwards, McMillon, & Turner, 2010; Villegas, 2007). In order to meet the needs of our increasingly diverse student population, teacher education programs are responsible for providing support to preservice teachers so, as educators, they honor “the differences among cultures, viewing diversity as a benefit, interacting knowledgeably and respectfully among a variety of cultural groups” (Lindsey, Roberts, & Campbell-Jones, 2005, p. xviii). Recognizing the impact of respectful and reciprocal relationships between families and schools, we challenged preservice teachers to reflect upon beliefs, perceptions and biases they held about diverse cultures. Data collected through the resulting study have implications for how colleges of education can ensure that candidates have the knowledge, skills and dispositions to effectively work with all children and families.
Elucidating the neural correlates of related false memories using a systematic measure of perceptual relatedness

Previous memory research has exploited the perceptual similarities between lures and targets in order to evoke false memories. Nevertheless, while some studies have attempted to use lures that are objectively more similar than others, no study has systematically controlled for perceptual overlap between target and lure items and its role in accounting for false alarm rates or the neural processes underlying such perceptual false memories. The current study looked to fill this gap in the literature by using a face-morphing program to systematically control for the amount of perceptual overlap between lures and targets. Our results converge with previous studies in finding a pattern of differences between true and false memories. Most importantly, expanding upon this work, parametric analyses showed false memory activity increases with respect to the similarity between lures and targets within bilateral middle temporal gyri and right medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Moreover, this pattern of activation was unique to false memories and could not be accounted for by relatedness alone. Connectivity analyses further find that activity in the mPFC and left middle temporal gyrus co-vary, suggestive of gist-based monitoring within the context of false memories. Interestingly, neither the MTL nor the fusiform face area exhibited modulation as a function of target-lure relatedness. Overall, these results provide insight into the processes underlying false memories and further enhance our understanding of the role perceptual similarity plays in supporting false memories.
Heterogeneous 2D and 3D photonic integrated circuits

Motivation for photonic integration can be summarized as reduction of cost, power consumption, size, packaging, and failures (FIT), and challenges in photonic integration are to achieve high yield. Heterogeneous photonic integration provides an opportunity for combining advantages from multiple photonic integration platforms. For instance heterogeneous integration of silicon, InP, and silica photonic integration platforms can combine compact waveguide bending radius (silicon photonics), gain and Pockel's effect (AlInGaAs/InP), and low loss (silica and silicon nitride) devices on relatively large silicon wafers. While achieving such monolithic integration of heterogeneous material platforms by hetero-epitaxy, etc., can ideally achieve intimate mechanical, thermal, optical, and electrical binding, it may be too challenging to realize process compatibility and high yield. On the other hand, hybrid integration of heterogeneous material platforms by utilizing wafer bonding, flip-chip bonding, etc., can prove to be a very practical approach. Motivation for 3D heterogeneous integration is to extend the benefit of 2D heterogeneous integration to 3D and to achieve higher density integration than 2D, although challenges compound in 3D compared to 2D. Laser inscribing provides a free-form method to create arbitrary shape embedded waveguides in 3D and also offers a method to achieve photonic wirebonding. Multilayer stacking facilitates creation of 3D photonic integrated circuits by using conventional lithography and deposition methods. 2D/3D heterogeneous photonic integration is essential for future microsystems aiming at scalability, high-performance, and cost effectiveness.
High-T C superconductivity in Cs3C60 compounds governed by local Cs-C60 Coulomb interactions.

Unique among alkali-doped A 3C60 fullerene compounds, the A15 and fcc forms of Cs3C60 exhibit superconducting states varying under hydrostatic pressure with highest transition temperatures at [Formula: see text] = 38.3 and 35.2 K, respectively. Herein it is argued that these two compounds under pressure represent the optimal materials of the A 3C60 family, and that the C60-associated superconductivity is mediated through Coulombic interactions with charges on the alkalis. A derivation of the interlayer Coulombic pairing model of high-T C superconductivity employing non-planar geometry is introduced, generalizing the picture of two interacting layers to an interaction between charge reservoirs located on the C60 and alkali ions. The optimal transition temperature follows the algebraic expression, T C0 = (12.474 nm2 K)/lζ, where l relates to the mean spacing between interacting surface charges on the C60 and ζ is the average radial distance between the C60 surface and the neighboring Cs ions. Values of T C0 for the measured cation stoichiometries of Cs3-x C60 with x ≈ 0 are found to be 38.19 and 36.88 K for the A15 and fcc forms, respectively, with the dichotomy in transition temperature reflecting the larger ζ and structural disorder in the fcc form. In the A15 form, modeled interacting charges and Coulomb potential e2/ζ are shown to agree quantitatively with findings from nuclear-spin relaxation and mid-infrared optical conductivity. In the fcc form, suppression of [Formula: see text] below T C0 is ascribed to native structural disorder. Phononic effects in conjunction with Coulombic pairing are discussed.
Compliant substratum guides endothelial commitment from human pluripotent stem cells

The role of mechanical regulation in driving human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) differentiation has been minimally explored. Although endothelial cell (EC) fate from hiPSCs has been demonstrated using small molecules to drive mesoderm induction, the effects of substrate stiffness with regard to EC differentiation efficiency have yet to be elucidated. We hypothesized that substrate compliance can modulate mesoderm differentiation kinetics from hiPSCs and affect downstream EC commitment. To this end, we used polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-a transparent, biocompatible elastomeric material-as a substrate to study EC commitment of hiPSCs using a stepwise differentiation scheme. Using physiologically stiff (1.7 MPa) and soft (3 kPa) PDMS substrates, compared to polystyrene plates (3 GPa), we demonstrate that mechanical priming during mesoderm induction activates the Yes-associated protein and drives Wnt/β-catenin signaling. When mesoderm differentiation was induced on compliant PDMS substrates in both serum and serum-free E6 medium, mesodermal genetic signatures (T, KDR, MESP-1, GATA-2, and SNAIL-1) were enhanced. Furthermore, examination of EC fate following stiffness priming revealed that compliant substrates robustly improve EC commitment through VECad, CD31, vWF, and eNOS marker expression. Overall, we show that substrate compliance guides EC fate by enhancing mesoderm induction through Wnt activation without the addition of small molecules. These findings are the first to show that the mechanical context of the differentiation niche can be as potent as chemical cues in driving EC identity from hiPSCs.
Laparoscopic Abdominoperineal Resection

Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection is performed in selected cases of malignancy of the anus/rectum when a sphincter sparing procedure is not feasible. This chapter lists the indications, essential steps, common technical variations, and complications of the operation. A detailed operative dictation note template is included.
Course of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms After Introduction and Removal of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: A Pediatric Observational Study.

Abstract Objective: Accumulating evidence suggests that anti-inflammatory interventions can modulate neuropsychiatric symptoms. Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) is characterized by an abrupt and dramatic onset of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms and/or severely restrictive food intake and at least two coinciding, equally debilitating neuropsychiatric symptoms. When associated with group A Streptococcus, the syndrome is labeled Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS). Here, we describe the course of neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients diagnosed with PANS and PANDAS after introduction or removal of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Study Design: We reviewed the electronic medical records (EMR) of 218 consecutive patients evaluated in our Stanford PANS Clinic for patients who met strict PANS or PANDAS research criteria and received NSAIDs for arthritis, pain, and/or psychiatric symptoms. We describe neuropsychiatr...
Distributive Politics and Party Participation in the U.S. House

A range of research shows that distributive spending is allocated disproportionately to members in positions of power or who contribute to collective efforts. In this article, I ask whether House m...
Book Review: Williams, Michelle, editor. 2014: The End of the Developmental State?

Williams, Michelle, editor. 2014: The End of the Developmental State? London and New York: Routledge. xxi + 257 pp. Â£90.00 (hardback), Â£24.99 (paperback). ISBN 978â€“0-415â€“85482â€“5.
Resource Use and Morbidities in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Patients with Genetic Conditions.

Objective To evaluate and describe resource use and perioperative morbidities among those patients with genetic conditions undergoing cardiac surgery. Study design Using the Pediatric Health Information System database, we identified patients ≤18 years old with cardiac surgery classified by Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS) during 2003-2014. A total of 95 253 patients met study criteria and included no genetic conditions (84.6%), trisomy 21 (9.9%), trisomy 13 or 18 (0.2%), 22q11 deletion (0.8%), Turner syndrome (0.4%), and “other” genetic conditions (4.2%). We compared perioperative complications and procedures in each genetic condition with patients without genetic conditions using regression analysis. Results All groups with genetic conditions, excluding trisomy 21 RACHS 3-5, experienced increased length of stay and cost among survivors. Complications varied by genetic condition, with patients with trisomy 21 having increased odds of pulmonary hypertension and nosocomial infections. Patients with 22q11 only had increased odds of infection. Patients with Turner syndrome had increased odds of acute renal failure (OR 2.35). Patients with trisomy 13 or 18 had increased odds of pulmonary hypertension (OR 3.13), acute renal failure (OR 2.93), cardiac arrest (OR 2.84), and nosocomial infections (OR 3.53), and those with “other” genetic conditions had increased odds of all complications. Conclusions Children with congenital heart disease and genetic conditions, except trisomy 21 RACHS 3-5, had increased costs and length of stay. Perioperative morbidities were more common and differed across genetic condition subgroups. Patient-specific risk factors are important for risk stratification, benchmarking, and counseling with families.
Evaluation of Aminoglycoside and Carbapenem Resistance in a Collection of Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolates

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacterium, is a member of the ESKAPE pathogens and one of the leading causes of healthcare-associated infections worldwide. Aminoglycosides (AGs) are recognized for their efficacy against P. aeruginosa. The most common resistance mechanism against AGs is the acquisition of AG-modifying enzymes (AMEs) by the bacteria, including AG N-acetyltransferases (AACs), AG O-phosphotransferases (APHs), and AG O-nucleotidyltransferases (ANTs). In this study, we obtained 122 multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa clinical isolates and evaluated the antibacterial effects of six AGs and two carbapenems alone against all clinical isolates, and in combination against eight selected strains. We further probed for four representatives of the most common AME genes [aac(6′)-Ib, aac(3)-IV, ant(2")-Ia, and aph(3′)-Ia] by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and compared the AME patterns of these 122 clinical isolates to their antibiotic resistance profile. Among the diverse antibiotics resistance pr...