cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using information technology to enhance industry effectiveness: the case of the textile industry

This case examines the impact of information technology adoption within the textile industry. The textile industry provides a rich environment for the study of technology adoption since it is comprised of a wide variety of different industries ranging from small firms to large multinational corporations. Firms also vary in technological sophistication. While each firm in the textile industry may benefit from an organized approach to technology adoption, most firms make individual decisions to adopt. Recognizing the need to provide an organized forum for the industry, a major association in the textile industry formed a technology board to review new innovations and technologies. The need for electronic exchange of information was examined and made a priority for the board. The technology board was confronted with the problem of how to serve the members in the organization equitably without regard to company size, technological sophistication, or position in the supply chain. The textile industry can be classified into retailers, product manufacturers, and fabric, fiber, and yarn manufacturers. According to the technology board, the electronic link between manufacturers and retailers is somewhat formalized; however, much work must be done to facilitate linkages between the suppliers and manufacturers. This is not surprising due to the lack of size and sophistication of some suppliers within the industry.
Ethnic Minority Rights Mobilizations in Mexico, Turkey, and El Salvador

This paper examines why some ethnic minorities are more successful than others in mobilizing for cultural rights. Despite many common characteristics — such as democratizing political regimes and legacies of state and paramilitary persecution — ethnic minority groups in Mexico, Turkey and El Salvador make cultural rights demands on their states in very different ways. The study finds that communities that are highly mobilized around cultural rights generally exhibit higher production of potent narratives about historic violence, as well as lower levels of political, economic, and cultural accommodation by their states, which leads these communities to use extra-institutional claim-making tactics. By contrast, communities that are less mobilized tend to enjoy higher degrees of state accommodation, but produce less potent narratives about past violence and access institutional channels to make demands.
Teaching and Learning in Complex Times

On January 28, 2013, Ben Wolfgang reported in The Washington Times that teachers in Seattle refused to administer standardized tests to their students. This boycott occurred at a divisive time in the educational environment of the United States. On one hand, federal and state governments as well as educational agencies and associations were endorsing the latest version of standardized curriculum in the Common Core State Standards.
Body mass index, but not blood pressure is related to the level of pain in persons with chronic pain

Objective: To determine whether obesity or blood pressure relate to the level of pain experienced by persons with chronic back pain. Design: Retrospective Study. Setting: University spine program. Patients (or Participants): Adults seeking care for back pain of more than 3 months duration. Methods or Interventions(or Assessment of Risk Factors ): Measurement of weight, blood pressure, and pain on a numeric scale. Main Outcome Measurements : Relationships between body mass index (BMI) and pain, blood pressure and pain. Results: 198 subjects had a mean BMI of 29.50 ± 7.12, with 33.3% obese. The relationship between pain as a continuous variable and BMI approached significance ( r = 0.125, n = 175, p = 0.098). The BMI of persons with lower pain scores of 0-3 was significantly different from those with high pain scores of 7-10. No significant relationship was found between pain a nd systolic (r = 0.126, p = 0.078) or diastolic (r = 0.099, p = 0.165) blood pressure. Conclusions: Contrary to assumptions about acute pain, increased chronic pain does not appear to relate to increased blood pressure. The relationship of obesity with increased pain l evel among persons who have chronic pain raises the possibility that psychological or physiological mechanisms may be important above and beyond the biomechanical impact of obesity.
Growing Pains in Cardiovascular Genetics

Over half a century ago, heart specialists – there were no board certified cardiologists yet – began to report unusual phenotypes like very long QT intervals or extraordinary left ventricular hypertrophy that ran in families and caused sudden death in the young. In the 1980s and 90s, linkage analysis in large families identified the first disease genes, landmark discoveries that have been critical for understanding basic physiologic and pathophysiologic processes in the heart, counselling families, defining penetrance that is so often incomplete, and identifying phenotype positive patients in whom coding region variants in these first disease genes were absent. In those patients, disease pathways defined by early rigorous linkage-based studies implicated new candidate genes for mediating these cardiovascular genetic phenotypes. So, for example, once beta-myosin heavy chain mutations were identified in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), genes encoding other contractile proteins became logical candidates; similarly, ion channel genes or modifiers were candidates in channelopathies and desmosomal proteins in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). As a result, we now have long lists of disease genes for major cardiovascular genetic diseases, and dramatic improvements in sequencing costs and efficiencies have enabled widespread application of panel-based sequencing. While these advances have improved care of affected patients and their families, two papers in the current issue of Circulation highlight potential flaws in the logic that underlies increasing use of these panels across large patient populations.,
Financial Crises and Bank Capital

Robert Aliber discusses the reasons for bank failures and financial crises. He makes three main points. First, US macroeconomic stability would be increased if the US Congress established a government agency to provide capital to individual banks after a systemic crisis causes large loan losses. Second, the crisis of 2008 is explained by a surge in the export earnings and the trade surpluses of China and the oil-exporting countries, and of the increase in their demand for foreign securities on the prices of real estate and stocks in the United States and other countries that had capital inflows. The higher asset prices then caused increased consumption and current account deficits. Third, there is a criticism of Dodd-Frank. The premise of Dodd Frank is that the crisis resulted from the decisions by banks to increase their purchases of risky securities rather than from a surge in the supply of credit from an increase in the capital account surpluses. Dodd Frank does nothing to dampen cyclical increases in investor demand for US dollar securities
How Do Arabinoxylan Films Interact with Water and Soil

Biodegradable materials made from cereal arabinoxylan could provide an alternative source of packaging to replace current nonbiodegradable plastics. The main purpose of this research was to determine how arabinoxylan (AX) films made from wheat bran (WB) AX, maize bran (MB) AX, and dried distillers grain (DDG) AX made with either glycerol or sorbitol at varying levels (10, 25 or 50%) interacts with soil and water. The biodegradability of all films ranged from 49.4% biodegradable (DDG AX with 10% sorbitol) to 67.7% biodegradable (MB AX with 50% glycerol). In addition, the MB AX films with 25% sorbitol had the lowest moisture content at 9.7%, the MB AX films with 10% glycerol had the highest water solubility at 95.6%, and the MB AX films with 50% glycerol had the highest water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) at 90.8 g h−1 m−2. Despite these extreme trends in the MB AX films, the WB AX films were the least hydrophilic on average while the DDG AX films were the most hydrophilic on average. The 18 materials developed in this research demonstrate varying affinities for water and biodegradation. These materials can be used for many different packaging materials, based on their unique characteristics.
Effects of methamphetamine isomers on d-methamphetamine self-administration and food-maintained responding in male rats.

Methamphetamine (METH) abuse is generally attributed to the d-isomer. Self-administration of l-METH has been examined only in rhesus monkeys with a history of cocaine self-administration or drug-naive rats using high toxic doses. In this study, the ability of l-METH and, for comparison, d-METH to engender self-administration in experimentally naive rats, as well as to decrease d-METH self-administration and food-maintained responding, was examined. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in 3 separate experiments. In experiment 1, the acquisition of l- or d-METH self-administration followed by dose-response determinations was studied. In experiment 2, rats were trained to self-administer d-METH (0.05 mg/kg/infusion) and, then, various doses of l- or d-METH were given acutely prior to the session; the effect of repeated l-METH (30 mg/kg) also was examined. In experiment 3, rats were trained to respond for food reinforcement and, then, various doses of l- or d-METH were given acutely prior to the session; the effect of repeated l-METH (3 mg/kg) also was examined. Reliable acquisition of l- and d-METH self-administration was obtained at unit doses of 0.5 and 0.05 mg/kg/infusion respectively. The dose-response function for l-METH self-administration was flattened and shifted rightward compared with d-METH self-administration, with peak responding for l- and d-METH occurring at unit doses of 0.17 and 0.025 respectively. l-METH also was approximately 10-fold less potent than d-METH in decreasing d-METH self-administration and 2-fold lower in decreasing food-maintained responding. Tolerance did not occur to repeated l-METH pretreatments on either measure. As a potential pharmacotherapeutic, l-METH has less abuse liability than d-METH and its efficacy in decreasing d-METH self-administration and food-maintained responding is sustained with repeated treatment.
Do social networks promote homeownership

We study the impact of social networks on housing tenure choice in Indonesia. Since the homeownership decision is often associated with a change of location—and social networks in large part being tied to the physical location—studying the impact of social networks on tenure choice in isolation of the mobility decision may not be meaningful. Addressing the issue of potential endogeneity of social networks in the joint mobility–tenure choice decision, we estimate the effect of social networks on homeownership. We find the effect to be positive.
Effect of Cost and Formulation on Persistence and Adherence to Initial Metformin Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes.

Patients taking metformin adhere to their prescribed regimen, on average, about 65% of the time (1,2). Given metformin’s central role in type 2 diabetes management, optimizing adherence is important. Common causes of nonadherence include cost and side effects. Metformin is inexpensive but causes gastrointestinal side effects in up to 25% of patients (2). Extended-release (ER) formulations reduce side effects but may cost more, and they have not been clearly shown to improve adherence in routine practice (3). As a result, although it is common practice to change from immediate release (IR) formulations to ER once patients develop side effects, there is not a consensus on whether ER formulations should routinely be used when metformin is first prescribed (3). We undertook a retrospective cohort study of how cost and initial choice of formulation affect adherence and persistence to metformin. The study used merged de-identified claims data from commercial insurance carriers in the U.S. from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016 (4). A cohort was identified of patients age 18 years or older who filled an initial 30-day prescription for …
Correlation of tumor mutational burden (TMB) with molecular profiling and clinical characteristics in patients with bladder cancer.

e17025Background: Bladder cancers (BC) are frequently highly mutated. Next generation sequencing (NGS) can both shed light on mutational burden and the specific alterations that provide insights in...
Tubular Secretory Clearance Is Associated With Whole-Body Insulin Clearance.

Context The kidneys eliminate insulin via glomerular and peritubular mechanisms; consequently, the kidney contribution to insulin clearance may be underestimated by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) alone. Objective To determine associations of tubular secretory clearance with whole-body insulin clearance and sensitivity in a dedicated study of glucose and insulin metabolism. Design, setting, and participants We performed an ancillary, cross-sectional study of tubular secretion in The Study of Glucose and Insulin in Renal Disease (SUGAR). Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps were performed in 57 non-diabetic persons with chronic kidney disease and 38 persons without kidney disease. Intervention We measured plasma and 24-hour urine concentrations of endogenous solutes primarily eliminated by tubular secretion. Kidney clearances of secretory solutes were calculated as the amount of blood fully cleared of that solute per minute. Main outcome measures Whole-body insulin clearance, insulin sensitivity. Results Mean whole-body insulin clearance was 924 ±228 mL/min. After adjustment for age, sex, Black race, fat and fat-free mass, each 20% lower estimated GFR was associated with a 13 mL/min lower insulin clearance (95% confidence interval 2-24 mL/min lower). Each 20% lower clearance of isovalerylglycine and xanthosine were associated with a 16 mL/min lower (95% CI 5-26 mL/min lower) and 19 mL/min lower (95% CI 7-31 mL/min lower) insulin clearance, respectively. Neither estimated GFR nor secretory solute clearances were associated with insulin sensitivity after adjustment. Conclusions These results highlight the importance of tubular secretory pathways to insulin elimination but suggest that kidney functions in aggregate contribute only modestly to systemic insulin clearance.
Intramuscular Hemangioma of the Head and Neck

Intramuscular hemangiomas (IMH) are uncommon tumors in the head and neck region, occurring most often in the trunk and extremities. Preoperative misdiagnosis is common because of the deep location of these tumors. Ten recent cases of head and neck IMH are presented, five of which involve the masseter muscle--the most frequent site of involvement in the head and neck. Masseter IMH occurred almost exclusively in the pediatric age group. The clinical presentation, radiographic and histologic findings, treatment, complications, and outcome of these patients are presented. The vital role of preoperative diagnosis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is discussed, as well as a review of the natural history of IMH and indications for surgical intervention.
Attachment of antibody to biotinylated red blood cells: immuno-red blood cells display high affinity to immobilized antigen and normal biodistribution in rats

Streptavidin-mediated attachment of biotinylated antibodies (b-Ab) to biotinylated red blood cells (b-RBC) is useful for preparation of immuno-red blood cells, a prospective vehicle for drug targeting. However, streptavidin (SA) induces lysis of extensively biotinylated RBC by complement due to cross-linking and inactivation of RBC complement regulators. To reduce cross-linking of RBC membrane proteins, we utilized mild biotinylation of RBC with 20 microM biotin ester (b20-RBC). SA effectively binds to rat b20-RBC (10(5) SA molecules/cell) and provides for following attachment of 5 x 10(4) molecules of b-IgG/SA per b20-RBC. By in vitro assay, b-Ab/SA/b20-RBC were stable in fresh rat serum. Serum-stable immuno-red blood cells (b-Ab/SA/b20-RBC) specifically bound to antigen-coated surfaces, but not to BSA-coated surfaces. Biodistribution of 51Cr-labelled b-Ab/SA/b20-RBC in rats was similar to that of control RBC, with no indication of lysis in vivo. These results suggest b-Ab/SA/b20-RBC may be explored as a vehicle for drug targeting.
Torus-Fibered Calabi-Yau threefolds with non-trivial fundamental group

We construct smooth Calabi-Yau threefolds Z, torus-fibered over a dP9 base, with fundamental group π1 = 2 × 2. To do this, the structure of rational elliptic surfaces is studied and it is shown that a restricted subset of such surfaces admit at least a 2 × 2 group of automorphisms. One then constructs Calabi-Yau threefolds X as the fiber product of two such dP9 surfaces, demonstrating that the involutions on the surfaces lift to a freely acting 2 × 2 group of automorphisms on X. The threefolds Z are then obtained as the quotient Z = X/(2 × 2). These Calabi-Yau spaces Z admit stable, holomorphic SU(4) vector bundles which, in conjunction with 2 × 2 Wilson lines, lead to standard-like models of particle physics with naturally suppressed nucleon decay.
Human-Centered Civil Justice Design: Procedural Justice and Process Value Pluralism

The article Human-Centered Civil Justice Design introduced a novel approach to improve the civil justice system. Human-centered civil justice design reflects best practices in problem solving and begins with empathizing with intended beneficiaries and stakeholders, using surveys, observations, and interviews to immerse designers in the experiences of these stakeholders. Human-centered designers consider the needs and goals of stakeholders and harness psychological and behavioral science to ideate and prototype possible solutions, which the designers empirically test with pilots and randomized control trials. Moreover, human-centered civil justice designers seek to reconcile the diverse process values that the civil justice system seeks to promote. Human-Centered Civil Justice Design theorized that procedural justice has a plural effect on the public's experiences of the civil justice system and that procedural justice can be harnessed to advance the plural process values that human-centered civil justice designers seek to realize. In this Article, we present the results of an empirical legal study designed to test that hypothesis. This Article empirically investigates the plural effects of procedural justice and reports the results of an experiment conducted with a sample of the American public. The experiment examines the extent to which procedural justice has a plural effect on the public's thoughts, feelings, and experiences with civil justice. Specifically, does granting the public procedural justice broadly influence a range of experiences, including: fairness, outcome satisfaction, positive and negative emotions, perceptions of legal accuracy, perceptions of the effectiveness of procedures, and perceived legitimacy, regardless of the outcome obtained? If so, do these plural effects converge on a single underlying factor specifically, fundamental experiences of justice? While foundational to theories of civil justice, this Article is the first to examine these questions in the legal domain using psychological experiments. By drawing on theory in the field of social psychology and conducting an experiment with the American public, we begin to illuminate answers to these questions and discuss implications for theorizing about the extent to which legal culture and legal institutions should embrace plural process values.
The Salzmann Index and discrepancy index correlation: Determining a threshold discrepancy index score for Medicaid approval.

Introduction This study aimed to compare patients' Salzmann Index scores for those who applied for Medicaid orthodontic coverage in Pennsylvania with their corresponding American Board of Orthodontics discrepancy index (DI) scores to assess if there is a correlation between Salzmann and DI scores. In addition, a threshold DI score was calculated that would correspond to Medicaid coverage approval. The study intended to answer the following questions: is there a correlation of 0.7 or greater between a patient's Salzmann Index and their DI? If so, is there a particular DI score that can be used as the minimum score for approving Medicaid orthodontic coverage in the state of Pennsylvania? Methods Salzmann Index scores, DI scores, and approval and disapproval results for Medicaid orthodontic coverage were obtained from 104 subjects aged between 10 and 17 years. A linear regression model was generated to assess if there was a correlation between the Salzmann scores and DI scores. If a correlation coefficient of 0.7 or greater were found, a threshold Salzmann Index score would be determined for subjects who were approved for Medicaid orthodontic coverage. The threshold Salzmann score would be used in the linear regression formula to find the corresponding DI score, which would be designated as the threshold DI score for approval for Medicaid orthodontic coverage in the state of Pennsylvania. Results A Pearson correlation of 0.453 was calculated between the 104 Salzmann scores and DI scores, demonstrating a moderate correlation. With the correlation coefficient being lower than 0.7, binary logistic regressions were calculated to assess the predictability between a given Salzmann score and approval and disapproval for Medicaid orthodontic coverage. The Salzmann score had an overall 68.3% success in predicting Medicaid orthodontic coverage approval/disapproval. Of the 58 subjects that were approved for Medicaid orthodontic coverage, 46.6% had Salzmann scores equal to or greater than 25. Of the 46 subjects that were disapproved for Medicaid orthodontic coverage, 78.3% had Salzmann scores equal to or less than 24. Conclusions With the lack of high prediction rates seen from the results of the regression models, the current system of Medicaid does not appear to show consistency for assessing the need for orthodontic treatment coverage. Multiple insurance companies that participate under Medicaid require a Salzmann score of 25 or greater for approval; however, the results show the Salzmann score is arbitrary in terms of approval and disapproval. There appear to be underlying factors apart from the Salzmann score that the Pennsylvania Medicaid system uses to justify whether a patient was approved or denied for coverage.
Everyone is someone's child: The experiences of pediatric nurses caring for adult COVID-19 patients.

Abstract Purpose During the COVID-19 pandemic, pediatric nurses at one medical center in New York assumed care of COVID-19 adult patients. The purpose of this study was to understand pediatric nurses' experiences during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when they were caring for patients outside of their usual practice. Design and methods A qualitative descriptive study was implemented, and a descriptive survey was sent to all pediatric nurses who worked during the peak of the pandemic, from March 2020 – May 2020. Categorical responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and free texts were coded to develop central themes. Results Four themes emerged from the data: concerns for safety, unprepared to care, nurses' emotional responses, and persevering together. Conclusions As pediatric nurses adjusted to caring for a new disease and a new population of patients, concerns of safety and preparedness emanated. The need for teamwork and support was emphasized by nurses. The impact that nurses' experiences had on their emotional wellbeing was also highlighted. Practice implications Exploring pediatric nurses' experiences during a pandemic is important, as it furthers understanding and guides efforts to enhance preparedness for a future pandemic or public health emergency. Findings from this study illustrate the need to provide nurses with support for both their physical and emotional health.
A mobile educational platform based on peer influence and instructional scaffolding for engaging students in out-of-class activities

It is a well-documented challenge to keep students engaged and motivated in out-of-class activities. More students now have part- or full-time jobs and less time to study. Supporting their academic growth and success requires acknowledging the higher commitments to the jobs while providing appropriate mechanisms to make the best use of their available times. This paper presents a mobile educational platform, Dysgu, that aims to engage students in out-of-class activities. An initial study completed on this platform investigates the role of peer influence to increase student engagement in an early college class. Data indicates students prefer Dysgu for out-of-class activities compared to traditional pen- and paper-based activities. Students noted that peer influence, in the form of scores compared to the rest of the class, was highly motivating. We also observed more on-time submissions when using Dysgu.
3D host cell and pathogen-based bioassay development for testing anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug response and modeling immunodeficiency.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health threat that affects 10 million people worldwide. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains one of the major contributors to the reactivation of asymptomatic latent tuberculosis (LTBI). Over the recent years, there has been a significant focus in developing in-vitro 3D models mimicking early events of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) pathogenesis, especially formation of the granuloma. However, these models are low throughput and require extracellular matrix. In this article, we report the generation of a matrix-free 3D model, using THP-1 human monocyte/macrophage cells and mCherry-expressing Mycobacterium bovis BCG (Bacilli Camille Guerin), henceforth referred as 3D spheroids, to study the host cell-bacterial interactions. Using mCherry-intensity-based tracking, we monitored the kinetics of BCG growth in the 3D spheroids. We also demonstrate the application of the 3D spheroids for testing anti-TB compounds such as isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), as well as a host-directed drug, everolimus (EVR) as single and combinational treatments. We further established a dual infection 3D spheroid model by coinfecting THP-1 macrophages with BCG mCherry and pseudotype HIV. In this HIV-TB co-infection model, we found an increase in BCG mCherry growth within the 3D spheroids infected with HIV pseudotype. The degree of disruption of the granuloma was proportional to the virus titers used for co-infection. In summary, this 3D spheroid assay is an useful tool to screen anti-TB response of potential candidate drugs and can be adopted to model HIV-TB interactions.
Additional Effects of Reduced Emotional Eating on Associations of Weight Loss via Changes in Social Cognitive Theory Variables.

Improvements in the theory-based psychosocial variables of eating self-regulation, mood, and self-efficacy for controlled eating significantly predicted weight loss in community-based obesity treatments. However, in women, additional effects from reductions in emotional eating, and age and race/ethnicity are unclear. Women (N = 130) participating in a community-based cognitive-behavioral obesity treatment were assessed on changes in theory-based psychosocial variables and weight. Treatment-associated improvements in self-regulation, mood, and self-efficacy over 3 months significantly predicted 6-month weight loss (R2 = 0.26), with self-regulation change being the strongest individual predictor. Entry of change in emotional eating into the prediction model significantly added to the variance in weight change explained. Age and race/ethnicity did not further improve the predictive strength. In addition to targeting self-regulation skill development and, to a lesser extent addressing mood and self-efficacy improvements, behavioral obesity treatments should focus on emotional eating to maximize their large-scale effects on excess weight.
Evidence-based urology

Online version: ; Evidence-based urology ; Second edition. ; Hoboken, NJ : Wiley-Blackwell, 2018 ; 9781119129899 ; (DLC) 2018008040. ;
Pathogenetic importance and therapeutic implications of NF-κB in lymphoid malignancies

Derangement of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway initiates and/or sustains many types of human cancer. B-cell malignancies are particularly affected by oncogenic mutations, translocations, and copy number alterations affecting key components the NF-κB pathway, most likely owing to the pervasive role of this pathway in normal B cells. These genetic aberrations cause tumors to be 'addicted' to NF-κB, which can be exploited therapeutically. Since each subtype of lymphoid cancer utilizes different mechanisms to activate NF-κB, several different therapeutic strategies are needed to address this pathogenetic heterogeneity. Fortunately, a number of drugs that block signaling cascades leading to NF-κB are in early phase clinical trials, several of which are already showing activity in lymphoid malignancies.
Chapter 2.2.2 Applying differential display to brain research

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on applying differential display to brain research. The differential display method utilizes reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) amplification with specific oligo-dT primers plus a collection of arbitrary primers to identify differentially expressed genes in two or more distinct biological samples. The PCR fragments are analyzed on a sequencing gel for the presence of differential bands, which are then cloned and tested for confirmation of differential expression. In addition, the chapter discusses and presents the strategy to search for differentially expressed genes in the brain of songbirds. It highlights issues that are critical for the successful outcome of applying this methodology, and give emphasis to aspects that are of particular interest to neurobiologists. The chapter also discusses and reviews the difficulties that are most often encountered, and critical issues that need to be addressed at each step of the procedure explained in the chapter.
Compatibilization of poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene ether)/poly(vinylidene difluoride) blends

Standard available PPE was modified to contain methacrylate-functional groups. Radical copolymerization of these with methylmethacrylate (MMA) yielded a PPE/PMMA copolymer, suitable as compatibilizing agent in PPE/PVDF blends. Addition of PPE/PMMA copolymers (composition by weight 40/60) at just 5–10 wt.-% levels gave a very good dispersion of the PVDF minor phase in a PPE/PS matrix. The most effective PPE/PMMA copolymer was found to be the one containing PPE-pendent chains along PMMA. This copolymer can be made from PPE modified to contain only one methacrylate-functional group per PPE chain. Adding 10 wt.-% of this PPE/PMMA copolymer resulted in a blend with thermally stable morphology. Handelsubliches PPE wurde mit Methylmethacrylat-Endgruppen modifiziert und dieses mit Methylmethacrylat copolymerisiert. Das Copolymerisat ist zur Vertraglichkeitsverbesserung von PPE/PVDF-Blends geeignet. Die Zugabe von 5–10 Gew.-% Poly(PPE-co-MMA) (40/60, w/w) fuhrt zu einer sehr guten Dispergierung der PVDF-Phase in einer PPE/PS-Matrix. Ein PPE/PMMA-Copolymeres mit PPE-Seitenketten erwies sich als besonders geeignet. Es last sich mit PPE herstelen, welches nur eine MMA-Endgruppe tragt. Die Morphologie von PPE/PVDF-Blends mit 10 Gew.-% dieses modifizierten PPEs ist thermisch stabil.
Wen, Haiming, Confucian Pragmatism as the Art of Contextualizing Personal Experience and World

In this far-reaching and nuanced work, WEN Haiming juxtaposes Chinese philosophy with the American traditions of pragmatic naturalism and process philosophy. Two distinct purposes motivate his project. First, he aims to prompt a philosophical reconsideration of the standard interpretations and self-understandings of Chinese philosophy. Second, he intends to recommend a new agenda for Chinese philosophy in light of the insights gained. As a result, this work is simultaneously a piece of critical scholarship and an original contribution to Chinese and comparative philosophy. The single theme that holds its dual purpose together is “Creativity.” Chapter one considers what Wen calls the “crisis of creativity” as it pertains to Western and Chinese philosophies. This crisis is articulated in terms of the distinction between creation ex nihilo and creation in situ. The former is creation as a discrete act of bringing something into being from nothing, and the latter is creation as an “art” that involves the reconstrual of elements embedded in situations: something that Wen later develops as “contextual creativity” (61-94). Taking his cue from the work of David Hall and Roger Ames, Wen explains that the model of creation ex nihilo has been historically prioritized in the West and has resulted in the subordination of creation in situ forms of creativity (one notable exception: the championing of Ingenium during the European Renaissance, which Wen discusses on 8-11). The thought patterns of Chinese philosophy, however, more closely resemble those associated with creation in situ, as Wen argues. With this in mind, Wen considers the critique of “creativity” that he sees emerging with classical American philosophies. This is the discourse that he seeks to link with Chinese philosophy in order to “stimulate alternative ways of thinking about creativity and its consequences” in both traditions (19). Chapter two articulates with more precision what it is about pragmatic and process philosophies that constitute a new approach to creativity. For Wen, the point of departure is the various “fallacies” detected by three thinkers: William James, John Dewey, and Alfred North Whitehead. For James it is the “psychological fallacy,” for Dewey, the “philosophical fallacy,” and for Whitehead, “the fallacy of misplaced concreteness.” Each of these Dao (2010) 9:249–252 DOI 10.1007/s11712-010-9168-z
Use of Hidden Network Structure in the Set Partitioning Problem

This paper demonstrates the use of hidden network structure for the solution of set partitioning problems. By finding a hidden network row submatrix, the set partitioning problem is transformed to a network with side constraints. Flow conditions on the revealed pure network are then used in a procedure for effecting variable reduction for the set partitioning. By finding a hidden network column submatrix the set partitioning problem is transformed to a network with side columns. The resulting formulation is used in finding a feasible solution for the set partitioning problem quickly. Computational experience is included.
Analyzing Dangers in Multiagent Rescue Using DEFACTO

Enabling interactions of agent-teams and humans for safe and effective Multiagent rescue is a critical area of research, with encouraging progress in the past few years. However, previous work suffers from three key limitations: (i) limited human situational awareness, reducing human effectiveness in directing agent teams, (ii) the agent team's rigid interaction strategies that jeopardize the rescue operation, and (iii) lack of formal tools to analyze the impact of such interaction strategies. This paper presents a software prototype called DEFACTO (Demonstrating Effective Flexible Agent Coordination of Teams through Omnipresence). DEFACTO is based on a software proxy architecture and 3D visualization system, which addresses the three limitations mentioned above. First, the 3D visualization interface enables human virtual omnipresence in the environment, improving human situational awareness and ability to assist agents. Second, generalizing past work on adjustable autonomy, the agent team chooses among a variety of "team-level" interaction strategies, even excluding humans from the loop in extreme circumstances. Third, analysis tools help predict the dangers of using fixed strategies for various agent teams in a future disaster response simulation scenario.
Party Politics and Taiwan's External Relations

Shelley Rigger (srigger@davidson.edu) is the Brown Associate Professor of East Asian Politics at Davidson College and a senior fellow of the fpri. She is the author of Politics in Taiwan: Voting for Democracy (Routledge, 1999) and From Opposition to Power: Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (Lynne Rienner, 2001). This article is based on a paper presented at fpri’s ‘‘Party Politics and Foreign Policy in East Asia’’ conference held in Philadelphia on January 27, 2005.
Hybrid titanium–aluminum oxide layer as alternative high-k gate dielectric for the next generation of complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor devices

Research is focused on finding reliable high-dielectric constant (k) oxides with high capacitance and all critical properties required for the next generation of complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) gates. A trade-off between dielectric constant and band-offset height is generally observed on gate oxides. Combining TiO2 and Al2O3, with the two extremes of high permittivity (k) and high band offset, we produced a TixAl1−xOy (TAO) oxide layer with k=∼30 and low dielectric leakage for a next generation of high-k dielectric gates. We developed a low temperature oxidation process, following room temperature sputter-deposition of TiAl layers, to produce ultrathin TAO layers on Si with subatomic or no SiO2 or silicide interface formation. We demonstrated TAO layers with <0.5nm equivalent oxide thickness on Si and thermal stability under rapid thermal annealing up to about 950°C. The data presented here provide insights into fundamental physics and materials science of the TAO layer and its potential ap...
Remaining fatigue life prediction in the initiation regime using SAW NDE

Harmonic generation of surface acoustic waves (SAW) is shown to be a useful tool for the detection of the initiation of surface cracks during fatigue of high strength aluminum alloys. A model that relates the length and density of microcracks to the amplitude of a SAW harmonic signal is described, and an associated coefficient of generation efficiency for the second harmonic amplitude is derived. A correlation between experimentally measured harmonic amplitude and remaining fatigue life is then demonstrated, which allows the mean remaining fatigue lifetime to be estimated to within 5% over the last 50% of the fatigue life for an Al 7075 alloy if the cyclic stress amplitude, but not the duration of fatigue, is known.
The microhardness indentation load/size effect in rutile and cassiterite single crystals

The microhardness indentation load/size effect (ISE) on the Knoop microhardness of single crystals of TiO2 and SnO2 has been investigated. Experimental results have been analysed using the classical power law approach and from an effective indentation test load viewpoint. The Hays/Kendall concept of a critical applied test load for the initiation of plastic deformation was considered, but rejected to explain the ISE. A proportional specimen resistance (PSR) model has been proposed that consists of the elastic resistance of the test specimen and frictional effects at the indentor facet/specimen interface during microindentation. The microhardness test load, P, and the resulting indentation size, d, have been found to follow the relationship $$P = a_1 d + a_2 d^2 = a_1 d + (P_c /d_0^2 ) d^2$$ The ISE is a consequence of the indentation-size proportional resistance of the test specimen as described by a 1. a 2 is found to be related to the load-independent indentation hardness. It consists of the critical indentation load, P c, and the characteristic indentation size, d o.
Optical Spectral Imaging For Breast Margin Assessment: A Comprehensive Assessment of Sources of Contrast

Achieving tumor-free margins is desired to avoid recurrence. Diffuse reflectance imaging can assess margin status; however, understanding kinetics, cautery, and patient variability is needed to exploit optical contrast to detect positive margins.
Contributors to the Appraisal of Major Life Changes: Gender, Perceived Controllability, Sensation Seeking, Strain, and Social Support

This study investigated relationships between the appraisal of life events and gender, locus of control, social support, strain, and sensation seeking. In group sessions, undergraduate males and females completed self-report measures assessing life events appraisals and self-report measures for the above individual differences. Analyses supported the notion that a range of these variables, previously shown to serve as moderators of life stress, are significantly related to the appraisals of life events. Moreover, in addition to the gender differences obtained for the perception of life events, gender was found to influence several associations between the individual differences and life events appraisal.
Counseling Spanish-Speaking Patients: Atlanta Pharmacists’ Cultural Sensitivity, Use of Language-Assistance Services, and Attitudes

ABSTRACT Objective To document the types of language-assistance services available in pharmacies and the perceptions of pharmacists regarding the effectiveness of these services, and to measure the attitudes toward counseling Spanish-speaking patients and cultural sensitivity of pharmacists. Design Cross-sectional assessment Setting Metropolitan Atlanta, Ga Participants Registered Georgia pharmacists residing in metropolitan Atlanta. Interventions Mailed survey, with repeat mailing 2 weeks later Main Outcome Measures 38 survey items measuring demographic and practice-site characteristics, types of language-assistance services available with an assessment of the effectiveness of each measured on a nominal scale, and attitudinal items concerning counseling of Spanish-speaking patients and pharmacists' cultural sensitivity using a 5-point Likert-type response scale. Results Of 1,975 questionnaires mailed, 608 were returned, a 30.8% response rate. Nearly two thirds of the pharmacists had recently counseled a Spanish-speaking patient, but only one fourth of those respondents considered their interactions effective. Nearly all pharmacists, 88.0%, worked in pharmacies with language-assistance services. Of seven types of these services, a mean of 2.19 were available in pharmacies, and the majority of pharmacists (84.4% or more) identifying a service considered it to be effective. The pharmacists were neutral about counseling Spanish-speaking patients (mean = 2.94) and indifferent toward other cultures (mean = 3.28); however, they agreed they had a responsibility to counsel Spanish-speaking patients, and they believed that use of language-assistance services would constitute a reasonable effort to counsel these patients. Conclusion Pharmacists have an opportunity to address barriers to communication with the Spanish-speaking population through use of language-assistance services and educational measures within the profession.
A mind-body technique for symptoms related to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.

Context A novel mind–body approach (amygdala retraining) is hypothesized to improve symptoms related to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Objective To examine the use of a mind–body approach for improving symptoms related to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Design This was a single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Setting The study was conducted in a tertiary-care fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue clinic. Patients Patients with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, or both were included. Interventions Patients were randomly assigned to receive amygdala retraining along with standard care or standard care alone. Standard care involved attending a 1.5-day multidisciplinary program. The amygdala retraining group received an additional 2.5-hour training course in which the key tools and techniques adapted from an existing program were taught to the patient. A home-study video course and associated text were provided to supplement the on-site program. Both groups received telephone calls twice a month to answer questions related to technique and to provide support. Main Outcome Measures Validated self-report questionnaires related to general health, well-being, and symptoms, including Short Form-36, Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Results Of the 44 patients randomly assigned who completed baseline assessments, 21 patients completed the study (14 in the standard care group and 7 in the study group). Median age was 48 years (range, 27-56 years), and female subjects comprised 91% of the group. Analyses demonstrated statistically significant improvements in scores for physical health, energy, pain, symptom distress, and fatigue in patients who received the amygdala retraining compared with standard care.
Relation of olfactory bulb and cortex. I. Spatial variation of bulbocortical interdependence

Traces of extracellular electrical activity were simultaneously recorded from multiple electrode sites of the olfactory bulb and cortex of 10 alert, minimally restrained rabbits. Rhythmic bursts of 35-85 cps activity appeared concurrently in both structures on the inspiratory phase of a respiratory slow wave. Bulbocortical correlation was significantly higher during bursts than during interburst segments. Four conditions were expected to indicate interdependence of a bulbar and a cortical recording site: (1) a common bulbar and cortical burst frequency; (2) high bulbocortical burst correlation; (3) low bulbocortical burst phase dispersion; and (4) correlation between bulbar and cortical burst amplitudes. Pairs of sites were found which satisfied all 4 conditions. Mean bulbocortical correlation was inversely related to phase dispersion over all the site pairs examined. Significant variation in both correlation and phase dispersion was found with location of the recording sites in the bulb and in the cortex. Sites in the olfactory bulb thus differed significantly in their relation with cortical sites, and likewise, cortical sites differed significantly in their relation with bulbar sites. It is concluded that interdependence between the olfactory bulb and cortex can be detected in the relation of their field potentials and that the interdependence is spatially non-uniform.
Breastfeeding and HIV Infection

The breastfeeding of infants born to HIV-infected mothers is a subject of continuing debate among developed and developing populations in the world. HIV-infected mothers in developed countries almost universally do not breastfeed their infants because of an ∼15% risk of HIV infection being transmitted in breast milk, particularly the cell-rich colostrum fraction of breast milk.1 Avoidance of breastfeeding under these conditions is strongly endorsed by medical experts,2 and their advice is well received by developed societies, primarily out of concern for the health of the infant but also for secondary concerns over loss of income, fast-paced styles of living, inconvenience, and beauty. In developing societies, however, in which breastfeeding among birthing mothers is almost always the norm, public health concerns over HIV transmission with breastfeeding by HIV-infected mothers has sharpened a continuing debate.3–5 At issue are … Address correspondence to William T. Shearer, MD, PhD, Texas Children's Hospital, 6621 Fannin St, MC FC330.01, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail: wtsheare{at}texaschildrenshospital.org