cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Work Experiences of Engineering Managers: Challenges, Strategies, Competencies

In this work in progress paper, we discuss how engineers make sense of their experiences in transitioning to managerial/leadership roles. Developing engineering talent in organizations has long been an issue for industries. Notably, with rapidly changing business models and flattened organizational structures, engineers are required to transition into managerial and leadership roles more quickly than ever before. Yet engineers and employers alike often characterize this as a difficult transition. Further, there remains a lack of empirical research on the nature of engineering managerial work practices. The research project described in this study will address the broader research topic: to holistically uncover the experiences of recently transitioned engineering managers. Specifically, this paper describes the motivation, relevant literature, and methodological approaches to address the primary research question: How do recently transitioned engineering managers make sense of their managerial work experiences? Complimentary and secondary research questions include: 1) What are the challenges faced by engineers as they transitioned into their new roles as engineering managers or leaders?, and 2) What specific competencies and/or strategies did the subjects view as essential for their survival and success at work? This paper presents an overview of the study design, including justifications for the use of relevant methodological frameworks and methods for the research. The paper concludes with a discussion of future work, as well as potential implications such as related to creating training content for professional development of engineers.
Nursing Ethics Huddles to Decrease Moral Distress among Nurses in the Intensive Care Unit.

Background Moral distress (MD) is an emotional and psychological response to morally challenging dilemmas. Moral distress is experienced frequently by nurses in the intensive care unit (ICU) and can result in emotional anguish, work dissatisfaction, poor patient outcomes, and high levels of nurse turnover. Opportunities to discuss ethically challenging situations may lessen MD and its associated sequela. Objective The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate the impact of nursing ethics huddles on participants' MD, clinical ethics knowledge, work satisfaction, and patient care among ICU nurses. Sample and setting The sample, 32 nurses from three ICU settings in an 800-bed tertiary academic medical center, participated in six nursing ethics huddles over a two-month period. Methods Alvita K. Nathaniel's Theory of Moral Reckoning guided development of the nursing ethics huddle process. The Moral Distress Thermometer was administered at three data points: baseline level of MD, and pre- and post-huddle to determine changes in the subjects' level of MD. Focused content analysis was used to analyze qualitative responses from questionnaires about the subjects' perception of the effect of the huddles on work satisfaction and patient care. Knowledge attainment was evaluated via open-ended short-answer questions. Results Overall, use of nurse-ethicist-led nursing ethics huddles was associated with improved quality of work life, patient care, and clinical ethics knowledge. The change in pre- and post-nursing ethics huddles MD scores was statistically significant.
Partial nephrectomy: Review of 80 cases emphasizing its role in management of localized renal stone disease

Abstract Eighty cases of partial nephrectomy are reviewed with respect to indications for surgery, operative technique, intra- and postoperative complications, and results. In those patients operated on for localized stone disease and followed for an average of 3.9 years, the incidence of ipsilateral new stone formation was 6.3 per cent.
P26 Identifying Transportation Access Strategies to Advance SNAP-Ed Programming

Background Insufficiencies in transportation access are associated with a multitude of disparities among low-income families. SNAP-Ed implementers are encouraged to work with sectors of influence to expand and strengthen transportation to and from programming sites. Currently, evidenced-based, program participant-informed transportation access strategies are limited. Objective This exploratory study aimed to understand perspectives from transportation stakeholders and people who are SNAP-Ed eligible on strategies needed to ensure access to transportation for people on a low income. Study Design, Setting, Participants In South Carolina, in-depth interviews (n = 22) were conducted with transportation stakeholders (n = 27), and focus groups (n = 10) were conducted with people (n = 61) recruited from SNAP-Ed programming sites (health clinics, public libraries). Interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Transcripts were qualitatively analyzed separately for interviews and focus groups to identify emergent themes. Results Themes among stakeholders included: increasing funding for public transit; creating or strengthening public transit options; changing public and policy maker perceptions of public transit; and increasing collaboration and coordination among stakeholders. Themes among focus group participants included having options outside of individual vehicle ownership (eg, buses, taxis, vans, ride-sharing services) available and affordable where people on a low income live, especially in rural areas, and improving existing public transit options (eg, more routes, more promotion of how public transit systems work). Conclusions SNAP-Ed implementers should: engage with SNAP-Ed participants to inform them of transportation options in their area and identify their transportation gaps and build relationships with multi-sector transportation stakeholders to share the experiences of SNAP-Ed participants and work towards changing policy, systems, and environments to improve transportation systems. Outcome evaluations are needed to determine if strategies implemented improve food security and dietary intake among participants. Funding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education.
PET: Polyethylene Terephthalate – The Ubiquitous 500 ml Water Bottle

Only 10% of worldwide PET production is recycled. PET is associated with Single Use Plastics, used a few min and discarded. A PET bottle in a landfill takes 500 years to decompose. That same bottle in the ocean will break down into micro plastics that last 500 years. Micro-plastics are consumed by organisms as part of a food chain, which includes us!
Abstract 859: Deep learning predicts expression-based molecular subtypes and immune status of urothelial cancer using digital pathology slides

RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) has revealed intrinsic subtypes of urothelial carcinoma (UC). We have recently developed a molecular classifier to separate UC tumors to ‘hot9 and ‘cold9 based on the expression of immune-related genes. Both molecular subtype and immune-status correlate with response to different treatments, however, RNA-seq data is not readily available for all tumors thus limiting our ability to predict treatment response. We hypothesized that a deep learning approach can predict urothelial cancer molecular subtype and classify immune cell levels from pathology tissue slides. To test this hypothesis, we developed a deep learning model to classify urothelial carcinoma subtypes from hematoxylin and eosin (HE35(8):1962 71) to analyze the predictive performance and generalizability of the model compared to non-normalized slides. We also used gradient-weighted class activation mapping to highlight the regions of the tissue that may be important for classification. After 20 epochs of training, we achieved a 74% patch prediction accuracy on the validation set with a ROC-AUC of 0.80 for non-normalized immune cell classification. For normalized images, we achieved a 70% patch prediction accuracy on the validation set with a ROC-AUC of 0.75. For the luminal-basal subtype classification task, we achieved a 68% patch wise accuracy on the validation set with a ROC-AUC of 0.76 for normalized data and 68% patch-wise accuracy with a ROC-AUC of 0.74 for non-normalized data. We are currently testing the model on an internal urothelial cancer cohort at Weill Cornell Medicine. Our data demonstrates the utility of deep learning methods in predicting UC molecular subtype and immune status from digital pathology slides. This data has important implications for predicting prognosis and treatment response in UC patients. Citation Format: Matthew Bryan Brendel, Pegah Khosravi, Emily Tse, Lilly Gu, Kyrillus Shohdy, Rohan Bareja, Bhavneet Bhinder, Olivier Elemento, Bishoy Faltas, Iman Hajirasouliha. Deep learning predicts expression-based molecular subtypes and immune status of urothelial cancer using digital pathology slides [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 859.
Gender Similarities and Differences in Casual Sex Acceptance Among Lesbian Women and Gay Men.

Popular wisdom and scientific evidence suggest women desire and engage in casual sex less frequently than men; however, theories of gender differences in sexuality are often formulated in light of heterosexual relations. Less is understood about sexual behavior among lesbian and gay people, or individuals in which there is arguably less motivation to pursue sex for reproductive purposes and fewer expectations for people to behave in gender-typical ways. Drawing from scripts theory and pleasure theory, in two studies (N1 = 465; N2 = 487) we examined lesbian and gay people’s acceptance of casual sex. We asked participants who had been propositioned for casual sex whether they accepted the offer and to rate their perceptions of the proposer’s sexual capabilities and sexual orientation. They also reported on their awareness of stigma surrounding casual sex. We found a gender difference in acceptance: Gay men were more likely than lesbian women to have accepted a casual sex offer from other gay/lesbian people, and this difference was mediated by participants’ stigma awareness. We also found the proposer’s sexual orientation played a role in people’s acceptance. Lesbian women and gay men were equally likely to accept offers from bisexual proposers but expressed different acceptance rates with “straight-but-curious” proposers, which was mediated by expected pleasure. We discuss dynamics within lesbian and gay communities and implications for studying theories of sexual behavior and gender differences beyond heterosexual contexts.
Impacts of subsurface hydrologic conditions on sediment selectivity and sediment transport in rills

Abstract Sediment size distribution and sediment load are important factors for the estimation of sediment transport processes. Subsurface hydrologic conditions including drainage, saturation, and seepage can affect the sediment selectivity process and sediment transport, given that downward infiltration under drainage and upward exfiltration under seepage can add one more force on surface particles compared to saturation conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate characteristics of sediment selectivity and transport rates under different subsurface hydrologic conditions in small laboratory flume channels. Series of experiments were conducted with an Opal clay soil under four subsurface hydrologic states ranging from free drainage to 10 cm seepage head conditions with water discharge rates from 0.0003 to 0.0008 m2 s−1 at three slope gradients from 4.56% to 12.17%. Results showed that the fraction of coarse-sized particles increased from saturation to 5 cm and 10 cm seepage head conditions. Compared to saturation conditions, the greater proportion of coarse particles leaving in flow in the free drainage experiments may have been caused by infiltration enhancing the deposition processes and regenerating a coarser surface when reaching the dynamic equilibrium. As slope gradients increased, the subsurface hydrologic impacts decreased on the sediment selectivity process. Both the sediment size distribution and the sediment transport rate changed dynamically and spatially before reaching an equilibrium condition. The determination of sediment transport capacity should consider both dynamic and spatial equilibrium conditions. For the Opal soil, the sediment transport capacity values greatly increased from free drainage to saturation conditions, and the differences between these two subsurface hydrologic conditions increased for greater water discharge rates and slope gradients. From saturation to 5 cm and 10 cm seepage head conditions, the sediment transport capacity values increased slightly, and the differences were stable for the slope gradients and water discharge rates studied.
Clamor: Extending Functional Cluster Computing Frameworks with Fine-Grained Remote Memory Access

We propose Clamor, a functional cluster computing framework that adds support for fine-grained, transparent access to global variables for distributed, data-parallel tasks. Clamor targets workloads that perform sparse accesses and updates within the bulk synchronous parallel execution model, a setting where the standard technique of broadcasting global variables is highly inefficient. Clamor implements a novel dynamic replication mechanism in order to enable efficient access to popular data regions on the fly, and tracks finegrained dependencies in order to retain the lineage-based fault tolerance model of systems like Spark. Clamor can integrate with existing Rust and C++ libraries to transparently distribute programs on the cluster. We show that Clamor is competitive with Spark in simple functional workloads and can improve performance significantly compared to custom systems on workloads that sparsely access large global variables: from 5x for sparse logistic regression to over 100x on distributed geospatial queries.
Bolus flow and biomechanical properties of the esophageal wall during primary esophageal peristalsis: Effects of bolus viscosity and posture

BACKGROUND Studies show that intraluminal impedance recordings of the esophagus allow one to measure the luminal distension during peristalsis, an important parameter for calculation of the biomechanical properties of esophageal wall. The goal was to determine the effect of subject posture and bolus viscosity on the biomechanical properties of esophageal wall, and the rate of bolus flow along the length of the esophagus during primary peristalsis. METHODS High-resolution manometry impedance recordings were obtained in 14 normal healthy subjects. Swallows of 10 ml saline and viscous bolus were recorded in the supine and Trendelenburg positions. User identified the region of interest, and a custom-designed software extracted parameters of interest such as bolus flow rate, esophageal wall tension, and esophageal wall distensibility in four equal segments of the esophagus. KEY RESULTS Bolus flow rate decreases along the length of the esophagus, being slowest in the distal esophagus. Bolus flow rate is smaller in the Trendelenburg position and with viscous bolus as compared with supine position and saline bolus. Esophageal wall tension is greater in the Trendelenburg position and with viscous bolus as compared with the supine position and saline bolus. The esophageal wall distensibility is larger in the distal as compared with proximal esophagus, which is true for both the saline and viscous bolus. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES We report, for the first time, bolus flow rate and biomechanical properties of the esophageal wall during swallow-induced primary peristalsis. Future studies may investigate biomechanical basis of esophageal motility disorders using the methodology described.
Quiet timer blanking in a dog with sick sinus syndrome and a permanent transvenous pacemaker.

Abstract A 14-year-old, 5.8 kg (12.7 lb) male castrated Jack Russell Terrier was referred for investigation of syncope and an arrhythmia. Electrocardiogram showed pronounced variation in the sinus rate including long periods of sinus arrest and an inconsistent escape rhythm. Sick sinus syndrome was the presumptive diagnosis. A single lead permanent transvenous pacemaker was implanted and was programmed to perform ventricular-demand pacing. Postoperative pacemaker interrogation revealed undersensing and asynchronous pacing during episodes of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). This intermittent pacemaker malfunction was attributed to a specific pacemaker programming feature called quiet timer blanking. Adjustment of pacemaker parameters did not restore normal function. Treatment with sotalol (5 mg per os q 12 h) was used to medically treat the SVT, and asynchronous pacing was not observed during follow-up visits. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first documented case of quiet timer blanking causing paroxysmal undersensing and asynchronous pacing in a dog with a permanent pacemaker.
2-Keto-4-hydroxyglutarate aldolase of bovine liver. Purification, criteria of purity, and general properties.

Abstract 2-Keto-4-hydroxyglutarate aldolase, which catalyzes the reversible cleavage of 2-keto-4-hydroxyglutarate to yield pyruvate and glyoxylate, has been purified 1300-fold from bovine liver extracts. The purified enzyme appears to be homogeneous when examined by electrophoresis on starch gel or cellulose polyacetate (Sepraphore III) or by chromatography on columns of Sephadex. A molecular weight of 120,000 is obtained with a calibrated column of Sephadex G-200. Two protein bands, both of which are enzymatically active, are observed in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Under certain conditions, two protein peaks are also seen in the ultracentrifuge; the individual components are estimated to have molecular weights of 113,000 and 208,000. The enzyme has a pH optimum of 8.8, is not stimulated by divalent metal ions, and is not inhibited by a number of metal chelating agents. No absolute requirement for added thiol compounds can be shown, but enzymatic activity is strongly inhibited by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, N-ethylmaleimide, or iodoacetate.
Total Cross Sections and Angular Distributions of the C 12 ( Li 6 , p ) O 17 , C 12 ( Li 6 , d ) O 16 , and C 12 ( Li 6 , α ) N 14 Reactions from 4.5 to 5.5 MeV

The ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}$+${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$ reaction has been studied for bombarding energies in the range 4.5 to 5.5 MeV. Angular distributions and total cross sections have been obtained at 100-keV intervals using a $\frac{\mathrm{dE}}{\mathrm{dx}}\ensuremath{-}E$ system coupled to a computer. The reaction products which have been studied are proton groups from the ground and first four excited states of ${\mathrm{O}}^{17}$, deuterons from the ground and first four excited states of ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ (the 6.05-6.13-MeV doublet unresolved), and alpha particles from the ground and second excited states of ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}$. The angular distributions of certain of the particle groups show a rather strong energy dependence. The total cross sections, however, are smoothly increasing functions of energy. There is no strong ($2J+1$) dependency in total cross sections that would imply a statistical compound-nucleus decay. The relatively smooth variation of the angular distributions of deuterons from the excited states of ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ and alpha particles from the second excited state of ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}$ suggests that these proceed predominantly via a direct reaction. The ground-state groups would appear to have significant compound-nucleus contributions.
Uncoupling of IL-2 signaling from cell cycle progression in naive CD4+ T cells by regulatory CD4+CD25+ T lymphocytes.

Prior reports have shown that CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells suppress naive T cell responses by inhibiting IL-2 production. In this report, using an Ag-specific TCR transgenic system, we show that naive T cells stimulated with cognate Ag in the presence of preactivated CD4 + CD25 + T cells also become refractory to the mitogenic effects of IL-2. T cells stimulated in the presence of regulatory T cells up-regulated high affinity IL-2R, but failed to produce IL-2, express cyclins or c-Myc, or exit G 0 -G 1 . Exogenous IL-2 failed to break the mitotic block, demonstrating that the IL-2 production failure was not wholly responsible for the proliferation defect. This IL-2 unresponsiveness did not require the continuous presence of CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells. The majority of responder T cells reisolated after coculture with regulatory cells failed to proliferate in response to IL-2, but were not anergic and proliferated in response to Ag. The mitotic block was also dissociated from the antiapoptotic effects of IL-2, because IL-2 still promoted the survival of T cells that had been cocultured with CD4 + CD25 + T cells. IL-2-induced STAT5 phosphorylation in the cocultured responder cells was intact, implying that the effects of the regulatory cells were downstream of receptor activation. Our results therefore show that T cell activation in the presence of CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells can induce an alternative stimulation program characterized by up-regulation of high affinity IL-2R, but a failure to produce IL-2, and uncoupling of the mitogenic and antiapoptotic effects of IL-2.
Movement of modulator in maize: a test of an hypothesis.

A model of Modulator movement (Greenblatt 1968) from one chromosomal site to another requires that all movements produce potential twin mutations within the affected cell lineage. From this model the prediction would be that (1) untwinned red and untwinned light-variegated sectors within the pericarp of medium-variegated maize must occur in equal frequency even though partners become lost, during ear morphogenesis, to the final pericarp tissue, and that (2) among the backcross progeny of a homozygous PrrMp individual mated with Pwr/Pwr pollen, red offspring and light-variegated offspring would occur in equal frequency. Both expectations have been realized and herein reported.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Survival in Children after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Abstract Vitamin D has endocrine function as a key regulator of calcium absorption and bone homeostasis and also has intracrine function as an immunomodulator. Vitamin D deficiency before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been variably associated with higher risks of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and mortality. Children are at particular risk of growth impairment and bony abnormalities in the face of prolonged deficiency. There are few longitudinal studies of vitamin D deficient children receiving HSCT, and the prevalence and consequences of vitamin D deficiency 100 days after transplant has been poorly studied. Serum samples from 134 consecutive HSCT patients prospectively enrolled into an HSCT sample repository were tested for 25-hydroxy (25 OH) vitamin D levels before starting HSCT (baseline) and at 100 days after transplantation. Ninety-four of 134 patients (70%) had a vitamin D level
Teleconnections in the Earth System

This article illustrates the large-scale connectivity of the atmosphere–ocean coupled system and generalizes the concept to regional scales and to other components of the earth system. Connections at a distance, or teleconnections, can occur by the direct transfer of mass by changes in regular circulations or by propagating waves initiated by a variety of mechanisms. Questions as to what extent recognized teleconnection patterns can be associated with identifiable forcing mechanisms, to what extent these patterns are interrelated and how they might cause, react to, or interact with changing forcing such as changes in atmospheric composition, land cover, or the distribution of sea ice to produce climate changes are examined. Keywords: teleconnection; circulation change; atmosphere-ocean interactions; biosphere-atmosphere interactions; ENSO; NAO/AO
The superficial lateral canthal tendon: anatomic study and clinical application to lateral canthopexy.

Most patients who undergo facial cosmetic surgery procedures that could cause lower eyelid retraction or ectropion should have an additional surgical procedure to support the lower eyelid and lateral canthus. The lower eyelid should be supported when performing laser planing of the eyelid; midface elevation through a lower eyelid incision approach; or conventional blepharoplasty, in patients with lower eyelid laxity. Suspending the lateral canthus by surgically altering the lateral canthal tendon is a proven technique that can provide support for the lower eyelid. However, a technique of this complexity may be unnecessary for most cosmetic surgery patients. To increase understanding of the fascial support system of the lateral canthus, four fresh cadaver dissections were performed to investigate the attachments of the lateral canthus to the lateral orbital rim. The most commonly appreciated attachment between the eyelids and the lateral orbital rim is the lateral canthal tendon (the lateral canthal raphe). However, the lateral canthus also is attached to the orbital rim at a more superficial level through the septum orbitale. This superficial fascial plane may be modified and used as a structure to stabilize or suspend the lateral canthus. This structure is defined in this article as the "superficial lateral canthal tendon."
Aeroelastic Stability Analysis using Reduced Order Aerodynamic Models

The stability of linear systems defined by ordinary differential equations with constant or periodic coefficients can be assessed from the spectral radius of their transition matrix. In classical applications of this theory, the transition matrix is explicitly computed first, then its eigenvalues are evaluated; if the norm of the largest eigenvalue is larger than unity, the system is unstable. The proposed implicit transition matrix approach extracts the dominant eigenvalues of the transition matrix using the Arnoldi algorithm, without the explicit computation of this matrix. As a result, the proposed implicit method yields stability informat,ion at a far lower computational cost than that of the classical approach, and is ideally suited for stability computations of systems involving a large number of degrees of freedom. Examples of application of the proposed methodology are presented that demonstrate its accuracy and computational efficiency.
Disagreements and self-esteem: Support for the competence-reinforcement model of attraction☆

Abstract The competence-reinforcement model of attraction ( Byrne & Clore, 1967 ) theorizes that interpersonal disagreements produce negative affect and decrements in personal competence. Subject dislike for disagreeing strangers has been a frequent and reliable finding, but the theoretical issue of whether disagreements elicit negative affect because they threaten one's sense of personal competence has been less thoroughly investigated. The present study examines the relationship between attitude disagreements and self-esteem. On the basis of the competence-reinforcement model of attraction it was hypothesized that disagreements would produce decrements in selfesteem, and that the decrements would be most pronounced among subjects expressing the greatest dislike for the disagreeing stranger. Both hypotheses were supported, and it was concluded that the competence-reinforcement model provides an adequate account of both attraction and self-esteem loss.
Spinal facet joint biomechanics and mechanotransduction in normal, injury and degenerative conditions

The facet joint is a crucial anatomic region of the spine owing to its biomechanical role in facilitating articulation of the vertebrae of the spinal column. It is a diarthrodial joint with opposing articular cartilage surfaces that provide a low friction environment and a ligamentous capsule that encloses the joint space. Together with the disc, the bilateral facet joints transfer loads and guide and constrain motions in the spine due to their geometry and mechanical function. Although a great deal of research has focused on defining the biomechanics of the spine and the form and function of the disc, the facet joint has only recently become the focus of experimental, computational and clinical studies. This mechanical behavior ensures the normal health and function of the spine during physiologic loading but can also lead to its dysfunction when the tissues of the facet joint are altered either by injury, degeneration or as a result of surgical modification of the spine. The anatomical, biomechanical and physiological characteristics of the facet joints in the cervical and lumbar spines have become the focus of increased attention recently with the advent of surgical procedures of the spine, such as disc repair and replacement, which may impact facet responses. Accordingly, this review summarizes the relevant anatomy and biomechanics of the facet joint and the individual tissues that comprise it. In order to better understand the physiological implications of tissue loading in all conditions, a review of mechanotransduction pathways in the cartilage, ligament and bone is also presented ranging from the tissue-level scale to cellular modifications. With this context, experimental studies are summarized as they relate to the most common modifications that alter the biomechanics and health of the spine-injury and degeneration. In addition, many computational and finite element models have been developed that enable more-detailed and specific investigations of the facet joint and its tissues than are provided by experimental approaches and also that expand their utility for the field of biomechanics. These are also reviewed to provide a more complete summary of the current knowledge of facet joint mechanics. Overall, the goal of this review is to present a comprehensive review of the breadth and depth of knowledge regarding the mechanical and adaptive responses of the facet joint and its tissues across a variety of relevant size scales.
Characterizing the dielectric properties of human mesenchymal stem cells and the effects of charged elastin-like polypeptide copolymer treatment.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have three key properties that make them desirable for stem cell therapeutics: differentiation capacity, trophic activity, and ability to self-renew. However, current separation techniques are inefficient, time consuming, expensive, and, in some cases, alter hMSCs cellular function and viability. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a technique that uses alternating current electric fields to spatially separate biological cells based on the dielectric properties of their membrane and cytoplasm. This work implements the first steps toward the development of a continuous cell sorting microfluidic device by characterizing native hMSCs dielectric signatures and comparing them to hMSCs morphologically standardized with a polymer. A quadrapole Ti-Au electrode microdevice was used to observe hMSC DEP behaviors, and quantify frequency spectra and cross-over frequency of hMSCs from 0.010–35 MHz in dextrose buffer solutions (0.030 S/m and 0.10 S/m). This combined approach included a systematic parametric study to fit a core-shell model to the DEP spectra over the entire tested frequency range, adding robustness to the analysis technique. The membrane capacitance and permittivity were found to be 2.2 pF and 2.0 in 0.030 S/m and 4.5 pF and 4.1 in 0.10 S/m, respectively. Elastin-like polypeptide (ELP-) polyethyleneimine (PEI) copolymer was used to control hMSCs morphology to spheroidal cells and aggregates. Results demonstrated that ELP-PEI treatment controlled hMSCs morphology, increased experiment reproducibility, and concurrently increased hMSCs membrane permittivity to shift the cross-over frequency above 35 MHz. Therefore, ELP-PEI treatment may serve as a tool for the eventual determination of biosurface marker-dependent DEP signatures and hMSCs purification.
Psychophysical and theoretical identifications

(1972). Psychophysical and theoretical identifications. Australasian Journal of Philosophy: Vol. 50, No. 3, pp. 249-258.
A technique for creating linearly stable localized atmospheric features with an application to nonlinear cyclogenesis

Abstract A technique is described to construct persistent, three-dimensionally localized features. Localized is used here to signify a structure that is nonzero only in a small region of a larger domain. These features remain nearly coherent and stable in a linear calculation by constructing the local feature from neutral eigenmodes (sometimes called “continuum modes”). The limiting factors are how much the phase speed varies between the modal constituents of the localized feature and how good the match is between eigenvalue and initial-value versions of the governing equations. The governing equations used here are the quasi-geostrophic (QG) potential vorticity (PV) tendency equation. The linear form of the model specifies a zonal mean flow that can have both vertical and meridional shear. The prescribed, mean state has no variation along the flow. The construction of a localized state can be accomplished using fewer modes when meridional shear is present in the zonal mean flow. The localized features are tested as initial conditions (ICs) in linear calculations and then applied to study a problem in nonlinear extratropical cyclogenesis. The nonlinear simulations are not exhaustive. The scope is limited to considering whether nonlinear advection favors nonmodal growth (NG) or normal mode baroclinic instability (NMBI). The applications use several mean flows and IC amplitudes and structures representing conditions prior to observed cyclogenesis. Even though the scope of the application is limited, that scope is better served by using structures that approximate observed traveling, but not developing, localized troughs. The localization includes a procedure that removes linearly unstable normal modes from the IC. Removing the unstable normal modes allows tracking of how quickly growing structures are created by nonlinear advection. Results for selected ICs and basic flows find little NG. Adjacent to the original trough, unstable normal mode-like structures appear soon into the integration. Their properties are more consistent with normal mode growth than NG. Projecting the solution onto eigenmodes finds strong initial amplification of unstable normal modes by the nonlinear terms. The eddies in nonlinear integrations evolve towards a horizontal size that is greater than the linearly most unstable normal mode. Larger initial amplitude leads to faster breakdown of the localization. Emphasis is on ICs with mid or upper tropospheric isolated troughs and sufficient amplitude such that the sum of the IC and mean flow is either an “open wave” or a “closed contour”. The ICs considered develop a leading upper high and trailing lower high and the IC trough develops upstream tilt; both developments are similar to observed cyclogenesis.
Silica Colloidal Crystals as Emerging Materials for High-Throughput Protein Electrophoresis

Silica colloidal crystals are a new type of media for protein electrophoresis, and they are assessed for their promise in rapidly measuring aggregation of monoclonal antibodies. The nature of silica colloidal crystals is described in the context of the need for a high-throughput separation tool for optimizing the formulations of protein drugs for minimal aggregation. The fundamental relations between molecular weight and mobility in electrophoresis are used to make a theoretical comparison of selectivity between gels and colloidal crystals. The results show that the selectivity is similar for these media, but slightly higher, 10%, for gels, and the velocity is inherently lower than that for gels due to the smaller free volume fraction. These factors are more than compensated for by lower broadening in colloidal crystals. These new media give plate heights of only 0.15 μm for the antibody monomer and 0.42 μm for the antibody dimer. The monoclonal antibody is separated from its dimer in 72 s over a distance of only 6.5 mm. This is five times faster than size-exclusion chromatography, with more than tenfold miniaturization, and amenable to parallel separations, all of which are promising for the design of high-throughput devices for optimizing protein drug formulations.
Treatment of trigeminal neuralgia and other facial pains by retrogasserian injection of glycerol.

Hakanson's treatment of trigeminal neuralgia by injecting 0.2 to 0.4 ml of glycerol into the cerebrospinal fluid in Meckel's cave was carried out in 27 patients with trigeminal neuralgia, 3 with atypical facial neuralgia, and 1 with post-traumatic facial neuralgia. Minor modifications of his technique are described based on our finding of a greater pain and sensory loss upon injection than he noted. We present evidence that glycerol is more toxic than its cryoprotectant effect would intimate and that it selectively eliminates those components of the compound action potential in the trigeminal rootlets customarily associated with pain. We conclude that the method is probably going to be an improvement over radiofrequency heating for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in many situations.
Bronchial Stump Dehiscence: Update on Prevention and Management

Bronchial stump dehiscence is a serious complication and is associated with important morbidity and increased mortality. Because of this, efforts to prevent and treat these occurrences are essential. Etiology, risk factors, diagnosis and prevention, as well as current treatment options with an emphasis on surgical repair with muscle flaps are reviewed and discussed.
Characterization of a particulate pathway for copper in K562 cells.

Abstract More than half of the 67 Cu recovered from K562 cells following a brief incubation with 67 Cu-ceruloplasmin was recovered in particulate fractions of the cell. The fractions in Percoll had densities that ranged between 1.040 and 1.060 g/dl. In as early as 5 min, two fractions, densities of 1.051 and 1.056, respectively, were discernible. Components in the 1.051 fraction tested positive for clathrin and catalase. Those in the 1.056 fraction sedimented near the marker for lysosomes. The 67 Cu in both fractions was stable to treatment by EDTA, nitrilotriacetate, α,α′-dipyridyl, heparinase, and ascorbate, but dissociated when treated with pronase, trypsin, or sodium dodecylsulfate. Continuous incubation with 67 Cu-ceruloplasmin intensified the 67 Cu activity in the 1.051 and 1.056 fractions. Cells incubated with 125 I-transferrin displayed the label primarily in the 1.051 fraction. Continuous incubation intensified the label but unlike 67 Cu, it did not shift to lighter or heavier fractions. Electron micrographs of the 1.051 fraction showed fields dominated by membranous structures some of which were enclosed. Micrographs of whole cells showed numerous invaginations resembling coated pits with sealed structures along and beneath the membrane surface suggesting the membrane was engaged in a rather extensive endocytosis. These data provide evidence that a large fraction of Cu from ceruloplasmin enters the K562 cell bound to membranous-like vesicles, part of which are sealed and coated with clathrin. This particulate pathway accounts for most of the copper entering the cell.
Drift, Evolution, and Divergence in Biologics and Biosimilars Manufacturing

Biological medicines (biologics) are produced in living cells and purified in complex, multi-step processes. Compared with chemically synthesized small-molecule drugs, biologics are more sensitive to changes in manufacturing conditions. Process and product consistency should be founded on rigorous design and control of manufacturing processes, but consistency is ultimately ensured through robust quality systems. Even a minor change in any component of a quality system could lead to product drift, evolution, and divergence, which may impact the quality, safety, efficacy, and/or interchangeability of biologics. Unintended or unexplained deviations in manufacturing processes can lead to excursions in product attributes (i.e., drift). Well-managed quality systems can help detect and mitigate drift. Occasionally, quality attributes could shift outside of established acceptable ranges as the result of a known manufacturing change (defined here as evolution). Such changes should be studied extensively for effects on product safety and efficacy. With the advent of biosimilars, similar biologics will be produced by multiple manufacturers with different quality systems. Different patterns of product drift and evolution could contribute, over time, to clinically meaningful differences among biologics, including among originator products across regions and among originator products and biosimilar products, a process defined here as divergence. Manufacturers and policymakers can minimize the potential impact of divergence by establishing robust pharmacovigilance systems; requiring distinguishable names for all biologics, including both originator products and biosimilars; adhering to high standards for designations of interchangeability; and ensuring that patient medical records accurately reflect the specific biologic dispensed, especially if the biologic could be sourced from multiple manufacturers.
Quantum Monte Carlo Simulation Studies of the Structures of the Liquid−Vapor Interfaces of Sn and Pb

We report the results of self-consistent quantum Monte Carlo simulations of the structure of the liquid−vapor interfaces of the tetravalent metals Sn and Pb.
The speed of visual processing in children and adults: Effects of backward and forward masking

Children, 4-5 and 9-10 years old, and college-age adults were tested on two visual masking tasks. The first task required the Ss to identify whether a tachistoscopically presented bar was horizontal or vertical The second task, also using tachistoscopic presentation of stimuli, required Ss to locate a horizontal (or vertical) bar in a matrix of vertical (or horizontal) bars. In both tasks, backward masking produced greater disruption than did forward masking, and the amount of disruption induced by both backward and forward masking decreased as age increased. An Age by Masking Condition interaction was found only in the location task and reflected a much greater difference between backward- and forward-masking conditions for the youngest group than for the older groups. On the basis of these findings and other considerations, it was concluded that only in the location task, which presumably required visual search, was the speed of visual processing slower in the younger group.
Land use determines interest in conservation easements among private landowners

Abstract Protection of private lands through conservation easements has garnered recent attention from scientists and conservation practitioners. Questions remain, however, about the specific characteristics and activities driving landowners’ interest in conservation easements and their willingness to consider granting them. Resolving these questions could improve prospects for private land conservation by helping land conservation organizations identify and better understand potential easement grantors. We conducted a survey of 513 private landowners in a peri-urban fringe area in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, USA. Logistic regression analysis returned seven significant predictors of landowner willingness to consider granting conservation easements. Participation in environmental organizations, recreational land-use activities, wild food gathering, and land entitlement were the strongest factors promoting interest in conservation easements. Long-term residency, male gender, and hunting or fishing, on the other hand, significantly decreased the likelihood of considering conservation easements. The findings suggest that landowners most interested in to granting conservation easements are active land users. Notably, among all the land-use activities reported, the most frequent and the most important in predicting interest in conservation easements are those undertaken for recreational and subsistence, rather than economic, purposes. This suggests that while easements might be appropriate for working lands, their role in reconciling land use with conservation requires a flexible definition of work.
Raman spectra of n -alkane crystals: Lattice vibrations of n-hexane, n-heptane and n-octane

Abstract Raman spectra have been obtained for polycrystalline samples of the normal alkanes hexane, heptane and octane in the temperature range 20 K to the melting points. In the case of the isomorphous n-hexane and n-octane crystals the three theoretically predicted torsional lattice frequencies have been observed as well as several low-lying internal molecular vibrational frequencies. In both crystals the lowest lattice frequency (53 and 47 cm−1, respectively at 20 K) increases in frequency and rapidly broadens with temperature, and is unobservable at higher temperatures. For n-heptane a larger number of lattice frequencies are observed in addition to several internal molecular frequencies below 400 cm−1. Crystal structures, energies and lattice vibration frequencies for n-hexane and n-octane are calculated using an atom—atom intermolecular potential, and the mixing of internal and lattice vibrational modes due to the crystal potential is investigated. It is concluded that the atom—atom potential model is able to explain the lattice dynamic properties with a reasonable quantitative accuracy. Dispersion curves for the lattice frequencies are calculated for n-hexane.
Generalized Vogel law for glass-forming liquids

A model for non-Arrhenius structural and dielectric relaxation in glass-forming materials is based on defect clustering in supercooled liquids. Relaxation in the cold liquid is highly hindered, and assumed to require the presence of a mobile defect to loosen the structure near it. A mild distribution of free-energy barriers impeding defect hopping can generate a wide distribution of waiting times between relaxation events. When the mean waiting time is longer than the time of an experiment, no characteristic time scale exists. This case directly yields the Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts (KWW) relaxation law. A free-energy mismatch between defect and nondefect regions produces a defect-defect attraction, which can lead to aggregation. This may occur in defect-rich “fragile” liquids which also exhibit Vogel kinetics. Defect aggregation and correlation in the “high-temperature” region above the critical consolute temperatureTc is described using the Ornstein-Zernike theory of critical fluctuations. For a defect correlation length divergence (T-Tc)-γ/2, a generalized Vogel law for the structural relaxation time τ results: τ=τ0exp[B./(T-Tc)1.5γ] In the mean-field limit (γ=1) this provides as good an account of dielectric and structural relaxation in glycerol,n-propanol, andi-butyl bromide as does the original Vogel law, and for the mixed salt KNO3−Ca(NO3)2 and B2O2 it also describes kinetics over their entire temperature ranges. A breakdown of the Vogel law in the immediate vicinity ofTg is avoided, and the need to invoke extra low-temperature mechanisms to explain an apparent “return to Arrhenius behavior” is removed.
Cynical hostility influences anger, but not cardiovascular reactivity during competition with harassment

Cynical hostility has been linked to coronary heart disease (CHD), and there is mixed support for the hypothesis that cynical hostility may contribute to CHD through exaggerated cardiovascular responses to anger-provoking stressors. The present study tested the influences of cynical hostility on affective and cardiovascular responses to provocation in 68 undergraduate men. Subjects were divided into high and low cynical hostility groups by a median split on Cook-Medley Hostility Scale scores, and half of the subjects in each group were harassed during competition on a video game. High hostile subjects reported greater anger than low hostile subjects during the competition, independently of harassment, and harassment produced stronger feelings of mistreatment, independently of hostility. Harassed subjects experienced larger systolic blood pressure responses only during an affect rating period after the competition, but the responses were not influenced by hostility. These findings provide further evidence that cynical hostility, anger, and cardiovascular reactivity are not simply nor consistently related.