cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cervical cancer prevention in remote rural Nicaragua: a program evaluation.

Abstract Background. Nicaragua has some of the highest rates of cervical cancer in Latin America and the world [Arrossi S, Sankaranarayanan R, Parkin DM. Incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in Latin America. Salud Publica Mex. 2003;45 (Suppl 3):S306–14]. In 2003, the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health, the Central American Institute of Health and the Maria Luisa Ortiz Clinic combined efforts to create an effective remote rural service network, with centralized quality-controlled cytology, and coordinated treatment. Methods and materials. Data was taken from the clinic Pap log, tracking records, patient charts, and pathology reports. Patients were stratified by age (25 and older, and under 25). Standard indicators addressing key components in the entire continuum of an effective screening program were adapted from suggestions by a work group of the Pan American Health Organization. Results. A total of 2132 women received Pap screening. 68% (N = 1448) were 25 and older and 32% (N = 684) were under 25. The proportion of high-grade abnormal screens was 3.7% for women over 25 and 0.4% for women under 25. The proportion of women with high-grade abnormal results who received diagnostic work-up and needed treatment was 94% for women over 25 and 100% for women under 25. The proportion of high-grade squamous cell Pap tests resulting in histologically confirmed disease was 68%. The ratio of pre-invasive disease to invasive disease was 1.9. The invasive cancer detection rate was 0.62%. Conclusion. This program evaluation demonstrates that outreach to high-risk women, quality cytology screening and high rates of diagnostic follow-up and treatment can be conducted in remote, low-resource settings when coordinated efforts are made to remove barriers and ensure quality.
Evaluation of Long-Term SSM/I-Based Precipitation Records over Land

Therecordofglobalprecipitation mappingusingSpecialSensorMicrowaveImager(SSM/I)measurements now extends over two decades. Similar measurements, albeit with different retrieval algorithms, are to be used in the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission as part of a constellation to map global precipitation with a more frequent data refresh rate. Remotely sensed precipitation retrievals are prone to both magnitude (precipitation intensity) and phase (position) errors. In this study, the ground-based radar precipitation product from the Next Generation Weather Radar stage-IV (NEXRAD-IV) product is used to evaluate a new metric of error in the long-term SSM/I-based precipitation records. The new metric quantifies the proximity of two multidimensional datasets. Evaluation of the metric across the years shows marked seasonality and precipitation intensity dependence. Drifts and changes in the instrument suite are also evident. Additionally, the precipitation retrieval errors conditional on an estimate of background surface soil moisture are estimated. The dynamic soil moisture can produce temporal variability in surface emissivity, which is a source of error in retrievals. Proper filtering has been applied in the analysis to differentiate between the detection error and the retrieval error. The identification of the different types of errors and their dependence on season, intensity, instrument, and surface conditions provide guidance to the development of improved retrieval algorithms for use in GPM constellation-based precipitation data products.
Optically-pumped mid-infrared VCSEL

We report pulsed and continuous-wave operation of an optically-pumped III-V VCSEL emitting at /spl lambda//spl ap/2.9 /spl mu/m. The laser consists of a 12-1/2 period GaSb/AlAsSb distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) bottom mirror, a 79-period type-II "W" quantum well active region [InAs/GaSb/InAs/AlSb] and a dielectric DBR top mirror. The reflection plateaus of the top and bottom mirror are centered at /spl lambda/=3.0 /spl mu/m, and the top mirror is also optimized for >80% transmission at 1.064 /spl mu/m. The cavity containing the active region is nominally one wavelength long. The first results demonstrate the feasibility of diode-pumped mid-IR VCSELs with low thresholds at high temperatures.
Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Mediators of Breast Carcinoma Tumorigenesis and Progression

: mesenchymal stem cells, breast cancer, estrogen receptor, hormone independence, endocrine resistance, tumor microenvironment Breast cancer continues to be the most frequently diagnosed carcinoma in women in the U.S.[1,2] with one in eight (12%) women having the chance of developing some form of breast carcinoma over the course of their lifetime[3,4]. A tumor mass is composed of malignant cancer cells and nonmalignant benign cells. The benign cells include tumor endothelial cells, inflammatory cells, and stromal cells, as well as the extracellular matrix (ECM) that provides structural support to the malignant cells[5]. The tumor microenvironment has been shown to play an active part in tumorigenesis and cancer progression through structural support as well as secreted factors[6]. It is now understood that stromal fibroblasts within the tumor microenvironment can influence tumor cell activities, such as proliferation, survival, metastasis, and even tumor initiation[7,8,9,10,11]. The interaction between tumor cells and tumor stroma or microenvironment has been described as a two-way street, as the tumor cells influence the stroma via tissue remodeling and gene expression, and vice versa[5,12,13]. Tumor cells provide signals that stimulate
Default repression and Notch signaling: Hairless acts as an adaptor to recruit the corepressors Groucho and dCtBP to Suppressor of Hairless.

The DNA-binding transcription factor Suppressor of Hairless [Su(H)] functions as an activator during Notch (N) pathway signaling, but can act as a repressor in the absence of signaling. Hairless (H), a novel Drosophila protein, binds to Su(H) and has been proposed to antagonize N signaling by inhibiting DNA binding by Su(H). Here we show that, in vitro, H directly binds two corepressor proteins, Groucho (Gro) and dCtBP. Reduction of gro or dCtBP function enhances H mutant phenotypes and suppresses N phenotypes in the adult mechanosensory bristle. This activity of gro is surprising, because it is directed oppositely to its traditionally defined role as a neurogenic gene. We find that Su(H)-H complexes can bind to DNA with high efficiency in vitro. Furthermore, a H-VP16 fusion protein causes dominant-negative phenotypes in vivo, a result consistent with the proposal that H functions in transcriptional repression. Taken together, our findings indicate that “default repression” of N pathway target genes by an unusual adaptor/corepressor complex is essential for proper cell fate specification during Drosophila peripheral nervous system development.
Wildfire Management and Forecasting Fire Potential: The Roles of Climate Information and Social Networks in the Southwest United States

AbstractContinuing progress in the fields of meteorology, climatology, and fire ecology has enabled more proactive and risk-tolerant wildland fire management practices in the United States. Recent institutional changes have also facilitated the incorporation of more advanced climate and weather research into wildland fire management. One of the most significant changes was the creation of Predictive Services in 1998, a federal interagency group composed, in part, of meteorologists who create climate- and weather-based fire outlooks tailored to fire manager needs. Despite the numerous forecast products now available to fire managers, few studies have examined how these products have affected their practices. In this paper the authors assess how fire managers in the Southwest region of the United States perceive and incorporate different types of information into their management practices. A social network analysis demonstrates that meteorologists have become central figures in disseminating information in...
Editorial from the New Editor-in-Chief

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the TCBB Steering Committee for the trust and opportunity it has given me to serve as the new Editor-in-Chief of the journal. I am really excited about all the possibilities that I can explore through working with the excellent Editorial Board, the Steering Committee, and the Computer Society staff, to help the journal continue to grow. I also recognize that I have very big shoes to fill, knowing the fantastic jobs that my predecessors Professor Dan Gusfield and Professor Marie-France Sagot have done since the founding of the journal in 2004. I was trained as a theoretical computer scientist and am now working in a biochemistry and molecular biology department. I hope that I can help to build stronger ties between the journal and a larger biological community, striving to make TCBB a leading resource for biologists to check out first when they search for the most useful computational techniques and tools to handle their data analysis and computational prediction and modeling needs. Biology is becoming increasingly more quantitative fueled by the rapid and continued emergence of new omic techniques. The availability of such data has made it possible for biologists to ask broader and deeper questions about more complex biological systems. It clearly requires increasingly more powerful techniques and tools to derive all the information hidden in the large quantities of the omic data and to facilitate the full utilization of the information in addressing specific biological questions. This is a really great time for computational biologists and bioinformaticians, as the needs for such people are tremendous. TCBB can clearly play a key role in helping the transition of biology to become a more quantitative science built on fundamental principles and laws. I plan to bring in additional editorial board members whose expertise will be complementary to that of the current board members, to better position the journal to attract and handle submissions in the emerging areas of bioinformatics and computational biology, mostly driven by the emergence of new omic techniques. I also aim to establish a new column for review articles to better inform the community associated with the TCBB about the new data and computational needs and challenges from different areas of biology, helping to make the information flow both ways efficiently. I am also looking forward to hearing suggestions and advice from the readers, authors, and the editorial board members of the journal, which can help to move TCBB to the next level, based on the superb foundation that Professor Dan Gusfield and Professor Marie-France Sagot have laid. I look forward to working and interacting with you!
Implicating the glutathione-gated potassium efflux system as a cause of electrophile-induced activated sludge deflocculation.

The glutathione-gated K+ efflux (GGKE) system represents a protective microbial stress response that is activated by electrophilic or thiol-reactive stressors. It was hypothesized that efflux of cytoplasmic K+ occurs in activated sludge communities in response to shock loads of industrially relevant electrophilic chemicals and results in significant deflocculation. Novosphingobium capsulatum, a bacterium consistent with others found in activated sludge treatment systems, responded to electrophilic thiol reactants with rapid efflux of up to 80% of its cytoplasmic K+ pool. Furthermore, N. capsulatum and activated sludge cultures exhibited dynamic efflux-uptake-efflux responses very similar to those observed by others in Escherichia coli K-12 exposed to the electrophilic stressors N-ethylmaleimide and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and the reducing agent dithiothreitol. Fluorescent LIVE/DEAD stains were used to show that cell lysis was not the cause of electrophile-induced K+ efflux. Nigericin was used to artificially stimulate K+ efflux from N. capsulatum and activated sludge cultures as a comparison to electrophile-induced K+ efflux and showed that cytoplasmic K+ efflux by both means corresponded with activated sludge deflocculation. These results parallel those of previous studies with pure cultures in which GGKE was shown to cause cytoplasmic K+ efflux and implicate the GGKE system as a probable causal mechanism for electrophile-induced, activated sludge deflocculation. Calculations support the notion that shock loads of electrophilic chemicals result in very high K+ concentrations within the activated sludge floc structure, and these K+ levels are comparable to that which caused deflocculation by external (nonphysiological) KCl addition.
Pushing Forces Drive the Comet-Like Motility of Microtubule Arrays in Dictyostelium

Overexpression of dynein fragments in Dictyostelium induces the movement of the entire interphase microtubule array. Centrosomes in these cells circulate through the cytoplasm at rates between 0.4 and 2.5 microm/s and are trailed by a comet-tail like arrangement of the microtubule array. Previous work suggested that these cells use a dynein-mediated pulling mechanism to generate this dramatic movement and that similar forces are at work to maintain the interphase MTOC position in wild-type cells. In the present study, we address the nature of the forces used to produce microtubule movement. We have used a laser microbeam to sever the connection between the motile centrosomes and trailing microtubules, demonstrating that the major force for such motility results from a pushing on the microtubules. We eliminate the possibility that microtubule assembly/disassembly reactions are significant contributors to this motility and suggest that the cell cortex figures prominently in locating force-producing molecules. Our findings indicate that interphase microtubules in Dictyostelium are subject to both dynein- and kinesin-like forces and that these act in concert to maintain centrosome position in the cell and to support the radial character of the microtubule network.
Development and calibration of a long-distance passenger traffic assignment model

This paper studies the assignment of long-distance passenger traffic on a highway corridor network. First, we propose a traditional model for the long-distance traffic assignment considering interactions with local commuter traffic. It addresses the effect of local networks on highway corridors. An iterative algorithm is developed to solve for the exact solution. Then, to address the potential computational issues that arise therein, a decomposition method is proposed by introducing a new concept of corridor elasticity. An assignment procedure for long-distance passenger traffic is developed accordingly. Numerical tests show that the proposed decomposition method makes significant improvements in computational performance at a small loss of optimality. This decomposition method well approximates the exact assignment from the traditional formulation, especially when the highway corridors are near-saturation. The proposed decomposition method appears practical for application.
Effectiveness of vasectomy using cautery

Background Little evidence supports the use of any one vas occlusion method. Data from a number of studies now suggest that there are differences in effectiveness among different occlusion methods. The main objectives of this study were to estimate the effectiveness of vasectomy by cautery and to describe the trends in sperm counts after cautery vasectomy. Other objectives were to estimate time and number of ejaculations to success and to determine the predictive value of success at 12 weeks for final status at 24 weeks.
STIMULUS‐ AND RESPONSE‐REINFORCER CONTINGENCIES IN AUTOSHAPING, OPERANT, CLASSICAL, AND OMISSION TRAINING PROCEDURES IN RATS

Separate groups of rats received 500 trials of lever-press training under autoshaping (food delivery followed 10-second lever presentations, or occurred immediately following a response); operant conditioning (responding was necessary for food delivery); and classical conditioning (food followed lever presentations regardless of responding). Each group then received 500 trials on an omission procedure in which food was omitted on trials with a response. Another group received 1000 trials on the omission procedure, and a fifth group, random control, received 1000 uncorrelated presentations of lever and food. The autoshaping, operant, and classical groups reached high response levels by the end of initial training. Acquisition was fastest in the autoshaping group. Responding remained consistently low in the control group. The omission group responded at a level between the control group and the other three groups. During omission training, responding in these three groups declined to the omission-group level. During omission training, the rats continued contacting the lever frequently after lever pressing had declined. Response maintenance under omission training seems not to require topographic similarity between the response and reinforcer-elicited consummatory behaviors.
Dynamic Mechanism Design: A Myersonian Approach

We study mechanism design in dynamic quasilinear environments where private information arrives over time and decisions are made over multiple periods. We make three contributions. First, we provide a necessary condition for incentive compatibility that takes the form of an envelope formula for the derivative of an agent's equilibrium expected payoff with respect to his current type. It combines the familiar marginal effect of types on payoffs with novel marginal effects of the current type on future ones that are captured by �impulse response functions.� The formula yields an expression for dynamic virtual surplus that is instrumental to the design of optimal mechanisms and to the study of distortions under such mechanisms. Second, we characterize the transfers that satisfy the envelope formula and establish a sense in which they are pinned down by the allocation rule (�revenue equivalence�). Third, we characterize perfect Bayesian equilibrium-implementable allocation rules in Markov environments, which yields tractable sufficient conditions that facilitate novel applications. We illustrate the results by applying them to the design of optimal mechanisms for the sale of experience goods (�bandit auctions�).
A Comparison of Kua (Botswana) and Hadza (Tanzania) Bow and Arrow Hunting

In this chapter I summarize some of the technological, organizational, and environmental factors that are likely to influence the design, manufacture, and use of bow-hunting equipment by two groups of contemporary hunter-gatherers in sub-Saharan Africa. Specifically, I consider the Kua of the eastern Kalahari in Botswana, and the Hadza who live to the southeast of Lake Eyasi of northern Tanzania (Figure 1). The observations reported here were made in the context of a larger ethnoarchaeological research project directed at understanding the nature of variability in faunal assemblages from hunter-gatherer camps (Bartram 1993a, 1993b, 1995; Bartram, Kroll, and Bunn 1991; Bunn 1993; Bunn, Bartram, and Kroll 1988, 1991). Although the larger project has been conducted with specific zooarchae-ological goals, I feel that some of the observations offered here about how these two groups employ bow and arrow technology will be of interest to archaeologists concerned with understanding projectile technologies in their contexts of use.
An efficient model for multifamily lot-sizing and scheduling: application to a real life problem

A multifamily lot-sizing and scheduling model is developed for a production environment where the production line capacity is a critical factor. Since the capacity is limited, judicious selections of family cycle times and which products of a family should be produced in a given cycle are critical in avoiding shortages. The model can be implemented using available spreadsheet programs and can be easily understood by production planners. The model was applied to a real life problem at a leading manufacturer of hygienic products. With respect to their current practice, the model resulted in a solution that was uniform in application and reduced total costs by 16%. The model was also compared against Brown's model in an uncapacitated environment. Results were encouraging, as the model performed as well as Brown's model and even better in some cases. The proposed model has an advantage over Brown's since it results in common cycle times for all product families making scheduling and controlling easier.
Fringe Benefits Compensation of Real Estate Agents and Brokers

Fringe benefits compensation offered by employers has grown rapidly over the past 50 years. Research in this area has been primarily limited to hourly and salaried employees. This study examines employer-based fringe benefits compensation of real estate agents and brokers. A model is developed that jointly estimates the income, hours worked, and fringe benefits compensation. The findings indicate that fringe benefits increase according to hours worked and the sales professional's contribution to firm revenue. Other important determinants include managerial duties, firm size and organizational form. For women, fringe benefits do not entice greater productivity (income); however, it does increase effort (hours worked).
U.S. Trade Balance, Protectionism, and Japanese Equity Prices: International Influence of National Macroeconomic News

This paper provides new evidence of the international influence of national macroeconomic news. It is documented that announcements of U.S. trade balances significantly influence equity prices for a number of Japanese industry groups especially in the second half of the 1980s. Larger than expected U.S. trade deficits and, perhaps, the associated higher probabilities of protectionist activities in the U.S., are associated with lower stock prices for Japanese firms in export oriented industries. The opposite effects are observed for Japanese firms in domestic industries with higher U.S. trade deficits indicating their possibly higher relative international competitiveness. These findings of a differential industry influence of U.S. trade balance announcements on Japanese stock prices have important implications for portfolio diversification, international asset pricing, trade negotiations, and other policies for international economic coordination.
Characterization and Modeling of Polysilicon TFTs and TFT-CMOS Circuits for Integrated Driver Applications

Polysilicon TFTs and TFT-CMOS circuits are characterized. Circuit elements examined comprise subcircuits pertinent to integrated drivers suitable for flat panel display applications. Performance features of multistage static row drivers are also presented. Additionally, AC measurement of TFTs was performed in order to extract device parameters. The channel mobility measured in a time of flight environment is presented and discussed.
Current practice of microsurgery by members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.

Purpose First, to determine the percentage of members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) that use microsurgical techniques as part of their surgery practice, and second, to identify factors limiting their use of these techniques. Methods A 34-item, anonymous, Web-based survey was sent to all active ASSH members. Twelve items concerned demographics and 22 items addressed prior microsurgical training, current use of these techniques, factors currently limiting their use of these techniques, and potential methods to address these limiting factors. Results Responses were received from 561 of 1,238 of the ASSH members contacted (45% response rate). Most had residency training in orthopedics (N = 460, 82%) or plastic surgery (N = 79, 14%), followed by a hand fellowship in an orthopedic (N = 363, 62%) or combined program (N = 170, 30%). More than 54% (N = 304) practiced privately, 33% (N = 184) practiced in tertiary institutions, and the remainder practiced at regional centers. Of those responding, 505 (90%) stated that hand surgery constituted more than 50% of their practice, whereas for 527 (94%) respondents microsurgery comprised less than 25%. Most members (N = 398, 71%) accepted emergency patients, of which 223 (56%) at a referral center. Three hundred sixteen respondents (56%) performed replantations, of whom 196 (62%) performed fewer than 5 per year. Four hundred fifteen respondents (74%) observed a decrease in replantation attempts over the past decade. This was attributed to refinement of indications (N = 17, 83%), fewer patients with amputations (N = 116, 28%), and declining reimbursement (N = 344, 4%). Reasons for not personally performing replantations included busy elective schedules (N = 125, 51%), inadequate confidence in performing replantations (N = 96, 39%), and disappointment in results (N = 56, 23%). Thirty percent (N = 74) stated they would reconsider performing replantations if reimbursement was greater. Practice rates of examined microsurgical procedures ranged from 22% to 57%, although most had received microsurgical training. Despite rating their fellowship as excellent (N = 393, 70%) or good (N = 135, 24%), only 315 (56%) considered their present microsurgical skills to be above average. Many respondents believed that they would benefit from continuous training through continuing education courses. Conclusions Educational, economic, and practical factors discourage the clinical application of microsurgical technique by hand surgeons. This unfavorable environment should be addressed by policy-making organizations and continuous surgical training. Type of study/level of evidence Other/Survey.
Stimulation of active sodium-potassium transport by hydrogen peroxide in cultured rabbit nonpigmented ciliary epithelium.

Purpose. Studies were conducted to examine the effect of hydrogen peroxide on active sodium-potassium transport in a cell line derived from nonpigmented ciliary epithelium of the rabbit eye. Methods. Studies were carried out using a rabbit nonpigmented ciliary epithelium cell line. 86 Rb uptake by intact cells was measured in the presence or absence of ouabain. The ouabain-sensitive potassium (86 Rb) uptake rate was used as an index of the rate of active sodium-potassium transport. Cell sodium content was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Na,K-ATPase activity was determined by measuring ATP hydrolysis in the presence or absence of ouabain, using membrane material isolated by centrifugation of cell homogenates. Results. Ouabain-sensitive potassium (86 Rb) uptake rate measured in cells that had been preincubated with 200µM hydrogen peroxide for either 30 min or 60 min was increased to 196% and 181% of the control uptake rate, respectively. Lesser concentrations of hydrogen peroxide caused les...
The Impact of Economics and Technology on Changing Faculty Roles

In his article, Levinson (this issue) takes an historical perspective in understanding four issues that affect the sense of common purpose of faculty in academic institutions: diffusion of common purpose, conflict of models, leadership overcontrol, and conscientiousness of faculty. This article discusses two additional contemporary issues that can affect the sense of common purpose by affecting the role of faculty: economics and technology. Both may lead organizations to accelerate the trend to replace tenure-earning faculty positions with fixed-contract and part-time faculty positions, neither of which are tenure earning. As the proportion of these positions increases, the roles and responsibilities of faculty will increasingly change, leading to a potential erosion of shared meaning and purpose. The article concludes with discussion of three responses to such change and the likely outcomes.
Proliferative suppression by CDK4/6 inhibition: complex function of the retinoblastoma pathway in liver tissue and hepatoma cells.

Background & Aims Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide; current chemotherapeutic interventions for this disease are largely ineffective. The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (RB) is functionally inactivated at relatively high frequency in hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatoma cell lines. Here, we analyzed the ability of CDK4/6 inhibition to inhibit hepatocyte proliferation and the effect of RB status on this process. Methods Hepatoma cell lines and xenograft models harboring RB knockdown and mice harboring liver-specific Rb deletion were used to define the role of RB function in response to CDK4/6 inhibition. Results Our study shows that CDK4/6-dependent cell cycle progression in hepatoma cells was readily arrested by inhibition of CDK4/6 by PD-0332991 or p16ink4a irrespective of RB status. Interestingly, upon CDK4/6 inhibition, p107 protein stability was dramatically increased as a function of RB loss. This engagement of compensatory mechanisms was critical for cell cycle inhibition in the absence of RB, because both the E1A oncoprotein and overexpression of E2F proteins were capable of overcoming the effect of CDK4/6 inhibition. These findings were recapitulated in xenograft models. Furthermore, to determine how these findings relate to hepatocyte proliferation in vivo, mice were exposed to carbon tetrachloride to induce liver regeneration followed by treatment with PD-0332991. This treatment significantly inhibited hepatocyte proliferation. Strikingly, this facet of PD-0332991 function was retained even in RB-deficient livers. Conclusions These data show that CDK4/6 inhibition is a potent mediator of cytostasis and that RB loss can be readily compensated for in the context of both hepatoma cell lines and liver tissue.
Intelligent energy management agent for a parallel hybrid vehicle

This paper proposes an intelligent energy management agent (IEMA) for parallel hybrid vehicles. IEMA incorporates a driving situation identification component whose role is to assess the driving environment, driving style of the driver and operating mode of the vehicle using long and short term statistical features of the drive cycle. This information is subsequently used by the torque distribution and charge sustenance components of IEMA to determine the power split strategy, which is shown to lead to enhanced fuel economy and reduced emissions.
The Effect of a Multiple‐Schedule Arrangement on Mands of a Child with Autism

Clinical applications of multiple-schedule arrangements have generally been used to produce discriminated manding. The present study evaluated the effects of a multiple-schedule arrangement with rules on the rate of mands for one child diagnosed with autism. We sought to bring the participant’s mands under discriminative control of adult behavior that closely matched naturally occurring discriminative stimuli in the participant’s home environment. The results showed that discriminated manding emerged and responding continued inthe presence of anovel therapist. Copyright ©2015 John Wiley& Sons, Ltd. Multiple-schedule arrangements have been used to teach consumers to discriminate the conditions under which reinforcement is available for mands during the treatment of problem behavior (e.g., Hanley, Iwata, & Thompson, 2001) and within a languagetraining context (e.g., Sidener, Shabani, Carr, & Roland, 2006). Generally, such arrangements involve alternating between timed periods of reinforcement and extinction (EXT) and arranging stimuli that signal different reinforcement schedules. In previous studies, baseline is typically followed by a condition in which arbitrary discriminative stimuli (e.g., colored cards, and floral leis) are paired with each component (and a corresponding rule) of the multiple schedule to occasion (during the reinforcement component) or inhibit (during the EXT component) responding (e.g., Tiger & Hanley, 2004). In a noteworthy extension, Kuhn, Chirighin, and Zelenka (2010) taught two individuals with developmental disabilities to respond to naturally occurring discriminative stimuli following functional communication training. During discrimination training, the therapist alternated between engaging in behavior categorized as nonbusy (e.g., listening to music) or busy (e.g., talking to another person), which signaled the availability or unavailability of reinforcement, respectively. Both participants learned the discrimination as evidenced by their
On the Volatility and Comovement of U.S. Financial Markets Around Macroeconomic News Announcements

The objective of this paper is to provide a deeper insight into the links between financial markets and the real economy. To that end, we study the short-term anticipation and response of U.S. stock, Treasury, and corporate bond markets to the first release of surprise U.S. macroeconomic information. Specifically, we focus on the impact of these announcements not only on the level, but also on the volatility and comovement of those assets’ returns. We do so by estimating several extensions of the parsimonious multivariate GARCH-DCC model of Engle (2002) for the excess holding-period returns on seven portfolios of these asset classes. We find that both the process of price formation in each of those financial markets and their interaction appear to be driven by fundamentals. Yet our analysis reveals a statistically and economically significant dichotomy between the reaction of the stock and bond markets to the arrival of unexpected fundamental information. We also show that the conditional mean, volatility, and comovement among stock, Treasury, and corporate bond returns react asymmetrically to the information content of these surprise announcements. Overall, the above results shed new light on the mechanismsbywhichnewinformationisincorporatedintopriceswithinandacrossU.S.financial markets.
Robotics for telesurgery: second generation Berkeley/UCSF laparoscopic telesurgical workstation and looking towards the future applications

Robotic telesurgery is a promising application of robotics to medicine, aiming to enhance the dexterity and sensation of regular and minimally invasive surgery through using millimeter‐scale robotic manipulators under the control of the surgeon. In this paper, the telesurgical system will be introduced with discussion of kinematic and control issues and presentation of in vitro experimental evaluation results.
A Generalized Transport Theory: Water-Mass Composition and Age

Abstract A general theory to describe and understand advective and diffusive ocean transport is reported. It allows any passive tracer field with an atmospheric source to be constructed by superposing sea surface contributions with a generalized Green's function called the boundary propagator of the passive tracer equation. The boundary propagator has the interpretation of the joint water-mass and transit-time distribution from the sea surface. The theory thus includes the classical oceanographic idea of water-mass analysis and extends it to allow for a distribution of transit times from the sea surface. The joint water-mass and transit-time distribution contains complete information about the transport processes in the flow. It captures this information in a more accessible way than using velocity and diffusivity fields, however, at least for the case of sequestration and transport of dissolved material by the ocean circulation. The boundary propagator is thus the natural quantity to consider when discus...
Technical Language (and the Law)

There are two ways in which we can speak technically. We can make a technical use of language, or we can use a technical language. The two description are not interchangeable. A technical use of language, for example, is the issue central to Frigaliment Co., for 'chicken' has all the meanings plaintiffs and defendants there ascribe to it. Those meanings are also ordinary language meanings of the term, and the problem is whether, among those many ordinary language meanings, the trade usage is sufficiently standard to distinguish broilers and fryers from stewers. If it is, then 'chicken' becomes a form for which there is a technical use among persons in the trade. An argument between two physicists over unified field theory, on the other hand, is made with use of the technical language of physics as well as a technical use of language, and the the technical terms the physicists employ are from the general and special theories of relativity, the theory of gravitational fields, and so on. The author breaks this article down to cover 1) technical language, 2) speech, and 3) promise.
Achieving ventricular rate control using metoprolol in β-blocker–naive patients vs patients on chronic β-blocker therapy

Abstract Study objective The objective of the study is to evaluate the difference in ventricular rate control using an intravenous (IV) metoprolol regimen commonly used in clinical practice in patients receiving chronic β -blocker therapy compared to patients considered β -blocker naive admitted to the emergency department (ED) for atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular rate. Methods A single-center retrospective cohort study of adult ED patients who were admitted with a rapid ventricular rate of 120 beats per minute (bpm) or greater and treated with IV metoprolol was performed. Rate control was defined as either a decrease in ventricular rate to less than 100bpm or a 20% decrease in heart rate to less than 120bpm after metoprolol administration. Patient demographics, differences in length of stay, and adverse events were recorded. Results A total of 398 patients were included in the study, with 79.4% (n=316) receiving chronic β -blocker therapy. Patients considered to be β -blocker naive were more likely to achieve successful rate control with IV metoprolol compared to patients on chronic β -blocker therapy (56.1% vs 42.4%; P =.03). β -Blocker–naive status was associated with a shorter length of stay in comparison to patients receiving chronic β -blocker therapy (1.79 vs 2.64days; P Conclusion Intravenous metoprolol for the treatment of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate was associated with a higher treatment response in patients considered β -blocker naive compared to patients receiving chronic β -blocker therapy.
High-dose interleukin-2 (HDIL-2) dosing in obese patients with metastatic melanoma (MM).

e20083 Background: HDIL-2 remains an important therapeutic option for MM given its ability to afford durable remissions. The effect of using full weight (FW) or adjusted weight (AW)-based dosing on...
Progress in the use of microemulsions for transdermal and dermal drug delivery

Transdermal drug delivery continues to attract considerable interest in the scientific community. However, due to the hindrance provided by the stratum corneum, it is not possible to deliver most medications in therapeutically significant amounts. One of the ways of increasing the penetration of drugs across the skin is through the use of microemulsions (MEs). This review focuses on the role of MEs in enhancing topical and transdermal drug delivery.
Adult cardiac surgery blood/blood product utilization in the post aprotinin era: an 855 patient, community hospital, retrospective experience

Prior to 2008, when it was withdrawn, aprotinin use in cardiac surgery patients was associated with reduced bleeding and blood utilization, but studies linked its administration to increased patient mortality. We investigated (a) blood/blood product utilization between 2008 and 2013 at our community hospital heart center according to the type of surgery performed following the withdrawal of aprotinin and (b) clinical variables associated with increased patient blood utilization. Seven hundred nine patients were retrospectively investigated for blood/blood product utilization. Variables examined were patient age, body surface area (BSA), gender, preoperative creatinine level, hematocrit level, total cell saved blood (CSB) administered, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, type of surgical procedure performed, and preoperative clopidogrel usage. Variables (categorical and continuous) were placed into a forward stepwise regression model for the continuous outcome, packed red blood cell (PRBC) utilization. The stepwise function utilized a P value threshold of 0.25 for entering the model and 0.1 for leaving the model. For coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, use of PRBC was 29.26 % (0.75/1.44), of platelets was 14.18 % (0.24/0.72), of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) was 7.34 % (0.19/0.78), and of cryoprecipitate was 10.63 % (0.23/0.97) among our patient sample. [Data expressed as percent patient utilization, mean/S.D. in units transfused]. Increased age, smaller BSA, higher preoperative creatinine level, lower preoperative hematocrit level, longer CPB time, and increased CSB administration was associated with increased PRBC administration (P < 0.0001). At our community heart surgery center, with a multidisciplinary blood conservation program in place, expected increase in blood/blood product utilization following aprotinin withdrawal was not experienced.
Including pharmacists on consultant-led ward rounds.

Editor–Miller and colleagues highlight the useful interventions of pharmacists in prescribing on consultant-led ward rounds ( Clin Med August 2011 pp 312–16). We have previously shown how giving feedback to junior doctors on consultant-led ward rounds can lead to a reduction in prescribing
The Surprising History of Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder

The history of passive-aggressive personality disorder (PAPD) reveals many things about American psychiatry, including how its use and understanding of diagnostic categories have in recent decades changed. The disorder is thus a useful litmus test for establishing whether categories in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) have undergone a type of “diagnostic bracket creep” (Peter Kramer's term) with significant effects on the wider culture. The history of PAPD also allows us to assess whether psychiatry has encroached on routine traits and everyday practices, pathologizing behavior that was once considered normal. While the expansion of the DSM has generated widespread commentary and analysis, less has been written about PAPD, including how it came to be recognized and why its diagnostic parameters expanded so dramatically in each edition of the DSM. After tracing its roots to World War II, the essay reveals how the disorder came to be applied to ever-larger numbers of the civil...
Feasibility analysis on breeding rice new varieties with good quality and high yield

In recent years,a certain achievements on the yield and quality breeding of rice have been achieved in China,and the yield and quality of hybrid rice combination and inbred varieties are also increased further in Guangxi,but the problem that the yield and quality of good quality rice can not be increased simultaneously still exists.Aiming at this situation,in the future,the breeding goals of good quality rice with high yield are to strengthen the breeding of large panicle and mid-long grain,reduce the chalky grain rate and chalkiness,increase the head rice rate,and adjust the amylase content and gel consistency,etc.On the base of keeping high and stable yield and total yield,the coordinated breeding of high-grade,mid-grade and popularization good quality rice should be paid attention to.Through the selection and breeding of rice parents with high yield and good quality,etc.it would be able to increase the yield and quality of good quality rice.
An Exploration of Observable Features Related to Blogger Age.

Accurate prediction of blogger age from evidence in the text and metadata of blog entries would be valuable for marketing, privacy, and law enforcement concerns. This paper offers an initial exploratory data analysis of candidate features for blogger age prediction.
Prospective Elementary Teachers' Conceptual Understanding of Integers.

AbstractThis investigation examined the degree to which prospective elementary teachers had developed a meaningful and conceptual understanding of what integers are and explored their development o...
Central Regulation of Growth Hormone Secretion

It is well recognized that body growth in mammals is modulated by a combination of genetic, nutritional, and endocrine factors. Any alteration in any of these parameters will result in varying degrees of abnormal growth. The endocrine system, by virtue of the controlled release of a host of hormonal agents, has a major impact on both growth and development of an organism. Principal among the hormones associated with growth is growth hormone (GH).
Palladium coated copper wire — Characteristics and wire behavior in BSOB process and it's reliability performance

The successful introduction of copper wire to semiconductor industry had a significant impact on the manufacturing cost thus copper wire which is 60%–70% cheaper than gold as an interconnecting material between die and lead have become the preferred wire for new devices and conversion status for semiconductor companies indicate that migration from gold to copper wire is a major accomplishment. In addition to this, reliability of devices which could not pass MSL-1 at 260 deg C requirement owing to development of kerkendall voiding (which results from very fast IMC growth rate especially after TC500 cycles) have been overcome.
Update on Saturn's energetic electron periodicities

The periodicities in fluxes of energetic electrons (110-365 keV) in Saturn's magnetosphere were determined from late 2004 to mid-2016. The electron periods were calculated using Lomb periodogram analyses within windows of 200 days at sliding intervals of 10 days, which tracked changes in the periodicity. Sometimes the periodicity showed a clear duality, as in 2007-2008, while at other times the two periods came together so closely as to be indistinguishable, as after equinox in 2010 and in 2015. At still other times, the periodicity apparently vanished altogether, as in 2014. These periodicities generally agreed with those of other phenomena such as the magnetic field and radio emissions. Whether dual or mono, the periods generally remained between 10.58 h to 10.84 h, with two statistical peaks at ~10.68 h and ~10.81 h. This observation suggests magnetospheric periodicities at Saturn lie within a limited range of values, which places constraints on the generative mechanism for the phenomena.
The Impact of Pediatric HIV on Families

Children and adolescents infected and affected by HIV face similar challenges. Each must cope with: physical illness and medical regimens to optimize health; mental health symptoms and fears of premature death; shifts in their social relationships, including deciding when, how, and what to disclose regarding one’s serostatus; reducing risky lifestyles, especially alcohol and drug abuse; and concurrent partnerships with seronegative partners. This chapter describes the developmental and epidemiological patterns, which concentrate these challenges in the poorest populations in low- and middle-income countries. Family- and community-based structural interventions are the strategy for improving the outcomes for pediatric HIV over time. The intervention literature is reviewed and summarized, with structural interventions outlined for the future.
Advances in deep space radios

In meeting the needs of a number of different missions, JHU/APL's Space Exploration Sector RF Engineering Group has produced a family of high-reliability, extremely low size, weight, and power (SWaP) software-defined radio (SDR) products for near and deep space applications called Frontier Radio (FR) [1]. With flight heritage on multiple successful missions, the latest flight version includes a Ka-band downlink. Frontier Radio has also branched to include Frontier Radio Lite (FR Lite) [2], a single-board radio with significant SWaP savings, and the Frontier Radio Virtual Radio (VR) with the capability to replace the processing functionality of an entire spacecraft bus for smallsat, microsat, and cubesat applications. All FR products are designed for agile adaptability through the use of modular architecture in hardware, firmware, and software to meet varying needs across many missions.
Forced Exposure vs. Free Choice: An Examination of Exposure Effects in Entertainment Television Consumption

This article examines the influence of exposure setting on mood states and enjoyment of entertainment media. In two studies, participants watched one of eight possible programs for viewing and repo...