cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Entrepreneurial Orientation: A Theoretical and Empirical Examination of the Consequences of Differing Construct Representations

There has been much debate in the literature over the nature of the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) construct regarding its dimensionality and whether or not the dimensions of the construct are independent. This paper examines two different measurement models of the EO construct that have been put forth in the literature and describes the implications of each model with regard to these issues as well as their broader theoretical and practical implications for studies regarding EO. Finally, a Monte Carlo simulation shows that misspecification of the construct can inflate structural parameter estimates by over 240 per cent and critical ratios by up to 68 per cent, illustrating the threat to the statistical conclusion validity studies and emphasizing the importance of congruence between the theoretical definition of the construct and its measurement.
On the generation of small dictionaries for fault location

Fault location based on a fault dictionary is considered. To justify the use of a precomputed dictionary in terms of computation time, the computational effort invested in computing a dictionary is first analyzed. The number of circuit diagnoses that need to be performed dynamically, without the use of precomputed knowledge, before the overall effort exceeds the effort of computing a dictionary, is studied. Experimental results on ISCAS85 circuits show that for relatively small numbers of diagnoses, a precomputed dictionary is more efficient. A method to derive small dictionaries without losing resolution of modeled faults is then proposed. Methods to compact the resulting dictionary further, using compaction techniques generally applied to fault detection, are then described. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the methods presented. Internal observation points to increase the resolution of the test set are also considered.
Estimation of polyethylene oxide polymer train and loop densities on contaminant barrier materials

Desiccation of exposed clayey materials in cover layers of waste containment systems can ultimately result in the development of cracks that can promote the infiltration of rainwater and/or snowmelt, and escape of gases from buried wastes. Clayey barriers can be stabilized against desiccation by introducing binders such as concentrated polymer liquids or aqueous solutions. In this research, a theoretical analysis of the morphological configuration of molecules of polyethylene oxide (PEO) on montmorillonite (a common barrier mineral) was performed. A methodology for estimating polymer train and loop densities using batch sorption measurements was developed and demonstrated using PEO sorption test data for sodium montmorillonite (specific surface area: 31.82±0.22 m\U2\N/g) at initial aqueous PEO (molecular weight 8,000,000) concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 g/L. From test data, the distribution coefficient of PEO was determined to be 0.1599 mL/g. The analyses indicate that the distribution of sorbed PEO molecules into trains and loops is very sensitive to PEO chain flexibility. For example, for a function of partition function (λ) value of 0.1, the numbers of PEO molecular trains on 1 g of sodium montmorillonite are estimated to be 3.410\U20\N and 4.710\U20\N for chain flexibilities of 0.2 and 0.8, respectively. The greater the chain flexibility, the greater the opportunity for polymer molecules to lie flat on clay particles. Within an initial PEO concentration range of 0.4.0 g/L, no significant dependence of sorbed polymer molecular configuration on initial concentration was found. Possibly, extension of sorbed polymer molecular loops into barrier soil pores narrows fluid flow channels and hence the desiccation rate. This research enhances understanding of the physico-chemical processes that underlie clay stabilization by aqueous polymers.
Element Accumulation Patterns in Foliose and Fruticose Lichens from Rock and Bark Substrates in Arizona

Abstract Growth form and substrate influences on elemental accumulation patterns were investigated in four lichen species. Two fruticose species (Usnea amblyoclada on rock and Usnea hirta on bark) and two foliose species (Flavoparmelia caperata on rock and Flavopunctelia flaventior on bark) were collected below Massai Point in Chiricahua National Monument in southeastern Arizona, U.S.A. Samples were analyzed for 14 elements. A two-way ANOVA model was used to examine the relationships between substrate and growth form (independent variables) on element accumulation (dependent variable) patterns in lichen samples. In the ANOVA model the growth form variable was significant for K, Ca, Ti, Ba, Fe, Ni Cu, Zn, Pb, Rb, and Sr while the substrate variable was significant for K, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, Rb, and Sr. A significant interaction between the two class variables was observed for P, K, Ti, Mn, Fe Ni, Rb, and Sr. Accumulation of sulfur appeared to be independent of both growth form and substrate influences. In this...
Curriculum Development--A Method to Define Roles, Procedures.

Do people in your school understand how the curriculum is developed? Suggested here is the use of a curriculum governance document to show who is involved in creating and monitoring curriculum. Because no document can have universal com ponents, readers are invited to comment on the potential effec tiveness of such a document.
Cross-presentation: underlying mechanisms and role in immune surveillance

It was originally thought that a cell's major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules presented peptides derived exclusively from proteins synthesized by the cell itself. However, in some circumstances, antigens from the extracellular environment can be presented on MHC class I molecules and stimulate CD8(+) T-cell immunity, a process termed cross-presentation. Cross-presentation was originally discovered as an obscure phenomenon in transplantation immunity. However, it is now clear that it is a major mechanism by which the immune system monitors tissues and phagocytes for the presence of foreign antigen. Cross-presentation is the only pathway by which the immune system can detect and respond to viral infections or mutations that exclusively occur in parenchymal cells rather than in bone marrow-derived antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Professional APCs, such as dendritic cells, are the principal cells endowed with the capacity to cross-present antigens. In this process, the APCs acquire proteins from other tissue cells through endocytic mechanisms, especially phagocytosis or macropinocytosis. The internalized antigen can then be processed through at least two different mechanisms. In one pathway, the antigen is transferred from the phagosome into the cytosol, where it is hydrolyzed by proteasomes into oligopeptides that are then transported by the transporter associated with antigen processing to MHC class I molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum or phagosomes. In a second pathway, the antigen is cleaved into peptides by endosomal proteases, particularly cathepsin S, and bound by class I molecules probably in the endocytic compartment itself. Depending on the nature of the antigen, one or both of these pathways can contribute to cross-presentation in vivo. The outcome of cross-presentation can be either tolerance or immunity. Which of these outcomes occurs is thought to depend on whether antigens are acquired by themselves alone, leading to tolerance, or with immunostimulatory signals, leading to immunity. One source of such signals is from dying cells that release immunostimulatory 'danger' signals that promote the generation of immunity to their cellular antigens. In addition to the critical role of cross-presentation in normal immune physiology, this pathway has considerable potential for being exploited for developing subunit vaccines that elicit both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell immunity.
Crystal Structures of Escherichia coli ATP-Dependent Glucokinase and Its Complex with Glucose

Intracellular glucose in Escherichia coli cells imported by phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system-independent uptake is phosphorylated by glucokinase by using ATP to yield glucose-6-phosphate. Glucokinases (EC 2.7.1.2) are functionally distinct from hexokinases (EC 2.7.1.1) with respect to their narrow specificity for glucose as a substrate. While structural information is available for ADP-dependent glucokinases from Archaea, no structural information exists for the large sequence family of eubacterial ATP-dependent glucokinases. Here we report the first structure determination of a microbial ATP-dependent glucokinase, that from E. coli O157:H7. The crystal structure of E. coli glucokinase has been determined to a 2.3-A resolution (apo form) and refined to final Rwork/Rfree factors of 0.200/0.271 and to 2.2-A resolution (glucose complex) with final Rwork/Rfree factors of 0.193/0.265. E. coli GlK is a homodimer of 321 amino acid residues. Each monomer folds into two domains, a small alpha/beta domain (residues 2 to 110 and 301 to 321) and a larger alpha+beta domain (residues 111 to 300). The active site is situated in a deep cleft between the two domains. E. coli GlK is structurally similar to Saccharomyces cerevisiae hexokinase and human brain hexokinase I but is distinct from the ADP-dependent GlKs. Bound glucose forms hydrogen bonds with the residues Asn99, Asp100, Glu157, His160, and Glu187, all of which, except His160, are structurally conserved in human hexokinase 1. Glucose binding results in a closure of the small domains, with a maximal Calpha shift of approximately 10 A. A catalytic mechanism is proposed that is consistent with Asp100 functioning as the general base, abstracting a proton from the O6 hydroxyl of glucose, followed by nucleophilic attack at the gamma-phosphoryl group of ATP, yielding glucose-6-phosphate as the product.
Evidence of Lactate Dehydrogenase in Anaplasma marginale

Extracts from preparations of partially purified Anaplasma marginale revealed low levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Enzyme inhibition by immune sera further indicated that A. marginale possesses a protein moiety the same as that of the normal red blood cell (RBC), although data suggested an alteration of LDH1 from that observed in normal RBC. Bimodal isozyme distribution was detected after electrophoresis of the extracts. One isozyme approached the cathode and the other the anode, and both appeared to be nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent. Heterogeneity of parasite and host cell isozymes was established on the basis of zone electrophoresis on cellulose acetate strips.
Development and validation of the RAND Asthma Control Measure.

Patient-based measures for asthma control are important in assessing the worldwide impact of this highly prevalent chronic illness. We sought to refine an asthma symptom scale that RAND had previously developed to shorten it and validate it further, as well as reflect updated international expert definitions of asthma control. We conducted rigorous psychometric testing of new and adapted self-administered survey items in a sample of 2032 adults with asthma. The reliability and preliminary validity of the resulting measure, henceforth referred to as the RAND Asthma Control Measure (RAND-ACM), matched or exceeded that of the original RAND measure and others in the literature. RAND-ACM scores for worse asthma control were significantly associated with worse asthma-related quality of life, increased asthma-related healthcare use, Hispanic ethnicity and lower educational level. Evidence for internal consistency was strong with a Cronbach’s α of 0.84. We also found adequate concordance between the RAND-ACM and the Global Initiative for Asthma categories of “uncontrolled”, “partly controlled” and “controlled” asthma. The RAND-ACM, a five-item self-reported asthma control survey measure, performs well in a large ethnically-diverse sample of US adults with asthma and provides a cost-free alternative to other asthma control measures currently available.
Function of a Unique Sequence Motif in the Long Terminal Repeat of Feline Leukemia Virus Isolated from an Unusual Set of Naturally Occurring Tumors

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) proviruses have been characterized from naturally occurring non-B-cell, non-T-cell tumors occurring in the spleens of infected cats. These proviruses exhibit a unique sequence motif in the long terminal repeat (LTR), namely, a 21-bp tandem triplication beginning 25 bp downstream of the enhancer. The repeatedfinding of the triplication-containing LTR in non-B-cell, non-T-cell lymphomas of the spleensuggeststhattheuniqueLTRisanessentialparticipantinthedevelopmentoftumorsofthisparticular phenotype. The nucleotide sequence of the triplication-containing LTR most closely resembles that of FeLV subgroup C. Studies performed to measure the ability of the triplication-containing LTR to modulate gene expression indicate that the 21-bp triplication provides transcriptional enhancer function to the LTR that contains it and that it substitutes at least in part for the duplication of the enhancer. The 21-bp triplication confers a bonafide enhancer function upon LTR-directed reporter gene expression; however, the possibility of a spacer function was not eliminated. The studies demonstrate further that the triplication-containing LTR acts preferentially in a cell-type-specific manner, i.e., it is 12-fold more active in K-562 cells than is an LTR lacking the triplication. A recombinant, infectious FeLV bearing the 21-bp triplication in U3 was constructed. Cells infected with the recombinant were shown to accumulate higher levels of viral RNA transcripts and virus particles in culture supernatants than did cells infected with the parental type. The triplication-containing LTR is implicated in the induction of tumors of a particular phenotype, perhaps through transcriptional regulation of the virus and/or adjacent cellular genes, in the appropriate target cell.
Interactional disparities in english and arabic native speakers with a bi-lingual robot receptionist

HRI studies in a Middle Eastern environment are subject to nuances and subtleties. This study explores the nature of interactions, in an uncontrolled environment, between a permanently deployed bi-lingual robot-receptionist and interlocutors of varied native tongues. We correlate an interlocutor's native language with their propensity for accepting an invite and the duration of the ensuing conversation. Subsequently, we present results that demonstrate significant disparity in interactional patterns between English and Arabic speakers. We also assess the importance of a transliterated Arabic input mode for encouraging user interaction.
The oldest and youngest records of afrosoricid placentals from the Fayum Depression of northern Egypt

Tenrecs (Tenrecoidea) and golden moles (Chrysochloroidea) are among the most enigmatic mammals alive today. Molecular data strongly support their inclusion in the morphologically diverse clade Afrotheria, and suggest that the two lineages split near the K-T boundary, but the only undoubted fossil representatives of each superfamily are from early Miocene (∼20 Ma) deposits in East Africa. A recent analysis of partial mandibles and maxillae of Euchrysuchloris, Jawharia, and Widanelfarasia, from the latest Eocene and earliest Oligocene of Egypt, led to the suggestion that the derived “zalambdomorph” molar occlusal pattern (i.e., extreme reduction or loss of upper molar metacones and lower molar talonids) seen in tenrecoids and chrysochloroids evolved independently in the two lineages, and that tenrecoids might be derived from a dilambdomorph group of “insectivoran-grade” placentals that includes forms such as Widanelfarasia. Here I describe the oldest afrosoricid from the Fayum region, ∼37 Ma Dilambdogale gh...
Legal Barriers to Implementing Recommendations for Universal, Routine Prenatal HIV Testing

Administraation of antiretroviral therapy to women during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and to infants postnatally can dramatidy reduce mother-to- child HIV transmission (MTCT). However, pregnant women need to know that they are HIV-infected to take advantage of antiretroviral therapy, and many women do not know their HIV status. One-half of HIV-infected infants in the United States were bornto women who had not been tested for HIV or for whom the time of testing was not known. Although fewer than 400infants are infected perinatally in the United States each year, that number could be reduced even further through policies aimed at HIV testing during pregnancy. The reasons toadopt such a policy are strong: the pathophysiology of perinatal transmission is clear, prophylaxis is effective and safe, and the intended beneficiaries of the intervention - babies - cannot protect themselves.
Statistical quality control of radioimmunoassays.

ABSTRACT Radioimmunoassay (RIA) and competitive protein binding (CPB) assays provide dose response curves which show severe nonlinearity and the residual (error) variance is non-uniform and not normally distributed. Accordingly, several classic “least squares” statistical procedures commonly used for bioassay data are not directly applicable. Linearization may be obtained by the use of the logit transformation, but this increases non-uniformity of variance. We have utilized an empirical quality control system in order to obtain estimates of the stability, precision and reproducibility of the radioimmunoassays and CPB assays. These methods provide sequential monitoring of the performance of the assays, and permit the determination of valid estimates of confidence limits on potency estimates.
Attacking a Feedback Controller

We consider the problem of generating sensor spoofing attacks on feedback controllers. The attacker has the option of remaining in a stealth mode - wherein it spoofs some sensor but only by an amount that is indistinguishable from noise. Later, the attacker can launch a full attack and try to force the system to get into an unsafe region. Using bounded model checking on an example adaptive cruise controller, we show that (1) remaining in a stealth mode is not very benefecial for the attacker, and (2) there is a phase transition between two classes of attacks: attacks that are small and indistinguishable, but that are unable to make the system unsafe by themselves, and attacks that are large, and possibly easily detected, but that easily take the system to an unsafe state. The preliminary experiments suggest that a control system is most vulnerable when it is just engaged (at discrete switches). Moreover, if it is guarded with a safety envelope based monitor and can ignore sensor data that is outside the safety envelope, then it is relatively difficult to compromise safety of such a control system by just sensor spoofing.
Green Supply Chain Formation Through By-Product Synergies

Many firms across the world are discovering and benefiting from the ability to identify, recover and reuse industrial by-products from other firms in traditionally unrelated industries. We examine how the formation of a by-product synergy between two firms, in different industries, and its environmental impact, are influenced by factors such as the by-product trading price, the fixed costs of synergy formation (e.g., innovation cost), and the market characteristics. We show that an incentive compatible region which ensures a profit increase for both firms can be characterized by an interior region of the by-product trading price, and the incentive compatible region may enlarge or shrink with the firms' share of the fixed cost. Second, we find that when the firms are willing to share the synergy formation cost, higher volatility of either market could better incentivize the formation of the by-product synergy. Third, we find conditions when there exists a set of prices that are both incentive compatible and environmentally efficient.
Hume's Socratism

Hume's famous “Conclusion” to Book I of the Treatise of Human Nature has been an enduring source of interest and controversy to scholars, with some going so far as to argue that the Treatise is inconsistent. Yet in the opening pages of the book Hume makes an odd, rarely noticed allusion to Socrates that helps explain the “Conclusion.” This article argues that the “Conclusion” is Hume's version of calling philosophy down from the heavens, establishing it in the cities, and compelling to inquire into morality and human affairs. Recognizing Hume's Socratic allusion focuses our attention on the centrality of moral and political topics to his mature thought and sheds light on the character of his skepticism. Far from being a confession of despair, Hume's skeptical crisis is an argument for a new conception of philosophy that takes self-knowledge as the indispensable condition of philosophizing about anything.
O-007 Initial Institutional Experience Using a Target P2Y12 Reaction Units Range to Tailor the Clopidogrel Dose Administered to Patients with Cerebral Aneurysms Treated with the Pipeline Embolization Device and Stents

Background and purpose Variability in response to the P2Y12 receptor antagonists administered to patients with cerebral aneurysms treated with the Pipeline Embolization device (PED) or stents may play an important role in post-operative thromboembolic and haemorrhagic complications. We present our initial institutional experience using a target P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) range to tailor the clopidogrel dose administered. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms with the PED or stent-assistance at our institution from November 15th, 2011 until December 31st, 2013. Patient characteristics, P2Y12 receptor antagonist administered, thromboembolic and haemorrhagic complications, and clinical outcomes using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were recorded. The target PRU range was 60–240. Results Sixty-six patients were included, 49 females (74%) and 17 males (26%), mean age 57.5 years (25–82 years). Forty-six patients were treated with the PED (70%), 19 with a stent (29%) and 1 with a PED and a stent (1%). Eight patients were switched to prasugrel due to an initial clopidogrel hypo-response (12.1%). Forty patients underwent at least 1 adjustment to the clopidogrel dose due to either a hypo-response (PRU > 240) or hyper-response (PRU Conclusion Overall, 73% of patients with cerebral aneurysms treated with the PED or stents required at least 1 adjustment to the clopidogrel dose or a switch to an alternate P2Y12 receptor antagonist to remain within the target 60–240 PRU range. Disclosures J. Delgado Almandoz: 2; C; Covidien/ev3, Microvention/Terumo, Penumbra Inc. Y. Kadkhodayan: 2; C; Covidien/ev3. J. Scholz: None. J. Fease: None. A. Blem: None. K. Tran: None. B. Crandall: 2; C; Covidien/ev3.
Survival Benefit of Statins in Hemodialysis Patients Awaiting Renal Transplantation.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients have extraordinarily high cardiovascular risk and mortality, yet the benefit of statins in this population remains unclear based on the randomized trials. We investigated the prognostic value of statins in a large, pure cohort of prospectively recruited patients with ESRD awaiting renal transplantation, and being followed up in a dedicated cardiac clinic. We prospectively collected demographic, clinical, laboratory, and pharmacological data on 423 consecutive ESRD patients on hemodialysis awaiting renal transplantation. Survival analysis was performed as a function of statin therapy. The baseline characteristics were as follows: age 57 ± 11 years, males 64%, diabetes mellitus in 68%, known coronary artery disease in 30%, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction 61 ± 11%. Over a mean follow-up of 2 years, there were 43 deaths. Adjusted for age, gender, hypertension, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, smoking, and treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, β blocker, and antiplatelet medications, statin use was a predictor of lower mortality (hazard ratio 0.30, 95% confidence interval 0.11–0.79, p = 0.01). This beneficial effect of statin was supported by propensity score analysis (p = 0.02) and was consistent across all clinical subgroups. The benefit of statins seemed to be greater in those with LV hypertrophy and smoking. Statin therapy in hemodialysis patients awaiting renal transplant is independently associated with better survival supporting its use in this high-risk population.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of the Adsorption of Divalent Cations to Phospholipid Bilayer Membranes

Thermodynamic aspects of the adsorption of divalent cations to phospholipid bilayer membranes can be reasonably well described by the Gouy-Chapman-Stern theory (S. McLaughlin, this volume). To proceed beyond this thermodynamic description requires molecular information about the structure of the divalent cation-phospholipid complexes. Because most experimental techniques, i.e., equilibrium dialysis (Portis et al., 1979) or ion-sensitive electrodes (McLaughlin et al., 1981), measure only the loss of divalent cations from the aqueous medium, they give no information on the bound complexes. For example, they cannot be used to determine which groups in the phospholipid molecule provide ligands for the divalent cation, or to distinguish between inner-sphere complexes, where the ligand is inserted into the first coordination sphere of the divalent cation, and outer-sphere complexes, where the ligand and the fully hydrated cation form an “ion pair” (Basolo and Pearson, 1967; Hewkin and Prince, 1970; Ahland, 1972; Beck, 1968). This review briefly discusses how nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can provide this type of molecular information and can also be used to quantitatively test one of the major assumptions of the Gouy-Chapman-Stern theory.
Finite Element Methods for Arc Discharge Simulation

The numerical simulation of industrial arc discharge processes, such as plasma spraying, cutting, and welding, faces severe challenges that include resolution of multiscale features, multiphysics coupling, and robustness in the presence of large gradients. A review of Finite Element Methods (FEMs), particularly the Variational Multiscale (VMS) method, applied to arc discharge simulation is presented. The plasma is modeled as a compressible electromagnetic fluid in chemical equilibrium and thermodynamic nonequilibrium (NLTE). The effectiveness of the NLTE model and the VMS-FEM is demonstrated with the simulation of canonical and industrially relevant arc discharges, namely the plasma flow in transferred and non-transferred arc plasma torches and the free-burning arc.
FINITE-ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF PLASTIC DEFORMATION OF POROUS MATERIALS

The finite-element method for the deformation analysis of porous materials is developed here. The yield function, associated flow rules and their finite-element discretization are formulated. These formulations are implemented into a rigid-viscoplastic finite-element program. The program was tested by simulating the compression of a cylinder with an initial relative density of 0.999 and by comparing the solution with that for a solid cylinder. Then the analysis was performed for ring compression and forging for a material of initial relative density of 0.800. The results of the present investigation demonstrate that it becomes possible to study detailed material flow during large deformations in the area of powder metallurgy where the effect of temperature gradient is not significant.
A meta-intervention to increase completion of an HIV-prevention intervention: Results from a randomized controlled trial in the state of Florida.

Objective A randomized control trial with 722 eligible clients from a health department in the State of Florida was conducted to identify a simple, effective meta-intervention to increase completion of an HIV-prevention counseling program. Method The overall design involved 2 factors representing an empowering and instrumental message, as well as an additional factor indicating presence or absence of expectations about the counseling. Completion of the 3-session counseling was determined by recording attendance. Results A logistic regression analysis with the 3 factors of empowering message, instrumental message, and presence of mediator measures, as well as all interactions, revealed significant interactions between instrumental and empowering messages and between instrumental messages and presence of mediator measures. Results indicated that (a) the instrumental message alone produced most completion than any other message, and (b) when mediators were not measured, including the instrumental message led to greater completion. Conclusions The overall gains in completion as a result of the instrumental message were 16%, implying success in the intended facilitation of counseling completion. The measures of mediators did not detect any experimental effects, probably because the effects were happening without much conscious awareness. (PsycINFO Database Record
The Effects of Marketing-R&D Integration and R&D Strength on Business Growth and Customer Equity: A Corporate Entrepreneurship Study

Growth represents one of the most important performance criteria, and, for this study, we examine the impact of firm’s entrepreneurial posture on organizational capability and resource position and its growth implications. Our study addresses two major research questions: 1) what is the impact of a firm’s entrepreneurial posture on its capability in managing the marketing-R&D integration and R&D resource position? and 2) how do marketing-R&D integration and R&D strength collectively influence the firm’s business growth and customer equity?
Carotid β-stiffness index is associated with slower processing speed but not working memory or white matter integrity in healthy middle-aged/older adults

Aging is associated with increased carotid artery stiffness, a predictor of incident stroke, and reduced cognitive performance and brain white matter integrity (WMI) in humans. Therefore, we hypothesized that higher carotid stiffness/lower compliance would be independently associated with slower processing speed, higher working memory cost, and lower WMI in healthy middle-aged/older (MA/O) adults. Carotid β-stiffness (P < 0.001) was greater and compliance (P < 0.001) was lower in MA/O (n = 32; 64.4 ± 4.3 yr) vs. young (n = 19; 23.8 ± 2.9 yr) adults. MA/O adults demonstrated slower processing speed (27.4 ± 4.6 vs. 35.4 ± 5.0 U/60 s, P < 0.001) and higher working memory cost (-15.4 ± 0.14 vs. -2.2 ± 0.05%, P < 0.001) vs. young adults. Global WMI was lower in MA/O adults (P < 0.001) and regionally in the frontal lobe (P = 0.020) and genu (P = 0.009). In the entire cohort, multiple regression analysis that included education, sex, and body mass index, carotid β-stiffness index (B = -0.53 ± 0.15 U, P = 0.001) and age group (B = -4.61 ± 1.7, P = 0.012, adjusted R2 = 0.4) predicted processing speed but not working memory cost or WMI. Among MA/O adults, higher β-stiffness (B = -0.60 ± 0.18, P = 0.002) and lower compliance (B = 0.93 ± 0.26, P = 0.002) were associated with slower processing speed but not working memory cost or WMI. These data suggest that greater carotid artery stiffness is independently and selectively associated with slower processing speed but not working memory among MA/O adults. Carotid artery stiffening may modulate reductions in processing speed earlier than working memory with healthy aging in humans.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Previously, studies investigating the relation between large elastic artery stiffness, cognition, and brain structure have focused mainly on aortic stiffness in aged individuals with cardiovascular disease risk factors and other comorbidities. This study adds to the field by demonstrating that the age-related increases in carotid artery stiffness, but not aortic stiffness, is independently and selectively associated with slower processing speed but not working memory among middle-aged/older adults with low cardiovascular disease risk factor burden.
Eukaryotic RNA Polymerase II

Structures of yeast RNA polymerase II, alone and in the act of transcription with associated DNA and RNA, have been determined to near-atomic resolution. The structures illuminate the basis for the fidelity of transcription, for translocation on the DNA template, and for release of the product RNA. Structures of an RNA polymerase II-general transcription factor complex have led to a model for a closed transcription initiation complex and have suggested a possible basis for promoter escape.
HPV Vaccination: Are We Meeting Our Targets in Cervical Cancer Prevention?

The purpose of this review is to update the reader on the most recent HPV vaccine uptake rates in boys and girls in the United States and to summarize the recent recommendations for vaccination. The review also evaluates a decade of data demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the HPV vaccine and discusses disparities in vaccine uptake in the US. Finally, we will summarize the scope of attempted and proposed interventions to improve vaccine uptake in the United States. Topics discussed in this review include the recommendations for the nine-valent HPV vaccine and the two-dose injection regimen. Additionally, many studies reviewed demonstrate continued disparities in HPV vaccine uptake in the US. An update on various interventions to address poor uptake is provided. Despite being FDA-approved since 2006, only 42% of US adolescent girls and 28% of boys had completed the HPV vaccine series in 2015, well below the Healthy People 2020 goal of 80%. A decade of data has proven that the vaccine is safe and effective. Physician recommendation is consistently the strongest predictor of vaccine uptake, and initiation and recommendation rates differ by region, race, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Special populations, including sexual minorities and children with chronic medical conditions, have particularly low rates of vaccination, representing addressable missed opportunities for vaccination. Interventions to improve uptake have ranged from education to state mandates, with variable effectiveness. Culturally sensitive, multimodal, tailored interventions to improve uptake may hold the most promise, including the use of novel delivery locations such as pharmacies, schools, and the postpartum visit. This article reviews a decade of data on vaccine safety, efficacy, disparities, and interventions to improve vaccination rates, focusing on the most recent year of published data.
Simulation of experiments with partially coherent x-rays using Synchrotron Radiation Workshop

High-accuracy physical optics calculation methods used in the “Synchrotron Radiation Workshop” (SRW) allow for multiple applications of this code in different areas, covering development, commissioning, diagnostics and operation of X-ray instruments at light source facilities. This presentation focuses on the application of the SRW code for the simulation of experiments at these facilities. The most complete and most detailed simulation of experiments with SRW is possible in the area of elastic coherent scattering, where the interaction of radiation with samples can be described with the same transmission-type “propagators” that are used for the simulation of fully- and partially-coherent radiation propagation through X-ray optical elements of beamlines. A complete “source-to-detector” simulation of such an experiment for a lithographic sample is described here together with comparisons of the simulated coherent scattering data with actual measurements results, obtained at the Coherent Hard X-ray (CHX) beamline of the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II). Particular attention is paid to the analysis of visibility of speckles and intensity levels in the scattered radiation patterns at different degrees of coherence of the radiation entering the sample.
IL-10 and Pregnancy

Soon after the principles of nonself immunological recognition were discovered, it was realized that the state of pregnancy seemingly presents a paradox. In an outbreed population, half of the fetal genes are paternal, thus the fetus may be considered a semi-allograft. Yet, unlike the outcome of a surgical tissue graft, the mother tolerates and nurtures the fetus.
Species distribution model for the ‘Northern’ Oak hairstreak ( Satyrium favonius ontario ) with comments on its conservation status in the northeastern United States

Satyrium favonius ontario: (W. H. Edwards) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is considered to be a rare butterfly in the northeastern United States. It receives legal protection in the state of Massachusetts as a Species of Special Concern. We studied the ecology and natural history of a colony of S. f. ontario at Great Blue Hills Reservation in Canton, Massachusetts. In addition, we assembled a database of confirmed S. f. ontario occurrences (n = 362) and used this along with climate and oak abundance data to build a species distribution model for the northeastern portion of the butterfly’s range in the United States. The model predicts that essentially the entirety of southern New England is suitable for the species, and thus its modeled distribution extends well north of all documented colonies/localities. Just two climate variables, precipitation seasonality and minimum temperature of the coldest month, explained 95% of the model and largely determined relative suitability predictions. We make the case that the hairstreak is a canopy-dwelling insect that sporadically makes ground-level visits, and that its assumed regional rarity is due to detection difficulties rather than demographic rarity. While the butterfly may be imperiled and worthy of legal protection in portions of its range, we question the validity of population estimates and necessity of conservation efforts based on ground-level adult sightings, and recommend larval sampling using burlap bands as a more reliable method to census this butterfly. We also discuss the possibility that other Satyrium and more distantly related hairstreaks (e.g., Callophrys hesseli and Parrhasius m-album) may be additional examples of temperate, canopy-based butterflies.
Dynamic Characteristics of a New Three-Dimensional Linear Homeomorphic Saccade Model.

A linear homeomorphic saccade model that produces 3D saccadic eye movements consistent with physiological and anatomical evidence is introduced. Central to the model is the implementation of a time-optimal controller with six linear muscles and pulleys that represent the saccade oculomotor plant. Each muscle is modeled as a parallel combination of viscosity [Formula: see text] and series elasticity [Formula: see text] connected to the parallel combination of active-state tension generator [Formula: see text], viscosity element [Formula: see text], and length tension elastic element [Formula: see text]. Additionally, passive tissues involving the eyeball include a viscosity element [Formula: see text], elastic element [Formula: see text], and moment of inertia [Formula: see text]. The neural input for each muscle is separately maintained, whereas the effective pulling direction is modulated by its respective mid-orbital constraint from the pulleys. Initial parameter values for the oculomotor plant are based on anatomical and physiological evidence. The oculomotor plant uses a time-optimal, 2D commutative neural controller, together with the pulley system that actively functions to implement Listing's law during both static and dynamic conditions. In a companion paper, the dynamic characteristics of the saccade model is analyzed using a time domain system identification technique to estimate the final parameter values and neural inputs from saccade data. An excellent match between the model estimates and the data is observed, whereby a total of 20 horizontal, 5 vertical, and 64 oblique saccades are analyzed.
Enhancing timeliness and saving power in real-time databases

In data-intensive real-time embedded applications, it is desirable to process data service requests in a timely manner using fresh data, spending less power. However, related work is relatively scarce despite the importance. In this paper, we present an effective approach to reduce both deadline misses and power expenditure in real-time databases with one or more processor by merging similar real-time queries to decrease repeated data accesses and processing, while doing dynamic power management. In a simulation study, our approach substantially decreases deadline misses and power consumption compared to state-of-the-art baselines.
Bartter's sydnrome in a 13.5-year-old girl: Growth characteristics and failure of Aspirin therapy

A 13.5-year-old girl was referred for evaluation of hypokalaemia and growth retardation. She had felt fatigued for 2 years with polyuria, nocturia and episodic muscle cramps. Her apetite was poor and school performance declining. Physical examination revealed thin (26.5 kg), short (142.5 cm), normotensive (14/7.5 kPa) girl with delayed skeletal maturation (12 years). The serum K was 1.8, Na 135 and Co2 content 29 mmol/l, with mild hypomagnesemia (0.55 mmol/l). Polyuria was Pitressine resistant. Diagnosis of Bartter's syndrome was confirmed by increased reninemia (PRA 10.7 ng/ml) and urinary aldosterone elimination (15 ug/day), with juxtaglomerular cell hyperplasia in kidney tissue obtained at biopsy. She started treatment with potassium supplements (80 mmol/day), spironolactone (4 mg/kg/day) and propranolol (0.5 mg/kg/day). Response was satisfactory: hypokalemia was corrected, general condition improved, her appetite and linear growth increased (catch-up growth). Menarche occured at 16 years. Then we introduced Aspirin in a dose of 100 mg/kg/day. The girl remained hypokaliemic and adverse effects appeared: gastrointestinal upset and defect in coagulation mechanisms with epistaxis. Therefore Aspirin therapy was discontinued and conventional therapy reintroduced, with the same excellent results.
Effects of field pea supplementation on digestibility and rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations of beef-cattle diets containing high and low quality forages

ABSTRACT Field peas (Pisum sativum) are increasingly available with limited data on the effects on forage digestibility. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of field pea supplementation in forage-based diets on total-tract digestibility and RUP digestibility in growing beef cattle. In Exp. 1, 5 ruminally fistulated steers (202 kg) were used in a 2 × 3 factorial. The first factor was high quality forage (50% alfalfa, 50% sorghum silage) or low quality forage (50% bromegrass hay, 50% wheat straw). The second factor was supplement type: a nonsupplemented control (CON), dry-rolled corn (DRC), or ground field peas (FP), supplemented at 0.43% of BW. Each diet was fed for 14 d. There were no interactions between forage quality and supplement type for digestibility estimates (P ≥ 0.25). Intake and digestibility of OM were greater with high quality forage (4.96 kg/d and 64.2%, respectively) than with low quality forage (3.60 kg/d and 50.1%, respectively; P
Characterizing pediatric inpatient sleep duration and disruptions

Abstract Objective To contextualize inpatient sleep duration and disruptions in a general pediatric hospital ward by comparing in-hospital and at-home sleep durations to recommended guidelines and to objectively measure nighttime room entries. Methods Caregivers of patients four weeks – 18 years of age reported patient sleep duration and disruptions in anonymous surveys. Average at-home and in-hospital sleep durations were compared to National Sleep Foundation recommendations. Objective nighttime traffic was evaluated as the average number of room entries between 11:00pm and 7:00am using GOJO brand hand-hygiene room entry data. Results Among 246 patients, patients slept less in the hospital than at home with newborn and infant cohorts experiencing 7- and 4-h sleep deficits respectively (Newborn: 787 ± 318 min at home vs. 354 ± 211 min in hospital, p 2 h sleep deficits at home when compared to NSF recommendations (Newborns: 787 ± 318 min at home vs. 930 min recommended, p Conclusion Hospitalization is a missed opportunity to improve sleep both in the hospital and at home.
Evaluating a Combined Method of UV and Washing for Sanitizing Blueberries, Tomatoes, Strawberries, Baby Spinach, and Lettuce.

We assessed a fresh produce decontamination system using a combined method of UV and washing (water-assisted UV [WUV]) in different scales. The system used tap water to wash fresh produce while exposing it to UV light. First, the reduction of Salmonella in tap water under UV treatment (1 to 1,740 mJ/cm2) was determined. Increasing the UV dose significantly (P 0.05) in Salmonella inactivation by WUV treatments was observed when the quantity of lettuce increased from 50 to 100 g.
Antibiotic in myrrh from Commiphora molmol preferentially kills nongrowing bacteria.

Aim: To demonstrate that myrrh oil preferentially kills nongrowing bacteria and causes no resistance development. Method: Growth inhibition was determined on regular plates or plates without nutrie...
Understanding the Security Implication of Aborting Live Migration

Live migration of Virtual machines (VMs) has become a regular tool for edge and cloud operators to facilitate system maintenance, fault tolerance, and load balancing, with little impact on running instances. However, the potential security risks of live migration of VMs are still obscure. In this paper, we expose a new vulnerability in the existing VM live migration approaches, especially the post-copy approach. The entire live migration mechanism relies upon reliable TCP connectivity for the transfer of the VM state. We demonstrate that, if the host server is vulnerable to off-path TCP attacks, the loss of TCP reliability leads to VM live migration failure. We demonstrate that, by intentionally aborting the TCP connection, attackers can cause unrecoverable memory inconsistency for post-copy, leading to a significant increase in downtime and performance degradation of the running VM. Additionally, we present detailed techniques to reset the migration connection under heavy networking traffic. We also propose effective defenses to secure the VM live migration. Our experimental results demonstrate that memory inconsistencies could be devastating to some applications, and it only takes a few minutes to reset a heavy migration connection.
Ethnography Study: Effective Teaching in China

Culture is cumulative; culture is found in groups of more than one, is passed from generation to generation, and experiences change. Harrison and Huntington (2000) posit culture is the “values, attitudes, beliefs, orientations, and underlying assumptions prevalent among people in a society” (p. xv). Culture is one of the driving forces that determine the success of a society (Berger & Huntington, 2002). Understanding different cultures can become a diverse and challenging endeavor under the best of circumstances. Research capabilities have added volumes of knowledge about how cultures are realized and understood amongst the multitude of different cultures existing and changing in today’s global world. In particular, ethnographic studies (found in qualitative research methods) have provided valuable tools in this quest to understand the variety, shapes and sounds of culture around the world. Chinese culture has proven to be no exception. According to Gao and Ting-Toomey,(1998) culture varies within societies and within communities, but one consistent cultural aspect found in Chinese culture are the teaching styles, which have remained remarkably the same for 2000 years. The purpose of this narrative ethnography study is to provide avenues in which teachers and professors can effectively communicate the valuable information contained in his or her lectures to Chinese students in China.
State Department and University Cooperation: Evaluation of Continuing Education in Consultation and Curriculum-Based Assessment

The evaluation of a cooperative university and state department of education continuing education program in consultation and curriculum-based assessment revealed significant gains in practitioner ...