cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serum lipid responses to psyllium fiber: differences between pre- and post-menopausal, hypercholesterolemic women.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women and men. Psyllium, a soluble fiber has been known to reduce serum lipids. In this pilot study, we evaluated whether menopausal status would affect the serum lipid responses to psyllium fiber in women. Eleven post-menopausal and eight pre-menopausal women with serum total cholesterol >200 mg/dL were included in the study. Subjects consumed their habitual diet and 15 g psyllium/d for 6 weeks. Psyllium was incorporated into cookies. Each cookie contained ≈5 g of psyllium fiber. Subjects ate one cookie in each meal. With psyllium fiber, total cholesterol concentration was significantly lower (≈5.2%, P < 0.05) in post-menopausal women but not in pre-menopausal women (≈1.3%). Also, there was a significant decrease in HDL-cholesterol in post-menopausal women (≈10.2%, P < 0.05). There were no significant changes observed in concentrations of LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A1, and apolipoprotein B in both pre- and post-menopausal women with psyllium. In this pilot study, post- and pre-menopausal, hypercholesterolemic women responded differently to psyllium fiber supplementation. Post-menopausal women would benefit from addition of psyllium to their diets in reducing the risk for heart diseases. The results of this study should be used with caution because the study was based on a small sample size.
Acute Biological Effects of Simulating the Whole-Body Radiation Dose Distribution from a Solar Particle Event Using a Porcine Model

In a solar particle event (SPE), an unshielded astronaut would receive proton radiation with an energy profile that produces a highly inhomogeneous dose distribution (skin receiving a greater dose than internal organs). The novel concept of using megavoltage electron-beam radiation to more accurately reproduce both the total dose and the dose distribution of SPE protons and make meaningful RBE comparisons between protons and conventional radiation has been described previously. Here, Yucatan minipigs were used to determine the effects of a superficial, SPE-like proton dose distribution using megavoltage electrons. In these experiments, dose-dependent increases in skin pigmentation, ulceration, keratinocyte necrosis and pigment incontinence were observed. Five of 18 animals (one each exposed to 7.5 Gy and 12.5 Gy radiation and three exposed to 25 Gy radiation) developed symptomatic, radiation-associated pneumonopathy approximately 90 days postirradiation. The three animals from the highest dose group showe...
Choline deficiency activates phospholipases A2 and C in rat liver without affecting the activity of protein kinase C

There is evidence to suggest that liver tumor promoters exert their effect through the interference of signal transduction in hepatic cells. Both phospholipase A(2) and phospholipase C play important roles in the generation of second messengers and in the activation of Ca(2+), phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C. Using male Sprague-Dawley rats, we investigated whether liver tumor-promoting regimens of a choline-deficient diet and phenobarbital alter the activities of phospholipase A(2) and phospholipase C in the liver, and extended the study to determine the effect of a choline-deficient diet on protein kinase C activities. Feeding a choline-deficient diet for 1 week increased the activities of both phospholipase A(2) (50%) and phospholipase C (22%), and the activities of both enzymes were more than doubled after 4 weeks. Feeding a phenobarbital diet resulted in a slight decrease in phospholipase A(2) activities at 4 weeks but no significant changes in PLC activities. The protein kinase C activities and its distribution between soluble and particulate fractions remained unchanged after 1, 2, and 4 weeks feeding of a choline-deficient diet. Thus, activation of both phospholipase A(2) and C is distinct for a choline-deficient diet, not shared by phenobarbital diet. Increased activities of these enzymes were not associated with the activation of protein kinase C under the present experimental condition.
The Merrill Lynch cash management account financial service: a case study in strategic information systems

The authors discuss aspects of Merrill Lynch's cash management account (CMA) financial service that have not received attention in previous reports. These include the industrial and organizational context in which the CMA financial service was conceived and developed, the reaction of competitors and the factors that influenced that reaction, and the impact of central asset accounts on the industry. The authors believe that this rigorous analysis of the CMA case can provide insight into the phenomenon of strategic information systems. >
Depression, psychological stress, vascular dysfunction, and cardiovascular disease: thinking outside the barrel.

the stress response is present not only in humans and other mammals but also in more primitive species such as fish ([5][1]). It is often said that the accomplishment of some tasks is “easier than shooting fish in a barrel.” However, the potential outcomes of this scenario are not so optimistic
Proliferative laryngitis with airway obstruction in an adult: Consider herpes.

Objectives/Hypothesis Few cases of herpes simplex virus (HSV) affecting the larynx have been reported in the literature. Although HSV laryngitis appears to present with nonspecific symptoms, this is a potentially serious condition that can rapidly progress to unnecessary morbidity and mortality if not identified and treated accordingly. We report a case of HSV laryngitis in an individual with well controlled human immunodeficiency virus infection and perform a comprehensive literature review of HSV laryngitis in adults. From this case report and review of the literature, we advocate early diagnostic biopsy of unusual or poorly responsive laryngeal lesions for pathology, culture, and virology studies. Laryngoscope, 2015
THE ANTIMYCOBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF VARIOUS AMINES RELATED TO SPERMINE IN CHEMICAL STRUCTURE

A final concentration of 3 x 10–5 M spermine or spermidine inhibited the growth of mammalian tubercle bacilli in a modified Dubos liquid medium. Various related amino compounds, including isolated portions of the spermine molecule and the products of its chemical degradation, did not manifest similar antimycobacterial activity.
Characteristics of single neurons cultured on microelectrode arrays in vitro for chemical sensing

In this paper, a single-neuron sensor was developed for chemical agent sensing. Single neurons were positioned over individual microelectrodes using positive dielectrophoretic traps. This enables the continuous extracellular electrophysiological measurements from individual neurons. A remarkably stable recording environment was obtained under the noninvasive conditions. The magnitude and temporal characteristics of an action potential recorded depended on sealing conditions. Then, consecutive sensing experiments were done to testify the stability and repeatability of this kind of single-neuron-based sensor. The responses of neuron-electrode sensor to chemical agent concentration change and to the consecutive experiments were also explored. This sensor exhibits a faster response with the increase of concentration and responds slowly during the consecutive experiments.
Hydrodynamics and mass transfer in a novel multi-airlifting membrane bioreactor

Abstract A novel multiple-airlifting membrane bioreactor is built with four sintered stainless steel tubular filters as the risers and downcomers. This work investigates the hydrodynamics including gas holdup, liquid velocity, liquid circulation and mixing times by aerating different number of risers (one to three) at superficial gas velocities of 0.02–0.07 m/s The mass transfer phenomena, including oxygen mass transfer ( k L a ) and effective molecular diffusivity of lactic and acetic acids through the walls of tubular filters, are also investigated. It is found that gas holdup in individual risers increases linearly with the superficial gas velocity, and performs independently under multiple-airlifting conditions. The vessel-based gas holdup and liquid velocity in downcomer(s) increase with aeration rate of individual risers as well as the number of risers. The liquid velocity in downcomers reaches an upper limit (about 0.6 m/s), because of flow resistance or energy loss of liquid circulation. The oxygen mass transfer coefficient ( k L a ) is primarily affected by gas holdup and the number of risers, and to some extent influenced by liquid velocity. The novel airlifter configuration results in good liquid mixing in the bioreactor that quickly reaches new steady state in response to a sudden pH change from acid addition.
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Core Protein-Induced, Monocyte-Mediated Mechanisms of Reduced IFN-α and Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Loss in Chronic HCV Infection

IFN-α production by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) is critical in antiviral immunity. In the present study, we evaluated the IFN-α-producing capacity of PDCs of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in treatment-naive, sustained responder, and nonresponder patients. IFN-α production was tested in PBMCs or isolated PDCs after TLR9 stimulation. Treatment-naive patients with chronic HCV infection had reduced frequency of circulating PDCs due to increased apoptosis and showed diminished IFN-α production after stimulation with TLR9 ligands. These PDC defects correlated with the presence of HCV and were in contrast with normal PDC functions of sustained responders. HCV core protein, which was detectable in the plasma of infected patients, reduced TLR9-triggered IFN-α and increased TNF-α and IL-10 production in PBMCs but not in isolated PDCs, suggesting HCV core induced PDC defects. Indeed, addition of rTNF-α and IL-10 induced apoptosis and inhibited IFN-α production in PDCs. Neutralization of TNF-α and/or IL-10 prevented HCV core-induced inhibition of IFN-α production. We identified CD14 + monocytes as the source of TNF-α and IL-10 in the HCV core-induced inhibition of PDC IFN-α production. Anti-TLR2-, not anti-TLR4-, blocking Ab prevented the HCV core-induced inhibition of IFN-α production. In conclusion, our results suggest that HCV interferes with antiviral immunity through TLR2-mediated monocyte activation triggered by the HCV core protein to induce cytokines that in turn lead to PDC apoptosis and inhibit IFN-α production. These mechanisms are likely to contribute to HCV viral escape from immune responses.
Safety and activity of lenalidomide and rituximab in untreated indolent lymphoma: an open-label, phase 2 trial

Summary Background Standard treatments for indolent non-Hodgkin lymphomas are often toxic, and most patients ultimately relapse. Lenalidomide, an immunomodulatory agent, is effective as monotherapy for relapsed indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We assessed the efficacy and safety of lenalidomide plus rituximab in patients with untreated, advanced stage indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Methods In this phase 2 trial, undertaken at one instution, patients with follicular lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma were given lenalidomide, orally, at 20 mg/day on days 1–21 of each 28-day cycle. For patients with small lymphocytic lymphoma, dosing began at 10 mg/day to avoid tumour flare, with an escalation of 5 mg/month to 20 mg/day. Rituximab was given at 375 mg/m 2 as an intravenous infusion on day 1 of each cycle. Patients responding after six cycles could continue therapy for up to 12 cycles. The primary endpoint was overall response, defined as the proportion of patients who achieved a partial or complete response; patients were assessed for response if they had any post-baseline tumour assessment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00695786. Findings 110 patients with follicular lymphoma (n=50), marginal zone lymphoma (n=30), and small lymphocytic lymphoma (n=30) were enrolled from June 30, 2008, until Aug 12, 2011. 93 of 103 evaluable patients had an overall response (90%, 95% CI 83–95). Complete responses occurred in 65 (63%, 95% CI 53–72) and partial responses in 28 patients (27%, 19–37). Of 46 evaluable patients with follicular lymphoma, 40 (87%) patients had a complete response and five (11%) had a partial response. Of 27 evaluable patients with marginal zone lymphoma, 18 (67%) had a complete response and six (22%) had a partial response. Of 30 evaluable patients with small lymphocytic lymphoma, seven (23%) had a complete response and 17 (57%) had a partial response. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (38 [35%] of 110 patients), muscle pain (ten [9%]), rash (eight [7%]), cough, dyspnoea, or other pulmonary symptoms (five [5%]), fatigue (five [5%]), thrombosis (five [5%]), and thrombocytopenia (four [4%]). Interpretation Lenalidomide plus rituximab is well tolerated and highly active as initial treatment for indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. An international phase 3 study (NCT01476787) to compare this regimen with chemotherapy in patients with untreated follicular lymphoma is in progress. Funding Celgene Corporation and Richard Spencer Lewis Memorial Foundation and Cancer Center Support Grant.
Holocene Charcoal Stratigraphy from Laguna Tortuguero, Puerto Rico, and the Timing of Human Arrival on the Island

An 8 m sediment core from Laguna Tortuguero, Puerto Rico, provides a 7000 calendar year history of fire occurrence and sedimentation on the island's north coast. After c. 5300 cal-BP, microscopic charcoal particle concentration and influx increase abruptly, and values remain high for the next two millennia. Subsequent to c. 3200 cal-BP, fire occurrence gradually declines to more moderate levels. It seems likely that the mid-Holocene acceleration in fire frequency documented here may signal the onset of human disturbance of the landscape. Indirect detection of human arrival on oceanic islands from a sudden increase in stratigraphic charcoal may be a useful technique in other island contexts, although it is important to consider that wildfires can occur without a human ignition source.
Correlated Response to Phototactic Selection

Artificial selection for positive and negative phototaxis was conducted in populations ofDrosophila melanogaster that were polymorphic at thesepia locus. Photoselection response was accompanied by a correlated response in the frequency of thesepia allele. Changes insepia frequency were shown to be significantly different from those predicted by several neutral models. Implications of this correlated response are briefly discussed in terms of the neurogenetic basis of phototaxis.
Effects of molecular diffusion and of thermal expansion on the structure and dynamics of premixed flames in turbulent flows of large scale and low intensity

To study effects of flow inhomogeneities on the dynamics of laminar flamelets in turbulent flames, with account taken of influences of the gas expansion produced by heat release, a previously developed theory of premixed flames in turbulent flows, that was based on a diffusive-thermal model in which thermal expansion was neglected, and that applied to turbulence having scales large compared with the laminar flame-thickness, is extended by eliminating the hypothesis of negligible expansion and by adding the postulate of weak-intensity turbulence. The consideration of thermal expansion motivates the formal introduction of multiple-scale methods, which should be useful in subsequent investigations. Although the hydrodynamic-instability mechanism of Landau is not considered, no restriction is imposed on the density change across the flame front, and the additional transverse convection correspondingly induced by the tilted front is described. By allowing the heat-to-reactant diffusivity ratio to differ slightly from unity, clarification is achieved of effects of phenomena such as flame stretch and the flame-relaxation mechanism traceable to transverse diffusive processes associated with flame-front curvature. By carrying the analysis to second order in the ratio of the laminar flame thickness to the turbulence scale, an equation for evolution of the flame front is derived, containing influences of transverse convection, flame relaxation and stretch. This equation explains anomalies recently observed at low frequencies in experimental data on power spectra of velocity fluctuations in turbulent flames. It also shows that, concerning the diffusive-stability properties of the laminar flame, the density change across the flame thickness produces a shift of the stability limits from those obtained in the purely diffusive-thermal model. At this second order, the turbulent correction to the flame speed involves only the mean area increase produced by wrinkling. The analysis is carried to the fourth order to demonstrate the mean-stretch and mean-curvature effects on the flame speed that occur if the diffusivity ratio differs from unity.
Fifty Years Of The Transistor : The Beginning Of Silicon Technology

The first years have been somewhat controversial as to who invented the transistor. There seems to be no convergence in the disagreement as to whether Shockley or Bardeen was most responsible for the discovery of the "transistor effect." Anything that I might say would not change any existing beliefs. I will give a more complete account of the next five or more years which accounted for much of the technology for the integrated circuit, and which has been largely disregarded in histories of the integrated circuit. The time from 1947 until 1952 was used to study the basic Physical behavior of germanium and silicon.
HIV Prevention Interventions with Adolescents: Innovations and Challenges in Partnerships across the Integrated Transitions Model

In the USA, the incidence of HIV is rapidly increasing among young people. To increase the effectiveness of HIV prevention and care, efforts for adolescents should consist of interdisciplinary partnerships that address the complexity of the population and co-occurring physical and mental health issues. Partnerships among academic researchers; representatives from educational and testing organizations, health departments, clinics, and other community-based organizations (including youth-serving organizations); and adolescents themselves are essential. These partnerships can produce innovative strategies that address adolescent-specific issues related to HIV prevention, diagnosis, and care, as well as cultural norms and gender-role expectations particular to adolescents, their developmental stage, and their local communities. Such partnerships can also increase understanding during exploratory and formative evaluation phases, inform the development of interventions and programs that are most relevant to adolescents, and increase the likelihood that these interventions and programs will be implemented, found to be effective, and sustained (if warranted) by communities. Some academic researchers, clinicians, and other providers partner directly with adolescents, while others partner with youth-serving organizations to engage and work with adolescents.
Chemical Bonding and Si-SiO 2 Interface Reliability: (A) Minimization of Suboxide Transition Regions, and (B) Monolayer Incorporation of Nitrogen

This paper addresses two aspects of the chemical bonding arrangements at Si-SiO2 interfaces that impact significantly on electrical performance and reliability of devices with ultrathin gate dielectrics with oxide equivalent thicknesses, toxeq, in the regime of direct tunneling; i.e., toxeq < 3 nm. These are i) minimization of suboxide bonding arrangements that contribute to roughness in an interfacial transition region, and ii) monolayer nitrogen atom incorporation.
Charge-Transfer-Induced Magic Cluster Formation of Azaborine Heterocycles on Noble Metal Surfaces

We report a combined experimental and theoretical study of the adsorption and assembly of a nitrogen–boron-containing heterocycle, 1,2-dihydro-1,2-azaborine, on Au(111) and Cu(111). Despite the inherent molecular dipole moment, the self-assembly behavior is found to be highly surface dependent, with isolated molecules prevalent on Cu(111) and discrete (“magic”) clusters on Au(111). The ability to form clusters of a particular size can be understood in terms of a balance between attractive intermolecular interactions, including directional B–H···H–N dihydrogen bonding, and repulsive forces from Coulombic interactions between the charged molecules dictated by differences in the charge transfer and Pauli repulsion between the adsorbate and the surface. This work highlights the importance of metal–molecule charge transfer in the adsorption and assembly of dipolar molecules on surfaces and demonstrates that their surface-bound properties cannot be predicted a priori from gas-phase dipole moments alone.
A minimal biomolecular frequency divider

Many cyclic processes such as neuron firing, cardiac functions, and cell division can exhibit integer variations of their period. Period doubling is often triggered by external events, and is an important phenomenon because it can control a change in the time scale of downstream processes. The capacity for period doubling is also relevant in synthetic molecular circuits where slow and fast modules need to be synchronized. In this paper we describe a rationally designed biomolecular reaction network which operates frequency division of its periodic inputs. The core of this device is a bistable circuit, which is toggled between its two stable states by “push” chemical reactions that process the periodic inputs. We thoroughly analyze the behavior of the system deriving an upper bound on the baseline of the inputs it can process, maintaining its output specifications. All the reactions in the system have first or second order rates, and are potentially implementable in vitro using nucleic acids and enzymes. Numerical analysis shows that frequency division is achieved in a range of realistic parameters.
Longitudinal Cracking in a Carbon Black Filled Natural Rubber Vulcanizate during Chemical Stress Relaxation

Abstract Thin specimens of a black-filled, natural rubber vulcanizate have been held in uniaxial tension at 72°C and 200% elongation in a forced air oven. After substantial oxidative attack (inferred from stress relaxation), small edge cracks formed. Initially, these cracks grew perpendicular to the loading direction, but, upon reaching about 0.1 mm in depth, longitudinal crack growth commenced and fracture progressed by a kind of 0°-peel process with “splitting-off” of successive strands of rubber. This phenomenon is attributed to anisotropy in strength caused both by straining and by oxidative attack.
Platform Customizing and Device Driver Development of Windows CE. NET Based on S3C2410

The system structure of Windows CE.NET is introduced with Platform Builder 4.2 as tools of developing embedded system kernel and driver program,and the operating system kernel mirrorimage and driver program are customized and saved to the board based on S3C2410 as hardware platform.
Laser welding in urethral surgery: improved results with a protein solder.

Abstract Reconstruction of the rat urethra using the CO2 laser and a protein solder has dramatically decreased the postoperative fistula rate and decreased surgical time over conventional microsurgical reconstruction. Using the rat as a model, a partial transection of the ventral urethra was repaired in one of three ways in 39 animals: conventional microsuture repair, laser assisted microsuture repair and laser assisted microsuture repair with a protein solder. The success rate in each group was 50%, 58% and 90% respectively. Therefore, the laser repair is as efficacious as conventional microsuture repair. More importantly, laser with solder is significantly better than either the conventional method or laser alone.
Gonadoblastoma in an Anatomically Normal Man: A Case Report and Literature Review

AbstractGonadoblastoma, a rare gonadal neoplasm, presents most frequently in phenotypic female or phenotypically male patients with dysgenetic gonads or undescended testes. To date, only 2 cases of gonadoblastoma have been reported in anatomically normal male patients with scrotal testes. Both of these patients presented with testicular masses and germ cell tumors. We report a case of a genotypically and phenotypically normal, fertile man with descended testes who on evaluation for chronic orchalgia had a gonadoblastoma unaccompanied by a germ cell neoplasm. The tumor was nonpalpable and was initially discovered on scrotal ultrasound.
Use and Transfer of Organic Matter in Marine Food Webs

In this chapter, we examine the production, use, and loss of dissolved and particulate organic matter in marine food webs. We first highlight microbial aspects of food webs, a subject that has recently undergone major advances. We then review past and current views of marine food webs, briefly mention some aspects of dissolved organic matter, then take a closer look at the major groups of taxa involved in the dynamics of dissolved organic matter, go on with a discussion of a series of loose to obligate interspecies relationships, and then end with an introduction to consumers of particulate food items.
Surface Acoustic Wave devices for ocular drug delivery

In this work we are reporting on the development of a novel Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) device based on MEMS technology for drug delivery in the treatment of ocular diseases. The miniaturized SAW drug delivery device will be placed on the eye surface to allow non-invasive long-term drug application based on the programmed timeline and electronic control of a drug regiment. This novel drug delivery method is expected to lead to better clinical outcomes in the treatment of various eye diseases, and improved patient compliance with therapy. The device can be programmed for delivery of precise amounts of drugs at predetermined times over several months, and will use acoustic streaming to push the drug outside of the reservoir. Our modeling results were obtained using COMSOL multiphysics program and Coventor microfluidic simulator. Different force values were applied to investigate the force necessary to push the drug through the outlet.
Data that drive: Closing the loop in the learning hospital system.

The learning healthcare system describes a vision of US healthcare that capitalizes on science, information technology, incentives, and care culture to drive improvements in the quality of health care. The inpatient setting, one of the most costly and impactful domains of healthcare, is an ideal setting in which to use data and information technology to foster continuous learning and quality improvement. The rapid digitization of inpatient medicine offers incredible new opportunities to use data from routine care to generate new discovery and thus close the virtuous cycle of learning. We use an object lesson—sepsis care within the 21 hospitals of the Kaiser Permanente Northern California integrated healthcare delivery system—to offer insight into the critical elements necessary for developing a learning hospital system. We then describe how a hospital-wide data-driven approach to inpatient care can facilitate improvements in the quality of hospital care. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:S11–S17. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine
The International Professional Perspective: Research and Program Development Contributions from around the World

This editorial showcases several papers on research or program development initiatives that came to our attention through the World Council Biennial Conference in Turkey last August. The first pape...
An index of the ratio of inflammatory to antiviral cell types mediates the effects of social adversity and age on chronic illness.

Abstract Background It is assumed that both social stress and chronological age increase the risk of chronic illness, in part, through their effect on systemic inflammation. Unfortunately, observational studies usually employ single-marker measures of inflammation (e.g., Interleukin-6, C-reactive protein) that preclude strong tests for mediational effects. Objective The present study investigated the extent to which the effects of socioeconomic disadvantage and age on onset of chronic illness is mediated by dominance of the innate (inflammatory) over the acquired (antiviral) components of the immune system. Methods We assessed inflammation using the ratio of inflammatory to antiviral cell types (ITACT Ratio). This approach provided a stronger test of evolutionary arguments regarding the effect of social stress on chronic inflammation than is the case with cytokine measures, and afforded an opportunity to replicate findings obtained utilizing mRNA. We used structural equation modeling and longitudinal data from a sample of 100 middle-age African American women to perform our analyses. Results Dominance of inflammatory over antiviral cell activity was associated with each of the eight illnesses included in our chronic illness measure. Both socioeconomic disadvantage and age were also associated with inflammatory dominance. Pursuant to the central focus of the study, the effects of socioeconomic adversity and age on increased illness were mediated by our measure of inflammatory dominance. The indirect effect of these variables through inflammatory cell profile was significant, with neither socioeconomic disadvantage nor age showing a significant association with illness once the impact of inflammatory cell profile was taken into account. Conclusions First, the analysis provides preliminary validation of a new measure of inflammation that is calculated based on the ratio of inflammatory to antiviral white blood cells. Second, our results support the hypothesis that socioeconomic disadvantage and chronological age increase risk for chronic illness in part through their effect on inflammatory processes.
College Student Cyberbullying: Self-Esteem, Depression, Loneliness, and Attachment

In an online survey (N = 338) at a large midwestern university, frequency counts indicated that 51 (15.1%) undergraduate students were cyberbully victims during college, and 27 (8.0%) were cyberbully offenders during college. In simultaneous regressions, maternal attachment anxiety explained unique variance in cybervictimization and cyberoffending. In multivariate analyses of variance, cyberbully victims (vs. nonvictims) reported higher depression, loneliness, and maternal attachment anxiety, and cyberbully offenders (vs. nonoffenders) reported lower self-esteem and higher maternal attachment anxiety. College counseling implications are discussed.
Identification of 145Er and 145Ho.

On-line mass separation and K x-ray coincidences were used to identify the ..beta.. decays of /sup 145/Er and /sup 145/Ho. Only ..beta..-delayed proton emission was observed for /sup 145/Er (T/sub 1/2/ = 0.9 +- 0.3 s), and a total of 16 ..gamma..-ray transitions were assigned to the ..beta.. decay of /sup 145/Ho (T/sub 1/2/ = 2.4 +- 0.1 s). A /sup 145/Ho decay scheme was constructed which incorporates 13 ..gamma..-ray transitions and 10 excited levels in /sup 145/Dy and establishes the ..nu..h/sub 11/2/ isomeric level at E/sub x/ = 118.2 keV. The low-lying neutron-hole structure in /sup 145/Dy is compared to level systematics in even-Z nuclei with N = 77, 79, and 81.
Improved cognitive performance and event-related potential changes following working memory training in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BackgroundFew studies of cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (MS) have targeted working memory specifically.ObjectiveWe examined the effects of n-back working memory training on cognitiv...
Inhibition of thromboxane formation in vivo and ex vivo: implications for therapy with platelet inhibitory drugs.

The capacity of platelets to generate thromboxane A2, reflected by measurement of serum thromboxane B2 (TxB2), greatly exceeds the systemic production of thromboxane in vivo. Thus, it is possible that substantial but incomplete inhibition of thromboxane formation ex vivo would still allow marked augmentation of thromboxane production in vivo. To address this hypothesis, we administered aspirin 120 mg, a selective inhibitor of thromboxane synthase (TxSl), 3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl- methyl)-2-methyl-1H-indole-1-propanoic acid (UK-38, 485) 200 mg, and a combination of both drugs to 12 healthy volunteers and measured the effects on serum TxB2 and urinary 2,3-dinor-thromboxane B2 (Tx-M), an index of endogenous thromboxane biosynthesis. Although serum TxB2 was maximally inhibited by 94 +/- 1% after aspirin and 96 +/- 2% after the TxSl, maximal depression of Tx-M was only 28 +/- 8% and 37 +/- 9%, respectively. Combination of aspirin with the TxSl resulted in a small but significant increase in inhibition of thromboxane generation ex vivo (98 +/- 1% v 94 +/- 1%; P less than 0.05), but a disproportionately greater fall in thromboxane synthesis in vivo (58 +/- 7%; P less than 0.01). Consistent with further inhibition of platelet thromboxane synthesis, addition of the TxSl abolished the transient decline in prostacyclin formation after aspirin alone. Administration of a lower dose of aspirin (20 mg) to 6 healthy subjects caused a small reduction in Tx-M (12 +/- 4%; P less than 0.05) and inhibited serum TxB2 by 48 +/- 2%. The relationship between inhibition of platelet capacity to form thromboxane ex vivo (serum TxB2) and synthesis in vivo (Tx-M) departed markedly from the line of identity. When total blockade of the capacity of platelets to generate thromboxane is approached, minor decrements in capacity result in a disproportionate depression of actual thromboxane biosynthesis. These results imply that pharmacologic inhibition of serum TxB2 must be virtually complete before thromboxane- dependent platelet activation is influenced in vivo.
49 – Contact Transformation

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the contact transformation applicable to first-order and (occasionally) second-order ordinary differential equations. It yields a reformulation which may lead to an exact solution (sometimes in parametric form). By changing variables a different, and sometimes easier, differential equation may be found. Given a relation between three variables ф(x,y,p) = 0 it will be a first-order ordinary differential equation if dy − pdx = 0. If the variables in ф(x,y,p,) = 0 are changed by x = x(X,Y,P), y = y(X,Y,P), and p = p(X,y,P), then the transformed equation ф(X,Y,P) = 0 will also be an ordinary differential equation if dY — PdX = 0. If this is true, then x = x(X,Y,P), y = y(X,Y,P), and p = p(X,y,P) is a contact transformation. Composing two contact transformations or taking the inverse of a contact transformation, results in another contact transformation. Because the identity transformation is also a contact transformation, the set of all contact transformations forms an infinite dimensional topological group.
Use of Tc-99m Glucoheptonate in Surgical Complications of Renal Transplant

This study evaluates Tc-99m glucoheptonate for use in renal transplants and finds it detects such surgical complications as urinary extravasation, lymphocele, and postrenal obstruction. The scintigrams were of excellent quality. Functional evaluation of nonsurgical complications was not possible. Whenever both structural and functional information is desired, it may be wise to perform studies with both glucoheptonate and orthoiodohippurate.
Structural and electronic properties from first-principles

First-principles calculation has emerged as one of the popular approaches in material science and engineering. In this article we provide a comprehensive, though not exhaustive, overview of the current status of first-principles calculations of materials. We categorize the different approaches using the local and orthogonal bases, and we discuss in some detail representative methods in each category. Finally, we offer some views on the strength and weakness of the approaches that are discussed, and touch upon some of the challenging problems that need to be addressed in the future.
On the Determination of Geopotential Differences from Satellite-to-Satellite Tracking

The Earth’s gravitational potential field can be obtained directly from low-low satellite-to-satellite tracking using range-rates and/or velocity vector differences. There are some possible advantages to measuring potential instead of acceleration or gradients of acceleration, as alternatively proposed. For example, direct geoid modeling in local areas without recourse to Stokes’s integral (but still Poisson’s integral to account for downward continuation). The usual measurement model relates the in situ geopotential difference to the range-rate between two satellites. This model neglects the effect of Earth’s rotation, which is on the order of 0.1kgal*m for polar-orbiting satellites. In this paper an analytic expression is derived for that effect. It is shown that the potential rotation effect can be determined in situ only from velocity and position vector measurements, which is possible using GPS baseline measurements. Applications to two upcoming satellite mission, GRACE and COSMIC are discussed.
Using Implementation Science to Adapt a Training Program to Assist Surgeons with High-Stakes Communication

Objective Surgeons often conduct difficult conversations with patients near the end of life, yet surgical education provides little formalized communication training. We developed a communication tool, Best Case/Worst Case, and trained surgeons using a one-on-one resource intensive format that was effective but difficult to scale for widespread dissemination. We aimed to generate an implementation package to teach surgeons using fewer resources without sacrificing fidelity. Design, setting, and participants We used the Replicating Effectiveness Programs framework to guide our implementation strategy and tested our intervention with 39 surgical residents at 4 institutions from September 2016 to June 2017. The implementation package consisted of: (1) instructional video, (2) checklist to assess competence, (3) learner manual, and (4) instructor manual. We focused on 3 implementation outcomes: feasibility, fidelity, and acceptability to participants. Results Attendance rates ranged from 16% to 75%. Site leaders had little difficulty identifying suitable instructors; however, resident recruitment proved challenging. Sixty-nine percent of residents completed the post-training assessment and the mean score was 12.8 (range 8-15) using the 15-point checklist. Across sites, 69% strongly agreed that Best Case/Worst Case is better than how they usually approach high-stakes conversations and 100% felt prepared to use the tool after training. Instructors reported that the training provided residents with the necessary skills to perform the fundamental elements of Best Case/Worst Case. Conclusions Using implementation science we demonstrated that a resource intensive communication training intervention can be successfully modified for group-learning and wide-scale dissemination. However, we identified barriers to implementation, including challenges with feasibility and programmatic buy-in that inform not only resident education but also communication skills training more broadly.
Co-Optimization of Control and Actuator Selection for Cyber-Physical Systems

Abstract This paper considers actuator selection problems which aim to maintain control performance of dynamical systems, and minimize operational costs or wear-and-tear of the actuators. The logical controls of actuators make the problem combinatorial, which make exhaustive search impractical. An actuator selection problem can be cast as a binary-integer programming with bilinear matrix inequalities (BIBMIs). In this paper, we first show that such non-convex optimization can be equivalently reformulated as an optimization problem with non-convexities restricted to binary decision variables. We next consider a continuous optimization which is equivalent to the BIBMIs, and leverage the continuous reformulation to derive a branch-and-bound method employing bound refinement. Numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Difference as an indicator of the self-stigma of mental illness.

Background: People with mental illness are viewed as different from the general population resulting in public stigma. When public stigma becomes internalized, it leads to self-stigma. The most dis...
A phase I feasability study of concurrent fondaparinux (F) with carboplatin (Crb) and paclitaxel (P) for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): An analysis of coagulation/angiogenic biomarker (CABM) kinetics.

e19143 Background: There is an association between risk of thrombosis and metastatic cancer. Chemotherapy (C) also independently increases thrombotic risk. This increased risk is multifactorial, in...
Practicing Engineering Ethics in Global Context: A Comparative Study of Expert and Novice Approaches to Cross-Cultural Ethical Situations

Engineers and other technical professionals are increasingly challenged by the impacts of globalization. Further, engineering educators, technical managers, and human resources staff have demonstrated great interest in selecting and training engineers who are capable of working competently, professionally, and ethically in global context. However, working across countries and cultures brings considerable challenges to global engineers, including as related to understanding and navigating local and regional differences in what counts as professional ethics and integrity. In this study, we focus on written responses to 27 assessment scenarios that involve micro- and/or macro-ethical considerations in six national/cultural contexts (China, France, Germany, India, Japan, and Mexico). More specifically, we analyze responses to open-ended versions of the scenarios. Our participants consisted of both experts (e.g., experienced engineers) and novices (e.g., undergraduate students and early career professionals). Comparing and contrasting how experts and novices responded to these ethical problems sheds light on differences in their ethical strategies and approaches. This analysis also allows us to discern what specific cultural knowledge and sensitivity were employed by experts in solving cross-cultural ethical problems, but were largely lacking among novices. Finally, we analyze and discuss challenges faced by experts and novices in responding to cross-cultural ethical situations.
Deep neural networks for choice analysis: Architecture design with alternative-specific utility functions

Abstract Whereas deep neural network (DNN) is increasingly applied to choice analysis, it is challenging to reconcile domain-specific behavioral knowledge with generic-purpose DNN, to improve DNN’s interpretability and predictive power, and to identify effective regularization methods for specific tasks. To address these challenges, this study demonstrates the use of behavioral knowledge for designing a particular DNN architecture with alternative-specific utility functions (ASU-DNN) and thereby improving both the predictive power and interpretability. Unlike a fully connected DNN (F-DNN), which computes the utility value of an alternative k by using the attributes of all the alternatives, ASU-DNN computes it by using only k’s own attributes. Theoretically, ASU-DNN can substantially reduce the estimation error of F-DNN because of its lighter architecture and sparser connectivity, although the constraint of alternative-specific utility can cause ASU-DNN to exhibit a larger approximation error. Empirically, ASU-DNN has 2–3% higher prediction accuracy than F-DNN over the whole hyperparameter space in a private dataset collected in Singapore and a public dataset available in the R mlogit package. The alternative-specific connectivity is associated with the independence of irrelevant alternative (IIA) constraint, which as a domain-knowledge-based regularization method is more effective than the most popular generic-purpose explicit and implicit regularization methods and architectural hyperparameters. ASU-DNN provides a more regular substitution pattern of travel mode choices than F-DNN does, rendering ASU-DNN more interpretable. The comparison between ASU-DNN and F-DNN also aids in testing behavioral knowledge. Our results reveal that individuals are more likely to compute utility by using an alternative’s own attributes, supporting the long-standing practice in choice modeling. Overall, this study demonstrates that behavioral knowledge can guide the architecture design of DNN, function as an effective domain-knowledge-based regularization method, and improve both the interpretability and predictive power of DNN in choice analysis. Future studies can explore the generalizability of ASU-DNN and other possibilities of using utility theory to design DNN architectures.
The effect of expansive concrete on the side resistance of sockets in weak rock

Abstract In situ load tests and theory are used to investigate the effectiveness of expansive concrete on the improvement of side resistance of sockets in weak rock. Two in situ load test databases are used where rock sockets are constructed with normal and expansive concrete. Both databases include the side shear stress-displacement relationships, the rock mass properties and the socket geometry. Using the side shear stress-displacement relationships, the initial shear stiffness, the peak side shear stresses (and the corresponding displacements) and the post-peak reduction in the side shear stresses at a post-peak displacement of 15 mm are determined. Assessment of the load test data, show that variability in side resistance behavior in sockets constructed with expansive concrete is generally lower than those constructed using regular concrete. In particular, assessment of data show sockets with expansive concrete constitute an upper-bound to the peak side shear stress data. The use of expansive concrete, however, does not result in significant improvements in the post-peak behavior of sockets and initial shear stiffness. Lastly, sockets with expansive concrete generally reached peak shear stress at smaller shear displacements.
Test Bed Development for a Security Engineered SCADA Laboratory

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) are critical for infrastructure operations, production processes, automation systems, and other automated control systems. SCADA systems are vulnerable to cyber physical attacks from many vectors. The attack surface varies widely. The problem is complicated by the inherent focus on performance, reliability, and safety rather than cybersecurity. The Secure SCADA Framework establishes a security engineered approach evolving SCADA and ICS systems towards a more cybersecure posture. The encapsulating and integrating concepts of the Secure SCADA Framework require development and analysis of implementations achieving the eight framework goals. This work provides a solution for research, design, development, and evaluation of components of a Secure SCADA System. A Security Engineered SCADA Laboratory requires a test bed with which engineering and science designs can be developed. This paper presents a test bed which can model and collect data on simulated attacks, analyze data to evaluate performance, and provide the foundations for a Security Engineered SCADA Laboratory.
Comfortably Numb? Revisiting and Re-Specifying the Relationship Between Health Strain and Substance Use:

Studies have found a positive linear relationship between health strain and substance use; however, they often omit potential confounders such as self-control, social bonds, and peer use. Furthermo...
Process Optimization and Microwave Model of GaAs Photodiodes for 50 Gb/s Optical Links

GaAs photodiode is a critical O/E receiver component for high-speed optical link in data centers and HPC. In this work, GaAs P-i-N photodiodes with four different aperture diameters are developed for 50 Gb/s data detection. Device layer structure and the fabrication process are optimized to achieve low dark current, high responsivity and high bandwidth. An O/E microwave model based on the device physics and structure is developed and the simulated frequency responses agree well with the measurements. The 50 Gb/s NRZ eye-diagrams of optical link test are validated via the use of 20 and $25~{\mu }{m}$ diameter photodiodes and a 29 GHz 850 nm oxide VCSEL.