cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
4.16 – Chemical Fluxes from Hydrothermal Alteration of the Oceanic Crust

Chemical fluxes associated with hydrothermal alteration of the oceanic crust affect seawater chemistry, arc chemical mass balances, the chemical evolution of the Earth's crust and mantle, and the microbial ecology of the oceanic crust. Studies of in situ oceanic crust allow estimates of hydrothermal chemical fluxes, but important uncertainties remain for key elements. Some uncertainties are due to the difficulties in sampling oceanic crust, which resides in a remote and hostile environment. Other limitations are due to the difficulties in quantifying fluxes in a volcanic setting that is heterogeneous in its primary composition and its metamorphic overprint. Uncertainties of hydrothermal fluxes are relatively small for elements that occur in low abundances in unaltered crust and are added during (low-temperature) alteration (K, Rb, Cs, H2O, CO2, and U). The behavior of many isotope ratios during alteration is also relatively well known. Sr has the capability of uniquely fingerprinting a seawater versus basalt origin; O shows some well-known temperature-dependent fractionation; Nd is sensitive to basalt alteration at high water/rock ratios and sensitivity to detect small basaltic contributions to hydrothermal fluids; and Re/Os shows dramatic changes in parent/daughter ratio during hydrothermal alteration. The chemical fluxes estimated from seafloor alteration studies can be very different from the ones derived from measurements of hydrothermal vents. These differences are likely due to the uncertainties in both methods and systematic biases between the two types of flux estimates. The source of biases includes the fact that seafloor that is associated with black smoker hydrothermal vents has never been sampled by drilling and, hence, reflects different processes than those occurring in more mature seafloor. In addition, all currently analyzed hydrothermal fluids come from oceanic crust that is younger than 3.5 Ma, while the most reliable chemical fluxes are determined on mature oceanic crust, ideally older than 60 Ma. Furthermore, fluid samples mostly reflect the chemical composition of the rocks they last equilibrated with, while rock samples offer an integrated view of all alteration processes that occurred during its entire geological history. These and other factors must be explored in detail to reconcile fluid and rock data, ideally using them in a complementary fashion.
Behavior Problems Antedating Epilepsy Onset

The prevalence and nature of behavior problems among 224 children (ages 4 to 14 years) with epilepsy, in the six month period before the first recognized seizure, were studied at the Indiana School of Nursing, Indianapolis.
Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction.

Objective Peer support can be defined as the process of giving and receiving nonprofessional, nonclinical assistance from individuals with similar conditions or circumstances to achieve long-term recovery from psychiatric, alcohol, and/or other drug-related problems. Recently, there has been a dramatic rise in the adoption of alternative forms of peer support services to assist recovery from substance use disorders; however, often peer support has not been separated out as a formalized intervention component and rigorously empirically tested, making it difficult to determine its effects. This article reports the results of a literature review that was undertaken to assess the effects of peer support groups, one aspect of peer support services, in the treatment of addiction. Methods The authors of this article searched electronic databases of relevant peer-reviewed research literature including PubMed and MedLINE. Results Ten studies met our minimum inclusion criteria, including randomized controlled trials or pre-/post-data studies, adult participants, inclusion of group format, substance use-related, and US-conducted studies published in 1999 or later. Studies demonstrated associated benefits in the following areas: 1) substance use, 2) treatment engagement, 3) human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus risk behaviors, and 4) secondary substance-related behaviors such as craving and self-efficacy. Limitations were noted on the relative lack of rigorously tested empirical studies within the literature and inability to disentangle the effects of the group treatment that is often included as a component of other services. Conclusion Peer support groups included in addiction treatment shows much promise; however, the limited data relevant to this topic diminish the ability to draw definitive conclusions. More rigorous research is needed in this area to further expand on this important line of research.
What Families Need and Physicians Deliver: Contrasting Communication Preferences Between Surrogate Decision-Makers and Physicians During Outcome Prognostication in Critically Ill TBI Patients.

Surrogate decision-makers (“surrogates”) and physicians of incapacitated patients have different views of prognosis and how it should be communicated, but this has not been investigated in neurocritically ill patients. We examined surrogates’ communication preferences and physicians’ practices during the outcome prognostication for critically ill traumatic brain injury (ciTBI) patients in two level-1 trauma centers and seven academic medical centers in the USA. We used qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics of transcribed interviews to identify themes in surrogates (n = 16) and physicians (n = 20). The majority of surrogates (82%) preferred numeric estimates describing the patient’s prognosis, as they felt it would increase prognostic certainty, and limit the uncertainty perceived as frustrating. Conversely, 75% of the physicians reported intentionally omitting numeric estimates during prognostication meetings due to low confidence in family members’ abilities to appropriately interpret probabilities, worry about creating false hope, and distrust in the accuracy and data quality of existing TBI outcome models. Physicians felt that these models are for research only and should not be applied to individual patients. Surrogates valued compassion during prognostication discussions, and acceptance of their goals-of-care decision by clinicians. Physicians and surrogates agreed on avoiding false hope. We identified fundamental differences in the communication preferences of prognostic information between ciTBI patient surrogates and physicians. These findings inform the content of a future decision aid for goals-of-care discussions in ciTBI patients. If validated, these findings may have important implications for improving communication practices in the neurointensive care unit independent of whether a formal decision aid is used.
Dietary Supplements, Isotretinoin, and Liver Toxicity in Adolescents: A Retrospective Case Series

Isotretinoin is the most effective acne therapy available, but has the potential for a number of adverse side effects, including transaminitis. The iPLEDGE isotretinoin program recommends avoiding some herbals and supplements due to potential side effects. However, little is known about the effects of protein supplements on the liver, particularly in patients taking isotretinoin. We designed a retrospective chart review to evaluate the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of patients on or preparing to take isotretinoin therapy who were concurrently ingesting protein or herbal supplementation and who developed transaminitis. In 100% (8/8) of cases, dietary supplementation was determined to be at least a possible cause of elevated liver transaminases. In 75% (6/8) of cases, dietary supplement appears to be the most likely cause at some point in their evaluation. Most of our patients' elevations in aspartate aminotransferase and/or alanine aminotransferase were likely caused by supplementation with protein, creatine, or herbal extracts, rather than prescribed isotretinoin or tetracycline antibiotics for acne. Hence, dietary supplementation may cause liver function abnormalities. As supplement usage appears common in teenagers, clinicians should consider counseling their patients to avoid these products, particularly when prescribing known hepatotoxic drugs.
Confirmation of Patulin and 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural in Apple Juice by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

A gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) method was developed for the confirmation of patulin and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) extracted from apple juice. The extraction is based on the official AOAC method for liquid chromatographic analysis. Juice extracts are quickly and easily derivatized with bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoracetamide under mild conditions, and the trimethylsilyl ethers of the analytes are stable for at least several hours. The analytes are determined by GC/MS using an electron-impact source and selected ion monitoring of characteristic ions. For both analytes, the interassay differences between base-peak ratios for samples and standards were all <7.1% (absolute). The presence of patulin was confirmed at fortification levels of about 30–400 µg/L and naturally occurring levels of about 80–400 µg/L. The presence of HMF was also confirmed at levels ≤2 mg/L. The proposed mass spectral fragmentation pathways of the analytes are presented.
Computational Complexity of Combinatorial and Graph-Theoretic Problems

This series of lectures is concerned with efficient algorithms which operate on graphs. A graph is a structure consisting of a finite set of vertices, certain pairs of which are joined by edges. In an ordinary graph an edge has no direction specified. In a digraph each edge is directed from one vertex to another.
Conclusion: Whither (or Wither?) the Pharmacology of Pediatric Bone?

These chapters demonstrate the variability of information available regarding the safety and efficacy of drugs used to prevent or treat bone loss in children. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that we do not withhold the benefits of a new drug from children due to concerns about possible side effects. Rather it is important to balance potential risks against potential benefits, carefully select study subjects, and obtain the resources to perform the necessary studies.
(136) Dual Targeted Theranostic Nanomedicines for Local and Systemic Non-Opioid Analgesia in Trauma

Acute neuropathic pain (ANP) resulting from civilian and combat traumatic injuries has dramatic impact on society at large as it poses with significant personal and economic burden. With opioid abuse epidemic currently in public eye across all levels of society, it is pertinent new therapeutic modalities are needed to effectively treat and resolve ANP. Neuroinflammation is recognized as one of the primary drivers of acute neuropathic to chronic pain transition leading to prolonged disability and loss of productivity. We hypothesize that the lack of molecular and cellular targeting specificity to effectively engage key cellular players in the neuronal injury milieu leads to non-opioid and local analgesia pain control failures in some patients. Here we present novel nanomedicine strategies for targeted non-opioid drug delivery directly to the key cells at the site of injury, immune cells and nerves. Since drug delivery is cell targeted, smaller drug doses are expected to produce similar or improved therapeutic effects over non-targeted therapies. Further we achieve overall dramatically decreased systemic exposure (up to 1000 fold), which can diminish unwanted side effects. Presented nanomedicine formulations provide sustained drug release leading to dosing frequency decrease and extended duration of therapeutic effects (up to 30 days or longer). As designed, these pain directed nanomedicines could improve patient response to treatment while minimizing systemic exposure/overdose risk, tolerance and/or dependency. To the best of our knowledge this is the first example of dual administration (systemic and local) nanomedicine design for acute post-trauma pain applicable to both civilian and military settings. We present fabrication and optimization of immune cell and nerve targeted nanoformulations. Evaluation for controlled release kinetics and safety of the these systems with optimized drug payloads in vivo in rat models of nerve injury and mouse inflammatory pain models following local and systemic administration is also presented.
Nonlinear Hyperbolic Partial Differential and Volterra Integral Equations: Analytical and Numerical Approaches

Linear hyperbolic partial differential and Volterra integral inequalities are employed to solve nonlinear characteristic hyperbolic initial-boundary value problems and Volterra integral equations. Three types of monotone iterative schemes are presented: (i) The Alternating Sequence Scheme; (ii) The Monotone Iterative Scheme; and (iii) The Generalized Quasilinear Scheme. The iterates in all the three shcemes are linear and hence, can be easily computable by using the Variation of Parameters Formulas and the Resolvent Kernel techniques. Whereas the mode of convergence of the iterates in the first two schemes is linear, that in the third scheme is quadratic and hence, more rapid. Numerical Examples are given in support of the analytical methods.
A novel missense mutation in TFAP2B associated with Char syndrome and central diabetes insipidus.

Char syndrome is characterized by persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) associated with hand-skeletal abnormalities and distinctive facial dysmorphism. Pathogenic variants in the transcription factor gene TFAP2B have been shown to cause Char syndrome; however, there is significant phenotypic variability linked to variant location. Here, we report a pediatric patient with a novel de novo variant in the fifth exon of TFAP2B, c.917C > T (p.Thr306Met), who presented with PDA, patent foramen ovale, postaxial polydactyly of the left fifth toe and clinodactyly of the left fourth toe, sensorineural hearing loss, scoliosis, dental anomalies, and central diabetes insipidus (CDI). CDI, scoliosis, and hearing loss have not previously been reported in a patient with Char syndrome, and while the association may be coincidental, this report expands the genotypes and potentially phenotypes associated with this syndrome.
First-Line Systemic Treatments for Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in California: Patterns of Care and Outcomes in a Real-World Setting.

Author(s): Maguire, Frances B; Morris, Cyllene R; Parikh-Patel, Arti; Cress, Rosemary D; Keegan, Theresa HM; Li, Chin-Shang; Lin, Patrick S; Kizer, Kenneth W | Abstract: BackgroundMultiple systemic treatments have been developed for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but their use and effect on outcomes at the population level are unknown. This study describes the utilization of first-line systemic treatments among stage IV NSCLC patients in California and compares survival among treatment groups.MethodsData on 17 254 patients diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC from 2012 to 2014 were obtained from the California Cancer Registry. Systemic treatments were classified into six groups. The Kaplan-Meier method and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare survival between treatment groups.ResultsFifty-one percent of patients were known to have received systemic treatment. For patients with nonsquamous histology, pemetrexed regimens were the most common treatment (14.8%) followed by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (11.9%) and platinum doublets (11.5%). Few patients received pemetrexed/bevacizumab combinations (4.5%), bevacizumab combinations (3.6%), or single agents (1.7%). There was statistically significantly better overall survival for those on pemetrexed regimens (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.80 to 0.92), bevacizumab regimens (HR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.65 to 0.81), pemetrexed/bevacizumab regimens (HR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.61 to 0.76), or tyrosine kinase inhibitors (HR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.57 to 0.67) compared with platinum doublets. The odds of receiving most systemic treatments decreased with decreasing socioeconomic status. For patients with squamous histology, platinum doublets were predominant (33.7%) and were not found to have statistically significantly different overall survival from single agents.ConclusionsThese population-level findings indicate low utilization of systemic treatments, survival differences between treatment groups, and evident treatment disparities by socioeconomic status.
Perceived Appropriateness of Training and Organizational Commitment Among Korean Police

Although organizational commitment (OC) generates several beneficial outcomes to law enforcement agencies, the policing literature has underexamined OC. Using data gathered from 11,709 Korean polic...
Labour and delivery: a clinician's perspective on a biomechanics problem.

Predicting how and when a pregnant woman will deliver her fetus has always been a problem for the clinician, and, consequently, there has been little progress made in preventing poor outcomes from ...
A role for MIR828 in pineapple fruit development

Chen et al. ( Nature Genet. 51: 1549-1558; Oct. 2019) sequenced Ananas comosus var. bracteatus accession CB5, cultivated for its bright pink-to-red colored fruit, and yellow-fleshed A. comosus accession F153, reporting an improved F153 reference assembly while annotating MICRORNA (MIRNA) loci and gene family expressions relevant to lignin and anthocyanin biosynthesis. An independent article (Xiong et al. Sci. Rep. 8: 1947; 2018) reported var. bracteatus MIRNAs but not MIR828, a negative regulator of anthocyanin and polyphenolics biosynthesis by targeting MYB transcription factors associated with UV light- and sugar-signaling in dicots. MIR828 has been reported in gymnosperms, Amborella (sister to flowering plants), and basal monocot orders Liliales, Asparagales, Zingiberales, Arecales, but not in the Poales, a sister order comprising grasses and ~3,000 species of bromeliads including pineapple. Here I show MIR828 exists in pineapple and directs post-transcriptional gene silencing of mRNAs encoding MYB family members with inferred function to regulate the conspicuous red fruit trait in var. bracteatus. MIR828 plesiomorphy (an ancient basal trait) may shed light on monocot apomorphic fruit development, postulated for 21 monocot families with fleshy fruits as due to homoplasy/convergence driven by tropical climate and/or enticements to vertebrate endozoic seed dispersers.
Airway Pressure Release Ventilation: A Review of the Evidence, Theoretical Benefits, and Alternative Titration Strategies.

Objective:To review the theoretical benefits of airway pressure release ventilation (APRV), summarize the evidence for its use in clinical practice, and discuss different titration strategies.Data ...
You’ve Got a Friend: Examining Board Interlock Formation After Financial Restatements

We investigate the impact of financial restatements as critical events that influence board interlock formation among Fortune 500 firms during the 2009–2013 period. Our empirical study is based on ...
821 Class specific HDAC inhibition differentially affects the function of specific T cell subsets

Background Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are currently being used in the clinic to treat a variety of cancer types. Despite their wide use, the mechanism by which they exert anti-tumor effects is largely unknown. Although originally posited to abrogate tumor proliferation via regulating tumor suppressor genes, responses to monotherapies of HDACi have been shown to be dependent on an adaptive immune system and to enhance responses to immunotherapy. However, whether this mechanism is driven by enhancing tumor immunogenicity or enhancing anti-tumor immune responses is unclear. Understanding this could help identify optimal combination regimens for augmenting immunotherapies. Given the role of epigenetics in regulating T cell differentiation upon antigen encounter into discrete subsets, these studies sought to determine whether HDACi differentially impact naive from memory T cell subsets. Methods PBMCs from healthy donors were stimulated with either anti-CD3/anti-CD28 or PMA/Ionomycin in the presence or absence of different HDAC inhibitors (OKI-005, 250 nM; Entinostat, 5 uM; and Vorinostat, 1 uM). Cells were evaluated at different time points by flow cytometric analysis to compare responses by T cell subsets for changes in cytokine production, protein acetylation and other functional responses. Supernatant was collected in separate experiments for comprehensive cytokine bead arrays. Results Cytokine analysis of supernatants showed clear differences in response to HDACi as while most cytokines decreased, others were either unaffected or increased. We next performed ICS with surface markers to determine if these changes in cytokine production levels were subset specific. Comparisons of naive and memory subsets found decreased IL-2 levels was primarily attributed to loss of production by naive T cells. Furthermore, gain of TNFa was almost completely restricted to naive cells. The preferential responses by naive T cells was further verified during global changes in acetylated protein levels. Lastly, we found differences between inhibitors on their effects on T cells. As these differences remained even after controlling for potency, this suggests the specificity profiles toward individual HDACs was responsible for their unique effects. Conclusions These studies demonstrate clear differences in the effect of HDACi on cytokine production by distinct T cell subsets. Ongoing studies are aimed at elucidating the specific HDACs responsible for regulating T cell effector functions and tumor immunogenicity when targeted. Ultimately, understanding this could help identify inhibitors with the desired specificity profile for combining with immunotherapy.
A study of citations to STEM databases: ACM Digital Library, Engineering Village, IEEE Xplore , and MathSciNet

Databases are the discovery mechanisms used for searching and browsing scholarly information. Citings to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) databases used by computer scientists, engineers, and mathematicians were analyzed for coverage and impact in the literature. This study uses the Web of Science (WoS) database to conduct a cited reference search to ACM Digital Library, Engineering Village, IEEE Xplore, and MathSciNet. The respective citation counts were compared by document types, publication year, language, country, organization, WoS category, and source title. The resulting low citation counts and lack of reference formatting agreement to these databases were in line with the predicted hypothesis. The impact of STEM databases in citations appears to be undercounted since they are not often included in citations. This article is intended to spark debate on the practice of citing databases in scholarly publications.
Trust and Social Collateral

This paper builds a theory of trust based on informal contract enforcement in social networks. In our model, network connections between individuals can be used as social collateral to secure informal borrowing. We define network-based trust as the largest amount one agent can borrow from another agent and derive a reduced-form expression for this quantity, which we then use in three applications. (1) We predict that dense networks generate bonding social capital that allows transacting valuable assets, whereas loose networks create bridging social capital that improves access to cheap favors such as information. (2) For job recommendation networks, we show that strong ties between employers and trusted recommenders reduce asymmetric information about the quality of job candidates. (3) Using data from Peru, we show empirically that network-based trust predicts informal borrowing, and we structurally estimate and test our model.
Reliability of ES

In this chapter, concepts related to embedded system reliability are introduced. Distinction among failure, error, and fault is clarified. Related fault analysis techniques such as FTA, FMEA, and fault injection are discussed. Some aspects of fault testing and dependability are outlined. Finally, the concept of redundancy is introduced to improve reliability of embedded systems.
Global Longitudinal Strain Reduction in the Absence of Clinical Cardiac Symptoms in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated with COVID-19: A Case Series.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is a term that encompasses the systemic inflammation seen in children 4-6 weeks following COVID-19 infection. Cardiac involvement is common in this condition and can range from mild myocarditis to severe hypotension and cardiogenic shock, but not all patients display overt cardiac symptoms. We present three such patients who presented with a variety of systemic inflammatory symptoms but lacked apparent cardiac symptoms, and all had normal left ventricular ejection fraction but reduced global longitudinal strain (GLS). GLS is a cardiac tissue deformation index measured by Echocardiography to detect early changes in global function even before changes in ejection fraction are seen. We suggest this finding may indicate subclinical myocardial injury and stress the need for closer evaluation and follow-up for these patients as well as further research on both the short- and long-term effects of COVID-19 on cardiac function in the pediatric population.
Effect of resident and assessor gender on entrustment-based observational assessment in an internal medicine residency program

Background: Implicit gender bias leads to differences in assessment. Studies examining gender differences in resident milestone assessment data demonstrate variable results. The purpose of this study was to determine if observational entrustment scores differ by resident and assessor gender in a program of assessment based on discrete, observable skills. Methods: We analyzed overall entrustment scores and entrustment scores by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competency for 238 residents (49% female) from 396 assessors (38% female) in one internal medicine residency program from July 2012 to June 2019. We conducted analyses at 1-12 months, 1-36 months, 1-6 months, 7-12 months, and 31-36 months. We used linear mixed-effect models to assess the role of resident and assessor gender, with resident-specific and assessor-specific random effect to account for repeated measures. Results: Statistically significant interactions existed between resident and assessor gender for overall entrustment at 1-12 months (p < 0.001), 1-36 months (p< 0.001), 1-6 months (p<0.001), 7-12 months (p=0.04), and 31-36 months (p<0.001). However, group differences were not statistically significant. In several instances an interaction was significant between resident and assessor gender by ACGME core competency, but there were no statistically significant group differences for all competencies at any time point. When applicable, subsequent analysis of main effect of resident or assessor gender independently of one another revealed no statistically significant differences. Conclusions: No significant differences in entrustment scores were found based on resident or assessor gender in our large, robust entrustment-based program of assessment. Determining the reasons for our findings may help identify ways to mitigate gender bias in assessment.
Aortic, Renal, and Carotid CT Angiography

Until recently, computed tomography (CT) did not allow for submillimeter imaging and was plagued by artifacts related to thick slab imaging (partial voluming and blooming). These artifacts impair image quality and promote venous contamination (the larger vein obscuring visualization of the smaller artery). Now, volumetric datasets can be acquired with very thin slices (anywhere from 0.5 to 0.625 mm per image) that allow visualization of smaller structures with less partial volume averaging in the z-axis as well as superior 3D and/or multiplanar imaging. Newer multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanners have near isotropic voxels (similar z-axis to x-axis and y-axis imaging resolution), which results in improved multiplane reconstructions with higher resolution. During the past decade, we have been witness to a tremendous development in the field of CT imaging. The interest in cardiac has largely overshadowed the vascular uses of CTA, however improvements in scan time and image quality has assisted vascular imaging as well. Currently, CTA of the vascular beds has largely replaced diagnostic angiography in many institutions. Imaging non-cardiac vascular beds are easier, as there is no collimation or stair-step (misregistration) artifacts, due to no need for ECG gating. Furthermore, these vascular beds do not suffer from motion artifacts and target vessels are mostly large diameter, so imaging with CT is ideal. CTA is less expensive, less invasive, and allows simultaneous visualization of large anatomic areas from multiple angles using 3D reconstructions. Studies demonstrate this is the most cost-effective mechanism to work up patients with vascular disease, and has distinct advantages over vascular ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging related to image quality and diagnostic accuracy.
Quality and Pricing Decisions

When firms decide to offer a product or service, they make integrated decisions regarding the characteristics of the product to be offered and the price that will be charged. These interrelated decisions are often referred to as product positioning. In this article, the topic within the contexts of several different settings are introduced. Research in this field can be parsed into groups based upon whether the focus is on a single firm acting as a monopolist or on multiple firms non-cooperatively competing among themselves. The relevant works can also be grouped depending on how they handle the subject of production/delivery costs. Some works ignore all cost components. Another set of works includes only fixed costs, while a different set includes variable costs in an economic model. This note provides introductory illustrations regarding each of these settings and outlines major results in each problem category. While this work is not intended to be exhaustive, it does introduce seminal works in the field and explains several major findings. These findings include (i) a monopolist in settings in which costs are negligible or sunk will offer only the highest quality product possible and there is no need to offer a menu of items; (ii) a monopolist facing production costs is motivated to offer a menu of offerings to achieve some measure of price discrimination, and the range of offerings is wider than would be seen under perfect competition; (iii) duopolists sharing a market in the absence of cost will strive for maximum product differentiation; (iv) when only fixed costs are relevant the provider of the higher quality good makes the greater profit; and (v) when only variable costs are considered the provider of the lower quality good often makes the greater profit. This work also discusses several recent extensions of the seminal works, which relax key assumptions of earlier efforts. Finally, we end this article with a discussion of open questions in the field. Keywords: vertical differentiation; non-cooperative games; quality competition; operations strategy; product positioning
Know Your Client: Maximizing Advocacy by Incorporating Client-Centered Principles into Legal Writing Rhetoric Practice

This article seeks to slightly shift the landscape of legal writing theory, from one which primarily asks the writer to consider the audience, to one which also incorporates principles of client-centeredness which require the writer to focus equally on the client. Today, legal writing's model of persuasion communication is almost exclusively a linear theory that focuses on the dialogue between the attorney/writer and the decision-maker/judge. This model is embodied in legal writing's well-established advice that attorneys must "know their audience." The roots of this theory are well established: Classical and New Rhetoric Theory have consistently emphasized the audience's role in persuasive discourse. Clinicians, however, have developed theories of client-centered lawyering which require that the attorney uncover their client's values, goals and objectives that may go well beyond the discrete litigation at hand. Client-centeredness encourages the attorney to incorporate this information into his/her advocacy on behalf of their client. This article advocates incorporating select principles from client-centered lawyering into legal writing. The primary purpose for this application is persuasion and advocacy, not necessarily empowering the disenfranchised client.This article begins first by exploring current theory from legal writing scholarship which focuses on the writer's need to write for the audience. Although by now, the "know your audience" approach is somewhat ingrained, what may not be well known is that this approach stems historically from rhetorical theories of communication. After establishing the rhetorical connection to audience, and the devices used to write for the audience, the article next explores the development of client-centered lawyering, which traditionally focuses on achieving the greatest client satisfaction, beyond merely winning the case. Inherent in this approach is the dialogue that must occur between practitioner and client. Third, the article proposes application of principles from client-centered theory to legal writing theory, suggesting a shift from relying solely on a "know your audience" approach to now also including a "know your client" approach. The devices that lawyers have been taught regarding audience can also be applied to knowing the client. Finally, the article concludes by examining practical examples of incorporating client-centered principles into advocacy writing.
Economies of Scope

Economies of scope occur when two or more products can be produced together at lower cost than by producing them separately. Keywords: economies of scale; natural monopoly; pecuniary economies
Role of surface groups in affecting the chromatographic performance of certain types of fused-silica glass capillary columns : II. Deactivation by esterification with alcohols and deactivation with specially prepared high-molecular-weight stationary phases

Abstract Silanol groups present on fused-silica glass capillary column surfaces were readily esterified in the presence of alcohols to form stable, inert, organophilic and hydrophobic alkoxy linkages, which were then easily wetted by a variety of non-polar stationary phases. Such gas chromatographic capillary columns exhibited well deactivated surfaces, good thermal stability and high column efficiencies. Preliminary studies showed that a new series of appropriately designed and custom-synthesized non-polar and highly polar stationary phases that contain varying degrees of phenyl (up to 50%) or cyanopropyl (up to 98%) substitution, when applied in a single step, efficiently wetted and deactivated the surfaces of fused-silica glass. Then, on exposure to appropriate free-radical generators, these vinyl-containing polymers were readily cross-linked. The characteristics of such columns are considered to be very close to ideal.
Difference Does Not Mean "Less Than": Our Pathway for Educating an Entire Nation of Learners.

The socially constructed categorization of groups of people has formed perceptions that cause one to believe that being different also means being less than those representing the so-called norm. It is suggested in this chapter that we must broaden our perspectives regarding the differences among us and begin to see each person as an individual with gifts worthy of membership in our society.
Electrochemical and Thermal Investigation of Li4 ∕ 3Ti5 ∕ 3O4 Spinel

We have studied the electrochemical and thermal properties of Li{sub 4/3}T{sub 5/3}O{sub 4} spinel as a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries. The spinel/rock-salt two-phase transition process was interpreted using a core-shell model, which provided a good explanation of the different area-specific impedance behaviors during the charge and discharge processes. The constant dE/dT during the spinel/rock-salt phase transition was calculated from the heat-flow profile by isothermal microcalorimeter results and found to be around -0.04 mV/K. This very low and constant entropy change indicates that Li{sub 4/3}T{sub 5/3}O{sub 4} is a good anode material in terms of thermal stability. Also, we propose that there is a new phase generation when more than one lithium atom is inserted into Li{sub 4/3}T{sub 5/3}O{sub 4}. According to the discontinuity of dE/dT results, the order/disorder transition at the low-voltage region (around 0.6 V vs Li) occurs during further lithium insertion.
Duplication-Translocations of Tryptophan Operon Genes in Escherichia coli

Mutants of Escherichia coli were selected in which a single mutational event had both relieved the polar effect of an early trpE mutation on trpB and simultaneously released the expression of trpB from tryptophan repression. The frequency at which these mutations appeared was roughly equal to the frequency of point mutations. In each of these mutants, the mutation increased the function of trpB and also increased the activity of some, but not all, of the other four tryptophan operon genes. Genetic analysis showed that the mutations were not located within the trp operon since in each case the parental trp operon could be recovered from the mutants. Each mutant was shown to carry a duplication of a trp operon segment translocated to a new position near the trp operon. Polarity is relieved since the trpB duplication-translocation is not in the same operon as the trpE polar mutation. The duplicated and translocated segments are fused to operons not regulated by tryptophan, so trpB function is no longer subject to tryptophan repression. The properties of the mutants indicate that the length of the duplicated segment and the position to which it is translocated differ in each of the seven mutants studied. The duplications are unstable, but the segregation pattern observed is not consistent with a single crossover model for segregation. That such duplication-translocation events generate a variety of new genetic arrangements at a frequency comparable with point mutations suggests they may play an important role in evolution.
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and S6 Kinase mediate diazoxide preconditioning in primary rat cortical neurons

We examined the role of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in delayed diazoxide (DZ)-induced preconditioning of cultured rat primary cortical neurons. Neurons were treated for 3 days with 500 μM DZ or feeding medium and then exposed to 3 h of continuous normoxia in Dulbecco's modified eagle medium with glucose or with 3 h of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by normoxia and feeding medium. The OGD decreased viability by 50%, depolarized mitochondria, and reduced mitochondrial respiration, whereas DZ treatment improved viability and mitochondrial respiration, and suppressed reactive oxygen species production, but did not restore mitochondrial membrane potential after OGD. Neuroprotection by DZ was associated with increased phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt), mTOR, and the major mTOR downstream substrate, S6 Kinase (S6K). The mTOR inhibitors rapamycin and Torin-1, as well as S6K-targeted siRNA abolished the protective effects of DZ. The effects of DZ on mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species production were not affected by rapamycin. Preconditioning with DZ also changed mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates. We conclude that in addition to reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial membrane depolarization, DZ protects against OGD by activation of the Akt-mTOR-S6K pathway and by changes in mitochondrial respiration. Ischemic strokes have limited therapeutic options. Diazoxide (DZ) preconditioning can reduce neuronal damage. Using oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), we studied Akt/mTOR/S6K signaling and mitochondrial respiration in neuronal preconditioning. We found DZ protects neurons against OGD via the Akt/mTOR/S6K pathway and alters the mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate. This suggests that the Akt/mTOR/S6k pathway and mitochondria are novel stroke targets.
Does Corporate Tax Rate Affect FDI? Case Study of Core European Countries

Though there is a huge amount of literature on the determinants of FDI, only a few studies have examined the impact of corporate tax rate on FDI inflow to core European countries. Indeed, European countries have experienced a huge difference in their ability to attract FDI and we suspect this is due to different tax regimes. Though traditional view has focused on the role of macroeconomic fundamentals on capital flow, more recent studies have emphasized on the impact of corporate tax rate. The question of the sensitivity of FDI to corporate tax rate is so far an uncertain empirical issue as some find evidence in the importance of tax rate others argue that countries with higher tax rate have attracted more FDI. This paper investigates whether corporate tax rate dominates the role of other macroeconomic fundamentals in shaping FDI to selected core European countries. Using panel data and fixed effect model for the period of 1990-2015 this study concludes that corporate tax rate plays a more important role than economic fundamentals in affecting FDI flow to Â core European countries; and that is why Franceâ€™s economy has stayed back of other core European countries in attracting FDI inflow.
Effects of Simulation on Emergency Vehicle Drivers’ Competency in Training

INTRODUCTION: The number of accidents involving emergency vehicles is a major concern for emergency service providers. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effectiveness of adding a driving simulator to a traditional training program. METHODS: The sample consisted of students attending the National Emergency Medical Services Academy in Lafayette, Louisiana. Each participant self-scheduled two days in which he or she would attend the driving portion of the training class. A total of 52 participants were in the control group and 50 participants were in the treatment group. In addition to the classroom training, the treatment group used a driving simulator prior to driving on the competency course. RESULTS: The treatment group took significantly less time to drive through the competency course on the first run than did the control group. It also acquired significantly fewer penalty points on the first run and required significantly fewer runs to complete the course. CONCLUSIONS: Simulators can be effective training tools for teaching emergency vehicle drivers. Language: en
Low-Level Jets in the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR): A Comparison with Rawinsonde Observations

AbstractClimatological analyses of low-level jets (LLJs) can be negatively influenced by the coarse spatial and temporal resolution and frequent changes in observing and archiving protocols of rawinsonde observations (raobs). The introduction of reanalysis datasets, such as the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR), provides new resources for climatological research with finer spatial and temporal resolution and potentially fewer inhomogeneities. To assess the compatibility of LLJ characteristics identified from NARR wind profiles with those obtained from raob profiles, LLJs were extracted using standard jet definitions from NARR and raobs at 12 locations in the central United States for four representative years that reflect different rawinsonde protocols. LLJ characteristics (e.g., between-station differences in relative frequency, diurnal fluctuations, and mean speed and elevation) are generally consistent, although absolute frequencies are smaller for NARR relative to raobs at most stations. LLJs ...
Semi-Automated As-Built Modeling of Light Rail System Guide Beams

For a light rail system, smooth contact between the vehicle and the guide beam is critical for reducing the friction and the vibration of an operating vehicle. Therefore, the shape of guide beams needs to be controlled with mm-level accuracy during the construction. Currently, most methods for detecting shape defects of guide beams, such as experimental run of vehicles, are costly and tedious, and can only identify defects after the completion of the construction, causing reworks and delays. From dense point clouds collected by laser scanners, inspectors can manually extract geometric features and conduct virtual inspections of guide beams. However, the manual geometric feature extraction process impedes effective utilization of point clouds for the shape analysis of guide beams. This research developed a semi-automatic approach for simultaneously extracting the axis parameters (e.g., radius) and cross-section features (e.g., width) of a guide beam using a Hough-Transform based approach, and discusses factors (e.g., data density) influencing the performance of this approach.
Effect of zinc-levulinic acid chelate compounds formed in furfuryl alcohol polymer concrete

As part of an experimental programme to develop high early strength water-compatible furfuryl alcohol (FA) polymer concrete (PC) composites, the polymerization heat resulting from the use of various mineral and organic acid initiators was measured using a differential scanning calorimeter. The results indicated that, of the several initiators evaluated, the use of 1,1,1-trichlorotoluene (TCT)-zinc chloride (ZnCl2) system to cure a FA-water-saturated aggregate system yielded the highest early strength and the highest polymerization heat. The ZnCl2 solution used as part of the two-component initiator systems had a significant effect on the rate of polymerization of the FA monomer and the thermal stability of the composite. The latter resulted from an increase in the stiffness of the polymer chains due to the formation of zinc-FA chelate compounds. These were formed through reactions between the bivalent metallic Zn2+ ions dissociated from the ZnCl2 solution and the strongly ionized carboxyl groups of levulinic acid yielded by the cleavage of furan rings in an acidic medium. The thermal polymerization activation energy of FA monomer combined with the TCT-ZnCl2 system was calculated to be 98.6 kJ mol−1. The glass transition temperature, T g, and thermal decomposition heat of the system were 62° C and 220 kJ kg−1, respectively.
Conformational Changes in the Cytoplasmic Domain of the Escherichia coli Aspartate Receptor upon Adaptive Methylation

By using targeted disulfide cross-linking, we have characterized structural changes that the Escherichia coli aspartate receptor undergoes upon modification of the four specific residues that are reversibly methylated during sensory adaptation. Cysteine residues were introduced at specific positions either in the cytoplasmic domain or in the periplasmic domain, and the rates of disulfide cross-linking were used to probe for conformational changes upon covalent modification. Conversion of the methylation sites from glutamates to glutamines greatly reduced the rate of disulfide formation between residues 265 and 265' and residues 250 and 250' in the cytoplasmic domain but not between residues 36 and 36' in the periplasmic domain. (Primes are used to indicate the second of the two identical subunits in the homologous dimer.) The covalent modification of the cytoplasmic domain induces conformational changes that are detectable in the cytoplasmic domain but none that are detectable in the periplasmic domain.