cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How to be a Normativist about the Nature of Belief

According to the normativist, it is built into the nature of belief itself that beliefs are subject to a certain set of norms. I argue here that only a normativist account can explain certain non-normative facts about what it takes to have the capacity for belief. But this way of defending normativism places an explanatory burden on any normativist account that an account on which a truth norm is explanatorily fundamental simply cannot discharge. I develop an alternative account that can achieve explanatory adequacy where this sort of truth privileging account falls short.
Increased leptin levels correlate with thyroid autoantibodies in nonobese males.

Summary Objective Leptin is an adipokine that regulates body weight and appetite. It is also an inflammatory cytokine that influences immune reactivity and autoimmunity. Leptin levels are increased in obesity and are higher in women than in men. We aimed to determine whether leptin levels, independent of sex and body mass index (BMI), are associated with thyroid autoimmunity. Design This study uses data from The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) to test the association of leptin and thyroid autoimmunity, independent of BMI. Measurements Thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, antithyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and leptin levels were measured in 2902 men and 3280 women within the NHANES III population. BMI was calculated from height and weight. Results Women had significantly higher leptin levels and antiTPO antibody titres than men. Correlation analyses demonstrated that leptin levels were associated with anti-TPO antibody levels in the total population, but when men and women were analysed separately, this association was lost. We then stratified men and women into obese (BMI > 30) or nonobese (BMI ≤ 30) subgroups and determined the association between leptin levels and anti-TPO antibody titres for each subgroup. Using regression analysis, we found that increased leptin levels correlated with thyroid autoantibodies in nonobese males, but not in obese males or in females. Conclusions Leptin levels correlated with thyroid autoantibody titres in nonobese males. This association was not found in females. Sex and body habitus should therefore be considered in studying the role of leptin in other autoimmune conditions.
The Finance and Real Estate Publications of Real Estate Editorial Board Members

The publication records in finance and real estate journals of editorial board members of the top three business-oriented real estate journals—Real Estate Economics, Journal of Real Estate Research...
A subset of human uterine endometrial macrophages is alternatively activated.

Problem Human uterine macrophages must maintain an environment hospitable to implantation and pregnancy and simultaneously provide protection against pathogens. Although macrophages comprise a significant portion of leukocytes within the uterine endometrium, the activation profile and functional response of these cells to endotoxin are unknown. Method of Study Flow cytometric analysis of surface receptors and intracellular markers expressed by macrophages isolated from human endometria was performed. Uterine macrophages were stimulated with LPS. Cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors expressed by these cells were analyzed using Bio-Plex analysis. Results CD163high human endometrial macrophages constitutively secrete both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines as well as pro-angiogenic factors and secretion of these factors is LPS-inducible. Conclusion A major population of human uterine macrophages is alternatively activated. These cells secrete factors in response to LPS that are involved in the activation of immune responses and tissue homeostasis.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity are independent risk factors for poor outcome in patients with high-grade glioma

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity are known risk factors for poor outcomes in patients with systemic malignancies but are not well-studied in the brain tumor population. In this study we asked if type 2 DM and elevated body mass index (BMI) are independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with high-grade glioma (HGG.). We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 171 patients surgically treated for HGG at a single institution. BMI and records of pre-existing type 2 DM were obtained from medical histories. Variables associated with survival in a univariate analysis were included in the multivariate Cox model if P 0.05 were then removed from the multivariate model in a step-wise fashion. Mean age at diagnosis was 55.0 ± 17.3 years. Fifteen (8.8%) patients had a history of type 2 DM. Fifty-eight (35.8%) patients had a BMI 30. Radiation therapy, temozolomide, and higher KPS score were independently associated with prolonged survival while increasing age was associated with decreased survival. DM (P = 0.001) and increasing BMI (P = 0.003) were found to be independently associated with decreased survival. Diabetics had a decreased median overall survival (312 vs. 470 days, P = 0.003) and PFS (106 vs. 166 days, P = 0.04) compared to non-diabetics. Increasing BMI ( 30) was also associated with decreased median PFS: 195 vs. 165 vs. 143 days, respectively. Pre-existing DM and elevated BMI are independent risk factors for poor outcome in patients with HGG.
Age effects on cortisol levels in depressed patients with and without comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder, and healthy volunteers.

Abstract Background : Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression are frequently comorbid. Age and major depression are associated with higher cortisol levels and dexamethasone resistance, whereas PTSD is associated with lower cortisol and dexamethasone supersensitivity. Therefore, we examined the effect of age on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) system in depressed patients with and without PTSD. Methods : Thirty-one depressed patients without PTSD, 12 depressed patients with PTSD, and 23 healthy volunteers were studied on 2 days. Subjects received single-blind placebo on day 1 and fenfluramine on day 2. Cortisol levels were drawn before challenge and for 5 h thereafter. Results : Cortisol levels increase with age in depressed patients without PTSD but not in depressed patients with PTSD or in healthy volunteers. Number of previous major depressive episodes was a predictor of the cortisol response to fenfluramine administration in depressed patients without PTSD. Conclusions : The results of our study highlight the importance of considering age in psychobiology. Further research is needed to fully delineate the role of age in abnormalities of the HPA axis found in major depression and PTSD.
Collagenase activity in cultures of rat prostate carcinoma.

Abstract A specific collagenase (EC 3.4.24.3) has been found and purified from serum-free culture medium of 11095 epidermoid carcinoma of rat prostate. The molecular weight of this collagenase was estimated at 71 000 and the pH optimum was approx. 7. At 26°C, the collagenase cleaved collagen at a site 3/4 the length from the N-terminus. At 37°C, this collagenase degraded collagen to smaller peptides. The enzyme activity was inhibited by serum, cysteine and EDTA, but not by protease inhibitors. The presence of collagenase in rat tumor tissue suggests that this enzyme might play a significant role in tissue invasion by cancer cells.
A method of rearing salt-marsh mosquito larvae in a defined sterile medium.

A sterile basal medium consisting of lactalbumin, sucrose or glucose, ribonucleic acid, alphacel, artificial sea water consisting of a mixture of inorganic salts, phosphate buffer, and a mixture of B-vitamins in distilled water, has been developed in which larvae of Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann) can be reared aseptically from eggs to normal adults. Alphacel provided the necessary bulk for the larvae, and the salt solution and lactalbumin maintained optimum osmotic pressure for normal growth and development of the larvae. The average larval period on this medium at 28°C was 6½ days as compared with 5 days when larvae were reared on Fleischmann's active dry yeast and liver powder under nonsterile conditions. This medium also supports normal development of the larvae of A. sollicitans (Walker). Larvae of A. aegypti (L.) grew normally on this medium when the concentration of the salt solution was reduced to 2% artificial sea water.
Alteration of rat adipose tissue lipolytic response to norepinephrine by dietary fatty acid manipulation.

Abstract The present study clearly shows that, by feeding rats a semi-synthetic diet of known composition enriched with saturated fatty acids, the epididymal fat pad responsiveness to norepinephrine in vitro can be abolished relative to fat pads from animals fed a similar diet but enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids. Addition of varying concentrations of norepinephrine to the incubation medium produced a clear dose-response relationship in fat pads from animals fed diet enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids while no effect of norepinephrine was apparent at any dose level in fat tissue from animals fed saturated fatty acids. These changes in lipolytic responsiveness were concurrent with alterations in fatty acid compositions of adipose tissue phospholipids and triglycerides as well as in total tissue contents of phospholipids and cholesterol.
Truth, Correspondence, and Gender

Philosophical theorizing about truth manifests a desire to conform to the ordinary or folk notion of truth. This practice often involves attempts to accommodate some form of correspondence. We discuss this accommodation project in light of two empirical projects intended to describe the content of the ordinary conception of truth. One, due to Arne Naess, claims that the ordinary conception of truth is not correspondence. Our more recent study is consistent with Naess’ result. Our findings suggest that contextual factors and respondent gender affect whether the folk accept that correspondence is sufficient for truth. These findings seem to show that the project of accommodating the ordinary notion of truth is more difficult than philosophers had anticipated because it is fragmentary.
Early life stress impacts dorsolateral prefrontal cortex functional connectivity in healthy adults: Informing future studies of antidepressant treatments

Exposure to early life stress (ELS) is strongly associated with poor treatment outcomes, particularly for trauma-associated disorders such as depression. Little research to date, however, has examined the potential effects of ELS on outcomes with newer treatments, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). This study evaluated whether ELS exposure impacts resting state functional connectivity associated with brain regions targeted by rTMS. Twenty-seven medication-free adults without psychiatric or medical illness (14 with a history of at least moderate ELS) were scanned using a 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner during two 4-min rest periods. The primary targets of rTMS, the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), were utilized as seed regions in connectivity analyses. Relative to controls, when seeding the left DLPFC, ELS subjects demonstrated significantly increased local connectivity with the left middle frontal gyrus and negative connectivity with the left precuneus. ELS status was also associated with negative connectivity from the right DLPFC to the left precuneus and left inferior parietal lobule. These findings demonstrate greater dissociation between the executive and default mode networks in individuals with a history of ELS, and these results may inform neuroimaging assessments in future rTMS studies of ELS-related conditions.
Post-qualitative research

There are three aspects of this special issue that we as co-editors want to draw to your attention. The first is that we are, finally, “after” the decade of SRE able to ask what comes next for qual...
A Potential Vorticity Tendency Diagnostic Approach for Tropical Cyclone Motion

Abstract In order to understand the roles of various physical processes in baroclinic tropical cyclone (TC) motion and the vertical coupling between the upper- and lower-level circulations, a new dynamical framework is advanced. A TC is treated as a positive potential vorticity (PV) anomaly from environmental flows, and its motion is linked to the positive PV tendency. It is shown that a baroclinic TC moves to the region where the azimuthal wavenumber one component of the PV tendency reaches a maximum, but does not necessarily follow the ventilation flow (the asymmetric flow over the TC center). The contributions of individual physical processes to TC motion are equivalent to their contributions to the wavenumber one PV component of the PV tendency. A PV tendency diagnostic approach is described based on this framework. This approach is evaluated with idealized numerical experiments using a realistic hurricane model. The approach is capable of estimating TC propagation with a suitable accuracy and determi...
Pentatomid natural products

In addition to the primarily defensive metathoracic glands, adult Pentatomoidea possess a pair of active exocrine glands that open between the III and IV abdominal tergites. In the southern green stink bug,Nezara viridula, and other phytophagous species examined, the glands are small ( 500 μg secretion/individual). Using a GC-MS system, the secretion from both males and females ofN. viridula (Pentatominae) was found to contain (E)-2-hexenal, hexanal, 1-hexanol, andn-tridecane. Females contained about three times moren-tridecane than males. The capacious glands ofPodisus maculiventris (Asopinae) males produce (E)-2-hexenal, benzyl alcohol, α-terpineol, linalool, terpinen-4-ol, andcis-piperitol. The composition of the previously unanalyzed secretions from the adult III-IV dorsal abdominal glands is compared and contrasted to that of secretions from the metathoricic gland, and the role of coexisting exocrine glands in adult Heteroptera is discussed.
Activations of silanes with [PhB(CH2PPh2)3]Ir(H)(η3-C8H13). Formation of iridium silylene complexes via the extrusion of silylenes from secondary silanes R2SiH2

The abstraction of methide from (Me_3P)_3Ir(SiHMes_2)(Me)(H) (1) with B(C_6F_5)_3 gave the silylene complex [fac-(Me_3P)_3(H)_2Ir(SiMes_2)][MeB(C_6F_5)_3] (2) via 1,2-hydrogen migration. Secondary silanes (H_2SiR_2) reacted with [PhBP_3]Ir(H)(η^3-C_8H^(13)) (3) (where [PhBP_3] = PhB(CH_2PPh_2)_3^-) to give silylene complexes of the type [PhBP_3](H)_2Ir═SiR_2 (R = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl (Mes), 4a; R = Ph, 4b; R = Et, 4c; R = Me, 4d), with loss of cyclooctene. Analogously, the germylene complex [PhBP_3](H)2Ir═GeMes_2 was obtained via the reaction of 3 with Mes_2GeH_2. Primary silanes (H_3SiR) reacted with 3 to give [PhBP_3](H)_2Ir═Si(R)(c-C_8H_(15)) (R = Mes, 8a; R = 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl (Trip), 8b) via an intermediate silylene complex with an Si−H bond, [PhBP_3](H)_2Ir═Si(R)(H). With tertiary silanes (R_3SiH), silyl-capped trihydride complexes of the type [PhBP_3]IrH_3(SiR_3) (R = Et, 7a; R = Me, 7b) and 1,3-cyclooctadiene were produced. The mechanisms of these processes are discussed.
Cardiovascular time course after digoxin administration in left ventricular dysfunction after coronary artery bypass grafting

Intravenous digoxin, 1 mg, was administered over 8 hours to 10 cardiac patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction after coronary artery bypass grafting. The cardiovascular effects of digoxin were monitored over 20 hours by indwelling pulmonary artery and radial artery lines and were compared with those of a control group of 10 patients who had normal postoperative LV function. Digoxin administration produced an increased cardiac index and mean arterial blood pressure within 2 hours. Within 4 hours after digoxin administration pulmonary artery wedge pressure in patients receiving digoxin was significantly lower than in control patients. At 16 hours there was a significant increase in both the LV stroke work and LV stroke work index in patients receiving digoxin vs control patients. Two patients receiving digoxin and 3 control patients had changes in cardiac rhythm during the study. Thus, digoxin can be safely administered to postoperative patients with LV dysfunction and is an acceptable inotropic agent.
Revisiting the thermophysical properties of the A-type hexagonal lanthanide sesquioxides between temperatures of 5 K and 1000 K

Abstract Thermal measurements of the heat capacities and sensible enthalpies of the hexagonal (A-type) lanthanide sesquioxides of La, Ce, Pr, and Nd are reviewed and re-evaluated in terms of the lattice heat-capacity parameters and the Schottky levels obtained from lattice-sum calculations and analyses of the optical spectra. Re-examination of all the data typically from about T = 5 K to 1000 K leads to revised values for the thermodynamic functions over this temperature range. Of particular interest, the values of Δ 0 298 S m o / R at T = 298.15 K are given as 15.31, 17.88, 18.37, and 18.99 for La, Ce, Pr, and Nd hexagonal sesquioxides, respectively.
A Preliminary Study of Drug Abuse and Its Mental Health and Health Consequences Among Addicts in Greater Accra, Ghana

This article represents a preliminary effort to describe drug abuse in Tudu, one of a number of neighborhoods in Accra that serve as drug centers. The problems of such neighborhoods reflect the drug problems that currently beset the rest of Ghana and Accra in particular. There is almost no fundamental current research on this issue. The few works cited comprise virtually the entire body of existing literature on this subject, and they fall far short of providing a comprehensive account of the changes that drugs have made in the social structure of the greater Accra region. This article is based on research done in the drug parlors and alleyways where the Tudu drug trade is conducted, and is a preliminary effort to redress the current lack of information by documenting the changing patterns of drug use in greater Accra. The findings reveal that a shift is underway from traditional marijuana abuse to abuse of crack cocaine and heroin. The article highlights the social relations that characterize this more dangerous drug setting and enhances the understanding of the psychiatric comorbidity of drug abuse, health, and behavior. These conclusions are derived from a multifaceted approach to data collection, taken to enhance the validity of research findings.
Interferon Induction in Cynomolgus and Rhesus Monkeys After Repeated Doses of a Modified Polyriboinosinic-Polyribocytidylic Acid Complex

Serum interferon activity was determined in 12 cynomolgus and 12 rhesus monkeys injected intravenously once daily for 10 days with from 0.1 to 6.0 mg of a stabilized polyriboinosinic acid · polyribocytidylic acid complex per kg, composed of polyriboinosinic acid · polyribocytidylic acid, poly-1-lysine, and carboxymethylcellulose [poly(ICLC)]. Interferon activity was detected 2 h after the first injection, with maximum activity occurring 8 h after the second injection. A period of hyporesponsiveness occurred after the third injection of poly(ICLC) in all monkeys and lasted until the sixth injection in the rhesus monkeys, when interferon activity again became more elevated. The delayed rebound was not as apparent in cynomolgus monkeys. Rhesus monkeys injected with 6 mg/kg did not exhibit serious side effects.
Reequilibration time of superficially porous silica based columns in gradient elution reversed phase liquid chromatography.

Abstract Between repetitive analyses using gradient elution liquid chromatography the column must be reequilibrated to the initial conditions, extending run times. We studied the reequilibration time of three superficially porous silica columns compared to one fully porous silica column on a chromatograph with a reduced flush-out volume. Post-gradient acetone injections made at the interface of the pure organic-highly aqueous phase show anomalous, pressure-related band focusing, and increased retention compared to injections on either side of the interface. These anomalies are explained by applying the Buckley–Leverett theory of oil displacement in sands to column reequilibration. Reequilibration was shown to occur quickly, with less than three column volumes of conditioning solvent, and depends on the reproducibility as required by the application. Offline LC–GC was used to quantitate the percent acetonitrile eluting from each column post-gradient. After an initial, large expulsion of acetonitrile, a steady small amount (∼0.03%) of acetonitrile is detected long after the column is considered equilibrated. The limiting variable with column equilibration is not the desorption of organic modifier from the stationary phase, but rather the pressure required to force the aqueous phase into the pores.
Low-dimensional model of spatial shear layers

The aim of this work is to develop nonlinear low-dimensional models to describe vortex dynamics in spatially developing shear layers with periodicity in time. By allowing a free variable g(x) to dynamically describe downstream thickness spreading, we are able to obtain basis functions in a scaled reference frame and construct effective models with only a few modes in the new space. To apply this modified version of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD)/Galerkin projection, we first scale the flow along y dynamically to match a template function as it is developing downstream. In the scaled space, the first POD mode can capture more than 80% energy for each frequency. However, to construct a Galerkin model, the second POD mode plays a critical role and needs to be included. Finally, a reconstruction equation for the scaling variable g is derived to relate the scaled space to physical space, where downstream spreading of shear thickness occurs. Using only two POD modes at each frequency, our models capture ...
A comparison of various commercially-available liquid chromatographic supports for immobilization of enzymes and immunoglobulins.

Abstract A number of commercially-available, activated supports were evaluated and compared for the immobilization of enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, glucose oxidase and peroxidase) and human immunoglobulin G (IgG). The supports studied included pressure-stable, epoxy-activated acrylate-based supports (Separon HEMA 1000 and Eupergit C); agarosebased, epoxy-, cyanogen bromide-, glutaraldehyde- or N-hydroxysuccimide-activated supports (epoxy-activated or cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose, ACT-Ultrogel AcA 22, Reacti-Gel 6X and Affi-Gel 10); and glass bead-based, activated supports (CDI- and NHS-Glycophase). As expected, the pH required for maximum protein immobilization and retention of activity varied with both protein and support. For example, the amount of alkaline phosphatase coupled was maximum at pH 3 or 5 for most supports, but retention of activity was greatest for immobilization at pH 7, 9 or 11. Glucose oxidase and peroxidase coupling and activity retention in general showed less variation in optimal coupling pH. Coupling of IgG and retention of anti-IgG binding activity were both optimal at a coupling pH of 9 or 11. The Separon HEMA-IgG support made in these studies was also utilized for rapid h.p.l.c, purification of anti-IgG from serum.
The role of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease

Periodontal disease consists of a constellation of complex bacterium-host cell interactions. One example of these oral pathogens, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, has an arsenal of putative virulence determinants that account for its potent periodontopathogenicity. Of these determinants, invasion of host cells and leukocytotoxicity have been studied extensively.
The alternative incumbency effect: Electing women legislators in Indonesia

Between the 1999 and 2009 elections the proportion of national female legislators in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim majority democracy, more than doubled. While this substantial increase may partly be explained by the recent imposition of a gender quota and placement mandate that have forced parties to increase the number of female candidates, quotas cannot fully explain the strong performance of women in the 2009 elections. First, many parties placed women higher on their lists than the laws required; second, voters appeared to over vote for women in some districts. Although incumbency's typical effect is to inhibit female electoral success by advantaging traditional (male) competitors, I argue that women benefited largely from an alternative effect: female incumbency can improve female candidate placement and electability by demonstrating female capacity and capability. Female newcomers benefited strongly from the presence of female incumbents in their own and bordering districts, thus suggesting a positive diffusion effect of female incumbency.
NDT of fiber-reinforced composites with a new fiber-optic pump-probe laser-ultrasound system.

Laser-ultrasonics is an attractive and powerful tool for the non-destructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E) of composite materials. Current systems for non-contact detection of ultrasound have relatively low sensitivity compared to contact peizotransducers. They are also expensive, difficult to adjust, and strongly influenced by environmental noise. Moreover, laser-ultrasound (LU) systems typically launch only about 50 firings per second, much slower than the kHz level pulse repetition rate of conventional systems. As demonstrated here, most of these drawbacks can be eliminated by combining a new generation of compact, inexpensive, high repetition rate nanosecond fiber lasers with new developments in fiber telecommunication optics and an optimally designed balanced probe beam detector. In particular, a modified fiber-optic balanced Sagnac interferometer is presented as part of a LU pump–probe system for NDT&E of aircraft composites. The performance of the all-optical system is demonstrated for a number of composite samples with different types and locations of inclusions.
Surface engineering of microchannel walls for protein separation and directed microfluidic flow

The preparation of surfaces in microfluidic devices that selectively retain proteins may be difficult to implement due to the incompatibility of derivatization methods with microdevice fabrication techniques. This review describes recently reported developments in simple and rapid methods for engineering the surface chemistries of microchannels based on construction of press-fit microdevices. These devices are fabricated by placing a glass fiber on a PDMS film and pressing the film on a silicon wafer or a microscope slide that has been derivatized with octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODS). The film adheres to the slide and forms an elliptically shaped channel around the fiber. The combination of surface wettability of a hydrophilic glass microfiber and the surrounding hydrophobic microchannel surfaces directs a narrow boundary layer of liquid next to the fiber in order to bring the sample in contact with the separation media and results in selective retention of proteins. This phenomenon may be exploited to enable microscale separation applications since there are a wide variety of fibers available with different chemistries. These may be used to rapidly fabricate microchannels that serve as stationary phases for separation at a microscale. The fundamental properties of such devices are discussed.
Age, gender, and spatial knowledge influences on preschoolers’ computer programming ability

Thirty‐one threeand four‐year‐old children were observed at four computer tasks in order to determine the extent to which spatial knowledge and memory for the language and mechanics of programming were related. Results indicate only a slight relationship between the children's predicting ability and their programming ability although a significant improvement in both tasks emerged by the last session. On one prediction task and one programming task significantly more fouryear‐olds than three‐year‐olds improved over time. Gender had no effect on either task.
Interfacially active particles in droplet/matrix blends of model immiscible homopolymers: Particles can increase or decrease drop size

Particles have been shown to adsorb at the interface between immiscible homopolymer melts and to affect the morphology of blends of those homopolymers. We examined the effect of such interfacially active particles on the morphology of droplet/matrix blends of model immiscible homopolymers. Experiments were conducted on blends of polydimethylsiloxane and 1,4-polyisoprene blended in either a 20:80 or 80:20 weight ratio. The effects of three different particle types, fluoropolymer particles, iron particles, and iron oxyhydroxide particles, all at a loading of 0.5 vol.%, were examined by rheology and by direct flow visualization. Particles were found to significantly affect the strain recovery behavior of polymer blends, increasing or decreasing the ultimate recovery, slowing down or accelerating the recovery kinetics, and changing the dependence of these parameters on the applied stress prior to cessation of shear. These rheological observations were found to correlate reasonably well with particle-induced changes in drop size. The particles can both increase as well as decrease the drop size, depending on the particle type, as well as on which phase is continuous. The cases in which particles cause a decrease in drop size are analogous to the particle stabilization of “Pickering emulsions” well-known from the literature on oil/water systems. We hypothesize that cases in which particles increase drop size are analogous to the “bridging–dewetting” mechanism known in the aqueous foam literature.
Kaizen: a method of process improvement in the emergency department

Introduction: Recent position statements from health care organizations have placed a strong emphasis on continuous quality improvement (CQI). CQI finds many of its roots in kaizen, which emphasizes small, low-cost, low-risk improvements. Based on the successful Kaizen Programs at organizations such as Toyota, the authors thought the emergency department (ED) would be an ideal environment to benefit from such a program. Objectives: The authors sought to create a CQI program using a suggestion-based model that did not require a large time commitment, was easy to implement, and had the potential to empower all physicians in the department. It would not take the place of other improvement efforts, but instead augment them. The hypothesis was that such a program would foster sustainable engagement of emergency physicians in system improvement efforts and lead to a continuous stream of low-cost implementable system improvement interventions. Methods: A CQI program was created for the physician staff of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, focusing on a suggestion-based model using kaizen philosophy. Lectures teaching kaizen philosophy were presented. Over the past 4 years, a methodology was developed utilizing a Web-based application, the Kaizen Tracker, which aids in the submission and implementation of suggestions that are called kaizen initiatives (KIs). The characteristics of the KIs submitted, details regarding resident and faculty participation, and the effectiveness of the Kaizen Tracker were retrospectively reviewed. Results: There were 169, 105, and 101 KIs placed in the postimplementation calendar years 2006, 2007, and 2008, respectively. Seventy-six percent of KIs submitted thus far have identified a “process problem.” Fifty-three percent of KIs submitted have led to operational changes within the ED. Ninety-three percent of the resident physicians entered at least one KI, and 73% of these residents submitted more than one KI. Sixty-nine percent of the attendings entered at least one KI, and 89% of these attendings submitted more than one KI. Conclusions: Over the past 4 years, the Kaizen Program at Vanderbilt has been widely and frequently used within the ED. It has resulted in over 400 changes in our adult ED system and has met the challenge of using CQI to drive ED improvements. There are limitations to this study, including the fact that its impact on patient outcomes remains unknown. However, this Kaizen Program may be an excellent tool for other departments to assist with quality improvement and should be studied with a multicenter prospective approach.
A63: Treatment of Arthritis in Animal Models of the Mucopolysaccharidoses Using a Novel Anti‐Inflammatory Drug, Pentosan Polysulfate

Background/Purpose: The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) comprise a group of 11 lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) due to inherited deficiencies of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) degrading enzymes. Naturally occurring animal models exist for most of these disorders, providing excellent systems in which to study disease pathogenesis and treatment. We have previously shown that GAG storage in MPS leads to activation of the TLR4/TNF-alpha inflammatory pathway, and that inflammation is a major contributor to the degenerative cartilage disease occurring in MPS patients. The pattern of inflammatory changes in MPS closely resembles that occurring in arthritis, and the MPS animals also represent excellent, naturally occurring genetic models of arthritis. Various treatment approaches have been investigated for MPS, and we recently identified one FDA-approved drug, pentosan polysulfate (PPS), that resulted in remarkable clinical improvements in a rat model of MPS type VI (Schuchman et al., PLoS One, 2013). Methods: In our previous work we reported the effects of daily oral PPS treatment in MPS VI rats, and here we compare these effects with weekly subcutaneous (subQ) injections. Four groups of MPS VI rats were treated with weekly subQ PPS at human equivalent doses of 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg, and with a combination of 2 mg/kg PPS and 1 mg/kg enzyme replacement therapy (ERT; Naglazyme®). Results: The most efficacious subQ PPS dose was 2 mg/kg. Among the four groups of treated rats the best results were found in animals treated with a combination of PPS and ERT. Treatment of all MPS VI rats with weekly subQ PPS for up to 6 months was safe. Conclusion: We propose that weekly subQ injections of PPS will be efficacious and safe in MPS patients, and a phase 1/2 clinical study is planned. We also propose that PPS could be effective in arthritis, and might provide a cost-effective, safe alternative to existing TNF-alpha drugs.
Estimation of the maximum and minimum in a model for bounded, dependent data

Estimation of the maximum and minimum is considered in a random coefficient autoregressive model for bounded data. Limiting distributions and confidence intervals are obtained, for nonrandom sample sizes and also for a stopping rule designed to achieve sufficient precision of the estimates.
Sampling nucleotide diversity in cotton

Background Cultivated cotton is an annual fiber crop derived mainly from two perennial species, Gossypium hirsutum L. or upland cotton, and G. barbadense L., extra long-staple fiber Pima or Egyptian cotton. These two cultivated species are among five allotetraploid species presumably derived monophyletically between G. arboreum and G. raimondii. Genomic-based approaches have been hindered by the limited variation within species. Yet, population-based methods are being used for genome-wide introgression of novel alleles from G. mustelinum and G. tomentosum into G. hirsutum using combinations of backcrossing, selfing, and inter-mating. Recombinant inbred line populations between genetics standards TM-1, (G. hirsutum) × 3-79 (G. barbadense) have been developed to allow high-density genetic mapping of traits.
EFFECT OF HEATING TEMPERATURE AND MICROWAVE PRETREATMENT ON THE FORMATION OF SUGARS AND VOLATILES IN JEWEL SWEETPOTATO

Experiments investigating changes in the concentration of individual sugars in sweetpotato storage roots with cooking and their relationship to the formation of volatile compounds were conducted. During heat treatment maltose concentration increased from 0.03% fresh weight at 25C to 4.33% at 80C, at which temperature maximum synthesis occurred. Microwave pretreatment (2 or 4 min) resulted in a significant decrease in amounts of maltose and volatiles formed. At 80C, approximately 80% of maltose synthesis was inhibited when pretreated With microwaves. Adding maltose into microwave pretreated samples and then cooking in a convection oven restored most of the volatile profile with the exception of phenylacetadelhyde. It was concluded that maltose represents a primary precursor for many of the volatile compounds emanating from baked ‘Jewel’ sweetpotatoes and the formation of these volatiles appears to involve both enzymatic and thermal reactions.
Local photocurrent mapping as a probe of contact effects and charge carrier transport in semiconductor nanowire devices

Three types of two-terminal CdS nanowire devices with distinct current versus voltage characteristics were fabricated by forming Schottky and/or Ohmic contacts in a controlled manner. Argon ion bombardment of CdS nanowires increased the carrier concentration allowing the formation of Ohmic Ti–CdS contacts. Scanning photocurrent microscopy (SPCM) was used to explore the influence of the contacts on the spatially resolved photoresponse in two-terminal devices and to analyze charge carrier transport processes. Modeling of the spatial profiles of the local photocurrent images enabled the quantitative extraction of electron and hole mobility-lifetime products in Ohmic devices and the hole mobility-lifetime product in Schottky devices. Analysis of the evolution of SPCM images with bias suggests that the electric field is localized to the optical generation region in the Ohmic devices and localized beneath the contacts in the Schottky devices.
Reframing the Combination Strategy Debate: Defining forms of combination

Researchers have not yet reached a broad consensus on the nature of the business strategy‐performance relationship and, specifically, the efficacy of combining competitive strategies. This paper examines empirical and anecdotal evidence that supports the notion that combination strategies at the competitive level can lead to superior performance. Propositions that identify specific, effective strategy combinations are developed and tested. Results suggest that some combinations are effective, while others are not.
Bi-directional transmission to reduce linear and nonlinear crosstalk

Interleaved bi-directional transmission is shown to be a forward-looking system architecture benefiting from reduced nonlinear penalty. Although its performance is limited by Rayleigh scattering it is more suitable for systems designed for high spectral efficiency.
The Fanconi Anemia Pathway Limits Human Papillomavirus Replication

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) deregulate epidermal differentiation and cause anogenital and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). The E7 gene is considered the predominant viral oncogene and drives proliferation and genome instability. While the implementation of routine screens has greatly reduced the incidence of cervical cancers which are almost exclusively HPV positive, the proportion of HPV-positive head and neck SCCs is on the rise. High levels of HPV oncogene expression and genome load are linked to disease progression, but genetic risk factors that regulate oncogene abundance and/or genome amplification remain poorly understood. Fanconi anemia (FA) is a genome instability syndrome characterized at least in part by extreme susceptibility to SCCs. FA results from mutations in one of 15 genes in the FA pathway, whose protein products assemble in the nucleus and play important roles in DNA damage repair. We report here that loss of FA pathway components FANCA and FANCD2 stimulates E7 protein accumulation in human keratinocytes and causes increased epithelial proliferation and basal cell layer expansion in the HPV-positive epidermis. Additionally, FANCD2 loss stimulates HPV genome amplification in differentiating cells, demonstrating that the intact FA pathway functions to restrict the HPV life cycle. These findings raise the possibility that FA genes suppress HPV infection and disease and suggest possible mechanism(s) for reported associations of HPV with an FA cohort in Brazil and for allelic variation of FA genes with HPV persistence in the general population.
On the slip systems in MoSi2

Abstract The primary and secondary slip systems in MoSi2 have been identified by studying the dislocation substructures produced by microhardness indents at temperatures up to 1000°C. Two slip systems can be activated—primary {011} slip, active over the whole temperature range, and secondary { 1 1 ¯ 0 } 1 2 〈 111 〉 slip, active above 600°C. Only four independent slip systems (in the Von Mises sense) are present, even when both slip systems operate.
Uniquely Representable Posets

: It is known that a partially ordered set is uniquely representable, that is, it is order isomorphic to the order component of a Priestley space of a unique bounded distributive lattice whenever this lattice is generated by its doubly irreducible elements. In this case the interval topology on the poset is Hausdorff. Priestley has conjectured that the interval topology is always Hausdorff when the poset is uniquely representable. We consider this problem in topological terms. This allows us to see how the conjecture is a natural one and to broaden the class of lattices that are known to have uniquely representable spectral sets. Furthermore, we see that the theory of generalized continuous lattices ends up playing a crucial role, and that the conjecture perhaps should be strengthened to assert that for uniquely representable posets, the entire interval of admissible topologies collapses.
Function support as an information systems development paradigm

The function support paradigm of information systems development seeks to exploit the potential synergy that can be obtained by making the information processing system an integral part of organizational function. This requires for the information processing system to be embedded into the structure and dynamics underlying the function it supports. This is shown to be the case in natural systems, where the synergy is obtained through the compatibility of information processing with the structure and dynamics of the overall system. Current approaches to the development of information systems do not consider, in a sufficiently explicit manner, the structure and dynamics of organizations as a determinant of their information processing requirements. As a consequence, the resulting information systems usually do not provide the required level of support. We argue that, to be effective, man‐made information systems must also be compatible with the organizational functions they support. The contribution of the i...
Identification and recovery of minor HIV-1 variants using the heteroduplex tracking assay and biotinylated probes

We describe a method to identify and recover minor human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) sequence variants from a complex population. The original heteroduplex tracking assay (HTA) was modified by incorporating a biotin tag into the probe to allow for direct sequence determination of the query strand. We used this approach to recover sequences from minor HIV-1 variants in the V3 region of the env gene, and to identify minor drug-resistant variants in pro. The biotin-HTA targeting of the V3 region of env allowed us to detect minor V3 variants, of which 45% were classified as CXCR4-using viruses. In addition, the biotin-protease HTA was able to detect mixtures of wild-type sequence and drug-resistance mutations in four subjects that were not detected by bulk sequence analysis. The biotin-HTA is a robust assay that first separates genetic variants then allows direct sequence analysis of major and minor variants.
Humidity sensor based on ultrathin polyaniline film deposited using layer-by-layer nano-assembly

In this paper, we use layer-by-layer (LbL) nano-assembly for deposition of ultrathin poly(anilinesulfonic acid) (SPANI) films for fabrication of highly sensitive and rapid response humidity sensors. Spin coating was also used for fabrication of SPANI based humidity sensors for comparison. The change in electrical sheet resistance of the sensing film was monitored as the device was exposed to humidity. For 5% change in relative humidity, the sensitivity was measured to be 11 and 6% from layer-by-layer based and the spin coated humidity sensors, respectively. An intended application for these layer-by-layer assembled devices is in disposable handheld instruments to monitor the presence of humidity in humidity sensitive environments.
Molecular analysis of common aldolase B alleles for hereditary fructose intolerance in North Americans.

Abstract The diagnosis of hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) presents a difficult challenge that often involves procedures of high risk to the patient. A relatively noninvasive method that involves molecular analysis of common alleles would offer a decided advantage. The molecular defects in the aldolase B gene were studied in 31 HFI subjects (23 pedigrees, 47 apparently independent alleles) from the United States and Canada. We screened for the three most common European alleles by direct hybridization of allele-specific oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ASOs) to portions of the aldolase B gene that were amplified by PCR. Fifty-five percent of mutant North American alleles were A149P (ala149 → pro), the most common mutation in the European population. The other two alleles, A174D (ala174 → asp) and N334K (asn334 → lys), represent 11 and 2% of North American alleles, respectively. Nine patients, representing 32% of independent alleles studied, had an HFI allele that was not of this common missense class. This North American allele distribution is significantly different from that in Europe, where 13% of HFI alleles are not of this type. Preliminary screening of amplified DNA with this set of ASOs indicated that 80% of symptomatic HFI patients can be identified in the American population by this simple genetic test.
GaN and digital electronics: A way out of Moore's law?

After forty years following Moore's law, Si digital electronics is reaching its limits, both in performance and in economic viability. In this paper we describe how nitride semiconductors can be combined with Si electronics to allow electronics to move beyond Moore's law and to enable new functionality. Three different research areas will be discussed: high performance digital circuits, high temperature electronics and heterogeneous integration of nitride and Si electronics. Diagram of the envisioned on-wafer integration of Si and nitride electronics and optoelectronics.
A modified upward infiltration method for characterizing soil hydraulic properties

This note describes a modified upward infiltration method (UIM), which combines laboratory experiments and inverse parameter estimation for determining soil hydraulic properties in the wetting direction. The laboratory method used a Mariotte system to impose a constant head boundary condition on the bottom of a soil column, allowing water to be taken up by the soil material under negative pressure head. Tensiometers installed along the column measured the change in soil pressure head before and after wetting front arrival. The HYDRUS-1D code was used to obtain an optimal set of van Genuchten parameters, using pressure head and cumulative flux data as auxiliary variables in the objective function. Two soil types (a fine sand and a sandy loam) were tested in triplicate in uniformly-packed soil columns. The results of the uniform column experiments were repeatable, and showed excellent fits between observed and predicted data. Fitted parameters were used in forward simulations to independently predict water flow behavior in layered columns of the same soil material. The forward simulations successfully predicted water flow for sand-over-loam and loam-over-sand combinations in layered columns. The relative simplicity of the experimental procedure and the availability of appropriate numerical models renders the modified upward infiltration method an alternative for determining wetting hydraulic properties of soils.