cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The End of the Affair: U.S.–China Relations Under Trump

President Donald Trump has overseen an overhaul of U.S. China policy that includes a large military buildup, the most aggressive use of tariffs since World War II, the tightest investment and immigration restrictions since the Cold War, and the most expensive piece of soft power legislation in at least a decade. Yet Trump was not the sole architect of the hard turn in U.S. China policy. Tensions between the two countries had been growing since the end of the Cold War, albeit in fits and starts, and took a turn for the worst after the 2008 financial crisis. Trump put his unique imprint on U.S.–China relations, but U.S. China policy would have become more competitive regardless of who won the 2016 U.S. presidential election and will remain so years after Trump leaves office.
Update 2.70 to “GOMC: GPU Optimized Monte Carlo for the simulation of phase equilibria and physical properties of complex fluids”

Abstract Major updates in version 2.70 of GOMC include new Monte Carlo moves to enhance the sampling of phase space, such as Molecular Exchange Monte Carlo (MEMC), configurational-bias for molecules that contain rings, the crankshaft move, and a force/torque-biased multi-particle move. Support for force fields governed by exp-6 potentials, and free energy calculations using thermodynamic integration or free energy perturbation has been added. The GPU performance of the multi-particle move has been improved significantly from version 2.50, and memory usage has been reduced significantly.
Social Skill Outcomes Following Physical Activity–Based Interventions for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum: A Scoping Review Spanning Young Childhood Through Young Adulthood

Researchers posit that physical activity (PA) settings may provide an increased opportunity for social interaction. However, little consensus exists regarding the construct of social skills. Moreover, little is known about what type or amount of PA is necessary for individuals on the autism spectrum to benefit from this increased interaction. Thus, this scoping review synthesized the components (e.g., design, participants, independent and dependent variables, etc.) and findings of PA-based interventions that included social skill components to identify how interventions have incorporated these skills in different settings. Based on a review of 25 articles, this review revealed a great deal of variability in the types of PA, social skills, and instruments studied, as well as the intensity of intervention delivery in the published findings. No longitudinal studies were identified as a part of the search. These results provide a foundation for the design of effective PA-based interventions that may have an increased impact on the social skills of individuals on the autism spectrum. Future research should employ longitudinal designs to capture the relationship between social skills and PA, as well as to increase the likelihood of capturing change.
Changes in subcellular localization of host proteins induced by plant viruses

Viruses are dependent on host factors at all parts of the infection cycle, such as translation, genome replication, encapsidation, and cell-to-cell and systemic movement. RNA viruses replicate their genome in compartments associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplasts, and mitochondria or peroxisome membranes. In contrast, DNA viruses replicate in the nucleus. Viral infection causes changes in plant gene expression and in the subcellular localization of some host proteins. These changes may support or inhibit virus accumulation and spread. Here, we review host proteins that change their subcellular localization in the presence of a plant virus. The most frequent change is the movement of host cytoplasmic proteins into the sites of virus replication through interactions with viral proteins, and the protein contributes to essential viral processes. In contrast, only a small number of studies document changes in the subcellular localization of proteins with antiviral activity. Understanding the changes in the subcellular localization of host proteins during plant virus infection provides novel insights into the mechanisms of plant–virus interactions and may help the identification of targets for designing genetic resistance to plant viruses.
The Psychology of Secret Settlements

The #MeToo movement called attention to the use of non-disclosure clauses in settlement agreements as a tool to silence victims of sexual wrongdoing by repeat offenders such as movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and Olympic gymnast doctor Larry Nassar. The breach of such secret settlements prompted a fierce policy and scholarly debate on the legitimacy and desirability of NDAs. Though the risk of NDAs hindering accountability is hardly new, NDAs are now increasingly the subject of legislative action vindicating the public’s right to know, in states ranging from California and New York to Nevada and Tennessee. But should all NDAs be banned by sunshine-in-litigation laws? And will such legislation adequately reflect the public’s attitudes regarding what it wishes (and doesn’t wish) to know? Existing legal scholarship on the regulation of NDAs adopts a theoretical perspective that fails to benefit from the wisdom and empirical methods that other disciplines have to offer. This Article is the first to empirically identify the psychological factors affecting lay attitudes towards secret settlements. Using a survey experiment conducted with a large representative sample, it brings to light the mechanisms underlying the public’s tendency to seek information or remain in the dark regarding sexual harassment. The findings suggest that, counter to existing psychological theories, lay people actually prefer public disclosure of arguably the most uncomfortable information. Furthermore, according to the findings, both the severity of the offender’s misconduct and the victim’s financial status negatively affect lay people’s endorsement of NDAs. These empirical findings will allow legislatures to regulate secret settlements in a manner that appropriately embodies the scope of the public’s right to know. Such regulation will in turn help preserve both employees’ willingness to come forward about sexual harassment and employers’ inclination to settle. Moreover, these findings should encourage victim advocates to explore ways to maintain disadvantaged victims’ bargaining power under a confidentiality ban regime. Such advocacy would help ensure that the choice between settlement and trial remains available to financially unstable victims. The findings further show the potential promise of bipartisan collaboration over sunshine-in-litigation laws, at least when it comes to severe acts of sexual harassment.
Mutagenic Activity of Nitrosamines in Mammalian Cells

The potential impact of environmental chemicals on the induction of cancer in humans has become a worldwide problem. It has been estimated that more than 80% of human cancers are caused by exposure to chemical agents.(1,2) One class of chemicals that could pose a significant human health hazard is the N-nitroso compounds. These compounds are widespread in our environment,(3) occurring in food preservatives,(4) milk,(5) tobacco smoke,(6,7) meat-curing mixtures,(8) and various other foodstuffs,(9) industrial products and by-products,(10–12) and some plants.(5,13) The finding that feeding secondary amines and nitrite caused tumors in laboratory animals through nitrosamine synthesis in the stomach(14) has led to a considerable concern for nitrosamines as a major class of environmental carcinogens. Although the mode of action of nitrosamines is largely unclear, it is thought that nitrosamines act through biotransformed active metabolites. These metabolites may alkylate cellular macromolecules, particularly DNA, thereby possibly altering the genome of the target cells, which could eventually result in transformation into a neoplastic state.(15) The arcinogenicity of nitroso compounds as related to their chemistry, mutagenicity, and other biological activities has been extensively studied(4,19–29) and reviewed.(3,16–18)
Anthocyanin-rich Black Elderberry Extract improves Inflammatory Markers and Insulin Resistance in a High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Model of Mice

Despite increased knowledge of healthy eating and exercise habits, obesity continues to be a public health concern in the U.S., resulting in many preventable comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes m...
Where Does the Good Stuff Go, and Why? How Contextual Semantics Influences Program Structure in Simple Genetic Programming

Using deliberately designed primitive sets, we investigate the relationship between context-based expression mechanisms and the size, height and density of genetic program trees during the evolutionary process. We show that contextual semantics influence the composition, location and flows of operative code in a program. In detail we analyze these dynamics and discuss the impact of our findings on micro-level descriptions of genetic programming.
Coronal energy distribution and X-ray activity in the small scale magnetic field of the quiet sun

The energy distribution in the small-scale magnetic field that pervades the solar surface, and its relationship to X-ray/coronal activity are discussed. The observed emission from the small scale structures, at temperatures characteristic of the chromosphere, transition region and corona, emanates from the boundaries of supergranular cells, within coronal bright points. This emission is characterized by a strong temporal and spatial variability with no definite pattern. The analysis of simultaneous, multiwavelength EUV observations shows that the spatial density of the enhanced as well as variable emission from the small scale structures exhibits a pronounced temperature dependence with significant maxima at 100,000 and 1,000,000 K. Within the limits of the spatial (1-5 arcsec) and temporal (1-5 min) resolution of data available at present, the observed variability in the small scale structure cannot account for the coroal heating of the quiet sun. The characteristics of their emission are more likely to be an indicator of the coronal heating mechanisms.
Penalty Functions for Environmental Violations: Evidence from Water Quality Enforcement

We empirically estimate a penalty function for water quality violations of private firms in Georgia. We find that seriousness of infraction and historical compliance records strongly influence penalty levels, while the intentionality of violations and the method of discovery do not. The size of the polluting company is also an important determinant of financial penalties. Overall the results support the plausibility of modeling assumptions used in much the theoretical enforcement literature but indicate the need for caution in interpreting models that assume penalty amounts are invariant to violation characteristics.
A simplified approach to strategic planning: Practical considerations and an illustrated example

Examines the strategic planning process as well as some practical issues associated with strategic planning. Specific emphasis is placed on a simplified approach to strategic planning. The relationship between strategic planning and performance is discussed. A brief overview of common approaches used to develop strategic plans is also provided. An overview of the development of a preliminary strategic plan for a growing health care organization is discussed to assist practitioners in their planning efforts. Given that the illustration is for an initial strategic plan, an examination of performance implications was not possible. However, practical implications and some of the lessons learned are discussed.
Visual factors in the design of computer-controlled CRT displays.

This paper is concerned with the important visual variables that determine image quality on computer-controlled CRT displays. A strategy is developed that leads to general conclusions about each variable even though most of these variables interact. For each variable considered, the recommended range of values is determined on the basis of experimental evidence and is compared with the values presently used on displays. Where discrepancies between these two exist, alternative solutions are mentioned. Conclusions are(i) presently used values of display luminance, chromaticity (color), and resolution are adequate; (ii) several displays flicker; (iii) characters are large enough but may be marginal in terms of number of elements; (iv) luminance contrast is not adequate.
Diagnostic Dilemma in Primary Blastomyces dermatitidis Meningitis: Role of Neurosurgical Biopsy

A 52-year-old male on chronic prednisone for polymyalgia rheumatica presented with a subacute history of headaches, nausea, phonophobia, intermittent diplopia and gait instability. He was hospitalized 2 weeks prior to presentation with extensive evaluations only notable for leptomeningeal inflammation on MRI. His symptoms progressively worsened and he developed aphasia. He was transferred to our facility where extensive spinal fluid examinations were repeated and were again nondiagnostic. Ultimately, a diagnostic skull-based biopsy was performed which demonstrated Blastomyces dermatitidis fungal meningitis. Despite extensive sampling and cultures, only 1 of the intraoperative samples yielded diagnostic results. This underscores the low sensitivity of current methods to diagnose CNS blastomycosis. This case suggests that a neurosurgical biopsy may be necessary and should be considered early in the diagnostic process, especially if a definitive diagnosis is elusive. If a biopsy is performed, sampling should be ample and from multiple areas. Following the diagnosis, our patient was treated with liposomal amphotericin B and then voriconazole with a good clinical response.
Elementary Microarchitecture Algebra

We describe a set of remarkably simple algebraic laws governing microarchitectural components. We apply these laws to incrementally transform a pipeline containing forwarding, branch speculation and hazard detection so that all pipeline stages and forwarding logic are removed. The resulting unpipelined machine is much closer to the reference architecture, and presumably easier to verify.
“End-Stage” Neurofibrillary Tangle Pathology in Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease: Fact or Fiction?

Among individuals who were cognitively intact before death, autopsies may reveal some Alzheimer's disease-type pathology. The presence of end-stage pathology in cognitively intact persons would support the hypothesis that pathological markers are epiphenomena. We assessed advanced neurofibrillary (Braak stages V and VI) pathology focusing on nondemented individuals. Data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center database (n = 4,690 included initially) and from the Nun Study (n = 526 included initially) were analyzed, with antemortem information about global cognition and careful postmortem studies available from each case. Global cognition (final Mini-Mental State Examination scores (MMSE) and clinical 'dementia' status) was correlated with neuropathology, including the severity of neurofibrillary pathology (Braak stages and neurofibrillary tangle counts in cerebral neocortex). Analyses support three major findings: 1. Braak stage V cases and Braak VI cases are significantly different from each other in terms of associated antemortem cognition; 2. There is an appreciable range of pathology within the category of Braak stage VI based on tangle counts such that brains with the most neurofibrillary tangles in neocortex always had profound antemortem cognitive impairment; and 3. There was no nondemented case with final MMSE score of 30 within a year of life and Braak stage VI pathology. It may be inappropriate to combine Braak stages V and VI cases, particularly in patients with early cognitive dysfunction, since the two pathological stages appear to differ dramatically in terms of both pathological severity and antemortem cognitive status. There is no documented example of truly end-stage neurofibrillary pathology coexisting with intact cognition.
Effects of phenotypic feedback and the coupling of genotypic and phenotypic spaces in genetic searches

The class of genetic algorithms (Gas) is a member of the evolutionary algorithms (EAs). In Gas, a solution is considered as a phenotype and the chromosome representation is a genotype. In a canonical GA, the genotypic search space could be tightly coupled with the phenotypic solution space under a specific encoding scheme. Variants of the canonical Gas are developed based on how the problem is represented in both the genotypic space and phenotypic space. This paper focuses on Gas that utilizes both genotypic and phenotypic spaces and investigates some of the effects of the coupling of the two spaces.
Smart distance principle for sense and respond enterprise systems

We propose the concept of a "smart distance" for complex enterprise systems and illustrate how to use it to adaptively connect dynamic and heterogeneous business objects, intelligent agents, and most importantly, human beings within enterprises. We illustrate the design of a generic agent architecture BESA, a Business Entity enabled, Smart distance oriented Agent architecture, and its application to a "sense and respond" system. With "smart distance" infrastructure operating within an enterprise system, the system can eliminate inefficiencies that are due to lags and latencies that exist in the traditional environment. With various entities at different layers, the enterprise system is expected to be able to sense and respond to market conditions quickly and effectively through a closed-loop hierarchical control.
N-acyliminium ions: detection of a hidden 2-aza-cope rearrangement

Abstract A 2-aza-Cope rearrangement underlying the more typical reactions of N-acyl-2-aza-1,5-hexadienes has been detected using triethylsilane as an acyliminium ion trap.
Uniformity of thylakoid structure in a red, a brown, and two blue-green algae

Single and double surface freeze etchings illustrate that the thylakoid fracture faces in the red alga Porphyridium , the brown alga Dictyota , and those of the blue green algae Schizothrix and Skujapelta all have similar characteristics. All these plants have thylakoids that are interpreted as fracturing to reveal an inner fracture face having fewer, larger particles than an outer fracture face. This fracturing is similar to that seen in the thylakoids of green algae and higher plants. Fractures through boundary membranes of red and brown algal plastids and those of the cyanelle Skujapelta are surveyed and compared with thylakoid membranes. The findings reported here raise the possibility that all photosynthetic thyalkoid membranes will be found to fracture to reveal a few-particulte, or smooth inner fracture face and a multiparticulate outer fracture face.
Male sexual dysfunction associated with coronary heart disease.

A pilot study of 18 males (age range 38–68) hospitalized for an acute myocardial infarction (MI) revealed that 44% were impotent and 28% had had premature ejaculation prior to the MI. A subsequent research project is the basis of this article. During a 10-month period, 131 male patients (age range 31–86), while hospitalized for an acute MI, were interviewed about their pre-MI sexual functioning. Two-thirds of the males had—by their own definition—a significant sexual problem. Among the sexually dysfunctional group, 64% were impotent, 28% had a significant (> 50%) decrease in sexual frequency, and 8% had premature ejaculation. No adverse side effects occurred from a detailed sexual history being taken while the male was recovering from an acute MI. One implication for cardiac rehabilitation is that returning to the pre-MI level of sexual functioning is not enough.
A SECOND TIME-STUDY OF THE ANAESTHETIST'S INTRAOPERATIVE PERIOD

This second time-study of the anaesthetist's intraoperative period was conducted at The Ohio State University Hospitals. The study involved a total of 30 anaesthetic procedures. The activities of the anaesthetists were videotaped and analysed independently by three reviewers. Unlike our previous study, the present study was performed at a time when automatic noninvasive arterial pressure monitors, automatic ventilators and patient breathing circuit disconnect alarms were in use. The greatest amount of intraoperative time of the anaesthetist (59.1%) was spent monitoring the patient directly (44.8%) or indirectly (14.3%) via patient monitors. This represented an increase from our previous study attributable to the increased use of technology in the operating room. The anaesthetist still spent about 10-12% of his/her time completing patient records.
The Clinical Pharmacist and Research

The question of whether or not clinical pharmacists are capable of performing meaningful research is addressed by reviewing the qualifications necessary for anyone to pursue an independent research career and by examining the current education and training of most clinical pharmacists. The types of research which appear to be best suited for clinical pharmacists include preclinical or clinical evaluations of basic science principles potentially affecting the therapeutic use of drugs in man, or the evaluation of clinical characteristics which alter the response to drugs in routine clinical use. It is concluded that clinical pharmacists with the appropriate postgraduate training and/or experience are capable of conducting meaningful research, and this is documented by current literature citations.
The emerging organization of fisheries in the United States

Abstract The last several decades have been characterized by widespread and growing interest in ocean politics. As coastal nations have extended their jurisdictions over ocean resources and territories, the world's fisheries have emerged as a prominent topic of international debate, scientific study, management control, and public concern. During this period of change, commercial fishing has undergone a transformation. This paper explores the way fishing in the United States is changing. We argue that there are familiar social processes underlying recent changes in commercial fishing that lead toward increasing organization of all forms of fishing activities. In brief, commercial fisheries are becoming routinized and subject to administrative rationality. As such, fisheries are less unique as workplaces and cultures than in the past.
Surfactant-moderated growth on a vicinal surface

Abstract We make use of a one-dimensional mean-field model formulated in previous work to determine the effects of added submonolayer amounts of surfactant during growth on a vicinal surface. We assume that the surfactant acts to increase the activation barrier for surface diffusion and examine the consequences of this relative to average island size and island density for varying surfactant coverage. The results obtained agree qualitatively with experimental results for Sb/Ag/Ag(1 1 1) on flat surfaces.
DEPLETED AND NATURAL URANIUM: CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS

Depleted uranium (DU) is a by-product from the chemical enrichment of naturally occurring uranium. Natural uranium is comprised of three radioactive isotopes: (238)U, (235)U, and (234)U. This enrichment process reduces the radioactivity of DU to roughly 30% of that of natural uranium. Nonmilitary uses of DU include counterweights in airplanes, shields against radiation in medical radiotherapy units and transport of radioactive isotopes. DU has also been used during wartime in heavy tank armor, armor-piercing bullets, and missiles, due to its desirable chemical properties coupled with its decreased radioactivity. DU weapons are used unreservedly by the armed forces. Chemically and toxicologically, DU behaves similarly to natural uranium metal. Although the effects of DU on human health are not easily discerned, they may be produced by both its chemical and radiological properties. DU can be toxic to many bodily systems, as presented in this review. Most importantly, normal functioning of the kidney, brain, liver, and heart can be affected by DU exposure. Numerous other systems can also be affected by DU exposure, and these are also reviewed. Despite the prevalence of DU usage in many applications, limited data exist regarding the toxicological consequences on human health. This review focuses on the chemistry, pharmacokinetics, and toxicological effects of depleted and natural uranium on several systems in the mammalian body. A section on risk assessment concludes the review.
Toxicity of mercuric chloride to the developing rat kidney. II. Effect of increased dosages on renal function in suckling pups

Abstract It has been demonstrated that the sensitivity to HgCl2 nephrotoxicity increases with maturity in the rat, and that neonates are largely unaffected by a dose of 5 mg/kg. In the present study, immature rat pups were exposed to higher doses of HgCl2 to determine whether this effect was attributable to a quantitative or qualitative difference in the renal sensitivity to HgCl2. Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with a single dose of 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 20, or 30 mg/kg on Postnatal Day 1; 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, or 20 mg/kg on Day 8; or 6.25, 7.5, 10, or 12.5 mg/kg on Day 15. Renal function was evaluated at 24, 48, and 120 hr after treatment by measuring urine volume, osmolality, urinary pH, and chloride content, the ability to concentrate urine during water deprivation, and the presence of protein, glucose, or hemoglobin in urine. Animals were then killed and their kidneys weighed. A dose of 20 mg/kg was needed to induce mortality in pups treated at 1 day of age, and 15 mg/kg was needed in pups treated at 8 days of age. In contrast, the 6.25-mg/kg dose given to 15-day-old pups produced some mortality, and all rats given higher doses at 15 days of age died within 2 days. There was marked oliguria or anuria in the rats that died. Kidney weight was increased in a dose-related fashion at all ages. In those animals not rendered oliguric by the treatment, urine volume increased and the ability to secrete a more concentrated urine during water deprivation decreased. Urinary pH was decreased in a dose-related manner. Urinary chloride excretion was temporarily decreased after HgCl2 treatment on Day 1, but was increased thereafter. Proteinuria, glucosuria, and hematuria were detected in the treated rats, again increasing in frequency and severity with age and dose.
Teaching Human Digestion and pH Using Technology

Testing the pH of various liquids is one of the most popular activities in 5th- through 8th-grade classrooms. The author presents an extensive pH-testing lesson based on a 5E (engagement, exploration, explanation, extension, and evaluation) teaching model. The activity provides students with the opportunity to learn about pH and how it relates to the human digestive system. Students learn to use computer-assisted pH sensor technology to determine the acidity of liquids, thus overcoming the limitations of pH strips, which can be a source of error in measurement. The lesson allows students to understand how scientific research is highly dependent on technology because technological advances provide instruments and techniques that enable increasingly precise observation of objects and phenomena, whereas previous methods may have limited how much scientists could learn about certain subjects.
Vascular biology: relevance of nitric oxide in vascular and nonvascular tissue with normal and decreased renal function

Nitric oxide has been recognized as an important paracrine or autocrine system during the past decade. The generalized importance of this rather simple molecule has been demonstrated in of a variety of neural, epithelial, vascular and immune systems. The degree to which alterations in nitric oxide metabolism contribute to the physiologic and pathophysiologic status of patients with end-stage renal disease remains to be fully defined in both experimental animals and in humans afflicted with renal disease.
Prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, environmental tobacco smoke and asthma

Summary Background Previously, we reported that prenatal exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and postnatal environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in combination were associated with respiratory symptoms at ages 1 and 2 years. Here, we hypothesized that children exposed to both prenatal PAH and ETS may be at greater risk of asthma and seroatopy at ages 5–6 years, after controlling for current pollution exposure. Methods Prenatal PAH exposure was measured by personal air monitoring over 48 h. ETS exposure, respiratory symptoms and asthma at ages 5–6 years were assessed through questionnaire. Immunoglobulin (Ig) E was measured by Immunocap. Results A significant interaction between prenatal PAH and prenatal (but not postnatal) ETS exposure on asthma ( p Conclusions Combined prenatal exposure to PAH and ETS appears to be associated with asthma but not seroatopy at age 5–6. Exposure to PAH alone does not appear associated with either asthma or seroatopy at age 5–6 years. Discerning the differential effects between ETS exposed and ETS nonexposed children requires further study.
The Effects of Myocilin Expression on Functionally Relevant Trabecular Meshwork Genes: A Mini-Review

Myocilin is a secreted glaucoma-associated protein, specifically induced by dexamethasone in human trabecular meshwork cells, where it was discovered. Myocilin is expressed in several tissues of the body, but it causes disease only in the eye. The protein contains two domains: an N-terminal region with significant homologies to nonmuscle myosin, and a C-terminal region, which is similar to the olfactomedin proteins. Forty percent of myocilin undergoes an intracellular endoproteolytic cleavage by calpain II, a calcium-dependent cysteine protease, which releases the 2 domains. The protein is known to interact with intracellular and extracellular matrix proteins, and some is released into the extracellular space associated with exosomes. Myocilin mutations are linked to glaucoma and induce elevated intraocular pressure. Most of the glaucoma-causative mutations map to the olfactomedin domain, which appears to be a critical domain for the function of the protein. Myocilin mutants are misfolded, aggregate in the endoplasmic reticulum, and are not secreted. Overexpression of myocilin and of its mutants in primary human trabecular meshwork cells triggers changes in the expression of numerous genes, many of which have been known to be involved in mechanisms important for the physiology and pathology of the tissue. Here we review recent studies from our laboratory and those of others that deal with trabecular meshwork genes, which are altered by the overexpression of wild-type and glaucoma-causative mutant myocilin genes.
Comparative Efficacy of Dronedarone and Amiodarone for the Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Objectives We sought to compare the efficacy and safety of dronedarone versus amiodarone for the prevention of recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF). Background Dronedarone is a noniodinated amiodarone congener developed to maintain sinus rhythm. Few data are available to directly compare the efficacy and safety of dronedarone versus amiodarone. Methods We conducted a systematic overview of all randomized controlled trials in which the authors evaluated dronedarone or amiodarone for the prevention of AF. The effect of amiodarone versus dronedarone was summarized by the use of indirect comparison meta-analysis and normal logistic meta-regression models. Results We identified 4 placebo-controlled trials of dronedarone, 4 placebo-controlled trials of amiodarone, and 1 trial of dronedarone versus amiodarone. By using random-effects modeling, we found that there was a significant estimated reduction in recurrent AF with amiodarone versus placebo (odds ratio [OR]: 0.12; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08 to 0.19) but not dronedarone versus placebo (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.33 to 1.87). A normal logistic regression model incorporating all trial evidence found amiodarone superior to dronedarone (OR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.63; p Conclusions Dronedarone is less effective than amiodarone for the maintenance of sinus rhythm, but has fewer adverse effects. For every 1,000 patients treated with dronedarone instead of amiodarone, we estimate approximately 228 more recurrences of AF in exchange for 9.6 fewer deaths and 62 fewer adverse events requiring discontinuation of drug.
Silicon nitride chemical mechanical polishing mechanisms

To elucidate the fundamentals of chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of silicon nitride, low pressure chemical vapor deposited silicon nitride is analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy both before and after CMP, demonstrating the salient increase of oxygen content, amine species, and silanol groups forming on the nitride surface. In addition, chemical testing of the collected slurry identifies ammonia as one of the nitride reaction products during CMP. Nitride hydrolysis is proposed as the dominant chemical reaction, through which the nitride surface is chemically modified and softened, enabling continuous material removal with a process that achieves atomic-scale surface smoothness. Moreover, the nitride polish rate can be promoted or suppressed through the modulation of the nitride hydrolysis.
Unwinding the molecular basis of the Werner syndrome

Werner syndrome (WS) is an autosomal recessive disease manifested by the premature onset of age-related phenotypes, including diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer. This mimicry of normal aging with the possible exception of central nervous system manifestations has made it a focus of recent molecular studies on the pathophysiology of aging. In culture, cells obtained from patients with WS are genetically unstable, characterized by an increased frequency of nonclonal translocations and extensive DNA deletions. The WS gene product (WRN) is a DNA helicase belonging to the RecQ family, but is unique within this family in that it also contains an exonuclease activity. In addition to unwinding double-stranded DNA, WRN helicase is able to resolve aberrant DNA structures such as G4 tetraplexes, triplexes and 4-way junctions. Concordant with this structure-specificity, WRN exonuclease preferentially hydrolyzes alternative DNA that contains bubbles, extra-helical loops, 3-way junctions or 4-way junctions. WRN has been shown to bind to and/or functionally interact with other proteins, including replication protein A (RPA), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), DNA topoisomerase I, Ku 86/70, DNA polymerase delta and p53. Each of these interacting proteins is involved in DNA transactions including those that resolve alternative DNA structures or repair DNA damage. The biochemical activities of WRN and the functions of WRN associated proteins suggest that in vivo WRN resolves DNA topological or structural aberrations that either occur during DNA metabolic processes such as recombination, replication and repair, or are the outcome of DNA damage.
Adopting innovational technology in industry

Abstract Adopting innovational technology is a complex and difficult problem for the engineer manager, especially in small organizations. Because the engineer manager is in the midst of these projects, he has difficulty in looking at the process objectively. To overcome these problems a systems approach provides the engineer manager an effective and useful method in coping with the adoption process.
Multi-sensory integration using sparse spatio-temporal encoding

The external world consists of objects that stimulate multiple sensory pathways simultaneously, such as auditory, visual and touch. Our brains receive and process these sensory streams to arrive at a coherent internal representation of the world. Though much attention has been paid to these streams individually, their integration is comparatively less well understood. In this paper we propose the principle of sparse spatio-temporal encoding as a foundation to build a framework for multi-sensory integration. We derive the dynamics that govern a network of oscillatory units that achieves phase synchronization, and is capable of binding related attributes of objects. We simulate objects that produce simultaneous visual and auditory input activations. We demonstrate that our system can bind features in both these sensory modalities. We examine the effect of varying a tuning function that governs the ability of the units to synchronize, and show that by broadening this function we reduce the ability of the network to disambiguate mixtures of objects. Thus, our model offers the potential to study brain disorders such as autism, which may arise from a disruption of synchronization.
Nonsmoothness and a Variable Metric Method

This paper investigates the behavior, both good and bad, of the Broyden---Fletcher---Goldfarb---Shanno algorithm for smooth minimization, when applied to nonsmooth functions. We consider three particular examples. We first present a simple nonsmooth example, illustrating how this variable metric method (in this case with an exact line search) typically succeeds despite nonsmoothness. We then study, computationally, the behavior of the method with an inexact line search on the same example and discuss the results. In further support of the heuristic effectiveness of the method despite nonsmoothness, we prove that, for the very simplest class of nonsmooth functions (maximums of two affine functions), the method cannot stall at a nonstationary point. On the other hand, we present a nonsmooth example where the method with an inexact line-search converges to a stationary point notwithstanding the presence of directions of linear descent. Finally, we briefly compare line-search and trust-region strategies for this method in the nonsmooth case.
Getting Cells and Tissues into Shape

Cells of all shapes and sizes are able to calculate the location of their middles in order to divide into two during mitosis. Minc et al. (2011) and Gibson et al. (2011) now show that simple mechanical models accurately predict cleavage-plane positioning, and that geometrical interactions between neighboring cells are sufficient to generate ordered patterns of mitosis in growing epithelia.
Risk management framework for pharmaceutical research and development projects

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify best practices from high‐technology industries that face many of the same challenges around uncertainty, complexity, and risk that are faced by the pharmaceutical industry.Design/methodology/approach – This research has conducted an extensive review of risk management literature and research conducted in high‐technology industries to collect some of the key best practices for high‐risk research projects.Findings – A literature review of recent risk management publications from three high‐technology industries yielded 13 best practices in project risk management that could potentially be applied to pharmaceutical R&D projects to improve managing risks and uncertainties of managing projects. By reviewing these lessons learned from industries that share many of the challenges of the pharmaceutical R&D projects, it is suggested that the implementation of risk management in the context of drug development projects will require adaptation to the specific needs ...
Abstract 5608: Sipuleucel-T treatment results in sequentialex vivoactivation of APCs and T cells during the culture step - evidence forin vivoimmunological priming

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Introduction. Sipuleucel-T is an investigational autologous immunotherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. Product potency is measured in part by antigen presenting cell (APC) expression of CD54. Previous data have shown that CD54 upregulation correlates with APC activation (Sheikh 2008). This study investigated the ex vivo activation profile of T cells from men with metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer enrolled in a Phase 3 study (D9902B, IMPACT) evaluating the safety and efficacy of sipuleucel-T treatment. Methods. Sipuleucel-T was prepared by incubating mononuclear cells isolated from leukapheresis obtained at Wks 0, 2, and 4 with PA2024 (a recombinant fusion protein comprising prostatic acid phosphatase and GM-CSF) ex vivo for 2 days, after which washed cells were infused. 512 subjects were randomized to sipuleucel-T or placebo (2:1). As part of product characterization efforts, fresh pre- and post-culture (final product - FP) T cells were evaluated in sipuleucel-T products by flow cytometry. The culture supernatant was evaluated for the production of APC and T cell activation-associated cytokines by multiplex luminex assay. Results. APC activation as measured by CD54 upregulation increased from Wk 0 to Wk 2 (P < 0.001) and persisted at the third dose (P < 0.001, Wk 0 vs Wk 4). An analysis of the culture supernatant at each week showed increases in both APC activation-associated cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-23, IFNγ, and TNFα) and T cell activation-associated cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-17, IFNγ, and TNFα). CD134 (OX40), CD137 (4-1BB), CD278 (ICOS), and CD279 (PD-1) expression increased in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells at Wk 2, with expression diminished at Wk 4. Conclusion. Following The Wk 0 dose, sipuleucel-T products demonstrate evidence of increased APC and T cell activation markers as well as production of T cell activation-associated cytokines. These data provide strong evidence that sipuleucel-T activates APCs ex vivo and facilitates in vivo and ex vivo priming of T cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5608.
Late quaternary variations in oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions in Canadian Arctic marine bivalves

Abstract The oxygen and carbon isotopic composition of arctic marine bivalves Mya truncata, Hiatella arctica , and Mytilus edulis are reported on samples from raised marine deposits in Hudson Bay and eastern Baffin Island. The shells range in age from modern, through the Holocene, to “old” marine units. During the Holocene the 18 O/ 16 O ratio in shells rose to a maximum about 3,500 B.P. which coincides in time with the period of maximum growth rates of bivalves, maximum size and maximum faunal diversity. The change is interpreted to indicate that about 3,500 years ago arctic waters may have reached a salinity ≈ 1–2% greater than present. Comparison of Holocene shell-carbonate isotopic compositions with those from the “old” marine shells (that are characteristically extremely thick) suggests that during the early Wisconsin advance on eastern Baffin Island, surface and near-surface waters were more saline than at present. This may have been related to low meltwater discharge. Paradoxically, positive values of 18 O/ 16 O and 13 O/ 12 C in marine shells occurred during the Holocene marine optimum and during the early Wisconsin ice advance.
Propagating waves in visual cortex: A large scale model of turtlevisual cortex

This paper presents a detailed model of the turtle visual cortex containing 750 cells from different cortical layers. Our model captures the basic geometry and temporal structure of the visual cortex and has been shown to generate propagating waves of activity that contain information about a moving stimulus. The simulation data have been analyzed using principal component analysis.
In vitro maturation of equine oocytes obtained from different age groups of sexually mature mares

Abstract Oocytes were harvested from mare ovaries obtained at slaughter and were divided into 3 groups based on the age of the donor. The age groups consisted of young (2 to 7 yr), middle-aged (8 to 14 yr) and aged (≥15 yr) mares. There were no differences between age groups in the proportions of follicles available for examination or the proportions of normal, abnormal or total oocytes collected. After 24 h of culture, the overall maturation rate to the second metaphase (MII) was 52.7%. Maturation rates for oocytes obtained from young and middle-aged mares were similar, but oocytes from aged mares were only ~25% as likely to reach MII and they were 3 times more likely to remain at metaphase I. Twelve oocytes had chromosome spreads suitable for counting; 6 were haploid, 2 were hyperhaploid and 4 were hypohaploid. Insufficient numbers of readable spreads precluded comparisons of chromosome complements between age groups.
Green's function method for waveguide and single impurity modes in 2D photonic crystals: H-polarization

Abstract Green's function methods are used to study H-polarized electromagnetic single site and waveguide impurity modes in two-dimensional photonic crystals. Modes for impurities formed of frequency independent, frequency dependent, and nonlinear dielectric media are treated. Results for H- and E-polarized modes are compared and contrasted.
Pattern Discovery of User Interface Sequencing by Rehabilitation Clients with Cognitive Impairments

We demonstrate the use of sequence pattern mining as applied to monitoring the usage of emailing software by clients with cognitive impairments. We show how Max Motif, a sequence-mining algorithm, can be applied using a stream-mining approach. Consequently, clinicians can now consider sequential patterns in their analysis of client emailing behaviors. Such analysis is part of the Think and Link project, which provides personalized email clients, a kind of assistive technology, to aid client communications that facilitate activities of daily living. By using the simplified, customized system, clients can now email, whereas they could not previously. By continuously monitoring usage, the project is able continually adapt the software to a user's changing needs. Thus, monitoring software usage, particularly email event sequences, is important. This paper introduces theory and design of stream sequence-mining for UI event streams.
Hospitality management graduates’ perceptions of career factor importance and career factor experience

Abstract The purpose of this research was to examine the perceived importance and perceived experiences of career factors for hospitality management graduates and to examine differences in perceptions of hospitality graduates who left the hospitality industry with those who stayed. In addition, differences in perceptions between hospitality graduates and hiring managers were examined. Compared to those who had left the industry, hospitality graduates working in the hospitality industry indicated 11 factors were more important to them. Examples of these factors included having a career where graduates use their degree and a career with good promotion prospects. Graduates who left the hospitality industry indicated it was more important to have a career where they could contribute to society as compared to graduates that stayed in the industry. Hiring managers perceived their organizations offered more in a career than the graduates expected or deemed important which contradicts the findings from the graduates.
Molecular modeling of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in simple oligoamides 1. In vacuo.

Abstract Molecular modeling studies of amides 1 - 4 suggest that, in vacuo , maximization of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in 1 is enthalpically preferred. Entropic considerations are not sufficient to overcome this preference. While 4 does prefer hydrogen bonded conformations, it is not a good model for 1 . These results are in disagreement with the interpretation of recent experimental data. Possible reasons for this disagreement are discussed.
2005: an offline persepctive

This quarter's column contains a survey of work on online algorithms from last year. It covers papers from the following conferences: SODA, STACS, STOC, ICALP, ESA, WADS, COCOON, ISAAC, FCT, FOCS and MFCS. The bibliography of online algorithms (see www.cs.ucr.edu/~marek/pubs/online.bib) has been updated, and it now contains all the papers discussed in this survey -- and more.