cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical solutions of Laplace's equations and the ion current problem by the use of flux tubes and equipotentials (FTE)

The method presented uses finite-difference and current-conservation equations, but applies them on a grid which is continuously adjusted by relaxation to approximate flux tube and equipotential surfaces. The resulting solution then contains the flux lines and equipotential lines explicitly. The primary advantages for using the method are that numerical diffusion of the ions is avoided, and the method is adaptable able to include physical diffusion terms. >
Finding the “Missing 50%” of Invasive Candidiasis: How Nonculture Diagnostics Will Improve Understanding of Disease Spectrum and Transform Patient Care

Blood cultures are limited for diagnosing invasive candidiasis by poor sensitivity and slow turn-around time. New diagnostics are needed to complement cultures, in particular to identify the "missing 50%" of patients who are blood culture-negative. Mannan/anti-mannan immunoglobulin G, β-D-glucan (BDG) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays can diagnose candidemia before blood cultures and show promising sensitivity/specificity, but they are not widely investigated in blood culture-negative, deep-seated candidiasis. In a recent study, BDG and PCR were superior to blood cultures in deep-seated candidiasis, suggesting they may identify currently undiagnosed patients and expand our understanding of disease spectrum. Positive predictive values of nonculture tests are limited by the low prevalence of invasive candidiasis, which mandates that results be interpreted judiciously. When used as biomarkers that assess a patient's risk of having invasive candidiasis, tests will facilitate preemptive antifungal strategies. Because negative predictive values are excellent, tests will also be useful for ruling out invasive candidiasis and discontinuing unnecessary antifungal therapy.
Staging the Winter Olympics Or, Why Sport Matters to White Power

This essay offers a critical reading of the entanglements of White power and the Olympic Games. On the one hand, it traces the centrality of Eurocentrism and White supremacy to the invention and elaboration of the Olympic Games. On the other hand, it highlights the preoccupations of contemporary advocates of White power through an overview of their interpretations of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino. Throughout, the discussion pays special attention to why sport matters to White power.
Improving the design of the agarose spot assay for eukaryotic cell chemotaxis

Migration of cells along gradients of effector molecules, i.e., chemotaxis, is necessary in immune response and is involved in development and cancer metastasis. The experimental assessment of chemotaxis thus is of high interest. The agarose spot assay is a simple tissue culture system used to analyze chemotaxis. Although direction sensing requires gradients to be sufficiently steep, how the chemical gradients developed in this assay change over time, and thus, under what conditions chemotaxis is plausible, has not yet been determined. Here, we use numerical solution of the diffusion equation to determine the chemoattractant gradient produced in the assay. Our analysis shows that, for the usual spot size, the lifetime of the assay is optimized if the chemoattractant concentration in the spot is initially 30 times the dissociation constant of the chemoattractant-receptor bond. This result holds regardless of the properties of the chemoattractant. With this initial concentration, the chemoattractant gradient falls to the minimum threshold for directional sensing at the same time that the concentration drops to the optimal level for detecting gradient direction. If a higher initial chemoattractant concentration is used, the useful lifetime of the assay is likely to be shortened because receptor saturation may decrease the cells' sensitivity to the gradient; lower initial concentrations would result in too little chemoattractant for the cells to detect. Moreover, chemoattractants with higher diffusion coefficients would sustain gradients for less time. Based on previous measurements of the diffusion coefficients of the chemoattractants EGF and CXCL12, we estimate that the assay will produce gradients that cells can sense for a duration of 10 h for EGF and 5 h for CXCL12. These gradient durations are comparable to what can be achieved with the Boyden chamber assay. The analysis presented in this work facilitates determination of suitable parameters for the assay, and can be used to assess whether observed cell motility is likely due to chemotaxis or chemokinesis.
Identification of existing structures under uncertainty

A finite element-based element-level time-domain system identification procedure is proposed to estimate the stiffness and damping coefficients of a large existing linear shear-type building excited by an unknown input. The procedure does not need any information on the input excitation forces. The method is verified by using numerical examples. For verification purposes, both the noise-free and noise-included output responses are considered. In all cases, the proposed method identified the structural parameters very well. The identification of a large structural system using only noise-contaminated output responses is emphasized. >
Health Services Social Workers' Activities with People with Disabilities: Predicters of Community Practice

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which hospital based social workers were actively involved in community practice on behalf of disabled people. The study attempted to identify what variables influence social workers in health settings to engage in community practice. A sample of 286 social workers employed in 57 different hospital and rehabilitation settings participated in a survey that focused on advocacy and related topics. A questionnaire explored participants' perspectives and the levels and kinds of practice activities thej engaged in relation to the needs of people with disabilities. Most respondents indicated that community practice was part of their professional responsibility and that disabled clients needed such assistance. Regres:,ion analyses showed that self-reports of community practice activities were nevertheless highly related to selfreported advocacy activities. However, their reports of their actual advocacy activities consistentlyfell below their recognition of need. A major tenet of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is that people with disabilities frequently encounter institutional, social and physical barriers as they try to establish and maintain lives in mainstream communities. This view is held by a great many disability rights advocates and authors who suggest that many of the problems encountered by disabled people are neither psychological nor medical (Mackelprang & Salsgiver, 1999; Tower, 1994). Rather, they contend that disabled people encounter problems in their contacts and interactions with communities, organizations and mainstream health and rehabilitation
Validation of acoustic echo counting for studies of zooplankton behavior

Acoustic methods can be employed to census zooplankton in large volumes of water rapidly, but ecological interpretations of the results are often complicated by ambiguities concerning the identity of acoustic backscatters. Here, a multi-step approach is developed to evaluate the potential of acoustic echo counting for behavioral studies of zooplankton using OASIS (Optical-Acoustic Submersible Imaging System), an instrument designed for concurrent optical and acoustic imaging of zooplankton. A combination of field and laboratory analyses (1) demonstrate general agreement between echo counts and depth-stratified net sampling, (2) show that fish and zooplankton can be distinguished on the basis of target strength (TS), (3) indicate that zooplankton taxa (euphausiids and gammarid amphipods) could not be differentiated on the basis of TS, and (4) demonstrate a positive relationship between body size and TS in euphausiid crustaceans. Simulation of the system's performance suggests that at high densities of reflective targets, echo counting increasingly underestimates the true number of targets present. These results confirm that echo counting is a valuable method for behavioral studies and underscore the importance of independent verification of the identities of acoustic backscatters.
Single-Molecule Detection and Probe Strategies for Rapid and Ultrasensitive Genomic Detection

This paper reviews the current state-of-the-art development of single-molecule detection (SMD)-based methods for ultrasensitive and specific analysis of genomic sequences. We first discuss several newly devised single fluorescent probe strategies that allow separation-free detection of low-abundance DNA sequences, such as quantum dot (QD)-mediated fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technology and dual-color fluorescence coincidence and colocalization analysis. Various schemes toward single DNA sizing and sequencing in solutions or on surfaces are also reviewed. In the end, we summarize the different microfluidic approaches developed for use with SMD to facilitate rapid, low-volume and quantitative analysis, such as electrokinetic and hydrodynamic single-molecule manipulation techniques.
Quantifying uncertainty in genotype calls

Motivation: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are used to discover genes underlying complex, heritable disorders for which less powerful study designs have failed in the past. The number of GWAS has skyrocketed recently with findings reported in top journals and the mainstream media. Microarrays are the genotype calling technology of choice in GWAS as they permit exploration of more than a million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) simultaneously. The starting point for the statistical analyses used by GWAS to determine association between loci and disease is making genotype calls (AA, AB or BB). However, the raw data, microarray probe intensities, are heavily processed before arriving at these calls. Various sophisticated statistical procedures have been proposed for transforming raw data into genotype calls. We find that variability in microarray output quality across different SNPs, different arrays and different sample batches have substantial influence on the accuracy of genotype calls made by existing algorithms. Failure to account for these sources of variability can adversely affect the quality of findings reported by the GWAS. Results: We developed a method based on an enhanced version of the multi-level model used by CRLMM version 1. Two key differences are that we now account for variability across batches and improve the call-specific assessment of each call. The new model permits the development of quality metrics for SNPs, samples and batches of samples. Using three independent datasets, we demonstrate that the CRLMM version 2 outperforms CRLMM version 1 and the algorithm provided by Affymetrix, Birdseed. The main advantage of the new approach is that it enables the identification of low-quality SNPs, samples and batches. Availability: Software implementing of the method described in this article is available as free and open source code in the crlmm R/BioConductor package. Contact: [email protected] Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Risking Basin Analysis Results

The work presented here uses a basin analysis code, developed for Excel, to handle burial history, fluid flow, fracturing, overpressure development with time, erosion events, kerogen breakdown to o...
A dominant role for CD8+-T-lymphocyte selection in simian immunodeficiency virus sequence variation

CD8+-T-lymphocyte (CD8-TL) responses against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) select viral escape variants that are poorly recognized by the immune system. The number of CD8-TL responses that select escape variants and the contribution of CD8-TL selection to viral diversification are unknown. CD8-TL responses against HIV and SIV are broadly directed, as they target epitopes in all viral proteins (11, 26). If many of these responses select for viral variants, CD8-TL escape may be principally responsible for sequence changes that accumulate within infected individuals, an outcome recently hypothesized by Overbaugh and Bangham (40). Until recently, the molecular and immunologic tools that are necessary to analyze CD8-TL selection at the genome level have been unavailable. Most studies of CD8-TL escape have focused on single epitopes or small groups of epitopes clustered in single SIV and HIV genes (4, 7, 16, 20, 22, 43, 44). While they were instrumental in demonstrating that CD8-TL selection is a cardinal feature of SIV and HIV infections, these studies could not comprehensively evaluate the frequency of CD8-TL escape throughout the viral genome. High-throughput DNA sequencing technologies now enable the sequencing of entire SIV genomes from infected animals (38). Additionally, 46 CD8-TL epitopes bound by the high-frequency Indian rhesus macaque major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I) alleles Mamu-A*01 (3), -A*02 (28a), and -B*17 (34) are now known. By sequencing complete viral genomes spanning these 46 CD8-TL epitopes, we can now directly measure the frequency of CD8-TL selection. With this study, we found that CD8-TL escape is common, with sequences encoding 23 of 46 epitopes accumulating variations that are consistent with escape. Within a single animal, >64% of the nonsynonymous viral variants outside of the envelope were located within recognized CD8-TL epitopes, suggesting that CD8-TL escape is a primary selector of within-host diversity.
Electoral Incentives and Legislative Organization: An Examination of Committee Autonomy in U.S. State Legislatures

We investigate the relationship between electoral institutions and committee autonomy in the context of U.S. state legislatures. The distributive theories of legislative organization suggest that e...
Controlled Patterning of Ferroelectric Domains: Fundamental Concepts and Applications

Patterning ferroelectric domains to engineer devices is a relatively recent phenomenon. It is practiced on nonlinear optical materials to make micrometer-sized devices and on perovskite-based thin crystals to progress toward memory devices. Such patterning forms the basis of lithographic processing of heterogeneous nanostructures on thin-film oxides and polymers. The fundamental aspects of polarization switching relevant to patterning are summarized, after which the most common methods of patterning ferroelectric compounds are reviewed, with an emphasis on poling mechanisms for each case. Issues related to the stability of domain patterns and limitations on the smallest domain size are discussed. Finally, lithography based on ferroelectric patterning is demonstrated for a number of complex systems.
Ectopic Pregnancy: Current Evaluation and Treatment

During the past 20 years, the diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy have improved considerably. With the current diagnostic modalities, patients at risk for ectopic pregnancy can be followed expectantly, and the diagnosis can be made within a few days of the time of anticipated menses. An enhanced understanding of the varied clinical course of ectopic pregnancy has been gained in the process, and greater individualization of patient care has been possible. Patients with spontaneous tubal abortion are being identified, and they may be better served by observation. The precise role and limitations of pharmacologic agents and the new surgical procedures are still being determined, but the ultimate goal with use of these modalities is an improved potential for fertility.
Complicated oscillations in simple networks

Theoretical investigations of a class of ring oscillators which has been known for over 30 years, but which has not previously been modeled, are presented. A significant feature of the results is the wide variety of distinguishable oscillation forms that are obtained with such apparently simple networks. A series of experiments was carried out to verify the simulated results. The close qualitative agreement between simulation and experiment shows that the relatively simple circuit models analyzed provide an adequate representation of the oscillators. >
Error propagation on the Euclidean group with applications to manipulator kinematics

Error propagation on the Euclidean motion group arises in a number of areas such as errors that accumulate from the base to the distal end of manipulators. We address error propagation in rigid-body poses in a coordinate-free way, and explain how this differs from other approaches proposed in the literature. In this paper, we show that errors propagate by convolution on the Euclidean motion group, SE(3). When local errors are small, they can be described well as distributions on the Lie algebra se(3). We show how the concept of a highly concentrated Gaussian distribution on SE(3) is equivalent to one on se(3). We also develop closure relations for these distributions under convolution on SE(3). Numerical examples illustrate how convolution is a valuable tool for computing the propagation of both small and large errors
Emerging treatment strategies for glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the deadliest form of brain tumor with a more than 90% 5-year mortality. GBM has a paltry median survival of 12.6 months attributed to the unique treatment limitations such as the high average age of onset, tumor location, and poor current understandings of the tumor pathophysiology. The resection techniques, chemotherapic strategies, and radiation therapy currently used to treat GBM have slowly evolved, but the improvements have not translated to marked increases in patient survival. Here, we will discuss the recent progress in our understanding of GBM pathophysiology, and the diagnostic techniques and treatment options. The discussion will include biomarkers, tumor imaging, novel therapies such as monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors, and the heterogeneity resulting from the GBM cancer stem cell population.
Real-Time Testing of an Intelligent Controller for a WM Inverter-Fed 1ϕ Capacitor Induction Motor

This paper presents a novel speed control scheme using a resolution-level controller (RLC) for a single-phase (1phi) voltage-source (VS) four-pulse wavelet-modulated (WM) inverter-fed capacitor-run induction motor (IM). The wavelet modulation technique generates switching pulses using a non-dyadic type multiresolution analysis (MRA) that is constructed by scale-based linearly-combined scaling function. The change in the scale of the synthesis scaling function is based on the change of the sign of the first derivative of the reference-modulating signal. It proposes adjusting zero-crossing locations of the first derivative of the reference-modulating signal to change scales of successive dilated and shifted versions of phi(t). The proposed change in scales can be incorporated to adjust the speed of the motor to meet load changes. The complete drive incorporating the RLC is successfully implemented in real-time using a digital signal processor board DS 1102 for a 1/2 hp, 1750 RPM capacitor-run IM. The efficacy of the proposed RLC-based 1phi IM drive is verified by experimental results at various operating conditions. A performance comparison with a conventional proportional-integral (PI) controller is also provided to show the superiority of the proposed controller. Experimental test results of the proposed RLC demonstrate robust performance, simple implementation, significant dynamic responses improvements and an ability to maintain high quality outputs.
On expander graphs and hypergraphs

Expander graphs have been studied in various definitions and approaches. We show some relationships among these definitions. A clear criterion for optimality of expanders is available only in one approach, namely the spectral approach, where the optimal graphs are called Ramanujan graphs. Therefore many new discoveries are based on the second largest absolute values of eigenvalues of graphs. A special expander graph called a unique-neighbor expander as shown by Alon and Capalbo in 2002 have been presented and generalized. In order to achieve an easy explicit family of fixed degree good expander graphs, we make recursions with Reingold's, Vadhan's, and Wigderson's zig-zag product and a new operation. We also introduce the C 3-lift construction inspired by Bilu's and Linial's 2-lift in 2004 to generate a bigger expander without hurting much of the expansion property. Unfortunately, most techniques on graphs are not applicable when it comes to hypergraphs. We give a new definition to study the spectrum of an expander hypergraph so that the results can be compared to the case of graphs.
Estrogenic Hormone in the Urine and Tumor of a Patient with a Granulosa Cell Tumor of the Ovary

Summary Estrogenic hormone determinations on the tumor and urine of a patient with a granulosa cell tumor of the ovary are reported. Values for the hormone are calculated as estrone. The content of the tumor was found to be 11,700.0 gamma (11.7 mg.) per kilogram desiccated tumor tissue associated with a maximum urinary excretion of 86.6 gamma per twenty-four hours while the patient was bleeding. Beginning the first day after operation the urinary excretion of estrogenic hormone fell to normal. Comparable values from other cases recorded in the literature are tabulated.
Who is Likely to Become Self Employed in Vietnam

This paper investigates how workers' opportunity costs affect their entry into self employment in Vietnam. This is important since workers with high opportunity costs who enter self-employment only if motivated by high rewards will contribute a lot to productivity and economic growth, while workers with low opportunity costs who are motivated out of desperation will contribute little. It also provides an indication of the opportunities that foreign firms interested in directly investing in Vietnam are likely to encounter. Other research in Vietnam has found evidence that existing self-employed workers are not just a disadvantaged informal sector. To gauge new self-employment opportunities, this paper focuses on those who entered self-employment in a one-year period, whether they were successful or not. I find that a worker's opportunity cost can increase or decrease the probability of self-employment, depending on the source of the opportunity cost. Therefore the self-employed should make a moderate contribution to economic growth and foreign companies will find some opportunities with high-expected returns and may find some with low returns.
To Live or Let Die: An Empirical Analysis of Piecemeal Voluntary Corporate Liquidations, 1971-1991

This paper presents the results of an in-depth investigation of 61 publicly-traded firms that chose to liquidate voluntarily over the period 1970 through 1991. In comparison with a size-matched sample of industry peers, firms that elect to liquidate voluntarily are characterized by lower Tobin's Q (as measured by the market-to-book value of the firm), a higher percentage of equity ownership by management and members of the board of directors, and a higher incidence of a member of the corporation's founding family on the board. These firms are also characterized by a higher incidence of asset sales and prior attempts to transfer control of the firm by other means, including merger and proxy fights, than their industry counterparts. The average stock return around announcements regarding the liquidation decisions is roughly +20% and statistically significantly different from zero. These results suggest that firms that make the value enhancing decision voluntarily liquidate confront low future growth opportunities (i.e., low Tobin's Q), but, the absence of future growth opportunities is not sufficient to bring about this decision. Rather, it is also necessary that decision makers have a vested interest in the outcome, either because of their ownership stake or because of their family affiliation with the business. We interpret the results to be consistent with managerial theories of the firm which posit that managers are more likely to act in shareholders' interests when managers have a significant personal stake in the firm.
Passive Control of a Hydraulic Human Power Amplifier Using a Hydraulic Transformer

The hydraulic human power amplifier is a tool that uses hydraulic actuation to amplify the force that the human exerts on it. Our control objective and framework are to make the system behave like a passive mechanical tool when interacting with the human and with the work environment with a specified power scaling factor. A virtual velocity coordination control approach casts the human power amplifier problem into one of velocity coordination by generating a fictitious reference mechanical system. Force amplification becomes a natural consequence of velocity coordination. This control has been previously demonstrated using servo valves which is a major contributor to energy loss in hydraulic system. In this paper, a hydraulic transformer, which does not rely on throttling to accomplish its control function is used instead of a servo valve to achieve human power amplification. In addition, a passivity based control approach that makes use of the natural energy storage of the hydraulic actuator is used to define the flow requirement. This approach fully accounts for the non-linearity due to the pressure dynamics. The controller was experimentally validated with good force amplification and velocity coordination performance on a single degree of freedom hydraulic human power amplifier.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
The fungicidal activity of the unsaturated fatty acids and quaternary salts prepared from fish oils

Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and 10 unsaturated fatty acid fractions and ethyl esters of unsaturated fatty acid fractions prepared from fish oils were tested on their inhibitory activity againstCandida albicans.
Limnoperdon, A Floating Gasteromycete Isolated from Marshes

A minute uniloculate gasteromycete has been discovered floating in petri dishes containing submerged hardwood twigs. The new taxon, Limnoperdon incarnatum, differs in several respects from the other uniloculate Gasteromycetes, Protogaster, Gasterella, and Gasterellopsis; its relationship to these and other Gas.teromycetes is discussed and a new family, Limnoperdaceae, is erected to accommodate it. The new fungus has been grown and fruited on a chemically defined medium.
Proximal Tibiofibular Joint Ganglion Cysts Excision, Recurrence, and Joint Arthrodesis

Objective Proximal tibiofibular joint proximal tibiofibular joint cysts are rare entities that can cause disability. Excision remains the traditional surgical treatment. Cyst recurrence has been a problem. This study reviews one of the largest series of patients with proximal tibiofibular joint cysts and evaluates the role of a new surgical option, proximal tibiofibular joint fusion. Methods Thirteen patients were admitted to the institution between 1987 and 1999. Diagnoses were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and histological examination. A database was compiled after medical record review. Patients completed a phone survey describing activity levels, symptom severity, recurrence history, and additional surgery. Average postoperative follow-up and average time to date of survey were 1.7 and 6.3 years, respectively. Results Patient complaints included lateral knee "fullness" (75%) and peroneal nerve dysesthesias (54%). Twelve patients opted for surgery: cyst excision (8) and cyst excision with proximal tibiofibular joint fusion (4). A recurrence rate of 13% (1 of 8) following primary excision was observed. A 100% (3 of 3) repeat recurrence rate was noted in second resections. Four patients underwent proximal tibiofibular joint fusion: 2 with a recurrence history and 2 for primary treatment. At follow-up, all fusion patients were without cyst recurrence or activity limitations. Procedure morbidity was minimal. Conclusions Proximal tibiofibular joint cysts can recur after simple excision. Repeat resection after a recurrence is often not effective. Proximal tibiofibular joint arthrodesis appears to be a more effective surgical option after a recurrence.
Does ‘fear of dying’ indicate a more severe presentation of panic disorder?

Abstract Research suggests a relationship between the presence of fearful cognitions and panic disorder (PD) severity. With little existing evidence addressing the clinical significance of individual panic-cognitions, the current study examined presentation and impairment differences among 331 outpatients with PD according to whether they experience “fear of dying” (FOD) during panic attacks. Patients reporting FOD (n = 153) were compared to patients denying FOD (n = 178) on variables indicating PD severity (e.g., number of symptoms) and psychiatric impairment (e.g., hospitalizations). PD patients with FOD reported a greater number of panic symptoms, agoraphobia diagnoses, and were more likely to be seeking treatment primarily for PD. We found no clinical impairment or comorbidity differences between groups. Results suggest that panic attacks with FOD are related to a more acute presentation of PD. Such results substantiate past research connecting cognitive distress and PD severity and further suggest that FOD may be particularly relevant to this relationship.
’êkāh: A Gasp of Desperation (Lamentations 1:1):

The horror described in the Book of Lamentations engenders terror-fraught cries from those entrapped by them. The laments that comprise the book plumb the depths of human tragedy and desperation without rushing prematurely into consolation and relief.
Hearing Outcomes after Surgical Drainage of Petrous Apex Cholesterol Granuloma.

Objective This study aims to assess the hearing outcomes of patients undergoing surgical management of petrous apex cholesterol granuloma and to discuss the role of otic capsule–sparing approaches in drainage of petrous apex cholesterol granulomas. Design Retrospective case series. Setting Tertiary care medical center. Participants Eight patients underwent surgery for presumed or definitive cholesterol granuloma between 2002 and 2011 and met the inclusion criteria for this study. Main Outcome Measures Pre- and postoperative audiogram results as measured by pure tone thresholds and word recognition scores. Results Four patients (50%) demonstrated improvement in speech discrimination. One patient had an increase from 0 to 67% in word recognition scores. Four patients (50%) demonstrated worsening of pure tone thresholds, including two patients with anacusis. Conclusion Perilabyrinthine drainage of petrous apex cholesterol granulomas may result in hearing preservation or hearing improvement, even in the setting of otic capsule erosion. Patients should be counseled about the potential risk of significant hearing loss.
Attachment orientation and sexual risk behaviour among young Black gay and bisexual men

This mixed methods study used an explanatory sequential design to examine the relationship between attachment and sexual behaviour among young Black gay and bisexual men (YBGBM). Cross sectional online surveys and sex diaries were completed by a sample of YBGBM in New York City (n = 153) to assess the association between adult attachment insecurity and sexual risk behaviour. The Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-Revised (ECR-R) was used to assess three types of adult attachment (i.e., secure, anxious and avoidant). Participants reported condomless sex encounters, as well as serodiscordant condomless anal sex encounters, as measures of sexual risk. Quantitative findings suggested that there were few associations between attachment type and sexual risk behaviour; only men with attachment avoidance were likely to engage in condomless sex. However, qualitative findings illuminated some of the social complexities of the association between attachment in childhood, attachment in young adulthood and intim...
THE WELFARE COST OF CREDIT DISCRIMINATION IN CHINA

The state-owned enterprises and private enterprises credit discrimination is a unique phenomenon in the process of china's economic transformation.Based on the financial accelerator models,this paper incorporates enterprise heterogeneity and a banking sector into a new-Keynesian DSGE model to study the social welfare loss caused by credit discrimination.The numerical analysis shows that credit discrimination would increase the social welfare loss by 6.2% because it amplifies private-owned enterprises'output volatility and propagates the inflation volatility.Moreover,this paper finds that credit discrimination would cause social welfare loss under different monetary policy regime.Finally,this paper concludes that to eliminate the welfare loss the government should remove the credit discrimination.
Inspirational, Aspirational and Operational Heroes: Recruitment, Terror and Heroic Conflict from the Perspective of Armed Groups

For every Medal of Honor winner, every four-star general and every sergeant who has sacrificed themselves for the safety and survival of the people they fight with, there is the equivalent on the other side of the equation; heroes among the armed groups who inspire admiration and shape the narrative of what is expected from those who take up arms to fight.1 Just as conventional militaries do, armed groups carry with them historic heroes and villains: myths and stories of what it means to be an extraordinary person, both good and bad, within the context of a group’s cultural norms and within warfare. Indeed, sometimes those heroes are a key element around which group identity and cohesion is based.
Working on the frontlines in U. S. hospitals: Scheduling challenges and turnover intent among housekeepers and dietary service workers

The changing nature of U.S. health care has created challenges for hospitals, including managing high rates of turnover among frontline support workers. Few studies have examined the effect of work schedules on turnover among frontline hospital support workers. This cross-sectional study (N = 270) examined scheduling challenges prevalence among hospital housekeeping and dietary workers and their relationship to turnover intent. Both worker groups experienced schedule unpredictability but dietary workers reported greater schedule instability than housekeeping workers. Schedule rigidity was reported by all workers, although housekeepers had more difficulty in changing work schedules. All three scheduling challenges were significant predictors of intent to leave.
Determination of the base strength of super base by indicator method

In this paper, a conventional indicator method for the determination of super base (its base strength H_-37) was developed based on a series of aromatic hydrocarbon used as indicators. The experimental results indicate that this method is very useful for the determination of the base strength, even the highest strength of base H_-≥43.
Diagnosis and management of hair loss in children.

Purpose of review Hair loss is common in infants and children and the ability to distinguish why a child is losing hair enables providers to distinguish hair loss that is related to infection, autoimmune conditions, nutrition, medications, trauma/traction, or underlying genetic disorders such as ectodermal dysplasias. Making these distinctions leads to best management and guidance for patients and their families. Recent findings Careful physical examination of the hair, scalp, skin, and nails coupled with dermoscopy or trichoscopy, or both, can yield more accurate and faster diagnosis. Biopsy is rarely needed in children for hair loss conditions. Summary Hair loss, particularly on the scalp, can affect all ages and can impact patients socially and emotionally. The majority of hair loss in children is nonscarring. Diagnosis begins with a good history, including personal and family history, medication use, a thorough physical examination, and use of dermoscopy or trichoscopy, or both. With these, providers can begin to divide hair loss into congenital vs. acquired, and then further subdivide into focal vs. diffuse and scarring vs. nonscarring. Secondary change, including scale and erythema, can further help with diagnosis.
Brain response to photodynamic therapy and Photofrin, nonsulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine and tin purpurin

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with PhotofrinR, nonsulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine (AlClPc), and tin ethyl etiopurpurin I (SnET2) was investigated on normal and tumored (9L gliosarcoma) rat brain. Rats were injected 48 h prior to PDT (3 - 280 J/cm2, 100 mW/cm2) with PhotofrinR (12.5 mg/kg) and AlClPc (2.0 mg/kg) and 24 h prior with SnET2 (1.0 mg/kg). Substantial lesions were present in normal brain with PhotofrinR and with AlClPc at all energy levels. No lesions were present with SnET2. Tumor response for PhotofrinR and AlClPc did not occur with doses less than 140 J/cm2. Drug concentrations for tumored/contralateral hemisphere for PhotofrinR and AlClPc were 1.86 and 7.86, respectively. These data indicate: (1) normal brain is more sensitive than the tumored brain with PhotofrinR and AlClPc, and (2) normal brain sensitivity to SnET2 is less than that with PhotofrinR and AlClPc.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in plasma: source, protein-binding, and cellular transport.

Abstract Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP), the coenzyme form of vitamin B 6 , has a rapid turnover in human plasma and is in a dynamic equilibrium between synthesis and cellular extraction and/or degradation. In studies of the effect of organ ablation in anesthetized dogs, the liver was demonstrated to be the principal, if not the sole, organ responsible for the formation of plasma PLP from either pyridoxine or pyridoxal. Thus it appears that the liver possesses a unique transport mechanism absent in other tissues, e.g., the red cells, which provides for the efflux of PLP into the plasma. At physiologic concentrations, PLP in human plasma is principally complexed to albumin through Schiff's-base formation. Albumin-bound PLP cannot enter human red cells directly, but it can be hydrolyzed to pyridoxal by alkaline phosphatase. Hydrolysis occurs even when the phosphatase is separated from albumin-bound PLP by a semipermeable membrane, thus indicating that a small amount of free PLP normally exists in equilibrium with the albumin-PLP complex. The results are consistent with the view that pyridoxal is an important transport form of the vitamin B 6 compounds.
Hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization is more robust in healthy African American compared to Caucasian donors and is not affected by the presence of sickle cell trait.

BACKGROUND Granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-stimulated hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) collected by apheresis have become the predominant graft source for HPC transplantation in adults. Among healthy allogeneic donors, demographic characteristics (age, sex, body mass index [BMI]) and baseline hematologic counts affect HPC mobilization, leading to variability in CD34+ apheresis yields. Racial differences in HPC mobilization are less well characterized. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data from 1096 consecutive G-CSF-stimulated leukapheresis procedures in healthy allogeneic African American (AA) or Caucasian donors. RESULTS In a multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, baseline platelet and mononuclear cell counts, and daily G-CSF dose, peak CD34+ cell mobilization was significantly higher among AAs (n = 215) than Caucasians (n = 881; 123 ± 87 × 10(6) cells/L vs. 75 ± 47 × 10(6) cells/L; p < 0.0001). A ceiling effect was observed with increasing G-CSF dose (10 µg/kg/day vs. 16 µg/kg/day) in AAs (123 ± 88 × 10(6) cells/L vs. 123 ± 87 × 10(6) cells/L) but not in Caucasians (74 ± 46 × 10(6) cells/L vs. 93 ± 53 × 10(6) cells/L; p < 0.001). In AA donors, the presence of sickle cell trait (SCT; n = 41) did not affect CD34+ mobilization (peak CD34+ 123 ± 91 × 10(6) cells/L vs. 107 ± 72 × 10(6) cells/L, HbAS vs. HbAA; p = 0.34). Adverse events were minimal and similar across race. CONCLUSIONS AAs demonstrated significantly better CD34 mobilization responses to G-CSF than Caucasians. This was independent of other demographic and hematologic variables. Studying race-associated pharmacogenomics in relation to G-CSF may improve dosing strategies. Adverse event profile and CD34 mobilization were similar in AA donors with and without SCT. Our findings suggest that it would be safe to include healthy AA donors with SCT in unrelated donor registries.
Designer's Workbench: a tool to assist in the capture and utilization of design knowledge

Abstract In most cases, the result of a design activity is only the final detailed design of a desired object. The knowledge utilized while developing the design for an object is discarded after the design has been completed. Recently, researchers have begun to focus more attention to the issue of keeping this design knowledge. The process of acquiring and representing this knowledge is generally referred to as design knowledge capture. To address the knowledge capture problem, we are developing the Designer's Workbench which will assist in the design of complex objects. The Designer's Workbench uses the theory of plausible designs with a few extensions to capture a significant amount of design process knowledge. The extensions serve to make retention of the remaining design process knowledge easier. The physical knowledge associated with a design is represented through the use of CAD tools. The function of an object is represented at a high level. Behavioral knowledge can be represented using a causal network together with the associated temporal constraints. We provide a number of methods to access a design experience once it is stored in the memory. Overall we believe that the system is capable of capturing a good amount of design knowledge.
Cancer of the lung and its response to non-surgical treatment

From July 1969 to December 1972 a clinical trial was carried out to determine the effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy individually or in combination on lung cancer. During the first three years of the study 53 of 234 patients underwent curative resection. 111 of the remaining patients were inoperable and were suitable for inclusion in the study.
The Dynamics of International Law: The influence of normative change on the operating system

In the previous chapter, we outlined the basic components and interactions of the normative and operating systems respectively. What happens when there is a change in the normative system? The framework and discussion in Chapter 2 indicated that changes in the normative system do not always lead to commensurate transformations in the operating system as are implied in other treatments. Such alterations might not be needed, but it could also be the case that even desirable shifts in the operating system lag behind or do not occur at all, leaving the two systems in a state of imbalance. What our framework did not provide at that point, however, was a specific model that gave a causal explanation for when and why operating system changes occur (or not). In this chapter, we provide such a model, consistent with the tenets of our theoretical framework. Normative change comes most commonly in the form of a treaty that creates new rules in a substantive area such as patent rights or the treatment of diplomatic personnel. For example, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (1994) obligates states to mitigate the effects of drought, among other responsibilities. Less common would be changes from alterations in international customary law or law crafted in international bodies (e.g., UN Security Council) empowered to authorize legally binding decisions. For example, the imposition of sanctions on Libya following the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 is an instance of changing rules, albeit very narrow and potentially time bound.
Aortic Root Replacement for Children With Loeys-Dietz Syndrome.

Background Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is an aggressive aortopathy with a proclivity for aortic aneurysm rupture and dissection at smaller diameters than other connective tissue disorders. We reviewed our surgical experience of children with LDS to validate our guidelines for prophylactic aortic root replacement (ARR). Methods We reviewed all children (younger than 18 years) with a diagnosis of LDS who underwent ARR at our institution. The primary endpoint was mortality, and secondary endpoints included complications and the need for further interventions. Results Thirty-four children with LDS underwent ARR. Mean age at operation was 10 years, and 15 (44%) were female. Mean preoperative root diameter was 4 cm. Three children (9%) had composite ARR with a mechanical prosthesis, and 31 (91%) underwent valve-sparing ARR. Concomitant procedures included arch replacement in 2 (6%), aortic valve repair in 1 (3%), and patent foramen ovale closure in 16 (47%). There was no operative mortality. Two children (6%) required late replacement of the ascending aorta, 5 (15%) required arch replacement, 1 (3%) required mitral valve replacement, and 2 (6%) had coronary button aneurysms/pseudoaneurysms requiring repair. Three children required redo valve-sparing ARR after a Florida sleeve procedure, and 2 had progressive aortic insufficiency requiring aortic valve replacement after a valve-sparing procedure. There were 2 late deaths (6%). Conclusions These data confirm the aggressive aortopathy of LDS. Valve-sparing ARR should be performed when feasible to avoid the risks of prostheses. Serial imaging of the arterial tree is critical, given the rate of subsequent intervention.
Regulation of S-formylglutathione hydrolase by the anti-aging gene klotho

// Yuechi Xu 1 and Zhongjie Sun 1 1 Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA Correspondence to: Zhongjie Sun, email: // Keywords : klotho, receptor, binding, S-formylglutathione hydrolase, GSH, Gerotarget Received : January 10, 2017 Accepted : June 26, 2017 Published : July 08, 2017 Abstract Klotho is an aging-suppressor gene. The purpose of this study is to investigate the binding sites (receptors) and function of short-form Klotho (Skl). We showed that Skl physically bound to multiple proteins. We found physical and functional interactions between Skl and S -formylglutathione hydrolase (FGH), a key enzyme in the generation of the major cellular anti-oxidant GSH, using co-immunoprecipitation-coupled mass spectrometry. We further confirmed the colocalization of Skl and FGH around the nucleus in kidney cells using immunofluorescent staining. Skl positively regulated FGH gene expression via Kid3 transcription factor. Overexpression of Skl increased FGH mRNA and protein expression while silencing of Skl attenuated FGH mRNA and protein expression. Klotho gene mutation suppressed FGH expression in red blood cells and kidneys resulting in anemia and kidney damage in mice. Overexpression of Skl increased total GSH production and the GSH/GSSG ratio, an index of anti-oxidant capacity, leading to a decrease in intracellular H 2 O 2 and superoxide levels. The antioxidant activity of Skl was eliminated by silencing of FGH, indicating that Skl increased GSH via FGH. Interestingly, Skl directly interacted with FGH and regulated its function. Site-directed mutagenesis of the N -glycan-modified residues in Skl abolished its antioxidant activity, suggesting that these N- glycan moietiesare important features that interact with FGH. Specific mutation of Asp to Ala at site 285 resulted in a loss of anti-oxidant activity of Skl, suggesting that N -glycosylation at site 285 is the key mechanism that determines Skl activity. Therefore, this study demonstrates, for the first time, that Skl regulates anti-oxidant GSH generation via interaction with FGH through N -glycosylation.