cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping a mission profile for the exploration of Europa’s ocean

One of the most enticing targets for space exploration is Europa. It is widely believed that there is an ocean of liquid water, perhaps a hundred kilometers deep, a few kilometers beneath Europa’s icy surface. The conditions in this ocean are likely similar to Earth’s oceans. Furthermore, the ocean floor may have hydrothermal vents, providing energy and elements necessary for life. Therefore, Europa is considered one of the most likely locations beyond Earth and within the solar system for extant life. In this paper, detailed analysis of the primary engineering challenges of a mission to explore the ocean on Europa is presented. Candidate system designs and a timeline, or “roadmap,” for the development of these systems is then discussed. A range of mission architectures are presented and evaluated relative to the various science objectives that an Europan exploration mission might address. In order to compare the various architectures, a value system has been designed following an analytical hierarchy process. Lastly, a science traceability matrix for the proposed mission is evaluated.
Nerve Reunion with Sleeves of Frozen-Dried Artery in Rabbits, Gats and Monkeys.

SummaryResults obtained with sutureless nerve reunion by means of cuffs of live or frozen-dried artery in 21 rabbit, 30 cat, and 81 monkey nerve splices have confirmed for the larger mammals the conclusion previously reached in the rat, that optimal nerve regeneration may be secured by this method.
Selective induction of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 by interferon-gamma in human airway epithelial cells

To evaluate the factors controlling migration of leukocytes into pulmonary airway epithelium, we determined the biochemical mechanisms responsible for the regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression on cultured monolayers of human tracheal epithelial cells (HTECs) or SV40 virus-transformed human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). Validation experiments with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) demonstrated little detectable ICAM-1 expression on unstimulated cells or on cells incubated with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), but HUVEC monolayers responded to interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) with significant increases in ICAM-1 and ICAM-1-dependent adherence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). HTEC monolayers also exhibited no significant basal ICAM-1 expression but, in contrast to HUVEC monolayers, had marked increases in ICAM-1 expression and ICAM-1-dependent PMN adherence only after incubation with IFN-gamma (and not after IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha) treatment. BEAS-2B cells also exhibited relatively selective IFN-gamma stimulation of ICAM-1 expression and ICAM-1-dependent PMN adherence but (like late passage HTEC) showed significant basal ICAM-1 expression. Differences in IFN-gamma effect on ICAM-1 levels between HUVEC and HTEC monolayers were not due to differences in number or responsiveness of IFN-gamma receptors, because both cell types exhibited a similar number of receptors and other IFN-gamma-dependent responses of HUVECs remained active. In all analyses, ICAM-1 mRNA levels correlated closely with detection of ICAM-1 on the cell surface.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Alternative Evaluation of Array Expressions

Traditionally, languages that support array-style programming have evaluated array expressions by computing all the elements of an array before making it available for subsequent computation. This method is simple, easily implemented, but generally inefficient. Narrowly viewed as an optimization problem, recent work has focused on using lazy evaluation to improve the efficiency of various subsets of array expressions. This work describes advances in two important areas. First, alternative orders of evaluation are well defined and easily controllable. Language semantics are introduced that provide three forms of array element evaluation: eager, latched, and lazy. Second, a method is described for efficiently applying lazy evaluation to all array expressions, not just grid selections. A rule based system is used to transform symbolic representations of arrays that use functions of index vectors.
Knocking out the wall: protocols for gene targeting in Physcomitrella patens.

The moss Physcomitrella patens has become established as a model for investigating plant gene function due to the feasibility of gene targeting. The chemical composition of the P. patens cell wall is similar to that of vascular plants and phylogenetic analyses of glycosyltransferase sequences from the P. patens genome have identified genes that putatively encode cell wall biosynthetic enzymes, providing a basis for investigating the evolution of cell wall polysaccharides and the enzymes that synthesize them. The protocols described in this chapter provide methods for targeted gene knockout in P. patens, from constructing vectors and maintaining cultures to transforming protoplasts and analysing the genotypes and phenotypes of the resulting transformed lines.
Selecting in situ conservation sites for grape genetic resources in the USA

Previously, there has not been any in situ conservation sites for crop germplasm within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). Using morphologic and molecular (SSR markers) techniques, we assessed the genetic variation present in populations of rock grape (Vitis rupestris Scheele), a native American grape species, throughout its range. We identified seven in situ conservation sites for rock grape using a strategy based on morphologic and molecular data, taxonomic information, population size and integrity, and landholder commitment. In collaboration with federal and state landholding agencies, we have established the first NPGS in situ conservation sites for American wild relatives of a crop.
Piezoelectric ceramics for transducers

Abstract: This chapter reviews the history of piezoelectric materials in the following order: quartz, Rochelle salt, barium titanate, lead zirconate titanate, Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT), lithium niobate/tantalate, relaxor ferroelectrics, PVDF, Pb-free piezoelectrics and composites. The detailed performance in conjunction with transducer applications is described.
Investigations of road sediment in an industrial corridor near low-income housing in Hamilton, Ohio

The City of Hamilton, Ohio, is representative of numerous post-industrial midwestern cities that face a long-term environmental recovery from an extensive legacy of manufacturing. One area of concern is the extent and nature of metal pollution. This investigation is a survey of road sediment from an industrial corridor near low-income housing that is dominantly an African-American community. Linear correlations of geogenic elements are indicative of a single dominant geochemical source contributing to the region, and the compositions are consistent with previous background studies. Pb, Zn, and Cu are the major pollutants and samples exceed the mean concentrations compared to selected global sites by 66.7 % for Pb, 77.8 % for Zn, and 72.2 % for Cu. Correlations exist between several of the elements of concern, including zinc and copper, lead and chromium, zinc, and lead. In some cases, these correlations show multiple populations are present, suggesting that there are multiple sources of pollution with elemental signatures. Significant heterogeneity of metal pollution in the City of Hamilton exists, and complexities arise in a precise interpretation as heterogeneity may result from primary deposition of pollutants and secondary mobilization of pollutants or mixtures. Metals are mobilized, and Mn-oxides in the system appears to play a more important role than Fe-oxides in metal sequestration. GIS mapping of concentrations of some of the elements of concern shows spatial clustering dominantly near a metal recycling facility. This investigation compliments existing environmental studies of the region and demonstrates the need for more environmental forensic investigations.
Effects of Power Electronics, Energy Storage, Power Distribution Architecture, and Lifeline Dependencies on Microgrid Resiliency During Extreme Events

This paper discusses microgrid power supply resiliency in extreme events and the impact of power electronic interfaces, energy storage, lifelines, and the characteristics of distribution architectures. Resiliency is characterized based on metrics analogous to those of availability considering the presence of power electronic interfaces and energy storage. The effect of energy storage on microgrid resiliency is analyzed and resiliency improvement in the presence of diverse sources is discussed. Resiliency metrics, which are time dependent in nature, are derived under natural disasters conditions. Resiliency is calculated for microgrids containing photovoltaics with batteries, diesel generators, and fuel storage with discontinuous fuel supply. Hurricane conditions are considered to provide a practical context for the discussion. Microgrid resiliency formulas are derived for radial, ring, and ladder architectures. It is shown that the resiliency formula for radial architecture can be used as a building block to derive the formulas for the ring and ladder networks. Architecture resiliencies are compared in islanded and grid-tie modes. The results indicate that the effects of including energy storage and source diversity, such as combinations of renewable energy sources and diesel generators, can improve power supply resiliency when the microgrid is in island mode, which is the most likely operating mode during extreme events.
Seismic Analysis of Precast Concrete Bridge Columns Connected with Grouted Splice Sleeve Connectors

AbstractReinforcing bar couplers are used in prefabricated bridge elements and bridge systems for accelerated bridge construction. Grouted splice sleeve connectors are used in bridge substructures because of the enhanced construction tolerances they offer. This paper presents a simplified modeling strategy for seismic assessment of precast bridge columns connected to precast footings using grouted splice sleeve connectors. A computational model was developed and validated using three half-scale bridge subassemblies tested to failure. Cyclic quasi-static loading was applied to two precast subassemblies and one cast-in-place specimen. The connectors were located in the footing, for the first precast alternative, and in the column end for the second precast alternative along with debonding of reinforcing bars in the footing. Force-based beam-column elements with fiber sections were used to construct the computational model based on plastic hinge weighted integration; the model included low-cycle fatigue and ...
Macrophage-Secreted TNFα and TGFβ1 Influence Migration Speed and Persistence of Cancer Cells in 3D Tissue Culture via Independent Pathways.

The ability of a cancer cell to migrate through the dense extracellular matrix (ECM) within and surrounding the solid tumor is a critical determinant of metastasis. Macrophages enhance invasion and metastasis in the tumor microenvironment but the basis for their effects are not fully understood. Using a microfluidic 3D cell migration assay, we found that the presence of macrophages enhanced the speed and persistence of cancer cell migration through a 3D extracellular matrix in a matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-dependent fashion. Mechanistic investigations revealed that macrophage-released TNFα and TGFβ1 mediated the observed behaviors by two distinct pathways. These factors synergistically enhanced migration persistence through a synergistic induction of NF-κB-dependent MMP1 expression in cancer cells. In contrast, macrophage-released TGFβ1 enhanced migration speed primarily by inducing MT1-MMP expression. Taken together, our results reveal new insights into how macrophages enhance cancer cell metastasis, and they identify TNFα and TGFβ1 dual blockade as an anti-metastatic strategy in solid tumors.
Playing the Part: Impression Management during the Iran Hostage Crisis

IR theories of diplomacy tend to focus on how diplomats make gains at the expense of their counterparts. However, modern diplomatic bargains sometimes hinge more on making them palatable to the domestic publics of the negotiating states. In this paper I draw on Erving Goffman’s concept of ‘impression management’ to explain how diplomats sometimes collude against their own publics in order to strike deals. I analyze the diplomacy of the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979-1980. During this crisis senior regime officials from the US and Iran colluded in the construction of a theatrical ‘scenario,’ in which both sides adopted roles and played their parts in the hope that this could satisfy the sentiments of both US and Iranian domestic publics. I argue that the scenario failed due to insufficient teamwork and an unsympathetic audience. In making this argument I challenge common assumptions about the adversarial nature of diplomacy, and the role of domestic audiences in diplomatic outcomes.
Value co-creation in emerging economies: planting and harvesting innovation perspectives

This paper examines how firms in emerging economies implement value co-creation from the perspectives of harvesting innovation and planting innovation. Due to these firms' relative financial and managerial disadvantages, they must focus on the balance between innovation efforts and cash flows to ensure survival and growth. Employing the harvesting and planting categorisations enables examination of value co-creation practices for both the short and long term. Harvesting innovation seeks commercial products using recent discoveries (i.e., reaping the bounty of previous efforts); planting innovation pursues technological leap with the objective to produce the sources of future products (i.e., sowing the seeds of tomorrow's innovations). A theoretical framework of value co-creation for the two types of innovation for firms in emerging economies is proposed with a focus on the reasons and mechanisms for these firms to actively co-create value with various participants, including end consumers, customers, and government.
Abstract IA26: Genomic correlates of response and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade

The rise of multiple immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint blockade, has significantly improved outcomes for multiple patient populations, including melanoma, lung adenocarcinoma, and urothelial cancers, among others. In parallel, the expansion of precision cancer medicine through robust interrogation of cancer genomes at the point of care has enhanced patient stratification for multiple treatment selection strategies and cancer types. The intersection of clinical cancer genomics and immuno-oncology has created an opportunity to learn how the tumor and germline genomes, along with transcriptomic measurements of the immune microenvironment, impact clinical immune checkpoint blockade response. Here, we describe the current landscape of tumor and microenvironmental genomic correlates of immune checkpoint blockade across cancer subtypes, and examine how emerging genomic studies of immunotherapy responders and non-responders may inform patient selection strategies for clinical trial design in these diverse clinical settings. We explore how these approaches, paired with emerging computational biology methodology, may also enable discovery of new mechanisms of selective treatment response. Finally, we examine emerging genomic data on clinical resistance to immunotherapies, from both signaling pathway and neoantigen evolution perspectives, and discuss the implications for combination treatment strategies. Overall, the convergence of comprehensive clinical genomics and immuno-oncology treatment strategies may inform precision medicine for immunotherapies across cancer types. Citation Format: Eliezer M. Van Allen. Genomic correlates of response and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2016 Oct 20-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2017;5(3 Suppl):Abstract nr IA26.
Language Change, Intentional

This article surveys challenges to the common assumption that every language changes inexorably, for reasons internal to the language's structure and/or dictated by specific social circumstances, with only the most trivial changes under the direct conscious control of the language's speakers. Examples of deliberate, conscious linguistic changes range from trivial lexical innovations to sweeping lexical distortion, significant structural changes, and the creation of bilingual mixed languages. The existence of such changes means, among other things, that children cannot be the sole initiators of linguistic change.
Ion Solvation and the Search for a Correlation with Electrode Passivation

The solvation of cations and anions in a lithium-containing electrolyte was studied using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) combined with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electrochemical testing. The purpose of these experiments was to develop an understanding of the solvation of the small, hard Li+ cation and the more cryptic nature of the solvation of poorly-coordinating anions such as PF6- and BF4-. It has long been held that the passivation of graphitic anodes in lithium ion batteries is a solvation-driven process, meaning that whatever solvent molecules surround the Li+ cation will provide the raw material for the formation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. Because the SEI is a critical component, and because a binary solvent system is normally used in lithium batteries, it is necessary to understand the competitive nature of lithium solvation. Conversely, the anion can be chemically active even if poorly coordinating; therefore, it was desired to see if a competitive solvation condition exists for the anion as well. Results indicate that Li+ has a strong preference for cyclic carbonates like ethylene carbonate (EC) over linear carbonates, where the anions had a mixed preference. It is thought that anion solvent preference might dictate oxidative chemistry that occurs on the cathode, while the anion also significantly participates in the formation of SEI on the anode.
At the Intersection of Epistemics and Action: Responding with I Know

ABSTRACTWe examine I know as a responding action, showing that it claims to accept the grounds of the initiating action but either resists that action as unnecessary or endorses it, depending on the epistemic environment created by the initiating action. First, in responding to actions that presume an unknowing addressee (e.g., correcting, advising), speakers deploy I know to resist the action as unnecessary while accepting its grounds. Second, in responding to actions that presume a knowing addressee (e.g., some assessments), speakers use I know to endorse the action, claiming an independently reached agreement (in this way, doing “being on the same page”). Data are in American and British English.
In-hospital outcomes of tumor lysis syndrome: A population-based study using the national inpatient sample

The epidemiology and outcomes of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) are understudied. We used the National Inpatient Sample (NIS), a nationally representative weighted sample of all U.S. hospital discharges, to study outcomes and predictors of mortality in hospitalized patients with TLS. The NIS was queried for patients with a discharge diagnosis of TLS (ICD-9 code 277.88) from 2010-2013. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were analyzed. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of mortality. From 2010-2013, 28,370 patients were discharged with a diagnosis of TLS. The most common malignancies were non-Hodgkin lymphoma (30%), solid tumors (20%), acute myeloid leukemia (19%), and acute lymphocytic leukemia (13%). Overall in-hospital mortality was 21%. The median length of stay was 10 days (IQR 5-22). Sixty-nine percent of patients experienced a severe complication, including sepsis (22%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 21-23), dialysis (15%, 95% CI 14-16), acute respiratory failure (23%, 95% CI 22-24), mechanical ventilation (16%, 95% CI 15-17), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (6%, 95% CI 5-7), cerebral hemorrhage (2%, 95% CI 2-3), seizures (1%, 95% CI 0.6-1), and cardiac arrest (2%, 95% CI 2-3). Predictors of mortality were derived from a multivariable logistic regression and included age, Elixhauser comorbidity score, insurance status, teaching versus nonteaching hospital, and cancer type. Predictors of increased length of stay included age, race, teaching versus nonteaching hospital, and cancer type. In the U.S., many patients with TLS develop life-threatening complications and a quarter die during hospitalization. As more cancer treatments become available, strategies to improve the supportive care of patients with TLS should be a priority.
ASSOCIATION OF NUMBER OF LIVE BIRTHS WITH ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC AND CARDIAC STRUCTURAL CHANGES

Pregnancy causes marked hemodynamic changes that may have a “legacy effect” beyond the gestational period. Whether parity is associated with long term cardiac remodeling and electrocardiogram (ECG) changes warrants further investigation. Using the Dallas Heart Study, a multiethnic population
General utility of the chicken βB1-crystallin promoter to drive protein expression in lens fiber cells of transgenic mice

Transgenic mouse technology has been very valuable for the study of lens fiber cells since they can not be propagated in cell culture. The targeting of transgenes to the lens has traditionally been done with the αA-crystallin promoter. However, while lens-specific, transgenic lines made with the αA-crystallin promoter express the transgene at levels 100–300-fold lower than endogenous αA-crystallin. Here we propose an alternative, the chicken βB1-crystallin promoter (−432/+30). Transgenic mice made with this promoter have successfully expressed CAT, d/n m-calpain, Wee1, and βB2-crystallin mRNA at levels comparable to the endogenous βB1-crystallin gene and no eye abnormalities such as cataracts, have resulted. All of the transgenic lines made with the chicken βB1-crystallin promoter have expressed the transgene in the lens fiber cells, and the best lines express at levels close to endogenous βB1-crystallin. While RNA expression is very high, only moderate protein expression has been achieved, implying that the high protein expression of the crystallins is partially controlled at the level of translation. Thus, the chicken βB1-crystallin promoter directs high level RNA expression to lens fiber cells, which may be especially useful for the expression of ribozyme and anti-sense RNAs in addition to ectopic proteins.
Multi–Parameter Moving Averages

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses multiparameter moving averages. It presents a dynamical system, (X,Σ,m,T), where (X,Σ,m) is a probability space and T is a measure preserving point transformation from X onto itself. When T is induced by nonsingular point transformations, τx is written as Tx. The chapter presents a definition where τ is a nonsingular point transformation if τ:X → X, and if for each A ∈ Σ τ−1 (A) and τ (A) are in Σ and m(τ−1A) > 0 if and only if m(A)>0.
Spinning of fibers from protein solutions

Abstract: The development of spinning technologies adapted for the processing of pure silk, collagen or elastin fibrous protein solutions made from natural and artificial fibrous protein sources is outlined. The natural silk-spinning mechanisms of spiders and silkworms are described to stress the physical and physiological requirements paramount to mimic the proper processing and spinning of pure fibrous protein solutions. Examples of the artificial production of collagen, elastin and silk fibers using wet-spinning or electrospinning technologies of pure protein solutions in different solvents as well as the properties of the materials produced are reviewed.
Interplay between immune infiltration and tumor progression and survival in non-small cell lung cancer: An analysis of institutional and public data.

8538Background: In many types of cancer, infiltration of tumor by immune cells, as a reflection of the immune response against the tumor, is thought to play a critical role in clinical outcome. Tum...
139. Disease flares during pregnancy and postpartum in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction Prior studies found conflicting results about whether lupus is likely to flare during or after pregnancy. Understanding the effect pregnancy has on disease activity is clinically significant for the patient. Objective Using a large cohort of pregnant and non-pregnant women with lupus, we measured the effect of pregnancy on disease flares in systemic lupus erythematosus and estimated modification by hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) use. Methods Data were prospectively collected in the Hopkins Lupus Cohort 1987–2015. Women aged 14–45 years with >1 measurement of disease activity were included. The time-varying exposures were classified as pregnancy, postpartum, or non-pregnant/non-postpartum periods. Two postpartum times periods were analyzed: 3 months and 12 months. Flares were defined as change in Physician Global Assessment (PGA) ⩾1 from previous visit. A stratified Cox model estimated hazard ratios with bootstrap 95% CIs. Results There were 1349 patients, including 398 pregnancies in 304 patients. There was an increased rate of flare during pregnancy (HR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.27, 1.96), however this effect was modified by HCQ use, with the HR of flares in pregnancy compared to non-pregnant/non-postpartum periods estimated to be 1.83 (95% CI: 1.34, 2.45) for patients with no HCQ use and 1.26 (95% CI: 0.88, 1.69) for patients with HCQ use. The risk of flare was similarly elevated among non-HCQ users in the 3-months postpartum (HR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.39), but not among women taking HCQ (HR: 1.25; 95% CI: 0.71, 1.87). There was no increased risk of flare during the 12-month postpartum period, with no modification by HCQ. Discussion Our study supports and extends previous findings that the incidence of flare is increased during pregnancy and within the 3-months postpartum. Continuing HCQ, however, appeared to mitigate the risk of flare during and after pregnancy. No increased rate of flare was observed during a 12-month postpartum period.
Impact of Alternative Encounter Types on HIV Viral Suppression Rates in an Integrated Health System.

Abstract Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States (KPMAS) members are increasingly utilizing electronic encounter types, such as telephone appointments and secure messaging for healthcare purposes, al...
Dietary cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I are trafficked in endosomes and lysosomes in the live zebrafish intestine.

A fluorescent cholesterol analog was fed to live, translucent larval zebrafish to visualize intracellular cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I (APOA-I) trafficking. With this model intestinal endosom...
Modified ketogenic diets in adults with refractory epilepsy: Efficacious improvements in seizure frequency, seizure severity, and quality of life.

Abstract Objective This study evaluates the efficacy of a modified ketogenic diet (MKD) on seizure frequency, severity, and quality of life (QOL), as well as potential complications of MKD therapy among adults with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Methods Changes in seizure frequency, severity, QOL, and side effects were retrospectively examined among adults, ≥ 17 years of age, with DRE (≥ 2 antiepileptic drugs [AEDs]), after 3 months of MKD therapy. Attention was paid to medication or vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) changes as well to evaluate potential confounders. Results A total of 60% (n = 33) of the 55 individuals reported ≥ 50% seizure frequency improvement, 42 (76%) reported improvement in seizure severity, and 48 (87%) reported improvement in QOL. More patients following a modified ketogenic diet — 15 g net carbohydrate daily (MKD-15) (95%) compared with a MKD-50 (69%) reported improvement in QOL (p = 0.02). Weight among the entire sample declined from 77.5 (20) kg to 73.9 (19.0) kg (p Significance Modified ketogenic diet therapies reduce seizure frequency and severity and improve QOL among adults with DRE with few side effects outside of weight loss, a desired outcome among many adults with DRE. More restrictive MKDs may offer improved seizure severity and QOL. Modified ketogenic diet therapy increases LDL cholesterol, which may be cardioprotective if related to an increase in LDL particle size with high saturated fat intake; however, more research is needed examining LDL particle size changes among those receiving MKD therapy.
Electron Cryotomography of Bacterial Secretion Systems.

In biology, function arises from form. For bacterial secretion systems, which often span two membranes, avidly bind to the cell wall, and contain hundreds of individual proteins, studying form is a daunting task, made possible by electron cryotomography (ECT). ECT is the highest-resolution imaging technique currently available to visualize unique objects inside cells, providing a three-dimensional view of the shapes and locations of large macromolecular complexes in their native environment. Over the past 15 years, ECT has contributed to the study of bacterial secretion systems in two main ways: by revealing intact forms for the first time and by mapping components into these forms. Here we highlight some of these contributions, revealing structural convergence in type II secretion systems, structural divergence in type III secretion systems, unexpected structures in type IV secretion systems, and unexpected mechanisms in types V and VI secretion systems. Together, they offer a glimpse into a world of fantastic forms—nanoscale rotors, needles, pumps, and dart guns—much of which remains to be explored.
Effect of Using a Simulation Device for Ostomy Self-care Teaching in Iran: A Pilot, Randomized Clinical Trial.

The appearance of a stoma and the potential for contact with stool may negatively affect postoperative teaching effectiveness, especially for patients with cultural and religious backgrounds that consider stool untouchable. Instruction that involves the use of a physical stoma simulator for practice may help address this problem. PURPOSE The aim of this pilot study was to determine the effects of simulation in ostomy self-care training on self-efficacy and adjustment. METHODS A randomized clinical trial was conducted among patients at 2 public medical center surgical units in eastern Iran from April 2015 to December 2015 using consecutive sampling. Patients who spoke Persian, were 18 to 65 years of age, had a temporary or permanent intestinal stoma, and did not have comorbidities that might interfere with self-care teaching were invited to participate and randomly allocated to the simulation (SG) or the control group (CG). Both groups were provided 4 training sessions; the first and fourth session was the same for each group, but in sessions 2 and 3, the SG group used a wearable stoma simulator, whereas the CG group used the demonstration-return method. Demographic and stoma variables were collected, and the Stoma Self-Efficacy Scale (SSES) and Ostomy Adjustment Inventory-23 (OAI-23) were administered at baseline (following surgery), after 4 instructional sessions, and 45 days following the last education session. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney U, repeated measure, and least significant difference tests were used to analyze the data. RESULTS Of the 53 patients enrolled, 46 (23 in each group) completed the study. Mean age for SG and CG patients was 45.91 ± 10.40 and 53.78 ± 9.15, respectively (P = .009). The majority of patients were female (SG: 11 [47.8%]; CG: 14 [60.9%]), married (SG: 20 [87.0%]; CG: 19 [82.6%]), and had a diagnosis of cancer (SG: 20 [87.0%]; CG: 21 [91.3%]). The mean SSES score for stoma self-efficacy was 103.82 ± 15.81 in the SG and 89.91 ± 13.41 in the CG after the fourth session. Results indicated an improvement in self-efficacy in both groups from baseline to final follow-up visit (P <.0001). SSES in the SG was significantly different from baseline to final follow-up visit during the study (F = 3.183, P = .008). Mean OAI-23 scores were 51.04 ± 13.37 in the SG and 50.82 ± 13.84 in the CG at baseline and after the intervention (fourth session) were 60.56 ± 16.41 in the SG and 53.95 ± 13.22 in the CG group. The repeated measure test results indicated significant increases in adjustment scores from baseline to final follow-up visit in both groups (P = .000). CONCLUSION The results of this pilot study suggest that using simulation to teach ostomy self-care improves self-efficacy after 3 and 9 weeks. Further randomized controlled trials that expand the sample size and demographic should be conducted.
The STORE Project (The Structures Oriented Exchange)

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the Structures Oriented Exchange (STORE) system developed under the direction of the Office of Naval Research. Utilizing today's computer time-sharing technology as a tool, the project has aimed at a method for the cost-effective development, exchange, and use of computer programs and information in structural mechanics analysis, design, and research. STORE is based essentially on the principle that by entering a number of such programs into a central computer with time-sharing capabilities, an entire group of users could have on-line, at their ready disposal, a library of programs that no single user could afford to develop. The program library for the current prototype system has been limited to a single discipline—structural mechanics. The user can utilize the time-sharing computer system by means of a relatively inexpensive teletypewriter unit. Such units can be remotely located, so that the users of the system can be at distant locations from the large computer itself. The STORE system can best be described by considering two basic aspects—the information retrieval aspect and the program use and execution aspect.
Biochemical and Culture-Based Approaches to Identification in the Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory

The late 1800s through the early 1900s saw the rapid development of growth media containing various substrates, i.e. carbohydrates, to identify and differentiate microbes isolated from clinical specimens. However, during the 1950s, an evolution of diagnostic services occurred created by a growing population with access to health insurance and the subsequent requirement for quality healthcare. The utilization of miniaturized, multi-test kits provided the first significant advancement of the biochemical, growth-based approach needed to handle the increased demand for clinical services. These testing kits provided reductions in labor and material costs associated with making, maintaining, inoculating, and reading tubed and plated media, while also reducing the time required to identify microbial isolates. The trend to improve laboratory efficiency and quality continued with the incorporation of automation and computers throughout the 1970s. Automated systems greatly increased the testing capacity of laboratories by allowing the simultaneous determination of identification and antimicrobial susceptibilities from one inoculum, and by further reducing the time to identification to hours instead of days. Within just the last 10-15 years, development and integration of a new growth-based approach for identification has occurred in the form of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The mass spectrometric approach provides the lowest cost per analysis and fastest time to identification after isolation of any current technique available in the microbiology laboratory. As healthcare costs and demand continue to increase, and more hospitals look to consolidate laboratories, fully automated facilities incorporating mass spectrometry for identification, along with molecular methods, will become commonplace.
The Complicated but Plain Relationship of Intellectual Disability and Well-being

The common belief is that disability is bad for the person who is disabled, that it has a negative effect on well-being. Some disability rights activists and philosophers, however, assert that disability has little or no impact on how well a person’s life goes, that it is neutral with respect to flourishing. In recent articles Stephen Campbell and Joseph Stramondo, while rejecting both views, claim that we cannot make any broad generalizations about the effect of disability on well-being. Whether they are right about physical and sensory disabilities, I do not know, but I argue that they are wrong about intellectual disabilities (ID). A broad generalization about intellectual disabilities is justified: it always has a negative impact on quality of life, even though there is no single negative impact. The disadvantages of ID are plain (all ID is bad) but complicated (its badness depends on multidimensional influences including biological condition, social environment and personal temperament).
Enabling Text Translation Using the Suggestion Bar of a Virtual Keyboard

This work augments novel text translation features to the suggestion bar of a virtual keyboard to facilitate fast and easy translation on mobile devices. The method was evaluated in two user studies. In the first study, native Hindi and Mandarin speakers exchanged text messages in each other’s language using the method. All participants found the method fast and easy, the quality and the flow of the conversation satisfactory, and wanted to use it frequently for multilingual and polyglot texting. In the second study, participants performed various translation tasks using the proposed method and the default Google keyboard’s translation feature. Results revealed that the proposed method was significantly faster and required fewer actions for translation tasks. Further, most participants found the method more effective and user-friendly.
Building an Effective Representation for Dynamic Networks

A dynamic network is a special type of network composed of connected transactors which have repeated evolving interaction. Data on large dynamic networks such as telecommunications networks and the Internet are pervasive. However, representing dynamic networks in a manner that is conducive to efficient large-scale analysis is a challenge. In this article, we represent dynamic graphs using a data structure introduced in an earlier article. We advocate their representation because it accounts for the evolution of relationships between transactors through time, mitigates noise at the local transactor level, and allows for the removal of stale relationships. Our work improves on their heuristic arguments by formalizing the representation with three tunable parameters. In doing this, we develop a generic framework for evaluating and tuning any dynamic graph. We show that the storage saving approximations involved in the representation do not affect predictive performance, and typically improve it. We motivate ...
The Employment Trajectories of Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence in the United States is significantly associated with employment instability. Using a latent growth curve model, the current study investigates the impact of intimate part...
Early-Life Programming of Later-Life Brain and Behavior: A Critical Role for the Immune System

The immune system is well characterized for its critical role in host defense. Far beyond this limited role however, there is mounting evidence for the vital role the immune system plays within the brain, in both normal, “homeostatic” processes (e.g., sleep, metabolism, memory), as well as in pathology, when the dysregulation of immune molecules may occur. This recognition is especially critical in the area of brain development. Microglia and astrocytes, the primary immunocompetent cells of the CNS, are involved in every major aspect of brain development and function, including synaptogenesis, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor [TNF]α, interleukin [IL]-1β, and IL-6 are produced by glia within the CNS, and are implicated in synaptic formation and scaling, long-term potentiation, and neurogenesis. Importantly, cytokines are involved in both injury and repair, and the conditions underlying these distinct outcomes are under intense investigation and debate. Evidence from both animal and human studies implicates the immune system in a number of disorders with known or suspected developmental origins, including schizophrenia, anxiety/depression, and cognitive dysfunction. We review the evidence that infection during the perinatal period of life acts as a vulnerability factor for later-life alterations in cytokine production, and marked changes in cognitive and affective behaviors throughout the remainder of the lifespan. We also discuss the hypothesis that long-term changes in brain glial cell function underlie this vulnerability.
Protein Kinase and Specific Phosphate Acceptor Proteins Associated with Vaccinia Virus Cores

Abstract Incubation of purified vaccinia virus with γ-32P-adenosine triphosphate resulted in the incorporation of 32P into hot trichloroacetic acid-insoluble material. Enzymatic activity was completely dependent on the addition of divalent cations and was stimulated by nonionic detergents and dithiothreitol. Chemical studies demonstrated that serine and threonine residues of 15,000 molecular weight viral polypeptides were phosphorylated. In contrast, the major structural proteins were not phosphorylated or were phosphorylated to a much lesser extent. Added histones and protamine, but not serum albumin, casein, or phosvitin were phosphorylated by the partially disrupted vaccinia virus preparations. The protein kinase was tightly associated with vaccinia virus particles since the specific enzymatic activity remained constant during the final steps of virus purification, the specific activities of many different preparations of virus were similar, and the enzymatic activity cosedimented with vaccinia virus during rate zonal sucrose gradient and potassium tartrate gradient equilibrium centrifugations. Controlled degradation of vaccinia virus, with nonionic detergents and dithiothreitol, indicated that both the protein kinase and the specific phosphate acceptor proteins were located in the virus core.
Bereavement and the Elderly

Summary This article explores the subject of dying, death and bereavement, their impact on the elderly person, and the potential for psychotherapeutic intervention. The article discusses the perceptions of the therapist on death and bereavement and on dying and old age and examines the therapeutic process in working with the bereaved.
POLLEN RECORDS, POSTGLACIAL | Southeastern North America

Pollen records from 31 sites in southeastern North America document temporal and spatial patterns of vegetation change from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) (~ 22 ka) to the present day. After southward migration of biomes during the LGM, warmer conditions during the deglaciation resulted in latitudinal and altitudinal shifts in forests. After a relatively dry early Holocene, wetter conditions and altered seasonality during the late Holocene provided the structure for modern biomes. High-resolution studies of the last few thousand years provide a context to evaluate vegetation changes tied to anthropogenic alteration of land cover.
Spin Diffusion of Dilute 3He-4He Solutions under Pressure

The transport properties of dilute solutions of 3He in 4He provide information about the effective interaction between the 3He quasiparticles. Of the transport properties, the spin diffusion coefficient, which can be measured by NMR spin-echo techniques, is most sensitive to these interactions. Here we report such measurements on 4.97% and 1.15% 3He in 4He for pressures of 0.04, 9.2, and 20 atm at temperatures between 1.5 and 0.072°K. The effective interaction potentials at the three pressures deduced from these data are presented. From these potentials it appears that the temperature of the expected superfluid transition is highest for the lowest pressure and the smaller concentration studied.
Scheduling in multi-channel wireless networks

The availability of multiple orthogonal channels in a wireless network can lead to substantial performance improvement by alleviating contention and interference. However, this also gives rise to non-trivial channel coordination issues. The situation is exacerbated by variability in the achievable datarates across channels and links. Thus, scheduling in such networks may require substantial information-exchange and lead to non-negligible overhead. This provides a strong motivation for the study of scheduling algorithms that can operate with limited information while still providing acceptable worst-case performance guarantees. In this paper, we make an effort in this direction by examining the scheduling implications of multiple channels and heterogeneity in channel-rates. We establish lower bounds on the performance of a class of maximal schedulers. We first demonstrate that when the underlying scheduling mechanism is "imperfect", the presence of multiple orthogonal channels can help alleviate the detrimental impact of the imperfect scheduler, and yield a significantly better efficiency-ratio in a wide range of network topologies. We then establish performance bounds for a scheduler that can achieve a good efficiency-ratio in the presence of channels with heterogeneous rates without requiring explicit exchange of queue-information. Our results indicate that it may be possible to achieve a desirable trade-off between performance and information.
Restrictions and Their Anomalies:The Third Forum and the Regulation of Religion in Tibet

In 1994, at a meeting known as the Third Forum on Tibet Work, the Chinese authorities announced a series of restrictions on religious practice in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Described by many outsiders in terms of abuses of rights, in fact those measures differed in important ways. By analysing the target, rationale and procedure of these restrictions, it becomes clear that some were relatively routine, while others were anomalous – their purpose was not explained by officials, the source of their authority was not clear, or the restrictions were simply not admitted to at all. These anomalous orders can be linked to major changes in underlying discourses of modernization and development among officials in Tibet at the time. They reflected undeclared shifts in attitudes to religion and cultural difference, and seeded the dramatic worsening in state–society relations that has taken place in Tibetan areas since that time.
Empoderamiento, descolonización y democracia sustantiva. Afinando principios ético-políticos para las diásporas Afroamericanas

Este articulo, dedicado a analizar las luchas de los pueblos Afrodescendientes, pone demanifiesto la necesidad de formular respuestas claras a una serie de preguntas clave.?Cual ha de ser el papel de los Afrodescendientes y sus reclamos en la nueva politicade descolonizacion y liberacion? ?Como sus reivindicaciones se inscriben dentro deproyectos a favor de la democratizacion de la democracia en distintas esferas de justicia??Como combinar los logros obtenidos en la emergencia de una esfera de politica racialAfrodescendiente, y en los espacios abiertos tanto estatal como transnacionalmente, conestrategias de organizacion de base y reclamos que apunten a reformas radicales para unasociedad mas justa y equitativa? En correspondencia con tales interrogantes, la primeraparte del texto explora el significado historico de las diasporas Afroamericanas. La segunda,discute brevemente los principios etico-politicos de descolonizacion, democraciay liberacion, a la luz de la centralidad historica de los sujetos de la Africania moderna. Enla tercera seccion, finalmente, se adelantan algunas observaciones practicas sobre las implicacionesde la perspectiva colonial Afrodiasporica sobre el plano tanto de las politicaspublicas como para la teoria y politica de los movimientos sociales Afrodescendientes.