cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Newcastle disease virus vaccines by biological properties and sequence analysis of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein gene

Abstract Six commercially available monovalent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) live-vaccines were examined for their biological and genomic stability in comparison to their stated parent virus. Thermostability of the hemagglutinin at 56° C for 5 min was consistently observed among the majority of the vaccine viruses. One exception was a recently developed NDV vaccine isolated from turkeys that had a thermostability of 15 min. Neuraminidase activity, as measured by elution rate of agglutinated red blood cells, varied among vaccine viruses and correlated with that of the parent isolate. Virulence as measured by intracerebral pathogenicity index ranged from 0 to 0.39 among NDV vaccine-type viruses, well within the range of avirulent lentogens. Sequence of the fusion protein cleavage site from all the NDV vaccine isolates examined was consistent with that for lentogens. The entire hemagglutinin-neuraminidase gene sequence was 98% similar among all the NDV vaccine viruses examined and phylogenetic classification of commercial vaccine types correlated with their respective parent virus. Consequently, the commercially produced NDV vaccines reported here appear relatively stable when mass produced in avian embryonated eggs.
Variance Estimation in Finite Population Sampling

Abstract Under a linear regression model, the best linear unbiased estimator (BLUE) for a finite population total can be obtained. The problem studied here is that of estimating the variance for setting large-sample confidence intervals about the BLUE when the model generating this estimate is inaccurate. A robust variance estimator is derived, and its asymptotic properties are shown to compare favorably with those of the weighted least-squares variance estimator. The robust variance estimator is shown to be asymptotically equivalent to the jackknife variance estimator under rather general conditions. These are extensions of results previously established for the ratio estimator by Royall and Eberhardt (1975).
Maintaining a poor person's information integrity

This paper presents some methods for maintaining the integrity of information in a sometimes corrupt information environment. We demonstrate their practical value by presenting methods to ensure that programs entering a computing environment are relatively benign. We begin by defining in a non-mathematical sense, an information physics based on three laws of information; non-conservation, transitivity, and undecidability. We explain some ramifications of this physics, and expand on it with a practical approach to the maintenance of integrity in untrusted computing environments.
Invited paper: Structured literature image finder: Parsing text and figures in biomedical literature

The SLIF project combines text-mining and image processing to extract structured information from biomedical literature. SLIF extracts images and their captions from published papers. The captions are automatically parsed for relevant biological entities (protein and cell type names), while the images are classified according to their type (e.g., micrograph or gel). Fluorescence microscopy images are further processed and classified according to the depicted subcellular localization. The results of this process can be queried online using either a user-friendly web-interface or an XML-based web-service. As an alternative to the targeted query paradigm, SLIF also supports browsing the collection based on latent topic models which are derived from both the annotated text and the image data. The SLIF web application, as well as labeled datasets used for training system components, is publicly available at http://slif.cbi.cmu.edu.
Exploring cyclic net reproduction

This paper advances a new approach that provides closed form expressions for the birth trajectory produced by a regime of changing vital rates. An exponentiated sinusoidal net maternity function is considered in detail, as populations with cyclically varying net maternity are of particular interest because of their connection to the Easterlin hypothesis. The dynamics of the model are largely determined by the ratio of the population's generation length (A) to the period of cyclicity (T), and relatively simple expressions are found for the phase difference and relative amplification of the birth and net reproduction functions. More generally, an analytical expression for a population's birth trajectory is derived that applies whenever net reproductivity can be written as an exponentiated Fourier series. In the cyclic model, Easterlin's inverse relationship between cohort size and cohort fertility holds whenever the phase difference is zero. At other phase differences, the birth‐reproduction equations have ...
Metabolism of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and its inhibition by actinomycin D and cycloheximide.

Abstract An examination of the appearance of metabolites in the subcellular fractions of rachitic chick intestinal mucosa from a 0.125-μg intravenous dose of (26,27- 3 H)-25-hydroxycholecalciferol ( 3 H-25-HCC) has been carried out. Most of the intestinal radioactivity was found in the nuclear debris and supernatant fractions. In the crude nuclear fraction, a metabolite (peak V) more polar than 25-HCC appeared with an even more polar metabolite (peak VI) as a possible intermediate in the peak V formation. The time course of appearance of these metabolites in the nuclear and supernatant fractions would indicate that they are of nuclear origin. In bone, the appearance of a more polar metabolite (peak V) from 3 H-25-HCC was also demonstrated. The production of the peak V is inhibited by prior treatment with either cyloheximide or actinomycin D. These results are in agreement with the previous experiments with rats and suggest that 25-HCC induces the formation of an enzyme (s) responsible for its further metabolism to polar metabolites.
Differential determination of hexosaminidases A and B and of two forms of -galactosidase, in the layers of the human cerebellum.

—In order to determine whether or not various histological elements of the nervous system may differ in their relative content of hexosaminidase A and B (O'Brien, Okada, Chen and Fillerup, 1970) and in the‘acid’and‘neutral’forms of β-galactosidase (Ho and O'Brien, 1971), these isoenzymes were determined separately in the layers of human cerebellum. The proportion of the heat-stable hexosaminidase B was greater in the granular layer than in the molecular layer or underlying white matter. The activity of the‘neutral’form of β-galactosidase was very low compared to the‘acid’type, but its distribution was similar.
Peripheral Nerve Blocks in the Outpatient Surgery Setting

Peripheral nerve blocks involve injecting local anesthesia near or around a nerve or nerve plexus. This form of anesthesia allows surgeons to perform more complex surgeries and provides extended postoperative analgesia for patients. Patients experience reduced postoperative pain and length of hospital stay and increased satisfaction with the outcome of surgery because they are less likely to experience adverse effects. Use of peripheral nerve blocks in an outpatient setting is becoming more common and has increased the perioperative nurse's patient care responsibilities. The nurse must perform a preblock assessment and assist the anesthesia professional with administration of the block. Major responsibilities of the nurse include identifying and managing potential adverse effects (eg, pneumothorax, toxicity) associated with block administration and patient discharge education.
Use of negative-pressure wound therapy in orthopaedic trauma

Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has become an important adjunct to the management of traumatic wounds and surgical incisions related to musculoskeletal trauma. On the battlefield, this adjunct therapy allows early wound management and safe aeromedical evacuation. NPWT mechanisms of action include stabilization of the wound environment, reduction of wound edema, improvement of tissue perfusion, and stimulation of cells at the wound surface. NPWT stimulates granulation tissue and angiogenesis and may improve the likelihood of primary closure and reduce the need for free tissue transfer. In addition, NPWT reduces the bacterial bioburden of wounds contaminated with gram-negative bacilli. However, an increased risk of colonization of gram-positive cocci (eg, Staphylococcus aureus) exists. Although NPWT facilitates wound management, further research is required to determine conclusively whether this modality is superior to other management options. Ongoing research will continue to define the indications for and benefits of NPWT as well as establish the role of combination therapy, in which NPWT is used with instillation of antibiotic solutions, placement of antibiotic-laden cement beads, or silver-impregnated sponges.
Effectiveness of Subpixel Analysis in Detecting and Quantifying Urban Imperviousness from Landsat Thematic Mapper Imagery

Abstract The quantification of urban imperviousness using remotely sensed spectral data is next to impossible unless a spectral fraction of impervious components in an urban pixel can be detected. In this research, a multiple‐signature subpixel analysis technique coupled with a layered classification approach was developed to map urban imperviousness of each pixel of an urban scene into eight 10‐percent levels. The subpixel analysis was based on the idea of removing background spectra from the total radiance of a pixel and testing the residual spectrum against the signature spectrum. This study demonstrated that although the subpixel analysis was able to quantify urban imperviousness from most of the urban pixels, it experienced some difficulty in handling the spectral heterogeneity of diverse urban features. The layered classification approach was used to identify the extreme cases. An experiment of classifying Landsat TM data into eight levels of urban imperviousness revealed that 83.0% (kappa = 0.787) ...
Some observations on the effect of moisture on the quantitative extraction of lipids from soybeans

Data are presented to show the effect of moisture on the quantitative determination of lipids in soybean samples which were pretreated by: (1) Conditioning to a range of moisture contents, (2) by heating in the presence of 60-40 percent mixture of benzene and methyl alcohol, and (3) by heat-denaturation of the protein in the sample in the presence of water vapor. The wide variation in results for lipid content indicates that the lipids removed cannot be considered as either triglycerides alone, or total lipids, but an empirical value given by a rigidly controlled procedure. It is apparent that methods are needed to determine the triglycerides and the total lipid content of soybeans and soybean meal.
An analysis of classroom technology

The University of Delaware Information Technology Help Center is conducting a study to identify uses of technology in the classroom, assess faculty attitudes toward these technologies and measure the quality of student learning as proxied by the seven principles for good practice in education. This paper describes the study's survey design.A smaller study conducted last year, documented classes with supporting web pages and the various components of those web pages. This year the study broadens its scope significantly, assessing the use of courseware management systems, computing facilities, networks, on-line collaboration, chat and other technological resources to provide a more complete description of instructional technology use at the University of Delaware.This survey uses a 30-item instrument on 11 subscales. Four of these subscales are widely used to describe faculty attitudes (Enthusiasm, Anxiety, Avoidance and Productivity).The latter seven subscales correspond to seven indicators of good practice in undergraduate education. The extent to which instructor attitudes accord with these is used as a proxy for improved learning. Using this proxy, we can measure the correlation between the use of technology in the classroom with improved learning outcomes.
Improved decision processes through simultaneous simulation and time dilation

Simulation models are often not used to their full potential in the decision-making process. The default simulation strategy of simple serial replication of fixed length runs means that we often waste time generating information about uninteresting models and we only provide a decision at the very end of our study. New simulation techniques such as simultaneous simulation and time dilation have been developed to produce improved decisions at any time with limited or even reduced demands on analysts. Furthermore, we have the tools to determine whether a study should be terminated early or extended based on the demands of the decision-responsible managers and the time-crunched analysts. By collecting information from multiple models at the same time and using this information to continuously update the allocation of finite computational resources, we are able to more effectively leverage every minute of calendar time toward making the best choice. Strategies and tactics are discussed and highlighted through the implementation and analysis of a job shop model. Target success probabilities are achieved faster while achieving goals in study length flexibility at low cost to analyst time.
The Sounds of Silence: How Men Silence Women in Marital Relations

In this study seven white heterosexual married couples ran audio recorders in the central living areas of their homes for an average of 10 days to capture ongoing interactions. Afterwards, I conduc...
Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment

The purpose of hazard analysis and risk assessment in the chemical process industry is to (1) characterize the hazards associated with a chemical facility; (2) determine how these hazards can result in an accident; and (3) determine the risk, ie, the probability and the consequence of these hazards. Methods for performing hazard analysis and risk assessment include safety review, checklists, Dow Fire and Explosion Index, what-if analysis, hazard and operability analysis (HAZOP), failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), fault tree analysis, and event tree analysis. In order to complete an assessment of risk, a probability must be determined. A more recent concept which could have significant impact on future designs is that of inherent safety. Hazard avoidance is performed by three techniques. First, there is substitution. This means substituting a less hazardous material for the material in use. The second method for inherent safety is attenuation, ie, operating the process at lower temperatures and pressures. The last inherent safety technique is intensification. This means using much smaller inventories of hazardous raw and intermediate materials, and reducing process hold-up and inventories.
Effects of D-Amino Acids on Growth Rate and Kidney D-Amino Acid Oxidase in Chicks

Abstract Studies were conducted on the effects of feeding D-amino acids on growth rate and D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) in chick kidney. The crystalline amino acid (AA) diet provided seven amino acids either in the L-form or the DL-form at two concentrations (DL- or .5 DL-AA diets) with all diets containing equal amounts of L-amino acids. Weight gains of chicks fed the DL-AA diet were consistently lower than those fed the L- or .5 DL-AA diet. Kidney DAAO activity was significantly higher in chicks fed either the DL-AA or .5 DL-AA diet as compared with the L-AA diet. Kidney DAAO activity was essentially the same in chicks fed the DL- and .5 DL-AA diets. Increasing the nonspecific nitrogen in the diet had no effect in alleviating growth depression of the DL-AA.
Building an on-line database system with BASIS

Describes an online database management system (HP/TECHLIB) that has been designed and constructed using BASIS/TECHLIB. The system currently supports a full range of library functions, including cataloging, circulation, authority control, and retrieval activities. The selection process, database design, and enhancements to the software are also presented. In addition, technical problems encountered during the conversion of the VTLS (Virginia Tech Library System) data into HP/TECHLIB and lessons learned during implementation are provided. >
A Review of “Library Ethics”

The author of this book is a librarian/educator, a lawyer, and an historian, and her approach to the topic of ethics and librarianship comes from her well-qualified perspective and grounding in the...
Development of a minor program of study in Management of Technology

The author describes the Management of Technology minor program of study at Vanderbilt University (USA) which is designed to provide a student majoring in one of the traditional undergraduate engineering programs the opportunity to gain a working knowledge of the fundamentals of business and engineering management. Vanderbilt University have determined that about half of their students are in some form of management position within five years after graduation, yet little is done in most engineering curricula to address this issue. With consultation from selected industry and academic advisors, they concluded that a strong technical education centered on fundamentals must remain the primary focus of their traditional engineering programs. This is the curriculum that industry expects and recruits, and therefore, it is also what parents and students expect. Nonetheless, they also recognize the growing importance of interdisciplinary activities and the great benefit their students may receive from an understanding of some economic, business, and management principles. The author details how these factors have lead them to the development of a minor program of study in Management of Technology.
Mathematical analysis and quantification of fluorescent proteins as transcriptional reporters.

Fluorescent proteins are often used as reporters of transcriptional activity. Here we present a mathematical characterization of a novel fluorescent reporter that was recently engineered to have a short half-life (∼12 min). The advantage of this destabilized protein is that it can track the transient transcriptional response often exhibited by signaling pathways. Our mathematical model takes into account the maturation time and half-life of the fluorescent protein. We demonstrate that our characterization allows transient transcript profiles to be inferred from fluorescence data. We also investigate a stochastic version of the model. Our analysis reveals that fluorescence measurements can both underestimate and overestimate fluctuations in protein levels that arise from the stochastic nature of biochemical reactions.
Research directions in parallel I/O for clusters

Parallel I/O remains a critical problem for cluster computing. A significant number of important applications need high performance parallel I/O and most cluster systems provide enough hardware to deliver the required performance. System software for achieving the desired goals remains in the research and development stage. A number of parallel file systems have achieved remarkable goals in one or more of several key areas related to parallel I/O, but there is still great reluctance to commit to any file system currently available. This is mostly due to the fact that these file systems do not address enough issues at once in a package that is robust enough for widespread use. Critical goals in the development of an operation parallel file system for clusters include: high performance with scalability; reliability/fault tolerance; flexible and efficient integration with parallel codes; portability. These issues give rise to problems with interfaces and semantics, in addition to specific technical problems such as distributed locking, caching, and redundancy. The next generation of parallel file systems must look beyond traditional interfaces, semantics, and implementation methods in order achieve the desired goals. Of equal importance is the issue of knowing to what extent a given file system achieves these goals. Given that no file system is likely to address all of these goals equally well, it is important to be able to measure a given file system's utility in these areas through benchmarking or other evaluation methods. We explore a few of these issues and include specific examples and a case study of the PVFS V2 team's approach to these issues.
An X-ray Diffraction Investigation of Tin Oxide Deposition and Annealing

Tin oxide thin films were deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) for applications as a transparent conductor. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to quantify the crystal structure and morphology of these films both as-deposited and after annealing conditions. Annealing was performed in an argon environment as a function of time and temperature. Although annealing was found to significantly improve electrical properties, the structure as measured by XRD remained largely unchanged. Hall effect measurements show that the improvements in resistivity are due to increases in carrier concentration. XRD did reveal that films deposited on the powered electrode had a film orientation that was distinctly different than films deposited on the grounded electrode. These changes suggest the importance of ion bombardment energy. The structural changes were correlated with improved electrical properties.
Teaching Writing to Deaf Students: Does Research Offer Evidence for Practice?

The purpose of this review of the research on writing instruction with deaf students was to determine which findings offer evidence for effective practice. The authors used a framework of critical elements developed from research on hearing writers as a set of findings to which they compared the findings with deaf writers. They identified 16 studies of writing instruction over the past 25 years. Research on approaches for teaching writing to hearing students fell into four categories: teaching the process approach, instruction on characteristics of quality writing, writing for content learning, and feedback. Although all of the studies on teaching writing to deaf students fell into one of these categories, outcomes were equivocal and the evidence for practice is at best promising. They conclude that rigorous research is acutely needed so that writing instruction can be better informed by research findings.
Novel diffusion effects in a dielectrically isolated BIMOS process using SOI substrates

The implementaton is discussed of a bulk BIMOS process which incorporates vertical bipolar devices on a thick (5 mu m) film silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. When trench isolation is incorporated in such a process, fully dielectrically isolated devices can be fabricated. By appropriate application of the trench technology, no change in the electrical device parameters will be produced by such processing. It has been demonstrated that epitaxially thickened ZMR (zone-melting recrystallization) and SIMOX (separation by implantation of oxygen) substrates can support a wide range of devices such as those found in the BIMOS process. However, for device structures in which electrical parameters are sensitive to the diffusion of dopants in silicon it may be necessary to adjust the process to allow for small changes in diffusivity in SOI material. This has been demonstrated in the case of oxidation enhanced diffusion. >
Pseudoaneursym of the external carotid artery after tonsillectomy. A rare complication.

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common major surgical procedures performed in children in the United States. Otolaryngologists should be cognizant of the potential complications associated with the procedure. We report a case of a pseudoaneurysm of the external carotid artery that developed in a boy after elective adenotonsillectomy for management of obstructive sleep symptoms. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1997;123:345-347
Congressional Oversight Hearings and Policy Control

Oversight hearings should be an important congressional tool for controlling recalcitrant agencies, but it is not clear that this should always be equally true. The logic of principal-agent models of legislative policy control implies that oversight might sometimes, but not always, be superfluous to said control. Here, I reintroduce oversight hearings to theories of policy control and argue that congressional committees conduct oversight hearings primarily as a response to the extent to which agencies have different policy preferences from them and as a function of their capacity to conduct hearings cheaply. I test these hypotheses using committee hearings data (Policy Agendas Project) from both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate from 1947 to 2006 and provide support for theoretical arguments about the institutional nature of legislative policymaking strategies and ultimately help clarify the role of oversight in legislative-executive relations.
Predictors of non-completion of community-based chronic disease self-management programs: The Rhode Island experience during an economic recession.

Between 2012 and 2030, the U.S. population aged 65 and older is projected to grow from 43.1 million to 70 million.1 The percentage of adults with two or more chronic conditions increases with age and living in poverty.2,3 These data raise important questions about how to improve patient outcomes and reduce health care costs for individuals who bear the highest chronic disease burden. The Stanford University Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is among the most widely disseminated and evaluated evidence-based self-management programs for helping individuals living in the community better manage their chronic condition. As recent studies have demonstrated, participation in CDSMP is associated with significant 6and 12-month post-intervention improvements in health outcomes,4-11 and reductions in emergency department visits that may persist up to 2 years.5,7 The benefits that accrue to individuals who complete a CDSMP (4–6 classes) raise questions about who attends these programs but then drops out (i.e., completes fewer than 4 classes). Several studies have compared baseline characteristics of completers and non-completers, but no single factor consistently differentiates completers from non-completers across studies.12-15 Given the above background, this study identified factors associated with non-completion of Rhode Island’s CDSMP workshops offered from 2012 to 2014. This was a time when economic insecurity for Rhode Islanders, including Rhode Islanders 65 and older, remained nearly as high as it was at the peak of the 2007–2009 U.S. recession. The recent economic recession was more severe – deeper and longer – in Rhode Island than in other New England states and in most states nationally.16 We hypothesized that living at or below poverty would predict non-completion of CDSMP workshops and that non-completion would vary by chronic disease. METHODS Data were from baseline surveys collected at the first session from three evidence-based CDSMP workshops that comprise Living Well Rhode Island: Stanford University’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (English and Spanish), Diabetes Self-Management Program (English and Spanish), and Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (English). Information on the number of sessions completed
Eight cases of invasive Klebsiella pneumoniae infection from a public teaching medical institution in the USA

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common human bacterial pathogen known to cause invasive infections such as primary liver abscesses, necrotizing fasciitis, meningitis and endophthalmitis with bacteraemia among patients in eastern Asia. Over the last decade, geographical spread and emergence of invasive K. pneumoniae infection has occurred in the USA. The majority of reported cases involve males with diabetes mellitus, of Asian ethnicity and who have recently travelled to Asia. Results: We identified eight invasive cases with liver abscesses and necrotizing fasciitis at our institution. The most common risk factors associated with invasive infection were male gender and diabetes mellitus, which is consistent with other reported cases. However, Caucasians and Hispanics represented the majority of invasive disease (n = 7), and history of recent travel to Asia was not identified in any of the cases. Discussion: Further studies with larger cohorts involving multiple healthcare institutions in the USA are warranted to confirm these two unusual characteristics of infection. Healthcare professionals should be informed of the possible association between K. pneumoniae and invasive disease in male diabetic persons of non-Asian descent and without recent travel to Asia in the USA.
Analytical construction of peaked solutions for the nonlinear evolution of an electromagnetic pulse propagating through a plasma

AbstractWe obtain analytical solutions, by way of the homotopy analysis method, to a nonlinear wave equation describing the nonlinear evolution of a vector potential of an electromagnetic pulse propagating in an arbitrary pair plasma with temperature asymmetry. As the method is analytical, we are able to construct peaked structures which propagate through the pair plasma, analogous to peakon solutions. These solutions are obtained through a novel matching of inner and outer homotopy solutions. In order to ensure that our analytical results are valid over the whole real line, we also discuss the convergence of the analytical results to the true solution, through minimization of the residual errors resulting from an approximate analytical solution. These results demonstrate the existence of peaked pulses propagating through a pair plasma. The algebraic decay rate of the pulses are determined analytically, as well. The method discussed here can be applied to approximate solutions to similar nonlinear partial...
Histochemical studies of effects of cortisone on fetal and newborn rats.

SummaryA histochemical study of the effect of cortisone on the liver, intestine and kidney of fetal and post-partum rats was made. There were no histochemically observable effects of cortisone on the fetus until the 16th day of age. Beginning with this day it was found that cortisone caused an increase in glycogen deposition and a decrease in RNA content of the hepatic parenchyma. In the post-partum rats these liver effects were noted at all ages. The intestinal striated border demonstrated a precocious acquisition of alkaline phosphatase and RNA as compared to controls of the same age. In the renal tubules these effects were manifest in the 16- and 18-day-old fetuses, while the intestinal effects were obtained in the 18- and 20-day-old fetuses. Similar precocious increases in renal and intestinal alkaline phosphatase and RNA were noted in the cortisone-treated newborns beginning with the ninth day of age.
Control of Certain Potato Insects in Arizona with Soil Applications of Granulated Phorate

The principal insect pests of potatoes in Arizona requiring Control are the potato psyllids, green peach aphids, leafhoppers and thrips. Of these the most serious pest is the potato psyllid, Paratrioza cockerelli (Sulc). A soil application of granules containing 10% phorate at the rate of 20 pounds per acre (2-pounds actual) made to Red Pontiac, and Kennebec potatoes at time of planting gave good control of the potato psyllid and green peach aphid ( Myzus persicae (Sulzer)), Granules were applied approximately 2 inches below the seed piece and 4 to 5 inches to the side in the fertilizer band on one side only. The young plants did not readily pick up the phorate from the soil until after the first irrigation. Effective insect control was obtained for approximately 100 days after planting. A fertilizer-phorate mixture (0.2% phorate) applied to both sides of the seed piece also gave satisfactory control of psyllids and aphids. An aphid buildup may occur late ill the growing season as the effectiveness of the phorate diminishes. Luck of psyllid control was found to reduce the potato yield by 50% or more.
Workers’ Power in the Global City? Lessons from Three New York Transit Strikes

Drawing on the influential global cities paradigm, this article derives three hypotheses about the future of organized labor in major urban centers of the advanced capitalist world. Hypotheses are structured around Erik Olin Wright’s concepts of structural and associational power, plus that of employer power, and explored through comparative analyses of the last three strikes by New York City transit workers in 2005, 1980, and 1966. Examination of these conflicts supports two global cities predictions about the evolution of workers’ power in major urban centers while contradicting doomsday arguments about a supposed one-way decline of workers’ power.
Preventing Heat Loss in Infants <29 Weeks' Gestation

Please read the following vignette and watch the video clip (Fig 1). Now, stop reading and watch the video. Figure 1. Click here to view video. A 27-5/7 week gestation infant is delivered via cesarean delivery to a mother with severe preeclampsia. Immediately after birth, the infant is vigorous and crying. Which of the following interventions are most effective at preventing heat loss in infants <29 weeks’ gestation? 1. Dry the infant with a warm towel 2. Increase the temperature of the delivery room to 26°C 3. Place the infant under a preheated radiant warmer 4. Place the infant on a portable warming pad 5. Swaddle the infant in a warm blanket 6. Wrap the infant in a polyethylene plastic 1. a, b, c, d, e, f 2. a, b, c, d, e 3. a, b, c, d, f 4. b, c, d, e, f 5. b, c, d, f Evidence supports the efficacy of plastic bags or plastic wrapping (food-grade, heat-resistant plastic), in addition to the routine radiant heat, in significantly improving the admission temperature of premature infants of <28 weeks’ gestational age, when compared with standard care (drying with a towel under a radiant heat …
Changing China's Traditional Learning in Modern Time:Three Case Studies

Reviewing China's experience during the past century of importing Western learning,the article argues that this attempt has been marred by an overly short-sighted utilitarianism without attaining a thorough understanding of the Western learning to be imported . The article examines the cases of three leading Chinese scholars of the 20th century:Hu Shi,Fu Shinian,and Qian Mu. It reveals that Hu Shi advocated whole-sale importing of Western learing to China,with only shallow understanding of such Western culture and scholarship;Fu Shinian claimed that he was introducing Rank's historiography to China but seriously misunderstood Rank's scholarship;what Fu advocated was merely the"evidential learning"of the fallen Qing dynasty in a new dressing-up. Qian Mu,on the contrary,was honest in his pursuit of a modernized"traditional Chinese learning",combined with selective critical adoption of Western learning,with the results which sometimes excelled Western learning itself.
Regulation of pathways within cultured epithelial cells for the transcytosis of a basal membrane-bound peroxidase-polylysine conjugate

A conjugate of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to poly(L-lysine) (PLL) was used as a non-specific adsorptive probe to study transcytosis in MDCK strain I and Caco-2 epithelial cells. As we have shown previously, HRP-PLL transcytosis proceeds via an intracellular, non-lysosomal proteolytic compartment in MDCK cells; yet, this compartment is utilized for transcytosis only in the basal-to-apical direction (Taub, M. E. and Shen, W.-C. J. Cell. Physiol., 150, 283-290, 1992). Using size exclusion chromatography, we demonstrate that the PLL moiety of the conjugate is effectively cleaved during transcytosis, thus releasing free HRP from the apical surface of the cells. Pulse-chase studies indicate that approximately 6% of basolateral surface-associated HRP-PLL conjugate in Transwell-grown cell monolayers enters the basal-to-apical transcytotic pathway. Brief (1 hour) treatment with 160 nM phorbol ester (PMA), a protein kinase C stimulator, elicits a 2-fold increase in the rate and amount of HRP-PLL transcytosis following a 1 hour lag time. Treatment with 1.6 micrograms/ml brefeldin A (BFA) inhibits HRP-PLL transcytosis by approximately 30%; additionally, BFA is able to abolish completely the PMA stimulatory effect. Removal of BFA causes a re-establishment of the normal rate of transcytosis within 2 hours, demonstrating the reversibility of BFA inhibition with respect to HRP-PLL transcytosis. Thus, PMA most likely elicits an increase in the amount of basally internalized conjugate delivered to BFA-sensitive transcytotic compartments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Rev. of Women Writers in Postsocialist China, by KAY SCHAFFER & XIANLIN SONG

This book offers a comprehensive study of works by women writers in postsocialist China. It covers major historical events in modern China from social, historical, and cultural backgrounds. A diver...
Elucidating the role of hyposalivation and autoimmunity in oral candidiasis.

Introduction Oral candidiasis (OC) is a potential oral complication in Sjogren's syndrome (SS). Some studies indicate that the low stimulated salivary flow and not low unstimulated salivary flow is associated with OC in SS, while others report that the underlying autoimmune disorders contribute to OC, based solely on correlation coefficients. Given the conflicting and limited existing evidence, we purposed to ascertain the role of both salivary gland dysfunction (hyposalivation based on unstimulated and stimulated flow rates) and autoimmunity (SS, other autoimmune disorders) in OC among those with SS, other salivary gland dysfunction, and non-salivary gland dysfunction controls (NSGD). Methods A nested case–control study was designed within a larger NIH/NIDCR cohort. Descriptive analyses, nonparametric tests, comparative analyses, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were undertaken. Results Data on 1526 subjects (701 SS, 247 ISS, 355 Sicca, and 223 NSGD) were obtained from the source cohort of 2046 and analyzed for this study. The median whole unstimulated salivary flow rate (WUS, ml 15 min−1) was lower in SS (0.8, interquartile range (IQR) 1.8) compared to ISS (5.5, IQR: 5.2, P < 0.001) and NSGD (3.8, IQR: 3.8, P < 0.001) but comparable with that of Sicca (1.0, IQR: 1.5, P = 0.777) participants. The median total stimulated salivary flow rate (TSS, ml 15 min−1) was lowest in SS (7.0, IQR: 12.4, P < 0.001) compared to other groups. Of the 45 OC cases in this cohort, 71.1% (n = 32) were from the SS group. The prevalence of OC was highest in the SS group (4.6%, P = 0.008). SS group had twice the risk of OC than NSGD (OR = 2.2, 95%CI: 1.1–4.2, P = 0.02) and Sicca (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.0–4.8, P = 0.03), adjusting for confounders; hyposalivation [WUS (OR = 5.1, 95%CI: 2.5–10.4, P < 0.001), TSS (OR = 1.9, 95%CI: 1.0–3.5, P = 0.04)], history of other autoimmune disorders (OR = 4.4, 95%CI: 1.7–11.3, P = 0.002), medications for extraglandular manifestations (OR = 2.3, 95%CI: 1.1–4.9, P = 0.03), and diabetes mellitus (4.2, 95%CI: 1.2–15.2, P = 0.02) were independent predictors of OC; females had a lower risk than males (OR = 0.29, 95%CI: 0.13–0.67, P = 0.004). Age, race, anti-SSA/SSB autoantibodies, focus score, other medications, anxiety, fatigue, cigarette smoking, alcohol, and caffeine use were not associated with oral candidiasis. Conclusion Salivary gland dysfunction (hyposalivation with WUS being a stronger predictor than TSS) and autoimmunity (SS, other autoimmune disorders, medications, i.e., DMARDS) are both independent predictors of OC. Diabetes mellitus is an independent predictor of OC among those with salivary gland dysfunction. Our findings suggest that these independent predictors should be considered in the prevention and management of OC in this population.
A two-stage approach for combining gene expression and mutation with clinical data improves survival prediction in myelodysplastic syndromes and ovarian cancer.

Motivation: Many traditional clinical prognostic factors have been known for cancer for years, but usually provide poor survival prediction. Genomic information is more easily available now which offers opportunities to build more accurate prognostic models. The challenge is how to integrate them to improve survival prediction. The common approach of jointly analyzing all type of covariates directly in one single model may not improve the prediction due to increased model complexity and cannot be easily applied to different datasets. Results: We proposed a two-stage procedure to better combine different sources of information for survival prediction, and applied the two-stage procedure in two cancer datasets: myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and ovarian cancer. Our analysis suggests that the prediction performance of different data types are very different, and combining clinical, gene expression and mutation data using the two-stage procedure improves survival prediction in terms of improved concordance index and reduced prediction error. Availability and implementation: The two-stage procedure can be implemented in BhGLM package which is freely available at http://www.ssg.uab.edu/bhglm/. Keywords: gene expansion, mutation, clinical data, survival prediction, myelodysplastic syndromes, ovarian cancer.
Nuclear-blast induced nanotextures in quartz and zircon within Trinitite

The intense heat and pressure resulting from the detonation of the world’s first nuclear device in the New Mexico desert, July 16, 1945, severely altered the arkosic sand, producing the fused, glassy material referred to as Trinitite. The study of Trinitite is key to the development of nuclear forensic techniques that can provide crucial information about a nuclear event, such as device composition and radionuclide distribution. Moreover, nuclear blasts are often considered analogs to catastrophic natural events such as meteorite impacts, and it is well-documented that with increasing impact severity, zircon and quartz grains deform systematically. In Trinitite, a sufficient number of primary quartz and zircon grains remain identifiable. Here, a multi-technique approach (focused ion beam, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and micro-Raman spectroscopy) is employed to study the micrometer-to-nanometer-scale deformation features in altered grains of zircon and quartz to constrain blast pressure and temperature conditions. Trinitite zircon grains consistently show an outer halo of fibrous baddeleyite, radiating from a relatively unaltered core; HRTEM images show complex twinning, likely originating from an intermediate, tetragonal zirconia precursor. Trinitite quartz grains show various states of melting that appear to vary predictably with depth below the surface of the desert sand. Grains occurring deeper than ~1.5 cm are crystalline, with occasional planar fractures at the optical scale. At shallower depths, a systematic increase in quartz vitrification is observed. Considered together, these data suggest maximal temperatures in excess of 1500 °C and pressures of <10 GPa, the latter being considerably less than for any natural impact event. Taken in a broader context, the implications of this work extend toward exploiting the use of advanced imaging techniques to improve our understanding of mineral processes in extreme, non-equilibrium environments at the near-atomic scale.
TRENDS AND USE OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS BACTEREMIA: AN ANALYSIS USING THE NATIONWIDE INPATIENT SAMPLE (NIS) DATA

Background: Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) carries significant morbidity and is one of the common causes of mortality in United States of America. Infective endocarditis (IE) occurs in approximately 10-30% of those with SAB. Thus, the ACC/AHA guidelines recommend transthoracic echocardiogram
Pancreatectomy with Islet Autotransplant

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplant is a novel procedure for the treatment of pancreatitis, particularly in patients with diffuse disease unresponsive to medical therapy. Strict patient selection criteria are necessary to optimize outcomes. Postoperatively patients require careful glucose monitoring and nutritional support.
Progress Report on an Experiment to Measure ΔI=0 Parity Mixing in 14N

We are attempting to detect parity mixing of the Jπ=0+;1 – 0-;1 doublet in 14N at EX≈9 Mev by forming the narrow (Γcm = 3.8 kev Ep = 1.16 MeV) 0+ level as a resonance in C(p,p) and measuring the longitudinal analyzing power AZ[1]. This mixing is primarily sensitive to the ΔI=0 component of the PNC NN force. Its interpretation has fewer nuclear structure uncertainties than the α decay of 16O(2-) [2]. The calculated 13C(p,p) scattering cross sections and transverse analyzing powers At [3] agree favorably with our data. This gives us confidence in our model of the reaction. The PNC signal is AZ(b) - AZ(f) where b and f refer to counters placed at θ = 155° and θ = 35°. Using recently measured values for EX and Γ of the doublet [4], along with Haxton’s PNC matrix element and the standard DDH “best value” PNC interaction we predict a signal of -2.2×10-5.
Effects of Intensive BP Control in CKD

The appropriate target for BP in patients with CKD and hypertension remains uncertain. We report prespecified subgroup analyses of outcomes in participants with baseline CKD in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial. We randomly assigned participants to a systolic BP target of <120 mm Hg (intensive group; n=1330) or <140 mm Hg (standard group; n=1316). After a median follow-up of 3.3 years, the primary composite cardiovascular outcome occurred in 112 intensive group and 131 standard group CKD participants (hazard ratio [HR], 0.81; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.63 to 1.05). The intensive group also had a lower rate of all-cause death (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.99). Treatment effects did not differ between participants with and without CKD (P values for interactions ≥0.30). The prespecified main kidney outcome, defined as the composite of ≥50% decrease in eGFR from baseline or ESRD, occurred in 15 intensive group and 16 standard group participants (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.44 to 1.83). After the initial 6 months, the intensive group had a slightly higher rate of change in eGFR (-0.47 versus -0.32 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year; P<0.03). The overall rate of serious adverse events did not differ between treatment groups, although some specific adverse events occurred more often in the intensive group. Thus, among patients with CKD and hypertension without diabetes, targeting an SBP<120 mm Hg compared with <140 mm Hg reduced rates of major cardiovascular events and all-cause death without evidence of effect modifications by CKD or deleterious effect on the main kidney outcome.
Examining the Geographic Distribution of Victim Nations in Stolen Data Markets

The growth of electronic commerce and malicious software tools designed to compromise various payment systems and computer networks has led to concurrent increase in data breaches, phishing, and ha...