cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of 10 KDA prolamin genes in Phyllostachys aurea (Bambusoideae, Poaceae).

the oryzoid-bambusoid grasses. The genes, ;417 bp in length, were 96% similar at the DNA sequence level, differing in 12 base substitutions dispersed throughout the sequence. Eight of these mutations were nonsynonymous, leading to amino acid substitutions in the coding region, and one was nonsense, producing an amber stop codon. One gene had an open reading frame (ORF) of 139 amino acids, while the other gene had a shorter ORF (106 amino acids) due to the presence of a stop codon in the coding region and, thus, represents a pseudogene. Deduced proteins showed amino acid composition similar to that of rice. The study underscores the overall conserved nature of this multigene family and reflects considerable sequence divergence at the DNA and amino acid levels between the Oryza and the Phyllostachys genes. The systematic implication of the data is discussed in light of the inconsistent placement of Oryza in the Bambusoideae or Oryzoideae.
Super-resolution reconstruction of hyperspectral images

Hyperspectral images are used for aerial and space imagery applications, including target detection, tracking, agricultural, and natural resource exploration. Unfortunately, atmospheric scattering, secondary illumination, changing viewing angles, and sensor noise degrade the quality of these images. Improving their resolution has a high payoff, but applying super-resolution techniques separately to every spectral band is problematic for two main reasons. First, the number of spectral bands can be in the hundreds, which increases the computational load excessively. Second, considering the bands separately does not make use of the information that is present across them. Furthermore, separate band super resolution does not make use of the inherent low dimensionality of the spectral data, which can effectively be used to improve the robustness against noise. In this paper, we introduce a novel super-resolution method for hyperspectral images. An integral part of our work is to model the hyperspectral image acquisition process. We propose a model that enables us to represent the hyperspectral observations from different wavelengths as weighted linear combinations of a small number of basis image planes. Then, a method for applying super resolution to hyperspectral images using this model is presented. The method fuses information from multiple observations and spectral bands to improve spatial resolution and reconstruct the spectrum of the observed scene as a combination of a small number of spectral basis functions.
On the directional sensitivity of hot-wires: a new look at an old phenomenon

The directional response of a constant temperature hotwire anemometer to variations in pitch and yaw is reviewed, and a new data reduction technique for obtaining velocity vector data in a steady flow is described. Sequential sampling of the signal as the probe shaft is rotated through 360° provides data to yield a three-dimensional velocity vector. Jorgensen's expression was found to be suitable for the data reduction using independently measured pitch and yaw coefficients. Within the range of velocity and flow direction investigated, the velocity magnitude and direction can be determined to within 2% and 2° respectively if the yaw coefficient is neglected. This measurement method is currently being used to determine velocity distributions on the intake-valve/cylinder boundary for different induction system designs.
Pressure erosions of bone in rheumatoid arthritis: A subject review

Pressure, or compressive, erosions of bone in various locations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis are described. Possible pathophysiologic mechanisms that account for the appearance and distribution of these erosions include osteopenia, soft-tissue laxity, soft-tissue pressure on bone, bone pressure on bone, and muscular forces.
Issue linkage in clean technology cooperation: for better or worse?

How should states negotiate and form international agreements to promote clean technology? This paper provides a game–theoretic analysis of the consequences of issue linkage between different technologies. The model suggests that issue linkage increases states’ incentives to participate in clean technology cooperation if their primary interest is in environmental protection and reduced consumer prices, as opposed to international competitiveness. However, issue linkage impedes clean technology cooperation if states mostly worry about international competitiveness. These findings can explain the decentralized nature of contemporary cooperation on clean technology and help devise strategies for inducing more countries to participate in clean technology cooperation.
Reactions to diversity training: An international comparison

As the workplace becomes more diverse and global in nature, organizations are implementing diversity training to manage this trend. However, previous research has rarely explored empirically employees' perceptions toward diversity training in different cultures. The study presented here examined reactions to a diversity training program conducted by a large multinational corporation in eight countries spanning the individualistic-collectivistic continuum. Results showed that while trainee culture influenced perceptions of diversity training, trainee job level and trainer culture moderated this relationship. Furthermore, trainer culture and gender interacted to influence perceptions of training utility and trainer effectiveness. Implications for instituting corporatewide diversity training on an international scale are considered.
Chloroplast DNA restriction site data support a narrowed interpretation of Eupatorium (Asteraceae)

Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) restriction site analysis was used to assess relationships among samples of Eupatorieae from eastern North America. A total of 270 cpDNA variants was recorded from 35 species using 13 restriction enzymes. Phylogenetic analysis usingGalinsoga, Flaveria, andHelianthinae as outgroups indicated that samples ofAgeratina, Hofmeisteria, Mikania, andStevia, each of which have relatively high base chromosome numbers, formed an unresolved basal polytomy. The remaining samples examined formed a well-supported clade, within which there was a split betweenBrickellia, which hasx = 9, and a number of genera withx = 10. Within thex = 10 clade, there was an unresolved trichotomy, with one group ofAgeratum, Conoclinium, Fleischmannia, andCritonia, a second ofLiatris andTrilisa, and a third ofEupatorium s.s. Within theEupatorium s.s. clade there were three further clades, withE. sect.Verticillata diverging first, and a subsequent split between species originating from North America and those from Asia. The cpDNA restriction site data provided support for a relatively narrow interpretation ofEupatorium, and indicated that a high chromosome base number is plesiomorphic for Eupatorieae.
Moduli problem and points on some twisted Shimura varieties of PEL type

Abstract In this article we describe the moduli problem of a “twist” of some simple Shimura varieties of PEL type that appear in Kottwitz's papers [R. Kottwitz, Shimura varieties and λ -adic representations, in: Automorphic Forms, Shimura Varieties and L -Functions, part 1, in: Perspect. Math., vol. 10, Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1990, pp. 161–209; R. Kottwitz, Points on some Shimura varieties over finite fields, J. Amer. Math. Soc. 5 (2) (1992) 373–444] and [R. Kottwitz, On the λ -adic representations associated to some simple Shimura varieties, Invent. Math. 108 (1992) 653–665] and then, using the moduli problem, we compute the cardinality of the set of points over finite fields of the twisted Shimura varieties. Using this result, we compute the zeta function of the twisted varieties. The twist of the Shimura varieties is done by a mod q representation of the absolute Galois group of the reflex field of the Shimura varieties.
Wetting of a binary liquid mixture on glass

When two fluids coexist above a substrate, a thin layer of the upper fluid often intrudes between the lower fluid and the substrate. For such intruding layers to be stable against gravity, it is necessary that the short- and long-range interactions between the substrate and the two fluid phases both favor the presence of the upper phase near the substrate. We consider the consequences of this for the carefully studied case of partially miscible mixtures of nitromethane and carbon disulfide in contact with borosilicate glass. A careful calculation based on the Dzyaloshinskii-Lifshitz-Pitaevskii theory of dispersion forces shows that dispersion forces do not favor the formation of the nitromethane-rich layer that has been observed to intrude between the carbon disulfide--rich phase and the glass. If the observed layers are an equilibrium phenomenon, their existence requires a protagonist force stronger than dispersion forces. It is plausible that electrostatic forces which arise from ionization of the glass surface are the required long-range force.
The role of glutathione S-transferase P in signaling pathways and S-glutathionylation in cancer

Glutathione S-transferase P is abundantly expressed in some mammalian tissues, particularly those associated with malignancies. While the enzyme can catalyze thioether bond formation between some electrophilic chemicals and GSH, novel nondetoxification functions are now ascribed to it. This review summarizes recent material that implicates GSTP in mediating S-glutathionylation of specific clusters of target proteins and in reactions that define a negative regulatory role in some kinase pathways through ligand or protein:protein interactions. It is becoming apparent that GSTP participates in the maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis through a number of convergent and divergent mechanisms. Moreover, drug platforms that have GSTP as a target have produced some interesting preclinical and clinical candidates.
Concurrent prophylactic placement of inferior vena cava filter in gastric bypass and adjustable banding operations in the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database

Introduction Postoperative pulmonary embolism (PE) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after bariatric surgery. However, the concurrent prophylactic placement of an inferior vena cava filter (CPIVCF) in patients undergoing bariatric operations remains controversial. This study used the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database (BOLD) to establish associated characters and determine outcomes of CPIVCF for patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GB) and adjustable gastric banding (AB) surgeries. Methods We analyzed BOLD, a database of bariatric surgery patient information. GB and AB operations were categorized into open and laparoscopic approaches. Univariate logistic regressions were used to compare between non-CPIVCF and concurrent CPIVCF groups. Significant variables (P Results A total of 322 CPIVCFs (0.33%) were identified from 97,218 GB and AB operations performed between 2007 and 2010 in this retrospective registry study. Significant differences were identified in male gender (21.1% vs 31.4%; P Conclusions CPIVCF was associated with specific clinical features, increased health care resource utilization, and a higher mortality in patients undergoing bariatric operations. Although selected patient characteristics influence surgeons to perform CPIVCF, this study was unable to establish an outcome benefit for CPIVCF.
Functional Site in α-Lactalbumin Encompasses a Region Corresponding to a Subsite in Lysozyme and Parts of Two Adjacent Flexible Substructures†

Aromatic cluster 1 of alpha-lactalbumin (LA), a substructure adjacent to the cleft, is important for its interaction with galactosyltransferase (GT) and effects on glucose binding in the lactose synthase complex [Grobler, J. A., Wang, M., Pike, A. K., & Brew, K. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 5106-5114]. The full extent of the functional region in LA has been probed by mutagenesis of residues that are near aromatic cluster 1 or within the cleft that corresponds to the active site in the homologous type c lysozymes. The conserved residues Val42, Gln54, and Ile59, which correspond to residues of lysozyme that act in substrate binding in subsites C to E, together with residues adjacent to aromatic cluster 1, were found to be not required for activity. In contrast, replacing Leu110, a component of the region corresponding to lysozyme subsite F, with His or Glu greatly reduces the affinity of LA for GT while the introduction of Arg lowers the synergism of LA and glucose binding to GT and also reduces the affinity of LA for GT. Substitutions for Ala106, which is adjacent to Leu110 in the structure, also perturb activity. The region of the cleft corresponding to subsite F is important for function in LA as well as in lysozyme since other components of this subsite, His32 and Phe31, are also crucial for LA activity. The qualitatively different effects of various substitutions for Leu110 may be mediated by their influence on His32 or by changes in the structure of the lactose synthase complex.
Choice of smallest car by multi-vehicle households and the demand for electric vehicles

Abstract A model explaining choice of smallest car by multi-vehicle households is estimated on data collected in the Baltimore area in the spring of 1977. The model is multinomial logit, with choice categories defined by distinguishing five size classes (including one “luxury” class) and four age categories. Household tradeoffs among value, operating cost, and size of cars are analyzed. Estimated household discount rates increase as household income declines. That is, the poorer the household, the more likely it is to focus on purchase-cost instead of model estimated earlier on panel data, which is more comprehensive than the Baltimore data for predicting the demand for electric vehicles. Results obtained by other investigators are compared.
Imaging Earth's seismic response at long periods

At long periods, seismic waves generated by different earthquakes can be used to construct a single global image of Earth's response to seismic energy. This image (Figure 1) plots the expected ground motion at a point on Earth's surface as a function of time and distance to the earthquake. The various streaks on the plot represent different types of seismic waves, each of which travels at a different speed and arrives at a different time. Stacking—a process that averages and combines seismograms from a number of different source-receiver locations—was used to create the image from thousands of individual records. The result is a direct view of the average wave field that can be used both as a teaching tool for illustrating the properties of the wave field and as a guide to further study.
Users' preference for and perception of animated pedagogical agents

This study investigates the effect that ethnicity and gender have on participants' preference for and perception of animated pedagogical agents APAs. Ratings of four agents, an African-American male and female and a Caucasian male and female were collected from 120 workers on Mechanical Turk. Results indicated that users did not prefer or more highly rate agents who were identical to themselves, contrary to the similarity hypothesis. Instead, the results indicated and interaction between the ethnicity and gender of the agent and the ethnicity and gender of the participants. This interaction followed research on teacher evaluations. This suggests that beliefs held by participants about ethnicity and gender may offer more insight into students' perceptions about APAs than their own characteristics.
Surgical technique and preliminary results of endoscopic subfascial division of perforating veins

Purpose: Direct surgical ligation of incompetent perforating veins has been reported to effectively treat severe chronic venous insufficiency. It is associated, however, with significant wound complications. We evaluate our early experience with endoscopic subfascial division of the perforating veins. Methods: From August 5, 1993, to December 31, 1994, 11 legs in nine patients (five male and four female) were treated with endoscopic subfascial division of perforating veins. Nine of the 11 legs had active or recently healed venous ulcers. Mean duration of the ulcerations was 5.6 years. Standard laparoscopic equipment with two 10-mm ports was used to perform clipping and division of medial perforating veins through two small incisions made just below the knee, avoiding the area of ulcer and lipodermatosclerosis. Carbon dioxide was insufflated at a pressure of 30 mm Hg into the subfascial space to facilitate dissection, and a pneumatic thigh tourniquet was used to obtain a bloodless operating field. Concomitant removal of superficial veins was performed in eight limbs. Mean follow-up was 9.7 months (range, 2 to 13 months). Results: A mean of 4.4 perforating veins (range, 2 to 7) were divided; tourniquet time averaged 58 minutes (range, 30 to 72). Wound infection of a groin incision and superficial thrombophlebitis were early complications; each occurred in one patient. In seven legs the ulcer healed or did not recur and symptoms resolved. In three legs the ulceration improved, and in one it was unchanged. Conclusions: Endoscopic subfascial division of perforating veins seems to be a safe technique, with favorable early results obtained in a small number of patients. This preliminary experience supports further clinical trials to evaluate this technique.
Aging veterans and the end‐stage renal disease management dilemma in the millennium

The population of aging veterans with complex multiple medical problems is increasing steadily in developed nations. The life expectancy in an aging population with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is often compared with terminal malignancy. Renal failure in elderly patients often generates a myriad of complicated issues and the nephrologists are faced with the dilemma of conveying the prognosis of renal failure in elderly patients and also explain the pros and cons of offering a renal replacement therapy. Our objectives were to assess the cumulative survival in veterans with ESRD over 70 years of age and to evaluate the factors considered for either not initiating or withdrawing from dialysis. All veterans above age 70 years, who were being evaluated for possible dialysis therapy over a 5-year period, were included in the study. The cumulative survival rates at 1 year, 3 years and 5 years were 60%, 37%, and 20%, respectively. Tunneled cuffed catheter was the dialysis access in a third of these patients on dialysis adding to the morbidity. Twenty-four patients considered either not initiating or withdrawing from dialysis therapy after consensus agreement from either the patient or the power of attorney. The decision to initiate dialysis therapy should be made considering the social, ethical, and associated comorbid conditions. A decision to not initiate or withdraw dialysis is possible in critically ill elderly patients and if taken judiciously can reduce physical and mental stress of both the patient and their family members.
Evidence of large change in unionid mussel abundance from selective muskrat predation, as inferred by shell remains left on shore

Three species of unionid mussels (Pyganodon grandis, Lampsilis siliquoidea, and Toxolasma parvus) were preyed on by muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) that left shell remains at feeding sites (middens) along the shore of Lake LaSalle (West) in western New York State, USA. Mussels became established within five years of the construction of this small artificial lake, and individuals of all three species have grown rapidly to large size. The abundance of prey in middens in 1988–1990 and a marked decline in subsequently deposited shells indicate how dramatically muskrats had exploited this food source. They consumed > 2700 individuals of P. grandis (by far the most common prey item) through 1990, yet only 20 newly deposited shells were found in 1993. At a midden where prey depletion was directly catalogued during 1988, larger specimens of P. grandis were consumed first, suggesting size selection. L. siliquoidea has been least affected by predation, and was the mussel most often found alive in the littoral zone. No live T. parvus were ever collected, and this species is known only from middens. Complete collections of shell remains from the shoreline through 1999 suggest that the mussel population may be recovering slowly. Muskrat predation may be more important in influencing mussel population structure than previously realized, and the effects can be dramatic spatially and temporally.
Differential modulation of striatonigral dynorphin and enkephalin by dopamine receptor subtypes

Previous studies indicate that dopaminergic transmission inhibits the biosynthesis of enkephalin and stimulates that of dynorphin in the striatonigral pathway of intact rat. The purpose of this study was to determine which dopamine (DA) receptor subtype(s) mediate the modulatory actions of DA. We measured striatal and nigral levels of enkephalin and dynorphin in: (1) intact rats repeatedly injected with D1 (SKF-38393, 5 mg/kg, i.p.) or D2 (LY-171555, 1 mg/kg, i.p.) agonists, alone or in combination, (2) 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats repeatedly injected with the same D1 or D2 agonists, and (3) intact rats repeatedly injected with D1 (SCH-23390, 0.05 mg/kg, s.c.) or D2 (sulpiride, 100 mg/kg, s.c.) antagonists, given alone or in combination with the mixed D1/D2 agonist apomorphine (5 mg/kg, i.p.). Repeated injections of the D1 agonist to intact rats (twice daily for 7 days) produced a small but not statistically significant increase in striatal levels of dynorphin; similar treatment with the D2 agonist did not affect dynorphin levels at all. Combined treatments with D1 and D2 agonists did not potentiate the effect of the D1 agonist. 6-OHDA lesions of the nigrostriatal DA pathway alone decreased the level of dynorphin in both the striatum and substantia nigra. However, repeated D1 agonist, but not D2, injections not only reversed the decrease in dynorphin levels, but caused a significant increase above control levels. In intact rats, repeated injections of the D1 or D2 antagonist alone failed to alter the levels of dynorphin, but the D1 antagonist, not the D2 antagonist, attenuated the apomorphine-induced increase in striatal dynorphin. Regulation of striatal [Met5]enkephalin (ME) was found to be different from that of dynorphin. While repeated D1 agonist injections in intact rats had no effect on striatal ME, D2 agonist treatment caused a modest increase in ME. The effect of the D2 agonist in intact rats was blocked by co-administration with the D1 agonist. In addition, 6-OHDA lesions alone increased striatal levels of ME, and this increase was blocked by the D1 agonist, but not the D2 agonist. Finally, the D1 antagonist increased the striatal level of ME in intact rats, whereas the D2 antagonist had no effect. These data indicate that D1 receptors mediate excitatory control over the biosynthesis of striatonigral dynorphin and also exert a tonic inhibitory influence on the enkephalin system. Furthermore, stimulation of the D2 subtype imposes an excitatory stimulus on enkephalin biosynthesis but has no effect on dynorphin.
Thermionic Energy Conversion for Space-Power and Terrestrial-Topping Applications

Thermionic energy conversion (TEC) can contribute effectively through high-temperature high-power production of electricity in space and on earth. Among its other advantages TEC offers great Carnot efficiencies while operating with no moving parts. In space-power and terrestrial-topping applications TEC environmental conditions differ drastically. But for high levels and densities of space nuclear power (SNP) as well as economy and efficiency of power-plant augmentation on earth the desirable internal TEC characteristics and capabilities exhibit significant similarities. Therefore related TEC power projections and problem solutions discussed in this paper impinge on important industrial and political implications of the future. Such discussions should derive from professional qualifications. In that vein both authors participated for many years in national R&D activities emphasizing TEC: the pre-1973 SNP, post-1973 NASA NEP, DOE Fossil Energy, Air Force and DOE SP-100 programs. The first author served as national Technical Manager for the NASA-NEP and DOE-Fossil-Fuel TEC R&D programs. These backgrounds form the basis for the present paper.
Treating hyponatremia: how slow is safe? Central pontine myelinolysis despite appropriate correction of hyponatremia.

First described by Adams et al., central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is a rare neurological disorder of unknown pathogenesis that is characterized by demyelinating lesions localized mostly in the pons. It is caused by rapid normalization of serum sodium in patients with chronic hyponatremia [1]. We present a case of CPM in a 52-year-old male in whom the condition developed in the setting of relatively mild hyponatremia despite appropriate correction of the serum sodium level.
FGF signalling specifies haematopoietic stem cells through its regulation of somitic Notch signalling

Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) derive from haemogenic endothelial cells of the primitive dorsal aorta (DA) during vertebrate embryogenesis. The molecular mechanisms governing this unique endothelial to haematopoietic transition remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate a novel requirement for fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling in HSC emergence. This requirement is non-cell-autonomous, and acts within the somite to bridge the Wnt and Notch signalling pathways. We previously demonstrated that Wnt16 regulates the somitic expression of two Notch ligands, deltaC (dlc) and deltaD (dld), whose combined function is required for HSC fate. How Wnt16 connects to Notch function has remained an open question. Our current studies demonstrate that FGF signalling, via FGF receptor 4 (Fgfr4), mediates a signal-transduction pathway between Wnt16 and Dlc, but not Dld, to regulate HSC specification. Our findings demonstrate that FGF signalling acts as a key molecular relay within the developmental HSC niche to instruct HSC fate.
Prestimulus theta in the human hippocampus predicts subsequent recognition but not recall

Human theta (428 Hz) activity in the medial temporal lobe correlates with memory formation; however, the precise role that theta plays in the memory system remains elusive (Hanslmayr and Stau- digl, 2013). Recently, prestimulus theta activity has been associated with successful memory formation, although its specific cognitive role remains unknown (e.g., Fell et al., 2011). In this report, we demonstrate that prestimulus theta in the hippocampus indexes encoding that sup- ports old-new recognition memory but not recall. These findings suggest that human hippocampal prestimulus theta may preferentially partici- pate in the encoding of item information, as opposed to associative information. V C 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transport Model for Microfluidic Device for Cell Culture and Tissue Development

In recent years, microfluidic devices have emerged as a platform in which to culture tissue for various applications such as drug discovery, toxicity testing, and fundamental investigations of cell-cell interactions. We examine the transport phenomena associated with gradients of soluble factors and oxygen in a microfluidic device for co-culture. This work focuses on emulating conditions known to be important in sustaining a viable culture of cells. Critical parameters include the flow and the resulting shear stresses, the transport of various soluble factors throughout the flow media, and the mechanical arrangement of the cells in the device. Using analytical models derived from first principles, we investigate interactions between flow conditions and transport in a microfluidic device. A particular device of interest is a bilayer configuration in which critical solutes such as oxygen are delivered through the media into one channel, transported across a nanoporous membrane, and consumed by cells cultured in another. The ability to control the flow conditions in this membrane bilayer device to achieve sufficient oxygenation without shear damage is shown to be superior to the case present in a single channel system. Using the results of these analyses, a set of criteria that characterize the geometric and transport properties of a robust microfluidic device are provided.
Methadone Maintenance in the Treatment of Narcotics Addiction

Despite numerous studies documenting its success, methadone maintenance is an often misunderstood and frequently maligned treatment approach for heroin addiction. By taking 40 to 60 mg of methadone...
On the dynamics of finite-amplitude baroclinic waves as a function of supercriticality

A finite-amplitude model of baroclinic instability is studied in the case where the cross-stream scale is large compared with the Rossby deformation radius and the dissipative and advective time scales are of the same order. A theory is developed that describes the nature of the wave field as the shear supercriticality increases beyond the stability threshold of the most unstable cross-stream mode and penetrates regions of higher supercriticality. The set of possible steady nonlinear modes is found analytically. It is shown that the steady cross-stream structure of each finite-amplitude mode is a function of the supercriticality.Integrations of initial-value problems show, in each case, that the final state realized is the state characterized by the finite-amplitude mode with the largest equilibrium amplitude. The approach to this steady state is oscillatory (nonmonotonic). Further, each steady-state mode is a well-defined mixture of linear cross-stream modes.
Modeling Real-Time Multi-Core Embedded System Using UML

The purpose of this paper is to model a real-time embedded system. This system known as the road surface analyzer will perform several tasks regarding road surface conditions based on multiple sensor readings. Many analysis algorithms are performed in real time on the collected data. The tasks to be implemented mainly depend on reconstructing road profile as well as perform texture analysis in real time. The tasks will be implemented in parallel, which leads to the use of a multi-core based embedded system. Real-time UML extensions will be used to model this system for mapping the tasks and analyzing the overall system
A Simulation Based on Goldratt's Matchstick/Die Game

This teaching brief presents a Microsoft® Excel simulation designed to complement and expand upon the well-known matchstick/die game introduced by Goldratt in The Goal. This simulation performs 100 replications of a 40-period processing run for low, medium, and high levels of process variation and displays the comparative results graphically. A single keystroke repeats the process and updates the displays so that the stability of the essential conclusions in the face variation is illustrated dynamically. Suggestions for using the simulation in class are included.
Scholarly Literature Review: Management of Neurocognitive Late Effects with Stimulant Medication

Objective To examine the extant literature on stimulant drug therapy for survivors of childhood cancer during the late-effects period. Methods A review of literature is provided on the mechanism of and cognitive toxicities for children and adolescents treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and malignant brain tumors (BT) as well as the pharmacotherapy of stimulant medications, with a specific review of literature on the efficacy and safety of the stimulants for children with ALL and BT. Results Only four studies were found that have examined the effects of stimulant medication on the cognitive toxicities of childhood survivors of cancer during the late-effects period and only two of these investigations were controlled clinical trials. Findings suggest efficacy of the stimulants on parent and teacher ratings of attention and putative tasks of attention and executive functioning. Conclusions Although there is some preliminary support for the efficacy and safety of the stimulants for survivors of ALL and BT, more research is needed concerning the long-term effects of the stimulants among cancer survivors.
Celecoxib clinical profile

Celecoxib is the first COX-2-specific inhibitor approved for relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as for treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis. For both OA and RA, celecoxib has been shown to be significantly superior in efficacy to placebo and similar in efficacy to traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Its advantage, however, is its gastrointestinal (GI) safety. Randomized clinical trials as well as long-term outcomes studies have demonstrated that the GI safety profile of celecoxib is superior to that of traditional NSAIDs and similar to that of placebo. Additionally, the renal and cardiovascular safety of celecoxib has also become apparent, as well as its efficacy, tolerability and safety in the elderly population.
Newcomer Adjustment Among Recent College Graduates: An Integrative Literature Review

Newcomer adjustment, the process an individual goes through within the first year at a new organization, can be a challenging transition for traditionally aged recent college graduates. Unsuccessful adjustment can have profound negative consequences for young adults, organizations, and undergraduate institutions. Gaps exist in the human resource development (HRD) and undergraduate education literature leaving practitioners in both fields unsure of how to address this problem. Research regarding individual psychological capital (PsyCap) and proactive behaviors offer new perspectives that enhance understanding of newcomer adjustment and guide practice. In this integrative literature review we present a synthesis of research demonstrating positive interrelationships among PsyCap, proactive behaviors, and newcomer adjustment outcomes such as job performance, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. Based on the outcomes we offer a model of newcomer adjustment that can guide researchers and practitione...
Is controlling phosphorus by decreasing dietary protein intake beneficial or harmful in persons with chronic kidney disease

Background: Dietary restrictions to control serum phosphorus, which are routinely recommended to persons with chronic kidney disease, are usually associated with a reduction in protein intake. This may lead to protein-energy wasting and poor survival. Objective: We aimed to ascertain whether a decline in serum phosphorus and a concomitant decline in protein intake are associated with an increase in the risk of death. Design: In a 3-y study (7/2001-6/2004) of 30 075 prevalent maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, we examined changes in serum phosphorus and in normalized protein nitrogen appearance (nPNA), a surrogate of dietary protein intake, during the first 6 mo and the subsequent mortality. Four groups of MHD patients were defined on the basis of the direction of the changes in serum phosphorus and nPNA. Results: Baseline phosphorus had a J-shaped association with mortality, whereas higher baseline nPNA was linearly associated with greater survival. Compared with MHD patients whose serum phosphorus and nPNA both rose over 6 mo, those whose serum phosphorus decreased but whose nPNA increased had greater survival, with a case mix-adjusted death risk ratio of 0.90 (95% confidence limits: 0.86, 0.95; P < 0.001), whereas those whose phosphorus increased but whose nPNA decreased or those whose phosphorus and nPNA both decreased had worse mortality with a risk ratio of 1.11 (1.05,1.17; P < 0.001) and 1.06 (1.01,1.12; P = 0.02), respectively. Conclusions: The risk of controlling serum phosphorus by restricting dietary protein intake may outweigh the benefit of controlled phosphorus and may lead to greater mortality. Additional studies including randomized controlled trials should examine whether nondietary control of phosphorus or restriction of nonprotein sources of phosphorus is safer and more effective.
Populations and polypills: if yes, then how?

For industrialised countries, control of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most important achievement of biomedicine in the last half-century—certainly in terms of decrease in disease burden. The orderly sequence of research, surveillance, trials and implementation organised by cardiovascular scientists has led to a decline of 80% for both coronary heart disease and stroke in the USA and other countries since the 1960s.1 ,2 One crucial reason has been the discovery of successful interventions across the entire sequence of events from the source of risk factors to the patient with disease (figure 1). The biggest impact, however, has come through prevention at the population level and—to a lesser extent—prevention among high-risk individuals; collectively, they account for about two-thirds of the decline.3 Based on analyses in the USA, it is sobering to recognise that aspirin alone contributed more to the fall in death rates than all surgical and catheter-based interventions combined.3 Prevention was achieved by a broad spectrum of methods, from change in food manufacture, improvements in individual eating patterns and anti-smoking campaigns to the use of drugs for persons with established risk factors. Nonetheless, millions …
Barriers to mental health treatment: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication.

BackgroundThe aim was to examine barriers to initiation and continuation of treatment among individuals with common mental disorders in the US general population.MethodRespondents in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication with common 12-month DSM-IV mood, anxiety, substance, impulse control and childhood disorders were asked about perceived need for treatment, structural barriers and attitudinal/evaluative barriers to initiation and continuation of treatment.ResultsLow perceived need was reported by 44.8% of respondents with a disorder who did not seek treatment. Desire to handle the problem on one's own was the most common reason among respondents with perceived need both for not seeking treatment (72.6%) and for dropping out of treatment (42.2%). Attitudinal/evaluative factors were much more important than structural barriers both to initiating (97.4% v. 22.2%) and to continuing (81.9% v. 31.8%) of treatment. Reasons for not seeking treatment varied with illness severity. Low perceived need was a more common reason for not seeking treatment among individuals with mild (57.0%) than moderate (39.3%) or severe (25.9%) disorders, whereas structural and attitudinal/evaluative barriers were more common among respondents with more severe conditions.ConclusionsLow perceived need and attitudinal/evaluative barriers are the major barriers to treatment seeking and staying in treatment among individuals with common mental disorders. Efforts to increase treatment seeking and reduce treatment drop-out need to take these barriers into consideration as well as to recognize that barriers differ as a function of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.
State parental leave law compliance in the United States: an industry comparison

Abstract This paper presents the findings of employer surveys in four U.S. states where parental leave laws were enacted in the late 1980s. The study investigated to what degree companies complied with the new laws and profiled impacts of the new laws on four types of businesses: lodgin, business services, wholesale-retail trade and manufacturing. Hotel companies consistently reported the least accommodation to parental leave options and the least uniform policy and practice of the four industry groups. At the same time, employers in all industry groups reported no significant increase in implementation costs and business effectiveness was neither significantly diminished or improved by passage of these laws. Compliance with parental leave laws seems not be severely difficult or costly for employers.
A Segment-Based Automatic Language Identification System

We have developed a four-language automatic language identification system for high-quality speech. The system uses a neural network-based segmentation algorithm to segment speech into seven broad phonetic categories. Phonetic and prosodic features computed on these categories are then input to a second network that performs the language classification. The system was trained and tested on separate sets of speakers of American English, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Tamil. It currently performs with an accuracy of 89.5% on the utterances of the test set.
Influences of native and non-native benthivorous fishes on aquatic ecosystem degradation

Invasive common carp Cyprinus carpio has long been identified as a contributor to water quality deterioration, disrupted ecosystem processes, and shifts in biological assemblage structure. In contrast, little information is available regarding the effects of native benthivorous species on aquatic systems despite their functional similarity to common carp. Effects of common carp and the native black bullhead Ameiurus melas on sediment resuspension, nutrient concentrations, macrophytes, and assemblage structure of zooplankton and macroinvertebrates, were experimentally evaluated. We observed decreased water clarity, increased nutrient concentrations, decreased macrophyte biomass, and decreased benthic macroinvertebrate abundance and biomass associated with common carp, regardless of the presence of black bullhead. In contrast, black bullhead increased total phosphorus, and chlorophyll a concentrations and copepod abundance, but had little or no effect on other measured water quality and biological variables when compared to control conditions. Overall, experimental results suggest that although black bullhead tend to be tolerant of degraded ecosystems, they are not a source of physical changes to the environment known to be responsible for perpetuating degraded water quality (e.g., stable state shifts). Therefore, increased abundance of native species, such as black bullhead, following the invasion of common carp, may serve as an indicator of ecological conditions and should not to be assumed as causative.
HOST-SEEKING STRATEGIES OF MOSQUITO DISEASE VECTORS

Disease transmission by arthropods normally requires at least 2 host contacts. During the first, a pathogen (nematode, protozoan, or virus) is acquired along with the blood from an infected vertebrate host. The pathogen penetrates the vector's midgut and infects a variety of tissues, where replication may occur during an extrinsic incubation period lasting 3-30, days depending on vector and parasite physiology and ambient temperature. Following salivary-gland infection, the pathogen is usually transmitted to additional susceptible vertebrate hosts during future probing or blood feeding. The host-seeking strategies used by arthropod vectors can, in part, affect the efficiency of disease transmission. Vector abundance, seasonal distribution, habitat and host preference, and susceptibility to infection are all important components of disease-transmission cycles. Examples of 3 mosquito vectors of human disease are presented here to highlight the diversity of host seeking and to show how specific behaviors may influence disease-transmission cycles. In the African tropics, Anopheles gambiae s.s. is an efficient vector of human malaria due to its remarkably focused preference for human blood. Aedes aegypti is the main vector of dengue viruses in the New and Old World tropics and subtropics. This mosquito has evolved a domestic lifestyle and shares human habitations throughout much of its range. It prospers in settings where humans are its main source of blood. In south Florida, Culex nigripalpus is the major vector of St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) and West Nile (WN) viruses. This mosquito is opportunistic and blood feeds on virtually any available vertebrate host. It serves as an arboviral vector, in part, due to its ability to produce large populations in a short period of time. These 3 host-seeking and blood-feeding strategies make the specialist, as well as the opportunist, equally dangerous disease vectors.
Taking Commercialisation Seriously

Other than a handful of scholars, the IP law community in the last 50 years has at worst ignored, and at best wrongly dismissed, concerns about the commercialisation of inventions and creative works. Specifically, the 'reward' theory of intellectual property - and not the ‘natural rights’ sort - became dominant. Under this view, only the knowledge (i.e., 'information') created during invention and creation is in need of direct legal protection; commercialisation will proceed efficiently without further IP protection. This opinion piece rejects such an approach and makes a renewed call for the consideration of commercialisation interests in IP scholarship.
Characterization of a Microfabricated Differential Scanning Calorimeter

Calorimeters are critical tools for structural based drug design and drug stability assessment. Current pharmaceutical industry is seeking for high throughput calorimeters to reduce the research time and expenditure. MEMS-based calorimeter is a potential solution for it, since they are miniaturized to detect the enthalpy change during macro molecular interaction with smaller amount of samples, shorter time and could easily enable parallel measurement. Consequently, we present a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) that requires 2μL sample volume. It has high thermal insulation (1210μW/K), small time constant (6.95s) and high sensitivity (7.5V/W). The low noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) could lead to 130nW of power resolution. These characterization results indicate the device could be potentially applied for macromolecular interaction application and increase the throughput with high performance.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Unmelting Images: Film, Television, and Ethnic Stereotyping

American films and television programs provide us with comfortable fictions. The images we see on both the large and small screens conform to their own conventions of character, narrative, subject matter, and reference more closely than to anything in the world outside the frames. In fact, films and television programs resemble other films and television programs more than they imitate real life. For example, in September 1967, NBC introduced Ironside, a detective program featuring an ethnically-diverse cast. In September 1968, CBS aired Hawaii Five-O, and ABC followed with The Mod Squad. Well-integrated special police units battled crime across the land, at least during prime time. In a sense, however, the images we see on the screens do become real. Only those events which make the evening news are important, and our vision of the world and its crises shifts from Lebanon to El Salvador and
The Place of Mathematical Modelling in the System of Mathematics Education: Perspective and Prospect

Mathematical modelling is being introduced as a new product into the complex system of mathematics education in many countries. It has to fit with the existing parts and interfaces in this system. As one example, we will consider the effect of mathematical modelling on the transition from secondary to tertiary education. If mathematical modelling is of greater importance to the planners at one of these two levels of education than at the other, stresses may result. As a second example, we propose to examine changes in teacher education necessitated by the introduction of mathematical modelling at the secondary level. Ideally, one might wish to prepare teachers to teach mathematical modelling by concentrating purely on modelling without the distraction of new mathematical ideas, but this cannot always be done. Finally, the effect of mathematical modelling on the relationship between mathematics education and mathematics itself is discussed. Each should gain from cooperation with the other.