cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microfluidic probe: a new tool for integrating microfluidic environments and electronic wafer-probing

We demonstrate a new tool for integrating microfluidic channels with commonly used electronic probing techniques. The “microfluidic probe” allows rapid and repeatable fluidic and electronic addressing of small die sites on a variety of substrate types without the need for permanent modification or dicing of the device wafers. We also use the probe to demonstrate locally patterned chemical modification of a substrate. The probes are easily fabricated using standard soft-lithography and basic machining making this a widely accessible technique for electronics and fluidics researchers.
Absolute configuration of (+)-cis-2,3-dihydro-2-[(methylamino)methyl]-1- [4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-1H-indene hydrochloride, a chiral serotonin uptake inhibitor

The absolute configuration of (+)-cis-2,3-dihydro-2[(methylamino)methyl]-1-[4-(trifluoromethyl)pheno<y]-1H-indene hydrochloride, the more active enantiomer of a new serotonin inhibitor, was established as 1S,2S. This assignment was based on the application of the benzene sector and chirality rules to the interpretation of the inhibitor's circular dichroism spectrum and the spectra of other related chiral 1-substituted 2,3-dihydro-1H-indenes. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Partial proton transfer in the nitric acid trihydrate complex.

Four isotopologues of the gas-phase complex HNO3−(H2O)3 have been observed by microwave spectroscopy in a supersonic jet. Rotational and nuclear electric quadrupole coupling constants have been obtained and the experimentally derived inertial defect has been used to infer a near-planar geometry for the complex. The data identify the observed species from among several structures predicted by theory, favoring a 10-membered ring geometry with the HNO3 hydrogen-bonded to the first water, a series of water−water hydrogen bonds, and ring completion with the third water acting as a hydrogen-bond donor to an unprotonated HNO3 oxygen. This structure corresponds to the lowest energy form predicted computationally in several prior studies as well as in this work using the MP2/6-311++G(2df,2pd) level/basis set. Although its observation does not rigorously establish its status as the lowest energy form, the concurrence between the predicted low-energy conformer and that observed in the ultracold supersonic jet strong...
Revisiting Gauss's analogue of the prime number theorem for polynomials over a finite field

In 1901, von Koch showed that the Riemann Hypothesis is equivalent to the assertion that@?p=
Role of Renal Perfusion Pressure Versus Angiotensin II on Renal Oxidative Stress in Angiotensin II–Induced Hypertensive Rats

Renal oxidative stress is thought to contribute to both the etiology and the associated renal injury in angiotensin (Ang) II-dependent hypertension. The contribution of Ang II versus elevated renal perfusion pressure (RPP) on albuminuria and renal oxidative stress in this model of hypertension was explored in the present study by chronically servocontrolling RPP to the left kidney and comparing responses with the right uncontrolled kidney and the left kidney of sham rats. Hypertension was produced in Sprague-Dawley rats fed a 4% NaCl diet by chronic IV infusion of Ang II (25 ng/kg per minute). The RPP to the left kidney was servocontrolled to mean daily pressures averaging approximately 120 mm Hg, whereas the uncontrolled kidneys averaged approximately 170 mm Hg over 14 days of Ang II infusion. Ang II infusion resulted in a 2.4-fold increase in albuminuria, which was RPP dependent. Kidneys exposed to both elevated RPP and Ang II (uncontrolled kidneys) displayed a 3.5-fold increase in malondialdehyde excretion and a 37% and 27% increase in renal cortical and outer medullary superoxide production, respectively. Elevated RPP significantly contributed to global renal oxidative stress (70% increase in malondialdehyde excretion) and outer medullary superoxide production. Elevated circulating levels of Ang II, per se, were responsible for a 1.5-fold and 2.0-fold increase in renal cortical and outer medullary NADPH oxidase activity, respectively. In summary, this study demonstrates that elevated RPP is directly responsible for the excess albuminuria in Ang II-infused rats, whereas both elevated RPP and Ang II directly contribute to the observed renal oxidative stress.
Distributed and Layered Sensing

One can easily envision future military operations and emerging civilian requirements (e.g. intelligent unmanned vehicles for urban warfare, intelligent manufacturing plants) that will be both complex and stressing and will demand innovative sensors and sensor configurations. The goal of our research into distributed and layered sensing is to develop a cost effective and extendable approach for providing surveillance for a variety of applications in dynamically changing military and civilian environments. Within distributed and layered sensing, we foresee a new sensor archetype. In this paradigm, sensors and algorithms will be autonomously altered depending on the environment. Radars will use the same returns to perform detection and discrimination, to adjust the platform flight path and change mission priorities. The sensors will dynamically and automatically change waveform parameters to accomplish these goals. Disparate sensors will communicate and share data and instructions in real-time. Intelligent sensor systems will operate within and between sensor platforms such that the integration of multiple sensor data provides information needed to achieve dynamic goals and avoid electromagnetic fratricide. Intelligent sensor platforms working in partnership will increase information flow, minimize ambiguities, and dynamically change multiple sensors' operations based upon a changing environment. Concomitant with the current emphasis on more flexible defense structures, distributed and layered sensing will allow the appropriate incremental application of remote sensing assets by matching resources to the situation at hand. In this paper, we discuss the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues that must be addressed and understood as part of the development of a futuristic intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance concept utilizing distributed and layered sensing waveform diverse systems. These systems involve the innovative integration of cutting edge technologies such as: knowledge-based signal processing, robotics, wireless networking waveform diversity, the semantic web, advanced computer architectures and supporting software languages. This concept is projected as an autonomous constellation of air, space, and ground vehicles that would offer a robust paradigm to build toward future deployments. The goal is to develop waveform-time-space adaptive processing for distributed apertures that could reduce EMC issues.
Patients' Use of Active Self-Care Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Their Management of Chronic Pain Symptoms

In 2011, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research publicized the ongoing public health crisis of chronic pain, which was costing American society at least $560–$635 billion annually. This figure represents the monetary impact of providing health care to pain patients and the cost of this health issue in lost productivity. It does not account for the incalculable toll in human suffering underlying these extraordinary figures. Perhaps the most significant outcome of this landmark report was the call by the authors for a “cultural transformation in the way clinicians and the public view pain and its treatment” [1]. Preceding the IOM report was the military's own Pain Management Task Force Final Report (May 2010) [2], which was created during what has become the longest military conflict in American history. The PMTF noted that military medicine met and often exceeded civilian standards of pain care but was experiencing many of the same challenges as civilian medicine in dealing with chronic pain conditions, particularly an overreliance on over-the-counter and prescription pain medications. Perhaps a fundamental difference between these two landmark documents was the heightened sense of urgency expressed in the PMTF report as the country was entering its ninth year of war and the challenges of pain management in war wounded were becoming ever more apparent. The military medical response to the recent conflict has been a historic success, …
Four doses of unpegylated versus one dose of pegylated filgrastim as supportive therapy in R-CHOP-14 for elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Summary The primary objective of this prospective, randomized study was to compare the efficacy of a reduced regimen of only four doses of unpegylated filgrastim from day +8 to +11 per cycle with a standard once per cycle administration of pegylated filgrastim to maintain dose-intensity of R-CHOP-14 (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone given every 14 d) in previously untreated elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We included 51 patients (median age 66 years, range 60–76). Median dose intensity did not differ between the group of 24 patients receiving four doses of unpegylated filgrastim of each cycle (87·5%) and the group of 27 patients receiving pegylated filgrastim once per cycle on day 2 (89·4%) (P = 0·9). There was also no difference in the frequency of adverse events, such as episodes of neutropenic fever and unplanned hospitalizations. Patient characteristics that negatively influenced dose intensity were reduced performance status, advanced stage disease and poor-risk International Prognostic Index, with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥2 being the most significant factor. In conclusion, a limited support with 4 d of filgrastim appears to be equivalent to pegylated filgrastim administered once per cycle, and appears to be sufficient to maintain dose-intensity of the R-CHOP-14 regimen in elderly patients with DLBCL without risk factors.
Emerging Adulthood: Developmental Period Facilitative of the Addictions

Following adolescence and prior to young adulthood is a life developmental period that has been referred to as "emerging adulthood." This period of life involves an extended duration of learning and experimentation before settling into a career and stable relationship. Risky behaviors may be most tolerated or even promoted during emerging adulthood. Various substance and behavioral addictions are most likely to be realized during this period. Understanding what differentiates emerging adults that develop or do not develop full-blown addictions will assist in the creation of more efficacious prevention and cessation programs.
Development of PCR primers from internal transcribed spacer region 2 for detection of Phytophthora species infecting potatoes

We developed PCR primers and assay methods to detect and differentiate three Phytophthora species which infect potatoes and cause late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and pink rot (P. erythroseptica and P. nicotianae) diseases. Primers based on sequence analysis of internal transcribed spacer region 2 of ribosomal DNA produced PCR products of 456 bp (P. infestans), 136 bp (P. erythroseptica), and 455 bp (P. nicotianae) and were used to detect the pathogens in potato leaf (P. infestans) and tuber (P. infestans, P. erythroseptica, and P. nicotianae) tissue with a sensitivity of 1 to 10 pg of DNA. Leaf and tuber tissue were processed for PCR by a rapid NaOH method as well as a method based on the use of commercially available ion-exchange columns of P. infestans primers and the rapid NaOH extraction method were used to detect late blight in artificially and naturally infected tubers of potato cultivar Red LaSoda. In sampling studies, P. infestans was detected by PCR from artificially infected tubers at 4 days postinoculation, before any visible symptoms were present. The PCR assay and direct tissue extraction methods provide tools which may be used to detect Phytophthora pathogens in potato seedlots and storages and thus limit the transmission and spread of new, aggressive strains of P. infestans in U.S. potato-growing regions.
Experimentally Confirmed Mathematical Model for Human Control of a Non-Rigid Object

Determining the principles used to plan and execute movements is a fundamental question in neuroscience research. When humans reach to a target with their hand, they exhibit stereotypical movements that closely follow an optimally smooth trajectory. Even when faced with various perceptual or mechanical perturbations, subjects readily adapt their motor output to preserve this stereotypical trajectory. When humans manipulate non-rigid objects, however, they must control the movements of the object as well as the hand. Such tasks impose a fundamentally different control problem than that of moving one's arm alone. Here, we developed a mathematical model for transporting a mass-on-a-spring to a target in an optimally smooth way. We demonstrate that the well-known "minimum-jerk" model for smooth reaching movements cannot accomplish this task. Our model extends the concept of smoothness to allow for the control of non-rigid objects. Although our model makes some predictions that are similar to minimum jerk, it predicts distinctly different optimal trajectories in several specific cases. In particular, when the relative speed of the movement becomes fast enough or when the object stiffness becomes small enough, the model predicts that subjects will transition from a uni-phasic hand motion to a bi-phasic hand motion. We directly tested these predictions in human subjects. Our subjects adopted trajectories that were well-predicted by our model, including all of the predicted transitions between uni- and bi-phasic hand motions. These findings suggest that smoothness of motion is a general principle of movement planning that extends beyond the control of hand trajectories.
Sex and Race: Are Black Candidates More Likely to be Disadvantaged by Sex Scandals?

A growing body of work suggests that exposure to subtle racial cues prompts white voters to penalize black candidates, and that the effects of these cues may influence outcomes indirectly via perceptions of candidate ideology. We test hypotheses related to these ideas using two experiments based on national samples. In one experiment, we manipulated the race of a candidate (Barack Obama vs. John Edwards) accused of sexual impropriety. We found that while both candidates suffered from the accusation, the scandal led respondents to view Obama as more liberal than Edwards, especially among resentful and engaged whites. Second, overall evaluations of Obama declined more sharply than for Edwards. In the other experiment, we manipulated the explicitness of the scandal, and found that implicit cues were more damaging for Obama than explicit ones.
Diffusion-weighted imaging of the abdomen at 3.0 Tesla: image quality and apparent diffusion coefficient reproducibility compared with 1.5 Tesla.

PURPOSE: To compare single-shot echo-planar imaging (SS EPI) diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) of abdominal organs between 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3.0T in healthy volunteers in terms of image quality, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, and ADC reproducibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight healthy volunteers were prospectively imaged in this HIPAA-compliant IRB-approved study. Each subject underwent two consecutive scans at both 1.5 and 3.0T, which included breathhold and free-breathing DWI using a wide range of b-values (0 to 800 s/mm(2)). A blinded observer rated subjective image quality (maximum score= 8), and a separate observer placed regions of interest within the liver, renal cortices, pancreas, and spleen to measure ADC at each field strength. Paired Wilcoxon tests were used to compare abdominal DWI between 1.5T and 3.0T for specific combinations of organs, b-values, and acquisition techniques. RESULTS: Subjective image quality was significantly lower at 3.0T for all comparisons (P = 0.0078- 0.0156). ADC values were similar at 1.5T and 3.0T for all assessed organs, except for lower liver ADC at 3.0T using b0-500-600 and breathhold technique. ADC reproducibility was moderate at both 1.5T and 3.0T, with no significant difference in coefficient of variation of ADC between field strengths. CONCLUSION: Compared with 1.5T, SS EPI at 3.0T provided generally similar ADC values, however, with worse image quality. Further optimization of abdominal DWI at 3.0T is needed.
Defining the measurand in radius of curvature measurements

Traceable radius of curvature measurements are critical for precision optics manufacture. An optical bench measurement of radius is very repeatable and is the preferred method for low-uncertainty applications. On an optical bench, the displacement of the optic is measured as it is moved between the cat's eye and confocal positions, each identified using a figure measuring interferometer. Traceability requires connection to a basic unit (the meter, here) in addition to a defensible uncertainty analysis, and the identification and proper propagation of all uncertainty sources in this measurement is challenging. Recent work has focused on identifying all uncertainty contributions; measurement biases have been approximately taken into account and uncertainties combined in an RSS sense for a final measurement estimate and uncertainty. In this paper we report on a new mathematical definition of the radius measurand, which is a single function that depends on all uncertainty sources, such as error motions, alignment uncertainty, displacement gauge uncertainty, etc. The method is based on a homogeneous transformation matrix (HTM) formalism, and intrinsically defines an unbiased estimate for radius, providing a single mathematical expression for uncertainty propagation through a Taylor-series expansion.
The Use of Mouse X-Autosome Translocations in the Study of X-Inactivation Pathways and Nonrandomness

Rearrangements between mammalian X chromosomes and autosomes are valuable tools in the study of X inactivation, since they provide a karyotype in which the physical continuity of the X chromosome is interrupted. In reciprocal X-autosome translocations, T(X;A)’s, there are three chromosomes within each cell of a heterozygote — instead of the usual two — that contain X-chromosome material. This circumstance may be put to use in addressing questions of X-differentiation mechanisms and randomness.
Inducible Apoe Gene Repair in Hypomorphic ApoE Mice Deficient in the Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Promotes Atheroma Stabilization with a Human-Like Lipoprotein Profile

Objective— To study atherosclerosis regression in mice after plasma lipid reduction to moderately elevated apolipoprotein B (apoB)–lipoprotein levels. Approach and Results— Chow-fed hypomorphic Apoe mice deficient in low-density lipoprotein receptor expression ( Apoe h/h Ldlr –/– Mx1-cre mice) develop hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. These mice were studied before and after inducible cre-mediated Apoe gene repair. By 1 week, induced mice displayed a 2-fold reduction in plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels and a decrease in the non–high-density lipoprotein:high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio from 87%:13% to 60%:40%. This halted atherosclerotic lesion growth and promoted macrophage loss and accumulation of thick collagen fibers for up to 8 weeks. Concomitantly, blood Ly-6C high monocytes were decreased by 2-fold but lesional macrophage apoptosis was unchanged. The expression of several genes involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and cell migration was changed in lesional macrophages 1 week after Apoe gene repair. However, mRNA levels of numerous genes involved in cholesterol efflux and inflammation were not significantly changed at this time point. Conclusions— Restoring apoE expression in Apoe h/h Ldlr –/– Mx1-cre mice resulted in lesion stabilization in the context of a human-like ratio of non–high-density lipoprotein:high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Our data suggest that macrophage loss derived in part from reduced blood Ly-6C high monocytes levels and genetic reprogramming of lesional macrophages.
An extension of the Weil–Petersson metric to quasi-Fuchsian space

We define a natural semi-definite metric on quasi-fuchsian space, derived from geodesic current length functions and Hausdorff dimension, that extends the Weil–Petersson metric on Teichmuller space. We use this to describe a metric on Teichmuller space obtained by taking the second derivative of Hausdorff dimension and show that this metric is bounded below by the Weil–Petersson metric. We relate the change in Hausdorff dimension under bending along a measured lamination to the length in the Weil–Petersson metric of the associated earthquake vector of the lamination.
American Entrepreneur in China: Potholes and Roadblocks on the Silk Road to Prosperity

In many ways, China is the new frontier for entrepreneurship; perceived to be: a logical primary source of economical manufacturing, raw materials, component parts, and as a major end market. China may also represent the most likely future competition for many American industries as well as our major trading partner. Increased commerce between the United States and The People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) demands that U.S. entrepreneurs understand the basic foundation for doing business in the PRC. An increasing demand for United States citizens to engage in commerce, or sit on boards dealing with significant exposure to Chinese developments has also become a reality. A comprehensive and exhaustive treatment of this subject is beyond the scope of this article. However, an identification of some major issues, with suggestions for further research, is attempted. Hopefully, constructive thinking will result from an overview of how conducting business is fundamentally different in the PRC along with an examination of relevant legal and corporate governance issues.
Anomalous satellite‐measured chlorophyll concentrations in the northern California Current in 2001–2002

[1] Five years (1997–2002) of northern California Current SeaWiFS ocean color data place cold, low salinity hydrographic anomalies observed in summer 2002 into a larger spatial/temporal context and present their biological ramifications. Monthly mean chlorophyll concentrations were >1.0 mg m−3 larger than the previous 3 year average over the entire shelf from British Columbia (BC) to northern California (CA) in 2001–2002, spatially most extensive over the BC and Washington (WA) shelves but strongest (>2.0 mg m−3) on the southern Oregon shelf. Positive anomalies develop in August 2001 off BC and October 2001 off WA. By October 2002, shelf anomalies are reduced. Offshore, spatially extensive anomalies develop off CA (36°–42°N) in fall 2002, disappearing by December. Concurrent altimeter data show over 1000km of equatorward displacement. The positive chlorophyll anomalies, their spatial patterns and displacement are consistent with advection of subarctic, nutrient-enriched water into the California Current.
Der Computer als Zugang zum altisländischen Kalender

Medieval Iceland had two different systems of reckoning time which were used concurrently for different purposes: it had adopted the Julian calendar, prevalent in all of Europe, and it had also developed a separate calendar with no close parallels in any other country. This distinctly Icelandic calendar can be traced back to pre-Christian times, and it remained popular throughout the Middle Ages up until early modern days. This article uses brief excerpts from a computer program to analyze the structure and main features of the Icelandic calendar and to demonstrate by which methods its divisions into years, months and weeks were reconciled with the natural solar year as well as with the interlocking cycles of “fixed” and “movable” ecclesiastical holidays of the Julian calendar.
Database access characterization for buffer hit prediction

Presents a database access characterization method that first distinguishes three types of access pattern from a trace-locality within a transaction, random accesses by transactions, and sequential accesses by long queries. The authors describe a concise way to characterize the access skew across the randomly accessed pages by assuming that the large number of data pages may be logically grouped into a small number of partitions, such that the frequency of accessing each page within a partition can be treated as equal. They present an extensive validation of the buffer hit predictions, both for single-node as well as multiple-node systems, based on access characterization using production database traces. This approach can be applied to predict the buffer hit probability of a composite workload from those of its component files. >
Molecular data support a rapid radiation of aphids in the Cretaceous and multiple origins of host alternation

Many aphids display a remarkably complex life cycle of host alternation, in which cyclical parthenogenesis is combined with the obligate use of two unrelated host plants. We used mitochondrial ribosomal DNA (partial 12S and 16S) sequences to reconstruct the phylogeny of aphids, to determine how many origins of host alternation and correlated major host-plant shifts have occurred. Our results agreed with previous morphological studies in that species clustered with good support at the level of tribes. There was little well-supported phylogenetic structure at levels deeper than tribes, however, except for the monophyly of two subfamilies, Aphidinae and Lachninae. We argue that aphids experienced a rapid radiation at the tribal level, after host shifting from gymnosperms to angiosperms. A rapid radiation is consistent with aphid fossils, which record the presence of few subfamilies in the late Cretaceous, but most extant tribes by the early Tertiary. Plant fossils also record host plants of aphid tribes diversifying during this time. A hypothesized mechanism by which host alternation has evolved (fundatrix specialization), coupled with the rapid radiation, implies that this life cycle may have originated as often as in the ancestor of each tribe that displays it. We also consider, however, an alternative hypothesis of fewer origins. The basal radiation of Aphididae was dated from molecular sequences to have occurred at approximately 80–150 Mya.
Role of Epistemic Beliefs and Scientific Argumentation in Science Learning

We hypothesized that instruction in the criteria of scientific arguments, in combination with constructivist epistemic beliefs, would produce greater learning about physics concepts. The study was a randomized experiment, where college undergraduates (n = 88) discussed, in pairs over the Web, several physics problems related to gravity and air resistance. Prior to their discussions, one‐half of the dyads received information on the nature of scientific arguments. All students were classified epistemologically as relativists, multiplists, or evaluativists. We found that students in the treatment group incorporated more scientific criteria into their discussion notes and accordingly developed better arguments on several dimensions. In addition, significantly more participants in the treatment group adopted the correct answer to one of the problems. Outcomes also differed in relation to students’ epistemic beliefs. Specifically, multiplists were less critical of inconsistencies and misconceptions, and intera...
Inexpensive, Scalable and Transparent Open Source Classroom Management for Linux-based Laboratories

Many courses in the computing curricula (CS, ITl) can benefit form hands-on pedagogical activities in the form of laboratory components associated with the lectures. While the benefits of such hands-on learning sessions is agreed upon, some courses offer a non-trivial challenge to instructors (and sometime even institutions) interested in providing this kind of experience to their students. Operating systems, system administration and networking are all examples of laboratories for which students need root access to be able to experiment with the concepts and implementation studied in the lectures. With this constraint comes the need for a more flexible classroom management strategy. This paper explores how some open source virtualization and clustering technologies can be deployed to provide students, as well as instructors, with such an environment. We focus on providing solutions which can integrate transparently to any campus without involving significant changes to the classroom computers. This enables us to integrate Linux-based courseware even on campuses exclusively using proprietary software without actually requiring Linux to be installed in the classrooms. We also emphasize the scalability aspect by providing a highly cost-effective solution which can be easily scaled up as the number of students or the requirements of the course in terms of computational power increase.
Community-Based Dental Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago

Since 2002, community-based education at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry (COD) has evolved from non-existent to a robust program that is an essential component of the predoctoral program. As part of the college’s curricular innovation, community-based education has demonstrated alignment of the COD’s mission with that of our parent institution, contributed significantly to student learning and preparedness, and enhanced clinic experiences and revenue. Student interest and support have been and continue to be enthusiastic and valued. The faculty has been generally supportive, but properly focused on demonstrated student learning outcomes. This faculty observation and evaluation, supported by evidence, has resulted in the faculty’s rethinking traditional teaching and learning strategies, allowing innovative educational changes.
Classification of the Enicocephalidae (Hemiptera, Reduvioidea)

The family Enicocephalidae is one of the smaller families of Hemiptera with only 72 described species. However many more species await description in the various museums of the world for I have personally studied over 100 and still others remain to be discovered because of the obscure habits and biological peculiarities of these interesting insects.
Diagnostic Tests in Neonatology: Evaluation and Interpretation Using Sepsis as an Example

Diagnostic clinical tests are becoming increasingly important in medicine. In the case of neonatal sepsis, a number of new clinical laboratory tests have emerged to aid in diagnosis. In this article, the example of neonatal sepsis is used to review preconditions for evaluating a diagnostic test, common measures of test performance (eg, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratios). Reference values of these measures for a good diagnostic test are also reviewed. The interpretation of receiver operating characteristic curves for comparing diagnostic tests, determining the optimal cut-off for quantitative tests and assessing diagnostic accuracy, is also examined.
Investigation and Estimation of the Population Size of MSM in Handan City

Objective To investigate and estimate the men who have sex with men(MSM) in Handan City and analyze the related factors which may influence the estimate result. Methods The multiplier and capture-recapture method were applied to estimate the size of MSM in Handan City. Results The number of the MSM in Handan City was 1,453 persons,and 95% confidence interval was 1,227 and 1,681 persons. Conclusions Multiplier and capture-recapture methods are credible indirect methods to estimate the MSM's size.It is less costly both on time and funds,and is suitable for the city with limited health resource to estimate the size of HIV/AIDS high risk population.
A survey on immunization coverage rate among local children in Nanchang, 2013

Objective To learn the vaccination trend of expanded program on immunization among local children in Nanchang in2013. Methods The lot quality assurance sampling was used to learn the basic condition of the routine immunization and booster of DPT and MV in each village(street). Results A total of 4872 children were selected for the survey. The immunization card rate,immunization certificate rate and compatible card-certificate rate were 99.3%, 99.9%, 99.0%, respectively. The inoculation rates for BCG, OPV, DPT, MV, Hep B, MPV and JEV were all over 90%. The qualified coverage rates on basic immunization between different age groups and between different census register had no statistically significant difference(P0.05). However, the qualified inoculation rates on basic immunization of the timely coverage of first dose for Hep B, DPT, MV, JEV and Hep A in urban areas were higher than those in rural areas, with statistically significant differences(P0.05). Conclusion The coverage of routine immunization for NIP vaccines in Nanchang maintain at a high level, but regional differences still exist. The rates in rural areas are relatively low,especially for the booster immunization. The immunization management in rural areas should be strengthened.
CHOICE OF MANORIAL TYPES IN DIFFEREMT REGIONS IN VIEW OF SYSTEMATIC THEORY

Although manorial economy improves the produative efficiency of agriculture,a manor’s advantage sometimes is contrary to the whole advantage of manor agriculture.In view of systemic theory and beginning with the best function on the whole,this paper discusses the choices of manorial types in different regions and the measures that the government should adopt in order to realize the whole benefits.
Secondary Deformations Due to Axial Shearing of the Annular Region Between Two Eccentrically Placed Cylinders

Fosdick and Kao [1] extended a conjecture of Ericksen's [2] for non-linear fluids, to non-linear elastic solids, and showed that unless the material moduli of an isotropic elastic material satisfied certain special relations, axial shearing of cylinders would be necessarily accompanied by secondary deformations if the cross-section were not a circle or the annular region between two concentric circles. Further, they used the driving force as the small parameter for a perturbation analysis and showed that the secondary deformation will occur at fourth order, much in common with what is known for non-linear fluids. Here, we show that if on the other hand the driving force is not small (of O(1)), but the departure of the cylinder from circular symmetry is small, then secondary deformations appear at first order, the parameter for perturbance being the divergence from circular symmetry.
Focal-Test-Based Spatial Decision Tree

This chapter introduces another spatial classification technique called focal-test-based spatial decision tree (FTSDT), in which the tree traversal direction of a sample is based on both local information and focal (neighborhood) information. We also provide comparisons of FTSDT with existing decision trees and spatial decision trees on real-world wetland mapping data.
Cloning Pigs by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has expanded the utilization of pigs to various fields including biomedical research. However, the efficiency of SCNT is poor, and thus practical application of SCNT is limited. Various approaches have been attempted to increase the overall efficiency of SCNT. Improvements in in vitro culture of oocytes and embryos can assist in production of high quality pig embryos. A broad molecular approach, such as next generation deep sequencing, has shown that it can provide clues to understanding the physiology of embryos under in vitro culture and lead us to develop a novel culture method. Different reagents have been used to assist reprogramming of donor cells during SCNT and to correct some abnormally expressed genes in SCNT embryos. Still, the search for an ideal donor cell type for efficient reprogramming remains an unfinished task. These combined efforts provide a bright prospective for SCNT in pigs.
Induction of autophagy by ARHI (DIRAS3) alters fundamental metabolic pathways in ovarian cancer models

Autophagy is a bulk catabolic process that modulates tumorigenesis, therapeutic resistance, and dormancy. The tumor suppressor ARHI (DIRAS3) is a potent inducer of autophagy and its expression results in necroptotic cell death in vitro and tumor dormancy in vivo. ARHI is down-regulated or lost in over 60 % of primary ovarian tumors yet is dramatically up-regulated in metastatic disease. The metabolic changes that occur during ARHI induction and their role in modulating death and dormancy are unknown. We employed Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)-based metabolomic strategies to characterize changes in key metabolic pathways in both cell culture and xenograft models of ARHI expression and autophagy. These pathways were further interrogated by cell-based immunofluorescence imaging, tracer uptake studies, targeted metabolic inhibition, and in vivo PET/CT imaging. Induction of ARHI in cell culture models resulted in an autophagy-dependent increase in lactate production along with increased glucose uptake and enhanced sensitivity to glycolytic inhibitors. Increased uptake of glutamine was also dependent on autophagy and dramatically sensitized cultured ARHI-expressing ovarian cancer cell lines to glutaminase inhibition. Induction of ARHI resulted in a reduction in mitochondrial respiration, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and decreased Tom20 staining suggesting an ARHI-dependent loss of mitochondrial function. ARHI induction in mouse xenograft models resulted in an increase in free amino acids, a transient increase in [18F]-FDG uptake, and significantly altered choline metabolism. ARHI expression has previously been shown to trigger autophagy-associated necroptosis in cell culture. In this study, we have demonstrated that ARHI expression results in decreased cellular ATP/ADP, increased oxidative stress, and decreased mitochondrial function. While this bioenergetic shock is consistent with programmed necrosis, our data indicates that the accompanying up-regulation of glycolysis and glutaminolysis is autophagy-dependent and serves to support cell viability rather than facilitate necroptotic cell death. While the mechanistic basis for metabolic up-regulation following ARHI induction is unknown, our preliminary data suggest that decreased mitochondrial function and increased metabolic demand may play a role. These alterations in fundamental metabolic pathways during autophagy-associated necroptosis may provide the basis for new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of dormant ovarian tumors.
Atomic force microscopy observation of threading dislocation density reduction in lateral epitaxial overgrowth of gallium nitride by MOCVD

Extended defect reduction at the surface of GaN grown by lateral epitaxial overgrowth (LEO) on large-area GaN/Al2O3 wafers by low pressure MOCVD is demonstrated by atomic force microscopy. The overgrown GaN has a rectangular cross section with smooth (0001) and facets. The density of mixed character threading dislocations at the surface of the LEO GaN is reduced by at least 3–4 orders of magnitude from that of bulk GaN. Dislocation-free GaN surfaces exhibit an anisotropic step structure that is attributed to the orientation dependence of the dangling bond density at the step edges.
Campylobacter jejuni infection associated with relatively poor condition and low survival in a wild bird

Campylobacter jejuni is the most common foodborne pathogen in industrialized countries. Most human infections come from contaminated poultry, but wild birds are also known to harbor C. jejuni. Wild birds are often described as asymptomatic carriers, but this assumption is based on domestic poultry research. We studied the effects of C. jejuni infection on body condition and survival of adult and nestling American crows Corvus brachyrhynchos in Davis, California. Previous work demonstrated that more than half of the crows in this population are infected with C. jejuni and that at least some of the isolates carried by crows are similar to those found in domestic animals and humans. In this study, we compared the body condition of infected and uninfected individuals at the time of capture among adults (n = 44; 52% infected) and nestlings (n = 97; 77% infected). We subsequently monitored these banded individuals for up to 3 yr and used mark–recapture survival analysis to estimate relationships between infection status and later survival. We found that adult crows infected with C. jejuni were in poor condition relative to uninfected adults: average body mass of infected birds was 12% lower, whereas average body size did not differ between the two groups. Likewise, apparent survival probability was lower for infected adults. In contrast, nestling body condition, fledging success, and survival did not differ by infection status. This is the first study to document adverse effects of C. jejuni infection in a free-living, wild bird. If these effects are widespread, C. jejuni exposure may be a cause of conservation concern for some species, especially when human activities increase exposure to infections or introduce novel strains to wild bird populations. Our results add to the growing body of work demonstrating hidden long-term costs of seemingly mild infections in wild populations.
Leadership for Change

Principals deal with change every day. As they respond to these short- and long-term quandaries, principals must understand the changes that confront them in order to demonstrate knowledge about the process of change, ask the right questions to gain information, and make decisions that will yield positive outcomes. This chapter begins with a real-life scenario exemplifying multiple quandaries around current issues dealing with change. The chapter shares important perspectives on leading effective change including insight into first- and second-order change and key perspectives and viewpoints from renowned authors on change. Using these frames and strategies, a principal faced with quandaries can identify skillful responses and strategically put them into practice as they lead stakeholders and navigate change in their schools.
Management of Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB), defined as hemorrhage into the gastrointestinal tract distal to the ligament of Treitz, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among adults. Overall, mortality rates are estimated between 2.4% and 3.9%. The most common etiology for LGIB is diverticulosis, implicated in approximately 30% of cases, with other causes including hemorrhoids, ischemic colitis, and postpolypectomy bleeding. Transcatheter visceral angiography has begun to play an increasingly important role in both the diagnosis and treatment of LGIB. Historically, transcatheter visceral angiography has been used to direct vasopressin infusion with embolization reserved for treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. However, advances in microcatheter technology and embolotherapy have enabled super-selective embolization to emerge as the treatment of choice for many cases of LGIB.
Electrically tunable plasmomechanical oscillators for localized modulation, transduction, and amplification

Plasmomechanical systems are an emerging class of devices that hold great promise for manipulating light-matter interactions with high speed and subdiffraction spatial resolution. However, realizing their potential requires developing active plasmomechanical systems that can localize their functionality to the level of an individual subwavelength plasmonic resonator. Here, we present an active, electrically tunable plasmomechanical system that uses a localized-gap plasmonic resonator to mediate optical, thermal, and mechanical interactions within a subwavelength footprint. Our device enables facile electromechanical modulation of localized plasmons, selective subdiffraction transduction of nanomechanical motion, and functions as a plasmomechanical oscillator that can be injection-locked to, and thus amplify, weak external stimuli. These functionalities benefit applications in nanomechanical sensing, spatial light modulators, and reconfigurable metasurfaces.
The Ideal and Practice of Chinese Comprehensive Constitutionalism in the 'New Era'

The 19th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party concluded at the end of October 2017. It set the fundamental policy positions of China’s leadership for the next five years with particular emphasis on its approaches to constitutionalism, law, and the political theory of the state. These internal political changes will have substantial effects on China’s external relations and on the ways in which Western liberal democracies engage with China. In that context among the most important questions for law revolve around the extent and character of the evolution of CPC thinking, and the CPC Basic Line, with respect to Socialist Rule of Law and Socialist Constitutionalism now bound up in the adoption of “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” The question is central to a consideration of the Work Report delivered by Xi Jinping reflected in the resulting final Resolution of the 19th Congress to amend the Constitution of the Chinese Communist Party and thereafter in 2018 to amend the State Constitution to reflect the advances in political principle and the CPC political framework embedded in the CPC Constitution. A key element of that question involves constitutional trajectory: to what extent did this report reflect an official downshifting of the importance of the state constitution and constitutionalism within the construction of Chinese notions of Constitutionalism, and if so, what variation on constitutionalism is likely to emerge? If so, what are the effects of any such downshift on the relation between the state and the political constitutions of China. To that end, it is worth considering whether principles of constitutionalism for the “New Era” may be extracted from Xi Jinping’s Report to the 19th Congress. And if they can, to try to extract a sense of the likely characteristics of emerging structures of Chinese constitutionalism. What follows, then is a preliminary report and assessment of Constitutionalism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era from Out of the 19th CPC Report. After this short introduction to the issues and context of Chinese constitutionalism before the 19th Congress, Section II provides a contextual framework for situating the constitutional work of the 19th CPC Congress within contemporary Chinese currents of constitutional theory. Section III then explores the references to notions of constitution in earlier CPC Congress Reports. Section IV then turns to the consideration of the constitution project for China in the “New Era.” It first considers in more detail the understanding of constitution and its role in politics and governance within the 19th CPC Congress Report itself. It then explores the role of constitutionalism within the structures of the 19th CPC Congress Report through a close reading of the specific references to constitutions in the Report (state, political and mixed). Lastly, it provides a concise consideration of the connection between constitutionalism and the emerging characteristics of Chinese consultative democracy.
Teaching public budgeting in the age of austerity using simulations

Public administrators are deeply affected by the global crisis in public finances. As public sector revenues remain weak and demand increases for spending and debt reduction, as well as tax reform,...
Irritant and Airborne Contact Dermatitis

Understanding and recognizing contact dermatitis is a vital tool in any healthcare provider’s armamentarium. Making the correct diagnosis will not only lead to the appropriate treatment of your patient but also save the healthcare system excessive, unnecessary costs. Contact dermatitis is an eczematous reaction that encompasses two major forms: irritant and allergic. While clinical appearance can often be indistinguishable, the pathophysiology, etiology, and history are often very different. Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) can be thought of as a direct toxic effect on the skin by an irritant while allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a hypersensitivity reaction to an allergen.