cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemosystematic studies of the western north american junipers based on their volatile oils

Abstract Six taxa of western North American denticulate leaved junipers were collected and their volatile leaf oils analysed. Two chemical forms of J. californica (‘A’ and ‘B’) previously reported were found to differ considerably in their concentration of α-pinene, sabinene, β-pinene, camphor and 4-terpineol. However, principal co-ordinate analysis revealed that the chemical forms of J. californica were the most similar taxa in the group and considerably more similar than the two varieties of J. occidentalis are to each other. This group of junipers appears to consist of two major subgroups: (1) J. occidentalis ; and (2) J. california, J. monosperma, J. osteosperma ; with J. osteosperma being closely related to the northern form of J. californica (:A.) and J. monosperma being most closely related to the southern form of J. californica (‘B’).
Afferent stream integration in a model of the nucleus accumbens

The Nucleus Accumbens (Nacc) receives convergent input from a number of structures including prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala, as well as substantial dopaminergic modulation. The principle cell in the Nacc, the medium spiny projection neuron (NISP), has bistable properties that have been proposed as a primary mediator of the integrative properties in the Nacc. In order to determine the minimum biophysical properties required to generate a nonlinear "bistable" membrane potential, we constructed a 29 compartment MSP cell in GENESIS. This included an inward rectifying K/sup +/ (K/sub IR/), an A-current K/sup +/, HVA Ca/sup 2+/ and suitable fast Na/sup +/ and delayed rectifier K+ channels. Various amounts and distributions of afferent input were examined to determine the amount of coincident input required to move the membrane from the "down" state (-85 mV) to the "up" state (-60 mV) and to fire the cell. The number of synchronous afferents required was substantially higher than previously estimated. We modeled the effect of dopaminergic modulation by increasing the conductance of the KIR and Ca/sup 2+/ channels, demonstrating that the response to input is dependent on state. In parallel studies, in vivo extracellular recordings were obtained from Nacc and neocortex in anesthetized mice. Simultaneous recordings revealed that cortex and Nacc oscillate in synchrony. Lesions that disrupt slow oscillations in the cortex alter rhythmicity in the Nacc, suggesting interdependency of the mechanisms generating bistability.
Peer-Assisted Learning in Physical Education: A Review of Theory and Research.

In this article we provide a review of theory and research on the use of peers to influence learning outcomes in physical education. First, we summarize the empirical literature on the use of peers in general education. Next, Piaget’s equilibration theory, Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, and Skinner’s behavior analytic theory are discussed with particular reference to their implications for the use of peers in educational settings. This is followed by a review of findings from research studies using peers in physical education settings and includes suggestions for future research. We conclude with a discussion of implications for practice.
Wavelet analysis of velocity dispersion of elastic interface waves propagating along a fracture

A wavelet analysis is performed on seismic waveforms of elastic interface waves that propagate along a fracture. The wavelet analysis provides a direct quantitative measure of spectral content as a function of arrival time. We find that the spectral content of the interface wave signals is not stationary, but exhibits increasing frequency content for later arrival times, representing negative velocity dispersion. The dispersion increases from −11 m/sec/MHz to −116 m/sec/MHz as the stress on the fracture is increased from 3.5 kPa to 33 MPa. The negative velocity dispersion agrees with predictions from the displacement-discontinuity theory of the seismic response of fractures, and can be used to fit fracture stiffness.
The Urban Church as Professor

Abstract Church-based and faith-based organizing is becoming a prominent method of fighting injustice. This article gives examples of how social workers and students can be introduced and linked to this method and examine the impact on students in regard to learning about this kind of activism. It is suggested that social workers explore faith-based organizing as a means of working toward social justice.
Engineering recruitment and retention: a successful bridge

Arizona State University's (USA) Office of Minority Engineering Programs hosted a very unique Minority Engineering Program Summer Bridge Program to promote greater awareness of and recruit potential candidates to the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The program content and curriculum were designed to prepare underrepresented ethnic minority students for educational success. This paper describes the program, the curriculum and the participant evaluations of the program. In addition, the paper discusses the setting for the program in the university and the need for it.
Comparison of the Accuracy and Speed of Transient Mobile A/C System Simulation Models

The operation of air conditioning (A/C) systems is a significant contributor to the total amount of fuel used by light- and heavy-duty vehicles. Therefore, continued improvement of the efficiency of these mobile A/C systems is important. Numerical simulation has been used to reduce the system development time and to improve the electronic controls, but numerical models that include highly detailed physics run slower than desired for carrying out vehicle-focused drive cycle-based system optimization. Therefore, faster models are needed even if some accuracy is sacrificed. In this study, a validated model with highly detailed physics, the 'Fully-Detailed' model, and two models with different levels of simplification, the 'Quasi-Transient' and the 'Mapped- Component' models, are compared. The Quasi-Transient model applies some simplifications compared to the Fully-Detailed model to allow faster model execution speeds. The Mapped-Component model is similar to the Quasi-Transient model except instead of detailed flow and heat transfer calculations in the heat exchangers, it uses lookup tables created with the Quasi-Transient model. All three models are set up to represent the same physical A/C system and the same electronic controls. Speed and results of the three model versions are compared for steady state and transient operation. Steady state simulated datamore » are also compared to measured data. The results show that the Quasi-Transient and Mapped-Component models ran much faster than the Fully-Detailed model, on the order of 10- and 100-fold, respectively. They also adequately approach the results of the Fully-Detailed model for steady-state operation, and for drive cycle-based efficiency predictions« less
Preparing Students for the Future: Making Career Development a Priority.

Preparing students for their future roles in the world of work has become increasingly important for school counselors and educators generally. As a result of changes taking place in the workplace, the challenge is to prepare students to enter and be competitive in a world-class workforce (Feller, 1996a). In addition, given the level of competitiveness and the rate of change in the workplace, it is essential that students become as prepared as possible to enhance their chances of success. Further, hopefully, students will be prepared to be contributors to society and have the opportunity to live a satisfying, productive life. It follows that for students to be prepared to meet the challenges of the changing workplace, career development must be a priority. Parsons (1909), the father of vocational guidance, stated.
The role of hydrophobicity in the antimicrobial and hemolytic activities of polymethacrylate derivatives

We synthesized cationic random amphiphilic copolymers by radical copolymerization of methacrylate monomers with cationic or hydrophobic groups and evaluated their antimicrobial and hemolytic activities. The nature of the hydrophobic groups, and polymer composition and length were systematically varied to investigate how structural parameters affect polymer activity. This allowed us to obtain the optimal composition of polymers suitable to act as non-toxic antimicrobials as well as non-selective polymeric biocides. The antimicrobial activity depends sigmoidally on the mole fraction of hydrophobic groups (f(HB)). The hemolytic activity increases as f(HB) increases and levels off at high values of f(HB), especially for the high-molecular-weight polymers. Plots of HC(50) values versus the number of hydrophobic side chains in a polymer chain for each polymer series showed a good correlation and linear relationship in the log-log plots. We also developed a theoretical model to analyze the hemolytic activity of polymers and demonstrated that the hemolytic activity can be described as a balance of membrane binding of polymers through partitioning of hydrophobic side chains into lipid layers and the hydrophobic collapsing of polymer chains. The study on the membrane binding of dye-labeled polymers to large, unilamellar vesicles showed that the hydrophobicity of polymers enhances their binding to lipid bilayers and induces collapse of the polymer chain in solution, reducing the apparent affinity of polymers for the membranes.
A case study of mapping a software-defined radio (SDR) application on a reconfigurable DSP core

We present a case study involving the implementation of a complete Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) digital receiver part of an AMR channel onto a reconfigurable core. WCDMA is one of the two major standards for the third generation (3G) cellular systems. Traditionally most of the receiver components were confined to ASIC implementation for performance, size and power consumption reasons. The MS1 reconfigurable DSP core provides both a microprocessor and reconfigurable fabric as well as a variety of peripherals. The various functions of the receiver were mapped onto different core components. The complete system was tested both in simulation as well as on a hardware platform comprising a silicon implementation of the MS1 DSP core.
From Pulsus to Pulseless: The Saga of Cardiac Alternans

Computer simulations and nonlinear dynamics have provided invaluable tools for illuminating the underlying mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias. Here, we review how this approach has led to major insights into the mechanisms of spatially discordant alternans, a key arrhythmogenic factor predisposing the heart to re-entry and lethal arrhythmias. During spatially discordant alternans, the action potential duration (APD) alternates out of phase in different regions of the heart, markedly enhancing dispersion of refractoriness so that ectopic beats have a high probability of inducing reentry. We show how, at the cellular level, instabilities in membrane voltage (ie, steep APD restitution slope) and intracellular Ca (Cai) cycling dynamics cause APD and the Cai transient to alternate and how the characteristics of alternans are affected by different "modes" of the bidirectional coupling between voltage and Cai. We illustrate how, at the tissue level, additional factors, such as conduction velocity restitution and ectopic beats, promote spatially discordant alternans. These insights have illuminated the mechanistic basis underlying the clinical association of cardiac alternans (eg, T wave alternans) with arrhythmia risk, which may lead to novel therapeutic approaches to avert sudden cardiac death.
Numerical Investigation of the Evolution of Vortex Instability in a 2-D Compressible Flow over a Cylinder

This paper presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study of 2-D flow over a cylinder at a Mach number of 0.3 and diameter based Reynolds numbers ranging between 50 and 1000. The flow simulation was marched in time from an impulsive start and reveals the evolution of vortex instability. After the cylinder has traveled between 100 and 1000 diameters, alternate vortex shedding begins, and a von Karman vortex street develops in the wake. Throughout the initial transient of the flow, the lift coefficient shows periodic oscillation with steady amplitude growth rates from machine precision until periodic vortex shedding is reached, and a distinct frequency shift is observed at the onset of vortex shedding at higher Reynolds numbers. The numerical algorithm is based on a finite volume description of the unsteady, compressible Navier Stokes equations. The inviscid subset of the equations is modeled according to the total variation diminishing (TVD) principle with the numerical viscosity control parameter set to zero. No turbulence modeling was implemented, since the flow is below the transition Reynolds number of 300,000. The accuracy of the scheme is second order in space and first order in time.
Resonant frequency and Q-factor of a cylindrical cavity containing a chiral medium

The resonant frequency of a circular cylindrical cavity that is completely filled with a homogeneous, lossless and isotropic chiral or optically active material is found from a solution of the previously derived characteristic equation for the axial propagation constant of a circular chirowaveguide. The modes of the cavity are all hybrid modes as all the propagating modes in the corresponding waveguide are hybrid. The power lost in the conducting walls, the energy stored in the electric and magnetic fields of the cavity are determined and the unloaded Q-factor is calculated. Numerical results for the variation of the resonant frequency and the Q-factor with the electrical radius and the normalized chirality parameter are presented for the three modes with azimuthal indices of m + 0, m + 1 and m + - 1.
NetAffx: Affymetrix probesets and annotations

NetAffx (http://www.affymetrix.com) details and annotates probesets on Affymetrix GeneChip microarrays. These annotations include (i) static information specific to the probeset composition; (ii) sequence annotations extracted from public databases; and (iii) protein sequence-level annotations derived from public domain programs, as well as libraries of hidden Markov models (HMMs) developed at Affymetrix. For each probeset, NetAffx lists the probe sequences, and the consensus sequence interrogated by the probes; for the larger chip sets, interactive maps display this sequence data in genomic context. Sequence annotations include Gene Ontology (GO) terms and depiction of GO graph relationships; predicted protein domains and motifs; orthologous sequences; links to relevant pathways; and links to public databases including UniGene, LocusLink, SWISS-PROT and OMIM.
Empowered Participation in Urban Governance: The Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program

In the early 1990s, the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) allocated $400 million in public funds for Minneapolis neighborhood groups to spend on improvement projects over the coming 20 years. NRP created the most financially empowered structure of neighborhood governance in any American city. This article describes the institutional design of NRP and then explores several of its political, social and economic consequences. In particular, we examine the character of participation, deliberation and conflict in several NRP neighborhoods, the tensions between neighborhood groups and city offices over this decentralization initiative, the effects of decentralization upon neighborhood-level social capital, and the nature of goods funded under the Program.
Electricity, Knowledge, and the Nature of Progress in Priestley's Thought

The appearance of Priestley's electrical work as a brief and irrelevant prelude to his more substantial chemical enquiries may explain why it has been strangely overlooked by historians of science. It was only fairly recently that Sir Philip Hartog sought to rectify this situation with the affirmation that ‘Priestley's electrical work offers the key to Priestley's scientific mind’. Attacking traditional chemical historiography for tracing Priestley's opposition to Lavoisier's theory to a deficiency in his scientific sensibilities, Hartog insisted that Priestley's natural philosophy can properly be understood only in relation to his ‘profound convictions on scientific method’ as fully expressed in the History of electricity. Only thus would Priestley's scientific thought be related correctly to his ‘work as a whole’.
Survival versus Profit Maximization in a Dynamic Stochastic Experiment

Subjects in a laboratory experiment withdraw earnings from a cash reserve evolving according to an arithmetic Brownian motion in near-continuous time. Aggressive withdrawal policies expose subjects to risk of bankruptcy, but the policy that maximizes expected earnings need not maximize the odds of survival. When profit maximization is consistent with high rates of survival (HS parameters), subjects adjust decisively towards the optimum. When survival and profit maximization are sharply at odds (LS parameters), subjects persistently (and sub-optimally) hoard excess cash in an evident effort to improve survival rates. The design ensures that this hoarding is not due to standard risk aversion. Analysis of period-to-period adjustments in strategies suggests instead that hoarding is due to a widespread bias towards survival in the subject population. Robustness treatments varying feedback, parameters, and framing fail to eliminate the bias.
Interactions in indices of vitamin A, zinc and copper status when these nutrients are fed to rats at adequate and increased levels

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of feeding nutritionally adequate and increased levels of vitamin A (retinyl acetate at 1.4, 34.4, and 206.4 mg/kg diet) in combination with adequate or increased Zn (12 and 240 mg/kg) and Cu (5 and 50 mg/kg) on serum and tissue concentrations of retinol and retinyl palmitate and on indices of Cu and Zn status in female Sprague-Dawley rats, and to measure interactive effects of such nutrient imbalances. Rats fed on diets containing 34.4 and 206.4 mg vitamin A/kg had higher feed intakes and relative liver weights than those fed on diets containing 1.4 mg vitamin A/kg. An interaction between dietary Cu and Zn and an independent effect of vitamin A affected serum ceruloplasmin oxidase (EC 1.16.3.1) activity. Rats fed on high Zn, adequate-Cu diets (240 and 5 mg Zn and Cu/kg respectively) had lower serum ceruloplasmin oxidase levels than rats fed on adequate-Zn, adequate-Cu diets (12 and 5 mg Zn and Cu/kg respectively). This effect was not observed in rats fed on high-Zn, high-Cu diets (240 and 50 mg Zn and Cu/kg respectively). Alterations in dietary levels of Cu and vitamin A independently affected haemoglobin levels. Serum cholesterol concentration was affected by interactions between Zn and vitamin A and Cu and vitamin A. Levels of retinol and retinyl palmitate in liver and kidney were significantly higher in rats fed on diets with increased dietary vitamin A than in those fed on diets with adequate vitamin A. Three-way interactions among Cu, Zn, and vitamin A affected levels of retinol in serum and liver. Two-way interactions between Cu and vitamin A affected liver retinyl palmitate and the sum of liver retinol+retinyl palmitate. An independent effect of dietary Zn on these variables was also observed. Interactions between Cu and vitamin A affected levels of Cu in liver and kidney, while Fe and Zn in kidney were affected by interactions between Cu and Zn. This study demonstrates that differing interactions among variables of vitamin A metabolism and mineral status occur with higher dietary levels of vitamin A, Zn and Cu in the rat.
Black radical masculinities in American warfare: reconfiguring resistance in the body of Muhammad Ali towards exile

This study focuses on boxing champion Muhammad Ali’s resistance to patriarchy and hegemonic masculinity in American warfare. The narrative textual analysis is designed around Ali’s final three championship-boxing bouts before he was stripped of his heavyweight championship title because of his conscientious objection to the Vietnam War. The author constructed a narrative that found that Ali’s performance during this specific period was an extension of the black radical tradition. As a prizefighting champion and a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War, the gender performance of black radical masculinities is distinguished in Ali. The results from the bouts were organized with biographical quotes and facts during the period and connected with black radical theory and the trajectory of black masculinities. Amid the three bouts and resistance that led to his eventual exile from boxing, Ali’s black masculinity is reconfigured through an analysis of multiple themes, such as voice, skill, anger, faith, style...
History and Postmodernism

The growth in popularity of postmodern critical theory in the field of Asian American Studies provokes mixed feelings in me as a historian (and it is from the viewpoint of a historian specializing in Asian American history that I speak in this essay). There is much that is positive in the development but much that troubles me at the same time. As an interdisciplinary field, Asian American Studies can only benefit from the insights and originality that postmodernism, and for that matter any theoretical and analytical approach from natural science, social science, or other humanistic area, encourages among practitioners in the field. In particular, postmodern theory (I acknowledge that many different ways of thinking can be called postmodern, but in this essay, postmodernism means the current analytical concentration, posited in an epistemology of radical philosophical skepticism, on discourse) has inspired innovative work in literary criticism, creative production, and cultural analysis. At the same time, it has also promoted in the historical field a heightened sensitivity to the problematic nature of evidence, to the limits of knowledge and of truth claims, to the imbedded silences and contradictions in any effort to recover human experience, to the responsibilities of authorial voice and power, and to the complexity and variety of human experience itself, alerting us to the dangers of essentialism and overgeneralization. These effects have been all to the good. One of the great strengths of postmodern theory is its critical power and, as such, it has furthered counterhegemonic efforts, which Marxists, ethnic studies specialists, and feminist scholars,
Safety risks with investigational drugs: Pharmacy practices and perceptions in the veterans affairs health system.

Objectives:Rigorous practices for safe dispensing of investigational drugs are not standardized. This investigation sought to identify error-prevention processes utilized in the provision of invest...
Application of an online ion-chromatography-based instrument for gradient flux measurements of speciated nitrogen and sulfur

Abstract. The dry component of total nitrogen and sulfur atmospheric deposition remains uncertain. The lack of measurements of sufficient chemical speciation and temporal extent make it difficult to develop accurate mass budgets and sufficient process level detail is not available to improve current air–surface exchange models. Over the past decade, significant advances have been made in the development of continuous air sampling measurement techniques, resulting with instruments of sufficient sensitivity and temporal resolution to directly quantify air–surface exchange of nitrogen and sulfur compounds. However, their applicability is generally restricted to only one or a few of the compounds within the deposition budget. Here, the performance of the Monitor for AeRosols and GAses in ambient air (MARGA 2S), a commercially available online ion-chromatography-based analyzer is characterized for the first time as applied for air–surface exchange measurements of HNO3, NH3, NH4+, NO3−, SO2 and SO42−. Analytical accuracy and precision are assessed under field conditions. Chemical concentrations gradient precision are determined at the same sampling site. Flux uncertainty measured by the aerodynamic gradient method is determined for a representative 3-week period in fall 2012 over a grass field. Analytical precision and chemical concentration gradient precision were found to compare favorably in comparison to previous studies. During the 3-week period, percentages of hourly chemical concentration gradients greater than the corresponding chemical concentration gradient detection limit were 86, 42, 82, 73, 74 and 69 % for NH3, NH4+, HNO3, NO3−, SO2 and SO42−, respectively. As expected, percentages were lowest for aerosol species, owing to their relatively low deposition velocities and correspondingly smaller gradients relative to gas phase species. Relative hourly median flux uncertainties were 31, 121, 42, 43, 67 and 56 % for NH3, NH4+, HNO3, NO3−, SO2 and SO42−, respectively. Flux uncertainty is dominated by uncertainty in the chemical concentrations gradients during the day but uncertainty in the chemical concentration gradients and transfer velocity are of the same order at night. Results show the instrument is sufficiently precise for flux gradient applications.
Effect of Ion–Ion Correlations on Polyelectrolyte Gel Collapse and Reentrant Swelling

Polyelectrolyte gels are known to exhibit strong response to changes in salt concentration, an effect attributed to osmotic effects. Traditional theories are insufficient to describe all the properties observed in experiments; namely, reentrant swelling effects at high salt concentrations and complete polyelectrolyte collapse at high salt valencies. We incorporate liquid-state integral equation theories to account for the many-body correlations between finite-sized ions in a strongly charged polyelectrolyte gel. This represents a theory for such systems that goes well beyond well-known Debye–Huckel (DH) and Poisson–Boltzmann (PB) theories. We demonstrate that charge correlations give rise to enhanced gel deswelling, a first-order collapse to a highly correlated state at large valencies, and counterion size-dependent reentrant swelling. Such ion-specific effects provide routes for practical control of stimuli-responsive polymeric materials based on polyelectrolyte gels, and deeper understanding of biologic...
Nonlinear Modal Substructuring of Systems with Geometric Nonlinearities

The analysis of large, complicated structures can be simplified and made more computationally efficient if smaller, simpler subcomponents can be treated and assembled. Modal substructuring methods allow one to reduce the order of the model at the subcomponent level. Modes are also an intrinsic property of the subcomponent, so they lead to certain physical insights. While modal substructuring is relatively well developed for linear systems, it's counterpart has not yet been developed for nonlinear subcomponent models. This work presents two modal substructuring techniques that can be used to predict the nonlinear dynamic behavior of an assembly. The first method uses the nonlinear normal modes of each subcomponent in a quasi-linear model to estimate the nonlinear modes of the assembly. In the second approach, a small number of linear modes are used to create a nonlinear reduced order model of each substructure, and the reduced models are assembled to build the nonlinear equations of motion of the assembly. Each approach is compatible with the finite element method, allowing for analysis of realistic engineering structures with global nonlinearities. The two methods are validated by using them to predict the nonlinear modes of a simple assembly of geometrically nonlinear beams, and both are found to perform well.
The Influence of Language Discordance Between Patient and Physician on Time-to-Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke:

Background and purpose:Reducing door-to-imaging (DIT) time is a major focus of acute stroke quality improvement initiatives to promote rapid thrombolysis. However, recent data suggest that the imag...
Prostatic Abscess After Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Biopsy

AbstractWe report a case of a diabetic man who had bilateral prostatic abscesses after ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate. As is typical of prostatic abscesses, the diagnosis was not evident at presentation. We discuss the morbidity of transrectal biopsy and recommend consistent antimicro¬bial prophylaxis. We also recommend transrectal ultrasound in the diagnosis of such abscesses, and support the standard treatment of drainage and parenteral antimicrobial therapy. We anticipate that the incidence of prostatic abscess will increase due to the increasing number of men undergoing transrectal biopsy in the current age of transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy.
EphB4-binding peptide for dual modality µPET/CT and optical imaging of glioblastoma in orthotopic xenograft models

233 Objectives EphB4 receptors, a member of the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases, are found over-expressed in a variety of tumors cells including glioma cells as well as angiogenic blood vessels. The purpose of this study was to examine whether EphB4-binding peptide TNYL-RAW labeled with both 64Cu and Cy5.5 dye could be used as a molecular imaging agent for dual-modality (PET/CT and optical) imaging of human glioma in orthotopic brain tumor models. Methods A Cy5.5 labeled EphB4-specific binding peptide TNYL-RAW was conjugated to the radiometal chelator 1, 4,7,10-tetraazadodecane-N,N’,N’’,N’’’-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) and labeled with 64Cu for in vitro binding and in vivo dual PET/CT and optical imaging studies. Tumors and brains were removed at the end of the imaging sessions for immunehistochemical staining and fluorescence microscopic examinations. Results In vitro, dual labeled TNYL-RAW displayed significantly higher binding to U251 glioma cells over-expressing EphB4 than to U87 cells that express low level of EphB4. The binding of dual labeled TNYL-RAW to U251 cells could be blocked by a large excess of unlabeled peptide. In vivo, µPET/CT and near-infrared optical imaging clearly showed the uptake of the dual labeled TNYL-RAW peptide in both U251 and U87 tumors in the brains of nude mice after intravenous injection. The specific uptake of dual labeled peptide in both tumors was confirmed by blocking experiments. In U87 tumors, Cy5.5-labeled peptide was found co-localized only with CD31- and EphB4-expressing tumor blood vessels. Conclusions Dual-labeled EphB4-specific peptide could be used as a non-invasive molecular imaging agent for PET/CT and optical imaging of glioma owing to its ability to bind to EphB4-expressing angiogenic blood vessels and to EphB4-expressing tumor cells
Chinese Higher Education Model in Change: Negotiation with Western Power

Although many scholars regard modern Chinese higher education as a mixed child of traditional Confucian values and Western paradigms of university construction, I would argue that it has been rich with perennial Chinese partisan characteristics. What those scholars have captured is the constant external influences that shaped the formation and reform of higher education in China. But they did not put the focal point on China’s unusually collective effort to respond to the world, in which higher education plays a crucial role. It is this chapter’s goal to extrapolate a contemporary Chinese higher education model that can be distinguished from the Western models through the philosophical diversity of, ideological totalitarianism over, and economic impetus within higher education. The foundation of such distinctiveness lies not in the higher education itself, but in the complex domestic and global sociohistorical context out of education in the twentieth century. The model in question remains Chinese because it was derived from the massive social mobilization since the earlier 1900s and guided by the urgent and ultimate goal of national development through optimal operation of all types of resource and centrality of power. Structural changes in Chinese higher education paralleled the series of tumultuous political and economic oscillation, which is unlike the models in the West. In imbibing, reforming, refusing, and re-joining the Western game rule, the trajectory of Chinese higher education is shaped by and contributes to the state’s negotiation with Western power.
Exchange Rate Regimes in Asia

It is now common knowledge that rigid pegging of the exchange rate invariably constrains monetary policy independence. Further, both theory and the lessons of experience with pegged exchange rates have shown that such a policy often loses credibility over time and induces booms followed by inevitable busts and crises. The question is: have Asian countries paid any heed to this?
From cluster to wall with VTK

We describe a new set of parallel rendering components for VTK, the visualization toolkit. The parallel rendering units allow for the rendering of vast quantities of geometry with a focus on cluster computers. Furthermore, the geometry may be displayed on tiled displays at full or reduced resolution. We demonstrate an interactive VTK application processing an isosurface consisting of nearly half a billion triangles and displaying on a power wall with a total resolution of 63 million pixels. We also demonstrate an interactive VTK application displaying the same geometry on a desktop connected to the cluster via a TCP/IP socket over 100BASE-T Ethernet.
Flat lens design using space-qualifiable multilayer frequency selective surfaces

This paper presents the design of a flat lens, which utilizes multilayer frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) in free space. The lens can be space-qualified since, unlike conventional designs for lenses, it does not need to use dielectric materials. The paper describes a systematic procedure for realizing the requisite radially varying phase shifts, by using locally-periodic multilayer FSSs to realize a lightweight, low profile and low-cost design.
Mass Forming Eosinophilic Cystitis in Pediatric Patients

Eosinophilic cystitis (EC) is an uncommon inflammatory disorder of uncertain etiology that has been described in adult and pediatric populations. We describe 3 recent cases of EC that presented as a mass lesion in pediatric patients from the New England region of the United States. All patients were initially suspected to have a malignancy, and biopsy was performed, which ultimately led to the diagnosis of EC. We propose the use of eosinophil density of >25 eosinophils per high-power field and myocyte degeneration as supportive histopathologic features to make this diagnosis. It is of utmost importance to consider EC in the differential diagnosis when approaching a pediatric patient with a bladder mass.
Evaluation of the effect of torsemide on warfarin dosage requirements.

Background According to drug interaction databases, torsemide may potentiate the effects of warfarin. Evidence for this drug–drug interaction, however, is conflicting and the clinical significance is unknown. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of torsemide initiation on warfarin dosage requirements. Setting This study was conducted at the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in San Diego, California. Method A retrospective cohort study was conducted using Veterans Affairs data from patients who were converted from bumetanide to torsemide between March 2014 and July 2014. Patients were also prescribed and taking warfarin during the observation period. Warfarin dosage requirements were evaluated to determine if any changes occurred within the first 3 months of starting torsemide. Main outcome measure The primary outcome was the average weekly warfarin dose before and after torsemide initiation. Results Eighteen patients met study inclusion criteria. The weekly warfarin dose before and after initiation of torsemide was not significantly different (34 ± 15 and 34 ± 13 mg, p > 0.05). Of those eighteen patients, only two experienced elevations in INR that required a decrease in warfarin dosage after torsemide initiation. Between those two patients, dosage reductions ranged from 5.3 to 18%. Conclusion These results indicated that most patients did not require any warfarin dosage adjustments after torsemide was initiated. The potential for interaction, however, still exists. While empiric warfarin dosage adjustments are not recommended when initiating torsemide, increased monitoring is warranted to minimize the risk of adverse effects
Transcriptome predictors of coral survival and growth in a highly variable environment.

Concern over rapid environmental shifts associated with climate change has led to a search for molecular markers of environmental tolerance. Climate-associated gene expression profiles exist for a number of systems, but have rarely been tied to fitness outcomes, especially in nonmodel organisms. We reciprocally transplanted corals between two backreef locations with more and less variable temperature regimes to disentangle effects of recent and native environment on survival and growth. Coral growth over 12 months was largely determined by local environment. Survival, however, was impacted by native environment; corals from the more variable environment had 22% higher survivorship. By contrast, corals native to the less variable environment had more variable survival. This might represent a “selective sieve” where poor survivors are filtered from the more stressful environment. We also find a potential fitness trade-off—corals with high survival under stressful conditions grew less in the more benign environment. Transcriptome samples taken a year before transplantation were used to examine gene expression patterns that predicted transplant survival and growth. Two separate clusters of coexpressed genes were predictive of survival in the two locations. Genes from these clusters are candidate biomarkers for predicting persistence of corals under future climate change scenarios.
Effectiveness and Users’ Experience of Face Blurring as a Privacy Protection for Sharing Photos via Online Social Networks:

Photo sharing on online social networks (OSNs) can cause privacy issues. Face blurring is one strategy to increase privacy while still allowing users to share photos. To explore the potential blurr...
Design of a dual wavelength digital holographic imaging system for the examination of layered structures

Digital holographic microscopy uses interference patterns produced by the object and reference waves to computationally reconstruct both amplitude and phase of light reflected from a sample under study. The phase information recorded for each pixel can be converted to a height profile map, yielding a three-dimension image of the sample. Holographic imaging of layered structures, where layers are separated from one another by the axial distances exceeding the wavelength of imaging light, is challenging. Software based 2π phase discontinuity unwrapping, which relies on the gradients produced by the slowly varying sloped surfaces in the sample, is generally impossible. Additionally, dual wavelength phase unwrapping is complicated by the fact that if the layers are not sufficiently reflective, the unwrapping based on the comparison of two single wavelength phase images is unreliable. We present the design of a simultaneous dual wavelength digital holographic microscope, where the phase imaging of each individual layer is performed by a single wavelength, and then the axial distance between all layers is determined based on the comparison between the phase maps produced by each wavelength. By combining two interferometers within one setup, we could acquire two phase profiles simultaneously, enabling fast measurements. We demonstrate that this method is particularly well-suited for imaging of multilayered electrode structures embedded in glass, which contain both high and low reflectivity features.
The Periodic Table: The Ultimate Paper Tool in Chemistry

The term paper tool as well as similar ones like conceptual tools, tools of representation, and tool-box of science, have begun to creep into the literature, especially in the history of science. The first of these terms, paper tools, was coined by Ursula Klein (Klein, “Berzelian Formulas”). The other terms I mention, which evoke similar ideas have been used by the likes of Bruno Latour, Jed Buchwald and Nancy Cartwright in spite of their widely diverging philosophical orientations. In addition terms like “tools of representation” are sometimes used by scientists, in particular in the computational sciences. Since one theme of this volume is `paper tools in chemistry and other experimental science’ I will try to say a few words about how I interpret this phrase.
Luminescence From Si/Sio2 Nanostructures

The discovery of the room-temperature luminescence from Si [1] and Ge nanocrystals [4] has stimulated considerable efforts in understanding optical properties of indirect-gap elemental semiconductor nanostructures. In particular, Si nanocrystals are receiving widespread interest because of their high quantum efficiency of light emission at room temperature. The photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) efficiency of crystalline Si (c-Si) nanoparticles have greatly increased in the last decade. Very recently, optical gain and stimulated emission have been reported in silicon nanoparticles [6]. In addition, there have been many different approaches towards useful Si light-emitting materials and devices compatible with current Si microelectronics [8]. The realization of bright Si light-emitting devices and silicon lasers will bring about a revolution in the semiconductor industry. Optical and electronic devices can be fabricated from the same material of silicon, and silicon will be the leading material for the future optoelectronics.
Proceed with Caution: Interactive Rules and Teacher Work Sample Scoring Strategies, an Ethnomethodological Study.

BackgroundFacing growing accountability pressures, Teacher Work Samples (TWSs) as a model of performance-based assessment is of growing significance in teacher education. Developed at Western Orego...
Intraoperative Fluid Administration and Surgical Outcomes Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy: External Validation at a Tertiary Referral Center

While intraoperative fluid overload is associated with higher complication rates following surgery, data for pancreaticoduodenectomy are scarce and heterogeneous. We evaluated multiple prior definitions of restrictive and liberal fluid regimens and analyzed whether these affected surgical outcomes at our tertiary referral center. Studies evaluating different intraoperative fluid regimens on outcomes after pancreatic resections were retrieved. After application of all prior definitions of restrictive and liberal fluid regimens to our patient cohort, relative risks of each outcome were calculated using all reported infusion regimens. Five hundred and seven pancreaticoduodenectomies were included. Nine different fluid regimens were evaluated. Two regimens utilized absolute volume cutoffs, and the remaining evaluated various infusion rates, ranging from 5 to 15 mL/kg/h. Total volume administration of >5000 mL and >6000 mL was associated with increased complications (RR 1.25 and RR 1.17, respectively) and >6000 mL with increased sepsis (RR 2.14). Conversely, a rate of <5 mL/kg/h was associated with increased risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF, RR 3.16) and sepsis (RR 3.20), <6.8 mL/kg/h with increased major morbidity (RR 1.64) and sepsis (RR 2.27), and <8.2 mL/kg/h with increased POPF (RR 2.16). No effects were observed on pulmonary complications, surgical site infections, length of stay, or mortality. In an uncontrolled setting with no standard intraoperative or postoperative care map, the volume of intraoperative fluid administration appears to have limited impact on early postoperative outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy, with adverse outcomes only seen at extreme values.
Social Media Usage, FOMO, and Conspicuous Consumption: An Exploratory Study: An Abstract

Emerging research into the concept of FOMO (fear of missing out) suggests that higher levels of social media usage increase users’ feelings of anxiety about missing out on opportunities for socialization or novel experiences. Empirical support for this notion is scarce, so further reinforcement is provided. Furthermore, previous studies indicate a strong influence of negative emotions such as envy in motivating social media users to engage in the conspicuous consumption of positional goods and services. Thus, it is proposed that FOMO will motivate social media users to engage in conspicuous consumption of goods and experiences (i.e., posting photos on social media of themselves with prestigious brands and products, as well as engaging in status-enhancing activities such as luxury vacations or exclusive experiences).
In Vitro Analysis of Hedgehog Acyltransferase and Porcupine Fatty Acyltransferase Activities.

Hedgehog and Wnt proteins are modified by covalent attachment of the fatty acids palmitate and palmitoleate, respectively. These lipid modifications are essential for Hedgehog and Wnt protein signaling activities and are catalyzed by related, but distinct fatty acyltransferases: Hedgehog acyltransferase (Hedgehog) and Porcupine (Wnt). In this chapter, we provide detailed methods to directly monitor Hedgehog and Wnt protein fatty acylation in vitro. Palmitoylation of Sonic hedgehog (Shh), a representative Hedgehog family member, is assayed using purified Hedgehog acyltransferase (Hhat) or Hhat-enriched membranes, a recombinant 19 kDa Shh protein or C-terminally biotinylated Shh 10-mer peptide, and 125I-iodopalmitoyl CoA as the donor fatty acyl CoA substrate. The radiolabeled reaction products are quantified by SDS-PAGE and phosphorimaging or by γ-counting. To assay Wnt acylation, the reaction consists of a biotinylated, double disulfide-bonded Wnt peptide containing the sequence surrounding the Wnt3a acylation site, [125I] iodo-cis-9-pentadecenoyl CoA, and Porcupine-enriched membranes. Radiolabeled, biotinylated Wnt3a peptide is captured on streptavidin coated beads and the reaction product is quantified by γ-counting.
Learning to Generate Industrial SAT Instances.

In this paper, we present Satgen, the first implicit generative model of real-world Boolean Satisfiability (SAT) formulas. Our approach uses unsupervised machine learning techniques to generate new formulas by mimicking the structural properties of a given input formula Phi. We proceed in two phases: first, we construct the Literal-Incidence Graph (LIG) of Phi. This is used by a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) to generate new LIGs that exhibit graph-theoretic properties similar to those of the LIG of Phi. In the second phase, we extract a formula whose LIG would correspond to the generated graph. We show that generating such a formula is equivalent to finding a minimal clique edge cover of the given graph, which we tackle efficiently using a greedy hill-climbing algorithm. We verify experimentally that our approach generates formulas that closely resemble a given real-world SAT instance, as measured by a range of different metrics.