cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Derivatives of Plant Phenolic Compound Affect the Type III Secretion System of Pseudomonas aeruginosa via a GacS-GacA Two-Component Signal Transduction System

ABSTRACT Antibiotic therapy is the most commonly used strategy to control pathogenic infections; however, it has contributed to the generation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. To circumvent this emerging problem, we are searching for compounds that target bacterial virulence factors rather than their viability. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic human pathogen, possesses a type III secretion system (T3SS) as one of the major virulence factors by which it secretes and translocates T3 effector proteins into human host cells. The fact that this human pathogen also is able to infect several plant species led us to screen a library of phenolic compounds involved in plant defense signaling and their derivatives for novel T3 inhibitors. Promoter activity screening of exoS , which encodes a T3-secreted toxin, identified two T3 inhibitors and two T3 inducers of P. aeruginosa PAO1. These compounds alter exoS transcription by affecting the expression levels of the regulatory small RNAs RsmY and RsmZ. These two small RNAs are known to control the activity of carbon storage regulator RsmA, which is responsible for the regulation of the key T3SS regulator ExsA. As RsmY and RsmZ are the only targets directly regulated by GacA, our results suggest that these phenolic compounds affect the expression of exoS through the GacSA-RsmYZ-RsmA-ExsA regulatory pathway.
New directions in understanding how the pelvic floor prepares for and recovers from vaginal delivery.

epending on your view, physicians who medicalize women’s recuperative powers after delivery. Participants had D childbirth are either saints or sinners—saints for saving lives or sinners for turning a natural process into an unnatural one. Nearly a century ago, Joseph DeLee likened the process of vaginal delivery to that of the mother falling on a pitchfork and driving the handle through her perineum. His recommendation to use episiotomy and forceps to protect both mother and baby became applied routinely. Decades later, it became apparent that both routine episiotomy and forceps deliveries caused more harm than good in terms of the pelvic floor. Cesarean delivery, which was used initially to save lives, is chosen increasingly to save women from purported ravages of pelvic floor disorders and sexual dysfunction. Yet, similar to the episiotomy and forceps recommended by DeLee, this ultimate medicalization of childbirth has unintended consequences as providers caught in an epidemic of hemorrhage related to abnormal placentation can attest. That women delivered by cesarean are less likely to have pelvic organ prolapse in the future is well documented. But that cesarean delivery is the only intervention in our armamentarium to decrease childbirth-related pelvic floor morbidity strikes me as a failure of imagination. What if we thought about vaginal delivery as sports medicine physicians think about other soft tissue injuries that are sustained in the course of strenuous activity? We would then focus research on fully understanding what structures are injured, how they can be repaired, and how we can improve the recovery process. Given that the demand for care for pelvic floor disorders is projected to increase by 35% between 2010 and 2030, the elimination of even a small proportion of disorders caused in part by childbirth would have a large impact. Two research studies in this month’s Journal provide needed information about maternal recovery after vaginal delivery. Miller et al use data from the Evaluating Maternal Recovery from Labor and Delivery study to demonstrate
Structural and electronic properties of Li8ZrO6 and its CO2 capture capabilities: an ab initio thermodynamic approach

The structural, electronic, and phonon properties of Li8ZrO6 are investigated with the application of density functional theory and lattice phonon dynamics. Based on the calculated data, the thermodynamics of CO2 absorption–desorption for Li8ZrO6 is analyzed and compared with those of Li2ZrO3 and Li6Zr2O7. The band gap of Li8ZrO6 is indirect along Γ–L with a value of 4.74 eV. From the calculated thermodynamic properties of Li8ZrO6 reacting with CO2, we found that Li8ZrO6 could be regenerated at high temperatures (>1100 K). Our results indicated that the lithium zirconate with a lower Li2O/ZrO2 ratio has a lower turnover temperature. Hence, by mixing or doping two or more materials to form a new material, it is possible to find or synthesize CO2 sorbents that can fit the industrial needs for optimal performance. Although the CO2 capture capacity of Li8ZrO6 is much higher than that of Li2ZrO3, the high energy required for regeneration, the capacity loss during long absorption–desorption cycles, solid sintering at high temperature, and the material cost may affect its overall capture performance. Our results also provided some general guidelines for designing new CO2 sorbents.
Comparisons of Ice Cloud Parameters Obtained by Combined Remote Sensor Retrievals and Direct Methods

Abstract Ice cloud microphysical parameters derived from a remote sensing method that uses ground-based measurements from the Environmental Technology Laboratory’s Ka-band radar and an IR radiometer are compared to those obtained from aircraft sampling for the cirrus priority event from the FIRE-II experiment. Aircraft cloud samples were taken not only by traditional two-dimensional probes but also by using a new video sampler to account for small particles. The cloud parameter comparisons were made for time intervals when aircraft were passing approximately above ground-based instruments that were pointed vertically. Comparing characteristic particle sizes expressed in terms of median mass diameters of equal-volume spheres yielded a relative standard deviation of about 30%. The corresponding standard deviation for the cloud ice water content comparisons was about 55%. Such an agreement is considered good given uncertainties of both direct and remote approaches and several orders of magnitude in natural v...
Thiol-Based Redox Modulation of Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase, the Nitric Oxide Receptor

Abstract Significance: Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), which produces the second messenger cyclic guanosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate (cGMP), is at the crossroads of nitric oxide (NO) signaling: sGC catalytic activity is both stimulated by NO binding to the heme and inhibited by NO modification of its cysteine (Cys) thiols (S-nitrosation). Modulation of sGC activity by thiol oxidation makes sGC a therapeutic target for pathologies originating from oxidative or nitrosative stress. sGC has an unusually high percentage of Cys for a cytosolic protein, the majority solvent exposed and therefore accessible modulatory targets for biological and pathophysiological signaling. Recent Advances: Thiol oxidation of sGC contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases by decreasing NO-dependent cGMP production and thereby vascular reactivity. This thiol-based resistance to NO (e.g., increase in peripheral resistance) is observed in hypertension and hyperaldosteronism. Critical Issues: Some roles of specific Cys thi...
Prevention of human immunodeficiency virus infection among adolescents: the interplay of health education and public policy in the development and implementation of school-based AIDS education programs.

Adolescents now accounting for less than 1% of diagnosed AIDS cases in the U.S. may need more intensive health intervention to prevent infection. Since HIV infection is not apparent without testing rates of sexual activity teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases are indicators of risk. Data indicate that sexual initiation is occurring earlier numbers of partners are increasing a girls risk of pregnancy by age 20 is 40% and STDs are the most common communicable diseases facing adolescents. Surveys from San Francisco in 1987 found that teens knew that sexual intercourse is the primary route of HIV transmission but only 60% knew that condoms reduce the risk. Few U.S. schools have AIDS education in their formal curriculum and even fewer do evaluations. Standardized AIDS education in schools should be mandatory in intermediate and secondary school; teacher training in knowledge attitudes and value assessment should be included; and results of programs should be evaluated. These education programs must involve students in decision-making resistance training coping strategies and options as well as providing knowledge and dispelling myths and fears. Even thou polls show that 88% of adolescents and 91% of parents favor mandatory HIV/AIDS education in schools the requirement of standardized testable curriculum is controversial. A core curriculum should be universal to provide teens with knowledge they may need if they leave their locale and culture.
Design of Compressor Blades Suitable for Transonic Axial-Flow Compressors

This paper deals with the development of a blade profile suitable for transonic axial-flow compressors. Development of new incidence and deviation rules incorporating thickness, Mach numbers, and position of maximum thickness corrections are fully explained. In addition, a step-by-step analysis for the calculation of the blade profile for a transonic compressor is presented. The design method outlined is easily adaptable for the digital computer. A flow chart of the procedure to facilitate programming has also been included.Copyright © 1967 by ASME
Carbon Hotspots in the Food and Beverage Industry: Insights from Analyzing the Product Portfolio of a Global Packaged Consumer Goods Company

Some efforts to streamline and accelerate product-level life cycle assessments (LCA) with regards to greenhouse gas emissions (product carbon footprinting, PCF) rely on first grouping products into categories and then building simplified LCA models around emission hotpots. This requires, among others, fundamental understanding of how much such hotspots can vary from product to product, across brands, and country of origin. Here, we apply a novel fast LCA methodology to first quantify and then analyze PCFs of 3,335 stock keeping units (SKUs) of a global food snack and beverage company. We find that the often cited dominance of the supply chain's contribution to the total footprint is valid for large portfolios of products in aggregate (75%-93% contribution). However, this does not remain universally valid when analyzing individual brands and SKUs: At SKU level, the metric varies widely, from 9% (smallest supply chain contribution) to nearly 100%. For 254 of the 3,335 SKUs, less than 50% of overall emissions originate in the supply chain. SKU-level carbon intensity (PCF divided by net SKU weight) varies widely as well, in our sample from 0.1 to 70. It also varies within brands, indicating a design challenge for stream-lined models. SKU-average carbon intensityvaries between ~0.4 (beverages) to ~4 (some baked snacks). The portfolio-level footprint (3,335 SKUs in our sample) is highly concentrated: 4% of SKUs contribute 50% of annual GHG; 2.5% of the 6,040 acquired individual raw materials contribute 40% of annual GHG from all raw materials, the majority of the 2.5% being agricultural ingredients.
Processing, Characterization and Reliability of Silica Xerogel Films for Interlayer Dielectric Applications

Surface modified silica xerogel films of high porosity (25–90 %) and uniform thickness (0.4–2 µm) were fabricated at ambient pressure on silicon and other substrates. Mechanical reliability of the films was determined by measuring fracture toughness (adhesive) as a function of aging time and temperature using the modified edge-lift-off technique. There is an optimum aging time at 60 °C aging to obtain maximum fracture toughness for the procedure used here. Cu/xerogel/Si and Ta/xerogel/Si structures were annealed at different temperatures and in different ambient environments were analyzed using RBS and optical microscopy to assess the extent of interaction with the xerogel film. When annealed in N2 with trace amounts of O2 (equivalent to 10-7-10-6 Torr vacuum), RBS analysis does not show diffusion of Cu or Ta through the xerogel up to 450 °C. At higher temperatures, or in the presence of larger concentrations of O2, Cu and Ta oxidize. Cu oxidation leads to significant diffusion through the xerogel. Ta oxidation also results in diffusion-like RBS spectra. Using the micron-size ion beam to probe the Ta surface, this was found to be solely due to buckling of Ta films on xerogel. A thin SiNx layer on top of Cu and Ta prevents metal oxidation up to 640 °C, Cu diffusion, and Ta buckling.
Artificial Light: Experimental Problems with Insects

The use of artificial light sources in entomological research requires a thorough understanding of the complexities of artificial light, and artificial light sources should mimic natural light as closely as possible. Insect eyes and human eyes differ greatly in spectral sensitivity and possible experimental influences from these differences need to be minimized. An approximation of daylight can be achieved using a 1:1 mixture of “daylight” fluorescent lamps and “wide-spectrum grow light” fluorescent lamps. Instrumentation that is capable of measuring light intensity within the 300–650 nanometer (nm) range should be used, and light intensity should be reported in radiometric units. To allow the experiment to be reproduced, reported measurements of radiant energy from light sources should include the type of lamp, the voltage and type of electrical current (alternating or direct current) powering the lamp. The use of foot candles, meter candles, or lux should be discouraged as inappropriate for entomological studies. Light intensities should be manipulated to retain the same spectral emission across the entire array of experimental intensities; this can be achieved by using one to several layers of window screen as an intensity filter. Insect flicker fusion frequencies range from 20 cycles per second (cps) to 300 cps whereas human eyes have a flicker fusion frequency of 45–53 cps. The flicker sensitivity of insects under artificial light is important because alternating current-powered fluorescent lamps that use standard ballasts and alternating current powered-incandescent lamps flicker 120 cps. Fluorescent lamps flicker in a definite on-off pattern; incandescent lamp flicker involves short bursts of short-wavelength light (<450 nm). Two different methods are necessary to eliminate flicker from incandescent and fluorescent light.
Use of a glass edge in thin sectioning for electron microscopy.

The use of a steel microtome knife in cutting sections for electron microscopy has certain disadvantages, especially in the achievement and maintenance of a sufficiently sharp edge, which involve a considerable expenditure of time. The search for a knife material having homogeneity and hardness without excessive brittleness led to the development of a glass cutting edge. With it, we have been able to cut thin sections more consistently, easily, and rapidly than with steel microtome knives. Since the glass “knives” are obtained simply by breaking them from a strip of glass, the tedious and uncertain sharpening procedures necessary with steel knives are eliminated. Inspection with the light microscope reveals a smoother and, we believe, sharper edge. Fewer grooves or scratches are found on the face of a block of tissue after it has been cut with the glass edge. The glass knives are also quite inexpensive. The knives are made by breaking a strip 11/2″ wide and about 12″ long from a sheet of plate glass appro...
Effects of Chemical Treatments on CdZnTe X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Detectors

Room-temperature semiconductor detectors, such as cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe), often are subjected to surface damage during fabrication, thus reducing their performance in detecting X-rays and gamma-rays. In this study, we compared two surface-passivation chemical solutions: Ammonium fluoride in hydrogen peroxide ( ${\rm {NH}}_{4}{\rm F}+ {{\rm H}_2}{{\rm O}_2}+ {{\rm H}_2}{\rm O}$ ) and potassium hydroxide in hydrogen peroxide (0.1 g of KOH + 10 ml of 30% ${{\rm H}_2}{{\rm O}_2}$ ). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis showed that the ${\rm {NH}}_{4} {\rm F}$ -based solution is more effective at converting Te species on the CdZnTe surfaces into a more stable ${\rm {TeO}}_2$ layer, attaining values of 4.90 and 5.34 for the ${\rm {Te}}3{d_{3/2}}{{\rm O}_2}/{\rm {Te}}3{d_{3/2}}$ and ${\rm {Te}}3{d_{5/2}}{{\rm O}_2}/{\rm {Te}}3{d_{5/2}}$ peak-height ratios respectively, compared to the KOH-based solution with 1.25 and 1.19, respectively. The current-voltage measurements showed an increase in the bulk leakage current for freshly passivated samples compared to those of mechanically polished samples. However, within a period of about three to 14 days, their leakage currents reduced to values in the range of the mechanically polished samples. The resistivity of the CdZnTe samples is on the order of ${10^{10}}\;\Omega\hbox{-cm}$ . The ${\rm {NH}}_{4}{\rm F}$ -based chemical contributed less to the leakage current. Its leakage current at 60 V is 6.3 times that of the mechanically polished sample, compared to 30.5 for the sample passivated with the KOH-based solution. Analysis of the 59.5-keV peak of Am-241 showed that the sample passivated with the ${\rm {NH}}_{4}{\rm F}$ -based solution has a better energy resolution compared to the one passivated with the KOH-based solution.
The Effects of Text Structure Instruction on Expository Reading Comprehension: A Meta-Analysis

In this meta-analysis of 45 studies involving students in Grades 2–12, the authors present evidence on the effects of text structure instruction on the expository reading comprehension of students. The meta-analysis was deigned to answer 2 sets of questions. The first set of questions examined the effectiveness of text structure instruction on proximal measures of comprehension, including examination of potential moderators and effectiveness for students with or at-risk for disabilities. The second set of questions examined the effectiveness on transfer measures of the effectiveness of the intervention across temporal contexts (maintenance), near-contexts (untaught text structures), and far-contexts (general reading comprehension). Overall, the results indicated that text structure instruction improves expository reading comprehension, but the effects were tempered when text structure instruction was compared with stronger comparison groups. The findings also identified 2 moderators that led to increased effect sizes (teaching more text structures and including writing in the instruction). Text structure instruction was also found to be effective across all 3 levels of transfer, although the effects for far-transfer are small and lack consistency. Recommendations include conducting more research to understand the nuances of potential interactions between various instructional approaches and student populations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
The 0.4 NO x Research Objective

Two vehicle manufacturers have published papers in which they describe their research aimed at the development of emission control systems which meet the Federal research objective emission levels of 0.41 g mi-1 HC, 3.4 g mi-1 CO, and 0.4 g mi-1 NO x [18a, 31]. The development programs are aimed at achieving these emission levels at low mileage and at establishing the necessary durability of the emission control systems using the 80,000 km certification durability schedule [18a, 31]. Of course, vehicle emission levels far below the research objective are sought at low mileage in order to allow for vehicle-to-vehicle variation in emissions and for catalyst deterioration during use. The published reports of these programs indicate that further development is required before the experimental systems can be considered viable [18a, 31].
Miravalles Power Station, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica

The drive from San Jose, Costa Rica's capital, to its geothermal power complex at Miravalles is best attempted during the dry season and in daylight. It is a spectacular trip. This chapter examines the details of the various power plants at Miravalles, and sees how the Costa Ricans overcame two serious obstacles that could have blocked the development of the field. In 1975, ICE began identifying geothermal areas worthy of further exploration. The geoscientific studies together with data acquired by drilling have led to a fairly clear picture of the reservoir and a good working model of the field. A problem encountered by ICE with the Miravalles wells is that the wells in the northeast sector of the field, closest to the volcano, produce highly acidic geofluid. ICE has devised a method for neutralizing the acidic geofluid using a downwell injection scheme similar to the one used to inhibit calcite scaling. ICE is working on developing a new chemical inhibition process to counteract these adverse side effects of the neutralization process. Throughout the development of geothermal resources at Miravalles, ICE has been sensitive to preserving the environment from any harmful effects. There are several aspects of geothermal power development that might adversely affect the environment, but at each step ICE took action to mitigate these effects.
Low Cost Digital Image Photogrammetry

A problem in modular shipbuilding is the lack of a reliable, low-cost method of obtaining and utilizing dimensional control in 3D. Photogrammetry has been successfully used as a tool for this application, but because of the large number of systematic errors associated with film-based cameras, only very large shipyards are using it. Recently, developments in Charge Coupled Device (CCD) imaging arrays for cameras have allowed some success in applying photogrammetric techniques dimensional control Mainstream photogrammetric software and hardware configurations have been expensive and complicated. Digital camera systems and computers were purchased and programmed to tie existing inexpensive software packages with Geometric Dilution of Control (GDOP) error propagation analysis, originally designed for topographic mapping, into a tool for production shipyard fabrication dimensional control.
Effects of exposure in single and multiple contexts on fear renewal: The moderating role of threat-specific and nonspecific emotionality.

Abstract Background and objectives The current study examines effects of exposure in multiple contexts on fear reduction and renewal and the moderating effect of baseline threat-specific and nonspecific emotionality. Methods Snake-fearful participants received a negative or neutral emotion induction and were randomized to video exposure to a snake in a single context, multiple context, or a no exposure control group. Results Anxiety in response to video presentations of a snake was significantly reduced in the two exposure groups compared to the control group, especially among those with heightened baseline threat-specific emotionality as indicated by snake anxiety ratings at baseline. Although the two exposure groups did not differ in responding when confronted with a novel snake, both exposure groups reported significantly lower snake anxiety and arousal than the control group. Subsequent analysis did show that compared to controls, the single context group demonstrated greater increase in anxiety and arousal from post-exposure to exposure to the novel snake among those with heightened snake anxiety at baseline. Furthermore, the multiple context group was less avoidant and less fearful than the single context group on a post-exposure behavioral test. Limitations The study used an analogue exposure paradigm with an analogue sample and findings may not be generalizable to a clinical population. Conclusions These findings suggest that baseline threat-specific emotionality influences fear reduction and renewal. The benefits of exposure in multiple contexts are discussed in relation to a distinct pattern of symptom change that is in line with an inhibitory learning approach.
Seismic evidence for a cold serpentinized mantle wedge beneath Mount St Helens

Mount St Helens is the most active volcano within the Cascade arc; however, its location is unusual because it lies 50 km west of the main axis of arc volcanism. Subduction zone thermal models indicate that the down-going slab is decoupled from the overriding mantle wedge beneath the forearc, resulting in a cold mantle wedge that is unlikely to generate melt. Consequently, the forearc location of Mount St Helens raises questions regarding the extent of the cold mantle wedge and the source region of melts that are responsible for volcanism. Here using, high-resolution active-source seismic data, we show that Mount St Helens sits atop a sharp lateral boundary in Moho reflectivity. Weak-to-absent PmP reflections to the west are attributed to serpentinite in the mantle-wedge, which requires a cold hydrated mantle wedge beneath Mount St Helens (<∼700 °C). These results suggest that the melt source region lies east towards Mount Adams. Mount St Helens is the most active volcano in the Cascades but is located 50 km west of the arc axis. Hansen et al. use high resolution seismic data to image a boundary in Moho reflectivity beneath St Helens implying a serpentinized mantle wedge and a melt source region that lies to the east towards Mount Adams.
Comrades at Odds: The United States and India, 1947–1964

Comrades at Odds explores the complicated Cold War relationship between the United States and the newly independent India of Jawaharlal Nehru from a unique perspective-that of culture, broadly defined. In a departure from the usual way of doing diplomatic history, Andrew J. Rotter chose culture as his jumping-off point because, he says, "Like the rest of us, policymakers and diplomats do not shed their values, biases, and assumptions at their office doors. They are creatures of culture, and their attitudes cannot help but shape the policy they make." To define those attitudes, Rotter consults not only government documents and the memoirs of those involved in the events of the day, but also literature, art, and mass media. "An advertisement, a photograph, a cartoon, a film, and a short story," he finds, "tell us in their own ways about relations between nations as surely as a State Department memorandum does." While expanding knowledge about the creation and implementation of democracy, Rotter carries his analysis across the categories of race, class, gender, religion, and culturally infused practices of governance, strategy, and economics. Americans saw Indians as superstitious, unclean, treacherous, lazy, and prevaricating. Indians regarded Americans as arrogant, materialistic, uncouth, profane, and violent. Yet, in spite of these stereotypes, Rotter notes the mutual recognition of profound similarities between the two groups; they were indeed "comrades at odds."
Calculating surface ocean pCO(2) from biogeochemical Argo floats equipped with pH: An uncertainty analysis

U.S. National Science Foundation's Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) project under the NSF [PLR-1425989]; NASA [NNX14AP49G]; U.S. Argo through NOAA/JISAO grant [NA17RJ1232]; Ocean Observations and Monitoring Division, Climate Program Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce; David and Lucile Packard Foundation; NOAA Climate and Global Change postdoctoral fellowship; ARCS Foundation Oregon Chapter
TRANSFER FACTOR IMMUNOTHERAPY IN CANCER

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews results of experiments conducted to study transfer factor (TF) immunotherapy in cancer. The chapter states that the rationale for the use of TF in antitumor therapy is that certain persons are immune to same tumor antigens and that TF isolated from those individuals will activate specific antitumor activity in cancer patients. The experimental team selected patients for the study who had histologically proven cancer usually with widespread tumor dissemination and had failed to respond further to conventional therapy. Thirteen patients showed a clinical response to transfer factor in terms of regression of the tumor, arrest of metastases or relief of pain. Additionally, it was observed during tests that none of the patients who responded favorably to TF were blocked in culture when they entered the study. The examination results revealed that dermal responses to selected tumor antigens were examined in many of the TF recipients. The specificity of the dermal reactions was determined by dermal responses to different tumor antigen preparations in patients with histologically distinct tumors.
Quantitative Models for the Kinetics of Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity at the Single Cell Level

Is there a role for quantitative theory in helping us understand cell mediated cytotoxicity? In many areas of science, but particularly physics and chemistry, theory has played a fundamental, and in some cases an essential, role in advancing knowledge. In physics a primary activity of theorists is to envision and then explore in a quantitative manner alternative constructions for the universe. A theorist might ask how the orbits of the eight closest planets surrounding the sun would change if there were a ninth planet, or how bubble chamber tracks might look if there were a new elementary particle, or how a clock would run if it were in a space ship traveling at 99% the speed of light, or what the diffraction pattern of nucleic acid would be if the molecule were a double helix. By engaging in flights of fantasy and examining in a quantitative manner the consequences of alternative designs of the universe, great progress has been made in the physical sciences. Given such successes, one is tempted to believe that there is a role for similar theoretical activities in cell biology and immunology. Here we demonstrate how a theoretical approach can be used to gain insights into T cell mediated cytotoxicity.
PENGEMBANGAN PERANGKAT PEMBELAJARAN COMPETENCE BASED TRAINING (CBT) BERBASIS KOMPETENSI KERJA DI SEKOLAH MENENGAH KEJURUAN (SMK)

Satu diantara beberapa tujuan penelitian pengembangan model pembelajaran Competensi Based Training (CBT) pada bidang teknik komputer jaringan (TKJ), adalah pengembangan perangkat pembelajaran.Sehingga tulisan ini bertujuan untuk menemukan cara mengembangkan perangkat pembelajaran sebagai bahan ajar CBT dalam bidang TKJ di SMK. Penelitian ini merupakan Research & Development. Menurut Gall,M.D.,Gall,J.PB (2) perancangan dan pengembangan; (3) validasi; (4) ujicoba dan (5) evaluasi. Pada tahap pengembangan, model dikembangkan mengacu pada model Systematic Curriculum & Instructional Development (SCID). Hasil penelitian pada tahap perancangan dan pengembangan adalah, ditemukan prototipe perangkat pembelajaran CBT. Kata Kunci: CBT, Perangkat Pembelajaran Berbasis Kompetensi Kerja.
High-resolution anoscopy: Is it necessary in the management of anal epithelial neoplasia

Abstract The prevalence of anal cancer has more than doubled in the United States over the past 30 years. Consequently, there is a need to develop effective screening, treatment, and surveillance programs for patients at increased risk for anal cancer. Many of these approaches have been borrowed from cervical cancer due to the shared pathology involving the human papillomavirus and successful screening and surveillance methods developed with the use of high-resolution magnification. However, there is limited evidence to support the use of high-resolution anoscopy for populations at increased risk for anal cancer. In this review, we will examine the literature evaluating the use of high-resolution anoscopy and its role in the screening, surveillance, and treatment of patients at risk for developing anal cancer.
Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Stereotactic Radiosurgery Alone Versus Stereotactic Radiosurgery with Upfront Whole Brain Radiation Therapy for Brain Metastases

Abstract Aims Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone or upfront whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) plus SRS are the most commonly used treatment options for one to three brain oligometastases. The most recent randomised clinical trial result comparing SRS alone with upfront WBRT plus SRS (NCCTG N0574) has favoured SRS alone for neurocognitive function, whereas treatment options remain controversial in terms of cognitive decline and local control. The aim of this study was to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of these two competing treatments. Materials and methods A Markov model was constructed for patients treated with SRS alone or SRS plus upfront WBRT based on largely randomised clinical trials. Costs were based on 2016 Medicare reimbursement. Strategies were compared using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and effectiveness was measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were carried out. Strategies were evaluated from the healthcare payer's perspective with a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000 per QALY gained. Results In the base case analysis, the median survival was 9 months for both arms. SRS alone resulted in an ICER of $9917 per QALY gained. In one-way sensitivity analyses, results were most sensitive to variation in cognitive decline rates for both groups and median survival rates, but the SRS alone remained cost-effective for most parameter ranges. Conclusions Based on the current available evidence, SRS alone was found to be cost-effective for patients with one to three brain metastases compared with upfront WBRT plus SRS.
Closeness and Conflict With the Deceased: Exploring the Factor Structure of the Quality of Relationships Inventory in a Bereaved Student Sample.

With mounting empirical evidence that interpersonal closeness and conflict with the deceased prior to death are significant predictors of grief reactions following loss, accurate empirical examinat...
Religion and HPV vaccine-related awareness, knowledge, and receipt among insured women aged 18-26 in Utah.

Introduction We investigate the associations between religious practice and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine-related awareness, knowledge, and receipt among young women in Utah. Methods We surveyed 326 insured women aged 18–26 by mail. Fisher's Exact Tests and multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relations between religious practice and HPV vaccine-related outcomes. Data collection occurred January-December 2013; analyses were conducted June-September 2015. Results Multivariable analyses reveal that when controlling for age, educational attainment, and marital status, participants who practiced an organized religion were significantly less likely to have heard of HPV (aOR = 0.25, p = 0.0123), to have heard of the HPV vaccine (aOR = 0.41, p = 0.0368), to know how HPV is spread (aOR = 0.45, p = 0.0074), to have received a provider recommendation for the HPV vaccine (aOR = 0.36, p = 0.0332), and to have received at least one (aOR = 0.50, p = 0.0073) or all three (aOR = 0.47, p = 0.0026) doses of the HPV vaccine. Bivariate analyses produce parallel results. Conclusions Results indicate that religious young women in Utah are not only under-vaccinated, but are also under-informed about HPV and the HPV vaccine. These results suggest that suboptimal vaccine coverage among religious young women may present a serious health risk for the community. Strategies for educational interventions targeted to this population are discussed.
A study of coherent gain degradation due to node vibrations in open loop coherent distributed arrays

One of the primary challenges in implementing open-loop coherent distributed arrays is the requirement to measure the separation between platforms to a fraction of a wavelength. For aerial platforms operating at microwave frequencies, it is thus important to understand the effects of platform vibration, in particular how often the range measurement must be updated in order to ensure that vibration does not sufficiently move the platforms such that the coherent gain is degraded. This paper analyzes worst-case vibration profiles for various aircraft types, showing that update rates of only 200 Hz are sufficient to ensure negligible reduction in coherent gain from platform vibration.
A Community-Level Sodium Reduction Intervention, Boston, 2013–2015

Objectives. To evaluate a community-level sodium-reduction intervention in Boston, Massachusetts. Reducing sodium in the food offerings of community settings may help reduce hypertension disparities.Methods. We examined changes in the proportion of prepackaged foods with greater than 200 milligrams of sodium in 7 hospitals, 8 YMCAs, 4 community health centers, and 2 organizations serving homeless populations. Research assistants documented prepackaged items in cafeterias, kiosks, and vending machines before and after the intervention (2013–2015). We assessed intervention change via linear mixed models accounting for repeated observations.Results. There were 161 access points at baseline (4347 facings) and 171 (4996 facings) at follow-up. The percentage of prepackaged products with greater than 200 milligrams of sodium decreased from 29.0% at baseline to 21.5% at follow-up (P = .003). Changes were driven by improvements in hospital cafeterias and kiosks (P = .003). The percentage of products with greater t...
The evolution of the manus of early theropod dinosaurs is characterized by high inter- and intraspecific variation.

The origin of the avian hand, with its reduced and fused carpals and digits, from the five-fingered hands and complex wrists of early dinosaurs represents one of the major transformations of manus morphology among tetrapods. Much attention has been directed to the later part of this transition, from four- to three-fingered taxa. However, earlier anatomical changes may have influenced these later modifications, possibly paving the way for a later frameshift in digit identities. We investigate the five- to four-fingered transition among early dinosaurs, along with changes in carpus morphology. New three-dimensional reconstructions from computed tomography data of the manus of the Triassic and Early Jurassic theropod dinosaurs Coelophysis bauri and Megapnosaurus rhodesiensis are described and compared intra- and interspecifically. Several novel findings emerge from these reconstructions and comparisons, including the first evidence of an ossified centrale and a free intermedium in some C. bauri specimens, as well as confirmation of the presence of a vestigial fifth metacarpal in this taxon. Additionally, a specimen of C. bauri and an unnamed coelophysoid from the Upper Triassic Hayden Quarry, New Mexico, are to our knowledge the only theropods (other than alvarezsaurs and birds) in which all of the distal carpals are completely fused together into a single unit. Several differences between the manus of C. bauri and M. rhodesiensis are also identified. We review the evolution of the archosauromorph manus more broadly in light of these new data, and caution against incorporating carpal characters in phylogenetic analyses of fine-scale relationships of Archosauromorpha, in light of the high degree of observed polymorphism in taxa for which large sample sizes are available, such as the theropod Coelophysis and the sauropodomorph Plateosaurus. We also find that the reduction of the carpus and ultimate loss of the fourth and fifth digits among early dinosaurs did not proceed in a neat, stepwise fashion, but was characterized by multiple losses and possible gains of carpals, metacarpals and phalanges. Taken together, the high degree of intra- and interspecific variability in the number and identities of carpals, and the state of reduction of the fourth and fifth digits suggest the presence of a 'zone of developmental variability' in early dinosaur manus evolution, from which novel avian-like morphologies eventually emerged and became channelized among later theropod clades.
Robust Low-Complexity methods for matrix column outlier identification

This paper examines the problem of locating outlier columns in a large, otherwise low-rank matrix, in settings where the data are noisy, or where the overall matrix has missing elements. We propose an efficient randomized two-step inference framework, and establish sufficient conditions on the required sample complexities under which these methods succeed (with high probability) in accurately locating the outliers for each task. Comprehensive numerical experimental results are provided to validate the theoretical bounds and demonstrate the computational efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
I Dream a World: Black Panther and the Re-Making of Blackness

Black Panther has been a critical and financial success and a defining moment for black storytelling in Hollywood. This is the first superhero movie with a predominantly black creative team and cas...
Spending Surges: Considerations Toward a Proposed Model for Explaining Budgetary Slack in Expiring Budgets

A review of an expiring budget and its impact on the budgeting process is very important. Two issues can quickly arise from the practice of budgeting based on budgetary slack. First, a department might feel incentivized to initially reduce (or hold back) spending during the early stages of the budgeting cycle. Second, as an extension to the prior idea, the department might experience an increase in spending as the end of the budget cycle draws near. The present research serves two purposes: The first purpose of this paper is to explore spending surges towards the end of a budgeting cycle. The secondary purpose of the paper is to explore the honesty of a department by using slack levels as an indicator. Based on the review of the literature, two general research questions will guide the development of a theoretical model to explain spending surges toward the end of a budgetary cycle.
Characteristics of BaTiO 3 for electro-optic devices

We describe a number of promising applications which make use of the favorable electro-optic properties of BaTiO 3 .
[Strategic framework for cholera prevention and control in Chengdu: construction and effectiveness evaluation].

Objective To construct an operable strategic framework for cholera prevention and control which mobilized the advantages of local resources and adapted to social developments in Chengdu,and to evaluate its application effects. Methods (1) After analyzing the local epidemic data of cholera in Chengdu from 1994 to 2004,we determined the main problems of cholera prevention and control works as well as the efficiency and deficiency of employed measures,and then formed a basic strategic framework.(2) After 55 invited experts preliminarily scored the strategic framework,we selected 72 specific measures to establish a measure entry database,and then the importance and operability of each measure were scored by 17 core experts.(3) Finally,the effectiveness of this strategic framework was evaluated according to the analyzing results of infection control,health education and etiological monitoring. Results (1) The framework took government leadership as main scenario and the informatization as subordination scenario.Meanwhile,it focused on three points:the improvement of social environment,the completion of system and mechanisms for monitoring and early warning,and the enhancement of CDC response to public health emergencies.Total importance score and operability score of 35 specific measures included in this framework was 4.20 ± 0.86 and 4.09 ± 0.87,respectively.(2) Chengdu had maintained zero cholera incidence for five consecutive years from 2005 to 2009 since it gradually began to implement the strategic framework in 2002.There were 19 positive cholera cases detected by etiological monitoring and all of them were seafood or fishery products including soft-shelled turtles,silver carps and bullfrogs.The coverage rate and qualification rate of the training for grassroots cadres,grassroots medical workers,mobile cooks and their assistants was 98.14% (198 452/202 220) and 98.17% (194 820/198 452) in average,respectively.The qualification rate of the training for employees in food industry was over 96.00% (912 470/950 489).The average awareness rate of cholera prevention and cure knowledge in rural residents,grassroots cadres,grassroots medical workers,mobile cooks and their assistants was 93.87% (1653/1761) and the average formation rate of good hygiene habits was 70.58% (1243/1761). Conclusion A strategic framework suitable for cholera prevention and control in Chengdu has been successfully established in this study.The incidence rate of cholera has maintained zero in Chengdu for five consecutive years under incessant threatening conditions such as the occurrence of cholera cases from time to time in its surrounding areas and the continuous existence of Bacillus comma in seafood or fishery products that entered local markets.Therefore,it demonstrated a good application effects. Key words: Cholera; Universal precautions; Games,experimental; Evaluation studies
Interpolation in k-Space with Functions of Arbitrary Smoothness

One can generally make first-principles calculations of crystalline properties only at a very few points of high symmetry in the Brillouin zone. It is then extremely important to be able to interpolate the relevant functions throughout the zone with smooth, well behaved functions possessing the appropriate symmetry of the crystal zone. However, a straightforward attempt to fit the computed data with some of a set of symmetry-adapted functions may well lead to unacceptably wild results. This is a special case of a very common problem of interpolation, where periodic or other boundary conditions, and/or the dimensionality of the domain, combine to render the usually obvious basis set of functions unsuitable for fitting to a limited number of data points. For example, a simple one-dimensional set of data is shown in Fig. 1, together with Fig. 2, the interpolating function obtained by fitting the data with the first 20 Fourier components. Clearly, the straightforward approach is inadequate. It is the purpose of this paper to explain how smooth interpolating functions can be: (a) constructed from a basis set possessing the proper symmetry properties, and (b) fitted to a set of data with little more numerical work than is involved in the unsatisfactory approach shown.
TNFα inhibitors exacerbate Mycobacterium paratuberculosis infection in tissue culture: a rationale for poor response of patients with Crohn's disease to current approved therapy.

Background The role of Mycobacteriumavium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in Crohn’s disease (CD) is increasingly accepted as evident by detection of the bacteria in the blood and intestinal tissue from patients with CD, and by supporting data from several open-label anti-MAP treatment studies. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) monoclonal antibodies (anti-TNFα) have been widely used for CD treatment. Despite the short-term benefit of anti-TNFα in controlling CD symptoms, most patients suffer from detrimental adverse effects, including higher susceptibility to mycobacterial infections. Methods We investigated the effect of recombinant cytokines and anti-TNFα therapeutics on macrophages infected with clinical MAP strain isolated from CD patient blood. MAP viability was measured in macrophages pulsed with PEGylated and non-PEGylated anti-TNFα monoclonal antibodies at concentrations 0 to 50 µg/mL and with rTNFα, rIL-6, rIL-12, rIL-23 and IFNγ at a final concentration of 1000 U/mL. Expression of proinflammatory cytokines was measured by RT-PCR following MAP infection. Results Both PEGylated and non-PEGylated forms of anti-TNFα increased MAP viability by nearly 1.5 logs. rIL-6 and rIL-12 induced MAP viability at 5.42±0.25 and 4.79±0.14 log CFU/mL, respectively. In contrast, rTNFα reduced MAP survival in infected macrophages by 2.63 logs. Expression of TNFα, IL-6 and IL-12 was upregulated threefold following MAP or M. tuberculosis infection compared with other bacterial strains (p Conclusion The data indicate MAP-positive patients with CD receiving anti-TNFα treatment could result in favourable conditions for MAP infection, which explains the poor response of many patients with CD to anti-TNFα therapy.