cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Management of drug overdose

Abstract Routine poison management involves: o I. Stabilization II. Toxidrome recognition III. Decontamination IV. Antidote administration V. Enhanced elimination of toxin VI. Supportive care Stabilization involves airway, ventilation, and circulation support. In the patient with altered mental status, oxygen, naloxone, glucose, and thiamine should be administered. Specific symptom complexes that can be related to specific classifications of toxins are referred to as toxidromes. Emesis by means of ipecacsyrup is rarely used for in-hospital gastric decontamination. Activated charcoal is a useful adsorbent for gastric decontamination. Whole bowel irrigation is useful for iron, lead, lithium, and the body packer phenomenon. Enhancement of elimination may involve multiple dosing of activated charcoal, diuresis (with or without ion trapping), hemodialysis, or charcoal hemoperfusion.
Early eyelid opening enhances spontaneous alternation and accelerates the development of perforant path synaptic strength in the hippocampus of juvenile rats

Development of the hippocampus is not entirely preprogrammed; its structure and function are sensitive to postnatal experience. For instance, neonatal handling/exposure to novelty and peripubertal environmental enrichment enhance hippocampal function and related memory abilities. However, these complex environmental manipulations make it difficult to deduce the primary stimuli that drive more rapid hippocampal maturation, and few experiments have studied the neural mechanisms that support the behavioral modifications. To address these issues, I performed early eyelid opening in rat pups and examined developmental alterations in exploration of a Y-maze and in synaptic transmission measured in hippocampal slices. Early eyelid opening accelerated development of spontaneous alternation. Additionally, early eyelid opening promoted more rapid remodeling of afferent input to the dentate gyrus and area CA1 as well as earlier maturation of perforant path synaptic physiology. These findings implicate visual input as an extrinsic factor that drives hippocampal development and the emergence of hippocampal-dependent behavior. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 45: 1–9, 2004.
Further studies of the effects of morphine on the levels of MHPG-SO4 in rat brain.

Abstract The acute administration of morphine resulted in an increase in the levels of the sulfate conjugate of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG-SO4), a major metabolite of norepinephrine in rat brain. Pretreatment with naloxone, at doses which did not significantly alter MHPG-SO4, attenuated the morphine-induced increase in MHPG-SO4. The morphine-induced increase in levels of MHPG-SO4 was not the result of a drug-induced blockade of the egress of the metabolite from brain, since the rate of disappearance of MHPG-SO4 in animals pretreated with pargyline was similar in morphine-treated and control groups. Moreover, morphine did not inhibit the uptake of intracisternally administered 1-norepinephrine-H3 nor did it produce alterations in norepinephrine-H3 metabolism. With chronic administration of morphine, tolerance developed to the morphine-induced increase in MHPG-SO3 levels in rat brain, and, following cessation of chronic treatment with morphine, the levels of MHPG-SO4 were significantly decreased.
Development of a valid and reliable evaluation instrument for undergraduate nursing students during simulation

Background : Many nurse educators are using instruments to evaluate undergraduate nursing students' performance during simulation. Rigorous reliability and validity testing for such instruments is often not presented. Evaluation and testing of instruments used is needed to support objective measurement of student performance. Methods : This paper describes the development and testing of three new scenario-specific checklist instruments used for evaluating undergraduate nursing students' performance on an Objective Structured Clinical Examination using simulation. The new instruments were compared with original weighted ones previously used. An informal Delphi method was used to enhance content validity; Cronbach's alpha was utilized for reliability testing. Results : Although neither set of instruments had been used with trained raters, the new set of instruments performed better on reliability analysis. Conclusions : Checklist instruments may be more reliable in the objective measurement of student performance.
On charge‐transfer complexes in the vapor phase

The data on charge-transfer complexes in the vapor phase are analyzed and compared with the data for solutions. An attempt is made to distinguish between the effects of true charge-transfer forces and those attributable to simple van der Waals forces. The complex in the iodine-benzene system in the vapor phase appears to be held together almost solely by van der Waals forces, whereas in other cases the charge-transfer forces contribute in varying degree. Certain inferences are made concerning the mutual orientation of molecules in true charge-transfer complexes, and its effects on the equilibrium constants and absorption intensities. Some remarks on the effect of the complexes on the rate of association of iodine atoms have been appended.
No audible wheezing nuggets and conundrums from mouse asthma models

Mouse models of T helper type 2 (Th2) cell–biased pulmonary inflammation have elucidated mechanisms of sensitization, cell traffic, and induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Nonetheless, most mice lack intrinsic AHR, a central property of human asthma, and disparities persist regarding the contributions of eosinophils and mast cells and the sensitivity to induced AHR in the commonly used mouse strains. We suggest that these discordances, reflecting methodological and genetic differences, may be informative for understanding heterogeneity of human asthma.
A Synthesis Method For Placing Workpieces In RPR Planar Robotic Workcells

A new method is used for determining both a satisfactory location of a workpiece and a suitable mounting-angle of the tool for planar RPR robots that can provide dexterous workspace. All three joints of the robot have excursion-limits that bound their displacement. For the purposes of this paper, the third joint, a revolute, permits exactly one full turn. Successful locations for the workpiece are those places where the rotations at each task-axis and the third joint are synchronized. For a fixed mounting angle of the tool, the radial location and orientation of the workpiece are determined by just two 2π-rotations of the tool. When the mounting-angle of the tool is also a variable, the tool can be rotated a full turn at three locations on the workpiece. The method is particularly well suited to applications in which the task requires large rotations of the end-effector. The results are presented as coordinates of points in a two-dimensional Cartesian reference frame attached to the workcell. Consequently, a technician or an engineer can determine the location for the workpiece by laying out these coordinates directly in the workcell. Example problems illustrate the method. Practical applications include welding and deposition of adhesives.
The business case for automated software engineering

Adoption of advanced automated SE (ASE) tools would be favored if a business case could be made that these tools are more valuable than alternate methods. In theory, software prediction models can be used to make that case. In practice, this is complicated by the "local tuning" problem. Normally, predictors for software effort and defects and threat use local data to tune their predictions. Such local tuning data is often unavailable. This paper shows that assessing the relative merits of different SE methods need not require precise local tunings. STAR1 is a simulated annealer plus a Bayesian post-processor that explores the space of possible local tunings within software prediction models. STAR1 ranks project decisions by their effects on effort and defects and threats. In experiments with two NASA systems, STAR1 found that ASE tools were necessary to minimize effort/ defect/ threats.
Argumentation Schema and the Myside Bias in Written Argumentation

This article describes a cognitive argumentation schema for written arguments and presents three empirical studies on the “myside” bias—the tendency to ignore or exclude evidence against one's posi...
Forwarding strategies for Gaussian parallel-relay networks

For reliable and unreliable forwarding in a parallel-relay network that allows orthogonal transmissions, we maximize the achievable rate under the total power constraint over all nodes. In such a network, the energy cost per information bit [S. Verdu, 1990] during the reliable forwarding is minimized in the wideband regime. For the wideband decode-and-forward (DF) strategy, we show that the optimum parallel-relay solution is to send the data through one relay that is in the "best" position. On the other hand, as observed in [B.E. Schein, 2001], the benefit of unreliable amplify-and-forward (AF) strategy diminishes in the wideband regime. We characterize the optimum bandwidth for AF and show that transmitting in the optimum bandwidth allows the network to operate in the linear regime where the achieved rate increases linearly with transmit power. We identify the best subset of AF relay nodes and characterize the optimum power allocation per dimension among relays.
On the role of specific hydrogen adsorption sites in methanol decomposition on zinc oxide

Abstract We have combined temperature-programmed desorption, infrared speetroscopy, and selective site blocking experiments to determine the importance of Type I H 2 adsorption sites for the decomposition of CH 3 OH on ZnO catalysts. Methanol adsorbs dissociatively at both Type I and non-Type I cation-anion pair sites. Methoxy groups formed at Type I sites decompose at slightly lower temperature than CH 3 O (a) ) groups at non-Type I sites. The apparent activation energies for this step are 31 ± 1 and 33 ± 1 kcal/mol at the Type 1 and non-Type I sites, respectively. At both sites, CH 3 O (a) decomposition leads to H 2 desorption and formation of adsorbed HCOO (a) species. These species decompose at the same temperature on both types of sites, with an apparent activation energy of 40 ± 1 kcal/mol. However, the ratio of CO:CO 2 during HCOO (a) decomposition is larger on the Type I sites. The Type I sites can be blocked throughout the CH 3 OH adsorption and decomposition cycle by preadsorption of H 2 O. This H 2 O is dissociatively adsorbed, with a unique OH stretching frequency at 3672 cm − and an adsorption energy of 40 ± 3 kcal/mol. These results are interpreted to suggest that Type I sites on ZnO probably do not have a major role in the CH 3 OH synthesis reaction on Cu ZnO catalysts.
Prognostic Value of Plasma L‐Lactate Concentration Measured Cow‐Side with a Portable Clinical Analyzer in Holstein Dairy Cattle with Abomasal Disorders

Background:L-Lactate has been used as a prognostic indicator for ill humans and animals. A portable analyzer that measures l-lactate could help veterinarians decide to proceed with correction of a displaced abomasum. Hypotheses: The likelihood of a dairy cow with a displaced abomasum remaining in the herd can be predicted by lactate concentration and other variables. Animals:Thirty-four healthy early-lactation dairy cows, and 131 cows with abomasal displacements (DA) presented to Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Methods:Plasma L-lactate was measured using a commercial analyzer (i-STAT). A cow had a positive outcome (PO) if she remained in the herd 30 days after surgical correction of the displaced abomasum and a negative outcome (NO) if she was culled or died in that time. A multivariable model with physical examination and clinicopathologic variables for predicting NO for cows with right-sided abomasal displacements was constructed. Results:The median plasma l-lactate was 0.54 mM/L (interquartile range, 0.42–0.74) in healthy lactating Holstein cows. In cows with right-sided displaced abomasa, median plasma l-lactate concentrations were higher in cows with NO (5.88 mM/L) versus PO (3.23 mM/L) (P= .002). In a multivariable model, which identified chloride, heart rate, and l-lactate as the best fitting variables for cows with right-sided displacements, the probability of NO increased as l-lactate increased. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Plasma l-lactate concentration might be a useful predictor of productive outcomes in cows with right-sided abomasal disorders.
Activist translation in an era of fictional law

This article proposes that activist translators be involved and engaged in those legal realms, such as the treatment of “illegals” or undocumented migrants, because this is an area in which translators can act as true intermediaries, over and above the act of substituting one lexical item for another; however, this form of activism, like other discretionary activities, needs to be directed to lofty causes, such as upholding the human rights of those most excluded by our society. In other words, alongside of the activism must come good faith, because “activism” could also actively hurt the person for whom the translator is doing his or her task. In other words, when the “translator” decides to become an “interpreter,” there is the danger that the subjectivity of the latter will trump the “objectivity” of the former, with negative consequences. This article advocates activism over machine-like fidelity because the abuses in certain realms of law are so egregious and the stories so horrendous that most translators who are given the right to speak out will take the road towards humanity and basic decency. The examples to which I will be referring emanate from the realm of immigrant incarceration in the Southern US, so for the purposes of this article positive activism points to efforts that help people who are arrested in the United States (or anywhere else) for violations of immigration laws. Regrettably, the kind of activism for which this article advocates is not likely to occur, not only because translators are not “supposed to be” activists, but also because the realm of law that deals with immigration violation is so unevenly applied, so internally inconsistent across local, regional, state, federal and national lines, and so variously construed depending upon the person doing the construing, that it does not really deserve the nomenclature of “law.” Keywords: translation, interpretation, incarceration, administrative law, undocumented migrants.
Synthesis, characterization, and thermochemistry of K-Na-H3O jarosites

Abstract The thermochemistry of well-characterized synthetic K-H 3 O, Na-H 3 O and K-Na-H 3 O jarosites was investigated. These phases are solid solutions that obey Vegard’s law. Electron probe microanalyses indicated lower alkali and iron contents than predicted from the theoretical end-member compositions, in agreement with thermal analyses, suggesting the presence of hydronium and “additional” water. The standard enthalpies of formation (ΔH° f ) of K-H 3 O, Na-H 3 O and K-Na-H 3 O jarosites were determined by high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. These enthalpies vary linearly with the K/H 3 O, Na/H 3 O and K/Na ratio, respectively. The enthalpy of formation of pure hydronium jarosite was also determined experimentally (ΔH° f = −3741.6 ± 8.3 kJ.mol −1 ), and it was used to evaluate ΔH° f for the end-members KFe 3 (SO 4 ) 2 (OH) 6 (ΔH° f = −3829.6 ± 8.3 kJ.mol −1 ) and NaFe 3 (SO 4 ) 2 (OH) 6 (ΔH° f = −3783.4 ± 8.3 kJ.mol −1 ). Finally, enthalpies of dehydration (loss of the “additional” water) of some jarosites were determined and found to be near the enthalpy of vaporization of water, suggesting that the “additional” water is weakly bonded in the structure.
From Open Resources to Educational Opportunity

Since MIT’s bold announcement of the OpenCourseWare initiative in 2001, the content of over 700 of its courses have been published on the Web and made available for free to the world. Important infrastructure initiatives have also been launched recently with a view to enabling the sustainable implementation of these educational programmes, through strengthening organizational capacity as well as through building open, standards-based technology. Each of these initiatives point to a rich palette of transformational possibilities for education; together with the growing open source movement, they offer glimpses of a sustainable ecology of substantial and quality educational resources. This discussion piece will highlight some of the educational opportunity presented by MIT’s current information technology-enabled educational agenda and related initiatives, along with their strategic underpinnings and implications. It will address various dimensions of their impact on the form and function of education. It will examine how these ambitious programmes achieve a vision characterized by an abundance of sustainable, transformative educational opportunities, not merely pervasive technology. DOI: 10.1080/09687760500376512
In vitro activity of RP59500, an injectable streptogramin antibiotic, against vancomycin-resistant gram-positive organisms.

Abstract The in vitro activity of RP59500, a streptogramin antibiotic, against 146 clinical isolates of vancomycin-resistant gram-positive bacteria was examined. Five strains of the species Enterococcus casseliflavus and Enterococcus gallinarum, for which the MIC of vancomycin was 8 micrograms/ml, were also studied. Twenty-eight vancomycin-susceptible strains of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were included for comparison. The drug was highly active against Leuconostoc spp., Lactobacillus spp., and Pediococcus spp. (MICs, < or = 2 micrograms/ml). RP59500 was more active against vancomycin-susceptible strains of E. faecium than E. faecalis (MICs for 90% of the strains [MIC90s], 1.0 versus 32 micrograms/ml). Vancomycin-resistant strains of E. faecalis were as resistant to RP59500 as vancomycin-susceptible strains (MIC90, 32 micrograms/ml), but some vancomycin-resistant E. faecium strains were relatively more resistant to the new agent (MIC90, 16; MIC range, 0.5 to 32 micrograms/ml) than were vancomycin-susceptible organisms of this species.
Elements of a community of learners in a middle school science classroom

The idea of a learning community has gained attention as a desirable environment that could provide opportunities for students to engage in solving problems in collaboration with peers. However, definitions of a community of learners are varied, vague, and not well-developed. The goal of the research described in this study is to examine the nature of a middle school science classroom during the development of a community of learners by focusing on the teacher–student interactions and the connections made by students with people outside the classroom. The first investigator served as both teacher and researcher in this study. The teacher used a project-based approach that allowed learners to find solutions to authentic problems or questions generated by the students. Students used a process of inquiry and collaboration to find these solutions. An analytical framework developed from the literature consisted of the following components: authentic tasks; interdependency in small group work; negotiation of understanding; public sharing; collaboration with experts; and responsibility for shared learning and teaching. The framework was used to analyze the multiple data sources, including videotapes, interviews, a teacher's journal, and electronic correspondence. Eight major themes emerged from the analysis. These themes included: (1) tasks connected to real-world questions generated more collaborative interactions than topic-bound tasks; (2) collaborative interactions in groups increased when tasks were student-initiated; (3) providing instructional support for students contributed to group decision making; (4) group productivity increased when students gained ownership; (5) student dialogue centered on the procedural aspects of the activity when completing teacher-designed activities; (6) when public sharing centered on discussions of their own experiences, students were more cognitively engaged; (7) interactions with outside resource people increased students' investment in the project; and (8) when students worked in teams answering their own questions, they took responsibility for learning and teaching. The findings of this study point to three important factors that influenced the learning community in this middle school classroom: (1) the importance of the driving question in contributing to the authentic nature of the investigations; (2) the importance of the teacher's role in supporting students in collaborating with peers and people outside the classroom; and (3) the extended time required for teams to develop collaborative relationships. The role of the teacher appears critical in transforming the roles of students and teacher in creating a community of learners. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sci Ed 83:701–723, 1999.
A framework for user assisted design space exploration

Much effort in hardware/software codesign has been devoted to developing "push-button" types of tools for automatic hardware/software partitioning. However, given the highly complex nature of embedded system design, user guided design exploration can be more effective. In this paper, we propose a framework for designer assisted partitioning that can be used in conjunction with any given search strategy. A key component of this framework is the visualization of the design space, without enumerating all possible design configurations. Furthermore, this design space representation provides a straightforward way for a designer to identify promising partitions and hence guide the subsequent exploration process. Experiments have shown the effectiveness of this approach.
Photoperiod and Temperature Influence Flowering Responses and Morphology of Tecoma stans

Tecoma stans (L. Juss. Kunth) 'Mayan Gold' is a tropical flowering plant that was selected as a potential new greenhouse crop for its physical appearance and drought and heat tolerance. The objective of this study was to quantify how temperature during the finishing stage and photoperiod during propagation and finishing stages influence growth, flowering, and quality. In Expt. 1, plants were propagated from seed under four photoperiods (9, 12, 14, or 16 h) for 35 days. Under long-day (LD) photoperiods (14 h or greater), seedlings were 3.0 to 3.7 cm taller than those propagated under 9-h photoperiods. During the finishing stage, days to first open flower, shoot dry mass, and number of nodes below the terminal inflorescence were reduced when plants were grown under LD photoperiods. In addition, number of open flowers and branches increased under LD photoperiods. Few plants developed visible buds when grown under short-day (SD) photoperiods (12 h or less). In Expt. 2, plants were forced at average daily temperatures of 19, 20, or 22 °C after transplant. Time to first open flower was reduced by 7 days as temperature increased. Inversely, number of visible buds increased by 57 as temperature increased from 19 to 22 °C. Under the experimental conditions tested, the most rapid, complete, and uniform flowering of Tecoma occurred when plants were propagated and finished under LD photoperiods and forced at 22 °C.
Metabolism of Sulfobromophthalein Sodium (BSP) in Dog and Man.

SummaryDuring administration of a constant infusion of BSP in the dog and man, 3 chromatographically distinct metabolites were demonstrated in plasma and bile in addition to BSP itself. Part of the metabolic change involves conjugation of BSP or some BSP derivative with one or more amino acids. Some of the physiologic properties of BSP metabolites are described and discussed, particularly with reference to problems of BSP transport from plasma to bile.
Promoting Well-Being Through Relationship Building: The Role of Smartphone Technology in Foster Care

ABSTRACTMindful of the tremendous risk factors that foster youths encounter, a federal demonstration project sought to increase their protective factors and to mitigate their adverse experiences. The ability to form and maintain healthy relationships is a key protective factor as it helps youths navigate life’s challenges, especially those challenges that result from unresolved loss and grief as a result of being in care. The study was guided by a relational competence framework. The youths were issued smartphones, and their social service providers were given a Web-based application designed to increase communication between the foster youths, their providers, and their mentors. Findings reveal several favorable outcomes associated with the use of the smartphones but also several unintended negative consequences. Recommendations for balancing youths’, caregivers’, and providers’ needs, positions, and rights are discussed. Likewise, the authors discuss the study’s implications for program development that...
Dynamic analysis of stool culture in employers of public places and food hygiene in Changping district

Objective To investigate the status of stool culture in employers of public places and food hygiene in Changping district from 2004 to 2012. Methods The health screening information of the employers of public places and food hygiene in Changping district were collected and analyzed with statistical methods( Chi squar test). Results The total population of health screening were 672,419. Total 17 people were detected with dysentery with an average rate of 0. 003%,the annual rate of this nine years were 0. 008%,0. 002%,0. 002%,0. 009%,0. 002%,0,0. 002,0 and 0,respectively. The rate decreased clearly year by year( χ2= 25. 33,P 0. 05). The typhoid was not found in recent 9 years. Conclusion The detection of fecal culture one times a year in China project has no practical significance. This test items can be deleted from the preventive health check of the employees of the People's Republic of China,thus also can reduce the economic costs of employees.
Telescopic extracranial approach to frontal mucoceles with intracranial extension.

De facon traditionnelle, les mucoceles frontales etaient traitees au moyen de techniques d'obliteration, telles que le collapse des tissus mous de front dans le sinus ou la technique plus cosmetique de lambeaux osteoplastiques. Quand une mucocele frontale s'etend dans la cavite crânienne, ces procedes chirurgicaux deviennent difficiles et le risque de fistule de liquide cephalo-rachidien et/ou de meningite augmente. Lorsqu'une mucocele s'etend dans la cavite crânienne et anterieurement dans les tissus mous, le lambeau osteoplastique n'est plus utilisable. Les auteurs presentent leur experience avec la chirurgie intranasale telescopique pour le traitement de la mucocele frontale avec extension intracrânienne. Cette methode est basee sur la marsupialisation intranasale et un moulage a ete utilise chez 4 patients presentant de large mucocele erodent a l'interieur du crâne et dans les tissus mous anterieurs. Les resultats ont ete excellents et les patients sont asymptomatiques, 1 et 4 1/2 ans apres la chirurgie
Toward Reflection, Evaluation, and Integration in International Studies: An Editorial Philosophy

To paraphrase Martin Luther King, We have a dream—that one day international studies will be characterized by lively dialogue and debate across its various perspectives and areas of inquiry; that this dialogue and debate will stimulate reflection, evaluation, and integration of knowledge in the field; and that this critical synthesis will broaden the research, training, and action of members of our intellectual community. This journal, the Mershon International Studies Review (subsequently also referred to as the Review ), of which this is the inaugural issue, provides an important means for achieving our dream. The purpose of this editorial is to describe the philosophy behind the Review and to indicate how the journal and you, the reader, can help us achieve the dream.
A Specific Nonlinear Application

In this chapter, nonlinear effects are considered. These effects become more pronounced (1) when wave lengths are short compared with a characteristic length of the vessel (length when waves are head-on and beam when waves are beam-on), (2) when vessel is moored in shallow water so that draft/depth ratio is significant and (3) when natural period of mooring assembly is long relative to dominant wave period.
Longing for Justice

Longing for Justice, a work composed of seven chapters, grounded on notions of democracy, the public good, and justice, examines the interrelatedness of three queries: (a) Do institutions of higher...
Applications in Farming

A number of processes concerning the role of invertebrates in farming are described, including mechanisms of density regulation and the effects of associated bacteria. Some aspects related to productions by useful species, including pollinators, parasitoids or aquaculture, and the effects of endosymbionts or disease causal agents, are reviewed. Mechanisms of natural regulation in crops, including density dependence and biological antagonisms, are examined. Some issues concerning the potential of genetically modified crops and the bacterial toxins involved are briefly reviewed.
Recent advances in microscale western blotting

Western blotting is a ubiquitous tool used extensively in the clinical and research settings to identify proteins and characterize their levels. It has rapidly become a mainstay in research laboratories due to its specificity, low cost, and ease of use. The specificity arises from the orthogonal processes used to identify proteins. Samples are first separated based on size and then probed with antibodies specific for the protein of interest. This confirmatory approach helps avoid pitfalls associated with antibody cross-reactivity and specificity issues. While the technique has evolved since its inception, the last decade has witnessed a paradigm shift in western blotting technology. The introduction of capillary and microfluidic platforms has significantly decreased time and sample requirements while enabling high-throughput capabilities. These advances have enabled western analysis down to the single cell level in highly parallel formats, opening vast new opportunities for studying cellular heterogeneity. Recent innovations in microscale western blotting are surveyed, and the potential for enhancing detection using advances in label-free biosensing is briefly discussed.
Correlates of perceived favorability of online courses for quantitative versus qualitative undergraduate business majors

ABSTRACTAn online survey tested the association among background, technological, and course-related variables with perceived favorability of online courses for two independent samples of fall 2015 and spring 2016 business undergraduates taking at least one online or hybrid course. Results showed that perceived learning was a consistent positive correlate of perceived favorability of online courses for quantitative majors, whereas number of prior online or hybrid courses and perceived ease of technology tool use were consistent positive correlates for qualitative majors.
NK-Cell Acquisition of Chemokine Receptors From Engineered Antigen Presenting Cells

Abstract 1744 Natural Killer (NK) cells are able to extract fragments of cell membrane from antigen presenting cells through the immunological synapse, functionally incorporating the membrane receptors contained therein by a process called trogocytosis. Recently it was demonstrated that NK cells can acquire functional CCR7 from dendritic cells through this process and migrate in response to chemokines (CCL19 and CCL21). We investigated whether this process could be used to transiently modify NK cells ex vivo without genetic intervention. In previous work, we developed a K562-based artificial antigen presenting cell (aAPC) expressing membrane-bound IL-21 (K562-cl9-mIL21) which enables robust NK-cell expansion, and determined that NK cells did not express detectable CCR7 during this process. To investigate trogocytosis in this system, we genetically modified K562-cl9-mIL21 to express membrane-bound CCR7 (K562 cl9 mIL21CCR7) using the Sleeping Beauty transposon/transposase system. After 24 hours of co-culture the NK cells cultured with K562-cl9-mIL21CCR7 demonstrated marked surface expression of CCR7 compared to NK cells cultured on K562-cl9-mIL21 (Figure 1a). In kinetic experiments using three independent donors, CCR7 peak uptake occured at 24 hours (Figure 1b), followed by a decline that corresponded with the loss of aAPCs in the cultures due to lysis by NK cells. This demonstrates that NK cells can be transiently modified during in vitro expansion to bear receptors that are otherwise not a normal part of their transcriptional repertoire. We are currently establishing the functionality of trogocytosed receptors in vitro and in vivo, and investigating the kinetics of CCR7 persistence after removal of the aAPCs. However, even transient expression as demonstrated might be sufficient for bestowing novel NK-cell migration ability in vivo in response to chemokine signaling, giving the engineered NK cells ability to reach desired tissue targets. Disclosures: Lee:Altor BioScience Corp: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding.
Impact of Contaminating DNA in Whole-Genome Amplification Kits Used for Metagenomic Shotgun Sequencing for Infection Diagnosis.

ABSTRACT Whole-genome amplification (WGA) is a useful tool for amplification of very small quantities of DNA for many uses, including metagenomic shotgun sequencing for infection diagnosis. Depending on the application, background DNA from WGA kits can be problematic. Three WGA kits were tested for their utility in a metagenomics approach to identify the pathogens in sonicate fluid comprised of biofilms and other materials dislodged from the surfaces of explanted prosthetic joints using sonication. The Illustra V2 Genomiphi, Illustra single cell Genomiphi, and Qiagen REPLI-g single cell kits were used to test identical sonicate fluid samples. Variations in the number of background reads, the genera identified in the background, and the number of reads from known pathogens known to be present in the samples were observed between kits. These results were then compared to those obtained with a library preparation without prior WGA using an NEBNext Ultra II paired-end kit, which requires a very small amount of input DNA. This approach also resulted in the presence of contaminant bacterial DNA and yielded fewer reads from the known pathogens. These findings highlight the impact that WGA kit selection can have on metagenomic analysis of low-biomass samples and the importance of the careful selection and consideration of the implications of using these tools.
Unequal steganography with unequal error protection for wireless physiological signal transmission

In this paper, an innovative idea of secure and energy efficient electrocardiogram steganography based on Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) is proposed, in which different important ECG data are steganographed with variable embedding strengths so that the reconstructed ECG signal quality is preserved. Incorporating the proposed Unequal Steganography Embedding (USE) with Unequal Error Protection (UEP), the proposed scheme further improves transmission performance in terms of ECG signal quality, ensures the confidentiality as well as reliability of a user's data, and makes the transmission more energy efficient. Simulation results demonstrate that USE attains very low distortion (WWPRD less than 0.45 %). Furthermore, high correlation between host and stego ECG and ECG data remains diagnosable after steganography. Based on our literature reviews, the reliability, robustness, and energy efficiency of this proposed method are unmatched in comparison with any other published methods.
Safer Muslim motherhood: Social conditions and maternal mortality in the Muslim world

The greatest variation in maternal mortality is among poor countries and wealthy countries that rely on emergency obstetric technology to save a woman's life during childbirth. However, substantial variation in maternal mortality ratios (MMRs) exists within and among poor countries with uneven access to advanced obstetric services. This article examines MMRs across the Muslim world and compares the impact of national wealth, female education, and skilled birth attendants on maternal mortality. Understanding how poor countries have lowered MMRs without access to expensive obstetric technologies suggests that certain social variables may act protectively to reduce the maternal risk for life-threatening obstetric complications that would require emergency obstetric care.
The Impact of Hospital Advertising on Patient Demand and Health Outcomes

Does hospital advertising influence patient choice and health outcomes? We examine more than 220,000 individual patient-level visits over 24 months in Massachusetts to answer this question. We find...
Side-channel resistant soft core processor for lightweight block ciphers

Lightweight cryptographic algorithms which provide moderate security at low cost, especially in very-light power-, energy, and resource-constrained processors, are an important topic of research in the context of the Internet of Things (IoT). Current cryptographic contests and standardization efforts seek to evaluate side-channel resistance of lightweight ciphers on multiple platforms, including resource-constrained 8-bit microprocessors. Using a custom-designed reconfigurable soft core processor on an FPGA, we implement four ciphers, SIMON, PRESENT, LED, and TWINE, and evaluate them for vulnerability to differential power analysis (DPA) using the t-test leakage detection methodology and an open-source test bench (FOBOS). We then adapt and modify techniques used in previous cipher hardware implementations to protect the soft core processor against 1st order DPA. Improved resistance to DPA is verified using the t-test and the FOBOS test bench. No modifications to cipher source code are required for the protected soft core, meaning that software programmers are insulated from the requirement to learn side-channel resistance techniques. A single DPA-resistant soft core instance, which can load and protect all four ciphers simultaneously (where target cipher is selected by the user at run-time), uses 392 slices in the Virtex-7 FPGA — an average of 98 slices per protected cipher.
Optimization of Phase-Locked Loop Circuit Parameters Based On Genetic Algorithm

Active power filter (APF) is widely considered the most effective instrument to solve the problem of harmonic pollutions and improve the power quality. Phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit is a very important component of APF, as the current compensation effect of APF depends on whether the PLL circuit can accurately and stably generate a series of synchronous and specific frequency square wave. To study the parameters of PLL circuit, firstly establish a mathematical model of PLL circuit. Then apply genetic algorithm to optimize the mathematical model of PLL and work out the optimized parameters with MATLAB programming at last. The simulation results show that the optimized PLL circuit based on genetic algorithm can enhance anti-jamming performance, generate more accurate trigger which APF needs and increase the phase synchronization between the output signal and the reference signal.
Monogenic Liver Diseases

Monogenic disorders are caused predominantly by a lesion of a single gene, although the phenotypic manifestation may depend to various extents on additional genetic variants in the same or other genes, epigenetic changes, and environmental factors. Although most individual monogenic diseases are rare, together, they represent a high disease load in the population. Monogenic liver diseases begin with the abnormality of a specific liver function and can then lead to either significant liver injury with secondary injury of other organs or no significant liver injury but injury of extrahepatic organs. In other cases, liver and extrahepatic organs may be affected by a systemic disorder. Several examples of monogenic disorders are discussed in this section.
Surface Tension of Solids: Generalization and Reinterpretation of Critical Surface Tension

The concept of critical surface tension is generalized and reinterpreted in terms of a proposed equation of state. The equation defines a spectrum of critical surface tensions for a given surface, and provides a method by which the surface tension can be accurately determined from the contact angles of a series of testing liquids. The surface tensions obtained for solid polymers, organic solids and monolayers by this method agree remarkably well with those obtained from melt data (temperature dependence), liquid homologs (molecular-weight dependence) and the harmonic-mean equation. In contrast, those obtained by the geometric-mean equation and Zisman’s critical surface tensions are often too low. These results also support the validity of the harmonic-mean equation.
Keel-billed Toucans (Ramphastos sulfuratus) on the ground in a tropical forest restoration experiment

ABSTRACT Motion-activated cameras captured images of 2 Keel-billed Toucans (Ramphastos sulfuratus) on and near the ground in two 900 m2 experimental forest restoration plots located in the Los Tuxt...
Developing a Contemporary and Innovative Operating Systems Course

This birds-of-a-feather provides a discussion forum to foster innovation in teaching operating systems (OS) at the undergraduate level. This birds-of-a-feather seeks to generate discussion and ideas around pedagogy for OS and, in particular, how we might develop a contemporary and innovative model, in both content and delivery, for an OS course---that plays a central role in a CS curriculum---and addresses significant issues of misalignment between existing OS courses and employee professional skills and knowledge requirements. We would like to exchange ideas regarding a re-conceptualized course model of OS curriculum and related pedagogy, especially in the areas of mobile OSs and Internet of Things; concurrent programming and synchronization; and cloud computing and big data processing.
Preoperative Performance of the PROMIS in Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroscopic Surgery for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome

Background:The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is being increasingly evaluated for use in orthopaedic surgery. The performance of the PROMIS in patients undergoing...
Achieving Fairness by Using Dynamic Fragmentation and Buffer Size in Multihop Wireless Networks

Wireless Networks are error-prone due to multiple physical changes including fading, noise, path loss and interferences. As a result, the channel efficiency can be severely degraded. In addition, in saturated multihop wireless networks, nodes with multiple hops away from the destination suffer additional throughput degradation signified by high collisions resulting in high packet loss. It has been shown that packets fragmentation and buffer size play an important role in improving performance. In this work, we propose a technique to dynamically estimate appropriate buffer size and fragmentation threshold for individual nodes across the network in reference of their locality from the gateway and on their traffic load. The results show that nodes far from the gateway incur significantly higher throughput. The technique also results in better fairness across all nodes. Furthermore, it enhances the total network throughput while lowering the end to end and MAC delays.
Greatly enhanced magneto-optic detection of single nanomagnets using focused magnetoelastic excitation

Magnetization dynamics of nanomagnets directly determine the performance of magnetic storage and memory devices. Here, we report a 10-times enhancement of magnetization dynamics excitation of single nanomagnets using focused surface acoustic waves (SAWs), compared to conventional optical excitation. SAWs are generated via ultrafast optical excitation of an arc-shaped phononic grating and focused onto a single nanomagnet located at the focal spot of the grating. Thanks to the robust resonance excitation, we observe the strain-controlled ultrafast magnetization dynamics in a sub-100 nm single nanomagnet. This improved excitation efficiency was applied to exciting SAWs in four sets of gratings with different pitches using a single laser spot. This enabled selective excitation of any one of four identical nanomagnets at different frequencies simply by tuning an external magnetic field. This all-optical technique provides a method of addressing individual magnetic nano-oscillators and studying their intrinsic magnetization dynamics.
Waiting for Cordell Hull

The world trading system has been in a state of crisis for two decades. Among other things, the WTO’s negotiating function has not worked well; there are fundamental disagreements about the appropriate role that countries at different development levels should play; bilateral and regional trade agreements are undermining the multilateral system; and the Trump administration is challenging the dispute settlement system. In this context, it is worth thinking about radical reforms that could address the various problems that have accumulated over the years. Doing so may require a shakeup of existing institutions, to overcome interest group influence that prevents real change. And taking on those interest groups may require a visionary leader who can impose change on reluctant actors. The resulting world trading system would look very different, with a more limited mandate focused on protectionism, and with artificial distinctions such as separate goods and services agreements abolished. It would also shift the focus away from trade-distorting preferential trade agreements, and frown upon the use of trade policy tools to promote foreign policy.
Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Pouchitis and Pouch-Related Complications in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.

Background & Aims Acute pouchitis is the most common non-surgical complication after restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC). We used validated case-finding definitions for pouchitis to search administrative claims data and determine the incidence of pouchitis in the first 2 years after IPAA. Methods We identified all patients who underwent proctocolectomy with IPAA for UC in the IQVIA Legacy PharMetrics Adjudicated Claims Database, from January 1, 2007 through June 1, 2016. The primary outcome was the development of pouchitis within 2 years after IPAA. Secondary outcomes included isolated acute vs recurrent pouchitis, immunosuppressive therapy, further surgery, and admission to the hospital. Results Among 594 patients, the cumulative incidence of pouchitis within 2 years of IPAA was 48% (95% CI, 44%–52%). The cumulative incidence of isolated acute pouchitis was 29% (95% CI, 26%–33%). Compared to patients with isolated acute pouchitis, patients who received a diagnosis of recurrent pouchitis (cumulative incidence, 19%: 95% CI, 16%–22%) demonstrated increased outpatient visits, emergency department visits, and inpatient admissions (all P Conclusions In a geographically diverse population, 48% of patients with UC developed pouchitis within the first 2 years after IPAA. Patients with pouchitis had greater use of healthcare resources, indicating a significant burden of disease.