cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fostering Innovation for the Benefit of Society: Technology Licensing’s Role at Stanford

Fostering innovation for the benefit of society is part of the mission of Stanford’s Office of Technology Licensing (OTL); “To promote the transfer of Stanford technology for society’s use and benefit while generating unrestricted income to support research and education.” Throughout Stanford’s history, researchers’ drive to innovate formed Stanford into the active and prominent academic institution that it is today. To help understand the role of Stanford’s OTL in this system, this chapter reviews OTL’s history, policies, and practices. We provide some attributes that help OTL be successful in transferring technologies that will benefit the public, as well as examples of how OTL works with startups to move the technologies out from Stanford into companies. These companies might then produce new products that will benefit the world.
The pattern of symptom change during prolonged exposure therapy and present-centered therapy for PTSD in active duty military personnel.

Background Few studies have investigated the patterns of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom change in prolonged exposure (PE) therapy. In this study, we aimed to understand the patterns of PTSD symptom change in both PE and present-centered therapy (PCT). Methods Participants were active duty military personnel (N = 326, 89.3% male, 61.2% white, 32.5 years old) randomized to spaced-PE (S-PE; 10 sessions over 8 weeks), PCT (10 sessions over 8 weeks), or massed-PE (M-PE; 10 sessions over 2 weeks). Using latent profile analysis, we determined the optimal number of PTSD symptom change classes over time and analyzed whether baseline and follow-up variables were associated with class membership. Results Five classes, namely rapid responder (7-17%), steep linear responder (14-22%), gradual responder (30-34%), non-responder (27-33%), and symptom exacerbation (7-13%) classes, characterized each treatment. No baseline clinical characteristics predicted class membership for S-PE and M-PE; in PCT, more negative baseline trauma cognitions predicted membership in the non-responder v. gradual responder class. Class membership was robustly associated with PTSD, trauma cognitions, and depression up to 6 months after treatment for both S-PE and M-PE but not for PCT. Conclusions Distinct profiles of treatment response emerged that were similar across interventions. By and large, no baseline variables predicted responder class. Responder status was a strong predictor of future symptom severity for PE, whereas response to PCT was not as strongly associated with future symptoms.
What Every Educator Needs to Know about America’s Homeless Students

The number of American homeless youth has skyrocketed in the twenty-first century. In 2015, for example, this number reached a record high, becoming twice as high as it was before the recession. Ed...
Mentalizing Imagery Therapy Mobile App to Enhance the Mood of Family Dementia Caregivers: Feasibility and Limited Efficacy Testing

Background: Family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer disease and related dementias (AD and ADRD) often experience high stress and are at high risk for depression. Technologically delivered therapy is attractive for AD and ADRD caregivers because of the time demands associated with in-person participation. Objective: We aimed to study the feasibility and conduct limited efficacy testing of a mobile app intervention delivering mentalizing imagery therapy (MIT) for family caregivers. Methods: A 4-week trial of the MIT app for family AD and ADRD caregivers was conducted to assess the feasibility of use and investigate changes in depression symptoms, mood, and caregiving experience. Semistructured interviews were conducted to characterize participants’ perceived feasibility and benefits. Results: A total of 17 of the 21 (80%) consented participants (mean age 67 years, range 54-79) utilized the app at least once and were further analyzed. Average usage of audio recordings was on 14 (SD 10) days out of 28 possible and comprised 29 (SD 28) individual sessions. There were improvements in depression with a large effect size for those who used the app at least moderately (P=.008), increases in positive mood postintervention (P<.05), and acute increases in mood following daily guided imagery practice (Stretching and Breathing, P<.001; Eye in the Center, P<.001; Nesting Doll, P=.002; Situation Solver, P=.003; and Life Globe, P=.006). Semistructured interviews revealed perceived benefits such as greater ability to remain “centered” despite caregiving challenges and positive reframing of the caregiver experience. Conclusions: App delivery of MIT is feasible for family AD and ADRD caregivers, including aging seniors. Results showed moderate to high usage of the app for a majority of users. Limited efficacy testing provides justification for studying the MIT app for AD and ADRD caregivers to improve mood and reduce depression in larger, controlled trials.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy Improves Survival Following Resection of Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer with Pathologic Complete Response

Controversy exists over the use of adjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced (stages II–III) rectal cancer (LARC) patients who demonstrate pathologic complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant chemoradiation. We conducted a retrospective analysis to determine whether adjuvant chemotherapy imparts survival benefit among this population. The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried to identify LARC patients with pCR following neoadjuvant chemoradiation. The cohort was stratified by receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy. Multiple imputation and a Cox proportional hazards model were employed to estimate the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on overall survival. There were 24,418 patients identified in the NCDB with clinically staged II or III rectal cancer who received neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Of these, 5606 (23.0%) had pCR. Among patients with pCR, 1401 (25%) received adjuvant chemotherapy and 4205 (75%) did not. Patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy were slightly younger, more likely to have private insurance, and more likely to have clinically staged III disease, but did not differ significantly in comparison to patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy with respect to race, sex, facility type, Charlson comorbidity score, histologic tumor grade, procedure type, length of stay, or rate of 30-day readmission following surgery. On adjusted analysis, receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with a lower risk of death at a given time compared to patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 0.808; 95% CI 0.679–0.961; p = 0.016). Supporting existing NCCN guidelines, the findings from this study suggest that adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival for LARC with pCR following neoadjuvant chemoradiation.
Deep Learning Based Face Detection Algorithm for Mobile Applications

This article proposes a face detection algorithm based on deep learning for mobile applications. Face detection is a pre-processing step for many high-end computer vision tasks. Therefore, outcomes of this task directly influence the accuracy of the other tasks, such as recognition, tracking, relighting, and other tasks. Face detection is a well studied research extent; however, it still endures from challenges such as face orientation, occlusion, lighting conditions, and alteration in facial landmarks. The projected technique aims at targeting such crucial challenges with light weight deep learning architecture. The proposed algorithm is tested on the publicly available perplexing datasets and has shown promising results. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is proved quantitatively and qualitatively with state of art techniques.
Comparative Genomics Analysis Provides New Insight Into Molecular Basis of Stomatal Movement in Kalanchoë fedtschenkoi.

CO2 uptake and water loss in plants are regulated by microscopic pores on the surface of leaves, called stomata. This enablement of gas exchange by the opening and closing of stomata is one of the most essential processes in plant photosynthesis and transpiration, affecting water-use efficiency (WUE) and thus drought susceptibility. In plant species with crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis, diel stomatal movement pattern is inverted relative to C3 and C4 photosynthesis species, resulting in much higher WUE and drought tolerance. However, little is known about the molecular basis of stomatal movement in CAM species. The goal of this study is to identify candidate genes that could play a role in stomatal movement in an obligate CAM species, Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi. By way of a text-mining approach, proteins were identified in various plant species, spanning C3, C4, and CAM photosynthetic types, which are orthologous to proteins known to be involved in stomatal movement. A comparative analysis of diel time-course gene expression data was performed between K. fedtschenkoi and two C3 species (i.e., Arabidopsis thaliana and Solanum lycopersicum) to identify differential gene expression between the dusk and dawn phases of the 24-h cycle. A rescheduled catalase gene known to be involved in stomatal movement was identified, suggesting a role for H2O2 in CAM-like stomatal movement. Overall, these results provide new insights into the molecular regulation of stomatal movement in CAM plants, facilitating genetic improvement of drought resistance in agricultural crops through manipulation of stomata-related genes.
Two Parametric Eigenvalue Problems of Differential Equations

Mathieu's equation and the angular spheroidal wave equation both lead to problems in which the eigenvalues a depend on a parameter q. The eigenvalues are analytic functions of q with simple branch points in the complex q-plane. Analytical, though approximate, relations between a and q are derived using asymptotic methods of WKBJ type. These relations appear to be valid uniformly throughout the complex q-plane. They predict the locations of the branch points, and reproduce a known result concerning the instability intervals of Mathieu's equation.
Influence of Scleral Lens on Intraocular Pressure

Purpose Since Scleral Lenses (SL) rest entirely on the sclera and may affect underlying anatomical structures that may influence aqueous humor flow, it is important to determine the effect of SL wear on intra-ocular pressure (IOP). Methods Nine subjects with normal corneas were recruited for an Institutional Review Board-approved study. Best fit SL from a 15.8 mm diameter 0.4mm thick diagnostic-lens set was fitted on a randomly selected eye, with a silicone-hydrogel soft lens (soft lens) on the other eye. Three IOP measurements were taken with rebound iCare tonometer prior to lens application (baseline data measured at about 9:30AM), and immediately after lens removal (final data measured at about 5:30PM). Baseline and final lens vault was determined with anterior segment Zeiss optical coherence tomography (OCT). Mean baseline and final IOP for each eye was analyzed with a Student-t-test, 2-way repeated ANOVA, and the Bland-Altman plot. RESULTS IOP was elevated with SL wear for all subjects. Soft lens eyes showed a slight elevation for some but decreased in others. Mean IOP change was 5.81 ± 1.62 mm Hg for SL and -0.62 ± 0.88 mm Hg for soft lens eyes. When mean IOP in SL eyes was compared to soft lens eyes, unpaired t-test showed a significant difference (p <0.05) between the means. Bland-Altman bias was 6.43 (SD of bias 3.139). Repeated ANOVA also showed a significant difference between baseline and final IOP. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that SL wear can elevate IOP. Eye care practitioners (ECP) must consider this possible outcome in treating patients wearing SL. Additional studies are needed to determine the clinical implications of SL wear on IOP.
Nuclear Movements in Neurons

Neuronal migration is an essential process for mammalian nervous system development and involves three distinct phases: extension of the leading process, movement of the cell body, and retraction of the trailing process. Here, we review the characteristics of nuclear movements occurring during proliferation of neural stem cells and progenitors during neurogenesis and of those movements associated with a forward migration that depends on the centrosome and the dynein motor protein components in nucleokinesis and nuclear–centrosome coupling. We also discuss some signaling pathways that play an important role in controlling nuclear movements.
Engineering DNA recognition and allosteric response properties of TetR family proteins by using a module-swapping strategy

The development of synthetic biological systems requires modular biomolecular components to flexibly alter response pathways. In previous studies, we have established a module-swapping design principle to engineer allosteric response and DNA recognition properties among regulators in the LacI family, in which the engineered regulators served as effective components for implementing new cellular behavior. Here we introduced this protein engineering strategy to two regulators in the TetR family: TetR (UniProt Accession ID: P04483) and MphR (Q9EVJ6). The TetR DNA-binding module and the MphR ligand-binding module were used to create the TetR-MphR. This resulting hybrid regulator possesses DNA-binding properties of TetR and ligand response properties of MphR, which is able to control gene expression in response to a molecular signal in cells. Furthermore, we studied molecular interactions between the TetR DNA-binding module and MphR ligand-binding module by using mutant analysis. Together, we demonstrated that TetR family regulators contain discrete and functional modules that can be used to build biological components with novel properties. This work highlights the utility of rational design as a means of creating modular parts for cell engineering and introduces new possibilities in rewiring cellular response pathways.
Technology Adoption in Bangladeshi Apparel Manufacturing Industry

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of technology adoption in Bangladeshi apparel industry and examine organizational factors that facilitate technology adoption. Literature provided critical factors of technology adoption in clothing business especially in developing countries, which included export orientation, top management commitment, competitive advantage, cost of capital,and technical skills. The analysis of survey data from Bangladeshi apparel manufacturing companies showed a pattern of negative influence of export orientation on technology adoption. Cost of capital had an influence, which suggested that the price competition in the clothing sector remains as one of the obstacles of technology adoption among Bangladeshi manufacturers. The significant influence of technical skills found in this study implicates that knowledge related to the use of technologies become important factor of technology adoption.
Important Terms in Wellbeing

In this chapter, we define important terms specific to wellbeing for surgeons and surgical practice. Essential terms are discussed that are positively and negatively associated with wellbeing. Moreover, other important terms are defined, such as characteristics which combat burnout and support wellbeing. Finally, key topics are discussed which highlight external strategies to promote wellness for surgeons.
Dysphagia and Chronic Pulmonary Aspiration in Children

1. James D. Tutor, MD* 1. *Program in Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN * Abbreviations: FEES: : fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing FEESST: : fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing GER: : gastroesophageal reflux VFSS: : videofluoroscopic swallow study Dysphagia and the accompanying pulmonary aspiration are frequently unrecognized by pediatricians and caregivers as a cause of chronic respiratory symptoms such as recurrent wheezing, recurrent pneumonias, chronic cough, stridor, and brief resolved unexplained events (formerly known as acute life-threatening events). In addition, clinicians may be unfamiliar with the proper evaluation or treatment of patients with dysphagia and chronic aspiration. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Recognize the signs and symptoms associated with dysphagia and chronic pulmonary aspiration. 2. Know the conditions predisposing to dysphagia and aspiration in children. 3. Understand the tests that should be used to diagnose dysphagia and chronic pulmonary aspiration. 4. Know when and to what subspecialist(s) to refer the patient who has dysphagia and chronic aspiration. 5. Know the methods available to treat dysphagia and chronic aspiration. 6. Know how to recognize and treat aspiration pneumonia in infants and children. “Dysphagia, defined as difficult or improper swallowing of oral solids, liquids, or both, can lead to aspiration, the inhalation of foreign material into the lower airway. This can produce significant respiratory morbidity and mortality in children.” (1) Dysphagia is described as being oropharyngeal when transfer of the food bolus from the mouth to the esophagus is impaired. The striated muscles of the mouth, pharynx, and upper esophageal sphincter are affected in oropharyngeal dysphagia. Esophageal dysphagia occurs if there is difficulty transporting the food bolus down the esophagus to the stomach. (2) Aspiration may occur in children who have problems with dysphagia. Aspiration can be either acute or chronic and recurrent. Aspiration can lead to pulmonary problems such as recurrent wheezing, recurrent pneumonias, and the development of severe impairment of …
Did profitable slave trading enable the expansion of empire?: The Asiento de Negros, the South Sea Company and the financial revolution in Great Britain

In 1711, British Parliament chartered the South Sea Company, a public–private corporation chartered to reduce the cost of government borrowing by swapping illiquid short-term government debt for tradeable shares of the South Sea Co. To attract subscribers, the government also awarded the South Sea Co. an international monopoly in the trade of African slaves to Spanish America—the Asiento de Negros. This paper considers the extent to which Asiento-related slave trading was profitable for South Sea Co. shareholders and beneficial to the British financial revolution between 1713 and 1743. First, we use historical financial data to estimate the parameters of a capital asset pricing model of excess returns for South Sea Co. shareholders. We find that the Asiento contract increased risk-adjusted excess returns on South Sea Co. stock between 18 and 24% per year. Second, we estimate profit margins in the South Sea Co. Asiento slave trade. These show a stark positive correlation with company share prices before and after the South Sea Bubble of 1720. Adding slave ship departures to the CAPM specifications confirms the direct contribution of slave trading to shareholder returns. We also find that the Asiento and Asiento-related slave trading increased central government fiscal surplus by 16%. This suggests that profitable slave trading by the South Sea Co. under the Asiento enhanced Great Britian’s fiscal capacity, which could be utilized to enhance a military capacity necessary for securing an empire.
Biological strategies from natural structures for resilience in manufacturing

Abstract This paper presents findings of strategies for the resilience of natural structures in biological systems with applications in manufacturing. Natural structures are fundamental to the design, manufacturing, and resilience of biological systems, and system of systems. This paper presents the main ten key strategies by which natural structures achieve resilience and their relevance to manufacturing, discussed through representative examples. These ten strategies are selection and organization of sizes and shapes, the hierarchy of branching, multifunctional surfaces, distribution of division of roles (labor), distributed structures and systems, functional redundancy, scale and management of defects, self-healing and reorganization, sensory networks, and aesthetics.
Preventive Behaviors and Mental Health-Related Symptoms Among Immunocompromised Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of the COVID Impact Survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the continuity of care of U.S. adults living with chronic diseases, including immunocompromised adults. Disruption in care may be a barrier to identifying COVID-...
Demineralization prevention with a new antibacterial restorative composite containing QASi nanoparticles: an in situ study

To investigate whether a newly developed dental composite with quaternary ammonium silica dioxide (QASi) nanoparticles incorporated with other fillers into the restorative material demonstrates antibacterial activity by reducing enamel demineralization in an in situ gap model. Twenty subjects wearing a lower removable partial denture (RPD) with acrylic flanges on both sides of the mouth were recruited into the 4-week in situ study. The gap model consisted of an enamel slab placed next to a composite, separated by a 38-μm space. In the split-mouth design on one side of the RPD, the composite was the Nobio Infinix composite (Nobio Ltd., Kadima, Israel), and the contralateral side used a control composite. Each participant received enamel slabs from one tooth. The gap model was recessed into the RPD buccal flange, allowing microbial plaque to accumulate within the gap. After 4 weeks of continuous wearing, decalcification (∆Z mineral loss) of the enamel slabs adjacent to the gap was determined by cross-sectional microhardness testing in the laboratory. The ∆Z for the antibacterial composite test side was 235±354 (mean±standard deviation [SD]; data reported from 17 participants) and statistically significantly lower compared to ∆Z of the control side (774±556; mean±SD) (paired t-test, P<0.0001; mean of test minus control −539 (SD=392), 95% confidence interval of difference: −741, −338). This in situ clinical study showed that composites with QASi antibacterial particles significantly reduced demineralization in enamel adjacent to a 38-μm gap over a 4-week period in comparison to a conventional composite. Composites with QASi nanoparticle technology have the potential to reduce the occurrence of secondary caries. ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT04059250
Analysis of Layout Impacts on Resource Allocation for Voting: A Los Angeles Vote Center

The overlap of facilities layout planning and resource allocation models are relatively new and untested in election administration. Depending on the jurisdiction, Election Day(s) in-person voting location layouts are either planned, suggested with rough drawings, or arranged election officials at the time of set up. This study aims to build better analytical options for election administrators prior to Election Day. A vote center in Los Angeles County, California, during their 2020 Presidential Primary was investigated with discrete-event simulation to determine differences in performance based on layout and operational changes. The results indicate that by separating the processing of provisional voters at check-in, a significant reduction in the amount of time that voters spend in the vote center can be realized. This finding indicates the potential benefit of additional innovation and research investigating the relationship between facility layout and resource allocation for improved voter routing methods and polling location performance.
Resurgence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Highly Vaccinated Health System Workforce.

Resurgence of Covid-19 in Vaccinated Health Workers From March through July 2021, a total of 227 health care workers at UCSD, 57% of whom were fully vaccinated, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; the ...
STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES ON THE ROLE OF OPEN ACCESS CENTRE AND LANGUAGE LABORATORY AS SUPPORTING UNITS IN DEVELOPING ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS

This study aims at revealing the perception of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 academic year studentsof the Faculty of Letters on two supporting units at the faculty, namely Open Access Centre (OAC) and Language Laboratory (LL) in enhancing their English Language Skills. The results show that the average students consider both OAC and LL useful in developing their English Language competence. On the whole, they are satisfied with the existence of these two media except for a few things which need improving, such as facilities and instruments.
European Economic Organizations

Christol characterizes the Council of Europe and the European Economic Community (EEC) as complementary bodies, since one is primarily concerned with the protection of human rights, while the other centers its main activities in the realm of economic and property interests.1 It appears that these “two groups” are approaching a common end, namely the protection of all subjects of international law and not merely sovereign nations.2 This breakdown in the traditional “object theory” of international law is rapidly becoming even more striking because these two institutions have established liasons, or a type of multinational diplomatic relations. Regretfully, the writer will refrain from speculating with regard to the possible implications resulting from increased cooperation between the two great regional groups in Europe. Nonetheless, it should be recalled that the Council of Europe, through its Social Charter, and the EEC, with its political activity, tend to be dealing with common areas of interest to an even greater degree. In fact, the writer looks for some degree of overlapping efforts and concurrent jurisdiction during the next few years. As discussed above, the Common Market already constitutes a political community possessing unique qualifications. While not a federation, it is developing a constitutional system — to an even greater degree than the Council of Europe. Not only Hallstein,3 but also Gerhard Bebr, recognize that economic institutions “require effective political and judicial safeguards and controls to assure their power and legitimate use.”4 It is submitted that the three common markets are already political in nature. Moreover, their political power is increasing steadily, largely as the result of recent Court decisions, strengthening the supranational position of Community law. Hence, the writer’s designation of the common markets as “economic” is intended to be descriptive rather than restrictive. The European Economic Community’s political progress compares favorably with that exercised by the Council of Europe and the United Nations, although economic interests predominate.
The Right to Health: Institutional Effects of Constitutional Provisions on Health Outcomes

The “right to health” is increasingly enshrined in national constitutions around the world—present today in a slight majority of written constitutions. Whether this trend is good, bad, or meaningless is considerably debated. Contrary to skeptics’ worries, this study finds empirical evidence of a positive role of the right to health in the production of population health. Estimating the most widely promulgated theories of the economic and social determinants of health, and the role of electoral democracy, provides a foundation from which to evaluate the effect of the right to health. This study assembles and analyzes data for 144 countries between 1970 and 2010 and finds that, controlling for these factors, a constitutional right to health contributes significantly to wellbeing. Assembled quantitative and case-study evidence both support the idea that institutional environments shaped by a right to health encourage more and better delivery of health services, which in part account for positive impact on health outcomes. These results suggest that focusing research on political institutions primarily on democratic participation rights ignores important impacts of “entitlement” rights on norms and actors in health policy-making. Overall, the right to health is both an important contextual factor for health research and meaningful institutional innovation.
Polymer-Producing Species of Arthrobacter

Gasdorf, Helen J. (Northern Regional Research Laboratory, Peoria, Ill.), R. G. Benedict, M. C. Cadmus, R. F. Anderson, and R. W. Jackson. Polymer-producing species of Arthrobacter. J. Bacteriol. 90:147–150.1965.—Two slime-producing microorganisms, designated as NRRL B-1973 and NRRL B-1797, were isolated from a Guatemalan soil sample. Their morphological and physiological characteristics permit their assignment to the genus Arthrobacter. Both cultures produce a large amount of extracellular polysaccharide, the maximal amount being 1.4 g per 3 g of glucose. The carbohydrate constituents of B-1973 polysaccharide are galactose, glucose, and mannuronic acid; those of B-1797 are galactose, glucose, and glucuronic acid. The organisms are morphologically and physiologically alike. The differences between these two cultures and previously described species of Arthrobacter appear sufficient to designate a new species. The name Arthrobacter viscosus sp. n. is proposed.
Gaming the Gilded Age

This article presents both a lesson on and research about using a video game to teach history, specifically the game Railroad Tycoon 3 and its use in teaching about the Gilded Age.
Exact Normal Modes for a System with Three Luttinger Liquids Interacting in an Elongated Trap

We consider a system of spinless fermions in a nearly one-dimensional cylindrical trap, with the Fermi level such that only the lowest-lying states with angular momenta l = +hbar, 0, or -hbar about the axis of the trap are occupied. We treat the particles in these states as comprising three separate Luttinger liquids, with the possibility for forward and backward scattering between them. We determine the normal modes in the system in the presence of this scattering, finding two sets of linear harmonic fluid modes and one set of modes that are self-coupled through a sine-Gordon interaction.
Lack of compactness in conformal metrics withL d/2 curvature

Two examples are given of a sequence on a compactd-dimensional manifold (d ≥ 3) in a fixed conformal class satisfying a uniformL (d/2) bound on curvature and a bound on volume which are not compact in aC 0 topology. This shows that the curvature assumption of recent compactness results for conformal metrics is sharp.
Effect of aerobic exercise on mitochondrial DNA and aging

Abstract The aging process occurs at different rates among different tissues. The complication of the definition of aging is due to the occurrence of various diseases that modify body functions and tissue structure. Advances in medicine and public health have considerably increased life expectancy over the past 200 years. An enormous effort has recently been expended to understand how the aging process is regulated at the molecular and cellular levels with hopes to find a way to extend maximal life span. There are several determinants of life span, but one common thread that has emerged in a variety of species from yeast to rodents is regulation of life span by mitochondria. Mitochondria decay that occurs with age cannot be counteracted unless physical activity is enhanced. As the frontiers of understanding the senescence and life span increases, the countermeasures for reducing aging senescence has brought to light the effectiveness of enhanced physical activities in aging individuals. Regular aerobic exercise may increase healthy life expectance and prolong life through beneficial effects at the mitochondrial level.
Direct topologies from discrete rings. II

We prove that an integral domain with a direct topology is is algebraically closed in its completion and that a direct topology on a field can be extended to a direct topology on a simple algebraic extension. We give a canonical description of the inverse of an element in the completion of a ring with a direct topology. We consider a ring topology constructed by Marcos in terms of direct topologies and give generalizations of two constructions of Mutylin.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM RISK ESTIMATION FOR INHALED RADIONUCLIDES UTILIZING LOGNORMAL RESPONSE SURFACES

The risk distributions for respiratory system injury or cancer from inhaled radionuclides are represented by three-dimensional dose-rate/time/response surfaces. The three dimensions are average radiation dose rate to lung, time, and risk. Such relationships are each described by t = KD –S , where t is the elapsed time to the effect, D is the average dose-rate, K is a parameter depending on radionuclide, irradiation pattern, and risk level, and S is the negative slope parameter that depends upon the specific biological responses to the radionuclide emissions. The K values are lognormally distributed as a function of risk with median K m and associated geometric standard deviation ( σ g ). Available data on beagles exposed to 239 Pu, 238 Pu, 90 Sr – Y, and 144 Ce – Pr show three dimensional risk distributions for pneumonitis at the higher dose rates with S equal to unity in each case. For beagles exposed to 239 PuO 2 , the lung cancer risk distribution at intermediate dose rates is characterized by S = 0.29 with K m = 2250 rad S days (1 – S ) (cGy S days (1 – S ) ) and σ g = 1.21. The relationships of competing risks with time from radiation pneumonitis, lung cancer induction, and natural aging are graphically shown with three-dimensional illustrations.
Climate change and temperature-dependent sex determination in reptiles

Abstract Despite increasing concern over the possible impact of global temperature change, there is little empirical evidence of direct temperature effects on biotic interactions in natural systems. Clear assessment of the ecological and evolutionary impact of changing climatic temperature requires a natural system in which populations exhibit a direct unambiguous fitness response to thermal fluctuation. I monitored nests of a population of painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) with temperature-dependent sex determination to investigate the causal relationship between local climatic variation in temperature and offspring sex ratio. Consistent with theoretical predictions, annual offspring sex ratio was highly correlated with mean July air temperature, validating concerns about the effect of climate change on population demography. This correlation implies that even modest increases in mean temperature (< 2 degrees C) may drastically skew the sex ratio. Statistical evaluation of the variance in climate change indicates that an increase in mean temperature of 4 degrees C would effectively eliminate production of male offspring. Quantitative genetic analyses and behavioral data suggest that populations with temperature-dependent sex determination may be unable to evolve rapidly enough to counteract the negative fitness consequences of rapid global temperature change. Populations of species with temperature-dependent sex determination may serve as ideal indicators of the biological impact of global temperature change.
Incidence and causes of hypokalemia associated with cardiac resuscitation

To further investigate the incidence and etiology of hypokalemia during cardiac arrest, the authors compared data on 74 adult nontrauma cardiac arrest patients (44 men, 30 women, age 65 +/- 13 years) who had a serum potassium (K+) level documented during or immediately following resuscitation with data on 53 adult controls with life-threatening medical emergencies presenting to the emergency department who did not experience arrest. Hypokalemia (serum K+ less than 3.6 mEq/l) occurred in 25 arrest patients (34%) compared with nine controls (17%). Serum K+ was not significantly different shortly before (3.7 +/- 0.4) versus immediately after arrest (3.6 +/- 0.8) in a small subgroup of patients, making intracellular shifting of K+ because of metabolic events during resuscitation an unlikely etiology. Hypokalemia was associated with a 2.5-fold increase in relative risk for cardiac arrest. Patients who were receiving diuretics without K+ supplementation had the highest risk of arrest (4.4-fold increase). Supplementation of K+ appeared to be protective in patients on diuretics. The authors confirm the association between hypokalemia and cardiac arrest and suggest that this metabolic abnormality may be an important risk factor for cardiac arrest.
Analytical Solution of the Possio Integral Equation for the Sonic Case

We present a closed form analytical solution of the Possio integral equation of aeroelasticity for the sonic case M=1 , both time-domain and Laplace domain, including a numerical example for the flutter speed, where the flutter mode differs from that for M=0 . A noteworthy feature is that the Kutta condition is not satisfied and is not needed for uniqueness of solution.
Species Distributions, Land Values, and Efficient Conservation

Efforts at species conservation in the United States have tended to be opportunistic and uncoordinated. Recently, however, ecologists and economists have begun to develop more systematic approaches. Here, the problem of efficiently allocating scarce conservation resources in the selection of sites for biological reserves is addressed. With the use of county-level data on land prices and the incidence of endangered species, it is shown that accounting for heterogeneity in land prices results in a substantial increase in efficiency in terms of either the cost of achieving a fixed coverage of species or the coverage attained from a fixed budget.
Filmless Radiographic System For Army Field Hospitals

Small computers incorporating hard disc memory, multiple high resolution monitors and the small computer systems interface (SCSI) can be used for low-cost filmless radiography. A system has been constructed which can perform all of the functions required of a small clinic or field hospital including scheduling, reporting, image acquisition and display, image annotation, image storage and transmission, and control of peripheral devices. The peripheral devices include an optical card reader/writer, an optical disc reader/writer, a SCSI to DIN/PACS port, an Ethernet port and a SCSI to a long distance telephone/computer port, the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) port. Individual patient optical data cards may be prepared, all images and reports may be archived in a small optical disc in the computer, other image sources may be coupled to the system via the DIN/PACS port, data may be exchanged with the local DIN via the Ethernet port and with distant sites via the ISDN port. The small optical data cards, about the size of a credit card, are used for individual patient images and reports. An independent viewer may be used to display the contents of the cards. The result is a complete "filmless and paperless" medical imaging system. The system was developed on Contract DAMD17-88C-8058 with the US Army Medical Research and Development Command.
Modulation of protein stability by O-glycosylation in a designed Gc-MAF analog

The post-translational modification of proteins by the covalent attachment of carbohydrates to specific side chains, or glycosylation, is emerging as a crucial process in modulating the function of proteins. In particular, the dynamic processing of the oligosaccharide can correlate with a change in function. For example, a potent macrophage-activating factor, Gc-MAF, is obtained from serum vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) by stepwise processing of the oligosaccharide attached to Thr 420 to the core alpha-GalNAc moiety. In previous work we designed a miniprotein analog of Gc-MAF, MM1, by grafting the glycosylated loop of Gc-MAF on a stable scaffold. GalNAc-MM1 showed native-like activity on macrophages (Bogani 2006, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128 7142-43). Here, we present data on the thermodynamic stability and conformational dynamics of the mono- and diglycosylated forms. We observed an unusual trend: each glycosylation event destabilized the protein by about 1 kcal/mol. This effect is matched by an increase in the mobility of the glycosylated forms, as evaluated by molecular dynamics simulations. An analysis of the solvent-accessible surface area shows that glycosylation causes the three-helix bundle to adopt conformations in which the hydrophobic residues are more solvent exposed. The number of hydrophobic contacts is also affected. These two factors, which are ultimately explained with a change in occupancy for conformers of specific side chains, may contribute to the observed destabilization.
China in the Global Financial Crisis: Rising Influence, Rising Challenges

The tsunami of financial chaos that engulfed the world in the first decade of this century has multiple causes stemming from a combination of Eastern liquidity and Western mismanagement. Inexpensiv...
Inhibition of inspiratory activity by intercostal muscle afferents.

Abstract Thoracic mechanoreceptors inhibit phrenic and inspiratory intercostal discharge in anesthetized, vagotomized cats and dogs. Each of three mechanical stimuli, chest compression, intercostal muscle stretch and rib vibration, inhibits phrenic discharge and each provides evidence that intercostal muscle spindles contribute to this reflex. Phrenic inhibition by airway occlusion is probably accounted for by this reflex. Alterations of respiratory rhythm indicate that supra-spinal reflexes are initiated by the mechanical stimuli. An inspiratory inhibition reflex from intercostal muscle spindles might act to increase the mechanical efficiency of breathing.
Estimate design intent: a multiple genetic programming and multivariate analysis based approach

Abstract Understanding design intent of designers is important for managing design quality, achieving coherent integration of design solutions, and transferring design knowledge. This paper focuses on automatically estimating design intent, represented as a summation of weighted functions, based on the operational and product-specific information monitored through design processes. This estimated design intent provides a basis for us to identify the evaluation tendency of designers' ways of doing design. To represent and estimate the design intent, we introduced a staged design evaluation model as a general yet powerful model of design decision-making process, and developed a methodology for estimation of design intent (MEDI) as a reasoning method. MEDI is composed of two basic algorithms. One is our newly introduced multiple genetic programming (MGP) and the other is statistical multivariate analysis including principal component analysis and multivariate regression. The characteristics of MEDI are; (1) principal component analysis provides approximate evaluation of how much preferable a specific product model is, assuming the final product model (or design) is the most preferable one; (2) MGP enables us to simultaneously estimate both structure of target performance functions and the approximate values of their weights for a domain of design problems; and (3) multivariate regression readjusts the approximate weights obtained by MGP into more accurate ones for specific design problems within the domain. Our framework and methods have been successfully tested in a case study of designing a double-reduction gear system.
Cloning of rabies virus matrix protein mRNA and determination of its amino acid sequence

A cDNA clone of mRNA for rabies virus matrix (M) protein has been identified. The clone hybridizes to an mRNA species from rabies virus-infected cells, whose size correlates to the size of the M protein in rabies virions, and selects an mRNA that translates into a polypeptide corresponding in size to M protein. The nucleotide sequence of the cloned cDNA was determined and from this a complete amino acid sequence for M protein was deduced. The deduced sequence of 202 amino acids bears no detectable sequence homology with vesicular stomatitis virus M protein although these proteins may share functional homology.
Holocene paleohydrology of Little Salt Spring, Florida, based on ostracod assemblages and stable isotopes

Abstract Ostracod assemblages and the δ18O and δ13C records of Cytheridella ilosvayi provide a ∼12,000 yr paleohydrological reconstruction of Little Salt Spring, a sinkhole lake and underwater archaeological preserve in west central Florida. The ostracod record documents relative changes in water temperature and hydrologic characteristics of the lacustrine system that are the result of warming air temperatures, changes in the relative contributions of input waters (shallow vs. deep groundwater), rainfall patterns and relative sea level rise during the Holocene. The data indicate that LSS was initially supplied by relatively low amounts of direct rainfall and surface runoff as the spring's location was closer to the recharge area and far from the freshwater/saltwater interface. At about 11,000 yr BP, LSS became groundwater supported, initially by a shallow freshwater aquifer with low δ18O composition until ∼5700 yr BP, and after that time by 18O-enriched and increasingly mineralized groundwater originating from a deeper, carbonate aquifer as the regional water table rose bringing the saltwater interface closer to the location of LSS which at this time was becoming a groundwater discharge area. The data also shows that the most abrupt and pronounced hydrologic changes occurred during the Late Holocene with an interval of low δ18O values (∼− 2.86‰) between 2700 and 2000 yr BP, followed by a stepped increase in δ18O composition with maximum values (∼− 1.46‰) between 1100 and 900 yr BP. Over these periods to the present time the ostracod assemblage is characterized by brackish species (Cyprideis spp. and Limnocythere floridensis). It is inferred that the interval of decreased isotopic values indicates mixing with saline water during dry climatic conditions, while the interval of more enriched isotopic values suggest saltwater intrusion during a period of, presumably, a sea level highstand. Although some discrepancies exist between other records from the northern Caribbean region and the one from LSS with regards to the exact timing for the Late Holocene drying and subsequent increase in rainfall conditions, the differences between the records may be explained by greater continental influences on ocean–atmosphere interactions on the Florida peninsula, a highly complex groundwater mixing balance in LSS, and by a better constrained age-model in the other records.
TURNING AROUND THE EFFECTS OF TURNOVER: MILITARY LESSONS LEARNED FROM OIF

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) represented a significant historical event for the U.S. Military. Enormous financial and human resources were committed to the reconstruction of the nation of Iraq dur...
Thermodynamic Study on Production of Fe-Si–Mn Alloy from Adjusted Converter Slag

The composition change of slag and alloy phases were investigated during the process of selective reduction by thermodynamic calculating the selective reduction of the slag components with different modified slag composition, addition of reducing agent and reduction temperature. The results showed that the process of the selective reduction will be promoted by raising the temperature and the ratio of modifier to slag. The solubility of SiO2 increased as temperature increased. Selecting the appropriate amount of modifier will promote the selective reduction. In the first stage, Fe was reduced from the slag, followed by the reduction of P, Mn and Si. Finally, Fe-Si-Mn metal was obtained as a result of the selective reduction.
The effects of major information technology adoption in Japanese corporations

Abstract The experience of Japanese corporations can contribute to understanding the dynamics of IT and organization interaction. Key areas of interest included issues of control, decision making, organizational learning, and inter-organizational relations. An investigation of 17 firms concluded that IT may enhance and/or exasperate standard organizational routines and that the positive and negative attribute of IT stem from characteristics of both the technologies involved and the organizational contexts in which they were applied. The lessons drawn from the experience of Japanese corporations may prove instructive to their non-Japanese counterparts.