cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic studies of the oxidation of a non-phenolic lignin model compound by the laccase/1-hydroxybenzotriazole redox system

The use of a laccase-mediator system is one of the promising possibilities for an environmentally benign pulp-bleaching process. Thus a better understanding of the mechanism for the oxidation of lignin by a laccase-mediator system would facilitate the commercialization of such a system for pulp bleaching. By using 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (1-HBT) as a mediator, it was found to be partly regenerated during the oxidation of a lignin dimer, 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)propan-1,3-dio (I). A free radical of 1-HBT, generated by laccase, was probably responsible for the oxidation of I. The free radical of 1-HBT was, however, transformed to benzotriazole, which could not mediate the oxidation of 1. The hypothesis that 1-HBT acted as an activator or a co-substrate for laccase was not confirmed. Active oxygen species such as hydroxyl free radical (HO . ) and superoxide (O 2 .- ) were also found not to be involved in the oxidation of I.
Blood Carotenoid Concentration, an Estimate of its Heritability and Genetic Relationship to Body Weight in the Chicken

Abstract GENETIC selection for greater feed efficiency in meat type stocks and the utilization of high energy feed with lower pigmenting capacity may likely result in relatively less pigment being deposited in the skin and shanks of chickens. For good consumer acceptance, the carcass should be reasonably well pigmented. Although feed additives may increase pigmentation (Rubin and Bird, 1946; Fritz and Wharton, 1957) genetic selection for pigmentation within a meat or body weight selection program might have potential value. Most of the yellow pigments in the chicken are carotenoids. Wagner and Mitchell (1964) suggested that the deposition of a single carotenoid, or group of carotenoids, was quantitatively inherited. Stone et al. (1971) reasoned that an objective measurement of pigmentation would be more sensitive than a subjective one; and, for a given trait on a given individual, the former would give a more reliable estimate of phenotype. For a heritable trait, it…
Ice-embedded transceivers for Europa cryobot communications

Several studies have been conducted to design robotic exploration vehicles for investigating a sub-surface water ocean within Jupiter's moon Europa. The current data from the Galileo spacecraft indicates a possible sub-surface ocean of undetermined depth covered by a water ice crust on the order of 10 kilometres thick. The ice crust also flexes several tens of metres every Europan day due to tidal forces. This presents several design challenges, especially for the communications link back to the science team on Earth. This paper presents the modeling and analysis for a communications system that uses transceivers embedded within the ice crust. The work was done for a design study that examined using ice-embedded transceivers to communicate between a deep ice penetration "cryobot" at the liquid water ocean and a communications package on the Europan surface. This paper focuses on the microwave properties of ice and the communications link margin analysis.
Claiming Power in the Medical Encounter: The Whirlpool Discourse

In this article ethnographic discourse analysis was used to identify some major ways a cancer patient and her oncologist claim power in a medical encounter. The primary discourse strategies participants used to claim power were interruptions, questions, topic control, and symbolic ways of constituting social identity. Both participants used these discourse strategies; the patient mitigated her claims to power, constructing deference. The author suggests that deference does not necessarily imply passivity. These discourse strategies are placed within the context of a complex theory of power that looks beyond the boundaries of discourse structure, to power over one's own actions and over treatment. Thus an overview is provided of multiple ways power can be constructed in the medical encounter, both through discourse strategies and through actions uncapturable in tens of discourse structure.
Different Worldviews Explain Perceived Effectiveness of Different Employment Tests

A representative sample of (n = 439) adults in the United States responded to questions about the usefulness of tests of cognitive ability and conscientiousness, along with questions about their beliefs in free will and (scientific) determinism. As hypothesized, belief in scientific determinism predicted perceived usefulness of a cognitive ability test and belief in free will predicted the perceived usefulness of a test of conscientiousness. In a subsequent experiment (n = 337), people watched TED-style talks emphasizing either the importance of talent or the importance of hard work for success. People who watched the talk emphasizing talent scored higher on scientific determinism. Those who watched the talk emphasizing hard work scored both higher on free will and lower on scientific determinism.
Lethal and sublethal effects of imidacloprid on apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella Walsh (Dipt., Tephritidae)

: Imidacloprid technical ingredient was tested in the laboratory to determine ingestion/contact or contact alone toxicity over a 5-day period to apple maggot flies, Rhagoleta pomonella (Walsh). Formulated imidacloprid was also tested in the field against R. pomonella flies for residual efficacy over a 7-day period. In the laboratory tests, imidacloprid showed high lethal and sublethal effects. It was 10–12 times more toxic and acted more rapidly by oral ingestion than by surface contact. Affected flies were observed to cease feeding and then regurgitate. Mortality stabilized 4 days after treatment. Compared with control flies, females exposed to imidacloprid showed reduced fecundity regardless of whether exposure was by oral or surface contact. In field experiments, spray applications of imidacloprid to foliage at the manufacturer's recommended rate resulted in no significant mortality of flies, either among flies released immediately after treatment or 24 h later. Imidacloprid residue on tree leaves reduced the reproductive ability of flies released immediately after treatment, but the effect was minimal. The potential use of imidacloprid as a toxicant on pesticide-treated spheres is discussed.
Time-varying evoked potentials

In an important subset of surgical procedures, the procedure itself poses a significant threat to the patient's nervous system. In order to reduce this threat, neurophysiological function of the structures at risk may be monitored during surgery using time-locked sensory or motor-evoked responses. A simple but powerful extension of the segmented and sliding average techniques currently in wide use is described and demonstrated. By fitting polynomial functions of time to capture time variations in the evoked response, signal/noise enhancement comparable with that of averaging is obtained. More importantly, a considerable improvement in time resolution is gained. In the demonstration data set presented in the figures, clinically significant changes were identifiable in one-sixth of the time required using signal averaging.
Looking for the forest and the trees : exercises to provoke abstract thinking.

It is probably hard to find an educator who would hesitate to agree that abstract thinking and comfort in asking questions are pivotal to scientific inquiry and advancement of knowledge. Yet, most of the time the mechanics of fostering these skills is as challenging as photographing dense fog. As biologists we constantly reevaluate what we know, how we think about what we know, and how we communicate our knowledge about the living world. These short engaging exercises challenge students to appreciate the central role of abstract thinking and question asking in scientific inquiry. In the first exercise the classroom is presented with an optical illusion image and challenged to evaluate it using concrete and abstract thinking tools. In a follow up exercise, students are prompted to evaluate the process of making assumptions, asking questions and coming to conclusions using the example of a small popular culture article. Both exercises are used as primers to stimulate discussion emphasizing that abstract thinking and question asking are critical tools in the tool set of 21 st century budding biologists.
Clinical study of relative biological effectiveness for cervical carcinoma treated by 252Cf neutrons and assessed by histological tumour eradication

Abstract Clinical data of the University of Kentucky trial using californium (252Cf), or caesium (137Cs), are reviewed for dose–response based on the endpoint of tumour eradication estimated from hysterectomy specimens obtained 4–6 weeks after preoperative irradiation. These data are used to assess the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for 252Cf neutrons compared with l37Cs γ radiation. Tumours treated were of common stage but were of bulky or barrel shape suitable for “radiosurgical” therapy. Dose–response curves were constructed, and additional data from the literature used to analyse the curve shape. The photon dose–response curve is complex on a logarthmic plot, whereas the 252Cf neutron curve is exponential. This indicates that the RBE can be different depending on the number of implants, schedule and size of dose delivered per session. The RBE values were approximately 8.0 at low doses or for multiple implants but they may rise to approximately 16 at larger doses or for single 252Cf implants.
Social Scientific Inquiry Into Genocide and Mass Killing: From Unitary Outcome to Complex Processes

This article reviews social scientific research on the occurrence of genocide and mass killing, focusing on the underlying, contributing processes. Relevant studies are grouped by their primary analytic focus: (a) macro-level state and institutional processes, (b) political elites and policy decisions, (c) nonelite perpetrator motivation and participation, (d) social construction of victim group identity, and (e) local and regional variation within larger episodes. We also discuss issues relating to the conceptualization and definition of genocide, the utilization of different sources of data, methodological tendencies, and general analytic trends. Although recent studies show a promising move toward greater analytic disaggregation and engagement with various causal processes and outcomes at the meso and micro levels, genocide scholars must broaden their theoretical engagement with parallel fields of inquiry, continue to be creative in locating original data sources, and account for both positive and nega...
Cyclic versus Polymeric Supramolecular Architectures in Metal Complexes of Dinucleating Ligands: Silver(I) Trifluoromethanesulfonate Complexes of the Isomers of Bis(di(1H-pyrazolyl)methyl)-1,1′-biphenyl.

In the search for new examples of systems that self-assemble into cyclic metal–organic architectures, the six isomers of X,Y′-bis(di(1H-pyrazolyl)methane)-1,1′-biphenyl, LXY, and their silver(I) trifluoromethanesulfonate complexes were prepared. Five of the six silver complexes gave crystals suitable for single crystal X-ray diffraction, with only the microcrystalline derivative of 2,3′-bis(di(1H-pyrazolyl)methane)-1,1′-biphenyl, L23, proving to be unsuitable for this analysis. Of the structurally characterized silver(I) complexes, that with L22 showed an unusual trans-spanning chelating coordination mode to silver. At the same time the ligand was also bound to a second silver center giving rise to a cyclic supramolecular isomer with a 22-membered metallacycle. The complex of L34 also gave a cyclic dication but with a remarkable 28-membered metallacycle ring. The remaining three derivatives were polymeric. The results of this study underscore that a 120° angle between dipyrazolylmethyl moieties across aro...
On the Mechanisms of Ductility Enhancement in β+γ- Ni70Al30 and β+(γ+γ)-Ni50Fe30Al20In Situ Composites

Ductile phase reinforcement is an attractive approach for improving room temperature ductility and toughness of intermetallics. Two alloys of nominal composition (at.%) Ni70Al30 and Ni50Fe30Al20 were directionally solidified to produce quasi-lamellar microstructures. Both alloys exhibit ~10% tensile ductility at 300 K when the ductile phase is continuous, while the Ni70Al30 alloy has a tensile ductility of ~4% when the γ phase is discontinuous. Observations of slip traces and dislocation substructures indicate that a substantial portion of the ductility enhancement is a result of slip transfer from the ductile phase to the brittle matrix. The details of slip transfer in the two model materials and the effect of the volume fraction and morphology of the ductile phase on the ductility enhancement in the composite are discussed.
After the burn: factors affecting land snail survival in post-prescribed-burn woodlands

Prescribed burning is commonly used for vegetation management. Whereas effects on vegetation are apparent, effects of these burns on ground-dwelling invertebrates are not. Land snails are especially susceptible to burns. Snail loss occurs directly from burns, but may also occur post-burn because of altered habitat conditions, although post-burn loss has not previously been tested. We used a field experiment to investigate snail survival and factors affecting survival in post-burn habitats. We exposed snails (Discidae: Anguispira alternata) to combinations of intact leaf litter, wood shelters, burned leaf litter, charred wood and ash added to leaf litter, to simulate a variety of post-burn conditions. Half of the replicates were watered every 3 d, which allowed detection of desiccation effects in comparison to ambient water conditions. The on-going drought resulted in high snail mortality. Watering increased survival and, as a consequence, growth. Snail mortality was higher in habitats with burned leaves and/or wood than in unburned habitats. Higher temperatures and rapid initial mortality in burned habitats, and increased survival with watering, indicated that the major cause of post-fire mortality was desiccation, rather than starvation. Contrary to expectations, snails in burned-leaf habitats grew more than snails in unburned habitats, and this greater growth was associated with higher soil pH. Snails surviving fires in burned woodland areas likely have high post-burn mortality. Our experiment highlights the negative impacts of burned woodland habitats on some nontarget organisms and indicates that prescribed burns should be avoided during exceptionally dry conditions.
Calibration of a Digital Hydrophone Line Array at Low Frequency

The challenges of comparison calibrations of hydrophones in linear arrays at low frequencies are inherent in the length of the array, number of hydrophones, difficulty in achieving free-field conditions, and lack of a suitable low-frequency projector. These challenges were addressed by the development of complementary methods to simultaneously measure the complex sensitivity in the acoustic data channels of hydrophone line arrays with digital telemetry systems. The voltage sensitivities and RC time constants of the array data channels were then estimated by nonlinear regression of calibration data to a simplified model of the acoustic data channel. The methods are demonstrated by the simultaneous calibration of 200 data channels of a digital hydrophone line array at 1/3 octave band center frequencies ranging from 1.2 to 400 Hz. The 95% confidence interval of the voltage sensitivity estimates was not more than 1 dB.
O livro em seu tempo

Originally written as an invited presentation for Feira Nordestina do Livro in Recife, but not presented there when funding fell through, this essay considers three entangled senses of the book in its time—historical, presentational, and experiential— considering the book as a vehicle in which “time is articulated and re-synchronized through various material practices.” As a result of having written about the book, especially in relation to new technologies and digital media, for over a quarter of a century, this essay is to some extent haunted by past formulations of these questions. In speculating about the future of the book, the essay begins from the premise that the future of some things is to be more like themselves, that is, self-similar, but then proceeds to a parable that reflects the life of most books since the dawn of the age of print in which some circulate and disappear from use, others are treasured for reasons of art, of literary, historical, or practical value, still others are kept as a hedge against time or otherwise move through generations of this world, fading and renewed, forgotten and remembered by turns.
Clinical and familial characteristics of ten Chinese patients with fatal familial insomnia

Objective To study the clinical and familial features of the fatal familial insomnia(FFI),an autosomal dominant prion disease clinically characterized by inattention,sleep loss,dysautonomia,and motor signs.MethodsFFI cases were identified and diagnosed based on the WHO recommended criteria for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease(CJD),and their clinical features and familial characteristics were analyzed.Blood samples were obtained from available family members of cases and the mutation of D178N in the prion protein gene(PRNP)was detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR).ResultsA total of 10 FFI cases were identified and diagnosed by the WHO criteria from the surveillance network for CJD in China since 2006.The onsets were from ages 19 to 55 with the median at 38 years old.The foremost symptoms seem to be various,including sleep disturbances,vision disorder,dizziness and anorexia.Sleep disturbances appeared in all cases and lasted during their full clinical courses.Progressive sympathetic symptoms,memory loss,movement disturbances,myoclonus and hypertension were also frequently observed.The median duration of the 10 FFI cases was 9.5 months.There were no special abnormalities detected by Electroencephalographic(EEG)and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).14-3-3 protein in cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) was positive in five out of eight tested patients.Clear family diseaseassociated histories were found in 8 patients and clear severe neuronal damage was detected in the thalamus region of 3 FFI cases.Blood samples from available family members of 4 cases were obtained;no mutations were found among the 14 family members of case 3 while one of his cousins died of a kind of unknown neurological disease;the mothers of cases 5 and 6 carried D178N mutation in PRNP gene but clinically were normal and healthy while no D178N mutation was found in other available family members from these two cases;one of his brother and this brother′s son were detected D178N mutation from the case 7 but not in the other 9 family members.ConclusionsFFI cases in China share similar clinical characteristics as that of Caucasian patients.Comparing to other genetic CJD associated mutations,the mutation of D178N in PRNP gene is frequently detected in FFI cases identified in China.
A context-independent situational judgment test to measure prosocial implicit trait policy

ABSTRACTTwo studies developed and validated a context-independent situational judgment test (SJT) of prosocial implicit trait policy (ITP). The first study developed a SJT based on critical incidents about the prosocial behavior of physicians, lawyers, community service volunteers, and human factors engineers. In a sample of 396 undergraduates, scores obtained from this SJT were internally consistent and correlated significantly with other trait constructs related to prosocial ITP. In the second study with 134 undergraduates, the SJT was significantly correlated with relevant trait constructs and prosocial performance in role-plays simulating scenarios in which others needed help. These results show that a generic SJT developed from items that describe situations and actions specific to several occupations can predict behavior in situations unlike any that appear in its items.
Computed tomography after minor head injury.

Minor head injury is commonly seen in the primary care and emergency department settings. Minor head injury typically includes brief loss of consciousness or other symptoms of concussion. Several clinical decision rules have been developed and validated to help identify patients who need CT of the brain.
Unusual Bandgap Oscillations in Template-Directed π-Conjugated Porphyrin Nanotubes.

Using large-scale DFT calculations (up to 1476 atoms and 18 432 orbitals), we present the first detailed analysis on the unusual electronic properties of recently synthesized porphyrin nanotubes. We surprisingly observe extremely large oscillations in the bandgap of these nanostructures as a function of size, in contradiction to typical quantum confinement effects (i.e., the bandgap increases with size in several of these nanotubes). In particular, we find that these intriguing electronic oscillations arise from a size-dependent alternation of aromatic/nonaromatic characteristics in these porphyrin nanotubes. Our analyses of band structures and orbital diagrams indicate that the electronic transitions in these nanostructures are direct-bandgap, optically active “bright” states that can be readily observed in photoelectron spectroscopic experiments. Most importantly due to their unusual bandgap oscillations, we find that both type I and type II donor–acceptor p–n heterojunctions are possible in these templ...
Current results of treatment of bronchiectasis.

To assess the correct role of operation in the management of bronchiectasis, all patients with acquired bronchiectasis seen at the Medical University of South Carolina and the Charleston County Hospital between 1968 and 1978 were reviewed. Sixty-four patients demonstrated the appropriate symptom complex, had diagnostic bronchograms, and were followed for at least 1 year. Group I consists of the 24 patients who were treated surgically. The 16 patients in Group II were surgical candidates based on age, symptoms, extent of disease, and pulmonary function but were treated nonoperatively because of physician preference or patient refusal of operation. Twenty-four patients were not surgical candidates and were not operated on. Patients in Groups I and II were similar in age (32.8 versus 37.4 years), sex (13 women and 11 men versus six women and 10 men), pulmonary segments involved (6.2 versus 5.1), mean follow-up (6.3 versus 6.9 years), and etiology. In Group I, one patient underwent segmentectomy, 14 had a lobectomy, six had a bilobectomy, and three had a pneumonectomy. Two patients (8.3%) died following operation, and significant complications occurred in three (12.5%). Two additional surgical patients died during the follow-up period, for an overall mortality of 17%. Five deaths (31%) occurred in Group II. During the follow-up period, Group I patients had significantly fewer of each of the chronic symptoms of cough, hemoptysis, chest pain, dyspnea, and recurrent fever (p
Extremely high simulated ballistic currents in triple-heterojunction tunnel transistors

Future VLSI devices will require low CV dd 2/2 switching energy, large on-currents (I on ), and small off-currents (I off ). Low switching energy requires a low supply voltage V dd , yet reducing V dd typically increases /off and reduces the I on /I off ratio. Though tunnel FETs (TFETs) have steep subthreshold swings and can operate at a low V dd , yet their I on is limited by low tunneling probability. Even with a GaSb/InAs heterojunction (HJ), given a 2nm-thick-channel (001)-confined TFET, [100] transport, and assuming V dd =0.3V and I oFF =10−3A/m, the peak tunneling probability is on is only 24 A/m (fig. 1b) [1]. This low I on will result in large CV dd /I delay and slow logic operation. Techniques to increase /on include graded AlSb/AlGaSb source HJs [2,3] and tunneling resonant states [4]. We had previously shown that tunneling probability is increased using (11 0) confinement and channel heterojunctions [1], the latter increasing the junction built-in potential and junction field, hence reducing the tunneling distance. Here we propose a triple heterojunction TFET combining these techniques. The triple-HJ design further thins the tunnel barrier to 1.2 nm, and creates two closely aligned resonant states 57meV apart. The tunneling probability is very high, >50% over a 120meV range, and the ballistic I on is extremely high, 800A/m at 30nm Lg and 475 A/m at 15nm Lg, both with I off =10−3 A/m and V dd =0.3 V. Compared to a (001) GaSb/InAs TFET, the triple-HJ design increases the ballistic /on by 26:1 at 30nm L g and 19:1 at 15nm L g . The designs may, however, suffer from increased phonon-assisted tunneling.
Atypical Presentation of Cervical Carcinoma With Cerebral Metastasis.

Background: Cervical cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women, but cerebral metastasis from cervical carcinoma is a rare event with a reported incidence of 0.57%. Case Report: We describe a case of brain metastasis from primary cervical adenocarcinoma with several distinct features. This case illustrates uncommon presenting neurologic symptoms, a rare combination of histopathologic features, and atypical findings on radiographic evaluation. Conclusion: Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for cerebral metastasis to make an accurate diagnosis and initiate appropriate management of advanced cervical cancer.
Federal and State Court Rules Governing Publication and Citation of Opinions

Many appellate court opinions are unpublished and have no precedential value. Publication standards vary for each jurisdiction. The different standards are presented in table form.
Development of design guidelines for thermo-active foundations

Ground medium can be utilized as a direct energy source to heat and cool buildings. In particular, ground source heat pump systems take advantage of the year-round mild deep earth temperature without a significant reliance on any external energy sources. However, the high installation cost of ground source heat pumps associated with high drilling cost of vertical boreholes often make these systems less cost-effective compared to conventional heating and cooling systems. Thermo-active foundations can be a viable solution to reduce ground source heat pump high installation costs by embedding heat exchangers within building foundation structures. Compared to ground source heat pumps, only limited analyses and research studies have been reported for thermo-active foundations especially for the US climates. In particular, no specific design guidelines have been reported for thermo-active foundations especially for US climates. In this paper, a simplified design approach was developed and applied for specifying...
Learning what to expect and when to expect it involves dissociable neural systems.

Abstract Two experiments with Long-Evans rats examined the potential independence of learning about different features of food reward, namely, “what” reward is to be expected and “when” it will occur. This was examined by investigating the effects of selective reward devaluation upon responding in an instrumental peak timing task in Experiment 1 and by exploring the effects of pre-training lesions targeting the basolateral amygdala (BLA) upon the selective reward devaluation effect and interval timing in a Pavlovian peak timing task in Experiment 2. In both tasks, two stimuli, each 60 s long, signaled that qualitatively distinct rewards (different flavored food pellets) could occur after 20 s. Responding on non-rewarded probe trials displayed the characteristic peak timing function with mean responding gradually increasing and peaking at approximately 20 s before more gradually declining thereafter. One of the rewards was then independently paired repeatedly with LiCl injections in order to devalue it whereas the other reward was unpaired with these injections. In a final set of test sessions in which both stimuli were presented without rewards, it was observed that responding was selectively reduced in the presence of the stimulus signaling the devalued reward compared to the stimulus signaling the still valued reward. Moreover, the timing function was mostly unaltered by this devaluation manipulation. Experiment 2 showed that pre-training BLA lesions abolished this selective reward devaluation effect, but it had no impact on peak timing functions shown by the two stimuli. It appears from these data that learning about “what” and “when” features of reward may entail separate underlying neural systems.
Fate of various Salmonella enterica and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli cells attached to alfalfa, fenugreek, lettuce, and tomato seeds during germination

Abstract Contaminated vegetable seeds have been identified as a potential source of foodborne pathogens. This study was undertaken to observe the physiological behavior of various Salmonella enterica and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) cells attached to different types of vegetable seeds during germination. Surface-sanitized seeds (2 g) of alfalfa, fenugreek, lettuce, and tomato were exposed to four individual strains of Salmonella (Baildon, Cubana, Montevideo, and Stanley) or EHEC (three O157:H7 and one O104:H4 strain[s]) at 20 °C for 1 h. Vegetable seeds with attached bacterial cells were germinated on 1% water agar at 25 °C in the dark. Populations of Salmonella and EHEC on various tissues of sprouts/seedlings (seed coat, root, cotyledon, stem, etc.) were determined every other day over a 9-day germination period. The mean populations of Salmonella and EHEC on sprout/seedling tissues increased as the prolongation of germination time. Overall, 93.0% and 92.3% of collected tissue samples (n = 544) tested positive for Salmonella and EHEC, respectively. Seed coats had significantly higher (P
A Primer on Decision Making: How Decisions Happen

(1996). A Primer on Decision Making: How Decisions Happen. Quality Management Journal: Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 13-15.
The Kaizen Wheel – an integrated philosophical foundation for total continuous improvement

The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated philosophical foundation for Kaizen.,The study is based on triangulation (and integration) of six philosophies: the Traditional Values, the Process-Oriented Philosophy, Edification, Completeness, Improving Perfection and True-Mindfulness. In addition, the Power of One integrates these philosophies into one solid foundation for Kaizen.,A framework, called The Kaizen Wheel, is created to represent the integrated philosophical foundation for Kaizen. It shows the big picture and the close knit of the six philosophies for facilitating Kaizen. It also suggests that Kaizen can serve as a new philosophical paradigm for the unification of action and knowledge.,Although empirical contents are implicitly embedded in each of the six philosophies, the paper’s main contribution is to provide a conceptual framework for the integration of Kaizen philosophies. Since this is a conceptual paper, further research and more empirical studies will help facilitate the understanding and practices of Kaizen.,The Kaizen Wheel provides a big picture of the Kaizen philosophies. It is a useful mechanism for practitioners to review their own values so as to provide guidelines for not only their thoughts and behaviors regarding Kaizen activities, but also the design and implementation of Kaizen programs.,This is an original paper. It provides a valuable conceptual framework for providing an integrated foundation for Kaizen research and practice.
Induction of selective Bayesian networks from data

Bayesian networks (Pearl 1988), which provide a compact graphical way to express complex probabilistic relationships among several random variables, are rapidly becoming the tool of choice for dealing with uncertainty in knowledge based systems. Amongst the many advantages offered by Bayesian networks over other representations such as decision trees and neural networks are the ease of comprehensibility to humans, effectiveness as complex decision making models and elicitability of informative prior distributions. However, approaches based on Bayesian networks have often been dismissed as unfit for many real-world applications because they are difficult to construct and probabilistic inference is intractable for most problems of realistic size. Given the increasing availability of large amounts of data in most domains, learning of Bayesian networks from data can circumvent the first problem. This research deals primarily with the second problem. We address this issue by learning selective Bayesian networks a variant of the Bayesian network that uses only a subset of the given attributes to model a domain. Our aim is to learn networks that are smaller, and hence computationally simpler to evaluate, but display accuracy comparable to that of networks induced using all attributes. We have developed two methods for inducing selective Bayesian networks from data. The first method, K2-AS (Singh & Provan 1995), selects a subset of attributes that maximizes predictive accuracy prior to the network learning phase.The idea behind this approach is that attributes which have little or no influence on the accuracy of learned networks can be discarded without significantly affecting their performance. The second method we have developed, InfoAS (Singh & Provan 1996), uses information-theoretic metrics to efficiently select a subset of attributes from which to learn the classifier. The aim is to discard those attributes which can give us little or no information about the class variable, given the other attributes in the network. We have showed that relative to networks learned using all attributes, networks learned by both K2-AS and Info-AS are significantly smaller and computationally simpler to evaluate but display comparable predictive accuracy. More-
Strategies to Speed Lung Healing in ARDS

A major problem in the treatment of patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is that most of the clinical care consists of treatment of the underlying predispositions and advanced supportive measures. While the prognosis of ARDS has improved somewhat over the last decade, trials of early intervention have yet to demonstrate major improvements in the outcomes from ARDS. Specifically, therapeutic trials that have shown no or little clinical benefit have included: glucocorticoids given either early or for established ARDS or sepsis syndrome, early positive end expiratory pressure for at-risk intubated patients, intravenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and aerosolized surfactant lipid therapy with Exosurf. The likely explanation for this is that by the time the syndrome is recognized clinically multiple parallel pathophysiologic abnormalities have been initiated that are largely self-perpetuating; intervening against one component then may not be sufficient to have major clinical benefit. An alternative strategy for treatment of ARDS is the promotion of the repair process. This paper reviews some of the approaches on the horizon for testing in preclinical models and hopefully soon in clinical trials. Table 1 lists these strategies.
In the eyes of the law: Associations among fear of negative evaluation, race, and feelings of safety in the presence of police officers

Abstract Police officers are a community resource tasked with keeping citizens safe. Some individuals, however, particularly those from groups that have historically experienced mistreatment at the hands of police officers, are disproportionately likely to perceive interactions with police, even those that are ostensibly benign or helpful, as threatening. We know little about whether psychological characteristics, such as fear of negative evaluation (FNE), which is also associated with heightened perception of threats from others, may amplify or attenuate perceptions of safety in the presence of the police. We used linear multiple regression to test the hypothesis that perceptions of safety in the presence of same- and different- race police officers would be lower among members of a group with heightened perceptions of police mistreatment (African Americans), particularly those who also endorse high levels of FNE, than among European Americans, regardless of their levels of FNE. Our findings indicate that the interaction between participant race and FNE significantly predicted safety feelings in the presence of police officers, particularly those from a racial outgroup. How one views interactions with police may influence whether or how often a citizen seeks police protection as well as the nature of those interactions.
Research and application of safety assessment for flexible joints of lightning arresters

A design method of aeroelastic model wind tunnel for substation frame lightning rod structure was presented in this paper in order to improve the effectiveness of wind tunnel design of aeroelastic ...
Management of acute loss of asthma control: yellow zone strategies.

Purpose of reviewAsthma exacerbations are associated with a significant burden to both the individual patient and to the healthcare system. Patients often step-up home therapies in response to increased asthma symptoms, and the asthma action plan was created to empower patients to self-manage their
Teaching Young Adults Job Skills Using a Constant Time Delay and eCoaching Intervention Package.

Young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and comorbid intellectual disability (ID) are vastly underrepresented in the area of postsecondary employment. This study evaluated the effectivenes...
The year’s work in international librarianship: 1970

(1972). The year’s work in international librarianship: 1970. International Library Review: Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 235-250.
Variabilities in Reference Standard by Radiologists and Performance Assessment in Detection of Pulmonary Embolism in CT Pulmonary Angiography

Annotating lesion locations by radiologists' manual marking is a key step to provide reference standard for the training and testing of a computer-aided detection system by supervised machine learning. Inter-reader variability is not uncommon in readings even by expert radiologists. This study evaluated the variability of the radiologist-identified pulmonary emboli (PEs) to demonstrate the importance of improving the reliability of the reference standard by a multi-step process for performance evaluation. In an initial reading of 40 CTPA PE cases, two experienced thoracic radiologists independently marked the PE locations. For markings from the two radiologists that did not agree, each radiologist re-read the cases independently to assess the discordant markings. Finally, for markings that still disagreed after the second reading, the two radiologists read together to reach a consensus. The variability of radiologists was evaluated by analyzing the agreement between two radiologists. For the 40 cases, 475 and 514 PEs were identified by radiologists R1 and R2 in the initial independent readings, respectively. For a total of 545 marks by the two radiologists, 81.5% (444/545) of the marks agreed but 101 marks in 36 cases differed. After consensus, 65 (64.4%) and 36 (35.6%) of the 101 marks were determined to be true PEs and false positives (FPs), respectively. Of these, 48 and 17 were false negatives (FNs) and 14 and 22 were FPs by R1 and R2, respectively. Our study demonstrated that there is substantial variability in reference standards provided by radiologists, which impacts the performance assessment of a lesion detection system. Combination of multiple radiologists' readings and consensus is needed to improve the reliability of a reference standard.
Power Markets with Information-Aware Self-scheduling Electric Vehicles

We consider multi-period (24-h day-ahead) multi-commodity (energy and regulation reserves) decentralized electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) market designs. Whereas conventional centralized generators with uniform price quantity offers are scheduled by a transmission system operator, low-voltage network-connected distributed energy resources (DERs) with complex preferences and requirements, such as electric vehicles (EVs), are allowed to self-schedule adapting to spatiotemporal marginal cost-based prices. We model the salient characteristics of interconnected T&D networks, and we consider self-scheduling DER responses under alternative distribution network information-aware or information-unaware market designs. Moreover, we consider a single (EV load aggregator) network information-aware scheduler market design. Our contribution is the characterization and comparative analysis—analytic as well as numerical—of equilibria, using game-theoretical approaches to prove existence and uniqueness, and the investigation of the role of information on self-scheduling and EV aggregator coordinated EV scheduling. Finally, we derive conclusions on the impact to social welfare and distributional equity of information-aware/information-unaware self-scheduling as well as single EV aggregator scheduling and implications that are relevant to market design and policy considerations.
Nuclear receptor 4A2 (NR4A2) is a druggable target for glioblastomas

The orphan nuclear receptor 4A2 (NR4A2) has been extensively characterized in subcellular regions of the brain and is necessary for the function of dopaminergic neurons. The NR4A2 ligand, 1,1-bis (31-indoly1)-1-(p-chlorophenyl)methane (DIM-C-pPhCl) inhibits markers of neuroinflammation and degeneration in mouse models and in this study we investigated expression and function of NR4A2 in glioblastoma (GBM). Established and patient-derived cell lines were used as models and the expression and functions of NR4A2 were determined by western blots and NR4A2 gene silencing by antisense oligonucleotides respectively. Effects of NR4A2 knockdown and DIM-C-pPhCl on cell growth, induction of apoptosis (Annexin V Staining) and migration/invasion (Boyden chamber and spheroid invasion assay) and transactivation of NR4A2-regulated reporter genes were determined. Tumor growth was investigated in athymic nude mice bearing U87-MG cells as xenografts. NR4A2 knockdown and DIM-C-pPhCl inhibited GBM cell and tumor growth, induced apoptosis and inhibited migration and invasion of GBM cells. DIM-C-pPhCl and related analogs also inhibited NR4A2-regulated transactivation (luciferase activity) confirming that DIM-C-pPhCl acts as an NR4A2 antagonist and blocks NR4A2-dependent pro-oncogenic responses in GBM. We demonstrate for the first time that NR4A2 is pro-oncogenic in GBM and thus a potential druggable target for patients with tumors expressing this receptor. Moreover, our bis-indole-derived NR4A2 antagonists represent a novel class of anti-cancer agents with potential future clinical applications for treating GBM.
Nitrogen management in landfill leachate using single-stage anammox process-illustrating key nitrogen pathways under an ecogenomics framework

Abstract Simultaneous functional gene expressions using mRNA, rate measurements, and biochemical analysis proved the consistent contribution of ammonia oxidizers, heterotrophic denitrifiers, and anammox bacteria in a single-stage attached growth partial nitritation/anammox system for nitrogen management in landfill leachate. Average removal efficiencies of ammonia–nitrogen, total inorganic nitrogen, and COD were 94%, 88%, and 26%, respectively, in the reactor. Off-gas N2O fluxes increased at relatively higher dissolved oxygen. Batch activity tests revealed the occurrence of significant anammox activity even in the presence of high concentrations of organic carbon in the influent. mRNA based functional expressions of nitrite reductase (nirK and nirS) and hydrazine synthase (hzsA) suggested simultaneous active heterotrophic denitrification and anammox, respectively. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing revealed Proteobacteria (36–56%), Planctomycetes (10–31%), and Bacteroidetes (6–39%) as dominant phyla in the reactor. Candidatus brocadia was observed as the most abundant genus representing anammox community.
Sigma1 Receptor Inhibits TRPC1-Mediated Ca 2+ Entry That Promotes Dopaminergic Cell Death

Regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis is essential for neuronal function and its survival. Recent data suggest that TRPC1 function as the endogenous store-mediated Ca2+ entry channel in dopaminergic cells, and loss of TRPC1 function leads to neurodegeneration; however, its regulation is not fully identified. Here we provide evidence that the sigma 1 receptor contributes to the loss of dopaminergic cells by blocking TRPC1-mediated Ca2+ entry. Importantly, downregulation of sigma 1 receptor expression significantly decreased neurotoxin-induced loss of dopaminergic cells as measured by MTT assays and caspase activity was also inhibited. Importantly, sigma 1 receptor inhibited TRPC1-mediated Ca2+ entry and silencing of sigma 1 receptor significantly restored store-dependent Ca2+ influx. Although co-immunoprecipitation failed to show an interaction between the TRPC1 and sigma 1 receptor, store depletion promoted a decrease in the sigma 1 receptor-STIM1 association. Neurotoxin-induced loss of Ca2+ entry was significantly restored in cells that had decreased sigma 1 receptor expression. Furthermore, TRPC1 or STIM1 silencing inhibited store-mediated Ca2+ entry, which was further increased upon the downregulation of the sigma 1 receptor expression. TRPC1 silencing prevented the increased neuroprotection and caspase activity observed upon the downregulation of sigma 1 receptor. Finally, sigma 1 receptor activation also significantly decreased TRPC1-mediated Ca2+ entry and lead to an increase in neurodegeneration. In contrast, addition of sigma 1 receptor antagonist prevented neurotoxin-induced neurodegeneration and facilitated TRPC1-mediated Ca2+ influx. Together these results suggest that the sigma 1 receptor is involved in the inhibition of TRPC1- mediated Ca2+ entry, which leads to the degeneration in the dopaminergic cells, and prevention of sigma 1 receptor function could protect neuronal cell death as observed in Parkinson's disease.
Community-based learning in schools of business: Factors and conditions for use—the faculty

Schools of business are a logical context for the implementation of community-based learning (CBL) given their focus on student engagement, application of knowledge, real-world experience, and dive...
Dualizing Le Cam's method for functional estimation, with applications to estimating the unseens

Le Cam's method (or the two-point method) is a commonly used tool for obtaining statistical lower bound and especially popular for functional estimation problems. This work aims to explain and give conditions for the tightness of Le Cam's lower bound in functional estimation from the perspective of convex duality. Under a variety of settings it is shown that the maximization problem that searches for the best two-point lower bound, upon dualizing, becomes a minimization problem that optimizes the bias-variance tradeoff among a family of estimators. For estimating linear functionals of a distribution our work strengthens prior results of Donoho-Liu \cite{DL91} (for quadratic loss) by dropping the Holderian assumption on the modulus of continuity. For exponential families our results extend those of Juditsky-Nemirovski \cite{JN09} by characterizing the minimax risk for the quadratic loss under weaker assumptions on the exponential family. We also provide an extension to the high-dimensional setting for estimating separable functionals. Notably, coupled with tools from complex analysis, this method is particularly effective for characterizing the ``elbow effect'' -- the phase transition from parametric to nonparametric rates. As the main application we derive sharp minimax rates in the Distinct elements problem (given a fraction $p$ of colored balls from an urn containing $d$ balls, the optimal error of estimating the number of distinct colors is $\tilde \Theta(d^{-\frac{1}{2}\min\{\frac{p}{1-p},1\}})$) and the Fisher's species problem (given $n$ iid observations from an unknown distribution, the optimal prediction error of the number of unseen symbols in the next (unobserved) $r \cdot n$ observations is $\tilde \Theta(n^{-\min\{\frac{1}{r+1},\frac{1}{2}\}})$).