cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Psychographics of comparison shoppers

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to identify the psychographics of comparison shoppers. How do comparison shoppers differ from their counterparts? This question has remained unaddressed in extant literature. Design/methodology/approach – Two separate surveys of convenience samples of consumers were used to identify comparison shoppers and non-comparison shoppers and their profiles. Findings – Comparisons shoppers enjoyed shopping more and were on a tight budget. They also saw themselves as smart shoppers compared to their counterparts. However, non-comparison shoppers did not lack in buying gratification, decision confidence or satisfaction with their choices. Both groups were also at par on achievement orientation, optimism, spirited living and happiness. Research limitations/implications – Findings of differences are important: comparison shoppers do not find the shopping task stressful, instead they enjoy shopping more. The findings of no difference are even more important: the act of engaging in ...
Protecting First World Assets in the Third World: Intellectual Property Negotiations in the GATT Multilateral Framework

This article addresses industrialized countries' growing concerns over technology transfer and their efforts to obtain protection of intellectual property rights under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). It analyzes the intellectual property problem in the context of the GATT framework and the weakness of current intellectual property protection. Developing countries do not accept the United States contention either that intellectual property is covered implicitly by the GATT or that the current lack of protection reflects a fundamental flaw in the General Agreement. The article focuses on this disagreement in laying out the framework for possible solutions, which include: 1) a separate GATT agreement or code; 2) a framework agreement by consensus decision; and 3) a formal amendment to the General Agreement. The author concludes that an amendment enacted through the GATT's article XXX(1) procedure, which would be effective upon two-thirds acceptance by the Contracting Parties on the Parties that accept it, would achieve the most realistic near-term solution to the intellectual property problem. The article also focuses on the issue of GATT reciprocity, considering whether the industrialized countries will be under a duty to compensate the developing countries in the event that an agreement on intellectual property is reached. It concludes that the General Agreement should be analogized to a frustrated long-term commercial agreement, and suggests a compromise on the issue of compensation.
The Use of Edoxaban in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation and Venous Thromboembolism: A Pharmacist’s Perspective

Until 2010, the vitamin K antagonist warfarin was the only available oral anticoagulant for the prevention of stroke or systemic embolic events (SEE) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the United States. Despite its proven efficacy, the use of warfarin is limited by numerous disadvantages, including a delayed onset of action and variable efficacy resulting from interactions with genetic and environmental factors. Consequently, optimal anticoagulation with warfarin requires dose adjustments based on frequent monitoring. In contrast to warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) including dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban have predictable pharmacokinetic profiles, few drug-drug interactions, no known interactions with food, and can be administered at fixed doses without the requirement for routine monitoring. All DOACs have received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the prevention of stroke or SEE in pa...
A Computer-assisted Diary (CAD) for Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

Methods for logging activities during ambulatory blood pressure monitoring are time consuming and poorly standardized. To overcome these problems we have developed a computer-assisted diary (CAD). The subject marks boxes on a computer-readable card to indicate the time, location, body position, activity, and mood associated with each blood pressure reading. Software implemented on a personal computer downloads the diary information from a card reader, checks its quality, scores the data, extracts quantitative critical features, and inserts the information into computer files ready for data analysis and clinical report writing. The diary system was tested on 24-hour blood pressure scans of 32 normotensive working adults. The results indicated that the automated diary system was accepted well and used accurately by the subjects. Activities and moods coded by the CAD system were systematically related to the level of systolic blood pressure. The method produced results that are similar to those of traditional diaries, with major time and cost savings resulting from computer automation. We have concluded that the computer-assisted diary is an effective way to monitor behavioral states during ambulatory blood pressure monitoring which merits further trial applications.
The effect of FLT3-ITD and NPM1 mutation on survival in intensively treated elderly patients with cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia

We read with interest the recently published article by McGregor et al. [1] using a population-based, real world, retrospective analysis of three registries in the north of England. Among patients ...
Use of an Iridium-Catalyzed Redox-Neutral Alcohol-Amine Coupling on Kilogram Scale for the Synthesis of a GlyT1 Inhibitor

A recent development for the efficient and environmentally friendly synthesis of aliphatic amines is the transition-metal-catalyzed redox-neutral coupling of an alcohol and an amine, generally referred to as a “borrowing hydrogen” reaction. In this work, we describe the first kilogram-scale application of this technology in the synthesis of PF-03463275, a GlyT1 inhibitor developed for the treatment of schizophrenia. Using (Cp*IrCl2)2 the reaction has been optimized to achieve catalyst loadings lower than 0.05 mol % iridium (S/C ≥ 2000) while retaining reasonable reaction times (<24 h). Water and a tertiary amine are essential for high catalytic activity, resulting in dramatically increased reaction rates compared to existing literature protocols. Methods for iridium removal are also described.
Mental Illness in Assisted Living: Challenges for Quality of Life and Care

ABSTRACTAn unknown number of mentally ill elders in the United States receive care in assisted living, along with persons facing physical or cognitive challenges. While dementia is familiar in assisted living, our data indicate that neither staff nor residents are prepared to work or live with the mentally ill. Challenges are created for professionals, since these residents bring diverse needs. Daily interresident interactions are also disrupted or stressful. Qualitative data describe the impacts on quality of resident life as well as care and management dilemmas identified within five assisted-living settings having varying presence of mental illness among residents.
Stability of soliton families in nonlinear Schrödinger equations with non-parity-time-symmetric complex potentials

Abstract Stability of soliton families in one-dimensional nonlinear Schrodinger equations with non-parity-time ( PT )-symmetric complex potentials is investigated numerically. It is shown that these solitons can be linearly stable in a wide range of parameter values both below and above phase transition. In addition, a pseudo-Hamiltonian–Hopf bifurcation is revealed, where pairs of purely-imaginary eigenvalues in the linear-stability spectra of solitons collide and bifurcate off the imaginary axis, creating oscillatory instability, which resembles Hamiltonian–Hopf bifurcations of solitons in Hamiltonian systems even though the present system is dissipative and non-Hamiltonian. The most important numerical finding is that, eigenvalues of linear-stability operators of these solitons appear in quartets ( λ , − λ , λ ⁎ , − λ ⁎ ) , similar to conservative systems and PT -symmetric systems. This quartet eigenvalue symmetry is very surprising for non- PT -symmetric systems, and it has far-reaching consequences on the stability behaviors of solitons.
Revaluation of the Actual Contract Performance

With the effect of the new contract act, the actual performance needs relocation in the value of carrying out the contract. The author attempted to an alyze the value of actual performance from the perspective of system comparison and legal economics, and explored relevant items in China's contract act.
A model for the kinetic mechanism of sodium-coupled L-alanine transport in LLC-PK1 cells

The kinetics of sodium-dependent L-alanine transport were characterized in ATP-depleted LLC-PK1 cells, which allows experimental imposition of an interior negative diffusion potential across the plasma membrane. Under these conditions a wide range of sodium concentrations can be studied without altering the membrane potential. When Na+ is the variable substrate, the apparent maximal velocity (V max) for transport changes nearly fourfold for the five different alanine concentrations studied (0.05-2.0 mM). In contrast, at five different sodium concentrations, ranging from 10 to 135 mM, the apparent V max with variable alanine remains nearly constant at 5.3 +/- 1.2 nmol.min-1.mg cell protein-1. The ratio of the two primary kinetic parameters, Michaelis constant (Km)/V max, varies markedly no matter which solute is treated as the variable illustrate. These data are consistent with a simultaneous ordered transport mechanism in which sodium binds before alanine to the transport protein at the extracellular surface of the membrane. Alanine-dependent 22Na+ influx is more than five times faster if unlabeled intracellular sodium is present than in its absence. Sodium-dependent influx of [14C]alanine is more rapid than net alanine flux only if unlabeled Na+ and alanine are both present intracellularly. These results indicate that the cotransporter can function more rapidly in an exchange mode than when it catalyzes net solute uptake and that Na+ is the first solute to be released at the intracellular side of the membrane. A model is presented that can be used for further quantitative analysis of the kinetic and functional properties of the cotransport system.
Interaction of cA-kinase and cG-kinase in mediating relaxation of dispersed smooth muscle cells

The signaling pathways mediating relaxation by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), peptide histidine-isoleucine amide (PHI), isoproterenol (ISO), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were examined in dispersed rabbit and guinea pig gastric muscle cells. In rabbit muscle cells, SNP stimulated only guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cG-kinase) activity; VIP stimulated adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and cGMP, and both cG-kinase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cA-kinase) activities; PHI and ISO stimulated only cAMP and cA-kinase activity, and at higher concentrations, cross-activated cG-kinase. All four agents elicited concentration-dependent relaxation. N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-89; 1 microM) selectively inhibited cA-kinase activity and abolished relaxation when only cA-kinase was elevated. 8R,9S, 11S-(-)-9-methoxy-carbamyl-8-methyl-2,3,9,10-tetrahydro-8,11-epoxy- 1H,8H,11H-2,7b,11a-trizadibenzo-(a,g)-cy-cloocta-(c,d,...
Fallot: Palliation with BT Shunt

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a constellation of conotruncal anomalies involving anterior malalignment of the conal septum and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. When symptomatic in the neonatal period or early infancy, it can be treated either by complete surgical repair or by initial palliation with a systemic to pulmonary shunt, most commonly in the form of a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt. This chapter describes the details of the surgical technique used to perform a BT shunt. The procedure continues to carry a relatively high mortality rate close to 4 %. The chapter also discusses perioperative management including preoperative evaluation, decision making and important aspects of postoperative anticoagulation.
Effective University Management in Difficult Times

Any thoughtful discussion of university management in difficult times must occur in at least two contexts. The first is framed by the past half-century, a period in which we have seen the progressive collapse of state financial support for public colleges and universities in the United States, with simultaneous demands for increased student enrolment. The second is the more recent timeframe of the past year, a period whose global financial crisis and concomitant recession have exacerbated the problems that took shape in the last half-century, as historic decreases in US states’ tax revenues have led to additional reductions in state support for public colleges and universities. Private universities have shared in the more recent suffering, because of considerable endowment losses that have coincided with losses in the equities markets. While US universities struggle through the recession, institutions in other parts of the world are somewhat protected by more robust government support. The damage that has occurred in the past half-century and especially in the past year has left public colleges and universities and also many private institutions, particularly in the US, in a precarious condition. We are struggling to preserve our commitments to teaching, research, and service, because of financial constraints, increased operating costs, and other pressures. Effective management is the best, perhaps the only solution to the predicament in which we find ourselves in these difficult times.
Are Graphitic Surfaces Hydrophobic

ConspectusGraphitic carbons are important solid materials with myriad applications including electrodes, adsorbents, catalyst support, and solid lubricants. Understanding the interaction between water and graphitic carbons is critically important for both fundamental material characterization and practical device fabrication because the water–graphitic interface is essential to many applications. Research interests in graphene and carbon nanotubes over the past decades have brought renewed interest to elucidate wettability of graphitic carbons and understand their interaction with the surrounding environment.Research on this topic can be traced back to the 1940s, and the prevailing notion has been that graphitic carbons are hydrophobic. Though there have been different voices, this conclusion is supported by many previous water contact angle tests and well accepted by the community since sp2 carbon is nonpolar in nature. However, recent results from our groups showed that graphitic surfaces are intrinsica...
The Protein C Pathway in Human and Murine Sickle Cell Disease: Alterations in Protein C, Thrombomodulin (TM), and Endothelial Protein C Receptor (EPCR) at Baseline and during Acute Vaso-Occlusion

Abstract The coagulation system is activated in sickle cell disease (SCD) and acute vaso-occlusion may heighten hypercoagulability. Protein C, a natural anticoagulant, has been reported to be low in individuals with SCD. Therefore, the natural anticoagulation pathway may be disrupted in SCD. The objective of this study is to more fully evaluate the protein C pathway in murine and human SCD by examining levels of: coagulation activation; protein C activity; thrombomodulin (TM); and endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR). In order to assess the level of activation of the coagulation system, we measured plasma thrombin/antithrombin (TAT) complex levels in humans and mice. TAT levels were elevated in 22 humans with SCD versus 9 healthy controls at baseline, and levels increased further in 15 individuals with SCD during acute vaso-occlusive events (5.6±1.2 vs. 2.4±0.2 vs. 9.2±1.8ug/L respectively, p=0.02). In order to study acute vaso-occlusive events in mice, we developed a model of acute vaso-occlusion by exposing Berkeley SCD mice to 3 hours of hypoxia (FI02 8–10%) followed by 2, 4, or 21 hours of reoxygenation in room air (HR2, HR4, HR21). In support of our human findings, TAT was elevated in SCD mice compared to HbA mice at baseline, and increased further in SCD mice exposed to HR2 (n=5–14 per group, p Assessment of protein C activity levels in plasma revealed that humans (n=8) with SCD have lower protein C activity levels than healthy controls (n=10) (78%±8.7% vs. 107%±5.3%, p=0.01). Additionally, we are the first to report that protein C activity levels decrease further during acute vaso-occlusive events (paired samples in 7 individuals, p=0.01). Another key protein of the PC pathway is TM, an endothelial-bound protein which activates protein C. TM is elevated in several chronic inflammatory diseases and acutely decreases in meningococcemia. We evaluated TM in mouse liver, an organ susceptible to vascular congestion, infarction, and inflammation in SCD mice. We first measured TM in mouse liver homogenates by ELISA. All SCD mice, at baseline and after HR, expressed elevated liver TM levels compared to HbA mice (n=6 per group, 1.7 to 2.9-fold increases in SCD livers, p
Blacklisted Benefactors: The Political Contestation of Non-Market Strategy

This paper explores whether and how contentious stakeholders can disrupt a firm’s non-market strategy. We offer the first systematic study of the effect of public protest on corporate political activity, using a unique database that allows us to empirically analyze the impact of social movement boycotts on targeted firms’ campaign contributions. We show that boycotts lead to significant reductions in the amount of targets’ campaign contributions and increase the proportion of contributions that politicians refund. These results highlight the importance of considering how a firm’s socio-political environment shapes its non-market strategy. We supplement this primary analysis by drawing from social movement theory to extrapolate and test a number of mechanisms that moderate the extent to which movement challenges effectively disrupt corporate political activity.
The Comparative Anatomy of Hymenophyllopsis and Cyathea (Cyatheaceae): a Striking Case of Heterochrony in Fern Evolution

After a long history of taxonomic isolation, recent studies show that Hymenophyllopsis K.I.Goebel is nested within the tree fern genus Cyathea Sm. s.s.. We compare developmental stages of typical Cyathea with an anatomical survey of Hymenophyllopsis. Such comparisons should clarify how the distinctive features of Hymenophyllopsis are related to or derived from those of typical Cyathea. Hymenophyllopsis and Cyathea samples from field-preserved materials and herbarium specimens were examined using standard light microscopy techniques. Hymenophyllopsis species have simple stem anatomy: all have solenosteles or simple dictyosteles, and sclerenchyma and secretory strands are lacking. Only H. superba has as many as four vascular bundles in the petiole base. Leaf blades lack stomata, the epidermal cells contain chloroplasts and there are only one or two mesophyll layers. Typical adult Cyathea species have complex stelar anatomy with medullary bundles (some with cortical bundles) and complex stem histology. There are numerous vascular bundles in the petiole. Leaf epidermal cells other than guard cells lack chloroplasts and the mesophyll has multiple layers. In contrast to their differences from adult Cyathea plants, Hymenophyllopsis anatomy corresponds closely to early stages of young Cyathea sporophyte development. The origin of “Hymenophyllopsis” from typical Cyathea ancestors involved a drastic reduction in size and anatomical complexity, with the precocious production of spores. This is a clear example of paedomorphosis among pteridophytes, where Hymenophyllopsis adult plants represent precociously fertile, permanent “young sporophytes” of tree ferns.
Catheter Ablation for Cardiac Arrhythmias: Utilization and In-Hospital Complications, 2000 to 2013

Abstract Objectives This study sought to investigate the utilization of and in-hospital complications in patients undergoing catheter ablation in the United States from 2000 to 2013 by using the National Inpatient Sample and Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Background Catheter ablation has become a mainstay in the treatment of a wide range of cardiac arrhythmias. Methods This study identified patients 18 years of age and older who underwent inpatient catheter ablation from 2000 to 2013 and had 1 primary diagnosis of any of the following arrhythmias: atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, or ventricular tachycardia. Results An estimated total of 519,951 (95% confidence interval: 475,702 to 564,200) inpatient ablations were performed in the United States between 2000 and 2013. The median age was 62 years (interquartile range: 51 to 72 years), and 59.3% of the patients were male. The following parameters showed increasing trends during the study period: annual volume of ablations, number of hospitals performing ablations, mean age and comorbidity index of patients, rate of ≥1 complication, and length of stay (p Conclusions From 2000 to 2013, there was a substantial increase in the annual number of in-hospital catheter ablation procedures, as well as the rate of periprocedural complications nationwide. Low-volume centers had a significantly higher rate of complications.
More Than Metaphor: Online Resources for Teaching Cancer Biology.

Cancer biology can be a good hook to emotionally engage students with the life sciences. This Feature highlights free online resources to teach cancer biology, including materials that accompany th...
TAp63 isoform induces epithelial hyperproliferation in the mice

3859 Table of Contents p63 is a homolog of the p53 tumor suppressor gene and plays a unique role in human cancer. In contrast to p53, p63 is rarely mutated in human cancers. However, most tumors maintain p63 expression, coherent with p63 performing a pro-proliferating reaction or a counter reaction to proliferation. p63 uses two promoters and alternative splicing to create different isoforms, with an amino-terminal transactivation domain (TAp63) and without (ΔNp63α). Each isofom functions differently. ΔNp63 isoform is thought to have a dominant negative effect against the proliferating potential of the TAp63 isoform. To examine the proliferate effect of TAp63, we created transgenic mice that overexpress the TAp63α isoform in the skin. We found hyperplasia of sebaceous glands, hyperproliferation of the hair follicle cells and epidermal hyperplasia with hyperkeratosis. We also found that these mice have a significant hair loss which starts usually in the back and extended over the body. The lifespan of TAp63α transgenic mice was normal and they have not developed skin cancer. The histology partially resembled psoriasis, a common skin disease, which is characterized by a decreased turnover time of the epidermis, increased number of cells undergoing DNA synthesis, and abnormal differentiation. Although psoriasis is thought to be a T-cell mediated disease, we could not find any signs of inflammation in our mice. In a similar mouse model, we previously demonstrated a that overexpression of ΔNp63α results in decreased skin thickness, decreased subcutaneous fat tissue, hair loss, and decreased cell proliferation. These findings were accompanied by a dramatic decrease in longevity of ΔNp63α overexpressing mice suggesting a senescence effect. The data presented here show that TAp63α has the opposite effect by inducing hyperproliferation as well hyperplasia in the skin. In summary, our results suggest that TAp63α has a proliferating effect in vivo without causing any skin cancer.
Lifetime prevalence of traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness

Objective To determine the prevalence of lifetime history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with loss of consciousness (LOC) among adult, non-institutionalised residents of Ohio. Methods We analysed data from 2014 Ohio Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which included a state-specific module designed to elicit lifetime history of TBI. Results Of non-institutionalised adults 18 years and over living in Ohio, 21.7% reported at least one lifetime TBI with LOC, 2.6% experienced at least one moderate or severe such injury, 9.1% experienced a TBI with LOC before age 15 years and 10.8% experienced either TBI with LOC before age 15 years or a moderate or severe injury. Males, those with lower incomes and those unable to work were more likely to have incurred at least one TBI with LOC, multiple TBIs with LOC, a moderate or severe TBI and a TBI with LOC before age15. Conclusions One in five adults experienced TBIs of sufficient severity to cause LOC; 3% experienced at least one moderate or severe TBI and almost 10% experienced a first TBI with LOC before the age of 15 years. The prevalence of lifetime TBI in the present study suggests that there may be a substantially greater burden of injury than concluded from previous prevalence estimates.
Expression and Functional Characterization of Breast Cancer-Associated Cytochrome P450 4Z1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

CYP4Z1 is an "orphan" cytochrome P450 (P450) enzyme that has provoked interest because of its hypothesized role in breast cancer through formation of the signaling molecule 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE). We expressed human CYP4Z1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and evaluated its catalytic capabilities toward arachidonic and lauric acids (AA and LA). Specific and sensitive mass spectrometry assays enabled discrimination of the regioselectivity of hydroxylation of these two fatty acids. CYP4Z1 generated 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, and 11-hydroxy LA, whereas the 12-hydroxy metabolite was not detected. HET0016, the prototypic CYP4 inhibitor, only weakly inhibited laurate metabolite formation (IC50 ∼15 μM). CYP4Z1 preferentially oxidized AA to the 14(S),15(R)-epoxide with high regioselectivity and stereoselectivity, a reaction that was also insensitive to HET0016, but neither 20-HETE nor 20-carboxy-AA were detectable metabolites. Docking of LA and AA into a CYP4Z1 homology model was consistent with this preference for internal fatty acid oxidation. Thus, human CYP4Z1 has an inhibitor profile and product regioselectivity distinct from most other CYP4 enzymes, consistent with CYP4Z1's lack of a covalently linked heme. These data suggest that, if CYP4Z1 modulates breast cancer progression, it does so by a mechanism other than direct production of 20-HETE.
Contextual Integrity through the Lens of Computer Science

The theory of Privacy as Contextual Integrity CI defines privacy asappropriate information flow according to norms specific to social contextsor spheres. CI has had uptake in different subfields of...
The role of subconcussive impacts on sway velocities in Division I men’s lacrosse players

Head impacts resulting in a concussion negatively affect the vestibular system, but little is known about the effect of subconcussive impacts on this system. This study’s objective was to determine...
The Economic Consequences of Accounting for Stock Splits and Large Stock Dividends: The Value Line Analysts Reaction

Analysts' forecasts are a major determinant of future stock market values and new information about earnings and related accounting measures will prompt analysts to revise their forecasts. Although researchers have investigated analysts' reactions to unanticipated changes in cash-flow type variables, there still exists a lack of knowledge concerning other factors that lead to forecast revisions. Prior research, for example, has shown that analysts tend to underestimate the effects on current year income of changes in accounting method. This paper provides evidence that analysts react to management's choice of an accounting treatment that has economic consequences. The study analyzes earnings signals based on reactions of Value Line analysts to the selection of an accounting treatment for large stock distributions that reduces distributable equity. The findings support the hypotheses that 1) analysts react positively to the choice of distributable-equity reducing stock dividends; 2) the reduction in distributable equity necessitated by the choice of accounting treatment is a costly signal; and 3) the earnings revisions are greater for financially constrained companies.
Well-Posedness and Coderivative Calculus

This chapter concerns the study of two important topics in variational analysis that don’t seem to be related to each other at the first glance.
Dissolution kinetics of gold in moderate aqueous potassium iodide solutions with oxygen under pressure

The kinetics of gold dissolution in iodide solutions with oxygen in an autoclave was investigated. The leaching process was described by a gas-liquid-solid heterogeneous reaction. The effects of stirring speed, temperature, oxygen partial pressure and lixiviant concentrations on the overall leaching rate was investigated. It was found that the dissolution of gold could be represented by a heterogeneous chemical reaction. Under the conditions studied, the apparent activation energy ranged from 34.7 to 54.3 kJ/mol. Experimental findings were in good agreement with the kinetic model proposed.
Thin Films for Enhanced Photon Recycle in Thermophotovoltaics

Transfer of sub-bandgap photons between the thermal emitter and the cell is an important factor in the efficiency of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) power generation. Development of thin-film cells promises to enhance the reflection of sub-bandgap photons back to the emitter by mitigating undesired, sub-bandgap absorption that occurs in conventional TPVs. Here, we experimentally compare the sub-bandgap reflectance of an InGaAs-based cell structure with and without the growth substrate (InP). The thin-film structure exhibits higher sub-bandgap reflectance relative to the substrate-based structure. This increase in reflectance translates into significantly higher TPV efficiency based on an energy conversion simulation.
Predicting Discharge Mortality after Acute Ischemic Stroke Using Balanced Data

Several models have been developed to predict stroke outcomes (e.g., stroke mortality, patient dependence, etc.) in recent decades. However, there is little discussion regarding the problem of between-class imbalance in stroke datasets, which leads to prediction bias and decreased performance. In this paper, we demonstrate the use of the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique to overcome such problems. We also compare state of the art machine learning methods and construct a six-variable support vector machine (SVM) model to predict stroke mortality at discharge. Finally, we discuss how the identification of a reduced feature set allowed us to identify additional cases in our research database for validation testing. Our classifier achieved a c-statistic of 0.865 on the cross-validated dataset, demonstrating good classification performance using a reduced set of variables.
Conservative/Palliative Treatment and End-of-Life Care in Chronic Kidney Disease

Palliative or conservative, non-dialytic care is increasingly seen as an option to dialysis, especially in elderly chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with multiple comorbidities and a poor prognosis. This therapeutic option should be discussed along with dialysis options with all patients being educated about renal replacement therapies. Because the symptom burden of CKD is high, all CKD patients can potentially benefit from palliative care once CKD is diagnosed; palliative care is appropriate not only at the end of life but also throughout the course of CKD. Advance care planning can identify patient and family goals and thereby direct appropriate treatments. The illness trajectory of CKD typically offers multiple opportunities for nephrologists to initiate advance care planning discussions with patients and families. Advance directives like naming a health-care surrogate for decision-making and do-not-resuscitate choices and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) where available should be completed by all CKD patients. Some discussion of prognosis is required in order for patients and families to complete such directives, and it is the nephrologist’s role to initiate these conversations. End-of-life care is best delivered by an interdisciplinary team of providers focusing on the physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of suffering and providing bereavement care to loved ones. Hospice is an example of such care and may benefit CKD patients choosing conservative care as well as those who withdraw from dialysis.
It takes two: uptake of carrier screening among male reproductive partners.

OBJECTIVE To describe uptake of carrier screening by male reproductive partners of prenatal and preconception patients. METHODS A retrospective database review of all prenatal and preconception patients seen for genetic counseling in Maternal Fetal Medicine clinics was performed. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were used on the data set. RESULTS Within the study period, 6087 patients were seen for genetic counseling, of whom 661 were identified as a carrier of an autosomal recessive disorder by their referring provider or genetic counselor. Despite guidelines recommending partner testing for risk clarification when a woman is known to be a carrier of an autosomal recessive condition, only 41.5% male partners elected carrier screening to clarify the couple's reproductive risk, with a majority of males (75%) having screening consecutively. Of all assessed variables, the only significant predictors of male carrier screening uptake were female parity and earlier gestational age (p < .0001, and p = .001, respectively). CONCLUSION With less than half of male partners pursuing carrier screening when indicated, its utility becomes severely diminished. More research is needed to explore reasons why males elect or decline carrier screening.
9.05 – Elastins

Elastins encompass the class of protein-based materials derived from the sequence of tropoelastin, the major protein component of native elastic tissue in vertebrates. Biophysical studies of native tropoelastin and tropoelastin-derived sequences have provided insight into the structural mechanism that underlies the elastomeric mechanical response of the material in its native environment. Tropoelastin and elastin-derived polypeptide sequences display a thermally reversible phase transition above a lower critical solution temperature, Tt, which coincides with the development of elastomeric restoring force in the material. The functionally critical properties of native elastins can be recapitulated in polypeptides that are composed of concatenated sequences of oligopeptide repeat motifs derived from tropoelastin; the most common of which are the pentapeptide sequences (Val-Pro-Gly-Xaa-Gly). These elastin-mimetic polypeptides display a well-defined correlation between repeat sequence and macromolecular properties, which enables the creation of a wide variety of synthetic elastin analogues with tailorable biophysical and macromolecular properties. This information has guided the design of synthetic elastin-mimetic materials for novel applications in tissue engineering, surface modification, controlled delivery and release, environmental remediation, and protein purification. Moreover, biosynthetic methods have been developed that enable the preparation of elastin-mimetic protein polymers that comprise complex sequences of defined macromolecular architecture (i.e., length, composition, and sequence), including multiblock copolymers. Thus, biosynthetic elastin-mimetic polypeptides represent the best-characterized biologically derived smart materials that have been prepared and analyzed to date.
Study of pathogens isolated from 430 infants eye secretion and the ir drug susceptibility test

Objective This study is to investigate bacteria spectrum in the secretion of infants'eyes and their drug tolerance against antibiotics in order to provide basis for clinicians to select antibiotics rationally. Methods Results of the bacterium culture and drug suscep tibility test from the eye secretion of 430 infantswith ophthalmia from ophthalmologic clinic in Guangdong Wonmen and children's hospital and heatlh institute were summarized from july, 2008 to may, 2010. Biomerieux VITEK2 Compact Automatic analyzer bacteria were used to identify the bacterias and do the drug suscep tibility test.Results Bacterium growth was found in 97case and the positive rate was 22.6%.Gram positive bacteria were detected in 54 cases(55.7%), Gram negative bacteria were detcted in 43 cases(44.3% ).About the main is Staphylococus aureus the second bacteria is Escherichicoli.Staphylococcus had the lowest drug tolerace to vanccmyein, Moxifloxacin, CIP,.Linezolid; Staphylococcus was resistive to penicillin, drug resistance rate is 97.78%.Gram negative bacteria had lower drug tolerance to Quinolones.Conclusion vanccmyein , Moxifoxacin, Clp,.Linezolid, Quinolones is the first choice to treat the ocu-lar bacterial infections.Clinicans should selected suitable antibiotic to treat the different patient. Key words: Newbron; eye secretion; Bacterium culture; Drug suscep tibility test
An Isolation Hotel for People Experiencing Homelessness.

An Isolation Hotel for Homeless People In Rhode Island, a former hotel was converted into an isolation facility. When gaps in medical care became apparent, clinicians established a system for evalu...
How Different Is Different? Arguing About the Significance of Similarities and Differences

Our instructional program, CATO, uses a model of case-based legal argument to teach law students basic skills of making arguments with cases. CATO represents abstract knowledge about the meaning of the similarities and differences between cases in a Factor Hierarchy, in which the ‘factors’ used to represent case facts are linked to higher level concerns and legal issues. The Factor Hierarchy enables CATO to identify issues in a problem and to organize multicase arguments by issues. The Factor Hierarchy also helps to assess and explain the importance of differences in terms of more abstract knowledge, yet in a manner sensitive to the context of the particular problem and case being compared and the argument for which the comparison is made.
Book Review: The Beauty Bias: The Injustice of Appearance in Life and Law by Deborah L. Rhode

Book Review of Deborah Rhode's "The Beauty Bias: The Injustice of Appearance in Life and Law."
Remote management of library staff: Challenges and practical solutions

Abstract COVID-19 has forced staff in academic libraries across the world to pivot from face-to-face workdays and services to fully remote (and, in some cases, back again) with very little time or notice. This new reality has presented new challenges in the remote management of staff that may also be working remotely, or in the building. This column explores some of those challenges and presents possible solutions for those at all levels of library management.
A study of social networking site use from a three-pronged security and privacy threat assessment perspective

Abstract This study focuses on how social networking site (SNS) users’ perceived risk is affected by perceptions of the duality of potentially harmful events (cyber-attacks and privacy breaches) on SNS and explores the potential threat sources that influence such perceptions. Further, it examines the effects of perceived risk on SNS members’ site use and the underlying mechanisms through which these effects are cast. The study finds that users’ perceived SNS risk affects site use behavior through attitude as an important mediator and users’ concern regarding cyber-attacks (security) casts a greater impact than the concern regarding privacy breaches in shaping perceived SNS risk.
Preserving Racial Identity: Population Patterns and the Application of Anti-Miscegenation Statutes to Asian Americans, 1910-1950

This essay explores the relationship between Asian American population and applicability of anti-miscegenation laws to that group in the first half of the 20th Century, testing legal scholar Gilbert Thomas Stephenson's theory that racial restrictions would arise whenever non-whites of any race exist in considerable numbers. Several states prohibited Asian-white intermarriage even though the Asian American numbers failed even remotely to approach those of the white population in those states. These anti-miscegenation statutes were unique in the Jim Crow regime in the degree of specificity with which they defined the racial categories subject to the restrictions, using precise terms like Japanese or Mongolians, rather than broad terms like colored. Further, the number of statutes applicable to Asians more than doubled between 1910 and 1950, even though census data shows that the proportion of Asian population was stable or declining in these states, and in any event tiny. The proliferation of anti-Asian miscegenation laws raises important questions about the racial landscape of our country during this period. Correlating census data with the development of anti-miscegenation statutes suggests that population does have an impact on whether states would restrict Asian marriage, but in a more complex way than Stephenson proposed. In all states in which Asian-white marriage was restricted by race, so too was African American-white intermarriage; no statutes targeted Asians alone. But in virtually all states restricting African American intermarriage where there was a discernable Asian population - 1/2000th or more - Asian intermarriage was also regulated. The combination of a state's inclination to segregate, plus a visible Asian population, reliably predicts when Asians would be covered by a statute. This suggests that in the states where racially diverse populations were seen as threats appropriately subject to legal regulation, the nature of the problems presented by the various races was the same.
Flucytosine Pharmacokinetics in a Critically Ill Patient Receiving Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Purpose. A case report evaluating flucytosine dosing in a critically ill patient receiving continuous renal replacement therapy. Summary. This case report outlines an 81-year-old male who was receiving continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) for acute renal failure and was being treated with flucytosine for the treatment of disseminated Cryptococcus neoformans infection. Due to patient specific factors, flucytosine was empirically dose adjusted approximately 50% lower than intermittent hemodialysis (iHD) recommendations and approximately 33% lower than CRRT recommendations. Peak and trough levels were obtained, which were supratherapeutic, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. The patient experienced thrombocytopenia, likely due to elevated flucytosine levels, and flucytosine was ultimately discontinued. Conclusion. Despite conservative flucytosine dosing for a patient receiving CVVH, peak and trough serum flucytosine levels were supratherapeutic (120 μg/mL at 2 hours and 81 μg/mL at 11.5 hours), which increased drug-related adverse effects. The results indicate that this conservative dosing regimen utilizing the patient's actual body weight was too aggressive. This case report provides insight into flucytosine dosing in CVVH, a topic that has not been investigated previously. Further pharmacokinetic studies of flucytosine dosing in critically ill patients receiving CVVH are needed in order to optimize pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters while avoiding toxic flucytosine exposure.
Visiting or here to stay? How framing multiculturalism in different ways changes attitudes and inclusion of ethnic minorities in the United States

Three experiments explored the way in which different framings of multiculturalism influence White American perceivers’ attitudes towards ethnic minorities and inclusion of them in the national group. Results showed that while participants always preferred Whites to ethnic minorities, the difference in liking was largest when multiculturalism was described as permanent and Whites were present (vs. absent) in that description. In contrast, differences in liking did not vary by the role of Whites when multiculturalism was described as temporary (Studies 1 and 2). Second, Whites were always seen as more American than ethnic minorities, but particularly when Whites were present (vs. absent) in the description of multiculturalism regardless of the temporal framing (Studies 1 and 2). Third, participants experienced a greater need to affirm the White status quo when multiculturalism was described as permanent and Whites were present (vs. absent) in the description (Study 2). Finally, bias against ethnic minorities was greatest when the description of multiculturalism affirmed the primacy of White heritage in the definition of the nation. Overall findings suggest that not explicitly including the majority group in multiculturalism may lead to better relations between them and minority groups.
Are nonuniform principal component filter banks optimal

The notion of a principal component filter bank (PCFB) for a given class of uniform filter banks (FB's) has been well studied. Recent work by the authors has shown that PCFB's are optimal orthonormal FB's whenever the minimization objective is a concave function of the vector of subband variances of the FB. This result gives a unified explanation of PCFB optimality for progressive transmission, compression, noise suppression, and as shown more recently, for use in DMT (discrete multi-tone modulation) systems. This paper generalizes such results to nonuniform FB's. We propose two distinct definitions of nonuniform PCFB's. Each definition results in PCFB optimality for certain types of concave objectives whose form is somewhat more restricted than in the case of uniform FB's. We study existence of the defined PCFB's, and observe that it can be very delicate: Small perturbations of the input spectra can sometimes destroy the existence of nonuniform PCFB's.
Targeting the Brain

Drug delivery to the brain has remained one of the most vexing problems in translational neuroscience research. This review rationalizes the strategies to target drugs to the brain. Factors such as the speed of intervention, the scale of intervention, the state of BBB, and the permissible risks, will all be critical in deciding how best to deliver drugs to a target site in the brain for a specific clinical situation.
A monolithic X-band 3 W power amplifier with 4.5 GHz bandwidth

The design and performance of an X-band amplifier with greater than 3-W CW output power over a 4.5-GHz bandwidth is described. This fully-monolithic amplifier achieved an average power-added efficiency of 18% over the band with 8- to 13-dB gain (2-dB compressed). The two-stage amplifier is fabricated with conventional ion-implanted MESFETs and offers an attractive combination of output power, efficiency, bandwidth and size. This intermediate-bandwidth amplifier is the first of its type to provide greater than 3-W CW output power over the entire X-band. >
Intel's Technology Vision and Products for HPC

Traditionally most hardware and software architectural innovations have come through High End Computing. Today, innovation moves up from the bottom (low-power) and down from the top (parallelization) but the High-End is still a main foundation of new ideas. What is in today's supercomputer will be in tomorrow's desktop. What Intel does for HPC and what is the Intel vision and product portfolio for HPC segment will be covered during the lecture.
Tribologists and the “greening” of materials technology

Some of the research and engineering challenges which face tribologists as we move towards a more “sustainable future” are briefly outlined. Current emphasis is on reduction in greenhouse gases which means reduced energy use in all facets of technology, from primary materials production to transportation. This provides many research opportunities in materials substitution, process efficiency, friction reduction, life-cycle design, and wear modeling; also in coatings, “engineered” surfaces, and biodegradable tribological fluids.