cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strategic Alliances & Customer Impact: A Case Study Of Community Hospitals

A s trategic alliance (SA) is a mutually beneficial long-term formal relationship formed between two or more parties to pursue a set of agreed upon goals or to meet a critical business need while remaining independent organizations. It is a synergistic arrangement whereby two or more organizations agree to cooperate in the carrying out of a business activity where each brings different strengths and capabilities to the arrangement. The social structure of alliances has been considered previously (Gulati 1995, et al.), so instead of discussing the social structure relative to alliance partners, this paper looks at the relationship between the dyad alliance entity and its customer(s). This newer aspect is particularly important when there are differences in trust and culture to consider (Das & Teng 1998) between alliance partners. Other considerations include authority, governance and structure, conflict, and the make-up of the strategic alliance, its partners, and the customer(s).
MS1 Peptide Ion Intensity Chromatograms in MS2 (SWATH) Data Independent Acquisitions. Improving Post Acquisition Analysis of Proteomic Experiments.

Quantitative analysis of discovery-based proteomic workflows now relies on high-throughput large-scale methods for identification and quantitation of proteins and post-translational modifications. Advancements in label-free quantitative techniques, using either data-dependent or data-independent mass spectrometric acquisitions, have coincided with improved instrumentation featuring greater precision, increased mass accuracy, and faster scan speeds. We recently reported on a new quantitative method called MS1 Filtering (Schilling et al. (2012) Mol. Cell. Proteomics 11, 202–214) for processing data-independent MS1 ion intensity chromatograms from peptide analytes using the Skyline software platform. In contrast, data-independent acquisitions from MS2 scans, or SWATH, can quantify all fragment ion intensities when reference spectra are available. As each SWATH acquisition cycle typically contains an MS1 scan, these two independent label-free quantitative approaches can be acquired in a single experiment. Here, we have expanded the capability of Skyline to extract both MS1 and MS2 ion intensity chromatograms from a single SWATH data-independent acquisition in an Integrated Dual Scan Analysis approach. The performance of both MS1 and MS2 data was examined in simple and complex samples using standard concentration curves. Cases of interferences in MS1 and MS2 ion intensity data were assessed, as were the differentiation and quantitation of phosphopeptide isomers in MS2 scan data. In addition, we demonstrated an approach for optimization of SWATH m/z window sizes to reduce interferences using MS1 scans as a guide. Finally, a correlation analysis was performed on both MS1 and MS2 ion intensity data obtained from SWATH acquisitions on a complex mixture using a linear model that automatically removes signals containing interferences. This work demonstrates the practical advantages of properly acquiring and processing MS1 precursor data in addition to MS2 fragment ion intensity data in a data-independent acquisition (SWATH), and provides an approach to simultaneously obtain independent measurements of relative peptide abundance from a single experiment.
Screening and Treatment of Tethered Spinal Cord in Anorectal Malformation Patients

Introduction This study aims to evaluate diagnosis and treatment of tethered spinal cord (TSC) in anorectal malformation (ARM) patients. Material and Methods A retrospective case study was performed on patients with an ARM born between 2004 and 2011 and treated at the Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital. Results During the study period, 110 neonates with ARM were treated. Spinal ultrasonography was performed in 94 (85%) patients. Ultrasonography findings were abnormal in 17 patients (18%): 16 had evidence for TSC and 1 for caudal regression. These findings were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in eight patients. Six of the other 76 patients developed neurologic symptoms and MRI revealed evidence for TSC in 2 of those 6 patients. Thus, sensitivity of spinal ultrasonography was 80%, specificity was 89%, the positive predictive value was 47%, and the negative predictive value was 97%. The prevalence of TSC, as confirmed by MRI, was 9%. Three patients underwent untethering surgery: one patient developed neurologic symptoms and two patients were asymptomatic at the time of surgery (MRI showed progressive syringomyelia in one and the other had a dermal sinus with TSC). All operations were without any complications and the symptoms resolved in the first patient. A relationship between TSC and a specific type of ARM or syndrome disorder could not be found. Conclusions Tethered cord occurs in 9% of the ARM patients. Neonatal spinal ultrasonography has a sensitivity and specificity of 80 and 89%, respectively. Not in all patients an MRI was performed, but the vast majority remained clinically asymptomatic concerning TSC. Ultrasound screening seems an effective screening method, however, when ultrasonography is negative and the patient becomes symptomatic later in life, an MRI should be performed to exclude TSC. In our series, only 1 of 110 ARM patients had symptomatic tethered cord syndrome, and symptoms resolved postoperatively.
Techniques for Generating and Measuring Production Code Constructs from Controller Models

A key step in Model-Based Design is the deployment of an algorithm as machine code onto a target processor in the production vehicle. Modern software tools automatically generate the algorithmic source code from models. Given the many combinatorial possibilities for realizing a given algorithm within the modeling environment, the generated C source code will be a function of a realization. This dependency is an important consideration because the quality and clarity of the source code impacts the amount of verification and analysis that must be done for production software development. Other factors involved in generating the machine code from the source code, such as compiler optimization and microprocessor architecture, also contribute to this optimization. Organizations that proactively data mine and gather these optimizations into a set of best practices stand to benefit from reduced development times and lower costs. This paper introduces techniques that can be used to generate and measure code constructs used to create a set of best practices for the Simulink modeling environment. The quality of the object code is measured by examining the algorithm compiled within an Integrated Development Environment.
The regional injection of penicillin in local infections; a preliminary report.

THE advent of penicillin has opened up innumerable fields of exploration in the treatment of infection. Sufficient work has been done and enough reports have been published on the production, assaying and pharmacology of the drug to permit omission of their discussion. This report is mainly concerned with the administration and dosage of penicillin in local infections, with direct regional injection and without systemic injections or other local therapy. There have been many attempts to use penicillin locally. Peck1 reported 15 cases in which this drug was employed locally with good results. He, however, also used it systemically, and in . . .
MEMS-based Endoscopic Optical Coherence Tomography

We report design and modification of an MEMS-based endoscopic optical coherence tomography (EOCT) and applications in the imaging and diagnosis of bladder cancers. Results of normal porcine bladders and rat bladder cancers will be presented.
Epidemic trends of notifiable diseases in Zhoukou City of Henan Province from 2004-2011

[Objective]To understand the epidemic trends of notifiable diseases in Zhoukou City in recent 8 years,and provide theoretical basis for developing prevention and control strategies and measures.[Methods]The descriptive epidemiology was used to analyze surveillance data of notifiable diseases in Zhoukou City from 2004-2011.[Results]No case of category A notifiable disease was reported in Zhoukou City from 2004-2011.Totally 271 963 cases of 22 category B and C notifiable diseases were reported,with annual incidence rate of 340.32 /100 000,The infectious diseases with high incidence were hepatitis B(134.77 /100 000),tuberculosis(90.96/100 000),hand,foot and mouth disease(40.42/100 000).[Conclusion]The epidemic of notifiable diseases shows tendency of first upward and then towards stability in Zhoukou City from 2004-2011.The incidence top 10 infectious diseases should be taken as focus of prevention and control.
ACETIC ANHYDRIDE-TRIFLUOROACETIC ACID ACETOLYSIS FOR THE ESTIMATION OF GLYCEROL IN PHOSPHATIDYL CHOLINE BY GAS-LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY.

Low glycerol recoveries are obtained when acetic anhydride–acetic acid acetolysis is used to dephosphorylate lecithin prior to glycerol (and fatty acid) analysis by saponification–acetylation and gas–liquid chromatography. Quantitative glycerol recoveries are obtained for both phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl ethanolamine when a modified acetolysis using acetic anhydride–trifluoroacetic acid is employed. Modified acetolysis is limited to the analysis of glycerol alone since unsaturated fatty acids are destroyed.
Political, Economic and Educational Institutions

The reigns of ‘Abd-al-Raḥmān III and his successor al-Ḥakam II (961–76), together with the dictatorship of al-Ḥājib al-Manṣūr (977–1002), mark the apogee of Moslem rule in the West. Neither before nor after this was Moslem Spain able to exercise the same political influence in European and African affairs.
Is a Skilled Nursing Facility's Rehospitalization Rate a Valid Quality Measure?

Objective To determine whether the observed differences in the risk-adjusted rehospitalization rates across skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) reflect true differences or merely differences in patient severity. Settings Elderly Medicare beneficiaries newly admitted to an SNF following hospitalization. Study Design We used 2009–2012 Medicare data to calculate SNFs' risk-adjusted rehospitalization rate. We then estimated the effect of these rehospitalization rates on the rehospitalization of incident patients in 2013, using an instrumental variable (IV) method and controlling for patient's demographic and clinical characteristics and residential zip code fixed effects. We used the number of empty beds in a patient's proximate SNFs during hospital discharge to create the IV. Principal Findings The risk-adjusted rehospitalization rate varies widely; about one-quarter of the SNFs have a rehospitalization rate lower than 17 percent, and for one-quarter, it is higher than 23 percent. All the IV models result in a robust finding that an increase in a SNF's rehospitalization rate of 1 percentage point over the period 2009–2012 leads to an increase in a patient's likelihood of rehospitalization by 0.8 percentage points in 2013. Conclusions Treatment in SNFs with historically low rehospitalization causally reduces a patient's likelihood of rehospitalization. Observed differences in rehospitalization rates reflect true differences and are not an artifact of selection.
Tools for trigger aware analyses in ATLAS

In order to search for rare processes, all four Large Hadron Collider experiments have to use advanced triggering methods for selecting and recording the events of interest. For this reason the understanding and evaluation of the trigger performance is one of the most crucial parts of any physics analysis. This paper summarizes the status of some of the software projects in the ATLAS Collaboration meant to help physicists analyze the performance of the online trigger.
iTraceVis: Visualizing Eye Movement Data Within Eclipse

The paper presents iTraceVis, an eye tracking visualization component for iTrace, a gaze-aware Eclipse plugin. The visualization component is designed to work with data generated from iTrace after an eye tracking session. iTrace provides us with an automatic mapping of raw eye gaze on corresponding source code elements according to their hierarchy in the abstract syntax graph even in the presence of scrolling and context switching between files. This feature provides us with the ability to visualize eye tracking data in large source code files and is not just restricted to visualize only a method at a time i.e., something that fits on the screen. Due to the enormous size and richness of data collected from the eye tracker, visualizations help both the researcher and the developer to comprehend what transpired during an eye tracking session. iTraceVis currently supports four visualization views - heat map, gaze skyline, static gaze map, and dynamic gaze map. In order to determine the usefulness of the visualizations, we conduct a pilot user study with 10 senior students. We present an existing eye-tracking developer session to the study participants and ask them a series of questions while they interacted with iTraceVis and its various views in Eclipse. The results indicate that the visualizations do indeed help users understand the visualized session represented by the data, and also provide insight into where the visualizations can be improved as part of future work.
Crimp around the globe; patterns of collagen crimp across the corneoscleral shell.

Abstract Our goal was to systematically quantify the collagen crimp morphology around the corneoscleral shell, and test the hypothesis that collagen crimp is not uniform over the globe. Axial longitudinal cryosections (30 μm) of three sheep eyes, fixed at 0 mmHg IOP, were imaged using polarized light microscopy to quantify the local collagen in 8 regions: two corneal (central and peripheral) and six scleral (limbus, anterior-equatorial, equatorial, posterior-equatorial, posterior and peripapillary). Collagen crimp period (length of one wave), tortuosity (path length divided by end-to-end length), waviness (SD of orientation), amplitude (half the peak to trough distance), and conformity (width of contiguous similarly oriented bundles) were measured in each region. Measurements were obtained on 8216 collagen fiber bundles. When pooling measurements across the whole eye globe, the median crimp values were: 23.9 μm period, 13.2 μm conformity, 0.63 μm amplitude, 1.006 tortuosity, and 12.7° waviness. However, all parameters varied significantly across the globe. Median bundle periods in the central cornea, limbus, and peripapillary sclera (PPS) were 14.1 μm, 29.5 μm, and 22.9 μm, respectively. Median conformities were 20.8 μm, 14.5 μm, and 15.1 μm, respectively. Median tortuosities were 1.005, 1.007, and 1.007, respectively. Median waviness’ were 11.4°, 13.2°, and 13.2°, respectively. Median amplitudes were 0.35 μm, 0.87 μm, and 0.65 μm, respectively. All parameters varied significantly across the globe. All regions differed significantly from one another on at least one parameter. Regions with small periods had large conformities, and bundles with high tortuosity had high waviness and amplitude. Waviness, tortuosity, and amplitude, associated with nonlinear biomechanical behavior, exhibited “double hump” distributions, whereas period and conformity, representing tissue organization, were substantially different between sclera and cornea. Though the biomechanical implications and origin of the patterns observed remain unclear, our findings of well-defined patterns of collagen crimp across the corneoscleral shell, consistent between eyes, support the existence of mechanisms that regulate collagen characteristics at the regional or smaller levels. These results are experimental data necessary for more realistic models of ocular biomechanics and remodeling.
Human-level Multiple Choice Question Guessing Without Domain Knowledge: Machine-Learning of Framing Effects

The availability of open educational resources (OER) has enabled educators and researchers to access a variety of learning assessments online. OER communities are particularly useful for gathering multiple choice questions (MCQs), which are easy to grade, but difficult to design well. To account for this, OERs often rely on crowd-sourced data to validate the quality of MCQs. However, because crowds contain many non-experts, and are susceptible to question framing effects, they may produce ratings driven by guessing on the basis of surface-level linguistic features, rather than deep topic knowledge. Consumers of OER multiple choice questions (and authors of original multiple choice questions) would benefit from a tool that automatically provided feedback on assessment quality, and assessed the degree to which OER MCQs are susceptible to framing effects. This paper describes a model that is trained to use domain-naive strategies to guess which multiple choice answer is correct. The extent to which this model can predict the correct answer to an MCQ is an indicator that the MCQ is a poor measure of domain-specific knowledge. We describe an integration of this model with a front-end visualizer and MCQ authoring tool.
INTEGRATING SFA TECHNOLOGY INTO THE SALES CURRICULUM: HELPING STUDENTS UNDERSTAND WHAT, WHY, AND WHEN

While sales force automation (SFA) and customer relationship management are important concepts in business-to-business selling, many instructors struggle to effectively integrate these topics into ...
Functional BSND Variants in Essential Hypertension

Background Defects in the handling of renal salt reabsorption may contribute to interindividual differences in blood-pressure regulation and susceptibility to hypertension. Sodium chloride reabsorption in the thick ascending limb (TAL) is dependent in part on the chloride channel, ClC-Kb (encoded by CLCNKB ), and its accessory subunit, barttin (encoded by BSND ). Methods We investigated genetic variations in BSND in a screening population, and genotyped a homogenous cohort of normotensive and hypertensive Ghanaian subjects, in addition to four ethnically defined control populations. Functional consequences of the identified BSND variants were examined using a heterologous expression system. Results Three novel, nonsynonymous coding-sequence single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified (V43I, E255Q, and G284D) in the screening population. BSND -V43I was identified in African American, Asian, and Hispanic subjects, with minor allele frequencies of 0.14, 0.18, and 0.01, respectively, but it was absent in the Caucasian population. BSND -E225Q and BSND -G284D were rare variants. Two of these variants (V43I and G284D) exhibited partial loss-of-function phenotypes when heterologously expressed with ClC-Kb chloride channels in cultured cells. In logistic regression analyses, we observed no association between hypertension and BSND -I43 in our study population. However, we did observe significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the normotensive population. Conclusions We conclude that BSND -V43I, a common variant conferring partial loss of function, exhibits significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the Ghanaian normotensive control population. However, it does not independently confer protection against hypertension.
Lymphocytic-plasmacytic colitis in the cat.

Lymphocytic-plasmacytic colitis was diagnosed in 6 cats. Owners sought veterinary care because of semiformed -to-liquid feces, tenesmus , fresh blood and/or mucus in the feces, or increased frequency of defecation in their cats. Lymphocytic, plasmacytic infiltration in the colonic lamina propria was found on colon biopsies. Clinical signs resolved in all 6 cats after dietary management, utilizing lamb and rice, horsemeat , or a feline prescription diet. Clinical improvement also occurred in 1 cat following sulfasalazine therapy.
Relapsing, Recurrent, and Chronic Infectious Mononucleosis in the Normal Host

Infectious mononucleosis is a well described disorder, so there is no need for me to review the features of the classic syndrome or the extensive evidence for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as its major cause. I will, instead, review a number of selected aspects of infectious mononucleosis that have occupied my attention for the past few years, but which are incompletely addressed in the literature. These include the rather provocative issues of relapse, recurrence, and chronicity of EBV infection in the normal host.
Preoperative Nutritional Assessment and Postoperative Dietary Guidelines

Nutritional assessment is an essential part of the patient evaluation prior to weight loss surgery. Morbidly obese patients often have clinical or subclinical nutritional defi ciencies. Although the morbidly obese patient has an excess store of fat, there may be defi ciencies in protein or micronutrients. This may be due to baseline eating habits or poorly managed efforts at weight loss. Preoperative defi ciencies, if left untreated, may worsen after weight loss surgery, and subclinical defi ciencies may manifest into signifi cant illness with potentially devastating consequences.
The Cholinergic System in Learning and Memory

The effects of cholinergic drugs on learning and memory processes have been indicated in several studies (Pfeiffer and Jenney, 1957), where relatively small doses of scopolamine impaired acquisition in rats. Similarly, two different anticholinergic drugs, scopolamine and atropine, produced an acquisition deficit in an operant alternation task (Hearst, 1959). A role for acetylcholine (ACh) in learning and memory processes was further emphasized (Rosenzweig et al., 1960) in studies where ACh and acetylcholinesterase levels differed between strains of rats, and such differences were correlated with differences in learning.
The heat kernel, theta inversion and zetas on Г∖ G ∕ K

Direct and precise connections between zeta functions with functional equations and theta functions with inversion formulas can be made using various integral transforms, namely Laplace, Gauss, and Mellin transforms as well as their inversions. In this article, we will describe how one can initiate the process of constructing geometrically defined zeta functions by beginning inversion formulas which come from heat kernels. We state conjectured spectral expansions for the heat kernel, based on the so-called heat Eisenstein series defined in [JoL 04]. We speculate further, in vague terms, the goal of constructing a type of ladder of zeta functions and describe similar features from elsewhere in mathematics.
The Sustainability of a Coaching Model for Beginning Principals

THE SUSTAINABILIY OF A COACHING MODEL FOR BEGINNING PRINCIPALS By Virginia F. Loving A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011 Director: R. Martin Reardon, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Education This phenomenological study sought to determine what coaching-induced practices are acquired during novice principals first year as principal, and the sustainability of coaching-induced practices once the coach has been removed. This study identified skills learned while novice principals participated in a coaching program, and the extent to which these practices continued into the second, third, and fourth year of their principalship (as appropriate) once the coaching had concluded. Face-to-face interviews were recorded, transcribed, and reviewed to provide insight into common themes from the participants. Direct quotations about the experience were then placed in a narrative to describe the phenomenon of the coaching experience as seen through the eyes of the participants. After a careful review of the information, the findings reveal, that indeed, components of the coaching experience are sustainable once the coach has been removed. The common elements were data collection and analysis, confidence, feedback, finding a focus, and self-reflection.
Strain rate sensitivity of a novel refractory high entropy alloy: Intrinsic versus extrinsic effects

Abstract In recent years, there is great interest in development of “reduced activity” refractory alloys for next generation nuclear applications for safe and efficient post-service recycling. Here, the strain rate sensitivity of a refractory high entropy alloy, namely HfTaTiVZr, was investigated consisting of all reduced activation elements. The intrinsic versus extrinsic effects in rate sensitivity were evaluated for fundamental understanding of the differences in loading condition. Uniaxial bulk and micro-pillar compression tests were performed along with multi-axial nano-indentation in a wide range of strain rates. The extrinsic strain rate sensitivity obtained from micro-pillar compression and bulk compression was higher than its intrinsic characteristic determined from nano-indentation. The low value of strain rate sensitivity obtained from nano-indentation was attributed to greater degree of dislocation entanglement in confined volume beneath the indenter. On the other hand, the high value of strain rate sensitivity in case of micro-pillar compression tests was attributed to the extrinsic effect of larger surface to volume ratio which helped in annihilation of dislocations through the free surface. A pronounced indentation size effect of strain rate sensitivity was also observed. At smaller depth, higher mobility and diffusion of dislocations near the free surface resulted in higher strain rate sensitivity compared to that at larger indentation depth.
Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis of 23 Therapy-Related Acute Myeloid Leukemia Transcriptomes

Abstract 850 Therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome (t-AML) is a fatal complication that occurs in up to 5% of patients treated with chemotherapy or radiation. As more cancer patients achieve longer remissions, t-AML has increased in incidence, yet remains refractory to current therapy, with a median survival of 8–10 months. T-AML is thought to be a direct product of genetic mutations induced by alkylating agents, topoisomerase-II inhibitors, and radiation. Two main subtypes of t-AML have been described that differ in their morphology, cytogenetic karyotype, and prognosis: alkylator-agent-induced and topoisomerase-II inhibitor-induced. To identify expressed genetic variants that distinguish the two subtypes of t-AML, we have sequenced the leukemic mRNA of 23 t-AML samples using Illumina paired-end technology, yielding over 1 billion base pairs of aligned sequence per sample. The alkylator agent-related group is comprised of 13 samples with deletions of part or all of chromosomes 5 and/or 7, or with complex karyotypes. 10 samples with other karyotypes, including normal karyotype and balanced translocations, constitute the topoisomerase-II-related group. In addition, 13 de novo AML patient samples with a spectrum of cytogenetic abnormalities similar to the t-AML samples have been similarly sequenced. We have found over 13,000 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) per sample. SNP array analysis on 2 samples demonstrates 92% sensitivity and 98% specificity for SNP identification. Phenotypically relevant SNVs are prioritized by population-level allele frequency estimates, evolutionary constraint estimates, and the predicted coding region change. This analysis has yielded approximately 200 rare, predicted deleterious SNVs per sample. Some of these variants include those previously reported to be aberrant in AML (for example, FLT3, P53, RUNX1, PTPN11, CBL, and TET2), validating our analysis pipeline. Putative disease-relevant SNVs are being compared between the two main subtypes of t-AML, as well as between therapy-related and de novo AML by analyzing the frequency of the aberrant gene or biological pathway within the groups. We have found that SNVs frequently occur in the same gene or pathway in multiple samples. These findings are being validated within tumor and paired normal DNA, as well as in a larger cohort of 100 t-AML leukemia samples and 50 de novo AML leukemia samples using single-base primer extension assays. Furthermore, comparisons of transcript expression level and isoform usage are being made between groups and cytogenetic types. This information will allow the identification of pathways altered in t-AML, correlation of mutations with clinical outcome, identification of potential biomarkers, and generation of candidate targets for leukemia therapeutics. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Factors affecting Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris growth and guaiacol production and controlling apple juice spoilage by lauric arginate and ϵ-polylysine

Abstract Growth of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in fruit juices has been associated with the release of off-odor compounds, such as guaiacol. Guaiacol release was quantified using Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS) and method's minimum detection level was 3.6 ppb. The amount of guaiacol released was dependent on the amount of vanillin added to the medium. Sucrose-supplemented yeast starch glucose broth (SS-YSG broth; pH 3.7) and apple juice were spiked with vanillin (10 mg/L), inoculated with A. acidoterrestris and incubated at different temperatures (20°C–45 °C) for up to 528 h. At the temperatures that permitted growth, the bacterium grew slower in apple juice than in SS-YSG broth. Bacterial growth and guaiacol production were prevented in apple juice and inhibited in SS-YSG, when the inoculated products were incubated at 20 °C and 25 °C. When Alicyclobacillus was inoculated in SS-YSG adjusted to pH 2.7–6.7 and incubated at 37 °C, growth of the bacterium and guaiacol production were suppressed at pH 6.7 for up to 354 h and delayed at pH 2.7. Lauric arginate and ϵ-polylysine inactivated Alicyclobacillus cells with no guaiacol production in both SS-YSG and apple juice. However, ϵ-polylysine was more effective than lauric arginate when the SS-YSG (pH 3.7) was inoculated with Alicyclobacillus spores.
On the Potential for High Framerate ARFI Variance of Acceleration (VoA) Imaging

A significant risk factor in ischemic strokes is carotid atherosclerotic plaque that is susceptible to rupture, with rupture potential conveyed by plaque composition and structure. Prior work has shown that Variance of Acceleration (VOA), derived from Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging, is capable of delineating plaque components. However, the method relies on focused ARF excitations at each lateral location, limiting framerate. To increase framerate, it is hypothesized that VoA imaging may be implemented using fast plane wave imaging techniques. In this work, VoA’s ability to discriminate materials based on signal decorrelation and SNR is compared for conventional focused wave versus plane wave tracking methods. Relative to focused wave tracking, plane wave tracking yields comparable discrimination. This study suggests that a plane wave implementation of ARFI VoA analysis could be feasible for increased frame rate in atherosclerosis imaging.
Racial Oppression and Grammatical Pluralism: A Critique of Jorge Garcia on Racist Belief

This chapter assesses an important recent theory of racism—Jorge Garcia’s volitional account—in light of the criteria articulated in the previous chapter. The author’s central criticism, developed throughout the chapter, is that the term “racist belief” has at least four meanings relative to four distinct contexts of application. Three of these four uses escape Garcia’s volitional analysis. What is more, all of these uses, including Garcia’s volitional use, correspond to a contributing cause of racial oppression. Consequently, the author concludes that the oppression approach to racism better accommodates ordinary usage of “racist belief” than does Garcia’s analysis. As his argument unfolds, he develops a pragmatic case for retaining each kind of racist belief and defends it against objections.
How They Reduce Organizational Pain

This chapter discusses the core activities of the organizational toxin handler, which include: Empathetic listening Suggest solutions and provide resources Work behind the scenes and provide a safe space Confidential counseling Strategize communications and reframe difficult messages Consult, facilitate, and coach/advise managers Takeaways for Practitioners Clarity about the specific behaviors typically used by toxin handlers An understanding about how these behaviors positively impact both employees AND their organizations
1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Encapsulated in Nanoparticles Prevents Venous Neointimal Hyperplasia and Stenosis in Porcine Arteriovenous Fistulas.

Background Few therapies prevent venous neointimal hyperplasia (VNH) and venous stenosis (VS) formation in arteriovenous fistulas (AVF). Expression of the immediate early response gene X-1 (Iex-1), also known as Ier3, is associated with VNH and stenosis in murine AVFs. The study aimed to determine if local release of Ier3 long-acting inhibitor 1α,25(OH)2D3 from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles embedded in a thermosensitive Pluronic F127 hydrogel (1,25 NP) could affect VNH/VS formation in a large animal model. Methods Immediately after AVF creation in a porcine model of renal failure, 1,25 NP or vehicle control was injected into the adventitia space of AVF outflow veins. Scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering characterized drug and control nanoparticles. Animals were sacrificed 3 and 28 days later for gene expression, immunohistologic, magnetic resonance imaging and angiography, and ultrasound analyses. Whole transcriptome RNA sequencing with differential gene expression analysis was performed on outflow veins of AVF. Results Encapsulation of 1α,25(OH)2D3 in PLGA nanoparticles formed nanoparticles of uniform size that were similar to nanoparticles without 1α,25(OH)2D3. The 1,25 NP-treated AVFs exhibited lower VNH/VS, Ier3 gene expression, and IER-3, MCP-1, CD68, HIF-1α, and VEGF-A immunostaining, fibrosis, and proliferation. Blood flow and lumen area increased significantly, whereas peak systolic velocity and wall shear stress decreased. Treatment increased Young's modulus and correlated with histologic assessment of fibrosis and with no evidence of vascular calcification. RNA sequencing analysis showed changes in the expression of genes associated with inflammatory, TGFβ1, and apoptotic pathways. Conclusions Local release of 1,25 NP improves AVF flow and hemodynamics, and reduces stenosis in association with reduction in inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis in a porcine model of arteriovenous fistula.
Being mindful of the unintended consequences of having the talk with my black male child

As a mother of a Black male child, I am both excited and terrified as he grows into a young Black man in America. My son is 19 and saving for his first car. And what should be a celebratory and mom...
A Review of Autonomous Road Vehicle Integrated Approaches to an Emergency Obstacle Avoidance Maneuver.

As passenger vehicle technologies have advanced, so have their capabilities to avoid obstacles, especially with developments in tires, suspensions, steering, as well as safety technologies like ABS, ESC, and more recently, ADAS systems. However, environments around passenger vehicles have also become more complex, and dangerous. There have previously been studies that outline driver tendencies and performance capabilities when attempting to avoid obstacles while driving passenger vehicles. Now that autonomous vehicles are being developed with obstacle avoidance capabilities, it is important to target performance that meets or exceeds that of human drivers. This manuscript highlights systems that are crucial for an emergency obstacle avoidance maneuver (EOAM) and identifies the state-of-the-art for each of the related systems, while considering the nuances of traveling at highway speeds. Some of the primary EOAM-related systems/areas that are discussed in this review are: general path planning methods, system hierarchies, decision-making, trajectory generation, and trajectory-tracking control methods. After concluding remarks, suggestions for future work which could lead to an ideal EOAM development, are discussed.
Binding of AFAP-110 to phosphatidic acid is necessary for AFAP-mediated Src kinase activation and podosome formation in response to phorbol ester.

2882 The actin-filament associated protein AFAP-110 is a binding partner of Src kinase and a component of podosomes. Upon phorbol ester stimulation, AFAP-110 mediates the activation of Src and the formation of podosomes. We have found that the amino-terminal Pleckstrin Homology domain of AFAP-110 in addition to binding phosphoinositides binds to phosphatidic acid in vitro. Mutation of a single residue in this domain, lysine 163 to leucine, prevents binding of the domain to phosphatidic acid without altering its binding specifity with phosphoinositides. To test the effect of this mutation on Src activation and podosome formation, we ectopically expressed either wild type or the mutated form of AFAP-110 together with Src in SYF fibroblasts devoid of the Src-family kinases Src, Yes and Fyn. While basal Src activity was low in cells solely expressing Src, co-transfection with wild type AFAP-110 resulted in increased Src activity. The phorbol ester, PMA, enhanced this AFAP-110-dependent Src activity two-fold. In contrast, expression of the K163L mutant of AFAP-110 with Src reduced basal and stimulated Src activity to 30% of that obtained with wild type AFAP-110 and Src. In unstimulated SYF cells, the K163L mutant of AFAP-110 colocalized with stress fibers similarly to wild type AFAP-110. In the presence of constitutively active Src 527F, no differences were observed in AFAP-110 localization or podosome formation in cells expressing AFAP-110 K163L. However, in cells expressing the mutated form of AFAP-110 along with Src, the number of cells forming podosomes in response to PMA was reduced by 50%. These results suggest a previously unknown role for phosphatidic acid in the AFAP-110-mediated activation of Src and the formation of podosomes.
Learning by Doing What? A Critical Analysis of Organizational Learning-by-Doing

Organizational learning-by-doing has long been used to explain firm behavior and economic growth where the underlying models and analysis are built upon observations from the manufacturing sector. Though that sector is still relevant, firms are increasingly reliant upon creative processes, yet there is little to no understanding of how the classical models apply to this domain. This study provides evidence that organizational learning-by-doing may not occur in the creative sector. This result highlights how the existing models may need to be adjusted to deal with industry-specific characteristics. We conclude by highlighting the link between our results and observed empirical regularities.
Association of staffing with Incidence of delayed retinal break or detachment after posterior vitreous detachment in a resident urgent care clinic

To compare the incidence rate of delayed retinal break or detachment after diagnosis of acute, symptomatic posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) in a resident-run urgent care clinic (UCC) when staffed by a retina attending, non-retina ophthalmology attending, optometrist, or ophthalmology resident only. Retrospective consecutive case series. Of the 594 patients with acute, symptomatic PVD evaluated in the UCC at Penn State Eye Center between 1/1/2016 and 10/10/2019, 454 were included in the study; 140 were excluded because they were diagnosed with a retinal break or detachment on presentation to the UCC, had media opacity precluding examination, or had no follow-up within one year. Demographics, presenting examination findings, and type of staffing were recorded; subsequent visits up to 1 year were analyzed for presence of delayed retinal break or detachment. Among 491 eyes of 454 patients with a mean follow-up of 147 days, ten delayed breaks (10/491, 2.0%) and three delayed detachments (3/491, 0.6%) were discovered. Incidence rates of delayed breaks and detachments were 1.8% (5/282) and 0.7% (2/282), respectively, in the retina attending group, 1.0% (1/105) and 1.0% (1/105) in the non-retina ophthalmology attending group, 4.7% (3/64) and 0% (0/64) in the optometrist group, and 2.5% (1/40) and 0% (0/40) in the ophthalmology resident only group. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of delayed break or detachment among the staffing groups (P = 0.7312), but this study was underpowered to detect a statistically significant difference among staffing groups. Patients with a delayed break or detachment were more likely to have lattice degeneration (P = 0.0265) or a history of retinal break in the contralateral eye (P = 0.0014), and most eyes (10 [76.9%]) with a delayed break or detachment were left eyes (P = 0.0466). The overall rate of delayed retinal break or detachment in the current study is similar to previously published rates among retinal physician and retinal fellow examiners. Although no statistically significant difference among staffing groups in the incidence rates of delayed retinal tears or detachments was identified in the study, it is important to note that the optometry and ophthalmology resident only groups had higher incidence rates of delayed retinal breaks than did the retina and non-retina ophthalmology attending groups, and this may be clinically important. Larger cohort studies would be needed in order to have the power to detect statistically significant differences among staffing groups. Varied staffing for acute, symptomatic PVD may assist with resource allocation in similar settings.
Potential Early Rabies Infection Detected in Two Raccoon Cases by LN34 pan-lyssavirus real-time RT-PCR Assay in Pennsylvania

During 2017 - 2019, the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Laboratories (PABOL) tested 6,855 animal samples for rabies using both the gold standard direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test and LN34 pan-lyssavirus reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Two samples (0.03 %) were identified as LN34 RT-qPCR positive after failure to detect rabies virus antigen during initial DFA testing: an adult raccoon collected in 2017 and a juvenile raccoon collected in 2019. After the positive PCR result, additional tissues were collected and re-tested by DFA, where very sparse, disperse antigen was observed. Tissues from both animals were submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmatory testing, and were confirmed positive. At both PABOL and CDC, rabies virus antigen and RNA levels were much lower than for a typical rabies case. In addition, rabies virus antigen and RNA levels were higher in brain stem and rostral spinal cord than cerebellum, hippocampus and cortex. Cross-contamination was ruled out in the case of the 2019 juvenile raccoon by sequencing, as nucleoprotein and glycoprotein gene sequences displayed >1% nucleotide differences to sequences from all positive samples processed at PABOL within two weeks of the juvenile raccoon. Taken together, the low level of rabies virus in the central nervous system combined with presence in more caudal brain structures suggest the possibility of an early infection in both cases. These two cases highlight the increased sensitivity and ease of interpretation of LN34 RT-qPCR in rabies diagnostics for the identification of low positive cases.
Formulation strategies for mitigating dissolution reduction of p-aminobenzoic acid by sodium lauryl sulfate through diffusion layer modulation.

Abstract The use of the surfactant, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), instead of enhancing drug dissolution, deteriorates the dissolution of some alkaline drugs through forming poorly soluble lauryl sulfate salts. The thermodynamic driving force for precipitation of such salts is the ratio of ion product in solution (Q) to the solubility product of the salt (Ksp). In this work, we have examined two formulation strategies for mitigating the negative effect of SLS on the dissolution of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) by reducing the Q value of its LS salt in the diffusion layer: 1) introducing alkalizing excipient, Na3PO4, to reduce the concentration of PABAH+ by elevating the microenvironment pH, and 2) introducing NaCl to reduce the LS- monomer concentration by depressing the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of SLS.
Quantum Dot Gate Field-Effect Transistor: Device Structures

Chapter 2 introduces quantum dot gate field-effect transistors (QDGFETs). Different types of quantum dots (SiO x -cladded Si and GeO x -cladded Ge) are self-assembled on different kinds of gate insulator like silicon dioxide as well as high-κ dielectric. Different kinds of substrates (silicon and silicon-on-insulator) are also introduced as different material systems.
Studies on the Quaternary Structure of Human Serum α2-Macroglobulin

α2-Macroglobulin (α2M) is one of the major blood plasma proteinase inhibitors. Contrary to the other proteinase inhibitors, proteolytic enzymes bound to α2M still are able to hydrolyze low molecular substrates. The variety of proteolytic enzymes bound to α2M is remarkable, apparently including nearly all endopeptidases, a subject reviewed recently by Barrett and Starkey [1]. These two properties of α2M suggest a unique mechanism for binding proteolytic enzymes.
Learning and Transfer of Mediating Responses in Discriminative Learning

Publisher Summary During the past several years, there has appeared substantial literature that reflects a growing interest in the chaining or mediating response theories of discriminative learning. This chapter discusses the learning and transfer of mediating responses in discriminative learning. It reviews research to classify experimental techniques and to relate them to the present body of data and processes that are assumed, by mediating-response theories, to underlie the learning and transfer of discriminations. The chapter describes the principal arrangements and paradigms and proposes a terminology that may be used to distinguish among them. The class of experiments discussed in the chapter consists of visual two-choice discriminations. The experiments are frequently conducted using a modified version of the Wisconsin general test apparatus.
Planning the Experiments in Statistical Terms

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with planning of a different kind, such as planning the logical basis for the experiment that is not visible, hence, not so obvious. The logic calls for making statements involving the change in the dependent variable, which is the focus of most experimental research. The statements need to be made in such a way that even before beginning the experiment, the experimental outcome serves as a means of deciding the truth-value of the statements. In statistical methods, the statements are known as “null” and “alternate hypotheses.” Starting with an explanation of these, the chapter details some of the basic, well-known procedures for planning for experiments in statistical terms. The planning done at the beginning, middle, and end of the project should have different objectives. In the beginning, it should aim to identify all the possible variables, in the middle, to identify all the significant ones, and at the end, to test for the effect of the most significant ones.
Circuit World An Intelligent Simulation System For Digital Logic

CircuitWorld is an Intelligent Simulation System for digital logic developed at New Mexico State University. The digital logic expert and human-computer interface are completed. With the addition of a student model and pedagogical model, currently in the planning stages, the system will become a robust intelligent tutoring system. This paper describes the human-computer interface program written in C using X-11 windowing software and discusses the implementation of the expert in Prolog. Although there were considerable difficulties in using Prolog for circuits with feedback, these problems have been overcome and Prolog will offer many advantages for features being planned, such as the automatic translation of a device state table into Prolog code.