cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aspiring managers do managerial work: new approaches for identifying and developing new technical managers

Often, when technical organizations (e.g., R&D, Engineering, IT/IS) select a new manager from their professional staff the choice is largely based on technical skills and accomplishments. Criteria reflecting candidates' ability to perform "managerial" work, if used at all, frequently are highly subjective and do not reflect the complex and diverse requirements (i.e., organizational, business, supervisory and technical) facing new managers. This paper highlights the outcomes of a series of consulting engagements conducted over five years for a variety of organizations concerned with defining the performance requirements of technical management and building highly integrated, capable management teams. These projects have produced important insights, tools, and systematic methods for addressing organization and management development issues that are particularly challenging for highly technical organizations. The work began with development of a comprehensive, job-relevant model of the capabilities required for managing research and development organizations. The model was then tested and refined in two world-renowned R&D labs and, later used as the basis for defining and prioritizing managerial developmental needs in a multi-disciplinary organization that designed and manufactured complex communication systems. The model has been used as a benchmark for defining managerial roles in a dynamic IT organization of a leading transportation operation.
Brain Myelination after Neonatal Administration of Oestradiol

OESTRADIOL administered neonatally hastens functional brain maturation of the young rat as demonstrated by electroshock techniques1. The mechanism of this action is unknown, but it has been suggested that it is related to changes in brain metabolism and/or myelination1. Postnatal histological studies of the brain of the normal rat indicate that the rate of myelination in the hypothalamus is greatest between 10 and 20 days of age2,3. In the cortex this process begins on about day 12 and continues until about day 60 of age4. The present investigation was undertaken to learn whether or not early postnatal injection of oestradiol influences the rate of brain myelination in the developing rat, and whether it thereby hastens functional brain maturation.
The Effects of Frequency Range, Vowel, Dynamic Loudness Level, and Gender on Nasalance in Amateur and Classically Trained Singers

Summary This study addresses two questions: (1) How much nasality is present in classical Western singing? (2) What are the effects of frequency range, vowel, dynamic level, and gender on nasality in amateur and classically trained singers? The Nasometer II 6400 by KayPENTAX (Lincoln Park, NJ) was used to obtain nasalance values from 21 amateur singers and 25 classically trained singers while singing an ascending five-tone scalar passage in low, mid, and high frequency ranges. Each subject sang the scalar passage at both piano and mezzo-forte dynamic loudness levels on each of the five cardinal vowels (/ɑ/, /e/, /i/, /o/, /u/). A repeated mixed-model analysis indicated a significant main effect for the amateur/classically trained distinction, dynamic loudness level, and vowel, but not for frequency range or gender. The amateur singers had significantly higher nasalance scores than classically trained singers in all ranges and on all vowels except /o/. Dynamic loudness level had a significant effect on nasalance for all subject groups except for female majors in the mid- and high-frequency ranges. The vowel, /i/, received significantly higher nasalance than all of the other vowels. Although results of this study show that dynamic loudness level, vowel, and level of training in classical singing have a significant effect on nasality, nasalance scores for most subjects were relatively low. Only six of the subjects, all of whom were amateur singers, had average nasalance scores that could be considered hypernasal (ie, a nasalance average of 22 or above).
Is Interpolation Cognitively Encapsulated? Measuring the Effects of Belief on Kanizsa Shape Discrimination and Illusory Contour Formation.

Contour interpolation is a perceptual process that fills-in missing edges on the basis of how surrounding edges (inducers) are spatiotemporally related. Cognitive encapsulation refers to the degree to which perceptual mechanisms act in isolation from beliefs, expectations, and utilities (Pylyshyn, 1999). Is interpolation encapsulated from belief? We addressed this question by having subjects discriminate briefly-presented, partially-visible fat and thin shapes, the edges of which either induced or did not induce illusory contours (relatable and non-relatable conditions, respectively). Half the trials in each condition incorporated task-irrelevant distractor lines, known to disrupt the filling-in of contours. Half of the observers were told that the visible parts of the shape belonged to a single thing (group strategy); the other half were told that the visible parts were disconnected (ungroup strategy). It was found that distractor lines strongly impaired performance in the relatable condition, but minimally in the non-relatable condition; that strategy did not alter the effects of the distractor lines for either the relatable or non-relatable stimuli; and that cognitively grouping relatable fragments improved performance whereas cognitively grouping non-relatable fragments did not. These results suggest that (1) filling-in effects during illusory contour formation cannot be easily removed via strategy; (2) filling-in effects cannot be easily manufactured from stimuli that fail to elicit interpolation; and (3) actively grouping fragments can readily improve discrimination performance, but only when those fragments form interpolated contours. Taken together, these findings indicate that discriminating filled-in shapes depends on strategy but the filling-in process itself may be encapsulated from belief.
Extent of perilesional edema differentiates radionecrosis from tumor recurrence following stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases.

Background. Differentiation of tumor recurrence from radionecrosis is a critical step in the follow-up management of patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)forbrainmetastases.Amethodthatcanreliablydifferentiatetumorrecurrencefromradiationnecrosisusing standard MR sequences would be of significant value. Methods. Weanalyzedtherecordsof49patientswith52 brain metastases treated with SRS who subsequently underwent surgical resection of the same lesion. Fortyseven of the lesions had preoperative MRI available for review(90%),includingT1postcontrast,T2,andfluidattenuated inversion recovery sequences. Pre-SRS and preoperative lesion and edema volumes were manually contoured and measured in a blinded fashion using radiation treatment planning software. A neuropathologist analyzedsamplesforthepresenceoftumorand/orradiation necrosis. Results. Longer time between SRS and resection (P , .001) and a larger edema/lesion volume ratio (high T2/ T1c,P ¼ .002)werefoundtobepredictiveofradionecrosisasopposedtotumorrecurrence.Usingacutoffvalueof 10 for the edema/lesion volume ratio, we were able to predict the presence of tumor with a positive predictive value of 92%, which increased to 100% when looking only at patients who underwent resection ,18 months following SRS. Conclusions. On follow-up imaging, lesions with a high edema/lesion volume ratio and lesions that progress later after SRS are more likely to contain radionecrosis. These indices may help guide clinical decision making in the context of evolving lesions after SRS for brain metastases and thereby avoid unnecessary interventions.
Isolation and characterization of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa gene, ptxR, which positively regulates exotoxin A production

Exotoxin A production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a complicated and highly regulated process that involves several genes. In this report, we describe the isolation of a new toxA regulatory gene (ptxR) which affects exotoxin A production in P. aeruginosa. In an iron-deficient medium, the presence of a plasmid carrying ptxR in P. aeruginosa PAO1 resulted in a four- to fivefold increase in exotoxin A synthesis. No effect was observed on the levels of elastase, phospholipase C, exoenzyme S, and alkaline protease. Using subcloning and complementation experiments, ptxR was localized to a 2.1 kb KpnI–BglII fragment. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed the presence of an open reading frame which encodes a 34.97 kDa protein (PtxR). The size of the predicted PtxR compares closely with the 34 kDa PtxR that was synthesized in Escherichia coli using the T7 expression system. The deduced amino acid sequence of PtxR is homologous to that of several members of the LysR family of transcriptional activators. The amino-terminus region of PtxR contains a putative helix-turn-helix DNA-binding motif. Specific ptxR-deletion mutants in P. aeruginosa strains PAO1 and PA103 were constructed. In comparison with their parent strains, both mutants showed a significant reduction in the level of exotoxin A activity. However, upon extensive subculturing, the level of exotoxin A produced by the PAO1::ptxR mutant was similar to that of PAO1. Transcriptional studies, using both toxA–lacZ fusion and RNA analysis, confirmed that ptxR increases toxA and regA transcription. These results suggest that ptxR regulates (through regA) exotoxin A production at the transcriptional level.
An undergraduate concentration in networking and distributed systems

This paper describes our experiences at Rochester Institute of Technology in establishing an undergraduate computer science concentration in networking and distributed systems. The concentration course sequence, prerequisite requirements, individual course structure, lab environment and student projects are discussed.
“If I Had Abandoned My Children”: Community Mobilization and Commitment to the Identity of Mother in Northeast Brazil

Gender's role in collective action cannot be understood as either a structural location defining interests and access to resources or cultural norms defining appropriate behavior for women and men. Culture and structure are interconnected, structurally based interests are mediated by cultural norms; normative behavior requires structurally constrained resources. Gendered collective action in a Brazilian shantytown arosefrom a particular conjuncture of structure and culture that produced differential commitment to parenthood. Women mobilized because individually they could not access the resources they needed to be mothers - the only available valued identity. Men also lacked resources to be fathers, but because there were alternative identities for them that were culturally valued and structurally less costly, they didn't assume the risks of mobilization. In the last twenty-five years, women arguably have been more active in Latin American social movements than men (Alvarez 1990; Fisher 1993). Women participated in and led movements demanding everything from democracy to day care. Such political activism appears to contradict the traditional gender ideologies
Deterministic properties of analog median filters

Two key deterministic properties of analog median filters are established. The first is that root signals are characterized by a special class of locally monotone functions, and the second is that the repeated application of a median filter produces a root signal which retains significant features in the original data. Both results are extensions of well known facts for discrete median filters. In addition, it is shown that these properties do not extend to a natural multidimensional version of the median filter. >
Secondary Vocational Education and Earnings in Latin America[1]

ABSTRACT Household survey data for II Latin American countries are used to assess earnings differentials by type of secondary education during the late 1980s. Introduction of the cost of the curriculum allows for the estimation of private and social rates of return to investment in education by type of secondary school curriculum. The paper documents mixed results. In some countries the private returns to vocational schooling are higher than the returns to general secondary schooling. Introducing differential cost of curriculum and estimating social returns to schooling results in much lower returns to vocational schooling. [1] The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the World Bank.
Simple charge division readouts for imaging scintillator arrays using a multi-channel PMT

Three simple charge division circuits were assembled and tested as 2-D position encoding readouts for multi-channel photomultiplier tubes (MC-PMT). They were evaluated with an 8/spl times/8 array of individual scintillators (2/spl times/2/spl times/10 mm BGO) coupled to a 64 channel MC-PMT (Philips XP1722) via 25 cm long, 2 mm diameter, double clad, optical fibers (Kuraray). This type of gamma-ray imaging detector has many potential applications in medical and industrial imaging. Though independent channel readout would allow for the discrimination of scatter within the array, and higher count rates, it would also require an excessive amount of supporting electronics. This is especially true for systems comprised of many MC-PMTs. In this study, the number of channels being read out was reduced from 64 to 4 using three different simple resistor networks. These circuits take advantage of the discretized nature of the scintillator array, the low interchannel crosstalk of the MC-PMT and low input impedance current-sensitive preamplifiers. For each circuit, the scintillator identification accuracy was compared. The identification accuracy as a function of deposited energy was also determined by exposure to various gamma-ray emitters. It was found that the preamplifier circuit noise contributed the most to the degradation of the detector's spatial response so several low noise op amps were evaluated. It was also determined that keeping the preamplifier input impedance small was necessary for accurate positioning. The coincidence timing resolution of the detector (15 ns) is only slightly degraded by the readout circuit.
AICAR attenuates inflammatory response and tissue injury after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion

1.53 1.27 1.54 0.85 24 hrs 1.60 1.19 0.72 0.31 CONCLUSIONS: These data for the first time identify that hypoxia caninducehepaticIL-23expression.Further,thehypoxicconditions also induce hepatic IFN-g/IRF-1 signaling pathway which is known to contribute to hepatic I/R injury. These results support a cellular cross-talk between HC and NPC for activation of the IL-23/IFN-g/ IRF-1 pathway that contributes to liver damage during hypoxia. Intestinal microvascular response to TLR4-LPS signaling plays a major role in the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation
Laboratory Test of Newton’s Second Law for Small Accelerations

Newton's second law is the equation of motion defining the field of dynamics. In its nonrelativistic form, ~ Fm ~ a is perhaps the most famous and most often used equation of physics. Together with its relativistic and quantum me- chanical variants, this law is implicitly tested in many applications and experiments, and its validity is simply assumed at all acceleration scales. Any deviation from ~ Fm ~
Siderosis and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage-Reply.

In Reply.— Dr Braun's letter raises an interesting aspect of our case presentation that we did not address. Our patient is now seven years postonset of her neurologic difficulty and, to date, has not demonstrated dementia or deafness. She does not seem to fit the clinical picture described for superficial siderosis. Indeed, her only persistent sign of intracranial dysfunction has been nystagmus. We remain at a loss to explain this finding. Walton stated that dizziness, particularly on head movement (not true vertigo), was the only notable symptom of CNS origin in a follow-up of 120 cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage. 1 Heidrich found nystagmus in only 3.6% of 300 cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage and stated it had no lateralizing value. 2 Patient 5 in Henson and Croft's series of spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage had bilateral papilledema, bilateral sixth cranial nerve palsies, and coarse nystagmus. His CSF pressure was increased. An autopsy revealed an angioma
The nanotech versus the biotech revolution: Sources of productivity in incumbent firm research

Does the adaptation of incumbent firms to new methods of inventing follow similar patterns across industries and inventions? We investigate this question in the context of the revolutionary scientific advances enabling biotechnology and nanotechnology, both of which represent inventions of methods of inventing for incumbent firms. We hypothesize that an incumbent firm’s ability to exploit these new methods of invention depends initially on access to tacit knowledge on how to employ the new methods. Over time, however, as firms learn and/or the knowledge becomes codified in routine procedures or commercially available equipment, inventive output is more highly dependent on traditional R&D investments. We empirically test these hypotheses on two longitudinal samples over the 21-year time period between 1980 and 2000: 80 incumbent pharmaceutical firms generating 15,607 biotechnology patents, and 249 firms across a diverse set of industries that were granted a total of 3236 nanotechnology patents. We find broad support for our conjectures. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Mining Xanthomonas and Streptomyces genomes for new pectinase-encoding sequences and their heterologous expression in Escherichia coli

Microbial genome sequencing has left a legacy of annotated yet uncharacterized genes or open reading frames, activities that may have useful applications in health and/or the environment. We are interested in the discovery and characterization of potentially new pectinolytic activities for the enzymatic retting of natural bast fibers such as hemp and flax. A highlight in this study is the discovery of a cold-active pectate lyase among five pectate-lyase-encoding sequences and two polygalacturonase-encoding sequences that we have cloned from the genomes of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris and Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). Heterologous expression of these sequences as active pectate lyases and polygalacturonases required their subcloning in Escherichia coli Rosetta™ cells. The most active recombinant pectate lyase (XcPL NP_638163), a cold-active pectate lyase (XcPL NP_636037), and a polygalacturonase (XcPG NP_638805) were purified to near homogeneity and their kinetic parameters were determined. A significant amount of pectin degradation products was shown to be released by the two pectate lyases but not the polygalacturonase when hemp fiber pectin was used as substrate. Results of this study showed that genome data mining, besides an economical approach to new gene acquisition, may uncover new findings such as the discovery of a cold-active pectate-lyase-encoding sequence from X. campestris, a mesophilic microorganism.
Chlorpyrifos: Assessment of Potential for Delayed Neurotoxicity by Repeated Dosing in Adult Hens with Monitoring of Brain Acetylcholinesterase, Brain and Lymphocyte Neurotoxic Esterase, and Plasma Butyrylcholinesterase Activities

Chlorpyrifos: Assessment of Potential for Delayed Neurotoxicity by Repeated Dosing in Adult Hens with Monitoring of Brain Acetylcholinesterase, Brain and Lymphocyte Neurotoxic Esterase, and Plasma Butyrylcholinesterase Activities. Richardson, R. J., Moore, T. B., Kayyali, U. S., and Randall, J. C. (1993). Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 21, 89-96. Previous work has shown that acute exposures to chlorpyrifos (CPS; diethyl 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl phosphorothionate) cannot produce >70% inhibition of brain neurotoxic esterase (NTE) and cause organophosphorus compound-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN) unless the dose is well in excess of the LD50, necessitating aggressive therapy for cholinergic toxicity. The present study was carried out to determine if repeated doses of CPS at the maximum tolerated daily dose without prophylaxis against cholinergic toxicity could cause cumulative inhibition of NTE and OPIDN. Adult hens were dosed daily for 20 days with CPS (10 mg/kg/day po in 2 ml/kg corn oil) or corn oil (vehicle control) (2 ml/kg/day po) and observed for an additional 4 weeks. Brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE), brain and lymphocyte NTE, and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities were assayed on Days 0 (control only), 4, 10, 15, 20, and 48. During Days 4-20, brain AChE and plasma BuChE activities from CPS-treated hens were inhibited 58-70% and 49-80% of contemporaneous controls, respectively. At 4 weeks after the end of dosing, brain AChE activity in treated birds had recovered to 86% of control and plasma BuChE activity was 134% of control. Brain and lymphocyte NTE activities of treated animals throughout the study were 82-99% and 85-128% of control, respectively. Neither brain nor lymphocyte NTE activities in treated hens exhibited cumulative inhibition. The 18% inhibition of brain NTE seen on days 10 and 20 was significantly, but substantially below the putative threshold for OPIDN. Body weight of treated hens decreased 10-25% during Days 4-20 and recovered to 87% of control by the end of the study. Some treated hens developed a slight staggering gait during the first week of dosing, which disappeared by the second week. Throughout the 4-week observation period, all hens appeared normal and were able to perch on a horizontal rod. The results indicate that daily dosing with CPS at a level sufficient to cause significant loss of body weight as well as marked inhibition of brain AChE and plasma BuChE resulted in no significant change in lymphocyte NTE activity, a maximum inhibition of brain NTE of 18%, no cumulative inhibition of lymphocyte or brain NTE, and no clinical signs of OPIDN.
THE RELATION OF FATTY DEGENERATION TO THE OXIDATION OF PURINES BY LIVER CELLS

These experiments show that it is possible to cause, by the proper use of hydrazine and phosphorus, a very high degree of fatty change in the liver with a minimum of necrosis, involving alike both peripheral and central portions of the lobule and thus eliminating the " factor of safety" or residual normal cells. Nevertheless, it is found that such fatty liver tissue has not lost in the least its power to oxidize uric acid when acting upon it in vitro with abundant air supply, nor is the power to oxidize xanthine to uric acid noticeably diminished. Since these two enzymes, and especially the uricolytic enzyme, are about the last to appear in the development of the animal kingdom and also of the individual mammal, it is to be expected that they will be among the first of the enzymes to be destroyed by injurious agencies, but evidently they are not affected by conditions that lead to the highest degree of fatty metamorphosis of the cytoplasm of the hepatic cells. While these experiments merely prove that extreme fatty degeneration does not destroy or appreciably diminish the power of liver cells to oxidize uric acid and xanthine in vitro , yet they suggest that in general fatty degeneration is probably not essentially incompatible with a high degree of metabolic activity by the affected cells. It is possible that in the living tissue functional activity may be decreased secondarily by fatty metamorphosis, as, for example, by the enlarged fatty cells compressing the capillaries and reducing circulatory activity, or by modification of diffusion through the cell by the fat deposits, independent of any deleterious influence upon the cellular enzymes themselves. Other experiments will be required to determine whether steatogenic poisons leave intrahepatic enzymes other than the uricase equally unaffected, but as it has already been shown by Jacoby that the autolytic enzymes and aldehydase in the liver cells are not destroyed by phosphorus poisoning, and Abderhalden and Schittenhelm* found that peptids are hydrolyzed fully as rapidly by phosphorus livers as by normal livers, it seems probable that extreme fatty metamorphosis is not associated with any serious injury to the enzymes by which the liver cells perform their metabolic functions, with the possible exception of those enzymes concerned with the metabolism of fats.
Bibliographic processes and products, and a bibliography of the published primary-source works of B. F. Skinner.

This paper introduces the nature and practice of bibliography (e.g., definition, history, and genres); it reviews the extant B. F. Skinner bibliographies (1958 to 2001); and it describes the methods used in constructing a new, comprehensive, and corrected bibliography of Skinner’s primary-source published works. The bibliography includes 291 items from across 16 categories of publications (e.g., books, articles, chapters, monographs, book reviews, manuals, encyclopedia entries, letters to the editor) and lists them in chronological order (1930 to 1999). A discussion section addresses the bibliography’s limitations, how it might be enlarged and expanded, its value for qualitative and quantitative historical inquiry, and the beginnings of a “Skinner industry.”
The laser scalpel: Controlling the dissociation of trapped fluorescein ions using shaped femtosecond pulses

The ability of multiphoton intrapulse interference to direct the fragmentation pathway of protonated gas phase fluorescein ions is explored and monitored via ion trap mass spectrometry.
Block concatenated code word surrogate file for partial match retrieval

In this paper, a block concatenated code word (BCCW) surrogate file scheme is developed to speed up partial match retrieval operations. A BCCW is generated for each block of the data file by hashing the attribute values in the data block. Then the BCCWs forms a surrogate file which is used as an index to the data file. For a partial match retrieval query, a block query code word (BQCW) is generated and compared with the BCCWs. Only those data blocks whose corresponding BCCWs match the BQCW are retrieved from secondary storage and compared with the actual query. The size of the BCCWs is usually less than 10% of the size of the data file and only a subset of each BCCW is accessed. Thus, we can obtain considerable speed up in partial match retrieval by using the BCCW surrogate file. The storage requirement and the performance of the BCCW surrogate file are evaluated and compared with those of other schemes.
Behavioral Momentum in Sports

The property of momentum is one of the most fundamental principles of physics. The basis of physical momentum is Newton’s second law of motion, which states that the change in the movement of an object is inversely related to its mass. Thus, momentum describes the relationship between the velocity of an object and the mass of that object. This relationship is expressed as p = mv, where momentum (p) is a product of the mass (m) and velocity (v) of an object. Thus, the greater physical mass or velocity an object has, the greater is its momentum. Conversely, the greater an object’s momentum, the more opposing force required to alter the object’s momentum.
SPREADING THE BENEFITS OF PRODUCTIVITY INCREASES: PRICE INCREASES, DECREASES, OR BOTH? A CRITIQUE OF BAUMOL ON SUBSIDIES TO THE ARTS

This paper attempts to grapple with the market mechanism through which growth in one sector of the economy spreads to other sectors. It calls into question Baumol's argument for subsidies to the arts and by extension, to other economic areas that have not enjoyed productivity increases.
Analysis of the Dynamics of Magnetic Core–Shell Nanoparticles and Self-Assembly of Crystalline Superstructures in Gradient Fields

A method is presented for controlling the field-directed self-assembly of colloidal magnetic core–shell nanoparticles into three-dimensional (3D) crystalline superstructures with nanoscale feature resolution. This level of resolution is obtained using submicron soft-magnetic template elements to guide the assembly in the presence of a uniform bias field. The use of a bias field combined with template-induced gradient fields is a critical feature of this process as it provides highly localized regions of attractive and repulsive magnetic force that enable nanoscale control of particle placement during assembly. We demonstrate proof-of-concept using a computational model that predicts the dynamics of individual particles during assembly as well as the final assembled structure. Our predictions are consistent with reported experimental observations and demonstrate for the first time that 3D crystalline superstructures can be assembled within milliseconds. Uniform hexagonal close packed (hcp), face centered c...
Association of predaceous Hemiptera with selected crops

The abundance of predatory hemipterans within 4 crops-soybean, Clycine max (L.); corn, Zea mays L.: tomato, Lycopersicum esculentum Miller; and tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum L-was studied in small plots its 1992 and 1993. Predatory hemipteran populations varied among the crops despite the close proximity of the various crops. No predatory hemipteran was commonly observed in >2 crops, and nabids were associated with only 1. Three nabid species-Nabis roseipennis Reuter, Nabis amerucoferus Carayon, and Nabis urufusculus Reuter-were associated with soybean; only small numbers were found on the other crops. The anthocorid Orius insidiosus (Say) was abundant on soybean early in the season and became more abundant on corn as the season progressed. Ceocoris punctipes (Say) was common in soybeans and tobacco, although nymphs were more abundant on soybean, Jalysus wickhami (Say) was found on tomatoes and tobacco and only rarely on the other crops. Predatory hemipterans from different families exhibited differences in crop associations. Implications of crop associations by predatory hemipterans are discussed.
Thermochemical Properties (ΔfH°(298 K), S°(298 K), Cp(T)) and Bond Dissociation Energies for C1–C4 Normal Hydroperoxides and Peroxy Radicals

Structure and thermochemical properties of the normal hydroperoxides, CnH2n+1OOH (1 ≤ n ≤ 4), and corresponding peroxy radicals, CnH2n+1OO·(1 ≤ n ≤ 4), are determined by density functional M06-2X, multilevel G4, composite CBS-QB3, and CBS-APNO level calculations. Unique to this study is that the ΔfH°298 values are determined using several isodesmic reactions which utilize experimental standard enthalpy data for CH3OOCH3 and CH3CH2OOCH2CH3 as reference species, where previous studies used atomization or work reactions with alcohols or other nonperoxide species. The S°298 and Cp(T) (300 ≤ T/K ≤ 1500) from vibration, translation, and external rotation contributions are calculated based on the vibration frequencies and structures obtained from the density functional study. Potential barriers for the internal rotations are calculated at B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level, the hindered internal rotation contributions to S°298 and Cp(T) are calculated using direct integration over energy levels of the internal rotational p...
Dendritic cells stimulated by the Schistosoma japonicum soluble egg antigen induce the differentiation of Th17 cell

Objective:To observe the functional changes of murine bone marrow derived dendritic cells(DCs) loaded with the soluble egg antigen(SEA),and its impact on the differentiation of Th17 cell.Methods:Murine bone marrow cells were induced to differentiate into DCs by GM-CSF and IL-4.Flow cytometry was used to measure IL-6 and IL-23 and ELISA was used to measure TGF-β concentrations in the supernatant of cultured DCs.CD4 +T cells and DCs were co-cultured and then the concentrations of relevant cytokines in the culture supernatant were detected.Results:Highly purified DCs were induced and could be used for further experiments.DCs were stimulated with SEA to express high levels of CD40,CD80,CD86 and MHC-II.Meanwhile,DCs stimulated with SEA produced significantly higher concentrations of IL-6 and TGF-β than the blank control group.Co-cultured cells stimulated with SEA yielded significantly higher concentrations of IL-17 than the blank control group.Conclusion:Stimulation by SEA generates mature DCs,and can induce the differentiation of CD4+T cells towards Th17 cells.
Bacteroides bacteremia complicating otogenic Lemierre's syndrome

Abstract Lemierre's syndrome is a complex infection involving oropharyngeal sources leading to septic jugular thrombophlebitis. Otogenic variants may arise from complicated ear disease and involve cranial venous sinuses. We describe a case of a 9 year boy with chronic suppurative otitis media leading to mastoiditis, cranial venous sinus and jugular vein thrombophlebitis, and Bacteroides bacteremia. Both the pathogen and the extent of venous involvement were unusual in this case. Otogenic Lemierre's syndrome is a serious infection associated with significant morbidity which should be considered in any child with otogenic findings and septic thrombophlebitis.
Using Computational Visualizations of the Charge Density To Guide First-Year Chemistry Students through the Chemical Bond

The chemical bond concept is the foundation of the molecular sciences. Therefore, helping students gain a clear physical representation of chemical bonding is necessary for progress in chemistry. Bond Explorer, an activity that utilizes the three-dimensional (3D) plotting functionality of Mathematica, is intended to provide a clear physical picture of electron sharing among atoms—i.e., a physical picture of the chemical bond. The app takes advantage of Mathematica’s free-to-use CDF Player, removing the high cost often associated with implementing computational activities in the classroom. Through the course of the activity, students visualize the 3D charge density using both fog and contour plots. Students then go on to describe the density differences that characterize various bonding types, i.e., covalent, polar covalent, and ionic. The activity involves both independent and group work and was designed to guide students as they identify key similarities and differences among the charge densities corresp...
Patients presenting for colonoscopy: A great opportunity to screen for sleep apnea.

AIM To discover the prevalence and the feasibility of screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients presenting for routine colonoscopy. METHODS Adult patients having a colonoscopy for routine indications at our outpatient endoscopy center were eligible if they did not carry a diagnosis of OSA or had not had a prior sleep study. All patients were administered the Berlin questionnaire prior to the procedure. Mallampati, neck circumference, height, weight, and BMI were obtained for each patient. Patients were observed for any drops in oxygen saturation 10 s. Patients were determined to be high-risk if they met at least 2 of the 3 symptom categories for the Berlin questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 60 patients were enrolled and completed the study; mean age was 56 years (range 23-72 year). Twenty-six patients had a positive Berlin questionnaire (43.3%), 31 patients had a negative Berlin questionnaire (51.6%) and 3 patients had an equivocal result (5.0%). Patients with a positive Berlin questionnaire were more likely to be of increased weight (mean 210.5 lbs vs mean 169.8 lbs, P = 0.003), increased BMI (33.0 kg/m2vs 26.8 kg/m2, P = 0.0016), and have an increased neck circumference (38.4 cm vs 35.5 cm, P = 0.012). Patients with a positive Berlin questionnaire were more likely to have a drop in oxygen saturation < 92% (76.9% vs 36.4%, P = 0.01). Patients with snoring were more likely to have a positive Berlin questionnaire (8/9 patients vs 1/31 patients with negative Berlin questionnaire; P = 0.0045). CONCLUSION Risk for OSA is extremely common in a population presenting for a routine colonoscopy, and screening at the time of a colonoscopy offers an excellent opportunity to identify these patients.
The P2X7 receptor links mechanical strain to cytokine IL-6 up-regulation and release in neurons and astrocytes.

Background Mechanical strain in neural tissues can lead to the upregulation and release of multiple cytokines including IL-6. In the retina, the mechanosensitive release of ATP can autostimulate P2X7 receptors on both retinal ganglion cell neurons and optic nerve head astrocytes. Here we asked whether the purinergic signaling contributed to the IL-6 response to increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in vivo, and stretch or swelling in vitro. Methods Rat and mouse eyes were exposed to non-ischemic elevations in IOP to 50-60 mmHg for 4 hrs. A PCR array was used to screen cytokine changes, with quantitative (q)PCR used to confirm mRNA elevations and immunoblots used for protein levels. P2X7 antagonist Brilliant Blue G (BBG) and agonist BzATP were injected intravitreally. ELISA was used to quantify IL-6 release from optic nerve head astrocytes or retinal ganglion cells. Receptor identity was confirmed pharmacologically and in P2X7-/- mice. Results Acute elevation of IOP altered retinal expression of multiple cytokine genes. Elevation of IL-6 was greatest, with expression of IL1m, IL24, Tnf, Csf1 and Lif also increased more than two-fold, while Tnfsf11, Gdf9 and Tnfsf4 were reduced. qPCR confirmed the rise in IL-6 and extracellular ATP marker ENTPD1, but not pro-apoptotic genes. Intravitreal injection of P2X7 receptor antagonist BBG prevented the pressure-dependent rise in IL-6 mRNA and protein in the rat retina, while injection of P2X7 receptor agonist BzATP was sufficient to elevate IL-6 expression. IOP elevation increased IL-6 in wild type but not P2X7R knockout mice. Application of mechanical strain to isolated optic nerve head astrocytes increased IL-6 levels. This response was mimicked by agonist BzATP, but blocked by antagonists BBG and A839977. Stretch or BzATP led to IL-6 release from both astrocytes and isolated retinal ganglion cells. Conclusions The mechanosensitive upregulation and release of cytokine IL-6 from the retina involves the P2X7 receptor, with both astrocytes and neurons contributing to the response. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Perfect domination and small cycles

We study the parameterized complexity of several problems related to perfect domination in graphs with or without small cycles. When parameterized by the solution size, these problems are W-hard in graphs with girth at most four, but are fixed-parameter tractable in graphs with girth at least five.
Emotions in criminological theory: Insights from social psychology

A number of scholars have noted that emotional processes have been undertheorized in criminology. Although criminologists have explored how various emotions facilitate or inhibit crime, few formal theories of crime clearly address the role of emotional processes. Sociological theories of emotions provide a number of insights that criminologists might find useful to help fill the gaps in criminological explanations of offending. We illustrate the utility of sociological theories of emotions to criminology by connecting three prominent criminological theories with complimentary social psychological theories of emotions. Specifically, we discuss how the power–status theory of emotions can clarify emotional responses to strain in general strain theory, how affect control theory can illuminate the emotions involved in identity adoption within labeling theory, and how interaction ritual chains theory can highlight emotional responses to coercion in differential coercion theory. Making connections to more clearly theorize emotions is critical to the advancement of criminological theory.
Predicting Machine Low-Frequency Domain Errors by Finite Information Mapping Using Artificial Neural Network

Abstract Currently, it is difficult or even impossible to check the dimensional accuracy of a prismatic workpiece when it is in the process of automatic machining operations. This research presents an artificial neural network based methodology for predicting low-frequency domain errors of computer numerical controlled machining centers. This research provides the information needed for real-time, in-process machining dimensional accuracy assessment and feedback control for error compensation. Analytical and neural network approaches are employed in parallel to solve this problem. A multiple-sensor system is incorporated with the model for real-time data acquisition. The results demonstrate that neural network based methodology is not only capable to predict the errors of entire workpiece but also able to delivers a fast and excellent reference for on-line error compensation.
Abstract 005: Loss of Interleukin 21 Protects Against Hypertension and Associated Inflammation and End Organ Damage

T cell derived cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin 17A (IL17A) are upregulated by and can promote angiotensin II-induced hypertension and end-organ damage. Interleukin 21 (IL21) is produced primarily by T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and has the potential to promote IL17A and IFNγ production from T effector cells while inhibiting T regulatory cells. IL21 is also a potent activator of germinal center (GC) B cells. Thus, we hypothesize that IL21 promotes hypertension and hypertensive end-organ damage through its effect on T cell polarization and GC B cell activation. The data indicate that indeed IL21 -/- mice exhibit a 30 mmHg reduction in blood pressure in response to 4 weeks of angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion compared to age-matched wild type (WT) mice (p=0.0275). IL21 mRNA expression increases 1.5 fold in splenic T cells in response to Ang II infusion (p=0.015). Moreover, Tfh cells and GC B cells are increased in the aortas of WT mice after Ang II infusion (p=0.0136 and p=0.0067, respectively). Further, IL17A production from splenic CD4+ T cells and IFNγ production from splenic CD8+ T cells was reduced in IL21 -/- mice compared to WT mice (p=0.0025 and p=0.0237, respectively) following Ang II infusion. Renal function was assessed by measuring albuminuria. WT mice developed 2-fold more albuminuria compared to IL21 -/- mice in response to Ang II infusion (p=0.0349). Lastly, Ang II infusion impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine in mesenteric vessels from WT mice (52.9% vs 17.5%; p= -/- mice demonstrated moderately impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation at baseline (34.9%) but interestingly, there was no further impairment in these vessels following Ang II infusion. Taken together, these studies suggest that IL21 and the Tfh cell–GC B cell axis may play a key role in hypertension and hypertensive end-organ damage.
Analysis of automated adversary emulation techniques

Adversary emulation offers a concrete way to measure a network's resilience against an advanced attacker. Unfortunately, adversary emulation is typically a manual process, making it costly and hard to employ. Progress in automated adversary emulation techniques has only been lightly validated, and technique dependence on network properties has not been quantified. In this paper, we describe a simulation testbed designed to model attackers operating within a Windows enterprise network. Running a series of tests, we found that strategies that use automated planning tend to outperform those that do not. Additionally, we found that detection frequency was the most significant factor in attacker performance, with network activity a close second; host connectivity, by contrast, was not particularly significant. We obtained similar results when the attacker mitigated risk, however in these scenarios we found that detection was less significant and vulnerability incidence more. These results can be used to inform future cyber simulation efforts.
Influence of age, gender, and radiographic features on the deltoid splitting approach for surgical osteosynthesis in displaced proximal humerus fractures: a comparison study.

The deltoid splitting approach has recently been widely adopted to facilitate less invasive procedures for proximal humerus fractures. However, there are still concerns regarding its effectiveness in aging people and in cases involving complex fractures. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a proximal humeral locking plate using the anterolateral deltoid splitting approach and to specifically examine the effect of patient age, gender, and fracture pattern on surgical outcomes. Forty-two cases of proximal humeral fractures treated using the deltoid splitting approach and locking plate fixation were reviewed. Outcome differences were evaluated in terms of age, gender distribution, and radiographic analysis based on the Neer Classification. The influence of the surgical approach was further investigated by age-matched paired analysis after subdividing patients into two age groups (younger than 60 years vs. older than 60 years; N = 21, in each group). In total, 41 patients (98%) demonstrated fracture union. The average Constant score was 80.4. No significant differences were found between patients younger than 60 years, and the older patients. Higher mean scores were found in men than in women (p = 0.448) and in simple fractures than in complex fractures (p = 0.454), without any significant differences. Better postoperative functional outcomes were observed when the humeral head–neck angle was greater than 105°, with a significant difference (p = 0.000). Surgical complications were found in 16 patients (38%) without significant difference between two age groups (p = 0.268). The most common complication was screw penetration. Anterolateral deltoid splitting using locking plate fixation provided a feasible alternative for surgery of proximal humerus fractures in different age groups and yielded comparable outcomes when the neck-shaft angle was properly restored. Surgeons must be cautious regarding potential complications, especially with screw penetration when using the locking plate through a less invasive approach. ISRCTN75494532 . Trial Date: 2017/01/31.
A Fine-grained Event-based Modem Power Model for Enabling In-depth Modem Energy Drain Analysis

Cellular modems enable ubiquitous Internet connectivities to modern smartphones, but in doing so they become a major contributor to the smartphone energy drain. Understanding modem energy drain requires a detailed power model. The prior art, an RRC-state based power model, was developed primarily to model the modem energy drain of application data transfer. As such, it serves well its original purpose, but is insufficient to study detailed modem behavior, eg. activities in the control plane. In [2], we propose a new methodology of modeling modem power draw behavior at the event-granularity, and develop to our knowledge the first fine-grained modem power model that captures the power draw of all LTE modem radio-on events in different RRC modes. Second, we quantitatively demonstrate the advantages of the new model over the state-based power model under a wide variety of context via controlled experiments. Finally, using our fine-grained modem power model, we perform the first detailed modem energy drain in-the-wild study involving 12 Nexus 6 phones under normal usage by 12 volunteers spanning a total of 348 days. Our study provides the first quantitative analysis of energy drain due to modem control activities in the wild and exposes their correlation with context such as location and user mobility. In this abstracts, we introduce the essence of the methodology and the highlighted results from the in-the-wild study.
Quantification of Twist from the Central Lines of β-Strands.

Abstract Since the discovery of right-handed twist of a β-strand, many studies have been conducted to understand the twist. Given the atomic structure of a protein, twist angles have been defined using atomic positions of the backbone. However, limited study is available to characterize twist when the atomic positions are not available, but the central lines of β-strands are. Recent studies in cryoelectron microscopy show that it is possible to predict the central lines of β-strands from a medium-resolution density map. Accurate measurement of twist angles is important in identification of β-strands from such density maps. We propose an effective method to quantify twist angles from a set of splines. In a data set of 55 pairs of β-strands from 11 β-sheets of 11 proteins, the spline measurement shows comparable results as measured using the discrete method that uses atomic positions directly, particularly in capturing twist angle change along a pair, different levels of twist among different pairs, and the...