cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of sodium chloride on bakers' yeast growing in gelatin.

In recent years, industrial fermentation researchers have shifted their attention from liquid to solid and semisolid culture conditions. We converted liquid cultures to the semisolid mode by adding high levels of gelatin. Previous studies on liquid cultures have revealed the inhibitory activity of mineral salts, such as NaCl, on the fermentation of sugars by yeasts. We made a kinetic study of the effects of 1 to 5% (wt/vol) NaCl on the alcoholic fermentations of glucose by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a growth medium containing 16% gelatin. Our results showed that the effect of high salt content on semisolid culture is essentially the same as the effect on liquid culture; i.e., as the salt content increased, the following occurred: (i) the growth of yeasts decreased, (ii) the lag period of the yeast biomass curve lengthened, (iii) the sugar intake was lowered, (iv) the yield of ethanol was reduced, and (v) the production of glycerol was increased. We observed a new relationship correlating the area of kinetic hysteresis with ethanol production rate, acetaldehyde concentration, and the initial NaCl concentration.
Semi-automatic, self-adaptive control of garbage collection rates in object databases

A fundamental problem in automating object database storage reclamation is determining how often to perform garbage collection. We show that the choice of collection rate can have a significant impact on application performance and that the "best" rate depends on the dynamic behavior of the application, tempered by the particular performance goals of the user. We describe two semi-automatic, self-adaptive policies for controlling collection rate that we have developed to address the problem. Using trace-driven simulations, we evaluate the performance of the policies on a test database application that demonstrates two distinct reclustering behaviors. Our results show that the policies are effective at achieving user-specified levels of I/O operations and database garbage percentage. We also investigate the sensitivity of the policies over a range of object connectivities. The evaluation demonstrates that semi-automatic, self-adaptive policies are a practical means for flexibly controlling garbage collection rate.
EVALUATING PARTIALLY OBSERVED SURVIVAL HISTORIES: RETROSPECTIVE PROJECTION OF COVARIATE TRAJECTORIES

SUMMARY The use of maximum likelihood methods in analysing times to failure in the presence of unobserved randomly changing covariates requires constrained optimization procedures. An alternative approach using a generalized version of the EM-algorithm requires smoothed estimates of covariate values. Similar estimates are needed in evaluating past exposures to hazardous chemicals, radiation or other toxic materials when health effects only become evident long after their use. In this paper, two kinds of equation for smoothing estimates of unobserved covariates in survival problems are derived. The urst shows how new information may be used to update past estimates of the covariatese values. The second can be used to project the covariatese trajectory from the present to the past. If the hazard function is quadratic in form, both types of smoothing equation can be derived in a closed analytical form. Examples of both types of equation are presented. Use of these equations in the extended EM-algorithm, and in estimating past exposures to hazardous materials, are discussed. ' 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An evaluation of suicide gatekeeper training for school counselors and teachers.

The study in this article compared counselors and teachers on measures of suicide knowledge and prevention practices after participation in a statewide training program in student suicide prevention using the "Question, Persuade, and Refer" program. Follow-up surveys conducted an average of 4.7 months after training indicated that trainees (73 counselors and 165 teachers) demonstrated greater knowledge of suicide risk factors and reported making more no-harm contracts than did controls (74 counselors and 98 teachers). In comparison to teachers, counselors demonstrated greater knowledge of risk factors and reported questioning more potentially suicidal students and making more contracts and outside referrals. These findings support the value of gatekeeper training for both counselors and teachers and substantiate the important role of counselors in suicide prevention.
ER–PM connections: sites of information transfer and inter-organelle communication

Eukaryotic cells are divided into distinct membrane-bound organelles with unique identities and specialized metabolic functions. Communication between organelles must take place to regulate the size, shape, and composition of individual organelles, as well as to coordinate transport between organelles. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) forms an expansive membrane network that contacts and participates in crosstalk with several other organelles in the cell, most notably the plasma membrane (PM). ER-PM junctions have well-established functions in the movement of small molecules, such as lipids and ions, between the ER and PM. Recent discoveries have revealed additional exciting roles for ER-PM junctions in the regulation of cell signaling, ER shape and architecture, and PM domain organization.
An animal model of arrhythmogenesis in congestive heart failure.

Background: Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) frequently die from arrhythmias, but models to study arrhythmogenic mechanisms during progressive CHF are lacking. Consequently we examined the feasibility of using dogs with an ischemic insult followed by rapid pacing to study ventricular arrhythmias in CHF. Methods: Eighteen chronically instrumented dogs had ischemic damage induced by inflating a balloon tipped catheter in a coronary artery for 90 min. After 2 weeks recovery, electrophysiologic studies were performed on no drugs, during esmolol infusion, and during isoproterenol infusion. The pacer was turned on at 250 bpm in 12 dogs, but not in six controls, and studies repeated bi-weekly for up to 6 weeks. Results: Serial echocardiograms documented progressive CHF, and serial signal averaged electrocardiograms demonstrated prolongation of total QRS, increased duration of terminal QRS<40 mv, and decreased RMS voltage of the terminal 20 ms of QRS in paced dogs. Arrhythmia severity increased as CHF progressed, but responses were quite variable, unaffected by esmolol, and minimally altered by isoproterenol. Conclusions: Ischemic left ventricular damage followed by rapid ventricular pacing in dogs produces a model that closely mimics patients with CHF and ventricular arrhythmias, including a heterogeneous pathophysiologic response to intervention.
An Sp1/Sp3 Site in the Downstream Region of Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) oriS Influences Origin-Dependent DNA Replication and Flanking Gene Transcription and Is Important for VZV Replication In Vitro and in Human Skin

The distribution and orientation of origin-binding protein (OBP) sites are the main architectural contrasts between varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) origins of DNA replication (oriS). One important difference is the absence of a downstream OBP site in VZV, raising the possibility that an alternative cis element may replace its function. Our previous work established that Sp1, Sp3, and YY1 bind to specific sites within the downstream region of VZV oriS; we hypothesize that one or both of these sites may be the alternative cis element(s). Here, we show that the mutation of the Sp1/Sp3 site decreases DNA replication and transcription from the adjacent ORF62 and ORF63 promoters following superinfection with VZV. In contrast, in the absence of DNA replication or in transfection experiments with ORF62, only ORF63 transcription is affected. YY1 site mutations had no significant effect on either process. Recombinant viruses containing these mutations were then constructed. The Sp1/Sp3 site mutant exhibited a significant decrease in virus growth in MeWo cells and in human skin xenografts, while the YY1 site mutant virus grew as well as the wild type in MeWo cells, even showing a late increase in VZV replication in skin xenografts following infection. These results suggest that the Sp1/Sp3 site plays an important role in both VZV origin-dependent DNA replication and ORF62 and ORF63 transcription and that, in contrast to HSV, these events are linked during virus replication.
Electrochemistry of TiN in 6 M KOH Solution

Cyclic polarization of TiN electrodes in 6 M KOH at room temperature revealed relatively large anodic and cathodic overpotentials for water decomposition that depend on the surface structure of the material. Polished TiN electrodes also underwent a slow reaction during anodic polarization above the reversible potential for O{sub 2} evolution that involved the formation of a reaction product film. The film was uniform over the surface of the electrodes and contained hydrous potassium titanate. A corrosion product, similar in composition but less uniform in appearance, formed on TiN after 4 months under open-circuit conditions in the same solution. Results indicate that the film forms slowly by a dissolution/precipitation mechanism and that the dissolution step gives rise to an oxidation peak observed in the cyclic voltammogram during anodic polarization. Since the film forms above the reversible potential for O{sub 2} evolution and since the overvoltage for O{sub 2} evolution depends on surface structure, it is not yet clear whether the formation of the corrosion film will compete with electrolysis reactions during the charging of structurally tailored, high surface area, TiN electrodes that are under development for ultracapacitor applications.
Delineation of the relative antibacterial activity of cefamandole and cefamandole nafate.

Abstract By conventional laboratory evaluation procedures, the in vitro antibacterial activities of cefamandole and its O-formyl ester, cefamandole nafate, appear virtually identical. When the activities of these two compounds were examined for their ability to lyse log-phase cultures of susceptible bacteria, however, cefamandole was found to be about 10 times more active than cefamandole nafate. Cefamandole nafate was shown to be rapidly converted to cefamandole in bacteriological media, with a half-life of less than 1 h at a pH of 7.0 or above. At pH 6.0, in log-phase inhibition experiments, however, cefamandole nafate is more stable, allowing delineation of the activity between cefamandole and cefamandole nafate. The efficacy of cefamandole was identical to that of cefamandole nafate in treating experimental animal infections, indicating that rapid conversion of cefamandole nafate to cefamandole occurs in vivo.
A security and usability perspective of cloud file systems

Security and usability are the top concerns of business users and administrators of information technology services. This paper discusses several security and usability issues with cloud file systems, identifies four enablers for a secure and usable cloud storage infrastructure, and describes how such enablers can assist in an orderly transition of enterprise IT services to the cloud.
Intravenous N-Acetylcysteine in the Prevention of Contrast Media-Induced Nephropathy

ObjectiveTi define the clinical role of intravenous N-acetylcysteine for prophylaxis of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN).Data Sources:Randomized controlled clinical trials were identified using a search of MEDLINE (1990-September 2010) with the search terms acetylcysteine, N-acetylcysteine, NAC, intravenous, IV, nephropathy, nephrotoxic, radiocontrast, contrast, and media. The search was limited to studies published in English. Additional pertinent literature was retrieved by reviewing references of the articles obtained in the initial search.Data Synthesis:N-Acetylcysteine is a vasodilator and antioxidant that has been investigated for the prevention of CIN. In the majority of clinical trials, neither oral nor intravenous N-acetyIcysteine has demonstrated clinical benefits at preventing CIN. The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles of intravenous N-acetylcysteine are significantly different from those of the oral product in that intravenous administration bypasses extensive first-pass metabolis...
Creep behavior of uranium carbide-based alloys

The present work gives the results of experiments on the influence of zirconium carbide and tungsten on the creep properties of uranium carbide. The creep behavior of high-density UC samples follows the classical time-dependence pattern of (1) an instantaneous deformation, (2) a primary creep region, and (3) a period of steady-state creep. Creep rates for unalloyed UC-1.01 and UC-1.05 are several orders of magnitude greater than those measured for carbide alloys containing a Zr-C and/or W dispersoid. The difference in creep strength between alloyed and unalloyed materials varies with temperature and applied stress.
Micro-algae come of age as a platform for recombinant protein production

A complete set of genetic tools is still being developed for the micro-alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Yet even with this incomplete set, this photosynthetic single-celled plant has demonstrated significant promise as a platform for recombinant protein expression. In recent years, techniques have been developed that allow for robust expression of genes from both the nuclear and plastid genome. With these advances, many research groups have examined the pliability of this and other micro-algae as biological machines capable of producing recombinant peptides and proteins. This review describes recent successes in recombinant protein production in Chlamydomonas, including production of complex mammalian therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies at levels sufficient for production at economic parity with existing production platforms. These advances have also shed light on the details of algal protein production at the molecular level, and provide insight into the next steps for optimizing micro-algae as a useful platform for the production of therapeutic and industrially relevant recombinant proteins.
Laser Performance of Cr4+:Y2SiO5 at Liquid Nitrogen Temperature

Laser action in Cr4+ doped yttrium-orthosilicate Cr : Y2SiOg (Cr:YSO) cooled to 77 OK was demonstrated for the f irst time with 1064nm and 532nm pumping from a pulsed Nd:YAG laser and broadband (@ 840nm) pumping from a Q-switched Cr:LiSAF laser.
The Linguistic Status of Predictions and Feature Ranks from SVM Text Classifiers

Text classification systems are capable of predicting certain characteristics of a text’s author (e.g., gender and age) using only linguistic properties. This paper asks why such predictions are possible and how they can be interpreted. There are three factors: (1) the nature of the features used by the system; (2) the robustness of the predictions across time and genres; (3) the amount of data required for training and testing. Some classification predictions (e.g., gender) are based on non-content linguistic material that generalizes across time and genre. These classifications are characterized by stable performance and feature ranks, and permit linguistic interpretation.
Simultaneous recording of multiple focal planes for 3-D microscopy using ultra-high speed adaptive optics

An ultra-high speed adaptive element is used to provide simultaneous real-time imaging of multiple and selectable focal planes in a bulk specimen. This approach offers promising perspectives in relevant areas.
Optical properties and electronic energy relaxation of metallic Au144(SR)60 nanoclusters.

Electronic energy relaxation of Au144(SR)60q ligand-protected nanoclusters, where SR = SC6H13 and q = −1, 0, +1, and +2, was examined using femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy. The observed differential transient spectra contained three distinct components: (1) transient bleaches at 525 and 600 nm, (2) broad visible excited-state absorption (ESA), and (3) stimulated emission (SE) at 670 nm. The bleach recovery kinetics depended upon the excitation pulse energy and were thus attributed to electron–phonon coupling typical of metallic nanostructures. The prominent bleach at 525 nm was assigned to a core-localized plasmon resonance (CLPR). ESA decay kinetics were oxidation-state dependent and could be described using a metal-sphere charging model. The dynamics, emission energy, and intensity of the SE peak exhibited dielectric-dependent responses indicative of Superatom charge transfer states. On the basis of these data, the Au144(SR)60 system is the smallest-known nanocluster to exhib...
51 PREDICTORS OF LEFT VENTRICULAR DILATATION IN YOUNG ADULTS: THE BOGALUSA HEART STUDY

Background Left ventricular (LV) dilatation may be an early sign of cardiac compensation to LV dysfunction. Determinants of LV dilatation in young asymptomatic adults are unknown. Methods and Results A sample of 506 asymptomatic subjects (mean age 32 ± 3 years) enrolled in the Bogalusa Heart Study underwent echocardiographic examination. LV dilatation (LV end-diastolic diameter > 5.5 cm) as measured by M-mode echocardiography was found in 31 (6%) subjects. Subjects with LV dilatation had higher systolic (119 ± 15 vs 112 ± 12 mm Hg, p = .007) and diastolic (79 ± 12 vs 75 ± 9 mm Hg, p = .04) blood pressures. Similarly subjects with LV dilatation had a higher body mass index (BMI 32 ± 9 vs 27 ± 6, p 30) was associated with a threefold (odds ratio 2.9, CI 1.4-6.1) and hypertension (defined as per JNC 7 criteria) was also associated with a threefold (odds ratio 3.0, CI 1.2-7.1) increased incidence of LV dilatation. There was an incremental increase in LV end-diastolic dimension depending on the presence of hypertension or obesity and subjects with both obesity and hypertension had the highest degree of LV end-diastolic dimensions. Conclusion Obesity and hypertension may play an important role in early LV dilatation in an otherwise healthy young population.
Pelvic radiation therapy for early endometrial cancer: careful selection is key.

Future directions, including nomograms, multi-modality approaches, and more individualized patient care based on genomic profiles, may help to tailor each endometrial cancer patient’s therapy to her individual risk.
CAMSS – die Megatrends der Informationstechnologie

Die goldenen Zeiten, in denen man als IT-Leiter (CIO) jeden Tag punktlich um 17 Uhr Feierabend machen konnte, sind wohl erst einmal vorbei. Funf Megatrends uberfluten das Informationstechnologie-Management mit zahlreichen Veranderungen, die alle in naher Zukunft umgesetzt werden wollen. Vorbei ist damit auch der einfache zu managende Fokus auf genau zwei Themen: Technologie und Kosten. Stattdessen ruckt fur den CIO das Informationsmanagement in den Vordergrund.
Renal Transplantation in a Patient With an Artificial Urinary Sphincter Device

AbstractUse of the artificial urinary sphincter device has become widespread. We describe the successful transplantation of a renal allograft into a recipient with an artificial urinary sphincter. Pretransplant placement of a sphincter, intraoperative avoidance of the prosthetic device and proper urinary drainage perioperatively make the artificial urinary sphincter device a feasible means to provide continence in a renal transplant recipient.
Thermally Chargeable Solid-State Supercapacitor

Ubiquitous low-grade thermal energy, which is typically wasted without use, can be extremely valuable for continuously powering electronic devices such as sensors and wearable electronics. A popular choice for waste heat recovery has been thermoelectric energy conversion, but small output voltage without energy-storing capability necessitates additional components such as a voltage booster and a capacitor. Here, a novel method of simultaneously generating a large voltage from a temperature gradient and storing electrical energy without losing the benefit of solid-state no-moving part devices like conventional thermoelectrics is reported. Thermally driven ion diffusion is used to greatly increase the output voltage (8 mV K−1) with polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSH) film. Polyaniline-coated electrodes containing graphene and carbon nanotube sandwich the PSSH film where thermally induced voltage-enabled electrochemical reactions, resulting in a charging behavior without an external power supply. With a small temperature difference (5 K) possibly created over wearable energy harvesting devices, the thermally chargeable supercapacitor produce 38 mV with a large areal capacitance (1200 F m−2). It is anticipated that the attempt with thermally driven ion diffusion behaviors initiates a new research direction in thermal energy harvesting.
A Culture-Centered Approach to Improving Healthy Trans-Patient–Practitioner Communication: Recommendations for Practitioners Communicating withTrans Individuals

The following manuscript explores trans individuals' lived experiences with practitioners and the types of advice they suggested be provided to practitioners treating trans patients to improve the trans-patient-practitioner relationship. Thirteen semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with individuals who self-identified as trans. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006; Owen, 1984). Data analysis revealed that changes in practitioner's communication behavior during office visits as well as modifications to office logistics and e-health particulars would contribute to a healthy communication environment. Interviewees explained that these variations may potentially improve trans-patient-practitioner communication. We conclude by offering practical and theoretical implications as well as areas of future research for trans health communication.
Injection locking of a copper laser oscillator

Unstable resonators are typically employed to obtain reasonable beam quality from copper laser oscillators. However, due to relatively long round-trip times in the resonator (~15 ns) relative to the inversion time (~50 ns) only three to four round trips are possible. The angular divergence of a copper laser pulse starts at the aspect angle of the resonator and reduces by the magnification M on each succeeding round trip.1 For our copper lasers this initial full angle divergence is θl ≃ 103 × (2.44λ/D). With an M= 15 unstable resonator it is not until the third round trip that the beam divergence approaches the diffraction limit. Since the gain is dropping by the third round trip in the resonator, the resulting laser pulse has most of its energy in highly diverging components and only a small fraction in the later lower divergence component. Propagation of this beam through a relatively small f/No. optical system causes nearly three-fourths of the pulse energy and two-thirds of the pulse length to be lost from the transmitted beam.
Finite Element Implementation of Structural Constitutive Models

It is well established that the highly nonlinear and anisotropic mechanical behaviors of soft tissues are an emergent behavior of the underlying tissue microstructure. Numerical solutions form the cornerstone in the application of constitutive models in contemporary biomechanics. Herein, a structural constitutive model into a finite element framework specialized for membrane tissues. Multiple deformation modes were simulated, including strip biaxial, planar biaxial with two attachment methods, and membrane inflation. Detailed comparisons with experimental data were undertaken to insure faithful simulations of both the macro-level stress–strain insights into adaptations of the fiber architecture under stress, such as fiber reorientation and fiber recruitment. Results indicated a high degree of fidelity and demonstrated interesting microstructural adaptions to stress and the important role of the underlying tissue matrix.
Pasolini and the women of Accattone: challenging eternal ragazzi in the Eternal City

This essay analyses Accattone (1961), the first film of Italian director, poet, and novelist Pier Paolo Pasolini. Specifically, we ground our reading of Accattone in a nuanced, culture-specific und...
Preliminaries About the Codes

The Matlab/Octave programming language was chosen for the codes presented in the book. In the development of the codes, it is assumed that the reader has some degree of experience in computer programming. There are differences in syntax between Matlab/Octave programming and the other traditional programming languages such as Fortran, C, and C++. The readers who are not familiar with Matlab/Octave programming may find useful to consult the extensive documentations that are provided at their websites. In addition, there are plenty of books and online tutorials available, of which some of them are listed in reference section.
Competing discourses of academic Spanish in the Texas-Mexico borderlands

ABSTRACTIn this descriptive study the efforts of a faculty to prepare a cohort of pre-service bilingual education teachers to pass a newly adopted state certification test of academic Spanish are presented. The faculty’s efforts were aimed at offsetting a low pass rate on this test, but unfortunately efforts fell short. To unpack this outcome, the authors use a theoretical lens aimed at examining the dominant Discourses associated with academic Spanish. Through this analysis the authors maintain that at the national, state, local, and program levels the dominant Discourses associated with academic Spanish work jointly to undermine the acquisition of academic Spanish needed by prospective bilingual education teachers.
Therapeutic NCPAP was more effective than subtherapeutic NCPAP in obstructive sleep apnea

Source Citation Jenkinson C, Davies RJ, Mullins R, Stradling JR. Comparison of therapeutic and subtherapeutic nasal continuous positive airway pressure for obstructive sleep apnoea: a randomised pr...
Prognostic significance of lymph node retrieval in localized rectal cancer (RC): A registry analysis of 8,964 patients (pts).

3566 Background: In contrast to colon cancer, the prognostic implications of reduced lymph node retrieval in RC are unclear. We investigated the association between the total number of lymph nodes ...
Exploring heterogeneity in the impact of smoking bans among early and late adopters

Abstract This paper exploits variation in the timing of smoking bans in bars and restaurants, and examines whether sample selection drove the null results of earlier economic impact studies. An untested hypothesis posits that early adopters could better absorb the shock of bans, but among worse selected late adopters, bans would adversely impact bar and restaurant sales. We are the first U.S. study to use administrative tax records from roughly 28,000 establishments. We find similar adjustment trajectories between late and early adopters. Overall bans do not produce a significant adverse economic impact.
CACTI 7: New Tools for Interconnect Exploration in Innovative Off-Chip Memories

Historically, server designers have opted for simple memory systems by picking one of a few commoditized DDR memory products. We are already witnessing a major upheaval in the off-chip memory hierarchy, with the introduction of many new memory products—buffer-on-board, LRDIMM, HMC, HBM, and NVMs, to name a few. Given the plethora of choices, it is expected that different vendors will adopt different strategies for their high-capacity memory systems, often deviating from DDR standards and/or integrating new functionality within memory systems. These strategies will likely differ in their choice of interconnect and topology, with a significant fraction of memory energy being dissipated in I/O and data movement. To make the case for memory interconnect specialization, this paper makes three contributions.First, we design a tool that carefully models I/O power in the memory system, explores the design space, and gives the user the ability to define new types of memory interconnects/topologies. The tool is validated against SPICE models, and is integrated into version 7 of the popular CACTI package. Our analysis with the tool shows that several design parameters have a significant impact on I/O power.We then use the tool to help craft novel specialized memory system channels. We introduce a new relay-on-board chip that partitions a DDR channel into multiple cascaded channels. We show that this simple change to the channel topology can improve performance by 22% for DDR DRAM and lower cost by up to 65% for DDR DRAM. This new architecture does not require any changes to DIMMs, and it efficiently supports hybrid DRAM/NVM systems.Finally, as an example of a more disruptive architecture, we design a custom DIMM and parallel bus that moves away from the DDR3/DDR4 standards. To reduce energy and improve performance, the baseline data channel is split into three narrow parallel channels and the on-DIMM interconnects are operated at a lower frequency. In addition, this allows us to design a two-tier error protection strategy that reduces data transfers on the interconnect. This architecture yields a performance improvement of 18% and a memory power reduction of 23%.The cascaded channel and narrow channel architectures serve as case studies for the new tool and show the potential for benefit from re-organizing basic memory interconnects.
Botulinum Toxin Treatment of Primary Dystonia

Dystonia is a sustained or intermittent muscle contraction causing abnormal movements and/or postures. There are both inherited and acquired causes of dystonia. The pathophysiology of this disorder is complex, but is known to involve circuits in the basal ganglia and cerebellum. Botulinum toxin (BoNT) is the treatment of choice for focal dystonia—including cervical dystonia, blepharospasm, and focal hand dystonia—and is useful for selected areas in generalized dystonia as well. Use of BoNT is supported by multiple studies and its safety and efficacy have been demonstrated repeatedly. Use of BoNT is limited by both dosing and by the occurrence of side effects which are due to spread of the toxin into adjacent muscles. The type of side effect(s) depends on the areas injected, but can include ptosis, diplopia, hematoma at the injection site, neck weakness, and dysphagia.
Forming and Drying : Chapter 3

This chapter introduces the fundamentals of ceramic processing and highlights recent findings. Furthermore, the chapter gives some practical guidance on forming and drying by summarizing the published literature. After the introduction to colloid science for ceramic processing, ceramic-forming techniques is presented. First, the casting techniques can be divided into two categories—that is, drained casting and constant-volume casting. The next steps in processing are drying and binder burnout. Additionally, a section on green-body characterization is introduced. Rheology is the science of the deformation and flow of matter. Rheology plays a very important role in the processing of the colloidal suspensions. The chapter discusses the fundamentals of and techniques useful for rheology. Polymer removal proceeds via chain scission induced by either thermal or oxidative degradation, followed by evaporation of the low-molecular-weight fraction of the chain-scission products.
3-D microanatomy of human reproductive organs.

There are remarkable differences in the pattern of tissue organization of mucosa of different segments of the female and reproductive organs. In most organs, the cells are uniform in size, closely packed, and resemble “cobblestone”. In some instances, the surfaces of the cells are illdefined and covered with short microvilli and residual mucus. Modern techniques are employed to preserve the soft biological tissues for SEM, including freeze drying, low temperature evaporation, critical point drying, cell suspensions on coverslip, and metal-plated coverslips taken from tissue culture.
Dance: Moving Bodily Beyond Dualism

Body knowledge is a prelinguistic form of communication that is needed for human holism. As such, this chapter approaches embodiment as a foundational element of a pneumatological aesthetics. While dance is a powerful performative mode of communication, liturgical dance is an embodied way of knowing God and others. This chapter seeks to elucidate how embodied practices can be understood theologically from a perspective of renewal, because the renewal movements regularly engage embodied practices through worship.
Drug–Drug Interactions between Atorvastatin and Dronedarone Mediated by Monomeric CYP3A4

Heterotropic interactions between atorvastatin (ARVS) and dronedarone (DND) have been deciphered using global analysis of the results of binding and turnover experiments for pure drugs and their mixtures. The in vivo presence of atorvastatin lactone (ARVL) was explicitly taken into account by using pure ARVL in analogous experiments. Both ARVL and ARVS inhibit DND binding and metabolism, while a significantly higher affinity of CYP3A4 for ARVL makes the latter the main modulator of activity (effector) in this system. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal significantly different modes of interactions of DND and ARVL with the substrate binding pocket and with a peripheral allosteric site. Interactions of both substrates with residues F213 and F219 at the allosteric site play a critical role in the communication of conformational changes induced by effector binding to productive binding of the substrate at the catalytic site.
Using geographic distribution of well-screen depths and hydrogeologic conditions to identify areas of concern for contaminant migration through inactive supply wells

Contaminant migration through inactive supply wells can negatively affect groundwater quality and the combined effects from groups of such wells may cause greater impacts. Because the number of wells in many basins is often large and the geographic areas involved can be vast, approaches are needed to estimate potential impacts and focus limited resources for investigation and corrective measures on the most important areas. One possibility is to evaluate the geographic distribution of well-screen depths relative to hydrogeologic conditions and assess where contaminant migration through wells may be impacting groundwater quality. This approach is demonstrated for a geographically extensive area in the southern Central Valley of California, USA. The conditions that lead to wells acting as conduits for contaminant migration are evaluated and areas where the problem likely occurs are identified. Although only a small fraction of all wells appear to act as conduits, potential impacts may be significant considering needs to control nonpoint-source pollution and improve drinking water quality for rural residents. Addressing a limited number of areas where contaminant migration rates are expected to be high may cost-effectively accomplish the most beneficial groundwater quality protection and improvement. While this work focuses on a specific region, the results indicate that impacts from groups of wells may occur in other areas with similar conditions. Analyses similar to that demonstrated here may guide efficient investigation and corrective action in such areas with benefits occurring for groundwater quality. Potential benefits may justify expenditures to develop the necessary data for performing the analyses.
Managing The Opportunity Portfolio

OVERVIEW:Portfolio planning involves five basic tasks: identifying current as well as future gaps in the portfolio relative to the firm's overall business strategy, striking a balance between strengthening the firm's current strategic position and the exploration of new markets or technologies, creating a portfolio with the highest potential financial value, and exploring the extent to which the competition can be redefined. Tools for accomplishing these tasks include the “traffic light” approach, analysis of technology positions and product attributes, identification of discontinuous change, creating new dimensions of merit, lifecycle analysis, portfolio/scenario analysis, and the strategic bucket framework. Not every tool will work for everyone, but used as needed, these tools will help managers to build a rigorous portfolio strategy.
Sensor-assisted mobile phone localization

Localization is projected to play a critical role in mobile computing applications. Nevertheless, the state of the art is inadequate especially when operating on mobile devices. More specifically, the on-phone GPS sensor has an unacceptable energy consumption and does not operate indoors. Alternate localization techniques, based on WiFi or GSM, alleviate some of the GPS limitations but provide degraded accuracy and assume pre-installed infrastructure. As a result, these solutions need extensive war-driving for collecting location fingerprints and, in many instances, limit services to regions close to drivable paths. Moreover, when infrastructure is scarce or missing, the localization accuracy is poor. Lastly, relying on hardware deployments is costly and raises scalability concerns when targeting wide regions. To address the shortcomings of current solutions, we propose four new localization systems: (1) CompAcc enables energy-efficient, war-driving-free localization using the phone inertial sensors and digital maps, (2) Escort provides indoor localization by exploiting the phone inertial sensors and social environments where people are mobile, (3) SurroundSense enables indoor logical localization (e.g., inside Target) by sensing the user ambiance through the phone sensors, and (4) EnLoc proposes energy-efficient localization via personalized mobility profiling and predictions.
Recessions and Product Costing

This paper examines product costing in a recessionary environment where firms have excess capacity and uncertain demand for their products. If a firm wants to determine prices and production quantities for a new product, the theory is straightforward: any incremental cost should be allocated to the product. With a recessionary environment, and uncertain demand for our products, we demonstrate that the incremental costs include fixed costs that are common to several products. However, in contrast to practice, the allocation base should be based on the “relative viability,” or demand for the product and not any measure of the product’s “usage” of the common fixed resources. Thus, it is appropriate to allocate common administrative costs to products, but mature stable products should be allocated more of the administrative costs than novel, new products whose future is uncertain. In addition, in some circumstances it is optimal to allocate fixed costs which are common to one set of products to a product outside of that set; for example, the fixed licensing costs for products A and B may be allocated to new product C. The optimal cost allocation is independent of the market structure; it applies to two firms bidding on a contract, to a monopoly market, or an oligopoly market.
Artificial Hydration in Pediatric End-of-Life Care.

Hydration at the end of life may be much less beneficial than generally assumed, but the emotional significance of nourishment to caregiving should not be underestimated. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
The “Glass Ceiling” Effect: Does It Characterize the Contemporary US Academy?

Recent trends in the recruitment and career advancement of US academics, with a special focus on the experiences of women, minorities, and the foreign-born, are considered in this chapter. The available evidence from the CAP survey—as well as other sources—suggests that these groups are making some progress, but that widely identified barriers to the pursuit of academic careers continue to exist. Notable is the tendency of women and minorities to be disproportionately hired for contingency appointments that are less likely to open up opportunities for promotion and tenure.
Study characteristics influence the efficacy of substance abuse treatments: A meta-analysis of medications for alcohol use disorder.

Abstract Background Understanding study characteristics’ influence on treatment efficacy could improve methodologies and interpretation of findings. We examine study characteristics as predictors of outcomes in clinical trials of medications for alcohol problems. Methods We obtained data on 23 trials of naltrexone and 22 trials of acamprosate from Cochrane reviews. We extracted data for 14 study characteristics and 3 dependent variables (odds ratio; percent abstinent in placebo; medication conditions). We used general linear models to determine which study characteristics explained the variability among outcomes after controlling for medication characteristics. Results Study characteristics accounted for 45% of the variance in odds ratio when trials of different medications were combined, 19% among acamprosate, and 48% among naltrexone trials above and beyond medication characteristics. When medications were combined, greater odds ratios were predicted by having more dropouts in the placebo than medication conditions, an earlier publication year, and not receiving industry funding. Whether this was due to effects on placebo or medication conditions was unclear. Among acamprosate trials, smaller sample sizes predicted greater odds ratios, which appeared to be due to more abstinence in medication conditions. Among naltrexone trials, greater odds ratios were predicted by having more dropouts in the placebo than medication conditions and a greater probability of randomizing participants to treatment. This appeared to be due to less abstinence in placebo conditions. Conclusion Study characteristics influence the assessment of treatment efficacy beyond medication characteristics in alcohol treatment trials. Future studies are needed to determine which study characteristics reliably influence efficacy to help investigators design and help clinicians interpret trials.
Toward understanding genomic instability, mitochondrial dysfunction and aging

The biology of aging is an area of intense research, and many questions remain about how and why cell and organismal functions decline over time. In mammalian cells, genomic instability and mitochondrial dysfunction are thought to be among the primary drivers of cellular aging. This review focuses on the interrelationship between genomic instability and mitochondrial dysfunction in mammalian cells and its relevance to age-related functional decline at the molecular and cellular level. The importance of oxidative stress and key DNA damage response pathways in cellular aging is discussed, with a special focus on poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1, whose persistent activation depletes cellular energy reserves, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, loss of energy homeostasis, and altered cellular metabolism. Elucidation of the relationship between genomic instability, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the signaling pathways that connect these pathways/processes are keys to the future of research on human aging. An important component of mitochondrial health preservation is mitophagy, and this and other areas that are particularly ripe for future investigation will be discussed.
Impact of Gut Dysbiosis on Neurohormonal Pathways in Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide major health problem. Traditional risk factors for CKD are hypertension, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. Recent studies have identified gut dysbiosis as a novel risk factor for the progression CKD and its complications. Dysbiosis can worsen systemic inflammation, which plays an important role in the progression of CKD and its complications such as cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we discuss the beneficial effects of the normal gut microbiota, and then elaborate on how alterations in the biochemical environment of the gastrointestinal tract in CKD can affect gut microbiota. External factors such as dietary restrictions, medications, and dialysis further promote dysbiosis. We discuss the impact of an altered gut microbiota on neuroendocrine pathways such as the hypothalamus⁻pituitary⁻adrenal axis, the production of neurotransmitters and neuroactive compounds, tryptophan metabolism, and the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Finally, therapeutic strategies including diet modification, intestinal alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics are reviewed.
Ruminant cluster WC14

Abstract Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) belong to this cluster: IL-A155 (3W-380) and BT3/8.12 (3W-302). These two mAbs inhibited the binding of each other to granulocytes, indicating that they bound to the same or closely related epitopes on the same molecule (Naessens et al., 1996; Naessens, J., Nthale, J.M. and Muiya, P., 1996. Biochemical analysis of preliminary clusters in the non-lineage panel. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol., 52: 347–356).
A study of partitioning policies for graph analytics on large-scale distributed platforms

Distributed-memory clusters are used for in-memory processing of very large graphs with billions of nodes and edges. This requires partitioning the graph among the machines in the cluster. When a graph is partitioned, a node in the graph may be replicated on several machines, and communication is required to keep these replicas synchronized. Good partitioning policies attempt to reduce this synchronization overhead while keeping the computational load balanced across machines. A number of recent studies have looked at ways to control replication of nodes, but these studies are not conclusive because they were performed on small clusters with eight to sixteen machines, did not consider work-efficient data-driven algorithms, or did not optimize communication for the partitioning strategies they studied.This paper presents an experimental study of partitioning strategies for work-efficient graph analytics applications on large KNL and Skylake clusters with up to 256 machines using the Gluon communication runtime which implements partitioning-specific communication optimizations. Evaluation results show that although simple partitioning strategies like Edge-Cuts perform well on a small number of machines, an alternative partitioning strategy called Cartesian Vertex-Cut (CVC) performs better at scale even though paradoxically it has a higher replication factor and performs more communication than Edge-Cut partitioning does. Results from communication micro-benchmarks resolve this paradox by showing that communication overhead depends not only on communication volume but also on the communication pattern among the partitions.These experiments suggest that high-performance graph analytics systems should support multiple partitioning strategies, like Gluon does, as no single graph partitioning strategy is best for all cluster sizes. For such systems, a decision tree for selecting a good partitioning strategy based on characteristics of the computation and the cluster is presented.