cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Folic acid content of ready-to-eat cereals determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry: comparison to product label and to values determined by microbiological assay.

ABSTRACT Twelve popular ready-to-eat breakfast cereals fortified with folic acid were sampled in the United States in 2006, and the data have been incorporated into the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Cereals were collected from three statistically selected retail outlets in each of four primary census regions, and four composites of each product were prepared using random groupings of three locations each. Folic acid was determined using a validated LC-MS method, with 13C-folic acid as an internal standard, after trienzyme treatment and solid phase extraction. A cereal reference material (AACC VMA399) was analyzed as a control. Selected samples were also assayed using the standard microbiological method, with and without trienzyme extraction, to generate an estimate of endogenous folate. On average, as shown on the label, folate content was underestimated. In seven cereals, folate was within 5% of the declared value; in four cereals, it was 5–20% higher; and in two cereals, it was...
Making discrete mathematics relevant

Discrete mathematics is an important foundation of computer science. Especially during the last decade, resources for instructors have been designed to meet the needs in computer science education. These resources try to present relevant concepts in an engaging way. But the students do not necessarily recognize how discrete mathematics applies to their profession. This paper presents exercises and problems that relate directly to the material a computer science student encounters during his or her studies, so students are more motivated to delve into discrete mathematics.
A Flashback-Resistant Burner for Combustion Diagnostics and Analytical Spectrometry

A general utility burner for the production of laminar, homogenous diffusion flames, which is immune to flashbacks, is presented. Because the fuel and oxidant mix on the surface of the burner rather than within the spray chamber, the flames cannot flashback. A wide variety of gas mixtures has been investigated, including oxygen, nitrous oxide, and nitric oxide as the oxidants. Any combination of fuel and oxidant can be safely burned to produced a stable, laminar, and audibly quiet flame. Flame temperatures can be varied over a wide range either by changing the fuel-oxidant ratio or by diluting the flame gases with an inert gas. In this manner, the optimum flame temperature and composition can be achieved. These burners are of general use in analytical emission, fluorescence, and photoacoustic spectrometry, as well as combustion diagnostics.
Nitrogen regulation of uricase synthesis in Neurospora crassa.

Neurospora crassa can utilize various purine bases as a nitrogen source. Synthesis of the purine catabolic enzymes such as uricase requires induction by the intermediate uric acid and is also subject to nitrogen catabolic repression. Uricase synthesis has been studied in more detail to gain additional insight into this control circuit. The synthesis of uricase was repressed when wild-type Neurospora cells were grown in medium containing ammonium salts. The am mutant, which lacks NADP-linked glutamate dehydrogenase activity, was found to synthesize uricase even in the presence of ammonia. However, repression of uricase synthesis was restored in am by glutamate. The am mutant was shown to transport the methylammonium ion at a normal rate with Km and Vmax values which were indistinguishable from those of wild-type. Similarly, unlike the situation in wild-type, ammonia or glutamate failed to repress uricase synthesis in the gln mutant, which lacks glutamine synthetase activity, although glutamine was fully effective as a repressor in gln. These results suggest that neither ammonium per se nor glutamate are themselves nitrogen corepressors, but rather that glutamine has this role in Neurospora.
Translational medicine: ribosomopathies.

In this issue of Blood , Wong and colleagues provide compelling evidence that Shwachman-Diamond syndrome is a ribosomopathy.[1][1] Using both lymphoblasts from patient samples and an elegant model of engineered conditional mutants in Dictyostelium dicoideum , an amoebozoan, the authors provide
Studies on the neuraminidases of influence virus III. Stimulation of activity by bivalent cations

Abstract Bivalent cations (Ca 2+ , Mn 2+ and Mg 2+ ) have been shown to stimulate the activity of the purified neuraminidases ( N -acetylneuraminate glycohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.18) from influenza virus although an absolute requirement could not be demonstrated. This stimulation is dependent upon the enzyme and is independent of the substrate and the nature of the linkage of the N -acetylneuraminic acid. The addition of Ca 2+ increases the v max but has no effect on the K m of the reaction.
Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of aliphatic polyesters via copolymerization of lactide with diesters and diols

Candida antarctica lipase (CALB) has been successfully used as catalyst for copolymerization of dialkyl diester with diol and lactone to form aliphatic polyesters. The polymerization reactions were performed using a two stage process: first stage oligomerization under low vacuum followed by second stage polymerization under high vacuum. Use of the two-stage process is required to obtain products with high molecular weights at high yields for the following reasons: (i) the first stage reaction ensures that the monomer loss via evaporation is minimized to maintain 1:1 diester to diol stoichiometric ratio, and the monomers are converted to nonvolatile oligomers; (ii) use of high vacuum during the second stage accelerates equilibrium transesterification reactions to transform the oligomers to high molecular weight polymers. Thus, terpolymers of ω-pentadecalactone (PDL), diethyl succinate (DES), and 1,4-butanediol (BD) with a Mw of whole product (nonfractionated) up to 77000 and Mw/Mn between 1.7 and 4.0 were ...
Idiopathic giant right atrial aneurysm

A 2-year-old boy with an incidental finding of massive cardiomegaly on a chest X-ray was diagnosed with a giant right atrial aneurysm upon further investigation with echocardiography. The patient underwent successful surgical reduction of the right atrium and closure of the patent foramen ovale to prevent thromboembolic complications and to lower the risk of atrial arrhythmias. The resected atrium had paper-thin walls and pathological features of interstitial fibrosis with endocardial thickening.
Combined Butalbital/Acetaminophen/Caffeine Overdose: Case Files of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Toxicology Service

A 40-year-old woman with no previous medical problems presented to the Emergency Department (ED) 2 h after ingesting an unknown amount of Fioricet® (butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine), oxycodone, and fentanyl patches about 90 min prior to emergency medical service (EMS) dispatch. The patient’s husband reported they had had a fight, and he went down to the basement; when he came back upstairs, he found the patient unconscious with an empty pill bottle. A call to the patient’s pharmacy by ED staff revealed that the patient had her prescription for butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine tablets refilled 5 days earlier and that she had convinced the pharmacist to override the refill amount to dispense 540 tablets; according to the pharmacist, the patient stated she was going on a trip to Italy and needed a 6-month supply. EMS personnel removed a fentanyl patch (unknown strength) from her skin. The source of the fentanyl and the strength and formulation of the oxycodone were not recorded. Prehospital treatment included naloxone 4 mg IV without any noticeable clinical response, insertion of a nasal trumpet, and initiation of bag-valve-mask ventilation. A fingerstick glucose was 137 mg/dL. On arrival to the ED, the patient was unconscious with the following vital signs: blood pressure, 98/54 mmHg; pulse, 72 beats/min; respiratory rate, 14 breaths/min; and pulse oximetry, 100 % on a non-rebreather mask. Auscultation of her chest revealed clear but bilaterally diminished breath sounds and a regular cardiac rhythm without murmurs, rubs, or gallops. The patient’s ventilation improved with jaw thrust, but, due to increased secretions, she was intubated within 10 min of ED arrival using etomidate and succinylcholine. On further examination, she had palpable distal pulses, and her abdomen was soft and non-tender. The patient’s pupils were 1–2 mm in diameter and sluggishly reactive to light. The patient was noted to be shivering prior to being fully exposed, and her skin was warm and dry, revealing no signs of traumatic injuries. An ECG revealed a normal sinus rhythm at 86 beats per minute with a prolonged QTc interval (504 ms). An orogastric tube and Foley catheter were both inserted, with a large volume (700 cc) of dark-colored urine quickly filling the Foley bag. Activated charcoal 50 g was administered via orogastric tube. Due to the reported large ingestion of acetaminophen and some initial uncertainty about the time of ingestion, an IV N-acetylcysteine (NAC) infusion was started according to the 21-h protocol, prior to obtaining serum acetaminophen level results. About 90 min after arrival (3 h after ingestion), the patient began having massive diuresis, producing 5,800 cc of urine over 1 h. Due to concerns about the patient’s reported fentanyl patch ingestion and the lack of knowledge regarding possible extendedThis project was not funded.
Simultaneous multielement detection in particle beam/hollow cathode-optical emission spectroscopy

Presented here is the development of a particle beam/hollow cathode-optical emission spectroscopy source that has been interfaced with a high resolution polychromator for use as a species-specific detector for chromatographic separations. Use of the high resolution JY RF-5000 polychromator allows simultaneous, multielement analysis; a necessary requirement for comprehensive speciation analysis. Parametric optimization was performed for the nebulization conditions, desolvation temperature, glow discharge current and pressure, and the source block temperature (vaporization) using nitrate salts containing lead, nickel, and silver. Peak area, height, and width were recorded for optical emission of Pb (I) 220.35 nm, Ni (I) 341.41 nm, and Ag (I) 338.28 nm in order to determine optimal peak characteristics under chromatographic separation conditions. Response curves for a multielement salt solution containing Pb, Ni, and Ag were obtained using the optimized conditions, with detection limits for triplicate injections of 2.2, 0.17, and 0.19 ng, respectively. The ability to monitor multiple elements simultaneously reveals the existence of interelement matrix effects that have not been noted previously in hollow cathode devices. The ability to monitor metals and non-metals is demonstrated towards the future application of this system as a tool for metallomic studies.
Development methodologies for scientific software

Approaches to the development of scientific application software have matured over the past two decades and now constitute identifiable methodologies. Three software development methodologies are described, compared, and contrasted from the viewpoint of development effort, continued maintenance, and subsequent extension. Pertinent software aspects of the POLO-FINITE system are described to provide an example of the software virtual machine approach to solve database, memory management, and processing module integration problems. Finally, possible extensions of the virtual machine concept are discussed as a means to further advance software development methodologies.
Efficient Frequency Response of Locally Uncertain Linear Structural Systems

The frequency response analysis of large, linear structural models subjected to deterministic, dynamic loads is oftentimes a computationally intensive task. The situation is only exacerbated when stiffness and damping uncertainties are present in the system’s description. However, this parametric uncertainty is often contained within a small number of localized features. These features involve only a small portion of the total degrees-of-freedom of the structural model. In this paper, this locality of uncertainty is exploited, and an exact method is presented for the frequency analysis of locally uncertain systems subjected to deterministic inputs based on the well-known Sherman-Morrison-Woodbury formula. The proposed method yields exact responses for the perturbed systems and is not affected by magnitude nor the type (e.g., normal, lognormal, etc.) of the uncertainties with the sole restriction that the system remains stable with probability one. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the signifi...
Plutonium-240 half life determined by isotope-dilution mass spectrometric measurement of grown-in uranium-236

Abstract As part of an interlaboratory program, the half life of 240 Pu has been measured on a shared 240 Pu oxide material. Grown-in daughter 236 U was measured at four intervals in the range of 0.94–1.1 yr by isotope-dilution mass spectrometry. The measured half life is 6574 yr with 95% confidence limits of ±12.8 yr. Experimental uncertaities at all stages of measurement and their statistical treatment are discussed fully.
Perceptual and structural implications of "Virtual" music on the web.

: The development of Cathedral, one of the first interactive works of music and art on the World Wide Web; the development of new virtual instruments, such as the PitchWeb, that allow listeners to participate actively and creatively; and the possibility that a new form of music is emerging are discussed. This new music, Virtual Music, is a new art form, within a new medium, producing a new type of interactive artistic experience, with the ability to draw in and engage its listeners in the creative process.
p120 catenin associates with kinesin and facilitates the transport of cadherin-catenin complexes to intercellular junctions.

p120 catenin (p120) is a component of adherens junctions and has been implicated in regulating cadherin-based cell adhesion as well as the activity of Rho small GTPases, but its exact roles in cell–cell adhesion are unclear. Using time-lapse imaging, we show that p120-GFP associates with vesicles and exhibits unidirectional movements along microtubules. Furthermore, p120 forms a complex with kinesin heavy chain through the p120 NH2-terminal head domain. Overexpression of p120, but not an NH2-terminal deletion mutant deficient in kinesin binding, recruits endogenous kinesin to N-cadherin. Disruption of the interaction between N-cadherin and p120, or the interaction between p120 and kinesin, leads to a delayed accumulation of N-cadherin at cell–cell contacts during calcium-initiated junction reassembly. Our analyses identify a novel role of p120 in promoting cell surface trafficking of cadherins via association and recruitment of kinesin.
On the inconsistency of rigid-body frictional planar mechanics

The problem of a thin rigid rod sliding on a horizontal surface in the plane is considered. This problem is commonly cited as an example of the inconsistency of planar rigid-body Newtonian mechanics. The existence of a consistent solution, using Routh's analysis of rigid-body impact is demonstrated. >
Exact Discontinuous Solutions of Exner’s Bed Evolution Model: Simple Theory for Sediment Bores

Determining the evolution of the bed of a river or channel due to the transport of sediment was first examined in a theoretical context by Exner in 1925. In his work, Exner presents a simplified bed evolution model derived from the conservation of fluid mass and an "erosion" equation that is commonly referred to as the sediment continuity or Exner equation. Given that Exner's model takes the form of a nonlinear hyperbolic equation, one expects, depending on the given initial condition of the bed, the formation of discontinuities in the solution in finite time. The analytical solution provided by Exner for his model is the so-called classical or genuine solution of the initial-value problem, which is valid while the solution is continuous. In this paper, using the general theory of nonlinear hyperbolic equations, we consider generalized solutions of Exner's classic bed evolution model thereby developing a simple theory for the formation and propagation of discontinuities in the bed or so-called sediment bores.
Smaller Volume of Prefrontal Lobe in Polysubstance Abusers: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that individuals with substance abuse disorder exhibit structural deficits in the prefrontal cortex. Volumes of the prefrontal lobe in subjects with histories of polysubstance abuse (n = 25) were measured and compared with those in normal volunteers (n = 14), using high-resolution volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The research participants were men, 22 to 41 years of age. Polysubstance abusers were abstinent from drugs of abuse (except nicotine) for at least 15 days before MRI scanning. The total volumes of the prefrontal lobe (left and right hemispheres) were significantly smaller in the substance abuse group than in the control group. When the prefrontal lobe was segmented for gray and white matter, the deficit in the substance abusers was seen as significantly smaller volumes of gray but not of white matter. These results indicate that hypoplasia and/or atrophy in the prefrontal cortex accompany substance abuse and suggest that structural deficits in the prefrontal cortex may play an essential role in the neuropathological basis of functional impairments in substance abuse disorder, as demonstrated by functional brain imaging and cognitive studies.
Assessing the Impact of Changes in Gender Equality on Female Homicide Victimization: 1980-2000

Numerous studies have tested the feminist hypothesis that gender inequality affects homicide rates by analyzing Census and Uniform Crime Report data for a single time period. Although these “snapshot” tests are important, they do not capture the “change” element that is implied by these hypotheses. According to feminist perspectives, gender inequality and gender equality could increase homicide rates, the former increasing the structural disadvantage of women relative to men and the latter representing a “backlash” effect. Women’s absolute status may also be an important predictor of homicide victimization. Furthermore, it is quite possible that this process is dynamic and therefore the change in equality over time may be more important than the actual level of equality at any given time. The present study measures the impact of gender equality and women’s absolute status on female homicide victimization using city-level data from 1980 to 2000. In general, the results suggest that changes in gender equali...
Dynamic Capabilities, Government Policies, and Performance in Firms from Emerging Economies: Evidence from India and Pakistan

In this study we developed a model of the dynamic capability development mechanisms in Emerging Market manufacturing Firms (EMF). We identified three dynamic capability development mechanisms: organizational learning, reverse engineering, and manufacturing flexibility. We generated hypotheses based on this framework, linking these mechanisms with firm performance. We also modelled the roles played by managerial use of two types of government policies: input supporting policies and marketing supporting policies. We tested our hypotheses on a sample of Indian and Pakistani manufacturing firms. Results showed that organizational learning, reverse engineering and manufacturing flexibility had significant impacts on EMF performance. Additionally, organizational learning combined with input supporting government policies enhanced performance, and the combination of manufacturing flexibility and marketing supporting government policies had an insignificant influence on performance.
Signal Amplitude Uncertainty of a Digiquartz Pressure Transducer Due to Static Calibration Error

Abstract Standard calibrations of Digiquartz pressure transducers are performed over a very wide range of pressure and temperature, typically 14–10 000 psia and 1°–125°C. Compared to this large calibration domain, deep ocean bottom pressure recorders encounter relatively small changes of pressure and temperature during a typical deployment, that is, changes of only a few pounds per square inch and a few tenths of a degree Celsius. In principle, more detailed calibrations in the expected operating range of each instrument could improve accuracy. In practice, recalibration can be expensive and time consuming and, depending on the temporal stability of the calibration constants, may not be necessary if the accuracy of the original standard calibration is sufficient. The accuracy of the original calibration as it applies to ocean bottom pressure changes induced by tides, tsunamis, and other geophysical processes is examined. For typical ambient conditions of 0°C and depth 4000 m, absolute uncertainty has been...
Same-Sex But Equal: Reformulating the Miscegenation Analogy

Relying on a "miscegenation analogy," advocates and commentators have argued that discrimination against same-sex couples is a form of sex discrimination in the way that discrimination against interracial couples is a form of race discrimination. Unlike racial classifications, however, sex-based classifications have never been deemed "inherently" unequal, so the protection against sex discrimination is somewhat weaker than the protection against race discrimination. In particular, the doctrine of "separate but equal" may remain a part of sex equality law, even though it has been repudiated in the context of race. The "miscegenation analogy" should be reformulated to take account of that difference between the treatment of sex and race in American law. Doing so would require parties challenging discrimination against same-sex couples to show that the opportunities provided to same-sex couples are not "substantially equal" to the different opportunities provided to different-sex couples. Whether the provision of civil unions to same-sex couples and marriage to different sex couples would satisfy this test of "substantial equality" would depend on how strict the requirement of substantial equality.
Critical review of resveratrol in xenobiotic-induced hepatotoxicity.

Use of natural products is increasingly popular. In fact, many patients with liver diseases self-medicate with herbal supplements. Resveratrol (RSV), in particular, is a common natural product that can reduce injury in experimental models of liver disease. Xenobiotic hepatotoxicity is a particularly important area-of-need for therapeutics. Drug-induced liver injury, for example, is the most common cause of acute liver failure (ALF) and ALF-induced deaths in many countries. Importantly, RSV protects against hepatotoxicity in animal models in vivo caused by several drugs and chemicals and may be an effective intervention. Although many mechanisms have been proposed to explain the protection, not all are consistent with other data. Furthermore, RSV suffers from other issues, including limited bioavailability due to extensive hepatic metabolism. The purpose of this article is to summarize recent findings on the protective effects of RSV in xenobiotic-induced liver injury and other forms of liver injury and to provide a critical review of the underlying mechanisms. New mechanisms that are more consistent with data emerging from the toxicology field are suggested. Efforts to move RSV into clinical use are also considered. Overall, RSV is a promising candidate for therapeutic use, but additional studies are needed to better understand its effects.
MEMORY-METAMEMORY CONNECTION IN INTELLECTUALLY GIFTED AND NORMAL CHILDREN

Very little is known about the differences in cognitive processing between gifted and normal children. One theory (3) suggests that gifted children will exhibit better memory and more knowledge about memory (metamemory) than normal children. In the present study, differences becween gifted and normal children in memory performance and knowledge were examined. Subjects included 27 children (M CA = 13.3 yr.) divided into two groups. Thirteen subjects were classified as in~ellectually gifted (M IQ = 142) while 14 subjects were classified as intellectually nbrmal (M IQ = 107) based on Otis-Lennon IQs. Children were individually interviewed about their memory using questions adapted from Kreutzer, Leonard, and Flavell (1) (story-list, study plan, study time, effort, and experience) in addition to another set of questions concerning executive control (memory monitoring, checking). Recall tasks (categorizable list, unrelated list, and recall of two stories) were administered in counterbalanced order following the metamemory interview. Scoring of memory tasks involved calculating the number of words recalled from the categorizable list and the unrelated list. Interview protocols were scored for accuracy and memory knowledge. Story recall was determined using the scoring criteria devised by Mandler and Johnson (2). Interrater reliability exceeded 85% for all items. A multivariate analysis of variance was performed to detect differences on five measures of metamemory and three of memory as a function of group (gifted versus normal). Analysis gave no significant differences between groups. Subsequent univariate tests indicated that of the eight measures, only one, knowledge of effort, differentiated the gifted (M = 16.69, SD = 1.49) and normal subjects (M = 13.64, SD = 3.29; t = -3.05, p < .01). Pearson correlations between metamemory and memory scores yielded three (of 15) significant. Recall on the unrelated lists was negatively related to knowledge of a study plan (r = -.38, p < .05). Story recall was related to scores on knowledge of executive concrol (r = .37, P < .05) and effort
Research on EMD Composite Algorithm for Detecting the Low Frequency Oscillations Modes

In this paper, an anti mode mixing empirical mode decomposition(EMD) composite algorithm is proposed. First, the improved frequency heterodyne method is addressed to increase the spectral distance between mode mixing components in order to isolate the octave mode mixing components. Second, the wavelet singularity detection technology is applied to determine the adaptive sliding analysis window for each mode and then implement the intermittent mixing modes separation and their nonstationary parameters identification. In order to verify the validity of the algorithm, a test case and a grid simulation case are used to test and analyze the EMD composite algorithm. The analysis result shows that the proposed algorithm can isolate the mode mixing component effectively. Moreover, for a low frequency oscillation signal with complex modes, the proposed algorithm is able to isolate the corresponding low frequency oscillation mode and has high detection accuracy of oscillation mode information.
Methodological Considerations in Prevention Research

This chapter discussed a number of methodological considerations that face prevention research. It examined the central importance of theory in design and analysis of prevention studies. It considered the role of factorial invariance in developing culture-specific measures. It discussed the importance of statistical power and how it is dependent on factors other than sample size. It considered growth curve models, survival analysis, and lta, all relatively new procedures for dealing with change over time. It also discussed two approaches to the trait-state distinction and looked at missing data procedures and how important they are for prevention research. Finally, it discussed two general types of models that frequently arise in prevention research, mediation models and models of reciprocal causation, and how the customary ways of testing these models should perhaps be reconsidered.
Stochastic Modeling of Lumber Properties

This paper will present the most recent developments in the statistical modeling of the mechanical properties of structural lumber. In addition to providing a summary of testing programs and model development (primarily in North America), two advanced stochastic modeling approaches will be described. The first is the generation of vectors of correlated lumber properties and the second is the stochastic modeling of the creep mechanism in wood. These recent probabilistic approaches to the modeling of lumber properties have been employed in reliability studies which have formed, and continue to form, the basis of the new load and resistance factor design specification for wood construction in the United States. Similar work is being conducted in Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Role of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF) on colonic goblet cell differentiation and function during mucosal healing

Secreted mucus is essential for intestinal homeostasis, separating luminal bacteria from the colonic epithelium and preventing inappropriate inflammation. Depletion of the mucus-secreting goblet ce...
When marketing strategy meets culture: the role of culture in product evaluations

This research investigates how national culture interacts with marketing strategy to influence consumers’ organic post-consumption satisfaction ratings of entertainment products rich in cultural content. Drawing upon a communication theory framework, we develop hypotheses concerning multiple interaction effects between culture and marketing strategies on consumers’ product evaluations. We test these hypotheses by analyzing consumer reviews of 260 movies in 25 country markets. In support of our hypotheses, we find that the cultural congruence between the product and the market improves consumer reviews, and that the effect is stronger in cultures characterized by collectivism, femininity, and uncertainty avoidance, as well as for products more heavily loaded with cultural content. In addition, we find that the negative effect of delay in product launch timing weakens for cultures characterized by long-term orientation, and that the positive effect of advertising spending on consumer evaluations is stronger in cultures characterized by high power distance belief. These results provide practical insights into how managers should make decisions concerning product design, launch timing, and advertising strategies in international markets.
A Descriptive Analysis of the Application of PETE Standards

Background: In 2008, Ayers and Housner published a descriptive analysis of undergraduate PETE programs’ application of the 2003 NASPE standards. The shift in emphases from the 2003 to 2008 standards motivated the examination of how U.S. PETE programs address current standards. Purpose: Based upon recommendations for future research, this study investigated how the 2008 NASPE beginning teacher standards are assessed. Technology, diversity, and adapted physical education (APE) were also analyzed. Method: Data were collected from 156 PETE program directors through a revised version of the Ayers and Housner online survey. Results: Programs utilized a variety of methods to assess teacher candidates’ (TC) skills, with methods of assessing each standard reported. An increased number of programs required a multicultural/cultural diversity course (77.2%), APE coursework (96.5%), and at least one technology course (91%). Discussion: PETE programs have continued to improve in faculty and TC diversity as well as responding to standards. Future standards must be written to address identified weaknesses. Subscribe to TPE
Validation of nomograms for overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and recurrence in carcinoma of the major salivary glands.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center salivary carcinoma nomograms predicting overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and recurrence with an external validation dataset. METHODS The validation dataset comprised 123 patients treated between 2010 and 2015 at our institution. They were evaluated by assessing discrimination (concordance index [C-index]) and calibration (plotting predicted vs actual probabilities for quintiles). RESULTS The validation cohort (n = 123) showed some differences to the original cohort (n = 301). The validation cohort had less high-grade cancers (P = .006), less lymphovascular invasion (LVI; P < .001) and shorter follow-up of 19 months versus 45.6 months. Validation showed a C-index of 0.833 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.758-0.908), 0.807 (95% CI 0.717-0.898), and 0.844 (95% CI 0.768-0.920) for overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and recurrence, respectively. CONCLUSION The 3 salivary gland nomograms performed well using a contemporary validation dataset, despite limitations related to sample size, follow-up, and differences in clinical and pathology characteristics between the original and validation cohorts.
Translating international women’s rights: the CEDAW convention in context, Susanne Zwingel

Susanne Zwingel begins her thorough and critical examination of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) with the following questions: how far can the ...
THE SOCIOTECHNICAL IMPLICATIONS OF UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE

The first part of this paper addresses some of the technical aspects of storing nuclear waste in deep geologic formations. It is based on the findings of studies conducted by Parsons Brinckerhoff within the past year on design of a pilot storage facility, thermomechanical guidelines for a repository in bedrock, and the state of the art of shaft sinking. The second part of this paper deals with the social and institutional implications of underground nuclear waste storage. Public concern over the handling of radioactive wastes has raised crucial questions which cannot be resolved solely by technical expertise. Presented in this paper are some of the more controversial issues along with their implications for nuclear waste management. The paper concludes with a proposed decision-making process for connecting the technical and non-technical aspects of underground nuclear waste storage. La premiere partie de cet article s'adresse a quelques aspects techniques de stockage de dechets nucleaires dans des formations geologiques profondes. Elle est etablie sur les decouvertes de trois etudes conduites par Parsons Brinckerhoff pendant l'annee passee au sujet des conducteurs thermomechaniques pour une cavite dans la roche, le plan d'une installation pilote de stockage et l'art de foncage des puits. Dans la deuxieme partie il s'agit d'implications sociales et institutionnelles de stockage de dechets nucleaires dans les profondeurs du terrain. L'interet public pour la manipulation des dechets radioactifs avait cree des questions critiques qu'on ne peut pas resoudre seulement par l'expertise technique. Les issues les plus controversielles ont ete aussi presentees dans cet article, pour l'administration des dechets nucleaires. L'article conclut avec une proposition de proces de decision pour relier les aspects techniques et nontechniques de stockage de dechets nucleaires dans le sous-sol. Der erste Teil dieser Untersuchung spricht einige technische Gesichtspunkte der Lagerung von radioaktiven Abfallen in tiefen geologischen Formationen an. Er basiert auf den Ergebnissen von drei Studien, die von Parsons Brinckerhoff im letzten Jahr zur Frage von thermomechanischen Richtlinien fur eine Atommullagerung in standfestem Gebirge, dem Entwurf einer Versuchsspeicheranlage und dem Stand der Technik beim Schachtabteufen veroffentlicht worden sind. Der zweite Teil der Untersuchung behandelt die sozialen und organisatorischen Gesichtspunkte der Lagerung von radioaktiven Abfallen unter Tage. Von der offentlichkeit geausserte Bedenken zum Transport von radioaktiven Abfallen haben auf Probleme hingewiesen, die nicht ausschliesslich durch technische Massnahmen gelost werden konnen. Es werden einige der mehr umstrittenen Fragen und ihre Folgerungen fur die Bewirtschaftung von radioaktiven Abfallen erlautert. Die Untersuchung schliesst damit, ein Verfahren zur Entscheidungsfindung vorzuschlagen, in dem technische und nichttechnische Gesichtspunkte der untertagigen Lagerung von radioaktiven Abfallen Berucksichtigung finden.
Levi’s Theory of Acceptance

In cognitive endeavors, inquirers seek a comprehensive knowledge of a domain. Researchers on the frontiers of a subject use what they regard as a basis for further inquiry to explore what is inadequately known or explained. In the course of evaluation, both personal and public, there usually emerges a corpus of assertions which collectively are a ‘view of the world’ which on the personal level constitutes beliefs of a researcher and on the impersonal level forms the results or findings to which groups of researchers agree. Thematically a corpus is ‘accepted’ which, over time, expands and contracts. But whether the corpus is personal or public, in accepting the corpus there is a commitment to those assertions as acceptable. The epistemological question of what makes assertions acceptable at a time, and change in acceptability over time, are the basic concerns1 of Isaac Levi’s theory of acceptance.
Ingestion of Over-the-Counter Liquid Medications: Emergency Department Visits by Children Aged Less Than 6 Years, 2012-2015.

Introduction Unintentional medication ingestions by young children lead to nearly 60,000 emergency department visits annually; 15% involve oral liquid medications. Safety packaging improvements have been shown to limit liquid medication ingestions. Estimated rates of emergency department visits for pediatric ingestions by product were calculated to help target interventions. Methods Frequencies and rates of emergency department visits for unintentional pediatric ingestions were estimated using adverse event data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System–Cooperative Adverse Drug Event Surveillance project and retail sales/pharmacy dispensing data from Information Resources, Inc. and QuintilesIMS (collected 2012–2015; analyzed 2017). Rates of emergency department visits for ingestions of over-the-counter liquid medications were compared with those for prescription solid medications. Results From the results of 568 cases, an estimated 6,427 emergency department visits (95% CI=4,907, 7,948) were made annually after a child aged Conclusions Product-specific rates of emergency department visits for unintentional ingestions can help prioritize preventive interventions, such as enhancing safety packaging with flow restrictors.
A bona fide need for a non-intravenous cyanide medical countermeasure

To the Editor,Human exposure to cyanide can result in rapid morbidity or lethality and most commonly occurs through inhalation of combustion smoke [1]. Cyanide exposure can also occur through inges...
IL1R1 is required for celastrol's leptin-sensitization and antiobesity effects.

Celastrol, a pentacyclic triterpene, is the most potent antiobesity agent that has been reported thus far1. The mechanism of celastrol’s leptin-sensitizing and antiobesity effects has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we identified interleukin-1 receptor 1 (IL1R1) as a mediator of celastrol’s action by using temporally resolved analysis of the hypothalamic transcriptome in celastrol-treated DIO, lean, and db/db mice. We demonstrate that IL1R1-deficient mice are completely resistant to the effects of celastrol in leptin sensitization and treatment of obesity, diabetes, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Thus, we conclude that IL1R1 is a gatekeeper for celastrol’s metabolic actions. IL1R1 is a gatekeeper for celastrol’s metabolic actions.
The Stony Brook/NSLS Scanning Microscope

The Stony Brook / NSLS scanning microscope started operation in 1983. It is based on the use of high resolution zone plates to create an x-ray microprobe; the specimen is then scanned through the spot by a piezoelectrically driven stage. Synchrotron radiation from the NSLS is used as the x-ray source, and the portion of the beam that is transmitted by the specimen and detected by a flow proportional counter has been used to form the image. The apparatus and results obtained with it during the first three years of operation have been published elsewhere [1,2,3,4]. Ref.4 also includes a historical review of other work in the field. Recent advances by other groups using scanning microscopes are presented elsewhere in this volume [5,6].
Tunable Hybrid Terahertz Metamaterials Based on VO 2 Phase Transition

In this paper, a series of proof-of-concept designs for highly tunable hybrid THz metamaterials based on the phase transition of vanadium dioxide (VO 2 ) are presented. In particular, we verify by full-wave simulations the tunable properties of the hybrid metamaterials including Fano resonances, perfect absorption bands and THz magnetism. Our results indicate that an integration of VO 2 structures and conventional metallic resonating components can be used to create THz metamaterials with properties that can be dynamically tuned over a large scale.
Regulatory Aspects of Fumonisins in the United States

The hazards and risks from fumonisins, a relatively recently discovered class of mycotoxins, are in the process of being characterized. Any risk management approach must consider the uncertainties in the risk characterization and practicalities of control options. This paper addresses risk management alternatives, especially in the context of the Food and Drug Administration’s legal authorities, and the potential impacts of the alternatives.
Patterns of hepato-pulmonary metastasis and their impact on clinical outcomes in uveal melanoma.

e22052Background: Metastatic Uveal Melanoma (MUM) is a rare tumor with poor prognosis following development of liver metastasis. We hypothesized that patterns of metastasis in Uveal Melanoma correl...
Phenotypic Diversity of Weedy Rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) Biotypes Found in California and Implications for Management

Weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea Rosh.) is an emerging weed of California rice (Oryza sativa L.) that has potential to cause large yield losses. Early detection of weedy rice in the field is ideal to effectively control and prevent the spread of this weed. However, it is difficult to differentiate weedy rice from cultivated rice during early growth stages due to the close genetic and phenotypic relatedness of cultivated rice and weedy rice. The objective of this study is to examine phenotypic variation in weedy rice biotypes from California and to identify traits that could be used to visually identify weedy rice infestations at early growth stages for effective management. Greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 using five phenotypically distinct biotypes of weedy rice found in California, along with diverse cultivated, weedy, and wild rice types in a randomized complete block design. We measured variation for 13 phenotypic traits associated with weedy rice and conducted principal component analysis and factor analysis to identify important weedy traits. Most weedy rice individuals within a biotype clustered together by phenotypic similarity. Pericarp color, hull color, chlorophyll content, grain length, plant height, leaf pubescence, collar color, and leaf sheath color account for most of the observed variation. California weedy rice biotypes are phenotypically distinct from wild rice and from weedy rice from the southern United States in their combinations of seed phenotypes and vegetative characteristics. In comparison with the locally grown temperate japonica cultivars, California weedy rice tends to be taller, with lower chlorophyll content and a red pericarp. Weedy rice biotypes vary in seed shattering and seed dormancy. For weedy rice management, plant height and chlorophyll content are distinct traits that could be used to differentiate weedy rice from the majority of cultivated rice varieties in California during vegetative stages of rice growth.
Deep learning spatiotemporal air pollution data in China using data fusion

An efficient and effective spatiotemporal prediction algorithm for PM2.5 (i.e. particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers) is urgently needed to study the distribution of PM2.5 over a continuous spatiotemporal domain, which not only helps to make scientific decisions on the prevention and control of PM2.5 pollution but also promotes meaningful assessment of the quantitative relationship between adverse health effects and PM2.5 concentrations over time. Existing spatiotemporal interpolation algorithms are usually based on the assumption that interpolation models follow explicit and simple mathematical descriptions. Unfortunately, the real world does not really follow these perfect mathematical models. Combining data fusion techniques and a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) recurrent neural network (RNN), we present a novel spatiotemporal interpolation model, which is able to achieve high estimation accuracies over a long time period and a large area. By fusing the daily PM2.5 data, meteorological data, elevation data, and land-use data collected from China in 2016, four experiments were conducted in this study to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed approach. Results showed that applying LSTM RNN on the fused dataset can achieve consistent and high accuracy in different geographies.
Myostatin inhibition promotes fast fibre hypertrophy but causes loss of AMP-activated protein kinase signalling and poor exercise tolerance in a model of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy R1/2A

Key points Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy R1 (LGMD R1) is caused by mutations in the CAPN3 gene and is characterized by progressive muscle loss, impaired mitochondrial function and reductions in the slow oxidative gene expression programme. Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle growth, and its inhibition improves the phenotype in several muscle wasting disorders. The effect of genetic and pharmacological inhibition of myostatin signalling on the disease phenotype in a mouse model of LGMD R1 (CAPN3 knockout mouse-C3KO) was studied. Inhibition of myostatin signalling in C3KO muscles resulted in significant muscle hypertrophy; however, there were no improvements in muscle strength and exacerbation of exercise intolerance concomitant with further reduction of muscle oxidative capacity was observed. Inhibition of myostatin signalling is unlikely to be a valid therapeutic strategy for LGMD R1. Abstract Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy R1 (LGMD R1) is caused by mutations in the CAPN3 gene and is characterized by progressive muscle loss, impaired mitochondrial function and reductions in the slow oxidative gene expression programme. There are currently no therapies available to patients. We sought to determine if induction of muscle growth, through myostatin inhibition, represents a viable therapeutic strategy for this disease. Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle growth, and its inhibition improves the phenotype in several muscle wasting disorders. However, the effect of myostatin depends on the genetic and pathophysiological context and may not be efficacious in all contexts. We found that genetic inhibition of myostatin through overexpression of follistatin (an endogenous inhibitor of myostatin) in our LGMD R1 model (C3KO) resulted in 1.5- to 2-fold increase of muscle mass for the majority of limb muscles. However, muscle strength was not improved and exercise intolerance was exacerbated. Pharmacological inhibition of myostatin, using an anti-myostatin antibody, resulted in statistically significant increases in muscle mass; however, functional testing did not reveal changes in muscle strength nor endurance in treated C3KO mice. Histochemical and biochemical evaluation of follistatin overexpressing mice revealed a reduction in the percentage of oxidative fibres and decreased activation of AMP-activated protein kinase signalling in transgenics compared to C3KO muscles. Our data suggest that muscle hypertrophy, induced by myostatin inhibition, leads to loss of oxidative capacity, which further compromises metabolically impaired C3KO muscles and thus is unlikely to be a valid strategy for treatment of LGMD R1.