cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structures of High-Mannose Oligosaccharides of Mouse Thyrotropin: Differential Processing of α- Versus β-Subunits of the Heterodimer

We have determined the structures of high mannose (Man) oligosaccharide units of the a- and β-subunits of mouse TSH heterodimers and of free a-subunits. Mouse thyrotropic tumor tissue, or pituitaries from euthyroid or hypothyroid mice, were incubated with D-[2-3H]Man, homogenized, and incubated in the presence or absence of pH 3 buffer to dissociate heterodimers. Highly enriched TSH β-subunits, or TSH heterodimers, were obtained using anti-TSH 0 serum and free a-subunits were subsequently obtained using anti-LH a-serum. High Man units released by endoglycosidase H were analyzed by paper chromatography. At 1 and 3 h oligosaccharides with 8 or 9 Man residues predominated in all subunits. In all three tissue types, units with 9 Man tended to accumulate in TSH β-subunits, whereas Man-trimming from Man9GlcNAc to MansGlcNAc proceeded more rapidly in TSH a-subunits, and in free a-subunits. The rate of TSH β-subunit processing was also a function of tissue type; the rate in euthyroid pituitary tissue equaled that...
“Some of My Best Friends Are …”: Interracial Friendships, Class, and Segregation in America†

Ties among persons of different backgrounds, when such ties act as social bridges, play a vital role in diverse societies—expanding identities, opening insular communities of interest, containing i...
US innovation policy: Creating (and expanding) a national agenda for global competitiveness

SummaryWhile many critics of the state of US global competitiveness believed they were faint voices in the economic policy wilderness, their concerns were being heeded by a leading national economic policy group, the Council on Competitiveness. The National Innovation Initiative Report (Innovative America), released by the Council on Competitiveness in December 2004, presents a national innovation policy agenda (under three broad categories of Talent, Investment, and Infrastructure) for the public and private sector to debate. The Bush administration, under its innovation policy agenda (A New Generation of American Innovation and American Competitiveness Initiative) released in April 2004 and January 2006, has emphasized three major technology policy initiatives (hydrogen fuel technology, health information technology, and broadband technology development) and increased federal R&D funding and tax incentives (totaling $5.9 billion for FY07) respectively. The weakness of both policy agenda approaches is in...
Alone together: An application of separation-individuation theory to conjoint marital therapy

Mahler's principle of separation-individuation, widely recognized as a useful tool for understanding couples' difficulties, has been applied traditionally in one-to-one psychotherapy with individual partners. In this article, the author illustrates the use of Mahler's schema in conjoint marital therapy. Following a theoretical elaboration, the author uses excerpts from case process notes to trace a couple's development in treatment from a level dominated by symbiotic longings and related ambivalence to one reflective of increased object constancy and empathic mutuality.
Analysis of the switching speed limitation of wide band-gap devices in a phase-leg configuration

Advanced power semiconductor devices, especially wide band-gap devices, have inherent capability for fast switching. However, due to the limitation of gate driver capability and the interaction between two devices in a phase-leg during switching transient (cross talk), the switching speed is slower than expected in practical use. This paper focuses on identifying the key limiting factors for switching speed. The results provide the basis for improving gate drivers, eliminating interference, and boosting switching speed. Based on the EPC2001 Gallium Nitride transistor, both simulation and experimental results verify that the limiting factors in the gate loop include the pull-up (-down) resistance of gate driver, rise (fall) time and amplitude of gate driver output voltage; among these the rise (fall) time plays the primary role. Another important limiting factor of device switching speed is the spurious gate voltage induced by cross talk between two switches in a phase-leg. This induced gate voltage is not only determined by the switch speed, but also depends on the gate loop impedance, junction capacitance, and operating conditions of the complementary device.
Approximation-assisted point estimation

We investigate three alternatives for combining a deterministic approximation with a stochastic simulation estimator: (1) binary choice, (2) linear combination, and (3) Bayesian analysis. Making a binary choice, based on compatibility of the simulation estimator with the approximation, provides at best a 20% improvement in simulation efficiency. More effective is taking a linear combination of the approximation and the simulation estimator using weights estimated from the simulation data, which provides at best a 50% improvement in simulation efficiency. The Bayesian analysis yields a linear combination with weights that are a function of the simulation data and the prior distribution on the approximation error; the efficiency depends upon the quality of the prior distribution.
An investigation of thin-film coating/substrate systems by nanoindentation

The indentation load-displacement behavior of three material systems tested with a Berkovich indenter has been examined. The materials studied were the substrate materials--silicon and polycarbonate, and the coating/substrate systems--diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating on silicon, and DLC coating on polycarbonate. They represent three material systems, namely, bulk, soft-coating/hard-substrate, and hard-coating on soft-substrate. Delaminations in the soft-coating/hard-substrate (DLC/Si) system and cracking in the hard-coating/soft-substrate system (DLC/Polycarbonate) were observed. Parallel to the experimental work, an elastic analytical effort has been made to examine the influence of the film thickness and the properties of the coating/substrate systems. Comparisons between the experimental data and analytical solutions of the load-displacement curves during unloading show good agreement. The analytical solution also suggests that the Young`s modulus and hardness of the thin film can not be measured accurately using Sneddon`s solution for bulk materials when the thickness of the film is comparable to the loading contact radius of the indenter. The elastic stress field analysis provides a basis for understanding the experimentally observed delaminations and cracking of the coating/substrate systems.
Ship shock modeling and simulation for far-field underwater explosion

Surface ship shock trials have been conducted in many countries for shock qualification of ship integrity, systems and subsystems. The ship shock trial identifies design and construction deficiencies that have a negative impact on ship and crew survivability. It also validates shock hardening criteria and performance. However, ship shock trials are costly. As a possible alternative, numerical modeling and simulation may provide viable information to look into the details of dynamic characteristics of ship including component and sub-component level. Ship shock analyses were conducted using finite element based coupled ship and fluid model. Three-dimensional ship shock modeling and simulation has been performed and the predicted results were compared with ship shock test data. Surface ship shock analysis approach is presented and the important parameters are discussed.
Therapeutic targeting of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 latency: current clinical realities and future scientific possibilities

Factors affecting HIV-1 latency present formidable obstacles for therapeutic intervention. As these obstacles have become a clinical reality, even with the use of potent anti-retroviral regimens, the need for novel therapeutic strategies specifically targeting HIV-1 latency is evident. However, therapeutic targeting of HIV-1 latency requires an understanding of the mechanisms regulating viral quiescence and activation. These mechanisms have been partially delineated using chronically infected cell models and, clearly, HIV-1 activation from latency involves several key viral and cellular components. Among these distinctive therapeutic targets, cellular factors involved in HIV-1 transcription especially warrant further consideration for rational drug design. Exploring the scientific possibilities of new therapies targeting HIV-1 latency may hold new promise of eventual HIV-1 eradication.
Ligands of Thermophilic ABC Transporters Encoded in a Newly Sequenced Genomic Region of Thermotoga maritima MSB8 Screened by Differential Scanning Fluorimetry

The chromosome of Thermotoga maritima strain MSB8 was found to have an 8,870-bp region that is not present in its published sequence. The isolate that was sequenced by The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) in 1999 is apparently a laboratory variant of the isolate deposited at the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (DSM 3109) in 1986. This newly sequenced region from the DSMZ culture was located between TM1848 (cbp, cellobiose phosphorylase) and TM1847 (the 3′ end of a truncated ROK regulator). The new region contained seven genes: a beta glucosidase gene (bglA), three trehalose ABC transporter genes (treEFG), three xylose ABC transporter genes (xylE2F2K2), and the 5′ end of a gene encoding the ROK regulator TM1847. We present a new differential scanning fluorimetry method using a low pH that was necessary to screen potential ligands of these exceptionally thermostable periplasmic substrate-binding proteins. This method showed that trehalose, sucrose, and glucose stabilized TreE, and their binding was confirmed by measuring changes in intrinsic fluorescence upon ligand binding. Binding constants of 0.024 μM, 0.300 μM, and 56.78 μM at 60°C, respectively, were measured. XylE2 ligands were similarly determined and xylose, glucose, and fucose bound with Kd (dissociation constant) values of 0.042 μM, 0.059 μM, and 1.436 μM, respectively. Since there is no discernible phenotypic difference between the TIGR isolate and the DSMZ isolate despite the variance in their genomes, we propose that they be called genomovars: T. maritima MSB8 genomovar TIGR and T. maritima MSB8 genomovar DSM 3109, respectively.
Control, Communication, and Decision Making Uncertainty in Asymmetric Channel Relationships

ABSTRACT Characteristics of the channel relationship itself, such as control by a dominant supplier in an asymmetric channel relationship, contribute to channel partner decision making uncertainty. The authors offer several hypotheses positing that frequent and balanced communication between suppliers and distributors mitigate this effect. The hypotheses are tested by estimating a latent variable interaction model. Results demonstrate that the impact of internal channel factors on uncertainty are contingent on communication patterns in the relationship.
Architecture and performance simulation of single pair HDSL

The possibility, architecture, and performance of a single pair HDSL (SHDSL) are examined in this paper. Two architectural alternatives, echo canceller (EC) based and frequency division multiplexed (FDM), are studied. The channel capacity and decision feedback equalizer (DFE) based transceiver performance are examined for different self and foreign near end crosstalk (NEXT) and far end crosstalk (FEXT) noise environments. Simulation results show that only a FDM SHDSL is possible for the carrier serving area (CSA) loop with 6 dB of performance margin. This FDM SHDSL can also be deployed in the same loop plant with basic rate ISDN access channel, dual duplex HDSL, or a limited number of FDM asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) systems. A coding gain of about 4 dB is necessary if ADSL NEXT is to be considered. Otherwise, a simpler FDM SHDSL can also be realized with a wider spectrum bandwidth on a traditional DFE transceiver. Results here can be used as references for the development of a SHDSL system.
The Identity Trap: The Language of Genocide

The purpose of this article is to create a framework for thinking about how language themes propagated in radio broadcasts start to degenerate into the reification of a culture that tolerates and e...
Associations between paternal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and reproductive outcomes among couples seeking fertility treatment.

Abstract Introduction Limited evidence suggests that male exposure to ubiquitous environmental phthalates may result in poor reproductive outcomes among female partners. Methods This analysis included male–female couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and/or intrauterine insemination (IUI). We evaluated associations between the geometric mean of paternal specific gravity-adjusted urinary phthalate concentrations prior to the female partners’ cycle and fertilization, embryo quality, implantation, and live birth using generalized linear mixed models. Results Two-hundred eighteen couples underwent 211 IVF and 195 IUI cycles. Trends were observed between paternal urinary mono-3-carboxypropyl phthalate (MCPP; P = 0.01) and mono(carboxyoctyl) phthalate (MCOP; P = 0.01) and decreased odds of implantation. MCPP and MCOP were also associated with decreased odds of live birth following IVF (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively), and monobutyl phthalate above the first quartile was significantly associated with decreased odds of live birth following IUI (P = 0.04). However, most urinary phthalate metabolites were not associated with these reproductive outcomes. Conclusion Selected phthalates were associated with decreased odds of implantation and live birth.
REHABILITATION TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE LONG-TERM PERFORMANCES OF HIGHWAY-RAILWAY AT-GRADE CROSSINGS

The primary purpose of the highway-railway at-grade crossing is to provide a smooth surface for the safe passage of rubber-tired vehicles across the railroad. The crossing support and surface in the jointly used area represent a significantly expensive unit cost of the highway and railway line. The ideal highway crossing will maintain a smooth surface and stable trackbed for a long period of time. This will reduce costly, frequent disruptions to highway and railway traffic (to adjust the track or renew the surface due to rideability concerns), while concurrently providing improved operating performance and long life. Technology is available for rapidly renewing highway crossings within one day using a panel system with specifically designed layered support and premium materials. The procedure involves complete removal of the old crossing panel and trackbed materials — and replacing them with an asphalt underlayment layer, a pre-compacted ballast layer, a new track panel, and a new crossing surface. A cooperative effort between the local highway agency and the railway company will reduce costs, improve the quality of the finished product, and reduce outage of the highway and railroad. A major objective is to minimize disruption to both highway and railway traffic during the renewal process in addition to extending the life of the crossing. Suggested procedures, based on experiences for several installations, are presented. Typical schedules are for the railroad to be to be out-of-service for a maximum of four hours and for the highway to be closed only eight to twelve hours. Results are presented for crossings instrumented with pressure cells to document Pressure levels within the layered portion of the crossing structure. In addition, long-term Settlement measurements and assessments for several crossings are documented. The measurements indicate significantly reduced long-term settlements of crossings incorporating the rapid-renewal, layered system, while maintaining acceptable smoothness levels. These long-term performance evaluations indicate this practice ensures long-life, economical, smooth crossings for improved safety and operating performances for both highway agencies and railway companies.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Nanoparticle assembly for 1D and 2D ordered structures

The skill to use new synthetic routes to assemble nanoparticles (NPs) into advanced architectures for specific functions is a big challenge for the researchers. Controlled morphologies designed for generating 1-dimensional (1D) and 2-dimensional (2D) structures inspired by nature are one of the hot topics in nanoscience. The unique properties of individual nanocrystals upon assembly also provide the opportunity to modulate or enhance the overall behavior of the nanomaterials. New synthetic approaches will be discussed to explore the ability of the NP (metallic, semiconductor and magnetic) assembly in various highly ordered superstructures. The mechanism of NP assembly (non-covalent or covalent) with itself or by targeting polymers and biomolecules as linkers will also be illustrated. The topics will include new methods for construction of 1D nanowires and 2D nanosheets by spontaneous dipole–dipole interactions, air–water interface assembly and specific interactions using polymer and bio-templates. Use of polymers as templates for generating arrays of NPs or biomolecules (for investigating the intrinsic behavior of DNA or proteins in the assembly) opens the possibility of designing novel devices and hybrid materials. Once the desired superstructures have been fabricated and characterized, the corresponding materials can be further investigated for optical, magnetic, electronic and sensor applications.
The Human Side of M&A: How CEOs Leverage the Most Important Asset in Deal Making

The article presents a review of the book “The Human Side of M&A: How CEOs Leverage the Most Important Asset in Deal Making,” by Dennis C. Carey and Dayton Ogden.
Tetraploidy and early development: effects on developmental timing and embryonic metabolism.

SUMMARY The effect of balanced gene dosage changes on the timing of cavitation and on the timing of appearance of a stage-specific embryonic cell surface antigen was studied in preimplantation mouse embryos. Gene dosage was increased by creating tetraploid embryos at the 4-cell stage, either by blastomere fusion with polyethylene glycol (PEG) or by incubation in cytochalasin B (cytB) to block cell division. Removal of the zona pellucida with Pronase from diploid embryos caused a 7 h delay in cavitation. Further manipulations, either with PEG or cytB to induce tetraploidy, did not produce a statistically significant additional delay in cavitation timing. Likewise, PEG-induced tetraploidy did not affect the timing of appearance or disappearance of the embryonic cell surface antigen as compared with diploid control embryos. In analysing the metabolic effects of tetraploidy, we found that in tetraploid embryos with cell number equivalent to intact diploid embryos, MDH activity did not double with the doubling of the genome, being only 50 % greater than diploid levels in cytB-induced tetraploid embryos and only 20 % greater than diploid levels in PEG-induced tetraploid embryos. However, in tetraploid embryos with one-half normal cell number, enzyme activity was equal to that in whole diploid embryos, suggesting that in such embryos, MDH activity increased in parallel with increases in gene dosage. Further studies showed that levels of RNA synthesis in PEGinduced tetraploid embryos also did not increase in parallel with the doubling of the genome. Rather, these results suggested that in tetraploid embryos, compensation was made for at least part of the excess genetic material.
Hormonal Control of Lipolysis in Adipose Tissue

It is now generally accepted that the mobilization of free fatty acids from adipose tissue stores is a key metabolic process. Stored triglycerides can only be mobilized as free fatty acids. Thus, mobilization of free fatty acids is a process as important as, or even more important than, mobilization of liver glycogen as glucose. The primary purpose of FFA mobilization is in the provision of caloric substrate to peripheral tissues but there are numerous additional metabolic consequences of FFA mobilization highly relevant to the context of this meeting. Some of these metabolic consequences for which good experimental evidence is available are the following: 1. Increased rate of fat deposition in the liver, which may under appropriate circumstances tend to produce fatty liver; 2. Increased rate of production of ketone bodies, which may be relevant to the genesis of ketosis under some circumstances; 3. Increased rate of production of very low density lipoproteins by the liver, which may be a factor in certain types of hyperlipoproteinemia; 4. Interference with the uptake and utilization of glucose by muscle, which may be a factor in the complex metabolic interrelationships in the diabetic state; 5. Effects on the coagulation system, tending to favor intravascular thrombosis. Incompletely documented consequences include: 6. A tendency to increase overall body metabolism; 7. Effects on myocardial contractility; 8. An increase in number and firing rate of ectopic foci after myocardial infarction.
Lymphocyte phenotypes in infants are altered by separation of blood on density gradients

Flow cytometry techniques for immunophenotyping have revolutionised the diagnosis and monitoring of paediatric immunological disorders. Although recent studies in adult subjects discourage the use of density gradients for cell preparation prior to phenotyping, these procedures continue to be used. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of density gradient separation on lymphocyte phenotypes from neonates, infants, and adults as compared to whole blood determinations. Subset distributions were different with the two procedures. In all three groups, CD19+ (B cell) and CD8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic T cell) percentages were significantly lower and CD3-CD56+ (NK cell) percentages were significantly higher in the density gradient separated cells. The loss of CD8+ cells in density gradient separation was shown to be a selective event. The CD8+CD11b- (cytotoxic T) subset percentages were lower in the density gradient separated cells, while the percentages of CD8+CD11b+ (suppressor T) cells were not affected by separation procedure. Because of the selective loss of lymphocytes on density gradients, the use of a whole blood technique for immunophenotyping in paediatric subjects is recommended.
The New Economic Credentialing: Protecting Hospitals from Competition By Medical Staff Members

This Article addresses hospitals' use of economic criteria to determine a physician's qualifications for staff privileges. Hospitals are resorting to economic conflict-of-interest credentialing policies in an attempt to ensure physicians' loyalty and mantain their own economic viability. Physicians, however, argue that entrepenurial activities are necessary for them to meet the economic challenges posed by declining reimbursement and rising insurance costs. This Article surveys the numerous legal theories that litigants and enforcement authorities could employ in attacking these new types of credentialing policies. The Article concludes that, in most jurisdictions, hospitals should be able to implement their policies in ways that minimize liability. Finally, the Article discusses other policy implications of economic credentialing.
The influence of anogenital injury on women's willingness to engage with the criminal justice process after rape.

Medical-legal-social science research has documented that nongenital and/or anogenital injuries play a significant role throughout the criminal justice system from victims reporting to judges determining the length of a sentence. What remains an open question is whether the documentation of anogenital injury influences women's willingness to engage in the criminal justice system. A sample of women age 21 years and older residing in an urban area were asked about willingness to report to police, file charges, and work with the courts to prosecute after rape. Questions were framed with a qualifying statement about the forensic examination being able to detect injury related to forced sexual intercourse. Results show that women had a high willingness to act if the examination could detect anogenital injury and women with and without a history of forced sexual intercourse had significant differences in their responses to these questions. Implications for health care, criminal justice system, and future research are discussed. Language: en
The evolution of forensic psychiatry at Yale: a Festschrift honoring Howard Zonana and the discipline of forensic psychiatry.

On April 22 and 23, 2010, the Law and Psychiatry Division of the Yale School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry hosted a tribute to Howard V. Zonana, MD, to acknowledge his contributions to forensic psychiatry in scholarship, teaching, ethics, policy development, and clinical work. In the
Quality control of large scale clinical trials

In the recent 2 decades,the clinical medical mode has been changed greatly.The experience-based medical mode is gradually replaced by evidence-based mode,ie,evidence-based medicine.Large scale clinical trials provide robust evidence for clinical practice and quality control is critical for the success of one trial.We discuss six facets on this subject,including protocol design,staff training,manual formulating,organization,data management and monitoring.The objective of quality control is to ensure the study conducted according to the protocol,the results are reliable and protect the human rights of participants.
Confirmation of translatability and functionality certifies the dual endothelin1/VEGFsp receptor (DEspR) protein

In contrast to rat and mouse databases, the NCBI gene database lists the human dual-endothelin1/VEGFsp receptor (DEspR, formerly Dear) as a unitary transcribed pseudogene due to a stop [TGA]-codon at codon#14 in automated DNA and RNA sequences. However, re-analysis is needed given prior single gene studies detected a tryptophan [TGG]-codon#14 by manual Sanger sequencing, demonstrated DEspR translatability and functionality, and since the demonstration of actual non-translatability through expression studies, the standard-of-excellence for pseudogene designation, has not been performed. Re-analysis must meet UNIPROT criteria for demonstration of a protein’s existence at the highest (protein) level, which a priori, would override DNA- or RNA-based deductions. To dissect the nucleotide sequence discrepancy, we performed Maxam–Gilbert sequencing and reviewed 727 RNA-seq entries. To comply with the highest level multiple UNIPROT criteria for determining DEspR’s existence, we performed various experiments using multiple anti-DEspR monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting distinct DEspR epitopes with one spanning the contested tryptophan [TGG]-codon#14, assessing: (a) DEspR protein expression, (b) predicted full-length protein size, (c) sequence-predicted protein-specific properties beyond codon#14: receptor glycosylation and internalization, (d) protein-partner interactions, and (e) DEspR functionality via DEspR-inhibition effects. Maxam–Gilbert sequencing and some RNA-seq entries demonstrate two guanines, hence a tryptophan [TGG]-codon#14 within a compression site spanning an error-prone compression sequence motif. Western blot analysis using anti-DEspR mAbs targeting distinct DEspR epitopes detect the identical glycosylated 17.5 kDa pull-down protein. Decrease in DEspR-protein size after PNGase-F digest demonstrates post-translational glycosylation, concordant with the consensus-glycosylation site beyond codon#14. Like other small single-transmembrane proteins, mass spectrometry analysis of anti-DEspR mAb pull-down proteins do not detect DEspR, but detect DEspR-protein interactions with proteins implicated in intracellular trafficking and cancer. FACS analyses also detect DEspR-protein in different human cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). DEspR-inhibition studies identify DEspR-roles in CSC survival and growth. Live cell imaging detects fluorescently-labeled anti-DEspR mAb targeted-receptor internalization, concordant with the single internalization-recognition sequence also located beyond codon#14. Data confirm translatability of DEspR, the full-length DEspR protein beyond codon#14, and elucidate DEspR-specific functionality. Along with detection of the tryptophan [TGG]-codon#14 within an error-prone compression site, cumulative data demonstrating DEspR protein existence fulfill multiple UNIPROT criteria, thus refuting its pseudogene designation.
The Hegelian Critique of Kantian Morality

Important work on the Hegelian critique of Kantian morality can now be found in at least three different domains. The first is the field of current English-language ethical theory, where after an influential neo-Hegelian attack on Kant by Bernard Williams and others, Kantians have now begun to mount a sharp counterattack. The second is the domain of Englishlanguage Kant scholarship proper, from Paton and Knox to Gregor and Hill, where exegetes have tried diligently but without true popular success to put down the cruder misconceptions about Kant. The third sphere is the German scene, where after the great historical researches of scholars such as Henrich and Schmucker, a number of younger philosophers have attempted to combine traditional exegesis with an extensive systematic and analytic treatment of the Hegelian challenge. I believe it is only by considering all these perspectives together – and by realizing how closely related they are – that we can properly estimate the force and value of Hegel's challenge. As a first step toward such a consideration, I will briefly outline what appear to be the three main points at issue, and then by focusing on one of them, I will show how to a great extent Kant can be vindicated. Obviously, a complete evaluation of this matter must await a thorough examination of Kant's entire practical philosophy as well as an explanation of how Hegel's critique fits in with the general objective of his own massive system.
The Family Nexus in Cristina García’s Dreaming in Cuban

Cristina Garcia’s work emerges from the 1990s’ and 2000s’ flowering of US Latina literature, a broad interethnic and transnational designation within which Garcia, a Cuban-American, frequently intervenes in Cuban history and culture, most notably in her first three novels, Dreaming in Cuban (1992), The Aguero Sisters (1997), and Monkey Hunting (2003), as well as her most recent, The King of Cuba (2013). The author has admitted, “Really, it was only when I was halfway through Monkey Hunting that I realized that what I was trying to do, literarily, was to amplify an appreciation for the complex history that is Cuba” (“Interview” 178). Readers will discover that Garcia succeeds in her subconscious/self-conscious project of demonstrating the island’s complexity, as one finds interwoven in these narratives Cuba’s syncretic culture, composed as it is of Spanish, African, and Chinese threads; its Revolution and aftermath; its involvement in the Cold War; and its diaspora, to cite a few key aspects.
Rituximab, etoposide, methylprednisolone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin in the treatment of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with classical Hodgkin lymphoma: a case report and review of the literature.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is becoming an increasingly recognized disorder in adults. Classical Hodgkin lymphoma is a relatively uncommon etiology of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and may complicate treatment options. Rituximab, etoposide, methylprednisolone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin are discussed here as a treatment regimen. A 66-year-old Hispanic man previously in good health presented with a 1-month history of recurrent fevers, chills, and night sweats and a 3-week history of new onset jaundice. A bone marrow biopsy revealed a normocellular bone marrow with increased histiocytes with areas of hemophagocytic activity. He met five out of eight criteria for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis diagnosis including fevers, pancytopenia, hemophagocytosis, ferritin of 23,292 ng/mL (>500 ng/mL), and soluble-CD25 of 15,330 pg/mL (>1033 pg/mL). A right cervical lymph node biopsy revealed CD15, CD30, MUM-1, and Epstein–Barr virus-encoded small ribonucleic acid-positive cells with morphologic findings of classical Hodgkin lymphoma, lymphocyte-rich subtype. He completed 2 weeks of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis-directed therapy with etoposide and dexamethasone, but then was switched to rituximab, etoposide, methylprednisolone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin due to minimal improvement in his pancytopenia and hepatic impairment. He completed one full cycle of rituximab, etoposide, methylprednisolone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin with notable improvement in serial hepatic function panels and had an undetectable Epstein–Barr virus viral load. However, he eventually died due to complications of Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia and colonic microperforation in the setting of persistent pancytopenia. This case discusses the challenges facing treatment of adult malignancy-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Rituximab, etoposide, methylprednisolone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin may be a viable option for patients with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and Hodgkin lymphoma who cannot tolerate standard therapies due to hepatic impairment. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are promising new areas of developing treatments.
Petrochronology by Laser-Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Petrochronology is a field of Earth science in which the isotopic and / or elemental composition of a mineral chronometer is interpreted in combination with its age, thus yielding a more synergistic combination of petrology and chronology that can be used to interpret geologic processes. It has recently attracted renewed interest as technologies for mineral analysis have improved. Examples are many, and continue to grow, from the early adoption of U / Th ratios in zircon as an indicator for magmatic vs. igneous crystallization (e.g., Ahrens 1965), to using the Nd isotopic composition in titanite to track source contribution over time (see Applications ; B. R. Hacker, personal communication). Age and chemical information can be obtained by a variety of techniques: electron microprobe (age; major and minor elements; see Williams et al. 2017), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS; age; trace elements; isotopic ratios; see Schmitt and Vazquez 2017), and laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS; age; trace elements; isotopic ratios). Laser-ablation ICPMS instrumentation and techniques, the focus of this chapter, have been employed as a petrochronologic tool for decades, starting with separate analyses of ages and elemental and / or isotopic compositions, which were then combined and interpreted. For example, Zheng et al. (2009) employed LA-ICPMS to analyze the trace-element (TE) chemistry, Hf isotopic composition, and age of zircons from kimberlites by using three spots on each zircon grain, one for each type of analysis. This work was relatively time consuming and expensive, given the required number of analytical sessions, but yielded far better confidence in the conclusions, because of the link between physical conditions (petrology) and time (chronology). Instrumentation and techniques which employ LA-ICPMS have continued to improve, particularly in the ease with which petrochronologic data can be obtained. A single LA-ICPMS instrument can now measure both the …
Lipomyelomeningocele for the urologist: Should we view it the same as myelomeningocele?

Summary Introduction The primary urologic objectives for lipomyelomeningocele (LMM) and myelomeningocele (MM) are preserving renal integrity and achieving continence. Due to this common ground, LMM and MM are urologically treated the same. However, unlike MM, LMM may present with no evident functional concerns. Indications for and timing of tethered cord release (TCR) in LMM are therefore controversial. Long-term urologic outcomes are not well defined. Objective Expectations for continence and potential for intermittent catheterization (CIC) following TCR in LMM are important for realistically counseling families regarding future needs. The present study aimed to identify prognostic factors for continence and need for CIC in LMM. Study design The present study retrospectively identified 143 patients from the multidisciplinary clinic who underwent TCR for LMM between 1995 and 2010. Concomitant anorectal/genitourinary anomalies, filar lipoma, fatty filum, previous TCR, and follow-up Results A total of 56 patients met inclusion criteria. Median age at TCR was 4.4 months (range 1.0–224.0) with a median follow-up of 10.7 years (range 1.3–19.1); 68% were asymptomatic at presentation. Clinical symptoms were urologic in 7%. At the latest follow-up, 86% of patients were continent spontaneously or with CIC (Summary Fig.). Of the four patients who presented with urologic symptoms, all were continent, but three required CIC. Overall, 23% of patients required CIC. Median age at CIC initiation was 7.6 years (range 1.6–17.4). Long-term continence was not associated with any demographic, anatomic, surgical or functional variable. Need for CIC at latest follow-up was associated with symptomatic presentation, partial TCR, transitional lipoma, and high-risk pre-operative urodynamics. Discussion In this series of primary TCR for LMM, where 93% of patients were urologically asymptomatic before TCR, prospects for continence were excellent. No studied parameter clearly impacted continence; however, need for CIC was associated with multiple variables. Conclusions Clear predictors for continence after TCR will require additional long-term patient outcomes. Families can anticipate 23% likelihood of CIC, which is considerably less than in MM, but long-term urologic follow-up is still strongly recommended. Download : Download high-res image (142KB) Download : Download full-size image Summary Figure . Continence and CIC outcomes.
Modeling and analysis of primary care to specialty care referral process: A case study at the university of florida health Jacksonville

A specialty referral is the interface between the referring provider (typically a primary care physician) and the specialist. This process is complex and is currently mired with inefficiencies from primary care providers, referral coordinators, and insurance companies. The objective of this study is to provide a quantitative framework that will enable clinics to improve upon the existing referral process as a whole. Our initial findings obtained through shadowing referral coordinators across a representative sample of clinics at the University of Florida Health Jacksonville led us to believe that developing an analytical model that identifies bottlenecks in the referral process, particularly when reworks at all stages are frequently observed, would be beneficial. The results of the analysis would stimulate clinics to increase the capabilities of their patient records system, reduce reworks — leading ultimately to reduced referral delay and improved patient satisfaction.
Perceptions of Ethical Issues in Hospitality and Tourism Research

In hospitality and tourism research, little is known about faculty members’ and graduate students’ perceptions of ethics. This study examined those perceptions to investigate how these groups have witnessed unethical behavior and their perceptions of ethics in research. Results showed that assigning authorship appears as an ethical issue for both faculty and graduate students, whereas plagiarism, as may be expected, was reported in work conducted by graduate students more than in work conducted by faculty members. Based on the findings of the study, implications and recommendations regarding ethical issues in hospitality and tourism research are provided.
Personalized models of physical activity responses to text message micro-interventions: A proof-of-concept application of control systems engineering methods.

Abstract Objectives The conceptual models underlying physical activity interventions have been based largely on differences between more and less active people. Yet physical activity is a dynamic behavior, and such models are not sensitive to factors that regulate behavior at a momentary level or how people respond to individual attempts at intervening. We demonstrate how a control systems engineering approach can be applied to develop personalized models of behavioral responses to an intensive text message-based intervention. Design & method To establish proof-of-concept for this approach, 10 adults wore activity monitors for 16 weeks and received five text messages daily at random times. Message content was randomly selected from three types of messages designed to target (1) social-cognitive processes associated with increasing physical activity, (2) social-cognitive processes associated with reducing sedentary behavior, or (3) general facts unrelated to either physical activity or sedentary behavior. A dynamical systems model was estimated for each participant to examine the magnitude and timing of responses to each type of text message. Results Models revealed heterogeneous responses to different message types that varied between people and between weekdays and weekends. Conclusions This proof-of-concept demonstration suggests that parameters from this model can be used to develop personalized algorithms for intervention delivery. More generally, these results demonstrate the potential utility of control systems engineering models for optimizing physical activity interventions.
Thoughts and Thoughts about Thoughts: the Relative Contribution of Obsessive Beliefs and Metacognitive Beliefs in Predicting Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Dimensions

The cognitive model of obsessive-compulsive disorder emphasizes the importance of “obsessive beliefs” (e.g., about threat/responsibility, certainty/perfection, and the importance of/need to control thoughts) in the maintenance of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms. Metacognitive theory, in contrast, posits that OC symptoms develop as a result of maladaptive beliefs about thoughts themselves (i.e., thoughts are meaningful and powerful). Although both have empirical support, no study has yet investigated the relative contributions of these models in the prediction of OC symptom dimensions using a common sample. The present study tested the hypothesis that both obsessive and metacognitive beliefs uniquely predict OC symptom dimensions even after controlling for general distress. A nonclinical sample (N = 110) completed self-report questionnaires measuring general distress, obsessive beliefs, metacognitive beliefs, and OC symptoms. Linear regression analyses separately predicting OC symptom dimensions showed that (a) neither obsessive nor metacognitive beliefs uniquely predicted contamination symptoms, (b) both obsessive and metacognitive beliefs uniquely predicted responsibility for harm, (c) only metacognitive beliefs uniquely predicted unacceptable obsessional thoughts, and (d) only metacognitive beliefs uniquely predicted symmetry concerns. Potential implications for understanding, assessing, and treating OC symptoms are discussed.
Organizational Receptivity to Institutional Pressure: The Adoption of Environmental Management Practices

When integrated with key organizational characteristics, institutional theory can yield new insights to understand differences between firms' strategies. We propose that a company's functional organization and internal power structure influence its facility managers' sensitivity to and interpretation of institutional pressures. Combining over 500 responses from an original survey with existing data sources, we show how different corporate departments affect how receptive facility managers are to various institutional pressures, and how facilities respond by implementing different environmental management practices depending on the source of these institutional pressures.
Physics of the Photorefractive Effect in BaTiO3

BaTiO3 was one of the first ferroelectric materials to be discovered, and also one of the first to be recognized as photorefractive [1]. The particular advantage of BaTiO3 for photorefractive applications is the very large value of its electrooptic tensor component r42, which in turn leads to large values of grating efficiency, beam coupling gain and four-wave mixing reflectivity. As an example, four-wave mixing reflectivities as large as 20 have been observed in BaTiO3 [2], with no electric field applied to the crystal. Such large reflectivities are particularly desirable in phase conjugate resonator applications, where to date BaTiO3 has been the material of choice.
The Visual Hierarchy Mirage: Seeing Trees in a Graph

The lure of hierarchies is almost irresistable. They provide elegantly simple representations that organize data for efficient search, or processors for communication. Since many current computer vision systems are focused on recognition, it is perhaps not surprising that they are also organized hierarchically. Although some success in object recognition has been achieved, it is notably within restricted problem domains. Fragility near the domain boundaries remains a problem. An analogy with biological vision systems suggests the limitation lies in the area of perceptual organization, or those processes that abstract image constructs into task-relevant terms. For machine vision applications this organization is subsumed by domain (image) preselection. Using border ownership as an example, we show that in biological vision this task is (necessarily) solved by non-hierarchical processing organizations. If the whole computer vision system is truly to be more than a sum of parts, we need to move from trees to the graph that they are approximating.
Social anxiety among transgender and gender nonconforming individuals: The role of gender-affirming medical interventions

Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals are at heightened risk for psychological distress, including social anxiety (SA). The current study aimed to examine whether gender-affirming medical interventions (GAMIs) are associated with lower SA among TGNC individuals. Two hundred ninety-one transfeminine and 424 transmasculine participants completed the Trans Health Survey, which assessed SA and interest in or utilization of GAMIs (genital surgery, chest surgery, hormone use, speech therapy, tracheal shave or Adam's apple removal, hair removal). Transfeminine individuals who had completed genital surgery, chest surgery, tracheal shave or Adam's apple removal, hair removal, hormone treatment, or speech therapy reported lower SA than those planning to undergo the intervention, and those who had completed genital or chest surgery reported lower SA than those considering it. Transmasculine individuals who had completed chest surgery, a hysterectomy, or used hormones reported lower SA than those who were planning to do so, and those who had completed genital surgery had lower SA than those considering it. Among those expressing interest, utilization of GAMIs is associated with less SA. GAMIs may result in greater conformity to societal expectations regarding binary gender norms, thus decreasing discrimination, rejection, victimization, and nonaffirmation. Increased alignment of physical characteristics and gender identity may increase self-esteem. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
EFL students’ views of willingness to communicate in the extramural digital context

This study examined factors that might have affected EFL learners’ willingness to communicate (WTC) in the extramural digital (ED) environment, a rapidly emerging L2 communication context. The inve...