cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pediatric Resident Confidence in Resuscitation Skills Relates to Mock Code Experience

To assess confidence in resuscitation skills among pediatric residents and its relationship to training and experience, all pediatric residents at one institution were surveyed regarding their confidence in technical and leadership resuscitation skills and their prior experience with real and mock codes. Respondents (61/82, 74%) reported participation in 4.9 +/- 3.6 mock and 3.9 +/- 5.0 real codes. Confidence score for all skills was 2.7 +/- 0.6 (scale 1-5). Senior residents were more confident than interns (2.8 +/- 0.5 vs 2.3 +/- 0.5). Residents were more confident in basic (3.9 +/- 0.6) than in advanced (2.6 +/- 0.6) or expert resuscitation skills (1.6 +/- 0.7). Confidence correlated with mock codes (r = 0.52) and to a lesser degree with real codes attended (r = 0.36). Performance of active roles and debriefing occurred more commonly with mock than with real codes. The data indicate that pediatric residents have limited confidence in resuscitation skills and that mock code training with active participation and debriefing may be an effective educational tool.
Antitumor Agents 252. Application of validated QSAR models to database mining: discovery of novel tylophorine derivatives as potential anticancer agents

A combined approach of validated QSAR modeling and virtual screening was successfully applied to the discovery of novel tylophrine derivatives as anticancer agents. QSAR models have been initially developed for 52 chemically diverse phenanthrine-based tylophrine derivatives (PBTs) with known experimental EC50 using chemical topological descriptors (calculated with the MolConnZ program) and variable selection k nearest neighbor (kNN) method. Several validation protocols have been applied to achieve robust QSAR models. The original dataset was divided into multiple training and test sets, and the models were considered acceptable only if the leave-one-out cross-validated R 2 (q 2) values were greater than 0.5 for the training sets and the correlation coefficient R 2 values were greater than 0.6 for the test sets. Furthermore, the q 2 values for the actual dataset were shown to be significantly higher than those obtained for the same dataset with randomized target properties (Y-randomization test), indicating that models were statistically significant. Ten best models were then employed to mine a commercially available ChemDiv Database (ca. 500 K compounds) resulting in 34 consensus hits with moderate to high predicted activities. Ten structurally diverse hits were experimentally tested and eight were confirmed active with the highest experimental EC50 of 1.8 μM implying an exceptionally high hit rate (80%). The same ten models were further applied to predict EC50 for four new PBTs, and the correlation coefficient (R 2) between the experimental and predicted EC50 for these compounds plus eight active consensus hits was shown to be as high as 0.57. Our studies suggest that the approach combining validated QSAR modeling and virtual screening could be successfully used as a general tool for the discovery of novel biologically active compounds.
Synthesis of series/parallel RLC one-port networks

A special class of RLC networks, minimal series/parallel networks, which may be amenable to a systemic solution, is investigated. A minimal network is one containing the minimum number of capacitors and inductors and as many elements as there are independent coefficients in the impedance function. The prescribed driving-point function is resolved into component functions corresponding to the driving-point functions of the series or parallel subnetworks. The most straightforward case occurs when all the subnetworks are minimal, i.e., each component function is potentially realizable. In other cases in which some of the subnetworks are not minimal, different possibilities exist and require a thorough investigation. >
CRYSTALLINE AND GLASSY PHASES OF STEATITE DIELECTRICS

A review of the literature is cited. Dielectric and physical properties are listed for fifteen oxides which are included in the glass phase of a steatite body. Data from electrical measurements made at 500, 600, 1000, and 1100-kc. frequencies and at 25°, 85°. 120°, and 150°C. are included. The results of petrographic examination are noted for each body. A systematic classification in terms of the periodic table indicates correlative characteristics with respect to valency and atomic weight.
Antibacterial Activity of a New 1-Oxa Cephalosporin Compared with That of Other β-Lactam Compounds

Abstract The in vitro activity of (6R,7R)-7-{[carboxy(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetyl]amino}-7-methoxy-3-[[(1-methyl -1H-tetrazol-5-yl)thio]methyl]-8-oxo-5-oxa-1-azabicyclo-[4.2.0]oct-2-ene -2-carboxylic acid was tested against isolates of gram-positive and negative bacteria and compared with those of cephalothin, cefuroxime, cefamandole, cefoxitin, cefotaxime, and carbenicillin. The compound was less active than the other compounds when tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. It had equal or slightly less activity than did cefotaxime when tested against members of the Enterobacteriaceae, but was 8- to 32-fold more active than the other cephalosporins against the Enterobacteriaceae, inhibiting most isolates at concentrations less than 0.5 μg/ml. The compound was twofold more active than cefotaxime and cefoxitin against Bacteroides, and it was twofold more active than cefotaxime and fourfold more active than carbenicillin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro activity did not correlate with either the presence or type of β-lactamase in either Enterobacteriaceae or Pseudomonas. The compound showed minimal synergy when combined with aminoglycosides or carbenicillin.
The credibilistic fuzzy c means clustering algorithm

Since the introduction of fuzzy clustering by Ruspini (1970), fuzzy logic has provided a family of interesting clustering algorithms which expanded the abilities of 'crisp' techniques. The most popular among these algorithms is the fuzzy c means algorithm (FCM). However, FCM and most of its variants are sensitive to the presence of outliers in the data set. Past attempts to reduce this sensitivity included the addition of a "noise cluster" and the introduction of measures that assess the typicality of a vector to a cluster. In this study we provide additional means for outlier rejection through the introduction of a new variable, the credibility of a vector. Credibility measures the typicality of the vector to the entire data set (not to specific subsets as some previous techniques have done). An outlier is expected to have a low value of credibility compared to a non-outlier. The use of the new variable leads to the credibilistic fuzzy c means algorithm.
The role of online learning in the merit and promotion process: Is credit necessary or applied?

Traditionally, universities have awarded promotion/tenure based on subjective criteria developed by the granting institution and disregarded credit for creating and teaching an online course. Current standards for promotion/tenure at Texas public universities and the role that an online course should play in tenure/promotion process are explored. Texas was selected to represent national standards in the promotion and tenure process.
Automatic real-time electric guitar audio transcription

Guitar audio transcription is the process of generating a human-interpretable musical score from guitar audio. The musical score is presented as guitar tablature, which indicates what notes are played and where they are played on the guitar fretboard. Automatic transcription remains a challenge with polyphonic sounds as those generated by a guitar. The guitar adds more ambiguity to the transcription problem because the same note can be played in many ways. On the other hand, the guitar offers the potential to constrain the polyphonic pitch detection problem because it has few strings and the fingering is usually performed by a single hand. In this paper, a real-time guitar transcription scheme is presented. Accuracy is improved by considering physical limitations of the guitar and the human player.
Fallopian tube catheterization for improved diagnosis and treatment of proximal tubal obstruction

SummaryObstruction of the fallopian tube in its proximal portion has been a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma since its recognition more than 50 years ago [1]. The development of fluoroscopically guided fallopian tube catheterization over the last 5 years has allowed improved evaluation of this condition with better visualization of the distal fallopian tube. More importantly, catheter recanalization of proximal fallopian tube obstruction has allowed women who were previously infertile to conceive.
Engagement: An Imperative for the University of Alaska Fairbanks as a Land-Grant University

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is field-testing and validating a community-based programming model that stresses collaboration and engagement of its administrators and faculty with native peoples and their elders, rural secondary education personnel, and leaders of other community stakeholder groups. These participants work together in (1) forming and engaging regional alliances or consortiums to identify and resolve critical issues that impact quality of life; (2) designing and implementing curricula that integrate research-based scientific content with native culture, and (3) adapting existing curricula grounded in natural resources education for teaching a variety of subjects in traditional and nontraditional learning contexts. This paper: (1) describes the programming processes and strategies used to interact and collaborate with Alaska’s native peoples, in five rural regions (communities) to implement the three goals; (2) reports outcomes achieved to date; and (3) reports the lessons learned by UAF in its quest to apply its resources in meeting the needs of rural native Alaskans.
auto-AID: A data mining framework for autonomic anomaly identification in networked computer systems

Networked computer systems continue to grow in scale and in the complexity of their components and interactions. Component failures become norms instead of exceptions in these environments. A failure will cause one or multiple computer(s) to be unavailable, which affects the resource utilization and system throughput. When a computer fails to function properly, health-related data are valuable for troubleshooting. However, it is challenging to effectively identify anomalies from the voluminous amount of noisy, high-dimensional data. In this paper, we present auto-AID, an autonomic mechanism for anomaly identification in networked computer systems. It is composed of a set of data mining techniques that facilitates automatic analysis of system health data. The identification results are very valuable for the system administrators to manage systems and schedule the available resources. We implement a prototype of auto-AID and evaluate it on a production institution-wide compute grid. The results show that auto-AID can effectively identify anomalies with little human intervention.
Recent trends in smoking and the role of public policies: results from the SimSmoke tobacco control policy simulation model.

Aims After a period of steady decline in smoking prevalence, smoking rates leveled off in the United States between 1990 and 1997, but began falling between 1997 and 2003. Trends in smoking prevalence, and the role of tobacco control policies in affecting those rates, are examined. Design A computer simulation model is used in which smoking prevalence evolves through initiation and cessation, which are in turn influenced by tobacco control policies. Methods The results of the model are compared to smoking prevalence measures from the US National Health Interview Survey between 1993 and 2003. We also consider the role of tax/price, clean air laws, media campaigns and youth access policies in influencing these rates. Findings Both the SimSmoke model and data for recent years indicate that adult smoking prevalence changed little between 1993 and 1997, and even increased among youth. Between 1997 and 2003, smoking prevalence has been declining. Most age, gender and racial–ethnic groups show patterns similar to that of the entire population, with differences for those aged 18–24 years. The predominant trends were explained mainly by changes in price, with some residual effect of clean air laws, media campaigns and youth access laws. Conclusions Among public tobacco control policies, price had the dominant effect on smoking prevalence between 1993 and 2003, because few states implemented other policies to the degree necessary to affect much change. Through continued tax increases, stronger clean air laws, extensive media campaigns and broader cessation treatment programs, there is the potential to have much larger reductions in smoking prevalence.
Structural and Material Features that Influence Emissions From Thermoplastic Multilayer Fuel Tanks

An analysis of permeation of hydrocarbon fuel in thermoplastic multilayer fuel tanks is presented. Measurements of permeability coefficients in indolene of high density polyethylene, HDPE, the ethylene-vinyl alcohol, EvOH, copolymer barrier layer and a maleated linear low density polyethylene, LLDPE, have been incorporated to provide an approximate description of the relative permeability of a fuel tank laminate. The effects of laminate thickness, barrier layer thickness, the incorporation of a regrind layer and laminate construction have been addressed using existing simple theoretical expressions. Particular attention has been focused on the overall permeability of the seam or pinch off" and a simple description of seam geometry and structure has been applied to estimate the relative contribution to emissions. Results suggest that the seam may contribute considerably more to overall tank emissions than the body of the tank.
A Note on Selecting a Response Measure for Financial Distress

Since 1966, researchers have examined financial distress prediction models to determine the usefulness of accounting information to lenders. These researchers primarily used legal bankruptcy as the response variable for economic financial distress, or included legal bankruptcy with other events in dichotomous prediction models. However, theoretical models of financial distress normally define financial distress as an economic event, the inability to pay debts when due (insolvency). This study uses a loan default/accommodation response variable as a proxy for the inability to pay debts when due. The purpose of this note is to empirically test whether or not using the inability of a firm to pay debts when due, loan default/accommodation, as a response measure produces different results than using legal bankruptcy as the response measure. The study's empirical results show that legal bankruptcy and loan default/accommodation financial distress prediction models produce different statistical results, thus suggesting that the responses measure different constructs. A loan default/accommodation model also fits the data better than a bankrupt model. Our results suggest that a loan default/accommodation response may be a more appropriate measure to determine which accounting information is most useful to lenders in evaluating a firm's credit risk.
Nonspecific Precipitation of Serum Proteins by Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in Agar Diffusion and Immunoelectrophoresis

The anionic detergent sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), in a final concentration of 0.1% and greater, reacted with whole serum in agar diffusion and immunoelectrophoresis to form artifactual precipitin lines. These lines occurred when either Ionagar or agarose was used as the supporting gel and were not affected by the presence of urea and 2-mercaptoethanol. Analytic chemical tests confirmed that the precipitating agent is SLS, and staining techniques showed that the detergent precipitates both protein and lipoprotein components of whole serum. Multiple artifactual precipitin lines occurred with a wide variety of animal sera, and a single line formed with human 7S immunoglobulin. Hence, in agar diffusion studies in which SLS is present in the test system, these artifactual lines may be easily misinterpreted as true antigen-antibody precipitin reactions.
Teaching video neuroimages: essential palatal tremor: is it a peripherally triggered central movement disorder?

A 30-year-old woman had progressively severe audible clicks after endoscopic sinus surgery. These involuntary clicks increased with stress, disappeared during sleep, and correlated with palatal movements suggesting essential palatal tremor (EPT) (video on the Neurology ® Web site at [www.neurology.
Secondary reduction of preference for the sword ornament in the pygmy swordtail Xiphophorus nigrensis (Pisces: Poeciliidae)

Female mating preferences can be secondarily lost for a number of reasons. We examined the preference of female pygmy swordtails, Xiphophorus nigrensis, for the sword, a conspicuous extension of the caudal fin in some males. Females failed to show a preference for conspecific males with swords when presented with live males naturally varying in sword length, with live males of manipulated sword length, and with synthetic animations of males expressing natural variation in sword length. Females showed a significant bias against swords when presented with synthetic animations bearing supernormal sword characteristics. The reduced preference for swords, relative to closely related fish, may result from an increase in the cost of choice due to predation risk, selection against mating with heterospecifics, or changes in the spatial and contrast properties of the conspecific signal.  2002 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Actual or Perceived Abundance? Interpreting Annual Survey Data in the Face of Changing Phenologies

Abstract. Many annual monitoring programs assume that availability—the probability that an animal will be visible, make an audible sound, or leave other evidence of its presence—is not changing systematically from year to year. Until recently, this assumption of unchanging availability seemed reasonable, but recent studies report changes in breeding phenology that are presumed to be linked to climate change. Because the rate of bird song is often correlated with stage of breeding, earlier breeding could shift timing of peak bird availability, changing the number of birds counted during annual surveys on set dates. Such changes could be erroneously interpreted as population trends. To better understand how changes in phenology might affect the probability of detecting birds, we modeled availabilities of 31 species in southern Alabama through the breeding season, documenting strong seasonal variation in availability. Then, using our availability estimates, we investigated whether changes in detection probab...
Atomic layer deposition for the conformal coating of nanoporous materials

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is ideal for applying precise and conformal coatings over nanoporous materials. We have recently used ALD to coat two nanoporous solids: anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) and silica aerogels. AAO possesses hexagonally ordered pores with diameters d ∼ 40nm and pore length L ∼ 70 microns. The AAO membranes were coated by ALD to fabricate catalytic membranes that demonstrate remarkable selectivity in the oxidative dehydrogenation of cyclohexane. Additional AAO membranes coated with ALD Pd films show promise as hydrogen sensors. Silica aerogels have the lowest density and highest surface area of any solid material. Consequently, these materials serve as an excellent substrate to fabricate novel catalytic materials and gas sensors by ALD.
Flipping the Business Information Literacy Classroom: Redesign, Implementation, and Assessment of a Case Study

A team of librarians at Purdue University transformed a business information literacy course from a traditional lecture, 40-student class into multiple sections of a flipped, 70-student classroom to meet the request that the successful course be required for all 500 undergraduate students. Scaling up required the adoption of flipped learning techniques for better utilization of library teaching resources. This case study provides key insights for others implementing credit classes or integrating similar content into one-shots or embedded work. It also describes the assessed results determined through student feedback (focus groups) and student performance (pre/post-tests).
Keeping Track of Magnitude, Direction and Sense: Vectors

In addition to possessing magnitude, many familiar physical quantities, such as wind velocity and force, involve direction in an essential way. These quantities can be represented mathematically by vectors. It turns out that vectors are also very useful in geometry, and you will have ample opportunity to see this when we study curves and surfaces. In the present chapter, the basic properties of vectors are described.
Phospholamban-to-SERCA2 ratio controls the force-frequency relationship.

The force-frequency relationship (FFR) describes the frequency-dependent potentiation of cardiac contractility. The interaction of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-adenosinetriphosphatase (SERCA2) w...
A Private Law Defense of Zealous Representation

Moral philosophers object to the ethic of zeal, also known as the fiduciary duty and the principle of partisanship, which requires a lawyer to act solely for the benefit of a client and to ignore any adverse effects that lawful actions have on third parties. For example, when representing a landlord, a lawyer may not refrain from evicting a tenant family that is behind on the rent for fear that the children will wind up on the street. Because harms inflicted on third parties normally bear on moral assessments, philosophers contend that lawyers who ignore them are amoral, immoral, or morally stunted.Although a few writers have defended the ethic of zeal, most notably the recently deceased Monroe Freedman, their efforts have enjoyed only limited success. Freedman persuaded moral philosophers to give criminal defense lawyers considerable leeway to “fight dirty,” but had little impact on their opinions of attorneys who represent clients in other contexts. Other writers have offered more limited defenses.This article offer a defense of the ethic of zeal that is grounded in the common law of agency, that encompasses all interests and applies in all contexts, and that also applies to agents who are not lawyers. The central point is that the fiduciary duty serves a moral function: it helps preserve the moral basis for attributing agents’ actions to principals by ensuring that agents act in ways that comport with principals’ consent to representation. When lawyers act disloyally, the moral basis for attribution is lost. Then, one of two things must be true. Either agents’ actions must be legal nullities, or the coercive power of the law must be applied against principals in an arbitrary manner that lacks a recognized moral justification. Critics of the ethic of zeal have neither recognized these implications nor taken account of them when encouraging lawyers to give non-clients’ interests greater weight.
Genetics: Coitus defunctus

Lori Andrews assesses Henry Greely's treatise on how technology will oust reproductive intimacy.
Endometrial Expression of Steroidogenic Factor 1 Promotes Cystic Glandular Morphogenesis

Epigenetic silencing of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) is lost in endometriosis, potentially contributing to de novo local steroidogenesis favoring inflammation and growth of ectopic endometrial tissue. In this study, we examine the impact of SF1 expression in the eutopic uterus by a novel mouse model that conditionally expresses SF1 in endometrium. In vivo SF1 expression promoted the development of enlarged endometrial glands and attenuated estrogen and progesterone responsiveness. Endometriosis induction by autotransplantation of uterine tissue to the mesenteric membrane resulted in the increase in size of ectopic lesions from SF1-expressing mice. By integrating the SF1-dependent transcriptome with the whole genome binding profile of SF1, we identified uterine-specific SF1-regulated genes involved in Wingless and Progesterone receptor-Hedgehog-Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor II signaling for gland development and epithelium-stroma interaction, respectively. The present results indicate that SF1 directly contributes to the abnormal uterine gland morphogenesis, an inhibition of steroid hormone signaling and activation of an immune response, in addition to previously postulated estrogen production.
Viability of cell cultures following extended preservation in liquid nitrogen.

SummaryTwenty-two frozen batches of 16 different cell lines certified by the Cell Culture Collection Committee were successfully stored in liquid nitrogen over an interval of 2.5 to 4.5 years. Confluent cell growth obtained in milk dilution bottles and roller .tubes prepared from thawed aimpules of frozen cells clearly demonstrated the high viability of these cell lines. The studies indicated that cells harvested and frozen under optimal conditions retained high viability during prolonged storage in liquid nitrogen, but that damaged cells as shown by initial low viability may be expected to show more variable results.
Different Gi-coupled chemoattractant receptors signal qualitatively different functions in human neutrophils

fMLP- or TNF-alpha-stimulated neutrophils produced H(2)O(2) when they adhered to fibrinogen-coated surfaces but not when they adhered to collagen I-, collagen IV-, or Matrigel-coated surfaces. In contrast, LTB4- or IL-8-stimulated neutrophils did not produce H(2)O(2) when they adhered to any of these surfaces. fMLP and TNF-alpha were much more potent than LTB4 and IL-8 in stimulating neutrophils to up-regulate and to activate their alpha(M)beta(2) integrins, as measured by the binding of specific monoclonal antibodies. Pretreatment of neutrophils with pertussis toxin completely blocked their production of H(2)O(2) on fibrinogen-coated surfaces in response to fMLP and their migration through Matrigel in response to fMLP, LTB4, and IL-8. These data show that although the fMLP, LTB4, and IL-8 receptors are coupled to pertussis toxin-sensitive Galpha proteins, they signal neutrophils to initiate qualitatively different effector functions. We propose that the qualitative differences in effector functions signaled by different chemoattractants reflect qualitative differences in using G-protein beta and/or gamma subunits or other factors by their cognate receptors.
Research on Performance of Innovation Principle under Different Innovation Mode

Innovation is key to advantage in national competition and continuing development of enterprises.The weakness of independent innovation capacity of Chinese enterprises shackles the continuing development of economy.To discuss the influence of innovation mode to enterprises' performance,this article compared and analyzed the character and difference of open innovation and close innovation.Furthermore,base on the Game theory,constructed different modes of close innovation,semi-open innovation and open innovation which participated by enterprises,competitors and customers.By comparing and analyzing the above innovation modes to educe that the performance of enterprise is in direct ratio with the extent of open innovation.It means that the performance of open innovation enterprises is better than the ones who has semi-open innovation, and the performance of semi-open innovation enterprises is better than the ones who has close innovation.
Influencing factors of tobacco use behavior among students in Fangshan District of Beijing City

[Objective]To understand the tobacco use behavior among students in Fangshan District of Beijing City,and provide scientific evidence for developing effective control measures.[Methods]Two phase stratified cluster random sampling method and the" Tobacco Surveillance Questionnaire for School Population of Beijing City(middle school students)" provided by the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention were adopted to investigate 757 students of 24 classes in 8 middle schools.[Results] The smoking rate of middle school students was 3.7%.Only 55.6% of the students knew that" smoking is harmful to health whether smoke was inhaled into the lungs or not,;"74.1% of smoking students knew" occasional smoking was harmful to health ;"37% smoking students thought " smoking was independent performance;"33.3% students thpught that " smoking was cool and awesome;"88.9% smoking students' parents also smoke;92.6% students' family members smoke in front of them;92.6% smoking students recognized even the best students were smoking;66.7% smoking students saw smoking scenes in movies and TV.[Conclusion]The causes and influencing factors of middle school students smoking are personal factors,peer influence,adult advertised role and social atmosphere,etc.The widespread phenomenon of smoking in family,school and society has great impact on youth smoking.Therefore,the youth tobacco control should implement from family,school,society and other aspects.
Application of Digital Image Correlation for Comparison of Deformation Response in Fusion and Friction Stir Welds

The deformation response of welded aluminum plate was evaluated at high and low strain rates. Mechanical and ballistic experiments were conducted on 2.5 cm thick samples obtained from full penetration welds for welded aluminum 5083-H131 plate. Similar experiments were also conducted for the aluminum 5083 alloy as a baseline for comparison. Experiments were designed to compare the deformation response and ballistic performance differences for fusion welds versus friction stir welds. The fusion welds were processed using gas metal arc welding. The low strain rate deformation response was evaluated with three-point bend tests at an approximate strain rate of 1 s−1. The high strain rate response of the three materials was assessed using ballistic impact experiments at a range of velocities. Digital image correlation analysis was applied to gain insight into the deformation response through quantification of the strain and deflection profiles. The deformation response differences are compared for the welds versus the baseline aluminum alloy.
A Comparison of Text, Voice, and Screencasting Feedback to Online Students

ABSTRACTThe emergence of simple video and voice recording software has allowed faculty to deliver online course content in a variety of rich formats. But most faculty are still using traditional text comments for feedback to students. The author launched a study comparing student and faculty perceptions of text, voice, and screencasting feedback. The results provide some interesting insights into the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of feedback. The author finishes with best practices for providing screencasting feedback to students.
Implications for INGO Management Process

This chapter presents an analytical interpretation of the HRM policies and practices of INGOs in Kenya. Both the recruitment strategies and selection practices of INGOs in Kenya appear limited in comparison to Western management theory and industry practice. A comparison of participation theory and practice identifies a recent shift in partnership relations, with a move to formalisation of relations and adoption of partnership agreements. Management discourse illustrates perceptions of participation and available methods, highlighting the power relations among and between stakeholder groups. Finally, the study returns to Purcell et al.’s (2003, Understanding the People and Performance Link: Unlocking the Black Box. London: CIPD) model of the relationship between HRM and performance to provide context to the study’s findings. The chapter concludes with an identification of the potential implications and impact of INGO HRM policies and practices on organisational performance.
Integral terminal Sliding Mode Control for maximum power production in grid connected PV systems

Photovoltaic (PV) systems have gained an ever increasing popularity as a renewable energy source. However, designing control schemes that ensure maximum power extraction for grid-connected PV arrays while properly mitigating grid faults is still a challenging problem in the control community. This paper proposes an integral terminal sliding mode control (ITSM) scheme for grid-connected PV arrays. The approach aims at maximizing power extraction while mitigating the effects of disturbances caused by irradiance fluctuations and oscillations in the bulk voltage. Effective elimination of the voltage drag and maximum power point tracking are among the positive features of the proposed approach. Efficiency of the proposed approach was assessed using a simulation study involving several operating conditions and various faulty situations.
Comparison of Chemstrip Leukocyte Test TM with Standardized Papanicolaou-Stained Urine Sediment Evaluation

In two separate trials, using predominately renal transplant patients, neutrophil counts in standardized, stained urine sediment were compared with a reagent strip which measures leukocyte esterase. The combined data show a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 88%. These results are comparable with those previously published. Benefits and limitations of both methods are discussed.
Biocompatibility of luting cements for dental applications

Abstract Fixed crown and bridgework consists of multiple critical procedures, of which the final step, the selection of a luting agent for permanent cementation, represents a particularly difficult choice due to the large number of cements that are available. A proper choice is further complicated by the large variety in physical and other properties, as well as by the composition of the substrate to be cemented. The most frequently asked question by practitioners relates to retention, while it should focus on biocompatibility. The first is controlled by the practitioner, adhering to the principles of crown preparation (i.e., total angle of convergence, preparation height and, if needed, auxiliary grooves or boxes), while the latter is determined by the properties of the material and affects postcementation and long-term service and comfort to patients. This chapter aims to discuss composition and the biocompatibility of commercially available cements. The following cements will be discussed: liners and bases, temporary cements and permanent cements (i.e., zinc phosphate cement, polycarboxylate cement, glass ionomer cement, resin cement, resin modified glass ionomer cement, self-etching resin-based cement and a hybrid calcium aluminate/glass ionomer cement). Currently available literature will be quoted to support biocompatibility and postoperative reactions of the various cements. Biocompatibility testing of luting agents is described in the ISO 7405 and the ANSI/ADA Specification #41, Recommended Standard Practices for Biological Evaluation of Dental Materials. The recent changes in recommendations will be outlined and explained. Future trends are focused on developing permanent cements that are bioactive in order to seal the restoration–tooth interface, thus preventing bacteria from leaking along the interface causing postoperative sensitivity, secondary decay, and ultimately the demise of the pulp. Finally, information will be provided about the most prevalent dental cements and their manufacturers.
Targeting and anti-cancer effect of Endostatin-cytosine deaminase fusion protein

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA 360 Endostatin, an angiogenesis inhibitor tested in multiple clinical trials, selectively targets neovascular endothelial cells, suppressing tumor growth. To enhance the therapeutic efficacy of endostatin, we fused endostatin with cytosine deaminase, which converts a prodrug 5-flucytosine into a cytotoxic 5-fluorouracil. This therapeutic strategy was developed based on the observation that the endostatin-green fluorescence protein gene and endostatin-luciferase gene selectively target to endothelial cells in vitro and to the tumor site in vivo, respectively. When we used the endostatin-cytosine deaminase fusion protein to treat s.c. grafted tumors or experimental metastasis tumors, our results showed that endostatin-cytosine deaminase treatment provided stronger tumor growth suppression and increased mean survival time of the mice compared with the treatments of endostatin alone, cytosine deaminase alone, or endostatin plus cytosine deaminase. The endostatin-cytosine deaminase protein significantly inhibited the growth of endothelial cells and preferentially induced tumor cell apoptosis. Recently, the regulatory agency in China approved the use of endostatin as an anti-cancer agent for treating non-small cell lung cancer patients. To this regard, we also have recently generated preliminary results that show an Endo-CD fusion protein exhibited similar therapeutic efficacy to Endo-CD gene therapy in cell culture and in animal models. Considering that multiple clinical trials have been performed for endostatin protein , and it has been approved as an anti-cancer drug in China, if the Endo-CD fusion protein shows more potent anti-tumor activity in animal models than endostatin or CD alone, it may be worthwhile to move it into clinical trials.
Reperfusion therapy with recombinant human relaxin-2 (Serelaxin) attenuates myocardial infarct size and NLRP3 inflammasome following ischemia/reperfusion injury via eNOS-dependent mechanism

Aims The preconditioning-like infarct-sparing and anti-inflammatory effects of the peptide hormone relaxin following ischemic injury have been studied in the heart. Whether reperfusion therapy with recombinant human relaxin-2, serelaxin, reduces myocardial infarct size and attenuates the subsequent NLRP3 inflammasome activation leading to further loss of functional myocardium following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is unknown. Methods and results After baseline echocardiography, adult male wild-type C57BL or eNOS knockout mice underwent myocardial infarction (MI) by coronary artery ligation for 30 min followed by 24 h reperfusion. Mice were treated with either serelaxin (10 µg/kg; sc ) or saline 1 h prior to ischemia or 5 min before reperfusion. In both pre-treatment and reperfusion therapy arms, serelaxin improved survival at 24 h post MI in wild-type mice (79% and 82%) as compared with controls (46% and 50%, P = 0.01), whereas there was no difference in survival between serelaxin- and saline-treated eNOS knockout mice. Moreover, serelaxin significantly reduced infarct size (64% and 67% reduction, P < 0.05), measured with TTC staining, and preserved LV fractional shortening (FS) and end-systolic diameter (LVESD) in wild-type mice as compared with controls ( P < 0.05). Interestingly, caspase-1 activity in the heart tissue, a measure of inflammasome formation, was markedly reduced in serelaxin-treated wild-type mice compared with controls at 24 h post-MI in both treatment modalities ( P < 0.05). Genetic deletion of eNOS abolished the infarct-sparing and anti-inflammatory effects of serelaxin as well as functional preservation. Serelaxin plasma levels assessed at 5 min and 1 h after treatment, using ELISA, approximated physiologic relaxin levels during pregnancy in mice and parallels that in humans. Conclusion Serelaxin attenuates myocardial I/R injury and the subsequent caspase-1 activation via eNOS-dependent mechanism.
Absolutely tasty: an examination of predicates of personal taste and faultless disagreement

AbstractDebates about the semantics and pragmatics of predicates of personal taste (PPT) have largely centered on contextualist and relativist proposals. In this paper, I argue in favor of an alternative, absolutist analysis of PPT. Theorists such as Max Kolbel and Peter Lasersohn have argued that we should dismiss absolutism (also called realism or invariantism) due to its inability to accommodate the possibility of faultless disagreement involving PPT. My aim in the paper is to show how the absolutist can in fact accommodate this possibility by drawing on an account of faultless disagreement that improves upon a recent proposal due to Karl Schafer. In amending Schafer’s proposal, I put forward an empirically informed view of our beliefs regarding matters of personal taste, as well as an account of our assertions concerning such matters. I also argue that absolutists should take disagreement about these matters to be conative, rather than doxastic, in nature. The anticipated result is an independently co...
Economic Growth, Social Policy, and Poverty

Whether economic growth or social policy does more to benefit the poor is the subject of longstanding interest and debate. I examine the experiences of the world's affluent countries during a period of two and a half decades for which reliable comparative data are available. Over this period, from 1980 to 2005, improvements in low-end (tenth-percentile) absolute incomes were driven chiefly by increases in GDP per capita rather than by increases in the share of GDP going to government social expenditures. Economic growth did not, however, always and everywhere translate into income growth for the poor. Some rich nations — Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom (1980-95), and the United States (1980-95 and 2000-05) — experienced lengthy periods of economic growth with little or no rise in the incomes of low-end households. When growth has trickled down to the poor, government transfers have been the principal conduit. It is in countries that have increased transfers in concert with per capita GDP that the incomes of the poor have been most likely to rise.
Direct Uncertainty Estimates from Angles-Only Initial Orbit Determination

Initial orbit determination methods yield only a point solution, with no information about the quality of or confidence in the solution. However, probabilistic information may be inferred directly ...
The effect of the aminosteroid U-78517G on peritumoural brain oedema.

U-78517G belongs to a novel group of compounds-aminosteroids (AS) wich are potent inhibitors of central nervous system tissue lipid peroxidation and are devoid of classical glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid activities. The AS have been found to possess cerebral protective properties against ischaemia, ischaemic oedema, trauma to the cerebrum and spinal cord and in sub-arachnoid hemorrhage. The possible efficacy of U-78517G in attenuating peritumoural oedema was examined in rats harbouring cerebral 9L gliosarcomas. 19 Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted intracranially with 9L gliosarcoma cells. On day 14 post implantation rats were randomized to control (no treatment n = 10) and AS treated animals (n = 9). On day 20 animals were sacrificed and six brain samples per rat were examined for the percentage of water content. Oedema was assessed with the wet/dry weight technique. The AS treated animals were found to have a significant increase in peritumoural oedema (+ 1.38%, P<0.001) possibly related to an increase in cerebral blood flow associated with AS treatment. Further studies are, however, underway to precisely clarify this unexpected observation.
Statistical Tests for Mixed Linear Models by

(1999). Statistical Tests for Mixed Linear Models by. Journal of Quality Technology: Vol. 31, No. 4, pp. 469-470.
Enhancing workload-dependent voltage scaling for energy-efficient ultra-low-power embedded systems

Ultra-low-power (ULP) chipsets are in higher demand than ever due to the proliferation of ULP embedded systems to support growing applications like the Internet of Things (IoT), wearables and sensor networks. Since ULP systems are also cost constrained, they tend to employ general purpose processors (GPPs) rather than more energy-efficient ASICs, even though they typically run a single application for the lifetime of the system. Prior work showed that it is possible to reduce the operating voltage and thus the power of such systems without reducing the frequency, since the fixed software stack of a system typically only exercises a subset of a processor's paths, and unexercised paths need not meet timing constraints for the system to work correctly. In this context, we find additional scope for power reduction by intelligently optimizing the processor design based on the system's application-specific activity characteristics to allow an even lower safe operating voltage. We demonstrate automated techniques that maximize the application-specific voltage reduction for a system, resulting in 35% additional power savings, on average, compared to the application-specific minimum voltage before optimization and 48% total power savings compared to the original design at nominal voltage.
Resistance to Herpes Simplex Virus - Type 1 (HSV -1)

In man herpes simplex virus-type 1 (HSV-1) has been shown to be the cause of several clinically important infections, including primary gingivostomatitis, herpes keratitis, and encephalitis (Nahmias and Roizman 1973; Rawls 1973). Clinically apparent as well as inapparent infections with HSV-1 have the capacity to become latent, i.e., the virus remains dormant in neurons but can become reactivated and cause an infection at a later date (Stevens 1975). Although the mechanism(s) involved in the establishment and maintenance of latency or in the subsequent reactivation of HSV-1 are not well understood, immunosuppression does not appear to be the trigger responsible for inducing the virus to reappear (Spencer and Andersen 1970; Price and Schmitz 1978). However, HSV-1 infections have been found to be especially problematic for those afflicted with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency disorders (St. Geme et al. 1965; Aston et al. 1972; Lopez and Simmons 1977). Thus, although the incidence of reactivated HSV-1 infections is not increased with immunosuppression, clearly the severity of reactivated infections is markedly exaggerated. These observations in man as well as a number of earlier animal studies (for example, Nahmias et al. 1969) have been taken as evidence that the immune response and especially the cell-mediated immune (CMI) system plays a primary role in resistance to these infections. Because of the complex nature of the pathogenesis of HSV-1 infections, resistance probably depends on several interacting subpopulations of cells (Allison 1914). The definition of these cells, their interactions, and their relative contributions will be important to future studies aimed at augmenting resistance to HSV-1.