cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparing two algorithms for automatic planning by robots in stochastic environments

SUMMARY Planning a sequence of robot actions is especially difficult when the outcome of actions is uncertain, as is inevitable when interacting with the physical environment. In this paper we consider the case of finite state and action spaces where actions can be modeled as Markov transitions. Finding a plan that achieves a desired state with maximum probability is known to be an NP-Complete problem. We consider two algorithms: an exponential-time algorithm that maximizes probability, and a polynomial-time algorithm that maximizes a lower bound on the probability. As these algorithms trade off plan time for plan quality, we compare their performance on a mechanical system for orienting parts. Our results lead us to identify two properties of stochastic actions that can be used to choose between these planning algorithms for other applications.
A Case of Austrian's Triad in the ICU Complicated by Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Austrian triad is a rare syndrome of serious disseminated pneumococcal infection associated with high morbidity and mortality. It is rarely reported in the literature with not many cases. We report a case of Austrian syndrome which got complicated by subarachnoid hemorrhage and death of the patient. J Med Cases. 2015;6(12):541-543 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc2347w
Liver ischemia-reperfusion increases pulmonary permeability in rat: Role of circulating xanthine oxidase

Reactive oxygen species play an important role in pathogenesis of a variety of pathological processes, e.g., ischemia-reperfusion, acute viral infections, thermal injury, hepatic diseases, and acute lung injury. Xanthine oxidase (XO) may be a significant source of these cytotoxic oxygen species. We tested the hypothesis that hepatic ischemia-reperfusion releases xanthine dehydrogenase + XO (XDH + XO) into the circulation and that circulating XO damages isolated perfused lung. Isolated liver + lung preparation was perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer to minimize confounding effects of circulating neutrophils. In one group, livers were rendered globally ischemic for 2 h and then reperfused (I/R). In another group, livers were pretreated with allopurinol and perfused with buffer containing additional allopurinol (I/R + Allo). After 2 h of ischemia, an isolated lung was connected to liver, and liver + lung preparation was reperfused in series for 15 min. Liver reperfusion was terminated, and lung was recirculated with liver effluent for 45 min. Capillary filtration coefficient (ml.min-1.cmH2O-1.100 g lung dry wt-1) was 2.0 +/- 0.3 and 1.9 +/- 0.4 in control and I/R + Allo lungs, respectively, and 9.0 +/- 1.2 in I/R lungs (P < 0.001). Lung wet-to-dry weight ratio in control and I/R + Allo lungs was 8.6 +/- 0.3 and 9.1 +/- 0.5, respectively, and 14.9 +/- 1.1 in I/R lungs (P < 0.01). Control and I/R + Allo bronchoalveolar lavage protein content was < 1.0 mg/ml compared with 32.6 +/- 8.4 mg/ml in I/R group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Hyperfine structure and isotope shift of 82 Rb D 1 and D 2 transitions

We report on the hyperfine-structure measurements of the 5P{sub 1/2} and 5P{sub 3/2} states as well as the isotope shift of the D{sub 1} transition of radioactive {sup 82}Rb (t{sub 1/2}=75 s) atoms trapped in a magneto-optical trap. The systematic effects of light shift (ac Stark shift) and power broadening were explored to verify the accuracy of our trap and probe method against saturation spectroscopy results in {sup 85}Rb. The hyperfine-splitting magnetic-dipole coefficient (A) for the {sup 82}Rb 5P{sub 1/2} state and the isotope shift of the D{sub 1} transition ({delta}{nu}{sup 82-85}) was measured to be 122.7(1.0) MHz and -150.8(2.0) MHz, respectively. The hyperfine splitting for the {sup 82}Rb 5P{sub 3/2} state was determined to be 90.3(1.5) MHz in agreement with the previous measurement of 89.3(9.0) MHz [C. Thibault et al., Phys. Rev. C 23, 2720 (1981)]. These measurements provide key information that is needed to manipulate and determine the polarization of trapped {sup 82}Rb atoms for a parity violating {beta}-asymmetry measurement. (c) 1999 The American Physical Society.
Family Law and Entrepreneurial Action

In response to Benjamin Means, The Contractual Foundation of Family-Business Law, 75 Ohio St. L.J. 675 (2014).
Sodium saccharin and sodium saccharin + sodium bicarbonate consumptions in rats: A comparison

Seventy-three thirsty, hungry, or hungry and thirsty rats were given a choice between water and sodium saccharin in concentrations which were equivalent to the sodium saccharin component of a compound used in earlier studies (Strouthes & Navarick, 1967; Strouthes, Volo, & Unger, 1974) and which consisted of sodium saccharin and soda bicarbonate mixed in equal amounts. Intakes of sodium saccharin and sodium saccharin + soda bicarbonate under food- and water-deprivation conditions were markedly similar in pattern of drinking as well as in volumes consumed during the first 90 min of testing. When undeprived, rats tended to drink more sodium saccharin + soda bicarbonate relative to water than sodium saccharin. Thus, if these substances are offered in a choice with water, sodium saccharin + soda bicarbonate in concentrations used in these studies is entirely equivalent to sodium saccharin under a variety of deprivation conditions. The two substances, however, may not be equivalent for undeprived rats. The generality of earlier conclusions based on drinking of the compound may he extended to studies using just the sodium saccharin component.
“I says to myself, says I”: : Charles sanders peirce on the components of dialogue

Peirce famously defined the process of thinking as what a person is “‘saying to himself,’ that is, is saying to that other self that is just coming into life in the flow of time.” For Peirce, this meant the essence of thinking is dialogue. This essay proposes a conception of dialogue grounded in Peirce's normative ideal of inquiry that challenges contemporary thinking about dialogue yet supports the same moral and ethical aims. Using a scene from Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice that Peirce used as an exemplar of dialogue, we propose a conception that begins in doubt and passes through phases of reasoning and ethical and esthetic judgment before coming to a resolution which expands horizons of thought, emotion, and action.
A Hybrid Approach for Assessing the Multi‐Scale Impacts of Urban Resource Use: Transportation in Phoenix, Arizona

Summary Life cycle assessment (LCA) and urban metabolism (UM) are popular approaches for urban system environmental assessment. However, both approaches have challenges when used across spatial scales. LCA tends to decompose systemic information into micro-level functional units that mask complexity and purpose, whereas UM typically equates aggregated material and energy flows with impacts and is not ideal for revealing the mechanisms or alternatives available to reduce systemic environmental risks. This study explores the value of integrating UM with LCA, using vehicle transportation in the Phoenix metropolitan area as an illustrative case study. Where other studies have focused on the use of LCA providing upstream supply-chain impacts for UM, we assert that the broader value of the integrated approach is in (1) the ability to cross scales (from micro to macro) in environmental assessment and (2) establishing an analysis that captures function and complexity in urban systems. The results for Phoenix show the complexity in resource supply chains and critical infrastructure services, how impacts accrue well beyond geopolitical boundaries where activities occur, and potential system vulnerabilities.
MEKK4 Signaling Regulates Sensory Cell Development and Function in the Mouse Inner Ear.

Mechanosensory hair cells (HCs) residing in the inner ear are critical for hearing and balance. Precise coordination of proliferation, sensory specification, and differentiation during development is essential to ensure the correct patterning of HCs in the cochlear and vestibular epithelium. Recent studies have revealed that FGF20 signaling is vital for proper HC differentiation. However, the mechanisms by which FGF20 signaling promotes HC differentiation remain unknown. Here, we show that mitogen-activated protein 3 kinase 4 (MEKK4) expression is highly regulated during inner ear development and is critical to normal cytoarchitecture and function. Mice homozygous for a kinase-inactive MEKK4 mutation exhibit significant hearing loss. Lack of MEKK4 activity in vivo also leads to a significant reduction in the number of cochlear and vestibular HCs, suggesting that MEKK4 activity is essential for overall development of HCs within the inner ear. Furthermore, we show that loss of FGF20 signaling in vivo inhibits MEKK4 activity, whereas gain of Fgf20 function stimulates MEKK4 expression, suggesting that Fgf20 modulates MEKK4 activity to regulate cellular differentiation. Finally, we demonstrate, for the first time, that MEKK4 acts as a critical node to integrate FGF20-FGFR1 signaling responses to specifically influence HC development and that FGFR1 signaling through activation of MEKK4 is necessary for outer hair cell differentiation. Collectively, this study provides compelling evidence of an essential role for MEKK4 in inner ear morphogenesis and identifies the requirement of MEKK4 expression in regulating the specific response of FGFR1 during HC development and FGF20/FGFR1 signaling activated MEKK4 for normal sensory cell differentiation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Sensory hair cells (HCs) are the mechanoreceptors within the inner ear responsible for our sense of hearing. HCs are formed before birth, and mammals lack the ability to restore the sensory deficits associated with their loss. In this study, we show, for the first time, that MEKK4 signaling is essential for the development of normal cytoarchitecture and hearing function as MEKK4 signaling-deficient mice exhibit a significant reduction of HCs and a hearing loss. We also identify MEKK4 as a critical hub kinase for FGF20-FGFR1 signaling to induce HC differentiation in the mammalian cochlea. These results reveal a new paradigm in the regulation of HC differentiation and provide significant new insights into the mechanism of Fgf signaling governing HC formation.
Market Failures: Monopolies

Government regulation of monopolies is necessary because monopoly pricing and production practices reduce social welfare. The monopolist produces little total output, causing a loss in the net benefits from production. The government uses a variety of tools to influence monopoly production. Subsidies can be used to increase monopoly output, as can the use of price discrimination. More used is the government's power to regulate production directly or to break up monopolies into competitive firms. The threat of government action is enough to make monopoly firms act like competitors and increase output. The current loss from monopoly power is small because of the success of governmental actions in this area. Monopolies might be undesirable, but trade-offs are also present. The monopoly might generate external benefits in terms of innovation, new knowledge, and new inventions. These external benefits might balance the costs that monopolies impose. Government patents and copyright laws encourage the limited formation of monopolies to encourage the production of these external benefits. A natural monopoly exists when average costs are greater than marginal costs at levels of output consistent with competition. Many competitive firms would go out of business under these conditions. Monopoly is the only form of market organization that can survive in these markets. Natural monopolies produce benefits by their existence; however, lower social welfare when they pursue monopoly pricing practices. Society is best off when marginal cost pricing is used by natural monopolies, but a way has to be found to finance the deficit that results.
Generation of sharp electron bunches from a laser field and a dc bias field

Our exact analytic solution for electron emission shows that sharp electron bunches may be generated from a metal surface subject to a weak laser field and a strong dc bias field.
The Importance of Context in Task Selection.

Summary Context is at the core of any statistical investigation, yet many statistics tasks barely require students to go beyond superficial consideration of the contexts the tasks are situated in. In this article, I discuss a framework for evaluating the level of interaction with context a task requires of students and how to modify tasks to increase the levels of interaction required.
A lower extremity strength-based profile of NCAA Division I women's basketball and gymnastics athletes: implications for knee joint injury risk assessment.

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to provide a comprehensive strength-based physiological profile of women’s NCAA Division I basketball and gymnastic athletes; and to make sport-specific comparisons for various strength characteristics of the knee flexor and extensor muscles. A focus on antagonist muscle balance (hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratios, H:Q) was used to elucidate vulnerabilities in these at-risk female athletes. Fourteen NCAA Division I women’s basketball and 13 gymnastics athletes performed strength testing of the knee extensors and flexors. Outcome measures included absolute and relative (body mass normalised) peak torque (PT), rate of torque development at 50, 100, 200 ms (RTD50 etc.) and H:Q ratios of all variables. The basketball athletes had greater absolute strength for all variables except for isokinetic PT at 240°s−1 and isometric RTD50 for the knee extensors. Gymnasts showed ~20% weaker body mass relative concentric PT for the knee flexors at 60 and 120°·s−1, and decreased conventional H:Q ratio...
Trimethylsilyl versus Bis(trimethylsilyl) Substitution in Tris(cyclopentadienyl) Complexes of La, Ce, and Pr: Comparison of Structure, Magnetic Properties, and Reactivity

To evaluate the effect of cyclopentadienyl ligand substitution in complexes of new +2 ions of the lanthanides, comparisons in reactivity and spectroscopic and magnetic properties have been made between [K(crypt)][Cp′3Ln], 1-Ln (Cp′ = C5H4SiMe3; crypt = 2.2.2-cryptand; Ln = La, Ce, Pr, and Nd), and [K(crypt)][Cp′′3Ln], 2-Ln [Cp′′ = C5H3(SiMe3)2]. The 2-Ln complexes (Ce, Pr, and Nd) were synthesized by reduction of Cp′′3Ln with potassium graphite in the presence of crypt and crystallographically characterized. The structures and UV–visible spectra of 2-Ln are similar to those of 1-Ln, as expected, but greater thermal stability for 2-Ln, expected from comparisons of 2-U and 1-U, was not observed. The magnetic susceptibilities of 2-Ce and 2-Pr were investigated because those of 1-Ce and 1-Pr did not match simple coupling models for 4fn5d1 electron configurations. The magnetic data of the 2-Ln complexes are similar to those of 1-Ln, which suggests that Ce2+ and Pr2+ complexes with 4fn5d1 electron configuration...
One-Pot Reactions Involving the Fischer Indole Synthesis and Friedel–Crafts Reactions

A series of compounds have been prepared by the Fischer indole synthesis and Friedel–Crafts reactions, using a single acid catalyst in a one-pot conversion. The reactions have worked best with pyridyl-substituted hydrazones/indoles. Chlorination and bromination products are formed in good yields and high regioselectivities. Acylation products have also been prepared by the two-stage reaction. In the case of alkylation, the expected alkyl-substituted indoles are obtained however they are accompanied by over-alkylation products.
EFFECT OF THE ABSENCE OF STATIN PRESCRIPTION UPON DISCHARGE AFTER A CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE EVENT ON FUTURE CARDIOVASCULAR HOSPITAL RESOURCE UTILIZATIONS AND ADVERSE CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS

Statins are indicated after a CAD diagnosis to prevent adverse CV events. However, not everyone is prescribed a statin upon discharge, and information is limited on how this affects future CAD hospital resource utilizations and adverse CV events. Patients (N=20,809) ≥18 years old, with a first
Analysis of Fundamental NIST Sphere Experiments Related to Criticality Safety

A series of neutron transport experiments was performed in 1989 and 1990 at NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) using a spherical stainless steel container and fission chambers. These experiments were performed to help understand errors observed in criticality calculations for arrays of individually subcritical components, particularly solution arrays [1-3]. They were supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Environment and Health, Nuclear Criticality Technology and Safety Project. The intent was to evaluate the possibility that the criticality prediction errors stem from errors in the calculation of neutron leakage from individual components of the array. Thus, the explicit product of the experiments was the measurement of the leakage flux, as characterized by various Cd-shielded and unshielded fission rates. Because the various fission rates have different neutron-energy sensitivities, collectively they give an indication of the energy dependence of the leakage flux. Leakage and moderation were varied systematically through the use of different diameter spheres, with and without water. Some of these experiments with bare fission chambers have been evaluated by the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project (ICSBEP)[4].
The Gauge Theoretic Breakthrough

After several years of relative tranquility, Particle Physics is once again in a state of considerable agitation. The excitement centers around the subject of spontaneously broken gauge theories,1 a subject which has its origins in the seminal contributions of Weinberg,2 in 1967, and Salam,3 in 1968. These authors revived the old notion that weak interactions and electromagnetism have a common origin in a (nonabelian) gauge principle4 but made a break with the past in suggesting that the full gauge symmetry be broken spontaneously,5 a la Higgs and Kibble, to the level of electromagnetic gaugeinvariance. The hope was that the so-called Higgs mechanism would permit the theory to retain enough memory of the gauge group to stay renormalizable — in contrast to the situation in which one breaks the symmetry manifestly by explicit insertion of mass terms in the Lagrangian. This hope found fulfillment6 in the work of ‘t Hooft,’ t Hooft and Veltman, B. W. Lee and Lee and Zinn-Justin.
Platelets in Arterial Thrombosis

The central role of the platelet in thrombus formation has been well established. Whereas thrombus formation in some situations may be protective, it can be devastating in others such as in acute coronary syndromes. An understanding of the mechanisms and the molecules involved in platelet-mediated thrombosis is essential in order to be able to devise antiplatelet regimens that may improve patient outcomes and to develop future generations of antithrombotic drugs. This chapter provides a brief summary of the molecules and mechanisms which regulate platelet adhesion and aggregation.
Integrated predictive artificial neural network fatigue endurance limit model for asphalt concrete pavements

Asphalt endurance limit is a strain value if experienced by asphalt pavement layer, no accumulated damage will occur and is directly related to asphalt healing. Therefore, if the pavement experienc...
Scalable, modular three-dimensional silicon microelectrode assembly via electroless plating

We devised a scalable, modular strategy for microfabricated 3-D neural probe synthesis. We constructed a 3-D probe out of individual 2-D components (arrays of shanks bearing close-packed electrodes) using mechanical self-locking and self-aligning techniques, followed by electroless nickel plating to establish electrical contact between the individual parts. We detail the fabrication and assembly process and demonstrate different 3-D probe designs bearing thousands of electrode sites. We find typical self-alignment accuracy between shanks of <0.2° and demonstrate orthogonal electrical connections of 40 µm pitch, with thousands of connections formed electrochemically in parallel. The fabrication methods introduced allow the design of scalable, modular electrodes for high-density 3-D neural recording. The combination of scalable 3-D design and close-packed recording sites may support a variety of large-scale neural recording strategies for the mammalian brain.
β2ARs stimulation in osteoblasts promotes breast cancer cell adhesion to bone marrow endothelial cells in an IL-1β and selectin-dependent manner.

Abstract Progression and recurrence of breast cancer, as well as reduced survival of patients with breast cancer, are associated with chronic stress, a condition known to impact the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and the autonomic nervous system. Preclinical and clinical evidence support the involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in the control of bone remodeling and in pathologies of the skeleton, including bone metastasis. In experimental mouse models of skeletal metastasis, administration of the βAR agonist isoproterenol (ISO), used as a surrogate of norepinephrine, the main neurotransmitter of sympathetic neurons, was shown to favor bone colonization of metastatic breast cancer cells via an increase bone marrow vascularity. However, successful extravasation of cancer cells into a distant organ is known to be favored by an activated endothelium, itself stimulated by inflammatory signals. Based on the known association between high sympathetic outflow, the expression of inflammatory cytokines and bone metastasis, we thus asked whether βAR stimulation in osteoblasts may alter the vascular endothelium to favor cancer cell engraftment within the skeleton. To address this question, we used conditioned medium (CM) from PBS or ISO-treated bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in adhesion assays with bone marrow endothelial cells (BMECs) or the endothelial cell line C166. We found that ISO treatment in differentiated BMSCs led to a robust induction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The CM from ISO-treated BMSCs increased the expression of E- and P-selectin in BMECs and the adhesion of human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells to these cells in short-term static and dynamic adhesion assays, and a blocking antibody against IL-1β, but not IL-6, reduced this effect. Direct IL-1β treatment of BMECs had a similar effect, whereas the impact of IL-6 treatment on the expression of adhesion molecules by BMECs and on the adhesion of cancer cells to BMECs was negligible. Collectively, these in vitro results suggest that in the context of the multicellular and dynamic bone marrow environment, sympathetic activation and subsequent βAR stimulation in osteoblasts may profoundly remodel the density but also the activation status of bone marrow vessels to favor the skeletal engraftment of circulating breast cancer cells.
Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Research: A Review of Current Research Topics

As an emerging technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) revolutionized the global network comprising of people, smart devices, intelligent objects, data, and information. The development of IoT is still in its infancy and many related issues need to be solved. IoT is a unified concept of embedding everything. IoT has a great chance to make the world a higher level of accessibility, integrity, availability, scalability, confidentiality, and interoperability. However, how to protect IoT is a challenging task. System security is the foundation for the development of IoT. This article systematically reviews IoT cybersecurity. The key considerations are the protection and integration of heterogeneous smart devices and information communication technologies (ICT). This review provides useful information and insights to researchers and practitioners who are interested in cybersecurity of IoT, including the current research of IoT cybersecurity, IoT cybersecurity architecture and taxonomy, key enabling countermeasures and strategies, major applications in industries, research trends and challenges.
Origin of Shielding and Deshielding Effects in NMR Spectra of Organic Conjugated Polyynes.

Nucleus independent chemical shifts (NICS) for conjugated polyynes H(C≡C)nH are reported (n = 2–10). There is marked shielding within the carbon chain, gradually decreasing with radial distance and...
Teaching and Assessing Metacognition in Law School

As law schools in the United States reevaluate the content and teaching methods of legal education, legal educators have begun to rethink not only what to teach, but how to teach it so as to best position students for success in law school, on the bar exam, and in the profession. Law students must also understand themselves as learners and commit to learning about their learning. Metacognitive skills, which involve awareness of one’s learning and the ability to regulate one’s learning, are an essential part of the repertoire of lawyering skills that enhance the learning process for law students and better positions them for practice. This article contributes to growing body of research focused on improving law students’ learning. The article discusses a mixed methods empirical study of first-year law students to determine whether instruction and prompts to engage in metacognition would influence students’ selection of learning strategies and their ability to regulate their learning during the semester. In addition, it explores the relationship between students’ metacognitive skills and their academic performance. As a corollary, the article assessed the methods for measuring metacognition in the context of a semester-long law school class. As we discuss, we found a correlation between our quantitative and qualitative methods. In addition, students who demonstrated strong metacognitive skills were more likely to perform well in the class. Moreover, adding instructional intervention throughout the semester prompted students to use more active learning strategies that require them to engage with the material they have learned, such as writing out a sample essay response, talking about it or teaching it to peers, or testing their understanding by responding to questions. However, we did not see significant differences in the metacognitive development of students who received more instructional intervention. Anecdotal evidence shows that students may be more likely to make changes to their strategies when they are prompted to do so in conjunction with feedback from formative assessments. The mixed methods approach provided useful snapshots about student metacognitive knowledge and regulation, but was less effective for assessing changes in metacognitive development over time. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of the study’s findings for legal education, focusing on teaching and assessing metacognitive skills in law schools, as well as proposed areas for future research on the metacognitive skills of law students. NOTE: Appendices are available upon email request from the authors.
P201 Virtual Sport Nutrition/Physical Activity Assistant Coach Mobile App for High School Athletes: Prototype Co-Development

Background Currently there are no evidence based sport nutrition/physical activity (SN/PA) coaching apps co-developed with content, research and design experts and high school athletes (HSA) as end users. Objective Researchers and HSA co-develop a virtual SN/PA assistant coach mobile app prototype for HSA to help them eat well and be active all year long. Study Design, Settings, Participants Twenty HSA were recruited based on their gamer's motivation profiles (Quantic Foundry assessment). Twelve junior co-designers (JCD) were selected (14-19y, male = 6; female = 6; 75% non-Hispanic White). Each JCD completed a phone interview with the lead researcher about motivators for HSA using a multiple-pass method. In Round 1, they listed their typical-school-day activities as a student athlete from waking up to going to bed. In Round 2, they identified activities that motivate them and linked their favorite verbs to them. In Round 3, they rated each activity's motivation level and provided a reason for their importance. Finally, they shared what helped them maintain healthy eating and active living during off-season/holiday/sick day. Then JCDs met once in-person (2hr) to ideate the mobile app prototype features. Measurable Outcome/Analysis JCDs identified practical, engaging, and novel features for the app to help student athletes succeed. Results The three most motivating activities were: the sports they played, academic learning, and eating healthy meals. Top three reasons for engaging in their favorite activities were: You need to work hard to be successful; be a student first and keep your grades up; and start off your day right. Top three motivators during off-season/holiday/sick days were: coach keeping them active; workout with teammates/other athletes; and parents being active together. The researchers used this information to draft a wireframe for the mobile app prototype. Conclusion Development of an app that will best engage HSA to maintain year-long healthy eating and physical activity must include input from the end user to help inform the researchers engaged in effective app development. Funding NIFA.
Fusing Horizons: Exploring Qualitative Research and Psychotherapeutic Applications of Social Constructionism

This article describes how social constructionist theory can be applied to the processes of data collection and analysis in qualitative research. In doing so, we borrow from previous discussions of social constructionism within the psychotherapeutic literature. Social constructionist theory, particularly the idea of a “not-knowing” stance, addresses the methodological concern of validity. Furthermore, because a “not-knowing” stance entails a leveling of the hierarchy and minimizing of the power differential between researcher and participant, there is also the potential for turning the research process into an freeing experience for both the researcher and participant.
Cerium oxide nanoparticles for chemical and biological sensors: Properties, sensing designs, and applications

Abstract Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) have seen tremendous interest in recent years because of their unique characteristics at the nanoscale level that include high catalytic activity; large surface area; switchable redox reactivity; oxygen transfer ability; and enzyme mimetic properties, which vary with the size, shape, charge, surface coating, and surface reactivity. These properties make them powerful candidates for the design of chemical and biological sensors with improved detection sensitivity, stability, and simplified detection schemes. This chapter describes the properties of CNPs as active sensing materials and provides a summary of the most successful sensing mechanisms and applications. An overview of various types of sensors that incorporate CNPs and biological receptors highlighting methodological challenges and limitations is also presented.
Lower odds of cardiac events for gonadotropic releasing hormone antagonists versus agonists.

34Background: Gonadotropic releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists are first-line for advanced prostate cancer, but may be associated with cardiac toxicity. Observational studies show a r...
Lung ultrasonography for the diagnosis and monitoring of neonatal meconium aspiration syndrome

Neonatal meconium aspiration syndrome(MAS)is a common critical disease and one of the main risk factors leading to death in newborns.MAS was diagnosed mainly by chest X-ray in the past, but can now easily be diagnosed with lung ultrasound.It can reflect the degree of pathological changes in different parts of the lung through multi-angle scanning, and has many advantages over X-ray including accuracy, reliability, low-cost and simplicity, as well as the fact that ultrasound incurs no risk of radiation damage.It is therefore feasible and convenient to perform at the bedside in a neonatal ward.This paper summarized the sonographic characteristics of MAS, and introduced other applications of lung ultrasonography in the clinical treatment of MAS. Key words: Meconium aspiration syndrome; Ultrasonic diagnosis
Linguistic Politeness in the Marketing Discourse of Pushtoon Service Providers

The paper aims to analyze the linguistic strategies of politeness in the transactional talk of Pushtoon Salesmen with Lahori customers. The current study assumes politeness as a tool to achieve the effect of persuasion. The data was collected randomly from the naturally occurring speech of 26 Pushtoon service providers of Auriga and Barkat Market to show an unbiased representation of the group. The recorded data was then transcribed and examined using Brown and Levinson’s politeness theory. The findings of the study reveal a preference for cultural-specific address terms to soften the tone of face-threatening speech acts. Frequent use of imperatives with kinship terms, like Baji, Bhai, etc. were employed to reduce the threatening impact of direct speech. The results imply that socio-cultural values of the region is crucial to politeness. Adopting certain polite markers, relevant to the socio-cultural values of the region, can compensate for the lack of language proficiency to some extent. Pushtoons service providers seem to have compensated for their lack of proficiency in Urdu by adopting socio-cultural values of Lahore. The present study contributes to the field of discourse construction where the ability of Pushtoon salesmen to use certain linguistic codes and elements to combine into utterances is demonstrated. The study is also a reflection of the pros and cons of a transactional interaction and can be used to train salesmen in marketing discourse.
Antenna-Coupled TES Bolometer Arrays for CMB Polarimetry

We describe the design and performance of polarization selective antenna-coupled TES arrays that will be used in several upcoming Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) experiments: SPIDER, BICEP-2/SPUD. The fully lithographic polarimeter arrays utilize planar phased-antennas for collimation (F/4 beam) and microstrip filters for band definition (25% bandwidth). These devices demonstrate high optical efficiency, excellent beam shapes, and well-defined spectral bands. The dual-polarization antennas provide well-matched beams and low cross polarization response, both important for high-fidelity polarization measurements. These devices have so far been developed for the 100 GHz and 150 GHz bands, two premier millimeter-wave atmospheric windows for CMB observations. In the near future, the flexible microstrip-coupled architecture can provide photon noise-limited detection for the entire frequency range of the CMBPOL mission. This paper is a summary of the progress we have made since the 2006 SPIE meeting in Orlando, FL.
Who Struggles and Who Does Well in Recessions

Recessions are the periods of weak sales, weak cash flows, and weak job markets. The worst way to enter a recession is with a heavy debt load premised on overly optimistic ideas about future growth of sales and earnings. It is doubly bad if that debt is collateralized with durable assets and inventories, whose prices tend to be very soft in recessions, if you can find buyers at all. Thus, in a recession, you cannot get out of debt service problems by growing your income and you cannot get out of debt by selling off assets. Delinquencies defaults and bankruptcy are your only options. In an expansion, the opposite is true. In an expansion, loans backed by hard assets are self-collateralizing as the assets increase in value.
Additional Topics and Extensions

In search for the most efficient computation of nondominated extreme points some other possible approaches may be suggested.
Self-Generated Attitude Change

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses self-generated attitude change. The thought about some nonneutral attitude object in the absence of any new external information or change in overt behavior often results in attitude polarization. Attitude polarization seems to be predicated on cognitive changes such as the addition of consistent cognitions and the reinterpretation of existing inconsistent cognitions. Such changes in cognitions and affect are expected to occur only to the extent that persons have a developed cognitive schema for thinking about the object. One's attitude is a function of those salient cognitions and inferences. The data suggest that persons can tune in more than one schema for thinking about a particular object. Thus, persons have the potential for more than one attitude toward the same object. Some implications for the relationship between attitudes and behavior and for psychotherapy were touched upon. The relationship between this research and group polarization research and mere exposure research are briefly explored. It points out a number of aspects of the present approach that are in need of further elaboration.
Parameterized Verification of the FLASH Cache Coherence Protocol by Compositional Model Checking

We consider the formal verification of the cache coherence protocol of the Stanford FLASH multiprocessor for N processors. The proof uses the SMV proof assistant, a proof system based on symbolic model checking. The proof process is described step by step. The protocol model is derived from an earlier proof of the FLASH protocol, using the PVS system, allowing a direct comparison between the two methods.
Gaussian bounds for derivatives of central Gaussian semigroups on compact groups

For symmetric central Gaussian semigroups on compact connected groups, assuming the existence of a continuous density, we show that this density admits space derivatives of all orders in certain directions. Under some additional assumptions, we prove that these derivatives satisfy certain Gaussian bounds.
The effect of cycloheximide on membrane transport in Euglena. A comparative study with nigericin

Abstract Cycloheximide and nigericin have been found to inhibit the uptake of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and glucose in Euglena gracilis with the inhibition of uptake of DNP being dependent upon a prior incubation of the cells with the antibiotics. The effect that cycloheximide exhibited upon the uptake of DNP and glucose was related to the growth phase of the cell. In log phase cells 3.6, 36, and 360 µm cycloheximide inhibited the uptake of DNP by 90%, whereas in carbon-starved cells the uptake of DNP was inhibited only by 5 to 15% by 360 µm cycloheximide but 3.6 µm cycloheximide was as effective in the inhibition of uptake in starved cells as in log phase cells. Although 360 µm cycloheximide exhibited little effect upon the uptake of DNP and glucose in starved cells, the inhibition of protein synthesis was virtually complete. This observation coupled with the finding that after removal of the antibiotic the inhibition of protein synthesis and the inhibition of uptake of DNP exhibited different recovery patterns suggested that the inhibition of membrane transport by cycloheximide was not a consequence of the inhibition of protein synthesis. A decrease in the polyribosome content, with a corresponding increase in the amount of monosomes, was observed when log phase cells were incubated with either 3.6 µm cycloheximide or 1.4 µm nigericin. It was suggested that the inhibition of uptake of DNP by cycloheximide and nigericin was due either to a decrease in the pH gradient existing between the inside and outside of the cell or to an effect upon membrane function such that the un-ionized form of DNP was no longer permeable. The mechanism by which the inhibition of membrane transport was manifested by the two antibiotics was not viewed as being identical.
BER analysis and power allocation for cooperative diversity networks with distributed Alamouti code

In this paper, we consider the distributed Alamouti code for a cooperative diversity network consisting of a source, a non-regenerative relay, and a destination. While in the first time phase, the source radiates signals to both relay and destination; in the second time phase, the source and the relay cooperatively send signals to the destination by using an Alamouti code. Considering the amplify-and-forward protocol and independent Rayleigh fading, we first derive the exact average bit error rate performance in a single integral expression so that the system performance can be numerically evaluated. Then, based on a new approximation method of the Marcum Q-function, we also give a tight upper bound for the system performance with a summation of a number of series components. We demonstrate through simulation that, in various operation scenarios with different channel quality and types of modulation, the results of the exact bit error rate expression accurately matches the simulation results, and the bound is tighter and more robust than existing approximation methods. Finally, we show that the analytic work also provides a method for the optimal allocation of power between the source and the relay in the second time phase. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discovery of Potent and Selective 8-Fluorotriazolopyridine c-Met Inhibitors

The overexpression of c-Met and/or hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), the amplification of the MET gene, and mutations in the c-Met kinase domain can activate signaling pathways that contribute to cancer progression by enabling tumor cell proliferation, survival, invasion, and metastasis. Herein, we report the discovery of 8-fluorotriazolopyridines as inhibitors of c-Met activity. Optimization of the 8-fluorotriazolopyridine scaffold through the combination of structure-based drug design, SAR studies, and metabolite identification provided potent (cellular IC50 < 10 nM), selective inhibitors of c-Met with desirable pharmacokinetic properties that demonstrate potent inhibition of HGF-mediated c-Met phosphorylation in a mouse liver pharmacodynamic model.
Requirements for NFP service delivery: an overview.

This paper reviews the salient features of natural family planning (NFP) and how it is provided. It also reviews the issues that influence how NFP is main-streamed including client needs, provider expectations and capabilities, service delivery strategies and policy questions. Ways providers could make NFP easier for clients to learn include incorporating fertility awareness in all family planning client education efforts, teaching NFP in groups, and using a competency-based approach to teach NFP. The question of whether NFP teachers need to be users is analyzed from historical and current perspectives, and four options are presented for organizing NFP services in multi-method settings. Finally, the policy issues that multi-method providers will need to address when NFP is incorporated into their choice of methods are discussed.
Severe Maxillary Osteomyelitis in a Gray Wolf ( Canis lupus )

Whereas dental injuries and abnormalities have been documented in Gray Wolves ( Canis lupus ), severe maxillary necrosis has not previously been implicated in a Gray Wolf fatality. Here I report maxillary osteomyelitis in a wild Gray Wolf from northeastern Minnesota of such severity that I hypothesize it ultimately led to death by starvation.
Mars: Long Term Changes in the State and Distribution of H2O

A model for H2O distribution and migration on Mars has been formulated which takes into account: 1) thermal variations at all depths in the regolith due to variations in obliquity, eccentricity and the solar constant; 2) variations in atmospheric partial pressure of water (PH2O) caused by corresponding changes in polar surface insolation; and 3) the finite kinetics of H2O migration in both the regolith and atmosphere. Results suggest that regolith H2O transport rates are more strongly influenced by polar-controlled atmospheric PH2O variations than variations in pore gas PH2O brought about by thermal variations at the buried ice interface. The configuration of the ice interface as a function of assumed soil parameters and time is derived. Withdrawal of ice proceeds to various depths at latitudes 50° and transfer of H2O to the polar cap. The transfer has a somewhat oscillatory character, but only 1g/cm2 is shifted into and out of the regolith during each obliquity cycle. The net irreversible and inexorable transfer of H2O to higher latitudes involves between 1 × 106 km and 1 × 107 km3 of H2O over the history of Mars for most reasonable sets of assumptions. This mass is comparable to the amount of material removed from deflated terrain at mid and low latitudes and to the mass of the polar cap. We conclude that this process combined with periodic thermal cycles played a major role in development of the fretted terrain, deflationary features in general, patterned ground, the north polar cap and the layered terrain.
Economic analysis of athletic team coverage by an orthopedic practice

Abstract Objective: Coverage of high school football by orthopedic sports medicine specialists is considered standard of care in many localities. Determining the economic viability of this endeavor has never been investigated. The primary purpose of the present investigation was to perform an economic analysis of local high school sports coverage by an orthopedic sports medicine practice. Methods: From January 2010 to June 2012, a prospective injury report database was used to collect sports injuries from five high school athletic programs covered by a single, private orthopedic sports medicine practice. Patients referred for orthopedic care were then tracked to determine expected cost of care (potential revenue). Evaluation and management codes and current procedure terminology codes were obtained to determine the value of physician visits and surgical care rendered. Overhead costs were calculated based on historical rates within our practice and incorporated to determine estimated profit. Results: 19,16...
Polypharmacy in pediatric patients and opportunities for pharmacists' involvement

Rates of chronic conditions among pediatrics have been steadily increasing and medications used to treat these conditions have also shown a proportional increase. Most clinical trials focus on the safety of solitary medications in adult patients. However, data from these trials are often times extrapolated for use in pediatric patients who have different pharmacokinetic processes and physical profiles. As research increases and more drugs become available for pediatric use, the issue of polypharmacy becomes more of a concern. Polypharmacy is defined as the practice of administering or using multiple medications concurrently for the treatment of one to several medical disorders. With the increased rates of diagnosed complex disease states as prescribed mediations in pediatric patients, the prevalence and effect of polypharmacy in this patient population is largely a mystery. Polypharmacy falls within the realm of expertise of specialized pharmacists who can undertake medication therapy management services, medical chart reviews, and other services in pediatrics. Pharmacists have the time and knowledge to undertake pertinent interventions when managing polypharmacy and can play a major positive role in preventing adverse events. The aim of this paper is to review the literature on pediatric polypharmacy and provide insight into opportunities for pharmacists to help with management of polypharmacy. Information on adverse events, efficacy, and long-term outcomes with regard to growth and development of children subject to polypharmacy has yet to be published, leaving this realm of patient safety ripe for research.
Quick and Dirty Refereeing

Mathematical proofs can run into hundreds of pages, making it extremely difficult to check whether they are correct. In his Perspective, [Sudan][1] asks whether methods developed by theoretical computer scientists may help to verify mathematical proofs. The approach enables the probabilistic checking of proofs by reading just a few bits. However, the proofs need to be written in a specific new format. Mathematicians may not find the method useful, because they expect more insights from proofs than just their correctness, but the new methods may find use in the verification of the correct execution of computer programs. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/301/5637/1191