cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydroxypropylation improves film properties of high amylose corn starch

Abstract Important characteristics of solvent-cast films prepared with modified high amylose corn starch were compared. The hydroxypropylation of high amylose corn starch with propylene oxide at 3–12% (w/w starch basis) and glycerol as plasticizer reduced film brittleness. Increasingly intact and transparent films with higher elongation at break ( E ) were obtained with higher concentrations of propylene oxide- E increased from 37.55 to 63.37% for 3 and 12% propylene oxide, respectively. However, corresponding tensile strength (TS) of the films decreased from 15.98 MPa to 8.85 MPa. Plasticizer types (glycerol, sorbitol, xylitol, and mixtures of glycerol/sorbitol or glycerol/xylitol) and contents (10–25%, w/w of starch) strongly affected the film formation and characteristics of hydroxypropylated high amylose corn starch. The hydroxypropylation with 6% (w/w) propylene oxide (6HPHACS) and 20% (w/w) glycerol resulted in optimal cast-films, based on both appearance and mechanical properties. These films exhibited better flexibility with adequate tensile strength and water vapor permeability.
Sex-dependent differences in voluntary physical activity

Numbers of overweight and obese individuals are increasing in the United States and globally, and, correspondingly, the associated health care costs are rising dramatically. More than one-third of children are currently considered obese with a predisposition to type 2 diabetes, and it is likely that their metabolic conditions will worsen with age. Physical inactivity has also risen to be the leading cause of many chronic, noncommunicable diseases (NCD). Children are more physically inactive now than they were in past decades, which may be due to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In rodents, the amount of time engaged in spontaneous activity within the home cage is a strong predictor of later adiposity and weight gain. Thus, it is important to understand primary motivators stimulating physical activity (PA). There are normal sex differences in PA levels in rodents and humans. The perinatal environment can induce sex-dependent differences in PA disturbances. This Review considers the current evidence for sex differences in PA in rodents and humans. The rodent studies showing that early exposure to environmental chemicals can shape later adult PA responses are discussed. Next, whether there are different motivators stimulating exercise in male vs. female humans are examined. Finally, the brain regions, genes, and pathways that modulate PA in rodents, and possibly by translation in humans, are described. A better understanding of why each sex remains physically active through the life span could open new avenues for preventing and treating obesity in children and adults. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Abstract 1819: Profiling of extracellular matrix proteins in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression and metastasis

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death, and is characterized by accumulation of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM). Although the ECM of tumors, such as PDAC, has long been known to have major effects on behavior of both tumor and stromal cells, including invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and resistance to therapy, the detailed composition of the ECM in PDAC tumor progression and metastasis are not understood. To study the involvement of ECM proteins in PDAC primary tumor growth and the tissue-specific metastasis program, we modified the comprehensive ECM proteomic approach by Mass Spectrometry (MS) recently developed in our lab to profile the ECM changes during PDAC progression in both the LSL-KrasG12D/+; LSL-Trp53R127H/+; Pdx-1-Cre (KPC) mouse models of PDAC and human patient samples. We will compare ECM profiles from normal pancreas, pancreatitis, early and late pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) stages, and PDAC. Initial MS identified between 100 and 140 ECM proteins in samples representing each stage. The changes identified include changes previously associated with PDAC (e.g., upregulation of Tnc, Lox) plus novel, previously unreported changes. The combination of mouse models and human samples will allow us to uncover critical ECM changes during PDAC progression and metastasis and, furthermore, to investigate and understand the functional consequences of such changes. The ongoing studies will characterize the ECM of PDAC in detail and provide novel insights into diagnosis, prognosis and treatments of this very difficult disease.
Material Selection of an Elastomer Capable of Absorbing Vibrations Actuated by a 4D Movie Theater

The objective was to investigate possible vibration isolator solutions for a 4D entertainment theater. The paper focused on resolving a vibration leakage issue experienced by customers of Company A which manufactures tactile motion actuators for 4D theater entertainment purposes. The investigation started by utilizing Cambridge Engineering Selector software to determine the value of the mechanical loss factor for given materials. Elastomers had the best mechanical loss coefficient, specifically polyurethanes. While considering the specifications provided by Company A, certain parameters such as nominal load withstanding and prices were considered. After investigating the materials thoroughly, Sorbothane showed the best performance along with suitable prices. The vibrational system investigated resulted in a frequency ratio of 6, and a transmissibility of 2.86% at normal conditions, which indicates that the material selected was suitable. Sorbothane material at shore 00 and durometer 50 showed its capability to withstand maximum nominal loading at 635 kg (1400 lbs). This was 57% higher than the targeted loading. The mechanical loss factor was 0.52 at 50-Hz excitation frequency, which was high enough to dissipate excessive vibrations.
The Anthropology of Skin Colors: An Examination of the Evolution of Skin Pigmentation and the Concepts of Race and Skin of Color

The diverse array of human skin colors is a product of adaptive evolution that has occurred as ancestral and modern humans have dispersed into environments with diverse ultraviolet radiation (UVR) regimes. Eumelanin regulates the penetration and biological activity of UVR into the skin, and its presence affects the rates of photodegradation of folate and of photosynthesis of vitamin D in the skin. The earliest members of the genus Homo and of the species Homo sapiens evolved in equatorial Africa and had darkly pigmented skin, rich in natural eumelanin sunscreen. Dispersals of humans into nontropical latitudes in Africa and Eurasia were associated with strong natural selection favoring depigmentation. Multiple dispersals in time and space resulted in the evolution of multiple genetic solutions to the same adaptive problem, and the evolution of similar skin color phenotypes caused by different suites of pigmentation genes. There is no biological basis for the concepts of race or ethnicity because they are nonexclusive categories defined by cultural and linguistic characteristics. Their utility in biomedical studies is limited to their imperfect synonymy class, and class-based associations with health outcomes. “Skin of color” designates non-European skin, and lacks any inherent biological unity except for usually exhibiting more eumelanin.
Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands Dispute

Chapter 9 examines the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands dispute between China and Japan, assesses Zhou’s views on the dispute in the light of the current Chinese policy on this territorial dispute, and explores how President Xi Jinping should learn from Zhou’s stance on the territorial dispute.
Resting-state functional connectivity changes due to acute and short-term valproic acid administration in the baboon model of GGE

Abstract Resting-state functional connectivity (FC) is altered in baboons with genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) compared to healthy controls (CTL). We compared FC changes between GGE and CTL groups after intravenous injection of valproic acid (VPA) and following one-week of orally administered VPA. Seven epileptic (2 females) and six CTL (3 females) baboons underwent resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) at 1) baseline, 2) after intravenous acute VPA administration (20 mg/kg), and 3) following seven-day oral, subacute VPA therapy (20–80 mg/kg/day). FC was evaluated using a data-driven approach, while regressing out the group-wise effects of age, gender and VPA levels. Sixteen networks were identified by independent component analysis (ICA). Each network mask was thresholded (z > 4.00; p
A case of congenital retinal macrovessel in an otherwise normal eye.

Abstract Purpose To present the case of a 37-year-old female with a foveal macrovessel. Observations The patient had an incidental finding of congenital retinal macrovessel (CRM) in the left eye on optical coherence tomography (OCT). Visual acuity was normal, and slit lamp and dilated fundus examinations were otherwise unremarkable. OCT angiography (OCTA) imaging allowed for visualization of the depth profile of the vessel as well as the foveal avascular zone (FAZ). The FAZ and foveal pit were both smaller in the affected eye compared to the fellow eye. Conclusions and importance We describe findings of OCTA imaging in a patient with CRM. Previous reports have relied on examination using fluorescein angiography, which does not provide sufficient axial resolution to discern the different vascular plexuses. This report further characterizes how this rare condition can affect foveal morphology and retinal vasculature.
Early Prevention and Treatment Interventions for Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a challenge that pediatric providers face daily in the clinical setting. As a multifactorial chronic illness, obesity is complex, with numerous possible prevention, and treatment strategies. Clinical interventions in the primary care setting address factors such as promoting healthy behaviors from the beginning of life, increasing parental understanding of weight status and its relationship to health, dietary behaviors, screen time, and physical activity. These behaviors can be addressed through counseling and intervention tools, such as motivational interviewing. These interventions and tools can serve to strengthen clinical partnerships and unite practitioners and caregivers in successful obesity prevention and treatment. Despite increased efforts in policy, as well as clinical and community-based interventions, there has been no dramatic decrease in pediatric obesity, and the nation has actually seen increases in severe obesity. Pediatric providers are learning that many clinical interventions may be starting too late. Recent research shows a relationship between bottle size and early weight gain, significant screen time exposure beginning earlier in infancy than recommended, and relationships between early sleep and obesity, prompting the need for early counseling on these issues. There are some new findings about novel strategies, like incorporating the new principles of digital health, as well as the application of established tool of motivational interviewing applied to families with infants or young children. Helping parents adopt behaviors in diet and physical activity is a challenge for pediatric health care providers. Pediatric health care providers’ use of tailored and easy-to-understand toolkits, motivational interviewing, culturally sensitive and patient-centered approaches, technology-enhanced care, and earlier interventions can be effective for the long-term success of obesity prevention and treatment in, and out of, the clinical setting.
Likelihood of total resolution in selective comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography with parallel processing: Simulation and theory.

Abstract The probability Pr ( sLC × LC ) that all peaks are separated by a resolution of 1.5 or more in selective comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography (sLC × LC) is computed for simple model systems of 5 to 60 peaks and first-dimension (1D) gradient times of 100 to 2000 s. The computations include mimics of a commercial instrument, whose fixed second-dimension (2D) gradient time and use of one cycle time for initialization reduces Pr ( sLC × LC ) relative to an earlier report. For serial sLC × LC, in which a single device collects and transfers 1D multiplets to the second dimension, Pr ( sLC × LC ) under practical conditions is predicted to be only slightly larger than the probability of total resolution in LC × LC for separations of the same duration in each case. To increase Pr ( sLC × LC ) , two model systems are proposed based on parallel processing, in which one device collects multiplets from the first separation while a second device simultaneously transfers fractions from previously collected multiplets to the second dimension for further separation. A sum of probabilities guideline is proposed by which optimal fixed 2D gradient times, ranging from 9.5 to 12 s, are found for both serial and parallel models. The increases of Pr ( sLC × LC ) based on parallel processing are modest; the largest is only 0.062 for one system and 0.106 for the other, relative to the serial model. A theory is derived that rationalizes the modesty of the increase, which was unexpected. It shows that Pr ( sLC × LC ) equals the probability of total resolution in the first dimension, plus the product of the probability that all 1D multiplets are transferred to the second dimension and the probability that all multiplets are separated in the second dimension. The theory shows that, although parallel processing is better than serial processing for multiplet transfer, the ability to leverage this gain is offset by the limited probability that all multiplets are then actually separated in the second dimension, which is only about 0.55 for conditions where the change from serial to parallel processing is most beneficial. With these findings in hand, two scenarios are examined for future consideration: one in which the 2D peak capacity is doubled, and another in which multiplets are always transferred to the second dimension. The latter shows considerable promise for increasing Pr ( sLC × LC ) substantially beyond its counterpart in LC × LC. For example, a 50% probability of separating all peaks in a 15-component mixture can be reached in 1150 s using LC × LC. The same probability can be reached in the same time for a sample with nearly twice as many components (27) in the case of sLC × LC, assuming transfer of all multiplets to the second dimension. These findings will be useful to those considering systematic approaches to developing 2D-LC methods for moderately complex mixtures, and to those interested in instrument development for 2D-LC.
Skull base tumors: Surgical considerations

Abstract Surgical resection is considered the mainstay treatment modality of most skull base chordomas and chondrosarcomas. Adequate exposure for maximal safe tumor resection while reducing the risks of complications and properly reconstructing the skull base defect created during the approach are the fundamental principles of skull base surgery. Nevertheless, the choice of surgical approach to these tumors requires a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the central skull base from which they most commonly arise. This chapter will review important considerations in the management of patients harboring skull base chordomas and chondrosarcomas with emphasis on surgical treatment and will include a comprehensive description of open transcranial and endoscopic endonasal approaches, which should ultimately assist the reader in selecting the most appropriate surgical approach and treatment strategy for individual patients.
LEDs and automotive lighting applications

Abstract This chapter discusses the use of light emitting diode (LED) sources in vehicular lighting for illumination and signaling. Photometric requirements for automotive lighting are discussed, along with the key differences between LED and filament sources in terms of visual responses. Finally, the energy and environmental implications for LEDs in automobiles are discussed.
Developing parsimonious ensembles using predictor diversity within a reinforcement learning framework.

Heterogeneous ensembles built from the predictions of a wide variety and large number of diverse base predictors represent a potent approach to building predictive models for problems where the ideal base/individual predictor may not be obvious. Ensemble selection is an especially promising approach here, not only for improving prediction performance, but also because of its ability to select a collectively predictive subset, often a relatively small one, of the base predictors. In this paper, we present a set of algorithms that explicitly incorporate ensemble diversity, a known factor influencing predictive performance of ensembles, into a reinforcement learning framework for ensemble selection. We rigorously tested these approaches on several challenging problems and associated data sets, yielding that several of them produced more accurate ensembles than those that don't explicitly consider diversity. More importantly, these diversity-incorporating ensembles were much smaller in size, i.e., more parsimonious, than the latter types of ensembles. This can eventually aid the interpretation or reverse engineering of predictive models assimilated into the resultant ensemble(s).
Treatment Effects of Parent-Child Focused Evidence-Based Programs on Problem Severity and Functioning among Children and Adolescents with Disruptive Behavior.

This study examined the treatment effects of manualized parent–child focused evidence-based programs (EBPs), characterized by an emphasis on parental involvement and engagement, on functioning and problem severity among a statewide sample of children and adolescents referred to outpatient psychiatric clinic for serious and persistent disruptive behavior. Propensity score matching was employed to account for baseline differences between children and adolescents (Mage = 8.4 years; 26% girls; 42% White, 10% Black, 42% Hispanic, 5% other) who received parent–child focused EBPs (treatment group; n = 220) and treatment-as-usual (comparison group; n = 2,543). Children and adolescents who received parent–child focused EBPs showed significantly greater reduction in problem severity compared to the comparison group, indicative of a drop below the clinical threshold for problem behavior. However, the pattern of improvement in problem severity was not paralleled by differential improvement in ratings of child functio...
Pharmacogenomics: Tailoring Treatment Based on Genotype

Pharmacogenomics is a medical science that promotes personalized medicine, i.e., providing the right drug at the right concentration at the right time. An individual’s genetic makeup is a determinant as to how pharmacologic medications are absorbed, transported, metabolized, and excreted. Currently, genetic polymorphisms in the genes that produce drug-metabolizing enzymes cause the greatest variance in drug response. Therefore to date, most of the focus for pharmacogenomic testing has been for these genes. There are no pharmacogenomic tests for variances in transport proteins that are in routine clinical practice.
Improved coping to mediate the positive effects of integrated palliative care on quality of life and depression.

10023Background: In a recent trial, early integrated palliative care (PC) improved quality of life (QOL) and reduced depression symptoms in patients with newly-diagnosed incurable lung and gastroin...
Distributional Impacts of Energy-Heat Cross-Subsidization.

Abstract Energy and heat cross-subsidies are common in developing and transitioning countries, but the distributional and efficiency impacts of these policies (and reform) are largely unknown. In Post-Soviet countries such as Belarus, revenues from an industrial tariff on electricity are used to cross-subsidize heating for households. We analyze the distributional impacts of cross-subsidy reform with both input output methods and a calibrated static computable general equilibrium (CGE) model with heterogeneous households based on a household consumption survey. On average, GDP gains of roughly a quarter of a percent are computed across model runs which reduce taxes and subsidies from cross-subsidization. Reducing household heating subsidy rates equally across income groups is found to be regressive. Poorer households are overly-burdened due to higher heating expenditures while richer households enjoy gains from cheaper market prices for goods. The GDP gains are even larger when the tax rates are structured to create a distributionally-neutral reform.
Writing and Adapting Disability: Galdós’ Marianela and Pablo Messiez’s Los ojos

Drawing on David Mitchell and Sharon Snyder’s concept of narrative prosthesis to refer to both the pervasive presence of disability in mainstream discourse and the conventions used to represent it, this article compares how disability is handled in Benito Perez Galdos’ novel, Marianela and in its theatrical adaptation, Los ojos, by the Argentinian playwright Pablo Messiez. In his novel Galdos seemingly follows the typical pattern of representing disability through his curing of Pablo’s blindness, but then he subverts that pattern by using Marianela’s death and burial to draw attention to the artificiality of the conventions aimed at eliminating disability from narratives. In his adaptation, Messiez shifts the focus from disability to nationality, transforming Nela and her mother into Argentine immigrants living in Spain. Through them he exposes the Otherness experienced by immigrants which marginalizes them, and he undermines the stigma of foreignness by redefining the concept of national identity. In so doing, however, Messiez eliminates Galdos’ challenge to mainstream representations of disability, allowing his play to follow the standard pattern identified by Mitchell and Snyder.
Professions today: self-criticism and reflections for the future

This article revisits my 1977 work The Rise of Professionalism, outlining what I now believe was wrong in my book and what I think may still be useful in order to move on to some ideas about the present situation. One of the predominant questions is whether we should completely merge the study of professions with that of knowledge-based occupations. And if we accept that the age of experts has entirely supplanted the former public life of trustee professions, what consequences derive? What trends will future research need to consider? These tentative and incomplete ideas should be read as calls for further research.
Research on PV Generation Participating in Power Grid Frequency Regulation

With the large-scale access of photovoltaic(PV) power generation, the proportion of photovoltaic power generation in the whole power system is more and more larger. If photovoltaic power continues to operate at the maximum power point and not provide support for the frequency regulation of the system, it will probably affect the frequency security of the power grid. At present, some related studies have taken photovoltaic power generation at the maximum power point as the premise. When the frequency of the power grid rises, photovoltaic power generation reduces power output according to the set slope to participate in power grid frequency regulation. It can play a role in the frequency support of the power grid, but it is still not enough. In this paper, a new control strategy of photovoltaic power generation to participate in the regulation of the power grid frequency is proposed. There is a certain reserve for the photovoltaic power generation through power curtailment, so that the photovoltaic power has the ability to participate in the frequency regulation of the power grid by increasing or reducing the power output. When the power grid is disturbed, different active power regulation modes are used to participate in the frequency regulation of the power grid according to the initial change rate of the power grid frequency. Finally, a simulation example is given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Maternal corticosterone increases thermal sensitivity of heart rate in lizard embryos

While it is well established that maternal stress hormones, such as corticosterone (CORT), can induce transgenerational phenotypic plasticity, few studies have addressed the influence of maternal CORT on pre-natal life stages. We tested the hypothesis that experimentally increased CORT levels of gravid female eastern fence lizards ( Sceloporus undulatus) would alter within-egg embryonic phenotype, particularly heart rates. We found that embryos from CORT-treated mothers had heart rates that increased faster with increasing temperature, resulting in higher heart rates at developmentally relevant temperatures but similar heart rates at maintenance relevant temperatures, compared with embryos of control mothers. Thus, maternal CORT appears to alter the physiology of pre-natal offspring. This may speed development and decrease the amount of time spent in eggs, the most vulnerable stage of life.
Supporting Grass Roots Implementation of an Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Through a Virtual Community of Practice: A Case Example in the Department of Veterans Affairs

Abstract In contrast to a top-down dissemination approach, the present approach identified existing clinicians using an evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP), dialectical behavior therapy, throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system, and created a virtual community of practice (VCoP) to facilitate sharing of materials, resources, information, and clinical expertise. This “bottom-up” or grassroots approach to building a VCoP has potential to support the adoption of EBPs in settings without the resources required to support a large-scale training and consultation initiative. The objective of the current paper is to describe creation, dissemination, and web analytics data of this VCoP to connect providers using an EBP in a national health care system. The VCoP was created using SharePoint and development included user acceptance testing. Dissemination was achieved through a variety of outlets, including use of e-mail listservs, promotion on internal Web sites, and presentations. Monthly Web analytics data were collected on number of unique users, location of users, and number of requests or visits. Monthly Web analytics data indicated that the site was visited every workday in the first year and consistently across 5 years. Number of unique users and number of requests was relatively stable with increases corresponding to efforts to increase site engagement. Location of users demonstrates a wide reach across the VA system. Web analytics data indicate sustained use of the site by providers and methods to facilitate and increase use and interaction appeared to have a positive impact. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of such a strategy on provider behavior.
Catalysis and Electron Transfer in De Novo Designed Helical Scaffolds

The relationship between protein structure and function is one of the greatest puzzles within biochemistry. De novo metalloprotein design is a way to wipe the board clean and determine what is required to build in function from the ground up in an unrelated structure. This Review focuses on protein design efforts to create de novo metalloproteins within alpha-helical scaffolds. Examples of successful designs include those with carbonic anhydrase or nitrite reductase activity by incorporating a ZnHis3 or CuHis3 site, or that recapitulate the spectroscopic properties of unique electron-transfer sites in cupredoxins (CuHis2 Cys) or rubredoxins (FeCys4 ). This work showcases the versatility of alpha helices as scaffolds for metalloprotein design and the progress that is possible through careful rational design. Our studies cover the invariance of carbonic anhydrase activity with different site positions and scaffolds, refinement of our cupredoxin models, and enhancement of nitrite reductase activity up to 1000-fold.
Discovering structure in multiple outcomes models for tests of childhood neurodevelopment.

Bayesian model-based clustering provides a powerful and flexible tool that can be incorporated into regression models to better understand the grouping of observations. Using data from the Seychelles Child Development Study, we explore the effect of prenatal methylmercury exposure on 20 neurodevelopmental outcomes measured in 9-year-old children. Rather than cluster individual subjects, we cluster the outcomes within a multiple outcomes model. By using information in the data to nest the outcomes into groups called domains, the model more accurately reflects the shared characteristics of neurodevelopmental domains and improves estimation of the overall and outcome-specific exposure effects by shrinking effects within and between domains selected by the data. The Bayesian paradigm allows for sampling from the posterior distribution of the grouping parameters; thus, inference can be made about group membership and their defining characteristics. We avoid the often difficult and highly subjective requirement of a priori identification of the total number of groups by incorporating a Dirichlet process prior to form a fully Bayesian multiple outcomes model.
Real Time Simulation of Transient Overvoltage and Common-Mode during Line-to-Ground Fault in DC Ungrounded Systems

Real Time (RT) simulation of Power Electronics (PE) allows engineers to interface real-time controls for controller hardware-in-the-loop CHiL. CHiL verification moves a design from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 to TRL 4. For RT CHiL simulation of DC protection systems, the RT simulation platform must be able to simulate common mode behavior, various grounding schemes, and fault transients at sufficiently high resolution so as not to interfere with the protection system design. This paper demonstrates this capability using a Latency Based Linear Multistep Compount (LB-LMC) simulation method implemented in Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), in order to achieve 50ns resolution of common mode behaviors, including Line-to-Ground (LG) overvoltages resulting from LG faults and fault recovery in ungrounded DC systems. This resolution in RT cannot be achieved with today's commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) RT CHiL platforms. Furthermore, this capability can be expanded to other grounding schemes and larger PE networks, enabling RT CHiL validation of protection schemes for networks of power electronic converters at TRL 4.
Simulation of high-resolution test objects using non-isocentric acquisition geometries in next-generation digital tomosynthesis

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) systems utilize an isocentric acquisition geometry which introduces imaging artifacts that are deleterious to image reconstructions. The next-generation tomosynthesis (NGT) prototype was designed to incorporate various x-ray source and detector motions for the purpose of investigating alternative acquisition geometries for DBT. Non-isocentric acquisition geometries, acquisitions that vary the image magnification between projection images, are capable of ameliorating aliasing and other artifacts that are intrinsic to conventional DBT. We used virtual clinical trials (VCTs) to develop custom acquisition geometries for the NGT prototype. A high-resolution (5μm voxel size) star pattern test object was simulated to compare the high-frequency performance of isocentric with non-isocentric image reconstructions. A tilted bar pattern test object was also simulated to compare multiplanar reconstructions (MPR) of isocentric and non-isocentric acquisition geometries. Two source- and detector-motion paths were simulated to obtain super-sampled image reconstructions of the test objects. An aliasing-sensitive metric was used to evaluate spatial resolution performance for two orthogonal frequency orientations. Pairwise comparisons were made for the two frequency orientations between the isocentric and non-isocentric acquisition geometries. Non-isocentric acquisition geometries show an improvement over isocentric acquisition geometries. The greatest improvement was 75.2% for frequencies aligned perpendicular to x-ray source motion, which is the direction of frequencies for which DBT is prone to aliasing. Both frequency orientations exhibit super resolution for non-isocentric geometries. MPR of the tilted bar pattern show zdependent degener
Study on preventive nursing measures to urinary retention after major gynecological surgery

Objective To study preventive nursing measures to urinary retention after major gynecological surgery and clinical effects,provide a reference for related clinical practice. Methods One hundred of eighteen patients were selected who were implemented radical surgical treatment of gynecological from April 2007 to September 2011 in our hospital and randomly divided into observation group and control group,Observation group was given designed preventive nursing measures,and control group was given conventional nursing.The incidence of urinary retention,catheterization rates and catheter indwelling time of the two groups were evaluated and compared.Results The incidence of urinary retention and the catheterization rate in observation group all were significantly lower than those in control group ( P ＜0.05 ),there was no significant difference in the average catheter indwelling time between two groups ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusions After major gynecological surgery active preventive nursing measures should be taken to prevent the occurrence of urinary retention. Key words: Gynaecology; Major surgery; Urinary retention; Nursing
The Legitimacy of Privatization: Examination of Changes in Attitudes towards Government Ownership of Business in Ten Countries

While privatization garners support in the elite international institutions, it is less clear how strongly the public supports it. By conducting a statistical analysis of changes in attitudes towar...
A novel virus transforms blood transfusion: This is the first in a series of periodic commentaries by leaders in transfusion medicine reflecting on transformational events in their careers.

The plaque on the northeast corner of the National Archives, the building that houses the United States' founding documents, states, "What is past is prologue " From Shakespeare's The Tempest, the quotation originally implied that historical events set the stage for momentous choices and events to follow An alternate, contemporary interpretation is that if we fail to learn from history, we are doomed to repeat previous mistakes Today, we face a dramatic inflection point in history While its full scope and impact are not yet clear, the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be marking a new era and ushering in a new paradigm In this issue of TRANSFUSION, Dr Harvey Klein of the National Institutes of Health provides an eloquent first-person account of a different inflection point -the period when AIDS transformed transfusion medicine (REF) Dr Harvey Klein's commentary includes a list of lessons learned For readers not yet in the field when that particular crisis occurred, what is past may indeed also serve as prologue The post-AIDS policy decisions established a blood-safety paradigm that has persisted for several decades Dr Harvey Klein's contribution represents the first in a periodic series, entitled Inflection Points, where senior members of our discipline reflect on critical events that helped shape their careers and the field We hope to share hard-won insights with the next generation of transfusion medicine practitioners as they assume leadership and decision-making roles
Identity Narration and Negotiation among Older Adults Experiencing Homelessness

To be old and homeless is to face multiple stigmatized identities simultaneously. This qualitative study explored how older homeless adults construct their personal and social identities to manage ...
Flipped Classroom: Success with First Year Mathematics Students.

In the modern era of internet and social media, teachers are pursuing new methods to integrate online resources and techniques into their curriculum and flipped classroom instruction model has been their response to this heightened digital migration. Despite this high amount of interest, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of classroom flipping in mathematics on student academic outcomes. Specifically, no rigorous studies of the effects of flipping a mathematics course on students’ mathematical understandings, course satisfaction and student’s success appear in the literature. This study aims to understand the effectiveness of flipped classroom in first year undergraduate mathematics students at university level by measuring student’s success via (1) students’ overall course satisfaction (2) students’ pre and post-test grade and (3) student’s pass rate. Our study showed improved student’s perception of course satisfaction and improved final grades (post-test compared to pre-test). We noticed some improvement in pass rate of flipped classroom students compared to non-flipped classroom students, but it was not statistically significant. We recommend future studies to see if this student’s success transforms into improvement in student’s attrition, retention, progression and graduation rate.
Asexual Experimental Evolution of Yeast Does Not Curtail Transposable Elements.

Compared with asexual reproduction, sex facilitates the transmission of transposable elements (TEs) from one genome to another, but boosts the efficacy of selection against deleterious TEs. Thus, theoretically, it is unclear whether sex has a positive net effect on TE's proliferation. An empirical study concluded that sex is at the root of TE's evolutionary success because the yeast TE load was found to decrease rapidly in approximately 1000 generations of asexual but not sexual experimental evolution. However, this finding contradicts the maintenance of TEs in natural yeast populations where sexual reproduction occurs extremely infrequently. Here we show that the purported TE load reduction during asexual experimental evolution is likely an artifact of low genomic sequencing coverages. We observe stable TE loads in both sexual and asexual experimental evolution from multiple yeast datasets with sufficient coverages. To understand the evolutionary dynamics of yeast TEs, we turn to asexual mutation accumulation (MA) lines that have been under virtually no selection. We find that both TE transposition and excision rates per generation, but not their difference, tend to be higher in environments where yeast grows more slowly. However, the transposition rate is not significantly higher than the excision rate and the variance of the TE number among natural strains is close to its neutral expectation, suggesting that selection against TEs is at best weak in yeast. We conclude that the yeast TE load is maintained largely by a transposition-excision balance and that the influence of sex remains unclear.
Morphology-dependent fluorescence of europium-doped cerium oxide nanomaterials

Europium-doped CeO2 nanomaterials have been investigated for a variety of sensing and biological applications, as doping enhances the catalytic activity of CeO2 and contributes visible fluorescence to the nanomaterial. However, scant evidence is available that directly compares Eu3+ fluorescence from multiple morphologies establishing useful correlation(s) between physical and optical trends in such structures. To address this shortcoming, Eu3+-doped CeO2 nanorods, nanowires, nanocubes, and annealed nanorods were synthesized and characterized, representing a range of crystalline defect sizes, defect concentrations, and surface moieties. Morphologies rich with oxygen defects and hydroxyl groups (assessed via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) quenched the Eu3+ fluorescence, while samples with larger crystalline domains and lower Ce3+ concentrations have relatively stronger emission intensities. Of the four morphologies, nanocubes exhibit the strongest emission, as each structure is monocrystalline with few oxygen defects and associated quenching sites. Furthermore, the Eu3+ hypersensitive transition is more responsive to the dopant concentration in the nanocubes, as defects induced by the dopant are not removed by thermal annealing.
Hidden Processes During Seasonal Isolation of a High-Altitude Watershed

Author(s): Buser-Young, JZ; Lapham, LL; Thurber, AR; Williams, KH; Colwell, FS | Abstract: Biogeochemical processes capable of altering global carbon systems occur frequently in Earth’s Critical Zone–the area spanning from vegetation canopy to saturated bedrock–yet many of these phenomena are difficult to detect. Observation of these processes is limited by the seasonal inaccessibility of remote ecosystems, such as those in mountainous, snow- and ice-dominated areas. This isolation leads to a distinct gap in biogeochemical knowledge that ultimately affects the accuracy and confidence with which these ecosystems can be computationally modeled for the purpose of projecting change under different climate scenarios. To examine a high-altitude, headwater ecosystem’s role in methanogenesis, sulfate reduction, and groundwater-surface water exchange, water samples were continuously collected from the river and hyporheic zones (HZ) during winter isolation in the East River (ER), CO watershed. Measurements of continuously collected ER surface water revealed up to 50 μM levels of dissolved methane in July through September, while samples from 12 cm deep in the hyporheic zone at the same location showed a spring to early summer peak in methane with a strong biogenic signature (l65 μM, δ13C-CH4, −60.76‰) before declining. Continuously collected δ18O-H2O and δ2H-H2O isotopes from the water column exhibited similar patterns to discrete measurements, while samples 12 cm deep in the hyporheic zone experienced distinct fluctuations in δ18O-H2O, alluding to significant groundwater interactions. Continuously collected microbial communities in the river in the late fall and early winter revealed diverse populations that reflect the taxonomic composition of ecologically similar river systems, including taxa indicative of methane cycling in this system. These measurements captured several biogeochemical components of the high-altitude watershed in response to seasonality, strengthening our understanding of these systems during the winter months.
Effectiveness and nonlinear characterization of vibro-impact energy harvesting absorbers in controlling base-excited systems

In this study, model derivations are carried out of a dynamical system under base excitations with a piezoelectric energy harvesting absorber as the tuned-mass-damper. Additionally, amplitude stoppers are included to the absorber in order to create a broadband resonant response, increasing the window of operational use for energy harvesting and system's control. This study is unique in the fact that the energy harvester is coupled to the source of its excitation. A nonlinear reduced-order model is developed using Euler-Lagrange principle and the Galerkin method to accurately estimate the energy harvesting absorber's displacement, harvested power, and the oscillating response of the primary structure. The nonlinear interaction of the energy harvesting absorber and the amplitude stoppers are the focus of this study, where an in-depth investigation of bifurcation points of the primary structure and energy harvesting absorber responses is performed. Due to a transfer of energy between the primary structure and the absorber, it is shown that a soft stopper with stiffness 5*103 N/m has great control of the primary structure with 60% of the uncontrolled amplitude being reduced, as well as an increase of the harvested energy. Medium stoppers with small initial gaps size and hard stoppers do not control the primary structure and show a decrease in the energy harvesting capabilities due to the activation of the nonlinear contact-impact interactions. These stoppers also generate aperiodic regions due to the possible presence of grazing bifurcations.
Citizen interaction and e‐government: Evidence for the managerial, consultative, and participatory models

Purpose – This paper aims to examine citizen interaction with e‐government using three e‐participation models. The two major research questions of this paper are: what is the current level of e‐participation in the USA?; and what factors explain why citizens participate in online government?Design/methodology/approach – Survey evidence of citizens in the USA and their use of e‐participation is examined using quantitative methods.Findings – Citizens were most likely to use e‐participation for management activities. Citizens were much less likely to use the internet for more advanced consultative and participatory activities. Using regression analysis, factors such as demand by citizens for e‐government, the digital divide, and political factors influenced the level of e‐participation.Research limitations/implications – The results of this study imply that governments should do more to stimulate demand for e‐government, address issues of the digital divide, and provide for more open and transparent governme...
Teaching the Capstone:Using Evidence-Based Management

This paper is a case study of the author’s experience in teaching a capstone course designed specifically for nurses pursuing an M.S. degree in management. The course utilized an evidence-based management approach. The paper addresses the following questions: (1) what is a capstone course? (2) why should a capstone course be offered or required in a graduate program in health care management? and (3) how does an evidence-based management approach add value to the capstone?
The Social Dynamics of Responding to Mental Health Problems

Since social scientists first directed their attention to understanding how individuals recognize and respond to mental illness, they have struggled to capture both the underlying process or dynamic that drives the search for care and the social, cultural, medical, and organizational characteristics that shape the fate of persons dealing with mental health problems. At the present time, the dominant approaches to studying what many people call “help seeking” or “decision making,” and others more generally call “illness behavior” or “service use” focus on well-developed but essentially correlation models of the factors associated with use, compliance and outcomes. The Health Belief Model (Strecher, Champion, & Rosenstock, 1977), the Theory of Reasoned Action and its close counterpart, the Theory of Planned Behavior (Maddux & DuCharme, 1977), and the Behavioral Model of Health Service Utilization (Aday & Awe, 1997; Andersen, 1995) share an approach of outlining a comprehensive set of factors that shape the use of both preventive and curative services. Although these models do not ignore the underlying process of service use, key assumptions focus primarily on the factors that facilitate or discourage entry into formal treatment (for a review, see Gochman, 1997; Pescosolido, 1991; 1992; Pescosolido & Boyer, 1999). Rarely are the dynamics of coping with health problems a part of the empirical study of illness behavior. With the dynamics assumed, empirical studies in this tradition collect information on the extent and volume of use, and on a wide range of factors thought to influence the behavior of those entering care and treatment.
Renal Handling of Urea

The sections in this article are: 1 Urea Synthesis 2 Role of Urea in Systemic Metabolism 2.1 Role of Urea in Systemic Nitrogen Balance 2.2 Role of Urea in Systemic Acid-Base Balance 2.3 Regulation of Urea Production and Excretion 3 Effects of Urea on Cellular Function: Role of Methylamines 4 Membrane Transport of Urea 4.1 Lipid Bilayers 4.2 Erythrocytes and Other Nonepithelial Cells 4.3 Nonrenal Epithelia 5 Urea Transport in the Kidney 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Individual Tubule Segments 6 Role of Urea in the Urinary Concentrating Mechanism 7 Questions Remaining