cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural correlates of phonological processing: Disrupted in children with dyslexia and enhanced in musically trained children

Phonological processing has been postulated as a core area of deficit among children with dyslexia. Reduced brain activation during phonological processing in children with dyslexia has been observed in left-hemispheric temporoparietal regions. Musical training has shown positive associations with phonological processing abilities, but the neural mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unspecified. The present research aims to distinguish neural correlates of phonological processing in school-age typically developing musically trained children, musically untrained children, and musically untrained children with dyslexia utilizing fMRI. A whole-brain ANCOVA, accounting for gender and nonverbal cognitive abilities, identified a main effect of group in bilateral temporoparietal regions. Subsequent region-of-interest analyses replicated temporoparietal hypoactivation in children with dyslexia relative to typically developing children. By contrast, musically trained children showed greater bilateral activation in temporoparietal regions when compared to each musically untrained group. Therefore, musical training shows associations with enhanced bilateral activation of left-hemispheric regions known to be important for reading. Findings suggest that engagement of these regions through musical training may underlie the putative positive effects of music on reading development. This supports the hypothesis that musical training may facilitate the development of a bilateral compensatory neural network, which aids children with atypical function in left-hemispheric temporoparietal regions.
Single Molecule Free Solution Hydrodynamic Separation for Size Profiling of Serum Cell-Free DNA

Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has accumulated significant interest as a noninvasive biomarker. One important accessible parameter, the cfDNA size distribution, appears to be of significant value. Here, we introduce our single molecule free solution hydrodynamic separation platform (SML-FSHS) for robust characterization of the cfDNA size profile from human serum. The platform utilizes hydrodynamic separation for DNA sizing and cylindrical illumination confocal spectroscopy (CICS) for highly sensitive single molecule detection and quantification of DNA molecules. We first used a custom wide dynamic range DNA ladder (50 bp-23 kbp) stained with an intercalating dye to create a calibration curve relating DNA retention time to DNA size in base pairs. From this, we demonstrate that the system can profile the cfDNA size distributions in a clinical sample with wide sizing dynamic range and high resolution ~5% of fragment length) all in a single run. The method consumes negligible (3pL) volume of precious sample and minimizes sample processing bias that affects other methods such as PCR and sequencing. We also compare the cfDNA size distributions from stage 1V cancer patients with normal patient samples and demonstrate that specific cfDNA size ranges may correlate with disease state. In addition, we can absolutely quantify cfDNA and gate out the contributions of cellular contamination by size. With these properties, we believe that this platform can help to accelerate future circulating DNA research.
Exome sequencing disclosures in pediatric cancer care: Patterns of communication among oncologists, genetic counselors, and parents.

Abstract Objective To examine communication patterns and behaviors during disclosure of exome sequencing (ES) results to parents of pediatric cancer patients, and describe common themes in parental communication. Methods Using mixed methods, we analyzed transcripts of sessions where parents of pediatric cancer patients received ES results from an oncologist and genetic counselor. Seventy-six transcripts were analyzed for frequency of clinician information-giving, partnering-supportive talk, and active parent participation. A subset of 40 transcripts were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results Disclosures consisted mostly of clinician talk (84% of total talk), which was focused on providing information (62% of clinicians’ utterances) with occasional partnering-supportive talk (7% of clinicians’ utterances). Most parents assumed a passive, listening role (16% of total talk). Themes in parental communication included expressing relief and the significance of an answer, concern about sharing results and responsibility for inheritance, and seeking clarification of health implications of results. Conclusion Our finding of low levels of active parent participation during ES disclosures highlights the need to improve patient/parent engagement and understanding in a genetic setting. Practice implications Clinician communication strategies that could encourage parent participation and understanding include checking for parent understanding, partnership-building, and tailoring ES discussions to address parent concerns and preferences.
Provider and Staff Morale, Job Satisfaction, and Burnout over a 4-Year Medical Home Intervention.

The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is a widely adopted primary care model. However, it is unclear whether changes in provider and staff perceptions of clinic PCMH capability are associated with changes in provider and staff morale, job satisfaction, and burnout in safety net clinics. To determine how provider and staff PCMH ratings changed under a multi-year PCMH transformation initiative and assess whether changes in provider and staff PCMH ratings were associated with changes in morale, job satisfaction, and burnout. Comparison of baseline (2010) and post-intervention (2013–2014) surveys. Sixty clinics in five states. Five hundred thirty-six (78.2%) providers and staff at baseline and 589 (78.3%) post-intervention. Collaborative learning sessions and on-site coaching to implement PCMH over 4 years. Provider and staff PCMH ratings on 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scales; percent of providers and staff reporting good or better morale, job satisfaction, and freedom from burnout. Almost half of safety net clinics improved PCMH capabilities from the perspective of providers (28 out of 59, 47%) and staff (25 out of 59, 42%). Over the same period, clinics saw a decrease in the percentage of providers reporting high job satisfaction (− 12.3% points, p = .009) and freedom from burnout (− 10.4% points, p = .006). Worsened satisfaction was concentrated among clinics that had decreased PCMH rating, with those clinics seeing far fewer providers report high job satisfaction (− 38.1% points, p < 0.001). Control clinics were not used. Individual-level longitudinal survey administration was not feasible. If clinics pursue PCMH transformation and providers do not perceive improvement, they may risk significantly worsened job satisfaction. Clinics should be aware of this potential risk of PCMH transformation and ensure that providers are aware of PCMH improvements.
Automatic 3D Face Registration Without Initialization

Recently 3D face reconstruction and recognition has gained an important role in computer vision and biometrics research. Depth information of a 3D face can aid solving the uncertainties in illumination and pose variation associated with face recognition. The registration of data that is usually acquired from different views is a fundamental element of any reconstruction process. This chapter focuses on the problem of automatic registration of 3D face point sets through a criterion based on Gaussian fields. The method defines a straightforward energy function, which is always differentiable and convex in a large neighborhood of the alignment parameters; allowing for the use of powerful standard optimization techniques. The introduced technique overcomes the necessity of close initialization, which is a requirement when applying the Iterative Closest Point algorithm. Moreover, the use of the Fast Gauss Transform reduces the computational complexity of the registration algorithm.
“The Caprices of an Undisciplined Fancy”: Using Blame to Negotiate the “betweens” of Ethos via the Epideictic

Building on the scholarship of Nedra Reynolds, Dale Sullivan, and recent feminist scholars writing on ethos, this article argues that blame is a vehicle that rhetors can use to enhance their ēthē. ...
Laboratory designed hot mix asphalt mixtures with post-consumer Recycled Asphalt Shingles (RAS) utilizing AASHTO PP78

Abstract Historically, many state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) do not allow the use of post-consumer Recycled Asphalt Shingles (RAS) due to the high probability that they would be contaminated with asbestos. This study evaluates the performance of hot mix asphalt designed with post-consumer waste RAS provided by local supplier in Bethlehem, PA. Many construction debris recycling plants have a method to ensure their processed post-consumer shingles do not contain asbestos, making it a viable material for inclusion into asphalt pavements. AASHTO PP78, Standard Practice for Design Considerations When Using Reclaimed Asphalt Shingles (RAS) in Asphalt Mixtures, was used in the study in order to design the asphalt mixtures containing the RAS addition. This design method was developed to take into consideration the stiffness of the RAS asphalt binder to help reduce the potential for fatigue cracking. The results of the testing regiment provide guidance to local, state, and federal agencies as to the impacts of including RAS into asphalt pavements and whether to allow post-consumer waste RAS in HMA. However, the issue with utilizing this type of “substitution” specification is that it does not take into the account the quality of the asphalt binder of the RAS. AASHTO PP 78 evaluates the quality of the RAS binder, blended with the virgin asphalt binder, by recommending the solvent recovery of the RAS asphalt binder, blending it with the virgin asphalt binder at varying percentages, and then determining the asphalt binder properties – in particular the influence on the PG grade and the difference in the low temperature critical cracking temperatures (ΔTC).
Measurement of Myocardial MembranePotential by Primed Constant Infusion

258 Introduction: We recently reported a bolus method with dynamic imaging 18F-TPP+ (18F-labeled tetraphenylphosphonium) for measuring the tissue membrane potential (ΔΨT), a proxy for the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) [1]. The total volume of distribution (VT) of 18F-TPP+ is sensitive to two independent variables; the tissue fraction of the extra-cellular space (fECS) and tissue membrane potential (ΔΨT). The original methodology [1] requires imaging with blood sampling for 120 minutes. This study reports a new methodology, using bolus plus infusion, referred as primed constant infusion, of 18F-TPP+ to image a steady state which is more suitable for human investigation. Furthermore, we tested the hypothesis that intra-coronary infusion of BAM15, a mitochondrial proton gradient uncoupler [2,3], during imaging depolarizes myocardium membrane potential resulting in lower 18F-TPP+ concentration in relevant heart segments. Methods: Four mini-pigs (three normal and one pig with myocardial infarction) were administered 18F-TPP+ by intravenous bolus injection followed by a constant infusion for up to 180 min. A PET/CT (GE Discovery MI) scanner was used to measure dynamic 18F-TPP+ during the experimental period. And whole blood and plasma activity concentration history was also obtained. Pre-contrast and post-contrast CT scans [4] were used to produce a map of fECS. VT and ΔΨT were measured at secular equilibrium (90-105 min). After 105 min, BAM15 was infused into the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery for 25 min. Two pig studies were used to establish BAM15 dosing and two pigs were studied with the complete protocol. Tissue-to-plasma concentration at equilibrium, VT, was determined using 17 segment polar mapping. Results: The average fECS map value was 24.2±2.5%. The quality of fECS maps is adequate for calculation of ΔΨT. During the “control” secular equilibrium state (i.e. 90-105 min, no BAM15), average normal and infarcted segments values of VT were 27.1±5.0 and 16.4±2.5, which yielded ΔΨT values of -128.4±5.1 meV and -111.2±2.7 meV in agreement with literature values and with our previous bolus-only measurements [1]. 18F-TPP+ concentration decreased after BAM15 infusion in apical-septal and apical regions, corresponding to the LAD territory, while other segments showed stable tissue concentration during the scan (Figure). Conclusions: Primed constant infusion of 18F-TPP+ can be used to measure VT and ΔΨT with the advantage that subjects need to be scanned during secular equilibrium. The effect of the mitochondrial proton uncoupler, BAM15, demonstrates the sensitivity of the technique to depolarization of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Research Support: P41EB022544 R01HL137230 T32EB013180
Avoiding Grave Consequences: Electronic Wills as a Solution for Texas

There is a vast gap in Texas between testate and intestate individuals. Admitting electronic wills to probate may reduce that gap. This article analyzes the current electronic will statutes in effect and the newly created Uniform Electronic Will Act to propose a statute for Texas designed to further testator disposition of property, ensure compliance with will formalities, limit fraud, and prepare Texas for technological advancements through electronic wills. Without a statute, Texas will face admitting electronic wills executed in other states, through the savings statute in the Estates Code, without control or regulations in place.
Quality of life and cellular activity in middle-advanced non-small cell lung cancer chemotherapy by Fei Kang Yin

Objective To observe the improvement of the life quality and the immune function of the patients by using Fei Kang Yin combining with chemotherapy in the middle advanced non-small cell lung cancer.Methods 84 patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group,42 cases in each group.The control group received GP regimen and treatment group received GP regimen combined with oral liquid of Fei Kang Yin.21 days were a course of treatment.The resent effect,traditional chinese medicine (TCM) clinical syndromes,the change of life quality and immune function after treatment and adverse reactions to chemotherapy were observed after three courses of treatment.Results The effective rate was 81.0％ in the resent effect of the treatment group and the effective rate of improvement in TCM clinical syndromes was 92.9％.There was significant difference in quality of life in KPS between treatment group and control group (P ＜0.05).There was significant difference in the changes of T lymphocyte subset between treatment group and control group (P ＜0.05).Adverse reactions to chemotherapy were under control.Conclusions Fei Kang Yin chemotherapy can improve life quality in middle advanced non small cell lung cancer,and it is a safe and high security comprehensive therapy. Key words: Fei Kang Yin; Non-small cell lung cancer; Lung neoplasms; Quality of life; Immunology
Colistin Resistance Gene mcr-8 in a High-Risk Sequence Type 15 Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolate from Kenya

The emergence and rise of mobile colistin resistance genes are of great global concern due to the ease of transfer of resistance to other bacteria. This report describes the genome of a colistin- and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate bearing mcr-8, obtained from a hospitalized patient in Kenya.
Radiographic Progression of Thumb CMC Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

Purpose Thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent disease that causes pain and disability. Determining the progression of CMC OA is problematic given the lack of consensus for classifications and scoring systems. We performed a systematic review to (1) determine which imaging modalities or scoring systems are used to evaluate CMC OA progression, and (2) describe the progression of CMC OA through available metrics. Methods This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. An English language literature search was performed in July 2019 and included studies evaluating CMC OA progression with an imaging modality or radiographic scoring system, with a minimum 1-year follow-up. Studies were analyzed with respect to their methodology, scoring systems, and relevant findings. Results The initial search yielded 4,097 articles, 10 of which met inclusion criteria. Study size varied from 32 to 289 subjects; many subjects were included in multiple cohorts. Eight studies used radiography whereas 2 used scintigraphy. Estimates of progression varied from 20% to 70% (with large variation in follow-up time); the magnitude of progression varied from 3% to 48% (joint space narrowing) and from 0.6 to 1 points (Kellgren–Lawrence scale). The percentage of subjects who progressed and the progression degree varied widely and depended on follow-up length and the scoring system used. Conclusions A paucity of literature exists to measure CMC OA progression; there is a lack of uniformly accepted imaging modality, scoring system, or follow-up interval. This absence provides the opportunity to determine consensus techniques and metrics to assess the natural history of thumb CMC OA. Type of study/level of evidence Diagnostic III.
Juggling jobs and the kids: maternal multiple job holding and child behavior

Many low-income women face precarious or low-quality employment, and studies show that low-quality maternal employment is linked with poorer outcomes for children. This study examines whether mater...
Supercritical fluid chromatography

Supercritical fluid chromatography is opening up new avenues in the analysis of high molecular weight, polar and thermally labile biochemicals.
Interventional economics provide a roadmap to better patient care.

Costs of percutaneous coronary intervention including the index procedure and care in the subsequent 30 days are increased by half for patients who are readmitted, and increased up to two-fold for those who have major adverse events during the initial admission. Many factors "predicting" adverse events and readmission are not modifiable. However, some are modifiable. Interventionalists should focus on those. In addition to using strategies to avoid adverse events, interventionalists should lead teams to implement strategies to prevent readmission. This will require a new nonprocedural focus for interventionalists.
Isolation of Nucleoli for Characterization of Nucleolar Contents to Uncover Clues to Metastatic Progression

Nucleolar isolation is a crucial technique for the study of nucleolar contents and regulation of ribosome biogenesis. Lysed cells are spun through various concentrations of sucrose and magnesium chloride to separate the notoriously dense nucleoli from the rest of the cell. Here we describe isolation of nucleoli from the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468. The resulting nucleolar fraction is subjected to immunoblotting to confirm the purity of the nucleolar fraction.
Carbon-Aware Computing for Datacenters.

The amount of CO$_2$ emitted per kilowatt-hour on an electricity grid varies by time of day and substantially varies by location due to the types of generation. Networked collections of warehouse scale computers, sometimes called Hyperscale Computing, emit more carbon than needed if operated without regard to these variations in carbon intensity. This paper introduces Google's system for Carbon-Intelligent Compute Management, which actively minimizes electricity-based carbon footprint and power infrastructure costs by delaying temporally flexible workloads. The core component of the system is a suite of analytical pipelines used to gather the next day's carbon intensity forecasts, train day-ahead demand prediction models, and use risk-aware optimization to generate the next day's carbon-aware Virtual Capacity Curves (VCCs) for all datacenter clusters across Google's fleet. VCCs impose hourly limits on resources available to temporally flexible workloads while preserving overall daily capacity, enabling all such workloads to complete within a day. Data from operation shows that VCCs effectively limit hourly capacity when the grid's energy supply mix is carbon intensive and delay the execution of temporally flexible workloads to "greener" times.
THE NEXT GENERATION OF IT AND EDUCATION

Both the Educational Technologies and the Internet Technologies have evolved dramatically during the last decade. These technologies promote development of the future generation of the Ubiquitous Internet access to educational resources, omnipresent Web2-3 technologies and ultimate automated information cyberspace. The current research and development in the areas of Next Generation of Internet and Telecommunications Technologies combined with educational technologies such as CMAP Tools, WebCT, etc., promotes formation of inter-disciplinary international teams of experts, scientists, researchers and engineers to create a new generation of applications and technologies that will facilitate the fully automated educational environment and information cyberspace systems. Author will present his vision on trends in Engineering Education with Future-Net, as well as Fully-Automated-Home in tomorrow’s world. The author discusses a brief historical account, the current state of the art in the world of Engineering Education, Telecommunications and Internet Technologies, new technological trends directions in the Internet and Automation Industries, Ubiquity, Convergence, as well as the concept of the Fully-automated Home, 2006 Web Report with the Microsoft project on Easy Living, while promoting research and development in the interdisciplinary projects conducting by multinational team world-wide. Author believes that engineering educators and technology maker should work together and prepare foundation for the future level of engineering education that would reflect the Future-Net.
Deploying Air-Ground Multi-Robot Teams in Urban Environments

We present some of the work performed in the GRASP Laboratory with the objective of deploying multi-robot teams in urban environments. Specifically, we focus on three important issues in this type of mission: the development of tools for providing situational awareness, the use of air and ground vehicles for cooperative sensing and the construction of radio maps to keep team connectivity. We describe the main approaches that we have been using for tackling these issues and present some preliminary results from experiments conducted with our team of air and ground vehicles.
A conscious mouse model of gastric ileus using clinically relevant endpoints

Gastric ileus is an unsolved clinical problem and current treatment is limited to supportive measures. Models of ileus using anesthetized animals, muscle strips or isolated smooth muscle cells do not adequately reproduce the clinical situation. Thus, previous studies using these techniques have not led to a clear understanding of the pathophysiology of ileus. The feasibility of using food intake and fecal output as simple, clinically relevant endpoints for monitoring ileus in a conscious mouse model was evaluated by assessing the severity and time course of various insults known to cause ileus. Delayed food intake and fecal output associated with ileus was monitored after intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin, laparotomy with bowel manipulation, thermal injury or cerulein induced acute pancreatitis. The correlation of decreased food intake after endotoxin injection with gastric ileus was validated by measuring gastric emptying. The effect of endotoxin on general activity level and feeding behavior was also determined. Small bowel transit was measured using a phenol red marker. Each insult resulted in a transient and comparable decrease in food intake and fecal output consistent with the clinical picture of ileus. The endpoints were highly sensitive to small changes in low doses of endotoxin, the extent of bowel manipulation, and cerulein dose. The delay in food intake directly correlated with delayed gastric emptying. Changes in general activity and feeding behavior were insufficient to explain decreased food intake. Intestinal transit remained unchanged at the times measured. Food intake and fecal output are sensitive markers of gastric dysfunction in four experimental models of ileus. In the mouse, delayed gastric emptying appears to be the major cause of the anorexic effect associated with ileus. Gastric dysfunction is more important than small bowel dysfunction in this model. Recovery of stomach function appears to be simultaneous to colonic recovery.
Hyperemesis gravidarum with retinal hemorrhage.

Abstract This case presents the characteristic findings of severe hyperemesis with retinal hemorrhage except that, due to the comatose condition of the patient, visual disturbances could not be evaluated. It also illustrates the common pitfall of allowing temporary improvement to give one a false sense of security. We feel that, had she died, we might have been severely criticized for not interrupting the pregnancy twenty-four hours earlier. We cannot comment on the retrobulbar neuritis and other changes which Ballantyne indicates precede gross hemorrhage, inasmuch as we did not see the patient until retinal hemorrhage had developed. We concur with Stander that the hemorrhage is due to increased capillary permeability, associated with profound physical and chemical changes secondary to dehydration and inanition. These changes are reversible and not associated with permanent occular or cardio-vascular-renal damage. The etiology remains obscure. Prompt termination of the pregnancy resulted in complete recovery.
Cost ascertainment – materials

This chapter discusses the basic materials of cost ascertainment. Costing procedures work towards ascertaining the cost of any activity. To do this effectively requires identifying the costs and then collecting them together. The point to which costs are collected is identified as a cost centre. The terminology defines a cost centre as a location, function, or items of equipment in respect of which costs may be ascertained and related to cost units for control purposes. Direct materials need little explanation. An earlier than 1982 edition of the terminology defined them as the cost of materials entering into and becoming constituent elements of a good or service. Copper wire is a direct material in the manufacture of power cable; food is a direct material in the provision of meals in a restaurant. Before considering material costing problems in detail, it is worth revising the normal process of purchasing and issue procedures for the control of material stocks or inventories.
confined to boxes, 0D crossover, surface and edge effects

Abstract We report measurements of the specific heat near the superfluid transition of 4 He confined to 1 μm 3 cylindrical boxes patterned in SiO2. This system crosses from a 3D behavior to a 0D behavior near the transition. This has a marked effect on the specific heat as seen by a pronounced rounding of the maximum and a shift to a temperature much lower than the transition of the bulk system (and systems with 2D or 1D crossover). We plot the data according to correlation-length scaling theory and compare this to a planar system with the same smallest confinement. Compared to our previous studies of planar systems, the 0D cell has 3× the surface to volume ratio as well as ∼750× as much edge length. We examine the regions where surface and edge effect contributions can be separated. We find that the data do not reach the expected value for the surface region. There is also evidence for a region where the term associated with edge contributions dominates.
Competition in Auditing Revisited: Theory and Evidence Re-examined

Observers report that, of late, US audit clients have come to view audits as commodities rather than as quality-differentiated products (Elliott 1994, AICPA 1995a), and to view audit providers as being undifferentiated except on price (Stevens, 1991). How might such a shift in the basis of competition affect the structure of the audit market? To examine this issue, we construct a model of pure price competition and predict audit industry structure for a sample of 5320 publicly traded US industrial companies and the 306 US audit firms that audit them. We find that under a variety of market clearing rules, price competition among auditors leaves current industry structure essentially unaltered. We also find that given current industry configuration, pure price competition generates industry structures similar to what we observe in our sample. Our results show that product differentiation is not necessary either to generate or to sustain observed industry structure.
Other Semiconductor Devices

In this chapter, we discuss some additional topics on semiconductor physics and their applications. After a brief introduction to surface states on semiconductors, some aspects of the band structure at the surface are considered. These concepts are then applied to discussions of metal-semiconductor contacts and photoemission from semiconductors, including the idea of devices with a negative electron affinity. The next topic is the physics of the transferred electron, or Gunn, effect, discussed in terms of band structure using GaAs as the example. One mode (domain formation) of exploitation of the Gunn effect in producing microwave electrical oscillations is considered. Finally, some aspects of the electronic structure of amorphous semiconductors are introduced as the basis for a brief discussion of memory and switching devices.
Optimizing traffic flow in fixed wireless networks

We consider the problem of optimizing traffic flow in a fixed network of wired and wireless links where some wireless links interfere with each other. The objective of the network operator is to maximize the total amount of traffic carried. We present algorithms for computing traffic flow in in a mixed wired-wireless network to meet demand and maximize the total traffic carried.
A History of Chile, 1808–2002: The industrial impulse, 1930s–1960s

… a New World country with the social organization of old Spain, a twentieth-century people still preserving a feudal society; a republic based on the equality of man, yet with a blue-blood aristocracy and a servile class as distinctly separated as in any of the monarchies of the Old World. Throughout Chile's history this situation has existed. It is this social heritage that forms the background for the present-day problems of the Chilean people. – George McBride (1936) Underlying the competition of the parties during the Radical presidencies, and those of Ibanez and the second Alessandri, there was the whole issue of economic development , as we now call it. The Chilean population was growing, and Chileans were no longer willing to accept the limited horizons of their parents and grandparents. They needed to find a place in Chile, or face the prospect of emigration – like those thousands who had earlier departed for the guaneras of Bolivia, the railroads of Peru, the pampas of Argentina, or M. de Lesseps's Panama Canal. They were as affected as anyone else by the twentieth-century “revolution of rising expectations,” aspiring to share the lifestyles enjoyed by other peoples -not least as images of the “developed” world reached them through the movies. Hollywood, as was often been remarked, was one of the true revolutionary forces of the twentieth century.
Low levels of apolipoprotein A1 are not contributors to the low lecithin-cholesterol acyl transferase activity in premature newborn infants.

ABSTRACT: Umbilical cord sera were obtained from three groups of newborn infants; group I ((n = 8) and group II (n = 12) weighed less than 1500 g and between 1500 and 2500 g, respectively. Group III (n = 16) was full term and weighed more than 2500 g. Lecithin-cholesterol acyl transferase activities, determined as the rates of esterification of [3H]cholesterol, were 0.13 ± 0.01, 0.17 ± 0.01, and 0.26 ± 0.01 (mean ± SEM) nmol/h/ml for groups I, II, and III, respectively. The adult value (n = 8) was 0.96 ± 0.01 nmol/h/ml. The respective apolipoprotein A1 (apo-A1) levels were 52 ± 6, 59 ± 4, and 67 ± 4 (mean ± SEM) mg/ dl. Serum level of apo-A1 in adults was 137 ± 6 mg/dl. Plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased with gestational age. However, in newborn infants, high-density lipoprotein apo-lipoprotein B, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, were significantly lower than in adults. These data indicate that serum levels of lecithin-cholesterol acyl transferase activity significantly (p < 0.01) increase whereas the levels of apo-A1 do not significantly change with the gestational age. Also, in full-term new-borns, lecithin-cholesterol acyl transferase activity is only 27%, whereas apo-A1 levels are 49% of adult values. Therefore, lower levels of apo-A1 do not account for the significantly lower activity of lecithin-cholesterol acyl transferase in preterm as compared to full-term newborn infants.
Self-reported abstinence effects in the first month after smoking cessation

The present study evaluated self-reported subjective complaints (29 single items and 11 scales) at precessation, on quit day, and on Days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after cessation in 46 healthy quitters who remained abstinent for the first month after cessation (biochemically confirmed). Also tested on the same schedule were 29 nonsmokers matched for age and gender. Specific criteria were set for transient and offset effects based on the direction, magnitude, and time course of changes in symptoms after cessation. Results indicated that single-item anger, anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating, irritability, restlessness, dizziness, and nausea, and the Shiffman-Jarvik Stimulation/Sedation Subscale, the Perceived Stress scale, and the POMS anger, confusion, and tension subscales met the criteria for transient effects, and that single-item desire to smoke, cough, and headache, and the Shiffman-Jarvik Psychological Subscale met the criteria for offset effects. These findings help to clarify which subjective complaints after smoking cessation are transient effects and which are offset effects, a distinction with important implications for understanding nicotine dependence and for designing pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions for smoking cessation.
Synthesis of fluorescently labeled polymers and their use in single-molecule imaging

A series of linear polymers labeled with one perylene diimide per polymer chain were synthesized using living free-radical polymerizations based on nitroxides. Depending on the choice of the initiator, the perylene diimide was either at the end or the middle of the polymer chain. The polymers were synthesized as homopolymers or block copolymers from butyl acrylate, styrene, isoprene, and butadiene. Poly(butadiene) labeled with a perylene diimide dye in the center of the polymer was studied using single-molecule imaging in a poly(methyl methacrylate) host. Most of the dyes remained stationary during the experiments, but approximately 5% of the dyes reoriented. The fraction of dyes reorienting was observed to be independent of pumping intensity. This system is an excellent test bed for studying the local environment of the dye and the heterogeneity of the host polymer.
L-aspartate transport in the photosynthetic bacterium Chromatium vinosum.

Abstract The photosynthetic purple sulfur bacterium Chromatium vinosum appears to contain two active transport systems for l -aspartate. The higher affinity system ( S 0.5 = 60 μ M) appears to be an electrogenic aspartate/H + symport and the lower affinity system ( S 0.5 = 220 μ M appears to involve an aspartate/Na + symport. In addition to a possible role in providing the driving force for aspartate uptake, transmembrane Na + gradients may also have allosteric effects on aspartate transport in C. vinosum .
On decoding the kth strongest user in poisson networks with arbitrary fading distribution

Consider a d-dimensional network whose transmitters form a non-uniform Poisson point process and whose links are subject to arbitrary fading. Assuming interference from the k — 1 strongest users is canceled, we derive the probability of decoding the k-th strongest user in closed-form. As a special case, when k = 1, this probability is the standard coverage probability. This analytical result has immediate applications in networks with successive interference cancellation (SIC) capability. We use it to find closed-form upper and lower bounds on the probability of decoding at least k users and the mean number of successively decodable users. These bounds show that transmitter clustering is beneficial in exploiting SIC.
Clinical Efficacy of a Combination Pneumatic and Ultrasonic Lithotrite

ABSTRACTPurpose: A new combination pneumatic/ultrasonic intracorporeal lithotriptor has been developed for percutaneous applications. It combines the stone clearing efficiency of an ultrasonic device with the fragmentation strength of a pneumatic probe into a single handpiece. We present our early clinical experience with this device in a prospective, randomized comparison a combination pneumatic/ultrasound lithotrite and standard ultrasonic lithotripsy.Materials and Methods: A total of 20 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy for symptomatic calculi were randomized to receive stone fragmentation and removal using a standard ultrasonic device or a new combination pneumatic/ultrasonic unit. Stone location and burden were assessed before the operative procedure. The stone clearance rate in mm.2 per minute was calculated for the 2 devices. Complications and stone-free rates were compared in the 2 groups.Results: There were no significant differences in stone location and composition in...
Levels of Culture and Individual Behavior: An Investigative Perspective

In an organizational setting, national culture is not the only type of culture that influences managerial and work behavior. Rather, behavior is influenced by different levels of culture ranging from the supranational (regional, ethnic, religious, linguistic) level through the national, professional, and organizational levels to the group level. The objective of this study is to integrate these different levels of culture by explicitly recognizing that individualsâ€™ workplace behavior is a function of all different cultures simultaneously. It is theorized that the relative influence of the different levels of culture on individual behavior varies depending on the nature of the behavior under investigation. Thus, for behaviors that include a strong social component or include terminal and moral values, supranational and national cultures might have a predominant effect. For behaviors with a strong task component or for those involving competence values or practices, organizational and professional cultures may dominate. These propositions are illustrated with examples from the IS field. This paper is a conceptual study and therefore extends theory and the current understanding of how culture is examined by not only explicitly recognizing that behaviors are simultaneously influenced by multiple levels of culture but by also specifying conditions under which certain levels of culture dominate. Such an approach has the potential to inform researchers and practitioners about the generalizability or universality of theories and techniques across national, organizational, and professional borders.
Weighted path planning based on collision detection

– Aims to make an industrial robot work human‐friendly while coexisting with humans in a same working space, without any modification of the manipulator hardware as well as its motion controller., – Presents a weighted path planning approach based on collision detection for a robot sharing the same workspace with humans. Using a base and wrist force/torque sensors, a model‐based method is investigated to estimate the collision force and collision position on the manipulator; then a weighted path planning approach is developed to control the human‐robot interaction. Simulation experiments, with collisions between the manipulator and static objects and moving objects, are conducted to validate the efficacy of the method., – The experimental results illustrate the validity of the developed collision detection and planning scheme and make it possible for industrial robots to work safely around humans. The proposed weighted path planner (WPP) outperforms other three path planners., – Introduces the WPP based on collision detection. The wrist and base force/torque sensors configuration has the friction free benefit, and the developed method does not modify the existing designs of industrial robots. The contact force is well controlled under the human pain tolerance limit, through the modification of the desired path, and does not need torque control which is usually not available to industrial robots.
Direct and Chaotic Ionization in the Presence of External Fields: the Transition-State Theory Point of View†

The transition state is fundamental to modern theories of reaction dynamics. Although transition-state theory (TST) has been used mainly in chemical physics, it can be applied to any problem that involves some form of transformation, including half-scattering events such as ionization. In this paper, we use TST to investigate the competition between direct and chaotic mechanisms in the ionization of Rydberg atoms in external electric fields.
Elastic properties of induced pluripotent stem cells.

The recent technique of transducing key transcription factors into unipotent cells (fibroblasts) to generate pluripotent stem cells (induced pluripotent stem cells [iPSCs]) has significantly changed the stem cell field. These cells have great promise for many clinical applications, including that of regenerative medicine. Our findings show that iPSCs can be derived from human adipose-derived stromal cells (hASCs), a notable advancement in the clinical applicability of these cells. To investigate differences between two iPS cell lines (fibroblast-iPSC and hASC-iPSC), and also the gold standard human embryonic stem cell, we looked at cell stiffness as a possible indicator of cell differentiation-potential differences. We used atomic force microscopy as a tool to determine stem cell stiffness, and hence differences in material properties between cells. Human fibroblast and hASC stiffness was also ascertained for comparison. Interestingly, cells exhibited a noticeable difference in stiffness. From least to mo...
Catch-and-Release Mortality in Subadult and Adult Red Drum Captured with Popular Fishing Hook Types

Abstract Saltwater anglers along the entire coast of the southeastern United States target red drum Sciaenops ocellatus more frequently than any other recreational fish species. The frequency of catch-and-release angling has increased dramatically for this species in the past two decades, but little is known about the survival of released fish. This study demonstrates that catch-and-release mortality rates for subadult and adult red drum differed significantly among the most popular types of fish hooks in each fishery. To investigate the effect of hook type on anatomical hooking location and short-term (48-h) mortality, we captured subadults (339–825 mm total length (TL)) by use of 2/0 J-hooks (n = 57 fish), 4/0 nonoffset circle hooks (n = 58 fish), and 4/0 offset circle hooks (n = 57 fish). Nonoffset circle hooks penetrated shallow regions of the body (jaw, tongue, or inside of mouth) significantly more frequently (90%) than did J-hooks (60%) or offset circle hooks (80%). Nonoffset circle hooks also resu...
Pea early browning virus RNA1 encodes four polypeptides including a putative zinc-finger protein

Abstract We have determined the complete nucleotide sequence of RNA1 of the tobravirus pea early browning virus [PEBV] from an overlapping series of cDNA clones. The 7073 nucleotide sequence contains four open reading frames [ORFs]. The 5' proximal ORF encodes a 141K polypeptide, and readthrough of the opal [UGA] termination codon of this ORF would lead to the synthesis of a second, 201K polypeptide. Both of these polypeptides have extensive amino acid homology with the putative replicase proteins of tobacco rattle virus [TRV] and tobacco mosaic virus [TMV]. The third ORF encodes a 30K polypeptide which has homology with the TRV 29K and TMV 30K putative cell-to-cell spread proteins. The fourth, 3' proximal ORF encodes a 12K polypeptide which has extensive homology with the TRV 16K protein whose function is unknown. Examination of the amino acid sequences of the 12K and 16K gene products reveals in each the presence of two multiple-cysteine/histidine motifs, a finding which suggests that these proteins might have zinc and/or nucleic acid-binding properties.
OTN technology for multi-flow optical transponder in elastic 400G/1T transmission era

We study the multi-flow optical transponder from the viewpoint of OTN. Rate flexible OTU and multiplexing hierarchy for the elastic network are studied in detail and the required OTN standard extension is elucidated.
Human protein binding to DNA sequences surrounding the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-I long terminal repeat polyadenylation site

The long terminal repeats (LTRs) of RNA tumor viruses, including human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), contain the control elements for expression of viral genes. Sequence-specific LTR-DNA-binding proteins could regulate viral functions. To search for such proteins we have used an in vitro non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel assay, with restriction fragments of the HTLV-I LTR and nuclear protein extracts from several HTLV-I-infected cell lines and an uninfected T-cell line, H9. Four DNA-binding activities were observed, including non-specific DNA-binding activity and at least two activities (forms I and II) which bind specifically to a HinfI restriction fragment from nucleotides + 181 to + 334 relative to the transcription start site. DNA-binding activities I and II were partially by ion-exchange chromatography and mapped by protection experiments to two 10–20-bp blocks surrounding the polyadenylation site at + 221. Of the cell lines tested, form II was abundantly found in C10/MJ, and forms I and IV were also found in C91/PL, C81-66-45, MT2 and H9 cells.