cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Consortium Affiliation and Travel Agency Performance: Evidence of Strength in Numbers

Abstract This paper examines the role of travel agency consortia, a form of collective organization, in the relative economic performance of travel agencies. Fifty percent of the nation's agencies seek to leverage their bargaining position by aggregating their resources within a consortium. Consortia use this strength in numbers to obtain advantages for their members that are primarily associated with economies of scale. The virtually even split in consortium affiliation raises two questions as to the benefit of membership: first, whether membership in the consortium increases returns to the member travel agency, and second, does any increase in return outweigh the cost of membership. Using travel agencies within California as the subjects of this study, the paper reveals that consortium membership does indeed increase returns to the travel agency. These returns exceeded costs by a factor of almost 3 to 1.
Dietary interventions for metabolic syndrome: Role of modifying dietary fats

In humans, insulin sensitivity is relatively impaired by diets that are low in oleic acid (OA), a cis monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), or rich in trans MUFA or palmitic acid (PA), a saturated fatty acid (FA). Emerging evidence exists that PA, in contrast to OA, causes insulin resistance via stimulation of inflammatory signaling and production of cytosolic lipid compounds (diacylglycerol and ceramide), leading one to presume that dietary or pharmacologic maneuvers that facilitate transport of FA into the mitochondria would be beneficial. However, in some models, insulin resistance is caused by excessive FA transport into the mitochondria, coupled with deficient electron transport and possibly increased reactive oxygen species formation; PA may impair electron transport via effects on gene expression. A research challenge is to determine whether feeding humans diets with markedly different contents of PA and OA would alter insulin sensitivity and/or critical biochemical mechanisms impacting muscle insulin signaling.
Convective solids settling induced by a buoyant phase

Quantitative measurements of the effect of a third phase of buoyant solid particles on the settling rates of suspensions of heavy particles are reported. It is found that for a wide range of concentration of both buoyant and heavy particles, the settling rates of both solid phases are greatly increased. If the phases are dilute, the settling velocities of both are retarded. The total settling time of heavy particles can be halved, but only under conditions that the light phase is unaccelerated. This suggests that small gas bubbles would form a more satisfactory buoyant phase. The high concentrations of thickened suspensions which result from the acceleration process are also reported.
Seeking gene relationships in gene expression data using support vector machine regression

Several genetic determinants responsible for individual variation in gene expression have been located using linkage and association analyses. These analyses have revealed regulatory relationships between genes. The heritability of expression variation as a quantitative phenotype reflects its underlying genetic architecture. Using support vector machine regression (SVMR) and gene ontological information, we proposed an approach to identify gene relationships in expression data provided by Genetic Analysis Workshop 15 that would facilitate subsequent genetic analyses. A group of related genes were selected for a shared biological theme, and SVMR was trained to form a regression model using the training gene expressions. The model was subsequently used to search for and capture similarly related genes. SVMR shows promising capability in modeling and seeking gene relationships through expression data.
Adolescents with suicidal ideation: health care use and functioning.

Abstract Objective To improve our understanding of the clinical needs among youth with suicidal ideation (SI), we examined health care utilization patterns, functional impairment, and comorbidity among youth who endorsed SI, compared with a control group of youth without SI. Method This study included 99 youth with SI in the past year and 99 matched controls. Participants were 13- to 17-year-old youth who were enrolled in a large integrated care delivery system who had seen a provider at least one time in the past year. The 2 groups were compared with regard to health care utilization, functional impairment, and comorbid mental health symptoms, while adjusting for depression severity, lifetime diagnosis of depression or anxiety, and medical comorbidity. Results Youth with SI had a significantly higher mean functional impairment compared with youth without SI, both at baseline (84% vs 60% "definitely impaired") and 6-month follow-up (57% vs 39% "definitely impaired"). Less than 15% in either group attended a mental health specialty visit in the 12 months before or after baseline, and under 10% received antidepressant or anxiolytic medication. Family-report data suggested that a higher proportion of youth with SI received mental health care from sources outside their health care system compared with youth without SI. Conclusions The presence of SI is associated with more severe functional impairment, comorbidity, and depression severity. Yet, only a minority of adolescents with SI receive mental health services, and clinical detection is low. This study suggests that better screening, recognition, and treatment of SI is needed to address the clinical impairment of youth with SI.
Demystifying trust: Experimental evidence from Cambodia and Thailand:

We report the results of a trust survey and public goods experiment conducted with high school students in rural Thailand and Cambodia that together help clarify the dynamics at work in sustaining economic cooperation within these two third-world communities. We find that standard survey measures of trust employed by the World Values Survey, which form the basis of most macro-empirical investigations of trust and political-economic development, are not useful for predicting contributions to a public goods game. Expectations, on the other hand, profoundly influence contributions and do so independently of trust levels. However, this influence is complex and depends on the distribution of player types. We observe a distribution similar to previous studies, with the largest group, principled reciprocators, updating their behavior quickly based on expectations of trustworthiness. Indeed, this study suggests that trustworthiness in particular is more important than trust in general and further challenges ‘a-ra...
Aldosterone Promotes Thrombosis Formation After Arterial Injury in Mice

To the Editor: The renin/angiotensin/aldosterone system (RAAS) has been broadly implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease.1 Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been shown to be beneficial in reducing cardiovascular events.2 The specific role of aldosterone in promoting ischemic cardiovascular disease is unclear. Recent evidence suggests that subjects with primary aldosteronism are at increased risk of cardiovascular events compared with subjects with essential hypertension,3 suggesting a potential direct role of aldosterone in mediating ischemic events. Human studies have demonstrated that pharmacological blockade of aldosterone with spironolactone in congestive heart failure patients leads to reduced cardiovascular mortality, even in the presence of ACE inhibition.4 Because many cardiovascular events are attributable to thrombosis in the setting of atherosclerosis, we used an animal model to directly determine the effect of elevated aldosterone on atherosclerosis as well as arterial thrombus formation after …
JAK2 mutation in a patient with CLL with coexistent myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN).

Abstract JAK2 mutation has not been described in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We found JAK2 mutation in a patient with CLL and coexisting myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). In this patient, we demonstrated the presence of the JAK2 mutation in CD34 + progenitor cells, myeloid lineage cells, megakaryocytes, B lymphocytes but not in T lymphocytes. This case represents the first case report of JAK2 mutation in CLL and may also suggest that, JAK2 mutation most likely represents a secondary event from primary gene mutations involving the primitive stem cells which give rise to MPN and CLL. Furthermore, in this case, we believe that we are the first to demonstrate that JAK2 mutation in myeloid and B lymphoid cells but not T lymphocytes in a case of coexisting CLL and MPN.
Phloem Mobility of Boron is Species Dependent: Evidence for Phloem Mobility in Sorbitol-rich Species

Boron is generally considered to be phloem immobile or to have only limited phloem mobility in higher plants. Evidence suggests, however, that B may be mobile in some species within thePyrus, MalusandPrunusgenera. These genera utilize sorbitol as a primary translocated photosynthate and it has been clearly demonstrated that B forms stable complexes with sorbitolin vitro.In the research presented here we demonstrate, further, that B is freely phloem mobile inPyrus, MalusandPrunusspecies and suggest that this is mediated by the formation and transport of B-sorbitol complexes. The pattern of B distribution within shoot organs and the translocation of foliar-applied, isotopically-enriched10B was studied in six tree species. Results demonstrate that in species in which sorbitol is a major sugar (sorbitol-rich), B is freely mobile while in species that produce little or no sorbitol (sorbitol-poor) B is largely immobile. The sorbitol-rich species used here were almond [Prunus amygdalusB. syn.P. dulcis(Mill.)], apple (Malus domesticaB.) and nectarine (Prunus persicaL. B. var.nectarinaM.), sorbitol-poor species included fig (Ficus caricaL.), pistachio (Pistacia veraL.) and walnut (Juglans regiaL.). In sorbitol-rich species foliar applied10B was transported from the treated leaves to adjacent fruit and specifically to the fruit tissues (hull, shell or kernel) that developed during the experimental period. Whereas, foliar-applied10B was rapidly translocated out of leaves, only a small percentage of the11B present in the leaf at the time of foliar application was retranslocated. In sorbitol-rich species, B concentrations differed only slightly between old and young leaves while fruit tissue had significantly greater B concentrations than leaves. In contrast, sorbitol-poor species had significantly higher B concentrations in older leaves than young leaves while fruit tissue had the lowest B concentration. This occurred irrespective the source of plant B (soil, solution or foliar-applied). In a subsequent experiment the growth of apple trees in solutions free of applied B was maintained solely by foliar applications of B to mature leaves. These results indicate that B is mobile in species that produce significant amounts of sorbitol. We propose that the mobility of B in these species is mediated by the formation of B-sorbitol complexes.
Pen computing: challenges and applications

Pen computing as a fieId broadly includes computers and applications in which a pen is the main input device. This field continues to draw a lot of attention from researchers because there are a number of applications where the pen is the most convenient form of input. These include: 1. preparing a first draft of a document and concentrating on content creation; 2. a socially acceptable form of capturing information in meetings, that is quieter than typing and creates minimal visual barrier; 3. applications that need privacy; 4. entering letters in ideographic languages like Chinese and Japanese and non-letter entries like graphics, music and gestures; and 5. interaction with multi-modal systems. The advent of electronic tablets in the late 1950s precipitated considerable activity in the area of pen computing. This interest ebbed in the 1970's, and was renewed in the 1980's, primarily due to advances in pen hardware technology and improvement in user-interfaces and handwriting recognition algorithms. There are still however, a number of challenges that need to be addressed before pen computing can address the needs listed above to a acceptable level of user satisfaction. In the paper, an overview of three aspects of pen computing are presented: pen input hardware, handwriting recognition and pen computer applications.
The Cinderella of Occupations: Managing the Work of Department Store Saleswomen, 1900–1940*

Of all forms of personal services supplied to business enterprise, that of sales workers has perhaps defied the application of “standard” management practices more than any other. Professor Benson shows that this generalization is especially applicable to female department store sales personnel, who were necessarily recruited chiefly from “lower” social classes whose members lacked education and refinement. Thus, regimentation and rote training seemed appropriate. On the other hand, selling style goods to sophisticated female customers involved elements not of a trade but an art, and an attitude of deference, which was not a common trait among working-class girls. Department store managers, almost exclusively male, failed to solve this paradox and, as Professor Benson relates, failed also to deal with the invisible solidarity of female sales persons.
Sub-degree-per-hour silicon MEMS rate sensor with 1 million Q-factor

We report characterization of a silicon MEMS rate gyroscope with measured sub-deg/hr bias stability, enabled by the quality factor (Q) of 1.1 million. The rate sensor utilizes degenerate, dynamically balanced Quadruple Mass Gyroscope (QMG) design, which suppresses substrate energy dissipation and maximizes Q-factors. We demonstrated a 0.9°/hr in-run bias stability and a 0.06°/√hr rate noise density for the 0.1 mTorr vacuum packaged QMG with a 0.2 Hz mode-mismatch between drive- and sense-modes. This level of noise allowed detection of azimuth with 150 mrad precision, showing feasibility of a QMG for gyrocompassing.
Transgene Rescue Identifies an Essential Function for Drosophila β Spectrin in the Nervous System and a Selective Requirement for Ankyrin-2 Binding Activity

The protein spectrin is ubiquitous in animal cells and is believed to play important roles in cell shape and membrane stability, cell polarity, and endomembrane traffic. Experiments here were undertaken to identify sites of essential beta spectrin function in Drosophila and to determine whether spectrin and ankyrin function are strictly linked to one another. The Gal4-UAS system was used to drive tissue-specific overexpression of a beta spectrin transgene or to knock down beta spectrin expression with dsRNA. The results show that 1) overexpression of beta spectrin in most of the cell types studied was lethal; 2) knockdown of beta spectrin in most tissues had no detectable effect on growth or viability of the organism; and 3) nervous system-specific expression of a UAS-beta spectrin transgene was sufficient to overcome the lethality of a loss-of-function beta spectrin mutation. Thus beta spectrin expression in other cells was not required for development of fertile adult males, although females lacking nonneuronal spectrin were sterile. Previous data indicated that binding of the DAnk1 isoform of ankyrin to spectrin was partially dispensable for viability. Domain swap experiments here uncovered a different requirement for neuronal DAnk2 binding to spectrin and establish that DAnk2-binding is critical for beta spectrin function in vivo.
Homogenization for a class of integral functionals in spaces of probability measures

Abstract We study the homogenization of a class of actions with an underlying Lagrangian L defined on the set of absolutely continuous paths in the Wasserstein space P p ( R d ) . We introduce an appropriate topology on this set and obtain the existence of a Γ -limit of the rescaled Lagrangians. Our main goal is to provide a representation formula for these Γ -limits in terms of the effective Lagrangians. This allows us to study not only the “convexity properties” of the effective Lagrangian, but also the differentiability properties of its Legendre transform restricted to constant functions. For the case d > 1 we obtain partial results in terms of an effective Lagrangian defined on L p ( ( 0 , 1 ) d ; R d ) . Our study provides a way of computing the limit of a family of metrics on the Wasserstein space. The results of this paper can also be applied to study the homogenization of variational solutions of the one-dimensional Vlasov–Poisson system, as well as the asymptotic behavior of calibrated curves (Fathi (2003) [6] , Gangbo and Tudorascu (2010) [12] ). Whereas our study for the one-dimensional case covers a large class of Lagrangians, that for the higher dimensional case is concerned with special Lagrangians such as the ones obtained by regularizing the potential energy of the d -dimensional Vlasov–Poisson system.
A Physically Based Algorithm for Non-Blackbody Correction of Cloud-Top Temperature and Application to Convection Study

Cloud-top temperature(CTT)isanimportantparameterforconvectivecloudsandisusuallydifferentfrom the 11-mm brightness temperature due to non-blackbody effects. This paper presents an algorithm for estimating convective CTT by using simultaneous passive [Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)] and active [CloudSat 1 Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO)] measurements of clouds to correct for the non-blackbody effect. To do this, a weighting function of the MODIS 11-mm band is explicitly calculated by feeding cloud hydrometer profiles from CloudSat and CALIPSO retrievals and temperature and humidity profiles based on ECMWF analyses into aradiation transfer model. Among 16837tropical deep convective clouds observed byCloudSatin 2008, the averaged effective emission level (EEL) of the 11-mm channel is located at optical depth ;0.72, with a standard deviation of 0.3. The distance between the EEL and cloud-top height determined by CloudSatis shown to be related to a parameter called cloud-top fuzziness (CTF), defined as the vertical separation between 230 and 10dBZ of CloudSat radar reflectivity. On the basis of these findings a relationship is then developed between the CTF and the difference between MODIS 11-mm brightness temperature and physical CTT, the latter being the non-blackbody correction of CTT. Correction of the non-blackbody effect of CTT is applied to analyze convective cloud-top buoyancy. With this correction, about 70% of the convective cores observed by CloudSat in the height range of 6‐10km have positive buoyancy near cloud top, meaning clouds are still growing vertically, although their final fate cannot be determined by snapshot observations.
The Role of Leasing under Asymmetric Information

Leasing contracts are extensively used in durable goods markets. These contracts specify a rental rate and an option price at which the used good can be bought at the termination of the lease. This option price cannot be controlled when the car is sold. We show that in a world where quality is observable this additional control variable is ineffective. Under adverse selection instead, leasing contracts affect equilibrium allocations in a way that matches observed behavior in the car market. Consistent with the data our model predicts that leased cars have a higher turnover and that off-lease used cars are higher quality. Moreover, the model predicts that the recent increase in leasing can be explained by the observed increase in car durability. We show that leasing contracts can improve welfare but they are imperfect tools. We also show that a producer with market power can benefit from leasing contracts for two reasons: market segmentation and better pricing of the option. Moreover, despite the fact that lessors could structure contracts to prevent adverse selection, we show that this is not in their interest.
Pharmacotherapy of depression.

Medication for depression is most effective when chosen on the basis of the patient's predominant symptoms and used in conjunction with good psychotherapy. The physician should see the depressed patient at frequent intervals and tell him what to expect from the medication he is taking. The risk of suicide in depression necessitates special caution in prescribing.
Insulin Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes

Objective To review the increasingly common use of insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes and the practical aspects of initiating insulin therapy in these patients. Data Sources Recent scientific and clinical literature identified through MEDLINE searches for the years 1995-2001 using the terms oral agents, type 2 diabetes, insulin therapy, glycemic control and diabetic complications, glucose toxicity, insulin lispro, insulin aspart, and insulin glargine. Study Selection Reports of key large (1,000 patients or more) and significant smaller, randomized, controlled clinical trials were reviewed. For studies comparing insulin analogs, the authors reviewed a sampling of the identified trials for their characteristics and clinical importance Data Synthesis Tight blood glucose control can help reduce the risk of diabetes complications. Evidence suggests that early insulin therapy can help correct the underlying pathogenetic abnormalities in type 2 diabetes and improve long-term glycemic control. For these reasons, some diabetes experts advocate the initiation of insulin therapy earlier in the course of type 2 diabetes than has been common in the past. Insulin regimens should be designed to mimic the body's natural physiologic secretion of insulin, including the basal amounts released continuously by the pancreas and the insulin surges produced in response to glucose loads. Using new insulin analogs is a useful approach to achieving this ideal. Insulin glargine provides a nearly constant, peakless release of insulin when injected subcutaneously once daily. Two new rapid-acting insulin analogs, insulin lispro (Humalog—Lilly) and insulin aspart (NovoLog—Novo Nordisk), enhance patients' flexibility in terms of meals by permitting injection immediately before meals, rather than 30 minutes before meals, as with regular insulin Conclusion Patients should be reassured that early initiation of insulin therapy is a positive event that should improve their long-term health and does not represent a decline in the course of their disease
A structural equation modeling investigation of relationships among school-aged ELs' individual difference characteristics and academic and second language outcomes

Abstract This statistical modeling study explored the relationships between language learning strategies and reading and mathematics achievement of English learners (ELs) in the presence of mediating and intervening factors. The sample comprised 805 Grade 3–8 students in one urban school district in the United States. Final SEM models had an exceptionally good fit to the data suggesting that the hypothesized models captured well the relationships among the constructs of interest and accounted for about 54% of the variance in academic achievement, 28% to 32% in English proficiency, and 28% to 53% in strategy use. The results identified three positive, instructionally manipulable contributors to EL outcomes (metacognitive strategies, motivation, native language literacy) and two intervening effects (age, length of residence [LOR]). Whereas metacognitive strategy use appeared to be stable, cognitive strategy use declined as a function of age; memory, social, affective, and compensation strategy use declined as a function of LOR.
Lesser Peachtree Borers and Peachtree Borers : a Device for Trapping, Collecting and Marking Native Moths

A trapping, collecting, and marking device was designed and constructed for processing large numbers of native male lesser peachtree borers, Synanihedon pictipes (Grote and Robinson), and peachtree borers, Synanthedon exitiosa (Say), in the field. This device eliminated many of the steps involved in marking moths with fluorescent pigments during a large area movement and dispersal study.
Trajectory Analysis for the Exxon Valdez: Hindcast Study

ABSTRACT The movement and spreading of the oil from the tanker Exxon Valdez accident was a vital issue in the massive response activities launched by industry, private groups, state governments and the federal government. To address this issue, a number of observational and forecast programs were carried out. These accumulated an unprecedented amount of observational data ranging from visual and remote-sensing distribution information to fairly complex adaptations of standard trajectory analysis routines. This paper reports on a hindcast study that used observational data and computational procedures to provide a quantitative estimate of the oil distribution over time. The major difficulty in doing this work was associated with the fact that both the observational and computational data had errors. Typically, the observational distribution data were nonquantitative and tended to have a number of false positives, while the wind and current data used in the computational procedure lacked detail or were impr...
Specificity of the latex-cryptococcal antigen test.

Three per cent of 618 serum specimens and 9% of 220 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens submitted from patients suspected of having fungal infections were positive in the latex–cryptococcal antigen test (LCAT). Fifteen per cent of the positive results in CSF and 85% of those in serum were nonspecific reactions. Latex particles coated with rabbit globulin were agglutinated by every serum and CSF specimen producing a nonspecific LCAT, but the latex-rabbit globulin test reagent did not agglutinate in any of the serum or CSF specimens from patients with proved cryptococcosis. Eighty-seven per cent of sera containing rheumatoid factor, from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, agglutinated the LCAT reagent; 60% of the same sera agglutinated the latex-rabbit globulin test reagent. Performing the latex-rabbit globulin test and rheumatoid factor tests in parallel with the LCAT should indicate virtually all nonspecific agglutinations. Three of 29 serum specimens from patients with other proved mycotic and actinomycotic infections agglutinated the LCAT reagent, but all of these appeared to be nonspecific reactions and were detected by the latex- rabbit globulin test reagent. None of 50 serum specimens from healthy blood bank donors agglutinated the LCAT reagent.
A Split Aspheric Condensing Lens

One of the immediate results of the introduction of the high current incandescent lamp into the motion picture industry has been the emphasis placed upon an old problem of applied optics; that is, the production of a field of uniform illumination from a non-uniform light source. The crater of the carbon are, which preceded the incandescent lamp in projection service, is sufficiently uniform in brilliancy from edge to edge to give an almost constant illumination at all parts of the screen, but the incandescent filament not only varies in brightness in different parts but it has open spaces of about half the filament area in extent. The illumination at the aperture and on the screen has a natural tendency to show an image of the filament, and the suppression of this image is the problem with which we are here concerned.
Preliminary Study on the Preventive Test of Transformer Neutral DC Current Blocking Device

When the DC current flows into inside of transformer,it will cause DC bias of transformer,and such problems as big noise and increase of reactive power loss. Various problems brought by the DC current into the transformer can be reduced by way of adding the blocking device in the neutral point of transformer,but the problem is how to perform the preventive test to the device. The preventive test items for the device is set up in accordance with field experience and the blocking device for 13 units of transformers operated at Guangzhou grid is inspected and the fault as well as hidden trouble are found. Verification of preventive test has a definite practical value and reference.
The plasma characteristics of different kinds of coal particles flow

The spectroscopy induced by laser can reflect the characteristics of the sample,In order to apply laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy(LIBS) for the direct detection of coal particles flow,this work presents the experimental analysis on the coal particle flow with the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy technology.Three kinds of coal samples(anthracite bituminous and lignite) were chosen to explore the plasma characteristics of coal particle flow.The relationships between the characteristics of plasma signal and the sample itself are analyzed.The characteristics of those coal samples are quite different and they are widly used in coal-fire power plant.Samples were ablated by 1 064 nm pulse laser in atmosphere.Based on the analysis of the plasma signal collected by the spectroscopy,the relations between coal particle flow and the relative line intensity of silicon and aluminum,plasma temperature and electron density are concluded.The analysis results show that the relative line intensity of silicon and aluminum is related to the ash content of the coals and its relative line intensity increases with the increasing of ash content in the coal particle flows.For the plasma temperatures and electron densities of the three kinds of coal samples,the results from large to samll order are achieved:anthracite,bituminous,lignite.
Technical Discussion of Vulnerability Patch Management System Optimized by CDN Cloud Platform

Security vulnerability management is one of the key tasks of information security in electric power enterprise. There are many problems such as network congestion or server response failure in vulnerability patch management system deployed in the electric power enterprise LAN. A solution is proposed for optimizing the server and network transmission mode in vulnerability patch management system, that is content delivery network(CDN) cloud platform technology.
iNOS upregulation mediates oxidant-induced disruption of F-actin and barrier of intestinal monolayers

Using oxidant-induced hyperpermeability of monolayers of intestinal (Caco-2) cells as a model for the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we previously showed that oxidative injury...
Endosomal system of Paramecium : coated pits to early endosomes

A detailed morphological and tracer study of endocytosis via coated pits in Paramecium multimicronucleatum was undertaken to compare endocytic processes in a free-living protozoon with similar processes in higher organisms. Permanent pits at the cell surface enlarge, become coated and give rise to coated vesicles (188 +/- 41 nm in diameter) that enclose fluid-phase markers such as horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Both the pits and vesicles are labeled by the immunogold technique when a monoclonal antibody (mAb) raised against the plasma membrane of this cell is applied to cryosections. The HRP is delivered to an early endosome compartment, which also shares the plasma membrane antigen. The early endosome, as shown in quick-freeze deep-etch replicas of chemically unfixed cells, is a definitive non-reticular compartment composed of many individual flattened cisternal units of 0.2 to 0.7 microns diameter, each potentially bearing one or more approximately 80-nm-wide coated evaginations. These coated evaginations on the early endosomes contain HRP but are not labeled by the mAb. The coated evaginations pinch off to form a second group of coated vesicles (90 +/- 17 nm in diameter), which can be differentiated from those formed from coated pits by their smaller size, absence of plasma membrane antigen and their location somewhat deeper into the cytoplasm. This study shows a striking similarity between protozoons and mammalian cells in their overall early endosomal machinery and in the ability of early endosomes to sort cargo from plasma membrane components. The vesicles identified in this study form two distinct populations of putative shuttle vesicles, pre-endosomal (large) and early endosome-derived vesicles (small), which facilitate incoming and outgoing traffic from the early endosomes.
Women’s Domestic-Role Orientation

This chapter situates urban women’s domestic-role orientation since China’s market reform in their work environments which have been undergoing the processes of privatization or marketization. Data come from in-depth interviews with women of the Mao and post-Mao cohorts. It finds labor commodification, the undermining of egalitarian socialist redistributive justice, and fierce competition are the main causes of women’s alienation from their workplaces, which leads to their growing domestic-role orientation. In this sense, the author sees urban women’s greater devotion to their household responsibilities than to their market work as passive resistance to labor denigration.
Learning to distinguish cerebral vasculature data from mechanical chatter in India-ink images acquired using knife-edge scanning microscopy

We introduce a simple, yet effective, procedure for accurate classification of connected components embedded in biological images. In our method, a training set is generated from user-delineated features of manually-labeled examples; we subsequently train a classifier using the resultant training set. The overall process is described using imaging data acquired from an India-ink perfused C57BL/6J mouse brain using Knife Edge Scanning Microscopy. We illustrate the procedure through segmentation of cerebral vasculature structures from mechanical noise using trained classifiers. The features extracted by our procedure show high discriminatory power between classes; the classifiers (linear SVM, Gaussian SVM, and GentleBoost decision tree ensemble) trained using these features achieved high performance: F1-scores reported for linear SVM, Gaussian SVM, and GentleBoost decision tree ensemble were 0.963, 0.956, and 0.963 respectively.
The Hidden Value of Variation in Practice.

* Abbreviations: CF — : cystic fibrosis CFF — : Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Although new disease modifying therapies offer promise, current management of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is largely based on 2 strategies: first, decreasing the day-to-day burden of inflammation and mucus in the airways and, second, managing pulmonary exacerbations: acute episodes of increased symptoms thought to reflect periods of inflammation associated with bacterial infection. A mainstay of treating CF exacerbations has been using ≥1 intravenous antibiotics in the hospital accompanied by supportive measures, including intensified airway clearance. Investigators using the Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis1 and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) Patient Registry2 have previously pointed out variation in CF care practices, particularly in therapies used for outpatient care. In this issue of Pediatrics , Cogen et al3 (“Characterization of Inpatient Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Exacerbations Using the Pediatric Health Information System Database”) use a novel data source from children’s hospitals to document surprising variation in many aspects of the inpatient management of CF exacerbations among 38 children’s hospitals participating in the CFF Care Center Network. Why is … Address correspondence to John T. McBride, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Akron Children’s Hospital, 2 Perkins Sq, Akron, Ohio 44308. E-mail: jtmcbride{at}gmail.com
Selective Sampling Based Efficient Classifier Representation in Distributed Learning

Communication is a bottleneck for many distributed machine learning problems with large data sets. One effective approach is to exchange the set of good classifiers among the learners. The key challenge in such an approach is how to represent the set of good classifiers, which can be viewed as a source coding problem in communication systems. A nonuniform sampling framework is proposed for this source coding problem. A metric that describes the quality of the sampled data for the target hypothesis space is proposed. An optimization problem is formulated by minimizing the upper bound of the proposed metric, and an efficient weight based algorithm is provided to solve the optimization problem. Numerical simulations on synthetic and real world data set show that the learning performance based on the proposed sampling framework is close to the global optimum with high confidence, while requiring less samples than baseline random sampling algorithms.
Structural insight into the protective role of P58(IPK) during unfolded protein response.

Abstract P58(IPK) has been identified as an ER molecular chaperone to maintain protein-folding homeostasis. P58(IPK) expression can be significantly upregulated during unfolded protein responses (UPR), and it may play important roles in suppressing the ER protein aggregations. To investigate the mechanism how P58(IPK) functions to promote protein folding within ER, we have determined the crystal structure of P58(IPK) TPR domain at 2.5 A resolution. P58(IPK) contains nine TPR motifs and a C-terminal J domain within its primary sequence. The crystal structure of P58(IPK) revealed three subdomains (I, II, and III) with similar folds and each domain contains three TPR motifs. Our data also showed that P58(IPK) acts as a molecular chaperone by interacting with the unfolded proteins such as luciferase, rhodanese, and insulin. The P58(IPK) structure reveals a conserved hydrophobic patch located in subdomain I that may be involved in binding the misfolded polypeptides. We have proposed a working model for P58(IPK) to act together with Bip to prevent protein aggregations and promote protein foldings within ER.
Attribute Based Access Control for Healthcare Resources

Fast Health Interoperability Services (FHIR) is the most recent in the line of standards for healthcare resources. FHIR represents different types of medical artifacts as resources and also provides recommendations for their authorized disclosure using web-based protocols including O-Auth and OpenId Connect and also defines security labels. In most cases, Role Based Access Control (RBAC) is used to secure access to FHIR resources. We provide an alternative approach based on Attribute Based Access Control (ABAC) that allows attributes of subjects and objects to take part in authorization decision. Our system allows various stakeholders to define policies governing the release of healthcare data. It also authenticates the end user requesting access. Our system acts as a middle-layer between the end-user and the FHIR server. Our system provides efficient release of individual and batch resources both during normal operations and also during emergencies. We also provide an implementation that demonstrates the feasibility of our approach.
Status of Serologic Tests for Legionella Antigen and Antibody at the Centers for Disease Control

Nine species and 16 serogroups have been defined for the genus Legionella. Direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) results with 12 conjugates in 3 polyvalent pools showed that L. pneumophila serogroup 1 comprised 63% of the legionellae identified in specimens from patients with legionellosis. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) titers of paired sera from patients with suspected legionellosis against multiple Legionella antigens showed preferential reactivity for the L. pneumophila antigens. The multiple-antigen IFA was 96% specific when sera from patients with disease due to other etiologic agents were tested. The prevalence of antibody among well individuals is relatively high in some population groups.
A probabilistic Passenger-to-Train Assignment Model based on automated data

Abstract The paper presents a methodology for assigning passengers to individual trains using: (i) fare transaction records from Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) systems and (ii) Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) data from train tracking systems. The proposed Passenger-to-Train Assignment Model (PTAM) is probabilistic and links each fare transaction to a set of feasible train itineraries. The method estimates the probability of the passenger boarding each feasible train, and the probability distribution of the number of trains a passenger is unable to board due to capacity constraints. The access/egress time distributions are important inputs to the model. The paper also suggests a maximum likelihood approach to estimate these distributions from AFC and AVL data. The methodology is applied in a case study with data from a major, congested, subway system during peak hours. Based on actual AFC and train tracking data, synthetic data was generated to validate the model. The results, both in terms of the trains passengers are assigned to and train loads, are similar to the “true” observations from the synthetic data. The probability of a passenger being left behind (due to capacity constraints) in the actual system is also estimated by time of day and compared with survey data collected by the agency at the same station. The left behind probabilities can be accurately estimated from the assignment results. Furthermore, it is shown that the PTAM output can also be used to estimate crowding metrics at transfer stations.
Development of a Structural Capacity Prediction Model Based on Traffic Speed Deflectometer Measurements

The importance of incorporating pavement structural conditions in the selection of maintenance and rehabilitation strategies along with functional indices has been recognized by state agencies. To ...
Experiential Purchase Quality: Exploring the Dimensions and Outcomes of Highly Memorable Experiential Purchases

Experiential purchases, such as movies, theme parks, and vacations, represent a unique, and exceedingly popular, type of marketing behavior. Despite the increasing popularity of purchased experienc...
Short Stay Surgery

One certainty in our cost-constrained environment is that changes in care delivery often occur rapidly, with little time for preliminary study and planning. As we have seen from the past, changes in ambulatory surgical care--though sometimes stressful because of their precipitous nature--are often positive for both patients and providers. For surgical nurses to respond optimally, we must keep abreast of trends and remain open to new ideas.
Promoting colorectal cancer screening discussion: A randomized controlled trial

Background Provider recommendation is a predictor of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Purpose To compare the effects of two clinic-based interventions on patient–provider discussions about CRC screening. Design Two-group RCT with data collected at baseline and 1 week post-intervention. Setting/participants African-American patients that were non-adherent to CRC screening recommendations ( n =693) with a primary care visit between 2008 and 2010 in one of 11 urban primary care clinics. Intervention Participants received either a computer-delivered tailored CRC screening intervention or a nontailored informational brochure about CRC screening immediately prior to their primary care visit. Main outcome measures Between-group differences in odds of having had a CRC screening discussion about a colon test, with and without adjusting for demographic, clinic, health literacy, health belief, and social support variables, were examined as predictors of a CRC screening discussion using logistic regression. Intervention effects on CRC screening test order by PCPs were examined using logistic regression. Analyses were conducted in 2011 and 2012. Results Compared to the brochure group, greater proportions of those in the computer-delivered tailored intervention group reported having had a discussion with their provider about CRC screening (63% vs 48%, OR=1.81, p p -values Conclusions The computer-delivered tailored intervention was more effective than a nontailored brochure at stimulating patient–provider discussions about CRC screening. Those who received the computer-delivered intervention also were more likely to have a CRC screening test (fecal occult blood test or colonoscopy) ordered by their PCP. Trial registration This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00672828.
Low-Temperature Assembly of Surface-Mount Device on Flexible Substrate Using Additive Printing Process

Flexible substrates with printed electronics and surface-mount devices are being increasingly explored for various applications. For the assembly of surface-mount devices, conductive adhesives and films are being thought of as suitable alternatives to solder reflow assembly. However, such assemblies face many performance limitations particularly at high frequencies, and process limitations when the surface-mount devices are thin. This paper presents an innovative, low-temperature ink-to-ink fully-additive sintering process for surface-mount device assembly on a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate with printed Ag pads. The printed ink is characterized using tape peel and button shear tests. Upon assembly of a surface-mount device, the strength of the device-to-substrate joint is assessed through a die shear test, and it is seen that the joint is stronger than the adhesion of the printed conductor to the flexible substrate. Thus, the proposed fully-additive assembly process appears to be a viable assembly method for attaching surface-mount devices on flexible substrates.
Rare breakthroughs vs. incremental development in R&D strategy for an early-stage energy technology

Abstract Uncertainty in technological learning is a crucial factor in planning research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) strategies. Nevertheless, most previous work either models technological change as deterministic or accounts for uncertainty without fully capturing the recourse feature of the problem. This paper improves upon these approaches by developing a real options-based stochastic dynamic programming method for valuing and planning low-carbon energy RD&D investment and is the first of its kind to disaggregate the effects of R&D and learning-by-doing. This simplified model captures the relevant features of the problem and provides general insights on RD&D strategy under technological uncertainty. Results indicate that imminent deployment, high cost, lower exogenous cost reductions, and lower program funds all promote R&D spending over learning-by-doing, since under these circumstances a breakthrough, rather than slow and consistent cost reductions, will render the program successful.
Content-bootstrapped Collaborative Filtering for Medical Article Recommendations

Recommender system seeks to assist and augment the natural social process of making choices without sufficient personal experience of the alternatives. They have become fundamental applications in electronic commerce and information access, assisting users to effectively pinpoint information that of their interests from large catalog spaces. Contrary to the pervasive utilization of recommender systems in domains such as electronic commerce, the application of recommendation system in medical domain is limited and further effort is needed. In addition, while a variety of approaches have been proposed for performing recommendation, including collaborative filtering, demographic recommender and other techniques, each individual method has its own drawbacks. This paper proposes a medical oriented recommendation system in which patient’s background data is used to bootstrap the collaborative filtering engine and personalized suggestions are provided therein. We present empirical experiment results that show how the content-bootstrapped part of the system enhances the effectiveness of medical article recommendation of the collaborative filtering.
What's new in HIV dermatology?

HIV has long been associated with a number of inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic skin conditions. In the era of anti-retroviral therapy, we have discovered even more about the relationship between skin disease and chronic immunosuppression. In particular, clinicians still face the propensity of persons living with HIV to develop difficult-to-control viral infections, chronic skin inflammation, and pruritus and—particularly as patients age—various types of skin cancers. Here, we summarize recent updates in the field of HIV dermatology and make recommendations to providers caring for these patients.