cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Akt activation mediates acquired resistance to fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitor BGJ398

Activation of FGFR signaling through mutations, amplifications, or fusions involving FGFR1, 2, 3, or 4 is seen in multiple tumors, including lung, bladder, and cholangiocarcinoma. Currently, several clinical trials are evaluating the role of novel FGFR inhibitors in solid tumors. As we move forward with FGFR inhibitors clinically, we anticipate the emergence of resistance with treatment. Consequently, we sought to study the mechanism(s) of acquired resistance to FGFR inhibitors using annotated cancer cell lines. We identified cancer cell lines that have activating mutations in FGFR1, 2, or 3 and treated them chronically with the selective FGFR inhibitor, BGJ398. We observed resistance to chronic BGJ398 exposure in DMS114 (small-cell lung cancer, FGFR1 amplification) and RT112 (urothelial carcinoma, FGFR3 fusion/amplification) cell lines based on viability assays. Reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) analysis showed increased phosphorylation of Akt (T308 and S473) and its downstream target GSK3 (S9 and S21) in both the resistant cell lines when compared with matching controls. Results of RPPA were confirmed using immunoblots. Consequently, the addition of an Akt inhibitor (GSK2141795) or siRNA was able to restore sensitivity to BGJ398 in resistant cell lines. These data suggest a role for Akt pathway in mediating acquired resistance to FGFR inhibition. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(4); 614-24. ©2017 AACR.
A Contemporary Interpretation of Confucian Ritual in the Writings of Xunzi

The ideal of fulfillment and self-realization could be seen as one of the central pursuits of the modern world, as Corey Anton notes in his study on the subject (Anton 2001, 3). Debates and controversies
The First Ministry of Ricasoli

The phase of the Roman question between the death of Cavour and the resignation of his successor, Ricasoli, covers a period of nearly ten months, and is distinguished by the increasingly intransigent role both France and Italy had now come to play. The insistence of Napoleon upon a guarantee for papal security and the equally stubborn determination of Ricasoli to have Rome for Italy’s capital are the salient lines in a complex development of things.
Differential regulation of IFNα, IFNβ and IFNε gene expression in human cervical epithelial cells.

Interferone (IFNe) is a unique type I IFN that has distinct functions from IFNα/β. IFNe is constitutively expressed at mucosal tissues, including the female genital mucosa, and is reported to be modulated by estrogen and seminal plasma. However, its regulation by cytokines, including TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-22 and IFNα, which are commonly present in the female genital mucosa, is not well documented in freshly isolated primary cervical cells from tissues. We determined the effect of these cytokines on gene expression of type I IFNs in an immortalized endocervical epithelial cell line (A2EN) and in primary cervical epithelial cells. Several pro-inflammatory cytokines were found to induce IFNe, and TNFα induced the strongest response in both cell types. Pretreatment of cells with the IκB inhibitor, which blocks the NF-κB pathway, suppressed TNFα-mediated IFNe gene induction and promoter activation. Expression of IFNα, IFNβ, and IFNe was differentially regulated in response to various cytokines. Taken together, our results show that regulation of these IFNs depends on cell type, cytokine concentration, and incubation time, highlighting the complexity of the cytokine network in the cervical epithelium.
Autonomous Planning Agents for Real-Time Control

In this paper we describe a novel architecture for real-time control of manufacturing, based on an earlier scheduling system, namely ReDS. The new system, ReDS2, has many differences from its predecessor, the most noteworthy being its recursive architecture composed of self-reliant Planning Agents. It allows an arbitrary number of control layers of autonomous and independent modules and a broadcast architecture for communication. The proposed architecture has a number of advantages over the conventional approaches and it is intended to be a small step in the direction of developing a generic and unified approach for planning, scheduling and control of production in manufacturing organizations.
Sponsoring Mobile Data: Analyzing the Impact on Internet Stakeholders

As demand for mobile data increases, end users increasingly need to pay more for consuming data. Sponsored data is a new pricing model that allows content providers (CPs) to subsidize some of this cost. It potentially offers benefits to multiple Internet stakeholders: users can enjoy lower data costs, CPs can attract more users by subsidizing their data access, and Internet service providers (ISPs) can create new revenue streams by charging CPs for sponsored data. However, the distribution of these benefits between different users, CPs, and the ISP remains unclear. Although concerns have been raised that sponsored data disproportionately benefits larger, less cost-sensitive CPs, little attention has been paid to analyzing sponsored data’s impact on end users. This paper does so by first formulating an analytical model of user, CP, and ISP interactions for heterogeneous users and CPs and deriving their optimal behaviors. We then show that while all three parties can benefit from sponsored data, sponsorship benefits users more than CPs. These disproportionate benefits are more pronounced for more cost-sensitive users when they receive sponsorship from less cost-sensitive CPs, indicating that sponsored data may help to bridge the digital divide between users who can afford the cost of mobile data and those who cannot. We then show that sponsorship disproportionately benefits less cost-sensitive CPs and more cost-sensitive users, exacerbating disparities among CPs but reducing disparities among users. We finally illustrate these results through numerical simulations with data from a commercial pricing trial.
Virtual Environment for Testing Software-Defined Networking Solutions for Scientific Workflows

Recent developments in software-defined infrastructures promise that scientific workflows utilizing supercomputers, instruments, and storage systems will be dynamically composed and orchestrated using software at unprecedented speed and scale in the near future. Testing of the underlying networking software, particularly during initial exploratory stages, remains a challenge due to potential disruptions, and resource allocation and coordination needed over the multi-domain physical infrastructure. To overcome these challenges, we develop the Virtual Science Network Environment (VSNE) that emulates the multi-site host, storage, and network infrastructure using Virtual Machines (VMs), wherein the production and nascent software can be tested. Within each VM, which represents a site, the hosts and local-area networks are emulated using Mininet, and the Software-Defined Network (SDN) controllers and service daemon codes are natively run to support dynamic provisioning of network connections. Additionally, Lustre filesystem support at the sites and an emulation of the long-haul network using Mininet, are provided using separate VMs. As case studies, we describe Lustre file transfers using XDD, Red5 streaming service demonstration, and an emulated experiment with remote monitoring and steering modules, all supported over dynamically configured connections using SDN controllers.
Air Filtration by Fibrous Media

Theories of air filtration by fibrous media have been reviewed and the pertinent equations for calculating filter pressure drop and efficiency summarized. Calculation results have been presented showing the single fiber efficiency as a function of particle size for various fiber sizes and packing densities. The existence of a most penetrating particle size for fibrous media has been demonstrated and shown to vary between 0.015 to 0.9 μm for fiber diameters of 1 to 30 pm, packing densities of 0.01 to 0.3 and filtration velocities of 1 to 100 cm/s.
Consumer food safety knowledge, practices, and demographic differences : Findings from a meta-analysis

Risk communication and consumer education to promote safer handling of food can be the best way of managing the risk of foodborne illness at the consumer end of the food chain. Thus, an understanding of the overall status of food handling knowledge and practices is needed. Although traditional qualitative reviews can be used for combining information from several studies on specific food handling behaviors, a structured approach of meta-analysis can be more advantageous in a holistic assessment. We combined findings from 20 studies using meta-analysis methods to estimate percentages of consumers engaging in risky behaviors, such as consumption of raw food, poor hygiene, and cross-contamination, separated by various demographic categories. We estimated standard errors to reflect sampling error and between-study random variation. Then we evaluated the statistical significance of differences in behaviors across demographic categories and across behavioral measures. There were considerable differences in behaviors across demographic categories, possibly because of socioeconomic and cultural differences. For example, compared with women, men reported greater consumption of raw or undercooked foods, poorer hygiene, poorer practices to prevent cross-contamination, and less safe defrosting practices. Mid-age adults consumed more raw food (except milk) than did young adults and seniors. High-income individuals reported greater consumption of raw foods, less knowledge of hygiene, and poorer cross-contamination practices. The highest raw ground beef and egg consumption and the poorest hygiene and cross-contamination practices were found in the U.S. Mountain region. Meta-analysis was useful for identifying important data gaps and demographic groups with risky behaviors, and this information can be used to prioritize further research.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain and function improve with a plant-based diet.

Abstract Background Chronic musculoskeletal pain, often debilitating, affects all genders, ethnicities, and age groups. Research suggests consumption of a plant-based diet may improve the status of persons with chronic pain. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains has been shown to reduce chronic pain and disability associated with musculoskeletal conditions. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the value of a plant-based diet in the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain and functional limitations. Method Fourteen subjects participated in the eight-week study. Baseline evaluation included anthropometric measurements and completion of two self-reported outcome measures: Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). A registered dietitian nutritionist provided a sample menu cycle and education on a plant-based diet. Subjects utilized a phone app to log food intake and receive support from the dietitian. Post data collection included a repeat of the baseline measures and the Patient Global Impression of Change Scale. The sample was small. Twenty subjects began, 14 completed. No comparison group was used. Results should be considered with caution. Results The diet intervention resulted in decreased pain and improvement in quality of life. Diet adherence by ten of fourteen subjects was 89% based on completion of food intake records and adherence to allowed foods. Conclusion Consumption of a plant-based diet produced positive improvements in chronic pain and function. Interprofessional collaboration between physical therapists and registered dietitian nutritionists, along with other healthcare practitioners, can encourage and promote diet interventions that positively affect chronic pain.
An Electronic Health Record Tool Designed to Improve Pediatric Hospital Discharge has Low Predictive Utility for Readmissions

We developed an electronic health record tool to improve pediatric hospital discharge. This tool flags children with three components that might complicate discharge: home health, polypharmacy (greater than or equal to 6 medications), or nonEnglish speaking caregiver. The tool tallies components and displays them as a composite score of 0-3 points. We describe the tool's development, implementation, and an evaluation of its predictive utility for 30-day unplanned readmissions in 29,542 discharged children. Of these children, 28% had a composite score of 1, 8% a score greater than or equal to 2, and 4% were readmitted. The odds of readmission was significantly higher in children with composite score of 1 versus 0 (odds ratio [OR]: 1.7; 95% CI, 1.5-2) and greater than or equal to 2 versus 0 (OR 4.2; 95% CI 3.6-4.9). The C-statistic for this model was 0.6259. Despite the positive association of the score with readmission, the tool's discriminatory performance is low. Additional research is needed to evaluate its practical benefit for improving the quality of hospital discharge. This study was supported by an institutional Clinical and Operational Effectiveness and Patient Safety Small Grants Program.
A pedra e o ovo: o real no meio do caminho de Carlos Drummond de Andrade e Clarice Lispector | The stone and the egg: The real in the middle of Carlos Drummond de Andrade’s and Clarice Lispector’s road

Este artigo examina o conto “O ovo e a galinha”, escrito por Clarice Lispector em 1964, e o poema “No meio do caminho”, publicado por Carlos Drummond de Andrade em 1928, a fim de compreender, em ambos, a figuracao de um “objeto hermetico” — no conto, o ovo, e no poema, a pedra. Nos dois casos, trata-se de um objeto cujo sentido escapa ao sujeito que produz o discurso (a narradora e o eu-lirico), tensionando o limite do real e promovendo uma experiencia epifânica. A impossibilidade de apreensao e o carater nao humano do “objeto hermetico” faz com que os autores aproximem-se dele por meio de referencias ao mundo animal e ao universo escultorico; e e analisando essas referencias, situadas para alem do campo da literatura, que se pretende, aqui, lancar luzes sobre a concepcao de “real” para os dois escritores.
The interactional dynamics of scaling and contrast in accounts of interpersonal conflict

Abstract This study examines interactional regrading—specifically, scaling and contrast—and its role in the construction and interpretation of accounts of interpersonal conflict. Analysis and discussion center on an extended, multi-part narrative sequence produced by an adult immigrant woman describing her experiences with ethnic and linguistic discrimination in the United States. Drawing on talk-in-interaction perspectives, I examine how teller and recipient produce and orient to implicational scales and contrasts (e.g., ‘transgression’, ‘propriety’, ‘native/non-native English speaker’) and their associated categorial, affective, and moral resonances. These are shown to vary in their granularity (e.g., ‘general-specific’), intensity (e.g., ‘weak-strong’), and other gradable features. Analysis of this talk as it unfolds in ‘real-time’ reveals the dynamics of how regrading functions as a supportive resource to produce versions of events, to recalibrate and challenge transgressive people and actions, and to elicit affiliative recipient responses.
Magnetic resonance imaging findings in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

BackgroundThe unpredictability in presenting signs and symptoms of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) presents a notable diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Previous studies have...
A tunable microfluidic device enables cargo encapsulation by cell- or organelle-sized lipid vesicles comprising asymmetric lipid monolayers

Cellular membranes play host to a wide variety of morphologically and chemically complex processes. Although model membranes, like liposomes, are already widely used to reconstitute and study these processes, better tools are needed for making model bilayers that faithfully mimic cellular membranes. Existing methods for fabricating cell-sized (μm) or organelle-sized (tens to hundreds of nm) lipid vesicles have distinctly different requirements. Of particular note for biology, it remains challenging for any technique to efficiently encapsulate fragile cargo molecules or to generate liposomes with stable, asymmetric lipid-leaflets within the bilayer. Here we describe a tunable microfluidic device and protocol for fabricating liposomes with desired diameters ranging from ~10 μm to ~100 nm. Lipid vesicle size is templated by the simple inclusion of a polycarbonate filter within the microfluidic system and tuned with flow rate. We show that the vesicles made with our device are stable, unilamellar, lipid asymmetric, and capable of supporting transmembrane protein assembly, peripheral membrane protein binding, as well as soluble cargo encapsulation (including designer nanocages for biotechnology applications). These fabricated vesicles provide a new platform for studying the biophysically rich processes found within lipid-lipid and lipid-protein systems typically associated with cellular membranes.
Dynamic MRI of the wrist in less than 20 seconds: normal midcarpal motion and reader reliability

To describe the normal motion pattern at the midcarpal compartment during active radial–ulnar deviation of the wrist using dynamic MRI, and to determine the observer performance for measurements obtained in asymptomatic volunteers. Dynamic MRI of 35 wrists in 19 asymptomatic volunteers (age mean 30.4 years, SD 8.6) was performed during active radial–ulnar deviation using a fast gradient-echo pulse sequence with 315 ms temporal resolution (acquisition time, 19 s). Two independent readers measured the transverse translation of the trapezium at the scaphotrapezium joint (STJ) and the capitate-to-triquetrum distance (CTD). Relationships between these measurements and laterality, sex, lunate type, and wrist kinematic pattern were evaluated. At the STJ, the trapezium moved most in radial deviation, with an overall translation of 2.3 mm between ulnar and radial deviation. Mean CTD measurements were the greatest in ulnar deviation and varied 2.4 mm between ulnar and radial deviation. Mean CTD was greater in men than women in the neutral position (p = 0.019), and in wrists with type II lunate morphology during radial and ulnar deviation (p = 0.001, p = 0.014). There were no significant differences in trapezium translation or CTD with wrist laterality and kinematic pattern. Intraobserver and interobserver correlation coefficients were 0.97 and 0.87 for trapezium translation and 0.84 and 0.67 for CTD. This study is the first to demonstrate the performance of dynamic MRI to quantify STJ motion and CTD. Dynamic MRI with a short acquisition time may be used as a tool to supplement static MRI in evaluation of the midcarpal compartment.
Author meets critics: Matti Eklund’s choosing normative concepts

Eklund’s book is very rich, and I have enjoyed thinking through the profound thoughts expressed therein. The primary goal of Eklund’s book is to explore underexplored metaethical questions and theo...
New Mexico Permian Basin Measured Well Pad Methane Emissions Are a Factor of 5-9 Times Higher Than U.S. EPA Estimates.

Methane emission fluxes were estimated for 71 oil and gas well pads in the western Permian Basin (Delaware Basin), using a mobile laboratory and an inverse Gaussian dispersion method (OTM 33A). Sit...
Does forestry pay? Case studies of four African American family forestland owners in Georgia, United States

Abstract Since 1920 African Americans have lost about 14 million acres of land, a staggering loss of capital with ramifications for landowners and their rural communities. Land retention and acquisition are vital for preserving and reclaiming the heritage of many rural African Americans, improving rural economies, and serving as a platform to build generational wealth necessary for sustaining rural communities into the future. One proposed means of land retention is using forest income to meet property tax obligations. In this context, this study explores the ability of African American forest landowners to meet their tax obligations with forest income through four case studies. For each case, we compared two management scenarios: business as usual and active forest management. We found that while active forest management is more profitable than business as usual, both are profitable in the right environment. Our most important finding is the importance of Conservation Use Valuation to reduce tax obligations, something out of the reach of heirs' property landowners, which may contribute to heirs' property loss. Our results inform current initiatives for resolving heirs' property issues and promoting sustainable forestry among African American forest landowners for ensuring regular income and successful intergenerational land transfer.
CeIV70 Oxosulfate Rings, Frameworks, Supramolecular Assembly, and Redox Activity**

MIV molecular oxo-clusters (M=Zr, Hf, Ce, Th, U, Np, Pu) are prolific in bottoms-up material design, catalysis, and elucidating reaction pathways in nature and in synthesis. Here we introduce Ce70 , a wheel-shaped oxo-cluster, [CeIV70 (OH)36 (O)64 (SO4 )60 (H2 O)10 ]4- . Ce70 crystallizes into intricate high pore volume frameworks with divalent transition metals and Ce-monomer linkers. Eight crystal-structures feature four framework types in which the Ce70 -rings are linked as propellers, in offset-stacks, in a tartan pattern, and as isolated rings. Small-angle X-ray scattering of Ce70 dissolved in butylamine, with and without added cations (CeIV , alkaline earths, MnII ), shows the metals' differentiating roles in ring linking, leading to supramolecular assemblies. The large acidic pores and abundant terminal sulfates provide ion-exchange behavior, demonstrated with UIV and NdIII . Frameworks featuring CeIII/IV -monomer linkers demonstrate both oxidation and reduction. This study opens the door to mixed-metal, highly porous framework catalysts, and new clusters for metal-organic framework design.
Equivalent Thermal Conductivity Prediction of Form-Wound Windings With Litz Wire Including Transposition Effects

Litz wire has been widely used in high-frequency electrical machines and transformers to minimize induced current loss and maintain high efficiency. Its heat dissipation capability can be a key design factor for high-power-density, high-frequency electrical machines. Although litz wire equivalent thermal conductivity has been studied, its transposition arrangement on heat dissipation enhancement is usually neglected. This article focuses on developing an analytical model to predict litz wire equivalent thermal conductivity including transposition effects. 3-D finite element models and hardware experiments are used to validate the proposed analytical model. Fast and accurate litz wire thermal conductivity prediction values can be obtained. The transposed and parallel arrangement effects on litz wire equivalent thermal conductivity are compared and discussed. This study shows that the transposition arrangement could improve litz wire heat dissipation capability by 10% to 30%, demonstrating that electrical machine power density can be potentially increased by up to 14%. The proposed method can advance winding design to push the boundaries of electrical machine power density.
Universal symptom monitoring to address presenteeism in healthcare workers.

Background The scale of the COVID-19 pandemic has required rapid development of both governmental and institutional policies and protocols to minimize transmission. We describe our institution's implementation of a symptom monitoring program with this goal. Methods We developed a symptom monitoring tool based on our return-to-work guidelines using a Qualtrics survey tool. We implemented this for healthcare workers (HCWs) and provided individualized real time guidance and linkage to COVID-19 testing if indicated. Results During the period from April 2nd to April 17th, 2020, 9446 HCWs had enrolled in the symptom tracking survey, with 5,035 HCWs completing the survey daily at the end of this period. 1,318 HCWs had been identified as being symptomatic with an indication for SARS-CoV-2 testing and were directed to the hotline to have this ordered. Of these, 82% reported not currently staying home from work due to illness or quarantine when first reporting symptoms. Discussion and Conclusions A survey based symptom monitoring tool can be rapidly designed and implemented, and incorporated with a testing strategy. Our results show the potential for quick uptake, and effectiveness in identifying and addressing presenteeism. We report our large academic institution's experience as a model to be adapted for use in this and future pandemics.
Enhanced ammonia adsorption on functionalized nanoporous carbons

Abstract Nanoporous carbons were synthesized and treated with nitric acid after which the change in their propensities for ammonia adsorption was determined. The adsorbents had mean pore sizes ranging from 0.5 to 12 nm and they included polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA)-derived carbons, commercial activated carbons, and both soft and hard-templated mesoporous carbons. The carbons were treated with concentrated nitric acid at elevated temperatures (e.g. 90 °C) and for time spans between 15 and 240 min. The textural properties of carbons, before and after nitric acid treatment, were determined using CO2 adsorption at 0 °C. Ammonia adsorption uptakes were measured at 25 °C and at pressures up to 9.5 bar. The highest total uptake of ammonia on the native carbons, that is prior to nitric acid treatment, was ∼10 mmol/g at 1 bar and 25 °C; this was obtained on a microporous carbon derived from the pyrolysis of polyfurfuryl alcohol and polyethylene glycol blends followed by CO2 oxidation. Nitric acid treatment of this carbon significantly increased its total uptake of ammonia to 17 mmol/g. This sample provided a reversible uptake of 14 mmol/g after it was outgassed at 160 °C and 10−5 bar under dynamic vacuum. This is 2 mmol/g higher than state-of-the-art ammonia adsorbents such as COF-10. An x-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) showed that the oxygen content of the carbon increased from 3 at.% to 16.4 at.% after the nitric acid treatment. Heats of adsorption profiles, calculated from adsorption isotherms, started from 165 kJ/mol and quickly dropped to 40 kJ/mol with ammonia loading. This showed that the isosteric heat of adsorption on the remaining surface was still higher than the native carbon sample resulting in high reversible adsorption uptake, even after excluding the irreversible adsorption on the very high energy sites.
Technology Locks, Creative Destruction, and Nonconvergence in Productivity Levels

Abstract Plant-level data from U.S. textile industries indicate (1) significant cross-sectional dispersion in plant-level productivity within narrowly defined industries, (2) that highly productive plants grow faster and are less likely to exit, (3) dispersion in productivity is larger in industries with more rapid productivity growth, (4) older plants are bigger, and (5) plant births and closures are common to all four-digit textile industries. This paper presents an extended vintage model to explain these facts. The model assumes that a plant incurs a fixed cost of adopting the current best practice and convex costs of adjusting its capital stock. The model provides alternative explanations for the phenomena of investment spikes and S-shaped diffusion. Finally, the model interprets the fact that entry and exit are positively correlated across industries as evidence that variation in plant turnover across industries is driven by variation in technology rather than variation in demand growth. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: L6, O3, O4.
Behavioral effects of trimethyltin in two strains of mice. II. Multiple fixed ratio, fixed interval.

Abstract Adult male C57BL 6N and BALB c mice were trained to respond under a multiple fixed-ratio 30, fixed-interval 600-sec schedule of milk presentation. After performance had stabilized, each mouse received a single dose of trimethyltin · Cl (TMT) by ip administration. Three hours after administration, behavioral testing was started and continued at 24-hr intervals thereafter. The behavior of mice receiving 0.3 mg/kg was unaffected at 3, 27, and 51 hr after administration. Likewise, no effects were seen at 3 and 27 hr after 1 mg/kg. However, at 51 hr after administration there was a significant change in the temporal patterning of fixed-interval responding in the C57BL 6N strain, as shown by a decrease in the fixed-interval quarter-life. There was no significant change in the BALB c strain at this dose. At 3 mg/kg the responding of both strains was greatly affected, and responding remained disrupted for at least 6 to 7 weeks. Neuropathological examination of the brains of both strains of mice showed no significant lesions (light microscopy) at 0.3 and 1 mg/kg. At 3 mg/kg, severe neuronal necrosis was observed in the fascia dentata region in both strains. Thus, in mice receiving TMT, the behavioral deficits were closely paralleled by the presence or absence of significant neuropathology.
Inflation and relative-price variability: Effect of temporal aggregation

Abstract The effect of temporal aggregation on the relation between inflation and variability of relative-price changes in the United States is studied by using monthly consumer price index (CPI) data as well as quarterly observations derived by averaging the monthly series. Estimates from monthly and quarterly data show major differences for the periods 1973–1986 and 1980–1986.
Standing Gold Nanorod Arrays as Reproducible SERS Substrates for Measurement of Pesticides in Apple Juice and Vegetables

There is an increasing interest in recent years in using novel nanomaterials as cost-effective, sensitive, and reproducible substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) applications. In this study, a novel SERS substrate was developed by assembling gold nanorods into standing arrays on a gold-coated silicon slide. The standing nanorod arrays were closely packed on the gold film, generating strong electromagnetic field and uniformly distributed SERS "hot-spots" on the array surface. The as-prepared SERS substrates were used to detect a widely used pesticide (that is, carbaryl) in acetonitrile-water solution, apple juice, and cabbage. Results demonstrate that the actual concentrations of carbaryl in apple juice and cabbage were linearly correlated with the concentrations predicted by the multiple linear regression models (R > 0.97). The detection limits of carbaryl in apple juice and cabbage were both 2.5 ppm, meeting the maximum residue limits set by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). SERS can detect as low as 0.1 ppm of carbaryl in acetonitrile-water solution. In addition, satisfactory recoveries were obtained for carbaryl in both apple juice and cabbage. These results indicate that SERS coupled with the standing gold nanorod array substrates is a sensitive and reproducible method and can accurately detect pesticides in foods.
Imprisoned mothers and their children

Abstract Presently, there is concern regarding the imprisonment of female offenders who are mothers occasioned by both the numerical increase in women prisoners and by the fact that research and public policy have centered primarily on separation issues. It is estimated that 70%-80% are mothers, incarceration results in the separation of mothers and children. Following their incarceration, most mothers plan to be reunited with their children. This paper examines the reunion aspect and makes recommendations for its successfully implementation.
2015 American Society for Clinical Investigation Presidential Address Advancing the mission

I have been honored to serve as president over the past year and as a member of the Council since 2012. The opportunity to work with my fellow Council members, distinguished colleagues across the country, and superb administrative team constitutes one of the great privileges of my professional life. I would happily conclude my tenure by enjoying our annual meeting’s scientific sessions and then quietly returning home. But the burdensome tradition of delivering a presidential address carries on. Many past presidents have shared my consternation, perhaps best expressed by Dr. Holly Smith in his 1970 presidential address when he noted, “This rather strange custom is not embedded in the Bylaws of the American Society for Clinical Investigation. Furthermore, casual perusal of the past fails to reveal any firm mandate transmitted from a grateful membership for this form of gratuitous pontification” (1). I would add to Dr. Smith’s trenchant remarks that the only firm mandate from the membership is that this address end in a timely fashion, and I intend to do so. Having succumbed to the power of tradition, I set out to develop thoughtful remarks. Over the past few weeks, my children, who are both here today, watched me struggle at the keyboard. They observed with amusement but not surprise as I attempted to illuminate previously unappreciated philosophical insights. I say “without surprise” because like most young people they concluded some years ago that their father lacks a deep understanding of frankly anything, a view reaffirmed for them by my continued struggle. I sought inspiration by reading previous presidential addresses. As I reviewed, it became clear that, while the elocutionary approach varied, recurrent themes dominated the discussion — reflective of the importance of some issues across generations. David Ginsburg, in his 2002 presidential address, provided quantitative data that the most common topics include (a) the future of the physician-scientist, (b) clinical investigation, (c) ASCI state of the union, (d) research funding, and (e) education/mentoring (2). I found reading these previous addresses, and many, many more, to be simultaneously inspiring and disheartening. For everything I wished to say had been stated by others, more eloquently, and with more depth and insight than I could ever hope to achieve. This appreciation coupled with the recognition of myself as a utilitarian phenotype, unabashedly so, led me to abandon the well-stated, philosophical discourse as an approach. Rather, I chose to focus on three strategies that my colleagues and I have undertaken during my tenure. While each strategy may represent a modest advance, collectively they unite as a considered set of measures consonant with “Advancing the Mission” of the Society.
An incremental learning method for face recognition under continuous video stream

The current technology in computer vision requires humans to collect images, store images, segment images for computers and train computer recognition systems using these images. It is unlikely that such a manual labor process can meet the demands of many challenging recognition tasks. Our goal is to enable machines to learn directly from sensory input streams while interacting with the environment including human teachers. We propose a new technique which incrementally derives discriminating features in the input space. Virtual labels are formed by clustering in the output space to extract discriminating features in the input space. We organize the resulting discriminating subspace in a coarse-to-fine fashion and store the information in a decision tree. Such an incremental hierarchical discriminating regression (IHDR) decision tree can be modeled by a hierarchical probability distribution model. We demonstrate the performance of the algorithm on the problem of face recognition using video sequences of 33889 frames in length from 143 different subjects. A correct recognition rate of 95.1% has been achieved.
Potential for play in a primary literacy curriculum

Abstract The benefits of play in the learning and development of young children has long been recognized by researchers and early childhood educators. As new teachers face the challenges of increasingly diverse classrooms, in an increasingly demanding political climate, the potential of play has implications for teacher educators who prepare those new teachers. This study investigated literacy use during play in the researcher's culturally diverse first grade classroom, finding that children applied various functions of print, practiced skills, and explored concepts that had been introduced in the formal curriculum. These observations reinforce the notion that play encompasses many of the conditions necessary for literacy development and is a useful means of extending and supporting the formal literacy curriculum. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
High-performance optical disk mass storage for aerospace imaging systems

The specifications and techniques related to the development of the NASA Spaceflight Optical Disk Recorder (SODR) are presented. The system is being developed for the temporary storage of high-resolution sensor data that will be collected at high data rates by future space programs. Typical spaceflight recording requirements are given for the Space Station Freedom, the Earth Observing System, and some planetary missions. SODR module characteristics are listed, emphasizing the two independent optical disk recorders and the random access to 5 gigabytes of data on each side of the disks. The modular design includes two I/O ports providing 150 Mbits/sec user data rate each, and multimodule reconfigurable architecture permitting the synchronization of up to 16 modules with a maximum data rate of 4.8 gigabits/sec.
Preparation and reactivity of macrocyclic rhodium(III) alkyl complexes

We found that the macrocyclic rhodium(II) complexes LRh(H2O)2+ (L = L1 = cyclam and L2 = meso-Me-6-cyclam) react with alkyl hydroperoxides RC(CH3)2OOH to generate the corresponding rhodium(III) alkyls L(H2O)RhR2+ (R = CH3, C2H5, PhCH2). Methyl and benzyl complexes can also be prepared by bimolecular group transfer from alkyl cobaloximes (dmgH)2(H2O) CoR and (dmgBF2)2(H2O) CoR (R = CH3, PhCH2) to LRh(H2O)2+. Moreover, the new complexes were characterized by solution NMR and by crystal structure analysis. They exhibit great stability in aqueous solution at room temperature, but undergo efficient Rh-C bond cleavage upon photolysis.
The cycle time vector of D–A–D functions

It is of interest to find conditions under which the cycle time vector, View the MathML source, of a topical function F, that is a function from View the MathML source into itself which is homogeneous and nonexpansive in the View the MathML source norm, exists. For a class of topical functions associated with matrix scaling problems, we show that the cycle time vector exists and that it can be computed from the spectral radius of the function.
Alcohol and Complex Functioning

Twenty-five managers participated in two parallel 6-hour quasi-experimental simulations. On placebo treatment days, the subjects received hourly placebo drinks. On alcohol treatment days (order counterbalanced), enough alcohol was provided prior to the fourth hour of simulation participation to attain a breath alcohol level (BAL) of near 0.10. All other drinks contained a placebo beverage. Complex task performance was assessed on five variables derived from complexity theory, comparing performance for three measurement periods: (a) prior to the fourth hour of simulation participation (placebo treatment), (b) during the fourth hour (rising BALs on alcohol treatment days), and (c) during the fifth/sixth hours (falling BALs). Alcohol diminished the participants’ breadth of approach (differentiation). Performance on indicators of strategic functioning (integration) decreased after BALs had begun to fall but not while BALs were rising. The implications for performance of complex tasks under the influence of alcohol and for the applicability of the acute tolerance phenomenon to complex task environments are considered.
Synthesis and polymerization of coupled compounds of 1,11‐dodecadiyne

The dimer, trimer, and tetramer of 1,11-dodecadiyne, HCC(CH2)8CCH, were synthesized. The solid-state polymerization of the dimer was investigated by infrared (IR) spectroscopy. IR bands due to the diacetylene moiety were identified through the comparison of the IR spectra of the dimer, trimer, and tetramer. The dimer was found to have two polymorphs, melt-crystallized and solution-crystallized. Both of the polymorphs undergo solid-state polymerization by exposure to γ-ray or UV irradiation. The former has higher polymerizability for the diacetylene moiety than the latter. The solid-state polymerization of the terminal acetylene group was not observed. It is shown that the previously reported dimer structure in which both the diacetylene and terminal acetylene groups are polymerized to form an inherently electrically conducting polymer is incorrect. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Including a Foreign Language Component in Tertiary International Business Program Curricula

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the need to incorporate a foreign language component in tertiary, post high school, international business program curricula. The value of a foreign language in international business programs is analyzed from the perspectives held by international business executives, managers, and other employees; national commissions on education; and academic administrators and faculty. The authors conclude that the inclusion of a foreign language component belongs in undergraduate education and that it may best be included as a prerequisite in graduate programs.
Effect of phenobarbital administration on the subcellular distribution of vitamin D3-3H in rat liver.

The effect of phenobarbital administration upon the in vivo, hepatic subcellular uptake of vitamin D3-3H (D3-3H) was studied in 6-week-old male Wistar rats. Phenobarbital administration (75 mg⁄kg⁄day for 5 days) did not significantly affect total liver D3-3H uptake at 30 and 90 min followingintrajugular injection. However, the subcellular distribution of D3-3H was markedly altered. In the phenobarbital-treated animals, radioactivity associated with the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) was significantly increased and that associated with the mitochondrial fraction significantly decreased at both time points. The amount of increased SER D3-3H binding in the treated animals correlated well with the degree of increased SER protein content. Comparison of 30- and 90- min SER uptake values suggested increased SER metabolism of D3-3H in phenobarbital-treated animals. Chromatography of the radioactivity associated with the various cell fractions demonstrateda significantly increased formation of polar D3-3H meta...
Comparison of four β-lactamase inhibitors in combination with ampicillin against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The in-vitro activity of a beta-lactamase inhibitor (clavulanic acid, sulbactam, BL-P2013 or BL-P2090) in combination with ampicillin against 13 isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was determined by broth dilution. The agents were tested in 1:1 molar ratio of ampicillin to beta-lactamase inhibitor. The beta-lactamase inhibitors alone did not inhibit growth at the highest concentration tested. The MIC90 for ampicillin alone was greater than 32 mg/l. Clavulanic acid plus ampicillin was the most active combination with an MIC90 of 11 microM (4 mg/l of ampicillin). The MIC90 of ampicillin in combination with sulbactam, BL-P2013 or BL-P2090 was 23 microM (8 mg/l of ampicillin). A 1:1 ratio of ampicillin to inhibitor was more active than was a 2:1 ratio. The addition of a beta-lactamase inhibitor to ampicillin greatly improves its in-vitro activity against M. tuberculosis.
Examining the tourism distribution channel: evolution and transformation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the evolution and transformation of tourism distribution channels, focusing on the role the internet has played in such a process. It attempts to graphically illustrate, in a temporal manner, the evolving complexity of the tourism distribution systems.Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides insights into the change of the structure of tourism distribution that has not been extensively explored. Indeed, the complexity of the tourism distribution structure has been diagrammatically depicted multiple times by previous researchers and each depiction has contributed to a fuller understanding of the body of knowledge by focusing on different aspects of that structure. This paper builds upon those valuable knowledge contributions by focusing on the evolution of the structure over time, systematically and diagrammatically revealing the progressively larger number of intermediation layers, in spite of concurrent disintermediation and reintermediation acti...
Pharmacology and Statistics: Recommendations to Strengthen a Productive Partnership

Critical to the discovery, development and rational use of drugs and vaccines are the foundational principles and proper application of statistics. However, in too many cases, there has been misuse of
The synthetic-analytic listening task for modulated signals.

The synthetic‐analytic listening task (SALT) developed by Dye and colleagues [Dye et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 96, 2720–2731 (1994)] was applied to a task in which an amplitude‐modulated tonal carrier was presented as a target during the standard stimulus. The standard stimulus was followed by a test stimulus in which the target along with another amplitude‐modulated carrier (the distractor) was presented. The listener determined if in the test stimulus, the target (which was presented along with the distractor) was higher or lower in modulation depth than when the target was presented alone as the standard stimulus. The target and distractor were either 1‐ or 4‐kHz carriers modulated at one of ten depths of modulation during the test stimulus at modulation rates ranging from 4 to 64 Hz. SALT was used to estimate the relative weight listeners assigned to the target and distractor as a function of the difference between their modulation rates, both for target carrier frequencies above and for target carrier frequencies below the distractor carrier frequency. When the target and distractor were modulated at the same rate, the target and distractor weights were equal, indicating synthetic listening. When the target and distractor differed in modulation rate, the listener gave more weight to the target suggesting a form of analytic listening. The result demonstrate the applicability of SALT to studies of modulation and reinforce the claim that different spectral components modulated with the same modulation pattern are processed synthetically.
HIV/AIDS in Africa: explaining the differences in HIV prevalence rates

‘We are standing on the brink of a global crisis in infectious diseases. No country is safe from them. No country can any longer afford to ignore their threat.’ These words, attributed to the direc...
Evaluating Cerebral Oxygenation Using Jugular Venous Oximetry in Head Injuries

When caring for the critically ill patient, a primary objective is to maintain an adequate delivery of oxygen to the tissues. Monitoring and ensuring satisfactory cerebral oxygen delivery in patients at risk for cerebral ischemia presents a significant challenge to the clinician. Cerebral oxygen content usually is determined using blood gas analysis, whereas blood flow to cerebral tissues is inferred from monitoring of the cerebral perfusion pressure. There is an assumption that cerebral oxygen delivery is adequate so long as the cerebral perfusion pressure exceeds 50-60 mmHg in the normal brain and the cerebral arterial oxygen content is normal. The cerebral perfusion pressure, however, is an estimated value calculated as the difference between the mean systemic arterial pressure and the intracranial pressure and provides merely an indirect index of the adequacy of cerebral oxygen delivery. The validity of the cerebral perfusion pressure as an index for cerebral oxygen delivery becomes questionable when the autoregulatory mechanisms of the brain are disturbed, as in severe head injuries. Jugular bulb oxygen monitoring provides a method of evaluating cerebral oxygenation status for early identification of impending ischemia by measuring oxygenation of the mixed cerebral venous blood. In this article, the authors review the physiology of cerebral oxygenation, describe a method of monitoring cerebral oxygenation using jugular bulb oximetry, and review a case study to show how these assessments can affect the nursing care of the head-injured patient.