cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Active-specific immunotherapy for melanoma.

Twenty-five patients with metastatic melanoma were treated with a therapeutic vaccine ("theraccine") consisting of allogeneic melanoma lysates and a novel adjuvant, DETOX (Ribi ImmunoChem Research, Inc, Hamilton, MT). Each patient received 200 antigenic units (20 x 10(6) tumor cell equivalents) subcutaneously on weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Clinical responses included one complete remission, three partial remissions, and a long-term (17-month) stability. Two other patients had mixed responses, with partial remissions of numerous subcutaneous nodules. Sites of responsive disease included primarily the skin, but ileal, breast, and a liver metastasis also responded. Removal of residual lesions in patients with partial remissions, whose other lesions had disappeared during treatment, led to long disease-free survivals. The median duration of remission was 17 months, with four of the five responders alive for at least 24 months after treatment. An increase in precursors of cytolytic T cells (CTLs) correlated with ...
Natural Resources Conservation Workshop for Arizona Youth

Rangelands E ach summer, a group of high-school students and natural-resource professionals pack up and head to the mountains of Arizona to spend a week together learning about the diverse resource base of the state. The Natural Resources Conservation Workshop for Arizona Youth (NRCWAY) provides students with an opportunity for handson learning in the field and professionals with the hope that some of the students will choose careers in natural resource fields. What the students don’t expect are some of the life-long friendships that are formed, the professional connections that are made during the week, and a new respect for differing opinions. The development of the NRCWAY dates back to the 1950s. At that time, the Arizona Association of Conservation Districts (AACD) learned of youth camps in other states and began developing plans for one in Arizona with help from the Arizona State Land Department and the University of Arizona. The first workshop was held in 1962 as a boys-only range and livestock management camp on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. This was a true outdoor experience complete with tents, cutting wood for the fire, and chuckwagon cooking. The workshop has moved to different locations with established facilities around the state since then and started accepting female participants in 1974. The Arizona Section, Society for Range Management, took over the role of planning and implementing the workshop in 1975. Since SRM’s direct involvement, the NRCWAY has been a program designed to introduce the concepts of naturalresource management to high-school age youth. Approximately 40 outstanding students who have expressed an interest in environmental issues have been selected each year to attend the workshop. The week-long program provides hands-on training in such areas as basic ecology, geology of Arizona, wildlife ecology and management, forestry, range management, soils, water resources, recreation, and watershed management. The program varies from year to year, depending on location, instructor availability, and current issues (ie, prolonged drought, wildfire threats, massive outbreaks of insects and related tree mortality). Instructors include professionals directly involved in resource management from private industry, state and federal agencies, and Arizona’s universities. The goal of the NRCWAY is to introduce students to different disciplines of natural resources and career opportunities. Program objectives focus on the students learning that 1) natural resources are sustainable, 2) all land-management activities and natural resources are interrelated, 3) management decisions are made based on science, and 4) the public Natural Resources Conservation Workshop for Arizona Youth
Influence of Institutional Guidelines on Oral Hygiene Practices in Intensive Care Units

BACKGROUND Maintaining oral hygiene is a key component of preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia; however, practices are inconsistent. OBJECTIVES To explore how characteristics of institutional guidelines for oral hygiene influence nurses' oral hygiene practices and perceptions of that practice. METHODS Oral hygiene section of a larger survey study on prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Critical care nurses at 8 hospitals in Northern California that had more than 1000 ventilator days in 2009 were recruited to participate in the survey. Twenty-one questions addressed oral hygiene practices and practice perceptions. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and Spearman correlations were used for analyses. RESULTS A total of 576 critical care nurses (45% response rate) responded to the survey. Three types of institutional oral hygiene guidelines existed: nursing policy, order set, and information bulletin. Nursing policy provided the most detail about the oral hygiene care; however, adherence, awareness, and priority level were higher with order sets (P < .05). The content and method of disseminating these guidelines varied, and nursing practices were affected by these differences. Nurses assessed the oral cavity and used oral swabs more often when those practices were included in institutional guidelines. CONCLUSIONS The content and dissemination method of institutional guidelines on oral hygiene do influence the oral hygiene practices of critical care nurses. Future studies examining how institutional guidelines could best be incorporated into routine workflow are needed.
Power Minimization in Fat-Tree SDN Datacenter Operation

The problem of energy consumption in data centers has attracted many researchers interest recently. This paper proposes an optimal energy consumption Software Deﬁned Network (SDN) data center model using the dynamic activation of hosts and switches. We model switches and hosts as queues and formulate a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model to minimize energy consumption while guaranteeing Quality of Service (QoS) of data center. Our purpose is minimizing static power, port power, and memory power of data centers. Since the problem is NP-hard, we adopt Simulated Annealing algorithm to obtain the solution. Through numerical experiment, we could observe that our model is able to save reasonable energy compared to the full operation data center model.
Influence of temperature on interspecific predation and cannibalism by Metaseiulus occidentalis and Typhlodromus pyri (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)

Interspecific predation and cannibalism and associated rates of oviposition were assessed for adult female Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt) and Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten when provided nonlimiting amounts of either eggs, larvae, protonymphs, or deutonymphs. Tests with all four stages of phytoseiids and larvae of Tetranychus urticae Koch were carried out at 25°C. At 15 and 12.5°C, only larvae of phytoseiids and larvae of T. urticae were prey items. Predation by T. pyri was higher than by M. occidentalis at 12.5 and 15°C but more similar at 25°C. M. occidentalis did not feed appreciably on phytoseiid larvae at 15 and 12.5°C. Neither phytoseiid oviposited at 12.5°C when fed phytoseiid larvae, but T. pyri did at 15°C. We concluded that T. pyri was a more active predator at low temperatures. Early-season predation on M. occidentalis immatures by T. pyri could contribute to displacement of M. occidentalis from apple orchards in western Oregon.
Behavioral associations with breed, coat type, and eye color in single-breed cats

In this study, behavioral characteristics in purebred cats were hypothesized to associate with breed, eye color, coat color, and coat pattern. Owners of 574 single-breed, registered cats completed the Feline Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire, which generates a standardized behavioral profile incorporating 20 factors. Subjects were also screened for evidence of fear-related aggression, territorial aggression and inappropriate social skills, fear of noises, redirected aggression, separation anxiety, and inappropriate elimination. Subject breeds included Abyssinians, Bengals, Birmans, Burmese, Devon rexes, Maine coons, Norwegian Forest cats, Orientals, Persians, Ragdolls, Siamese, and Tonkinese. Coat colors included agouti, black, brown, cinnamon, blue, lilac, fawn, caramel, taupe, red, cream, blue cream, apricot, and white. Phenotypic variants associated with albinism, tabby and tortoiseshell patterning, inhibition of melanin, production of pheomelanin, and white spotting were represented. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the Feline Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire scores and frequency of behavior problems in cats of multiple coat colors, coat patterns, and breeds (P < 0.05). Interestingly, nearly all associations between behavior and coat type could be attributed to breed-based behavior differences. Associations independent of breed included increased cat aggression in agouti cats and prey interest in red cats, decreased stranger-directed aggression in piebald cats, and increased likelihood of separation anxiety in Siamese and Tonkinese patterned cats.
Amino acid analysis of planarians following conditioning

Four groups from a study of partial reinforcement effects upon classically conditioned planarians were subjected to amino acid analysis. Results of the amino acid analysis were found to have significant correlations with behavioral measures.
The Role of Explanation in Understanding

AbstractPeter Lipton has argued that understanding can exist in the absence of explanation. We argue that this does not denigrate explanation's importance to understanding. Specifically, we show th...
Judgment and recovery methods for lost points of dashed line tracking

In the engineering drawings vectorization,dashed points usually adhere to other curves or background grids,which makes the dashed points difficult to be segmented correctly,therefore affects the result of dashed line automatic tracing.To solve this problem,a judgment method for lost points based on distance criteria and ratio criteria was proposed.First,the dashed points were segmented,leaving some points adhering to other lines.Then judgment method was used to judge the preliminary results of segmentation,and to determine the possible position of lost points in the original dash line.Moreover, those lost points were recovered.Experiments show that the proposed method has obtained good results for dash line tracking.
Controls on carbon storage and weathering in volcanic soils across a high-elevation climate gradient on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.

Volcanic ash soils retain the largest and most persistent soil carbon pools of any ecosystem. However, the mechanisms governing soil carbon accumulation and weathering during initial phases of ecosystem development are not well understood. We examined soil organic matter dynamics and soil development across a high-altitude (3,560-3,030 m) 20-kyr climate gradient on Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Four elevation sites were selected (~250-500 mm rainfall), which range from sparsely vegetated to sites that contain a mix of shrubs and grasses. At each site, two or three pits were dug and major diagnostic horizons down to bedrock (intact lava) were sampled. Soils were analyzed for particle size, organic C and N, soil pH, exchangeable cations, base saturation, NaF pH, phosphorous sorption, and major elements. Mass loss and pedogenic metal accumulation (hydroxlamine Fe, Al, and Si extractions) were used to measure extent of weathering, leaching, changes in soil mineralogy and carbon accumulation. Reactive-phase (SRO) minerals show a general trend of increasing abundance with increasing rainfall. However carbon accumulation patterns across the climate gradient are largely decoupled from these trends. The results suggest that after 20 kyr, pedogenic processes have altered the nature and composition of the volcanic ash such that it is capable of retaining soil C even where organic acid influences from plant material and leaching from rainfall are severely limited. Carbon storage comparisons with lower-elevation soils on Mauna Kea and other moist mesic (2,500 mm rainfall) sites on Hawaii suggest that these soils have reached only between 1% and 15% of their capacity to retain carbon. Our results suggest that, after 20 kyr in low rainfall and a cold climate, weathering was decoupled from soil carbon accumulation patterns and the associated influence of vegetation on soil development. Overall, we conclude that the rate of carbon supply to the subsoil (driven by coupling of rainfall above ground plant production) is a governing factor of forms and amount of soil organic matter accumulation, while soil mineralogy remained relatively uniform.
Investigation and Analysis of Health Status on Ventilating System in Air Condition in Hotel and Restaurants of Ningxia Area

Objective To explore the contamination situation and change trend of health survey index of ventilating system in air condition and to provide basis to analysis of health survey and hygiene management.Methods 23 hotels and restaurants with ventilating system in air condition in Yinchuan、Wuzhong and Shizuishan City were randomly selected.The legionella in cooling tower water,PM10,and the dust volume of internal surfaces of pipes and aerobic bacterial count were investigated and monitered.Results Of 116 surveys places from 23 hotels and restaurants of air conditioning system,52.17% PM10,100 % the total average of aerobic bacterial count and 21.74% aerobic bacterial count overproofed.The dust volume of internal surfaces of pipes was normal.The contamination of air conditioning system in different districts had not significant differences(P0.05).The positive rate of legionella was 33.33%.The results showed that health survey index of air conditioning system showed significant differences(P0.01)among 2004、2005、2006.Conclusion The results indicate that the contamination of air conditioning system is serious in Ningxia area.The hygiene management and disinfection must be enhanced and strengthened.
Monoclonal antibodies against porcine platelet membrane glycoproteins Ib and IIb/IIIa.

We prepared murine monoclonal antibodies to porcine platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib and GP IIb/IIIa for further study of the porcine hemostatic mechanism. One monoclonal antibody, designated PP3–4C, blocked Ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination and caused 80% inhibition of Ristocetin-induced 125I-von Willebrand factor (vWF) binding to porcine platelets at a concentration of greater than or equal to 12 micrograms IgG/mL. PP3–4C did not affect adenosine diphosphate (ADP)- or collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Binding of 125I-Fab fragments of PP3–4C to platelets was saturable at 3.7 x 10(4) +/- 0.8 x 10(4) molecules per platelet. Another monoclonal antibody, designated PP3–3A, blocked ADP- or collagen-induced platelet aggregation at 6 micrograms IgG/mL. At a concentration of 10 micrograms IgG/mL, PP3–3A completely inhibited binding either of 125I-fibrinogen or of 125I-vWF to ADP-stimulated platelets. PP3–3A did not affect Ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination nor 125I-vWF binding to platelets in the presence of Ristocetin. Binding of 125I-Fab' fragments of PP3–3A to platelets was saturable at 9.8 x 10(4) +/- 1.2 x 10(4) molecules per platelet. PP3–4C antibody (anti-GP Ib) did not bind to human platelets; however, PP3–3A antibody (anti-GP IIb-IIIa) had partial cross-reactivity with human platelets. Immunoaffinity chromatography of solubilized surface-radiolabeled porcine platelets and subsequent sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that PP3–4C recognized a GP with an apparent molecular weight of 160,000 (nonreduced), and 140,000 (reduced). PP3–3A recognized GPs with apparent molecular weights of 130,000 and 80,000 (nonreduced), and 115,000 and 95,000 (reduced). These monoclonal antibodies to porcine platelet membrane GPs, which are structural and functional analogues of human GP Ib and GP IIb/IIIa, will be useful for in vitro and in vivo studies of the mammalian hemostatic mechanism.
Studying Work Practices in Organizations: Theoretical Considerations and Empirical Guidelines

A recent practice turn in the communication and organizational sciences has led many researchers to study work in practice. In this chapter I suggest that studies of work practices in organizations would benefit from conceptual clarification. To do so, I organize this review around three central questions: (a) what are work practices? (b) what role do work practices play in the process of organizing? and (c) how can scholars build theory from empirical studies of work practices? I suggest several ways in which the concept of work practice can be clarified to provide coherence for communication researchers.
Path-Cost Bounds for Parameterized Centralized Variants of A* for Static and Certain Environments

A* search and its variants have been used in various fields for solving problems with large search spaces where state transitions occur because of application of operators. The key values in A* search are g(n) and h(n), where g(n) is the cost of the path from root (or start) node to node n, and h(n) is the estimated cost of cheapest path from n to goal. In this paper, we report on a space of variants of A* based on the following ideas: (i) using weighting functions for g(n) and h(n), (ii) evaluating different nodes with different heuristics, (iii) evaluating nodes with computationally cheap heuristics and re-evaluating some nodes with computationally expensive heuristics, and (iv) changing the size of the set of nodes from which the node to be expanded next is selected. We report on the bounds on the costs of solutions found by these variants of A*. We also report on the bounds for meta-variants of A* that invoke these variants sequentially. We show how the results can be used to obtain a more flexible search control without increasing the bound on the cost of the solution found by a variant or a meta-variant.
Resident and Attending Perceptions of Resident Involvement: An Analysis of ACGME Reporting Guidelines.

Objective For general surgery residents (Residents) to log an operation, the ACGME requires "significant involvement" in diagnosis (DX), operation selection (SEL), operation (OPR), preoperative (PRE), and postoperative (POC) care. We compared how residents and attending surgeons (Attendings) perceived residents' role in each of these core requirements. Design Residents and attendings completed surveys postoperatively regarding responsibility for each core requirement on a 5-point Likert scale from "Completely Attending" to "Completely Resident." Significance was determined using Chi-square analysis (p r s ). Setting Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA (tertiary institution). Results A total of 302 paired surveys were analyzed. Residents more often performed a significant portion of the later stages of care (DX = 27%, PRE=29%, SEL=27%, OPR=87%, and POC=84%). Residents completed the majority of each requirement more frequently in operations performed in the acute setting compared to elective operations: DX (70% vs 8%, p r s = 0.70) and lowest for POC ( r s = 0.35). When residents and attendings did not agree in their answers, residents generally overstated their contribution to the DX (68%), PRE (58%), and SEL (64%) but understated their contribution in OPR (63%) and POC (62%). Conclusions Residents and attendings demonstrated reliable agreement for most core requirements, but residents were often unable to be involved in all 5 core requirements. Resident involvement was weighted toward later stages of patient care, yet residents often underestimated their contributions. Operational acuity, complexity, and attending experience correlated with resident operative involvement.
Abstract 5100: Aerobic glycolysis is the primary metabolic pathway used for prostate cancer cell motility and invasion processes regardless of androgen sensitivity

The ability of a cancer cell to detach from a primary tumor and intravasate is a fundamental prerequisite for development of metastatic disease. As metastatic tumors are frequently the principal cause of death in cancer patients with advanced disease, targeting the ability of cancer cells to metastasize may improve patient outcomes. Advanced, aggressive prostate cancers are characterized by abnormal metabolic upregulation of aerobic glycolysis, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. We have previously demonstrated that prostate cancer and breast cancer cells use aerobic glycolysis as the primary energy pathway for cellular motility and cytoskeletal remodeling. In clinical prostate cancer patients, the progression of cells to an androgen insensitive state renders treatment difficult and often unsuccessful. In the present study, we investigate the role of aerobic glycolysis in motility and invasion in prostate cancer cells with intact androgen signaling. To test this, we utilized a Seahorse XF24 metabolic to measure aerobic glycolysis and oxygen consumption rate of prostate cancer cells with and without intact androgen receptor signaling. Cellular motility was measured by tracking cell movement over time while subjecting cells to pharmacological inhibition of aerobic glycolysis, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, or fatty acid beta-oxidation. Cellular invasion was measured by a Boyden chamber invasion assay with similar pharmacological inhibition. As anticipated, prostate cancer cells with intact androgen receptor signaling displayed a modulated usage of aerobic glycolysis, whereas mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was unchanged. Consequently, androgen receptor signaling altered cancer cell invasiveness. Notably, regardless of invasiveness and androgen receptor status, cellular motility and invasion capacity can be attenuated upon pharmacological inhibition of aerobic glycolysis. Taken together, these data suggest that targeting aerobic glycolysis in prostate cancer could severely weaken prostate cancer metastatic capability and limit tumor spread from the primary site. In the future, combining glycolytic inhibitors with conventional therapy may prevent dissemination of metastatic clones to distal sites and thus drastically reduce risk of metastatic recurrence. Citation Format: James E. Verdone, Jelani C. Zarif, Kenneth J. Pienta. Aerobic glycolysis is the primary metabolic pathway used for prostate cancer cell motility and invasion processes regardless of androgen sensitivity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5100. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5100
Endoplasmic Reticulum: ER Stress

Various pathological insults compromise a cell's ability to fold proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and lead to the accumulation of misfolded proteins in this organelle. Such cells are said to be experiencing ‘ER stress’ and are at risk for dying if unable to quickly bring protein-folding capacity and demand back into balance. To achieve this goal, cells have a signal transduction pathway called the unfolded protein response (UPR) that monitors the protein-folding status of the ER. In the presence of high levels of misfolded proteins, the UPR sets in motion a series of transcriptional and translational events that increase protein-folding capacity. However, if ER stress is irremediable, the UPR instructs cells to commit suicide through triggering apoptosis. There is much evidence to suggest that chronic ER stress and defects in UPR signaling contribute to a number of common human diseases, including diabetes, neurodegeneration, and cancer. As such, there is growing interest in the possibility of targeting components of the UPR as a therapeutic strategy for diseases associated with ER stress.
The search for political community: Why participant-observation was necessary

WHY INTERVIEWS WERE NOT ENOUGH One way to discover how and why activists have committed themselves to a cause is to ask them. During an interview with Barb, a member of ACES, I learned that a lot of people she knew at work and on her softball team would have ridiculed her anti-toxics activism had they known about it. Barb preferred to be known as a good baseball player, not an activist. The portion of the county that she lived in relied on Microtech, the military contractor located there, for a significant number of jobs. The company had polluted local groundwater, and had emitted toxic smoke and gasses into the air in several documented and an unknown number of undocumented incidents. Barb's group focused on these issues with the goal of drawing more local residents into discussion about Microtech. But to many area residents, it was not polite to question the contractor; to some, it was irrational. So during the interview, I asked how she knew that her activism was the right thing to do. Well, it's my nursing background. I'm able to read some of the technical books that come out – I'm able to understand some of the chemistry of groundwater pollution … having taken care of cancer patients, having been there when they come out of surgery … having learned what I've learned about them (the company) and how they operate and how they hide things, I don't trust them. But this did not strike Barb as a completely satisfactory answer.
Enactivating Radical Love

Joe L. Kincheloe always acknowledged the many influences that he had in the works of Paulo Freire, the Frankfurt School, Michel Foucault, feminists of many colors, and W.E.B. Dubois, among many others including his peers and colleagues (Kincheloe, 2008). That his work has had far-reaching impact is evident in the efforts made by next-generation scholars around the globe to acknowledge him and the many ways in which their theory and praxis were guided by his personage and his scholarship (Agnello & Reynolds, 2016). It is interesting that Joe did not write about radical love , but I believe as do others who knew him that he just did not have time to write all that he had outlined and in production, if not being inscribed, then for sure in his head. This paper makes connections between the precepts that Joe carefully outlined as ten dispositions of teachers as researchers and the enactment of radical love as an important characteristics forming the radical listener, which Joe personified so unselfishly. Radical love for the purposes of this paper is defined as dedicated to, want the best for, concerned about, care for, encourage, support, connect with, recognize, praise, guide, inspire, be inspired by, humanize interrelations with, go beyond the call of duty for, stick up for, protect, mentor, work with for world transformation. If teachers manifest these qualities, they would indeed possess the dispositions to be radical listeners as they reflect on the important work they do with their students.
Rossby Wave Breaking and Transient Eddy Forcing during Euro-Atlantic Circulation Regimes

AbstractThe occurrence of boreal winter Rossby wave breaking (RWB) along with the quantitative role of synoptic transient eddy momentum and heat fluxes directly associated with RWB are examined during the development of Euro-Atlantic circulation regimes using ERA-Interim. Results are compared to those from seasonal reforecasts made using the Integrated Forecast System model of ECWMF coupled to the NEMO ocean model. The development of both Scandinavian blocking and the Atlantic ridge is directly coincident with anticyclonic wave breaking (AWB); however, the associated transient eddy fluxes do not contribute to (and, in fact, oppose) ridge growth, as indicated by the local Eliassen–Palm (EP) flux divergence. Evidently, other factors drive development, and it appears that wave breaking assists more with ridge decay. The growth of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in its positive phase is independent of RWB in the western Atlantic but strongly linked to AWB farther downstream. During AWB, the equatorward f...
Analyses of studies on cardiac rehabilitation for patients with cardiovascular disease in Korea

PURPOSE This study was to analyze research reports published in Korea on cardiac rehabilitation for patients with cardiovascular disease. METHODS Based on inclusion criteria, 19 research reports were included in this review. Published year of selected articles was between 1996 and 2008. Nineteen studies were analyzed by guidelines of the cardiac rehabilitation programs done by the American Heart Association (AHA) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). RESULTS The characteristics of patients were mostly of ischemic heart disease, 50-59 yr old, and male. Educational sessions were administered twice, and each lesson lasted less than 30 min. Exercise was done 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Most educational content were about risk factors, but there was no information, such as coping with feelings. Most exercise was performed as ROM, treadmill, and cycle ergometer. A large percentage of outcome indicators were health behavior, hemodynamic changes, and exercise capacity. There was more 'no effect' than 'positive effect' in trait anxiety and depression, whereas similar in physiologic domain. CONCLUSION Various types of cardiac rehabilitation in Korea were performed by researchers. Therefore, we need to develop the standard protocol, to add psychosocial intervention, and to study cost effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation.
Editorial: BZN goes electronic-only

The Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature will be published only in electronic form starting with volume 74. Reduced costs, smoother workflow, and more efficient service to our community are the primary drivers.
Rodent Models of Invasive Aspergillosis due to Aspergillus fumigatus: Still a Long Path toward Standardization.

Invasive aspergillosis has been studied in laboratory by the means of plethora of distinct animal models. They were developed to address pathophysiology, therapy, diagnosis or miscellaneous other concerns associated. However, there are great discrepancies regarding all the experimental variables of animal models, and a thorough focus on them is needed. This systematic review completed a comprehensive bibliographic analysis specifically-based on the technical features of rodent models infected with Aspergillus fumigatus. Out the 800 articles reviewed, it was shown that mice remained the preferred model (85.8% of the referenced reports), above rats (10.8%) and guinea pigs (3.8%). Three quarters of the models involved immunocompromised status, mainly by steroids (44.4%) and/or alkylating drugs (42.9%), but only 27.7% were reported to receive antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent from bacterial infection. Injection of spores (30.0%) and inhalation/deposition into respiratory airways (66.9%) were the most used routes for experimental inoculation. Overall, more than 230 distinct A. fumigatus strains were used in models. Of all the published studies, 18.4% did not mention usage of any diagnostic tool, like histopathology or mycological culture, to control correct implementation of the disease and to measure outcome. In light of these findings, a consensus discussion should be engaged to establish a minimum standardization, although this may not be consistently suitable for addressing all the specific aspects of invasive aspergillosis.
Distributed adaptive control design for cluster of converters in DC distribution systems

In this paper, we address the control design problem under the system's model uncertainty utilizing the adaptive control. First, the adaptive control based on the model reference adaptive control technique is presented. Subsequently, the adaptive control technique is applied to a multi-converter system to guarantee the bus-voltage stability and accurate current sharing. Simulation in MATLAB/Simulink is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm under typical scenarios including non-linear load change and network topology changes caused by converter failures.
Iterative Implementation of a Remote Cardiac Patient Monitoring Device using Qualitative Analysis and Human Factors Engineering

Remote monitoring has the potential to improve patient care and satisfaction while reducing the cost of care and burden on the healthcare system for Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and Atrial Fibril...
Resilience: Protective Factors for Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among African American Women?

There is a great need to carefully examine issues that may elevate one’s risk for mental illness and develop strategies to mitigate risk and cultivate resilience. African Americans, specifically African American women (AAW), are disproportionately affected by mental illness, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Higher rates of PTSD among AAW may be explained by significant rates of trauma exposure. Higher resiliency in individuals with mental illnesses is associated with better treatment response/outcomes. An examination of two (2) promising psycho-educational curricula for AAW at risk for depression and PTSD supports consideration of resilience as a protective factor among this population. Strengthening psychological resilience among diverse AAW at risk for depression and/or PTSD may serve as a protective factor for symptom severity. Multidimensional prevention and intervention strategies should incorporate culturally-centered, gender-specific, and strengths-based (resilience) models of care to help encourage mental health help-seeking and promotion of wellness for AAW.
The Development of Second Language Critical Thinking in a Virtual Language Learning Environment: A Process-Oriented Mixed-Method Study.

This article presents a process-oriented mixed-method study, focusing on the emergence of second language (L2) critical thinking (CT) skills in the collaborative discourse produced by a focal group of five college-level students of French working in a virtual language learning environment (the VLLE Cinet Second Life). Levels of CT ability were elicited through episodes of L2 negotiation and co-construction of meaning. The study also examines the perception by students of the impact of the VLLE on the emergence of their L2 CT skills. Motivated by the need advocated in recent CALL research for a shift in paradigm and in method to alleviate the limitations inherent to quantitative studies, the study was situated at the juncture of sociocultural theory and ecological perspective, and this article focuses on the theoretical rationale behind the selection of a mixed-method methodology.
Multi-core structural SVM training

Many problems in natural language processing and computer vision can be framed as structured prediction problems. Structural support vector machines (SVM) is a popular approach for training structured predictors, where learning is framed as an optimization problem. Most structural SVM solvers alternate between a model update phase and an inference phase (which predicts structures for all training examples). As structures become more complex, inference becomes a bottleneck and thus slows down learning considerably. In this paper, we propose a new learning algorithm for structural SVMs called DEMIDCD that extends the dual coordinate descent approach by decoupling the model update and inference phases into different threads. We take advantage of multicore hardware to parallelize learning with minimal synchronization between the model update and the inference phases.We prove that our algorithm not only converges but also fully utilizes all available processors to speed up learning, and validate our approach on two real-world NLP problems: part-of-speech tagging and relation extraction. In both cases, we show that our algorithm utilizes all available processors to speed up learning and achieves competitive performance. For example, it achieves a relative duality gap of 1% on a POS tagging problem in 192 seconds using 16 threads, while a standard implementation of a multi-threaded dual coordinate descent algorithm with the same number of threads requires more than 600 seconds to reach a solution of the same quality.
LIMITATIONS OF THE USE OF POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE-POTASSIUM CYANIDE MIXTURES IN MANOMETRIC STUDIES

The manometric study of biological oxidations by the “direct method” of Warburg, when carried out in the presence of cyanide, involves the use of KOH-KCN mixtures (Krebs (4)) for the absorption of carbon dioxide. The following study describes the rate of distillation of HCN from the experimental solution under various conditions, and suggests a remedy for the difficulties occasionally encountered (Machlis (2)) with the above mixtures.
Raman spectroscopy for biological identification

Abstract: Advancements in phenotypic identification technologies have overcome some limitations of currently deployed genomic-based systems for species-level biological identification. At the forefront of these advancing technologies, Battelle is applying Raman spectroscopic techniques to rapidly detect and identify prokaryotes and pathogens. Raman spectroscopy has been used for a variety of chemical detection and identification applications but has not been readily utilized for biological pathogen identification. Because the spectra of biological pathogens are exquisitely complicated, spectral features are exceedingly difficult to assign to specific unique molecular bonds within the biological material. However, biological pathogen identification is possible if the subtleties are carefully measured.
Like: The Informatization of Affect

As computation has come to be integrated into a broad range of technologies and tasks, so too has the world been made more amenable to computation. With new sensors, applications, and analytic techniques, human feelings are increasingly rendered in machine-readable formats. This dissertation focuses on the most common, everyday example-the Facebook Like button-in order to understand the processes through which affect becomes information and the social, political, and ethical dynamics involved.
Enhanced cell functions on graphene oxide incorporated 3D printed polycaprolactone scaffolds.

Abstract For tissue engineering applications, a porous scaffold with an interconnected network is essential to facilitate the cell attachment and proliferation in a three dimensional (3D) structure. This study aimed to fabricate the scaffolds by an extrusion-based 3D printer using a blend of polycaprolactone (PCL), and graphene oxide (GO) as a favorable platform for bone tissue engineering. The mechanical properties, morphology, biocompatibility, and biological activities such as cell proliferation and differentiation were studied concerning the two different pore sizes; 400 μm, and 800 μm, and also with two different GO content; 0.1% (w/w) and 0.5% (w/w). The compressive strength of the scaffolds was not significantly changed due to the small amount of GO, but, as expected scaffolds with 400 μm pores showed a higher compressive modulus in comparison to the scaffolds with 800 μm pores. The data indicated that the cell attachment and proliferation were increased by adding a small amount of GO. According to the results, pore size did not play a significant role in cell proliferation and differentiation. Alkaline Phosphate (ALP) activity assay further confirmed that the GO increase the ALP activity and further Elemental analysis of Calcium and Phosphorous showed that the GO increased the mineralization compared to PCL only scaffolds. Western blot analysis showed the porous structure facilitate the secretion of bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) and osteopontin at both day 7 and 14 which galvanizes the osteogenic capability of PCL and PCL + GO scaffolds.
Studies on plasma motilin concentration and interdigestive motility of the duodenum in humans.

Abstract Plasma immunoreactive motilin concentration (PIMC) was determined at frequent intervals for 4 hr or longer while duodenal motility was recorded by a continuous perfusion technique in 10 fasting healthy volunteers. There were typical interdigestive motor activities including phase I, II, III, and IV in the recordings of duodenal motility from 10 volunteers. Plasma immunoreactive motilin concentration was the lowest at the beginning of phase I, progressively rose during phase II, and reached a peak at the end of phase II. It declined steadily during phases III and IV to return to the lowest value of phase I. The mean PIMC in each phase of duodenal motility was 63.4 ± 4.5, 102 ± 5.0, 82.3 ± 3.1 pg/ml during phase I and IV, and phase II and III, respectively. Plasma immunoreactive motilin concentration in the second half of phase II, 120 ± 6.5 pg/ml, was significantly higher than that of the first half of phase II, 81.4 ± 4.2 pg/ ml. The effect of intravenous atropine sulfate on PIMC and the interdigestive motor activity was studied in 6 volunteers. Atropine sulfate given in a dose of 26.7 μg/kg body wt at the beginning of phase II not only abolished cyclic changes of interdigestive motor activity to produce phase I activity, but also lowered the PIMC to 60.8 ± 8.3 pg/ml. These observations indicate that, like in the dog, there is a close relationship between PIMC and interdigestive motor activity similar to humans. Furthermore, this cyclic change in PIMC appears to be controlled by a cholinergic influence.
Rethinking Stochasticity in Neural Networks for Reinforcement Learning with Continuous Actions

In this paper, we reconsider the use of stochasticity in neural networks for reinforcement learning in continuous action spaces. We consider stochasticity from both a reinforcement learning perspective and a neural networks perspective, leading us to reconsider whether noise sampling for exploration should take place at the level of the synapse (S), unit (U), or network (N). To investigate this question, we introduce a superset of the venerable multiparameter REINFORCE algorithm that we call REINFORCE SUN because it allows for stochasticity at each of these levels, and compare these variants on multidimensional problem sets with either continuous or discrete states. Our results show that moving stochasticity from the unit level to the synapse level substantially improves performance across all instances considered. As placing stochasticity at the unit level is nearly ubiquitous within the discipline, our results suggest that this standard practice should be reexamined more broadly.
Baseline Correction for Biomedical Raman Spectroscopy: Where the Fluorescence Stops and the Raman Begins.

Biomedical applications of Raman spectroscopy must separate fluorescence/phosphorescence from the Raman emission. Two “baseline correction” approaches appear in the literature with success. A recent study [1] suggests that one may be advantageous over the other.
Achieving efficacious immunotherapy for patients with glioblastoma

The discovery of immune checkpoint molecules heralded a revolution in cancer therapy that targets the immune system to achieve a long-lasting anti-tumor effect [1]. There has been an explosion of s...
Laboratory Evaluation of Rubberized Binder and Mix Containing a Low Content of Devulcanized Rubber Modifier

This paper evaluates the mechanical properties of rubberized asphalt binder and mix containing 5% and 10% rubber. This rubberized asphalt binder was manufactured in a field-blend process using devu...
Alimentos Ciencia e Ingeniería 10-2

El nuevo esquema mundial globalizado presenta un desafio para el Siglo XXI: la formacion de recursos humanos en especial en el area de ciencia y tecnologia. En Latinoamerica el 50% de la poblacion es menor de 20 anos lo que permite formar un talento necesario para el desarrollo socioeconomico y el crecimiento sostenible de la region, o tener un ejercito de problemas si no se invierte en la formacion de estos recursos humanos. Estamos en el renacimiento de las tecnologias de la informatica, de las telecomunicaciones EL INTERNET es el hecho que marca este fin de milenio, por eso no solo debemos consumir productos y servicios sino generarlos; para que un pais, una institucion, un individuo sea competitivo se necesita vencer el temor al cambio, intercambiar investigaciones, experiencias consiguiendo informacion rapidamente, procesandola y difundiendola. La nueva definicion de paises pobres y ricos es informacion tener y saber que hacer con los recursos naturales. La prioridad del mundo actual es la transmision dinamica y permanente del conocimiento, las empresas se disputan a los tecnicos, no hay talentos en las areas que mas se necesitan, actualmente se necesitan un medio millon de ingenieros por ano y las universidades apenas cubren la sexta parte, las universidades deben ser el centro activo para la capacitacion de recursos humanos no solo para la gente joven sino para la gente que esta en posicion de liderazgo y que esta tomando decisiones; la gente quiere aprender, tener conocimientos, ser competitiva, tomado en cuenta el hecho que detras de todo producto esta la educacion, hay que a traves de la educacion generar riqueza.
Unpacking authoritarian governance in electricity policy: Understanding progress, inconsistency and stagnation in Tanzania

Abstract In Africa, the 21st century has seen increased policy focus on the electricity sector, with targets for providing reliable, affordable power and achieving universal electricity access. But how to understand the policymaking affecting these goals? Recent academic and policy literature has tended to focus on factors like ‘political will’ and on the positive impacts of democratic and liberal-market institutional reform. However, given the predominance of authoritarianism in Africa, we also need to unpack countries ruled by dominant political elites. This article, using insights from the political settlements framework, addresses this by using the case study of Tanzania. Whilst under consistent de-facto 1-party rule, it experienced two markedly different periods of electricity policymaking in electricity generation, first under President Kikwete (2005–2015) and second President Magufuli (2015–2021). Meanwhile consistent, substantive increases were achieved in electricity access. Using insights from the ‘political settlements framework, the article explains these contrasts through shifts in the nature of political power. The article demonstrates that centralised, fragmented regimes contain weaknesses in their ability to implement policy and pursue long-term development, whilst centralised dominant regimes have a weakness from supressing critique. Overall, this reinforces the importance of analysing the manifestation of political power within the ruling elite, and the way this shapes key political pressures and policymaking horizons.
Salt leverages polyethylene terephthalate hydrolase (PETase) enzymatic activity via the predicted conformational switch

Abstract Plastic pollution spawned a global challenge caused by the environmental accumulation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics. Ongoing remediation efforts using microbial and engineered PET hydrolyzing enzymes (PETases) are hindered by slow depolymerization activities. Here, we report the optimized reaction conditions that leveraged the PETase hydrolase activity 2 to 3.8-fold in the presence of high NaCl concentrations. Molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) were applied to model salt-dependent conformational changes of the PETase enzyme bound to a 3-unit PET polymer. MDS demonstrated that PETase interaction with flanking polymer units exhibited a striking structural disparity at low and high salt concentrations. At low salt concentrations, flanking polymer units displayed significant bending. In contrast, flanking units extended at high salt concentrations, thus residues D206, H237, and S160 of the catalytic triad positioned in close vicinity of the scissile ester bond of the polymer substrate. The resulting high salt-specific enzyme/substrate geometry can potentially facilitate hydrolysis. We theorized that a salt-dependent conformational switch could attenuate the enzyme to a broad range of natural and artificial polymers consumed as carbon sources. Altogether, new knowledge may advance the engineering of PET hydrolase enzymes and benefit bioconversion programs.