cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Declining prevalence of cervicovaginal human papillomavirus infection with age is independent of other risk factors.

Background and Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the female genital tract is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Although the prevalence of HPV in women without detectable cervical disease has been shown to decline with increasing age, the relationship to sexual behavior has not been investigated. Goal: To identify risk factors for, and associated with the age-dependent decline in, genital HPV infection in women. Study Design: The prevalence of HPV was determined in a cohort of 439 sexually active inner-city women between the ages of 18 and 50 years recruited in Brooklyn, New York. Cervicovaginal cells were collected by lavage, and HPV was detected by low-stringent Southern blot hybridization. Results: The prevalence of HPV infection ranged from 36% in women younger than 25 years of age to 2.8% in women 45 years or older. Logistic regression analysis identified an increased risk for cervical HPV infection to be independently associated with number of sex partners in the past year (odds ratio [OR], 1.04 per yearly increase in age; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00 to 1.08), younger age (OR, 0.92 per year increase in age; 95% CI, 0.88 to 0.95), and not living with partner (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.40 to 4.22). Conclusions: The lower prevalence of HPV infection in older women compared to younger women was found to be independent of sexual behavior. These results suggest that a biologic effect, such as HPV immunity acquired over time and with multiple exposures, may mediate the inverse relationship between age and HPV prevalence.
When change doesn't matter: racial identity (in)consistency and adolescent well-being

Most theories of racial self-identity argue that a racially inconsistent identity indicates emotional distress and internal turmoil. However, empirical research on racial identity and consistency indicates that racial inconsistency is more common than previously believed, and some argue that it can be a positive adaptation for individuals. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health, we explore the degree to which racial identity inconsistency is associated with emotional, social, and academic outcomes. We find that racial inconsistency is not associated with negative outcomes for individuals and, via access to white privilege, may be associated with benefits for some individuals. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for theories of racial identity. Language: en
Plasticity of bcc micropillars controlled by competition between dislocation multiplication and depletion

Abstract Recent micropillar experiments have shown strong size effects at small pillar diameters. This “smaller is stronger” phenomenon is widely believed to involve dislocation motion, which can be studied using dislocation dynamics (DD) simulations. In the present paper, we use a three-dimensional DD model to study the collective dislocation behavior in body-centered cubic micropillars under compression. Following the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of Weinberger and Cai, we consider a surface-controlled cross-slip process, involving image forces and non-planar core structures, that leads to multiplication without the presence of artificial dislocation sources or pinning points. The simulations exhibit size effects and effects of initial dislocation density and strain rate on strength, which appear to be in good agreement with recent experimental results and with a simple dislocation kinetics model described here. In addition, at the high strain rates considered, plasticity is governed mainly by the kinetics of dislocation motion, not their elastic interactions.
Bioremediation of chlorate or perchlorate contaminated water using permeable barriers containing vegetable oil.

A scale model of an in situ permeable barrier, formed by injecting vegetable oil onto laboratory soil columns, was used to remove chlorate and perchlorate from flowing groundwater. The hypothesis that trapped oil would serve as a substrate enabling native microorganisms to reduce chlorate or perchlorate to chloride as water flowed through the oil-rich zone had merit. Approximately 96% of the 0.2 mM chlorate and 99% of the 0.2 mM perchlorate present in the water was removed as water was pumped through columns containing vegetable oil barriers. The product formed was chloride. When nitrate at 1.4 mM was added to the water, both nitrate and chlorate were removed. High concentrations of chlorate or perchlorate can be treated; 24 mM chlorate and 6 mM perchlorate were completely reduced to chloride during microcosm incubations. Microorganisms capable of reducing perchlorate are plentiful in the environment.
Seeing GroEL at 6 Å Resolution by Single Particle Electron Cryomicroscopy

We present a reconstruction of native GroEL by electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) and single particle analysis at 6 A resolution. alpha helices are clearly visible and beta sheet density is also visible at this resolution. While the overall conformation of this structure is quite consistent with the published X-ray data, a measurable shift in the positions of three alpha helices in the intermediate domain is observed, not consistent with any of the 7 monomeric structures in the Protein Data Bank model (1OEL). In addition, there is evidence for slight rearrangement or flexibility in parts of the apical domain. The 6 A resolution cryo-EM GroEL structure clearly demonstrates the veracity and expanding scope of cryo-EM and the single particle reconstruction technique for macromolecular machines.
Non-invasive optical techniques for the measurement of macular pigments

Clinical studies of carotenoid macular pigments (MP) and chronic retina disease have been limited by the lack of non-invasive, objective techniques. In this paper we describe anovel, noninvasive optical techniques based on the resonant Raman spectroscopy for the assessment of the carotenoid status of human retina in vivo. Using resonant excitation in the visible, we measure the Raman signals that originate from the single- and double-bond stretch vibrations of the π-conjugated carotenoid molecule's carbon backbone. MP Raman detector, robust device useful for routine measurements of MP concentration in a clinical setting, has been developed and tested in clinical studies in humans to validate its function and to begin to establish its role as a possible screening test for macular pathologies. We report our first results on using carotenoid Raman detection in imaging mode. The results on retinal Raman imaging reveal highly specific and quantitative information regarding the spatial distribution of macular pigments. We also compare Raman technology with others availabe today subjective and objective MP detection methods and show that Raman spectroscopic technology has tremendous potential as a breakthrough method for rapid screening of carotenoid antioxidant levels in large populations that are at risk for vision loss from age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness of the elderly in the developed world.
Acclimation in Simulated Lake Water Increases Survival of Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Challenged with Saline, Alkaline Water from Walker Lake, Nevada

Abstract We investigated the effect of acclimation and condition factor (K) on short-term survival of subyearling Lahontan cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi reared at Lahontan National Fish Hatchery, Gardnerville, Nevada, and challenged for 1 week with saline, alkaline water from Walker Lake, Nevada. The effect of acclimation and lake-water challenge on plasma osmolality was also investigated. Fish were acclimated for 0, 8, or 17 d in simulated lake water with gradual and simultaneous increases in total dissolved solids and pH. Mean (±SE) survival rates (proportion) during three replicate, weeklong challenges in Walker Lake water for the 0-, 8-, and 17-d acclimation groups were 0.153 ± 0.0409, 0.236 ± 0.0371, and 0.487 ± 0.1040, respectively. During all three challenge replicates, fish acclimated for 17 d experienced a lower hazard of death than unacclimated fish; fish in the 0- and 8-d acclimation groups survived at similar rates. Higher K-values were associated with a lower hazard of death d...
Coding and routing complexity in sensor networks

This paper introduces a particular network source coding problem for sensor networks. The problem consists of transmitting information between a set of source-destination pairs over a network where the nodes are correlated. When the underlying graph structure is a tree we give a complete characterization of the achievable rate region and discusses the role of graphical models and in particular the junction tree in determining routing paths for cases where the underlying graph structure has cycles. The communication complexity of learning the statistics of the source from observation data and computing the routing spanning tree in a distributed manner is determined.
Evaluating the limits of solar photovoltaics (PV) in electric power systems utilizing energy storage and other enabling technologies

In this work, we evaluate technologies that will enable solar photovoltaics (PV) to overcome the limits of traditional electric power systems. We performed simulations of a large utility system using hourly solar insolation and load data and attempted to provide up to 50% of this system's energy from PV. We considered several methods to avoid the limits of unusable PV that result at high penetration due to the use of inflexible baseload generators. The enabling technologies considered in this work are increased system flexibility, load shifting via demand responsive appliances, and energy storage.
Review of cefditoren, an advanced-generation, broad-spectrum oral cephalosporin.

Abstract Background: Cefditoren is an advanced-generation, broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic approved for the treatment of acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB), group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis, and uncomplicated skin/skin structure infections in adult and adolescent patients. Objective: This article briefly reviews the chemistry, antimicrobial activity, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of cefditoren. Methods: Literature was identified by a MEDLINE search (January 1985 to October 2001) of the medical literature, review of the English-language literature, reference lists within these articles, as well as data presented at the 40th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Results: Cefditoren has a broad spectrum of activity against many gram-negative and gram-positive aerobes, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. Cefditoren is stable to hydrolysis by many common beta-lactamases. Cefditoren is rapidly absorbed (time to peak plasma concentration, ∼2–3 hours) from the gastrointestinal tract and is almost completely eliminated via renal clearance of unchanged drug. The terminal disposition half-life of the compound is ∼0.8 to 1.3 hours. Conclusions: Cefditoren is effective in the management of AECB (in regimens of 400 mg twice daily for 10 days) and acute maxillary sinusitis, pharyngotonsillitis due to S pyogenes , and uncomplicated skin/skin structure infections (in regimens of 200 mg twice daily for 10 days). Cefditoren possesses broad activity against common pathogens of the respiratory tract and skin and is stable in the presence of numerous beta-lactamases. Its pharmacokinetic properties, in conjunction with in vitro susceptibility data, document the feasibility of twice-daily dosing.
Analysis and optimization of gyrokinetic toroidal simulations on homogenous and heterogenous platforms

The Gyrokinetic Toroidal Code (GTC) uses the particle-in-cell method to efficiently simulate plasma microturbulence. This work presents novel analysis and optimization techniques to enhance the performance of GTC on large-scale machines. We introduce cell access analysis to better manage locality vs. synchronization tradeoffs on CPU and GPU-based architectures. Our optimized hybrid parallel implementation of GTC uses MPI, OpenMP, and NVIDIA CUDA, achieves up to a 2A speedup over the reference Fortran version on multiple parallel systems, and scales efficiently to tens of thousands of cores.
Energy-constrained open-system magmatic processes I : General model and energy-constrained assimilation and fractional crystallization (EC-AFC) formulation

recharge mass and Teq, the mass of wallrock heated to Teq is Geochemical data for igneous rocks provide definitive evidence for computed and the geochemical trajectory of melt is determined as the occurrence of open-system processes in magma bodies, including magma temperature approaches Teq from its starting value, Tm°. Replenishment by intrusion of primitive magma, Assimilation of The effects of imperfect extraction of anatectic wallrock melt may anatectic wallrock melt and cumulate formation by Fractional be accounted for by introduction of an extraction efficiency factor. Crystallization. A general class of models (Energy ConservedMathematical details of a simpler model, EC-AFC (no reRAFC or EC-RAFC) can be constructed, which allow simulation plenishment) are provided. Energy-constrained models have the of geochemical paths for trace elements and isotopic ratios for magma advantage of linking thermal and chemical properties of magma undergoing simultaneous replenishment, assimilation and fractional chambers. Compared with ‘classical’ models that conserve mass crystallization during the approach to thermal equilibration. The and species only, they represent more complete assessments of general problem of EC-RAFC is formulated as a set of 3 + t the complex physicochemical dynamics governing the geochemical + i + s coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations, where evolution of open-system magma bodies. Results of EC-AFC the number of trace elements, radiogenic and stable isotope ratios simulations demonstrate that geochemical trends can differ sigsimultaneously modeled are t, i and s, respectively. Partial melting nificantly from predictions based on ‘classical’ AFC even when of wallrock, modeled as fractional melting, is incorporated, as are recharge plays no role. Incorporation of energy conservation and sensible and latent heat effects. Temperature-dependent partition partial melting into geochemical models allows important coupled coefficients are used to describe trace element distributions. Solution effects to play their natural role. of the set of differential equations, with magma temperature (Tm ) as the independent variable, provides values for the average temperature of wallrock (Ta ), fraction of melt within the magma body (Mm ),
Insurance-mandated medical programs before bariatric surgery: do good things come to those who wait?

Abstract Background Insurance companies often require a mandated medical program (MMP) before bariatric surgery. It is unknown whether MMPs improve weight loss before and after surgery. The purpose of our study was to determine whether MMPs improve pre- and postoperative weight loss at a tertiary care, U.S. academic teaching hospital. Methods After institutional review board approval, data were collected prospectively from consecutive patients undergoing nonrevisional laparoscopic gastric bypass or adjustable gastric banding from August 2006 to 2010 by a single surgeon (T.S.K.). The patients were divided into 2 groups: those undergoing a MMP and those who did not. The MMP patients underwent a standardized program of ≥6 months' duration under the direction of our medical bariatricians and nutritionists. The data from the laparoscopic gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding patients were analyzed separately. The primary outcome data included the interval to surgery and the percentage of excess weight loss before surgery and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Results A total of 440 patients (327 laparoscopic gastric bypass and 113 laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding) were included in the present study. No significant difference was found in the preoperative percentage of excess weight loss or the percentage of excess weight loss at 6 and 12 months after surgery between the MMP and non-MMP patients. The MMP patients had a significantly longer wait time to surgery. Conclusion Patients who underwent a standardized MMP had a significant delay in their time to surgery and did not experience significant benefit in their preoperative or postoperative weight loss. Insurance companies should abandon the policy of mandating preoperative medical weight loss programs.
Diasporic sincerity: tales from a ‘returnee’ researcher

This essay explores how my diasporic ‘returnee’ status positions me with the participants in my research endeavours within education reform non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in and around Bangalore, India. I argue that in addition to forcing me to reassess the scripts of ‘belonging’ I hold as an Indian American, the very stories that make me part of the diaspora reshape the research context by offering my interlocutors new narrative tropes by which to (re)imagine India. These re-imaginings precipitate a destabilisation of context-specific categories that limit social interaction, such as caste, class, gender and regional belonging, allowing me the possibility of ethnographically sincere encounters across a diverse set of participants. However, as I persistently transgress boundaries I find myself in vulnerable positions, as the politics of difference within the organisation threaten to undermine my research endeavour.
A review of machining theory and tool wear with a view to developing micro and nano machining processes

This paper reviews the current state-of-the-art surrounding macro scale machining; it discusses how these factors will influence the future development of micro and nano scale machining. The paper begins by reviewing machining theory, and then discusses high speed machining, tool wear, tool coatings, micromachining, meso machine tool design and future applications and research directions. Tool wear is a factor that determines the economy of the machining process. Therefore, an extensive part of the paper is devoted to the development of materials used to coat tools; in turn, it is anticipated these coatings will used in future micro machining applications. Consideration is also given to machine structures that are required to use these cutting tools at speeds in excess of one million revolutions per minute. This review provides a timely explanation of the literature surrounding the factors required for successful micro and nano machining.
Comparing the Utility of State Features in Spoken Dialogue Using Reinforcement Learning

Recent work in designing spoken dialogue systems has focused on using Reinforcement Learning to automatically learn the best action for a system to take at any point in the dialogue to maximize dialogue success. While policy development is very important, choosing the best features to model the user state is equally important since it impacts the actions a system should make. In this paper, we compare the relative utility of adding three features to a model of user state in the domain of a spoken dialogue tutoring system. In addition, we also look at the effects of these features on what type of a question a tutoring system should ask at any state and compare it with our previous work on using feedback as the system action.
Variable-latency adder (VL-adder): new arithmetic circuit design practice to overcome NBTI

Negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) has become a dominant reliability concern for nanoscale PMOS transistors. In this paper, we propose variable-latency adder (VL-adder) technique for NBTI tolerance. By detecting the circuit failure on-the-fly, the proposed VL-adder can automatically shift data capturing clock edge to tolerate NBTI-induced delay degradation on critical timing paths. VL-adder operates with a fixed supply voltage and clock period, avoiding the high design and manufacturing costs incurred by existing NBTI-tolerant techniques. Compared to other related lower-power adder designs, VL-adder technique always provides better energy efficiency through the whole chip lifetime with very limited performance degradation (4.6% or less).
Affinity for risky behaviors following prenatal and early childhood exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated drinking water: a retrospective cohort study

Background Many studies of adults with acute and chronic solvent exposure have shown adverse effects on cognition, behavior and mood. No prior study has investigated the long-term impact of prenatal and early childhood exposure to the solvent tetrachloroethylene (PCE) on the affinity for risky behaviors, defined as smoking, drinking or drug use as a teen or adult.
Properties of human glial cells associated with epileptic seizure foci

Abstract We studied physiological properties of glial cells from acute slices of biopsies from patients operated for intractable mesio-temporal lobe epilepsy using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Cells were filled with Lucifer Yellow (LY) during recordings to allow morphological reconstruction and immunohistochemical cell identification. Seizure-associated astrocytes had complex, arborized, highly branched processes giving them a stellate appearance, and cells stained intensely for the intermediate filament GFAP as previously reported for `reactive' astrocytes. GFAP-positive astrocytes from epilepsy biopsies consistently expressed voltage-activated, TTX-sensitive Na + channels that showed fast activation and inactivation kinetics. Unlike comparison astrocytes, derived from tissues that were not associated with seizure foci, these astrocytes expressed Na + channels at densities sufficient to generate slow action potentials (spikes) in current clamp studies. In these cells, the ratio of Na + to K + conductance was consistently 3–4-fold higher than in comparison human or control rat astrocytes. Four of 17 astrocytes from epilepsy patients versus 14/14 from control rat hippocampus and four of five in comparison human tissue showed a lack of inwardly rectifying K + currents, which in normal astrocytes are implicated in the control of extracellular K + levels. These results suggest that astrocytes surrounding seizure foci differ in morphological and physiological properties, and that glial K + buffering could be impaired at the seizure focus, thus contributing to the pathophysiology of seizures.
Plant water status and hydraulic conductance during flowering in the southern California coastal sage shrub Salvia mellifera (Lamiaceae)

 Premise of the Study: Plant water status during fl owering is important for plant reproduction, but the physiology of flwater use is not well understood. We investigated plant water status in relation to leaf and fl oral physiology in naturally occurring individuals of a semiarid shrub, Salvia mellifera E. Greene.  Methods: We measured stomatal ( g s ) and corolla ( g c ) conductance to water vapor, transpiration from leaves ( E leaf ) and corollas ( E corolla ), leaf-specifi c hydraulic conductance ( K H ), bulk shoot water potential ( Ψ shoot ), and shoot water content on irrigated and control plants to analyze whether water was limiting to leaf and fl oral water use.  Key Results: Experimental irrigation caused a 203% increase in soil moisture content, a 20% increase in predawn Ψ shoot , a 29% increase in midday Ψ shoot , and a 92% increase in K H . Floral and leaf gas exchange did not respond signifi cantly to water addition, indicating that rates were at seasonal maxima and not limited by water availability. Total daily water use by corollas was ~20% of total shoot water use. There were no signifi cant differences in total daily shoot water use with water addition. Mean shoot water content (5.07 g) was close to mean daily shoot water use (6.71 g), indicating that the equivalent of total shoot water content turned over every 0.76 d.  Conclusions: These results demonstrate that although irrigation improved whole-plant hydraulic conductance, gas exchange was not limited by water availability. Additionally, the high water use of flin this species might limit future fl owering and reproductive success during dry years.
Hot water immersion to ensure quarantine security for Cryptophlebia spp. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in lychee and longan exported from Hawaii.

We determined whether immersion in 49°C water for 20 min, a quarantine treatment developed for disinfestation of fruit flies in lychee, Litchi chinensis Sonn., and longan, Dimocarpus longan (Lourd.) Steud., exported from Hawaii, would also disinfest fruit of two species of Cryptophlebia. The pattern of tolerance to heat in Cryptophlebia illepida (Butler) was generally eggs < neonates < early instars = late instars < pupae. No C. illepida survived immersion for 16 or 20 min. Late fourth and fifth instars were determined to be the most tolerant stage that occurs in harvested fruit. Late instars of Cryptophlebia ombrodelta (Lower) were more tolerant of hot-water immersion than those of C. illepida, but no C. ombrodelta late instars survived immersion for 16 or 20 min. The hot water immersion quarantine treatment for fruit flies should effectively disinfest lychees and longans of any Cryptophlebia.
Regulation of erythropoiesis. XXII. Erythropoietin production in the newborn animal.

Erythropoietin production was examined in the newborn rat. Even though there was significant anemia present during the early neonatal phase of life in the rat, erythropoietin could not be demonstrated in the plasma. Exposure to simulated levels of altitude of 23,000 feet for a period of 18 hr. resulted in the production of demonstrable levels of erythropoietin in the plasma. The amount of erythropoietic activity which could be demonstrated in the plasma of hypoxic animals increased with age from values of 0.76 units/ml. in the 1 day old animal to normal adult values of approximately 8 units/ml. by the thirtieth day of life. Bilateral nephrectomy prior to exposure to hypoxia in the 5 day old and 15 day old rat reduced the amount of erythropoietin to values of 50 per cent and 25 per cent of those observed in the intact hypoxic animal. By the thirtieth day of life, erythropoietin could no longer be demonstrated in anephric animals exposed to hypoxia. It is concluded that there is a gradual increase in the capacity of the rat to produce erythropoietin in response to an hypoxic stimulus, and that in significant measure during the early neonatal phase, erythropoietin production is accomplished by extrarenal sources.
Enhancement of thermoelectric efficiency in non-uniform semiconductor nanowires

Thermoelectric efficiency has been limited to a non-practical range because of the electronic material properties that are not easily controlled. Therefore, limiting thermal transport has been the best approach to enhance efficiency, and efforts to reduce the thermal conductivity even further have been extensively reported. In this work, we investigate thermoelectric transport coefficients of uniformly straight and sinusoidally undulated nanowires and compare the resulting thermoelectric figure-of-merit. The improved efficiency should suggest another strategy to effectively control thermal transport in semiconductor nanostructures.
Solid Solution VxFe1-x[TCNE]2·zCH2Cl2 Room-Temperature Magnets

A family of amorphous, solid-solution magnets of VxFe1-x[TCNE]2·zCH2Cl2 (TCNE = tetracyanoethylene; 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) composition has been characterized by IR spectrometry, elemental analysis, and magnetic measurements (ac and dc susceptibility). Substitution of FeII for VII in V[TCNE]2·zCH2Cl2 does not significantly alter the Tc for x ≥ 0.3, which exceeds room temperature; however, Hcr is enhanced by over 2 orders of magnitude, indicating a large increase of random anisotropy. Hence, the magnetic properties of the room-temperature V[TCNE]2·zCH2Cl2 magnet can be finely tuned via a synthetic chemistry methodology, making this material more amenable to future technologies.
Multidimensional examination of impulsivity in relation to disordered gambling.

Impulsivity has been consistently associated with pathological gambling (PG), but the diversity of definitions and measures of impulsivity has led to ambiguity with regard to which indices are independently relevant. Toward clarifying this relationship, the current study examined indices from an array of commonly-used impulsivity measures in relation to PG severity in an adult community sample of frequent gamblers (N = 353). These included both survey assessments and behavioral tasks. Using a factor analytic approach, four latent factors were identified among 19 indices and were designated reward sensitivity, punishment sensitivity, delay discounting, and cognitive impulsivity. All four latent variables were positively and independently related to PG severity, albeit at a trend level for cognitive impulsivity in a combined model. These findings reveal four generally independent domains of impulsivity that are related to PG severity, clarify which assessment measures aggregate in each domain, and illustrate the importance of measurement specificity in studying impulsivity in relation to PG and other psychiatric disorders.
The Uncertainty Reducing Capabilities of Primary Care Physicians’ Video Biographies for Choosing a New Doctor: Is a Video Worth More Than Two Hundred Words?

Choosing a primary care physician for the first time is an important decision, one that health care systems do not make particularly easy for prospective patients to make solely through the limited information provided on their websites. Without knowledge from others, a new patient is likely to have uncertainty about the physician he or she chooses. Three hundred and twenty participants completed an online experiment and were exposed to two biographies of different doctors with different media and either professional or personal information. Predictions generated by media richness theory revealed greater reductions in uncertainty for video biographies than traditional text biographies. Video biographies, and those containing personal information about the physician, were also related to higher levels of anticipated patient satisfaction and care quality. When asked to choose the physicians they would want to visit, participants overwhelmingly chose the physician with whom they perceived the greatest similarity to themselves, as well as the doctor who provided a video biography. Both theoretical and practical implications of this research are discussed.
Application of Evidence Theory on Dual Combustor Ramjet Model

This paper demonstrates the application of uncertainty quantification in the design of a dual combustion ramjet system. Due to the complexity and lack of knowledge in the area of high speed propulsion systems, results of design or analyses are frequently questioned a reliability issue. To introduce the problem, uncertainties are quantified using evidence theory. Uncertain parameters are the combustion efficiencies which are expressed as a form of evidence, instead of probability distributions. Evidence of combustion efficiencies, not well understood and little data existing, are assumed to have been provided by experts. The quantified uncertainties are incorporated into the evidence-based design optimization. The design variables, area of inlet and area of combustor exit, have been found while satisfying reliability margins of performance requirement. The results show a reasonable design of the engine under the uncertain circumstances.
Prostaglandin E1 Bladder Instillations to Control Severe Hemorrhagic Cystitis

Severe hemorrhagic cystitis developed in 6 children after marrow transplantation, 3 of whom had a viral etiology. All 6 patients received instillations of prostaglandin E1 directly into the bladder and 5 of the 6 had complete resolution of hematuria. This finding contrasts with our previous experience with severe hemorrhagic cystitis, particularly the type due to a viral infection, persisting in the face of numerous bladder manipulations. We encourage the use of this nontoxic treatment to gain further information regarding its effect on the bladder epithelium. The mechanism of action remains completely unknown.
The most important process for making great games

Playtesting is the act of observing someone play your game. It is a valuable process for any game designer because it provides true insight into the game, allowing you to improve it. For learning games, playtesting also focuses on understanding if the player is actually learning anything from playing your game and ideally how well that knowledge is retained and/or transferred. The iterative development process is a three-step loop (design, build, test) and playtesting is one of the three steps in that loop.
Insulin-like growth factor 1 rescues R28 retinal neurons from apoptotic death through ERK-mediated BimEL phosphorylation independent of Akt

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) can provide long-term neurotrophic support by activation of Akt, inhibition of FoxO nuclear localization and suppression of Bim gene transcription in multiple neuronal systems. However, MEK/ERK activation can also promote neuron survival through phosphorylation of BimEL. We explored the contribution of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO and MEK/ERK/BimEL pathways in IGF-1 stimulated survival after serum deprivation (SD) of R28 cells differentiated to model retinal neurons. IGF-1 caused rapid activation of Akt leading to FoxO1/3-T32/T24 phosphorylation, and prevented FoxO1/3 nuclear translocation and Bim mRNA upregulation in response to SD. IGF-1 also caused MAPK/MEK pathway activation as indicated by ERK1/2-T202/Y204 and Bim-S65 phosphorylation. Overexpression of FoxO1 increased Bim mRNA expression and amplified the apoptotic response to SD without shifting the serum response curve. Inhibition of Akt activation with LY294002 or by Rictor knockdown did not block the protective effect of IGF-1, while inhibition of MEK activity with PD98059 prevented Bim phosphorylation and blocked IGF-1 protection. In addition, knockdown of Bim expression was protective during SD, while co-silencing of FoxO1 and Fox03 expression had little effect. Thus, the PI3K/Akt/FoxO pathway was not essential for protection from SD-induced apoptosis by IGF-1 in R28 cells. Instead, IGF-1 protection was dependent on activation of the MEK/ERK pathway leading to BimEL phosphorylation, which is known to prevent Bax/Bak oligomerization and activation of the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. These studies demonstrate the requirement of the MEK/ERK pathway in a model of retinal neuron cell survival and highlight the cell specificity for IGF-1 signaling in this response.
A Brief Coaching Intervention for Teaching Naturalistic Strategies to Parents

Coaching parents to implement evidence-based strategies is one method for increasing the number of hours young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) access intervention services. The purpose of this study was to teach parents of young children with ASD to implement naturalistic strategies during play in a clinic setting. Results indicate a brief coaching procedure was effective for training parents to implement behavioral strategies, with concomitant changes in child behavior. Additional research is needed to determine how to facilitate maintenance over time and whether effects generalize to typical settings.
Use of Tolvaptan in a Patient With Palliated Congenital Heart Disease

Heart failure is a common problem in the ever growing population of patients with palliated congenital heart disease. It is frequently complicated by hyponatremia that has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Tolvaptan is a vasopressin receptor antagonist that has been effective in improving hyponatremia and congestive symptoms in adults with chronic heart failure. We describe the short-term use of tolvaptan to treat hyponatremic hypervolemia in an adolescent patient with chronic heart failure in the setting of palliated congenital heart disease prior to definitive surgical intervention. In this case, the patient had improvement in hyponatremia and a decrease in body weight, without any adverse effects.
Pharmacokinetics and Biodistribution of GDC-0449 Loaded Micelles in Normal and Liver Fibrotic Mice

To determine the pharmacokinetic parameters and biodistribution of GDC-0449 loaded polymeric micelles after systemic administration into common bile duct ligation (CBDL) induced liver fibrotic mice. We used GDC-0449 encapsulated methoxy poly (ethylene glycol)-block-poly (2-methyl-2-carboxyl-propylene carbonate)-graft-dodecanol (PEG-PCD) non-targeted polymeric micelles for GDC-0449 delivery to normal and liver fibrotic mice. To maximize GDC-0449 delivery to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), mixed micelles formulations with 10, 20 and 30% w/w mannose-6-phosphate (M6P)-conjugated micelles were administered to normal and liver fibrotic mice for targeting M6P/IGF-IIR overexpressed on activated HSCs and biodistribution of GDC-0449 was determined at 30 and 120 min post systemic administration. GDC-0449 distributed to all major organs after systemic administration of drug loaded micelles, with higher accumulation in the liver of both normal and fibrotic mice. The plasma concentration versus time profiles suggest rapid clearance of GDC-0449 after systemic administration of drug loaded micelles in both normal and fibrotic mice, with similar plasma clearance (CL), area under the curve (AUCint) and volume of distribution at steady state (Vss). However, there is significant increase in GDC-0449 accumulation in the liver when M6P-conjugated mixed micelles were injected, with the highest GDC-0449 concentration in the liver with mixed micelles carrying 30% M6P-conjugated polymer. HSCs accounted for 14.19% of GDC-0449 accumulation for M6P-targeted micelles in fibrotic mice compared to 5.62% of non-targeted micelles in the liver uptake study. M6P-conjugated GDC-0449 loaded mixed micelles may be used as a potential drug delivery vehicle for treating liver fibrosis.
STATIC LONGITUDINAL STABILITY AND CONTROL

ABSTRACT In this paper, methods for conducting flight tests to determine both the stick-fixed and stick-free stability levels of the airplane are presented. The concepts of the airplane neutral points and maneuver points are discussed and the data reduction processes required to establish these center of gravity positions from flight test data explained. Several different approaches to the problem are examined, including such important methods as measurements of elevator angle and stick force versus airspeed at constant c.g. positions, as well as measurements of airspeed versus c.g. position at constant elevator angle and at zero stick force. The advantages and disadvantages of the different systems are explained and the flight test technique described in each case. The analysis of the trim curves for by-products such as elevator power (dCm/dδe) and stability criterion (dCm/dCL) is explained. Methods for testing for control limitations in take-off and landing are described, and finally, tests for changes in trim, due to variations in flaps and power settings are presented.
Can storage of thawed cryoprecipitate be extended to more than six hours

Fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) and cryoprecipitate both contain Factors I and VIII, however thawed FFP may be stored at 1-6 degrees C for 24 hours, but thawed cryoprecipitate may only be stored at 1-6 degrees C for six hours when used for Factor VIII content. To determine whether it would be safe and effective to extend the storage period of thawed cryoprecipitate from 6 to 24 hours, Factor VIII (and fibrinogen) levels were measured in 25 units of cryoprecipitates immediately on thawing and at 6 hours and 24 hours thereafter. The Factor VIII activity level decreased to 86% of the original activity level within 6 hours, but the drop between 6 and 24 hours was relatively small. Eighty percent of the original activity was still present at 24 hours after thawing. The fibrinogen level decreased to 87% of the original level within 6 hours but remained stable between 6 and 24 hours. Additional testing showed that fibrinogen levels remained stable between 6 and 74 hours. These data suggested that the storage of thawed cryoprecipitate might be extended to 24 hours when this blood product is used for Factor VIII content and to 74 hours when it is used for fibrinogen content. Furthermore, the lack of prohibition on the use of cryoprecipitate that has been thawed for more than six hours and stored at 4 degrees C for its fibrinogen content seems reasonable.
On-machine metrology system (Conference Presentation)

Diamond turning is the powerful fabrication method for optics. Current process is very time consuming due to the lack of on-machine metrology. In this talk, we will first discuss the challenges and requirement of in-situ metrology, then we will present chromatic confocal on-machine metrology system developed in our lab and demonstrate its performance.
Packing of Russian doll clusters to form a nanometer-scale CsCl-type compound in a Cr–Zn–Sn complex metallic alloy

The new complex intermetallic alloy, Cr22Zn72Sn24, with a giant cubic unit cell (space group Fmc, Z = 8, Pearson symbol cF944 with a = 25.083(3) A) is reported. The structure can be described as a CsCl-type packing of two “Russian Doll” type intermetallic clusters: a 99-atom cluster, Cr@(Cr8Zn6)(Sn)24(Zn)60, composed of a central Cr atom encapsulated by three shells: a distorted rhombic dodecahedron, a snub-cube, and a rhombi-icosidodecahedron; and a 55-atom cluster, Cr@(Zn)12(Zn)30(Zn)12, also composed of a central Cr atom, but now surrounded by three different shells: an icosahedron, an icosidodecahedron, and a larger icosahedron. The two distinct clusters can be considered as “superatoms” that form the resulting nanometer-scale CsCl-type structure. Evaluating the electronic structure of this complex alloy structure yielded an alternative description, involving a 3-d network of vertex-connected, Cr-centered icosahedra and fragments of bcc metals. This description closely parallels the effective chemical bonding interactions, allowing for an understanding of the stability of this CMA. Magnetic and Seebeck coefficient measurements on self-flux grown crystals of Cr22Zn72Sn24 show it to be paramagnetic and metallic, in agreement with the results of electronic structure calculations.
Hemodialysis patients' preferences for the management of anemia

Patient engagement in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is expected to result in a more patient-centered approach to care that aligns with patients’ values, preferences, and goals for treatment. Nevertheless, no previous studies of which we are aware have evaluated patients’ benefit-risk preferences for the management of anemia associated with ESRD. The primary objective of this study was to quantify the tradeoffs patients are willing to make between cardiovascular risks associated with some anemia medicines and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. A secondary objective was to quantify the importance of avoiding transfusion-related risks. A survey instrument was developed from the clinical literature, clinician input, patient-education resources, and a patient focus group. The survey instrument was qualitatively pretested before its administration to a broader sample of patients. The National Kidney Foundation invited individuals in the United States to participate in the survey. In a discrete-choice experiment (DCE), respondents chose between two hypothetical anemia medications in a series of questions. Each medication was defined by symptom relief, frequency of transfusions, cardiovascular risk, mode of administration, and out-of-pocket cost. The survey also included a best-worst scaling (BWS) exercise to quantify the importance of avoiding attributes of blood transfusions. Results from the DCE were used to estimate relative importance and marginal willingness to pay. Results from the BWS were converted to relative importance weights. A total of 200 individuals completed the survey. Patients were willing to accept a 6% medication-related risk of heart attack to avoid having two RBC transfusions per month. Symptom relief and mode of administration were of moderate importance. The most important transfusion-related risk to avoid was transfusion-related lung injury. Patients with ESRD and anemia have measurable treatment preferences and are willing to accept risks associated with anemia medications to avoid transfusions.
Maximal non-commuting set in 2-generated p-groups of class two

Let G be a group. A set W in G is said to be non-commuting if xy≠yx for any two distinct elements x and y in W. If |W|≥|X| for any other non-commuting set X in G, then W is said to be a maximal non-commuting set. In this paper, we obtain the cardinality of a maximal non-commuting set in 2-generated p-groups of class two having finite commutator subgroup.
Teaching children with autism to respond to disguised mands

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have difficulty inferring the private events of others, including private verbal behavior (e.g., thoughts), private emotional responses, and private establishing operations, often referred to as "perspective taking" by the general psychology community. Children with ASD also have difficulty responding to disguised mands. Skinner's description of the "disguised mand" is verbal behavior wherein the speaker's mand directly describes neither its reinforcer nor the corresponding establishing operations. Appropriate responding to disguised mands is required for successful social interaction, making it a social skill worth teaching to children with ASD. We used a nonconcurrent multiple baseline across participants design to investigate the effects of a multiple exemplar training package consisting of rules, role play, and feedback for teaching three boys with ASD to respond to disguised mands. The intervention was effective and generalization to novel disguised mands and people was observed.
Research Advances in the Global Tourism and Services Industries

I am pleased to announce that we have recently released a Call for Papers for a third special issue of the Journal of Global Marketing (JGM) titled, “Digital Marketing and Online Consumer Behavior ...
The Reflux Improvement and Monitoring (TRIM) Program Is Associated With Symptom Improvement and Weight Reduction for Patients With Obesity and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

The Reflux Improvement and Monitoring (TRIM) Program Is Associated With Symptom Improvement and Weight Reduction for Patients With Obesity and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Band Alignment and the Built-in Potential of Solids

The built-in potential is of central importance to the understanding of many interfacial phenomena because it determines the band alignment at the interface. Despite its importance, its exact sign and magnitude have generally been recognized as ill-defined quantities for more than half a century. Here, we provide a common energy reference of bulk matter which leads to an unambiguous definition of the built-in potential and innate (i.e., bulk) band alignment. Further, we find that the built-in potential is explicitly determined by the bulk properties of the constituent materials when the system is in electronic equilibrium, while the interface plays a role only in the absence of equilibrium. Our quantitative theory enables a unified description of a variety of important properties of interfaces, ranging from work functions to Schottky barriers in electronic devices.