cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cross-cultural Examination of Applicant Reactions to Selection Methods: United States and Vietnam

The current study explored the differences in applicant reactions to various selection methods in the United States and in Vietnam, an emerging economy that has been generally ignored in the selection and assessment literatures. College students (n = 376) from the United States and Vietnam rated the favorability of 10 selection methods and indicated the bases for their reactions on eight process fairness dimensions. Results showed that interviews and work sample tests were perceived most favorably, while personal contacts and graphology were perceived least favorably in both countries. Face validity of the selection methods was found to be the strongest predictor of process favorability in both countries. In addition, the results indicated substantial differences between the two countries in terms of the perceived interpersonal warmth of selection methods and a perceived employer's right to obtain information using the selection methods. Implications of the findings for multinational corporations and future research directions are discussed.
A new optical scattering technique for accurate determination of micro-particle size for early cancer detections

We discovered the linear dependence of the micro-particle size and the harmonic position of Fourier transforms of the far-field light scattering spectra over wavenumber. Based on this observation, we developed a new micro-particle sizing technique.
Cost Behavior and Executive Compensation

Prior literature provides compelling evidence of an asymmetric relation between executive bonus compensation and earnings performance. In particular, this literature reports that compensation committees assign greater weight to good (positive) earnings performance than poor (negative) earnings performance. Taken together, the prior literature provides strong support for critics who claim that compensation committees blindly protect executives from earnings underperformance. We further examine this issue by investigating whether a firm’s cost behavior (i.e., the relation between expenses and sales) provides an explanation for the apparent inefficiency in executive compensation contracts. Our evidence suggests that executives are rewarded more for increases in ROA that arise from normal cost behavior than other increases in ROA consistent with these increases being perceived as more persistent. In contrast, we do not find such a relationship for decreases in ROA which suggests that executives are largely shielded from decreases in ROA that follow normal cost behavior. We examine two factors suggested by the prior literature, expected future sales and the extent of capacity utilization, which may provide an explanation for why executives are shielded from normal cost behavior decreases in ROA. When these additional factors are included in our empirical models, our evidence suggests that the asymmetric relation between changes in CEO bonus compensation and increases and decreases in earnings performance documented in prior literature goes away. That is, our results suggest that compensation committees do not blindly protect executives for earnings underperformance. On the contrary, our evidence suggests that these committees take into account other non-earnings information when deciding how much weight to give to a decrease in earnings and that executive compensation may not be as inefficient as suggested by prior research.
A note on the recording of epidural negative pressure

A recording of the negative pressure of the epidural space is presented. Two components can be demonstrated: a basal subatmospheric pressure exaggerated by flexion of the spine and an artefactual value produced by further advancing the needle. Negative pressure is a segmental phenomenon since it can persist in one epidural area despite its disappearance in other remote zones.
Deriving axioms across ontologies

Ontologies play a key role in agent communication and the emerging Semantic Web. Axioms are an important component of ontologies to describe the relationships among the concepts. The current research on ontology mapping and ontology translation mainly focuses on how to map and translate the vocabularies and associated data instances from one ontology to another. However, when extending one ontology using axioms from another, we must confront the problem of translating axioms. In this paper, we show that simple symbol replacement will not solve the problem of axiom translation because of asymmetry of translation. Instead we extend our inferential ontology translation for facts (ground atomic formulas) and queries to cover axioms using a method we call axiom derivation.
50 years of fusion research

Fusion energy research began in the early 1950s as scientists worked to harness the awesome power of the atom for peaceful purposes. There was early optimism for a quick solution for fusion energy as there had been for fission. However, this was soon tempered by reality as the difficulty of producing and confining fusion fuel at temperatures of 100 million ◦ C in the laboratory was appreciated. Fusion research has followed two main paths— inertial confinement fusion and magnetic confinement fusion. Over the past 50 years, there has been remarkable progress with both approaches, and now each has a solid technical foundation that has led to the construction of major facilities that are aimed at demonstrating fusion energy producing plasmas.
Reliable Broadcast in Wireless Networks with Probabilistic Failures

We consider the problem of reliable broadcast in a wireless network in which nodes are prone to failure. Each node can fail independently with probability p. Failures are permanent. The primary focus is on Byzantine failures, but we also handle crash-stop failures. We consider two network models: a regular grid, and a random network. Our necessary and sufficient conditions for the Byzantine failure model indicate that p should be less than frac12, and the critical node degree is Theta(dmin+(lnn/ln(1/2p))+ln(1/2(1-p))) (where dmin is the minimum node degree associated with a non-empty neighborhood, and is a small constant). For a random network we prove that, for failure probability less than frac12, the critical average degree for reliable broadcast is O(lnn/frac12-p+frac12ln(1/2(1-p))). We briefly discuss the issue of crash-stop failures for which we have results that improve upon previously existing results for this model, when p approaches 0. We also identify an interesting similarity in the structure of various known results in the literature pertaining to a set of related problems in the realm of connectivity and reliable broadcast.
Comparison of Fungal Activities on Wood and Leaf Litter in Unaltered and Nutrient-Enriched Headwater Streams

Fungi are the dominant organisms decomposing leaf litter in streams and mediating energy transfer to other trophic levels. However, less is known about their role in decomposing submerged wood. This study provides the first estimates of fungal production on wood and compares the importance of fungi in the decomposition of submerged wood versus that of leaves at the ecosystem scale. We determined fungal biomass (ergosterol) and activity associated with randomly collected small wood (<40 mm diameter) and leaves in two southern Appalachian streams (reference and nutrient enriched) over an annual cycle. Fungal production (from rates of radiolabeled acetate incorporation into ergosterol) and microbial respiration on wood (per gram of detrital C) were about an order of magnitude lower than those on leaves. Microbial activity (per gram of C) was significantly higher in the nutrient-enriched stream. Despite a standing crop of wood two to three times higher than that of leaves in both streams, fungal production on an areal basis was lower on wood than on leaves (4.3 and 15.8 gCm 2 year 1 in the reference stream; 5.5 and 33. 1gCm 2 year 1 in the enriched stream). However, since the annual input of wood was five times lower than that of leaves, the proportion of organic matter input directly assimilated by fungi was comparable for these substrates (15.4 [wood] and 11.3% [leaves] in the reference stream; 20.0 [wood] and 20.2% [leaves] in the enriched stream). Despite a significantly lower fungal activity on wood than on leaves (per gram of detrital C), fungi can be equally important in processing both leaves and wood in streams.
In Vitro Activities of Linezolid, Meropenem, and Quinupristin-Dalfopristin against Group C and G Streptococci, Including Vancomycin-Tolerant Isolates

The in vitro activities of meropenem, linezolid, quinupristin-dalfopristin, vancomycin, and penicillin against 130 clinical isolates of group C and G streptococci, including vancomycin-tolerant isolates, were evaluated. Meropenem, linezolid, quinupristin-dalfopristin, vancomycin, and penicillin MICs at which 90% of the isolates were inhibited were 0.06, 2.0, 0.25, 0.5, and < or = 0.016 microg/ml, respectively. Meropenem, linezolid, quinupristin-dalfopristin, and penicillin were active against group C and G streptococci, including vancomycin-resistant strains.
"Seeing solids" via patterns of light: evaluating a tangible 3D-input device

This paper describes pilot tests of a prototype device for 3-dimensional input called the UCube; briefly, this device permits spatial input to be conveyed "by hand", by turning on (or off) elements of a volumetric array of lights whose positions are then sent to a desktop computer. The purpose of the UCube is to allow users--especially students and novices with little experience of 3D design--to create a wide variety of three-dimensional shapes without the need for complex modeling software. In this paper, we describe tests of the UCube with middle-school students, focusing on the ability of students to visualize and model solid forms employing the device. We use the results of these pilot tests to ground a wider-ranging discussion of (a) how the device itself might be further developed, and (b) more general issues in designing systems for interactive three-dimensional input and fabrication.
Evaluation of Hydraulic Conductivity of Carson County Well Field, Amarillo, Texas

Environmental assessment, ground-water management, and aquifer remediation designs rely on comprehension of the hydraulic parameters of aquifers. Because of the heterogeneity of most aquifers, a number of pumping tests are commonly required to provide a reasonable hydraulic parameter distribution. Data for 11 pumping tests, conducted at the Carson County well field, Amarillo, Texas in the 1950s to 1970s were analyzed by the Theis solution and the Cooper and Jacob solution to provide information for optimal ground-water management. The unconfined aquifer at the well field consists of sands, sandstone, gravels, and clay. A delayed gravity response was observed in the drawdown curves from pumping tests conducted in the unconfined aquifer. Because the Theis solution and the Cooper and Jacob solution do not take this delayed response, or other unsaturated effect into account, these two solutions may overestimate hydraulic conductivity of an unconfined aquifer. Therefore, the Neuman solution which considers the delayed gravity response was used to estimate the hydraulic parameters using the software AQTESOLV (by Geraghty & Miller, Inc., 1990). This paper presents the results of a study of the unconfined aquifer at Carson County well field, Amarillo, Texas. The analysis shows that the results obtained by the Neuman method are more reasonable than those obtained by the Theis solution and the Cooper and Jacob solution. According to results from the Neuman solution, the hydraulic conductivity of the unconfined aquifer of Carson County well field varies from 2.55 to 5.97 × 10−5 m/s (weighted average hydraulic conductivity is 4.13 × 10−5 m/s). The small difference of the estimated hydraulic conductivity between wells shows that the unconfined aquifer under Carson County well field is relatively uniform. The effects of infinitesimal borehole assumption, accuracy of individual parameters, skin effects, and spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivity are discussed as well. It is also shown that benefits from obtaining accurate results should be weighted against budget requirements.
Accuracy and Reliability of Maternal Recall of Infant Birth Weight Among Older Women

Purpose We assessed the accuracy and reliability of maternal recall of infant birth weight 35 to 70 years after delivery. Methods A total of 120 well functioning women (mean age 80 years; 45% Black) reported the birth weight for each live birth and then provided documentation of birth weights (n = 22) or reported birth weights a second time (n = 98). Results Agreement between recalled and documented birth weights was high for first births (ICC = 0.96) but moderate for subsequent births (ICC = 0.59). Maternal recall was highly reliable for first births (r = 0.95) and subsequent births (r = 0.87), and reliability remained high when considered separately by race, education, income, and age. Conclusion Women report accurate and reliable infant birth-weight data an average of 57 years after delivery, and recall is particularly precise for first births.
Dielectric Recovery of Plasma Damaged Organosilicate Low-k Films

Methyl depletion and subsequent moisture uptake have been found to be the primary plasma damages leading to dielectric loss in porous organosilicate (OSG) low-k dielectrics. A vacuum vapor silylation process was developed for dielectric recovery of plasma damaged OSG low-k dielectrics. The methyl or phenyl containing silylation agents were used to convert the hydrophilic -OH groups to hydrophobic groups. Compared with Trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) and Phenyltrimethoxysilane (PTMOS), Dimethyldichlorosilane (DMDCS) was found to be more effective in recovering surface carbon concentration and surface hydrophobicity. But the carbon recovery effect was limited to the surface region. Alternatively, UV radiation with thermal activation was applied for dielectric recovery of plasma damaged OSG low-k dielectrics. The combined UV/thermal process was found to be efficient in reducing −OH, physisorbed water, and C=O bonds. The dielectric constant was recovered within 5% of the pristine sample and the leakage current was also much reduced. Aging test in air showed that no moisture retake was observed, indicating the repaired film was stable.
T Helper Cells Fate Mapping by Co-stimulatory Molecules and its Functions in Allograft Rejection and Tolerance

T cell differentiation is dictated by a combination of T cell receptor (TCR) interaction with an antigen-bound major histocompatibility complex (MHC), and co-stimulatory molecules signal. The co-stimulatory signal can be positive or negative, and amplifying or diminishing the initial signal. However, the secondary co-stimulatory signal is not obligatory and its necessity is dictated, in part, by the stage of T cell development. In the field of transplantation, directing the T cell differentiation process can lead to therapeutic possibilities that promote allograft tolerance, and hinder unfavorable alloimmune responses. Therefore, understanding the details of T cell differentiation process, including the influence of co-stimulatory signals, is of paramount importance. It is important to note there is functional overlap between co-stimulatory molecules. It has been observed that some co-stimulatory signals have different effects on different T cell subsets. Hence, blockade of a co-stimulatory signal pathway, as part of a therapeutic regimen in transplantation, may have far reaching effects beyond the initial therapeutic intent and inhibit co-stimulatory signals necessary for desirable regulatory responses. In this review, co-stimulatory molecules involved in the differentiation of naive T cells into T helper 1 (Th1), T helper 2 (Th2), T helper 17 (Th17), inducible regulatory T cells (iTregs), and T helper 9 (Th9) cells and their overlap are discussed.
Detection of collinearity- influential observations

Collinearity is defined as the existence of near linear dependencies among the columns of the matrix. It has been found, though, that a strategically located point (i.e. a row of ) can greatly modify the collinearity structure of the data. The whole approach to regression analysis depends, largely, on the measured level of collinearity. It is, thus, crucial for the analyst to be able to detect points that modify this level significantly. The main objective of this paper is to develop a diagnostic tool for the detection of collinearity-influential points. This diagnostic is easy to compute and capable of detecting collinearity influential sets of points, Two examples are given to illustrate its use.
Maintenance of Motility in Mouse Sperm Permeabilized with Streptolysin O

One approach to studying the mechanisms governing sperm motility is to permeabilize sperm and examine the regulation of motility by manipulating the intracellular milieu of the cell. The most common method of sperm permeabilization, detergent treatment, has the disadvantage that the membranes and many proteins are extracted from the cell. To avoid this problem, we have developed a method that uses streptolysin O to create stable pores within the plasma membrane while leaving internal membranes intact. Sperm were permeabilized, preincubated, and then treated with 0.6 U/ml of streptolysin O. Permeabilization was assessed by fluorescent dye technologies and endogenous protein phosphorylation using exogenously added [gamma-32P]ATP. Streptolysin O-induced permeabilization rendered the sperm immotile, and the effect was Ca2+-dependent. When the cells were treated simultaneously with a medium containing ATP, streptolysin O-treated sperm maintained flagellar movement. These results demonstrate that the streptolysin O permeabilization model system is a useful experimental method for studying the mechanisms that regulate sperm motility since it allows the flagellar apparatus to be exposed to various exogenously added molecules.
Liberal global justice and social science

My aim in this article is to ask how both the findings and the limitations of social science should inform the debate on global economic justice among liberal political philosophers. More specifically, I make three claims. First, I show that social science research casts doubt on key premises of important liberal global justice theories. However, second, I also suggest that empirical questions pivotal to these theories bring to the fore important limitations inherent to social science work on global issues. These limitations lead me to argue, third, that new normative concerns should feature in liberal discussions about global reform.
SEPARATION of CHOLESTEROL FROM BUTTEROIL USING QUILLAJA SAPONINS. 1. EFFECTS of PH, CONTACT TIME and ADSORBENT

The technical feasibility of separating cholesterol from butteroil by contacting it with aqueous solutions of Quillaja saponaria saponins followed by separation of the cholesterol-saponin complex was studied. Alternative processes and controls compared were (1) Water Control (W): butteroil was contacted with pure water; (2) Reaction (R): butteroil was contacted with aqueous solution of saponins; (3) Adsorption Control (A): butteroil was contacted with water, diatomaceous earth was then added; (4) Reaction + Adsorption (R+A): diatomaceous earth was added to the Reaction medium (from 2); (5) Reaction + Washing (R+W): the aqueous phase resulting from Reaction (2) was discarded and pure water contacted with the fat. the last step in all the above processes and controls was the separation of the fat phase where cholesterol was determined. Statistical analysis indicated that the Adsorption Control did not yield any significant cholesterol reduction over the Water Control, while all other processes gave significant reduction. the order of cholesterol separation observed was R+A > R+W > R. the levels of cholesterol reduction were significantly affected by pH of quillaja solution and amount of adsorbent used; the time of contact with quillaja solution had no significant effect over the range investigated. These results indicate the technical feasibility of reducing the cholesterol levels of butteroil using food grade quillaja saponins.
The functional data model and a dataflow style of query processing

Dataflow is a method for parallel computation in which the elementary operations of the computer are activated by the flow of data. Computation is carried out in some autonomous processors which are connected to each other by some communication lines. The author shows how this model of computation can lead to interesting ideas in the management of knowledge bases. Each of the processors in the system is seen as a database machine which makes use of the modern sophisticated storage devices. Thus parallelism is gained both at the storage level (as is customary in database literature) and in the overall computation process. >
Automatic Parallelization of Simulink Models for Multi-core Architectures

This paper addresses the problem of parallelizing existing single-rate Simulink models for embedded control applications on multi-core architectures considering communication cost between blocks on different CPU cores. Utilizing the block diagram of the Simulink model, we derive the dependency graph between the different blocks. In order to solve the scheduling problem, we describe a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) formulation for optimally mapping the Simulink blocks to different CPU cores. Since the number of variables and constraints for MILP solver grows exponentially when model size increases, solving this problem in a reasonable time becomes harder. For addressing this issue, we introduce a set of techniques for reducing the number of constraints in the MILP formulation. By using the proposed techniques, the MILP solver finds solutions that are closer to the optimal solution within a given time bound. We study the scalability and efficiency of our consisting approach with synthetic benchmarks of randomly generated directed acyclic graphs. We also use the "Fault-Tolerant Fuel Control System" demo from Simulink and a Diesel engine controller from Toyota as case studies for demonstrating applicability of our approach to real world problems.
Radiation Exposure in Medical Imaging: Is the Message Out or Just Being Ignored?

Radiation exposure from medical imaging has been receiving increased scrutiny in both the published medical data [(1,2)][1] and the lay press [(3)][2]. To address this concern with the use of cardiac radionuclide imaging, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) published a position
Data Quality of Collocated Portable Broadband Seismometers Using Direct Burial and Vault Emplacement

Abstract Temporary broadband sensor deployments have traditionally been predominantly emplaced using shallow vaults that require more materials, personnel, and time than direct burial. However, new developments in seismometer and seismograph technology are increasingly facilitating systems that can be directly buried in earth or snow without vault enclosures. We analyze data from two identical shallow vaults installed adjacent to two identical direct burial sites in soft floodplain alluvial and shallow water table conditions near Socorro, New Mexico. Data recorded from these four sensors over eight months in 2012 were assessed to determine if the emplacement type had a significant and systematic effect on data quality. We used metrics derived from power spectral density analysis to examine temporal trends in noise (instrument, installation, and site noise), signal‐to‐noise ratio for teleseismic and local earthquakes, and magnitude‐squared coherence of both noise and earthquake signal recordings. We found that noise on the vault sensors is higher during the transition from spring to summer than for the direct burial sensors. This difference is especially evident on the horizontal components at long periods between 20 and 170 s, with an average of 5.3 dB more noise on the vaults than the direct burials from April to June, indicating enhanced tilt susceptibility for vault emplaced sensors. However, most variability in data quality is comparable between sensors with differing emplacement methods and between sensors with the same emplacement method in this four‐station experiment. We conclude that the direct burial emplaced sensors at this test site performed as well as the vault emplaced sensors and that direct burial is preferable when considering data quality and ease of installation. Online Material: Figures of daily median noise levels within the microseism band, monthly probability density functions for the magnitude‐squared coherence, and coherence self‐noise analysis results.
A Transmissible Spleen Weight Increase Factor (SWIF) of Mice.

SummarySome properties of an unidentified infectious agent found in the organs of BALB/c mice with a transplanted reticulum cell sarcoma are described. The most striking effect of the agent was to cause a 2-4-fold increase in spleen weight of all mouse strains tested within a week. The agent is not the LDH factor. Its relation to Eperythrozoon coccoides is discussed.
Susceptibility of Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae) to Steinernematid and Heterorhahditid Nematodes in Laboratory Studies

Significantly more larvae and adults of the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), were infected and killed by the entomogenous nematodes Steinernema feltiae Filipjev (= Neoaplectana carpocapsae Weiser) (All, Mexican, and Breton strains), Heterorhabditis heliothidis (Khan, Brooks, and Hirschmann), and H. bacteriophora Poinar than by S. glaseri Steiner in laboratory studies. Fruit fly pupae were less susceptible to nematode infection. The nematodes multiplied in the host cadavers and began leaving the parasitized hosts within 7 days. The infective-stage nematodes collected from host A. suspensa were infectious to fresh A. suspensa and to Galleria mellonella (L.) larvae.
Leukocytes and Fever

A pyrogen derived from leukocytes appears to be the messenger substance that raises the set point of the hypothalamic “thermostat” regulating maintenance of body temperature. Dr. Wood describes the experimental models through which the properties of this substance have been delineated and the studies that are clarifying the mode of its release and of its action on the thermoregulatory centers of the brain.
Cerebellar Purkinje cell responses to afferent inputs. II. Mossy fiber activation

(1) The mossy fiber pathway to cerebellar Purkinje cells was activated in decerebrate and lightly thiopental anesthetized cats by electrical stimulation of the cerebellar cortex surface, the lateral reticular nucleus (LRN), and various hind- and forelimb nerves. (2) On-beam activation of parallel fibers could be accomplished by any of the 3 types of stimulations used. Such on-beam activation rarely evoked more than a single spike in Purkinje cells, and nerver more than three, in either preparation. The average number of spikes evoked per stimulus graded in a delicate manner when the strength of the stimulus at any of the 3 sites was increased. (3) Similarly, inhibition of Purkinje cells firing could be produced by either on-or off-beam activation of parallel fiber by any of the 3 stimulations. This inhibition was of a highly variable duration, at times greater than 200 msec, and also graded with stimulus strength. (4) Surface stimulation could be arranged at times to produce sudden, ungraded inhibition, presumably by direct excitation of Golgi cells. Direct excitation of mossy fibers with surface stimulation was also at times observed. (5) The latency of the LRN evoked response in Purkinje cells was of the order of 3.0–6.0 msec. A slow negative field potential was sometimes observed following the N2 potential. (6) A hypothesis is put forward that the mossy fiber pathway carries rapidly changing proprioceptive information from peripheral receptors which enables Purkinje cells to compute appropriate motor responses.
National Security and Human Health Implications of Climate Change

The first section of the paper presents key findings from the 2007 report, National Security and the Threat of Climate Change by the CNA Corporation, including that projected climate change: (1) Poses a serious threat to U.S. National Security; (2) Acts as a threat multiplier for instability in some of the most volatile regions in the world and; (3) Adds tensions even in stable regions of the world. In the second section I summarize work conducted by myself and Dr. Ralph Espach at CNA that identifies exactly which countries are most relevant to the CNA Military Advisory Board’s original findings. By compiling data from a variety of sources, we identify the states most exposed to the impacts of climate change both in the short and long term. The next section introduces estimates of the resilience of these countries, and combines our evaluation of country exposure and expected resilience to create a 3-tiered ranking of countries most vulnerable to political and/or humanitarian crises as a result of climate impacts.
Resonance Raman Spectroscopy and Electron–Phonon Coupling in Zinc Selenide Quantum Dots

Resonance Raman spectra, including absolute scattering cross sections, depolarization ratios, and overtone to fundamental intensity ratios, have been measured for three sizes of ZnSe quantum dots between 3.8 and 4.9 nm diameter (first excitonic peak maximum at 402–417 nm) using excitation wavelengths between 400 and 425 nm. Spectra were obtained both in cyclohexane solution and in thin films in order to quantitate the exciton–phonon coupling strength. The Raman data and optical absorption spectra were simulated using a particle in a sphere effective mass model for the excitonic transitions similar to that previously employed for CdSe [Lin, C.; Gong, K.; Kelley, D. F.; Kelley, A. M. J. Phys. Chem. C 2015, 119, 7491]. The Huang–Rhys parameter of the longitudinal optical phonon in the lowest excitonic transition is in the range S = 0.3–0.5, about a factor of 2 larger than for CdSe quantum dots of similar size. Smaller ZnSe quantum dots (∼3.0 nm diameter, first excitonic maximum at 379 nm) measured in films s...
Vaccine draining lymph nodes are a source of antigen-specific B cells.

Abstract Purpose Our research is focused on using vaccine draining lymph nodes as a source of immune cells to better understand the immune response and to attempt to generate new anti-cancer reagents. Following a vaccine, harvesting the lymph node can only be done once. We endeavored to determine the range of times that B cells secreting anti-KLH antibodies were present in the node of KLH-vaccinated mice. Results Following vaccination the total number of mononuclear cells (MNCs) increased in the vaccine-draining lymph node (VDN). The percentage of MNCs that were B cells nearly doubled. B cells recovered from the node that secreted anti-KLH antibodies were evident by day 7. The number continued to increase and then slowly decreased over the observed time range to 28 days after vaccination. The VDN, compared to the spleen, the bone marrow and the nonVDN, contained a higher percentage of B cells that secreted anti-KLH antibodies. Conclusions After a vaccine, there is a multi-week window of time when an increasing number of B cells are present in a VDN that secrete anti-KLH antibodies. These results support using the VDN as a source for B cells that secrete anti-vaccine antibodies.
Privacy Statements: Purposes, Requirements, and Best Practices

It’s popular (and easy) to criticize privacy statements. They are full of legalese and technical jargon. They are unclear. They don’t have enough detail. They are too long. Nobody reads them. While some critiques are valid, others reflect a misunderstanding of what a privacy statement can and must accomplish. Some shortcomings of privacy statements can be addressed through careful and informed drafting. But while drafting a privacy statement may be considered by some to be one of the most basic tasks of a privacy professional, doing it well is no simple matter. One must understand and reconcile a host of statutory and self-regulatory obligations. One must consider different audiences that may read the statement from different perspectives. One must balance pressures to make the statement simple and readable against pressures to make it comprehensive and detailed. A mistake can form the basis for an FTC deception claim. And individual pieces can be taken out of context and spun into PR debacles. This chapter explores the art of crafting a privacy statement. It explains the multiple purposes of a privacy statement. It lists and discusses the many elements included in a privacy statement – some required by law, and others based on an organization’s objectives. Finally, it describes different approaches to drafting privacy statements and suggests best practices based on a more complete understanding of a privacy statement’s purposes and audiences.
PROPERTIES OF THE CAUSATIVE AGENT OF A CHICKEN TUMOR : VI. ACTION OF THE ASSOCIATED INHIBITOR ON MOUSE TUMORS.

Water extracts of desiccates of certain relatively slow-growing strains of Chicken Tumors I and X, or the exudates from such tumors, definitely inhibited the growth of a mouse sarcoma (Crocker 180), and were without effect on a mouse carcinoma (Bashford 63) or Mouse Tumor S/37, a rapidly growing sarcoma derived from the stroma of a carcinoma. Extensive control tests with extracts from rapidly growing chicken tumors, and from tissues of normal and immune chickens showed no inhibiting action. There was no demonstrable action on the mouse tumors of sera from immunized rabbits, which neutralize the chicken tumor agent, nor of the sera from chickens highly immune to the chicken tumors.
Elective Colectomy for Diverticulitis in Transplant Patients: Is It Worth the Risk?

The aim of this study was to determine morbidity and mortality for transplant patients undergoing elective colectomy for diverticulitis and determine the impact of recurrent diverticulitis on postoperative complications. We identified transplant recipients that underwent elective colectomy for diverticulitis between 2000 and 2015 at a tertiary care institution. Patient and procedure variables, postoperative complications, length of stay, 30-day readmission, and mortality were identified through retrospective chart review. Complication rates were compared between patients with one previous episode of diverticulitis versus two or more. Thirty transplant recipients underwent colectomy for primary (n = 13) or recurrent (n = 17) diverticulitis. Primary anastomosis was performed in 26 (87%) with proximal diversion in 10 (38%). The overall complication rate was 57%, with surgical site infection being the most common (23%). There were no anastomotic leaks at the colorectal anastomosis or reoperations. Median length of stay was 8 days (range 4–23). Postoperative complications were not significantly different between groups (54 vs. 59%, p = 0.94). Postoperative morbidity after elective colectomy for diverticulitis in transplant recipients was common. There were no differences in complications for patients with primary versus recurrent diverticulitis. Fear of postoperative complications from recurrent diverticulitis should not be a reason to recommend elective colectomy after an initial attack of diverticulitis in transplant patients.
Electron impact study of the 100 eV emission cross section and lifetime of the Lyman‐Birge‐Hopfield band system of N2: Direct excitation and cascade

We have measured the 100 eV emission cross section of the optically forbidden Lyman-Birge-Hopfield (LBH) band system ( a1∏g→X1Σg+) of N2 by electron-impact-induced-fluorescence. Using a large (1.5 m-diameter) vacuum chamber housing an electron gun system and the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph (IUVS) optical engineering model, we have obtained calibrated spectral measurements of the LBH band system from 115–175 nm over a range of lines-of-sight to capture all of the optical emissions. These measurements represent the first experiment to directly isolate in the laboratory single-scattering electron-impact-induced-fluorescence from both direct excitation of the a 1Πg state and cascading contributions to the a1∏g state ( a′1Σu−andw1Δu→a1∏g→X1Σg+). The determination of the total LBH emission cross section is accomplished by measuring the entire cylindrical glow pattern of the metastable emission from electron impact by imaging lines-of-sight that measure the glow intensity from zero to ~400 mm radial distance and calculating the ratio of the integrated intensity from the LBH glow pattern to that of a simultaneously observed optically allowed transition with a well-established cross section: N i 120.0 nm. The ‘direct’ emission cross section of the a 1Πg state at 100 eV was determined to be σemdir = (6.41 ± 1.3) × 10− 18cm2. An important observation from the glow pattern behavior is that the total (direct + cascading) emission cross section is pressure dependent due to collision-induced cascade transitions between close-lying electronic states.
Swelling-induced and depolarization-induced C1-channels in normal and cystic fibrosis epithelial cells

Cl- currents induced by cell swelling were characterized at the whole cell and single-channel levels in primary cultures of normal and cystic fibrosis (CF) epithelial cells and in the T84 cell line. Currents recorded in normal and CF cells were indistinguishable. At 22-24 degrees C with isotonic CsCl in the pipette, initial whole cell outward current density at 100 mV in unswollen cells was 2-4 pA/pF. The current density increased with time during whole cell recording up to 100 pA/pF in isotonic solutions and up to 200 pA/pF in a hypotonic bath, though values typically ranged between 10 and 70 pA/pF. Currents were outwardly rectifying, active at negative voltages, started to inactivate above approximately 40 mV, and were blocked by 4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DNDS). Single Cl- channels (approximately 50 pS near 0 mV) with an outwardly rectifying current-voltage relation were recorded in cell-attached and outside-out patches from swollen cells. The channels were mostly open at negative voltages and inactivated at positive voltages with a voltage dependence similar to the whole cell currents. Channel activity decreased rapidly (channel rundown) after seal formation. After swelling-induced channel activity had ceased, outwardly rectifying, depolarization-induced Cl- channels (ORDIC channels) were activated in some patches. The swelling-induced and ORDIC single-channel currents were similar, but some consistent differences were observed. ORDIC channels were often closed at resting voltages (-70 to -50 mV), while swelling-induced channels were always open in this voltage range. In addition, ORDIC channels started to inactivate at more positive voltages (approximately 90 vs. approximately 50 mV), rectified more, and had smaller conductances (approximately 25 pS near 0 mV), shorter mean open durations (approximately 70 vs. approximately 350 ms), and more open-channel noise than swelling-induced channels. The two types of currents might arise from separate channel proteins or from a single channel molecule in different states.
Shared molecular and cellular mechanisms of premature ageing and ageing-associated diseases

Ageing is the predominant risk factor for many common diseases. Human premature ageing diseases are powerful model systems to identify and characterize cellular mechanisms that underpin physiological ageing. Their study also leads to a better understanding of the causes, drivers and potential therapeutic strategies of common diseases associated with ageing, including neurological disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Using the rare premature ageing disorder Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome as a paradigm, we discuss here the shared mechanisms between premature ageing and ageing-associated diseases, including defects in genetic, epigenetic and metabolic pathways; mitochondrial and protein homeostasis; cell cycle; and stem cell-regenerative capacity.
Mismatch and academic performance at America’s selective colleges and universities

ABSTRACTAmerican selective colleges and universities use affirmative action policies to achieve diversity, given blacks and Latinos have somewhat lower SAT scores than their Asian and white peers. Critics of affirmative action argue that this results in lower grades and greater dropout among underrepresented minority groups. Using the Educational Longitudinal Study, a nationally representative longitudinal data set, we examine the relationship between SAT mismatch and college outcomes for students at selective institutions. We find that mismatch is not associated with graduation from a selective institution, but is associated with lower grades. The negative relationship between mismatch and grades holds for all racial-ethnic groups, not just blacks and Latinos, and is less predictive of academic performance than is high school grade point average. Thus, although mismatch may lower performance at selective colleges, it does not appear to prevent students who may have benefitted from affirmative action from...
Competing failure modes in finite adhesive pads

Thin adhesive pads used to attach objects to each other often fail catastrophically. Here we consider the nature of failure of such a pad under loading parallel to the adhesive substrate. To determine the modes of failure of the pad and to understand what limits its load bearing capacity, we conduct experiments with finite pads composed of a soft adhesive layer with a stiff backing and load them parallel to the surface of adhesion. We find that two different peeling mechanisms emerge as a function of the slenderness of the adhesive pad: an interfacial peeling mechanism that starts close to the pulling end for very long pads, and an unstable curling mechanism that starts at the opposite end for relatively short pads. A minimal theoretical framework allows us to explain our observations and reveals the adhesive bond stiffness as a dominant parameter in defining the peeling mode. A phase diagram that delineates the different regimes of peeling modes brings our experiments and theory together. Our results suggest that unstable peeling by curling may be more common than previously thought, and could perhaps occur naturally in such examples as the gecko foot.
Assessing Acute Secondary Treatment Outcomes in Early-Onset Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children under 8 years of age, referred to as early-onset OCD, has similar features to OCD in older children, including moderate to severe symptoms, impairment, and significant comorbidity. Family-based cognitive behavioral therapy (FB-CBT) has been found efficacious in reducing OCD symptoms and functional impairment in children ages 5-8 years with OCD; however, its effectiveness on reducing comorbid psychiatric symptoms in this same population has yet to be demonstrated. This study examined the acute effects of FB-CBT vs. family-based relaxation treatment over 14 weeks on measures of secondary treatment outcomes (non-OCD) in children with early-onset OCD. Children in the FB-CBT condition showed significant improvements from pre- to post-treatment on secondary outcomes, with a decrease in overall behavioral and emotional problems, internalizing symptoms, as well as overall anxiety symptom severity. Neither condition yielded significant change in externalizing symptoms. Clinical implications of these findings are considered.
Adjuvant radiation with androgen-deprivation therapy for men with lymph node metastases after radical prostatectomy: identifying men who benefit.

Objectives To perform a comparative analysis of three current management strategies for patients with lymph node metastases (LNM; pN1) following radical prostatectomy (RP): observation, androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) + ADT. Patients and methods Patients with LNM after RP were identified using the National Cancer Database (2004-2013). Exclusion criteria included any use of radiation therapy or ADT before RP, clinical M1 disease, or incomplete follow-up data. Patients were categorised according to postoperative management strategy. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier curves and adjusted multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were employed. Sub-analyses further evaluated patient risk stratification and time to receipt of adjuvant therapy. Results A total of 8 074 patients met the inclusion criteria. Postoperatively, 4 489 (55.6%) received observation, 2 065 (25.6%) ADT, and 1 520 (18.8%) ADT + EBRT. The mean (median; interquartile range) follow-up was 52.3 (48.0; 28.5-73.5) months. Patients receiving ADT or ADT + EBRT had higher pathological Gleason scores, T-stage, positive surgical margin rates, and nodal burden. Adjusted multivariable Cox models showed improved OS for ADT + EBRT vs observation (hazard ratio [HR] 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-0.94; P = 0.008) and vs ADT (HR 0.76, 95% CI: 0.63-0.93; P = 0.007). There was no difference in OS for ADT vs observation (HR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.87-1.18; P = 0.88). Findings were similar when restricting adjuvant cohorts for timing of adjuvant therapy. There was no difference in OS between groups for up to 2 549 (31.6%) patients lacking any of the following adverse features: ≥pT3b disease, Gleason score ≥9, three or more positive nodes, or positive surgical margin. Conclusions For patients with LNM after RP, the use of adjuvant ADT + EBRT improved OS in the majority of patients, especially those with adverse pathological features. Conversely, adjuvant therapy did not confer significant OS benefit in up to 30% of patients without high-risk features, who may be managed with observation and forego the morbidity associated with immediate ADT or radiation.
The Mediterranean and Ancient History

El objetivo de este articulo es tratar con dos cuestiones bastante dificiles que se pueden esquematizar de un modo simple. ?Como se debe escribir la historia del Mediterraneo antiguo - si es que debe ser escrita? ?Y seria el mediterraneo de mucha utilidad para el historiador de la antiguedad, o, a diferencia de eso, es algo peligroso (y, en verdad, un primo del orientalismo)?
Minimally invasive surgery is best treatment for early lung cancer

The best treatment for small-sized localized lung cancer is a confusing topic for patients to understand. There are many claims available saying cure is possible without any incisions using technologies such as “cyberknife” or stereotactic radiation or that a patient may want a “biopsy” done using a blood sample.
Campylobacter pylori-related gastrointestinal disease in children. Incidence and clinical findings.

Over a one-year period, 95 children and adolescents presenting with epigastric pain and/or vomiting, and without associated risk factors for development of peptic disease, underwent endoscopic antral biopsies for pathologic diagnosis and to detect presence of Campylobacterss. pylori (C. pylori). Additional biopsies of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum were obtained for histologic evaluation. C. pylori was identified in 16 patients (16.8%), all of whom had evidence of acute and/or chronic gastritis. Significant discriminating factors between C. pylori-positive and -negative subjects included age at presentation (positive vs negative=14.6 vs 9.9 years, P<0.01, biopsy-confirmed gastritis (100% vs 30.4%, P<0.001), and diagnosis of duodenitis alone (0% vs 46.8%, P<0.001). Risk for bacterial colonization was significantly higher in the presence of endoscopic gastritis (P<0.001). Among C. pylori-positive patients, none responded to standard antiulcer therapy (H2-receptor antagonists, antacids). Symptomatic and histologic remission was achieved utilizing combined therapy with bismuth subsalicylate and antibiotics. Seven of 79 C. pylori-negative patients with biopsyproven gastritis who responded poorly to antisecretory therapy had the organism identified in follow-up antral biopsies; these patients improved clinically following treatment for C. pylori. These data suggest that C. pylori is a significant factor in the etiology of upper gastrointestinal tract inflammatory disease in pediatrics, and presence of the organism should be evaluated, particularly in children with evidence of acute and/or chronic gastritis.