cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The New Regionalism: Developing Countries and Regional Collaborative Competition*

The contemporary world economy is characterized by an extensive realignment of international patterns of competition, trade and production, as well as increased regional economic integration and global interdependency. A series of unsettling circumstances underlies this process: market instability and fragmentation, intensified competition and relentless technological advances. Despite a resulting climate of extreme uncertainty, institutionalized multilateral agreements have been ineffective to generate either significant stability or investment risk reduction. In the absence of alternative measures, firms are resorting not only to international investments that give them access to multiple markets, but also to alliances with local firms and governments, in an attempt to overcome the volatility of trade rules, exchange rates and market demand, and the high costs associated with technological change. The latter actions represent a concerted trade-off and belief that it is preferable to adjust to costs derived from governmental "rules" where risks can be reasonably assessed than to operate under conditions where risks are unpredictable. The changing investment strategies by transnational corporations in turn generate a growing decentralization and externalization of productive activities, and increased international trade. The resulting tendency toward regionalization is reinforced by state policies. Recent GATT negotiations over intellectual property rights reveal considerable concern by governments that the characteristics of international trade and investment impinge upon national sovereignty. Under current conditions of intensified competition, market advantage depends more than ever on scientific and technological competence, with the result that state control over intellectual
Genetic effects on obesity assessed by bivariate genome scan: the Mexican-American coronary artery disease study.

Objective: To identify the genetic determinants of obesity using univariate and bivariate models in a genome scan. Research Methods and Procedures: We evaluated the genetic and environmental effects and performed a genome-wide linkage analysis of obesity-related traits in 478 subjects from 105 Mexican-American nuclear families ascertained through a proband with documented coronary artery disease. The available obesity traits include BMI, body surface area (BSA), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and trunk fat mass as percentage of body weight. Heritability estimates and multipoint linkage analysis were performed using a variance components procedure implemented in SOLAR software. Results: The heritability estimates were 0.62 for BMI, 0.73 for BSA, 0.40 for WHR, and 0.38 for trunk fat mass as percentage of body weight. Using a bivariate genetic model, we observed significant genetic correlations between BMI and other obesity-related traits (all p < 0.01). Evidence for univariate linkage was observed at 252 to approximately 267 cM on chromosome 2 for three obesity-related traits (except for WHR) and at 163 to approximately 167 cM on chromosome 5 for BMI and BSA, with the maximum logarithm of the odds ratio score of 3.12 (empirical p value, 0.002) for BSA on chromosome 2. Use of the bivariate linkage model yielded an additional peak (logarithm of the odds ratio = 3.25, empirical p value, 0.002) at 25 cM on chromosome 7 for the pair of BMI and BSA. Discussion: The evidence for linkage on chromosomes 2q36-37 and 5q36 is supported both by univariate and bivariate analysis, and an additional linkage peak at 7p15 was identified by the bivariate model. This suggests that use of the bivariate model provides additional information to identify linkage of genes responsible for obesity-related traits.
Transients in fatigue crack growth due to a change in ΔK or R

The purpose of this paper is to report on transients in the fatigue crack growth rate which occur on change of either the range of the stress intensity factor, ..delta..K, or the R ratio, where R is the ratio of the minimum to the maximum stress in a loading cycle. In this study, the authors have made use of a 9Cr-2Mo ferritic alloy which when fatigue tested in vacuum at 538/sup 0/C exhibits no dependency on R. It is also noted that the crack growth characteristics of 2 1/4 Cr-1 Mo and Modified 9Cr-1Mo steels are quite similar to those of the 9Cr-2Mo steel despite differences in monotonic properties. It is further noted that under these test conditions crack closure was not detectable by a crack-mouth LVDT gauge, and that the absence of closure is consistent with lack of sensitivity to the R level. A final point of interest is that the rate of fatigue crack growth under the stated test conditions is independent of the cyclic frequency in the range of 0.3 Hz to 30 Hz, an indication that creep does not play an important role in the propagation process.
Application of reconstruction from projection techniques to time varying autodyne signatures

Recent work in optical autodyne techniques have presented the underlying theory and have investigated both S/N capabilities and measurement sensitivities for different target scenarios. Here we examine time-varying Doppler derived autodyne signatures of rotating targets. In contrast to heterodyne measurements of Doppler signatures, which may be related to projections of cross-range target scattering centers, autodyne measurements may be related to the autocorrelation of projected target scattering centers. It is shown that, under certain circumstances, application of reconstruction from projection techniques (e.g., backprojection) to time-varying autodyne signatures of rotating targets reconstructs the autocorrelation function of target scattering centers. For simple targets, the reconstructed auto-correlation function may aid in the determination of maximum target extents and target symmetries. Reconstruction techniques have been applied to both simulated and experimental autodyne data.
Effects of acute rejection and antirejection therapy on arteries and veins from canine single lung allografts

Experiments were designed to compare the function of the endothelium and smooth muscle in intralobar pulmonary arteries and veins of transplanted lungs during acute rejection and after treatment of rejection. Single lung allografts were performed in dogs. Dogs were monitored for 5 days to allow good recovery from the operation and resolution of early chest radiographic changes. In group I, immunosuppression (cyclosporine A, azathioprine, and methylprednisone) was withdrawn to allow rejection, which typically occurred after 3 days. In group II, immunosuppression was reinstituted at this time during acute rejection until the chest roentgenograms again cleared (approximately after 6 days). The blood vessels were studied at this time. Rings were cut from intralobar pulmonary arteries and veins of the allotransplanted lungs and suspended for the measurement of isometric force in organ chambers. Contractions of arteries and veins to phenylephrine but not endothelin-1 were significantly reduced during acute rejection. In arteries and veins, endothelium-dependent relaxations to bradykinin but not the calcium ionophore A23187 were reduced with rejection. Relaxations of the smooth muscle to histamine increased with rejection in both blood vessels. Relaxations to nitric oxide were reduced with rejection in veins but not arteries. Treatment of rejection reversed all responses toward those observed in arteries and veins in lungs from dogs not undergoing transplantation. These results suggest that responses of the endothelium and smooth muscle of pulmonary arteries and veins of transplanted lungs are altered similarly during rejection. Further, treatment of rejection restores function of the pulmonary blood vessels of lung allografts toward that observed in unoperated lungs.
Does fluoride in drinking water delay tooth eruption

Objectives The objectives of this study are to determine the effect of fluoride exposure on permanent tooth eruption patterns as well as to understand its effect on caries attack rate by accounting for the number of erupted tooth surfaces. Methods We analyzed data from the 1986-1987 National Survey of Oral Health of US Schoolchildren to determine the mean number of erupted permanent teeth and permanent first molars according to fluoride level in drinking water. The analysis included 13,348 children aged 5-17 years with a history of single residence. We also estimated the attack rate (decayed, missing, and filled surfaces/surfaces at risk) for fluoride deficient, suboptimal, and optimally fluoridated areas adjusting for covariates. Multivariable statistical analyses were performed to control for potential confounders. Results By age 7, almost all permanent first molars had erupted. The adjusted mean number of erupted permanent first molars per child were 3.81, 3.67, and 3.92 in areas with <0.3, 0.3-<0.7, and 0.7-1.2 ppm of fluoride, respectively. The adjusted caries attack rate in the first permanent molars among 5- to 17-year-old children was 93, 81, and 78 per 1,000 surfaces in fluoride deficient, suboptimal, and optimally fluoridated areas, respectively (P < 0.0001). This pattern of higher first molar attack rate among children in the fluoride-deficient communities was also observed in all erupted teeth. Conclusion Exposure to fluoride in drinking water did not delay the eruption of permanent teeth. The observed difference in dental caries experience among children exposed to different fluoride levels could not be explained by the timing of eruption of permanent teeth.
Meeting the online educational needs of international health promoters: an evaluation of a comprehensive, multilingual global training program in tobacco control.

Introduction:An evaluation of a global online training program in tobacco control offered in multiple languages was conducted to identify ways in which the varied online educational needs of its international participants could be more effectively met.Methods:An online survey was administered to a sample of training participants to solicit feedback regarding course content and delivery. In addition, participants’ training site usage patterns were examined.Results:Findings showed high levels of satisfaction with training content and delivery, as well as of knowledge acquisition and utilization. Respondents indicated that it was important that course content be current and relevant to their practice.Conclusions:Although findings are consistent with best practices for online continuing education, in practice it is challenging to keep material updated, incorporate examples and case studies from the participants’ countries, and integrate adequate opportunities for interactivity when a course has geographically...
Fast registration of multispectral images using orthogonal transform features

A method of accomplishing multiple image registration using rationalized Haar transform coefficient features is presented. The transform technique described possesses a fast computational algorithm which requires only additions and subtractions, making it attractive for real-time implementation. The registration accuracy, computational complexity and feasibility of real-time implementation of the transform method are compared to that of the commonly used correlation method. >
Inside the Black Box The Development of Proposed Rules and the Limits of Procedural Controls

The need to develop specific proposals as a basis for formal participation ensures the most important policy decisions in rulemaking are often made before notice‐and‐comment requirements come to be...
A Dorsal Elaboration in the Spinal Cord

Functionally distinct types of neurons develop in stereotypical positions in the vertebrate spinal cord. The mechanisms that generate this diversity have been well studied in the ventral and intermediate regions of the spinal cord, while dorsal cells have received less attention. In this issue of Neuron, two papers focusing on dorsal interneuron development (Gross et al., 2002; Muller et al., 2002) level the playing field.
Creating Tactile Space during a University Extension Field Day Event: The Case of a Sustainable Agriculture Innovation

Drawing on the concept of “tactile space,” we evaluate the experiential learning environment of a university extension field day event focused on a sustainable agriculture innovation: biodegradable plastic mulch. Introduced by sociologist Michael Carolan, “tactile spaces” are sensuously rich learning environments where participants interact with each other and the environment in an “embodied” and “embedded” manner leading to long-lasting attitudinal and behavioral change. In our study, farmers, extension professionals, crop consultants, and mulch manufacturers participated in a field day event designed to provide both embodied and embedded experiences in an effort to stimulate interest in biodegradable plastic mulch, an economically and environmentally sustainable alternative to polyethylene mulch. Field day participants engaged in hands-on demonstrations preceded and followed by focus group sessions. Enhancing the learning environment in these ways improved the success of the field day event by encouraging practice-based forms of learning, which supplemented and reinforced the claims made about biodegradable plastic mulch. However, the tactile space could have been enriched by providing more opportunities for participants to become embedded within the environment, and by adding elements to overcome the temporal limitations of the field day event. This research contributes to the broader literature on participatory research and extension.
Exponential linear quadratic optimal control with discounting

A direct derivation of the solution of the discounted exponential linear quadratic Gaussian optimal control problem is presented. Some extensions to partial observations problems are also given. The solution involves time-varying Riccati equations, providing an example of an infinite horizon, constant coefficient, regulator problem with a time-varying optimal control. >
Proteolytic activity of guinea pig spermatozoa after induction of the acrosomal reaction in vitro

After inducing the acrosomal reaction in guinea pig spermatozoa in vitro, the sperm were tested for proteolytic activity by applying them to membranes of fixed gelatin. One to 5% of them showed slight evidence of proteolytic activity, while the rest were completely negative. Sperm that had retained their acrosomes throughout the incubation period displayed intense proteolytic activity. These results suggest that proteinases may be lost from spermatozoa as a result of the acrosomal reaction.
Functional MRI with variable echo time acquisition

A new functional MRI protocol that integrates variable echo time (TE) acquisition and a block-design paradigm is proposed and evaluated with finger-tapping motor task. Simulations and experimental data show that the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) sensitivity achieved with this approach is comparable to that achieved using a conventional constant-TE protocol. The proposed variable-TE fMRI protocol provides valuable information that cannot be obtained with the constant-TE protocol. First, a field inhomogeneity map can be derived from the multi-TE data and used to correct EPI geometric distortions. Second, changes of T2* values due to the BOLD effect can be quantified. Third, for brain regions with pronounced susceptibility field gradients, the reduced BOLD sensitivity may be compensated for when the acquired multi-TE data are processed appropriately (e.g., with weighted summation). Fourth, large venules and veins may possibly be identified (depending on the vessel orientation and volume fraction) by evaluating the phase values of the multi-TE data. Finally, magnetic field drift over time can be measured from dynamic field maps available with this protocol.
Contact with Birth Parents Differential Psychological Adjustment for Adults Adopted as Infants

• Summary: Adults adopted as infants (N = 130) in the United States were surveyed to determine the degree to which they experienced psychological effects of adoption during adolescence and adulthood and the relationship between psychological effects and whether or not they had contact with their birth parents.• Findings: Those who were in contact reported more psychological issues than those who were not in contact. A qualitative analysis of comments made by the respondents demonstrated differences in the types of issues associated with difficulties depending upon whether they had contact with their birth parents or not.• Applications : The results are discussed in light of the literature on searching behaviors among adopted individuals.
Macromolecular Models by Single Molecule FRET

Single molecule fluorescence energy transfer (FRET) experiments enable investigations of macromolecular conformation and folding by the introduction of fluorescent dyes at specific sites in the macromolecule. Multiple such experiments can be performed with different labeling site combinations in order to map complex conformational changes or interactions between multiple molecules. Distances that are derived from such experiments can be used for determination of the fluorophore positions by triangulation. When combined with a known structure of the macromolecule(s) to which the fluorophores are attached, a three-dimensional model of the system can be determined by docking calculations. Here we discuss recent applications of single molecule FRET to obtain a model of the synaptotagmin-1:SNARE complex and to study the conformation of PSD-95.
On the validity of Kirchhoff's law of thermal emission

In this paper, Kirchhoff's law is discussed in the context of two extremes: the perfect absorber and the perfect reflector. It is argued that Kirchhoff's extension of his law to the perfect reflector is not justified based on experimental evidence. This greatly limits the universality of the formulations advanced by Kirchhoff and Planck in that blackbody radiation becomes dependent on the nature of the radiating object. In this regard, it is emphasized that graphite is unique in its ability to act as a nearly perfect absorber. The consequences are important in our analysis of all temperatures based on radiative emission.
Deletion of cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 exacerbates APC function to increase inflammation and cellular immunity during influenza infection

We and others have reported that simultaneous targeted deletion of CB(1) and CB(2) resulted in exacerbation of immune reactivity, suggesting a role of endocannabinoids in down-regulating immune function. In this study, we demonstrate that APC function is enhanced specifically in the absence of CB(1) and CB(2) signaling, resulting in an exacerbated immune response phenotype. After influenza infection, CB(1)(-/-)CB(2)(-/-) mice showed more pronounced pulmonary damage, increased inflammatory cell infiltrate, inflammation, and a greater cellular immune responses compared with WT mice, as evidenced by transcriptome analysis, more robust T cell activation, and effector cell cytokine production. After direct activation in vitro, there were no differences in the percentages of cytokine-producing CD4(+) T cells between CB(1)(-/-)CB(2)(-/-) and WT mice. However, untreated CB(1)(-/-)CB(2)(-/-) mice routinely had fewer naive T cells compared with WT, suggesting dysregulation of APC immune homeostasis. Moreover, bmDCs and AM isolated from CB(1)(-/-)CB(2)(-/-) mice exhibited a more mature phenotype, with and without TLR stimulation, and bmDCs elicited T cells more robustly than WT mice. Collectively, these findings implicate a role for CB(1) and CB(2) on APCs in regulating immune responses and immune homeostasis.
Rapid start-up / restart avionics provide robust fault tolerance with reduced Size, Weight And Power

An approach that uses rapid start-up computers to provide fault-tolerance and transient upset recovery while minimizing Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) is described. 1 2 This paper provides a status report on a research project conducted by Draper Laboratory aimed at developing avionics suitable for both manned and unmanned space vehicles. They are intended to provide extremely high levels of reliability but with reduced SWaP as compared to current systems. The key to this is the ability to very rapidly power-up back-up hardware and to start up or restart software. A handoff of uncorrupted state data from the failing computer to the start-up or restart computer is also required.
Is the Full-Range Model of Leadership Really a Full-Range Model of Effective Leader Behavior?

A field study was conducted to compare the three meta-categories assessed in the Managerial Practices Survey (MPS) with the “full-range” taxonomy assessed in the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). Dyadic and group-level analyses found that subordinate job attitudes and boss-rated managerial effectiveness were predicted better by the MPS meta-categories than by the MLQ meta-categories. Results also suggested that at least one of the three meta-categories from the MPS was more important in predicting each effectiveness outcome than any of the meta-categories from the MLQ. Implications germane to leadership theory and research are further discussed.
Type IV Procollagen mRNA Regulation: Evidence for Extracellular Matrix/Cytoskeleton/Nuclear Matrix Interactions in Human Urothelium

The absence of basement membrane components correlates with tumor stage and progression in human bladder cancers. We have previously shown that invasive tumors possess the ability to degrade basement membrane. However, the presence of basement membrane may be affected not only by its degradation, but by its synthesis and deposition as well. Our results in the present study suggest that while the invasive human transitional carcinoma cell line EJ has an increased amount of type IV procollagen mRNA when compared to the non-invasive RT4 cell line, type IV collagen staining is absent in the invasive EJ cells and intensely present in the non-invasive RT4 cells. Moreover, when EJ cells were grown on an artificial basement membrane (Matrigel), type IV procollagen mRNA expression was down-regulated to the levels seen with the non-invasive RT4 cells. We also discovered that the invasive cells, when grown on Matrigel, appeared morphologically different from the same cells grown on plastic tissue cultures. We conclude that a deficient basement membrane in invasive cancer cells may be due not only to active proteolytic activity but also to an abnormal production and deposition of extracellular matrix components. In addition, we also demonstrated that basement membrane components may have a significant effect on epithelial cell morphology and gene regulation, and that any alterations of the extracellular matrix-cytoskeleton-nuclear matrix interactions can lead to altered gene regulations and cell function.
The lattice gauge theory approach to quantum chromodynamics

The author reviews in a pedagogical fashion some of the recent developments in lattice quantum chromodynamics. This review emphasizes explicit examples and illustrations rather than general proofs and analyses. It begins with a discussion of the heavy-quark potential in continuum quantum chromodynamics. Asymptotic freedom and renormalization-group improved perturbation theory are discussed. A simple dielectric model of confinement is considered as an intuitive guide to the vacuum of non-Abelian gauge theories. Next, the Euclidean form of lattice gauge theory is introduced, and an assortment of calculational methods are reviewed. These include high-temperature expansions, duality, Monte Carlo computer simulations, and weak coupling expansions. A $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$- parameter calculation for asymptotically free-spin models is presented. The Hamiltonian formulation of lattice gauge theory is presented and is illustrated in the context of flux tube dynamics. Roughening transitions, Casimir forces, and the restoration of rotational symmetry are discussed. Mechanisms of confinement in lattice theories are illustrated in the two-dimensional electrodynamics of the planar model and the U(1) gauge theory in four dimensions. Generalized actions for SU(2) gauge theories and the relevance of monopoles and strings to crossover phenomena are considered. A brief discussion of the continuity of fields and topological charge in asymptotically free lattice models is presented. The final major topic of this review concerns lattice fermions. The species doubling problem and its relation to chiral symmetry are illustrated. Staggered Euclidean fermion methods are discussed in detail, with an emphasis on species counting, remnants of chiral symmetry, Block spin variables, and the axial anomaly. Numerical methods for including fermions in computer simulations are considered. Jacobi and Gauss-Siedel inversion methods to obtain the fermion propagator in a background gauge field are reviewed. Langevin, pseudofermion Monte Carlo methods, and random walk methods are discussed, as are proposals for including the fermion determinant in computer simulations. Finally, spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking in lattice models is discussed. The review ends with brief remarks about present research directions.
Two-photon absorption enhancement with gold nanoantenna array

Gold dipole nanoantennas which have strong local electromagnetic fields are used to enhance two-photon absorption. A 30 to 40 times enhancement is observed for BDPAS (4,4'-bis(diphenylamino)stilbene) at 600 nm.
Pressure-induced freezing of the hydrophobic core leads to a L1 → H1 phase transition for C12E5 micelles in D2O

We apply small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to study the effect of pressure on micelle structure in a solution of 1% by weight pentaethylene glycol mono-n-dodecyl ether (C 1 2 E 5 ) in D 2 O at 20 °C and pressures up to ∼3000 bar. At ambient pressure, the structure is a network of branched, semiflexible, cylindrical micelles with the branch points comprised ofthree-armedjunctions. Our SANS results reveal that pressure induces a phase transition from this network of threadlike micelles to hexagonally ordered bundles of cylindrical micelles. Using geometric packing constraints for three-arm junctions and cylinders, we show that the formation of three-arm junctions becomes increasingly unfavorable with increasing pressure due to the compression of the micelle hydrophobic core, and as such, the network becomes unstable at pressures close to those observed in our SANS experiments. We also measured the temperature dependence of the transition pressure and find that it follows the pressure-temperature freezing curves for liquid n-alkanes of comparable hydrocarbon chain length. These observations lead us to propose that the phase transition is related to a loss of flexibility or conformational entropy of the C 1 2 E 5 micelles upon the pressure-induced freezing of the micelle hydrophobic core to form an amorphous solid. The formation of hexagonally ordered bundles of cylindrical micelles follows as attractive van der Waals forces between the micelles are not offset by the loss of repulsive undulation forces arising from the fluidity of the hydrophobic core.
Parallelizing multilevel fast multipole algorithm for large-scale electromagnetic problem on GPU clusters

In this paper, we investigate the parallelization of the Multi-level Fast Multipole Algorithm (MLFMA) for solving large scale electromagnetic scattering problems. We evaluate the performance on our 13-node Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) cluster supported by Nvidia Tesla M2090 GPUs. The implementation details and the performance achievements in terms of accuracy are discussed in this paper.
Spontaneous Rupture of an Iliac Artery Aneurysm into a Ureter: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

A case of massive hematuria from spontaneous rupture of an iliac artery aneurysm into a ureter is reported. The vascular causes for gross hematuria are reviewed and the various arterial aneurysms are discussed. The need to consider vascular abnormalities when dealing with massive hematuria is emphasized.
Lenalidomide Maintenance Therapy In Multiple Myeloma: A Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Trials

Background Conflicting results have emerged, especially with respect to the impact on overall survival (OS), from trials evaluating lenalidomide maintenance (LM) therapy after induction therapy alone or post-autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in multiple myeloma (MM). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing outcome data from LM trials to evaluate role of lenalidomide as maintenance strategy in MM. Patients and methods A comprehensive search of electronic databases and abstracts through June 2013 was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared LM vs. placebo/no maintenance. Single arm studies were excluded. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) or odds ratio (OR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random-effects model for clinical endpoints of progression free survival (PFS), OS, response rate (RR) and adverse events (AEs), including second primary malignancies (SPMs). Analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software Version 2. We assessed between-study heterogeneity with the Cochran Q test and quantified its extent with the I2 statistic. Results Overall, five RCTs, with data extractable from four phase III trials (3 publications and 1 abstract) were identified (n= 1935). All studies were RCTs with an adequate randomization. MRC MM XI study was excluded from analyses as survival data are not available. Two placebo controlled trials (IFM 05-02, CALGB 100104) addressed the role of LM post-ASCT, one placebo-controlled trial (MM-015) studied LM therapy in the non-transplant setting and the remaining trial (RV-MM-PI209) had a 2 X 2 design comprising of both ASCT and non-transplant randomized arms followed by a second randomization of LM versus no maintenance. There was no heterogeneity for estimate of PFS results (Cochran Q, p=0.68; I2=0%), but considerable heterogeneity for estimate of OS (Cochran Q, p=0.09; I2= 55%), among the studies. There was significant prolongation of both PFS (HR 0.49, 95% CI, 0.41–0.58, p Conclusions Meta-analysis of RCTs demonstrates significant improvement in PFS and modest improvement in OS with LM. There is an increased risk of grade 3-4 adverse effects, including SPMs with LM. Substantial heterogeneity for estimate of OS among protocols is a limitation of this analysis. Lack of uniform access to lenalidomide upon disease progression in the placebo/no maintenance arms of the constituent studies should be taken into account while interpreting aggregate effect estimates for OS in this meta-analysis. OS: Cochran Q p=0.09, I2=55%, substantial heterogeneity PFS: Cochran Q p=0.68, I2=0%, minimal heterogeneity Disclosures: Off Label Use: Lenalidomide for maintenance therapy in multiple myeloma. Kumar:Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Genzyme: Research Funding. Dispenzieri:Celgene, Millenium, Jansenn, Pfizer: Research Funding. Bergsagel:Onyx: Consultancy. Lacy:Celgene Corporation: Research Funding.
Clonidine for Sleep Disorders with ADHD

A retrospective analysis of 62 children and adolescents treated with clonidine for sleep disturbances associated with ADHD is reported from the outpatient Pediatric Psychopharmacology unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
An assessment of benefits and harms of hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in patients with cirrhosis.

Although surveillance ultrasound and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) tests have minimal direct harm, downstream harms from follow-up tests must be weighed against surveillance benefits when determining the value of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening programs. Our study's aims were to characterize prevalence and correlates of surveillance benefits and harms in cirrhosis patients undergoing HCC surveillance. We conducted a retrospective cohort study among patients with cirrhosis followed at a safety-net health system between July 2010 and July 2013. We recorded surveillance-related benefits, defined as early tumor detection and curative treatment, and surveillance-related physical harms, defined as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans, biopsies, or other procedures performed for false-positive or indeterminate surveillance results. Sociodemographic and clinical correlates of surveillance harms were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. We identified 680 patients with cirrhosis, of whom 78 (11.5%) developed HCC during the 3-year study period. Of the 48 (61.5%) HCCs identified by surveillance, 43.8% were detected by ultrasound, 31.2% by AFP, and 25.0% by both surveillance tests. Surveillance-detected patients had a higher proportion of early HCC (70.2% vs. 40.0%; P = 0.009), with no difference in tumor stage between ultrasound- and AFP-detected tumors (P = 0.53). Surveillance-related physical harms were observed in 187 (27.5%) patients, with a higher proportion of ultrasound-related harm than AFP-related harm (22.8% vs. 11.4%; P < 0.001). Surveillance-related harms were associated with elevated ALT (odds ratio [OR], 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26-2.76), thrombocytopenia (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.26-3.38), and hepatology subspecialty care (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.09-2.42). Conclusion: Over one fourth of patients with cirrhosis experience physical harm for false-positive or indeterminate surveillance tests—more often related to ultrasound than AFP. Interventions are needed to reduce surveillance-related harm to increase the value of HCC screening programs in clinical practice. (Hepatology 2017;65:1196-1205).
Global Alliance for ICT and Development: What Went Right, and Wrong?

This chapter examines the UN Global Alliance on ICT and Development (GAID). GAID was designed as an innovative mechanism to enable private sector leadership, and multistakeholder involvement in addressing the plethora of follow-up issues emerging from the Tunis WSIS. The chapter highlights the impact of the decision to choose a private sector CEO (Craig Barrett, Intel) as the chair of GAID (as opposed to a UN official/Diplomat for WSIS and IGF). GAID spawned some interesting initiatives, the most successful of which was the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ICT). However, GAID barely made it through its first five-year mandate, and it has subsequently disappeared. This chapter examines what went right with GAID, and what went horribly wrong.
Prescribing Practices by Nurse Practitioners and Primary Care Physicians: A Descriptive Analysis of Medicare Beneficiaries

Introduction Nurse practitioner (NP) prescribing continues to be a contentious policy issue, and studies systematically examining NP prescribing are lacking. The aim of this study was to conduct a descriptive analysis comparing the prescribing services of NPs with those of primary care physicians (PCPs) in providing care to Medicare beneficiaries. Methods Part D drug claims of beneficiaries who saw an NP or a PCP in 2009 and 2010 were examined for differences in the types of medications prescribed, the volume of prescriptions, and the duration of prescriptions across all drug classes in Medicare Part D. Results Data for 164,681 beneficiaries were analyzed. Results showed the same top 20 types of medications and the same share of generic medications for NP and PCP prescriptions. Differences in prescribing patterns were found for the number of prescriptions and for the duration of the prescriptions (days' supply per claim). NP beneficiaries received, on average, approximately one more 30-day prescription per year than PCP beneficiaries. The mean duration for an NP prescription claim was 3 days shorter than that for a PCP prescription claim, indicating that NP beneficiaries need refills sooner than PCP beneficiaries. This pattern existed in most drug classes and was more pronounced in behavioral drug classes, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, psychotherapeutics, and opioids and in patients with more comorbidities. Differences in state scope of practice laws did not affect these prescribing patterns. Conclusions Key differences were observed in the number and duration of prescriptions written by NPs and PCPs. Further research is needed to understand the impact of differences in NP and PCP patient populations on provider prescribing, such as the higher number of prescriptions issued by NPs for beneficiaries in moderate and high comorbidity groups and the implications of the duration of prescriptions for clinical outcomes, patient-provider rapport, costs, and potential gaps in medication coverage.
Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry of Human Green Opsin Reveals a Conserved Pro-Pro Motif in Extracellular Loop 2 of Monostable Visual G Protein-Coupled Receptors

Opsins comprise the protein component of light sensitive G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in the retina of the eye that are responsible for the transduction of light into a biochemical signal. Here, we used hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange coupled with mass spectrometry to map conformational changes in green cone opsin upon light activation. We then compared these findings with those reported for rhodopsin. The extent of H/D exchange in green cone opsin was greater than in rhodopsin in the dark and bleached states, suggesting a higher structural heterogeneity for green cone opsin. Further analysis revealed that green cone opsin exists as a dimer in both dark (inactive) and bleached (active) states, and that the predicted glycosylation sites at N32 and N34 are indeed glycosylated. Comparison of deuterium uptake between inactive and active states of green cone opsin also disclosed a reduced solvent accessibility of the extracellular N-terminal region and an increased accessibility of the chromophore bin...
PROGRAM PEMBERDAYAAN EKONOMI KELUARGA MISKIN Pengalaman Plan Internasional di Kota Surabaya

Kemiskinan di Indonesia terns menerus mengalami kondisi yang memprihatinkan. Berbagai upaya pemerintah dilakukan dalam rangka memerangi kemiskinan. Mulai dari program yang bersifat charity sampai dengan issue pemberdayaan. Evaluasi partisipatif tentang program Pemberdayaan ekonomi di Kofa Surabaya ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif, dengan pendekatan partisipatif Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa partisipasi masyarakat serta adanya fasilitasi dari Plan International cukup memberikan dampak bagi peningkatan pendapatan keluarga, meskipun belum cukup signifikan. Proses perencanaan dilakukan secara partisipatif, serta pelaksanaannya mengacu pada program-program pemberdayaan RenstraPenanggulangan Kemiskinan Depsos RI tahun 2006-2010. Melalui program keterampilan (life skills), mendorong keluarga miskin untuk mengembangkan sumberdaya dan potensi ekonominya. Namun demikian perlu dikembangkan sistem pemasaran dan jaringan kerja untuk menghindari kegagalan program. Rekomendasi yang tidak kalah pentingnya adalah sistem pendampingan sosial masyarakat secara intens, serta menjamin sustainability program.
FootprintID: Indoor Pedestrian Identification through Ambient Structural Vibration Sensing

We present FootprintID, an indoor pedestrian identification system that utilizes footstep-induced structural vibration to infer pedestrian identities for enabling various smart building applications. Previous studies have explored other sensing methods, including vision-, RF-, mobile-, and acoustic-based methods. They often require specific sensing conditions, including line-of-sight, high sensor density, and carrying wearable devices. Vibration-based methods, on the other hand, provide easy-to-install sparse sensing and utilize gait to distinguish different individuals. However, the challenge for these methods is that the signals are sensitive to the gait variations caused by different walking speeds and the floor variations caused by structural heterogeneity. We present FootprintID, a vibration-based approach that achieves robust pedestrian identification. The system uses vibration sensors to detect footstep-induced vibrations. It then selects vibration signals and classifiers to accommodate sensing variations, taking step location and frequency into account. We utilize the physical insight on how individual step signal changes with walking speeds and introduce an iterative transductive learning algorithm (ITSVM) to achieve robust classification with limited labeled training data. When trained only on the average walking speed and tested on different walking speeds, FootprintID achieves up to 96% accuracy and a 3X improvement in extreme speeds compared to the Support Vector Machine. Furthermore, it achieves up to 90% accuracy (1.5X improvement) in uncontrolled experiments.
A. tumefaciens T-DNA transport: roles for VirB, VirD2 and VirE2.

The transfer of the T-DNA from Agrobacterium to the plant cell is a complicated process. Several of the steps involved have been the focus of intense study, while other steps remain essentially black boxes. Here we present an overview of this specialized interaction between bacteria and plant, focusing on aspects of the transfer process that have been primary subjects for recent research in our laboratory.
The Effect of Interface Cracks on the Electrical Performance of Solar Cells

Among a variety of solar cell types, thin-film solar cells have been rigorously investigated as cost-effective and efficient solar cells. In many cases, flexible solar cells are also fabricated as thin films and undergo frequent stress due to the rolling and bending modes of applications. These frequent motions result in crack initiation and propagation (including delamination) in the thin-film solar cells, which cause degradation in efficiency. Reliability evaluation of solar cells is essential for developing a new type of solar cell. In this paper, we investigated the effect of layer delamination and grain boundary crack on 3D thin-film solar cells. We used finite element method simulation for modeling of both electrical performance and cracked structure of 3D solar cells. Through simulations, we quantitatively calculated the effect of delamination length on 3D copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar cell performance. Moreover, it was confirmed that the grain boundary of CIGS could improve the solar cell performance and that grain boundary cracks could decrease cell performance by altering the open circuit voltage. In this paper, the investigated material is a CIGS solar cell, but our method can be applied to general polycrystalline solar cells.
An APPetite for APPs: A Comparison of Heavily Reliant and Light Reliant App Users on Political Activity and Media Reliance:

The ubiquity of mobile devices and the apps that power them has spurred concerns that they are contributing to the decline in news media use. Mobile devices, however, have been credited with spurri...
Influence of Pulsed Electric Fields and Mitochondria-Cytoskeleton Interactions on Cell Respiration.

Abstract Pulsed electric fields with microsecond pulse width (μsPEFs) are used clinically; namely, irreversible electroporation/Nanoknife is used for soft tissue tumor ablation. The μsPEF pulse parameters used in irreversible electroporation (0.5–1 kV/cm, 80–100 pulses, ∼100 μs each, 1 Hz frequency) may cause an internal field to develop within the cell because of the disruption of the outer cell membrane and subsequent penetration of the electric field. An internal field may disrupt voltage-sensitive mitochondria, although the research literature has been relatively unclear regarding whether such disruptions occur with μsPEFs. This investigation reports the influence of clinically used μsPEF parameters on mitochondrial respiration in live cells. Using a high-throughput Agilent Seahorse machine, it was observed that μsPEF exposure comprising 80 pulses with amplitudes of 600 or 700 V/cm did not alter mitochondrial respiration in 4T1 cells measured after overnight postexposure recovery. To record alterations in mitochondrial function immediately after μsPEF exposure, high-resolution respirometry was used to measure the electron transport chain state via responses to glutamate-malate and ADP and mitochondrial membrane potential via response to carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone. In addition to measuring immediate mitochondrial responses to μsPEF exposure, measurements were also made on cells permeabilized using digitonin and those with compromised cytoskeleton due to actin depolymerization via treatment with the drug latrunculin B. The former treatment was used as a control to tease out the effects of plasma membrane permeabilization, whereas the latter was used to investigate indirect effects on the mitochondria that may occur if μsPEFs impact the cytoskeleton on which the mitochondria are anchored. Based on the results, it was concluded that within the pulse parameters tested, μsPEFs alone do not hinder mitochondrial physiology but can be used to impact the mitochondria upon compromising the actin. Mitochondrial susceptibility to μsPEF after actin depolymerization provides, to our knowledge, a novel avenue for cancer therapeutics.
The Life and Times of T. H. Gallaudet. By Edna Edith Sayers. (Lebanon, NH: University Press of New England, 2018. Pp. ix, 302. $29.95.)

The life of Thomas H. Gallaudet, who lived from 1787–1851, is detailed in this publication along with significant and less important events from that period. The author shows the impact of historic...
The displaced librarian: Providing research services to your campus without a library

Penn State-Berks is one of 24 commonwealth campuses in the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) system. With around 2,800 students, it is a small, tight knit community, yet remains one of the largest campuses outside of University Park. While the campus is spacious and beautiful, one feature it lacks is an adequate student center, which makes the Thun Library the heart of the campus. Not only does the library provide traditional and valued services, such as access to textbooks on reserve, computer and software access, and research assistance, it is also a location where students gather to study, hang out between classes, and conduct group work. With a large commuter population, the library offers vital spaces for those without dorm rooms to complete their work. In addition, several other departments are also housed within the building, including the Center for Teaching and Learning along with the information technology (IT) help desk.
Abstract WP392: Non-English Speakers Present Faster with More Severe Strokes

Introduction: With the continued expansion of acute stroke treatment options, urban tertiary referral centers such as ours are treating an increasingly diverse patient population. As we attempted t...
Bivariate latent change score analysis of peer relations from early childhood to adolescence: Leading or lagging indicators of psychopathology.

Understanding longitudinal associations between problematic peer relations and psychopathology is needed to inform public health. Three models have been proposed: Poor peer relations (a) lead or ar...