cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring General Computer Self-Efficacy: The Surprising Comparison of Three Instruments in Predicting Performance, Attitudes, and Usage

General computer self-efficacy is an individuals perception of ability across multiple computer applications and is conceptually distinct from specific CSE, which targets a single activity. General CSE is currently measured using both general and global instruments, and in many studies, it has been a significant predictor of computing behaviors. But there have been weak or inconsistent results, which have confounded its value as a construct of interest. One reason for such results is a lack of research concerning instrument suitability; another is that current instruments do not adequately isolate the construct. This study introduces a new measure of general CSE, one calculated by summing application-specific CSEs (SGCSE). It then compares SGCSE with two current general measures, in predicting ability, attitudes, and usage. Results suggest that the choice of instrument significantly affects study results. SGCSE was best for performance predictions and the global measure was surprisingly robust.
A new juvenile hexosaminidase deficiency disease presenting as cerebellar ataxia: Clinical and biochemical studies

A boy with mild hand tremor since age 2 1/2 was found at 4 to have cherry-red spots and mild trucal ataxia without seizures or dementia. Biochemically, he had striking hexosaminidase deficiency (serum: 4.6 percent of normal, 88.9 percent heat-labile; leukocyte: 2.2 percent of normal, 84.6 percent heat-labile; fibroblast 12.8 percent normal, 93.1 percent heat-labile). The residual hexosaminidase activity migrated electrophoretically in two bands. The major band comigrated with hexosaminidase A, the minor with hexosaminidase S. Hexosaminidase B was totally absent. The parents had partially reduced hexosaminidase with a decreased heat-stabile fraction. This disorder may result from a new mutation closely related to that causing Sandhoff-Jatzkewitz disease.
Probabilistic Modeling and Statistical Characteristics of Aggregate Wind Power

The stochasticity of the electrical power output by wind turbines poses special challenges to power system operation and planning. Increasing penetration levels of wind and other weather-driven renewable resources exacerbate the uncertainty and variability that must be managed. This chapter focuses on the probabilistic modeling and statistical characteristics of aggregated wind power in large electrical systems. The mathematical framework for probabilistic models—accounting for geographic diversity and the smoothing effect—is developed, and the selection and application of parametric models is discussed. Statistical characteristics from several real systems with high levels of wind power penetration are provided and analyzed.
EFFECTS OF FLOW TRANSIENTS ON THE BURNING VELOCITY OF LAMINAR HYDROGEN/AIR PREMIXED FLAMES

The effects of unsteady strain rate on the burning velocity of hydrogen-air premixed flames are studied in an opposed nozzle configuration. The numerical method employs adaptive time integration of a system of differential-algebraic equations. Detailed hydrogen-air kinetic mechanism and transport properties are considered. The equivalence ratio is varied from lean to rich premixtures in order to change the effective Lewis number. Steady Markstein numbers for small strain rate are computed and compared with experiment. Different definitions of flame burning velocity are examined under steady and unsteady flow conditions. It is found that, as the unsteady frequency increases, large deviations between different flame speeds are noted depending on the location of the flame speed evaluation. Unsteady flame response is investigated in terms of the Markstein transfer function which depends on the frequency of oscillation. In most cases, the flame speed variation attenuates at higher frequencies, as the unsteady frequency becomes comparable to the inverse of the characteristic flame time. Furthermore, unique resonance-like behavior is observed for a range of rich mixture conditions, consistent with previous studies with linearized theory.
Before Bayh–Dole: public research funding, patents, and pharmaceutical innovation (1945–1965)

What role did patents and exclusive licenses play as an incentive for research collaborations between publicly funded scientists and pharmaceutical firms before Bayh-Dole? Based on a study of NIH's patent policies and practices, the paper argues that patents played no role in supporting interactions between NIH grantees and pharmaceutical firms until 1962. The latter's growing demand for exclusive licenses during the 1960s was a strategic response to the rise in public funding of biomedical research, and the regulatory reforms introduced in 1962. Copyright 2011 The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Associazione ICC. All rights reserved., Oxford University Press.
Preparing and presenting a research poster

One of the first things often learned about research is that the research project is not complete until the results are disseminated. Simply put, research dissemination is a professional responsibility, not an optional activity. Disseminating the findings of a research project to other researchers and clinicians allows for dialogue, debate, and peer review of the content and facilitates the generation, testing, and refinement of new ideas.1 Several options exist for disseminating research findings. The gold standard for communicating research findings is publishing the results in a peer-reviewed, professional research journal. The first step towards a published manuscript is to present your findings at one or more professional scientific meetings. At a professional meeting, research findings can be presented via either a podium (oral) presentation or a poster presentation, and this is an excellent way to obtain early feedback about your work. A poster is a “visual combination of bold design, color, and message intended to catch and hold the attention of the passer-by long enough to implant or reinforce a significant idea in his/her mind.”2 The purpose of this paper is to provide a template of the steps to preparing and presenting a research poster. In addition, suggestions for transporting the poster and tips for the day of presentation will be outlined. WHY PRESENT A RESEARCH POSTER?
Wavelet Based Region Duplication Forgery Detection

With the assistance of editing tools, digital images can be easily tampered without leaving many clues. As a result, the authenticity and integrity of digital images are no longer reliable, which is critical when the images are used as evidence in court or widely spread in public. Region duplication is a commonly used tampering technique for digital images, which a region is copied from an image and pasted to another region of the same image. This technique is used to hide important objects or for decoration. In this paper, we propose a wavelet-based approach to detect region duplication forgery. The image is divided into overlapped blocks with fixed size. The multilevel 2D discrete wavelet transform is then applied to each block. We extract the discriminative features from the wavelet coefficients of a block. The feature vectors of all blocks are lexicographically sorted and the block matching step is applied to find the duplicated blocks. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed wavelet-based method can successfully detect the duplicated regions. It can also achieve better performance than the DCT-based method, especially when the images are heavily distorted with noises.
Functional Activity of the Fanconi Anemia Protein FAA Requires FAC Binding and Nuclear Localization

Fanconi anemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by genomic instability, cancer susceptibility, and cellular hypersensitivity to DNA-cross-linking agents. Eight complementation groups of FA (FA-A through FA-H) have been identified. Two FA genes, corresponding to complementation groups FA-A and FA-C, have been cloned, but the functions of the encoded FAA and FAC proteins remain unknown. We have recently demonstrated that FAA and FAC interact to form a nuclear complex. In this study, we have analyzed a series of mutant forms of the FAA protein with respect to functional activity, FAC binding, and nuclear localization. Mutation or deletion of the amino-terminal nuclear localization signal (NLS) of FAA results in loss of functional activity, loss of FAC binding, and cytoplasmic retention of FAA. Replacement of the NLS sequence with a heterologous NLS sequence, derived from the simian virus 40 T antigen, results in nuclear localization but does not rescue functional activity or FAC binding. Nuclear localization of the FAA protein is therefore necessary but not sufficient for FAA function. Mutant forms of FAA which fail to bind to FAC also fail to promote the nuclear accumulation of FAC. In addition, wild-type FAC promotes the accumulation of wild-type FAA in the nucleus. Our results suggest that FAA and FAC perform a concerted function in the cell nucleus, required for the maintenance of chromosomal stability.
Diagnostic testing and treatment under ambiguity: Using decision analysis to inform clinical practice

Partial knowledge of patient health status and treatment response is a pervasive concern in medical decision making. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) make recommendations intended to optimize patient care, but optimization typically is infeasible with partial knowledge. Decision analysis shows that a clinician’s objective, knowledge, and decision criterion should jointly determine the care he prescribes. To demonstrate, this paper studies a common scenario regarding diagnostic testing and treatment. A patient presents to a clinician, who obtains initial evidence on health status. The clinician can prescribe a treatment immediately or he can order a test yielding further evidence that may be useful in predicting treatment response. In the latter case, he prescribes a treatment after observation of the test result. I analyze this scenario in three steps. The first poses a welfare function and characterizes optimal care. The second describes partial knowledge of response to testing and treatment that might realistically be available. The third considers decision criteria. I conclude with reconsideration of clinical practice guidelines.
Psychiatric symptoms as the first manifestation of juvenile SLE complicated with Klinefelter's syndrome

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune, multisystem disorder with diverse manifestations. There are limited reports on the neuropsychiatric findings as the first manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus in children.
CMOS high-linear wide-dynamic range RF on-chip filters using Q-enhanced LC filters

An RF on-chip filter using a Q-enhanced LC filter with digitally synchronized gain, center frequency (f0), and quality factor (Q) tuning is implemented in a standard 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS process. The circuit consists of a new high-speed, wide-range, low-distortion, constant-gm OTA design and a new constant tunable discrete capacitor design that maximizes the linearity. The concept is illustrated through the design of a front-end RF filter operating at an f0 of 5.775 GHz. Simulation results show that the filtering Q can be digitally tuned from 6 to 65 while maintaining an f0 shifting within +-0.2%, gain variation 0.03 dB, 1-dB compression point (P/sub 1dB/) from -0.9 to 2.69 dBm, and dynamic range from 57 to 80 dB over the 100 MHz passband.
Differentiating aortic fibrosarcoma from acute intramural hematoma

FIGURE 1. CTwith contrast shows the tumor (asterisk) in both long-axis and transverse views. The pericardial effusion is also evident in the transverse view (arrow). An 86-year-old woman with a medical history of hypertension was transferred to the Hennepin County Medical Center for severe substernal chest pain radiating to her back, associated with coughing. Physical examination revealed normal heart sounds with irregular heart rate, symmetric pulses, and intact neurologic examination. Electrocardiogram on admission showed atrial fibrillation. Chest computed tomography (CT) with contrast obtained before her transfer demonstrated soft tissue surrounding her ascending aorta, which was diagnosed as an aortic intramural hematoma (Figure 1) and a small pericardial effusion. An aortic dissection flap was not observed. Transthoracic echocardiography before emergency surgical exploration showed a soft tissue collection posterior to the ascending aorta without a dissection flap and a small pericardial effusion. On surgical exploration, a large white mass completely surrounding the distal ascending aorta and compressing the superior vena cava was observed. Biopsies from this mass were obtained showing a monomorphic spindle cell sarcoma (Figure 2). Immunostains for a variety of markers were negative, including wide spectrum cytokeratin, cytokeratin 5/6, Wilms’ tumor protein 1, Transducinlike enhancer of split 1, CD34, actin, desmin, and S-100. The morphology and immunohistochemistry were consistent with a high-grade adult-type fibrosarcoma. No other surgical intervention was performed. The patient elected to have her care at a different institution, and therefore no follow-up data are available. On the basis of the above stains, the tumor could be aortic or cardiac in origin.
Mentoring in orthopaedics: an evolving need for nurture.

In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus left Mentor, an old and trusted friend, in charge of his household. In that capacity, Mentor guided the growth and development of Telemachus, Odysseus' son, for the twenty years that Odysseus spent fighting in and returning from the Trojan War. Historically then, mentoring was a relationship between a protege and a more experienced and wiser friend. While Mentor was a remarkably sagacious advisor, his personal investment makes clear that this quality lies at the heart of successful mentoring. Mentoring may be defined as a relationship, formal and/or informal, between a novice and one or more senior persons in the field for the purposes of career and personal development and preparation for leadership. The topic has received wide attention in the corporate world, where the benefits of mentoring have been shown in job satisfaction, personal and professional development, higher wages, and employee retention. Seventy-six percent of Fortune Magazine's 100 best companies to work for in America offer mentoring programs compared with 56% of the rest1. Mentoring in medicine has usually consisted of an informal, dyadic relationship between an established scientist and a young, prospective investigator to develop the research capability of the junior scientist. Competence in patient care and in teaching, which are other traditional prerequisites for a successful academic career, is generally assumed. Increasingly sophisticated research and rapid evolution of the health-care system have led to expansion of the dyadic model to include a network of colleagues that cross institutional and geographic boundaries—a college without walls. In times of rapid and profound change, such as those occurring now in medicine, mentoring is crucial for the creation of new leaders and new types of leadership, for which more than role modeling is needed; however, the amount and type of professional, academic, and personal support needed …
Retinoid X Receptor α Regulates Glutathione Homeostasis and Xenobiotic Detoxification Processes in Mouse Liver

Retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRalpha) plays a pivotal role in regulating liver metabolism. RXRalpha-mediated gene expression involved in amino acid metabolism was examined using the NIA Mouse 15K cDNA microarray containing 15,000 different expressed sequence tags. Seven amino acid metabolic genes, three of which encode enzymes involved in phase II detoxification process, were identified as RXRalpha target genes in mouse liver. Glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), glutathione S-transferasemu, and glutathione peroxidase 1 were down-regulated in the liver of hepatocyte RXRalpha-deficient mice. The down-regulation of GCLC in RXRalpha-deficient mice led to 40% and 45% reductions in the rate of glutathione (GSH) synthesis and level of hepatic GSH, respectively. Primary hepatocytes from RXRalpha-deficient mice were more sensitive to t-butylhydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress. However, GSH diminished RXRalpha-deficient mice were resistant to acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity. Analysis of phase I detoxification genes revealed that CYP1A2 and CYP3A11 were up-regulated in wild-type mice but down-regulated in RXRalpha-deficient mice after APAP administration. Taken together, the data indicate that RXRalpha centrally regulates both phase I and phase II drug metabolism and detoxification. Regulation of hepatic GSH levels by RXRalpha is essential to protect hepatocytes from oxidative stress, whereas up-regulation of phase I drug metabolism genes by RXRalpha may render the liver more sensitive to APAP-induced toxicity.
A NEW FORM OF DIFFERENTIAL MICRORESPIROMETER.

1. A microrespirometer suitable for measuring oxygen uptakes from 0.1 to 10λ per hour is described. 2. The sensitivity of the instrument may be readily altered by substituting different sizes of capillary tubing. 3. By means of replaceable brass plugs the chamber volume of this instrument may be varied from 700 to less than 40λ. 4. No thermostat is required for the operation of the instrument at room temperature. 5. It may be charged at one temperature and used at a widely different one. 6. The chambers may be filled with any desired gas mixture. 7. Two solutions may be mixed during the course of an experiment. 8. The entire apparatus may be sterilized.
Controller design: one op. amp. solutions

Five servo controller design problems are described and their one operational amplifier solutions with experimental results are presented. The plant is a classical position servo control system consisting of a commanding input knob; a following output shaft driven by a motor, gear system, and a power amplifier; and a controller that drives the power amplifier. The first problem is to design a controller that drives the output shaft to track the input shaft. The second problem is to design a controller that drives the output shaft to mirror the position of the input shaft. The third problem is to design a controller that drives the output shaft to lag behind the input shaft by a fixed angle. The fourth problem is to design a controller that eliminates the oscillations caused by excessive controller gain. The last problem is a speed control problem. One operational amplifier solutions were designed to solve these five problems. Experimental results were obtained. In each of the cases the proposed one operational amplifier solution solved the design problem.
Electrokinetics in Relation to Dairy Phenomena: I. Theory and Method

Summary 1.A method is described, based on the theory of streaming potentials, that may be used in measuring the magnitude of the electric charge at the fat-serum interface. 2.The stability of colloidal systems is discussed and a mathematical development of the streaming potential formula is given. 3.Data are presented to show that an interface quite comparable to that of the fat globule as it exists in milk is being considered. 4.The electrokinetic potentials observed using various samples of milk from individual cows are shown to vary over a comparatively wide range. 5.The iso-electric point of the interface was found to be at about pH 4.3. 6.Potassium chloride, added in increasing amounts, caused an increase that was later followed by a decrease in potential. Chlorides of calcium, iron and thorium decreased the electrokinetic potential. Thorium was found to be the most effective and at certain concentrations reversed the sign of the charge. 7.Di-sodium phosphate and sodium citrate caused the potential to become more strongly negative. The latter salt was found to be the most effective. 8.Increasing temperatures produced a very pronounced increase in the observed electrokinetic potential.
A MEMÓRIA INSTITUCIONAL E AS RELAÇÕES PÚBLICAS

As instituicoes sao espacos de atividades que com o decorrer do tempo acumulam um legado coletivo oriundo das vivencias sejam pessoais ou entre outras instituicoes no mercado. No entanto ha diferentes formas de resguardar ou divulgar esta memoria e entre elas as relacoes entre estas e o restante da sociedade, mas nem sempre ha organizacao e eficiencia nestas relacoes. A memoria social se origina nas atuacoes e representacoes coletivas da memoria de uma sociedade ou de um grupo. Assim, ela contribui para a formacao da Memoria Institucional que tem o papel de intensificar uma marca que identifica a instituicao e reforca sua credibilidade e confianca perante seus publicos. A Memoria Institucional tem a oportunidade de compartilha-la com a sociedade a partir do estabelecimento do seu proprio lugar de memoria. Neste contexto, as Relacoes Publicas trabalham com o planejamento, execucao e controle da Memoria Institucional das empresas focadas na organizacao e na eficiencia em resgatar informacoes que contam a historia da instituicao e sao transmitidas a sociedade de forma clara e transparente.
An Artificial Compressibility Algorithm for Convective Heat Transfer

An implicit algorithm is presented for the unsteady three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations including the thermal energy equation, formulated in a strongly coupled manner. Thermal buoyancy is addressed using the Boussinesq approximation. The method of artificial compressibility is introduced to cast the resulting equations into a time marching form. A finite volume discretization is applied for general unstructured grids with nonsimplical elements. Numerical flux formulations are presented for both Roe’s approximate Riemann solver and an HLLC approach. A backward Euler scheme is utilized for temporal discretization. The resulting implicit nonlinear equation is solved at each time step using an approximate Newton iteration algorithm. All boundary conditions are applied implicitly. The resulting algorithm has been implemented in Tenasi, an in-house developed flow solver, and validated for canonical test cases from the three regimes (forced, natural, and mixed) of laminar heat transfer and one regime (mixed) of turbulent heat transfer. A final application of the current algorithm is the prediction of forced turbulent heat transfer in a two-pass ribbed turbulator. All computed solutions are in close agreement with analytical solutions, other benchmark simulations, or experimental data.
A Developmental Model of Research Mentoring

abstractWe studied mentoring relationships between undergraduate and graduate students in a summer undergraduate research program, over three years. Using a grounded theory approach, we created a model of research mentoring that describes how the roles of the mentor and the student can change. Whereas previous models of research mentoring ignored student roles and treated mentor roles as static, our model focuses on the development of the mentoring relationship over time. Our model explains how conflicts can occur if the mentor role does not match the maturity level of the student.
Global Electric Heterogeneity Risk Score for Prediction of Sudden Cardiac Death in the General Population: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) and Cardiovascular Health (CHS) Studies.

Background—Asymptomatic individuals account for the majority of sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs). Development of effective, low-cost, and noninvasive SCD risk stratification tools is necessary. Methods and Results—Participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study and Cardiovascular Health Study (n=20 177; age, 59.3±10.1 years; age range, 44–100 years; 56% female; 77% white) were followed up for 14.0 years (median). Five ECG markers of global electric heterogeneity (GEH; sum absolute QRST integral, spatial QRST angle, spatial ventricular gradient [SVG] magnitude, SVG elevation, and SVG azimuth) were measured on standard 12-lead ECGs. Cox proportional hazards and competing risks models evaluated associations between GEH electrocardiographic parameters and SCD. An SCD competing risks score was derived from demographics, comorbidities, and GEH parameters. SCD incidence was 1.86 per 1000 person-years. After multivariable adjustment, baseline GEH parameters and large increases in GEH parameters over t...
Ectopic pancreas causing massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Report of a case diagnosed arteriographically.

Although the clinical, radiographical, surgical, and pathological manifestations of ectopic pancreas have been extensively described, conclusive documentation by any method of gastrointestinal hemorrhage from an ectopic pancreas is rare.1 The authors report a case of an ectopic pancreas in the second portion of the duodenum which was proven to be the source of massive gastrointestinal bleeding by selective visceral arteriography and was confirmed by surgical exploration. To our knowledge, angiographical documentation of active gastrointestinal hemorrhage from an ectopic pancreas has not been reported.
Breeding report of a new Rice variety Tongyuan 513 with high and stable yield

New japonica Rice Tongyuan 513 with features of high quality,high and stable yield,strong resistance to rice blast,rapid grain filling rate and high percentage of ripened grains.It is excellent in rice regional trials,production research and large scale demonstration in Jilin province.Tongyuan 513 is an ideal rice new variety with broad adaptability that is welcomed by rice farmers.
Development of nasal skin necrosis associated with rituximab treatment for Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and subsequent spontaneous resolution.

We report the unusual case of a 72-year-old man who developed acute and extensive necrosis of the nasal skin and soft-tissue envelope while undergoing chemotherapy for Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, a lymphoproliferative disorder The patient's treatment involved infusions of rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody that is directed against B cell surface membrane protein CD20. The patient refused surgery to restore the nose, and he was treated conservatively with wet-to-dry dressings and antibiotic ointment. Approximately 5 weeks after admission, the eschar had exfoliated, revealing that the underlying skin was pink and healthy; no significant areas of necrosis remained. Within weeks, the nose had healed completely without scarring. A good aesthetic result was achieved exclusively through healing by secondary intention. We wish to alert the medical community that (1) conservative management of even extensive nasal skin loss should be considered when clinically acceptable, and (2) there may be an association between anti-CD20 antibody therapy for Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia and skin necrosis.
Bond Performance of Reinforcing Bars Embedded in Fiber Reinforced Concrete and Subjected to Monotonic and Cyclic Loads

The primary variables investigated were fiber content and loading history. The reinforcing bar size was ASTM #5. Steel fibers with hooked ends were used with four fiber contents, namely; 0, 50, 75, and 100 lb/cyd. The loading pattern consisted of monotonic, half cyclic, and reversed cyclic pullout loads. The tests were conducted using a modified pullout specimen in which the concrete surrounding the rebar was in tension. The following conclusions can be drawn using the results obtained: i) The fibers provide a major contribution to the ductility of concrete when subjected to monotonic or cyclic pullout loads, ii) for half cyclic loading, the monotonic load-slip curve envelopes the cyclic response, and iii) for reversed cyclic loading the monotonic curve does not represent the envelope of the cyclic response.
Expectations, Inflation and Full Employment

As so far developed, aggregate demand and aggregate supply curves are of limited interest. They come into their own when ‘augmented’ with price expectations. The vehicle for moving to expectations augmented aggregate supply and demand is the Phillips curve, which summarises the relationship between unemployment and the rate of inflation via the intermediary of money wage changes. First we consider the alleged trade-off between the level of unemployment and the rate of inflation (the ‘Phillips curve’), which allows one to derive the ‘expectations augmented’ versions of aggregate demand and supply. Section 14.2 puts together the aggregate supply and demand curves in their expectations-augmented versions to tell inflation stories, with emphasis on the new classical parables. Section 14.3 retells the stories with a fixed money wage.
Metha-don’t!

This case discusses pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drugs interactions between methadone, amitriptyline, and moxifloxacin leading to QT prolongation.
The cross as ultimate in the writings of Justin Martyr

L'A. analyse le discours philosophique que saint Justin deploie sur la Croix dans son Dialogue avec Tryphon et ses Apologies. La Croix y est presentee comme centre et fin face a la mythologie grecque, la vie humaine et la philosophie : l'A. le demontre dans la premiere partie de son article. Ensuite, il examine son caractere prophetique : la Croix est presente des l'AT et l'A. examine quelques pericopes veterotestamentaires que saint Justin a analysees en ce sens. L'A. conclut sur la place de la croix dans la typologie de saint Justin
Potency of parenteral antimicrobials including ceftolozane/tazobactam against nosocomial respiratory tract pathogens: considerations for empiric and directed therapy

Background: Empiric therapy decisions are predicated on knowledge of both the epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of the probable infecting pathogen(s). The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbial distribution and phenotypic profiles of nosocomial respiratory isolates collected from multiple US hospitals and assess the clinical utility of various monotherapy and combination regimens. Methods: Hospitals provided consecutive non-duplicate adult inpatients Gram-negative nosocomial respiratory isolates from cultures received ≥48 h after hospital admission. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for 12 antimicrobials were determined using broth microdilution methods. An antibiogram was constructed for monotherapy regimens as well as combinations inclusive of either tobramycin (TOB) or ciprofloxacin (CIP). Results: Six hospitals provided 518 nosocomial respiratory isolates. P. aeruginosa (PSA) comprised 28% of the population followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (13%), Enterobacter spp . (13%), S. maltophilia (9%), S. marcesens (6%), A. baumannii (6%), and others (18%). When considering monotherapy for the Enterobacteriaceae & PSA ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) provided the highest (87%) percent susceptibility (%S) followed by meropenem (MEM), CIP, cefepime (FEP), ceftazidime (CAZ) and piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) at 71–85 %S. The addition of TOB > CIP improved the probability that the antimicrobial combination would provide ≥1 active agent. Conclusions: PSA was the predominant nosocomial respiratory pathogen; however, the Enterobacteriaceae comprised an additional 53% in this survey. When considering empiric β-lactam monotherapy therapy for the entire spectrum of pathogens C/T provided the highest (78%) %S followed by MEM, FEP and TZP. The addition of either TOB > CIP to these β-lactams enhances the likelihood that an active agent would be selected when considering empirical therapy choices for nosocomial respiratory tract infections.
Formation of Adipose Stromal Vascular Fraction Cell-Laden Spheroids Using a Three-Dimensional Bioprinter and Superhydrophobic Surfaces

The therapeutic infusion of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells for the treatment of multiple diseases, has progressed to numerous human clinical trials; however, the often poor retention of the cells following implantation remains a common drawback of direct cell injection. One solution to cellular retention at the injection site has been the use of biogels to encapsulate cells within a microenvironment before and upon implantation. The current study utilized three-dimensional bioprinting technology to evaluate the ability to form SVF cell-laden spheroids with collagen I as a gel-forming biomatrix. A superhydrophobic surface was created to maintain the bioprinted structures in a spheroid shape. A hydrophilic disc was printed onto the hydrophobic surface to immobilize the spheroids during the gelation process. Conditions for the automated rapid formation of SVF cell-laden spheroids were explored, including time/pressure relationships for spheroid extrusion during bioprinting. The formed spheroids maintain SVF viability in both static culture and dynamic spinner culture. Spheroids also undergo a time-dependent contraction with the retention of angiogenic sprout phenotype over the 14-day culture period. The use of a biphilic surface exhibiting both superhydrophobicity to maintain the spheroid shape and a hydrophilicity to immobilize the spheroid during gel formation produces SVF cell-laden spheroids that can be immediately transplanted for therapeutic applications.
Acute graft-versus-host disease of the gut: considerations for the gastroenterologist

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is central to the management of many haematological disorders. A frequent complication of HSCT is acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a condition in which immune cells from the donor attack healthy recipient tissues. The gastrointestinal system is among the most common sites affected by acute GVHD, and severe manifestations of acute GVHD of the gut portends a poor prognosis in patients after HSCT. Acute GVHD of the gastrointestinal tract presents both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Although the clinical manifestations are nonspecific and overlap with those of infection and drug toxicity, diagnosis is ultimately based on clinical criteria. As reliable serum biomarkers have not yet been validated outside of clinical trials, endoscopic and histopathological evaluation continue to be utilized in diagnosis. Once a diagnosis of gastrointestinal acute GVHD is established, therapy with systemic corticosteroids is typically initiated, and non-responders can be treated with a wide range of second-line therapies. In addition to treating the underlying disease, the management of complications including profuse diarrhoea, severe malnutrition and gastrointestinal bleeding is paramount. In this Review, we discuss strategies for the diagnosis and management of acute GVHD of the gastrointestinal tract as they pertain to the practising gastroenterologist.
Methods for Studying Corrosion Inhibition

The important role of adsorption and adsorption isotherms in the action of inhibitors is emphasized. The most useful techniques to study adsorption and inhibition efficiency of various inhibitors in electrolytic solutions are reviewed and examples of the results obtained by their use are given.
A Survey of Machine Learning Algorithms and Their Application in Information Security

In this survey, we touch on the breadth of applications of machine learning to problems in information security. A wide variety of machine learning techniques are introduced, and a sample of the applications of each to security-related problems is briefly discussed.
Statistical significance of bevacizumab trials when considering the portfolio of all studies.

6551Background: Although clinical trials of novel medications have historically been interpreted individually, there is increasing recognition that trials should be considered as part of a broader ...
A Distributionally Robust Optimization Approach for Outlier Detection

We consider the outlier detection problem in a linear regression setting. Outlying observations can be detected by large residuals but this approach is not robust to large outliers which tend to shift the residual function. Instead, we propose a new Distributionally Robust Optimization (DRO) method addressing this issue. The robust optimization problem reduces to solving a second-order cone programming problem. We prove several generalization guarantees for our solution under mild conditions. Extensive numerical experiments demonstrate that our approach outperforms Huber's robust regression approach.
Group-based exercise interventions for increasing physical activity in cancer survivors: a systematic review of face-to-face randomized and non-randomized trials.

To increase physical activity (PA), interventions based on group dynamics may be superior to interventions that target aggregates of people but do not have formal strategies to enhance cohesion. This review examined the extent to which group dynamics processes have been integrated within exercise and/or PA interventions in cancer survivors, and explored the implementation and effectiveness of these interventions for increasing PA. A systematic review was conducted of English articles published January 2005–March 13, 2017 using the electronic databases PsycINFO, CINAHL, and PubMed Medline (National Library of Medicine). Studies in adult cancer survivors that had a controlled or uncontrolled experimental design, included face-to-face exercise, had a group-based component, and reported PA pre- and post-intervention were included. Self-reported PA effect sizes were estimated for pre- to post-intervention, separately for studies that implemented ≥ 1 group dynamics strategy versus none. Twenty-three studies were reviewed, 34.8% (n = 8) included ≥ 1 group dynamics strategy (M = 1.6 ± 0.7, range = 1–3). Most interventions were delivered in a healthcare or rehabilitation setting by an exercise professional, and face-to-face exercise dose ranged from 72.0–6000.0 min. PA effect size ranged from 0.3–1.2 for studies that implemented ≥ 1 group dynamics strategy versus 0.4–2.4 for those with none. Studies reviewed lacked detailed examples of group dynamics strategies, and none measured group cohesion. The additional benefit of group dynamics–based interventions for increasing PA in cancer survivors remains unclear. More research is needed to enhance the generalizability of face-to-face exercise interventions, and determine how to maximize the potential of including group dynamics strategies.
T-WAVE AXIS DEVIATION PREDICTS INCIDENT HEART FAILURE AND FATAL OUTCOMES IN HIGH RISK SUBJECTS UNDERGOING CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY

Electrocardiographic (ECG) T-wave axis deviation indicates abnormal repolarization that is linked to subclinical myocardial damage and increased mortality, but its utility in risk stratifying patients with high clinical suspicion for CAD is not known. In subjects undergoing coronary angiography, we
Survey of Systems Engineering Approaches for Design and Development of AESA Radar for Fighter Aircraft

This paper provides a survey of systems engineering approaches for modern radar for fighter aircraft. Due to the confidential nature of this area, not much literature is published. Airborne radar systems engineering is partially performed using the approaches followed for ground based radar on which a reasonable literature is published. However, there are certain functional areas in which system engineering approach specific to airborne radar system is required. In this paper a focus is made toward the requirement of systems engineering approach for airborne radar and discusses available literature to assist the systems engineers working on airborne radars.
A Modified Holder Pasteurization Method for Donor Human Milk: Preliminary Data.

Background: Holder pasteurization (HoP) is the recommended method of pasteurization for donor human milk (DHM). The aim of the present study was to compare nutritional and microbiological impact on DHM of a new technique of pasteurization based on technical changes of HoP. Methods: We analyzed milk samples from 25 donors. Each sample, derived from one breast milk expression, was subdivided into three aliquots according to pasteurization: The first was not pasteurized, the second pasteurized by HoP, and the third was pasteurized by modified HoP (MHoP). Each aliquot was assessed as to its microbiological and nutritional profile. Nutritional profile included calcium and triglycerides concentrations detected by spectrophotometry and amino acid levels assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Triglycerides were significantly lower in pasteurized, by both methods, than in not pasteurized aliquots, while calcium and amino acids concentration were similar. Microbiological profile did not differ between HoP and MHoP aliquots. Conclusions: HoP and MHoP seem to have similar efficacy in preserving some nutritional characteristics of DHM and to confer similar microbiological safety. MHoP is time-saving and potentially costs-effective when compared to HoP, and it is; therefore, potentially of more interest from a practical point of view. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Kumpula Botanic Garden, Helsinki, Finland

Kumpula Botanic Garden was founded in 1987 on the grounds of an old manor estate. The garden is not particularly big but it was designed and subsequently realised with ambitious scientific and educational goals. It is divided into two main parts: the geobotanical garden and the garden of cultivated plants. The plants in the geobotanical garden are grouped according to their origin and are acquired according to rigorous criteria: only wild-collected plants are accepted and the source areas have been chosen on the basis of the Bioclimatic Zone System that Finnish researchers have been developing since the 1930s. The collection is thus exceptionally valuable for research and conservation. It has already been used for statistical tests on the validity of the bioclimatic vegetation scheme on which it is based. The road from an ambitious vision to a plant collection that is of a scientifically high standard yet also aesthetically pleasing has been long and winding. Here the history and design of the garden and the build-up of the plant collection is described, concluding with a brief account of the inauguration for the general public in June 2009.
Zebrafish in Biomedical Research: Head and Body: Anatomy

Abstract This chapter will describe the external anatomy of the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Additional descriptions of organ systems indicated in this chapter are covered in more detail in later chapters. Together these features contribute to the significant use of zebrafish as a biomedical research animal model.
Empirical Analysis Part 2 Result and Findings: Empirical Example of Predicting the Demand for Life Insurance by Using the Dynamic Systemic Framework

In this chapter, an empirical example of research will be shown. By following the Part 1, the result and findings are described.
Abstract 23: Sexual Dimorphism In Genetic Associations Of Testosterone And Sex-hormone Binding Globulin With Coronary Heart Disease

Introduction: Men have higher prevalence and mortality of coronary heart disease (CHD) than women. Sex differences in associations of testosterone (T) and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) with C...
A Comparison of Morphology among Four Termite Species with Different Moisture Requirements

The thicknesses of the cuticle and rectal pads, and the spiracle morphology were compared for four termite species from different habitats, including one drywood termite, Cryptotermes brevis Walker, one "wetwood" termite, Cryptotermes cavifrons Banks, one subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, and one dampwood termite, Neotermes jouteli (Banks). Cuticle thicknesses were significantly different among all four termite species. Neotermes jouteli had the thickest cuticle, while Co. formosanus had the thinnest. The cuticle of C. brevis was thicker than that of C. cavifrons and Co. formosanus, which may reflect a comparably greater need to prevent water loss in drier habitats for C. brevis. Rectal pad widths were significantly different among all four termite species, except those of C. brevis with N. jouteli. The rectal pads of N. jouteli and C. brevis were thicker than those of C. cavifrons and Co. formosanus, and the rectal pads of C. cavifrons were thicker than those of Co. formosanus in turn. Larger rectal pads likely account for the water conservation mechanism of producing dry, pelleted frass in the kalotermitids (N. jouteli, C. brevis, and C. cavifrons). Morphological observations of the spiracles showed the presence of protuberances (atrial arms) in the three kalotermitids. The function of this protuberance is unclear, but it may serve as a sac-like structure, aiding in gas exchange, or a moisture trap aiding in the prevention of water loss through evaporation.
Investment in constitutive immune function by North American elk experimentally maintained at two different population densities

Natural selection favors individuals that respond with effective and appropriate immune responses to macro or microparasites. Animals living in populations close to ecological carrying capacity experience increased intraspecific competition, and as a result are often in poor nutritional condition. Nutritional condition, in turn, affects the amount of endogenous resources that are available for investment in immune function. Our objective was to understand the relationship between immune function and density dependence mediated by trade-offs between immune function, nutritional condition, and reproduction. To determine how immune function relates to density-dependent processes, we quantified bacteria killing ability, hemolytic-complement activity, and nutritional condition of North American elk (Cervus elaphus) from populations maintained at experimentally high- and low-population densities. When compared with elk from the low-density population, those from the high-density population had higher bacteria killing ability and hemolytic-complement activity despite their lower nutritional condition. Similarly, when compared with adults, yearlings had higher bacteria killing ability, higher hemolytic-complement activity, and lower nutritional condition. Pregnancy status and lactational status did not change either measure of constitutive immunity. Density-dependent processes affected both nutritional condition and investment in constitutive immune function. Although the mechanism for how density affects immunity is ambiguous, we hypothesize two possibilities: (i) individuals in higher population densities and in poorer nutritional condition invested more into constitutive immune defenses, or (ii) had higher parasite loads causing higher induced immune responses. Those explanations are not mutually exclusive, and might be synergistic, but overall our results provide stronger support for the hypothesis that animals in poorer nutritional condition invest more in constitutive immune defenses then animals in better nutritional condition. This intriguing hypothesis should be investigated further within the larger framework of the cost and benefit structure of immune responses.
[SAFETY OF A THREE-LEVEL STEPWISE ORAL FOOD CHALLENGE FOR PEANUT ALLERGY].

Background The present study aimed to assess the safety of a three-level stepwise oral food challenge (OFC) in patients with peanut allergy. Methods This retrospective analysis reviewed laboratory test results and food allergy histories (obtained from medical records) of participants who underwent OFC using peanut butter for the first time at Miyagi Children's Hospital between January 2015 and December 2017. Total food dose was classified as follows: step 1, 0.1 g peanut butter; step 2, 0.5g peanut butter; and step 3, 3g peanut butter. Results A total of 114 participants were included. OFC-positive rates were 52% (step 1), 35% (step 2), and 20% (step 3). Of the 41 OFC-positive participants, 1 required an intramuscular adrenaline injection during step 3. Peanut allergy history rates and peanut- and Ara h 2-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) titers were significantly higher during the low-dose step. Conclusion The three-level stepwise OFC with peanut butter is safe for patients with peanut allergy, as indicated by peanut- and Ara h 2-sIgE titers.