cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparing the Demands of Destination Entry using Google Glass and the Samsung Galaxy S4

A driving simulation study assessed the impact of vocally entering an alpha numeric destination into Google Glass relative to voice and touch-entry methods using a handheld Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone. Driving performance (standard deviation of lateral lane position and longitudinal velocity) and reaction to a light detection response task (DRT) were recorded for a gender-balanced sample of 24 young adult drivers. Task completion time and subjective workload ratings were also measured. Using Google Glass for destination entry had a statistically higher miss rate than using the Samsung Galaxy S4 voice interface, the Google Glass method took less time to complete, and the two methods were given comparable workload ratings by participants. In agreement with previous work, both voice interfaces performed significantly better than touch entry; this was seen in workload ratings, task duration, lateral lane control, and DRT metrics. Finally, irrespective of device or modality, destination entry significantly decreased responsiveness to events in the forward scene (as measured by the DRT reaction time) as compared to the baseline driving. Keywords: Driver distraction; Language: en
First-forbidden β decay of 17 N and 17 Ne

It is shown that differences, due to charge-dependent effects, in the {sup 17}N and {sup 17}Ne ground-state wave functions account for the fact that the experimentally measured branch for the {beta}{sup +} decay of {sup 17}Ne to the first excited state of {sup 17}F is roughly a factor of two larger than expected on the basis of nuclear matrix elements which reproduce the corresponding {beta}{sup {minus}} branch in the decay of {sup 17}N. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
IgG4-related disease presenting as a lung mass and weight loss: Case report and review of the literature

We describe a case of IgG4-related lung disease presenting as a lung mass with associated weight loss. IgG4-related disease is a systemic sclerosing disorder that causes fibrotic, often tumor-like manifestations that variably effect different organ systems. The clinical presentation of IgG4-related disease is protean. Timely recognition and diagnosis requires awareness on the part of clinicians and pathologists to the variable manifestations of this newly recognized disorder. We offer a concise review of the pulmonary manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of IgG4-related lung disease.
Importance of Design, Control, & Quantitative Data in Dental Clinical Research

The ultimate test of a restorative dental biomaterial is its performance in vivo. Often laboratory test data does not correlate directly with clinical performance, so clinical research with human patients is essential. Clinical research that obtains maximum information from a minimum number of patients must be well designed and controlled. Pilot studies are necessary to establish experimental conditions and to determine the sample size. Previous clinical studies with various restorative materials have shown that careful screening and comprehensive oral examinations of patients are necessary to insure maximum recall for evaluation. Controlled placement procedures and randomized alloy placement are extremely important. Restorations are evaluated both by the response of patients to the restorations and by trained and calibrated dental examiners using established ranking criteria. Quantitative data measured in vivo such as that obtained from stereophotogrammetry reduced the need for large patient populations. The interfacing of a computer to record patient, placement, and evaluation data assisted greatly in project management.
Making Room for the Distributive in Transitional Justice

Transitional justice mechanisms do not address pressing distributive concerns of post-conflict survivors or survivors of massive violence living in impoverished countries. Transitional societies particularly following a conflict are marked by injustice. This paper argues that in these societies, people do not simply experience injustice through specific acts of violence orchestrated by a couple of bad actors, but mainly through widespread structural forms of violence. Structural violence can include systematic discrimination in employment, land deprivations, forced deportations or removals, structural inequalities for particular groups in terms of access to political power, in voting or legislative representation, cultural or ethnic power, or access to education amongst others. Yet, historically, transitional justice mechanisms like courts and truth commissions have not been specifically designed to address many of these root causes of conflict. This paper argues that distributive justice efforts cannot afford to be treated as mere afterthoughts (if conceived of at all), where the aim of transitional justice mechanisms is to address the underlying causes that led to massive human rights violations. Distributive justice strategies examine the factors underlying conflict and seek to address historical grievances that arise from structural inequality between groups in the actual (or perceived) lack of access to power be it cultural, political, economic, social or otherwise. These approaches treat injustice as a symptom or cause of conflict as opposed to a consequence of conflict. This paper argues that distributive justice approaches become particularly salient in societies where there is a huge portion of the population with historical grievances, which an intervening conflict has only exacerbated by creating a larger pool of those seeking redress as well as a significant number of alleged perpetrators whose demands must also be attended to. This paper examines the experience of Liberia and Sierra Leone as paradigmatic cases of this. It argues for a broader and thicker conception of justice, which goes beyond the confines of a courtroom or truth commission and impacts the lived realities of those that have been victimized in some tangible way. It demonstrates that reparative justice efforts are similarly insufficient because returning a human rights victim to their status quo ante may very well be unjust given the nature of the previous order. This paper argues that transitional justice needs to expand its “tool-box” consisting of largely quick-fix mechanisms to more systemic approaches that embrace addressing distributive justice concerns. Such an approach recognizes that “justice” remains incomplete without addressing persistent political, social, cultural and economic inequities.
Performance evaluation of carbon black based electrodes for underwater ECG monitoring

Underwater electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring currently uses Ag/AgCl electrodes and requires sealing of the electrodes to avoid water intrusion, but this procedure is time consuming and often results in severe irritations or even tearing of the skin. To alleviate these problems, our research team developed hydrophobic electrodes comprised of a mixture of carbon black powder (CB) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) that provide all morphological waveforms without distortion of an ECG signal for dry and water-immersed conditions. Performance comparison of CB/PDMS electrodes to adhesive Ag/AgCl hydrogel electrodes was carried out in three different scenarios which included recordings from a dry surface, water immersion, and post-water immersion conditions. CB/PDMS electrodes were able to acquire ECG signals highly correlated with those from adhesive Ag/AgCl electrodes during all conditions. Statistical reduction in ECG amplitude (p<0.05) was only found during the immersed condition with CB/PDMS electrodes when compared to Ag/AgCl electrodes sealed with their waterproof adhesive tape. Besides this reduction readability of the recordings was not obscured and all morphological waveforms of the ECG signal were discernible. The advantages of our CB/PDMS electrodes are that they are reusable, can be fabricated economically, and most importantly, high-fidelity underwater ECG signals can be acquired without relying on the heavy use of waterproof sealing.
Effects of subinhibitory antibiotics on bactericidal activity of chronic granulomatous disease granulocytes in vitro

Experiments were performed on leukocytes from patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), incubated with subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics (clindamycin, methicillin and N-demethyl-lincomycin). Results indicate a minor enhancement of bactericidal activity. This improvement occurred in both CGD homozygotes and one heterozygote and may indicate a future role for the use of low dose antibiotics to augment immune defences such as granulocyte function.
A 110–134-GHz SiGe Amplifier With Peak Output Power of 100–120 mW

This paper presents a fully integrated eight-way power-combining amplifier for 110-134-GHz applications in an advanced 90-nm silicon-germanium HBT technology. The eight-way amplifier is implemented using four-stage common-emitter single-ended power amplifiers (PAs) as building blocks, and reactive λ/4 impedance transformation networks are used for power combining. The single-ended PA breakout has a small-signal gain of 20 dB at 116 GHz, and saturation output power ( Psat) of 12.5-13.8 dBm at 114-130 GHz. The eight-way power-combining PA achieves a small-signal gain of 15 dB at 116 GHz, and Psat of 20-20.8 dBm at 114-126 GHz with a power-added efficiency of 7.6%-6.3%. The eight-way amplifier occupies 4.95 mm 2 (including pads) and consumes a maximum current of 980 mA from a 1.6-V supply. To our knowledge, this is the highest power silicon-based D-band amplifier to date.
Surface Characterization of Carbon Fiber Polymer Composites and Aluminum Alloys After Laser Interference Structuring

The increasing use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites (CFPC) and aluminum alloys as lightweight materials in the automotive and aerospace industries demands enhanced surface preparation and control of surface morphology prior to joining. In this study, surfaces of both composite and aluminum were prepared for joining using an Nd:YAG laser in a two-beam interference setup, enabling the (1) structuring of the AL 5182 surface, (2) removal of the resin layer on top of carbon fibers, and (3) structuring of the carbon fibers. CFPC specimens of T700S carbon fiber, Prepreg—T83 epoxy, 5 ply thick, 0°/90° plaques were used. The effects of laser fluence, scanning speed, and number of shots-per-spot were investigated on the removal rate of the resin without an excessive damage of the fibers. Optical micrographs, 3D imaging, and scanning electron microscope imaging were used to study the effect of the laser processing on the surface morphology. It was found that an effective resin ablation and a low density of broken fibers for CFPC specimens was attained using laser fluences of 1–2 J/cm2 and number of 2–4 pulses per spot. A relatively large area of periodic line structures due to energy interference were formed on the aluminum surface at laser fluences of 12 J/cm2 and number of 4–6 pulses per spot.
Survey of epidemic of coal-burning related dental fluorosis among children of 8-12 years old in Xuanwei,Yunnan Province in 2005

Objective To investigate the preventive effect of the oven improvement and prevalence of the dental fluorosis among children aged from 8 to 12 in coal-burning related endemic fluorosis areas of Xuanwei county,in 2005,and to provide scientific basis for endemic fluorosis control.Methods The dental fluorosis in children was examined with Dean's Index in 51 light endemic fluorosis areas which were identified in Xuanwei in 1987.Results 9 449 children aged from 8 to 12 were examined.The prevalence of dental fluorosis varied significantly among different areas with a highest rate of 52.74%,and was over 30.00% in 7 villages.The number of lightly prevalent areas had been reduced from 51 in 1987to 7 currently.According to Dean's Index,only one village was ensured to have moderate prevalence,10 villages were ensured to be light prevalence,12 have slight prevalence,and the other 28 villages were negative.There was no significant difference in dental fluorosis prevalence among different age groups(x2=4.35,P=0.361) and between male and females(x2=0.69,P=0.407).No skeletal fluorosis cases were reported.Conclusions The epidemic situation of fluorosis had been controlled significantly after implementing of stove improvement.The main strategies and methods for preventing the endemic fluorosis include stove improvement and health education in fluorosis endemic area in Xuanwei.
Comparison of Oral versus Rectal Acetaminophenol in Treatment of Febr ific Children

Objective To compare effect of the rectal suppository acetaminophenol with oral suspension in febrific children.Met-(hods) Two hundred and ten children aged from 4 months to 13 years who had fever≥38.8 ℃ in 72 hours, received recommended dosage acetaminophen 10-15 mg/kg and their temperatures were measured. Results There was no significant difference in 30 mi-(nutes) and from 60 to 90 minutes after initial treatment or in 50 minutes drop in temperature or final temperature.But it was significant difference in 50 minutes the time temperature after initial treatment and from 60 to 90 minutes mean temperature decreased.Conclusions There are similar effects on the temperature decreasing in children treated with oral and rectal acetaminophen. But there seems well to be compared oral suspension acetaminophenol with rectum suppository.The rectal route is proved to be as acceptable as the oral among parents.
Should Introductory Comparative ­Philosophy Courses Be Structured Around Topics or Traditions?

Should introductory courses in comparative philosophy be organized around traditions or around topics? Will students be better served by considering Indian, Chinese, African, and Native American philosophies in depth and in sequence, or by exploring differing philosophical approaches to such topics as beauty, moral responsibility, and human nature? Each approach has reasons that recommend it, but each also brings with it serious limitations. In this essay I rehearse what I take to be the most salient arguments both for and against each approach. In the end, I conclude that, for introductory courses in comparative philosophy, an approach organized around traditions is preferable to one organized around topics.
Observations and parameterizations of surfzone albedo

Abstract Incident shortwave solar radiation entering the ocean depends on albedo α and plays an important role in the temperature variability and pathogen mortality of the nearshore region. As foam has an elevated albedo, open-ocean albedo parameterizations include whitecapping effects through a wind-based foam fraction. However, surfzone depth-limited wave breaking does not require wind. Surfzone albedo observations are very rare, the variability of surfzone albedo is not known, and parameterizations are not available. New, year-long upwelling and downwelling shortwave radiation observations were made from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography pier spanning the surfzone and inner-shelf. Surfzone albedo was elevated due to foam with mean observed albedo of α = 0.15 and one-minute average albedo as high as α = 0.45 , far exceeding expected albedo (0.06) from standard parameterizations. Using a pier-mounted GoPro camera, an image-based albedo parameterization is developed that estimates the fractional foam area to derive albedo. This parameterization has high skill ( r 2 = 0.90 ) on time scales as short as a wave period (9 s). A second wave-model based parameterization for (hourly) averaged albedo is developed relating the non-dimensional roller energy dissipation to the mean foam fraction and thus albedo. The parameterization has good skill ( r 2 = 0.68 ) and resolves cross-shore albedo variations. These new parameterizations can be used where imagery is available or wave models are applicable, and can be used to constrain local heat budgets and pathogen mortality.
Leucine Carboxyl Methyltransferase 1 (LCMT-1) Methylates Protein Phosphatase 4 (PP4) and Protein Phosphatase 6 (PP6) and Differentially Regulates the Stable Formation of Different PP4 Holoenzymes

The protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) subfamily of phosphatases, PP2A, PP4, and PP6, are multifunctional serine/threonine protein phosphatases involved in many cellular processes. Carboxyl methylation of the PP2A catalytic subunit (PP2Ac) C-terminal leucine is regulated by the opposing activities of leucine carboxyl methyltransferase 1 (LCMT-1) and protein phosphatase methylesterase 1 (PME-1) and regulates PP2A holoenzyme formation. The site of methylation on PP2Ac is conserved in the catalytic subunits of PP4 and PP6, and PP4 is also methylated on that site, but the identities of the methyltransferase enzyme for PP4 are not known. Whether PP6 is methylated is also not known. Here we use antibodies specific for the unmethylated phosphatases to show that PP6 is carboxyl-methylated and that LCMT-1 is the major methyltransferase for PP2A, PP4, and PP6 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Analysis of PP2A and PP4 complexes by blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) indicates that PP4 holoenzyme complexes, like those of PP2A, are differentially regulated by LCMT-1, with the PP4 regulatory subunit 1 (PP4R1)-containing PP4 complex being the most dramatically affected by the LCMT-1 loss. MEFs derived from LCMT-1 knock-out mouse embryos have reduced levels of PP2A B regulatory subunit and PP4R1 relative to control MEFs, indicating that LCMT-1 is important for maintaining normal levels of these subunits. Finally, LCMT-1 homozygous knock-out MEFs exhibited hyperphosphorylation of HDAC3, a reported target of the methylation-dependent PP4R1-PP4c complex. Collectively, our data suggest that LCMT-1 coordinately regulates the carboxyl methylation of PP2A-related phosphatases and, consequently, their holoenzyme assembly and function.
Beta adrenergic receptors on cultured human retinal pigment epithelium.

transcpithclial voltage (Ve) was 3.0 mV (apical side positive), and the average short circuit current (Isc) was 9.1 //A/cm 2 . When these RPK preparations were exposed to isoprotercnol (a /8-adrenergic agonist), the Isc increased by 88%, R was reduced by 6%, and Ve increased by 85%. The effect of isoprotcrenol was blocked by propranolol (a /?-adrcnergic antagonist). When cultured human RPE was exposed to isoproterenol, intraccllular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) levels rose more than threefold. The effect of isoproterenol on cyclic AMP levels was blocked by propranolol. When the cultured RPK was exposed to dibutyryl cyclic AMP, both Ve and Isc rose by 47% with a time course similar to that which occurred when the cells were exposed to isoprotcrenol. Preparations treated with dibutyryl cyclic AMP did not respond to subsequently applied isoprotcrenol. These results indicate that cultured human RPE possesses a /3-adrenergic receptor and that stimulation of this receptor produces a change in cyclic AMP concentration which affects RPE electrical activity. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 31:1767-1772, 1990 The transport properties of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are a crucial part of the mechanisms that maintain the extracellular environment necessary for normal photoreceptor function. 1 The transepithelial transport properties of RPE from a number of species have been studied in vitro in several laboratories. 2 " 8 In addition to determining the components of RPE transport, it is important also to understand how this transport is regulated. Adrenergic agents may regulate RPE transport. We grew fetal human RPE on a permeable substrate and sealed this tissue within a conventional Ussing chamber. These experiments show that cultured fetal human RPE possesses 0-adrcnergic receptors. Stimulation of these (i adrenoreceptors increases the intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) concentration and alters
Influence of Water on Carbon Dioxide and Room Temperature Ionic Liquid Dynamics: Supported Ionic Liquid Membrane vs the Bulk Liquid.

The influence of water on the dynamics of a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EmimNTf2), and CO2 in the RTIL was studied in the bulk liquid and a supported ionic liquid membrane (SILM) using two-dimensional infrared (IR) and IR polarization selective pump–probe spectroscopies. In the water-saturated bulk EmimNTf2, the complete orientational randomization and structural spectral diffusion (SSD) of CO2 became faster than in the dry EmimNTf2. In the poly(ether sulfone) SILM, only the longer time components of the SSD became faster in the water-saturated RTIL; the complete orientational randomization remained similar to the dry RTIL in the SILM. The implication is that the presence of water in EmimNTf2 contained in the SILM facilitates the fluctuation of globally modified RTIL structure in the pores, but the local RTIL environments are relatively unaffected.
Learning, Representation, Understanding and Recognition of Words — An Intelligent Approach

This article investigates several line-drawing pattern recognition methods for handwritten character recognition such as picture descriptive language, Berthod and Maroy’s method, extended Freeman’s chain code, error transformation method, tree grammar, and array grammar. They are compared with a character recognition scheme that uses improved extended octal codes as the primitives, which has the advantages of handling flexible sizes, orientations, and variations, needing fewer learning samples and having lower degree of ambiguity. Also, the concepts of learning by knowledge with iterations and feedbacks and semantic network are discussed. They have several advantages in easy learning, understanding and recognition versus the traditional learning by rote and meaningful learning. Finally, examples of learning, representation, understanding, and recognizing two-dimensional Chinese characters and words are illustrated.
Language Development, Neural Basis of

The study of the neural processes of language development is limited by the paucity of direct experimental methods that are appropriate for healthy infants and children. Behavioral studies suggest that early sensory processing biases and environmental factors are both important to the early phases of language development. Event Related Potential data find that initially language tasks generate activation of both cerebral hemispheres, but in later stages activation becomes specialized to the left hemisphere. The rate of localization is tied more closely to language experience than to age. Studies of children with early focal brain injuries similarly show that children with damage to either hemisphere may show initial delays in language learning. However, after the initial phases of language development, children with left temporal damage have greater delays than do children with injuries to other regions. Functional imaging studies in developing children typically demonstrate that left hemisphere dominance for language, as found in adults, is present by about age 7 to 9 years, the youngest ages that children can be tested using this methodology. However, in adults and children right hemisphere activation occurs under specific circumstances. Homologous regions of the right hemisphere can assume language functioning in cases of early left hemisphere damage. Future research may further elucidate the neurological underpinnings of language and the sources of individual differences in language skills.
Association of Digital Media Use With Subsequent Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among Adolescents

Importance Modern digital platforms are easily accessible and intensely stimulating; it is unknown whether frequent use of digital media may be associated with symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Objective To determine whether the frequency of using digital media among 15- and 16-year-olds without significant ADHD symptoms is associated with subsequent occurrence of ADHD symptoms during a 24-month follow-up. Design, Setting, and Participants Longitudinal cohort of students in 10 Los Angeles County, California, high schools recruited through convenience sampling. Baseline and 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month follow-up surveys were administered from September 2014 (10th grade) to December 2016 (12th grade). Of 4100 eligible students, 3051 10th-graders (74%) were surveyed at the baseline assessment. Exposures Self-reported use of 14 different modern digital media activities at a high-frequency rate over the preceding week was defined as many times a day (yes/no) and was summed in a cumulative index (range, 0-14). Main Outcomes and Measures Self-rated frequency of 18 ADHD symptoms (never/rare, sometimes, often, very often) in the 6 months preceding the survey. The total numbers of 9 inattentive symptoms (range, 0-9) and 9 hyperactive-impulsive symptoms (range, 0-9) that students rated as experiencing often or very often were calculated. Students who had reported experiencing often or very often 6 or more symptoms in either category were classified as being ADHD symptom-positive. Results Among the 2587 adolescents (63% eligible students; 54.4% girls; mean [SD] age 15.5 years [0.5 years]) who did not have significant symptoms of ADHD at baseline, the median follow-up was 22.6 months (interquartile range [IQR], 21.8-23.0, months). The mean (SD) number of baseline digital media activities used at a high-frequency rate was 3.62 (3.30); 1398 students (54.1%) indicated high frequency of checking social media (95% CI, 52.1%-56.0%), which was the most common media activity. High-frequency engagement in each additional digital media activity at baseline was associated with a significantly higher odds of having symptoms of ADHD across follow-ups (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.06-1.16). This association persisted after covariate adjustment (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05-1.15). The 495 students who reported no high-frequency media use at baseline had a 4.6% mean rate of having ADHD symptoms across follow-ups vs 9.5% among the 114 who reported 7 high-frequency activities (difference; 4.9%; 95% CI, 2.5%-7.3%) and vs 10.5% among the 51 students who reported 14 high-frequency activities (difference, 5.9%; 95% CI, 2.6%-9.2%). Conclusions and Relevance Among adolescents followed up over 2 years, there was a statistically significant but modest association between higher frequency of digital media use and subsequent symptoms of ADHD. Further research is needed to determine whether this association is causal.
GEOCHEMISTRY, CLAY MINERALOGY, AND TAPHONOMY OF THE FOSSIL-RICH BUTTER SHALES

The Cincinnati Arch contains a suite of Upper Ordovician, mixed siliciclastic-carbonate, shallow marine strata, with alternating packages of packstones and shales that contain exceptionally well-preserved articulated fauna. The Waynesville Formation (C5 sequence) in Eastern Indiana includes distinctive clay-rich shales, which are locally referred to as butter shale. These bluish-green claystones are distinct in comparison to other shales because of their geochemistry, clay mineralogy, bulk composition, and well-preserved and biostratigraphically important fauna. This study focuses on an outcrop with exposed butter shale from the Waynesville Formation at Hanna Creek in Brookville, Indiana. Bulk-rock samples were collected and the geochemical and clay mineralogical composition of the claystones were analyzed using x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. On average, the butter shale clay mineralogy is 74% illite, 25% chlorite/kaolinite, and less than 1% smectite. The butter shale lacks expandable smectite, likely from post-depositional alteration of original smectite through illitization and chloritization. The presence of iron in the system as a result of diagenetic processes allowed for the immediate mineralization, and in some cases pyritization, of fossils. Bulk chemical analysis coupled with clay mineral analysis provides an explanation for the Fe substitution into chlorite for the butter shales and supports the interpretation of rapid sediment sealing that allowed for the pristine preservation of articulated fauna and mineralization observed in the butter shale.
Optimization of low aspect ratio, iron dominated dipole magnets

Author(s): Majernik, N; Barber, SK; Van Tilborg, J; Rosenzweig, JB; Leemans, WP | Abstract: A study of the optimization of iron dominated dipole magnets with pole face widths comparable or less than the gap size, i.e., low aspect ratio (AR), is conducted using both theoretical and computational approaches. This regime of magnet design is particularly relevant in the context of laser plasma accelerators (LPA) due to unique beam parameters and geometric constraints, namely large energy spreads and the requirement for large apertures to accommodate drive laser passage. The breakdown of commonly employed approximations and rules of thumb in typical AR1 magnet design is examined. A library of generalized, optimized pole face geometries is provided to expedite optimization of future magnets. Finally, this methodology is used to design an electromagnetic chicane which has been fabricated, validated, and is currently in use in an x-ray free electron laser driven LPA experiment at LBNL.
Are Robots Taking Our Jobs? A RoboPlatform at a Bank

Automation has been replacing manual activities in workplace for decades. Robots had been most active in blue-collar industrial manufacturing. Now that they are entering white-collar jobs, in the form of software taking over administrative work, it is time to ask the following questions.
Diglycine Enables Rapid Intrabacterial Hydrolysis for Activating Anbiotics against Gram‐negative Bacteria

Antimicrobial drug resistance demands novel approaches for improving the efficacy of antibiotics, especially against Gram-negative bacteria. Herein, we report that conjugating a diglycine (GG) to an antibiotic prodrug drastically accelerates intrabacterial ester-bond hydrolysis required for activating the antibiotic. Specifically, the attachment of GG to chloramphenicol succinate (CLsu) generates CLsuGG, which exhibits about an order of magnitude higher inhibitory efficacy than CLsu against Escherichia coli. Further studies reveal that CLsuGG undergoes rapid hydrolysis, catalyzed by intrabacterial esterases (e.g., BioH and YjfP), to generate chloramphenicol (CL) in E. coli. Importantly, the conjugate exhibits lower cytotoxicity to bone marrow stromal cells than CL. Structural analogues of CLsuGG indicate that the conjugation of GG to an antibiotic prodrug is an effective strategy for accelerating enzymatic prodrug hydrolysis and enhancing the antibacterial efficacy of antibiotics.
Astronomy Education: Becoming a Hybrid Researcher

This article describes the experiences of a former astronomer who is making the transition to astronomy education research as an international graduate student in the United States. The article describes the author’s encounters with education research, its methodologies, and his changing research interests as he progresses through the graduate program. It also describes his experiences with the busy life of a graduate student in American academia and his experiences as an international student.
Characteristics of Hodgkin lymphoma in Hispanics compared to other ethnic groups

18510 Background: There is scant literature on the characteristics of Hodgkin’s disease in Hispanics. We studied the characteristics of this disease in Hispanics compared to other ethnic-racial gro...
Multi-atlas-based tissue identification in the lower leg using pQCT

Accurate and reproducible tissue identification techniques are essential for understanding structural and functional changes that either occur naturally with aging, or because of chronic disease, or in response to intervention therapies. These image analysis techniques are frequently utilized for characterization of changes in bone architecture to assess fracture risk, and for the assessment of loss of muscle mass and strength defined as sarcopenia. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) is widely employed for tissue identification and analysis. Advantages of pQCT scanners are compactness, portability, and low radiation dose. However, these characteristics imply limitations in spatial resolution and SNR. Therefore, there is still a need for segmentation methods that address image quality limitations and artifacts such as patient motion. In this paper, we introduce multi-atlas segmentation (MAS) techniques to identify soft and hard tissues in pQCT scans of the proximal tibia (~ 66% of tibial length) and to address the above factors that limit delineation accuracy. To calculate the deformation fields, we employed multi-grid free-form deformation (FFD) models with B-splines and a symmetric extension of the log-domain diffeomorphic demons (SDD). We then applied majority voting and Simultaneous Truth And Performance Level Estimation (STAPLE) for label fusion. We compared the results of our MAS methodology for each deformable registration model and each label fusion method, using Dice similarity coefficient scores (DSC). The results show that our technique utilizing SDD with STAPLE produces very good accuracy (DSC mean of 0.868) over all tissues, even for scans with considerable quality degradations caused by motion artifacts.
Two New Cryptic Endemic Toads of Bufo Discovered in Central Nevada, Western United States (Amphibia: Bufonidae: Bufo [Anaxyrus])

We describe two new cryptic species of Bufo within the subgenus Anaxyrus discovered in Central Nevada of the western United States. Our analyses revealed that these two localized endemic toads are ...
Novel Approaches to the Systemic Management of Uveal Melanoma

Uveal melanoma is a distinct subtype of melanoma characterized by a unique biology and divergent response to immune therapies. In this review, we will discuss our current understanding of the pathophysiology of uveal melanoma, systemic treatment options for advanced disease, and potential future therapeutic directions. Although treatment with single-agent checkpoint blockade has been generally disappointing, the results of combined checkpoint blockade are modestly more promising. Several alternative systemic therapeutic approaches have been or are currently being investigated, including two agents that have been taken into registration-intent clinical trials: tebentafusp, a T cell redirecting agent, and IDE196, an oral protein kinase C inhibitor. Treatment of advanced uveal melanoma remains challenging, however, encouraging results from novel agents offer hope for improvement in the near future.
Influence of alkali-silica reaction on the shear capacity of reinforced concrete beams with minimum transverse reinforcement

Abstract A growing number of critical concrete infrastructure are affected by alkali-silica reaction (ASR) damage such as the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant in New Hampshire, Parker arch-gravity dam in Arizona, and several highway bridges in California and Texas. ASR causes expansion and cracking and degrades the concrete mechanical properties. Despite a wealth of material level studies there is still limited large-scale experimental data regarding the effects of ASR on reinforced concrete (RC) members. Due to the brittle nature of the shear failure in RC structures, this study focuses on the shear response of full-scale ASR damaged RC beams with minimum shear reinforcement. Six RC beams were built with different levels of ASR susceptibility and conditioned in different environments during which continuous expansion monitoring was performed. The beams all contained reactive fine aggregate (sand) and two of them had additional alkali, 1.25% by weight of cement, to accelerate ASR. The highest expansion rate of the beams happened during the first 150 days and the expansions stayed constant after 240 days and 330 days for beams conditioned in outdoor and laboratory conditions, respectively, until the last measurement at 575 days. The highest expansion, 0.4%, was seen in the beams with additional alkali and conditioned outside with regular water spray. Out of the six beams, three were selected at different levels of ASR damage and two shear tests were performed on the minimally reinforced spans close to the ends of each beam. Results indicated that beams gain shear strength from ongoing cement hydration in the presence of moisture for ASR expansions less than 0.2%. Compared to one of the beams with 0.2% ASR expansion, one of the other samples with 0.4% expansion lost 6% of its shear strength, 25% of its shear stiffness, and showed about two times larger shear cracks and shear deformations at peak load. Additionally, the shear reinforcement yielded at 20% less load in the beam with 0.4% expansion compared to the beam with 0.2% expansion.
Inferring the User Interface from an EER Data Schema

Much of the work on automatic user interface (UI) generation has met with limited success because of the added load on the human designer to use specialized scripts for UI specification. In this research in progress, we propose a methodology applicable to database driven systems that a) automatically infers a draft interface directly from an extended entity relationship (EER) model schema and b) lists the interactions that need to take place between the designer and the tool in order to generate the final user schema.
Scatter-hoarding rodents disperse seeds to safe sites in a fire-prone ecosystem

Fire can potentially decimate soil seed banks, even for species that are abundant in fire-prone areas. Many plants, like the widespread and dominant members of the genus Arctostaphylos in the fire-prone California Floristic Province, have seeds that (i) have no clear adaptions for dispersal and (ii) experience lethal fire temperatures if present on or near the soil surface. In this study, we aim to resolve these juxtaposed observations by mechanistically determining how one species, Arctostaphylos patula, is dispersed. To distinguish among dispersal modalities and determine the seed shadow, deposition patterns, and the conditions under which seeds germinate, we employed full-shrub exclosure treatments to monitor fruit removal, used a mark-relocation technique by radioactively labeling seeds, identified dispersers using motion-sensor cameras, and surveyed seedlings following fire to relate natural germination patterns to measured patterns from our experiment. Seed removal from exclosure treatments that allowed rodents access to shrubs was higher than those that prevented rodent access to shrubs, and cameras at radioactively labeled-seed stations failed to detect the presence of any other disperser; thus implicating rodents as the primary disperser of A. patula seeds. This evidence is corroborated by our finding from tracking radioactively labeled seeds that the depth at which rodents bury seeds completely overlaps with the depth from which we observed seedlings germinate following two fire events. Our study extends the boundary of what is understood as a scatter-hoarding seed dispersal syndrome and identifies a mechanism that allows populations of Arctostaphylos to exist in spite of recurrent fires that can be lethal to seeds and hazardous to plant populations.
A Generalized Analytical Predictor for Process Control

The Generalized Analytical Predictor (GAP) controller proposed by Wong and Seborg is modified to include a generalized disturbance predictor. The resulting control structure (W-E GAP) is shown to contain the Wong and Seborg GAP (W-S GAP) as a special case. The disturbance predictor employed by the W-E GAP is formulated using the Internal Model Control (IMC) approach, and it dynamically predicts the effect of disturbances on the process output. IMC corresponds to the steady-state version of this disturbance predictor. Significant improvement in regulatory response is possible using the W-E GAP compared with IMC.
THEORY AND CALCULATION OF RESONANCES AND AUTOIONIZATION OF TWO­ ELECTRON ATOMS AND IONS

In this chapter, we shall review and discuss the theory and calculation of autoionization states of two-electron systems from the point of view of projection operator formalism as used by the authors over many years. Autoionization states are resonances caused by scattering an electron impinging on a target ion or atom. They can also be produced by photoabsorption as well as heavy-particle collisions. It is only comparatively recently that such resonances have been studied in great detail as a result of important experimental and theoretical developments together with the advent of high-speed computers.
Successfully Governing the Commons: Principles of Social Organization in an Andean Irrigation System

Throughout the world it is unusual to find irrigation systems that work well, distributing water efficiently and with minimal conflict, especially in situations where the resource is scarce. This paper describes one such system in the Peruvian Andes, a peasant village where irrigation and water management are handled in an unusual way. It analyzes the village principles of social organization, showing that these create a situation of equity and transparency which provides people with a strong incentive to obey the rules and conserve water. By doing so, they are directly maximizing the frequency of irrigation, a benefit that is the same for everyone using a given source of water. The system is argued to be a highly effective and sustainable way of dealing with a scarce and fluctuating resource.
Team Success and Personnel Allocation under the National Football League Salary Cap

the player’s expected output and contribution to team success. From a managerial perspective, the goal is to pay top talent as little as possible to maximize overall team talent. Recognizing rising performers, signing them to a cheap initial contract, and then capitalizing on their rise to stardom a major method of achieving such results. This requires expertise and managerial skill; each NFL team must allocate its salary cap wisely to be competitive. There is no way around the salary cap; all money paid to the players must, at some point, count against the team’s cap. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the personnel manager to build a combination of players that will maximize wins during any given season. A major aspect of a team manager’s duties
Plant defence theory re-examined: nonlinear expectations based on the costs and benefits of resource mutualisms

Summary 1. General theories of plant defence often fail to account for complex interactions between the resources required for defence expression. For example, the carbon that is used for carbon-based defence is acquired using nutrient-rich photosynthetic pigments, while nutrient gain itself requires substantial carbon allocation belowground. We should therefore expect the expression of plant defence to reflect the tight linkage between carbon and nutrient gain, yet mechanistic studies linking resource gain with plant defence theory have been slow to emerge. 2. The overwhelming majority of plants participate in nutrition mutualisms with fungal or bacterial symbionts. We propose the resource exchange model of plant defence (REMPD) in which the costs and benefits associated with nutrition mutualisms affect plant resource status and allocation to growth and defence. The model predicts quadratic relationships between mutualist abundance and expression of defence. Within plant genotypes, both plant biomass and defence expression are maximized at optimal nutrient exchange among mutualistic partners, and as a consequence, the two are positively associated. 3. We tested the model by growing Asclepias syriaca, the common milkweed, with two mycorrhizal fungal species in nine fungal abundance treatments. Plant growth and defence traits and mycorrhizal colonization were quantified after 14 weeks of plant growth. Linear, quadratic, saturating and exponential decay models were fit to curves relating the proportion of root colonized by mycorrhizal fungi to plant traits, and compared using AICc. 4. As predicted by our model, increasing colonization by Scutellospora pellucida produced quadratic responses in plant growth, latex exudation and cardenolide production. In contrast, Glomus etunicatum appeared to act as a parasite of A. syriaca, causing exponential decline in both plant growth and latex exudation. As predicted by our model, plant growth was positively correlated with all defences quantified. 5. Synthesis. The REMPD combines cost–benefit analysis of mutualisms with plant resource acquisition strategies to predict the expression of plant defence. The effects of S. pellucida and G. etunicatum on defence expression differ; however, both provide support for the model and suggest that resource mutualisms affect the expression of defence in a predictable nonlinear fashion.
Analysis of stereotactic radiation vs. wedge resection vs. wedge resection plus Cesium-131 brachytherapy in early stage lung cancer

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the study was to evaluate the outcomes for wedge resection (WR), WR plus brachytherapy (WRB), or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for early stage non-small lung cancer. Methods and Materials Retrospectively collected data of patients treated with WR, WRB, or SBRT (1993–2012). Cesium-131 (Cs131) used in WRB group in patients with close or positive margins based on surgical assessment. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, log-rank test used to compare disease-free survival/overall survival between different groups. Multivariable analysis, using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, was performed to evaluate the independent effect of age, gender, and treatment procedure on disease-free survival. Results A total of 272 patients were included in the study (123 WR, 52 WR+Cs-131, 97 SBRT). Cs-131 was used with WRs that the surgeons deemed high risk. Local control (LC) was similar in the three groups and was achieved in 92.2% for WR group vs. 96.2% for WR+Cs-131 and 95.5% for SBRT (p = 0.60). On multivariate analysis, although females showed a higher LC, neither LC nor distant metastasis were associated with age or gender (p = 0.65 and p = 0.41, respectively). Five-year overall survival was 100% in the WR+B group, 97.7% in the WR group, and 89.6% in the SBRT group (p = 0.02). Toxicity was similar in the three groups. Conclusion WR, WR+ Cs-131, or SBRT are all excellent treatment options for patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer that are not candidates for lobectomy. For high risk WRs, we favor use of Cesim-131 brachytherapy. Until a prospective randomized comparative study is done to evaluate the best treatment approach for early stage NSCLC, treatment selection should be based on a multidisciplinary team approach.
Exacerbated brain damage, edema and inflammation in type-2 diabetic mice subjected to focal ischemia.

J. Neurochem. (2011) 116, 499–507. Abstract One of the limiting factors in stroke therapeutic development is the use of animal models that do not well represent the underlying medical conditions of patients. In humans, diabetes increases the risk of stroke incidence as well as post-stroke mortality. To understand the mechanisms that render diabetics to increased brain damage, we evaluated the effect of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in adult db/db mice. The db/db mouse is a model of type-2 diabetes with four times higher blood sugar than its normoglycemic genetic control(db/+ mouse). Following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, the db/db mice showed significantly higher mortality, bigger infarcts, increased cerebral edema, worsened neurological status compared to db/+ mice. The db/db mice also showed significantly higher post-ischemic inflammatory markers (ICAM1+ capillaries, extravasated macrophages/neutrophils and exacerbated proinflammatory gene expression) compared to db/+ mice. In addition, the post-ischemic neuroprotective heat-shock chaperone gene expression was curtailed in the db/db compared to db/+ mice.