cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting tipping points in complex environmental systems.

Ecologists have long recognized that ecosystems can exist and function in one state within predictable bounds for extended periods of time and then abruptly shift to an alternate state (1⇓⇓⇓–5). Desertification of grasslands, shrub expansion in the Arctic, the eutrophication of lakes, ocean acidification, the formation of marine dead zones, and the degradation of coral reefs represent real and potential ecological regime shifts marked by a tipping point or threshold in one or more external drivers or controlling variables within the system that when breached causes a major change in the system’s structure, function, or dynamics (6⇓⇓–9). Large or incremental alterations in climate, land use, biodiversity (invasive species or the overexploitation of species), and biogeochemical cycles represent external and internal drivers that when pushed too far cross thresholds that can could lead to regime shifts (Fig. 1). Seeing the tipping point after the fact and ascribing mechanisms to the change is one thing; predicting them using empirical data has been a challenge. The difficulty in predicting tipping points stems from the large number of species and interactions (high dimensionality) within ecological systems, the stochastic nature of the systems and their drivers, and the uncertainty and importance of initial conditions that the nonlinear nature of the systems introduce to outcomes. In PNAS, Jiang et al. (10) confront these issues using a dimension-reduction framework that uses empirical data from 59 complex multidimensional plant–pollinator mutualistic networks, some of which contain scores of species and interactions, to develop simpler 2D models for studying and predicting tipping points. Fig. 1. Tipping points and ecological regime shifts are difficult to predict. A and B represent hypothetical time series of the trajectories of the mean and variation about the mean of variables … [↵][1]1Email: John.Moore{at}colostate.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Sleep and behavioral control in earlier life predicted resilience in young adulthood: A prospective study of children of alcoholics and controls.

Abstract Aims Children of alcoholics (COAs) are at higher risk for developing an alcohol use disorder and substance-related problems than non-COAs. This study examined (i) the relationships between sleep rhythmicity in childhood (aged 3–5) and behavioral control in adolescence (aged 9–14) and (ii) whether sleep rhythmicity and behavioral control predicted resilience in COAs in emerging adulthood (aged 21–26). Resilience was defined as successful adaptation in spite of adversity. Resilience among COAs was operationalized in three different ways (i) absence of alcohol disorder diagnoses, (ii) absence of alcohol and drug related problems, (iii) a continuous latent variable measured by depressive symptoms, work satisfaction and relationship satisfaction. Design A prospective, longitudinal study of children assessed from early childhood (ages 3–5) to emerging adulthood (ages 21–26). Setting A community study of families at high risk for alcoholism and matched controls conducted in a 4-county area in the Midwest. Participants 715 children (75% children of alcoholics, 29% female). Measurement Data on sleep were gathered by the Dimensions of Temperament Survey (DOTS) and Child Behavior Checklist. Behavioral Control was measured by Child and Adult Q-sort. Substance use data were collected by Drinking and Drug History – Youth form. Findings Structural equation modeling analyses indicated that higher rhythmicity of sleep, lower level of tiredness and infrequent sleep difficulties predicted higher behavioral control in adolescence, which in turn predicted two resilience outcomes in young adulthood. Behavioral control significantly mediated the effect of childhood sleep rhythmicity and resilience. No group differences between COAs and controls were found. Conclusions Good sleep and higher self-regulation act as resource factors for young adults, regardless of parent alcoholism status.
Surface Science and Extreme Pressure Lubrication — CCl 4 Chemistry on Fe(110)

The application of surface science methods to the investigation of model lubricant-metal surface chemistry processes is described. The chemistry of CC14 on an atomically clean Fe(110) surface has been investigated and the lubricant, FeC12, has been postulated to nucleate as clusters on defect sites. A method to quench this extreme pressure lubricant nucleation and hence to promote lubricant dispersion is described.
The Development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in a Sample of Child Witnesses to Mother Assault

This exploratory study examined the relationship between the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a number of coping variables in child witnesses to mother assault. The sample consisted of 84 children (mean age 11 years) who had been referred from shelters for battered women and child welfare agencies. Comparisons of those who met PTSD criteria (n = 47) and those who did not meet PTSD criteria (n = 37) found significant differences on variables of age, duration, and frequency of witnessing children. Child self-report instruments indicated that the PTSD group differed significantly from the non-PTSD group on the basis of assault anxiety, depression, dissociation, anger, and negative attributions. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that factors related to negative attributions and assault variables each contributed significantly to explaining 71% of the variance of PTSD symptoms, after the variables of age and sex were controlled. Discriminant function analysis correctly classified 84.3% of the respondents. The relevance of PTSD to child witnesses is considered, along with study limitations.
Color Discrimination and Post-Receptoral Processes in Congenital Color Deficients

Two experiments on the temporal properties of color coding in color deficients are described. Results of the first experiment suggest that there may be individual differences in the temporal properties of color coding which are related to ability to discriminate color. Results of the second experiment suggest that mechanisms mediating chromatic thresholds can be distinguished from those mediating luminance thresholds by their long integration times in color deficients even those who are dichromatic under some conditions.
Comparison of overhead harness configurations for measuring trunk kinematics during treadmill disturbances.

Abstract Background: Research has shown that postural perturbation training reduces falls. Trunk kinematics, at recovery step, are key outcome measures. Fall prevention training programs are being developed for routine clinical care. In these programs, the subject is positioned on a treadmill and subjected to forward and backward disturbances which simulate trips and slips. The patient wears a safety vest attached to an overhead harness to create a secure environment. Motion capture is used to measure trunk kinematics. Research question: It is important to verify that trunk kinematics are independent of harness configuration. The purpose of this study was to compare the trunk flexion angle and angular velocity at recovery step after forward and backward disturbances on a treadmill measured by motion capture with the harness in both a fixed and free position. Methods: Ten healthy young adults (5/10 female, age: 29.2 ± 6.3 years, BMI: 24.2 ± 2.4) participated in this study. The subjects had retro-reflective markers placed on key anatomical landmarks to measure trunk kinematics. The participants experienced forward and backward disturbances, which incrementally increased in intensity until the harness clearly supported the subjects for three disturbances in both directions. The order of harness configurations was randomized across subjects and each subject participated in two consecutive rounds of disturbances, one round for each harness configuration. Equivalence testing was performed to demonstrate that the harness configurations were equivalent (α = 0.05). Results and significance: The Equivalence Test demonstrated that the trunk angle (TA) and angular velocity (TAV) were equivalent for the different harness configurations. The 95% Confidence Intervals (TA: [−2, 1], TAV: [−18, 16]) were within the equivalence interval (TA: [−3, 3], TAV: [−20, 20]) and the p-Values (TA: 0.008, TAV: 0.034) were less than alpha. Trunk kinematics are independent of overheard harness configurations during treadmill induced disturbances for clinical postural perturbation training.
Nanostructures of functionalized zinc phthalocyanines prepared with colloidal lithography: Evaluation of surface orientation and dimensions using scanning probe microscopy

Abstract Patterned arrays of nanoholes and nanorings were prepared using colloidal lithography combined with steps of solution immersion and vapor deposition of organosilanes. Samples prepared with colloidal lithography exhibit millions of reproducible test structures with a periodic arrangement throughout areas of the surface according to the dimensions and spacing of the particle mask. Views of the size and morphology of nanopatterns obtained with atomic force microscopy (AFM) can provide information of progressive steps of chemical reactions as nanostructures are grown within spatially confined areas surrounded by a resist film. A surface mask of colloidal latex or silica spheres was used to protect discrete areas of a Si(111) substrate from the deposition of organosilanes. When the mask was removed, the uncovered areas of the surface revealed regularly-shaped, small sites of uncovered substrate available for further reaction steps to build hierarchical surface structures. Nanostructures of zinc phthalocyanines (ZnPcs) were constructed using amine-terminated nanopatterns as sites for binding. Spatial selectivity was achieved for directing the attachment of ZnPcs to the surface using resist films of 2-methoxy(polyethyleneoxy)propyl]trichlorosilane (PEO-silane) and also with octadecyltrimethoxysilane (OTMS). The molecule chosen as a linker was (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) which presents an amine group at the interface. In general, phthalocyanine molecules tend to bind in a coplanar orientation by physisorption to the surface and can stack together through pi-pi interactions between adjacent macrocycles. However, the nature of the substituents will also influence whether the molecules assemble on surfaces in a side-on orientation or with the macrocycle oriented in a coplanar arrangement. Hydroxyl and isothiocyanate pendant groups were attached to the macrocycles of ZnPcs chosen for this study, to investigate conformational differences when attached to APTES nanopatterns. The size and morphology of nanostructures was visualized and sensitively measured with tapping-mode AFM. The elastic response of samples patterned with ZnPc was mapped with force modulation AFM. Changes in the height of nanostructures indicate whether the macrocycles are oriented upright or parallel to the surface plane, or if multilayers were formed.
Introital Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

Abstract Background: For the purpose of adding to the very limited information available on primary introital neuroendocrine carcinoma, this article presents a case of a patient with this condition...
Laparoscopic Orchiectomy for Unilateral Intra-Abdominal Testis

We present 2 cases of laparoscopic removal of a unilateral intra-abdominal testis. Removal of a unilateral intra-abdominal testis is indicated in patients more than 10 years old because the malignant potential of an intra-abdominal testis outweighs any cosmetic benefit of orchiopexy. Laparoscopic orchiectomy is a safe and effective surgical procedure for adolescents and adults with this disease entity providing outpatient therapy and prompt rehabilitation.
POWER AND PLURALISM: AMERICAN PROTESTANTISM AND THE AMERICAN CENTURY

The study of US foreign relations (what is now often called “America and the World”) has been in a protracted “religious turn” for at least a decade. One of the most prominent statements of the turn was Andrew Preston's article in Diplomatic History from 2006, “Bridging the Gap between the Sacred and the Secular in the History of American Foreign Relations.” Preston, a trained diplomatic historian who made an indelible contribution to the turn with his later Sword of Spirit, Shield of Strength: Religion in American War and Diplomacy (2012), called for “paying more attention” to religion in the field of American foreign relations. More precisely he urged historians to make of religion “a systematic rubric under which various moments in the history of American foreign relations, or the whole history itself, can be analyzed and explained.”
Abstract 262: Factors Influencing the Adoption of Get With The Guidelines® Quality Improvement Registries: Findings from a Regional Survey

Background and Objectives: Healthcare systems are under increasing pressure to deliver a high quality care. To assist with this delivery, hospitals often participate in data registries. The America...
Experimental Validation of the ALLNOX Program for Studying Protein-Nucleic Acid Complexes

Measurement of distances between spectroscopic labels (e.g., spin labels, fluorophores) attached to specific sites of biomolecules is an important method for studying biomolecular complexes. ALLNOX (Addition of Labels and Linkers) has been developed as a program to model interlabel distances based on an input macromolecule structure. Here, we report validation of ALLNOX using measured distances between nitroxide spin labels attached to specific sites of a protein-DNA complex. The results demonstrate that ALLNOX predicts average interspin distances that matched with values measured with pairs of labels attached at the protein and/or DNA. This establishes a solid foundation for using spin labeling in conjunction with ALLNOX to investigate complexes without high-resolution structures. With its high degree of flexibility for the label or the target biomolecule, ALLNOX provides a useful tool for investigating the structure-function relationship in a large variety of biological molecules.
Cervical Squamous Neoplasia

Cervical squamous neoplasia is the most common lesion of the cervix and is caused by human papillomavirus infection at the squamocolumnar junction. In this chapter, we describe the histologic features of low- and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, superficially invasive (microinvasive) and invasive squamous cell carcinomas. Diagnostic mimics and differential diagnosis are discussed for each section followed by management algorithms. Immunohistochemical markers useful for cervical squamous neoplasia are also described. The goal of the chapter is to provide readers with a concise reference and better understanding of these lesions when encountered in a routine pathology practice.
Supergene validation: A model-based protocol for assessing the accuracy of non-model-based supergene methods.

Abstract Genome-scale species tree inference is largely restricted to heuristic approaches that use estimated gene trees to reconstruct species-level relationships. Central to these heuristic species tree methods is the assumption that the gene trees are estimated without error. To increase the accuracy of input gene trees used to infer species trees, several techniques have recently been developed for constructing longer “supergenes” that represent sets of loci inferred to share the same genealogical history. While these supergene methods are designed to increase the amount of data for gene tree estimation by concatenating several loci into “supergenes” to increase gene tree accuracy, no formal protocols have been proposed to validate this key “supergene” concatenation step. In a recent study, we developed several supergene validation strategies for assessing the accuracy of a popular supergene method: the so-called “statistical binning” pipeline. In this article, we describe a more generalizable and model-based “supergene validation” protocol for assessing the accuracy of supergenes and supergene methods using model-based tests of phylogenetic congruency. • Supergenes are validated by adopting model-based tests of topological congruence • These model-based procedures out preform non-model based methods for supergene construction • The results of this protocol can be used to assess the overall performance of a supergene method across a phylogenomic dataset
A Novel Solar PV Inverter Topology Based on an LLC Resonant Converter

In this paper, a new topology for grid-connected solar PV inverter is proposed. The proposed topology employs an LLC resonant converter with high frequency isolation transformer in the DC-DC stage. The DC-DC converter stage is controlled to generate a rectified sine wave voltage and current at the line frequency. An unfolder inverter interfaces between this DC stage and the grid. Both phase-shift and frequency control methods are used to control the LLC resonant converter. The switching frequency is determined depending on the phase-shift angle to extend the zero-voltage switching (ZVS) region. The transformer leakage and magnetization inductances are also properly designed to provide ZVS for wide operation area. The LLC converter operates in the ZVS region except the narrow band around the zero-crossings of the inverter output current. Since the LLC resonant converter has a high frequency transformer, the line frequency transformer requirement is eliminated, and thus more compact and efficient design is obtained. The proposed topology is validated by the simulation and experimental results.
Clustering-based collaborative filtering for link prediction

In this paper, we propose a novel collaborative filtering approach for predicting the unobserved links in a network (or graph) with both topological and node features. Our approach improves the well-known compressed sensing based matrix completion method by introducing a new multiple-independent-Bernoulli-distribution model as the data sampling mask. It makes better link predictions since the model is more general and better matches the data distributions in many real-world networks, such as social networks like Facebook. As a result, a satisfying stability of the prediction can be guaranteed. To obtain an accurate multiple-independent-Bernoulli-distribution model of the topological feature space, our approach adjusts the sampling of the adjacency matrix of the network (or graph) using the clustering information in the node feature space. This yields a better performance than those methods which simply combine the two types of features. Experimental results on several benchmark datasets suggest that our approach outperforms the best existing link prediction methods.
Pathological Assessment of Fetal Growth

When analyzing an individual case, collected data have to be compared to the “normal value” for a particular gestational age. It is a long and almost philosophical debate what can be appreciated as normal—or does it exist at all in setting of postmortem material. Recently published data derived from social termination cases—12–20 weeks of gestation—is probably the nearest to the definition of normal and this model is suitable to minimize postmortem artifacts; however, it does not solve the dilemma for later gestation [1] (Tables 1 and 2).
Development and validation of a daily Injustice Experience Questionnaire

Background Patterns of cognitive appraisal related to chronic pain may manifest differentially across time due to a variety of factors, but variability of injustice appraisals across time has not been examined. The current study details the validation of a brief, daily version of the Injustice Experience Questionnaire (IEQ), which measures injustice appraisals related to the experience of pain and disability. Methods Injustice Experience Questionnaire items were adapted for daily use and evaluated using cognitive interviews, and the resulting measure was administered for 10 days to two Internet-based samples of US adults with chronic lower back pain. Results Study 1 (N = 126) refined the 12-item IEQ measure into a six-item short form; exploratory factor analyses suggested optimal model fit for the two-factor model established in the original IEQ. Using confirmatory factor analyses, Study 2 (N = 131) replicated the two-factor structure and demonstrated significant correlations of the Daily IEQ with other relevant constructs to chronic pain, such as pain catastrophizing, pain intensity, pain-related activity and social interference, depressed mood and anxiety. Daily IEQ items showed a significant degree of clustering (intraclass correlations ranging from .577 to .735) but demonstrated sufficient variability at the daily level to allow for daily-level analysis. Conclusions Injustice appraisals show a sufficient degree of daily variability to warrant their measurement as a time-varying construct. Further examination of antecedents and correlates of daily injustice appraisals, as well as their potential role as mechanisms of effect, may better explain the dynamics of affective and behavioral responses to chronic pain. Significance The current study presents a validation of a daily version of the Injustice Experience Questionnaire in chronic low back pain. Results indicate that injustice appraisals vary significantly from day to day, and daily variability in injustice perception shows robust associations with pain intensity, pain-related interference in physical and social activity, and mood in chronic low back pain. These results emphasize the importance of assessing injustice perception as a time-varying, rather than stable construct in future empirical and clinical studies.
Malware Knowledge Graph Generation.

Cyber threat and attack intelligence information are available in non-standard format from heterogeneous sources. Comprehending them and utilizing them for threat intelligence extraction requires engaging security experts. Knowledge graphs enable converting this unstructured information from heterogeneous sources into a structured representation of data and factual knowledge for several downstream tasks such as predicting missing information and future threat trends. Existing large-scale knowledge graphs mainly focus on general classes of entities and relationships between them. Open-source knowledge graphs for the security domain do not exist. To fill this gap, we've built \textsf{TINKER} - a knowledge graph for threat intelligence (\textbf{T}hreat \textbf{IN}telligence \textbf{K}nowl\textbf{E}dge g\textbf{R}aph). \textsf{TINKER} is generated using RDF triples describing entities and relations from tokenized unstructured natural language text from 83 threat reports published between 2006-2021. We built \textsf{TINKER} using classes and properties defined by open-source malware ontology and using hand-annotated RDF triples. We also discuss ongoing research and challenges faced while creating \textsf{TINKER}.
A Perfect Storm: Race, Ethnicity, Hate Speech, Libel and First Amendment Jurisprudence

This Article explores the intersection of critical race theory, First Amendment jurisprudence, hate speech and defamation tort law. Consider this hypothetical: Assume that a state statute exists to create a cause of action in tort based on “group libel” theories for negative ethnic and racial utterances. The Article addresses whether such a statute could survive a First Amendment freedom of speech challenge. In addressing the issue, the Article considers blatant hate speech – as opposed to other forms of ethnic or racial utterances, such as pseudo-scientific racism or subtle-yet-inaccurate media portrayals that perpetuate harmful racial and ethnic stereotypes – that could be classified as group libel. The Article explores the normative policy implications that may persuade a court in deciding whether hate speech utterances should constitute group libel in a manner consistent with the First Amendment. It then provides a roadmap for the legal arguments that would likely apply. In addressing these arguments, the Article offers some proposed language to state legislatures in an effort to comport with constitutional requirements. Based on the proposed language, a state legislature may attempt to draft a statute that classifies blatant hate speech as group libel in a way that comports with First Amendment analysis to overcome an overbreadth challenge. However, as discussed in the Article, the relevant jurisprudence would still likely reveal various infirmities in the statute. This analysis, from a legal realism perspective, reveals various flaws in our norms and doctrines, which improperly deemphasize the inequities of institutional racism and xenophobia as well as the insidious impact of hate speech.
Cupid's Invisible Hand: Social Surplus and Identification in Matching Models

We investigate a model of one-to-one matching with transferable utility and general unobserved heterogeneity. Under a separability assumption that generalizes Choo and Siow (2006), we first show that the equilibrium matching maximizes a social gain function that trades off exploiting complementarities in observable characteristics and matching on unobserved characteristics. We use this result to derive simple closed-form formulae that identify the joint matching surplus and the equilibrium utilities of all participants, given any known distribution of unobserved heterogeneity. We provide efficient algorithms to compute the stable matching and to estimate parametric versions of the model. Finally, we revisit Choo and Siow's empirical application to illustrate the potential of our more general approach.
Abstract MP11: Decreased Expression Of Ace2 Is Associated Urine Derived Human Renal Proximal Tubule Cells From Inverse Salt Sensitivity Participants Cultured In Low Salt Conditions

Increased morbidity and mortality occurs in some individuals consuming low sodium diets. Inverse salt sensitivity (ISS) is the paradoxical increase in blood pressure of individuals to a low sodium ...
Trends in Adolescent Cannabis-Related Hospitalizations by State Legalization Laws, 2008-2019.

Abstract Purpose Adolescent cannabis use is associated with adverse health outcomes. The impact of cannabis legalization on adolescent cannabis-related hospitalizations remains unknown. We sought to assess whether state cannabis legalization is associated with adolescent cannabis-related hospitalizations. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adolescent (11–17 years) hospitalizations at children’s hospitals between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2019 using the Inpatient Essentials database. We investigated differences in adolescent cannabis-related diagnosis during a hospitalization by state cannabis legalization status, including states with no legal use to medical cannabis laws (MCLs) and states with MCLs to nonmedical (>21 years old) cannabis laws (NMCLs). Results Of 1,898,432 adolescent hospitalizations in 18 states and Washington, DC, there were 37,562 (2%) hospitalizations with a cannabis-related diagnosis, with 8,457 (23%) in states with no legal use, 20,444 (54%) in MCL states, and 8,661 (23%) in NMCL states. There was an increase in adjusted odds of a cannabis-related hospitalization in MCL (odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.04–1.06) and NMCL states (odds ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.03) between 2008 and 2019. Characteristics associated with the greatest increase in adjusted odds of a cannabis-related hospitalization postpolicy change included adolescents without an underlying mental health or other substance use disorder in MCL and NMCL states (p Conclusions Cannabis-related adolescent hospitalizations at children’s hospitals are increasing, with a disproportionate increase postlegalization in states with NMCLs. Interventions are warranted to increase cannabis use identification and treatment among at-risk adolescents in the hospital-based setting.
Implementation of an integrative movement program for residents with dementia in a VA nursing home

BACKGROUND Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise (PLIE) is an integrative group movement program developed for adults with mild-to-moderate dementia attending day programs. However, many older adults with dementia ultimately require assistance with their activities of daily living and become residents in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities with their complex comorbidities and unique needs. We conducted a post-implementation evaluation of PLIE at a San Francisco Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing home to assess reach and effectiveness among residents, staff, and family members who participated in ≥ 1 PLIE class from 9/2018 to 6/2019. METHODS Post-implementation number of classes offered and mean attendance; anonymous satisfaction surveys (5-point Likert scales); qualitative content analysis of open-ended survey responses and clinical progress notes. RESULTS Forty-five PLIE classes were offered over 9 months. Residents attended an average of 13 ± 12 classes with an average class size of 14 residents, 4 staff members, and 2 family members. Most survey respondents rated the program overall as "very good" or "excellent" (100 % residents, n = 15; 87 % staff, n = 14; 100 % family members, n = 8). Respondents reported improvements in themselves and/or others in four domains: (1) physical, (2) psychological, (3) social, and (4) cognitive. Physical improvements among veterans included mobility, strength, and energy. Psychological improvements included feelings of happiness/well-being, enjoyment, and self-empowerment. Social improvements included connection, social skills, and social support. Cognitive improvements included engagement, communication ability, and focus/attention. Responses were similar among resident, staff, and family member surveys and clinical progress notes. Participants frequently reported improvements in multiple domains (e.g., "The veterans are more alert and engaged, many are smiling and laughing."). Negative comments were primarily related to logistics, suggesting that the class occur more frequently. CONCLUSIONS PLIE was successfully implemented in a VA nursing home with high attendance and satisfaction among residents, staff, and family members. Participants reported clinically meaningful physical, psychological, social, and cognitive benefits. Other long-term care facilities could potentially benefit from implementing PLIE to increase quality of life in residents with dementia.
Causes of and Compensations for Hypoxemia and Hypercapnia

By far the commonest cause of impaired gas exchange in patients with lung disease is ventilation-perfusion inequality. This is a complicated topic and much can be learned from computer models. Ventilation-perfusion inequality always causes hypoxemia, that is, an abnormally low PO2 in arterial blood. However, it is also the commonest cause of an increased arterial PCO2, or hypercapnia, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There is often confusion in this area with some people attributing the CO2 retention to "hypoventilation" when in fact these patients are usually moving much more air into their lungs than normal subjects. A patient with COPD can often return the arterial PCO2 to normal by increasing the ventilation. However, this does not return the arterial PO2 to normal because of the different shapes of the oxygen and carbon dioxide dissociation curves. Increasing pulmonary blood flow in the presence of ventilation-perfusion inequality usually raises the arterial PO2 but much less than increasing ventilation. Raising the inspired oxygen concentration is typically very effective in increasing the arterial PO2. Ventilation-perfusion inequality interferes with the transfer of all gases by the lung including the anesthetic gases. The gas exchange behavior of a lung depends greatly on the pattern of ventilation-perfusion inequality. It is theoretically possible to find a distribution that improves the transfer of some gases but this requires bizarre conditions that can never occur in practice.
Computational Nanotechnology of Materials, Devices, and Machines: Carbon Nanotubes

A viewgraph presentation outlines NASA's mission needs with respect to nanotechnology. Nanotubes are described, including details on the structure and use in electronics.
Beyond Politics and Praxis: Educational Challenges in Contemporary Africa

Selon l'A., le probleme crucial du lien entre education et progres humain en Afrique subsaharienne necessite d'etre repense, a l'aube du 21 eme siecle, dans ses fondements memes. L'education, au sens orthodoxe de sa mise en oeuvre du point de vue des theories du developpement - postulant le lien mecanique entre education et changement social -, n'est pas la panacee esperee ; elle est meme, au moins en partie, responsable de la regression de l'Afrique. Au-dela des complexites nationales, l'A. suggere qu'il est possible et utile d'entreprendre une analyse globale - a l'echelle de l'Afrique subsaharienne - des problemes educatifs et de leurs consequences, a partir du denominateur commun de l'heritage du colonialisme et de l'influence occidentale et du role des Africains eux-memes. Selon l'A., il existe au moins trois facteurs cles inter-relies qui conditionnent le progres humain en Afrique : la culture, l'education, le changement. La maniere dont l'elite africaine fera face a ces facteurs - par l'invention d'une pedagodie de la liberation qui depasse le ressassement nostalgique des mefaits du colonialisme - determinera si l'Afrique sera, ou ne sera pas, de fait, sous tutelle de l'Occident industrialise, tout en revendiquant, de droit, son independance.
My favorite simplicial complex and some of its applications

I will discuss a specific class of simplicial complexes, K(Y), whose vertices are contained in a set Y ∈ R n . The vertex set is finite or denumerable and satisfies some genericity properties. The complex has been studied for many years under a variety of different names: ordinal bases, primitive sets, the complex of maximal lattice free bodies and most recently, Algebraic Geometers have used the name the Scarf Complex.
Protein kinase modulator from lobster tail muscle. II. Effects of the modulator on holoenzyme and catalytic subunit of guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinases.

Abstract Several factors were found which determine whether the effect of the modulator on protein kinase activity is stimulatory or inhibitory in nature. These include the kind and concentration of substrate protein, the kind and concentration of divalent metal ions, the kind and concentration of cyclic nucleotide, the source and concentration of the modulator, and the nature of the enzyme. The effects of the modulator on guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase holoenzymes were reproduced by using isolated catalytic subunits prepared from the respective holoenzymes.
Polyphyly of mtDNA lineages in the Russian sturgeon, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii : forensic and evolutionary implications

Molecular species identification methods are an important component of CITES monitoring programs for trade in sturgeon and caviar. To date, obtaining molecular evidence for distinguishing caviar from four closely related Eurasian sturgeon species Acipenser baerii (Siberian sturgeon), A. gueldenstaedtii (osetra), A. persicus (Persian sturgeon), A. naccarii (Italian sturgeon) remains problematic. Using approximately 2.3 kb of mtDNA sequence data (cytochrome b, NADH5, control region), we find this to be attributable to the polyphyletic nature of these mitochondrial DNA markers in the Russian sturgeon, A. gueldenstaedtii. Two mitochondrial lineages are present within this species: one is phylogenetically affiliated with A. persicus and A. naccarii, while the other clusters with A. baerii. These findings have a direct impact on molecular testing of commercial caviar and demonstrate the necessity of using large sample sizes when constructing forensic databases. Furthermore, the results affect current taxonomic designations for these species as well as hypotheses concerning their evolutionary origins.
Ethnography for aging societies: Dignity, cultural genres, and Singapore's imagined futures

Social theory generated in and about Singapore lies in psychic depths and archive fevers of an immigrant society subjected to accelerated social changes that devalue the lives of those marked by aging. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in Singapore, weaving together four kinds of data sets—gerontology psychiatric research and intervention; changing ritual forms; analytically phenomenological, paraethnographic theater and stories; and student video and drama projects—I argue that new literacies, pedagogies, and practices can foster enriched community life in posttraumatic, aging societies. Focusing on meaning and affect, and referencing Derrida on hauntology, archive fever, sur-vie, and grammatology (as syntax of social configurations within which aging occurs, or, sociocultural texts, narratives, and symbols), I build on the ethnographic literatures on aging and explore strong metaphors of monstrous history (taowu), ghosts (hantu), obliviousness brought by prosperity (fat years), and intercultural repetition compulsions of unfilial children (Lear).
Turbine Blade Internal Cooling Passages with Rib Turbulators

Gas turbines are extensively used for aircraft propulsion, land-based power generation, and industrial applications. Developments in turbine cooling technology play a critical role in increasing the thermal efficiency and power output of advanced gas turbines. Gas turbine blades are cooled internally by passing the coolant through several rib-enhanced serpentine passages to remove heat conducted from the outside surface. For internal cooling, focus is placed on the effect of rotation on rotor blade coolant passage heat transfer with rib turbulators. In particular, the most recent publications are covered that deal with the rotational effects on internal cooling passage heat transfer with low and high aspect ratio channels with various high-performance rib geometries. To better understand the complex three-dimensional flow physics in the complicated blade internal coolant passage geometry, the computational flow and heat transfer results are presented and compared using the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes method with various turbulence models such as k-e, and second-moment closure models.
Dynamics of oblique detonations in ram accelerators

Time-accurate numerical simulations are used to study the dynamic development of oblique detonations on accelerating projectiles in ram accelerators. These simulations show that the oblique detonation can be stabilized on the projectile. The high pressure generated behind the detonation can result in accelerations up to 106G and propel the projectile to velocities higher than 4.0 km/s. The detonation structure on the projectile is sensitive to the projectile geometry. A small change in the projectile shape is sufficient to alter the overall detonation structure and significantly affect the pressure distribution on the projectile. In order to maximize the thrust, an appropriate projectile shape has to be chosen to generate the detonation structure just behind the widest part of the projectile body. The projectile acceleration also has strong effects on the flow field and the detonation structure. During the acceleration, the location of the oblique detonation moves upstream from one reflected shock to another. However, one the detonation is stabilized behind the upstream shock, it remains at the new location until the transition to the next upstream shock occurs. In the simulations, the Non-Inertial-Source (NIS) technique was used to accurately represent of the projectile acceleration. Also, the Virtual-Cell-Embedding (VCE) method was employed to efficiently treat the complex projectile geometry on cartesian grids.
Initiation of rapidly expanding supercritical fluids

Abstract We consider the case when a supercritical fluid emerges at sonic speed from a small orifice in a high pressure chamber. The subsequent expansion causes a pressure drop and the fluid then enters a regime where its equation of state in P – V space becomes concave towards the origin. This is the signal for an expansion shock to occur in a non-ideal fluid, accompanied by absorption of the heat of vaporization. An analytic calculation provides the shape and location of this anti-detonation front using Whitham's method. Dependence of the shape of the front on various operating conditions was calculated for the particular case of supercritical carbon dioxide. Our results provide an insight into the initiation of the rapid expansion of supercritical solutions, a process which is used in many manufacturing technologies.
Contribution of Mast Cell Mediators to Alterations in Macrophage Function after Malathion Administration

Previous studies showed that acute administration of noncholinergic doses of malathion increased macrophage function and the generation of a primary humoral immune response to a T-dependent antigen and caused mast cell degranulation. Recent studies using mast cell-deficient mice showed that the presence of mast cells was necessary for the increase in macrophage function observed after oral administration of malathion, and reconstitution with bone marrow-derived mast cells restored the ability of malathion to increase macrophage function. In the present study, the contribution of mast cell mediators to alterations in macrophage function after oral administration of malathion was examined. Controls in this study included the effect of the agent to be examined on resident peritoneal macrophages and macrophages elicited with pristane, an agent that can stimulate macrophages in the absence of mast cells. Coadministration of intraperitoneal cromolyn, a stabilizer of mast cell membranes, with oral malathion blocked the ability of malathion to increase macrophage function as measured by the generation of respiratory burst activity, the phagocytosis of opsonized yeast, and the production of cathepsin D. On the other hand, administration of cromolyn to mice whose macrophage function was stimulated with pristane did not affect the observed increases in macrophage function. As oral administration of malathion caused histamine release, the ability of a histamine receptor antagonist, pyrilamine, to alter the response of peritoneal macrophages to oral administration of malathion was also examined. Intraperitoneal administration of pyrilamine partially blocked the effects of oral administration of malathion on peritoneal macrophage function, but did not affect the function of resident or pristane-elicited peritoneal macrophages. These data suggest that mediators from mast cells contribute to the elevation in macrophage function observed after oral malathion administration.
Social trust prediction using heterogeneous networks

Along with increasing popularity of social websites, online users rely more on the trustworthiness information to make decisions, extract and filter information, and tag and build connections with other users. However, such social network data often suffer from severe data sparsity and are not able to provide users with enough information. Therefore, trust prediction has emerged as an important topic in social network research. Traditional approaches are primarily based on exploring trust graph topology itself. However, research in sociology and our life experience suggest that people who are in the same social circle often exhibit similar behaviors and tastes. To take advantage of the ancillary information for trust prediction, the challenge then becomes what to transfer and how to transfer. In this article, we address this problem by aggregating heterogeneous social networks and propose a novel joint social networks mining (JSNM) method. Our new joint learning model explores the user-group-level similarity between correlated graphs and simultaneously learns the individual graph structure; therefore, the shared structures and patterns from multiple social networks can be utilized to enhance the prediction tasks. As a result, we not only improve the trust prediction in the target graph but also facilitate other information retrieval tasks in the auxiliary graphs. To optimize the proposed objective function, we use the alternative technique to break down the objective function into several manageable subproblems. We further introduce the auxiliary function to solve the optimization problems with rigorously proved convergence. The extensive experiments have been conducted on both synthetic and real- world data. All empirical results demonstrate the effectiveness of our method.
Use of Home Apnea Monitors

Objective To examine the frequency of use of home apnea monitors, reasons for not using them, and factors associated with their use among families of infants for whom home monitoring had been prescribed. Design Cross‐sectional study, including a telephone interview to collect demographic data and a mailed questionnaire to obtain data on monitor use. Setting: The apnea clinics in two tertiary‐care centers. Participants Ninety‐three families (representing an 80.9% response rate) with infants considered at increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome and requiring home monitors. Infants with tracheostomies or bronchopulmonary dysplasia and families with monitored twins, a mother known to be drug addicted, or no home telephone were excluded. Results Of concern were that 23.1% of mothers reported using the monitor 12 or fewer hours per day and that 10.8% believed their infants did not need a monitor. Of 11 variables examined, only color change in the infant was associated with frequency of monitor use. Conclusions Clear, consistent communication with families regarding the use of apnea monitors is essential to improve compliance with proper monitoring techniques.
Phosphorescence of naphthalene and related compounds in fluid media: excimer phosphorescence or phosphorescence from a biacetyl-like impurity?

Molecular excimer phosphorescence observed in fluid media for naphthalene and l,n-di-α-naphthylalkanes has recently been attributed to the sensitized phosphorescence of biacetyl-like impurities. While there is remarkable spectral similarity between the two emissions, experiments in this laboratory indicate that the assignment of the emission to the phosphorescence of excimers is correct.
Early satiety in cancer patients: a common and important but underrecognized symptom

Introduction The severity of anorexia correlates with the presence of early satiety. The sense of fullness limits nutritional intake. The symptom is poorly understood because most assessment questionnaires do not include early satiety.
Decentralized robust control design for large-scale uncertain systems: The uncertainly is time-varying

A class of large-scale uncertain dynamical systems is considered. The system is composed of N interconnected subsystems which possess uncertainties. Moreover, there are uncertainties in the interconnections. The uncertainly is (possibly fast) time-varying. No statistical information on the uncertainly is imposed. The uncertainty is, however, assumed bounded. Early work along this line requires a matching condition for the uncertainty. The control design here extends the previous result to mismatched uncertainty.
Digitally intensive receiver design: opportunities and challenges

This article discusses the trade-offs involved in the implementation of a highly digital receiver and then describes a direct-sampling architecture which provides a wide range of runtime adaptability by varying parameters such as sample rate, filter order, and interpolation factor.