cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subnational State Capacity and the Repression of Protest: Evidence from Mexico:

While protests occurring in nationally democratic contexts rarely represent fundamental threats to the central state, they still need management when and where they occur. Thus, this paper suggests...
Countering Criminal Facilitation Through Public–Private Cooperation in The Netherlands

Public–private Financial-Intelligence Sharing Platforms (FISPs) have contributed to changing the mindset between law enforcement agencies and regulated entities in countering money-laundering. This chapter reflects on opportunities that intensified public–private cooperation offers to increase the possibilities of discovering more effective remedies against crime. The chapter also provides insights into the complexities and obstacles of joint-efforts and illustrates these challenges via the case of the founding-process of the newly established Serious Crime Task Force (SCTF) in the Netherlands. The SCTF initiative aims to process and produce more actionable intelligence on the activities of professional money-launderers, via intensified, co-located cooperation between banks, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and various Dutch law enforcement agencies. The SCTF case illustrates how cooperation in PPPs can also create tension between participating organisations when it crosses established formal positions, responsibilities and other established interests.
Cold atmospheric plasma cancer treatment, direct versus indirect approaches

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), an ionized gas with near room temperature, shows a wide application in medicine. CAP is a tunable source of complex chemical components including many reactive species, which allows CAP to exert many biological effects on bacterial, fungal, yeast, and mammalian cells particularly cancer cells. In this review, we discuss the novel state of the art CAP-based cancer treatment. We focus on the comparison between the direct CAP treatment and the indirect CAP treatment which implements the use of CAP-activated solutions. The difference between the two treatment strategies reveals two unique features of the biological response to CAP: the cell-based H2O2 generation and the activation phenomenon. Short-lived reactive species and physical factors from plasma may trigger these two cellular responses.
Analysis on genetic characteristics of H9N2 avian influenza virus isolated from human infection and external environment in Gansu province

Objective: To analyze the genomic characteristics of human infection with H9N2 avian influenza virus in Gansu province. Methods: The etiological analysis was conducted for human infection with H9N2 avian influenza virus detected in influenza like illness cases in northwestern China in 2016. Molecular bioinformatics Mega 7.0 software was used to analyze the full genomic sequences of the viral isolate. Results: The gene fragments of HA, NA, MP, NP, NS, PA, PB1 and PB2 of the isolate were highly similar (>90%) to those of H9N2 avian influenza virus strain isolated in external environment in Gansu from 2014 to 2019. The HA gene belonged to BJ/94-like branch, PB2 and MP belonged to G1/97-like branch, and the PB1, PA, NS, and NP genes belonged to F/98-like branch. MP and PB2 were closely related to H7N9, H10N8 and H5N6 viruses. Amino acid sequence alignment showed that the HA cleavage site was arranged in PSRSSR ↓ GLF, H183N and Q226L mutated which included 7 HA glycosylated sites; 62-64 sites of NA absented 3 amino acids (ITE); and M2-31N, NS1-42S, PA-356R, and PA-409N mutated. Conclusions: Apparently, this case of human infection with human infection with H9N2 avian influenza virus was an incidental. However, the isolates of H9N2 influenza virus in external environment of Gansu had a series of mammalian adaptive molecular markers, suggesting that the risk of human infection is higher. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance by multi departments to deal with influenza pandemic.
Glycogen Storage Disease Type IX due to a Novel Mutation in PHKA2 Gene.

We report a case of a 17-month-old male with a history of developmental delay with poor muscle control, hepatomegaly, and transaminitis. Ultrasound of abdomen revealed hepatomegaly with a liver span of 13 cm, homogeneous parenchyma, and normal spleen size. Liver and muscle biopsies were obtained: the liver biopsy revealed distended hepatocytes with excessive glycogen accumulation and fine septate fibrosis. Biopsy of the right vastus lateralis muscle showed focal swollen glycogen containing mitochondria. For the developmental delay, a chromosomal microrarray was ordered. The chromosomal microarray revealed the patient to have 1q21 duplication syndrome and 16p11.2 deletion syndrome. Given the liver and muscle biopsy findings, a glycogen storage disease panel was sent which identified the patient to be hemizygous for a variant of uncertain significance denoted as p.Gly 131Val, c.392G > T in the PHKA2 gene. PKHA2 gene encodes the alpha subunit of hepatic phosphorylase kinase. This change in the PHKA2 gene was in a highly conserved region and had been reported in another patient with decreased enzymatic activity of the phosphorylase kinase and who had symptoms of GSD IX. Based on this, the patient was started on treatment for GSD IX, and his family met with a dietician.
Standardized uptake values (SUVs) of soft tissue in the normal and neuropathic foot

1360 Objectives: As the use of PET imaging of the lower extremities becomes more widespread in the diabetic population, it will be necessary to have a thorough understanding of the distribution of FDG activity throughout the foot. Our goal was to compare the extent of FDG activity in the soft tissue regions of the feet of diabetic patients with increasing degrees of neuropathy (mild, moderate, severe), diabetic patients with Charcot arthropathy, and non-diabetic patients. Methods: 21 patients (41 feet) with diabetes underwent PET imaging of the lower extremities. The extent of neuropathy in all subjects was categorized according to the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument. Patients with clinical and/or radiological (MR, plain flim) suspicion of neurodegenerative osteoarthropathy were analyzed separately. Patients with radiological suspicion and/or clinical confirmation of infection were excluded. Maximal SUVs were measured in both feet and compared with those of 20 non-diabetic patients (40 feet) from a retrospective analysis. MRI and PET imaging of the feet were then performed according to standard protocols within 24 hours of one another. The images were fused when possible using a software package, MIM 3.4. Results: The mean of the maximal SUVs in dorsal and plantar soft tissue regions of non-diabetic patients were found to be 0.55 and 0.60, respectively. The mean SUVs for the dorsal and plantar soft tissue regions in patients with mild (n=10 feet), moderate (n=18), and severe (n=4) neuropathy were 0.75 and 0.91, 0.76 and 0.91, and 0.82 and1.02, respectively. Soft tissue mean SUVs are significantly greater in the neuropathic foot, regardless of the degree of neuropathy, when compared to the normal foot (p Conclusions: There is greater FDG uptake in the soft tissue regions of the neuropathic foot when compared to a group of non-diabetic controls. Subjects with mild and moderate levels of neuropathy had a comparable degree of FDG uptake. Those with severe neuropathy and neurodegenerative osteoarthropathy had the greatest levels of FDG uptake. The explanation for these findings is likely multifactorial in etiology and possibly includes the inflammatory processes underlying neuropathy and hypoxia in the diabetic foot.
The Road Less Traveled: Abolishing the Death Penalty on Substantive Due Process, Fundamental Right to Life Grounds

Kevin M. Barry’s The Death Penalty and the Fundamental Right to Life lays out an often overlooked argument against the death penalty. Barry posits that the death penalty is unconstitutional, not on Eighth Amendment cruel and unusual punishment grounds, but on a theory of violating the fundamental right to life from substantive due process. As Barry is quick to point out, this lesser-known argument received additional support from the rationale provided in the Obergefell v. Hodges decision. The essence of using substantive due process to combat the death penalty is that: (1) the Constitution explicitly guarantees the fundamental right to life to prisoners, (2) there is no compelling state interest that rises to the strict scrutiny standard to justify executing these prisoners, and (3) the death penalty is not narrowly tailored to serve a compelling state interest. Barry lays out this argument effectively, explains its superiority to the more common abolitionist method of using the Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause, and addresses potential arguments that are likely to be used against it. These include the argument that recognizing death row inmates’ right to life will undermine the right to an abortion. This Essay primarily focuses not on critiquing the underlying argument, but on the manner in which Barry presents it. He does not play to the strength of the argument, which is its ability to avoid getting bogged down in nuanced discussions only tenuously related to the death penalty. Despite this significant advantage, Barry does just that; he discusses issues such as polling results, race, international law, and religious teachings, which are largely irrelevant to the substantive due process argument for abolishing the death penalty.
Information Collection, Access, and Dissemination to Support Evidence‐Based Shale Gas Policies

To ensure that unconventional shale gas development (UGD) yields net social benefits, we need to identify the magnitude and distribution of its benefits and costs and develop effective technological, management, and regulatory strategies to minimize potential adverse effects. A major obstacle to achieve these goals is the gaps in the collection, access, and dissemination of information. This paper focuses on information gaps to assess a narrow subset of the potential links between UGD and well-water contamination, drawing particularly from the experience in Pennsylvania. It suggests strategies for legislators, regulators, industry, and researchers to address these information gaps, while protecting legitimate privacy concerns. The benefits from an improved understanding of the impact of this industry and resulting innovations to mitigate its impacts justifies the cost of data collection, access, and dissemination.
Aquifer Monitoring Using Ambient Seismic Noise Recorded With Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) Deployed on Dark Fiber

Author(s): Rodriguez Tribaldos, V; Ajo-Franklin, JB | Abstract: Groundwater is a critical resource for human activities worldwide, and a vital component of many natural ecosystems. However, the state and dynamics of water-bearing aquifers remain uncertain, mostly due to the paucity of subsurface data at high spatial and temporal resolution. Here, we show that analysis of infrastructure-generated ambient seismic noise acquired on distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) arrays has potential as a tool to track variations in seismic velocities (dv/v) caused by groundwater level fluctuations. We analyze 5 months of ambient noise acquired along an unused, 23 km-long telecommunication fiber-optic cable in the Sacramento Valley, CA, a so-called “dark fiber." Three array subsections, ∼6nkm apart, are processed and the stretching technique is applied to retrieve daily dv/v beneath each location. Near the Sacramento river, dv/v variations in the order of 2%–3% correlate with precipitation events and fluctuations in river stage of ∼1.5nm. In contrast, regions away (2.5nkm) from the river do not experience large dv/v variations. These observations reveal short-scale spatial variability in aquifer dynamics captured by this approach. Dispersion analysis and surface wave inversion of noise gathers reveal that seismic velocity perturbations occur at depths of 10–30nm. Rock physics modeling confirms that observed dv/v are linked to pore pressure changes at these depths, caused by groundwater table fluctuations. Our results suggest that DAS combined with ambient noise interferometry provides a means of tracking aquifer dynamics at high spatial and temporal resolutions at local to regional scales, relevant for effective groundwater resource management.
Efficacy of EUS-guided needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy in the diagnosis of pancreatic lesions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background and objectives Needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (nCLE) is a procedure in which an AQ-Flex nCLE mini-probe is passed through an EUS-FNA needle into a pancreatic lesion to enable subsurface in vivo tissue analysis. In this study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of nCLE for the diagnosis of pancreatic lesions. Materials and methods We conducted a comprehensive search of several databases and conference proceedings, including PubMed, EMBASE, Google-Scholar, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases (earliest inception to March 2020). The primary outcomes assessed the pooled rate of diagnostic accuracy for nCLE and the secondary outcomes assessed the pooled rate of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and adverse events (AE) of nCLE to diagnose premalignant/malignant pancreatic lesions. Results Eleven studies on 443 patients were included in our analysis. The pooled rate of diagnostic accuracy of EUS nCLE was 83% (95 confidence interval [CI] = 79-87; I 2 = 0). The pooled rate of sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of EUS nCLE was 85.29% (95% CI = 76.9-93.68; I 2 = 85%), 90.49% (95% CI = 82.24-98.74; I 2 = 64%), 94.15% (95% CI = 88.55-99.76; I 2 = 68%), and 73.44% (95% CI = 60.16-86.72; I 2 = 93%), respectively. The total AE rate was 5.41% (±5.92) with postprocedure pancreatitis being the most common AE at 2.28% (±3.73). Conclusion In summary, this study highlights the rate of diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and PPV for distinguishing premalignant/malignant lesions. Pancreatic lesions need to be further defined with more validation studies to characterize CLE diagnosis criteria and to evaluate its use as an adjunct to EUS-FNA.
Democracy and Relativism

This chapter develops the view that democracy is heading toward relativism. It first describes relativism as a cultural phenomenon, and then introduces the philosophical approach of postmodernism in terms of five key theses. We then distinguish between relativism as a philosophical thesis and the rhetoric of relativism, illustrating with the postmodernist approach, and other practical examples, before outlining several serious problems that relativism faces. The chapter then considers the problem of the incommensurability of beliefs, values, and worldviews, clarifying three types of moral disagreement, before concluding with some guidelines for how to approach the difficulties relativism presents for public discourse in modern democratic culture.
Post-Tiananmen Chinese Liberal Intellectuals’ Political Uses of Confucian Tradition and Chinese History

Recently, Chinese leaders’ and intellectuals’ use of Chinese history and Confucian tradition to justify the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) one-party dictatorship at home and advance its influences...
Signal Strength Coordination for Cooperative Mapping

Abstract : This work addresses the problem of coordinating a team of mobile robots such that they form a connected ad-hoc wireless network while addressing task objectives. Many tasks, such as exploration or foraging, can be performed more efficiently when robots are able to communicate with each other. All or parts of these tasks can be performed in parallel, thus multiple robots can complete the task more quickly than a single robot. Communication and coordination among the robots can prevent robots from duplicating the effort of other robots, allowing the team to address the task more efficiently. In non-trivial environments, maintaining communication can be difficult due to the unpredictable nature of wireless signal propagation. We propose a multi-robot coordination method based on perceived wireless signal strength between cooperating robots for exploration in maze-like environments. This new method is tested and compared to an existing method that relies on preserving a clear line of sight between robots to maintain communication.
Incremental Co-Evolution of Organisms: A New Approach for Optimization and Discovery of Strategies

In the field of optimization and machine learning techniques, some very efficient and promising tools like Genetic Algorithms (GAs) and Hill-Climbing have been designed. In this same field, the Evolving Non-Determinism (END) model presented in this paper proposes an inventive way to explore the space of states that, using the simulated “incremental” co-evolution of some organisms, remedies some drawbacks of these previous techniques and even allow this model to outperform them on some difficult problems.
Formation of Turbulent Cones in Accretion Disk Outflows and Application to Broad Line Regions of Active Galactic Nuclei

We consider the stability of an accretion disk wind to cloud formation when subject to a central radiation force. For a vertical launch velocity profile that is Keplerian or flatter and the presence of a significant radiation pressure, the wind flow streamlines cross in a conical layer. We argue that such regions are highly unstable, and are natural sites for supersonic turbulence and, consequently, density compressions. We suggest that combined with thermal instability these will all conspire to produce clouds. Such clouds can exist in dynamical equilibrium, constantly dissipating and reforming. As long as there is an inner truncation radius to the wind, our model emerges with a biconical structure similar to that inferred by Elvis (2000) for the broad line region (BLR) of active galactic nuclei (AGN). Our results may also apply to other disk-wind systems.
Application of Kramers‐Kronig Transforms in the Analysis of Electrochemical Impedance Data II . Transformations in the Complex Plane

Algorithms have been developed to apply the Kramers-Kronig transforms in the analysis of experimental electrochemical impedance data. The application of these algorithms is illustrated by transforming calculated impedance data for an electrical equivalent circuit, by transforming experimental data for TiO/sub 2-/coated carbon steel in HCl/KCl solution at 25/sup 0/C, and by analyzing data for an aluminum alloy in 4M KOH at 60/sup 0/C. These transforms, coupled with statistical techniques, provide a powerful means of evaluating the validity of impedance data with respect to spurious errors that are present in either the real or imaginary component, and with respect to system stability.
Price and tax policy for semi-subsistence agriculture in Ethiopia

In the case of semi-subsistence agriculture where wage employment is not available, the role played by prices and taxes in determining production and consumption decisions is not clearly established by economic theories of household choice. This study demonstrates that where choices in production, consumption, and leisure can be made independently, farmers will decide what to grow on the basis of their preferences for marketed goods. The paper also points out that the choice will be affected by the level and type of taxation imposed. The paper shows the impact of four taxes -- agricultural revenue, land, production and marketed goods consumption -- on crop production and tax revenues. This paper also reports on a model of production in Ethiopia. The results of this study give strong evidence of the role of producer and consumer prices in semi-subsistence agriculture. In addition, the results show the importance of production capacity, household and climatic factors in agricultural development.
Alpha-lipoic acid: a metabolic antioxidant and potential redox modulator of transcription.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the metabolic role and antioxidant properties of α-lipoate and its reduced form, dihydrolipoate and the effects of this antioxidant in modulating the redox-sensitive transcription factor nuclear factor KB (NF- κ B). Because NF- κ B is involved in a wide variety of acute inflammatory responses, and other aspects of rapid responses in cells, this system has been chosen to explore the action of α-lipoate and dihydrolipoate on transcription factors. α-Lipoic acid is found as lipoamide in five proteins in eukaryotes, where it is covalently attached to a lysyl residue. Four of these proteins are found in the three α-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes, the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), the branched chain keto acid dehydrogenase complex, and the α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex. Three are in the E2 enzyme, dihydrolipoyl acyltransferase, which is different in each of the complexes and specific for the substrate of the complex. These three enzymes catalyze five reactions that oxidatively decarboxylate their substrates. The chapter discusses protein X, glycine cleavage system; there is argument on dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase serving a purpose outside of multienzyme complexes, exogenous lipoate reduction, and the metabolic effects of exogenous α-lipoate, the antioxidant properties of lipoate, dihydrolipoate, and lipoic acid as a metabolic antioxidant. The chapter highlights NF- κ B role in normal and abnormal cell function. In responses to stresses such as injury and infection, various genes must be activated, and a central, coordinating factor in this activation of rapid response gene is NF- κ B. NF- κ B also helps modulate gene expression during growth and development. NF- κ B has far-reaching significance for a variety of pathological conditions in which inflammation, growth, or viral activation occurs. The chapter details the role of redox balance in modulating NF- κ B activation, effects of lipoate and dihydrolipoate on NF- κ B, possible therapeutic roles for lipoate involving modification of NF- κ B activity such as in AIDs, atherosclerosis, and diabetes.
January: a parallel algorithm for bug hunting based on insect behavior

January is a group of interacting stateless model checkers designed for bug hunting in large transition graphs that represent the behavior of a program or protocol. January is based upon both individual and social insect behaviors, as such, dynamic solutions emerge from agents functioning with incomplete data. Each agent functions on a processor located on a network of workstations (NOW). The agents' search pattern is a semi-random walk based on the behavior of the grey field slug (Agriolimax reticulatus), the house fly (Musca domestica), and the black ant (Lassius niger). January requires significantly less memory to detect bugs than the usual parallel approach to model checking. In some cases, January finds bugs using 1% of the memory needed by the usual algorithm to find a bug. January also requires less communication which saves time and bandwidth.
The value of community ethnography in public library crisis preparation

In this brief article, I address the usefulness of including community-driven interviews into preparations for disasters. Drawing on Shera’s (1970) highly influential construction of library work as tied to communication, I analyze responses of three library organizations – the New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library and the New Jersey Library Association – immediately following Hurricane Sandy. I then turn to a specific role of communication that libraries can offer surrounding communities, providing resources for local community members to conduct interviews among those who have experienced a disaster. By incorporating this kind of responsibility to communicate experiences of a crisis to a wider audience, libraries fulfill an important part of Shera’s charge to reflect the local values and norms of surrounding communities.
Assisted suicide and the right to die : the interface of social science, public policy, and medical ethics

In Assisted Suicide and the Right to Die: The Interface of Social Science, Public Policy, and Medical Ethics, Barry Rosenfeld examines how social science can inform policy and practice issues in the ongoing debates on end-of-life issues. While some important elements of the arguments for advocacy or opposition to the legalization of assisted suicide, such as moral and ethical concerns, are not necessarily the domain of science, others are amenable to scientific study, including such questions as whether untreated pain or depression fuel requests for assisted suicide. This thoughtful, comprehensive, and balanced volume reviews and synthesizes what research has uncovered thus far, and provides rich context on the major legal, ethical, clinical, social policy, and psychological research issues involved in end-of-life decision-making. Topics include assessment of patient decision-making abilities, do-not-resuscitate orders, and advance directives. Chapters on experience with legalized assisted suicide in Oregon and the Netherlands supplement those devoted to reviewing the psychosocial and medical literature on who seeks assisted suicide and why. This book will be an invaluable resource for health psychology researchers interested in end-of-life policy research as well as for clinicians who treat terminally ill patients and struggle to understand the factors influencing their decisions.
'Serious Consideration' of Race-Neutral Alternatives in Higher Education

What does it mean for a college or university to "seriously consider" race-neutral alternatives? Contemporary affirmative action jurisprudence requires post-secondary institutions to address this question, yet does little to answer it. By requiring universities to conduct "serious, good-faith consideration of workable race-neutral alternatives" before engaging in non-remedial race-conscious activities-but without specifying the requisite nature and scope of this "consideration" - the Court has left many institutions to wonder what is needed to satisfy the Court. Commentators have explored various approaches, including class-rank plans, socioeconomic preferences, and lottery assignment plans. What courts and commentators have largely failed to explore, however, is the basic methodological question: What, specifically, does it mean to give serious consideration to these alternatives? This Article argues that basic principles of program evaluation provide clear standards and criteria for serious program consideration, and that application of these methodologies is mandated by the Court's decisions. As litigation will increasingly focus on narrow tailoring, administrators' failure to apply proper program analysis to race-neutral alternatives could jeopardize many diversity programs. Moreover, the absence of requisite program analysis of race-neutral alternatives will lead to uncertainty, confusion, and disregard for the law. Thus, this Article supplies a framework for identifying meaningful program evaluation standards that can enable universities to comply with the requirements set forth in affirmative action jurisprudence.
EMBRYO RESORPTION AND PLACENTAL SCAR FORMATION IN THE RAT

resorption. The suggestion that placental scars are formed at the sites where embryos have been resorbed has been made by various workers. Davis and Emlen (1948) reported a study of multiparous laboratory rats in which the number of placental scars was compared with the number of young born. In 10 of 21 females there were more uterine scars counted than young born. This they ascribe to production of scars by resorbed embryos. Osborn (1953) found an average of 3.37 placental scars per female in 19 beaver (Castor canadensis) uteri. Embryo counts of 22 pregnant uteri gave an average of 2.91 embryos per female. Resorption involving one or more embryos was noted in six of the 22 uteri. He suggested that the resorption of embryos might account for the higher scar count in this species. Very little direct information has been presented on the relationship of embryo resorption to placental scarformation. Brambell and co-workers (1948) make the following statement concerning resorption in the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus): "The reabsorption sites remain recognizable as such macroscopically for 9-10 days after death from stilboestrol administration at either 11 or 15%3 days post-coitum; although the sites remain visible after that time, especially in the 15% series, it is not then possible to distinguish them from old post-partum placental sites." They made no further observation of the relationship between placental scars and embryonic resorption. Kerr (1947) in a study of the histology of early stages in the resorption of mouse (Mus musculus) embryos mentions that as resorption of 10-day-old embryos continues "cells and pigment are found much as in the pregnant spots which mark the position in normal uteri of previous placentae." Both of the above quoted statements indicate that resorption of embryos in the rabbit and mouse may result in the formation of scars. However no detailed studies of this subject have been made. The placental scars of the rat appear as yellow to black pigmented areas along the utero-mesometrial border. Their origin seems identical with that of the scars in the mouse which have been studied by Deno (1937). He found that scars are produced by accumulations of hemosiderin in the cells of the reticulo-endothelial system that are associated with the involuting metrial gland. In both the rat and mouse, the metrial gland is a prominent structure at the base of the placenta, characterized by large glandular appearing cells. Presumably it is formed by an extension of the decidual response into the connective tissue of the myometrium. The pigment-laden cells are concentrated in this area between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers although some are found in the deeper stroma of the endometrium. As the age of the scar increases the pigmented area may decrease
The EGF receptor-kinase has multiple phosphorylation sites.

Summary The apparent molecular weight in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-kinase labeled with 15 μM [γ-32P] ATP increased as much as 10K daltons when EGF was present during labeling. The EGF receptor-kinase phosphorylated at very low ATP concentrations could be shifted to higher molecular weight by adding excess unlabeled ATP both in the presence and absence of added EGF. Tryptic peptide maps made from the EGF receptor-kinase phosphorylated at low and high ATP concentrations showed four major phosphorylated peptides. The presence of 4 major phosphorylated tryptic peptides and the dependency of the molecular weight shift on the amount of phosphate incorporated suggested that multiple phosphorylation sites are present on the receptor-kinase.
Comparison of laboratory values obtained by means of routine venipuncture versus peripheral intravenous catheter after a normal saline solution bolus

Abstract Study Objective: This study compares selected laboratory values of blood samples obtained by means of venipuncture and by means of a peripheral intravenous catheter after a normal saline solution bolus. Methods: In this prospective experimental study, each participant served as his or her own control. Hospital employees volunteered in the emergency department of a tertiary-care teaching hospital. Participants had a peripheral catheter placed in one upper extremity and received a 200-mL bolus of normal saline solution during a 10-minute period. After a 2-minute wait period, a 12-mL aspirate was withdrawn directly from the saline solution lock. A second 12-mL aspirate was also obtained. Concurrently, venipuncture was performed on the other upper extremity. All 3 samples were analyzed for CBC, electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, liver function tests, and prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR). Limits of agreement analysis based on the definition of clinical equivalence, as determined by surveying residency-trained and board-certified emergency physicians, was used to compare the results of catheter aspirates with those of venipuncture aspirates. Results: Thirty-three volunteers participated. When comparing venipuncture versus first aspirate, 16 of the 19 laboratory tests evaluated had 99% agreement intervals that were within the predetermined definition of clinical equivalence. Potassium, bicarbonate, and glucose did not demonstrate clinical equivalence, and this difference persisted after a 12-mL discard volume. Conclusion: This study supports the use of blood samples obtained by means of aspiration from a peripheral catheter when testing for CBC, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, liver function tests, and PT/INR in healthy-appearing patients. Catheter aspiration, when testing for electrolytes and glucose, may be reasonable in a more select group of patients. [Zlotowski SJ, Kupas DF, Wood GC. Comparison of laboratory values obtained by means of routine venipuncture versus peripheral intravenous catheter after a normal saline solution bolus. Ann Emerg Med. November 2001;38:497-504.]
Failure mechanisms of pure silver, pure aluminum and silver–aluminum alloy under high current stress

Abstract This study investigates the suitability of pure silver (Ag), pure aluminum (Al) and silver (3 at.%-aluminum) alloy (Ag(Al)) metallizations for potential application in programmable fuse links in field-programmable gate arrays. Single-line test-structures of the metallizations, of varying line widths (2.5–10 μm) on titanium nitride (TiN) and SiO 2 , have been investigated by subjecting them to extremely high current-density conditions. With increase in applied current densities, the lines experienced catastrophic failure. The microstructure and topography of the failed sites was examined using scanning electron microscopy and correlated with failure times. The failure mechanism for all three metallizations was dominated by Joule heating produced by the high currents flowing through the lines. For Ag and Ag(Al) structures on SiO 2 , failure occurs by Joule-heating-induced vaporization of metallization. In the case of Ag and Al metallizations on TiN, failure is due to vaporization of metallization followed by mechanical cracking of the barrier thin film due to thermal stresses that act on the layers.
Ketanserin pretreatment attenuates MDMA-induced dopamine release in the striatum as measured by in vivo microdialysis.

Systemic administration of the amphetamine analogue, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) produced a dose-dependent increase in the extracellular concentration of dopamine (DA) in the striatum as measured by in vivo microdialysis in awake, freely-moving rats. The extracellular concentration of the DA metabolite, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), was significantly decreased in dialysate samples following the administration of MDMA (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.). The serotonin-2 (5-HT2) antagonist ketanserin (3 mg/kg, i.p.) had no effect on the extracellular concentration of DA or DOPAC in the striatum of vehicle- treated rats. The administration of ketanserin (3 mg/kg) 1 hr prior to MDMA (20 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the MDMA- induced increase in the extracellular concentration of DA without affecting the decrease in DOPAC concentrations. These data are suggestive that MDMA administration increases DA release in the striatum of awake, freely-moving rats. In addition, MDMA-induced increase in the extracellular concentration of DA in the striatum is mediated, in part, via 5-HT2 receptor mechanisms.
Variability of the concentrations of seventeen trace elements in the muscle and liver of a single striped bass, Morone saxatilis.

The aim of this study was to determine which of seventeen toxic or potentially toxic elements may be eliminated from analyses in future investigations because of their occurrence in fish tissues at non-detectable or very low concentrations. These elements were chosen because the combustion of fossil fuels may be a significant source of anthropogenic releases of these elements in the environment.
Effects of earthquake ground motion on tracking characteristics of new Global Navigation Satellite System receivers

We use a shake table capable of large (7 G) three-dimensional accelerations with large payloads to simulate ground motion reconstructed from acceleration data collected during the February 2010 Mw = 8.8 Maule, Chile, earthquake. The tracking performance of five modern geodetic GNSS receiver and antenna combinations was investigated while undergoing simulated seismic shaking at three two levels of amplification. Individual system performance was characterized by the number of tracked GNSS observations. The L1 and L2 GPS signal tracking was significantly impacted for the majority of the receiver models during simulations with maximum accelerations of 4 G, and the tracking performance for all of the tested receiver types was significantly impaired during the 7 G simulations. Results show improved tracking when only the antenna was shaken suggesting that vibration-induced oscillator phase noise may contribute significantly to tracking degradation during shaking.
Pirh2 RING-finger E3 ubiquitin ligase: its role in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy.

The ubiquitin-dependent proteasome system plays a critical role in many cellular processes and pathogenesis of various human diseases, including cancer. Although there are a large number of E3 ubiquitin ligases, the majority are RING-finger type E3s. Pirh2, a target of p53 transcription factor, contains a highly conserved C3H2C3 type RING domain. Importantly, Pirh2 was found to regulate a group of key factors dedicated to the DNA damage response, such as p53, p73, PolH, and c-Myc. Interestingly, Pirh2 was upregulated or downregulated in different types of cancers. These suggest that Pirh2 is implicated in either promoting or suppressing tumor progression in a tissue-dependent manner. This review will focus on the major findings in these studies and discuss the potential to explore Pirh2 as a cancer therapeutic target.
Use of variable thickness bolus to control electron beam penetration in chest wall irradiation

Abstract Construction of a variable thickness bolus modifies the electron beam penetration to accomodate differences in target thickness. This technique reduces the integral dose to underlying sensitive normal tissues, and permits increased flexibility in dose delivery to the designated volume. The technique has been found useful in electron beam irradiation of large chest wall lesions in 18 patients with recurrent, residual or suspected breast carcinoma post-mastectomy. The great flexibility shows individually tailored therapy. Patients tolerate the 5006–5600 rad delivered to the skin and the 4000–4500 delivered at depth in 6 weeks. Except for skin, which is at risk, there are no adverse reactions. Residual disease received local boost irradiation. The pattern of response following this program is similar to that found for photon therapy.
Scaling properties of diffusion-limited reactions : Fractals

We have generalized our previous scaling arguments [Sheu, Lindenberg, and Kopelman, Phys. Rev. A 42, 2279 (1990)] for diffusion-limited A+B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0 reactions to encompass various possible connectivity properties and reaction conditions on fractal structures. The theory now allows for a more complete range of possible reaction surface configurations. While our original result (which is a special case) places a bound that is consistent with very recent simulations on critical percolation clusters, the generalization is needed to account for the behavior on finitely ramified structures such as Sierpinski gaskets and Peano curve fractal constructions. Our results yield upper and lower bounds for the oscillations of the reactant decay exponent which are typical for hierarchical structures. Our approach unites under a single framework situations such as the A+B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0 reaction and the A+A\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0 reaction that were previously treated separately.
The Variegated Landscape of Local Immigration Policies in the United States

Hundreds of municipalities and counties across the United States have proposed or implemented immigration policies at the local level, ranging from "sanctuary" policies to those designed to exclude undocumented immigrants. Data collected on these policies are presented, and statistically analyzed at the municipal level to interrogate existing hypotheses about factors driving these policy decisions. Municipalities experiencing rapid growth of their foreign-born population and with a high percentage of owner-occupied housing are more likely to introduce exclusionary policies, whereas municipalities with better educated populations are more likely to adopt inclusionary policies. The location of municipalities in the U.S. South and outside central cities is also associated with exclusionary policies. Textual analysis of policy documents for selected municipalities provides insight into why similarly located places adopt contrasting policies. Local ordinances reflect contrasting local imaginaries of race, nati...
Shall I Name Her “Wisdom” or “Elegance”? Naming in China

AbstractNaming practices are significant communicative acts. Given names convey aspects of identity, social circumstances, and cultural conditioning. In this study, several issues regarding naming practices in China are considered. The results show that given names possess multiple levels of meanings, including parental expectations, birth circumstances, lineage, parental affection/love, commemoration, and gender qualities. Although the impact of a given name on a person's everyday life is viewed as mostly symbolic, a given name is believed to have the power of motivating and inspiring individuals. Good given names are meaningful, bear parental wishes, hopes, and love, and are pleasant to hear.
Tumor immune surveillance defect of X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency is not Epstein-Barr virus specific.

Immunodeficient patients are at an increased risk of developing Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) associated lymphomas. We report a patient with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID), who presented with an EBV-negative, B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The tumor did not resolve with chemotherapy or rituximab, but only after recovery of functional donor T-cells cell following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This case illustrates that the cancer predilection associated with immunodeficient hosts may not be a specific immune defect in the recognition of viral specific antigens, and it could be a defect in immune surveillance necessary for elimination of cells with abnormalities in proliferation, function and/or apoptosis. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:706–709. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Hierarchical macrotube/mesopore carbon decorated with mono-dispersed Ag nanoparticles as a highly active catalyst

Natural wood, featuring abundant oxygen-containing functional groups, has been utilized as a reductant to synthesize monodispersed Ag nanoparticles on its surface. By further carbonization of the Ag/wood composite, wood was converted to carbon with embedded mesopore structures. Through the two-step reduction and carbonization, a macro-tube/meso-pore carbon frame with decorated mono-dispersed silver nanoparticles (Ag/C) can be conveniently synthesized. Various characterization techniques including SEM, TEM, HRTEM, BET, Raman, XRD, XPS and FT-IR have been utilized to study the material microstructure, crystalline structure, pore size and surface area and surface properties. The mechanism of Ag/wood formation has also been studied in this work. Ag/C shows outstanding activity in 4-nitrophenol and 2-nitrophenol reduction reactions with much higher reaction rate than literature reports, and no obvious activity degradation was observed after 10 cycles of durability tests. This newly developed synthetic methodology could serve as a general tool to design and synthesize other metal/carbon nanocomposite catalysts for a wider range of catalytic applications. More importantly, the utilization of a widely accessible renewable resource provides a sustainable feature of this work to reduce manufacturing cost and environmental impact.
Speckle Observations of Binary Stars with the WIYN Telescope. II. Relative Astrometry Measures during 1998-2000

Five hundred twelve relative astrometry measures are presented for 253 double stars, including 53 double stars discovered by Hipparcos. In 15 cases, relative astrometry is reported for the first time for newly confirmed pairs. In addition, 20 high-quality nondetections of companions are reported for stars suspected of being nonsingle by Hipparcos. Observations were taken using a fast-readout CCD camera system at the WIYN 3.5 m telescope at Kitt Peak, Arizona. In comparing these measures with ephemeris predictions for binary stars with very well known orbits, we find that the measurement precision is better than 3 mas in separation and 1° in position angle per individual observation. Measurement precision and detection capabilities are fully discussed, and confirmed orbital motion is reported in four cases of the Hipparcos double star discoveries.
From Hyderabad to Harvard: how US law schools make it worthwhile to clerk on India's Supreme Court

AbstractSince the 1990s, judges of the Supreme Court of India have hired law clerks to help them perform some of their routine tasks. However, while clerkships on the U.S. Supreme Court are considered very prestigious and are extensively written about, clerkships on India's Supreme Court are considered to be of significantly lower value by the local legal profession and teaching market in India. Instead, ironically, clerkships on the Supreme Court of India are often pursued by students interested in getting an advanced law degree (usually an LL.M.) at a U.S. law school. Relying on interviews conducted with law clerks and interns who have served on the Supreme Court of India, and using India as a case study, this paper argues that ambitious Indian law students are adopting strategies to “Americanize” themselves in order to culturally arbitrage U.S. law schools' misunderstandings of the global legal profession.
Airborne Microwave Observatory of Subcanopy and Subsurface radar retrieval of root zone soil moisture: Preliminary results

We present an overview of the radar retrieval processing system for estimation of root zone soil moisture (RZSM) in several major North American biomes as one of the products of the Airborne Microwave Observatory of Subcanopy and Subsurface (AirMOSS) project. The AirMOSS mission is briefly described along with the methodologies implemented to collect field data, to prepare several data layers required for retrievals, and to ultimately retrieve the soil moisture profiles. The retrieved soil moisture maps over several sites will be available when the radar data from AirMOSS flights are fully processed and calibrated, which is anticipated in early 2013.
Acousto-optic tunable filters: fundamentals and applications as applied to chemical analysis techniques

Abstract Acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTFs) are solid state wavelength tunable optical filters. Modern AOTFs are constructed by attaching piezoelectric transducers to an appropriate crystalline material. By driving the transducers at the appropriate frequency, a series of perturbations traverse the material. Interactions of photons with these perturbations allow the AOTF to selectively diffract a single narrow-bandpass wavelength. The wavelength may be varied by changing the applied frequency. The focus of this review is to detail chemical analysis applications of AOTFs. A brief historical background of AOTF development is presented. Mathematical and physical descriptions of AOTF behavior are summarized. Currently used materials and characteristics of these materials are described. AOTFs are compared with other wavelength selection devices including: monochromators, absorption filters, transmission filters and liquid crystal tunable filters. Atomic, molecular, fluorescence and Raman spectrometry applications, as well as the use of AOTFs, for remote and proximal imaging applications are highlighted. Lastly, the combination of AOTF and fiber optic technology to make a new device known as an integrated AOTF is considered.