cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scoping environment for robust 60 GHz link deployment

Blockage by human body is a severe challenge to enabling robust 60 GHz directional links. Beam-steering may overcome this problem by electronically steering the signals, thus creating detour paths. However, effectiveness of beam-steering depends on the link's deployment location and the reflection characteristics of surrounding environment. An arbitrarily deployed link may suffer from complete black-out during human blockage. In this paper, we propose a new technique called BeamScope, that predicts the best possible deployment location in an indoor environment, without any explicit war-driving. BeamScope first characterizes the environment using sparse measurement from randomly deployed reference locations. It then predicts the link quality in unobserved locations to suggest a possible redeployment. More specifically, BeamScope characterizes the environment through a novel model that deems ambient reflectors as diffusive mirrors. It can extrapolate the reflectivity and geometrical parameters of the mirrors. Then, it predicts link quality by tracing the signal rays along their line-of-sight and reflecting paths. We have conducted preliminary evaluation of BeamScope on a 60 GHz software-radio testbed and a raytracing simulator. The results show promising accuracy in identifying the best possible locations for 60 GHz link to achieve robust connectivity.
Characterization of the urinary microbiome in healthy dogs

The urinary bladder in healthy dogs has dogmatically been considered free of bacteria. This study used culture independent techniques to characterize the healthy canine urinary microbiota. Urine samples collected by antepubic cystocentesis from dogs without urinary infection were used for DNA extraction. Genital tract and rectal samples were collected simultaneously from the same dogs. The V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA bacterial gene was amplified and compared against Greengenes database for OTU assignment and relative abundance for urine, genital, and rectal samples. After excluding 4 dogs with cultivable bacteria, samples from 10 male (M; 1 intact) and 10 female (F) spayed dogs remained. All samples provided adequate genetic material for analysis. Four taxa (Pseudomonas sp., Acinetobacter sp., Sphingobium sp. and Bradyrhizobiaceae) dominated the urinary microbiota in all dogs of both sexes. These taxa were also detected in the genital swabs of both sexes, while the rectal microbiota differed substantially from the other sample sites. Principal component (PC) analysis of PC1 through PC3 showed overlap of urinary and genital microbiota and a clear separation of rectal swabs from the other sample sites along PC1, which explained 44.94% variation. Surprisingly, the urinary microbiota (mean # OTU 92.6 F, 90.2 M) was significantly richer than the genital (67.8 F, 66.6 M) or rectal microbiota (68.3 F, 71.2 M) (p < 0.0001), with no difference between sexes at any sample site. The canine urinary bladder is not a sterile environment and possesses its own unique and diverse microbiota compared to the rectal and genital microbiota. There was no difference between the sexes at any microbiota sample site (urine, genital, and rectal). The predominant bacterial genus for either sex in the urine and genital tracts was Pseudomonas sp.
The impact on the ozone layer from NOx produced by terrestrial gamma ray flashes

The motivation of this work is to understand the effects of Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) on the ozone layer. One of the main ozone-destroying mechanisms is the production of NOx in the stratospheric region. NOx from lightning has been considered as a possible cause of ozone depletion but probably little of this NOx is transported from the tropopause to the stratosphere. Since the energetic particles of TGFs travel from ≈ 12 km to space, the resulting ionization can produce NOx directly in the stratosphere. In order to quantify the production of stratospheric NOx from TGFs, we use the Runaway Electron Avalanche Model (REAM) to simulate a typical setup of the acceleration region inside a thundercloud. The photons are then transported through the Earth's atmosphere, where they deposit some of their energy as ionization in the ozone layer. We then calculate the number of NOx molecules produced by considering the average energy required to produce one electron-ion pair. Finally the effect of TGF NOx production is estimated using the global annual rate of TGFs. It is estimated that the NOx production of TGFs is completely negligible compared to other sources, and therefore TGFs have no effect on the ozone layer.
Exponential Sums, Ree Groups and Suzuki Groups: Conjectures

Inspired by work of Gross, we exhibit rigid local systems on the affine line whose monodromy groups we conjecture to be the Suzuki and Ree groups, in characteristics 2 and 3 respectively. We give s...
A 2:1 co-crystal of 3,5-di-bromo-4-cyano-benzoic acid and anthracene.

The title co-crystal, C8H3Br2NO2·0.5C14H10, was self-assembled from a 2:1 mixture of the components in slowly evaporating di­chloro­methane. The mol­ecules adopt a sheet structure parallel to (1-12) in which carb­oxy hydrogen-bonded dimers and anthracene mol­ecules stagger in both dimensions. Within the sheets, six individual cyano acid mol­ecules surround each anthracene mol­ecule. Cyano acid mol­ecules form one of the two possible R22(10) rings between neighboring cyano and bromo groups. Compared to the di­chloro analog [Britton (2012). J. Chem. Crystallogr. 42, 851–855], the dihedral angle between the best-fit planes of acid and anthracene mol­ecules has decreased from 7.1 to 0.9 (2)°.
Annulation Reactions for Conjugated Ladder-Type Oligomers

Conjugated ladder-type oligomers are a class of important functional organic materials. They possess intriguing properties stemming from their fully fused aromatic backbones. The construction of the ladder-type backbone relies on a ‘ladderization’ step, which may be accomplished through either kinetically or thermodynamically controlled annulation reactions. The attributes of these reactions are discussed, with relevant recent examples. The development of these reactions is key to continued advances and innovation in the field of organic conjugated materials. 1 Introduction 2 Kinetic Annulations 3 Thermodynamic Annulations 4 Future Outlooks and Conclusion
Azithromycin Fails to Prevent Accelerated Airway Obliteration in T-bet-/- Mouse Lung Allograft Recipients.

Abstract Background Cellular and molecular mechanisms of acute and chronic lung allograft rejection have yet to be clearly defined, and obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) remains the primary limitation to survival in lung transplant recipients (LTRs). We have previously shown that T-bet–deficient recipients of full major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-mismatched, orthotopic left lung transplants develop accelerated obliterative airway disease (OAD) in the setting of acute cellular rejection characterized by robust alloimmune CD8+ interleukin (IL)-17 and interferon (IFN)-γ responses that are attenuated with neutralization of IL-17. Azithromycin has been shown to be beneficial in some LTRs with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome/OB. Here, we evaluated the effects of azithromycin on rejection pathology and T-cell effector responses in T-bet-/- recipients of lung transplants. Methods Orthotopic left lung transplantation was performed in BALB/c → B6 wild type or BALB/c → B6 T-bet-/- strain combinations as previously described. Mice treated with azithromycin received 10 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg subcutaneously daily. Lung allograft histopathology was analyzed at day 10 or day 21 post-transplantation, and neutrophil staining for quantification was performed using anti-myeloperoxidase. Allograft mononuclear cells were isolated at day 10 for T-cell effector cytokine response assessment using flow cytometry. Results We show that while azithromycin significantly decreases lung allograft neutrophilia and CXCL1 levels and attenuates allospecific CD8+ IL-17 responses early post-transplantation, OAD persists in T-bet–deficient mice. Conclusions Our results indicate that lung allograft neutrophilia is not essential for the development of OAD in this model and suggest allospecific T-cell responses that remain despite marked attenuation of CD8+ IL-17 are sufficient for obliterative airway inflammation and fibrosis.
Molecular Imaging of CXCR4 Receptor Expression in Tumors

Metastasis is responsible for most cancer-related deaths. Chemokine receptors have been shown to aid tumor propagation at the key steps of metastasis, including the adherence of tumor cells to the endothelium, extravasation from blood vessels, colonization, angiogenesis, proliferation, and protection from the host immune response. The CXCR4/CXCL12 axis plays a major role in the homing of CXCR4 positive tumor cells to distant metastatic sites. Over the last few years, several agents have been evaluated for monitoring CXCR4 expression using PET, SPECT, and optical imaging modalities in preclinical models. This chapter discusses the current status of CXCR4-targeted probe development. As these agents become clinically available, CXCR4-based imaging could play an important role in detecting tumors with high risk for metastasis, in the early detection of metastases and in therapeutic monitoring.
Successful Novel Treatment of a Paraspinal Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor with Predominantly Glial Differentiation: A 3-Year Follow-Up After Surgery, Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy and Oral Temozolomide.

Background Paraspinal masses are a relatively uncommon but diverse group of lesions that can be neoplastic or non-neoplastic. Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the lumbar paraspinal region with diffuse and strong glial differentiation have never been reported before. Case Description We report a primary paraspinal primitive neuroectodermal tumor with overwhelming glial differentiation in a 23-year-old female patient who presented with intractable right lower extremity pain. The patient underwent a 2-staged operation with gross total resection of the mass followed by intensity-modulated radiation therapy and oral temozolomide, a regimen employed for high-grade intracranial gliomas. Serial imaging revealed no evidence of recurrence after 3 years. Conclusions Although these lesions appear to be exceptionally rare, an approach similar to that of intracranial high-grade glial tumors was effective in our experience. Our patient had no evidence of recurrence at 3-year follow-up.
Authority Under Construction: The European Union in Comparative Political Perspective

Moravcsik's liberal intergovernmentalism irrevocably upgraded the rigour of European Union scholarship by categorizing the EU as an international organization, and analyzing it in terms of general theories of international relations. The deepening of European governance has meant, however, that the EU today is better understood as a polity in formation, generalizable through the lens of comparative politics instead of international relations. Alongside the burgeoning literature on the EU's politicization, I advocate for comparisons to historical episodes of state‐building and nationalism, with particular attention to the role of culture and identity in shoring up, or contesting, political authority. Doing so allows us to better delineate the challenges presented by European citizens’ lack of impassioned attachment to the EU, while also informing a broader understanding of the populist backlashes occurring in the context of more global trends of transnational authority construction.
An integrated product-process hierarchical modeling method for development of complex assembly manufacturing systems

Abstract The development of assembly manufacturing systems of complex products, such as automotive vehicles, needs systematic approaches. This paper proposes a new development method based on hierarchical modeling of a complex product and its assembly processes. The method integrates product and process for assembly system development by decomposing a complex product according to its hierarchical architecture in a product domain and creating the respective assembly flows in a process domain. Based on the integrated product-process hierarchical model, this paper presents three steps of manufacturing system development: 1) to plan overall assembly system flow, 2) to configure subassembly lines, and 3) to design the functionality and processes of main assembly workstations. The paper demonstrates and discusses the first two steps of assembly system development with examples. This method can make assembly manufacturing development more systematic, standardized, and efficient. The method also promotes product design variety and modularity for DFM.
CT versus MR Imaging in Estimating Cochlear Radiation Dose during Gamma Knife Surgery for Vestibular Schwannomas.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Leksell stereotactic radiosurgery is an effective option for patients with vestibular schwannomas. Some centers use a combination of stereotactic CT fused with stereotactic MR imaging to achieve an optimal target definition as well as minimize the radiation dose delivered to adjacent structures that correlate with hearing outcomes. The present prospective study was designed to determine whether there is cochlear dose variability between MR imaging and CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients underwent stereotactic radiosurgery for vestibular schwannomas. Dose-planning was performed using high-definition fused stereotactic MR imaging and stereotactic CT images. The 3D cochlear volume was determined by delineating the cochlea on both CT and T2-weighted MR imaging. The mean radiation dose, maximum dose, and 3- and 4.20-Gy cochlear volumes were identified using standard Leksell Gamma Knife software. RESULTS: The median mean radiation dose delivered to the cochlea was 3.50 Gy (range, 1.20–6.80 Gy) on CT and 3.40 Gy (range, 1–6.70 Gy) on MR imaging (concordance correlation coefficient = 0.86, r2 = 0.9, P ≤ .001). The median maximum dose delivered to the cochlea was 6.7 Gy on CT and 6.6 Gy on MR imaging (concordance correlation coefficient = 0.89, r2 = 0.90, P ≤ .001). Dose-volume histograms generated from CT and MR imaging demonstrated a strong level of correlation in estimating the 3- and 4.20-Gy volumes (concordance correlation coefficient = 0.81, r2 = 0.82, P ≤ .001 and concordance correlation coefficient = 0.87, r2 = 0.89, P ≤ .001). CONCLUSIONS: Both MR imaging and CT provide similar cochlear dose parameters. Despite the reported superiority of CT in identifying bony structures, high-definition MR imaging alone is sufficient to identify the radiation doses delivered to the cochlea.
Through the Pillars of Herakles: Greco-Roman Exploration of the Atlantic

In this first study of the Greek and Roman exploration for over half a century, Duane W. Roller presents an important examination of the impact of the Greeks and Romans on the world through the Pillars of Herakles and beyond the Mediterranean Roller chronicles a detailed account of the series of explorers who were to discover the entire Atlantic coast; north to Iceland, Scandinavia and the Baltic, and south into the Africa tropics. His account examines these early pioneers and their discoveries, and contributes a brand new chapter to the history of exploration. Based not only on the literary evidence, but also personal knowledge of the areas from the Arctic to west Africa, the book looks at the people, from the earliest Greeks, through the Carthaginians to the Romans, and examines their exploration of this vast and largely unfamiliar territory. Discussing for the first time the relevance of Iceland and the Arctic to Greco-Roman culture, this groundbreaking work is an enthralling and informative read that will be an invaluable study resource for Greek and Roman history courses
Family-Friendly Policies and Work-Life Balance in the Public Sector

Family-friendly policies and culture are important components of creating a healthy work environment and are positively related to work outcomes for public employees and organizations. Furthermore, family-friendly policies and culture are critical mechanisms for supporting the careers and advancement of women in public service and enhancing gender equity in public sector employment. While both policies and culture can facilitate women’s participation in the public sector workforce, they may affect men and women differently. Using data from a 2011 study with a nationwide sample of state government employees, we investigate the effects of employee take-up of leave policies, employer supported access to child care, alternative work scheduling, and a culture of family support on work–life balance (WLB). We examine where these variables differ in their effects on WLB among men and women and make specific recommendations to further WLB among women. The results inform the literature on family-friendly policies and culture in public organizations.
Discrimination of gays and lesbians: a social justice perspective.

The existence of discrimination against America's gay and lesbian citizens is widely supported in the research literature of many disciplines. This article provides a specific analysis of this dis- crimination and demonstrates the stark contrast between the discrimina- tion of gays and lesbians in American society and the social justice concepts of equality and fairness. The works of Rawls, and later the works of Nussbaum, provide the theoretical framework highlighting the factors related to this discrimination and inequality. In the concluding section, specific implications for future policy development are pre- sented that are designed to ensure that gays and lesbians are not further discriminated against. Areas examined include civil unions, gay mar- riages, adoptions, hate crime legislation and cessation of the U.S. mili- tary's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy, advocating for inclusion of open gays and lesbians in military positions and command- ership. (Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: © 2004 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Label-free fluorescence assay coupled exonuclease reaction and SYBR Green I for the detection of T4 polynucleotide kinase activity

A sensitive label-free fluorescence assay for monitoring T4 polynucleotide kinase (T4 PNK) activity and inhibition was developed based on a coupled λ exonuclease cleavage reaction and SYBR Green I. In this assay, a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) was stained with SYBR Green I and used as a substrate for T4 PNK. After the 5′-hydroxyl termini of the dsDNA was phosphorylated by the T4 PNK, the coupled λ exonuclease began to digest the dsDNA to form mononucletides and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). At this moment, the fluorescence intensity of the SYBR Green I decreased because of less affinity with ssDNA than dsDNA. The decreasing extent was proportional to the concentration of the T4 PNK. After optimization of the detection conditions, including the concentration of ATP, amount of λ exonuclease and reaction time, the activity of T4 PNK was monitored by the fluorescence measurement, with the limit of detection of 0.11 U mL−1 and good linear correlation between 0.25–1.00 U mL−1 (R2 = 0.9896). In this assay, no label was needed for fluorescence detection. Moreover, the inhibition behaviors of the T4 PNK's inhibitors were evaluated by this assay. The result indicated the potential of using this assay for monitoring of the phosphorylation-related process.
E-228 A novel stent-balloon device for treatment of sidewall intracranial aneurysms

Introduction Intracranial aneurysm rupture claim 15,000 American lives per year and impair over 9000 with neurological deficits. Current treatments are unable to remove the aneurysm threat permanently. Even after an endovascular treatment, an aneurysm could still regrow (recanalize) and rupture. Approximately 25% of patients receiving medical treatment will still die from an aneurysm rupture. Endovascular treatments can benefit from a novel medical device that seals along the aneurysm neck during device delivery to the aneurysm sac while allowing blood flow to perfuse the parent artery, thereby reducing the occurrence of complications resulting from endovascular device placement. Methods The stent-balloon device is composed of a ultra-high compliant urethane balloon that extends over a self-expandable, shape-memory Nitinol braided stent/mesh (100–500 um average pore size) attached to a 0.010–0.018’ micro-guidewire/retriever (figure 1-a). The stent/mesh (similar dimensions to an LVIS Jr®) is delivered through the large (~0.018’ ID) primary lumen and the balloon is inflated around the stent/mesh from the small (~0.006’) secondary lumen (50:50 contrast agent and sterile water). Blood flow in the parent vessel is maintained through the deployed stent/mesh and the balloon provides a smooth-consistent seal along the aneurysm neck (figure 1-b). The diameter of the expanded stent is at least 70–80% of the parent vessel artery. Subsequently, after device delivery, the jailed microcatheter is removed. The balloon is deflated, and the stent/mesh is retracted into the microcatheter. Results The stent-balloon device can temporarily seal off the aneurysm neck during complementary device deployment while maintaining blood flow in the parent vessel, provide a smooth surface at the aneurysm neck to maximize device placement in the aneurysm sac, stop device migration into the parent vessel short-term, and reduce aneurysm recanalization risk long-term. The device with the stent and ultra-high compliant balloon can be used for treating sidewall aneurysms and bifurcation aneurysms where the stent can provide flow in the primary branch while the compliant balloon can seal the aneurysm neck and temporarily occlude the secondary branch. Conclusion This device can improve the placement of devices, such as coils and a new generation of liquid embolics, into an aneurysm sac without blocking the parent vessel in the short-term, nor leaving metal in the parent vessel long-term. A new stent-balloon device would allow neurointerventionalists a less-restricted time window to deploy embolic devices and obtain a more complete aneurysm sac fill while concurrently limiting any protrusion or migration of the embolic devices downstream. Disclosures O. Asgari: None. H. Sodawalla: None. T. Becker: None.
A Review of Multi Agent Perimeter Defense Games

This paper reviews a series of works done on the multi-agent perimeter defense scenario, in which a team of intruders try to score by reaching the target region while a team of defenders try to minimize the score by intercepting those intruders. We describe how the small-scale differential games are solved and are leveraged to design team strategies in the large-scale swarm versus swarm scenarios. Three different approaches to analyze the large-scale games (MM, MIS, and LGR) are introduced with comments on their relative strengths and weaknesses. As a unique contribution of this paper, we discuss how the existing results can be extended into more general problem formulations. Furthermore, we point out the limitations of the current work and suggest potential directions for future research.
Multiple extubation failures following a rhino-enteroviral infection: A unique case report in a pediatric patient

This case report reviews the hospital course of a 15-month-old girl admitted to the PICU for acute respiratory failure due to enterovirus infection; who subsequently had multiple extubation failures secondary to acute transverse myelitis. This rare presentation highlights the importance of assessing the neurological status in a patient with rhino-enteroviral respiratory infection and of considering acute transverse myelitis as an etiology for difficulty with extubation.
Engaging Students in Data Literacy: Lessons Learned from Data Intensive Classrooms

This paper offers one approach to teaching relevant data literacy skills, knowledge, and attitudes using authentic assignments and assessments that provide students motivational and real-world data applications in order for them to demonstrate their data literacy skills. Students are expected to demonstrate data literacy skills through: Demonstrating knowledge of relevant analytic methods, and to recognize and apply quantitative algorithms, techniques and interpret results; Demonstrating strategic thinking skills, combined with a solid technical foundation in data and model driven decision making; Developing the ability to apply critical and analytical methods to formulate and solve science, engineering, medical, and business problems; Effectively communicating analytic findings to non-specialists. We discuss some of the pilot projects that we conducted inside the data-intensive courses such as Data Analytics and Data Science and share insights from the lessons learned to provide ideal pedagogical environments to make our students’ data literate.
Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Confidence IndexTM Research Report Q3 2020

The Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Confidence IndexTM (Bloomberg ticker symbol: SVVCCI) is based on a recurring quarterly survey (since Q1 2004) of Silicon Valley/San Francisco Bay Area venture capitalists. The Index measures and reports the opinions of professional venture capitalists on their estimations of the high-growth venture entrepreneurial environment in the San Francisco Bay Area over the next 6 - 18 months. The Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Confidence IndexTM for the third quarter of 2020, based on a September 2020 survey of 31 San Francisco Bay Area venture capitalists, registered 3.39 on a 5-point scale (with 5 indicating high confidence and 1 indicating low confidence). This quarter’s Index measurement rose for the second consecutive quarter from the all-time low reading of 2.33 in the first quarter of 2020. Please see Graph 1 for quarterly trend data.
Café coronary syndrome - case report and medicolegal implications.

Cafe coronary syndrome is a term used to describe a sudden collapse of healthy subjects during meals in the absence of any sign of asphyxia, respiratory distress, or neurological symptoms. Risk fac...
Facial Lichen Striatus in Children: Retracing the Lines of Blaschko

We report seven patients with facial lichen striatus along the lines of Blaschko who presented to our pediatric dermatology unit between 2003 and 2009. The mean age of diagnosis was 4.6 years (range 2.5-9 years). Three of the cases were associated with atopic dermatitis, and one case presented with vitiligo. In the six patients for whom we have follow-up, all lesions resolved without pigmentary changes in an average of 11 months. This case series describes the distribution, presentation, and natural history of lichen striatus along facial lines of Blaschko. From our experience, clinical diagnosis and monitoring without biopsy is a reasonable approach to the management of uncomplicated lichen striatus, particularly when the face is involved.
Dynamic contextual intensional logic: logical foundations and an application

This paper develops further aspects of Contextual Intensional Logic, a type-theoretic logic intended as a general foundation for reasoning about context. I motivate and formulate the dynamic version of the logic, prove some results about it, and show how it can be used to specify inter-contextual reasoning.
Individual Differences and Notetaking: Exploring Alternative Strategies for Improved Test Performance

ii List of Tables iv List of Figures v Experiment Introduction 6 Experiment One 17 Experiment Two 28 Experiment Three 34 Individual Differences 42 General Discussion 49 References 57
The neural retina maintains integrins in the apical membrane of the RPE early in development.

Purpose. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) lines the interface between the neural retina and the choroid. Early in chicken development, the j81 family of integrins resides in the apical (facing the neural retina) and basolateral (facing the choroid) membranes of RPE. Later in development, integrins reside only in the basolateral membranes, which is more typical of simple transporting epithelia. The authors examined whether the distribution of integrins is regulated by the neural retina. Methods. Individual integrins were examined by studying the individual a-subunits that form heterodimers with the /31 subunit. The expression and distribution of these subunits were determined by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. Results. Subunits aS and a6 exemplified contrasting behaviors. Early and late in development, a3 was found only in the basal membranes. As was j81, the distribution of a6 was nonpolarized early in development but was basal later in development. The effect of the immature neural retina was determined by reconstituting the RPE:neural retinal interface in explant culture. Absent the neural retina, a6 and /31 were removed from the apical membrane. When present, the immature neural retina maintained both subunits in the apical membrane. The neural retina was effective only if the outer (primordial photoreceptor) surface of the retina apposed the RPE. Conclusions. These data suggest that matrix or intercellular interactions determine the distribution of individual integrins. Further, the changes in integrin distribution during development reflect the maturation of the primordial interphotoreceptor matrix or photoreceptor cell layer. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1994; 35:2567-2576.
Hair Dryer Burns in Children

Three children with burn injuries caused by home hair dryers are described. In one patient the injury was believed to be accidental, and in the other two cases the injuries were deliberately caused by a caretaker. The lack of prior experience with hair dryer burns initially led to suspicion of other causes. The characteristics of each case aided in the final determination of accidental vs nonaccidental injury. These cases prompted testing of home hair dryers to determine their heat output. At the highest heat settings, the dryers rapidly generated temperatures in excess of 110 degrees C. After the dryers were turned off, the protective grills maintained sufficient temperatures to cause full-thickness burns for up to 2 minutes. These cases and the results of testing demonstrate that hair dryers must be added to the list of known causes of accidental and nonaccidental burns in children.
Rigorous analysis of axisymmetric transformation optics lenses embedded in layered media illuminated by obliquely incident plane waves

[1] A body of revolution, finite-difference time-domain (BOR-FDTD) method is developed for rigorous analysis of axisymmetric transformation optics (TO) lens devices. For normal incidence, a one dimensional (1-D) FDTD method based on the total-field scattered-field (TFSF) technique was proposed to model the propagation of a plane wave launched from the top of a layered medium in cylindrical coordinates. The 1-D FDTD solutions were employed to efficiently inject normally incident plane waves into the BOR-FDTD method. For oblique incidence, analytical formulations were derived and presented by expanding the plane wave into a series of cylindrical modes via Fourier series expansion of the ϕ-dependent variables, which were then used to introduce obliquely incident plane waves into the TFSF formulas associated with the BOR-FDTD method. These procedures allowed for accurate simulations of BOR TO lenses embedded in layered media illuminated by obliquely incident waves. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method were verified by comparing numerical results with either analytical solutions or a commercial software (COMSOL) package. Thereafter, the developed BOR-FDTD code was utilized to study the imaging properties of (a) radial gradient-index (GRIN) lenses with a parabolic index profile, (b) a flat TO GRIN lens, (c) a spherical Luneburg lens, and (d) a cylindrical TO Luneburg lens both in free space and on top of a substrate. Here the TO GRIN lenses were designed by using the quasi-conformal transformation optics (QCTO) technique. It was found that the flat TO lens was able to provide identical focusing properties as a cemented doublet in both free space and over a dielectric substrate. Moreover, the numerical results demonstrated that the flattened TO Luneburg lens possessed the desired imaging properties under different illuminations for both polarizations.
Crafting a Theory of Socialist Democracy for China in the 21st Century: Considering Hu Angang's (胡鞍钢) Theory of Collective Presidency in the Context of the Emerging Chinese Constitutional State

In the West democratic constitutionalism is grounded on the premise that democracy occurs outside of the organs of state, through elections and discourse. Chinese constitutional theorists have begun to elaborate a distinct view — that democratic constitutionalism may also be grounded on the premise that democracy occurs within the organs of state and the political apparatus of the nation, through collective and representational decision making. Hu Angang has most recently expressed a theory of socialist democracy around the notion of a collective presidency. This essay considers Hu Angang’s theory and defense of the role of the CCP in China’s constitutional system, with particular focus on the evolution of the premises of collective action merged with democratic theory and applied to the operations of a party-state system. Its object is to theorize internal democratic structures of the CCP, and through them, of the government as a whole. Its focus is on the development of collective leadership. Part I first considers the theoretical underpinning of the theory of collective presidency — grounded in China’s history, context and its political ideology. The object is to better situate the history and utility of a collective presidency within the political structures and ideological premises of Chinese constitutionalism, and then to consider the connection between that construction and global principles of constitutional democracy. Part II then considers the arguments advanced for the efficiency and representation-reinforcing elements of the collective presidency — collective succession, collective labor division and cooperation, collective learning, collective research, and collective decision-making. Part III briefly considers the work that remains to be done as the CCP continues to scientifically develop the theory of democratic socialism and attends to the harder task, not of drawing theory form facts, but of living theory through practice. The essential insight of the Chinese move toward a distinct socialist democracy is not that that there can only be one best approach, but its opposite — that it is not which state is more democratic in accordance with a singular formula, but whether every state develops democratic structures effectively responsive to its own conditions. It is only in this context that comparison becomes useful.
Compressed sensing reconstruction for undersampled breath-hold radial cine imaging with auxiliary free-breathing data.

Purpose To improve compressed sensing (CS) reconstruction of accelerated breath-hold (BH) radial cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by exploiting auxiliary data acquired between different BHs. Materials and Methods Cardiac function is usually assessed using segmented cine acquisitions over multiple BHs to cover the entire left ventricle (LV). Subjects are given a resting period between adjacent BHs, when conventionally no data are acquired and subjects rest in the scanner. In this study the resting periods between BHs were used to acquire additional free-breathing (FB) data, which are subsequently used to generate a sparsity constraint for each cardiac phase. Images reconstructed using the proposed sparsity constraint were compared with conventional CS using a composite image generated by averaging different cardiac phases. The efficacy of the proposed reconstruction was compared using indices of LV function and blood-myocardium sharpness. Results The proposed method provided accurate LV ejection fraction measurements for 33% and 20% sampled datasets compared with fully sampled reference images, and showed 14% and 11% higher blood-myocardium border sharpness scores compared to the conventional CS. Conclusion The FB data acquired during resting periods can be efficiently used to improve the image quality of the undersampled BH data without increasing the total scan time. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:179–188. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Corrigendum to “Crossed-listed Foreign Firms' Earnings Informativeness, Earnings Management and Disclosures of Corporate Governance Information under SOX” [International Journal of Accounting. Volume (44) 1-32]

Corrigendum to “Crossed-listed Foreign Firms' Earnings Informativeness, Earnings Management and Disclosures of Corporate Governance Information under SOX” [International Journal ofAccounting.Volume (44) 1-32] Jui Chin Chang , Heuy Lian Sun b,⁎ a Department of Accounting, School of Business, Howard University, 2400 Sixth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20059, United States b Department of Accounting & Finance, School of Business and Management, Morgan State University, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251, United States
Modification of cardiac and hyperglycemic effects of epinephrine by insulin

Abstract After dogs are injected intravenously with epinephrine, there is considerable hyperglycemia and an increase in the rate and force of the heart beat. However, if dogs are injected with epinephrine five minutes after pre-treatment with insulin there is only a minimal rise in the blood glucose and no significant changes in the rate and force of the heart beat. Our results suggest that the insulin and epinephrine mechanisms may share a common site of action, not only in the liver but in the heart.
Biquadratic Spinor Identities

The representation-independent biquadratic identities which Pauli has proved to hold between a Dirac wave function and its adjoint are shown to be generalizable in several ways. To obtain these generalizations it is first shown how the symmetrical Kronecker product of two spinor representations of the orthogonal group in $n$ dimensions decomposes. Then a method is given to express the tensors formed in a particular way from two covariant and two contravariant spinors in terms of those formed in any other way. These results are applied to write explicitly all biquadratic scalar and pseudoscalar identities in $2\ensuremath{\nu}$ dimensions and all scalar identities in $2\ensuremath{\nu}+1$ dimensions. The way to obtain more general tensor identities is indicated.
Novel Treatment Options for Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM), first described by Jan Waldenstrom in 1944, is a lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma characterized by the presence of an immunoglobulin M monoclonal gammopathy in the blood and monoclonal small lymphocytes and lymphoplasmacytoid cells in the bone marrow. WM is a rare and indolent disease but remains incurable. In this review we discuss the pathogenesis of WM and focus on novel treatment options that target pathways deregulated in this disease. Recent studies have helped us identify specific genetic mutations that are commonly seen in WM and might prove to be important therapeutic targets in the future. We discuss the role of epigenetics and the changes in the bone marrow microenvironment that are important in the pathogenesis of WM. The commonly used drugs are discussed with a focus on novel agents that are currently being used as single agents or in combination to treat WM. We finally focus on some agents that have shown preclinical efficacy and might be available in the near future.
Chemical genetic strategy for targeting protein kinases based on covalent complementarity

The conserved nature of the ATP-binding site of the > 500 human kinases renders the development of specific inhibitors a challenging task. A widely used chemical genetic strategy to overcome the specificity challenge exploits a large-to-small mutation of the gatekeeper residue (a conserved hydrophobic amino acid) and the use of a bulky inhibitor to achieve specificity via shape complementarity. However, in a number of cases, introduction of a glycine or alanine gatekeeper results in diminished kinase activity and ATP affinity. A new chemical genetic approach based on covalent complementarity between an engineered gatekeeper cysteine and an electrophilic inhibitor was developed to address these challenges. This strategy was evaluated with Src, a proto-oncogenic tyrosine kinase known to lose some enzymatic activity using the shape complementarity chemical genetic strategy. We found that Src with a cysteine gatekeeper recapitulates wild type activity and can be irreversibly inhibited both in vitro and in cells. A cocrystal structure of T338C c-Src with a vinylsulfonamide-derivatized pyrazolopyrimidine inhibitor was solved to elucidate the inhibitor binding mode. A panel of electrophilic inhibitors was analyzed against 307 kinases and MOK (MAPK/MAK/MRK overlapping kinase), one of only two human kinases known to have an endogenous cysteine gatekeeper. This analysis revealed remarkably few off-targets, making these compounds the most selective chemical genetic inhibitors reported to date. Protein engineering studies demonstrated that it is possible to increase inhibitor potency through secondary-site mutations. These results suggest that chemical genetic strategies based on covalent complementarity should be widely applicable to the study of protein kinases.
An Intercomparison of DMSP F11- and F13-Derived Sea Ice Products

Abstract Passive microwave satellite data provide an extended time series for monitoring of polar processes, such as variability in sea ice extent. To ensure consistent data sets for time series analysis of sea ice cover, differences between ice concentration estimates from similar sensors on successive spacecraft must be understood. In this study, the effects of changing from the SSM/I F11 to the F13 satellite are examined for a 5-month overlap period. In terms of hemispheric averages of mean ice concentration, the biases introduced by the switch from F11 to F13 are slight and are not statistically significant in most areas, although relatively large and significant differences are seen in some regions. Furthermore, differences in sea ice extent and total ice covered area between the two platforms were found to be statistically significant. Previous efforts to reduce such differences in geophysical parameters between earlier SSM/Is have focused on establishing relationships between the brightness temperatures. However, we find the relations between the F11 and F13 brightness temperatures to be highly sensitive to the region chosen for the analysis. Consequently, the choice of sample has a substantial effect on the sensor-to-sensor adjustment and on the resulting sea ice concentrations. Furthermore, analysis of ice concentrations between F8 and F11 and between F11 and F13 shows that current attempts at a relative calibration of the two instruments do not offer a significant improvement in corresponding ice fractions.
Partition testing does not inspire confidence (program testing)

Theoretical models are used to study partition testing in the abstract and to describe the circumstances under which it should perform well at failure detection. Partition testing is shown to be more valuable when the partitions are narrowly based on expected failures and there is a good chance that failures occur. It is concluded that for gaining confidence from successful tests, partition testing as usually practiced has little value. >
Adults’ performance on a multidimensional sorting task for the dimensions of “shape” and “internal design”

Thirty-two adults judged which two of three figures were most alike and also which two were most different. The figures differed in shape and internal design. Twenty-four different triads of figures were presented. Twelve Ss significantly preferred shape, 10 preferred internal design, and the remainder had no preference. However, only 4% of the total 768 “most different” judgments indicated a failure to consider both dimensions, indicating that the dimensions were available whether preferred or not. The elicitation of both same and different judgments is discussed as a means whereby dimension “availability” and dimension “preference”—ordinarily confounded in multidimensional sorting tasks—can be distinguished from one another.
Thermal Analysis of the Hot Dip-Coating Process

In this study a thermal analysis is performed on the hot dip-coating process where solidification of metal occurs of a bar moving through a finite molten bath. A continuum model is considered that accounts for important transport mechanisms such as axial heat diffusion, buoyancy, and shear-induced melt motion in the bath. A numerical solution procedure is developed, and its predictions are compared with those of an analytical approximate solution, as well as available experimental data. The predictions of the numerical scheme are in good agreement with the experimental data
Hydrovinylation of norbornene. Ligand-dependent selectivity and asymmetric variations.

Norbornene undergoes Ni-catalyzed (1−2 mol% allylnickel bromide/phosphine/NaBARF or AgSbF6, 1 bar ethylene, −50 °C) hydrovinylation (>97% yield), giving either a 1:1 or a 2:1 (norbornene/ethylene) adduct depending on the size of the phosphine. Use of binaphthol-derived phosphoramidite ligand results in up to 80% ee for the 1:1 adduct. The course of the reaction is highly dependent on the ligand (size and configuration of the appendages) and the counteranion present.
Peptido-Leukotrienes Are Potent Agonists of von Willebrand Factor Secretion and P-Selectin Surface Expression in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Background The peptido-leukotrienes (LTs) and lipoxins (LX) are produced by platelets through the transcellular conversion of leukocyte-derived LTA4 at sites of vascular inflammation and injury, such as during coronary artery balloon angioplasty. We studied the actions of these eicosanoids on vascular endothelium. Methods and Results We found that stimulation of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC) with LTC4 and LTD4 resulted in the release of high-molecular-weight multimers of von Willebrand factor (vWF) in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion, as measured by ELISA. Neither LXA4 nor LXB4 stimulated vWF release. LTC4 and LTD4 also stimulated a rapid increase in the surface expression of P-selectin indicated by increased binding of anti–P-selectin monoclonal antibody–coated beads. Fluorescence cytometry detected prolonged peaks of [Ca2+]i in EC in response to concentrations of thrombin and LTD4 that induce near-maximal vWF secretion. In contrast, concentrations of LTC4 that induce si...
Arteriovenous malformation draining vein physiology and determinants of transnidal pressure gradients.

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) draining vein pressure (DVP) may have an influence on both the natural history of the disease and treatment outcome. The purposes of this study were to assess the relationship between DVP and other clinical and physiological variables and to characterize the transmission of arterial pressure across the AVM nidus. DVP measurements were carried out during elective AVM resection with isoflurane/nitrous oxide anesthesia with arterial carbon dioxide pressure of ≃30 mm Hg. The gradient between the right atrium and operative measurement site was noted. Pre-excision feeding mean arterial pressure and DVP were measured with a 26-gauge needle simultaneously with systemic mean arterial pressure and central venous pressure (CVP)