cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cognitive INFOSEC

This paper characterizes technology challenges of Cognitive Information Security (INFOSEC). This far-term vision re-invents software radio as a "trusted" cognitive agent for the consumer or the military. Cognitive radio (CR) is software radio employing cognition technology to enhance information services for the user. Cognitive INFOSEC (CI) employs the cognition technology to achieve a high level of trust. Hardware needs for CI are substantially more demanding than for software radio. CI hardware includes non-RF sensors such as binaural audio, stereo video, biometrics and accelerometers. CR also needs multiband, multimode RF capabilities. This leads to interesting new microwave hardware design tradeoffs. Cognition sensors may share system on chip (SoC) subsystems with INFOSEC hardware, location-awareness sensors, and RF hardware in wearable formats. This paper provides far-term concepts of operations, suggesting new SoC tradeoffs and related technology challenges.
WhatEntamoeba histolytica andGiardia lamblia tell us about the evolution of eukaryotic diversity

Entamoeba histolytica andGiardia lamblia are microaerophilic protists, which have long been considered models of ancient pre-mitochondriate eukaryotes. As transitional eukaryotes, amoebae and giardia appeared to lack organelles of higher eukaryotes and to depend upon energy metabolism appropriate for anaerobic conditions early in the history of the planet. However, our studies have shown that amoebae and giardia contain splicoeosomal introns, ras-family signal-transduction proteins, ATP-binding casettes (ABC)-family drug transporters, Golgi, and a mitochondrion-derived organelle (amoebae only). These results suggest that most of the organelles of higher eukaryotes were present in the common ancestor of all eukaryotes, and so dispute the notion of transitional eukaryotic forms. In addition, phylogenetic studies suggest many of the genes encoding the fermentation enzymes of amoebae and giardia derive from prokaryotes by lateral gene transfer (LGT). While LGT has recently been shown to be an important determinant of prokaryotic evolution, this is the first time that LGT has been shown to be an important determinant of eukaryotic evolution. Further, amoebae contain cyst wall-associated lectins, which resemble, but are distinct from lectins in the walls of insects (convergent evolution). Giardia have a novel microtubule-associated structure which tethers together pairs of nuclei during cell division. It appears then that amoebae and giardia tell us less about the origins of eukaryotes and more about the origins of eukaryotic diversity.
Assessing Educational Needs in Geriatric Care in Ophthalmology: A Single Academic Institution Study

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the educational needs in geriatric care among practicing and training eye care providers at a single academic institution, the Flaum Eye Institute, at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Methods Data were collected using a voluntary and anonymous electronic survey that was distributed to 35 training and practicing eye care providers. Results Of the 35 distributed surveys, 27 (77%) were returned. Respondents included 6 residents-in-training and 17 practicing providers, based on those who reported demographics. Overall, respondents reported that most of their patients were older than 65 years (mean, 66.4%). Notably, 63% of providers felt they received very little to no prior education in geriatric care. Only 46.4% reported having a moderate level of interest in geriatric issues. While respondents reported high confidence levels in many geriatric domains, they reported moderate to low confidence levels in several others, including conducting cognitive and functional assessments, assessing and reducing the risk for falls and driving accidents, recognizing depression, and understanding the roles of long-term care and home services, social supports, and geriatric rehabilitation. Differences were also observed in confidence levels between residents-in-training and practicing providers in several geriatric domains. Conclusion At this single academic institution, current practicing and training ophthalmologists reported having limited prior education in geriatric care and identified many opportunities for geriatric education. While larger-scale studies need to be conducted to produce more generalizable results, this pilot study serves as a guide to augment geriatric education and training of ophthalmologists and improve the quality of eye care for the rapidly growing aging U.S. population.
Junctional proteins of the blood-brain barrier: New insights into function and dysfunction

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly complex and dynamic barrier. It is formed by an interdependent network of brain capillary endothelial cells, endowed with barrier properties, and perivascular cells (astrocytes and pericytes) responsible for inducing and maintaining those properties. One of the primary properties of the BBB is a strict regulation of paracellular permeability due to the presence of junctional complexes (tight, adherens and gap junctions) between the endothelial cells. Alterations in junction assembly and function significantly affect BBB properties, particularly barrier permeability. However, such alterations are also involved in remodeling the brain endothelial cell surface and regulating brain endothelial cell phenotype. This review summarizes the characteristics of brain endothelial tight, adherens and gap junctions and highlights structural and functional alterations in junctional proteins that may contribute to BBB dysfunction.
Analysis on sanitary condition of centralized drinking water supply in rural area of Jinan City

[Objective]To investigate and analyze the sanitary condition of centralized drinking water supply in rural area of Jinan City.[Methods]The basic hygiene status of rural centralized water supply projects in 10 districts / counties of Jinan City was surveyed by the stratified sampling. The quality levels of finished water in wet period and dry period in the year of 2011 and 2012 were analyzed.[Results]The qualified rate of centralized drinking water supply in rural area in wet period and dry period was 56. 79%and 42. 55% respectively. The qualified rates of shallow well water,deep well water,spring water and surface water during the dry period was respectively 38. 64%,60. 08%,23. 53% and 65. 38%,while qualified rate of these water sources during the wet period was respectively 20. 45%,45. 64%,27. 27% and 57. 69%,and there were significant differences in the qualified rates of these water sources between wet period and dry period( P 0. 05). The bacterial count and coliform group were the factors that affected the water quality in rural area,while nitrate and fluoride was the main unqualified index that affected the water quality of shallow well water and deep well water respectively. The qualified rate of microorganisms in the water samples with and without disinfection was 56. 9% and 75. 0% respectively( χ2= 36. 37,P = 0. 000).[Conclusion]The sanitary condition of centralized drinking water supply in rural area of Jinan City is poor,which needs to be improved.
On communicative language testing

Communicative Language Testing(CLT) has become the mainstream testing method. This paper elaborates the theoretical model and the merits and demerits of CLT after reviewing the four stages of language testing. From the standpoint that validity is more important than reliability in language testing, the paper concludes that CLT should be implemented. The paper proposes that language testing in our country under the present circumstances should be an integration of all the other language testing approaches on the basis of CLT.
Energy transfer assays of rat renal cortical endosomal fusion: evidence for superfusion.

The complex of components necessary to allow endosomal fusion includes both membrane-bound receptors and several soluble proteins. Although these factors have been isolated from cultured cell lines, and endosomal fusion has been reconstituted in vitro for vesicular systems from yeast to synaptosomes, there is a paucity of data from mammalian systems. To investigate fusion in rat renal cortical endosomes, we began by developing a fusion assay. As the immunoglobulin and avidin-based probes almost universally employed in fusion assays are excluded by the glomerular ultrafiltration barrier, it was necessary to begin by finding ultrafilterable probes which could serve as a fusion assay. We labeled the apical endosomal pathway of the renal proximal tubule by intravenous infusion of ultrafilterable fluorescent dextrans. Energy transfer from entrapped fluorescein-dextran to rhodamine-dextran had a narrow concentration dependence but allowed fluorometric assay of endosomal fusion. The “spectroscopic ruler” propert...
Adult dietary characteristics affecting iron intake: a comparison based on iron density.

Food frequency information from 762 Utahns, aged 24 to 80 years, selected from the general population using a random digit dialing technique was studied to determine the characteristics of diets that provide 18 mg iron/2,000 kcal, the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) of iron and energy for women aged 23 to 50 years. The diets were divided into three categories according to iron per 1,000 kcal: category 1, 9.0 mg or more iron; category 2, 6.0 to 8.99 mg iron; and category 3, 5.99 mg or less iron. Twenty-seven percent of the women and 16% of the men reported consuming diets containing more than 9 mg iron/1,000 kcal. Six percent of the women consumed 18 mg iron daily. Total energy intake decreased dramatically as iron density increased, as did intake of protein, carbohydrate, and fat. However, the percentage of energy consumed as protein and carbohydrate increased in the high-iron density categories. Individuals in the high-iron density categories consumed greater proportions of their iron and energy from vegetable, fruit, and cereal products; those in the low-iron density category consumed more pastries, beverages, sweets, and added fats, i.e., high-calorie foods. When fortified breakfast cereals were removed from the diets, only 14% of the women and 6% of the men consumed diets that provided at least 9 mg iron per 1,000 kcal. Women can meet the RDA for iron from their diets if they consume the recommended amount of energy distributed across food groups as follows: cereals, 14% to 16%; vegetables, at least 11%; meat, fish, poultry, and eggs, 16% to 18%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
An Exploration of Behavioral Health Productivity and Billing Practices Within Pediatric Primary Care.

OBJECTIVES : To provide descriptive information on behavioral health (BH) productivity and billing practices within a pediatric primary care setting. METHODS : This retrospective investigation reviewed 30 months of electronic medical records and financial data. RESULTS : The percent of BH provider time spent in direct patient care (productivity) was 35.28% overall, with a slightly higher quarterly average (M = 36.42%; SD = 6.46%). In the 646.75 hr BH providers spent in the primary care setting, $52,050.00 was charged for BH services delivered ($80.48 hourly average). CONCLUSIONS : BH productivity and billing within pediatric primary care were suboptimal and likely multifactorially derived. To promote integrated primary care sustainability, the authors recommend three future aims: improve BH productivity, demonstrate the value-added contributions of BH services within primary care, and advocate for BH-supporting health care reform.© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. Language: en
Management and the European Economic Community

The Treaty which created the European Economic Community (EEC) was signed in Rome on March 25, 1957. The economic objective consists in establishing a Common Market comprising Italy, France, West-Germany and the Benelux Countries — The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, eliminating trade restrictions between the six partners.
Kurt Breysig, Stefan George, Gespräche Dokumente. Sonderdruck des Hef tes XLII von Castrum Peregrini.: Amsterdam: Castrum Peregrini Presse, 1960. Pp. 112

(1966). Kurt Breysig, Stefan George, Gesprache Dokumente. Sonderdruck des Hef tes XLII von Castrum Peregrini.. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 243-244.
Temperature Dependent Border Trap Response Produced by a Defective Interfacial Oxide Layer in Al2O3/InGaAs Gate Stacks.

Intentional oxidation of an As2-decapped (100) In0.57Ga0.43As substrate by additional H2O dosing during initial Al2O3 gate dielectric atomic layer deposition (ALD) increases the interface trap density (Dit), lowers the band edge photoluminescence (PL) intensity, and generates Ga-oxide detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Aberration-corrected high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals formation of an amorphous interfacial layer which is distinct from the Al2O3 dielectric and which is not present without the additional H2O dosing. Observation of a temperature dependent border trap response, associated with the frequency dispersion of the accumulation capacitance and conductance of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) structures, is found to be correlated with the presence of this defective interfacial layer. MOS capacitors prepared with additional H2O dosing show a notable decrease (∼20%) of accumulation dispersion over 5 kHz to 500 kHz when the measurement temperature decrease...
High efficiency holographic Bragg grating with optically prolonged memory.

In this paper, we show that photosensitive azo-dye doped Blue-phase liquid crystals (BPLC) formed by natural molecular self-assembly are capable of high diffraction efficiency holographic recording with memory that can be prolonged from few seconds to several minutes by uniform illumination with the reference beam. Operating in the Bragg regime, we have observed 50 times improvement in the grating diffraction efficiency and shorter recording time compared to previous investigations. The enabling mechanism is BPLC’s lattice distortion and index modulation caused by the action of light on the azo-dopant; upon photo-excitation, the azo-molecules undergo transformation from the oblong-shaped Trans-state to the bent-shaped Cis-state, imparting disorder and also cause the surrounding BPLC molecules to undergo coupled flow & reorientation leading to lattice distortion and index modulation. We also showed that the same mechanism at work here that facilitates lattice distortion can be used to frustrate free relaxation of the lattice distortion, thereby prolonging the lifetime of the written grating, provided the reference beam is kept on after recording. Due to the ease in BPLC fabrication and the availability of azo-dopants with photosensitivity throughout the entire visible spectrum, one can optimize the controlling material and optical parameters to obtain even better performance.
Intraoperative temperature regulation in children using a liquid-warming garment.

Children undergoing operative intervention while induced under general anesthesia are at risk for experiencing a significant decrease in core body temperature that can lead to adverse systemic effects. Given that the head contributes an estimated 18% of a child’s body surface area, we theorized that a liquid-warming garment applied to the head could control a pediatric patient’s core body temperature during surgical procedures. Patients undergoing elective, non-cranial, general surgical procedures were enrolled in the study. A head garment with an embedded network of tubing was placed on the patient. The garment connected to a computer-controlled water bath that managed the temperature of the water in the tubing through a feedback mechanism. Ten patients with ages ranging from 1 day to 3 years (mean age 10.5 months) were enrolled in this study. The average procedure length was 82.5 min. The mean core body temperature throughout the procedure for all-comers was 36.5 ± 0.9 °C with an overall mean difference in maximum and minimum temperatures of 1.32 ± 1.1 °C. A liquid-warming garment applied to the head of pediatric surgical patients is an innovative and relatively low-cost means to regulate and to maintain the ideal core body temperature of patients undergoing surgical procedures.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Perceptions of Everyday Discrimination

This study examines differences in perceptions of discrimination across multiple racial and ethnic minority groups. We focus on structural factors such as race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (S...
Response: Slykerman et al.'s antibiotics in the first year of life and subsequent neurocognitive outcome.

We read with interest Slykerman et al's article regarding the effect of antibiotics in infancy on neurocognitive outcomes (1). The abstract suggests evidence of significant findings, however, discussion at our journal club raised a number of questions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Thermohaline circulation: a missing equation and its climate-change implications

We formulate a box model of coupled ocean–atmosphere to examine the differential fields interactive with the thermohaline circulation (THC) and their response to global warming. We discern a robust convective bound on the atmospheric heat transport, which would divide the climate regime into warm and cold branches; but unlike the saline mode of previous box models, the cold state, if allowed, has the same-signed—though weaker—density contrast and THC as the present climate, which may explain its emergence from coupled general circulation models. We underscore the nondeterminacy of the THC due to random eddy shedding and apply the fluctuation theorem to constrain the shedding rate, thus closing the problem. The derivation reveals an ocean propelled toward the maximum entropy production (MEP) on millennial timescale (termed “MEP-adjustment”), the long timescale arising from the compounding effect of microscopic fluctuations in the shedding rate and their slight probability bias. Global warming may induce hysteresis between the two branches, like that seen in GCMs, but the cold transition is far more sensitive to the moistening than the heating effects as the latter would be countered by the hydrological feedback. The uni- or bi-modality of the current state—hence whether the THC may recover after the cold transition—depends on the global-mean convective flux and may not be easily assessed due to its observed uncertainty.
Irregular patterns of transgene silencing in allohexaploid oat

An irregular pattern of transgene silencing was revealed in expression and inheritance studies conducted over multiple generations following transgene introduction by microprojectile bombardment of allohexaploid cultivated oat (Avena sativa L.). Expression of two transgenes, bar and uidA, delivered on the same plasmid was investigated in 23 transgenic oat lines. Twenty-one transgenic lines, each derived from an independently selected transformed tissue culture, showed expression of both bar and uidA while two lines expressed only bar. The relationship of the transgenic phenotypes to the presence of the transgenes in the study was determined using (1) phenotypic scoring combined with Southern blot analyses of progeny, (2) coexpression of the two transgenic phenotypes since the two transgenes always cosegregated, and (3) reactivation of a transgenic phenotype in self-pollinated progenies of transgenic plants that did not exhibit a transgenic phenotype. Transgene silencing was observed in 19 of the 23 transgenic lines and resulted in distorted segregation of transgenic phenotypes in 10 lines. Silencing and inheritance distortions were irregular and unpredictable. They were often reversible in a subsequent generation of self-pollinated progeny and abnormally segregating progenies were as likely to trace back to parents that exhibited normal segregation in a previous generation as to parents showing segregation distortions. Possible causes of the irregular patterns of transgene silencing are discussed.
A social interaction model with ordered choices

Abstract We introduce a social interaction model with ordered choices. We provide a micro-foundation for the econometric model based on an incomplete information network game, and characterize the sufficient condition for the existence of a unique equilibrium of the game. We discuss the identification of the model, and propose to estimate the model by the NFXP and NPL algorithms. We conduct Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the finite sample performance of these two estimation methods.
Abstract 17153: Smooth Muscle Cells Regulate the Capacity for Endothelial Regeneration by Coordinating Notch1 Mediated Metabolism, Histone Acetylation and Gene Regulation in a BMPR2 Dependent Manner

Maintaining endothelial cells (EC) as a monolayer in the vessel wall, depends on a profile of gene expression and on the metabolic state, features influenced by contact with cells such as pericytes and smooth muscle cells (SMC). Dysregulation of BMP receptor 2 (BMPR2) signaling disrupts pulmonary artery (PA) EC metabolism and monolayer formation and is associated with vascular diseases such as pulmonary arterial hypertension. Here we show that BMPR2 signaling in either EC or SMC is required to maintain contact-dependent production of collagen IV, triggering integrin linked kinase to target p-JNK to caveolin1, and activate γ-secretase. Notch1 activation by the γ-secretase produces the Notch1 intracellular domain (N1ICD) that is responsible for increasing glycolysis, mitochondrial mass, and oxidative phosphorylation in association with an increase in the enzyme, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase (PFKFB3). The increase in PFKFB3 is responsible for elevated levels of the mitochondrial citrate transporter that generates acetyl CoA and for heightened acetylation of histones H3K27 and H3K9. The latter are associated with the transcription of N1ICD target genes Hey1, HES1 and c-Myc, and for the Hey1/HES1 mediated repression of migratory genes Neuropilin1 and 2. This maintains the Notch1-dependent ‘stalk cell’ phenotype that retains the capacity to proliferate but not migrate. As a result there is rapid re-endothelialization of the PAEC monolayer in a scratch wound healing assay that is impaired with loss of BMPR2 in both PAEC and PASMC in contact co-cultures. Consistent with this, a mouse heterozygous knockout for BMPR2 has impaired re-endothelialization following wire injury of the carotid artery and neointimal formation is greatly enhanced. Taken together our data provide novel evidence for the role of BMPR2 in EC and SMC myoendothelial junctions in maintaining the proliferative capacity of EC in response to injury and thereby in limiting occlusive changes (Figure A and B).
Why Mosquitoes and Other Arthropods Cannot Transmit HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the etiologic agent of AIDS, is an enveloped, positive-stranded RNA retrovirus first recognized as a public health threat in the early 1980s. Because HIV is a blood-borne pathogen, concerns have been raised about its possible transmission by blood-feeding arthropods. This chapter explores the possibility of HIV transmission by mosquitoes.
The Hairpin Ribozyme

RNA enzymes, or ribozymes, are fascinating molecules with novel biochemical properties. Since the discovery of ribozymes in 1981, biological catalysis by RNA has been found to be at the heart of critical steps in gene expression, including RNA splicing, endonucleolytic RNA processing, and possibly ribosomal peptide bond formation (Sheldon et al. 1990; Noller et al. 1992; Symons 1992; Cech 1993; Long and Uhlenbeck 1993). In addition, ribozymes with altered substrate specificities have considerable potential as experimental tools for modulating gene expression through the cleavage of targeted mRNA molecules, and this potential may some day extend to therapeutic applications (Cech 1988; Haseloff and Gerlach 1988; Rossi and Sarver 1992).
Immigrant selection before and after communism

The end of the Soviet Union and communist regimes throughout Eastern Europe led to sudden increases in emigration and large changes in wage inequality. This has provided a unique opportunity to understand how these changes altered incentives to emigrate during the transition period. In this paper, I analyze immigrant selection before and after the fall of the Soviet Union within a Roy Model framework, in which the relative return to skills determines the skill composition of immigrants. Using micro‐level data from Russia, Ukraine and Bulgaria, matched to Census data on immigrants from these countries in the United States, Spain and Greece in the post‐Soviet period, I find evidence of positive selection of immigrants in the US, and negative selection for Greece and Spain. Using retrospective data from Ukraine during the communist period, I find that selection among Soviet men in the US was intermediate and selection among women was positive.
Primary lacrimal sac diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a child.

We report the case of a 13-year-old boy who presented with a 2-month history of left eyelid swelling, ecchymosis, and epiphora. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a lobulated lesion in the region of the left lacrimal sac extending to the left nasolacrimal duct. Biopsy revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the lacrimal sac. Chemotherapy was initiated, consisting of rituximab, methotrexate, cytarabine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine. The lesion resolved within weeks of treatment, and the patient remained disease free at 1 year. Primary orbital lymphoma is rare in children; primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the lacrimal sac in a child has not been reported previously.
The Effect of Calcium and Vitamin B6 Supplementation on Oxalate Excretion in a Rodent Gastric Bypass Model of Enteric Hyperoxaluria

Objective To test the effect of calcium and vitamin B6 therapies on urinary oxalate excretion in a rodent model of enteric hyperoxaluria after Roux-en Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Methods Obese male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent sham ( n = 7) or RYGB ( n = 10). Animals were maintained on low oxalate (1.5%) and fat (10%; LOF), normal calcium (0.6 %) diet for 8 weeks and then completed a 2-phase crossover metabolic study. In the first 2-week phase, animals were fed a Low oxalate and fat (LOF), high calcium (2.4%; HC) diet. After a 2-week washout, rats were fed a LOF/normal calcium diet highly enriched with vitamin B6. Urine was collected before and after each intervention. Plasma pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP) and metabolites were measured baseline and 11 weeks after sham or RYGB. Results Compared to baseline, sham animals on LOF/HC diet doubled their urinary calcium excretion but not oxalate. RYGB animals on LOF/HC diet decreased urinary oxalate excretion 28% ( P = .001) without a significant rise in urinary calcium. Vitamin B6 supplementation decreased RYGB urinary oxalate by approximately 15% ( P = .06), and serum PLP explained 63% of urinary oxalate variability. Conclusion Based on the findings in this model, calcium supplementation appears to be a reasonable therapy to decrease urinary oxalate in RYGB patients who maintain a low fat and oxalate diet. Serum PLP had a fair correlation to urinary oxalate excretion and may be a useful screening tool in hyperoxaluric RYGB patients. Further experimental human studies after RYGB are necessary to determine whether these commonly employed supplements truly provide a benefit in enteric hyperoxaluria.
Menthol Cigarettes, Tobacco Dependence, and Smoking Persistence: The Need to Examine Enhanced Cognitive Functioning as a Neuropsychological Mechanism

Introduction Despite the overall decline in the prevalence of cigarette use in the United States, menthol cigarette use among smokers is rising, and evidence shows that it may lead to more detrimental effects on public health than regular cigarette use. One of the mechanisms by which nicotine sustains tobacco use and dependence is due to its cognitive enhancing properties, and basic science literature suggests that menthol may also enhance nicotine's acute effect on cognition. Aims and methods The purpose of this review is to suggest that the cognitive enhancing effects of menthol may be a potentially important neuropsychological mechanism that has yet to be examined. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of basic science studies examining neurobiological and cognitive effects of menthol and menthol cigarette smoking. We also review studies examining menthol essential oils among humans that indicate menthol alone has acute cognitive enhancing properties. Finally, we present factors influencing the rising prevalence of menthol cigarette use among smokers and the importance of this gap in the literature to improve public health and smoking cessation treatment. Conclusions Despite the compelling evidence for menthol's acute cognitive enhancing and reinforcing effects, this mechanism for sustaining tobacco dependence and cigarette use has yet to be examined and validated among humans. On the basis of the basic science evidence for menthol's neurobiological effects on nicotinic receptors and neurotransmitters, perhaps clarifying menthol's effect on cognitive performance can help to elucidate the complicated literature examining menthol and tobacco dependence. Implications Menthol cigarette use has continued to be a topic of debate among researchers and policy makers, because of its implications for understanding menthol's contribution to nicotine dependence and smoking persistence, as well as its continued use as a prevalent flavoring in tobacco and nicotine products in the United States and internationally. As international tobacco regulation policies have begun to target menthol cigarettes, research studies need to examine how flavoring additives, specifically menthol, may acutely influence neurobiological and cognitive functioning as a potential mechanism of sustained smoking behavior to develop more effective treatments.
Contexts of Equity: Thinking About Organizational and Technoscience Contexts for Gender Equity in Biotechnology and Nanotechnology

One of the most visible inequities in scientific research and development is the small number of women involved. But while this has traditionally been the case, there are groups working to remedy this imbalance in the future. In this chapter, Laurel Smith-Doerr considers the probable place of women in nanotechnology research and production, viewing these developments through the lenses of feminist theories and past experience with biotechnology in the United States. She notes that very little is known so far about the participation of women in nanotechnology research or production, but its association with physical sciences and engineering suggests that participation rates will be lower, since women are better represented in the life sciences and biotechnology. In addition, the non-hierarchical organizational environments that characterized startup firms in biotechnology—environments where women thrived—appear less frequently in nanotechnology. Smith-Doerr identifies a number of questions that are ripe for research during nanotechnology’s formative stages, questions about how nanotechnology work serves the broader society, interdisciplinarity, patenting, and authority relationships.
Lactic Acid Biosensor Based on Lactate Dehydrogenase Immobilized on Au Nanoparticle Modified Microwire Electrode

Lactate, a key metabolite of the anerobic metabolic pathway serves as a biomarker for lactic acidosis in clinical diagnostics. A variety of electrochemical biosensors have been exploited for the determination of lactate. Here we describe an improved electrochemical lactic acid biosensor that utilizes self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of cysteamine-modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on flexible tungsten microwire electrode to immobilize lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to the microwire electrode. The fabricated AuNP-cysteamine-LDH electrode showed excellent behavior towards lactic acid at pH 6 and at 35 °C at an applied potential of +0.4 V (vs Ag/AgCl reference electrode). The biosensor exhibited a linear dynamic range of $500~\mu \text{M}$ to 7 mM with a very high sensitivity of $31.40~\mu \text{A}$ /mM cm2. The biosensor demonstrated good selectivity towards lactic acid, wherein a nafion layer was utilized to screen out interfering species. The AuNP-cysteamine-LDH electrode remained stable up to 18 days. The practicality of the AuNP-cysteamine-LDH electrode was assessed by determining lactic acid concentrations in sera and a sensitivity of $73.16~\mu \text{A}$ / mM cm2 was observed up to 5 mM.
High-frequency alternating nucleate boiling of water enabled by microslot arrays in microchannels

Abstract Flow boiling in parallel and isolated microchannels has been extensively studied. In this study, five parallel microchannels (W = 200 µm, H = 250 µm, L = 10 mm) are interconnected by 28 micro-slots (20 µm wide and 250 µm deep) starting from the outlet. These micro-slots serve as nucleation sites to greatly enhance nucleate boiling. More importantly, the alternating and enhanced nucleate boiling in neighboring microchannels can generate additional pressure drop during the bubble growth-departure cycle and hence enable highly desirable periodic rewetting inside channels, particularly near outlet regions. This new microchannel configuration can substantially enhance nucleate boiling during flow boiling processes. Coupling with the enhanced nucleate boiling and the induced thin film evaporation, heat transfer coefficient (HTC) in present microchannel configuration can be enhanced up to ~107.6% at mass flux 250 kg/m2∙s with a ~17% higher critical heat flux (CHF) compared to the plain-wall microchannels with inlet restrictors (IRs). In addition, we achieve a CHF value of 810 W/cm2 at a moderate mass flux of 430 kg/m2∙s. All these enhancements are realized without compromising two-phase pressure drop compared to plain wall microchannels with inlet restrictors (IRs). Two-phase flow instabilities in terms of temperature and pressure drop fluctuations are also significantly suppressed.
Colonial Virginia's paper money, 1755–1774: a reply to Michener

Ron Michener takes issue with my approach to and analysis of colonial Virginia's paper money. He objects to how I calculate the paper money's asset present value when the paper money is hypothesized to be zero-coupon and interest-bearing bonds. He questions my data on the amount of Virginia's paper money in circulation, and he objects to the econometric treatment I apply to my model of that money's performance. He, however, presents no alternative data constructions, or any alternative explanations for the patterns in the data, nor does he present any alternative hypotheses or do any hypothesis testing to account for the level and movement in the value of Virginia's paper money.
Application of Landsat 8 OLI for monitoring the coastal waters of the US Virgin Islands

Previous studies in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) have shown that land-based sources of pollution associated with watershed development coupled with climate is causing coral reef degradation. A good...
Estimating the welfare costs of autarky: a sufficient statistics approach

Abstract This paper uses the Jeffersonian Embargo enacted in 1807 to estimate the welfare costs of autarky. I use an Armington trade model to compute the welfare losses using two sufficient statistics: the share of expenditures on domestic goods and the elasticity of substitution between domestic and imported goods. I use historical data from 1792 to 1807 to estimate the Armington elasticity, using import tariffs as instrument for relative prices. The empirical findings suggest welfare losses of 2.83–8.14% of real income.
Successful weight loss after bariatric surgery in Appalachian state regardless of food access ranking score.

Abstract Background Following bariatric surgery, an explicit dietary regimen is required to facilitate and maintain successful weight loss. Without adequate access to healthy foods, weight maintenance can be hindered. Objective Examine influence degree of food access has on Appalachian bariatric surgery patient weight loss outcomes. Setting Appalachian University hospital, United States. Methods A retrospective chart review was used to examine the influence of food accessibility on weight loss outcomes in an Appalachian bariatric surgery patient population at a large tertiary hospital in West Virginia between 2013 and 2017. Demographic characteristics, health and family history, and 1-year surgery outcomes were collected. A state-specific food accessibility score was calculated for each patient address using the geographic information system. Patients were assigned a food access ranking score (FARS) between 0 (low food access) and 4 (high food access) based on criteria of quantity, quality, income, and vehicle access. Results Patients (n = 369) were predominately married (60.5%), white (92.4%), female (77.8%), and underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (75.9%), with a mean age of 45 years. Most patients had low FARS (M = 1.67 ± .73; 72.6%). Nonwhite patients (P = .03) with a preoperative diagnosis of depression (P = .02) or without a family history of obesity (P = .01) were found to be in the lower FARS categories. FARS was not indicative of weight loss post surgery (P > .05). Conclusions Food accessibility in West Virginia was not associated with bariatric surgery weight outcomes at 1-year post operation. Lower food access was associated with nonwhite race/ethnicity, diagnosed depression at baseline, and no family history of obesity. Future studies should include more extended follow-up data collection and mixed-method approaches to capture perceptions of food access and its impact on the patients’ postoperative journey.
Fathers and Children’s Executive Function

There is robust evidence that multiple dimensions of parenting are linked to early childhood executive function (EF). However, father figures have rarely been included in this research, so their role in the process of supporting child EF is just beginning to be understood. This chapter examines the theoretical rationale for parenting effects on EF and identifies hypotheses specific to the importance of fathers. Empirical evidence for both mother-child and father-child links is reviewed, including research with children and families experiencing high stress. Implications for including father figures in parenting interventions focused on boosting children’s EF skills are discussed.
Continuous estimation of ground reaction force during long distance running within a fatigue monitoring framework: A Kalman filter-based model-data fusion approach

Estimation of ground reaction forces in runners has been limited to laboratory environments by means of instrumented treadmills, in-ground force plates and optoelectronic systems. Recent advances in estimation techniques using wearable sensors for kinematic analysis and sports performance could enable estimation outside the laboratory. This paper proposes a state-input-parameter estimation framework to continuously estimate the vertical ground reaction force waveform during running. By modeling a runner as a single degree of freedom mass-spring-damper with acceleration measurements at the sacrum a state-space formulation can be applied using Newtonian methods. A dual-Kalman filter is employed to estimate the unmeasured system input which feeds through to an unscented Kalman filter to estimate system dynamics and unknown model parameters (e.g. spring stiffness). For validation, 14 subjects performed three one-minute running trials at three different speeds (self-selected slow, comfortable, and fast) on a pressure-sensor-instrumented treadmill. The estimated vertical ground reaction force waveform parameters; peak vertical ground reaction force (RMSE=6.1-7.2%,ρ=0.95-0.97), vertical impulse (RMSE=8.5-13.0%,ρ=0.50-0.60), loading rate (RMSE=24.6-39.4%,ρ=0.85-0.93), and cadence RMSE<1%,ρ=1.00 were compared against the instrumented treadmill measurements. The proposed state-input-parameter estimation framework could monitor personalized vertical ground reaction force metrics for potential biofeedback applications. The feedback mechanism could provide information about the vertical ground reaction force characteristics to the runner as they are running to provide knowledge of both desirable and undesirable loading characteristics experienced.
Impaired macrophage trafficking and increased helper T-cell recruitment with loss of cadherin-11 in atherosclerotic immune response.

Cadherin-11 is well known to contribute to inflammatory and fibrotic disease. Here, we examined its role in atherosclerosis progression, which is predominantly an inflammatory process. We found tha...
Discrepancies in health care funding for individuals with special needs.

Approximately 47 million Americans ‐ 16% of the total US population ‐ lack health insurance [10]. An additional 25 million have insurance plans that limit their access to services, or cover only a small percentage of expenses ‐ they, in fact, are underinsured. In 1997, the original State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) established coverage for children who did not qualify for Medicaid but whose families could not afford private insurance. This legislation reduced the rate of uninsured low-income children by almost one third, from 23% (7.6 million children) to 14% (5.6 million children) and improved health care quality. The prevalence of uninsured children in 2007 ranged from 4.1% to 21.2% across various states [7]. In 2009, 7 million children were enrolled in SCHIP and 29 million children were enrolled in Medicaid. CHIP’s (Children’s Health Insurance Program) reauthorization in 2009 liberalized the means test criteria (> 300% of the federal poverty level) of the initial legislation, extended coverage to more recent immigrants (less than 5 years) and authorized the states to cover an increased number of services, including dental and mental health care. Children under the age of 18 years comprise 26% of the US population, yet they are responsible for only 10% of total healthcare expenditures and consume only 9% of public funds for healthcare [10]. However, the 14% of children and youth in the United States with special health care needs account for 42% of the medi
Gambling in America: Cost–Benefit Analysis

Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. Martin Luther King (1963) CHAPTER SUMMARY. Properly done, cost–benefit analysis is a precise process for measuring the increase or decrease in house hold well-being attendant upon a change in economic circumstances. Cost–benefit analysis identifies and separates the components of utility change so that they are exhaustive and mutually exclusive. Here, we construct a theory to do that, interpret it, and explain how the derived forms apply to the expansion of casinos, an application that needs to allow for externalities. This chapter is notationally demanding, but the benefit is that once the methodology is completed, and the mathematics have done the work for us, we can be confident in the results. The main contribution of this chapter is the accurate listing of costs and benefits. The literature on the costs and benefits of casino gambling is fraught with inadequacy and confusion. Even studies that purport to evaluate the economic impact of casinos commonly exhibit a great deal of misunderstanding about what should be included among benefits and costs, and provide little or no guidance about how the costs and benefits relate to one another or should be computed.
Controlled local delivery of interleukin-2 by biodegradable polymers protects animals from experimental brain tumors and liver tumors.

Purpose. The purpose of our study was to develop an injectable polymeric system for the long-term localized delivery of bioactive interleukin-2 for antitumor immunotherapy.
Activation and deactivation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) in three marine microalgae

The activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) was examined in three marine microalgae: the chlorophyte t Dunaliella tertiolecta and the chromophytes t Pavlova lutheri and t Thalassiosira pseudonana. The three species differed in the sensitivity of Rubisco activity in crude extracts to magnesium ion concentration, the presence of protease inhibitors, the duration of the incubation on activity, and the potential for full activation of Rubisco with 20 mM magnesium chloride and 20 mM bicarbonate t in vitro. t D. tertiolecta had responses that were similar to those described in vascular plants: regulation of initial activity on a gradient of irradiances; maximum initial activities that were 80– 90% of light-saturated photosynthesis; total activities that exceeded light-saturated photosynthesis by 30–100%; and deactivation of Rubisco in darkness. Both initial and total activity declined in darkness and increased on a return to growth irradiance. First-order time constants were about 9 min for deactivation and 3 min for reactivation of initial activity. The decline in total activity after a transition into darkness could not be reversed t in vitro but could be reversed by exposing t D. tertiolecta to light, a characteristic of regulation by CA1P. The responses of t T. pseudonana were qualitatively similar, except that recovery of initial activity was low and could only account for 30–40% of light-saturated photosynthesis. Rubisco from t T. pseudonana exposed to low irradiance could be activated t in vitro but at growth irradiance and higher, total activity was lower than initial activity. The time constants for deactivation and reactivation of initial activity after reciprocal switches between growth irradiance and darkness were 12–18 min and 3 min in t T. pseudonana. t P. lutheri showed no regulation of Rubisco activity in response to changes in irradiance or light-dark transitions. This may have been an artifact of the conditions chosen to measure activity.
AFM indentation of aorta and lung reveals tissue-specific micromechanical degradation with age in a mouse model of severe Marfan syndrome

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant disease that causes connective tissue disorders due to mutation of the fibrillin-1 gene, FBN1. This study aimed to characterize the microelastic properties of aorta and lung tissues from wild type (WT) and age-matched FBN1-underexpressing mutant (MT) mice to identify tissue-specific biomechanical effects of aging and cardiopulmonary disease in MFS. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to indent intact lung parenchyma and aortic wall tissues, using Hybrid Eshelby Decomposition (HED) analysis to extract layer-specific properties of the intima and media. The intima stiffened with age and was not different between MT and WT tissues. By contrast, the media layer of MT aorta showed progressive structural and mechanical degradation, with a modulus 50% softer than aged-matched WT media by 3.5 months old. MT lung also revealed rapid mechanical deterioration during adulthood, and was 90% softer than WT lung at 3.5 months. The findings reveal micromechanical softening of elastin-rich aorta and lung tissues in aging MT mice, providing insights into the biomechanical consequences of MFS.
Corporate and Capital Market Governance in Emerging Economies

The underlying theme of this Special Issue of Emerging Markets Finance & Trade is “Corporate and Capital Market Governance in Emerging Economies.” The idea for this issue emerged from a conference ...