cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low Power Ultrasound Delivered Through a PTCA‐Like Guidewire: Preclinical Feasibility and Safety of a Novel Technology for Intracoronary Thrombolysis

BACKGROUND Low power ultrasound delivered through an angioplasty-like guidewire may be effective for intracoronary thrombolysis. We evaluated the preclinical feasibility and safety of such wire. METHODS AND RESULTS In 15 anesthetized Yucatan minipigs, the ultrasonic wire was advanced percutaneously into all three coronaries. Each coronary was randomized to long activation (6 minutes), short activation (3 minutes), or control (3 minutes indwelling, no activation). The energy delivered was 0.14 +/- 0.01 W/cm of active length (20 kHz). No changes in heart rate, rhythm, or arterial pressure occurred during wire positioning or activation. Mean lumen diameter (MLD) by quantitative angiography was not significantly different pre- and postintervention (2.36 +/- 0.12 mm vs 2.36 +/- 0.11 mm for long activation, P = 0.96; 2.33 +/- 0.15 mm vs 2.34 +/- 0.14 mm for short activation, P = 0.54; 2.30 +/- 0.12 mm vs 2.33 +/- 0.12 mm for control, P = 0.21). There were no angiographic stenoses at 60 or 90 days follow-up. Compared with baseline, MLD at follow-up increased in all the three groups (2.40 +/- 0.13 mm vs 2.53 +/- 0.11 mm, P = 0.004 for long activation; 2.37 +/- 0.17 mm vs 2.52 +/- 0.14 mm, P = 0.023 for short activation; 2.20 +/- 0.12 mm vs 2.33 +/- 0.11 mm, P = 0.001 for the control group). By histology, there were no clinically significant pathologic changes in coronary morphology. CONCLUSION Use of a transverse cavitation therapeutic wire is feasible and well tolerated acutely in the normal porcine coronary. At 60 and 90 days, no angiographically apparent damage, no clinically significant pathologic changes, and no adverse events were seen. This technology may be safely used during percutaneous coronary intervention. Further studies are justified to evaluate its efficacy for intracoronary thrombus ablation.
The brittle-ductile transition in a deformation-mechanism map for halite

Abstract The brittle-ductile transition in rock deformation has been studied extensively, but is still poorly quantified. Progress in our understanding of this and other transitions in mechanical behavior and deformation mechanisms is facilitated by use of deformation-mechanism maps. A preliminary deformation-mechanism map for halite is presented, based on shear experiments at room temperature (22°C) over the range of normal stress up to 350 MPa and average shear-strain rates between 10° to 10 −6 s −1 . The map illustrates that transitions in mode-of-failure, mechanical behavior and dominant deformation mechanism, which often are referred to collectively as the brittle-ductile transition, do not necessarily coincide. The analysis also suggests that the transition from dominantly cataclastic to crystal-plastic deformation-mechanism fields is adequately described by the distinct and independent mechanism field of semi-brittle flow.
Reworking the language network

Prior investigations of functional specialization have focused on the response profiles of particular brain regions. Given the growing emphasis on regional covariation, we propose to reframe these questions in terms of brain 'networks' (collections of regions jointly engaged by some mental process). Despite the challenges that investigations of the language network face, a network approach may prove useful in understanding the cognitive architecture of language. We propose that a language network plausibly includes a functionally specialized 'core' (brain regions that coactivate with each other during language processing) and a domain-general 'periphery' (a set of brain regions that may coactivate with the language core regions at some times but with other specialized systems at other times, depending on task demands). Framing the debate around network properties such as this may prove to be a more fruitful way to advance our understanding of the neurobiology of language.
Discrete-time norms of flexible structures

Abstract The paper presents and analyses the H 2 , H ∞ , and Hankel norms of flexible structures. The analysis is conducted for the discrete-time models of structures and compared with the continuous-time results. The structural state-space models are presented in modal co-ordinates. Closed-form expressions for norms of structural modes are obtained, and norms of a structure are determined from the modal norms. The relationships between the Hankel, H ∞ , and H 2 modal norms are derived. In addition, the paper shows that the discrete-time Hankel and H ∞ norms converge to the continuous-time counterparts when the sampling time approaches zero; however, the H 2 norm does not.
Tax structure and revenue instability: the Great Recession and the states

The Great Recession had the most severe impact on state tax revenues of any downturn since the Great Depression. We hypothesize that states with more progressive tax structures are more vulnerable to economic downturns, and that progressivity and income volatility may interact to amplify the recession’s fiscal impact. We find that, while potential revenue exposure is greater in more progressive states, the most important source of variation was differences in income concentration and capital gains shares in the top 5 percent of taxpayers. Though the interaction between income volatility and high tax burdens at the top did produce large decreases in tax revenue in a few states, tax progressivity accounted for little of the overall interstate variation in revenue volatility. H24; H71
CEFTAZIDIME (CTZ) CLEARANCE (CL) WITH CONGENITAL URINARY TRACT OBSTRUCTION (UTO)

Congenital UTO is the leading cause of childhood renal failure. Although these children receive complex drug therapy, the effects of UTO upon pharmacokinetics have not been adequately studied in immature humans or animals. Pseudomonas infections often complicate congenital UTO and may be treated with CTZ. To study the effects of UTO upon CTZ kinetics, we produced unilateral UTO in 3 fetal sheep at 75d/146d gestation. After spontaneous term birth, catheters were inserted to: drain the obstructed kidney; separately collect urine from the unobstructed kidney; and infuse drug and sample blood separately. Obstructed kidney glomerular filtration rates ranged from 0 to 28% of total by DTPA renal scans. CTZ was infused into 3 lambs for 3 hrs before 3 one hr urine collections to determine each kidney's: CTZ CL, creatinine CL (CR CL), and fractional sodium excretion (FENa). UTO decreased urine flow (0.05 to 0.01 ml/min-kg, p<.05); CR CL (2.16 to 0.44 ml/min-kg, p=.002); and increased FENa (0.35 to 7.94%, p<.05). UTO reduced urine [CTZ] to a low of 74.3±8.6 μg/ml. CTZ CL (y) correlated with CR CL (x) such that y=1.60 x −0.10 (r=.80, p<.001). UTO severely impairs renal function as well as CTZ excretion. Pseudomonas kidney infections in infants with bilateral UTO may require higher CTZ doses to reach therapeutic urine [CTZ] and longer dosing intervals which may be estimated from CR CL.
Recent Historiography of the Protestant Churches in America

PAUL A. CARTER, Associate Professor of History, Northern Illinois University Thirty-five years ago Lewis Vander Velde criticized his fellow historians for not having written more on the American churches. He charged that lay historians, "whose point of view is detached and objective," had left the study of organized religion in the United States to "clergymen whose primary interest is religious." American historians recognized "the importance of the Church in colonial times," but they had "too frequently assumed that its influence as a force in public affairs disappeared with the American Revolution"-even though the nation's recent experience with Prohibition ought to have taught them otherwise: Writers in an age when the Church is on the defensive fail to realize that the transformation which has put it in this position is much more a product of the last seventy years [i.e., 1862-1932] than of the previous seventy [i.e, presumably, 1792-1862]. In the time of our grandfathers, the Church was still a strong factor in the life of the nation; an institution led by intellectual giants, attended regularly by a large portion of the people, it exerted an important influence upon American life .... In 1860 politics and the Church still offered the greatest professional opportunities, and . . . in consequence the best minds were to be found there.1
Enabling Low-Cost CO2 Capture via Heat Integration

Hollow fiber sorbents in rapid thermal swing mode, packed bed solid sorbents in thermal swing mode, hollow fiber membranes, monoethanolamine-based liquid amines, and chilled ammonia CO2 sorption systems are compared on an energetic basis for CO2 capture from coal-fired power plants. The systems are compared on an intrinsic heat and auxiliary basis both with and without plantwide heat integration efforts. Without heat integration, every technology considered was shown to be highly parasitic, consuming between 1.0 and 4.0 GJ/(ton of CO2 captured) (effectively between 40 and 100% parasitic, depending on plant efficiencies). When heat integration strategies are considered, such as utilizing feedwater preheating heat flows (without disrupting plant operation) and utilizing heats generated during CO2 compression, the overall parasitic nature of the technologies decreases dramatically. Namely, chilled ammonia and zeolite MFI-based fiber sorbents consume approximately 0.07 and 0.13 GJ/(ton of CO2 captured), respe...
In vivo antioxidant status: A putative target of antidepressant action

Oxidative stress is a critical route of damage in various psychological stress-induced disorders, such as depression. Antidepressants are widely prescribed to treat these conditions; however, few animal studies have investigated the effect of these drugs on endogenous antioxidant status in the brain. The present study employed a 21-day chronic regimen of random exposure to restraint stress to induce oxidative stress in brain, and behavioural aberrations, in rodents. The forced swimming (FST) and sucrose preference tests were used to identify depression-like phenotypes, and reversal in these indices indicated the effectiveness of treatment with fluoxetine (FLU; 20 mg/kg/day, p.o.; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), imipramine (IMI; 10 mg/kg/day, p.o.; tricyclic antidepressant) and venlafaxine (VEN; 10 mg/kg/day, p.o.; dual serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) following restraint stress. The antioxidant status was investigated in the brain of these animals. The results evidenced a significant recovery in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione (GSH) levels by antidepressant treatments following a restraint stress-induced decline of these parameters. The severely accumulated lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl contents in stressed animals were significantly normalized by antidepressant treatments. The altered oxidative status is implicated in various aspects of cellular function affecting the brain. Thus, it is possible that augmentation of in vivo antioxidant defenses could serve as a convergence point for multiple classes of antidepressants as an important mechanism underlying the neuroprotective pharmacological effects of these drugs observed clinically in the treatment of various stress disorders. Consequently, pharmacological modulation of stress-induced oxidative damage as a possible stress-management approach should be an important avenue of further research.
Electromigration in VLSI Metallization

There are increasing reliability concerns of electromigration-induced and thermal stress-induced failures in submicron interconnects carrying the projected high current density and in multilevel interconnection with W studs. Electromigration characteristics of Al and Al-Cu submicron lines, two level Al-Cu lines with W studs, Al fine lines under pulsed current stressing at high frequencies, and Al and Al-Cu fine lines under temperature cycling have been systematically studied. Lifetime is affected by grain size, grain morphology and bend structure in submicron metal lines. The lifetime of W stud chains is less than a half of that of Al-Cu flat lines. The discontinuity of Cu supply at Al-Cu/W interfaces account for most of the reduction in the electromigration resistance of W stud chains. Under pulsed current stressing at frequencies 50-200 MHz, our data indicate no threshold frequency for drastic change in lifetime. However, lifetime increases with duty cycle as tso cc r- Z.', which is a remarkable improvement over an av¬ erage current density model. Lifetime also depends explicitly on both current on-time and current off period. The extra thermal stress induced by temperature cycling shortens the lifetime of both Al and Al-Cu fine lines by more than an order of magnitude. Our results also show that the addition of Cu in Al fine lines improves the resistance to thermal stress-induced failures, probably by the suppression of grain boundary sliding and migration.
Entanglement and disentanglement in relativistic quantum mechanics

Abstract A satisfactory formulation of relativistic quantum mechanics requires that one be able to represent the entangled states of spacelike separated systems and describe how such states evolve. This paper presents two stories that one must be able to tell coherently in order to understand relativistic entangled systems. These stories help to illustrate why one׳s understanding of entanglement in relativistic quantum mechanics must ultimately depend on the details of one׳s strategy for addressing the quantum measurement problem.
EFFECT OF INFLUENZA VIRUS ON CILIA AND EPITHELIAL CELLS IN THE BRONCHI OF MICE

In order to determine the effect of infection with influenza virus on bronchial cilia of the mouse, ciliary beat has been visualized directly by microscopic examination of the bronchi in slices of fresh lung. Cilia have been shown also in sections of fixed tissue by the use of special silver staining methods. The results have shown persistence of the cilia in spite of severe viral infection and indicate that the lowered resistance to secondary pneumococcal infection which occurs in influenzal pneumonia of the mouse is not due to interference with the ciliary mechanism. By a process of exclusion, the findings give further support to the theory that lowered resistance to pneumococcal infection in influenzal pneumonia is due to edema fluid in the viral lesion furnishing a culture medium for inhaled pneumococci. A widely used method for evaluation of ciliary activity on respiratory epithelia has been the microscopic observation of wave-like movements in reflected light. This activity was observed readily in the bronchi of mice but evidence was obtained showing that at this site it was due to something other than ciliary beat. Further histopathologic observations were made in order to define the lesion of the bronchial epithelium that would permit sparing of ciliated cells. In addition to usual techniques, mice were injected with colchicine for estimation of the rate of cellular proliferation and were exposed to a large dose of roentgen rays to eliminate polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Stains for mucous and for mitochondria were done also. The evidence obtained favors the theory that the viral infection does not destroy any of the cells of the bronchial epithelium. Inclusion bodies were found in the cytoplasm, making it seem likely instead that viral particles grow in colony-like aggregations and that liberation of virus into the lumen takes place not only by simple extrusion of inclusions but also by detachment of inclusion-laden globular portions of the cytoplasm.
Infected mucous cyst of the finger

The potentially serious complication of septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint of the finger secondary to an infected mucous cyst is documented with a report of four cases seen within the past 6 years. Debridement, open packing, and antibiotic therapy resulted in satisfactory control of the infection in these cases. This report provides additional basis for prophylactic extirpation of mucous cyst of the finger.
Steady-State and Stochastic Performance of a Modified Discrete-Time Prototype Repetitive Controller

In this paper, the rigid stability requirement is relaxed by including an appropriately chosen filter in the repetitive signal generator. Lacking an internal model, perfect regulation is not assured in the modified system. The steady-state and stochastic performances of the resulting system are analyzed. A high repetitive gain may give good steady-state performance, but the variance propagation of stochastic disturbances is large. The converse is true when the repetitive gain is small. The performance of the modified scheme is evaluated by applying it to a simulated disk-file actuator system
SPECTRAL ATLAS OF X-RAY LINES EMITTED DURING SOLAR FLARES BASED ON CHIANTI

A spectral atlas of X-ray lines in the wavelength range 7.47-18.97 Angstroms is presented, based on high-resolution spectra obtained during two M-class solar flares (on 1980 August 25 and 1985 July 2) with the Flat Crystal Spectrometer on board the Solar Maximum Mission. The physical properties of the flaring plasmas are derived as a function of time using strong, isolated lines. From these properties predicted spectra using the CHIANTI database have been obtained which were then compared with wavelengths and fluxes of lines in the observed spectra to establish line identifications. identifications for nearly all the observed lines in the resulting atlas are given, with some significant corrections to previous analysis of these flare spectra.
Differential Interactions of Fluorescent Agonists and Antagonists with the Yeast G Protein Coupled Receptor Ste2p

Abstract We describe a rapid method to probe for mutations in cell surface ligand-binding proteins that affect the environment of bound ligand. The method uses fluorescence-activated cell sorting to screen randomly mutated receptors for substitutions that alter the fluorescence emission spectrum of environmentally sensitive fluorescent ligands. When applied to the yeast α-factor receptor Ste2p, a G protein-coupled receptor, the procedure identified 22 substitutions that red shift the emission of a fluorescent agonist, including substitutions at residues previously implicated in ligand binding and at additional sites. A separate set of substitutions, identified in a screen for mutations that alter the emission of a fluorescent α-factor antagonist, occurs at sites that are unlikely to contact the ligand directly. Instead, these mutations alter receptor conformation to increase ligand-binding affinity and provide signaling in response to antagonists of normal receptors. These results suggest that receptor–agonist interactions involve at least two sites, of which only one is specific for the activated conformation of the receptor.
Lack Of Effect On Rat Lung Stress-Inducible Heat Shock Protein 70 After Acute Tobacco Smoke Inhalation

Abstractfew investigations have examined in vivo expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and stress proteins in the lung following environmental stress. Such proteins are thought to provide cellular protection against environmental trauma. This study describes the initial effects of tobacco smoke inhalation on stress-inducible HSP 70 level in the rat lung. Specifically, the expression and possible elevation of stress-inducible HSP 70 in the rat lung was examined 5 h following inhalation of tobacco smoke from one research cigarette (2R1/University of Kentucky). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed nose-only to tobacco smoke (n = 6), while control rats were exposed to purified filtered air (n = 6). Samples of the peripheral lung from the right apical lobe were homogenized and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE), protein immunoblotting, chemiluminescence detection, and computerized optical densitometric scanning. The results revealed that stressinducible HSP 70 ...
GAPs galore! A survey of putative Ras superfamily GTPase activating proteins in man and Drosophila

Typical members of the Ras superfamily of small monomeric GTP-binding proteins function as regulators of diverse processes by cycling between biologically active GTP- and inactive GDP-bound conformations. Proteins that control this cycling include guanine nucleotide exchange factors or GEFs, which activate Ras superfamily members by catalyzing GTP for GDP exchange, and GTPase activating proteins or GAPs, which accelerate the low intrinsic GTP hydrolysis rate of typical Ras superfamily members, thus causing their inactivation. Two among the latter class of proteins have been implicated in common genetic disorders associated with an increased cancer risk, neurofibromatosis-1, and tuberous sclerosis. To facilitate genetic analysis, I surveyed Drosophila and human sequence databases for genes predicting proteins related to GAPs for Ras superfamily members. Remarkably, close to 0.5% of genes in both species (173 human and 64 Drosophila genes) predict proteins related to GAPs for Arf, Rab, Ran, Rap, Ras, Rho, and Sar family GTPases. Information on these genes has been entered into a pair of relational databases, which can be used to identify evolutionary conserved proteins that are likely to serve basic biological functions, and which can be updated when definitive information on the coding potential of both genomes becomes available.
Characterizing the Overhead of Software-Managed Hybrid Main Memory

The size of main memory in modern computers is approaching energy and scalability limits. Combining DRAM and non-volatile memory (NVM) has been proposed to increase capacity and reliability, and to decrease energy consumption. Software-managed hybrid memory is a promising way to incorporate NVM in main memory due to its architectural simplicity. However, there are significant performance issues caused by interference due to data migration between DRAM and NVM and a lack of effective migration policies. To aid in the development of migration policies and hardware mechanisms for incorporating NVM in main memory, we propose new analysis and simulation techniques to understand the behavior of software-managed hybrid memory. These techniques allow us to characterize the overhead experienced by requests in the memory hierarchy and identify the factors that limit performance in software-managed hybrid memory. Using our techniques, we show that queuing delays at the NVM banks and NVM bus are the main limiting factors, and that there is significant potential to improve performance with better migration policies.
Analysis of the effects of water on the ACTS propagation terminal antenna

The NASA advanced communications technology satellite (ACTS) propagation experiment was designed to observe the attenuation produced by rain on Earth-satellite paths operating in the Ka-band. Unwanted effects of water on the antenna reflector surface were noted. Wet-antenna attenuation could be attributed to the combined effect of a water layer on the reflector surface and water wetting the feed window surface. A model was developed to calculate the antenna reflector and feed surface water layer thickness values as a function of position on each surface. The thickness values were used to calculate the additional attenuation produced by the water layers as a function of rain rate on the antenna. The wet-antenna-attenuation prediction model was verified by sprayer tests. The goal of the ACTS propagation experiment was to obtain path attenuation statistics, statistics that represent the effects of rain on the Earth-satellite path but not on the antenna itself. The wet-antenna attenuation prediction model was used to remove the effects of water on the antenna from the combined antenna-plus-path attenuation statistics produced by the experiment. The overall efficacy of the model was demonstrated by comparing the corrected path loss statistics from two ACTS propagation experiment sites with earlier COMSTAR path loss measurements made at or near those sites. The empirical distribution functions from both the ACTS and COMSTAR experiments were identical within the expected uncertainty of an empirical annual distribution of attenuation by rain.
Hegemony and Autonomy

This article analyzes the concept of hegemony and examines its relationship to power and autonomy. Refuting the conventional belief that it is ideology that distinguishes hegemony, the article argues that it is autonomy that constitutes the distinguishing characteristic. Although hegemons tend to evolve into imperialists, hegemony involves leadership of an alliance, not domination by coercion. It is impossible to conceptualize hegemony without also including autonomy. In this conceptualization, the primary source of autonomy lies in a specific hegemonic system of domination that itself embodies the notion of autonomy for both the polity and its citizenry, a limiting construction that hinders the tendency toward imperialism. Such a system includes one type of autonomy that can be designated as autonomy within hegemony. In addition, the article discusses two other types of autonomy: counterhegemony and a largely power-based opposed hegemony. Thus, the article concludes, hegemony is a complex concept, with s...
1,1‐Diethoxy‐2‐chloroethene

[42520-09-2] C6H11O2Cl (MW 151.69) InChI = 1S/C6H11ClO2/c1-3-8-6(5-7)9-4-2/h5H,3-4H2,1-2H3 InChIKey = VAHVMMZLTJXKGJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reagent used in lithation reactions, imidazole formation, cycloadditions, cyclopropanation reactions, etc.) Alternate Name: chloroketene diethyl acetal, 2-chloroketene diethyl acetal, 2-chloro-1,1-diethoxyethene. Physical Data: bp 73–76 °C/10 torr,1 166 °C / 732–740 torr.2 Solubility: soluble in common organic solvents. Form Supplied in: not commercially available; prepared as a colorless liquid.1 Preparative Methods: dichloroacetaldehyde diethyl acetal in THF is added slowly to a 0 °C suspension of potassium tert-butoxide in THF with vigorous stirring. The cooling bath is replaced by a heating mantle and the mixture is refluxed for 12 h. After cooling to room temperature, the brown reaction mixture is centrifuged. The pellets are washed with THF and centrifuged again. The combined supernatants are concentrated and the residue is fractionally distilled to give a quantitative yield of analytically pure ketene acetal.1 Purification: fractionally distilled at reduced pressure. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: the title compound is a mutagen and should be handled with caution in a well-ventilated hood. Suitable traps should be used.
Universal bounds on the electrical and elastic response of two-phase bodies and their application to bounding the volume fraction from boundary measurements

Universal bounds on the electrical and elastic response of two-phase (and multiphase) ellipsoidal or parallelopipedic bodies have been obtained by Nemat-Nasser and Hori. Here we show how their bounds can be improved and extended to bodies of arbitrary shape. Although our analysis is for two-phase bodies with isotropic phases it can easily be extended to multiphase bodies with anisotropic constituents. Our two-phase bounds can be used in an inverse fashion to bound the volume fractions occupied by the phases, and when the volume fraction is asymptotically small reduce to those of Capdeboscq and Vogelius, for electrical conductivity, and Capdeboscq and Kang, for elasticity. Other volume fraction bounds derived here utilize information obtained from thermal, magnetic, dielectric or elastic responses. One bound on the volume fraction can be obtained by simply immersing the body in a water filled cylinder with a piston at one end and measuring the change in water pressure when the piston is displaced by a known small amount. This bound may be particularly effective for estimating the volume of cavities in a body. We also obtain new bounds utilizing just one pair of (voltage, flux) electrical measurements at the boundary of the body.
System reliability analysis with saddlepoint approximation

System reliability is usually estimated through component reliability, which is commonly computed by the First Order Reliability Method (FORM). The FORM is computationally efficient, but may not be accurate for nonlinear limit-state functions. An alternative system reliability analysis method is proposed based on saddlepoint approximation. Unlike the FORM that linearizes limit-state functions in a transformed random space, the proposed method linearizes the limited-state functions without any transformation. After the linearization, the joint probability density of limit-state functions is estimated by the multivariate saddlepoint approximation. Without the nonnormal-to-normal transformation, the present method is more accurate than the FORM when the transformation increases the nonlinearity of limit-state functions. As demonstrated in the two examples, the new method is also as efficient as the FORM.
Diffuse Brainstem Tumors: When is a Biopsy Necessary?

This study addresses the role of biopsies in diffuse pediatric brainstem tumors. Biopsies have been advocated to confirm the diagnosis, to determine the tumor histology, to obtain prognostic information and because they can be done with low risk. Biopsies are opposed because diffuse brainstem tumors are gliomas, the histology does not correlate with prognosis nor with histology at autopsy, clinical and magnetic resonance scans provide prognostic information, biopsies have risks, and the biopsy does not alter therapy nor improve prognosis. The conclusion is reached that biopsies are not indicated in children with typical clinical and magnetic resonance features of diffuse brainstem gliomas.
Coalition Building and Overcoming Legislative Gridlock in Foreign Policy, 1947-98

Political analysis of gridlock and legislative stalemate has not differentiated between foreign and domestic policy. Foreign policy is widely considered different from domestic policy, with less conflict and greater cooperation between the branches. The author offers explanations for gridlock that focus on conditions related to coalition building within Congress and between the branches. It is hypothesized that gridlock in foreign policy increases under divided government. Other important indicators of foreign policy gridlock include ideological differences between the two chambers of Congress and between the two political parties as well as the ideological cohesiveness of the two parties. An examination of the significant, consequential, seriously considered foreign policy legislation that failed to pass since 1947 supports the coalition model. When indicators suggest the ability to build coalitions is high, legislative gridlock in foreign policy is reduced.
Star Academy as Arab Political Satire

The previous excerpt is taken from a column by Syrian journalist Hakam al-Baba, published in the London-based Pan-Arab newspaper al-Quds al-ʿArabi . Al-Baba, a middle-aged Syrian journalist known for his biting sarcasm, has written some of the most perceptive critiques of Syrian and Arab media, including a famous 2005 article in the Syrian daily Tishreen , in which he relates his experience of harassment by the mukhābarāt . In the excerpted column, al-Baba uses the raging Pan-Arab controversies over reality TV for a critique of Arab political dependence on the United States.
Sodium-to-Potassium Ratio and Blood Pressure, Hypertension, and Related Factors

The potential cost-effectiveness and feasibility of dietary interventions aimed at reducing hypertension risk are of considerable interest and significance in public health. In particular, the effectiveness of restricted sodium or increased potassium intake on mitigating hypertension risk has been demonstrated in clinical and observational research. The role that modified sodium or potassium intake plays in influencing the renin-angiotensin system, arterial stiffness, and endothelial dysfunction remains of interest in current research. Up to the present date, no known systematic review has examined whether the sodium-to-potassium ratio or either sodium or potassium alone is more strongly associated with blood pressure and related factors, including the renin-angiotensin system, arterial stiffness, the augmentation index, and endothelial dysfunction, in humans. This article presents a systematic review and synthesis of the randomized controlled trials and observational research related to this issue. The main findings show that, among the randomized controlled trials reviewed, the sodium-to-potassium ratio appears to be more strongly associated with blood pressure outcomes than either sodium or potassium alone in hypertensive adult populations. Recent data from the observational studies reviewed provide additional support for the sodium-to-potassium ratio as a superior metric to either sodium or potassium alone in the evaluation of blood pressure outcomes and incident hypertension. It remains unclear whether this is true in normotensive populations and in children and for related outcomes including the renin-angiotensin system, arterial stiffness, the augmentation index, and endothelial dysfunction. Future study in these populations is warranted.
Automatic generation of decomposition based matrix inversion architectures

Matrix inversion is an essential computation for various algorithms which are employed in multi-antenna wireless communication systems. FPGAs are ideal platforms for wireless communication; however, the need for vast amounts of customization throughout the design process of a matrix inversion core can overwhelm the designer. Decomposition methods provide the analytic simplicity and computational convenience necessary for computationally intensive matrix inversion. This paper presents automatic generation of different decomposition based matrix inversion architectures using a matrix inversion core generator tool, GUSTO with different parameterization options. We present automatic generation of a variety of general purpose matrix inversion architectures which have comparable results to published matrix inversion architecture implementations, but offer the advantage of providing the designer the ability to study the tradeoffs between architectures with different design parameters.
Corneal pachymetry mapping with high-speed optical coherence tomography.

Objective To map corneal thickness before and after LASIK with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Design Cross-sectional observational study. Participants Forty-two eyes of 21 normal subjects undergoing LASIK. Methods A high-speed (2000 axial scans/second) 1.3-μm-wavelength corneal and anterior segment OCT prototype was used for corneal scanning. The scan pattern consisted of 10-mm radial lines on 8 meridians centered on the vertex reflection. The entire scan pattern of 1024 a-scans was acquired in 0.5 seconds. We developed automated computer processing for 3-dimensional corneal reconstruction and measurement. Corneal thickness was measured normal to the anterior surface and presented as color pachymetry maps and zonal statistics. The maps were divided into a central zone ( Main Outcome Measures Optical coherence tomography pachymetric map and zonal statistic, and ultrasound pachymetry. Results Before LASIK, central corneal thicknesses (CCTs) were 546.9±29.4 μm (mean ± SD) for OCT and 553.3±33.0 μm for ultrasound. After LASIK, CCTs were 513.7±44.5 μm for OCT and 498±46.6 μm for ultrasound. Optical coherence tomography and ultrasound CCT were highly correlated (Pearson correlation r = 0.97 before LASIK and 0.98 afterwards). Optical coherence tomography CCT was slightly less than ultrasound CCT before surgery (mean difference, −6.4 μm; 95% limits of agreement, −23.2 to 10.4 μm) but slightly greater after LASIK (15.7 μm; −1.6 to 33 μm). These differences were statistically significant, but no more than the CCT measurement differences between ultrasound pachymeters. The reproducibility of the OCT zonal pachymetry averages was roughly 2 μm. Conclusions High-speed OCT provided noncontact, rapid, reproducible pachymetric mapping over a wide area of the cornea. It is equivalent to ultrasound for CCT measurement before and after LASIK. This technology could be valuable for planning keratorefractive procedures and diagnosis of corneal diseases.
Genetic Analysis of Varicella-Zoster Virus ORF0 to ORF4 by Use of a Novel Luciferase Bacterial Artificial Chromosome System

To efficiently generate varicella-zoster virus (VZV) mutants, we inserted a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) vector in the pOka genome. We showed that the recombinant VZV (VZVBAC) strain was produced efficiently from the BAC DNA and behaved indistinguishably from wild-type virus. Moreover, VZV’s cellassociated nature makes characterizing VZV mutant growth kinetics difficult, especially when attempts are made to monitor viral replication in vivo. To overcome this problem, we then created a VZV strain carrying the luciferase gene (VZVLuc). This virus grew like the wild-type virus, and the resulting luciferase activity could be quantified both in vitro and in vivo. Using PCR-based mutagenesis, open reading frames (ORF) 0 to 4 were individually deleted from VZVLuc genomes. The deletion mutant viruses appeared after transfection into MeWo cells, except for ORF4, which was essential. Growth curve analysis using MeWo cells and SCID-hu mice indicated that ORF1, ORF2, and ORF3 were dispensable for VZV replication both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, the ORF0 deletion virus showed severely retarded growth both in vitro and in vivo. The growth defects of the ORF0 and ORF4 mutants could be fully rescued by introducing wild-type copies of these genes back into their native genome loci. This work has validated and justified the use of the novel luciferase VZV BAC system to efficiently generate recombinant VZV variants and ease subsequent viral growth kinetic analysis both in vitro and in vivo. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a human alphaherpesvirus that is a significant pathogen in the United States. Primary infection of VZV typically occurs during childhood and leads to varicella (chickenpox). Like all herpesviruses, VZV establishes lifelong latency in the host, specifically in trigeminal ganglia and dorsal root ganglia. The end sequela of VZV
Low-Complexity Sparse FIR Channel Shortening

The complexity of maximum-likelihood (ML) or maximum-a-posteriori (MAP) detectors grows exponentially with the number of channel impulse response (CIR) taps. This makes the implementation of ML or MAP detectors over broadband channels with long CIRs prohibitively complex. Channel shortening is a widely-used technique to solve this problem by implementing a front-end finite impulse response (FIR) filter to shorten the CIR. In this paper, we propose a novel approach based on compressive sensing theory to design low-complexity FIR channel shortening filters. The superiority of our new approach is proven analytically and illustrated via simulations.
Diagnostic Approaches to GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and is defined as symptoms or mucosal damage secondary to the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. As the diagnosis of GERD can be made using a combination of symptoms or evidence of mucosal damage, significant heterogeneity exists in the studies evaluating the diagnostic strategies for GERD. Given the significant prevalence of GERD, diagnostic techniques are reserved for cases when disease complications are suspected, patients fail therapy, or the diagnosis must be confirmed due to atypical symptoms. This chapter reviews both historical and novel diagnostic methods aimed at improving our ability to recognize GERD and personalize therapy among individuals presenting with symptoms of reflux disease.
Complimentary rewards in Las Vegas casinos: A literature synthesis and recommendations for profitable complimentary reward programs

Complimentary Rewards in Las Vegas Casinos: A Literature Synthesis and Recommendations for Profitable Complimentary Reward Programs
The effects of virtual racial embodiment in a gaming app on reducing prejudice

ABSTRACTThis research experimentally examined the effectiveness of the use of virtual racial embodiment in a digital gaming application for reducing bias against a non-dominant group. The findings of this study advance theory and have practical implications for the design of immersive diversity initiatives. We tested avatar creation and the gaming app as a new modality for stimulating perspective-taking. In addition, we explored how sex and race intersect in virtual embodiment and stereotyping. Results showed that creating and embodying a Black avatar produced more favorable beliefs about African American men, but not African American women, and greater support for “pro-minority” policies in comparison to creating and playing a White avatar. Avatar liking was a significant moderator, but self-presence had no effect.
Immunotherapy in sarcoma: a new frontier.

Abstract Sarcomas are rare cancers of soft tissue and bone, and remain incurable when refractory to standard multimodality treatments. With the recent advances in immunotherapy for other solid tumors, there is heightened interest in the potential link of the immune system with sarcoma physiology. This review aims to summarize the ongoing laboratory and clinical research investigating the applications of immunotherapy in the treatment of sarcomas. With ongoing opportunities in vaccine therapy, adoptive transfer of immune cells, biochemotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors, enrollment in immunotherapy clinical trials is an appealing option for sarcoma patients either in conjunction with traditional treatment modalities, or for those with few standard treatment options.
Integrating Interleukin-6 into depression diagnosis and treatment

There is growing evidence of a relationship between inflammation and psychiatric illness. In particular, the cytokine Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been linked to stress-related disorders such as depression and anxiety. Here we discuss evidence from preclinical and clinical studies examining the role of IL-6 in mood disorders. We focus on the functional role of peripheral and central release of IL-6 on the development of stress susceptibility and depression-associated behavior. By examining the contribution of both peripheral and central IL-6 to manifestations of stress-related symptomatology, we hope to broaden the way the field thinks about diagnosing and treating mood disorders.
Observing Change: The Indian Child Welfare Act and State Courts

ICWA is one of the foundational laws of federal Indian law, but it usually arises in the broader public consciousness when there is a voluntary adoption subject to the law. Recently, the law was subject to Supreme Court review in Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl. A heart-wrenching case, but ICWA is far more regularly applied in abuse and neglect cases. Any involuntary removal of an American Indian child, as defined by the Act, requires the application of ICWA. While cases of voluntary adoptions designed to thwart the requirements of ICWA require constant vigilance from states and tribes, the law provides broader protections for those families in the state child welfare system. This article posits one way to both collect data about abuse and neglect compliance within the framework of ICWA, and increase that compliance through collaborative change to the systems. QUICWA, a project by the Minneapolis American Indian Center, consists of a group of interested stakeholders who have created a checklist to measure what happens in each individual hearing where the court must apply ICWA. While other groups, such as the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, use a different checklist format, the goal of the projects are similar — to find ways to increase compliance with ICWA. Funded in collaboration with Casey Family Programs, law schools and social work programs in key states have started observing ICWA hearings using the QUICWA checklist. In Michigan, the Michigan State University College of Law has observed ICWA hearings in three counties, using law students as observers. Though family law is driven by narrative, collecting data is vital to identify patterns surrounding fairness and due process in the individual stories
Legal Considerations in Prehospital Care

This article presents an overview of several major legal issues in contemporary prehospital health care delivery and emergency medical services. It includes review and analysis of medical-legal issues in medical control; patient consent and treatment; modern emergency medical services communications; discussion of medical-legal concerns in regard to patient destination choice, diversion, and transfer; and an analysis of theories of recovery including a review of selected case histories.
The ‘American Century’ – Is it over? Was it ever? What does it mean?

Several recent books contribute to the ongoing debates concerning US global power, decline of its hegemony and the future of world order. This essay examines these debates through an assessment of Joseph S. Nye, Jr.’s study, Is the American Century Over? Jeremiads about US ‘decline’ have recurred since the 1970s. Yet prophesies of America’s demise have yet to hold up. Nye makes a persuasive case for the persistence of US ‘primacy’ and the likelihood of its continuing for decades longer. Nye uses ‘the American Century’ as a metaphor for the period of US primacy. As a culturally symbolic keyword in US political discourse, the ‘American Century’ merits closer interrogation than Nye provides. The term remains a rhetorical construct -- a polemical tool -- rather than an analytically useful concept.
Effects of background complexity on LROC analysis of SPECT

We investigate image quality assessment for SPECT for the case where the human observer must detect and locate a lesion in the noisy reconstructed image. The lesion can appear anywhere in a search region which may contain a complex background of hot and cold structures. Our hypothesis is that as the spatial complexity of the background increases, the performance of the human observer decreases. In this study, the background is not random, but is fixed. We consider four backgrounds with increasing complexity. Human performance is measured using a two-alternative forced-choice (2AFC) test. From the 2AFC results, one can compute a measure of human performance, the area under LROC curve. We observe that the human performance degrades as the background complexity increases despite the fact that the true background image is available to the observer during the 2AFC test. Therefore, the human apparently has a difficult time learning complex backgrounds. We also compute the performance of an ideal observer for this task, and show that it is insensitive to background complexity.
Monitoring Elastic Stiffness Degradation in Graphite/Epoxy Composites

Many stiffness-critical aerospace structures exploit the high specific stiffness of graphite/epoxy composites. Elastic-stiffness degradation of these materials is therefore important. Here a nondestructive technique is described that measures stiffness degradation of the graphite-fibers and epoxy-matrix. This technique monitors variations in the direction of stress-wave propagation (energy-flux) corresponding to a change in compo- site stiffness.