cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of High-Sensitivity Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging Device for Early Cancer Detection

Abstract We have developed a high-sensitivity near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging system for noninvasive cancer detection based on the molecular-labeled fluorescent contrast agents. Recent developments in molecular beacons offer a way to selectively tag various precancer and cancer signatures and provide high tumor-to-background contrast. Near-infrared imaging can deeply probe tissue up to a couple of centimeters; thus, it possesses the potential for noninvasive detection of breast or lymph node cancer. A phase cancellation (in- and antiphase) device is used to increase the sensitivity in detecting fluorescent photons and the accuracy of tumor localization. The optoelectronic system consists of the laser diode sources, fiber optics, interference filter (to select the fluorescent photons), and the high-sensitivity photon detector (photomultiplier tube). The source-detector pair scans the tissue surface in multiple directions, and the localization image can be obtained by angular back-projection reconstruct...
Web Accessibility for Older Adults: A Comparative Analysis of Disability Laws

Access to the Internet is increasingly critical for health information retrieval, access to certain government benefits and services, connectivity to friends and family members, and an array of commercial and social services that directly affect health. Yet older adults, particularly those with disabilities, are at risk of being left behind in this growing age- and disability-based digital divide. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was designed to guarantee older adults and persons with disabilities equal access to employment, retail, and other places of public accommodation. Yet older Internet users sometimes face challenges when they try to access the Internet because of disabilities associated with age. Current legal interpretations of the ADA, however, do not consider the Internet to be an entity covered by law. In this article, we examine the current state of Internet accessibility protection in the United States through the lens of the ADA, sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, state laws and industry guidelines. We then compare U.S. rules to those of OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development) countries, notably in the European Union, Canada, Japan, Australia, and the Nordic countries. Our policy recommendations follow from our analyses of these laws and guidelines, and we conclude that the biggest challenge in bridging the age- and disability-based digital divide is the need to extend accessibility requirements to private, not just governmental, entities and organizations.
Hemodynamic vertebrobasilar insufficiency as an adverse effect of antihypertensive therapy.

Abstract A 63-year-old white male with a 25-year history of hypertension experienced the onset of intermittent diplopia and gait disturbance 24 hours after a change in antihypertensive medication from atenolol 50 mg/d to enalapril 5 mg bid. Three weeks later, the patient was admitted with a worsening of symptoms. Cerebral arteriography revealed significant bilateral vertebral artery stenosis. Symptoms continued to progress in the hospital, and at the time of posterior circulation revascularization the patient had a persistent bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia and right ptosis. The need for a neurovascular workup and adjustment of therapy in patients with antihypertensive-associated cerebral ischemia is discussed.
Prevalence of residual paralysis from paralytic poliomyelitis in a rural population of Bangladesh.

Abstract To estimate the prevalence of residual paralysis from poliomyelitis in children in one area of rural Bangladesh, a survey of the amount and original cause of lameness was undertaken. The International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh Matlab field area, which has been under demographic surveillance for 13 years, provided the study population of 25,000 children aged 5–14 years. The cause of the lameness identified for a child in the survey was based on criteria obtained from a health history questionnaire and a physical examination performed by a physician. The prevalence rate for residual paralysis of poliomyelitis estimated from the lameness survey was 0.84/1,000 children aged 5–14 years. Since lower extremity paralysis occurs in only about 80% of children with paralytic poliomyelitis, the prevalence rate for all cases of residual paralysis of poliomyelitis was calculated to be 1.05/1,000 children in this age group.
Review of C.P.R. Romano's Edited Volume, the United States and International Courts and Tribunals

This is a review of C.P.R. Romano's edited volume, The United States and International Courts and Tribunals (published in 2009).
The Columbian Timber Beetle, Corthylus columbianus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). VIII. Artifacts and Characteristics of the Host Tree

The spatial distribution of Corthylus columbianus Hopkins was studied to determine associations with structural properties of the hosts red maple, Acer rubrum L., and silver maple, A. saccharinum L. A significant relationship between percent beetle attack and tree height is given by the regression Log (Ŷ + 0.368) = 3.9008 - 1.1378 (Log X) (all size classes grouped). The mean height above ground of within-tree beetle populations increased 0.42 feet for each 1 inch increase of tree diameter (over a range of diameters 1–17 inches breast height). Prediction curves were calculated to describe the heights above ground which contain 50, 67, or 90% of the population. As host diameter increased, the probability of attack multiplied exponentially. No host trees with diameters 1 inch or less were infested. The similar infestation patterns of different tree sizes in outbreak compared to nonoutbreak years led to the conclusion that, at least with regard to diameter, initial attack behavior is essentially the same from year to year.
Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes – The Next Step in Assessing Outcome and Response to Treatment in Patients with Breast Cancer

Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes are studied for their potential as new clinically useful prognostic and predictive biomarkers in patients with triple negative and HER-2/neu amplified breast cancer. This area of research could also help guide the development of novel therapeutic approaches for these diseases.
Synthesis and rapid characterization of amine-functionalized silica.

Amine-functionalized colloidal silica finds use in a variety of applications and fundamental investigations. To explore convenient methods of synthesis and characterization of research-grade materials in relatively large quantities, nearly monodisperse colloidal silica particles were prepared by base-catalyzed hydrolysis of reagent-grade tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) without the traditional time- and energy-consuming distillation step. Radius was varied reliably from 30 to 125 nm by changing the water/TEOS ratio. Asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF4) methods with online light scattering detection proved effective in assessing the uniformity of the various preparations. Even highly uniform commercial standards were resolved by AF4. The surface of the colloidal silica was decorated with amino groups using (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane and spacer methyl groups from methyl-trimethoxysilane. The surface density of amino groups was quantified spectrophotometrically after reaction with ninhydrin; t...
Thallium(I) copper(I) thorium(IV) tris­elenide, TlCuThSe3

Thallium(I) copper(I) thorium(IV) tris­elenide, TlCuThSe3, crystallizes with four formula units in the space group Cmcm in the KCuZrS3 structure type. There is one crystallographic­ally independent Th, Tl, and Cu atom at a site of symmetry 2/m.., m2m, and m2m, respectively. There are two crystallographically independent Se atoms at sites of symmetry m.. and m2m. The structure consists of sheets of edge-sharing ThSe6 octa­hedra and CuSe4 tetra­hedra stacked parallel to the (010) face, separated by layers filled with chains of Tl running parallel to [100]. Each Tl is coordinated by a trigonal prism of Se atoms.
Strategic, Tactical, & Operational Management Security Model

Information security can be viewed as being different, at different levels of management. Strategic management involves creating security policies, dealing with people issues, and evaluating threats and risks. Tactical management involves how the security systems are developed and implemented to meet policy requirements. Operational management involves maintaining and monitoring the enforcement of information security policies. This paper presents and explains information security from a managerial level perspective and how curriculum supports the model of the different information security needs of strategic (why), tactical (how), and operational (what) management.
Visualization of Higher Mathematics Based on MatLab

Through the combination of higher mathematics and MatLab,uses modern technology to present mathematics problems dynamically,so that advanced mathematics theory and concept is not abstract and difficult.Moreover,it will improve the ability of students in higher mathematics study using advanced math tools,and it can also help to train students interested in mathematics and mathematical application consciousness.
Proteasome inhibitors: new class of antitumor agents.

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is the principal pathway for intracellular protein degradation1,2 (Fig 1). This pathway selectively degrades an extensive number of short-lived regulatory proteins involved in the control of normal cellular processes. In order to be degraded, proteins targeted by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway are covalently tagged by polyubiquitination, via a three-step enzymatic process, which ultimately leads to their recognition and degradation, by the 26S proteasome in a highly specific and regulated manner. This process is accomplished by the sequential action of three enzymes: an ATP-dependent ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1), an ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) and an ubiquitin-pro-tein ligase (E3).3 This cascade covalently links the C terminus of ubiquitin to a free amino group on the target protein, usually the e-amino of a lysine residue.
CHAPTER 42 – Endometrial Cancer and Hormonal Replacement Therapy

Publisher Summary Estrogen replacement therapy alone is associated with an increase risk of endometrial cancer. The usage of estrogen alone as hormonal replacement therapy for women with a uterus is almost never indicated due to this association. These cancers are most commonly characterized as low-grade and low-stage tumors with an excellent prognosis. The greatest risk is for patients who do not have known risk factors, especially in regard to obesity; conversely, in an obese woman the addition of estrogen alone does not appear to be an additive risk factor. The addition of progestogens, either as cycfic or as a continuous daily dose, reduces the risk of endometrial cancer; however, it appears to increase the overall rate of hormone-associated cancers due to the increase in breast cancer rates associated with progestin therapy. This places the patient and physician in the difficult position of balancing various risk factors. As the frequency of progestins increases, the risk of endometrial cancer decreases while the risk of breast cancer increases. The prescribing patterns of hormonal replacement therapy have shifted significantly since the publication of the WHI data, and new regimens are in the process of development. Despite the risks, there continues to be a substantial number of women who derive a benefit from hormonal replacement therapy, which may outweigh any risk of endometrial cancer.
Feedback in Flow for Accelerated Reaction Development.

ConspectusThe pharmaceutical industry is investing in continuous flow and high-throughput experimentation as tools for rapid process development accelerated scale-up. Coupled with automation, these technologies offer the potential for comprehensive reaction characterization and optimization, but with the cost of conducting exhaustive multifactor screens. Automated feedback in flow offers researchers an alternative strategy for efficient characterization of reactions based on the use of continuous technology to control chemical reaction conditions and optimize in lieu of screening. Optimization with feedback allows experiments to be conducted where the most information can be gained from the chemistry, enabling product yields to be maximized and kinetic models to be generated while the total number of experiments is minimized.This Account opens by reviewing select examples of feedback optimization in flow and applications to chemical research. Systems in the literature are classified into (i) deterministic...
Solidarity, Friendship, and Democratic Hope

Walhof shows how Gadamer’s conception of solidarity stands in contrast to both universal conceptions and identification conceptions, each of which cast solidarity in terms of a pre-political recognition of commonality. Gadamer instead casts solidarity in terms of historically contingent bonds that are not necessarily based on evident similarities but emerge through democratic practices themselves. Through an analysis of the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement, Walhof demonstrates how this account of solidarity helps us see the connections that constitute political communities and underlie democratic action, even amidst hyper-partisanship and social conflict. The bonds disclosed by OWS were not those of shared interests or a shared identity but temporary manifestations of a shared life together that arises from encounters among those who are, and remain, diverse.
Teaching of Automation and Rapid Methods in Food Microbiology 1,2.

Automation and rapid methods in food microbiology are timely topics for inclusion in a food microbiology course. The topics can be developed into a short course. Lectures in the classroom and at national and international meetings served as the basis for generating an outline suitable for speakers to use in developing a similar talk. This article presents a format for a presentation, a reference list of pertinent books and articles, sources of slides and teaching materials and strategy of presentation. The purpose is to provide a plan of action for those who wish to give a lecture or two, or to develop a short course on automation and rapid methods in food microbiology.
On bed posture recognition with pressure sensor array system

Automated on bed posture recognition is of major importance to physical rehabilitation exercises. This paper presents a pressure sensor array system to unobtrusively recognize on bed postures for patients recovering from illness, injury and surgery. In this paper, we propose to use limb clusters to recognize on bed postures instead of using the whole body pressure map since the shapes and positions of limbs represent the postures in nature. To measure the similarities of limb clusters, we propose to use a comprehensive distance metric considering both physical distance and pressure difference. In the recognition phase, a weighted limb based recognition method is applied. The experiments are conducted with 15 subjects ranging from various gender, age and weight. The experiments have demonstrated that our proposed system and method can achieve a 97.8% recognition rate for typical on bed postures.
Incidental posterior mediastinal paraganglioma: The safe approach to management, case report.

Abstract Introduction Paragangliomas are neuroendocrine tumors arising from chromaffin cells located in sympathetic paraganglia. Mediastinal paragangliomas are extremely rare and can be classified as functional or non-functional according to their ability for secreting catecholamines. Patients can be asymptomatic and the diagnosis is usually incidental. Complete surgical resection remains the standard of care for paragangliomas. Presentation of case We present a 44-year-old woman with a functional mediastinal paraganglioma incidentally found during the perioperative imaging workup for a diagnosed breast carcinoma. Chest radiograph and computed tomography (CT) showed a well-defined lesion in the posterior mediastinum suspicious for an esophageal malignancy. Endoscopic and CT-guided biopsies were performed confirming the diagnosis of a neuroendocrine tumor. Laboratory studies showed elevated catecholamines and chromogranin A levels, consistent with a paraganglioma. Appropriate pre-operative management was done and successful surgical resection without catecholamine related complications was achieved. Discussion The workup and treatment of incidentally discovered adrenal and extra-adrenal lesions are controversial. Because of the absence of symptoms and the wider differential diagnosis of extra-adrenal lesions, an attempt for biopsying and surgically remove these lesions prior to biochemical testing is not an uncommon scenario, although this could be potentially harmful. Surgeons should have an index of suspicion for catecholamine-secreting tumors and hormonal levels should be assessed prior to biopsy or surgical resection. Conclusion Surgeons should consider paragangliomas as a differential diagnosis for extra-adrenal lesions. Biochemical testing with catecholamines and chromogranin A levels should be performed prior to biopsy or surgical removal in order to avoid catastrophic complications.
Electron Radiolysis of Ammonium Perchlorate: A Reflectron Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometric Study

Thin films of ammonium perchlorate (NH4ClO4) were exposed to energetic electrons at 5.5 K to explore the radiolytic decomposition mechanisms. The effects of radiolysis were monitored on line and in situ via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in the condensed phase along with electron impact ionization quadrupole mass spectrometry (EI-QMS) and single-photon photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PI-ReTOF-MS) during the temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) phase to probe the subliming molecules. Three classes of molecules were observed: (i) nitrogen bearing species [ammonia (NH3), hydroxylamine (NH2OH), molecular nitrogen (N2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2)], (ii) chlorine carrying molecules [chlorine monoxide (ClO), chlorine dioxide (ClO2), dichlorine trioxide (Cl2O3)], and (iii) molecular oxygen (O2). Decay profiles of the reactants along with the growth profiles of the products as derived from the infrared data were fit kinetically to obtain a reaction mechanism with the ini...
Comparison of dual-energy CT, ultrasound and surface measurement for assessing tophus dissolution during rapid urate debulking

Tophaceous gout is painful and impairs quality of life. The optimal modality for assessing tophus resolution in response to urate-lowering treatment remains poorly defined. Using pegloticase as a model system for resolving tophi, we compared multiple imaging and physical diagnostic strategies for assessing tophus resolution. A 32-year-old subject with chronic refractory tophaceous gout was enrolled and received 6 months of pegloticase treatment. Measurements of tophi using vernier calipers (monthly), photographs and musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US; every 3 months), and dual-energy CT (DECT) were compared. Pegloticase persistently lowered the patient's sUA to <0.5 mg/dl. After 6 months, caliper measurements revealed 73, 60, and 61% reductions of three index tophi, while MSK-US revealed 47, 65, and 48% reductions. In contrast, DECT revealed 100% resolution of monosodium urate deposition in all three index tophi, and resolution or improvement of all other tophi identified. On caliper and MSK-US measurement, index tophus size fluctuated, with some lesions enlarging before ultimately contracting. Correlation between assessment modalities during tophus resolution may be poor. DECT identifies urate deposits invisible to physical exam and reveals that some urate deposits completely resolve even as their physically/sonographically measurable lesions persist. Recognition of urate resorption during the urate-lowering process may be confounded by fluctuating lesion volumes during initial tophus breakdown. While DECT was superior for identifying total (including occult) urate deposition, and assessing volume of deposits, other modalities may permit better assessment of non-urate tophus components.
Spatial and temporal distribution of juvenile Cyclopterus lumpus (lumpfish) in a New England estuary

Abstract Lumpfish ( Cyclopterus lumpus ) is a semi-pelagic species that is broadly distributed in the temperate regions of the North Atlantic. Little is known about the distribution of juveniles, therefore this study was the first attempt to determine juvenile lumpfish distribution in near-coastal and estuarine locations, as represented by the Great Bay Estuary, NH. Sampling took place in 2015 and 2016 from June through September at four different locations along the Piscataqua River and Great Bay. Juveniles were caught using dipnets, from macroalgae growing on floating docks in all four months and all locations, except for the site furthest ( ∼ 25 km) up the estuary (Great Bay site (JEL). Water temperatures ranged from 8.6 –22.3 °C and salinities ranged from 21.9 –33.95 where lumpfish were found. Juvenile lumpfish were never captured at the Great Bay sampling site, therefore it is still unclear whether or not they are using the upper portions of the Bay as a nursery ground. With the changing climate, it is important to fully investigate the abiotic factors that influence the temporal and spatial distribution of juvenile lumpfish.
Constructive “Consent”: A Problematic Fiction

The law and society occasionally impute consent to an agent despite a clear lack of actual consent. A common type of such ‘fictitious consent’ is constructive consent. In this practice, we treat an agent as if she consented to Φ because she did Ψ. By examining how constructive consent operates in law (monitoring inmate phone calls and blood alcohol concentration testing on unconscious drivers) and daily life (physical contact in public spaces), I show that our treatment of agents in these cases bears no normatively relevant resemblance to consent because it is grounded in values and concerns other than autonomy. Thus, the practice may diminish the very autonomy consent proper seeks to promote. Hiding this potential for conflict creates the risk moral concerns will not be appropriately balanced when deciding on the permissibility of an action. We thus ought to be explicit that such cases don’t involve consent and its common justification.
Extensions of the Scan Statistic

The previous chapters dealt primarily with unusual clusters of one type of event over time or space. In this section we deal with generalizations to the simultaneous clustering of multiple types of events. In the first generalization, two types of events occur over the same (discrete or continuous) time period. The period is scanned for a window of fixed length w, looking for unusual clusters that contain at least a certain number of each type of event. In the second generalization we look for unusual clustering of two types of letter patterns in a two-dimensional array.
Mitigation of airways responsiveness by deep inflation of the lung.

The mechanisms by which deep inflation of the lung reverse bronchoconstriction and affect subsequent airway responsiveness have important potential implications for asthma, yet remain controversial...
How We Manage Social Relationships Through Answers to Questions: The Case of Interjections

In this article I examine the range of possible answers to polar questions. The focus is on contrasting varieties of interjection answers with each other and with other answer types. I introduce th...
Methamphetamine alters T cell cycle entry and progression: role in immune dysfunction

We and others have demonstrated that stimulants such as methamphetamine (METH) exerts immunosuppressive effects on the host's innate and adaptive immune systems and has profound immunological implications. Evaluation of the mechanisms responsible for T-cell immune dysregulation may lead to ways of regulating immune homeostasis during stimulant use. Here we evaluated the effects of METH on T cell cycle entry and progression following activation. Kinetic analyses of cell cycle progression of T-cell subsets exposed to METH demonstrated protracted G1/S phase transition and differentially regulated genes responsible for cell cycle regulation. This result was supported by in vivo studies where mice exposed to METH had altered G1 cell cycle phase and impaired T-cell proliferation. In addition, T cells subsets exposed to METH had significant decreased expression of cyclin E, CDK2 and transcription factor E2F1 expression. Overall, our results indicate that METH exposure results in altered T cell cycle entry and progression. Our findings suggest that disruption of cell cycle machinery due to METH may limit T-cell proliferation essential for mounting an effective adaptive immune response and thus may strongly contribute to deleterious effect on immune system.
Collective bin packing: an active learning exercise

Active learning has become an important part of effective computer science pedagogy. Active learning helps to keep students engaged in the learning process and is useful at all levels of computer science education from introductory courses on programming through more advanced upper level topics and graduate level coursework. In this paper, we present an active learning exercise that we developed for use in courses on artificial intelligence for demonstrating heuristic search concepts as well as concepts related to swarm intelligence. We have also found the exercise useful in an interdisciplinary course for non-majors to demonstrate some of the problem solving approaches of computer science. It is also applicable to courses on discrete mathematics. The exercise that we call Collective Bin Packing is an adaptation of the well-known combinatorial optimization problem known as bin packing. During the exercise, students take turns deciding upon individual problem solving steps. A follow-up class discussion draws out the algorithmic elements of the students' collective reasoning process. An interactive Java application is used to facilitate the group problem solving exercise.
Oral Anticoagulation in Patients with End-stage Kidney Disease on Dialysis and Atrial Fibrillation

Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) have an elevated incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and are at increased risk for thromboembolic events. However, these patients are also at increased risk for bleeding and it is unclear whether they benefit from an oral anticoagulant. Point prevalent on July 1, 2015, only ~28% of dialysis patients with AF were on oral anticoagulation. Warfarin was the most commonly used oral anticoagulant, followed by apixaban, while dabigatran and rivaroxaban were rarely used. This article reviews the current evidence regarding each oral anticoagulant especially as they relate to patients with ESKD.
Shifting Sands and the Prophet's Dream: Exploring the Future of Information Organization Education.

This paper explores four main areas that will likely have an impact upon the future of information organization education. In particular, information organization education must be prepared for the...
Deep Cross-Modal Age Estimation

Automatic age and gender classification systems can play a vital role in a number of applications including a variety of recommendation systems, face recognition across age progression, and security applications. Current age and gender classifiers, are lacking crucial accuracy and reliability in order to be used in real world applications since most real-time systems have zero fault tolerant. This paper develops an end-to-end, deep architecture aiming to improve the accuracy and reliability of the age estimation task.
A Review of the Psychology of Sport and Performance Injury: An Interprofessional Case-Based Approach

In The Psychology of Sport and Performance Injury: An Interprofessional Case-Based Approach, Arvinen-Barrow and Clement advocate for the use of interprofessional care within sport and performance i...
Link and interaction polarity predictions in signed networks

In today’s world, users typically take to online social media to express their opinions, which can inherently be both positive and negative. In fact, online social networks can be best modeled as signed networks, where opinions in the form of positive and negative links can exist between users, such as our friends and foes (e.g., “unfriended” users), respectively. Furthermore, users can also express their opinions to content generated by others through online social interactions, such as commenting or rating. Intuitively, these two types of opinions in the form of links and interactions should be related. For example, users’ interactions are likely to be positive (or negative) to those they have positively (or negatively) established links with. Similarly, we tend to establish positive (or negative) links with those whose generated content we frequently positively (or negatively) interact with online. Hence, in this paper, we first verify these assumptions by understanding the correlation between these two types of opinions from both a local and global perspective. Then, we propose a framework that jointly solves the link and interaction polarity prediction problem based on our newly found understanding of how these two problems are correlated. We ultimately perform experiments on a real-world signed network to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed approach to help mitigate both the data sparsity and cold-start problems found in the two tasks of link and interaction polarity prediction.
Using Microsimulation to Estimate Effects of Boarding Conditions on Bus Dwell Time and Schedule Adherence for Passengers with Mobility Limitations

AbstractBoth bus dwell time and bus headway adherence are critical to the serviceability of the bus transit system. It is acknowledged that passengers with physical disabilities may greatly impact ...
Distinct responses of antagonistic and mutualistic networks to agricultural intensification

Species interaction networks, which govern the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem processes within ecological communities, are being rapidly altered by anthropogenic activities worldwide. Studies on the response of species interaction networks to anthropogenic disturbance have almost exclusively focused on one interaction type at a time, such as mutualistic or antagonistic interactions, making it challenging to decipher how networks of different interaction types respond to the same anthropogenic disturbance. Moreover, few studies have simultaneously focused on the two main components of network structure: network topology (i.e., architecture) and network ecology (i.e., species identities and interaction turnover), thereby limiting our understanding of the ecological drivers underlying changes in network topology in response to anthropogenic disturbance. Here, we used 16,400 plant-pollinator and plant-herbivore interaction observations from 16 sites along an agricultural intensification gradient to compare changes in network topology and ecology between mutualistic and antagonistic networks. We measured two aspects of network topology-nestedness and modularity-and found that although the mutualistic networks were consistently more nested than antagonistic networks and antagonistic networks were consistently more modular, the rate of change in nestedness and modularity along the gradient was comparable between the two network types. Change in network ecology, however, was distinct between mutualistic and antagonistic networks, with partner switching making a significantly larger contribution to interaction turnover in the mutualistic networks than in the antagonistic networks, and species turnover being a strong contributor to interaction turnover in the antagonistic networks. The ecological and topological changes we observed in the antagonistic and mutualistic networks have different implications for pollinator and herbivore communities in agricultural landscapes, and support the idea that pollinators are more labile in their interaction partner choice, whereas herbivores form more reciprocally specialized, and therefore more vulnerable, interactions. Our results also demonstrate that studying both topological and ecological network structure can help to elucidate the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on ecological communities, with applications for conservation and restoration of species interactions and the ecosystem processes they maintain.
Association of Lupus Nephritis Histopathologic Classification With Venous Thromboembolism-Modification by Age at Biopsy.

Introduction Lupus nephritis (LN) is an independent risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The risk of VTE has not been analyzed by International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society or World Health Organization LN class. Study goals were to measure VTE incidence in an LN patient cohort, to evaluate associations between VTE and LN class, and to investigate factors modifying associations between VTE and LN class. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed using Glomerular Disease Collaborative Network data. Image-confirmed VTE was compared between patients with any LN class V lesion and patients with only LN class III or IV. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Effect modification was assessed between main effect and covariates. Results Our cohort consisted of 534 LN patients, 310 (58%) with class III/IV and 224 (42%) with class V with or without class III/IV, including 106 with class V alone. The VTE incidence was 62 of 534 (11.6%). The odds of VTE were not significantly different between patients with class III/IV and class V in adjusted analyses (odds ratio [OR] = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.45−1.48). An age interaction was observed (P = 0.009), with increased odds of VTE with class III/IV diagnosed at a younger age (2.75, 0.90−8.41 estimated at age 16 years) and decreased odds with class III/IV diagnosed at an older age (0.23, 0.07−0.72 estimated at age 46 years), compared to class V. Conclusions The VTE incidence was similar among patients with LN classes III/IV and V, suggesting that VTE risk is not limited to class V−related nephrotic syndrome and that age may modulate LN class-specific VTE risk.
A 6.8 mA closed-loop monolithic buffer with 120 MHz bandwidth, 4000 V//spl mu/S slew rate and /spl plusmn/12 V signal compatibility

A closed-loop current-feedback high-speed monolithic buffer is described which is capable of operation from /spl plusmn/18 V supplies with 6.8 mA of supply current. A 4000 V//spl mu/S slew-rate and 120 MHz bandwidth are achieved together with accuracies approaching those of general purpose op-amps.
Estimating Equity Risk Premiums

Equity risk premiums are a central component of every risk and return model in finance. Given their importance, it is surprising how haphazard the estimation of equity risk premiums remains in practice. The standard approach to estimating equity risk premiums remains the use of historical returns, with the difference in annual returns on stocks and bonds over a long time period comprising the expected risk premium, looking forward. We note the limitations of this approach, even in markets like the United States, which have long periods of historical data available, and its complete failure in emerging markets, where the historical data tends to limited and noisy. We suggest ways in which equity risk premiums can be estimated for these markets, using a base equity premium and a country risk premium. Finally, we suggest an alternative approach to estimating equity risk premiums that requires no historical data and provides updated estimates for most markets.
The Genetic Structure of Natural Populations of DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER. Xi. Genetic Variability in a Local Population

ABSTRACT Six hundred and ninety-one second chromosomes were extracted from a Raleigh, North Carolina population, and the following experimental results were obtained: (1) Salivary gland chromosomes of all lines were observed and the number of inversion-carrying chromosomes was 130, among which 76 carried In(2R)NS , 36 carried In(2L)t , 4 carried In(2L)t and In(2R)NS , and 14 carried different kinds of rare inversions. (2) Viabilities of homozygotes and heterozygotes were examined. The frequency of lethal-carrying chromosomes was 275/691 (or 0.398):70/130 (or 0.538) in inversion-carrying chromosomes and 205/561 (or 0.365) in inversion-free chromosomes. The former is significantly higher than the latter. The average homozygote viability was 0.4342 including lethal lines and 0.7163 excluding those, the average heterozygote viability being 1.0000. The detrimental load to lethal load ratio (D:L ratio) was 0.334/0.501 = 0.67. The average viability of lethal heterozygotes was less than that of lethal-free heterozygotes, significantly in inversion-free individuals but not significantly so in inversion-carrying individuals. Inversion heterozygotes seem to have slightly better viability than the inversion-free heterozygotes on the average, but not significantly so. (3) The average degree of dominance of viability polygenes was estimated to be 0.293 ± 0.071 for all heterozygotes whose component chromosomes had better viabilities than 0.6 of the average heterozygote viability, 0.177 ± 0.077 for inversion-free heterozygotes and 0.489 ± 0.082 for inversion heterozygotes. (4) Mutation rates of viability polygenes and lethal genes were estimated on the basis of genetic loads and average degrees of dominance of lethal genes and viability polygenes. Estimates were very close to those obtained by direct estimation. (5) Possible overdominance and epistasis were detected, but the magnitude must be very small. (6) The effective size of the population was estimated to be much greater than 10,000 by using the allelism rate of lethal-carrying chromosomes (0.0040) and their frequency.—On the basis of these findings and the comparison with the predicted result (Mukai and Maruyama 1971), the mechanisms of the maintenance of genetic variability in the population are discussed.
Dynamics of metastable fluid states in the liquid-solid transition

A fluctuation theory for the dynamics of metastable fluid states is presented which relies on a limiting form for the static structure factor $S(k)$ previously presented by the authors. The transport coefficients are found to show a divergence in the hydrodynamic regime. In the nonhydrodynamic regime a model is presented which uses an approximate single-particle memory function and a diffusive mode is found; this is compared with fluctuation theory results of other workers. A recent computer experiment has shown numerical agreement with the static model.
Comparison of hemorrhage control agents applied to lethal extremity arterial hemorrhages in swine.

Background: QuikClot powder (QC), chitosan dressing (CD), and fibrin sealant dressing (FSD) are new hemostatic products touted to be more effective in controlling severe extremity bleeding than the current standard gauze dressing. All have been utilized in the global war on terrorism. Our objective was to evaluate the hemostatic efficacy of these three products in a model of severe extremity arterial hemorrhage that could not be stopped by standard gauze treatment. Methods: A model of severe extremity arterial hemorrhage was developed in swine that was 100% fatal with standard gauze application and manual compression. The Army Field Bandage (AFB) was the standard gauze control. Anesthetized animals (n = 60,15/group, 37.7 ± 2.5 kg) were splenectomized and instrumented. A reproducible femoral artery injury was created using a 6 mm aortic punch, and free bleeding was allowed for 45 seconds. Each hemostatic agent was applied twice with three-minute compressions. All products were applied on actively bleeding wounds through a pool of blood. Fluid resuscitation was started with the first compression and titrated to a mean pressure of 65 mm Hg. Animals were observed for 180 minutes or until death. Endpoints were percent survival, survival time, blood loss, resuscitation volume, wound temperatures and tissue histology. Data are expressed as mean ± SD and analyzed by Fisher's exact, logrank, and nonparametric ANOVA tests. Results: Baseline physiologic parameters were similar among groups. AFB did not produce hemostasis. QC also showed no hemostatic benefit, and QC treatment markedly increased maximum wound temperatures to an average of 70.8 ± 4.2°C (p < 0.001). CD stopped bleeding temporarily in only one animal. There were no survivors in the AFB, QC, or CD groups. CD numerically prolonged survival time (58.9 ± 21.1 minute) compared with the control (38.4 ± 24.7 minutes, p = 0.045) but the difference was not significant. FSD reduced bleeding (p < 0.05) and prevented exsanguination in 10/15 (2/3) animals, and resulted in a significantly longer average survival time (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: FSD was superior to other currently utilized hemostatic products in controlling lethal arterial hemorrhage in this model of a fatal extremity wound. CD showed some hemostatic benefit. The exothermic reaction of QC was significant and resulted in gross and histologic tissue changes of unknown clinical significance. Controlled human studies with the promising products are required.
Fracture of a polyurethane cardiac catheter in the aortic arch: A complication related to polymer aging

An undated Cordis Ducor polyurethane coronary catheter fractured and separated in the aortic arch during a cardiac catheterization, and was removed with an intravascular retriever. The recovered specimen appeared brittle, prompting an investigation of the effects of aging on the tensile strength of 91 polyurethane catheters manufactured by Cordis and the United States Catheter and Instrument Company (USCI). Cordis catheters have stable tensile strength for five years from manufacture, but then deteriorate substantially by seven years, particularly at the bond between the catheter tip and the stainless steel-reinforced catheter body. The deterioration is associated with the microscopic appearance of deep cracks in the catheter lumen wall. USCI catheters showed a modest but significant loss of tensile strength by three years after manufacture at the catheter bond. It would seem prudent to place a three-year expiration date on USCI polyurethane catheters, similar to those already on Cordis catheters.
Social.Water-A crowdsourcing tool for environmental data acquisition

Remote telemetry has a long history of use for collection of environmental measurements. With the rise of mobile phones and SMS text-messaging capacity, many members of the general pubic carry communications equipment in their pockets at all times. Enabling the general public to provide environmental data through text messages has the potential both to provide additional data to scientific projects and also to raise awareness of the projects through participation. Hydrologic measurements - some of which can be made without training, involve a single measurement, and are often made in rural areas - are well-suited to text-message conveyance. Many other environmental measurements are similarly well-suited for this technology. Social.Water is a software package, written in Python, that collects, parses, and categorizes text messages sent to a dedicated phone number, updates a simple database, and posts both graphical results and the database on the Web. Social.Water was designed as the backend to the Crowdhydrology project and is written in an object-oriented design that makes customization and modification straightforward.
Processing-structure relations for ferroelectric thin films deposited by ion beam sputter deposition

This paper emphasizes the need to determine the relationships between processing and structure (including microstructure) in ferroelectric thin films. The use of an automated ion beam deposition system is demonstrated, which allows the controlled deposition of films at low processing temperatures. A key feature is the real-time composition monitoring, during deposition, which allows stoichiometry to be precisely controlled. Microstructures (including defects) in KNbO3 and lead zirconate titanate films are investigated, and differences between the two materials emphasized.
Interest Rate Risk and Optimal Design of Mortgage Instruments

This article develops and analyzes a simple expected utility model for interest rate risk and mortgage choice. The model demonstrates how the risks of interest rate changes should be allocated between borrowers and lenders through varying mortgage payments. In general, we conclude that full protection against interest rate risk, as a normative guideline, is likely to be suboptimal for the typical household. Our results show that the optimal design of adjustable rate mortgages should include an interest rate CAP provision.
Information process flow analysis (IPFA) for reengineering manufacturing systems

Abstract Automated manufacturing lines, aircraft, unclear power plants, and similar real-time intelligent or embedded systems contain three control elements: (1) embedded computers, (2) humans-in-the-loop, and (3) certain machines, i.e., mechanically, electrically, or electronically operated devices. Embedded system control elements are interconnected through accurate, precisely-timed, closed-loop information systems to provide high quality products and/or services from their parent systems, and in some cases to ensure human safety. Highly-reliable controlling computers and associated software embedded in time- and safety-critical systems that compensate for possible human and/or machine error are especially difficult to design and develop, or “forward engineer”. Reengineering embedded control elements in old systems is even more troublesome, especially when they require re-manufacturing, e.g., nuclear power plant refueling, aircraft avionics system upgrading, or manufacturing plant retooling. This paper describes how industrial engineers can assist in reengineering worn out, error prone, or obsolescent real-time manufacturing systems (embedded systems) by helping computer systems and communication engineers ensure that critical information control loops, both feed forward and feed back, are complete and efficient. Two conceptual models, the Embedded Computer System (ECS) physical model and the Object Transformation Process Model (OTPM) are used to guide a modified process flow analysis (PFA) of existing large-scale, complex embedded systems that takes into account process-supporting information. This modified PFA is called an Information Process Flow Analysis (IPFA).
Using activity focus networks to pressure terrorist organizations

The predominant idea for using network concepts to fight terrorists centers on disabling key parts of their communication networks. Although this counternetwork strategy is clearly a sound approach, it is vulnerable to missing, incomplete, or erroneous information about the network. This paper describes a different and complementary application of network concepts to terrorist organizations. It is based on activity focus networks (AFNs), which represent the complex activity system of an organization. An activity focus is a conceptual or physical entity around which joint activity is organized. Any organization has a number of these, which are in some cases compatible and in some cases incompatible. The set of foci and their relations of compatibility and incompatibility define the AFN. A hypothetical AFN for a terrorist organization is specified and tested in a simulation called AQAS. It shows that certain activity foci, and in particular one combination, have high potential as pressure points for the activity system. The AFN approach complements the counternetwork approach by reducing the downside risk of incomplete information about the communication network, and enhancing the effectiveness of counternetwork approaches over time.