cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seeking Our Own Food: Indigenous Women’s Power and Autonomy in San Pedro Chenalhó, Chiapas (1980-1998)

This article explores indigenous women's pursuit of power and autonomy in San Pedro Chenalho, a highland Chiapas township. Specifically, it describes women's grassroots initiatives since the early 1980s in the context of two social movements-the weaving cooperative movement and the Zapatista democracy movement. Within these two movements I focus on two cooperatives-Mujeres Marginadas (Marginalized Women), which is a bakery cooperative of approximately 20 women, and Tsobol Antzetik (Women United), which is a weaving cooperative composed of about 18 women and several of their children. Women in the bakery cooperative live in one hamlet of Chenalho and belong to a Zapatista base de apoyo (support base). Women in the weaving cooperative live in a three-hamlet area and sympathize with the Zapatistas but for the most part do not belong to Zapatista support bases. The four hamlets lie along the mountainous side of a valley about 45 kilometers from San Cristobal de Las Casas, the urban center of highland Chiapas. The hamlet populations average 550; the township population is 30,680
Basilar-type Migraine

Initially described more than 40 years ago, basilar-type migraine has posed diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas for medical practitioners. Defined by the coexistence of migraine headache with neurological symptoms emanating from either the brainstem or simultaneously from both cerebral hemispheres, basilar-type migraine has been categorized as “atypical” or “complicated” and has been considered more akin to hemiplegic migraine than to migraine with typical aura. Despite the absence of any data convicting basilar-type migraine as a vasospastic condition, the use of triptans in such patients has been considered prohibited. This review focuses on the diagnosis, clinical presentation, available genetic information, and treatment considerations in patients with basilar-type migraine.
703 Adjuvant Therapy Completion Rates in Patients With Gastric Cancer Undergoing Perioperative Chemotherapy Versus a Surgery-First Approach

Delayed recovery after gastrectomy may preclude the administration of adjuvant therapy in a significant percentage of patients who undergo elective gastrectomy as the initial therapy for gastric cancer. Clinicopathologic and treatment variables of 155 patients undergoing potentially curative gastrectomy for stages Ib–IIIc gastric adenocarcinoma from 2001 to 2014 were analyzed, and rates of receipt of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients treated with either a surgery-first approach (SURG) or neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery followed by postoperative therapy (PERIOP) were compared. SURG patients (n = 93) were older and more likely to have distal tumors and to undergo distal gastrectomy and D1 lymphadenectomy than PERIOP patients (n = 62). The distribution of ASA scores was similar between groups. SURG patients were less likely than PERIOP patients to complete at least one cycle of chemotherapy (56 vs 100 %, P = 0.001) and all recommended chemotherapy and radiation therapy (44 vs 66 %, P = 0.013). These findings were consistent for SURG patients treated during different time periods throughout the study and for patients of poorer performance status. A significantly higher percentage of gastric cancer patients treated with perioperative chemotherapy receive some or all of the recommended components of multimodality therapy than patients treated with a surgery-first approach.
Item Discrimination and Type I Error in the Detection of Differential Item Functioning

In 2009, DeMars stated that when impact exists there will be Type I error inflation, especially with larger sample sizes and larger discrimination parameters for items. One purpose of this study is...
The Latinamericanization of American Foreign Policy

The foreign policies of the George W. Bush administration, constructed by neo-conservative architects like Paul Wolfowitz and Richard Perle, have their ideological antecedents in United States policy toward Latin America. Although the neo-conservatives are not schooled in Latin American diplomatic history, the Bush Doctrine draws so extensively on previous Latin American policies and practices that it represents the Latin Americanization of American foreign policy. The neo-conservatives take inspiration from the policies and practices of Theodore Roosevelt, who applied his big stick policy preemptively in the Caribbean region. While the doctrine of preemption has its roots in the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, it goes beyond that policy by asserting a right to police not just Latin America, but Africa, the Middle East, and Asia as well. Unfortunately, the neo-conservatives ignored the nationalistic rebellions that American interventions produced in Latin America, exuding such confidence in th...
The Mussel Watch concept.

The use of bivalves as sentinel organisms for collectives of marine pollutants is evaluated with data from the U.S. Mussel Watch, 1976-1978. The utilization of soft parts and of the shells are compared for metals and plutonium. Finally, the need for a global mussel watch, emphasizing the analyses of chlorinated hydrocarbon biocides in the tropics and southern hemisphere, is presented.
Three Low-Dimensional Tin Oxalate and Tin Phosphate Materials: BING-4, -7, and -8

A solvothermal pyridine−HF−tin oxalate system has given rise to two new layered and one new chain crystal structures: BING-4, -7, and -8. BING-4 [SUNY at Binghamton, Structure No. 4, Sn(C2O4)(C5H5N), triclinic, P-1, a = 5.4202(6) A, b = 8.3824(9) A, c = 9.3506(10) A, α = 87.982(2)°, β = 87.916(2)°, γ = 85.650(2)°, Z = 2] consists of charge-neutral chains of alternating tin and oxalate groups, with pyridine molecules completing the fifth coordination of the tin centers and capping the chains. Both BING-7 ([Sn(C2O4)F-][NH4+], monoclinic, P21/c, a = 8.2736(4) A, b = 9.6386(5) A, c = 7.7473(4) A, β = 111.229(1)°, Z = 4) and BING-8 ([Sn(PO4H)F-][NH4+], orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 6.6789(4) A, b = 5.3402(4) A, c = 15.2795(10) A, Z = 4) are anionic, fluorinated, tin oxalate and tin phosphate layers, respectively, with interlamellar charge-balancing ammonium cations. Characterization methods included single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), in-situ variable temperature (VT) PXRD, t...
Litho-aware extraction for the 32nm double patterning node

A methodology to predict the impact of mask overlay and litho-induced process variations on Statistical Timing for Double Patterning is presented. As we migrate to the 32nm node and Double Patterning techniques, Mask Makers, Ebeam providers and Scanner providers are given very aggressive requirements for maintaining overlay accuracy. This method takes into account Mask CD Uniformity and Mask Image placement error budgets presented in the 2006 ITRS. It is assumed the ITRS requirements are met. This methodology combines the infrastructure used in Single Exposure Litho-Aware Layout Implementation tools with Double Patterning decomposition results to determine a meaningful layout-specific analysis for pre-tape-out timing sign-off. Traditional timing analysis uses a set of look-up tables for simulating device distortions. These tables have been proven to require excessive guardbanding in Single Exposure masks. Adding the additional dimension of overlay distortion to these tables will have the effects of hiding parametric failures, or requiring excessive guardbanding to ensure timing predictability. Results will be shown that describe the timing effects with and without taking into account these distortions, as well as design samples that contribute to these distortions.
Myeloproliferative Syndrome in Childhood

This report describes an atypical “myeloproliferative disorder” in a child that evolved over a 6-year period. The clinical and laboratory features resembled the adult type of chronic myelogenous leukemia, but a Philadelphia chromosome was lacking. Although the proper classification of this disorder remains uncertain, the case makes a good point for the use of diagnostic procedures such as the bone marrow core biopsy and cytogenetic studies to help unravel and define the characteristics of these unusual “myeloproliferative” disorders.
The Health Professions Stress Inventory

An instrument was developed to assess the levels and sources of stress experienced by health professionals. Based on a review of the literature, the Health Professions Stress Inventory was construc...
Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of Te-doped FeSb $$_{2}$$ 2 Nanocomposite

Nanostructured samples of FeSb $$_{1.84}$$ Te $$_{0.16}$$ were prepared using a hot-press method and thermoelectric properties were studied. Nanostructured samples exhibited significantly reduced values for the thermal conductivity. Te-doping, in addition to enhancing point-defect scattering, also induced a semiconductor-to-metal transition which increased the power factor value at low temperatures. Both the power factor and the thermal conductivity were shown to decrease with a decrease in hot-pressing temperature. The combined effect resulted in a figure-of-merit ZT of 0.022 at 100 K for the optimized sample, a 62 % increase over the single crystal counterpart. Within nanostructured samples, ZT increases by as much as 11 times.
Applications for photoacid generation in photoimaging and nanotechnology

The development of highly efficient onium salt photoacid generators has provided many new opportunities for the design of novel imaging systems. This communication focuses on some of the more recent breakthroughs in imaging technology that are being used in microelectronic and optoelectronic applications. More recently, onium salt photoinitiators have also found applications in the area of nanotechnology.
Evaluation of Two Self-Managed Rest Break Systems for VDT Users:

Two self-managed rest break systems for video display terminal (VDT) users were evaluated using measures of heart rate and heart rate variability, breathing, and work-physiological synchronization in addition to conventional measures of performance, mood, user acceptance, and musculoskeletal discomfort. Undergraduate typists (N=30) entered lines of randomized words during a 55-min work period. Cognitive demand was increased by having typists reverse-type a specified word in each line. In the feedback condition, typists were continuously informed of the discrepancy between a target rest break standard of 30 s every 8 min and their discretionary rest breaks. This feedback information was absent in the control condition. Management of discretionary rest breaks was better in the feedback condition and VDT users reported less task disruption and lower back discomfort. Time-related trends in performance and physiological response reflected behavioral changes associated with fatigue, but did not differentiate be...
Overcoming sequence misalignments with weighted structural superposition.

An appropriate structural superposition identifies similarities and differences between homologous proteins that are not evident from sequence alignments alone. We have coupled our Gaussian-weighted RMSD (wRMSD) tool with a sequence aligner and seed extension (SE) algorithm to create a robust technique for overlaying structures and aligning sequences of homologous proteins (HwRMSD). HwRMSD overcomes errors in the initial sequence alignment that would normally propagate into a standard RMSD overlay. SE can generate a corrected sequence alignment from the improved structural superposition obtained by wRMSD. HwRMSD’s robust performance and its superiority over standard RMSD are demonstrated over a range of homologous proteins. Its better overlay results in corrected sequence alignments with good agreement to HOMSTRAD. Finally, HwRMSD is compared to established structural alignment methods: FATCAT, SSM, CE, and Dalilite. Most methods are comparable at placing residue pairs within 2 A, but HwRMSD places many more residue pairs within 1 A, providing a clear advantage. Such high accuracy is essential in drug design, where small distances can have a large impact on computational predictions. This level of accuracy is also needed to correct sequence alignments in an automated fashion, especially for omics-scale analysis. HwRMSD can align homologs with low sequence identity and large conformational differences, cases where both sequence-based and structural-based methods may fail. The HwRMSD pipeline overcomes the dependency of structural overlays on initial sequence pairing and removes the need to determine the best sequence-alignment method, substitution matrix, and gap parameters for each unique pair of homologs.
Recovery of compressive strain in atactic polystyrene

Atactic polystyrene rods were compressed in an Instron universal testing machine to about 35% strain and then annealed near the glass transition temperature, T g, (100° C) in a thermal mechanical analyser. The change of length during annealing was recorded and the compressive strain was found to recover obeying second-order kinetics at least during the later part of recovery. The activation enthalpy obtained from the temperature dependence of the second-order rate constant varied from 126 to 260 kcal mol−1 as the annealing temperature decreased from 112 to 94° C. These activation enthalpies are attributed to the diffusion of positive or negative defects or configurations which annihilate during recovery. While these activation enthalpies agree with the findings of Andrews on retraction of hot-stretched filaments, they differ considerably from the spectrum obtained by Kimmel and Uhlmann using the data from Andrews' work. The reason for such differences is discussed.
Fatal Crash Rates in the Southeastern United States: Why Are They Higher?:

The southeastern region of the United States has been experiencing consistently higher fatality crash rates compared with other regions of the country. This region also has a number of socioeconomic characteristics that differ from the national average, including lower median household income, higher percentages of the population below the poverty level, higher percentage of the area classified as rural, and lower percentage of high school completion and university attainment. It is then possible to assume that these socioeconomic characteristics could influence highway safety by affecting the age and type of vehicles owned, the condition of these vehicles, and the attitudes of the drivers toward safety and risk-taking behaviors. The objectives of this study were to identify potential socioeconomic factors that could contribute to the higher fatality crash rates in the Southeast and to develop preliminary relationships between socioeconomic characteristics and crash trends that could explain these higher ...
Incremental cost of complications in colectomy: a warranty guided approach to surgical quality improvement

Abstract Background We assessed the warranty cost for colectomy at a single institution, as defined by the additional cost of treating complications distributed across all patients treated. Methods All segmental colectomies from July 8 to June 12 were reviewed for 0, 1, 2, and ≥3 complications. Warranty cost is defined as follows: ([mean additional cost of the case with complication(s) – mean base case cost] × number of episodes)/total population. Results Thousand four hundred twenty-two colectomies were analyzed. The lowest cost case was a laparoscopic resection with 0 complications ($7,739 ± 4,150). Warranty costs were less for laparoscopic versus open colectomy (0 - $0, 1 - $128, 2 - $66, ≥3 - $248 vs 0 - $1,036, 1 - $501, 2 - $520, ≥3 - $1,971). This was true for costs associated with readmission ($303 vs $1,519). Emergency status and elderly status also impacted warranty costs. Conclusions The data demonstrate that warranty costs were highest with open colectomy, emergency cases, and the elderly. These data can be used to measure both quality and cost impact of mitigation strategies.
The continuum mechanical theory of multicomponent diffusion in fluid mixtures

Abstract The continuum mechanical approach for deriving the generalized equations of multicomponent diffusion in fluids is described here in detail, which is based on application of the principle of linear momentum balance to a species in a mixture, resulting in the complete set of diffusion driving forces. When combined with the usual constitutive equations including the continuum friction treatment of diffusion, the result is a very complete and clear exposition of multicomponent diffusion that unifies previous work and includes all of the various possible driving forces as well as the generalized Maxwell–Stefan form of the constitutive equations, with reciprocal diffusion coefficients resulting from Newton’s third law applied to individual molecular encounters. This intuitively appealing and rigorous approach, first proposed over 50 years ago, has been virtually ignored in the chemical engineering literature, although it has a considerable following in the mechanical engineering literature, where the focus, naturally, has been physical properties of multiphase fluid and solid mixtures. The described approach has the advantages of transparency over the conventional approach of non-equilibrium thermodynamics and of simplicity over those based on statistical mechanical or kinetic theory of gases or liquids. We provide the general derivation along with some new results in order to call attention of chemical engineers to this comprehensive, attractive, and accessible theory of multicomponent diffusion in fluids.
Vibrational spectroscopy and analysis of pseudo-tetrahedral complexes with metal imido bonds.

A number of assignments have been previously posited for the metal−nitrogen stretch (ν(M-NR)), the N−R stretch (ν(MN−R)), and possible ligand deformation modes associated with terminally bound imides. Here we examine mononuclear iron(III) and cobalt(III) imido complexes of the monoanionic tridentate ligand [PhBP3] ([PhBP3] = [PhB(CH2PPh2)3]-) to clarify the vibrational features for these trivalent metal imides. We report the structures of [PhBP3]Fe⋮NtBu and [PhBP3]Co⋮NtBu. Pseudo-tetrahedral metal imides of these types exhibit short bond lengths (ca. 1.65 A) and nearly linear angles about the M−N−C linkages, indicative of multiple bond character. Furthermore, these compounds give rise to intense, low-energy visible absorptions. Both the position and the intensity of the optical bands in the [PhBP3]M⋮NR complexes depend on whether the substituent is an alkyl or aryl group. Excitation into the low-energy bands of [PhBP3]Fe⋮NtBu gives rise to two Raman features at 1104 and 1233 cm-1, both of which are sensit...
Demazure and Weyl-Kac Character Formulas

We give a proof of the Demazure character formula (in an arbitrary Kac-Moody setting) and, as a consequence, obtain the Weyl-Kac character formula for an arbitrary Kac-Moody Lie algebra. For a dominant integral weight λ ∈ Dℤ, let Lmax (λ) be the maximal integrable highest weight \(\mathfrak{g}\)-module, as defined in 2.1.5, and, for any w ∈ W, let vwλ. ∈ Lmax(λ) be an extremal weight vector of weight wA., which is unique up to scalar multiples. Then, the Demazure module L w max is, by definition, the U(\(\mathfrak{b}\))-span of υ wλ . The Demazure character formula determines the character of L w max (λ) as a T-module. The proof uses algebro-geometric techniques.
RNA World meets Snowball Earth

Origin of life theories have produced numerous schools of thought, two of which are termed RNA World and Snowball Earth. Complex organic molecules can be produced by RNA catalysis. This chemistry would be hindered by ice formation that would sequester moecules in the frozen water matrix. We present experimental data showing that RNA retains antifreeze properties that would enable the exchange of reactants/products of the catalytic reactions.
Adaptation of selected trees and grasses to low availability of phosphorus

High-nutrient-adapted and low-nutrient-adapted species of New Zealand tussock grasses (Chionochloa), barley (Hordeum), and several taiga trees were grown at three rates of phosphorus supply. Low-nutrient-adapted species in each group of species had similar (grasses) or lower (trees) capacities for phosphate absorption, were less efficient in producing biomass (i.e. had higher nutrient concentrations), and grew more slowly than high-nutrient-adapted species. I conclude that the major adaptation to low nutrient availability in each of these comparisons is a slow growth rate that reduces the annual nutrient requirement.
Varying bandwidth resource allocation problem with bag constraints

We consider the problem of scheduling jobs on a pool of machines. Each job requires multiple machines on which it executes in parallel. For each job, the input specifies release time, deadline, processing time, profit and the number of machines required. The total number of machines may be different at different points of time. A feasible solution is a subset of jobs and a schedule for them such that at any timeslot, the total number of machines required by the jobs active at the timeslot does not exceed the number of machines available at that timeslot. We present an O(log(B max /B min ))-approximation algorithm, where B max and B min are the maximum and minimum available bandwidth (maximum and minimum number of machines available over all the timeslots). Our algorithm and the approximation ratio are applicable for more a general problem that we call the Varying bandwidth resource allocation problem with bag constraints (BagVBRap). The BagVBRap problem is a generalization of some previously studied scheduling and resource allocation problems.
Investigation of Flow Phenomena in a Transonic Fan Rotor Using Laser Anemometry

Several flow phenomena including flowfield periodicity, rotor shock oscillation, and rotor shock system geometry were investigated in a transonic low aspect ratio fan rotor using laser anemometry. Flow periodicity is found to increase with increasing rotor pressure rise, and to correlate with blade geometry variations. Analysis of time-accurate laser anemometer data indicates that the rotor shock oscillates about its mean location with an amplitude of 3 to 4 percent of rotor chord. The shock surface is nearly two-dimensional or levels of rotor pressure rise at and above the peak efficiency level but becomes more complex for lower levels of pressure rise. Spanwise shock lean generates radial flows due to streamline deflection in the hub-to-shroud streamsurface.
Oral cyclophosphamide for active scleroderma lung disease: a decision analysis.

Background. Results from the recent Scleroderma Lung Study (SLS) show that oral cyclophosphamide (CYC) is better than placebo in preventing the progression of scleroderma-related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) at 12 mo but is associated with adverse events. Also, the long-term balance of risk and benefit remains unclear.Methods.The authors evaluate the risk-benefit tradeoffs using a Markov decision analytic model to project the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for strategies of CYC versus no CYC in SSc-ILD. The base case examined a 50-y-old woman with SSc of 1.5 y, SSc-ILD with moderate ventilatory restriction. The authors analyze the decision to treat with 1 y of daily CYC versus no SSc-ILD—specific therapy. Based on 2-y data from the SLS, the authors assume CYC resulted in no survival benefit and only a transient beneficial impact on pulmonary function. They explore the impact of changes in model parameters through sensitivity analyses, including the efficacy of CYC in preventing progression of ...
Logistics Information System Evaluation: Assessing External Technology Integration and Supporting Organizational Learning

The findings in this article highlight important organizational learning (OL) implications for firms involved in external technology integration (ETI) efforts. The article also provides a practically relevant management control tool that can be used by logistics practitioners. This research uses a case study approach to examine the transportation division of a major U.S.-based fuel retailer to gain insights on the management control of ETI efforts through the use of OL theory. Firms often outsource the development and acquisition of logistics information systems (LIS) needed to improve logistics processes. Managers responsible for outsourcing decisions often struggle to understand and balance the external technology's impact on existing logistics processes. The article builds theory to fill important literature gaps and develops a conceptual framework and supporting propositions to inform the reader of future research on logistics ETI. Unfortunately, research is limited on (1) methods for evaluating the performance capabilities of systems from external sources prior to full implementation, and (2) the impact of ETI on organizational behavior and learning related to a firm's logistics processes.
Lifted cover facets of the 0-1 knapsack polytope with GUB constraints

Facet-defining inequalities lifted from minimal covers are used as strong cutting planes in algorithms for solving 0-1 integer programming problems. In this paper we extend the result of Balas and Zemel by giving a set of inequalities that determines the lifting coefficients of facet-defining inequalities of the 0-1 knapsack polytope for any ordering of the variables to be lifted. We further generalize the result to obtain facet-defining inequalities for the 0-1 knapsack problem with generalized upper bound constraints.
A thermally self-cleaning synthetic flux system for tinning processes

An organic synthetic flux system consisting of monomer molecules that do not polymerize on exposure to heat, which was developed for tinning processes, is discussed. These fluxes provide assistance in the wetting of the surface of interest during the tinning process and evaporate by the end of the thermal excursion. they have been characterized by thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Copper surfaces tinned with synthetic fluxes have been examined. In order to accomplish this fluxing and thermal self-cleaning action, the fluxing and furnace profile parameters have been optimized. Copper surfaces tinned with eutectic lead-tin solder and synthetic flux showed 100% wettability. In the case of relatively thick oxide coating on copper, it was found necessary to first clean the copper surface by high-temperature interaction with hydrogen or forming gas. >
An overview of short-term statistical forecasting methods

An overview of statistical forecasting methodology is given, focusing on techniques appropriate to short- and medium-term forecasts. Topics include basic definitions and terminology, smoothing methods, ARIMA models, regression methods, dynamic regression models, and transfer functions. Techniques for evaluating and monitoring forecast performance are also summarized.
Feature selection for activity recognition in multi-robot domains

In multi-robot settings, activity recognition allows a robot to respond intelligently to the other robots in its environment. Conditional random fields are temporal models that are well suited for activity recognition because they can robustly incorporate rich, non-independent features computed from sensory data. In this work, we explore feature selection in conditional random fields for activity recognition to choose which features should be included in the final model. We compare two feature selection methods, grafting, a greedy forward-selection strategy, and l1 regularization, which simultaneously smoothes the model and selects a subset of the features. We use robot data recorded during four games of the Small Size League of the RoboCup'07 robot soccer world championship to empirically compare the performance of the two feature selection algorithms in terms of accuracy of the final model, the number of features selected in the final model, and the time required to train the final model.
Microstructure of Nb3 (AlSiB) superconducting tapes with extremely high critical current densities

Alloys of Nb/sub 73/Al/sub 12/Si/sub 14.5/B/sub 0.5/ were rapidly solidified into amorphous ribbons using the melt spinning technique. These were isothermally annealed at temperatures ranging from 660 to 780 /degree/C. The A15 phase began to crystalline at 700 /degree/C and small amounts of second phases appeared at the higher temperatures. Crystallization was dependent on quenching rate as well as annealing conditions. Below 750 /degree/C nucleation was nonuniform and was enhanced by surfaces and quenched-in nuclei. Above 750 /degree/C nucleation became more uniform and completely crystalline ribbons with equiaxed grains /similar to/30 nm in diameter were obtained. These ultra fine grained ribbons had extremely high superconducting critical current densities of 8/times/10/sup 10/ A/m/sup 2/ and 5/times/10/sup 10/ A/m/sup 2/ at magnetic fields of 0.5 and 15 tesla, respectively, at 4.2 K.
Functional nanoparticles for molecular imaging guided gene delivery

Gene therapy has great potential to bring tremendous changes in treatment of various diseases and disorders. However, one of the impediments to successful gene therapy is the inefficient delivery of genes to target tissues and the inability to monitor delivery of genes and therapeutic responses at the targeted site. The emergence of molecular imaging strategies has been pivotal in optimizing gene therapy; since it can allow us to evaluate the effectiveness of gene delivery noninvasively and spatiotemporally. Due to the unique physiochemical properties of nanomaterials, numerous functional nanoparticles show promise in accomplishing gene delivery with the necessary feature of visualizing the delivery. In this review, recent developments of nanoparticles for molecular imaging guided gene delivery are summarized.
Internet-Initiated Sexual Assault Among U.S. Adolescents Reported in Newspapers, 1996–2007

This article provides an assessment over time of the incidence of newspaper-reported Internet-initiated sexual assaults among U.S. adolescents undergoing adjudication from 1996 to 2007. Of 812 newspaper reports of adjudicated Internet-initiated sexual assault, most (79.2%) victims were female, and the median age was 14 years. The incidence rate of these reports increased over the 12-year period for females but remained steady for males. The frequency of these assaults was much less than reported for other types of sexual assaults in this age group. These estimates hopefully will assist in a greater understanding of these assaults, aid in interventions to decrease their occurrence, and guide effective policymaking that will reduce all types of sexual assault among adolescents.
Design and synthesis of new conjugated porphyrin copolymers for optical-electronic applications

New linear conjugated porphyrin polymers were synthesized by a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of [5,15-bis(ethynyl)-10,20-bis (mesityl)porphyrin]zinc and diiodobenzene derivatives. Enhanced solubility of the conjugated porphyrin polymers was achieved by attachment of long alkyl ether or dialkyl amide groups to the aryl moiety, resulting in unambiguous characterization by {sup 1}H NMR, IR, GPC, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. The introduction of alkyl ether (electron donor) or dialkyl amide (electron acceptor) results in significant modulation of the electronic properties of the conjugated porphyrin polymers due to strong electronic coupling. The spectroscopic and electronic characterization of these materials provides for comparison to earlier preparations of ethynyl bridged conjugated copolymers in which electronic coupling was substantially weaker.
Role of raloxifene in breast cancer prevention in postmenopausal women: clinical evidence and potential mechanisms of action.

Abstract Background: Raloxifene is a selective estrogen-receptor modulator (SERM) indicated for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. In the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE) study, an osteoporosis treatment trial, raloxifene therapy was associated with a reduced incidence of invasive, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer compared with placebo (relative risk, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.09–0.30). Objective: This review summarizes available preclinical and clinical data pertaining to a potential role for raloxifene in the prevention of breast cancer, and examines the mechanisms of action by which raloxifene may exert an effect. Methods: Relevant articles were identified through a search of MEDLINE for English-language studies published between 1966 and January 2003. Search terms included raloxifene, keoxifene, tamoxifen, SERM, estrogen, estrogen receptor, breast, mammary, growth factors , and apoptosis . The reference lists of identified articles were reviewed for additional publications. Results: Both preclinical and clinical data suggest a role for raloxifene in the prevention of breast cancer. Like tamoxifen, raloxifene acts as an estrogen antagonist in breast tissue through competitive binding to the ER. Raloxifene may also inhibit breast tissue proliferation through mechanisms independent of the ER. Conclusions: Given raloxifene's mechanism of action and the preclinical evidence for its role in breast cancer prevention, a clinically favorable effect seems feasible. Results of ongoing clinical studies will provide evidence to support or refute the clinical findings of MORE and thus raloxifene's role in the breast cancer prevention.
Acute enantioselective toxicity of fipronil and its desulfinyl photoproduct to Ceriodaphnia dubia.

Fipronil is a phenylpyrazole insecticide increasingly used in applications such as rice culture, turf grass management, and residential pest control, with a high probability to contaminate aquatic environments. As a chiral pesticide, fipronil is released to the environment as a racemic mixture (equal amounts of optical isomers called enantiomers). Enantiomers can have different toxicological and biological activity; however, information on these differences, which is necessary for accurate risk assessment of chiral pesticides, is limited. Here we examine the acute toxicity of fipronil enantiomers, the racemate, and its photoproduct (desulfinyl fipronil) to Ceriodaphnia dubia. The 48-h median lethal concentration (LC50) values based on measured concentrations of each compound indicate the (+) enantiomer (LC50 = 10.3 ± 1.1 μg/L, mean ± standard error [SE]) was significantly more toxic to C. dubia than either the (−) enantiomer (LC50 = 31.9 ± 2.2 μg/L) or racemate (LC50 = 17.7 ±1.3 μg/L). To account for any potential loss of fipronil through photolysis, tests were performed under light (fluorescent) and dark exposure conditions, and no significant differences in toxicity were observed. Desulfinyl fipronil, the major photodegradation product, which is not chiral, was detected at 20-fold higher LC50 (355 ± 9.3 μg/L) compared to the fipronil racemate, suggesting lower adverse effects to C. dubia as a result of fipronil photolysis. The present results suggest selection of the (−) enantiomer in fipronil production for lower impacts to C. dubia; however, the consistency and relevancy of fipronil's enantiomer-specific activity at both acute and chronic levels of concern to additional target and nontarget species needs further consideration.
Spectrum of structural abnormalities in floppy mitral valve echocardiographic evaluation

Abstract Posterior displacement of the mitral valve with billowing into the left atrium has been the major echocardiographic criterion used for the diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse (MVP). However, the current criteria are limited by the influence of hemodynamic factors on the degree of prolapse, whereas complications such as mitral regurgitation, endocarditis, and need for surgery have been associated with redundancy or thickening of the leaflets. Sixty-eight normal subjects (mean age, 40 years; range, 18 to 76 years) were compared with 58 patients with MVP (mean age, 37 years, range, 18 to 83 years). Leaflet displacement across the annular plane in the parasternal long-axis view was mandatory for the diagnosis of MVP. Transthoracic echocardiographic measurements of anterior and posterior leaflet thickness, leaflet length, and chordal length were made from the parasternal long-axis view and the mitral annular diameter, from the apical four-chamber and two-chamber views. The MVP group had greater anterior thickness (4.1 ± 0.4 mm vs 5.3 ± 0.7 mm; p = 0.0001), posterior thickness (3.2 ± 0.4 mm vs 4.7 ± 0.9 mm; p = 0.0001), anterior length (22.8 ± 2.0 mm vs 25.7 ± 1.7 mm; p = 0.0001), posterior length (12.8 ± 1.0 mm vs 15.7 ± 2.5 mm; p = 0.0001), chordal length (25.6 ± 2.7 mm vs 28.0 ± 2.5 mm; p = 0.0001), and annular diameter (29.1 ± 1.5 mm vs 31.3 ± 2.6 mm; p = 0.0001). Of the MVP group, >80% had at least one abnormality identified and >50% had at least two abnormalities. In addition, patients with MVP with significant regurgitation had greater anterior thickness (5.2 ± 0.7 mm vs 5.8 ± 0.8 mm; p = 0.015), posterior thickness (4.5 ± 0.9 mm vs 5.3 ± 0.7 mm; p = 0.024), posterior length (15.1 ± 1.6 mm vs 17.9 ± 4.2 mm; p = 0.004), and annular diameter (36.0 ± 2.0 mm vs 33.3 ± 2.1 mm; p = 0.0001). The majority of patients with floppy mitral valves resulting in MVP have structural abnormalities that may be defined by echocardiography. A spectrum of floppy valve structure is demonstrated by echocardiography, with mitral regurgitation occurring more frequently in patients with multiple and more severe anatomic abnormalities. In addition to the presence of prolapse and regurgitation, the assessment of leaflet thickness, leaflet length, annular diameter, and chordal length is fundamental to the definition and stratification of patients with MVP associated with the floppy mitral valve.
Dysregulation of CD30 + T cells by leukemia impairs isotype switching in normal B cells

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is associated with impaired immunoglobulin (Ig) class-switching from IgM to IgG and IgA, a defect that leads to recurrent infections. When activated in the presence of leukemic CLL B cells, T cells rapidly up-regulate CD30 through an OX40 ligand and interleukin 4 (IL-4)-dependent mechanism. These leukemia-induced CD30+ T cells inhibit CD40 ligand (CD40L)-mediated S mu-->S gamma and S mu-->S alpha class-switch DNA recombination (CSR) by engaging CD30 ligand (CD30L), a molecule that interferes with the assembly of the CD40-tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) complex in nonmalignant IgD+ B cells. In addition, engagement of T cell CD30 by CD30L on neoplastic CLL B cells down-regulates the CD3-induced expression of CD40L. These findings indicate that, in CLL, abnormal CD30-CD30L interaction impairs IgG and IgA production by interfering with the CD40-mediated differentiation of nonmalignant B cells.
Serologic Testing for Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis at a National Referral Center

An indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used to identify patients with antibodies reactive to the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) agent. Serum samples collected from clinically ill individuals were submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by physicians via state health departments from throughout the United States and tested against a panel of ehrlichial and rickettsial pathogens. Antibodies reactive to the HGE agent were detected in 142 (8.9%) of 1,602 individuals tested. There were 19 confirmed and 59 probable (n = 78) cases of HGE as defined by seroconversion or a fourfold or higher titer to the HGE agent than to the Ehrlichia chaffeensis antigens. The average age of patients with HGE was 57 years, and males accounted for 53 (68%) of the patients. Cases of HGE occurred in 21 states; 47 (60%) of the cases occurred in Connecticut (n = 14), New York (n = 18), and Wisconsin (n = 15). Onset of HGE was identified from April through December, with cases peaking in June and July. The earliest confirmed cases of HGE occurred in 1987 in Wisconsin and 1988 in Florida. No fatalities were reported among the 78 patients with confirmed or probable HGE. Reactivity to the HGE agent and to either Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia rickettsii, or Rickettsia typhi was infrequent; however, 74 (52%) of the 142 individuals who were positive for HGE had at least one serum sample that also reacted to the E. chaffeensis antigen. Thirty-four persons with confirmed or probable human monocytic ehrlichiosis due to E. chaffeensis also had antibodies to the HGE agent in at least one serum sample. The specific etiologic agent for 30 patients was not ascribed because of similarity of titers to both ehrlichial antigens. The use of both antigens may be required to correctly diagnose most cases of human ehrlichiosis, especially in geographic regions where both the HGE agent and E. chaffeensis occur.
A comparison of the discriminatory ability and sensitivity of the trigeminal and olfactory systems to chemical stimuli in the tiger salamander.

Trigeminal receptors can respond to a wide variety of chemical stimuli, but it is unknown whether these receptors mediate discrimination between chemical stimuli matched for equal perceptual intensity. The present electrophysiological and behavioral experiments address this issue using tiger salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum, and four compounds (amyl acetate, cyclohexanone, butanol, and d-limonene). In addition, the relative sensitivities of the trigeminaland olfactory systems to these compounds are compared. In electrophysiological cross-adaptation experiments (amyl acetate vs cyclohexanone; butanol vs d-limonene), there was complete cross adaptation such that only concentrations above the background (crossa-dapting) stimulus concentration elicited responses, suggesting that chemical stimuli may stimulate trigeminal receptors nonspecifically. In behavioral experiments (amyl acetate vs cyclohexanone; butanol vs d-limonene), only animals with intact olfactory nerves could discriminate between perceptually equivalent concentrations, that is concentrations that elicited the same level of responding. Both electrophysiologically and behaviorally, the trigeminal system exhibited higher thresholds than the olfactory system. We conclude that trigeminal chemoreceptors, at least in salamanders, are unable to discriminate between these two pairs of compounds when matched for equal perceptual intensity, and that trigeminal chemoreceptors are less sensitive than olfactory receptors.
Gyromagnetically induced transparency of metasurfaces (Presentation Recording)

The concept of symmetry pervades modern physics. Through the conservation laws derived from various symmetries, high-level restrictions and selection rules can be derived for a variety of physical systems without any need for detailed investigations of their specific properties. The spatial symmetries of electric charge distribution on the metamaterial’s surface determine whether the EM resonance is “bright” (radiatively coupled to) or “dark” (radiatively de-coupled from) the EM continuum. As we demonstrate in this talk, other (non-spatial) symmetries and their breaking can also be crucial to determine the properties of EM resonances and enable their mutual coupling, which in turn can give rise to EM Fano interferences. I will consider a meta-surface formed by a two-dimensional array of double-antenna meta-molecules resting on a gyromagnetic ferrite substrate. In conclusion, I will use simple symmetry considerations to predict and numerically demonstrate two phenomena that occur in meta-surfaces when symmetry of the system is reduced by a gyromagnetic substrate: gyromagnetically induced transparency and nonreciprocal Fano interference. These phenomena hold significant promise for practical applications such as the dynamic control of resonant EM interactions using magnetic fields produced by the external currents, mitigation of co-site interference and improving isolation. Spectral positions, radiative lifetimes and quality factors of Fano resonances can be controlled by the magnitude of the external magnetic field. This class of effects may lead to a new generation of tunable and nonreciprocal Fano resonant systems for various applications where strong field enhancement, tunability and nonreciprocity are simultaneously required.
A Corpus Investigation of Syntactic Embedding in Pirahã.

The Piraha language has been at the center of recent debates in linguistics, in large part because it is claimed not to exhibit recursion, a purported universal of human language. Here, we present an analysis of a novel corpus of natural Piraha speech that was originally collected by Dan Everett and Steve Sheldon. We make the corpus freely available for further research. In the corpus, Piraha sentences have been shallowly parsed and given morpheme-aligned English translations. We use the corpus to investigate the formal complexity of Piraha syntax by searching for evidence of syntactic embedding. In particular, we search for sentences which could be analyzed as containing center-embedding, sentential complements, adverbials, complementizers, embedded possessors, conjunction or disjunction. We do not find unambiguous evidence for recursive embedding of sentences or noun phrases in the corpus. We find that the corpus is plausibly consistent with an analysis of Piraha as a regular language, although this is not the only plausible analysis.
Corruption Charges and Renomination Chances: Evidence from the 1994 Italian Parliamentary Election

In 1994, as Italian political elites were implicated in a large-scale anti-corruption judicial campaign, parties chose to face voters’ discontent by renominating some of the allegedly corrupt MPs. Given how extensively the media covered those investigations and how the public appeared to care about corruption, it is puzzling that incumbents investigated for corruption gained a chance to be reelected. I argue that, when corruption is salient to voters, legislators perceived to be more heavily involved in corruption are less likely to be renominated. Based on ongoing investigations, voters cannot establish for sure whether a legislator is corrupt or not. However, they will consider as corrupt legislators heavily implicated in corruption investigations and will punish them electorally, which should induce parties not to renominate them. I test the argument with data from the 1994 Italian parliamentary election, using the number of corruption charges as a proxy for involvement. Controlling for confounding factors such as media coverage, each additional charge is associated with a 6% decrease in renomination chances. Compared to MPs facing a single charge, those facing more charges were 20% less likely to be renominated. Overall, results confirm the negative relationship between perceived involvement in corruption and renomination.
Studies in Neotropical Stratiomyidae (Diptera) VI. a New Genus Related to Adoxomyia

Collections of Stratiomyidae sent to me by Dr. H. de Souza Lopes of the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz and Dr. C. H. Curran of the American Museum of Natural History contained series of the interesting new genus described in this paper.
Medical care and compliance among the elderly after hospitalization

One hundred and fourteen chronically-ill patients six months after discharge from a general hospital revealed a high readmission rate (34.2%), a high utilization of hospital services, out-patient clinics, and family practitioners reflecting the problem of chronically-ill old people. The study of compliance with physician's recommendations showed that 42.1% of all patients interviewed did not comply with one or more recommendations. The reasons for not complying with the orders were related to the deficiencies of community health and social agencies, the patient's attitude or understanding of the instructions, the cost of drugs, and other factors. The lack of compliance was associated with marital status, education, income, and severity of disease.