cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Inclusive Review on Recent Advancements of Cadmium Sulfide Nanostructures and its Hybrids for Photocatalytic and Electrocatalytic Applications

Abstract A comprehensive report has been presented on the recent developments of CdS and its hybrid with focus on photo and electrocatalytic applications. CdS as semiconductor possess remarkable chemical stability for redox reactions, high absorption capacity, negative conduction bandedge, and offers diverse morphologies. Photo and electrocatalytic applications of CdS and its hybrids include low cost and green water-splitting for H2 generation, wastewater treatment by degradation of organics toxins e.g., Cr (VI), Rhodamine B, Methylene blue (MB), Methyl orange etc., and fuel production such as CH4, Ethylene, Methanol, Ethanol, HCOOH, and CO via photocatalytic and electrocatalytic CO2 reduction. Starting from the fundamentals, design,synthesis process and catalytic activity factors of CdS-based catalysts for various applications are summarized.
Reducing Pediatric Patients' Dose by Manipulating Radiographic Projections.

PURPOSE To determine whether radiologic technologists are manipulating projections to lower patient dose in routine pediatric radiography examinations. METHODS Using a descriptive survey approach, members from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists with a primary registration in radiography were randomly selected and invited to share their experiences using alternative projections during routine pediatric radiography examinations. RESULTS For this study, 404 completed responses were analyzed. More than half of the participants (67.6%) strongly agreed or somewhat agreed that the use of alternative projections can reduce pediatric dose during routine radiography examinations, and more than half (61.3%) strongly agreed, agreed, or somewhat agreed that the use of alternative projections is beneficial for dose reduction. Incidentally, the most common response from participants regarding their use of alternative projections during routine pediatric radiography examinations was occasionally or sometimes. Nearly three-fourths of the participants strongly agreed that radiation protection guidelines are important to follow during routine pediatric radiography examinations. Although many radiologic technologists in this sample felt proficient using alternative projections during pediatric procedures, they also believed additional training in such methods would be beneficial. DISCUSSION Most institutions have imaging protocols in place; however, the use of alternative methods of projection during routine pediatric radiography examinations might heighten current radiation protection guidelines, leading to protocol changes to reduce dose and improve the overall wellbeing of pediatric patients. Furthermore, recent recommendations in the field of medical imaging regarding patient shielding practices might deem positioning to be a more important method for dose reduction. Consultations from radiologists might be necessary to ensure that image quality is sufficient and diagnostic detail is not compromised. Additional training specific to using alternative projections during routine pediatric radiography examinations also might be warranted. CONCLUSION Current practices do not suggest alternative methods of projection are applied regularly during routine pediatric radiography examinations. Considerations should be made to allow technologists to manipulate projections when permitted.
Tumor Treating Fields Synergistically Enhances Cell Death in Non-Small Cell Lung and Pancreatic Cancer Cells Treated With the Combination of Radiation and Chemo Agents That Interfere With DNA Replication Fork Stability.

Purpose/Objective(s) TTFields is a novel non-invasive physical modality of cancer therapy which was initially thought to interfere with cancer cell mitosis to induce cell death. Genomics and proteomic results suggested the additional mechanisms of action underlying TTFields induced cell death as increased DNA replication stress and DNA damage while decreasing DNA repair through the downregulation of Fanconi's Anemia (FA) pathway genes, chromosome maintenance genes and others. The current study focused on exploiting the conditional vulnerabilities caused by TTFields exposure to test novel combination therapies that target DNA replication fork stability combined with radiation. Materials/Methods Human NSCLC cell lines (H157, H4006, H549 and H1299) and pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC-1 and Panc 04.03) were used in this study. A laboratory research system was used to generate TTFields. TTFields, radiation and drug combination efficacy were tested using clonogenic cell survival assays while the Highest Single Agent approach was used to assess the combinatorial efficacy. Results Comparative analysis of genomics and proteomics data revealed dysregulation of pathways including cell cycle, DNA damage repair and replication, and transcriptional and translational regulation under TTFields exposure. Functional characterization studies confirmed the downregulation of FA pathway proteins there by increased replication stress, DNA damage and impaired DNA damage repair. To exploit the conditional vulnerability environment induced by TTFields exposure different chemo agents that target and increase replication stress were tested in novel combination therapy options. It was found that the effect of TTFields exposure concomitant with the PARP1 inhibitor olaparib followed by irradiation (IR) was synergistic compared to IR or olaparib alone or in combination. In addition, TTFields synergistically enhanced the cell killing efficacy of the ATR inhibitor AZD6738 followed by IR. Conclusion Expression of FA pathway genes/proteins is modulated by TTFields exposure and likely explains the reduced DNA repair capacity and replication fork maintenance. Hence, targeting DNA damage repair and the DNA replication stress pathway using inhibitors of PARP1 and ATR could be used in combination with TTFields with or without radiation for cancer therapy.
Suboptimal robustness in the gap metric for MIMO delay systems

Considers the problem of robustness optimization in the gap metric for MIMO systems with a scalar time delay. The authors present an algorithm for the parameterization of all suboptimal controllers. In the authors' algorithm the AAK theory plays the central role. Using this approach, suboptimal controllers can be found by computing solutions to certain infinite rank operator equations. The authors show that these equations can be solved numerically by modifying the two point boundary value problem approach reported earlier for the computation of optimal robustness radius.
Green Allies: Speculative Realism, Evangelical Christianity, and Political Pluralism

This essay addresses the question of how to build political coalitions to address global warming. For speculative realists such as Levi Bryant, responding to climate change demands materialist ontologies that recognize the efficacy of things themselves, e.g. fossil fuels. And yet, I argue, Bryant does not sufficiently address the political assignment of building political coalitions with people who endorse different ontologies. To illuminate this possibility, I show how the American evangelical David Gushee arrives at similar conclusions by a different route. The essay encourages speculative realists to fold modesty into their political thinking for the sake of building coalitions with theists about matters of common concern.
And Justice for All: Our Research Participants Considered as Valued Stakeholders

Management scholars have suggested that our research is lacking in both relevance and meaning. In this article, I argue that a primary reason for this lack of relevance and meaning is the failure of our research to be responsive to all potential research stakeholders. Adopting the committed-to-participant research perspective, I offer suggestions for how both journal editors and organizational researchers can meaningfully include our research participants as valued stakeholders of the research process.
Welcome to the Optical Interconnects Conference 2015 at wyndham San Diego bayside, San Diego, California!

The IEEE Photonics Society Optical Interconnects Conference seeks to facilitate collaboration required to drive new interconnect architectures and technologies from concepts in research labs to commercial realities. To this end, the conference covers the complete spectrum of high performance interconnect challenges in network systems, architectures, applications, subsystems, and devices. In addition, the crucial role that any interconnect strategy plays can only be fully realized when optimized at the system level. This is particularly so in large future peta- and exa-scale platforms in datacenters and supercomputers. So we look forward to the participation of system architects, programmers and everyone researching the interconnect role in a more self-aware next generation platform.
Spaceflight Regulatory Environment

The basis for the spaceflight regulatory environment is derived from treaties and principles developed by the United Nations. Since 1961, issues relating to the use of outer space have been dealt with, through the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS). The fundamental and the most important treaty to derive from UNCOPUOS is the “Treaty on principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of Outer Space, including the moon and other celestial bodies” which came into force in 1967. The “Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts, and the Return of Objects launched into Outer Space” came into force in 1968. The third important treaty to derive from UNCOPUOS is the “Convention on international liability for damage caused by space objects” which came into effect on 29 March 1972. The last of the major outer space treaties is the Convention on Registration of Objects launched into Outer Space, which came into effect on 14 January 1975. These four main treaties are viewed as furnishing a general legal basis for the peaceful uses of outer space, and for providing a framework for developing the law of outer space, and consequently these space treaties have been ratified by many nations. A number of other important principles produced by the United Nations that have relevance to the spaceflight regulatory environment are also considered. Many countries have reflected their obligations under the Outer Space Treaties through the enactment of national legislation. The Outer Space Act 1986 (OSA) is the legal basis for the regulation of activities in outer space carried out by persons connected with the United Kingdom and is considered in detail. The basis for the regulations in the Commercial Space Launch Act (CSLA) of 1984 are the applicable treaties and international agreements to which the United States is party, and national legislation relating to health and safety. The CSLA regulations set forth the procedures and requirements applicable to the authorization and supervision of commercial space transportation activities conducted in the United States or by a US citizen. Finally, a major threat to the long-term sustainability of space activities is the growing population of man-made space debris. When the Outer Space Treaties were developed, there was no understanding of space debris. However, the Treaties and national regulations are considered flexible enough to address the issue in an effective manner, relying upon the best practice and Codes and Principles to encourage the adoption of space debris mitigation measures, and this process is reviewed. Keywords: spaceflight regulation; space licensing; space debris; outer space treaties; United Nations
Theory and algorithms for RF sensitivity computation

Finding performance sensitivities with respect to controllable parameters is important in RF design, both for making manual improvements and for automated optimization. In this paper, we obtain efficient sensitivity techniques for common RF analyses - harmonic balance, shooting, and envelope simulation.
Sampling expansions for functions having values in a banach space

A sampling expansion for vector-valued functions having values in a Banach space, together with an inversion formula, is derived. The proof uses the concept of framing models of Banach spaces that generalizes the notion of frames in Hilbert spaces. Two examples illustrating the results are given, one involving functions having values in L P [-π, π], 1 < p < 2, and the second involving functions having values in L P (R) for 1 < p < oo.
Discrimination of springs with vision, proprioception, and artificial skin stretch cues

During upper-limb prosthesis use, proprioception is not available so visual cues are used to identify the location of the artificial limb. We investigate the efficacy of a skin stretch device for artificially relaying proprioception during a spring discrimination task, with the goal of enabling the task to be achieved in the absence of vision. In this study, intact users perceive the location of a virtual prosthetic limb using each of four sensory conditions: Vision, Proprioception, Skin Stretch, and Skin Stretch with Vision. For the conditions with skin stretch, a haptic device stretches the forearm skin by an amount proportional to the angular rotation of a virtual prosthetic limb. Sensory condition was not found to significantly influence task performance, exploration methods, or perceived usefulness. We conclude that, in the absence of vision, artificial skin stretch could be used by prosthesis wearers to obtain position/motion information and identify the behavior of a spring.
Does government fragmentation enhance or hinder metropolitan economic growth

Economic growth is an important priority for many local governments. There is a long-standing theoretical debate on how to best organize government for economic growth. There is surprisingly little empirical research focusing on how government organization affects regional growth. In this paper we forward several recent measures of government fragmentation in contrast to the common measure of government units per capita to examine how government competition influences growth, testing them in a metropolitan statistics area (MSA) growth model for 1992−2002. Going somewhat against the current embrace of regional collaboration, our results suggest that regions with relatively fragmented governments had stronger relative economic performance over the study's time frame. Resumen El crecimiento economico es una prioridad importante para muchos gobiernos locales. Existe un debate teorico desde hace tiempo acerca de la mejor manera de organizar el gobierno para el crecimiento economico. Sorprendentemente apenas existe investigacion empirica dedicada a como afecta la organizacion gubernamental al crecimiento regional. En este articulo avanzamos en el estudio de varias medidas recientes de fragmentacion gubernamental en contraste con la medida habitual de unidades de gobierno per capita para examinar como influye en el crecimiento la competencia gubernamental, probandolas en un modelo de crecimiento de area estadistica metropolitana (MSA, siglas en ingles) para 1992–2002. En contra en cierto modo de la corriente actual de colaboracion regional, nuestros resultados sugieren que las regiones con gobiernos relativamente fragmentados manifestaron un desempeno economico relativo mas fuerte para el periodo del estudio.
Filter design for optical data processors

Abstract In this paper a few of the techniques that can be used to produce spatial filters for coherent or incoherent optical data-processing systems are discussed. Some experimental results of using a coherent optical system and spatial filters generated with a digital computer are given.
Low-level exercise testing before and after coronary artery bypass surgery

Heart rate and blood pressure responses to low-level exercise tests in patients immediately before and after coronary artery bypass graft surgery lack sufficient documentation. This study documents heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiographic responses and symptoms during low-level treadmill tests (LLTT) of 19 patients in two subgroups (A and B) before surgery, and again the day before hospital discharge. Preoperatively, the most common reason for stopping the treadmill test early was onset of angina. Postoperatively, patients stopped due to fatigue (4), dyspnea (6), and dizziness (2). Mean resting heart rate responses increased 37% in group A (n = 9) and 40% in group B (n = 10) from the preoperative to postoperative test. Mean postoperative resting pressure rate product responses increased 16% in group A and 38% in group B compared to preoperative values. Mean resting systolic blood pressure responses were 15% lower postoperatively for group A. This LLTT proved to be a clinically feasible tool which provided objective information about the patient's readiness for discharge and exercise prescription.
Indian Geopolitics, the United States and Evolving Correlates of Power in Asia

India has been poorly understood and often neglected by the United States. Its emerging role and geopolitical importance in the evolving correlates of power in Asia has been underestimated and overlooked by America until recently. The following article traces the changing dynamics of India's geopolitical posture to better inform our understanding of where India is headed as an international actor before assessing India's current place in the evolving strategic environment in Asia. It also asserts that the key to India's future geopolitical disposition is to be found in how the idea of India evolves as a concept. The outcome of the competition between Indian secular and Hindu fundamentalist ideologies will play a key role in how India's internal dynamics and international posture evolve.
ABNORMAL COLONIZATION AND INFECTION IN NEONATES Kotherine Sprunr

The incidence of infection and its relationship to bacterial colonization of the pharynx of infants in a neonatal ICU has been investigated. Pharyngeal bacterial flora were frequently monitored on a semi-quanfitive basis in 62 infants with RDS and 70 concurrent broadly matched controls. All infections occurred in infants with high abnormal colonization and were due to the type of bacterium producing the high colonization. Early high abnormal colonization occurred more frequently in RDS infants (42%) than in controls (27%); this high incidence was independent of antibiotic treatment. 5 of 9 abnormally colonized RDS infants without therapy had sepsis compared to only 1 of 5 control infants (urinary tract infection). Staphylococcus epidermidis and Gram negative enteric bacilli were the most frequent causes of high colonization; most infections were due to the enteric bacilli. Infection rates were similar in the two groups receiving antibiotics (RDS 4/41, controls 3/50) but differed when no antibiotics were given (RDS 6/21, controls 1/20). We recommend that all ICU infants, particularly those with RDS, be followed closely with frequent throat cultures to determine those with added risk of infection. Abnormally colonized infants should be treated on minimal indication as directed by the antibiotic sensitivity of the colonizing organism.
Sampling Atmospheric Carbonaceous Aerosols Using a Particle Trap Impactor/Denuder Sampler

A particle trap impactor/denuder system has been developed and tested for the sampling of ambient carbonaceous aerosols. Use of a particle trap impactor allows for a reduction of particle bounce and re-entrainment at high particle loadings, and operation at high volumetric flow rates is achieved without the use of oiled impaction substrates, thus facilitating the chemical and physical analysis of the organic compounds comprising the collected gas (G) and particle (P) phases. Honeycomb denuders have a greater density of channels for a given denuder cross-sectional area than parallel plate or annular denuders; for a given sampling flow rate, honeycomb denuders can be fabricated in more compact shapes and will have a greater amount of surface area for the collection of gases. Field testing of the sampler was conducted primarily at night to minimize the evaporation of organic carbon (OC) from collected particles, which can result from the heating of collected particles as ambient temperatures rise during the day. In side-by-side testing with an open-face filter pack sampler, the denuder system was found to minimize positive gas adsorption artifacts caused by the adsorption of gaseous OC to quartz filter fiber (QFF) surfaces. In the denuder sampler, negligible amounts of OC were observed on a QFF placed downstream of a particle-loaded QFF, suggesting that OC detected on the backup QFF in the filter pack sampler resulted primarily from the adsorption of ambient G-phase OC rather than OC evaporated from particles collected on the front filter. Equations are presented for the evaluation of the magnitude of positive and negative sampling artifacts. Analysis of these equations indicates that the mass of OC evaporated from filter-bound particles present downstream of a denuder depends on (i) the volume of OC-free gas passed through the filter, (ii) the P-phase concentration and the P/G partition coefficients (K_p) of the compounds comprising the P-phase OC, (iii) the temperature (T) (values of K_p are inversely proportional to T), and (iv) the mass fraction of carbon in the compounds comprising P-phase OC. For these reasons, the magnitude of evaporative losses of OC in denuder samplers may vary among different sampling events. In addition, a method utilizing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry has been developed for determination of inertial impactor collection efficiency and denuder particle transmission efficiency. Using this method, only a single extraction of the sampler components is necessary, thereby reducing the number of extractions and analyses over conventional approaches by at least a factor of 2.
Low‐temperature amorphous‐silicon backplane technology development for flexible displays in a manufacturing pilot‐line environment

— A low-temperature amorphous-silicon (a-Si:H) thin-film-transistor (TFT) backplane technology for high-information-content flexible displays has been developed. Backplanes were integrated with frontplane technologies to produce high-performance active-matrix reflective electrophoretic ink, reflective cholesteric liquid crystal and emissive OLED flexible-display technology demonstrators (TDs). Backplanes up to 4 in. on the diagonal have been fabricated on a 6-in. wafer-scale pilot line. The critical steps in the evolution of backplane technology, from qualification of baseline low-temperature (180°C) a-Si:H process on the 6-in. line with rigid substrates, to transferring the process to flexible plastic and flexible stainless-steel substrates, to form factor scale-up of the TFT arrays, and finally manufacturing scale-up to a Gen 2 (370 × 470 mm) display-scale pilot line, will be reviewed.
The human cytomegalovirus immediate early 2 protein dissociates cellular DNA synthesis from cyclin‐dependent kinase activation

Passage through the restriction point late in G1 normally commits cells to replicate their DNA. Here we show that the previously reported cell cycle block mediated by the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) immediate early 2 (IE2) protein uncouples this association. First, IE2 expression leads to elevated levels of cyclin E-associated kinase activity via transcriptional activation of the cyclin E gene. This contributes to post-restriction point characteristics of IE2-expressing cells. Then these cells fail to undergo substantial DNA replication although they have entered S phase, and the induction of DNA replication observed after overexpression of cyclin E or D can be antagonized by IE2 without impinging on cyclin-associated kinase activities. These data suggest that IE2 secures restriction-point transition of cells before it stops them from replicating their genome. Our results fit well with HCMV physiology and support the view that IE2 is part of a viral activity which, on the one hand, promotes cell cycle-dependent expression of cellular replication factors but, on the other hand, disallows competitive cellular DNA synthesis.
Adverse Effect of Electrosurgical Loop Excision on Assignment of FIGO Stage in Cervical Cancer: Report of Two Cases

Abstract Electrosurgical loop conization of the cervix is a new procedure that is being rapidly accepted for treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Concerns include fragmentation of the specimen that is frequently mandated by the size of the transformation zone and difficulty in using the largest electrosurgical loops. Two cases are presented that demonstrate the inability to accurately assign depth of invasion in cervical cancer when the focus of invasion is transected. As a result, the patient and physician were forced to decide on whether a radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy were needed based on incomplete information. It is recommended that electrosurgical loop conization be confined to patients where invasive carcinoma is not expected. The use of this new technique for patients with suspected invasive carcinoma needs further evaluation.
Mechanisms of Asian Summer Monsoon Changes in Response to Anthropogenic Forcing in CMIP5 Models

AbstractChanges of the Asian summer monsoon in response to anthropogenic forcing are examined using observations and phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) multimodel, multirealization ensemble. In the twentieth century, CMIP5 models indicate a predominantly drying Asian monsoon, while in the twenty-first century under the representative concentration pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5) scenario, monsoon rainfall enhances across the entire Asian domain. The thermodynamic and dynamic mechanisms causing the changes are evaluated using specific humidity and winds, as well as the moisture budget. The drying trend in the CMIP5 historical simulations and the wetting trend in the RCP8.5 projections can be explained by the relative importance of dynamic and thermodynamic contributions to the total mean moisture convergence. While the thermodynamic mechanism dominates in the future, the historical rainfall changes are dominated by the changes in circulation. The relative contributions of aerosols and greenh...
Ratio Numerical Ranges of Operators

Geometric properties of ratio numerical ranges of two Hilbert space operators are studied. Characterizations in terms of algebraic properties of operators are given for connectedness of ratio numerical ranges, and for the situations when the ratio numerical ranges are contained in a circle or in a line. Under a hypothesis of sectoriality (in a weak sense) simple connectedness of ratio numerical ranges is proved, and their boundedness property characterized.
Donor insemination and infertility: what general urologists need to know

Therapeutic donor insemination (TDI), also known as artificial insemination by donor, is one of the oldest forms of male infertility treatment. With the advent of assisted reproductive technologies and in vitro fertilization techniques over the past few decades, the use of TDI in male infertility treatment has decreased dramatically. Knowledge of its use, indications, efficacy, and related psychosocial issues has also declined among urologists treating male infertility. Despite the change in popularity of the procedure, though, TDI remains an appropriate therapeutic option for certain cases of male infertility, particularly in patients who have failed multiple cycles of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection or in men with no available sperm even after attempted microdissection testicular sperm extraction. Further consideration and research should be focused on the potential uses and indications for TDI.
55-Year-old man with thunderclap headache.

A 55-year-old man who was in his usual state of good health jogged a short distance to his car as he was leaving a restaurant. As he sat down in the driver's seat, he experienced the sudden onset of a severe left occipital headache that was at maximal severity at onset and was associated with nausea and an episode of emesis. He experienced no photophobia, phonophobia, neck stiffness, or focal neurologic symptoms or signs. He had no history of headache. He presented to the emergency department at an outside institution about 20 minutes after onset. Findings on neurologic examination were normal, and he was not hypertensive.
FIRM SIZE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTRALITY IN INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY INTERACTIONS

University research centers can be beneficial to industrial firms by providing firms with a number of relationship alternatives that facilitate the advancement of knowledge and new technologies. This multi-method field study indicates that larger more mechanistic firms especially those in resource intense industrial sectors use knowledge transfer and research support relationships to build competencies in non-core technological areas. In contrast, smaller more organic firms particularly those in high tech industrial sectors focus more on problem solving in core technological areas through technology transfer and cooperative research relationships. We also found that champions at the firm play a key role in these dynamics. Implications for industry and universities are discussed.
Idiopathic Congenital Nonobstructive Nephrolithiasis: a Case Report and Review

We describe a case of congenital nephrolithiasis, which presented with hematuria at birth. No etiopathological factor could be determined for renal stone formation despite extensive investigation. There was a family history of renal stones in both maternal and paternal grandparents and of microscopic hematuria in the mother. There was no associated urinary flow obstruction and the hematuria remitted spontaneously. The infant was treated conservatively. The follow-up studies revealed persistence of renal stone but no hematuria. This case can be considered as idiopathic, or an early presentation of one of the rare genetic disorders associated with renal stones. Congenital nonobstructive nephrolithiasis has not been reported previously and should be considered as a cause of hematuria during this age.
Algebraic structure count of rotagraphs

An asymptotic formula describing a dependence of the algebraic structure count (ASC) of the even-membered rotagraphs on its size (N) is derived from the backfolding theorem for the electronic band structure. This new result imposes very strict constrains on ASC as a function of N.
Separation of time variant vibration sources by short time coherent output power

Abstract This effort describes the use of time variant coherence causality based analysis to separate the effects of nonstationary time variant vibration excitation sources. A time variant coherence function using the Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT) is first discussed. The concept of a time variant coherent output power for source separation of systems with time variant transfer functions is developed. A parametric study is performed to examine the coherent output power separation capabilities with respect to the data processing parameters. The study guided the selection of the time–frequency processing parameters judged to provide a suitable compromise between the time event localization and output amplitude source separation. The time variant coherent output power is then applied to separate the effects of the two possible excitation sources on the prototype vibration isolation floor. The application was a subscale prototype isolation floor for a proposed vibration sensitive equipment site adjacent to a busy freight rail line. The moving train created time variant transmission paths. As there was a direct line of sight between the prototype floor and the rail line there was an airborne acoustic excitation path in addition to a ground path. The short time coherent output power was applied to separate prototype isolation floor vibration into respective components related to the two candidate sources. The analysis and discussion of the results focuses upon the interpretation and issues in such a complicated realistic environment. Ultimately the application was successful providing an explanation as to why the observed vibration isolation was degraded at higher frequencies.
Physical activity and training: effects on stature and the adolescent growth spurt

Statural growth (size attained), age at peak height velocity (PHV), and growth rate were compared in two samples of boys classified as habitually physically active and inactive, and in two samples of boys regularly training in sport (primarily team sports). Individual growth records were fitted mathematically in three of the samples (two as reported by the respective authors and one for the present report), while curves were fit to group means for the fourth sample. There were no differences in size, age at PHV, and PHV between active and inactive boys, but the parameters of the adolescent spurt for boys regularly involved in sport were characteristic of early maturers. Longitudinal data are less extensive for girls. Stature data for three samples of young athletes in gymnastics, swimming, and track/rowing indicated a stable pattern relative to reference data for nonathletes, i.e., swimmers, track athletes, and rowers were already taller and gymnasts already shorter than average during childhood and maintained their position relative to reference data during childhood and adolescence. Allowing for sample size and variation in descriptions of habitual physical activity and training for sport, the data suggest that regular physical activity, sport participation, and training for sport have no effect on attained stature, timing of PHV, and rate of growth in stature. Prospective data for the swimmers, track athletes, and rowers indicate no effect of training on the timing of menarche.
CD95 (Fas)-dependent elimination of self-reactive B cells upon interaction with CD4 + T cells

The recessive mouse mutations lpr and gld create deficiencies in an interacting pair of cell surface molecules, CD95 (Fas/APO-1) and Fas-ligand (FasL), respectively, resulting in autoantibody production resembling human systemic lupus erythematosus. The mechanisms of self-tolerance affected by deficiency in either molecule are not established, but CD95 deficiency both in B cells and in CD4+ T cells recognizing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules is required for autoimmunity in lpr mice. Here we track the outcome of in vivo interactions between B cells and CD4+ T cells that recognize a transgene-encoded autoantigen, hen egg lysozyme (HEL), using cells from mice transgenic for immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor (TCR) genes. B cells that had not previously encountered HEL autoantigen (naive cells) were triggered into proliferation and antibody production upon interaction with antigen and HEL-specific CD4+ T cells. By contrast, B cells that had been chronically exposed to HEL during their development and carried desensitized surface immunoglobulin (sIg) antigen receptors (anergic cells) did not produce antibody but instead were eliminated in the presence of HEL-specific CD4+ T cells. CD95-deficient anergic B cells, however, were not eliminated by CD4+ T cells and were triggered to proliferate. These findings identify a novel regulatory step for eliminating autoreactive B cells that seems unique in its dependence on CD95.
Cadmium block of calcium current in frog sympathetic neurons.

Cd2+ blocks whole-cell calcium currents in frog sympathetic neurons by 50% at approximately 300 nM. Strong depolarizations rapidly reverse that blockade (tau = 1.3 ms at +120 mV). Reblocking follows bimolecular kinetics (rate = 1.2 x 10(8) M-1 s-1) at voltages where channels are mostly open (0 to +30 mV). The unblocking rate is approximately 50 s-1, so the dissociation constant calculated from the rate constants is approximately 400 nM. Steady-state block is strong at -80 mV, so closed channels can also be blocked. However, reblocking is extremely slow (tau = 1–2 s) at voltages where the channels are mostly closed. The rates for Cd2+ entry and exit are greater than 100-fold lower for closed channels than for open channels, and closed channels appear to be closed at both ends.
Port Jews in the Atlantic: further thoughts

Port Jews extended the boundaries of the Jewish world and re imagined its contours. Pushing beyond harbors long familiar to Jewish merchants, they daringly crossed over into the New World, establishing Jewish communities around the Caribbean and up and down the Atlantic coast. The new map of the Jewish world, high lighting frontiers once unknown to Jews, was captured in words by Menasseh ben Israel in his The Hope of Israel (1650): "The Lord has promised that he will gather the two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, out of the four quarters of the world... Whence you may gather that for the fulfilling of that, they must be scattered through all the corners of the world... And this appears now to be done, when our synagogues are found in America."1 Historians have been studying port Jews for barely a decade. Originally, they focused on Europe, where port Jews vie with court Jews as harbingers of Jewish modernity. But recently, the scope of their interest has enlarged to encompass the Atlantic world, following port Jews as they began to populate the entrep?ts of the Atlantic and beyond, reaching as far as the Indian Ocean.2 In fact, Lois Dubin called attention to Atlantic Jewry a few years back, and David Sorkin recognized the "New World ports of Jamaica, Surinam, Recife and Newr Amsterdam" in his formulation of the port Jew as a social type.3 The essays by Wim Klooster, Holly Snyder and Arthur Kiron in this issue of Jewish History, like Jonathan Schorsch's discussion of Sephardic port Jews and race, bring port Jews squarely to the Americas.4 The study of port Jews thus raises the tantalizing prospect of a new Jewish history, re-imagined in global or trans-national terms. The essays by Wim Klooster, Holly Snyder and Arthur Kiron do more than engage the port Jews of the New World. They also open up substantive themes and challenging questions, in some cases drawn from the emerging study of Atlantic history, that students of port Jewry will want to address. In this concluding comment, my aim is to build upon these essays by focusing on the Port Jews of colonial North America.
Primary carotid artery stenting versus carotid artery stenting for postcarotid endarterectomy stenosis.

Background Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been advocated as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in high-risk surgical patients, including stenosis after CEA. This study compared early and midterm clinical outcomes for primary CAS vs CAS for post-CEA stenosis. Methods This study analyzed 180 high-risk surgical patients: 68 had primary CAS (group A), and 112 had CAS for post-CEA stenosis (group B). Patients were followed-up prospectively and had duplex ultrasound imaging at 1 month and every 6 months thereafter. All patients had cerebral protection devices. Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis was used to estimate rates of freedom from stroke, stroke-free survival, ≥50% in-stent stenosis, ≥80% in-stent stenosis, and target vessel reintervention (TVR). Results Patients had comparable demographic and clinical characteristics. Carotid stent locations were similar. Indications for CAS were transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or stroke in 50% for group A and 45% for group B. The mean follow-up was comparable, at 21 (range, 1-73) vs 25 (range, 1-78) months, respectively. The technical success rate was 100%. The perioperative stroke rates and combined stroke/death/myocardial infarction (MI) rates were 7.4% for group A vs 0.9% for group B ( P = .0294). No perioperative MIs occurred in either group. One death was secondary to stroke. The combined early and late stroke rates were 10.8% for group A and 1.8% for group B ( P = .0275). The stroke-free rates at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years for groups A and B were 89%, 89%, 89%, and 89%; and 98%, 98%, 98%, and 98%, respectively ( P = .0105). The rates of freedom from ≥50% carotid in-stent stenosis were 94%, 83%, 83%, and 66% for group A vs 96%, 91%, 83%, and 72% for group B ( P = .4705). Two patients (3%) in group A and seven patients (6.3%) in group B had ≥80% in-stent stenosis (all were asymptomatic except one). The freedom from ≥80% in-stent stenosis at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years for groups A and B were 100%, 98%, 98%, and 78% vs 99%, 96%, 92%, and 87%, respectively ( P = .7005). Freedom from TVR rates at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years for groups A and B were 100%, 100%, 100%, and 100% vs 99%, 97%, 97%, and 92%, respectively ( P = .261). Conclusions CAS for post-CEA stenosis carried a lower risk of early postprocedural neurologic events than primary CAS, with a trend toward a higher restenosis rate during follow-up.
Levosimendan does not improve survival time in a rat model of verapamil toxicity.

Objective Calcium channel blocker (CCB) toxicity, in particular that induced by verapamil and diltiazem, presents clinical challenges with no true antidote. Levosimendan, a calcium sensitizer, improves cardiac contractility in patients with heart failure. We tested the hypothesis that calcium channel sensitization will prolong survival in a rat model of severe verapamil poisoning.
Constructivism and classroom teachers: What can early childhood teacher educators do to support the constructivist journey?

Abstract Constructivism is a theory of learning that has become increasingly accepted by educators. Yet translating a theory of learning into practical instructional strategies has proven to be quite difficult for teachers. A qualitative study was recently completed that examined primary grade teachers’ understanding of constructivism and its influence upon their teaching practices. Analysis indicated that the teachers had several misconceptions of constructivism and were at varying levels of understanding, based upon their experience and professional development in constructivist education. This study has implications for the teacher education field, and early childhood teacher educators can play an important role in helping preservice and inservice teachers gain a deeper understanding of constructivism and implement teaching practices based upon this understanding. Suggestions for colleges of education are given.
Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus (type I) in a dog

In human patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, cutaneous subepidermal blistering can occur because of the production of antibodies specific for basement membrane antigens. This condition is referred to as bullous systemic lupus erythematosus (BSLE). A dog was diagnosed with BSLE because it fulfilled the following criteria: (i) a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus by standard methods; (ii) an acquired, vesicular, erosive and ulcerative eruption; (iii) microscopical subepidermal vesicles with neutrophil-predominant inflammation at the dermo-epidermal junction; (iv) deposition of IgG at the epidermal basement membrane zone; and (v) circulating IgG autoantibodies against type VII collagen. Anti-collagen VII type I-BSLE therefore needs to be considered as a possible differential diagnosis for canine autoimmune subepidermal blistering diseases.
On application of directons to functional classification of genes in prokaryotes

Functional classification of genes represents one of the most basic problems in genome analysis and annotation. Our analysis of some of the popular methods for functional classification of genes shows that these methods are not always consistent with each other and may not be specific enough for high-resolution gene functional annotations. We have developed a method to integrate genomic neighborhood information of genes with their sequence similarity information for the functional classification of prokaryotic genes. The application of our method to 93 proteobacterial genomes has shown that (i) the genomic neighborhoods are much more conserved across prokaryotic genomes than expected by chance, and such conservation can be utilized to improve functional classification of genes; (ii) while our method is consistent with the existing popular schemes as much as they are among themselves, it does provide functional classification at higher resolution and hence allows functional assignments of (new) genes at a more specific level; and (iii) our method is fairly stable when being applied to different genomes.
Religion as resource: Religion and immigrant economic incorporation

Much of the immigration literature in the United States points toward a positive association between religious activity and immigrant economic adaptation. Immigrant congregations serve as informal job fairs, build social capital for entrepreneurial activity, and provide a locale for leadership skill development. Using the New Immigrant Survey, this hypothesis of religion as economic resource is tested among immigrants receiving permanent residency within the United States in 2003. Somewhat surprisingly, most findings indicate a null relationship between religion and economic outcomes (i.e. employment, occupation status, and earnings). However, in instances where a significant relationship does exist, non-Protestant immigrants suffer the greatest economic penalty, particularly among non-Protestants who are not regularly participating in a religious organization. In contrast, non-Protestants who regularly participate have a higher likelihood of employment and higher earnings than their non-participating counterparts. Therefore, this paper extends previous literature in specifying that the religion as resource hypothesis operates best for non-Protestant immigrants who are actively involved in their religious organizations.
Influence of Mothers’ Slower Speech on Their Children’s Speech Rate

This study investigated the effects on children’s speech rate when their mothers talked more slowly. Six mothers and their normally speaking 3-year-olds (3 girls and 3 boys) were studied using single-subject A-B-A-B designs. Conversational speech rates of mothers were reduced by approximately half in the experimental (B) conditions. Five of the six children appeared to reduce their speech rates when their mothers spoke more slowly. This was confirmed by paired t tests (p < .05) that showed significant decreases in the 5 children’s speech rate over the two B conditions. These findings suggest that when mothers substantially decrease their speech rates in a controlled situation, their children also decrease their speech rates. Clinical implications are discussed.
Gfi-1 inhibits the expression of eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) during G-CSF-induced neutrophilic differentiation

The zinc finger transcriptional repressor Gfi-1 has been shown to play a critical role in early granulopoiesis; however, its role in late neutrophilic development is poorly understood. We report here that forced expression of a dominant negative Gfi-1 mutant, N382S, resulted in augmented mRNA levels of eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) in myeloid cells induced with G-CSF to undergo terminal neutrophilic differentiation. MBP is a cytotoxic protein that is abundantly expressed in eosinophils, but not in neutrophils. Ectopic expression of MBP inhibited the proliferation and survival of differentiating myeloid cells in response to G-CSF. Significantly, while GFI-1 is upregulated during neutrophilic differentiation, it is rapidly downregulated upon induction of eosinophilic differentiation, which was associated with increased MBP expression. Knockdown of GFI-1 in eosinophilic cells also led to increased level of MBP mRNA. These results indicate that Gfi-1 functions to inhibit the expression of MBP and aberrant expression of MBP as a result of loss of Gfi-1 function may cause premature apoptosis of differentiating neutrophils. In contrast, the rapid downregulation of Gfi-1 during eosinophilic development may allow for abundant expression of MBP, a hallmark of eosinophilic differentiation.