cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DAVIES, Miranda, ed., WOMEN AND VIOLENCE: Realities and Responses Worldwide

DAVIES, Miranda, ed., WOMEN AND VIOLENCE: Realities and Responses Worldwide. London: Zed Books, 1994, 264 pp., $22.50 software / $55.00 hardcover. Reviewed by: SHERRY L. HAMBY* Women and Violence: Realities and Responses Worldwide is a comprehensive global review of violence against women. Miranda Davies has done an admirable job of compiling a truly diverse and thought-provoking collection of papers. She has arranged the papers thematically to emphasize commonalties shared by all women. The first section examines wife assault in the home. It opens with an excerpt from a United Nations manual and is followed with reports from Papua New Guinea, Northern Island, Brazil and India. The second section concentrates on violence in the workplace and community, including molestation and rape and details the situations in Kuwait, India, Tanzania, France the Pacific region and Czechoslovakia. The health consequences of battering, rape, genital mutilation, forced abortions and forced prostitution in Central America, Tibet, Africa and the Philippines are the subjects of the third part. The fourth segment focuses on rape and physical violence during the wars in Latin America and Bosnia. The final two sections are devoted to government policies and public education efforts. The fifth section, on policy and law, begins with a global overview and includes chapters on the USA and Pakistan. The last section is devoted to education and includes materials from Canada (including aboriginal Canadians), Jamaica, Argentina, Australia, and Scotland. The book has several notable strengths. One prominent feature is the inclusion of 35 illustrations, many of which are public education posters from various countries. These vividly capture world-wide efforts to raise awareness of the problem of violence against women. The level of detail about governmental policies, grassroots organizational efforts, and the scope of the problem is also excellent. For many readers, it will also be valuable to have these policy statements and data presented in English. Many of the primary sources for this book are in the languages of the authors' home countries, and it is helpful to have a comparative resource that is presented entirely in one language (it would also be helpful to have it translated into other languages). The inventiveness of women's rights groups around the world is apparent, and several policy measures are described that would likely be useful in many cultural settings. …
Phase II trial of bevacizumab with dose-dense paclitaxel as first-line treatment in patients with advanced ovarian cancer

Abstract Objectives To assess the tolerability and efficacy of bevacizumab with carboplatin and weekly paclitaxel as first-line adjuvant therapy for advanced stage ovarian cancer. Methods After IRB approval, this single-institution, phase II study enrolled patients with stage III or IV epithelial ovarian cancer after primary cytoreductive surgery to treatment with carboplatin (AUC 5), weekly paclitaxel (80mg/m2), and bevacizumab (15mg/kg) every 3weeks for at least 6cycles. The primary endpoint was tolerability of at least 4cycles of therapy, with a target treatment success rate of >60%. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and response rate. Plasma biomarkers were analyzed by the multiplex ELISA assays. Results Thirty-three patients were enrolled with 30 evaluable patients receiving at least one cycle of combination treatment. Twenty-three patients (77%) were able to complete at least 4cycles of therapy per protocol, and the posterior probability that the treatment success rate is >60% is 0.77. Twenty-one patients (70%) were able to complete ≥6cycles of therapy. Median PFS was 22.4months for patients with optimal (R0) compared to 16.9months for optimal≤1cm (HR 1.71, 95% CI 0.58–4.98, p=0.33), and 16.9months for suboptimal>1cm (HR 3.75, 95% CI 1.05–13.34, p=0.04) disease. Increases in mean Flt-3L was significantly higher in responders versus non-responders (83.4 vs. 28pg/mL, p=0.05). Conclusions Adjuvant bevacizumab with dose-dense chemotherapy is associated with acceptable toxicity and a high likelihood of completing 4cycles of therapy. Dynamic changes in Flt-3L may represent a predictive marker to treatment response.
Evaluating the effectiveness of a community-based hygiene promotion program in a rural Salvadoran setting

There has been considerable progress in the reduction of diarrheal disease among children under five through health and nutrition interventions. However, diarrheal disease is still the second leading cause of child death worldwide. There is growing recognition that comprehensive hygiene behavior improvements should be integral to prevention efforts, but the effectiveness of different approaches for hygiene promotion is still being established. Hygiene risk practices vary across settings, suggesting that prevention strategies should be adapted to local contexts using community-based approaches. We planned, implemented, and evaluated a hygiene promotion intervention using the hygiene cluster framework. The two-year, multi-level intervention was implemented by local health promoters who were involved in identifying and addressing disease transmission risks at the household, school, and community levels. The intervention was evaluated using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with repeated follow-up assessments to determine changes in hygiene knowledge and behavior. A household survey instrument was administered at three time points in the intervention ( n = 480) and comparison ( n = 271) communities to assess two hygiene knowledge and eleven hygiene behavior outcome variables. We used one-way analysis of variance with post hoc analysis using Tukey's HSD for multiple comparisons to examine change and differences over time. We also fit a linear regression model to identify statistically significant differences. Study results demonstrated improvements in the areas of: knowledge of disease transmission and key times for handwashing, water container hygiene, sanitation practices, personal hygiene and food hygiene. The hygiene cluster framework is useful for hygiene promotion intervention planning and evaluation, and we recommended continued testing of this framework across contexts. We also recommend local community participatory approaches, as well as in-depth formative behavioral assessments by hygiene cluster that also consider environmental barriers to behavior change.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Ophthalmoscopy vs Telemedicine in Examinations for Retinopathy of Prematurity

Importance Examinations for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are typically performed using binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. Telemedicine studies have traditionally assessed the accuracy of telemedicine compared with ophthalmoscopy as a criterion standard. However, it is not known whether ophthalmoscopy is truly more accurate than telemedicine. Objective To directly compare the accuracy and sensitivity of ophthalmoscopy vs telemedicine in diagnosing ROP using a consensus reference standard. Design, Setting, and Participants This multicenter prospective study conducted between July 1, 2011, and November 30, 2014, at 7 neonatal intensive care units and academic ophthalmology departments in the United States and Mexico included 281 premature infants who met the screening criteria for ROP. Exposures Each examination consisted of 1 eye undergoing binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy by an experienced clinician followed by remote image review of wide-angle fundus photographs by 3 independent telemedicine graders. Main Outcomes and Measures Results of both examination methods were combined into a consensus reference standard diagnosis. The agreement of both ophthalmoscopy and telemedicine was compared with this standard, using percentage agreement and weighted κ statistics. Results Among the 281 infants in the study (127 girls and 154 boys; mean [SD] gestational age, 27.1 [2.4] weeks), a total of 1553 eye examinations were classified using both ophthalmoscopy and telemedicine. Ophthalmoscopy and telemedicine each had similar sensitivity for zone I disease (78% [95% CI, 71%-84%] vs 78% [95% CI, 73%-83%];P > .99 [n = 165]), plus disease (74% [95% CI, 61%-87%] vs 79% [95% CI, 72%-86%];P = .41 [n = 50]), and type 2 ROP (stage 3, zone I, or plus disease: 86% [95% CI, 80%-92%] vs 79% [95% CI, 75%-83%];P = .10 [n = 251]), but ophthalmoscopy was slightly more sensitive in identifying stage 3 disease (85% [95% CI, 79%-91%] vs 73% [95% CI, 67%-78%];P = .004 [n = 136]). Conclusions and Relevance No difference was found in overall accuracy between ophthalmoscopy and telemedicine for the detection of clinically significant ROP, although, on average, ophthalmoscopy had slightly higher accuracy for the diagnosis of zone III and stage 3 ROP. With the caveat that there was variable accuracy between examiners using both modalities, these results support the use of telemedicine for the diagnosis of clinically significant ROP.
Bone marrow transplants in chronic myelogenous leukemia: an overview of determinants of survival.

The success of bone marrow transplantation in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is strongly associated with the phase of the disease at the time of transplantation. For allogeneic transplants from siblings with identical human leukocyte antigens, the 3-year survival rate for recipients in chronic phase ranges from 55% to 70%, whereas survival falls to approximately 30% for recipients in accelerated phase and to 0% to 20% for patients receiving transplants during blast crisis. Detailed analysis of data pooled from 405 patients demonstrated that the 3-year probability of relapse was 48% for recipients of T-cell-depleted bone marrow, but only 9% for recipients of non-T-cell-depleted bone marrow (relative risk, 5.4; P less than .0001). Regardless of transplant T-cell status, however, patients who developed chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were less likely to relapse at 4 years when compared with recipients without chronic GVHD (6% v 24%; relative risk, 3.1; P less than .01). Survival was correlated with severity of acute GVHD and age. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from unrelated donors can be useful in expanding the patient population eligible for transplantation. A study of recipients of transplants from unrelated donors showed a 3-year projected survival of 55% for chronic phase patients, and 22% for patients with advanced disease. However, a high rate of graft failure (10%) and grade II to IV acute GVHD can be expected. Preliminary data suggest that ex vivo treatment of autologous bone marrow with interferon can effect complete or partial Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome negative bone marrow mosaicism, although appearance of Ph chromosome negative metaphases may not be persistent. Thus, interferon treatment of autologous bone marrow may play a more significant role in the treatment of CML.
Preliminary Results in Tracking Mobile Targets Using Range Sensors from Multiple Robots

In urban search and rescue scenarios, human first responders risk their lives as they routinely encounter hazardous environments. A team of robots, equipped with various sensors, deployed in such an environment can be used to track emergency personnel such as firefighters, reducing the risk to human life. This paper explores techniques for tracking a mobile target and coordinating a team of robots, equipped with range-only sensors, through smoke-filled, high-temperature environments. The particular strengths of our tracking and cooperative control algorithms are identified through a set of simulated examples.
GABAergic control of depression-related brain states

The GABAergic deficit hypothesis of major depressive disorders (MDDs) posits that reduced γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration in brain, impaired function of GABAergic interneurons, altered expression and function of GABA(A) receptors, and changes in GABAergic transmission dictated by altered chloride homeostasis can contribute to the etiology of MDD. Conversely, the hypothesis posits that the efficacy of currently used antidepressants is determined by their ability to enhance GABAergic neurotransmission. We here provide an update for corresponding evidence from studies of patients and preclinical animal models of depression. In addition, we propose an explanation for the continued lack of genetic evidence that explains the considerable heritability of MDD. Lastly, we discuss how alterations in GABAergic transmission are integral to other hypotheses of MDD that emphasize (i) the role of monoaminergic deficits, (ii) stress-based etiologies, (iii) neurotrophic deficits, and (iv) the neurotoxic and neural circuit-impairing consequences of chronic excesses of glutamate. We propose that altered GABAergic transmission serves as a common denominator of MDD that can account for all these other hypotheses and that plays a causal and common role in diverse mechanistic etiologies of depressive brain states and in the mechanism of action of current antidepressant drug therapies.
An intestinal stem cell niche in Apc mutated neoplasia targetable by CtBP inhibition

C-terminal binding protein 2 (CtBP2) drives intestinal polyposis in the Apcmin mouse model of human Familial Adenomatous Polyposis. As CtBP2 is targetable by an inhibitor of its dehydrogenase domain, understanding CtBP2's role in adenoma formation is necessary to optimize CtBP-targeted therapies in Apc mutated human neoplasia. Tumor initiating cell (TIC) populations were substantially decreased in ApcminCtbp2+/- intestinal epithelia. Moreover, normally nuclear Ctbp2 was mislocalized to the cytoplasm of intestinal crypt stem cells in Ctbp2+/- mice, both Apcmin and wildtype, correlating with low/absent CD133 expression in those cells, and possibly explaining the lower burden of polyps in Apcmin Ctbp2+/- mice. The CtBP inhibitor 4-chloro-hydroxyimino phenylpyruvate (4-Cl-HIPP) also robustly downregulated TIC populations and significantly decreased intestinal polyposis in Apcmin mice. We have therefore demonstrated a critical link between polyposis, intestinal TIC's and Ctbp2 gene dosage or activity, supporting continued efforts targeting CtBP in the treatment or prevention of Apc mutated neoplasia.
Sex-dependent differences in ethanol inhibition of mouse lateral orbitofrontal cortex neurons.

Biological differences between males and females likely influence responses to alcohol and the propensity to engage in excessive drinking. In both humans and rodents, females escalate alcohol use and develop addiction-like behaviors faster than males, while males exhibit more severe withdrawal symptoms during abstinence. The mechanisms underlying these differences are not yet known but may reflect fundamental differences in the ethanol sensitivity of neurons in reward and control areas of the brain. To address this question, we recorded current-evoked spiking of lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) neurons in male and female C57BL/6J mice following acute and chronic exposure to ethanol. Ethanol (11-66 mM) reduced firing of lOFC neurons but produced less inhibition in neurons from female mice. As previously reported for male mice, the glycine receptor blocker strychnine blocked ethanol inhibition of spiking of lOFC neurons from female mice and prevented the ethanol-induced increase in tonic current. Following chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure, current-evoked spiking of lOFC neurons was significantly enhanced with a greater effect observed in males. After CIE treatment, acute ethanol had no effect on spiking in neurons from male mice, while it produced a slight but significant decrease in firing in females. Finally, like male mice, the inhibitory effect of the glycine transport inhibitor sarcosine was blunted in CIE-exposed female mice. Together, these results suggest that while lOFC neurons in male and female mice are similarly affected by ethanol, there are significant differences in sensitivity that may contribute to differences in alcohol actions between males and females.
Vibrational spectroscopy of flavoproteins.

Abstract The flavin cofactor performs many functions in the cell based on the ability of the isoalloxazine ring to undergo one- or two-electron reduction and form covalent adducts with reactants such as amino acids. In addition, the strong visible absorption of the cofactor is also the basis for flavin-dependent photoreceptors. Vibrational spectroscopy is uniquely suited to studying the mechanism of flavoproteins since the frequency of the vibrational modes is very sensitive to the electronic structure and environment of the isoalloxazine ring. This chapter describes the mechanistic information that can be gained using vibrational spectroscopy as well experimental challenges and approaches that are used to obtain and interpret the complex data contained in a vibrational spectrum.
General Concepts in Robotics in Orthopedics

Robotic technology has been used to assist in orthopedic procedures since 1985. In recent years, this technology has rapidly expanded in its use. While available robotic technologies share a goal of optimizing precision and accuracy of bone preparation, there are different strategies to achieve these goals. Planning of bone preparation can be performed by creating a three-dimensional model based on a preoperative CT scan (so-called image-based technology), or it can be done entirely intraoperatively by mapping the condylar surfaces and tensioning the soft tissues after arthrotomy, without the need for a preoperative scan (image-free). The three types of robotic-assisted platforms – including autonomous, semiautonomous, and passive systems – allow varying degrees of surgeon control. Autonomous systems only require the surgeon to perform the initial planning, dissection, and approach, and the rest of the procedure can be completed without surgeon input. Conversely, the semiautonomous systems require surgeon involvement; however, they provide constraint to inhibit deviation from the planned operative procedure. Passive systems complete the entirety of the procedure under continuous and direct control of the surgeon, without providing protective feedback by the system. Finally, the current systems also provide safeguards against inadvertent bone preparation, by either constraining the robotic tool haptically or modulating the exposure and/or speed of the robotic bur. The aim of this chapter is to provide a discussion of these key distinguishing elements of current robotic systems available within the orthopedic armamentarium.
Optimal regularity of constant curvature graphs in Hyperbolic space

Inspired by Han and Jiang (Boundary expansions for minimal graphs in the hyperbolic space, 2014. arXiv:1412.7608 , The convergence of boundary expansions and the analyticity of minimal surfaces in the hyperbolic space, 2018. arXiv:1801.08348 ) we study the boundary regularity of constant curvature hypersurfaces in the hyperbolic space $${\mathbb {H}}^{n+1}$$ , which have prescribed asymptotic boundary at infinity. Through constructing the boundary expansions of the solutions, we derive the optimal regularity of the solutions. Moreover, we obtain an equivalent condition that guarantees the smoothness of the solutions.
Multidimensional sum-up rounding for integer programming in optimal experimental design

We present a numerical method for approximating the solution of convex integer programs stemming from optimal experimental design. The statistical setup consists of a Bayesian framework for linear inverse problems for which the direct relationship is described by a discretized integral equation. Specifically, we aim to find the optimal sensor placement from a set of candidate locations where data are collected with measurement error. The convex objective function is a measure of the uncertainty, described here by the trace or log-determinant of the posterior covariance matrix, for the discretized linear inverse problem solution. The resulting convex integer program is relaxed, producing a lower bound. An upper bound is obtained by extending the sum-up rounding approach to multiple dimensions. For this extension, we analyze its accuracy as a function of the discretization mesh size for a rectangular domain. We show asymptotic optimality of the integer solution defining the upper bound for different experimental design criteria (A- and D-optimal), by proving the convergence to zero of the gap between the upper and lower bounds as the mesh size goes to zero. The technique is illustrated on a two-dimensional gravity surveying problem for both A-optimal and D-optimal sensor placement where our designs yield better results compared with a thresholding rounding approach.
Is Obesity Protective in Thoracoabdominal Penetrating Trauma

The incidence of obesity has been increasing in the United States, and the medical care of obese patients after injury is complex. Obesity has been linked to increased morbidity after blunt trauma. Whether increased girth protects abdominal organs from penetrating injury or complicates management from obesity-associated medical comorbidities after penetrating injury has not been well defined. All patients admitted with penetrating injury between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013, at a university-affiliated Level I center trauma center were reviewed. Primary endpoints for analysis were the presence of significant injuries requiring operative intervention and outcomes, including inpatient complications. Logistic regression, chi-squared tests, and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare groups. Five hundred patients were included in the study; 225 with stabs and 275 with gunshot wounds (GSWs). In each group, there was no major difference between obese and nonobese patients in regard to injury location, operative approach, or postoperative outcomes. Unadjusted odds ratios comparing both overweight and obese individuals to normal BMI patients did not suggest a decreased rate of therapeutic operations for either population after stabs or GSWs. In obese or overweight patients, there is no difference in the rate of operative intervention for significant injuries after penetrating axial trauma compared with a normal BMI population. On the other hand, obesity was not associated with prolonged length of stay, increased complications, or death after penetrating injuries.
Antisense oligonucleotide treatment produces a type I interferon response that protects against diet-induced obesity.

Abstract Objective In mouse models, deficiency of TTC39B (T39) decreases hepatic lipogenic gene expression and protects against diet-induced steatohepatitis. While assessing the therapeutic potential of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting T39, we discovered an unexpected weight loss phenotype. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanism of the resistance to diet-induced obesity. Methods To assess therapeutic potential, we used antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) to knock down T39 expression in a Western or high-fat, high-cholesterol, high-sucrose-diet-fed Ldlr−/− or wild-type mice. Results T39 ASO treatment led to decreased hepatic lipogenic gene expression and decreased hepatic triglycerides. Unexpectedly, T39 ASO treatment protected against diet-induced obesity. The reduced weight gain was seen with two different ASOs that decreased T39 mRNA in adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs), but not with a liver-targeted GalNac-ASO. Mice treated with the T39 ASO displayed increased browning of gonadal white adipose tissue (gWAT) and evidence of increased lipolysis. However, T39 knockout mice displayed a similar weight loss response when treated with T39 ASO, indicating an off-target effect. RNA-seq analysis of gWAT showed a widespread increase in type I interferon (IFN)-responsive genes, and knockout of the IFN receptor abolished the weight loss phenotype induced by the T39 ASO. Some human T39 ASOs and ASOs with different modifications targeting LDLR also induced a type I IFN response in THP1 macrophages. Conclusion Our data suggest that extrahepatic targeting of T39 by ASOs in ATMs produced an off-target type 1 IFN response, leading to activation of lipolysis, browning of WAT, and weight loss. While our findings suggest that ASOs may induce off-target type 1 IFN response more commonly than previously thought, they also suggest that therapeutic induction of type 1 IFN selectively in ATMs could potentially represent a novel approach to the treatment of obesity.
Abstract 349: Outcomes Among Women With Bicuspid Aortic Valve and/or Bicuspid Aortopathy During Pregnancy

Background: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is associated with an increased risk of aortic dissection, but little is known about pregnancy-associated outcomes. Methods: ICD codes and a text recognition...
Differential expression of Exaiptasia pallida GIMAP genes upon induction of apoptosis and autophagy suggests a potential role in cnidarian symbiosis and disease

Coral reefs, one of the world9s most productive and diverse ecosystems, are currently threatened by a variety of stressors that result in increased prevalence of both bleaching and disease. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in these responses is critical to mitigate future damage to the reefs. One group of genes that is potentially involved in cnidarian immunity and symbiosis is GTPases of Immunity Associated Proteins (GIMAP). In vertebrates, this family of proteins is involved in regulating the fate of developing lymphocytes and interacts with proteins involved in apoptosis and autophagy. Since apoptosis, autophagy, and immunity have previously shown to be involved in cnidarian symbiosis and disease, the goal of this research was to determine the role of cnidarian GIMAPs in these processes using the anemone Exaiptasia pallida. To do so, GIMAP genes were characterized in the E. pallida genome and changes in gene expression were measured using qPCR in response to chemical induction of apoptosis, autophagy, and treatment with the immune stimulant lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in both aposymbiotic and symbiotic anemones. The results revealed four GIMAP-like genes in E. pallida, referred to as Ep_GIMAPs. Induction of apoptosis and autophagy resulted in a general downregulation of Ep_GIMAPs, but no significant changes were observed in response to LPS treatment. This indicates Ep_GIMAPs may be involved in regulation of apoptosis and autophagy, and therefore could play a role in cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis. Overall, these results increase our knowledge on the function of GIMAPs in a basal metazoan.
Conclusion: Doing Participatory Budgeting Right

The conclusion offers four implications and three recommendations for better participatory budgeting practice. First we note how, rather than reflecting a coordinated participatory budgeting process, each council district operates its own process that reflects that there as many PB projects as there are participating council members. Second, there is substantial top-down behavior that effectively inhibits sharing power with marginalized members of the community. Third, the process is opaque in many ways, with many members of the community unaware of participatory budgeting. There is a lack of public notice with respect to the critical agenda setting stage. Fourth, some voting locations are potential beneficiaries of proposed projects and some volunteers at pop-up voting tables are advocates for particular projects, which undermines the fairness of process. Proposed changes to improve participatory budgeting include taking positive steps to invite in disadvantaged members of the community, create a reliable normalized process, eliminate opaque practices, and detach participatory budgeting from the council discretionary budget. We urge all involved with PB to address the barriers detailed in this book, to keep reaching toward the higher, critically important goals it has set forth throughout the world, and in doing so, truly offer citizens the real money and real power they deserve.
An Introduction to the Theory of Generation in Poetry A Critical Study

This study is an empirical criticism aimed to test the objectivity of the generation’s theory in literature at large and in poetry in specific. The researcher used (Ajras) poetic group as a practical model through which he attempted to highlight the rationale behind their appearance. In addition, the researcher investigated the communal aesthetic and ideological concepts that the members share and those which are held by each member individually
Cocurricular Learning in Management Education: Lessons From Legal Education’s Use of Student-Edited Journals:

In this essay, we draw on insights from U.S. legal education’s century-long experiment using student-edited journals as a cocurricular learning tool, to develop the argument that management educati...
Neural responsivity during soft drink intake, anticipation, and advertisement exposure in habitually consuming youth

Objective Although soft drinks are heavily advertised, widely consumed, and have been associated with obesity, little is understood regarding neural responsivity to soft drink intake, anticipated intake, and advertisements. Design and Methods Functional MRI was used to assess examine neural response to carbonated soft drink intake, anticipated intake and advertisement exposure as well as milkshake intake in 27 adolescents that varied on soft drink consumer status. Results Intake and anticipated intake of carbonated Coke® activated regions implicated in gustatory, oral somatosensory, and reward processing, yet high-fat/sugar milkshake intake elicited greater activation in these regions vs. Coke intake. Advertisements highlighting the Coke product vs. nonfood control advertisements, but not the Coke logo, activated gustatory and visual brain regions. Habitual Coke consumers vs. nonconsumers showed greater posterior cingulate responsivity to Coke logo ads, suggesting that the logo is a conditioned cue. Coke consumers exhibited less ventrolateral prefrontal cortex responsivity during anticipated Coke intake relative to nonconsumers. Conclusions Results indicate that soft drinks activate reward and gustatory regions, but are less potent in activating these regions than high-fat/sugar beverages, and imply that habitual soft drink intake promotes hyper-responsivity of regions encoding salience/attention toward brand specific cues and hypo-responsivity of inhibitory regions while anticipating intake.
No indications of axionlike particles from Fermi

As very high energy ($\ensuremath{\gtrsim}100\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$) gamma rays travel over cosmological distances, their flux is attenuated through interactions with the extragalactic background light. Observations of distant gamma ray sources at energies between $\ensuremath{\sim}200\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$ and a few TeV by ground-based gamma-ray telescopes such as HESS, however, have motivated the possibility that the universe is more transparent to very high energy photons than had been anticipated. One proposed explanation for this is the existence of axionlike particles (ALPs) which gamma rays can efficiently oscillate into, enabling them to travel cosmological distances without attenuation. In this article, we use a state-of-the-art model for the extragalactic background light (which is somewhat lower at $\ensuremath{\sim}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ wavelengths than in previous models) and data from the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope to calculate the spectra at 1--100 GeV of two gamma-ray sources, 1ES1101-232 at redshift $z=0.186$ and H2356-309 at $z=0.165$, in conjunction with the measurements of ground-based telescopes, to test the ALP hypothesis. We find that these observations can be well fit by an intrinsic power-law source spectrum with indices of $\ensuremath{-}1.72$ and $\ensuremath{-}2.1$ for 1ES1101-232 and H2356-309, respectively, and that no ALPs or other exotic physics is necessary to explain the observed degree of attenuation. While this does not exclude the possibility that ALPs are involved in the cosmological propagation of gamma rays, it does reduce the motivation for such new physics.
Manganese Redox Enzymes and Model Systems: Properties, Structures, and Reactivity

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses properties, structures, and reactivity of manganese redox enzymes and model systems. Manganese is one of several first-row transition elements that are employed by biological systems to assist in varied metabolic and structural roles. Manganese is used to give structural support to proteins and is a cofactor in chemical transformations that include hydrolytic and redox reactions. Perhaps the best-known function, and the one of great importance to aerobic life, is in the oxygen-evolving complex, which oxidizes water to dioxygen during photosynthesis. The discussions of data gathering on enzyme systems and model chemistry, both structural and functional, presented in this chapter provides a foundation for exploring current and as yet undiscovered manganese enzymes. The biological applications of manganese are numerous and quite varied. The manganese-containing redox enzymes are unique. Most of these deal with dioxygen metabolism in one form or another.
Patient classification of fMRI activation maps

The analysis of brain activations using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is an active area of neuropsychological research. Standard techniques for analysis have traditionally focused on finding the most significant areas of brain activation, and have only recently begun to explore the importance of their spatial characteristics. We compare fMRI contrast images and significance maps to training sets of similar maps using the spatial distribution of activation values. We demonstrate that a Fisher linear discriminant (FLD) classifier for either type of map can differentiate patients from controls accurately for Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI).
Fueling Our Fears: Stereotyping, Media Coverage, and Public Opinion of Muslim Americans, by Brigitte L. Nacos and Oscar Torres-Reyna

In 1981, the publication of Edward Said's Covering Islam sparked an academic debate on the American media's coverage of Islam and the Muslim world, against the backdrop of the recent revolution in ...
Self-Rated Health Among Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Enrolled in a Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Service.

Abstract Little is known about the use of the single self-rated health (SRH) status item measuring health-related quality of life among people with coronary artery disease (CAD). The objective of this study was to assess relationships between SRH and recurrent coronary events, mortality, health care utilization, and intermediate clinical outcomes and to assess predictors of fair/poor SRH. A total of 5573 patients enrolled in a comprehensive cardiac risk reduction service managed by clinical pharmacy specialists were evaluated over a 2-year period. Regression modeling explored relationships among variables, modeling SRH separately as an independent and a dependent variable. The 1374 (24.7%) respondents reporting fair/poor SRH differed statistically from 4199 (75.3%) respondents reporting good/very good/excellent SRH in terms of age, sex, ethnicity, number of comorbid conditions, DxCG scores, lifestyle behaviors, blood pressure control, and inpatient and emergency department (ED) utilization. Respondents re...
Terrestrial Microwave Communications

This section on terrestrial microwave communications begins by considering free-space propagation and the effects of terrain, atmosphere, and precipitation on propagation. Multipath fading due to ground reflection or atmospheric refraction is described with a statistical model. Diversity and adaptive equalization are shown to mitigate the effects of multipath fading on digital radio performance. Frequency allocations and planning are discussed, including the effects of interference. Components of a digital radio system are detailed, including the transmitter, receiver, antennas, diversity combiner, and adaptive combiner. Procedures are then described for calculating link performance or determining design parameters. Keywords: propagation; multipath fading; diversity; adaptive equalization; frequency planning; antennas; digital radio; fade margin; system gain; path profile
Clinical characteristics of familial generalized anxiety disorder

The authors seek to determine whether the clinical characteristics of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) differ in individuals with a high vs. low familial vulnerability to illness. We identified 486 personally interviewed female twins from a population-based register who had both an interviewed co-twin and a lifetime history of GAD using modified DSM-III-R criteria which required a one-month minimum duration of illness. We attempted to predict risk for GAD in the co-twin from the clinical features of the GAD in the proband twin using the Cox proportional hazard model, controlling for year of birth and zygosity. Only two variables uniquely predicted an increased risk for GAD in the co-twin: number of GAD symptoms endorsed and comorbidity with bulimia. Variables that did not uniquely predict risk of illness in the co-twin included age at onset, duration of the longest episode and number of episodes. The familial vulnerability to GAD can be meaningfully indexed by clinical features of the syndrome. These results suggest that if the syndrome of GAD is to be narrowed, it would, from a familial perspective, be more valid to increase the minimum number of required symptoms rather than to increase the minimum duration of illness.
Enzymatic Breakage and Joining of Deoxyribonucleic Acid III. AN ENZYME-ADENYLATE INTERMEDIATE IN THE POLYNUCLEOTIDE LIGASE REACTION

Abstract Polynucleotide ligase, isolated from Escherichia coli infected with bacteriophage T4, catalyzes (a) the repair of an interrupted strand in a DNA duplex by the formation of phosphodiester bonds, with a concomitant cleavage of ATP to AMP and PPi, and (b) an ATP-PPi exchange reaction which is not dependent on the presence of DNA. The two activities elute together from diethylaminoethyl cellulose and phosphocellulose. An enzyme-adenylate complex has been isolated and is found to mediate both the formation of phosphodiester bonds in the absence of ATP and the formation of ATP from PPi. These findings suggest that as the first step of the ligase reaction, ATP and enzyme react to form an enzyme-adenylate intermediate accompanied by the release of PPi.
Effect of epinephrine infusion on maternal and uterine oxygen uptake in the pregnant ewe

Abstract Ten chronically instrumented pregnant ewes were studied to assess the effect of an epinephrine-induced decrease in uterine blood flow on the oxygen uptake of the uteroplacental-fetal tissue mass. Additional measurements of maternal cardiac output, oxygen uptake, arterial pressure, and hematocrit were obtained. Continuous systemic infusion of epinephrine at a rate of 0.3 to 0.4 μg per kilogram per minute produced a mean decrease in uterine blood flow of 42 per cent (288 ± 15 to 157 ± 8 ml. per kilogram per minute). However, the oxygen uptake of the uteroplacental-fetal tissue mass remained at control levels due to an associated 79 per cent increase in the arteriovenous oxygen content difference across the uterine circulation. The calorigenic and cardiovascular systemic effects of epinephrine (a 22 per cent increase in maternal oxygen uptake and a 43 per cent increase in maternal cardiac output) were not related to the changes in either uterine flow or oxygen uptake. The implications of these observations are discussed.
Perceptions of Dating Violence and Associated Correlates A Study of College Young Adults

The purpose of this study was to better understand young adults' perceptions of what behaviors constitute intimate partner violence (IPV) and the correlates of these perceptions using a comprehensive measure of IPV perceptions and behaviors. Participants were undergraduates (aged 18-25), including 357 women and 346 men ( N = 703) from the midwestern region of the United States, who completed surveys for course credit. Results demonstrated that young women and men on average reported that acts of physical, sexual, and psychological IPV were abusive. However, young women generally rated these behaviors as more abusive than young men, male-to-female (M-to-F) IPV was viewed as more abusive than female-to-male (F-to-M) IPV, and physical IPV was considered the most abusive form of IPV, followed by sexual IPV, which was rated as more abusive than psychological IPV. Furthermore, among men, a history of IPV perpetration and victimization generally predicted decreased perceptions that acts were abusive; however, among women, histories of IPV perpetration and victimization were generally unrelated to abuse perceptions. These data underscore the importance of the inclusion of psychoeducation about the seriousness of all forms of IPV in IPV prevention programming and the importance of situation-specific and targeted IPV prevention messages. Moreover, future research is needed to replicate and better understand the explanatory mechanisms underlying the relationships among a history of IPV, abuse perceptions, and gender.
Development of a power-efficient, high-gain, low-noise ultra-wideband 0.18-μm CMOS distributed amplifier

A distributed amplifier with new cascade inductively-coupled common-source gain-cell configuration is presented. Compared with other existing gain-cell configurations, the proposed cascade common-source gain cell provides much higher gain. The new distributed amplifier, fabricated in TSMC 0.18-mum CMOS process, achieves an average power gain of around 10 dB, input match of less than -20 dB, and noise figure of 3.3-6.1dB with an unprecedented power consumption of only 19.6 mW over the entire ultra-wideband (UWB) band of 3.1-10.6 GHz. In the high-gain operating mode that consumes 100 mW, the new CMOS distributed amplifier provides an unprecedented power gain of 16 dB with 3.2-6-dB noise figure over the UWB range.
Review of Intelligent Energy Field Manufacturing (EFM)

The long cycles of modern economy is driven by technology innovations. New methodologies are needed to increase the efficiency of technology innovations. Intelligent Energy Field Manufacturing is one of such methodologies. The evolution and the fundamentals of Intelligent Energy Field Manufacturing (EFM) are reviewed in this paper. One issue in technology innovation is that the importance of manufacturing process innovations is underestimated. The other issue is how and why shall manufacturing Go Green to increase long-term sustainability. These should be the important topics in the research of Intelligent EFM.© 2008 ASME
Gravity settling characteristics of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in aqueous suspension using in situ static light scattering

Abstract Gravity settling velocity measurements are reported for Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in aqueous suspensions. A non-intrusive technique using laser light scattering was developed to measure in situ settling velocity of particles. Settling experiments were performed on the C. parvum suspended in particle free de-ionized (PFDI) water at a low volume fraction of 3.4×10 −4 . The oocysts were found to have a log-normal distribution of settling velocities with a mean of 0.029 μm s −1 (geometric standard deviation, σ g =2.81). The mean velocities were considerably smaller compared to previously reported values by Medema et al. [Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 64 (11) (1998) 4460–4466] and could possibly be due to variation in oocysts density. Experiments on suspensions with varying ionic strength of the medium showed no marked effect on the settling velocity. These results have implications in transport modeling of C. parvum oocysts in filtration beds and other environmental systems.
Necrotizing fasciitis after direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy.

Enteral jejunal feeding is indicated in patients who require enteral feeds but who are unable to tolerate intragastric feeding. These include patients with acute pancreatitis, patients with altered gastric anatomy after surgery, patients at high risk of aspiration pneumonia from gastric contents, and patients with gastroparesis. Enteral nutrition via a nasojejunal tube is suitable as a temporizing measure in these patients but not as a long-term option, because of patient discomfort and a propensity for accidental dislodgement. The 3 options for mediumto long-term jejunal feeding include a surgically placed jejunal tube, a percutaneous gastrostomy with jejunal extension (PEG/J), and a direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) tube. We describe a patient who underwent a DPEJ insertion complicated by necrotizing fasciitis.
Synthesis and characterization of novel B/C materials prepared by 9-chloroborafluorene precursor

Abstract This paper describes a novel boron containing carbon (B/C) material which contains up to 7 mole% of boron atoms substitutionally incorporated in the graphitic structure. The chemistry involves the use of 9-chloroborafluorene precursor and the thermo-transformation reaction. 9-Chloroborafluorene was firstly oligomerized to mesophase boron containing pitch (B-pitch) which is processable by solution and melt. The mesophase B-pitch was then pyrolyzed at various temperatures (up to 2300 °C) to produce B/C material with high yield (∼80%). During pyrolysis, boron is not only substitutionally incorporated in the graphitic structure but also enhances the graphitization reaction. An unusually large crystallite size and small d-spacing between interlayers of the B/C product was observed by X-ray diffraction.
Experimental investigation of wire electrical discharge machining of gallium-doped germanium

Abstract This paper investigates the electrical discharge machining of gallium-doped p-type germanium with a relaxation type pulse generator. A series of experiments were performed to establish the slicing rate for different types and sizes of electrode wires. The cut samples were analyzed using a 3D optical profiler and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for surface roughness and subsurface damage. The samples were etched and analyzed for any contamination using an X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). This paper also investigates the use of small wire diameters (50–200 μm) to enhance slicing rate and surface characteristics. The maximum discharge energy at which germanium can be machined without any subsurface damage was determined using the experiments. The phenomenon of increase in slicing rate with decrease in wire diameter is explained using the concept of discharge energy density ( E d ).
Guillain-Barré syndrome and glioblastoma.

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is defined as an acute demyelinating peripheral neuropathy. We describe a case of GBS in a patient with glioblastoma undergoing chemotherapy treatment. A 57 year old woman diagnosed with glioblastoma developed a subacute progressive history of bilateral symmetric numbness of her fingers and toes, belt-type neuropathic pain, a left facial droop and upper and lower extremity muscle weakness. There was no evidence of a tumor mass or leptomeningeal disease in the spine. Electrophysiological studies confirmed the diagnosis. Although rare, GBS should be considered in primary brain tumor patients with generalized acute-subacute progressive weakness that is inconsistent with the location of their tumor, particularly if they are also on chemotherapy contributing to their immunosuppressive state.
MAPPING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY CHANGE IN THE AMERICAN STATES1

This article explores an interesting question. Why, despite compelling evidence arguing against their effectiveness, do ever-larger incentive packages continue to be offered by the states to attract firms?