cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduced decoherence using squeezing, amplification, and antisqueezing

Loss and decoherence are major problems in the transmission of nonclassical states of light over large distances. It was recently shown that the effects of decoherence can be reduced by applying a probabilistic noiseless attenuator before transmitting a quantum state through a lossy channel, followed by probabilistic noiseless amplification [M. Micuda, I. Straka, M. Mikova, M. Dusek, N. J. Cerf, J. Fiurasek, and M. Jezek, Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 180503 (2012)]. Here we show that similar results can be obtained for certain kinds of macroscopic quantum states by squeezing the signal before transmission, followed by deterministic amplification and antisqueezing to restore the original amplitude of the state. This approach can greatly reduce the effects of decoherence in the transmission of non-Gaussian states, such as Schr\"odinger cat states, without any reduction in the data transmission rate.
How Views of the Organization of Primary Care Among Patients with Hypertension Vary by Race or Ethnicity.

INTRODUCTION We assessed potential racial or ethnic differences in the degree to which veterans with pharmaceutically treated hypertension report experiences with their primary care system that are consistent with optimal chronic illness care as suggested by Wagner's Chronic Care Model (CCM). MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional analysis of the results of the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC), which measured components of the care system suggested by the CCM and was completed at baseline by participants in a hypertension disease management clinical trial. Participants had a recent history of uncontrolled systolic blood pressure. RESULTS Among 377 patients, non-Hispanic African American veterans had almost twice the odds of indicating that their primary care experience is consistent with CCM features when compared with non-Hispanic White patients (odds ratio (OR) = 1.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16-2.98). Similar statistically significant associations were observed for follow-up care (OR = 2.59; 95% CI = 1.49-4.50), patient activation (OR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.13-2.87), goal setting (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.03-2.64), and help with problem solving (OR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.00-2.60). CONCLUSIONS Non-Hispanic African Americans with pharmaceutically treated hypertension report that the primary care system more closely approximates the Wagner CCM than non-Hispanic White patients.
Current use of medical expulsive therapy among endourologists.

Introduction: We aimed to characterize current practice patterns among endourologists on medical expulsive therapy (MET) for treatment of ureteral calculi. Methods: An online survey was administered to Endourological Society members. Respondents’ MET usage, index case management, and awareness of recent guidelines and literature were compared based on international status, practice setting, interval since training, and endourological fellowship training. Results: Of the 237 complete responses, 65% were international, 61% were academic, 66% had >10 years in practice, and 71% were endourology fellowship-trained. MET was used by 88%, with no differences between international, academic, practice length, and fellowship-trained groups. MET was used more frequently for <8 mm and distal stones and more U.S.-based respondents reported use for proximal/mid-ureteral stones (68% vs. 43%; p<0.001). For the index patient, 70% preferred MET as the initial approach and respondents <10 years from training were more likely to choose MET (82% vs. 64%; p=0.006). While 82% of respondents were aware of the SUSPEND trial, 70% reported that it had not altered their use of MET. Current American Urological Association (AUA) guideline awareness was 90%. Mean MET prescription length was 19.9±10.3 days, and was statistically significantly longer for respondents who were U.S.-based, academic, and <10 years from training. Conclusions: MET is the preferred approach for patients with ureteral calculi <10 mm among endourologists despite conflicting data in the literature. While current AUA practice guidelines are followed by the majority of respondents, our survey suggests MET is being used more liberally than the guideline criteria, specifically in proximal and mid-ureteral stones.
A performance metric for screen selection with the acoustic single pixel imager

In the recent literature, an Acoustic Single-Pixel Imager has been successfully developed for source localization in a two-dimensional waveguide. Source bearing angle estimation was carried out by applying sparse recovery techniques on sensor measurements taken over different imaging screens. This paper shows that the Mutual Coherence of the sensing matrix can be used as a metric to predict the source localization capability of the single-pixel imaging system. In particular, this paper's analysis focuses on the sparsity of open cells within the imaging screen and the number of imaging screens used to maximize the probability of correct detection over varying levels of source sparsity. In this work, a simulation environment to demonstrate how the mutual coherence of the sensing matrix correlates with source localization performance over source sparsity, sparsity of open screen cells, and number of measurements used for sparse recovery is developed. The analysis shows that the leading factor in source localization performance gains is primarily from the number of imaging screens used to measure the acoustic wave-field.
Sense and anti-sense transcription in the murine c-myb attenuator region.

The c-myb proto-oncogene has been found to be expressed at high levels predominantly in normal tissues and tumor cell lines of immature hematopoietic origin (Westin 1982; Gonda 1982; Duprey 1985; Bender 1987a). In each lineage which has been examined expression of c-myb mRNA has been found to decrease during maturation. Recent evidence suggests, at least in the T cell lineage, that expression of c-myb mRNA may switch from high constitutive expression in immature T cells to a cell cycle related mode of expression at more mature stages of development (Thompson 1986; Reed 1986). These findings have suggested that the c-myb gene product may play a role in hematopoietic maturation and that down-regulation of c-myb expression is required for normal development to proceed. Indeed, transfection experiments have demonstrated that constitutive expression of myb may interfere with differentiation in tsE26 transformed monocytic cells and the inducible differentiation of murine erythroleukemia cells (Beug 1987; Clarke 1988). We have begun to examine how c-myb steady state mRNA levels are determined in a series of murine B lymphoid tumors which demonstrate developmentally regulated expression of c-myb mRNA levels. In these tumor cell lines, pre-B cell lymphomas contain 10 to greater than 100 times as much c-myb mRNA than B cell lymphomas or plasmacytomas (Bender 1987a). We find that these differences in steady state c-myb mRNA levels are regulated primarily by a block to transcription elongation which occurs in the first intron of the c-myb locus (Bender 1987b).
A MarR family transcriptional regulator and subinhibitory antibiotics regulate type VI secretion gene clusters in Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Burkholderia pseudomallei, the aetiological agent of melioidosis, is an inhabitant of soil and water in many tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It possesses six distinct type VI secretion systems (T6SS-1 to T6SS-6), but little is known about most of them, as they are poorly expressed in laboratory culture media. A genetic screen was devised to locate a putative repressor of the T6SS-2 gene cluster and a MarR family transcriptional regulator, termed TctR, was identified. The inactivation of tctR resulted in a 50-fold increase in the expression of an hcp2–lacZ transcriptional fusion, indicating that TctR is a negative regulator of the T6SS-2 gene cluster. Surprisingly, the tctR mutation resulted in a significant decrease in the expression of an hcp6–lacZ transcriptional fusion. B. pseudomallei K96243 and a tctR mutant were grown to logarithmic phase in rich culture medium and RNA was isolated and sequenced in order to identify other genes regulated by TctR. The results identified seven gene clusters that were repressed by TctR, including T6SS-2, and three gene clusters that were significantly activated. A small molecule library consisting of 1120 structurally defined compounds was screened to identify a putative ligand (or ligands) that might bind TctR and derepress transcription of the T6SS-2 gene cluster. Seven compounds, six fluoroquinolones and one quinolone, activated the expression of hcp2–lacZ. Subinhibitory ciprofloxacin also increased the expression of the T6SS-3, T6SS-4 and T6SS-6 gene clusters. This study highlights the complex layers of regulatory control that B. pseudomallei utilizes to ensure that T6SS expression only occurs under very defined environmental conditions.
A Theoretical Approach to Female Team Leaders’ Boundary Work Choices:

As organizations face progressively complex challenges, team leader boundary work that is relational and inclusive (i.e., work that relates to others across team boundaries and includes a wide vari...
Enter Maurice Müller (1918–2009)

When Maurice Muller visited with Robert Danis on 1 March, 1950, he spent just 1 day with him at the suggestion of a physician he had previously visited in the Netherlands. Muller recounted:
Biological Weighting Functions for Evaluating the Role of Sunlight-Induced Inactivation of Coliphages at Selected Beaches and Nearby Tributaries.

Coliphages can indicate contamination of recreational waters and previous studies show that sunlight is important in altering densities of coliphages, other indicator microorganisms, and pathogens in aquatic environments. Here, we report on laboratory studies of light-induced inactivation of two coliphage groups—male-specific (F+) and somatic coliphage—under various conditions in phosphate-buffered water (PBW). Strains isolated from wastewater treatment facilities and laboratory strains (MS2 and phiX174 coliphages) were evaluated. Inactivation rates were determined in a series of irradiations using simulated solar radiation passed through light filters that blocked different parts of the ultraviolet spectral region. Inactivation rates and spectral irradiance from these experiments were then analyzed to develop biological weighting functions (BWFs) for the light-induced inactivation. BWFs were used to model the inactivation of coliphages over a range of conditions in aquatic environments that included two ...
A Note on Synchronous Egg Laying in a Seabird Behavior Model

ABSTRACTDuring years when sea surface temperature (SST) is high, gulls in a colony on Protection Island, Washington, USA typically experience low food availability. As SST rises, feeder fish follow...
Critical Differences Between Enzyme Sources in Sensitivity to Detect Time-Dependent Inactivation of CYP2C8

Clopidogrel acyl-β-d-glucuronide is a mechanism-based inhibitor of cytochrome P450 2C8 in human liver microsomes (HLMs). However, time-dependent inactivation (TDI) of CYP2C8 could not be detected in an earlier study in human recombinant CYP2C8 (Supersomes). Here, we investigate whether different enzyme sources exhibit differences in detection of CYP2C8 TDI under identical experimental conditions. Inactivation of CYP2C8 by amiodarone (100 μM), clopidogrel acyl-β-d-glucuronide (100 μM), gemfibrozil 1-O-β-glucuronide (100 μM), and phenelzine (100 μM) was investigated in HLMs and three recombinant human CYP2C8 preparations (Supersomes, Bactosomes, and EasyCYP Bactosomes) using amodiaquine N-deethylation as the marker reaction. Furthermore, the inactivation kinetics of CYP2C8 by clopidogrel glucuronide (5-250 μM) was determined in Supersomes and Bactosomes. Amiodarone caused weak TDI in all enzyme preparations tested, while the extent of inactivation by clopidogrel glucuronide, gemfibrozil glucuronide, and phenelzine varied markedly between preparations, and even different Supersome lots. Both glucuronides caused strong inactivation of CYP2C8 in HLMs, Bactosomes and in one Supersome lot (>50% inhibition), but significant inactivation could not be reliably detected in other Supersome lots or EasyCYP Bactosomes. In Bactosomes, the concentration producing half of kinact (KI) and maximal inactivation rate (kinact) of clopidogrel glucuronide (14 μM and 0.054 minute-1) were similar to those determined previously in HLMs. Phenelzine caused strong inactivation of CYP2C8 in one Supersome lot (91% inhibition) but not in HLMs or other recombinant CYP2C8 preparations. In conclusion, different enzyme sources and different lots of the same recombinant enzyme preparation are not equally sensitive to detect inactivation of CYP2C8, suggesting that recombinant CYPs should be avoided when identifying mechanism-based inhibitors.
History of neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer

Abstract Management of rectal cancer has evolved extensively over the last 30 years. Treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer currently incorporates surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Radiation was initially utilized as a salvage method as historic surgical practices were associated with high morbidity rates. In present day, multiple studies have demonstrated that the use of radiation as an adjunct to surgery decreases local recurrence rates. The now routine practice of total mesorectal excision during rectal cancer surgery has further improved outcomes. Numerous studies have evaluated the chemotherapeutic regimens as adjuncts to radiation therapy. Currently, fluorouracil-based regimens are commonly incorporated into neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer, whereas oxaliplatin has not been incorporated due to more recent studies demonstrating increased toxicity and no clear oncologic benefit. Presently, trials are underway that aim to tailor therapies to specific patterns of disease, in hopes of allowing clinicians to selectively omit components of therapy to limit toxicity and morbidity while maintaining or improving oncologic outcomes. Thus, rectal cancer treatment continues to evolve, and decision-making surround treatment remains highly individualized and nuanced.
Incorporating social-ecological considerations into basin-wide responses to climate change in the Colorado River Basin

During the last 50 years, construction of dams in the western United States declined. This is partly because of increasing recognition of diverse and unintended social-ecological consequences of dams. Today, resource managers are recognizing the wide array of tradeoffs and are including a more diverse group of stakeholders in decision making for individual dams. Yet decisions at the regional scale maintain a focus on a limited number of resources and objectives, leading to inefficient and inequitable outcomes. Social-ecological changes compounded by climate change challenge this management paradigm. Increasing water demands for humans and the environment and renewed interest in hydropower present opportunities for operations that include climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies while considering tradeoffs and equitable responses at the regional scale.
Effects of Quicklime on Insect Colonization

Entomological evidence in the form of immature blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) are often used in forensic investigations to estimate the minimum postmortem interval (mPMI) using species-specific growth charts established under ideal conditions. Clandestine burials often do not fall within these ideal conditions, and insect colonization can be influenced by the presence of chemicals meant to enhance the rate of decay, such as lime. While lime in fact slows decomposition, the direct effect of the presence of lime on insect colonization is poorly represented in literature. Two lamb livers were used as analogues for human remains in a field experiment. They were left open to colonization both treated with lime and untreated and monitored for insect activity. By total number and stage of larvae collected, the results suggest a significant increase in attraction to the lime-treated liver, implying that lime might have acted as an olfactory attractant rather than an olfactory deterrent to gravid Sarcophagidae females.
Exploring the dependence of cell aging dynamics on thermal gradient in battery modules: A PDE-based time scale separation approach

There is an abundance of research dedicated to understanding lithium-ion batteries at the cell-level. However the cell-level models or estimation algorithms cannot be directly applied to battery modules or packs that are composed of tens to hundreds or thousands of cells. Pack or module-level modeling and estimation must take into consideration the temperature distribution manufacturing-induced parameter (impedance capacity) variances pack topology (electrical interconnections) and thermal interactions between cells. In this work we motivate the need for pack or module-level modeling by showing that the aging dynamics of a cell is influenced by the adjacent cells it is interacting with both electrically and thermally. The characteristic time-scale of the vital dynamics of an interconnected cell consisting of a high-fidelity coupled electrochemical- thermal-aging model are studied to reveal a three- time scale behavior. This distinct behavior is explored via singular perturbation theory to derive a reduced-order aging model for an interconnected cell that is shown to depend on the thermal gradient in a serially interconnected module.
Ferromagnetic soft continuum robots

Small-scale soft continuum robots capable of active steering and navigation in a remotely controllable manner hold great promise in diverse areas, particularly in medical applications. Existing continuum robots, however, are often limited to millimeter or centimeter scales due to miniaturization challenges inherent in conventional actuation mechanisms, such as pulling mechanical wires, inflating pneumatic or hydraulic chambers, or embedding rigid magnets for manipulation. In addition, the friction experienced by the continuum robots during navigation poses another challenge for their applications. Here, we present a submillimeter-scale, self-lubricating soft continuum robot with omnidirectional steering and navigating capabilities based on magnetic actuation, which are enabled by programming ferromagnetic domains in its soft body while growing hydrogel skin on its surface. The robot's body, composed of a homogeneous continuum of a soft polymer matrix with uniformly dispersed ferromagnetic microparticles, can be miniaturized below a few hundreds of micrometers in diameter, and the hydrogel skin reduces the friction by more than 10 times. We demonstrate the capability of navigating through complex and constrained environments, such as a tortuous cerebrovascular phantom with multiple aneurysms. We further demonstrate additional functionalities, such as steerable laser delivery through a functional core incorporated in the robot's body. Given their compact, self-contained actuation and intuitive manipulation, our ferromagnetic soft continuum robots may open avenues to minimally invasive robotic surgery for previously inaccessible lesions, thereby addressing challenges and unmet needs in healthcare.
Abstract 143: Increased Contrast Enhancement of the Parent Vessel of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms in 7T Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background: Aneurysm formation and growth might be explained by a local inflammatory/vasculopathic process that debilitates the wall of the parent artery. Recently, the presence of aneurysm enhance...
Pricing Climate Change Risk in Corporate Bonds

Using a firm’s geographic footprint to measure its exposure to sea level rise (SLR), I find that corporate bonds bear a climate risk premium upon issuance. A one standard deviation increase in firms’ SLR exposure is associated with a 7 basis point premium, representing a 3% increase in average yield spread. This effect is more pronounced for geographically concentrated firms, within industries vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, and after the Paris Agreement. I do not find evidence that credit rating agencies account for SLR exposure at bond issuance. Results are robust to placebo tests and inverse propensity weighting to address possible endogeneity.
Driving With Hemianopia VII: Predicting Hazard Detection With Gaze and Head Scan Magnitude.

Purpose One rehabilitation strategy taught to individuals with hemianopic field loss (HFL) is to make a large blind side scan to quickly identify hazards. However, it is not clear what the minimum threshold is for how large the scan should be. Using driving simulation, we evaluated thresholds (criteria) for gaze and head scan magnitudes that best predict detection safety. Methods Seventeen participants with complete HFL and 15 with normal vision (NV) drove through 4 routes in a virtual city while their eyes and head were tracked. Participants pressed the horn as soon as they detected a motorcycle (10 per drive) that appeared 54 degrees eccentricity on cross-streets and approached toward the driver. Results Those with HFL detected fewer motorcycles than those with NV and had worse detection on the blind side than the seeing side. On the blind side, both safe detections and early detections (detections before the hazard entered the intersection) could be predicted with both gaze (safe 18.5 degrees and early 33.8 degrees) and head (safe 19.3 degrees and early 27 degrees) scans. However, on the seeing side, only early detections could be classified with gaze (25.3 degrees) and head (9.0 degrees). Conclusions Both head and gaze scan magnitude were significant predictors of detection on the blind side, but less predictive on the seeing side, which was likely driven by the ability to use peripheral vision. Interestingly, head scans were as predictive as gaze scans. Translational Relevance The minimum scan magnitude could be a useful criterion for scanning training or for developing assistive technologies to improve scanning.
How the timing of performance feedback impacts individual performance

Using a multi-step task setting where learning can help improve individual task performance, I experimentally examine the effect of the timing of performance feedback in an initial period on future task performance when this feedback is absent. I find an inverted-U relation between the timing of feedback and future performance. When feedback is provided before implementation of an initial decision, high learning costs discourage individuals from learning in the initial period to the detriment of future performance. Further, when feedback is provided after extended delays beyond implementation of a decision, learning costs increase relative to those present when feedback is provided after a short delay, resulting in lower learning and future performance. As such, I find that providing feedback immediately following implementation of a decision most effectively promotes learning and future performance as this is the point at which learning costs are lowest. My study extends prior research on feedback timing by incorporating the notion that learning costs fluctuate throughout the phases of a multi-step task and offers practical implications for designing performance evaluation and feedback systems.
Chronobiology of Natriuretic Peptides and Blood Pressure in Lean and Obese Individuals.

Abstract Background Diurnal variation of natriuretic peptide (NP) levels and its relationship with 24-h blood pressure (BP) rhythm has not been established. Obese individuals have a relative NP deficiency and disturbed BP rhythmicity. Objectives This clinical trial evaluated the diurnal rhythmicity of NPs (B-type natriuretic peptide [BNP], mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide [MR-proANP], N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP]) and the relationship of NP rhythm with 24-h BP rhythm in healthy lean and obese individuals. Methods On the background of a standardized diet, healthy, normotensive, lean (body mass index 18.5 to 25 kg/m2) and obese (body mass index 30 to 45 kg/m2) individuals, age 18 to 40 years, underwent 24-h inpatient protocol involving ambulatory BP monitoring starting 24 h prior to the visit, controlled light intensity, and repeated blood draws for assessment of analytes. Cosinor analysis of normalized NP levels (normalized to 24-h mean value) was conducted to assess the diurnal NP rhythm and its relationship with systolic BP. Results Among 52 participants screened, 40 participants (18 lean, 22 obese; 50% women; 65% Black) completed the study. The median range spread (percentage difference between the minimum and maximum values) over 24 h for MR-proANP, BNP, and NT-proBNP levels was 72.0% (interquartile range [IQR]: 50.9% to 119.6%), 75.5% (IQR: 50.7% to 106.8%), and 135.0% (IQR: 66.3% to 270.4%), respectively. A cosine wave-shaped 24-h oscillation of normalized NP levels (BNP, MR-proANP, and NT-proBNP) was noted both in lean and obese individuals (prhythmicity Conclusions This human physiological trial elucidates evidence of diurnal NP rhythmicity and the presence of an NP-BP rhythm axis. There exists a misalignment of the NP-BP diurnal rhythm in the obese, which may contribute to the disturbed diurnal BP pattern observed among obese individuals. (The Diurnal Rhythm in Natriuretic Peptide Levels; NCT03834168 )
Border crossings through translation in the Ḥadīẕ de Yūçuf

The Ḥadīẕ de Yūcuf, based on Sūrah 12 of the Qur’ān, shows the role of translation as a border that delimits the confines of the faith, but that, at the same time, functions as a door that facilita...
Vote-by-mail Ballot Rejection and Experience with Mail-in Voting:

Although most ballots in the United States have historically been cast in-person, Americans are increasingly voting by mail, a trend that accelerated in the 2020 General Election. Mail ballots can ...
Melatonin and melatonin-receptor agonists to prevent delirium in hospitalized older adults: An umbrella review.

Abstract Background Alterations in circadian rhythm play an important role in the development of delirium. In this umbrella review, we examined the efficacy of melatonin and ramelteon for delirium prevention in hospitalized older adults. Methods Umbrella review methodology from the Joanna Briggs Institute guided the review process. Only meta-analyses were included. Risk of bias was evaluated using the AMSTAR-2 checklist. Results Three meta-analyses were included in this review. The quality of studies was low-to-moderate. Two meta-analyses reported a significant reduction in delirium using melatonin or ramelteon (pooled OR and 95% confidence intervals ranged from 0.41 [0.19-0.86] to 0.63 [0.46-0.87]). Melatonergics significantly reduced delirium on medical units (OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.07-0.88) but not surgical units (OR = 0.62, 0.16-2.43). Heterogenity was high, with I2 ranging from 72.14% to 84%. Conclusions Melatonergics appear to prevent delirium among hospitalized older adults, particularly those on medical units. Based on these results, providers may consider using melatonergics as complements to high-quality multicomponent delirium prevention.
Shared medical decision making.

To the Editor: I am concerned with the conclusion of the Commentary by Dr McNutt on shared medical decision making. I cannot understand why any physician would want to “maximize decisional conflict” in a patient already stressed with an illness and decrease the chance of a positive patient outcome. It appears that the described process of decision making is more for the benefit of the physician than the patient. My patients express 2 common desires: to be treated with dignity and to have a caring relationship with their physician. The former includes honestly educating patients about prescribed treatments, including possible negative outcomes. However, the latter sometimes demands that physicians extend themselves as they attempt to educate patients, even when they know that words shape concepts. Doing so without prejudice can be difficult, but not doing so is to abdicate an important responsibility. Simply tossing out numbers and sitting back with arms folded while patients sweat over information they may not understand may leave the physician less stressed, but it is not good medicine. There is a middle ground between arm folding and dictating treatment in a paternalistic fashion. Decisions characterized as “not really to be made by the patient” and those where patients are supposed to reflect are not members of 2 different sets—they fall on a continuum. Consider religious sects that oppose the use of antibiotics or the transfusion of blood. Decision making in these 2 circumstances cannot ignore patient input even though clinical realities might suggest only 1 rational treatment. Finally, unilaterally declaring that patients will learn to accept the responsibility of choosing is arbitrary at best. Patients typically experience serious illness as a pop-quiz for which they have not prepared. They bring to the test personal strengths and weaknesses and lifelong ethical viewpoints. Appropriate care should include working to understand these rather than forcing any change. I also found the “navigator/pilot” metaphor misleading. If a pilot crashes, the navigator usually crashes along with him—the navigator shares the same risk as a pilot. I believe that is the opposite of what the metaphor was intended to convey. The vagaries of life preclude absolute assurances about anything. Perhaps our most appropriate goal is to help patients find comfort with whatever decision they make.
Wonder and the Elemental

This paper approaches the experience of wonder phenomenologically. The account is descriptive. I suggest that in addition to the familiar treatments of wonder as constituted through a break with everyday involvement, on the one hand, and an awareness of the sheer fact of existence, on the other, the experience of wonder involves an intensification of the primary contact by which the world is given. That contact is prior to and presupposed by both our involvement with objects as implements of mediation and our relation to others as persons. Because of that, wonder is depersonalizing and neutralizing, and so takes place outside any sense of ethical obligation. In contrast to efforts that aim at linking wonder and the good, I suggest that wonder is more aptly understood as making us deeper without making us better.
Multisensor evidence integration and optimization in rail inspection

For safety purpose, railroad tracks must be inspected regularly for defects or other design non-compliances. One crucial building block in an automatic inspection system is to detect different types of railroad track objects. We introduce a novel global optimization framework to combine evidence from multiple cameras and the distance measuring instrument to improve rail object detection. Our framework leverages the cross-object spatial constraints enforced by the sequential structure of rail tracks, as well as the cross-frame and cross-view constraints in camera streams. Experimental results on real rail track-driving data demonstrates that our approach achieves superior performance compared to processing each data stream independently. We argue that our approach can be extended to other embodiments involving linear sequential structures, such as pipeline, highway and road inspection.
Teaching the Unteachable? Leadership Studies at Bucknell University

We describe a popular and effective experience-based Performing to Learn curriculum in management and leadership studies. We have developed and tested experiential learning cycle methods, integrated in Perform - Reflect - Design sequences, for our introductory business, mid-level investments and capstone strategy courses, culminating in an especially successful senior general education Leadership Studies seminar. Lessons from these curricular experiments strongly confirm those from our own organizational leadership and management experiences in business, military and academic organizations: Experiential learning methods provide solid bridges between theory and practice in Management and Leadership education.
MulVAL: a logic-based network security analyzer

To determine the security impact software vulnerabilities have on a particular network, one must consider interactions among multiple network elements. For a vulnerability analysis tool to be useful in practice, two features are crucial. First, the model used in the analysis must be able to automatically integrate formal vulnerability specifications from the bug-reporting community. Second, the analysis must be able to scale to networks with thousands of machines. We show how to achieve these two goals by presenting MulVAL, an end-to-end framework and reasoning system that conducts multihost, multistage vulnerability analysis on a network. MulVAL adopts Datalog as the modeling language for the elements in the analysis (bug specification, configuration description, reasoning rules, operating-system permission and privilege model, etc.). We easily leverage existing vulnerability-database and scanning tools by expressing their output in Datalog and feeding it to our MulVAL reasoning engine. Once the information is collected, the analysis can be performed in seconds for networks with thousands of machines. We implemented our framework on the Red Hat Linux platform. Our framework can reason about 84% of the Red Hat bugs reported in OVAL, a formal vulnerability definition language. We tested our tool on a real network with hundreds of users. The tool detected a policy violation caused by software vulnerabilities and the system administrators took remediation measures.
Motor unit control in human vastus lateralis muscle during fatigue

We investigated the motor unit firing behavior of the vastus lateralis muscle during a sequence of isometric constant-torque contractions maintained at 20% of the maximum voluntary contraction and repeated to exhaustion. Electromyographic signals were recorded via quadrifilar fine wire electrodes and decomposed into their constituent action potentials to obtain the motor unit firing times. In addition, we measured the whole-muscle mechanical properties during the fatigue protocol using electrical stimulation. In four out of five subjects, the firing rate of motor units first decreased within the first 10% - 20% of the endurance time and then increased. The firing rate increase was accompanied by an increase in the number of motor units recruited to reach and maintain the constant target torque. The elicited twitch and tetanic torque responses first increased and then decreased. In one subject, the initial decrease in firing rate was absent, but so was the increase in the torque response. Overall, the two processes followed the same time course and complemented each other. These data are consistent with an activation of the motor unit pool via a common drive that adjusts to compensate for the potentiation and diminution of the mechanical output of the muscle fibers.
Gene expression patterns vary in clonal cell cultures from Rett syndrome females with eight different MECP2 mutations

Females with the neurological disorder Rett syndrome are heterozygous for mutations in X-linked MECP2 that encodes methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) thought to act as a transcriptional repressor. To identify target genes for MeCP2 modulation, we studied global gene expression in single cell-derived wild-type and mutant MECP2 expressing fibroblast clones with four common mutations (R106W, R306C, 705delG, 1155del32) and in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) that included four mutant MeCP2 (T158M, 803delG, R168X and 1159del28) expressing, and five (1159del28, R106W, R255X, 803delG, 803delG) wild-type MeCP2 expressing lines. Clonality and mutation status were verified by androgen receptor methylation assays for X-inactivation and by sequencing MECP2 transcripts. Expression studies were done with oligonucleotide microarrays (Affymetrix U95) and verified with real-time quantitative RT-PCR using Sybr Green. Expression of 49 transcripts was increased, and expression of 21 transcripts was decreased, in at least 3 of 4 mutant/wild-type fibroblast comparisons. Transcript levels of 11 genes, determined by quantitative RT-PCR, were highly correlated with the microarray data. Therefore, multiple additional clones from two Rett individuals were tested by RT-PCR only. Striking expression differences were found in both mutant and wildtype MeCP2 expressing clones. Comparing expression profiles of lymphoblastoid cell lines yielded 16 differentially expressed genes. MeCP2 deficiency does not lead to global deregulation of gene expression. Either MeCP2's in vivo function does not involve widespread transcriptional repression, or its function is redundant in cell types that also express other methyl-CpG binding proteins. Our data suggest that clonal fibroblast strains may show substantial inter-strain variation, making them a difficult and unstable resource for genome-wide expression profiling studies.
Abstraction Selection in Model-based Reinforcement Learning

State abstractions are often used to reduce the complexity of model-based reinforcement learning when only limited quantities of data are available. However, choosing the appropriate level of abstraction is an important problem in practice. Existing approaches have theoretical guarantees only under strong assumptions on the domain or asymptotically large amounts of data, but in this paper we propose a simple algorithm based on statistical hypothesis testing that comes with a finite-sample guarantee under assumptions on candidate abstractions. Our algorithm trades off the low approximation error of finer abstractions against the low estimation error of coarser abstractions, resulting in a loss bound that depends only on the quality of the best available abstraction and is polynomial in planning horizon.
Angiotensinogen gene expression in adipose tissue: analysis of obese models and hormonal and nutritional control

Synthesis of angiotensin II (ANG II) has recently been described in adipose cells and has been linked to regulation of adiposity. Angiotensinogen (AGT), the substrate from which ANG II is formed, was previously shown to be elevated in adipose tissue of obese (ob/ob and db/db) mice and regulated by nutritional manipulation. It is unknown, however, whether overexpression of adipose AGT can be extended to other models of obesity and whether hormonal and/or nutritional factors directly regulate AGT expression in adipocytes. We investigated these possibilities by analyzing AGT mRNA levels in adipose tissue of obese Zucker rats, viable yellow (Avy) mice, and humans and by treating 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin, glucose, and a beta-adrenergic agonist. We demonstrate that AGT mRNA is decreased by approximately 50 and 80%, respectively, in adipose tissue of obese vs. lean Zucker rats and Avy mice. We also report that AGT is expressed at variable levels in human adipose tissue. Finally, we show that AGT mRNA is upregulated by insulin and downregulated by beta-adrenergic stimulation in adipocytes.
Women's Athletic News

(1950). Women's Athletic News. Journal of the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation: Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 232-234.
Simultaneous mastopexy in patients undergoing prophylactic nipple-sparing mastectomies and immediate reconstruction.

Summary Background In some patients, a satisfactory aesthetic result of reconstruction following a nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) is limited by breast ptosis that goes uncorrected in the early phase of reconstruction. Most plastic surgeons remain hesitant to perform a mastopexy at the time of NSM due to concerns with nipple and/or skin flap loss. Methods From 1990 to 1995, 33 female patients underwent NSM with simultaneous mastopexy and immediate implant-based reconstruction by a single surgeon at our institution. On chart review, the following data were extracted: age, co-morbidity, indication, breast size, initial/final implant volumes, type of implant, mastopexy technique, mastectomy flap/nipple necrosis, other complications, revision surgery and follow-up. An unpaired, two-tailed t -test was performed where indicated. P -value Results Wound complications occurred in 18.2% patients (10.9% breasts) without delaying tissue expansion. As many as 3% patients developed unilateral, isolated partial ischaemia of the mastectomy flap and 8% patients developed unilateral, superficial areolar loss. All resolved with conservative treatment. Only one patient developed bilateral total nipple loss. There was no correlation between preoperative breast size and postoperative complications. None of the patients developed breast cancer. Average follow-up was 11.6 years. Conclusion With proper technique, simultaneous mastopexy is a safe procedure in highly selected patients undergoing NSM with reconstruction.
LM2500 Reliability Improvements for United States Navy Applications

The United States Navy uses the General Electric LM2500 gas turbine engine for main propulsion on its newest surface combatants including the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY (FFG 7) class frigates, SPRUANCE (DD 963) class destroyers, TICONDEROGA (CG 47) class cruisers, ARLIEGH BURKE (DDG 51) class destroyers and SUPPLY (AOE 6) class oilers. Currently, the Navy operates a fleet of over 400 LM2500 gas turbine engines. This paper discusses the ongoing efforts to characterize the availability of the engines aboard ship and pinpoint systems/components that have significant impact on engine reliability. In addition, the program plan to upgrade the LM2500’s standard configuration to improve reliability is delineated.© 2000 ASME
Solution of linear two-point boundary value problems via Fourier series and application to optimal control of linear systems

Abstract The transformation matrix relating the back vector to the current time vector for the Fourier series is derived and utilized to solve the linear two-point boundary value problem. This approach can be applied to obtain the optimal control of linear systems subject to quadratic cost criteria. Illustrative examples are given.
Dissolution-rate enhancement of fenofibrate by adsorption onto silica using supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract Dissolution rate of a poorly water-soluble drug, fenofibrate, is increased by adsorbing the drug onto silica. The adsorption is achieved by first dissolving the drug in supercritical carbon dioxide and then depressurizing the solution onto silica. Loadings of up to 27.5 wt.% drug onto silica are obtained. Since solvents are not used in the loading process, the fenofibrate/silica formulation is free of any residual solvent, and carbon dioxide is freely removed upon depressurization. The formulation is characterized using infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. Based on in vitro dissolution study, a significant increase in the dissolution rate (∼80% drug release in 20 min) of drug–silica formulation is observed as compared to micronized fenofibrate (∼20% drug release in 20 min), which can be attributed to increase in the surface area and decrease in the crystallinity of drug after adsorption onto silica. Two different formulations are compared: (A) amorphous fenofibrate/silica and (B) slightly crystalline fenofibrate/silica. The second formulation is found to be more stable on storage.
Persistence of methyl parathion residues on sunflower seeds.

Growers of minor crops, or crops that yield marginal profits, face a particular problem in their efforts to control insect pests. Potential insecticide usage is often not great enough to stimulate widespread interest in securing data necessary to obtain a label for its use on the crop. Sunflower is a crop that falls within this category.
Preventing post-traumatic epilepsy after brain injury: weighing the costs and benefits of anticonvulsant prophylaxis

If the primary goal in the treatment of traumatic brain injury is the minimization of post-injury morbidity, treatment strategies that effectively prevent the development of post-traumatic epilepsy and have a beneficial (or at least neutral) impact on functional recovery are necessary. Here, Theresa Hernandez discusses the degree to which the current post-injury practice of anticonvulsant prophylaxis satisfies each of these criteria.
Leveraging parasport events for community participation: development of a theoretical framework

Research question: Sporting events have become highly sought after tools for economic, tourism, and social development in cities around the world; however, little is understood about how to effectively leverage events. This purpose of this paper is to present a framework for leveraging small-medium scale sporting events for increasing community accessibility and opportunities for persons with a disability to participate in sport, recreation, and leisure.Research methods: Drawing upon interview and documentary data that are part of a broader research project that examines how small-medium scale sporting events have and can be leveraged to enhance accessible opportunities in local communities, the data were reanalysed focused postevent learning in regards to leveraging strategies for future event opportunities in order to build the framework.Results and findings: The Parasport-leveraging Framework is presented here as an emergent leveraging structure that shifts the focus of parasport event legacies away fr...
Stability in the HIV vDNA pool in peripheral CD4+ T cells of untreated patients by single tube quantitative PCR

HIV infection leads to loss of CD4 T cells and development of AIDS in most individuals without treatment. While disease progression during HIV infection correlates with the plasma viral load, much less is known about the levels of HIV vDNA. This paper describes the development and validation of a sensitive, quantitative PCR assay for the assessment of HIV vDNA. The system uses novel single tube, multiply competitive PCR technology, which allows five-point competitor competition in a single PCR reaction. The reproducibility and performance characteristics of the assay are extensively studied, which indicate that the system performs well in high DNA backgrounds. Using this assay system on a cohort of protease naive patients, HIV vDNA was assessed from PBMCs over an average follow-up period of 5 years. The data indicate that the HIV vDNA pool does not appreciably accumulate over the follow-up period, with many of the patients followed for up to 8 years. A reliable, quantitative assessment of vDNA pools will allow a better understanding of the dynamics of HIV pathogenesis.
Anomalous snowfall caused by Natural-Draft cooling towers

Abstract Field observations and numerical simulation are used to define circumstances under which plumes from large natural-draft cooling towers should be expected to glaciate and cause snowfall. The joint condition of temperature at the plume summit colder than −13°C and saturation deficit with respect to liquid less than 0.5 gm−3 was found to be the primary prerequisite for snowfall. If the plume merges with a cloud layer, the flux of snow may exceed the water vapor flux from the cooling tower.