cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Workload management for dynamic mobile device clusters in edge femtoclouds

Edge computing offers an alternative to centralized, in-the-cloud compute services. Among the potential advantages of edge computing are lower latency that improves responsiveness, reduced wide-area network congestion, and possibly greater privacy by keeping data more local. In our previous work on Femtoclouds, we proposed taking advantage of clusters of devices that tend to be co-located in places such as public transit, classrooms or coffee shops. These clusters can perform computations for jobs generated from within or outside of the cluster. In this paper, we address the full requirements of workload management in Femtoclouds. These functions enable a Femtocloud to provide a service to job initiators that is similar to that provided by a centralized cloud service. We develop a system architecture that relies on the cloud to efficiently control and manage a Femtocloud. Within this architecture, we develop adaptive workload management mechanisms and algorithms to manage resources and effectively mask churn. We implement a prototype of our Femtocloud system on Android devices and utilize it to evaluate the overall system performance. We use simulation to isolate and study the impact of our workload management mechanisms and test the system at scale. Our prototype and simulation results demonstrate the efficiency of the Femtocloud workload management mechanisms especially in situations with potentially high churn. For instance, our mechanisms can reduce the average job completion time by up to 26% compared to similar mechanisms used in traditional cloud computing systems when used in situations that suggest high churn.
“Press Every Angle”: FBI Public Relations and the “Smear Campaign” of 1958

Abstract When criticized by writer Fred J. Cook in The Nation, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and his associates declared a communist-organized smear campaign was under way and quietly called upon a trusted team of adjuncts in the press and Congress to offer a timely and “objective” defense of his organization. United by their anti-communist ideology and employing an information subsidy provided by FBI investigators, defenders in the press and Congress criticized The Nation, portraying the publication as outside the mainstream while changing the subject to more FBI-friendly topics. The lengths to which Hoover and his defenders went to counter criticism published in The Nation demonstrates the tremendous value FBI officials placed on maintaining a positive public image. The willingness of members of the press to come to Hoover's defense demonstrates the value an association with the FBI held for adjuncts in the press and Congress.
Bullying victimization-perpetration link during early adolescence in South Korea: applying the individual trait approach and opportunity perspective

The current study applied an opportunity perspective and an individual trait approach to explain the link between bullying perpetration and victimization among early adolescents in South Korea. Thi...
Methods for Baculovirus Amplification - Application to Large Scale Recombinant Protein Production in Insect Cells

Baculovirus amplification in one insect cell line Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf21) and subsequent recombinant protein production in another cell line, Trichoplusia ni, has been achieved within a single bioreactor. The advantages of this single bioreactor configuration include minimization of the virus volumes and titres required for large scale protein expression experiments as well as optimization of the infection process itself.
miRNAs in Bone Repair

Abstract Bone repair takes place in overlapping stages; it involves cells derived from three distinct progenitor types, including mesenchymal, epithelial, and hematopoietic lineages. miRNAs play an integral role in lineage commitment and differentiation, as well as function, of osteoblasts, chondrocytes, osteoclasts, and vascular cells. The effects of individual miRNAs are cell context–dependent, and as yet no miRNA has been identified that can be targeted for the purpose of facilitating repair. However, increased understanding of the bone repair process, coupled with advances in the understanding of miRNA–target interactions in cells present at the fracture site and in other tissues, will facilitate the translation of miRNA-based therapeutics to the clinic. Bone remodeling, fracture repair, and some key miRNA–target interactions active in these functions are outlined in this chapter.
Sharp Exponential Inequalities for the Martingales in the 2-Smooth Banach Spaces and Applications to “Scalarizing” Decoupling

In this paper, it is shown that the basic exponential inequality for the martingales in the 2-smooth Banach spaces found in Pinelis (1994) can be slightly improved so that one obtains inequalities, which are sharp in all the Banach spaces called below precisely (2, D)-smooth [e.g., for any p ≥ 2 and any non-atomic measure space (T, A, v), Lp : = Lp(T,A,v) is precisely (2, √p - 1 )-smooth]. As applications, decoupling inequalities for exponential and power moments are given, which also possess “scalarizing” and symmetrizing effects. In turn, the decoupling exponential inequality leads to vector martingale inequalities in terms of the sums of conditional moments of the martingale differences, rather than in terms of the L ∞ norm of such sums. The results are believed to be new even in the particular case of the Hilbert spaces.
Neoliberalism, Contentious Politics, and the Rise of Authoritarianism in Southeast Asia

Authoritarian movements are on the march globally. Southeast Asia is no exception. Our aim in this chapter is to gain a sense of the dynamics of this trend in Southeast Asia. Democracy is definitely on the wane in the region, with only Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Myanmar meeting the criteria of having competitive electoral politics and the non-monopolization of power by any single individual or institution, to use the narrowest definition of democracy. Moreover, with the exception of Indonesia, one would find it difficult to characterize the others as being in a healthy state. In Myanmar, the military is non-accountable to the fragile civilian administration led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Malaysia’s democratic system is built on the institutionalized supremacy of one ethnic group, the Malays, over another, the Chinese. And while the Philippine government continues to retain the trappings of electoral democracy, under the presidency of President Rodrigo Duterte, it is fast sliding into strongman rule, with widespread state-sponsored extra-judicial executions carried out with impunity and a largely successful concerted executive effort to subjugate Congress and the Supreme Court.
Student Attitudes Toward Campus Diversity at the U.S. Naval Academy: Evidence From Conjoint Survey Experiments:

Although the value of diversity—in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status—to the U.S. military has been subject to debate, preferences for diversity at educational institutions ...
Structures of TRPV2 in distinct conformations provide insight into role of the pore turret.

Cation channels of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family serve important physiological roles by opening in response to diverse intra- and extracellular stimuli that regulate their lower or upper gates. Despite extensive studies, the mechanism coupling these gates has remained obscure. Previous structures have failed to resolve extracellular loops, known in the TRPV subfamily as ‘pore turrets’, which are proximal to the upper gates. We established the importance of the pore turret through activity assays and by solving structures of rat TRPV2, both with and without an intact turret at resolutions of 4.0 A and 3.6 A, respectively. These structures resolve the full-length pore turret and reveal fully open and partially open states of TRPV2, both with unoccupied vanilloid pockets. Our results suggest a mechanism by which physiological signals, such as lipid binding, can regulate the lower gate and couple to the upper gate through a pore-turret-facilitated mechanism. Cryo-EM structures of rat TRPV2 reveal the architecture of the full-length pore turret and suggest the regulatory role that the turret and lipid binding have in coupling the lower and upper gates of the channel.
Taking Teaching and Learning Seriously: A Tribute to Professor Susan Martyn

Professor Susan Martyn is an inspiring and dedicated teacher. She inspires me by her teaching, her work with students in the classroom, as well as with lawyers in continuing legal education programs, and her writing for scholars and the public. The invitation to write in a law review edition honoring this amazing professor and scholar provided the opportunity to contemplate a topic that is central to my life and the lives of most who teach: What is good teaching, and how do we increase good teaching and good learning in legal education today? We are in a time of stunning change, and there is no question that the problems facing legal education today are significant. According to Thomas W. Lyons III, a Rhode Island lawyer who is a member of the American Bar Association’s Task Force on the Future of Legal Education, “There is almost universal agreement that the current system is broken.” Numerous commentators and legal scholars have documented the rapid change in today’s legal world and articulated problems in legal education.
Point-of-Care Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Retinal Detachment, Vitreous Hemorrhage, and Vitreous Detachment in the Emergency Department

Importance Ocular symptoms represent approximately 2% to 3% of all emergency department (ED) visits. These disease processes may progress to permanent vision loss if not diagnosed and treated quickly. Use of ocular point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) may be effective for early and accurate detection of ocular disease. Objective To perform a large-scale, multicenter study to determine the utility of POCUS for diagnosing retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, and vitreous detachment in the ED. Design, Setting, and Participants A prospective diagnostic study was conducted at 2 academic EDs and 2 county hospital EDs from February 3, 2016, to April 30, 2018. Patients who were eligible for inclusion were older than 18 years; were English- or Spanish-speaking; presented to the ED with ocular symptoms with concern for retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, or vitreous detachment; and underwent an ophthalmologic consultation that included POCUS. Patients with ocular trauma or suspicion for globe rupture were excluded. The accuracy of the ultrasonographic diagnosis was compared with the criterion standard of the final diagnosis of an ophthalmologist who was masked to the POCUS findings. Seventy-five unique emergency medicine attending physicians, resident physicians, and physician assistants performed ocular ultrasonography. Exposure Point-of-care ultrasonography performed by an emergency medicine attending physician, resident physician, or physician assistant. Main Outcomes and Measures Sensitivity and specificity of POCUS in identifying retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, and vitreous detachment in patients presenting to the ED with ocular symptoms. Results Two hundred twenty-five patients were enrolled. Of these, the mean age was 51 years (range, 18-91 years) and 135 (60.0%) were men; ophthalmologists diagnosed 47 (20.8%) with retinal detachment, 54 (24.0%) with vitreous hemorrhage, and 34 (15.1%) with vitreous detachment. Point-of-care ultrasonography had an overall sensitivity of 96.9% (95% CI, 80.6%-99.6%) and specificity of 88.1% (95% CI, 81.8%-92.4%) for diagnosis of retinal detachment. For diagnosis of vitreous hemorrhage, the sensitivity of POCUS was 81.9% (95% CI, 63.0%-92.4%) and specificity was 82.3% (95% CI, 75.4%-87.5%). For vitreous detachment, the sensitivity was 42.5% (95% CI, 24.7%-62.4%) and specificity was 96.0% (95% CI, 91.2%-98.2%). Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that emergency medicine practitioners can use POCUS to accurately identify retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, and vitreous detachment. Point-of-care ultrasonography is not intended to replace the role of the ophthalmologist for definitive diagnosis of these conditions, but it may serve as an adjunct to help emergency medicine practitioners improve care for patients with ocular symptoms.
Homologation of carboxylic acids by improved methods based on radical chain chemistry of acyl derivatives of N-hydroxy-2-thiopyridone

Abstract Reaction of substituted terminal olefins with carbon radicals generated carboxylic acids gives adducts that can be transformed to one carbon atom longer homo-acids in high overall yield. With 6b yields are very good and the conditions of hydrolysis exceptionally mild.
Partnering with new mothers to develop a smart phone app to prevent maternal mortality after hospital discharge: A pilot study

Background In the United States, approximately 700 women die annually from pregnancy-related complications in the first year after birth; a significant number of the deaths occur after hospital discharge. Although postpartum monitoring is important, the standard practice is for one healthcare evaluation at 6 weeks post-birth. Most women are not aware of signs of postpartum complications. Aim The aim of the pilot study was to develop a prototype of a mobile app aimed at increasing a new mother's ability to monitor her own health after childbirth. Design The design used mixed methods and procedures from human-centred design in an iterative process. Methods Data were collected by the researchers from January - May 2019 in a hospital that serves primarily low income and underserved women in the southern US. Three groups of women provided data related to health education preferences or their reaction to a mock-up or prototype mobile app. Several women completed the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS; N = 22). Results Themes from interviews indicated that women (N = 5) preferred electronic health education and that they used apps to monitor their pregnancies. Other new mothers (n-5) described their overall reaction to the proposed features of the app which was incorporated into the design of the app that was tested by the third group of new mothers (N = 22) who were positive about interactions with the app. The MARS scores for the app were positive. Conclusions New mothers indicated that they would be willing to use an app to monitor their own postpartum health. Impact Data from the pilot study informed the development of a prototype mobile app that can now be used in a clinical trial with new mothers to monitor their own health and report concerns to healthcare providers.
Central thalamus modulates consciousness by controlling layer-specific cortical interactions

Abstract Consciousness is the capacity to experience one’s environment and internal states. The minimal mechanisms sufficient to produce this experience, the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC), are thought to involve thalamocortical and intracortical interactions, but the key operations and circuit paths are unclear. We simultaneously recorded neural activity in central thalamus and across layers of fronto-parietal cortex in awake, sleeping and anesthetized macaques. Spiking activity was selectively reduced in deep cortical layers and thalamus during unconsciousness, as were intracolumnar and interareal interactions at alpha and gamma frequencies. Gamma-frequency stimulation, when focused on the central lateral thalamus of anesthetized macaques, counteracted these neural changes and restored consciousness. These findings suggest that the NCC involve both corticocortical feedforward and feedback pathways coordinated with intracolumnar and thalamocortical loops. Summary Stimulation of central lateral thalamus counters anesthesia to restore wake cortical dynamics and consciousness.
Microvascular Decompression of the Trigeminal Nerve with Petrous Sling Technique: Surgical Video.

The retrosigmoid approach for microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve (TN) is an established and highly effective technique for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia due to vascular compression. It is common to place a pledget or other cushion material between the source of vascular compression, typically the superior cerebellar artery (SCA), and the TN after vessel mobilization and decompression. A previous study demonstrated the use of a tentorial sling on the SCA to maintain decompression of the TN, with encouraging results. 1 In this video, we demonstrate a novel technique using a Gore-Tex (W. L. Gore & Associates, Newark, Delaware) sling wrapped around the SCA and secured with a vascular clip on the petrous dura to maintain decompression of the TN ( Video 1 ). Informed consent was obtained from the patient. He tolerated the procedure well with excellent pain relief and was discharged on postoperative day 1.
Decoupling the effects of nanopore size and surface roughness on the attachment, spreading and differentiation of bone marrow-derived stem cells

The nanopore size and roughness of nanoporous surface are two critical variables in determining stem cell fate, but little is known about the contribution from each cue individually. To address this gap, we use two-dimensional nanoporous membranes with controlled nanopore size and roughness to culture bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and study their behaviors such as attachment, spreading and differentiation. We find that increasing the roughness of nanoporous surface has no noticeable effect on cell attachment, and only slightly decreases cell spreading areas and inhibits osteogenic differentiation. However, BMSCs cultured on membranes with larger nanopores have significantly fewer attached cells and larger spreading areas. Moreover, these cells cultured on larger nanopores undergo enhanced osteogenic differentiation by expressing more alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, osteopontin, and secreting more collagen type I. These results suggest that although both nanopore size and roughness can affect BMSCs, nanopore size plays a more significant role than roughness in controlling BMSC behavior.
On the Coding of Negative Quantities in Cortical Circuits

Mullers Law of specific nerve energies introduced the idea that nerves transmit information about specific sensory features. This concept has been refined by the notion of 'labeled lines,' specific cells that capture sub-features of a sensory or motor stimulus, such as Hubel and Weisel's opponent color cells. Such features can be visualized as coding a signed quantity that has positive and negative components that are encoded with separate nerve cells. We show that there are two important consequences when learning receptive field using signed codings in circuits. The first is that in feedback circuits even simple operations need to be distributed across multiple distinct pathways. The second consequence is that such pathways are necessarily dynamic. Synaptic weights change during learning and must break and grow new circuit connections because the weights need to change sign during receptive field formation.
What Are Risk Factors for Intraoperative Humerus Fractures During Revision Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty and Do They Influence Outcomes

Background With the increase in shoulder arthroplasty rates, the number of perioperative complications, such as periprosthetic fractures, continues to be a rise; however, the risk factors and incidence of intraoperative complications, such as fractures, during revision reverse shoulder arthroplasty are not well established.
Alienation: With words that appear like bats

The most formidable hurdle facing all readers of Marx is his ‘peculiar’ use of words. Vilfredo Pareto provides us with the classic statement of this problem when he asserts that Marx's words are like bats: one can see in them both birds and mice. No more profound observation has ever been offered on our subject. Thinkers through the years have noticed how hard it is to pin Marx down to particular meanings, and have generally treated their non-comprehension as a criticism. Yet, without a firm knowledge of what Marx is trying to convey with his terms, one cannot properly grasp any of his theories. How, for example, are we to understand the startling claim that ‘Value is labor’ (my emphasis), or Marx's assertion that the ‘identity of consumption and production … appears to be a threefold one’, or his allusion to theory which under certain circumstances becomes a ‘material force’? Marx's statements frequently jar us, and instances of obscurity in his work, occasions where two or more interpretations seem equally applicable, are more numerous still. Engels was well aware of the trouble people had in coming to grips with Marx's terminology. In his Preface to the English edition of Capital I, he says, ‘there is, however, one difficulty we could not spare the reader: the use of certain terms in a sense different from what they have, not only in common life, but in ordinary political economy.’
Pseudofaults resulting from compartmentalized Liesegang bands: update

Liesegang bands with apparent offset along fractures are common in some calcisiltite beds. Thin sections show, however, that primary laminations are not offset along the fractures. Following the development of fracture sets in the calcisiltite, the fractures were cemented by calcite. This formed polyhedral compartments of low-permeability calcisiltite bounded by impermeable walls of calcite. Liesegang bands formed when oxygen in ground water diffused into polyhedra containing soluble ferrous iron in pore water. Each joint-bounded polyhedral compartment behaved as an independent diffusion cell. Liesegang bands with nearly the same pattern and thickness tended to develop in adjacent compartments, but not at the same stratigraphic level; this resulted in the formation of pseudofaults.
Laser Capture Microdissection for Analysis of Macrophage Gene Expression from Atherosclerotic Lesions

Macrophage foam cells are critical mediators in atherosclerosis plaque development. A better understanding of the in vivo transcript profile of foam cells during the formation and progression of lesions may lead to novel therapeutic interventions. Toward this goal, we demonstrate for the first time that foam cell-specific RNA can be purified from atherosclerotic arteries, a tissue of mixed cellular composition. Foam cells from apolipoprotein (apo) E-/- mice were isolated by laser capture microdissection (LCM); RNA was extracted and used for molecular analysis by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Compared to whole tissue, a significant enrichment of foam cell-specific RNA transcripts was achieved. Furthermore, to test the ability to quantify differences in gene expression in response to an inflammatory stimulus, apoE-/- mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide, after which the transcriptional induction of the inflammatory mediators, VCAM, ICAM, and MCP-1, was observed in lesional macrophage foam cell RNA. These approaches will facilitate the study of macrophage gene expression under various conditions of plaque formation, regression, and response to genetic and environmental perturbations.
Model reference adaptive control using multiple controllers and switching

In this paper, we develop an adaptive multi controller system to solve the MRAC problem using unfalsified control theory. Switching is done among the candidate controllers based on some suitably defined performance index, which is obtained without actually inserting the candidate controllers in the feedback loop. Though prior knowledge about the nominal plant structure or its parameters is useful to select the initial set of candidate controllers, this method makes no use nor tries to identify the plant structure or its parameters while deciding the optimal switching sequence among the candidate controllers. Simulation results are presented to indicate successful switching strategy. We also compare this approach with the switching scheme developed by Narendra for the MRAC problem.
The Process of Infection with Bacteriophage φX174: VI. Inactivation of Infected Complexes by Ultraviolet Irradiation

The sensitivities to ultraviolet irradiation of complexes formed by infection with bacteriophage φX174 in Escherichia coli C, E. coli C_s (a strain lacking the capacity to perform host cell reactivation), and E. coli CR (a strain requiring thymine) were determined at various wavelengths, at various stages of development, and under various growth conditions. Neither irradiated bacteriophage φX174 nor irradiated free φX DNA is subject to host cell reactivation; however, irradiated replicative form φX DNA is. The target that is observed in the ultraviolet inactivation curves of the complex after three minutes of infection is also subject to host cell reactivation. In the absence of host cell reactivation, the ultraviolet inactivation curves suggest the existence of either one or a very few sensitive targets in the infected cell.
Effect of specimen thickness on crack front plasticity characteristics in three-dimensions

ABSTRACT A finite element investigation of the effect of thickness on plastic deformation and yielding characteristics in three-dimensional cracked bodies is presented. It is shown that the fundamental deformation modes and extent of plastic deformation are significantly influenced by the specimen thickness. The results show the transition from a local plane strain to plane stress response near the crack front as the specimen thickness is decreased. While the results are generated for a specific aluminum alloy (7075-T7651), the predictions for other hardening materials would be qualitatively the same.
Relationship of fruit and vegetable intake with adiposity: a systematic review.

Summary Fruit and vegetable (FV) intake has been proposed to protect against obesity. The purpose of this paper was to assess the FV consumption to adiposity relationship. Twenty-three publications were included. Inclusion criteria: longitudinal or experimental designs; FV intake tested in relation to adiposity; child, adolescent or adult participants; published in English-language peer-reviewed journals. Exclusion criteria: dietary pattern and cross-sectional designs; participants with health concerns. Experimental studies found increased FV consumption (in conjunction with other behaviours) contributed to reduced adiposity among overweight or obese adults, but no association was shown among children. Longitudinal studies among overweight adults found greater F and/or V consumption was associated with slower weight gain, but only half of child longitudinal studies found a significant inverse association. Limitations in methods prevented a thorough examination of the role of increased FV intake alone or mechanisms of effect. An inverse relationship between FV intake and adiposity among overweight adults appears weak; this relationship among children is unclear. Research needs to clarify the nature of, and mechanisms for, the effects of FV consumption on adiposity. Whether increases in FV intake in isolation from lower caloric intake or increased physical activity will result in declines or slower growth in adiposity remains unclear.
Measurement of the proton electromagnetic form factors via the spin transfer reaction 1H(e→,e′p→)

The ratio of the electromagnetic form factors of the proton has been measured at the Jefferson Laboratory at Q 2 values ranging from 0.5 GeV 2 up to 3.5 GeV 2 . The experiment used the recently commissioned Hall A Focal Plane Polarimeter (FPP) to measure the polarization of the recoiling proton in elastic scattering of longitudinally polarized electrons on a liquid hydrogen target.
Phylloquinone (vitamin K(1) ) biosynthesis in plants: two peroxisomal thioesterases of Lactobacillales origin hydrolyze 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoyl-CoA.

Summary It is not known how plants cleave the thioester bond of 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoyl-CoA (DHNA-CoA), a necessary step to form the naphthoquinone ring of phylloquinone (vitamin K1). In fact, only recently has the hydrolysis of DHNA-CoA been demonstrated to be enzyme driven in vivo, and the cognate thioesterase characterized in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis. With a few exceptions in certain prokaryotic (Sorangium and Opitutus) and eukaryotic (Cyanidium, Cyanidioschyzon and Paulinella) organisms, orthologs of DHNA-CoA thioesterase are missing outside of the cyanobacterial lineage. In this study, genomic approaches and functional complementation experiments identified two Arabidopsis genes encoding functional DHNA-CoA thioesterases. The deduced plant proteins display low percentages of identity with cyanobacterial DHNA-CoA thioesterases, and do not even share the same catalytic motif. GFP-fusion experiments demonstrated that the Arabidopsis proteins are targeted to peroxisomes, and subcellular fractionations of Arabidopsis leaves confirmed that DHNA-CoA thioesterase activity occurs in this organelle. In vitro assays with various aromatic and aliphatic acyl-CoA thioester substrates showed that the recombinant Arabidopsis enzymes preferentially hydrolyze DHNA-CoA. Cognate T-DNA knock-down lines display reduced DHNA-CoA thioesterase activity and phylloquinone content, establishing in vivo evidence that the Arabidopsis enzymes are involved in phylloquinone biosynthesis. Extraordinarily, structure-based phylogenies coupled to comparative genomics demonstrate that plant DHNA-CoA thioesterases originate from a horizontal gene transfer with a bacterial species of the Lactobacillales order.
An approach for interoperable and customizable web-based mathematics education

Classroom trials at Kimpton Middle School demonstrated advantages of the WME (Web-based Mathematics Education) system and obtained positive feedback as well as suggestions from teachers and students. Based on the prototype site for Kimpton, an interdisciplinary team is developing a model WME site making it directly deployable in different schools. Components within WME sites are interoperable and easily customizable by teachers. Reported are the model site design, organization, architecture and implementation. Features that support portability, component interoperability and easy user customization are emphasized. These features are important in making WME practical, efficient, and effective for mathematics education.
Gender bias in education in Burkina Faso: Who pays the piper? Who calls the tune?

In this chapter, I analyze policies developed by the government of Burkina Faso in order to redress an imbalance in gender education. Girls, in effect, are not getting their fair share of education, whether in quantity or quality. I critique existing policies concerning gender issues in education by first taking stock of different policies launched in favor of the education of girls, the context of their formation, and identify shortcoming therein. It has been found that international organizations, beyond their commitment to reverse the lag in the education of girls, bring with them an agenda that is at times contradictory with the aim of education for all. At the same time that governments are prodded to school all girls, Structural Adjustments Programs that generally bring more poverty and less public spending, are at loggerheads with increased access. Moreover, the policy choices of international organizations seem to be ill-equipped to subvert existing ideological and patriarchal structures. These structures do not allow for the empowerment of women. The government itself is found to have very little leverage on current policies, raising the nagging question of their appropriation. The paper ends with some policy recommendations that go beyond the construction of facilities and resources to address issues of the school experiences of girls, the curriculum-in-use, and overall problem of teacher training and compensation.
Improvements in self-efficacy and readiness to engage in physical activity are associated with improved health outcomes among patients with COPD

Rationale : Little is known about the effectiveness of interventions to increase physical activity (PA) among patients with COPD. The purpose of this investigation was to examine relationships between psychological determinants of PA and health outcomes. Methods : This was a randomized trial of a PA intervention (PAI) compared to usual care (UC). Primary outcomes at 6 months were Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire-dyspnea domain (ΔCRQD) and 6-minute walk distance (Δ6MWD). Minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were 0.5 and 25m, respectively. Psychological determinants included aggregate COPD self-efficacy scale (ACSES) for coping with and managing dyspnea and readiness to change PA (RCPA). McNemar9s odds ratios for improvement vs. decline were estimated. Results : A total of 305 were randomized (156 UC, 149 I). At 6-months there were no differences in odds of ACSES change(Table). In contrast there were significant differences in odds of RCPA change (Table). Overall, there were no MCID for either CRQD or 6MWD (Table). In subgroup analyses, improvement in both ACSES and RCPA was associated with some of the largest improvements in outcomes: I-group (6MWD=45.8m, CRQD=0.6), UC (6MWD=18.2m, CRQD=0.5). Conclusion : These results suggest that inconsistent improvement in psychological determinants of PA may partly explain the lack of overall effectiveness of this intervention.
Anti-Cancer Effect of HIV-1 Viral Protein R on Doxorubicin Resistant Neuroblastoma

Several unique biological features of HIV-1 Vpr make it a potentially powerful agent for anti-cancer therapy. First, Vpr inhibits cell proliferation by induction of cell cycle G2 arrest. Second, it induces apoptosis through multiple mechanisms, which could be significant as it may be able to overcome apoptotic resistance exhibited by many cancerous cells, and, finally, Vpr selectively kills fast growing cells in a p53-independent manner. To demonstrate the potential utility of Vpr as an anti-cancer agent, we carried out proof-of-concept studies in vitro and in vivo. Results of our preliminary studies demonstrated that Vpr induces cell cycle G2 arrest and apoptosis in a variety of cancer types. Moreover, the same Vpr effects could also be detected in some cancer cells that are resistant to anti-cancer drugs such as doxorubicin (DOX). To further illustrate the potential value of Vpr in tumor growth inhibition, we adopted a DOX-resistant neuroblastoma model by injecting SK-N-SH cells into C57BL/6N and C57BL/6J-scid/scid mice. We hypothesized that Vpr is able to block cell proliferation and induce apoptosis regardless of the drug resistance status of the tumors. Indeed, production of Vpr via adenoviral delivery to neuroblastoma cells caused G2 arrest and apoptosis in both drug naive and DOX-resistant cells. In addition, pre-infection or intratumoral injection of vpr-expressing adenoviral particles into neuroblastoma tumors in SCID mice markedly inhibited tumor growth. Therefore, Vpr could possibly be used as a supplemental viral therapeutic agent for selective inhibition of tumor growth in anti-cancer therapy especially when other therapies stop working.
Pathogenesis of hereditary hemochromatosis

Hereditary hemochromatosis comprises several inherited disorders of iron homeostasis characterized by increased gastrointestinal iron absorpstion and resultant tissue iron deposition. The identification of HFE and other genes involved in iron metabolism has greatly expanded our understanding of hereditary hemochromatosis. Two major hypotheses have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of HFE-related hereditary hemochromatosis: the hepcidin hypothesis and the duodenal crypt cell programming hypothesis.
Laboratory evaluation of military radios and network architectures

As the ARMY prepares to deploy modern tactical networks in theater [1], there is an increasing need to ensure that radio systems will perform up to expectations before integrating them into emerging Army Capability Sets for Brigade tactical networks. Evaluating these radio systems before field deployments in a controlled laboratory setting provides a critical opportunity to establish baseline performance levels, as well as to identify and resolve design flaws and engineering bugs, long before they are encountered in the field. This paper discusses the role of the CERDEC S&TCD Radio Evaluation and Analysis Laboratory (REAL)1 in evaluating military radio networks, not only as black-box systems, but also as part of a larger tactical network consisting of a mix of radio systems. This testing has already become an important element of the Army's Agile Process, and has demonstrated its value many times over in preparing new technologies for operational experimentation in the Army's Network Integration Evaluations (NIE) taking place at Ft Bliss, TX.
Superconducting thin films of Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3Oy and Tl2CaBa2Cu2Oy

Abstract We present techniques for preparing unoriented polycrystalline and epitaxial superconducting thin films of the Tl 2 CaBa 2 Cu 2 O y and Tl 2 Ca 2 Ba 2 Cu 3 O y phases on a wide variety of substrates. The crucial steps determining the properties of the films are shown to be the air sintering and oxygen annealing following the initial metal deposition by electron beam evaporation under a slight oxygen overpressure. A sintered Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O pellet is employed as a source of excess Tl during sintering and annealing of the thin film. The Tl concentration in the final films controls the nature of the intergrain connections. The films are characterized by their structural, chemical, magnetic and transport properties. Zero resistance typically occurs at 97 K for Tl 2 CaBa 2 Cu 2 O and at 106 K for Tl 2 Ca 2 Ba 2 Cu 3 O y . Transport critical currents of up to 110 000 A/cm 2 have been obtained at 77 K for unoriented Tl 2 CaBa 2 Cu 2 O y , up to 160 000 A/cm 2 for epitaxial Tl 2 Ca 2 Ba 2 Cu 3 O y and up to 240 000 A/cm 2 for unoriented Tl 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O y films with little field dependence of the critical current observed.
Effect of metallurgical parameters on shear band formation in low-carbon (∼0.20 Wt Pct) steels

With the objective of establishing the effects of the metallurgical condition on the propensity to form adiabatic shear bands, low-carbon steels (AISI 1018 and 8620) having widely different temperability responses were subjected to impact by cylindrical projectiles in the velocity range of 450 to 1050 m/s. These steels received a variety of mechanical and thermal treatments that provided a wide range of microstructures and mechanical responses. The propensity for shear band formation was strongly dependent on the mechanical response. It was measured by counting the length of shear bands per cross section. Microstructural characterization of the bands revealed that white-etching bands were only observed in the quenched and quenched-and-tempered conditions.
The role of laryngopharyngeal sensory stimulation (LPSS) testing of the larynx in infants with apnea and upper airway obstruction

The role of laryngopharyngeal sensory stimulation (LPSS) testing of the larynx in infants with apnea and upper airway obstruction
Indium Phosphide Solar Cells Made By Closed-Ampoule Diffusion Of Sulphur Into Cadmium-Doped InP Substrates: Dependence Of Cell Characteristics On Diffusion Temperature And Time

We have studied the dependence of solar cell performance characteristics on diffusion temperature and time, for cells made by the closed-ampoule thermal diffusion of S into Cd-doped InP substrates of starting doping 1.7x 1016 cm-3. Diffusions were performed at 600, 625, 650, 700, and 725°C for 3 hours, 675°C for 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours, and, on specially treated substrates with phosphorus-rich surfaces, at 650 and 660°C for 3 hours. We have measured Isc, Voc, FF, η, spectral response, J0 and A factor, series and shunt resistances, and emitter sheet resistance and specific contact resistance of front metallization. Our results indicate that for best solar cell efficiency, the diffusion temperature should be between 650 and 675°C and the diffusion time should be from 1 to 3 hours, for our Cd-doped material.
Magnetostatic waves in nonuniform bias fields including exchange effects

The method of expansion in normal spin wave modes has been extended to the case of a two-dimensional nonuniformly magnetized ferrite with the effects of exchange included. The direction of the nonuniform bias field is normal to the plane of the ferrite. Using this method, a number of solutions (both exact and approximate) to the linearized magnetostatic equations have been obtained. Correspondence is pointed out between the new solutions, the spin wave theory of Eshbach, and the magnetostatic theory of Morgenthaler. These solutions further elucidate the role of exchange in magnetostatic wave propagation in nonuniform fields.
Stop that noise

The authors discuss electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electromagnetic interference (EMI). After a brief look at the causes of EMI, they describe conductive coupling and electromagnetic radiative coupling. Career opportunities in EMC problem solving are looked at. >
Familiar shapes attract attention in figure-ground displays.

We report five experiments that explore the effect of figure-ground factors on attention. We hypothesized that figural cues, such as familiar shape, would draw attention to the figural side in an attentional cuing task using bipartite figure-ground displays. The first two experiments used faces in profile as the familiar shape and found a perceptual advantage for targets presented on the meaningful side of the central contour in detection speed (Experiment 1) and discrimination accuracy (Experiment 2). The third experiment demonstrated the figural advantage in response time (RT) with nine other familiar shapes (including a sea horse, a guitar, a fir tree, etc.), but only when targets appeared in close proximity to the contour. A fourth experiment obtained a figural advantage in a discrimination task with the larger set of familiar shapes. The final experiment ruled out eye movements as a possible confounding factor by replicating the RT advantage for targets on the figural side of face displays when all trials containing eye movements were eliminated. The results are discussed in terms of ecological influences on attention, and are cast within the framework of Yantis and Jonides’s (1984) hypothesis that attention is exogenously drawn to the onset of new perceptual objects. We argue that the figural side constitutes an “object,” whereas the ground side does not, and that figural cues such as shape familiarity are effective in determining which areas represent objects.
Structural information on Y ions in C82 from EXAFS experiments

Abstract EXAFS experiments on a fullerene sample containing both YC82 and Y2C82 are reported, performed both at 10 K and at room temperature, to probe the structural environment of the yttrium atoms. The results are similar at both temperatures. The data can be fit with a model with two shells of 6 carbon atoms each, at 2.4 and 2.9 A, respectively. This result supports the hypothesis that the metal atoms are trapped inside the fullerene cage, consistent with recent calculations on possible metallofullerene structures.
Subformula Theorems for $N$-Sequents

With all seven of ‘∼’, ‘⊃’, ‘&’, ‘ν’, ‘≡’, ‘∀’, and ‘∃’ understood to serve as primitive signs, let an expression of the sort A 1 , A 2 , … , A n → B 1 , B 2 , … , B m , where A 1 , A 2 , …, A η (η≥ 0), B 1 , B 2 , …, and B m ( m > 0 if n = 0, otherwise m ≥ 0) are wffs of the first-order quantificational calculus (QC), count as an L -sequent of QC; let an L -sequent of QC of the sort A 1 , A 2 , … , A n → B count as an N -sequent of QC; 2 and let an L -sequent S of QC count as a Gentzen L -sequent of QC if no individual variable of QC occurs both bound and free in S .
Informal caregivers' leisure time and stress

This article explores the disruption informal caregiving creates in the caregiver's family life and the relationship between leisure and stress caused by caregiving. The study finds that the caregiving setting, caregiver's sociodemographic characteristics, and economic variables (i.e., wage rate, nonwage income, and Medicaid coverage) significantly affect the caregiver's leisure. Additionally, reducing leisure leads to emotional and physical stress and less satisfaction with life overall. The article concludes with implications for public policy.
Breastfeeding and Sexuality: Professional Advice Literature from the 1970s to the Present:

Since the 1970s, there has been a trend on the part of physicians and other health practitioners to promote breastfeeding in the United States, a movement that has not been as successful as hoped, since the majority of mothers in this country continue to feed their babies formula. Several socioeconomic factors are considered to be barriers to the success of breastfeeding promotion today. Yet, even among those who promote breastfeeding there exists a notable constraint in dealing with the issue of sexuality and breastfeeding. Indeed, as the female breast is eroticized in Western society, breastfeeding promotional messages have often exhibited a tacit conformity to social conventions regarding female sexuality. When analyzing selected works of advice literature written by health care practitioners from the 1970s to the present, it will be clear that breastfeeding promotional information often reflects dominant views of the sexuality of the female breast and her body.
Functional implications of post-translational modifications of phospholipases D1 and D2.

Abstract Our previous studies showed that truncation of the N-terminal 168 amino acids of rat brain phospholipase D1 (rPLD1) abolishes its response to protein kinase C (PKC) and greatly diminishes its palmitoylation and Ser/Thr phosphorylation. In this study, we show that the response to PKC as well as the palmitoylation and Ser/Thr phosphorylation were restored when the truncated rPLD1 mutant (rPLD1(ΔN168)) was coexpressed with a fragment containing the N-terminal 168 amino acids. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that the N-terminal fragment associated with rPLD1(ΔN168) when coexpressed in COS 7 cells and that palmitoylation of Cys240 and Cys241 was not necessary for the association. In addition, we found that rat PLD2 (rPLD2) was palmitoylated on Cys223 and Cys224 in COS 7 cells. Mutation of both these cysteines reduced the basal activity of rPLD2, however its response to PMA stimulation in vivo was retained. As in the case of rPLD1, loss of palmitoylation weakened membrane association of rPLD2. In summary, the N-terminal 168-amino-acid fragment of rPLD1 can associate with truncated rPLD1(ΔN168) to restore its palmitoylation, Ser/Thr phosphorylation and PKC response. Although rPLD2 differs from rPLD1 in many properties, it is palmitoylated at the corresponding conserved cysteine residues in COS 7 cells.
Behaviour of three-node power networks

Abstract The real power-flow equation for a three-node network is analysed in terms of its topology and geometry. It is shown that the set of feasible power injections is convex and that, for each feasible injection, there is a corresponding uniwue stable solution. Certain aspects of the behaviour of the associated swing equations are studied. This behaviour is quite different from that of a two-node network; in particular, the system may not be completely stable even when the damping is made arbitrarily large.