cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cell Lineage and Cell Fate Determination in Mammals

Publisher Summary The very survival of chimeras revealed a momentous fact of mammalian embryogenesis—namely, that early embryos are highly regulative. Whole cleavage stage embryos could be aggregated together and developed normally, and embryonic fragments, consisting of single blastomeres or groups of blastomeres, could be aggregated to form entire embryos consisting of parts of other embryos. This chapter identifies several unresolved issues in mammalian cell lineage, focusing on the biological questions at stake, some of the studies that must be undertaken to resolve these questions, and what implications the findings might have for humans. This latter emphasis is based on the fact that the strongest motivations for enduring the difficulties of studying mammalian embryos are curiosity about the embryological origins of human beings and a hope that such understanding might improve human health.
"We Take Care of Patients, but We Don't Advocate for Them": Advance Care Planning in Prison or Jail

Objectives To investigate correctional healthcare providers’ knowledge of and experience with advance care planning (ACP), their perspectives on barriers to ACP in correctional settings, and how to overcome those barriers. Design Qualitative. Setting Four prisons in 2 states and 1 large city jail in a third state. Participants Correctional healthcare providers (e.g., physicians, nurses, social workers; N=24). Results Participants demonstrated low baseline ACP knowledge; 85% reported familiarity with ACP, but only 42% provided accurate definitions. Fundamental misconceptions included the belief that providers provided ACP without soliciting inmate input. Multiple ACP barriers were identified, many of which are unique to prison and jail facilities, including provider uncertainty about the legal validity of ACP documents in prison or jail, inmate mistrust of the correctional healthcare system, inmates’ isolation from family and friends, and institutional policies that restrict use of ACP. Clinicians’ suggestions for overcoming those barriers included ACP training for clinicians, creating psychosocial support opportunities for inmates, revising policies that limit ACP, and systematically integrating ACP into healthcare practice. Conclusion Despite an increasing number of older and seriously ill individuals in prisons and jails, many correctional healthcare providers lack knowledge about ACP. In addition to ACP barriers found in the community, there are unique barriers to ACP in prisons and jails. Future research and policy innovation are needed to develop clinical training programs and identify ACP implementation strategies for use in correctional settings. J Am Geriatr Soc 66:2382–2388, 2018.
An Architectural Analysis of a Blockchain-Based Web Application for Supporting Smart Contracts and Hardening Security

The advent of Blockchain Technology allows us to develop a Decentralized Application called DApp on peer-to-peer network, which can harden changes of contracts in the DApp and denial of service (DoS) attacks to the DApp. We reengineer an App to a DApp allowing smart contracts, and compare the given legacy App and the target DApp. We conclude that DApp is not a separate application but a complementary application of the current App by comparing their architectures.
Recent advances in antisense oligonucleotide therapy in genetic neuromuscular diseases

Genetic neuromuscular diseases are caused by defective expression of nuclear or mitochondrial genes. Mutant genes may reduce expression of wild-type proteins, and strategies to activate expression of the wild-type proteins might provide therapeutic benefits. Also, a toxic mutant protein may cause cell death, and strategies that reduce mutant gene expression may provide therapeutic benefit. Synthetic antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) can recognize cellular RNA and control gene expression. In recent years, advances in ASO chemistry, creation of designer ASO molecules to enhance their safety and target delivery, and scientific controlled clinical trials to ascertain their therapeutic safety and efficacy have led to an era of plausible application of ASO technology to treat currently incurable neuromuscular diseases. Over the past 1 year, for the first time, the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved two ASO therapies in genetic neuromuscular diseases. This overview summarizes the recent advances in ASO technology, evolution and use of synthetic ASOs as a therapeutic platform, and the mechanism of ASO action by exon-skipping in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and exon-inclusion in spinal muscular atrophy, with comments on their advantages and limitations.
The Clean Air Act Watch List and federal oversight of state enforcement efforts

Abstract For major federal environmental statutes in the United States, primary monitoring and enforcement responsibilities rest with most states. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged with overseeing state efforts and has at its disposal formal tools to discipline lax states, tools which are rarely used. In this paper, we explore the extent to which the EPA's now-defunct Clean Air Act Watch List served as an informal tool for influencing the enforcement activities of state regulators. We estimate event studies designed around the primary listing criteria for the Watch List. Our empirical results are consistent with the average state regulator acting to reduce the chances of their facilities appearing on the Watch List. We also examine heterogeneity in the response to the Watch List between two states with high numbers of regulated facilities, Texas and California. We find a larger change in enforcement activity under the Watch List among state and local regulators in Texas compared to California.
A Promiscuous Cytochrome P450 Hydroxylates Aliphatic and Aromatic C-H Bonds of Aromatic 2,5-Diketopiperazines

Cytochrome P450 enzymes generally functionalize inert C-H bonds, and thus, they are important biocatalysts for chemical synthesis. However, enzymes that catalyze both aliphatic and aromatic hydroxylation in the same biotransformation process have rarely been reported. A recent biochemical study demonstrated the P450 TxtC for the biosynthesis of herbicidal thaxtomins as the first example of this unique type of enzyme. Herein, the detailed characterization of substrate requirements and biocatalytic applications of TxtC are reported. The results reveal the importance of N-methylation of the thaxtomin diketopiperazine (DKP) core on enzyme reactions and demonstrate the tolerance of the enzyme to modifications on the indole and phenyl moieties of its substrates. Furthermore, hydroxylated, methylated, aromatic DKPs are synthesized through a biocatalytic route comprising TxtC and the promiscuous N-methyltransferase Amir_4628; thus providing a basis for the broad application of this unique P450.
U.S. Policies and Their Effects on Immigrant Children's Health.

Immigrant children are a vulnerable group, requiring special protections under U.S. and international law. Compared with nonimmigrant children, they face additional dangers to their physical and mental health that stem directly from immigration policies, including the right to asylum, detention and deportation protocols, regulation of health coverage, and access to physical and mental health care.
Optimizing the Spatial Configuration of Mesoscale Environmental Monitoring Networks Using a Geometric Approach

AbstractThe ability of mesoscale environmental monitoring networks to collect spatially unbiased observations and to detect mesoscale environmental phenomena is radically determined by the spatial ...
Nursing strike, America, 2019: Concept analysis to guide practice

Abstract Background In 2018 a nursing ‘sympathy strike’ occurred. Although unionized nurses were directed to participate, many expressed questions about what a strike or sympathy strike was. Literature revealed no seminal article to define the term. A concept analysis for the nursing workforce was created. Method The Hybrid Method of Concept Analysis, (theoretical literature analysis, qualitative stakeholder interviews; applicability) was used. 33 articles and 7 books were reviewed. Nine interviews took place. Results The literature and interviews agreed on the definition, antecedents, and consequences of a nursing strike. Strikes in the United States were defined as “a last resort effort, after significant bargaining on the issue between nurses and management has not allowed for agreement, where a work stoppage occurs and nurses leave the bedside.” Interviews alone introduced the concept of duty to patients. A model case, contrary case and borderline case are offered. Conclusion This study contains recommendations for practice.
Predictors of High Health Care Utilization in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Within 1 Year of Establishing Specialist Care.

BACKGROUND A small proportion of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consume a disproportionate amount of health care resources, with most of these spent on unplanned care in emergency room (ER) and hospital visits. Interventions in those at high risk in the outpatient setting could reduce the need for future inpatient care. We sought to describe the characteristics predictive of high health care utilization within 1 year after an initial IBD clinic encounter. METHODS This was a retrospective study of new IBD patients seen at the outpatient clinics of 2 tertiary IBD centers in the United States. Baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected, and the number of IBD-related ER and hospital visits were recorded over the 1-year period after the initial clinic encounter. Patients with ≥2 visits (high utilizers) were compared with those with no visits. RESULTS Of the 735 patients included in the final analysis, 106 (14.4%) were high utilizers, and they had a mean of 2.9 visits (maximum = 10) in the 1 year after their initial encounter. In multivariate analysis, insurance coverage through medical assistance (odds ratio [OR] 3.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38-9.20), steroid use (OR 1.83; 95% CI, 1.11-3.04), short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire score <50 (OR 2.29; 95% CI, 1.23-4.27), and current ostomy (OR 4.82; 95% CI, 1.51-15.37) were independently associated with high utilization. CONCLUSIONS Multidisciplinary care and resources should be preferentially channeled towards new clinic patients with severe disease and on medical assistance, as this could reduce future inpatient visits and result in cost savings.
Native and exotic plant species respond differently to ecosystem characteristics at both local and landscape scales

Quantitative integration of factors that potentially affect exotic species richness and abundance at multiple spatial scales is relatively scarce in the literature. Our aim was to address this gap by evaluating the relative importance of the biotic community, abiotic factors, and landscape characteristics on the establishment and spread of native and exotic plant species. We assessed the effect of these factors on exotic and native species richness and abundance, and used regression tree and variation partitioning analyses to evaluate how these predictors interact to favor or limit exotic and/or native species. We found that landscape filters were especially important for the arrival of both native and exotic species, whereas biotic factors seemed to regulate the abundance of plant species once they were present within the system. However, the combined effects of different types of predictors explained the largest fraction of total variation in all models regarding exotic species. Furthermore, significant predictor variables had opposite effects on native versus exotic species at both local and landscape scales, which suggests that some ecosystem properties affect native and exotic species differently. Exotic species richness and abundance were increased by low values of native species cover and diversity, high landscape heterogeneity and edge density, human disturbances (e.g., mowing and soil disruption), land use activities (e.g., developed and agricultural areas), and proximity to transportation systems, especially highways. However, exotic species were less common in areas with low anthropogenic disturbance, where natural disturbances seemed to favor native plant species.
Magical Thinking: How Learning to Act Like a Magician Can Make You a Better Physician.

For most of history, the line between magic and medicine was blurred. Before there was a pathophysiologic understanding of disease, there was little distinction between a magician and a physician. Both may wave their hands, utter some Latin-sounding words, produce a potion, and promise to make something (a coin or an ailment) disappear. Still today, providers who have successfully reduced a nursemaid’s elbow or who have made vertigo vanish with a canalith repositioning maneuver have borne witness to the healing power of medical sleight of hand. Recently, the use of magic at the bedside has seen a renaissance of sorts. In a 2017 review, Lam et al1 described many ways providers are incorporating magic in medicine, ranging from teaching patients magic tricks for physical therapy2 to its use as humor therapy as a prophylactic anxiolytic for patients.3,4 As a professional magician and a pediatrician, I have seen how magic and medicine intersect. Whereas I occasionally use a trick to calm an anxious child before an examination, I use the skills of how a magician approaches an audience in every patient encounter. Over the last decade, I have taught over 3000 providers how learning to think and act like a magician, even without doing a magic trick, can improve their ability to connect with patients. In this perspectives article, I will summarize how health care providers can implement 3 skills long used by magicians, those of misdirection, patter, and force, to build rapport and ultimately increase their ability to perform an examination. Nearly the whole art of sleight of hand depends on the art of misdirection. > Harlan Tarbell5 Chabris and Simmons6 demonstrated in their landmark invisible gorilla studies that when participants … Address correspondence to Michael B. Pitt, MD, 2450 Riverside Ave, M653, Minneapolis, MN 55454. E-mail: mbpitt{at}umn.edu
Pedestrian injuries from cars and SUVs: Updated crash outcomes from the vulnerable road user injury prevention alliance (VIPA).

The current short communication was written to update research on real-world pedestrian crashes. In particular, our analysis offers a preliminary update on SUV-pedestrian crash outcomes and how the...
Economic Evaluation of a Pharmacist-Led 5-Day Therapeutic Hold of IV Levothyroxine at an Academic Medical Center:

Objective: Providers often admit patients with active outpatient prescriptions for levothyroxine. During an inpatient admission, providers may instruct critically ill patients to take nothing by mo...
Learning to relax: The impact of brief biofeedback training and gentle yoga on salivary cortisol reduction

Short-term activation of the human stress response system is beneficial as it prepares the body to deal with stressors at hand (McEwen & Stellar, 1993). However, chronic activation of the system can negatively impact health and longevity (Cohen et al., 2007). There is evidence that relaxation techniques that utilize controlled or diaphragmatic breathing can be useful in the reduction of stress and psychological complaints. Short-term interventions like computer-based biofeedback or the implementation of a gentle yoga practice could provide a brief, yet beneficial, way to manage stress and anxiety. The present study aimed to expand on current research involving yoga and biofeedback for stress reduction by exploring whether participating in a gentle yoga intervention or a biofeedback intervention could decrease the stress response more quickly than what naturally occurs after the Trier Social Stress Test: a laboratory stress task shown to elicit changes in cortisol levels found in participants’ saliva samples. Participants were randomly assigned to take part in a gentle yoga sequence, a biofeedback intervention, or watch a neutral video while relaxing on their own. We examined changes in salivary cortisol levels and found a significant difference between the three groups, with both the yoga and biofeedback intervention groups eliciting a larger decrease in cortisol levels, indicating a greater decrease in stress levels.
High-Speed NTT-based Polynomial Multiplication Accelerator for Post-Quantum Cryptography

This paper demonstrates an architecture for accelerating the polynomial multiplication using number theoretic transform (NTT). Kyber is one of the finalists in the third round of the NIST post-quantum cryptography standardization process. Simultaneously, the performance of NTT execution is its main challenge, requiring large memory and complex memory access pattern. In this paper, an efficient NTT architecture is presented to improve the respective computation time. We propose several optimization strategies for efficiency improvement targeting different performance requirements for various applications. Our NTT architecture, including four butterfly cores, occupies only 798 LUTs and 715 FFs on a small Artix-7 FPGA, showing more than 44% improvement compared to the best previous work. We also implement a coprocessor architecture for Kyber KEM benefiting from our high-speed NTT core to accomplish three phases of the key exchange in 9, 12, and $\mathbf{19}\mu \mathbf{s}$ , respectively, operating at 200 MHz.
Risk and Consent

Today’s risks are often technological risks, and consent to these risks is often sought by government agencies or industries. But what does it mean to consent to a risk? This paper begins by alluding to some of the ambiguities inherent in this question. It then proposes that even if consent is direct and voluntary (as opposed to indirect or coerced), a number of important issues remain: (1) whether the consent can be revoked; (2) what counts as informed consent; (3) whether the consent is explicit; (4) whether the consent is conflicted; and (5) what motivates the consent. After examining these issues, the paper concludes by discussing whether consent—even consent that is revocable, informed, explicit, unconflicted, and rationally motivated—always provides sufficient ethical grounds for the imposition of risk.
Transforming Activity of the fms Oncogene (CSF-1 Receptor)

The product of the c-fms proto-oncogene is related and probably identical to the receptor for the macrophage colony stimulating factor, CSF-1 (M-CSF) (Sherr et al., 1985). The v-fms oncogene of the McDonough strain of feline sarcoma virus (SM-FeSV) (Donner et al., 1982) encodes an analogous glycoprotein that includes the ligand binding domain, transmembrane spanning segment, and tyrosine kinase domain of the CSF-1 receptor (Hampe et al., 1984; Rettenmier et al., 1985). Cells transformed by SM-FeSV exhibit specific binding sites for CSF-1 at their cell surface, although exogenous CSF-1 has no effect on the transformed phenotype (Sacca et al., 1986). In membrane preparations, phosphorylation of the CSF-1 receptor on tyrosine is stimulated by ligand (Sherr et al., 1985), whereas the v-fms gene product appears to act constitutively as a kinase and undergoes phosphorylation in the absence of CSF-1 (Sacca et al., 1986). The proto-oncogene and oncogene products differ significantly from one another only at their extreme C-terminal ends where 40 amino acids of the CSF-1 receptor were replaced by 11 unrelated amino acids in the v-fms gene product (Coussens et al., 1986). The unique region of the normal receptor includes a single tyrosine residue (tyr969) whose phosphorylation might negatively regulate the receptor kinase activity.
Attempt of a Unified View

In this Chapter we try to unify the mechanistic details we have been working through in the course of the book, to a general picture of the catalyzed hydrogenation of CO. It should be born in mind that neither the mechanistic details referred to, nor the intended unified picture are proven. They are the best guess, taking into account presently known experimental data, and avoiding to violate known principles of the reaction patterns of transition metal centers.
Stephen Nathanson, Terrorism and the Ethics of War

Nathanson's monograph addresses what has perhaps become the most urgent and troubling question of political ethics since the post-9/11 declaration of a U.S.-led “Global War on Terror”: “How can ter...
Tipping NAGPRA's Balancing Act: The Inequitable Disposition of 'Culturally Unidentified' Human Remains Under NAGPRA's New Provision

To prevent museums and federal agencies from perpetually holding Native American remains, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. §§ 3001–3013 (2006)) was amended to delineate procedures for the disposition of culturally unidentified Native American human remains. By evaluating the new rule’s impact on so-called “unidentified” remains, this article interrogates the notion that the new regulation is an effectively undermines NAGPRA’s core principles. By treating culturally unaffiliated remains as one monolithic category, the new rule discounts Native American rights, disadvantages museums, mistreats remains, and disenfranchises Native American groups from controlling their own cultural identities. In sum, the new rule capsizes NAGPRA’s balancing act to the detriment of all the diverse interests invested in Native American human remains.Because the most straightforward solution is infeasible (that is, repatriating so-called “unidentified” remains bearing a “significant relationship” to non-federally-recognized tribes directly to those tribes) this article concludes by devising an alternative rule that differentiates the various categories of “unidentified” remains, thus circumventing the unjust effects of the new rule, while still eliminating the “timeless limbo” in which many remains are being held.
The hydrogenation of toluene and o-, m-, and pxylene over palladium: I. Kinetic behavior and o-xylene isornerization

Abstract The vapor-phase hydrogenation of toluene and o-, m-, p-xylene was studied over Pd powder and Pd dispersed on MgO, SiO2, Al2O3, SiO2Al2O3, and TiO2. As with benzene, the use of the last two acidic oxides can markedly enhance activities, but the relative change diminishes as methyl groups are added; for example, the average enhancement in turnover frequency was 8 for toluene while the lowest was 3 for m-xylene. The turnover frequency decreased in the following order: benzene > toluene ≥ p-xylene ≥ m-xylene>o-xylene; however, the differences were less pronounced for Pd powder and Pd/MgO compared to Pd/SiO2Al2O3 and Pd/TiO2. This trend is attributed to an electronic effect on the aromatic ring related to the addition of methyl groups although steric hindrance also appears to be responsible for the consistently low rates for o-xylene hydrogenation. All reactions were first order in H2 and zero order in the aromatic compound, and activation energies were near that of benzene and did not vary significantly, as average values were 11.8, 12.0, 12.7, and 13.7 for toluene, m-xylene, o-xylene, and p-xylene, respectively. Isomerization of o-xylene to m-xylene was observed over all the Pd catalysts, but rates were fivefold higher on the most acidic Pd/SiO2Al2O3 and Pd/TiO2 catalysts thus verifying the presence of acid sites on the support.
Structure, stability, and electronic properties of thin TiO 2 nanowires

We present a comprehensive theoretical study---within the framework of an ab initio density-functional-theory method---of the structural, stability, and electronic properties of thin ${\text{TiO}}_{2}$ nanowires. We consider nanowires with $⟨001⟩$ growth direction with several perimeters and surface-facet configurations. We use a stability analysis of the results obtained for these nanowires to determine the most stable geometries. Our results show that nanowire with the square cross section is the least stable among the octagonal, hexagonal, and round shape nanowires studied. We show that the perimeter of the nanowires is an important dimensional parameter when considering stability and that the surface facets play a central role on the energetics and stability of the nanowires.
Go White, Indeed: Deconstructing the Explicit and Hidden Curricula of a Universityâ€™s Homecoming Day Parade

In this article, I employ a critical reading of a social practice and tradition unique to American culture and schools: A large university’s annual Homecoming Day Parade. Using my participant observations of the parade at Michigan State University, I employ critical cultural perspectives as well as critical curriculum perspectives as lenses through which to deconstruct the myths of school spirit and unity to explore the following questions: What are the tacit and hegemonic ideals embedded in this cultural expression? What is the hidden curriculum embedded in such cultural practices? Who is actually “included” in and by an event purporting to unite a community around a common purpose? Likewise, which constituents are ultimately “excluded” in this celebration? What does a critical reading of a university’s homecoming day parade reveal about absence, inclusion, exclusion, gender objectification, and social-class inequities? What does a critical reading about this type of event reveal about anti/intellectualism? In this article, I challenge common assumptions which purport that homecoming day parades are innocuous displays of, and opportunities for, school spirit and collective belonging. Instead, my analyses support extant critical perspectives which maintain that such cultural events and social practices are laden with power, meaning, and the reification of both. In this, I discuss how there are tacit messages embedded in practices which ultimately serve to muffle diversity, promote conformity, and perpetuate antiquated gender roles and social class dominance.
Heavy Ion Fusion Accelerator Research

This paper describes an economical program for heavy ion fusion accelerator research. The heavy ion accelerator research program is part of a larger national research program to develop inertial fusion for commercial power production.
A model-based approach to testing software for critical behavior and properties

To integrate the theoretical concepts of composition and refinement with the engineering notions of software models and components, the Naval Research Laboratory has formulated a set of practical composition-based methods, with associated modeling and proof techniques, for developing critical software systems. The general approach is to develop a set of software components and to use various forms of composition to combine the components in a manner that guarantees properties of the composite system. An assumption underlying this research is that much of the software code can be generated automatically from models using automatic code generators. A problem is that the code generated by such tools still requires testing to ensure that the software delivers its critical services correctly and that the software behavior satisfies critical properties, such as safety properties. The need for testing arises in part because only some of the required code is generated automatically: Stubs are provided for code that cannot be generated automatically (for example, certain algorithms), and such code must be constructed manually. This talk describes model-based methods for developing software, and how the models and properties developed using these methods can be used as the basis for automatically constructing tests for evaluating the correctness of software code. These tests are designed to satisfy various coverage criteria, such as branch coverage. An example is presented showing how our model-based method can be used to construct a suite of tests for evaluating the software code controlling the behavior of an autonomous system.
A neural command circuit for grooming movement control

Animals perform many stereotyped movements, but how nervous systems are organized for controlling specific movements remains unclear. Here we use anatomical, optogenetic, behavioral, and physiological techniques to identify a circuit in Drosophila melanogaster that can elicit stereotyped leg movements that groom the antennae. Mechanosensory chordotonal neurons detect displacements of the antennae and excite three different classes of functionally connected interneurons, which include two classes of brain interneurons and different parallel descending neurons. This multilayered circuit is organized such that neurons within each layer are sufficient to specifically elicit antennal grooming. However, we find differences in the durations of antennal grooming elicited by neurons in the different layers, suggesting that the circuit is organized to both command antennal grooming and control its duration. As similar features underlie stimulus-induced movements in other animals, we infer the possibility of a common circuit organization for movement control that can be dissected in Drosophila.
Unraveling AdS/CFT. What string theory is telling us about the physics at RHIC

In this review, I survey the conjectured correspondence between a string theory in ten dimensions and certain supersymmetric gauge theories in four. This duality has recently garnered considerable attention from scientists studying the hot matter produced in heavy-ion collisions. An important and immediate question is to what extent one can hope to describe the dynamics of the quark–gluon plasma in a supersymmetric conformal field theory. Here I explain recent applications of the AdS/CFT correspondence to the strongly interacting matter produced at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Progress in characterizing the medium with these techniques will be discussed, as well as limitations inherent to the method.
Enhancement of resolution in matrix-assisted laser desorption using an ion-trap storage/reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer

A quadrupole ion-trap storage/reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer (IT/RETOFMS) has been used to enhance resolution in the ultraviolet matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) of peptides. The MALDI of peptides is performed directly inside an ion-trap storage device using 266 nm laser radiation from a 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid matrix. Helium buffer gas is used to collisionally cool the hot desorbed ions and to rapidly relax the ions to the center of the ion trap. The result is that upon ejection into the TOF device, a resolution of nearly 6200 is obtained-for Substance P using a 90 ms storage time. A resolution of 3000–6000 is consistently obtained for peptides up to 2100 u used in this study. The individual ion peaks from the isotopic distribution are easily resolved under these conditions. In addition, the ion trap is found to be useful as an ion-storage device for enhancing the signal where multiple laser desorption pulses can be stored per cycle in the trap before ejection into the RETOF. Also, using the relatively high resolving power of the IT/RETOF instrument, excellent mass accuracy can be obtained using the matrix background and bradykinin as internal standards.
Recovery of Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen from PSA Tail Gas

Abstract As refineries attempt to expand their production and reduce their carbon footprint, a process capable of recovering incremental hydrogen and capturing carbon dioxide has tremendous value. Fluor’s patented process, CO2LDSepSM, is a cost effective technology that is able to recover residual hydrogen and CO2 from a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) tail gas. The CO2LDSepSM process is very useful as a retrofit strategy in an existing refinery.
Dynamics of Diels–Alder reactions involving 2-trialkylsilyloxyfurans

Abstract Increasing the size of the silyl group on 2-trialkylsilyloxyfurans reduces the rate of Diels–Alder reactions with maleic acid derivatives. While the exo -adduct resulted from the reaction between 2-silyloxyfurans and maleic anhydride, endo -adducts resulted from the reactions with maleate esters. Analysis of transition state structures for the cycloaddition, calculated at the B3LYP/6-31G∗ level of theory, revealed significant stretch-mode asynchronicity in the forming bonds, with selectivity arising from steric interactions that affect torsional strain about the shorter of the forming bonds.
Mohs' Surgery, Fresh‐Tissue Technique: Our Technique with a Review

A modified method of the fresh-tissue technique of Mohs' surgery is presented with a discussion of its developmental background and advantages. The refinements obviate the need for the chemical fixative. We therefore advocate acceptance of this technique in all cases of cutaneous carcinomas requiring Mohs' surgery.
Island biogeography extends to small-scale habitats: low competitor density and richness on islands may drive trait variation in nonnative plants

Previous island biogeography studies have quantified species richness on the scale of entire islands rather than smaller scales relevant to plant-to-plant competitive interactions. Further, they have not accounted for density compensation. Using mainland and island sites along the New England coast, we asked two questions. First, are both richness and density lower in small-scale habitats within islands than in similar mainland habitats? Second, do differences in competitor richness and density drive post-establishment trait variation in nonnative plant species? We used field surveys and individual-based rarefaction to estimate richness and density in 100-m2 plots and demonstrated that island sites have significantly fewer species and individuals per unit area than mainland sites. We then conducted a field study in which we removed competing neighbors from nonnative plant individuals and found that when competitors were removed, individuals in low-competition environments demonstrated a lesser increase in vegetative growth but a greater increase in reproductive effort and herbivore tolerance relative to mainland individuals whose neighbors were also removed. We found that the central concept of island biogeography, i.e., that islands host fewer species than comparable mainland habitats, can be extended to smaller-scale habitats and that this difference in competitive pressure between mainland and island habitats can act as a driver of trait variation in nonnative plants.
A Comparison of Approximate vs. Exact Geometrical Representations of Roughness for CFD Calculations of CF and ST

Skin friction (cf ) and heat transfer (St) predictions were made for a turbulent boundary layer over randomly rough surfaces at Reynolds number of 1 × 106 . The rough surfaces are scaled models of actual gas turbine blade surfaces that have experienced degradation after service. Two different approximations are used to characterize the roughness in the computational model: the discrete element model and full 3-D discretization of the surface. The discrete element method considers the total aerodynamic drag on a rough surface to be the sum of shear drag on the flat part of the surface and the form drag on the individual roughness elements. The total heat transfer from a rough surface is the sum of convection on the flat part of the surface and the convection from each of the roughness elements. Correlations are used to model the roughness element drag and heat transfer thus avoiding the complexity of gridding the irregular rough surface. The discrete element roughness representation was incorporated into a two-dimensional, finite difference boundary layer code with a mixing length turbulence model. The second prediction method employs a viscous adaptive Cartesian grid approach to fully resolve the three-dimensional roughness geometry. This significantly reduces the grid requirement compared to a structured grid. The flow prediction is made using a finite-volume Navier-Stokes solver capable of handling arbitrary grids with the Spalart-Allmaras (S-A) turbulence model. Comparisons are made to experimentally measured values of cf and St for two unique roughness characterizations. The two methods predict cf to within ±8% and St within ±17%, the RANS code yielding slightly better agreement. In both cases, agreement with the experimental data is less favorable for the surface with larger roughness features. The RANS simulation requires a two to three order of magnitude increase in computational time compared to the DEM method and is not as readily adapted to a wide variety of roughness characterizations. The RANS simulation is capable of analyzing surfaces composed primarily of roughness valleys (rather than peaks), a feature that DEM does not have in its present formulation. Several basic assumptions employed by the discrete element model are evaluated using the 3D RANS flow predictions, namely: establishment of the mid-height for application of the smooth wall boundary condition, cD and Nu relations employed for roughness elements, and flow three-dimensionality over and around roughness elements.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Differential Adoption of Laser Prostatectomy for Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Objective To evaluate whether socioeconomic environment affects the adoption of new laser technology for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods Using all payer data, we identified all discharges for laser prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) performed in Florida (2001-2009). We determined whether or not each of 114 healthcare markets (Hospital Service Areas) offered laser prostatectomy or TURP and assessed the market-level socioeconomic environment using a previously described ZIP code-based summary score. We used generalized estimating equations to examine the association of socioeconomic environment with offering laser prostatectomy or TURP, adjusting for additional market characteristics. Results Better socioeconomic environment was associated with offering laser prostatectomy (odds ratio 1.21 for each 1 point increase in summary score, 95% confidence interval 1.08-1.35, P Conclusion We found delayed access to new laser technology in more disadvantaged socioeconomic environments, which may translate into disparities in certain outcomes after transurethral surgery for BPH.
The effects of substrate surface steps on the microstructure of epitaxial Ba2YCu3O7−x thin films on (001) LaAlO3

Abstract The effects of steps in the (001) surface of LaAlO 3 substrates on the microstructural evolution of heteroepitaxial Ba 2 YCu 3 O 7− x (BYC) thin films were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Native substrate surface steps acted as nucleation sites for both the c -axis normal and c -axis in-plane ( a -axis normal) orientations in BYC films prepared by post-deposition annealing of a precursor film. The density of c -axis in-plane BYC grains varied dramatically across the surface of the substrates. In several samples, the spatial pattern of c -axis in-plane regions present in the BYC films was similar to the twin structure present in the LaAlO 3 substrates. Surface grooves present near twin boundaries in the substrates and lattice rotation of the LaAlO 3 during its rhombohedral-cubic phase transition at ∼450°C may produce the large surface steps that act as preferred sites for BYC nucleation.
The over-the-limb hard X-ray events

Over-the-limb hard X-ray events offer a uniquely direct view of the hard X-ray emission from the solar corona during a major flare. Limb occultation at angles greater than about 10 deg (an arbitrary definition of this class of events) excludes any confusion with brighter chromospheric sources. Published observations of seven over-the-limb events, beginning with the prototype flare of March 30, 1969, are reviewed. The hard X-ray spectra appear to fall into two classes: hard events, with power-law index of about 2.0; and soft events, with power-law index about 5.4. This tendency towards bimodality is only significant at the 90-percent confidence level due to the smallness of the number of events observed to date. If borne out by future data, the bimodality would suggest the existence of two different acceleration mechanisms.
Application of similarity in hypersonic transition prediction

We investigate similitude of boundary-layer stability over nearly sharp, zero-incidence hypersonic cones. A similarity rule accounting for viscous and compressibility effects is derived without solving the initial boundary value problem.
Verbosity: a game for collecting common-sense facts

We address the problem of collecting a database of ""common-sense facts"" using a computer game. Informally, a common-sense fact is a true statement about the world that is known to most humans: ""milk is white,"" ""touching hot metal hurts,"" etc. Several efforts have been devoted to collecting common-sense knowledge for the purpose of making computer programs more intelligent. Such efforts, however, have not succeeded in amassing enough data because the manual process of entering these facts is tedious. We therefore introduce Verbosity, a novel interactive system in the form of an enjoyable game. People play Verbosity because it is fun, and as a side effect of them playing, we collect accurate common-sense knowledge. Verbosity is an example of a game that not only brings people together for leisure, but also collects useful data for computer science.
ASSESSMENT OF READJUSTING TO LIFE AFTER COMPLETING A THRU-HIKE OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

Hundreds of individual participate in the outdoor recreation activity of hiking the entire length of the Appalachian Trail each year. Research had been conducted on various aspects of hiking, but limited research is available on the post thru-hike experience. Research on place attachment and culture shock served as a basis for this study to uncover how individuals readjust to life after hiking on the AT. Ten telephone interviews were conducted during the winter of 2011 with hikers from 2009 or 2010. Themes emerged from the data to show similar outcomes. Results indicated that thru-hikers have difficulty with the readjustment process, experience personal life changes, miss aspects of the AT and have motivation towards other long term goals. This study shows that hikers feel a strong connection to the trail, thus more efforts should be taken to protect such an important place to many individuals.
An analysis of the effect of elongational viscosity on the flow in a spiral–mandrel die

A three-dimensional flow of a low-density polyethylene in a spiral–mandrel die for a blown-film extrusion is simulated. The effect of elongational viscosity on the flow in the spiral–mandrel die is analyzed. Elongational viscosity is found to have only a minor effect on the velocity distribution, but a significant effect on the pressure and temperature distributions in the die. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 25: 90–97, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20061
Radiopharmaceutical chemistry for positron emission tomography.

Abstract Molecular imaging is an emerging technology that allows the visualization of interactions between molecular probes and biological targets. Molecules that either direct or are subject to homeostatic controls in biological systems could be labeled with the appropriate radioisotopes for the quantitative measurement of selected molecular interactions during normal tissue homeostasis and again after perturbations of the normal state. In particular, positron emission tomography (PET) offers picomolar sensitivity and is a fully translational technique that requires specific probes radiolabeled with a usually short-lived positron-emitting radionuclide. PET has provided the capability of measuring biological processes at the molecular and metabolic levels in vivo by the detection of the gamma rays formed as a result of the annihilation of the positrons emitted. Despite the great wealth of information that such probes can provide, the potential of PET strongly depends on the availability of suitable PET radiotracers. However, the development of new imaging probes for PET is far from trivial and radiochemistry is a major limiting factor for the field of PET. In this review, we provided an overview of the most common chemical approaches for the synthesis of PET-labeled molecules and highlighted the most recent developments and trends. The discussed PET radionuclides include 11C (t1/2 = 20.4 min), 13N (t1/2 = 9.9 min), 15O (t1/2 = 2 min), 68Ga (t1/2 = 68 min), 18F (t1/2 = 109.8 min), 64Cu (t1/2 = 12.7 h), and 124I (t1/2 = 4.12 d).
Rous sarcoma virus production from clones of nontransformed chick embryo fibroblasts.

Abstract When chick embryo cells are infected with high concentrations of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) and cloned, most of the clones which produce RSV contain transformed cells. The remaining virus-producing clones, however, are normal in appearance. When cells from these nontransformed virus-producing clones are dispersed and recloned they give rise to clones, of which 90% are normal in appearance and produce no virus and 10% contain transformed cells and produce virus. It is suggested that nontransformed virus-producing clones arise from infected cells which grow into mixed clones. This occurs when virus is segregated to only one of the two daughter cells produced during the first divisions of a newly infected cell.
Estimating HIV Incidence Rate among Stable Sexual Partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Background: Empirical evidence suggests that HIV incidence rate within stable discordant sexual partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) varies between 1.2 and 19.0 per 100 person-years. Estimating HIV incidence rate within stable discordant partnerships is critical for determining the contribution of HIV sero-conversions among these partnerships to total HIV incidence. Objective: To estimate HIV incidence rate within stable discordant partnerships using nationally representative data and explore potential underlying factors contributing to their variability across a range of epidemic settings in SSA. Methods: We constructed a mathematical model based on competing-hazards formalism to estimate HIV incidence rate within stable discordant partnerships across 20 countries in SSA. We also used the model to analyze the patterns of HIV discordancy in SSA. The model was parameterized using Demographic Health Survey data and analyses were conducted at endemic equilibrium. Sensitivity analyses were perfor...
Introduction to the 2005 long course

Dermatopathology, as with other fields of pathology, has undergone major changes in the last 25 years. Our understanding of epidermally derived neoplasms becomes far more advanced with each passing year. Evidence for this progress is readily apparent upon reviewing textbooks of dermatopathology over time and in examining the course contents of the long-course presentations at the United States–Canadian Academy of Pathology annual meetings. What was once a simple discussion of melanocytic neoplasms (thought to be a variant of sarcoma) has become a reasonably complex analysis of the histologic, immunologic, and molecular aspects of melanocytic neoplasia. Similarly, our understanding of the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is greatly enhanced. The understanding of the molecular alterations that result in full transformation offers great insight into carcinogenesis. This introductory essay briefly traces this progression in setting the stage for the series of more detailed chapters about epidermal neoplasms that follow.