cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Sexual Assault and Development of Eating Disorders in Domestic and International College Women [Miami University]

One in four women will experience some form of sexual assault in their lifetime and 0.3-1% of women will experience anorexia nervosa in their lifetime (Hoek, 2006). Compared to other psychiatric disorders, anorexia has been found to have the highest mortality rate (Morris, 2007). Anorexia nervosa has a mortality rate of 10% (Insel, 2012). Additionally, college women seem to be at great risk for both eating disorders and experiencing sexual assault. While a few studies examine the relationship between eating disorder behavior and sexual assault, it is unclear if this risk is different across year in school and for those who are members of sororities. The objective of this study is to extend the literature by examining some groups who might be at higher or lower risk for both sexual assault and disordered eating. Given the higher rates of eating disorders and sexual assault, college women will be the focus of the current study. An anonymous online survey with census sampling was used to obtain the data for this study. It was only distributed to college students around the ages of 18-22. Data collection is ongoing. It is hypothesized that members of sororities and older students will have higher rates of both behaviors. Interventions can utilize the results of this study to target students who might be at a particularly higher risk. Implications will be discussed.
Further analysis of behavioral measures of cochlear gain and gain reduction in listeners with normal hearing or minimal cochlear hearing loss

This is a continuation of a study examining the relationship between cochlear hearing loss and psychoacoustic measures thought to be related to a cochlear function. In the listeners tested, audiometric thresholds for long tones ranged from well within the clinically normal range to just outside this range. Where thresholds were elevated, other clinical tests were consistent with a cochlear origin. Because the medial olivocochlear reflex decreases cochlear gain in response to sound, when possible, measures were made with short stimuli. Signal frequencies were from 1 to 8 kHz. One point on the lower leg of the input/output function was measured by finding threshold masker level for a masker almost one octave below the signal frequency needed to mask a signal at 5 dB SL. Gain reduction was estimated by presenting a pink broadband noise (BBN) precursor before the signal and masker and measuring the change in signal threshold as a function of the precursor level. Previous studies with listeners with normal hearing have shown that gain reduction begins at a low precursor level and grows compressively as the precursor level is increased. The current study is designed to determine whether this pattern changes when cochlear gain is permanently reduced. [Work supported by NIH(NIDCD)R01 DC008327 (EAS), the Purdue Office of the Executive Vice President for Research, and the Purdue Graduate School (WBS).]This is a continuation of a study examining the relationship between cochlear hearing loss and psychoacoustic measures thought to be related to a cochlear function. In the listeners tested, audiometric thresholds for long tones ranged from well within the clinically normal range to just outside this range. Where thresholds were elevated, other clinical tests were consistent with a cochlear origin. Because the medial olivocochlear reflex decreases cochlear gain in response to sound, when possible, measures were made with short stimuli. Signal frequencies were from 1 to 8 kHz. One point on the lower leg of the input/output function was measured by finding threshold masker level for a masker almost one octave below the signal frequency needed to mask a signal at 5 dB SL. Gain reduction was estimated by presenting a pink broadband noise (BBN) precursor before the signal and masker and measuring the change in signal threshold as a function of the precursor level. Previous studies with listeners with normal hea...
Cognitive Cyber-Physical System (C-CPS) for Human-Robot Collaborative Manufacturing

In this paper, the fundamental concept of the newly coined framework C-CPS (cognitive cyber-physical system) is introduced with application to human-robot collaborative manufacturing. A human-robot hybrid cell is developed where a human and a robot collaborate to perform assembly of components in manufacturing. Human and robot's mutual trust, an expression of human and machine cognition, is modeled and computed in realtime for the collaborative task. In the proposed C-CPS framework, a cyber system (software system) along with necessary hardware (sensors) computes the mutual trust in real-time based on the performance and precision of the physical system (human and robot). The computed mutual trust is then communicated to the robot via the software system and to the human via a visual interface. The computed trust values are also used to control the motion of the robot based on an algorithm, and to stimulate the action of the human based on warnings communicated to the human via the visual interface. The performance of the physical system also impacts the cyber system (computing), and the vice versa. The framework is implemented with an actual human-robot collaborative assembly task. The experimental evaluation results show satisfactory performance of the proposed C-CPS in term of human-system interaction, manufacturing efficiency and quality.
Assessing readability and comprehension of informed consent materials for medical device research: A survey of informed consents from FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health

Legally effective informed consent has been a long-standing requirement for FDA-regulated clinical studies. However, informed consent forms (ICFs) are often thought to be too long, too complex, and too difficult for participants to understand. In this article, investigators from the FDAs Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) surveyed 399 ICFs from approved investigational device exemption (IDE) applications for fiscal years 2015 and 2016 to evaluate the readability of ICFs. The investigators collected data from the ICFs, using variables related to structure, readability, and comprehension. The investigators found that the mean grade-reading levels of the ICFs ranged from 10th grade to college level (Table 2), higher than the recommended 6th to 8th grade level, when measured by major readability evaluation tools (the SMOG readability grade level formula, the Flesch-Kincaid Index Grade Level Readability Formula, the Flesch Reading Ease test, and the Dale-Chall readability formula). Overall, the ICFs and informed consent (IC) processes, as described in the IDE application, lacked components that enhanced participants' comprehension, such as short sentences (e.g., no more than 8 to 10 to words) and the use of pictures, tables, and diagrams. CDRH investigators believe that information about ICFs' readability, comprehension, and structure will help support current and future efforts to improve the IC process. The intent of the article is to demonstrate that improvements are needed in the IC process and to encourage clinical trial stakeholders to consider implementing those approaches that optimize patient comprehension in the development of their IC processes.
Shrewd detectives find a dissipation channel.

The non-contact friction between a metal tip and a Bi2Te3 surface is controlled by a single charge in an image potential state.
Associations between 100% Orange Juice Consumption and Dietary, Lifestyle and Anthropometric Characteristics in a Cross-Sectional Study of U.S. Children and Adolescents.

Concerns about orange juice’s sugar content have spurred discussions regarding its potential contributions to childhood obesity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between 100% orange juice (OJ) consumption and dietary, lifestyle and anthropometric characteristics in children and adolescents. Baseline anthropometric, dietary and lifestyle data from the Growing Up Today Study I (GUTS I) and GUTS II were collected via self-reported questionnaires from 26,554 participants. The mean values of these variables were then computed for children grouped by categories of OJ consumption, and linear trend testing was used to determine whether OJ consumption was linearly related to these variables. Multivariate adjustment modeling was used to calculate odds ratios of being obese or overweight/obese by OJ consumption. Among both boys and girls, OJ intake was positively associated with height, height-for-age z-score (HAZ), intakes of total energy, total energy excluding OJ, fruits and non-starchy vegetables and physical activity. BMI, BMI z-score and BMI-for-age percentile did not differ by OJ consumption. After adjustment for cohort, age, race, total energy intake without OJ, physical activity and screen time, prevalence of overweight/obesity significantly decreased by OJ intake in boys compared to non-consumers (odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI)): 1.17 (1.02, 1.33) for 1–3 glasses per month, 1.11 (0.98, 1.26) for 1–6 glasses per week, 1.00 (0.85, 1.18) for 1 glass per day, 0.91 (0.73, 1.13) for ≥1 glass per day, p-trend = 0.0403). Prevalence of obesity similarly decreased by OJ intake in boys. Prevalence of overweight/obesity and obesity did not significantly differ by OJ intake in girls. The results indicate that children consuming more OJ tended to practice healthier dietary and lifestyle habits without increased prevalence or odds of obesity or overweight.
On Predicting Crime with Heterogeneous Spatial Patterns: Methods and Evaluation

Accurate prediction of crime incidents can assist the police in better planning of prevention strategies and scheduling deployment. The problem is often studied as a spatio-temporal regression problem approached by dividing the area of interest into a grid of uniform cells, and performing regression on timeseries of each cell. We propose that changing the method of division of the area can significantly improve crime prediction. We demonstrate this using a heterogeneous division of the area obtained by our partitioning algorithm that takes into account the density of crime. We further show that existing measures do not provide a fair comparison of two methods that partition the area in two different ways. To address this severe drawback in crime prediction evaluation, we propose a novel measure which is based on optimal allocation of resources relying on the prediction and then checking the actual number of crimes that would have been avoided by the allocation. Essentially, our measure answers the question of which model would have assisted in preventing most number of actual crimes if allocation were to be done using the predicted crimes. We also prove that a greedy algorithm results in the optimal allocation resources, thus making our evaluation computationally lightweight. Experiments on real-world datasets demonstrate that heterogeneous division of the area results in improved crime prediction while drastically decreasing the number of models to be trained compared to uniform grid division.
Considerations in the application of machine learning to aqueous geochemistry: Origin of produced waters in the northern U.S. Gulf Coast Basin

Abstract Since the advent of modern computing, geochemists have increasingly relied on computers to garner efficiencies in calculations, data analysis, and data presentation. Entirely new fields, such as Monte Carlo-based simulation and geochemical modeling, have developed under this paradigm. With continued growth in computing power, machine learning has become an increasingly popular tool in aqueous geochemistry. However, continued reliance on algorithms to perform mathematical calculations can lead to paths of not understanding how to properly prepare information for models or not the reasons behind apparent patterns in the output. Machine learning algorithms can be heavily impacted by what variables are chosen for the model and how data are pre-processed, including handling of missing and censored values (e.g., above or below a detection limit). We propose an approach of parsimonious variable selection, based partially on the signal-to-noise ratio, and suggest and discuss strategies for handling missing and censored data. An example of unsupervised machine learning, using emergent self-organizing map analysis, is applied to water from oil and gas wells in the northern U.S. Gulf Coast Basin, whose composition is controlled by different processes and is derived from various origins. Findings from this investigation suggest five groups of water samples are present, two of which were not identified using conventional data analysis methods. One notable result is that brines derived from seawater evaporation, presumably waters from which the Jurassic Louann salt precipitated, have migrated upward into shallower reservoirs across the study area. This work demonstrates that focus on understanding data quality and exercises to better interpret the output from numerical models continue to be critical skills to further take advantage of applying machine learning to geochemistry.
Regional trends in suspected synthetic cannabinoid exposure from January 2016 to September 2019 in the United States.

Abstract Background The unpredictable physiologic and pharmacologic effects of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are continuously changing as the chemical structure of SCs evolve to avoid classification as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act in the U.S. This results in unpredictable pharmacologic effects and subsequent sequelae. Little is known about national or regional trends of SC clusters. The objective of this study is to investigate trends in SC exposure using emergency department (ED) syndromic data. Methods We analyzed ED syndromic data to detect quarterly trends from January 2016 through September 2019 for SC-related exposures within 59 jurisdictions in 47 states by U.S. region. Pearson chi-square tests detected quarter-to-quarter changes and Joinpoint regression assessed trends over time. Results From January 2016 to September 2019, 21,714 of 303.5 million ED visits involved suspected SC exposures. Nationally, SC-related exposures decreased by 1.9 % (p = .04) on average per quarter, yet exposures increased in the Midwest by 6.3 % (p = .002) and in the Northeast by 3.2 % (p = .03) on average per quarter, and decreased on average per quarter by 7.7% (p ≤ .001) in the Southeast and 11.4 % in the West (p ≤ .001). Known SC exposures that may align with clusters were identified in quarter-to-quarter monitoring. Conclusions Only a small proportion of ED visits were related to suspected SC exposure. Although we did identify a small decrease in national SC exposures, there was wide variation by region. Additional efforts are needed to understand variation and to develop prevention and response strategies.
Long-term stability of microbiome diversity and composition in fecal samples stored in eNAT medium.

Fecal samples collected for microbiome analyses are typically frozen to avoid postcollection changes in microbial composition. eNAT is a guanidine thiocyanate-based medium that stabilizes microbial DNA and allows safe specimen handling and shipping by inactivating microorganisms. We collected fecal samples (n = 50) from children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We divided samples into three aliquots: (a) stored in RNAlater and immediately transferred to -80°C; (b) stored in eNAT medium and immediately transferred to -80°C; and (c) stored in eNAT medium at ambient temperature (~20°C) for 30 days prior to transfer to -80°C. Mean (standard deviation) Shannon diversity and Chao1 indices in sample aliquots were 2.05 (0.62) and 23.8 (16.6), respectively. Comparing samples frozen immediately in RNAlater to samples frozen immediately in eNAT, there were no differences in Shannon diversity (p = .51), Chao1 richness (p = .66), and overall microbiome composition (p = .99). Comparing eNAT samples frozen immediately to samples stored at ambient temperature, we identified no differences in Shannon diversity (p = .65), Chao1 richness (p = .87), and overall microbiome composition (p = .99). Storage of fecal samples in eNAT at ambient temperature for 30 days did not alter microbiome richness, diversity, or composition. eNAT may be a useful medium for fecal microbiome studies, particularly when cold chain storage is unavailable.
A Study of Gender Inequality in India

This study considers the gender inequality that exists among every region, social class and prevents the growth of Indian economy from improving the lives of Indian people. The reality of gender inequality in India is very complex and diversified, because it exists in every field like education, employment opportunities, income, health, cultural issues, social issues, economic issues etc. An attempt has been made to find out those factors which are responsible for this problem in India. So, this paper highlights the multi-dimensional context of gender inequalities prevalent in India. Overall, the study indicates the inequality in economic, social, cultural and legal biasness which are of a great challenge for policy-makers and social scientists to establish proper equality in the entire social field. The researchers have tried to suggest some relevant strategies and policies implication for reducing this gender inequality and to promote the dignified position for Indian women.
Principles of Epigenetic Homeostasis Shared Between Flowering Plants and Mammals

In diverse eukaryotes, epigenetic information such as DNA methylation is stably propagated over many cell divisions and generations, and can remain the same over thousands or millions of years. However, this stability is the product of dynamic processes that add and remove DNA methylation by specialized enzymatic pathways. The activities of these dynamic pathways must therefore be finely orchestrated in order to ensure that the DNA methylation landscape is maintained with high fidelity – a concept we term epigenetic homeostasis. In this review, we summarize recent insights into epigenetic homeostasis mechanisms in flowering plants and mammals, highlighting analogous mechanisms that have independently evolved to achieve the same goal of stabilizing the epigenetic landscape.
Abstract LB-225: Twisting stemness in AML using nanoparticle as a delivery system for siRNA targeting Twist

Twist-1, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, regulates embryogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Twist-1 is essential for the differentiation and specification of mesoderm-derived tissues and hematopoietic stem cells. In hematopoiesis, Twist-1 plays an important role in maintaining the bone marrow niche to support normal hematopoiesis. In human tumorigenesis, Twist-1 is overexpressed and promotes EMT, a key process in the metastases and drug resistance. In addition, recent evidence indicates that Twist-1-Bmi1 axis confers acute myeloid leukemia (AML), cell self-renewal and apoptosis resistance which highlights the importance of the Twist1-Bmi1 axis in the regulation of self-renewal in both normal hematopoietic and leukemia stem cells (LSCs). The hypothesis of the current study states that dysregulation of Twist-1 is implicated in the pathogenesis of various hematological malignancies, AML. This study demonstrates the efficacy of nanoparticle delivery using hyaluronic-acid conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN-HA) as an intracellular delivery mechanism for siRNA designed to knock down Twist-1 (siTwist-1). The nanoparticle is designed for tumor stem cell specificity as its HA component exclusively targets LSCs through their native ligand, CD44. In addition, the nanoparticles9 electrostatically bonded polyethylene (PEI) coat protects the siRNA from nuclease degradation. Using siRNA nanotechnology, previous studies demonstrated the ability to target and silence cytoplasmic Twist-1 mRNA and re-sensitize cancer cells to conventional chemotherapeutic agents in solid tumor models. In this study, we demonstrate the efficacy of this nanoparticle siRNA technology on the knockdown of Twist-1 in the AML cell line, KG1a, and the consequent cascading effect of upregulating the tumor suppressor genes and downregulating stemness genes. Our data indicate that Twist-1 promotes leukemia cell growth and colony-forming units (CFU) through the Twist/c-MPL axis, and knockdown of Twist1 inhibits tumor growth and reduce the number of CFUs. Our Results also showed that Twist-1 interacts with Runt domain of Runx-1, and c-MPL, reported to be negatively regulated by RUNx-1. Thus, nanotechnology which combines CD44 targeting and Twist Knockdown, has shown promising results for LSCs targeting, mitigating metastasis in AML. Further investigations of the role of Twist HSC and bone marrow niche will provide more insight into strategic management and treatment for leukemic stem cells. Citation Format: Ebtesam Nafie, Angelina Flores, Idoroenyi Amanam, Ruining Wang, Jeffrey Zink, Lucy Ghoda, Guido Marcucci, Carlotta Glackin. Twisting stemness in AML using nanoparticle as a delivery system for siRNA targeting Twist [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-225.
Characterization of mWake expression in the murine brain

Structure-function analyses of the mammalian brain have historically relied on anatomically-based approaches. In these investigations, physical, chemical, or electrolytic lesions of anatomical structures are applied, and the resulting behavioral or physiological responses assayed. An alternative approach is to focus on the expression pattern of a molecule whose function has been characterized and then use genetic intersectional methods to optogenetically or chemogenetically manipulate distinct circuits. We previously identified WIDE AWAKE (WAKE) in Drosophila, a clock output molecule that mediates the temporal regulation of sleep onset and sleep maintenance. More recently, we have studied the mouse homolog, mWAKE/ANKFN1, and our data suggest that its basic role in the circadian regulation of arousal is conserved. Here, we perform a systematic analysis of the expression pattern of mWake mRNA, protein, and cells throughout the adult mouse brain. We find that mWAKE labels neurons in a restricted, but distributed manner, in multiple regions of the hypothalamus (including the suprachiasmatic nucleus, dorsomedial hypothalamus, and tuberomammillary nucleus region), the limbic system, sensory processing nuclei, and additional specific brainstem, subcortical, and cortical areas. Interestingly, mWAKE is also observed in non-neuronal ependymal cells. In addition, to describe the molecular identities and clustering of mWake+ cells, we provide detailed analyses of single cell RNA sequencing data from the hypothalamus, a region with particularly significant mWAKE expression. These findings lay the groundwork for future studies into the potential role of mWAKE+ cells in the rhythmic control of diverse behaviors and physiological processes.
Accelerator design for the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source upgrade

During the summer and fall of 2018 the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) is undergoing an upgrade to increase high-energy flux for x-ray users. The upgrade requires replacing one-sixth of the Cornell Electron Storage Ring (CESR), inverting the polarity of half of the CHESS beam lines, and switching to single-beam on-axis operation. The new sextant is comprised of six double-bend achromats (DBAs) with combined-function dipole-quadrupoles. Although the DBA design is widely utilized and well understood, the constraints for the CESR modifications make the CHESS-U lattice unique. This paper describes the design objectives, constraints, and implementation for the CESR accelerator upgrade for CHESS-U.
Design and implementation of floating field ring edge termination on vertical geometry β-Ga2O3 rectifiers

One of the key areas for implementation of high-power Ga2O3 rectifiers is the mitigation of electric field crowding at the edge of the depletion region to avoid premature breakdown. Floating metal field rings (FMRs) are a relatively simple approach for achieving this. We report simulations of the spacing (1–10 μm), width (2–15 μm), number of rings, and also the effect of biasing the rings (0–280 V) and including a field plate at the periphery of the rings on the breakdown voltage of a vertical geometry rectifier with a range of doping concentrations (5 × 1015–4 × 1016 cm−3) in the drift region. Improvements in breakdown voltage of 19%–54% relative to an unterminated rectifier are found with an optimum design of the field rings. The experimental results on rectifiers with different FMR geometries show an RON of 4.5–4.9 mΩ cm2, a turn-on voltage of 0.96–0.94 V, a high on-off ratio of >5 × 106, an ideality factor of 1.03, and a Schottky barrier height of 1.03 eV at room temperature. These devices have similar forward electrical characteristics, indicating that FMRs do not degrade the device rectifying performance.
Abstract 13550: Understanding Associations of Hospital Admission or Observation With Patient Outcomes After Emergency Department Evaluation for Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome

Introduction: Evaluation for suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) results in millions of emergency department (ED) visits annually, and accounts for billions in health care costs. Understanding ...
Hand Washing Observations in Fast-Food and Full-Service Restaurants: Results from the 2014 U.S. Food and Drug Administration Retail Food Risk Factors Study.

ABSTRACT Properly executed hand washing by food service employees can greatly minimize the risk of transmitting foodborne pathogens to food and food contact surfaces in restaurants. However, food service employee hand washing is often not done correctly or does not occur as often as it should. The purpose of this study was to assess the relative impact of (i) the convenience and accessibility of hand washing facilities; (ii) the maintenance of hand washing supplies, (iii) multiunit status, (iv) having a certified food protection manager, and (v) having a food safety management system for compliance with proper hand washing. Results revealed marked differences in hand washing behaviors between fast-food and full-service restaurants; 45% of 425 fast-food restaurants and 57% of 396 full-service restaurants were out of compliance for washing hands correctly, and 57% of fast-food restaurants and 78% of full-service restaurants were out of compliance for employee hands being washed when required. Logistic regression results indicated the benefits of accessibility and maintenance of the hand washing sink and of a food safety management system for increasing the likelihood of employees washing hands when they are supposed to and washing them correctly when they do. HIGHLIGHTS
Internal Needs Assessments: A Worthwhile Endeavor?

On May 1, 2020, the Needs Assessment Committee submitted their final report of findings and recommendations to the dean of the Oral Roberts University Library, Dr. Mark Roberts. The report represen...
What Logics Mean: From Proof Theory to Model-Theoretic Semantics

What do the rules of logic say about the meanings of the symbols they govern? In this book, James W. Garson examines the inferential behaviour of logical connectives (such as 'and', 'or', 'not' and 'if … then'), whose behaviour is defined by strict rules, and proves definitive results concerning exactly what those rules express about connective truth conditions. He explores the ways in which, depending on circumstances, a system of rules may provide no interpretation of a connective at all, or the interpretation we ordinarily expect for it, or an unfamiliar or novel interpretation. He also shows how the novel interpretations thus generated may be used to help analyse philosophical problems such as vagueness and the open future. His book will be valuable for graduates and specialists in logic, philosophy of logic, and philosophy of language.
Dynamic optimality - almost [competitive online binary search tree]

We present an O(lg lg n)-competitive online binary search tree, improving upon the best previous (trivial) competitive ratio of O(lg n). This is the first major progress on Sleator and Tarjan's dynamic optimality conjecture of 1985 that O(1)-competitive binary search trees exist.
Tandem Repeat Instability and Genome Evolution

Evolvability is the potential for a biological system to produce variation that can be acted upon by natural selection. Processes that promote selectable variation can facilitate adaptation to dynamic environments. Microsatellite repeats – sequences composed of repeated sets of up to nine nucleotides – provide one source of adaptive variation. Repeats mutate by the addition or loss of their unit nucleotide sequence, up to 100 000 times more frequently than point mutations. In a number of species, including humans, repeat mutations can cause disease (including neurological and skeletal disorders) as well as exert subtle and quantitative consequences on gene function, morphology, behaviour and life history traits. Understanding the underlying properties of repeat mutation – including causes and mechanisms – is critical for understanding trait variation, adaptation and a growing list of human disorders. Key Concepts: Recent discoveries in molecular genetics are challenging current dogma that claims independence between selection and mutation. Tandem repeats in the genome are highly mutable, sometimes at frequencies of up to 100 000 times more than point mutations. Nearly all aspects of DNA processing, and even transcription and stress, contribute to repeat mutation, making repeats important markers for genomic instability. Microsatellite repeats encode their own mutability, thereby enabling local manipulation of mutation rates. Changes in the lengths of tandem repeats can subtly and quantitatively modulate gene function, traits and disease. Many genomic regions, including tandem repeats, mutate during cellular stress, suggesting that the genome is far more dynamic and susceptible to environmental processes than previously recognised. Keywords: evolvability; stress-induced mutagenesis; genome instability; tandem repeats; microsatellites; triplet repeat disorders; Hsp90 chaperone; genome evolution; natural selection
Grounding Ethical Analysis on Hard Data

The Foetus as Transplant Donor: Scientific, Social, and Ethical Perspectives. By Peter McCullagh. New York: John Wiley & Sons. vi + 215 pp. $45.00, cloth. A central proposition of The Foetus as Transplant Donor is that any discussion of the ethical implications of scientific activities requires an accurate appreciation of the technical facts of that activity. As a result, over half the book's chapters are technical in nature. Although these chapters are perfectly comprehensible to the lay reader, and Peter McCullagh's argument about the importance of technical information is irrefutable, in practice it can lead to a bit of tedium. For instance, twenty-five pages about the outcome of fetal tissue transplantation in animals will tell most readers rather more about
Friedel‐Crafts Reactions

After the initial discovery by Friedel and his American associate, James Mason Crafts, that anhydrous aluminum chloride could be used as a condensing agent in a general synthetic method for furnishing an infinite number of hydrocarbons. They extended their discoveries of the catalytic effect of aluminum chloride in a variety of organic reactions: (1) reactions of alkyl and acyl halides and unsaturated compounds with aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons; (2) reactions of acid anhydrides with aromatic hydrocarbons; (3) reactions of oxygen, sulfur, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and phosgene with aromatic hydrocarbons; (4) cracking of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons; and (5) polymerization of unsaturated hydrocarbons. The diversity of reactions is astounding. Many important industrial processes such as the production of high octane gasoline, ethylbenzene (eventually leading to polystyrene), synthetic rubber, plastics, and detergent alkylates are based on Friedel-Crafts chemistry. Friedel-Crafts-type reactions are generally considered to be any substitution, isomerization, elimination, cracking, polymerization, or addition reaction that takes place under the catalytic effect of Lewis acid-type acidic halides (with or without cocatalysts) or Bronsted acids. Friedel-Crafts reactions can be divided into two general categories: alkylations and acylations. Within these two broad areas there is considerable diversity. Friedel-Crafts catalysts are electron acceptors, ie, Lewis acids. Catalysts include acid halides (Lewis acids), metal alkyls and alkoxides, protic acids (Bronsted Acids), acidic oxides and sulfides (acidic chalcogenides), acidic cation-exchange resins, and superacids (Bronsted superacids, super Lewis acids, Bronsted-Lewis superacids, solid superacids, and superacidic zeolites). Keywords: Freidel-Crafts reactions; Alkylation; Aromatic compounds; Aliphatic compounds; Acylation; Isomerization; Saturated hydrocarbons; Ketone synthesis; Analogues; Catalysts
The Assessment, Monitoring, and Enhancement of Treatment Fidelity In Public Health Clinical Trials

OBJECTIVES: To discuss methods of preservation of treatment fidelity in health behavior change trials conducted in public health contexts. METHODS: The treatment fidelity framework provided by the NIH's Behavioral Change Consortium (BCC) (1) includes five domains of treatment fidelity (Study Design, Training, Delivery, Receipt, and Enactment). A measure of treatment fidelity was previously developed and validated using these categories. RESULTS: Strategies for assessment, monitoring, and enhancing treatment fidelity within each of the five treatment fidelity domains are discussed. The previously created measure of treatment fidelity is updated to include additional items on selecting providers, additional confounders, theory testing, and multicultural considerations. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a treatment fidelity plan may require extra staff time and costs. However, the economic and scientific costs of lack of attention to treatment fidelity are far greater than the costs of treatment fidelity implementation. Maintaining high levels of treatment fidelity with flexible adaptation according to setting, provider, and patient is the goal for public health trials.
Perpendicular Orientation of Domains in Cylinder-Forming Block Copolymer Thick Films by Controlled Interfacial Interactions

We report the induction of perpendicularly oriented cylindrical domains in PS-b-PMMA block copolymer (BCP) films thicker than 100 nm by thermally annealing on a substrate modified with a random copolymer. The effects of annealing temperature, composition of the substrate-modifying random copolymer, and BCP film thickness on the morphology of PMMA cylinder forming PS-b-PMMA were studied. For BCP films thicker than 100 nm, the fabrication of perpendicular PMMA cylinders is highly dependent on both the substrate-modifying random copolymer and the annealing temperature as these two parameters control the interactions of the BCP with the substrate and the free surface, respectively. We found the best perpendicular structures to be created by using a random copolymer brush with a styrene fraction (FSt) near 0.70 and an annealing temperature near 230 °C. Perpendicular cylinder structures were achieved in ∼300 nm thick films using these conditions. When the BCP film was thicker than 300 nm, nucleation and growth ...
Luminosity and the safety of knowledge

: In his recent Knowledge and its Limits, Timothy Williamson argues that no non-trivial mental state is such that being in that state suffices for one to be in a position to know that one is in it. In short, there are no “luminous” mental states. His argument depends on a “safety” requirement on knowledge, that one's confident belief could not easily have been wrong if it is to count as knowledge. We argue that the safety requirement is ambiguous; on one interpretation it is obviously true but useless to his argument, and on the other interpretation it is false.
Quantitative in vivo measurements using microdialysis on-line with capillary zone electrophoresis

A system which couples microdialysis with capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) on-line is used to monitor ascorbate and lactate in the caudate nucleus of rat brain. On-line interface of microdialysis probe and electrophoresis capillary, along with the high mass sensitivity of CZE, allows the probe to be operated at flow rates as low as 40 nl/min. Under these conditions, the relative recovery is nearly 100% and quantitative monitoring is possible. The microscale system also facilitates calibration by the low flow rate method. In spite of the low flow rate, temporal resolution in the 45–125 s range is possible for these compounds. The system is demonstrated by observing changes in ascorbate due to infusions of elevated K+ through the dialysis probe and systemic injections of amphetamine and an anesthetic (ketamine/xylazine/acepromazine mixture). Lactate is monitored in response to elevated K+ infusions.
A surgeon specific automatic path planning algorithm for deep brain stimulation

In deep brain stimulation surgeries, stimulating electrodes are placed at specific targets in the deep brain to treat neurological disorders. Reaching these targets safely requires avoiding critical structures in the brain. Meticulous planning is required to find a safe path from the cortical surface to the intended target. Choosing a trajectory automatically is difficult because there is little consensus among neurosurgeons on what is optimal. Our goals are to design a path planning system that is able to learn the preferences of individual surgeons and, eventually, to standardize the surgical approach using this learned information. In this work, we take the first step towards these goals, which is to develop a trajectory planning approach that is able to effectively mimic individual surgeons and is designed such that parameters, which potentially can be automatically learned, are used to describe an individual surgeon's preferences. To validate the approach, two neurosurgeons were asked to choose between their manual and a computed trajectory, blinded to their identity. The results of this experiment showed that the neurosurgeons preferred the computed trajectory over their own in 10 out of 40 cases. The computed trajectory was judged to be equivalent to the manual one or otherwise acceptable in 27 of the remaining cases. These results demonstrate the potential clinical utility of computer-assisted path planning.
Fixed points of the smoothing transformation

Let W 1,..., W N be N nonnegative random variables and let $$\mathfrak{M}$$ be the class of all probability measures on [0, ∞). Define a transformation T on $$\mathfrak{M}$$ by letting Tμ be the distribution of W 1X1+ ... + W N X N , where the X i are independent random variables with distribution μ, which are independent of W 1,..., W N as well. In earlier work, first Kahane and Peyriere, and then Holley and Liggett, obtained necessary and sufficient conditions for T to have a nontrivial fixed point of finite mean in the special cases that the W i are independent and identically distributed, or are fixed multiples of one random variable. In this paper we study the transformation in general. Assuming only that for some γ>1, EW <∞ for all i, we determine exactly when T has a nontrivial fixed point (of finite or infinite mean). When it does, we find all fixed points and prove a convergence result. In particular, it turns out that in the previously considered cases, T always has a nontrivial fixed point. Our results were motivated by a number of open problems in infinite particle systems. The basic question is: in those cases in which an infinite particle system has no invariant measures of finite mean, does it have invariant measures of infinite mean? Our results suggest possible answers to this question for the generalized potlatch and smoothing processes studied by Holley and Liggett.
Neural transplantation vs. central neurotransmitter augmentation in diseases of the nervous system

Abstract Although neural transplantation represents a potential treatment approach for many central nervous system disorders it is not clear that neural transplants function as other than local delivery systems for neurotransmitters. If this is the case, then other delivery systems, such as implantable infusion devices, may offer certain advantages over neural transplantation. Both treatment approaches require far more clinical investigation before their applicability can be demonstrated.
A convenient synthesis of certain 1‐(β‐D‐ribofuranosyl)benzotriazoles

The synthesis of 5,6-dichloro-1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)benzotriazole (4a), 5,6-dimethyl-1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)benzotriazole (4b) and 1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)benzotriazole (4c) in good yield has been accomplished by the condensation of the appropriate 1-trimethylsilylbenzotriazole (1a, 1b, and 1c) with 2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-D-ribofuranosyl bromide (2) followed by subsequent deacetylation of the reaction products. The assignment of anomeric configuration and site of glycosidation for all nucleosides reported is discussed.
An Exploration of Industry, Culture and Revenue Growth:

This study is an exploration of industry moderated relationships between organizational culture, as manifested in practices, and revenue-growth among seventy-seven firms in six industry types. Beginning with the premise that organizational practices are shaped by organizational culture and industry demands, it is proposed that the culture-performance link is industry contingent. The results corroborate the existence of cultural practices that are industry or `industry type' specific, and that variations in revenue growth within industry types are associated with practices different from those characterizing the industry-type culture. The implications for both culture research and organizational management are discussed.
Rethinking Race, Gender, and the Law in the Twenty‐first Century Workplace

: This article documents the inadequacy of the prevailing legal approaches to discrimination in the workplace based on their failure to take account of neither the emerging dynamics of organizational governance nor the patterns of exclusion and bias that operate within these organizational structures. Legal doctrine and practice focuses on individuals and policies as the locus of bias, to the exclusion of groups and structures that often play more central roles in causing individual exclusion based on race and gender. Current law treats conflict as aberrational and inevitably destructive, ignoring its inevitable and potentially constructive aspects, and polarizing racial and gender conflict when it does arise. Legal intervention often occurs after the fact in reaction to crises and problems and fails to connect legal norms to the complex internal dynamics of organizations. This article lays out the outline of a more structural and dynamic approach to regulation that has the potential to respond to the dynamic, interactive, and unstable conditions in which employment practices increasingly occur.
UNUSUAL MAGNETIC-BEHAVIOR OF TMIR2 AND YBIR2

Abstract In contrast to the other magnetic Rare Earth (RE) ions for which the cubic Laves REIr 2 compound is ferromagnetic, YbIr 2 and TmIr 2 are antiferromagnetic below 0.40 and 0.05 K, respectively. Both are trivalent above 4 K, with a possible reduced moment for TmIr 2 below 0.3 K. In addition, CeIr 2 and LuIr 2 are superconductive below 0.20 and 0.23 K, respectively.
Factor XI binding to the platelet glycoprotein Ib-IX-V complex promotes factor XI activation by thrombin.

Abstract Factor XI binds to high affinity sites on the surface of stimulated platelets where it is efficiently activated by thrombin. Here, we provide evidence that the factor XI binding site on platelets is in the glycoprotein (GP) Ibα subunit of the GP Ib-IX-V complex as follows. 1) Bernard-Soulier platelets, lacking the complex, are deficient in factor XI binding; 2) two GP Ibα ligands, SZ-2 (a monoclonal antibody) and bovine von Willebrand factor, inhibit factor XI binding to platelets; 3) by surface plasmon resonance, factor XI bound specifically to glycocalicin (the extracellular domain of GP Ibα) in Zn2+-dependent fashion (K d app ∼ 52 nm). We then investigated whether glycocalicin could promote factor XI activation by thrombin, another GP Ibα ligand. In the presence of high molecular weight kininogen (45 nm), Zn2+and Ca2+ ions, thrombin activated factor XI in the presence of glycocalicin at rates comparable with those seen in the presence of dextran sulfate (1 μg/ml). With higher high molecular weight kininogen concentrations (360 nm), the rate of thrombin-catalyzed factor XI activation in the presence of glycocalicin was comparable with that on activated platelets. Thus, factor XI binds to the GP Ib-IX-V complex, promoting its activation by thrombin.
Analgesic and cognitive effects of intravenous ketamine-alfentanil combinations versus either drug alone after intradermal capsaicin in normal subjects.

Combinations of opioids and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists enhance acute antinociception and reduce opioid tolerance in some animal experiments but have received little rigorous study in humans. To quantitatively assess the nature of the interaction of these two classes of drugs in producing analgesia and cognitive impairment, we compared IV infusions of ketamine, alfentanil, and ketaminealfentanil combinations in 12 normal volunteers after an intradermal injection of capsaicin. Drug doses for a 70-kg subject in this six-session, randomized, double-blind, cross-over study were: ketamine 20 mg, ketamine 5 mg, alfentanil 2 mg, alfentanil 0.5 mg, ketamine 10 mg + alfentanil 1 mg, and ketamine 2.5 mg + alfentanil 0.25 mg, given over 35 min. Outcome measures were background pain, area and magnitude of hyperalgesia to pinprick, and cognitive performance on the Digit Symbol Substitution Test and the Perception Speed Test. The results demonstrated simple additivity for the effects of ketamine and alfentanil on pain, pinprick hyperalgesia, and cognitive impairment. We conclude that, at least in this experimental pain model, there is no clear advantage or disadvantage of a ketamine-alfentanil combination over equianalgesic doses of either component. Implications: In a double-blind, controlled trial, we administered doses of an opioid analgesic (alfentanil), an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist (ketamine), or their combination to normal volunteers and found no advantage of the combination over a larger dose of either drug alone in relieving pain caused by painful chemical stimulation. (Anesth Analg 1998;86:1250-6)
Sucrose consumption early in life fails to modify the appetite of adult rats for sweet foods

Male rats consumed a diet containing 0, 12, or 48 percent sucrose on days 16 to 30 of life. Thereafter, they had simultaneous access to all three diets until day 63. No relationship was detected between sucrose consumption early in life and subsequent preference for sucrose. The onset of puberty was associated with a decreased appetite for sucrose among animals of both sexes.
Commentary: Cost-effectiveness of multilevel hemilaminectomy for lumbar stenosis–associated radiculopathy

Commentary on Parker SL, Fulchiero EC, Davis BJ, et al. Cost-effectiveness of multi-level hemilaminectomy for lumbar stenosis–associated radiculopathy. Spine J 2011;11:705–11 (in this issue) .