cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“The Islamic State is not Islamic:” Terrorism, Sovereignty and Declarations of Unbelief

This article examines the Islamic concept of takfīr (the declaration that one is not a Muslim) as it is used in secular-pluralistic contexts, within a larger delegitimizing discourse against terrorism. I argue that this takfīr as deployed by “liberal” Muslims, functions to legitimate the state’s use of coercive force. Furthermore, the secular state may in turn draw upon these discourses to co-opt the right to determine authentic Muslim identity. However, in doing so the state is forced to enter into a religiously discursive space. Takfīr notably becomes the site of contention over secular state sovereignty for determining the value of life, where religious individuals both challenge and affirm this sovereignty. This reveals the dynamics in the relationship between secular conceptions of sovereignty and religion, as it pertains to the justification of violence.
A Study of the Impact of Informed Consent Procedures on Participant Responses in Trauma-Related Research

ABSTRACTResearchers and ethics board members are often concerned about the possibility of adverse reactions to trauma-related research. While research has shown that participants in trauma-related studies rarely experience adverse reactions, mild short-term emotional distress is common. While a number of protections have been suggested to minimize risks for more vulnerable subgroups of participants, no research to date has tested how modifications to informed consent procedures may affect the data collected and participant reactions to the research. One-hundred and forty-five college students were separated into five conditions with different modifications to the informed consent procedures. Participants completed surveys on trauma experience, posttraumatic stress, coping, and reactions to research participation. The results showed no differences among the conditions on all outcome measures. It appears that modifications to informed consent procedures geared toward minimizing risk do not affect the qualit...
Priorities in HIV Prevention

Funding for hiv prevention, J. A. Catania and coauthors argue in their Policy Forum (27 Oct., p. [717][1]), is disproportionately allotted to those with heterosexual exposure risk at the implied expense of men who have sex with men (MSM). The authors say that HIV prevalence among heterosexuals has
Advertising the Chinese dream: Urban billboards and Ni Weihua’s documentary photography:

Consumerism is a central feature of urbanism in China and has been actively promoted as a sign of urbanity in the official rhetoric and mass media. This urban ideology is exemplified by the ubiquit...
Quantitative inventory management.

The success or failure of almost any organization in which physical items are used may very well depend on control of inventory of those items. One method of inventory management, designed to aid in minimizing such expenses, is to make use of mathematical models to obtain optimal decision rules. The pros and cons and “ifs” involved are discussed here.
A Synopsis on the State of the Art of NAND Memories

NAND memory has become the workhorse nonvolatile memory enabling massive amounts of data to be stored in many electronic devices. There is a high probability that the reader has several devices nearby which contain NAND memory. NAND memory’s combination of simplicity, low cost, high density, low power, and scalability in a solid state device has created a ubiquitous explosion in the NAND market. In 2014, it is estimated that ~6 × 1019 bytes of NAND was shipped (Greg Wong Forward Insights) which is enough to supply a gigabite to every person on the planet (7.2 billion). NAND has crushed less capable memory such as NOR in the market place and is continuing to take market share from hard disk drives pushing them out of the lower density market. As a historical reference a 2013 state of the art 128 Gb 16 nm NAND chip can hold as much data as ~11,000 circa 1986 1.44 MB 90 mm floppy disks which was state of the art at that time (Wikipedia). The impact of NAND on the electronic experience of the consumer has been huge and largely invisible. The accomplishments of the technologists and industry in taking NAND from its invention in 1987 to its dominant position today have been truly amazing. The technology proved to be easily scalable.
Colored oxides with hibonite structure: A potential route to non-cobalt blue pigments

Abstract The crystal structure of hibonite with an ideal formula CaAl12O19 is hexagonal P63/mmc, isostructural with magnetoplumbite. Natural and synthetic hibonites have been widely studied for their formation, compositions, crystal structures, properties and applications. Recent increasing interest in its coloration has led to the search of inorganic pigments based on the hibonite structure. We present here the syntheses and characterization of hibonite compounds with a general formula of AAl12−xMxO19 (A = Ca, Sr, RE (rare earths) or any combination thereof; and M = Ni or Ni coupled with one of the following: Ti, Sn, Ge, Nb, Ta, Sb). Bright sky-blue to royal-blue colors are induced in these oxides prepared by conventional solid state reactions, as demonstrated in the solid solutions of CaAl12−2xNixTixO19 (x = 0–1) and Ca1−xLaxAl12−xNixO19 (x = 0–1). The values of color coordinates L*a*b* range from 64.5, −5.3, −18.5 to 57, −11.33, −30.38. Structure refinements of neutron powder diffraction data reveal that Ni preferably occupies the tetrahedral site in the hibonite structure, and magnetic susceptibility analysis confirms that this Ni is Ni2+. Optical measurements further verify that the observed blue color is due to d-d transitions of tetrahedral Ni2+. The preference of Ni2+ for the tetrahedral site is unusual because Ni2+ prefers the octahedral site in the spinel NiAl2O4. We attribute this unexpected behavior to the unusually large Al−O distances for the tetrahedral site in the hibonite structure. These blue hibonites exhibit excellent thermal stability, superior acid/base durability and better near-infrared reflectance than that of the commercial cobalt blue pigment. Our results suggest a potential route to the development of inexpensive, enduring and cobalt-free blue pigments. Synthesis and characterization methods are briefly reviewed for hibonite type of oxides, especially those with blue colors.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Detection with Monoclonal Antibodies

Hormone production in cancer can result from the presence of transformed endocrine cells that continue to secrete or, as in the case of human chorionic gonadotropin, the hormone can also be considered an onco-developmental gene product and thus may be produced by many different types of tumors. The use of hormones as cancer markers has been previously reviewed (Sell and Wahren, 1982). This article will concentrate on hormone detection using monoclonal antibodies, particularly those aspects of monoclonal antibodies against human chorionic gonadotropin that differ from antisera.
The Management of Osteoporosis After Fragility Fracture: The Orthopaedic Perspective.

>> The greatest risk factor for fragility fracture is a previous fragility fracture.>> During post-fracture follow-up, the orthopaedic surgeon has an opportunity to intervene in the management of osteoporosis.>> A novel algorithm for interpreting laboratory values and starting antiresorptive and bon
Cationic (Charge Shift) Exciplexes

Of the many known examples of exciplexes, those formed from bimolecular encounter between a cationic, excited state electron acceptor and a neutral donor in fluid media have not been previously reported. We now show that emissive exciplexes formed from excited N-methyl isoquinolinium cation (NMiQ+) with alkyl benzene donors are readily detected in acetonitrile. These cationic exciplexes result in a charge shift (A+* + D → A•D•+) with no net change in charge, which differs fundamentally from the charge-generation of conventional exciplex formation (A* + D → A•–D•+). We find that cationic and conventional exciplexes show similar trends, e.g., bathochromic shifts and decreases in fluorescence quantum yields with decreasing oxidation potentials of the donors. In the presented examples of NMiQ+ exciplexes, the fluorescence quantum yield decreases by a factor of 30 and the radiative rate constant by 6.6 as the fractional CT character of the exciplex increases from ∼0.79 to ∼0.95. Interestingly, the electronic c...
Accurate Pan-Cancer Molecular Diagnosis of Microsatellite Instability by Single-Molecule Molecular Inversion Probe Capture and High-Throughput Sequencing

BACKGROUND: Microsatellite instability (MSI) is an emerging actionable phenotype in oncology that informs tumor response to immune checkpoint pathway immunotherapy. However, there remains a need for MSI diagnostics that are low cost, highly accurate, and generalizable across cancer types. We developed a method for targeted high-throughput sequencing of numerous microsatellite loci with pan-cancer informativity for MSI using single-molecule molecular inversion probes (smMIPs). METHODS: We designed a smMIP panel targeting 111 loci highly informative for MSI across cancers. We developed an analytical framework taking advantage of smMIP-mediated error correction to specifically and sensitively detect instability events without the need for typing matched normal material. RESULTS: Using synthetic DNA mixtures, smMIPs were sensitive to at least 1% MSI-positive cells and were highly consistent across replicates. The fraction of identified unstable microsatellites discriminated tumors exhibiting MSI from those lacking MSI with high accuracy across colorectal (100% diagnostic sensitivity and specificity), prostate (100% diagnostic sensitivity and specificity), and endometrial cancers (95.8% diagnostic sensitivity and 100% specificity). MSI-PCR, the current standard-of-care molecular diagnostic for MSI, proved equally robust for colorectal tumors but evidenced multiple false-negative results in prostate (81.8% diagnostic sensitivity and 100% specificity) and endometrial (75.0% diagnostic sensitivity and 100% specificity) tumors. CONCLUSIONS: smMIP capture provides an accurate, diagnostically sensitive, and economical means to diagnose MSI across cancer types without reliance on patient-matched normal material. The assay is readily scalable to large numbers of clinical samples, enables automated and quantitative analysis of microsatellite instability, and is readily standardized across clinical laboratories.
Protein Refolding Using Chaotropic Aqueous Two-Phase Systems

In this report we explore novel aqueous two-phase systems and their applications to the recovery of recombinant proteins, which are expressed as insoluble and inactive protein aggregates (inclusion bodies).
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer: Updated Results from a Prospective Trial

Hypofractionated radiotherapy has an intrinsically different normal tissue and tumor radiobiology. The results of a prospective trial of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer with long-term patient-reported toxicity and tumor control rates are presented. Sixty-seven patients with clinically localized low-risk prostate cancer were enrolled from 2003 to 2009. Treatment consisted of 36.25 Gy in five fractions with CyberKnife®. No patient received hormone therapy. Median follow-up was 2.7 years. Significant late bladder and rectal toxicities were infrequent. There were no Grade 4 toxicities. RTOG Grade 3, 2, and 1 bladder toxicities were seen in 3% (two patients), 5% (three patients), and 23% (13 patients), respectively. Dysuria exacerbated by urologic instrumentation accounted for both patients with Grade 3 toxicity. Urinary incontinence, complete obstruction, or persistent hematuria was not observed. Rectal Grade 3, 2, and 1 toxicities were seen in 0%, 2% (one patient), and 12.5% (seven patients), respectively. Persistent rectal bleeding was not observed. Low-grade toxicities were substantially less frequent with QOD vs. QD dose regimen. There were two, biopsy-proven PSA failures with negative metastatic work-up. Median PSA at follow-up was 0.5 ± 0.72 ng/ml. The 5-year Kaplan–Meier PSA relapse-free survival was 94% (95% CI: 85–102%) and compares favorably with other definitive treatments. The current evidence supports consideration of SBRT among the therapeutic options for localized prostate cancer.
Spontaneous Throivibosis of Left Sperivcatic Vein: Report of 2 Cases

We report 2 cases of spontaneous thrombosis of the left internal spermatic vein causing acute development of a painful scrotoinguinal mass. Both patients were treated by surgical ligation and excision of the thrombosed vein. Venous congestion and testicular ischemia occurred in 1 patient who required orchiectomy for massive swelling and pain. Based on our recent experience, we recommend conservative management of spontaneous spermatic vein thrombosis with anticoagulation (and possibly antibiotics).
BLOODFEEDING AS AN INTERFACE OF MAMMALIAN AND ARTHROPOD IMMUNITY

Bloodfeeding behavior of disease-transmitting arthropods juxtaposes vertebrate and invertebrate immune systems since blood contains not only nutrients, but also an array of immune cells and molecules as well as potential pathogens and pathogen-associated molecules. Numerous blood-derived factors that are transferred into feeding arthropods remain immunologically active. These factors can activate conserved arthropod signal transduction pathways and interact with arthropod cells to regulate vector physiology and the response to ingested pathogens. Based on recent discoveries, it is likely that additional blood factors that are functional in both the mammal and in the arthropod remain to be identified. To better understand these complex interactions, we suggest that a systems biology approach may be necessary to study the impact of the interacting components of vertebrate and invertebrate immunity on arthropod-borne pathogen transmission.
Attachment Processes and Commitment to Romantic Relationships

The premise of this chapter is that it is impossible to understand commitment to romantic relationships unless one considers how the attachment system affects the processes of falling in love and choosing a mate. Most theorists account for commitment to romantic relationships with economic models predicting commitment from the costs and benefits of the relationship (e.g., Rusbult, 1980, 1983). Although this approach has made a large contribution to our understanding of commitment, in the present chapter we consider the possibility that commitment to romantic relationships cannot be fully captured by cognitive models, because romantic commitments are due in part to what Bowlby (1969/1982) called the attachment system: a non- rational, inborn behavioral system designed by evolution to maintain important social ties. In Western culture, a romantic commitment is almost always made only after a couple has begun to feel attachment-related feelings toward each other. Yet because the attachment system is nonrational, commitment to romantic relationships cannot be equated with highly cognitive commitments, such as the decision to select a particular stock portfolio. In fact, the decision to love someone is hardly a “decision” at all. Most people experience falling in love as an automatic and largely uncontrollable process. Loving leads to the experience of “heartfelt” commitment: an uncontrollable devotion to a particular person that might persist even against one’s will or better judgment. While people can choose, for rational reasons, not to enter a relationship with someone they love, they may still feel drawn to that person and struggle emotionally against their decision for years. Similarly, people may decide rationally that a particular person would be a good mate, yet this alone will not lead them to experience feelings of love (Baumeister & Wotman, 1992).
The natural history and clinical/molecular characterization of primary Gleason pattern 5 (G5) prostate cancer (PCa) treated with radical prostatectomy (RP).

e16576Background: Patients (pts) with primary G5 PCa have aggressive disease with high rates of recurrence and development of distant metastasis. This study was designed to further define clinical ...
Abstract P211: Temporal Trends and Long-Term Outcomes of Elderly Patients With St-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a Large Rural Healthcare System

Background: Limited data about long-term survival in elderly patients after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) exists for patients in rural settings. We aimed to evaluate temporal trends in...
Dziga Vertov: life and work, volume 1: 1896-1921: by John Mackay, Boston, Academic Studies Press, 2018, xcvi + 372 pp., illustrations, charts, filmography, bibliography, index, $129 (hbk), ISBN: 9781618117342

The first volume of John Mackay’s expansive three-volume study of Dziga Vertov is chronologically organized to follow the formative years of David Abelevich Kaufman from his birth and childhood in ...
Abstract 048: Association of Central Arterial Stiffness With Hippocampal Blood Flow, N-Acetyl Aspartate and Anxiety in Hypertensive Dahl Salt Sensitive Rats

Background: Hypertension and cardiovascular disease may be significant contributors to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. However, the mechanism of this process is poorly understood. Central arteria...
Live and Online: A Year-Round Training Program for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments in California

This article describes an innovative year-round program for students who live at a distance from San Francisco State University and examines its strengths and weaknesses based on feedback from inst...
Induced Tumor Heterogeneity Reveals Factors Informing Radiation and Immunotherapy Combinations.

Purpose: To investigate how induced tumor heterogeneity influences immune responses to radiotherapy with different proportions of mixed immune-responsive and unresponsive tumor cells in a triple-negative breast cancer model. It is hypothesized that studying the immune environment of mixed tumors and responses to radiotherapy could nominate immune active therapies to enhance immune responses after radiotherapy. Experimental Design: Evaluate efficacy and immune responses generated by radiotherapy in tumors with different proportions of immunologically responsive and unresponsive tumor cells. Then study the cellular responses and transcriptomic differences between the tumors to nominate immunotherapy combinations with radiotherapy and evaluate the combination. Results: The addition of the responsive cells to unresponsive tumors led to a greater than expected therapeutic response to radiotherapy with both innate and adaptive immune components. There was a distinct change in myeloid cells, greater inflammatory macrophage activity, and enhanced antigen presentation with responsive cells after radiotherapy. Because differences in matrix components, cell adhesion biology, and innate immune signaling correlated with myeloid cell response and phenotype, we hypothesized that radiotherapy combined with CD40 agonist antibody would sensitize unresponsive tumors. The combination therapy resulted in improved innate and adaptive immune response. Importantly, CD40 treatment increased tumor response to radiotherapy and protected against metastatic spread in a metastatic model. Conclusions: These data combined with transcriptomics from human patients support radiotherapy and myeloid cell targeting for immunologically cold tumors. The established study model presents opportunities to investigate the complex overlapping biologic mechanisms that limit immunotherapy and to implement radiotherapy with different immunotherapy combinations.
Adherence to Multiple Treatment Recommendations in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: A Mixed Methods, Multi-Informant Investigation.

Purpose: This mixed methods study sought to assess adolescent and young adult (AYA) adherence to three cancer treatment recommendations (medications, diet, physical activity), and determine the ind...
Free choice effects and exclusive disjunction

This paper presents experimental data relevant to understanding the modal free choice effect (Kamp, 1973) when there are more than two disjuncts under the relevant modal operator. The results sugge...
Explore effects of bicycle facilities and exposure on bicycle safety at intersections

This study focuses on fully investigating the effects of bicycle facilities and other contributing features on bicycle crashes at intersections. Although multiple studies have been conducted to ana...
Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life in Pediatric Neurology:

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is central to how clinicians and parents make choices about medical care for pediatric neurology patients. To provide parents with the information they need to make these decisions and plan for the future, it is necessary for parents and clinicians to understand how HRQOL is defined and measured in the setting of pediatric neurodevelopmental impairment. We review challenges that exist in measuring HRQOL in pediatric neurology, examine existing measures, and outline key principles to guide selection and interpretation of HRQOL measures in children with neurologic conditions.
Financial forecasting and risky decisions: an experimental study grounded in Prospect theory

This study employed prospect theory to examine relationships between effort invested in developing financial forecasts and risk taking. Results of an experimental study indicated that the more effort subjects invested in developing forecasts, the more likely they were to use those forecasts as their reference points when evaluating venture performance. Results also indicated that subjects who used forecasts as their reference points and exerted greater effort developing those forecasts were more likely to take risky actions when performance fell below their reference points. This study is the first to link effort to the type of reference point used and the first to link effort and the use of financial forecasts to risky decisions. In addition, it is one of only a few studies to employ prospect theory to examine risk taking decisions subsequent to start-up. Its results enhance our understanding of risk taking, prospect theory and reference points.
The effect of low temperature annealing on the UV, ns laser damage performance of hafnia single layers

We compare the 355 nm, 45o AOI p-pol 8 n-s laser damage performance of standing-wave hafnia single layers fabricated under the same conditions and annealed under different temperatures. An intriguing trend is observed in the laser damage performance with respect to annealing temperature, with a notable performance increase observed in the sample annealed at 250o C. Chemical compositional analysis via Rutherford Backscatter spectroscopy (RBS) indicates that annealing induces sub-stoichiometric hafnia films for high temperature annealing.
Bufferless NoCs with Scheduled Deflection Routing

Bufferless networks-on-chip (NoCs) with deflection routing are a promising approach for saving area and power in the communication fabric of many-core processors. However, deflection routing imposes fundamental limitations on the number of input and outports per router, which compromises the NoCs’ ability to adapt to permanent link failures due to wearout. The susceptibility to wearout of modern NoCs has increased due to deeper sub-micro CMOS process technology. In this paper, we propose scheduled deflections for bufferless NoCs (SchedNoC), a framework that prolongs the lifetime of bufferless NoCs via strategic time-multiplexing of links, which allows links to fail arbitrarily while ensuring correct network operation. We show that SchedNoC can increase the NoCs’ lifetime by 62.5%– 71.8% at only 4%–15% performance degradation compared to conventional deflection routing.
Angiotensin II receptor blocker or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use and COVID-19-related outcomes among US Veterans.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) may positively or negatively impact outcomes in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We investigated the association of ARB or ACEI use with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related outcomes in US Veterans with treated hypertension using an active comparator design, appropriate covariate adjustment, and negative control analyses. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In this retrospective cohort study of Veterans with treated hypertension in the Veterans Health Administration (01/19/2020-08/28/2020), we compared users of (A) ARB/ACEI vs. non-ARB/ACEI (excluding Veterans with compelling indications to reduce confounding by indication) and (B) ARB vs. ACEI among (1) SARS-CoV-2+ outpatients and (2) COVID-19 hospitalized inpatients. The primary outcome was all-cause hospitalization or mortality (outpatients) and all-cause mortality (inpatients). We estimated hazard ratios (HR) using propensity score-weighted Cox regression. Baseline characteristics were well-balanced between exposure groups after weighting. Among outpatients, there were 5.0 and 6.0 primary outcomes per 100 person-months for ARB/ACEI (n = 2,482) vs. non-ARB/ACEI (n = 2,487) users (HR 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73-0.99, median follow-up 87 days). Among outpatients who were ARB (n = 4,877) vs. ACEI (n = 8,704) users, there were 13.2 and 14.8 primary outcomes per 100 person-months (HR 0.91, 95%CI 0.86-0.97, median follow-up 85 days). Among inpatients who were ARB/ACEI (n = 210) vs. non-ARB/ACEI (n = 275) users, there were 3.4 and 2.0 all-cause deaths per 100 person months (HR 1.25, 95%CI 0.30-5.13, median follow-up 30 days). Among inpatients, ARB (n = 1,164) and ACEI (n = 2,014) users had 21.0 vs. 17.7 all-cause deaths, per 100 person-months (HR 1.13, 95%CI 0.93-1.38, median follow-up 30 days). CONCLUSIONS: This observational analysis supports continued ARB or ACEI use for patients already using these medications before SARS-CoV-2 infection. The novel beneficial association observed among outpatients between users of ARBs vs. ACEIs on hospitalization or mortality should be confirmed with randomized trials.
Induction of an immortalized songbird cell line allows for gene characterization and knockout by CRISPR-Cas9

The zebra finch is a powerful model for several biological fields, particularly neuroscience and vocal communication. However, this species lacks a robust cell line for molecular biology research and reagent optimization. Here we describe a cell line, CFS414, generated from zebra finch embryonic fibroblasts using the SV40 large and small T antigens. This cell line demonstrates an improvement over previous songbird cell lines through continuous and density-independent growth, allowing for indefinite culture and monoclonal line derivation. Cytogenetic, genomic, and transcriptomic profiling established the provenance of this cell line and identified the expression of genes relevant to ongoing songbird research. Using this cell line, we demonstrated a stress-dependent localization response of the zebra finch song nuclei specialized gene, SAP30L, and disrupted endogenous gene sequences using S.aureus Cas9. The utility of this cell line enhances the molecular potential of the zebra finch and validates cell immortalization strategies in a songbird species.
On-Line Interactivte Computer Processing of Acoustic Images

An interactive on-line computer image processing system designed for use in acoustic image restoration and enhancement has been developed. Signals from a Bragg-diffraction ultrasonic imager have been accessed on-line by a minicomputer and digitized. Signal and noise can be measured quantitatively, and digital restoration and enhancement techniques can be employed to minimize the effects of the different kinds of noise which influence image quality.
Correlation between Morphological, Biochemical, and Biophysical Effects of Parathyroid Hormone on Cell Membranes

We have previously reported that parathyroid hormone (PTH) added to HeLa cells decreased cellular adhesion to glass, produced cell clumping (increased mutual adhesion of the cells) as well as the appearance of blebs and microvilli of the cell membrane (Borle and Neuman, 1965). Monkey kidney cells seem to respond to PTH as well. One unit of PTH/ml of medium produced a large number of vacuoles in the cytoplasm and an enlargement and swelling of the Golgi apparatus (Fig. 1 and 2). Sequential observations suggest that the vacuoles are formed by pinocytosis.
Tap water scald burns in children

Tap water scald burns account for 7% to 17% of all childhood scald burns that require hospitalization. Often the burns are severe and disabling. Toddlers and preschool children are the most frequent victims. In 45% of the injuries, the unsupervised victim or peer turned on the tap water; in 28% the cause was abuse. Eighty percent of the homes tested had unsafe bathtub water temperatures of 54 C (130 F) or greater, exposing the occupants to the risk of full-thickness scald with 30-second exposure to hot water. Such burns may be prevented passively by limiting household water temperatures to less than 52 C (125 F). New water heaters could be preset at this temperature and families could be taught to turn down the temperature on existing units.
Key Informant's Perspective On Barriers and Facilitators in Access to Mental Health Services for Women with Depression in Urban Area of a Low-income Country

Purpose Studies from Pakistan reveal a high prevalence of depression in women. Evidence based and effective treatments are available, yet there is a significant gap between the number of women in need of treatment for depression and those who receive the services. This qualitative study identifies the barriers in access to mental health services for women with depression in Karachi from key informants' perspectives. Method 19 key-informant interviews were conducted with psychiatrists, psychologists, general health practitioners, pharmaceutical representatives, a government health department official and NGO workers working on women health issues. Results Key-informants reported lack of awareness, misconceptions, self-medication, being young and unmarried and financial status as barriers for women in accessing mental health services. In addition, provider's lack of medical education about depression, mismanagement of cases by GPs, opposing mental health care and lack of referral system are also considered barriers to mental health services. Larger societal issues are stigma, gender bias, as well as poor resource allocation and management. Key-informants considered women's education, mental health literacy and referrals as facilitators for women. Conclusion The study highlights the need for multipronged and multi-sector approach for increasing the access to mental health services for women in an urban context of developing country where mental health services are present but not accessed by women.
A multiplicative realization of FIR systems that is logarithmically efficient

A simple mathematical identity results in an expansion of the transfer function matrices of linear systems into an infinite product. We apply this expansion to realize an FIR approximation of a given IIR structure with a number of multipliers that is proportional to the logarithm to the base 2 of the length of the FIR required. This is a fundamental reduction in the computational complexity and has far-reaching implications for other applications such as on-line convolution. Also, it now becomes feasible to realize exponentially longer FIR structures using the new method which also allows design flexibility since many of the terms involved could be realized with slow multipliers. An additional advantage of the fewer number of multipliers used is the reduction of round-off noise as we demonstrate in this work.
FORECAST MODIFICATION BASED UPON RESIDUAL ANALYSIS: A CASE STUDY OF CHECK VOLUME ESTIMATION

The inability to identify all causal variables in a linear regression demand model may result in serial correlation which is generally considered undesirable; but it may be possible to take advantage of such an event. This case study, based upon Chemical Bank of New York, investigates the use of simple and exponential smoothing for modifying initial estimates from a regression model by using prior forecast error patterns to obtain better forecasts. The smoothing approaches are combined with a regression model to test for improved performance in predicting daily check volumes.
Invariance and inconsistency in utility ratings.

Purpose. To assess utilities of composite health states for dependence in activities of daily living (ADLs) for invariance (i.e., when subjects provide a utility of 1 for all health states) and order inconsistency (i.e., when subjects order their utilities such that their utility for a combination of ADL dependencies is greater than their utility for any subset of the combination).Methods. Each of the 400 subjects, age 65 y and older, enrolled in one of several regional medical centers of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of Northern California and provided standard-gamble utilities for single ADL dependencies (e.g., bathing, dressing, continence) and for dependence in 8 other combinations of ADL dependencies. For order-inconsistent responses, the authors calculated the maximum magnitude of inconsistency as the maximum difference between the utility for the combined ADL dependence health state and that of its inconsistent subset.Results. A total of 76 subjects (19%) gave a utility of 1.0 for all ...
ON SOME ASPECTS OF REAL AND APPARENT VISUAL MOVEMENT.

Some of the parameters of real and apparent movement are considered in situations where these two types of movement are encountered. Some basic properties of real movement are represented by displacement and rate thresholds as well as by limiting upper thresholds. The depth cue for monocular movement parallax can be analyzed as representing a situation in which differential angular velocity thresholds may be determined. These latter thresholds turn out to be quite small, of the order of 30 to 40 sec of arc/sec. They are influenced by a number of variables, including rate of standard stimulus, luminance, and visual axis. Differential angular velocities help to determine certain aspects of perceived movements in the third dimension, and attention is paid to the case of Ames’ trapezoid window which provides an illusion of movement. An account of apparent movement is given with special reference to Korte’s laws. The question then is asked: What mechanisms might be expected to occur in real and apparent movement? Tentative suggestions on this problem are advanced, with special attention to real movement.
The effect of thyrotropin releasing hormone and morphine on gastrointestinal transit.

Abstract The effect of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) alone and in combination with morphine on the gastrointestinal transit was investigated by using the charcoal meal test in mice. The intraperitoneal (IP) administration of TRH decreased the transit when given in a dose of 1.0 mg/kg 10 min prior to the meal. The intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of TRH (10 μg/mouse) also inhibited the transit when given just prior to the charcoal meal. Subcutaneous (SC) administration of morphine (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) inhibited gastrointestinal transit in a dose dependent manner. When TRH (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg, IP as well as 0.3 μg, ICV) which had no effect on the transit by itself was combined with morphine (10 mg/kg, SC), an enhancement in the inhibition of the transit was observed. TRH-induced inhibition of the transit was antagonized by naloxone (0.1 mg/kg, SC). It is concluded that TRH inhibits gastrointestinal transit in the mouse possibly via the opiate receptor system.
Etiology and diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia

Abstract Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of baldness observed in humans. It involves genetically predisposed individuals from puberty to senescence, with prominent central-pattern scalp alopecia induced by androgens. The many synonyms of androgenetic alopecia include androgenic alopecia, male-pattern baldness, female-pattern baldness, diffuse alopecia, common baldness, hereditary alopecia, and baldness. 1–17
Odor discrimination using steady-state and transient characteristics of tin-oxide sensors

The development of useful chemical microsystems must include the selection of sensors and signal processing sufficient to solve chemical-sensing problems in an accurate and robust manner. Unfortunately, many microelectronic chemical sensors suffer from drift, mismatch, and reproducibility problems that limit their performance in such microsystems. Appropriate signal processing, however, can overcome these limitations. Here, a chemical sensor array architecture and signal-processing framework are presented to discriminate between reducing chemicals in an array of tin-oxide sensors. The array consists of tin-oxide sensors operating at various temperatures, and the resulting steady-state and transient behaviors of these sensors are analyzed and thresholded into a binary output. This binary representation of an odor is constant over sensor drift and concentration changes, while remaining sufficient to discriminate between a variety of reducing chemicals (acetone, ethanol, hexane, isopropanol, methanol, and carbon monoxide) as well as mixtures containing two of these chemicals.
Inhibition by indomethacin of the glycemic response to arginine in man.

SummaryWe investigated the effect of indomethacin on the glucagon, glucose, and insulin responses to arginine in eight normal subjects. Glucagon secretion was not affected, but glucose and insulin responses were significantly decreased. Although inhibition of hepatic glycogenolysis is a possible reason for this effect, hepatic glycogen depletion and augmented peripheral glucose utilization are other explanations to be considered.Supported in part by Grant AM-12763(09) from the National Institutes of Health and by the Levi J. and Mary Skaggs Foundation of Oakland, California, and the Susan Greenwall Foundation of New York City.
Sequential priming of 3-D perceptual organization

In four experiments, the effects of sequential priming on the perceptual organization of complex three-dimensional (3-D) displays were examined. Observers were asked to view stereoscopic arrays and to search an embedded subset of items for an odd-colored target while 3-D orientation of the stimuli was varied randomly between trials. Search times decreased reliably when 3-D stimulus orientation was unchanged on consecutive trials, indicating substantial sequential priming by 3-D stimulus layout. The priming was nonsensory and was independent of priming by additional stimulus characteristics. Finally, priming by 3-D layout was unaffected by observers’ foreknowledge of display orientation. Results indicate that perceptual organization of 3-D stimuli is guided by a short-term trace of 3-D spatial relationships between stimuli.
Dueling mutations in normal karyotype AML

Comment on Dohner et al, page [3740][1]; Schnittger et al, page [3733][2]; and Verhaak et al, page [3747][3] Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) mutations occur in about 50% of normal karyotype AML patients, associated with increased probability of complete remission and, paradoxically, of FLT3 (Fms-like
Health care consequences of black-box warnings for antidepressants in the United States and Canada.

Health care consequences of black-box warnings for antidepressants in the United States and Canada Saurabh Nagar, B.Pharm., Sandhya Mehta, B.Pharm., Vinod Bhatara, M.D., M.S., Rajender Aparasu, M. Pharm., Ph.D.* Department of Clinical Sciences and Administration, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Texas Medical Center, 1441, Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030-3407, USA University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Bilateral successive testicular cancer of different cell type.

Abstract The incidence of bilateral successive testicular cancer of different histologic cell type is rare. This is a case of second primary tumor found twelve years after the first primary cancer by self-examination of the contralateral testis by the patient.
Thermal stress in materials heated internally by radiation absorption

Abstract Analysis and results are reported for thermal stress in materials heated internally by radiation absorption. Two modes of heating are considered: radiation suddenly applied from one side and held constant thereafter, and radiation incident from one side but having a periodic variation in time. In both cases it is found that the radiation absorption coefficient plays a large role in determining the thermal stress, and conclusions are drawn concerning desirable optical thicknesses. With periodic heating, the stress can cycle between tensile and compressive values. This phenomenon could be especially significant for materials prone to cyclic fatigue failure.
Role of Sb 3 + as a network-forming cation in oxide glasses

Sb K-edge extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure spectroscopy has been used to determine the coordination environment of ${\mathrm{Sb}}^{3+}$ ions in a wide range of ${\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}{\ensuremath{-}M}_{x}{\mathrm{O}}_{y}$ glasses $(M=\mathrm{Si},$ Ge, B, and As) with ${\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ concentrations ranging from \ensuremath{\sim}20 to up to 80 mol %. The Sb-O coordination number and bond length are found to be insensitive to glass composition. In all glasses the ${\mathrm{Sb}}^{3+}$ ions are coordinated to three oxygen nearest-neighbors and the Sb-O nearest-neighbor distances vary within a narrow range of 1.945 to 1.970 \AA{}. It is concluded that ${\mathrm{Sb}}^{3+}$ behaves as a classic ``network-forming'' cation in oxide glasses, creating a continuous random network of Sb-O-M bonds, where $M=\mathrm{Sb},$ As, Ge, Si, or B.
MetaQuerier: querying structured web sources on-the-fly

Recently, we witness the rapid growth and thus the prevalence of databases on the Web. Our recent survey [2] in April 2004 estimated 450,000 online databases. On this deep Web, myriad online databases provide dynamic query-based data access through their query interfaces, instead of static URL links. As the door to the deep Web, it is essential to integrate these query interfaces for integrating the deep Web.
THE ASYNCHRONOUS HORMONAL INDUCTION OF LACTOSE SYNTHETASE COMPONENTS, α-LACTALBUMIN AND GALACTOSYLTRANSFERASE, IN RELATION TO LACTOSE SECRETION BY MOUSE MAMMARY EXPLANTS

Hormonal induction of the lactose synthetase components, α-lactalbumin and galactosyltransferase, in relation to the induced levels of lactose synthetase activity and lactose secretion by mammary gland explants from mature virgin mice was examined. During 6 days of culture in the presence of insulin, cortisol, prolactin and triiodothyronine mammary explants accumulated progressively increasing amounts of α-lactalbumin. By contrast, galactosyltransferase and lactose synthetase activities were maximal on day 3, and then declined; the time course of lactose secretion was similar to that of galactosyltransferase and lactose synthetase activities. Cortisol concentration studies revealed the following dependencies on the steroid: α-lactalbumin content was maximal between 0.01 and 0.1 μg/ml and, at 10 μg/ml fell below the baseline level observed without cortisol. On the other hand, galactosyltransferase, lactose synthetase and lactose secretion were only slightly increased at 0.01 μg/ml, were maximal between 0.1...
Reduction in Nanoparticle Size Dramatically Improves Plasmonic Photo-thermal Therapy Efficacy in Aggressive Triple Negative Breast Cancer

We report 4X enhancement of tumor accumulation and 2X increase in post photo-thermal therapy survival for 100nm Gold Nanomatryushkas versus conventional 150nm silica core gold nanoshells in mice with xenografted human triple negative breast cancer.
Ambiguities and almost reflectionless potentials

This paper considers possible ambiguities associated with perturbations on reflectionless solutions of the Gel'Fand-Levitan Equation. By considering perturbations on the spectral measure function and the potential it is shown that no ambiguity exists with respect to spectral measure perturbations. However, it is shown that first-order effects in the potential can lead to second-order effects in the spectral measure function, thereby demonstrating an ambiguity with respect to first-order approximations.
Anisotropy and dynamic ranges in effective properties of sheared nematic polymer nanocomposites

Nematic, or liquid-crystalline, polymer nanocomposites (NPNCs) are composed of large aspect ratio, rod-like or platelet, rigid macromolecules in a matrix or solvent, which itself may be aqueous or polymeric. NPNCs are engineered for high-performance material applications, ranging across mechanical, electrical, piezoelectric, thermal, and barrier properties. The rods or platelets possess enormous property contrasts relative to the solvent, yet the composite properties are strongly affected by the orientational distribution of the nanophase. Nematic polymer film processing flows are shear-dominated, for which orientational distributions are well known to be highly sensitive to shear rate and volume fraction of the nematogens, with unsteady response being the most expected outcome at typical low shear rates and volume fractions. The focus of this article is a determination of the ranges of anisotropy and dynamic fluctuations in effective properties arising from orientational probability distribution functions generated by steady shear of NPNC monodomains. We combine numerical databases for sheared monodomain distributions[1,2] of thin rod or platelet dispersions together with homogenization theory for low-volume-fraction spheroidal inclusions[3] to calculate effective conductivity tensors of steady and oscillatory sheared mesophases. We then extract maximum scalar conductivity enhancement and anisotropy for each type of sheared monodomain (flow-aligned, tumbling, kayaking, and chaotic).
Examination of Diurnal Variation in Lethally Irradiated Rats

In anesthetized white rats there is no significant diurnal variation in lethality of an x-ray dose that killed 100 percent of the rats in 30 days.
Modified collagen membrane as a skin substitute: Preliminary studies

Modified collagen membrane when compared to autograft, homograft, heterograft and silicone polymer memberane, demonstrated a superior adherence on split and full-thickness surfaces, but proved to be an inferior covering for granulating surfaces. Water vapor transport was found to be adequate and adaptable to modification. It was found to be permeable to most commonly used topical antibiotics, and no significant antigenicity could be demonstrated. In a controlled animal burn study, modified collagen membrane proved superior to homograft and heterograft in regard to mortality, time to grafting, bacteriology and autograft take. These studies provide a background for further laboratory and clinical studies now in progress.
The value of diluted poultry slurry

Abstract The value of diluted poultry slurry (DPS) applied in combination with commercial fertilizer (CF) was estimated using data from field trials on sweet corn. The procedure focuses on the benefits gained by final consumers to evaluate the performance of fertilizers. DPS had a positive impact if no commercial fertilizer were used. Results averaged over all growing seasons demonstrate no significant improvement in revenues and contribution margins over using only commercial fertilizers at the standard, recommended application rates, largely because of wide variations in yields associated with using DPS. The consistency of the nutrient content in DPS may be a contributing factor. The standard application had a statistically higher contribution margin relative to different CF:DPS combinations at DPS prices from a low of US$0.79/m 3 to a high of US$51.25/m 3 . This cost is the imputed value of DPS on a year-round basis. Results improved for DPS with the more favorable growing conditions of the summer season, but are confounded by lower nutrient levels of the DPS. Although statistically significant for only one case, many combinations had higher mean revenues and contribution margins as compared to the standard. During the summer, the cost of DPS would need to exceed US$63.31/m 3 for the standard to be superior to most cases, and US$93/m 3 to be absolutely preferred.