cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Visiting Africa: Constructions of Nation and Identity on Travel Websites

In this textual analysis, we investigate the official travel websites of African countries. Our study examines where travel and tourism fit into agendas of nationalist constructions. Whose vision of nation is being served by these constructions? How does this “image-work” by developing nations reconcile the paradoxes between modernization, authenticity, and change? Do host nations sustain earlier or develop new authenticities as they become “tourist-nations”? We find that this official travel publicity often denotes a struggle to create a cohesive national identity to be sold to Western tourists while constructing a problematic discourse of cultural distinction and self-exotication.
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Occurrence with metastatic melanoma to lung.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is characterized by excessive accumulation of surfactant-like material in the alveoli, resulting in part from defective alveolar clearance by macrophages. We present a case of alveolar proteinosis in a patient with malignant melanoma metastatic to lung and discuss possible alteration in macrophage function in the pathogenesis of these two concomitant processes. (Chest 1989; 95:466-67)
For-Profit Education Service Providers in Primary and Secondary Schooling: The Drive for and Consequences of Global Expansion

Innovations in technology, transportation, and communication during the twentieth century have paved the way for greater global connectedness and interdependence. Economic globalization and democratization have accompanied these trends toward interconnectedness. While these transformations brought vast increases in the exchange of goods, people, and information even to remote locales, this new exchange has been a boon for transnational corpora-
Assessment of the Lake Trout Fishery in Lake Superior: 1929-1950

Abstract The logistic surplus production model is applied to the lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) fishery of district MS-4 in Lake Superior from 1929 to 1950. Comparison of the equilibrium stock production curve with observed yield and effort data indicates that the fishery became overexploited at about the same time that the sea lamprey first was observed in the lake. This was a period during which fishermen were moving to Lake Superior from the other lakes as lake trout stocks were collapsing as a result of sea lamprey predation. The sharp decline in lake trout yields from Lake Superior occurred about 10 yr later. Collapse of the lake trout stocks apparently was caused by sea lamprey predation on a population that was stressed by intensive exploitation.
The Physical and Social Environment in Kaiser Permanente’s Research Program in Genes, Environment and Health

Dr. Catherine Schaefer described Kaiser Permanente's Research Program on Genes, Environment and Health, which will be a large resource facilitating further studies analyzing the influence of genes and the environment. She described both the goals and the processes of the program in detail.To watch Dr. Schaefer’s presentation, please see the Panel 3 "Google Video posting.":http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7775076897136846879&hl=en Panel 3 also features a presentation by Dr. Atul Butte of Stanford University on “Linking the Genome and Envirome.”
Electron transport and magnetic penetration depth in niobium-silicon multilayers

Thin niobium-silicon multilayers have been sputtered with niobium thicknesses less than the coherence length and silicon thicknesses that allow tunneling between layers. The multilayer structure has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction, and the films have been electrically characterized with respect to T/sub c/ and J/sub c/. For constant Nb thickness, both T/sub c/ and J/sub c/ increase with decreasing Si thickness, indicating increased coupling between the Nb layers. When a multilayer forms the barrier in a tunnel structure, the resulting I(V) characteristic resembles that for a series of single-barrier junctions, and further evidence of Nb interlayer coupling is observed. These multilayers have also been incorporated as the base in several tunnel structures in order to measure the multilayer penetration depth via the magnetic field dependence of I/sub c/. Preliminary results indicate that the theoretically predicted enhancement of penetration depth in a multilayer does occur. >
Terminal nucleotides of avian myeloblastosis virus RNA and of ribosomal RNA from chicken leukemic myeloblasts.

Abstract The 18- and 28-S ribosomal RNA components from chicken leukemic myeloblasts have been purified and separately analyzed for terminal nucleotides. Alkaline hydrolysates of 18-S rRNA contain, per mole RNA, about 1 mole of cytidine 3′(2′),5′-diphosphate and 1 mole of adenosine. Similar analysis of the 28-S component gives only guanosine 3′(2′),5′-diphosphate and uridine. Fractionation of nuclease hydrolysates of each RNA by a “diagonal” electrophoretic method (which exploits the absence of monoesterified phosphate on the 3′-terminal oligonucleotide) permits isolation of a terminal fragment from each. Analysis of these fragments indicates that the terminal nucleotide sequence of myeloblast 18-S rRNA is -GC[(AU) 2 C 2 U 2 ]A OH and that of the 28-S rRNA is -PyAGGU OH . Analysis of the nucleosides released upon alkaline hydrolysis of avian myeloblastosis virus RNA show the 3′-terminus to be predominantly adenosine.
SU‐E‐T‐380: Evaluation of Interfraction Motion of the Strut‐Adjusted Volume Implant (SAVI) Using 3D Reconstruction from CT Scout Images

Purpose: The Strut‐Adjusted Volume Implant (SAVI) is a partial breast irradiation applicator. We developed a method to reconstruct the 3D device location using scout images to provide applicator position and proper expansion verification. We also used this technique to evaluate interfraction motion. Methods: The SAVI device was implanted in a lumpectomy cavity. The patient was aligned by CT lasers and skin tattoos to ensure reproducible setup. A post‐operative CT scan was performed for treatment planning. The patient was treated in 10 fractions over the course of 5 days. Daily CT scans and anterior and lateral scout scans were acquired prior to each fraction. Radio‐opaque markers located on three of the struts were localized using a peak detection filter. The location of each marker on the 2D scout image was backprojected towards the CT x‐ray source. Each 3D marker position was reconstructed at the backprojection intersection. The 3D marker position was compared to the location in the 3D CTimage. The interfractional displacement of the device was assessed from the reconstructed marker locations. Results: The average distance (standard deviation) between the marker positions reconstructed using the scout images and the CTimages was 0.76 (0.28) mm. Using the scout image data, the average interfractional device movement (standard deviation) in the SI, AP, and LR directions, and 3D was 0.51 (0.46) mm, 0.95 (0.81) mm, 0.73 (0.61) mm, and 1.56 (0.68) mm. Conclusion: SAVI interfraction motion can be accurately measured using scout images. The patient setup for partial breast brachytherapy can be improved by correcting the applicator displacement. This proposed technique eliminates the need for CT verifications, and therefore additional dose to the patient, while still accurately identifying applicator displacement.
Exact Path Delay Fault Coverage Calculation of Partitioned Circuits

Exact path delay fault (PDF) coverage calculation of large circuits with an exponential number of detectable PDFs requires exponential memory space. This often yields memory overflow in computations. One common approach to avoid memory overflow is to partition or virtually cut circuits into several subcircuits and to perform coverage calculation at the partition-level circuit. Partitioning reduces the number of PDFs to be stored in memory exponentially at the expense of losing considerable coverage. This paper describes an algorithm to improve the reported coverage value by recovering the lost PDFs up to a user-controlled degree (Delta), which is a function of the length of cut net sequences. The reported coverage monotonically increases as Delta increases: the exact coverage value is guaranteed when Delta is equal to the number of consecutive partitions on the longest path. Experimental results are provided for the ISCAS85 circuits that illustrate the trade-off between the computation time, the number of partitions, the values of Delta, and the reported coverage. The results indicate that as Delta and the number of partitions increase, the runtime does not increase after some point since the cost of set operations reduces as more partitions are created.
Hemodialysis Access: Imaging Diagnosis

A well functioning dialysis access is the lifeline for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis. Dialysis access circuits include both arterio-venous fistulas (AVF) and arterio-venous grafts (AVG). An AV fistula is created by connecting a vein to an artery, resulting in one anastomosis. An AV graft is created when a biologically acceptable tube is connected to an artery at one end and to a vein at the other end, resulting in two anastomoses. The upper extremities are preferred over the lower extremities for dialysis access creation and fistulas have been shown to out-perform grafts in terms of durability and infection rates [1]. Maintaining a given dialysis access requires early detection of access dysfunction. The goal is to keep the dialysis access functioning such that adequate dialysis is achieved, as well as to prevent thrombosis of the access. Once dialysis access thromboses, its lifespan declines dramatically [1–3].
Identification of a Crucial Energetic Footprint on the α1 Helix of Human Histocompatibility Leukocyte Antigen (Hla)-A2 That Provides Functional Interactions for Recognition by Tax Peptide/Hla-A2–Specific T Cell Receptors

Structural studies have shown that class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted peptide-specific T cell receptor (TCR)-α/βs make multiple contacts with the α1 and α2 helices of the MHC, but it is unclear which or how many of these interactions contribute to functional binding. We have addressed this question by performing single amino acid mutagenesis of the 15 TCR contact sites on the human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 molecule recognized by the A6 TCR specific for the Tax peptide presented by HLA-A2. The results demonstrate that mutagenesis of only three amino acids (R65, K66, and A69) that are clustered on the α1 helix affected T cell recognition of the Tax/HLA-A2 complex. At least one of these three mutants affected T cell recognition by every member of a large panel of Tax/HLA-A2–specific T cell lines. Biacore measurements showed that these three HLA-A2 mutations also altered A6 TCR binding kinetics, reducing binding affinity. These results show that for Tax/HLA-A2–specific TCRs, there is a location on the central portion of the α1 helix that provides interactions crucial to their function with the MHC molecule.
Learning visual flows: A Lie algebraic approach

We present a novel method for modeling dynamic visual phenomena, which consists of two key aspects. First, the integral motion of constituent elements in a dynamic scene is captured by a common underlying geometric transform process. Second, a Lie algebraic representation of the transform process is introduced, which maps the transformation group to a vector space, and thus overcomes the difficulties due to the group structure. Consequently, the statistical learning techniques based on vector spaces can be readily applied. Moreover, we discuss the intrinsic connections between the Lie algebra and the Linear dynamical processes, showing that our model induces spatially varying fields that can be estimated from local motions without continuous tracking. Following this, we further develop a statistical framework to robustly learn the flow models from noisy and partially corrupted observations. The proposed methodology is demonstrated on real world phenomenon, inferring common motion patterns from surveillance videos of crowded scenes and satellite data of weather evolution.
Re: Double arterial perfusion strategy for extensive thoracic aortic surgery to avoid lower body hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Czerny and his co-workers report a technique of double arterial perfusion to avoid lower body hypothermic circulatory arrest in 10 patients undergoing extensive thoracic aortic repairs [1]. A median sternotomy combined with a left fourth intercostal space incision was utilized to provide exposure of the entire thoracic aorta. There was no hospital mortality, 2 patients (20%) sustained a stroke, and one each developed acute renal failure and myocardial infarction. Their technique represents another modification of the onestage approach to treat extensive thoracic aortic aneurysmal disease, some of which develops after previous procedures on the thoracic aorta such as repair of acute type A dissection. The authors employed a double arterial perfusion strategy and double-clamping of the descending thoracic aorta to avoid lower body hypothermic circulatory arrest, and selectively perfused the brachiocephalic vessels with a separate roller pump at a temperature of 20°C. This was stated to be a potential advantage over techniques that employ hypothermic perfusion of the lower body with intervals of ischaemia [2, 3]. Although lower body ischaemia is presumably avoided with their technique, acute renal failure developed in 1 patient and no information regarding hepatic or intestinal function was provided. With procedures that involve replacement of most or all of the descending thoracic aorta, the risk of spinal cord ischaemia increases, and some degree of hypothermia may be advantageous. As an example, performance of the distal anastomosis of the graft to the aorta at or near the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm would preclude distal aortic clamping. None of the patients in the present series had a replacement of more than two-thirds of the descending thoracic aorta. No major pulmonary complications were reported, and the authors attribute this to minimal manipulation of the left lung, since it was limited only to the area of the distal anastomosis of the graft to the descending thoracic aorta. In the setting of chronic aortic dissection however, control of bleeding from patent intercostal arteries is mandatory and sometimes troublesome, and can require exposure of the entire opened descending thoracic aorta and greater manipulation of the left lung. Despite these minor criticisms, the authors are to be commended for pursuing the strategy of a one-stage approach for the treatment of extensive thoracic aortic disease. Given the limitations of the two-stage and hybrid techniques for the treatment of extensive thoracic aortic disease, particularly in patients with chronic aortic dissection, we strongly support the authors’ recommendation that continued evaluation and refinement of techniques that involve a one-stage approach are indicated [4–6].
A Model for the Optical Properties of Reduced Congruent Lithium Niobate

A detailed optical absorption study has been performed on a series of chemically reducedlithium niobate crystals. A threshold absorption above 3.8 eV has been identified as a bandgap excitation, while the entire sub-bandgap absorption has been demonstrated to be due to a single defect via optical bleaching experiments. A model based on a bipolaron is proposed to explain the observed optical properties.
Optimal experience of Web activities

Abstract This paper reports on Web users' optimal flow experiences ( Csikszentmihalyi, 1975b ) in the Web environment. The concept of flow was employed to see if there were some positive aspects of Web experiences that could be linked to theory applied to other media and then incorporated into Web design to enhance its utility to users. The notions of the Web as a ‘multi-activity medium’ and a view of the Web as a ‘situated experience’ are proposed and verified in this study in order to demonstrate evidence of flow phenomena in the Web environment. Further, in order to overcome methodological hurdles inherent in previous studies, this study employed content analytic procedures to analyze open-ended questionnaires to directly elicit 304 Web users' perceived flow experiences on the Web. Results of this study provide baseline data on the existence of the flow phenomenon in the Web environment, such as factors and conditions associated with the flow experience, causes of Web users' perceived challenges and controls, and Web users' flow feelings and enjoyments. This study also establishes the groundwork for building a situational measuring instrument which may be used to identify Web users' flow experience for further exploration. We conclude that the concept of flow is a fruitful area for research that aims at improving Web design practice. The data suggest that additional research under more rigorous methodological conditions can further specify the factors and conditions associated with flow experiences on the Web.
Building a Comprehensive Genomic Program for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer, causing approximately 660,000 deaths worldwide annually. The preferred treatment of HCC is surgical resection or orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for patients meeting specific criteria. For patients outside these criteria, options are limited and include medical therapy, radiofrequency ablation, chemoembolization, or palliative measures, and these result in poor outcomes. Various centers at Baylor are elucidating the genomics of HCC to improve treatment options, with a focus on three etiologies: hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, and non-viral. Through collaborative efforts, we have established an effective specimen biobanking protocol, and we are using several techniques to analyze HCC, including whole genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, gene-specific analysis, gene expression, and epigenetic analysis. We have completed whole genome sequencing on two patient samples, whole exome sequencing on 47 patient samples, gene-specific analysis on 94 patient samples, gene expression on 4 patient samples, and epigenetic analysis on 1 patient sample. We hope to use these results to define novel genetic therapeutic strategies that may work in conjunction with surgical approaches to improve long-term patient and graft survival rates in patients with HCC. We also aim to provide a functional framework of a comprehensive program for genomic analysis that may be imitated by other institutions and for other tumors in the global quest toward personalized genomic medicine.
A large scale study of programming languages and code quality in github

What is the effect of programming languages on software quality? This question has been a topic of much debate for a very long time. In this study, we gather a very large data set from GitHub (729 projects, 80 Million SLOC, 29,000 authors, 1.5 million commits, in 17 languages) in an attempt to shed some empirical light on this question. This reasonably large sample size allows us to use a mixed-methods approach, combining multiple regression modeling with visualization and text analytics, to study the effect of language features such as static v.s. dynamic typing, strong v.s. weak typing on software quality. By triangulating findings from different methods, and controlling for confounding effects such as team size, project size, and project history, we report that language design does have a significant, but modest effect on software quality. Most notably, it does appear that strong typing is modestly better than weak typing, and among functional languages, static typing is also somewhat better than dynamic typing. We also find that functional languages are somewhat better than procedural languages. It is worth noting that these modest effects arising from language design are overwhelmingly dominated by the process factors such as project size, team size, and commit size. However, we hasten to caution the reader that even these modest effects might quite possibly be due to other, intangible process factors, e.g., the preference of certain personality types for functional, static and strongly typed languages.
Contemporary Management of High-risk Localized Prostate Cancer

The management of high-risk, localized prostate cancer remains a formidable challenge despite significant technical advances in surgery and radiation therapy. Treatment outcomes of radiation therapy are improved by the addition of adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy, whereas, with surgery, oncologic results are enhanced with either postoperative radiation therapy or androgen deprivation therapy in select cases. In high-risk prostate cancer, disease recurrence after primary therapy may occur at either distant or local sites. Ongoing studies are in the process of evaluating systemic therapy for the eradication of local and micrometastatic disease. Neoadjuvant therapies offer the opportunity to maximize local control as a path to improved outcomes and critically evaluate agent effectiveness in the target tissue. The treatment for high-risk localized prostate cancer is in evolution. It is likely that the development of effective strategies based on understanding prostate tumor biology will lead to significant advances in the treatment of this disease.
Developmental genomics of the most dangerous animal

Ronald Ross penned an optimistic poem on August 21, 1897, shortly after discovering malaria parasites in mosquitoes: This day relenting God Hath placed within my hand A wondrous thing; and God Be praised. At His command, Seeking His secret deeds With tears and toiling breath, I find thy cunning seeds, O million-murdering Death. I know this little thing A myriad men will save. O Death, where is thy sting? Thy victory, O Grave! (1)
Amphiphilic poly(alkylthiophene) block copolymers prepared via externally initiated GRIM and click coupling

Block copolymers with a poly(3-alkylthiophene) (P3AT) polymer block can self-organize into periodic, crystalline nanostructures that may be useful for organic electronic applications. However, reliable synthetic methods for the preparation of P3AT block copolymers are lacking. Here, we demonstrate a general method for the synthesis of P3AT rod-coil block copolymers via click-coupling of alkynyl-P3AT. Alkynyl-P3ATs are prepared via externally initiated Grignard metathesis polymerization (GRIM) using a modified nickel catalyst followed by end-group modification. The resulting alkynyl-P3ATs have improved stability and solubility compared with those previously reported. P3ATs are subsequently coupled to an azide-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) through copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne click coupling, resulting in P3AT-b-PEG block copolymers. The advantages of this synthetic procedure are the improved stability of the alkynyl-P3AT macroreagent, the capability to synthesize high molecular weight P3AT polymer blocks, and facile determination of P3AT absolute molecular weight through 1H NMR analysis. This synthetic method is applied to prepare a series of P3AT-b-PEG block copolymers, with poly(3-hexyl thiophene) (P3HT), poly(3-dodecylthiophene) (P3DDT), and poly(3-(2′-ethyl)hexylthiophene) (P3EHT) polymer blocks. The resulting P3AT block copolymers are dispersed in water to form micelles with crystalline, hydrophobic cores. Absorbance measurements show that crystallization of P3DDT and P3EHT blocks is suppressed in micellar cores due to nanoscale confinement of the P3AT blocks.
CONSTRAINING A QUADRATIC RATIONAL BEZIER TO BE AN ELLIPTICAL ARC

Analytic constraint solvers have a limited set of available geometries, typically lines and circles. This paper examines a method for constraining the control net of a rational quadratic Bezier curve so that it is always an elliptical arc.
Federal Legal Preparedness Tools for Facilitating Medical Countermeasure Use during Public Health Emergencies

Preparing for and responding to public health emergencies involving medical countermeasures (MCMs) raise often complex legal challenges and questions among response stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels. This includes concerns about emergency legal authorities, liability, emergency use of regulated medical products, and regulations that might enhance or hinder public health response goals. In this article, lawyers from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discuss federal legal tools that are critical to enhancing MCM legal preparedness for public health emergencies, with an emphasis on the legal mechanisms that can be used to facilitate the emergency use of countermeasures. Specifically, the authors describe the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act and Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) authority, outlining the conditions under which these tools can be utilized and providing examples of how they have supported both pre-event (e.g., doxycycline mass dispensing preparedness for anthrax) and intra-event (e.g., 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic response) activities.
An efficient MAC protocol for asynchronous ONUs in OFDMA PONs

We propose an efficient MAC protocol for OFDMA PONs that eliminates the synchronization requirement of ONUs and also exploits the statistical multiplexing gain among traffic of all ONUs for high performances in throughput and delay.
Segmented slant hole collimator for stationary cardiac SPECT: Monte Carlo simulations.

Purpose: This work is a preliminary study of a stationary cardiac SPECT system. The goal of this research is to propose a stationary cardiac SPECT system using segmented slant-hole collimators and to perform computer simulations to test the feasibility. Compared to the rotational SPECT, a stationary system has a benefit of acquiring temporally consistent projections. The most challenging issue in building a stationary system is to provide sufficient projection view-angles. Methods: A gate (geant4 application for tomographic emission) Monte Carlo model was developed to simulate a two-detector stationary cardiac SPECT that uses segmented slant-hole collimators. Each detector contains seven segmented slant-hole sections that slant to a common volume at the rotation center. Consequently, 14 view-angles over 180° were acquired without any gantry rotation. The NCAT phantom was used for data generation and a tailored maximum-likelihood expectation-maximization algorithm was used for image reconstruction. Effects of limited number of view-angles and data truncation were carefully evaluated in the paper. Results: Simulation results indicated that the proposed segmented slant-hole stationary cardiac SPECT system is able to acquire sufficient data for cardiac imaging without a loss of image quality, even when the uptakes in the liver and kidneys are high. Seven views are acquired simultaneously at each detector, leading to 5-fold sensitivity gain over the conventional dual-head system at the same total acquisition time, which in turn increases the signal-to-noise ratio by 19%. The segmented slant-hole SPECT system also showed a good performance in lesion detection. In our prototype system, a short hole-length was used to reduce the dead zone between neighboring collimator segments. The measured sensitivity gain is about 17-fold over the conventional dual-head system. Conclusions: The gate Monte Carlo simulations confirm the feasibility of the proposed stationary cardiac SPECT system with segmented slant-hole collimators. The proposed collimator consists of combined parallel and slant holes, and the image on the detector is not reduced in size.
Hormone replacement therapy: sorting the risks and benefits.

(1995). Hormone Replacement Therapy: Sorting the Risks and Benefits. Hospital Practice: Vol. 30, No. 5, pp. 24K-24Q.
Selection Principle of Damping Resistor for Double-tuned Filter in HVDC System

Damping double-tuned filters are widely used in the high voltage direct current(HVDC) projects,and damping resistors' selection plays an important role for filtering effect and performance of the whole system.Firstly,impedance frequency characteristic of the double-tuned filter with different damping resistors is compared and influence of damping resistors on the filter is analyzed.Then,taking the filter design of a ±800 kV HVDC project for example,performance and steady rating results of filters under different damping resistors are evaluated.At last,the basic principles on selection of damping resistors based on performance and rating requirements are summarized,which effectively improve the efficiency of filter engineering design.
Quality Analysis on Medical Institutions' Reports of Notifiable Infectious Diseases in Dabu County in 2007

Objective The article's objective is to demonstrate how the reporting system of notifiable infectious diseases functions in Dabu County and to help sum up its management experiences in reporting notifiable infectious diseases,in order to provide some scientific references for health administrative departments to formulate preventive and control measures for infectious diseases and assessment programs for medical institutions.Methods It analyses the quality of epidemic individual cases reported by medical institutions in Dabu County in 2007,based on Direct Reports and Technical Manual of Information Network for Monitoring Infectious Diseases and Regulations on Reporting Infectious Diseases.Furthermore,it investigates whether medical institutions miss reports of notifiable infectious diseases on the basis of National Investigation Program for Missing Reports of Notifiable Infectious Diseases.Results Its results of investigations indicate that the medical institutions in Dabu County reported notifiable infectious diseases 96.73% in time,90.28% completely,96.45% accurately and missed 11.39% in 2007.Conclusion It concludes that the medical institutions in Dabu county do not present reports of epidemic situations in a regular quality and miss reporting very often.Therefore,it must be strengthened to assess medical institutions and train their workers.
Human leukocyte cathepsin G and elastase specifically suppress thrombin- induced prostacyclin production in human endothelial cells

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) when activated release products that can potentially injure endothelial cells or alter endothelial function. Exposure of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells to cathepsin G and elastase isolated from human PMN at concentrations reached in vivo (100 ng/mL to 10 micrograms/mL) selectively inhibited thrombin-induced prostacyclin production and the thrombin-induced rise in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca++]i) concentration. These proteases also blocked thrombin-induced release of arachidonic acid from prelabeled endothelial cells (EC). In contrast, induction of prostacyclin (PGI2) production by arachidonate, histamine, or the calcium ionophore A23187 was not altered by treatment of EC with these proteases. The effects of the proteases were concentration-dependent, were blocked by serum or serum protease inhibitors, and were reversed when the endothelial cells were further cultured for 24 hours in the absence of the proteases. Elastase, but not cathepsin G, also produced detachment of endothelial cells. Thus, the major leukocyte proteases selectively suppress thrombin-induced prostacyclin production by human vascular endothelial cells and may alter the hemostatic balance at sites of PMN activation.
Assessing Program Implementation: What It Is, Why It's Important, and How to Do It

While the importance of evaluation program offerings is acknowledge by Extension educators, less emphasis is given to understanding program implementation. Simply assessing program impact without a clear understanding of the degree to which a program was actually implemented can result in inaccurate findings. The effective evaluation of both program impacts and evaluation can provide Extension educators with a more holistic perspective of their programs and an increased ability to identify and disseminate best program practices.
The Accessory Nerve (CN XI)

Abstract The external ramus branches from the spinal root of the accessory nerve (AN) and is one of the most commonly injured nerves resulting from iatrogenic causes. Classically, the AN is described as having separate cranial and spinal roots forming an indigenous cranial nerve. Textbooks are inconsistent with regard to terminology, function, and modality of the AN. Some authors report the spinal root as general somatic efferent (GSE), while others list a special visceral efferent (SVE) modality. Investigations of clinical, comparative, anatomical, embryological, and molecular literature have yet to determine which modality of the AN is accurate and explain why a discrepancy exists. The origin was traced using incongruous observations from early comparative anatomists, who believed the AN was either branchial or somatic depending on the origin of its target structures. Both theories were supported entirely by empirical observations of anatomical and embryological dissections. Ample evidence, including molecular experiments, was found to reveal the cranial and spinal roots are separate entities. Furthermore, the modality of the spinal root was revealed to be neither GSE nor SVE, but rather a unique peripheral nerve with a distinct modality. A novel classification of the accessory nerve was proposed that demonstrates characteristics of both spinal and cranial nerves, and was named a transitional nerve.
The role of idioblasts in leaf water relations of tropical Rhododendron.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Although much is known about the anatomy of idioblasts, the relationship of leaf idioblasts to leaf physiology is poorly known. Our goal was to understand the relationship between idioblast abundance and leaf water relations. Tropical epiphytic and shrub Rhododendron species were the model system. METHODS Leaf succulence and idioblast metrics of 61 plants representing 17 species were compared with stomatal and water relation metrics. Correlation, ANOVA, and regression were used to understand which water relation traits were best aligned with the proportion of the leaf occupied by idioblasts for epiphytic and shrub species. KEY RESULTS Idioblast volume per leaf area varied from 1.4-9.5 mm3·cm-2 among accessions, and an index of stomatal area per leaf area varied from 0.08-3.3. Succulence, stomatal, and water relation metrics varied significantly among species. Total idioblast volume was negatively correlated with leaf succulence metrics, and positively correlated with relative water content at the turgor loss point. Idioblasts were better related to capacitance in thin leaves. All idioblast metrics were significantly greater in epiphytic species. CONCLUSIONS Leaf idioblasts can have a significant effect on leaf-lamina water relations. Idioblasts likely function as a water buffering system for thin leaves in tropical Rhododendron species. The association of idioblast prominence with leaf water buffering is greatest for epiphytic species with thin leaves. Thus, the proliferation of leaf idioblasts may have been an important innovation for Rhododendron species diversification into tropical epiphytic habitats.
Articulation of the Reorganization Hypothesis

When fractions are introduced in school mathematics, they are usually introduced in the context of continuous quantity. Number sequences are essentially excluded because, as quantitative schemes, they are thought to be relevant only in discrete quantitative situations. Even though I developed number sequences in Chap. 3 in the context of discrete quantity, I can see no principled reason to keep them separate from continuous quantity. Reserving number sequences for discrete quantity stands in opposition to the concept of the real number line in higher mathematics, and, in this chapter, I argue that it also stands in opposition to the development of quantitative schemes. In articulating the reorganization hypothesis, I establish that a composite unit of specific numerosity can be used to make a split in the way that Confrey (1994) explained. This involves more than simply indicating the possibility of transferring the operations involved in compounding discrete units together to splitting continuous units. I do a deeper developmental analysis of children’s quantitative schemes in which I explore whether the operations that produce discrete quantity and the operations that produce continuous quantity can be regarded as unifying quantitative operations. If so, these quantitative operations would justify the reorganization hypothesis.
Theoretical and Theatrical Intersections: Samuel Beckett, Herbert Blau, Civil Rights, and the Politics of Godot

Herbert Blau’s life-long engagement with Modernism, performance, and performance theory constituted a process through which Beckett was a constant touchstone. Their parallel critiques of performance and representation would challenge the limits of Modernist thought and its creative production. Their intersection began with Blau’s 1957 staging of Waiting for Godot at the Actor’s Workshop of San Francisco, but its subsequent performance in California’s San Quentin Prison made the play a cult classic and caught the attention of the Free Southern Theater whose politicized staging toured the American South amid the violence of the Civil Rights movement. Both Beckett and Blau, finally, would explore ways of moving beyond the limits of the stage and the conventions of theatre to create performances central to Modernist thought, Blau towards the performance of thought on the page, Beckett with a series of theatrical reconceptions that undervalued story and theme to offer a theatre at the limits of thought, a theatre of affective lyricism.
Immunotherapy and next-generation sequencing guided therapy for precision oncology: What have we learnt and what does the future hold?

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The rapid development of clinical next-generation sequencing (NGS) and the contemporaneous availability of molecular targeted therapies ignited and fueled the field of precisi...
Simulating image-guided in situ bioprinting of a skin graft onto a phantom burn wound bed

Abstract Deep skin thermal wounds require skin excision and engraftment. Clinical treatment for deep skin wounds is the use of autologous split-thickness skin grafts. However, timely coverage of large-area burn wounds remains a significant challenge. Engineered skin tissue constructs aim to overcome the limitations of traditional clinical intervention. In this study, an in situ bioprinting-based methodological workflow is advanced to directly fabricate a custom engineered skin graft onto a skin burn phantom. To illustrate this modular approach, a burn phantom is first created by mold casting gelatin-alginate hydrogel material to simulate a burn wound bed with arbitrary 2D shape and uniform depth. The cast hydrogel phantom is then placed on the printer platform to host the to-be-printed skin graft. Next, a color image-based module is proposed to extract the contour of the burn wound. This is followed by implementing a contour calibration process based on fiducial markers to yield the real dimension and pose of the burn phantom. A new directed toolpath generation algorithm is detailed to generate a burn-specific toolpath for the microextrusion-based bioprinting process. Based on this method, the bioprinted cell-laden gelatin-alginate hydrogel filaments are precisely arranged in a meshed pattern that is bound by the burn phantom contour. Internal geometries defined by the filament and pore dimensional characteristics of the printed construct design can be controlled to promote cell viability, proliferation, and nutrient delivery. Printed cell-laden multi-layered constructs are evaluated for single filament and pore dimensional precision, alignment of filaments between layers, and positional accuracy of the filaments within the extracted contour. Finally, a 24-hour time course incubation study reveals that the printed constructs preserve their structural properties while cells proliferate and maintain their spatial positioning.
Risk Factors in Premature Ejaculation: The Urological Risk Factor

Premature ejaculation (PE) is the most common form of male sexual dysfunction and a number of direct urological risk factor may be identified. This chapter will focus on certain risk factors that may predispose men to PE such as erectile dysfunction (ED), chronic prostatitis (CP), varicocele, enuresis, and circumcision. A review of the current literature is presented with an emphasis on the epidemiological associations between these risk factors and PE. A review of possible treatment options in the current literature are also pertinent presented. This chapter will be most useful for the clinician's approach to the patient with PE evaluation past urological history.
Linking Investments in Telecoms and Economic Growth: An Empirical Analysis of Total Factor Productivity and its Determinants in the Context of Transition Economies

The limited resources of Transition Economies (TE) accentuate the need for formulation of the effective and efficient policies for investments in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). However, the empirical evidence required for sound decision making is scarce, thus prompting a call for additional studies in the area of the macroeconomic impact of investments in ICT. Using time series data for the period from 1993 to 2002, we investigate the impact of investments in Telecoms on Total Factor Productivity (TFP) in the context of 18 TEs of Central Europe. The results of the data analysis suggest that while all TEs exhibited overall growth in productivity, the annual growth of the majority was inconsistent and not determined by the increase in the levels of investments and full-time Telecom labor. The results also indicate that introduced for the purposes of the investigation composite proxy variable Change in Productivity may reliably serve as a predictor of TFP for eight out of eighteen TEs, thus indicating actionable paths for TEs to obtain a spillover effect from investments in ICT.
Assimilation of All-Sky Infrared Radiances from Himawari-8 and Impacts of Moisture and Hydrometer Initialization on Convection-Permitting Tropical Cyclone Prediction

AbstractThis study explores the impacts of assimilating all-sky infrared satellite radiances from Himawari-8, a new-generation geostationary satellite that shares similar remote sensing technology ...
Complete Sequence and Annotation of the Mycoplasma phocidae Strain 105T Genome

The genome of Mycoplasma phocidae strain 105T was analyzed in order to improve our understanding of its role in epidemic marine mammal mortalities. It was found to encode a suite of immunosuppressors that may enable evasion of host defenses and modulate susceptibility to viral coinfections or their severity in seals.
Constructive work and reclaiming the commons as decolonizing nonviolent resistance

Scholars of nonviolent resistance, in particular, almost exclusively focus on oppositional action against oppressive forces. They pay much less attention to positive dimensions of resistance that allow practitioners to create alternative social relationships and ways of life. As a result, studies on nonviolent resistance tend to take “the colonizer’s model of the world” for granted. This article contest the prevailing approach by drawing on Gandhi, on the one hand, and autonomist Marxist and anarchist literature, on the other, to explore decolonizing forms of nonviolent resistance. It argues that Gandhi’s “constructive program” and autonomist Marxist thought on “reclaiming the commons” offer tools that are relevant for innovative research on decolonizing nonviolent resistance. And it shows that the Zapatista movement and revolutionary Zapatista women are on the frontlines of experiments with constructive work and autonomous commons in the world today. They demonstrate to scholars as well as activists that revolutionary nonviolence for dignity and self-rule remains possible.
Chapter 19 – Family Rhabdoviridae

Members of the family Rhabdoviridae have unsegmented, negative-strand RNA genomes. Rod- or bullet-shaped virions are enveloped with helical nucleocapsids. There are well over 100 named rhabdoviruses isolated from hosts as diverse as insects, vertebrate animals, and plants. The overall replication strategy of the rhabdoviruses is similar to that of other families in the order Mononegavirales. Rabies virus (RABV), a member of the genus Lyssavirus, is an ancient and much feared pathogen. The name rabies comes from the Latin rabidus meaning raving, furious, or mad, a name that accurately describes many animals suffering from this invariably fatal neurologic infection. Suspected RABV exposures (i.e., bites) call for the administration of antirabies immune globulin and postexposure vaccination. Postexposure vaccination is effective due to the long incubation period as RABV travel up axons to the CNS.
Incivility and Beyond at the Top Management Team Level

Although incivility has been gaining increasing attention in the literature as well as in the industry, academic studies have not examined the effects on top management team (TMT) members. TMT memb...
Use of Risk Factors to Guide Treatment

Diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment are among the most basic goals of medical practice. Data-driven assessments of risk and outcome are increasingly common, and are more accurate and reliable than clinical judgement. Diagnostic value is usually summarized by test sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, and likelihood ratios. Individualized prognosis is most commonly made with clinical risk calculators. Treatment based on individual risk factors rather than disease alone should lead to greater efficacy and efficiency, and can be assessed with impact studies.
A Microwave-Induced Thermoacoustic Imaging System With Non-Contact Ultrasound Detection

Portable and easy-to-use imaging systems are in high demand for medical, security screening, nondestructive testing, and sensing applications. We present a new microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging system with non-contact, airborne ultrasound (US) detection. In this system, a 2.7 GHz microwave excitation causes differential heating at interfaces with dielectric contrast, and the resulting US signal via the thermoacoustic effect travels out of the sample to the detector in air at a standoff. The 65 dB interface loss due to the impedance mismatch at the air-sample boundary is overcome with high-sensitivity capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers with minimum detectable pressures (MDPs) as low as ${278~\mu {\mathrm{ Pa}}_{\mathrm{ rms}}}$ and we explore two different designs—one operating at a center frequency of 71 kHz and another at a center frequency of 910 kHz. We further demonstrate that the air–sample interface presents a tradeoff with the advantage of improved resolution, as the change in wave velocity at the interface creates a strong focusing effect alongside the attenuation, resulting in axial resolutions more than $10\times $ smaller than that predicted by the traditional speed/bandwidth limit. A piecewise synthetic aperture radar (SAR) algorithm modified for US imaging and enhanced with signal processing techniques is used for image reconstruction, resulting in mm-scale lateral and axial image resolution. Finally, measurements are conducted to verify simulations and demonstrate successful system performance.