cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduction of post-cesarean section infectious morbidity by means of antibiotic irrigation

The effectiveness of antibiotic irrigation in reducing post-cesarean section infectious morbidity was studied in a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. One hundred twenty-eight patients were divided into three groups and irrigated with either cefoxitin solution, cephapirin solution, or saline. Following delivery of the placenta, the uterine cavity and incision, bladder flap, pelvic gutters, and subcutaneous tissue of the patients were irrigated. There was a significant reduction in total infectious morbidity (p less than 0.02) and wound infection (p less than 0.04) when antibiotic use was compared to the saline control. No statistical difference in the effectiveness of the two antibiotics could be demonstrated. No adverse effects were noted. Antibiotic irrigation is a safe and effective method in reducing infectious morbidity of the parturient patient.
Commentary: Science, Technology, and Society in Guidelines for Using Technology to Prepare Social Studies Teachers--A Reply to Hicks et al. and Crocco and Leo.

This essay is a response to both the “Guidelines for Using Technology to Prepare Social Studies Teachers” published in this journal by Hicks, Lee, Berson, Bolick, and Diem (2014) and the rejoinder by Crocco and Leo (2015). The author agrees with Crocco and Leo’s assessment that removing the principal regarding science, technology, and society is concerning, though for different reasons. The technology guidelines should include an examination of the nonneutrality of technology, including the psychological and social effects of technology, as part of this principle. This approach could foster more competent decisions regarding the implementation of digital tools in the social studies curriculum.
Promising Practices in the Preparation of Special Educators to Provide Reading Instruction

The majority of students with disabilities require support in the area of reading. Given the importance of reading instruction, it is essential that special education teacher preparation programs p...
Metadata, infrastructure, and computer-mediated communication in historical perspective

In this paper we describe the creation and use of metadata on the early Arpanet as part of normal network function. By using the Arpanet Host-Host Protocol and its sockets as an entry point for studying the generation of metadata, we show that the development and function of key Arpanet infrastructure can be studied by examining the creation and stabilization of metadata. More specifically, we use the Host-Host Protocol's sockets as an example of something that, at the level of the network, functions as both network infrastructure and metadata simultaneously. By presenting the function of sockets in tandem with an overview of the Host-Host Protocol, we argue for the further integrated study of infrastructure and metadata. Finally, we reintroduce the concept of infradata to refer specifically to data that locate data throughout an infrastructure and are required by the infrastructure to function, separating them from established and stabilized standards. We argue for the future application of infradata as a concept for the study of histories and political economies of networks, bridging the largely library and information science LIS study of metadata with the largely science and technology studies STS domain of infrastructure.
Routine hematology and serum biochemistry indexes of transgenic cloned cows carrying human alphalactalbumin gene and the recipients

Five cows were selected separately from the transgenic carrying human alpha-lactalbumin gene,the receptor and normal cows.Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein for 3 times at intervals of 14 days,and routine hematology and serum biochemistry indexes were determined.The results showed that RBC and PLT of transgenic group were significantly lower than that of control group(P0.05),but MCV and MCH were significantly higher than that of control group(P0.05).RBC,HGB and HCT existed significant lower between receptor and control groups(P0.05).Based on the results of scrum electrolyte,indexes of K and P in both transgenic and receptor groups were significantly lower than that of control group(P0.05).In transgenic group,TC,CK,AST and BUN were significantly lower than that of control group(P0.05),however CER was higher than that of control group(P0.05).In receptor group,GLU,TP and BUN were significantly lower than that of control group(P0.05),on the contrary,AST was higher than that of control group(P0.05).Although there were significant differences in some routine hematology and serum biochemistry indexes among the control,transgenic and receptor groups,but all of those indexes were still in the normal range as the healthy cows.
Research on the application and security of cloud computer in intelligent electric grid

This paper firstly discusses the two cloud computing application mode of virus protection and data disaster preparedness based on cloud computing in intelligent electric grid,then introduces the information security risks faced by intelligent electric grid and their characteristics,and lastly explains the security risk of the cloud computing in intelligent electric grid and corresponding solving measures.
It Never Rains but then it Pours: The Diverse Effects of Water on Flower Integrity and Function

Publisher Summary This chapter first examines how water availability affects the diversity of flower functions integral to the process of sexual reproduction. It then reviews the evidence that water use by flowers is costly to vegetative growth. Third, it considers in detail how water acts to moderate other sources of environmental stress during anthesis. The second half of the chapter moves from a functional perspective to an evolutionary one. It addresses three major ways in which water relations might influence floral evolution. First, it examines how selection to reduce the water cost of flowers may lead to reductions in components of floral display. Next, it considers the adaptive significance of floral traits that influence the flower's water relations. The chapter proposes that floral traits may be targets of selection through parental environmental effects if they moderate the amount of water in the floral micro-environment or optimize the use of that water for temperature control. Last, it suggests that the plastic responses of floral traits to moisture regimes may alter the ecological interactions between plants and their animal pollinators. It shows that water stress can affect the mode of pollinator-mediated selection on floral traits indirectly by altering floral rewards and/or the flowering phenology.
Panel Data Analysis of Regional Differentials in the Registered Voter Turnout Rate and the Expected Benefits of Voting for Minorities

Voter participation rates vary widely across the 50 states. We seek to identify a source of this interstate variation, focusing upon the 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012 general elections. Of note is that the latter two general elections featured a minority (i.e., African-American) nominee for president from one of the major political parties. Within the context of the rational voter model, we hypothesize that the presence of a minority candidate atop the ticket will boost minorities’ expected net benefits from voting, with the result that minority voter participation will be higher. Based on cross-sectional fixed-effects estimations, we find that states’ voter participation rates were unaffected by the percent of the population that was either African-American or Hispanic for the 2000 and 2004 election cycles, while states’ voter participation rates were positively related to the percent of the population that was either African-American or Hispanic for the 2008 and 2012 election cycles.
Alternate Reality Games as an Informal Learning Tool for Generating STEM Engagement among Underrepresented Youth: a Qualitative Evaluation of the Source

This project developed and studied The Source, an alternate reality game (ARG) designed to foster interest and knowledge related to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) among youth from populations underrepresented in STEM fields. ARGs are multiplayer games that engage participants across several media such as shared websites, social media, personal communications, and real-world settings to complete activities and collaborate with team members. The Source was a five-week summer program with 144 participants from Chicago aged 13 to 18 years. The Source incorporated six socio-contextual factors derived from three frameworks: Chang’s (ERIC Digest, 2002) recommendations for engaging underrepresented populations in STEM careers, Lave and Wenger’s (Cambridge University Press, 1991) situated learning model, and Barron’s (Human Development, 49(4); 193-224, 2006) learning ecology perspective. These factors aligned with the program’s aims of promoting (1) social community and peer support, (2) collaboration and teamwork, (3) real-world relevance and investigative learning, (4) mentoring and exposure to STEM professionals, (5) hands-on activities to foster transferable skill building, and (6) interface with technology. This paper presents results from 10 focus groups and 10 individual interviews conducted with a subset of the 144 youth participants who completed the game. It describes how these six factors were realized through The Source and uses them as a lens for considering how The Source functioned pedagogically. Qualitative findings describe youth’s perception of The Source’s potential influence on STEM interest, engagement, and identity formation. Despite limitations, study results indicate that underrepresented youth can engage in an immersive, narrative, and game-based experience as a potential mechanism for piquing and developing STEM interest and skills, particularly among underrepresented youth.
Stent technology in ischemic stroke

Atherosclerotic disease of the cerebral vasculature is a major cause of stroke worldwide. Atherosclerosis that is refractory to best medical management may require revascularization. In these instances, endovascular treatment provides a popular and safe alternative to open surgical techniques. The authors provide an overview of stent technology in the treatment of ischemic stroke, discussing the major studies evaluating stenting for extracranial carotid artery, vertebral artery, and intracranial atherosclerotic disease. The authors describe the commonly used stents with respect to their individual characteristics and technical limitations. Current and future developments in stent technology are also discussed, with areas for further innovation and clinical research.
Soluble interleukin-13rα1: a circulating regulator of glucose.

Soluble IL-13 receptor-α1, or sIL13rα1, is a soluble protein that binds to interleukin-13 (IL-13) that has been previously described in mice. The function of sIL13rα1 remains unclear, but it has be...
Standardized Follow-Ups Lower HbA1c in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Living in a Rural Community: A Pilot Study.

AIM To implement and evaluate the use of a standardized process, which includes the teach-back method for follow-up among patients with type 2 diabetes in rural health care settings in order to reduce glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in adults with diabetes. BACKGROUND It remains unclear whether or not controlled patient follow-up among patients with type 2 diabetes between office visits (at 3-month intervals) is effective in reducing their HbA1c. METHOD This study recruited 12 participants from a rural health family practice in Northern Illinois to participate in a pretest-posttest study to evaluate if close patient follow-up with reinforced education was effective in helping patients reduce their HbA1c. RESULTS The preintervention for HbA1c and postintervention HbA1c mean difference was found to be statistically significant. The HbA1c level decreased from preintervention to postintervention (p < .05). Further, the mean and standard deviation from the preintervention for HbA1c and postintervention HbA1c were used to calculate an effect size using Cohen's d found that there was a medium to large effect size d = .67. The change in HbA1c levels was of clinical significance as well as statistical significance. CONCLUSION The use of a standardized process for patient follow-up as part of routine management of type 2 diabetes appears to have had a clinically as well as statistically significant impact in reducing HbA1c levels.
Kopfgold (oder: Knowledge Management)

Alpha Versionen sind Lehrbucher, Gesetze,Produkthochglanzprospekte, Aktienneuemissionsanzeigen,Regierungserklarungen. Dahinter ist das Reale. Hinter den Lehrbuchern die vorlesende Forscherpersonlichkeit, hinter dem Prospekt der Rat des erfahrenen Fachverkaufers. Alpha Versionen meiden Urteile, Meinungen und Leidenschaftlichkeit Dieser Beitrag ist kompromislos beta
Early Versus Late Parathyroidectomy for Tertiary (Posttransplant) Hyperparathyroidism

Tertiary hyperparathyroidism is hypercalcemia after kidney transplantation. A near-total parathyroidectomy is curative for tertiary hyperparathyroidism and should be considered within the first year of kidney transplantation if hypercalcemia does not resolve. Cure rates of hypercalcemia after a parathyroidectomy for tertiary hyperparathyroidism are >95%.
Host‐size decisions of female parasitoid wasps seeking hidden hosts

1. Choice of host size may play a critical role in parasitoid success, a task that takes on added complications when dealing with concealed hosts, but most such studies of insect behaviour have only taken place in the laboratory. 2. This study investigates the success of a wasp (Alabagrus texanus: Braconidae) in finding host caterpillars Herpetogramma theseusalis (Crambidae) of the most effectively handled size hidden in shelters, in both the field and the laboratory. 3. First, the study tested wasp preference and success in parasitizing large, middle‐sized and small caterpillars (> 5, 3–5, 5 mm) caterpillars. Naive wasps attacked large caterpillars more often than did experienced wasps. Wasps responded to increasing caterpillar size by increasing the number of legs used to pin their prey rather than by increasing handling time. 4. The frequencies of visits to shelters in the field containing a majority of either large or middle‐sized caterpillars were then compared, followed by a test providing the wasps with similar choices under controlled laboratory conditions. Wasps most frequently visited shelters containing a majority of middle‐sized caterpillars both in the field and under controlled laboratory conditions. 5. The combined results confirmed that the wasps can size‐select their hosts both in the field and in laboratory tests.
Ageism, Priming, and Working with Older Adults Among Undergraduate Exercise Science Students

Aims: Many students resist the possibility of working with older adults, however, few prior studies have focused on undergraduate exercise science students. The purpose of this exploratory study wa...
Subjective Importance of Masculinity as a Factor in Understanding Risky Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors among Sexual Minority Men

In the present study we evaluated relationships among internalized stigma, subjective importance of masculine gender roles, and risky sexual attitudes and behaviors among men who reported same-sex attraction or behavior. A national U.S. sample of 95 men who identified as gay (79.4%), bisexual (10.3%), or another sexual orientation identity label (10.3%) participated via an online survey. Three mediation models examined the importance men placed on their own adherence to masculinity as a mediator of the relationships between internalized stigma and self-reported risky sexual attitudes and behaviors. The statistically significant direct relationships between internalized stigma and risky sexual behaviors (e.g., condomless sex, multiple partners) were negative, but the indirect effects through heightened importance of masculinity were positive. In contrast, both the direct and indirect effects between internalized stigma and sexually compulsive attitudes were positive. The results have implications for clinicians to specifically target internalized sexual stigma and attitudes toward masculine gender roles when working with sexual minority men at risk for high levels of risky sexual attitudes and behaviors. Implications for providing contextually grounded interventions (e.g., HIV prevention, sexual education) for sexual minority men are discussed.
Home birth, world cinema: Kawase Naomi's films in circulation

ABSTRACTAn Asian woman filmmaker whose work is celebrated and financed in Europe yet produced in her hometown of Nara, Japan, Kawase Naomi's creative trajectory is often made to trace an economy of...
Mutations in Superoxide Dismutase 1 (Sod1) Linked to Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Can Disrupt High-Affinity Zinc-Binding Promoted by the Copper Chaperone for Sod1 (Ccs)

Zinc (II) ions (hereafter simplified as zinc) are important for the structural and functional activity of many proteins. For Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (Sod1), zinc stabilizes the native structure of each Sod1 monomer, promotes homo-dimerization and plays an important role in activity by “softening” the active site so that copper cycling between Cu(I) and Cu(II) can rapidly occur. Previously, we have reported that binding of Sod1 by its copper chaperone (Ccs) stabilizes a conformation of Sod1 that promotes site-specific high-affinity zinc binding. While there are a multitude of Sod1 mutations linked to the familial form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS), characterizations by multiple research groups have been unable to realize strong commonalities among mutants. Here, we examine a set of fALS-linked Sod1 mutations that have been well-characterized and are known to possess variation in their biophysical characteristics. The zinc affinities of these mutants are evaluated here for the first time and then compared with the previously established value for wild-type Sod1 zinc affinity. Ccs does not have the same ability to promote zinc binding to these mutants as it does for the wild-type version of Sod1. Our data provides a deeper look into how (non)productive Sod1 maturation by Ccs may link a diverse set of fALS-Sod1 mutations.
Safety and Efficacy of Oral Anticoagulants for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients After Bariatric Surgery.

Anticoagulation management is challenging in bariatric surgery patients, due to altered gastrointestinal anatomy and potentially reduced absorption. Few studies have evaluated clinical outcomes in this population. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulants in patients with and without a history of bariatric surgery. A retrospective, matched cohort study was conducted, utilizing data from the OptumLabs Data Warehouse. Patients ≥18 years old, with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), and treated with an oral anticoagulant between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2018 were included. Outcomes were compared between bariatric and nonbariatric surgery patients. Secondary analysis compared warfarin to the direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in the bariatric cohort. The primary efficacy outcome was the rate of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism and the primary safety outcome was major bleeding. A total of 1,673 bariatric surgery and 155,619 nonbariatric surgery patients were identified. There was no significant difference in the rate of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism (0.83 vs 1.32 per 100 person years; Hazard ratio [HR] 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31 to 1.22; p = 0.17) or major bleeding (5.30 vs 4.87 per 100 person years; HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.37; p = 0.73) between bariatric and nonbariatric surgery patients. In bariatric surgery patients alone, efficacy and safety were similar with warfarin compared with the DOACs. Results of this study suggest that bariatric surgery patients are not at an increased thrombotic or bleeding risk when using oral anticoagulants for NVAF. DOACs may be a reasonable alternative to warfarin.
Thrombosis in COVID-19: A Narrative Review of Current Literature and Inpatient Management

COVID-19 infection has been associated with an increased incidence of thrombotic events leading to poor patient outcomes. Given the rapid rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to conduct prospective trials has been limited and data regarding the use of standard-dose versus intermediate-dose thromboprophylaxis, use of empiric therapeutic anticoagulation, and use of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis after discharge has been largely based upon observational data without any high-quality prospective data guiding their use. In this article, we will review the incidence and frequency of arterial and venous thrombotic events along with the current literature surrounding the use of intermediate-dose thromboprophylaxis, empiric therapeutic anticoagulation, and use of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis for patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
The Effect of Outsourcing on Remaining Workers, Rent Distribution, and Inequality

Firms can decide whether to produce some goods and services in-house or purchase them from the market. Increasingly, they are purchasing from the market—using subcontractors, temp agencies, and other outsourced labor. Low-wage workers' wages decline when they are outsourced. If firms are rent sharing, remaining workers' earnings might increase if there are more rents or fewer workers to share them with. However, little is known about how outsourcing affects remainers, and the consequent impacts on inequality. I analyze the impact of occupational layoff (OL) outsourcing on remainers and inequality using matched employer-employee data based on German social security records. Outsourcing increases remaining workers' long-run earnings by 6% in a sample of 260 OL outsourcing events. Remainers are also more likely to stay at the outsourcing firm. Higher earnings and lower separations is consistent with remainers receiving additional rents. Earnings gains are larger for workers in the bottom-half of the within-firm wage distribution. When comparing effects by collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), outsourcing increases remainers' long-term earnings by 6% in firms with CBAs, and lowers short-term earnings by 3% in firms without CBAs. These results are consistent with a model of wage setting where firms compensate remainers in the presence of a CBA. When there is no CBA, firms do not compensate remainers, and lower their wages. Analyzing the impact of outsourcing on wage inequality, outsourcing reduces within-firm inequality as the lowest-wage workers leave the firm and low-wage remainers are compensated. 11.7% of workers are part of an outsourcing event. Using Recentered Influence Functions, I show a 1% increase in the share of workers part of an outsourcing event increases earnings at the top of the distribution by approximately 10-15%, and the gini index by 10%. Increased earnings at the top of the wage distribution suggests prior estimates underestimate the impact of outsourcing on wage inequality by not accounting for increased wages among remainers, who are relatively high-wage.
Recognition of the cyst life cycle stage induces a robust immune response to the opportunistic fungal pathogen Pneumocystis murina (MPF3P.814)

Pneumocystis species are opportunistic fungal pathogens that cause severe pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts. The life cycle of Pneumocystis species consists of a vegetative trophic stage and an ascus-like cystic stage. We demonstrate that infection of wild-type adult or neonatal mice with a mixture of trophic and cystic P. murina life forms elicits a more robust CD4+ and CD8+ T cell response than infection with the trophic form alone. β-1,3-glucan is a predominant structural component in the cyst wall, but is not produced by the trophic stage. Depletion of cysts with the β-1,3-glucan synthase inhibitor anidulafungin prevents expansion of the remaining trophic organisms in immunocompromised adult mice. Depletion of cysts in immunocompetent adult mice results in fewer infiltrating CD11b+ cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In addition, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells pulsed with mixed P. murina express more IL-1β and induce greater in vitro CD4+ T cell interferon-γ production than cells pulsed with the trophic form alone. Dendritic cells have been previously reported to activate CD4+ T cells in response to Dectin-1 stimulation by purified Pneumocystis β-1,3-glucan. We propose that dendritic cells stimulated by β-1,3-glucan on cystic Pneumocystis direct a robust pro-inflammatory response, while stimulation with the trophic form induces a less exuberant immune response that is sufficient for clearance in immunocompetent individuals.
Differentiation induces up‐regulation of plasma membrane Ca2+‐ATPase and concomitant increase in Ca2+ efflux in human neuroblastoma cell line IMR‐32

Precise regulation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) is achieved by the coordinated function of Ca2+ channels and Ca2+ buffers. Neuronal differentiation induces up-regulation of Ca2+ channels. However, little is known about the effects of differentiation on the expression of the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA), the principal Ca2+ extrusion mechanism in neurons. In this study, we examined the regulation of PMCA expression during differentiation of the human neuroblastoma cell line IMR-32. [Ca2+]i was monitored in single cells using indo-1 microfluorimetry. When the Ca2+-ATPase of the endoplasmic reticulum was blocked by cyclopiazonic acid, [Ca2+]i recovery after small depolarization-induced Ca2+ loads was governed primarily by PMCAs. [Ca2+]i returned to baseline by a process described by a monoexponential function in undifferentiated cells (τ = 52 ± 4 s; n = 25). After differentiation for 12–16 days, the [Ca2+]i recovery rate increased by more than threefold (τ = 17 ± 1 s; n = 31). Western blots showed a pronounced increase in expression of three major PMCA isoforms in IMR-32 cells during differentiation, including PMCA2, PMCA3 and PMCA4. These results demonstrate up-regulation of PMCAs on the functional and protein level during neuronal differentiation in vitro. Parallel amplification of Ca2+ influx and efflux pathways may enable differentiated neurons to precisely localize Ca2+ signals in time and space.
Using Word Prediction Software to Increase Typing Fluency with Students with Physical Disabilities

Although word prediction software was originally developed for individuals with physical disabilities, no previous research was found that included participants with significant physical disabiliti...
Microelectrophoresis devices for DNA sequencing

Microfabricated instruments for DNA electrophoresis are poised to provide significant sequencing capability in the near term. The state of the art and key remaining issues for this technology are reviewed. Keywords: electrophoresis; DNA sequencing; microfabrication; MEMS; cross-injector
ΚΥΡΙΕ, ΔΕΣΠΟΤΑ, Domine . Greek Politeness in the Roman Empire

Why did the Greeks of the Roman period make such extensive use of the vocative κύριe, when Greeks of earlier periods had been content with only one vocative meaning ‘master’, δέσποτα? This study, based primarily on a comprehensive search of documentary papyri but also making extensive use of literary evidence (particularly that of the Septuagint and New Testament), traces the development of both terms from the classical period to the seventh century AD. It concludes that κύριe was created to provide a translation for Latin domine, and that domine, which has often been considered a translation of κύριe, had a Roman origin. In addition, both κύριe and domine were from their beginnings much less deferential than is traditionally supposed, so that neither term underwent the process of ‘weakening’ which converted English ‘master’ into ‘Mr’. δέσποτα, which was originally far more deferential than the other two terms, did undergo some weakening, but not (until a very late period) as much as is usually supposed. These findings in turn imply that Imperial politeness has been somewhat misunderstood and suggest that the Greeks of the first few centuries AD were much less servile in their language than is traditionally assumed.
Chapter 21 International differences in industrial organization

Publisher Summary Some of the most conspicuous and intriguing international differences in institutions lie in the control, ownership, and integration of enterprises. It is widely accepted that Coase's classic question—Why does the boundary between the firm and the market fall where it does?—is answered by identifying the transaction–cost advantages that may attach to either the market or the firm as allocators of resources. The actual boundaries are drawn in a Darwinian process by which the more efficient institution displaces the less efficient one. If this Darwinian competition worked the same way in every country and the transaction–cost efficiencies of firms and markets have been independent of laws, cultural traits, and other distinguishing traits of nationhood, then the allocation between firms and markets should be expected to differ only inessentially from country to country. If industrial groups' roles are related to the diversification and internalization, they also show affinity for the problem of agency in the ownership and control of firms. The concept of agency provides the tool needed to analyze the split between ownership and control in the large, public corporation, and it suggests the sort of device that might be expected to emerge to avert the slippage in diffuse agency relationships.
Industry Equilibrium with Random Exit or Default

An industry consisting of a large number of small (fixed size) firms subject to idiosyncratic productivity shocks is considered. At the moment of entry, a firm takes on debt. We demonstrate that in a competitive equilibrium, some firms exit and pay out their debt while others choose to default. The outcome depends on the realization of firm specific shocks. We solve for the long-run equilibrium price of output and borrowing rate and derive the stationary distribution of active firms for two scenarios of the initial distribution of productivity shocks. Dependence of equilibrium variables on the leverage is examined.
Security vs. Privacy: Reframing the Debate

This essay explores several dimensions of the debate between security and privacy that accompanies many anti-terrorism and law enforcement proposals. The debate is often framed, either implicitly or explicitly, as a balancing of the tangible harms that a security proposal would prevent, against the intangible harms that an intrusion on privacy would cause. This approach presents the choice between, for example, the disastrous effects of a terrorist airline hijacking, and the relatively minor feeling of discomfort that might flow from presenting a national ID card before boarding. Given those limited choices, what right-thinking person would not choose the latter? This framework of balancing tangible against intangible harms is not merely a rhetorical strategy selected by the proponents of security measures. It is also a way of understanding the debate that flows naturally from the perception that privacy is a mere abstraction, a luxury with little concrete value.This essay focuses on three ways in which the tangible-versus-intangible decision making framework both overvalues security and undervalues privacy. First, the framework is incomplete because it fails to account for the many unintended consequences that usually flow from security measures. The cumulative effect of those unintended consequences gradually erodes society's very conception of privacy. Yet the tangible-versus-intangible framework implicitly focuses on short-term benefits and consequences, necessarily excluding the long-term effects on privacy.Second, the contextual specificity that characterizes the tangible-versus- intangible framework overemphasizes the harms on the tangible side of the scale. By embedding the choice between security and privacy in a concrete factual context (such as boarding a plane), the framework all but guarantees that people will decide to guard against the tangible harms.Finally, the framework draws a false distinction between tangible breaches of security and intangible intrusions on privacy. In fact, the tangible results that security proposals promise are often empirically suspect. Instead, security proposals serve largely intangible goals, such as allaying people's fears. In contrast, privacy intrusions can have quite tangible consequences that disrupt and inhibit social behavior.
The changing impact of electoral structure on black representation in the South, 1970-1996

For many years voting rights litigation has focused on elimination of at-large elections and the creation of "majority-minority" districts - election districts where a majority of the electorate are racial/ethnic minorities. Numerous studies have analyzed the impact of district elections on minority representation, particularly the election of blacks in the South. Most of these studies have focused on a single time period, comparing the ratio of black representatives to black population across cities with different electoral schemes. The present study combines data from six different data sets to produce a panel of data covering five distinct time periods over a 26 year span. Cross-sectional estimates of the effect of district elections in each time period are compared to determine how the efficacy of district elections has changed over time. To control for possible selection bias, inter-temporal models of the impact of changes in election structure on changes in representation are also estimated.
Diphenylcarbodiimide, Method I

Diphenylcarbodiimide, Method I catalyst: One gram (0.052 mole) of 3-methyl-1-phenylphospholene 1-oxide product: diphenylcarbodiimide Keywords: replacement reactions, miscellaneous
Optical parametric oscillator performance at high average power

Summary form only given. While there has been considerable success in efficiently generating mid-IR radiation with potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP), here we investigate a critically phased-match optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped at high average power (>100 W) to generate output in the 1.555-/spl mu/m atmospheric window. Given the strong absorption of KTP at the idler wavelength (3.37 /spl mu/m), this results in a significant thermal load to the crystal and hence a significant optical aberration. The degradation in OPO performance at high energy per pulse and high average power operation is investigated numerically.
Managing continuous range queries in mobile databases

We previously presented a distributive processing model for real-time monitoring of mobile objects in user-defined spatial regions (see Ying Cai and Kien A. Hua, Proc. 21st IEEE Int. Performance, Computing and Commun. Conf. -IPCCC, p.259-66, 2002). Under this scheme, an object does not need to report its position to a server unless its movement affects any query results or it moves out of its resident domain. We extend this approach by maximizing an object's resident domain based on its own computing capability, i.e., allowing a more capable object to negotiate a larger resident domain. Our performance studies show that by accommodating and leveraging the heterogeneous mobile computing capability, both mobile communication overhead and server processing costs can be substantially reduced.
Compressive stress-relaxation of human atherosclerotic plaque

Knowledge of the mechanical properties of human atherosclerotic plaque is fundamental to understanding atherosclerosis and its treatment. Data are scant, however, particularly with respect to the time-dependent nature of plaque behavior. Previous experiments in our lab showed that human plaques do not exhibit the traditional preconditioning behavior common to most soft tissues. In particular, the behaviors of three classes of plaques differed fundamentally in response to multiple, successive, cyclic compression protocols. In this report, we demonstrate that plaques exhibit different responses to successive relaxation tests in uniaxial compression. Not only is there significant relaxation, but there are composition-dependent differences in the general character of the relaxation responses. Such information on the time-dependent behavior is important for the design of clinical protocols such as stenting or angioplasty wherein the atherosclerotic vessel is subjected to persistent or multiple short duration loadings. This study presents a step toward a better understanding of the biomechanical behavior of atherosclerotic plaques; however, the need for much more data remains.
Police style and legally serious crime: A contextual analysis of municipal police departments

Research on jurisdictional variation in styles of policing traditionally has focused on offenses that are not legally serious and that are thus thought to provide the greatest opportunity for the exercise of discretion. The present research examined variability in police style with regard to legally serious crime, as indicated by arrest practices for Index crime offenses. Factors that lead to jurisdictional variation in legalistic style were assessed among municipal police departments in Illinois. Offense classifications that represent violent crime, property crime, and street crime were selected for analysis. Correlates of jurisdictional variation in police style were found to be the concentration of personnel in the lower ranks, police presence, and the height of the organization. The presence of minorities and type of municipal governance also were associated with jurisdictional variation in police style.
Dinitrogen fixation by a thermophilic methanogenic bacterium

Methanogenic bacteria are known to use NH+4 as a nitrogen source for growth1. Previous work with an impure methanogenic culture suggested that a methanogen might fix atmospheric dinitrogen as a nitrogen source2, but no further work on this phenomenon has been documented. We have now examined the use of N2 by Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus and find that the organism can grow well, with multiple transfers, in medium having N2 as the source of nitrogen. Control cultures without N2 and containing less than 0.1 mM NH+4 do not grow. Growth yields with N2 are on the average one-third those with NH+4, suggesting that, as in other nitrogen-fixing organisms, this bacterium requires a large amount of ATP for the reduction to occur. After growing in NH+4-containing medium, a long lag is observed before growth begins with N2 as the nitrogen source; the NH+4 levels must be very low for growth to begin. Cells grown in N2-fixing conditions reduce acetylene to ethylene. The discovery of a nitrogen-fixing archaebacterium has important implications for studies on the evolution of nitrogenase, and the fact that M. thermolithotrophicus nitrogenase is active at 64 °C suggests that a novel enzyme is involved.
Evaluation of two biological markers of tobacco exposure

This study assesses serum thiocyanate and expired-air carbon monoxide based on findings for 8,895 participants in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial. For each marker and combination of markers, a logistic probability model was used to generate a plot of true positive vs false positive rates (an operating characteristic curve), an optimal cutpoint, and the positive predictive value for discriminating tobacco smokers (cigarettes, pipes, cigars, or cigarillos) from non-tobacco smokers. Optimal cutpoints were 83 mumols/liter for thiocyanate and 10 ppm for carbon monoxide. These cutpoints were applied to the entire group to evaluate accuracy. Specificity was higher for carbon monoxide than for thiocyanate (91.8 vs 87.3%) and sensitivity was lower (85.7% for carbon monoxide vs 88.8% for thiocyanate). When carbon monoxide and thiocyanate were both used, specificity was 92.7% and sensitivity was 89.1%. The estimated cutpoints derived from the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial result in predictive values greater than 87% when the prevalence of smokers is greater than 50%. Cutpoints should be modified to maximize the predictive value when the prevalence of smokers is less than 50%. Both serum thiocyanate and carbon monoxide are good markers of smoking exposure. Serum thiocyanate may be preferable to carbon monoxide because of its longer half-life.
The CD44high Tumorigenic Subsets in Lung Cancer Biospecimens Are Enriched for Low miR-34a Expression

Cellular heterogeneity is an integral part of cancer development and progression. Progression can be associated with emergence of cells that exhibit high phenotypic plasticity (including "de-differentiation" to primitive developmental states), and aggressive behavioral properties (including high tumorigenic potentials). We observed that many biomarkers that are used to identify Cancer Stem Cells (CSC) can label cell subsets in an advanced clinical stage of lung cancer (malignant pleural effusions, or MPE). Thus, CSC-biomarkers may be useful for live sorting functionally distinct cell subsets from individual tumors, which may enable investigators to hone in on the molecular basis for functional heterogeneity. We demonstrate that the CD44(hi) (CD44-high) cancer cell subsets display higher clonal, colony forming potential than CD44(lo) cells (n=3) and are also tumorigenic (n=2/2) when transplanted in mouse xenograft model. The CD44(hi) subsets express different levels of embryonal (de-differentiation) markers or chromatin regulators. In archived lung cancer tissues, ALDH markers co-localize more with CD44 in squamous cell carcinoma (n=5/7) than Adeno Carcinoma (n=1/12). MPE cancer cells and a lung cancer cell line (NCI-H-2122) exhibit chromosomal abnormalities and 1p36 deletion (n=3/3). Since miR-34a maps to the 1p36 deletion site, low miR-34a expression levels were detected in these cells. The colony forming efficiency of CD44(hi) cells, characteristic property of CSC, can be inhibited by mir-34a replacement in these samples. In addition the highly tumorigenic CD44(hi) cells are enriched for cells in the G2 phase of cell cycle.
Optical studies of a binary miscibility gap system

In order to develop a better understanding of separation processes in binary miscibility gap metal alloys, model transparent fluid systems were studied. The system selected was diethylene glycol-ethyl salicylate which has convenient working temperatures (288 to 350 K), low toxicity, and is relatively easy to purify. The system is well characterized with respect to its phase diagram, density, surface and interfacial tensions, viscosity and other pertinent physical properties. Studies of migration of the dispersed phase in a thermal gradient were performed using conventional photomicroscopy. Velocities of the droplets of the dispersed phase were measured and compared to calculated rates which included both Stokes and thermal components. A holographic microscopy system was used to study growth, coalescence, and particle motions. Sequential holograms allowed determination of particle size distribution changes with respect to time and temperature. Holographic microscopy is capable of recording particle densities up to 10 to the 7th power particles/cu cm and is able to resolve particles of the order of 2 to 3 microns in diameter throughout the entire volume of the test cell. The reconstructed hologram produces a wavefront that is identical to the original wavefront as it existed when the hologram was made. The reconstructed wavefront is analyzed using a variety of conventional optical methods.
Functional disability in medication management and driving among individuals with HIV: A 1-year follow-up study

Approximately 50% of individuals with HIV report cognitive deficits that can affect social or occupational functioning. The present study used a longitudinal design (1 year) to examine the relationship between cognitive factors and incidental functional deficits in medication management and driving ability among a cohort of 101 HIV+ participants. Participants were classified into groups of functionally “stable” and “disabled” for each laboratory-based functional task (i.e., Medication Management Task–Revised, MMT–R, and PC-based driving simulator). We hypothesized that participants who exhibited a functional deficit in either MMT–R or driving at follow-up assessment would demonstrate significantly poorer baseline cognitive performance at study entry than participants who remained functionally stable. As hypothesized, participants who demonstrated significantly lower baseline performance in learning/memory and executive functioning also demonstrated functional disability on the MMT–R at follow-up when comp...
Type-II InAs/GaSb photodiodes and focal plane arrays aimed at high operating temperatures

Recent efforts to improve the performance of type II InAs/GaSb superlattice photodiodes and focal plane arrays (FPA) have been reviewed. The theoretical bandstructure models have been discussed first. A review of recent developments in growth and characterization techniques is given. The efforts to improve the performance of MWIR photodiodes and focal plane arrays (FPAs) have been reviewed and the latest results have been reported. It is shown that these improvements has resulted in background limited performance (BLIP) of single element photodiodes up to 180 K. FPA shows a constant noise equivalent temperature difference (NEDT) of 11 mK up to 120 K and it shows human body imaging up to 170 K.
Universal Approximation Formulas of Curvature Correction and Equilibrium Sizes of Hygroscopic Particles

Theoretical analysis shows that when water activity is larger than its threshold value and the dry radius of a particle is larger than 0.005 μm, the deviation of curvature correction from unity can be accurately represented by the product of two terms, with one term strongly depending upon water activity and the other depending upon dry radius. Moreover, experimental data show that the water-activity-dependent term can be approximated by linear and one-third power functions of water activity. According to the approximation made to curvature correction, water activity is solved as analytical functions of relative humidity (RH). The analytically solved water activity is then used to compute particle equilibrium sizes using a known (observed) relationship between water activity and water uptake by unit mass of dry material. The accuracy of equilibrium sizes calculated with this method is checked with seven typical classes of aerosols. Results show that when RH ≤ 99.99%, the equilibrium radius computed with this method is accurate to within 3% (6%) if the dry radius of a particle is larger ( smaller) than 0.02 μm and that when RH > 99.99%, equilibrium sizes can be estimated with an accuracy higher than 84%. Analytical approximation formulas are also derived for calculating critical equilibrium radii and critical supersaturation. The maximum relative errors of these formulas range from 3% to 15%.
Mathematics anxiety, mathematics achievement, gender, and socio‐economic status among Arab secondary students in Israel

Several researchers have discussed the differences between males and females in mathematics achievement and mathematics anxiety. Some believe that there are genetic reasons for these differences, but the majority blame society for causing those differences. In this study, two Arab schools in Israel, one of which has students who come from a high socio‐economic status (SES) and the other of which has students who come from a low SES, were compared on the mathematics anxiety rating scale (MARS). Also subgroups of males and females were compared on MARS and mathematics achievement, measured by the average grade in mathematics final examinations for the last four trimesters. The results of this study indicate that the effect of the SES variable could be stronger than that of the gender variable on both mathematics anxiety and mathematics achievement, which were found to be also significantly correlated.