cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Injectable microcarrier with sustained growth factor delivery for bone regeneration

Xiaohua Liu completed his Ph.D. at the age of 28 years from Tsinghua University and postdoctoral studies from University of Michigan. He is an Assistant Professor at the Biomedical Sciences Department, Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry. His research focuses on design and synthesizes biomimetic materials and control drug delivery system for translational medicine. He has published more than 35 papers in reputed journals including Nature Materials, Biomaterials, and Tissue Engineering. His work has been cited by others for over 1000 times and has an H-index of 17. He serves as a reviewer for more than 15 journals. Injectable microcarrier with sustained growth factor delivery for bone regeneration
The Reach and Limits of the Francis Effect: A Response to James T. Bretzke, SJ

Many people sense that Pope Francis is doing something new. Not only theologians, but ordinary Catholics, people of other faiths, and secular observers are listening to this pope in a new way because he seems different from previous popes. Some argue that though Francis’ tone is distinct, much of what he is saying and doing was said and done by his predecessors. Others warn that while the new tone may be encouraging, moral norms (especially those related to sex, marriage, and gender) have not changed. James Bretzke does a great service by amassing large amounts of data to show that the “Francis Effect” or difference is both substantive and real.
Cervical epidural steroid injections: incidence and determinants of subsequent surgery.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND CONTEXT Cervical epidural steroid injections (CESIs) are sometimes used in the management of cervical radicular pain in order to delay or avoid surgery. However, the rate and determinants of surgery following CESIs remain uncertain. PURPOSE This study sought to determine: 1) the proportion of patients having surgery following CESI, and 2) the timing of and factors associated with subsequent surgery. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective analysis of a large, national administrative claims database. PATIENT SAMPLE The study included 192,777 CESI patients (age 50.9±11.3 years, 55.2% female) who underwent CESI for imaging-based diagnoses of cervical disc herniation or stenosis, a clinical diagnosis of radiculopathy, or a combination thereof. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the time from index CESI to surgery. METHODS Inclusion criteria were CESI for cervical disc herniation, stenosis, or radiculopathy, age ≥18, and active enrollment for 1 year prior to CESI to screen for exclusions. Patients were followed until they underwent cervical surgery, or their enrollment lapsed. Rates of surgery were assessed with Kaplan-Meier survival curves and 99% confidence intervals. Factors associated with subsequent surgery were assessed with multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS Within 6 months of CESI, 11.2% of patients underwent surgery, increasing to 14.5% by 1 year and 22.3% by 5 years. Male patients and those aged 35-54 had an increased likelihood of subsequent surgery. Patients with radiculopathy were less likely to undergo surgery following CESI than those with stenosis or herniation, while patients with multiple diagnoses were more likely. Patients with comorbidities including CHF, other cardiac comorbidities or chronic pain were less likely to undergo surgery, as were patients in the northeast US region. Some 33.5% of patients underwent >1 CESI, with 84.6% of these occurring within 1 year. Additional injections were associated with reduced rates of subsequent surgery. CONCLUSIONS Following CESI, over one in five patients underwent surgery within 5 years. Multiple patient-specific risk factors for subsequent surgery were identified, and patients undergoing repeated injections were at lower risk. Determining which patients may progress to surgery can be used to improve resource utilization and to inform shared decision-making.
Frequent Shifts in Aspergillus flavus Populations Associated with Maize Production in Sonora, Mexico

Aspergillus flavus frequently contaminates maize, a critical staple for billions of people, with aflatoxins. Diversity among A. flavus L morphotype populations associated with maize in Sonora, Mexico was assessed and, in total, 869 isolates from 83 fields were placed into 136 vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) using nitrate-nonutilizing mutants. VCG diversity indices did not differ in four agroecosystems (AES) but diversity significantly differed among years. Frequencies of certain VCGs changed manyfold over single years in both multiple fields and multiple AES. Certain VCGs were highly frequent (>1%) in 2006 but frequencies declined repeatedly in each of the two subsequent years. Other VCGs that had low frequencies in 2006 increased in 2007 and subsequently declined. None of the VCGs were consistently associated with any AES. Fourteen VCGs were considered dominant in at least a single year. However, frequencies often varied significantly among years. Only 9% of VCGs were detected all 3 years whereas 66% were detected in only 1 year. Results suggest that the most realistic measurements of both genetic diversity and the frequency of A. flavus VCGs are obtained by sampling multiple locations in multiple years. Single-season sampling in many locations should not be substituted for sampling over multiple years.
The effect of time between X-irradiation and chemotherapy on the growth of three solid mouse tumors. IV. Actinomycin-D.

Abstract Experiments have been carried out to determine the effect of different intervals between the administration of X-radiation (1200 rod) and actinomycin-D (200 μg/kg) on the growth delay produced in three mouse tumors. The tumors used were the EMT6 tumor in BALB/c mice and the KHT and RIF-1 sarcomas in C3H mice. All tumors were grown intramuscularly in the gastrocnemius muscle, and treatment was carried out at a mean tumor weight of 450 mg. Time to reach 2 × (for KHT) or 4 × (for EMT6 and REF-1) treatment volume was used as the endpoint of response. The drug was administered intraperitoneally either 24, 6, or 2 hr before radiation, immediately before the start of radiation, or 3, 6, or 24 hr after radiation. All irradiations were carried out in unanesthetized mice. For a single administration at this dose level (close to the maximum tolerated dose) actinomycin-D did not produce a significant delay in the growth of any of the tumors. For the RIF-1 and KHT tumors, the growth delays produced by drug/radiation combinations generally were not significantly greater than that produced by irradiation alone. For the EMT6 tumor, great variability in the growth delays of combined modality groups was seen, with mean growth delays significantly longer than predicted by the radiation alone data. No consistent dependence on timing between irradiation and drug administration was seen.
Physiology undergraduate degree requirements in the U.S.

Course-level learning objectives and core concepts for undergraduate physiology teaching exist. The next step is to consider how these resources fit into generalizable program-level guidelines for ...
Acoustic methods for cavitation threshold modulation

One of the main objectives of this study is to develop active tissue protection techniques for histotripsy treatment by modulating the pressure threshold of bubble cloud initiation and focal sharpening using bubble suppressing pulses. Histotripsy is a cavitation based ultrasound therapy that can achieve tissue fractionation through a mechanical process using controlled cavitation bubble clouds. In this study, we investigate the effect of applying bubble suppressing pulses before and during shock scattering histotripsy on the cavitation initiation pressure threshold. This threshold is expected to increase by reducing the probability of having an appropriate initial nuclei presence at the focus. Bubble suppressing pulses are utilized to sharpen the focus and produce a dense bubble cloud at the focus with minimized cavitation events in the peripheral zones.
Batriscydmaenus Parker and Owens, New Genus, and Convergent Evolution of a "Reductive" Ecomorph in Socially Symbiotic Pselaphinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

We describe a new genus and new species of pselaphine rove beetle, Batriscydmaenus tishechkini Parker and Owens, from lowland Panamanian rainforest. The new taxon marks a radical departure from the basic pselaphine anatomical groundplan, with a globose body shape and a dramatic reduction of foveae, sulci and striae—features that are considered plesiomorphic in Pselaphinae. This overt simplification of the integument is typical of myrmecophile and termitophile taxa within Pselaphinae. A probable symbiotic lifestyle of members of Batriscydmaenus is further implied by their compact antennae and the presence of suberect, spatulate setae covering the dorsum. The convergent evolution of this trend towards character loss in inquilinous pselaphines implies a “reductive” ecomorph, specialized for living inside social insect societies in part by abandoning many cuticular features of free-living pselaphines. Batriscydmaenus represents possibly the most extreme manifestation of this ecomorph known to date. Reductive anatomy poses a challenge to taxonomic assignment, but we confirm molecularly that the genus belongs to the tribe Batrisini, using gene fragments amplified from a paratype.
A DNS RPZ Firewall and Current American DNS Practice

Many varieties of internet attack make use of the Domain Name System (DNS) at some point. Response Policy Zones (RPZ) is a reputation-based DNS firewall technology intended to obstruct the use of the DNS by malicious actors. We report on a study that compared the blocking behavior of a freely available RPZ-enabled DNS service with the blocking behavior of other DNS services available in the United States. We were surprised to find that only the RPZ-enabled server was doing any significant blocking of malicious domains. Since our study was carried out, this free RPZ-enabled service has been made more widely available as Quad9 (https://quad9.net/).
Understanding Alzheimer’s, an introduction for patients and caregivers

Understanding Alzheimer’s is written as an introduction for patients and caregivers and is generally written at a level that most readers could comprehend. The author seeks to provide medical infor...
Enhancement of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Properties Using Waste Polymers

This research presents a comparative analysis of properties and performance of hot mix asphalt (HMA) modified by various polymer-based waste materials which included low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in the form of polyethylene bags (shopping bags), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in the form of waste plastic beverage bottles and crumb rubber (CR) from waste tires. Polymer was added to coat the aggregate (dry method) and as a modifier in bitumen (wet process). Marshall method was used for the analysis of control and modified asphalt mixes. Dry method yielded better asphalt mix properties. Optimum polymer content was determined as percentage of optimum bitumen content. Polymer-modified bitumen exhibited improved stiffness and reduced susceptibility to high-temperature effects. Polymer-modified asphalt mix is found have increased stability, rutting resistance and load bearing capacity in comparison with unmodified asphalt mix. In overall comparison, HDPE-modified mix was found to be the most effective. Road construction with CR-modified HMA was found to be the most cost-effective with Rs. 0.166 million saving per lane km, compared to conventional, LDPE- and HDPE-modified HMA.
Promoting Critical Thinking Through a Project Planning and Implementation Assignment

Hear about an assignment that is designed to teach students skills in project planning and implementation using an e-portfolio to chronicle their learning and use of critical thinking skills.
Pax3 cooperates with Ldb1 to direct local chromosome architecture during myogenic lineage specification.

Chromatin looping allows enhancer-bound regulatory factors to influence transcription. Large domains, referred to as topologically associated domains, participate in genome organization. However, the mechanisms underlining interactions within these domains, which control gene expression, are not fully understood. Here we report that activation of embryonic myogenesis is associated with establishment of long-range chromatin interactions centered on Pax3-bound loci. Using mass spectrometry and genomic studies, we identify the ubiquitously expressed LIM-domain binding protein 1 (Ldb1) as the mediator of looping interactions at a subset of Pax3 binding sites. Ldb1 is recruited to Pax3-bound elements independently of CTCF-Cohesin, and is necessary for efficient deposition of H3K4me1 at these sites and chromatin looping. When Ldb1 is deleted in Pax3-expressing cells in vivo, specification of migratory myogenic progenitors is severely impaired. These results highlight Ldb1 requirement for Pax3 myogenic activity and demonstrate how transcription factors can promote formation of sub-topologically associated domain interactions involved in lineage specification. Chromatin looping allows for enhancer–promoter interactions that regulate transcription. Here the authors show that activation of embryonic myogenesis is associated with establishment of long-range chromatin interactions centred on Pax3-bound loci and find that Ldb1 functions as the mediator of looping interactions at a subset of Pax3 binding sites.
Optical multi-mode fiber link for in-vehicle applications

An optical multi-mode fiber (MMF) has been used as transport media for in-vehicle information network. With increasing of information data, in-vehicle optical communication systems should be necessary to support high speed digital and radio signals.
Paraneoplastic Autoimmune Multiorgan Syndrome: Paraneoplastic Pemphigus Revisited

This chapter summarizes current diagnostic criteria and expands on the unique clinical, histological features and pathophysiology of the mucocutaneous disease known as paraneoplastic pemphigus or, by the more encompassing term, paraneoplastic autoimmune multiorgan syndrome (PAMS). PAMS is an autoimmune mucocutaneous eruption that occurs in association with benign or malignant neoplasms. We provide insight and clarification that PAMS represents only one manifestation of the heterogeneous autoimmune syndrome in which patients, in addition to small-airway occlusion, may display a spectrum of at least five clinical variants, i.e., pemphigus-like, pemphigoid-like, erythema multiforme-like, graft-versus-host disease-like, and lichen planus-like. Multiple specific effectors of humoral and cellular autoimmunity mediating epithelial damage have been identified. Mucocutaneous lesions in patients with PAMS occur as a result of both humoral and cell-mediated immune mechanisms. Treatment is difficult and PAMS often does not respond to treatment of the underlying malignancy. An update of the advances in management and overall prognosis of PAMS is provided.
A micromachined water-immersible scanning mirror using BoPET hinges

Abstract This paper reports a new micromachined two-axis water-immersible scanning mirror using BoPET (biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate) hinges. A new fabrication process based on deep plasma etching on a hybrid silicon-BoPET substrate was developed to enable high-resolution patterning and batch fabrication capability. For demonstration, a prototype scanning mirror was designed, fabricated and tested. It has an overall size of 5 × 5 × 5 mm3, which is comparable to that of a typical silicon-based micro scanning mirror. With a short-hinge design, the size of the mirror plate reaches 4 × 4 mm2 to provide an even larger aperture for optical or acoustic beam steering. In the air, the resonance frequencies of the fast and slow axes are 420 Hz and 190 Hz respectively. When immersed in water, the resonance frequencies are reduced to 330 Hz and 160 Hz, respectively. The tilting angles of the mirror around the fast and slow axes follow a linear relationship with the driving current up to ±3.5°. With both axes driven simultaneously, stable and repeatable raster scanning patterns were obtained in both air and water. The micromachined water-immersible scanning mirrors could be useful for various scanning optical and acoustic microscopic imaging applications in both air and liquid environments.
The effects of water chemistry on the detachment and dissolution of differently stabilized silver nanoparticles from ceramic membranes

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are an attractive addition to membranes used for drinking water treatment due to their antimicrobial properties. This research examined the role of stabilizing agents, used during the synthesis of Ag NPs, on their detachment/dissolution from ceramic membranes exposed to different types of drinking water sources typical in the United States. Ag NPs that had been stabilized by citrate, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), or branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) were deposited on the surface of porous aluminum oxide membranes, which are commonly used for municipal water treatment. Results demonstrated that Ag NP stabilizer influenced release from the membranes. For Ag NPs electrostatically stabilized (citrate), hard water was found to remove the Ag NPs for longer periods of time and in higher quantities than in water without hardness. The reverse was found for sterically stabilized Ag NPs (BPEI and PVP). Additions of natural organic matter (NOM) to waters filtered by membranes coated in citrate Ag NPs were found to prolong the release of the citrate Ag NPs in the hard water test conditions. Variations in total Ag released from ceramic membranes were explained by differential impacts on the NP and membrane electrical double layers when switching from Ag NP deposition to filtration water chemistry conditions (zeta potential measurements are provided in this paper). Despite these differences, our findings show that, in waters that do not contain NOM, Ag release quickly falls below silver drinking water standards (0.1 mg L−1) and greater than 50% remained on the membranes. This study demonstrates that the type of Ag NP stabilizing agent and water chemistry should be considered when these membranes are utilized for municipal water treatment.
Dynamic Resting-State Connectivity Differences in Eyes Open Versus Eyes Closed Conditions

Introduction: Previous studies have shown significant conditional differences between eyes open, fixated at an image (EO) and eyes closed (EC) in the acquired resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data. Aim: We recently showed significant functional network connectivity (FNC) differences between EO and EC across a variety of networks. In this study, we aim at further evaluating differences in dynamic FNC (dFNC) between EO and EC. Materials and Methods: Rs-fMRI were collected from adolescents aged 9-15 years old during both EO and EC conditions, and dFNC was calculated by using the independent component analysis framework. Results: We found that out of five states (clusters), state 1 was observed to be more dominant in the EO condition, whereas state 2 was observed to be more dominant in the EC condition. States 1 and 2 showed significant differences in the mean dwell time based on false discovery rate, and states 1, 2, 3, and 4 differed in the frequency of occurrences. These results are consistent with our previous study of static connectivity in suggesting that EO and EC differences not only are relatively strong but also importantly reveal that these differences vary over time, especially in one particularly transient connectivity pattern. Conclusion: Our results manifest as changes in the proportion of time spent in unique functional connectivity patterns, and they show unique transient functional connectivity patterns in a subset of identified states. Overall, our findings indicate that both static and dynamic rs-fMRI connectivity patterns are strongly impacted by basic conditional differences such as EO and EC. Impact statement Our findings not only suggest that eyes open, fixated at an image (EO) and eyes closed (EC) condition-related resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging differences are relatively strong, but they also reveal an important attribute of these conditions that these differences vary over time, especially in one particularly transient connectivity pattern. Our results manifest as changes in the proportion of time spent in unique functional connectivity patterns, and they show unique transient functional connectivity patterns in a subset of identified states. We believe there is benefit in having the EO/EC as a contrast of interest in future studies, if time allows.
Rationality and fatalism: meanings and labels in pre-revolutionary Russia

Recent interest in the alleged rationality and fatalism of Russian peasants illustrates persistent tendencies to objectify certain social actors—and to assign normative labels to their vexing behavior. Sometimes those labels are demeaning. I call attention to this unpleasant tendency, and ask why some social actors attract our analytical interest, while other social actors escape such scrutiny. This disparity is particularly interesting when the two social actors are engaged in a setting where extractive power is present yet unnoticed.
Simulated Impacts of Tropopause-Overshooting Convection on the Chemical Composition of the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere

Tropopause-penetrating convection is capable of rapidly transporting air from the lower troposphere to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). Since the vertical redistribution of gases in the atmosphere by convection can have important impacts on the chemistry of the UTLS, the radiative budget, and climate, it has become a recent focus of observational and modeling studies. Despite being otherwise limited in space and time, recent aircraft observations from field campaigns such as the Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry experiment have provided new high-resolution observations of convective transport. Modeling studies, on the other hand, offer the advantage of providing high-resolution spatially and temporally continuous output related to the physical, dynamical, and chemical characteristics of storms and their environments. While it is currently known that stratosphere-to-troposphere transport and troposphere-to-stratosphere transport are possible, it is not understood what mechanisms are responsible for transport and what impact convection has on UTLS composition. Since the characteristics of simulated convection depend on the chosen model design, the sensitivity of simulated convective transport to the choice of physical (bulk microphysics or BMP and planetary boundary layer or PBL) and chemical parameterizations was examined in the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem). In particular, multiple cases where in situ observations are available from the recent (2012) Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry (DC3) experiment were simulated. Model output is evaluated using ground-based radar observations of each storm and in situ trace gas observations from two aircraft operated during the DC3 experiment. Model results show measurable sensitivity of the physical characteristics of a storm and the transport of water vapor and additional trace gases into the UTLS to the choice of BMP. The physical characteristics of the storm and transport of insoluble trace gases are largely insensitive to the choice of PBL scheme and chemical mechanism, though several soluble trace gases (e.g., SO2, CH2O, HNO3) exhibit some measurable sensitivity. To evaluate the mechanisms responsible for stratosphere-to-troposphere transport of ozone-rich air, high-resolution simulations of a case with observed stratosphere-to-troposphere transport around the anvil of a mesoscale convective system (MCS) were performed using WRF-Chem. Several hypotheses, which include dynamic instabilities, mass conservation, and ageostrophic circulations driven by pressure perturbations are evaluated. Model results suggest that this transport pathway occurs as a two-step process: (1) downwelling that is driven by mass conservation as the MCS deposits air into the UTLS and (2) differential advection of outflow air in the upper troposphere, which wraps high ozone air around and under the MCS anvil. Dynamic instabilities are not a leading contributor to this transport process. Although WRF-Chem appears to adequately…
Strategically astute contracting: The Ticketmaster case study

Abstract This case study of strategic contracting at Ticketmaster results in a process model for the execution of legally astute contracting. The findings are drawn from a qualitative case study of Ticketmaster led by its legally astute attorney-CEO Fred Rosen. The study offers a novel portrait of strategic legal decision-making and connects the private aspects of contracting with the legal, regulatory, and strategic environment.
Who is buying and (not) lending when shorts are selling

Abstract Stock lending markets are unique because stock buyers become potential stock lenders. During periods of high short demand, loan supply should expand as some new buyers of loaned shares lend them. Using instrumental variables, we find instead that loan supply contracts: during times of high short demand, the marginal buyer lends stock at a lower rate than the average seller. We find that this puzzling result is concentrated among closely held stocks with high disagreement among investors, high price impact measures, and lottery-like returns. Thus, non-lending buyers may believe that withholding shares from short sellers could enhance their expected returns.
Opioid and Nonopioid Analgesic Prescriptions for Dental Visits in the Emergency Department, 2015–2017 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey

INTRODUCTION Prescription and nonprescription opioid misuse and the rising number of dental visits in emergency departments (EDs) are growing public health concerns in the US. Our study objective was to examine the relationship between prescription analgesics (opioids and nonopioids) and the type of ED visits (dental and nondental) at the national level. METHODS We used data from the 2015-2017 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to examine the association between opioid, nonopioid, and combination of opioid and nonopioid analgesic prescriptions and dental and nondental visits in the ED. Covariates included socioeconomic variables, time of visit, provider type, triage level, hospital location (urban vs rural), and pain level. We conducted descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable analyses using weighted estimates. RESULTS The final study sample included 57,098 ED visits from approximately 6 million dental and 414 million nondental visits to EDs during 2015-2017 nationally. Among dental visits, 20.8% received nonopioid analgesics (vs 23.4% among nondental visits), 36.6% received opioid analgesics (vs 14.0% among nondental visits), and 17.7% received both opioids and nonopioid analgesics (vs 8.7% among nondental visits). Adjusted multinomial logistic regression model indicated that, compared with nondental visits, dental visits had 4.8, 1.9, and 3.4 times higher likelihood of receipt of an opioid, nonopioid, or both opioid and nonopioid analgesic prescription, respectively, in the ED than no analgesic prescriptions. CONCLUSION Dental visits resulted in receipt of a significantly higher proportion of opioid prescriptions compared with nondental visits during 2015-2017. The study findings highlight the need for developing interventions to reduce opioid prescriptions in the ED, especially for dental visits.
Horseshoe Kidney with Uretero-Pelvic Junction Obstruction

A 5-year-old boy presented with horseshoe kidney with left side uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is presented. Left Anderson-Hynes open pyeloplasty (trans-abdominal, trans-peritoneal approach) was done without symphysiotomy.
Food values in Europe: edited by Valeria Siniscalchi and Krista Harper, London, Bloomsbury Academic, 2019, 256 pp., ISBN-13: 978-1350084773

In Food Values in Europe, Valeria Siniscalchi combines her background in “anthropology of economic spaces” with Krista Harper’s research experience in food systems, social movements, and urban publ...
New Book for Elementary and Middle Grades Highlights Ocean Literacy Principle 6

Using stunning photography and real stories of people and groups working in ocean conservation, Planet Ocean: Why We All Need a Healthy Ocean inspires young readers to help spread conservation messages and take action to help the ocean.
U(2 ) L ×U(2 ) R chiral theory of mesons

A U(2${)}_{\mathit{L}}$\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(2${)}_{\mathit{R}}$ chiral theory of pseudoscalar, vector, and axial-vector mesons is proposed and studied at the tree level. VMD is a natural result of this theory. The physical processes of normal parity and abnormal parity have been studied by using the same Lagrangian leading to a universality of coupling. Two new mass relations between vector and axial-vector mesons have been found. Weinberg's first sum rule and new relations about the amplitude of ${\mathit{a}}_{1}$ decay are satisfied. The KSFR sum rule is satisfied reasonably well. The \ensuremath{\rho} pole in the pion form factor has been achieved. The theoretical results for the processes \ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}, \ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}, ${\mathit{a}}_{1}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\pi}, and \ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\gamma}, \ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\nu}, \ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathit{a}}_{1}$\ensuremath{\nu}, ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{0}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}, \ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\gamma}, \ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\gamma}, ${\mathit{f}}_{1}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}, ${\mathit{f}}_{1}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}, \ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\gamma}, \ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\gamma} are in good agreement with the data. The \ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi} scattering lengths and slopes have been found to be the same as obtained by Weinberg. In particular, the \ensuremath{\rho} resonance in the amplitude ${\mathit{T}}_{1}^{1}$ of \ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi} scattering has been obtained from this theory. Two coefficients of chiral perturbation theory have been determiend and they are close to the values used in chiral perturbation theory. This theory has dynamical chiral symmetry breaking.
Maximum Clique, Maximum Independent Set, and Graph Coloring Problems

This article introduces the closely related maximum clique, maximum independent set, graph coloring, and minimum clique partitioning problems. The survey includes some of the most important results concerning these problems, including their computational complexity, known bounds, mathematical programming formulations, and exact and heuristic algorithms to solve them. Keywords: maximum clique problem; maximum independent set problem; graph coloring problem; minimum clique partitioning problem; uniform random graph
A quota jury

Abstract It is not too naive to believe that the use of affirmative action policies in the jury selection for the Rodney King beating trial of White police officers would have prevented the uprisings that followed their acquittal. The public outrage and riots that followed the verdict demonstrated the need for affirmative inclusion of racial minorities on jury trials to preserve and restore the public’s confidence and legitimacy of verdicts in racially motivated cases. While racially mixed juries offer many benefits, current jury selection procedures fail to provide much protection to members of racial minorities in criminal trials. From the source list to the discriminatory use of peremptory challenges, the current selection procedures provide almost no protection to racial minorities. The issue of preferential treatments of racial minorities in education, employment, and business has divided the nation and even some minority communities themselves. Affirmative action in jury proceedings and trials, however, has yet to receive much deserved attention and critical scrutiny. This article empirically examines public perceptions of possible applications of affirmative action mechanisms in criminal jury proceedings, focusing on the uses of mandatory racial quotas to engineer racially integrated juries in criminal trials. Three different types of racially mixed juries—the jury “de medietate linguae,” the Hennepin jury model, and the social science model—are examined, and the public’s perceptions of affirmative mechanisms ensuring minority participation on juries are analyzed. This article argues that the affirmative mechanism to secure racially mixed juries is essential to both the appearance and substance of fairness in criminal jury proceedings, and both the Hennepin model and the social science model are overwhelmingly supported as the ideal types of affirmative jury structures in creating racially heterogeneous juries.
Potency of inhibitors for gamma-aminobutyric acid uptake by mouse brain subcellular particles at 0 degrees.

Binding of γ-amino[14C]butyric acid by sucellular particles of mouse brain homogenates at 0° is apparently due to action of the specific transport system for GABA. Although not energy-requiring, this uptake process showed a saturable dependence of GABA concentration, with an apparent Km of 28 ± 3 µM. The process was strictly sodium-dependent and sensitive to osmotic shock, freezing and thawing, and treatment with mild detergents. None of the GABA sequestering had the properties expected of neurotransmitter receptor sites, which probably were present in concentrations too low to be detectable by equilibrium dialysis of filtration assays of ligand binding. The potency of inhibition of GABA uptake at 0° was determined for 13 structural analogues of GABA known to inhibit both the transport of GABA and GABA synapses. No inhibition of GABA uptake occurred with 0.3 mM picrotoxin, but high concentrations (0.3 mM) of bicuculline-like compounds did inhibit the process, indicating that inhibition of the "binding" of radioactive GABA to tissue homogenates by bicuculline is not a sufficient criterion by itself to define such binding sites as receptors.
Madness Defamiliarized: The Value of Poetic Description of Mental Illness

[Depression is a] noun with a bland tonality and lacks any magisterial presence, used indifferently to describe an economic decline or a rut in the ground, a true wimp of a word for such a major illness. […] Nonetheless, for over seventy-five years the word has slithered innocuously through the language like a slug, leaving little trace of its intrinsic malevolence and preventing, by its very insipidity, a general awareness of the horrible intensity of the disease when out of control. (37) A similar claim might be made about any number of words used to describe variants of mood or schizotypal disorders. Consider the word “madness” itself, which is used as a sort of slippery catch-all to describe mental illness in academic and popular discussions alike. A very simplistic question, then, is Why don’t we have more sufficient words at our disposal? The problem with answering this question lies primarily in the fact that our words to describe madness have, indeed, changed over time; yet we are still left with the same deficiencies. It seems likely, then, that the problem is not with individual words themselves, but with what Virginia Woolf calls the “poverty of language” in describing illness: “English, which can express the thoughts of Hamlet and the tragedy of Lear, has no words for the shiver and the headache. It has all grown one way. The merest schoolgirl, when she falls in love, has Shakespeare or Keats to speak her mind for her; but let the sufferer try to describe a pain in his head to a doctor and the language at once runs dry” (7). Importantly, in preventing an accurate portrayal of mental illness, this poverty of language serves to promote a sort of cultural pseudo-familiarity with madness that leaves most of us—to manipulate a well-worn proverb—with just enough knowledge of mental illness to be dangerous. This seems particularly true considering Daniel Nettle’s well-argued claim that many of the traits of the “madman” are characteristics that are present, though attenuated, in “normal” people, that madness is in fact a gradation at the extremes of normal human experience. He even claims that “the symptoms of madness are related to the proper functioning of the human mind. They differ from health in that they are terribly exaggerated” (9). It seems reasonable, then, that most people
Simulating PRAM with a MSIMD model (ASC)

The ASC (MSIMD) model for parallel computation supports a generalized version of an associative style of computing that has been used since the introduction of associative SIMD computers in the early 1970's. In particular, this model supports data parallelism, constant time maximum and minimum operations, one or more instruction streams (ISs) which are sent to a unique set in a dynamic partition of the processors, and assignment of tasks to the ISs using control parallelism. ASC also allows a network to interconnect the processing elements (PEs). This paper shows how ASC can simulate synchronous PRAM, and the converse. These results provide an important step in defining the power of associative model in terms of PRAM which is the most studied parallel model. Also, these simulations will provide numerous algorithms for ASC by giving an automatic method of converting algorithms from PRAM to ASC.
In vitro activity of inexpensive topical alternatives against Candida spp. isolated from the oral cavity of HIV-infected patients.

Abstract The use of inexpensive topical alternatives, e.g. oil of melaleuca (tea tree oil (TTO)), chlorhexidine (CHX), povidone iodine (PI) and gentian violet (GV), to treat oral candidiasis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients has been proposed in resource-poor countries. However, pre-clinical studies comparing the antifungal activity of these agents are lacking. This study compared the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of TTO, GV, PI, CHX and fluconazole (FLZ) against 91 clinical Candida strains using Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) methodology. Isolates were obtained from the oral cavity of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Among the topical agents examined, GV showed the most potent activity against all Candida isolates tested (MIC range, MIC for 50% of the organisms (MIC50) and MIC for 90% of the organisms (MIC90) of 0.03–0.25 μg/mL, 0.06 μg/mL and 0.12 μg/mL, respectively). CHX was 64 times less active than GV (MIC range, MIC50 and MIC90 of 0.5–16 μg/mL, 4 μg/mL and 8 μg/mL, respectively). The lowest antifungal activity was seen for PI (MIC90 = 0.25%). Moreover, GV, unlike the other topical agents tested, was fungicidal (minimum fungicidal concentration = 1 μg/mL) against Candida albicans isolates (n = 83). In addition, GV showed activity against FLZ-resistant C. albicans (n = 3). The combination of GV and FLZ was not antagonistic and there was no interaction between the two compounds. GV possesses potent antifungal activity against FLZ-susceptible and -resistant Candida strains and is not antagonistic when used in combination with FLZ. In vivo evaluation is warranted.
KRC transcripts: identification of an unusual alternative splicing event.

Mouse KRC is a large zinc finger protein that binds to the κB motif of gene transcription and to the recognition signal sequences for the somatic recombination of the immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor gene segments. The mouse KRC gene is more than 70 kilobases (kb) in size, and contains at least seven exons, with the largest transcript being ∼9.5 kb. Multiple differentially spliced transcripts of KRC were identified in thymus and brain, which would result in the production of multiple KRC protein isoforms with different N-termini and number of DNA binding domains. Alternative splicing events leading to the production of these multiple transcripts have been elucidated. Of particular interest are the exclusions in some transcripts of sequences from a gigantic exon of 5487 base pairs (bp), or from an exon of 176 bp. Both potentially deleted exons code for zinc finger motifs that are essential components of the N-terminal and C-terminal DNA binding domains, respectively. Another intriguing phenomenon found in some KRC transcripts is the skipping of a 459 bp fragment within the gigantic exon that would code for the N-terminal DNA binding domain. Bacterial fusion proteins derived from this fragment bind specifically to KRC target DNAs. Apparently, distinct alternative splicing events could eliminate the N-terminal DNA binding domain of KRC.
Sexual abuse and exploitation of children and adults with mental retardation and other handicaps

There is growing recognition that children, adolescents, and adults who are mentally retarded are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation and are in need of intervention services. These people are especially vulnerable due to ther often life-long dependence on caregivers, relatively powerless position in society, emotional and social insecurities, and lack of education regarding sexuality and sexual abuse. In addition the mental health functioning and emotional development of individuals who are mentally retarded are not well understood, and many professionals remain uneducated about their mental health needs. To work effectively with this population, mental health professionals and educators must be alert to what is known about the sexual abuse and exploitation of persons with mental retardation. Furthermore, they need to become educated about the rights of these persons to special legal protection from abuse and neglect and to appropriate and effective mental health interventions. The challenge for mental health professionals and educators is to protect persons who are mentally retarded from sexual abuse and exploitation, to provide appropriate psychotherapeutic interventions when abuse occurs, to respect their right to developmentally appropriate knowledge about sexuality and sexual abuse, and to allow for the fulfillment of their sexuality.
Erosion of expenditure management system : an unintended consequence of donor approaches

The paper considers the various procedures and practices relating to budgeting and accounting of foreign aid, and points out that as a result of the high degree of ringfencing associated with the aid, a kind of functional dyarchy has emerged with serious implications for expenditure management in the recipient countries. It concludes that more structured negotiations, improved information systems as well as performance agreements have the potential of avoiding the problems now encountered.
Why Did They Choose Group Work: Exploring Motivations and Perceptions of Current MSW Students of Group Work

ABSTRACT This article reports on an empirical study that examined motivations, perceptions, and other factors associated with MSW students' decisions to specialize in social group work. In many ways, the future of social group-work practice depends on the extent to which schools of social work produce graduates who possess specialized group-work knowledge. The research question of this descriptive, exploratory study sought to examine the factors, beliefs, and perceptions that influence students' decisions to take advanced classes in social group work. Overall, the results of this study can be used to provide knowledge and insight about practical and theoretical issues within group-work education.
Elastic properties of in-situ processed Ti–TiB composites measured by impulse excitation of vibration

Abstract The elastic moduli, shear moduli and the Poisson ratios of four different in-situ processed titanium (Ti) composites consisting of titanium monoboride (TiB) whiskers were measured using a dynamic method based on impulse excitation of vibration. For comparison, elastic modulus measurements were also made using tensile specimens with strain gages bonded to the specimen. The Ti–TiB composites consisted of 30, 54, 69, and 83 vol.% of TiB whiskers. The 83 vol.% TiB composite also consisted of 7 vol.% TiB2 phase. The study also included a TiB–TiB2 composite containing 16 vol.% TiB2 phase. The elastic and shear moduli of all the composites were found to increase with an increase in the volume fraction of TiB. The Poisson ratio decreased with increasing vol.% of TiB. The dynamic elastic modulus data were found to be in reasonable agreement with the tensile elastic modulus data. The variations in elastic properties with the vol.% of TiB whiskers are assessed in the light of theories on effective elastic response of two phase composites. The probable values of the elastic modulus, the shear modulus, and the Poisson’s ratio of the TiB phase were also estimated using these theories.
Mapping cancer mortality‐to‐incidence ratios to illustrate racial and sex disparities in a high‐risk population

Background Comparisons of incidence and mortality rates are the metrics used most commonly to define cancer-related racial disparities. In the US, and particularly in South Carolina, these largely disfavor African Americans (AAs). Computed from readily available data sources, the mortality-to-incidence rate ratio (MIR) provides a population-based indicator of survival.
Esthesioneuroblastoma: the massachusetts eye and ear infirmary and massachusetts general hospital experience with craniofacial resection, proton beam radiation, and chemotherapy.

Objectives: To determine the efficacy of craniofacial resection and proton radiation for the management of esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB). Design: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients presenting with ENB and completely managed at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) from 1997 to 2006. Setting: A tertiary referral center. Main Outcome Measures: Disease-free and overall survival. Participants: All patients presenting with ENB and completely managed at the MGH and the MEEI from 1997 to 2006. Results: Ten patients were identified with a median follow-up time of 52.8 months. Average age at presentation was 45 years. Nasal obstruction was the most common presenting symptom. Three patients presented with Kadish stage B disease and seven with stage C. No patient had evidence of cervical or metastatic disease at presentation. Seven patients were treated with craniofacial resections (CFR) followed by proton beam radiation with or without chemotherapy. Three patients were treated with initial chemotherapy with no response. They subsequently underwent CFR followed by proton beam radiation. The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 90% and 85.7%, respectively, by Kaplan-Meier analysis. No patient suffered any severe radiation toxicity. Conclusion: ENB can be safely and effectively treated with CFR followed by proton beam irradiation. Proton irradiation may be associated with less toxicity than photon irradiation. The role of chemotherapy remains unclear.
Molecular Diagnosis of Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Presenting with Pancytopenia at an Early Age: The First Report from Turkey

A three-month-old boy presented with growth failure, skeletal abnormalities, otitis media and pancytopenia. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was confirmed by low levels of fecal elastase. He was diagnosed as Shwachman-Diamond syndrome by clinical and laboratory findings. The diagnosis was confirmed by sequence analysis for SBDS gene on chromosome seven revealing compound heterozygous mutation, which are c.258+2T-C and c.183-184TA-CT. Matched unrelated donor screening for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was initiated. Unfortunately, he died of respiratory difficulty at 5 months of age. Our case is the youngest patient whose presumptive Shwachman-Diamond syndrome diagnosis was confirmed by molecular analysis.