cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
"The struggle made me a nonracialist": Why there was so little terrorism in the antiapartheid struggle

Most theories of terrorism would lead one to have expected high levels of antiwhite terrorism in apartheid South Africa. Yet the African National Congress, the country's most important and influential antiapartheid political organization, never sanctioned terrorism against the dominant white minority. I argue that the ANC eschewed terrorism because of its commitment to "nonracial internationalism." From the ANC's perspective, to have carried out a campaign of indiscriminate or "categorical" terrorism against whites would have alienated actual and potential white allies both inside and outside the country. The ANC's ideological commitment to nonracialism had a specific social basis: It grew out of a long history of collaboration between the ANC and white leftists inside and outside the country, especially those in the South African Communist Party.
EFFECT OF SEVERE LEFT VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION ON OUTCOMES AFTER TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT VERSUS SURGICAL AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT: A PROPENSITY SCORE REGRESSION ANALYSIS

Left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction portends worse outcomes in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). The relationship between LV systolic dysfunction and outcomes in transcstheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is unclear. A retrospective comparison was performed of
Toward a New Creative Scholarship of Educational Development: The Teaching and Learning Project and an Opening to Discourse

This invited essay of To Improve the Academy’s special feature on Creative Scholarship presents one example of creative scholarship in educational development as a forward to other forms and approaches in the special feature. This example, the Teaching and Learning Project, merges documentary and art photography traditions with faculty consultation. Following a review of the literatures of visual interpretation and instructional consultation, along with their intersection, the essay presents the Teaching and Learning Project in three ways: (1) as images, analyzed using the disciplinary grounding of the visual arts; (2) as a consultation methodology and an educational development practice; and (3) as a research project using a social science-based approach (grounded theory) exploring the experience of the subjects photographed. Finally, as a segue to the rest of the TIA special feature, this invited essay addresses the transformative nature of creative scholarship and its implications for the field of educational development.
Research on E-Commerce Platform Promotion Strategy of Forest Products

First introduced the concept of the e-commerce platform of forest products.By retrieving search engines,classified directories and portals,analyzed the promotion status of the e-commerce platform of forest products.According to the general promotion methods of e-commerce platform,combined with the characteristics of forest products,set forth the pointed promotion strategies from the perspective of forest products manufacturers,middlemen and consumers.Finally,concluded that only in accordance with the specific forest products market conditions and promotion targets,comprehensive using various strategies can achieve the best promotion results.
3 – Chaperonins of Photosynthetic Organisms

Publisher Summary A number of the features more recently described for bacterial and mitochondrial chaperonins that can be found in the early literature on chloroplast chaperonins, such as binding of nascent polypeptides to the chaperonin oligomer and the requirement for MgATP to release the bound target polypeptide. Because these studies described the binding of the large (L) subunit of ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase to an oligomeric “assembly” protein, this oligomer was termed the large subunit binding protein (LSBP). The name was later modified to the Rubisco subunit binding protein when it was realized that the small (S) subunit of Rubisco could also bind to the LSBP. The complex molecular architecture of chaperonins clearly has important mechanistic significance, because the pattern of seven-fold rotational symmetry is repeated for cpn60 homologs isolated from chloroplasts and mitochondria. Members of a second chaperonin subfamily that functionally interact with cpn60 are also oligomeric proteins, but are significantly smaller than cpn60, and usually contain identical subunits of about 10 kDa. This smaller chaperonin protein is known as GroES in E. coli and is more generally referred to as chaperonin 10 (cpn 10), reflecting its subunit size.
Development of a Coordinatively Unsaturated Chiral Indenylruthenium Catalyst.

An unprecedented coordinatively unsaturated chiral indenylruthenium complex 12 was designed and synthesized to provide additional coordination sites for Ru-catalyzed asymmetric transformations. In an attempt to catalyze an asymmetric enyne cycloisomerization reaction of 1,6-enyne, significant amounts of hydroxycyclization were observed. Up to 84:16 er of the hydroxycyclization product was obtained in 2-MeTHF. This chiral indenylruthenium catalyst could also perform an asymmetric redox isomerization/C–H insertion reaction in up to 90:10 er.
Determining heterogeneous slip activity on multiple slip systems from single crystal orientation pole figures

Abstract A new experimental method to determine heterogeneity of shear strains associated with crystallographic slip in the bulk of ductile, crystalline materials is outlined. The method quantifies the time resolved evolution of misorientation within plastically deforming crystals using single crystal orientation pole figures (SCPFs) measured in-situ with X-ray diffraction. A multiplicative decomposition of the crystal kinematics is used to interpret the distributions of lattice plane orientation observed on the SCPFs in terms of heterogeneous slip activity (shear strains) on multiple slip systems. To show the method’s utility, the evolution of heterogeneous slip is quantified in a silicon single crystal plastically deformed at high temperature at multiple load steps, with slip activity in sub-volumes of the crystal analyzed simultaneously.
The Social Sciences and Event History

It has been our intent to demonstrate how the multitude of methods discussed in this book are naturally relevant for social science analysis. We have stressed throughout that many of the problems, hypotheses, and theories underlying social science research have at their core an implicit or explicit interest in the notions of timing and social change. Event history models are ideally suited for such problems. Given the kinds of questions social scientists ask and the applicability of event history analysis, the models we have considered would seem to have great import for analysis. We have presented a number of examples of event history analysis with social science data that highlight the interest in both the occurrence of an event and the history leading up to the event. Moving from a focus solely on whether an event occurred to additionally considering when an event occurred can result in much greater analytical leverage on the problem at hand. Similarly, moving from the study of how often an event occurs, for example through the use of event count models, to how often and when an event occurred, for example through the use of a repeated events model, can have analytical payoffs. Based on the interest in social science theory regarding longitudinal processes, and given the inherent problems of traditional models in handling event history data, we hope readers recognize that event history models are a valuable method for addressing substantive social science problems.
Some Challenges to Economic Growth and Stability in China

China has experienced an incredible rate of growth in recent decades. According to the April 2015 issue of the IMF World Economic Outlook database, China’s GDP based on current prices has grown fro...
Implications of directed energy for SETI

We compute the detectability of directed-energy (DE) sources from distant civilizations that may exist. Recent advances in our own DE technology suggest that our eventual capabilities will radically enhance our capacity to broadcast our presence and hence allow us to ponder the reverse case of detection. We show that DE systems are detectable at vast distances, possibly across the entire horizon, which profoundly alters conceivable search strategies for extra-terrestrial, technologically-advanced civilizations. Even modest searches are extremely effective at detecting or constraining many civilization classes. A single civilization anywhere in our galaxy of comparable technological advancement to our own can be detected with near unity probability with a cluster of 0.1 m telescopes on Earth. A 1 m class telescope can detect a single civilization anywhere in the Andromeda galaxy. A search strategy is proposed using small Earth-based telescopes to observe 10 12 -10 20 stellar and planetary systems. Such observations could address whether there exist other civilizations which are broadcasting with similar or more advanced DE capability. We show that such searches have near-unity probability of detecting comparably advanced civilizations anywhere in our galaxy within a few years, assuming the civilization: (1) adopts a simple “intelligent targeting” beacon strategy; (2) is beaconing at a wavelength we can detect; (3) broadcast the beacon long enough for the light to reach Earth now. In this blind-beacon, blind-search strategy, the civilization need not know where we are nor do we need to know where they are. The same basic strategy can be extended to extragalactic distances.
ROD: A Practical Approach to Improving Reliability of Energy-Efficient Parallel Disk Systems

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Modeling Reliability of Energy-Efficient Parallel Disks Improving Reliability of MAID via Disk Swapping Experimental Results and Evaluation Related Work Conclusions References
Critical zone properties control the fate of nitrogen during experimental rainfall in montane forests of the Colorado Front Range

Several decades of research in alpine ecosystems have demonstrated links among the critical zone, hydrologic response, and the fate of elevated atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition. Less research has occurred in mid-elevation forests, which may be important for retaining atmospheric N deposition. To explore the fate of N in the montane zone, we conducted plot-scale experimental rainfall events across a north–south transect within a catchment of the Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory. Rainfall events mimicked relatively common storms (20–50% annual exceedance probability) and were labeled with 15N-nitrate ( $$ {\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } $$ ) and lithium bromide tracers. For 4 weeks, we measured soil–water and leachate concentrations of Br−, $$ {}^{15}{\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } , $$ and $$ {\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } $$ daily, followed by recoveries of 15N species in bulk soils and microbial biomass. Tracers moved immediately into the subsurface of north-facing slope plots, exhibiting breakthrough at 10 and 30 cm over 22 days. Conversely, little transport of Br− or $$ {}^{15}{\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } $$ occurred in south-facing slope plots; tracers remained in soil or were lost via pathways not measured. Hillslope position was a significant determinant of soil 15N- $$ {\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } $$ recoveries, while soil depth and time were significant determinants of 15N recovery in microbial biomass. Overall, 15N recovery in microbial biomass and leachate was greater in upper north-facing slope plots than lower north-facing (toeslope) and both south-facing slope plots in August; by October, 15N recovery in microbial N biomass within south-facing slope plots had increased substantially. Our results point to the importance of soil properties in controlling the fate of N in mid-elevation forests during the summer season.
Not all nesting guild members are alike: nest predators and conspecific abundance differentially influence nest survival in the ground-nesting Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) and Veery (Catharus fuscescens)

ABSTRACT At the nest guild level, nest predation is a major cause of failure for many passerines. Species differ in behaviors that influence nest predation risk, presenting a challenge to nest survival analyses at the nest guild level. At our study site in southeastern New York, previous findings have suggested rodent nest predator abundance strongly drives daily nest survival of the Veery (Catharus fuscescens), a ground or low shrub-nesting songbird. In cue playback experiments, the sympatric ground-nesting Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) shows a greater aversion to chipmunk vocalizations than Veeries. These behavioral differences suggest these two sympatric ground-nesters may be driven by different ecological mechanisms despite similarity in their nesting niche. We examined how nest predator abundance, regional songbird abundance, and timing of nest activity during the breeding season influence nest survival in two songbirds from the same nest guild by building competitive models for determining the extr...
Academic Identification among Adolescents with Latin American Backgrounds

Disidentification with academics is sometimes cited as a factor in the underperformance of ethnic minority students, and the current study examined whether this would be evident among adolescents from Latin American backgrounds. The associations of adolescents’ grade point average (GPA) and academic self-concept with their global self-esteem were examined in a longitudinal sample of 552 adolescents from Latin American, Asian, and European backgrounds. Correlational and longitudinal within-person analyses indicated that adolescents from Latin American backgrounds demonstrated levels of academic identification similar to their more highly achieving peers from other backgrounds. These findings contribute to the emerging body of evidence suggesting a strong level of motivation among students from Latin American backgrounds despite the significant challenges to their academic success.
Brain metabolic adaptations to hypoxia

The mammalian brain depends totally on a continuous supply of oxygen to maintain its function. It is well known that in the brain, adaptation to hypoxia occurs through both systemic and vascular changes, which may include metabolic changes. However, the local metabolic changes related to energy metabolism that occur within the cell are not well described (Harik et al., 1994; Harik et al., 1995; LaManna and Harik, 1997). Investigating the metabolic adaptations of the central nervous system to mild hypoxia provides an understanding of the key components responsible for regulating cell survival. This chapter concerns itself with the metabolic responses of the brain to mild hypoxia, that is, to physiological hypoxia. This is the range of hypoxia that can be compensated for with physiological mechanisms that directly or indirectly involve energy related metabolic pathways.
Endocannabinoid inhibition: a new cardioprotective strategy against doxorubicin cardiotoxicity.

It has been almost 40 years since the quinone-containing anthracycline doxorubicin was first isolated from cultures of Streptomyces peucetius var. caesius ([1][1]), and it remains one of the most effective and commonly used drugs for treatment of a variety of solid and hematologic malignancies.
A Low Cost Small UAV Flight Research Facility

This paper presents an overview of the low-cost, open source small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flight research facility at the University of Minnesota. A detailed description of the facility, its components, and its capabilities is presented, as well as applications of the UAV platforms to research, education, and collaboration. Flight results from controls research is presented, followed by a brief summary of current research and future directions.
Non-Linear Interpolation of the Harmonic–Geometric–Arithmetic Matrix Means

Bhatia, Lim, and Yamazaki conjectured that the Kubo–Ando extensions of means of numbers satisfy a norm minimality condition with respect to unitarily invariant norms. In this short note, we introduce a symmetric Kubo–Ando mean and a non-Kubo–Ando extension that do not satisfy this property.
Electronic Property and Negative Thermal Expansion Behavior of Si136-xGex (x = 8, 32, 40, 104) Clathrate Solid Solution from First Principles

We present the electronic and vibrational studies on Si136-xGex (x = 8, 32, 40, 104) alloys, using the local density approximation (LDA) scheme. We find that a "nearly-direct" band gap exists in the band structure of Si104Ge32 and Si96Ge40, when compared with the similarly reported results obtained using a different computational code. The calculated electronic density of state (EDOS) profiles for the valence band remain nearly identical and independent of the Ge concentration (x = 32, 40, 104) even though some variation is found in the lower conduction band (tail part) as composition x is tuned from 8 (or 40) to 104. The negative thermal expansion (NTE) phenomenon is explored using quasi-harmonic approximation (QHA), which takes the volume dependence of the vibrational mode frequencies into consideration, while neglecting the temperature effect on phonon anharmonicity. Determined macroscopic Gruneisen parameter trends show negative values in the low temperature regime (1 K < T < 115 K), indicating the NTE behavior found in Si128Ge8 is analogous to the experimental result for Si136. Meanwhile, calculations for the ratio of the vibrational entropy change to the volume change at several characteristic temperatures reconfirm the existence of NTE in Si128Ge8 and Si104Ge32.
Gaps in the College Application Gauntlet

A large literature in higher education research has focused on disparities in rates of successful completion of the various steps along the path that leads to college enrollment (e.g. completing a college preparatory curriculum, taking the SAT or ACT, applying to a college) as an important source of inequitable college attainment between groups of students. In this study, we extend this prior work by explicitly examining race- and income-based gaps in these steps to college enrollment. Drawing on national- and state-representative samples from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009, we use the V-statistic to calculate race- and income-based gaps in the completion of these steps. We have three main findings. First, we demonstrate that gaps calculated using the V-statistic method differ from gaps calculated using more traditional approaches leading to a new understanding of the size of these gaps. Second, among the steps we analyze, it appears that gaps in academic qualifications are large and similar in size to gaps in college application, admission, and enrollment. Finally, through regression analysis, we show that gaps in academic qualifications and gaps in taking a college entrance exam are the strongest predictors of gaps in the selectivity of eventual enrollment. Policymakers and practitioners interested in closing college enrollment gaps ought to identify interventions that specifically aim to address gaps identified by our analysis early in the postsecondary pathway.
Prospects and Pitfalls: Comments on Action Research at Sites of Mixed Heritage

The variants of community-based research projects in archaeology have increased exponentially in number since the 1980s, and the once-well-defined lines dividing “academic” and “public” archaeology...
From papyrus leaves to bioprinting and virtual reality: history and innovation in anatomy

The human quest to master the anatomy and physiology of living systems started as early as 1600 BC, with documents from the Greeks, Indians, and Romans presenting the earliest systematic studies and advances. Following the fall of the Roman Empire, the progress slowed until the Renaissance renewed scientific interest in anatomy and physiology, ushering in an era of spectacular advances. Alongside the discoveries of modern science, innovations in media such as printing, photography and color reproduction, improved the accuracy of communicating science. Techniques for noninvasively viewing the human body, such as magnetic resonance imaging, opened up new ways of exploring and understanding anatomy, physiology, and disease pathogenesis. Advances in three-dimensional (3D)-technologies, including computer graphics and animation are directly linked to many advances in medicine and surgery. Anatomy education has come a long way from papyrus leaf inscriptions to computerized 3D modeling, holographic representation, and virtual reality-based software. The future presents unlimited options for studying and understanding anatomy as Google glasses, bioprinting, virtual reality, and allied technologies transform the world into a classroom. This review summarizes the journey of mankind to master anatomy and physiology.
Assessing planting date effects on seasonal water use of full- and short-season maize using SWAT in the southern Ogallala Aquifer region

A SWAT model equipped with an alternative auto-irrigation algorithm was used to evaluate the effects of planting date on hybrid corn yield and seasonal water use in the Texas High Plains. Research field data from the USDA-ARS Conservation and Production Research Laboratory at Bushland, TX and the Texas A&M AgriLife North Plains Research Field near Etter, TX were used for model calibration. A long-term weather data set was used to simulate continuous corn using five planting dates (15-April, 1-May, 15-May, 1-June, and 15-June) for both long- and short-season corn hybrids. Results suggested that delayed planting resulted in a reduction of seasonal water use for both hybrids. Reductions in seasonal irrigation between the 15-April and 15-June were 28 % and 31 % for long- and short-season hybrids, respectively, using an application depth of 25.4 mm. Corresponding reductions in yield were considerably less at 8.9 and 8.8 % for long- and short-season hybrids. Reduced irrigation was attributed to decreased temperature stress and lower evapotranspiration of the later growing season. However, simulation of long season corn for the 15-June planting resulted in late season cold temperature stress. Further analysis of 19.1 mm and 31.8 mm irrigation depths revealed the latter resulted in an average of 4.4 and 4.7 % reductions in seasonal irrigation for long- and short-season hybrids, respectively. Results from this assessment study suggest the delayed planting of corn may result in decreased irrigation while maintaining profitable yields, potentially reducing withdrawals from the Ogallala Aquifer in the Texas High Plains region.
The effects of flunixin meglumine and hoof trimming on lying behavior, locomotion, and milk production in lame and nonlame lactating dairy cows

Hoof trimming is used to prevent and treat lameness in dairy cows; however, hoof trimming itself increases daily time spent lying down, possibly due to discomfort. We hypothesized that treatment of lame and nonlame cows with an anti-inflammatory analgesic drug at the time of hoof trimming would mitigate discomfort, thereby improving locomotion scores and reducing post-trimming increases in lying time. We further hypothesized that drug treatment would improve post-trimming milk production. Our objective was to determine the effects of treatment with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug flunixin meglumine (2.2 mg/kg of BW) at the time of hoof trimming on locomotion, lying times, and milk production in lame and nonlame lactating dairy cows. All cows were filmed for locomotion scoring 1 d before and 1, 8, and 28 d after hoof trimming. Daily time spent standing and lying was recorded for 4 d before and 4 wk after hoof trimming, and daily milk production was recorded for 1 wk before and 8 wk after trimming. Thirty minutes before hoof trimming, an intravenous injection of flunixin meglumine (n = 34) or isotonic sterile saline solution (n = 34) was administered to each cow. Then, all cows had their hooves trimmed using the Dutch method. The same treatment was repeated 24 h after hoof trimming. Cows were categorized using baseline locomotion scores as lame (score ≥3/5) or nonlame (score <3/5). Drug treatment did not affect post-trimming changes in locomotion scores, daily lying times, or milk production. In both treatment groups, most cows had the same lameness status (lame or nonlame) at baseline and after treatment, and there was no difference between groups in the number of cows that changed lameness status over time. Lame cows (n = 21) had no significant changes in lying times over the course of the study, whereas nonlame cows (n = 47) had mean daily lying times that were significantly higher than baseline all 4 wk after trimming. Hoof trimming in nonlame cows should be scheduled for a time when increased lying behavior after trimming can be accommodated.
Cost-Effectiveness of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance: An Assessment of Benefits and Harms.

Introduction The value of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance is defined by the balance of benefits, i.e., early tumor detection, and potential harms, related to false positive and indeterminate results. Although physical harms can be observed in 15%-20% of patients with cirrhosis undergoing HCC surveillance, previous cost-effectiveness analyses have not incorporated costs of harms. We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of HCC surveillance including both benefits and harms. Design We constructed a Markov model to compare surveillance strategies of ultrasound (US) alone, US and alpha fetoprotein (AFP), and no surveillance in 1 million simulated patients with compensated cirrhosis. Harms included imaging and biopsy in patients undergoing surveillance for HCC. Model inputs were based on literature review, and costs were derived from the Medicare fee schedule, with all costs inflated to 2018 dollars. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per incremental quality-adjusted life-year. Results In the base case analysis, US with AFP was the dominant strategy over both US alone and no surveillance. In a probabilistic sensitivity analysis, US with AFP was the most cost-effective strategy in 80.1% of simulations at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000 per quality-adjusted life-year. In our threshold analyses, an HCC incidence >0.4% per year and surveillance adherence >19.5% biannually were necessary for US with AFP to be cost-effective compared with no surveillance. Discussion Accounting for both surveillance-related benefits and harms, US and AFP is more cost-effective for HCC surveillance than US alone or no surveillance in patients with compensated cirrhosis.
What facilitates Bayesian reasoning? A crucial test of ecological rationality versus nested sets hypotheses

Different theoretical views about Bayesian reasoning (ecological rationality and nested sets views) both claim support from results showing that natural sampling, whole numbers, and pictorial representations help with reasoning performance, although they differ in explaining how those results occur. Three studies (total N = 653) use minimally different numerical presentation formats—varying the singular or plural tense of the context story topic—and presence or absence of an additional icon array picture, to better understand the mechanisms driving these reasoning performance results. Plural wording, indicating a conceptual aggregation (i.e., frequencies) rather than just numerical whole numbers, consistently boosted performance. Icon arrays, in contrast, were helpful only when alongside single-tense information. These results fit more consistently with an ecological rationality view which has long argued that the mind is adapted to work best with frequentist information.
Improving Emergency Care for Children With Medical Complexity: Parent and Physicians' Perspectives.

Abstract Objective Children with medical complexity (CMC) have high rates of emergency department (ED) utilization, but little evidence exists on the perceptions of parents and pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians about emergency care. We sought to explore parent and PEM physicians’ perspectives about 1) ED care for CMC, and 2) how emergency care can be improved. Methods We performed semistructured interviews with parents and PEM physicians at a single academic, children's hospital. English-speaking parents were selected utilizing a standard definition of CMC during an ED visit in which their child was admitted to the hospital. All PEM physicians were eligible. We developed separate interview guides utilizing open-ended questions. The trained study team developed and modified a coding tree through an iterative process, double-coded transcripts, monitored inter-rater reliability to ensure adherence, and performed thematic analysis. Results Twenty interviews of parents of CMC and 16 of PEM physicians were necessary for saturation. Parents identified specific challenges related to ED care of their children involving time, information gathering, logistics/convenience, and multifaceted communication between health teams and parents. PEM physicians identified time, data accessibility and availability, and communication as inter-related challenges in caring for CMC in the ED. Suggestions reflected potential solutions to the challenges identified. Conclusions Time, data, and communication challenges were the main focus for both parents and PEM physicians, and suggestions mirrored these challenges. Further research and quality improvement efforts to better characterize and mitigate the identified challenges could be of value for this vulnerable population.
Love in Cyberspace: Self Presentation and Partner Seeking in Online Dating Advertisements of Older Adults:

This qualitative content analysis of a systematically selected sample of 200 heterosexual adults aged 60+ years examined older adults’ self-presentation in online dating ads and what they sought in...
District-Level School Choice and Racial/Ethnic Test Score Gaps:

The rapid expansion of school choice is restructuring public education in the United States. This study examines associations between charter and magnet school enrollment, White-Black and White-His...
Botulism

Botulinum toxin is the most potent toxin known to humans and as little as 100 ng can be lethal. The toxin blocks peripheral cholinergic neurotransmission at the neuromuscular junction and cholinergic autonomic nervous system by introducing an endopeptadase enzyme into the presynaptic side of the synapse. The endopeptadase cleaves acetylcholine vesicle docking proteins that are required for the synapse to release acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft. Botulism occurs from consumption or inhalation of preformed botulinum toxin or growth of Clostridium botulinum bacteria in the infant gastrointestinal tract or within a wound. Growth of C. botulinum in the immature gut or wound will release botulinum toxin that reaches the circulation. All forms of botulism cause progressive weakness, bulbar signs (blurred vision, diplopia, mydriasis, dysphagia, and dysarthria), and respiratory failure with normal sensation and mentation. Treatment is aimed at 1) maintaining respiration via intubation and mechanical ventilation, 2) stopping progression of weakness by administration of botulinum antitoxin (equine trivalent botulinum antitoxin for adults and botulism immune-globulin intravenous-human for infant botulism), and 3) preventing complications from weeks of paralysis with good supportive care. The source of the botulinum toxin should be identified to prevent additional cases. Patients can recover normal muscle strength within weeks to months, but usually complain of fatigue for years.
43 Years of fun basic plasma experiments

This talk will present an overview of some of the most enjoyable low-temperature plasma experiments I have carried out with my students over the course of my career. It will begin with the connection between solitons and the Schrodinger equation, and continued with the discovery of cylindrical and spherical soliton-like structures. From moving structures we will progress to stable ones: sheaths and double layers. Where do double layers form? How can we measure double layer potentials? These questions lead to the development of emissive probe techniques. From there we will move on to the Bohm criterion and the first measurements of the full plasma potential variations of sheaths and presheaths in a single-species plasma, and later in two-ion-species plasmas. Finally, our recent measurements of double layers and presheaths in uniform helicon plasma will be presented, which address the earlier unresolved question of where double layers form.
The immediate protective response to microbial challenge

The innate immune system detects infection and tissue injury through different families of pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-like receptors. Most PRR-mediated responses initiate elaborate processes of signaling, transcription, translation, and secretion of effector mediators, which together require time to achieve. Therefore, PRR-mediated processes are not active in the early phases of infection. These considerations raise the question of how the host limits microbial replication and invasion during this critical period. Here, we examine the crucial defense mechanisms, such as antimicrobial peptides or extracellular traps, typically activated within minutes of the initial infection phase, which we term the “immediate protective response”. Deficiencies in different components of the immediate protective response are often associated with severe and recurrent infectious diseases in humans, highlighting their physiologic importance.
Expression and function of TRK-B and BDNF in human neuroblastomas

There is considerable interest in the role of the TRK family of neuotrophin receptors in regulating growth and differentiation in normal and neoplastic nerve cells. A neuroblastoma is a common pediatric tumor derived from the neural crest, and the majority of favorable neuroblastomas express a high level of TRK-A mRNA. However, little is known about the expression or function of TRK-B in these tumors. TRK-B encodes a tyrosine kinase that binds to brain-derived neuotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and NT-4/5. We have studied the N-myc-amplified human neuroblastoma cell line, SMS-KCN, which expresses both TRK-B and BDNF. Exogenous BDNF induces tyrosine phosphorylation of TRK-B as well as phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma 1, the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2, and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase. BDNF also induces expression of the immediate-early genes c-FOS and NGFI-A but not NGFI-B or NGFI-C. In addition, BDNF appears to promote cell survival and neurite outgrowth. SMS-KCN cells also express TRK-A, which is phosphorylated in response to nerve growth factor. However, the downstream TRK-A signaling is apparently defective. Finally, we determined that in a series of 74 primary neuroblastomas, 36% express TRK-B mRNA, 68% express BDNF mRNA, and 31% express both. Truncated TRK-B appears to be preferentially expressed in more-differentiated tumors (ganglioneuromas and ganglioneuroblastomas), whereas full-length TRK-B is expressed almost exclusively in immature neuroblastomas with N-myc amplification. Our findings suggest that in TRK-B-expressing human neuroblastomas, BDNF promotes survival and induces neurite outgrowth in an autocrine or paracrine manner. The BDNF/TRK-B pathway may be particularly important for growth and differentiation of neuroblastomas with N-myc amplification.
Uncovering the mask of borderline personality disorder: Knowledge to empower primary care providers

Purpose This manuscript will provide a review of the literature and a report on the findings of a qualitative study that explored the lived experiences of people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). It also offers resources designed to empower healthcare professionals to provide timely and accurate referrals, diagnosis, or collaborative management of BPD in primary care. Data sources Review of the literature examining background, epidemiology, pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and available resources regarding BPD. Content analysis conducted on data obtained from 1109 postings on three different public online forums/blogs specifically for BPD. Conclusions BPD is characterized by unstable moods, behaviors, and relationships. While navigating a healthcare system fraught with health disparities, BPD sufferers may have their feelings of abandonment and hopelessness reinforced. Four core themes emerged (a) a reliance on online blogging to cope; (b) a quality of life that is impacted by debilitating effects of condition; (c) coping mechanisms that encompass healthy and destructive measures; and (d) social injustices that include stigmatization, prejudice, delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, limited healthcare access, and lack of cure. Implications for practice Knowledgeable, nonjudgmental primary healthcare providers can play a key role in providing BPD sufferers and their loved ones with accurate and timely diagnosis, referral, treatment, resources, and support. Internet blogging may have important implications in care.
China: An Expatriates Discovery Of Culture And Customs

The purpose of this research paper is to share and uncover the differences between American and Chinese culture and customs. These revelations illustrate the culture and customs of various Chinese provinces and how they differ from those of the United States. Moreover, an analysis of etiquettes, business practices, the concept of face, and teaching experiences are provided. In conclusion, this paper will touch upon the experiences of an expatriate while teaching at a renowned Chinese university. The viewpoints are based on experiences and observations only and, in no way, reflect the nature and culture of China as a whole. The findings of this paper will also help Americans, either traveling or teaching overseas, to prepare themselves, and will enable the reader to form his or her own perception and draw conclusions from an individual perspective.
“What Will You Do with Our Stories?” Truth and Reconciliation in the Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was the first TRC in the Pacific Islands. Its goals and activities – truth-seeking, reconciliation and the production of a report with a narrative of the conflict that focused on human rights violations – reflect the normative values of global transitional justice discourses. In this paper I draw on interviews with former staff of the TRC and my own experiences of working for the TRC to explore the implications of importing international transitional justice mechanisms into the local Solomon Islands context, and to draw attention to the cultural limitations of truth-telling. I argue that in order for peacebuilding tools to be effective in Solomon Islands, a strong commitment to, and understanding of, local context is required; transitional justice mechanisms must resonate with local understandings and practices of conflict resolution and peacemaking. The TRC has the potential to play a positive role in building peace in Solomon Islands if it is viewed as a component of an ongoing process.Truth and memory alone will not bring about justice, reconciliation or peace; the memories and truths that are collected and produced by the TRC ought to be used for future action, addressing ongoing injustices and grievances.
Design of Two-Dimensional Polarization Selective Computer Generated Holograms using Form-Birefringence

We introduce a new design methodology for synthesizing two-dimensional polarization sensitive computer generated holograms. Our method uses the form-birefringence of a single binary two-dimensional grating to produce different phase profiles for the two orthogonal linear polarizations. We validated the method numerically using the finite-difference-time-domain method. We fabricated a single element but have not yet characterized its performance.
Surjective isometries on spaces of differentiable vector-valued functions

This paper gives a characterization of surjective isometries on spaces of continuously dierentiable functions with values in a nite-dimensional real Hilbert space.
Motion perception thresholds in areas of glaucomatous visual field loss.

This study examined whether one can differentiate between areas of known visual field loss and areas of known relative field sparing in eyes with primary open angle glaucoma using motion coherence thresholds. Two visual field locations from patients with primary open angle glaucoma (n = 14), which differed significantly in sensitivity, were selected for presentation of a motion stimulus. In the area of visual field loss mean threshold was 17.4 ± 4.1 dB (1.74 ± 0.41 log units relative to the brightest stimulus). In the area of relative field sparing mean threshold was 27.0 ± 3.6 dB (2.70 ± 0.36 log units). Motion coherence thresholds were significantly poorer for the area of visual field loss compared to the area of relative field sparing (P < 0.0032, two-tailed paired t-test). This result suggests that a perimetric type motion test should be evaluated for early detection of glaucoma. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd
Sleep disordered breathing in a high-risk cohort prevalence and severity across pregnancy.

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) refers to a group of disorders characterized by abnormal respiratory patterns (e.g., apneas, hypopneas) or abnormal gas exchange (e.g., hypoxia) during sleep.1,2 Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common type of SDB, is characterized by airway narrowing during sleep that leads to respiratory disruption, hypoxia, and nocturnal arousals. Pregnancy has been associated with several alterations in sleep and a high incidence of sleep disturbances.3 Many studies have demonstrated that SDB symptoms (snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness) are common in pregnancy and that the prevalence of SDB symptoms increases as pregnancy progresses.3–7 This progression is at least partly related to the weight gain, edema, and hyperemia of pregnancy that lead to upper airway narrowing and increased airway resistance. Women who start off pregnancy over-weight or obese, or who suffer from excessive fluid retention during pregnancy (e.g., preeclampsia) are particularly sensitive to these upper airway changes. SDB has been linked to poor sleep and impaired daytime function, but also to other health outcomes, such as cardiovascular and metabolic disease, in nonpregnant populations.8–14 Recent data also have demonstrated an association between SDB and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes.15–22 In a large retrospective cohort study, Bourjeily et al23 found that snoring, a common symptom of SDB, was associated with gestational hypertension/preeclampsia, even after adjusting for multiple factors, including body mass index (BMI) at delivery (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4–4). In a large retrospective cohort of women with polysomnogram-con-firmed SDB (n = 791), Chen et al16 reported that SDB was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (AOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 2.16–11.26), gestational diabetes (AOR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.07–2.48), and preterm birth (AOR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.77–3.01). Such data underscore the potential importance of SDB to pregnancy outcomes, and the importance of gaining a better understanding of the epidemiology of this disorder in pregnancy. However, most of the research regarding the epidemiology of SDB in pregnancy is retrospective or cross-sectional, and the majority of studies have relied on self-reported symptom assessments. Few investigators have prospectively evaluated SDB across pregnancy using objective measures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of and trends in SDB across pregnancy in a cohort of women at high risk for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes mellitus.
Quantum and nonlinear optics with surface plasmons: dependence of propagation losses on temperature

Using quantum optical techniques to manipulate nanoscale surface plasmons guided along conducting nanostructures can enable an unprecedented level of control over the interaction between light and matter. This field of "quantum plasmonics" enables many applications such as single-photon sources and single-photon transistors and opens up the possibility of creating novel states of light. One potential limitation of plasmonics technology is associated with losses in the conductor, which limit the distance that the surface plasmon excitations can propagate. Here we discuss the potential for improvement by operating plasmonic devices at lower temperature. In particular, we analyze the temperature dependence of a major mechanism for propagation losses, involving absorption of surface plasmons via electron-phonon scattering in the conductor. We find that the ability to "freeze out" this loss mechanism depends highly on the frequency of the surface plasmon modes. In particular, losses at terahertz frequencies can be strongly suppressed, which potentially allows the techniques of quantum plasmonics to be extended to this new regime of operation.
Genetic variation in brainl-glutamate decar☐ylase activity from two inbred strains of mice

Two inbred strains of mice, C57BL/6Bg and DBA/1Bg, were compared for genetic varaition in brain L-glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity. Although no large difference was found between the strains in whole brain GAD activity at adult age (27--45 days postnatally), regional examination revealed a difference in GAD activity in the cerebral cortex (15% higher in DBA); subcellular examination revealed a difference in synaptosomal fraction (21% higher in DBA). When GAD activity was measured in synaptosomal fractions prepared from dissected cerebral cortex, DBA was 34% higher than C57BL. In addition, differences in GAD activity between the two strains could be observed even in the whole brain (10--15% higher in DBA) during earlier development (15--23 days postnatally). These data indicate that at adult age, genetic difference in GAD activity between the two strains exists mainly in nerve terminals of the cerebral cortex. It is postulated that the difference may be due to a genetically mediated mechanism regulating GAD in the presynaptic terminals of GABA neurons of the cerebral cortex.
An exact test of the accuracy of binary classification models based on the probability distribution of the average rank

We propose a new way to evaluate the discriminatory power of models that generate a continuous value as the basis for performing a binary classification task. Our hypothesis test uses the average rank of the k successes in the sample of size n, based on those continuous values. We derive the probability mass function for the average rank from the coefficients of a Gaussian polynomial distribution that results from randomly sampling k distinct positive integers, all n or less. The significance level of the test is found by counting the number of arrangements that produce average ranks more extreme than the one observed. Recursive relationships can be used to calculate the values necessary to compute the p-value. For large values of k and n, for which exact computation might be prohibitive, we present numerical results which indicate that the critical values of the distribution are nearly linear in n for a fixed k and that the coefficients of the linear relationships are nonlinear functions of k and the desired percentile. We develop regression models for those relationships to approximate the number of arrangements in order to make the test practical for large values of k and n.