cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Individual Security in a Stateless Society

In any realistic human society even an anarchist one, at least some individuals will commit aggression against others. The inhabitants of the anarchic society would most likely wish to develop systematic institutions for the provision of security including a collection of protection agencies or security companies whose function would be to protect individuals from aggression against their persons and property and to apprehend aggressors after the fact.1 These agencies, in brief, would serve the function that police serve in governmental systems.
Chromosome studies in polycythemia vera.

Polycythemia vera (PV) represents an apparent monoclonal stem cell proliferation with a frequent transition to full neoplastic behavior. Up to 26% of untreated PV patients can be expected to have some chromosome abnormalities in the marrow at the time of diagnosis, and 10–15% have an abnormal cell line or clone. Both structural and numerical aberrations occur. Aneuploidy is the most common type of chromosome abnormality, however, with hyperdiploid clones occurring more frequently than hypodiploid clones. Chromosomes 1, 8, 9 and 20 are involved in a non-random pattern, and aberrations of all the F group, or at least the No. 20 chromosome seem to be associated to some extent with diseases involving erythroid hyperplasia. Leukemia develops in a certain percentage of patients regardless of the type of treatment they have received, but the relationship, if any, between the chromosome abnormalities and the development of leukemia is still uncertain. The abnormal clones that occur in PV appear to be quite stable and there is no indication at this time that they correlate with a prognosis of leukemic transformation.
Fiber optic test equipment - evaluation of OTDR dead zones and ORLM return loss

This paper discusses methods to evaluate optical time domain reflectormeter (OTDR) and optical return loss meter (ORLM) for field applications. Variable reflectance references for multimode and single mode fibers were built to evaluate the attenuation dead zones of OTDRs. Evaluation of the OTDR attenuation dead zone against a reflectance event of -40 dB with recovery to within 0.5 dB of backscatter reflection is discussed. Methods of measurement related to the IEC 61746 standard are discussed. Optical return loss is another important parameter to determine the quality of a single mode fiber network. A variable reflection standard was built to evaluate ORLM models from three different manufacturers in the range of [10 dB to 45 dB] of return loss with an accuracy of +/-0.5 dB. The standard was verified down to -45 dB return loss within +/-0.5 dB. Testing showed that equipment adapter and fiber connector geometries, fiber contact cleanliness, and skill are also critical to the evaluation. Schematics depict setups are presented. Data collection, data analysis, skills, and difficulties in evaluation process are discussed.
Co-Development of Intravital, Laser-Induced Experimental and Computational Models of Thrombogenesis.

We have developed modified protocols for confocal intravital monitoring of thrombus development in mouse mesenteric vessels following laser-induced injury. By including tetramethyrhodamine-labeled dextran (70,000 mw) in the blood, unlabeled cells (leukocytes and reticulocytes) form black silhouettes where the red fluorescent dye is excluded in the confocal image. In addition, platelets were labeled with rat monoclonal anti-mouse CD41/61 (Emfret Analytics, Germany) mixed with secondary goat anti-rat IgG antibody labeled with Alexa Fluor 488 and human fibrinogen was labeled with Alexa Fluor 350. Thus, high resolution confocal images of the developing thrombus included platelets in green, fibrin in blue, plasma in red and cellular components in black. Near real-time video recordings indicate the importance of flow parameters on the developing clot. In particular, turbulent flow patterns around the developing thrombus contribute to the incorporation of blood cells in the thrombus leading to the development of thrombi with a heterogeneous domain structure. Conceivably, different mechano-elastic properties of the heterogeneous domains might contribute to thrombus instability as the thrombus is subject to varying stresses and strains. In parallel with the modified experimental vascular injury model, we have begun development of a computational model of thrombus development. The modeling framework consists of a stochastic and discrete Cellular Potts Model (CPM) to describe platelet and cellular interactions and continuous submodels to describe hydrodynamic and biochemical reactions. The components of the computational model include the vessel wall, platelets (in resting and activated states), blood cells, coagulation reactions, fibrin formation, and hydrodynamic parameters. By varying input variables (such as flow rate, blood viscosity, coagulant activities) and monitoring properties of the developing thrombus, one can modify and validate the computational model. While our experimental systems enable us to determine essential components required for thrombus development, a validated model could help identify threshold levels of key components involved in thrombogenesis. This may be particularly useful in identifying hemostatic risk factors if these threshold levels are within the normal range found in the human population.
Cell type–specific extracellular matrix guided the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in 3D polymeric scaffolds

The tissue microenvironment has profound effects on tissue-specific regeneration. The 3-dimensional extracellular matrix (ECM) niche influences the linage-specific differentiation of stem cells in tissue. To understand how ECM guides tissue-specific regeneration, we established a series of 3D composite scaffolds containing ECMs derived from different primary cells isolated from a single animal species and assessed their impact on the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Synthetic microfiber scaffolds (fiber mats) were fabricated by electrospinning tyrosine-derived polycarbonates (pDTEC). The bovine primary fibroblasts, chondrocytes and osteoblasts cultured on the fiber mats produced and assembled their ECMs, infiltrating the pores of the fibrous scaffold. The composite scaffolds were decellularized to remove cellular components, preserve ECM and minimally affect polymer integrity. Characterization of the ECMs derived from different primary cells in the composite scaffolds showed overlapping but distinct compositions. The chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs on the different composite scaffolds were compared. Our results showed that ECM derived from chondrocytes cultured in synthetic fiber mats promoted the chondrogenic differentiation of hMSC in the presence or absence of soluble inducing factors. ECM derived from co-culture of osteoblasts and chondrocytes promoted osteogenic differentiation in hMSCs better than ECM derived from chondrocytes. This study demonstrated that decellularized ECMs derived from different cell types formed within synthetic fiber scaffolds guide the tissue-specific differentiation of hMSCs. These composite scaffolds may be developed into models to study the mechanisms of ECM-induced tissue regeneration.
Nurse Practitioner Independent Practice Authority and Mental Health Service Delivery in U.S. Community Health Centers

Objective:Little is known about how nurse practitioner independent practice authority (NP-IPA) influences patient care. This study examined the effect of NP-IPA on patterns of mental health–related visits provided by NPs in U.S. community health centers (CHCs).Methods:State NP regulatory information was linked to National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data on NP- and physician-provided visits (N=61,457) in CHCs from 2006 through 2011. The proportion of NP-provided versus physician-provided mental health–related visits in states with NP-IPA was compared with the proportion in states without NP-IPA. The adjusted odds of mental health–related visits in CHCs provided by NPs in states with and without NP-IPA were compared by using multiple logistic regression models while accounting for the complex survey design.Results:Between 2006 and 2011, the odds of NP- versus physician-provided mental health–related visits in CHCs were more than two times greater in states with NP-IPA than in states with no NP-IPA (adju...
Fatigue analysis of railway wheel using a multiaxial strain-based critical-plane index

A fatigue damage model to assess the development of subsurface fatigue cracks in railway wheels is presented in this paper. A 3-dimensional finite element model (FEM) is constructed to simulate repeated cycles of contact loading between a railway wheel and a rail. The computational approach includes a hard-contact over-closure relationship and an elastoplastic material model with isotropic and kinematic hardening. Results from the simulation are used in a multiaxial critical-plane fatigue damage analysis. The employed strain-based critical-plane fatigue damage approach is based on Fatemi-Socie fatigue index that takes into account the non-proportional and out-of-phase nature of the multiaxial state of stress occurs when a railway wheel rolls on a rail. It predicts fatigue-induced micro-crack nucleation at a depth of about 3.7 mm beneath the wheel tread, as well as the crack plane growth orientation which indicates the possible failure pattern. Additionally, the influence of various factors such as contribution of normal stresses, higher wheel load, and material model have been investigated.
Class A GPCR: Light sensing G protein-coupled receptor – focus on rhodopsin dimer

Rhodopsin is a fundamental molecule of the visual system and a prototypical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) sensitive to light stimulus. Rhodopsin, like other GPCRs, is comprised of seven transmembrane helical domains embedded in the phospholipid bilayer where it responds to a light signal that ultimately results in a neurological response in the brain. It is highly expressed in specialized post mitotic neuronal cells (photoreceptors) in the retina, localized in internal discs called rod outer segments (ROS). Its structure, function and supramolecular organization within the membrane have been in the center of active studies for decades.
The Biology of Limonium carolinianum (Walt.) Britt. (Plumbaginaceae) in Coastal Wetlands

Limonium carolinianum (Walt.) Britt. is a New World humid continental, temperate, subtropical, and tropical maritime taxon. It is a long-lived perennial that is found in wet sand and clay mineral soils. This species is a salt tolerant halophyte where salinity values approach 30 parts per thousand. Reproduction is primarily vegetative. However, seed production is estimated at 1,000 to 10,000 per individual plant. Also known as sea lavender, it has been suggested as a species that can be used for re-vegetation efforts. Inflorescences of this species are often harvested for dried floral arrangements.
Manipulating excited state hyperfine level populations in an atomic laser through electronic spin polarization: controlling upper laser level degeneracy and small Signal Gain.

Anisotropic coherent radiation has been generated from an isotropic medium, in the absence of an external magnetic field, by the spin polarization of an atomic excited state. Lasing on specific hyperfine lines of the 6p2P32→6s2S12 (D2) transition of Cs at 852.1 nm has been realized by photoexciting Cs-rare gas thermal collision pairs with a circularly-polarized (σ+) optical field. Subsequent dissociation of the transient Cs-rare gas B2Σ12+ diatomic molecule selectively populates the F = 4, 5 hyperfine levels of the Cs 6p2P32 state. Not only does electronic spin polarization of the upper laser level yield circularly-polarized coherent emission, but the effective degeneracy (g2) of the 6p2P32 state is altered by the non-statistical hyperfine state population distribution, thereby permitting control of the laser small signal gain with an elliptically-polarized pump optical field. The D2 laser efficiency and output power correlate directly with the molecular orbital structure of the Cs-rare gas B2Σ+ state in the region of internuclear separation at which the diatomic complex is born.
The human MAPT locus generates circular RNAs.

Abstract The microtubule-associated protein Tau, generated by the MAPT gene is involved in dozens of neurodegenerative conditions (“tauopathies”), including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration/frontotemporal dementia (FTLD/FTD). The pre-mRNA of MAPT is well studied and its aberrant pre-mRNA splicing is associated with frontotemporal dementia. Using a PCR screen of RNA from human brain tissues, we found that the MAPT locus generates circular RNAs through a backsplicing mechanism from exon 12 to either exon 10 or 7. MAPT circular RNAs are localized in the cytosol and contain open reading frames encoding Tau protein fragments. The MAPT exon 10 is alternatively spliced and proteins involved in its regulation, such as CLK2, SRSF7/9G8, PP1 (protein phosphatase 1) and NIPP1 (nuclear inhibitor of PP1) reduce the abundance of the circular MAPT exon 12 → 10 backsplice RNA after being transfected into cultured HEK293 cells. In summary, we report the identification of new bona fide human brain RNAs produced from the MAPT locus. These may be a component of normal human brain Tau regulation and, since the circular RNAs could generate high molecular weight proteins with multiple microtubule binding sites, they could contribute to taupathies.
The case for openness in engineering research

In this article, we describe our views on the benefits, and possible downsides, of openness in engineering research. We attempt to examine the issue from multiple perspectives, including reasons and motivations for introducing open practices into an engineering researcher's workflow and the challenges faced by scholars looking to do so. Further, we present our thoughts and reflections on the role that open engineering research can play in defining the purpose and activities of the university. We have made some specific recommendations on how the public university can recommit to and push the boundaries of its role as the creator and promoter of public knowledge. In doing so, the university will further demonstrate its vital role in the continued economic, social, and technological development of society. We have also included some thoughts on how this applies specifically to the field of engineering and how a culture of openness and sharing within the engineering community can help drive societal development.
Extracellular Vesicle Biogenesis in Cancer

Abstract Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent a broad collection of membrane-enclosed sacs released from cells that contain biologically active cargo and cell type–specific and disease type–specific molecular information. Furthermore, EVs have been demonstrated to perpetuate the pathogenesis and progression of disease through manipulation of cells in the surrounding microenvironment. Based on the unique properties of EVs, there is tremendous interest in developing EV-based diagnostic and therapeutic platforms for cancer and many other diseases. However, before the full medical utility of EVs can be reached, a better understanding of mechanisms driving EV biogenesis must be obtained. Here, we will highlight the current understanding of EV biogenesis in the context of cancer, discuss recent advances in the field, and provide evidence for the utility of human tumor viruses in studying EV biogenesis and trafficking.
Diagnosing Psychosomatic Situations

Since Franz Alexander (1950) gave prominence to the Holy Seven Psychosomatic Diseases, the field of psychosomatic medicine has come a long way. While Alexander’s emphasis on essential hypertension, thyrotoxicosis, bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, and neurodermatitis may have been inadvertent, it nevertheless established in the minds of several generations of physicians that these were the psychosomatic diseases, while implying that other diseases were not so or less so. Their designation as diseases in which psychological determinants could be identified implied that they could be treated by psychotherapy. Although there are some studies suggesting that some of these diseases at some stages in some individuals in specific circumstances can be ameliorated if not cured with psychodynamically oriented psychotherapy, there has not been overwhelming success with this approach (Karush, Daniels, O’Connor, et al., 1969). Alexander’s work is perhaps more notable in his identification of other factors involved in the precipitation of disease processes. His emphasis on the occurrence of an environmental event proximal to the disease onset has been an invaluable concept for those of us studying and treating disease. It is a hypothesis that motivates much of the research in psychosomatic medicine and psychiatry today (Holmes & Rahe, 1967; Paykel, Prusoff, & Uhlenhuth, 1971). His further suggestion that the environmental event serving to precipitate disease reevokes latent, unresolved conflicts derived from early infantile childhood experience remains an intriguing hypothesis. The idea that the nature of the conflict has specificity for the specific disease process is more difficult to substantiate. Nevertheless, this suggestion has continued to intrigue researchers over the past quarter century (Engel, 1956; Nemiah & Sifneos, 1964).
Experimental Ocean Acoustic Field Moments Versus Predictions

Results for various moments of a propagating ocean acoustic complex wavefield will be presented from field and numerical experiments. They will be compared with theoretical predictions. It will be shown that the ocean environment must be well understood to achieve substantive agreement between theory and measurement. The comparisons will include complex field correlations, intensity correlations, phase correlations and intensity probability distributions. An attempt will be made to summarize the significance of these results within our current understanding, and to identify areas of research that will extend our understanding of volume scattering.
Supply Chain Management: Interlinking Multiple Research Streams

This chapter represents a view of the evolution of the supply chain literature from a wide range of perspectives including operations management, logistics, purchasing, and information technologies. First, a chronological view of the field is presented. Next, eleven major research streams are summarized.
An Empirical Analysis of Double Round Auctions

This article analyzes auctions that can feature two bidding rounds for the sale of a single good. In the first round, the seller, after analyzing the received bids, may elect to have k bidders rebid. The highest bidder in the second round then acquires the asset at the highest bid price. We use a sample of 67 properties that sold through this auction process. The 40 hotels in this sample are matched to a control group of 157 hotel properties that were sold in the conventional manner in order to develop a hedonic model for “conventional” sale prices. Using this model, we find that the double round auction mechanism increases the seller's expected revenue significantly: Specifically, in our sample, we estimate that the expected value of a double round auction bid is 8.4% higher than the estimated price if the property were sold using traditional methods. In addition, we show that the average bid is not significantly different from the estimated sale price. We further find (controlling for property characteristics) that the average bid increases by 3.7% from the first to the second round.
Descriptive Epidemiology of Childhood Disability Prevalence by Sex in the Mississippi Delta and Appalachian Regions.

BACKGROUND Evidence suggests a rise in childhood disability rates across the United States with males and those with lower socioeconomic status bearing greater burden. We investigated childhood disability rates in the Mississippi Delta (MDR) and Appalachian regions (AR) in comparison to other parts of the country. METHODS Using data from the US Census Bureau, we calculated childhood disability rates by type and sex at national, regional, and subregional levels. We used risk ratios (RR) to compare childhood disability rates by sex, type, and region. We generated choropleth maps to represent the geographic distribution of disability. RESULTS Childhood disability was more prevalent, at the national level, among boys (6.64%) than girls (4.08%). Children in the MDR (boys = 8.60%; girls = 5.08%) and AR (boys = 7.81%; girls = 4.83%) had greater risk of disability than those elsewhere in the country (boys = 6.47%; girls = 3.98%), with rates generally higher in rural compared to urban areas in said regions. CONCLUSIONS Childhood disability affects rural areas of the country more extensively, with the MDR and AR affected to an even greater extent. School-based health centers, in particular, which are disproportionately located in urban areas, could benefit disabled children living in the MDR and AR.
Developmental cascades from child maltreatment to negative friend and romantic interactions in emerging adulthood

Maltreatment during childhood is associated with difficult interpersonal relationships throughout the life course. The aim of the current study was to investigate differential pathways from child maltreatment to emerging adult relationship dysfunction. Specifically, we prospectively tested whether child maltreatment initiates a developmental cascade resulting in coercive negative romantic and friend interactions in emerging adulthood via childhood antisocial tendencies and via childhood relational aggression. Utilizing a longitudinal sample of emerging adult participants (N = 392; mean age = 20 years old) who took part in a summer research camp program as children (mean age = 11 years old), results supported pathways via both childhood antisocial behavior and childhood relational aggression. We found specificity within these pathways such that childhood antisocial behavior was a mediator of child maltreatment effects on emerging adult negative romantic interactions, whereas childhood relational aggression was a mediator of child maltreatment effects on emerging adult negative friend interactions. Taken together, results indicate that children exposed to maltreatment face significant interpersonal challenges in emerging adulthood, within both the friend and the romantic domains, and point to distinct childhood pathways to these negative interactions. Our findings are consistent with Dishion's (2016) theoretical framework for understanding the development of coercion in relationships and highlight the criticality of early intervention with maltreating families.
Incidence of seizure exacerbation and injury related to football participation in people with epilepsy.

Abstract Introduction There is scant evidence to quantify the risk of contact sports such as football to patients with epilepsy. This retrospective review was performed to evaluate the incidence of injuries or seizure exacerbation related to football participation in patients with epilepsy. Methods Between the years 1994 and 2004, 157,709 consecutive clinic notes were searched for mention of “football” and “epilepsy” or “seizure”. Resulting notes were reviewed to quantify the number of seizure exacerbations and the number of injuries in this cohort. Results Seven of 44 subjects with epilepsy (15.9%) experienced injury while playing football. Four of 32 (12.5%) patients experienced seizure exacerbation during a time when they were concurrently participating in football though 3 of these patients stopped taking or were weaned off of their antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). One in 32 patients with epilepsy (3.1%) had an exacerbation of seizures while playing football and consistently taking AEDs. Conclusion The risk of injury and seizure exacerbation due to participation in football for patients with epilepsy is low. Clinicians should use their best judgment in deciding whether contact sports increase risks for a particular patient based on individual seizure frequency, concurrent neurological and medical issues, and medication adverse effects.
EFFECTS OF CLOSED LOOP STIMULATION VERSUS ACCELEROMETER RATE-ADAPTIVE PACING ON EXERCISE CAPACITY AND SUBJECTIVE SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONOTROPIC INCOMPETENCE AND HFREF IMPLANTED WITH CRT: THE CLASS TRIAL

The effects of closed loop stimulation (CLS) on functional capacity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and chronotropic incompetence (CI) implanted with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is unknown. A randomized, blinded, cross-over designed trial enrolled
Seasonal variability in public searches of keratosis pilaris: How the internet can illuminate a pattern in public interest.

In this study, we examine keratosis pilaris search patterns using Google Trends to determine any seasonality. Monthly searches were collected from January 2004 to January 2020 using "keratosis pilaris" as the search term in the Google Trends database. The US search data were compared to monthly temperatures and tested for correlation. Worldwide search interest was also acquired and, along with the US data, a two-model analysis was performed to determine any seasonal patterns. Peaks in search interest closely overlapped with higher temperatures in the United States and showed correlation (.44; P < .0001). The US and worldwide search interest also exhibited seasonality, which was confirmed with a sinusoidal regression being the best-fit model (R2 = .867 and .895). These results show higher search volume during warmer months in the United States and a clear cyclical pattern in searches worldwide and in the United States. Examination of these trends could elucidate peaks that health care providers may not have been aware of yielding improved resource allocation and preparedness for larger volume periods. This information in conjunction with clinical data could also shed more light in the future on potential peak seasons of incidence and prevalence.
Do Judge-Lawyer Relationships Influence Case Outcomes?

We examine whether law school alumni relationships between the lawyers and judges affect case outcomes. We show that in the context of medical malpractice lawsuits in Florida, the plaintiff lawyer sharing the same law school as the judge increases the chances of recovery by 2%. Furthermore, the effect is confined to younger lawyers who see a 4% increase in the likelihood of recovery from having been to the same law school as the judge, and is absent in older lawyers. We interpret our results as evidence that lawyers gain school-specific human capital from their law schools which helps in their interactions with judges that graduated from the same school, and that this school-specific human capital become less important further on in the lawyers' careers.
Aprendizaje de idiomas y liderazgo: empoderamiento de los estudiantes

This article presents and analyzes two pedagogical experiences that incorporate leadership development in the world language classroom. In the context on the one hand, of low enrollment in language classes, and the increase of Spanish heritage speakers on the other, one way that language instructors attract learners is by incorporating skills transferrable to the real world and the job market. Leadership is one such valuable skill for all students. It fosters civility, mutual understanding, intercultural communication, and good global citizenship. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) map for foreign language education names “leadership and responsibility” as critical skills for the future. Drawing from this ACTFL document, this article proposes an interdisciplinary approach to teaching language and leadership practices that will help language learners stay engaged with the community and with their peers while learning and teaching Spanish.
COMPLEMENTS OR CONFLICTS: R&D AND LEAN INNOVATION APPROACHES

The purpose of this research is to explore the relationship between research and development (R&D)-funded innovation efforts and operational-level lean improvement efforts through the lens of the R...
A Vertical Federated Learning Method For Multi-Institutional Credit Scoring: MICS

As more and more companies store their customers' data; various information of a person is distributed among numerous companies' databases. Different industrial sectors carry distinct features about the same customers. Also, different companies within the same industrial sector carry similar kinds of data about the customers with different data representations. Cooperation between companies from different industrial sectors, called vertical cooperation, and between the companies within the same sector, called horizontal cooperation, can lead to more accurate machine learning models and better estimations in tasks such as credit scoring. However, data privacy regulations and compatibility issues for different data representations are huge obstacles to cooperative model training. By proposing the training framework MICS and experimentation on several numerical data sets, we showed that companies would have an incentive to cooperate with other companies from their sector and with other industrial sectors to jointly train more robust and accurate global models without explicitly sharing their customers' private data.
Numerical Modelling of Electrically Enhanced Fibrous Filtration

Numerical solutions of the flow through a model fibrous filter are used to study electrically enhanced filtration. It is shown that numerical modelling, or simulation, has advantages over both the analytical and the experimental approach. Particle trajectories are presented, and filter efficiencies are predicted and compared to experimental data. The dendritic structure of the particle deposit is also investigated. Differences in dendrite structure seen in the laboratory between enhanced and non-enhanced collection are also simulated.
A Comparison of Quantitative and Qualitative Hedge Funds

In the last 20 years, the amount of assets managed by quantitative and qualitative hedge funds have grown dramatically. We examine the difference between quantitative and qualitative hedge funds in a variety of ways, including management differences and performance differences. We find that both quantitative and qualitative hedge funds have positive risk-adjusted returns. We also find that overall, quantitative hedge funds as a group have higher alphas than qualitative hedge funds. The outperformance might be as high as 72 bps per year when considering all risk factors. We also suggest that this additional performance may be due to better timing ability.
A Brief Negotiating History of Customs Valuation in the Gatt and WTO

The subject of customs valuation serves as a useful reminder that WTO Members’ efforts to implement meaningful ad valorem duty commitments are only fully effective alongside a universally accepted and ironclad customs valuation agreement. Ad valorem tariffs entail placing a value on an imported good and then taxing said good at a percentage of that value. Therefore, if the value of the good were to vary, whether in the eyes of the exporter or the customs official, the amount of duty paid at the border would vary accordingly. As one can easily imagine, the process of valuing an imported good, if left entirely to the discretion of the levying authority, can and has permitted it to be used as an instrument of protectionism because, obviously, valuing an imported good at an artificially high price results in an artificially high tariff to be paid by the importer.
Russian wheat aphid-induced protein alterations in spring wheat

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), has become a perennial, serious pest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the western United States. Current methodologies used to enhance RWA resistance in wheat germplasm could benefit from an understanding of the biochemical mechanisms underlying resistance to RWA. This study was initiated to identify specific polypeptides induced by RWA feeding that may be associated with RWA resistance. The effects of RWA feeding on PI 140207 (a RWA-resistant spring wheat) and Pavon (a RWA-susceptible spring wheat) were examined by visualizing, silver-stained denatured leaf proteins separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Comparisons of protein profiles of noninfested and RWA-infested Pavon and PI 140207 revealed a 24-kilodalton-protein complex selectively inhibited in Pavon that persisted in PI 140207during RWA attack. No other significant qualitative or quantitative differences were detected in RWA-induced alterations of protein profiles. These results suggest that RWA feeding selectively inhibit synthesis and accumulation of proteins necessary for normal metabolic functions in susceptible plants.
Commentary on the Reaction Panel in Response to the Keynote Lecture presented by Dr. Jonathan Shay titled The Trials of Homecoming: Odysseus Returns from Iraq/Afghanistan

The keynote talk on Friday, June 27, 2008, was delivered by Jonathan Shay, M.D., Ph.D., psychiatrist, staff psychiatrist (1987–2008) Department of Veterans Affairs, Outpatient Clinic, Boston, MA; 2...
Particle size analysis by image analysis

This chapter discusses various methods of image analysis for particle size analysis. As microscopy is the only method in which the individual particles are observed and measured, it is often used as an absolute method of particle size analysis. Some of the methods discussed are optical microscopy, measurement of plane sections through packed beds, experimental techniques, determination of particle size distribution by number, quantitative image analysis, electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Optical microscopy is often used for the examination of particles from about 3 μm to 150 μm in size, although a lower limit of 0.8 μm is often quoted. The most severe limitation of optical transmission microscopy is its small depth of focus. When the size distribution of particles embedded in a continuous solid phase is required, the general approach is to deduce the distribution from the size of particle cross-section in a plane cut through the particle bed. Manual methods of obtaining data from images are slow and tedious and this can give rise to considerable error. The introduction of fully automated image analysis systems has virtually eliminated manual methods and supplanted semi-automatic systems. All image analysis systems use scanning techniques for converting images into electrical signals that are processed to yield data on the images.
Biochemical properties of trypanosomatid lactate dehydrogenases.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, E.C.1.1.1.27) was found in supernatant (cytoplasmic enzyme) fractions of the trypanosomatid flagellates Trypanosoma conorhini and Crithidia fasciculata if 10 mm cysteine was present in the homogenizing medium. The T. conorhini LDH activity with pyruvate as substrate was increased 35% if 5 mm cysteine was also included in reaction mixtures. K(m) values for the T. conorhini enzyme were 3.3 x 10(-4)m with pyruvate, and 1.6 x 10(-4)m with alpha-ketobutyrate. Cysteine inhibited alpha-ketobutyrate reduction. Comparison of trypanosomatid and human serum LDH enzymes with respect to K(m), substrate activity and inhibition, pH optima, and K(i) values for oxalate and oxamate indicated that the trypanosomatid isoenzymes differed significantly from serum LDH. C. fasciculata LDH was extremely labile, since 59% of the activity was lost 90 min after isolation. The role of LDH enzymes in trypanosomatid metabolism is discussed, and the results are related to other trypanosomatid LDH enzymes. The comparison of homologous enzymes in host and parasite is discussed with regard to metabolic function and a possible model system for chemotherapy.
Handwriting Without Tears—A Short-Term Intervention for Children Living in a Homeless Shelter

A quantitative investigation was conducted to identify handwriting deficits in first and second grade children living in a homeless shelter and to determine the potential change that can be produced using a short term handwriting intervention. A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design was used to assess baseline and post intervention handwriting skills with the standardized Minnesota Handwriting Assessment. The Handwriting Without Tears program was implemented for 12 sessions with a duration of approximately 15 minutes per session. The results of this study indicated that a high percentage of homeless children would benefit from handwriting intervention. The 15 students who did complete the program demonstrated improved handwriting skills. Handwriting skills contribute to academic performance and participation in educational occupations. Improving handwriting skills in homeless children can support their participation in the school arena.
Partitioning of mercury in aqueous biphasic systems and on ABEC^ resins

Poly(ethylene glycol)-based aqueous biphasic systems (PEG-ABS) can be utilized to separate and recover metal ions in environmental and hydrometallurgical applications. A concurrent study was conducted comparing the partitioning of mercury between aqueous layers in an ABS [Me-PEG-5000/(NH4)2SO4] and partitioning of mercury from aqueous solutions to aqueous biphasic extraction chromatographic (ABEC-5000) resins. In ammonium sulfate solutions, mercury partitions to the salt-rich phase in ABS, but by using halide ion extractants, mercury will partition to the PEG-rich phase after formation of a chloro, bromo or iodo complex. The efficacy of the extractant increases in the order Cl- <Br- <I-. This behavior is also observed using the ABEC resins where halo complexes of mercury will adsorb to the resin from (NH4)2SO4 solutions with retention following the same order. The onset of mercury extraction or adsorption is different for the three extractants, occurring at the lowest extractant concentration for I-, followed by Br-, and then Cl-. Fluoride does not extract mercury. Extraction or adsorption of mercury is improved at the lowest halide concentrations in the presence of sulfuric acid. The addition of sulfuric acid to (NH4)2SO4 solution results in ABEC retention of mercury even in the absence of halide extractant.
FUNCTIONAL STATUS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Exertional dyspnea often causes patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to unconsciously reduce their activities of daily living (ADLs) to reduce the intensity of their distress. The reduction in ADLs leads to deconditioning which, in turn, further increases dyspnea. Both dyspnea and fatigue are important factors affecting health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The functional status of patients relates to how well they perform ADLs. Activities, however, may not be severely limited until the disease becomes advanced. The elimination of an ADL depends on the necessity or desirability of that activity and the intensity of the associated symptoms. HRQOL is measured using symptoms, functional status, and a rating of their impact on the individual. The Pulmonary Functional Status Scale (PFSS) and the Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire (PFSDQ) are 2 COPD-specific functional status questionnaires. Pedometers or accelerometers can quantify the levels of activity of patients with COPD. HRQOL is measured with validated multidimensional questionnaires that cover symptoms, physical, psychological, and social domains. Ideally, these instruments are discriminative (i.e., separate degrees of impairment) and evaluative (i.e., detect small changes after therapy). HRQOL questionnaires may be generic (e.g., Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 [SF-36]) and can measure favorable changes after intervention, such as pulmonary rehabilitation, or they can be disease specific with disease-related domains, e.g., Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ) with domains of dyspnea, fatigue, emotion, and mastery; and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) with domains of symptoms, activity, and psychosocial impact. A case is presented that depicts how these tools may be used to evaluate improvement with intervention in a patient with COPD.
The Fromm-Marcuse debate revisited

The interpretation of Erich FROMM's work by Herbert Marcuse as essentially conformist in nature is challenged; it is claimed that this view distorts the general tenor and specific content of FROMM's writings. FROMM's rejection of Sigmund Freud's libido theory does not indicate a transition from radical to conformist theories. Instead, it is argued that he developed a consistently critical social psychology, even after rejecting libido theory. FROMM's Marxist social psychology is analyzed, as is Marcuse's critique. Because of Marcuse's criticism, FROMM came to be regarded as a conformist thinker; and Russell Jacoby adopted essentially the same position. In conclusion, it is acknowledged there is some validity to the Marcuse-Jacoby criticism of FROMM's work, but rejecting FROMM as a socially critical thinker is not justified.
Molecular orientation evolution and solvent evaporation during electrospinning of atactic polystyrene using real-time Raman spectroscopy.

Real-time Raman spectroscopy was successfully utilized to monitor solvent evaporation and molecular orientation during electrospinning of atactic polystyrene (a-PS). The use of a binary solvent system of N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) provided a stable, straight jet during the experiment. The prominent Raman bands centered at 866 cm–1, 914 cm–1, and 1004 cm–1, unique to DMF, THF, and a-PS, respectively, were used to monitor solvent concentration changes along the electrospinning jet for two different a-PS solutions. In addition, the changes in relative intensity for the radial skeletal ring vibration of the aromatic group of a-PS at 623 cm–1 in two different polarization geometries, ZZ and YY, were monitored for orientation information. This study reports the first quantitative vibrational spectroscopic measurement during the electrospinning process. A significant change in concentration and orientation was observed during the process. The changes are explained in relation to the electrospinning process.
Introduced species in seagrass ecosystems: Status and concerns

A literature review revealed that at least 56 non-native species, primarily invertebrates and seaweeds, have been introduced to seagrass beds, largely through shipping/boating activities and aquaculture. Four seagrass species also have been introduced. The introductions of the seaweeds Caulerpa taxifolia, C. racemosa v. cylindracea, Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides, Sargassum muticum, the Asian mussel, Musculista senhousia, and the seagrass, Zostera japonica, are the best-known examples in seagrass beds. The ecological effects on seagrasses and associated communities have been examined for slightly less than half of the introduced species, which have predominantly negative effects. There is a paucity of experimental data for ecological effects, particularly for seagrass community structure and function. The exception to this finding is the introduction of the seagrass Z. japonica with oyster aquaculture to native eelgrass beds on the Pacific coasts of Canada and the USA. Recent experiments in several different seagrass ecosystems confirmed that disturbance contributes to the invasibility of seagrass beds. More definitive studies are required to elucidate the relative effects of nutrient pollution and introduced species in causing seagrass decline, particularly where reduced herbivory and boating activity also covary. Seagrass beds often are subject to multiple introduced species, but their cumulative effect has been virtually unstudied. The potential for compounded negative effects merits serious attention. Heightened attention to the issue of introduced species in seagrass beds is called for given the evidence that introduced species can contribute to seagrass decline, to biodiversity changes that could affect seagrass ecosystem functions, and that they can compromise seagrass restoration. Comprehensive surveys in seagrass beds, complemented by more stringent experimental and mensurative sampling designs, are needed. In the interim, conserving seagrass density and bed size can offer resistance to introduced species. Managing to prevent the introductions, including restricting transplantations of non-native biota during seagrass restorations, is likely to bear positive benefits for seagrass ecosystems.
Enron, Arthur Andersen and the Catholic Church: are these symptoms of a more chronic problem?

Humanity is facing some serious and troubling questions that need to be addressed and reflected on by concerned politicians, thinkers, and general public alike most urgently if we are to survive as a species. Terrorism is on the rise in an unprecedented fashion. Unimaginable crimes have been committed by church leaders. Some Muslim clerics have contributed to unprecedented fanaticism of the masses of their followers. Huge corporations such as Enron have overstated their income by millions and even billions of dollars in order to obtain easy bonuses for a few executives at the expense of their employees, their stockholders, and the general public. Politicians have abused the trust of the voters by accepting huge contributions from corrupt corporations. Humanity is in urgent need of finding solutions to some chronic and unsettling problems more than ever before.
Spiromustine analogues. Relationships between structure, plasma stability, and antitumor activity

Spiromustine is a hydantoin-containing nitrogen mustard currently in Phase I clinical trial. Since the in vitro plasma half-life of this compound (6.4 min, 37°C, pH 7.4) appeared to be influenced by the hydantoin ring, analogues containing 2–5 methylene spacer groups between this ring and the nitrogen mustard moiety were prepared and evaluated for hydrolytic stability and antitumor activity. Stability correlated with structure and pKa values. The proximity of the hydantoin ring to the mustard function was a stabilizing factor. Activity against murine P-388 leukemia was demonstrated and a gradual decrease in this activity was observed as the hydrolytic instability increased. A relationship between analogue structure and a mass spectral rearrangement ion was identified.
PV plant intermittency mitigation using constant DC voltage PV and EV battery storage

The increasing presence of photovoltaic(PV) renewable power generation and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) in national infrastructure leaves utilities, PV-inverter and battery charger manufacturers searching for means to mitigate destabilizing effects of renewable intermittency and battery charging loads on traditional utility grids. Small amounts of battery storage can be interfaced to the PV-inverter system's dc-link to effectively reduce the fast transient changes in PV output power, enabling a greater presence of grid-interactive PV generation and providing means of alleviating the grid from growing demands of battery charging loads.