cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Forced Migration: Local Conflicts and International Dilemmas

Abstract Current patterns and trends in forced migration are increasingly a result of ethnic conflict, inequitable access to natural resources, declining living conditions, and chronic and pervasive human rights abuses. As a result of these overlapping causal factors and an international trend towards tighter immigration and asylum policies, many of those who have been forcibly uprooted, particularly those who remain within their country, are without adequate protection and assistance. This paper argues that legalistic distinctions between “economic migrants” and “political refugees” impedes multilateral efforts to prevent an increase in all types of forced migration. Such efforts must focus on underlying conditions that prompt political and socieoeconomic instability.
Preferences for accepting prescribed community-based, psychosocial, and in-home services by older adults.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to describe the preferences of minority and non-Hispanic White homebound older adults aged 60 and over for making decisions to accept and arrange community-based, psychosocial, and in-home services prescribed by Home Health clinical social workers (N = 249). Overall, prescribed community-based, psychosocial, and in-home service referrals were accepted by participants. In-home supportive services, Short- and Long-Term Case Management, and Psychiatric Nurse were the most frequently arranged services by clinical social workers. Resistance by both minority and non-Hispanic Whites to the arrangement of services was evident for several other services. Social workers, case managers, and other professionals involved in the arrangement and planning of services for similar older adults can use the results to gain an understanding of both the specialized services prescribed by clinical social workers to functionally dependent older adults and the decisions older adults make to ...
Extending surfaces for reverse engineering solid model generation

This paper is concerned with the generation of solid model representations from digitized point data. Parametric spline surfaces are used for representing the faces fitted to the data points. These surfaces need to be extended beyond their initial definition for constructing the B-rep model of the object. An approach based on using the tangent vectors at the edges is employed to extend the surfaces. An error analysis that calculates the amount of error incurred for a fixed extension and the amount of allowable extension for a given error is presented. The extension algorithm is then illustrated with some examples. The approach works for single-patch surfaces only and additional work is needed for multi-patch surfaces. The results presented will enhance the capabilities of modelers that reconstruct solid models from measured point data.
High time resolution characteristics of intermediate ion distributions upstream of the earth's bow shock

High time resolution particle data upstream of the bow shock during time intervals that have been identified as having intermediate ion distributions often show high amplitude oscillations in the ion fluxes of energy 2 and 6 keV. These ion oscillations, observed with the particle instruments of the University of California, Berkeley, on the ISEE 1 and 2 spacecraft, are at the same frequency (about 0.04 Hz) as the magnetic field oscillations. Typically, the 6-keV ion flux increases then the 2-keV flux increases followed by a decrease in the 2-keV flux and then the 6-keV flux decreases. This process repeats many times. Although there is no entirely satisfactory explanation, the presence of these ion flux oscillations suggests that distributions often are misidentified as intermediate ion distributions.
What Influences Public Support of Transitional Housing Facilities for Offenders During Reentry

Transitional housing facilities for released prison inmates have existed in the United States since the early 1800s and are a promising strategy to aid offender reintegration. One recurring obstacle to the successful implementation and sustainability of these facilities is public resistance. Unfortunately, very little is known regarding what influences public support or opposition specifically for offender-based transitional housing. The current study examines how support for transitional housing centers may vary among residents of a Midwestern state based on the proximity of the facility and the types of offenders living there. The study also examines a range of possible influences on support, including community factors, family-related considerations, correctional and political views, and demographic variables. The most consistent influence on acceptance of transitional housing centers was general support for helping offenders during reentry. Other variables with more limited effects were an emphasis on...
Enzyme Function Discovery

The search for an effective method for accurate, automated enzyme-functional annotation of protein sequences of unknown function is, in the minds of many, a Grail quest. Computational chemists, structural biologists, and mechanistic enzymologists now have teamed together to formulate an integrated, stepwise approach to enzyme function annotation (Kalyanaraman et al., 2008).
A global survey of hydrogen energy research, development and policy

Several factors have led to growing interest in a hydrogen energy economy, especially for transportation. A successful transition to a major role for hydrogen will require much greater cost-effectiveness, fueling infrastructure, consumer acceptance, and a strategy for its basis in renewable energy feedstocks. Despite modest attention to the need for a sustainable hydrogen energy system in several countries, in most cases in the short to mid term hydrogen will be produced from fossil fuels. This paper surveys the global status of hydrogen energy research and development (R&D) and public policy, along with the likely energy mix for making it. The current state of hydrogen energy R&D among auto, energy and fuel-cell companies is also briefly reviewed. Just two major auto companies and two nations have specific targets and timetables for hydrogen fuel cells or vehicle production, although the EU also has an aggressive, less specific strategy. Iceland and Brazil are the only nations where renewable energy feedstocks are envisioned as the major or sole future source of hydrogen. None of these plans, however, are very certain. Thus, serious questions about the sustainability of a hydrogen economy can be raised.
A note on bargaining and inflation

Abstract The purpose of this note is to illustrate how the impact of anticipated inflation on relative prices is a straightforward implication of a well-known model of exchange: Rubinstein game of non-cooperative bargaining between completely informed traders. The game owes its interest to the very nature of the inflationary process: since the economy's nominal values progressively increase, the buyer is faced with the future competition of ‘younger’ buyers, who will hold larger amounts of nominal balances. These future, richer customers provide the seller with an outside option that alters in his favor the equilibrium of the game: the relative price of the good rises with inflation.
Convergence in International Unionism, etc. The Case of Canada and the USA

Industrial relations systems differ across countries, yet their outputs converge. Canada and the USA are a striking example. Over the past two decades, private and public membership and density, employer opposition, and bargaining have converged. These findings contradict the conventional wisdom and invalidate the recommendation that the USA emulate Canadian policy.
Nasal Colonization and Lower Respiratory Tract Infections with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a cause of lower respiratory tract infections, particularly health care- and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Although many health systems use nasal screening for this microorganism for infection control, correlation between nasal carriage of the organism and development of infections due to it is not clear. Methods Records of patients admitted to medical intensive care between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2012, were reviewed retrospectively. Patients' data were included if the patients were 18 years or older, satisfied clinical criteria for pneumonia, and had both nasal swabbing and culturing of respiratory specimens within 24 hours of admission. Results A total of 165 patients met the inclusion criteria. Most had either community-acquired or health care-associated pneumonia. Of the 28 patients with a nasal swab positive for methicillin-resistant S aureus, 8 (4.8%) also had respiratory tract cultures positive for the microorganism. Among the 165 patients, 2 (1.2%) had negative nasal swabs but positive respiratory cultures. Sensitivity and specificity of nasal colonization with methicillin-resistant S aureus for subsequent infection with the pathogen were 80% and 87.1%, respectively; positive and negative predictive values were 28.6% and 98.5%, respectively. Conclusions Nasal screening for methicillin-resistant S aureus may be a valuable tool for de-escalation of empiric therapy targeted to the organism, especially in patients admitted for severe community-acquired or health care-associated pneumonia. The high negative predictive value suggests that patients with a negative nasal swab most likely do not have a lower respiratory tract infection caused by the organism.
Specificity of T and B cell responses to bovine rhodopsin in Lewis rats.

Abstract Rhodopsin, an integral membrane protein of rod photoreceptor cells, induces an experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) when injected into Lewis rats. This disease is characterized by a mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cellular infiltrate of the retina resulting in destruction of the photoreceptor cells. In this study the B and T cell specificities of the response to bovine rhodopsin by Lewis rats were determined. Antibodies induced by injection of rhodopsin were directed almost exclusively to the IV–V loop (residues 174–202). Later in the response, antibody to the N-terminus was also detected. At the T cell level, most activity was directed to the C-terminus as measured by in vitro lymphocyte proliferation. Other minor T cell epitopes were found in the II–III (96–114) and IV–V (174–202) loops. Further dissection of the amino acid sequence responsible for the activity isolated to the C-terminus indicated that a 12-amino acid-long sequence (331–342) elicited the strongest proliferative response.
Fluorometric assays for succinyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA in mitochondrial extracts.

Abstract Fluorometric assay procedures are described for the quantitative measurements of succinyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA down to concentrations of 0.1 μ m in the reaction mixture. The enzymatic assay for succinyl-CoA couples the reaction of 3-ketoacid CoA transferase (succinyl-CoA transferase) to β-OH butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase. A simple purification procedure is described for the isolation of succinyl-CoA transferase from beef heart. Two enzyme assays for propionyl-CoA are described. In the first, CoA, acetyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA are assayed by sequential addition of α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase and phosphotransacetylase. The second assay for propionyl-CoA utilized propionyl-CoA carboxylase to convert propionyl-CoA to methylmalonyl-CoA in the presence of ATP and bicarbonate, and the ADP formed was assayed by coupling pyruvate kinase with lactate dehydrogenase. Illustrations are given for the application of these assay procedures to measurements of succinyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA in neutralized perchloric acid extracts prepared from rat heart and liver mitochondria incubated under a variety of conditions.
Efficiency of Infective Propagules of Rhizoctonio solani in reducing Vigour of Strawberry Plants

WE have found that the number of strawberry plants produced by the end of the season is inversely related to the number of mycelial fragments of Rhizoctonia solani adhering to small roots of strawberries at mid-season.
Treatment disparities following the diagnosis of an astrocytoma.

Post-operative radiation and chemotherapy following diagnosis of astrocytoma are standard care. No research has examined racial or insurance-based disparities in treatment receipt. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether African Americans and patients with dual eligibility in Medicare and Medicaid (DE), compared to Caucasians and patients with Medicare alone, experienced differences in (1) seeing a radiation oncologist, (2) receiving radiation or chemotherapy, and (3) overall survival. Using a retrospective descriptive design, statewide Medicaid and Medicare data were merged with the Michigan Tumor Registry to extract a sample of patients (n = 604) ≥65 years old with a first primary astrocytoma diagnosis in Michigan between 1996 and 2000. There were no racial or insurance-based differences in reporting a claim for a radiation oncologist. Controlling for age, income, surgical intervention, residence population, comorbidities, gender, and stage, African Americans were less likely to report radiation claims than Caucasians (OR = 0.20; 95% CI = 0.07–0.54). DE patients were less likely to report radiation claims (OR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.26–0.94) than those with Medicare only. These differences were not seen with chemotherapy. When only those with a glioblastoma multiforme were examined, DE patients (OR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.24–0.92) and African Americans (OR = 0.13; 95% CI = 0.04–0.44) were much less likely to report radiation claims. Race and insurance status did not significantly affect survival, although income did. Data suggest disparities in race and insurance status may exist in receiving standard of care for astrocytomas. Further research is warranted to replicate the data and determine potential sources for these disparities.
Generation of a pseudo-random set with desired correlation and probability distribution

Pseudo-random sequences can be computed to approximate a distribution or a sample correlation function. How ever, conventional techniques do not allow the control of both distribution and correlati...
Mega thinking and planning: An introduction to defining and delivering individual and organizational success

All organizations are means to societal ends, and thus Mega thinking and planning starts with a primary focus on adding value for all stakeholders, including our shared society. It is pragmatic, realistic, practical, and ethical. Defining and achieving continual organizational success is possible. It relies on three basic elements: (1) a societal value-added “frame of mind” (your perspective and commitment about your organization, people, and our shared world), (2) shared determination and agreement on where to head and why (everyone who can or might be affected by the shared objectives must agree on purposes and results criteria), and (3) pragmatic and basic tools. The article presents the basic concepts for thinking and planning Mega to define and deliver value to internal and external partners, defining and delivering individual and organizational success.
Statewide evaluation of local wellness policies in Georgia: an examination of policy compliance, policy strength, and associated factors.

Abstract Objective To analyze relationships between demographic characteristics of Georgia school systems and: (1) compliance with the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act (CNRA); and (2) strength of wellness policy goals in nutrition, physical activity, and other school-based activities. Design Each local school district submitted their school-board–approved wellness policy to researchers. Each policy was reviewed and coded for compliance with CNRA and evaluated on the strength of its goals. Setting Public school districts. Participants One hundred seventy-six of 180 Georgia public school systems participated. Main Outcome Measures Independent variables were demographic characteristics of Georgia school systems. Dependent variables were ratings from the policy evaluation instrument, grouped into composite indices to compare the strength (ie, ratings) of wellness policy goals. Analysis Pearson correlation, cross-tabulation. Results Significant positive associations were found between academic performance and: strength of overall wellness policy goals ( P P P P Conclusions and Implications Districts with stronger academic performance had more comprehensive overall wellness policy goals and stronger goals in nutrition education and other school-based activities.
Oral and Dental Phenotype of Dyskeratosis Congenita

Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome that is characterized by lacey reticular hyperpigmentation of the skin, dystrophic nails, mucous membrane leukoplakia and pancytopenia. Diagnosis may be delayed until clinical signs are apparent. Severe pancytopenia frequently causes early mortality of DC patients, who have an increased risk of developing oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Several case reports have described oral changes in DC, which include oral leukoplakia, increased dental caries, hypodontia, thin enamel structure, aggressive periodontitis, intraoral brown pigmentation, tooth loss, taurodontism and blunted roots. We determined the prevalence of these previously reported findings in a cohort of 17 patients with DC and 23 family members. The most common oral changes in DC patients were oral leukoplakia (65% of the entire DC population), decreased root/crown ratio (75% with sufficient tooth development) and mild taurodontism (57% with sufficient tooth development). From the clinical perspective, a diagnosis of DC or other inherited bone marrow failure syndrome should be considered in young persons with oral leukoplakia, particularly those with no history of smoking. Multiple permanent teeth with decreased root/crown ratios further suggest DC.
The War in Chechnya The Chaotic Mode of Domination, Violence and Bare Life in the Post-Soviet Context

This article argues that the post-Soviet form of sovereignty is chaotic in two senses: (1) its operations are not predicated on, constrained by or accountable to any formal rules, and (2) this form of sovereignty is a post-hegemonic one. In the absence of law and hegemony, relations of power are negotiated through the use of force, money and contacts, with force having the final say. Sovereignty, which is in the shifting balance of networks of power, becomes arbitrary and coercive. In the absence of a hegemonic system, spectacles have become the second axis of sovereignty. The article argues that the Chechen war is a significant example of such a spectacle and that it has played a crucial role in the constitution and transformation of post-Soviet sovereignty in Russia.
Sex-role Associations of Music Instruments and Occupations by Gender and Major:

Undergraduate music majors and nonmajors rated the names of 17 music instruments and two related occupations on a scale from most feminine to most masculine. The harp, flute, and piccolo had high f...
Clinical depression in African American women: Diagnoses, treatment, and research

Although there is some debate about the relative prevalence rates of depression in African Americans compared to Whites, there is little debate among investigators that there is a shortage of research data on depression in African Americans generally, and more specifically on African American women. Lack of adequate and sufficient research on African Americans contributes to the problems of misdiagnoses, under-diagnoses, and undertreatment of depression in African Americans, generally, and more specifically, African American women, the focus of this special section. African American women are understudied, underserved, and misdiagnosed as a group. A paucity of studies on depression in African American women has existed for decades. This special series of papers will highlight the existing problem of depression in African American women with a focus on diagnostic, treatment, and research issues.
Insulin and glucagon degradation by the kidney I. Subcellular distribution under different assay conditions

Abstract Insulin and glucagon degradation by rat kidney homogenates and subcellular fractions was examined under a variety of conditions including high and low substrate concentrations, at pH 4 and pH 7, with and without glutathione. At high insulin concentration (4.1 · 10 −5 M) insulin degradation by the homogenate was greatest at pH 4 but at low insulin concentration (1 · 10 −10 M) insulin degradation was greatest at pH 7. At either high or low glucagon concentration glucagon degradation by the homogenate was greatest at pH 7. Glutathione at pH 7 stimulated insulin degradation at high insulin concentrations and inhibited insulin degradation at low concentrations. Glucagon degradation at pH 7 was inhibited at both high and low concentrations of glucagon by glutathione. Separation of kidney into cortex and medulla prior to homogenation produced a pattern of insulin and glucagon degradation identical to the whole homogenate but glucagon degradation by the medulla was greater than by the cortex. Examination of degradation by subcellular fractions revealed that at high concentration at neutral pH most insulin was degraded by the 100 000 × g pellet but at low insulin concentrations over 90% of the activity was in the 100 000 × g supernatant. At pH 7, at both high and low concentrations, most glucagon-degrading activity was in the 100 000 × g pellet, although the cytosol also had activity. At pH 4 most degradation occurred in the lysosomal fractions. Separation into cortex and medulla again showed similar distribution of activity as the whole gland with the medulla having more glucagon-degrading activity than the cortex. With low insulin concentrations the cortex 100 000 × g supernatant had higher relative specific activities than the medulla supernatant. Examination of recoveries of enzyme activity revealed that the subcellular fractions consistently had markedly less insulin-degrading activity than the original homogenate. This loss of activity was only discernible when insulin degradation was performed at pH 7 at low substrate concentrations. Comparable losses of glucagon-degrading activity were not seen.
Nutrient sensing kinases PKA and sch9 phosphorylate the catalytic domain of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Cdc34

Cell division is controlled in part by the timely activation of the CDK, Cdc28, through its association with G1 and G2 cyclins. Cdc28 complexes are regulated in turn by the ubiquitin conjugating enzyme Cdc34 and SCF ubiquitin ligase complexes of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) to control the initiation of DNA replication. Here we demonstrate that the nutrient sensing kinases PKA and Sch9 phosphorylate S97 of Cdc34. S97 is conserved across species and restricted to the catalytic domain of Cdc34/Ubc7-like E2s. Cdc34-S97 phosphorylation is cell cycle regulated, elevated during active cell growth and division and decreased during cell cycle arrest. Cell growth and cell division are orchestrated to maintain cell size homeostasis over a wide range of nutrient conditions. Cells monitor changes in their environment through nutrient sensing protein kinases. Thus Cdc34 phosphorylation by PKA and Sch9 provides a direct tether between G1 cell division events and cell growth.
Does the Timing of Esophagectomy After Chemoradiation Affect Outcome

Background After neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CXRT) for esophageal cancer, surgery has traditionally been recommended to be performed within 8 weeks. However, surgery is often delayed for various reasons. Data from other cancers suggest that delaying surgery may increase the pathologic complete response rate. However, there are theoretical concerns that waiting longer after radiation may lead to a more difficult operation and more complications. The optimal timing of esophagectomy after CXRT is unknown. Methods From a prospective database, we analyzed 266 patients with resected esophageal cancer who were treated with neoadjuvant CXRT from 2002 to 2008. Salvage resections were excluded from this analysis. We compared patients who had surgery within 8 weeks of CXRT and those who had surgery after 8 weeks. We used multivariable analysis to determine whether increased interval between chemoradiation and surgery was independently associated with perioperative complication, pathologic response, or overall survival. Results One hundred fifty patients were resected within 8 weeks and 116 were resected greater than 8 weeks after completing CXRT. Mean length of operation, intraoperative blood loss, anastomotic leak rate, and perioperative complication rate were similar for the two groups. Pathologic complete response rate and overall survival were also similar for the two groups ( p = not significant). In multivariable analysis, timing of surgery was not an independent predictor of perioperative complication, pathologic complete response, or overall survival. Conclusions The timing of esophagectomy after neoadjuvant CXRT is not associated with perioperative complication, pathologic response, or overall survival. It may be reasonable to delay esophagectomy beyond 8 weeks for patients who have not yet recovered from chemoradiation.
On the difference in inference and prediction between the joint and independent t-error models for seemingly unrelated regressions

We consider likelihood and Bayesian inferences for seemingly unrelated (linear) regressions for the joint niultivariate terror (e.g. Zellner, 1976) and the independent t-error (e.g. Maronna, 1976) models. For likelihood inference, the scale matrix and the shape parameter for the joint terror model cannot be consistently estimated because of the lack of adequate information to identify the latter. The joint terror model also yields the same MLEs for the regression coefficients and the scale matrix as for the independent normal error model. which are not robust against outliers. Further, linear hypotheses with respect to the regression coefficients also give rise to the same mill distributions AS for the independent normal error model, though the MLE has a non-normal limiting distribution. In contrast to the striking similarities between the joint t-error and the independent normal error models, the independent f-error model yields AiLEs that are lubust against uuthers. Since the MLE of the shape parameter ...
Lexical Acquisition in Probable Alzheimer's Disease

Patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (pAD) were exposed to a new verb in a naturalistic fashion. We probed their knowledge of the word's semantic and grammatical characteristics for several minutes following this exposure, and compared this with their performance on parallel measures assessing known words. Significant differences were seen between pAD patients and controls in the acquisition of the new verb's semantic meaning and its argument structure, but pAD patients did not differ from controls in the acquisition of the new word's grammatical form class. Individual patient analyses demonstrated parallel deficits restricted to the semantic meaning and argument structure of the new word and known words in several pAD patients, suggesting that a selective language impairment contributed to their word learning deficit. This pattern is consistent with an intimate relationship between semantic meaning and argument structure in semantic memory. Other pAD patients had difficulty learning about all aspects of the new word, despite good performance with known words, suggesting that compromised memory may have limited their lexical acquisition.
Metabolic sanctions against epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the most common human disorders. About 1% of the population is affected by this disease at some point in life, albeit to a different extent. Epileptic seizures are caused by numerous factors that range from point mutations in ion channels to traumatic brain damage. The diversity of causes for epilepsy represents a major challenge for treatment, and more than 30% of epilepsy patients are treatment-resistant. A recent study from Sada et al . offers an optimistic prospect for treatment of the disease by curbing the neurons’ metabolism. Neurons in the brain receive their energy from three different sources: glucose, lactate (produced by neighboring astrocytes), and ketone bodies. The authors found that inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), an enzyme critical in the metabolic cross-talk between astrocytes and neurons, blocks neuron excitation and seizures in mice. Why would inhibition of LDH have an anti-epileptic effect? It appears that neuronal excitability depends largely on glucose, whereas ketone bodies suppress neuron activity by inducing a hyperpolarized state. The ketone body–induced neuronal hyperpolarization can be reversed by the presence of lactate. The astrocyte-neuronal lactate pathway is mediated by the enzyme LDH, which controls lactate production in astrocytes and lactate metabolism in neurons. The authors used a chemical inhibitor of LDH activity to mimic ketone body–induced hyperpolarization, revealing LDH as a major regulator of neuronal excitability. The authors narrowed the action of LDH inhibition specifically to astrocytes. In the astrocytes, a reduction in lactate production caused hyperpolarization of neighboring excitatory neurons. In support of a therapeutic potential of inhibiting LDH activity in vivo, the researchers found that chemical and antisense oligodeoxynucleotide-based reduction of LDH in the hippocampus attenuated chemically induced acute and chronic seizures in mice. One of the currently available antiseizure medications, stiripentol, can inhibit LDH, although at a high concentration. By modifying the chemical structure of stiripentol, the authors identified a previously unknown LDH inhibitor, isosafrole, which potently suppressed seizures in mouse models in vivo. These findings may initiate a shift in the therapeutic approach in epilepsy toward targeting the metabolic pathways in neurons and astrocytes. N. Sada et al ., Targeting LDH enzymes with a stiripentol analog to treat epilepsy. Science 347 , 1362–1367 (2015). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/content/347/6228/1362
A chemical and histochemical study of acid phosphatase in the epididymis of normal, castrate and hormone replaced castrate mice

Chemical and histochemical studies have demonstrated a striking complexity of organization in the epididymal canal of the mouse (Allen and Slater, ' 57 ) . Alkaline phosphatase arid aliesterase were present in significantly different amounts (or activities) in the head, and body and tail of the epididymis. Marked lobal variation was observed in the activities of these enzymes in the head segments of the epididymal duct. Nonciliated, club-shaped cells, enzymatically distinct from other cells were demonstrated in head lobe 3. These results appeared to warrant investigation of other enzymes in this tissue. The present paper deals with the behavior of chemically and histochemically determined acid phosphatase in the epididymis of intact, castrate and hormone replaced castrate mice.
Clustering and combustion of dilute aluminum particle clouds in a post-detonation flow field

Abstract A hybrid two-phase numerical methodology is used to investigate the flow-field subsequent to the detonation of a spherical charge of TNT with an ambient distribution of a dilute cloud of aluminum particles. The interaction of the particle cloud with the contact surface results in Rayleigh–Taylor instability, which grows in time and gives rise to a mixing layer where the detonation products mix with the air and afterburn. At early times, the ambient particles get engulfed into the detonation products and ignite. Subsequently, they catch up with the Rayleigh–Taylor structures, and the vortex rings around the hydrodynamic structures cause transverse dispersion that results in the clustering of particles. Then, the particles leave the mixing layer and quench, yet preserve their hydrodynamic foot print. Preferential heating and combustion of particles occurs due to clustering. A higher initial mass loading in the ambient cloud results in larger clusters due to stronger/larger vortex rings around the hydrodynamic structures. A larger particle size results in the formation of fewer and degenerate clusters when the initial width of the cloud is larger. A theoretical model is used to predict the bubble amplitudes, and are in good accordance with the simulation results. Overall, this study has provided some useful insights on the explosive dispersal of dilute aluminum particle clouds and the gas dynamics of the flow field in the mixing layer.
Is postoperative chemotherapy alone sufficient to treat young children with medulloblastoma

Is postoperative chemotherapy alone sufficient to treat young children with medulloblastoma?
A Weighted Measurement Fusion Kalman Filter implementation for UAV navigation

Abstract A Weighted Measurement Fusion Kalman Filter (WMFKF) is proposed for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation. The measurement error of wireless localization sensors depends on the traveling distance, multipath effects, and sensor noise. In the proposed WMFKF fusion process, each measurement is weighted based on the signal traveling distance. The WMFKF estimation performance is compared to the standard KF in two scenarios. The first scenario assumes using a wireless local positioning system (WLPS) in a GPS-denied environment. The second scenario assumes the availability of both WLPS and GPS measurements. The simulation results show that when the detection range is only 10 km, both the WMFKF and standard Kalman Filter (KF) fail to converge their position estimation error within the three sigma boundaries in the GPS denied environment. However, the WMFKF maintains the position estimation error within its expected error boundary when the WLPS detection range limit is above 30 km. The WMFKF has a better accuracy whether GPS is available or GPS is denied when the detection range limit is above 30 km. The computational cost analysis shows that the WMFKF has less computational complexity than the standard KF. The WMFKF has a higher ellipsoid error probable percentage than the standard Measurement Fusion method.
The effects of soil moisture on synthetic aperture radar delineation of geomorphic surfaces in the Great Basin, Nevada, USA

RADARSAT-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images from the western Great Basin, North America are used to map geomorphic features using environmental data (increased soil moisture), differences in incidence angles and ascending/descending satellite passes. These attributes are shown to increase the ability to delineate subtle geomorphic features along old shorelines. The change in moisture and the temporal resolution of the images provides a unique opportunity to use moisture as a geomorphic mapping tool in addition to traditional techniques such as image texture and the size and shape of the image features.
Lipoprotein(a): An Elusive Cardiovascular Risk Factor

Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], is present only in humans, Old World nonhuman primates, and the European hedgehog. Lp(a) has many properties in common with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) but contains a unique protein, apo(a), which is structurally different from other apolipoproteins. The size of the apo(a) gene is highly variable, resulting in the protein molecular weight ranging from 300 to 800 kDa; this large variation may be caused by neutral evolution in the absence of any selection advantage. Apo(a) influences to a major extent metabolic and physicochemical properties of Lp(a), and the size polymorphism of the apo(a) gene contributes to the pronounced heterogeneity of Lp(a). There is an inverse relationship between apo(a) size and Lp(a) levels; however, this pattern is complex. For a given apo(a) size, there is a considerable variation in Lp(a) levels across individuals, underscoring the importance to assess allele-specific Lp(a) levels. Further, Lp(a) levels differ between populations, and blacks have generally higher levels than Asians and whites, adjusting for apo(a) sizes. In addition to the apo(a) size polymorphism, an upstream pentanucleotide repeat (TTTTA n ) affects Lp(a) levels. Several meta-analyses have provided support for an association between Lp(a) and coronary artery disease, and the levels of Lp(a) carried in particles with smaller size apo(a) isoforms are associated with cardiovascular disease or with preclinical vascular changes. Further, there is an interaction between Lp(a) and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The physiological role of Lp(a) is unknown, although a majority of studies implicate Lp(a) as a risk factor.
HTS microstrip matching networks and filters

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) YBCO microstrip bandpass filters and microstrip impedance matching networks were fabricated, tested and compared with the predicted performance. Vector corrected measurements of these circuits were performed at cryogenic temperatures. Comparisons of the insertion loss for the HTS and corresponding Au filters are presented, as well as the predicted noise figure for the low-noise amplifiers using HTS and Au matching networks. >
M-theory with framed corners and tertiary index invariants

The study of the partition function in M-theory involves the use of index theory on a twelve-dimensional bounding manifold. In eleven dimensions, viewed as a boundary, this is given by secondary index invariants such as the Atiyah{Patodi{Singer eta-invariant, the Chern{Simons invariant, or the Adams e-invariant. If the eleven-dimensional manifold itself has a boundary, the resulting ten-dimensional manifold can be viewed as a codimension two corner. The partition function in this context has been studied by the author in relation to index theory for manifolds with corners, essentially on the product of two intervals. In this paper, we focus on the case of framed manifolds (which are automatically Spin) and provide a formulation of the refined partition function using a tertiary index invariant, namely the f-invariant introduced by Laures within elliptic cohomology. We describe the context globally, connecting the various spaces and theories around M-theory, and providing a physical realization and interpretation of some ingredients appearing in the constructions due to Bunke{Naumann and Bodecker. The formulation leads to a natural interpretation of anomalies using corners and uncovers some resulting constraints in the heterotic corner. The analysis for type IIA leads to a physical identification of various components of eta-forms appearing in the formula for the phase of the partition function.
Expansion of CCR8(+) inflammatory myeloid cells in cancer patients with urothelial and renal carcinomas.

Purpose: Chemokines are involved in cancer-related inflammation and malignant progression. In this study, we evaluated expression of CCR8 and its natural cognate ligand CCL1 in patients with urothelial carcinomas of bladder and renal cell carcinomas. Experimental Design: We examined CCR8 expression in peripheral blood and tumor tissues from patients with bladder and renal carcinomas. CCR8-positive myeloid cells were isolated from cancer tissues with magnetic beads and tested in vitro for cytokine production and ability to modulate T-cell function. Results: We show that monocytic and granulocytic myeloid cell subsets in peripheral blood of patients with cancer with urothelial and renal carcinomas display increased expression of chemokine receptor CCR8. Upregulated expression of CCR8 is also detected within human cancer tissues and primarily limited to tumor-associated macrophages. When isolated, CD11b + CCR8 + cell subset produces the highest levels of proinflammatory and proangiogenic factors among intratumoral CD11b myeloid cells. Tumor-infiltrating CD11b + CCR8 + cells selectively display activated Stat3 and are capable of inducing FoxP3 expression in autologous T lymphocytes. Primary human tumors produce substantial amounts of the natural CCR8 ligand CCL1. Conclusions: This study provides the first evidence that CCR8 + myeloid cell subset is expanded in patients with cancer. Elevated secretion of CCL1 by tumors and increased presence of CCR8 + myeloid cells in peripheral blood and cancer tissues indicate that CCL1/CCR8 axis is a component of cancer-related inflammation and may contribute to immune evasion. Obtained results also implicate that blockade of CCR8 signals may provide an attractive strategy for therapeutic intervention in human urothelial and renal cancers. Clin Cancer Res; 19(7); 1670–80. ©2013 AACR .
On Value Premium, Part I: The Existence

A great deal of academic research provides solid evidence that value investing generated better returns than growth investing from the early 1970s to the mid-1990s. However, the relatively poor performance of value stocks in the late 1990s generated suspicion that value investing was failing. Such claims were invalidated by empirical research showing that value stocks’ slump in this period was not caused by a change in fundamental patterns, but rather by investors’ overly-rosy expectations for new technology companies.
Excess exposure to insulin may be the primary cause of insulin resistance

to the editor: insulin resistance is either a precursor or a key component of numerous major diseases closely linked to the modern lifestyle, which is featured by overeating and/or lack of physical activities. These diseases include obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus,
Immunological Aspects of Cancers Arising from Thyroid Follicular Cells

I. Introduction THIS review has been written to highlight the immunological aspects of cancers arising from thyroid follicular cells. It will examine the role the immune system may play in suppressing thyroid carcinomas, the antigenicity of these cancers, the influences immune effector elements (both cells and cytokines) have on these carcinomas, and the unique relationship between autoimmune thyroid disease and thyroid cancer. The limitations of current therapy for thyroid cancer will also be reviewed as an entree into the potential role for immunotherapy in the treatment of thyroid carcinomas. This is a propitious time to examine the topic for a number of reasons. Recently increased understanding of immune function and advances in cancer immunotherapies provide a basis for an examination of potential new immunotherapy for thyroid carcinoma. In this regard, it is important to remember that thyroid cancer was one of the first neoplasms treated by experimental immunotherapy. In addition, the radiation expo...
The shifting basis of life satisfaction judgments across cultures: Emotions versus norms.

The relative importance of emotions versus normative beliefs for life satisfaction judgments was compared among individualist and collectivist nations in 2 large sets of international data (in total, 61 nations, N = 62,446). Among nations, emotions and life satisfaction correlated significantly more strongly in more individualistic nations (r = .52 in Study 1; r = .48 in Study 2). At the individual level, emotions were far superior predictors of life satisfaction to norms (social approval of life satisfaction) in individualist cultures, whereas norms and emotions were equally strong predictors of life satisfaction in collectivist cultures. The present findings have implications for future studies on cultural notions of well-being, the functional value of emotional experiences, and individual differences in life satisfaction profiles. Across the world, is the "good life" attained mostly by doing what a person would like to do or by doing what a person thinks he or she should do? More broadly, are internal processes, such as attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and the like, or external pro
Cortical Cells Do NOT Perform Temporal Integration of Small EPSPs

The standard theory of a leaky integrator with stochastic spike input predicts that cortical cells should fire regularly. We tested interspike-interval histograms from awake, behaving macaque visual cortex (V1 and MT), and found high levels of variability (CV>0.5) characteristic of a nearly random (Poisson) process. A simple integrate-and-fire model, using accepted biophysical parameters, fails by more than a factor of ten to account for the high CV. We also simulated a biophysically detailed compartment-model of an anatomically reconstructed and physiologically characterized layer V pyramidal cell; again, at high firing rate, CV values are low, in disagreement with the data. Only a few situations could account for this discrepency: very large EPSP’s, a very short membrane time constant (τm<0.3 msec), highly synchronized input, or spikes in excitable dendrites. Our analysis suggests that cortical computation may occur at a time-scale much faster than previously realized.
Circumferential pulmonary vein ablation for atrial fibrillation: back to the future?

antrum within the encircling lesions, elimination of anchor points of high frequency drivers, atrial debulking, and possibly ablation of ganglionated plexi within the targeted encircling lesions. As the role of PV antrum in AF is better understood, antral PV isolation has been widely performed as an effective ablation strategy to eliminate AF. It is within this context that we should evaluate the contribution by Arya et al. 7 in the current issue of the Journal. The authors report their experience in 674 consecutive patients, 85% of whom had paroxysmal AF, undergoing CPVA using a steerable sheath during 2005‐2007. An irrigated-tip ablation catheter was used with a maximum power of 25 W near the oesophagus and 40‐50 W elsewhere in the left atrium. The sole procedural endpoint was voltage attenuation along the circumferential lines around each set of PVs in patients with paroxysmal AF. Pulmonary vein isolation was not an endpoint of the procedure, but was achieved in 38% of patients. In a minority of patients with persistent AF, linear ablation along the roof and mitral isthmus was performed without confirmation of conduction block. Antiarrhythmic agents (flecainide or amiodarone) were used in 45% and 21% of patients for the first 3 and 6 months, respectively, and were discontinued after 6 months in all patients. Clinical outcome was based on symptoms or the presence of AF or AT on serial 7-day Holter recordings performed at 3, 6, and 12 months after the ablation procedure. The procedure and fluoroscopic times were approximately, 3 h, and 24 min, respectively. After a single-ablation procedure using a steerable sheath, 76% of patients were free from atrial arrhythmias during a 7-day monitoring period at 12 months. Approximately 50% of patients experienced early recurrence, which was due solely due to AT in about one-third of the patients. Early recurrence and a LA diameter .5 cm were associated with arrhythmia recurrence during follow-up. The clinical efficacy was similar among patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF. Six patients experienced pericardial tamponade, one of whom required surgery.
A mothering but not a mother role: A grounded theory study of the nonresidential stepmother role

We propose a model based on grounded theory depicting how women construct the roles of nonresidential stepmothers. Eleven middle-class stepmothers identified three general roles: mothering but not mother roles, other-focused roles, and outsider roles. These roles were influenced by issues relating to the biological mothers, their spouses, their stepchildren, their own biological children, extended kin, and experiences external to the family. When enacting their roles as stepmother, they encountered issues surrounding a perceived lack of control and ambiguous role perceptions. Positive evaluations of role enactments were credited to their step-children; failures to the stepchildren’s and the stepmothers’ own behaviors. A central concept that tied these categories together and overshadowed factors in role conceptualization, experiences in role enactment, and evaluation of role performance was the ideology of motherhood.