cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fully and semi-automated methods for the determination of serum iron and total iron-binding capacity.

Abstract Fully and semi-automated methods for the determination of the total iron-binding capacity of serum with the Technicon AutoAnalyzer are described, in conjunction with an improved procedure for the automated analysis of serum iron content. An innovation is the incorporation of the Technicon Continuous Filter with resin-loaded paper to remove unbound iron in the fully automated procedure. Automation of these assays improves their precision and almost eliminates the need for preparation of iron-free glassware.
When To Hospitalize in Polycythemia Vera

Proof that a myeloproliferative process is causing a real and not an apparent increase in red cell mass is essential before treatment is begun for polycythemia vera; elimination of secondary erythrocytoses as well as “relative” polycythemia may require hospital-based studies. In the earlier phases, ambulatory treatment generally suffices. Inevitably, however, complications will bring the patient back to the hospital.
The Place of FDG PET/CT in Renal Cell Carcinoma: Value and Limitations.

Unlike for most other malignancies, application of FDG PET/CT is limited for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), mainly due to physiological excretion of FDG from the kidneys, which decreases contrast between renal lesions and normal tissue, and may obscure or mask the lesions of the kidneys. Published clinical observations were discordant regarding the role of FDG PET/CT in diagnosing and staging RCC, and FDG PET/CT is not recommended for this purpose based on current national and international guidelines. However, quantitative FDG PET/CT imaging may facilitate the prediction of the degree of tumor differentiation and allow for prognosis of the disease. FDG PET/CT has potency as an imaging biomarker to provide useful information about patient’s survival. FDG PET/CT can be effectively used for postoperative surveillance and restaging with high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, as early diagnosis of recurrent/metastatic disease can drastically affect therapeutic decision and alter outcome of patients. FDG uptake is helpful for differentiating benign or bland emboli from tumor thrombosis in RCC patients. FDG PET/CT also has both higher sensitivity and accuracy when compared to bone scan to detect RCC metastasis to the bone. FDG PET/CT can play a strong clinical role in the management of recurrent and metastatic RCC. In monitoring the efficacy of new target therapy such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) treatment for advanced RCC, FDG PET/CT has been increasingly used to assess the therapeutic efficacy, and change in FDG uptake is a strong indicator of biological response to TKI.
Development of high frequency linear arrays using interdigital bonded composites

This paper describes the development of an interdigital bonded (IB) 1-3 composite for use in a 30MHz 256-element geometrically focused ultrasonic array. The composite was manufactured using two IB operations in the elevation direction and one IB operation as well as one additional dicing step in the azimuth direction. The resultant composite elements had 14mum x 19mum wide posts separated by 8mum wide kerfs. The diced inter-element kerfs were 14mum. The finished array had a 50mum (1lambda ) azimuth pitch and 2mm elevation aperture focused to 8mm. The measured pulse-echo center frequency was 30MHz and -6dB bandwidth was 55%. The maximum combined electrical and mechanical crosstalk was less than -27 dB over the range of 10-50MHz. The measured transmit -3dB directivity was 36deg. The measured insertion loss was 29dB after compensating for attenuation and diffraction.
Cortico-Striatal, Cognitive-Motor Interactions Underlying Complex Movement Control Deficits

The cognitive control of complex movement relies on intricate interactions between the basal ganglia and distinct cortical regions. Cholinergic-driven attention is a particularly vital cognitive component for guiding complex movements which require the detection and integration of external cues indicating, for example, dynamic surfaces, as well as interoceptive cues used to monitor gait, posture, and step placement. Reduced attention and loss of cortical acetylcholine in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients are associated with a groupof levodopa-unresponsive movement impairments such as postural instability, motor control deficits, and a propensity for falls. We developed an animal model, including a behavioral test system (The Michigan Complex Motor Control Task, MCMCT), for the assessment of complex movement and fall propensity in rats. The MCMCT was designed to tax the ability to rapidly correct movement errors while traversing dynamic surfaces (rotating square rods). Our findings indicated that rats with loss of cortical acetylcholine and dopamine terminals in the dorsomedial “associative” striatum suffered from deficiencies of complex movement control, including a high propensity for falls. We hypothesized that secondary to striatal dysfunction, attentional resources can no longer be recruited to compensate for diminished striatal control of complex movement, thereby “unmasking” impaired striatal control of movement and yielding falls. In addition, dopamine lesions that extended into the dorsolateral (sensorimotor) striatum caused falls triggered by long and frequent freezing episodes, modeling freezing of gait-associated falls. Using these lesion models, we elucidate how attentional control deficits and/or reduced motor vigor and impaired motor sequencing from striatal dopamine loss contribute to fall propensity in order to provide a detailed understanding of the cognitive-motor operations that guide complex movement.
A Project‐Based Approach to Executive Education

Executive education (EE) has been an important part of business school offerings for nearly as long as there have been business schools. Similarly, business schools were among the first in higher education to adopt online approaches as a means for course delivery. Despite this experience, few business schools have been able to successfully integrate EE with online delivery approaches. This study suggests that a project-based approach can achieve EE/online delivery integration. The case is first made for a project-based approach by telling the story of our institution's journey toward a project-based EE model. Challenges, successes, and plans for the future are then discussed.
Postviral Complications: Bacterial Pneumonia.

Secondary bacterial pneumonia after viral respiratory infection remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Susceptibility is mediated by a variety of viral and bacterial factors, as well as complex interactions with the immune system of the infected host. To date, prevention and treatment strategies are limited to influenza vaccination and antibiotics/antivirals respectively. Novel approaches to identifying the individuals infected with influenza who are at increased risk for secondary bacterial pneumonias are urgently needed, given the ongoing threat of another influenza pandemic. Given the threat of further pandemics and the heightened prevalence of these viruses in general, more research into the immunologic mechanisms of this disease is warranted with the hope of discovering new potential therapies.
Understanding policy intent and misconfigurations from implementations: Consistency and Convergence

We study the problem of inferring policy intent to identify miscon gurations in access control implementations. This is in contrast to traditional role-mining techniques, which focus on creating better ab- stractions for access control management. We show how raw metadata can be summarized e ectively, by grouping together users with similar permissions over shared resources. Using these summary statements, we apply statistical techniques to detect outliers, which we classify as se- curity and accessibility miscon gurations. Speci cally, we show how our techniques for mining policy intent are robust, and have strong consis- tency and convergence guarantees.
Facilitators and barriers to participation of private sector health facilities in government-led schemes for maternity services in India: a qualitative study.

Objective Despite provision of accreditation of private sector health providers in government-led schemes for maternity services in India, their participation has been low. This has led to an underutilisation of their presence, resources and expertise for providing quality maternal and newborn health services. This study explores the perception of various stakeholders on expectations, benefits, barriers and facilitators to private sector participation in government-led schemes—specifically Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)—for maternity service delivery. Design Narrative-based qualitative study. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with study participants. The interviews were transcribed, translated and analysed using a reflexive and inductive approach to allow codes, categories and themes to emerge from within the data. Setting Private obstetricians, government health officials and FOGSI (Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India) members, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, India. Participants Eighteen purposefully selected private obstetricians from 9 cities across states of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, 11 government health officials and 2 FOGSI members. Results The major factors serving as barriers to participation of private practitioners in JSY—which emerged on thematic analysis—were low reimbursement amounts, delayed reimbursements, process of interaction with the government and administrative issues, previous experiences and trust deficit, lack of clarity on the accreditation process and patient-level barriers. On the other hand, factors which were facilitators to participation of private practitioners were ease of process, better communication, branding, motivation of increasing clientele as well as satisfaction of doing social service. Conclusion Factors such as financial processes and administrative delays, mistrust between the stakeholders, ambiguity in processes, lack of transparency and lack of ease in the process of empanelment of private sector are hindering effective public–private partnerships under JSY. Simplifying and strengthening the processes, communication strategies and branding can help revitalise it.
Evaluation of trace mineral source and preharvest deletion of trace minerals from finishing diets on tissue mineral status in pigs.

OBJECTIVE An experiment was conducted to evaluate dietary supplemental trace mineral source and deletion on mineral content in tissues. METHODS Weanling crossbred pigs (n = 144; 72 barrows and 72 gilts; body weight [BW] = 7.4±1.05 kg) were used. A basal diet was prepared, and trace mineral premix containing either inorganic (ITM) or organic (OTM) trace minerals (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) was added to the basal diet. Pigs were blocked by sex and BW and randomly allotted to 24 pens for a total of 6 pigs per pen, and fed a diet containing either ITM or OTM supplemented at the 1998 NRC requirement estimates for each of 5 BW phases (Phase I to V) from 7 to 120 kg. The trace mineral supplementation was deleted for 6, 4, 2, and 0 wk of Phase V; regarding nutrient adequacy during this phase, the indigenous dietary Fe and Mn was sufficient, Cu was marginal and Zn was deficient. RESULTS At the end of Phase IV, Mn content (mg/kg on the dry matter basis) was greater (p<0.05) in heart (0.77 vs 0.68), kidney (6.32 vs 5.87), liver (9.46 vs 8.30), and longissimus dorsi (LD; 0.30 vs 0.23) of pigs fed OTM. The pigs fed OTM were greater (p<0.05) in LD Cu (2.12 vs 1.89) and Fe (21.75 vs 19.40) and metacarpal bone Zn (141.86 vs 130.05). At the end of Phase V, increased length of deletion period (from 0 to 6 wk) resulted in a decrease (linear, p<0.01) in liver Zn (196.5 to 121.8), metacarpal bone Zn (146.6 to 86.2) and an increase (linear, p<0.01) in heart Mn (0.70 to 1.08), liver Mn (7.74 to 12.96), and kidney Mn (5.58 to 7.56). The only mineral source by deletion period interaction (p<0.05) was observed in LD Zn. CONCLUSION The results demonstrated differential effects of mineral deletion on tissue mineral content depending on both mineral assessed and source of the mineral.
Modifications of the 26S proteasome during boar sperm capacitation

Protein ubiquitination is a stable, reversible post-translational modification, targeting proteins for degradation/recycling by the 26S proteasome in a well-characterized enzymatic cascade. Studies have revealed the role of UPS in the regulation of fertilization, including sperm–zona pellucida interactions and the early event of sperm capacitation. The present study investigates the changes in proteasome compartmentalization, subunit composition and post-translational modifications during in vitro capacitation of fresh boar spermatozoa. We observed capacitation-dependent shedding of both 20S core and 19S regulatory particles from the acrosome that was associated with decreased plasma membrane integrity, independent of proteasomal inhibition. Subunits PSMA1–7 of the 20S core did not appear to undergo post-translational modifications during capacitation, based on invariant molecular masses before and after capacitation; however, we observed multiple PSMD4 forms of 19S regulatory particles (50, 53, 70, 115–140, 160 and >176 kDa) sequentially released from spermatozoa. PSMD4 subunit was found to be post-translationally modified during the course of capacitation, resulting in changes of apparent molecular mass, some of which were dependent on proteasomal inhibition. These results show that the sperm proteasomes are being modified during sperm capacitation. Additional studies of individual 26S proteasome subunits will be required to elucidate these modifications and to understand how UPS modulates sperm capacitation.
Variation in Average Molecular Orientation of an Organic Anion at the Air–Aqueous Interface: Influence of Halide Ions

Molecular adsorption and orientation of an organic anion, p-nitrophenolate (p-NP–), at the air–aqueous interface have been studied using second harmonic generation techniques and surface tensiometr...
Integrating microcontrollers in undergraduate curriculum

Current computer science programs fall short in introducing the use of electronics for multidisciplinary applications. This paper will present how one institution plans to incorporate throughout its computer science curriculum the use of a microcontroller for various multidisciplinary embedded applications. The primary goal is to engage students regularly with real world data acquisition and processing. The goal of this project will result in students realizing a wider scope of applications of computer science outside of traditional coursework.
Eight years of unexplained headaches (why did the diagnosis take so long

The patient had chronic incapacitating headaches for a period of eight years. Neurologic tests ruling out organic causes such as tumors and analysis of diet, allergies, stress levels, and chronic infections left the patient and physicians without an explanation. The headaches did not fit the patterns of common or classic migraines. The patient's energy level had significantly decreased during this same time period, and she had frequently become short of breath. Diagnosis of underlying pathology occurred when efforts were focused on explaining respiratory conditions. The patient had an oxygen saturation of 77% and a pulse of 98, following a brief walk around the building. Further testing by a pulmonary specialist confirmed diagnosis of emphysema secondary to a deficiency of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT). Background materials supporting this case history include: a model for AAT function, genetics of AAT deficiency, pathophysiology of both liver and pulmonary diseases, and a summary of treatment options and prognosis for AAT deficient patients.
An isomorphic property in spaces of compact operators and some classes of operators on C ( K , X )

Let $${K_{w^{*}}(X^{*},Y)}$$ denote the set of all w*−w continuous compact operators from X* to Y. We investigate whether the space $${K_{w^{*}}(X^{*},Y)}$$ has property RDP * ( $${1\le p < \infty}$$ ) when X and $${Y}$$ have the same property. Suppose X and Y are Banach spaces, K is a compact Hausdorff space, $${\Sigma}$$ is the $${\sigma}$$ -algebra of Borel subsets of K, C(K,X) is the Banach space of all continuous X-valued functions (with the supremum norm), and $${T: C(K,X)\to Y}$$ is a strongly bounded operator with representing measure $${m: \Sigma \to L(X,Y)}$$ . We show that if T is a strongly bounded operator and $${\hat{T}: B(K, X) \to Y}$$ is its extension, then T* is p-convergent if and only if $${\hat{T}^{*}}$$ is p-convergent, for $${1\le p < \infty}$$ .
End User–Informed Mobile Health Intervention Development for Adolescent Cannabis Use Disorder: Qualitative Study

Background: The rates of cannabis use continue to increase among adolescents and the current interventions have modest effects and high rates of relapse following treatment. There is increasing evidence for the efficacy of mobile technology–based interventions for adults with substance use disorders, but there is limited study of this technology in adolescents who use cannabis. Objective: The goal of our study was to elucidate elements of an app-based adjunctive intervention for cannabis cessation that resonate with adolescents who use cannabis. Methods: Adolescents, aged between 14 and 17 years, who used cannabis were recruited from San Diego County high schools. Semistructured focus groups (6 total; N=37) were conducted to examine the ways in which participants used smartphones, including the use of any health behavior change apps, as well as to elicit opinions about elements that would promote engagement with an app-based intervention for adolescent cannabis cessation. An iterative coding structure was used with first cycle structural coding, followed by pattern coding. Results: Themes that emerged from the analysis included (1) youth valued rewards to incentivize the progressive reduction of cannabis use, which included both nontangible rewards that mimic those obtained on social media platforms and prosocial activity-related rewards, (2) having the ability to self-monitor progression, (3) peer social support, (4) privacy and confidentiality discrete logo and name and usernames within the app, and (5) individualizing frequency and content of notifications and reminders. Conclusions: Integrating content, language, interfaces, delivery systems, and rewards with which adolescents who use cannabis are familiar, engage with on a day-to-day basis, and identify as relevant, may increase treatment engagement and retention for adolescents in substance use treatment. We may increase treatment effectiveness by adapting and individualizing current evidence-based interventions, so that they target the needs of adolescents and are more easily incorporated into their everyday routines.
Systems Thinking and Arts Integration through Library Educational Programming on a STEM Campus.

Librarians have moved beyond traditional information literacy instruction to an environment in which they create strong partnerships with the campus faculty, community, and beyond. The article addr...
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Alcohol and Other Substance Use Disorders: the Beck Model in Action

The Beckian model of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for alcohol and other substance use disorders is highly consistent with generic CBT in terms of its structure, emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and case conceptualization, and focusing on teaching patients psychological self-monitoring and self-change skills. The model is distinctive because it zeroes in on the substance use issue per se by identifying and managing high-risk situations, modifying maladaptive automatic thoughts and beliefs (about substances, cravings, “permission-giving,” etc.), learning ways to resist acting on cravings and urges, interfering with substance-related behavioral patterns, limiting the damage from lapses, and learning adaptive life habits. CBT practitioners are more effective with this population when they respond with empathic understanding, even when the patients are ambivalent about being in treatment, are at a lower “stage of change,” and therefore are not fully collaborative and/or are not optimally forthcoming or sincere in their self-report. The CBT method of guided discovery is highly congruent with the methods of motivational interviewing, and CBT can be compatible and complementary with 12-step facilitation and pharmacotherapy. The outcome research on CBT for alcohol and other substance use disorders is not as extensive as that for other disorders, and the data (while promising) indicate that more work needs to be done in terms of preventing early termination and maintaining improvement for the long term. A number of studies suggest that CBT is at its best when helping patients manage their alcohol and/or substance use problems in the context of also providing effective treatment for their comorbid depression.
Study of Positive Helium Ions in Superfluid Helium-4

We report on studies of positive ions in superfluid helium-4. In addition to the positive ion that has been previously studied, we have been able to detect two more positive ions with slightly different mobility, and the results show some evidence for a third additional ion.
Student Engagement Through Community Building

This paper provides an overview of a team-based approach to learning physics in a second-level course for non-majors entitled Light, Sound, Action (LSA) taught at XX University. Designed using a workshop format, LSA provides students numerous opportunities to learn physics using a number of interactive engagement strategies. These interactive engagement strategies provide the backbone for the structure of the course. Using a carefully crafted set of collaborative activities, students in LSA engage in a wide range of experiences in a team setting. Within these collaborative activities are strategies aimed at enhancing communication and building community within the classroom. Perceptions about the team-based collaborative activities in LSA will be presented based on the responses to a short survey sent to students who have taken the course in the past three years. One emergent theme based on these results is that the community-building, team-based activities used in LSA can serve to transcend the classroom experience and carry over into other domains.
The heart and living room of campus: A mixed-methods comparison of two informal learning spaces at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Universities are designing informal learning spaces as open, collaborative environments; while there is a need for collaborative spaces, the majority of students in both spaces are working independently. This article compares the usage and design features of informal learning spaces within the main library and union of a “university.” Frequently referred to as the “heart” or “living room,” this architectural study employs mixed-method, explanatory sequential design. Quantitative data was collected through unobtrusive observations and random-sample surveys, followed by qualitative data collection via focus groups. Students visit the library more frequently and stay for longer periods of time than the union. Certain design features found to be more desired than others included standard-height tables and chairs that are comfortable; areas with natural lighting; and large, individual tables to spread out users’ belongings. Overall, it was found that the “heart” and “living room” of campus are serving their intended purposes. It is important for designers to remember that a variety of users have different needs and preferences that are served by a variety of spaces. This study builds on the limited literature regarding informal learning spaces and is the first to compare a university campus’s library to their union. Results will help shape the future of informal learning space design and guide future research in this field.
Genomic Predictors for Radiation Sensitivity and Toxicity in Breast Cancer—from Promise to Reality

Precision medicine and personalized treatment recommendations have become standard for systemic therapy decision-making in women with breast cancer. Until recently, however, such opportunities have been lacking for radiation related treatment decisions. Recent studies have explored the utility of using genomic signatures developed to make systemic therapy recommendations (e.g. Oncotype DX®, ProSigna®, IHC4-C) to guide recommendations for radiation as well. Emerging data suggests that these signatures, while prognostic, may not identify radiation benefit. Radiation-specific signatures are currently under clinical development and may soon be ready for clinical implementation. These classifiers may better be able to determine radiation benefit and detect cancers with intrinsic radiation resistance. We are beginning to realize the promise of precision medicine for radiation treatment decisions in women with breast cancer. Previously developed genomic signatures are currently being tested for radiation-related questions, and radiation-specific signatures and radiation toxicity biomarkers are moving into clinical implementation. These advances make clear that genomic classifiers show more than mere promise and will soon allow for personalized radiation recommendations.
Abstract 17213: Myocardial Infarction and Stroke Awareness Among US and Foreign-Born Adults in the 2014 and 2017 National Health Interview Survey

Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, defined as nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), coronary heart disease death, or fatal or nonfatal stroke, is the leading cause of death in the U...
Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Enhances the Suppressive Phenotype of Regulatory T Cells in a Murine Model of Dry Eye Disease.

Pigment epithelium–derived factor (PEDF) is a widely expressed 50-kDa glycoprotein belonging to the serine protease inhibitor family, with well-established anti-inflammatory functions. Recently, we demonstrated the immunoregulatory role played by PEDF in dry eye disease (DED) by suppressing the maturation of antigen-presenting cells at the ocular surface following exposure to the desiccating stress. In this study, we evaluated the effect of PEDF on the immunosuppressive characteristics of regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are functionally impaired in DED. In the presence of PEDF, the in vitro cultures prevented proinflammatory cytokine (associated with type 17 helper T cells)-induced loss of frequency and suppressive phenotype of Tregs derived from normal mice. Similarly, PEDF maintained the in vitro frequency and enhanced the suppressive phenotype of Tregs derived from DED mice. On systemically treating DED mice with PEDF, moderately higher frequencies and significantly enhanced suppressive function of Tregs were observed in the draining lymphoid tissues, leading to the efficacious amelioration of the disease. Our results demonstrate that PEDF promotes the suppressive capability of Tregs and attenuates their type 17 helper T-cell–mediated dysfunction in DED, thereby playing a role in the suppression of DED.
Effects of band-gap renormalization on relaxation of hot electrons studied with 15-fs resolution

Hot-carrier Coulomb interactions, such as band-gap renormalization (BGR) and plasma screening of electron-hole interactions, have been studied thoroughly under equilibrium conditions.1 By comparison, there are few studies of the dynamics of Coulomb interactions. Shank et al. measured the dynamics of band-edge absorption with 0.5-ps resolution,2 and, more recently, Gong and coworkers studied the band-edge dynamics with 75-fs pulses.3 In each case BGR occurred on a time scale shorter than the experimental resolution.
Boynton, Robert M. 1924–2006

Robert M. Boynton was born on October 28, 1924, in Evanston, IL. He attended Amherst College in Massachusetts where he received an undergraduate degree. At Brown University in Providence, RI, he received in 1952 his Ph.D. degree in psychology. Soon after, he became an assistant professor of psychology at Rochester University, NY where, in 1963, he founded their Center for Visual Science.
Changes in Behavior and Clinical Illness Scores in Calves after Induction of Mycoplasma bovis Pneumonia

Bovine respiratory disease is one of the most costly cattle diseases, and Mycoplasma bovis is increasingly recovered from calves having this syndrome. Respiratory disease is difficult to accurately identify based on clinical signs alone. Cattle alter their behavior when ill, and an improved understanding of behavioral changes could improve detection of affected cattle. The objective of this study was to quantify changes in cattle behavior patterns prior to and after Mycoplasma bovis challenge, and to evaluate potential associations of these changes with clinical illness scores and severity of pulmonary lesions.
Watermelon powder supplementation reduces colonic cell proliferation and aberrant crypt foci by upregulating p21Waf1/Cip1 expression

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the effects of watermelon powder supplementation on colonic cell proliferation, aberrant crypt foci, and gene expression of cell cycle regulators. Thirty-two rats were randomly assigned to one of the following isocaloric diets: 0.5% watermelon powder, 0.36% l -arginine, and control for 9 weeks. All animals were injected with azoxymethane (15 mg/kg body weight s.c.). Both watermelon powder and l -arginine groups exhibited lower numbers of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in all proximal, middle, and distal regions of the colon (P l -arginine supplementation upregulated p21Waf1/Cip1 gene expression (P = 0.048). These results suggest that watermelon or l -arginine supplementation may decrease the risk of colorectal cancer as they reduced proliferation by upregulating a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and inhibited ACF formation in all anatomical regions of the colon.
‘Hard-Boiled’ Detectives in Spain and Mexico: The Ethical Reorientation of a Genre

Hard-boiled’ fiction arose in the early decades of the twentieth century, uncovering connections among crime, wealth and power, and exposing moral fissures within U.S. capitalism. After French publ...
Labor Market Impacts of State-Level Professional Licensing of Undocumented Immigrants

Since 2015, several states have enacted policies granting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients’ access to occupational or professional licenses. We tested the state variation in issuing occupational or professional licenses to DACA recipients to estimate their impacts on labor market outcomes. Using 2012 through 2020 data from the Current Population Survey, we show that open occupational licensing for DACA recipients significantly raises wages by 12.5 percent. This wage premium is more extensive for female than male recipients. The higher wages and more working hours from granting access to an occupational license are more significant for recipients over 25 who have finished formal education and began careers. Together these findings suggest that access to licenses may help dreamers to perform better in the labor market. Thus, access to public benefits, including licensing, yields meaningful benefits for DACA recipients in states that expanded access to occupational licensing.
Transfer of Pencil Writing by Cellophane Tape

This study explores the susceptibility of pencil writings to being transferred when transparent cellophane tape is used as the conveying agent. Comparative examinations of transferred pencil signatures with genuine pencil signatures disclosed that a transferred signature could be mistakenly identified as an original writing. The identification of characteristics inherent to transferred writing is discussed. The study seeks to acquaint the questioned document examiner with pitfalls intrinsic to the examination of pencil writings covered by cellophane tape.
Review: Intensive blood pressure control reduces retinopathy in diabetes

Source Citation Do DV, Wang X, Vedula SS, et al. Blood pressure control for diabetic retinopathy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;1:CD006127. 25637717
Hypothesis: differentiation of the human lymphoid system based on cell surface markers

Human lymphocytes can be separated into distinct populations based upon receptors on their cell surface. Thymus-derived (T-cell) lymphocytes can be identified by their ability to form rosetts with sheep erythrocytes (SRBC); bone marrow-derived (B-cell) lymphocytes bear characteristic surface markers for immunoglobulin, complement, and the Fc portion of IgG. Recently, populations of lymphocytes having either multiple markers or no detectable markers (null cells) have been observed. Based on studies of cell surface markers, a scheme is proposed that expands the known differentiation of the lymphod cell to include subpopulations which represent developmental stages. It is suggested that lymphocyte maturation involves alloantigenic changes in a circulating stem cell-drived nill cell, leading to a cell bearing markers for both T- and B-cells. It is from this latter cell that the classic T- and B-cells ultimately arise. Maturational defects which may explain the origin of primary lymphoproliferative diseases are discussed.
Human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 replication can be increased in peripheral blood of seropositive patients after influenza vaccination

Despite considerable evidence that cell activation enhances human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) replication in vitro, there is very little data on the role of immune activation on in vivo HIV-1 replication. In this study, we examined the effect of influenza vaccination on HIV-1 replication in the peripheral blood of 20 study subjects, and in 14 control subjects who did not receive influenza vaccination. Blood was obtained from each subject on three occasions during the month before vaccination and again on three occasions during the following month. Over the study period, there was little change in levels of proviral DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). However, peak PBMC viral RNA levels after influenza vaccination were significantly increased over the mean of prevaccination values. This change was not observed to the same extent in unvaccinated controls. Therefore, this is the first report showing that HIV-1 replication can increase in temporal association with influenza vaccination. Our results suggest that continued immunologic (antigenic) stimulation may result in increased virus load in vivo. To address the appropriateness of influenza vaccination in HIV-infected patients, expanded studies will be required to examine specific and generalized immune responses to vaccination, and differences in patient response based on disease stage.
Validation Studies on the Analysis of the HLA DQα Locus Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction

A series of experiments has been performed to evaluate typing of the HLA DQ alpha gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the gene and subsequent hybridization with sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes. These experiments were designed to evaluate DQ alpha typing for analysis of evidentiary specimens. Bloodstains were exposed to a variety of conditions and environmental insults. These conditions included exposure to many different types of substrates, various microorganisms that could be encountered in evidentiary stains, sunlight, and a variety of chemical contaminants. Varying amounts of genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were amplified to test the sensitivity of DQ alpha typing. The sensitivity of the PCR technique raises the concern that DNA from sources other than the evidentiary material could be detected. A series of experiments was done to evaluate the question of DNA contamination. Purified DNA samples with different DQ alpha types were mixed in different ratios to determine the ratio at which it could not be determined whether an allele was from the sample or the contaminant. Samples were exposed to a variety of situations that could lead to contamination, such as extensive handling and exposure to coughing or sweaty clothing, to other wet bloodstains, and to saliva. The DQ alpha types were determined from 469 individuals from three sample populations (Caucasian, black, and Hispanic), and the genotype frequencies were compared with frequencies previously reported by others. DNA samples from old cases [which had previously been analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) typing of variable number of tandem repeat sequences] were typed. All samples that were excluded by DQ alpha typing were also excluded by RFLP analysis, and all samples that were included by RFLP analysis were included by DQ alpha typing. Finally, the problem of allele dropout, or the failure to detect particular alleles, was noted and alleviated by performing the typing under appropriate conditions. The results of these validation experiments indicate that typing of the DQ alpha gene by PCR and detection of specific alleles can be accomplished, when the typing is done using proper protocols, without producing false positive or false negative results.
Polynomial stochastic hybrid systems

This paper deals with polynomial stochastic hybrid systems (pSHSs), which generally correspond to stochastic hybrid systems with polynomial continuous vector fields, reset maps, and transition intensities. For pSHSs, the dynamics of the statistical moments of the continuous states evolve according to infinite-dimensional linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). We show that these ODEs can be approximated by finite-dimensional nonlinear ODEs with arbitrary precision. Based on this result, we provide a procedure to build this type of approximations for certain classes of pSHSs. We apply this procedure for several examples of pSHSs and evaluate the accuracy of the results obtained through comparisons with Monte Carlo simulations. These examples include: the modeling of TCP congestion control both for long-lived and on-off flows; state-estimation for networked control systems; and the stochastic modeling of chemical reactions.
Early experience with an internet broadcast system based on overlay multicast

In this paper, we report on experience in building and deploying an operational Internet broadcast system based on Overlay Multicast. In over a year, the system has been providing a cost-effective alternative for Internet broadcast, used by over 4000 users spread across multiple continents in home, academic and commercial environments. Technical conferences and special interest groups are the early adopters. Our experience confirms that Overlay Multicast can be easily deployed and can provide reasonably good application performance. The experience has led us to identify first-order issues that are guiding our future efforts and are of importance to any Overlay Multicast protocol or system. Our key contributions are (i) enabling a real Overlay Multicast application and strengthening the case for overlays as a viable architecture for enabling group communication applications on the Internet, (ii) the details in engineering and operating a fully functional streaming system, addressing a wide range of real-world issues that are not typically considered in protocol design studies, and (iii) the data, analysis methodology, and experience that we are able to report given our unique standpoint.
Patient Safety Perspectives of Providers and Nurses: The Experience of a Rural Ambulatory Care Practice Using an EHR With E‐prescribing

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify and describe safety improvements and concerns indicated by providers and nurses in a rural community ambulatory care practice using an electronic health record with an e-prescribing feature (EHR with eRx). Methods: Two focus groups were conducted; 1 with providers and the other with nurses. Participants responded to questions and discussed their perceptions of safety improvements and concerns with use of an EHR with eRx. Transcripts were analyzed using sequential and continuous analytic methods. Findings: Three themes centered on efficiency and patient safety emerged from data analysis: (1) EHR with eRx adoption has led to new improvements and concerns for patient safety, (2) the EHR with eRx has affected efficiency in the clinic, and (3) EHR with eRx adoption has led to workarounds. Conclusions: Concerns remain among providers and nurses regarding the use of EHR with eRx applications, although concerns differed between groups. Therefore, When EHR improvements are planned, it is important to consider the differing needs of the professionals who deliver care.
Social Support and Coping: Applications for the Study of Female Drug Abuse

This paper addresses two issues: (a) the utility of applying the social support-stress-coping paradigm to the study of substance abuse, and (b) refinements needed in conceptualization of the coping aspect of the model. A brief review of the more recent theoretical and methodological treatments of social support is followed by an examination of two limitations of current perspectives. The first limitation considered is the failure of previous work to address the behavioral components of the hypothesized connection between social support and stress reduction, and the second is the lack of “bidirectionality” in social support models. Data from a study of heroin addicted women is used to illustrate how refinements in the coping aspect of the model, in particular, may help clarify the role of social support in stress reduction. Findings included the indication that, for heroin addicted women, the absence of social support is associated with the use of non-social, potentially dysfunctional coping strategies. A similar pattern did not exist for men.
Effectiveness of low impact development practices in two urbanized watersheds: retrofitting with rain barrel/cistern and porous pavement.

The impacts of urbanization on hydrology and water quality can be minimized with the use of low impact development (LID) practices in urban areas. This study assessed the performance of rain barrel/cistern and porous pavement as retrofitting technologies in two urbanized watersheds of 70 and 40 km2 near Indianapolis, Indiana. Six scenarios consisting of the watershed existing condition, 25% and 50% implementation of rain barrel/cistern and porous pavement, and 25% rain barrel/cistern combined with 25% porous pavement were evaluated using a proposed LID modeling framework and the Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment (L-THIA)–LID model. The model was calibrated for annual runoff from 1991 to 2000, and validated from 2001 to 2010 for the two watersheds. For the calibration period, R2 and NSE values were greater than 0.60 and 0.50 for annual runoff and streamflow. Baseflow was not calibrated in this study. During the validation period, R2 and NSE values were greater than 0.50 for runoff and streamflow, and 0.30 for baseflow in the two watersheds. The various application levels of barrel/cistern and porous pavement resulted in 2–12% reduction in runoff and pollutant loads for the two watersheds. Baseflow loads slightly increased with increase in baseflow by more than 1%. However, reduction in runoff led to reduction in total streamflow and associated pollutant loads by 1–9% in the watersheds. The results also indicate that the application of 50% rain barrel/cistern, 50% porous pavement and 25% rain barrel/cistern combined with 25% porous pavement are good retrofitting options in these watersheds. The L-THIA–LID model can be used to inform management and decision-making for implementation of LID practices at the watershed scale.
The Effects of Preschool Integration on the Development of Nonhandicapped Children.

Nine research studies that reported child change data for nonhandicapped children participating in integrated preschool settings were analyzed in terms of methodology and specific program variables. The findings indicate that the methodological weaknesses in studies of the effectiveness of integration are the same that plague early intervention efficacy studies in general. Analysis of specific program variables indicates that studies of the outcomes of integration have typically viewed integration as a single treatment variable rather than as a process having many possible variations. The implications of the findings are discussed.
High performance computing requirements for physical system and market operations

This paper examines leading business and technological drivers for high performance computing, and presents example applications that stress today's computation limits.
Synaptonemal complex damage in relation to meiotic chromosome aberrations after exposure of male mice to cyclophosphamide

The genetic implications of induced synaptonemal complex (SC) damage are not known. However, on theoretical grounds, such aberrations could be involved in mechanisms leading to potentially heritable defects. Cyclophosphamide (CP), a chemical reported to cause structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations in the mouse, was used to determine if SC damage observed in meiotic prophase is related to subsequent metaphase chromosomal aberrations. Male mice were injected i.p. with CP. In some instances, mice were also injected simultaneously with tritiated thymidine to label DNA so that cells could be tracked autoradiographically through spermatogenesis. Prophase, primary metaphase (M1), and secondary metaphase (M2) samples were sequentially harvested at appropriate times from the same individual, and nuclei were examined for aberrations. Correlation coefficients between SC and metaphase chromosome aberrations were calculated. The inclusion of tritium labeling increased the number and significance of positive correlations. Positive correlations were found between (1) dose-dependent total SC damage and damage to M1, and to a lesser extent, M2 chromosomes; (2) SC breaks/fragments and M1 chains/rings as well as isochromatid breaks/fragments; (3) SC asynapsis and M1 chromatid breaks/fragments; (4) SC multi-axial configurations and M1 chains/rings as well as isochromatid and chromatid breaks/fragments; and (5) SC multi-axial configurations and M2 hyperploidy. These correlations do not define mechanistic or causal relationships between SC and chromosomal damage. However, taken together with the observation that induced SC damage is many times greater than ensuing metaphase chromosome damage, they substantiate SC analysis as a highly sensitive indicator of potentially heritable effects of this (and presumably other) genotoxic agents.
On subalgebras of n × n matrices not satisfying identities of degree 2n − 2

Abstract The Amitsur–Levitzki theorem asserts that Mn(F) satisfies a polynomial identity of degree 2n. (Here, F is a field and Mn(F) is the algebra of n×n matrices over F.) It is easy to give examples of subalgebras of Mn(F) that do satisfy an identity of lower degree and subalgebras of Mn(F) that satisfy no polynomial identity of degree ⩽2n−2. In this paper we prove that the subalgebras of n×n matrices satisfying no nonzero polynomial of degree less than 2n are, up to F-algebra isomorphisms, the class of full block upper triangular matrix algebras.
Here a method, there a method, everywhere many methods. What should a laboratory do to validate an assay for the detection of botulinum neurotoxins?

Over the past decade, a plethora of new detection methods for Clostridium botulinum Toxins (BoNTs) have been introduced into the bioresearch and bio-defense communities. These methods are on the promise that the detection of BoNTs would be comparable with the mouse bioassay. Furthermore, these methods would be leveraged as a high-throughput system that would identify contaminants more quickly for counter-terrorism purposes. But, few truly novel detection methods have made significant progress. For new advances, challenges, limitations and strategies in the detection, a comprehensive validation strategy is a means to garner equal attention for the successful development of a detection method.