cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Marital Status and Adjustment 1 Year Post-Spinal-Cord-Injury

The current study employed a case-control design to examine the impact of marital status on adjustment among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) 1 year post-injury. Two groups of 53 individuals (i.e., single versus married individuals) were matched case-for-case on age (i.e., within 10 years), education, gender, race, and lesion level. Although not specifically matched, etiology of SCI, and number of rehospitalizations and days rehospitalized during the past year were not significantly different between groups. Outcome measures included the Satisfaction With Life Scale, the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART), and the SF-12. Results indicated that overall self-reported QOL was significantly lower among single individuals as compared to their matched married counterparts. Similarly, self-reported handicap was significantly higher among single individuals, particularly in the areas of social integration and economic self-sufficiency. In contrast, overall physical and mental health were not different across groups.
Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy in an Adolescent with Neoplastic Disease As Initial Therapy

Abstract Introduction: Pediatric renal tumors are typically resected through a large abdominal incision to prevent tumor rupture. If this occurs, staging will be increased with more therapy needed....
Reading Durkheim in Darkness

This article is a contribution to the occasional series dealing with major books that have influenced the authors. Previous contributors include Stewart Macaulay, John Griffith, William Twining, Carol Harlow, Geoffrey Bindman, Harry Arthurs, Andre‐Jean Arnaud, Alan Hunt, Michael Adler, Lawrence O. Gostin, John P. Heinz, Roger Brownsword, Roger Cotterrell, and Nicola Lacey. I have chosen Emile Durkheim's Division of Labor in Society (1893). As for many social scientists, Division was part of my introduction to anthropology, especially for its key concepts of collective consciousness and social solidarity. A standard reading of it formulates Durkheim's idea of law as the expression of collective consciousness; however, later circumstances of rereading gave me a sense of his own doubts on this very possibility. As my ethnographic work has increasingly focused on the strategic aggrandizement of federal power in the United States, I have been surprised to find myself repeatedly reaching for Durkheim's book – particularly for its association of the value of social science with the vulnerability of modern society to democratic crisis.
Student and Faculty Perspectives on Effectiveness of an Interdisciplinary Graduate Engineering Program

This Innovative Practice Full Paper presents findings from a qualitative analysis of student and faculty perspectives on activities designed to contribute to interdisciplinarity in a newly designed graduate engineering program; incorporating transferable skills (i.e., competencies needed to be successful in professional settings) throughout the curriculum. Current national trends suggest that materials development lags behind the technological needs of today. To address these concerns, an interdisciplinary graduate engineering program was designed, integrating transferable skills instruction alongside multi- and interdisciplinary coursework. Designed to emphasize the core principles of transformative learning theory (e.g., critical reflection, creative problem-solving, effective discourse, and authentic relationships), required program activities, like development of an ePortfolio, foster transferable skills acquisition in students. Continuous evaluation of program effectiveness is crucial in maintaining optimal program implementation and output. The current evaluation utilized qualitative analyses of student ePortfolios to better understand student and faculty perspectives of student outcomes based on interdisciplinary assessments of a cross-discipline design project. The results suggest that students acquired both transferable and technical skills through several unique program components and activities; further, skills acquisition appeared to contribute to successful completion of broader program learning outcomes. Implications for practice and future directions are discussed.
A characterization of probability measures in terms of semi-quantum operators

A canonical definition of the joint semi-quantum operators of a finite family of random variables, having finite moments of all orders, is given first in terms of an existence and uniqueness theore...
Understanding Nature and Its Cognitive Benefits

Many people have the intuition that interacting with natural environments benefits their psychological health. But what has research actually demonstrated about the benefits of nature experience an...
Autonomic Nervous System Anatomy with Clinical Correlation

Familiarity with the anatomy of the autonomic nervous system is critically important for the diagnosis of numerous neurologic diseases. Abnormalities of the pupil, blood pressure, bladder, bowel, and sexual function are frequent concomitants of neurologic disorders and may provide the sole clue for solving diagnostic puzzles. The most clinically useful elements of the autonomic nervous system will be reviewed in this chapter.
Tragedy Following Tragedies: Estimating the Copycat Effect of Media-Covered Suicide in the Age of Digital News:

The Werther effect is the name given to the observed relationship between celebrity suicide and the national suicide rate. Media-covered suicides are often followed by a positive shock in the natio...
Regional differences in exertional heat illness rates among Georgia USA high school football players

Many high school associations in recent years are developing policies to improve player safety regarding exertional heat illnesses (EHIs). A question is whether states with diverse climates need multiple sets of guidelines with different activity modification thresholds. We examine this question in the state of Georgia, which has a diverse climate. Our study leverages a multi-year dataset of exertional heat illnesses (EHIs) among high school football players to test the hypothesis that EHI rates under similar wet bulb globe temperatures (WBGTs) will be greater among athletes in the cooler, northern region versus warmer, southern region of the state. The focus of this study is on a 3-year period (2012–2014) when uniform heat safety polices, including acclimatization and activity modification guidelines, were implemented across the state. Results show that athletes in the northern region acclimatize to cooler conditions. Almost 68% of practices have WBGTs < 27.8 °C (82 °F) compared to the southern region where athletes receive many times the exposures to hotter WBGTs in the 27.8–30.5 °C and 30.6–32.2 °C categories. In the post-acclimatization period, we observed statistically significantly (p < .05) greater EHI rates among athletes in the northern region of the state, even when controlling for meteorological conditions. Our findings suggest that differential acclimatization between football players in the northern and southern regions of the state is impacting EHI rates and that regional heat safety guidelines may be needed in Georgia and other states with similarly diverse climates.
In Vivo Ankle Kinematics Revealed Through Biplane Radiography: Current Concepts, Recent Literature, and Future Directions

Lateral ligament repair, specifically the modified Brostrom-Gould (BG) procedure, has been described for patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) after failure of nonoperative management. However, there is minimal data about native in vivo ankle bone kinematics and how repairs such as the BG procedure affect the kinematics. The objective of this review is to appraise existing literature that used biplane radiography to measure in vivo kinematics of the ankle in healthy, CAI, and BG populations. Results showed that the tibiotalar joint contributes more to dorsi/plantarflexion, the subtalar joint contributes more to inversion/eversion and internal/external rotation, and that both joints are capable of complex three-dimensional (3D) motion. Preliminary data suggests that demanding activities (as opposed to walking) are necessary to elicit kinematic differences between healthy and CAI populations. Results also indicate that the BG procedure restores static kinematics and range of motion. All but one of the studies identified in this review collected static, quasi-stance, or partial gait capture data. The strength of our current knowledge is low given the small sample sizes, exploratory nature of previous work, and lack of rigorous experimental design in previous studies. Future directions include development of an improved protocol for establishing coordinate systems in the ankle bones, continued development of a database of normal kinematics during a variety of activities, and large-scale, longitudinal studies of CAI and BG patients.
Effect of Material Properties on the Performance of Novel Low-k High-Q LTCC Compositions

Low dielectric constant (< 8) compositions targeting high Qf and low Tf values for use in high frequency communications, automotive ADAS, filters, resonators, antennas, and LTCC applications have been developed. These compositions have stable dielectric loss up to 70 GHz and sinter at low temperatures making them attractive for integration and LTCC packaging. The dielectric materials have enhanced mechanical properties and are co-fireable with low loss conductors (Ag). The effect of powder properties of newly developed LTCC compositions are correlated to the electrical and mechanical properties. The performance of these compositions have myriad applications in 5G and beyond technologies.
Untargeted Lipidomics Highlight the Depletion of Deoxyceramides During Therapy-Induced Senescence.

Therapy-induced senescence is a state of cell cycle arrest that occurs as a response to various chemotherapeutic reagents, especially ones that cause DNA damage. Senescent cells display resistance to cell death and can impair the efficacy of chemotherapeutic strategies. Since lipids can exhibit pro-survival activity, it is envisioned in this article that probing the lipidome could provide insights into novel lipids that are involved in senescence. Therefore, a tissue culture model system is established and the cellular lipidomes of senescent and proliferating cells are comparatively analyzed. Out of thousands of features detected, 17 species are identified that show significant changes in senescent cells. The majority of these species (11 out of 17) are atypical sphingolipids, 1-deoxyceramides/dihydroceramides, which are produced as a result of the utilization of alanine, instead of serine during sphingolipid biosynthesis. These lipids are depleted in senescent cells. Elevating the levels of deoxyceramides by supplementing the growth medium with metabolic precursors or by directly adding deoxyceramide result in decreased senescence, suggesting that these species might play a key role in this process.
Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management in Pregnancy

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects reproductive age women and poses significant obstetric complications. Here we review the pathogenesis, diagnosis, obstetric complications, and management in women with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Key words: Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome; Pregnancy; Management
Should We Privatize Censorship

Over the past few decades, the United States has increasingly relied on the private sector to carry out missions that were once considered largely the mission of the state. There are now more private cops (security guards and the like) than public police; there have been about the same number of private contractors carrying out the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as soldiers. There is a sharp rise in for-profit prisons, and even collecting intelligence and torture have been privatized to some extent. Most recently, major technology companies such as Facebook, Google, and Twitter have been, in effect, deputized as censors. They have been pressured to remove a great variety of messages deemed offensive by large parts of the public and its elected representatives. The result is a legal, ethical, and administrative mess, but it is not easy to develop a viable alternative.
Comparing cannabis use motive item performance between American Indian and White youth

Abstract Objective There is limited research on the motives for engaging in cannabis use for American Indian (AI) youth. The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in cannabis use motives between White and AI youth. Method This study used data from youth living on or near reservations who currently use cannabis and identify as White (n = 156) or AI (n = 922). Students completed a survey containing a measure of cannabis use motives that included coping, recreation, and expansion motives. Eight items, four coping and four recreational/expansion, were evaluated using Item Response Theory. Multi-group analyses were conducted to assess the differences in item functioning between White and AI youth. Results Three of the four items in the four-item coping model and four items in the recreational/enhancement model exhibited meaningful differential item functioning (DIF). Results suggest that AI youth were more likely to endorse coping reasons for use while White youth were more likely to endorse recreational/expansion reasons for use. Conclusions This study provides preliminary evidence that AI and White youth meaningfully differ in their likelihood to endorse coping, recreational, and expansion reasons for cannabis use. These findings highlight the importance of attending to differences between AI and White youth substance use motives, especially when developing culturally competent intervention and prevention strategies.
Education Time Out and Debrief: Structured Implementation of Perioperative Resident Technical Education Discussion

Background We designed a model for pre- and postoperative discussions between faculty and trainees to maximize educational yield of cases and accelerate residents' technical development. We sought to study its effect on surgical education via participant perceptions and longitudinal validated performance evaluations. Study Design Our model included preoperative collaborative technical goal-setting, specific to the resident, or “Time Out,” and immediate postoperative granular feedback guided by validated evaluation tools, or “Debrief.” We encouraged routine use for two 3-month rotations. We administered surveys with Likert scale and open-ended questions before and after implementation to assess adoption and perceptions. Likert scale survey data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U tests; reported time durations were analyzed using t-tests. At 2 time points per rotation, designated faculty evaluated participating residents using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) for open/endoscopic cases or Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS). OSATS and GEARS data were analyzed using paired t-tests. Results Before our intervention, we noted significant differences between attending and resident physicians' perceptions of the frequency, importance, and challenges of perioperative educational discussions. After our intervention, these disparities resolved. In addition, participants reported significantly improved satisfaction with pre- and postoperative educational discussions (p = 0.01). Use of the model did not require increased time per participants' report. Paired GEARS/OSATS were completed for 9 trainees during the intervention, with faculty ratings revealing significant improvement in resident technical skills (p = 0.03). Conclusions Our structured model for perioperative educational discussions, consisting of the preoperative “Education Time Out” and postoperative “Education Debrief,” significantly improved faculty and resident satisfaction and was associated with measurable improvements in resident technical skills without requiring significantly more time.
Racial Disparities of Possessing Healthcare Power Attorney and Living Will Among Older Americans: Do SES and Health Matter?

Abstract Context Most previous studies considered advance directives (AD) as one outcome, which conceals possible variations of individuals’ decisions on two AD documents—living will (LW) and durable power of attorney for health care (PA). Objectives To address this issue, this study examined how completions of PA and LW are associated with race, and whether SES and health can partially explain the racial disparities of AD possession. Methods The sample included 9902 older adults from the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. AD completion was coded as a four-category variable, including no PA or LW, no PA, no LW, and both PA and LW. Race was categorized as non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and Asian or Native American. Socioeconomic status (SES) was measured by education and household wealth. Health was indicated by chronic conditions and functional limitations. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the racial effects of AD possession and the effects of SES and health conditions. Results Older adults who only have PA or only have LW significantly differed in racial identity, SES and health. The regression results show that being a racial minority was associated with a lower likelihood to have both ADs and only PA. SES partially buffered racial disparities in AD possession, while the moderation of health was not consistently significant. Discussion The findings highlight the importance of examining the completions of two AD documents and indicate the necessity of developing distinct and concrete strategies to promote the completion of PA and LW.
An analysis of contributing mining factors in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis prevalence in the United States coal mines, 1986–2018

In the United States, an unexpected and severe increase in coal miners’ lung diseases in the late 1990s prompted researchers to investigate the causes of the disease resurgence. This study aims to scrutinize the effects of various mining parameters, including coal rank, mine size, mine operation type, coal seam height, and geographical location on the prevalence of coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP) in surface and underground coal mines. A comprehensive dataset was created using the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Employment and Accident/Injury databases. The information was merged based on the mine ID by utilizing SQL data management software. A total number of 123,589 mine-year observations were included in the statistical analysis. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model was used to conduct a statistical analysis on a total of 29,707, and 32,643 mine-year observations for underground and surface coal mines, respectively. The results of the econometrics approach revealed that coal workers in underground coal mines are at a greater risk of CWP comparing to those of surface coal operations. Furthermore, underground coal mines in the Appalachia and Interior regions are at a higher risk of CWP prevalence than the Western region. Surface coal mines in the Appalachian coal region are more likely to CWP development than miners in the Western region. The analysis also indicated that coal workers working in smaller mines are more vulnerable to CWP than those in large mine sizes. Furthermore, coal workers in thin-seam underground mine operations are more likely to develop CWP.
Seismic Analysis of Some Steel Building Frames

The design forces specified by standard building codes are smaller than the repeated reversing forces that can be expected to act on a structure during a major earthquake. These large overloads cause the critical elements of a structure to behave inelastically, resulting in large deformations. These effects must be reconized and appraised by designers. In this paper, the state-of-the-art in appraising the inelastic cyclic behavior for three different types of structural steel frames is examined. First, the special features in the analysis of the most widely used moment-resisting frames are considered. This is followed by a review of conventional concentrically braced frames. The paper concludes with comments on a novel bracing system in which the braces are deliberately made eccentric with respect to the beam-column joints.
Hybrid Approaches to Pattern Recognition

A general viewpoint of pattern recognition is introduced. Two major approaches to pattern recognition; namely, decision-theoretic (or statistical) and syntactic (or structural), are then discussed within the general framework. The approach of template- matching can be interpreted as a special case of the two major approaches. Various ways of mixing the approaches are discussed.
Review of Environmental Impact on the Epigenetic Regulation of Atopic Diseases

There has been significant increase in the prevalence of atopy over the past decade that cannot be explained by genetic predisposition. Environmental factors including nutrition, the uterine environment, and lifestyle factors are known to play a role in gene expression through epigenetic modifications. In this article, we review the literature on the environmental impact on epigenetic modulation of atopic diseases including asthma, food allergy, eczema, and allergic rhinitis. Recent public release of epigenomic data for hundreds of human tissues provides a powerful resource for further investigation of the molecular basis of atopic diseases.
Carbonic Acid from Decarboxylation by “Malic” Enzyme in Lactic Acid Bacteria

Carbonic anhydrase studies were used to determine the primary form of carbonic acid produced from decarboxylation of l-malic acid by “malic” enzyme in malolactic strains of five different species of lactic acid bacteria. Addition of carbonic anhydrase to the reaction mixture containing crude bacterial extract and l-malic acid, at pH 7, in all five cases resulted in an increase (13 to 23%) in the rate of carbon dioxide evolution over the control. The results indicated that the primary form of carbonic acid released from “malic” enzyme was not anhydrous carbon dioxide as previously supposed and as has been shown for other decarboxylating enzymes. The standard free-energy changes of the malo-lactic reaction with the various forms of carbonic acid as the primary decarboxylation product were calculated. The reaction is less exergonic when carbonic acid, bicarbonate ion, or carbonate ion is the primary decarboxylation product compared to anhydrous carbon dioxide. The free-energy of the reaction is not biologically available to the bacteria; with carbon dioxide not the primary decarboxylation product, the potential energy lost in a malo-lactic fermentation is not as great as previously considered. Endogenous carbonic anhydrase activity was not found.
Schedule Competition Revisited

This paper proposes and analyses a simple model of schedule competition, where transport providers choose service frequency and fares. The key assumptions are that passengers care about average schedule delay, a consequence of committing to travel before knowing their departure times, and that they exhibit brand loyalty to particular carriers. While the most general version of the model is not amenable to analysis, familiar functional-form assumptions produce a tractable framework that generates a host of useful comparative static results, along with a clear-cut efficiency evaluation. The model also sheds light on the phenomenon of excess transport capacity.
Development of the lymphoma enterprise architecture database: A caBIG(™) silver level compliant system

Lymphomas are the fifth most common cancer in United States with numerous histological subtypes. Integrating existing clinical information on lymphoma patients provides a platform for understanding biological variability in presentation and treatment response and aids development of novel therapies. We developed a cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid™ (caBIG™) Silver level compliant lymphoma database, called the Lymphoma Enterprise Architecture Data-system™ (LEAD™), which integrates the pathology, pharmacy, laboratory, cancer registry, clinical trials, and clinical data from institutional databases. We utilized the Cancer Common Ontological Representation Environment Software Development Kit (caCORE SDK) provided by National Cancer Institute’s Center for Bioinformatics to establish the LEAD™ platform for data management. The caCORE SDK generated system utilizes an n-tier architecture with open Application Programming Interfaces, controlled vocabularies, and registered metadata to achieve semantic integration across multiple cancer databases. We demonstrated that the data elements and structures within LEAD™ could be used to manage clinical research data from phase 1 clinical trials, cohort studies, and registry data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database. This work provides a clear example of how semantic technologies from caBIG™ can be applied to support a wide range of clinical and research tasks, and integrate data from disparate systems into a single architecture. This illustrates the central importance of caBIG™ to the management of clinical and biological data.
Using quantum computing models for graviton communication/information processing in cosmological evolution

In 2001, Seth Lloyd presented a radical new critique of the universe as a quantum computing device, with an upper limit of bit calculations of the order of 10 to the 120 power. We find that his calculations permit us to reconcile the existance of a huge cosmological constant 10 to the minus 43 seconds after the big bang, with a resulting huge relic graviton flux, with the existance of a CMBR observational barrier of z = 1100 years after the big bang. Lloyd's calculations pre suppose the existence of a huge entropy value during the nucleation of a new universe, a datum we think helps shed light on the cosmological landscape problem.
Electrical Manufacturing Around 1900

During the two decades prior to 1900, electrical manufacturing companies grew from small, single-plant firms, producing only a few items and employing several hundred workers, to large, multiplant organizations, with hundreds of products and thousands of employees. This change in the scale of operations required the invention and application of new organizational forms and new administrative procedures. The men who were responsible for these developments were among the first to recognize and solve the administrative problems of large industrial corporations. The work of these men is the subject of this paper.
Molecular cloning of mammalian 28,000 Mr vitamin D-dependent calcium binding protein (calbindin-D28K): expression of calbindin-D28K RNAs in rodent brain and kidney.

ABSTRACT We report the isolation of a cloned cDNA for the mammalian 28,000 Mr vitamin D-dependent calcium binding protein (calbindin-D28K; CaBP28K) by immunological screening of a λgt11 bacterial e...
The effect of heated effluents from power plants on seagrass (Thalassia) communities quantitatively comparing estuaries in the subtropics to the tropics

Abstract The need for most efficient use of energy is abruptly in conflict with the need to maintain environmental quality in terms of heated effluents released from power plants. This study synthesizes biological results found from four effluent canals from power plants releasing heat on shallow estuaries: tropics, edge of tropics and subtropics. The dominant near-shore community in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean is that of Thalassia, rich in animal and plant abundance and biomass. Summer mean temperatures in all three estuaries ranged around 30°C. Results show sustained temperatures of +5°C in summer denude the area of the Thalassia community. Temperatures +1 and +1.5°C were minimally damaging to the studied areas and can be considered rational release temperatures. Insufficient data was available at +2°C to make a statement; +4°C areas showed intense damage to the biological communities at all locations; +3°C effect varied from severe damage in the subtropics to 40% damage in the tropics. Recommended summer heated effluent release for power plants eliminating heat onto Thalassia beds would certainly nerver be greater than +3°C. A trade-off decision must be made by decision-makers as to +3 or +2°C as the upper permissable limit. Winter release of effluent temperature in areas where winter temperatures fall below 25°C could be above +3°C apparently without damage. Tropical and subtropical ecosystems are on the brink of disaster and small increments of change by man's activities can push them beyond tolerance limits. Evidently the marine tropics differ from marine temperate zones in their capacity to assimilate man's activities.
Paracrine signaling in stem cell renewal and in neoplastic tumor growth

Paracrine pathway activities are being increasingly recognized as instrumental regulatory mechanisms of epithelial-stromal interactions that play important roles in physiological and pathological self-renewal of stem cells and in the initiation and maintenance of neoplastic tumor development. Stromal-specific Hedgehog (Hh) responses and epithelial-associated Wnt pathway activities have been recently appreciated as important factors in stem cell self-renewal and carcinogenesis. Furthermore, Hh and Wnt pathways frequently crosstalk with each other to regulate the growth of epithelial cells in a context-dependent manner. Because small molecule modulators of Hh and Wnt pathway activities are readily available, emerging roles of Hh-Wnt pathway crosstalk in epithelial-stromal interactions will shed light on the development of regenerative and anticancer medicines.
Characterization of the Nuclear Localization Signal of the Borna Disease Virus Polymerase

Borna disease virus (BDV) is a nonsegmented negative-strand RNA virus that replicates and transcribes its genome in the nucleus of infected cells. BDV proteins involved in replication and transcription must pass through the nuclear envelope to associate with the genomic viral RNA. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L) of BDV is postulated to be the catalytic enzyme of replication and transcription. We demonstrated previously that BDV L localizes to the nucleus of BDV-infected cells and L-transfected cells. Nuclear localization of the protein presupposes the presence of a nuclear localization signal (NLS) within its primary amino acid sequence or cotransport to the nucleus with another karyophilic protein. Because L localized to the nucleus in the absence of other viral proteins, we investigated the possibility that L contains an NLS. The minimal sequence required for nuclear localization of L was identified by analyzing the subcellular distribution of deletion mutants of L fused to a flag epitope tag or β-galactosidase. Although the majority of the L fusion proteins localized to the cytoplasm of transfected BSR-T7 cells, a strong NLS (844RVVKLRIAP852) with basic and proline residues was identified. Mutation of this sequence resulted in cytoplasmic distribution of L, confirming that this sequence was necessary and sufficient to drive the nuclear localization of L.
Developmental regulation of flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) isoforms 1 and 2 in pregnant rabbit.

Abstract Mammalian flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO, EC 1.14.13.8) metabolizes a vast number of structurally diverse xenobiotics containing a soft-nucleophile, typically a nitrogen or sulfur. FMO is not inducible by the classical cytochrome P450 (CYP) inducers, such as phenobarbital, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, ethanol or macrolide antibiotics. Evidence does exist from a number of laboratories, however, for developmental and hormonal regulation of FMO. Our laboratory has confirmed previous observations of enhanced FMO activity during mid- and late-gestation in maternal rabbit lung and have demonstrated that this response is due to increased protein and catalytic activity associated with FMO2. The time course of expression of FMO2 during mid- and late-gestation correlates to plasma peaks of progesterone or Cortisol. FMO2 also peaks at parturition in maternal kidney, coincident with plasma cortisol levels. FMO2 is induced by s.c. administration of either progesterone or dexamethasone in lung, or by dexamethasone in kidney. Correlation of plasma progesterone or cortisol levels during gestation and postpartum support a role for progesterone, but not cortisol in regulation of FMO2 in maternal rabbit lung. The levels of FMO1 also appear to be increased during mid- and late-gestation in liver. FMO1 in liver may also be regulated during gestation by progesterone or glucocorticoids as administration of these steroids enhanced FMO1 mRNA levels 4-fold.
Hardware flooding (preliminary version)

Traditional broadcast protocols for the high-speed networks of are inappropriate the future. Such protocols are limited by the speed of software processing, which becomes a bottleneck as network speeds increase. This paper presents a broadcast protocol that is appropriate for high-speed networks, and is tolerant of failures involving the loss of messages. The protocol is based primarily on the simple hardware functions present in a high-speed network node. This leads to message delivery at hardware speeds. In the unlikely event of a failure, some software intervention may be required to guarantee the timely termination of the protocol. However this software processing does not interfere with message delivery. We show that in the likely cases, the protocol guarantees message delivery within D~ time, where D is the diameter of the network, and ~ is the maximum link delay. *This research was partially conducted when this author was visiting the IBM T. J. Watson Research Center. Additional support was provided by an IBM Graduate Student Fellowship. Permission to oopy without fee all or part of this material is granted provided that tha copies are not made or distributed for direct commercial advantage, the ACM copyright notice and the title of the publication and ita data appear, and notice is given that copying is by permission of tha Association for Computing Machinery. To copy otherwise, or to republish, requires a fee and/or specific permission. Q 1991 ACM 0-89791-444-9/91 1000810259...$1.50
Photodetachment cross section of H - in crossed electric and magnetic fields. II. Quantum formulas and their reduction to the result of the closed-orbit theory

In this, the second of two papers, we derive general quantum formulas for the photodetachment cross section for ${\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ in perpendicular electric and magnetic fields. The results are valid for any polarization and can be reduced to the semiclassical results of the first paper [A. D. Peters and J. B. Delos, Phys. Rev. A 47, 3020 (1993)]: a smooth background plus oscillatory terms. This connection between the quantum and semiclassical results is made using a stationary-phase approximation and it is shown that each stationary-phase point corresponds to a closed orbit.
Searching for Needles in the T Cell Receptor Haystack

The diversity and specificity of the adaptive immune system allow us to fight off pathogens with a vast repertoire of distinct B and T cells. The T cell receptor (TCR) confers antigen specificity, but with an estimated 1011 permutations possible in a single individual, the TCR repertoire looks a lot like the proverbial haystack. Linnemann and colleagues present a new method that allows high-throughput identification of TCR sequences and describe several practical applications of this approach. With this method, the authors isolate individual fragments of genomic DNA that encode specific TCR sequences by using common regions of individual TCRs as “bait.” Then, captured genomic fragments undergo deep sequencing, allowing for the identification of these sequences. This approach was validated by testing T cells with a known viral specificity and subsequently used to explore several potentially clinical relevant scenarios. In one example, the authors evaluated the repertoire of TCRs present within a single melanoma tumor isolated from a patient. Taking the bulk population of T cells and selecting for those that react to autologous tumor by up-regulating the activation marker CD107a, they identified several dominant clones that show functional activity against the tumor in vitro. One of the dominant clones was also detectable in a matched peripheral blood sample. With this proof of principle, the authors are well positioned to ask some very interesting questions about how the TCR repertoire may change over time during tumor development, in relation to antitumor therapies, and as the tumor adapts or evades the immune system. TCR specificity is one piece of the puzzle in understanding the complexity of immune responses against pathogens and tumors. Understanding how TCR repertoire relates to human disease requires tools to robustly track TCR specificities in human samples. Linnemann et al. present an approach that can help to sort through the haystack and start to make sense of TCR specificities in clinically relevant settings. C. Linnemann et al. , High-throughput identification of antigen-specific TCRs by TCR gene capture. Nat. Med. 19 , 1534–1541 (2013). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v19/n11/abs/nm.3359.html
Prediction of nitric oxide concentrations in melanomas.

Abstract The presence of iNOS and nitrotyrosine in cutaneous melanomas has been correlated with poor survival rates of patients, suggesting that NO plays a role in the tumor pathophysiology. However, the concentrations of NO that melanoma cells are exposed to in vivo have been unknown. To provide cell kinetic data for use in predicting those concentrations, synthesis and consumption of NO was examined in A375 melanoma cells. Nitric oxide synthesis was undetectable. The rate of intracellular NO consumption was determined by continuous monitoring of NO concentrations following injection of NO solutions in a closed chamber. After correcting for autoxidation and consumption from media-generated O 2 - , the rate constant obtained for cellular consumption was 7.1 ± 1.1 s −1 . This information was combined with previous data on macrophage NO kinetics to develop a mathematical model to predict NO levels in cutaneous melanomas. Synthesis of NO by macrophages in the stroma was found to give a maximum concentration at the tumor periphery of 0.2 μM. Because of the high rates of cellular consumption, the elevation in NO concentration is predicted to be very localized, approximately 90% of the concentration decay occurring within 30 μm of the tumor edge. High NO concentrations at the periphery of a melanoma may contribute to metastasis by stimulating cell proliferation, inhibiting apoptosis, or acting as a lymphangiogenic factor.
Nonsuppressible insulin-like activity and somatomedin C levels in normal pregnant women, in pregnant women with gestational diabetes, and in umbilical cord blood of mature and premature infants.

Abstract This study was undertaken to determine the significance of the changes in nonsuppressible insulin-like activity as measured by the fat pad assay and by the levels of immunoreactive somatomedin C, growth hormone, and human placental lactogen in sera of term normal pregnant women, mothers who delivered prematurely, and women with gestational diabetes at term as compared to normal nonpregnant subjects. These hormones were also measured in the umbilical cord blood of these patients at the time of delivery to determine the possible mechanisms of the fetal growth in utero. Our investigations showed that (1) nonsuppressible insulin-like activity is elevated during pregnancy, but its level was lower in mothers with gestational diabetes in spite of significantly higher serum human placental lactogen compared with normal pregnant mothers; (2) nonsuppressible insulin-like activity is significantly lower in premature infants than in term infants; (3) somatomedin C levels were significantly elevated in pregnant mothers in spite of suppression of growth hormone; (4) nonsuppressible insulin-like activity and somatomedin C levels in infants of mothers with gestational diabetes were not significantly elevated in spite of higher birth weight, indicating that nonsuppressible insulin-like activity and somatomedins are not the only factors responsible for the increase of birth weight of children of diabetic mothers; (5) there was marked discordance between the growth hormone level in the neonates and somatomedin C levels
Design and Control of a Pneumatically Actuated Transtibial Prosthesis

This paper presents the design and control of a pneumatically actuated transtibial prosthesis, which utilizes a pneumatic cylinder-type actuator to power the prosthetic ankle joint to support the user's locomotion. The pneumatic actuator has multiple advantages over the traditional electric motor, such as light weight, low cost, and high power-to-weight ratio. The objective of this work is to develop a compact and lightweight transtibial prosthesis, leveraging the multiple advantages provided by this highly competitive actuator. In this paper, the design details of the prosthesis are described, including the determination of performance specifications, the layout of the actuation mechanism, and the calculation of the torque capacity. Through the authors' design calculation, the prosthesis is able to provide sufficient range of motion and torque capacity to support the locomotion of a 75 kg individual. The controller design is also described, including the underlying biomechanical analysis and the formulation of the finite-state impedance controller. Finally, the human subject testing results are presented, with the data indicating that the prosthesis is able to generate a natural walking gait and sufficient power output for its amputee user.
Alfred Thayer Mahan and American Geopolitics: The Conservatism and Realism of an Imperialist

Debate about the goals of American foreign policy at the end of the twentieth century, especially that thread differentiating “conservative” from “neoconservative” perspectives, might profit by revisiting the debate over American expansion at the end of the nineteenth century. “I am an imperialist,” Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan once remarked, “simply because I am not isolationist.” This paper explores the connection between Mahan's defense of imperialism-often couched in terms of national interest and balance of power- and the norms of American power in world politics. The will-to-power behind American expansion and involvement, a formidable pillar in Mahan's realism, coexisted (often uneasily) with the affirmation of national purpose, a less formidable but still important part of Mahan's idealism. Mahan's strong conservative inclinations in politics were matched by a willingness to employ the tools of realism-particularly traditional diplomatic methods-as a way to uphold historic national goals and moral ...
Singularity conditions on the class group of Zariski surfaces

Abstract Let k be an algebraically closed field of characteristic p ≠ 0 and X g ⊂ A k 3 be a normal surface defined by an equation of the form z p = g ( x , y ) . Assume the number of singularities of X g is the maximum possible, which is very often the case. This paper defines an equivalence relation on the singularities of X g in terms of the Hessian from which it derives a fundamental decomposition of the group of Weil divisors of the surface. From the decomposition various results are obtained relating the structure of the equivalence classes to that of the class group.
Measurement of multiple scattering at 50 to 200 GeV/c

Multiple-scattering distributions were measured at Fermilab energies with various targets from hydrogen to lead. Results are presented and compared with predictions of Moliere, Mayes et al., and Highland.
The globalization of the cruise industry: a tale of ships

Purpose – The paper aimed to explore the development of the North American and the European cruise industry. The paper is discursive and it covers philosophical discussions and comparative studies of others ' work and thinking. The paper attempts to provide answers to the following questions. Is it a zero-sum game? And does the rise of new tourism destinations imply the decline of some of the existing destinations? Design/methodology/approach – This paper employs literature and archival documents utilizing data from Berlitz Guides to Cruising 1992-2013, Cruise Industry News Annuals 1995-2013, and other sources were evaluated to draw conclusions. Findings – Cruising has evolved from a source of supplemental income into the fastest growing segment of the hospitality and tourism industry. The confluence of innovative ships, improved distribution channels, market awareness, and harbor facilities, has often resulted in rapid sustained expansion. Looking at the quantity and quality of major ships, their impact ...
Diabetes, glucose toxicity, and oxidative stress: A case of double jeopardy for the pancreatic islet β cell

Diabetes is commonly referred to in terms of type 1 and type 2. Both forms involve pancreatic islet β-cell abnormalities, characterized by death in type 1 and accelerated apoptosis in type 2. The resultant chronic hyperglycemia leads to chronic oxidative stress for all tissues because glucose in abnormally high concentrations forms reactive oxygen species. It has been repeatedly emphasized that this can lead to oxidative damage in the classical secondary targets of diabetes, such as eyes, kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels. However, it has been much less appreciated that the β cell itself is also a prime target, a case of double jeopardy. This situation is all the more pernicious because islets contain among the lowest levels of antioxidant enzyme activities compared to other tissues. This adverse effect of high glucose concentrations is referred to as glucose toxicity. A major manifestation of glucose toxicity in the β cell is defective insulin gene expression, diminished insulin content, and defective insulin secretion. The molecular mechanisms involve the development of decreased levels of two very important insulin promoter transcription factors, PDX-1 and MafA. Studies with animal models of type 2 diabetes have established that pharmacologic protection against oxidative stress ameliorates the severity of diabetes progression. Translational research with humans is now under way to ascertain whether this protection can be provided to patients experiencing inadequate glycemic control.
Study of lesion contrast recovery for statistical PET image reconstruction with accurate system models

Iterative methods for the reconstruction of PET images can produce results superior to filtered backprojection since they are able to explicitly model the Poisson statistics of photon pair coincidence detection. However, many implementations of these methods use simple forward and backward projection schemes based either on linear interpolation or on computing the volume of intersection of detection tubes with each voxel. Other important physical system factors, such as depth dependent geometric sensitivity and spatially variant detector pair resolution are often ignored. In this paper, we examine the effect of a more accurate system model on algorithm performance. A second factor that limits the performance of the iterative algorithms is the chosen objective function and the manner in which it is optimized. Here we compare performance of filtered backprojection (FBP) with the OSEM (ordered subsets EM) algorithm, which approximately maximizes the likelihood, and a MAP (maximum a posteriori) method using a Gibbs prior with convex potential functions. Using the contrast recovery coefficient (CRC) as a performance measure, we performed various phantom experiments to investigate how the choice of algorithm and projection matrix affect reconstruction accuracy. Plots of CRC versus background variance were generated by varying cut-off frequency in FBP, subset size and iteration number or post-smoothing kernel in OSEM, and smoothing parameter in the MAP reconstructions. The results of these studies show that all of the iterative methods tested produce superior CRCs than FBP at matched background variance. However, there is also considerable variation in performance within the class of statistical methods depending on the choice of projection matrix and reconstruction algorithm.