cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Arachidonic acid metabolism in monocytes of aspirin-sensitive asthmatic patients before and after oral aspirin challenge.

Abstract Aspirin and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs induce bronchospastic reactions in patients with aspirin-sensitive respiratory disease. Although the mechanism of this reaction is unknown, all drugs that induce the respiratory reaction also Inhibit the cyclooxygenase enzyme. The ensuing changes in arachidonate metabolism are presumed to play a role in the pathogenesis of the reaction. We measured generation of leukotrienes and thromboxane by calcium ionophore stimulated blood monocytes. Before aspirin challenge, monocytes released significantly more thromboxane B 2 in patients with aspirin sensitivity than in patients without aspirin sensitivity or in healthy control subjects ( p 4 increased significantly (45.5%, p = 0.018), whereas release of thromboxane B 2 decreased (−46.9%, p = 0.028). Two hours after ingestion of 60 mg aspirin, normal monocyte release of thromboxane B 2 did not drop, whereas leukotriene B 4 release increased. Monocytes formed only minimal amounts of leukotriene C 4 . We conclude that the profile of released eicosanoids from aspirin-sensitive monocytes is distinct from non-aspirin-sensitive subjects, and that these differences could contribute to the development of bronchospasm after aspirin ingestion.
Noggin attenuates cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis and impaired autophagy.

ObjectivesTo investigate the role of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in acute pancreatitis (AP) by administration of noggin, an endogenous BMP antagonist, in a cerulein-induced AP model.MethodsAcute pancreatitis was induced by 9 hourly intraperitoneal injections of cerulein (50 μg/kg). Co
In-car gps navigation: engagement with and disengagement from the environment

Although in-car GPS navigation technology is proliferating, it is not well understood how its use alters the ways people interpret their environment and navigate through it. We argue that GPS-based car navigation might disengage people from their surrounding environment, but also has the potential to open up novel ways to engage with it. We present an ethnographically-informed study with GPS users, showing evidence for practices of disengagement as well as new opportunities for engagement, illustrating our findings using rich descriptions from the field. Grounded in our observations we propose design principles for GPS systems that support richer experiences of driving. We argue that for a fuller understanding of issues of disengagement and engagement with the environment we need to move beyond a focus on the (re)design of GPS devices, and point to future directions of work that embrace a broader perspective.
Radiocarbon dating of coastal peat, barrow, alaska.

A buried, frozen section of peat from sea level yielded radiocarbon dates between 700 and 2600 B.C.; it suggests burial by a transgressing sea.
Design and fabrication of high burnt-out Schottky barrier crystal video diodes☆

Abstract A design procedure for crystal video diodes which maximizes burn-out resistance and dynamic range for a given detection sensitivity is outlined. The design variables are the semiconductor, the metal, the substrate and epitaxial doping, the epitaxial thickness and the diode diameter. A key result is that, to first order, the diode sensitivity is independent of the metal. Diode design is only weakly dependent on the epitaxial doping but strongly dependent on the semiconductor, the diode are and the epitaxial thickness. The design and fabrication of a 10 W S-band diode is discussed. Flip mounting is required for efficient diode cooling, and a special 3-mesa tripod structure is employed for mechanical stability. The tangential sensitivity and burn-out power of these diodes is respectively −55 to −57 dbm and greater than 10 W.
The urgency for effective user privacy-education to counter social engineering attacks on secure computer systems

Trusted people can fail to be trustworthy when it comes to protecting their aperture of access to secure computer systems due to inadequate education, negligence, and various social pressures. People are often the weakest link in an otherwise secure computer system and, consequently, are targeted for social engineering attacks. Social Engineering is a technique used by hackers or other attackers to gain access to information technology systems by getting the needed information (for example, a username and password) from a person rather than breaking into the system through electronic or algorithmic hacking methods. Such attacks can occur on both a physical and psychological level. The physical setting for these attacks occurs where a victim feels secure: often the workplace, the phone, the trash, and even on-line. Psychology is often used to create a rushed or officious ambiance that helps the social engineer to cajole information about accessing the system from an employee.Data privacy legislation in the United States and international countries that imposes privacy standards and fines for negligent or willful non-compliance increases the urgency to measure the trustworthiness of people and systems. One metric for determining compliance is to simulate, by audit, a social engineering attack upon an organization required to follow data privacy standards. Such an organization commits to protect the confidentiality of personal data with which it is entrusted.This paper presents the results of an approved social engineering audit made without notice within an organization where data security is a concern. Areas emphasized include experiences between the Social Engineer and the audited users, techniques used by the Social Engineer, and other findings from the audit. Possible steps to mitigate exposure to the dangers of Social Engineering through improved user education are reviewed.
The mechanism of accommodation in primates.

Abstract Objective To study the accommodative mechanism in primates using monkeys, in light of a recently proposed novel accommodative mechanism in primates and a concomitant controversial surgical procedure for the reversal of presbyopia, Design Experimental study. Methods Accommodation was induced by stimulation of an electrode surgically implanted in the midbrain and by topical ocular application of muscarinic agonists. Pharmacologic disaccommodation was achieved by topical application of a muscarinic antagonist. Movements of the lens equator and the ciliary body were imaged during accommodation and disaccommodation using ultrasound biomicroscopy and goniovideography, and the images were analyzed to determine the direction and the extent of the movements. Results Despite the systematic eye movements occurring with electrical stimulation and the nonsystematic eye movements occurring with pharmacologic stimulation, in all instances the ciliary body and the lens equator moved away from the sclera during accommodation. Conclusions Movement of the accommodative structures is consistent with the classic mechanism of accommodation described by Helmholtz, and contrary to that recently proposed by Schachar.
Maximizing transport in open loop for flashing ratchets

This paper studies open-loop operation of flashing ratchets, which refer to mechanisms that enable motion of particles under diffusion and possibly drag forces along a preferred direction through alternating turning on and off of specifically designed ratchet potentials. Flashing ratchets are used to model certain transport mechanisms of molecular motors and are of special interest to biologists and biophysicists. Mathematically they are are modeled by stochastic hybrid systems. For an open-loop design of on-times and off-times, we derive, under certain practical assumptions, an exact probability density function that reflects the spatial distribution of particles in space after the ratchet has flashed a given number of times, and find an optimal off-time that maximizes the transport velocity for a specific ratchet potential. Validation of the underlying assumptions is also presented. Simulation results show that these open-loop designs achieve as good or better average velocities for particles over certain well known existing feedback strategies in literature.
Stereotaxic mapping of brainstem areas critical for the expression of the rodent’s preference for the dark

Different groups of adult rats were subjected to discrete lesions in one of 36 different areas of the brain and were subsequently tested for the rodent’s predictable preference for the dark. Deficient preference scores were observed in those groups having damage to the occipito-temporal cortex, cingulate cortex, dorsal hippocampus, anterior hypothalamus, dorsomedial thalamus, posterior thalamus, midbrain reticular formation, interpedunculo/central-tegmental area, or pontine, reticular formation. These results were plotted on the Massopust (1961) atlas.
Characterization of [(123)I]IDAM as a novel single-photon emission tomography tracer for serotonin transporters.

Development of selective serotonin transporter (SERT) tracers for single-photon emission tomography (SPET) is important for studying the underlying pharmacology and interaction of specific serotonin reuptake site inhibitors, commonly used antidepressants, at the SERT sites in the human brain. In search of a new tracer for imaging SERT, IDAM (5-iodo-2-[[2-2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]phenyl]thio]benzyl alcohol) was developed. In vitro characterization of IDAM was carried out with binding studies in cell lines and rat tissue homogenates. In vivo binding of [125I]IDAM was evaluated in rats by comparing the uptakes in different brain regions through tissue dissections and ex vivo autoradiography. In vitro binding studyshowed that IDAM displayed an excellent affinity to SERT sites (Ki=0.097 nM, using membrane preparations of LLC-PK1 cells expressing the specific transporter) and showed more than 1000-fold of selectivity for SERT over norepinehrine and dopamine (expressed in the same LLC-PK1 cells). Scatchard analysis of [125I]IDAM binding to frontal cortical membrane homogenates prepared from control or p-chloroamphetamine (PCA)-treated rats was evaluated. As expected, the control membranes showed a Kd value of 0.25 nM±0.05 nM and a Bmax value of 272±30 fmol/ mg protein, while the PCA-lesioned membranes displayed a similar Kd, but with a reduced Bmax (20±7 fmol/ mg protein). Biodistribution of[125I]IDAM (partition coefficient =473; 1-octanol/buffer) in the rat brainshowed a high initial uptake (2.44%dose at 2 min after i.v. injection) with the specific binding peaked at 60 min postinjection (hypothalamus-cerebellum/cerebellum =1.75). Ex vivo autoradiographs of rat brain sections (60 min after i.v. injection of [125I]IDAM) showed intense labeling in several regions (olfactory tubercle, lateral septal nucleus, hypothalamic and thalamic nuclei, globus pallidus, central gray, superior colliculus, substantia nigra, interpeduncular nucleus, dorsal and median raphes and locus coeruleus), which parallel known SERT density. This novel tracer has excellent characteristics for in vivo SPET imaging of SERT in the brain.
Environmental scanning electron microscopy of activated carbon production from anthracite by one-step pyrolysis-activation

Abstract Experiments were carried out to produce activated carbons from anthracite using one-step steam pyrolysis-activation. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) was used to observe the porosity development in real time. The anthracite samples were heated in different gas atmospheres before steam activation. The ESEM observations showed that the activation agent had a significant effect on the porosity of activated carbon produced from anthracite. The activated carbon produced by steam activation at 850°C for 6 h had the highest surface area and a well-developed porous structure. Substantial activation of anthracite surfaces and formation of extensive porosity occurred under the same conditions but with steam at 270 Pa instead of atmospheric pressure. Air treatment at 300°C for 3 h before steam activation also led to production of activated carbon with well-developed porosity. An important advantage of the activated anthracites produced in this study is their microporous structure with a considerable fraction of pores of molecular dimensions. This indicates that molecular sieve materials can be producted from Pennsylvania anthracite by one-step pyrolysis-activation under appropriate conditions.
The spectrum, management and clinical outcome of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV: a 30-year experience.

Purpose Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV (EDS-IV) results from abnormal procollagen III synthesis and leads to arterial, intestinal, and uterine rupture. The purpose of this study was to review the spectrum, management, and clinical outcome of EDS-IV patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 31 patients (15 male and 16 female) with a clinical diagnosis of EDS-IV treated over a 30-year period (1971 to 2001). Biochemical confirmation was obtained in 24 patients, and mutation of the COL3A1 gene was confirmed in 11 patients. The study excluded patients with other connective tissue dysplasias. Results The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 28.5 ± 11 years (range, 10 to 53 years). Twenty-four patients developed 132 vascular complications; of these, 85 were present either before or at the time of the initial evaluation, and 47 complications occurred during a median follow-up of 6.3 years (range, 0.5 to 26 years). Survival free of vascular complications was 90% at age 20 years, 39% at 40 years, and 20% at age 60 years. Fifteen patients underwent 30 operative interventions for vascular complications, including arterial reconstruction (n = 15), simple repair or ligation (n = 4), coil embolization (n = 3), splenectomy (n = 2), and abdominal decompression, nephrectomy, graft thrombectomy, vein stripping and thoracoscopy (n = 1 each). Three hospital deaths occurred from exsanguinating hemorrhage: two after operative interventions and one because of a ruptured splenic artery. Procedure-related morbidity was 46%, including a 37% incidence of postoperative bleeding and a 20% need for re-exploration. The incidence of late graft-related complications was 40% of arterial reconstructions, including 4 anastomotic aneurysms, 1 fatal anastomotic disruption, and 1 graft thrombosis. Patient survival was 68% at age 50 years and 35% at age 80 years. Of the 12 deaths during the study period, 11 were associated with vascular or graft-related complications. Conclusion Operative mortality in patients with vascular complications of EDS-IV was not excessively high, but the incidence of postoperative bleeding complications and late graft-related problems was significant. Despite successful repair of vascular complications, survival was shortened because of secondary vascular or graft-related complications.
Collision Density and Chemical Kinetics of Energetic Atoms. III

The gas‐phase bimolecular reaction H + D2→HD + D of energetic hydrogen atoms scavenged by molecular iodine and moderated by argon at 1000°K is studied by stochastic and analytical methods. A differential form of the Boltzmann equation for this system is discussed and coefficients of the differential equation are derived. Solutions for the collision density obtained from the differential equation and from an independent stochastic computer program are found to be in satisfactory agreement. The effect on the collision density of changing the moderator species from argon to helium is investigated and rate constants for both the argon‐ and helium‐moderated systems are given.
Multi-Element Adaptive Arrays with Tapped Delay Lines for Interference Mitigation in IEEE 802.11G OFDM Systems

In the unlicensed ISM wireless band, signals that use Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and OFDM with Cyclic Prefix Code (OFDM-CPC) present interference to other wireless users. We analyze the interference these broadband signals cause and contrast the results to that of narrowband interferers. Multi-element adaptive antennas with tapped-delay-lines are used to mitigate multiple interferers. It is shown that the number of delay line taps required to effectively mitigate the effect of multiple interferers increases as the number of interferers and array elements increases. For example, a 3-element array needs only 3 taps per element while a 6-element array needs 9 taps per element for interference mitigation.
Analyzing the Uncertainty of Biomass Estimates From L-Band Radar Backscatter Over the Harvard and Howland Forests

A better understanding of ecosystem processes requires accurate estimates of forest biomass and structure on global scales. Recently, there have been demonstrations of the ability of remote sensing instruments, such as radar and lidar, for the estimation of forest parameters from spaceborne platforms in a consistent manner. These advances can be exploited for global forest biomass accounting and structure characterization, leading to a better understanding of the global carbon cycle. The popular techniques for the estimation of forest parameters from radar instruments, in particular, use backscatter intensity, interferometry, and polarimetric interferometry. This paper analyzes the uncertainty in biomass estimates derived from single-season L-band cross-polarized (HV) radar backscatter over temperate forests of the Northeastern United States. An empirical approach is adopted, relying on ground-truth data collected during field campaigns over the Harvard and Howland Forests in 2009. The accuracy of field biomass estimates, including the impact of the diameter-biomass allometry, is characterized for the field sites. A single-season radar data set from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory's L-band Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar instrument is analyzed to assess the accuracy of the backscatter-biomass relationships with a theoretical radar error model.
Acoustic neuroma surgical cost and outcome by hospital volume in California

Abstract Context Successful outcome of complex surgical techniques depend on the surgical team's level of experience. However, unless benefit is demonstrated in the presence of cost savings, insurance companies are reluctant to approve care from highly experienced hospitals and surgical teams. Objective To determine the relationship between the number of acoustic neuroma surgeries performed at California hospitals with surgical outcome and hospital stay cost. Design Acoustic neuroma surgery information was extracted from the California hospital discharge database and was grouped according to the number of surgeries performed at each hospital. Setting A database review of California hospitals. Patients Persons (n=1,213) undergoing acoustic neuroma surgery at a California hospital between 1996 and 1998. Main outcome measures Outcome measures included discharge status (routine vs. not routine), medical procedures indicating surgical complications, total cost of hospitalization, and average cost per hospitalization day. Odds ratios were used to compare the hospital volume groups on likelihood of a routine surgical outcome. Results The frequency of routine surgical outcome increased as hospital acoustic neuroma surgical volume increased, ranging from 68% among patients in the lowest volume group to 97% in the highest hospital volume group. Patients in the highest hospital volume group were 15 times more likely to have a routine surgical outcome than patients in the lowest hospital volume group. Patients in the second highest volume group were 5 times more likely to have a routine surgical outcome than in the lowest volume group. The two highest volume hospital groups had lower total charges and average charges per day than the two lower volume hospital groups. Conclusions Acoustic neuroma surgeries at higher volume hospitals had higher frequency of routine discharge, lower frequency of apparent complications, and lower average cost of hospitalization.
Severe sepsis: are PROWESS and PROWESS-SHOCK trials comparable? A clinical and statistical heterogeneity analysis

Despite the same manufacturer, the same drotrecogin alfa activated dose, and the same placebo-controlled design, the negative result from the PROWESS-SHOCK trial contradicted the survival benefit observed in the PROWESS trial. We hypothesize that the different results were due to factors other than the experimental therapy and performed an analysis of the clinical heterogeneity (differences related to the trials' clinical aspects) and the statistical heterogeneity (differences related to the trials' statistical aspects) between these trials. Baseline characteristics and co-interventions were analyzed by chi-square testing and mortality was analyzed by random-effects modeling and I2. Our findings show that clinical variables presented significant heterogeneity, and that up to 90% of the mortality differences between both trials were not due to chance. These results demonstrate that PROWESS and PROWESS-SHOCK are not comparable trials due to the highly significant clinical and statistical heterogeneity. We propose a new and pragmatic solution.
Promoting Democratic Governance and Preventing the Recurrence of Conflict: The Role of the United Nations Development Programme in Post-Conflict Peace-Building

Promoting democracy and strengthening good governance have become core components of post-conflict peace-building initiatives of the United Nations (UN). An often overlooked dimension of the analysis of UN peace support operations has been the crucial role played by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at the critical juncture linking peacekeeping to sustainable development. UN peace operations in Central America over the last decade have pioneered the organisation's involvement in the uncharted territory of post-conflict peace building. UNDP's Central American experience was the first step in the organisation's evolution away from providing traditional development assistance, towards playing an active and openly political role in post-conflict democracy building and governance reform. This new role of the UNDP has had dramatic repercussions on its mandate, administrative structures, corporate policies and operational strategies. The current institutional renewal of UNDP has its roots in its endorsement of democratic governance as essential dimensions of its mandate to promote sustainable human development. This article assesses the significance, promises and dilemmas of the governance agenda for UNDP and analyses the scope, nature and institutionalisation of democracy and governance programmes within UNDP, using Central America as a case study. It argues that the future of UNDP democracy assistance will largely depend on how successful it is at resolving the inherent tensions between democracy promotion and national sovereignty, while retaining its multilateral approach to peace and democracy.
Bronchoscopic and radiologic features of Kaposi's sarcoma involving the respiratory system.

In a group of 61 patients admitted to New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston, with a diagnosis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), 25 were found to have Kaposi's sarcoma involving the skin and mucous membranes. Of these 25 patients, eight had lesions involving the respiratory system. Radiographically, patients with Kaposi's sarcoma had hilar and mediastinal adenopathy with perihilar parenchymal infiltration which progressed to diffuse bilateral infiltrates over a period of months. This pattern and the tempo of its evolution were distinctly different from the diffuse infiltrates seen in patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Bronchoscopy was performed in seven of the eight patients, revealing characteristic lesions of Kaposi's sarcoma in the airways. We propose that parenchymal pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma can be strongly suspected in a patient with AIDS who has the following features: (1) a characteristic radiologic pattern; (2) endobronchial Kaposi's sarcoma at bronchoscopy; and (3) no evidence of opportunistic infection. In this subset of patients, further diagnostic intervention such as open lung biopsy, a procedure with potential morbidity in these ill individuals, may be unnecessary.
Cryptic Repeated Genomic Recombination During Speciation in Gossypium gossypioides

The Mexican cotton Gossypium gossypioidesis a perplexing entity, with conflicting morphological, cyto- genetic, and molecular evidence of its phylogenetic affinity to other American cottons. We reevaluated the evolutionary history of this enigmatic species using 16.4 kb of DNA sequence. Phylogenetic analyses show that chloroplast DNA (7.3 kb), nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS; 0.69 kb), and unique nuclear genes (8.4 kb) yield conflicting resolutions for G. gossypioides. Eight low-copy nuclear genes provide a nearly unanimous resolution of G. gossypioides as the basalmost American diploid cotton, whereas cpDNA sequences resolve G. gossypioides deeply nested within the American diploid clade sister to Peruvian G. raimondii, and ITS places G. gossypioides in an African (rather than an American) clade. These data, in conjunction with previous evidence from the repetitive fraction of the genome, implicate a complex history for G. gossypioides possibly involving temporally separated introgression events from genetically divergent cottons that are presently restricted to different hemispheres. Based on repetitive nuclear DNA, it appears that G. gossypioidesexperienced nuclear introgression from an African species shortly after divergence from the remainder of the American assemblage. More recently, hybridization with a Mexican species may have resulted in cpDNA introgression, and possibly a second round of cryptic nuclear introgression. Gossypium gossypioides provides a striking example of the previously unsuspected chimeric nature of some plant genomes and the resulting phylogenetic complexity produced by multiple historical reticulation events.
The assimilation of remotely sensed soil brightness temperature imagery into a land surface model using Ensemble Kalman filtering: a case study based on ESTAR measurements during SGP97

An Ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is used to assimilate airborne measurements of 1.4 GHz surface brightness temperature ðTBÞ acquired during the 1997 Southern Great Plains Hydrology Experiment (SGP97) into the TOPMODEL-based Land–Atmosphere Transfer Scheme (TOPLATS). In this way, the potential of using EnKF-assimilated remote measurements of TB to compensate land surface model predictions for errors arising from a climatological description of rainfall is assessed. The use of a real remotely sensed data source allows for a more complete examination of the challenges faced in implementing assimilation strategies than previous studies where observations were synthetically generated. Results demonstrate that the EnKF is an effective and computationally competitive strategy for the assimilation of remotely sensed TB measurements into land surface models. The EnKF is capable of extracting spatial and temporal trends in root-zone (40 cm) soil water content from TB measurements based solely on surface (5 cm) conditions. The accuracy of surface state and flux predictions made with the EnKF, ESTAR TB measurements, and climatological rainfall data within the Central Facility site during SGP97 are shown to be superior to predictions derived from open loop modeling driven by sparse temporal sampling of rainfall at frequencies consistent with expectations of future missions designed to measure rainfall from space (6–10 observations per day). Specific assimilation challenges posed by inadequacies in land surface model physics and spatial support contrasts between model predictions and sensor retrievals are discussed. 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Music Listening Preferences of Elementary School Children

Nonverbal tests using an episodic reinforcement device were conducted to ascertain the music preferences of children in elementary grade levels. The tests also provided data on listening attention span in these grades. Results indicated a growing preference for rock music over nonrock music with advancing grade level, with a critical change observable between third and fourth grade levels
VHDL description of self-checking logic circuits

The mainstream of current digital circuit design strategy is top-down, where the design process is divided into many phases. A designer starts with a high level description of a circuit, e.g. VHDL, and goes through the design phases to reach mask layout level. This paper develops a set of rules that can be applied to any VHDL description of a logic circuit such that the synthesized gate level circuit is self-checking. Therefore, for a given VHDL description of a logic circuit these rules will transform/modify the existing VHDL code into another equivalent code such that the resulting synthesized circuit will be self-checking. Such a VHDL code is called self-checking VHDL.
Divergence caching in client-server architectures

Proposes a new mechanism, divergence caching, for reducing access and communication charges in accessing online database servers. The objective is achieved by allowing tolerant read requests, namely requests that can be satisfied by out-of-date data. We propose two algorithms based on divergence caching-static and dynamic. The first is appropriate when the access pattern to an object in the database is fixed and known, and the latter is appropriate in other cases. We analyze these algorithms in the worst case and the expected case. >
OVERRIDING THE EXPERTS: A FUSION METHOD FOR COMBINING MARGINAL CLASSIFIERS

The design of an optimal Bayesian classifier for multiple features is dependent on the estimation of multidimensional joint probability density functions and therefore requires a design sample size that increases exponentially with the number of dimensions. A method was developed that combines classification decisions from marginal density functions using an additional classifier. Unlike voting methods, this method can select a more appropriate class than the ones selected by the marginal classifiers, thus "overriding" their decisions. It is shown that this method always exhibits an asymptotic probability of error no worse than the probability of error of the best marginal classifier.
Diode-laser-pumped tunable 896–939.5-nm neodymium-doped fiber laser with 43-mW output power

A diode-laser-pumped neodymium-doped fiber laser is presented. For a launched pump power of 85 mW, the fiber laser had a cw output power of 43 mW, which is approximately an order of magnitude greater output power than any previously reported diode-pumped neodymium fiber laser operating on the 4F3/2–4I9/2 transition, which covers the 900–950-nm region. The fiber laser had a threshold power of 10 mW and a slope efficiency of 58% with respect to launched pump power. Tuning with a diffraction grating was obtained from 896 to 937 nm with narrow-band output powers as high as 32 mW. Emission was also obtained at 939.5 nm with use of a fiber Bragg grating as the output reflector.
From Being to Love: Reconceiving the Trinity in Light of Jean-Luc Marion's Phenomenological Shift

This article uses the work of Jean-Luc Marion, emphasizing his shift from Being to Love as an analogue for God, to make a parallel shift from Person to Love in Trinitarian theology, thereby addressing some of the issues raised by the social trinitarians. The article then focuses on the work of Catherine Mowry LaCugna as particularly congruent with the shift suggested by Marion, but adds to LaCugna's work a conception of the immanent Trinity that is grounded in Marion's phenomenological shift. Conceiving of God as the unoriginate source of Love that is revealed in Word and enacted in Spirit allows one to understand personhood and community, not in and through the relationships between the Trinitarian Persons, but in and through Love incarnate in the human person of Jesus Christ, and Love enacted in the Spirit present in the community, forming it into the Body of Christ.
Immunological aspects of the reproductive organs and implications of intercourse.

The explosion of new reagents, techniques and concepts that revolutionii& immunology has also dramatically changed the field of reproductive immunology. Until recently, reproductive immunology was dominated by studies of systemic humoral immune responses directed against various antigens associated with reproductive processes. However, it has become increasingly apparent that normal male and female reproductive tissues are themselves immunologically dynamic, and that immunological mediators residing in the reproductive tract may have specialked functions that underlie normal events in reproduction. Furthermore, renewed interest in contraceptive vaccines and sexually transmitted viruses, i.e. human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type-l, has focused even more research attention on the field. Two new research areas have emerged: (I) ‘regional pelvic immunology’, the study of specialked local immunoregulatory, cellular and secretory immune responses in male and female reproductive tissues, and (2) ‘immunoendocrinology’, the study of interactions between the immune and endocrine systems. The articles reviewed here cover the highlights of advances in reproductive immunology that have occurred during the past year in research on immunological functions in the reproductive organs and implications of intercourse.
Family structure and fertility in Puerto Rico.

This is an interim report of a program of social research designed to aid the Puerto Rican people to come to grips with their baffling problem of population control. The atmosphere in Puerto Rico is particularly favorable for joining research and action planning. Numerous government agencies employ social scientists in their research divisions. The Governor and his cabinet keep in close touch with the research programs of the University of Puerto Rico looking for possible solutions to their most vexing problems. Given the problem of increasing population pressure in Puerto Rico it was therefore no accident that the Social Science Research Center of the University included among its programs of research the study of population dynamics in the island. (excerpt)
Policy Attitudes as the Basis for Updating Political Evaluations: The Case of Presidential Assessments

The pervasive influence of partisanship on political evaluations is well known and understood. Whether citizens rely on their policy attitudes has received less attention, especially in the context of how people update and revise their evaluations. This paper focuses on presidential assessments and uses panel data covering three presidencies to model the determinants of opinion change. The results indicate that policy attitudes are often as important, and sometimes more important, than party identification for explaining how citizens update their presidential evaluations. Thus issues appear to belong alongside party identification as the basis for how citizens respond to new political information.
UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE OF MYOCARDIAL DYSFUNCTION IN A CHILD WITH HEMOLYTIC UREMIC SYNDROME

Myocardial dysfunction leading to cardiogenic shock is extremely rare in hemolytic uremic syndrome. A 2 year old previously healthy boy presented with 5 day history of non-bloody diarrhea and new onset seizure. There was no history of drug or toxin exposure and physical exam was unremarkable.
The Business and Key Technology of the Internet of Things

This article describes the development status of the Internet of Things ,analyses the background of its development,and the factors that may cause resistance. Based on application type and the different development stages of the Internet of Things ,this article categorizes the services of the Internet of Things into four types :identity related services ,information aggregation services ,collaborative-aware services and ubiquitous services. The first two parts of the business type and architecture are introduced,and we believe that collaborative sensing services and ubiquitous services will be future development trends of Internet of Things. We also believe that services provided by the Internet of Things will gradually be integrated into the whole of society and life. With the gradual development of the Internet of Things ,physical networking applications will move from relatively simple identity-based convergence applications and information-based services perception,to those that are collaboratively-aware ,and eventually ubiquitous in the service stage. It will then be possible for the Internet of Things to be fully integrated with Internet and telecommunications networks.
Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Metastatic to the Central Nervous System and a Family History Concerning for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer--A Potential Relationship.

Objectives To estimate the frequency of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) in women with central nervous system (CNS) metastasis from epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and to evaluate for a potential relationship between HBOC status and survival. Methods and Materials A total of 1240 cases of EOC treated between 1995 and 2014 were reviewed to identify CNS metastasis. Demographics, treatment, family history, genetic testing, and survival outcomes were recorded. Women were then classified as HBOC+ or HBOC− based on histories and genetic testing results. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and univariable Cox proportional hazards models were used. Results Of 1240 cases, 32 cases of EOC with CNS metastasis were identified (2.58%). Median age was 52.13 (95% confidence interval [CI], 40.56–78.38) years, and 87.10% had stage III to IV disease. Among those with documented personal and family history, 66.7% (20/30) were suspicious for HBOC syndrome. Among those who underwent germline testing, 71.43% (5/7) had a pathogenic BRCA mutation. The median time from diagnosis to CNS metastasis was 29.17 (95% CI, 0–187.91) months. At a median survival of 5.97 (95% CI, 0.20–116.95) months from the time of CNS metastasis and 43.76 (95% CI, 1.54-188.44) months from the time of EOC diagnosis, 29 women died of disease. Univariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare HBOC− to HBOC+ women and did not reveal a significant difference for survival outcomes. Conclusions Confirmed BRCA mutations and histories concerning for HBOC syndrome are common in women with EOC metastatic to the CNS. We did not demonstrate a relationship between HBOC status and survival outcomes, but were not powered to do so.
Starvation (The Intermediate Phase)

Abstract: The intermediate phase of starvation is best characterized by the carbohydrate- and nitrogen-sparing effect of fat. During starvation KB–s help to restrain glucose utilization by a number of tissues, and they also help to restrain muscle proteolysis, and adipose tissue lipolysis. KB–s can provide up to 70% of the brain’s energy supply during starvation. As AcAc is removed by muscle tissue during starvation, it is sometimes returned tothe circulation in a more reduced state as b-OH-butyrate. During starvation b-OH-butyrate stimulates modest pancreatic insulin release, and it increases sensitivity of adipose tissue to insulin. Insulin helps to restrain proteolysis in muscle tissue, and lipolysis in adipose tissueduring starvation. The basal metabolic rate (BMR) normally decreases during starvation due to a decrease in the active forms of thyroid hormones.
Revisiting Athlete’s Heart Versus Pathologic Hypertrophy: ARVC and the Right Ventricle

The first description of the enlarged heart of athletes came in 1899, based only on physical examination with percussion, but later recognized by quantitative chest radiology [(1)][1]. Over the past 40 years, imaging (largely with echocardiography) has provided a direct assessment of “athlete’s
Drainage and analysis of suprachoroidal fluid in a patient with acute systemic lupus erythematous.

Abstract Purpose To describe a case of a patient with acute systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) causing choroidal effusions and to report a novel technique for evaluation of the choroidal fluid which sheds light on effusion pathogenesis. Observations A 37 year-old woman was referred for decreased vision, eye pain and shortness of breath. The patient had bilateral angle closure glaucoma from choroidal effusions and bilateral pleural effusions. Work-up revealed new onset acute SLE. A technique for obtaining suprachoroidal fluid is described, and the fluid was analyzed using Light's criteria and found to be exudative in nature. Conclusions and importance There has been speculation as to pathogenesis of choroidal effusions in a variety of conditions, and many authors believe the most likely process to be transudative. The exudative nature of the fluid in our patient suggests that choroidal effusions in acute SLE are likely caused by inflammation, and not secondary to hypoalbuminemia or another transudative process. Similar analyses of suprachoroidal fluid in other disease processes may help elucidate the underlying pathogenesis and may possibly guide treatment.
Education Production Functions: Concepts

The education production function (EPF) underlies all quantitative research on the effects of school resources. The EPF is rooted in the economic theory of production and is defined as all the combinations of inputs that produce any given set of school outputs (e.g., test scores). This article describes the meaning, variations, and assumptions of EPFs, including recent developments in value-added models. The article shows how value-added models arguably improve the validity of EPF estimates compared with earlier generations of research, as well as how value addition can be used to estimate effects of individual teachers and schools for purposes of accountability.
InAsSb/InPSb strained-layer superlattice growth using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition

We report on the metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) of strained layer superlattices (SLSs) of InAsSb/InPSb as well as mid-infrared optically pumped lasers grown using a high-speed rotating disk reactor (RDR). The devices contain AlAsSb cladding layers and strained, type-I, InAsSb/InPSb active regions. By changing the layer thickness and composition of InAsSb/InPSb SLSs, we have prepared structures with low-temperature ( < 20 K) photoluminescence wavelengths ranging from 3.4 to 4.8 μm. We find a variation in band gap of 0.272-0.324 eV for layer thicknesses of 9.0-18.2 nm. From these data we have estimated a valence band offset for the InAsSb/InPSb interface of about 400 meV. The optical properties of the superlattices revealed an anomalous low-energy transition that can be assigned to an antimony-rich interfacial layer in the superlattice. An InAsSb/InPSb SLS, laser was grown on an InAs substrate with AlAs 0.16 Sb 0.84 cladding layers. A lasing threshold and spectrally narrowed laser emission were seen from 80-200 K, the maximum temperature where lasing occurred. The temperature dependence of the SLS laser threshold is described by a characteristic temperature, T o = 72 K, from 80 to 200 K.
Increasingly Violent but Still Sexy: A Decade of Central Female Characters in Top-Grossing Hollywood and Bollywood Film Promotional Material

This study examines the depiction of central female characters (CFCs) in promotional film posters and trailers from top-grossing Hollywood and Bollywood films from 2004 to 2013, focusing on gender stereotypes, sexualization, and aggression. Whereas Bollywood characters tended to be more sexualized, more fit, and less prominent, Hollywood characters appeared more frequently but were increasingly unrealistic. Typically occupying the role of attractive love interests, CFCs tended to display more aggressive behavior over time. Attractive, aggressive CFCs may reinforce and challenge gender role expectations, promoting the “superwoman” ideal. Findings are discussed in terms of objectification, globalization, cultivation, and social cognitive theory.
Optimal transportation and shoreline infrastructure investment planning under a stochastic climate future

This paper studies the problem of optimal long-term transportation investment planning to protect from and mitigate impacts of climate change on roadway performance. The problem of choosing the extent, specific system components, and timing of these investments over a long time horizon (e.g., 40–60 years) is modeled as a multi-stage, stochastic, bi-level, mixed-integer program wherein cost-effective investment decisions are taken in the upper level. The effects of possible episodic precipitation events on experienced travel delays are estimated from solution of a lower-level, traffic equilibrium problem. The episodic events and longer-term sea level changes exist on different time scales, making their integration a crucial element in model development. The optimal investment strategy is obtained at a Stackelberg equilibrium that is reached upon solution to the bilevel program. A recursive noisy genetic algorithm (rNGA), designed to address large-scale applications, is proposed for this purpose. The rNGA seeks the optimal combination of investment decisions to take now given only probabilistic information on the predicted sea level rise trend for a long planning horizon and associated likely extreme climatic events (in terms of their frequencies and intensities) that might arise over that planning period. The proposed solution method enables the evaluation of decisions concerning where, when and to what level to make infrastructure investments. The proposed rNGA has broad applicability to more general multi-stage, stochastic, bilevel, nonconvex, mixed integer programs that arise in many applications. The proposed solution methodology is demonstrated on an example representing a portion of the Washington, D.C. Greater Metropolitan area adjacent to the Potomac River.
Investigation of Three-Dimensional Moisture Diffusion Modeling and Mechanical Degradation of Carbon/Bismaleimide Composites Under Seawater Conditioning

The effect of moisture diffusion on the mechanical properties of carbon/bismaleimide composites exposed to seawater conditioning at elevated temperatures was investigated in this study. Carbon/bism...
Cervical Cancer Prevention in East Africa: Moving from Evidence to Implementation

Cervical cancer is a highly preventable disease that exposes the marked disparities in women’s health around the world. Despite a highly effective vaccine and screening technologies, over 500,000 women are diagnosed with the disease every year, with about 9 out of 10 cervical cancer cases and deaths in low-resource countries. One such country is Kenya, which has a low cervical cancer screening rate and a high incidence rate. In order to implement an evidence-based cervical cancer prevention program, we carried out focus group discussions with key stakeholders in rural western Kenya to evaluate barriers and facilitators to screening. Participants identified education around HPV, cervical cancer, and screening as very low in the community as main barriers to screening. Community members reported fear of pain and embarrassment as significant barriers to a screening pelvic exam. They also reported that providers’ lack of knowledge and discomfort with a sensitive subject were significant barriers. A personal connection to cervical cancer and/or screening was associated with willingness to screen and awareness. Providers reported workload and lack of supplies and trained staff as significant barriers to offering services. To be effective, cervical cancer programs must take into account the local realities in which they occur. This study took a systematic, theory-driven approach to identifying intervention strategies based on focus groups and interviews with community members and healthcare providers, and used the results to further contextualize an evidence-based implementation strategy.
Linear homotopy method for computing generalized tensor eigenpairs

Let m,m′, n be positive integers such that m ≠ m′. Let A be an mth order n-dimensional tensor, and let ℬ be an m′th order n-dimensional tensor. λ ∈ ℂ is called a ℬ-eigenvalue of A if A xm−1 = λℬxm′−1 and ℬxm′= 1 for some x ∈ ℂn\{0}. In this paper, we propose a linear homotopy method for solving this eigenproblem. We prove that the method finds all isolated ℬ-eigenpairs. Moreover, it is easy to implement. Numerical results are provided to show the efficiency of the proposed method.