cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Issues, Analysis, and Tools for Rural Call Completion Issues

The wireline telephone network has undergone significant changes over the past decade. This includes the introduction of new technologies such as SIP and the gradual reduction of wireline subscribers. One result is higher reports of issues connecting calls to rural areas than there were ten years ago. This issue is known as Rural Call Completion. Legacy network performance metrics, such as Answer/Seizure Ratio (ASR), or the number of answered calls divided by call attempts, seem incapable of identifying these previously unseen or unreported problems. Moreover, carriers typically calculate ASR on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis, meaning problems are long gone by the time they are detected. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) cites three factors impacting rural call completion: uncaptured or incorrect signaling, the presence of automated call traffic, the price disparity to deliver calls to rural operators, and the increase in vacant phone numbers. These all work together to reduce the capability of legacy network performance metrics to measure network health. Using actual data from interexchange carriers and our understanding of the symptoms of the connection problems, we created a new metric, called Human Retries (HMR). We designed HMR to be as independent from these factors as possible. The intent of HMR is for it to be deployable and to identify and resolve problems with calls to rural areas on a real-time basis. While we were unable to completely disentangle HMR from some issues that cause problems for the legacy metrics, we were able to detect anomalies that potentially indicate problems that the other metrics were not able to capture. This paper describes the successes of the new metric, as well as identifying where more work needs to be done to further reduce the influence of the complicating factors and to determine whether the data anomalies represent actual problems in the network.
Fifteen- to twenty-year results after the Hill antireflux operation.

Antireflux surgery, specifically the Hill procedure, has been shown to be effective management of refractory reflux when assessed in the relatively short term. This study follows 441 patients from the time of their initial operation and reports on assessments conducted after 5 to 10 years and 15 to 20 years. The late study group comprises 167 patients (mean age 71 years) with an average follow-up of 17.8 years; 15.6% of patients had undergone a previous antireflux operation. Overall subjective good and excellent results, as determined by the patients themselves, were seen to improve significantly (p
Collision Avoidance: Broadening the Toolkit for Directionally Selective Motion Computations

Summary Visually-guided escape behaviors are critical for survival. New research reveals how neurons selectively coding for local motion directions can be assembled into collision detecting ones using a simple recipe.
School-Level Practices and Perceptions Associated With Salad Bars in Schools.

Background Salad bars are placed in schools to promote fruit and vegetable consumption among students. This study assessed differences in school nutrition practices and perceptions in schools with and without salad bars. Methods Cross-sectional surveys were completed by school nutrition managers (N = 648) in Arizona schools participating in the National School Lunch Program during 2013-2014. Mixed general estimating equation binomial regressions assessed factors related to having a salad bar after mutually adjusting for clustering within districts, school level, free/reduced rate, and respondents' time in current position. Results On average, 61% of schools reported having a salad bar. After adjustment, school nutrition managers were significantly more likely to report having a salad bar if they served lunch by grade level (vs mixed grades), had a full-service kitchen, and their personal perception of salad bars was positive; schools were less likely to have a salad bar if menu and food service decisions were made at the school level. Conclusions Several school-level nutrition practices and perceptions were associated with having a salad bar in schools. Enhancement of these factors may facilitate having salad bars in schools.
Roles of complex and hybrid N-glycans and O-fucose glycans in oocyte development and function.

Roles for complex or hybrid N-glycans in oocyte maturation and function were investigated using female mice with a floxed Mgat1 gene (Mgat1F) carrying a Crerecombinase transgene under the control of the zona pellucida protein 3 (ZP3) promoter (1). Inactivation of the Mgat1 gene responsible for the synthesis of complex and hybrid N-glycans is embryonic lethal, but homozygous mutant blastocysts are rescued by maternal Mgat1 gene transcripts. Following deletion of the Mgat1 gene in oocytes, females with mutant oocytes had reduced fertility and fewer oocytes after superovulation. All mutant oocytes had a zona pellucida (ZP) that contained ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3 glycoproteins but they did not contain complex N-glycans and mutant ZP were thin, deformed and loosely attached (Fig. 1). Nevertheless, mutant oocytes were efficiently fertilized, all embryos implanted and ~70% developed to E9.5 (Mgat1−/−) or birth (Mgat1+/− or Mgat1+/+). However, ~40%–50% embryos were
The Role of Mutual Coupling in A 5:1 Bandwidth Stripline Notch Array

The bandwidth broadening effects of time-domain mutual coupling from adjacent elements in a linear array of stripline notch elements was briefly described in previous papers1, 2, 3. The array was designed at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) to demonstrate the feasibility of 5:1 bandwidth wide-scan angle arrays with one-half wavelength spacing at the highest operational frequency. This paper presents an expanded examination of the role of mutual coupling in pulse-excited linear and planar single polarization arrays as well as in a planar dual polarization array. When viewed in the time domain, inspection of mutual coupling leads to a physical understanding of the cause of the ultrawideband (UWB) behavior of the NRL arrays. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method4,5 is employed to perform the studies, and measurements verify some of the calculations.
THE SUN MACHINEStm1 POWERFUL NEW TOOLS FOR QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOLAR SITE AND BUILDING POTENTIAL

ABSTRACT Energy conscious buildings are capable of being produced using existing technologies with acceptable payback periods. There is, however, a lack of know how and uncertainty regarding what to do which stymies any willingness of construction industry participants to exploit its demonstrated potential. A line of solar design aids has. been developed which begins to give know how and create certainty regarding energy conscious desian. The Sun Machinetm is a visual solar calculator which allows t analysis of solar site and building potential, either in the or at the office. Three models are introduced with an explanation and illustration of how they are used. A recommended methodology for their application is also presented.
The Origins of Modern Research and Responses Relevant to Problems of Alcohol

Because alcohol had sometimes been used as an anesthetic, it came to be studied in the Laboratory of Applied Physiology at Yale University by the great physiologist Yandell Henderson and his associate Howard W. Haggard as one of the drugs of interest for the alleviation of pain.
Effect of Prophylactic Hyperventilation on Outcome in Patients with Severe Head Injury

Severe head injury remains a major problem despite advances in recent years. The mortality of patients with a coma score of eight or less is still between 45–55% (Miller et al. 1981). In an attempt to improve outcome in a significant number of these patients, we have directed our efforts toward therapeutically influencing the brain and its environment after a severe head injury. Severe mechanical brain injury initiates a series of complex events in the brain which are thought to secondarily influence the ultimate outcome of the patient. One of these proposed secondary events is cerebral acidosis. The presence of cerebral acidosis has been inferred by the presence of lactate in ·the CSF of patients sustaining a severe mechanical brain injury (Cold et al. 1975, Enevoldsen et al. 1977, Sood et al. 1980). In addition, prognostic significance has been attached to high levels of lactate in the CSF after a severe brain injury (Crockard et al. 1972; Seitz and Ocker 1977). Furthermore, it has been shown that acidosis itself, when present as the result of any pathologic process, is harmful to the brain (Pulsinelli and Petito 1983). It was felt therefore that outcome from severe head injury might be improved if cerebral acidosis present after a head injury was treated.
Perceiving absolute scale in virtual environments: How theory and application have mutually informed the role of body-based perception

The utility of immersive virtual environments (VEs) for applications involving spatial cognition is likely to increase if users can perceive and act in VEs as they do in the real world. In this chapter, we present a review and discussion of perception of environmental scale, the ability to recover absolute distances and sizes, in real and virtual environments. A consistent finding is that absolute egocentric distances are underestimated in VEs compared to the real world. We suggest that attempts to understand the underlying causes of this bias have led to advancement both in theories of space perception and in improved performance. We focus on advances in our understanding of body-based perception with examples of the study of perceptual-motor calibration and virtual avatars, two approaches that are served well by the combination of flexibility, ecological validity, and experimental control which VEs provide.
From cells to systems: Logos and METALogos

Neuroscientists study various anatomical, physiological, and functional components of nervous systems to better understand how the “low-level” activity of individual cells maps to behavior. In this research process, massive amounts of complex data are collected, but technology has not yet provided systems which integrate this information to help scientists analyze, visualize, and understand the data.
An investigation of the fatigue and fracture behavior of multicomponent Nb-11Al-41Ti-1.5Mo-1.5Crintermetallic

This paper presents the results of a recent study of the fracture and fatigue crack growth behavior of a newly developed multicomponent niobium aluminide intermetallic Nb-11Al-41Ti-1.5Mo-1.5Cr alloy (compositions quoted in at % unless stated otherwise). The alloy is shown to have attractive combinations of room-temperature tensile ductility (approx. 11%) and fracture toughness (approx. scds 83 MPa $$\sqrt m $$ ) in the as-forged condition. However, the tensile properties and fracture toughness are degraded somewhat by direct aging at 750 °C for 25 h. The direct aged Nb-11Al-41Ti-1.5Mo-1.5Cr intermetallic is also shown to have comparable fatigue crack growth resistance to pure Nb, IN 718 and mill annealed Ti-6Al-4V at room- and elevated-temperature. Fatigue and fracture mechanisms are elucidated prior to a discussion of the implications of the current results for potential high temperature structural applications.
An integrated dataset for stakeholder perceptions of environmental change and instrumented measures of change.

Abstract An integrated dataset was developed that combined stakeholder perceptions of environmental change (precipitation, air temperature, water temperature, fish abundance, fish size, residential development) and comparable instrumented measures of environmental changes based on sensor records. All data were transformed to a common 3-point categorical scale to support statistical comparison of social and biophysical change for the same change variables. The integrated dataset is available on Mendeley ( http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/cjfxg84bmx.1 ).
Teaching Diagnostic Reasoning: A Review of Evidence-Based Interventions.

Problem/Background: The ability to accurately diagnose patients based on symptom profiles is a vital yet challenging skill that Nurse Practitioners (NPs) undertake frequently. Purpose This integrative literature review highlights a variety of evidence based, practical educational strategies that foster the development of diagnostic reasoning. Methods An integrative literature review was conducted in order to identify original research focusing on diagnostic reasoning educational interventions. Results Eighteen primary sources met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results are synthesized in terms of sample and setting, methodological features, interventions, and outcomes. Interventions broadly fit into five educational themes: testing strategies, cognitive biases, simulation programs, course formats, and instructional approaches. Discussion Interventions are simple and can be implemented in multiple educational settings. Future research should occur in populations of NP students. Validated, easy-to-use measurement tools as well as more precise diagnostic reasoning concept development should occur.
Inquiry, Investigative Processes, Art, and Writing in STEAM

Modern educational practices tend toward integrating domains that were previously considered distinct and separate. In recent years, the term STEM has come to be affiliated with the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. However, once STEM was established as a handy way of referencing these four fields in a concise acronym, scholars urged a further expansion to include the arts—and thus was born the term STEAM (Robelen, 2011).
Cardiotoxicity Associated with Radiation for Breast Cancer

Women treated with radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer may receive substantial radiation exposure to the heart, which may leave them at risk for increased risk of serious cardiac injury. Historically, women who received radiation therapy as part of their treatment for breast cancer were more likely to die of non-breast cancer-related causes than women who did not receive RT. More contemporary studies, however, suggest that with modern radiation planning techniques, cardiac dose from breast cancer irradiation is minimized in the average patient. Despite this, women undergoing contemporary RT for breast cancer may be at risk for cardiotoxicity as a result of higher than average cardiac dose due to variations in individual anatomy or comprehensive nodal treatment volumes. Moreover, individual risk factors such as comorbid cardiac illness, age, and administration of systemic therapy impact cardiac risk. Strategies to reduce cardiac dose, including deep inspiration breath hold, prone positioning, partial breast irradiation, and proton therapy should be considered, particularly in women at high risk for cardiotoxicity. Based on available data, most current protocols recommend limiting mean cardiac dose and the dose to 5% and 10% of the cardiac volume.
Stochastic Solutions to Hamilton-Jacobi Equations

In this expository paper we give an overview of the statistical properties of Hamilton-Jacobi Equations and Scalar Conservation Laws. The first part (Sects. 2–4) is devoted to the recent proof of Menon-Srinivasan Conjecture. This conjecture provides a Smoluchowski-type kinetic equation for the evolution of a Markovian solution of a scalar conservation law with convex flux. In the second part of the paper (Sects. 5 and 6) we discuss the question of homogenization for Hamilton-Jacobi PDEs and Hamiltonian ODEs with deterministic and stochastic Hamiltonian functions.
Adherus Dural Sealant in Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery: Safety, Imaging Characteristics, and Sinonasal Quality of Life.

Objective This study was aimed to compare the safety profiles, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and sinonasal outcome test (SNOT-22) scores of Adherus dural sealant, a novel tissue glue designed for skull base surgery. Design Present study is a prospective case series. Setting The research work took place at a tertiary-care academic medical center. Participants Consecutive series of 26 patients undergoing endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS) with Adherus was compared with a control group of 24 patients matched for tumor type and size with DuraSeal as a sealant. Main Outcome Measures Postoperative complication rates, imaging characteristics, and postoperative SNOT-22 scores were measured and compared. Results No postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, intracranial hemorrhages, or mucoceles were observed in either cohort. Adherus was more likely to be identifiable on immediate postoperative MRI (50 vs. 20.8%, p = 0.032). In patients in whom a nasoseptal flap was utilized, the flap was opposed to the skull base in all cases regardless of sealant selected. Postoperative SNOT-22 total (17.25 [±10.81] vs. 14.85 [±14.22], p = 0.609) and subdomain scores were similar between the two groups. Conclusions Adherus dural sealant appears to be a safe alternative to Duraseal in ESBS with comparable quality of life outcomes and imaging findings. These preliminary results are promising but should be examined in a larger population with long-term follow-up.
An Integrative Literature Review of Basal-Bolus Insulin versus Sliding-Scale Insulin for Glycemic Management in the Hospitalized Non-Critically Ill Type 2 Diabetic Patient

Diabetes is an increasingly common chronic disease that affects the body’s normal ability to control blood glucose levels due to impaired use of the hormone insulin. It is estimated that one out of every 4 adults who are hospitalized also have a diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetic inpatients face unique challenges in regards to managing their blood glucose while hospitalized due to the physiological stress of acute illness. Unfortunately, those who experience inadequate blood glucose management in the hospital are at an increased risk for poor patient outcomes, such as infection, increased length of stay, and death. There are multiple medications used to regulate blood sugar levels; however, the most commonly prescribed treatment for inpatients is the traditional sliding-scale regimen followed by the basal-bolus insulin regimen. An integrated literature review was conducted to determine if basal-bolus insulin is more effective than sliding-scale insulin in managing blood glucose levels of non-critically ill diabetic inpatients. Four well-known databases were searched and 5 relevant quantitative research articles were obtained and analyzed. The majority of the evidence supports basal-bolus insulin as the most effective treatment for managing blood glucose and preventing hyperglycemia without increasing the risk for hypoglycemia. Health care providers should order basal-bolus insulin accordingly in order to improve patient outcomes. Future research that questions why sliding-scale insulin is still widely prescribed may identify barriers related to ordering basal-bolus insulin and assist in decreasing related adverse events.
Adult dietary fat intake and ovarian cancer risk.

The association of dietary fat intake with ovarian cancer risk has been inconsistent across populations. We examined dietary fat intake, overall and by type and ovarian cancer risk in two prospective cohort studies. We assessed long-term dietary fat intake among Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and NHSII participants using food frequency questionnaires administered every 2-4 years beginning in 1984 and 1991, respectively. We examined cumulative energy-adjusted intake of total fat, specific types of fat (animal, vegetable, saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and trans fat) and cholesterol. We identified 700 ovarian cancer cases in NHS and 196 in NHSII with dietary information. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate associations between intake and ovarian cancer risk. Dietary fat intake changed over time in both cohorts and was lower in NHS than NHSII. Higher cumulative average intakes of animal fat and cholesterol were significantly positively associated with risk of ovarian cancer in NHS (relative risk [RR] comparing extreme quartiles = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.06 and 1.35, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.69, respectively), but not in NHSII. Other dietary fat sources were not clearly associated with risk in either population. We did not observe clear associations between dietary fat and ovarian cancer risk in two large prospective cohort studies.
Pathological Evaluation, Classification, and Staging of Colorectal Cancers

This chapter provides an overview of the pathological evaluation, classification, and staging of the colorectal cancers. A crucial part of the management of patients with colorectal cancers is a thorough pathological evaluation. Understanding the steps involved in this process may obviate misunderstandings. Any pathological evaluation begins with the gross (macroscopic) examination of the tissue specimen, followed by tissue processing and microscopic evaluation. This chapter summarizes the histological findings in each of the main categories of colorectal neoplasia – namely, carcinomas, sarcomas, and lymphomas. Following diagnosis, colorectal cancer staging is a key element in documenting the extent of the disease and determining the appropriate course of treatment. The most common clinically used cancer staging system is the tumor node metastasis (TNM) system, which is reviewed. We hope that this chapter will offer oncology colleagues an overview of the process of the pathological evaluation of the colorectal cancers.
Making the Diagnosis of Myositis: Electrodiagnostic Testing

Electrodiagnostic (EDx) testing consists of a nerve conduction study and needle electromyography (EMG), as these tools are very useful in localizing causes of neuromuscular weakness. EDx testing is especially helpful in confirming a suspected clinical diagnosis of myopathy with myopathic EMG changes strongly associated with positive findings on muscle biopsy. Furthermore, EDx features of a fibrotic muscle predict sites that should be avoided for biopsy. In all forms of inflammatory and necrotizing myopathy, affected muscles typically exhibit fibrillation potentials or positive sharp waves and short-duration, low-amplitude, polyphasic motor unit potentials. In chronic myopathies, especially inclusion body myositis, there may also be a subpopulation of high-amplitude, long-duration, motor unit potentials. EDx is sensitive for detecting myopathy, but non-specific in identifying the cause for the myopathy.
The human connectome project for disordered emotional states: Protocol and rationale for a research domain criteria study of brain connectivity in young adult anxiety and depression

Through the Human Connectome Project (HCP) our understanding of the functional connectome of the healthy brain has been dramatically accelerated. Given the pressing public health need, we must increase our understanding of how connectome dysfunctions give rise to disordered mental states. Mental disorders arising from high levels of negative emotion or from the loss of positive emotional experience affect over 400 million people globally. Such states of disordered emotion cut across multiple diagnostic categories of mood and anxiety disorders and are compounded by accompanying disruptions in cognitive function. Not surprisingly, these forms of psychopathology are the leading cause of disability worldwide. The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative spearheaded by NIMH offers a framework for characterizing the relations among connectome dysfunctions, anchored in neural circuits and phenotypic profiles of behavior and self-reported symptoms. Here, we report on our Connectomes Related to Human Disease protocol for integrating an RDoC framework with HCP protocols to characterize connectome dysfunctions in disordered emotional states, and present quality control data from a representative sample of participants. We focus on three RDoC domains and constructs most relevant to depression and anxiety: 1) loss and acute threat within the Negative Valence System (NVS) domain; 2) reward valuation and responsiveness within the Positive Valence System (PVS) domain; and 3) working memory and cognitive control within the Cognitive System (CS) domain. For 29 healthy controls, we present preliminary imaging data: functional magnetic resonance imaging collected in the resting state and in tasks matching our constructs of interest ("Emotion", "Gambling" and "Continuous Performance" tasks), as well as diffusion-weighted imaging. All functional scans demonstrated good signal-to-noise ratio. Established neural networks were robustly identified in the resting state condition by independent component analysis. Processing of negative emotional faces significantly activated the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal and occipital cortices, fusiform gyrus and amygdalae. Reward elicited a response in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal, parietal and occipital cortices, and in the striatum. Working memory was associated with activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal, parietal, motor, temporal and insular cortices, in the striatum and cerebellum. Diffusion tractography showed consistent profiles of fractional anisotropy along known white matter tracts. We also show that results are comparable to those in a matched sample from the HCP Healthy Young Adult data release. These preliminary data provide the foundation for acquisition of 250 subjects who are experiencing disordered emotional states. When complete, these data will be used to develop a neurobiological model that maps connectome dysfunctions to specific behaviors and symptoms.
Native GABAA Receptors Get “Drunk” But not their Recombinant Counterparts

Ethanol is arguably the most widely used (and abused) among psychoactive substances. The behavioral effects of ethanol consumption are well-acknowledged, as are its psychosocial consequences. Yet, relatively little is known about its mechanism of action in the central nervous system (CNS). At the systems level, it clearly targets a multitude of brain regions. At the cellular level, the prevailing thought is that ethanol exerts relatively specific modulatory effects on a number of neurotransmitter systems (e.g., γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic, glutamatergic, cholinergic, serotonergic), their corresponding receptors and/or intracellular second messenger intermediaries (for reviews see Deitrich et al., 1989; Grant and Lovinger, 1995; Morrow, 1995). These various effects of ethanol have modified the more traditional notion of a pleiotropic and non-specific action of ethanol on cellular membranes. With specific regard to the GABAA receptor, acute exposure to ethanol has been shown to exert potentiating effects. This has been implicated to account for sedation/motor incoordination at low ethanol concentrations and anesthetic consequences at higher concentrations.
US medical and surgical society position statements on physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia: a review

An analysis of the position statements of secular US medical and surgical professional societies on physician-assisted suicide (PAS) and euthanasia have not been published recently. Available statements were evaluated for position, content, and sentiment. In order to create a comprehensive list of secular medical and surgical societies, the results of a systematic search using Google were cross-referenced with a list of societies that have a seat on the American Medical Association House of Delegates. Societies with position statements were identified. These statements were divided into 5 categories: opposed to PAS and/or euthanasia, studied neutrality, supportive, acknowledgement without statement, and no statement. Linguistic analysis was performed using RapidMinder in order to determine word frequency and sentiment respective to individual statements. To ensure accuracy, only statements with word counts > 100 were analyzed. A 2-tailed independent t test was used to test for variance among sentiment scores of opposing and studied neutrality statements. Of 150 societies, only 12 (8%) have position statements on PAS and euthanasia: 11 for PAS (5 opposing and 4 studied neutrality) and 9 for euthanasia (6 opposing and 2 studied neutrality). Although the most popular words used in opposing and studied neutrality statements are similar, notable exceptions exist (suicide, medicine, and treatment appear frequently in opposing statements, but not in studied neutrality statements, whereas psychologists, law, and individuals appear frequently in studied neutrality statements, but not in opposing statements). Sentiment scores for opposing and studied neutrality statements do not differ (mean, 0.094 vs. 0.104; P = 0.90). Few US medical and surgical societies have position statements on PAS and euthanasia. Among them, opposing and studied neutrality statements share similar linguistic sentiment. Opposing and studied neutrality statements have clear differences, but share recommendations. Both opposing and studied neutrality statements cite potential risks of PAS legalization and suggest that good palliative care might diminish a patient’s desire for PAS.
Sub-10-nm distance measurements between fluorophores using photon-accumulation enhanced reconstruction (PACER).

Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) precisely localizes individual fluorescent molecules within the wide field of view. However, the localization precision is fundamentally limited to around 20 nm due to the physical photon limit of individual stochastic single-molecule emissions. Using spectroscopic SMLM (sSMLM) to resolve their distinct fluorescence emission spectra, we can specifically distinguish and identify individual fluorophore, even the ones of the same type. Consequently, the reported photon-accumulation enhanced reconstruction (PACER) method accumulates photons over repeated stochastic emissions from the same fluorophore to significantly improve the localization precision. This work showed the feasibility of PACER by resolving quantum dots that were 6.1 nm apart with 1.7-nm localization precision. Next, a Monte Carlo simulation is used to investigate the success probability of PACER's classification process for distance measurements under different conditions. Finally, PACER is used to resolve and measure the lengths of DNA origami nanorulers with inter-molecular spacing as small as 6 nm. Notably, the demonstrated sub-2-nm localization precision bridges the detection range between Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) and conventional SMLM. Fully exploiting the underlying imaging capability can potentially enable high-throughput inter-molecular distance measurements over a large field of view.
“D.C. is mambo sauce”: Black cultural production in a gentrifying city:

Centering mambo sauce as both a cultural staple and a metaphor for struggles over ownership in Washington, D.C., this article explores mambo sauce’s role in constructing a D.C. identity. Drawing on...
Why Isn't There More Financial Intermediation in Developing Countries?

This paper proposes to organize thinking about the opportunities for improving and extending financial markets and safety nets for the poor, by focusing on factors that may explain why the linkage of local financial networks and safety nets with the larger economy often fails or is incomplete. Understanding the nature of these impediments is the first step in proposing policies to help promote more effective linkage and intermediation. We propose four explanations for the slowness of adoption of intermediation (high costs of delegated monitoring aggravated by limited intermediary capital; lock-in and crowding out effects from local insurance arrangements, social norms against cooperation with intermediaries; and political resistance to new institutions that shift the balance of power in local polities). Of course, financial repression and weak legal systems remains important as cause of lack of intermediation. We conclude with a review of public policy for more effective intermediation.
Above the Law? Innovating Legal Responses to Build a More Accountable UN: Where is the UN Now?

This is an issue that has come under increasing scrutiny amid allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by U.N. personnel, including peacekeeping forces, and allegations that peacekeepers introduced cholera to Haiti. Any starting point for considering whether the U.N. is “above the law” and possible innovative “legal responses to build a more accountable U.N.” is an analysis of where the U.N. is today on these important issues. Following is a two-part analysis: first of the remedies available generally to third parties harmed by the activities of U.N. peacekeeping activities with a particular focus on the Haiti cholera victims; second, of the regime governing sexual exploitation and abuse by U.N. personnel and U.N. peacekeeping forces. As this two-part analysis will demonstrate, the problems that have arisen that raise the issue whether the U.N. is “above the law” stem more from failures to timely and conscientiously follow the provisions of existing regimes that govern these matters rather than the absence of appropriate obligations or mechanisms under those existing regimes—the political will to do the right thing in a timely manner!
Changing the Paradigm - Treating the Basic Defect in Cystic Fibrosis

Since the first description of Cystic fibrosis (CF) more than 75 y ago, significant advances have been made in understanding its pathogenesis and in developing specific therapies. The pace of these developments was further accelerated after the discovery of CF gene in 1989 and since then, CF has been transformed from being a pediatric illness into a chronic life-limiting genetic disorder with survival up to the fourth decade. The development of mutation-specific therapies in the first decade of the 21st century has the potential to change the natural history of CF and has now ushered in the era of ‘Precision Medicine’. The ability to revert the basic defect in CF by using Personalized Medicine approach based on each individual’s genetic profile will serve as a model for other chronic disorders as well. This review highlights the recent advances in the field of CF research that have led to a paradigm shift in its management and outcomes.
Kinetics of egg production and egg excretion by Schistosoma mansoni and S. japonicum in mice infected with a single pair of worms.

Abstract Individual male and female schistosomes approximately three weeks of age were implanted into the portal venous system of C57Bl/6 mice to produce infections with a single pair of Schistosoma mansoni or S. japonicum. Mice were killed between seven and 54 weeks after infection. Worm fecundity was measured by counting eggs accumulating in the tissues and eggs passed in the feces. Schistosoma mansoni worm pairs laid approximately 350 eggs per day with no change in the apparent rate of egg laying between eight and 52 weeks after infection and approximately one-third of the eggs were passed in the feces. Schistosoma japonicum worm pairs laid approximately 2,200 eggs per day initially and this decreased to 1,000 eggs per day by the end of the experiment, with one-third to one-half of the eggs being passed in the feces. There was marked variability in the fecundity of individual worm pairs, but the number of eggs passed in the feces of individual mice correlated well with the number of eggs in the intestines at all time points in S. mansoni-infected mice and at the seventh and tenth week of S. japonicum infection.
Border Inspection and Trade Diversion: Risk Reduction vs. Risk Substitution

International trade increasingly brings previously separated geographical regions into contact with one another and increases the frequency of those contacts. These trends bring many benefits to the trading partners involved, but increasing international trade also facilitates the spread of pathogens and increases disease risks. The rapid growth of trade, transport, and travel across national borders has increased the frequency of introduction, establishment, and spread of invasive infectious pathogens (Jones et al. 2008). The development of new trade pathways and the growth in the number and volume of commodities traded increase the likelihood that novel infectious pathogens are introduced to importing or stop-over countries. The growth in trade volumes has increased the risk that introduced pathogens establish and spread, because it has increased the frequency with which infectious pathogens are introduced (Cassey et al. 2004; Dalmazzone 2000; Semmens et al. 2004). Other factors such as the bioclimatic similarities between trading partners, the vulnerability of ecosystems in the importing countries, and risk management policies adopted by both importing and exporting countries also influence the risks of invasive infectious pathogens (Wiens and Graham 2005).
Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Disclosure in NIH K-Award Funded Diabetes and Obesity Clinical Trials∗

In 1993, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) passed The Revitalization Act (Subtitle B) which mandated that all NIH funded clinical trials have “appropriate representation” of minority and women subjects. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of the mandate by examining the reporting and inclusion of minority and female subjects into NIH K-Award funded clinical trials, addressing the minority predominant diagnoses of diabetes and clinical obesity. Using the CRISP search engine and PUBMED, we selected publications published by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) K-grant recipients during 1989–2004, associated with all the diabetes and obesity clinical trials. Studies were stratified into three timeline categories (1989–1993, pre-mandate; 1993–1996, post-mandate, and 1997–present, well past mandate) to evaluate trends in the recruiting of minorities and women before, during, and after the passing of the Revitalization Act. Of th...
The Reticuloendothelial System

Publisher Summary The reticuloendothelial system (RES) is closely involved in the immune response. Macrophages and the cells of the RES come into contact with antigens and modify it for effective presentation to lymphocytes. This chapter discusses human colloid clearance tests. The RES is composed of varieties of macrophages that are derived from peripheral monocytes. When a colloid such as India ink is injected intravenously in experimental animals, the degree of phagocytosis by tissue macrophages depends upon the degree to which each phagocyte is exposed to colloid, the type and size particles of colloid, the existence of specific and nonspecific opsonins for the colloid, and the number and functional state of the phagocytes. When India ink is injected into the venous circulation of the mouse, the material disappears exponentially as judged by colorimetrie measurement of the concentration of ink in the blood. In humans, the feasibility of such a test becomes dependent upon the dose of a particular colloid that can be given safely.
Inorganic salts in non-aqueous solvents

Abstract Absorption spectra of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu salts have been determined in dimethylformamide. In most cases the spectra differed considerably from those in aqueous solutions. The absorption maxima and the molar absorptivities of these salts in dimethylformamide are tabulated. The spectra are strongly influenced by the presence of certain anions, the order of decreasing effect being Cl - , Oac - , NO 3 - and ClO 4 - .
Grain Boundary Engineering and Air Oxidation Behavior of Alloy 690

Grain boundary engineering (GBE) was performed on nickel-based alloy 690 by thermomechanical processing (TMP) to alter the grain boundary character distribution (GBCD). It was found that 5% and 35% thickness reduction in single and multiple steps followed by solution annealing and water quench yielded a high fraction of special boundaries. The total length fraction of the low ∑ CSL (coincidence site lattice) was as high as 87.2%. The grain boundary network was disrupted after the TMP treatment, and the average grain size calculated after exclusion of special twin boundaries can be as much as 5 times larger than the as-received (AR) sample. The GBE sample showed better oxidation resistance compared to the AR sample during the long term air oxidation. In the cyclic oxidation test, both AR and GBE samples showed a mass gain at the beginning of the test which was then followed by a mass loss. The mass change of GBE samples oscillated after the first couple cycles, while the AR sample became relatively stable. The oxide film most likely consists of duplex structures with one stable layer that was formed inside and one unstable layer that was formed outside. The stable inner layer was the protective layer and prevented alloy 690 from further oxidation.
Undermining optimistic denial reactions to domestic and campus emergency warning messages.

Background: Individuals who prepare for public emergencies can mitigate the effects of an incident, but denial of personal susceptibility may reduce the likelihood of preparation. Some denial may be due to a positive self-image that is at odds with being “at risk”. The potential for an enhanced warning message that included a positive image of a protector to circumvent this denial was tested in two studies. Methods: Optimistic denial threat orientation was measured. Then participants received either a traditional or a positive protector warning message about terrorism (Study 1; nationally representative sample of US adults; N = 587) or campus emergency preparation (Study 2; US college students; N = 179). Results: As predicted, in the enhanced image condition optimistic denial was no longer related to stronger denial reactions and lower intentions to protect oneself. In addition, Study 2 tested explanatory mediators and found that negative perceptions of and low similarity to a protector partially explained the denial of those higher in optimistic denial and why their denial was dampened in the positive image condition. Conclusions: An enhanced message including a positive image of protector may be an effective way to encourage protection for those prone to optimistic denial.
Establishing specialty jurisdictions in medicine: the case of American obstetrics and gynaecology

Keywords:medical specialisation;the medical profession;surgery;gynaecologic oncology;professions and occupations Abstract The profession of medicine has evolved into an extremely specialised occupation. Yet, recent research has neglected the intra-occupational processes influencing medical specialisation. This article aims to correct this oversight. It develops an historical account of intra-occupational factors influencing the decision to establish gynaecologic oncology as American ob/gyn�s surgical subspecialty in 1972. Working within the framework initially developed by Everett C. Hughes and his students, the article examines this development as the outcome of a three-party relationship among gynaecologic oncologists, American ob/gyns, and gynaecologic pelvic surgeons. Aggressive movement by the gynaecologic pelvic surgeons challenging the established elite�s identity definition for the ob/gyn specialty helped spur official recognition of gynaecologic oncology, a less threatening subspecialty. The article draws theoretical implications from the case regarding the role of a threatening other in influencing the specialisation process.
A educação patrimonial como instrumento de cidadania e a atuação do Programa Monumenta em Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul.

O presente texto apresenta uma reflexao teorica sobre educacao patrimonial e analisa as atividades do Instituto do Patrimonio Historico e Artistico Nacional (IPHAN), em especial do Programa Monumenta, e sua atuacao em Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. A metodologia pautou-se na pesquisa bibliografica qualitativa. A educacao patrimonial nasce da necessidade que temos de preservar o patrimonio cultural. Alem disso, consolida a alianca entre preservacao do patrimonio, resgate da memoria e construcao de cidadania. Palavras-chave : Educacao patrimonial; Preservacao; Cidadania. Abstract This paper shows a theoretical consideration about education for heritage and the analysis of the activities of Instituto do Patrimonio Historico e Artistico Nacional (IPHAN), mainly the Monumenta Program and it’s acting in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul . The method was based on qualitative bibliography. The education for heritage begins by the needs to preserve the cultural heritage. Besides, reinforce the ally between heritage preservation, memory salvage and citizenship construction. Key-words : Education for heritage. Preservation. Citizenship.
A novel technique for active device modeling for microwave mixer applications

Active microwave subsystems such as mixers and other frequency translation devices find increasing application with the advent of MIMIC (monolithic microwave integrated circuit) technology. The authors consider the use of a silicon bipolar MMIC device for such an application. A systematic technique to develop a precision general model for application to such subsystem design is described. The modeling technique described provides an optimum computer model which accurately predicts both linear and nonlinear device behavior with excellent fidelity upon comparison with measured data. >
Investigational drug therapies for treatment of multiple sclerosis

The licensing of interferon beta-1b dramatically changed the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States. Although it was the first therapeutic agent shown to affect the natural course of the disease, interferon beta-1b is not appropriate for all patients and is far from being a cure. Several other promising therapies now under study include immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory drugs to limit inflammation; oral administration of myelin to induce tolerance; monoclonal antibodies designed to deliver targeted immunotherapy; potassium channel blockers to facilitate conduction along demyelinated axons; and glial growth factors to promote remyelination. Clinical trials of potential therapeutic agents have proliferated in the past decade in conjunction with rapid advances in our understanding of the immunologic basis of MS. Some investigational therapies are associated with problematic toxicities, others benefit only a minority of patients, and many are still in the early stages of development. Nevertheless, because current therapeutic options are limited, and because the history of MS therapy is one of disappointment and frustration, it is essential that legitimate, scientifically based advances be widely disseminated to the neurologic community. This article reviews some of the most promising current and investigational therapies for MS.
Connoisseur's Choice: Liddicoatite, Fluor-liddicoatite, and Liddicoatitic Tourmalines, Anjanabonoina District, Madagascar

The tourmaline database, like that of most other families of essential and accessory rock-forming minerals, has expanded dramatically during the past several decades. This has resulted in a better ...