cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solar Terrestrial Observatory for future space station program

The Solar Terrestrial Observatory (STO) Science Study Group was established in 1979 to formulate a scientific strategy for the development of a Solar Terrestrial Observatory as an interdependent problem-oriented combination of solar, magnetospheric, and atmospheric instruments. In the scenario formed by the STO Science Study Group, the STO would be mounted on a long-lived Space Platform, carried into orbit, and serviced by the Space Shuttle. The proposed strategy focused on investigations of the physical processes that interlink the major regions of solar-terrestrial space. In reviewing that strategy, one quickly concludes that the STO objectives can be met, and in many ways enhanced, by using a Shuttle-serviced manned Space Station. This conclusion is reinforced by the results of earlier workshops devoted to manned Space Stations.
Mandatory Aids Testing: Factors Influencing Public Opinion

A survey of 341 persons, 82% of whom were university students whose median age was 27.0 yr., was conducted to investigate the relationship between their attitudes regarding mandatory AIDS testing for various groups, attitudes toward the disease, sexual orientation and behavior, and attitudes toward homosexuals. Homosexual and bisexual respondents were less supportive of mandatory testing for anyone than were heterosexual respondents. Greater homophobia and attitudes in favor of legal sanctions against persons with AIDS were correlated for heterosexual respondents, with attitudes supporting mandatory testing for everyone and homosexuals in particular. However, concern about contracting AIDS was unrelated to heterosexual attitudes favoring mandatory testing. Social and political considerations in an era of growing and potentially militant public health concern are discussed.
Inefficiency of classically simulating linear optical quantum computing with Fock-state inputs

Aaronson and Arkhipov recently used computational complexity theory to argue that classical computers very likely cannot efficiently simulate linear, multimode, quantum-optical interferometers with arbitrary Fock-state inputs [Aaronson and Arkhipov, Theory Comput. 9, 143 (2013)]. Here we present an elementary argument that utilizes only techniques from quantum optics. We explicitly construct the Hilbert space for such an interferometer and show that its dimension scales exponentially with all the physical resources. We also show in a simple example just how the Schr\"odinger and Heisenberg pictures of quantum theory, while mathematically equivalent, are not in general computationally equivalent. Finally, we conclude our argument by comparing the symmetry requirements of multiparticle bosonic to fermionic interferometers and, using simple physical reasoning, connect the nonsimulatability of the bosonic device to the complexity of computing the permanent of a large matrix.
Nature and Teaching in Plato's Meno

In a controversial passage in the Meno, Socrates argues that virtue cannot be taught (89 c-96 c).1 Such a view is hard to square with the thesis that virtue is knowledge, and for this reason there is a longstanding debate over whether Socrates' argument is meant seriously.2 In this paper I shall try to determine exactly where Socrates stands on the question whether virtue can be taught, as well as on the more general question of how men come to possess virtue. What I shall contribute to the debate is not a new answer, but fresh evidence. I believe Socrates' argument cannot be properly understood without seeing its connections with other parts of the dialogue. In the first two sections of the paper I examine Socrates' discussion of the theory of recollection as it relates to the concept of teaching. I argue that one of the purposes of Socrates' discussion is to draw a contrast between two conceptions of teaching. In the final section of the paper I show how the contrast between the two conceptions of teaching is essential to understanding Socrates' claim that virtue cannot be taught.
Negotiating the gay male stereotype in ballet and modern dance

Dance, ballet and modern in particular, is culturally defined as a feminine activity in the United States. The purpose of the present study was to examine the experiences of professional male modern and ballet dancers in the United States. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 current professional ballet and modern dancers. We examined the ways in which the dancers initially became involved in dance, any support or opposition they may have confronted, and the ways in which they negotiated the stereotypical assumptions surrounding men’s involvement in dance. Four emergent themes are discussed: (1) exposure to and entrance into dance; (2) the gay stereotype; (3) negotiating the gay stereotype; and (4) homophobia within the dance community. The social significance of this study is rooted in the ways in which our culture constructs gender, the body, and movement, restricting both males and females from using and exploring their bodies in ways not deemed gender-appropriate. Attention is also given ...
On Diagnosis of Timing Failures in Scan Architecture

Excessive test mode power-ground noise in nanometer scale chips causes large delay uncertainties in scan chains, resulting in a highly elevated rate of timing failures. The hybrid timing violation types in scan chains, compounded by their possibly intermittent manifestations, invalidate the conventional assumptions in scan chain fault behavior, significantly increasing the ambiguity and difficulty in diagnosis. In this paper, we propose a novel methodology to identify the root cause of scan chain timing failures. The proposed work addresses the challenge of diagnosing multiple permanent or intermittent timing faults in scan chains and the associated clock trees, which closely approximate the realistic failure mechanisms observed in silicon. Instead of relying on fault simulation that is incapable of approximating the intermittent fault manifestation, the proposed technique characterizes the impact of timing faults by analyzing the phase movement of scan patterns. Extracting fault-sensitive statistical features of phase movement information provides strong signals for the precise identification of fault locations and types. The manifestation probability of each fault is furthermore computed through a mathematical transformation framework which accurately models the behavior of multiple faults as a Markov chain. The identification of failing scan cells enables a further examination of the possible delay defects in the scan clock buffers, which ascertains the possible root causes of the observed scan chain failures. The proposed scheme characterizes the timing impact of the defective clock buffers by extracting the change in the delay distribution of the clock paths, enabling the effective pruning of unrealistic fault hypotheses that would result in highly deviant timing behavior. Simulation results have confirmed that the proposed methodology can yield highly accurate diagnosis results for complex fault manifestations.
A Research-to-Practice View of an Early Literacy PD Model.

The purpose of this research-to-practice article is to describe the literacy and oral language professional development (PD) model that took place in a 3-year Early Reading First project in 9 Head Start and community-based school classrooms. Through our data-driven PD model, we provided 55 hr of training workshops for all classroom teaching staff based on the evidence-based literacy/language skills and learning strategies. Then, classroom coaches spent approximately 4 hr a week in each classroom working with teachers to plan for the next week's instruction and supporting that instruction while it was occurring. Children were regularly assessed in areas of literacy/oral language, and teachers were assessed on the quality of the classroom environment and teacher fidelity of implementation of strategies learned during coaching and workshop training. Teachers also provided feedback on the quality of workshop training and participated in self-reflection discussions about implementation. Each of these data sour...
Neutrophil Targeting Heterobivalent SPECT Imaging Probe: cFLFLF-PEG-TKPPR-99mTc

A new heterobivalent peptide ligand specifically targeting polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) with favorable pharmacological parameters to monitor sites of inflammation for imaging is designed. The detailed synthesis, characterization, and pharmacological evaluation of the ligands are reported here. Two separate peptide binding ligands for formyl peptide and tuftsin receptors were chosen to link together based on the high expression levels of the two receptors on activated PMNs The heterobivalency and pegylated links were incorporated in the structural design to improve the sensitivity of the detection and to improve the bioavailability along with blood clearance profile, respectively. Two chemical constructs, cFLFLF-(PEG)(n)-TKPPR-(99m)Tc (n = 4, 12), were evaluated in vitro with human PMNs for binding affinity and bioavailability. As a result, cFLFLF-(PEG)(12)-TKPPR-(99m)Tc was found to have more favorable pharmacological properties and was therefore used for further in vivo studies. Preliminary in vivo assessment of the agent was performed using single gamma emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging of a mouse model of ear inflammation. The results of these studies indicate cFLFLF-(PEG)(12)-TKPPR-(99m)Tc may be a desirable imaging agent for binding to PMNs to identify sites of inflammation by SPECT.
Libman-Sacks Endocarditis and Embolic Cerebrovascular Disease

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether Libman-Sacks endocarditis is a pathogenic factor for cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Background A cardioembolic pathogenesis of SLE CVD manifested as: 1) neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE), including stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIA); 2) neurocognitive dysfunction; and 3) magnetic resonance imaging of focal brain lesions has not been established. Methods A 6-year study of 30 patients with acute NPSLE (27 women, 38 ± 12 years of age), 46 age- and sex-matched SLE controls without NPSLE (42 women, 36 ± 12 years of age), and 26 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (22 women, 34 ± 11 years of age) who underwent clinical and laboratory evaluations, transesophageal echocardiography, carotid duplex ultrasound, transcranial Doppler ultrasound, neurocognitive testing, and brain magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiography. Patients with NPSLE were re-evaluated after 4.5 months of therapy. All patients were followed clinically for a median of 52 months. Results Libman-Sacks vegetations (87%), cerebromicroembolism (27% with 2.5 times more events per hour), neurocognitive dysfunction (60%), and cerebral infarcts (47%) were more common in NPSLE than in SLE (28%, 20%, 33%, and 0%) and healthy controls (8%, 0%, 4%, and 0%, respectively) (all p ≤ 0.009). Patients with vegetations had 3 times more cerebromicroemboli per hour, lower cerebral blood flow, more strokes/TIA and overall NPSLE events, neurocognitive dysfunction, cerebral infarcts, and brain lesion load than those without (all p ≤ 0.01). Libman-Sacks vegetations were independent risk factors of NPSLE (odds ratio [OR]: 13.4; p Conclusions The presence of Libman-Sacks endocarditis in patients with SLE was associated with a higher risk for embolic CVD. This suggests that Libman-Sacks endocarditis may be a source of cerebral emboli.
Impacts of Mixing Processes in Nocturnal Atmospheric Boundary Layer on Urban Ozone Concentrations

A number of open questions remain regarding the role of low-level jets (LLJs) and nocturnal mixing processes in the buildup of tropospheric ozone. The prevalence of southerly winds and LLJs in the U.S. Southern Great Plains during summer makes this region an ideal site for investigating the structure of the nocturnal boundary layer and its impacts on urban air quality. Ozone \((\mathrm{O}_{3})\) and nitrogen oxide concentrations measured at regulatory monitoring sites in the Oklahoma City (OKC) area and simulations with the Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry (WRF/Chem) model were analyzed to show how the nocturnal LLJ moderates boundary-layer mixing processes and air quality. Datasets collected during the Joint Urban 2003 campaign, which took place in July 2003 in OKC, provided detailed information about nocturnal boundary-layer structure and dynamics. In general, \({\mathrm{O}_{3}}\) time series show the expected behavior that urban \({\mathrm{O}_{3}}\) concentrations decrease at night due to nitrogen oxide titration reactions, but elevated \({\mathrm{O}_{3}}\) concentrations and secondary \({\mathrm{O}_{3}}\) peaks are also seen quite frequently after sunset. LLJs developed on most nights during the study period and were associated with strong vertical wind shear, which affected the boundary-layer stability and structure. Near-surface \({\mathrm{O}_{3}}\) concentrations are higher during less stable nights when active mixing persists throughout the night. The WRF/Chem model results agree well with the observations and further demonstrate the role of LLJs in moderating nocturnal mixing processes and air quality. The highest nocturnal \({\mathrm{O}_{3}}\) concentrations are linked to a strong LLJ that promotes both nocturnal long-range transport and persistent downward mixing of \({\mathrm{O}_{3}}\) from the residual layer to the surface.
Suppression of LDL Oxidation by Garlic Compounds Is a Possible Mechanism of Cardiovascular Health Benefit

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, and lowering cholesterol can significantly reduce the risk for cardiovascular diseases. Oxidation of LDL has recently been recognized as playing an important role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Oxidized LDL, but not native LDL, promotes vascular dysfunction by exerting direct cytotoxicity to endothelial cells, by increasing chemotactic properties of monocytes, by transforming macrophages to foam cells, and by enhancing the proliferation of endothelial cells, monocytes, and muscle cells. All these events are recognized as contributors to cardiovascular diseases. This paper presents experimental evidence showing that several garlic compounds can suppress LDL oxidation in vitro. Short-term supplementation of garlic in human subjects has demonstrated an increased resistance of LDL to oxidation. These data suggest that suppressed LDL oxidation may be one of the mechanisms that accounts for the beneficial effects of garlic in cardiovascular health.
Asymmetries and relationships between dynamic loading, muscle strength, and proprioceptive acuity at the knees in symptomatic unilateral hip osteoarthritis

High joint loading, knee muscle weakness, and poor proprioceptive acuity are important factors that have been linked to knee osteoarthritis (OA). We previously reported that those with unilateral hip OA and bilateral asymptomatic knees are more predisposed to develop progressive OA in the contralateral knee relative to the ipsilateral knee. In the present study, we evaluate asymmetries in muscle strength and proprioception between the limbs and also evaluate relationships between these factors and joint loading that may be associated with the asymmetric evolution of OA in this group. Sixty-two participants with symptomatic unilateral hip OA and asymptomatic knees were evaluated for muscle strength, joint position sense and dynamic joint loads at the knees. Muscle strength and proprioception were compared between limbs and correlations between these factors and dynamic joint loading were evaluated. Subgroup analyses were also performed in only those participants that fulfilled criteria for severe hip OA. Quadriceps muscle strength was 15% greater, and in the severe subgroup, proprioceptive acuity was 25% worse at the contralateral compared to ipsilateral knee of participants with unilateral hip OA (P <0.05). In addition, at the affected limb, there was an association between decreased proprioceptive acuity and higher knee loading (Spearman’s rho = 0.377, P = 0.007) and between decreased proprioceptive acuity and decreased muscle strength (Spearman’s rho = −0.328, P = 0.016). This study demonstrated asymmetries in muscle strength and proprioception between the limbs in a unilateral hip OA population. Early alterations in these factors suggest their possible role in the future development of OA at the contralateral ‘OA-predisposed knee’ in this group. Furthermore, the significant association observed between proprioception, loading, and muscle strength at the affected hip limb suggests that these factors may be interrelated.
Characterizing thermal runaway in HTS current leads

Following a brief review of the many issues pertinent to HTS current lead design, we describe the performance of a pair of 1500 A HTS current leads during the transient warm-up following a loss of intercept cooling. Results describing the subsequent temperature evolution are provided both from experimental measurements and from an associated ANSYS model. The study confirms that HTS current leads must be analyzed on a system basis-incorporating the thermal and electrical characteristics of all components-to provide useful information for the end user. A performance contrast is provided between conduction-cooled and convection-cooled modes. It is found that when heat generation in the HTS conductor exceeds convective cooling by a factor of 10 or more, that part of the current lead is thermally decoupled from the rest of the lead.
Magnetic resonance imaging of cyanotic and noncyanotic congenital heart disease.

Abstract MRI has become an important imaging tool that complements echocardiography in the noninvasive evaluation of congenital heart defects. It can play a crucial role in diagnosis by assessing anatomic and functional features in CHD and identifying complications and postoperative sequelae. The performance and application of cardiac MRI require not only knowledge of the clinical question that needs to be addressed but knowledge of the anatomic characteristics of a variety of congenital heart lesions. A knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of the different imaging sequences also is important so as to optimize and expedite the examination.
Correlation of finite element analysis to superplastic forming experiments

Abstract A simulation capability for superplastic forming has been experimentally verified. Using a long rectangular die, the predictive accuracy of two commercial finite element analysis codes has been established by correlation with superplastic forming trials from an industrial SPF process. The correlation study evaluated the FEA prediction of thickness and the bulk deformation of the sheet during forming. Based on these results, a general modeling strategy for superplastic forming has been established that provides good predictive accuracy for SPF die and process design.
The thalamus and working memory

In this issue of JINS , Gasparini and her colleagues ( 2008 ) report a subject with a right anterior choroidal artery territory stroke that damaged the anterior hippocampus, but likely more importantly, much of the ventral posterior limb of the internal capsule, effectively disconnecting the right thalamus from temporal cortex. Through systematic cognitive neuropsychological detective work, they provide a compelling case that the essential deficit was one of working memory. This is potentially a very important discovery. The thalamus is a phylogenetically ancient structure, and there is considerable evidence that, in human beings, much of its function has been subsumed by cortical mechanisms (Nadeau & Crosson, 1997 ). Consequently, there are fundamental limits to how much animal studies can inform us about human thalamic functions, and we are particularly reliant on cognitive neuropsychological studies like this one. The work of Gasparini et al. also provides a fine demonstration of the continuing value of cognitive neuropsychology in advancing our understanding of the details of brain function.
Socio-ecological Determinants of Land Degradation and Rural Poverty in Northeast Thailand

The discussion above illustrates the inadequacy of many of the development strategies that have been pursued in Northeast Thailand. The prevailing social, political, and economic, policies and trends have resulted in the transformation of the people of the Northeast from a relatively self-sustaining population to an increasingly impoverished one. In the course of the movement away from relatively self-sufficient subsistence-oriented production, they have been exposed to both the ‘rigours of the market’ and changing policies regarding access to markets, cash-crops, and land tenure — with all of their destabilizing, and in this case impoverishing, effects. This transformation has resulted in increased land degradation and rural poverty in the Northeast.
Influence of age and location of ictal onset on postoperative outcome in patients with localization-related epilepsy

AbstractIntroduction. Localization-related epilepsy is a significant concern for the middle-aged and older population given the lesser cognitive reserve and the greater likelihood of adverse systemic antiepileptic drug effects. Epilepsy surgery for this age group has the potential for greater postoperative morbidity and mortality, a protracted rehabilitation with its associated economic burden, progressive cognitive and memory decline and a lesser chance of becoming seizure-free after the procedure. Methods. A retrospective institutional archival review of 120 patients with medically refractory partial epilepsy of both temporal and extratemporal epilepsy was performed. Comparative assessments for seizure cessation and neuropsychological effects were made for those younger and older than 50 years and those with epilepsy durations of greater and less than 20 years. Results. A comparison of surgical outcomes by age group identified that Engel Class I outcomes were attained in 26 of 35 (74%) patients in the o...
The Alleged Abduction of Milly McPherson and Catholic Recruitment of Presbyterian Girls

En 1837, dans l'Etat du Kentucky, commence le proces de Nathan Rice au sujet de l'enlevement presume de Milly McPherson, une jeune femme issue d'une famille catholique. Bien que Rice soit declare innocent, il apparait comme un homme desirant discrediter les ecoles catholiques en developpement qui menacaient la vitalite des institutions presbyteriennes. Le suppose enlevement de Milly McPherson a sans aucun doute ete monte en epingle dans le but d'enrayer la conversion de certaines jeunes femmes protestantes au catholicisme
A theory of adaptive filtering

This paper considers the adaptive signal extraction problem for time-discrete data when only very general a priori assumptions regarding the distributions of signal and noise are possible. Specifically, it is assumed that the noise is white, additive, and signal independent with mean zero and unknown variance and that the signal is band-limited. No stationarity assumptions are required. After a procedure is found under these conditions, the mean-square-error is derived asymptotically under narrower conditions-stationary Gaussian data with mean zero. Finally, a method of estimating the error variance from the data (without knowing the signal directly) is found.
Cenozoic Motion of the Cocos Plate Relative to the Asthenosphere and Cold Spots

The Guatemala Basin has long been a tectonic puzzle because of its anomalously low heat flow. Recent numerical investigations of convective flow within a Newtonian fluid have shown that a downwelling asthenospheric convection limb should produce anomalously low heat flow, anomalously deep depth, and a negative free-air gravity anomaly on the upper boundary. Observational confirmation of the correlation, predicted by the model, between depth anomalies and gravity anomalies in other oceanic regions leads to the suggestion that the low heat flow of the Guatemala Basin might show a correlation with negative gravity. Because of the time constant for conductive heat transfer through the lithospheric plate, one must know where this portion of the Cocos plate was relative to an assumed fixed gravity field 25 to 40 m.y. ago. The lithosphere of the Guatemala Basin traversed a 10- to 15-mgal negative gravity anomaly 30 to 40 m.y. ago. This correlation, along with that between depth and gravity, is evidence for upper-mantle convection. Furthermore, the portion of the long-wavelength free-air gravity field of the Earth that is not dominated by plate downthrusting at trenches might represent a map of asthenospheric flow.
Evaluation of a Rear Entry System for an Advanced Spacesuit

The success of astronauts in performing Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) is highly dependent on the performance of the spacesuit they are wearing. The Space Shuttle Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) is a waist entry suit consisting of a hard upper torso (HUT) and soft fabric mobility joints. The EMU was designed specifically for zero gravity operations. With a new emphasis on planetary exploration, a new EVA spacesuit design is required. One of the key features of any space suit is the entry method. Historical examples of different entry types include waist entry, rear entry, bi-planar entry, and soft zipper type entry. Suit entry type plays a critical role in defining the overall suit architecture. Some of the critical suit features affected by entry type are suit don/doff capability, suit sizing, suit mass, suit volume, and suit comfort. In general, rear entry designs provide better don/doff capabilities. However, mass and limitations to vertical torso length may be disadvantages of the rear entry design. Entry type is also affected by the vehicle and habitat interfaces such as air locks, hatches, and manned rovers. One concept for planetary exploration is to have an unpressurized vestibule attached to the habitat and have the spacesuit attached to the habitat wall acting as an air lock. This scenario is best supported by a rear entry design minimizing the amount of dust and dirt entering the habitat. ILC has designed a rear entry prototype upper torso for the I-Suit advanced spacesuit. The design facilitates don/doff while minimizing mass and the negative effects on vertical sizing. This paper discusses research performed at ILC Dover to develop the rear entry design and initial evaluations of the prototype.
Latino Sexual and Gender Identity Minorities Promoting Sexual Health Within Their Social Networks: Process Evaluation Findings From a Lay Health Advisor Intervention

The HOLA intervention was a lay health advisor intervention designed to reduce the disproportionate HIV burden borne by Latino sexual and gender identity minorities (gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, and transgender persons) living in the United States. Process evaluation data were collected for over a year of intervention implementation from 11 trained Latino male and transgender lay health advisors (Navegantes) to document the activities each Navegante conducted to promote condom use and HIV testing among his or her eight social network members enrolled in the study. Over 13 months, the Navegantes reported conducting 1,820 activities. The most common activity was condom distribution. Navegantes had extensive reach beyond their enrolled social network members, and they engaged in health promotion activities beyond social network members enrolled in the study. There were significant differences between the types of activities conducted by Navegantes depending on who was present. Results ...
Treating Hyperactivity with Dexedrine and Activity Feedback

Using a single-case experimental design, this study evaluated the effects of Dexedrine and an activity feedback and reinforcement procedure on several behavioral components of the hyperactivity syndrome. The results showed that Dexedrine improved classroom on-task behavior and lunchroom gross motor behavior but had no effect on activity level, as measured by a movement monitor worn on the child's wrist. After replicating these effects in a second phase of Dexedrine, an activity feedback and reinforcement procedure was combined with medication to reduce the subject's excessive rate of activity. This procedure involved sequentially adding three components of the activity feedback procedure in order to determine the significance of instructions, guided practice, and activity feedback and reinforcement for reducing activity. Results indicated that activity feedback and reinforcement produced the largest reductions in activity.
Overcoming barriers to training utilizing technology: The influence of self‐efficacy factors on multimedia‐based training receptiveness

Corporations competing in the global market face a number of challenges and opportunities in effective human resources training. Many firms address this issue by emphasizing multimedia-based training systems. Given the rapid increase in multimedia-based training, it is important that barriers to effective use of this technology be identified. There is substantial evidence in the human resources training literature that low self-efficacy levels among trainees can form a barrier to a specific training technique. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that receptiveness to multimedia-based training among trainees may differ based on multimedia self-efficacy. This issue was examined through the use of factor analysis, which revealed two significant selfefficacy factors: developed self-efficacy and existing self-efficacy. These factors proved to be highly significant to respondents' perceptions of multimedia training effectiveness. The finding suggests that training effectiveness is determined not only by the training content and media presentation but also by the trainees' self-efficacy.
Pathobiology of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: new developments.

Purpose of review Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a major cause of nephrotic syndrome and renal failure. All forms of FSGS share podocyte injury and depletion as central mediators. This review focuses on new insights into pathogenesis from study of extrinsic toxins in experimental models, permeability factors in human disease, and novel genetic causes. Recent findings Experimental toxin models have advanced our understanding of the threshold and dynamics of podocyte injury. Following initial podocyte depletion, spreading fields of podocyte injury through secondary mediators appear to be important in generating the segmental pathologic lesions. Proliferating glomerular epithelial cells are common in FSGS, although there are conflicting views about their identity. Evidence suggests potential contributions by mature parietal epithelial cells, facultative stem cells and podocytes. A number of novel candidate permeability factors that affect podocyte function and motility have been discovered in human FSGS and related podocytopathy minimal change disease. Exome capture has identified new monogenic causes of familial FSGS. Apolipoprotein L-1 (APOL1) is expressed in podocytes, and the prevalence of APOL1 risk alleles in patients of African descent with primary FSGS and HIV-associated nephropathy is high, implicating potential podocyte effects. Summary FSGS is caused by a complex interplay of inherent genetic susceptibilities and external injurious factors acting on podocytes. Critical levels of podocyte stress eventuate in podocyte depletion, segmental glomerular scarring, and glomerular epithelial cell hyperplasia.
Impaired adult myeloid progenitor CMP and GMP cell function in conditional c-myb-knockout mice

The differentiation of myeloid progenitors to mature, terminally differentiated cells is a highly regulated process. Here, we showed that conditional disruption of the c-myb proto-oncogene in adult mice resulted in dramatic reductions in CMP, GMP and MEP myeloid progenitors, leading to a reduction of neutrophils, basophils, monocytes and platelets in peripheral blood. In addition, c-myb plays a critical role at multiple stages of myeloid development, from multipotent CMP and bipotent GMP to unipotent CFU-G and CFU-M progenitor cells. c-myb controls the differentiation of these cells and is required for the proper commitment, maturation and normal differentiation of CMPs and GMPs. Specifically, c-myb regulates the precise commitment to the megakaryocytic and granulo-monocytic pathways and governs the granulocytic-monocytic lineage choice. c-myb is also required for the commitment along the granulocytic pathway for early myeloid progenitor cells and for the maturation of committed precursor cells along this pathway. On the other hand, disruption of the c-myb gene favors the commitment to the monocytic lineage, although monocytic development was abnormal with cells appearing more mature with atypical CD41 surface markers. These results demonstrate that c-myb plays a pivotal role in the regulation of multiple stages in adult myelogenesis.
Analysis of the Stability of I-Walls with Gaps between the I-Wall and the Levee Fill

Following Hurricane Katrina an extensive investigation of the performance of floodwalls in the New Orleans area was undertaken by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and others. This investigation included detailed study of failures of cantilevered sheet pile "I-walls" during the hurricane. An important lesson from this investigation was that gaps can form on the canal side of I-walls as the water rises in the canal and causes the I-wall to deflect. Once formed, these gaps filled with water, resulting in significantly higher loads on the walls. Gap formation was a key factor in several I-wall failures, and modeling such gaps correctly is clearly an important aspect of analyzing I-wall stability. This paper describes simple procedures for estimating the depths of gaps behind I-walls, for calculating the loads to which they are subjected, and for including them in stability analyses. The effects of gaps on the stability of the 17th Canal and the London Avenue Canal I-walls are discussed.
Reassigning and Assessing the Role of the Gift Tax

In the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, Congress repealed the estate tax, effective in 2010. In the very same legislation, however, Congress retained the gift tax. This was done based upon commentators' dire warnings that, in the absence of a viable gift tax, taxpayers would minimize their income tax burdens by shifting income either to related taxpayers whose income is taxed at lower rates or to foreign individuals whose income is not subject to U.S. income taxation. To these commentators, the integrity of the income tax system and, in particular, its progressive rate structure, were at stake.The retention of the gift tax suggests that its primary role will change from a defender of the estate tax to a defender of the income tax. As this transformation unfolds, Congress will likely have to refine the scope and application of the gift tax to better enable it to meet its new role. Alternatively, Congress may choose to modify the income tax to make it less vulnerable to income shifting.This analysis first explores the traditional role of the gift tax and evaluates the merits of commentators' contentions that the lack of a gift tax would foster an environment conducive to income shifting. The analysis then questions whether the gift tax will truly succeed in protecting the integrity of the income tax. Finally, in lieu of retaining the gift tax, this analysis recommends that Congress instead reform the income tax to strip it of income-shifting opportunities.
Cascading of coherent pulse stacking using multiple gires-tournois interferometers

Coherent pulse stacking utilizing cascaded Gires-Tournois interferometers to coherently stack multiple equal amplitude pulses in the time domain is experimentally demonstrated with a fiber chirped pulse amplification system.
A new porphyrin photosensitizer (PH1008) in model membranes, normal cells, and bladder cancer cells.

Abstract Newer photosensitizers continue to be sought for photodynamic therapy of bladder cancer particularly since local rather than systemic application is desired. Recent studies have indicated that a cationic dye, PH1008, a 13,17-N,N,N-dimethylethylethanolamine ester of protoporphyrin, sensitizes the photolysis of red blood cells. The study described in this report was designed to investigate the plasma membrane partitioning of PH1008 model lipid system and to compare partitioning of PH1008 in normal transitional cells and bladder cancer cells in vitro. Partition coefficient (Kp) values characterizing the distribution of PH1008 between aqueous buffer and normal and malignant transitional cells were 3.4 ± 0.7 × 104 (CRL-7881) and 9.5 ± 1.4 × 104 (HTB-9), resulting in a 20% difference in membrane photosensitizer concentration at a particular photosensitizer concentration. Significantly higher (2-5 fold) differences are observed between tumor and surrounding normal tissue for systemically delivered photofrin II. Cell-bound drug was 30-fold (CRL-7881) and 80-fold (HTB-9) more fluorescent when compared to aqueous buffer. The combined effects of partitioning and bound fluorescence suggest that a 3.2-fold increase in fluorescence of transformed vs. normal bladder urothelium exists. This difference in fluorescence suggests that PH1008 might be more useful as a diagnostic tool than as a phototherapeutic agent.
Integration of cognitive and personality-based conceptualization and treatment of psychological trauma

In the wake of the numerous terrorist attacks and horrific natural disasters that have occurred beginning on September 11, 2001, there has been increased interest in the effects of trauma, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of a synergistic multicomponent approach to therapy that incorporates the integrated use of cognitive and personality-guided approaches to conceptualizing and treating psychological trauma. With Millon's personality classification system serving as a foundation, a case example is provided along with an explanation of the therapeutic stages beginning with establishing the therapeutic alliance to decreasing hyperarousal to restoring assumptive worldviews.
Myocardial strain may be useful in differentiating Takotsubo cardiomyopathy from left anterior descending coronary artery ischemia

Abstract Background Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SCM) is characterized by transient apical wall motion abnormalities of the left ventricle (LV) in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Although the echocardiographic findings of SCM mimic those of left anterior descending coronary artery ischemia or infarction (LAD), the regional LV wall motion pattern and degree of RV involvement may differ. Methods We sought to systematically assess regional LV and RV function with myocardial strain imaging to assess if ventricular involvement may differ between SCM and LAD. Results This was a retrospective cohort study, with 3 groups: patients with SCM ( n =55), patients with LAD ( n =36), and 37 normal subjects. All the patients had a comprehensive transthoracic echocardiographic examination, including assessment of longitudinal strain (LS). Global LV longitudinal strain was markedly decreased in both the SCM and LAD groups. However, SCM patients differed by more severe involvement the mid-inferolateral, mid-inferior, apical-lateral, and apical-inferior segments. When compared to the LAD patients, SCM patients had significantly more RV involvement both visually and quantitatively (27–42% versus 0–25%). Predictors of SCM included visually reduced RV systolic function, abnormal TAPSE, RVS′ and RV LS in the apical segment. Of the LV variables, regional LS in the mid-inferior and apical-inferior segments could differentiate the groups. Conclusions Our results suggest that RV involvement and the pattern of LV regional LS abnormalities may help differentiate SCM from LAD disease during echocardiographic imaging.
Test Suite for Image-Based Motion Estimation of the Brain and Tongue.

Noninvasive analysis of motion has important uses as qualitative markers for organ function and to validate biomechanical computer simulations relative to experimental observations. Tagged MRI is considered the gold standard for noninvasive tissue motion estimation in the heart, and this has inspired multiple studies focusing on other organs, including the brain under mild acceleration and the tongue during speech. As with other motion estimation approaches, using tagged MRI to measure 3D motion includes several preprocessing steps that affect the quality and accuracy of estimation. Benchmarks, or test suites, are datasets of known geometries and displacements that act as tools to tune tracking parameters or to compare different motion estimation approaches. Because motion estimation was originally developed to study the heart, existing test suites focus on cardiac motion. However, many fundamental differences exist between the heart and other organs, such that parameter tuning (or other optimization) with respect to a cardiac database may not be appropriate. Therefore, the objective of this research was to design and construct motion benchmarks by adopting an "image synthesis" test suite to study brain deformation due to mild rotational accelerations, and a benchmark to model motion of the tongue during speech. To obtain a realistic representation of mechanical behavior, kinematics were obtained from finite-element (FE) models. These results were combined with an approximation of the acquisition process of tagged MRI (including tag generation, slice thickness, and inconsistent motion repetition). To demonstrate an application of the presented methodology, the effect of motion inconsistency on synthetic measurements of head- brain rotation and deformation was evaluated. The results indicated that acquisition inconsistency is roughly proportional to head rotation estimation error. Furthermore, when evaluating non-rigid deformation, the results suggest that inconsistent motion can yield "ghost" shear strains, which are a function of slice acquisition viability as opposed to a true physical deformation.
Glucose Variations and Activity Are Strongly Coupled in Sleep and Wake in Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.

Background:Glucose variations are common throughout sleep and wakefulness in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The objective of this investigation was to characterize the time-varying coupling between glucose and unstructured physical activity over a 60-hr period in young adults with T1DM. The hypothesis was that coupling would differ during sleep versus wakefulness and would exhibit circadian variations.Method:Young adults with T1DM treated with an insulin pump participated in the study. Glucose variations were monitored with a continuous glucose monitoring system, and activity was assessed using an activity-monitoring band worn on the nondominant wrist. Simultaneous glucose and physical activity data across a continuous 60-hr period were used for analysis. Wavelet coherence analysis was employed to quantify the coupling between physical activity and glucose. Cosinor analysis was used to assess whether glucose/activity coherence exhibited significant circadian variations.Results:Participants c...
Overexpression of PRL-1 and PRL-2 in pancreatic cancer cell lines and tumor samples

270 The PRL phosphatases (which consist of PRL-1, PRL-2 and PRL-3 in humans) have been implicated in cancer cell growth and metastasis, and are currently being validated as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in a variety of tumor types. Using cDNA microarray, we previously identified and reported PRL-1 as being highly upregulated in pancreatic cancer cell lines (Cancer Res 2002. 62:10;2890-6). In addition, mRNA levels of PRL-1, PRL-2, and PRL-3 in a large panel of cell lines have been described recently (Proc AACR 2006;47:[5028]), showing that PRL-2 might also be highly expressed in pancreatic cancer cell lines. Examination of PRL expression at the protein level, however, has remained less explored. We sought to further evaluate the expression of the PRL phosphatases at the protein level in pancreatic cancer cell lines and extend our findings to in situ analysis of pancreatic tumors by using tissue microarray (TMA) technology. As determined by Western blot, we found that PRL-1 and PRL-2, but not PRL-3 were highly expressed in pancreatic cancer cell lines, with expression comparable to that of other cancer cell lines previously described as having high PRL-1 or PRL-2 levels. Focusing on PRL-1 and PRL-2, TMA slides containing 53 tumor samples and 38 normal samples (20 of which were matched adjacent to tumor) were stained using PRL-1 or PRL-2 antibodies. Staining over background of PRL-1 or PRL-2 in adenocarcinoma was moderate to strong for ~40% of the tumors. In contrast over 90% of the normal pancreas counterparts stained negative or weak for both PRL proteins. Our results suggest that PRL-1 and PRL-2 are expressed in a subset of pancreatic tumors and further experiments are being undertaken to determine the role that PRL phosphatases play in the biology of these tumors. This work was supported by a grant from the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR).
Use of Firearms in Terrorist Attacks: Differences Between the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

This analysis of the Global Terrorism Database evaluates differences in the use of firearms in terrorist attacks between the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Unemployment: Why Can’t People Who Want to Work Find Jobs?

Every penny spent on buying a thing in the market is a penny someone earns by selling the thing. But a penny saved is a penny not spent in the market and therefore it is a penny someone else cannot earn. Enterprises will hire more workers if they expect market demand for their output is increasing. Unemployment occurs when market demand is insufficient to make it profitable for enterprise to hire the unemployed.
Persistent photocurrent and deep level traps in PLD-grown In-Ga-Zn-O thin films studied by thermally stimulated current spectroscopy

InGaZnO (IGZO) is a promising semiconductor material for thin-film transistors (TFTs) used in DC and RF switching applications, especially since it can be grown at low temperatures on a wide variety of substrates. Enhancement-mode TFTs based on IGZO thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) have been recently fabricated and these transistors show excellent performance; however, compositional variations and defects can adversely affect film quality, especially in regard to electrical properties. In this study, we use thermally stimulated current (TSC) spectroscopy to characterize the electrical properties and the deep traps in PLD-grown IGZO thin films. It was found that the as-grown sample has a DC activation energy of 0.62 eV, and two major traps with activation energies at ~ 0.16-0.26 eV and at ~ 0.90 eV. However, a strong persistent photocurrent (PPC) sometimes exists in the as-grown sample, so we carry out post-growth annealing in an attempt to mitigate the effect. It was found that annealing in argon increases the conduction, produces more PPC and also makes more traps observable. Annealing in air makes the film more resistive, and removes PPC and all traps but one. This work demonstrates that current-based trap emission, such as that associated with the TSC, can effectively reveal electronic defects in highlyresistive semiconductor materials, especially those are not amenable to capacitance-based techniques, such as deeplevel transient spectroscopy (DLTS).
PCR/LDR/Universal Array Platforms for the Diagnosis of Infectious Disease

Infectious diseases account for between 14 and 17 million deaths worldwide each year. Accurate and rapid diagnosis of bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections is therefore essential to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases. Classical microbiological and serological methods have long served as the gold standard for diagnosis but are increasingly being replaced by molecular diagnostic methods that demonstrate increased sensitivity and specificity and provide an identification of the etiologic agent in a shorter period of time. PCR/LDR coupled with universal array detection provides a highly sensitive and specific platform for the detection and identification of bacterial and viral infections.