cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct simulation of turbulent particle transport in electrostatic precipitators

The dispersion of particles in turbulent duct flow under the influence of electrostatic fields is studied using direct numerical simulation. In this new approach, particles are moved in the temporally and spatially varying turbulent flow field under the influence of electrostatic and gravitational body forces, as well as fluid dynamic drag. The simulations agree well with previously performed experiments (done in geometries typical of wire-plate and plate-plate electrostatic precipitators) not only in the overall collection efficiency of particles, but in particle concentration profiles at various axial locations in the flow direction. This gives confidence in the technique that may be used to study different precipitator geometries and flow field configurations, supplementing costly and difficult experiments. Furthermore, information is obtained at a much more detailed level than is possible via experiments, allowing insights into the mechanisms dominating particle collection.
Validity in World City Network Measurements

In the literature on world city networks, there has been a proliferation of both theories and measurement methodologies, but relatively little attention to the linkage between theory and measurement. In this paper, I review the interlocking world city network model (IWCNM) and three additional bipartite projection-based measures of the world city network, considering which theoretical conception of the ‘world city network’ construct each can validly measure. I introduce a new Stata command, onemode, to compute these four measures, and use them to produce world city networks from three publicly available datasets on advanced producer services, international organisations, and engineering and architecture firms. The results suggest that each projection-based measure is potentially valid, but only for a corresponding understanding of the world city network. Researchers are encouraged to clearly define what they mean when invoking the phrase ‘the world city network,’ and only then selecting a measurement that is valid.
Sol Sherry Lecture in Thrombosis: Molecular Events in Acute Inflammation

The inflammatory response is characterized by a multistep molecular interaction between "signaling" cells, such as endothelial cells, and "responding" cells, such as neutrophils and monocytes. In the first step, selectins produced by signaling cells mediate the tethering of responding cells at sites of inflammation. Subsequently, an additional mediator expressed by signaling cells activates the tethered responding cells. Under pathological conditions, the same mechanism is invoked in inappropriate ways: (1) by prolonged presentation of selectins on the cell surface and (2) by the unregulated production of oxidized phospholipids that mimic the normal secondary signaling molecule, platelet-activating factor (PAF). The enzyme PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) inactivates PAF and oxidized phospholipids and constitutes an "off" switch that suppresses inflammation. Inhibition of normal PAF-AH function or inactivating mutations of the PAF-AH gene can lead to increased susceptibility to inflammatory disease. These studies have relevance to atherosclerosis and thrombosis, because inflammation is a central feature of both.
Use of Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses for Transfers of Nonambulatory Boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy can continue to walk with knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs) when increasing muscle weakness and lower extremity deformities cause frequent falling. Surgery may be required to release contractures before the orthoses can be used.1–3 Functional standing and walking become impossible as weight, height, and muscle weakness increase. However, standing pivot transfers continue to be possible with the use of KAFOs. This transfer method is practical because it can be performed by one person (Figs. 1–3), and the boys' families usually prefer this method over manually or mechanically lifting. In addition, less time and space are required than with the use of a mechanical lift. Standing transfers can be continued as long as knee flexion contractures are prevented. A home program of daily knee range-of-motion exercises and knee-extension positioning is prescribed.…
Cutting Edge: B Cell Receptor (BCR) Cross-Talk: The IL-4-Induced Alternate Pathway for BCR Signaling Operates in Parallel with the Classical Pathway, Is Sensitive to Rottlerin, and Depends on Lyn

B cell exposure to IL-4 alters subsequent BCR signaling such that ERK phosphorylation becomes signalosome-independent; however, the nature of this new, alternate signaling pathway and its relationship to the classical, signalosome-dependent signaling pathway are not known. In this study, we report that the alternate and classical pathways for BCR signaling are differentially affected by rottlerin, and by Go6976 or LY294002, respectively. Furthermore, in B cells lacking protein kinase C (PKC)beta, the classical pathway for BCR signaling is blocked, whereas the alternate pathway is little affected. Conversely, in B cells lacking Lyn, the alternate pathway for BCR signaling is blocked, whereas the classical pathway is little affected. The rottlerin-sensitive element is not PKCdelta, inasmuch as the alternate pathway is not blocked in PKCdelta-deficient B cells. These results indicate that the rottlerin-sensitive, Lyn-dependent alternate pathway, and the classical pathway, for BCR signaling operate in parallel when BCR engagement follows IL-4 exposure.
How position dependent is visual object recognition

Visual object recognition is often assumed to be insensitive to changes in retinal position, leading to theories and formal models incorporating position-independent object representations. However, recent behavioral and physiological evidence has questioned the extent to which object recognition is position independent. Here, we take a computational and physiological perspective to review the current behavioral literature. Although numerous studies report reduced object recognition performance with translation, even for distances as small as 0.5 degrees of visual angle, confounds in many of these studies make the results difficult to interpret. We conclude that there is little evidence to support position-independent object recognition and the precise role of position in object recognition remains unknown.
Jewish Perspectives on Oncofertility: The Complexities of Tradition

I begin this reflection on Jewish bioethical response to the dilemmas within oncofertility with a familiar caveat: there is no one particular authority on Jewish ethics, nor even on the legal, or halachic norms that govern Jewish community practice. Jewish bioethics has historically been an account of optimism about research, as a project of repair in a broken or unfinished world [1]. While Freedman has raised some cautionary caveats about the need for full consent and safety [2] and while others have raised some questions of justice (including this author), the main thrust of Jewish responses to both artificial reproduction and to new technology in treating cancer has been to celebrate the advances as a part of the general goal of human development, creativity, and capacity.
LSI Layout Checking Using Bipolar Device Recognition Technique

Layout errors often result in nonfunctioning devices that still adhere to all layout tolerance rules. Reported here is a method for locating such errors in addition to the tolerance rule checking.
Regulation of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene expression: present and future perspectives

Steroid hormones are synthesized in the adrenal gland, gonads, placenta and brain and are critical for normal reproductive function and bodily homeostasis. The steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein regulates the rate-limiting step in steroid biosynthesis, i.e. the delivery of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane. The expression of the StAR protein is predominantly regulated by cAMP-dependent mechanisms in the adrenal and gonads. Whereas StAR plays an indispensable role in the regulation of steroid biosynthesis, a complete understanding of the regulation of its expression and function in steroidogenesis is not available. It has become clear that the regulation of StAR gene expression is a complex process that involves the interaction of a diversity of hormones and multiple signaling pathways that coordinate the cooperation and interaction of transcriptional machinery, as well as a number of post-transcriptional mechanisms that govern mRNA and protein expression. However, information is lacking on how the StAR gene is regulated in vivo such that it is expressed at appropriate times during development and is confined to the steroidogenic cells. Thus, it is not surprising that the precise mechanism involved in the regulation of StAR gene has not yet been established, which is the key to understanding the regulation of steroidogenesis in the context of both male and female development and function.
The antiquity of RNA-based evolution

All life that is known to exist on Earth today and all life for which there is evidence in the geological record seems to be of the same form — one based on DNA genomes and protein enzymes. Yet there are strong reasons to conclude that DNA- and protein-based life was preceded by a simpler life form based primarily on RNA. This earlier era is referred to as the 'RNA world', during which the genetic information resided in the sequence of RNA molecules and the phenotype derived from the catalytic properties of RNA.
Radiation-induced segregation and precipitation in molybdenum-rhenium alloys

Specimens of Mo-7 at. % Re and Mo-30 at. % Re were irradiated with 1.8 MeV /sup 4/He/sup +/ ions at elevated temperatures. Radiation-induced segregation of Re was measured during irradiation by in situ Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Segregation of the undersized Re atoms in the same direction as the defect fluxes, i.e., toward the external surface, was observed. The amount of Re enrichment in the near-surface region was measured as a function of temperature and of dose at a calculated near-surface displacement rate near 1 x 10/sup -4/dpa/s. Segregation was observed at temperatures from 800 to 1500/sup 0/C in Mo-7Re, and from 850 to 1225/sup 0/C in Mo-30Re. Irradiated disks were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Precipitates of Chi phase were observed on grain boundaries, or in a thin layer at the irradiated surface in Mo-30Re after irradiation at temperatures from 750 to 1075/sup 0/C. Frequently, Chi precipitates formed with a crystallographic twin orientation with respect to the host matrix. No voids were observed for doses up to 1.6 dpa.
Mitochondrial Resequencing Arrays Detect Tumor-Specific Mutations in Salivary Rinses of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

Purpose: Alterations of the mitochondrial genome have been identified in multiple solid tumors and in many head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Identification of mitochondrial mutations in the salivary rinses of patients with HNSCC has potential application in disease detection. In this study, we used the MitoChip v2.0 mitochondrial genome resequencing array to detect minor populations of mitochondrial DNA in salivary rinses of patients with HNSCC. Experimental Design: Salivary rinses from 13 patients with HNSCC, whose tumors carried mitochondrial mutations, were collected before surgical resection. DNA isolated from salivary rinses and serial dilutions of DNA derived from HNSCC-derived cell lines with known mitochondrial mutations were sequenced using the MitoChip, and analyzed using a quantitative algorithm which we developed to detect minor populations of mitochondrial DNA from MitoChip probe intensity data. Results: We detected heteroplasmic populations of mitochondrial DNA up to a 1:200 dilution using MitoChip v2.0 and our analysis algorithm. A logarithmic relationship between the magnitude of assay intensity and concentration of minor mitochondrial populations was shown. This technique was able to identify tumor-specific mitochondrial mutations in salivary rinses from 10 of 13 (76.9%) patients with head and neck cancer. Conclusions: Minor populations of mitochondrial DNA and disease-specific mitochondrial mutations in salivary rinses of patients with HNSCC can be successfully identified using the MitoChip resequencing array and the algorithm which we have developed. This technique has potential application in the surveillance of patients after resection and may have applicability in the surveillance of body fluids in other tumor types.
Depletion of Patients' Plasma Tryptophan Using Tryptophan Side-Chain Oxidase Columns

The use of the enzyme tryptophan side-chain oxidase, isolated from Pseudomonas XA, was explored in 3 patients with refractory acute lymphocytic leukemia. Patients were given either a low-tryptophan diet or tryptophan-free hyperalimentation, prior to and during therapy. Their plasma, separated by pheresis, was continuously passed through a tryptophan depletion column containing the immobilized tryptophan side-chain oxidase. Up to 4 plasma volumes were passed through the column daily, 5 days per week for 2–3 weeks, and plasma tryptophan levels, both free and total, were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Pre-and postcolumn plasma samples were collected throughout the pheresis procedure. Ail postcolumn plasma samples had unmeasurable tryptophan levels throughout the treatment period, whereas precolumn samples were always measurable. Generally, tryptophan levels of plasma isolated from peripheral blood decreased after therapy, but rebounded by the next day. The enzyme depletion column reduces...
Use of 2H2O to study labeling in plasma glucose and hepatic glycogen during a hyperglycemic clamp

In this study, we demonstrate the use of 2H2O, in a manner analogous to 3H2O, to study gluconeogenic flux (deuterium labeling at the carbon-6 position of glucose) relative to overall flux through glucose 6-phosphate (deuterium labeling at the carbon-2 position of glucose) into glucose output and glycogen synthesis during hyperglycemia. Before the study (4 days), jugular and carotid catheters were placed. Rats were fasted for 17 h before the study. 2H2O was infused for 2 h at 3 ml/h, with a subsequent 1-h equilibration period. A hyperglycemic clamp at 180 mg/dl (10 mM) was then performed for 90 min (plasma samples obtained at 10-min intervals). At the end of the experiment, anesthesia was induced and the liver removed. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy isotopomer analysis of four different mass clusters from glucose was used to determine deuterium enrichment on the carbon-2 (E2D) and carbon-6 (E6D) positions of plasma glucose and glycogen-glucose. The results show that the labeling pattern in glycogen and plasma glucose was virtually identical. In addition, the E6D-to-E2D ratio in plasma glucose did not change during hyperglycemia. Additional studies were performed to show that the E6D-to-E2D ratio was decreased in the fed state and that the fed animal, compared with the fasted rat, had a marked increase in the ratio when given an epinephrine infusion. Thus it was concluded that this was a robust new technique for analyzing glucose and glycogen metabolism in rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cross-sectional and longitudinal growth patterns in osteogenesis imperfecta: implications for clinical care.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal growth patterns in osteogenesis imperfecta: implications for clinical care
Identification of a subgroup antigen on the Neisseria meningitidis group C capsular polysaccharide.

Hemagglutinating and precipitating antibodies to a subgroup determinant on meningococcal capsular C polysaccharides have been detected in four antisera generated to isolated group C antigens. Twenty-six of 30 capsular antigens used as inhibitors in a subgroup-specific system of hemagglutination inhibition contain the determinant. Immunodiffusion studies confirm these results and indicate that the subgroup antigen is an integral component of the capsular C polysaccharide. This determinant is resistant to enzymes that hydrolyze proteins and nucleic acids but is destroyed by periodation. Capsular C polysaccharides that contain the subgroup determinant are resistant to neuraminidase, while the four subgroup-deficient antigens are hydrolyzed by this enzyme. Evidence from enzymatic and oxidative studies indicates that the determinant is carbohydrate-dependent and may confer neuraminidase resistance on C polysaccharides that contain it.
Morphology and Step Coverage of In-Situ Doped Polysilicon Films Deposited by Single Wafer CVD

In-situ doped polysilicon films were deposited by single wafer low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) over a temperature range of 590–640°C using SiH4 and dopant gases of B2H6, AsH3, and PH3. Deposition rate, sheet resistance, step coverage and surface roughness measurements of the films were made. The surface chemistry of these three in-situ doping processes is reviewed. Analysis shows how the physical properties of the deposited polysilicon films derive from the surface chemistry.
Analysis on food additives labeling of prepackaged foods worldwide

Food additives labeling is one of the most important content of prepackaged food labels.A worldwide review and analysis on food additives labeling of prepackaged foods was presented in this paper for the purpose to standardize labeling activities of food additives in such foods.
An Economic Analysis on the Determining Factors for Farmer's Income Increase

Based on the national income calculation theory, this article believes that the essence of the issue of farmers' agricultural income increase is the same as the economic growth of agricultural industry, thereby, we can analyze the issue of farmers' income increase with modern economic growth theory. Based on the analysis of farmers' income function, we finds that the value-added of each product unit, gross agricultural product and agricultural population are the three factors which influences the farmers' income, furthermore, we inspects the cause of the farmers' low income from the above three factors and brings forward the related policy advices.
Cell Motility: II The Flagellum

In many ways, this second chapter on cell motility is a continuation of the discussion of microtubules pursued in the two that precede it, because flagella and cilia, like pseudopods, contain microfibrillar components in abundance. Actually, these structures could very well be viewed as microtubular organelles, but only in the eukaryotes, for in the prokaryotes they are of completely different structure, displaying an absence of homology, which is discussed more fully later.
Hydrogels for Cell Encapsulation and Bioprinting

Hydrogels play an indispensable role as a cell supporting matrix in bioprinting. Hydrogels are used as bio-inks for cell encapsulation and as a bio-paper for fusion and maturation of cell aggregates. Physiochemical and mechanical characteristics as well as biological properties of hydrogels play an important role in the design of bio-inks and bio-papers in bioprinting. These properties include gelation time, rheological properties, viscosity and mechanical stiffness as well as transport properties, fusibility, and degradation kinetics. This chapter reviews the salient features of hydrogels for use as bio-ink or bio-paper in bioprinting.
A Robust Damage-Reporting Strategy for Polymeric Materials Enabled by Aggregation-Induced Emission

Microscopic damage inevitably leads to failure in polymers and composite materials, but it is difficult to detect without the aid of specialized equipment. The ability to enhance the detection of small-scale damage prior to catastrophic material failure is important for improving the safety and reliability of critical engineering components, while simultaneously reducing life cycle costs associated with regular maintenance and inspection. Here, we demonstrate a simple, robust, and sensitive fluorescence-based approach for autonomous detection of damage in polymeric materials and composites enabled by aggregation-induced emission (AIE). This simple, yet powerful system relies on a single active component, and the general mechanism delivers outstanding performance in a wide variety of materials with diverse chemical and mechanical properties.
Multicentered Evaluation of Acetabular Cup Positioning Using a Haptically Guided Robot

Introduction: Acetabular component orientation has been linked to hip stability as well as bearing mechanics such as wear. Previous studies have demonstrated wide variations of cup placement in hip arthroplasty using conventional implantation techniques which rely upon either anatomic landmarks or the use of commercial positioning guides. Enabling technologies such as navigation have been used to improve precision and accuracy. Newer technologies such as robotic guidance have been postulated to further improve accuracy. The goal of our study was to evaluate the clinical reproducibility of a consecutive series of haptically guided THR. Methods: 119 patients at 4 centers were enrolled. All patients had preoperative CT scans for the purpose of planning cup placement in lateral opening and version using proprietary software (Mako, Ft. Lauderdale, FL). All procedures were performed using a posterolateral approach. Following bone registration, acetabular preparation and component position is performed using haptic guidance. Final implant postion is ascertained by obtaining 5 points about the rim of the acetabular component and recorded. At 6 weeks, all patients had AP and cross-table lateral radiographs which were then analyzed for cup abduction and anteversion using the Hip Analysis Suite software. The goal was to determine the variability between desired preoperative plan, intraoperative measurement and postoperative results. Results: Of the 119 hips replaced, 9 hips were excluded due to problems using the Hip Suite software leaving 110 hips for analysis. As seen in Table 1., the mean cup inclination was planned for 40.0 degrees. Intraoperative recorded inclination was 39.9 degrees and using the Martell software, 40.4 degrees. Planned cup anteversion was 18.7 degrees, with intraoperative measurement of 18.6 degrees and postoperative Hip Suite analysis 21.5 degrees. There was no significant difference between any of these measurements. Conclusion: The use of a haptically guided robot to prepare and implant an acetabular component during total hip arthroplasty is both precise and accurate based upon this multicentered study. While further research determining optimal cup position is needed, these results suggest that the ability to achieve desired position is possible utilizing this enabling technology.
Location distribution of a mobile terminal and its application to paging cost reduction and minimization

Abstract Reducing the cost of dynamic mobility management in wireless communication networks has been an interesting and important issue. It is well known that by using a selective paging method, both costs for location update and terminal paging can be reduced significantly. However, an efficient selective paging method needs the information of the location distribution of a mobile terminal. Based on our previous results on random walks among rings of cell structures, we analyze the location distribution of a mobile terminal in a paging area when a phone call arrives, where the inter-call time and the cell residence time can have arbitrary probability distributions. Our analysis is conducted for both distance-based and movement-based location management schemes, and for two different call handling models, i.e., the call plus location update model and the call without location update model. Together with our earlier results on location distribution in time-based location management schemes, for several selective paging methods, including progressive paging methods, ring paging methods, and cell paging methods, we are able to obtain their expected costs of paging for distance-based, movement-based, and time-based location management schemes. We find that a progressive paging method with very small time delay can reduce the terminal paging cost dramatically, while further increasing the time delay does not result in noticeable reduction of terminal paging cost. Our work reported in this paper significantly extends our understanding of cost reduction and minimization of dynamic location management in wireless communication networks.
Crowdsourcing in Computer Vision

Computer vision systems require large amounts of manually annotated data to properly learn challenging visual concepts. Crowdsourcing platforms offer an inexpensive method to capture human knowledge and understanding, for a vast number of visual perception tasks. Crowdsourcing in Computer Vision describes the types of annotations computer vision researchers have collected using crowdsourcing, and how they have ensured that this data is of high quality while annotation effort is minimized. It begins by discussing data collection on both classic vision tasks, such as object recognition, and recent vision tasks, such as visual story-telling. It then summarizes key design decisions for creating effective data collection interfaces and workflows, and presents strategies for intelligently selecting the most important data instances to annotate. It concludes with some thoughts on the future of crowdsourcing in computer vision. Crowdsourcing in Computer Vision provides an overview of how crowdsourcing has been used in computer vision, enabling a computer vision researcher who has previously not collected non-expert data to devise a data collection strategy. It will also be of help to researchers who focus broadly on crowdsourcing to examine how the latter has been applied in computer vision, and to improve the methods that can be employed to ensure the quality and expedience of data collection.
Symm’s Integral Equation

A potential—theoretic formulation of the problem of conformally mapping a simply connected region (or its complement) onto the unit disk leads to a Fredholm integral equation of the first kind, known as Symm’s integral equation, which has a kernel with a logarithmic singularity. Unlike Fredholm integral equations of the second kind, e.g., Theodorsen’s equation, in which the singularity of the kernel at points near but not on the boundary creates computational difficulties, Symm’s integral equation is found easily solvable by numerical methods, such as the orthonormal polynomials method or its modified form, Lagrange’s interpolation method, and spline approximations which are discussed in this chapter. Numerical evaluation of Green’s functions, as developed in Chapter 6, is another viable alternative to obtain the approximate mapping function.
Hollywood Action Films and Spatial Theory By Nick Jones. New York: Routledge, 2015. 178 pp. $140 hardcover.

All actions occur in space. However, as Nick Jones contends in Hollywood Action Films and Spatial Theory, space is far too often relegated to the background in film analysis. Cinema consists of ima...
Neutron and proton dynamics of 48Ca levels and gamma -ray decays from neutron inelastic scattering.

Differential cross sections were measured for the $^{48}\mathrm{Ca}$(n,n'\ensuremath{\gamma}) reactions at incident energies between 4.8 and 8.0 MeV. Excitation energies, spins, level lifetimes, \ensuremath{\gamma}-ray branching ratios, and \ensuremath{\gamma}-ray production cross sections were determined. Members of the doublet at 4.50 MeV are clearly identified and assigned spins of ${4}^{+}$ and ${3}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$. Inelastic neutron scattering cross sections were inferred from the \ensuremath{\gamma}-ray branching ratios and production cross sections. The inferred cross sections are in excellent agreement with those measured in a separate neutron detection experiment, and with a recent vibrational model coupled-channels analysis of the $^{48}\mathrm{Ca}$(n,n') data. Comparison of level excitations produced by neutrons and other hadrons with electomagnetic strengths shows very different mixtures of neutron and proton particle-hole amplitudes for different levels.
Persistence of Performance Gaps and Organizational Searches

Integrating insights from the literature on profit persistence with the behavioral theory of the firm, this paper proposes a persistence- based framework of organizational search that connects the ...
Laser Resection of Meningiomas

The meningioma, being a benign tumor, has been intimately involved in the evolution of neurosurgical technique. Since an operative cure is at least theoretically possible with complete tumor removals, attempts at improvement in intra- and perioperative management have usually resulted in significant advances in neurosurgery.
SHOCK INITIATION, DETONATION WAVE PROPAGATION AND METAL ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS AND CALCULATIONS FOR RX-26-AF

Embedded pressure and particle velocity gauge records of shock initiation and detonation wave propagation in the heterogeneous solid explosive mixture RX-26-AF are shown to be accurately calculated by an ignition and growth reactive flow model that separates the growth reaction rates into those of the individual explosives HMX and TATB. Fabry-Perot measurements of the free surface velocity histories of tantalum plates driven by detonating RX-26-AF are also compared to model predictions.
Rapid Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation of Tobacco Cotyledons Using Toothpicks

Tobacco is a model plant for genetic transformation, with leaf disk transformation being the most commonly used method for its transformation. One disadvantage of leaf disk transformation is obtaining an adequately sized leaf. Cotyledons from young seedlings are considered too small and fragile to use. In an attempt to overcome this drawback, a protocol was developed using toothpicks as a tool to inoculate cotyledons ~2 mm in diameter. Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 hosting two different plasmids (pC35.BNK.2 or pRB140-Bxb1-op) was used for transformation. Fifty-six putative transgenic shoots (T0) were obtained from pC35.BNK.2 transformation. Among them, 38 (68%) grew roots in kanamycin-containing medium. Approximately 35% of transgenic lines contained a single-copy transgenic locus based on Mendelian inheritance analysis and chi-square (χ2) test of T1 seedlings from 17 lines. To simplify the protocol, water-prepared Agrobacterium inoculum was used in pRB140-Bxb1-op (containing gus gene) transformation. This resulted in ~35% putative T0 transgenic lines stained strong blue with GUS histochemical staining assay. Both sets of results demonstrate toothpick inoculation to be an effective approach for Agrobacterium-mediated tobacco cotyledon transformation. This reduces wait time required in existing leaf disk transformation method using mature leaves. In the removal of step requiring submersion of explants in Agrobacterium liquid culture, the protocol also has advantages by minimizing Agrobacterium overgrowth and maintaining explant fitness for later tissue culturing.
Alcohol-Induced Impairment of Balance is Antagonized by Energy Drinks.

Background The acute administration of alcohol reliably impairs balance and motor coordination. While it is common for consumers to ingest alcohol with other stimulant drugs (e.g., caffeine, nicotine), little is known whether prototypical alcohol-induced balance impairments are altered by stimulant drugs. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the coadministration of a high-caffeine energy drink with alcohol can antagonize expected alcohol-induced increases in body sway. Methods Sixteen social drinkers (of equal gender) participated in 4 separate double-blind dose administration sessions that involved consumption of alcohol and energy drinks, alone and in combination. Following dose administration, participants completed automated assessments of balance stability (both eyes open and eyes closed) measured using the Biosway Portable Balance System. Participants completed several subjective measures including self-reported ratings of sedation, stimulation, fatigue, and impairment. Blood pressure and pulse rate were recorded repeatedly. Results The acute administration of alcohol increased body sway, and the coadministration of energy drinks antagonized this impairment. When participants closed their eyes, alcohol-induced body sway was similar whether or not energy drinks were ingested. While alcohol administration increased ratings of sedation and fatigue, energy drink administration increased ratings of stimulation and reduced ratings of fatigue. Modest increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure following energy drink administration were also observed. Conclusions Visual assessment of balance impairment is frequently used to indicate that an individual has consumed too much alcohol (e.g., as part of police-standardized field sobriety testing or by a bartender assessing when someone should no longer be served more alcohol). The current findings suggest that energy drinks can antagonize alcohol-induced increases in body sway, indicating that future work is needed to determine whether this observation regarding neuromotor functioning applies to alcohol in combination with all types of stimulant drugs.
Attitudes about People with Intellectual Disabilities: Current Status and New Directions

Abstract This chapter focuses on the ways in which the study of attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities informs the pursuit of social integration for individuals. First, general social-psychological theory that can help guide investigations of attitude, attitude change, and social acceptance are explained. Then, the relevant literature on attitudes toward individuals in school and employment contexts is reviewed. Finally, findings across these domains are synthesized and recommendations for future directions are discussed.
Total synthesis of O-methylpallidinine

Abstract O -Methylpallidinine, a recently isolated morphinan alkaloid, has been synthesized in 16 steps from 1,4-cyclohexanedione and 3-bromoveratrole. The synthesis employs a new method for preparing the morphinan skeleton in which diazomethane is added to an aryloctahydroquinolinium salt.
The U.S.A. experience: diagnosis and follow-up of prostate malignancy by transrectal ultrasound.

Our own experience, and a review of the American literature, suggests a number of areas in the diagnosis and follow-up of prostate cancer in which transrectal ultrasonography is a useful adjunct. Accurate clinical staging in patients with known prostate cancer is an obvious area in which this technique had ready and practical impact. Its performance prior to radical prostatectomy should facilitate further ultrasonographic and histopathologic correlation. This imaging modality may be coupled with other devices to guide in a precise manner subsequent biopsy or implantation. Further collaborative efforts in this area are likely to result in a number of new and ingenious methods of mapping the prostate gland for further diagnostic or therapeutic intervention with pinpoint accuracy. At present, one of the most useful applications of transrectal ultrasound is in determining local response to therapy, whether hormonal, radiotherapeutic, or chemotherapeutic. Normalization of the prostatic image is seen in patients sustaining a favorable response to therapy. It is most likely that changes in the prostate following hormonal therapy or chemotherapy for metastatic prostate cancer would mirror the systemic response to therapy, but the correlation of local and systemic response to treatment requires further study and analysis. Finally, there are unresolved problems in the use and interpretation of transrectal ultrasonography as currently employed. Most significantly, ultrasonographic criteria for the diagnosis of prostate cancer are lacking. The internal echo patterns in particular which characterizes prostate cancer defy precise definition, and prostate disorders may be identified with high sensitivity but low specificity. More recent and convincing reports indicate that most prostate cancers are hypoechoic.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Complex Manifolds and Vector Bundles

An n-dimensional topological manifold is a Hausdorff topological space M such that every point p∊M has an open neighborhood homeomorphic to an open subset of the n-dimensional number space ℝ n . A coordinate covering {U α , z α } of such a manifold M consists of a covering of M by open subsets U α together with homeomorphisms z α :U α →V α between the sets U α and open subsets V α ⊆ℝ n ; the sets U α are called coordinate neighborhoods and the mappings z α are called coordinate mappings. A topological manifold of course always admits coordinate coverings. Note that on each nonempty intersection U α ⋂U β of coordinate neighborhoods there are thus two homeomorphisms into ℝ n ; the compositions $${f_{\alpha \beta }} = {z_\alpha }\,o\,z_\beta ^{ - 1}:{z_\beta }\left( {{U_\alpha } \cap {U_\beta }} \right) \to {z_\alpha }\left( {{U_\alpha } \cap {U_\beta }} \right)$$ are called the coordinate transition functions of the coordinate covering, and for any point p∊U α ⋂U β the two coordinate mappings are related by z α (p)=f αβ (z β (p)). The manifold M is completely determined by the sets {V α } and the mappings {f αβ }; for M can be obtained from the disjoint union of all the sets V α by identifying a point z α ∊V α and a point z β ∊V β whenever z α =f αβ (z β ).
Productive Objectivity: The Hermeneutics of Performance in Experimental Inquiry

The days are gone, if they ever really existed, when it was possible to maintain that science progressively accumulates permanent, objective knowledge of nature, detached from social influence. Kitcher opens a recent book by referring to that view as “Legend,” meaning to indicate that it is both bygone and groundless. What is still present and contested, however, is the question of the reach of social factors in the production of scientific knowledge. Is scientific knowledge wholly constructed out of social factors, or is there some part which is shaped by nonsocial rational or epistemic elements?
The Birth of a Return to work Policy for New Resident Parents in Emergency Medicine

Objective With the rising number of female physicians, there will be more children than ever born in residency, and the current system is inadequate to handle this increase in new resident parents. Residency is stressful and rigorous in isolation, let alone when pregnant or with a new child. Policies that ease these stressful transitions are generally either insufficient or do not exist. Therefore, we created a comprehensive return-to-work policy for resident parents and piloted its implementation. Our policy aims to: 1) establish a clear, shared understanding of the regulatory and training requirements as they pertain to parental leave; 2) facilitate a smooth transition for new parents returning to work; and 3) summarize the local and institutional resources available for both males and females during residency training. Method In Fall 2017, a task force was convened to draft a return-to-work policy for new resident parents. The task force included nine key stakeholders (i.e., residents, faculty, and administration) at our institution and was made up of three graduate medical education (GME) program directors, a vice chair of education, a designated institutional official (DIO), a chief resident, and three members of our academic department's faculty affairs committee. The task force was selected because of individual expertise in gender equity issues, mentorship of resident parents, GME, and departmental administration. Results After development, the policy was piloted from November 2017 to June 2018. Our pilot implementation period included seven new resident parents. All of these residents received schedules that met the return-to-work scheduling terms of our return-to-work policy including no overnight shifts, no sick call, and no more than three shifts in a row. Of equal importance, throughout our pilot, the emergency department schedules at all of our clinical sites remained fully staffed and our sick call pool was unaffected. Conclusion Our return-to-work policy for new resident parents provides a comprehensive guide to training requirements and family leave policies, an overview of available resources, and a scheduling framework that makes for a smooth transition back to clinical duties.
Endoscopic treatment of ERCP-related duodenal perforation

Abstract Duodenal perforation following ERCP is an unusual but severe adverse event. Prompt recognition improves clinical outcomes including mortality, thus endoscopists should have a low threshold to consider perforation in those with abdominal pain, hemodynamic perturbation, and atypical fluoroscopy findings. Classification of perforations as retroperitoneal/periampullary vs free/remote from the papilla is important as the former can be managed nonoperatively in most cases. Nonsurgical therapy typically includes medical therapy supplemented by placement of fully covered self-expandable stents in the bile duct and through-the-scope endoscopic clips over the defect. New endoscopic technology including full thickness suturing devices, over-the-scope clips, fibrin injection, and vacuum therapy may increase the proportion of patients with duodenal perforation who may be amenable to minimally invasive treatment.
A Qualitative Exploration of Religion, Gender Norms, and Sexual Decision-Making within African American Faith-Based Communities

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a prominent health and social justice issue, especially for African American communities in the Southern United States. Gender role norms, specifically within faith-based communities in the South, pose challenges to empowering women to make safer sexual health decisions. To explore perceptions of gender norms and sexual health, 42 qualitative interviews were gathered from female members of 16 predominantly African American churches in Atlanta, GA. Constructs from the theory of gender and power and the social ecological model were used to guide coding and analysis. Participants discussed their experiences with gender norms and gender-based power differentials at the institutional (i.e., church), familial, and interpersonal (i.e., intimate relationship) levels. Because of the attitudes and beliefs held by their religious communities and families, many participants recalled struggling to assert themselves in sexual relationships and recalled engaging in risky and unwanted sexual behavior, especially during their young adult years. However, as the participants matured, they worked to overturn traditional gender norms, empowering both their children and women in their religious communities to make healthy, autonomous sexual decisions. Moving forward, participants want their churches and members of their faith communities to play an active role in the empowerment of African American women and provide them with the confidence and education necessary to negotiate sexual decisions with their partners.
History Comes Alive: Public History and Popular Culture in the 1970s

Review of: "History Comes Alive: Public History and Popular Culture in the 1970s" by M.J. Rymsza-Pawlowska
The platform economy: restructuring the space of capitalist accumulation

The platform economy and its leading firms, such as Amazon, Facebook and Google, are reorganising the geography of value creation and capture on both a local and global scale. This article argues that economic geographers have underappreciated the implications of the platform on space. First, we demonstrate the concentration of platform giants in terms of location on the US West Coast and in terms of their market share in various services, such as search, maps and online sales. Platforms are simultaneously intermediaries, two-sided markets, data aggregators and leading users of artificial intelligence (AI). Second, we use a labour taxonomy to demonstrate the extensive reach of these platforms in terms of the labour markets that they serve and shape. To illustrate these changes in the geography of value creation, we present case studies of Amazon and Google Maps to show their effects on the location of economic activity. Third, we elaborate on our contention that platforms are at once intermediaries and data hubs. AI is likely to reinforce the power of these platform leaders because they have the largest data sets, the most computational power, enormous teams of the best AI researchers and vast reservoirs of capital that they can use to make acquisitions. We conclude by identifying areas for future research and calling upon economic geographers to consider the implications of the platform economy in reshaping the space of economic activity.
Secondary Science Teachers’ Definition and Use of Data in Their Teaching Practice

Despite the promotion of data-driven or data-informed instructional practices in teacher education and professional development, past research indicates that teachers use a limited number of sources for student data to make short-term adjustments to their teaching in order to address deficiencies in student learning. Science teachers, with a more robust background in data collection and analysis as well as expectations to teach data practices to students, conceivably, might be more comfortable in implementing data-driven instructional practices. This mixed-methods study explores firstly, how secondary science teachers in the USA define “data-driven instruction” and secondly, how they report using student data in their instructional practice. Responses from a nationally disseminated mixed-methods questionnaire (N = 451) were analyzed. Overall, secondary science teachers limit their definition of data to student assessments and use that information to inform their daily instructional practice rather than improve their teaching overall. Consistent with previous findings, this study’s findings also provide evidence for hope of improvement in teachers’ data practice. In addition, there was a small, but noticeable, group of secondary science teachers who appeared to be jaded with or to misunderstand the effective teaching skill conveyed by the term data-driven instruction. Implications for teacher education and professional development are discussed.
The first two laws of politics: Nannestad and Paldam’s “Cost of Ruling” revisited

Two decades ago, Peter Nannestad and Martin Paldam (2009) published a paper in which, having analyzed 282 elections held between 1948 and 1997 in 19 developed democracies, they claimed that all incumbent parties on average incur a “cost of ruling” of approximately 2.25% points per term. They called this cost a “robust fact,” “an unusually stable constant” that operates across countries, institutions, and time. I evaluate how well N&P’s empirical assertions hold up in a much larger set of elections held in a set of well-established democracies similar to the one they studied, as well as in other, more recent electoral democracies outside the OECD region.
Development of late amyloid cardiomyopathy following liver transplantation for hereditary Val30Met transthyretin amyloidosis.

We read with great interest the article by Moshe-Lilie et al. describing their single-center experience of utilising TTR gene specific silencing agents on ATTRv patients with disease progression af...