cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diversity and education of the nursing workforce 2006–2016

Abstract Background The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, The Future of Nursing, included recommendations to increase nurse diversity, the percent of nurses obtaining a bachelor’s degree, and inter-professional education. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report the progress toward achievement of these recommendations. Methods We used a longitudinal, multi-state data from four cohorts of nurses newly licensed in 2004 to 2005, 2007 to 2008, 2010 to 2011, and 2014 to 2015 to examine and compare the trends. Finding The percentage of males who became licensed increased, from 8.8% in 2004 to 2005 cohort to 13.6% in the 2014 to 2015 cohort. The percentage of white-non-Hispanic nurses who were licensed decreased from 78.9% in 2007 to 2008 to 73.8% in 2014 to 2015. These differences primarily reflect an increase in white-Hispanic nurses. More nurses are obtaining a bachelor’s degree as their first professional degree, from 36.6% in 2004 to 2005 cohort to 48.5% in 2014 to 2015 cohort. About 40% of the 2014 to 2015 cohort reported that they learned to work in inter-professional teams. Collegial nurse-physician relations had an upward positive trajectory over time increasing almost 7%. Discussion The diversity and education of new nurses have increased, but are short of meeting the IOM recommendations.
High-throughput screening of bimetallic catalysts enabled by machine learning

We present a holistic machine-learning framework for rapid screening of bimetallic catalysts with the aid of the descriptor-based kinetic analysis. A catalyst database, which contains the adsorption energies of *CO and *OH on {111}-terminated model alloy surfaces and fingerprint features of active sites from density functional theory calculations with the semi-local generalized gradient approximation (GGA), is established and used in optimizing the structural and weight parameters of artificial neural networks. The fingerprint descriptors, rooted at the d-band chemisorption theory and its recent developments, include the sp-band and d-band characteristics of an adsorption site together with tabulated properties of host-metal atoms. Using methanol electro-oxidation as the model reaction, the machine-learning model trained with the existing dataset of ∼1000 idealized alloy surfaces can capture complex, non-linear adsorbate/metal interactions with the RMSE ∼ 0.2 eV and shows predictive power in exploring the immense chemical space of bimetallic catalysts. Feature importance analysis sheds light on the underlying factors that govern the adsorbate/metal interactions and provides the physical origin of bimetallics in breaking energy-scaling constraints of *CO and *OH, the two most commonly used reactivity descriptors in heterogeneous catalysis.
The Association of Frailty With Post-ICU Disability, Nursing Home Admission, and Mortality: A Longitudinal Study

Background Frailty is a strong indicator of vulnerability among older persons, but its association with ICU outcomes has not been evaluated prospectively (ie, with objective measurements obtained prior to ICU admission). Our objective was to prospectively evaluate the relationship between frailty and post-ICU disability, incident nursing home admission, and death. Methods The parent cohort included 754 adults aged ≥ 70 years, who were evaluated monthly for disability in 13 functional activities and every 18 months for frailty (1998-2014). Frailty was assessed using the Fried index, where frailty, prefrailty, and nonfrailty were defined, respectively, as at least three, one or two, and zero criteria (of five). The analytic sample included 391 ICU admissions. Results The mean age was 84.0 years. Frailty and prefrailty were present prior to 213 (54.5%) and 140 (35.8%) of the 391 admissions, respectively. Relative to nonfrailty, frailty was associated with 41% greater disability over the 6 months following a critical illness (adjusted risk ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.12-1.78); prefrailty conferred 28% greater disability (adjusted risk ratio, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.01-1.63). Frailty (odds ratio, 3.52; 95% CI, 1.23-10.08), but not prefrailty (odds ratio, 2.01; 95% CI, 0.77-5.24), was associated with increased nursing home admission. Each one-point increase in frailty count (range, 0-5) was associated with double the likelihood of death (hazard ratio, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.33-3.00) through 6 months of follow-up. Conclusions Pre-ICU frailty status was associated with increased post-ICU disability and new nursing home admission among ICU survivors, and death among all admissions. Pre-ICU frailty status may provide prognostic information about outcomes after a critical illness.
Determinants of Consumer Intention for Mobile Coupon Redemption

Advances in mobile technology have made a remarkable contribution to the mobile commerce channel. Particularly, mobile coupon (m-coupon) promotions became a very attractive marketing tool. However, what drives m-coupon users to use m-coupons and what individual characteristics determine the evaluative process need more investigation. The purpose of this online survey study was to examine (1) the antecedents of the US consumers’ intention to use m-coupons based in Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), and (2) whether individual characteristic (i.e., involvement) moderates the effects of determinants.
Web Application Firewall: Network Security Models and Configuration

Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) are deployed to protect web applications and they offer in depth security as long as they are configured correctly. A problem arises when there is over-reliance on these tools. A false sense of security can be obtained with the implementation of a WAF. In this paper, we provide an overview of traffic filtering models and some suggestions to avail the benefit of web app firewall.
Rationale for Data Collection and Interpretation in the Northern Lakes Long-Term Ecological Research Program

The Northern Lakes Long-Term Ecological Research Program has three general goals: (1) to detect long-term changes in physical, chemical, and biotic features of lakes, (2) to understand linkages among water and sediment chemistry, hydrology, climate, and biology, and (3) to detect lake features associated with stability and resilience to natural and human disturbance. To accomplish these goals we selected eight northern Wisconsin lakes for semi-intensive study. These lakes lie in the same local groundwater flow system and include oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and dystrophic types. To meet the first goal we have established an ongoing sampling program to provide seasonal or annual estimates of important physical (including light penetration and heat budgets), chemical (including nutrients, pH, alkalinity, and major cations and anions), and biotic (including phytoplankton, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and fish) parameters. Frequency and timing of measurements are designed to allow comparisons among lakes, seasons, or years. In addition, we are making long-term comparisons of recent data with those collected from the same lakes by Birge and Juday in the 1930's. To accomplish the second goal we have instituted a series of shorter term, process-oriented studies designed to describe mechanisms of interaction among system parts and to help us refine our sampling protocol. To meet the third goal we are involved in a whole-lake acidification experiment and in ecological studies of invading fish and crayfish.
Episodic and Semantic Memory Disorders

In its most pure form, the human amnesic syndrome involves a disabling impairment in new learning accompanied by some degree of impairment in aspects of remote memory in the context of relatively normal intellectual ability, language, and attention span. Neuropsychological research has clearly shown that lesions within the brain’s extended memory system (medial temporal lobe, diencephalon, and basal forebrain) produce anterograde amnesia while leaving other aspects of memory (retrieval of general knowledge, vocabulary, names) relatively intact. The episodic–semantic distinction has been useful in explaining key characteristics of the human amnesic syndrome. This chapter provides a framework for characterizing the distinction between “episodic” and “semantic” memory, and discusses the clinical features and assessment of disordered function in each of these two domains.
Cervical Cancer: Positron Emission Tomography and Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography

Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Imaging has not traditionally played a large role in the diagnosis and staging of cervical cancer. Staging of cervical cancer, due to the high incidence in developing countries, is largely based on clinical examination per the Internationale de Gynecologie et d’Obstetrique (FIGO) staging system. Conventional imaging has limited ability to detect small foci of disease. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) capitalizes on the increased metabolism of malignant cells and is useful in distinguishing benign from malignant disease, staging, and monitoring of response to therapy. Though the use of PET has only recently extended to cervix cancer, recent publications demonstrated an important role for PET in patients with cervix cancer. This chapter discusses the current role of PET in the evaluation and management of patients with cervix cancer.
Ernst Mach and Contemporary Physics

Ernst Mach was a competent experimental scientist. He was also a great philosopher of science. As a young student in Prague I admired his schlieren photographs of rifle bullets in flight and of the shock waves accompanying them, photographs that were still on exhibit in the hallways of the physics institute whose director he had been in his time. These photographs had been taken in the light of spark discharges triggered by the bullets themselves. Professor Philipp Frank and Professor Rudolf Carnap taught us in Mach’s spirit. Later on, at the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study, I was privileged to listen to Professor Einstein’s reminiscences of his encounters with Mach, both through Mach’s writings and through face-to-face meetings. Much as Einstein tended to disagree with Mach’s philosophical views, he fully acknowledged the stimulus he had received as a young man from the unorthodox approaches to mechanics and gravitation pioneered by Mach.
Antiepileptic Drug Treatment After an Unprovoked First Seizure: A Decision Analysis

Objective To compare the expected quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) in adult patients undergoing immediate vs deferred antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment after a first unprovoked seizure. Methods We constructed a simulated clinical trial (Markov decision model) to compare immediate vs deferred AED treatment after a first unprovoked seizure in adults. Three base cases were considered, representing patients with varying degrees of seizure recurrence risk and effect of seizures on quality of life (QOL). Cohort simulation was performed to determine which treatment strategy would maximize the patient9s expected QALYs. Sensitivity analyses were guided by clinical data to define decision thresholds across plausible measurement ranges, including seizure recurrence rate, effect of seizure recurrence on QOL, and efficacy of AEDs. Results For patients with a moderate risk of recurrent seizures (52.0% over 10 years after first seizure), immediate AED treatment maximized QALYs compared to deferred treatment. Sensitivity analyses showed that for the preferred choice to change to deferred AED treatment, key clinical measures needed to reach implausible values were 10-year seizure recurrence rate ≤38.0%, QOL reduction with recurrent seizures ≤0.06, and efficacy of AEDs on lowering seizure recurrence rate ≤16.3%. Conclusion Our model determined that immediate AED treatment is preferable to deferred treatment in adult first-seizure patients over a wide and clinically relevant range of variables. Furthermore, our analysis suggests that the 10-year seizure recurrence rate that justifies AED treatment (38.0%) is substantially lower than the 60% threshold used in the current definition of epilepsy.
Increased apoptosis and reduced lactate levels by ranpirnase in human lung and breast cancer

1532 Background: The cytotoxic RNase, ranpirnase (ONCONASE®, ONC), shows promise as an alternative to cisplatin for the treatment of lung and breast cancer, due to the inhibition of protein synthesis by t-RNA cleavage. Materials & Methods:Cell culture: Two human NSCLC (A549 and NCI-H1975) and two human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) were cultured in RPMI1640 (15% FBS in 5% CO2 in air at 37 oC). Apoptosis in vitro analysis: Tumor cells (2.5x104/chamber) were plated on 2/4 chamber slides in RMPI1640 containing no phenol, incubated for 3 days prior to ONC treatment for 3 days. Apoptosis was measured by using the fluorescein in situ cell death detection kit with fluorescence/ phase contrast microscopy. Cellular oxygen consumption (QO2) and lactate/glucose analysis: Using YSI O2 and YSI lactate/glucose analyzers, changes in cellular metabolism were monitored. Animal studies using a growth delay assay: 10-week-old, female athymic NCR-nu/nu nude mice bearing human tumor xenografts of A549, NCI-H1975, MCF-7, or MBA-MD-231 were utilized. 2 x 106 viable cells suspended in 50 µl of RPMI1640 medium were injected subcutaneously into the right thighs of mice. Apoptosis in vivo analysis: H. & E. staining, TUNEL labeling, and caspase-3-antibody labeling were used for apoptosis measurement. ONC-induced changes in perfusion in tumor, skeletal muscle and kidney: Using dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), we monitored the effect of ONC on perfusion of the tumors, skeletal muscle, and kidney. NMR spectroscopy in vivo: Lactate levels in the tumors were measured after treatment with ONC by non-localized 1H in vivo spectra. ONC-induced changes in ATP levels were monitored by non-localized 31P NMR spectroscopy. Results: ONC-treated cells in all four cell lines showed considerable induction of apoptosis in a dosage dependent manner. ONC led to significant reduction in cellular QO2, but did not alter cellular lactate levels. In animal studies of A549 NSCLC, multiple small doses of ONC were more effective than one large single dose for the inhibition of tumor growth with reduced side-effects. Our histopathology reports using caspase-3 antibody labeling and TUNEL labeling assay in vivo showed remarkable increases in apoptosis after multiple small injections of ONC. We observed significant increases in tumor perfusion (without changes in blood flow in skeletal muscles) by NIRS. Significant increases in Ktrans values at the rim of tumor regions were found at 1.5 h after ONC treatment. Using non-localized MR spectroscopy, we observed a ~20% decrease of lactate levels in vivo caused by the removal of tumor acidic metabolites. ATP levels were also decreased, probably due to ONC-induced inhibition of QO2. Conclusions: ONC may be a new and promising drug for the treatment of NSCLC and breast cancer.
Overview: Additive Manufacturing Enabled Accelerated Design of Ni-based Alloys for Improved Fatigue Life

Abstract An in-depth overview on an emerging area of the additive-manufacturing-enabled, accelerated design of Ni-based alloys for improved high-cycle and very-high-cycle fatigue life is presented. Existing literature on the subject is critically reviewed, and key knowledge gaps are identified. An efficient life-cycle approach, integrating the model-make-measure-verify strategy in the design of these alloys is introduced and discussed.
Isoform-specific loss of dystonin causes hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy

Objective To determine the genetic cause of axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in a small family with 2 affected siblings, one of whom had cerebellar features on examination. Methods Whole-exome sequencing of genomic DNA and analysis for recessively inherited mutations; PCR-based messenger RNA/complementary DNA analysis of transcripts to characterize the effects of variants identified by exome sequencing. Results We identified compound heterozygous mutations in dystonin ( DST ), which is alternatively spliced to create many plakin family linker proteins (named the bullous pemphigoid antigen 1 [BPAG1] proteins) that function to bridge cytoskeletal filament networks. One mutation (c.250C>T) is predicted to cause a nonsense mutation (p.R84X) that only affects isoform 2 variants, which have an N-terminal transmembrane domain; the other (c.8283+1G>A) mutates a consensus splice donor site and results in a 22 amino acid in-frame deletion in the spectrin repeat domain of all BPAG1a and BPAG1b isoforms. Conclusions These findings introduce a novel human phenotype, axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth, of recessive DST mutations, and provide further evidence that BPAG1 plays an essential role in axonal health. cDNA= : complementary DNA; CMT= : Charcot-Marie-Tooth; MRC= : Medical Research Council; SR= : spectrin repeat; WES= : whole-exome sequencing
Ultraviolet Tomography from CubeSat-based Sensors

The Triple Tiny Ionospheric Photometer (Tri-TIP) is a compact, ultraviolet (UV) sensor that has been developed as part of the Coordinated Ionospheric Reconstruction Cubesat Experiment (CIRCE). Tri-TIP will measure OI 135.6 nm emissions in the nighttime ionosphere that will be tomo-graphically inverted to determined vertical profiles of electron density in the orbit plane. The Volume Emission Rate Tomography (VERT) method has previously been validated using data from a limb scanning UV spectrometer. The current work will assess the viability of the VERT method when applied to fixed, overlapping view angles from a CubeSat platform.
Facile Pyridine S N Ar Reactions via N-Phosphonium-Pyridinium Intermediates.

Here we report that N-phosphonium pyridinium intermediates are unusually reactive for pyridine SNAr reactions. Specifically, forming phosphonium salts from halopyridines typically requires elevated temperatures and Lewis acid additives. The alternative activation mode described in this paper permits C–P bond formation to occur at ambient temperatures in many cases, and functions across a broad range of substrates.
Enhanced reflexive eye closure is mediated by ipRGC signals and is specific to migraine with visual aura

Objective: To assess the contribution of the melanopsin-containing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) and the cones to reflexive eye closure as an implicit measure of interictal photophobia in migraine. Methods: We studied twenty participants in each of three groups: headache-free (HAf) controls, migraine without aura (MwoA), and migraine with visual aura (MwA). Participants viewed spectral pulses that selectively targeted melanopsin, the cones, or their combination while we recorded orbicularis oculi electromyography (OO-EMG) and blinking rate. Results: Time course analysis of OO-EMG demonstrated that reflexive eye closure was tightly coupled to the spectral pulses. Compared to both the MwoA and HAf control groups, the MwA group had enhanced OO-EMG and blinking activity in response to melanopsin and cone stimulation in combination and in isolation. This response scaled with the contrast of the stimulus. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that ipRGC signals, whether elicited by melanopsin stimulation or from presumed extrinsic cone input, provide the afferent input for light-induced reflexive eye closure in a photophobic state. Participants with migraine and visual aura had a distinctly different response to visual stimulation as compared to the other two groups. This is in contrast to prior findings in this same cohort in whom higher explicit ratings of visual discomfort were found for both MwA and MwoA as compared to controls. Such a dissociation suggests distinct pathophysiology in forms of migraine, interacting with separate neural pathways by which ipRGC signals elicit implicit and explicit signs of visual discomfort.
Should we start integrating genetic data in decision-making on device-aided therapies in Parkinson disease? A point of view.

Abstract Parkinson disease (PD) is a complex heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder. Association studies have revealed numerous genetic risk loci and variants, and about 5–10% suffer from a monogenic form. Because the presentation and course of PD is unique to each patient, personalized symptomatic treatment should ideally be offered to treat the most disabling motor and non-motor symptoms. Indeed, clinical milestones and treatment complications that appear during disease progression are influenced by the genetic imprint. With recent advances in PD, more patients live longer to become eligible for device-aided therapies, such as apomorphine continuous subcutaneous infusion, levodopa duodenal gel infusion, and deep brain stimulation surgery, each with its own inclusion and exclusion criteria, advantages and disadvantages. Because genetic variants influence the expression of particular clinical profiles, factors for better or worse outcomes for device-aided therapies may then be proactively identified. For example, mutations in PRKN, LRRK2 and GBA express phenotypes that favor suitability for different device therapies, although with marked differences in the therapeutic window; whereas multiplications of SNCA express phenotypes that make them less desirable for device therapies.
Accounts of Restorative Reconciliation After Medical Injury: Implications for Risk Management

This research is a qualitative examination of how patients and families describe their long-term recovery in the aftermath of a significant or fatal accidental patient medical injury (PMI). The res...
Free Speech and Anti-Democratic Violence

The resurgence of far-right extremist groups—like “sovereign” militias, white supremacists, and avowedly fascist gangs—has exposed the First Amendment’s vulnerabilities to the “leaderless resistance” model of extremist organizing. This model, first popularized by white supremacist Louis Beam, specifically aims to insulate extremist leaders from liability when their followers engage in violence. It does so through fragmented structures and coded messages: Leaders use indirect references in speaking to disparate followers, without specificity (of targets) or immediacy (of corresponding violence), as required, e.g., for “incitement” under Brandenburg v. Ohio. This Article makes two contributions. First, it articulates this “gap” with precision, drawing upon recent, mostly overlooked cases while explaining the limits of extant free speech exceptions. Second, it reformulates Professor Clay Calvert’s recent proposal for opening extremist group leaders to vicarious liability, including a discussion of how to avoid overly broad adjustments that may impinge on other kinds of speech.
A discharge flow-photoionization mass spectrometric study of the FO(X 2Πi) radical: Photoionization efficiency spectrum and ionization energy

Abstract Photoionization efficiency spectra of FO were measured over the wavelength range 80.0–100.0 nm and in the ionization threshold region, 94.0–100.0 nm, using a discharge flow-photoionization mass spectrometer apparatus coupled to a synchrotron radiation source, FO was generated by the reaction of F(2P) atoms with NO3 and via a F2/O2 discharge. A value of 12.78 ± 0.03 eV was obtained for the adiabatic ionization energy of FO from photoion thresholds which corresponds to FO+ (X 3∑−) ← FO(X 2Πi). These results, which are the first to be obtained by direct PIMS measurements, corroborate those of a photoelectron spectroscopy study; however, the ionization energy determined here is free from interferences due to other species which complicated the PES measurement. A value of 109.5 ± 8.0 kJ mol−1 for ΔfH0298(FO) is computed from the present value of IE(FO) and a previous appearance energy measurement, and a value for the proton affinity of FO is calculated to be 511.5 ± 10.0 kJ mol−1.
Spatio-temporal traffic video data archiving and retrieval system

This paper presents a transportation spatio-temporal system that efficiently converts traffic video data into vehicular motion information in spatio-temporal databases for a variety of transportation applications. The proposed transportation spatio-temporal system interpolates the vehicle trajectory data (i.e., time, location, and speed), which are extracted from video, and integrates them with spatial road information for storage of dynamic transportation environments. The proposed transportation spatio-temporal system can mitigate data storage and retrieval issues related to storing large amounts of traffic video. Moreover, users can manage and operate multiform and multidimensional traffic data in a spatio-temporal transportation environment. The proposed approach is demonstrated for typical transportation applications. The experimental results show that the proposed transportation spatio-temporal system has excellent potential for addressing issues related to storage of large amounts of traffic video data.
A methacrylate-based polymeric imidazole ligand yields quantum dots with low cytotoxicity and low nonspecific binding

This paper assesses the biocompatibility for fluorescence imaging of colloidal nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) coated with a recently-developed multiply-binding methacrylate-based polymeric imidazole ligand. The QD samples were purified prior to ligand exchange via a highly repeatable gel permeation chromatography (GPC) method. A multi-well plate based protocol was used to characterize nonspecific binding and toxicity of the QDs toward human endothelial cells. Nonspecific binding in 1% fetal bovine serum was negligible compared to anionically-stabilized QD controls, and no significant toxicity was detected on 24 h exposure. The nonspecific binding results were confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. This study is the first evaluation of biocompatibility in QDs initially purified by GPC and represents a scalable approach to comparison among nanocrystal-based bioimaging scaffolds.
Projected changes in US rainfall erosivity

Downscaled rainfall projections from 21 climate models from the CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) archive are used to estimate future changes in rainfall erosivity in the continental Unites States. To estimate erosivity from rainfall in the absence of sub-hourly data, we have used both daily rainfall values and the modified Fournier index – which is based on monthly rainfall accumulation – and derived the scaling relationship between rainfall and erosivity from observational estimates of both. The expectation of overall increase in erosivity is confirmed by these calculations, but a quantitative assessment is marred by large uncertainties. Specifically, the uncertainty in the method of estimation of erosivity is more consequential than that deriving from the spread in climate simulations and leads to changes of uncertain sign in parts of the southwest and Texas. We suggest that progress can be made by establishing a more reliable functional relationship between daily rainfall and erosivity.
Surface association of secreted matrix metalloproteinases.

Publisher Summary The members of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) family are key mediators of pericellular proteolysis in many physiological and pathological conditions and in the past 20 years a considerable effort has been put forth to understand their mechanism of action and inhibition. Targeting the MMPs may interfere with the pathogenesis of various human diseases characterized by uncontrolled degradation of the ECM such as cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and cancer. Therefore, a vast number of synthetic MMP inhibitors were developed and tested in animal models and in human clinical trials for effectiveness. Although some MMP inhibitors have shown promise, the targeting of MMPs is hampered by the structural similarities among the members of the MMP family, which reduces selectivity. The MMPs possess considerable structural similarities in their individual domain structures, in particular in the catalytic and hemopexin-like domain, and with few exceptions, they have a considerable overlap in substrate specificity. MMP-9 (gelatinase B), together with MMP-2 (gelatinase A), belongs to the gelatinase subfamily of MMPs, which comprise a distinct subgroup of MMPs characterized by unique structural features, interactions with tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and substrate specificity. This chapter discusses surface binding of MMP-9 and surface binding of the soluble interstitial collagenases (MMP-1 and MMP-13), as well as surface binding of MMP-7, and surface binding of MMP-19.
Rent Dissipation in the Presence of Negative Externalities: Does Dependency Matter?

This paper examines allocation behavior in five different economic experiments designed to approximate the conditions specified in non-cooperative models of limited-access common-pool resources, an example of allocative decision-making in the presence of negative externalities. Results obtained from all five designs confirm the prediction of sub-optimal rent accrual in this type of economic setting. However, comparing results from each of the designs, there are significant differences in rent accrual and allocation behavior, suggesting that institutional design interacts with endowments and opportunities to affect decision-making. But there is little support for the argument that economic dependency induces more socially optimal allocation.
“The problem of Nigeria is slavery, not white slave traffic”: Globalization and the politicization of prostitution in Southern Nigeria, 1921–1955

This article challenges a well-established assumption in the social sciences and among non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that prostitution is a “new” post-colonial challenge of Africa's development that “suddenly” emerged in the aftermath of the economic and social impacts of the Structural Adjustment Programs of the mid-1980s. By uncovering the first major domestic and transnational prostitution in Nigeria between the 1920s and 1950s, I seek to connect colonial history of prostitution with what is esoterically designated in post-colonial studies and popular literature as “human trafficking”. But more significantly, I demonstrate how and why the colonialists disguised domestic and transnational prostitution – also known in world politics as white slave traffic – as domestic slavery. This study observes that scholars have under-researched the interaction between global and local forces in the making of colonial Africa's politics of sex. In addition, how the politics of abolition of domestic slavery in ...
Mobile manipulation for everyday environments

Robots are gradually being deployed for everyday environments, that is environments with no or very limited engineering taking place before deployment of the system. As manipulators and mobile platforms come together to deliver truly ubiquitous functionality the number of possible applications open up. The design of such systems require careful design of methods for navigation in dynamic environments, posture control, object recognition, visual servoing, grasp planning and integration. In this presentation a system for mobile manipulation in everyday environments will be discussed. The general design of the system will be outlined and the different component systems will be presented with a discussion of the alternatives for successful performance. Results from a real demonstrator system will also be presented to illustrate performance. Finally a number of challenges for the future in terms of basic performance, transfer of results and deployment will be presented.
Pin retention of cast gold restorations

Abstract An attempt was made to determine quantitatively the retentive ability of pin retention for cast restorations in a condition somewhat duplicating a possible anterior periodontal splint or cantilever fixed partial denture. The retention provided by three parallel pins .020 inch in diameter, five parallel pins .020 inch in diameter, and three pins in pinholes made with a No. 700 fissure bur was compared.
The role of the jelly coat in amino acid transport in embryos of Bombina orientalis.

Abstract 1. 1. The obligatory role of the jelly coat for maximal transport of all amino acids, including those found to be jelly coat-independent in Xenopus laevis embryos, has been shown in Bombina orientalis embryos. 2. 2. Amino acid transport in dejellied embryos (without fertilization membrane and jelly coats) of Bombina, reconstituted with either intact or homogenized jelly coats, was similar to the values in normal embryos. 3. 3. Amino add transport in totally dejellied embryos, and those surrounded with fertilization membrane only, was similar. 4. 4. Reconstitution of dejellied embryos with physically denatured jelly coats did not restore full amino add transport. 5. 5. Amino add transport values using heterologous combinations of dejellied embryos and jelly coats of Bombina orientalis and Xenopus laevis were equivalent to those in homologous combinations.
Radioimmunoassay of plasma estrogens

Abstract A sensitive radioimmunoassay for free plasma estrone, estradiol, and estriol has been developed. The antibody against estradiol was produced in sheep immunized with estradiol-17β, 17-hemisuccinate-bovine-serum-albumin. Plasma volumes of 0.3 – 3.0 ml. from non-pregnant females and males, and 0.1 – 0.5 ml. from pregnant females were used for the analysis. Tritiated indicators for estrone, estradiol, and estriol were added to the plasma to correct for procedural losses. The plasma was extracted with ether and the dried extracts were applied to a microcolumn of Sephadex LH-20. The purified eluates of estrone, estradiol, and estriol were incubated with the antibody at 4°C for two hours. The free and bound estrogens were separated by dextran-coated charcoal solution. The water blanks were negligible (estrone: 2.8 ± 2.24 picograms (pg.), estradiol: 1.7 ± 0.73 pg., and estriol: 4.5 ± 3.21 pg.). The precision of this method is 2.5 to 5.0 pg. in the range of 10 to 160 pg., and 10 pg. from 160 to 320 pg. The lower limit of accurate quantitation is 20 pg., with a coefficient of variation of 14.3%, The coefficient of variation in plasma samples for estrone varies from 4.4 – 11.6%, for estradiol from 3.6 - 12.2%, and for estriol from 7.3 – 11.2%.
Apoptosis and melanoma: molecular mechanisms.

Melanoma cells can undergo self-destruction via programmed cell death, i.e. apoptosis. In these tumours, the molecular components of apoptosis include positive (apoptotic) and negative (anti-apoptotic) regulators. The former include p53, Bid, Noxa, PUMA, Bax, TNF, TRAIL, Fas/FasL, PITSLRE, interferons, and c-KIT/SCF. The latter include Bcl-2, Bcl-X(L), Mcl-1, NF-(K)B, survivin, livin, and ML-IAP. Alternatively, some molecules such as TRAF-2, c-Myc, endothelins, and integrins may have either pro- or anti-apoptotic effects. Some of these molecules are of potential therapeutic use, such as: (1) p53, which influences resistance to chemotherapy; (2) Mcl-1 and Bcl-X(L), which can override apoptosis; (3) TRAIL, which has selective fatal effects on tumour cells; (4) NF-(K)B, which when downregulated sensitizes cells to TRAIL and TNF; (5) the PITSLRE kinases, whose alteration appears to result in Fas resistance; (6) interferons, which sensitize cells to other factors; and (7) survivin and other IAPs that inhibit apoptosis. This review summarizes the state of current knowledge about the key molecular components and mechanisms of apoptosis in melanoma, discusses potential therapeutic ramifications, and provides directions for future research.
Enzymatic and hydrolytic degradation of benzylaryl ethers related to hardwood lignins

Abstract A number of 4-hydroxybenzylphenyl ethers and their acetates were synthesized as models for hardwood lignin and used as substrates in acid hydrolysis and enzymatic oxidation reactions. Under hydrolytic conditions, the acetates underwent ether cleavage at a slower rate than the free phenols. Evidence for carbonium ion intermediates is presented. Cleavage of the ether substrates by peroxidase—peroxide oxidation was much faster than by acid hydrolysis for all substrates except the acetates which did not react. Subsequent oxidation of the component parts of the ether substrates was selective: the syringyl moieties were oxidized in preference to the guaiacyl moieties. Electron spin resonance studies of the oxidation reaction showed that removal of the phenolic hydrogen atom was the first step, followed by quinone—methide formation. A mechanism is proposed to account for the oxidative degradation of the lignin models.
Agreement of injury reporting between primary care medical record and maternal interview for children aged 0-3 years: implications for research and clinical care.

Objective To assess agreement of injury reporting between primary care medical record and maternal interview. Methods Cross-sectional study of data from a randomized controlled trial of home visiting. The setting was Hawaii's Healthy Start Program (HSP). Subjects comprised a population-based sample of children in at-risk families with 3 years of primary care medical records and maternal interviews (n = 443). Outcome measures were percentage of children injured unintentionally and mean number of injuries per child in the first 3 years of life by primary care medical record and maternal interview. Results We identified 490 injuries: 48% by primary care medical record, 22% by maternal interview, and 30% in both sources. More children were reported injured by primary care medical record than maternal interview (51% vs 39%, P P Conclusions This study estimates that 25% of childhood injuries may not be reported in the medical record, highlighting the need for reconsideration of the use of medical records as the gold standard for unintentional injury data. Caution should be used when interpreting injury data from one source, especially from families with stressful life situations. Poor communication regarding injuries between social service, primary care and urgent care providers may contribute to decreased quality of primary care and missed opportunities for injury prevention.
Friction and wear performance of diamond-like carbon films grown in various source gas plasmas

In this study, the authors investigated the effects of various source gases (methane, ethane, ethylene, and acetylene) on the friction and wear performance of diamondlike carbon (DLC) films prepared in a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) system. Films were deposited on AISI H13 steel substrates and tested in a pin-on-disk machine against DLC-coated M50 balls in dry nitrogen. They found a close correlation between friction coefficient and source gas composition. Specifically, films grown in source gases with higher hydrogen-to-carbon ratios exhibited lower friction coefficients and higher wear resistance than films grown in source gases with lower hydrogen-to-carbon (H/C) ratios. The lowest friction coefficient (0.014) was achieved with a film derived from methane with an WC ratio of 4, whereas the coefficient of films derived from acetylene (H/C = 1) was of 0.15. Similar correlations were observed for wear rates. Specifically, films derived from gases with lower H/C values were worn out and the substrate material was exposed, whereas films from methane and ethane remained intact and wore at rates that were nearly two orders of magnitude lower than films obtained from acetylene.
Force Generation during Transient Deployment of Hinged Wing Actuators in the Presence of a Wall

Square and delta wing actuators hinged at the wall beneath a flow have been deployed inside in the flow with an angular velocity between 10 and 55 rad/s. The transient flow field has been simulated experimentally in a low speed wind tunnel. These dynamic effects depend on the Strouhal number which can be considered as the ratio the Stokes to Reynolds number of the flow. It was found that these effects are augmented with increasing Strouhal number. The square actuator was found to have better aerodynamic performance than the delta or triangular ones. The effect of the incoming boundary layer was also investigated here. Experiments at two different locations in the same boundary layer established the effect of the boundary layer thickness on the generated forces. It was found that for the same nominal Strouhal number the thicker boundary layer produced higher dynamical effects and therefore higher forces. Particle Image Velocimetry phase-locked with the motion of the actuator indicated the existence of large scale vortices during the deployment. A horseshoe vortex is always formed in front the actuator starting at very small deployment angles and a vortex is shed off the actuator at its top tip. Additional experiments were carried out under static condition to establish the effect of the wall proximity on the drag coefficient. It was found the drag coefficient is decreasing with decreasing distance from the wall.
Miscibility in blends of stereoregular poly(methyl methacrylate)s with chlorinated polyethylenes and chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride)s

Miscibility in Blends of Stereoregular Poly(methyl methacrylate)s with Chlorinated Polyethylenes and Chlorinated Poly(vinyl chloride)s
A comparative study of in vivo mutation assays: analysis of hprt, lacI, and cII/cI as mutational targets for N-nitroso-N-methylurea and benzo[a]pyrene in Big Blue™ mice

Abstract We have compared the response of the native hprt gene and the lacI , cII , and cI transgenes in Big Blue™ B6C3F1 mice following treatment with either N -nitroso- N -methylurea (MNU) or benzo[ a ]pyrene (B a P). Three weeks after mutagen treatment splenic T cells were isolated from the animals, and samples were either cultured to measure mutation at the native hprt locus or used to extract genomic DNA for transgene mutation analysis. Phage rescued from extracted DNA were plated in the presence of 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β- d -galactopyranoside (X-gal) to score lacI mutations, or plated on a hflAB lawn to score cII and cI mutants. With MNU hprt mutant frequency increased in a dose-related, sublinear manner up to 78-fold above background at the highest dose tested (20 mg/kg). In comparison, the lacI transgene yielded only a 3.1-fold increase at this dose, and the cII and cI transgenes did not show any increase. With 150 mg/kg B a P a 5.8- and 8.7-fold increase in mutant frequency was observed at hprt and lacI , respectively, while only a 1.3-fold increase was observed at cII . DNA sequencing revealed an increase in GC→TA transversions among the cII mutants, suggesting that the increase was related to B a P exposure. No significant increase in cI mutant frequency was observed. Therefore, the order of mutation assay sensitivity was hprt > lacI > cII/cI with MNU, and hprt ≈ lacI > cII/cI with B a P. While the hflAB selection system offers significant advantages with respect to cost and effort when compared to the lacI assay, additional evaluation of its sensitivity is warranted.
Antinociceptive effects of lanthanum neodymium and europium following intrathecal administration.

Abstract The trivalent cations lanthanum, neodymium and europium were found to have a weak dose-dependent antinociceptive effect as measured on hot plate and tail nick following administration into the lumbar subarachnoid space of rats implanted with chronic intrathecal catheters. The effects were limited to the hindlimbs and tail. The lanthanum effect was reversible by intrathecal administration of calcium, but was not altered by intraperitoneal administration of naloxone. In equimolar doses, neodymium and europium were found to be significantly more potent than lanthanum. Doses of lanthanum higher than 1 μmol and of neodymium and europium greater than 0.3 μmol resulted in significant motor weakness of the lower extremities.
Retrospective on Latin@ Rhetorical-Performance Scholarship: From “Chicano Communication” to “Latina/o Communication?”

This essay is a retrospective of Latina/o rhetorical and performance scholarship in which relevant themes and directions from the past 30 years are discerned. Identified are four periods beginning in a stage of recognition, progressing to integration, marked by a (re)turn and currently at re-politicalization. Within these periods two areas have been made explicit, namely, “Chicano communication” and “Latina/o communication” which I argue are parallel endeavors pursuing different yet complementary objectives that participate in reconstitution.
Structural interactions between chemokine receptors, gp120 Env and CD4.

Abstract Seven transmembrane segment (7TMS) receptors for chemokines and related molecules have been demonstrated to be essential, in addition to CD4, for HIV and SIV infection. The β-chemokine receptor CCR5 is the primary, perhaps sole, co-receptor for HIV-1 during the early and chronic phases of infection and supports infection by most primary HIV-1 and many SIV isolates. Late-stage primary and laboratory-adapted HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV isolates can use other 7TMS receptors. CXCR4 appears especially important in late-stage HIV infection; several related receptors can also be used. The specificity of SIV viruses is similar. Commonalities among these receptors, combined with analyses of mutated molecules, indicate that discrete, conformationally-dependent sites on the chemokine receptors determine their association with the third variable and conserved regions of viral envelope glycoproteins. These studies are useful for elucidating the mechanism and molecular determinants of HIV-1 entry, and of inhibitors to that entry.
Adenosine 5'-triphosphate consumption by smooth muscle as predicted by the coupled four-state crossbridge model.

We have proposed a four-state crossbridge model to explain contraction and the latch state in arterial smooth muscle. Ca(2+)-dependent crossbridge phosphorylation was the only postulated regulatory mechanism and the latchbridge (a dephosphorylated, attached crossbridge) was the only novel element in the model. In this study, we used the model to predict rates of ATP consumption by crossbridge phosphorylation (JPhos) and cycling (JCycle) during isometric and isotonic contractions in arterial smooth muscle; then we compared model predictions with experimental data. The model predicted that JPhos and JCycle were similar in magnitude in isometric contractions, and both increased almost linearly with myosin phosphorylation. The predicted relationship between isometric stress and ATP consumption was quasihyperbolic, but approximately linear when myosin phosphorylation was below 35%, in agreement with most of the available data. Muscle shortening increased the predicted values of JCycle up to 3.7-fold depending on shortening velocity and the level of myosin phosphorylation. The predicted maximum work output per ATP was 7.4–7.8 kJ/mol ATP and was relatively insensitive to changes in myosin phosphorylation. The predicted increase in JCycle with shortening was in agreement with available data, but the model prediction that work output per ATP was insensitive to changes in myosin phosphorylation was unexpected and remains to be tested in future experiments.
Information, efficiency, and the core of an economy

The meaning of exchange efficiency is examined in the context of an economy in which agents differ in their endowments of information. Definitions of efficiency, and of the core, are proposed which emphasize the role of communication. Opportunities for insurance are preserved by restricting communication, or in a market system by restricting insider trading, prior to the pooling of information for the purposes of production.