cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fibrosis-Related Gene Expression in Single Ventricle Heart Disease.

Objective To evaluate fibrosis and fibrosis-related gene expression in the myocardium of pediatric subjects with single ventricle with right ventricular failure. Study design Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed on explanted right ventricular myocardium of pediatric subjects with single ventricle disease and controls with nonfailing heart disease. Subjects were divided into 3 groups: single ventricle failing (right ventricular failure before or after stage I palliation), single ventricle nonfailing (infants listed for primary transplantation with normal right ventricular function), and stage III (Fontan or right ventricular failure after stage III). To evaluate subjects of similar age and right ventricular volume loading, single ventricle disease with failure was compared with single ventricle without failure and stage III was compared with nonfailing right ventricular disease. Histologic fibrosis was assessed in all hearts. Mann-Whitney tests were performed to identify differences in gene expression. Results Collagen (Col1α, Col3) expression is decreased in single ventricle congenital heart disease with failure compared with nonfailing single ventricle congenital heart disease (P = .019 and P = .035, respectively), and is equivalent in stage III compared with nonfailing right ventricular heart disease. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1, TIMP-3, and TIMP-4) are downregulated in stage III compared with nonfailing right ventricular heart disease (P = .0047, P = .013 and P = .013, respectively). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) are similar between nonfailing single ventricular heart disease and failing single ventricular heart disease, and between stage III heart disease and nonfailing right ventricular heart disease. There is no difference in the prevalence of right ventricular fibrosis by histology in subjects with single ventricular failure heart disease with right ventricular failure (18%) compared with those with normal right ventricular function (38%). Conclusions Fibrosis is not a primary contributor to right ventricular failure in infants and young children with single ventricular heart disease. Additional studies are required to understand whether antifibrotic therapies are beneficial in this population.
Understanding Integrity Across Generations in China: Implications for Personnel Choices in Chinese Corporations

Superior leadership, ethical decision-making, and integrity are essential qualities for business managers at all levels of an organization, especially in today’s quickly-changing global society. This is particularly true in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) where relationships and their integrity play a prominent role in all interactions, commercial and otherwise. Multinational corporations devote numerous resources to developing leadership competencies and decision-making skills, which include the ability to navigate the business successfully during influential economic, organizational, and societal changes, like the recent economic crisis, the various business scandals, and the numerous political conflicts. Chinese companies will do society a significant service by also emphasizing ethics training and development because their actions reverberate across the global economy
Nanostructured materials for bone tissue replacement

: Nanotechnology is the use of nanobiomaterials at the nanoscale (one dimension < 100 nm). Owing to the inherent nano-building blocks of native bone, nanotechnology has immense potential in orthopedics and may be used to develop materials to overcome the shortage of suitable biological grafts. Fabrication of nanomaterials having appropriate biomechanical properties may be the best means to replace not only the non-functional bone tissue but also to deliver pharmaco-therapeuticals in situ. In this chapter, we have reviewed the trends in research to develop suitable materials for orthopedic applications using nanotechnology.
Affective Disorders in Children and Adolescents with Special Emphasis on Depression

That fantastic great old scholar of the seventeenth century, Robert Burton (who could rightly claim to be the first psychopathologist), set it down in Part I, Section III, Subsection IV, of his Anatomy of Melancholy 1 that maids, virgins, nuns, barren women, and widows were especially prone to insomnia, troublesome sleep, dejection of mind, discontent, weariness, grieving, and weeping “without any manifest cause.” As matters are developing today, we might very well have needed to add children to his list of vulnerable individuals or, at any rate, if we are to maintain his sex bias, little girls. He would have been a little surprised that contemporary men also frequently succumb to this “brutish kind of dotage” from the effects, presumably, of “black bile” (or its modern neurochemical equivalent). At that time, children were not supposed to suffer from anything but mental deficiency, and it is only in the past century that they were deemed capable of developing psychopathology and only in the last couple of decades that they were judged to be depressed. It seems that as adults became more aware of children as individuals, they also became aware of the wide range of affective disorders that they could manifest. A worldwide interest has developed in childhood depression with three points of view predominating: that it did not exist except in the minds of certain overly sensitive clinicians who detected such affects in almost every patient; that it existed in different forms throughout childhood; and, finally, that it was a plausible hypothesis to be tested open-mindedly. Before one tested this hypothesis, it seemed important to define and limit the concept and thus not render it too inclusive. The need to look for it is critical to the prospect of finding it. Malmquist2 reported that, although child patients may both look and behave in a depressed way, the diagnosis of depression is rarely entertained. One reason for this is that the diagnosis has often been omitted from standard psychiatric classifications. Thus, Malmquist has, himself, proposed a detailed classification for childhood depressions.
Expanding the Role Repertoire of Clinicians

Social work practitioners must respond to many pressures that impinge upon them and their clinical practice in agencies. To be effective, they must develop a repertoire of skills and techniques. Te...
Temperament, Social Skills, and the Communication of Emotion

Social skills have been found to be important in the determination of mental health over the life span of the individual, and there is growing evidence of their importance in physical health as well. However, little has been done in the analysis of the origins and causation of social skills. In particular, although it seems clear that temperament and social experience interact in the determination of social skills, there is little coherent theory about the specific aspects of temperament that are important, exactly how they interact with social experience, or the differential importance of the roles that they play in specific circumstances. Also, although it is clear that notions of emotional expression and communication are important to social skills—to the extent that social skills are sometimes measured in terms of emotion communication abilities—there is no detailed theoretical rationale explaining why this is the case.
The nature of taurine binding in the retina.

Lombardini and Prien1 reported on the kinetics of taurine binding to rat retinal membranes and outlined the basic methodology behind binding experiments. Like most binding studies, the binding of radiolabeled ligand was counted in the presence of varying concentrations of unlabeled ligand under conditions which favor binding over transport. These conditions include low incubation temperatures and denaturation of tissue samples, both of which inhibit, in theory, active transport. Binding kinetics were then calculated using non-linear regression analysis of the binding curves through the range of total ligand concentrations, or alternately, linear regression analysis of the Scatchard plots. Binding kinetics include the dissociation constant (Kd) which is the total ligand concentration that produces half-maximal binding, and the estimated maximal binding level (Bmax). These values are used to specifically characterize the binding of a particular ligand.
Comment on “Do flavouring compounds contribute to aldehyde emissions in e-cigarettes?” by Farsalinos and Voudris

Abstract This letter is in response to a paper “Do flavouring compounds contribute to aldehyde emissions in e-cigarettes?” authored by Farsalinos and Voudris in the May 2018 edition of FCT. Our purpose is to point out and/or correct inconsistencies and inaccuracies in that paper. Using evidence from several independent studies, we demonstrate that experimental methods used by Farsalinos and Voudris do not fully account for neither particle nor gas-phase aldehydes in e-cigarette aerosols, leading to significant underestimation of aldehyde emissions and risks associated with e-cigarette use.
A Regional Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus Collaborative Care With Pharmacists in Indian Health Service Facilities.

Background: American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) are disproportionately affected by hepatitis C virus (HCV), with more than double the national rate of HCV-related mortality as well as the highe...
Electroporation characteristics of human primary T cells

Abstract Genetic manipulation of primary human T cells is a valuable technique for basic research in immunology to explore gene function and clinical applications that involve T cells. Among other techniques such as viral-based methods, electroporation is the most feasible material delivery system for manipulating human T cells. In this study, we used electroporation to either induce exogenous gene expression in human primary T cells by plasmids and in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA or target endogenous genes by Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). We characterized the electroporation conditions both for activated and unstimulated T cells. Although, naive cells are non-dividing and their metabolism is slower compared to activated T cells; we were able to manipulate both naive and memory cells within the unstimulated T cell population by IVT mRNA- and Cas9 RNP-electroporation with more than 95% and 80% efficiency, respectively, and by plasmids with more than 50% efficiency. Here, we outline the best practices for achieving highly-efficient and non-viral genetic manipulation in primary T cells without causing significant cytotoxicity to the cells. Because there is increasing evidence for younger cells to have better anti-tumor activity for immunotherapy, manipulating naive T cells with high efficiency is of high importance to clinical applications.
30-Day Readmissions After Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Abstract Objectives The authors sought to investigate the incidence, predictors, and causes of 30-day nonelective readmissions after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Background Randomized trials have demonstrated that EVT improves outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods The Nationwide Readmissions Database, years 2013 and 2014, was used to identify hospitalizations for a primary diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke during which patients underwent EVT, with or without intravenous thrombolysis. The incidence and reasons of 30-day readmissions were investigated. A hierarchical Cox regression model was used to identify independent predictors of 30-day nonelective readmissions. A propensity score–matched analysis was performed to compare the risk of 30-day nonelective readmissions in those who underwent EVT versus thrombolysis alone. Results Among 2,055,365 weighted hospitalizations with acute ischemic stroke and survival to discharge, 10,795 (0.5%) underwent EVT. The 30-day readmission rate was 12.4% within a median of 9 days (interquartile range: 4 to 18 days). Diabetes mellitus, coagulopathy, Medicare or Medicaid insurance, and gastrostomy during the index hospitalization were independent predictors of 30-day readmission, but coadministration of thrombolytics with EVT was not an independent predictor. The most common reasons for readmission were infections (17.2%), cardiac causes (17.0%), and recurrent stroke or transient ischemic attack (14.8%). Compared with thrombolysis alone, the hazard of 30-day readmissions was similar (hazard ratio: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.91 to 1.05; p = 0.55). Conclusions In patients hospitalized with acute ischemic stroke who underwent EVT, 30-day nonelective readmissions were common, occurring in approximately 1 in 8 patients, but were similar to those of patients treated with thrombolysis alone. Risk of readmission was associated with certain patient demographics, comorbidities, and complications, but not thrombolysis coadministration. Infections, cardiac causes, and recurrent stroke or transient ischemic attack are the most common reasons for readmission after EVT, emphasizing the need for comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment in the transition to outpatient care.
Behavioral development economics

Abstract Behavioral development economics applies theories and ideas from psychology and behavioral economics to the study of questions in development economics. We begin by examining a central puzzle in development economics: the existence of high rates of return without correspondingly rapid growth (the “Euler equation puzzle”). We discuss the extent to which present bias and loss aversion can help resolve this puzzle. We next consider various topics in development, including preventive health, savings, insurance, technology adoption, labor markets, and firms. We discuss particular behavioral theories that can help explain some key facts in each literature and describe the existing empirical evidence. Behavioral topics covered include non-standard preferences (present bias, loss aversion, and social preferences), nonstandard beliefs (naivete and non-Bayesian learning) and non-standard decision-making (limited attention and memory, mental accounting, and default effects). We argue that firms in developing countries are more likely to deviate from profit maximization and that studying “behavioral firms” in developing countries is a promising new agenda for research. We also discuss a recent literature arguing that variation in social preferences is an important driver of development, may have deep historical roots, yet may also be responsive to policies. Finally, we describe the emerging literature on the psychology of poverty, which argues that living in poverty itself may causally affect cognitive function, decision-making, and productivity.
Follow the Money – Investigating the Relationship between IS Publication Outlet and Research Funding

Publishing in top academic journals is valued by faculty, program administration, and external bodies, in part because these articles are often the most impactful in the field. At the same time there is an increased emphasis on obtaining external grants to support research. Funded research not only provides financial support needed to undertake larger research projects, it also provides support for graduate students and the research mission of the university. This study investigates the relationship that funded research plays in articles published in top tier Information Systems journals. This paper contributes by providing the first analysis of the interface between external funding and publication productivity in the field of Information Systems. Articles acknowledging external support appear more frequently in higher rated journals. Also, the sources of support claimed in IS articles is inconsistent with the published breakdown of funding sources.
Chip-scale atomic diffractive optical elements

We experimentally explore the spatial and spectral response of a chip-scale hybrid atomic-dielectric grating. Spectral control of the diffracting orders mediated by the atomic vapor paves the path to a variety of novel atomic-controlled diffractive-optical-elements.
The prevalence and impact of psychiatric symptoms in an undiagnosed diseases clinical program

In 2008, the NIH launched an undiagnosed diseases program to investigate difficult to diagnose, and typically, multi-system diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of psychiatric symptoms or psychiatric diagnoses in a cohort of patients seeking care at the Emory Special Diagnostic Service clinic. We hypothesized that psychiatric symptoms would be prevalent and associated with trauma exposure, and a decreased quality of life and functioning. This is a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of 247 patients seen between February 7, 2014 and May 31, 2017. The sources for data included the Emory Health History Questionnaire (HHQ) that had the work and social adjustment and quality of life enjoyment and satisfaction questionnaire-short form (QLSQ) embedded in it; medical records, and the comprehensive standardized special diagnostic clinic forms. Primary outcomes were presence of any psychiatric symptom, based on report of the symptom on the HHQ or medical record, or presence of a confirmed preexisting psychiatric disorder. Seventy-two percent of patients had at least one psychiatric symptom while 24.3% of patients had a pre-existing psychiatric diagnosis. Patients with any psychiatric symptom had significantly diminished Q-LES-Q scores (45.27 ± 18.63) versus patients with no psychiatric symptoms (62.01 ± 21.57, t = 5.60, df = 225, p<0.0001) and they had significantly greater functional disability. Patients with a psychiatric disorder also had significantly diminished Q-LES-Q scores (45.16 ± 17.28) versus those without a psychiatric diagnosis (51.85 ± 21.54, t = 2.11, df = 225, p = 0.036) but did not have significantly increased functional impairment. Both patients with psychiatric symptoms and ones with psychiatric disorders had an increased prevalence of trauma. Psychiatric symptoms are prevalent in patients evaluated for undiagnosed disorders. The presence of any psychiatric symptom, with or without a formal psychiatric diagnosis, significantly decreases quality of life and functioning. This suggests that assessment for psychiatric symptoms should be part of the evaluation of individuals with undiagnosed disorders and may have important diagnostic and treatment implications.
The Definitions of Dysfunctional Consumer Behavior: Concepts, Content, and Questions

The purpose of this research is to explore gaps in the understanding of dysfunctional consumer behavior (DCB) that might provide direction for future research and help firms understand the blind spots that might exist in their provision of satisfying consumer outcomes. From the marketer’s perspective there are several questions that exist both inside and outside the mind of the consumer that would be of great value in helping avoid DCB and move toward an improved relationship with dissatisfied customers. This project examines numerous definitions of the various types of DCB from over the past 30 years. This research evaluated 18 of these terms and presented a set of questions of relevance to the marketer: when does DCB take place, what provokes it, and what does the dissatisfied consumer hope to gain from their actions. The current research raises these questions but to answer these questions, further investigation is needed.
Naturally occurring toxicants in foods.

Abstract There are a many substances that occur naturally in foods that have the potential to be toxic. However, it is the level of exposure that determines whether the substance has a deleterious effect or not. Consequently, the distinction between natural and artificial in food products has nothing to do with safety. Whereas intense government scrutiny is devoted to synthetic substances in food, there are very few regulatory limits on the incidence of natural toxicants. Safety from these natural substances depends largely on proper processing and preparation of food, and on the inherently low levels of some toxicants. Sometimes, however, inappropriate substances are ingested and are found to be naturally deadly. This chapter looks briefly at some of the toxicants that can be found naturally occurring in foods, but which are not covered in greater detail in other chapters.
Electrified Airplanes: A Path to Zero-Emission Air Travel

The aeronautics industry has been challenged on many fronts to increase flight efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease dependence on traditional hydrocarbon fuels. Each year, aviation produces more than 900 million metric tons of CO2, which, without new interventions in policy, technology, and business practices, will further increase alongside the growing air transport market. Currently, aviation accounts for 4.8% of U.S. contributions to CO2 emissions, and the global aviation industry constitutes about 2% of all human-induced CO2 emissions. While this contribution may appear to be small when compared to other sources, it is likely to become more prominent in the years to come.
Multi‐hypothesis comparison of Farquhar and Collatz photosynthesis models reveals the unexpected influence of empirical assumptions at leaf and global scales

Mechanistic photosynthesis models are at the heart of terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs) simulating the daily, monthly, annual and decadal rhythms of carbon assimilation (A). These models are founded on robust mathematical hypotheses that describe how A responds to changes in light and atmospheric CO2 concentration. Two predominant photosynthesis models are in common usage: Farquhar (FvCB) and Collatz (CBGB). However, a detailed quantitative comparison of these two models has never been undertaken. In this study, we unify the FvCB and CBGB models to a common parameter set and use novel multi-hypothesis methods (that account for both hypothesis and parameter variability) for process-level sensitivity analysis. These models represent three key biological processes: carboxylation, electron transport, triose phosphate use (TPU) and an additional model process: limiting-rate selection. Each of the four processes comprises 1-3 alternative hypotheses giving 12 possible individual models with a total of 14 parameters. To broaden inference, TBM simulations were run and novel, high-resolution photosynthesis measurements were made. We show that parameters associated with carboxylation are the most influential parameters but also reveal the surprising and marked dominance of the limiting-rate selection process (accounting for 57% of the variation in A vs. 22% for carboxylation). The limiting-rate selection assumption proposed by CBGB smooths the transition between limiting rates and always reduces A below the minimum of all potentially limiting rates, by up to 25%, effectively imposing a fourth limitation on A. Evaluation of the CBGB smoothing function in three TBMs demonstrated a reduction in global A by 4%-10%, equivalent to 50%-160% of current annual fossil fuel emissions. This analysis reveals a surprising and previously unquantified influence of a process that has been integral to many TBMs for decades, highlighting the value of multi-hypothesis methods.
The impact of an enhanced recovery program (ERP) on the costs of colorectal surgery.

Abstract Background Enhanced Recovery Programs (ERPs) benefit patients but their effects on healthcare costs remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the costs associated with a colorectal ERP in a large academic health system. Methods Patients who underwent colorectal surgery from 2012 to 2014 (pre-ERP) and 2015–2017 (ERP) were propensity score matched based on patient and operative-level characteristics. Primary outcomes were median variable, fixed, and total costs. Secondary outcomes included length-of-stay (LOS), readmissions, and postoperative complications (POCs). Results 616 surgical cases were included. Patient and operative-level characteristics were similar between the cohorts. Variable costs were $1028 less with ERP. ERP showed savings in nursing, surgery, anesthesiology, pharmacy, and laboratory costs, but had higher fixed costs. Total costs between the two groups were similar. ERP patients had significantly shorter LOS (−1 day, p Conclusions Implementation of an ERP for colorectal surgery was associated with lower variable costs compared to pre-ERP.
Experiential learning activity to ameliorate workplace bullying

This experiential learning exercise will help instructors develop an interactive lesson that provides training for future managers on how to identify, resolve, and eliminate bullying in the workpla...
Muscle tissue engineering – A materials perspective

Abstract The research, in the field of tissue engineering, has continuously been advanced over the last few decades. Tissue engineering is defined as the use of scaffold materials(constructive), cells(productive), and biological factors(inductive) to enhance regeneration, repair, and or replace biological tissues and organs. The potential application of tissue engineering is extended to all tissues and organs in the human body. The necessity for muscle tissue engineering stems mainly from degenerative diseases, athletic injuries, and volumetric muscle loss from traumatic injuries. Biocompatible polymers and biological materials are the scaffold of choice in this area of research due to their bioactivity, tunable mechanical properties, and increased bio-integration in comparison to other material groups. In this book chapter the anatomy and physiology of all three muscle tissue groups are highlighted in view of tissue regeneration. Connections between previous research efforts in tissue scaffolding and cellular implementation for muscle tissue engineering are detailed, along with recent prospects which accentuates the current state-of-the-art for muscle tissue engineering.
Transition to turbulence

Abstract Laminar-to-turbulent transition precedes all turbulent flows. Disturbances to the laminar region grow to high amplitude, then break down to small-scale turbulence. The early stages of the disturbances to a boundary layer can be understood via the discrete and continuous modes solutions to the Orr–Sommerfeld equation. The two routes to transition, orderly and bypass, are understood, respectively, as outgrowths of linear, discrete, and continuous modes. There is no theory for the ultimate breakdown to turbulence. It is known via phenomenology and is predicted by data correlations. In practical computational fluid dynamics, transition is predicted by intermittency models.
Cutting Edge: Molecular Analysis of the Negative Regulatory Function of Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3

Lymphocyte activation gene (LAG)-3 (CD223) is a CD4-related activation-induced cell surface molecule that binds to MHC class II molecules with high affinity and negatively regulates T cell expansion and homeostasis. In this study, we show that LAG-3 inhibits CD4-dependent, but not CD4-independent, T cell function via its cytoplasmic domain. Although high affinity interaction with MHC class II molecules is essential for LAG-3 function, tailless LAG-3 does not compete with CD4 for ligand binding. A single lysine residue (K468) within a conserved "KIEELE" motif is essential for interaction with downstream signaling molecules. These data provide insight into the mechanism of action of this important T cell regulatory molecule.
When 'I' became ethnic: ethnogenesis and three early Puerto Rican diaspora writers

Resumen en: Criticism of Esmeralda Santiago´s use of the past tense in the title When I Was Puerto Rican revealed the ambiguity of debate about Puerto Rican identity...
Observations of Diffuse Emission from the Hot ISM

The Diffuse X-ray Spectrometer (DXS) is a Bragg-crystal spectrometer designed to obtain spectra of the diffuse x-ray background in the 83–44 A (150–284 eV) range, with ∼ 3 A spectral resolution (10–25 eV), and ∼ 15° angular resolution. It was flown successfully as an attached Shuttle payload on the STS 54 mission of NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavour in January 1993, and spectra were obtained from the diffuse background along an arc extending roughly along the galactic plane from longitude 150° to longitude 300°. The primary conclusions so far from the analysis of the DXS data are: (1) The spectra of the diffuse background in the 83–44 A range show emission lines or emission-line blends, indicating that the emission is thermal. Although most models of this emission have assumed that it is of thermal origin, this is the first detection of lines in the diffuse background in this wavelength range. (2) The detected spectra do not resemble the model spectra of cosmic abundance equilibrium plasmas at any temperature in the 105 – 107 K range. This is independent of the particular plasma model used, Raymond & Smith, Mewe & Kaastra, or Monsignori-Fossi & Landini. (3) The detected spectra do not resemble the model spectra of depleted abundance equilibrium plasmas at any temperature in the 105 – 107 K range, for a variety of assumed elemental depletions and the same emission models. This aspect of the analysis is not completed. (4) Tentative line identifications can be made, but other lines predicted to arise from the same ions must be of consistent strength in both the DXS and EUVE data sets.
The Gene Content of Mammalian and Avian Sex Chromosomes

Sex chromosomes evolve specialised collections of genes, making them distinct from autosomes. Recent, high-quality, genomic sequencing of sex chromosomes allows us to trace the evolutionary history of the mammalian X and Y chromosomes and avian Z and W chromosomes, and examine how evolution has remodelled their gene content. The XY and ZW sex chromosomes arose from ordinary pairs of autosomes. Differentiation into specialised sex chromosomes initiated with the degeneration of gene content on the Y and W chromosomes and the preservation of gene content on the X and Z chromosomes. As these degeneration and preservation processes unfolded, the sex chromosomes also acquired new genes, many of which are located in large, nearly identical, segmental duplications called amplicons. Ampliconic sequences, independently evolving across multiple lineages, are a major driving force in sex chromosome evolution. Key Concepts Mammalian and avian sex chromosomes evolved independently from autosomes. X and Z chromosomes retain the majority of the ancestral autosomal genes. X chromosome ancestral autosomal genes are highly conserved across mammals. The gene content of Y and W chromosomes has degenerated. Ampliconic sequences have independently evolved on X, Y, Z and W chromosomes. Keywords: sex chromosomes; gene content; ampliconic; DNA sequence; rapid evolution
Surviving in a fast, nomadic world [mobile computing and communication]

Summary form only given, as follows. Most of us are nomads in that we travel from place to place with a wild array of laptops, PDA's, cellular telephones, pagers, etc. We desire to have the same computing environment, services and system support in those locations as we have in our corporate offices. Indeed we desire "anywhere, anytime" connectivity. Unfortunately, as soon as we leave the comfort of our corporate environment and head out on the road, we lose all the basic capabilities we enjoy in that environment. Indeed, we often encounter the frustration of weak (or no) connectivity, tiny keyboards, lack of interoperability, loss of backup, foreign environments, and inadequate support in general. We discuss how our computing and communications technology has brought us to this point, some of the open issues that must be addressed as we seek to develop the system support necessary to provide a rich set of capabilities and services to these nomads in a transparent and convenient form, and where we see this is likely to evolve in the future. We also discuss some of the emerging solutions to the problems raised by this revolution in the use of information technology.
The Connectivity Sonar: Detecting Site Functionality by Structural Patterns

Web sites today serve many different functions, such as corporate sites, search engines, e-stores, and so forth. As sites are created for different purposes, their structure and connectivity characteristics vary. However, this research argues that sites of similar role exhibit similar structural patterns, as the functionality of a site naturally induces a typical hyperlinked structure and typical connectivity patterns to and from the rest of the Web. Thus, the functionality of Web sites is reflected in a set of structural and connectivity-based features that form a typical signature. In this paper, we automatically categorize sites into eight distinct functional classes, and highlight several search-engine related applications that could make immediate use of such technology. We purposely limit our categorization algorithms by tapping connectivity and structural data alone, making no use of any content analysis whatsoever. When applying two classification algorithms to a set of 202 sites of the eight defined functional categories, the algorithms correctly classified between 54.5% and 59% of the sites. On some categories, the precision of the classification exceeded 85%. An additional result of this work indicates that the structural signature can be used to detect spam rings and mirror sites, by clustering sites with almost identical signatures.
Depth of interaction decoding of a continuous crystal detector module.

We present a clustering method to extract the depth of interaction (DOI) information from an 8 mm thick crystal version of our continuous miniature crystal element (cMiCE) small animal PET detector. This clustering method, based on the maximum-likelihood (ML) method, can effectively build look-up tables (LUT) for different DOI regions. Combined with our statistics-based positioning (SBP) method, which uses a LUT searching algorithm based on the ML method and two-dimensional mean–variance LUTs of light responses from each photomultiplier channel with respect to different gamma ray interaction positions, the position of interaction and DOI can be estimated simultaneously. Data simulated using DETECT2000 were used to help validate our approach. An experiment using our cMiCE detector was designed to evaluate the performance. Two and four DOI region clustering were applied to the simulated data. Two DOI regions were used for the experimental data. The misclassification rate for simulated data is about 3.5% for two DOI regions and 10.2% for four DOI regions. For the experimental data, the rate is estimated to be ~25%. By using multi-DOI LUTs, we also observed improvement of the detector spatial resolution, especially for the corner region of the crystal. These results show that our ML clustering method is a consistent and reliable way to characterize DOI in a continuous crystal detector without requiring any modifications to the crystal or detector front end electronics. The ability to characterize the depth-dependent light response function from measured data is a major step forward in developing practical detectors with DOI positioning capability.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability

Context: Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) have reported decreased global and regional function. Despite the identification of functional deficits in those with CAI, more research is...
Efficacy of thalidomide- or lenalidomide-based therapy in proliferative multiple myeloma.

The proliferative activity of neoplastic plasma cells (PCs) is an independent determinant of the clinical course of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). It can be measured by the plasma cell labeling index (PCLI), which denotes the percentage of bone marrow PCs in the S-phase of the cell cycle.1 Typically, MM is a slow-growing tumor with very few PCs synthesizing DNA at a given time. Proliferative myeloma, characterized by a high PCLI (1%), constitutes nearly a third of all MM cases, and has a poorer outcome.1 Although technical difficulties have limited its widespread application, the slide-based PCLI provides valuable insight into the tumor biology, with higher PCLI predictive of an aggressive course.1, 2, 3 There is a direct correlation between the cytogenetic abnormalities and the rate of PC division perhaps because these chromosomal abnormalities impart a distinct proliferative advantage to the myeloma cells.4 Conversely, it can be argued that rapid PC division leads to sufficient genetic instability to cause secondary chromosomal abnormalities, which adversely affect the prognosis of the patients.
Peripherally administered Angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonists are anti-stress compounds in vivo

Angiotensin II AT 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) are commonly used in the clinical treatment of hypertension. Subcutaneous or oral administration of the ARB candesartan inhibits brain as well as peripheral AT 1 receptors, indicating transport across the blood-brain barrier. Pretreatment with candesartan profoundly modifies the response to stress. The ARB prevents the peripheral and central sympathetic activation characteristic of isolation stress and abolishes the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during isolation. In addition, candesartan prevents the isolation-induced decrease in cortical corticotropin-releasing factor 1 and benzodiazepine receptors induced by isolation. When administered before cold-restraint stress, candesartan totally prevents the production of gastric ulcerations. This preventive effect of candesartan is the consequence of profound anti-inflammatory effects, reduction of sympathetic stimulation, and preservation of blood flow to the gastric mucosa. The ARB does not reduce the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis stimulation during cold restraint. Preservation of the effects of endogenous glucocorticoids is essential for protection of the gastric mucosa during cold restraint. Administration of the ARB to nonstressed rats decreases anxiety in the elevated plus-maze. Our results demonstrate that Angiotensin II, through AT 1 receptor stimulation, is a major stress hormone, and that ARBs, in addition to their antihypertensive effects, may be considered for the treatment of stress-related disorders.
Apparent apoptotic cell death in the olfactory epithelium of adult rodents: death occurs at different developmental stages.

In the olfactory epithelium of adult rodent, receptor neurons are generated continually. Despite the ongoing generation of new neurons, no corresponding increase occurs in the thickness of the mature olfactory epithelium. Thus, epithelial cell death must occur to offset the continual generation of new cells. In the present study, a sensitive method to label nicked DNA in dying cells was combined with immunocytochemistry to determine the identity of dying olfactory cells. In addition, the positions of putative apoptotic cells were mapped to provide additional information about the identity of dying cells. Double labeling experiments revealed that each of the olfactory cell types, i.e., basal cells (keratin-positive), immature neurons (GAP43-positive) and mature receptor neurons (olfactory marker protein (OMP)-positive), were positive for fragmented DNA, suggesting that they undergo apoptotic cell death. The results of the mapping study suggest that apoptotic cell death occurs primarily among GAP43-positive neurons.
Review of PM2.5 and PM10 Apportionment for Fossil Fuel Combustion and Other Sources by the Chemical Mass Balance Receptor Model

This review examines how the Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) receptor model has been used to quantify source contributions from fossil fuel combustion and other sources to ambient concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 for urban and regional scales. Nonfossil fuel sources, such as fugitive dust, cooking, vegetative burning, and natural or human-caused biogenics must be considered together with fossil-fuel sources in a CMB analysis to obtain closure for PM2.5 and PM10 mass. CMB analyses in 22 different studies have found fossil fuel combustion to be a large contributor to PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, with most of the primary contributions originating form diesel- and gasoline-powered vehicle exhaust. Primary contributions from ducted sources, such as coal- and oil-fired power stations, are negligible when these facilities have been modernized with effective pollution controls, but they have been shown to be large contributors without these controls. Secondary sulfates and nitrates from fossil fuel combustion are r...
Selective Oxidation of Methanol and Ethanol on Supported Ruthenium Oxide Clusters at Low Temperatures

RuO2 domains supported on SnO2, ZrO2, TiO2, Al2O3, and SiO2 catalyze the oxidative conversion of methanol to formaldehyde, methylformate, and dimethoxymethane with unprecedented rates and high comb...
Larval settlement and juvenile survival in the red abalone (Haliotis rufescens), an examination of inductive cues and substrate selection

Abstract Settlement and metamorphosis of red abalone, Haliotis rufescens , larvae were examined in the presence of three inductive settlement cues (conspecific mucus, a sympatric diatom assemblage, and γ-aminobutyric acid). All experiments were conducted without the use of antibiotics. Larval settlement success differed significantly with substrate type. Mucus from juvenile H. rufescens yielded the highest levels of successful larval settlement. Larval settlement success varied and was highest between August and mid-September when examined from late spring (May) to early winter (December). Larval metamorphosis and juvenile survival to appearance of the first respiratory pore also varied with substrate type. After 11 weeks, approximately 53, 84, and 100% of the larvae had suffered mortality on substrates of conspecific mucus and diatoms, diatoms, and γ-aminobutyric acid and diatoms, respectively. In all treatments, an initial high rate of juvenile mortality and reduced rates of juvenile development suggested abalone were nutrient-limited. High larval settlement rates and survival of juvenile H. rufescens on substrates of conspecific mucus indicate that this inductive cue may be of significance in situ as well as offering a convenient methodology for the rearing of red abalone in mass-culture systems.
Adaptive optics center of excellence for national security

This paper provides an overview of research at the Adaptive Optics Center of Excellence for national security (AOCoE) at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). The Center was established in 2011 with the sponsorship of the Office of Naval Research, National Reconnaissance Office, and Air Force research Laboratory. Research is in two areas: Segmented Mirror telescope (SMT) for imaging satellites and High Energy Laser Beam Control. SMT consists of a 3 meter diameter telescope with six segments and each segment has actuators for surface control and segment alignment. SMT research areas include developing improved techniques for surface control and segment alignment, and reduction in segment vibration by using tuned mass dampers. Research is also performed in adding a deformable mirror into the SMT optical path to correct for residual beam aberration not corrected by the primary mirror actuators. For high energy laser beam control the research areas are acquisition, tracking, and pointing, optical beam jitter control, and application of adaptive optics for correcting beam aberration due to air turbulence. The current focus is on adaptive optics for deep turbulence.
Citizenship's Place: The State's Creation of Public Space and Street Vendors' Culture of Informality in Bogotá, Colombia

In this paper I seek to move beyond understandings of Colombia as a failed state or qualified democracy by exploring how the state continues to govern despite widespread shortcomings. I argue that two technologies of governance are central to contemporary rule in Colombia: state fragmentation and citizen education. These technologies are exemplified by the recovery of public space from street vendors in order to preserve it as a privileged site for citizenship. This process is made possible by the proliferation of state agencies, policies, and plans which define the problem of public space as one of its invasion by ambulant vendors, and the solution to this invasion as the relocation of vendors to spatially marginalized and state-regulated markets where they are taught to overcome their ‘culture of informality’ by participating in political and economic transactions in state-prescribed ways. I argue that the recovery of public space and relocation of street vendors is a spatial technology of governance th...
The nominal pitch accent system of South Kyungsang Korean

The current paper investigates the nominal pitch accent system in South Kyungsang Korean through an acoustic study and presents a phonological analysis for the system based on the acoustic results. The data were collected from four male South Kyungsang speakers by recording monosyllabic and disyllabic nouns with various types of suffixes. The pitch results confirmed the accent distinctions reported in earlier works on the language, and we found that suffixes may also bear contrastive accent. We analyzed the pitch accent system as having three pre-linked accents and one default accent. Two of the pre-linked accents count from the left and are linked to the initial and peninitial moras of the root, respectively, and both spread one mora to the right. The other pre-linked accent counts from the right (penult) and does not spread. This analysis fits in with the culminative tone typology established in Evans (Types of tonal culminativity in language of Sichuan and elsewhere, 2009). An Optimality Theoretic analysis that derives the surface tone patterns for both the default and pre-linked accents is proposed, and the proposal is compared with earlier analyses of pitch accents in North and South Kyungsang Korean.
Pattern recognition algorithms for linewidth measurement

Novel edge detection and line fitting pattern recognition algorithms are applied for linewidth measurement on images of integrated circuits. The strategy employs a two step procedure. In the first step, a neural network is used for edge detection of the image. Three neural network approaches are investigated: bootstrap linear threshold, self-organizing, and constrained maximization strategies. These neural networks combine filtering and thresholding to reduce noise and aberrations in the image. Further, the parameters of the neural network are estimated using an unsupervised learning procedure. The advantage of this learning strategy is the ability to adapt to the imaging environment. Consequently, these proposed neural network approaches for edge detection do not require an a priori database of images with known linewidths for calibration. In the second step, new line-fitting methods are applied to the edge maps defined by the neural network to compute linewidth. Two methods are investigated: an eigenvector strategy and a technique that is based on a reformulation of the line-fitting problem such that advanced signal processing techniques can be employed. The latter algorithm is capable of fitting multiple lines in an image which need not be parallel and possesses computational speed superiority over conventional techniques and can be implemented on-line. By employing this two-step strategy, the entire image is used to estimate linewidth as opposed to a single or few line scans. Thus, edge roughness effects can be spatially averaged to obtain an optimal estimate of linewidth. The techniques are general and can be used on images form a variety of microscopes including optical and electron-beam. The pattern recognition algorithms are applied to images of patterned wafers with lines smaller than 1 micrometers wide. These images are obtained by optical microscopes. The estimated linewidths are shown to be in close agreement with those measured by scanning electron microscopes. The application of the proposed pattern recognition techniques to solve other problems in IC metrology, such as rotational wafer alignment, is also discussed.