cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preferential mitochondrial DNA injury caused by glucose oxidase as a steady generator of hydrogen peroxide in human fibroblasts

Abstract To test the hypothesis that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is more prone to reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage than nuclear DNA, a continuous flux of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) was produced with the glucose/glucose oxidase system. Using a horse radish peroxidase (HRPO)-based colorimetric assay to detect H 2 O 2 , glucose oxidase (GO; 12 mU/ml) produced 95 μ M of H 2 O 2 in 1 h, whereas only 46 μ M of hydrogen peroxide accumulated in the presence of SV40-transformed human fibroblasts (∼1×10 6 ). DNA damage was assessed in the mitochondira and three nuclear regions using a quantitative PCR assay. GO (12 mU/ml) resulted in more damage to the mitochondrial DNA (2.250±0.045 lesions/10 kb) than in any one of three nuclear targets, which included the non-expressed b-globin locus (0.436±0.029 lesions/10 kb); and the active DNA polymerase b gene (0.442±0.037 lesions/10 kb); and the active hprt gene (0.310±0.025). Damage to the mtDNA occurred within 15 min of GO treatment, whereas nuclear damage did not appear until after 30 min, and reached a maximum after 60 min. Repair of mitochondrial damage after a 15 min GO (6 mU/ml) treatment was examined. Mitochondria repaired 50% of the damage after 1 h, and by 6 h all the damage was repaired. Higher doses of GO-generated H 2 O 2 , or more extended treatment periods, lead to mitochondrial DNA damage which was not repaired. Mitochondrial function was monitored using the MTT (3,(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. A 15 min treatment with 6 mU/ml of GO decreased mitochondrial activity to 80% of the control; the activity recovered completely within 1 h after damage. These data show that GO-generated H 2 O 2 causes acute damage to mtDNA and function, and demonstrate that this organelle is an important site for the cellular toxicity of ROS.
Humanistic contributions to the field of psychotherapy: Appreciating the human and liberating the therapist

Abstract Psychology is permeated with reductive metaphors of the human. In contradistinction, Rogers, Frankl, Perls, Satir, and Erickson provided: 1) powerful affirmations of the human; 2) therapeutic visions rooted in comprehensive understandings of the specifically human; and 3) concretely teachable transformative, rhetorical, gestural, metaphorical, and linguistic patterns of skillful communication that evoke freedom, individualize therapy, and enhance dignity. These powerful skills break from natural science and its inhibiting professional metaphors, thus liberating therapists and clients to a humane and communicative freedom.
A Fregean conception of singular existence

A perplexity about singular existence statements (for example, ‘Socrates exists’) is that for their negations to be true their subject terms do not name anything. For example, in ‘Pegasus does not exist’ ‘does not exist’ is not said in respect to the referent of ‘Pegasus’ since there is none. But, then, in respect to what is that said? The paper answers the question by proposing a metalinguistic interpretation of singular existence statements, according to which singular existence statements are about names. It is argued that this interpretation fits in well with Frege’s views on existence, presupposition, and his idea that names have senses.
The edge of stigma: An experimental audit of the effects of low-level criminal records on employment

Ample experimental evidence shows that the stigma of a prison record reduces employment opportunities (Pager, 2007). Yet background checks today uncover a much broader range of impropriety, including arrests for minor crimes never resulting in formal charges. This article probes the lesser boundaries of stigma, asking whether and how employers consider low-level arrests in hiring decisions. Matched pairs of young African American and White men were sent to apply for 300 entry-level jobs, with one member of each pair reporting a disorderly conduct arrest that did not lead to conviction. We find a modest but nontrivial effect, with employer callback rates about 4 percentage points lower for the experimental group than for the matched control group. Interviews with the audited employers suggest three mechanisms to account for the lesser stigma of misdemeanor arrests relative to felony convictions: 1) greater employer discretion and authority in the former case; 2) calibration of the severity, nature, and timing of the offense; and 3) a deeply held presumption of innocence, which contrasts the uncertainty of arrest with the greater certainty represented by convictions. In addition, personal contact and workplace diversity play important roles in the hiring process.
IPSec implementation on Xilinx Virtex-II Pro FPGA and its application

In this paper, we propose an IPSec implementation on Xilinx Virtex-II Pro FPGA. We move the key management and negotiation into software function calls that run on the PowerPC processor core. On the datapath, reconfigurable hardware logic implements time-critical functions for AES encryption and HMAC authentication. In our approach, the fast hardware processing is quasi-independent of the software processing. In traditional hardware systems, it is often the case that fast hardware modules wait for slow softwares to feed input data and retrieve output data. This causes the hardware component to stay in idle and suffer low utilization. Our contribution in this paper is to separate the IPSec data path from the control path, where the hardware has a full control of data processing and invokes the control software only when necessary. We illustrate the use of the IPSec implementation on a reconfigurable network device to secure the control and configuration channel.
Tuberculosis Infection in the United States: Prevalence Estimates from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2012.

Background Reexamining the prevalence of persons infected with tuberculosis (TB) is important to determine trends over time. In 2011–2012 a TB component was included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to estimate the reservoir of persons infected with TB. Methods Civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population survey participants aged 6 years and older were interviewed regarding their TB history and eligibility for the tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) blood test. Once eligibility was confirmed, both tests were conducted. Prevalence and numbers of TST positive (10 mm or greater), IGRA positive, and both TST and IGRA positive were calculated by adjusting for the complex survey design after applying corrections for item nonresponse and digit preference in TST induration measurements. To examine TST positivity over time, data from NHANES 1999–2000 were reanalyzed using the same statistical methods. The TST was performed using Tubersol, a commercially available purified protein derivative (PPD), rather than PPD-S, which was the antigen used in NHANES 1999–2000. Prior patient history of TB vaccination was not collected in this study nor were patients examined for the presence of a Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin (BCG) vaccine scar. Results For NHANES 2011–2012, TST and IGRA results were available for 6,128 (78.4%) and 7,107 (90.9%) eligible participants, respectively. There was no significant difference between the percentage of the U.S. population that was TST positive in 2011–2012 (4.7% [95% CI 3.4–6.3]; 13,276,000 persons) compared with 1999–2000 (4.3%; 3.5–5.3). In 2011–2012 the percentage that was IGRA positive was 5.0% (4.2–5.8) and double TST and IGRA positivity was 2.1% (1.5–2.8). The point estimate of IGRA positivity prevalence in foreign-born persons (15.9%; 13.5–18.7) was lower than for TST (20.5%; 16.1–25.8) in 2011–2012. The point estimate of IGRA positivity prevalence in U.S.-born persons (2.8%; 2.0–3.8) was higher than for TST (1.5%; 0.9–2.6). Conclusions No statistically significant decline in the overall estimated prevalence of TST positivity was detected from 1999–2000 to 2011–2012. The prevalence of TB infection, whether measured by TST or IGRA, remains lower among persons born in the United States compared with foreign-born persons.
Analysis of the Anaplasma marginale Major Surface Protein 1 Complex Protein Composition by Tandem Mass Spectrometry

The protective major surface protein 1 (MSP1) complex of Anaplasma marginale is a heteromer of MSP1a and MSP1b, encoded by a multigene family. The msp1β sequences were highly conserved throughout infection. However, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis identified only a single MSP1b protein, MSP1b1, within the MSP1 complex.
Understanding Impacts of Technology, Process Changes, and Organizational Controls to Improve the Cost of Cash in Retail Stores

The emergence of self checkout systems and transaction kiosks present an opportunity for retailers to redesign the cash management process and identify more efficient and automated solutions to improve performances within each step of the system. International and domestic retail companies from various industry segments are taking different views of opportunities to reduce the cost of cash. A socio-technical systems approach provides a foundation for anchoring predictions in process improvements and task automation and a context to identify impacts of step improvements in the Cash Flow Process. This paper provides an overview of a framework, findings from cash office operations studies of domestic and international retailers, and performance benchmarks for repetitive tasks of till balancing and till re-sets to help evaluate proposed changes in store cash office operations.
Simulated brain tumor growth dynamics using a three-dimensional cellular automaton.

We have developed a novel and versatile three-dimensional cellular automaton model of brain tumor growth. We show that macroscopic tumor behavior can be realistically modeled using microscopic parameters. Using only four parameters, this model simulates Gompertzian growth for a tumor growing over nearly three orders of magnitude in radius. It also predicts the composition and dynamics of the tumor at selected time points in agreement with medical literature. We also demonstrate the flexibility of the model by showing the emergence, and eventual dominance, of a second tumor clone with a different genotype. The model incorporates several important and novel features, both in the rules governing the model and in the underlying structure of the model. Among these are a new definition of how to model proliferative and non-proliferative cells, an isotropic lattice, and an adaptive grid lattice.
Controlled random access MAC for network utility maximization in wireless networks

There has been much recent interest in protocol design for wireless networks based on maximizing a network utility function. A significant advance in recent years is the observation that a decomposition of the Lagrangian suggests an approach where transmissions are scheduled to minimize backpressure. However, a satisfactory Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol that can realize such a scheduling algorithm is notably missing, and that is the goal of this paper. We present a candidate random access MAC protocol that extends an existing algorithm to calculate the access probabilities. We also consider the online adaptation of access probabilities using local information about queue lengths and active links. In addition, we also modify the backpressure algorithm itself, by incorporating a minimum hop bias to alleviate the inherent problem of routing loops. We have implemented a general purpose simulation framework to study the comparative performance of network management protocols for congestion control, routing, MAC, and their cross-layer interaction. Using this, we compare the performance of our scheme with the leading schemes.
Integration of CAD tools and structured design principles in an undergraduate computer engineering curriculum

The Computer Systems Engineering undergraduate curriculum at the University of Arkansas is incorporating computer aided engineering and design (CAE/CAD) packages into undergraduate courses. The intent of augmenting the curriculum with these packages is to enhance the students theoretical understanding of the material with hands on design and analysis experience. The University of Arkansas is not the first university to recognize the benefits of CAE and CAD packages in the classroom. Many other universities have reported on their efforts of augmenting curricula with these packages [1][2]. The benefits of using these packages in a university setting is also confirmed by the number of new textbooks, and revisions to previously printed textbooks incorporating new exercsizes and problems based on these packages.
Water Quality Models for Developing Soil Management Practices

It is important to estimate the collective impacts of all management activities in a watershed to evaluate whether water quality goals will be achieved. In watersheds that have easily characterized problems, it may be easy to project that water quality benefits will be achieved by implementing management measures such as erosion and sediment control and runoff minimization. However, in a watershed that has multiple land uses where agriculture is considered to contribute groups of pollutants, it is more complicated to estimate the combined impacts of a variety of management measures and practices on a fairly large number of diverse farming operations. In this type of situation, computer modeling may be needed. A variety of models exist to help assess the relative benefits of implementing practices at the field and watershed level. Managers can use models to develop goals and objectives for watershed and waterbody use and protection, to develop and to evaluate the effectiveness of various management and mitigation alternatives to improve existing water quality, and to determine the response time of a waterbody after implementing a management alternative. In particular, models can help understanding key “cause-and-effect” processes within the natural environment, developing waste load allocations and TMDL analysis, and evaluating the effectiveness of various contaminant reduction scenarios. Keywords: soil management practices; best management practices; total maximum daily load; nonpoint source control; watershed management; water quality models; watershed loading models; water quality modeling; watershed modeling; load allocation; basins
Z+ fading memory and extensions of input–output maps

An Erratum for this article has been published in the International Journal of Circuit Theory and Applications 30(4) 2002, 179. Much is known about time-invariant non-linear systems with inputs and outputs defined on Z+ that possess approximately-finite memory. For example, under mild additional conditions, they can be approximated arbitrarily well by the maps of certain interesting simple structures. An important fact that gives meaning to results concerning such systems is that the approximately-finite-memory condition is known to be often met. Here we consider the known proposition that if a causal time-invariant discrete-time input–output map H has fading memory on a set of bounded functions defined on all of the integers Z, then H can be approximated arbitrarily well by a finite Volterra series operator. We show that in a certain sense, involving the existence of extensions of system maps, this result too has wide applicability. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Finite Element Modeling of Trabecular Bone Damage

This paper presents a finite element-based, computational model for analysis of structural damage to trabecular bone tissues. A modulus reduction method was formulated from elasto-plasticity theory, and was used to account for site-specific trabecular bone tissue damage. Trabecular bone tissue damage is illustrated using a large-scale, anatomically accurate, two-dimensional, microstructural finite element model of a human thoracic vertebral body. Four models with varying specifications for damage accumulation were subjected to compressive loading and unloading cycles. The numerical results and experimental validation demonstrated that the modulus reduction method reproduced the non-linear mechanical behaviour of vertebral trabecular bone. The iterative computational approach presented provides a methodology to study trabecular bone damage, and should provide researchers with a computational approach to study bone fracture and repair and to predict vertebral fragility.
Anidulafungin: review of a new echinocandin antifungal agent.

Anidulafungin (Vicuron Pharmaceuticals) is a new echinocandin antifungal with potent activity against Aspergillus and Candida spp. Anidulafungin is a noncompetitive inhibitor of (1,3)-β-d-glucan synthase within fungal cells. The drug is rapidly distributed and steady-state concentrations are achieved after the first dose, when a loading dose of twice the daily maintenance dose is given on day 1. Drug biotransformation occurs via chemical degradation, with no hepatic metabolism or renal elimination. A favorable pharmacokinetic profile and lack of significant drug interactions suggest that patients can receive anidulafungin without dosage adjustments. These characteristics, in addition to comparable efficacy to fluconazole (Diflucan®, Pfizer Ltd) in the treatment of esophageal candidiasis, support further investigation of its use in the treatment of systemic fungal infections caused by Candida and Aspergillus spp.
Gravitational perturbations on the Vaidya background

Abstract Perturbation equations for the radiative components of the Weyl tensor are given in the GHP formalism for a test mass moving radially on a Vaidya background.
Large-Eddy Simulation of Turbulent Sheared Convection

Abstract A series of large-eddy simulators of free and sheared convective flow between moving flat plates is presented. Results for free convection are compared with laboratory data. The ratio of friction velocity to the convective velocity sale,u*/w*,is identified as an important parameter in sheared convective flow determining the formation of longitudinal rolls. Rolls are found for u*/w* ≥ 0.35, with aspect ratio decreasing as this parameter increases. It is shown that, in this regime, two-dimensional simulations with a proper choice of roll orientation and turbulence length-scale can produce correct velocity variances and roll aspect ratio.
Clement of Alexandria and Secret Mark: The Score at the End of the First Decade

Late Spring of 1982 will see the tenth anniversary of the full publication of Clement's letter and its gospel fragments. Accordingly, this seems an appropriate occasion to review the discussion of them to date. The following review is based on about 150 published items that have come to my attention. No doubt some have been missed, but I trust these are representative.
Theory of strong-field attosecond transient absorption

Attosecond transient absorption is one of the promising new techniques being developed to exploit the availability of sub-femtosecond extreme ultraviolet (XUV) pulses to study the dynamics of the electron on its natural time scale. The temporal resolution in a transient absorption setup comes from the control of the relative delay and coherence between pump and probe pulses, while the spectral resolution comes from the characteristic width of the features that are being probed. In this review we focus on transient absorption scenarios where an attosecond pulse of XUV radiation creates a broadband excitation that is subsequently probed by a few cycle infrared (IR) laser. Because the attosecond XUV pulses are locked to the IR field cycle, the exchange of energy in the laser–matter interaction can be studied with unprecedented precision. We focus on the transient absorption by helium atoms of XUV radiation around the first ionization threshold, where we can simultaneoulsy solve the time-dependent Schrodinger equation for the single atom response and the Maxwell wave equation for the collective response of the nonlinear medium. We use a time-domain method that allows us to treat on an equal footing all the different linear and nonlinear processes by which the medium can exchange energy with the fields. We present several simple models, based on a few-level system interacting with a strong IR field, to explain many of the novel features found in attosecond transient absorption spectrograms. These include the presence of light-induced states, which demonstrate the ability to probe the dressed states of the atom. We also present a time-domain interpretation of the resonant pulse propagation features that appear in absorption spectra in dense, macroscopic media. We close by reviewing several recent experimental results that can be explained in terms of the models we discuss. Our aim is to present a road map for understanding future attosecond transient absorption experiments in more complex systems.
Effect of Small Doses of Oestrin upon Ovarian and Vaginal Cycles of Mature Rats

Conclusions(1) Daily treatment with oestrin (Progynon-B) in very small doses (1/4 to 2 r.u.) disturbs the vaginal cycle by inducing periods of continued anoestrous smears, or sometimes continued oestrous smears. (2) The ovarian cycle is also disturbed, the incidence of ovulation being reduced; and the weight of the ovaries is reduced.We wish to express our appreciation to Dr. George W. Corner for his many helpful suggestions and criticisms.
Neuronal targeting, internalization and biological activity of a recombinant atoxic derivative of botulinum neurotoxin A

Non-toxic derivatives of Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) have potential use as neurontargeting delivery vehicles, and as reagents to study intracellular trafficking. We have designed and expressed an atoxic derivative of BoNT/A (BoNT/A ad) as a full-length 150kDa molecule consisting of a 50 kDa light chain (LC) and a 100 kDa heavy chain (HC) joined by a disulfide bond and rendered atoxic through the introduction of metalloprotease-inactivating point mutations in the light chain. Studies in neuronal cultures demonstrated that BoNT/A ad cannot cleave synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP25), the substrate of wt BoNT/A, and that it effectively competes with wt BoNT/A for binding to endogenous neuronal receptors. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate accumulation of BoNT/A ad at the neuromuscular junction of the mouse diaphragm. Immunoprecipitation studies indicate that the LC of BoNT/A ad forms a complex with SNAP25 present in the neuronal cytosolic fraction, demonstrating that the atoxic LC retains the SNAP25 binding capability of the wt toxin. Toxicity of BoNT/A ad was found to be reduced approximately 100,000-fold relative to wt BoNT/A.
Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with skin of color

Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) has posed a substantial challenge for patients with higher Fitzpatrick skin types, specifically types III to VI. Treatment modalities pose a number of limitations due to the number of treatments required, potential side effects, and overall efficacy. Fortunately, multiple therapies have been delineated that can be moderately to highly efficacious in treating PIH in patients with skin of color. This article will review some of these modalities and procedures for this common patient concern.
Unusual Longevity: The Common Denominators

In an effort to identify factors that might prove helpful in mitigating the ills of old age considered “normal” in our society, the author visited three remote areas of the world where numerous centenarians lead active, productive lives. Do heredity, diet, lack of stress, physical environment, or a combination of these influences, account for the remarkable longevity? The differences encountered suggest that no easy answer will be found.
Granulopoietic effects of lithium on human bone marrow in vitro.

Although studies in mice suggest that lithium enhances granulopoiesis by increasing the production of colony stimulating factor (CSF), results using human assay systems have varied. We have studied the action of lithium on the in vitro proliferation of normal human bone marrow (BM) granulocytic progenitor cells (CFUc) and on CSF production by human peripheral blood (PB) mononuclear cells (MNC). In the absence of exogenous CSF, lithium increased the number of "spontaneous" BM CFUc (P less than 0.05). This effect was abolished by removal of phagocytic cells, suggesting that lithium does not affect CFUc directly, but rather acts via a phagocytic cell. Lithium variably increased BM CFUc when PB MNC feeder layers were employed as the CSF source. This stimulation was most pronounced when the number of cells in the feeder layer was low, i.e., suboptimal CSF. Incubation with 1 meq/L lithium, increased (P less than 0.05) CSF production by PB MNC. Addition of lithium to BM cultures containing optimum CSF did not increase, but in fact decreased, the number of CFUc. These studies indicate that lithium increases CSF production by both PB and BM MNC. Furthermore, the stimulatory effects of lithium occur when CSF levels in the culture system are low.
‘Happy Object’ Europe? The search for Europe in essayistic documentary films

AbstractDie Mitte (S. Mucha, 2004), Visions of Europe (2004), and seven years later, the film Abendland (N. Geyrhalter, 2011), are essayistic documentary films that, visually and narratively, depict a search for the ‘Happy Object’ (Sara Ahmed) Europe. Each film offers a different approach to this search: In Mucha’s Die Mitte, a camera team sets out to find Europe's geographical center, which leads them from Germany and Austria into increasingly rural, eastern parts of Europe; Visions of Europe is an eclectic collection of short films by filmmakers from different European countries that try to present – or document – their ‘visions’ of Europe; and Abendland, released seven years later, is a collage of scenes from a night in Europe, which includes, among others, images of border patrols, of hospitals and nursing homes, of the Oktoberfest is Munich, of extensive state surveillance systems, and of people dancing away the night. This essay analyzes how these cinematic searches for Europe construct and contest ...
Modeling Biogenic Volatile Organic Compound Emissions to the Atmosphere

Publisher Summary Although the understanding of the processes controlling biogenic volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions is very uncertain, the current state of knowledge can be used to develop best estimates of the magnitude and global distributions of biogenic VOCs. Hydrocarbon emission models are necessary components of the chemistry and transport models that synthesize the understanding of atmospheric chemistry and are important tools for investigating the processes that control the composition of the atmosphere. This chapter describes the methods of estimating the magnitude and distributions of biogenic VOC emissions. Although large uncertainties are associated with biogenic VOC emission estimates, there is a need for best estimates that can be used in global and regional chemistry and transport models. The chapter reviews the numerical methods for characterizing some of the better known sources, including vegetation foliage.. Initial global emission estimates are derived for other sources. Some sources that have a negligible annual global flux may still be important, at least in certain regions or seasons. Most investigations of biogenic VOC have focused on isoprene and, to a lesser extent, on monoterpenes.
Peirce and the Conduct of Life: Sentiment and Instinct in Ethics and Religion

Charles Sanders Peirce (1839–1914) is regarded as the founding father of pragmatism and a key figure in the development of American philosophy, yet his practical philosophy remains under-acknowledged and misinterpreted. In this book, Richard Atkins argues that Peirce did in fact have developed and systematic views on ethics, on religion, and on how to live, and that these views are both plausible and relevant. Drawing on a controversial lecture that Peirce delivered in 1898 and related works, he examines Peirce's theories of sentiment and instinct, his defence of the rational acceptability of religious belief, his analysis of self-controlled action, and his pragmatic account of practical ethics, showing how he developed his views and how they interact with those of his great contemporary William James. This study will be essential for scholars of Peirce and for those interested in American philosophy, pragmatism, the philosophy of religion, the philosophy of action, and ethics.
Massive Open Online Courses: Variations on a New Instructional Form.

The chapter examines the term MOOC, outlines various MOOC typologies, and identifies themes and issues in the literature surrounding the instructional form.
The Chair Grant.

My days were unevenly split between my identities as researcher and patient, but the patient never disappeared despite the hospital lanyard around my neck, and the researcher never turned off while an IV pump was churning beside me.
Modeling of microbial methane generation from coal and assessment of its impact on flow behavior

Abstract Enhanced microbial conversion of coal to methane has been a topic of research in the scientific community since its inception in the mid-nineties. Significant advances have since been made and the technique is now termed Microbially Enhanced Coalbed Methane (MECBM), with tremendous promise in the energy industry. However, analytical treatment of the bioconversion of coal using mathematical modeling is lacking. This paper is devoted to developing a fundamental outlook of the process of bioconversion of coal to methane using the concept of logistic population growth. The modeling exercise using laboratory results sheds light on the correlation between microbial growth rate, the ability of the environment to support the microbial population and environmental factors controlling the two. Furthermore, simulation of the impact of the technology on modifying the flow behavior of coal under in situ conditions is presented. The results demonstrate that the model can be used as a useful tool to evaluate the effect of any parameter, whether controllable for optimum gas production or an outcome of continued bioconversion, on actual gas production. The analysis of the results shows that the impact of environmental parameters, such as temperature, particle size and pH of the medium on bioconversion process can be optimized. Finally, it is shown that changes in flow behavior of coal are not very significant and can possibly even be negative.
Anthropological Perspectives on Climate Change

Natural and physical scientists deserve credit for pointing out the prospects of global climate changes, but the properties of climate variation that fall within their scope of expertise are without any direct policy significance. To have any impact on planning and policy making cryospheric, atmospheric, and biospheric anomalies must be interpreted with a view to the question: How will this or that irregularity affect our social and economic security? Climate change issues in the realm of policy boil down therefore questions of societal adaptation. Social science comes into play here in some important ways. It redefines purely physical events in terms of societal factors. It associates these factors with specific security problems. And it identifies alternative courses of policy action compatible with the goals of averting and alleviating crisis or, in other words, protecting public security.
Synthesis and characterization of [W(η5-C5H5)2(CH2CH3)(μ-O)W(η5-C5H5)(O)(CH2CH3)]PF6, a mixed valence oxo alkyl dimer in which d0 and d2 tungsten centers are connected by an asymmetric oxo bridge

Abstract Reaction of the ethylene hydride complex [W(η5-C5H5)2(CH2=CH2)H]PF6(4PF6) with mild oxygen atom sources such as dimethyl sulfoxide or propylene oxide gives the terminal oxo ethyl complex [W(η5-C5H5)2(O)(CH2CH3)]PF6 (3PF6). Reaction of this with PMe2Ph gives a strongly colored compound which crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 19.483(4)A, b = 22.397(6)A, c = 14.289(3)A, β = 133.59(1)°. A single crystal X-ray diffraction study (RF = 5.75%, Rw = 5.31%) has established that the compound contains the cationic dimer [W(η5-C5H5)2(CH2CH3)(μ-O)W(η5-C5H5)(O)(CH2CH3)]+ (1+). Metric parameters support formulation of 1+ as a mixed valence dimer of W(IV) and W(VI) in which a mono-cyclopentadienyl tungsten oxo alkyl [W(η5-C5H5)(O)2(CH2CH3)] is coordinated through an oxo ligand to a cationic tungstenocene alkyl “[W(η5-C5H5)2(CH2CH3)]+”. The oxo bridge is asymmetric, with a double bond (1.78(1)A) to the mono-cyclopentadienyl tungsten center and a single bond (2.03(1)A) to the bis-cyclopentadienyl tungsten, while the terminal oxo ligand has a triple bond to tungsten (1.68(1)A). The strong absorbance of 1+ at 583 nm is assigned to a metal to metal charge transfer transition. Formation of 1+ is proposed to involve initial nucleophilic addition of PMe2Ph to a cyclopentadienyl ligand in 3+ to give a transient cyclopentadiene ligand which is displaced by the oxo ligand of a second equivalent of 3+. This sequence is supported by 1H and 31P NMR studies which establish that there is a single P containing product formulated as the cyclopentadiene-substituted phosphonium salt [P(C5H5)Me2Ph]+ (5+), as confirmed by independent synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of 5+ by addition of C5H5I to PMe2Ph. Photolysis of 1+ results in dissociation of the monocyclopentadienyl oxo alkyl fragment [W(η5-C5H5)(O)2(CH2CH3)](2), which has been independently characterized, and formation of the alkene hydride [W(η5-C5H5)2(CH2=CH2)H]+.
Racial/ethnic differences in self-reported health problems and herbal use among older women

The purpose of this study was to examine the racial/ethnic differences in self- reported health problems and herbal use as a self-care practice between white American and African-American older women, and between herbal users and nonusers. Two data sets collected in 1998 and 2002 were combined to perform this study. The total sample (143 participants) consisted of 85 white Americans and 58 African-American women > or = 65 years, living independently in the community. While there were statistically significant differences in education (chi-squared = 19.085, p=0.0001) and annual income (chi-squared = 21.905, p=0.0001) between white American and African-American women, no differences were found in the use of herbals between the two groups. There was a significant relationship between the number of herbals used and the number of nonprescribed medications used (gamma = 0.320, p<0.01). No relationship was detected between the number of herbals used and self-reported health problems (gamma = 0.075, p<0.01), and between the number of nonprescribed medications used and self-reported health problems (gamma = 0.047, p<0.01). White American herbal users utilized the highest number of combination products (prescribed, nonprescribed and herbals) of all. African-American herbal users indicated a higher number of combination products than African-American nonusers. Results suggested that herbals were used as a complementary rather than an alternative therapy to manage perceived health concerns in both groups.
Key Concepts in Human Genomics and Epidemiology

Every expectant parent hopes for a healthy newborn infant and wants their baby to grow up healthy and happy. When serious child health problems become apparent, it is natural to ask why: What could have happened? Could this have been prevented? What caused this? Depending on the nature of the problem, suspicion may come to rest initially on prenatal exposures and environmental factors, and indeed for centuries this was the only available avenue of inquiry. It has been well known, for example, that heavy alcohol use during pregnancy could lead to the birth of an infant with deficient growth and mental development (US Cancer Statistics Working Group, 2003; Warner & Rosett, 1975). It was also commonly observed that some health problems “run in families,” but until the discovery of DNA in the middle twentieth century, and the genomics revolution in later decades, the tools for investigating genetic causes of disease were limited. The discovery of molecular genetic methods of analysis subsequently revolutionized the understanding of human disease at the most fundamental level of cells and cellular processes, thereby opening the door to studies designed to uncover the ultimate causes of childhood health problems.
The Pornography Debate: Religiosity and Support for Censorship.

Pornography has become an increasingly salient topic in public discourse. We sought to better understand the role of religiosity in shaping people’s support of policy stances against pornography, in the form of censorship, using nationally representative data from the 2014 General Social Survey (n = 1676). Results from logistic regression indicate that high religiosity significantly increases odds of supporting censorship. Holding control variables at their sample means, the least religious persons had a predicted probability of 0.09 of supporting censorship, compared to 0.57 for the most religious respondents. We discuss these findings within the context of the current public health debate.
Evolving indications and long-term oncological outcomes of risk-reducing bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy.

Background Bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) is a technically feasible operation and is associated with excellent cosmetic outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate trends in patient characteristics, indications for surgery and long-term outcomes of bilateral NSM for breast cancer risk reduction over time. Methods A review of a single-centre experience with bilateral NSM performed between 2001 and 2017 for breast cancer risk reduction in patients without breast cancer was performed. Trends in patient characteristics and indications for surgery were evaluated over four time intervals: 2001-2005, 2006-2009, 2010-2013 and 2014-2017. Statistical analysis was performed using χ2 tests. Results Over the study period, 272 NSMs were performed in 136 patients; their median age was 41 years. The number of bilateral NSMs performed increased over time. The most common indication was a mutation in breast cancer-associated genes (104 patients, 76·5 per cent), which included BRCA1 (62 patients), BRCA2 (35), PTEN (2), TP53 (3) and ATM (2). Other indications were family history of breast cancer (19 patients, 14·0 per cent), lobular carcinoma in situ (10, 7·4 per cent) and a history of mantle irradiation (3, 2·2 per cent). The proportion of patients having a bilateral NSM for mutation in a breast cancer-associated gene increased over time (2001-2005: 2 of 12; 2006-2009: 9 of 17; 2010-2013: 34 of 41; 2014-2017: 61 of 66; P < 0·001). Mean follow-up was 53 months; no breast cancers were found during follow-up. Conclusion The use of bilateral NSM for breast cancer risk reduction is increasing and the indications have evolved over the past 16 years. These excellent long-term oncological results suggest that bilateral NSM is a good option for surgical breast cancer risk reduction.
Predicting customer behaviors on energy consumption: Why past usage data are not enough?

Smart Grid is an important cyber-physical infrastructure for power generation, transmission and distribution. As energy becomes a necessity for our modern living, effective management of Smart Grid can have great impact on power services. Recent smart meter technology has provided an opportunity that allows an economic model of utility to be more flexible and optimal. Construction of such a model requires better understanding of consumer behaviors in response to a given pricing. Most existing research uses mathematical models that tend to rely on assumptions that may not be realistically realizable. Majority of empirical work aims to predict or optimize utility loads. To the best of our knowledge, no empirical published work has addressed this issue. Our research aims to find an appropriate Big data analytic approach to learning consumption pattern of each household at appliance level. Particularly, this paper investigates how machine learning can be used to predict the change of customer's consumption habits for lower pricing. The problem is non-trivial due to conflicting dependent factors that are dynamically changing. Our preliminary results, obtained from three popular machine-learning models using synthesized data, show relatively high accuracy ranging from 61.5% to 99.4% for various appliances. Although the results are encouraging, we provide insights towards the validity and improvement of these predictive models.
Focused Ultrasound and Other Lesioning Therapies in Movement Disorders.

Lesioning therapies have been some of the earliest, most effective surgical treatments in movement disorders. This review summarizes recent studies, emerging modalities, and trends in lesioning procedures for movement disorders. Magnetic resonance–guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is the newest incisionless technology for lesioning procedures in movement disorders. It has recent FDA approval for thalamotomy in essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson disease. There are current studies exploring subthalamotomy and pallidotomy in PD. Gamma knife is another incisionless modality that has been studied for decades and remains an effective treatment, albeit with less recent studies and more risks for adverse events, in movement disorders. Radiofrequency lesioning remains an efficacious treatment, particularly for unilateral pallidotomy in PD, but has fallen out of favor compared with other modalities, particularly MRgFUS. Lesioning therapies in movement disorders have shown efficacy in treating a variety of movement disorders. Enthusiasm for their use has waned with the advent of deep brain stimulation. The recent development of MRgFUS has recentered attention on lesioning therapy and its potential. Patient preference and access to care will remain determinants in the use of lesioning therapy as more data are being collected on the long-term benefit and safety.
#MeToo Goes Global: Media Framing of Silence Breakers in Four National Settings:

This article reports the results of a qualitative media framing analysis of news coverage about #MeToo in four national contexts: the United States, Japan, Australia, and India. Comparing media cov...
Response to ethical challenges in stroke research

Dr Slyter1 raises a number of important points. Investigational drug trials are ultimately the result of a complex scientific and ethical balancing act very familiar to the investigators involved in the studies that Dr Slyter cites. It is unfortunate that new treatments cannot be developed without risk, but we do not believe that the principle of “do no harm” should be translated into “make no attempt to help unless risks can be eliminated.” Virtually all forms of treatment involve risks. A physician’s role is to try to assess the benefit-to-risk ratio. Most commonly accepted therapies can have side effects ranging from serious injury to death, and many patients do not respond to a given form of treatment. If avoiding harm was the only objective of physicians, it would be a logically defensible position that we should not treat anyone. The purpose of a phase 1 trial is not to prove the efficacy of a new agent, and one can predict with near certainty that some patients will suffer adverse events. This is inevitable in almost any drug development program, because the tolerability limits of a new form of treatment must be explored to define its safety profile. Initial estimates are derived from preclinical testing, but the final determination must come from human studies. It is not more ethical to expose healthy volunteers to potential side effects than to conduct these trials in patients who have at least the possibility of benefit from the investigational agent. The safety problems encountered in phase 1 acute stroke trials do not fundamentally …
6 – Context-Based Compression

Publisher Summary This chapter provides a number of techniques that use minimal prior assumptions about the statistics of data and briefly discusses context-based algorithm. The best-known context-based algorithm is the “ppm algorithm,” first proposed by Cleary and Witten. The idea of the ppm algorithm is elegantly simple. The basic algorithm initially attempts to use the largest context. The size of the largest context is predetermined. If the symbol to be encoded has not previously been encountered in this context, an escape symbol is encoded and the algorithm attempts to use the next smaller context. If the symbol has not occurred in this context either, the size of the context is further reduced. This process continues until either one obtains a context that has previously been encountered with this symbol or one arrives at the conclusion that the symbol has not been encountered previously in any context. The chapter proposes arithmetic coding and the basic idea behind arithmetic coding is the division of the unit interval into subintervals, each of which represents a particular letter. The smaller the subinterval, the more bits are required to distinguish it from other subintervals. If one can reduce the number of symbols to be represented, the number of subintervals goes down as well. This in turn means that the sizes of the subintervals increase, leading to a reduction in the number of bits required for encoding. The exclusion principle used in ppm provides this kind of reduction in rate.
Natalizumab in acute ischemic stroke (ACTION II): A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective We evaluated the effect of 2 doses of natalizumab on functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods In this double-blind phase 2b trial, patients with AIS aged 18–80 years with NIH Stroke Scale scores of 5–23 from 53 US and European sites were randomized 1:1:1 to receive a single dose of 300 or 600 mg IV natalizumab or placebo, with randomization stratified by treatment window (≤9 or >9 to ≤24 hours from patient9s last known normal state). The primary endpoint was a composite measure of excellent outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≤1 and Barthel Index score ≥95) at day 90 assessed in all patients receiving a full dose. Sample size was estimated from a Bayesian model; p values were not used for hypothesis testing. Results An excellent outcome was less likely with natalizumab than with placebo (natalizumab 300 or 600 mg odds ratio 0.60; 95% confidence interval 0.39–0.93). There was no effect modification by time to treatment or use of thrombolysis/thrombectomy. For natalizumab 300 mg, 600 mg, or placebo, there were no differences in incidence of adverse events (90.0%, 92.1%, and 92.3%, respectively), serious adverse events (25.6%, 32.6%, and 20.9%, respectively), or deaths (6.7%, 4.5%, and 5.5%, respectively). Conclusions Natalizumab administered ≤24 hours after AIS did not improve patient outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02730455 Classification of evidence This study provides Class I evidence that for patients with AIS, an excellent outcome was less likely in patients treated with natalizumab than with placebo.
Optimal context-aware resource allocation in cellular networks

We define and propose a resource allocation architecture for cellular networks. The architecture combines content-aware, time-aware and location-aware resource allocation for next generation broadband wireless systems. The architecture ensures content-aware resource allocation by prioritizing real-time applications users over delay-tolerant applications users when allocating resources. It enables time-aware resource allocation via traffic-dependent pricing that varies during different hours of day (e.g. peak and off-peak traffic hours). Additionally, location-aware resource allocation is integrable in this architecture by including carrier aggregation of various frequency bands. The context-aware resource allocation is an optimal and flexible architecture that can be easily implemented in practical cellular networks. We highlight the advantages of the proposed network structure with a discussion on the research directions for resource allocation architecture. We also provide experimental results to illustrate a general proof of concept for this new architecture.