cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Voevodsky's Lectures on Motivic Cohomology 2000/2001

The lectures which provided the source for these notes covered several different topics which are related to each other but which do not in any reasonable sense form a coherent whole. As a result, this text is a collection of four parts which refer to each other but otherwise are independent. In the first part we introduce the motivic homotopy category and connect it with the motivic cohomology theory discussed in [7]. The exposition is a little unusual because we wanted to avoid any references to model structures and still prove the main theorem 7. We were able to do it modulo 12 where we had to refer to the next part.
Outcomes after admission on weekend day compared with weekday.

The systematic review by Ramsden et al 1 provides reassuring evidence that in-hospital mortality is not increased over weekends compared with weekdays. The systematic review1 also identifies increased length of stay and greater morbidity for children admitted over the weekends compared with weekdays, and these observations may understandably cause concern for parents, healthcare staff and hospital administrators. The findings of Ramsden et al ’s review1 are replicated in our study of all admissions to hospitals in Scotland in 2000–2013.2 Our study was published too late for inclusion in the Ramsden …
Assessing Impacts of the High-Frequency Assimilation of Surface Observations for the Forecast of Convection Initiation on 3 April 2014 within the Dallas–Fort Worth Test Bed

AbstractThe Nationwide Network of Networks (NNoN) concept was introduced by the National Research Council to address the growing need for a national mesoscale observing system and the continued adv...
A National Medical Response to Crisis - The Legacy of World War II.

A National Medical Response to Crisis World War II’s massive casualties were mitigated by lives saved as a result of medical care. Many of the advances made would persist long after the war conclud...
Density, viscosity and free energy of activation for viscous flow of CO2 loaded 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), monoethanol amine (MEA) and H2O mixtures

Abstract This work presents an experimental study of densities and viscosities of aqueous AMP (2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol) + MEA (monoethanol amine) + H2O solutions with and without CO2. Amine concentrations were at AMP to MEA mass % ratios of 21/9, 24/6, 27/3 by maintaining 70 mass % of H2O. Density measurements were performed in a temperature range from 293.15 K to 343.15 K and viscosity was measured at temperatures from 293.15 K to 363.15 K. The excess molar volume was determined from experimental density data. A Redlich-Kister type polynomial of excess molar volume was adopted to represent the density of unloaded aqueous mixtures. For CO2 loaded solutions, Setschenow-type correlations and modified Weiland's density and viscosity correlations were used to fit density and viscosity data. Eyring's viscosity model was used to evaluate free energy of activation for viscous flow of mixtures through measured density and viscosity data. The volumetric and viscometric properties of aqueous mixtures were analyzed through the molecular structure and interactions. A correlation was proposed for the free energy of activation of viscous flow to represent viscosity of CO2 loaded solutions. The results reveal that the proposed correlations for the density and viscosity of mixtures are in good agreement with measured data.
Classifying and characterizing active materials

This article examines the distinction between active matter and active materials, and it offers foundational remarks toward a system of classification for active materials. Active matter is typically identified as matter that exhibits two characteristic features: self-propelling parts, and coherent dynamical activity among the parts. These features are exhibited across a wide range of organic and inorganic materials, and they are jointly sufficient for classifying matter as active. Recently, the term “active materials” has entered scientific use as a complement, supplement, and extension of “active matter.” At the same time, new work in the philosophy of science has considered the problem of how to classify the products of synthetic and laboratory processes, and the extent to which the aims of classifying natural kinds compare and contrasts with the aims of classifying these synthetic kinds. In this article, I apply those considerations to the problems of classifying and characterizing active materials. In doing so, I also argue for a conception of active materials’ coherent dynamical activity as multiscale, rather than emergent, and I discuss how the special non-equilibrium status of active materials factors in to classificatory concerns.
It Started with a Phone Call...

I remember the day when I received a phone call from Professor Jim Schulz who offered me a training grant fellowship from the Administration on Aging (AoA). I was a senior at the University of Illi...
Conjectures, Cycles and Contexts: A Systematic Review of Design-based Research in Engineering Education

Background: Design-based research frameworks have become more widely embraced by education researchers since 2003. Ann Brown (1992) first suggested design-based research as a means to move research about learning from the laboratory to the classroom setting. Design-based research does not imply particular methods, but rather is an epistemological approach to carrying out research projects focused on the design of an innovation. This shift in epistemological outcome shifts how researchers consider evidence gathering and analysis. So how are engineering education researchers using and reporting on design-based research? Purpose: The design of educational innovations should be situated in context and balance both theory and practice. In this paper, we summarize research in engineering education that has used a design-based research approach. We first describe design-based research from a theoretical and epistemological perspective and then present its use thus far in engineering education settings. Our goal is to suggest it as a useful model for undertaking engineering education research that advances knowledge about the design of learning environments. Scope: Our analysis is situated in significant features of design-based research (Kelly, 2004; Sandoval, 2014). Our review process began with systematically searching for articles and then coding them for the features of design-based research. We have coded a set of engineering education and design-based research articles to summarize the contexts, conjectures, and design cycles. Discussion/Conclusions: We found articles across K–12 and higher education settings. The articles focused on designing models and tools for engineering education including curriculum, tasks, and frameworks. First, design-based research in engineering education includes conjectures about engineering disciplinary practices, problem-based learning, and affective aspects of students’ learning. Second, cycles of design inform improvement and theory development. Design-based research is still emerging in engineering education but has potential for building knowledge and developing resources grounded in practice.
Insurance Effect on Individuals' Health Behaviors and Health Care Utilization - A Dynamic Selection Approach

This paper investigates two different channels through which health insurance may cause increased use of health care: the direct effect by lowering the effective price of health care and the indirect effect through its disincentive effect on individuals' healthy behaviors. A dynamic two-period model is set up to derive the structural relationships among the insurance decision, health behaviors (including drinking, smoking and exercise), and health care utilization. Semi-reduced form equations are then derived determining health behaviors and health care utilization as functions of endogenous health insurance, which serve as a basis for the empirical analysis. Further, the decomposition of the total insurance effect into the direct and indirect effect is introduced. Health behavior and medical utilization data typically have a large fraction of zero observations and a skewed distribution, so this paper's empirical analysis adopts the generalized Tobit specification with transformations on the dependent and lagged dependent variables. The transformations considered are the inverse hyperbolic sine, the Box-Cox and the logarithm transformations. One benefit of the empirical specification is to separately account for the extensive margin (changes in the percentage of individuals who participate in unhealthy behaviors) and the intensive margin (changes in the quantity of unhealthy behaviors exhibited by those participants) of the insurance effect. Using data from the US Health and Retirement Study, this paper shows that health insurance encourages individuals' unhealthy behaviors at a certain level, but this does not induce immediate perceivable increases in their use of health care. Within the total effect of health insurance on health care utilization, the direct effect plays an absolutely dominant role. The empirical results also suggest that the insurance effect at the extensive margin is in general smaller than that at the intensive margin.
Using Tweetchats to Build Community Awareness and Advocacy around Alzheimer's Disease for Latinos.

U.S. Latinos are 1.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD) than non-Latino Whites. To raise awareness of and action around this rising public health issue, Salud America!, a nationa...
Infliximab-induced Demyelinating Polyneuropathy in Neurosarcoidosis (P1.2-034)

Objective: Tumor Necrosis Factor-α inhibitors (TNF-α) such as infliximab are increasingly being utilized for the management of neurosarcoidosis. Although there is growing evidence of efficacy for CNS involvement, adverse consequences for this patient population are not well-described. We report the first case of infliximab-induced demyelinating polyneuropathy (D-PN) in a patient with neurosarcoidosis. Background: A 55-year-old African-American woman with multi-systemic sarcoidosis including a history of diffuse CNS leptomeningeal involvement presented with a three-month history of progressive glove-stocking numbness and bilateral leg weakness. Six months prior, patient initiated infliximab and methotrexate with improvement of known CNS lesions that had manifested solely as gait unsteadiness. Neurologic examination now demonstrated length-dependent sensory changes, bilateral lower extremity weakness, and areflexia. NCS revealed several areas of conduction block, slowed conduction velocities and prolonged motor latencies consistent with a D-PN. MRI demonstrated worsening of the CNS disease with increased leptomeningeal enhancement. CSF cytology was negative on two separate samples although pleocytosis and hypoglycorrhachia were seen. Infliximab levels were normal (18μg/mL; normal >3μg/mL) with mildly elevated infliximab antibodies (79μg/mL; 22–200μg/mL indicates low titer). Infliximab was discontinued, and the patient was treated with a short course of methylprednisone resulting in gradual resolution of the D-PN. However, the CNS disease continued to progress until administration of cyclophosphamide. Design/Methods: * Results: * Conclusions: While D-PN is a rare manifestation of neurosarcoidosis, it has been associated with TNF-α use in patients with inflammatory arthritis and ulcerative colitis, and typically occurs within eight months of drug initiation. The exact pathophysiology is unknown although a drug-induced dysimmunity hypothesis has been proposed. Given the temporal association, exclusion of other alternative etiologies and improvement on discontinuation of the infliximab despite worsening CNS disease, we believe the D-PN in this case is infliximab-induced. As infliximab may soon be considered first-line treatment for severe neurosarcoidosis, clinicians should be aware of this potential complication. Disclosure: Dr. Lineback has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shah has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tavee has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Transmission Dynamics of Clostridioides difficile in 2 High-Acuity Hospital Units.

Background The key epidemiological drivers of Clostridioides difficile transmission are not well understood. We estimated epidemiological parameters to characterize variation in C. difficile transmission, while accounting for the imperfect nature of surveillance tests. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of C. difficile surveillance tests for patients admitted to a bone marrow transplant (BMT) unit or a solid tumor unit (STU) in a 565-bed tertiary hospital. We constructed a transmission model for estimating key parameters, including admission prevalence, transmission rate, and duration of colonization to understand the potential variation in C. difficile dynamics between these 2 units. Results A combined 2425 patients had 5491 admissions into 1 of the 2 units. A total of 3559 surveillance tests were collected from 1394 patients, with 11% of the surveillance tests being positive for C. difficile. We estimate that the transmission rate in the BMT unit was nearly 3-fold higher at 0.29 acquisitions per percentage colonized per 1000 days, compared to our estimate in the STU (0.10). Our model suggests that 20% of individuals admitted into either the STU or BMT unit were colonized with C. difficile at the time of admission. In contrast, the percentage of surveillance tests that were positive within 1 day of admission to either unit for C. difficile was 13.4%, with 15.4% in the STU and 11.6% in the BMT unit. Conclusions Although prevalence was similar between the units, there were important differences in the rates of transmission and clearance. Influential factors may include antimicrobial exposure or other patient-care factors.
The development of a diversity, equity, and inclusion committee in a neurology department and residency program

Abstract Background Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have been described in different academic and graduate medical education settings, but not specifically in neurology. Objective To describe the development of a DEI committee within a neurology department and training program. Methods The need to prioritize DEI as a critical focus within our neurology department led to the appointment of an initial task force who identified strategic priorities and stakeholders to establish a committee. DEI committee members included faculty, trainees, and staff, and this phase of the initiative took place from May 2019 through January 2021. Results The DEI committee was established and has met monthly for over one year. Initial meetings formulated goals of the initiative. Specific objectives were developed in the domains of recruitment, education, engagement, training, conflict resolution, and recognition. Early outcomes included augmented resident recruitment efforts of UiM students, curriculum changes including frequent representation of DEI topics in Grand Rounds, and measures to reduce unconscious bias. Conclusions The creation of a DEI Committee within a specialty department such as neurology is feasible and can result in immediate and long-term actions related to recruitment and education in particular. Our blueprint that heavily involves graduate medical education stakeholders may be generalizable to other specialty departments in academic medicine.
Machine Learning-Based Pipette Positional Correction for Automatic Patch Clamp In Vitro.

Patch clamp electrophysiology is a common technique used in neuroscience to understand individual neuron behavior, allowing one to record current and voltage changes with superior spatiotemporal resolution compared with most electrophysiology methods. While patch clamp experiments produce high fidelity electrophysiology data, the technique is onerous and labor intensive. Despite the emergence of patch clamp systems that automate key stages in the typical patch clamp procedure, full automation remains elusive. Patch clamp pipettes can miss the target cell during automated experiments because of positioning errors in the robotic manipulators, which can easily exceed the diameter of a neuron. Further, when patching in acute brain slices, the inherent light scattering from non-uniform brain tissue can complicate pipette tip identification. We present a convolutional neural network (CNN), based on ResNet101, to identify and correct pipette positioning errors before each patch clamp attempt, thereby preventing the deleterious effects of and accumulation of positioning errors. This deep-learning-based pipette detection method enabled superior localization of the pipette within 0.62 ± 0.58 μm, resulting in improved cell detection success rate and whole-cell patch clamp success rates by 71% and 59%, respectively, compared with the state-of-the-art cross-correlation method. Furthermore, this technique reduced the average time for pipette correction by 81%. This technique enables real-time correction of pipette position during patch clamp experiments with similar accuracy and quality of recording to manual patch clamp, making notable progress toward full human-out-of-the-loop automation for patch clamp electrophysiology.
Representing Queer Communities: News Media Stylebooks and LGBTQ Visibility

News stylebooks are the “bibles” of media usage and writing style. This chapter examines how stylebooks have evolved in their guidance to journalists regarding terms and representations for LGBTQ populations and how LGBTQ communities have advocated for, and influenced, these changes. Changes include an evolving use of terms such as homosexual, gay, queer, transgender, non-binary, and queer in mainstream media representation. To explore these changes, we examine a sampling of stylebook references from the Associated Press and The Canadian Press news services. We contextualize these changes through interviews with both stylebook editors and LGBTQ organizations. Together the interviews help paint a picture of the considerations at play for media organizations in their guidance to journalists and the public, and of how organizations that represent LGBTQ communities have worked to bring about more equitable and accurate representations.
Human iPSCs and their uses in developmental toxicology

Abstract Developmental toxicology is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on xenobiotic induced alterations at all stages of prenatal development. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have provided a human and patient-specific physiological model of a disease state, or induced toxicity can be observed rapidly and predictably while providing insights into mechanisms of developmental signals. hiPSCs model all major embryonic lineages as well as toxicologically relevant cell types. With recent advancements in coculturing, 3D culturing, and organoid formation, hiPSCs are primed to be a standard model for developmental toxicology.
Animals in the Ancient World from A to Z

The ancient Greeks and Romans lived in a world teeming with animals. Animals were integral to ancient commerce, war, love, literature and art. Inside the city they were found as pets, pests, and parasites. They could be sacred, sacrificed, liminal, workers, or intruders from the wild. Beyond the city domesticated animals were herded and bred for profit and wild animals were hunted for pleasure and gain alike. Specialists like Aristotle, Aelian, Pliny and Seneca studied their anatomy and behavior. Geographers and travelers described new lands in terms of their animals. Animals are to be seen on every possible artistic medium, woven into cloth and inlaid into furniture. They are the subject of proverbs, oaths and dreams. Magicians, physicians and lovers turned to animals and their parts for their crafts. They paraded before kings, inhabited palaces, and entertained the poor in the arena. Quite literally, animals pervaded the ancient world from A-Z. In entries ranging from short to long, Kenneth Kitchell offers insight into this commonly overlooked world, covering representative and intriguing examples of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Familiar animals such as the cow, dog, fox and donkey are treated along with more exotic animals such as the babirussa, pangolin, and dugong. The evidence adduced ranges from Minoan times to the Late Roman Empire and is taken from archaeology, ancient authors, inscriptions, papyri, coins, mosaics and all other artistic media. Whenever possible reasoned identifications are given for ancient animal names and the realities behind animal lore are brought forth. Why did the ancients think hippopotamuses practiced blood letting on themselves? How do you catch a monkey? Why were hyenas thought to be hermaphroditic? Was there really a vampire moth? Entries are accompanied by full citations to ancient authors and an extensive bibliography. Of use to Classics students and scholars, but written in a style designed to engage anyone interested in Greco-Roman antiquity, Animals in the Ancient World from A to Z reveals the extent and importance of the animal world to the ancient Greeks and Romans. It answers many questions, asks several more, and seeks to stimulate further research in this important field.
Evolution of glutamine amidotransferase genes: Nucleotide sequences of the pabA genes from Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella aerogenes and Serratia marcescens

The amide group of glutamine is a source of nitrogen in the biosynthesis of a variety of compounds. These reactions are catalyzed by a group of enzymes known as glutamine amidotransferases; two of these, the glutamine amidotransferase subunits of p-aminobenzoate synthase and anthranilate synthase have been studied in detail and have been shown to be structurally and functionally related. In some micro-organisms, p-aminobenzoate synthase and anthranilate synthase share a common glutamine amidotransferase subunit. We report here the primary DNA and deduced amino acid sequences of the p-aminobenzoate synthase glutamine amidotransferase subunits from Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella aerogenes and Serratia marcescens. A comparison of these glutamine amidotransferase sequences to the sequences of ten others, including some that function specifically in either the p-aminobenzoate synthase or anthranilate synthase complexes and some that are shared by both synthase complexes, has revealed several interesting features of the structure and organization of these genes, and has allowed us to speculate as to the evolutionary history of this family of enzymes. We propose a model for the evolution of the p-aminobenzoate synthase and anthranilate synthase glutamine amidotransferase subunits in which the duplication and subsequent divergence of the genetic information encoding a shared glutamine amidotransferase subunit led to the evolution of two new pathway-specific enzymes.
Evaluation of an auto-generated data structures and algorithms visualization approach at tri-state colleges

This paper reports a collaborative research that evaluates the Microsoft PowerPoint (PPT) based visualization materials automatically generated by an innovative Computer Science educational research project. The approach of autogeneration of teaching materials has been designed to increase the accessibility to easy-to-use teaching slides and improve the engagement and the effectiveness of teaching and learning of Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA). The primary focus of the research project was to evaluate the approach through evaluating the effectiveness of the application of the auto-generated visualization materials in classroom settings. The results of this research suggest that the newly auto-generated materials did improve students' performance. It is perceived that the tool is easy, portable and lightweight for students (regardless of their backgrounds), compared to other existing visualization tools.
Band Gap Tuning

The sections in this article are 1 Band-Structure Properties of Bulk Semiconductors 2 Changes in Band Structure Due to Carrier Confinement 3 Fabrication of Semiconductor Heterostructures 4 Effect of External Perturbations 5 Concluding Remarks 6 Acknowledgments Keywords: semiconductors; epitaxial layers; superlattices; quantum wells; heterostructures; fabrication methods; band-gap engineering; bandstructure; quantum confinement; band alignment; optical properties; photoluminescence; modulated reflectance; temperature effects; pressure effects; uniaxial stress effects; electric field effects
Opposing effects of protein kinase C and protein kinase A on metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling: Selective desensitization of the inositol trisphosphate/Ca2+ pathway by phosphorylation of the receptor-G protein-coupling domain

Signaling by the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1α (mGluR1α) can lead to the accumulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) and cAMP and to the modulation of K+ and Ca2+ channel opening. At present, very little is known about how these different actions are integrated and eventually turned off. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying these functions is crucial for understanding mGluR-mediated regulation of synaptic transmission. It has been shown that receptor-induced activation of the InsP3 pathway is subject to feedback inhibition mediated by protein kinase C (PKC). In this study, we provide evidence for a differential regulation by PKC and protein kinase A of two distinct mGluR1α-dependent signaling pathways. PKC activation selectively inhibits agonist-dependent stimulation of the InsP3 pathway but does not affect receptor signaling via cAMP. In contrast, protein kinase A potentiates agonist-independent signaling of the receptor via InsP3. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the selectivity of PKC action on receptor signaling rests on phosphorylation of a threonine residue located in the G protein-interacting domain of the receptor. Modification at Thr695 selectively disrupts mGluR1α–Gq/11 interaction without affecting signaling through Gs. Together, these data provide insight on the mechanisms by which selective down-regulation of a specific receptor-dependent signaling pathway can be achieved and on how cross-talk between different second messenger cascades may contribute to fine-tune short- and long-term receptor activity.
Toward An Explanatory Model of Innovative Behavior

Research on innovative behavior has persistently focused on determining the correlations between numerous demographic and psychographic variables and specific external actions. Unfortunately, such research has consistently produced unreliable results. A preferred alternative to this line of research is an analysis of the causes of innovative behavior with the objective of understanding the process underlying this activity. A framework is proposed for examining innovative behavior based upon a comprehensive model of variety seeking, of which innovative behavior is one outcome. The framework attempts to depict the causes of, the processes involved, and the outcomes of variety seeking, particularly as it relates to innovative behavior. A number of propositions are presented.
Vibrational spectra and normal coordinate calculations of chlorophosphazene compounds. III. Polydichlorophosphazene

Vibrational spectra and normal coordinate calculations of polydichlorophosphazene (PDP) are presented. The valence force field derived previously from the two conformers of octachlorocyclotetraphosphazene was directly transferred to a distorted "cis-plan" helical model of PDP without refinement. A reasonable agreement between the observed and calculated frequencies was obtained and the assignment of the normal modes of PDP is discussed.
Circadian complexes: Circadian rhythms under common gene control

Circadian rhythms for food and water consumption were measured in five inbred strains of mice under a photoperiod of 16 h light and 8 h dark (16:8 LD), and under constant light (LL).
Dynamic phenomena and analysis of MEMS capacitive power harvester subjected to low-frequency excitations

We study power harvesting using MEMS capacitors with single and dual air cavities that have been fabricated in our laboratory. Our goal is to achieve power harvesting from vibration sources with limited amplitude and with frequencies that are well below the resonance frequency of the fabricated device. The mathematical model includes the electrostatic forces and the forces provided by stoppers which are designed to prevent the direct contact between the capacitive plates. Global bifurcation analysis of the model illustrates the effect of the electrostatic force on the static equilibrium, the resonance frequency, and the regions of stability surrounding the equilibrium. The electrostatic forces are shown to reduce the resonance frequency at the cost of shrinking the stable domain of oscillation near the equilibrium. The inclusion of the mechanical stoppers make power harvesting still possible when the plate motion exceeds the stable domain so long as the two capacitive plates are kept at a distance to prevent the electrostatic force to dominate. Moreover, when the two plates are kept sufficiently separated, rocking instability—the instability leading to non-parallel motion between the two plates—is also prevented.
Synthesis of chromosomal proteins during the maturation of chicken erythrocytes.

Abstract During their final maturation, nondividing chicken erythrocytes undergo heterochromatinization and decline of RNA synthesis. Upon incubation of the maturing erythrocytes in vitro with [14C]leucine, the chromosome-bound histone and nonhistone proteins become highly labeled. Chromatographic analysis of acid-extractable chromosomal proteins revealed that these cells synthesize the arginine-rich but not the lysine-rich or slightly lysine-rich histones. Tryptic peptide map analysis of the radioactive proteins showed that the labeled amino acid was incorporated into the chromosome-specific polypeptide chains. The results demonstrate that the synthesis of chromosomal nonhistone proteins and of arginine-rich histones can proceed without concurrent DNA synthesis. We propose that the chromosomal proteins which are synthesized during erythrocyte maturation may be involved in heterochromatinization and associated gene repression.
Access to stem cell transplantation: do women fare as well as men?

Women have less access to certain types of expensive treatments including renal transplantation, cardiac catheterization and diagnostic studies for lung cancer. Whether women have less access to stem cell transplantation (SCT) is not known. We evaluated allogeneic SCT data from the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry (IBMTR) and compared them with disease incidence data from the Surveillance and Epidemiologic End Results (SEER) database. We estimated the ratio of males to females among transplanted patients with acute lymphoblastic (ALL), acute myelogenous (AML) and chronic myelogenous (CML) leukemia, diseases for which SCT is often done and compared them to male/female ratios of disease incidence. The association between gender and SCT was estimated as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). There was no association between gender (male vs female) and the rates of SCT for individuals with AML (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.89-1.02), or CML (OR = 1.0; CI = 0.90-1.1). Among patients with newly diagnosed ALL, more males underwent SCT than females (OR = 1.30, CI = 1.18-1.44). Because children with newly diagnosed ALL usually have a favorable prognosis, SCT is not generally a frontline therapy. Therefore, when we compared SCT rates to a population of children with relapsed ALL, the gender differences disappeared (OR = 1.09, CI = 0.94-1.25). We conclude that for the diagnoses where SCT is commonly used, there is no significant bias towards use in males compared to females. While boys with ALL appear to receive SCT at a higher rate, this difference is likely attributable to biological rather than social reasons.
On the completeness of root vectors of a certain class of differential operators

The present paper is the first one in a series of two papers devoted to a unified approach to the problem of completeness of the generalized eigenvectors (the root vectors) for a specific class of linear non-selfadjoint unbounded differential operators. The list of the problems for which such operators are the dynamics generators includes the following: (a) initial boundary-value problem (IBVP) for a non-homogeneous string with both distributed and boundary damping; (b) IBVP for small vibrations of an ideal filament with dissipative boundary condition at one end and with a heavy load at the other end; (c) IBVP for a three-dimensional damped wave equation with spherically symmetric coefficients and both distributed and boundary damping. In the second paper of the series the following problems will be considered: (a) IBVP for a system of two coupled hyperbolic equations constituting a Timoshenko beam model with variable coefficients and boundary damping; (b) IBVP for a coupled Euler–Bernoulli and Timoshenko beam model with boundary energy dissipation (the model known in engineering literature as bending-torsion vibration model); (c) IBVP for a system of two Timoshenko beams coupled through linear Van der Waals forces. The model of (c) describes vibrational motion of a double-walled carbon nanotube. In all of the above cases, the result has been obtained by using Krien’s Theorem on completeness of root vectors of a dissipative operator with a nuclear imaginary part. © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Phases formed during hydration of tetracalcium aluminoferrite in 1.0M magnesium sulfate solutions

Abstract Phase formation during tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C4AF) hydration in 1.0 M MgSO4 solution was investigated by isothermal calorimetry at 50 °C, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. Hydration reactions initially produced gypsum. SEM observations indicated the gypsum, which formed initially, to consist of fine particles ( μm ); these increased in size and amount with hydration time. Complex phase assemblages including gypsum, ettringite, and monosulfate were present at intermediate times. Monosulfate was the final crystalline hydration product. No crystalline phases incorporating iron were observed regardless of hydration time. Two amorphous phases were observed by SEM. These were calcium/iron-rich and magnesium/aluminum/sulfur-rich gels. The magnesium/aluminum compounds observed were formed as interfaces between the anhydrous C4AF and aluminosulfate compounds.
Call admission and handoff control in multi-tier cellular networks: algorithms and analysis

In this paper, we investigate a call-admission and handoff-control framework for multi-tier cellular networks. We first propose and compare Call-Admission Control (CAC) algorithms based on the cell-dwelling time, by studying their impact on the handoff-call dropping and new-call blocking probabilities and the channel partitioning between the two tiers. Our results show that a simple, cell-dwelling-time-insensitive algorithm performs better under various mixes of user mobilities and call types. Moreover, there is an optimal channel partition of the overall spectrum between the tiers which minimizes the dropping and blocking probabilities for the two different CAC algorithms studied in this paper. Once the call is admitted into the network, we propose and compare various handoff- queuing strategies to reduce the call dropping probability. We show that implementing a queuing framework in one of the tiers (especially the upper, i.e., macrocellular, tier), results in a significant reduction in the dropping probability.
A national agenda for Latino cancer prevention and control

Although cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and premature death among Latinos, there is limited knowledge of cancer-related issues and priorities of greatest significance to the Latino population, the largest minority group in the nation. This information is vital in helping to guide Latino cancer research, training, and awareness efforts at national, regional, and local levels. To help identify cancer issues of greatest relevance to Latinos, Redes En Accion, The National Hispanic/Latino Cancer Network, a major network among the National Cancer Institute's Special Populations Networks, conducted a survey of 624 key opinion leaders from around the country. Respondents were asked to rank the three cancer sites most important to Latinos in their region and the five issues of greatest significance for this population's cancer prevention and control. Recommendations were prioritized for three specific areas: 1) research, 2) training and/or professional education, and 3) awareness and/or public education. Among cancers, breast carcinoma was ranked number one, followed in order by cervical and lung carcinomas. The issues of greatest significance to Latinos were 1) access to cancer screening and care, 2) tobacco use, 3) patient–doctor communication, 4) nutrition, and 5) risk communication. This survey solicited information from scientists, health care professionals, leaders of government agencies, professional and community-based organizations, and other stakeholders in Latino health. The results laid the foundation for a national Redes En Accion Latino cancer agenda, thus providing a useful tool for individuals and organizations engaged in cancer prevention and control efforts among the Hispanic–Latino population. Cancer 2005. Published 2005 by the American Cancer Society.
Smartphone Interruptibility Using Density-Weighted Uncertainty Sampling with Reinforcement Learning

We present the In-Context application for smart-phones, which combines signal processing, active learning, and reinforcement learning to autonomously create a personalized model of interruptibility for incoming phone calls. We empirically evaluate the system, and show that we can obtain an average of 96.12% classification accuracy when predicting interruptibility after a week of training. In contrast to previous work, we leverage density-weighted uncertainty sampling combined with a reinforcement learning framework applied to passively collected data to achieve comparable or superior classification accuracy using many fewer queries issued to the user.
Surface domains of the guinea pig sperm defined with monoclonal antibodies

Abstract Four monoclonal antibodies have been produced that recognize surface molecules of the guinea pig sperm. Each antibody binds to a unique, localized region of the sperm surface. The four antibody-binding patterns are restricted to the anterior head of the sperm, the posterior head, the whole head, and the posterior tail. Based on absorption experiments, the surface molecules detected by the antibodies are differentiation antigens. Three of the antibodies immunoprecipitate 125 l-labeled protein antigens. The molecular weights of the polypeptides observed after SDS-PAGE are 52,000 (anterior head), 42,000 (whole head), and 60,000 (posterior head). The observed monoclonal antibody-binding patterns suggest that the guinea pig sperm surface is divided into a minimum of four domains.
Healing in the Bible: A Grateful Response*

The methodology employed in the author’s book Healing in the Bible (Baker Academic, 2010) is deliberately eclectic, though the coherence of the book lies in its theological perspective. It understands particular texts as participants in a common story that is marked by a confession of a God ‘slow to anger’—a story with historical roots and a future trajectory. The readings of biblical texts are the author’s own, reflecting the work of his teachers Gerhard von Rad and Claus Westermann.
Ovarian inhibin subunit gene expression: regulation by gonadotropins and estradiol

Inhibin and FSH maintain a dynamic inverse relationship throughout the rat estrous cycle. In particular, inhibin alpha- and beta A-subunit messenger RNAs (mRNAs) have been shown to be maximally expressed immediately after the midcycle gonadotropin surge, when both circulating estradiol (E2) and inhibin are also elevated. The current study was designed to investigate the regulation of inhibin subunit gene expression and secretion in vivo by recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) and estradiol. Initially, we determined if physiological levels of rhFSH regulated ovarian inhibin subunit gene expression and secretion. Hypophysectomized (HYPOX) adult female rats received hCG (10 IU, sc) and were then treated for 24 h with either rhFSH (0.5-20 IU every 6 h, i.v.) or saline. Hypophysectomy reduced inhibin subunit mRNAs as well as serum inhibin and estradiol. Although 0.5 IU rhFSH was ineffective in increasing inhibin subunit mRNAs, all doses between 2.5-20 IU increased inhibin subunit gene expression and inhibin secretion...
Intelligent drug release using molecular imprinting methods Recognitive systems for angiotensin II

Molecularly imprinted polymer carriers have a large potential for use as drug delivery systems using the recognitive mechanism as the trigger for the release of a therapeutic compound in response to external stimuli or even as the sensing element to give feedback as part of a biological sensor. We discuss the principles of this process using a type of molecular imprinting termed "configurational biomimesis" which produces polymeric surfaces or polymeric recognitive networks that have three dimensional, stereospecific binding micro- and nanocavities based on a given template molecule. The new synthetic recognitive biomaterials are designed to mimic biological recognition, which is ultimately an improvement over using expensive and unstable naturally occurring biological macromolecules and ligands. We show an application to the recognition of angiotensin II, a biomarker of high blood pressure.
Shear bands in polycarbonate

Lexan polycarbonate specimens in the form of tubes were deformed in torsion. The deformation occurs by the nucleation and growth of discrete shear bands. Shear bands are initially formed at the upper yield point. Development of the bands is accompanied by a drop in the stress to a lower yield point. At the lower yield point the strain inside the bands is approximately 70% and remains constant thereafter. Further deformation occurs by growth of the bands until they cover the entire sample. When the direction of twisting is reversed after the shear bands are formed, the deformed material untwists uniformly, without deformation in the previously undeformed material, and the stress required for untwisting the deformed material is lower than the stress required to propagate the band into undeformed material.
Analytical solution to the initial-value problem for traveling bands of chemotactic bacteria

The governing parabolic partial differential equations for the diffusion and chemotactic transport of a distribution of bacteria and for the diffusion and bacterial degradation of a distribution of chemotactic agent are supplemented with boundary and initial conditions that model the recent capillary tube experiments on the formation and propagation of traveling bands of chemotactic bacteria. An iteration procedure that takes the exact solution to the “diffusionless” problem as a first approximation is applied to solve the equations of the complete theoretical model. It is shown that satisfactory agreement with experiment obtains for the analytical results of the first approximation which relate the velocity of propagation and total number of bacteria cells per unit cross-sectional area in a traveling band to the constant parameters in the governing equations and supplementary conditions. The second approximation is shown to yield approximate analytical expressions for the solution functions which are in close correspondence with previously derived traveling band solutions for values of time after the initial period of formation.
Nanoscale 3D cellular imaging by axial scanning transmission electron tomography

Using an axial detector, scanning transmission electron microscopy allows three-dimensional tomographic reconstruction of micrometer-thick sections of biological samples, at a resolution comparable to that obtained on thin sections. Electron tomography provides three-dimensional structural information about supramolecular assemblies and organelles in a cellular context, but image degradation, caused by scattering of transmitted electrons, limits applicability in specimens thicker than 300 nm. We found that scanning transmission electron tomography of 1,000-nm-thick samples using axial detection provided resolution comparable to that of conventional electron tomography. We demonstrated the method by reconstructing a human erythrocyte infected with the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
Naloxone and cold-water swim analgesia: Parametric considerations and individual differences ☆

Abstract The role of endogenous opioids in the mediation of stress-induced analgesia has been studied using the opiate antagonist naloxone to reduce or eliminate the response. While the analgesic responses following some stressors are reduced by naloxone, other stressors, like cold-water swims, are altered minimally. However, in the case of inescapable foot shock analgesia, the temporal, numerical, and spatial arrangement of the shocks are critical parameters in determining whether naloxone is capable of altering the analgesic state. In assessing parametric variations of naloxone antagonism of cold-water swim analgesia, five experiments were performed. The first experiment showed that naloxone antagonized the analgesic response following a 3.5-min swim in a 15°C bath, but not in baths of 8°C and 2°C. The second experiment demonstrated dose-dependent antagonism of analgesia induced by 2°C swims for 2.5 and 3.5 min; shorter durations failed to increase thresholds. The third experiment indicated that naloxone decreased 2°C, 3.5-min swim analgesia when the pain test occurred 30 min after stress; longer intervals failed to produce analgesia. The fourth experiment showed that the temporal relationship between injections and swims had little bearing on resultant effects. Finally, since it appeared that naloxone decreased analgesia induced by the 2°C, 3.5-min swim in some animals, but not others, the fifth experiment found that the degree of naloxone antagonism was correlated with the magnitude of the analgesic response induced in individual animals. These results are discussed in terms of opioid and nonopioid mechanisms subserving pain inhibition.
“Virtue Engineering” and Moral Agency: Will Post-Humans Still Need the Virtues?

It is not the purpose of this article to evaluate the techno-scientific claims of the transhumanists. Instead, I question seriously the nature of the ethics and morals they claim can, or soon will, be manipulated artificially. I argue that while the possibility to manipulate human behavior via emotional processes exists, the question still remains concerning the content of morality. In other words, neural moral enhancement does not capture the fullness of human moral psychology, which includes moral capacity and moral content. In this article, I revisit the debate between Hume and Kant concerning the role of emotions and reason in moral philosophy. I do so with reference to the work of philosopher Alasdair McIntyre. His moral philosophy has long stood as an essential text in virtue ethics, which constitutes the basis for my critique of the promise to engineer virtues (what I call “neural moral enhancement”). First, I outline three specific shifts that occurred in the history of Western moral philosophy in...
Aspects of the Design of Swirlers as used in Fuel Injectors for Gas Turbine Combustors

An attempt is made to review the state of the art, in swirler design and performance, as it applies to airblast atomizers. The purpose of this review is to summarize existing information on swirler design aspects and performance, as well as to clarify and initiate the standardization of terminology relating to swirlers and swirling flow.Copyright © 1987 by ASME