cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can PET/CT predict complete response of esophageal cancer to chemo radiation therapy?

1479 Objectives: Chemo radiation is a common neo-adjuvant therapy used to treat esophageal cancers. In approximately 20% of the cases it can cause a complete remission, based on post-operative data. Therefore, potentially 20% of the esophageal resections were not needed. FDG PET/CT is commonly used for the initial staging and evaluation of treatment response. We wanted to evaluate if PET/CT in the post chemo radiation setting is accurate for the evaluation of complete response. Methods: 21 patients with a history of esophageal cancer treated by chemo radiation, selected for surgical resection were included in the study. A comparison was made between the post-surgical esophageal pathology findings and the presurgical PET/CT report and esophageal SUV Max. All PET/CT studies were performed at least 6 weeks post radiation. Results: Neither by visual analysis or by SUV analysis could complete response be differentiated from residual tumor. The range of SUV max from the regions of treated esophageal cancer was, average 4.9 SD 2.1 (range 1.7-7.2) in cases of complete response and average SUV 5.4 SD 2.2(Range 2 - 8.9) in those with residual tumor. Conclusions: PET/CT can not differentiate between complete response and residual tumor in post chemo radiation treated esophageal cancer
La rapsodia postcolonial como activismo global: el Movimiento Zapatista y la guerra de la palabra / Postcolonial rhapsody as global activism: the Zapatista Movement and the war of the words

Resumen: Este ensayo interpreta las declaraciones de la Selva Lacandona emitidas desde 1994 por el Ejercito Zapatista de Liberacion Nacional como un periplo que parte de una sintesis de la teologia de la liberacion y la guerrilla marxista latinoamericana a una postura expresada como la aglutinacion de discursos que componen las culturas de la resistencia globales. Entiendo la primera como una ideologia anticolonial, en la medida que concibe su lucha como un deseo de liberacion de la dependencia de los paises latinoamericanos de los imperialismos modernos. Podemos considerar la pluralidad de discursos en que el zapatismo ha desembocado, tras su vinculo con grupos diversos de resistencia, como una forma postcolonial de hacer politica. Propongo aqui analizar la interlocucion de los comunicados zapatistas como una politica de redes cuyo centro se establece precisamente en Chiapas. Mas que un punto de convergencia coyuntural, La Selva Lacandona pasa a ser un punto de quiasmo de una diversidad de agendas politicas que se han llamado altermundistas. Palabras clave: Zapatismo, colonialidad, liberacion, autonomia, globalizacion, resistencia. Abstract: This essay interprets the Selva Lacandona Declarations, published since 1994 by the Zapatista Army of National Liberation as a journey departing from a synthesis of Liberation Theology and the Latin American Marxist guerrilla towards a posture expressed as the agglutination of discourses encompassing the global resistance cultures. I understand the first as an anticolonial ideology, as it deems its fight a Latin American liberation desire from dependency on modern imperialism. We can consider the plurality of discourses Zapatismo has become a postcolonial form of doing politics, after its link with a diversity of resistance groups. My aim here is to analyze the Zapatista communications with the web politics whose center is located in Chiapas. More than a convergence juncture the Selva Lacandona becomes a chiasm of a diversity of political agendas of the so-called alter-world. Keywords: Zapatismo, coloniality, liberation, autonomy, globalization, resistance.
Earth System Environmental Literacy

If every citizen could read the above quote and understand its underlying ecological concepts, economic challenges, social services, and spiritual heritage, then it is likely that sustainability education would be achieved. The notion of a tree and its ecosystem services illustrate sustainability in the simplest yet most robust sense. To plant and grow a tree, economists struggle with volatile currencies; ecologists juggle development and conservation; religious leaders advocate stewardship; and social scientists examine equity in a world of declining resources. Sustainability education requires an integrated approach between ecology, risk analyses, economics, social sciences, biological sciences, political sciences, languages, biotechnology, physical sciences, health sciences, and religion. All these practitioners (and many others) contribute to sustainability education, an emerging discipline that requires an interdisciplinary synthesis of knowledge, translated into practice, to insure the future of life on Earth.
Trading the VIX Futures Roll Using Exchange-Traded Funds

In this paper, we examine the use of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the implied volatility market. Because the Volatility Index (VIX) cannot be directly traded and the VIX futures market is accessible only to institutional investors, we develop and analyze how individual investors can employ a VIX-based strategy using ETFs. We test a trading strategy using the ProShares VIXY and SVXY ETFs and compare the performance to a similar strategy using VIX futures and the S&P 500. We select these two ETFs because we can directly compare a long or short trading strategy using VIX futures. While the ETF trading strategies produce excess returns, these returns come with significant downside volatility.
Production performance prognostics through model-based analytical method and recency-weighted stochastic approximation method

Abstract Distributed sensors are widely adopted in production systems to monitor system status and support daily operation of individual machine. However, the estimation of the potential problems in system performance using sensor information is still lagging behind. To predict production system performance in stochastic scenario, a data-driven model-based analytical method and recency-weighted stochastic approximation method are developed in this paper based on both production system physical properties and sensor information. The analytical method can be used to provide real-time prognostic information on the future behavior of two machine one buffer production lines with exponential machines. For general serial production systems, especially those with non-stationary reliability parameters, the stochastic approximation method utilizes the vast amounts of sensor data for learning system production performance in future time. The learning results will be updated and utilized in real-time production prognosis. The proposed prognostic methods and system real-time prognostic information reveal how current system status can influence the potential production performance in future time, which is critical for real-time production control and management. Numerical studies are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Long-term outcomes of silicone metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty: a longitudinal analysis of 325 cases

An analysis was conducted of 325 consecutive metacarpophalangeal arthroplasties prospectively collected using a single institution’s total joints registry over a 14-year time period to characterize...
OP154: Tissue engineering: A “SET” of human lips for use in facial reconstruction

Purpose One of the most difficult regions of the face to reconstruct after avulsion is the oral region, specifically the lips, due to the complex natural architecture of the lost tissue (compromising skin, oral mucosa and muscle tissue) that is very difficult to replace. At present the surgical procedures to address this issue has been unsatisfactory. The only other alternative is face transplants which requires lifelong immunosuppression of the recipient. The ability to develop “designer” vascularized prefabrication flap will increase the options available to a reconstructive surgeon. Flap prefabrication would allow the reconstructive surgeon to choose an uninjured wound bed with adequate tissue characteristics, an appropriate set of vessels and place for the construct. Material and methods This tissue engineered muco-cutaneous (M/C) equivalent was manufactured using human oral and skin keratinocytes grown in vitro on an acellular, nonimmunogenic dermal equivalent (AlloDerm) to produce a tissue equivalent with similar anatomic and handling properties as native human lips. Results Confirmation of the structural composition of the construct was performed using routine histology and immunohistochemistry by identification of epithelial markers that are differentially expressed in separate anatomic areas of the lips. We were able to show that there were three distinct anatomical phenotypic regions on the M/C construct; skin, vermillion and oral mucosa. Conclusions We report for the first time the fabrication of a three-dimensional tissue structure containing, in a continuous layer, the morphological features of a lip: epidermal skin, vermillion, and oral mucosa. These full-thickness human lip skin equivalents can be used in surgical lip reconstruction in individuals suffering from lip loss from cancer, congenital deformations, and injuries after accidents. We propose this technique can be used as a general basis for tissue engineering of M/C junctions in other parts of the body, such as anus and vagina.
Gas exchange: models and measurements

In this chapter, we use mathematical models of C3, photosynthesis from the chloroplast to the leaf level to consider the relationships between photosynthetic capacity and performance. The differences must reflect regulation of chloroplast processes under the influence of environmental limitations. Thus, we examine the means by which models handle regulation of individual processes and identify five critical areas of uncertainty. These are: stomatal interactions, mesophyll conductance, Rubisco activation, ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate regeneration and photoprotection. Each is discussed both with regard to modeling efforts which have been made, and experimental results which are yet to be fully assimilated. In all five cases, control is clearly dynamic, not static, and we note several areas in which current methods of data interpretation insufficiently take this into account.
Enabling real-time audio-video inputs for Internet of Things operational policy enforcement

Abstract The Internet of Things (IoT) is a concept that enables real-world everyday objects to interact with each other. One newer aspect of IoT is the inclusion of multimedia data for real-time processing and actuation . In this paper, we present a novel IoT framework that will enable multimedia inclusivity by means of incorporating multimedia middleware for operational policy enforcement. The middleware allows IoT systems to consider various multimedia entities, such as the audio-video representations of humans, as sensors in IoT deployments for operational policy enforcement via physical actuators. We demonstrate the viability of this concept by implementing sample audio and video services for enabling multimedia-inclusive IoT environments. To the best of our knowledge, we have not found any other work that reported an IoT operational policy enforcement framework with supporting results while utilizing real-time audio-video data of IoT users.
An unusual cause of lymphadenopathy: when AFB staining is not enough.

![Figure][1] A 43-year-old Hispanic man with a history of lepromatous leprosy presented with lymphadenopathy. Biopsy was performed to exclude lymphoproliferative disorder. Histologic examination showed lymphoid tissue containing clustered histiocytes with vacuolated, “lipid-like”
Objectivity in Quantum Mechanics

Objectivity means many things. Some philosophers speak of an objective reality behind perceptible things, as that which in some sense causes appearances. They hold that the objective lies beyond human knowledge, beyond all experience but is responsible for it. When questions are raised as to the actual existence of an external world, independent of all knowers, it is this idea of objectivity that intrudes itself.
The Light Chain of Rat Factor VIII Confers Its Superior Cofactor Activity

Abstract Hemophilia A is caused by genetic defect of human coagulation factor VIII (hFVIII) and patients have to take lifelong replacement therapy to prevent excessive bleedings upon hemostatic challenges. Due to the short half-life of hFVIII, replacement treatment has to be given frequently and inhibitors against infused hFVIII can be developed in about 20-30% of patients. These shortcomings have generated tremendous interest in developing HA gene therapies which is more efficient and long-lasting. However, early preclinical studies have shown FVIII activities were still limited after vector delivery. A Modified hFVIII with higher specific activity and pharmacodynamics properties is highly desirable to overcome the disadvantages of current protein replacement and gene therapy strategies. In the current study, we successfully constructed a B-domain deleted rat FVIII(rBDDF8) that contained a PACE/furin recognition site (RHQR) within a 14 amino acid linker between A2 and A3 domains. The rBDDF8 displayed significantly higher coagulation activity(~2.5-fold) than hBDDF8 after transfection into HEK 293 cells. In order to explore the mechanism for the observed superior cofactor activity, we constructed heavy chain(rHC) and light chain(rLC) of rFVIII. The rHC and rLC are able to reconstitute 5 times more FVIII activity than their human counter parts. However, when rHC is associated with human FVIII light chain (hLC), the reconstituted FVIII activity is lower that from hHC and hLC, suggesting that high coagulation activity of rFVIII is not mediated by its HC. On the contrary, when FVIII is constituted by hHC with rLC, we found that the activity is increased by 3~5-fold as against hHC and hLC. The hHC antigen level of FVIII reconstituted from hHC and rLC was 1.5-fold higher than that of hHC and hLC, suggesting that higher activity of FVIII with hHC and rLC is not through increased secretion. The specific activity deduced from activity/antigen ratio showed that FVIII with rLC is 3 times higher more than FVIII with hLC. To investigate the potential application of rFVIII in gene therapy, rBDDF8 was delivered in hemophilia A mouse model using AAV8 vectors. The high dose rBDDF8(4*1011 vg/mouse) resulted 2.5U FVIII activity at week 17, which is much higher(about 10-fold) than that of hBDDF8. When the rFVIII was delivered by dual chains strategy, i.e, administering vectors carrying only LC or HC simultaneously, it also showed 2-4 fold increased in FVIII activity. Interestingly, the combination of hHC and rLC also generated similar FVIII activity as rHC and rLC, further proving the rLC is the major contributor to the superior coagulation activity of rFVIII. Our results showed that the rFVIII has higher cofactor activity conferred by its LC. Our results suggest that rFVIII can be further exploited to make an ideal candidate for hemophilia gene therapy using AAV vectors. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Influenza H7N9 Virus Neuraminidase-Specific Human Monoclonal Antibodies Inhibit Viral Egress and Protect from Lethal Influenza Infection in Mice

Summary H7N9 avian influenza virus causes severe infections and might have the potential to trigger a major pandemic. Molecular determinants of human humoral immune response to N9 neuraminidase (NA) proteins, which exhibit unusual features compared with seasonal influenza virus NA proteins, are ill-defined. We isolated 35 human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from two H7N9 survivors and two vaccinees. These mAbs react to NA in a subtype-specific manner and recognize diverse antigenic sites on the surface of N9 NA, including epitopes overlapping with, or distinct from, the enzyme active site. Despite recognizing multiple antigenic sites, the mAbs use a common mechanism of action by blocking egress of nascent virions from infected cells, thereby providing an antiviral prophylactic and therapeutic protection in vivo in mice. Studies of breadth, potency, and diversity of antigenic recognition from four subjects suggest that vaccination with inactivated adjuvanted vaccine induce NA-reactive responses comparable to that of H7N9 natural infection.
Short term outcomes of hip arthroscopy on hip joint mechanics and cartilage health in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome

Abstract Background Femoroacetabular acetabular impingement syndrome consists of abnormal hip joint morphology resulting in painful hip joint impingement. Hip arthroscopy corrects the abnormal morphology and reduces clinical symptoms associated with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome yet the effects of hip arthroscopy on gait mechanics and cartilage health are not well understood. Methods Ten femoroacetabular impingement syndrome patients and 10 matched asymptomatic controls underwent gait analysis consisting of three-dimensional hip joint kinematics and kinetics. Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome patients underwent gait analysis and quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of the surgical hip joint before and seven months post-surgery. Patient reported outcomes were obtained from all study participants and were used to quantify hip joint pain, function and quality of life. Findings Prior to surgery, femoroacetabular impingement syndrome patients demonstrated hip joint kinematics or kinetics as the control group. After surgery, femoroacetabular impingement syndrome patients exhibited improved patient reported outcomes, similar hip joint kinematic patterns, increased hip flexion and decreased hip extension moment impulses within the surgical limb. The femoroacetabular impingement syndrome patients that ambulated with increased HFMI post-surgery demonstrated a decrease in femoral cartilage T1ρ and T2 values. Interpretation Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome patients exhibited improved clinical symptoms yet ambulated with altered sagittal plane hip joint loading after hip arthroscopy. Increased hip flexion moment impulse post-surgery was associated with improved cartilage health within the surgical limb. These study findings suggest that sagittal plane hip joint loading at short-term follow-up after hip arthroscopy is associated with cartilage health and may be an important biomechanical parameter in post-operative rehabilitation programs.
Conceptual Design of Superbend and Hardbend Magnets for Advance Light Source Upgrade Project

ALS-U is an ongoing upgrade of the Advance Light Source (ALS) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL). The upgraded ring of the ALS will use a multi-bend-archomat (MBA) lattice, which will allow increasing the brightness of soft x-ray sources 2-3 orders of magnitude with respect to current ALS ca-pabilities. One of the goals of the project is maintaining support for existing x-ray beamlines with useful intensity around 12.5 keV, which are used for a macromolecular crystallography. The medium energy x-ray source points will be provided by replacing six gradient-dipole magnets of the upgraded ring with high-field magnets generating a higher peak field at the source point. Two defocusing quadrupoles will be installed together with each high-field magnet in order to match the quadrupole field component of removed gradient dipole. Two alternative designs were investigated. The first design is a warm-bore superconducting magnet. Its coils are made of an internally reinforced bronze-route Nb 3 Sn wire and a holmium pole is used as a flux concentrator. The second option is NdFeB permanent magnet system with build-in field clamps. Due to limited space in the accelerator lattice and the magnetic field requirements for the x-ray source points, both designs present challenges due to high magnetic forces acting on the magnet components and due to impact of the magnet cross-talk on the beam trajectory.
Perioperative glycemic measures among non-fasting gynecologic oncology patients receiving carbohydrate loading in an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol.

Introduction Preoperative carbohydrate loading is an effective method to control postoperative insulin resistance. However, data are limited concerning the effects of carbohydrate loading on preoperative hyperglycemia and possible impacts on complication rates. Methods A prospective cohort study was performed of patients enrolled in an enhanced recovery after surgery pathway at a single institution. All patients underwent laparotomy for known or suspected gynecologic malignancies. Patients who had been diagnosed with diabetes preoperatively and those prescribed total parenteral nutrition by their providers were excluded. Data regarding preoperative carbohydrate loading with a commercial maltodextrin beverage, preoperative glucose testing, postoperative day 1 glucose, insulin administration, and complications (all complications, infectious complications, and hyperglycemia-related complications) were collected. The primary endpoint of the study was the incidence of postoperative infectious complications, defined as superficial or deep wound infection, organ/space infection, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, sepsis, or septic shock. Results Of 415 patients, 76.9% had a preoperative glucose recorded. The mean age was 60.5±12.4 years (range 18–93). Of those with recorded glucose values, 30 patients (9.4%) had glucose ≥180 mg/dL, none of whom were actually given insulin preoperatively. Median preoperative glucose value was significantly increased after carbohydrate loading (122.0 mg/dL with carbohydrate loading vs 101.0 mg/dL without, U=3143, p=0.001); however, there was no relationship between carbohydrate loading and complications. There was a significantly increased risk of hyperglycemia-related complications with postoperative day 1 morning glucose values ≥140 mg/dL (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.23; p=0.03). Otherwise, preoperative and postoperative hyperglycemia with glucose thresholds of ≥140 mg/dL or ≥180 mg/dL were not associated with increased risk of other types of complications. Discussion Carbohydrate loading is associated with increased preoperative glucose values; however, this is not likely to be clinically significant as it does not have an impact on complication rates. Preoperative hyperglycemia is not a risk factor for postoperative complications in a carbohydrate-loaded population when known diabetic patients are excluded. Precis While glucose increased with carbohydrate loading in non-diabetic patients, this was not associated with complications.
Introducing the "corona Curtain": An innovative technique to prevent airborne COVID-19 exposure during emergent intubations

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic places healthcare workers at risk of exposure to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Emergency department (ED) staff are particularly vulnerable when managing patients with acute respiratory distress due to the aerosolization of the virus during endotracheal intubation. A simple and innovative intubation tent was designed with the intent of decreasing the risk of accidental viral transmission from emergent intubations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The materials and assembly process of the novel “Corona Curtain” are described in technical detail, with the intent of allowing other providers to template the concept at their respective facilities. A total of 36 intubation tents were mounted in the ED at the Medical Center of Aurora, Colorado, on April 7, 2020, and thereafter consistently used for all intubations during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. The cost of raw materials and labor for the initial assembly averaged US $ 8.00 per construct. The price of the single-use plastic cover is variable depending on the vendor source. The new “Corona Curtain” was designed to improve the safety of ED staff when performing urgent/emergent intubations during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The concept can easily be adopted to other patient care areas, including perioperative and intensive care units. Future validation studies are needed to determine the safety and efficacy of the intubation tents by quantifying the pre−/post-intubation exposure through “point-of-care” SARS-CoV-2 testing once these resources are more widely available.
Effects of Cryotherapy on Temperature Change in Caudal Thigh Muscles of Dogs.

Objective The aim of the study reported here was to determine the effect of cryotherapy on the caudal thigh muscles of dogs. We hypothesized that temperature changes would be greatest in superficial tissues and decrease with tissue depth. Study Design Eight mixed-breed dogs (mean weight 21.2 kg, mean age 3.3 years) were studied. Temperature was measured at the skin surface and at depths of 1.0 and 3.0 cm below the skin using needle thermistor probes that were inserted beneath the site of cold pack application. Treatment consisted of a standard 1.0°C cold pack applied for 20 minutes. Temperature was recorded every minute for the 20 minute cold pack treatment, and for 80 minutes following treatment. Results Cutaneous temperatures significantly decreased (p Conclusion A single application of a cold pack to the caudal thigh muscles of dogs for 20 minutes resulted in significant temperature reduction at all tissue depths (p 0.05).
Comprehensive Pain Management: Opioid-Naïve Versus Opioid-Tolerant Patients

Management of acute postoperative pain is essential to decrease the risk of developing chronic pain. Inadequate pain control may lead to poor patient outcomes, increased readmission rate, increased healthcare costs, and patient dissatisfaction. The use of opioids has been the mainstay for perioperative pain management. However, there exists a difference on how to approach patients who are opioid naive and those who are opioid tolerant from prolonged opioid use. It is imperative to identify both of these patients presenting for surgery to be able to appropriately provide adequate analgesia. With the current opioid crisis, it is a challenge in itself to balance and weigh the benefits and risks for continuous opioid use. This chapter aims to provide a narrative review of multimodal approach to perioperative management of opioid-naive and opioid-tolerant patients.
Leading Schools and Districts in Times of Crisis

The COVID-19 school closures highlighted the importance of crisis management for school and district leaders. Crisis management, however, has not received sufficient attention from school leadershi...
Developing Soft Switching in Solid-State Circuit Breakers

This paper aims to apply silicon-carbide (SiC) MOSFETs to solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs) including active injection circuits (AIRCs) for DC systems. SiC MOSFETs are employed in main and auxiliary circuits to provide a fast response time and compact design. Benefiting from AIRCs, fault current is reduced to zero in the main switch during DC current interruption. The obtained soft-switching helps to mitigate the effects of parasitic components and utilize the fully capabilities of the SiC MOSFETs in SSCBs. To select the optimized values of the passive components in the auxiliary branch, a design procedure is developed. The presented topology is verified using simulations of 4kV/100A in LTspice environment and experiments of a downsized 380V/15A prototype with a response time of 2.8µs.
Two Cases of Methimazole-Induced Agranulocytosis With Their Risk Factors

Abstract Background Antithyroid drugs, such as methimazole (MMI), are standard therapies for the medical management of thyrotoxicosis. Agranulocytosis is a rare but lethal adverse effect of antithyroid medications. We have reported 2 cases of MMI-induced agranulocytosis with similar risk factors that likely predisposed them to this adverse reaction. Case Report Case 1 involved a 71-year-old woman, with a history of Graves disease, who presented with an altered mental status. She was recently discharged on 40 mg of MMI twice daily, and she continued this dose for 2 months. She was readmitted and found to have neutropenic fever in the setting of MMI-induced agranulocytosis. MMI was discontinued, and she was started on filgrastim. Her cell counts gradually improved, and she was subsequently discharged. Case 2 involved a 68-year-old woman, with a history of Graves disease, who presented with severe back pain, nausea, and vomiting. She was recently discharged on 10 mg of MMI twice daily, which was increased to 10 mg 3 times a day. She was readmitted to the hospital because of a septic shock in the setting of pneumonia, colitis, bacteremia, and MMI-induced agranulocytosis. A bone marrow biopsy showed a polyclonal infiltrate with up to 85% plasma cells. Despite treatment with antibiotics, filgrastim, and continuous renal replacement therapy, she ultimately passed away. Discussion Although these cases had differing outcomes, they shared similar features and risk factors, including older age, female sex, and relatively higher doses of MMI. Conclusion Close follow up and awareness of risk factors, such as age, female sex, and higher doses of MMI, may decrease the risk of MMI-induced agranulocytosis and fatal outcomes.
High Performance Predictive Control based Power Conversion for Photovoltaic Energy Harvesting

This paper presents a high-performance finite-set model predictive control for an efficient power electronics interface for photovoltaic (PV) system. The proposed control scheme is able to harvest the maximum available power from the PV panel without the requirement of complex modulation scheme with multi-nested loop classical controllers for the considered efficient power electronic interface. Two-stage back-to-back dc/dc and dc/ac converter architecture is a common power conversion unit for PV systems. The back-to-back stages requires multi-loop controller to harvest the maximum power. In this paper, an efficient multilevel dc/ac converter is used, which is challenging to control by classical modulation schemes. Furthermore, this adds more complexity to the back-to-back power conversion system under study. The goal of this paper is to mitigate the control complexity while maximizing the benefits of the efficient topology. Thus, realizing a high-performance power conversion for PV systems with straight forward control scheme. Several case studies are presented that validates the functionality of the proposed architecture.
Notebooks und grundlegende Werkzeuge

Als kurze Einfuhrung in Mathematica und Physik-Notebooks untersuchen wir die Bewegung eines klassischen Geschosses. Wir vernachlassigen zunachst den Luftwiderstand und fuhren ihn dann im Zusammenhang mit der numerischen Integration ein.
Computer based learning systems and the development of computer self-efficacy: Are all sources of efficacy created equal?

The use of computer-based learning (CBL) systems by information systems educators is rapidly growing. While improvements in student computer skills test results have been attributed to the use of such systems, little is known about the theoretical mechanisms that may be contributing to such improvements, or whether all students benefit equally from all CBL system training features. In this study, we explore self-efficacy theory as a framework for understanding how CBL systems influence student computer performance. More specifically, we examine the effectiveness of CBL systems in raising efficacy beliefs via two sources of efficacy information - enactive mastery and vicarious experience. Preliminary results revealed that students with lower initial specific computer self-efficacy (SCSE) beliefs benefited more from vicarious learning features that demonstrated concepts, whereas those with higher initial SCSE beliefs benefited more from enactive mastery features in which they could experiment on their own. Moreover, post training SCSE judgments were significantly related to computer skills testing scores. Based on our findings, educators can more precisely match CBL features with student demographics such as initial SCSE perceptions, and in turn, improve downstream student computer skills testing performance.
If information technology could save lives, improve productivity, help clean up the environment, and lower the budget deficit, would we use it? should we use it?

Research and development has presented society and business with tremendous potential. Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems are rich with opportunity. The vision of opportunity is currently out of focus to business and the average citizen. The Intelligent Vehicle Highway enthusiast is faced with significant barriers to understanding. The technology enthusiast is likewise in jeopardy of being charged with a myopic focus by those less familiar with the technology. This paper is intended to present the position that an awareness of the multiple perspectives of the end user and technologist, must grow closer. A more risk free environment should be fostered to balance user readiness and technology prior to the rigors of competitive and legal issues. The reality is that these issues already exist. A bridge of understanding is needed to take advantage of the many possible benefits and to minimize the risks.
Exclusion and Discrimination in the Labor Market

It is almost impossible to “prove” discrimination in the labor market, yet most would acknowledge that it exists and some would argue that the job you get and/or how much you are paid depends to some extent on who you are and the circles you move in. The insidiousness, the opaqueness, and indeed the sophistication surrounding the processes of discrimination are complex and difficult to separate out. This paper places the analysis of the labor market within the overall context of social stratification and social norms and provides a more nuanced understanding of the processes that accompany discrimination and also helps in refining the notion of exclusion and discrimination. This paper is a step in the direction of unpacking the subtle processes by understanding mechanisms that abet and enable labor market discrimination. In doing so, it provides a typology of processes that underpin discrimination. Second, it develops a framework to understand how excluded groups respond to both the processes and the outcomes of discrimination or what they may perceive as being discrimination. A notion of submission and subversion is developed in this regard. Finally, the paper cites examples of how policy and institutional incentives can enable mobility within the labor market.
A Review of Emergency Contraception and Implications for Health Educators

Abstract Widespread use of emergency contraception could dramatically reduce the high rates of unintended pregnancies and induced abortions in the United States. High doses of certain oral contraceptive pills and the copper-bearing intrauterine device are two methods of postcoital contraception that are available in this country. Despite the availability, relatively few women use these methods, and many are not even aware that they exist. Moreover, clinicians seldom prescribe emergency contraception. Recently, national initiatives have been underway to educate both the public and health care providers about the benefits, safety, efficacy, and availability of postcoital contraceptive methods. The main goals of these initiatives are to increase public and provider awareness and, ultimately, to increase the use of these methods. The need for local initiatives is addressed and implications for health educators are provided.
Studies on the Phospholipid Requirement of Glucose 6-Phosphatase

Abstract The role of phospholipid in rat liver microsomal glucose 6-phosphatase has been investigated with the use of phospholipase A and phospholipase C to alter the microsomal phospholipids. The phospholipase C-treated preparation lost a maximum of 80 to 90% of the original activity, and 70% of the microsomal phospholipid was hydrolyzed. Addition of phospholipid completely restored the original activity. The soluble and insoluble products of the phospholipase C treatment had no effect on the inactivation of glucose 6-phosphatase or the subsequent reactivation by phospholipid. The relative effectiveness of various single and mixed phospholipids, with respect to reactivation of the lipid-deficient, phospholipase C-treated glucose 6-phosphatase, was compared. Lecithin, which represents 53% of the microsomal phospholipid, was essentially all hydrolyzed by phospholipase C, but it was ineffective in reactivation. Phosphatidyl ethanolamine, which represents 23% of the phospholipid, was 60% hydrolyzed by phospholipase C, and it was the most effective individual phospholipid in terms of maximal reactivation. Lysolecithin, a trace component in microsomes, was the most effective phospholipid in reactivation at low concentrations, but inhibited at higher levels. In contrast to the phospholipase C-treated preparation, the phospholipase A-treated samples were quite unstable; i.e. the ability to reactivate glucose 6-phosphatase with phospholipid was rapidly lost. In the presence of bovine serum albumin, a fatty acid-binding agent, there was essentially no loss of activity during incubation with phospholipase A. Lysolecithin, another product of the phospholipase A action, was shown to satisfy the phospholipid requirement of the lipid-deficient phospholipase C-treated preparation; thus, the phospholipase A products have contradictory effects on glucose 6-phosphatase activity.
Efficient steganography with provable security guarantees

We provide a new provably-secure steganographic encryption protocol that is proven secure in the complexity-theoretic framework of Hopper et al. The fundamental building block of our steganographic encryption protocol is a “one-time stegosystem” that allows two parties to transmit one-time steganographic messages of length shorter than the shared key with information-theoretic security guarantees. The employment of a pseudorandom number generator (PRNG) allows the transmission of longer messages in the same way that such a generator allows the use of one-time pad encryption for messages longer than the key in symmetric encryption. The advantage of our construction compared to that of Hopper et al. is that it avoids the use of a pseudorandom function family and instead relies (directly) on a PRNG in a way that provides a linear versus constant improvement in the number of applications of the underlying (say) one-way permutation per bit transmitted. This advantageous trade-off is achieved by substituting the pseudorandom function family employed in the previous construction with an appropriate combinatorial construction that has been used extensively in derandomization, namely almost t-wise independent function families.
Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1 Analysis Differentiates Gangliogliomas from Infiltrative Gliomas

Recent work has identified novel point mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) in the majority of the World Health Organization grades II and III infiltrative gliomas and secondary grade IV glioblastomas. Gangliogliomas consist of neoplastic ganglion and glial cells and, in contrast to infiltrative gliomas, are generally indolent. Yet distinguishing between a ganglioglioma and an infiltrative glioma with admixed gray matter can be difficult, perhaps accounting for some “gangliogliomas” that ultimately show aggressive behavior. In this multi-institutional study, 98 cases originally diagnosed as ganglioglioma were analyzed for IDH1 mutations, 86 of which had follow-up data available. Eight cases (8.2%) were positive for R132H IDH1 mutations; six had silent IDH2 mutations and two had nonsense IDH2 mutations. The presence of mutant IDH1 in gangliogliomas correlated with a greater risk of recurrence (P = 0.0007) and malignant transformation and/or death (P < 0.0001) compared with tumors that were IDH1 wild type. Furthermore, the age of patients with IDH1-mutant gangliogliomas was higher than those without mutations (25.5 vs. 46.1 years, P = 0.0033). IDH1/2 testing of tumors suspected of being gangliogliomas may therefore be advisable, particularly in the adult population.
Inhibition of Colicin E2 Activity by Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide

Lipopolysaccharide isolated from colicin E2-sensitive Escherichia coli and from "receptor-minus" mutants inhibits the activity of colicin E2. Lipid A and the polysaccharide fraction obtained by mild acid hydrolysis of lipopolysaccharide are inactive either alone or when tested in combination. Periodate oxidation of lipopolysaccharide destroys over 85% of its inhibition activity.
APPROPRIATE TIMING FOR COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING OF THE BREAST-FED INFANT: A REVIEW

PIP: The initiative for this review of appropriate timing for complementary feeding of the breastfed infant came from the Consultative Group on Maternal and Young Child Nutrition, an expert supportive group to the UN/ACC Subcommittee on Nutrition. Evidence assessing the duration of breastfeeding adequacy and the advantages and disadvantages of early versus later introduction of complementary foods is reviewed. Several years ago the Protein Advisory Group (PAG) recommended that complementary foods be provided between 4-6 months of age. In later studies, the variability of circumstances in different ecologies were reported to have a significant impact on the ability and desire of a woman to breastfeed and for how long. Hence the appropriate time to provide a breast milk complement is again under examination. Nutritionists, health professionals, and the baby food industry (their pro and antagonists) have renewed their interest in this issue, but differences in opinion and distorted claims among the interested groups have left many people confused. The appropriate time for the introduction of complementary feeding varies considerably in different sociocultural settings and among different socioeconomic groups. In developed countries very early complementation is usual not because of nutritional need, but because of social pressures, availability of convenient alternatives, and other considerations. In developing countries, early complementation may be needed in circumstances with a high prevalence of maternal malnutrition that may contribute to low milk output. Hazards accompany both too early and too late complementation. If a complement is introduced too early, there is the danger of diarrheal disease and food allergies. There is also an economic burden on poor families to purchase complementary food. In some underprivileged areas, cultural patterns in which the introduction of complementary food is too much delayed is the primary cause of faltering growth and malnutrition. Most reviewed data indicate that by 6 months nearly all infants are in need of complementary foods in order to maintain normal growth. There are individual exceptions under ideal conditions and with very high maternal milk yields. With a few individual exceptions, there are no short or longterm advantages in introducing complementary foods before 4 months. Normal growth of entirely breastfed infants, as opposed to that of bottlefed infants on which many of the present growth standards are based, should be studied further.
Cytokinesis: RhoGEFs control a developmental cleavage switch.

Summary New findings provide evidence that developmentally staged RhoGEFs control assembly of two alternative forms of cleavage furrows: the ‘Rappaport' furrows, which govern division of Drosophila syncytial cortical division cycles, and conventional spindle-directed furrows.
Defining Folklore: Mestizo and Indigenous Identities on the Move

Abstract This article analyses how the performance of folkloric music and dance defines and redefines ethnic/racial distinctions and identities in the Andes. It focuses on the promotional activities of urban-based institutions in Cusco called institucions culturales , particularly how these activities have shaped folkloric performance. The article calls attention to the continuing importance of race as a central category of social differentiation, showing how folkloric performances embody ethnic/racial identities.
A Multicopy Dinucleotide Marker That Maps Close to the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Gene

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a common autosomal recessive disorder resulting in loss of motor neurons. The interval containing the SMA gene has been defined by linkage analysis as 5qcen-D5S435-SMA-D5S557-5qter. We have isolated a new dinucleotide repeat marker, CATT1, that lies between these two closest markers. The marker CATT1 has 16 alleles and is highly polymorphic. The marker can have 1 to 4 (or more) copies per chromosome, giving rise to individuals with up to 8 (or more) alleles. All of the subloci map between the markers D5S557 and D5S435 and lie in close proximity to one another. The marker CATT1 is linked to the SMA gene with a lod score of Zmax = 34.42 at theta = 0 and crosses all available recombinants. Certain alleles occurred more frequently in either the SMA or normal populations, indicating significant allelic association between CATT1 and the SMA locus. Haplotype analysis combining U.S. and Canadian SMA families reveals that one haplotype group (VII) occurs significantly more frequently in the SMA population than in the normal. This confirms the allelic association of CATT1 with the SMA locus.
Effects of environmental temperature-humidity and cage density on body weight and behavior in mice

Es wurden Mause des C3H/HeJ-Stammes nach Entwohnung bis zum Alter von 125 Tagen unter verschiedenen Umweltbedingungen wie Temperatur, relative Luftfeuchtigkeit und Kafigdichte aufgezogen. Je hoher Temperatur, relative Luftfeuchtigkeit und je grosser die Kafigdichte, um so grosser waren die Korpergewichtsverluste. Umwelttemperatur, Feuchtigkeit und Kafigdichte beeinflussten zusammen das Uberleben der Mause nach Schwimmen.
Airport Infrastructure Management with Geographic Information Systems: State of the Art

The widespread application of geographic information systems (GISs) at airports is detailed through surveys of U.S. airports. A recent survey conducted through the Airport GIS Committee of the American Association of Airport Executives indicated that more than 60 percent of airports use GISs or plan to use GISs within the next 3 years. The application of GISs for infrastructure management, environmental analysis, and airport operations is becoming commonplace at larger U.S. airports. Integration of infrastructure management in general and pavement management in particular with airportwide GISs provides far greater management capabilities than traditional infrastructure management systems. The development of integrated airport GISs and the availability of affordable, differentially corrected Global Positioning System receivers have resulted in a paradigm shift in methods of infrastructure management. As the new millennium approaches, the state of the art in infrastructure and pavement management is turning...