cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal conjunction between MESSENGER and STEREO A: Development of ICME complexity through stream interactions

We use data on an interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) seen by MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) and STEREO A starting on 29 December 2011 in a near-perfect longitudinal conjunction (within 3°) to illustrate changes in its structure via interaction with the solar wind in less than 0.6 AU. From force-free field modeling we infer that the orientation of the underlying flux rope has undergone a rotation of ∼80° in latitude and ∼65° in longitude. Based on both spacecraft measurements as well as ENLIL model simulations of the steady state solar wind, we find that interaction involving magnetic reconnection with corotating structures in the solar wind dramatically alters the ICME magnetic field. In particular, we observed a highly turbulent region with distinct properties within the flux rope at STEREO A, not observed at MESSENGER, which we attribute to interaction between the ICME and a heliospheric plasma sheet/current sheet during propagation. Our case study is a concrete example of a sequence of events that can increase the complexity of ICMEs with heliocentric distance even in the inner heliosphere. The results highlight the need for large-scale statistical studies of ICME events observed in conjunction at different heliocentric distances to determine how frequently significant changes in flux rope orientation occur during propagation. These results also have significant implications for space weather forecasting and should serve as a caution on using very distant observations to predict the geoeffectiveness of large interplanetary transients.
An injectable capillary-like microstructured alginate hydrogel improves left ventricular function after myocardial infarction in rats

Abstract Background A new post-myocardial infarction (MI) therapy is injection of high-water-content polymeric biomaterial gels (hydrogels) into damaged myocardium to modulate cardiac negative remodeling and preserve heart function. Methods We investigated the therapeutic potential of a novel gelatinized alginate hydrogel with a unique microstructure of uniform capillary-like channels (termed Capgel). Shortly (48h) after induced anterior MI, Sprague Dawley rats received intramyocardial injection of Capgel directly into the antero-septal wall at the infarct border zone (n=12) or no injection (n=10, controls). Echocardiograms were performed at 48h (week 0) and 4weeks (week 4) to evaluate left ventricular function. Results Echocardiograms showed 27% improvement of left ventricular systolic function over time with gel injection: fractional shortening increased from 26±3% at week 0 to 33±2% at week 4 (p=0.001). Capgel was present at the injection site after 4weeks, but was minimal at 8weeks. The remaining gel was heavily populated by CD68 + macrophages with CD206 + clusters and blood vessels. An in vitro experiment was performed to assess Angiotensin-(1–7) released from Capgel. Angiotensin-(1–7) was released from the Capgel in a sustained manner for 90days. Conclusions Use of Capgel, a degradable, bioactive hydrogel composed of gelatinized capillary-alginate gel, appears safe for intramyocardial injection, is associated with improved left ventricular function after MI in rats, and may provide a long-term supply of Angiotensin-(1–7).
Rhetoric in the Flesh: Trained Vision, Technical Expertise, and the Gross Anatomy Lab, by T. Kenny Fountain

In the fields of rhetoric, composition, technical communication, communication studies, writing studies, and iterations of similar related fields, disciplinary boundary-marking has provided ongoing...
Electrical conductance in polyethylene terephthalate films

The volume conductivity of polyethylene terephthalate films has been measured as a function of temperature in the range 65° to 150°C.; as a function of voltage in the range 1 to 1000 volts/mil; and as a function of film variables such as orientation and/or crystallization. Supplementary dielectric constant and loss measurements were also made. Previous work by Amborski(1) has defined the high temperature conductive properties of the oriented-crystallized (“Mylar”*) film and Reddish(2) has reported a comprehensive study of the dielectric constant and loss for the amorphous and crystalline polymer. However, the nature of the conduction mechanism could not be established from these data.
Pharmacology of Inhalational Anesthetics

Learn the pharmacokinetic factors affecting the rate of induction and emergence with inhalational anesthetics Understand the concept of Minimum Alveolar Concentration (MAC) Know the key characteristics of the four most commonly used inhalational agents (nitrous oxide, isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane)
George J. Metcalf, Forms of Address in German (1500–1800): “Washington University Studies, New Series.” Language and Literature, No. 7. St. Louis: Washington University, 1938. viii, 202 pp.

(1940). George J. Metcalf, Forms of Address in German (1500–1800). The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 73-75.
Glucose sensing with graphene varactors

A novel metal-oxide-graphene glucose sensor is demonstrated. The sensor utilizes a graphene variable capacitor (varactor) structure that has the capability to enable passive, wireless sensing, a key advantage for in vivo glucose sensing. The functionalization of graphene using pyrene boronic acid is demonstrated using a self-assembly process, and successful functionalization is demonstrated by a positive Dirac voltage shift. The varactors are shown to be operational in a phosphate buffered saline solution and show stable performance after multiple measurement cycles. Finally, a consistent and reversible response to 100 mg/dL glucose is demonstrated.
Three-Dimensional Nanoporous Iron Nitride Film as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Water Oxidation

Exploring efficient and durable catalysts from earth-abundant and cost-effective materials is highly desirable for the sluggish anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which plays a key role in water splitting, fuel cells, and rechargeable metal–air batteries. First-row transition-metal (Ni, Co, and Fe)-based compounds are promising candidates as OER catalysts to substitute the benchmark of noble-metal-based catalysts, such as IrO2 and RuO2. Although Fe is the cheapest and one of the most abundant transition-metal elements, there are seldom papers reported on Fe-only compounds with outstanding catalytic OER activities. Here we propose an interesting strategy by growing iron nitride (Fe3N/Fe4N) based nanoporous film on three-dimensional (3D) highly conductive graphene/Ni foam, which is demonstrated to be a robust and durable self-supported 3D electrode for the OER featuring a very low overpotential of 238 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA/cm2, a small Tafel slope of 44.5 mV/dec, good stability, and ...
An issue of tissues: divining the split personalities of selective estrogen receptor modulators.

The discovery of coregulators and other recent advances in our understanding of the molecular biology of nuclear receptor action have generated expectations that these exciting basic advances will be translated into new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for endocrine diseases such as breast cancer.
Pulse-Width Control of the Position of the End-Effector of an Industrial Robot

Abstract The design of control laws to precisely control the position of the end-effector of an industrial robot using real-time measurements of the position of the end-effector, in addition to the usual measurements of the joint positions, is considered. The end-effector position measurements are obtained with a laser tracker sensor. The control laws are pulse width control laws, which utilize rectangular force pulses to overcome stiction and other nonlinear friction forces. An approach to designing piecewise-linear-gain pulse width control laws is introduced. It is shown that, when this approach is used to design a control law for the industrial robot, control of the position of the robot’s end-effector to the tens-of-micrometers accuracy of the laser tracker measurements of the position of the end-effector is achieved.
Non-Pancreatic Disorders Simulating Primary Pancreatic Disease on Ultrasonography

The purpose of this paper is to present fifteen patients who were felt to have primary pancreatic lesions on echography, but whose primary pathology involved nearby organs.
Deploying Data-Driven Security Solutions on Resource-Constrained Wearable IoT Systems

Wearable Internet-of-Things (WIoT) environments have demonstrated great potential in a broad range of applications in healthcare and well-being. Security is essential for WIoT environments. Lack of security in WIoTs not only harms user privacy, but may also harm the user's safety. Though devices in the WIoT can be attacked in many ways, in this paper we focus on adversaries who mount what we call sensor-hijacking attacks, which prevent the constituent medical devices from accurately collecting and reporting the user's health state (e.g., reporting old or wrong physiological measurements). In this paper we outline some of our experiences in implementing a data-driven security solution for detecting sensor-hijacking attack on a secure wearable internet-of-things (WIoT) base station called the Amulet. Given the limited capabilities (computation, memory, battery power) of the Amulet platform, implementing such a security solution is quite challenging and presents several trade-offs with respect to detection accuracy and resources requirements. We conclude the paper with a list of insights into what capabilities constrained WIoT platforms should provide developers so as to make the inclusion of data-driven security primitives in such systems.
Measuring smartphone usage and task switching with log tracking and self-reports:

Smartphones offer multimedia convergence in a single device, ubiquitous access to media, and constant connections with others. The rapid rise of smartphone use calls for more scholarly attention pa...
Racial-Ethnic Disparities in End-of-Life Care Quality among Lung Cancer Patients: A SEER-Medicare-Based Study.

Abstract Introduction Cancer end-of-life care and associated racial-ethnic disparities have been in focus during the last few years due to concerns regarding subjective care variations and poor quality of care. Given the high mortality rate and disease burden of lung cancer, end-of-life care quality is particularly crucial for this disease. This study uses previously validated measures and examines racial-ethnic disparities in lung cancer end-of-life care quality. Methods This study involves retrospective analysis of patients ≥66 years, who were diagnosed with stage I–IV lung cancer, and who died on or before December 31, 2013, using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Result-Medicare data from 1991–2013. Poor quality of care was measured using three themes: (1) potentially preventable medical encounters, (2) delayed hospice referral, and (3) aggressive chemotherapy provision during end-of-life. The patients were analyzed as two separate cohorts of NSCLC and SCLC patients. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate racial-ethnic disparities in the adjusted odds of receiving poor quality end-of-life care. Results The study found considerable racial-ethnic disparities in end-of-life care quality. The racial-ethnic minorities had higher odds of experiencing potentially preventable medical encounters in the last month of life as compared with non-Hispanic whites. Odds of delayed hospice referral and aggressive chemotherapy provision during end-of-life were lower in non-Hispanic blacks as compared with non-Hispanic whites. Conclusions The study findings highlight the continued lack of access and care disparity among the minorities, which could precipitate potentially preventable utilizations, and limit access to hospice care during end-of-life. The study suggests the need to develop educational, patient navigational and other interventions that could potentially reduce aggressive utilizations and improve appropriate hospice care provision during end-of-life.
Fault Tolerant VLSI Multicomputers

An approach is presented to increasing the reliability of future high-end systems beyond what is possible with technological solutions alone. The system consists of computation nodes and communication nodes, interconnected by high-speed dedicated links. These components are relied upon to detect errors while system level protocols are used for error recovery and reconfiguration. The use of duplication and matching for implementing the self-checking nodes allows us to restrict a detailed analysis of the impact of all possible faults to the comparator, a circuit that can be implemented in a relatively straight-forward way in NMOS or CMOS technology.
Understanding the Corporate Identity Effect: An Examination of How Legal Standards are Applied to the Behavior of Corporate versus Individual Defendants in a Civil Lawsuit Scenario

Despite the ongoing struggle to achieve a consistent definition of corporate personhood in jurisprudence, the doctrine is applied in brief and unequivocal terms in the realm of jury decision making. And yet the few empirical studies on jurors' perceptions of corporate litigants suggest that jurors do not treat individuals and corporations as functional equivalents under the law. Rather, prior studies suggest that a “corporate identity effect” renders corporate defendants more liable, more negligent, and owing higher damages than individual defendants sued for identical claims. In light of the many questions regarding the underpinnings of the “corporate identity effect” (and our interest in further examining the roles of anti-corporate bias and emotions in producing the effect), the present study aimed to examine how jurors’ perceptions of defendants shape their verdict decisions and their applications of strictly defined legal standards for behavior. Although our manipulation of corporate identity did not produce reliable effects on the dependent measures of interest, there were interesting hints that a “faceless corporate defendant” suffered greater damage awards than those assessed against individual defendants, and that the subjective standard at which behavior was judged negligent tended to be somewhat lower for a corporation than for an individual. Moreover, the Anti-Corporate Bias Scale (developed by the consulting firm Persuasion Strategies) proved to be a significant, reliable predictor of plaintiff verdicts.
Implementing a baccalaureate program in computer forensics

Since the beginning of this century, motivated by the demand for professionals in computer forensics from the industry, law enforcement, and government in dealing with internal affairs and fighting against digital crimes and terrorism in cyberspace, various curriculum programs have been developed, including certificate, associate, baccalaureate, and graduate programs. In this paper, we will share our experience in implementing a baccalaureate program in computer forensics with respects to its challenges and implementation tactics and strategies. We hope our experience will help others not only in developing a program in a computer forensics related area but also in exploring a new program in one of the other emerging technology fields.
An Inkjet-printed Origami-based Frequency Selective Surface with Wide Frequency and Bandwidth Tunability

A state-of-the-art inkjet-printed tunable origami frequency selective surface (FSS) on cellulose paper is presented that can change its resonant frequency as well as its bandwidth by mechanically folding the structure. Special “bridge-like” structures are introduced alongside the conductive traces to increase their flexibility, thereby avoiding breakage during the folding or bending process. The structure also features a wide angle of incidence rejection capability that facilitates it usage to a wide range of applications ranging from smart skins, tunable radome design and reduction in radar cross section of antennas.
Toward a bio-inspired variable-stiffness morphing limb for amphibious robot locomotion

Most robots operate either exclusively on land or in water. Toward building an amphibious legged robot, we present a morphing limb that can adapt its structure and stiffness for amphibious operation. We draw inspiration for the limb's design from the morphologies of sea turtle flippers and land-faring tortoise legs. Turtles and tortoises have rigid hulls that can be emulated in amphibious robots to provide a convenient, protected volume for motors, electronics, power supply, and payloads. Each of these animals' limbs are tailored for locomotion in their respective environments. A sea turtle flipper has a streamlined profile to reduce drag, making it apt for swimming. A land tortoise leg boasts a strong, expanded cross-section conducive to load-bearing. We capture the morphological advantages of both animals' limbs in our morphing limb via a variable stiffness composite coupled to a pneumatic actuator system that enables on-demand transitions between leg and flipper configurations. We control the degree of stiffness of the limb by varying electrical input to flexible heaters bound to the thermally responsive variable stiffness composite. The proposed morphing amphibious limb design is promising for enabling the next generation of hybrid soft-rigid robots to adapt to unstructured environments.
Enthymematic free space: the efficacy of anti-stop-and-frisk arguments in the face of racial prejudice

AbstractMuch scholarly energy has been invested in understanding how rhetors covertly invoke racial bias and how “color-blind” rhetoric produces unintended racist effects. Less scholarly attention ...
Security creation costs and economic development

We describe a tractable general equilibrium environment in which producers can transform cash-flows at a cost to create securities that cater to the needs of heterogeneous investors. We use the resulting model to characterize the theoretical implications of reductions in the cost of cash-flow transformation activities. Those reductions result in a greater volume of cash-flow transformation but have ambiguous effects on capital formation, output, and TFP, in clear contrast to the outcome of traditional financial development exercises.
Pivots and Prestige: Venture Capital Contracts with Experimentation

We study venture capital financing with experimentation. An entrepreneur contracts with an investor and has private information about a project, which requires costly experimentation by both parties to succeed. In equilibrium, investors learn about the project from the arrival of exogenous information and from the entrepreneur's contract offers. The optimal contract features vesting and dilution, consistent with empirical evidence. Pivots and prestige projects emerge as signaling devices. Surprisingly, technological progress, which lowers the cost of experimentation or which increases the rate of learning, delays separation of types and worsens adverse selection.
Microbial Diagnostics for Cancer: A Step Forward but Not Prime Time Yet.

Translational microbiome science in humans has not yet fully realized its clinical potentials. The analyses by Poore et al. in Nature offer a strong foundation on which to begin to build microbial diagnostics to detect cancer.
Use of contraception among reproductive-aged women in the United States, 2014 and 2016.

Objective To examine current levels, correlates of, and changes in contraceptive use among reproductive-age women in the United States between 2014 and 2016. Design We conducted simple and multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify associations between user characteristics and contraceptive use, with specific attention to methods requiring a visit to a health care provider. Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) All self-identified female respondents to the surveys. Secondary analysis of two rounds of the National Survey of Family Growth, an in-home, nationally representative survey of people ages 15–44 years (2013–2015) and 15–49 years (2015–2017). Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Current use of a contraceptive method, including use of individual methods and grouped method use in 2016, and change in use from 2014. Result(s) Contraceptive use remained steady between 2014 and 2016 among sexually active females not seeking pregnancy (88%). Among users, use of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods increased from 14% to 18%, as use of short-acting reversible contraceptive (SARC) methods fell from 32% to 28%. Implant use among 15- to 19-year-olds rose from 6% to 16% and represents one of the largest increases observed. Access to sexual and reproductive health care was strongly associated with use of all LARC and SARC methods except for the implant (adjusted odds ratios ranged from 3.21 to 13.53). Conclusion(s) Contraceptive users are shifting primarily among the most and moderately effective method groups, and not from contraceptive nonuse to use. Reductions in access to sexual and reproductive health care could have implications for individuals’ ability to use their preferred contraceptive methods.
Repercussions of Pandemics on Markets and Policy

The COVID-19 pandemic that we are experiencing is both tragic and shocking There is no question that, except in some Asian countries trained by prior infectious outbreaks, most policy makers around the world have been ill-prepared to respond to the crisis The effects of the coronavirus on our mental and physical health has been indeed calamitous, and the economic and financial impacts for many have been truly unfortunate Furthermore, the extreme nature of the event is challenging researchers to compile and interpret new evidence that is arriving at a rapid pace The editors Hui Chen, Thierry Foucault, Jeffrey Pontiff, and Nikolai Roussanov and contributing authors are to be commended for assembling and collating a thought-provoking collection of papers More time and study will be needed to fully sift through the evidence and to glean the lessons to be learned from this pandemic for policy makers and investors But the evidence and insights in this volume are a very good start
Electrokinetic characterization of synthetic protein nanoparticles.

The application of nanoparticle in medicine is promising for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. However, the slow progress in the field has resulted in relatively few therapies being translated into the clinic. Anisotropic synthetic protein nanoparticles (ASPNPs) show potential as a next-generation drug-delivery technology, due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and functionality. Even though ASPNPs have the potential to be used in a variety of applications, such as in the treatment of glioblastoma, there is currently no high-throughput technology for the processing of these particles. Insulator-based electrokinetics employ microfluidics devices that rely on electrokinetic principles to manipulate micro- and nanoparticles. These miniaturized devices can selectively trap and enrich nanoparticles based on their material characteristics, and subsequently release them, which allows for particle sorting and processing. In this study, we use insulator-based electrokinetic (EK) microdevices to characterize ASPNPs. We found that anisotropy strongly influences electrokinetic particle behavior by comparing compositionally identical anisotropic and non-anisotropic SPNPs. Additionally, we were able to estimate the empirical electrokinetic equilibrium parameter (eEEEC) for all SPNPs. This particle-dependent parameter can allow for the design of various separation and purification processes. These results show how promising the insulator-based EK microdevices are for the analysis and purification of clinically relevant SPNPs.
Impact of digitally acquired peer diagnostic input on diagnostic confidence in outpatient cases: A pragmatic randomized trial.

Objective The study sought to evaluate if peer input on outpatient cases impacted diagnostic confidence. Materials and methods This randomized trial of a peer input intervention occurred among 28 clinicians with case-level randomization. Encounters with diagnostic uncertainty were entered onto a digital platform to collect input from ≥5 clinicians. The primary outcome was diagnostic confidence. We used mixed-effects logistic regression analyses to assess for intervention impact on diagnostic confidence. Results Among the 509 cases (255 control; 254 intervention), the intervention did not impact confidence (odds ratio [OR], 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.999-2.12), but after adjusting for clinician and case traits, the intervention was associated with higher confidence (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.01-2.32). The intervention impact was greater in cases with high uncertainty (OR, 3.23; 95% CI, 1.09- 9.52). Conclusions Peer input increased diagnostic confidence primarily in high-uncertainty cases, consistent with findings that clinicians desire input primarily in cases with continued uncertainty.
Second order multiscale stochastic volatility asymptotics: stochastic terminal layer analysis and calibration

Multiscale stochastic volatility models have been developed as an efficient way to capture the principle effects on derivative pricing and portfolio optimization of randomly varying volatility. The recent book Fouque, Papanicolaou, Sircar and Solna (2011, CUP) analyzes models in which the volatility of the underlying is driven by two diffusions – one fast mean-reverting and one slow-varying, and provides a first order approximation for European option prices and for the implied volatility surface, which is calibrated to market data. Here, we present the full second order asymptotics, which are considerably more complicated due to a terminal layer near the option expiration time. We find that, to second order, the implied volatility approximation depends quadratically on log-moneyness, capturing the convexity of the implied volatility curve seen in data. We introduce a new probabilistic approach to the terminal layer analysis needed for the derivation of the second order singular perturbation term, and calibrate to S&P 500 options data.
Glioblastoma mutations impair ligand discrimination by EGFR

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is frequently mutated in human cancer, and is an important therapeutic target. EGFR inhibitors have been successful in lung cancer, where the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain is mutated, but not in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) - where mutations (or deletions) occur exclusively in the EGFR extracellular region. Wild-type EGFR is known to elicit distinct signals in response to different growth factor ligands, exhibiting biased agonism. We recently showed that individual ligands stabilize distinct receptor dimer structures, which signal with different kinetics to specify outcome. EGF induces strong symmetric dimers that signal transiently to promote proliferation. Epiregulin (EREG) induces weak asymmetric dimers that generate sustained signaling and differentiation. Intriguingly, several GBM mutation hotspots coincide with residues that define the asymmetric and symmetric dimer structures. Here, we show that common extracellular GBM mutations prevent EGFR from distinguishing between EGF and EREG based on dimer structure and stability - allowing strong dimers to form with both ligands. Crystal structures show that the R84K mutation symmetrizes EREG-driven dimers, whereas the A265V mutation remodels key dimerization sites. Our results suggest that modulating EGFR9s biased agonism plays an important role in GBM, and suggest new approaches for 9correcting9 aberrant EGFR signaling in cancer.
Booster-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with autoimmune disease: a case series.

An attenuated humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has been observed in some patients with autoimmune disease,1 2 and immunosuppressed status has been associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection despite vaccination.3 Recent studies have demonstrated enhanced humoral response to third-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in immunosuppressed transplant patients,4 5 but the immunogenicity of booster vaccination in other immunosuppressed populations is unknown. Thus, we sought to describe the humoral response in patients with autoimmune disease who received a booster SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Using our prospective cohort of patients with autoimmune disease,5 we included patients who reported receipt of a single booster dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA or adenovirus vector vaccine between 10 April and 11 June 2021. We observed serial anti-spike antibody responses among these participants. A total of 18 participants received a booster SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dose (table 1). Most (13/18) were women with median (IQR) age of 55 (44–63) years. The most common autoimmune diagnoses included myositis (n=6) and inflammatory arthritis (n=3). Most (14/18) were on antimetabolite therapy; mycophenolate was the most commonly reported immunosuppressive therapy (n=8), with a median (IQR) daily dose of 3000 mg (2500–3000 mg). Participants completed initial vaccination with either Pfizer (n=8), Moderna (n=6) or Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (J&J) Ad26.COV2.S (n=4). View this table: Table 1 Vaccines administered, autoimmune diagnoses, immunosuppression and peri-vaccination management with longitudinal anti-spike antibody responses Anti-spike antibodies, evaluated via Roche Elecsys anti-RBD pan-Ig were negative in 10 participants (anti-RBD <0.8 U/mL) and low-positive …
Women’s headscarves in news photographs: A comparison between the secular and Islamic press during the AKP government in Turkey

This article compares the visual representations of the female headscarf in Islamic and secular newspapers in Turkey during the 10-year rule of the Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkinma Partisi (AKP)). This study is based on a content analysis of all visuals from three election periods (November 2002, July 2007 and June 2011) and two neutral time frames outside of the elections (August 2002 and August 2012). It also includes a qualitative analysis of the news articles that showed pictures of successful women wearing headscarves. The results show that the number of women wearing headscarves increased in both Islamic and secular newspapers between 2002 and 2012. The increase is not only more prominent in Islamic newspapers but the valence attached to headscarves and to the women wearing them is also qualitatively different. This article argues that the Islamic newspapers have created an image of a new ideal conservative woman that ignores the worsening conditions for women in general and AKP’s i...
Electrochemistry in and at single biological cells

Publisher Summary Electrochemistry in small places and at novel interfaces is illustrated in the chapter. Secretory cells release chemical messengers to the extracellular space through a natural process called exocytosis. Different electrochemically detectable substances can be released from a variety of cell types by this process. Depolarization of the plasma membrane and a rise in intracellular calcium levels are hallmarks of the initiation of the exocytotic process. Electrochemical detection of exocytosis from single, isolated cells can be carried out in an amperometric or voltammetric mode. A number of chemical messengers released by neurons, neuroendocrine, and immune response cells are electrochemically active. These include dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, all of which can be oxidized at moderate potentials. Chromaffin cells can synthesize, store, and release epinephrine and norepinephrine, while mast cells can only synthesize and release histamine. In mast cells, histamine is found in much greater quantity than serotonin. Microelectroporation-assisted insertion and careful micromanipulation of a micropipette is required for the formation of an artificial cell.
Spontaneous pregnancy following gonadotropin-induced ovulation and conception.

Abstract Reports of induction of ovulation with human gonadotropins continue to appear. Scant information is available, however, about subsequent menstrual and reproductive patterns. Our recent five-year experience with gonadotropin-induced ovulation is reviewed, and attention is focused on a group of patients who became pregnant spontaneously at variable intervals after a gonadotropin-induced pregnancy. Most of these cases had been diagnosed previously as polycystic ovarian syndrome. The mechanism of the return to intermittent spontaneous ovulation remains obscure but may be analogous to the benefits derived from ovarian wedge resection.
Global Expansion at Sanford C. Bernstein (A) (Abridged)

Sanford C. Bernstein, a premier sell-side research firm, is expanding globally, and has recently opened an office in Hong Kong. Global Director of Research Robert van Brugge must consider how best to organize the firm's research department to enhance cross-sector and cross-geography collaboration among the senior research analysts in order to adapt to the challenging realities of global expansion in the financial services industry.Learning Objective:To discuss and analyze the leadership challenges of building and leveraging a global platform, the challenges of driving organizational change, and the role of leaders in creating a supportive environment for collaborative work from the perspective of the leader.
Impact of a 2-Day Critical Care Ultrasound Course during Fellowship Training: A Pilot Study

Objectives. Despite the increasing utilization of point-of-care critical care ultrasonography (CCUS), standards establishing competency for its use are lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 2-day CCUS course implementation on ultrasound-naive critical care medicine (CCM) fellows. Methods. Prospective evaluation of the impact of a two-day CCUS course on eight CCM fellows' attitudes, proficiency, and use of CCUS. Ultrasound competency on multiple organ systems was assessed including abdominal, pulmonary, vascular, and cardiac systems. Subjects served as self-controls and were assessed just prior to, within 1 week after, and 3 months after the course. Results. There was a significant improvement in CCM fellows' written test scores, image acquisition ability, and pathologic image interpretation 1 week after the course and it was retained 3 months after the course. Fellows also had self-reported increased confidence and usage of CCUS applications after the course. Conclusions. Implementation of a 2-day critical care ultrasound course covering general CCUS and basic critical care echocardiography using a combination of didactics, live models, and ultrasound simulators is effective in improving critical care fellows' proficiency and confidence with ultrasound use in both the short- and long-term settings.
A stochastic unknown input realization and filtering technique

This paper studies the state estimation problem of linear discrete-time systems with unknown inputs which can be treated as a wide-sense stationary process with rational power spectral density, while no other prior information needs to be known. We propose an autoregressive (AR) model based unknown input realization technique which allows us to recover the input statistics from the output data by solving an appropriate least squares problem, then fit an AR model to the recovered input statistics and construct an innovations model of the unknown inputs using the eigensystem realization algorithm. An augmented state system is constructed and the standard Kalman filter is applied for the state estimation. A reduced order model filter is also introduced to reduce the computational cost of the Kalman filter. A numerical example is given to illustrate the procedure.
MELTING BY PULSED LASER IRRADIATION

The phenomenon of melting produced by pulsed ruby-laser (lambda = 0.694 ..mu..m) irradiation has been investigated. Removal of dopant precipitates, dislocations, and loops during laser irradiation provides clear evidence of melting. The depth of melting can be determined as a function of laser parameters (energy density and pulse duration) from the thickness of defect-free regions and lengths of reoriented dislocation segments.
Multiwavelength lidar measurements at the City College of New York in support of the NOAA-NEAQS and NASA-INTEX-NA experiments

Satellite measurements do not provide the vertical information needed to assess aerosol transport mechanisms. To supply this information, multiwavelength lidar measurements are needed to study the vertical structure of aerosol events. In support of NASA-INTEX and NOAA-NEAQS transport experiments; we present lidar retrievals, which identify multiple stratified particulate plumes occurring over New York City on 2004 July 21 in support of MODIS imagery. In particular, multiwavelength measurements at CCNY are used to determine the /spl Aring/ngstro/spl uml/m coefficient of the plumes that unambiguously identifies them as fine mode particulates and not cloud particles. A description of our lidar system capabilities and processing algorithms used to process simultaneous backscatter lidar measurements with Aeronet CIMEL Optical Depth (OD) data is presented and back trajectory analysis is used to confirm the source of the plumes to be from Alaskan wild fires. Finally, surface measurements from in situ particle counters are presented and show no enhanced PM2.5 loading. This result is supported by lidar measurements, which confirm that nearly all of the aerosol plumes are located above the normal aerosol boundary layer showing that satellite measurements are often incomplete and is not useful to assess surface air quality. In particular, we show that high PM2.5 events are triggered from more local sources such as the Ohio Basin and climatological conditions which drive the pollution to the surface.
Vision related quality of life in spinocerebellar ataxia

Abstract Objective Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) leads to abnormal ocular motility and alignment. The objective of this study was to quantitatively assess vision, ocular motility and alignment and its impact on vision related quality of life (VRQOL) in SCA. Methods Nineteen genetically diagnosed SCA subjects (11 SCA type 3, 3 SCA type 1 and 5 SCA type 6) participated at two university centers. All subjects completed the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ), 10-Item Neuro-Ophthalmic Supplement (NOS), scale for assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA) and ophthalmic examination. Twelve subjects seen at one of the 2 sites underwent quantitative ocular motility and alignment assessment. Results Composite scores for NEI-VFQ (mean 76.3 ± 13) and NOS (mean 65.2 ± 16.8) were significantly decreased in SCA subjects. NEI-VFQ subscale scores were decreased for general, near, distance and peripheral vision and driving. SCA patients had decreased low contrast sensitivity, stereoacuity and multiple ocular motility defects which included gaze limitation (9/12), nystagmus (5/12), distance esophoria (11/12), near exophoria (12/12) and receded near point of convergence. A significant negative correlation was noted between composite scores and distance convergence fusional amplitude. Conclusion VRQOL is significantly decreased in SCA compared to normal population. All SCA patients should be screened for visual disability and referred for neuro-ophthalmic assessment promptly.
Real-time mission and trajectory planning

An automated mission and trajectory planner for piloted as well as autonomous vehicle applications is described. The planning system is composed of a trajectory planner and a mission planner. The trajectory planner generates multiple, near-optimal trajectories between mission objectives and estimates the costs (in terms of time, energy and lethality) to fly those trajectories. The mission planner uses this information to select and order the subset of mission objectives that is consistent with any constraints that have been imposed on the planning process. By viewing the time available to plan as an explicit constraint on the planning process, the planner is capable of adapting its planning strategy to the requirements of a broad spectrum of real-time applications. The automated mission and trajectory planner has been implemented and evaluated in a serial computational environment. Results are presented to illustrate the capabilities of the planner in the context of a hypothetical vehicle and mission environment.
Demographic, Employment, Expenditure, and Income-Related Dependency Ratios: Population Aging in the Fifty States

Old-age dependency ratios (OADR) are frequently used to measure the economic impact of U.S. population aging. However, at the state level youth-dependence, and the “birth dearth,” are important. While federal expenditures on elder Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are large, state expenditures on dependent youth are much higher than on elders. The states are ranked by the OADR and three other dependency ratios that consider youth and a state's employment, fiscal outlay, and per-capita income. Very different rankings are found. States with higher OADR ratios had lower total dependency expenditures. Projections for 2030 are compared with 2000 results.
Diverse effects of neutrophil integrin occupation on respiratory burst activation.

Abstract Integrin occupation can alter the function of neutrophils (PMN), but the mechanism(s) involved is still unclear. This study demonstrated that the occupation of PMN integrins (especially those of the β 3 subfamily) strongly enhances TNF stimulation of the respiratory burst but down-regulates that induced by PMA, fMLP, Con A, and serum treated zymosan. Treatment of PMN with genistein, staurosporine, and wortmannin, inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, protein kinase C, and phosphotidylinostol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) respectively, completely blocked the TNF-stimulated respiratory burst in PMN. Genistein and wortmannin enhanced the PMA-stimulated respiratory burst but only in cells adherent to RGD peptide. These findings suggest that PMN integrins (β 3 subfamily) can generate signals that regulate the PMN agonist responses, probably through the activities of tyrosine kinases and PI 3-kinase.
Role of telomerase in radiocurability (Review)

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex that elongates telomeres by adding hexameric (TTAGGG) repeats to the telomeric ends of the chromosomes, thus compensating for the continued erosion of telomeres. Telomerase activity is present in unicellular organisms and germ cells, both places where it is expected to play a role in indefinite cycling and protection from shortening of the telomeres. One phenotypic manifestation that is virtually pathognomonic of several cancer cells is the telomerase activity. Telomerase activity is enhanced in several cell types after treatment with ionizing radiation (IR). Whether there is a direct correlation between the levels of telomerase activity and IR response for tumor cell kill is yet to be addressed in detail. In this review, information is summarized on telomerase activity as a measure for monitoring the radiocurability of tumors. As tumor growth is partly due to deregulated cell cycling, insights into telomerase activity through the cell cycle may prove helpful in designing therapeutic agents either for telomerase activation in cells where its expression can overcome senescence and prolong the life of post-mitotic cells, or inhibition of telomerase where it is essential for proliferation and thus can provide a therapeutic advantage to kill the tumor cells.
The African Union's Peace Operations: A Comparative Analysis

Between 2003 and 2008 the African Union deployed peace operations involving approximately 15,000 soldiers to four states: Burundi, Sudan, the Comoros, and Somalia. This represented a huge change of tempo from its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity. It also raises important questions about how successful these operations have been, what challenges they raise for the union's peacekeepers, and whether this tempo of operations is sustainable. This article addresses these questions by providing an overview of the African Union's peace operations and then reflecting on some of the general conclusions that can be drawn from the organization's first five years of peacekeeping.
On procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of reinterview survey methods : Application to labor force data

Abstract Several types of reinterview surveys have been designed to measure the different kinds of response errors that occur in survey data. This article is based on the reinterview procedures conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau in its monthly Current Population Survey. We present estimates of the misclassification error rates associated with the original survey data collection procedures and the reinterview methods. A new procedure enables us to estimate the dependence between the error rates of the original survey and the initial nonreconciled reinterview when the reconciled reinterview method is used. Our approach extends to the survey setting methods previously developed for estimating error rates of diagnostic tests. This new approach indicates that the response-variance reinterview methods are effective in replicating the original survey's error rates; however, the reconciled reinterview method creates a substantial dependence between the original and the initial nonreconciled reinterview error rates.
Ethical dilemmas in social problems research: a theoretical framework.

Interest in ethical issues in social science has increased greatly in recent years. However, no comprehensive framework for the prediction and elimination of ethical dilemmas has been presented in the literature. This paper first analyzes reasons for increased interest in ethical issues, and then presents a broad framework for prediction and analysis of ethical problems. This framework is based on exchange theory, and shows the interdependencies between five “publics” in the research process: sponsors, researchers, subjects, the media, and the general public. The model also utilizes the sociological concepts of role of each public, the configuration of ascribed and achieved status, and norm abeyance. The primary exchange concepts used are cost, benefit, and trust. The model is illustrated with four actual research projects where ethical dilemmas occurred, and is found to be predictive of ethical problems if there are great disparities in cost/benefit ratios between subjects and researchers or sponsors, if there is great discrepancy between the status of the subjects and the researchers or sponsors, and if the researchers engage in norm abeyance.
Some properties of spinal neurons projecting to the medial brain-stem reticular formation.

Abstract Experiments were done to locate and characterize neurons projecting from the spinal cord to the brain-stem reticular formation. In barbiturate-anesthetized or midcollicular-decerebrate cats, concentric bipolar electrodes were placed in the medial brain-stem reticular formation of the caudal pons and rostral medulla. Neurons were identified as projecting to brain-stem reticular formation using the antidromic collision criterion. Of 30 cells, 20 projected to the ipsilateral and ten to the contralateral brain-stem reticular formation. The mean conduction velocity was 49.6 m/sec. Cell somata were located deep to lamina V of the dorsal horn. Neurons in this sample fell into two categories based on their receptive field. One type of cell was excited by firm pressure over such deep structures as muscles, ligaments and periosteum. The second type had a large cutaneous receptive field. Neurons of this second type responded maximally to noxious cutaneous stimuli. Inhibitory receptive field components were common in neurons with both types of receptive field. In addition to antidromic activation, stimulation of medial brain-stem reticular formation produced both synaptic excitation and marked inhibition of some cells projecting to the brain-stem reticular formation. It is concluded that spinoreticular neurons may relay information concerning noxious stimuli.