cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Graduate education in sociology: What do we need to do differently?

Research methods should be the core of a sociology curriculum, but they need to be taught with more emphasis on application and with greater recognition of the importance of managerial and communicative skills. Participation in practicums or where feasible, internships in the private or public sector, should be part of that research training. Departments should select areas of specialization within sociology that reflect the faculty’s expertise, the university’s strengths or distinctiveness, and the social, economic and demographic characteristics of the area. But such basic sub-fields as history, stratification, theory, social psychology, demography and social organization must be included in every curriculum. How to go about selecting a worthwhile research problem and how to communicate results are skills that should be taught in a graduate program.
Preventive healthcare use, smoking, and alcohol use among Rhode Island women experiencing intimate partner violence.

Objective: Intimate partner violence (IPV) poses major health threats to women, including increased risk for several chronic health conditions. The impact of IPV on use of preventive health services is not well understood. Although several studies indicate that female victims of IPV have higher rates of alcohol abuse, this has not been replicated in population-based studies. The association of IPV with smoking has not been a major research focus. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between physical and psychological IPV in the past 12 months and preventive healthcare use, smoking, and alcohol use among women. Methods: Data on 1643 women aged 18-54 from the 1999 Rhode Island Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed. Logistic regression, controlling for age, race, marital status, education, insurance status, and functional disability, was used to model the associations of IPV with (1) checkups, (2) clinical breast examinations (CBEs), (3) Pap smear screening, (4) cigaret...
Optimal Lead-Time Planning in Serial Production Systems with Earliness and Tardiness Costs

We consider a production system consisting of N processing stages. The actual leadtimes at the stages are stochastic. The objective is to determine the planned leadtimes at each stage so as to minimize the expected total inventory costs, tardiness penalties, and a backlog penalty for not meeting demand due date at the last stage. Recursive relationships are used for automatic generation and efficient computation of the objective function. The efficiency of the proposed algorithms allows us to obtain new insights regarding operating policies, leadtime delivery reliability, and production line design. The problem is formulated as a convex nonlinear programming problem. The latter is then solved using classical convex optimization algorithms. For the special case of exponentially distributed leadtimes, the objective function is derived in closed form.
A 4-Channel Waveform Sampling ASIC in 0.13 μm CMOS for front-end Readout of Large-Area Micro-Channel Plate Detectors

Abstract We describe here the development of PSEC-3, a custom integrated circuit designed in the IBM-8RF 0.13 μm CMOS process and intended for fast, low-power waveform sampling. As part of the Large-Area Picosecond Photo-Detector (LAPPD) collaboration, this chip has been designed as a prototype application-speciﬁc integrated circuit (ASIC) for the front-end transmission line readout of large-area micro-channel plate photomultiplier tubes (MCP-PMTs). With 4 channels, PSEC-3 has a buffer depth of 256 samples on each channel, a chip-parallel ramp-compare ADC, and a serial data readout that includes the capability for region-of-interest windowing to reduce dead time. Chip calibrations and performance results, including achieved sampling rates of 2.5-17 GSa/s, are reported. Some design issues are identiﬁed, in particular the dependence of analog bandwidth on location in the sampling array. The causes have been found and addressed in a subsequent PSEC-4 submission.
Preliminary evaluation of imaging sonars for high-security underwater assessment

This paper discusses preliminary evaluation of three acoustic systems capable of producing human-recognizable images of underwater scenes for use in high-consequence security system situations where final assessment of an event must be performed by a human operator. Tested systems included the BlueView ProViewer P450E-15, BlueView ProViewer P900E-20, and RESON SeaBat 7128, which were chosen for the good balance of resolution and range provided by their frequency of operation (450kHz, 900kHz, and 400kHz, respectively) revealed during a prior study. Video clips were recorded from these systems while observing swimmers, open-circuit scuba divers, and closed-circuit rebreather divers in a marine harbor in St. Petersburg, FL. Clips were randomized and presented to 18 volunteer evaluators who were asked to identify which clips contained divers and which did not. The highest scoring system also had the highest operating frequency. However, the same high-scoring sonar in a different configuration scored similar to the system with the lowest frequency. This indicates that signal frequency, and therefore image resolution, is not a definite predictor of human assessment performance. After noticing many evaluators performed poorly with cluttered clips or clips with low acoustic target strength, results were recalculated to remove swimmers and surface swim routes such that only uncluttered, clearly-reflecting targets were included. Some sonar scores were moderately improved by this change, while others significantly decreased. This indicated that target clarity is also not a definite predictor of human assessment performance. Further analysis is recommended to reveal all major factors affecting assessment to maximize quality and eventually bring underwater security assessment to a high level.
A New Programme for Religious Language: The Transformational Generative Grammar

Recent defenders of the cognitive significance of religious language have had to face opponents from two directions; from those who demand that religious language be capable of some form of empirical verification (or falsification) and from those who demand that for religious language to be meaningful it must be capable of being understood in ordinary language. Apologists who have taken the first challenge seriously have strained to show that religious statements can be verified by 'religious experience', or by an 'odd discernment' or by an 'eschatological verification'.' Each of these responses raises further problems for the defender of religion, but in general they all are subject to their failure to provide an adequate criterion or standard by which they could be inter-subjectively tested. Facing in the other direction, theological apologists have attempted to justify religious expressions by showing that they could be subsumed under special categories of ordinary language; namely those of 'convictional language' and 'per formative language'.2 Although these defenders have shown that religious language has an 'ordinary usage', they have not shown that the cognitive elements of this usage can be reduced to the 'use of ordinary language'.3 Often, these discussions about religious language occur in the context of a linguistic theory. Demands for verification (or falsification) are usually founded upon some form of logical empiricism. Even those who hold that the verification principle is only a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the meaningfulness of a statement, are at least committed implicitly if not explicitly to the presupposition that language represents physical events or physical objects. Similarly, a commitment to the ordinary language paradigm is usually assumed (either explicitly or implicitly) by those who debate whether religious statements are expressible by the use of ordinary
The acute and residual effect of a single exercise session on meal glucose tolerance in sedentary young adults.

The study goals were to (1) establish the variability in postprandial glucose control in healthy young people consuming a mixed meal and, then (2) determine the acute and residual impact of a single exercise bout on postprandial glucose control. In study 1, 18 people completed two similar mixed meal trials and an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). There were strong test-retest correlations for the post-meal area under the curve (AUC) for glucose, insulin, and Cpeptide (r = 0.73–0.83) and the Matsuda insulin sensitivity index (ISI, r = 0.76), and between meal and IVGTT-derived ISI (r = 0.83). In study 2, 11 untrained young adults completed 3 trials. One trial (No Ex) was completed after refraining from vigorous activity for ≥3 days. On the other 2 trials, a 45-min aerobic exercise bout was performed either 17-hours (Prior Day Ex) or 1-hour (Same Day Ex) before consuming the test meal. Compared to No Ex and Prior Day Ex, which did not differ from one another, there were lower AUCs on the Same Day Ex trial for glucose (6%), insulin (20%) and C-peptide (14%). Thus, a single moderate intensity exercise session can acutely improve glycemic control but the effect is modest and short-lived.
Clinical trials and American Indians/Alaska Natives with substance use disorders: identifying potential strategies for a new cultural-based intervention

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address a significant public mental health disparity affecting American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs): the shortage of clinical trials research analyzing the benefits of AI/AN traditional-based treatments, e.g. drumming. Design/methodology/approach – A total of four focus groups were conducted among outpatient and inpatient AI/AN substance abuse patients and providers serving AI/ANs. The purpose of these focus groups was to obtain insights relating to the recent challenges of conducting a clinical trial within the outpatient treatment setting seeking to analyze the benefits of a new substance abuse treatment intervention utilizing drumming for AI/ANs [Drum-assisted Recovery Therapy for Native Americans (DARTNA)] and to obtain recommendations to successfully conduct a similar study within an inpatient treatment setting. Findings – The most prevalent barriers to conducting a clinical trial within an outpatient setting were transportation and child care issues. Rec...
In-plane vibration of slightly curved laminated composite beams

Abstract A complete set of equations for the free and forced vibration analysis of laminated composite beams of shallow curvature is presented. The beam is assumed to be vibrating in its plane. These equations are shown to be consistent by variational derivation. Natural frequencies for simply supported curved beams are obtained by exact solutions. The Ritz method with algebraic polynomials is used to obtain approximate solutions for arbitrary boundary conditions. Natural frequencies for completely free and cantilevered curved beams are presented as examples. Extension-bending coupling due to lamination is distinguished from that due to curvature. Effects of curvature, material orthotropy and lamination sequence on the natural frequencies are studied.
A magneto-rheological fluid-based torque sensor for smart torque wrench application

In this paper, the authors have developed a new application where MR fluid is being used as a sensor. An MR-fluid based torque wrench has been developed with a rotary MR fluid-based damper. The desired set torque ranges from 1 to 6 N.m. Having continuously controllable yield strength, the MR fluid-based torque wrench presents a great advantage over the regular available torque wrenches in the market. This design is capable of providing continuous set toque from the lower limit to the upper limit while regular torque wrenches provide discrete set torques only at some limited points. This feature will be especially important in high fidelity systems where tightening torque is very critical and the tolerances are low.
A study of expediting practices in manufacturing firms

Abstract This paper presents the results of an empirical investigation of one of the most common yet least optimized production management practices—expediting. The intention of this study was to generate quantitative insight into issues that underlie expediting decision making, such as the relative frequency of various causes of expediting, commonly used expediting strategies and tactics, and the interaction of expediting and the production scheduling environment in use. The study centered around a survey sent to 1768 manufacturing staff personnel, with 182 usable questionnaires returned. It is hoped that the data and conclusions presented in this paper will be of use to production management researchers who are interested in expediting as a managerial decision.
Biophysics and Structure of the Patch and the Gigaseal

Interpreting channel behavior in patches requires an understanding of patch structure and dynamics, especially in studies of mechanosensitive channels. High resolution optical studies show that patch formation occurs via blebbing that disrupts normal membrane structure and redistributes in situ components including ion channels. There is a 1–2 μm region of the seal below the patch where proteins are excluded and this may consist of extracted lipids that form the gigaseal. Patch domes often have complex geometries with inhomogeneous stresses due to the membrane-glass adhesion energy (Ea), cytoskeletal forces, and possible lipid subdomains. The resting tension in the patch dome ranges from 1–4 mN/m, a significant fraction of the lytic tension of a bilayer (∼10 mN/m). Thus, all patch experiments are conducted under substantial, and uneven, resting tension that may alter the kinetics of many channels. Ea seems dominated by van der Waals attraction overlaid with a normally repulsive Coulombic force. High ionic strength pipette saline increased Ea and, surprisingly, increased cytoskeletal rigidity in cell-attached patches. Low pH pipette saline also increased Ea and reduced the seal selectivity for cations, presumably by neutralizing the membrane surface charge. The seal is a negatively charged, cation selective, space with a resistance of ∼7 gigohm/μm in 100 mM KCl, and the high resistivity of the space may result from the presence of high viscosity glycoproteins. Patches creep up the pipette over time with voltage independent and voltage dependent components. Voltage-independent creep is expected from the capillary attraction of Ea and the flow of fresh lipids from the cell. Voltage-dependent creep seems to arise from electroosmosis in the seal. Neutralization of negative charges on the seal membrane with low pH decreased the creep rate and reversed the direction of creep at positive pipette potentials.
Prise en charge chirurgicale de la maladie occlusive veineuse centrale en rapport avec l’hémodialyse : Un algorithme thérapeutique

Introduction La creation et la conservation de l’acces de dialyse chez les patients presentant une maladie occlusive veineuse centrale (MOVC) est un probleme complexe. L’approche et le processus decisionnel chirurgicaux demeurent mal definis. Nous avons evalue notre experience dans la prise en charge chirurgicale de la MOVC en rapport avec l’hemodialyse. La technique chirurgicale, les donnees demographiques, les complications, les reinterventions, les taux d’acces fonctionnels, et les facteurs influencant la morbidite et la mortalite ont ete examines. Methodes De janvier 2006 a mai 2010, nous avons realise un total de 1703 procedures d’acces de dialyse, 1021 fistules arterioveineuses (FAVs), 335 greffes arterioveineuses (GAVs), et 314 reprises d’acces comprenant des procedures de sauvetage endovasculaire. Dix-sept patients (10 femmes [58%] avec un âge moyen de 44 ± 27 ans) atteints de MOVC qui n’etaient pas indiques pour une greffe renale ou une dialyse peritoneale ont subi 20 procedures d’acces vasculaires complexes. Les indications etaient le besoin d’une creation d’acces dans 14 cas (70%) et une conservation dans les 6 autres (30%). Le polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) a ete employe pour tous les pontages chirurgicaux (PC). Tous les patients avaient precedemment subi de multiples procedures d’acces et avaient eu des echecs d’interventions percutanees pour MOVC. Resultats La planification chirurgicale consistait a trouver une sortie veineuse pour un acces arterioveineux (AV) ; les reconstructions veineuses centrales etaient necessaires dans 10 cas (50%) (7 [35%] sur le systeme veineux central thoracique et 3 [15%] sur des vaisseaux sous-diaphragmatiques) et un PC veineux extra-anatomique dans deux cas (10%). Les options d’acces non-veineux incluaient un PC arterio-arteriel axillaire parietal thoracique dans cinq cas (25%) et un PC de l’artere brachiale a l’oreillette droite dans trois (15%). Le succes technique etait obtenu dans tous les cas (100%). Le suivi moyen etait de 14,1 mois, les taux de permeabilite des acces AV ou par PC etaient de 66% a 6 mois et la duree globale de fonctionnement d’acces AV etait en moyenne de 9,2 mois. Parmi ces derniers, 85% des patients retournaient a domicile et 19 (95%) ont repris leurs activites habituelles. Un deces s’est produit par defaillance multi-organe au cours de la periode postoperatoire de 30 jours. Quatre patients supplementaires sont morts dans un delai de 3 ans apres la procedure, en raison de leurs comorbidites et sans lien avec la chirurgie. Conclusion Le recours a un acces vasculaires complexes augmentera avec le nombre de patients presentant une insuffisance renale terminale. La MOVC est un defi pour la chirurgie d’acces de dialyse et avec cet article nous proposons un algorithme de prise de decision.
Technique and role of embolization using ethylene vinyl-alcohol copolymer before carotid body tumor resection

A 45-year old female referred for a large carotid body tumor resection. The tumor was encasing the internal (ICA) and external carotid arteries (ECA). She underwent angiogram and embolization of the ascending pharyngeal artery and a distal branch of the ECA using ethylene vinyl-alcohol copolymer (EVOH). Two days later, surgical resection of the tumor with regional lymph node dissection was performed along with an interposition reversed vein graft anastomosis between the mid common carotid and distal ICA. Devascularization of carotid body tumor can be performed using EVOH delivered through trans-arterial and percutaneous routes. Embolization may facilitate surgical resection and decrease blood loss but does not decrease the rate of neurological complications. Embolization can be performed by the vascular surgeon before a large carotid body tumor resection with minimal migration and or stroke risk.
Photoionization in micelles: Addition of charged electron acceptors

Abstract The relative photoyield of the electron donor N , N , N ′, N ′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), solubilized in sodium and lithium dodecyl sulfate micelles with added charged electron acceptors was investigated. It was attempted to control the acceptor distance from a charged micellar interface by differently charged acceptors, cationic dimethyl viologen and anionic ferricyanide. However, back electron transfer from both cationic and anionic acceptors was found to be efficient. Thus simple electrostatic arguments for control of the photoyield do not seem applicable. Salt effects associated with the added ionic acceptors which partially neutralize the ionic micellar interface are suggested to be an important factor.
The experience of Marian apparitions and the Mary cult

Abstract Since the earliest visions of Mary in the 4th century, there have been an estimated 21,000 sightings of Mary in the eastern and western Christian worlds. Centered on youth from the lower economic strata, the visions spawn a considerable following. Millions visit the well-known vision sites such as Lourdes, Fatima, and Guadalupe. Many healings were reported, a proportion of which were verified as miracles by authorities. Visions have become increasingly common in the 20th century, with reports from so many places it is hard to keep track of them all. Modern visions tend to be serial, or recurring, as well as public—witnessed by hundreds or thousands of others. Phenomenological examination reveals 16 characteristics of the Marian Apparitions spiritual life world.
Probing the nucleation mechanism for the binary n-nonane/1-alcohol series with atomistic simulations.

The AVUS−HR approach, which combines histogram reweighting with aggregation-volume-bias Monte Carlo nucleation simulations using self-adaptive umbrella sampling, was extended to multicomponent nucleation systems. It was applied to investigate the homogeneous vapor−liquid nucleation for the binary n-nonane/1-alcohol series, including the n-nonane/methanol, n-nonane/ethanol, n-nonane/1-propanol, n-nonane/1-butanol, n-nonane/1-hexanol, and n-nonane/1-decanol systems. The simple transferable potentials for phase equilibria-united atom force field was used in this investigation. It was found that the nucleation free energy (NFE) contour plots obtained for these binary n-nonane/1-alcohol nucleation systems exhibit rather interesting mechanistic features, some of which are distinct from other binary systems previously studied (such as water/ethanol and water/n-nonane). In addition, the NFE profiles show a subtle evolution with the increase in alcohol chain length, from a somewhat two-pathway type of shape as obs...
A manual sequencing method for identification of phosphorylated amino acids in phosphopeptides

We describe a simple and inexpensive method for determining the location of phosphoamino acids in an isolated phosphopeptide. Phosphopeptides are immobilized on arylamine membrane discs using water-soluble carbodiimide, and the immobilized peptides are subjected to manual Edman degradation. The use of a membrane disc resulted in excellent recovery (65 to 80%) of radiolabeled phosphate following Edman degradation. Furthermore, interference from carryover and peptide washout is reduced to a minimum. The methodology should therefore be able to generate reliable results when used to analyze phosphopeptides that contain multiple phosphorylation sites. In addition to its advantage in sensitivity, the manual sequencing method is easy to perform and does not entail any sophisticated instrumentation.
Capillary Histology Imagery Visualization and Exploration

In this poster, we describe the Capillary Histology Imagery Visualization and Exploration (CHIVE) project that is developing new tools for studying the vascular system in the mouse brain. Our ultimate goal is to understand the micro-vascular architecture of the brain and its role in development and disease. The size and complexity of brain vasculature demands a new methodology for study. We are developing such a methodology for imaging and examining the micro-vasculature of the mouse brain. To study the vascular system in the brain, we need an imaging modality capable of seeing the capillaries, the smallest vessels that ultimately deliver oxygen and nutrients from the blood. We are interested in the patternings of these vessels throughout the brain. This requires an imaging modality capable of extremely high resolution: we must resolve individual capillaries that are a few microns wide, over the entire brain. At present, the only method capable of this resolution is histology and montage-microscopy: physically sectioning a specimen and imaging it under a light microscope. The histological process produces a unique dataset containing an immense amount of small details over a large volume. To make use of this data, we have needed to develop a new suite of tools for visualization and analysis. The result is a visualization system that allows a scientist to work with the large image sets that result from histology in a way that supports exploration and analysis that is tuned to the unusual features of the image sets. In the poster summarized in this abstract we will outline our protocol for data collection and the types of data it creates. We will describe how the features of the data lead to challenges for visualization and analysis. We will describe our preliminary system for working with the data, CHIVE, and describe how it responds to some of these challenges. We conclude by discussing some of the issues CHIVE does not presently address.
Storage density of shift-multiplexed holographic memory

The storage density of shift-multiplexed holographic memory is calculated and compared with experimentally achieved densities by use of photorefractive and write-once materials. We consider holographic selectivity as well as the recording material s dynamic range (M /#) and required diffraction efficiencies in formulating the calculations of storage densities, thereby taking into account all major factors limiting the raw storage density achievable with shift-multiplexed holographic storage systems. We show that the M /# is the key factor in limiting storage densities rather than the recording material s thickness for organic materials in which the scatter is relatively high. A storage density of 100 bits m2 is experimentally demonstrated by use of a 1-mm-thick LiNbO3 crystal as the recording medium.
Spectral response of architecturally different wheat canopies

Abstract The spectral response of two architecturally different spring wheat canopies having similar single leaf reflectance, green leaf area index (GLAI), and total dry phytomass, was measured throughout a growing season. Experimental results and supporting model calculations showed that the more planophile canopy had a higher spectral reflectance (measured at nadir) than the erectophile canopy. During the period of peak GLAI, the ratio of near-infrared to red reflectances (IR/red) for the erectophile canopy was about 30% higher than for the planophile canopy. The perpendicular vegetation index (PVI), however, was about 30% higher for the planophile canopy than for the erectophile canopy. When ground measured reflectances were transformed to radiances exiting the top of either a clear or a turbid atmosphere, the differences between the erectophile and the planophile canopies remained for the PVI but were obscured for the IR/red ratio. The results demonstrate the importance of architectural effects on the spectral response of canopies, and the interpretation of that response for estimating GLAI and dry phytomass by use of vegetation indices.
Recent advances in the molecular mechanism of action of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3

The historical basis of recent investigations on the molecular mechanism of action of vitamin D is discussed. A summary of the recent findings in regard to the 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor has been presented, including the structural deductions, photoaffinity labeling, sites of monoclonal antibody interaction, and sites of phosphorylation. New information on the regulation of the 1, 25-(OH)2D3 receptor have been provided together with possible reasons for this regulation. Finally, analogs of 1, 25-(OH)2D3 have been describe which carry out some of the functions of 1, 25-(OH)2D3 but not others. These analogs appear to induce transcription both in vivo andin vitro of certain genes but are not able to support calcium mobilization. Their use in therapy has been suggested as has been their use in helping unravel the molecular mechanism of action of vitamin D.
Observations on the pyramidal tract of the slow loris

The pyramidal system of the slow loris was investigated physiologically and histologically. The cerebral response to medullary pyramid stimulation was mapped and found to distribute in two separate foci, rostral to the hand and foot somatosensory foci. The tract was found to contain about 204,000 fibers at the midolivary level on one side, with about 85% of the fibers less than 2 Μm and 1% greater than 4 Μm. Calculation of the amplitude and configuration of the true antidromic response, based on the histological findings, disagreed with the observed response. The latter was found to be analogous to the rwave of the American opossum, which appears to result from intracortical pyramidal tract collateral activation of the cerebral neurons. This response is not present in the macaque monkey.
Modeling residue usage in aligned protein sequences via maximum likelihood.

A computational method is presented for characterizing residue usage, i.e., site-specific residue frequencies, in aligned protein sequences. The method obtains frequency estimates that maximize the likelihood of the sequences in a simple model for sequence evolution, given a tree or a set of candidate trees computed by other methods. These maximum-likelihood frequencies constitute a profile of the sequences, and thus the method offers a rigorous alternative to sequence weighting for constructing such a profile. The ability of this method to discard misleading phylogenetic effects allows the biochemical propensities of different positions in a sequence to be more clearly observed and interpreted.
Reliability-based Topology Optimization of Trusses with Stochastic Stiffness

Abstract A new method is proposed for reliability-based topology optimization of truss structures with random geometric imperfections and material variability. Such imperfections and variability, which may result from manufacturing processes, are assumed to be small in relation to the truss dimensions and mean material properties and normally distributed. Extensive numerical evidence suggests that the trusses, when optimized in terms of a displacement-based demand metric, are characterized by randomness in the stiffness that follow the Gumbel distribution. Based on this observation, it was possible to derive analytical expressions for the structural reliability, enabling the formulation of a computationally efficient single-loop reliability-based topology optimization algorithm. Response statistics are estimated using a second-order perturbation expansion of the stiffness matrix and design sensitivities are derived so that they can be directly used by gradient-based optimizers. Several examples illustrate the accuracy of the perturbation expressions and the applicability of the method for developing optimal designs that meet target reliabilities.
Institutionalizing Sustainability at the Level of State Departments of Transportation: Quantitative Assessment of Transportation Sustainability Plan Quality

The quality of the sustainability plans of 11 state departments of transportation (DOTs) is systematically assessed with a content analysis methodology. Analysis reveals that state DOTs that have created a sustainability plan are also likely to have developed a policy framework aligned with the principles of sustainable transportation within their plan. The quality of a sustainability plan is driven by the strength of its policy framework, including plan visions, goals, policies, strategies, and performance measures. External drivers of plan quality include the presence of a prescriptive state sustainability mandate, external funding for plan development, and the involvement of a policy entrepreneur in plan development. Prescriptive mandates and external funding bolster the quality of the plan development process and the degree to which the plan is integrated with existing policies and practices of the DOT and other agencies. A policy entrepreneur's involvement in plan development strengthens the policy f...
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Periodontal Disease: A Rheumatologist's Perspective

Despite advances in our understanding of the in- flammatory events that underlie rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which have led to targeted therapies that more effectively control the condition, the etiology of RA is not fully under- stood. With the discovery that serum antibodies to citrullinated peptides (ACPA) are highly specific for RA and that Porphyromonas gingivalis, the major pathogen responsi- ble for periodontitis (PD), containsthe enzymeresponsible for the citrullination of peptides, a plausible explanation for ob- servations of increased incidence and severity of PD in RA patients and an appreciation of pathogenic similarities be- tween the two conditions has emerged. Studies of the effect of RA treatment on the severity of PD have been limited and conflicting, especially with respect to anti-TNF agents, but indicate the potential for IL-6 as a therapeutic target for both conditions. PD treatment appears to improve clinical and laboratory evidence of RA disease activity, and the response ofRAtoanti-TNFtherapyisabrogatedbythepresenceofPD. Thus, evaluation and treatment of PD can be recommended for all RA patients.
Use of nanomaterials in water purification

The recent earthquake in Haiti has focused worldwide attention on the need for improved water purification materials and systems. Numerous individuals, religious charities, non-governmental organizations, and private companies have sent water purifications systems to Haiti in recent months in order to stem the spread of waterborne diseases. This recent tragedy has placed a spotlight on the ongoing problem of inadequate access to safe water in developing countries. The United Nations estimates that 1.1 billion people, or eighteen per cent of the world population, cannot obtain safe water at this time 1 . In developing countries, waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, enteric fever, and hepatitis A are quite common 2 . Endemic diarrheal diseases place individuals, particularly children, at risk of arrested growth, malnutrition, and neurological conditions. The World Health Organization states that 1.6 million individuals, mostly young children, die from diarrheal diseases each year 1 .
Principles and guidelines for project risk management

The increasing size and complexity of acquisition and development projects in both the public and private sectors has begun to exceed the capabilities of traditional management techniques to control them. This situation had led cost overrun, late delivery, and performance shortfalls to become commonplace. One way to contain these adverse consequences of complexity is through the principled application of risk management. This paper presents a general discussion of the concepts involved in conducting project risk management, which is in large part based on tools and methods currently employed by the authors. While some of these tools and methods are from previously published work, this paper presents them in an integrated methodology and introduces some recent modifications and improvements unpublished heretofore in the literature. Central to these new modifications is an improved method of risk tracking, the objective of which is to monitor risks continuously and to contain them before they get out of hand. The methodology presented in this paper covers risk identification, risk filtration, risk assessment, risk management, and risk tracking for large scale socio-technological systems such as acquisition or development projects. The emphasis is on the use of ratio scales for risk tracking and avoiding the pitfalls of algebraic operations on ordinal scales for risk filtration. The described methodology is demonstrated via an example involving aircraft development, and there is a discussion of the lessons learned from the application of risk tracking to a government acquisition project. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 5: 89–108, 2002
CCM2-CCM3 interaction stabilizes their protein expression and permits endothelial network formation

Mutations in the essential adaptor proteins CCM2 or CCM3 lead to cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM), vascular lesions that most frequently occur in the brain and are strongly associated with hemorrhagic stroke, seizures, and other neurological disorders. CCM2 binds CCM3, but the molecular basis of this interaction, and its functional significance, have not been elucidated. Here, we used x-ray crystallography and structure-guided mutagenesis to show that an α-helical LD-like motif within CCM2 binds the highly conserved “HP1” pocket of the CCM3 focal adhesion targeting (FAT) homology domain. By knocking down CCM2 or CCM3 and rescuing with binding-deficient mutants, we establish that CCM2–CCM3 interactions protect CCM2 and CCM3 proteins from proteasomal degradation and show that both CCM2 and CCM3 are required for normal endothelial cell network formation. However, CCM3 expression in the absence of CCM2 is sufficient to support normal cell growth, revealing complex-independent roles for CCM3.
A phase II study of V-BEAM as conditioning regimen before second auto-SCT for multiple myeloma

High-dose melphalan has been the standard conditioning regimen for auto-SCT in multiple myeloma (MM) for decades. A more effective conditioning regimen may induce deeper responses and longer remission duration. It is especially needed in the setting of second auto-SCT, which rarely achieves comparable results with the first auto-SCT using the same conditioning regimen. Here we conducted a phase II study to investigate the efficacy and safety of a conditioning regimen V-BEAM (bortezomib-BEAM) before second auto-SCT for multiple myeloma. Ten patients were enrolled from September 2012 to May 2013. The CR rate at day +100 after auto-SCT was 75%; all except for one patient remained in remission after a median follow-up of 6 months. Three patients developed Clostridium difficile infection. Two patients died within the first 30 days of auto-SCT from neutropenic colitis and overwhelming sepsis, respectively. Due to the high rate of morbidity and mortality, the study was terminated after 10 patients. In summary, although the conditioning regimen V-BEAM before second auto-SCT for MM provided promising responses, it was associated with unexpected treatment-related toxicity and should not be investigated further without modifications.
Integrating databases with programming environments

The efficiency and quality of nearly all computer system developments are severely impacted by the lack of integrated, high-quality software tools and computing environments to support developers and managers through all phases of the software life cycle. The concept underlying “programming environments” is the development of an integrated computer system specifically for software engineering and management, to improve software development productivity and product quality, and to aid in software maintenance after delivery. The characteristics of programming environments, their nature and expected benefits, are briefly described. The role of a central, integrated database as the foundation of a comprehensive pogramming environment is examined. The key issues in the design of a database for a programming environment are discussed. Examples illustrate relative advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to the problem.
Utility and diagnostic accuracy of ureteroscopic biopsy in upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Context.—Ureteroscopic biopsy is the gold standard for the histopathologic diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Objective.—To assess the accuracy of endoscopically obtained biopsy samples in diagnosing, grading, and staging urothelial carcinoma and correlate diagnostic findings to biopsy sample size. Design.—We retrospectively reviewed endoscopic biopsies of the ureter, renal pelvis, and ureteropelvic junction from 2008 to 2011. Biopsy diagnoses that were discordant with follow-up pathology and/or ureteroscopic impression were rereviewed and samples were immunohistochemically analyzed. Results.—Endoscopic biopsies (n = 118) yielded a sensitivity of 85.4% for the ureter (n = 79), 77.8% for the renal pelvis (n = 37), and 100% for the ureteropelvic junction (n = 2). A specificity of 100% for all locations and a diagnostic accuracy of 98.3% were identified. The median sample size was 0.3 cm for true positives, 0.3 cm for true negatives, and 0.2 cm for false negatives with no statistic...
Mechanical properties and microstructure characterization of coated AM2 Al 6061-T6 mats exposed to simulated thermal blast

Abstract The purpose of this study was to test the heat resistance of eight different combinations of coatings that are applied on Marine Corps AM2 Al 6061-T6 mats. The objective was to determine which coating is best suited for use on mats exposed to exhaust from short take off and vertical landing aircraft. Each coating combination was first exposed to the flame of three torches from a constant distance for different periods of time. Then, conductivity, hardness, tensile tests and optical microscopy were conducted. The plate with NiAl bond coating, Al2O3–ZrO2 heat resistance coating, and NiCr–SiC non-skid coating outperformed other coating combinations.
Origin of the 17 July 1998 Papua New Guinea Tsunami: Earthquake or Landslide

The tsunami that struck Papua New Guinea on 17 July 1998 shortly after a Mw 7.0 earthquake (Figure 1) was one of the deadliest tsunamis in this century. At least 2,200 people died from this event, essentially destroying an entire generation in some communities. In the months following the tsunami, several international survey teams collected data in an attempt to better understand the cause of this event. Elevations of waterline marks and displaced debris measured by the first International Tsunami Survey Team (ITST; Kawata et al., 1999) indicated an average runup of 10 m occurring over a 25 km length of coastline in the vicinity of Sissano Lagoon (Figure 2). The maximum runup from this event was approximately 15 m. Tsunami runup heights of this size are commonly associated either with earthquakes of much larger magnitude or with “tsunami earthquakes” as defined by Kanamori (1972) and later discussed by Kanamori and Kikuchi (1993). Even for tsunami earthquakes, however, runup heights of 10-15 m seem only to occur for earthquakes Mw > 7.5. Because these runup heights appear anomalously high for a M 7 earthquake, other sources have been postulated for the tsunami, including a submarine landslide or mass flow. Earlier this year, the bathymetry north of Papua New Guinea was surveyed by the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (JAMSTEC) and the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC). In a report describing the preliminary results from these cruises (Tappin et al. , 1999), bathymetric images are presented that show evidence both of a 40-km-long fault scarp and of collapse features within an approximately 10-km-wide bathymetric amphitheater (Figure 2). The report suggests that a landslide was the sole cause for the tsunami. In this paper, I revisit the common assumption that local tsunami runup scales directly with moment magnitude …
An Estrogen-Responsive Module in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus Selectively Drives Sex-Specific Activity in Females

Estrogen-receptor alpha (ERα) neurons in the ventrolateral region of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHVL) control an array of sex-specific responses to maximize reproductive success. In females, these VMHVL neurons are believed to coordinate metabolism and reproduction. However, it remains unknown whether specific neuronal populations control distinct components of this physiological repertoire. Here, we identify a subset of ERα VMHVL neurons that promotes hormone-dependent female locomotion. Activating Nkx2-1-expressing VMHVL neurons via pharmacogenetics elicits a female-specific burst of spontaneous movement, which requires ERα and Tac1 signaling. Disrupting the development of Nkx2-1(+) VMHVL neurons results in female-specific obesity, inactivity, and loss of VMHVL neurons coexpressing ERα and Tac1. Unexpectedly, two responses controlled by ERα(+) neurons, fertility and brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, are unaffected. We conclude that a dedicated subset of VMHVL neurons marked by ERα, NKX2-1, and Tac1 regulates estrogen-dependent fluctuations in physical activity and constitutes one of several neuroendocrine modules that drive sex-specific responses.
Dominating sets in n -cubes

A perfectdominatingset S of a graph Γ is a set of vertices of Γ such that every vertex of Γ is either in S or is adjacent to exactly one vertex of S. We show that a perfect dominating set of the n-cube Qn induces a subgraph of Qn whose components are isomorphic to hypercubes. We conjecture that each of these hypercubes has the same dimension. We then prove that if Qr is a component of the subgraph induced by S, then n − r 1 or 3 (mod 6). A number of examples are given and connections with Steiner Systems and codes are noted.
The New NIST/ARPA National Soft X-Ray Reflectometry Facility

We have recently begun a series of upgrades to the NIST/ARPA National Reflectometry Facility at the Synchrotron Ultraviolet Radiation Facility. The facility currently consists of a new monochromator and the original sample manipulator which allows us to measure optical components less than 10 cm in diameter. The monochromator offers high throughput and modest resolution over the wavelength range 3.5–40 nm. In the next year we will be installing a sample manipulator that will be able to accommodate the much larger optics that will be used in future x-ray projection lithography and astronomy instruments. We offer preliminary measurements of the throughput and resolution of the new monochromator.
Electro-osmosis in Nafion 117, Polystyrene Sulfonic Acid, and Polybenzimidazole

Electro-osmotic drag coefficients for Nafion 117, polystyrene sulfonic acid (CR61 CMP), and polybenzimidazole were investigated in the presence of phosphoric, sulfuric, and hydrochloric acid. The coefficients vary with acid concentration and type with polymer structure and with water content, as illustrated by conductivity, transference number, and partition coefficient measurements. The results have implications for fuel cell performance and in the development of new polymer electrolyte membranes.
"Now I Gotta Watch What I Say": Shifting Constructions of Masculinity in Discourse

This article provides a description of how a member of a college fraternity uses particular linguistic devices to display different masculinities. It is argued that masculinity can be understood as a repertoire of authoritative stances that implicate a social hierarchy. Speakers select from this repertoire depending on the speech activity and their interlocutors. Gender identity is a performance that is understood in a complex context that includes not only the immediate speech event, but knowledge of cultural expectations for gender and knowledge of social structures.
Immune Evasion by Muscle-Specific Gene Expression in Dystrophic Muscle

Abstract Muscle tissue from Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and the Dmd mdx/mdx (hereafter referred to as mdx ) mouse is characterized by an abundance of necrotic myofibers and infiltrating macrophages. Both features may provide additional stimulus to the immune response directed against novel antigens, such as those delivered by gene therapy vectors. It has previously been shown that the immune evasion achieved by adeno-associated virus in healthy muscle fails in one model of muscular dystrophy. Here, we examined the immune response to adenoviral vectors and their transgenes in normal and mdx mice. We found that mdx mouse muscles contain 20 times more macrophages and 7 times more dendritic cells than healthy muscles. This higher professional antigen-presenting cell content results in a stronger immune response to antigens that can be directly presented by those cells, including viral antigens and constitutively expressed transgene products. However, we did not detect a significant immune response to β-galactosidase expressed specifically in muscle, even at high expression levels. This result suggests that cross-presentation is not more effective in mdx mouse muscle, and that targeted vectors and tissue-specific promoters may be useful tools for evasion of the immune response in dystrophic muscle.