cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A general-spectral method for improved quantitative SPECT imaging of indium-111

Improved Indium-111 SPECT imaging should lead to better dose specification in radiotherapy treatment planning; however, photon scatter and down-scatter from the 245- to the 171-keV photopeak represent significant challenges for quantitative SPECT. We have extended to /sup 111/In a general-spectral (GS) scatter-compensation method. List-mode acquisitions of a 1.6-cm-diam. sphere containing /sup 111/In were obtained with the sphere in three different locations on the major axis of a water-filled elliptical cylinder. The sphere was then removed, the phantom was injected with /sup 111/In, repositioned, and scanned repeatedly. High-count, list-mode data from separate sphere and background scans were rebinned into 10-keV windows from 100-280 keV. Attenuated projections, free of scatter and noise, were simulated for use in a least-squares procedure to optimize GS coefficients for a sphere activity-estimation task. Scattered photons in both photopeaks were estimated separately from synthetic noisy projections under different conditions of activity contrast and sphere location; projections were reconstructed with our joint, multi-energy OSEM program. The bias of sphere activity values estimated from projections was less than 7% for both photopeaks and for all contrast values ranging from 2:1 to 8:1; the bias (precision) of sphere activity estimated from OSEM reconstructions was less than 8.5% (3%) for all sphere positions. The GS compensation method is a promising approach for quantitative /sup 111/In SPECT.
An implanted antenna in the spherical human head: SAR and communication link performance

To characterize the performance of implantable biomedical devices, the interactions between the devices and the human body need to be properly assessed. Specifically, wireless telemetry systems for biomedical applications require a reliable communication link between the interior device and the exterior equipment for exchange of required data and information. This paper mainly deals with the implantable antennas embedded on the head telemeter. To generate parametric data, the electromagnetic scattering analysis is confined to the human head and dipole antennas.
Simulations of properties of quantum dots and high-efficiency GaAs solar cells

In the previous research [1], we used Silvaco TCAD software to simulate both standard GaAs solar cell and InAs/GaAs quantum dot solar cell. The structures came from real fabricated solar cells, and thus all simulation results were able to be compared with experimental measurement data. As a result, the simulation results were very close to those measured data, which proved the ability and accuracy of solar cell simulations through Silvaco TCAD. Therefore, in this research, we carried on in using Silvaco to simulate some important properties of quantum dots, such as the wave function and quantized energy levels. In addition, we compared and simulated the difference between type-I and type-II quantum dots. Next, we designed a new structure of standard GaAs solar cell. Its conversion efficiency reached above 25%, which is higher than the one (14%) in previous research [1]. Then we embedded 10 layers quantum dots inside the depletion region, and obtained improvement of conversion efficiency. The result is 29.85%, which proves the embedded quantum dots are helpful in improving the performance of solar cells.
383. Ancestral AAV Demonstrates Unique Transduction Properties in Mouse and Primate

Gene therapy is a promising approach in the treatment of inherited and common complex disorders of the retina. Preclinical and clinical studies have validated the use of adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) as a safe and efficient gene delivery vehicle for subretinal gene transfer. AAV can efficiently target RPE cells and rod and cone photoreceptors but other retinal cell types are more challenging targets. Despite the immune privileged status of the eye we still face some challenges with higher inflammation risks to vector or transgene antigens depending on route of delivery. Studies here aim to build on AAV as a validated platform while exploring new and optimized vector reagents to overcome current limitations for clinical use. We hypothesized that an ancestral AAV species would be less susceptible to pre-existing AAV immunity (PEI) in human populations and confer an improved clinical safety and efficacy profile.We used phylogenetic and bioinformatic methods to infer the ancestral state of AAV and most likely AAV capsid sequences libraries were synthesized and members were evaluated for viral assembly and DNA packaging. Lead candidates were selected and, following subretinal injection into C57Bl/6 mice, retinal tropism was characterized by (a) in vivo transduction by reporter gene expression from fundus imaging, (b) molecular analyses of expression levels, (c) onset of expression and (d) histological profile of targeted retinal cell types.Using synthetic biology methods, in silico reconstructed ancestral AAV capsid sequences were derived and ancestral AAV vectors produced using standard AAV production methods. Ancestral particles, named Anc80, were found to be biochemically similar to existing AAV, stable, and infectious in vitro. In vivo retinal transduction in mice demonstrated a high level of RPE and photoreceptor tropism that is quantitatively higher than AAV8. In addition, onset of expression of Anc80 was visible as early as day 1 post injection and accelerated compared to AAV8. Several variants of Anc80 were evaluated for inner retinal tropism with evidence for improved transduction of Muller glia, RGC, and other inner INL neurons. Preliminary studies in non-human primates also indicate an accelerated onset of expression compared to AAV9 and AAV5. Ancestral AAV have significantly increased resistance to PEI in humans and demonstrate enhanced retinal tropism.
Immunotherapies in sarcoma: Updates and future perspectives

Sarcomas are malignant tumors that are characterized by a wide diversity of subtypes with various cytogenetic profiles. Despite major treatment breakthroughs, standard treatment modalities combining chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery failed to improve overall survival. Therefore, high expectations are foreseen with immunotherapy upon its maturation and better understanding of its mechanism of action. This paper presents a targeted review of the published data and ongoing clinical trials in immunotherapies of sarcomas, mainly adoptive cell therapies, cancer vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Draft Genome Sequences of Seven 4-Formylaminooxyvinylglycine Producers Belonging to the Pseudomonas fluorescens Species Complex.

ABSTRACT Vinylglycines are nonproteinogenic amino acids that inhibit amino acid metabolism and ethylene production. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of seven isolates of Pseudomonas that produce 4-formylaminooxyvinylglycine, a compound known to inhibit the germination of grasses and the growth of specific plant-pathogenic bacteria.
An Object-Oriented Approach to Task-Graph Representation

Abstract Task graphs have been used for the specification and analysis of real-time systems for some time. We are currently developing a mobile code management system which uses a task-graph representation for specification, analysis, scheduling, dispatch, and resource allocation decisions. In this paper, we describe our limited hierarchical task-graph model, paying particular attention to its object-oriented representation in the Java language.
Improving RANSAC-Based Segmentation through CNN Encapsulation

In this work, we present a method for improving a random sample consensus (RANSAC) based image segmentation algorithm by encapsulating it within a convolutional neural network (CNN). The improvements are gained by gradient descent training on the set of pre-RANSAC filtering and thresholding operations using a novel RANSAC-based loss function, which is geared toward optimizing the strength of the correct model relative to the most convincing false model. Thus, it can be said that our loss function trains the network on metrics that directly dictate the success or failure of the final segmentation rather than metrics that are merely correlated to the success or failure. We demonstrate successful application of this method to a RANSAC method for identifying the pupil boundary in images from the CASIA-IrisV3 iris recognition data set, and we expect that this method could be successfully applied to any RANSAC-based segmentation algorithm.
Electrically Induced Multiple Metal-Insulator Transitions in Oxide Nanodevices

Resistive switching in transition-metal oxides has garnered much attention for emerging applications such as memristive nonvolatile memory and neuromorphic computing, yet the effect of filament formation in the metal-insulator transition (MIT) in Mott/Peierls materials has not. The authors study the resistive-switching properties of VO${}_{2}$ and V${}_{2}$O${}_{3}$ nanodevices, observing that multiple MITs appear when a high enough voltage is applied. The hysteresis of these MITs provides an extra mechanism for memory applications, which could offer additional functionalities in memristive hardware.
World knowledge driving young readers' comprehension difficulties

Our goal in this project is to develop a better understanding of young readers' difficulties in comprehending text, and how those difficulties vary as a function of reader aptitudes and text genre. Therefore, we examined the effects of reading decoding abilities and world knowledge (assessed using the Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement) on 61 third-grade readers' comprehension of narrative and expository texts. The children read a narrative (445 words) and an expository (464 words) text. Comprehension of each text was assessed with 12 multiple-choice questions. Comprehension of the narrative text improved as a function of decoding ability. In contrast, expository text comprehension was driven by world knowledge. The latter result indicates that the low-knowledge children were not able to make the knowledge-based inferences required by the expository text, replicating previous work conducted with adult populations (e.g., McNamara, 2001). Potential solutions to facilitate comprehension from expository texts, such as increased text cohesion and reading strategy instruction are discussed.
Physical Education Teacher Perceptions of Technology-Related Learning Experiences: A Qualitative Investigation

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine in-service physical education teachers’ perceptions of and perceived value of technology-related learning across three formal training experiences ...
Chronic nicotine improves cognitive and social impairment in mice overexpressing wild type α-synuclein.

In addition to dopaminergic and motor deficits, patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) suffer from non-motor symptoms, including early cognitive and social impairment, that do not respond well to dopaminergic therapy. Cholinergic deficits may contribute to these problems, but cholinesterase inhibitors have limited efficacy. Mice over-expressing α-synuclein, a protein critically associated with PD, show deficits in cognitive and social interaction tests, as well as a decrease in cortical acetylcholine. We have evaluated the effects of chronic administration of nicotine in mice over-expressing wild type human α-synuclein under the Thy1-promoter (Thy1-aSyn mice). Nicotine was administered subcutaneously by osmotic minipump for 6 months from 2 to 8 months of age at 0.4 mg/kg/h and 2.0 mg/kg/h. The higher dose was toxic in the Thy1-aSyn mice, but the low dose was well tolerated and both doses ameliorated cognitive impairment in Y-maze performance after 5 months of treatment. In a separate cohort of Thy1-aSyn mice, nicotine was administered at the lower dose for one month beginning at 5 months of age. This treatment partially eliminated the cognitive deficit in novel object recognition and social impairment. In contrast, chronic nicotine did not improve motor deficits after 2, 4 or 6 months of treatment, nor modified α-synuclein aggregation, tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining, synaptic and dendritic markers, or microglial activation in Thy1-aSyn mice. These results suggest that cognitive and social impairment in synucleinopathies like PD may result from deficits in cholinergic neurotransmission and may benefit from chronic administration of nicotinic agonists.
Transmission enhancement through arbitrary layers with bianisotropic metasurfaces

Acoustic metasurfaces are thin, engineered structures that can control the local reflection and transmission coefficients of acoustic waves. Here, we describe our recent framework on general impedance matching with bianisotropic metasurfaces, in which elements are designed to control the local asymmetric impedance matrix. Compared with conventional quarter wavelength impedance matching layers, our proposed metasurface, with arbitrary thickness, can maximize wave transmission through an arbitrary layer with controlled phase. As a showcase, we demonstrate the design of a metasurface that helps ultrasound in water to penetrate a steel plate with almost 100% power efficiency and controlled transmission phase, which is beyond what is possible with conventional impedance matching layers. Our approach also applies to electromagnetic scenarios to help waves transmitting through walls or even metal plates.
“M” Is for Mutual

Transparency, empowerment, and activation can be supported by institutionalizing the mutual creation of the treatment plan that guides patients’ care in their primary care setting and in the health system more generally. The desire of patients to participate in creating the documentation of their care that emerged in the pilots of open notes can be addressed care through a process called a patient-centered care plan. A care plan is a brief distillation of the information that is needed to inform a successful treatment. For multiply-disadvantaged patients, who are likely to have a history of difficult experiences in the healthcare system, knowledge of the patients’ hopes about the ways that their health teams should relate to them, when shared with any internal or extended team member, can help to keep partnership intact through difficult or upsetting times. When done well, multiple members of the team are involved in creating a document that reflects the patients’ ideas and values on which a successful relationship would be built. The creation and utilization of the PCCP become a crucial experience in building partnership for both patients and health professionals.
Environmental filtering of body size and darker coloration in pollinator communities indicate thermal restrictions on bees, but not flies, at high elevations.

Background Bees and flies are the two most dominant pollinator taxa in mountain environments of the Southwest USA. Communities of both taxa change dramatically along elevation gradients. We examined whether bee and fly traits would also change along elevation gradients and if so, do they change in a predictable way related to a decrease in temperature as elevation increases. Methods We used insect body size and darkness traits as proxies for energetic requirements and indicators of cold tolerance in order to assess patterns of bee and fly community trait differences along an elevation gradient. We examined 1,922 individuals of bees and flies sampled along an elevation gradient ranging from 2,400 meters to 3,200 meters and from 9.6 °C to 5.2 °C mean annual temperature. We examined bees and flies separately using community weighted means (site-level trait values weighted by species abundance) and estimates of environmental filtering (quantified as the inverse of the standardized range of trait values). Results Bees and flies exhibited two somewhat distinct patterns; (1) Community weighted mean body volume and darkness of bees increased sharply at the highest elevation, and the intensity of environmental filtering also increased with elevation. This was due to both a change among bee populations within a species as well as species replacement at the highest elevation. (2) Community weighted mean body volume and darkness of flies also increased moderately with increasing elevation, but did not exhibit patterns of significant environmental filtering. In fact, the intensity of environmental filtering as indicated by the range of fly body volume weakened with elevation. Conclusion The increase in filter intensity at high elevations exhibited by bees suggests a significant limitation on the breadth of viable functional strategies for coping with extreme cold, at least within this regional species pool. Flies, on the other hand, do not appear to be limited by high elevations, indicating that the shift from bee to fly dominance at high elevations may be due, at least in part, to greater environmental constraints on bee adaptation to colder environments.
Clinicopathologic correlation of kaposi sarcoma involving the ocular adnexa: Immunophenotyping of diagnostic and therapeutic targets

PURPOSE To describe the clinicopathologic characteristics and the expression of diagnostic/treatment targets in ocular adnexal Kaposi Sarcoma. METHODS We conducted a clinical-pathologic retrospective case series. Immunohistochemical staining for cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), human herpesvirus-8 (HHV8), platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFR-A), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGF), tyrosine-protein kinase Kit (c-Kit), and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) were performed. Percentage of positive tumor cells was recorded for PD-1; staining intensity and distribution (H-score) were determined for the remaining stains. A Friedman non-parametric ANOVA analysis evaluated the staining. RESULTS The study cohort included 13 patients (age 25 to 95 years; mean 46): 7 lesions were in the eyelid, 5 in the conjunctiva, and 1 in the cornea. Nine of 11 lesions (82%) were in human immunodeficiency syndrome-positive patients (human immunodeficiency syndrome status was unknown in 2 cases). Staging included 6 plaques and 7 nodules. The mean H-scores of CD31, HHV8, c-Kit, VEGF, and PDGF-A were 8.00, 8.23, 2.77, 11.54, and 10.31, respectively. Mean PD-1 staining was 6.46%. The Friedman non-parametric ANOVA analysis showed VEGF, PDGF-A, CD31, and HHV8 differed significantly, and all differed significantly from c-Kit. Programmed cell death protein 1 staining was not significant with any clinical variable. CONCLUSIONS Cluster of differentiation 31 and HHV8 are helpful diagnostic adjuncts for ocular adnexal Kaposi Sarcoma. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha and VEGF are promising treatment targets. Programmed cell death protein 1/PD-L1 and c-Kit are targets that are useful in several tumors; their roles in ocular adnexal Kaposi Sarcoma warrant further studies.
Annual case volume is a risk factor for 30-day unplanned readmission after open reduction and internal fixation of acetabular fractures.

Abstract Background Surgical fixation of acetabular fractures is technically challenging, and quality of reduction directly correlates to patient outcomes. Considering the difficulty of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), increased case volumes may improve patient outcomes. No studies have investigated case volume as a risk factor for readmission after acetabular fracture ORIF. The present study sought to answer the question of whether annual case volume is a risk factor for 30-day unplanned readmission after acetabular fracture ORIF, if there is an identifiable threshold number of cases most predictive of a readmission, and if differences exist between reasons for readmission between high and low-volume centers. Hypothesis Institutions with a lower annual case volume will have a higher incidence of 30-day unplanned readmissions. Materials and methods The national readmissions database (NRD) was queried for acetabular fractures that underwent ORIF during 2016. Comorbid conditions were summed, and annual hospital case volume was identified. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated and the Youden index identified threshold case volume most predictive of a 30-day readmission. A multivariable logistic regression was performed with 30-day readmission as the dependent variable and case volume below the threshold an independent variable. Results A total of 3,407 cases were included with a median age of 43. The 30-day readmission for this cohort was 6.5% (220/3407). ROC curve analysis identified 22 annual cases as the threshold value most predictive of 30-day readmission. Multivariable logistic regression identified age (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.01, p = 0.005), number of comorbidities (OR = 1.35, p Discussion Annual case volume is a statistically significant predictor of 30-day readmission after acetabular fracture ORIF. Performing ≤ 22 acetabular ORIFs places patients at greater risk for a readmission. Patients at low-volume centers may be predisposed to readmission, and it is paramount to optimize patients prior to discharge, and have appropriate surgeon and hospital resources to treat these complex injuries. Level of evidence III, Cross-sectional study.
Advances in endovascular aneurysm management: flow modulation techniques with braided mesh devices

Flow diverters and flow disruption technology, alongside nuanced endovascular techniques, have ushered in a new era of treating cerebral aneurysms. Here, we provide an overview of the latest flow modulation devices and highlight their clinical applications and outcomes.
In the Name of Desire: A Reading of Lacan’s “Demand and Desire in the Oral and Anal Stage”—Commentary on Session XIV

This commentary analyzes how Lacan criticizes ego-psychologists for having turned Freud’s approach to psychoanalysis into a form of “therapeutical abuse” in which the analyst is supposed to adopt a parental position in regard to the patient, and the patient a loving position in regard to the analyst. Opposing this normative trend, Lacan suggests in “Demand and Desire in the Oral and Anal Stage” that the role of the analyst is not to repress the patient’s desire in the name of the satisfaction of its needs but, on the contrary, to help the patient retrieve their desire against what is normally supporting its erasure.
Animal protein intake reduces risk of functional impairment and strength loss in older adults.

Summary Background & aims Protein intake has been shown to lower risk of aging-related functional decline. The goal of this study was to assess long-term effects of weight-adjusted animal (AP) and plant protein (PP) intakes on aging-related change in functional status and grip strength. Methods Framingham Offspring Study participants (n = 1896, 891 men and 1005 women), ≥age 50, were followed for an average of 14.4 years. Protein intake derived from two sets of 3-day diet records (exams 3 and 5) was expressed as both weight-adjusted intake (from residuals) and per kilogram of body weight (g/kg/d). Seven tasks from two standardized assessments (Nagi and the Rosow–Breslau scales) were selected to determine functional status at exams 5–9. Functional impairment was defined as failure to complete (or having a lot of difficulty completing) a given task. Grip strength was assessed by dynamometer at exams 7–9. Results Participants with higher (vs. lower) weight-adjusted intakes of AP and PP maintained higher functional scores (p = 0.001 and p Conclusions Higher AP intake and higher levels of physical activity and SMM were independently associated with lower risks of functional impairment and greater preservation of grip strength in adults over the age of 50 years.
Optimal adaptive testing for epidemic control: combining molecular and serology tests.

The COVID-19 crisis highlighted the importance of non-medical interventions, such as testing and isolation of infected individuals, in the control of epidemics. Here, we show how to minimize testing needs while maintaining the number of infected individuals below a desired threshold. We find that the optimal policy is adaptive, with testing rates that depend on the epidemic state. Additionally, we show that such epidemic state is difficult to infer with molecular tests alone, which are highly sensitive but have a short detectability window. Instead, we propose the use of baseline serology testing, which is less sensitive but detects past infections, for the purpose of state estimation. Validation of such combined testing approach with a stochastic model of epidemics shows significant cost savings compared to non-adaptive testing strategies that are the current standard for COVID-19.
Heel Lift for Skiing to Compensate for Corrected Sagittal Vertical Axis After Spinal Surgery: A Case Report

Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) and pedicle subtraction osteotomy are common procedures to correct adult spinal deformities. Little is known about returning postoperatively to a high-performance sport such as skiing after spinal surgery. We report a case of an alpine skier who underwent a LLIF procedure combined with a posterior corrective osteotomy and posterior instrumentation, who had difficulties returning to skiing postoperatively because of new spinal biomechanics. The case report describes the possible consequences of spinal sagittal deformity surgery on postoperative skiing. A 63-year-old man with a complex lumbar spinal surgery history showed severe adjacent segment degenerative spondylolistheses at L1-L2 and at L5-S1. A lateral approach at L1-L2 combined with a posterior corrective osteotomy at L3 and instrumentation from T10 to the pelvis were performed. At his 1-year follow up, he made excellent progress and returned to skiing. However, he reported that skiing did not feel the same, and his center of gravity felt as if it shifted backwards. Consequently, he placed a 2-cm wedge in his ski binding, which improved his skiing experience. Sagittal vertical axis changes after spinal surgery affect the biomechanics of the entire body. After surgery, the body's ligaments, muscles, and fascia adapt to the new body posture. Activities such as skiing, where body posture plays an essential role, are particularly affected by spine surgeries. Surgeons should discuss this issue before spinal surgery with patients, especially if patients are involved in high-intensity sports.
Probability of Success

This chapter makes explicit what was implicit in Hawkins and Kim’s earlier discussion of just cause: the necessity that a just war be pursued with a high probability of success. The authors distinguish between probability of success and the mere likelihood of military victory. From there, the chapter exposes the knee-jerk cynicism about prospects for military success that permeates U.S. culture in the twenty-first century. To recast readers’ thinking about this JWT criterion, Hawkins and Kim end the chapter with an exploration of Ernest Hemingway’s modern-war classic, For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940). This novel proves uniquely effective in exposing the fallacy of “doing nothing” as a just approach to questions of mass violence and inhumanity.
Information Systems Conceptual Foundations: Looking Backward and Forward

The academic field of information systems has developed because organizations use a specialized body of knowledge about information and communications systems. Teaching and research support these organization needs. The field may be defined in terms of observed information systems in organizations and also in terms of the function or field of activity for system planning, development, management, and evaluation. Since the systems deal with capture, repositories, processing, and communication of data, information, and knowledge, these are also defined.
The Rise and Fall of a Dot-Com: Lessons Learned from LivingCo

LivingCo was founded with a vision of revolutionizing the U.S. furniture industry by exploiting technological opportunities. It won accolades for its innovative website and generated considerable consumer interest, becoming at one stage one of the most highly trafficked sites on the Internet. Oracle named LivingCo a poster child because it was one of the first e-tailers to successfully deploy their software in both the front and back ends of the business. Furthermore, industry analysts considered many of its strategic plans promising. However, LivingCo ran into problems coping with overspending, high traffic on its website, integrating its technology with its subsidiary, suppliers who were wary of channel conflict and customers who were, in general, slow to adopt the new way of shopping for furniture.
Suitability of message passing computers for implementing production systems

Two important parallel architecture types are the shared-memory architectures and the message-passing architectures. In the past researchers working on the parallel implementations of production systems have focussed either on shared-memory multiprocessors or on special purpose architectures. Message-passing computers have not been studied. The main reasons have been the large message-passing latency (as large as a few milliseconds) and high message reception overheads (several hundred microseconds) exhibited by the first generation message-passing computers. These overheads are too large for the parallel implementation of production systems, where it is necessary to exploit parallelism at a very fine granularity to obtain significant speed-up (subtasks execute about 100 machine instructions). However, recent advances in interconnection network technology and processing node design have cut the network latency and message reception overhead by 2-3 orders of magnitude, making these computers much more interesting. In this paper we present techniques for mapping production systems onto message-passing computers. We show that using a concurrent distributed hash table data structure, it is possible to exploit parallelism at a very fine granularity and to obtain significant speed-ups from parallelism1.
A numerical sufficient condition for deciding if a space-time is inextendible

A sufficient condition for the inextendibility of a space-time is presented based upon the notion of a «tangent space» at the boundary of the space-time.
Winning with a Bad Economy: The 2012 Election

Obama’s victory in the 2012 presidential election challenges the standard economic-voting model. How can an incumbent win reelection when economic conditions are as bad as they were in 2012? Indeed, forecasting models that heavily relied on economic variables predicted Obama’s defeat. We examine several alternatives to the standard model of economic-voting. One, voters are prospective, not retrospective about the economy; two, voters refrain from holding the current incumbent responsible for economic conditions that are the legacy of the previous incumbent; and three, against the background of generally bad economic times, voters give more weight to good news than bad news. Using the ANES Winter 2012 survey, we find that, while all three propositions are supported, Obama largely escaped punishment for poor economic conditions because voters blamed him less than his predecessor. This proves the importance of responsibility attribution for economic voting.
Enablers and inhibitors of business-IT alignment

This paper provides insight into identifying areas that help or hinder business-IT alignment. Alignment focuses on the activities that management performs to achieve cohesive goals across the organization. The aim of this paper is to determine the most important enablers and inhibitors to alignment. The paper presents and analyzes the results of a multi-year study of strategic alignment. Data were obtained from business and information technology executives from over 500 firms representing 15 industries who attended classes addressing alignment at IBM’s Advanced Business Institute. The executives were asked to describe those activities that assist in achieving alignment and those which seem to hinder it. These enablers and inhibitors to alignment were then analyzed with respect to industry, to time, and executive position. The results indicate that certain activities can assist in the achievement of this state of alignment while others are clearly barriers. Achieving alignment is evolutionary and dynamic. It requires strong support from senior management, good working relationships, strong leadership, appropriate prioritization, trust, and effective communication, as well as a thorough understanding of the
Evaluating joint effects of induction–salvage treatment regimes on overall survival in acute leukaemia

Typical oncology practice often includes not only an initial, frontline treatment, but also subsequent treatments given if the initial treatment fails. The physician chooses a treatment at each stage based on the patient's baseline covariates and history of previous treatments and outcomes. Such sequentially adaptive medical decision-making processes are known as dynamic treatment regimes, treatment policies, or multi-stage adaptive treatment strategies. Conventional analyses in terms of frontline treatments that ignore subsequent treatments may be misleading, because they actually are an evaluation of more than front-line treatment effects on outcome. We are motivated by data from a randomized trial of four combination chemotherapies given as frontline treatments to patients with acute leukemia. Most patients in the trial also received a second-line treatment, chosen adaptively and subjectively rather than by randomization, either because the initial treatment was ineffective or the patient's cancer later recurred. We evaluate effects on overall survival time of the 16 two-stage strategies that actually were used. Our methods include a likelihood-based regression approach in which the transition times of all possible multi-stage outcome paths are modeled, and estimating equations with inverse probability of treatment weighting to correct for bias. While the two approaches give different numerical estimates of mean survival time, they lead to the same substantive conclusions when comparing the two-stage regimes.
On the additivity of radiative forcing between land use change and greenhouse gases

[1] In scientific and policy contexts, radiative forcing—an external change in Earth's mean radiative balance—has been suggested as a metric for evaluating the strength of climate perturbations resulting from different climate change drivers such as greenhouse gases and surface physical effects of land use change. However, the utility of this approach has been questioned given the spatially concentrated and sometimes nonradiative nature of land use climate disturbances. Here we show that when negative forcing from agricultural expansion is approximately balanced by a radiatively equivalent increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, significant changes in temperature, precipitation, and the timing of climate change result. These idealized experiments demonstrate the nonadditivity of radiative forcing from land use change and greenhouse gases and point to the need for new climate change metrics or the development of climate policies and assessment protocols that do not rely on single dimensional metrics.
Seasonality and Distribution Pattern of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Virginia Vineyards.

Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a highly polyphagous invasive insect pest from eastern Asia that feeds on numerous fruit, vegetable, and field crops. Four commercial vineyards in Virginia were sampled in 2012 and 2013 to study the basic biology, seasonality, and distribution pattern of H. halys in vineyards. At each vineyard, two blocks were selected. Weekly 3-min timed count visual samplings were performed in border and interior sections from late May until mid-September. Overwintering adult bugs were first detected in vineyards in May; however, the timing of first detection differed among vineyards. Egg masses were found primarily in June and July, and were usually found on the lower surface of grape leaves, although they were occasionally on the upper leaf surface, on the berry, or on the rachis. All developmental stages of H. halys were found in vineyards, suggesting that grape can serve as a reproductive host for H. halys. Substantial variation in H. halys densities was found among vineyards and throughout the growing season. The first instars were found on egg masses and after molting, dispersed throughout the grape vines. The date on which the first egg mass was collected was considered as a biofix. Based on a degree-day model, there were sufficient degree-days for completion of a generation in Virginia vineyards. Significantly higher numbers of H. halys were collected in border sections compared with interior sections. These results are discussed in relation to the potential pest status of H. halys in vineyards and implications for possible control strategies.
THE INFLUENCE OF SULFHYDRYL GROUPS ON THE STABILITY OF CARBAMYLPHOSPHATE SYNTHETASE.

Abstract Carbamylphosphate synthetase (ATP: carbamate phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.2.2) from frog liver, a relatively stable enzyme, becomes less stable in the presence of acetylglutamate, a cofactor necessary for carbamylphosphate synthesis. In the presence of acetylglutamate and cystine the enzyme is rapidly inactivated. Cysteine, due to its rapid oxidation to cystine, also increases the acetylglutamate-induced inactivation of carbomylphosphate synthetase. Cyanide prevents the cysteine-acetylglutamate-induced decrease in stability of carbamylphosphate synthetase; ethylenediaminetetraacetate does not. Partial reversibility of the acetylglutamate-cystine-induced inactivation has been achieved by the addition of cyanide and thioglycolate. The very unstable carbamylphosphate synthetase from rat liver is also stabilized by the addition of cyanide together with a reducing agent sucy as cysteine. It appears that the stability of carbamylphosphate synthetase is intimately related to the integrity of sulfhydryl groups.
Spinoreticular neurons that receive group III input are inhibited by MLR stimulation

In decerebrate paralyzed cats, we examined the responses of 18 spinoreticular neurons to electrical stimulation of the mesencephalic locomotor region. The activity of each of the spinoreticular neurons was recorded extracellularly from laminae IV through VI of the L(7) and S(1) spinal cord. In addition, each of the 18 spinoreticular neurons received group III afferent input from the tibial nerve. Spinoreticular projections were established for each of 18 neurons by antidromic invasion of the ventro lateral medulla at the P11 though P14 levels. The onset latencies and current thresholds for antidromic invasion from the ventro lateral medulla averaged 15.0 +/- 3.8 ms and 117 +/- 11 microA, respectively. Electrical stimulation of the mesencephalic locomotor region attenuated the spontaneous activity or the responses of each of the spinoreticular neurons to tibial nerve stimulation at currents that recruited group III afferents. Our data support the notion that thin-fiber muscle afferent input to the ventrolateral medulla is gated by a central command to exercise.
American menstrual expressions

Girls tend to learn menstrual euphemisms at menarche, usually from mothers and female friends. Boys usually report learning them in high school or college from male peers. Women often view the terms as a secret language for use in the company of males or others in whose presence a straightforward statement about menstruation is deemed embarrassing. Among men, menstrual euphemisms tend to have sexual and derogatory connotations. Interpretations which accompany these folk expressions are presented to illustrate general aspects of menstrual and sexual socialization.
Incidence of Salmonella in Fresh Pork Sausage in 1979 Compared with 1969

A Salmonella survey was conducted to determine its incidence in fresh pork sausage. Retail size samples representing different days of production were collected from 40 federally inspected plants and analyzed for the presence of salmonellae. The results obtained during the 1979 survey were compared to results obtained in a similar 1969 survey. Salmonellae were isolated from 162 of the 566 (28.6%) samples analyzed in 1969. For the samples analyzed in 1979, 74 of 603 samples (12.4%) were positive for salmonellae. The reduction of 16.2% over 1969 indicates a reduction in the incidence of Salmonella in this product for the firms tested.
Size effects on the temperature rise in vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser diodes

Abstract Thin film size effects cause strong anisotropy and reduction in electrical and thermophysical material properties. This paper studies these effects and the effect of the active region radius on the temperature rise in vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser diodes (SELDs). The temperature rise in the active region of an external-cavity SELD is determined experimentally by measuring the laser output wavelength as a function of the injection current and substrate temperature. Simulation results based on models for the current flow and heat generation agree well with experimental data and they demonstrate that the thin film size effects have a strong influence on the laser temperature rise. The effect of the active region radius is clearly demonstrated by the existence of an optimal value for minimal device temperature rise.
Growth and differentiation factors

Abstract The work group identified a number of research areas where they felt there were significant data gaps where additional research was critical to better understanding of the origins of birth defects and to developing ways for their prevention. These included: 1. 1. Studies designed to determine the role of growth and differentiation factors during pre- and postimplantation stages of development. These investigations could include descriptive studies involving the localization and timing of genes expressed and their products, but must also emphasize and include studies involving the function of these molecules and their interactions in normal and abnormal development. 2. 2. Studies designed to develop and utilize models for investigating normal and abnormal development. These approaches could include in vivo and in vitro techniques, such as creation of genetically defined systems and cell, organ, and whole embryo cultures. These technologies should emphasize ways to study the functions of growth and differentiation factors and the effects of environmental factors. 3. 3. Studies designed to identify environmental agents and their targets in embryonic, extraembryonic, and maternal tissues that may play a role in producing developmental abnormalities through perturbations of growth and differentiation factors. 4. 4. Studies designed to determine cellular and molecular mechanisms for protection and recovery from environmental insults.
Optimal control of tubular reactors. Part I. Computational considerations

The necessary conditions for optimization of a system governed by a nonlinear vector first-order partial differential equation with two (space and time) independent variables, such as governs the unsteady behavior of tubular flow reactors, are derived. Rather general objective functionals and boundary conditions, such as the recycle of unconverted reactant with an appropriate time delay for separation and a free choice of final time, are allowed. A gradient technique in control space is formulated, and it is shown that distinct computational advantages can accrue from the use of the method of characteristics.
Polarization-based optical parallel logic gate utilizing ferroelectric liquid crystals

We describe parallel optical XOR and XNOR logic gates implemented with ferroelectric liquid-crystal (FLC) electro-optic elements to yield naturally a logic in which the binary gate outputs are indicated by two orthogonal polarizations of transmitted light. These gates absorb no power from the incident light beam and hence can be cascaded without the need to regenerate NOT inputs. The FLC elements also confer the advantages of low-voltage, low-power, submicrosecond switching and intrinsic two-state memory. Experimental results demonstrating the XOR and XNOR function are presented, along with measurements of the percentage of polarized light rotated into the two binary states.
Evidence for the direct transfer of the carboxylate of N5-carboxyaminoimidazole ribonucleotide (N5-CAIR) to generate 4-carboxy-5-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide catalyzed by Escherichia coli PurE, an N5-CAIR mutase

Formation of 4-carboxy-5-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide (CAIR) in the purine pathway in most prokaryotes requires ATP, HCO3-, aminoimidazole ribonucleotide (AIR), and the gene products PurK and PurE. PurK catalyzes the conversion of AIR to N5-carboxyaminoimidazole ribonucleotide (N5-CAIR) in a reaction that requires both ATP and HCO3-. PurE catalyzes the unusual rearrangement of N5-CAIR to CAIR. To investigate the mechanism of this rearrangement, [4,7-13C]-N5-CAIR and [7-14C]-N5-CAIR were synthesized and separately incubated with PurE in the presence of ATP, aspartate, and 4-(N-succinocarboxamide)-5-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide (SAICAR) synthetase (PurC). The SAICAR produced was isolated and analyzed by NMR spectroscopy or scintillation counting, respectively. The PurC trapping of CAIR as SAICAR was required because of the reversibility of the PurE reaction. Results from both experiments reveal that the carboxylate group of the carbamate of N5-CAIR is transferred directly to generate CAIR without equilibration with CO2/HCO3- in solution. The mechanistic implications of these results relative to the PurE-only (CO2- and AIR-requiring) AIR carboxylases are discussed.
Level of Nutrition Knowledge and Its Association with Weight Loss Behaviors Among Low-Income Reproductive-Age Women

To examine influence of nutrition knowledge on weight loss behaviors among low-income reproductive-age women. We conducted a self-administered cross-sectional survey of health behaviors including socio-demographic characteristics, nutrition knowledge, and weight loss behaviors of 16–40 year old women (n = 1,057) attending reproductive health clinics located in Southeast Texas between July 2010 and February 2011. Multiple linear regression and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify correlates of nutrition knowledge and examine its association with various weight loss behaviors after adjusting for confounders. The mean nutrition knowledge score was low (5.7 ± 2.8) (possible score 0–15). It was significantly lower among African American women than whites (P < .001). Obese women (P = .002), women with high school enrollment/diploma (P = .030), and some college hours/degree (P < .001) had higher nutrition knowledge scores than their counterparts. The higher score of nutrition knowledge was significantly associated with higher odds of engaging in healthy weight loss behaviors: eating less food [odds ratio (OR) 1.12, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.06–1.18], switching to foods with fewer calories (OR 1.10, 95 % CI 1.04–1.16), exercising (OR 1.10, 95 % CI 1.04–1.16), eating more fruits/vegetables/salads (OR 1.11, 95 % CI 1.06–1.17) and less sugar/candy/sweets (OR 1.09, 95 % CI 1.04–1.15). However, it was not associated with unhealthy weight loss behaviors, such as using laxatives/diuretics or inducing vomiting. Nutrition knowledge is low among reproductive-age women. An increase in nutrition knowledge may promote healthy weight loss behaviors.