cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fundamental Disputations: The Philosophical Debates that Governed American Physics, 1939–1993

A philosophical debate between particle physicists and solid state physicists roiled as these subdisciplines competed for financial support, social approbation, and intellectual prestige through the second half of the twentieth century. Their disagreement hinged on the nature of fundamental research. The particle physics community adopted a reductionist approach, arguing that the fundamental physical laws were those governing the smallest constituents of matter and energy. Partly in response to this position, solid state physicists developed a range of more permissive perspectives on what type of physics could be fundamental, all of which stressed the importance of higher-level characteristics, maintaining that investigations at many levels of complexity might yield fundamental insight. This paper traces the dispute over fundamentality, which grew both from the specific problems physicists encountered while building their professional infrastructure, and from the demands of funding their research in Cold War America. Through an exploration of how physicists developed philosophical positions within institutional contexts and deployed those positions in their rhetoric, I argue first that professional pressures both motivated and exerted influence over the construction of such views, second that philosophical views had a reciprocal guiding effect on the institutional and professional development of Cold War physics, and third that these views were further bent, blunted, and reshaped when deployed in high-stakes rhetorical discourse. The case studies through which this story unfolds indicate that further attention to such philosophical commitments is warranted when examining the historical development of scientific institutions, communities, and hierarchies.
The Workers' Republic

This Article provides a bottom-up explanation of the construction of core parts of the New Deal order, showing how a wave of movements worked together and with government officials to construct three core New Deal statutes involving worker security. They are the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, the Social Security Act of 1935, and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. This explanation of the construction of the New Deal order challenges the model of presidential leadership commonly associated with the era. This Article also employs this history to make claims about the era’s constitutional authority. I argue that these statutes have become constitutional commitments, but rather than focusing on their post-enactment entrenchment as some scholars do, I focus on the democratic engagements between movements and lawmakers in the decades-long span leading up to their enactment and on the constitutional functions they serve. I argue that the statutes can be interpreted together as a set of constitutional commitments articulating a positive conception of economic freedom that replaced Lochner’s and that should guide our understanding of the modern American state.
Twenty years of turtle tracks: marine turtle nesting activity at remote locations in the Pilbara, Western Australia

Little is known about the biology and ecology of marine turtles in the Pilbara region of Western Australia and most potential habitat is unconfirmed and, therefore, undescribed. Understanding basic biological parameters at a regional level is critically important for effective long-term management. We used the ‘track census’ methodology to identify reproductive habitat and assess species-specific abundance of adult flatback (Natator depressus), green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles at 154 locations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Between 1992 and 2012, potential nesting habitat was assessed via either ground or aerial ‘snapshot’ (single visit) or ‘census’ (more than one night) surveys and additional information obtained using the Expert Elicitation Method. Species-specific abundance (tracks night–1 ± s.d.) was varied; green turtles were most abundant, nesting at fewer locations (n = 47) but in greater numbers (1200.5 ± 62.0) than flatback or hawksbill turtles and primarily (93%) at island locations. Flatback turtle nests were more widely distributed (n = 77) than those of green or hawksbill turtles, yet abundance (877.4 ± 29.5) was lower than that of green and greater than that of hawksbill turtles. Activity was primarily (76%) island-based and activity on the mainland coastline was concentrated close to Mundabullangana and Cemetery Beach. Hawksbill turtle abundance (314.1 ± 17.1) was lowest and the least widespread (n = 43), concentrated primarily in the Onslow and Dampier subregions with no activity recorded in the Port Hedland subregion or on the mainland coastline. The findings provide information with which the Federal government can meaningfully assess the status and distribution of EPBC Act–listed species where habitat overlaps with areas zoned for development. We highlight the urgent need for the Federal Government to regulate the process by which we accumulate data to support data quality and provide meaningful information to enhance efficacy in state and Federal management of species of concern.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Boost After Concurrent Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Phase 1 Dose Escalation Study

Purpose Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) boost to primary and nodal disease after chemoradiation has potential to improve outcomes for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A dose escalation study was initiated to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Methods and Materials Eligible patients received chemoradiation to a dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions and had primary and nodal volumes appropriate for SBRT boost ( Results Twelve patients (3 per dose level) underwent treatment. All treatment plans met predetermined dose-volume constraints. The mean age was 64 years. Most patients had stage III disease (92%) and were medically inoperable (92%). The maximum dose level was reached with no grade 3 to 5 acute toxicities. At a median follow-up time of 16 months, 1-year local-regional control (LRC) was 78%. LRC was 50% at P =.02). Overall survival at 1 year was 67%. Late toxicity (grade 3-5) was seen in only 1 patient who experienced fatal bronchopulmonary hemorrhage (grade 5). There were no predetermined dose constraints for the proximal bronchial-vascular tree (PBV) in this study. This patient's 4-cc PBV dose was substantially higher than that received by other patients in all 4 cohorts and was associated with the toxicity observed: 20.3 Gy ( P P =.07) for SBRT boost and total treatment, respectively. Conclusions SBRT boost to both primary and nodal disease after chemoradiation is feasible and well tolerated. Local control rates are encouraging, especially at doses ≥24 Gy in 2 fractions. Toxicity at the PBV is a concern but potentially can be avoided with strict dose-volume constraints.
Early Origins of Later Life Psychological Well-Being? A Novel Application of Causal Mediation Analysis to Life Course Research.

Objectives This study employs a novel approach to mediation analysis to clarify the influence of interrelated indicators of life course socioeconomic status (SES) on later life psychological well-being in India. Contrary to traditional approaches (i.e., use of product and difference-in-coefficients), we recognize the role of confounders in the estimation of total, direct, and indirect effects of parental education on respondents' psychological well-being. Method Drawing from the first wave (2007-2010) of the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) and adopting a counterfactual approach, we estimate both natural direct and indirect effects of parental education through individual educational attainment (secondarily, through household assets as an additional mediator) on respondents' life-satisfaction and quality of life (QOL). Results Findings document a statistically not significant positive total effect of parental education on life satisfaction and QOL. While lower for women, significant indirect effects suggest that the positive influence of parental education operates primarily through the individual's education. Notably, we found negative direct effect of parental education on psychological well-being outcomes. Discussion Contrary to prior literature, we found no positive direct influence of parental education on later life psychological well-being, but established its influence through socioeconomic positioning over the life course.
Sexual concerns after Spinal Cord Injury: An update on management.

Background Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) causes neurological impairment with resultant neurogenic sexual dysfunction which can compound preexisting psychological and medical sexual concerns. Understanding these concerns is important in managing the lifelong needs of persons with SCIs. Objectives To provide an overview of the impact of SCI on sexuality along with a framework for treatment of sexual concerns. To briefly review male infertility and its treatments and pregnancy in females after SCI. Methods Interdisciplinary literature review and synthesis of information. Results The average age at SCI is increased, thus persons with SCIs may have preexisting sexual concerns. Sexual activity and satisfaction are decreased after SCI. Psychogenic sexual arousal is related to remaining sensation in the T11-L2 dermatomes. Orgasm occurs in approximately 50% of persons with SCIs with all injuries except subjects with complete lower motor neuron (LMN) injuries affecting the lowest sacral segments A structured approach to treatment including assessing preinjury function, determining the impact of injury, education, assessing and treating iatrogenic sexual dysfunction and treatment of concomitant problems is recommended. Basic and advanced methods to improve sexual arousal and orgasm are discussed and treatment of anejaculation and issues associated with pregnancy and SCI are reviewed. Conclusions Sexual satisfaction is impaired after SCI; however, education and new therapies can improve responsiveness. Future research is warranted to improve sexual function and fertility potential in persons with SCIs.
Finger nail changes: A red flag for connective tissue disease

We report a 68-year-old female who presented to the cardiology clinic with ventricular tachycardia and specific finger nail abnormalities including proximal capillary loops and proximal and periungual erythema. The patient had multiple underlying connective tissue disorders and pulmonary fibrosis. Finger nail changes are highly specific and are an indication for all healthcare providers that connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are likely underlying. We review the clinical signs and symptoms, review diagnostic criteria, and further testing to evaluate for CTDs. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Patient care, Medical knowledge.
Localized Intrinsic Valence Virtual Orbitals as a Tool for the Automatic Classification of Core Excited States

Accurate assignments of the unoccupied molecular orbitals involved in electronic excitations are crucial to the interpretation of experimental spectra. Here we present an automated approach to the orbital assignment of excited states by introducing a unique orbital basis known as localized intrinsic valence virtual orbitals (LIVVOs), which are a special case of the previously reported valence virtual orbitals. The LIVVOs are used to quantify the local contributions to particle orbitals from orthogonality-constrained density functional theory, providing an assignment with atomic-level/angular momentum shell specificity. This localized set also allows us to define the total valence character of an excited state. We highlight the utility of our approach by studying the local orbital changes in core-excited states at the sulfur K-edge of ethanethiol and benzenethiol as well as the oxygen K-edge spectrum of the water monomer and dimer.
Variability of Retail Pricing of Generic Urologic Medications in a Major US Metropolitan Area.

Abstract Objective To investigate retail pricing for generic urologic medications in the St. Louis area as a function of pharmacy type, zip-code, and median income. Materials and Methods Pharmacies spanning 51 zip-codes were identified. From May-June 2017, pharmacies were inquired regarding cost, without insurance, for 30- and 90-tablet prices for finasteride 5 mg, tamsulosin 0.4 mg, oxybutynin 5 mg, and oxybutynin extended release (ER) 5 mg and 10 mg. Median income was determined using US census data. K-means clustering defined groupings based on zip-code, median income, and a combination of the two. Pricing between groups and pharmacy type was compared using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Associations between pricing and median income were tested using Spearman's rho. Results 152 chain and 16 independent pharmacies provided data. Retail pricing for generic urologic medications did not vary as a function of zip-code, median income, or a combination of the two. There was a significant difference in the pricing of tamsulosin 0.4 mg, and oxybutynin ER 5 mg and 10 mg based on pharmacy type, where independent pharmacies have significantly lower prices compared to chain (P = .00-.00003). Conclusion Pricing for generic urologic medications demonstrated wide variability at the retail pharmacy level. Compared to chain, independent pharmacies have significantly lower pricing for tamsulosin 0.4 mg, and oxybutynin ER 5 mg and 10 mg. Pharmacy zip-code, median income, and a combination of the two did not correlate with pricing.
Impact of Three Different Mutations in Ehrlichia chaffeensis in Altering the Global Gene Expression Patterns

The rickettsial pathogen Ehrlichia chaffeensis causes a tick-borne disease, human monocytic ehrlichiosis. Mutations within certain genomic locations of the pathogen aid in understanding the pathogenesis and in developing attenuated vaccines. Our previous studies demonstrated that mutations in different genomic sites in E. chaffeensis caused variable impacts on their growth and attenuation in vertebrate and tick hosts. Here, we assessed the effect of three mutations on transcriptional changes using RNA deep-sequencing technology. RNA sequencing aided in detecting 66-80% of the transcripts of wildtype and mutant E. chaffeensis. Mutation in an antiporter gene (ECH_0379) causing attenuated growth in vertebrate hosts resulted in the down regulation of many transcribed genes. Similarly, a mutation downstream to the ECH_0490 coding sequence resulted in minimal impact on the pathogen's in vivo growth, but caused major changes in its transcriptome. This mutation caused enhanced expression of several host stress response genes. Even though the ECH_0660 gene mutation caused the pathogen's rapid clearance in vertebrate hosts and aids in generating a protective response, there was minimal impact on the transcriptome. The transcriptomic data offer novel insights about the impact of mutations on global gene expression and how they may contribute to the pathogen's resistance and/or clearance from the host.
Foundations of Multiattribute Utility

Many of the complex problems faced by decision makers involve uncertainty as well as multiple conflicting objectives. This book provides a complete understanding of the types of objective functions that should be used in multiattribute decision making. By using tools such as preference, value, and utility functions, readers will learn state-of-the-art methods to analyze prospects to guide decision making and will develop a process that guarantees a defensible analysis to rationalize choices. Summarizing and distilling classical techniques and providing extensive coverage of recent advances in the field, the author offers practical guidance on how to make good decisions in the face of uncertainty. This text will appeal to graduate students and practitioners alike in systems engineering, operations research, business, management, government, climate change, energy, and healthcare.
A Note on Quasidiagonal Operators

Let H be a separable complex Hilbert space of infinite dimension and let L(H) and K(H) denote the bounded and respectively the compact operators on H. An operator T ∈ L(H) is called quasidiagonal ([5]) if T = D+K where K ∈ K(H) and D is block-diagonal, i.e. D = D1 ⊕ D2 ⊕ ... for some decomposition H = H 1 ⊕ H 2 ⊕ ... where dim H j < ∞ (j = 1,2, ...).
Intelligent Networks/2 (IN/2)

The basic concepts of IN/2 differ from those of IN/1+ only by a small extent. In fact, the very powerful components of IN/2 (the intelligent peripheral) and the very flexible concept of service independence were toned down just to be included in IN/1+. A typical example of the architectural overlap is evident from the detailed design of IN/1+ discussed in Chapter 10, “Intelligent Networks/1+ (IN/1+).”
HPLC Isolation and Purification of Pheromone Biosynthesis Activating Neuropeptide of HeliothisZea

A pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide hormone (PBAN) of Heliothis Zea has been recently reported by Raina and Klun (1984). This paper reports the isolation and purification of PBAN in addition to data on recovery of biological activity from various workups, molecular weight and amino acid analysis.
Genomic Analysis in the Age of Human Genome Sequencing

Affordable genome sequencing technologies promise to revolutionize the field of human genetics by enabling comprehensive studies that interrogate all classes of genome variation, genome-wide, across the entire allele frequency spectrum. Ongoing projects worldwide are sequencing many thousands—and soon millions—of human genomes as part of various gene mapping studies, biobanking efforts, and clinical programs. However, while genome sequencing data production has become routine, genome analysis and interpretation remain challenging endeavors with many limitations and caveats. Here, we review the current state of technologies for genetic variant discovery, genotyping, and functional interpretation and discuss the prospects for future advances. We focus on germline variants discovered by whole-genome sequencing, genome-wide functional genomic approaches for predicting and measuring variant functional effects, and implications for studies of common and rare human disease.
Drinking Together: Implications of Drinking Partners for Negative Marital Quality.

Objective:Concordant and discordant alcohol use has significant implications for negative marital quality among married couples. Yet, we know little about the frequency with which individuals drink...
Designing Preferences, Beliefs, and Identities for Artificial Intelligence

Research in artificial intelligence, as well as in economics and other related fields, generally proceeds from the premise that each agent has a well-defined identity, well-defined preferences over outcomes, and well-defined beliefs about the world. However, as we design AI systems, we in fact need to specify where the boundaries between one agent and another in the system lie, what objective functions these agents aim to maximize, and to some extent even what belief formation processes they use. The premise of this paper is that as AI is being broadly deployed in the world, we need well-founded theories of, and methodologies and algorithms for, how to design preferences, identities, and beliefs. This paper lays out an approach to address these problems from a rigorous foundation in decision theory, game theory, social choice theory, and the algorithmic and computational aspects of these fields.
Targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 9 by a novel inhibitor enhances radiosensitization and identifies Axl as a novel downstream target in esophageal adenocarcinoma

Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) transcriptionally regulates several proteins and cellular pathways central to radiation induced tissue injury. We investigated a role of BAY1143572, a new highly specific CDK9 inhibitor, as a sensitizer to radiation in esophageal adenocarcinoma. In vitro synergy between the CDK9 inhibitor and radiation was evaluated by clonogenic assay. In vivo synergy between the CDK9 inhibitor and radiation was assessed in multiple xenograft models including a patient's tumor derived xenograft (PDX). Reverse phase protein array (RPPA), western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and qPCR were utilized to identify and validate targets of the CDK9 inhibitor. The CDK9 inhibitor plus radiation significantly reduced growth of FLO-1, SKGT4, OE33, and radiation resistant OE33R xenografts and PDXs as compared to the cohorts treated with either single agent CDK9 inhibitor or radiation alone. RPPA identified Axl as a candidate target of CDK9 inhibition. Western blot and qPCR demonstrated reduced Axl mRNA (p = 0.02) and protein levels after treatment with CDK9 inhibitor with or without radiation in FLO-1 and SKGT4 cells. Axl protein expression in FLO-1 xenografts treated with combination of CDK9 inhibitor and radiation was significantly lower than the xenografts treated with radiation alone (p = 0.003). Clonogenic assay performed after overexpression of Axl in FLO-1 and SKGT4 cells enhanced radiosensitization by the CDK9 inhibitor, suggesting dependency of radiosensitization effects of the CDK9 inhibitor on Axl. In conclusion, these findings indicate that targeting CDK9 by BAY1143572 significantly enhances the effects of radiation and Axl is a novel downstream target of CDK9 in esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Computing Competency: A Contemporary Transformational Agent

A shift in computing education is currently underway from knowledge-based learning to competency-based learning. In a general sense, knowledge in an academic setting is the transfer of information to a student by a teacher, a textbook, or other entity. While useful, knowledge no longer seems to be a primary attribute for a business- or industrial-oriented world. Professional technical skills as well as human dispositional attributes are becoming increasingly important. The integration of skill and disposition with knowledge form the concept of competency. ACM, IEEE, and other organizations are currently sponsoring the Computing Curricula 2020 (CC2020) project, which has embraced competency-based learning to meet the challenge of addressing the skills gap that exists between graduates of computing programs and industry needs. This skills gap should continue over the next decade. Competency is not a novel idea; it has been an expectation in many professions for a very long time. Medical and dental schools, legal and educational schools, and other professional practices have supported competency for decades and centuries. While competency is a relatively new notion in the computing field, its transition to computing fields only now is beginning to emerge. This presentation describes recent activities surrounding the CC2020 project. It also focuses on some of the elements that surround the growing needs and trends of college and university computing graduates to have a meaningful level of competence in the computing fields. It addresses these trends and provides examples on ways competency-based computing education can transform itself into a modern paradigm in a changing and productive computing world.
Sclera Force Evaluation During Vitreoretinal Surgeries in Ex Vivo Porcine Eye Model

Vitreoretinal surgery is among the most challenging microsurgical procedures as it requires precise tool manipulation in a constrained environment, while the tool-tissue interaction forces are at the human perception limits. While tool tip forces are certainly important, the scleral forces at the tool insertion ports are also important. Clinicians often rely on these forces to manipulate the eyeball position during surgery. Measuring sclera forces could enable valuable sensory input to avoid tissue damage, especially for a cooperatively controlled robotic assistant that otherwise removes the sensation of these familiar intraoperative forces. Previously, our group has measured sclera forces in phantom experiments. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no published data measuring scleral forces in biological (ex-vivo/in-vivo) eye models. In this paper, we measured sclera forces in ex-vivo porcine eye model. A Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) based force sensing instrument with a diameter of ~900 µm and a resolution of ~1 mN was used to measure the forces while the clinician-subject followed retinal vessels in manual and robot-assisted modes. Analysis of measured forces show that the average sclera force in manual mode was 133.74 mN while in robot-assisted mode was 146.03 mN.
Tissue-engineered cardiovascular products

Abstract Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, provoking the need for alternative approaches to repairing the diseased or injured heart. The cardiovascular tissue engineering field emerged to develop therapeutic options for structural, functional, and vascular heart diseases, with an overarching goal of building functional cardiac and vascular tissue constructs that can restore or recapitulate healthy heart function. Since its inception, the intensive multidisciplinary nature of cardiovascular tissue engineering has revolutionized our understanding of cardiovascular biology and marshaled advances in both cell and scaffold technologies. The field initially focused on repair-oriented interventions, such as cell-based therapy, vascular grafts, bioprosthetic heart valves, and cardiac patches, but more recently viable cardiac wall and even organ replacements have been proposed. Although definitive repair of the heart remains elusive, today the use of tissue-engineered products has become an option in many clinical scenarios, and even the generation of bioartificial heart replacements has moved from fantasy to potential reality. Here, we discuss current cardiovascular tissue engineering approaches and therapies, the pathway(s) to approval, and how the field may progress in the near future. For the purpose of this chapter, tissue engineering is defined as the use of a combination of cells, scaffolds (both synthetic and biologic), and engineering principles for the formation of new viable tissues/organs for cardiac or vascular medical use.
Beyond Survival: Strategies and Stories from the Transformative Justice Movement

In Beyond Survival: Strategies and Stories from the Transformative Justice Movement editors Ejeris Dixon and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha have compiled a prolific collective of stories, outlines, and models for the transformative justice movement. Through this intensive work, the editors have paved the way for fellow activists who share the desire to work against the nefarious societal systems fueled by poisons like settler colonialism, white supremacy, and heteropatriarchy. Keywords: Communities, Justice, Oppression, Transformative Justice
Quasi Self-Excited DFIG-Based Wind Energy Conversion System

This article introduces a new configuration of the doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) based wind energy conversion system (WECS) employing only a reduced-size rotor side converter (RSC) in tandem with a supercapacitor. In the proposed structure, the grid side converter (GSC) utilized in conventional DFIG-based WECSs is successfully eliminated. This is accomplished by employing the hydraulic transmission system (HTS) as a continuously variable and shaft decoupling transmission unit. This transforms the conventional constant-ratio drives by providing an opportunity to control the power flow through the generator's rotor circuit regardless of the wind turbine's shaft speed. This feature of HTS can be utilized to control the RSC power and ultimately regulate the supercapacitor voltage without a need for GSC. The proposed system is investigated and simulated in MATLAB Simulink at various wind speeds to validate the results and demonstrate the dynamic performance of the system.
Electronic dental record-based surveillance of non-communicable conditions.

Abstract Objective The objective of the study is to demonstrate that electronic dental records (EDRs) can be used to mine meaningful public health information. Study design Retrospective electronic dental chart-based reporting of disease prevalence. Methods Using dental EDRs (N = 104,768), the authors assessed the prevalence of common non-communicable medical conditions among unique patients seen at a United States (U.S.) dental college. Results The prevalence of following conditions in patients visiting a U.S. dental college increased steadily with increasing age: hypertension, angina, stroke, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, thyroid disease, and allergies. Prevalence of these conditions was several-fold higher in the 66+ years group than among younger adults. Prevalence of many of the assessed conditions approximated published national estimates. Conclusions In addition to the indispensable use of EDRs in dental education and patient management, EDRs can be mined to report on prevalence of non-communicable medical conditions among patients/population receiving dental care. Completeness and accuracy of entered information will significantly improve the usefulness of EDR for disease surveillance and research applications.
Dynamic Separation of Microgrid System to Maximize Reliability in a Smart Grid

The proliferation of renewable generation into distribution networks requires a paradigm shift in designing traditional control and operation strategies regarding system resilience. Distribution networks can be viewed as a group of small microgrids (MGs) when individual MGs are in islanded operation. Therefore, to ensure stability in distribution networks, it is crucial to search for the optimal solutions to define the boundaries of these interconnected small MGs. This paper proposes a dynamic separation algorithm to enable a distribution network to respond to unforeseen disturbances effectively. To achieve this, we consider two constraints: maintaining a dynamic supply-demand balance and securing at least one reserve power source. The proposed algorithm utilizes K-means clustering algorithm based on partition matrix obtained from the $k$ -way partitioning scheme for the constraints. The proposed partition matrix can also minimize the total active power flows of distribution lines that connect different small microgrids. The performance of proposed algorithm was tested using a modified IEEE 33-bus radial distribution system and indicates that the proposed algorithm gains more advantages than the original k-way partitioning scheme has.
Maternal parechovirus A (PeV-A) shedding, serostatus, and the risk of central nervous system PeV-A infections in infants.

Abstract Background Parechovirus A (PeV-A) has emerged as a leading cause of infant central nervous system (CNS) infections. Risk factors associated with infant acquisition of PeV-A are not well understood. Methods We conducted prospective PeV-A/enterovirus (EV) CNS infection surveillance, enrolling 461 hospitalized infants Results PeV-A was detected in 40 infants (8.7%), 4 in 2011 and 36 in 2012. EV was detected in 35 infants (7.6%), 16 in 2011, and 19 in 2012. PeV-A infected infants presented with irritability, abdominal discomfort, fever, and tachycardia, plus both lymphopenia and absence of CSF pleocytosis which help differentiate PeV-A from EV CNS infection. PeV-A was detected in 9/427 maternal throat swabs; eight of their infants also had PeV-A CNS infection. Infants whose mothers had PeV-A3–positive throat swabs were more likely to be PeV-A3-positive than infants whose mothers had negative throat swabs (relative risk [RR], 13.4 [95% CI, 8.6 - 20.7]). Maternal PeV-A3 seropositivity decreased with increasing maternal age. Mothers of PeV-A-positive infants had lower median PeV-A3 neutralizing titers and were more likely seronegative. Conclusions Maternal viral shedding, serostatus and neutralization titers appear to be important factors in infant PeV-A3 CNS infections.
U.S. Pay Equity Legislation: Sheep in Wolves' Clothing

In the last century, women in the United States have made tremendous changes to their labor market behavior. What has not changed very much over this time period is the relative economic status of women compared to men. Another constant has been a high level of job segregation by gender, such that few organizations employ both men and women to do a particular job. These facts have led many scholars to conclude that employers systematically undervalue female-dominated jobs, and that legislative initiatives are needed to rectify this problem. This paper reviews 4 bills that have been introduced in the U.S. Congress. Each of these bills contains loopholes that would allow most employers to maintain their current pay rates. The Congressional initiatives are contrasted with a much more stringent bill that has been introduced in the New York state legislature.
Does Legality Produce Political Legitimacy? An Experimental Approach

This article studies whether “pure” legality, stripped of the normative components that are conceptually necessary for “the rule of law,” can convey meaningful amounts of perceived legitimacy to governmental institutions and activity. Through a survey experiment conducted among urban Chinese residents, it examines whether such conveyance is possible under current Chinese sociopolitical conditions, in which the Party-state continues to invest heavily in “pure legality,” but without imposing meaningful legal checks on the Party leadership’s political power, and without corresponding investment in substantive civil rights or socioeconomic freedoms. Among survey respondents, government investment in legality conveys meaningful amounts of political legitimacy, even when it is applied to actions, such as online speech censorship, that are socially controversial or unattractive, and even when such investment does not clearly enhance the predictability of state behavior. However, the legitimacy-enhancing effects of legality are likely weaker than those of state investment in procedural justice.
On the Fictions of Elk Management in New Mexico

This essay examines the biological constraints to wildlife management in New Mexico with a focus on the challenges that chronic wasting disease poses to efforts to establish private game enclosures, and thus commodify elk and other cervids.
Basal follicle-stimulating hormone level is a better predictor of in vitro fertilization performance than age

A study of 1,478 consecutive in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles was made to determine if basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and age were independent predictors of IVF performance. Regression analyses indicated independent contributions of both basal FSH and age in predicting cancellation rate, peak estradiol, number of oocytes retrieved, fertilized, and transferred, and total and ongoing pregnancy rates. Miscarriage rate was unrelated to both age and basal FSH. Follicle-stimulating hormone level was a better predictor than age for all outcome variables examined and remained a significant predictor after accounting for age, etiology of infertility, and semen quality. The combined use of age and basal FSH in counseling patients improves the accuracy of prognosis, and may provide an index of functional ovarian reserve ("ovarian age").
Output Variance-Constrained LQG Control of Discrete-Time Systems

The constrained infinite-horizon LQG control problem can be solved via semidefinite programming if the state-control constraints are given by variance-bounds on linear functions of the state and control input. Given a nonzero initial state covariance matrix, each suboptimal dynamic output feedback controller is initially time-varying but reaches time-invariance after a finite number of time steps. This number of time steps can be determined iteratively via repetitive execution of semidefinite programs.
A Programming Model for Wide-Area Computing

During the last decade there have been great strides in broadband communication, and the World Wide Web provides a giant repository of information. This combination promises development of a new generation of distributed applications, ranging from mundane office tasks -- e.g., planning a meeting by reading the calendars of the participants -- to real-time distributed control and coordination of hundreds of machines --e.g., as would be required in a recovery effort from an earthquake. The distributed applications we envisage have the structure that they collect data from a number of sources, compute for a while and then distribute the results to certain destinations. This simple paradigm hides a multitude of issues. When should an application start executing: when invoked by a human, by another application, periodically say, at midnight, or triggered by an event, say, upon detection of the failure of a communication link? How does an application ensure that the data it accesses during a computation is not altered by another concurrently executing application? How do communicating parties agree on the structure of the data being communicated? And, how are conflicts in a concurrent computation arbitrated? In short, the basic issues of concurrent computing such as, exclusive access to resources, deadlock and starvation, and maintaining consistent copies of data, have to be revisited in the wide-area context. There seems to be an obvious methodology for designing distributed applications: represent each device (computer, robot, a site in the World Wide Web) by an object and have the objects communicate by messages or by calling each others' methods. This representation maps conveniently to the underlying hardware, and it induces a natural partition on the problem that is amenable to step-wise refinement. We start with this model as our basis, simplify and enhance it so that it is possible to address the concurrent programming issues. In this talk, I discuss the programming model and some of our experience in building distributed applications.
Effects of diurnal temperature rhythm on the geothermal regime under the embankment in Qinghai–Tibet plateau

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of diurnal temperature fluctuation amplitude (DTFA) on the geothermal regime of the embankment on the Qinghai–Tibet plateau. The investigation was simulated by respectively denoting the diurnal temperatures at the embankment surface, embankment slope, and natural ground surface with sinusoidal waves. The amplitudes of the waves were denoted by 0°C, 5°C, 8°C, and 12°C, respectively. The numerical result shows that the DTFA cannot vary the frequency of the seasonal temperature fluctuation of the underlying soil, but can significantly change the magnitude of the soil’s temperature. The changes include: (1) The high DTFA, such as 12°C, can significantly lead to the warming of the soil under the embankment. (2) Interestingly, when the DTFA at ground surface is 5°C, the underlying soil is in a cooler stage compared to when such DTFA is 0°C, 8°C, or12°C. This interesting result means that the documented model which ignores the diurnal temperature rhythm overestimates the warming of the underlying soil at the low DTFA region and underestimates such warming at the high DTFA region. This result also suggests that the soil under the embankment can be cooled down if the DTFA on the ground surface was maintained at or approximately at 5°C.
Impact of Web-based e-Commerce on Channel Strategy in Retailing

Web-based channels are fast becoming an integral part of the channel strategy of traditional off-line retailers. This paper uses a game-theoretic approach to study the impact of Web-based e-commerce on retailers' choices of distribution channel strategies. At present most firms adopt a multi-channel strategy that includes both Web-based channels and pre-existing off-line channels. The analysis identifies this trend as an equilibrium of the game resulting from competitive pressure by other retailers, but shows that it is not the only possible short-run outcome. Other possible outcomes are: all sellers continue to sell via traditional off-line channels; some sellers adopt a coordinated dual-channel strategy (i.e., both on-line and off-line) when faced with competition from Web-based entrants; off-line sellers continue to sell via off-line channels when faced with purely on-line competition. The conditions for these equilibriums depend on the proportion of buyers unlikely to buy on-line and their level of discomfort with on-line channels. Traditionally off-line sellers can preempt competition from on-line channels by improving such features as convenience, personalized after-sale service, and trust. In so doing, they will also increase the factor of buyer discomfort associated with relatively new and unknown on-line channels.
Protective Role of Gamma Interferon during the Recall Response to Influenza Virus

During secondary immune responses to influenza virus, virus-specific T memory cells are a major source of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma). We assessed the contribution of IFN-gamma to heterologous protection against the A/WSN/33 (H1N1) virus of wild-type and IFN-gamma-/- mice previously immunized with the A/HK/68 (H3N2) virus. The IFN-gamma-/- mice displayed significantly reduced survival rates subsequent to a challenge with various doses of the A/WSN/33 virus. This was associated with an impaired ability of the IFN-gamma-/- mice to completely clear the pulmonary virus by day 7 after the challenge, although significant reduction of the virus titers was noted. However, the IFN-gamma-/- mice developed type A influenza virus cross-reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) similar to the wild-type mice, as demonstrated by both cytotoxicity and a limiting-dilution assay for the estimation of CTL precursor frequency. The pulmonary recruitment of T cells in IFN-gamma-/- mice was not dramatically affected, and the percentage of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells was similar to that of wild-type mice. The T cells from IFN-gamma-/- mice did not display a significant switch toward a Th2 profile. Furthermore, the IFN-gamma-/- mice retained the ability to mount significant titers of WSN and HK virus-specific hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies. Together, these results are consistent with a protective role of IFN-gamma during the heterologous response against influenza virus independently of the generation and local recruitment of cross-reactive CTLs.
Radiation damage of Ni3Al by 100 keV electrons

Abstract Radiation damage in the high-temperature intermetallic Ni3Al due to electron beam irradiation at 100kV is reported. Preferential surface sputtering of aluminium is found to occur under conditions typical for microanalysis in an ultra-high-vacuum scanning transmission electron microscope. The overall sputtering cross-section is 20 b which implies a total loss rate of 7 monolayers per second. The subsequent nickel enrichment of the specimen can seriously affect attempts at determining the local chemistry of grain boundaries. Simple models for the mass loss are discussed, as are strategies for reducing the radiation damage. A b.c.c.–to–f.c.c. phase transition is expected to occur in radiation‐damaged NiAl.
Assessing intrarenal nonperfusion and vascular leakage in acute kidney injury with multinuclear (1) H/(19) F MRI and perfluorocarbon nanoparticles.

Purpose We sought to develop a unique sensor-reporter approach for functional kidney imaging that employs circulating perfluorocarbon nanoparticles and multinuclear 1H/19F MRI. Methods 19F spin density weighted and T1 weighted images were used to generate quantitative functional mappings of both healthy and ischemia-reperfusion (acute kidney injury) injured mouse kidneys. 1H blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) MRI was also employed as a supplementary approach to facilitate the comprehensive analysis of renal circulation and its pathological changes in acute kidney injury. Results Heterogeneous blood volume distributions and intrarenal oxygenation gradients were confirmed in healthy kidneys by 19F MRI. In a mouse model of acute kidney injury, 19F MRI, in conjunction with blood-oxygenation-level-dependent MRI, sensitively delineated renal vascular damage and recovery. In the cortico-medullary junction region, we observed 25% lower 19F signal (P < 0.05) and 70% longer 1H T2* (P < 0.01) in injured kidneys compared with contralateral kidneys at 24 h after initial ischemia-reperfusion injury. We also detected 71% higher 19F signal (P < 0.01) and 40% lower 1H T2* (P < 0.05) in the renal medulla region of injured kidneys compared with contralateral uninjured kidneys. Conclusion Integrated 1H/19F MRI using perfluorocarbon nanoparticles provides a multiparametric readout of regional perfusion defects in acutely injured kidneys. Magn Reson Med 71:2186–2196, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cost-Effectiveness of Carotid Plaque MR Imaging as a Stroke Risk Stratification Tool in Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis

Using MR imaging–based detection of carotid plaque intraplaque hemorrhage as a risk stratification strategy is cost-effective in most patients and may be a useful means to inform personalized medical decision making for stroke prevention in asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.
DETACHMENT OF BIOFILM BACTERIA DUE TO VARIATIONS IN NUTRIENT SUPPLY

Growth and detachment rates of an environmental isolate of Aeromonas hydrophila attached to a surface were determined under varying nutrient supply conditions in a complex medium. Growth and detachment of cells were observed in real time using phase contrast microscopy in glass parallel plate flow chambers. Surface shear stress was controlled in all experiments at 3 N m−2. Images were taken every 15 min. Digital image analysis was used to determine specific growth and detachment rates. An observable parameter proportional to the nutrient depletion at the surface due to transfer limitations was used to indicate nutrient limitations. Specific detachment rates increased as the depletion parameter increased, indicating that nutrient limitations cause this bacterium to detach at greater rates.
Operational pH in aqueous acetonitrile based upon the rate of a simple pH dependent reaction

Abstract 2-Hydroxybiphenyl demonstrates proton transfer in the lowest excited singlet state in acetonitrile-water mixtures as well as in pure water. The dissociation reaction of the directly excited neutral molecule is strongly solvent dependent and independent of solution acidity. The reprotonation of the conjugate base, however, depends predominantly on the acidity of the solution and only on the continuum properties of the solvent. The separability of the dissociation and reprotonation reactions, using steady-state methodology, allows the reprotonation to be treated independently of the dissociation. The linear relationship between the ratio of the relative fluorescence efficiencies of acid and conjugate base and the hydrogen ion concentration is obtained only if proper. Brofnsted activity factors are included in the relationship. These factors can be calculated from classical electrostatics and are simple powers of the activity coefficients necessary to convert the formal hydrogen ion concentration to hydrogen ion activity. Using this approach it is possible to calculate pH form hydrogen ion concentration in acetonitrile-water solutions, containing a mole fraction of acetonitrile up to 0.5.