cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lithium and the Other Mood Stabilizers Effective in Bipolar Disorder Target the Rat Brain Arachidonic Acid Cascade

This Review evaluates the arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) cascade hypothesis for the actions of lithium and other FDA-approved mood stabilizers in bipolar disorder (BD). The hypothesis is based on evidence in unanesthetized rats that chronically administered lithium, carbamazepine, valproate, or lamotrigine each downregulated brain AA metabolism, and it is consistent with reported upregulated AA cascade markers in post-mortem BD brain. In the rats, each mood stabilizer reduced AA turnover in brain phospholipids, cyclooxygenase-2 expression, and prostaglandin E2 concentration. Lithium and carbamazepine also reduced expression of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) IVA, which releases AA from membrane phospholipids, whereas valproate uncompetitively inhibited in vitro acyl-CoA synthetase-4, which recycles AA into phospholipid. Topiramate and gabapentin, proven ineffective in BD, changed rat brain AA metabolism minimally. On the other hand, the atypical antipsychotics olanzapine and clozapine, which show efficacy in BD, decreased rat brain AA metabolism by reducing plasma AA availability. Each of the four approved mood stabilizers also dampened brain AA signaling during glutamatergic NMDA and dopaminergic D2 receptor activation, while lithium enhanced the signal during cholinergic muscarinic receptor activation. In BD patients, such signaling effects might normalize the neurotransmission imbalance proposed to cause disease symptoms. Additionally, the antidepressants fluoxetine and imipramine, which tend to switch BD depression to mania, each increased AA turnover and cPLA2 IVA expression in rat brain, suggesting that brain AA metabolism is higher in BD mania than depression. The AA hypothesis for mood stabilizer action is consistent with reports that low-dose aspirin reduced morbidity in patients taking lithium, and that high n-3 and/or low n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid diets, which in rats reduce brain AA metabolism, were effective in BD and migraine patients.
BASE OF OPERATIONS C ONCEPT FOR ON -DEMAND OPERATIONS

The notion of an on -demand air transportation service, like an air taxi, is of much current interest. For an air taxi service to succeed, it must set the ticket price high enough to cover operating expenses and low enough to attract a signif icant number of passengers. Keeping operation costs low will be a crucial contributor to the potential success of an air taxi service. Addressing unscheduled events that require aircraft maintenance can be expensive and can require the operator to own ad ditional aircraft to ensure aircraft availability to meet demand. This paper presents the first phase of an approach that considers a “base of operations” strategy. This strategy seeks to reduce operating cost by positioning aircraft at the end of the da y to a base of operations in an effort to improve aircraft availability . This first phase of the investigation presents the potential benefits of such a strategy. Relationships between aircraft operational availability and fleet size are developed, an as signment model that estimates the expected positioning costs is formulated, and the expected benefits of improving operational availability are estimated .
Functions of Several Complex Variables

(1945). Functions of Several Complex Variables. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 52, No. 1, pp. 17-27.
The correlation analysis of D-dimer SPAP and partial pressure of CO_2 in patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease

Objective:To investigate the relationship of the level of SPAP under the different level of plasma D-dimer and the Correlation of D-dimer and Partial Pressure of CO_2(PaCO_2) in patients with Chronic pulmonary heart disease. Method:Plasma D-dimer level,SPAP and PaCO_2 were measured in 86 patients with Chronic pulmonary heart disease. 86 patients were divided into tow groups: The plasma D-dimer level of patients in Group A was higher, and the plasma D-dimer level of patients in group B was normal. Results of SPAP in two groups were compared.Result:The level of SPAP in group A was apparently higher than that in group B(P0.05). Plasma D-dimer level was positively correlated with PaCO_2 (r=0.241,P0.05). Conclusion:Abnormal coagulation state and embolization of tiny emboli may be related to the development of pulmonary hypertension. Hypercarbia may be contribute to one of the abnormal coagulation state.
Unfriendly Fire: How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America by N. Frank

The debate leading up to repeal was filled with impassioned rhetoric and political posturing. In the midst of this chaotic and often stereotypical debate were a handful of voices that used reason a...
Stimulation: Selective Activation of Subpopulations of Antibody-Forming Cells

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the selective activation of subpopulations of antibody-forming cells. The population of cells capable of responding to antigen in tissue culture with increased thymidine uptake appears to be selected in a manner comparable to the selection of cells to participate in circulating antibody formation. Lymph node lymphocytes from guinea pigs immunized with different doses of antigen were cultured in the presence of varying concentrations of antigen and the stimulation of thymidine incorporation determined. It was found that cells from animals immunized with a low dose of antigen were readily stimulated in culture by low concentrations of antigen. In contrast, cells from animals initially immunized with a high concentration of antigen required high concentrations of antigen to stimulate thymidine incorporation in vitro . The cells from an animal immunized with a low dose of antigen behave as a high-affinity population of cells and while in animals immunized with a high dose of antigen many cells of low affinity are present which can be stimulated to blast transformation only with high concentrations of antigen.
Science's contested rationality

Does science have a rational method of inquiry that provides humans with a considerable amount of objective truth about physical reality? Certainly, a reply of “yes” represents the traditional claims of mainstream science, as delineated in Chapter 2. Furthermore, anyone who confidently believed the scientific story in Chapter 3 that water is H 2 O has given every appearance of being in the camp that replies “yes” to this question. Nevertheless, a controversy has raged over science's claims of rationality and truth, especially in the 1990s, although with roots going back to the 1960s and even back into antiquity. This controversy had such intensity in the 1990s that it went by the name of the science wars” and even made the front pages of the world's leading newspapers. Views that directly contradict and intentionally erode mainstream science are this chapter’s topic. In this book that explicitly and repeatedly aligns with mainstream science, why devote a whole chapter to these contrary positions? Two reasons may be suggested. First, for better or for worse, attacks on science’s rationality have substantial cultural influence. The specific arguments and inflammatory rhetoric of “science wars” quickly came and went in a mere decade, which is quite ephemeral in the grand sweep of history, but skeptical and relativistic attacks on truth are perennial features of intellectual history. So, attacks on science’s rationality are too influential and persistent to be ignored.
Effect of microscale gas discharges on thermo-field emission current

It has been shown that cold field emission can be an important electron source in microscale discharges. However, if the cathode is heated to a high temperature, thermal emission is initiated, which impacts microscale discharge formation. In both cold and thermal conditions, ionization in the discharge can create sufficient space charge to impact the emission current. In this work, we use a two-fluid plasma model to evaluate the impact of thermal emission on microscale discharge properties. We solve for the electron and ion concentrations between the electrodes, accounting for electron-impact ionization, and self-consistently solve Poisson's equation for the voltage. We incorporate two thermal emission models — the ‘low field’ Schottky emission, and the ‘high field’ thermo-field emission model — in order to accurately predict thermal emission in the microdischarge under different conditions. We evaluate the effect of electron impact ionization on the thermal emission in a microdischarge and find that since there is net positive space charge near the cathode, emission current increases. Furthermore, this ion enhancement increases if either the applied voltage or the cathode temperature is increased. The enhanced emission causes gaseous breakdown to occur at significantly lower voltages than predicted by the classic Paschen's curve or the more recent modified Paschen's curve that also accounts for cold field emission.
Mismatch of Synaptic Patterns between Neurons Produced in Regeneration and during Development of the Vertebrate Retina

Stereotypic patterns of synaptic connections between neurons underlie the ability of the CNS to perform complex but circuit-specific information processing. Tremendous progress has been made toward advancing our understanding of how circuits are assembled during development, but whether the precision of this process can be recaptured after regeneration of neurons in the damaged CNS remains unclear. Here, we harnessed the endogenous regenerative capacity of the zebrafish retina to reconstruct the circuitry of neurons produced after damage. We tracked the input connectivity of identified bipolar cell (BC) types across stages of retinal development and after BC regeneration. We found that BCs of each type generate a unique and stereotypic wiring pattern with cone photoreceptors by gaining synapses with specific photoreceptor types over time. After selective ablation, the targeted BC types are rapidly reproduced and largely re-establish their characteristic morphological features. The regenerated population connects with appropriate photoreceptor types and establishes the original number of synaptic contacts. However, BC types that normally bias their connectivity in favor of red cones fail to precisely recapture this synaptic partner preference upon regeneration. Furthermore, regenerated BCs succeed in forming synaptic specializations at their axon terminals, but in excess of the usual number. Altogether, we find that regenerated BCs reinstate some, but not all, major features of their stereotypic wiring, suggesting that circuit patterns may be unable to regenerate with the same fidelity as in development.
Abstract 155: LncRNA AK023948 promotes breast tumorigenesis by enhancing AKT phosphorylation

The human genome expresses a large number of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), however, little is known about their physiological functions or their role in cancer for the vast majority of these lncRNAs. In the present study, we identified a set of lncRNAs that were differentially expressed in breast cancer tissues as compared to normal tissue. Among them is AK023948 which is up-regulated in breast cancer tissue and in breast cancer cell lines. Ectopic expression of AK023948 in breast cancer MCF-7 cells promotes proliferation and anchorage independent cell growth along with activation of AKT phosphorylation. On the other hand, knockdown or knockout of AK023948 in MCF-7 cells reduces the proliferation of cells and phosphorylation of AKT. Furthermore, there is a positive correlation between AK023948 and pAKT expression in breast cancer tissue microarray. To determine the underlying mechanism of AK023948-mediated activation of AKT, we performed RNA precipitation assays using biotin-labeled AK023948 RNA probe, followed by PAGE analysis, and detected a unique protein band by silver staining. Mass spectrometry analysis identified it as ATP dependent RNA helicase A (RHA/DHX9) which was confirmed by Western blot and RNA immunoprecipitation (IP), respectively. Co-IP indicated that DHX9 interacts with p85PI3K regulatory subunit. Further characterization revealed that p85-DHX9 interaction is essential for stability of p85α and AKT phosphorylation. Together, these results suggest that AK023948 may function as an oncogenic lncRNA in breast cancer and thus, it may serve as a novel target for breast cancer therapy. Citation Format: Pratirodh Koirala, Yin Yuan MO. LncRNA AK023948 promotes breast tumorigenesis by enhancing AKT phosphorylation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 155. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-155
Temperament factors and dimensional, latent bifactor models of child psychopathology: Transdiagnostic and specific associations in two youth samples

Common emotional and behavioral symptoms co-occur and are associated with core temperament factors. This study investigated links between temperament and dimensional, latent psychopathology factors, including a general common psychopathology factor (p factor) and specific latent internalizing and externalizing liabilities, as captured by a bifactor model, in two independent samples of youth. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that temperament factors of negative affectivity (NA), positive affectivity (PA), and effortful control (EC) could serve as both transdiagnostic and specific risks in relation to recent bifactor models of child psychopathology. Sample 1 included 571 youth (average age 13.6, SD =2.37, range 9.3-17.5) with both youth and parent report. Sample 2 included 554 preadolescent children (average age 7.7, SD =1.35, range =5-11 years) with parent report. Structural equation modeling showed that the latent bifactor models fit in both samples. Replicated in both samples, the p factor was associated with lower EC and higher NA (transdiagnostic risks). Several specific risks replicated in both samples after controlling for co-occurring symptoms via the p factor: internalizing was associated with higher NA and lower PA, lower EC related to externalizing problems.
Time- and Frequency-Domain Characterization of Railgun Sliding Contact Noise

The noise in a railgun sliding contact is characterized in both the time and frequency domain in this investigation. Railgun operating parameters are typically 4 g projectiles traveling up to 100 m/s. The railgun is powered by a sequentially fired pulse forming network (PFN) consisting of eight electrolytic capacitor banks. Typical V–I characteristics of the PFN are approximately 20-kA peak current and 400-V peak voltage. The total pulsewidth is on the order of 6 ms. The noise is extracted from the muzzle voltage measurements using an improved method that can be applied to any electromagnetic launcher with a sliding contact. A variety of rail materials and rail coatings were investigated in regard to their effect on sliding contact noise. The noise is characterized in the time domain using statistical terms such as rms quantities. The Fourier transform is used to characterize the noise in the frequency domain. The results show that good and poor sliding contacts have particular average rms noise voltages and spectral signatures. The spectral signatures are used to quantitatively identify the point the difference between a good and a poor performing contact and to gain insight into the nature of the sliding contact’s current conduction mechanisms.
Digital optical cellular computers

This paper reviews digital optical computing architectures for cellular array processing. Some generalizations such as the cellular hypercube are discussed, and binary image algebra (BIA) is summarized as an analysis, synthesis and programming aid for cellular processors. A particular digital optical cellular image processor (DOCIP) design is presented along with its experimental opto- electronic implementation. Some concepts for "smart-pixel" spatial light mod- ulators which combine optical sources and detectors with high speed electronic logic are given, and their use in optoelectronic processors having holographic or other optical interconnection elements is outlined.
Compressed sensing in quantitative determination of GAG concentration in cartilage by microscopic MRI

Purpose To evaluate the potentials of compressed sensing (CS) in MRI quantification of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) concentration in articular cartilage at microscopic resolution. Methods T1-weighted 2D experiments of cartilage were fully sampled in k-space with five inversion times at 17.6 μm resolution. These fully sampled k-space data were re-processed, by undersampling at various 1D and 2D CS undersampling factors (UFs). The undersampled data were reconstructed individually into 2D images using nonlinear reconstruction, which were used to calculate 2D maps of T1 and GAG concentration. The values of T1 and GAG in cartilage were evaluated at different UFs (up to 16, which used 6.25% of the data). K-space sampling pattern and zonal variations were also investigated. Results Using 2D variable density sampling pattern, the T1 images at UFs up to eight preserved major visual information and produced negligible artifacts. The GAG concentration remained accurate for different sub-tissue zones at various UFs. The variation of the mean GAG concentration through the whole tissue depth was 1.20%, compared to the fully sampled results. The maximum variation was 2.24% in the deep zone of cartilage. Using 1D variable density sampling pattern, the quantitative T1 mapping and GAG concentration at UFs up to 4 showed negligible variations. Conclusion This study demonstrates that CS could be beneficial in microscopic MRI (µMRI) studies of cartilage by acquiring less data, without losing significant accuracy in the quantification of GAG concentration. Magn Reson Med, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Eating behavior traits of successful weight losers during 12 months of alternate-day fasting: An exploratory analysis of a randomized controlled trial:

Background:Alternate-day fasting (ADF) has gained popularity in recent years. The diet consists of a “fast day” where an individual consumes 0–25% of their energy needs, alternated with a “feast day” where a person is permitted to eat ad libitum.Aim:This study examined eating behavior traits of successful weight losers during alternate day fasting.Methods:Obese participants (n = 34) took part in 12 months of ADF and were grouped into a high (≥5%) or low-weight-loss (<5%) group post-treatment.Results:The high-weight-loss group demonstrated increased (p = 0.04) fullness, decreased (p = 0.03) hunger, increased dietary protein intake (15% to 20% of kcal, p = 0.04), and better adherence to fast-day calorie goals.Conclusions:Thus, individuals who achieve clinically significant weight loss with ADF demonstrate improved satiety, increased protein intake, and better adherence to fast-day calorie goals.
Non-classic LCIS Versus Classic LCIS Versus Atypical Hyperplasia: Should Management be the Same?

This review summarizes the literature from the last 5 years regarding atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH), classic lobular carcinoma in situ (C-LCIS), and non-classic LCIS (NC-LCIS). ADH, ALH, and C-LCIS are well-established markers of increased breast cancer risk. Recent studies suggest the possibility of observation for select cases of ADH diagnosed on core biopsy; however, guidelines support routine excision. In contrast, accumulating data support observation for ALH and C-LCIS on core biopsy with radiographic–pathologic concordance. Data on the natural history of pure NC-LCIS remain limited; however, when NC-LCIS is diagnosed on core biopsy, routine excision is warranted. ALH and C-LCIS on core biopsy should be reviewed for concordance to determine the need for excision; independent of surgical excision, all warrant counseling regarding increased future breast cancer risk. Current guidelines support routine excision for ADH and NC-LCIS on core biopsy. The natural history of NC-LCIS remains poorly defined.
Magnetic Field Sensing by Exploiting Giant Nonstrain-Mediated Magnetodielectric Response in Epitaxial Composites.

Heteroepitaxial magnetoelectric (ME) composites are promising for the development of a new generation of multifunctional devices, such as sensors, tunable electronics, and energy harvesters. However, challenge remains in realizing practical epitaxial composite materials, mainly due to the interfacial lattice misfit strain between magnetostrictive and piezoelectric phases and strong substrate clamping that reduces the strain-mediated ME coupling. Here, we demonstrate a nonstrain-mediated ME coupling in PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (PZT)/La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) heteroepitaxial composites that resolves these challenges, thereby, providing a giant magnetodielectric (MD) response of ∼27% at 310 K. The factors driving the magnitude of the MD response were found to be the magnetoresistance-coupled dielectric dispersion and piezoelectric strain-mediated modulation of magnetic moment. Building upon this giant MD response, we demonstrate a magnetic field sensor architecture exhibiting a high sensitivity of 54.7 pF/T and desira...
Double balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass anatomy: expert vs. novice experience

Background and study aims Double-balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (DBE-ERCP) in post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients is a technically challenging procedure. We aimed to determine the success rate of DBE-ERCP performed by a novice to the procedure in post-RYGB after training with an expert. Patients and methods Medical records for 103 consecutive post-RYGB patients who underwent DBE-ERCP in a tertiary center were retrospectively reviewed. The procedures were performed by Operator A (18 years of high-volume ERCP practice before acquiring DBE skill in 2004), and operator B ( Results A total of 129 DBE-ERCPs were performed (Operator A: 109; Operator B: 20) over an 80-month time span. Among patients with an intact papilla, DBE-ERCP success rates for Operator A’s first (87.5 %) and last (92.9 %) 20 cases were similar to that of Operator B (92.9 %) (P = 1.00 for both). Mean of DBE-ERCP time for the last 20 cases of Operator A was (100 minutes; 95 % confidence interval: 81,123) less than that for operator B (176 minutes; 95 % confidence interval: 138,224) (P = 0.01). Overall adverse events rates were 11 % and 5 % for Operators A and B, respectively (P = 0.69): pancreatitis (n = 10), cholangitis (n = 1), and perforation (n = 2); all were mild and treated conservatively. Conclusions Despite the intrinsic technical difficulty, DBE-ERCP can be successfully and safely performed in post-RYGB patients by an endoscopist proficient in both conventional DBE and ERCP. Ideally, this endoscopist should observe several cases of DBE-ERCP performed by an expert to learn the techniques.
Using Problem-Based Learning to Contextualize the Science Experiences of Urban Teachers and Students

If producing a twentieth-century workforce is a major goal of science reform initiatives, access to the knowledge and skills undergirding the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields requires equitable learning opportunities. However, many students, especially those in urban settings, are not provided with high-quality opportunities to engage in science. Therefore, spaces must be created that enable all students to investigate science in meaningful ways. By empowering urban teachers and their students to be involved in the active construction of knowledge, learners are provided with opportunities to generate and share explanations and analyses, thus creating agency. In this chapter, problem-based learning is highlighted as an instructional model that can be used to contextualize the science experiences of teachers and students in real-world problems relevant to themselves and their community while concurrently developing the critical thinking skills necessary to participate in a global society.
Risk factors of acute respiratory dysfunction in children with airway foreign body

Objective This study aims to analyze the independent risk factors of acute respiratory dysfunction (ARD) in children with airway foreign body and to assess possible prevention and treatment option in the future. Methods Clinical data of 456 cases of children with airway foreign body were retrospectively collected and analyzed by cluster sampling, including 246 males and 210 females, who received operation in our hospital between July, 2009 and December, 2012, aged 0.5-11 years old, onset to treatment time was 0.15-14 days. Clinical characteristics including age, gender, past medical history, time of onset, temperature, location of the foreign body, category of foreign bodies, complicated by pneumonia, complicated by subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema were gathered. Temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, cyanosis, transcutaneous oxygen saturation or arterial blood analysis were assayed before operation. Risk factors with statistical significance were screened with univariate logistic regression analysis, independent risk factors of ARD were determined with multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Acute respiratory dysfunction occurred in 78 (17.1%) patients. The foreign bodies in 455 cases were successfully removed brochoscopically in the first time. One case received chest surgery for foreign body removal. Total of 452 cases were successfully extubated and ventilator weaned 4-6 h after brochoscopy. In 2 cases, the ventilator was weaned 2-4 d after brochoscopy in ARD group, and 2 cases with severe pneumonia died. Age, location of the foreign body, temperature, complicated by pneumonia, complicated by subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema did not show significant difference between acute respiratory dysfunction group and non- acute respiratory dysfunction group (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed location of the foreign body and complicated by pneumonia, complicated by subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema were independent risk factors for ARD. Conclusion Early judgement of the risk factors of acute respiratory dysfunction in children with airway foreign body can provide a reference for the operation and perioperation period treatment. Key words: Foreign bodies; Tracheal diseases; Child; Respiratory insufficiency; Acute disease; Risk factors
Regional Forest Land Cover Characterisation using Medium Spatial Resolution Satellite Data

Increasing demands on forest resources require comprehensive, consistent and up-to-date information on those resources at spatial scales appropriate for management decision-making and for scientific analysis. While such information can be derived using coarse spatial resolution satellite data (e.g. Tucker et al. 1984; Zhu and Evans 1994; Cihlar et al. 1996; Cihlar et al., Chapter 12), many regional applications require more spatial and thematic details than can be derived by using coarse resolution imagery. High spatial resolution satellite data such as IKONOS and Quick Bird images (Aplin et al. 1997), though usable for deriving detailed forest information (Culvenor, Chapter 9), are currently not feasible for wall-to-wall regional applications because of extremely high data cost, huge data volume, and lack of contiguous coverage over large areas. Forest studies over large areas have often been accomplished using data acquired by intermediate spatial resolution sensor systems, including the Multi-Spectral Scanner (MSS), Thematic Mapper (TM) and the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) of Landsat, the High Resolution Visible (HRV) of the Systeme Pour I’Observation de la Terre (SPOT), and the Linear Image Self-Scanner (LISS) of the Indian Remote Sensing satellite.
ON THE ORIGIN OF BUBBLES

This chapter discusses the origin of bubbles. Speculation concerning the origin of bubbles in fluidized beds has been going on for several decades. The realization that bubbles are shocks, that is, the intersections of characteristic paths, in the mathematical sense, took some time to evolve. The chapter discusses the method to derive a bubbling criterion using shock theory of first-order partial differential equations. Such a theory is commonly used in chromatography. To obtain an algebraic bubble criterion from the hydrodynamic equations of fluidization, approximations must be made. To obtain continuity shocks, it is necessary to derive a void propagation equation. The chapter discusses void propagation in incompressible fluids. .
Cuban Americans: From Golden Exiles to Dusty Feet—Freedom, Hope, Endurance, and the American Dream

To understand Cuban Americans’ cultural adjustment, transition to the United States, and their influence on American society, this chapter addresses the role of cultural preservation and cultural beliefs in the context of Cuban peoples’ history, political climate, waves of migration, daily and long-term challenges, identity shaping, values, and means of positive functioning. Implementing a strengths-based approach, Cubans’ cultural processes (e.g., the role of family, religion, Cubanidad) and successful narratives are examined in the context of cultural preservation, ethnic identity, and ethnic pride. Finally, the role of cultural continuity and validation in the community, the benefits of cultural affirmation, and the impact of a collective identity are reviewed in the context of resilience, well-being, wellness, and success.
Mechanisms Underlying the Fibrogenic Responses of Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are newly developed engineered nanomaterials with remarkable properties employed for a wide range of numerous commercial and industrial applications. However, CNT exposure in various settings is a significant concern as CNTs are readily inhaled into human lungs resulting in debilitating pulmonary responses, most notably fibrosis. Several rodent studies have demonstrated consistent adverse pulmonary effects including inflammation and granulomatous lesions leading to interstitial and subpleural fibrosis. Some of the crucial mechanistic steps involved during CNT-induced fibrosis range from generation of reactive oxygen species, inflammation, release of proinflammatory cytokines that initiate several intracellular cell signaling cascades, and expansion of the pool of myofibroblast via epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, physicochemical properties of CNT including length and surface functionalization can influence their fibrogenic activity. The objective of this chapter is to review, summarize, and discuss major cellular and molecular mechanisms driving CNT-induced fibrogenesis.
Currency Crisis Transmission Through Trade Channel: Asian and Mexican Crises Revisited

This paper provides support to the existing empirical evidence that trade linkages play an important role in explaining the magnitude of currency...
The Effects of Monetary Incentives on School Performance

Interest in the use of monetary incentives as a means to motivate students to attend school or to improve their performance has been growing. In the present study, teenage girls at risk of school f...
Collateral Damage in the Middle of Transformation: School Board Politics in Lieu of a Student’s Academic Needs:

This case focuses on a novice principal who advocates for a student who was assigned to the first grade for 3 consecutive years. As the instructional leader of the school, the novice principal is t...
Diet Drugs Trick Mosquitoes into Feeling Full.

After a bloodmeal, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes lose interest in bloodfeeding. Duvall et al. (Cell 2019;176:687–701) determined that the neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like receptor 7 (NPYLR7) controls mosquito satiety and also identified six NPYLR7 drug targets that suppress biting. This work highlights an innovative approach in vector control linking insect behavior to drug discovery.
Near Optimal Sketching of Low-Rank Tensor Regression

We study the least squares regression problem $\min_{\Theta \in \RR^{p_1 \times \cdots \times p_D}} \| \cA(\Theta) - b \|_2^2$, where $\Theta$ is a low-rank tensor, defined as $\Theta = \sum_{r=1}^{R} \theta_1^{(r)} \circ \cdots \circ \theta_D^{(r)}$, for vectors $\theta_d^{(r)} \in \mathbb{R}^{p_d}$ for all $r \in [R]$ and $d \in [D]$. %$R$ is small compared with $p_1,\ldots,p_D$, Here, $\circ$ denotes the outer product of vectors, and $\cA(\Theta)$ is a linear function on $\Theta$. This problem is motivated by the fact that the number of parameters in $\Theta$ is only $R \cdot \sum_{d=1}^D p_D$, which is significantly smaller than the $\prod_{d=1}^{D} p_d$ number of parameters in ordinary least squares regression. We consider the above CP decomposition model of tensors $\Theta$, as well as the Tucker decomposition. For both models we show how to apply data dimensionality reduction techniques based on {\it sparse} random projections $\Phi \in \RR^{m \times n}$, with $m \ll n$, to reduce the problem to a much smaller problem $\min_{\Theta} \|\Phi \cA(\Theta) - \Phi b\|_2^2$, for which $\|\Phi \cA(\Theta) - \Phi b\|_2^2 = (1 \pm \varepsilon) \| \cA(\Theta) - b \|_2^2$ holds simultaneously for all $\Theta$. We obtain a significantly smaller dimension and sparsity in the randomized linear mapping $\Phi$ than is possible for ordinary least squares regression. Finally, we give a number of numerical simulations supporting our theory.
Tobacco control in Nepal during a time of government turmoil (1960-2006).

Background Nepal was a monarchy, then a dictatorship, then a democracy. This paper reviews how tobacco control progressed in Nepal in the context of these changes in government from 1950 through 2006. Methods We triangulated tobacco industry documents, newspaper articles and key informant interviews. Results Until 1983, the tobacco industry was mostly state owned. Transnational tobacco companies entered the Nepalese market through ventures with Surya Tobacco Company Private Limited (with Imperial Tobacco Company and British American Tobacco) in 1983 and Seti Cigarette Factory Limited (with Philip Morris International [PMI]) in 1985. Seminars and conferences on tobacco, celebrations of World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) and efforts by WHO helped promote tobacco control in Nepal beginning in the 1970s. Tobacco advocates in Nepal pushed the government to issue executive orders banning smoking in public places in 1992 and tobacco advertising in electronic media in 1998, and to introduce a tobacco health tax in 1993. The tobacco industry lobbied against these measures and succeeded in keeping the tobacco tax low by challenging it in court. Tobacco advocates sued the government in 2003 and 2005, resulting in a June 2006 Supreme Court decision upholding the smoking and advertising bans and requiring the government to enact a comprehensive tobacco control law. Conclusions Political instability, conflict, weak governance and the dictatorship significantly affect tobacco control activities in low-income and middle-income countries. Nepal shows that tobacco control advocates can take advantage of global events, such as WNTD, and use domestic litigation to maintain support from civil societies and to advocate for stronger tobacco control policies.
The study of frequency-scan photothermal reflectance technique for thermal diffusivity measurement

A frequency scan photothermal reflectance technique to measure thermal diffusivity of bulk samples is studied in this manuscript. Similar to general photothermal reflectance methods, an intensity-modulated heating laser and a constant intensity probe laser are used to determine the surface temperature response under sinusoidal heating. The approach involves fixing the distance between the heating and probe laser spots, recording the phase lag of reflected probe laser intensity with respect to the heating laser frequency modulation, and extracting thermal diffusivity using the phase lag–(frequency)1/2 relation. The experimental validation is performed on three samples (SiO2, CaF2, and Ge), which have a wide range of thermal diffusivities. The measured thermal diffusivity values agree closely with the literature values. Compared to the commonly used spatial scan method, the experimental setup and operation of the frequency scan method are simplified, and the uncertainty level is equal to or smaller than that of the spatial scan method.
Smart Surveillance: How to Interpret the Fourth Amendment in the Twenty-First Century

Over the last decade, law enforcement agencies have engaged in increasingly intrusive surveillance methods, from location tracking on cell phones to reading metadata off of e-mails. As a result, many believe we are heading towards an omniscient surveillance state and irrevocable damage to our privacy rights. In Smart Surveillance, Ric Simmons challenges this conventional wisdom by taking a broader look at the effect of new technologies and privacy, arguing that advances in technology can enhance our privacy and our security at the same time. Rather than focusing exclusively on the rise of invasive surveillance technologies, Simmons proposes a fundamentally new method of evaluating government searches - based on quantification, transparency, and efficiency - resulting in a legal regime that can adapt as technology and society change.
Our doctors are joining a labor union

Are physicians going to join a union at your hospital, multi-specialty group, or HMO? Having recently lived through such an experience, the author shares the lessons that he has learned. This article outlines what physician executives need to do to prepare for the increasingly likely eventuality of physicians at their hospitals making a push for unionization. The best way to avoid a union is to manage people fairly, communicate with them constantly, and develop consensus for difficult decisions whenever possible. But if a petition lands on your desk, it is crucial to understand the laws governing union campaigns and the possible outcomes. From how to respond to a petition to election campaign strategies to the negotiation phase, physician executives need to be prepared for the very real possibility of physicians at their organizations deciding to unionize.
Carotid Blowout Syndrome

Carotid Blowout Syndrome (CBS) is a rare, but catastrophic event resulting from rupture of the carotid artery and resulting hemorrhage. It occurs when the structural integrity and tensile strength of the carotid artery wall, or one its branches, can no longer support the local hemodynamic forces. CBS is most often associated with prior head and neck cancer and radiation therapy, but can also present in cases of surgical site dehiscence and infection. CBS is a medical emergency, and before the advent of endovascular therapies, mortality rates were as high as 50–100% despite surgical management. Modern endovascular therapy offers several avenues of rescue and treatment for this dangerous complication.
Ultrasound strain imaging using spatiotemporal Bayesian regularized multi-level block matching method

Ultrasound Strain imaging (USI) is a radiofrequency (RF) signal-based method for mapping mechanical tissue properties with widespread preclinical and clinical uses. USI quality is contingent upon the accuracy of estimated displacement fields and incorporation of regularization has significantly improved it. Here, we report on a Bayesian spatiotemporal regularization (ST-Bayes) scheme which estimates displacement using four consecutive RF frames. ST-Bayes iteratively regularizes 2-D normalized cross-correlation (NCC) metrics incorporating information from adjacent spatial and temporal neighbors in a Bayesian framework. Regularized NCC metrics are posterior probability density-derived using likelihood and NCC as prior and integrated into a three-level block matching (BM) method. Algorithm is validated using inclusion phantom data acquired under free-hand compression and mouse common carotid artery (MCCA) datasets collected using high-frequency transducers. ST-Bayes was compared against NCC and spatial-regularization (S-Bayes) method. For the inclusion phantom, ST-Bayes provided strain images with improved lesion boundary and background noise reduction for both RF and RF + noise data (SNRs = 10 dB) compared to NCC and S-Bayes. ST-Bayes improved CNRe by 7.32 % and 62.08 % when compared to S-Bayes and NCC, respectively, for RF, and by 17.17 % and 219.43 % for RF + noise data. ST-Bayes also provided smoother displacement curves in MCCA, reducing strain variance, indicating robust regularization using spatiotemporal information.
The Effects of Race and Gender on Attorney Selection

Much research has been conducted regarding women and minorities’ under-representation in law and how jurors and judges may demonstrate prejudice against them. However, little research has been conducted on the related issue of the roles gender and race play in consumer decisions when hiring an attorney. This article provides the results of a survey designed to discover biases in the attorney selection process. The results bring up issues of helpful and harmful stereotypes and call into question a popular anti-affirmative action argument.
RG and Stability in the Exciton Bose Liquid

The exciton Bose liquid (EBL) is a hypothesized phase of bosons in 2+1D which possesses a dispersion that is gapless along the coordinate axes in momentum space. The low energy theory of the EBL involves modes on all length scales, extending all the way down to the lattice spacing. In this note, we discuss an RG scheme that can be used to address the stability of this and related phases of matter. We argue that in the absence of an extensively large symmetry group, realizing the simplest formulation of the EBL always requires fine-tuning. However, we also argue that the addition of certain marginal interactions can likely be used to realize a stable phase, without the need for fine-tuning. A simple generalization to 3+1D is also discussed.
Adrenal Insufficiency in Mitochondrial Disease A Rare Case of GFER-Related Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy and Review of the Literature

GFER-related mitochondrial encephalomyopathy has been previously described only in 3 siblings of a consanguineous Moroccan family. Their phenotype included congenital cataracts, hypotonia, developmental delay, and sensorineural hearing loss. Multiple mitochondrial respiratory chain complex deficiencies were identified on muscle biopsy. We describe a now-19-year-old woman with adrenal insufficiency, lactic acidosis, congenital cataracts, and respiratory insufficiency secondary to mitochondrial disorder, who was reported by North et al (1996) as a toddler. Compound heterozygous GFER mutations c.373C>T (Q125X) and c.581G>A (R194 H) were recently discovered in this patient. The purpose of this report is (1) to expand the phenotype this ultra-rare disorder and (2) to provide a review of the literature describing the unique finding of adrenal insufficiency in patients with molecularly confirmed disorders of mitochondrial metabolism.
Unified kinetic model for torrefaction–pyrolysis

Abstract Thermochemical conversion is a promising pathway to renewable fuels. Torrefaction is the low temperature conversion to a primarily solid fuel, and pyrolysis is a higher temperature process that produces mainly a liquid bio-oil product. Though these processes are both thermal degradation routes in an inert atmosphere, they are often presented as different processes. A novel six stage consecutive model is proposed to describe a unified view of torrefaction and pyrolysis. The reactions lump chemical species formation in the six reaction stages and represent decomposition of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Activation energies of 104, 129, 154, 217, 256, and 285 kJ/mol were found through modeling of 32 unique gas-phase species fragments and weight loss dynamics for degradation from 260 to 425 °C. It is demonstrated that there is a unified process that occurs, and can describe the degradation of the structural components in biomass. These dynamics yield important insight into the thermal degradation mechanism such as the chemical product detachment dynamics, and the influence of process severity.
Analysis of new legal discourse behind Delhi's slum demolitions

A discourse analysis of court documents in slum-related cases from the past 25 years leads to the conclusion that the basic statement that "slums are illegal' is a very recent juridical discourse and the rise of court orders to demolish slums is due to reinterpretation of nuisance law. The "new nuisance discourse' that arose in the early 2000s re-problematised slums as nuisances and became the primary mechanism by which slum demolitions take place at present.
Comparisons of Countries

The intra-national digital divides differ among countries. Comparisons are made between the study nations of China, India, Japan, and the United States to determine what correlates of ICTs are common and which ones are unique to a single nation. Conceptual frameworks for comparing socio-economic phenomena between geographical units are examined, which range from models having identical variables across different units to those with mostly unique variables or that use qualitative methods. The present comparison is a hybrid, that includes both common factors and unique ones. Results indicate the states/provinces/prefectures within the 4 nations have the common factors of urban location, economic prosperity, education, and infrastructure for four phone and internet/broadband variables; but lack of common factors for social media, albeit only comparing only two nations with available data. Many unique factors are identified for each of the four nations. The comparisons support that that intra-national digital divides are distinctive and culturally influenced. A case study of Lenovo illustrates success at understanding province-level distinctiveness in China but also recognition of cultural differences for its U.S. presence.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THEORETICAL MODELS OF OUTFLOWS

The organizers of the Workshop have requested that I summarize the very thorough coverage of mass loss from diverse astrophysical souces presented over the past five days. Clearly this id an impossible task and I cannot pretend to do it justice. During the 31 years since Deutch (1956) first presented indisputable evidence for mass loss from the α Her system, the topic of mass loss has grown to be a major research area in astrophysics. The review papers presented at this Workshop summarize the current status of this field.
Two-stage high-efficiency X-Band GaN MMIC PA/ rectifier

This paper details the performance of an X-Band MMIC fabricated in a 0.15 µm GaN on SiC process that operates as both a high-efficiency power amplifier (PA) and a high-efficiency rectifier. The MMIC characterized as a PA biased in class AB, achieves over 10W of output power, >20 dB of gain and a PAE of 50% at 9.9 GHz. As a rectifier, the MMIC, achieves over 52% RF-DC conversion efficiency at a power level of >8W. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a two-stage power combined high-efficiency GaN X-band MMIC power rectifier. The applications are in bi-directional high power wireless energy transfer.
Multiple Genes, One Polypeptide Chain

“Two Genes, One Polypeptide Chain–Fact or Fiction” was the title of a major symposium at an American Association of Immunologists meeting in the early 1970s ([1][1]). What is impossible for today’s young immunologists to imagine is that for about 20 years (from the discovery of the “Todd