cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward A Holistic Understanding of Innovation at the Interface of Disciplines

Innovation is the gold rush of the 21st century. To take off in the innovation rush requires “going entrepreneurial” as the entire organization, and employees play the most critical role as they ar...
Self-assembly of random co-polymers for selective binding and detection of peptides.

Amphiphilic random co-polymers, which form stable reverse micelle-type assemblies, have been designed and synthesized. We demonstrate that the reverse micelles, formed by these co-polymers are capable of selectively binding peptides through electrostatic interactions, indicating that these random polymers can self-organize into functionally selective materials. Moreover, these random co-polymers also enable the ordered co-crystallization of matrix and extract guest molecules, giving rise to substantial signal enhancements during MALDI-MS detection. Together, these observations represent an excellent example of how random polymers can self-assemble into ordered, functional materials.
Caring and Carrying the Cost: Bicultural Latina Nurses' Challenges and Strategies for Working with Coethnic Patients

In an emergent type of labor market niche, bicultural immigrants serve as cultural brokers between clients and workers and among different groups of workers whose communications are hindered by cultural and language barriers. We focus on the bicultural Latino nurses who are recruited as cultural brokers to facilitate “culturally competent care” in a predominantly white institution that serves an increasingly diverse patient population, with Hispanics being the majority-minority group. Through a qualitative study based on twenty-six in-depth interviews in Northern California, we find that these nurses adopt “code hybridization” strategies to manage their roles as cultural brokers. We discuss the larger institutional contexts that shape the successes and impacts of these strategies, as well as the theoretical implications for assimilation theories.
The Effect of Projectile Weight on the Optimum Launch Angle and Range

A well-known conclusion from elementary ballistic trajectory analysis is that the horizontal range of a projectile is maximized for a launch angle of 45°. The derivation of this result assumes that the launch speed is the same for all possible launch angles, but this neglects the fact that the work done against gravity by the launching mechanism subtracts from the kinetic energy imparted to the projectile. Here we derive a formula for the optimum launch angle for a spring-powered device that takes this angle-dependent factor into account, and examine the resulting consequences for the range of the projectile.
A physicians survey assessing management of pulmonary airway involvement in sickle cell disease

BACKGROUND Airway involvement in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) involves recurrent episodes of acute chest syndrome (ACS), co-existent asthma, lower airway obstruction (LAO), or airway hyper-responsiveness/ bronchodilator response (AHR/BDR). With increased recognition that sickle cell (SC) airway inflammation may be distinct from asthma, our aim was to study regional and individual practices among pediatric pulmonologists and elucidate the patient characteristics that determine the diagnosis of asthma or SC airway inflammation. METHODS A cross-sectional web-based survey including 6 case scenarios on diagnosis and management of pulmonary manifestations of pediatric SC airway disease was conducted. The case scenarios, combined different risk factors for airway inflammation: history of recurrent ACS, atopy, family history of asthma, LAO, or AHR/BDR, with possible responses including - diagnosis of asthma, SC airway inflammation, both or neither. RESULTS Of the 130 responses, 83 were complete. "Asthma" was diagnosed when LAO (OR, 7.96 [4.28, 14.79]; p < 0.001), family history of asthma (OR 18.88 [5.87, 60.7]; p < 0.001), and atopy (OR 3.19 [1.74, 5.8]; p < 0.001) were present. "SC airway inflammation" was diagnosed when ACS (OR 3.95 [2.08, 7.51]; p < 0.001), and restrictive pattern on PFT (OR 3.75 [2.3, 6.09]; p < 0.001) were present in the scenarios. Regardless of the diagnosis, there was a high likelihood of initiating or stepping up inhaled corticosteroid as compared to prescribing montelukast. CONCLUSION There is variability in the diagnosis and management of SC airway inflammation among pediatric pulmonologists. This study highlights the need for consensus guidelines to improve management of SC airway inflammation.
Republication of: The theoretical significance of experimental relativity

This republication consists of the introductory section of “The theoretical significance of experimental relativity” (1964). The material itself appeared first as lectures at a Les Houches school. It played a seminal role in stimulating the now rich field of experimental gravitational physics, by surveying earlier experiments and the current and recent work by Dicke and his group, in particular their improved version of the famous Eotvos experiment, and by analysing their theoretical consequences in detail. Future topics for enquiry were pointed out. The paper has been selected by the Editors of General Relativity and Gravitation for re-publication in the Golden Oldies series of the journal. This republication is accompanied by an editorial note written by P. J. E. Peebles and by a brief biography written by M. A. H. MacCallum.
Late Miocene (Messinian) Stylasteridae (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) from Carboneras, southeastern Spain

Fifteen species of stylasterids from the late Miocene (Messinian) are reported from the Carboneras region of southeastern Spain. Eleven of these species are described as new: Lepidopora fistulosa, Pliobothrus striatus, Pliobothrus nielseni, Distichopora patula, Stylaster (Group A) digitiformis, Stylaster multicavus, Stylaster tuberosus, Conopora forticula, Conopora alloporoides, Crypthelia zibrowii, and Crypthelia ingens. The other four have been identified as species previously described from the Recent fauna. On the basis of bathymetric ranges of similar living stylasterids and other associated fauna, the paleodepth of this fauna is estimated to be from the upper bathyal zone (200–600 m). All fossil stylasterid records, worldwide, are reviewed, resulting in four new combinations and the transfer of one species to the Bryozoa. The species reported herein increase the known number of named fossil stylasterids from 24 to 32 species.UUID: http://zoobank.org/e9140758-847c-44cb-8223-302cc0a0a14d
From stinkweed to oilseed

Up to now, creativity, ingenuity, time and more than a little luck have been essential for transforming a wild plant into a new food crop. Building on the understanding of gene function in Arabidopsis, the process of domestication can be rapidly accelerated.
Dark Network Analysis

Dark networks such as terrorist networks and narcotics-trafficking networks are hidden from our view yet could have a devastating impact on our society and economy. Understanding the topology of these dark networks can reveal greater insight into these clandestine organizations and help develop effective disruptive strategies. Based on analysis of four real-world “dark” networks, we found that these covert networks share many common topological properties with other types of networks. Their efficiency in communication and flow of information, commands, and goods can be tied to their small-world structures characterized by small average path length (l) and high clustering coefficient (C). In addition, we found that because of the small-world properties, dark networks are more vulnerable to attacks on the bridges that connect different communities than to attacks on the hubs. This may provide authorities with insight for intelligence and security purposes. An interesting finding about the three human dark networks is their substantially high clustering coefficients, which are not always present in other empirical networks.
Commentary: The Pursuit of the Unicorn Continues!

Abstract The pursuit for an ideal tissue valve has been ongoing for decades. Any prosthetic valve, in an ideal world, should function like a native tissue valve and possess all the desirable characteristics such as durability, nonthrombotic, noninflammatory, competent, easier to implant and inexpensive [1] . It is apparent that no such valve exists as we have numerous options to choose from. In this issue of the Journal, Spigel and colleageus [1] review their experience with the St. Jude Epic Supra Bioprosthesis valve in the pulmonary position in 79 patients aged 11 to 41 years (median, 18.5 years) and concluded that the Epic Supra valve was an acceptable alternative for pulmonary valve replacement. However, there are some concerns with the use of this bioprosthesis. Valve dysfunction (as defined by moderate or severe pulmonary regurgitation, peak velocity greater than 3.5 m/s, or valve replacement for any reason) occurred in a quarter of these patients at a median of 2 years. In addition, with a median follow-up of less than 3 years with only 24 patients followed to 5 years or more (an 8% replacement rate), the manuscript really looks at early results of this bioprosthetic valve. However, as the authors point out, this is not so different than the current literature on bioprosthetic valves in the pulmonary position [ 3 , 4 ], which we found quite disheartening. Since congenital heart surgeons do not often follow their patients longitudinally, this came as a surprise. After doing a quick survey of 6 congenital heart surgeons, I am not sure that many of us our telling our patients that the bioprosthetic pulmonary valve we are placing has about a 25% chance of failing in 2 years. There needs to be a drive for improvement, especially when one considers the longevity of the patient. Modern materials should help enhance durability, newer innovative designs, alternative methods of implantation, interaction between surgical/transcatheter valves may yield improved results. We need to be persistent until that unicorn is found.
Surgeons Underestimate the Importance of Surgical Topics for Non-Surgeons: Results of a National Survey

Objective To determine if surgeons and non-surgeons agree on the importance of surgical topics covered in the surgical clerkship to the daily practice of non-surgeons. Design An IRB-approved anonymous survey ranking the relative importance of 35 topics drawn from surgical clerkship curricula asking physicians to rank the relative importance of each topic, using a five-point Likert scale, to the daily practice of non-surgeons. Setting Online anonymous survey. Participants Convenience sample of practicing physicians and trainees. The survey was offered to physicians in all specialties via social media and professional connections, responders identified their practice specialty. Results 295 physicians completed the survey. Two hundred thirty-one (85%) were from non-surgical specialties: emergency medicine (EM, n = 100); primary care (PC, n = 71 – included internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics); a variety of others (n = 60). Surgeons and non-surgeons agreed on the relative importance of the acute abdomen, breast disease, inguinal hernias, inflammatory bowel disease, morbid obesity, sinusitis, thyroid and parathyroid disease, and wound care; surgeons believed colorectal cancer and diverticulitis to be more important. Surgeons rated all other topics as less important to non-surgeons than non-surgeons. EM rated most acute problems more important that PC; both groups ranked most topics higher importance to the practice of a non-surgeon than surgeons (p Conclusions Surgeons consistently underestimate the importance non-surgeons place on surgical topics in their practice. These results reinforce the perceived importance of a wide exposure to surgery in the surgical clerkship to all medical students – but topics could be focused differently depending on acute or non-acute non-surgical care career plans.
Quantifying internal charge transfer and mixed ion-electron transfer in conjugated radical polymers

Macromolecular radicals are receiving growing interest as functional materials in energy storage devices and in electronics. With the need for enhanced conductivity, researchers have turned to macromolecular radicals bearing conjugated backbones, but results thus far have yielded conjugated radical polymers that are inferior in comparison to their non-conjugated partners. The emerging explanation is that the radical unit and the conjugated backbone (both being redox active) transfer electrons between each other, essentially "quenching" conductivity or capacity. Here, the internal charge transfer process is quantified using a polythiophene loaded with 0, 25, or 100% nitroxide radicals (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy [TEMPO]). Importantly, deconvolution of the cyclic voltammograms shows mixed faradaic and non-faradaic contributions that contribute to the internal charge transfer process. Further, mixed ion-electron transfer is determined for the 100% TEMPO-loaded conjugated radical polymer, from which it is estimated that one triflate anion and one propylene carbone molecule are exchanged for every electron. Although these findings indicate the reason behind their poor conductivity and capacity, they point to how these materials might be used as voltage regulators in the future.
Primary Pulmonary Synovial Sarcoma in a 49-Year-Old Male.

Sarcoma is a malignant tumor arising from the mesenchymal tissues such as striated skeletal and smooth muscles, adipose tissue, bone, cartilage, and synovial tissue. The synovial subset of primary pulmonary sarcoma is very rare and is only described in a handful of cases. Our case describes the diagnostic approach and treatment regimen for a 49-year-old male with no significant past medical history. The diagnosis of a primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma was made through the use of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), histologic analysis, and immunostaining. The treatment utilized a multimodal approach including resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
Protecting Ethiopia’s Church Forests: The Disconnect Between Western Science and Local Knowledge

Religious-based stewardship is an underappreciated example of forest protection. Often referred to as sacred forests, the protected sites exist because local religious communities value them. In addition, given their socio-ecological benefits, scientists, NGOs, and governments also hold great interest in protecting them. In recent years, it is common for these outside actors to suggest to communities (or, indeed, push them to implement) ways to bolster conservation in the face of the potential “threats” of modernity. The case of Ethiopian church forests explores the received wisdom about this type of sacred forest and exposes how it is often based on neo-Malthusian assumptions about nature-society relationships in Africa. The chapter considers whether scientific imaginaries are a barrier to long-term church forest protection.
Measuring DAO Autonomy: Lessons From Other Autonomous Systems

Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) have emerged as an interesting new category of software application. Initial applications are disrupting the finance industry, but the technology is not restricted to fintech applications or assets. While other devices or software applications also claim to be autonomous, in many cases there have been levels proposed to scale or categorize the degree of autonomy afforded those applications. This notion of a level of autonomy is particularly important for consumer awareness as these autonomous devices and applications scale out to mass-market services. The societal impact from the operationalization of these technologies can be significant in terms of safety, security, privacy, and the consequences of failures. This article develops a proposed measure of autonomy for DAOs based on the existing legal/financial concept of liabilities.
Payment Coverage and Health Economics of SGLT2 inhibitors

Sodium glucose cotransporter two inhibitors (SGLT2i) slow CKD progression, decrease mortality and heart failure (HF), and have shown evidence for the guided standard of care therapies in patients with or without diabetes (1). Although wide adoption of SGLT2i will provide clinical benefits for patients, whether these agents will ultimately decrease the health care costs of CKD and ESKD is still far from clear. Patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) or HF account for 7% (US$21B) and 4% (US$11.2B) of Medicare fee-for-service expenditures, which far exceeds their representation in the Medicare population, of 5% and 2% respectively (2). Although the cost for treating ESKD has remained stable in inflation-adjusted terms since 2009, it still comprises a significant proportion of Medicare expenditure (about 7%, or US$36B annually) (2). Let us consider the payor’s perspective: “is there robust evidence to justify paying for SGLT2i?” The answer to this requires the examination of four related questions: If these questions are answered affirmatively, then we can ask about the cost of achieving these goals. A comparison with the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) trials will also allow us to frame the cost/coverage question using the same pharmacoeconomic arguments (3) that were applied to ARBs when they were still under patent, and thus not widely used. Published trial data about Q1, Q3, and Q4 from Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes with Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation (CREDENCE) (4) and Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease (DAPA-CKD) (5) show these drugs outperform ARBs for all outcomes considered (Table 1). QoL …
Development and Application of Individual and National Opportunity to the Experience of Intimate Partner Violence among Married Women in the Global South

Objectives: Building on the ecological model, multicontextual opportunity theory, and southern criminology, the study developed individual- and country-level indicators of opportunity to understand...
Self and Others: Studies in Social Personality and Autobiography

Publisher Summary This chapter is concerned primarily with the content and organization of habitual self. The significant components of this content are the characteristics that a person perceives as relatively enduring aspects of self and other. These characteristics include perceived physical traits and attractiveness, personality traits, attitudes, competencies, and so on. This overview of the antecedents of social personality, although necessarily brief, is not intended simply as a historical exegesis. The resurgence of interest in self in social psychology is reflected in the chapter. It provides a new zeitgeist for reclaiming the conceptual links to an American past in which the study of self in personality and in social psychology was unified in a mutually enlightening way. A new set-theoretical model is described in the chapter for representing the organization of the socius of an individual; new data-analytic tools are described that are tailored to this model. The chapter discusses recent empirical applications of this set-theoretical model, using both laboratory data and naturalistic materials, particularly autobiography. These empirical applications, although idiographically based, are detailed information for fleshing out nomothetic principles about the content and organization of the socius.
Abstract W MP7: Predictors and Implications of Capacity to Provide Informed Consent for Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment Trials

Background and objectives: Enrollment into AIS trials has always been limited by the ability of the patient to give informed consent or the availability of a Legally Authorized Representative (LAR) in decision making capacity on behalf of the patient. In this analysis we try to identify the factors contributing to an acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patient’s inability to give informed consent. We hypothesized that clinical features and demographics would differ between those patients with and without capacity to consent. Methods: This analysis includes patients who enrolled into the coordinating center of the prospective, randomized ARTSS-2 clinical trial (Argatroban + TPA for acute ischemic stroke) and also screen failures due to inability to consent. Data is collected prospectively in the study screening log. The data collected included age, gender, race, NIHSS, lesion location, ER arrival time and mode of consent (self-consent, LAR-consent and unable to consent). Results: Between 12/11 and 06/13, a total of 33 acute ischemic stroke patients received IV-tPA and were eligible for the ARTSS-2 study. While 19 were enrolled, 14/33 (42.4%) were otherwise eligible, but not enrolled due to inability to self-consent and no LAR present. Patients not enrolled due to lack of capacity to consent and without LAR present tended to have higher median NIHSS scores and greater proportions of drowsiness and aphasia compared to the other groups (see table). Conclusion: Approximately 2 in 5 AIS patients are not eligible for AIS clinical trials based solely on their lack of capacity for informed consent. It is remains ethically imperative that current clinical trials as well as future study designs address this disregarded group of patients who deserve the right to be able to participate in research. Addressing this group of patients through exception from informed consent (EFIC) will both extend research to all stroke patients, but also greatly enhance AIS research.
Mechanical Properties of Fiber Reinforced Composites

Theoretical expressions are obtained by means of classical theory of elasticity for determining the composite elastic con stants for fiber reinforced plastics in terms of the elastic moduli and the geometric parameters of the constituents. Infinite series are used for the solution of the differential equations and a com bination of least square method and Fourier method is employed. Although the investigation is made for hexagonal array, the principles are also valid for other fiber arrangements. Numerical examples have been worked out for hexagonal array and compared with an existing analysis.
A Numerical-Graphical Method of Charactersitics for Axially Symmetric Isentropic Flow

A graphical-numerical method of characteristics, based on the Tollmien method, is developed for axially symmetric isentropic flow problems. Complete rules of procedure are presented for the application of the method. Similar methods have been given by Ferrari and Ferri. As an illustration, the flow around a conical-nosed body is calculated. In this problem a procedure is given for approximating the curved shock wave, assuming constant entropy behind the shock wave.
Rat Testicular Phospholipase A2 Activity: pH Optima, Its Cellular and Subcellular Distribution in the Gonad, and Some Factors That May Modulate Its Activity

A sensitive radiometric assay was developed for detecting phospholipase A1 and A2 (PLA1 and A2) activity. Four to five times more PLA2 activity was observed in rat testes than PLA1 activity. Two PLA2 were observed in the testis, one with an acid (3.5) and one with an alkaline (7.5–8.0) pH optimum. The acid pH optimal PLA2 was located in the interstitial and lysosomal fractions. The alkaline pH optimal PLA2 was localized in the germinal elements of the seminiferous tubules and in the lysosomalenriched and membrane-enriched fractions. Triton X-100 inhibited PLA2 at 10−2 M and inhibited PLA1 at 10−3. At 10−2 PA, triton X-100 activated PLA1. EGTA inhibited PLA2 activity, whereas Ca++ at 10−2 to 10−3 M restored this activity. Corticosterone had no effect on PLA2 activity, but progesterone, dihydrotestosterone, and testosterone all stimulated the enzyme at lower concentrations (10−9-10−7 M), with testosterone giving maximUm stimulation at a lower dosage (ie, 10−9 M compared to 10−7 M for dihydrotestosterone). Both androgens inhibited PLA2 activity at higher concentrations.
Scheduling a single batch processing machine with secondary resource constraints

This paper studies the problems of minimizing total completion time (ΣCi) and makespan (Cmax) on a single batch processing machine with job families and secondary resource constraints. The motivation for this problem is the burn-in operation in the final testing stage of semiconductor manufacturing, where both oven capacity and the number of boards available may constrain scheduling decisions. Because both problems are NP-hard, integer programming formulations are developed for special cases and are then used to develop heuristics. Extensive computational experiments show that the heuristics are capable of consistently obtaining good solutions in modest CPU times.
Erosion and the rocks of Venus

Photographs of the surface of Venus returned by the Venera 9 and 10 spacecraft have revealed the presence of smooth and angular rockline forms. Two mechanisms previously suggested (Sagan, 1975) for erosion of crater ramparts on the surface of Venus might also explain the erosion of rocks. Chemical weathering by the hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, and sulfuric acids present in the atmosphere of Venus may have been sufficient to erode angular projections of silicous rocks. Alternatively, the contours of rocks containing such low-melting materials as NaOH, KOH, HgS and KNO2 may have softened as the result of exposure to the high surface temperatures of the planet.
SIMULATION-BASED ENGINEERING OF COMPLEX ADAPTIVE SYSTEMS

Systems to be developed in the future will likely be more complex than in the past. The number of be haviors a system can exhibit is one measure of sys tem complexity. A complex system can be described as a large network of communicating subsystems. A regional or national Intelligent Transportation System exemplifies such a system. If each subsystem in the network adapts its behavior to collaborate with other subsystems to achieve overall goals, such a system is called a Complex Adaptive System (CAS). In this paper a building elevator system provides an example CAS in which each elevator collaborates with others to optimize system performance. A Context-Sensitive System model that explicitly deals with the complexity of CAS is dicussed. A graphi cal simulation language, Operational Evaluation Modeling for Context-Sensitive Systems (OpEMCSS), assists in understanding CAS and automates most complex simulation details and semantics. OpEMCSS is distinctive from most simulation languages that have a graphical ...
The impact of age in the immediate and long-term outcomes of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty.

Background: Differences in age, clinical characteristics, and valve morphology may account for controversial results of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMV). Methods: We have previously reported the immediate and long-term clinical follow-up (50 ± 45 months) of 879 patients who underwent PMV at the Massachusetts General Hospital. In the present study, we used this database to determine the impact of age in the immediate and long-term outcome of PMV. For purpose of analysis, these patients were divided into four age groups: group 1 (≤35 years), group 2 (36–55 years), group 3 (56–75 years), and group 4 (>75 years). Results: The incidence of atrial fibrillation, calcified valves under fluoroscopy, higher echocardiographic score, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV and pre-PMV mitral regurgitation (MR) increased with patient's age. As patients became older, a lower post-PMV mitral valve area (2.1 ± 0.7, 2.0 ± 0.6, 1.8 ± 0.6, and 1.6 ± 0.6; P 8 in groups 2, 3, and 4 presented similar combined event-free survival (death, mitral valve replacement, or redo PMV). Conclusion: Age is an important predictor of immediate and long-term outcomes after PMV, particularly in patients with optimal mitral valve morphology.
Cognitive Vulnerability to Depression: Exploring Risk and Resilience

Scientific progress in risk research does not always translate to progress in resilience research. One explanation for the disconnect between risk and resilience research is inadequate theory construction in psychopathology. In this article, the authors argue that improved theory construction can help bridge the gap between risk and resilience. An example from the field of depression is used to illustrate how well constructed theories of risk can be used to develop and test preventions and interventions that bolster resilience. This article concludes with a discussion about the need for cross-cultural research on risk and resilience, which exemplifies a variety of environmental and genetic risk and resilience factors encountered by different populations and cultures.
Proceedings of the 2013 Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Conference on Medical Student Education

The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM; http://www.stfm.org) is a community of professionals devoted to teaching family medicine through undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical ed...
Osteoblasts: a Novel Source of Erythropoietin

Osteoblasts are an important cellular component of the bone microenvironment controlling bone formation and hematopoiesis. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which osteoblasts regulate these processes is a rapidly growing area of research given the important implications for bone therapy, regenerative medicine, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Here we summarize our current knowledge regarding the cellular and molecular crosstalk driving bone formation and hematopoiesis and will discuss the implications of a recent finding demonstrating that osteoblasts are a cellular source of erythropoietin .
Measurement of hepatic blood flow

Measurement of hepatic blood flow is fundamental to understanding hepatic physiology and biochemistry, quantitating drugs metabolized in the liver, and describing pathophysiologic states such as portal hypertension. However, the dual blood supply, altered handling of labels during disease states, and the relative inaccessibility of the portal system have made precise measurements of hepatic blood flow difficult. A variety of techniques can be utilized in both laboratory animals and patients; the more invasive techniques are generally available for animal studies, while semi-invasive and noninvasive methodologies yield information from patients. Each method has its inherent strengths and weaknesses, and may be utilized in a particular circumstance to accurately assess hepatic blood flow. It is therefore critical to select a measurement technique which yields the desired accuracy without interfering with the physiologic conditions under study. The methodology is presently available to achieve this end.
Nonlinear feature for gait speed estimation using inertial sensors

Gait speed is an important feature in many health applications. To obtain this information, a machine-learning approach is often preferred to first principle modeling for its generality in dealing with systematic errors. In this approach, extracting predictive features is critical to the estimation accuracy. Therefore, identifying and extracting highly correlated features for gait speed estimation become the first important steps for the machine-learning framework.This paper proposes a novel nonlinear feature for gait speed estimation using shank-mounted inertial sensors. Rooted in analytic mechanics, this nonlinear feature captures the dynamics of angular position and angular velocity -- two interdependent variables for gait speed -- simultaneously by examining the area of the phase portrait. Among all the features extracted, this nonlinear feature was ranked as the most important by an automatic feature selection algorithm given its highest correlation with gait speed among all features evaluated, and it improves the accuracy for gait speed estimation in intra-subject cross validation compared to using commonly extracted linear features alone.
Chemical etching of ion beam deposited AlN and AlN:H

Abstract Direct ion beam sputter deposition of AlN is studied using both pure nitrogen and a 75% N 2 + 25% H 2 mixture as the feed gas for the ion gun. The chemical characteristics of these films are probed using infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, optical microscopy, and chemical etching. The presence of AlN 2 species is associated with reactive and highly defective films. The presence of NH x species produces an increase (by several orders of magnitude) in the rate at which AlN films are etched by base. However, stoichiometric and low-defect AlN films prepared by depositing AlN:H onto substrates heated to 200°C have reactivities similar to the best AlN films produced in the absence of hydrogen. For the stoichiometric AlN films, the following etch rates were observed: 8 nm min −1 in 1.0 M NaOH at 22°C, 14 nm min −1 in 85% phosphoric acid at 75°C.
Reflections on Group Work Finding Balance in the Winds

Abstract This article describes the author's experience of and reflections concerning a group workshop facilitated by Michael Tlanusta Garrett of the Eastern Band of Cherokee during the 1998 Association for Specialists in Group Work National Conference. In addition to providing information about the Native American teachings and traditions of the four winds, balance, and harmony, the author also discusses the use of self by group leaders as a powerful therapeutic and healing tool. The reflections focus on the impact of Garrett's group workshop, his teachings, and his own use of self and disclosure as they have restored the author's lost belief in groups and renewed his flagging belief in himself as a group leader.
Maintenance and manipulation of information in schizophrenia: further evidence for impairment in the central executive component of working memory

Impairments in working memory (WM) have been proposed to underlie various cognitive and functional impairments in schizophrenia. However, the nature and extent of the dysfunction remain unclear. The present study attempted to examine the integrity of sub-components of working memory in schizophrenia within the framework of the multiple-component working memory model proposed by Baddeley. Two sets of visuospatial and verbal delayed-response tasks were developed which had comparable formats and difficulties across domains. In Experiment 1, demands on the central executive (CE) were manipulated by requiring subjects either (1) to simultaneously maintain and transform information (maintenance-and-manipulation condition) or (2) just to maintain this information (maintenance-only condition). In Experiment 2, the amount of information to be maintained over the delay was parametrically varied to evaluate demands on the temporary maintenance component of working memory. Patients (N=16) performed worse than controls (N=16) in both conditions of Experiment 1; however, simultaneous maintenance and manipulation was associated with a significantly greater performance reduction in the patients. In Experiment 2, both patients (N=15) and controls (N=15) declined in performance, at equivalent rates, with increasing memory load. Parallel findings were observed for the verbal and visuospatial tasks. These results suggest that while both maintenance and central executive aspects of working memory are impaired in schizophrenic patients, the central executive may be more severely affected.
Inhalational anthrax: threat, clinical presentation, and treatment.

PURPOSE To provide nurse practitioners (NPs) with a basic understanding of clinical presentation, transmission, diagnosis, pharmacological treatment, and post-exposure prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax. DATA SOURCES Selected research and clinical articles and government guidelines. CONCLUSIONS Inhalational anthrax has an incubation period of 1 to 6 days and is very difficult to diagnose early. The chest radiograph consistently reveals a widened mediastinum and pleural effusion without infiltrates. Mortality for inhalational anthrax is high, despite aggressive treatment after onset of symptoms. Delays in diagnosis contribute to the high mortality rate. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The potential use of aerosolized anthrax as a biological warfare weapon has renewed interest in inhalational anthrax. Primary care providers are cornerstones in the defense against biological weapons because they may be the first to recognize and report suspicious cases.
An upper bound for the p -Rank of a translation plane

Abstract Let Π be a projective translation plane of order q = pm. Let rkp(Π) denote the rank of an incidence matrix for Π over the field F p. Then rk p (Π)⩽q 2 +q+1− ∑ i=0 m−1 (−1) i 2m i m+(m−1)p 2m . Further, the summation term here is the p-rank of the affine geometry design A 2m,m(p) of points and m-flats in the 2m-dimensional vector space over F p.
Lipid compositions, water contents, swimbladder morphologies and buoyancies of nineteen species of midwater fishes (18 myctophids and 1 neoscopelid)

Lipid compositions, water contents, swimbladder morphologies and specific gravities were studied for 19 species of oceanic midwater fishes, chiefly myctophids (lanternfishes) collected offshore from Oregon and California from 1975–1979. Three groups of species were recognizable. The first group had bodies low in both lipid and water content; they were denser than seawater, regardless of swimbladder morphology, which varied from absent through non-inflated to inflated. The second group had bodies low in lipid but high in water content; they were neutrally buoyant, evidently because of their high content of water, although their swimbladders were never inflated. The majority of the members of the aforementioned groups contained higher proportions of triglycerides than wax esters. The third group had bodies with high lipid but low water content; those with high triglyceride content had swimbladders ranging from non-inflated to (less commonly) inflated, were denser than seawater, and the lipid percentage of their body weights varied both with size and season, indicating that triglycerides function mainly as an energy store. The adults of species in the third group with a higher content of wax esters than triglycerides lacked inflated swimbladders, were neutrally buoyant, and the lipid percentage of their body weights was relatively constant with size and season, indicating that wax esters permit these fishes to attain neutral buoyancy in seawater.
Expansion of an ion cloud in the Earth's magnetosphere

The initial expansion of a barium ion cloud release in the distant earth's magnetosphere is numerically investigated by means of a computer model with self-consistent electric and magnetic interactions. Initial conditions for the calculations are an expanding neutral cloud that is photoionized with a time constant of 20 sec. The results show that after the first 30 sec, the large fluctuations in the magnetic field and in other parameters are damped out and the magnetic field in the central region of the cloud is reduced to near zero. Also, after only 10 sec, a relatively high central ion density has developed and remains for the duration of the calculations.
Reacting flow and pressure recovery processes in HF/DF chemical lasers

Abstract Several properties of gas-dynamic processes occurring in flowing gas lasers are discussed and their importance in establishing laser performance is outlined. The continuous HF (or DF) supersonic diffusion chemical laser is chosen to illustrate the coupling between chemical energy release and fluid dynamics in a laser of current interest. A simplified quasi-one-dimensional analysis is used to illustrate the energy release rates in different parts of a combustion heated DF laser; it is shown that for typical operating conditions the chemical energy released during and subsequent to lasing is the order of the total flow energy entering the lasing region. The effects of this energy release on flow properties for two simple constraints—constant area and constant pressure—are shown, and it is seen that the constant area case provides much higher final pressure recovery for a complete system. The complex nature of the reacting mixing flow in the lasing zone is described and the properties of the initial reaction generated shock waves in the flow are estimated through a displacement thickness analysis. Finally, a partial constant area concept for use with a supersonic diffusion chemical laser is analyzed. This approach allows for partial initial energy release essentially at constant pressure conditions and subsequent energy release at constant area conditions through the expedient of providing expansion areas local to the small nozzle/injector pairs used in this type of laser. Thus, the partial constant area concept provides a simple trade-off procedure between high system pressure recovery and low pressure in the laser reaction zone.
The statistics of time–frequency analysis

Abstract This paper discusses time–frequency analysis from a statistical signal processing perspective. Certain nonstationary stochastic processes, known as “locally stationary processes”, have covariance functions which yield nonnegative Wigner distributions. An extension to this class of processes to include signals with frequency modulation is presented. For such processes, time–frequency spectra may be defined without invoking “local-” or “quasi-” stationarity. The bilinear class of time–frequency distributions are estimators of these time–frequency spectra. An analysis of the statistical properties of these estimators, including moments and distributional properties, is presented. A derivation of an asymptotic Cramer–Rao Lower Bound on the variance, together with results on the bias and variance, demonstrates that a trade-off exists between time–frequency resolution and the variance of the estimated representation. While perfect time–frequency resolution is possible, it can only be achieved through a corresponding increase in variance.
An improved murine leukemia virus immunofluorescence assay

Abstract The use of DEAE-dextran and polybrene during infection of mouse embryo fibroblast cell lines of Fv-1bb origin with the radiation leukemia virus strikingly increased the proportion of cells in which virus-induced cytoplasmic antigens were detectable by indirect immunofluorescence and significantly accelerated the time course of their detection, thus making possible the development of a rapid, sensitive, and practical new assay based upon the percentage of immunofluorescence-positive cells. Direct comparisons with several other in vitro assays are presented. The assay was also tested successfully with Gross leukemia virus grown on cells of Fv-1nn origin, and should be applicable to other murine leukemia viruses and, perhaps with minor modifications, to other mammalian leukemia viruses as well.
Mitosis: Long-Range Signals Guide Microtubules

The formation of microtubule-derived structures is thought to involve nucleation in all directions and stabilization of microtubules that contact relevant targets. A recent study indicates, during mitosis, there may be a third step, in which microtubule growth is directed over long distances without physical contact between the target and microtubules.
Role of lymphovascular invasion and immunohistochemical expression of IMP3 in the risk stratification of superficially invasive pT1 esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Abstract Background A problem in the management of patients with Barrett's esophagus-related pT1 esophageal adenocarcinoma is to distinguish those who should be treated conservatively (endoscopic mucosal resection and/or radiofrequency ablation) from those who require esophago-gastrectomy. Recently, lymphovascular invasion (LVI) has emerged as one of the best predictors of regional lymph node metastasis (LNM) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in pT1 EAC. However, LVI may be underestimated, both because of interobserver variability and incomplete sampling. The aim of our study was to correlate the presence of LVI, with the immunohistochemical expression of IMP3 in pT1 EAC and assess their role in further stratifying these lesions into high and low risk groups based on the potential for lymph node metastasis and poor outcome. Design Depth of invasion, assessed in five sublevels (m2, m3, sm1, sm2, and sm3), LVI, and expression of IMP3 were studied in 30 patients who underwent esophagogastrectomy for pT1 EAC (2001–2010) at Hartford Hospital, and correlated with LNM and RFS. IMP3 was considered positive when expressed in >50% of the malignant cells with an intensity of stain of 2–3+. Results Ten of 18 (55.5%) cases with IMP3 expression demonstrated LVI and 2/10 (20%) showed LNM and died of disease. In contrast, none of the 12 IMP3 negative cases showed LVI (p Conclusions In pT1 EAC, (1) based on IMP3 expression, pT1 EAC may be divided into high risk (LVI+/IMP3+) and low risk (LVI−/IMP3−) categories. (2) Absence of IMP3 expression is associated with a significantly reduced risk of LVI (Negative Predictive Value: 100%). (3) Since identifying lymphovascular invasion and other morphological parameters is prone to significant inter-observer variation, IMP3 may be useful as an ancillary marker especially in these pT1 lesions in predicting their clinical behavior, the risk stratification and potentially on the type of treatment.
Human tumors associated with Carney complex and germline PRKAR1A mutations: a protein kinase A disease!

Abstract Carney complex (CNC) is a multiple neoplasia syndrome that consists of endocrine (thyroid, pituitary, adrenocortical and gonadal), non-endocrine (myxomas, nevi and other cutaneous pigmented lesions), and neural (schwannomas) tumors. Primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) is the most common endocrine manifestation of CNC and the only inherited form of Cushing syndrome known to date. In the search of genes responsible for CNC, two chromosomal loci were identified; one (17q22–24) harbored the gene encoding the type I-α regulatory subunit (RIα) of protein kinase A (PKA), PRKAR1A, a critical component of the cAMP signaling pathway. Here we review CNC and the implications of this discovery for the cAMP and/or PKA’s involvement in human tumorigenesis.
RELATIVE ACTIN NUCLEATION PROMOTION EFFICIENCY BY WASP AND WAVE PROTEINS IN ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

The mammalian genome encodes multiple Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP)/WASP-family Verprolin homologous (WAVE) proteins. Members of this family interact with the actin related protein (Arp) 2/3 complex to promote growth of a branched actin network near the plasma membrane or the surface of moving cargos. Arp2/3 mediated branching can further lead to formation of comet tails (actin rockets). Despite their similar domain structure, different WASP/WAVE family members fulfill unique functions that depend on their subcellular location and activity levels. We measured the relative efficiency of actin nucleation promotion of full-length WASP/WAVE proteins in a cytoplasmic extract from primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). In this assay WAVE2 and WAVE3 complexes showed higher nucleation efficiency than WAVE1 and N-WASP, indicating distinct cellular controls for different family members. Previously, WASP and N-WASP were the only members that were known to stimulate comet formation. We observed that in addition to N-WASP, WAVE3 also induced short actin tails, and the other WAVEs induced formation of asymmetric actin shells. Differences in shape and structure of actin-based growth may reflect varying ability of WASP/WAVE proteins to break symmetry of the actin shell, possibly by differential recruitment of actin bundling or severing (pruning or debranching) factors.
Optomechanical alignment of the Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) for the Cassini mission to Saturn

The composite infrared spectrometer (CIRS) of the Cassini mission to Saturn has two interferometers covering the far infrared and mid infrared wavelength region. The instrument is aligned at ambient temperature, but operates at 170 Kelvin and has challenging boresight and interferometric alignment tolerances. This paper describes how the aluminium mirrors were aligned to the CIRS optics module to tolerances of .5 milliradians in biaxial tilt and 100 microns in decenter and how the instrument boresight was aligned.
Prediction of U.S. crude oil-production using growth curves

Abstract The amount of ultimately recoverable crude oil is found to be 181.1 billion bbl for the conterminous U.S. (including offshore). Inclusion of Alaska raises the total to 217.2 billion bbl.