cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of severe sepsis and septic shock patients after stratification by initial lactate value.

BACKGROUND In the setting of severe sepsis and septic shock, mortality increases when lactate levels are ≥ 4 mmol/L. However, the consequences of lower lactate levels in this population are not well understood. The study aimed to determine the in-hospital mortality associated with severe sepsis and septic shock when initial lactate levels are < 4 mmol/L. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of septic patients admitted over a 40-month period. Totally 338 patients were divided into three groups based on initial lactate values. Group 1 had lactate levels < 2 mmol/L; group 2: 2-4 mmol/L; and group 3: ≥ 4 mmol/L. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS There were 111 patients in group 1, 96 patients in group 2, and 131 in group 3. The mortality rates were 21.6%, 35.4%, and 51.9% respectively. Univariate analysis revealed the mortality differences to be statistically significant. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated higher odds of death with higher lactate tier group, however the findings did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION This study found that only assignment to group 3, initial lactic acid level of ≥ 4 mmol/L, was independently associated with increased mortality after correcting for underlying severity of illness and organ dysfunction. However, rising lactate levels in the other two groups were associated with increased severity of illness and were inversely proportional to prognosis.
Launching a Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Program

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) delivers very high, very conformal inhomogeneous doses of radiation to well-defined targets with small or no margins to potentially heterogeneous and potentially physiologically moving targets in the thorax, abdomen, or paraspinal regions in few fractions. Embarking on SBRT requires a significant investment of personnel and equipment and should be undertaken after a thorough review of goals and allocation of personnel and equipment resources. In order to deliver SBRT accurately, all phases of the treatment process are integrated into the SBRT delivery system and controlled to the greatest degree possible. There are a number of American Association of Physicist in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group reports, American College of Radiology (ACR) practice guidelines, and American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) white papers to draw upon for guidance in implementing each phase of SBRT. The phases include imaging for target definition, immobilization, simulation, planning, motion management, imaging for alignment, and beam delivery. In each phase, the appropriate equipment is applied by trained personnel using processes developed during implementation to deliver the treatment as established by the quality assurance program.
Regional Mineral- and Fuel-Resource Forecasting — A Major Challenge and Opportunity for Mathematical Geologists

Mathematical geologists need to exert a stronger influence on government policy with regard to forecasts of mineral- and energy-resource commodities. The problems of forecasting inherently are statistical, and they should be based on geological, geophysical, and mineralproduction data insofar as possible. Thus, the problems are both geological and statistical, or in other words, strong “geostatistical”.
Probing the Domain Architecture in 2D α-Mo2C via Polarized Raman Spectroscopy

MXenes are emerging 2D materials with intriguing properties such as excellent stability and high conductivity. Here, a systematic study on the Raman spectra of 2D α-Mo2 C (molybdenum carbide), a promising member in MXene family, is conducted. Six experimentally observed Raman modes from ultrathin α-Mo2 C crystal are first assigned with the assistance of phonon dispersion calculated from density functional theory. Angle-resolved polarized Raman spectroscopy indicates the anisotropy of α-Mo2 C in the b-c plane. Raman spectroscopy is further used to study the unique domain structures of 2D α-Mo2 C crystals grown by chemical vapor deposition. A Raman mapping investigation suggests that most of the α-Mo2 C flakes contain multiple domains and the c-axes of neighboring domains tend to form a 60° or 120° angle, due to the weak MoC bonds in this interstitial carbide and the low formation energy of the carbon chains along three equivalent directions. This study demonstrates that polarized Raman spectroscopy is a powerful and effective way to characterize the domain structures in α-Mo2 C, which will facilitate the further exploration of the domain-structure-related properties and potential applications of α-Mo2 C.
Measles vector as a multigene delivery platform facilitating iPSC reprogramming

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide a unique platform for individualized cell therapy approaches. Currently, episomal DNA, mRNA, and Sendai virus-based RNA reprogramming systems are widely used to generate iPSCs. However, they all rely on the use of multiple (three to six) components (vectors/plasmids/mRNAs) leading to the production of partially reprogrammed cells, reducing the efficiency of the systems. We produced a one-cycle measles virus (MV) vector by substituting the viral attachment protein gene with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene. Here, we present a highly efficient multi-transgene delivery system based on a vaccine strain of MV, a non-integrating RNA virus that has a long-standing safety record in humans. Introduction of the four reprogramming factors OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and cMYC via a single, “one-cycle” MV vector efficiently reprogrammed human somatic cells into iPSCs, whereas MV vector genomes are rapidly eliminated in derived iPSCs. Our MV vector system offers a new reprogramming platform for genomic modification-free iPSCs amenable for clinical translation.
Risk Factors for the Development of Antibody-mediated Rejection (AMR) after Lung Transplantation

Purpose Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. We sought to identify risk factors for the development of AMR after lung transplantation. Methods We performed a single center retrospective cohort study of 692 patients who underwent lung transplantation (LT) between 2005-2016. We identified those who developed definite AMR (allograft dysfunction, DSA, acute lung injury pathology, C4d deposition, and exclusion of other causes) and performed univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify potential risk factors for AMR. Results There were significantly more patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who developed definite AMR (33.8%) than other underlying diagnoses (p = 0.003). Post-transplant gram negative pulmonary infection, analyzed as a time dependent variable, was a significant risk factor for subsequent AMR (HR = 2.263, p = 0.001). In addition, Pseudomonas infection was associated with a significantly higher risk than other gram negative organisms (HR 2.549, p Conclusion Patients with CF are at an increased risk of developing AMR. This risk appears to be related to Pseudomonas pulmonary infection. Acute cellular rejection and LB were also found to be an independent risk factor for the development of AMR.
Survival and recovery of the foraminifer Amphistegina gibbosa and associated diatom endosymbionts following up to 20 months in aphotic conditions

Abstract Dormancy in the Foraminifera has been observed widely across the phylum in reaction to a variety of triggers including, in the diatom symbiont-bearing foraminifer Amphistegina gibbosa, extended periods of darkness. Resumption of activity in the host-symbiont holobiont was noted, but not fully documented, in specimens reintroduced to light following up to 12 months in darkness. Here, criteria for documenting recovery included resumption of reticulopodial activity in the host and return of pre-treatment golden-brown color characteristic of an active symbiotic diatom population. Reticulopodial activity resumed in nearly all treatment specimens (>95%) following 12 months in darkness, and in >70% of the specimens when reintroduced to light following 20 months in darkness. Image analysis using the percent of the foraminiferal surface area showing golden-brown color as a proxy for recovery of the endosymbionts showed return of such color within days for shorter treatments (7 and 12 months in darkness), but slower and less complete return in longer treatments (15 and 20 months), indicating increased susceptibility to photic damage of symbionts as the length of dormancy increased.
New Onset Tinnitus after High-Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation

The most common complications of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy are generally related to surgical site infection and hardware malfunction. Less well understood are the adverse neurological effects of this therapy. We present the case of a patient who underwent placement of a Senza HF10 high-frequency spinal cord stimulator with subsequent development of tinnitus, vertigo, intermittent involuntary left facial twitches, and perioral numbness. These symptoms resolved following deactivation of her device. To further explore these less common neurologic complications of SCS therapy, a review of literature and a review of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database are included. Further research and investigation in this area are needed so that clinicians and patients may have more complete knowledge and understanding of the potential treatment-limiting complications of spinal cord stimulation.
Responding to a Mumps Outbreak Impacting Immigrants and Low-English-Proficiency Populations.

OBJECTIVES To examine outbreak response-associated costs, lessons learned, and challenges encountered during a local health department's response to a mumps outbreak. DESIGN We conducted semistructured interviews with individuals directly involved in the response to a mumps outbreak and analyzed outbreak response-associated cost data. SETTING In March-July 2018, a mumps outbreak occurred in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The outbreak primarily affected an immigrant community, some of whom spoke little or no English and were uninsured and/or undocumented. This necessitated an urgent response from the Chester County Health Department, which implemented a variety of public health interventions, including outreach to local health care providers and the execution of vaccination clinics at 2 local mushroom farms where case contacts worked. A total of 39 suspected or confirmed mumps cases were reported in Chester County, and 22 suspected or confirmed cases were reported by 2 neighboring jurisdictions. PARTICIPANTS Health department employees (n = 7) and community partners (n = 2). Areas of expertise included emergency preparedness, nursing, medicine, disease surveillance, and epidemiology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Operational challenges encountered and lessons learned during the mumps outbreak response, including outbreak response-associated costs, which could inform other communities' planning and preparedness for outbreaks in similar populations and improve outbreak response operations. RESULTS Immigration status emerged as a key challenge, which highlighted the importance of building trust through community outreach and partnerships and the need for culturally competent communication. In addition, vaccine availability, accessibility, and cost played a major role in response operations and necessitated the involvement of community partners to mitigate these barriers. Outbreak response-associated costs totaled $35 305. CONCLUSIONS The challenges that occurred in this outbreak are broadly relevant to outbreaks that affect similar immigrant communities. Health departments that serve such populations can utilize these lessons to develop improved outbreak response plans that account for these challenges.
A rat H1t‐GFP transgene recapitulates endogenous H1t expression pattern in mouse

H1 histones bind to linker DNA. H1t (H1f6), a testis-specific linker histone variant, is present in pachytene spermatocytes and spermatids. The expression of H1t histone coincides with the acquisition of metaphase I competence in pachytene spermatocytes. Here we report the generation of H1t-GFP transgenic mice. The H1t-GFP (H1 histone testis-green fluorescence protein) fusion protein expression recapitulates the endogenous H1t expression pattern. This protein appears first in mid pachytene spermatocytes in stage V seminiferous tubules, persists in round spermatids and elongating spermatids, but is absent in elongated spermatids. The strong green fluorescence signal, due to the high abundance of H1t-GFP, is maintained in spermatocytes after induction towards metaphase I through treatment with okadaic acid. Therefore, H1t-GFP can be used as a visual marker for monitoring the progression of meiosis in vitro and in vivo, as well as fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) sorting of germ cells.
Social cognitive intervention following an initial implantable cardioverter defibrillator: Better treatment response for secondary versus primary prevention

Background The patient + partner (P+P) is a patient/partner-focused social cognitive intervention with demonstrated efficacy to improve outcomes following an initial implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Little is known about how the patient response may differ by ICD implant indication. The aim of this study was to examine the response to intervention for patients with an initial ICD by reasons for primary versus secondary ICD indication. Method A longitudinal secondary analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial testing the P+P intervention examined patient health outcomes over 12 months, stratified by the indication for the ICD: primary prevention without cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) (1o No CRT, n = 100), primary prevention with CRT (1o CRT, n = 78), secondary prevention after cardiac arrest (2° Cardiac Arrest, n = 66), and secondary prevention for other arrhythmias (2o Other, n = 57). Outcomes included physical and mental health status (Short-Form-36 Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary), physical symptoms (Patient Concerns Assessment), depression (Patient-Health-Questionniare-9), and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). Results Participants (n = 301) were on average 64 years old, primarily male (73.7%) and Caucasian (91%) with reduced ejection fraction (34%). There were no baseline differences between ICD groups for all outcomes (P > .05). Patients in the 2° Cardiac Arrest group showed greater improvement from baseline to 3 months in physical and mental health outcomes. The 2° Cardiac Arrest group had better physical (F = 11.48, P = .004) and mental health (F = 4.34, P = .038) and less severe physical (z = 2.24, P = 0.013) and depressive symptoms (z = 2.71, P = .003) at 12 months compared to the 1o No CRT group. Conclusion The P+P intervention was more effective for promoting physical and psychological health outcomes for individuals receiving an ICD for 2o prevention after cardiac arrest.
An RCT to Increase Breast and Colorectal Cancer Screening.

Introduction Adherence to breast and colorectal cancer screenings reduce mortality from these cancers, yet screening rates remain suboptimal. This 2 × 2 RCT compared 3 theory-based interventions to usual care to simultaneously increase breast and colon cancer screening in women who were nonadherent to both screenings at study entry. Design RCT. Setting/participants Women (n=692) who were nonadherent to both breast and colon cancer screenings and aged 51–75 years were recruited. Enrollment, intervention delivery, and data collection were completed between 2013 and 2017, and data analyzed in 2018. Intervention The randomized intervention included the following 4 groups: 3 intervention arms (personally tailored messages using a web-based intervention, phone delivery by a trained navigator, or both) compared with usual care. Women at an average risk for colon cancer were allowed to select either colonoscopy or stool test as their preferred colon cancer screening. Mammography was promoted for breast cancer screening. Main outcome measures Outcome data at 6 months included self-report and medical records for screening activity. Results All intervention arms significantly increased receipt of either a mammogram or stool test compared with control (web: p Conclusions The tailored intervention simultaneously supporting both breast and colon cancer screenings significantly improved rates of obtaining one of the screenings and increased receipt of both tests. Trial registration This study is registered with the clinical trials identifier NCT03279198 at www.clinicaltrials.gov .
The Association of Finger Growth Plate Injury History and Speed Climbing in Youth Competition Climbers.

Introduction Finger growth plate injuries are the most common injury among youth climbers, and the association between these injuries and speed climbing, a mandatory discipline in the 2021 Olympics, has not been examined previously. Our primary purpose was to examine the demographic and training characteristics of adolescent competition climbers who reported a history of a finger growth plate injury compared to those who did not report a history of a finger growth plate injury. Our secondary purpose was to determine whether training characteristics differed between adolescent competition climbers who did and did not report speed climbing. Methods Our study was a cross-sectional study design. We surveyed adolescent climbers who competed in the 2017 USA Climbing Sport and Speed Youth National Championships. Questions assessed climbing injury history and current rock-climbing training characteristics. Results Two-hundred sixty-seven adolescent competition climbers, 14±3 (9–18) y of age (mean±SD with range), completed the survey. Those with a history of a finger growth plate injury reported greater approximate time spent speed climbing throughout the year (β=1.28, 95% CI 0.11–2.46, P=0.032) and training regularly on the International Federation of Sport Climbing speed wall (adjusted odds ratio=3.95, 95% CI 1.14–13.7, P=0.031). Conclusions Training regularly at practices on the speed wall was associated with a self-reported history of finger growth plate injuries among elite youth competition climbers. Speed climbing should be limited, especially during periods of rapid growth.
Artificial Intelligence Chatbot Behavior Change Model for Designing Artificial Intelligence Chatbots to Promote Physical Activity and a Healthy Diet: Viewpoint

Background: Chatbots empowered by artificial intelligence (AI) can increasingly engage in natural conversations and build relationships with users. Applying AI chatbots to lifestyle modification programs is one of the promising areas to develop cost-effective and feasible behavior interventions to promote physical activity and a healthy diet. Objective: The purposes of this perspective paper are to present a brief literature review of chatbot use in promoting physical activity and a healthy diet, describe the AI chatbot behavior change model our research team developed based on extensive interdisciplinary research, and discuss ethical principles and considerations. Methods: We conducted a preliminary search of studies reporting chatbots for improving physical activity and/or diet in four databases in July 2020. We summarized the characteristics of the chatbot studies and reviewed recent developments in human-AI communication research and innovations in natural language processing. Based on the identified gaps and opportunities, as well as our own clinical and research experience and findings, we propose an AI chatbot behavior change model. Results: Our review found a lack of understanding around theoretical guidance and practical recommendations on designing AI chatbots for lifestyle modification programs. The proposed AI chatbot behavior change model consists of the following four components to provide such guidance: (1) designing chatbot characteristics and understanding user background; (2) building relational capacity; (3) building persuasive conversational capacity; and (4) evaluating mechanisms and outcomes. The rationale and evidence supporting the design and evaluation choices for this model are presented in this paper. Conclusions: As AI chatbots become increasingly integrated into various digital communications, our proposed theoretical framework is the first step to conceptualize the scope of utilization in health behavior change domains and to synthesize all possible dimensions of chatbot features to inform intervention design and evaluation. There is a need for more interdisciplinary work to continue developing AI techniques to improve a chatbot’s relational and persuasive capacities to change physical activity and diet behaviors with strong ethical principles.
Affording Affordance Moral Realism

In this article I elaborate a scientifically based moral realism that I call affordance moral realism, and I offer a promissory note that affordance moral realism is the best current explanation of morality. Affordance moral realism maintains that morality is constituted by the interaction of moral agents and moral affordances. The latter are the natural and social environments in which moral agents’ activities take place and contain the objects of moral agents’ activities whose actualizations are the manifestation of substantive moral goods. In making this argument, I take a scientific naturalistic approach that includes both the natural and social sciences, aiming to make my account both methodologically and substantively naturalistic. On the subject side of my affordance view, I offer a scientific account of moral agency, one based on an extension of social cognitive theories of agency to the realm of morality. And I argue that affordance moral realism explains the nature of moral agency, its acquisition, maintenance, and successful performance. To explain its origin and maintenance, I make use of a general theory of selection that embraces biological, social, cultural, and intentional selection. On the object side, I offer a theory of moral affordances and their actualizations, employing the findings and theories of moral developmental psychology and moral psychology to understand their actualizations through the successful operations of moral agents. I conclude that a scientifically based naturalistic affordance moral realism promises to provide the best current account of morality. It is not only affordable; it’s a bargain.
College Students’ Digital Media Preferences for future HPV Vaccine Campaigns

In the USA, although college-aged populations are at the greatest risk for initial infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), they are one of the age-based populations with lower HPV vaccine rates, largely due to their lack of perceived need to vaccinate against HPV. Health communication campaigns can help address this perception. This research identifies college students’ preferred digital media channels for future HPV vaccine communication campaigns. We conducted qualitative small group interviews with 28 students from one large southwestern university. We used an inductive approach to hand-code interview transcripts, develop a coding structure, and analyze themes that emerged from the data. More than half of the study participants had never heard of the HPV vaccine before participating in a small group interview. When asked how they prefer to receive information about the vaccine, students more often recommended creating educational videos featuring healthcare providers and other college students and sharing them on YouTube. Some students recommended creating and posting health information memes and infographics to Instagram to disseminate the most critical information students need to make an informed decision to receive the vaccine. Given the prominent role of social media and the popularity of video-sharing and image-sharing sites, health educators and communicators should utilize these technologies to promote the HPV vaccine, a cancer prevention resource.
Ammonia adsorption and recovery from swine wastewater permeate using naturally occurring clinoptilolite

Abstract This study aims to successfully demonstrate natural clinoptilolite based ammonia capture from real swine wastewater and simulated Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) treated swine permeate through extensive experimental analysis. The surface structure as well as elemental and chemical composition of both treated and untreated clinoptilolite particles were characterized using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) - Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Column experiments revealed that the breakthrough times for the real swine and synthetic swine wastewaters were similar indicating that the wastewater matrix did not really have an effect on ammonia adsorption. Ion release profiles showed Na+ to be the main counterion for NH4+ capture. The presence of K+ ion had the greatest impact on ammonia adsorption and the selectivity series was determined to be K+ > Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+. Simultaneous removal of P from real and synthetic swine wastewaters was observed and confirmed by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) data as well as the ion-release profile data. Additionally, sustained regenerability of sorbed clinoptilolite was demonstrated using brine solution through alternating cycles of adsorption and desorption.
Chip-Scale THz System for Single-Shot Angular Localization

In this article, we demonstrate a scalable chip-scale Terahertz system that can serve as a spectrum-to-space mapping source for single-shot angular localization. The source, by using frequency dispersive antennas emits different frequencies towards different locations in the space and therefore by utilizing this principle and the uniqueness of the received broadband spectrum at different locations, multiple nodes can simultaneously localize themselves in a single-shot manner. The chip-scale system includes two dual-port on-chip periodic leaky wave antennas (LWAs) for single dimension full hemispherical coverage along with two broadband transmitting and receiving chain operating within the frequency range of 360-400 GHz. The dual-port periodic LWAs have a spatial coverage capability of broadside to +40° and using two antennas fed from two opposite ports, we have a spatial coverage of ±40°. By cross correlation of the received power from an unknown angular location with the apriori determined calibration map, 1D angular estimation accuracy of less that 1° at the resolution bandwidth of 20 Hz is achieved. The chip in the transmitting mode consumes 138 mW while in the receiving mode, each of the chains consume 163 mW. The system is implemented on an industry-standard 65-nm CMOS process with a total occupied area of 3mm2.
Air transport flight parameter measurements program - Concepts and benefits

A program is described in which statistical flight loads and operating practice data for both narrow- and wide-body airline transport aircraft, intended primarily for use by manufacturers in updating design criteria, are obtained from existing, on-board digital flight data recorders. Procedures for editing and processing the data are explained, and differences between these and past NACA/NASA analog data are discussed. One major such difference is the automatic bandpass filtering of normal acceleration data to separate high-frequency gust response from low-frequency maneuver response. Plans and preliminary efforts for the development of an on-board data processing system, able to derive statistical aircraft operating parameters directly from real-time data, are also reviewed.
Functional Assessment with Clinical Populations: Current Status and Future Directions

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the benefits and limitations of nomothetic classification and describes the advantages of a functional approach to assessment. A functional approach to human problems has many advantages relative to the more prevalent approaches—classification based on topography of responses. A functional approach provides a parsimonious framework for conceptualizing human behavior—one that is applicable to all behavior exhibited by humans and nonhumans. A functional approach is linked directly to the development of interventions, as a functional assessment identifies environmental variables that might be manipulated to effect a change in behavior. The chapter illustrates the conceptual and empirical basis for functional assessment with various populations. Functional assessment has a strong empirical base, both from the voluminous basic and applied research documenting effects of environmental variables on responding and from a substantive body of research documenting effective interventions based on a pretreatment functional assessment. The chapter also discusses the directions for future research on functional assessment and the function-based support.
Towards a Firm-Based Theory of Consumption

Corporate theory typically construes consumption activity as involving a series of arms-length, atomistic transactions in which consumers exchange money for discrete corporate goods or services. Canonical accounts expect satisfied consumers to engage in repeat transactions, but the transactions themselves are (implicitly or explicitly) assumed to be isolated, fully contained dealings with the firm. Such a view of consumption supports the inference that consumers can readily manage their own interests in corporate operations through serial decisions to “take it,” “leave it,” repeat, or refuse to repeat patronization of a firm. This assessment plays an important part in justifying American corporate governance law, which charges corporate directors with fiduciary obligations only to shareholders, not consumers or other stakeholders. In this Article, I begin to explore some ways in which consumer associations with the corporate “nexus of contracts” are more relational and indeterminate, and less atomistic, than mainstream corporate theory typically presumes. I draw on and extend Ronald Coase’s transactional theory of the firm by exploring ways in which some important consumption decisions are made “in-house” by firm managers rather than “in the market” by individual consumers. This positive theory of “firm-based consumption” poses a challenge to the view that corporate governance law should require directors to manage firms exclusively on behalf of shareholders.
Interactions with identified muscle cells break motoneuron equivalence in embryonic zebrafish

Two zebrafish motoneurons, CaP and VaP, are initially developmentally equivalent; later, CaP innervates ventral muscle, whereas VaP dies. Current models suggest that vertebrate motoneuron death results from failure to compete for limited, target-derived trophic support. In contrast, we provide evidence that zebrafish ventral muscle can support both CaP and VaP survival. However, VaP's growth cone is prevented from extending into ventral muscle by CaP-dependent interactions with identified muscle fibers, the muscle pioneers; this interaction breaks the initial equivalence of CaP and VaP. Thus, the processes mediating VaP death are more complex than failure to compete for trophic support, and may be important for correct spatial patterning.
Credit Rating Agencies and Financial Stability

By analyzing some of the issues relating with credit rating raised by different scholars, this paper tries to address the question whether the credit rating business has become a hazardous business, that at some point may risk the stability of the entire financial system. The first part of this paper will address the general questions of who are the raters, what do they do, how do they do it, and why do they do it. The second part deals with the impact that the credit ratings has in the banking system through the capital net reserves requirement; this part emphasizes the impact of rates in structure finance obligations (e.g., collateralized debt obligations) held by banks. The third part analyzes the issues of First Amendment protection, conflicts of interest, and monopoly. Finally, the conclusion addresses the issue of whether new regulation should control the excessive power of the rating agencies.
Coherent Demodulation with FPGAs

The capability of modern FPGAs has become sufficient to implement complex systems such as a universal receiver with one FPGA. A universal demodulator decodes the three usual modulation algorithms: AM, FM, and PM. This article investigates what types of coherent receivers are suitable for an FPGA implementation. It is shown that both phase-locked loops and Costas loops can be implemented, each with its own advantages. These receivers are used in this article to demodulate WeatherFAX pictures transmitted in central Europe by the low frequency radio stations DCF37 and DCF54 (Carrier 117,4 kHz and 134,2 kHz; Frequency modulation F1C:±150 Hz).
‘For the Times they Are A-Changin’: Explaining Voting Patterns of U.S. Supreme Court Justices through Identification of Micro-Publics

In assessing how the social forces of public opinion shape U.S. Supreme Court justices’ decision making, scholars have traditionally considered public opinion as somewhat of a monolith. In other words, it has been presumed that there is one, singular public opinion and that it affects the individual justices in largely the same fashion. We suggest that it is more likely the case that justices’ world views are informed and shaped by a myriad of social concerns and group identities upon which these individuals structure and process their experiences and develop and refine their personal schemas. While some have already begun to question the proposition of a monolithic public opinion influence on judicial behavior and have begun to think carefully about what we term the “micro-publics” that may inform Supreme Court justices’ decision making, the more tangible questions of whether justices respond to publics that are distinguishable from broad-based national public opinion and what those micro-publics might be remains largely unanswered. In this paper we offer useful insights toward addressing this important puzzle in judicial decision making by providing a direct empirical test of the proposition that justices' case voting behavior is influenced by distinct social groups or micro-publics with which they identify. Our study focuses on the potential influence of localized and personal micro-publics and the possibility of partisan based elite influence on judicial behavior. We test our hypotheses by analyzing Supreme Court justice voting on civil liberties cases from 1977 to 2000 and find encouraging initial support for our theory.
Designing safety-critical computer systems

The ubiquitous computer is the electronic component of choice for system developers, who increasingly exploit computing's power in safety-critical applications such as steer-by-wire automotive systems and powered prosthetics. However, these computer-based systems raise the ongoing concern that they might fail and cause harm. Exploring the systematic design of safety-critical computer systems helps to show how engineers can verify that these designs will be safe. Achieving risk reduction requires dealing with all the system's components: hardware and software, sensors, effectors, the operator, and the primary source of harmful energy or toxicity: the application.
The solubilization of mature, polymeric collagen fibrils by lyotropic relaxation.

Abstract Insoluble bovine corium collagen was dissolved in acid following a lyotropic swelling step at 25° and neutral pH at low ionic strength. The lyotropic swelling apparently relaxes interfibrillar bonding and permits the fibrils to swell without limit in acetic acid. Yields of soluble collagen were on the order of 20% of the total. The use of purified amylase or chelating agents did not increase the yields. Electron microscopic examination and intrinsic viscosity determination showed the soluble collagen to be present as very long thin filaments. CM-cellulose chromatography and disc electrophoresis of the denatured collagen indicated that the solubilized collagen was very highly cross-linked. These data support the concept of the limiting microfibrillar structure of collagen fibers and indicate that one main cross-linking system is entirely internal to the microfibrils.
Effective cleavage of structured RNAs by tandems of 10–23 DNAzymes with 3′-odified oligo(2′-O-methylribonucleotide)-effectors

Catalytic activity of DNAzymes targeted to IGF-I and MDR1 mRNA can be regulated by the combination of 10-23 DNAzyme with 3'-modified oligo(2'-O-methylribonucleotides) that are favorable as effectors due to their high affinity to RNA and nuclease resistance. We have demonstrated that the DNAzyme constructions designed were able to bind and cleave long structured RNA transcripts effectively under simulated physiological conditions.
Hemodynamic efficacy of rapid saline infusion and dobutamine versus saline infusion alone in a model of cardiac rupture.

Abstract Despite recent reports describing survival after cardiac rupture, the effectiveness of circulatory support while awaiting definitive surgical treatment is controversial. To assess the efficacy of volume expansion and pharmacologic support in cardiac tamponade due to cardiac rupture, a model of hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade was developed and treatment with rapid saline infusion and dobutamine was compared with rapid saline infusion alone in 15 closed chest dogs. A right ventricular wound of reproducible size was produced by deflating an aortic valvuloplasty balloon that had previously been passed by way of the internal jugular vein into the pericardial space and through a stab wound in the right ventricular free wall. Hemodynamic values were compared at baseline, during tamponade and after a rapid infusion (1 liter at 100 ml/min) of either saline solution alone or saline solution plus dobutamine (20 μg/kg per min). Atrial and pericardial pressures increased significantly in both groups. Mean arterial pressure, cardiac output and stroke volume increased with combined saline and dobutamine infusion to values similar to those at baseline (91 ± 19%, 114 ± 43% and 94 ± 37% of baseline, respectively). In contrast, saline infusion alone caused a small increase in cardiac output but failed to significantly increase mean arterial pressure or stroke volume (76.8 ± 14.2%, 55 ± 18% and 51 ± 17% of baseline, respectively). Combined rapid infusion of saline solution and dobutamine infusion has a more beneficial hemodynamic effect and may be more effective than rapid saline infusion alone in resuscitating patients with hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade due to cardiac rupture.
Preference reversals in decision making under risk are accompanied by changes in attention to different attributes

Recent work has shown that visual fixations reflect and influence trial-to-trial variability in people’s preferences between goods. Here we extend this principle to attribute weights during decision making under risk. We measured eye movements while people chose between two risky gambles or bid on a single gamble. Consistent with previous work, we found that people exhibited systematic preference reversals between choices and bids. For two gambles matched in expected value, people systematically chose the higher-probability option but provided a higher bid for the option that offered the greater amount to win. This effect was accompanied by a shift in fixations of the two attributes, with people fixating on probabilities more during choices and on amounts more during bids. Our results suggest that the construction of value during decision making under risk depends on task context partly because the task differentially directs attention at probabilities versus amounts. Since recent work demonstrates that neural correlates of value vary with visual fixations, our results also suggest testable hypotheses regarding how task context modulates the neural computation of value to generate preference reversals.
Structure of Al-Li-Cu icosahedral crystals and Penrose tiling.

We report synchrotron x-ray powder-diffraction measurements of the Al-Li-Cu icosahedral phase. Our results are found to be in agreement with the computed diffraction intensities of the three-dimensional Penrose tiling when Al and Cu atoms are randomly positioned at the vertices and edge centers of the unit cells. Comparison is also made with a similarly decorated icosahedral structure constructed by dense packing of icosahedra. The agreement is less satisfactory.
Systems aspects of large scale nuclear science programming

Abstract The first reported extraction of the detailed collision matrix for a nuclear interaction - for the specific case of protons on 206 Pb - is here presented as an effective illustration of the complex interweaving of principles of organization with principles of scientific computer programming. Methodology is presented for the integration of new and distinctive computer technological developments into the scientific programming function.
The New Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-III: An Illusion of Unbiased Assessment?.

This article examines whether changes in the ethnic minority composition of the standardization sample for the latest edition of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-III, Dunn & Dunn, 1997) ca...
Zygotic Genome Activation Triggers the DNA Replication Checkpoint at the Midblastula Transition

Summary A conserved feature of the midblastula transition (MBT) is a requirement for a functional DNA replication checkpoint to coordinate cell-cycle remodeling and zygotic genome activation (ZGA). We have investigated what triggers this checkpoint during Drosophila embryogenesis. We find that the magnitude of the checkpoint scales with the quantity of transcriptionally engaged DNA. Measuring RNA polymerase II (Pol II) binding at 20 min intervals over the course of ZGA reveals that the checkpoint coincides with widespread de novo recruitment of Pol II that precedes and does not require a functional checkpoint. This recruitment drives slowing or stalling of DNA replication at transcriptionally engaged loci. Reducing Pol II recruitment in zelda mutants both reduces replication stalling and bypasses the requirement for a functional checkpoint. This suggests a model where the checkpoint functions as a feedback mechanism to remodel the cell cycle in response to nascent ZGA.
Toward a better understanding of idea processors

Abstract Idea processors, as a kind of software widely used in the business world, have not received much attention from academia. In this paper we provide an overview of the current status of idea processors. We start from the foundations of idea processors, pointing out their roots in brainstorming techniques. By examining several experimental systems and commercial products, we further discuss how idea processors work, their nature, and their typical architecture. We also summarize some research work related to idea processors, as well as relationships between idea processors and studies of computational creativity in artificial intelligence. Other related issues, such as group decision support systems and evaluation methods, are also briefly examined.
Claudeonychia babini nov. gen. et nov. sp. of Ordovician Ambonychiid pelecypods from Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Abstract A new genus of anteriorly-posteriorly elongate, posterodorsally alate, simplicicostate, strongly prosocline Ordovician ambonychiids is described. To honor Claude Babin and his extensive work with Ordovician pelecypods, the genus is named Claudeonychia . The type species is Claudeonychia babini nov. sp. In addition to the type species, the Ordovician species Byssonychia? byrnesi Ulrich , (1895), Opisthoptera notabilis Ulrich , (1895), and O. laticostata Ulrich , (1895) also are placed in Claudeonychia .
Highly optimized tolerance and power laws in dense and sparse resource regimes.

Power law cumulative frequency (P) versus event size (l) distributions P(>= l)similar to l(-alpha) are frequently cited as evidence for complexity and serve as a starting point for linking theoretical models and mechanisms with observed data. Systems exhibiting this behavior present fundamental mathematical challenges in probability and statistics. The broad span of length and time scales associated with heavy tailed processes often require special sensitivity to distinctions between discrete and continuous phenomena. A discrete highly optimized tolerance (HOT) model, referred to as the probability, loss, resource (PLR) model, gives the exponent alpha=1/d as a function of the dimension d of the underlying substrate in the sparse resource regime. This agrees well with data for wildfires, web file sizes, and electric power outages. However, another HOT model, based on a continuous (dense) distribution of resources, predicts alpha=1+1/d. In this paper we describe and analyze a third model, the cuts model, which exhibits both behaviors but in different regimes. We use the cuts model to show all three models agree in the dense resource limit. In the sparse resource regime, the continuum model breaks down, but in this case, the cuts and PLR models are described by the same exponent.
In Vitro and Murine Efficacy and Toxicity Studies of Nebulized SCC1, a Methylated Caffeine-Silver(I) Complex, for Treatment of Pulmonary Infections

The expanding clinical challenge of respiratory tract infections due to resistant bacteria necessitates the development of new forms of therapy. The development of a compound composed of silver coupled to a methylated caffeine carrier (silver carbene complex 1 [SCC1]) that demonstrated in vitro efficacy against bacteria, including drug-resistant organisms, isolated from patients with respiratory tract infections was described previously. The findings of current in vitro studies now suggest that bactericidal concentrations of SCC1 are not toxic to airway epithelial cells in primary culture. Thus, it was hypothesized that SCC1 could be administered by the aerosolized route to concentrate delivery to the lung while minimizing systemic toxicity. In vivo, aerosolized SCC1 delivered to mice resulted in mild aversion behavior, but it was otherwise well tolerated and did not cause lung inflammation following administration over a 5-day period. The therapeutic efficacy of SCC1 compared to that of water was shown in a 3-day prophylaxis protocol, in which mice infected with a clinical strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa had increased survival, decreased amounts of bacteria in the lung, and a lower prevalence of bacteremia. Similarly, by using an airway infection model in which bacteria were impacted in the airways by agarose beads, the administration of SCC1 was significantly superior to water in decreasing the lung bacterial burden and the levels of bacteremia and markers of airway inflammation. These observations indicate that aerosolized SCC1, a novel antimicrobial agent, warrants further study as a potential therapy for bacterial respiratory tract infections.
Single unit recording capabilities of a 100 microelectrode array

We have developed a three-dimensional silicon electrode array which provides 100 separate channels for neural recording in cortex. The device is manufactured using silicon micromachining techniques, and we have conducted acute recording experiments in cat striate cortex to evaluate the recording capabilities of the array. In a series of five acute experiments, 58.6% of the electrodes in the array were found to be capable of recording visually evoked responses. In the most recent acute study, the average signal-to-noise ratio for recordings obtained from 56 of the electrodes in the array was calculated to be 5.5:1. Using standard window discrimination techniques, an average of 3.4 separable spikes were identified for each of these electrodes. In order to compare the two-dimensional mapping capabilities of the array with those derived from other technologies, orientation preference and ocular dominance maps were generated for each of the evoked responses. Histological evaluation of the implant site indicates some localized tissue insult, but this is likely due to the perfusion procedure since high signal-to-noise ratio neural responses were recorded. The recording capabilities of the Utah Intracortical Electrode Array in combination with the large number of electrodes available for recording make the array a tool well suited for investigations into the parallel processing mechanisms in cortex.