cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finalized Researches on Polymeric Materials: Sub-Project on Polymeric Materials of the Fine and Secondary Chemistry Research Program of the Italian National Research Council

The year 1972/73 was a decisive turning point for the public research policy in Italy. The Italian Research Council (C.N.R.) at this time, responding to strong political pressures which criticized its role as the principal co-ordinator and subsidizer of the public research, decided to organize “finalized research programs” whose goals were essential for the socio-economic progress of the country.
Matrix Effects in the Quantitative Elemental Analysis of Plastic-Embedded and Ashed Biological Tissue by SIMS

Quantitative analysis of single matrix materials using the ion microprobe mode of SIMS analysis is now routinely achieved using empirical standards. Quantification in multilayer/multimatrix specimens has also been realized in recent years (1). However, ion imaging based on SIMS has been chiefly qualitative in nature due to artifacts in the SIMS measurement. Among these, the inability to precisely calibrate ionization probability variations due to matrix composition variation over an ion image field is probably the most difficult variable to account for. This is true because precise matrix composition from pixel is seldom known with sufficient accuracy to allow fabrication of external standards.
Impact of Treatment Time on the Long-Term Outcome of Stroke Patients Treated With Mechanical Thrombectomy.

Abstract Objective To assess the long-term functional outcome of stroke in patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) performed during work hours (on-hours) versus after-hours, weekends, and official holidays (off-hours). Methods Data on all patients receiving MT at a comprehensive stroke center was collected between December 2014-December 2016. Our primary outcomes were the discharge and 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS). We developed propensity scores for off-hours treatment and used inverse probability of treatment weights to address confounding. We estimated logistic regression to assess the relationship between off-hours treatment and favorable patient outcomes. Independent variables include receiving thrombectomy during the off-hours, admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), door to groin time in minutes, age, and race. Results During the study period, 80 (41%) patients underwent thrombectomy during on-hours and 116 (59%) during off-hours. Mean age was 69.1 years for the on-hours group and 64.1 years for the off-hours group (P = .02). There were no statistically significant differences in median admission NIHSS, rate of alteplase administration, mean time from last known well to thrombectomy, rate of revascularization, and rate of hemorrhagic transformation between the 2 groups. Logistic regression analysis showed the probability of a favorable outcome at discharge (mRS ≤ 2) is 12.6 % lower for off-hours patients (P = .038, [95%CI −.25 to −.01]). For patients with a 90-day mRS (n = 117), the probability of a favorable outcome was 18.7% lower for those treated during the off-hours (P = .029, [95%CI −.36 to −.02]). Conclusions There is a higher probability of a good functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients who receive MT when performed during regular work hours.
A 140 Ghz Gyro-Amplifier Using A Dielectric-Loaded, Sever-Less Confocal Waveguide

A 140 GHz, 1 kW pulsed gyro-amplifier system is being developed at MIT for pulsed Dynamic Nuclear Polarization NMR (DNP-NMR). The gyro-amplifier uses a confocal geometry to achieve an overmoded interaction circuit with reduced mode competition. The confocal waveguide has been designed to operate without severs. The present design retains the mechanical improvements of previous iterations [1], [2] but focuses on suppressing mode competition from spatial modes of the entire tube assembly observed in numerical simulations. Ceramic absorbers have been introduced in order to attenuate these unwanted oscillations. With a 38 kV, 3 A beam, the gyroamplifier operated near 140 GHz with 29 dB of device gain, measured from the input port to the output port. With input / output coupling losses estimated at about 12 dB, the small signal gain of the confocal circuit itself is estimated to be 41 dB.
Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation for Thoracic Neuralgia: A Report of Six Cases

Objective: Thoracic neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain syndrome that can be refractory to pharmacologic intervention and management by pain specialists. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation has shown promise as a targeted and effective modality compared to traditional therapies for several indications but has not yet been applied in the thoracic region. This study aims to report the outcomes of off-label thoracic DRG stimulation in patients with refractory TN. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed at Emory University Hospital for patients who underwent thoracic DRG stimulation in a two-year period. Relevant outcomes for safety and efficacy were evaluated. Results: Six patients were identified that underwent thoracic DRG stimulation for various etiologies of TN, including post-mastectomy, post-herpetic, and post-abdominoplasty neuralgia. All patients initially underwent trial DRG stimulation with a mean pre-operative visual analogue scale (VAS) (0-10) of 6.8 ± 1.6 (range: 4-8). Four of six patients (67%) were non-responders and did not pursue permanent implantation; two experienced pain with stimulation during the trial, and two patients experienced no significant benefit. In addition, all three patients with post-herpetic neuralgia did not respond to treatment. Two of six patients (33%) responded well to stimulation, elected to receive permanent leads, and reported significant pain relief with VAS scores of 0/10 and 1/10, and 100% reduction in morphine equivalent use. Complications included lead migration and need to reset stimulator programming. Conclusions: DRG stimulation may be an effective therapy for patients experiencing chronic TN as a result of peripheral nerve injury; however, post-herpetic neuralgia may be unresponsive to this treatment. Future prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the feasibility of this procedure in patients with refractory TN.
Enhanced Power and Electromagnetic SCA Resistance of Encryption Engines via a Security-Aware Integrated All-Digital LDO

This article demonstrates enhanced power (P) and electromagnetic (EM) side-channel analysis (SCA) attack resistance of standard (unprotected) 128-bit advanced encryption standard (AES) engines with parallel (P-AES, 128-bit) and serial (S-AES, 8-bit) datapaths and a 128-bit SIMON engine with the bit-serial (1-bit) datapath by an on-die security-aware all-digital low-dropout (DLDO) regulator. The proposed DLDO improves SCA resistance using control-loop-induced perturbations in a nominal DLDO, enhanced by a random switching noise injector (SNI) by power-stage control and a randomized reference voltage (R-VREF) generator coupled with all-digital clock modulation (ADCM). SCA performed on the measured power/EM signatures acquired from a 130-nm CMOS testchip demonstrates up to 25 $\times $ reduction in test vector leakage assessment (TVLA) leakage for P-AES and 3579 $\times $ , 2182 $\times $ , and 500 $\times $ increase in minimum-traces-to-disclose (MTD) 80% of the subkeys for P-AES, S-AES, and SIMON cores, respectively, with respect to correlation power analysis (CPA) and correlation EM analysis (CEMA).
The complexity of model-free and model-based learning strategies

Different learning strategies are thought to fall along a continuum that ranges from simple, inflexible, and fast model-free strategies, to more complex, flexible, and deliberative model-based strategies. Here we show that, contrary to this proposal, strategies at both ends of this continuum can be equally flexible, effective, and time-intensive. We analyzed behavior of adult human subjects performing a canonical learning task used to distinguish between model-free and model-based strategies. Subjects using either strategy showed similarly high information complexity, a measure of strategic flexibility, and comparable accuracy and response times. This similarity was apparent despite the generally higher computational complexity of model-based algorithms and fundamental differences in how each strategy learned: model-free learning was driven primarily by observed past responses, whereas model-based learning was driven primarily by inferences about latent task features. Thus, model-free and model-based learning differ in the information they use to learn but can support comparably flexible behavior.
The opening of a hinged farrowing crate improves lactating sows’ welfare

Abstract Concerns about the welfare of lactating sows housed in farrowing crates have emerged because crates physically restrict the sows and possibly compromise their behavior and comfort. The aim of this study was to identify how the opening of a hinged farrowing crate on different days (4 or 7) post-farrowing impacts sow welfare. A total of 36 sows were studied. The sows were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatment groups: PC- crate remained closed until weaning (n = 13), T4- crate was opened on day 4 post-farrowing (n = 12), and T7- crate opened on day 7 post-farrowing (n = 11). Three different types of welfare indicators were used: behavioral (activity, posture and location-direction inside the pen), physical (udder and body lesions, lameness and body condition score) and physiological (salivary cortisol concentration). On days 3–8 post-farrowing, sow behavior was captured by continuous video recording of each individual sow daily from 6:00 h to 18:00 h. Sow behavior was observed using instantaneous recording (with a 2-minute fixed sampling interval) and focal animal as the sampling route. Salivary samples were also collected on these same days at 8:00 h. Lameness and body condition score (BCS) were evaluated when the sows were moved to farrowing pens and again when they were weaned, while skin lesions were evaluated on those days as well as on days 4 and 7 post-farrowing. After opening the crates (either at 4 or 7 days post-farrowing), we observed that sows utilized the additional space provided to them. Sows exhibited a ∼5 fold average increase in the number of different orientations and positions that they occupied in the pen after the crate was opened. Furthermore, sows also spent more time active and performing motivated behaviors such as interacting with their piglets and exploring the environment. Sows kept in pens with open crates also had less teats lesions on day 21 post farrowing compared to sows remaining in closed crates. Salivary cortisol concentration differed only on day 5 as the mean concentration for T4 was greater than T7, but neither differed from PC. Taken together, both behavioral and physical measures of welfare employed in this study indicate that the opening of a hinged farrowing crate contributes to improving the welfare of lactating sows.
Condensation of zeotropic mixtures of low-pressure hydrocarbons and synthetic refrigerants

Abstract Zeotropic mixtures are under consideration to replace pure working fluids for use in Organic Rankine Cycles for power generation from low-grade heat sources. An experimental investigation of the condensation heat transfer and frictional pressure drop of a zeotropic mixture of R245fa and n-pentane in smooth horizontal tubes was conducted. These measurements were made over mass fluxes ranging from 150 to 600 kg m−2 s−1, operating pressures from 122 to 610 kPa, and nominal vapor qualities ranging from 0.05 to 0.95. Results from this experimental study are compared with the common zeotropic modeling approaches using various correlations from the literature.
Stress Detection via Sensor Translation

Stress increases the risk of several mental and physical health problems like anxiety, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Better guidance and interventions towards mitigating the impact of stress can be provided if stress can be monitored continuously. The recent proliferation of wearable devices and their capability in measuring several physiological signals related to stress have created the opportunity to measure stress continuously in the wild. Wearable devices used to measure physiological signals are mostly placed on the wrist and the chest. Though currently chest sensors, with/without wrist sensors, provide better results in detecting stress than using wrist sensors only, chest devices are not as convenient and prevalent as wrist devices, particularly in the free-living context. In this paper, we present a solution to detect stress using wrist sensors that emulate the gold standard chest sensors. Data from wrist sensors are translated into the data from chest sensors, and the translated data is used for stress detection without requiring the users to wear any device on the chest. We evaluated our solution using a public dataset, and results show that our solution detects stress with accuracy comparable to the gold standard chest devices which are impractical for daily use.
Dual methylation and hydroxymethylation study in blood and brain identifies BAIAP2 as a mediator of gene expression differences associated with alcohol use disorder

Background: Using a three-stage, multi-tissue design we sought to characterize methylation and hydroxymethylation changes in blood and brain associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Methods: In the discovery stage, we used epigenomic deconvolution to perform cell-type specific methylome-wide association studies within subpopulations of granulocytes/T-cells/B-cells/monocytes in 1,132 blood samples. Blood findings were examined for overlap with AUD-related methylation and hydroxymethylation in 50 human post-mortem brain samples in the brain overlap stage. Follow-up analyses investigated if overlapping findings mediated AUD-associated transcription changes in the same brain samples in the final stage. Results: Cell-type specific analyses in blood identified methylome-wide significant associations in monocytes and T-cells. One of the top genic findings is located in PLA2G4A, a gene required for monocyte chemotaxis. Alcohol inhibits monocyte chemotaxis, thereby contributing to alcohol-induced inflammation. The monocyte findings were significantly enriched for AUD-related methylation and hydroxymethylation in brain. Hydroxymethylation in BAIAP2 was found to mediate AUD-associated transcription in the same brain samples. BAIAP2 regulates dendritic spine density and is linked to cognitive deficits that are clinical features of advanced AUD. Conclusions: As part of the most comprehensive methylation study of AUD to date, this work involved the first cell-type specific methylation study of AUD conducted in blood, identifying methylation sites that are involved in alcohol-induced inflammation. In this first study to consider the role of hydroxymethylation in AUD, we found evidence for a novel mechanism for AUD brain-related impairments. Our results suggest promising new avenues for AUD research.
Incorporating Cultural Competence into Clinical Care of Children and Adolescents

Population estimates show that ethnic minority children and adolescents comprise a significant and growing proportion of the United States. In response, sociocultural and contextual frameworks have emerged to help explain between- and within-group variability in ethnic minority youth mental health. The chapter authors identify and evaluate empirical knowledge relevant to ethnic minority youth mental health and synthesized it into an initial set of conceptual “kernels” for working in the context of cultural diversity. These kernels are timely given growing proportions of ethnic minority families in the U.S. and professional awareness of sociocultural and contextual factors implicated in the clinical care of ethnic minority youth and families.
Are the antidiabetic SGLT2 inhibitors a cardiovascular treatment

The sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) were first conceived to treat type 2 diabetes due to their hypoglycaemic effect. However, due to an increasing number of studies, SGLT2i are changing the way we treat, and understand, diabetes, and cardiovascular risk, in general. The EMPA-REG OUTCOME clinical trial, in 2015, showed for the first time that empagliflozine - a glucose lowering agent - lowers the risk of death from cardiovascular causes and death from any cause. Also, this SGLT2i lowered hospital admission for heart failure and delayed renal function worsening. From then on, other clinical trials with SGLT2i such as CANVAS (canagliflozin) and DECLARE-TIMI-58 (dapagliflozin) confirmed these positive effects. With a proven and non-related glucose-lowering effect on heart failure, overall death, cardiovascular death, and renal function, SGLT2i stands out among the rest of anti-diabetic drugs. Since its role in treating patients with heart failure and type 2 diabetes has been undoubtedly established, new studies are paving the way for non-diabetic patients as well. A potential paradigm shift is being witnessed and, probably, the dawn of a new field, cardio-endocrinology, which involves new and far-reaching pharmacological agents.
Empirical evidence for estimation of subsurface settlement caused by tunneling in sand

Abstract Tunneling is vital for augmenting urban infrastructure systems in big cities. However, the ground movement or settlement induced by tunneling can cause significant damage to the surrounding buildings, bridges, roadways, pipelines, and so on. Several theoretical and empirical methods have been proposed to estimate the settlement trough at the ground surface caused by tunneling. Subsurface settlement caused by tunneling in clay has been investigated extensively to evaluate the safety of pipelines and foundations above tunnels based on the assumption of a constant volume of the settlement trough along the depth. However, subsurface settlement induced by tunneling in sand has not been understood well due to the change of volume of settlement trough along the depth. Even though an empirical method was developed by the author based on lab-scale model test results, it has not been validated using observational data from case histories. In this study, three case histories from the literature were used to verify the effectiveness of the aforementioned empirical method for estimating the subsurface settlement caused by tunneling in sand. The comparison of the calculated results and measurements from the case histories demonstrates that the empirical method is effective to predict the subsurface settlement caused by tunneling in sand.
The Comeback of the IUD in Twenty-First Century USA

From 1995 to 2014, intrauterine devices (IUDs) rose from ranking 10th (out of 11) among contraceptive methods to being the fourth most popular, outnumbered only by the pill, sterilization, and condoms. In 1995, the IUD had been largely abandoned by American doctors; two decades later, major medical associations promoted it as a "first line" method for prospective users of all ages. This paper explains the rapid and dramatic increase in intrauterine contraception by exploring three influential factors from the 1970s-1980s - the Dalkon Shield disaster, the lack of innovation in contraceptive research and development, and the moral panic over teen pregnancy in America - that created circumstances by the early 2000s in which health care providers became more receptive to long-acting reversible contraception. Key thought leaders in obstetrics and gynecology took it upon themselves to rehabilitate the IUD in the court of medical opinion and succeeded in securing professional approval of the device as the initial step in its resurrection.
Evolution of cluster of stars in f(R) gravity

Abstract This paper explores the dynamics of evolving cluster of stars in the presences of exotic matter. The f ( R ) theory is used to presume exotic terms for evolution scenario. We use structure scalars as evolution parameters to explore dynamics of spherically symmetric distribution of evolving cluster of stars. We consider Starobinsky model, f ( R ) = R + e R 2 and study different evolution modes having features like isotropic pressure, density homogeneity, homologous and geodesic behavior. It is concluded that dynamics of these modes of evolution depends upon the behavior of dark matter. The presences of dark matter directly affects the features of cluster like anisotropic pressure, dissipation, expansion, shear as well as density homogeneity. The evolution having homogeneous density and isotropic pressure depends upon conformally flat and non-dissipative behavior of baryonic as well as non baryonic matter. The dissipation factor induces density inhomogeneity in the expanding clusters having shear effects. The non dissipative homologous evolution also be discussed in the presence and absence of shear effects. It is found that high curvature geometry in the presence of shear supports homologous evolution. Expanding clusters are also explored in the presences of dissipation of dark matter and shear effects. By using quasi-homologous conditions the geodesic evolution is studied. It is theoretically showed that geodesic and homologous conditions depends upon each other. Finally we investigate behavior of Starobinsky model for a stellar structure 4 U 1820 − 30 toward center. It is found that for increasing values of e the DM behavior is dominant as compare to baryonic matter.
The substituting relationship between presumed media influence and interpersonal health communication for health prevention

Based on the influence of presumed influence hypothesis (IPI hypothesis), this study elaborates the processes through which people’s perception of the effect of health media messages on others affe...
Does Differential Receptor Distribution Underlie Variable Responses to a Neuropeptide in the Lobster Cardiac System

Central pattern generators produce rhythmic behaviors independently of sensory input; however, their outputs can be modulated by neuropeptides, thereby allowing for functional flexibility. We investigated the effects of C-type allatostatins (AST-C) on the cardiac ganglion (CG), which is the central pattern generator that controls the heart of the American lobster, Homarus americanus, to identify the biological mechanism underlying the significant variability in individual responses to AST-C. We proposed that the presence of multiple receptors, and thus differential receptor distribution, was at least partly responsible for this observed variability. Using transcriptome mining and PCR-based cloning, we identified four AST-C receptors (ASTCRs) in the CG; we then characterized their cellular localization, binding potential, and functional activation. Only two of the four receptors, ASTCR1 and ASTCR2, were fully functional GPCRs that targeted to the cell surface and were activated by AST-C peptides in our insect cell expression system. All four, however, were amplified from CG cDNAs. Following the confirmation of ASTCR expression, we used physiological and bioinformatic techniques to correlate receptor expression with cardiac responses to AST-C across individuals. Expression of ASTCR1 in the CG showed a negative correlation with increasing contraction amplitude in response to AST-C perfusion through the lobster heart, suggesting that the differential expression of ASTCRs within the CG is partly responsible for the specific physiological response to AST-C exhibited by a given individual lobster.
The Responsibility of Engineers: Decouple Engineering and Oppression

Victor Weisskopf said “Human existence is based upon two pillars: compassion and knowledge. Compassion without knowledge is ineffective; knowledge without compassion is inhuman.” A cursory examination of how science and engineering have operated historically reveals a litany of instances where they serve oppression. Neither is inherently good. Both exist within the context of societal frameworks and cannot be isolated panaceas for challenges of the day. Whether to install pipeline infrastructure in Standing Rock or Flint results in disparate health and economic outcomes depending on race and class. Whether to introduce the class “Hacking 4 Defense” into curriculums, or one titled “Engineering Ethics and the Public,” trains engineers towards drastically different ends. Recognition of such frameworks may imbue us with the critical conscientiousness and political consciousness necessary to take commensurate action. Only then will science and engineering contribute to reimagining and remaking the world in an equitable fashion never seen before.
Abstract 19032: Anatomic Isolation of Core Elements of Circuit Substrate with Ablation Eliminates Multiple Scar Based Ventricular Tachycardias

Introduction: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of multiple or unmappable ventricular tachycardias (VT) remains a challenge with unclear endpoints. We present our experience with a new strategy isolating core elements of VT circuits. Methods: Patients with structural heart disease presenting for VT RFA at 2 centers were included. Strategy involved entrainment/activation mapping if VT was hemodynamically tolerated, and/or voltage mapping with electrogram analysis and pace mapping. Core isolation (CI) was performed incorporating putative isthmus and early exit site(s) based on standard criteria (panel A). If VT was noninducible, the dense scar ( Results: 44 patients undergoing CI were included (mean age 63, 95% male, 73% ischemic cardiomyopathy, mean LVEF 31%, 68% with multiple unstable VTs (mean 3+2)). CI area was 11+12 cm2, vs. 55+40 cm2 total scar area. Additional substrate modification was performed in 27 (61%), and epicardial RFA was performed in 4 (9%). CI was achieved in 37 (84%) and led to better VT free survival (log rank p=0.013), as well as added incremental benefit to acute VT noninducibility in improving long-term ablation success (panels B and C). Conclusion: “Core isolation” is a novel strategy with a discrete and measurable endpoint beyond VT inducibility to treat patients with multiple and/or unmappable VTs. The CI region can be selected based on standard characterization of suspected VT isthmus surrogates thus limiting ablation target size. Exit block within the isolated area is achievable in most and may further improve long-term success.
“Thank Goodness the Goose Is Here”: Creativity and Women's Writing in Eudora Welty's The Shoe Bird

“Thank Goodness the Goose is Here” examines Eudora Welty's only children's book, The Shoe Bird, and suggests that this text uses animal characters to explore women's authorship. Gloria the goose, whose character has been seen as stereotyped and silly, represents, in my reading, the inventive and courageous aspects of women's authorship, while Arturo, the methodical and precise parrot demonstrates that writing as a woman calls for the ability to use language in new ways even if this means ignoring established rules of language use. Drawing on Helene Cixous's work with the l'ecriture feminine, this article locates in Gloria evidence of the creativity and fortitude required to write as a woman in cultures where written language has conventionally been seen as the domain of men. This article examines how The Shoe Bird plays with common Welty themes of memory, extinction, and entrapment to emphasize Gloria's inventive use of language to redefine the space of the shoe store and the subjectivities of the birds. Connections are also drawn between Gloria the goose and creative women who emerge in some of Welty's texts for adults. Although reviewers and critics have not extensively examined The Shoe Bird, this text provides rich commentary about how women can use language to change their worlds.
Studies on calciferol metabolism: Regulation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1-hydroxylase in isolated renal mitochondria

Abstract Renal mitochondrial 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 -1-hydroxylase (1-hydroxylase) is sensitive to inhibition by 2 × 10 −5 m calcium and 5 × 10 −3 m phosphate when hydroxylation is supported by either malate or NADPH. This sensitivity to ion inhibition is observed in mitochondria from both vitamin D-deficient and repleted chicks and remains when mitochondria are frozen and thawed or are incubated in a hypotonic medium. The ionophore A23187 inhibits the 1-hydroxylase but partially reverses the inhibition exerted by 2, 5, or 7.5 × 10 −5 m calcium. Addition of a kidney soluble cell fraction (37,000 g supernatant) to isolated mitochondria did not enhance the 1-hydroxylase activity under conditions of varied substrate concentration, osmolarity of the incubation medium, or mitochondrial washes. It is concluded that a soluble cellular component is not involved in the regulation of the 1-hydroxylase but that intramitochondrial calcium and phosphate may well play a role in its regulation.
Two-Pass Orthogonal Least-Squares Algorithm to Train and Reduce the Complexity of Fuzzy Logic Systems

Fuzzy logic systems FLSs can be designed using training data i.e., from M given numerical input/output pairs and supervised learning algorithms. Orthogonal least-squares OLS learning decomposes an FLS into a linear combination of Ms < M nonlinear fuzzy basis functions FBFs, which are optimized during OLS to match the training data. The drawback to OLS is that the resulting system still contains information from all M initial rules, derived from the training points, even though only the most important Ms rules have been established by OLS. This is due to a normalization of the FBFs, and leads to excessive computation times during further processing. Our solution is to construct new FBFs out of the reduced rule base and to run OLS a second time. The resulting system not only is of reduced computational complexity, but is of very similar behavior to the unreduced system. The second run of OLS can be applied to a larger set of training data that greatly improves precision. We illustrate our two-pass OLS algorithm for prediction of the Mackey--Glass chaotic time series. Extensive simulations are provided.
Some Business and Legal Considerations for the Virtual World Entrepreneur

In this article, I discuss some of the business and legal issues posed by creating a virtual world-based business. In Part One, I start by briefly discussing some of the relevant lingo and terminology associated with virtual world use. In Part Two, I explore whether there is a real opportunity for success and profit-making potential in a virtual world-based business and some of the preliminary considerations when generating a business plan and strategy. In Part Three, I review the legal issues posed by operating a business in the virtual world, Second Life.
Civil Liberties and Human Rights

This article addresses the differences between civil liberties, civil rights, and human rights, approaching the subject from a multidisciplinary and global perspective. Among other aspects, the entry focuses on three fundamental tensions in this field: the tension between the philosophical origins of these concepts and their political and historical manifestations and influences; the tension between culture and universalism; and the ironic or ambivalent relationship between rights and state power. A concluding section discusses the special problem of terrorism and rights.
Impact of freedomCAR goals on well-to-wheel analysis

Because of their high efficiency and low emissions, fuel-cell vehicles are undergoing extensive research and development. When considering the introduction of advanced vehicles, engineers must perform a well-to-wheel (WTW) evaluation to determine the potential impact of a technology on carbon dioxide and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and to establish a basis that can be used to compare other propulsion technology and fuel choices. Several modeling tools developed by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) were used to evaluate the overall environmental and fuel-saving impacts associated with an advanced powertrain configuration. The Powertrain System Analysis Toolkit (PSAT) transient vehicle simulation software was used for pump-to-wheel (PTW) analysis, and GREET (Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions and Energy use in Transportation) was used for well-to-pump (WTP) analysis. This paper assesses the impact of FreedomCAR vehicle goals on a WTW energy basis. We will demonstrate that, on the basis of near-term (2010) advanced propulsion technologies, fuel cell hybrid vehicles achieve higher fuel economy than their Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) counterparts. However, when the North American natural gas hydrogen pathway is used to produce hydrogen (the most likely lowest-cost source of hydrogen in the near term), diesel hybrids perform the best. To gain the full benefits of hydrogen technology, a more efficient pathway to produce hydrogen, such as renewable energy, should be considered.
Dispersion relation and similarity transform of electromagnetic waveguide

The dispersion relation between the frequency and the propagation constant in a waveguide structure is discussed. Deduced by dimensional analysis, the functional dependency of the geometrical parameters in the dispersion relation is derived. The results inspire the concept of a similarity transform. Applying this transformation together with the two-dimensional finite difference time domain solver, the linear region of the quasi-TEM branch of the dispersion relation can be computed with an enhanced resolution and a reduced computation time.
Challenges and Opportunities for Statistics in the Next 25 Years

Beginning with the 75th Anniversary of the American Statistical Association in 1914 and for subsequent 25-year celebrations, distinguished members of the association have addressed the future of statistics. A four-person panel engaged in the same exercise during the 2014 Joint Statistical Meetings for the ASA's dodransbicentennial. The panel identified a variety of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for the profession in the next quarter of a century. This article highlights some of the discussion that took place.
School Climate, Teacher-Child Closeness, and Low-Income Children’s Academic Skills in Kindergarten

In this study we used data on a sample of children in the Chicago Public Schools in areas of concentrated poverty-related disadvantage to examine associations between school climate and low-income children’s language/literacy and math skills during the transition to kindergarten. We also explored whether teacher-child closeness moderated these associations. Multilevel modeling analyses conducted using a sample of 242 children nested in 102 elementary schools revealed that low adult support in the school was significantly associated with children’s poorer language/literacy and math skills in kindergarten. Teacher-child closeness predicted children’s higher language/literacy and math scores and moderated the association between low adult support and children’s academic skills. Among children who were high on closeness with their teacher, those in schools with high levels of adult support showed stronger language/literacy and math skills. There were no significant associations between adult support and the academic skills of children with medium or low levels of teacher-child closeness. Results shed light on the importance of adult support at both school and classroom levels in promoting low-income children’s academic skills during the transition to kindergarten.
Continuous Noise and Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Case Study

Twenty-nine audiometric tests undergone by an employee over a 26-year employment period in a structural maintenance shop at a large petrochemical company are analyzed. At retirement, the employee w...
Neutralization of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 by monoclonal antibodies in vitro and in vivo.

Sixteen monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) were generated by immunization of mice with purified TSST-1 and subsequent fusion of spleen cells with myeloma cells. Antibody-producing clones, identified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, were maintained as ascites tumors, and MAbs were purified by protein A chromatography. High-titered clones were further characterized and tested for the ability to neutralize several biological activities of TSST-1. The MAbs, which are of several immunoglobulin subtypes, reacted specifically with purified TSST-1 and TSST-1 present in Staphylococcus aureus culture supernatants. Three MAbs neutralized TSST-1-induced mitogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. Three of eight MAbs tested were able to neutralize induction by TSST-1 of interleukin-1 production by human monocytes. One neutralizing MAb, 8-5-7, was tested for the ability to protect rabbits from a constant infusion of TSST-1. Rabbits given the MAb had an attenuated clinical illness and were protected from the hypocalcemia, lipemia, and hepatic and renal insufficiency seen in control rabbits. Six of seven control rabbits died, compared with only one of seven rabbits treated with MAb 8-5-7. These experiments suggest that MAb 8-5-7 is directed against an antigenic determinant critical to the toxicity of TSST-1 and that the MAbs should be useful as probes in structure-function analyses of the TSST-1 molecule. Images
Percent and Solubility of Protein in Complete Feeds for Holstein Calves to Age 12 Weeks

Abstract In study of the influence of amount and solubility of dietary protein on calf performance, five male and three female Holstein calves were assigned at birth to each of six diets in a 3×2 factorial design. Formulations were for three percents of crude protein in dry complete feeds, each at relatively high and low protein solubilities. Analyzed percent protein in dry matter and percent soluble nitrogen in the six feeds were: 1) 13.0, 31.3; 2) 12.6, 20.1; 3) 14.0, 21.2; 4) 15.3, 14.2; 5) 17.6, 18.0; and 6) 18.1, 12.8. Calves were fed their assigned diets for ad libitum intake from 1 to 12 wk. Fermented colostrum diluted 1:2 with water was fed at 5% of initial body weight twice daily for 4 wk, then once daily to 5 wk. Average daily dry matter intakes and average daily gains were 1.36, .53; 1.24, .43; 1.46, .53; 1.61, .62; 1.64, .64; and 1.52, .62kg for diets 1 to 6. Feed intake and growth were reduced at the lowest dietary protein percentages. There was little effect of nitrogen solubility, except for a protein solubility interaction on weight gain. This was expressed inconsistently on only the low and medium protein diets. Digestibilities measured during wk 13 were similar. Efficiency of nitrogen utilization was reduced as dietary protein increased.
The contribution of bone to whole-organism physiology

The mouse genetic revolution has shown repeatedly that most organs have more functions than expected. This has led to the realization that, in addition to a molecular and cellular approach, there is a need for a whole-organism study of physiology. The skeleton is an example of how a whole-organism approach to physiology can broaden the functions of a given organ, reveal connections of this organ with others such as the brain, pancreas and gut, and shed new light on the pathogenesis of degenerative diseases affecting multiple organs.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with extensive degeneration of white matter.

Degeneration of the white matter is uncommon in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), and when it occurs is usually mild, and limited in distribution. In the case of a 77-year-old woman with CJD lasting 1 year, there was extensive degeneration of cerebral white matter in addition to severe loss of neurons and hypertrophic astrogliosis in cortex and striatum. The extent and severity of white matter lesions makes the case unusual.
Evolution of sleep structure following brief intervals of wakefulness

Abstract Structural components of sleep following brief waking intervals were examined. Following an uninterrupted baseline night, 10 subjects were awakened on the next 5 nights for either 20, 40, 60, 90 or 120 min. All awakenings occured at 02.30 h. During waking intervals subjects sat quietly in an illuminated room. Following each waking interval subjects returned to bed and slept uninterrupted until the next morning. Such awakenings had the effect of increasing the mean duration of the first SWS episode following return to sleep, and increasing the mean duration of first and second REM episodes following return to sleep. Sleep stage sequencing was also affected, with REM sleep preceding the first epoch of SWS in 38% of the sleep episodes following return to sleep. Eye movement density was essentially unaffected by controlled awakenings and timing of the REM/NREM cycle bridging awakenings appeared to be sleep dependent.
ICA order selection based on consistency: Application to genotype data

Independent component analysis (ICA), a blind source separation method, has been shown to be a useful approach to identify genetic components representing combined effects from multiple mutations. However, the ICA order selection for genotype data has been a challenge, since a genetic component usually accounts for a small amount of variance of the data, and makes it difficult to distinguish true signals from background. To address this issue, we propose to select ICA order based on consistency and implement three strategies in this study. Simulations demonstrate robust performances of all three strategies where the selected orders lead to optimal results regardless of ICA performances.
A systematic approach for hydrodynamic model calibration in the quasi-ballistic regime

In this work, we propose a systematic methodology to calibrate hydrodynamic models against Monte Carlo simulation. Two channel materials (GaAs and Ge) are used to demonstrate the calibration procedure and good fitting of the entire transfer and output characteristics curves is obtained. Further, this approach is scalable to different device dimensions (both channel length and body thickness) with reasonable device integrity. This work facilitates an accurate and time-efficient hydrodynamic simulation in quasi-ballistic regime for device design and optimization.
Phase 2 Trial of Single Agent Ifosfamide/Mesna in Patients with Platinum/Paclitaxel Refractory Ovarian Cancer Who Have Not Previously Been Treated with an Alkylating Agent

Ifosfamide has been shown to possess modest activity in patients with platinum/cyclophosphamide refractory ovarian cancer. Current standard initial chemotherapy for ovarian cancer does not include an alkylating agent (paclitaxel substituting for cyclophosphamide). To evaluate the activity of ifosfamide in patients with refractory ovarian cancer who had not previously received an alkylating agent, 21 patients with platinum/paclitaxel refractory disease were treated with the drug as a single agent (1.8 g/m2/day x 3 days, with treatment repeated every 28 days). Treatment was reasonably well tolerated in most patients, although 1 individual was removed from study secondary to neurotoxicity. One patient exhibited an objective response of measurable disease, while a second individual had a major decrease in CA-125 levels (no measurable disease present) following therapy. An additional patient experienced disappearance of severe pelvic pain following treatment but failed to meet the criteria for a partial response. We conclude that ifosfamide has modest activity in platinum/paclitaxel refractory ovarian cancer. However, the level of effectiveness does not appear to be increased in individuals who are alkylating-agent naive, compared to previously reported experience in patients with prior exposure to this class of cytotoxic drugs (10-15% response rate).
Alterations in circulating platelets following administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Conclusions1. After administration of ACTH in doses of 50 to 100 mg to 19 normal individuals there was a temporary significant decrease of platelets in the peripheral blood. This decrease was slightly more rapid and less sustained than the coexistent eosinophil decrease. 2. A similar thrombocytopenia was observed following administration of ACTH to an individual with no spleen.
The effects of airbag deployment on severe upper extremity injuries in frontal automobile crashes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate severe upper extremity injuries resulting from frontal automobile crashes and to determine the effects of frontal airbags. The National Automotive Sampling System database files from 1993 to 2000 were examined in a study that included 25,464 individual cases that occurred in the United States. An analysis of the cases indicated that occupants exposed to an airbag deployment were statistically more likely to sustain a severe upper extremity injury (2.7%) than those occupants not exposed to an airbag deployment (1.6%) (P =.01). In particular, 0.7% of occupants exposed to an airbag deployment sustained a severe upper extremity injury specifically from the airbag. In addition, when in crashes with an airbag deployment, older occupants were at a higher risk for severe upper extremity injury, as well as occupants in crashes with higher changes in velocity.
Assessment and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder in the Elderly

The aetiology of late-onset bipolar disorder is heterogeneous because the disease is more likely to have a secondary (i.e. a medical disorder or medication-induced) cause in older than in younger patients. Elderly patients with bipolar disorder typically require lithium dosages that are 25 to 50% lower than those used in younger individuals. Information on the use of valproic acid (sodium valproate) in elderly patients with bipolar disorder is limited but encouraging. In contrast, there is virtually no information regarding the use of carbamazepine or other drugs in this patient group. Electroconvulsive therapy is well tolerated by older people and can be useful for these patients.
Atomoxetine-induced hyponatremia

Many studies as well as case reports have acknowledged hyponatremia and the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SISADH) as known side-effects of selective serotonin-re-upta...
Arthroscopic evaluation of the foveal attachment of the triangular fibrocartilage

Anatomical and biomechanical studies have highlighted the importance of the deep attachment of the TFCC for maintaining stability of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). The standard arthroscopic assessment of the TFCC does not allow one to definitively determine whether the deep fibers are indeed intact, and establishing the diagnosis of a foveal detachment remains an exacting challenge. DRUJ arthroscopy is useful to assess the foveal fibers in any patient with DRUJ instability and can aid in the surgical decision making.
Three-dimensional model of precipitation of ordered intermetallics

Abstract The development of the two-phase (f.c.c.+L12) coherent microstructure in the prototype Ni–Al superalloy is studied by using the three-dimensional computer simulation technique. The dynamics and morphology of the microstructure evolution are described by our three-dimensional version of the stochastic time-dependent kinetic equation which explicitly includes the coherency strain, elastic anisotropy and L12 ordering of the preciptate phase. The input parameters, the crystal lattice misfit, elastic moduli, interfacial energy and equilibrium compositions of the coexisting phases are taken from the published independent measurements. The simulation results demonstrate that the strain accommodation in the microstructure evolution results in the cuboidal-like precipitates faceted by the {100} planes. The size of the precipitates obtained in the simulation is of the order of 50 nm. The important conclusion is that the precipitates are always single-domain particles with no antiphase boundaries. This effect is associated with the ordered structure of precipitates. It causes the slowing down of the coarsening kinetics since it excludes the agglomeration of the out-of-phase precipitates in one particle. As has been shown previously, the latter is a very important coarsening mode in an absence of ordering.