cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Privacy, e-mail, and information policy: where ethics meets reality

Although the use of e-mail is prevalent, few articles address the legal and ethical implications of e-mail monitoring. The paper argues that managerial monitoring of e-mail is ethically questionable because of its potential to violate privacy rights. After examining the legal guidelines related to e-mail monitoring, the article explores the ethical considerations surrounding this type of monitoring. Privacy issues and implications for management are addressed. The paper also offers suggestions for organizations that choose to monitor employees' e-mail. >
Amish enterprise: the collective power of ethnic entrepreneurship

This paper examines how Amish communities build and sustain enterprises that produce and/or sell goods to both ethnic and non-ethnic markets. Based on qualitative research including interviews with 161 Amish entrepreneurs in 23 communities in the USA, the authors develop a transformative model of ethnic community entrepreneurship. The analytical model conceptualises the dynamic interaction between three forces/agents - cultural constraints, cultural resources, entrepreneurs - and shows how they shape the character of small businesses, which, in turn, transform the ethnic community that conceived them. The results demonstrate how culture, community, and ethnic context mediate the nature, size, and function of ethnic enterprises.
Pharmacokinetic and Tumor Distribution Characteristics of Temsirolimus in Patients with Recurrent Malignant Glioma

Purpose: To characterize the pharmacokinetics of temsirolimus and its major metabolite, sirolimus, in patients receiving enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAED) compared with patients receiving non-EIAEDs. An additional objective was to determine whether concentrations of temsirolimus or sirolimus were achieved in brain tumor tissue. Experimental Design: Patients with recurrent malignant gliomas not receiving EIAEDs initially received temsirolimus weekly at a dose of 250 mg i.v. The dose was subsequently reduced to 170 mg due to intolerable side effects. For patients taking EIAEDs, the starting dose of temsirolimus was 250 mg with standard dose escalation until the maximal tolerated dose was established. Ten whole blood samples were obtained over a period of 24 h after administration of temsirolimus for pharmacokinetic assessments. Patients eligible for cytoreductive surgery received temsirolimus before tumor resection. Whole blood and tumor tissue were obtained for analysis. Results: Significant differences in the pharmacokinetic variables for temsirolimus and sirolimus were observed between the two patient groups at a comparable dose level of 250 mg. For patients receiving EIAEDs, the systemic exposure to temsirolimus was lower by 1.5-fold. Likewise, peak concentrations and exposure to sirolimus were lower by 2-fold. Measurable concentrations of temsirolimus and sirolimus were observed in brain tumor specimens. The average tissue to whole blood ratio for temsirolimus was 1.43 and 0.84 for sirolimus. Conclusions: Drugs that induce cytochrome P450 3A4, such as EIAEDs, significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of temsirolimus and its active metabolite, sirolimus. Total exposure to temsirolimus and sirolimus was lower in the EIAED group at the maximum tolerated dose of 250 mg compared with the non-EIAED group at the maximum tolerated dose of 170 mg. However, brain tumor tissue concentrations of temsirolimus and sirolimus were relatively comparable in both groups of patients at their respective dose levels. Correlative analyses of the tissue for the inhibition of the key regulators (p70S6 kinase and 4E-binding protein 1) of mammalian target of rapamycin are necessary to define the therapeutic significance of the altered exposure to temsirolimus.
Seasonal variations in Saturn's plasma between the main rings and Enceladus

[1] With the discovery by the Cassini spacecraft of an oxygen atmosphere over Saturn's main rings, and a strong source of water products from the plumes of Saturn's moon Enceladus, our picture of the physics of Saturn's magnetosphere from the main rings to inside the orbit of Enceladus has changed dramatically. This region contains oxygen ions from the ring atmosphere and water-group ions from the Enceladus torus. The purpose of this study is to examine ion densities, temperatures, and composition from several equatorial periapsis passes from 2004 to 2010 for the region from 2.4 to 3.5 Saturn radii (∼60,300 km) in addition to Voyager 2 in order to separate contributions from Saturn's ring atmosphere from the water products in the Enceladus torus and to describe the temporal variations in the plasma. Because of the high background due to so-called penetrating radiation in this region, only six orbits are used in this study. Our analysis indicates that large variations in ion density, temperature, and composition occurred between the Voyager 2 flyby, 2004, and 2010. Although the Enceladus plumes may be variable, we propose that the large change in the ion density from 2004 to equinox near 2010 is due to the seasonal variation in the ring atmosphere. Our interpretation of the plasma data is supported by a simple photochemical model, combining the water products from Enceladus and the seasonal variations in the ring atmosphere.
Ultracentrifuge studies with a synthetic boundary cell. I. General applications

This report presents some general applications of a new type of ultracentrifuge cell, called a synthetic boundary cell, in which a sharp, stable boundary is obtained by layering one solution over another more dense solution while the ultracentrifuge is in operation. Since such a boundary between a solvent and a dilute solution of a low molecular weight solute can be formed in the center of the cell, the complications encountered at the meniscus in conventional ultracentrifugation by the high diffusion and low sedimentation rate of the solute are obviated. By this technique the sedimentation velocity method has been extended to substances with molecular weights as low as 350. Sedimentation constants of a number of low molecular weight materials such as fraction A of insulin (molecular weight 3000), vitamin B12 (molecular weight about 1500), β-dextrin (molecular weight 1134), and sucrose (molecular weight 342) have been determined. The cell has also been used to form a boundary between solutions of two different concentrations of the same macromolecule and differential sedimentation constants have been obtained. The relationship between these differential sedimentation constants and those obtained for either of the two solutions when studied alone is discussed. Application of the cell to the determination of hydrodynamic volumes of sedimenting components is described. Measurements are made of the backward flow of solvent by the use of an indicator boundary formed by layering a virus solution over another virus solution containing an additional component, such as sucrose or a protein, which acts as an indicator. In addition, the cell was used in a preliminary investigation of some fundamental problems in ultracentrifugation such as the sedimentation of slowly sedimenting materials in the presence of more rapidly sedimenting components, the analysis of equilibrium systems such as insulin and chymotrypsin, and the role of convection.
Shen Pao-chen and China's Modernization in the Nineteenth Century

Introduction 1. Early Years 2. A Local Official in Kiangsi 1856-59 3. TheGovernor of Kiangsi 1862-65 4. First Encounters with Foreigners 5. Director General of the Foochow Navy Yard 6. The Foochow: Early Developments1866-67 7. The Foochow Navy Yard: Adminstration and Personnel 1867-75 8. The Foochow Navy Yard: Building and Training Programmes 9. The Foochow Navy Yard: Financial Crises 10. The Next Steps in Defence Modernisation: Ma-wei and Beyond 11. Towards a pan for Self-Strengthening Conclusion Glossary of Chinese characters Bibliography Index.
Empusa Infections of the House-Fly in Relation to Moisture Conditions of Northern Idaho

The common fungus, Elnpusa Muscae, infecting house-flies is a very familiar parasite. Infected flies may be found in late spring or early autumn adhering to window-panes or mirrors, surrounded by a dusty halo of discharged spores. In some cases it is possible to find live insects sticking to the glass, trying to break away from the mycelium which surrounds them. The infection of the fly begins with the adherence of viable spores to the surface of the abdomen where they may go through a period of dormancy or germinate immediately (6). The degree of infection depends on the amount of spores picked up by the fly. Several factors may be instrumental in causing conidial formation after a long period of dormancy within the insect host; but experimen'ts performed at Moscow, Idaho, indicate that environmental conditions, mainly humidity, greatly influence conidial formation. These experiments were conducted over a period of seventeen months, during the latter part of 1936 and throughout 1937, experiencing varying weather conditions. In these experiments several hundred flies were used, and two different methods were employed to minimize contamination by other fungus forms arid to induce germination of most of the Em pusa conidia. To obtaiii cultures of the fungus, a modification of the method used by Sawyer (5) was employed. Several flies were glued thoroughly to a pane of glass which was then inverted over half a moisture chamber containing moistened cotton. The glass was sealed tightly to the chamber, and the whole apparatus set in a warm, well-lighted spot. The speed with which the spores germinated and mycelium broke from the abdomen of the fly, varied from three to eight days. This may have been due to the varying amounts of spores present within the in'sect.
Electrically detected crystal orientation dependent spin-Rabi beat oscillation of c-Si(111)/SiO 2 interface states

Electrically detected spin-Rabi beat oscillation of pairs of paramagnetic near interface states at the phosphorous doped (${10}^{16}$ cm${}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$) Si(111)/SiO${}_{2}$ interface is reported. Due to the $g$-factor anisotropy of the P${}_{b}$ center (a silicon surface dangling bond), one can tune intrapair Larmor frequency differences (Larmor separations) by orientation of the crystal with regard to an external magnetic field. Since Larmor separation governs the number of beating spin pairs, crystal orientation can control the beat current. This is used to identify spin states that are paired by mutual electronic transitions. The experiments confirm the presence of the previously reported ${}^{31}$P-P${}_{b}$ transition and provide direct experimental evidence of the previously hypothesized P${}_{b}$-${E}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ center (a near interface SiO${}_{2}$ bulk state) transition.
Analysis of the effect of AIDS Health Education among High School Students

Objectives To improve the awareness of AIDS-related and prevention knowledge of high school students through health education of AIDS.Methods Random sampling method was used to select 428 students from 4 high schools in Futian District in Shenzhen.Health education was carried out and knowledge,attitude and behavior related to AIDS was assessed among students before and after the intervention.Results After the intervention,the awareness rate of AIDS knowledge among the students increased except for the question that AIDS could not be cureed.The awareness rates of HIV-related knowledge such as AIDS could be infected by blood product and transfusion,mother-infant transmission,and there is no vaccine availability for HIV were over 90%(P0.01),and the awareness rates of non transmission routes for AIDS also increased(P0.01).Moreover,the attitude and behavior towards AIDS prevention such as pay attention to the topics concerning about AIDS and regular use of condom during premarital sexual behavior were improved(P0.01).Conclusions Health education through class meeting and boards can effectively improve the awareness of AIDS-related knowledge among high school students,and also change their attitudes and behavior towards AIDS.
Reflections on multiple personality disorder as a developmentally complex adaptation.

Recent advances in the understanding of multiple personality disorder provide the groundwork for its creative reconciliation with psychoanalysis. This paper uses psychoanalytic, modern developmenta...
Pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Wspolczesne poglądy na patogeneze POChP sugerują, ze choroba jest spowodowana uszkodzeniem pluc najcześciej spowodowanym przez dym tytoniowy. Uszkodzenie pluc nastepuje w wyniku zlozonego wspoldzialania komorek zapalnych i mediatorow zapalenia. Jest prawdopodobne, ze roznorodnośc odpowiedzi zapalnej na dym tytoniowy jest odpowiedzialna za zmienną podatnośc na rozwoj choroby a takze roznorodnośc obrazu klinicznego. Mechanizmy chroniące pluca przed uszkodzeniem są tez roznorodne i są w roznym stopniu zahamowane u indywidualnych chorych. Ostatecznie, anatomiczne uszkodzenie pluc, ktore upośledza czynnośc pluc zalezy nie tylko od procesow niszczenia lecz takze od procesow naprawczych w plucach, ktore mogą chronic czynnośc pluc lub nasilac zaburzenia, w zalezności czy procesy naprawcze są skuteczne czy nasilające uszkodzenie. Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2011; 79, 2: 132-138
MO-FG-202-02: Automated Plan Quality Assurance Integrated with Eclipse Using Varian's ESAPI Interface

Purpose: Treatment plan compliance to physician's intent is still assessed by hand in clinical practice by visually comparing prescription details against corresponding plan values. We report on a script that uses the Varian's programming interface to automate the scoring of treatment plan dose values to the physician's prescribed constraints. Methods: The Eclipse Scripting Advance Programming Interface (ESAPI) is a FDA-approved scripting environment written in C# that allows programming access to a patient's record in Aria and Eclipse. With the ESAPI, it is possible to create customized add-on software libraries that can be installed in the planning system as a pull-down menu item. We used the flexibility of ESAPI to parse plan quality metrics from the prescription and compare them automatically against the corresponding plan values. The script can check fractionation as well as minimum, mean and maximum doses to an organ specified in the prescription, DVHs metrics such as volume or dose coverage for both targets and critical organs, conformity indexes specific to radio surgery and biological indexes such as EUD, TCP and NCTP. Lists of generally accepted constraints limits, such as QUANTEC or clinical trials constraints are implemented in the script and can be invoked to automatically fill the prescription. Results: The script interprets the prescription and compares plan quality indices parsed from it against the counterpart values extracted from the plan. A coloring scheming is employed to automatically mark with green, yellow or red plan quality metrics that meet, are borderline fail (10%) or fail the prescription criteria. While manually performing this task can take 30 minutes for a complex head and neck case with many constraints, the script takes approximately 1 minute. Conclusion: The script provided easy to understand feedback on quality metrics in a simple and practical solution that significantly streamline plan double-checks in clinical practice.
General Agricultural Applications

The use of information on dielectric properties for applications in agriculture can be divided into two general categories, dielectric heating and the sensing of product quality. Dielectric heating of agricultural materials through application of high-frequency electric fields and electric fields associated with microwave energy has been considered for a number of applications. These include drying of products such as grain and seed, controlling stored-product insects, seed treatment to improve germination, improving nutritional value of products, controlling product-borne plant and animal pathogens, and inactivating weed seed and plant-infecting organisms in soils. The sensing of product quality has included the use of dielectric properties of agricultural products for sensing moisture content and other quality attributes of some products. Fundamentals of dielectric and microwave heating are discussed, and results of studies on controlling loose smut in barley and human pathogens on alfalfa seed are presented. Other applications that have been studied in more detail are covered in separate chapters.
Ultrafast Surface-Enhanced Raman Probing of the Role of Hot Electrons in Plasmon-Driven Chemistry

Hot electrons generated through plasmonic excitations in metal nanostructures show great promise for efficiently driving chemical reactions with light. However, the lifetime, yield, and mechanism of action of plasmon-generated hot electrons involved in a given photocatalytic process are not well understood. Here, we develop ultrafast surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) as a direct probe of plasmon–molecule interactions in the plasmon-catalyzed dimerization of 4-nitrobenzenethiol to p,p′-dimercaptoazobenzene. Ultrafast SERS probing of these molecular reporters in plasmonic hot spots reveals transient Fano resonances, which we attribute to near-field coupling of Stokes-shifted photons to hot electron-driven metal photoluminescence. Surprisingly, we find that hot spots that yield more photoluminescence are much more likely to drive the reaction, which indirectly proves that plasmon-generated hot electrons induce the photochemistry. These ultrafast SERS results provide insight into the relative reactivit...
Trials and Events

A long search for the essence of probability has culminated in a powerful and useful modern theory, which is highly sophisticated yet conceptually simple. As a mathematical discipline, probability theory is increasingly abstract in its formal expression, yet it is remarkably useful as a practical model for an extraordinary range of applied problems. This system has provided the basis for modeling in a growing array of applications in which the central notion is choice and decision under uncertainty.
Configuration of the thermal landscape determines thermoregulatory performance of ectotherms

Although most organisms thermoregulate behaviorally, biologists still cannot easily predict whether mobile animals will thermoregulate in natural environments. Current models fail because they ignore how the spatial distribution of thermal resources constrains thermoregulatory performance over space and time. To overcome this limitation, we modeled the spatially explicit movements of animals constrained by access to thermal resources. Our models predict that ectotherms thermoregulate more accurately when thermal resources are dispersed throughout space than when these resources are clumped. This prediction was supported by thermoregulatory behaviors of lizards in outdoor arenas with known distributions of environmental temperatures. Further, simulations showed how the spatial structure of the landscape qualitatively affects responses of animals to climate. Biologists will need spatially explicit models to predict impacts of climate change on local scales.
Hierarchical distributed compressive sensing for simultaneous sparse approximation and common component extraction

Abstract Simultaneous sparse approximation is a generalization of the standard sparse approximation, for simultaneously representing a set of signals using a common sparsity model. Distributed compressive sensing (DCS) framework has utilized simultaneous sparse approximation for generalizing compressive sensing to multiple signals. DCS finds the sparse representation of multiple correlated signals from compressive measurements using the common + innovation signal model. However, DCS is limited for joint recovery of a large number of signals since it requires large memory and computational time. In this paper, we propose a new hierarchical algorithm to implement the joint sparse recovery part of DCS more efficiently. The proposed approach is based on partitioning the input set and hierarchically solving for the sparse common component across these partitions. The numerical evaluation of the proposed method shows the decrease in computational time over DCS with an increase in reconstruction error. The proposed algorithm is evaluated for two different applications. In the first application, the proposed method is applied to video background extraction problem, where the background corresponds to the common sparse activity across frames. In the second application, a common network structure is extracted from dynamic functional brain connectivity networks.
Separation of different sized particles by inertial migration

Inertial migration has been used to fractionate feed streams containing latex particles and sheep leukocytes. For latex particles, a purified stream of small particles, less than 4 μm, was obtained. For sheep leukocytes, a stream containing almost no large leukocytes greater than 16 μm was produced. The results obtained show that this method could be used to fractionate biological cells of different sizes. Inertial migration is most suitable for the removal of larger particles which contaminate a dilute suspension of smaller particles.
Establishing line-of-sight communication via autonomous relay vehicles

In communication-denied scenarios or contested environments, Line-of-sight(LoS) communication (by infrared or visible light) becomes one of the most reliable ways to send information between mobile units. In this paper, we consider the problem of verifying and repairing the visibility-based communication network formed among a number of servicing vehicles and military units that are dispersed in an environment with obstacles. We first formulate the problem in terms of algebraic graph theory to verify its connectivity. If any disconnection occurs due to a unit going out of the visibility polygons of all the vehicles, we propose a solution to repair it by dispatching a single vehicle that is optimal in terms of visibility and relocation cost. We tested our ideas through computer simulations in several case studies based on different mobility models.
Legal Punishment and the Public Identification of Offenders

In the United States, the identities of criminal offenders are matters of public record, accessible to prospective employers, the press, and ordinary citizens. In European countries, the identities of offenders are routinely kept hidden, with some exceptions. The question addressed in this discussion concerns whether the public disclosure of the identities of offenders is part and parcel of their legal punishment. My contentions are that public disclosure is not conceptually part of legal punishment, necessary to serve substantive penal aims, or likely to enhance penal aims. At times, it will conflict with defensible aims of legal punishment. Other values might support or require the public identification of criminal offenders, but the aims of legal punishment do not appear to do so.
Teaching Finance with a Structured Case Approach

Case based learning brings realism to student learning and facilitates the improvement of complex thinking skills. The challenge is to develop a systematic approach that flexibly combines case teaching, diverse instructional methods and an explicit approach to enhance critical thinking skills. Such an approach may make case learning more effective and expand the opportunity to bring the full benefit of cases to a greater number of courses. This paper discusses how a structured case analysis framework integrates these objectives at the same time it provides for a learning framework that encourages student responsibility and enhanced awareness of their learning. In addition, we illustrate how the application of a structured case framework can be implemented into an MBA financial management course. Structured case analysis can be adapted to any finance course that seeks to make finance teaching more relevant while enhancing both critical thinking and financial decision making skills.
A lego-like reconfigurable cavity using 3-D Polyjet technology

Combination of lego-like tuning post cavity structure and 3-D Polyjet printing is utilized to demonstrate a high Q X-band resonator for the first time. The dominant mode is TEioi mode with the resonant frequency of 8.31 GHz. The Polyjet printing techniques is one of the state-of-art additive manufacturing technologies, as it allows for high resolution modeling, fast and low cost prototyping. Here the cavity is assembled by two 3-D Polyjet printed half pieces through a lego-like process. Six tuning posts are used to perturb the field inside the cavity, making such cavity to be reconfigurable by tuning the resonant frequency. Simulations were carried out using a commercial FEM simulation tool and measurements are carried out over a frequency range of 8–10 GHz. Simulation and measured results match very closely. About 0.1% frequency shift and an unloaded quality factor of 391 were measured for the resonator with no perturbation. An average of 1.05% of frequency shift as well as the average quality factor of 169 at all the tuned resonant frequencies were also observed. This paper demonstrates that a combination of 3-D Polyjet printing techniques and novel reconfigurable cavity structure can be used for the fabrication of RF structures that are traditionally hard and expensive to manufacture.
Effect of n-dodecane decomposition on its fundamental flame properties

Abstract The effect of fuel decomposition on fundamental flame properties was investigated computationally for atmospheric-pressure n-dodecane/air mixtures. The fuel decomposition was modeled under isobaric and adiabatic conditions for initial temperatures of 1100, 1200 and 1300 K, and equivalence ratios of 0.7, 1.0, and 1.4. For various extents of n-dodecane oxidative thermal decomposition, the combustion characteristic of mixtures of the resulting products with air were investigated by keeping the total enthalpy constant and equal to that of the n-dodecane/air mixture. The endothermic n-dodecane decomposition was found, to a large extent, to be decoupled from the subsequent oxidation of the attendant products that include largely hydrogen, ethylene, methane, and other small alkenes. The mass burning rates in freely propagating flames were found to increase with an increase in the extent of n-dodecane decomposition, but the change is limited to 15%, which occurs in the highest extent of decomposition. On the other hand, the extinction strain rate of decomposed, lean to stoichiometric mixtures increases notably compared to the corresponding un-decomposed fuel–air mixtures. Sensitivity analyses of mass burning rates and extinction strain rates to kinetics and binary diffusion coefficients reveal that the laminar flame speed is primarily sensitive to key heat release and radical branching reactions, and as such fuel decomposition has a small effect on the mass burning rate. On the other hand, the extinction strain rate of the fuel-lean mixtures is sensitive to the diffusivity of the fuel, and for this reason, fuel decomposition removes the difficulties associated with the transport of the large fuel molecules into the flame zone.
A simulation framework for modeling urban freight operations impacts on traffic networks

Abstract This paper presents a traffic simulation framework to reproduce urban freight movements, particularly concerning double-parked delivery operations. Since freight movements affect traffic and vice versa, we propose a hybrid framework that simulates traffic phenomena macroscopically and, at the same time, allows tracking delivery vehicles along their routes throughout the entire simulation. The traffic simulation framework is based on the Lighthill–Whitham–Richards macroscopic model as well as the theory of bottlenecks. The traffic component of the model can be coupled with a generic parking model. Since a novel faster version of the Lax-Hopf Formula is used in the traffic simulation, the proposed framework can perform efficient simulations. Because of this hybrid nature, the framework is suitable for simulations of large scenarios and for evaluations of City Logistic measures to tackle the last-mile problem. We show this in the second part of the study with two different measures: shifting delivery operations to off-peak hours, and prohibiting deliveries on critical streets. While the benefits deriving from the first strategy are evident, the effects of the second one are less clear because of the complexity of network interactions.
uPA and uPAR contribute to NK cell invasion through the extracellular matrix.

Background The urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) system has been implicated in cellular invasiveness of tumor cells and immune cells. Herein we provide evidence for the production by natural killer (NK) cells of both uPA and its receptor (uPAR). Materials and methods Western blot analysis, RTPCR, casein/plasminogen zymography, and fluorescence microscopy were employed to detect uPA and uPAR on NK cells. NK cell invasiveness was examined using Matrigel invasion assays. Results NK cell uPA appeared at its characteristic molecular weights, is enzymatically active in casein/plasminogen zymography, and is recognized by monoclonal antibodies. uPAR was detected by RTPCR and fluorescence microscopy. Matrigel invasion assays demonstrated an active role of uPA in NK cell invasion. Conclusion The uPA system contributes to extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation by NK cells, which may be essential for NK cell accumulation into metastases, and may be prerequisite for their killing of tumor cells following NK cell adoptive transfer.
The Narrative Approach to Pain

Narrativeframing the patient’s story as importanthas become attractive to medical practitioners who worry about the growing dominance of ‘‘images’’ in medical diagnosis. ‘‘Images’’ has proven to be the right term for the x-ray/ computer generated illustrations which call up the reverence of icons begun in the Byzantine Empire. What patients have to say—how they feel—gets less attention from physicians than the images of their organs. Physicians are so pressed for time that they quickly interrupt their patients, to give the impression they are not listening. And often, they are not! Aggrieved, many patients have turned to alternative practitioners who show more interest in people than in their parts, and who spend more time than mainstream physicians in discussing how their patients feel, and what they want. Oncologists are well acquainted with the pathos of patients’ stories, for they deal with primal issues daily, sharing the suffering of patients fighting cancer. This brief commentary is intended to be an account of what one old doctor thinks about it all. Rita Charon, one of narrative’s foremost proponents, defines narrative competence as ‘‘recognizing the predicament of others.’’ She is right, of course, but that may reflect no more than empathy, feeling what another feels. The emotion of stories can recall to physicians hardened by experience the passion of their earlier ‘‘pre-med’’ years.
Searching the World-Wide-Web using nucleotide and peptide sequences

*Background:* No approaches have yet been developed to allow instant searching of the World-Wide-Web by just entering a string of sequence data. Though general search engines can be tuned to accept ‘processed’ queries, the burden of preparing such ‘search strings’ simply defeats the purpose of quickly locating highly relevant information. Unlike ‘sequence similarity’ searches that employ dedicated algorithms (like BLAST) to compare an input sequence from defined databases, a direct ‘sequence based’ search simply locates quick and relevant information about a blunt piece of nucleotide or peptide sequence. This approach is particularly invaluable to all biomedical researchers who would often like to enter a sequence and quickly locate any pertinent information before proceeding to carry out detailed sequence alignment. *Results:* Here, we describe the theory and implementation of a web-based front-end for a search engine, like Google, which accepts sequence fragments and interactively retrieves a collection of highly relevant links and documents, in real-time. e.g. flat files like patent records, privately hosted sequence documents and regular databases. *Conclusions:* The importance of this simple yet highly relevant tool will be evident when with a little bit of tweaking, the tool can be engineered to carry out searches on all kinds of hosted documents in the World-Wide-Web.*Availability:* Instaseq is free web based service that can be accessed by visiting the following hyperlink on the WWWhttp://instaseq.georgetown.edu
Orbital Exenteration at the Mayo Clinic: 1967–1986

Orbital exenteration was performed in 102 patients at the Mayo Clinic during the 20-year period from 1967 through 1986. The surgical procedure was performed for mucormycosis in one patient and for pain and deformity after a severe facial burn in another; in the remaining 100 patients, exenteration was used to treat a neoplastic disorder. Although 19 different neoplasms were encountered, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma constituted 70% of the total. In 82 patients with no known residual tumor or metastases at operation, the 1-year survival rate was 88.6%, the 5-year rate was 56.8%, and the 5-year rate free of recurrence or metastases was 48.3%. In 18 patients with known residual tumor or metastases at exenteration, 55.0% were alive 1 year postoperatively, and the 5-year survival rate was 25.8%. Unusual findings in this series included two patients with metastatic basal cell carcinoma and one patient with a metastatic thyroid Hurthle cell carcinoma.
Factors associated with failure of lumbar epidural steroids.

Background and Objectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that may influence the outcome of epidural steroid treatment for low back pain. Although the correlation of multiple factors with treatment outcome has been demonstrated, no previous studies have assessed the magnitude of risk of treatment failure associated with these factors. Methods. Thirty-three factors derived from patient evaluation and physical examination were selected according to previous studies, clinical importance, and ease of assessment in a typical clinic setting. Two hundred nine patients were included in the analysis. Factors were analyzed by univariate and logistic regression analyses both for independent association with treatment outcome and for magnitude of risk of failure associated with each factor after adjustment for other factors. Results. An increased risk of treatment failure was associated in univariate analysis with lower levels of education, smoking, lack of employment at start of treatment, constant pain, sleep disruption, nonradicular diagnosis, prolonged duration of pain, change in recreational activities, or extreme values on psychologic scales. Alcohol use was associated with decreased risk of treatment failure. With logistic regression analysis, only prolonged duration, nonradicular diagnosis, lack of employment, and smoking were independently associated with treatment outcome. Conclusions. These results suggest that several factors should be considered in treating patients with low back pain with epidural steroids. This study supports the belief that pain is a multidimensional problem and that a variety of factors may influence treatment outcome.
Some Functions and Their Graphs

Geometry is the study of form and shape. Our first encounter with it usually involves such figures as triangles, squares, and circles, or solids such as the cube, the cylinder, and the sphere. These objects all have finite dimensions of length, area, and volume—as do most of the objects around us. At first thought, then, the notion of infinity seems quite removed from ordinary geometry. That this is not so can already be seen from the simplest of all geometric figures—the straight line. A line stretches to infinity in both directions, and we may think of it as a means to go “far out” in a one-dimensional world. As we shall see, it was this simple idea that gave rise, around the middle of the nineteenth century, to one of the most profound revolutions in mathematical thought—the creation of non-Euclidean geometry.
Synthesis of Carbohydrate-Grafted Glycopolymers Using a Catalyst-Free, Perfluoroarylazide-Mediated Fast Staudinger Reaction.

Glycopolymers have gained increasing importance in investigating glycan-lectin interactions, as drug delivery vehicles and in modulating interactions with proteins. The synthesis of these glycopolymers is still a challenging and rigorous exercise. In this regard, the highly efficient click reaction, copper (I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition, has been widely applied not only for its efficiency but also for its tolerance of the appended carbohydrate groups. However, a significant drawback of this method is the use of the heavy metal catalyst which is difficult to remove completely, and ultimately toxic to biological systems. In this work, we present the synthesis of carbohydrate-grafted glycopolymers utilizing a mild and catalyst-free perfluorophenyl azide (PFPA)-mediated Staudinger reaction. Using this strategy, mannose (Man) and maltoheptaose (MH) were grafted onto the biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) by stirring a PFAA-functionalized PLA with a phosphine-derivatized Man or MH in DMSO at room temperature within an hour. The glycopolymers were characterized by 1H-NMR, 19F-NMR, 31P-NMR and FTIR.
Air Pollution, Oxidative Stress, and Diabetes: a Life Course Epidemiologic Perspective

Ambient air pollution is strongly linked to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. We summarize available published evidence regarding similar associations with diabetes across the life course. We performed a life-course survey of the recent literature, including prenatal, gestational, childhood/adolescence, and adult exposures to air pollution. Oxidative stress is identified as a key factor in both metabolic dysfunction and the effects of air pollution exposure, especially from fossil fuel combustion products, providing a plausible mechanism for air pollution-diabetes associations. The global burden of diabetes attributed to air pollution exposure is substantial, with a recent estimate that ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure contributes to more than 200,000 deaths from diabetes annually. There is a growing body of literature linking air pollution exposure during childhood and adulthood with diabetes etiology and related cardiometabolic biomarkers. A small number of studies found that exposure to air pollution during pregnancy is associated with elevated gestational diabetes risk among mothers. Studies examining prenatal air pollution exposure and diabetes risk among the offspring, as well as potential transgenerational effects of air pollution exposure, are very limited thus far. This review provides insight into how air pollutants affect diabetes and other metabolic dysfunction-related diseases across the different life stages.
Warriors of Anatolia: A Concise History of the Hittites

Over the past generation, scholars of Hittite history and civilization have been particularly adept at writing books and articles that are easily accessible to an interested public. These include n...
Lateral Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction: Anatomy, Biomechanics, Indications and Surgical Techniques

With the exponential increase in the arthroscopic treatment of medial patellar instability through lateral sided “capsular” releases, the iatrogenic upsurge of lateral patellar dislocations has become more evident. Although few reports exist detailing the occurrence of this phenomenon due to traumatic or idiopathic etiologies, the vast majority (over 90%) are iatrogenic. Originally described by Kaplan and later by Reider, the lateral patellofemoral ligament (LPFL) constitutes one of the main stabilizers for medial patellar translation. Thus, understanding the anatomy and biomechanics of the LPFL is of utmost importance as reconstruction can potentially restore patellar instability and improve function in cases when this mechanism is compromised. However, few studies have sought to thoroughly describe the intricate anatomy and biomechanics of the LPFL to this end. The purpose of this article was to review the evidence on the anatomy of the LPFL and the lateral retinaculum, its biomechanical behavior, and previously reported surgical approaches to LPFL reconstruction.
Forest inventory attributes predict the occurrence of cavities suitable for nesting by Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa)

Abstract Large secondary cavity-nesting birds such as waterfowl and raptors rely on tree cavities developed principally through decay and damage processes or excavation by woodpeckers. Forest and wildlife managers are tasked with maintaining and producing these essential habitat components through forest management practices. Predicting where tree cavities are most likely to have developed based on commonly collected forest-inventory data would therefore be useful to better manage important bird species. Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) are a common and well-studied secondary cavity-nesting species, though until recently, management of nesting habitat has primarily focused on installing artificial nesting structures as opposed to influencing forest-management practices. We measured and inspected 7869 trees and 1186 potential cavities in forests of north-central Minnesota during 2016–2018 to determine their suitability for use by nesting Wood Ducks. Two hundred and twenty-three of the cavities inspected (19%) were classified as suitable for use by nesting Wood Ducks. We fitted logistic regression models using tree- and stand-level forest attributes to predict the probability of an individual tree having at least one suitable cavity. The top model predicted well whether trees had suitable cavities (average area under the received-operated-characteristic curve value of 0.85 [95% CI; 0.82–0.87]) and had an additive relationship among diameter at breast height (DBH), tree health status, and tree species. We also found some support for including an interaction between DBH and health status. For every one-cm increase in DBH, the odds that a given tree would have a suitable cavity increased by 7% (95% CI; 6–9%). Dead and declining trees were more likely to have suitable cavities than healthy trees, with 834% (483–1420%) and 477% (276–807%) higher odds, respectively. In a comparison of seven common deciduous species with cavities, sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and American basswood (Tilia americana) were most likely to have developed cavities. These results can be applied to existing forest-inventory datasets to predict the availability of suitable cavities in the landscape and to improve forest management strategies that benefit Wood Ducks and other large-bodied secondary cavity-nesting species.
The mental and behavioral performance in children with congenital heart diseases treated by surgical repair

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative mental and behavioral conditions between children with congenital heart diseases (CHD) treated with surgical procedures or interventional therapy.Methods One hundred and sixty-one children suffering CHD with no associated structural cardiac anomalies were divided into two groups:the surgical group (n=79) and interventional group (n=82).One year after the above-mentioned treatments,Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) edited by Xu Tao-yuan in 1992 was performed on these children.Eighty healthy children with the similar common characteristics as those with CHD were enrolled into the control group.Results The abnormal rates of the boys and girls with CHD were significantly higher than that in the control group (P＜0.01).The behavioral abnormities of boys included depression,social flinch,physical complaints,aggression and violating rules;whereas the behavioral abnormities of girls includeel depression,social flinch,physical complaints and violating rules,which were both significantly different from those in the control group.The total postoperative cursory marks of patients in the interventional and surgical groups were significantly lower than the pre-operative marks (P＜0.05).The total postoperative cursory marks and marks of assault of the boys in the surgical group were both significantly higher than those in the interventional group (P＜0.05).The total postoperative cursory marks and the marks of depression,social flinch,violate rules of girls in the surgical group were all significantly higher than those in the interventional group (P＜0.05).The abnormal rates of mentality and behavior correlated positively with the course of disease.Conclusions CHD significantly affected the mentality and behavior of the children.It should draw our attention that more postoperative mental and behavioral problems can be noted in children undergoing surgical procedures than in those accepting interventional therapy in a relatively long period. Key words: Heart disease,congenital; Cardiac surgical procedure; Child psychology
Mechanistic insights into polyoxometalate self-assembly in organic solvent: conversion of a cyclic polyoxovanadate-ethoxide to its Lindqvist congener

We report the synthesis of a cyclic hexavanadate polyoxovanadate-alkoxide cluster, [VO(OC2H5)2]6, and its conversion, under solvothermal conditions, to an oxygen-deficient Lindqvist assembly, [V6O6(OC2H5)12]n (n = 1−, 0). This study presents insights into the mechanism of organo-functionalized polyoxovandate-alkoxide formation, namely identifying essential intermediates and the source of the central μ6-O2− ligand.
UMLS users and uses: a current overview

The US National Library of Medicine regularly collects summary data on direct use of Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) resources. The summary data sources include UMLS user registration data, required annual reports submitted by registered users, and statistics on downloads and application programming interface calls. In 2019, the National Library of Medicine analyzed the summary data on 2018 UMLS use. The library also conducted a scoping review of the literature to provide additional intelligence about the research uses of UMLS as input to a planned 2020 review of UMLS production methods and priorities. 5043 direct users of UMLS data and tools downloaded 4402 copies of the UMLS resources and issued 66 130 951 UMLS application programming interface requests in 2018. The annual reports and the scoping review results agree that the primary UMLS uses are to process and interpret text and facilitate mapping or linking between terminologies. These uses align with the original stated purpose of the UMLS.
Performance of an Adaptive Current Source for EIT Driving Loads through a Shielded Coaxial Cable

In Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) the coaxial cables used to connect the electrodes to the electronics have long been a concern due to their impact on system performance. Driving the shield of the cable is useful, since it mitigates the shunt capacitance. However, this approach introduces complexity and, sometimes, stability issues. Using "active electrodes", i.e. placing the front end of the electronics at the electrode end of the cables, is also helpful but can introduce packaging and hygiene problems. In this paper, a new type of high-precision current source is described and its performance is studied when driving loads through a coaxial cable. This new current source adjusts its current output to compensate for current lost in any shunt impedance to ground, including the shunt losses in the cable. Experimental results for frequencies up to 1 MHz are provided, comparing performance with resistive and complex loads connected without a cable, with 1 m of RG-174 coaxial cable with a driven shield, and 1 m of RG-174 coaxial cable with a grounded shield. The results for all 3 cases are similar, demonstrating that the source can provide satisfactory performance with a grounded-shield cable.