cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PROTEASES PRODUCED BY NORMAL AND MALIGNANT CELLS IN CULTURE

Abstract: The production of plasminogen activators (PA) is associated with the neoplastic transformation of many types of cells. A number of the phenotypic changes associated with transformation are dependent, at least in part, upon the generation of plasmin by the PA secreted by these cells. One of these changes, the loss of intracellular actin-containing cables in neoplastic cells, can be correlated with the level of extracellular proteases. Moreover, these same proteases can cause the disappearance of actin-containing cables in normal cells when supplied exogenously. Therefore, plasmin acting from the external side of the plasma membrane appears to be capable of causing the dissolution of these intracellular structures. The control of PA synthesis in two cell types, chick embryo fibroblasts infected with a temperature-sensitive mutant of Rous sarcoma virus and human embryonic lung cells, has been examined. Induction of PA requires both RNA and protein synthesis. Deinduction of PA also requires a new RNA and, perhaps, protein to be made. If the synthesis of this RNA is inhibited, PA production can continue for many hours under conditions that are normally non-permissive.
Southern Responses to Fair Trade Gold: Cooperation, Complaint, Competition, Supplementation

Abstract Social and environmental harm continues to emanate from global commodity production despite the array of governance programs trying to mitigate it. This paper examines the evolution of transnational certification standards in an understudied sector: artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). ASGM is a subsistence livelihood for millions of people in the Global South, yet is also a leading cause of global mercury pollution and associated with poverty, deforestation, and civil conflict. Since program effects are shaped by normative and material contexts, this paper asks: What roles did ideas, interests, and capacities play in shaping Southern responses to ASGM certification programs? New data from Northern-based Fairtrade International and Southern-based Alliance for Responsible Mining reveal that normative and material misalignments between program designers and targets drove three key outcomes. First, the Southern NGO initially cooperated but then competed with Fairtrade when ideas about how to address sector problems diverged and capacities became redundant. Second, very few Southern producers participate in the competing programs, which only moderately mitigate sector problems (e.g. programs largely fail to resolve poverty and allow mercury use to continue). Third, the Southern NGO created the new CRAFT Code, a much weaker self-reporting program well-positioned to enjoy higher uptake because it better aligns and respects actors’ interests and capacities. Empirical findings from this unique and important case contribute to theoretical debates on the utility of institutional diffusion across diverse sectors and problems, and suggest that certification programs – whether Northern- or Southern-designed – may not be the best institutional ‘fit’ with ASGM.
Environmental and public health effects of antibiotics and AMR/ARGs

Abstract Antimicrobial resistance is a widespread phenomenon that poses a great threat to the survival of mankind. Due to the unregulated use of antibiotics, the antimicrobial resistance genes (AMRs) have spread almost everywhere, including land surface and water bodies. For the effective monitoring of such genes in the environment; awareness and surveillance programs need to be organized for finding alternatives to minimize the risk of further environmental contamination. The chapter focuses on the introduction of antibiotic resistance in the environment, its key drivers that are responsible for its rampant spread, and which action programs are currently employed for the management of the resistance across the globe. The ethical prospects related to the use of antimicrobials in livestock is of critical importance in this regard, and need to be explored to find alternative strategies to tackle the problem at hand.
The Impact of Clinical Decision Support Alerts on Clostridioides difficile Testing: A Systematic Review.

Background Several studies have investigated the utility of electronic decision support alerts in diagnostic stewardship for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). However, it is unclear if alerts are effective in reducing inappropriate CDI testing and/or CDI rates. The aim of this systematic review was to determine if alerts related to CDI diagnostic stewardship are effective at reducing inappropriate CDI testing volume and CDI rates among hospitalized adult patients. Methods We searched Ovid Medline and 5 other databases for original studies evaluating the association between alerts for CDI diagnosis and CDI testing volume and/or CDI rate. Two investigators independently extracted data on study characteristics, study design, alert triggers, cointerventions, and study outcomes. Results Eleven studies met criteria for inclusion. Studies varied significantly in alert triggers and in study outcomes. Six of 11 studies demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in CDI testing volume, 6 of 6 studies evaluating appropriateness of CDI testing found a significant reduction in the proportion of inappropriate testing, and 4 of 7 studies measuring CDI rate demonstrated a significant decrease in the CDI rate in the postintervention vs preintervention period. The magnitude of the increase in appropriate CDI testing varied, with some studies reporting an increase with minimal clinical significance. Conclusions The use of electronic alerts for diagnostic stewardship for C. difficile was associated with reductions in CDI testing, the proportion of inappropriate CDI testing, and rates of CDI in most studies. However, broader concerns related to alerts remain understudied, including unintended adverse consequences and alert fatigue.
Microstructural Characteristics of Stainless Steel 316L Processed by Selective Laser Melting Technology

Among various additive manufacturing methods, selective laser melting (SLM) is a practical method for metal manufacturing due to its ability to make complex geometry and fabricate parts with superior mechanical properties. Utilization of high strength laser in SLM system forms a high temperature gradient which may alter microstructure of 3D printed metals due to rapid cooling during solidification process. The present study focuses on the microstructural evolution of AISI 316L stainless steel manufactured by SLM to better understand its characteristics and features for further improvement of this technology. Optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and TEM with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) have been carried out on 3D printed samples. The microstructural observation indicated very low porosity with homogeneous composition throughout the specimen. A layer by layer structure with columnar grains grown in the direction of heat transfer was clearly seen in the microstructure. A dense dislocation network with a single austenite phase crystallographic structure was identified as well from nanoscale observation of the samples.
Plasma Induced Transcriptional Analysis Assessment of Rejection in Pediatric Heart Transplantation

Purpose Graft rejection after heart transplantation (HT) is a key clinical issue. The diagnostic gold standard of cardiac catheterization with myocardial biopsies is an invasive procedure that may underdiagnose rejection. A possible novel noninvasive alternative is using plasma to perform transcriptional analysis (TA) to assess gene expression levels associated with rejection. Studies on TA in pediatric HT are lacking. This study aimed to investigate plasma induced TA as an assessment of acute cellular rejection (ACR) in pediatric HT. Methods Plasma collected from 25 pediatric HT recipients at the time of catheterization was used to induce a transcriptional response, measured by Affymetrix U133+2.0 array, in commercially available peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Additional data collected included age, gender, time since transplant (TST), cardiac index (CI), right ventricular end diastolic pressure (RVEDP), wedge pressure (WP), echo ejection fraction (EF), and NT Pro BNP. Subjects with ACR (defined as grade ≥ 1R on biopsy) were compared to those with no rejection (NR). Results 10 patients had ACR and 15 had NR. There were no significant differences between ACR and NR in age (8.5 vs 9.3 years, p=0.76), gender (60% vs 53% male, p=0.74), TST (3.4 vs 3.7 years, p=0.75), CI (3.8 vs 3.2 L/min/m2, p=0.08), RVEDP (7.8 vs 7.3 mmHg, p=0.77), WP (11.6 vs 10.5 mmHg, p=0.39), EF (65% vs 66%, p=0.49), and NT Pro BNP (831 vs 1083 pg/mL, p=0.67), respectively. Between ACR and NR, TA revealed 494 unique probesets with a false discovery rate of ≤10% (Figure 1). Genes associated with T-cell activation and migration were upregulated in the ACR group. These included CX3CR1, TNFRSF13C, TNFAIP8, ITGA4, TRDC, IL6ST, IL23A, and CD84. Conclusion TA produced signatures specific to ACR in pediatric HT recipients. The identified genes were consistent with current understanding of ACR. TA can shed insight into the mechanisms of rejection in pediatric HT recipients and should be investigated further as a noninvasive diagnostic tool.
Genetic Screen for Cell Fitness in High or Low Oxygen Highlights Mitochondrial and Lipid Metabolism.

Summary Human cells are able to sense and adapt to variations in oxygen levels. Historically, much research in this field has focused on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here, we perform genome-wide CRISPR growth screens at 21%, 5%, and 1% oxygen to systematically identify gene knockouts with relative fitness defects in high oxygen (213 genes) or low oxygen (109 genes), most without known connection to HIF or ROS. Knockouts of many mitochondrial pathways thought to be essential, including complex I and enzymes in Fe-S biosynthesis, grow relatively well at low oxygen and thus are buffered by hypoxia. In contrast, in certain cell types, knockout of lipid biosynthetic and peroxisomal genes causes fitness defects only in low oxygen. Our resource nominates genetic diseases whose severity may be modulated by oxygen and links hundreds of genes to oxygen homeostasis.
Markedly Lower Rates of Coronavirus Infection and Fatality in Malaria-Endemic Regions â€“ A Clue As to Treatment?

This comparative analysis of coronavirus infection and death among 2 4 billion persons around the world demonstrates a wide (two orders of magnitude or one hund
Concept Map Assessment Reveals Short-Term Community-Engaged Fieldwork Enhances Sustainability Knowledge

Today's rapidly changing world calls for sustainability-minded scientists who are prepared to solve complex, interconnected problems. Service learning is a pedagogical approach that allows students to engage with the needs of the community by integrating academic work with complex civic issues. Student learning was examined during a short-term service-learning experience focused on water-quality monitoring in an urban watershed to determine whether community-engaged fieldwork in an upper-level ecology lab course enhances sustainability knowledge for future biologists. We used concept map scoring methods and reflection assessments to evaluate and understand changes in the structure and content of student knowledge as a result of the experience. Students showed increases in sustainability knowledge breadth, depth, and complexity, particularly in demonstrating biological-sociological connections. Student reflections indicated most students identified at least one community-engaged serving-learning objective as a result of this experience. These results suggest that community-engaged fieldwork can illustrate ecological and sociological sustainability concepts for students and that engagement works best when we make explicit our objective of engaging communities in the learning process. Short service-learning experiences are effective, can be quickly assessed using concept maps, and can be readily incorporated in other classrooms to enhance sustainability education.
Abstract MP10: Microbiome-based Diagnostic Screening Of Cardiovascular Disease Using A Machine Learning Approach

In recent years, the microbiome has been recognized as an important factor associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of human mortality worldwide. Disparities in gut ...
Barriers at the Scope: Use of Acrylic Shields at the Microscope During the Pandemic

Canadian recommendations suggest regular cleaning of partitions, and our department is having discussions regarding a cleaning policy at this time 1 Prolonged forceful exhalation leads to increased aerosol production, which could lead to spread over extended periods, as demonstrated in an outbreak associated with a church choir practice 2,3 It is unclear if this could occur because of teaching at a microscope, but transmission is certainly possible, as air is circulated throughout a space Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommend barriers, specifically at pharmacy counters 4-6 These devices, in theory, help to reduce the amount of droplets and particles parties are exposed to on either side of the shield [ ]these shields are being put in place in numerous locations in everyday life, such as restaurants and stores 7 Unfortunately, at the time these shields were produced no guidelines had been provided for construction of acrylic partitions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration [ ]use of barriers has been adapted from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations designed for pharmacy counters
A Comparison of the Process and Content of Sexual Communications Among African American Adolescent Children Living in Parent and Grandparent Headed Families.

Introduction The process of parental sexual communication has been shown to delay the sexual debut of adolescents; however, few studies have focused on extended family members such as grandparents. The purpose of this study was to compare the process and content of sexual communications among African-American adolescent children living in parent or grandparent headed families. Methods A secondary analysis of two de-identified datasets from 80 African-American adolescents was conducted. Results Findings indicated that there were no significant differences in the sexual communication process in relation to facilitators p= 0.38 and barriers p =0.23 with the discussions. There were however significant differences with adolescents' attitudes (p = 0.04) and feelings regarding sexual abstinence (p =0.01), HIV prevention (p= 0.002) and teen pregnancy (p= 0.010). Discussion Researchers can use the results of this study as a beginning point in examining the sexual communication process in grandparent-headed families.
Machine learning feature analysis illuminates disparity between E3SM climate models and observed climate change

Abstract In September of 2020, Arctic sea ice extent was the second-lowest on record. State of the art climate prediction uses Earth system models (ESMs), driven by systems of differential equations representing the laws of physics. Previously, these models have tended to underestimate Arctic sea ice loss. The issue is grave because accurate modeling is critical for economic, ecological, and geopolitical planning. We use machine learning techniques, including random forest regression and Gini importance, to show that the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) relies too heavily on just one of the ten chosen climatological quantities to predict September sea ice averages. Furthermore, E3SM gives too much importance to six of those quantities when compared to observed data. Identifying the features that climate models incorrectly rely on should allow climatologists to improve prediction accuracy.
Fibrillar α-synuclein induces neurotoxic astrocyte activation via RIP kinase signaling and NF-κB

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the death of midbrain dopamine neurons. The pathogenesis of PD is poorly understood, though misfolded and/or aggregated forms of the protein α-synuclein have been implicated in several neurodegenerative disease processes, including neuroinflammation and astrocyte activation. Astrocytes in the midbrain play complex roles during PD, initiating both harmful and protective processes that vary over the course of the disease. However, despite their significant regulatory roles during neurodegeneration, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that promote pathogenic astrocyte activity remain mysterious. Here, we show that α-synuclein preformed fibrils (PFFs) induce pathogenic activation of human midbrain astrocytes, marked by inflammatory transcriptional responses, downregulation of phagocytic function, and conferral of neurotoxic activity. These effects required the necroptotic kinases RIPK1 and RIPK3, but were independent of MLKL and necroptosis. Instead, both transcriptional and functional markers of astrocyte activation occurred via RIPK-dependent activation of NF-κB signaling. Our study identifies a previously unknown function for α-synuclein in promoting neurotoxic astrocyte activation, as well as new cell death-independent roles for RIP kinase signaling in the regulation of glial cell biology and neuroinflammation. Together, these findings highlight previously unappreciated molecular mechanisms of pathologic astrocyte activation and neuronal cell death with implications for Parkinsonian neurodegeneration.
The Identification of Nitromethaqualone and Its Differentiation from Some Positional Isomers

Nitromethaqualone [2-methyl-3(2′-methoxy-4′-nitrophenyl)-4(3H)-quinazolinone] and its three positional isomers formed by moving the nitro group on the phenyl ring containing the 2′-methoxyl group have been synthesized and characterized. Mass spectra, infrared spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, and the gas-liquid chromatographic behavior of these compounds are presented. It is shown that infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and electron impact mass spectroscopy combined with gas-liquid chromatography are capable of differentiating nitromethaqualone from any of the studied isomers, methaqualone, and mecloqualone.
Accountants and Auditors as Servant Leaders

Accountants and auditors are no longer number crunchers that are primarily concerned with examining historical data. They are being used by most firms to provide advice and as such are often the power behind the throne. As advisors, they need to understand that they play an important role in how a firm is run. The authors feel that accountants and auditors should be at the forefront of those trying to inculcate values into a company. One way to do this requires that they see their role as that of a servant leader. As servant leaders, they will understand that for firms to thrive they must be run in a manner in which caring about employees, customers, and the community are core values of the firm.
Radionuclides in the diagnosis of suprarenal masses.

AbstractA simple, non-invasive method is described for evaluating suprarenal masses by superimposing images of the perfused reticuloendothelial tissue of the liver and spleen with 99mtechnetium sulfur colloid and the renal tissue with 131I hippuran. The normal anatomic relationship as well as examples of suprarenal pathology is presented.
Is green tea better than black tea in reducing atherosclerosis

To the Editor: Chyu et al1 postulated another mechanism for green tea in reducing coronary atherosclerosis, but the authors did not mention black tea in their article. According to Chinese legends, tea was discovered by the Emperor Shen Nong in about 2700 BC, when a gust of wind blew tea leaves into a kettle of boiling water.2 Since then, green tea has been a staple product and the main beverage in China.3 In China, tea has also been considered a crude …
Isolation of micronuclear and macronuclear DNA.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses several methods for the isolation of micronuclei (MIC) and macronuclei (MAC). The chapter describes a procedure that uses Percoll gradients for purifying the nuclei, where separation of MIC from MAC occurs as a result of their difference in size. When examined under the light microscope, the purified MAC are usually contaminated with as little as one MIC per 200–500 MAC, with a yield around 30% of the total MAC available. The purified MIC are contaminated with as little as one MAC per 1000–2000 MIC, with an average yield of 30–40% of the total MIC in the cells harvested. Quantitative analyses of electron micrographs indicate a higher estimate of cross-contamination of the purified nuclei, which may be due to the real difficulty in identifying small MIC or MAC fragments. Smearing of the nuclear DNA in pulse-field gels suggests that some of the MAC DNA is degraded and that only a small percentage of the MIC DNA has a molecular weight greater than 1 Mb. For most purposes this DNA is adequate for analyses using conventional vectors and restriction digests, but it is not suitable for cloning large DNA fragments and for separation in pulse-field gels.
Managing the Challenge of Generational Diversity in the Workplace

Purpose: Today workforce is diverse, regardless of the gender, culture, working style, ethnicity, background, origin. But also with respect to age. Now workplace demographics span four different generations for the first time in modern history. These four generations: Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y, are heavily influenced by the events of their time; this raises new challenges for their employers. However, companies need to be made the workplace adjustments in order to create a productive environment for all employees, irrespective of their generation.Design/Methodology: This study was interested about in generational diversification, work place communication, qualities, attitudes and conflicts in work place in creation of this piece.Originality: This literature considers the findings of the researchers who have studied the characteristics of four generations and applications of those characteristics in the work place.Paper Type: General Review
An Approach for Anonymous Spelling for Voter Write-Ins Using Speech Interaction

Today, the technology used for voting does not fully address the issues that disabled voters are confronted with during elections. Voters, including those with most disabilities, should be able to vote and verify his or her ballot during elections without the assistance of others. In order for this to happen, a universal design should be incorporated into the development of all voting systems. The research presented here embraces the needs of those who are disabled. The primary objective of this research was to develop a system in which a person, can efficiently, anonymously, and independently write-in a candidate's name during an election. The method presented here uses speech interaction and name prediction to allow voters to privately spell the name of the candidate they intend to write-in. A study was performed to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the system. The results of the study showed that spelling a name using the predictive method developed is an effective and efficient solution to the aforementioned issues.
Activation of gene expression by herpes simplex virus type 1 ICP0 occurs at the level of mRNA synthesis.

ICP0 is a nuclear phosphoprotein involved in the activation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) gene expression during lytic infection and reactivation from viral latency. Although available evidence suggests that ICP0 acts at the level of transcription, definitive studies specifically addressing this issue have not been reported. In the present study we measured the ability of ICP0 to activate gene expression (i) from promoters representing the major kinetic classes of viral genes in transient expression assays and (ii) from the same promoters during viral infection at multiplicities of infection ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 PFU/cell. The levels of synthesis and steady-state accumulation of mRNA, mRNA stability, and levels of protein synthesis were compared in cells transfected with a reporter plasmid in the presence and absence of ICP0 and in cells infected with wild-type HSV-1 or an ICP0 null mutant, n212. In transient expression assays and during viral infection at all multiplicities tested, the levels of steady-state mRNA and protein were significantly lower in the absence of ICP0, indicating that ICP0 activates gene expression at the level of mRNA accumulation. In transient expression assays and during infection at low multiplicities (< 1 PFU/cell) in the presence or absence of ICP0, marked increases in the levels of viral mRNAs accompanied by proportional increases in the levels of protein synthesis were observed with increasing multiplicity. At a high multiplicity (5 PFU/cell) in the presence or absence of ICP0, mRNA levels did not increase as a function of multiplicity and changes in the levels of protein were no longer related to changes in the levels of mRNA. Collectively, these tests indicate that transcription of viral genes is rate limiting at low multiplicities and that translation is rate limiting at high multiplicities, independent of ICP0. Consistent with the lower levels of mRNA detected in the absence of ICP0, the rates of transcription initiation measured by nuclear run-on assays were uniformly lower in cells infected with the ICP0 null mutant at all multiplicities tested, implying that ICP0 enhances transcription at or before initiation or both. No evidence was found of posttranscriptional effects of ICP0 (i.e., effects on the stability of mRNA, nuclear-cytoplasmic distribution, polyribosomal mRNA distribution, or rates of protein synthesis). Taken together, these results suggest that ICP0 activates gene expression prior to or at the level of initiation of mRNA synthesis in transient expression assays and during viral infection. Based on these findings; we hypothesize that the exaggerated multiplicity-dependent growth phenotype characteristic of ICP0 null mutants reflects the requirement for ICP0 under conditions where the steady-state level of mRNA is rate limiting, such as during low-multiplicity infection and reactivation from latency.
Andean elevation control on tropical Pacific climate and ENSO

Late Cenozoic marine proxy data record a long-term transition in the tropical Pacific from El Nino-like conditions with reduced zonal sea surface temperature (SST) gradient, deepened thermocline, and reduced upwelling in the eastern equatorial Pacific (EEP) to conditions similar to modern. This transition coincides with kilometer-scale uplift of the central Andes. To understand whether the rise of the Andes contributed to tropical Pacific climate evolution, we performed experiments with the National Center for Atmospheric Research's Community Climate System Model version 4 to quantify changes in tropical Pacific climate and El Nino–Southern Oscillation as a function of Andean elevations. Our results demonstrate that uplift increases the equatorial east-west SST gradient and Walker circulation. The rise of the Andes from 1 to 3 km increases the SST gradient by 0.8°C and Walker circulation by 60% due to strengthened radiative cooling by enhanced low-cloud formation in the EEP. This cooling effect is largest in the southeastern tropical Pacific and accounts for about one half of the reconstructed SST cooling along the Peru coast. The uplift also strengthens upwelling north of the EEP, consistent with documented increases in biological productivity in this region, and decreases the frequency of El Nino–Southern Oscillation and the number of strong El Nino events. Simulated responses to Andean uplift are generally consistent with the late Cenozoic proxy records, but too small in magnitude. Taken together, our results indicate that Andean uplift was likely one of the multiple factors that contributed to the long-term evolution of both the mean climate state and the interannual variability in the tropical Pacific.
Can Affirmative Motivations Improve Compliance in Emissions Trading Programs

Early emissions trading programs have obtained a very high rate of compliance, in part by using continuous emissions monitors (CEMs) that automatically record emissions data on a 24-hour basis. As they expand into a wider range of pollutants and sources, however, such policies will have to rely on less automated forms of self-reporting. This article asks if improved “affirmative motivations” for compliance based on perceptions of a policy's fairness could reduce the likelihood of underreporting, thereby lowering verification costs without unduly jeopardizing environmental integrity. Using a computerized laboratory emissions trading market, we find that many subjects reported emissions honestly in situations where dishonest reporting would have been more profitable, as well as a statistically significant association of affirmative motivations based on perceptions of a policy's fairness with honest reporting. These results suggest that designing an emissions trading program to increase its perceived fairness among users has the potential to increase honest emissions reporting and reduce monitoring costs.
On leveraged learning in lexical acquisition and its relationship to acceleration.

Children at about age 18 months experience acceleration in word learning. This vocabulary explosion is a robust phenomenon, although the exact shape and timing vary from child to child. One class of explanations, which we term collectively as leveraged learning, posits that knowledge of some words helps with the learning of others. In this framework, the child initially knows no words and so learning is slow. As more words are acquired, new words become easier and thus it is the acquisition of early words that fuels the explosion in learning. In this paper we examine the role of leveraged learning in the vocabulary spurt by proposing a simple model of leveraged learning. Our results show that leverage can change both the shape and timing of the acceleration, but that it cannot create acceleration if it did not exist in the corresponding model without leveraging. This model is then applied to the Zipfian distribution of word frequencies, which confirm that leveraging does not create acceleration, but that the relationship between frequency and the difficulty of learning a word may be complex.
Two-input one-output compensators

Abstract Two-input one-output compensators can be used for decoupling and exact model-matching design. They are more general than the well-known output feedback and observer-controller-type feedback. However, the design of two-input one-output compensators is also difficult. In this paper we present a design procedure for a two-input one-output compensator for multivariable systems. In the design, we only require an added dynamic to ensure the solution-existence condition. Thus the design of two-input one-output compensators is put on the same level as the familiar output feedback and observer-controller-type feedback designs.
Aprendendo com os erros dos outros: o que a história da ciência política americana tem para nos contar

Este artigo pretende mostrar que a analise da historia da Ciencia Politica americana pode nos ajudar a pensar criticamente as Ciencias Sociais no Brasil. A versao historiografica dominante, representada por John Gunnell e outros, ignora o papel ideologico e antidemocratico que a Ciencia Politica behaviorista assumiu durante a Guerra Fria, enquanto historias mais criticas sao mantidas a margem da disciplina. Essa situacao espelha o arranjo institucional da propria Ciencia Politica, que promove o isolamento da sub-area de teoria politica das outras sub-areas mais "cientificas". Abstract This article aims to show that the analysis of the history of American Political Science can help us think critically Social Sciences in Brazil. The dominating historyographic version, represented by John Gunnell and others, ignores the ideological and antidemocratic role that behaviorist Political Science assumed during the Cold War, while more critical historical approaches are kept on the margins of the discipline. This situation mirrors the institutional arrangement of Political Science itself, which promotes the isolation of the sub area of political theory from other more "scientific" sub areas. Resume Cet article tient a montrer que l'analyse de l'histoire de la Science Politique americaine peut nous aider a reflechir critiquement sur les Sciences Sociales au Bresil. La version historiographique prioritaire, representee par John Gunnell et d'autre, ne prend pas en compte le role ideologique et antidemocratique que la Science Politique behavioriste a joue pedant la Guerre Froide, alors que des histoires plus critiques sont tenues en marge dela discipline. Cette situation est le reflet de l'arrangement institutionnel de la Science Politique elle-meme qui favorise l'isolement des sousfilieres de theorie politique par rapport aux autres sousfilieres a caractere plus «scientifique».
Simulation of Guided Wave Structures of Arbitrary Geometry Using Boundary Integral Method

Guided wave structures with increasing complexity have been a persistent challenge to integrated photonic device modeling. Direct approaches to solving wave equations, either in the finite difference or the finite element scheme, lead to excessive consumption of computational resources. This is because large number of nodes over the domains of interest are needed in order to accurately represent the differential equations. The number of nodes can be enormous even in some moderately complex structures, therefore device modeling based on wave analysis can be extremely costly. Although many special techniques have been developed for specific structures, generic and accurate simulations are often difficult. Beam propagation method (BPM) [1] is very efficient in studying paraxial propagation problems but is not suitable for structures with reflections or large angle bends. The boundary integral method we introduce in this paper, instead of solving the wave equations in the whole domain, only solves boundary values through integration. In most applications it significantly reduces computation time and storage because nodes on the boundaries are much less than nodes needed for the whole domain. Other advantages of the method include the flexibility of treating arbitrary boundaries, easy implementation of boundary conditions, and the simplicity of mesh setup.
Tandem practice model: a model for physician-nurse practitioner collaboration in a specialty practice, neurosurgery.

Purpose To describe the benefits of a physician–nurse practitioner (NP) collaborative practice model, specifically that of a tandem practice model, using a neurosurgeon and a primary care NP in the clinic and inpatient setting. Data sources Selected journal articles from Medline and CINAHL, and anecdotal clinical experience. Conclusions This collaborative practice model, in which the physician and NP deliver patient care in tandem, is beneficial to patients and their families because they receive comprehensive care that is patient oriented and holistic. Further, the model benefits multiple disciplines across the healthcare continuum by providing efficient communication of patient needs, accessibility of the specialty team, and timely implementation of patient interventions. The collaboration of the physician specialist and primary care NP provides a holistic approach to the care of diverse and challenging patient populations. Implications for practice Patients seen in a specialty practice, particularly that of neurosurgery, often have little understanding of their problem and may be frightened or confused because of their perceptions of the unknown. Providing care to such specialized patient populations in a constantly changing healthcare environment may prove demanding to the specialist. The introduction of a primary care NP into such specialty settings offers patients, their families, consultants, and staff members an additional resource for evaluation, intervention, education, and communication, improving the continuity and comprehensiveness of care to challenging patient populations. This model is an option for physician specialists interested in augmenting their practice and provides further resources for meeting the holistic needs of selected patient populations regardless of the setting.
Price v. Time Revisited: The Need For Medium-Neutral Shield Laws In An Age Of Strict Construction

Journalists were alarmed when, in 2005, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit denied shield-law protection to Don Yaeger, an investigative reporter for Sports Illustrated, in a libel suit by fired football coach Mike Price. Yaeger is a journalist, and Alabama's shield law offers absolute protection even when a journalist is a party to a case. The court's decision turned on the fact that Alabama's seventy-three-year-old statute does not include the word “magazine.” This article shows that this hole in the “covered medium” language of Alabama's statute is not uncommon among the nation's thirty-six shield laws and that the Eleventh Circuit's strict reading of the statute's text is not at odds with current trends in statutory interpretation. Those two facts, combined with the rise of the Internet as an important vehicle for journalism, suggest the time is ripe to scrutinize and modernize shield laws, some of which have been on the books for more than a century.
Spatial attention facilitates selection of illusory objects: Evidence from event-related brain potentials

The relationship between spatial attention and object-based attention has long been debated. On the basis of behavioral evidence it has been hypothesized that these two forms of attention share a common mechanism, such that directing spatial attention to one part of an object facilitates the selection of the entire object. In a previous study (Martinez, A., Teder-Salejarvi, W., Vazquez, M., Molholm, S., Foxe, J.J., Javitt, D.C., Di Russo, F., Worden, M.S., Hillyard, S.A., 2006. "Objects are highlighted by spatial attention." J. Cogn. Neurosci. 18(2): 298-310) we used recordings of event-related potentials (ERPs) during a paradigm modeled after that of Egly et al. (Egly, R., Driver, J., Rafal, D.R., 1994. Shifting visual attention between objects and locations: evidence from normal and parietal lesion subjects. J. Exp. Psychol. Gen. 123(2) 161-77) to investigate this relationship. As reported in numerous studies of spatial attention, we found the typical pattern of enhanced neural activity in visual cortex elicited by attended stimuli. Unattended stimuli belonging to the same object as the attended stimuli elicited a very similar spatiotemporal pattern of enhanced neural activity that was localized to lateral occipital cortex (LOC). This similarity was taken as evidence that spatial- and object-selective attention share, at least in part, a common neural mechanism. In the present study we further investigate this relationship by examining whether this spread of spatial attention within attended objects can be guided by objects defined by illusory contours. Subjects viewed a display consisting of two illusory rectangular objects and directed attention to continuous sequences of stimuli (brief onsets) at one end of one of the objects. Stimuli occurring at irrelevant locations but belonging to the same attended object elicited larger posterior N1 amplitudes than that elicited by unattended objects forming part of a different object. This object-selective N1 enhancement was localized to lateral occipital cortex. The present data support the hypothesis that the allocation of spatial attention can be guided by illusory object boundaries and that this allocation strengthens the perceptual representations of attended objects at the level of visual area LOC.
Attitudes Toward Fathering and Father‐Child Activity

Responses of 77 middle-class fathers of preschool-aged children on two scales, Attitudes Toward Fathering and Father-Child Activity, were analyzed to determine: (a) whether an association existed between scores on the two scales; and (b) whether responses were associated with age of father; age, sex, and ordinal position of child; and estimated interaction time with child. As attitude scores increased (became more developmental in nature), there was an associated increase in degree of father-child activities. Age of fathers was not associated with attitudes toward fathering nor with degree of father-child activities. Both Attitude and Activity Scale scores remained unchanged as age of children increased. However, as ordinal position of children increased there was a related change in attitudes that were more devel opmental but a related decrease in activities with children. Comparison of scores on both scales showed no significant differences as a function of sex of child. Data from item analyses of the two scales as a function of the three child variables provided additional interpretation to response patterns of the subjects.
Functional mapping — how to map and study the genetic architecture of dynamic complex traits

Traditional QTL mapping approaches inadequately capture the complexity of gene networks. The authors show how functional mapping — a general statistical mapping framework — can provide a useful quantitative and testable framework for assessing the interplay between gene actions or interactions during development. The development of any organism is a complex dynamic process that is controlled by a network of genes as well as by environmental factors. Traditional mapping approaches for analysing phenotypic data measured at a single time point are too simple to reveal the genetic control of developmental processes. A general statistical mapping framework, called functional mapping, has been proposed to characterize, in a single step, the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) or nucleotides (QTNs) that underlie a complex dynamic trait. Functional mapping estimates mathematical parameters that describe the developmental mechanisms of trait formation and expression for each QTL or QTN. The approach provides a useful quantitative and testable framework for assessing the interplay between gene actions or interactions and developmental changes.
A Two Phase Model of a Phosphoric Acid Doped PEM Fuel Cell

A two-phase model of an intermediate temperature (120–200 °C) proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is presented. This model accounts for two phase effects due to gas solubility in the phosphoric acid/PBI electrolyte, and considers aqueous phase electrochemical reactions. It accounts for all polarization and transport phenomena, and shows a good fit with experimental data in the temperature range (150–190 °C). This paper investigates catalyst utilization in intermediate temperature PEM fuel cells with phosphoric acid doped membranes. Simulations show that, under normal operation, 1–2% of the catalyst is utilized at both electrodes. Strategies are suggested to help reduce the cost of producing power from such systems.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
The scientific method: pillar and pitfall of cancer research

A major goal of cancer research is to acquire knowledge that enables us to understand cancer and help mankind. To reach this goal, we need to conduct cancer research according to the scientific method. The scientific method stipulates that we begin by making observations of cancer. Then, we formulate hypotheses to explain our observations and devise experiments to test our hypotheses. Importantly, we need to validate the results of these experiments by performing independent verifications. However, many of us have strayed from the scientific method in our research. We often focus on observations from the laboratory rather than from the clinic. Unfortunately, the hypotheses and experiments derived from such observations may be impertinent, and the results could be misconstrued and self-serving. We propose that cancer research is more likely to reach its goal of understanding cancer and helping mankind, if it adheres to the basic principles of the scientific method.
Gas cylinder release rate testing and analysis

There are varying cylinder technologies employed for the storage of gases, each resulting in a potentially different hazard level to the surroundings in the event of a gas release. Subatmospheric Gas delivery Systems Type I (SAGS I) store and deliver gases subatmospherically, while Subatmospheric Gas delivery Systems Type II (SAGS II) deliver gases subatmospherically, but store them at high pressure. Standard high pressure gas cylinders store and deliver their contents at high pressure. Due to the differences in these cylinder technologies, release rates in the event of a leak or internal component failure, can vary significantly. This paper details the experimental and theoretical results of different Arsine (AsH3) gas cylinder release scenarios. For the SAGS II experimental analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to determine the spatial concentration profiles when a surrogate gas, CF4, was released via a simulated leak within an ion implanter. Various SAGS I and SAGS II cylind...
The best fit function for the tee short axis left ventricular ejection fraction and radionuclear "gold standard" relationship is curvilinear.

The objective of this study was to determine the function that best expressed the true shape of the regression line between transgastric short axis (TGSA) transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE)) views of the left ventricle (LV) and radionuclear LVEF. The literature was searched for relevant articles published between 1979 and 2007. Articles that directly compared TGSA LVEF with radionuclear LVEF were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included the provision that TGSA estimations be acquired by manual tracing of the endocardial border. Digital tabular data sets were created from electronically scanned graphic data (Photoshop R , Adobe Systems, Inc., San Jose, CA). Software consisted of SPSS R (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). Analysis was by regression curve fitting with standard parametric and LOWESS (locally weighted scatterplot smoothing) data-driven models. Three articles met our study design criteria. The studies generated a total of 32 patients with 99 data points. These data were pooled and analyzed. The LOWESS regression surface demonstrated non-linearity. The best “goodness of fit” template function was determined by selecting the function with the highest R-squared value. The best fit (R 2 = 0.807) consisted of a polynomial function with a power trajectory. Linear regression analysis provides a linear regression function. Thus, analyses are forced to conform to a straight-line relationship, irrespective of the disposition of the data points. By contrast, parametric and nonparametric regression models allow a choice of functions. This feature permits construction of a more appropriate “goodness of fit” curve. In this study, our purpose was to determine the function that best expressed the true shape of the regression line. Results indicated that the relationship between TEE TGSA and radionuclear LVEF was curvilinear.
Failure in family therapy: a catalogue of engagement mistakes

Eleven key positions within the social system which evolves around a presenting problem are set out. A catalogue of common mistakes which arise from failing to distinguish between these elements and take account of their significance during the engagement process is presented, along with specific suggestions for avoiding these clinical errors.