cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Double jeopardy in inferring cognitive processes

Inferences we make about underlying cognitive processes can be jeopardized in two ways due to problematic forms of aggregation. First, averaging across individuals is typically considered a very useful tool for removing random variability. The threat is that averaging across subjects leads to averaging across different cognitive strategies, thus harming our inferences. The second threat comes from the construction of inadequate research designs possessing a low diagnostic accuracy of cognitive processes. For that reason we introduced the systems factorial technology (SFT), which has primarily been designed to make inferences about underlying processing order (serial, parallel, coactive), stopping rule (terminating, exhaustive), and process dependency. SFT proposes that the minimal research design complexity to learn about n number of cognitive processes should be equal to 2n. In addition, SFT proposes that (a) each cognitive process should be controlled by a separate experimental factor, and (b) The saliency levels of all factors should be combined in a full factorial design. In the current study we cross combined the levels of jeopardies in a 2x2 analysis, leading to four different analysis conditions. The results indicate a decline in the diagnostic accuracy of inferences made about cognitive processes due to the presence of each jeopardy in isolation and when combined. The results warrant the development of more individual subject analyses and the utilization of full-factorial (SFT) experimental designs.
International Bureaucrats and the Formation of Intergovernmental Organizations: Institutional Design Discretion Sweetens the Pot

Bureaucrats working in international intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) regularly help states design new IGOs. Sometimes international bureaucrats possess limited discretion in institutional design; sometimes, they enjoy broad discretion. In fact, they gain discretion even when they openly oppose state preferences. This contravenes conventional thinking about delegation: discretion should decrease as preference divergence between states and international bureaucrats increases. We develop a principal-agent theory of how much discretion states grant to international bureaucrats in the design of new IGOs. This is novel: while principal-agent theories of international delegation are common, scholars have not analyzed principal-agent relationships in the creation of new IGOs. We argue that even an international bureaucracy that disagrees with states' design preferences may enjoy substantial design leeway, because of states' need for bureaucratic expertise. In developing this argument, we employ a formal principal-agent model, case studies, and an original data set.
Building molecular frameworks with tailored pore structures

Interest in materials made from molecular components, driven by the promise of new systems with precisely tailored properties, is accelerating at a rapid pace. The last decade has witnessed tremendous advances in the sophistication of molecular materials based on supramolecular building blocks that can be interchanged at will to generate materials with properties and function that can be finely tuned in a systematic manner. This is exemplified here by examples that illustrate the role of hydrogen bonding in generating low-density 'porous' frameworks capable of forming lamellar host-guest inclusion compounds with tunable inclusion cavities and solid-state architectures, topologically related tube-like structures and two-dimensional porous molecular monolayers with structures mimicking layered motifs in molecular crystals. These systems demonstrate that low-density molecular frameworks can be systematically engineered to generate rather predictable and robust structures, particularly if they possess an intrinsic softness that enables the frameworks to self-optimize the non-covalent interactions governing their supramolecular architectures. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
When Nasty Breeds Nice: Threats of Violence Amplify Agreeableness at National, Individual, and Situational Levels

Humans have perennially faced threats of violence from other humans and have developed functional strategies for surviving those threats. Five studies examined the relation between threats of violence and agreeableness at the level of nations, individuals, and situations. People living in countries with higher military spending (Study 1) and those who chronically perceive threats from others (Study 2) were more agreeable. However, this threat-linked agreeableness was selective (Studies 3-5). Participants primed with threat were more agreeable and willing to help familiar others but were less agreeable and willing to help unfamiliar others. Additionally, people from large families, for whom affiliation may be a salient response to threat, were more likely than people from small families to shift in agreeableness. Returning to the national level, military spending was associated with increased trust in ingroup members but decreased trust in outgroups. Together, these findings demonstrate that agreeableness is selectively modulated by threats of violence.
Explaining social isolation through concept analysis

Psychiatric nurses need to develop protocols and interventions for clients who are at risk for social isolation or who are socially isolated. Development of protocols and interventions should not be performed unless nurses have a clear understanding of what the term social isolation means. Existing definitions of social isolation have been vague and contradictory. This article presents a concept analysis of social isolation.
A Trans-Reservoir Technique for Correction of Ureterointestinal Obstruction in Continent Urinary Diversion

AbstractFollowing construction of a continent colonic urinary reservoir, 5 uretero-colonic reimplantations became obstructed at the anastomotic site. In these obstructed units previous percutaneous balloon dilation and stent placement had failed and they were subsequently treated by a new reimplantation procedure. Preoperatively, in all ureteral units a percutaneous ureteral stent was inserted to facilitate intraoperative recognition of the ureteral meatus. The technique included a trans-reservoir approach, which allowed easy localization of the stent and anastomotic site. The ureter was dissected free from the intestinal wall and then was mobilized into the lumen of the reservoir. After excision of the scarred distal ureteral segment and spatulation of the proximal healthy ureter, a new direct mucosa-to-mucosa reimplantation was performed leaving the ureter stented. This trans-reservoir approach (occasionally done through an abdominal transverse muscle splitting incision) allows for shortening of the ope...
A genomic map enriched for markers linked to Avr1 in Cronartium quercuum f.sp. fusiforme

A novel approach is presented to map avirulence gene Avr1 in the basidiomycete Cronartium quercuum f.sp. fusiforme, the causal agent of fusiform rust disease in pines. DNA markers tightly linked to resistance gene Fr1 in loblolly pine tree 10-5 were used to classify 10-5 seedling progeny as either resistant or susceptible. A single dikaryotic isolate (P2) heterozygous at the corresponding Avr1 gene was developed by crossing Fr1 avirulent isolate SC20-21 with Fr1 virulent isolate NC2-40. Bulk basidiospore inoculum derived from isolate P2 was used to challenge the pine progeny. The ability to unambiguously marker classify 10-5 progeny as resistant (selecting for virulence) or susceptible (non-selecting) permitted the genetic mapping of the corresponding Avr1 gene by bulked segregant analysis. Using this approach, 14 genetic markers significantly linked to Avr1 were identified and placed within the context of a genome-wide linkage map produced for isolate P2 using samples from susceptible seedlings.
Effect of pressure fluctuation on coal combustion in large-particle fluidized beds

Atmospheric fluidized-bed combustors (AFBC) operate in the large-particle (>1 mm) fluidization regime. Characteristics of this regime, combined with the fact that as much as 50% of the coal combustibles are volatiles, result in localization of the devolatilization and combustion of the volatilized gases to the neighborhood of the coal-particle and volatile gas plumes arising from the injector region. The volatile gas plume resulting from the large-particle fluidization dynamics wanders due to pressure fluctuations induced by bubble passage. The purpose of the present work is to determine the impact of these characteristics on the design of AFBC's. This has been accomplished by a linearized analysis of the governing equations to describe the periodic wandering of the volatiles plume diffusion flame and the corresponding fluctuation of the combustion rate. The flame oscillation increases the overall combustion rate above the steady-state value. This increase diminishes with increasing fluctuation frequency until the flame becomes insensitive to the fluctuation in the high frequency limit.
The impact of quality and duration of enoxaparin therapy on recurrent venous thrombosis in children.

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) and recurrent venous thromboembolism (rVTE) are rare, but significant problems in pediatrics. Current recommendations for anticoagulant therapy arise from adult literature, and there is little data on clinical outcomes following therapeutic low-molecular-weight heparin in children. Method All patients <19 years of age that were diagnosed with a VTE or right atrial thrombus via standard imaging methods at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital were retrospectively identified from January 2004 through August 2008. Demographic characteristics, coexisting clinic conditions, description of anticoagulant therapy, and record of rVTE were chronicled following a comprehensive chart review. Descriptive statistics of clinical characteristics and anticoagulation are presented. Results Venous thrombosis was identified in 149 children with 21% (31/149) developing a rVTE. Coexisting clinical conditions were identified in 93% of children at initial diagnosis with 48% (71/149) of patients having a coexisting malignancy. Seventy-seven percent (114/149) of children received anticoagulant therapy with UFH (10/114) or enoxaparin (104/114). Neither duration of enoxaparin therapy (>6, 3–6, <3 months) (P = 0.61), nor quality of therapy (≥75% of time on anticoagulation spent with an anti-FXa of 0.5–1.0 U/ml) (P = 1.0) were found to be protective against rVTE. Conclusion Anticoagulation with enoxaparin based on adult literature may be suboptimal in preventing rVTE in pediatric populations. Future prospective randomized controlled trials in pediatrics using clinical outcomes with anticoagulant therapy are urgently needed. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 105–109. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Tribute to Niels Lassen

Niels Lassen died in Copenhagen of pancreatic carcinoma at 71. He was the premier leader in the field of quantitation of cerebral blood flow (CBF). Immediately after finishing medical school, he and Ole Munck introduced the use of radioactive isotopes for CBF measurement. With David Ingvar, he was the first to use collimated radioactive extracranial counting after intracarotid injection of the radioactive isotope 85Krypton or 133Xenon dissolved in saline to localize regions of high or low cerebral flow. His mathematician wife Edda Sveinsdotter developed programming methods and much technical support. Functional brain mapping was pioneered by Lassen using, finally, a 254 detector system. With Bo Siesjo and David Ingvar, he founded the International Cerebral Blood Flow meetings and later the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism. From 1962 to 1996 he was chairman of the department of clinical physiology and nuclear medicine at Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen. Niels’ command of English was better than mine, elegant, witty and creative. The terms “luxury perfusion” and “ischemic penumbra” are his.
Publish in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology – Article processing charges are only paid by those who can afford it

Electronic journals are the basis of a world of purely electronic scientific communication. Just imagine, no more bookshelves and mountains of disorganized paperwork, no more late nights organizing and searching for articles of interest. For most active research-oriented students and scientists this is already a reality, or will be in the near future. Although most 'top ranked' traditional journals now offer web access to recent publications, and to less or more of their archives, not everyone has the luxury of access through their university, or has his/her subscription paid for, or can afford to pay US $30–35 for an electronic reprint. Traditionally, journals generated their revenue from individual subscribers, private and/or state owned institutions, page charges from authors, and charges for color illustrations. Consequently, the traditional science publishing industry limited access to scientific publications to scientists in the developed countries while, in many cases, leaving the rest of the world unattended.
Dual-Function Probe for PET and Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging of Tumor Vasculature

To date, the in vivo imaging of quantum dots (QDs) has been mostly qualitative or semiquantitative. The development of a dual-function PET/near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) probe can allow for accurate assessment of the pharmacokinetics and tumor-targeting efficacy of QDs. Methods: A QD with an amine-functionalized surface was modified with RGD peptides and 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclodocecane-N,N′,N″,N‴-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) chelators for integrin αvβ3–targeted PET/NIRF imaging. A cell-binding assay and fluorescence cell staining were performed with U87MG human glioblastoma cells (integrin αvβ3–positive). PET/NIRF imaging, tissue homogenate fluorescence measurement, and immunofluorescence staining were performed with U87MG tumor–bearing mice to quantify the probe uptake in the tumor and major organs. Results: There are about 90 RGD peptides per QD particle, and DOTA–QD–RGD exhibited integrin αvβ3–specific binding in cell cultures. The U87MG tumor uptake of 64Cu-labeled DOTA–QD was less than 1 percentage injected dose per gram (%ID/g), significantly lower than that of 64Cu-labeled DOTA–QD–RGD (2.2 ± 0.3 [mean ± SD] and 4.0 ± 1.0 %ID/g at 5 and 18 h after injection, respectively; n = 3). Taking into account all measurements, the liver-, spleen-, and kidney-to-muscle ratios for 64Cu-labeled DOTA–QD–RGD were about 100:1, 40:1, and 1:1, respectively. On the basis of the PET results, the U87MG tumor-to-muscle ratios for DOTA–QD–RGD and DOTA–QD were about 4:1 and 1:1, respectively. Excellent linear correlation was obtained between the results measured by in vivo PET imaging and those measured by ex vivo NIRF imaging and tissue homogenate fluorescence (r2 = 0.93). Histologic examination revealed that DOTA–QD–RGD targets primarily the tumor vasculature through an RGD–integrin αvβ3 interaction, with little extravasation. Conclusion: We quantitatively evaluated the tumor-targeting efficacy of a dual-function QD-based probe with PET and NIRF imaging. This dual-function probe has significantly reduced potential toxicity and overcomes the tissue penetration limitation of optical imaging, allowing for quantitative targeted imaging in deep tissue.
Linear, Nonlinear, and Adaptive Delta Modulation

The paper treats linear and nonlinear methods that refine the delta modulation process. These methods improve the quality of the decoded signal at a given transmission rate. Two linear processes are analyzed. The first one matches the source signal to the coder for minimum weighted noise in the decoded signal. The second one influences the signal which is fed to the comparator; it shapes the spectrum of the quantization noise desirably. Two nonlinear methods used in the delta modulation process are discussed. The first achieves a best possible prediction of the future signal from past binary decisions and thus a reduction of the error signal. The methods of the second type make the coder adaptive to variations in the power level of the source signal. This results in a large dynamic range of the coding system. A comparison of the various methods is made and a coding system for speech signals, based on a suitable combination of these methods, is described.
Quantifying robustness of biochemical network models

Robustness of mathematical models of biochemical networks is important for validation purposes and can be used as a means of selecting between different competing models. Tools for quantifying parametric robustness are needed. Two techniques for describing quantitatively the robustness of an oscillatory model were presented and contrasted. Single-parameter bifurcation analysis was used to evaluate the stability robustness of the limit cycle oscillation as well as the frequency and amplitude of oscillations. A tool from control engineering – the structural singular value (SSV) – was used to quantify robust stability of the limit cycle. Using SSV analysis, we find very poor robustness when the model's parameters are allowed to vary. The results show the usefulness of incorporating SSV analysis to single parameter sensitivity analysis to quantify robustness.
Comments on “Theoretical Analysis of Gain-Recovery Time and Chirp in QD-SOA”

For original paper see Ben-Ezra et al., ibid., vol.17, no.9, p.1803 (2005). The authors point out that in the above letter, the rate equation model (REM) for quantum-dot (QD) semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) is incorrect because the rate of carrier transition from the excited state (ES) of QD to the wetting layer (WL) was given by Nwh/tau2w, proportional to the carrier density in the WL (Nw).
Effect of Annular Incision Type on the Change in Biomechanical Properties in a Herniated Lumbar Intervertebral Disc

The technique used to incise the disc during discectomy may play a role in the subsequent healing and change in biomechanical stiffness of the disc. Several techniques of lumbar disc annulotomy have been described in clinical reports. The purpose of this paper was to study the influence of annulotomy technique on motion segment stiffness using a finite element model. Four incision methods (square, circular, cross, and slit) were compared. The analyses showed that each of the annular incisions produced increase in motions under axial moment loadings with circular incision producing the largest change in the corresponding rotational motion. Under shear loading mode, cross and slit-type annular incisions produced slightly larger changes in the principal motions of the disc than square and circular incisions. All other incision types considered in the current study produced negligibly small increase in motion under rest of the loading conditions. In addition to annulotomy, when nucleotomy was also included in the analyses, once again cross and slit incisions produced larger change in motion under shear loading mode as compared to the other two incision types. A comparison between the four types of annular incisions showed that cross incision produced an increase in motion larger than those produced by the other three incisions under flexion/extension and lateral moment loading and both shear force loadings. Circular incision produced the largest increase in motion under axial moment load in comparison to those produced by square, cross, and slit incisions. Sagittal plane symmetry was influenced by the incision injury to the motion segment leading to coupled motions as well as increased facet loads. From the study it can be concluded that the increase inflexibility of the disc due to annulotomy depends on the type of annulotomy and the annulotomy also produce asymmetrical deformations leading to increased facet loading.
Surface Deformations as Indicators of Deep Ebullition Fluxes in a Large Northern Peatland

[1] Peatlands deform elastically during precipitation cycles by small (±3 cm) oscillations in surface elevation. In contrast, we used a Global Positioning System network to measure larger oscillations that exceeded 20 cm over periods of 4–12 hours during two seasonal droughts at a bog and fen site in northern Minnesota. The second summer drought also triggered 19 depressuring cycles in an overpressured stratum under the bog site. The synchronicity between the largest surface deformations and the depressuring cycles indicates that both phenomena are produced by the episodic release of large volumes of gas from deep semi-elastic compartments confined by dense wood layers. We calculate that the three largest surface deformations were associated with the release of 136 g CH4 m−2, which exceeds by an order of magnitude the annual average chamber fluxes measured at this site. Ebullition of gas from the deep peat may therefore be a large and previously unrecognized source of radiocarbon depleted methane emissions from northern peatlands.
Efficient hot-electron transfer by a plasmon-induced interfacial charge-transfer transition

Plasmon-induced hot-electron transfer from metal nanostructures is a potential new paradigm for solar energy conversion; however, the reported efficiencies of devices based on this concept are often low because of the loss of hot electrons via ultrafast electron-electron scattering. We propose a pathway, called the plasmon-induced interfacial charge-transfer transition (PICTT), that enables the decay of a plasmon by directly exciting an electron from the metal to a strongly coupled acceptor. We demonstrated this concept in cadmium selenide nanorods with gold tips, in which the gold plasmon was strongly damped by cadmium selenide through interfacial electron transfer. The quantum efficiency of the PICTT process was high (>24%), independent of excitation photon energy over a ~1-electron volt range, and dependent on the excitation polarization.
Computational Methods for Tracking, Quantitative Assessment, and Visualization of C. elegans Locomotory Behavior.

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans provides a unique opportunity to interrogate the neural basis of behavior at single neuron resolution. In C. elegans, neural circuits that control behaviors can be formulated based on its complete neural connection map, and easily assessed by applying advanced genetic tools that allow for modulation in the activity of specific neurons. Importantly, C. elegans exhibits several elaborate behaviors that can be empirically quantified and analyzed, thus providing a means to assess the contribution of specific neural circuits to behavioral output. Particularly, locomotory behavior can be recorded and analyzed with computational and mathematical tools. Here, we describe a robust single worm-tracking system, which is based on the open-source Python programming language, and an analysis system, which implements path-related algorithms. Our tracking system was designed to accommodate worms that explore a large area with frequent turns and reversals at high speeds. As a proof of principle, we used our tracker to record the movements of wild-type animals that were freshly removed from abundant bacterial food, and determined how wild-type animals change locomotory behavior over a long period of time. Consistent with previous findings, we observed that wild-type animals show a transition from area-restricted local search to global search over time. Intriguingly, we found that wild-type animals initially exhibit short, random movements interrupted by infrequent long trajectories. This movement pattern often coincides with local/global search behavior, and visually resembles Levy flight search, a search behavior conserved across species. Our mathematical analysis showed that while most of the animals exhibited Brownian walks, approximately 20% of the animals exhibited Levy flights, indicating that C. elegans can use Levy flights for efficient food search. In summary, our tracker and analysis software will help analyze the neural basis of the alteration and transition of C. elegans locomotory behavior in a food-deprived condition.
petal: A novel co-expression network modeling system

With the introduction of microarray technology to measure gene expression in the late 1990's and the advent of current next-generation whole-genome and whole-transcriptome sequencing technology, fast and robust tools are needed to examine, identify, and study relations between genes and proteins at the systems level. Networks provide effective models to study complex systems, including complex biological systems, such as gene and protein interaction networks. We introduce a novel approach to generate gene co-expression network models based on experimental gene expression measures. This approach includes statistical, mathematical, and biological considerations not highlighted by existing co-expression analysis tools. First, most high-throughput expression data are not normally distributed, yet many available network approaches are based on parametric methods. Here appropriate metrics are provided to generate statistically sound network models. Secondly, most biological networks are known to have approximate scale-free and small-world structure, and the biological networks built here follow both these two properties. Thirdly, to generate these small-world, scale-free network models, user-selected input parameters are not required, thereby leading to reproducible results. Lastly, this approach is designed for high-throughput whole-systems data. This method is implemented in the programming language R. Its application to several whole-genome experimental datasets has generated novel meaningful results useful for further biological investigation.
Increases in Anthropogenic Gadolinium Anomalies and Rare Earth Element Concentrations in San Francisco Bay over a 20 Year Record

We evaluated both the spatial distribution of gadolinium (Gd) and other rare earth elements (REE) in surface waters collected in a transect of San Francisco Bay (SFB) and their temporal variations within the Bay over two decades. The REE were preconcentrated using the NOBIAS PA-1 resin prior to analysis by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Measurements revealed a temporal increase in the Gd anomaly in SFB from the early 1990s to the present. The highest Gd anomalies were observed in the southern reach of SFB, which is surrounded by several hospitals and research centers that use Gd-based contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. Recent increases in that usage presumably contributed to the order of magnitude increase in anthropogenic Gd concentrations in SFB, from 8.27 to 112 pmol kg–1 over the past two decades, and reach the northeast Pacific coastal waters. These measurements (i) show that “exotic” trace elements used in new high-tech applications, such as Gd, are emergi...
Centroidal Voronoi tessellation based polycube construction for adaptive all-hexahedral mesh generation

Abstract This paper presents a novel automatic polycube construction algorithm using centroidal Voronoi tessellation (CVT) based surface segmentation. Given a smooth surface triangle mesh, we segment triangles into six clusters in the surface normal space while satisfying the constraints of polycube construction. A bijective mapping between the input mesh and polycube surfaces is then built via a planar domain parameterization. We develop a new harmonic boundary-enhanced centroidal Voronoi tessellation (HBECVT) method by including local neighbouring information in the energy function. Improving upon the classic CVT method, the HBECVT algorithm can not only overcome the sensitivity to the initialization and noise, but also improve the segmentation results and the resulting polycubes by reducing non-monotone boundaries. Based on the constructed polycube, we then generate quality all-hexahedral (all-hex) meshes. The uniform all-hex mesh and volumetric T -mesh can be obtained through the octree subdivision and mapping. We can also generate adaptive all-hex meshes by extracting the dual mesh from a hybrid octree, which consists of polyhedral cells and each grid point is always shared by eight cells. Several examples are presented in this paper to show the robustness of our algorithms.
ETHACRYNIC ACID: A DRUG WHICH ABOLISHES THE CONCENTRATING ABILITY OF THE KIDNEY.

SummaryStudies to demonstrate the effect of ethacrynic acid on the urine concentrating ability of the kidney in maximally dehydrated humans and dogs have been described. Results indicate that the drug essentially abolishes TCH2O in association with a massive sodium diuresis. The most likely explanation of the effect on urine concentration is an inhibition of sodium transport in the ascending loop of Henle. Additional sodium blocking action at a site(s) other than the loop of Henle is postulated to account for the magnitude of the sodium diuresis.Addendum. Since submission of this article for publication, Goldberg et al (J. Clin. Invest., 1964, v43, 201) have reported that ethacrynic acid markedly impaired the urine concentrating mechanism in normal human subjects.
Synthesis of Poly(3-alkylthiophene)-block-poly(arylisocyanide): Two Sequential, Mechanistically Distinct Polymerizations Using a Single Catalyst

Block copolymers of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and a poly(arylisocyanide) were synthesized in a single pot via the addition of 2-bromo-3-hexyl-5-chloromagnesiothiophene followed by n-decyl 4-isocyanobenzoate to a solution of Ni(1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane)Cl2. The respective mechanistically distinct polymerizations proceeded in a controlled fashion and afforded well-defined block copolymers with tunable molecular weights and compositions. The block copolymers exhibited microphase separation characteristics in the solid state.
Courage, fear and immigration: The significance of welcoming newcomers in a free economy

Throughout history people have fled from tyranny and deprivation to improve their lives. Rejecting refugees is an act of collaboration with tyranny. Accepting refugees brings great benefits both to refugees and to the receiving country. However, there are many in the receiving land who feel threatened by newcomers. These fears are motivated by collectivist notions that incorrectly attribute responsibility for problems associated with migration. Key words: Immigration, welfare magnet, anti-labor laws, national security, corporate welfare, protectionism, free trade, resource scarcity, Economic Freedom of the World, population density, Julian Simon, Fraser Institute, Thomas Jefferson. JEL Classification: F22. Resumen: A lo largo de la historia los pueblos han escapado de la tirania y de la privacion para mejorar su calidad de vida. El rechazo de los refugiados es un acto de colaboracion con la tirania. Aceptar a los refugiados genera importantes beneficios a estos y a los paises receptores. Sin embargo, hay muchos en las economias receptoras que se sienten amenazados por los recien llegados. Estos temores estan motivados por ideas colectivistas que asignan incorrectamente la responsabilidad de los problemas asociados con la migracion. Palabras clave: Inmigracion, iman del bienestar, leyes anti-laborales, seguridad nacional, bienestar corporativo, proteccionismo, libre comercio, escasez de recursos, libertad economica del mundo, densidad de poblacion, Julian Simon, Fraser Institute, Thomas Jefferson. Clasificacion JEL: F22
Laboratory Test of Mycoplasma Pneumonia (MP) Infection among children

[Objective]To explore the epidemic situation of children's mycoplasma pneumonia (MP) infection in Zhengzhou.[Methods] ELISA was applied to detect IgM antibody of 7 pathogens in the serum of suspected acute respiratory infected children and provide etiological evidence for the clinics. [Results] 7 kinds of relative IgM antibody were detected in 2907 out of 8549 detected serum samples, among which 708 cases were MP-IgM antibody accounting for 24.35% of the total positive rate and ranking the second place; 523 cases and 185 cases belonged to single infection and compound infection respectively; 8.3% of them also clinically indicated non-respiratory pathological changes.[Conclusion] MP has been an important pathogen for children's respiratory diseases in this area; MP infection takes place during the whole year with winter and spring as the epidemic peak; the preschool children are most susceptible but the morbidity decreases among the children over six years old; close observation should be made on the intrapulmonary and extrapulmonary pathological changes in order to prevention misdiagnosis.
Investigation of the first case of human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) in Fuyang City

Objective Based on the investigation and analysis of the first case of human infection with avian influenza A( H7N9),to study the application effect of field epidemiology on emergency disposal about human infection with avian influenza. Methods Epidemiological investigation was carried out on a case of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9),and his close contacts were observed medically. The subtype of viral nucleic acid was identified by RT- PCR. Results The patient was a confirmed cases of avian influenza A( H7N9). Before onset of the disease,the patient had been exposed to the poultry. Exposed to poultry from H7N9 affected areas may be the infected source. Conclusion Being fxposed to live poultry markets may be the infected risk factor,and importing poultry from H7N9 affected areas raised the risk.
The Clinical Significance of Citrobacter intermedium

Citrobacter intermedium was cultured from 52 human specimens. This organism was evaluated by means of its biochemical and clinical significance. C. intermedium was always found to reduce nitrates, utilize citrate, and ferment rhamnose, glucose, maltose, and lactose. Hydrogen sulfide production was not evident. These bacteria were frequently associated with neoplastic disease, cellulitis, septicemia, and urinary tract infections. The strains tested were sensitive to chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, neomycin, kanamycin, and polymyxin B. Resistance was observed for nafcillin. Sensitivity to penicillin was erratic. The role of diminished host resistance appears to be a significant factor in establishing C. intermedium as a pathogen.
Enzyme tests in cancer.

Although enzymes have not yet proved useful in initial diagnosis of cancer, they can be clinically valuable in confirming diagnosis, establishing the presence of metastases, and following the course of disease. Enzymatic activity in various types of cancer is discussed.
Individualized treatment of ureteroceles.

AbstractWe reviewed 52 children with ureteroceles in an effort to evaluate the various facets of this disorder that influenced our surgical management. There were 12 single system ureteroceles and 40 duplex system ureteroceles. Total reconstruction was performed in 16 duplex system and 8 single system ureteroceles, of which 88 per cent required no further surgery. Upper pole heminephrectomy or ureteropyelostomy with partial ureterectomy was performed in 22 patients with duplex system ureteroceles with the goal of obviating lower tract surgery, of whom 12 (55 per cent) required subsequent surgery. In 6 patients, 4 with single system and 2 with duplex system ureteroceles transurethral incision of the ureterocele was the initial procedure with the expectation that improvement in function and hydronephrosis would facilitate subsequent lower tract surgery. Two of these patients required subsequent reconstruction. Recommendations regarding management are based on initial pathological condition, patient age and ...
Waveform design principles for 5G and beyond

Various emerging applications in future wireless networks require rethinking the access techniques not only from the capacity perspective but also satisfying a wide variety of requirements under the same framework. Traditional Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)-based schemes still suffer from some limitations that stand in front of their existence in future technologies. The main goal of this study is to pave the way towards rethinking the waveform design by providing the main components of a wireless communication system. The concept of the multidimensional lattice is introduced, exploiting the angular dimension that opens a new horizon in research for 5G technology and beyond. The study proposes a new way of waveform design procedure that considers the multidimensional grid, which is essential for exploiting the opportunities in spatial domain effectively. In addition, the waveform design criteria for various applications and frequency bands are presented.
Self-reported sleep impairment and the metabolic syndrome among African Americans.

OBJECTIVES: African Americans (AA) experience a high mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD), even without an increase in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The potential role of sleep impairment in this phenomenon has not been studied. The current study examined the relationship between self-reported sleep and MetS components among AAs. Sleep variables included total sleep quality and specific symptoms: loud snoring, difficulty breathing, and sleep duration. DESIGN: Anthropometric (BMI, BP, waist circumference, body fat percent) and biologic (fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HDL) measures were obtained from 248 community-recruited AA (63% female; mean age 44 years). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a 19-item scale with a total sleep quality score and 7 subscales, was used to assess self-reported sleep quality. Analyses were controlled for age and sex. RESULTS: PSQI total sleep quality predicted neither presence of MetS (Beta=.04, P=.29) nor individual CVD variables. However, symptomatic snoring corresponded with MetS (Beta=.38, SE=.12, P<.001; OR: 2.57), as well as with fasting glucose, BMI, body fat percentage, and waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS: Among AA, overall sleep quality as self-reported may not contribute to MetS, but symptomatic snoring appears to be important. Further work in this area should focus on sleep at the symptomatic level, and include racial and sex variables, as well as physiologic and etiologic mechanisms. Ethn Dis. 2012; 22[4]:410–415
Medical humanities, ethics, and disability -- one fellow's confession and transformation.

In Confessions of a Knife, Richard Selzer gives a candid account of his life as a surgeon, divulging mistakes, regrets, impressions, and emotions in beautiful, metaphorical prose.
Recent Developments in Mercury Stable Isotope Analysis

The first Reviews in Mineralogy volume on the Geochemistry of Non-Traditional Stable Isotopes was compiled before it was appropriate to include a chapter on mercury (Hg) stable isotope geochemistry. At that time there were only a few papers on this new topic (Jackson 2001; Lauretta et al. 2001; Hintelmann and Lu 2003), and there were still some important analytical issues that needed to be resolved. But the field has come a long way in a decade. Now we have a different problem; at our last count there were well over 100 publications utilizing mercury stable isotopes and it is becoming very difficult to synthesize this vast amount of exciting and rapidly developing research. Experimental studies have expanded our knowledge of the mechanisms of mercury isotope fractionation and applications of mercury isotope measurements have touched virtually every area of research in mercury biogeochemistry. There have been a number of previous reviews of the mercury stable isotope literature as it has developed (Ridley and Stetson 2006; Bergquist and Blum 2009; Yin et al. 2010; Blum 2011; Hintelmann 2012; Blum et al. 2014). It is our view that the field has become too large to comprehensively review the entire literature on mercury stable isotopes. Ten years ago Hg isotope researchers were just beginning to explore the boundaries of natural Hg isotope variation and the mechanisms that cause this variation in the environment. At that time large and relatively easily measured isotope signals were of great interest and mercury isotope researchers were beginning to develop theories to explain mass dependent isotope fractionation (MDF) and mass independent isotope fractionation of the odd mass-numbered isotopes of mercury (odd-MIF). More recently researchers have discovered a wider range of types of isotopic variability (even-MIF), some of which are subtle and …
Lean Implementation and Organizational Transformation: A Literature Review

Manufacturing organizations are constantly striving to develop more effective and flexible means for managing challenges due to globalization and increasing customer expectations. This has led to i...
The Curious Incident of the Falling Win Rate

For 40 quarters starting in 1985, the plaintiff win rate in adjudicated civil cases in Federal courts fell almost continuously, from 70 percent to 35 percent, where it remained — albeit with increased volatility — for the next 15 years. We explore, and largely reject, several possible explanations for this surprising finding. Although the reason for the falling win rate remains a mystery, we conclude that courts may need to justify decisions not only in individual cases, but at a systemic level.
Gate-Voltage Control of Borophene Structure Formation

Boron nanostructures are easily charged but how charge carriers affect their structural stability is unknown. We combined cluster expansion methods with first-principles calculations to analyze the dependence of the preferred structure of two-dimensional (2D) boron, or “borophene”, on charge doping controlled by a gate voltage. At a reasonable doping level of 3.12×1014 cm−2, the hollow hexagon concentration in the ground state of 2D boron increases to 1/7 from 1/8 in its charge-neutral state. The numerical result for the dependence of hollow hexagon concentration on the doping level is well described by an analytical method based on an electron-counting rule. Aside from in-plane electronic bonding, the hybridization among out-of-plane boron orbitals is crucial for determining the relative stability of different sheets at a given doping level. Our results offer new insight into the stability mechanism of 2D boron and open new ways for the control of the lattice structure during formation.
Harmonizing Goals for Agricultural Intensification and Human Health Protection in Sub-Saharan Africa

Increased agricultural production will be necessary to feed rapidly growing populations in sub-Saharan Africa, where many households currently practice low-input, subsistence farming. Efforts to ex...
Flavorful Two Higgs Doublet Models with a Twist

We explore two-Higgs-doublet models with nonstandard flavor structures. In analogy to the four well-studied models with natural flavor conservation (type 1, type 2, lepton-specific, and flipped), we identify four models that preserve an approximate $U(2{)}^{5}$ flavor symmetry acting on the first two generations. In all four models, the couplings of the 125 GeV Higgs are modified in characteristic flavor nonuniversal ways. The heavy neutral and charged Higgs bosons show an interesting nonstandard phenomenology. We discuss their production and decay modes and identify the most sensitive search channels at the LHC. We study the effects on low energy flavor violating processes, finding relevant constraints from ${B}_{d}$ and ${B}_{s}$ meson oscillations and from the rare decay ${B}_{s}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$. We also find that lepton flavor violating $B$ meson decays like ${B}_{s}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\mu}$ and $B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{(*)}\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\mu}$ might have branching ratios at an observable level.
Scientific imaging with digital cameras.

The new BioImaging column of BioTechniques will feature short articles devoted to microscopy and digital imaging. The subject matter will address details of the methods used to produce images of ce...
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors (mGluRs): Functions

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain. Since its discovery as a neurotransmitter in 1954, roles have been established for glutamatergic transmission in virtually all biological processes. Different classes of glutamate receptors in the postsynaptic membrane transduce the glutamate signal released from the presynaptic terminal into electrical and biochemical events in the postsynaptic neuron. Glutamate release from synapses activates ion channel-forming receptors, the iGluRs, at postsynaptic cells and consequently mediates fast excitatory postsynaptic transmission. The subsequent discovery of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) revealed that glutamate can also modulate ion channels and activate second messenger systems. This article provides an overview of mGluRs. Following a brief introduction to the classification of these receptors, the functions of these receptors and their mechanisms of action, roles in physiological and pathophysiological conditions, and potential as therapeutic targets are discussed.
A continuum thermomechanical model of in vivo electrosurgical heating of hydrated soft biological tissues

Radio-frequency (RF) heating of soft biological tissues during electrosurgical procedures is a fast process that involves phase change through evaporation and transport of intra- and extra-cellular water, and where variations in physical properties with temperature and water content play significant role. Accurately predicting and capturing these effects would improve the modeling of temperature change in the tissue allowing the development of improved instrument design and better understanding of tissue damage and necrosis. Previous models based on the Pennes' bioheat model neglect both evaporation and transport or consider evaporation through numerical correlations, however, do not account for changes in physical properties due to mass transport or phase change, nor capture the pressure increase due to evaporation within the tissue. While a porous media approach can capture the effects of evaporation, transport, pressure and changes in physical properties, the model assumes free diffusion of liquid and gas without a careful examination of assumptions on transport parameters in intact tissue resulting in significant under prediction of temperature. These different approaches have therefore been associated with errors in temperature prediction exceeding 20% when compared to experiments due to inaccuracies in capturing the effects of evaporation losses and transport. Here, we present a model of RF heating of hydrated soft tissue based on mixture theory where the multiphase nature of tissue is captured within a continuum thermomechanics framework, simultaneously considering the transport, deformation and phase change losses due to evaporation that occur during electrosurgical heating. The model predictions are validated against data obtained for in vivo ablation of porcine liver tissue at various power settings of the electrosurgical unit. The model is able to match the mean experimental temperature data with sharp gradients in the vicinity of the electrode during rapid low and high power ablation procedures with errors less than 7.9%. Additionally, the model is able to capture fast vaporization losses and the corresponding increase in pressure due to vapor buildup which have a significant effect on temperature prediction beyond 100 °C.