cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decision support model for hazardous waste application rates at land treatment systems

Abstract A mathematical model is described which provides a rational approach for obtaining, organizing and evaluating the specific information needed for the determination of hazardous waste application on land treatment systems. The model is divided into five modules. These modules represent the principal mechanisms which are assumed to govern the fate of an organic hazardous material in the vadose zone. They are the following: loading conditions, degradation, advective transport, dispersive transport and sorption/desorption. The numerical algorithm for advective transport is described in some detail using a soil-water system as an example. The model is demonstrated for selected aro-matics found in a refinery waste sludge. Application of the model provides a methodology for predicting the behavior of hazardous constituents in soil systems and ranking chemicals according to their need to be controlled.
Setting La diabla Free: Women, Violence, and the Struggle for Representation in Postwar El Salvador

An analysis of the literary representations of women and violence in three postwar Salvadoran narratives sheds light on El Salvador's new neoliberal reality and provides a basis for understanding the role of women in national reconstruction and democratization. By depicting female characters in traditional roles and as passive victims of violence, Castellanos Moya's La diabla en el espejo exemplifies attempts to disempower and exclude women from the public and cultural sphere. In short stories by Claudia Hernandez and Jacinta Escudos, the female protagonists refute this victimization, becoming violent aggressors in their struggle to gain access to the public and cultural sphere.
The Vault Exterior Shell is a Dynamic Structure that Allows Incorporation of Vault Associated Proteins into its Interior

Vaults are 13 million Da ribonucleoprotein particles with a highly conserved structure. Expression and assembly by multimerization of an estimated 96 copies of a single protein, termed the major vault protein (MVP), is sufficient to form the minimal structure and entire exterior shell of the barrel-shaped vault particle. Multiple copies of two additional proteins, VPARP and TEP1, and a small untranslated vault RNA are also associated with vaults. We used the Sf9 insect cell expression system to form MVP-only recombinant vaults and performed a series of protein-mixing experiments to test whether this particle shell is able to exclude exogenous proteins from interacting with the vault interior. Surprisingly, we found that VPARP and TEP1 are able to incorporate into vaults even after the formation of the MVP vault particle shell is complete. Electrospray molecular mobility analysis and spectroscopic studies of vault-interacting proteins were used to confirm this result. Our results demonstrate that the protein shell of the recombinant vault particle is a dynamic structure and suggest a possible mechanism for in vivo assembly of vault-interacting proteins into preformed vaults. Finally, this study suggests that the vault interior may functionally interact with the cellular milieu.
Crystal Structure of Monomethyltriethyl Titanate

IN solution most of the titanium orthoesters have been shown to be associated into trimers1–3, and a structure has been proposed for the trimeric aggregate1. There has been considerable interest in the structure of this aggregate3–5. In 1963 Ibers6 reported a preliminary crystal structure of tetraethyl titanate showing this to be tetrameric, not trimeric, in the solid state. We have now determined the main features of monomethyltriethyl titanate and have found it also to be tetrameric in the solid state. However, large thermal motion and the limited amount of data for the large number of parameters in the cell have prevented our locating all the carbon atoms or obtaining precise bond distances and angles. Low-temperature data are now being collected to complete the structure determination.
Inductive, evolutionary, and neural computing techniques for discrimination: A comparative study

This paper provides a comparative study of machine learning techniques for two-group discrimination. Simulated data is used to examine how the different learning techniques perform with respect to certain data distribution characteristics. Both linear and nonlinear discrimination methods are considered. The data has been previously used in the comparative evaluation of a number of techniques and helps relate our findings across a range of discrimination techniques.
Eicosanoids mediate nodulation reactions to bacterial infections in adults of the cricket, Gryllus assimilis

Nodulation is the temporally and quantitatively most important cellular defense reaction to bacterial infections in insects. Inhibition of eicosanoid biosynthesis in adults of the cricket, Gryllus assimilis, immediately prior to intrahemocoelic injections of the bacterium, Serratia marcescens, sharply reduced the nodulation response. Separate treatments with specific inhibitors of phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase, and lipoxygenase reduced nodulation, supporting our view that nodule formation is a complex process involving lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase products. The inhibitory influence of dexamethasone was apparent within 2 h of injection, and nodulation was significantly reduced, relative to control crickets, over 22 h. The dexamethasone effects were reversed by treating bacteria-injected insects with the eicosanoid-precursor polyunsaturated fatty acid, arachidonic acid. Low levels of arachidonic acid were detected in fat body phospholipids, and fat body preparations were shown to be competent to biosynthesize eicosanoids from exogenous radioactive arachidonic acid. These findings in a hemimetabolous insect broaden our hypothesis that eicosanoids mediate cellular immune reactions to bacterial infections in most, if not all, insects.
Retention of differentiated characteristics in human fetal keratinocytes in vitro

Many of the morphologic and biochemical changes that occur during human fetal skin development have been described, yet there has been little experimental analysis of the processes that regulate the development of human fetal skin. This is due in part to difficulties in culturing human fetal epidermal keratinocytes. We have successfully cultured fetal keratinocytes in two different in vitro systems; in a serum-free keratinocyte growth medium (KGM) on tissue culture plastic and cocultured with dermal fibroblasts as spheroidal aggregates. To characterize these fetal keratinocytes in vitro we have assessed their ability to express several markers of epidermal differentiation. Human fetal keratinocytes grown on plastic in KGM stratify and express some of the components of the differentiated epidermis, such as involucrin and the high molecular weight keratins. However, these keratinocytes co-express keratins and vimentin and do not form a structured basement membrane. More characteristics of fetal skin are preserved in mixed aggregates of epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts including epidermal stratification, synthesis of basement membrane components, tissue-specific expression of intermediate filaments, involucrin, and expression of high molecular weight keratins. The maintenance of human fetal epidermal keratinocytes in these two in vitro systems and their ability to express many differentiated characteristics suggests that these cultures will be valuable for studies of the molecular mechanisms that regulate the regionally specific differentiation of the human fetal epidermis.
Selectivity of odorant-binding proteins from the southern house mosquito tested against physiologically relevant ligands

As opposed to humans, insects rely heavily on an acute olfactory system for survival and reproduction. Two major types of olfactory proteins, namely, odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and odorant receptors (ORs), may contribute to the selectivity and sensitivity of the insects’ olfactory system. Here, we aimed at addressing the question whether OBPs highly enriched in the antennae of the southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, contribute at least in part to the selective reception of physiologically relevant compounds. Using a fluorescence reporter and a panel of 34 compounds, including oviposition attractants, human-derived attractants, and repellents, we measured binding affinities of CquiOBP1, CquiOBP2, and CquiOBP5. Based on dissociation constants, we surmised that CquiOBP2 is a carrier for the oviposition attractant skatole, whereas CquiOBP1 and CquiOBP5 might transport the oviposition pheromone MOP, a human-derived attractant nonanal, and the insect repellent picardin. Binding of these three ligands to CquiOBP1 was further analyzed by examining the influence of pH on apparent affinity as well as by docking these three ligands into CquiOBP1. Our findings suggest that CquiOBP1 might discriminate MOP from nonanal/picaridin on the basis of the midpoint transition of a pH-dependence conformational change, and that MOP is better accommodated in the binding cavity than the other two ligands. These findings, along with previous experimental evidence suggesting that CquiOBP1 does not detect nonanal in vivo, suggest that OBP selectivity may not be clearly manifested in their dissociation constants.
Genetics of dietary obesity in AKR/JxSWR/J mice: segregation of the trait and identification of a linked locus on Chromosome 4

We describe a new multiple gene mouse model of differential sensitivity to dietary obesity that provides a tool for dissecting the genetic basis for body composition and obesity. AKR/J and SWR/J male mice, as well as male progeny of intercrosses between these strains, were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks beginning at 5 weeks of age. Body weight and energy intake were assessed weekly. At the conclusion of the dietary manipulation, an adiposity index was calculated by dividing the weight of seven dissected adipose depots by the carcass weight. AKR/J mice had approximately sixfold greater adiposity than SWR/J mice. Examination of the segregation of the adiposity trait in the progeny of crosses between these strains indicates that the trait is determined by a minimum of one to four genetic loci and that there is significant dominance of the AKR/J genotype. A preliminary analysis with markers linked to the known mouse obesity genes ob, db, tub, and fat showed no linkage with these loci. However, a quantitative trait locus was found that maps distal to the db gene on Chromosome (Chr) 4. This locus has been designated dietary obese 1 or Do1.
The power of social structure: How we became an intelligent lineage

New findings pertinent to the human lineage origin (Ardipithecus ramidus) prompt a new analysis of the extrapolation of the social behavior of our closest relatives, the great apes, into human ‘natural social behavior’. With the new findings it becomes clear that human ancestors had very divergent social arrangements from the ones we observe today in our closest genetic relatives.The social structure of chimpanzees and gorillas is characterized by male competition. Aggression and the instigation of fear are common place. The morphology of A. ramidus points in the direction of a social system characterized by female-choice instead of male–male competition. This system tends to be characterized by reduced aggression levels, leading to more stable arrangements. It is postulated here that the social stability with accompanying group cohesion propitiated by this setting is favorable to the investment in more complex behaviors, the development of innovative approaches to solve familiar problems, an increase in exploratory behavior, and eventually higher intelligence and the use of sophisticated tools and technology.The concentration of research efforts into the study of social animals with similar social systems (e.g., New World social monkeys (Callitrichidae), social canids (Canidae) and social rodents (Rodentia)) are likely to provide new insights into the understanding of what factors determined our evolution into an intelligent species capable of advanced technology.
Factors derived from the intrahospitable laboratories that cause stress in infirmary students

Quantitative, correlation cross-sectional study with descriptive analysis, whose objective was to assess the factors derived from the intra-hospitable laboratories that affect the stress appearance in Infirmary students. The sample consisted of 129 students, which voluntarily acceded to answer questionnaires Evaluative Scale de Hamilton for the Anxiety, validated in 2003, and Questionnaire KEZKAK, both adapted by the investigating group. The obtained data was processed through Microsoft Excel program, appearing: the 100% of the students presented Stress. From the manifestations of Stress, the tensional anxiety and insomnia appear with the biggest percentages. From the Stress producing Factors, in Student's competitions: "having errors on its work and harming the patient", and in the Educational "receiving contradictory orders" are the ones that present greater frequency of intensity, being the Educational factor the preponderant in the appearance of stress. One concludes that is necessary to adapt the educational positions of a guardian in the clinical practices given greater emphasis to the support that will have to be lend to student, with the purpose of diminishing stress an favoring the learning.
Thin film magnetoresistors in memory, storage, and related applications

This paper is a review of ferromagnetic metal film magnetoresistors for applications such as read transducers in advanced computer memory and storage technology (mainly bubble domain memories and magnetic recording systems). Uses of semiconductor Hall effect sensors in this environment are also reviewed, and wherever possible a comparison of the suitability of the two classes of sensors for a particular application is made. The paper includes a phenomenological treatment of galvanomagnetic effects, a brief discussion of materials, design considerations and applications, and a short section on device fabrication techniques.
Leverage and Returns: A Cross-Country Analysis of Public Real Estate Markets

The theoretical literature suggests a positive relation between financial leverage and asset returns, but the empirical evidence on this effect is mixed. We examine leverage effects in public real estate markets across eight countries with active public real estate markets. Cross-country public real estate markets provide an interesting testing ground given the significant use of leverage in real estate markets, the variation in REIT capital structures within and across countries, and the cross-country differences in liquidity, ownership, economic, institutional, and capital market structures. After carefully isolating leverage effects in firm-level returns, we find that leverage has a significant effect on returns both unconditionally and conditionally using standard asset pricing models. In addition, greater use of leverage during the 2007–2008 REIT crisis period is associated with larger share price declines.
The Use of Fluorescent Probes to Assess Oxidative Processes in Isolated-Perfused Rat Heart Tissue

The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in intact heart tissue has been assessed by direct ESR measurements, and indirectly by the formation of characteristic tissue products and the protective effects of various antioxidants. The development of lipid soluble esters of compounds which can be trapped intracellularly after hydrolysis, and which fluoresce after oxidation, has provided a new tool to investigate ROS in vitro. The utility of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFDA) in isolated-perfused rat heart tissue was investigated in the present study. DCFDA and its deacetylated form were incubated with various levels of hydrogen peroxide or t-butylhydroperoxide (tBOOH). Conversion of the diacetate form to a fluorescent product required 4-5 h with hydrogen peroxide and up to 24 h with tBOOH. In contrast, the deacetylated form fluoresced at 80% of maximum levels 1 h after the addition of 100 mM tBOOH. DCFDA was loaded into heart tissue by infusing for 10 min at a final concentration of 10 microM in Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer. After a 10 min washout period, analysis of freeze-clamped heart tissue revealed that the trapped material was readily converted to a fluorescent product by tBOOH, indicating hydrolysis had occurred. Fluorescence of material trapped in heart tissue was approximately 24% of the maximum achieved after oxidation with 100 mM tBOOH. This value decreased to 18 and 13% when the loading and washout periods were from 0 to 20 or 10 to 30 min of hypoxia, respectively. Similar results were obtained with the less readily oxidized dicarboxy derivative of DCFDA. Infusion of 500 microM tBOOH increased the oxidation of DCFDA in heart tissue from 24 to 31%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Absorption and Excretion of Riboflavin in the Rat: An Unusual Example of Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics

An estimation of the availability of riboflavin after oral administration of riboflavin-5′-phosphate is greatly complicated in the rat because of the occurrence of a complex and marked nonlinear, dose-dependent excretion of the vitamin. The total urinary recovery of riboflavin after intraperitoneal administration of riboflavin-5′-phosphate was found to be highly dose dependent in both normal and vitamin-deficient rats as well as in deficient rats with ligated bile ducts. The elimination of the vitamin involves at least two nonlinear processes occurring simultaneously and having opposite effects on the dose-total urinary recovery relationship. One process involves biliary excretion which increases disproportionately with increasing body levels of riboflavin. The other process appears to be a binding of the vitamin to tissues which function kinetically as deep compartments. Apparently, the higher the body level of the vitamin, the smaller is the fraction that can be „immobilized” in the compartments and the larger is the fraction that can be detected in the urine. Over the dose range studied, the nonlinear tissue binding phenomenon is predominant over the nonlinear biliary excretion in the riboflavin-deficient rat. The converse is true in the normal, nondeficient animal.
Pricing and Capacity Rationing for Rentals with Uncertain Durations

We consider a rental firm with two types of customers. Contract customers pay fixed, prenegotiated rental fees and expect a high quality of service. Walk-in customers have no contractual relations with the firm and are “shopping for price.” Given multiple contract and walk-in classes, the rental firm has to decide when to offer service to contract customers and what fees to charge walk-in customers for service. We formulate this rental management problem as a problem in stochastic control and characterize optimal policies for managing contract and walk-in customers. We also consider static, myopic controls that are simpler to implement, and we analytically establish conditions under which these policies perform optimally. Complementary numerical tests provide a sense of the range of systems for which myopic policies are effective.
The Impact of Brand Equity and Innovation on the Long-Term Effectiveness of Promotions

Abstract Although managers often hope to obtain long-term benefits with temporary marketing actions, academic studies imply that their chances are slim. Extant research has implicitly assumed that the brand itself carries no influence over whether marketing promotions have the power to lift sales permanently. Using panel data for seven years from 100 brands across seven product categories, the authors employ a two-stage approach in which long-term promotional effectiveness is first estimated with persistence modeling and then these effectiveness estimates are related to brand equity and new product introductions. By examining a broad range of brands in each category, the authors find that positive sales evolution from promotional efforts is fairly common, especially for small brands. Moreover, the authors find that both permanent and cumulative sales effects from marketing promotions are greater for brands with higher equity and more product introductions, whereas brands with low equity gain greater benef...
Characterization of Pt-Ru binary alloy thin films for work function tuning

This letter describes materials and electrical characterization of Pt-Ru binary alloy metal gate electrodes for control of the electrode work function. The work function of the Pt-Ru binary alloy system can be tuned over a wide range of 4.8-5.2 eV. The results indicate that the change of film properties, i.e., resistivity, work function, and crystal structure, with composition is consistent with the equilibrium phase diagram and that the work function in the face-centered cubic and hexagonal close-packed single-phase regions is only weakly dependent on composition, whereas a strong dependence is observed in the intermediate compositional range.
COMPUTER-ASSISTED TERRAIN STRATIFICATION

Terrain influences many ecological processes. Therefore, ecologists must consider terrain effects in sampling designs. Incomplete information on the ecological role of terrain, however, makes it difficult to account for terrain variability in sample designs. As a partial solution, we introduce a protocol that automatically stratifies complex terrain. This stratification method uses image-processing techniques to cluster digital images of slope, elevation, and aspect into homogeneous groupings. The technique is demonstrated for a stratification of complex terrain disturbed by a large forest fire. By identifying terrain complexity at several spatial resolutions, we were able to place transects that sample terrain variability and fire severity representatively across a controlled range of scales. [Key words: terrain, stratification, image processing, sample design.]
A 'current' statistical model and adaptive algorithm for estimating maneuvering targets

A "current model" concept for maneuvering targets is proposed in this paper and a modified Rayleigh density is proposed to describe the "current" probability density of target maneuvering acceleration. The physical relation between the state (acceleration) estimate and the mean value of the state noise in the special case discussed here is also pointed out. Based on these two points, an adaptive Kalman filter for the mean and variance of the maneuvering acceleration is given. Some computer simulation results in oneand three-dimensional cases are given. The simulation results show that the proposed adaptive algorithm can estimate well the states of highly maneuvering targets.
An Overview of Microsoft Web N-gram Corpus and Applications

This document describes the properties and some applications of the Microsoft Web N-gram corpus. The corpus is designed to have the following characteristics. First, in contrast to static data distribution of previous corpus releases, this N-gram corpus is made publicly available as an XML Web Service so that it can be updated as deemed necessary by the user community to include new words and phrases constantly being added to the Web. Secondly, the corpus makes available various sections of a Web document, specifically, the body, title, and anchor text, as separates models as text contents in these sections are found to possess significantly different statistical properties and therefore are treated as distinct languages from the language modeling point of view. The usages of the corpus are demonstrated here in two NLP tasks: phrase segmentation and word breaking.
Direct Bioelectrocatalysis of PQQ‐Dependent Glucose Dehydrogenase

The direct bioelectrocatalysis was demonstrated for pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ-dependent GDH) covalently attached to single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The homogeneous ink-like SWNT suspension was used for both creating the SWNT network on the microelectrode carbon surface and for enzyme immobilization. Functionalization of the SWNT surface by forming active ester groups was found to considerably enhance SWNT solubility in water with a range from 0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL. The PQQ-dependent GDH immobilized on the surface of the SWNTs exhibited fast heterogeneous electron transfer with a rate constant of 3.6 s � 1 . Moreover, the immobilized PQQ-dependent GDH retained its enzymatic activity for glucose oxidation. A fusion of PQQ-dependent GDH with SWNTs has a great potential for the development of low-cost and reagentless glucose sensors and biofuel cells.
EMAP: An aid to understanding energy conversion device performance

There is an ongoing effort to effectively use the computer in the teaching of electromagnetic energy conversion. To that end, a computer program (Electric Machine Analysis Program, or EMAP), was developed to facilitate steady state and dynamic analysis of all common rotating machine performance. EMAP also analyzes magnetic core and transformer operation and provides a format for simple power factor correction calculations. Although the program is designed for educational purposes, it can be, and has been, used to solve practical engineering problems.
Neutral curves and stability boundaries in stratified flow

An example is presented which shows that the boundary of stability in an antisymmetric stratified shear flow is not necessarily marked by steady neutral waves with c = 0. The stability characteristics of stratified shear flow in the neighbourhood of the neutral curve are also discussed.
Aerosol particle transport and deposition in vertical and horizontal turbulent duct flows

Aerosol particle transport and deposition in vertical and horizontal turbulent duct flows in the presence of different gravity directions are studied. The instantaneous fluid velocity field is generated by the direct numerical simulation of the Navier–Stokes equation via a pseudospectral method. A particle equation of motion including Stokes drag, Brownian diffusion, lift and gravitational forces is used for trajectory analysis. Ensembles of 8192 particle paths are evaluated, compiled, and statistically analysed. The results show that the wall coherent structure plays an important role in the particle deposition process. The simulated deposition velocities under various conditions are compared with the available experimental data and the sublayer model predictions. It is shown that the shear velocity, density ratio, the shear-induced lift force and the flow direction affect the particle deposition rate. The results for vertical ducts show that the particle deposition velocity varies with the direction of gravity, and the effect becomes more significant when the shear velocity is small. For horizontal ducts, the gravitational sedimentation increases the particle deposition rate on the lower wall.
Rubber Process Oils for Peroxide Curing of Ethylene—Propylene Elastomers

Abstract Ten rubber process oils were evaluated in a peroxide-cured EPDM compound. The effects of the process oil on cure-development characteristics and stress—strain properties are discussed. Certain types of molecular structures in the oil can significantly interfere with free-radical vulcanization, and analytical methods for the detection of these structures are provided. The combined effects of the process oil and the peroxide—coagent concentration are also described.
COPD: clinical significance of early diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To explain the differential diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and how COPD can be distinguished in patients who present with complaints of dyspnea, (shortness of breath on exertion), with the goal of improving earlier diagnosis. SUMMARY: It is important to differentiate COPD from other diagnoses when adult patients present with dyspnea. There are several key diagnostic indicators for COPD, including, most notably, a history of smoking and objective lung-function measurements. COPD remains an underdiagnosed disease, chiefly in its milder and more treatable form. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD)defined standards for COPD management consist of 4 components: (1) assess and monitor disease, (2) reduce risk factors, (3) manage stable COPD through education and nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic means, and (4) manage exacerbations. CONCLUSION: Updated standards for diagnosis and treatment-targeted pharmacologic agents have provided physicians and health care workers with more specific and targeted treatment modalities for early detection and treatment of this progressive disease. Early detection and more accurate diagnosis are key in improving outcomes and altering the progression of the disease.
Maintenance of long-term adequate levels of vitamin d lowers HbA1c in African American patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objectives : We examined the long-term effects of enhanced Vitamin D (VitD) supplementation on parameters of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): serum hemoglobin A1c, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, and triglyceride for the purpose of determining beneficial VitD levels in T2DM African Americans (AA). Design and Methods : Following inclusion criteria, retrospective charts of patients aged > 30 years were reviewed. VitD supplementation was given to patients as part of drug regimen over a three year continuum. Pearson correlations were used to assess the relationship between VitD levels and levels of each parameter. Repeated measure analysis of variance was conducted to identify difference in mean levels of each parameter between years with VitD included as part of therapy. Results : Vitamin D supplementation was inversely associated with HbA1c (r=2.286, P =.031). No correlation was found between levels of VitD and levels of LDL, HDL or TG. Hemoglobin A1c levels were found to be significantly different under VitD treatment between year 1 (mean VitD 24.75 mg/mL, mean HbA1c 9.15%, P =.000) and year 2 (mean VitD 33.84 mg/mL, mean HbA1c 7.91%, P =.000) and between year 1 and year 3 (mean VitD 34.46 mg/mL, mean 7.98% HbA1c P =.000). Conclusion : In T2DM AA, significant improvements in HbA1c are obtained with enhanced VitD supplementation as part of drug regimen over time. Our investigation provides the first known evidence of a relationship between enhanced VitD supplementation as part of a pre-existing medical regimen taken over long term and determinants of T2DM in a group of overweight and obese AA with T2DM. ( Ethn Dis . 2014;24[3]:335–341)
Acute exercise and gender alter cardiac autonomic tonus differently in hypertensive and normotensive rats

Arterial pressure (AP), heart rate (HR), cardiac sympathetic tonus (ST), and parasympathetic tonus (PT) were determined in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR, 8 male and 8 female) and Wistar-Kyot...
Can a Duty of Information Security Become Special Protection for Sensitive Data Under US Law

The US has taken a sectoral approach to information privacy law, resulting in a patchwork of different information privacy rights that vary widely in their scope and strength, and lacks either a general right of data protection or special protections for a defined category of sensitive data. A sectoral approach to information security law is now emerging in the US, and it is producing a patchwork of different duties to protect the security of certain types of personal information. When US information privacy law and information security law are considered together, what appears to be emerging is a de facto category of sensitive data, namely personal information that is subject to stringent information security requirements. Unlike the de jure concept of sensitive data defined by EU law which is intended to block the collection, processing or transfer of certain categories of personal information in order to guarantee fundamental dignitary interests, the new US duty to secure sensitive information represents a minor modification of the current practice of treating personal financial information as a commodity.
Hyperventilation-induced cerebral ischemia in patients with acute brain lesions: demonstration by xenon-enhanced CT.

PURPOSE To examine the possibility that hyperventilation, commonly used to prevent or treat increased intracranial pressure in patients with acute brain lesions, may induce significant cerebral ischemia. METHODS Local cerebral blood flow and vascular reactivity were measured before and after hyperventilation using xenon-enhanced CT in 12 patients with acute brain lesions. RESULTS Five patients showed "paradoxical" reactivity (increased cerebral blood flow during hyperventilation) within the lesions. In five patients, hyperventilation induced ischemia in apparently normal regions of brain. In three patients, areas of luxury perfusion became ischemic during hyperventilation, while in three patients, lesions with moderate ischemia became more ischemic. Most patients showed more than one type of reactivity. CONCLUSIONS These findings document hyperventilation-induced ischemia in acute brain lesions, and demonstrate that this phenomenon affects both injured and apparently intact areas of the brain. Further studies are required to determine the clinical significance of these pathophysiologic changes.
Describing and Probing Complex System Behavior: A Graphical Approach

Hands-on training and operation is generally considered the primary means that a user of a complex system will use to build a mental model of how that system works. However, accidents abound where a major contributing factor was user disorientation/misorientation with respect to the automation behavior, even when the operator was a seasoned user. This paper presents a compact graphical method that can be used to describe system operation, where the system may be composed of interacting automation and/or human entities. The fundamental goal of the model is to capture and present critical interactive aspects of a complex system in an integrated, intuitive fashion. This graphical approach is applied to an actual military helicopter system, using the onboard hydraulic leak detection/isolation system as a testbed. The helicopter Flight Manual is used to construct the system model, whose components include: logical structure (waiting and checking states, transitional events and conditions), human/automation cross communication (messages, information sources), and automation action and associated action limits. Using this model, examples of the following types of mode confusion are identified in the military helicopter case study: 1) Unintended side effects, 2) Indirect mode transitions, 3) Inconsistent behavior, 4) Ambiguous interfaces, and 5) Lack of appropriate feedback. The model also facilitates analysis and revision of emergency procedures, which is demonstrated using an actual set of procedures.
Measuring ppm with tennis shoes: Science and locally meaningful indicators of environmental quality

With the growth of programs aimed at participatory development and stakeholder based approaches to natural resources management, there is increasing interest in the development of indicators of environmental quality. These indicators not only allow local management of natural resources, but can also be useful as a tool for local empowerment in issues of natural resources management. They can be helpful to local people trying to determine whether community activities are degrading or improving environmental integrity and can help to widen the circle of people in the community concerned about natural resource issues. A stumbling block, however, is that indicators that are considered scientifically accurate are often dependent on larger environmental bureaucratic structures to develop this information. These structures are often lacking in rural communities; thus alternative indicators are needed . Various efforts have developed locally meaningful indicators that are scientifically valid as indicative of eco...
Child Protagonism in Transformational Community Development

The study draws from learning experiences in Latin America with emphasis on the concept protagonismo infantil (child protagonism). Child protagonism results in new understandings of childhood experiences in mission and development work today. The research focuses on the role children play in society and it looks to children as social actors who are participants in looking for solutions to problems affecting local communities. Children are often perceived as passive recipients in need of care. Without disregarding the need to protect and care for children, the study argues that children, as protagonists, seek to bring innovative solutions to community needs.
Inclusive education’s promises and trajectories: Critical notes about future research on a venerable idea

The purpose of this article is to offer critical notes on inclusive education research in the U.S. We discuss issues germane to conceptual clarity and the ways in which inclusive education interacts with reforms that share equity goals, noting disruptions and unintended consequences that arise at the nexus of these reforms. In addition, we identify enduring challenges and paradoxes in this research literature. These include sampling issues, an emphasis on where students are placed as a proxy for inclusive education vis-a-vis inclusive education as the transformation of educational systems, the ways in which outcome measures have been examined in this research, and the need for and challenges of building strategic alliances that could advance an inclusive education agenda. We conclude with reflections and suggestions for a future research program that include sharpening inclusion’s identity, attending to the fluid nature of ability differences and students’ multiple identities, broadening the unit of analysis to systems of activities, and documenting processes and outcomes.
Successful Immediate Newborn Ross-Konno and Mitral Valve Repair Following Fetal Aortic Valvuloplasty

Perinatal management of severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and aortic stenosis (AS) is difficult; mortality is high, and there are few reports of successful postnatal biventricular repairs. We report a patient with severe MR and AS, diagnosed prenatally, that underwent a fetal aortic valvuloplasty and a successful modified Ross-Konno procedure with concomitant mitral valve repair shortly after birth.
Carbon dioxide embolism during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

We present a 38-year-old woman with cholelithiasis having laparoscopic cholecystectomy. After two attempts of abdominal insufflation using CO2 and a Verres needle, the patient had symptoms consistent with a venous gas embolism. The patient was treated quickly and recovered without sequelae. Surgery was continued, and inspection of the liver showed two Verres needle puncture wounds.
Reevaluation of cytochrome b and flavin adenine dinucleotide in neutrophils from patients with chronic granulomatous disease and description of a family with probable autosomal recessive inheritance of cytochrome b deficiency

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a genetically heterogeneous syndrome characterized by a microbial killing defect of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) due to lack of superoxide O2-. 2 generation. Recent studies indicate that the neutrophil O2-.-generating system consists of at least two components, flavoprotein--flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)--and cytochrome b. We evaluate the cytochrome b and FAD content in PMN from 30 CGD patients. The method for quantitating cytochrome b was modified by using PMN sonicates incubated with azide plus hydrogen peroxide. With this approach, several absorption peaks corresponding to myeloperoxidase and eosinophil peroxidase, which overlap with peaks of cytochrome b, were obliterated from reduced-minus-oxidized spectra, whereas the peaks of cytochrome b were not and could be readily quantitated. Cytochrome b was detected in PMNs from all 24 normal adults (47.4 +/- 2.9 pmol/7.5 X 10(6) cells), was absent in PMNs from 11 male CGD patients and one female CGD patient but was present in normal amounts in PMNs from nine male and nine female CGD patients. Stimulated nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) tests performed on PMNs from mothers of CGD patients indicated that cytochrome b deficiency was associated with X-linked inheritance, except in one case in which probable autosomal recessive inheritance was demonstrated. The PMN NBT test of the mother of another male patient without cytochrome b deficiency suggested an X-linked form of inheritance. In related studies, the FAD content in PMN particulate fractions was reduced in 4 of 28 CGD patients studied. All four CGD patients with reduced FAD lacked cytochrome b. However, three patients with cytochrome b deficiency had normal FAD. Thus, the results indicate that PMN cytochrome b deficiency is observed in most X-linked and in some autosomal recessive CGD, that cytochrome b deficiency may be associated with FAD deficiency, and that cytochrome b and FAD are normal in most patients with non-X-linked CGD.
Treatment of Leg Ulcers

Leg ulcers represent the most common chronic wound in our population. This devastating problem often cripples patients, many of whom are in the prime of their working years. The resulting morbidity and financial cost are extraordinary. Fortunately, with the right approach, the vast majority heal with simple ambulatory outpatient therapy. The essential requirements for treating leg ulcers include a thorough understanding of lower extremity anatomy, vascular hemodynamics, and the management of trophic and inflammatory skin changes.
New perspectives in electrochemical processes on single-crystal surfaces from real-time FTIR spectroscopy

Quelques applications recentes de la spectroscopie infrarouge de surface a l’examen de processus electrocatalytiques aux interfaces metal monocristallin/solution aqueuse sont decrites. On a mis l’accent sur la combinaison des resultats obtenus, simultanement ou parallelement, par spectroscopie infrarouge en temps reel (FTIR) et par electrochimie. On a compare l’electrooxydation du monooxyde de carbone sur les plans d’indices simples du platine et du rhodium, a celle sur monocristaux d’or. Le role primordial de la formation d’ilots durant l’electrooxydation du CO adsorbe sur le platine et sur le rhodium est demontre par les donnees de spectroscopie infrarouge. L’effet important de l’orientation cristallographique de l’or sur la vitesse d’electrooxydation de CO est analyse en fonction des proprietes stereochimiques des surfaces et des proprietes d’adsorption des reactants. D’autres exemples sont fournis par la chimisorption dissociative du methanol et de l’ethanol sur Rh(100) et l’effet catalytique des adatomes de bismuth sur l’electrooxydation de l’acide formique sur Pt(100).
Mammary tumor fibroblasts are phenotypically distinct from non-tumor fibroblasts

A tumor contains cellular and extracellular elements. Although breast tumors themselves are primarily of epithelial origin, these tumor cells do not exist in isolation, but require interaction with their surrounding environment including fibroblasts, fat cells, extracellular matrix and vascular elements. Traditionally, studies of tumor growth have focused on the malignant epithelial cells themselves. There is increasing evidence that there is a role for interaction between the tumor epithelium and stroma in the development and progression of breast cancer. This chapter focuses on the fibroblast component of mammary tumors: the signals they produce and their potential influence on the growth of the tumor itself.
Operative and Immediate Postoperative Differences Between Traditional Multiport and Reduced Port Laparoscopic Total Splenectomy in Pediatric Patients.

Abstract Background: Laparoscopy offers many benefits to splenectomy, such as reduced incisional pain and shortened hospital duration. The purpose of this study is to evaluate procedural and outcome differences between multiport (MP) and reduced port (RP) splenectomy when utilized to treat children. Patients and Methods: An institutional review board approved retrospective analysis of all consecutive laparoscopic total splenectomies performed at a single institution between January 2010 and October 2015 was conducted. We evaluated demographics, surgical technique, instance of conversion, operative duration, estimated blood loss, need for intraoperative blood transfusion, postoperative length of stay, time to full feeds, complications, and follow-up duration. Results: Over a 5-year period, 66 patients less than 20 years of age underwent laparoscopic total splenectomy. RP splenectomy was attempted in 14 patients. The remaining 52 were MP operations. Populations were comparable with regard to demographics. P...
Stage-Specific Timing of the microRNA Regulation of lin-28 by the Heterochronic Gene lin-14 in Caenorhabditis elegans.

In normal development, the order and synchrony of diverse developmental events must be explicitly controlled. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the timing of larval events is regulated by hierarchy of proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) known as the heterochronic pathway. These regulators are organized in feedforward and feedback interactions to form a robust mechanism for specifying the timing and execution of cell fates at successive stages. One member of this pathway is the RNA binding protein LIN-28, which promotes pluripotency and cell fate decisions in successive stages. Two genetic circuits control LIN-28 abundance: it is negatively regulated by the miRNA lin-4, and positively regulated by the transcription factor LIN-14 through a mechanism that was previously unknown. In this report, we used animals that lack lin-4 to elucidate LIN-14’s activity in this circuit. We demonstrate that three let-7 family miRNAs—miR-48, miR-84, and miR-241—inhibit lin-28 expression. Furthermore, we show genetically that these miRNAs act between lin-14 and lin-28, and that they comprise the pathway by which lin-14 positively regulates lin-28. We also show that the lin-4 family member mir-237, also regulates early cell fates. Finally, we show that the expression of these miRNAs is directly inhibited by lin-14 activity, making them the first known targets of lin-14 that act in the heterochronic pathway.
From Surface Protrusion to Tether Extraction: A Mechanistic Model.

Human leukocyte rolling on the endothelium is essential for leukocyte emigration and it is a process regulated by many factors including shear stress, receptor–ligand kinetics, and mechanical properties of cells and molecules. During this process, both leukocytes and endothelial cells (ECs) are pulled by forces due to blood flow and both may experience surface protrusion and tether extraction. In this study, we established a two-scale (cellular and molecular) model of cellular deformation because of a point pulling force and illustrated how surface protrusion makes the transition to tether extraction, either gradually or abruptly. Our simulation results matched well with what was observed in the experiments conducted with the optical trap and the atomic force microscope. We found that, although the traditional method of determining the force loading rate and the protrusional stiffness were still reasonable, the crossover force should not be simply interpreted as the rupture force of the receptor-cytoskele...