cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Virtual Screening Performance of Protein Kinases with Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

In silico virtual screening (VS) is a powerful hit identification technique used in drug discovery projects that aims to effectively distinguish true actives from inactive or decoy molecules. To better capture the dynamic behavior of protein drug targets, compound databases may be screened against an ensemble of protein conformations, which may be experimentally determined or generated computationally, i.e. via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Several studies have shown that conformations generated by MD are useful in identifying novel hit compounds, in part because structural rearrangements sampled during MD can provide novel targetable areas. However, it remains difficult to predict a priori when an MD conformation will outperform a VS against the crystal structure alone. Here, we assess whether MD conformations result in improved VS performance for six protein kinases. MD conformations are selected using three different methods, and their VS performances are compared to the corresponding crystal st...
The Consumer as Creator: A Criticism of Faith in Limitless Ingenuity:

Belief in the unlimited ingenuity of man to overcome increasing leanness and depth of ores, to create fertile lands from barren deserts, and to discover new and abundant sources of energy to replac...
Direct Neural Control of Anatomically Correct Robotic Hands

This chapter presents a potential method of achieving dexterous control of a prosthetic hand using a brain-computer interface (BCI). Major control successes with invasive BCIs have been achieved by recording the activity of small populations of neurons in motor areas of the cortex. Even the activity of single neurons can be used to directly control computer cursors or muscle stimulators. The combination of this direct neural control with anthropomorphic hand prostheses has great promise for the restoration of dexterity. Based on users’ requirements for a functional hand prosthesis, a fully anthropomorphic robot hand is required. Recent work in our laboratories has developed two new technologies, the Neurochip and the Anatomically Correct Testbed (ACT) Hand. These technologies are described and some examples of their performance are given. We conclude by describing the advantages of merging these approaches, with the goal of achieving dexterous control of a prosthetic hand.
Consequences of delivery at home in a woman without prenatal care.

This is a case report of a 39-year-old multigravida woman without allopathic prenatal care who, after three previous caesarean sections, attempted to deliver her fourth child at home with the help of a direct entry midwife. During labour, fetal movement and fetal heart tones became undetectable, at which time the patient was referred by the midwife to the hospital. The patient was diagnosed with uterine rupture, bladder rupture and fetal demise; she was rushed to emergency surgery. The patient9s lack of allopathic prenatal care, attempt of vaginal birth after three previous caesarean sections, coupled with her desire for delivery at home, led to her complicated course. The patient related that she was never made aware that attempting a home birth after three prior caesarean sections put her at increased risk for complications, and she was also unaware that midwives could have varying levels of training.
Induction with Combined Modality Therapy Followed by Immunomodulated Post Remission Therapy for Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

Targeted modalities are playing a an increasing role in modern oncology. We have previously demonstrated that the unconjugated humanized anti-CD33 monoclonal antibody, HuM195 has activity in the setting of relapsed AML. Given these results, we designed a clinical trial investigating whether antibody therapy can be combined with other therapeutic approaches including dose intensive chemotherapy and drug/growth factor immunomodulation as the initial therapy for adults with AML and whether such patients can safely proceed to stem cell transplantation. Patients in this study were treated with MEC (mitoxantrone 8 mg/m 2 , etoposide 80 mg/m 2 , and cytarabine 1 gm/m 2 daily for 6 days). HuM195 was administered for 4 days at a dose of 12 mg/m 2 on days 6–9 and days 19–22. GM-CSF (250 ug/m 2 /day) was begun on day 8 and continued until neutrophil recovery. Patients who achieved CR and had a suitable related donor proceeded directly to allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Others received two additional cycles of high-dose cytarabine followed by autologous SCT augmented by combination cyclosporin and GM-CSF in an effort to induce an autologous graft versus leukemia (GvL) effect. Thirty patients have been treated to date (15 patients with de novo AML; 15 patients with secondary AML). The median age was 51 years (range 24–71). Nineteen of the 28 evaluable patients (68%) achieved CR with 14 of the 15 (93%) de novo AML patients achieving a CR. Three deaths from uncontrolled infection occurred during induction. In patients achieving CR, the median time to recover an ANC > 500/mm 3 was 23 days (range 20–36) and a platelet count > 20,000/mm 3 was 17 days (range 12–42). Four patients proceeded directly to allogeneic stem cell transplantation without any consolidation therapy and three remain free of disease with a median follow-up of 24 months. One patient is too early for evaluation. Five patients went on to autologous stem cell transplant (AuSCT) and two remain in remission after 13 and 24 months. Three patients relapsed after AuSCT. Two expired from refractory leukemia, and one was salvaged with allogeneic SCT. Among the AuSCT patients, the median time to recovery of the ANC > 500/mm 3 and platelet count > 20k/mm 3 was 7 days (range 1–9) and 7.5 days (range 5–22), respectively, comparable to patients who received standard induction regimens. There was no clinical evidence of graft verses host disease in the AuSCT patients. No evidence of veno-occlusive disease was observed after either autologous or allogeneic transplantation. Preliminary results suggest combined modality therapy is feasible and well-tolerated as initial therapy for AML. Patients are able to receive dose intensive consolidation therapy including transplantation safely after the use of an intensive induction with combined modality therapy incorporating HuM195. All patients who underwent an allograft after induction remain in remission with two year follow up. Further follow-up is needed to determine the effect on long term outcomes.
Hypoxia-Responsive 19F MRI Probes with Improved Redox Properties and Biocompatibility

19F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an emerging modality in biomedical imaging, has shown promise for in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies. Here we present a series of fluorinated Cu(II)ATSM derivatives for potential use as 19F magnetic resonance agents for sensing cellular hypoxia. The synthesized complexes feature a hypoxia-targeting Cu2+ coordination core, nine equivalent fluorine atoms connected via a variable-length poly(ethylene glycol) linker. Introduction of the fluorine moiety maintains the planar coordination geometry of the Cu2+ center, while the linker length modulates the Cu2+/+ reduction potential, 19F NMR relaxation properties, and lipophilicity. In particular, the 19F NMR relaxation properties were quantitatively evaluated by the Solomon–Bloembergen model, revealing a regular pattern of relaxation enhancement tuned by the distance between Cu2+ and F atoms. Finally, the potential utility of these complexes for sensing reductive environments was demonstrated using both 19F MR phantom i...
Competition amplifies drought stress in forests across broad climatic and compositional gradients

Forests around the world are experiencing increasingly severe droughts and elevated competitive intensity due to increased tree density. However, the influence of interactions between drought and competition on forest growth remains poorly understood. Using a unique dataset of stand-scale dendrochronology sampled from 6405 trees, we quantified how annual growth of entire tree populations responds to drought and competition in eight, long-term (multi-decadal), experiments with replicated levels of density (e.g., competitive intensity) arrayed across a broad climatic and compositional gradient. Forest growth (cumulative individual tree growth within a stand) declined during drought, especially during more severe drought in drier climates. Forest growth declines were exacerbated by high density at all sites but one, particularly during periods of more severe drought. Surprisingly, the influence of forest density was persistent overall, but these density impacts were greater in the humid sites than in more arid sites. Significant density impacts occurred during periods of more extreme drought, and during warmer temperatures in the semi-arid sites but during periods of cooler temperatures in the humid sites. Because competition has a consistent influence over growth response to drought, maintaining forests at lower density may enhance resilience to drought in all climates.
Eletrochemical Behavior and Corrosion Properties of Ti–6Al–4V Alloy Made by Selective Laser Melting for Immersion in Artificial Seawater at Different Temperature

Eletrochemical behavior and corrosion properties of a Ti–6Al–4V alloy fabricated by selective laser melting in artificial seawater at temperature ranges from 20 to 40 °C were investigated using electrochemical techniques, including potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and Mott-Schottky measurement, etc. Equivalent circuits were simulated to investigate alloy surface and analytic effects of temperature on interface of alloy and solution. The results showed that corrosion potential increased with temperature rise, and the EIS presented a single capacitive resistance characteristics. When the temperature reached 35 °C or above, passive current increased, while the passivation phenomenon was not obvious and corresponding radiating arc radius reduced, indicating that the resistance decreased, conductivity of surface passivation film improved, and corrosion performance improved. According to the Mott-Schottky curves, alloys exhibited n-type semiconductor characteristics. With increasing temperature, conductivity of passivation film enhanced, and alloy corrosion resistance decreased. At 40 °C, alloy possessed the worst corrosion resistance.
The Changing Context of Teaching and Implications for Teacher Education

ABSTRACTCurrent efforts to improve teacher quality are misguided by a misunderstanding of the education we need in the future. The efforts are rooted in an education paradigm that worked in the Ind...
Nursing Home Infection Control Program Characteristics, CMS Citations, and Implementation of Antibiotic Stewardship Policies: A National Study:

Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule required that nursing homes (NHs) develop an infection control program that includes an antibiotic stewardship component and employs a trained infection preventionist (IP). The objectives of this study were to provide a baseline assessment of (1) NH facility and infection control program characteristics associated with having an infection control deficiency citation and (2) associations between IP training and the presence of antibiotic stewardship policies, controlling for NH characteristics. A cross-sectional survey of 2514 randomly sampled US NHs was conducted to assess IP training, staff turnover, and infection control program characteristics (ie, frequency of infection control committee meetings and the presence of 7 antibiotic stewardship policies). Responses were linked to concurrent Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting data, which contain information about NH facility characteristics and citations. Descriptive ...
Release, Relax, Ready: A Rhythm-First, Holistic Approach to Teaching Tap Dance

Teaching tap dance offers dance educators an opportunity to move beyond the physical duplication of steps and into an experience that enriches both teacher and student. The integration of music the...
ROLE OF POLICY AND POLICY ADVOCACY IN PALLIATIVE AND END-OF-LIFE CARE FOR LGBTQ PERSONS

The role of policy in shaping the experience of LGBTQ persons in serious illness and at end of life has received scant attention. A growing body of literature recognizes gender identity as a contributor to significant inequities in access to care, and calls attention to the important role of family members of choice in end-of-life care planning and decision processes. This paper will examine the goals of policy in addressing the human rights and needs of LGBTQ older persons, and will place such goals in the context of changing social and cultural contexts, as well as existing statutory frameworks at both federal and state levels governing palliative and end-of-life care. Examples of progressive policy making in both New York State and through the World Health Organization’s public health initiative for strengthening palliative and end-of-life care will be examined. Implications for future directions in gerontology and gerontological research will be discussed.
Synthesis and Characterization of Partially and Fully Saturated Menaquinone Derivatives

Menaquinones (MKs) contain both a redox active quinone moiety and a hydrophobic repeating isoprenyl side chain of varying lengths and degrees of saturation. This characteristic structure allows MKs to play a key role in the respiratory electron transport system of some prokaryotes by shuttling electrons and protons between membrane-bound protein complexes, which act as electron acceptors and donors. Hydrophobic MK molecules with partially and fully saturated isoprenyl side chains are found in a wide range of eubacteria and archaea, and the structural variations of the MK analogues are evolutionarily conserved but poorly understood. For example, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, uses predominantly MK-9(II-H2) (saturated at the second isoprene unit) as its electron carrier and depends on the synthesis of MK-9(II-H2) for survival in host macrophages. Thus, MKs with partially saturated isoprenyl side chains may represent a novel virulence factor. Naturally occurring longer MKs a...
Exploring the gradient: The economic benefits of ‘nearby’ schools on rural communities

Abstract Little is known about the socioeconomic impacts of the presence or absence of schools on local communities. In other words, are communities better off with or without a local school in or near its community center? In one of the few studies on this, Lyson (2002) argued that the presence of schools provides significant social and economic benefits to rural communities including higher property values and incomes. The main goal if this paper is to interrogate the area outside villages – what we measure as a 5 mile gradient or boundary. The data for this study are drawn from US Census TIGER files, American Community Survey data, and the NY State Department of Education including public school finance, demographic, enrollment, and performance data. In short, we are modeling the gradient around villages to see if village economic indicators vary with the concentration of public schools and the distance schools are from the center of the village. We find strong support for the assumption that schools are important to the economic vitality of rural communities and support for our method of geo-locating community institutions and measuring distance and concentration - what we term School proximity Index (SPI). We find that housing values, per-capita income, and household income significantly and positively vary with our SPI above and beyond the effects of age-structure, proportion of households with children, proportion of population that is white, self-employment rates. It is important to note, however, that the causal direction of these effects remains uncertain. While the relationship is indeed positive, whether the presence of a school promotes enhance community vitality or enhance community vitality promotes the presence of a school must be further examined.
Color, Song, and Choice Diction: Using Chromomancy to Summon Worlds

In reflecting on my fieldwork in Denton, Texas, I continually find myself slipping through the cracks of that college town and into Nabonidus IV, the asteroid that formed the location of the three-session mini-campaign that a dungeon master named Liz Larsen ran during my visit. The two worlds interpenetrate in my memory, as if the surface of Denton funneled downward toward the Larsens’ apartment south of town, swirling my recollections around and depositing me on the slope of a lunar mountain, looking down over a forest of purple mushrooms. This chapter captures my experiences in Denton as an ethnography of at least two dimensions: first, and primarily, it is a description of Liz’s practices as a dungeon master; second, and inseparably, it is a description of a sub-universe that Liz created with those gamers and our negotiation with that place. Liz’s primary techniques are different from the worldbuilding techniques explored in the next chapter; here, the central concern is not how to build a world, but how to summon one, to experience an imagined world as a thing separate from yourself.
Toward Relationship Based Access Control for Secure Sharing of Structured Cyber Threat Intelligence

Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) represents cyber threat information which are critical to an organization. Structured Threat Information Expression (STIX) and Trusted Automated Exchange of Intelligence Information (TAXII) provide a standard to represent and share CTI in an efficient, structured and machine readable manner. In this paper, we provide a CTI sharing scenario in an organizational context and develop a Relationship Based Access Control (ReBAC) implementation to securely share CTI structured in STIX. We further discuss an organization’s scope for future analyses and actions on shared CTI.
Correcting Timing Mismatch of Interleaved ADCs Using DCT

Interleaved ADCs are used to increase sampling rate of available existing ADCs. By utilizing M ADCs, sampling rate can be increased by a factor of M. Interleaving of ADCs results in timing mismatch that causes nonuniform sampling. Timing mismatch correction in the frequency domain is considered in this paper. For a stationary signal the entire length of the nonuniformly sampled signal is transformed and timing mismatch is corrected in the frequency domain. Using the inverse Fourier transform, the uniformly sampled signal is reconstructed. The longer the signal, the better the performance in terms of correction. However, for a long signal long delay is required for correction. In image compression DCT is used for small blocks of an image. In this paper DCT is used to correct timing mismatch. Only M-point DCT is used for correction to minimize the delay. The experimental results show that the timing mismatch correction using DCT performs better than the DFT method.
Studying the association of plasma S100A12 and noninfectious pulmonary complication in infants and young children following cardiopulmonary bypass

Objective To examine the kinetics of plasma S100A12 and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) in infants and young children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass ( CPB),and to investigate whether they could protective the occurrence of noninfectious pulmonary complication (NPC) after cardiac surgery.Methods This was a case-control study.The subjects included all children aged ＜3 years old who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB during the period from June 1st to July 31st 2011.The patient who showed pulmonary inflammation or had abnormal liver or renal function before surgery was excluded.The remain patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether they had developed NPC postoperatively.Twenty patients were grouped into NPC because they developed the complications of pleural effusion,chylothorax,partial lung collapse,pulmonary hypertensive crisis,airway disorders,pneumothorax,pneumomediastinum,or phrenic nerve palsy.Forty patients were categorized into the no-NPC group.Plasma concentrations of S100A12 and sRAGE were measured using ELISA at baseline,before CPB,immediately after CPB,1 h,12 h and 24 h after operation.Differences concentrations between two groups were analyzed with t test.A stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to indentify the independent risk factor for NPC.A P value ＜0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results Plasma levels of S100A12 and sRAGE dramatically increased immediately after CPB ( P ＜ 0.01 ).The levels of sRAGE dropped to lower than baseline level (P ＜0.05),while S100A12 was still at high level 24h after operation (P ＜0.01 ).Levels of S100A12 and sRAGE immediately after CPB in NPC group were significantly higher than the no-NPC group (P ＜ 0.05).Twenty-four hours after operation,levels of S100A12 were still higher in NPC group than no-NPC (P ＜ 0.01 ),while levels of sRAGE were similar in the two groups ( P ＞ 0.05 ).In the stepwise logistic regression analysis,plasma S100A12 level immediately after CPB remained as a independently predictor for postoperative NPC (OR =1.042,95％ CI:1.010 ～ 1.076,P =0.011 ).Levels of S100A12 immediately after CPB were positively associated with mechanical ventilation time ( r =0.47,P ＜ 0.01 ),duration of surgical Intensive Care Unit ( r =0.407,P =0.002) and hospital stay ( r =0.421,P =0.01 ).Conclusions Plasma levels of S100A12 and sRAGE were significantly increased immediately after CPB and the elevated plasma S100A12 immediately after CPB served as an early reliable biomarker of the occurrence and the prognosis of NPC after CPB in infants and young children. Key words: S100A12; Soluble advanced glycation end products (sRAGE); Noninfectious pulmonary complication (NPC) ; Cardiopulmonary bypass; cardiac surgery; Congenital heart disease; Infant and young children ; Case-control; Correlation.
Modality and constitution in distinctively mathematical explanations

Lange (2013, 2016) argues that some natural phenomena can be explained by appeal to mathematical, rather than natural, facts. In these “distinctively mathematical” explanations (DMEs), the core explanatory facts are either modally stronger than facts about ordinary causal law or understood to be constitutive of the physical task or arrangement at issue. Craver and Povich (2017) argue that Lange’s account of DME fails to exclude certain “reversals”. Lange (2018) has replied that his account can avoid these directionality charges. Specifically, Lange argues that in legitimate DMEs, but not in their “reversals,” the empirical fact appealed to in the explanation is “understood to be constitutive of the physical task or arrangement at issue” in the explanandum. I argue that Lange’s reply is unsatisfactory because it leaves the crucial notion of being “understood to be constitutive of the physical task or arrangement” obscure in ways that fail to block “reversals” except by an apparent ad hoc stipulation or by abandoning the reliance on understanding and instead accepting a strong realism about essence.
The effects of male peers on the educational outcomes of female college students in STEM: Experimental evidence from partnerships in Chemistry courses

A major concern among universities around the world is that female students face gender bias, discrimination and related barriers in male-dominated STEM fields. To investigate this concern, we conducted a novel large-scale experiment of interactions between female and male students in one of the most important gateway courses for the Sciences and a course in which students interact one-on-one extensively throughout the term. Over the past four years, at a large public research university, we randomly paired every student enrolled in an introductory Chemistry lab (3,902 students and total N = 5,537). Using precise estimates from the experiment, we provide novel evidence that female students are not negatively affected academically by male partners. When assigned a male partner, female students do not receive lower scores or grades, and they are no more likely to drop the course or not continue in Chemistry or a STEM field. We also find that academically weaker female students are not negatively affected by male students and that female students are not negatively affected when paired with academically stronger male students. Although previous studies have documented that female students self-report experiencing gender bias from male peers in STEM, importantly, we do not find evidence that female students are negatively affected by male peers in intensive, long-term pairwise interactions in their course grades or future STEM course taking. The findings provide hopeful news for future trends in female representation in STEM fields.
SIR-GN: A Fast Structural Iterative Representation Learning Approach For Graph Nodes

Graph representation learning methods have attracted an increasing amount of attention in recent years. These methods focus on learning a numerical representation of the nodes in a graph. Learning ...
The validity of situation awareness for performance: a meta-analysis

Situation awareness (SA) is a widely used cognitive construct in human factors, often theoretically posited to be a critical causal factor and/or construct for performance. However, there are conce...
Updating Lessons in Conducting Basic Legal Research by Pro Se Litigants Who Cannot Afford an Attorney

Individuals who cannot afford lawyers need to have ready access to the tools used by lawyers in their practice of law—statutes, cases, legal encyclopedias, and formbooks. Equipped with these tools, the pro se researcher can more ably overcome the hurdle of locating authority, both in physical libraries and online, to support a valid legal argument. Armed with the knowledge gained from productive legal research, the pro se litigator can better take on the difficult role of self representation and move closer to equal access to justice.
New Medicines for Serious Diseases: The Case of the FDA’s Breakthrough Designation

In the late 2000s, early-stage clinical trials for personalized drugs unveiled large beneficial treatment effects. These findings created an unexpected regulatory challenge: by removing genuine clinical uncertainty on the best treatment alternative, they made randomized controlled Phase 3 trials ethically contestable. This paper studies how the program enacted in response to this challenge — the FDA's Breakthrough Therapy designation---has shaped pharmaceutical R&D. Our results suggest that the program's 2012 creation ignited a large amount of new drug R&D targeting serious and life-threatening conditions. According to the program's history, these impacts may not have been fully premeditated. Measured by medium-term anticipated drug approvals, these indirect program impacts could be as large direct ones.
Air Pollution Exposure and Daily Lung Function in COPD: Effect Modification by Eosinophilia.

Rationale Few studies have assessed personal exposure to pollutants and lung function among adults with COPD. Blood eosinophilia may be a biomarker of airway inflammation and pollution susceptibility. Objectives To evaluate if daily pollutant exposures are associated with lung function and if associations are modified by eosinophilia in COPD. Methods We recruited 30 former smokers with moderate-to-severe COPD living in the Boston area and followed them up to 4 non-consecutive months in different seasons. Participants measured morning lung function and carried a portable air quality monitor daily. Previous-day exposure to pollutants (PM2.5, NO2, and ozone) were measured by portable and community monitors. We constructed multi-level linear mixed-effects models with random intercepts for person and observation month, adjusted for temperature, humidity, age, sex, race, height, weight, income, and season, to assess associations of previous-day pollutant exposure with lung function and effect modification by eosinophilia ( 150 cells/µL). Results A total of 3,314 observations with exposure and lung function data were collected. Each IQR (5.1 ppb) higher previous-day personal exposure to NO2 was associated with a 11.3 mL (95% CI: -18.7, -4.0) lower FEV1 and a 18.0 mL (95% CI: -32.0, -4.2) lower FVC. Personal and community-level exposure to PM2.5 and community-level NO2 were negatively associated with FEV1 among the 55.2% of participants with eosinophilia (Pinteraction Conclusions Our study highlights the need to address air pollution exposure among COPD patients. Future research is needed to verify if eosinophilia is a biomarker for susceptibility to air pollution in COPD.
Orbital-Dependent Photodynamics of Strongly Correlated Clusters

Understanding the role of defect sites on the mechanism and lifetime of photoexcited state relaxation is critical for the ration-al design of advanced materials. Here, the ultrafast electronic relaxation dynamics of neutral nickel oxide clusters were inves-tigated with femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy and supported with theoretical calculations to reveal that their excited state lifetimes are strongly dependent on the nature of the electronic transition. Absorption of a UV photon produces short lived (lifetime ~110 fs) dynamics in stoichiometric (NiO)n clusters (n 2.5 ps) states. The atomic precision and tunability of gas phase clusters are employed to highlight a unique reliance on the Ni orbital contributions to the photoexcited lifetimes, providing new insights to the anal-ogous band edge excitation dynamics of strongly correlated bulk-scale NiO materials.
The "Double-Edged" Dilemma: The Eleventh Circuit's Devaluation of Mental Health Mitigators in Evans v. Secretary, Department of Corrections

In Evans v. Secretary, Department of Corrections, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit denied habeas corpus relief to a death row inmate who claimed that ineffective assistance of counsel prejudiced his death sentence hearing. Despite the defense counsel’s omission of evidence suggesting that the inmate suffered from various mental disabilities, the court resolved that such evidence would not have affected the jury’s ultimate recommendation of the death sentence because some of the evidence was stigmatized. This standard creates a burden that is far too great for individuals facing the death penalty and significantly minimizes the mitigating value of mental disabilities. The Eleventh Circuit should have adopted the “probing and fact-specific” analysis proposed by Judge Martin in her dissenting opinion, which examines whether a lower court properly gauged the value of the mental health evidence. This analysis would better protect prisoners suffering from mental disorders from undeserved death sentences.
Boundary Value Problems for Eaquations of Mixed Type

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights boundary value problems for the equations of mixed type. The problem is concerned with the question: which boundary value problems are well posed for the differential equation of mixed type. An effective numerical algorithm is developed based on the reduction of the boundary value problem into an elliptic problem with unusual non pseudolocal boundary conditions for which the Galerkin procedure works well. This problem is solved both analytically by using and modifying results of Kondratien on elliptic equations in conical regions and numerically by using and modifying standard Laplace inverters. The inverted Cauchy data on the parabolic line is used to obtain the solution in the hyperbolic region.
Abnormal dietary regulation of glutamine synthetase in Morris hepatomas.

The series of Morris hepatomas offer unique opportunities to investigate the regulation of the cancer cell and how this regulation differs from that found in normal liver. One area of special interest concerns the failure of certain anabolic enzymes in hepatomas to change specific activity in response to dietary changes of the host animal in a manner similar to the enzyme in normal or host liver. Siperstein et al. (1, 2) showed that the biosynthesis of cholesterol was not suppressed in hepatomas from rats fed a cholesterol rich diet whereas a sharp reduction in cholesterol biosynthesis occurred in the liver of identically fed, tumor-free rats. Subsequently, Brown, Goldstein, and Siperstein (3) demonstrated that the synthesis of the rate limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, β-hydroxy β-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase(HMG CoA reductase), was decreased in host liver when rats were subjected to the cholesterol rich diet; the synthesis of the enzyme in hepatomas did not change in response to an identical feeding schedule given to the host rat.
The economics of open source software for a competitive firm

Large quantities of software, ranging from operating systems to web servers to games, are now available as "open source software" or "free software". In many cases, this software is backed by large profit seeking corporations such as IBM. Traditional economic analysis is used to identify the costs and benefits to firms of using open source rather than proprietary solutions, particularly in the case of the firm releasing code to the world when not obliged to do so. Examples of large companies backing open source are examined in light of the profit motive. Additionally, open source is also analyzed as a quasi-public good.
Design of multiple frequency continuous wave radar hardware and micro-doppler based detection and classification algorithms

Micro-Doppler is defined as scattering produced by non-rigid-body motion. This dissertation involves the design of a multiple frequency continuous wave (MFCW) radar for micro-Doppler research and detection and classification algorithm design. First, sensor hardware is developed and tested. Various design tradeoffs are considered, with the application of micro-Doppler based detection and classification in mind. A diverse database of MFCW radar micro-Doppler signatures was collected for this dissertation. The micro-Doppler signature database includes experimental data from human, vehicle, and animal targets. Signatures are acquired from targets with varying ranges, velocities, approach angles, and postures. The database is analyzed for micro-Doppler content with a focus on its application to target classification. Joint time-frequency detection algorithms are developed to improve detection performance by exploiting noise-spreading and the micro-Doppler phenomenon. Following detection algorithm development, this dissertation covers the design of micro-Doppler feature extraction, feature selection, and classification algorithms. Feature selection is performed automatically via a Fisher score initialized sequential backward selection algorithm. Classification is performed using two distinct approaches: a generative statistical classification algorithm based on Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) and a discriminative statistical classification algorithm based on support vector machines (SVMs). Classifier performance is analyzed in detail on a micro-Doppler signature database acquired over a three-year period. Both the SVM and GMM classifiers perform well on the radar target classification task (high accuracy, low nuisance alarm probability, high F-measure, etc.). The performance of both classifiers is remarkably similar, and neither algorithm dominates the other in any performance metric when using the chosen feature set. (However, the difference between SVM and GMM classification accuracy becomes statistically significant when many redundant features are present in the feature set.) The accuracy of both classifiers is shown to vary as a function of approach angle, which physically corresponds to the angular dependence of micro-Doppler. The results suggest that overall classifier performance is more sensitive to feature selection than classifier selection (with GMM being more sensitive to redundant features than SVM). Both classifiers are robust enough to handle human targets attempting to evade detection by either army crawling or hands-and-knees crawling.
Formation of Silver and Gold Dendrimer Nanocomposites

Structural types of dendrimer nanocomposites have been studied and the respective formation mechanisms have been described, with illustration of nanocomposites formed from poly(amidoamine) PAMAM dendrimers and zerovalent metals, such as gold and silver. Structure of {(Au(0))n−PAMAM} and {(Ag(0))n−PAMAM} gold and silver dendrimer nanocomposites was found to be the function of the dendrimer structure and surface groups as well as the formation mechanism and the chemistry involved. Three different types of single nanocomposite architectures have been identified, such as internal (‘I’), external (‘E’) and mixed (‘M’) type nanocomposites. Both the organic and inorganic phase could form nanosized pseudo-continuous phases while the other components are dispersed at the molecular or atomic level either in the interior or on the surface of the template/container. Single units of these nanocomposites may be used as building blocks in the synthesis of nanostructured materials.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE CADAVERIC AND HYBRID III LUMBAR SPINES

This study identified the mechanical properties of 10 cadaveric and 2 Hybrid III lumbar spines. Eight tests were performed on each specimen: tension, compression, anterior shear, posterior shear, left lateral shear, flexion, extension, and left lateral bending. Each test was run at a displacement rate of 100 mm/sec. The maximum displacements were selected to approximate the loading range of a 50 km/h Hybrid III dummy sled test and to be non-destructive to the specimens. Load, linear displacement, and angular displacement data were collected. Bending moment was calculated from force data. Each mode of loading demonstrated consistent characteristics. Load-displacement curves of the Hybrid III lumbar spine demonstrated an initial region of high stiffness followed by a region of constant stiffness. The exception was the tension tests, as the steel cables in the spine seemed to dominate the mechanical response in tensile loading. Loading curves of cadaveric spines demonstrated an initial region of low stiffness followed by a region of increasing stiffness, typically a feature of soft tissue response. Notable findings included the observation that the whole cadaveric lumbar spine specimens are stiffer in posterior than in anterior shear. This finding is in contrast to motion segment studies, in which the opposite trend is observed.
Medical Biotechnology, United States Policies Influencing its Development

Introduction Definitions Factors Affecting the Commercial Development of Biotechnology Capital Availability Funding for Research and Development Patents University–Industry Relations Regulation of Products and Services Public Perception and Political Process Keywords: medical biotechnology
Politics Failed, Not Ideas

Why has little or no progress or innovation occurred in U.S. environmental law at the federal level since the 1990's? This provocative piece argues that the primary reason is that environmentalists have become the exclusive property of the Democratic party. The current situation is contrasted with the more productive period from the 1970's thru the 1990's when Republicans and Democrats competed for support from environmentalists.
Bilateral Phrenic Nerve Pacing (PNP) in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Patients: The Mayo Clinic Current Experience (P4.080)

Objective: To report two ALS patients who had bilateral PNP at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, and a third who went to the operating room (OR) yet, could not have the device placed. Background: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved PNP for ALS patients in September, 2011 under Humanitarian Device Exemption. A current post-approval study has been following patients with chronic hypoventilation, preserved phrenic nerve function, and who underwent surgical implantation of PNP. Methods: Case series of patients who went for PNP. Some of the studied clinical and safety data were; device related side effects, onset type (bulbar or limb), El Escorial class, time from diagnosis to surgery; and post procedure survival. Results: So far nine patients have been screened for the procedure; three patients actually went to the OR. The first was a 40 year old male with bulbar onset clinically probable ALS (El Escorial criteria). Time to surgery was 25 months. Post-operatively, he developed bilateral small apical pneumothorax that did not require intervention. Post procedure survival is >10 months (censored). The second case was a 43 year old female with limb onset laboratory supported probable ALS. Time to surgery was 18 months. Side effects included left posterior chest wall pain radiating to left shoulder and neck, relieved by turning one of the four leads off. There was also a lead site infection that was treated successfully with ciprofloxacin. Survival is >5 months (censored). The third patient was a 58 year old female with bulbar onset clinically probable disease. Despite the presence of bilateral phrenic nerve CMAPs and positive diaphragmatic movements in fluoroscopy and diaphragm ultrasound, the diaphragm could not be effectively stimulated intra-operatively. Therefore, the procedure was cancelled. Conclusion: PNP seems reasonably safe on the short run in carefully selected ALS patients. Future systematic studies are needed to understand the long term complications and benefits. Disclosure: Dr. Kazamel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Reeves has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sorenson has nothing to disclose.
Epistemic Foundationalism (II): Epistemic Intuitionism

Epistemic intuitionism provides an account of immediate justification that is currently unpopular among foundationalists. It is notorious particularly for its reliance on the doctrine of the epistemological given. Since there are various notions of the given in circulation, there are also various versions of intuitionism. To circumscribe the relevant versions of epistemic intuitionism, I find it useful to distinguish four general kinds of given: the phenomenological given, the factual given, the linguistic given, and the epistemological given.1
The Effects of Buffer pH and Storage Time on the Electrophoretic Properties of Embryonic Hemoglobin

Abstract THERE have been conflicting reports in the literature concerning the number of adult avian hemoglobins and the number of molecular forms of hemoglobin found in developing chick embryos of various ages (Fraser, 1964; Hashimoto and Wilt, 1966; Manwell et al., 1963; Simons, 1966; and Washburn, 1968a). It has been demonstrated that genetic changes in the adult hemoglobin type influence the embryonic hemoglobin types (Denmark and Washburn, 1968). The effect of adult hemoglobin genotype on embryonic hemoglobin could explain some of the disagreement found in the literature pertaining to the hemoglobin types of chick embryos at various ages. In addition, various other factors such as storage, denaturation of the hemoglobin sample and the pH of different buffers used in electrophoretic analyses may also have an effect on the migration and separation of hemoglobin components found in the blood of chick embryos (Manwell et al., 1963, 1966; Fraser, 1964). Using starch gel…
The Use of Uncertainty in a Simultaneous Search

Shannon's measure of uncertainty entropy is used to plan a simultaneous search for the extreme of a unimodal function of one variable. A general expression is developed to express the expected uncertainty about the location of the extreme of the function after the N-point function has been evaluated at H points. The optimum locations of these H evaluations are then found by choosing them so as to minimize the expected uncertainty. The method requires that the user assign values to the probability that the extremum lies at each of the N locations. In so doing it enables him to develop a search policy that reflects his prior partial knowledge about the location of the extremum. It is shown that the entropy policy is identical to the min-max policy for the special case of equal initial probabilities.
Cerebral venous thrombosis: Role of activated protein C resistance and factor V gene mutation

The number of well-described familial and acquired conditions that are predisposing factors for thrombosis continues to increase. Although most are uncommon, in 1993 a new condition that has ultimately been recognized as activated protein C resistance (APC-R) was reported.1 This condition is present in approximately half of thrombosis-prone families and has an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern with variable penetrance.2 The genetic basis for APC-R is a point mutation in the coagulation factor V gene at the site where APC inactivates Va (Arg506).3 This common factor V gene mutation (Arg506Gln), also termed factor V Leiden, leads to thrombosis caused by the persistence of a degradation-resistant Va procoagulant in homozygous and heterozygous individuals. Factor V Leiden is seen in 90% of patients with venous thrombosis and APC-R, suggesting that there may be other genetic or functional defects responsible for APC-R in a minority of patients.4 The prevalence of the factor V mutation varies by geography and ethnicity, ranging from 2% to 15% in western societies.4 At present, it is considered to be the most common mutation in the European gene pool, leading Dahlback4 to speculate that it may convey a survival advantage. The clinical significance of the factor V Leiden mutation in peripheral venous thrombosis has now become firmly established. APC-R is found in 20% to 60% of patients with deep venous thrombosis, depending on …
Apparent absence of Na+H+ antiport activity in the two-cell mouse embryo

Abstract We have used the pH-sensitive dye BCECF to investigate the regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) by two-cell stage mouse embryos in bicarbonate-free medium. There is no indication of a Na + H + antiport active in regulating pHi, as recovery from acid-loading was insensitive to amiloride, ethylisopropylamiloride, or the absence of extracellular Na+. Instead, protons appear to be in equilibrium across the plasma membrane, as indicated by the response of pHi to changes in external K+. The embryos have an intracellular buffering power in the normal range (25.3 mM/pH); their apparent permeability to protons is, however, very high (0.22 cm/sec).
Dose equivalent commitments from fallout radionuclides in the open waters of the Great Lakes. 1973-1981.

The levels of 144Ce, 137Cs, 125Sb, and 90Sr in the open waters of the Great Lakes were measured over the period 1973–81. The levels were found to be very low. 144Ce was detected only up to 1975 after which it dropped below the detection limit. The data indicate that the concentrations of the remaining three radionuclides have decreased with time. 90Sr and 137Cs provide essentially all of the radiological dose from drinking Great Lakes water. The dose equivalant commitments have been calculated from these measurements and found to be well within the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement's water quality objective for radioactivity.
bioPrint: an automatic deposition system for bacteria spore actuators

We propose an automatic deposition method of bacteria spores, which deform thin soft materials under environmental humidity change. We describe the process of two-dimensional printing the spore solution as well as a design application. This research intends to contribute to the understanding of the control and pre-programming the transformation of future interfaces.