cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
S and G2 Phase Roles for Cdk2 Revealed by Inducible Expression of a Dominant-Negative Mutant in Human Cells

Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) is essential for initiation of DNA synthesis in higher eukaryotes. Biochemical studies in Xenopus egg extracts and microinjection studies in human cells have suggested an additional function for Cdk2 in activation of Cdk1 and entry into mitosis. To further examine the role of Cdk2 in human cells, we generated stable clones with inducible expression of wild-type and dominant-negative forms of the enzyme (Cdk2-wt and Cdk2-dn, respectively). Both exogenous proteins associated efficiently with endogenous cyclins. Cdk2-wt had no apparent effect on the cell division cycle, whereas Cdk2-dn inhibited progression through several distinct stages. Cdk2-dn induction could arrest cells at the G1/S transition, as previously observed in transient expression studies. However, under normal culture conditions, Cdk2-dn induction primarily arrested cells with S and G2/M DNA contents. Several observations suggested that the latter cells were in G2 phase, prior to the onset of mitosis: these cells contained uncondensed chromosomes, low levels of cyclin B-associated kinase activity, and high levels of tyrosine-phosphorylated Cdk1. Furthermore, Cdk2-dn did not delay progression through mitosis upon release of cells from a nocodazole block. Although the G2 arrest imposed by Cdk2-dn was similar to that imposed by the DNA damage checkpoint, the former was distinguished by its resistance to caffeine. These findings provide evidence for essential functions of Cdk2 during S and G2 phases of the mammalian cell cycle.
Design of an integrating cavity absorption meter

The design of integrating cavity absorption meters of general geometry is analyzed for cases in which the incident illumination of the cavity is spatially uniform and isotropic, such as the meter of Fry et al. [Appl. Opt. 31, 2055 (1992)]. The analysis by Kirk [Appl. Opt. 34, 4397 (1995)] for the probability of photon survival in a spherical meter is extended to general geometries. An estimate of the effect of the shape of the cavity on the estimated absorption coefficient is given.
Cognitive Remediation in Schizophrenia

Cognitive deficits are routinely evident in schizophrenia, and are of sufficient magnitude to influence functional outcomes in work, social functioning and illness management. Cognitive remediation is an evidenced-based non-pharmacological treatment for the neurocognitive deficits seen in schizophrenia. Narrowly defined, cognitive remediation is a set of cognitive drills or compensatory interventions designed to enhance cognitive functioning, but from the vantage of the psychiatric rehabilitation field, cognitive remediation is a therapy which engages the patient in learning activities that enhance the neurocognitive skills relevant to their chosen recovery goals. Cognitive remediation programs vary in the extent to which they reflect these narrow or broader perspectives but six meta-analytic studies report moderate range effect sizes on cognitive test performance, and daily functioning. Reciprocal interactions between baseline ability level, the type of instructional techniques used, and motivation provide some explanatory power for the heterogeneity in patient response to cognitive remediation.
Ab initio calculations of intramolecular parameters for a class of arylamide polymers

Using DFT methods, we have determined intramolecular parameters for an important class of arylamide polymers displaying antimicrobial and anticoagulant inhibitory properties. A strong link has been established between these functions and the conformation that the polymers adopt in solution and at lipid bilayer interfaces. Thus, it is imperative for molecular dynamics simulations designed to probe the conformational behavior of these systems to accurately describe the torsional degrees of freedom. Standard force fields were shown to be deficient in this respect. Therefore, we have computed the relevant torsional energy profiles using a series of constrained geometry optimizations. We have also determined electrostatic parameters using our results in combination with standard RESP charge optimization. Force constants for bond and angle potentials were calculated by iteratively matching quantum and classical normal modes via a Monte Carlo scheme. The resulting new set of parameters accurately described the conformation and dynamical behavior of the arylamide polymers.
Full Versus Half Aortic Ligation

Background: Skeletal muscle ventricles have been shown to provide effective aortic diastolic counterpulsation in an experimental model. Construction has included full ligation of the thoracic aorta. The authors sought to determine if these muscle pumps could function effectively without fully ligating the aorta. Methods: Skeletal muscle ventricles were constructed in two groups of dogs. Group 1 had their aortas fully ligated (n = 10) while group 2 had their aortas narrowed by 50% (n = 10). The animals were followed for 10 weeks. Results: There was no significant difference in femoral diastolic augmentation at implant or at 10 weeks (19.1%± 9.9% in group 1 [full ligation] versus 16.3%± 10.2% in group 2 [half ligation] p = 0.502). Survival to 10 weeks was significantly better in group 1 (full ligation). Nine of 10 animals in this group survived versus 4 of 10 in group 2 (p = 0.019). Two animals survived in the half ligation group with effective augmentation and without thrombus formation. Conclusion: Both models produce effective diastolic counterpulsation. Survival was decreased in this model using half ligation, and survival without complication was observed in 2 of 10 animals. Currently the overall results are better with the full aortic ligation model. However, design modifications will probably result in an effective model of diastolic counterpulsation without full aortic ligation. (J Card Surg 7998;13:242–251)
Survey Responses: Mail Versus Email Solicitations

Surveys, particularly electronic surveys, are becoming popular methods of eliciting consumer responses. For example, many businesses now have survey sites printed on the bottom of receipts with some future discount as an enticement to participate. Clearly, the intent of such incentives is to stimulate participation. Surveys have also become popular in academia, but rarely are incentives offered. Clearly, those in academia also prefer a high participation rate, but without financial incentives what can be done to encourage participation? This research attempts to address that question.
Carcinoma of the Cervix in a Thirteen-Year-Old Patient

Summary 1. A case of undoubted adenocarcinoma of the cervix in a thirteen-year-old girl is the third case below the age of fourteen recorded in the available literature. 2. Carcinoma of the cervix below the age of twenty is extremely rare. 3. Cervical carcinoma is not rare between twenty and thirty and the danger of employing the expression “cancer age” literally is obvious. 4. There are many cases of carcinoma of the cervix reported in nulliparous women.
The Impact of Discretionary Disclosure on Financial Reporting Systems: An Extension of Bayesian Persuasion

We use a Bayesian persuasion model to consider how a firm’s design of its financial reporting system may be impacted by subsequent receipt and discretionary disclosure of private information. The firm’s objective is to induce posterior expectations that meet a threshold. In the absence of private information, the firm prefers an imperfectly informative reporting system, notwithstanding that a perfectly informative reporting system is costless. Anticipating private information may cause the firm either to increase or decrease the reporting system’s informativeness, depending on prior beliefs and the informativeness of private signals. However, whichever direction the impact of private information on the financial reporting system may take, the introduction of private information makes the firm unambiguously worse off. Setting aside feasibility issues, mandatory disclosure of private information may either increase or decrease the firm’s welfare. Interestingly, there may also exist an equilibrium in which the firm chooses to never disclose private information.
ANALYSIS OF SUMMERTIME DAILY PRECIPITATION FOR THE OKEFENOKEE SWAMP REGION

An assessment of the summertime precipitation climate for the Okefenokee Swamp region was undertaken utilizing daily precipitation data from meteorological sites near the swamp for the period 1955-1980. “Runs of dry days” were investigated in relation to total seasonal precipitation and with regard to the distribution of runs by length. Utilizing Markov chain analysis and regression techniques, relationships between the length of runs of dry days and total seasonal precipitation as well as cumulative number of runs of dry days and total seasonal precipitation were established. However, further analysis of the intensty distribution of daily precipitation suggested that the summertime precipitation climate could best be described utilizing an assessment of days with a significant amount of precipitation rather than by studying runs of dry days. An analytical definition of a “significant rain day” was attempted utilizing the correlation of the number of rain days exceeding a given daily precipitation thresho...
Weak-Shock Interactions with Transonic Laminar Mixing Layers of Fuels for High-Speed Propulsion

This paper extends to transonic mixing layers an analysis of Lighthill (“Reflection at a Laminar Boundary Layer of a Weak Steady Disturbance to a Supersonic Stream, Neglecting Viscosity and Heat Conduction,” Quarterly Journal of Mechanics and Applied Mathematics, Vol. 54, No. 3, 1950, pp. 303–325.) on the interaction between weak shocks and laminar boundary layers. As in that work, the analysis is carried out under linear-inviscid assumptions for the perturbation field, with streamwise changes of the base flow neglected, as is appropriate given the slenderness of the mixing-layer flow. The steady-disturbance profile is determined by taking a Fourier transform along the longitudinal coordinate. Closed-form analytical functions for the pressure field are derived in the small- and large-wave-number limits, and vorticity disturbances are obtained as functions of the pressure perturbations. The analysis is particularized to ethylene–air and hydrogen–air mixing layers, for which the dynamics are of current inte...
Is Undergraduate Environmental Engineering Education Desirable

A feasible undergraduate curriculum in environmental engineering is presented, but the writer raises questions as to its desirability. Additional specialized courses are necessary to make the program worthwhile, but ECPD criteria require basic science and engineering which precludes very much specialization. Graduate work is necessary for adequate preparation for professional jobs even if indicated undergraduate preparation is obtained. At the Third National Conference on Environmental Engineering Education in 1973, a task force recommended a specialized undergraduate curriculum in environmental engineering. The advantages were: (1) More efficient use of the students' time by deleting unnecessary courses; and (2) better education for the field by including necessary courses. Opponents feel that a high degree of specialization at the undergraduate level is not desirable. The writer is chairman of the Education Committee of the Academy of Environmental Engineers. An analysis by the committee of the recommendations and the ECPD criteria for accreditation is presented along with a possible curriculum.
On the Transvaluation of Values

Nietzsche and Foucault are easily linked. Foucault disconcerts (Taylor 1986, p. 69), Nietzsche confounds, allures and forbids (Heller 1988, p. 17). Both are “prophets of extremity” (Megill 1985), sharing a severe skepticism of knowledge, a radical perspectivism for methodological analysis, and an overarching aestheticism. Each might be read as a “determined joker” (Foot 1991), not literally but ironically, not as guides but as opponents, whose work, like that of an artist, exists “in a state of tension with the given.” (Megill 1985, p. 315) Not only did Foucault himself address his indebtedness to Nietzsche, he has been called “Nietzsche’s closest successor” (Megill 1985, p. 30), based on the comparison both of the manifest product and methodology of their respective critiques; when Foucault summarizes his endeavor to create a history of the different modes by which, in our culture, human beings are made subjects (that is to say, the objectivization of the individual and his subjection to control (Foucault 1983a, p. 208)), there is a strong resemblance to Nietzsche’s orientation. But Foucault’s most obvious intersection with Nietzsche concerns genealogical analysis that probes the developmental process by which man has become an “object” — as opposed to his self-asserted “subjectedness.”
Vasectomy and Vasovasostomy. II. A Comparison of Two Methods of Vasovasostomy: Silastic Versus Chromic Stents *

Twelve adult, bilaterally vasectomized dogs were used to compare two different procedures for reuniting the severed vas deferens. Approximately 5 months postvasectomy six dogs had vasovasostomies utilizing Silastic stents and the vasa deferentia of six additional dogs were rejoined with intravasal chromic stents. Ejaculates were subsequently obtained at 2-week intervals and evaluated for sperm count, motility, viability, and seminal ion concentrations. All of the dogs in which Silastic had been utilized as the stent had sperm reappear in the ejaculate, whereas only 40% of the dogs in which chromic catgut had been utilized had reappearance of spermatozoa. The over-all quality of the ejaculate was also better in the animals in which Silastic had been utilized. Testicular and epididymal histology was normal in most dogs of both groups, but three of the dogs with chromic stents in which the anastomosis had not been a success had abnormal histology, with reduced numbers of spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa. The data suggest that Silastic stents are better than chromic stents for vas reanastomosis. They also suggest that some dog testes react negatively to vasectomy and do not recover by 1 year postvasectomy when vas patency is not reversed.
Edukacja wielokulturowa. Model translacyjny

Proponents of multicultural education have long held that teaching for cultural competency is a primary aim. This has often been accomplished through educating students and professionals about the various traits and general characteristics which members of oppressed social groups would generally exhibit. Recent scholarship, however, suggests that this approach often inhibits practitioners from making the appropriate insights, making for worse and not better outcomes. What is needed, it would seem, is a new model of pedagogy for cultural competency which takes up a different, or more careful approach. The present essay does just this by developing Paul Ricoeur’s account of translation for multicultural education.
Generalized Inferential Control Strategy for Expert System and its Application in Inertial Navigation System

Based on the study of the constructional theory of Expert System, this paper presents an generalized Inferential Control Strategy(ICS) with construction as its core. It also presents a fundamental principle on construction identifying and a general method on generalized ICS of Expert System. At last, the diagnosiss whole construction and inferential process based on the generalized ICS are given, with the fault diagnosis of Integral Navigation System as its applied background.
An Exploration about China Tourism Enterprises Organization

With the serious competition among tourism enterprises,tourism enterprises with non multi-industry find it difficult to compete with international tourism organizations.As a result,there is an urgent demand to the rapid development of China Tourism Enterprises Organization to find its place in the international market.
Discussion on Test Standard for Acid Mist Proofing Performance of Valve Controlled Sealing Lead-acid Battery

This paper introduces detection method and requirements for acid mist proofing performance of valve controlled sealing lead-acid battery in GB / T 19638. 2 and YD / T 799—2010. According to acid base titration( ration) and method of precipitation( quantitative) in these two standards,detection on lead-acid batteries with same specifications and of same batches was carried out and testing results were discovered different. Amount of acid mist detected by acid base titration was 0. 056 8 mg / Ah which exceeded specified 0. 025 mg / Ah and was disqualified. While no sediment was observed in No. 3 absorption bottle in precipitation test which proved detection result qualified. By analyzing details of these two testing methods,it was considered that these two specified detection methods were both of deficiencies to be perfected.
Boundary Work: Presenting Science in Context

The preface and introduction said this book would talk about how popular science writing can do a better job of fostering critical conversations about science, especially science that affects, or is of interest to, civil society. After pausing for few chapters to talk about rhetorical theory (Chapter 2), the history of scientific writing (Chapter 3), and what popular science writers say about their craft (Chapter 4), I am turning my attention to that promised topic with these five ‘application’ chapters. The first four chapters in this part look at relationships—the relationships between the sciences and the other parts of civil society (this chapter), between different kinds of expertise (Chapter 6), between writers and readers (Chapter 7), and between readers and science (Chapter 8). The final application chapter draws together strands from Chapters 5–8 in a discussion of applying CUSP (Critical Understanding of Science in Public) principles to controversial areas of science and questions of risk.
Abstract P95: Fibrinolysis and Mortality of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients at Hospitals Without Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Capability

Objective: Despite efforts to regionalize care for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), some patients continue to be treated at hospitals without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) capability. In this study, we examined in-hospital mortality rates at these STEMI referral hospitals in Florida during 2001-2007. Methods: We classified hospitals based on their total PCI volumes (regardless of diagnosis) on a quarterly basis. Our study population included STEMI patients admitted to hospitals with total PCI volume = 0 for the quarter of their admission. In-hospital mortality and fibrinolysis treatment rates were calculated for all patients, and for the subset of patients who were not transferred to another acute-care general hospital. We analyzed hospital discharge data with 100% coverage (no sampling) for the state of Florida. Results: There were 32,371 STEMI patients admitted to 165 hospitals with PCI volume = 0 during 2001-2007. The majority of patients were white (77.3%) and male (57.7%), with sizeable numbers of Hispanics (14.7%, n=4,776) and Blacks (8.0%, n=2,602). Most patients were 65-84 years old (49.0%), with 31.5% 85 years old. Throughout the study period, approximately 50% of these patients were transferred out to another hospital. However days-to-transfer was > 2 days for the majority of patients in 2001, although time-to-transfer did improve in more recent years. In-hospital mortality rates were high - 13.9% for all patients and 28.0% for non-transferred patients - and did not decline over the study period. Use of fibrinolytics was low (<20% of patients in early 2001) and declined steadily to 4.4% in late 2007. Non-transferred patients who did not receive fibrinolysis were 36% more likely to die (28.4% vs. 20.8%), with the benefit of fibrinolysis strongest among patients aged < 65 years old (mortality 7.5% vs. 19.0%). Conclusions: Use of fibrinolysis was low and in-hospital mortality was relatively high among STEMI patients treated at non-PCI capable hospitals in Florida, adding support to the importance of implementing routine diversion/rapid transfer protocols in accordance with AHA Mission: Lifeline goals.
Impact of the Economic Structure of Cities on Urban Scaling Factors: Implications for Urban Material and Energy Flows in China

Summary We explore the population-scaling and gross domestic product (GDP)-scaling relationships of material and energy flow (MEF) parameters in different city types based on economic structure. Using migration-corrected population data, we classify 233 Chinese city propers (Shiqu) as “highly industrial” (share of secondary GDP exceeds 63.9%), “highly commercial” (share of tertiary GDP exceeds 52.6%), and “mixed-economy” (the remaining cities). We find that, first, the GDP population-scaling factors differ in the different city types. Highly commercial and mixed-economy cities exhibit superlinear GDP population-scaling factors greater than 1, whereas highly industrial cities are sublinear. Second, GDP scaling better correlates with city-wide MEF parameters in Chinese cities; these scaling relationships also show differences by city typology. Third, highly commercial cities are significantly different from others in demonstrating greater average per capita household income creation relative to per capita GDP. Further, highly industrial cities show an apparent cap in population. This also translates to lower densities in highly industrial cities compared to other types, showing a size effect on urban population density. Finally, a multiple variable regression of total household electricity showed significant and positive correlation with population, income effect, and urban form effect. With such multivariate modeling, the apparent superlinearity of household electricity use with respect to population is no longer observed. Our study enhances understanding of MEFs associated with Chinese cities and provides new insights into the patterns of scaling observed in different city types by economic structure. Results recommend dual scaling by GDP and by population for MEF parameters and suggest caution in applying universal scaling factors to all cities in a country.
Anesthesia and Procedural Care for Brachytherapy

The cornerstone to providing safe, effective anesthesia during brachytherapy is a thorough pre-procedural evaluation. An individualized anesthesia plan should be developed well in advance of any foreseen procedure to mitigate patient risk and allow ample time for changes in the anesthetic plan. In general, the indications and risks to patients receiving anesthesia for brachytherapy are similar to other procedures and established pre- and post-procedural instructions should be given, and explained to all patients. In patients deemed at high risk for thrombosis (e.g., certain cardiac dysrhythmias, prosthetic heart valve, history of deep vein thrombosis or prior thromboembolism) warfarin should be bridged with enoxaparin or low molecular weight heparin to minimize peri-procedural risk of bleeding. Premedication may be given to the patient for anxiolytics or post-procedural nausea and vomiting prophylaxis. Site-specific brachytherapy discharge instructions should be provided and red-flag symptoms should be reviewed with the patient prior to procedural discharge.
Desmin and Peroxiredoxin-2 are Potential Biomarkers for Pork Tenderness

Aged pork loins were selected to have similar ultimate pH, color, lipid content, and purge. The star probe values (kg) obtained from these loins were evaluated and loins were sorted into either a low star probe (LSP) group or a high star probe (HSP) group. Two-dimensional difference in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) was used to identify differences insarcoplasmic proteomes between LSP and HSP groups. Metabolic, stress response, structural, and regulatory protein spots were identified to be significantly different between classification groups. The structural protein desmin was identified to be more abundant in LSP samples and the stress response protein peroxiredoxin-2 was identified to be more abundant in HSP samples. Because these protein were identified as being significantly different between classification groups in the soluble, sarcoplasmic fraction of samples, these proteins are potential candidates to be biomarkers to differentiate between tough and tender aged pork loins.
Microparticles and Nanoparticles

Microparticles and nanoparticles have had an enormous impact on a wide-range of biomedical applications including drug delivery, imaging, and basic research. Miniaturization of therapeutic devices to the micron (1–1000 μm), sub-micron (100–1000 nm), and nanometer (1–100 nm) scales has facilitated the integration of biomedical devices with therapeutic biomolecules for improved clinical efficacy. Despite their identical composition to bulk materials, microparticles and nanoparticles represent a new class of biomaterials with distinct properties, interactions with biological components, and distribution within the body. Microparticles are most commonly employed in drug and vaccine delivery. Nanomaterials represent an emerging field; careful study of their biological activity will be required before there is large-scale clinical application.
Donepezil was safe and effective in Alzheimer disease

Source Citation Rogers SL, Doody RS, Mohs RC, Friedhoff LT, and the Donepezil Study Group. Donepezil improves cognition and global function in Alzheimer disease: a 15-week, double-blind, placebo-co...
Stereotactic radiotherapy for prostate cancer: A review and future directions

Prostate cancer affects over 200000 men annually in the United States alone. The role of conventionally fractionated external beam radiation therapy (RT) is well established as a treatment option for eligible prostate cancer patients; however, the use of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in this setting is less well defined. Within the past decade, there have been a number of studies investigating the feasibility of SBRT as a potential treatment option for prostate cancer patients. SBRT has been well studied in other disease sites, and the shortened treatment course would allow for greater convenience for patients. There may also be implications for toxicity as well as disease control. In this review we present a number of prospective and retrospective trials of SBRT in the treatment of prostate cancer. We focus on factors such as biochemical progression-free survival, prostate specific antigen (PSA) response, and toxicity in order to compare SBRT to established treatment modalities. We also discuss future steps that the clinical community can take to further explore this new treatment approach. We conclude that initial studies examining the use of SBRT in the treatment of prostate cancer have demonstrated impressive rates of biochemical recurrence-free survival and PSA response, while maintaining a relatively favorable acute toxicity profile, though long-term follow-up is needed.
The identity politics of Elfquest at 40: moving beyond race, class and gender?

This article provides a critical analysis of the political content of Wendy and Richard Pinis’ independent comic series Elfquest (1978–present), focusing on the identity triad of race, class and ge...
Association of HMGA2 Gene Variation with Height in Specific Pediatric Age Categories

Background: Recently an association was demonstrated between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs1042725, within the HMGA2 locus and height as a consequence of a genome wide association (GWA) study of this trait in adults; this observation was also reported in children aged 7–11 years old. Objective: We examined in our Caucasian childhood cohort the effects of two strong surrogates for this SNP at this locus with height, rs8756 and rs7968902, with respect to the same pediatric age category but also in children grouped separately as younger and older. Methods: Utilizing data from an ongoing GWA study in our cohort of 2,619 Caucasian children with measurements for height, we investigated the association of the previously reported variation at the HMGA2 locus with this height treated as a quantitative trait (age and sex corrected) in childhood in the 2–6 (n = 706), 7–11 (n = 617) and 12–18 (n = 1293) years old categories. Results: The minor alleles of rs8756 and rs7968902 respectively (strong surrogates for rs1042725 i.e. r2 = 0.873 and 0.761 in the CEU HapMap respectively) were significantly associated with height in the 7–11 years old age group (P = 3.53 × 10−3 and 2.82 × 10−4, respectively). However in the 2–6 and 12–18 years old age groups, no association was observed. Conclusions: We observe a strong association with height in same age group of 7–11 years old as has been previously reported. However, in the under 7s and the over 11s, no such association was observed.
Perception of Mechanical Impedance During Active Ankle and Knee Movement

During locomotion, energy flow through the legs is governed by the mechanical impedance of each joint. These mechanical properties, including stiffness and damping, have recently been quantified at the ankle joint. However, the relevance of these properties in human sensorimotor control is unclear. An important aspect of sensorimotor control is the ability to sense small changes in stimuli. Thus, we investigated the human ability to detect small changes in the stiffness and damping components of leg joint impedance when interacting with a mechanical system coupled to the ankle or knee. The perception threshold was determined via a psychophysical paradigm that required subjects to compare the mechanical impedance of virtual spring-mass-damper systems. Subjects reliably detected impedance changes of 11% and 12% at the ankle and knee, respectively. Additionally, the perception of stiffness and damping were comparable, indicating that the biomechanical relevance of the stiffness and damping components of impedance may be similar. Finally, these results offer novel insight into the design and control of impedance-based technologies, such as prostheses and exoskeletons.
Neoliberalism and Democracy Promotion: Hernando de Soto and US Foreign Policy

This chapter examines how Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto shaped the US approach to foreign aid in the 1980s and early 1990s. It argues that US policymakers, development experts, and democracy promoters relied on important but understudied ways on de Soto as they reconfigured the relationship between democratization and economic growth in response to the global ‘Third Wave’ of democratization, punctuated by the collapse of Soviet bloc communism. Revealing important ‘South-East’ links, it traces how de Soto sold ideas developed in the Peruvian context to US officials who applied them globally, including to the socialist ‘second world.’ Ultimately, it demonstrates how de Soto helped shape the US approach to democracy promotion and economic development and provided conceptual links that encouraged their uneven, but growing integration.
Experimental investigation of mixing energy of well cements: The gap between laboratory and field mixing

Abstract Previous research on cement mixing energy for oil and gas applications shows dual importance of mixing energy and shear rate. The mixing conditions of the slurry and its mixing energy strongly impact the behavior of slurry. Generally, cement slurries are designed to perfection in the laboratory, however developing similar properties in the field operation is challenging. It is common that the properties of cement slurry obtained from laboratory and field mixing do not correlate very well, which can lead to different cement-job problems. The primary objective in this paper is to show whether matching mixing energy will result in similar properties in cement. In this study, a comparison of cement properties such as cement strength (UCS) and rheology and thickening time are compared with properties of same cement slurries prepared and mixed using yard mixer. Samples prepared in laboratory were mixed according to API (American Petroleum Institute) standards. Our results show that measured properties are different when mixed in the laboratory and yard conditions. Some of the properties such as UCS and rheology demonstrate a strong deviation by changing mixing conditions.
Effects of riparian forest buffers and agricultural land use on macroinvertebrate and fish community structure

Although forested riparian buffers can improve stream habitat, there remains debate as to whether biotic integrity can be maintained by buffers in highly degraded watersheds. To determine if forest buffers can ameliorate cropland impacts, we examined macroinvertebrate and fish assemblages in headwater streams categorized into three land use groups (High Buffer-Low Agriculture, High Buffer-High Agriculture, Low Buffer-High Agriculture). Sampling was conducted seasonally over 3 years to explore temporal patterns in biotic assemblages related to land use, instream habitat, and water quality parameters. Macroinvertebrate and fish abundance were higher in low buffer streams due to large numbers of pollution tolerant taxa and herbivores that proliferated with increased periphyton. In contrast, High Buffer-Low Agriculture streams had the best biotic integrity likely due to increased depth and better habitat quality. Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordinations of macroinvertebrate taxa showed no separations, but fish communities were significantly different among all three land use groups. Findings suggest fish community structure is more sensitive than macroinvertebrates to agricultural influences at both the riparian and watershed scales. Our study provides information on the effects of riparian vegetation on agricultural stream communities and highlights the importance of managing riparian forests to conserve stream biotic integrity.
Revisionary Narratives: Moroccan Women's Auto/Biographical and Testimonial Acts

Revisionary Narratives examines the historical and formal evolutions of Moroccan women's auto/biography in the last four decades, particularly its conflation with testimony and its expansion beyond literary texts. The book analyzes life narratives in Arabic, colloquial Moroccan Darija, French, and English in the fields of prison narratives, visual arts, theater, and digital media. The various case studies highlight narrative strategies women use to relate their experiences of political violence, migration, displacement, and globalization, while engaging patriarchal and (neo)imperial norms and practices. Using a transdisciplinary interpretative lens, the analyses focus on how women authors, artists, and activists collapse the boundaries between autobiography, biography, testimony, and sociopolitical commentary to revise dominant conventions of authorship, transgress oppressive definitions of gender roles and relations, and envision change.Revisionary Narratives marks auto/biography and testimony as a specific field of inquiry within the study of women's postcolonial cultural productions in the Moroccan and, more broadly, the Maghrebi and Middle Eastern contexts.
Examining the factor structure of the Rey auditory verbal learning test in individuals across the life span

Objective: Previous studies analyzing the factor structure of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) have been limited in the number of scores included in the analysis. Often, they lacked in...
The urgent need for phased university reopenings to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and conserve institutional resources: A modeling study

Abstract Introduction Recent outbreaks of COVID-19 in universities across the United States highlight the difficulties in containing the spread of COVID-19 on college campuses. While research has shown that mitigation strategies such as frequent student testing, contact tracing, and isolation of confirmed and suspected cases can detect early outbreaks, such mitigation strategies may have limited effectiveness if large outbreaks occur. A phased reopening is a practical intervention to limit early outbreaks, conserve institutional resources, and ensure proper safety protocols are in place before the return of additional students to campus. Methods We develop dynamic compartmental transmission models of SARS-CoV-2 to assess the impact of a phased reopening and pre-arrival testing on minimizing outbreaks (measured by daily infections) and conserving university resources (measured by isolation bed capacity). We assume that one-third of the student population returns to campus each month as part of the phased reopening, and that pre-arrival testing removes 90% of infections at the semester start. We assume an on-campus population of N = 7500, an active COVID-19 prevalence of 2% at baseline, and that 60% of infected students require isolation for an average period of 11 days. We vary the reproductive number (Rt) between 1.25 and 4 to represent the effectiveness of alternative mitigation strategies throughout the semester, where Rt is constant or improving throughout the semester (ranging from 4 to 1.25). Results Compared to pre-arrival testing only or neither intervention, phased reopening with pre-arrival testing reduced peak daily infections by 6% and 18% (Rt=1.25), 44% and 48% (Rt=2.5), 63% and 64% (Rt=4), and 72% and 74% (improving Rt), respectively, and reduced the proportion of on-campus beds needed for isolation from 10%-25% to 5%-9% across different values of Rt. Conclusion Phased reopening with pre-arrival testing substantially reduces the peak number of daily infections throughout the semester and conserves university resources compared to strategies involving the simultaneous return of all students to campus. Phased reopenings allow institutions to improve safety protocols, adjust for factors that drive outbreaks, and if needed, preemptively move online before the return of additional students to campus, thus preventing unnecessary harm to students, institutional faculty and staff, and local communities.
Abstract PS9-70: Identifying barriers and facilitators to scalp cooling use through a national survey of the awareness, practice patterns, and attitudes of oncologists toward scalp cooling

Background: Over the past decade, there has been a growing body of literature supporting the use of scalp cooling therapy (SCT), or “cold caps”, for reducing hair loss due to chemotherapy. Despite guidelines supporting its use in certain malignancies, and while uptake of SCT has increased across the United States, its use is still not wide spread. While literature has examined the reasons driving patient use of SCT, there is less known about factors influencing physician preferences regarding use of SCT. We hypothesized that degree of physician knowledge of scalp cooling and availability of SCT may contribute to lower patient use of SCT. Oncologists’ knowledge, practice patterns and attitudes regarding SCT were examined in this study. Methods: Our 33-question survey was distributed through ASCO’s Research Survey Pool to a nationally representative, random sample of 600 physicians and advanced practice providers in medical oncology, surgical oncology, gynecology, and urology, in February 2020. Reminders were sent every 1-2 weeks and the survey closed in June 2020. Main outcome measures included oncologists knowledge of SCT, reported initiating conversations about SCT with patients, and degree of support for the use of SCT. The survey also investigators barriers to their support of SCT and scalp cooling options offered at their facilities. The respondents were a representative mix of provider designation, cancers treated, practice setting (academic v private practice), years in practice, and practice area (urban v suburban v rural). Results:158 oncologists provided responses (158/600, response rate= 26.3%). Only 1.9% had no knowledge of scalp cooling, whereas 45.2% were aware of scalp cooling but were not very familiar with it, and the remaining 52.9% were very familiar with it. While 60% of providers reported being in favor of scalp cooling always/most of the time, only 25.8% initiated discussions about SCT always/most of the time. Providers who reported being very familiar with SCT were significantly more likely to initiate a discussion about SCT all or most of the time with their patients and to be in favor of SCT, compared to those who were not very familiar with SCT (46.3% v 2.9% P= Citation Format: Madison Novice, Taylor Novice, Jacqueline Jeruss, Kyle Johnson, Monika Burness. Identifying barriers and facilitators to scalp cooling use through a national survey of the awareness, practice patterns, and attitudes of oncologists toward scalp cooling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS9-70.
Muslim Americans' Views on Making Organ Donation Decisions in the Department of Motor Vehicles Setting.

Introduction: Organ donation-related education is offered, and decisions are made at state Department of Motor Vehicles; however, little is known about Muslim Americans’ attitudes toward these comm...
Fast Light, Slow Light and Left-Handed Light

The propagation of light in dispersive media is a subject of fundamental as well as practical importance. In recent years attention has focused in particular on how refractive index can vary with frequency in such a way that the group velocities of optical pulses can be much greater or much smaller than the speed of light in vacuum, or in which the refractive index can be negative. Treating these topics at an introductory to intermediate level, Fast Light, Slow Light and Left-Handed Light focuses on the basic theory and describes the significant experimental progress made during the past decade. The book pays considerable attention to the fact that superluminal group velocities are not in conflict with special relativity and to the role of quantum effects in preventing superluminal communication and violations of Einstein causality. It also explores some of the basic physics at the opposite extreme of very slow group velocities as well as stopped and regenerated light, including the concepts of electromagnetically induced transparency and dark-state polaritons. Another very active aspect of the subject discussed concerns the possibility of designing metamaterials in which the refractive index can be negative and propagating light is left-handed in the sense that the phase and group velocities are in opposite directions. The last two chapters are an introduction to some of the basic theory and consequences of negative refractive index, with emphasis on the seminal work carried out since 2000. The possibility that "perfect" lenses can be made from negative-index metamaterials-which has been perhaps the most controversial aspect of the field-is introduced and discussed in some detail.
Temperature and moisture dependent dielectric properties of egg white powder

Abstract Dielectric properties of egg white powder (EWP) in the moisture content range of 5.5–13.4% d.b. were measured with an impedance analyzer employing a coaxial probe technique in the frequency range from 10 to 3000 MHz and temperature range from 20 °C to 100 °C. The dielectric properties of EWP were maximum in the frequency range of 250–300 MHz for temperatures ranging from 30 °C to 100 °C at all moisture content levels. The dielectric constant and loss factor values of EWP increased with an increase in moisture content and temperature. The second-order models were fitted for experimental dielectric constant and loss factor data as a function of moisture content and temperature at five selected radio (13.56, 27.12 and 40.68 MHz) and microwave (915 and 2450 MHz) frequencies with coefficients of determination ⩾0.939. Penetration depths of EWP were calculated for five selected frequencies at different moisture contents and temperatures.
Importance of Buyers’ Criteria for Evaluating New Technology Attributes

This paper focuses on the perceived importance of product attributes as buyers' criteria for decision-making. The conceptual framework of this study considers buyers' criteria for assessment of new products as a focal point to understanding the underlying factors and objectives for buying behavior. The objective criteria were measured using a direct rating scale composed of eight items associated with purchasing new agricultural technologies. The findings indicate that farm operators favorably perceived technologies that are reasonably priced, less costly to maintain, save time, reduce drudgery, with quick return on investment, bring more benefits, and require little reorganization of their enterprise. Understanding adopter criteria has vital implications for manager assessment of market opportunities.
Mechanisms mediating visual detection in static perimetry.

Purpose The usual stimuli in static perimetry are white-light luminance increments. However, the specific visual detection mechanisms involved in perimetry are unknown because all classes of neural mechanisms are sensitive to spectrally broadband stimuli. The objective of this study was to determine the relative sensitivities of nonopponent and opponent detecting mechanisms under standard perimetry test conditions. Methods Using trained rhesus monkey subjects, the relative sensitivities of the vision mechanisms for the detection of perimetry test stimuli were determined through psychophysical measurements of spectral sensitivity at each of the test field locations of the C24-2 threshold program on the Humphrey Field Analyzer (Allergan Humphrey, San Leandro, CA). The spectral sensitivity functions were analyzed by a three-channel model that incorporated independent short-wavelength-sensitive, nonopponent (luminance), and opponent (chromatic) spectral sensitivity mechanisms. Results The visual detection mechanisms for perimetry thresholds varied as a function of the size and wavelength of the test field. With the perimeter's standard stimulus (Goldmann Size III) and bowl illumination (31.5 asb), the presence of a short-wavelength-sensitive mechanism was clearly evident at all field locations, but its relative sensitivity systematically declined with eccentricity. Under these conditions, the sensitivities of the opponent and nonopponent mechanisms were approximately equal at most field locations. With a larger stimulus (Goldmann Size V), however, the contribution of the opponent spectral sensitivity mechanism was more apparent over most of the central field and the alterations of sensitivity with eccentricity were less pronounced. In contrast, a small test field (Goldmann Size II) appeared to bias detection toward nonopponent mechanisms. Conclusion The results of these investigations indicate that detection thresholds during perimetry can be effectively biased toward different photopic, visual processing channels through the appropriate selection of size and wavelength of the test stimulus.
Regulation of Hepatic Glycogen Synthetase of Rana catesbeiana: EFFECT OF INSULIN AND HYDROCORTISONE ON GLYCOGEN SYNTHETASE IN A LIVER SYSTEM IN VITRO, AND REGULATION OF GLYCOGEN SYNTHETASE BY CELLULAR METABOLITES

Abstract A minced liver system from Rana catesbeiana tadpoles has been developed. Treatment of this liver preparation in vitro with insulin results in the activation of glycogen synthetase. Hormonally induced activation is the result of the conversion of the less active form of the enzyme to the more active form. The insulin-mediated activation is counteracted by hydrocortisone and dibutyryl-cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate. This indicates that hydrocortisone activation of glycogen synthetase in the intact animal is a secondary effect of the gluconeogenic hormone. With this in vitro system, we have obtained experimental evidence which indicates that hepatic glycogen synthetase can be controlled by modulation of cellular metabolites without requiring activation of glycogen synthetase by insulin. Alterations of cellular metabolites were achieved by the addition of glucose and ammonium acetate to the incubation medium.