cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A phase I trial of etanidazole and hyperfractionated radiotherapy in children with diffuse brainstem glioma.

Abstract Purpose To determine the toxicity and maximum tolerated dose of etanidazole administered concurrently with hyperfractionated radiation therapy (HRT) for children with brainstem glioma. Methods and materials Eighteen patients with brainstem glioma were treated with etanidazole and HRT on a dose escalation protocol (Phase I trial) between 1990 and 1996. All patients had MRI confirmation of diffuse pontine glioma and signs/symptoms of cranial nerve deficit, ataxia, or long tract signs of 2 × 17 doses (30.6 g/m 2 ) at Step 1 to a maximum of 2.4 g/m 2 × 21 doses (50.4 g/m 2 ) at Step 8. Dose escalation was planned with 3 patients at each of the 8 levels. Results Three patients were treated at each dose level except Level 2, on which only 1 patient was treated. The highest dose level achieved was Level 7, which delivered a total etanidazole dose of 46.2 g/m 2 . Two patients were treated at this level, and both patients experienced Grade 3 toxicity in the form of a diffuse cutaneous rash. Three patients received a lower dose of 42 g/m 2 (dose Level 6) without significant toxicity, and this represents the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). There were 23 cases of Grade 1 toxicity (10 vomiting, 5 peripheral neuropathy, 2 rash, 2 constipation, 1 weight loss, 3 others), 11 cases of Grade 2 toxicity (4 vomiting, 2 skin erythema, 2 constipation, 1 arthralgia, 1 urinary retention, 1 hematologic), and 4 Grade 3 toxicities (2 rash, 1 vomiting, 1 skin desquamation). Grade 2 or 3 peripheral neuropathy was not seen at any dose level. The median survival from the start of treatment was 8.5 months (range: 3–58 months). Conclusion The MTD of etanidazole in children receiving HRT for brainstem glioma is 42 g/m 2 , with cutaneous rash as the dose-limiting toxicity. This is in contrast to the adult experience, which demonstrates a 24% lower MTD of 34 g/m 2 limited by peripheral neuropathy.
Vaginal progesterone in women with twin gestations complicated by short cervix: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective To determine whether the use of vaginal progesterone in twin gestations with a cervical length (CL) of ≤2.5 cm is associated with a reduced risk of preterm delivery. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary-care medical centre in New York City. Population Women with twin gestations undergoing sonographic cervical length screening. Methods Women with twin gestations with a CL of ≤2.5 cm between 16 and 32 weeks of gestation, and who delivered at our centre between 2010 and 2013, were included. We evaluated the impact of vaginal progesterone on the risk of preterm delivery using a Cox proportional hazard model, adjusted for potential confounding factors. We then performed a propensity score analysis using inverse probability of treatment weights to account for treatment selection bias and confounding. Main outcome measure Delivery prior to 35 weeks of gestation. Results Of the 167 twin pregnancies analysed, 61 (35.7%) were treated with vaginal progesterone. The hazard ratio (HR) of delivery prior to 35 weeks of gestation in the vaginal progesterone group, compared with the no vaginal progesterone group, was 1.8 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI 1.5–3.1) in the unadjusted analysis, 1.4 (95% CI 0.7–3.2) following multivariable adjustment for confounding factors, and 1.5 (95% CI 1.1–2.3) using propensity score methods. Conclusion Women with more risk factors for preterm delivery were more likely to be treated with vaginal progesterone. After statistically correcting for this with propensity score methods, we found that vaginal progesterone therapy in twin pregnancies with a CL ≤2.5 cm was associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery.
Driving Cessation Among Older People: When Does It Happen and What Impact Does It Have?

The mobility effects of driving reduction and cessation are evaluated by examining the before and after travel behavior of 42 older drivers in Tucson, Arizona, who reported that they had ceased to drive 1 year after an initial interview. Driving cessation was greater among women, those with lower incomes, and people of color. A substantial number said that they were not sure if their cessation was permanent. More than three-quarters of those who stopped driving relied on car rides to meet their travel needs. The analyses indicate a large drop in common measures of mobility for those who ceased to drive over 1 year's time and that those who stopped driving had initially traveled substantially less than those who continued to drive 1 year later. The study confirms that there are sometimes drastic declines in mobility with driving cessation, but it also indicates that the impact of driving reduction on the mobility of people who are still drivers is underestimated.
The timing of emergency decisions : modelling decisions by community officials during chemical accidents

Abstract Protecting the public from airborne chemical releases is limited by the timing of the implementation of actions taken and the capacity of those actions to avoid or reduce exposure. This paper examines the community decision processes during emergencies to identify critical factors asso- ciated with the timing of emergency warning, and protective action recommendations. This research examines the decision process by tracing emer- gency response from the outset of the community decision process, through the decision to warn the public, including the communication of hazard to the public, and the all-clear at the end of the emergency period. Both community authorities and the public cycle through hazard detection, assessment communication, and behavioral response as they become aware of the hazard. A sample of emergency decisions during chemical emergen- cies was examined via post-emergency interviews with key community officials. Emergency responders in a systematic sample of events after 1984, but prior to 1990, were interviewed in the Fall of 1989. Finding that decisions in more recent events were more easily reconstructed, a randomly selected half of the significant chemical emergencies occurring during 1990 were interviewed within weeks of the chemical events. Previous work [1] shows that community decision processes are seldom immediate and often involve information seeking. This descriptive work is expanded herein to provide better models of the key factors effecting decision processes in chemical emergencies. Regression models of these data indicate that protective action and warning decisions occur more rapidly than all-clear decisions, and that each decision is influenced by different factors in the decision process. Moreover, these data indicate that the role of experts changes throughout the emergency response. When decisions lead to the active avoidance of exposure, officials seem to take evasive action more quickly, but when failure to decide results in passive avoidance of exposure and continued in convenience of the public, the decision process is often protracted.
ACADEMIC IDEOLOGIES AND STYLES OF RESEARCH AMONG ACADEMIC RESEARCHERS

This article focuses on the extent to which styles of research could account for academic ideologies, concerning both faculty and student affairs, among academic researchers in sociology, psychology, political science, and education. The hypothesis maintains that researchers in all four fields who favor styles of research which compete successfully are likely to take a conservative attitude toward student and faculty affairs. In contrast, researchers who favor styles of research which compete less successfully are likely to take an attitude favoring changes. The results confirm the hypothesis mainly among faculty in psychology and very little among faculty in other fields. The data are based on a secondary analysis of data collected by Ladd and Lipset in their 1975 “Survey of the American Professoriate.”
Non-linear spectro-temporal modulations for reverberant speech recognition

This paper introduces a novel set of non-linear spectro-temporal features that improve automatic speech recognition performance in presence of room reverberation. The solution is based on extracting features derived from auditory characteristics, which include gammatone filtering, non-linear processing and modulation spectral processing to emulate the mechanisms performed in the cochlea and middle ear aimed to improve robustness in human ear. Experiments are performed on Aurora-5 meeting recorder digit task (mrd), captured with four different distant microphones in hands-free mode at a real meeting room. For comparison purposes the recognition results obtained using standard conventional features are tested. The experimental results show that the proposed features provide considerable improvements with respect to state of the art feature extraction techniques.
Maintenance Strategies and Romantic Relationship Type, Gender and Relational Characteristics

This study examines the manner in which perceptions of relational maintenance strategies used in romantic dyads vary according to relationship type (married, engaged, seriously dating and dating) and gender. Additionally, this study investigates how perceptions of partners' maintenance behaviors differentially affect the relational characteristics of control mutuality, commitment, liking and satisfaction. Research assumptions were cast within a developmental framework. Five maintenance strategies were derived through factor analyses: positivity, assurances, openness, sharing tasks and social networks. Results indicate that relationship type moderately affected perceptions of partner maintenance strategies and gender weakly affected perceptions of maintenance behaviors. The findings also reveal that positivity, assurances and sharing tasks were consistent and strong predictors of control mutuality, commitment, liking and satisfaction.
Visitation and domestic violence: a clinical model of family assessment and access planning

with increasing frequency, courts and legislatures are focusing attention on visitation disputes in which there are allegations of domestic violence. This article explores the requirements for a careful assessment of the domestic violence issues, theparenting capacities of the adults, and the coping skilk of the children. It then proposes a decision-tree model of access recommendations that incorporates the information gatheredfmm the evaluation procedures. Language: en
Quasi-biennial geomagnetic variation caused by the sun

Clear evidence for the existence of a quasi-biennial geomagnetic variation is shown by an analysis of annual averages of the horizontal (H) component of the geomagnetic field observed at five observatories. The analysis uses a numerical filter, which is equivalent to taking the second order time derivative of the time series. The cause for the variation is external to the earth because its amplitude depends on magnetic activity. The second order time derivative of H is well correlated with the corresponding time derivatives of the relative sunspot number and 10.7 cm solar flux. It is suggested that quasi-biennial oscillations observed in the geomagnetic field, cosmic rays, stratospheric zonal wind and temperature, total ozone, and other meteorological parameters could be produced by a common cause on the sun.
Aspects of heterogeneous computing in the open MPI environment

There are several aspects to heterogeneous computing, with this paper focusing on several of these, as they relate to execution of a single parallel job. This includes processor and network heterogeneity, as well as the support for making this heterogeneity transparent in the run-time system. Design and implementation choices made by the open MPI/open RTE collaboration are discussed, with an emphasis placed on the effort to make these choices transparent to the end users - both for MPI and non-MPI parallel jobs.
Effect of near-field operation on the collection efficiency of a freespace microwave power transmission system

The collection efficiency between a circular aperture and a rectangular aperture is analyzed. A diffraction integral is used to calculate the near-field of the circular aperture. The calculated near-field is integrated over the rectangular aperture to determine the collected power. >
Positive Correlation between Tyrosine Phosphorylation of CpsD and Capsular Polysaccharide Production in Streptococcus pneumoniae

CpsA, CpsB, CpsC, and CpsD are part of a tyrosine phosphorylation regulatory system involved in modulation of capsule synthesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae and many other gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Using an immunoblotting technique, we observed distinct laddering patterns of S. pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides of various serotypes and found that transfer of the polymer from the membrane to the cell wall was independent of size. Deletion of cps2A, cps2B, cps2C, or cps2D in the serotype 2 strain D39 did not affect the ability to transfer capsule to the cell wall. Deletion of cps2C or cps2D, which encode two domains of an autophosphorylating tyrosine kinase, resulted in the production of only short-chain polymers. The function of Cps2A is unknown, and the polymer laddering pattern of the cps2A deletion mutants appeared similar to that of the parent, although the total amount of capsule was decreased. Loss of Cps2B, a tyrosine phosphatase and a kinase inhibitor, resulted in an increase in capsule amount and a normal ladder pattern. However, Cps2B mutants exhibited reduced virulence following intravenous inoculation of mice and were unable to colonize the nasopharynx, suggesting a diminished capacity to sense or respond to these environments. In D39 and its isogenic mutants, the amounts of capsule and tyrosine-phosphorylated Cps2D (Cps2D∼P) correlated directly. In contrast, restoration of type 2 capsule production followed by deletion of cps2B in Rx1, a laboratory passaged D39 derivative containing multiple uncharacterized mutations, resulted in decreased capsule amounts but no alteration in Cps2D∼P levels. Thus, a factor outside the capsule locus, which is either missing or defective in the Rx1 background, is important in the control of capsule synthesis.
An unusual form of “pacemaker mediated tachycardia”

Lower rate limit 60 ppm Maximum tracking rate 120 ppm Maximum sensor rate 120 ppm Paced AV delay 200–350 ms Sensed AV delay 200–350 ms A-refractory (PVARP) 250 ms V-refractory (VRP) 230–250 ms Case summary A 60-year-old woman underwent dual-chamber pacemaker implantation for sinus node dysfunction. The device was programmed to DDDR at a base rate of 60 bpm and a maximum sensor rate of 120 bpm. The initial device settings are listed in Table 1. On the second postprocedure day, the patient complained of palpitations and was noted to be in tachycardia. The EKG showed atrial pacing with 1:1 AV conduction at 120 bpm (Figure 1). Interrogation of the pacemaker revealed atrial pacing at 120 bpm with intrinsic conduction to the ventricle. During ventricular threshold testing, atrial pacing terminated spontaneously. We considered the possibility that the rapid atrial pacing could be secondary to inappropriate functioning of the rate response feature and hence turned it off. However, later that night, the same rhythm recurred with the atrium being paced at 120 bpm.What is the reason for rapid atrial pacing in this case?
Mapping in an apple (Malus x domestica) F1 segregating population based on physical clustering of differentially expressed genes

Apple tree breeding is slow and difficult due to long generation times, self-incompatibility, and complex genetics. The identification of molecular markers linked to traits of interest is a way to expedite the breeding process. In the present study, we aimed to identify genes whose steady-state transcript abundance was associated with inheritance of specific traits segregating in an apple (Malus × domestica) rootstock F1 breeding population, including resistance to powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) disease and woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum). Transcription profiling was performed for 48 individual F1 apple trees from a cross of two highly heterozygous parents, using RNA isolated from healthy, actively-growing shoot tips and a custom apple DNA oligonucleotide microarray representing 26,000 unique transcripts. Genome-wide expression profiles were not clear indicators of powdery mildew or woolly apple aphid resistance phenotype. However, standard differential gene expression analysis between phenotypic groups of trees revealed relatively small sets of genes with trait-associated expression levels. For example, thirty genes were identified that were differentially expressed between trees resistant and susceptible to powdery mildew. Interestingly, the genes encoding twenty-four of these transcripts were physically clustered on chromosome 12. Similarly, seven genes were identified that were differentially expressed between trees resistant and susceptible to woolly apple aphid, and the genes encoding five of these transcripts were also clustered, this time on chromosome 17. In each case, the gene clusters were in the vicinity of previously identified major quantitative trait loci for the corresponding trait. Similar results were obtained for a series of molecular traits. Several of the differentially expressed genes were used to develop DNA polymorphism markers linked to powdery mildew disease and woolly apple aphid resistance. Gene expression profiling and trait-associated transcript analysis using an apple F1 population readily identified genes physically linked to powdery mildew disease resistance and woolly apple aphid resistance loci. This result was especially useful in apple, where extreme levels of heterozygosity make the development of reliable DNA markers quite difficult. The results suggest that this approach could prove effective in crops with complicated genetics, or for which few genomic information resources are available.
Effects of Pollination Method on Strain Cross Yield in Lucerne

Because of difficulties in pollination, control, F1 hybrids have not been widely explioted in lucerne’ (Medicago sativa L.). Strain crossing (uncontrolled hybridization between two or more self-fertile populations with seed of the populations combined to product a “strain cross” population) represents a potentially valuable alternative procedure for exploiting heterosis in this species. Strain crosses in lucerne are typically produced using insect pollination in the field. Using hand pollination under glasshouse houses could increase the number of strain crosses available for tests of combining ability. The objective of this study was to determine whether forage yield of strain crosses produced using hand pollination were sufficiently similar to that of insect-produced populations to allow the use of the former in lucerne breeding. Forage yields of eight pairs of hand- and insect-produced strain crosses did not differ significantly in 15 of 16 pairwise comparisons and were positively correlated (rs= 0.90) for 20 harvests at two locations. Yield amp of band produced strain crosses could be used, with reasonable accuracy to accuracy the eventual performance of strain crosses produced between the same populations using insect pollination.
Chronic Rapamycin Therapy Ameliorates Hypertrophy and Systolic Dysfunction in Severe Chronic Heart Failure Due to Pressure Overload

Background: Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a kinase which modulates cell growth by enhancing protein synthesis (in part via phosphorylation of ribosomal S6 protein (RS6P)) and inhibiting autophagy. Advanced heart failure (HF) activates enzymes in pathways both down stream and independent of mTOR. While short term mTOR inhibition with rapamycin ameliorates LV hypertrophy (LVH), the effect of chronic rapamycin in advanced established HF and the role of reduced protein synthesis vs. increased autophagy are unclear. We hypothesized that rapamycin ameliorates LVH and systolic dysfunction associated with inhibition of protein synthesis (decreased phosphorylation of RS6P) and increased autophagy (increased microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC3-II), marker of autophagosome formation). Methods: 8 week old C57/BL6 mice underwent transverse aortic constriction (TAC). 3 weeks after TAC, mice underwent echo and those with severe systolic dysfunction were randomized to placebo or rapamycin 8 mg/kg/day orally for 6 weeks followed by echo, hemodynamics and LV harvest for western blots. Age/sex matched non-banded mice were controls. Results: Trough blood rapamycin level was 13.3 6 7.5 ng/ml in HF + rapamycin mice. Compared to HF, HF + rapamycin mice had higher ejection fraction (EF), less hypertrophy and milder HF (lower lung:body weight). Systolic LV pressures were higher in HF + rapamycin reflecting severe TAC but better systolic function. RS6P phosphorylation was lower in HF but not further reduced in HF + rapamycin. LC3-II expression was higher in HF + rapamycin.
Poloxamer-188 improves capillary blood flow in the zone of stasis after burn injury

Cutaneous burn injury causes blood flow reduction in regions near the site of the injury, collectively termed as the zone of stasis. Blood flow, in this zone, ceases after 24-48 hours resulting in an expansion of the injured area. The authors used intravital microscopy to investigate the zone of stasis. CD-1 male mice (30 g) were fitted with skin flap chambers and capillary blood flow was visualized by intravenously injecting fluorescently labeled red blood cells into the mice. A temperature-controlled copper tip of 2 mm diameter was used to inflict a full-thickness burn injury on the mouse skin. Real time fluorescent images of the blood flow before and after the burn were recorded. Playback image analysis showed that there was a reduction in blood flow near the site of burn injury immediately (0-2 hrs.) after the injury and away from the site of injury there was no change. Intravenous injection of Poloxamer-188 (0.1 ml, 200 mg/kg) greatly improved blood flow in the zone of stasis.
Metabolic differences of current thienopyridine antiplatelet agents.

Introduction: Antithrombotics are one of the most commonly prescribed classes of medication around the world. The thienopyridines are an integral part of antithrombotic therapy and are prescribed for various indications including acute coronary syndrome, peripheral vascular disease and cerebrovascular disease. These drugs have distinct metabolic pathways, which lead to the formation of active metabolites that produce both observed clinical differences as well as pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences in response. Areas covered: The authors describe the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior of three of the currently available thienopyridines, namely ticlopidine, clopidogrel and prasugrel. The authors also describe and discuss the drug interaction and pharmacogenomic factors which may impact safety and drug efficacy. Expert opinion: P2Y12-ADP receptor antagonism has proven to be effective at preventing thrombosis. Differences in the activation of these drugs, cytochrome metabolism, concomita...
Exposure of newborn male and female rats to environmental estrogens: delayed and sustained hyperprolactinemia and alterations in estrogen receptor expression.

Environmental estrogens (xenoestrogens) are synthetic compounds that are abundant in the environment and mimic natural estrogens. The estrogenicity of two such compounds, bisphenol A (BPA) and octylphenol (OP), during development of the neuroendocrine system was investigated. The objective was to compare the effects of neonatal exposure to BPA, OP, and diethylstilbestrol (DES), a potent synthetic estrogen, on prepubertal serum PRL levels and estrogen receptor (ER) expression in the anterior pituitary and medial basal hypothalamus. Receptor expression in the uterus and prostate, two peripheral estrogen-responsive tissues, was also examined. Newborn male and female Fischer 344 rats were sc injected on days 1–5 after birth with corn oil (control), BPA and OP (100 or 500 μg/day), or DES (5 μg/day). Rats were bled on days 15, 20, and 25 and on the day of death (day 30), and serum PRL was analyzed by RIA. Relative expressions of ERα and ERβ were determined by RT-PCR. BPA and OP induced delayed, but progressive,...
Influence of thyroid hormones on myelin proteins in the developing rat brain

This communication describes developmental changes in myelin proteins prepared from control, hypothyroid, and hyperthyroid rat brain. In the 10- to 37-day postnatal period studied, total myelin protein was found to double, and this change mainly reflected the increase in proteolipid and basic protein constituents. Thyroid states affect differentially the various myelin proteins. Hypothyroidism decreases the proteolipid and slow-moving basic protein, but has no effect on the fast basic or minor proteins. In hyperthyroidism, an increase was observed in proteolipid as well as both slow- and fast-moving proteins. The protein alterations were correlated to the changes previously found in lipid composition of myelin consequent upon hypo- and hyperthyroidism, and the role of thyroid hormones in brain development.
Maize drought tolerance: Potential improvements through arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis?

Abstract Due to long-term trends in global climate change and the expansion of maize production in drought-prone regions, the development of drought-tolerant maize varieties is of high importance, particularly for maize producers in developing nations where plant breeding improvements are more easily adopted than high-input agronomic practices. Prior advances in breeding for drought-tolerant maize have often involved selection for beneficial morpho-physiological traits such as a reduced anthesis-silking interval (ASI) and an improved harvest index (HI). Although maize is an effective host of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) in infertile and drought conditions, few maize breeding and physiological research programs have examined the potential of AM symbiosis to improve maize drought tolerance. The objective of this review is to highlight the morpho-physiological responses and potential mechanisms through which AM colonization might improve maize drought tolerance and, in doing so, to examine the potential of this symbiotic relationship to serve as an effective tool for improving cultivar drought tolerance. In this review, we briefly describe the general effects of AM symbiosis on plant water relations, and then extensively examine the effects of AM colonization on pre-flowering, flowering, and post-flowering maize morpho-physiology under drought-stress conditions in greenhouse and field settings. We then suggest potential areas for future research related to (a) the adoption of cropping practices promoting AM colonization and survival; (b) the further understanding of AM effects on maize morpho-physiology; and (c) the creation of AM-colonized, drought-tolerant maize cultivars through conventional breeding as well as molecular and genomic techniques. We conclude by discussing practical considerations associated with the use of AM for maize drought-stress research and large-scale, commercial maize production.
The Effect of State Regulations on Motor Vehicle Fatalities for Younger and Older Drivers: A Review and Analysis

Policymakers have had a long-standing interest in improving the motor vehicle safety of both younger and older drivers. Although younger and older drivers share the distinction of having more crashes and fatalities per mile driven than other age groups, the problems posed by these two groups stem from different origins and manifest in different ways. A number of state-level policies and regulations may affect the number of motor vehicle crashes and fatalities in these two high-risk groups. A critical review of the existing literature in regard to the risk factors and the effects of various policy measures on motor vehicle crashes in these two high-risk populations provides direction for policymakers and high-priority areas of interest for the research community.
Split-belt treadmill adaptation transfers to overground walking in persons poststroke.

Background and Objective. Following stroke, subjects retain the ability to adapt interlimb symmetry on the split-belt treadmill. Critical to advancing our understanding of locomotor adaptation and ...
Identifying Natural and Anthropogenic Sources of Metals in Urban and Rural Soils Using GIS-Based Data, PCA, and Spatial Interpolation

Determining sources of neurotoxic metals in rural and urban soils is important for mitigating human exposure. Surface soil from four areas with significant clusters of mental retardation and developmental delay (MR/DD) in children, and one control site were analyzed for nine metals and characterized by soil type, climate, ecological region, land use and industrial facilities using readily available GIS-based data. Kriging, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were used to identify commonalities of metal distribution. Three MR/DD areas (one rural and two urban) had similar soil types and significantly higher soil metal concentrations. PCA and CA results suggested that Ba, Be and Mn were consistently from natural sources; Pb and Hg from anthropogenic sources; and As, Cr, Cu, and Ni from both sources. Arsenic had low commonality estimates, was highly associated with a third PCA factor, and had a complex distribution, complicating mitigation strategies to minimize concentrations and exposures.
Characterization and environmental implications of nano- and larger TiO(2) particles in sewage sludge, and soils amended with sewage sludge.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the most extensively used engineered nanoparticle to date, yet its fate in the soil environment has been investigated only rarely and is poorly understood. In the present study, we conducted two field-scale investigations to better describe TiO2 nano- and larger particles in their most likely route of entry into the environment, i.e., the application of biosolids to soils. We particularly concentrated on the particles in the nano-size regime due to their novel and commercially useful properties. First, we analyzed three sewage sludge products from the US EPA TNSSS sampling inventory for the occurrence, qualitative abundance, and nature of TiO2 nano- and larger particles by using analytical scanning electron microscopy and analytical (scanning) transmission electron microscopy. Nano- and larger particles of TiO2 were repeatedly identified across the sewage sludge types tested, providing strong evidence of their likely concentration in sewage sludge products. The TiO2 particles identified were as small as 40 nm, and as large as 300 nm, having faceted shapes with the rutile crystal structure, and they typically formed small, loosely packed aggregates. Second, we examined surface soils in mesocosms that had been amended with Ag nanoparticle-spiked biosolids for the occurrence of TiO2 particles. An aggregate of TiO2 nanoparticles with the rutile structure was again identified, but this time TiO2 nanoparticles were found to contain Ag on their surfaces. This suggests that TiO2 nanoparticles from biosolids can interact with toxic trace metals that would then enter the environment as a soil amendment. Therefore, the long-term behavior of TiO2 nano- and larger particles in sewage sludge materials as well as their impacts in the soil environment need to be carefully considered.
Engineering caged nanostructures for reproducible SERS detection

Gold nanoparticles that are protected by permeable silica membranes preserve the optical properties of the nanoparticle core in harsh environments without sacrificing enhanced spectroscopic detection. Reproducible and quantitative detection using SERS will be demonstrated.
On the Microfoundations of Economic Voting: An Experimental Study

Correspondence between economic conditions and incumbent electoral success is observed with such regularity that the theory of economic voting has achieved near axiomatic status. Yet the microfoundations of economic voting are not entirely clear. Quattrone and Tversky (1988) posit that prospect theory can explain economic-political correspondences - suggesting that under perceived economic losses, voters are more willing to vote for a risky (i.e. less well known) challenger. This paper tests whether exogenously altered economic perceptions lead to changes in political preferences on average. While manipulation checks show that stimuli did alter economic outlook, this change did not correspond to movement in vote intentions, a result not predicted by prospect theory. Findings may imply the importance of politicization of economic conditions.
Vascular Endothelial Cells as Immunological Targets in Atheroscleroisis

Under normal circumstances, vascular endothelium performs various functions related to homeostasis of the arterial wall, including control of vessel wall tone and vascular permeability, maintenance of blood fluidity and quiescence of inflammation [1–5]. Compromise of these activities, collectively described as endothelial dysfunction, is an important contributor to the process leading to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic plaques contain cellular and molecular effectors of both innate and adaptive immunity, and it is increasingly appreciated that these immune system cells play an important role in various stages of the atherosclerotic process [6–11]. In this chapter, we will focus on how the immune system can alter (“activate”), injure or otherwise impair EC functions and how these changes may contribute to atherogenesis. We will further consider how, once the process of atherogenesis has been initiated, the altered endothelium may contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis both through maintenance of a chronic inflammatory response and through modulation of the characteristics of the immune response. Finally, we will consider how impaired endothelium may contribute to the sequelae of atherosclerosis.
Correlated maximum likelihood temperature/emissivity separation of hyperspectral images

We consider a model for temperature/emissivity separation in hyperspectral image processing. The emissivity is modulated by both the black body function and the atmospheric down- welling. This dual modulation has made it difficult to extract both temperature and emissivity, since offsets in one variable can be compensated by the other. Previous work with only a single wavelength is extended to the multiple wavelength (vector) case. Downwelling radiance is modeled as a Gaussian random vector. As before, the emissivity contributes to both the mean and variance of the observations. The covariance of the downwelling is assumed to have correlated elements, providing additional information beyond what is seen in the scalar case. Gradient ascent is used as an approach to find the maximum likelihood solution, demonstrating that a single maximum exists.
Linearized Solutions of Three-Dimensional Condensed Layer Films

Numerical methods are developed for linearized condensed layer films. The condensed layer film is a simplified model that can be used to compute both shear and pressure driven films. Numerical methods are developed for two versions of the condensed layer film: i) a strong-lubrication approximation where a lubrication approximation in the film is coupled to a boundary-layer air flow, and ii) a weak lubrication approximation where inertia effects are retained in the film. Typical solutions are presented for both versions of the model.
What Knowledge of Responsible Conduct of Research Do Undergraduates Bring to Their Undergraduate Research Experiences

Over a three-year period, chemistry and engineering students participating in six Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs were surveyed before and after participating in a research ethics training workshop. The goal was to learn what undergraduate students already knew about key concepts in research ethics at the start of their research experience and to learn the impact of participation in the workshop on their knowledge and understanding of important research ethics concepts. At least two-thirds of the respondents could define fabrication of data, falsification of data, plagiarism, intellectual property, and confidentiality before participating in the training workshop. More than a third, however, could not define the terms personal misrepresentation, authorship, and conflict of interest. Though many students had factual knowledge of the key concepts at the outset, they were found to be unable to apply this knowledge to their summer research projects. Participation in the workshop was foun...
FISHing for mechanisms of cytogenetically defined terminal deletions using chromosome-specific subtelomeric probes

Cytogenetically defined terminal deletions are thought to be a major, yet underappreciated, cause of mental retardation and multiple congenital anomalies. The mechanisms by which terminal deletions arise and are stabilized are not completely understood; although all ends of human chromosomes must have a telomeric cap to be stable. At least three mechanisms exist to maintain chromosome ends with cytogenetically defined terminal deletions: stabilization of terminal deletions through a process of telomere regeneration (termed 'telomere healing'), retention of the original telomere producing interstitial deletions, and formation of derivative chromosomes by obtaining a different telomeric sequence through cytogenetic rearrangement (termed 'telomere capture'). We used chromosome-specific subtelomeric probes and FISH to characterize cytogenetically defined terminal deletions in patients with 1p36 monosomy. Based on the current resolution of these subtelomeric probes, our results indicate that cytogenetically defined terminal deletions of 1p36 are likely to occur through all three mechanisms, although we speculate that the majority of cases were stabilized through telomere regeneration. These results demonstrate the use of chromosome-specific subtelomeric probes as an efficient first step toward uncovering the mechanisms that result in the stabilization of cytogenetically defined terminal deletions.
ON FACTORS AFFECTING THE FIXATION OF CHROMOSOMAL REARRANGEMENTS AND NEUTRAL GENES: COMPUTER SIMULATIONS.

Computer simulation models were developed to determine which conditions are fa- vorable for the stochastic fixation of chromosomal mutations within small isolated demes. The models incorporated biological parameters of litter size, age-dependent mortality, overlapping generations, potentially varying sex ratios, and fertility reduction due to meiotic problems when the mutation was present in a heterozygous condition. Results of the models indicated that random processes alone may adequately explain the frequency of fixation of chromosomal mutations under the conditions of a) the number of initial founders is small (5 or 10); b) there is relatively little fecundity reduction due to meiotic problems; c) the number of offspring per mating is high. Furthermore, results of our models imply that fixation of a mutation is unlikely when the number of karyotypic rearrangements is low and when there is high survivorship of individuals from one breeding period to the next. However, if bottlenecks involve larger numbers of individuals (20 or more), few offspring per mating, or substantial reductions in fecundity, then it is unlikely that fixation by random processes will be adequate to explain the situations observed in nature. A significant conclusion of these simulations is that when population size is reduced to five or ten individuals, the extinction rate may exceed 40% or 30%, respectively.
Real-time video image quality estimation supports enhanced tracker performance

Numerous methods exist for quantifying the information potential of imagery exploited by a human observer. The National Imagery Interpretability Ratings Scale (NIIRS) is a useful standard for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) applications. Extensions of this approach to motion imagery provide an understanding of the factors affecting interpretability of video data. More recent investigations have shown, however, that human observers and automated processing methods are sensitive to different aspects of image quality. This paper extends earlier research to present a model for quantifying the quality of motion imagery in the context of automated exploitation. In particular, we present a method for predicting the tracker performance and demonstrate the results on a range of video clips. Automated methods for assessing video quality can provide valuable feedback for collection management and guide the exploitation and analysis of the imagery.
Displaying the Worldview of Japanese Fascism: The Tokyo Thought War Exhibition of 1938

ABSTRACT:This essay explores an imperial state exhibition held in Tokyo in 1938 and explains how the exhibition displayed a fascist worldview of historical crisis and national regeneration that was taking shape in Japan in the late 1930s. The exhibition – entitled the Thought War Exhibition (Shisōsen tenrankai) – was curated by the Japanese state's newly formed Cabinet Information Division (Naikaku jōhōbu) and held in Takashimaya Department Store in downtown Tokyo. Comprised of materials related to the Communist International, the Spanish Civil War, the national liberation struggle in China, and the communist and anticolonial movements inside the Japanese Empire, the Exhibition portrayed Japan's invasion of the Chinese mainland in 1937 as an extension of a global thought war against communism, requiring all imperial subjects to purify themselves of foreign influences and mobilize for national thought defense. While on the surface this Exhibition was an example of prewar state propaganda, it also expressed...
A Segment Model for Energy-saving Electricity Markets

An improper design on the mechanism or operating mode of energy-saving generation dispatching (ESGD) could bring negative effects on the development and operation of electricity markets. Consequently,how to make an appropriate coordination between the objective of ESGD and the role of electricity markets in optimizing resource allocation is then a very important issue to be investigated in China. A segment model for energy-saving electricity markets is developed in this work for this purpose. At first,the principles on ESGD designing and the scope for its implementation are analyzed,and then a segment model is presented with the objective of decreasing the ESGD's negative effects on the electricity market development and operation,while respecting the given target of energy-saving and loss reduction. A stochastic optimization formulation for optimizing the segment model of energy-saving electricity markets is built in the framework of the well-established chance-constrained programming,with an objective of compromising the electricity purchasing cost minimization and the social welfare maximization. Finally,a numerical example is employed to demonstrate the essential features of the developed segment model and the effectiveness of the chance-constrained programming based method.
The Cephenniini of China. VII. New species and new records of Cephennodes Reitter of Shaanxi, Gansu and Sichuan (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae)

Nine new Chinese species of Cephennodes are described: C. (s. str.) intricatus sp. n. (Gansu), C. (s. str.) cryptointricatus sp. n. (Gansu), C. (s. str.) monofoveatus sp. n. (Shaanxi), C. (s. str.) pinnapes sp. n. (Sichuan), C. (s. str.) elegantissimus sp. n. (Sichuan), C. (s. str.) palpalis sp. n. (Gansu), C. (Fusionodes) corpulentus sp. n. (Sichuan), C. (Fusionodes) gutta sp. n. (Shaanxi) and C. (Fusionodes) medusa sp. n. (Sichuan). Cephennodes elegantissimus and C. palpalis are not placed in any species group within Cephennodes, while the remaining new taxa belong to the excavatus group (C. intricatus and C. cryptointricatus), the taurus group (C. monofoveatus), the inflatipes group (C. pinnapes), the graeseri group (C. gutta and C. medusa) and the newly established serratus group (C. corpulentus). Additionally, new records of previously described species are given: C. (s. str.) subcaudatus Jaloszynski (Shaanxi), C. (s. str.) parabdominalis Jaloszynski (Shaanxi) and C. (s. str.) pteroscapus Jaloszynski (Sichuan).
Altered States: Democracy from Abroad? Political Globalization

An election is typically thought of as a national affair. Yet even elections and their organization are increasingly borderless phenomena. From providing election monitoring (which often complements, rather than supplants, indigenous monitoring organizations and civic groups), to conducting elections, and beyond, international organizations have stepped into ever more extensive roles in countries struggling to move from dictatorship toward democracy. Bilateral (government-to-government) “political” aid played a backstage role during the Cold War, as the superpowers competed for the affections of Third World leaders and military basing rights. It was only in the post–Cold War era that the United Nations and other transnational political organizations such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) adopted an increasingly open policy of democracy promotion. By 1990, the shift toward increased (and normatively accepted) transnational participation in elections was in evidence. At that time, the UN began to experience an exponential increase in requests for election monitoring “from governments that felt compelled to prove their legitimacy by the new standards” – suggesting that the UN had come to be seen as a legitimator in the world of increasingly intrusive transnational institutions. It is in this context that the role of supranational political institutions grew, making possible an unprecedented level of transnational political intervention in a handful of struggling states. Two dramatic cases of such “political globalization” will be discussed here; the first took place in the early 1990s in Cambodia, and the second in Bosnia some years later, in the wake of Yugoslavia's collapse.
Vulvar Concerns in Women With a History of Abdominoplasty: A Case Series.

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to present a series of women with a history of traditional abdominoplasty or circumferential abdominoplasty (belt lipectomy) with vulvar concerns and anatomic changes.MethodsWe describe 5 women with a history of abdominoplasty who were referred with symptoms of vul
Mountains: A Special Issue

The special issues of the Annals allow the editors to highlight themes of international significance that showcase the breadth and depth of geography in a format accessible to a broad array of read...
The alcohol contexts of consent, wanted sex, sexual pleasure, and sexual assault: Results from a probability survey of undergraduate students

Objective: To examine, in a probability sample of undergraduate students, characteristics of students’ most recent sexual experiences (including alcohol use) as well as their experiences with nonco...
Intrepid steps towards clinical prime time.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most common valvular disorder and its prevalence is increasing in the aging population. MR is classically managed surgically or conservatively depending on its etiology and patient characteristics, however severe comorbidities preclude surgery in up to 50% of patients with severe MR (1). The development and widespread acceptance of transcatheter aortic valve replacement for patients with severe aortic stenosis over the past two decades has created a paradigm shift in the management of valvular heart disease.