cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modified Thoracoabdominal Approach to the Kidney and Retroperitoneal Tissue

AbstractExposure to the retroperitoneal space may be improved by performing thoracotomy through the 8th rib bed rather than the 9th or 10th and by combining a subcostal incision with the standard longitudinal abdominal incision. This modification of the standard thoracoabdominal incision has been used to remove giant hypernephromas, to perform radical nephrectomies with node dissection and to remove retroperitoneal lymphatic structures in non-seminomatous testis tumors.
Does basal production of nitric oxide contribute to regulation of brain-fluid balance?

Nitric oxide (NO), or a NO-containing compound, appears to mediate endothelium-dependent relaxation and may influence resting vascular tone. The goal of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that formation of NO has an important influence on blood flow to the brain and the choroid plexus. We measured blood flow with microspheres in anesthetized rabbits. Intravenous injection of NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 3 and 30 mg/kg), an analogue of arginine that inhibits the enzymatic formation of NO, had no significant effect on cerebral blood flow. Arterial pressure was maintained at control levels after injection of L-NNA. In contrast, L-NNA decreased blood flow to the choroid plexus by 36 +/- 4 (mean +/- SE) and 51 +/- 8% (P less than 0.05 for both doses), respectively, from a control value of 563 +/- 77 ml.min-1.100 g-1. L-NNA also reduced blood flow to the kidney, but the effect tended to be less than that observed in the choroid plexus. Decreases in blood flow to the choroid plexus and kidney were inhibited by pretreatment with L-arginine (60 mg.kg-1.min-1). L-Arginine alone had little effect on blood flow to the choroid plexus, brain, or kidney. These findings suggest that NO, or a closely related compound, derived from L-arginine has important effects on basal perfusion of the choroid plexus, the major site of formation of cerebrospinal fluid.
Incorporating safety into targeted pavement friction data collection and maintenance procedures

The objective of this research was to develop a methodology for targeted pavement friction data collection based on the analysis of weather-related crashes. Furthermore, the aim was to identify threshold values of pavement friction characteristics indicating a significant impact on safety prompting the need for maintenance and improvements. Spatial analysis using Local Moran’s I statistic identified hotspots where pavement friction data were collected. A master database was assembled including Wisconsin State Trunk Network (STN) road attributes, hotspots of weather-related crashes, and pavement friction data collected based on hotspot analysis. The analysis results provide evidence in support of hotspot analysis as a viable procedure for targeted pavement friction data collection to enable efficiency and cost reductions. Classification tree analysis using GUIDE (Generalized, Unbiased, Interaction Detection and Estimation) algorithm was used to further explore the relationship between pavement friction characteristics and safety. Statistically significant hotspots were observed below a pavement friction number of approximately 57 and very high hotspots below a pavement friction number of approximately 42. The results indicate that pavement friction thresholds identified in the literature between 20 and 32 may be too low and that safety may be impacted at friction numbers as high as in the forties. The results also show differences in friction and safety for various types of pavement surfaces. The use of weather-related crashes provides a data-driven and cost-effective method of prioritizing locations for pavement friction data collection and maintenance. Results from this research can be readily used in initial steps of systemic road safety management procedures by practitioners.
Processing and surface modification of polymer nanofibers for biological scaffolds: a review

Polymeric fibrous constructs possess high surface area-to-volume ratios when compared with solid substrates and are quite commonly used as tissue engineering and cell growth scaffolds. An overview of important design and material considerations for fibrous scaffolds as well as an outline of both established and emerging solution- and melt-based fabrication techniques is provided. Innovative post-process surface modification avenues using “click” chemistry with both single and dual active cues as well as gradient cues, which maintain the fibrous structure are described. By combining process parameters with post-process surface modification, researchers have been able to selectively tune cellular response after seeding and culturing on fibrous constructs.
Ganymedes, Persephone, and Mei: The Child as Object of Desire

(1989). Ganymedes, Persephone, and Mei: The Child as Object of Desire. Dutch Crossing: Vol. 13, No. 38, pp. 96-109.
Evolving Currency Trading Agents

The application of Neural Networks to financial analysis in general, and currency trading in particular, has been explored for a number of years. The most commonly [2,3,4,5] used NN training algorithm in this application is the backpropagation. The application of TWEANN systems to the same field is only now starting to emerge, and is showing a significant amount of potential. In this chapter we create a Forex simulator, and then use our neuroevolutionary system to evolve automated currency trading agents. For this application we will utilize not only the standard sliding window approach when feeding the sensory signals to the neural encoded agents, but also the sliding chart window, where we feed the evolved substrate encoded agents the actual candle-stick price charts, and then compare the performance of the two approaches. As of this writing, the use of geometrical pattern sensitive NN based agents in the analysis of financial instrument charts has not yet been explored in any other paper, to this author’s knowledge. Thus in this chapter we pioneer this approach, and explore its performance and properties.
Derivation of the Lorentz transformation without the use of Einstein's second postulate

Derivation of the Lorentz transformation without the use of Einstein's Second Postulate is provided along the lines of Ignatowsky, Terletskii, and others. This is a write-up of the lecture first delivered in PHYS 4202 E&M class during the Spring semester of 2014 at the University of Georgia. The main motivation for pursuing this approach was to develop a better understanding of why the faster-than-light neutrino controversy (OPERA experiment, 2011) was much ado about nothing.
Towards precision medicine in Alzheimer’s disease: deciphering genetic data to establish informative biomarkers

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Developing biomarker tools for identification of individuals at high-risk for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) is important for prognosis and early treatment. This review focuses on genetic factors and their potential role for precision medicine in LOAD.Areas covered: APOEe4 is the strongest genetic risk factor for non-Mendelian LOAD, and the APOE-linkage disequilibrium (LD) region has produced the most significant association signal in multi-center genome-wide-association-studies (GWAS). Consideration of extended haplotypes in the APOE-LD region and specifically, non-coding variants in putative enhancer elements, such as the TOMM40-polyT, in-addition to the coding variants that comprise the APOE-genotypes, may be useful for predicting subjects at high-risk of developing LOAD and estimating age-of-onset of early disease-stage symptoms. A genetic-biomarker based on APOE–TOMM40-polyT haplotypes, and age is currently applied in a clinical trial for prevention/delay of LOAD onset. A...
American Gastroenterological Association Institute Clinical Practice Update—Expert Review: Care of Patients Who Have Achieved a Sustained Virologic Response After Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is well-recognized as a common blood-borne infection with global public health impact affecting 3 to 5 million persons in the United States and more than 170 million persons worldwide. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to complications of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapies with all-oral direct-acting antiviral agents are associated with high rates of sustained virologic response (SVR), generally exceeding 90%. SVR is associated with a reduced risk of liver cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, need for liver transplantation, and both liver-related and all-cause mortality. However, a subset of patients who achieve SVR will remain at long-term risk for progression to cirrhosis, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related mortality. Limited evidence is available to guide clinicians on which post-SVR patients should be monitored vs discharged, how to monitor and with which tests, how frequently should monitoring occur, and for how long. In this clinical practice update, available evidence and expert opinion are used to generate best practice recommendations on the care of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus who have achieved SVR.
Separating Variances and Correlation; A New Prior for TVP-VARs

Time-Varying parameter models have become more popular in recent years, especially as they are adapted to accommodate larger datasets. However, all recent developments use standard priors, specifically the Inverse-Wishart class of priors over the parameter error covariance matrix. In this paper, I show that Inverse-Wishart priors have a number of negative properties, and that those properties are likely salient in a TVP context since there is little information from the likelihood. Fully aware of these deficiencies, the Bayesian Random Effects literature has developed a series of uninformative priors to correct these weaknesses. In this paper, I adapt one of those priors into an informative and easily understandable prior for covariances. I show that the choice of prior does have an impact on posterior inference and that the new priors have improved frequentist properties. I apply my prior to the canonical Primiceri (2005) dataset and find that their results were sensitive to the choice of prior. Moreover, in a forecasting exercise, the new prior improves forecasts for that same dataset.
Ocular Manifestations of Prematurity

The premature eye evolves through several stages prior to normal term birth. When a child enters the world prematurely, the ocular structures are still in this evolutionary stage that would normally be occurring in-utero. The immature development can be seen in the ocular adnexal structures, the anterior segment, lens, and posterior segment. Some of the most severe potential ocular outcomes from premature birth are Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) or serious ocular infection.
A Perspective on the Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Adults

The progressive improvement in the outcome of children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) represents one of the major achievements of clinical cancer research and is frequently singled out as an example of the progress to be hoped for in other cancers.
Low Rank Fourier Ptychography

In this paper, we introduce a principled algorithmic approach for Fourier ptychographic imaging of dynamic, time-varying targets. To the best of our knowledge, this setting has not been explicitly addressed in the ptychography literature. We argue that such a setting is very natural, and that our methods provide an important first step towards helping reduce the sample complexity (and hence acquisition time) of imaging dynamic scenes to managaeble levels. With significantly reduced acquisition times per image, it is conceivable that dynamic ptychographic imaging of fast changing scenes indeeed becomes practical in the near future.
Comparing breast biomarker status between routine immunohistochemistry and FISH studies and Oncotype DX testing, a study of 610 cases.

Introduction Oncotype DX (ODX) testing uses reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to predict distant recurrence rate of estrogen receptor positive (ER+)/HER2-negative (HER2-)/lymph node-negative (LN-) breast cancers. ODX also reports the status of breast cancer biomarkers, ER, progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2. This study examined the discrepancy rate of breast cancer biomarker status as reported by ODX vs routinely used immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methods. Methods A total of 610 breast cancer cases (609 ER+ and 1 ER-negative (ER-) by IHC) with ODX reports were reviewed. ER, PR, and HER2 status from ODX reports were compared with results from IHC and FISH studies. Results There was an overall high concordance rate between IHC and ODX for ER expression (603/610 concordant, 98.9%) and moderate concordance for PR expression (549/610 concordant, 90%). Of the seven ER-discrepant cases, six were positive by IHC but negative by ODX. Of the 61 PR-discrepant cases, 41 were positive by IHC but negative by ODX. Of the 610 cases, 568 had HER2 results reported by ODX. Five cases were HER2+ by IHC/FISH (0.88%). One of these five cases was reported as HER2+, two as HER2-, and two as HER2-equivocal by ODX. None of the cases that were HER2- or equivocal by IHC/FISH was reported as HER2+ by ODX. Conclusions There is good concordance between IHC and ODX for ER and PR expression, but IHC is more sensitive. The significant discordance in HER2+ cases may discourage reporting HER2 status by ODX testing.
Cotinine Testing Improves Smoking Cessation Before Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Patients who are actively smoking at the time of primary total joint arthroplasty (TJA) are at an increased risk of perioperative complications. Serum cotinine testing is a sensitive and specific method to verify abstinence from smoking and may therefore improve a patient’s chance of smoking cessation. The primary purpose of this study was to assess whether cotinine testing improves the self-reported quit rate among smokers before TJA. Methods Our hospital performs a high volume of TJAs and documents smoking status at each clinic visit (at 6-month intervals), as well as at the time of surgery through an institutional total joint registry. As part of a retrospective analysis, this information was used to identify all self-reported smokers (regularly cigarette smoking within 1 year of TJA) who underwent unilateral TJA from 2007 to 2018. The cohort had a mean age of 66 years, 55% were female, and the mean body mass index was 31 kg/m2. Patients whose serum cotinine was obtained within 1 month before surgery were then separated from the cohort and compared to the smokers who did not undergo cotinine testing. Results Of the 28,758 primary TJAs identified, 8.8% (2514) were smokers. Serum cotinine testing was obtained on 103 of these patients. The abstinence rate (by means of self-reporting) before surgery significantly improved from 15.8% to 28.2% in the untested vs cotinine-tested groups, respectively (P = .005). Among all patients who underwent cotinine testing, 77% were negative (abstinent) and an additional 15% had cotinine levels between 3 and 8 ng/mL representing passive tobacco exposure. Among patients who stated they had quit smoking, 15% still had positive cotinine tests. Conclusion Smoking cessation remains a major challenge in contemporary TJA practices despite a concerted effort to help patients quit. Our findings suggest that cotinine testing significantly improves the self-reported quit rates of smokers before surgery and helps identify the 15% who falsely report abstinence to ensure appropriate counseling of inherent risks. Level of Evidence Therapeutic level III.
Longitudinal development of conversational exchanges in children with hearing loss

Conversations between adults and children have been shown to be an important factor affecting the development of cognition, academic performance, and language use in children. Conversational exchange frequency between parents and children has been shown to increase with age. It has also been demonstrated that degraded sensory input, such as with hearing loss, can result in reduced language, speech, and communication skills in children. This study examines the longitudinal development of conversational exchanges between children with hearing loss and their parents. Thirty-nine families contributed 370 daylong recordings constituting 4337 h of audio collected from a body-worn audio recorder. Automatic speech processing techniques were used to identify and tally conversational exchanges. The main longitudinal effect of age on conversation exchange rate is confirmed, but the effect is weaker and may have a different developmental trajectory for families of children with a hearing loss. This result may be influenced by differences in the development of joint attention between children who are typically developing and those with hearing loss. Conversations between adults and children have been shown to be an important factor affecting the development of cognition, academic performance, and language use in children. Conversational exchange frequency between parents and children has been shown to increase with age. It has also been demonstrated that degraded sensory input, such as with hearing loss, can result in reduced language, speech, and communication skills in children. This study examines the longitudinal development of conversational exchanges between children with hearing loss and their parents. Thirty-nine families contributed 370 daylong recordings constituting 4337 h of audio collected from a body-worn audio recorder. Automatic speech processing techniques were used to identify and tally conversational exchanges. The main longitudinal effect of age on conversation exchange rate is confirmed, but the effect is weaker and may have a different developmental trajectory for families of children with a hearing loss. This result may be infl...
Toward Detection of Access Control Models from Source Code via Word Embedding

Advancement in machine learning techniques in recent years has led to deep learning applications on source code. While there is little research available on the subject, the work that has been done shows great potential. We believe deep learning can be leveraged to obtain new insight into automated access control policy verification. In this paper, we describe our first step in applying learning techniques to access control, which consists of developing word embeddings to bootstrap learning tasks. We also discuss the future work on identifying access control enforcement code and checking access control policy violations, which can be enabled by word embeddings.
A one-two punch with VO KOs CLL

In this issue of Blood , Flinn et al report the results of a phase 1b study combining venetoclax and obinutuzumab (VO) to treat both relapsed/refractory and previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). 1
Epidermal Growth Factor

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a soluble protein that mediates its growth signal through a family of cognate EGF receptors. At least 11 related EGF family members also signal through EGF receptors including amphiregulin, epiregulin, neuregulins, betacellulin, and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor. EGF signaling has recently taken on a prominent role in clinical medicine due to an expanding cadre of drugs that target the EGF receptor and downstream mediators of EGF signaling.
Medical data and machine learning improve power of stroke genome-wide association studies

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) may require enrollment of up to millions of participants to power variant discovery. This requires manual curation of cases and controls with large-scale collaborations. Biobanks connected to electronic health records (EHR) can facilitate these studies by using data from clinical care systems, like billing diagnosis codes, as phenotypes. These systems, however, do not define adjudicated cases and controls. We developed QTPhenProxy, a machine learning model that adds nuance to cohort classification by assigning everyone in a cohort a probability of having the study disease. We then ran a GWAS using the probabilities as a quantitative trait. With an order of magnitude fewer cases than the largest stroke GWAS, our method outperformed previous methods at replicating known variants in stroke and discovered a novel variant in ABCG8 associated with intracerebral hemorrhage in the UK Biobank that replicated in the MEGASTROKE GWA meta-analysis. QTPhenProxy expands traditional phenotyping to improve the power of GWAS.
Higher-order Bessel beams integrated with time (HOBBIT) for dynamic structured light control

Conventional systems exploiting dynamic control of spatiotemporal beams using spatial light modulators are limited in data rate and power density. These are not the only limits, since the desired spatial control should include a continuum of Orbital Angular Momentum so that fractional and integer OAM states are possible, as well as coherent combinations to realize complex power flows for interaction science in linear and nonlinear regimes. This talk will summarize recent progress based on the spatial and dynamic control of Higher Order Bessel Gaussian Beams that can be reconfigured at unprecedented rates and applicable for high power densities. Applications will include propagation through dynamic turbulence, beam control and nonlinear interactions exploiting a continuum of OAM states. Future perspectives will also be discussed for a number of applications relevant to Maritime sensing.
Fission of ^{240}Pu with Symmetry-Restored Density Functional Theory.

Nuclear fission plays an important role in fundamental and applied science, from astrophysics to nuclear engineering, yet it remains a major challenge to nuclear theory. Theoretical methods used so far to compute fission observables rely on symmetry-breaking schemes where basic information on the number of particles, angular momentum, and parity of the fissioning nucleus is lost. In this Letter, we analyze the impact of restoring broken symmetries in the benchmark case of $^{240}\mathrm{Pu}$.
3D printing of gas-dynamic virtual nozzles and optical characterization of high-speed microjets

Gas dynamic virtual nozzles (GDVNs) produce microscopic flow-focused liquid jets and droplets and play an important role at X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) facilities where they are used to steer a stream of hydrated biomolecules into an X-ray focus during diffraction measurements. Highly stable and reproducible microjet and microdroplets are desired, as are flexible fabrication methods that enable integrated mixing microfluidics, droplet triggering mechanisms, laser illumination, and other customized features. In this study, we develop the use of high-resolution 3D nano-printing for the production of monolithic, asymmetric GDVN designs that are difficult to fabricate by other means. We also develop a dual-pulsed nanosecond image acquisition and analysis platform for the characterization of GDVN performance, including jet speed, length, diameter, and directionality, among others. We show that printed GDVNs can form microjets with very high degree of reproducibility, down to sub-micron diameters, and with water jet speeds beyond 170 m/s.
Nonvitamin, Nonmineral Dietary Supplement Use in Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background Over-the-counter, natural product-based (nonvitamin, nonmineral) dietary supplement (NVNM DS) use is common in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a group at risk for drug-DS interactions, due to polypharmacy, but this use is underreported to health care providers. Recent dramatic changes in US sales of specific NVNM DS suggest that the prevalence and types of NVNM DS used in RA populations may also have shifted. Objectives A study was undertaken to identify current and past use of specific NVNM DS for RA disease treatment and to examine associations between use of NVNM DS, RA pharmaceuticals, and/or vitamin or mineral (VM) DS. Methods We developed a survey instrument to capture current and ever use of specific NVNM DS, VM DS, and RA pharmaceuticals, with 696 subjects self-reporting an RA diagnosis recruited online or in clinic for survey participation. Analyses were limited to 611 subjects reporting RA diagnosis after age 18 y and treatment with specific RA pharmaceuticals. Results Most participants reported DS use, with current usage prevalence 49.6% (n = 303), 83.5% (n = 510), or 87.6% (n = 535) for NVNM, VM, or any DS, respectively. While not having appeared in previous RA surveys, turmeric and ginger were among the top 3 NVNM DS in current use, along with fish oil/ω-3 (n-3) PUFA. Concurrent NVNM DS use was reported by 48.2% (n = 243) of participants currently using RA pharmaceuticals (n = 504) and was more common in those using disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs only (no biologics). Most methotrexate users (83%) reported concurrent folate supplementation, with one-third also using turmeric, which is notable because methotrexate and turmeric have been associated with hepatotoxicity. Conclusion Individuals with RA commonly use NVNM DS in combination with RA pharmaceuticals, including a previously undocumented but popular use of turmeric or ginger supplements with an unclear risk/benefit ratio.
Association of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease–Specific Care With Clinical Characteristics and Healthcare Use

Background Many adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are cared for by non‐ACHD specialists, if they receive care at all. Little is known about the differences between those who access care a...
A Modified Technique for Valve Regurgitation after Partial Atrioventricular Septal Defect Repair.

Given its complex pathological anatomy, recurrent left atrioventricular valve regurgitation after partial atrioventricular septal defect repair remains a challenge for surgical correction. Here, we introduce a modified bridging technique by shortening the anteroposterior leaflet distance in selected patients with inadequate coaptation to compensate for the short leaflet height, specifically that of the anterior leaflet.
Generalized Correlations and Instantaneous Causality for Data Pairs Benchmark

Usual correlations assume linearity. If new generalized correlations satisfy r*(Y |X) > r*(X|Y ), X better predicts Y than vice versa. Then we say that X "causes" Y . Thus, Vinod (2013) revives Granger's instantaneous causality concept. Mooij et al. (2014) and their references seem unaware of causality in econometrics. We propose and illustrate new generalized correlations using benchmark data set Cause Effect Pairs (CEP) that consists of 88 different binary "cause effect pairs" from 31 real world data sources, where the cause is presumed known. Our ability to successfully identify the cause in some 75% of cases means researchers can benefit from using our fairly simple data- analytic R software tools as a first step to save time and expense.
Mel Ayton. Dark Soul of the South: The Life and Crimes of Racist Killer Joseph Paul Franklin

Potomac Books is an imprint of the University of Nebraska Press, which has a number of interesting although little-known titles. Dark Soul of the South: The Life and Crimes of Racist Killer Joseph ...
Computational model for dyadic and bimanual reaching movements

While hand trajectory has been successfully modeled for single arm reaching movement, few works have considered the bimanual reaching movement and no study has modeled the dyadic reaching movement. In a bimanual task, both hands belong to the same person, while in a dyadic task each hand belongs to a different person. In this paper, we study both bimanual and dyadic reaching movements and show that the motion trajectory follows the minimum-jerk trajectory. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that studies the dyadic reaching movements. Furthermore, we show that our model is consistent with the existing theories on single arm motions, when applied to each of the cooperating arms.
Geochemistry of clathrate‐derived methane in Arctic ocean waters

[1] Alterations to the composition of seawater are estimated for microbial oxidation of methane from large polar clathrate destabilizations, which may arise in the coming century. Gas fluxes are taken from porous flow models of warming Arctic sediment. Plume spread parameters are then used to bracket the volume of dilution. Consumption stoichiometries for the marine methanotrophs are based on growth efficiency and elemental/enzyme composition data. The nutritional demand implied by extra CH4 removal is compared with supply in various high latitude water masses. For emissions sized to fit the shelf break, reaction potential begins at one hundred micromolar and falls to order ten a thousand kilometers downstream. Oxygen loss and carbon dioxide production are sufficient respectively to hypoxify and acidify poorly ventilated basins. Nitrogen and the monooxygenase transition metals may be depleted in some locations as well. Deprivation is implied relative to existing ecosystems, along with dispersal of the excess dissolved gas. Physical uncertainties are inherent in the clathrate abundance, patch size, outflow buoyancy and mixing rate. Microbial ecology is even less defined but may involve nutrient recycling and anaerobic oxidizers.
Statistical analysis of tropical explosive volcanism occurrences over the last 6 centuries

[1] Explosive volcanic eruptions are very violent events, each with clearly individual characteristics. Instead of looking at specific eruptions, we focus here on the long term record of tropical explosive volcanism. To assess the distribution of volcanic occurrences over several centuries we employ sulfate measurements from polar ice cores. From these measurements, we compile a binary time series of sulfate deposition events that left a signature at both poles. Because of the binary nature of this problem, a series of logistic statistical models are compared to best represent the data. These models demonstrate the existence of a strong multi-decadal variation in the occurrence of sulfur rich tropical eruptions. More precisely, a combination of a trend and a cycle explains best the evolution of eruption history. To corroborate this result with a record independent of the ice cores, we confirm these long-term variations with the most recent Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI).
Bordered Perspectives: Local Stakeholders' Views of Border Management in the Cascade Corridor Region

Increased centralization of control on the Canada–United States (US) border in response to security concerns emanating from 9/11 has prompted a continuing debate about future border policy. Broad top-down strategies, responsive to the agendas of national security managers have been deployed. These strategies formulated by national authorities may be at odds with the requirements of border stakeholders and authorities who face unique circumstances in the borderlands. It is at this micro level where those closest to the border and most affected by its functioning have routinely engaged in complex bi-national interactions. These people, termed stakeholders in this study, are critically involved in a host of relationships across the border. Yet, knowledge of the attitudes and perspectives of border stakeholders is lacking. This paper's purpose is to examine Canadian and US border stakeholders' perspectives on the state of border management and how such perspectives can contribute to its improvement. Stakehold...
Measurement and modeling of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of phenol from water

Abstract An equilibrium flow apparatus for measuring phase equilibria in systems containing liquids and super-critical fluids is described. Saturated vapor and liquid compositions and K values are determined with this apparatus for the ternary system of CO2, phenol, and water. The results are accurately modeled using a perturbation theory-based equation-of-state (EOS) — the Carnahan-Starling-DeSantis-Redlich-Kwong (CSDRK) EOS. Differences with K values previously reported in the literature are discussed.
Identification of the Direction of a Causal Effect by Instrumental Variables

This article provides a strategy to identify the existence and direction of a causal effect in a generalized nonparametric and nonseparable model identified by instrumental variables. The causal effect concerns how the outcome depends on the endogenous treatment variable. The outcome variable, treatment variable, other explanatory variables, and the instrumental variable can be essentially any combination of continuous, discrete, or “other” variables. In particular, it is not necessary to have any continuous variables, none of the variables need to have large support, and the instrument can be binary even if the corresponding endogenous treatment variable and/or outcome is continuous. The outcome can be mismeasured or interval-measured, and the endogenous treatment variable need not even be observed. The identification results are constructive, and can be empirically implemented using standard estimation results.
The Impacts of Human Capital and Need on Alimony

Abstract Work on the determinants of alimony awards is sparse and often speculative. The present study tests the human capital and needs models of alimony with data from Alabama. The results of Tobit regression analyses provide mixed support for both theories. For example, the human capital model was supported for duration of marriage but not husband's education. The economic need model was supported for age of wife, but not her education or presence of children. While some indicators of both models are written into Alabama's Legal Code on divorce, most indicators of both models are not predictive of alimony awards in practice. Models of alimony should perhaps also look to consensual, normative factors rather than being constrained by those that find expression in legal codes.
On the Effect of Granularity on Dynamic Range and Information Content of Photographic Recordings

The presence of graininess in a photographic emulsion provides a threshold below which a signal will not be detectable. Graininess thus acts as a limiting factor on dynamic range.Granularity data of photographic emulsions are used to determine the minimum usable spot size when the dynamic range or the number of discernible grey steps of the recording is specified, or the resulting dynamic range, if the resolution element size is specified.A brief analysis is made of the information content as affected by the element size, i.e., scanning spot size.
In situ high pressure-temperature Raman spectroscopy technique with laser-heated diamond anvil cells

We describe an in situ high pressure-temperature Raman technique for studying materials in laser-heated diamond anvil cells using a Nd:YLF laser (1053 nm) as the heating source and an ion laser as the Raman exciting source. Here we introduce the method of laser heating transparent samples using a metallic foil (Pt,Re, or W) as the laser absorber (internal heating furnace) in a diamond cell. The YLF laser is used to effectively laser-heat one side of a metal foil 5–15 μm thick with a small hole of 10–20 μm in diameter at the center. The foil, in turn, heats a transparent sample while the Raman signals excited by an Ar+ or Kr+ laser are measured. Temperature of the laser-heated foil is measured by means of spectroradiometry whereas the average temperature of the heated sample is independently determined from the intensity ratios of the anti-Stokes/Stokes excitation pairs. The intrinsic temperature-dependent asymmetry of the Raman spectra arises from the principle of the detailed balance and is independent of sample properties other than the temperatures. The average determined by the signal-to-noise ratio of anti-Stokes/Stokes excitation pairs gives the sample temperature with the statistical accuracy of the Raman spectra. Transparent samples such as CO2 have been heated up to 1600 K and 65 GPa and Raman spectra have been measured with temperature uncertainty of 50–100 K. In situ Raman spectroscopy by laser heating represents a powerful technique to characterize high pressure-temperature properties of materials including molecular systems present in planetary interiors.
Computerized offender assessment: Validation study.

The validity of a computer-based test interpretation (CBTI) system for mental health screening in correctional settings was evaluated. First, 100 adult male felons were administered a brief mental status interview and a series of psychological tests, including the MMPI, the revised Beta IQ Examination, and the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory. Psychiatric diagnoses and CBTI ratings of victimization, violence, suicide, and substance abuse potentials were compared with clinicians' evaluations. Second, CBTI diagnoses of 109 inmates were compared with Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) diagnoses. Last, CBTI risk ratings were compared with institutional infraction records of 1,718 inmates
Wake Structure of a Helicopter Rotor in Forward Flight

The wake of an idealized two-bladed helicopter rotor in forward flight has been experimentally investigated using hot-wire anemometry techniques. A model was designed, constructed, installed, and tested in a wind tunnel. Time-dependent measurements of three-dimensional velocity vectors were obtained for two pitch angles corresponding to a Reynolds number based on the rotor tip rotational velocity and blade chord of 8.2 x 10 4 and 6.2 x 10 4, respectively, at an advance ratio of 0.15. The results include time- and phase-averaged data of mean velocity components and turbulence intensities, as well as spectral analysis. Profiles of the streamwise component of the velocity vector have shown the existence of an H, component of the vorticity vector. Analysis of the vertical and the transverse component of the velocity vector also revealed the existence of an flx component of the vorticity vector at both edges of the wake. Large levels of turbulent kinetic energy were found almost everywhere in the wake. Turbulence intensity due to the presence of the counterclockwise rotating vortex reached the maximum values of 22.4 and 19% for pitch angle 10 and 6 deg, respectively. Spectral analysis of the velocity components revealed peaks of power spectral densities at frequencies two or four times higher than the blade passage frequency. This suggests a possible breakup of the vortex sheets roll-up or tip vortices due to large scale instabilities. Nomenclature A = rotor disk area = irR2, m2 Al9 A2, A3 = hot-wire calibration constants Bl9 B2, B3 = hot-wire calibration constants b = number of blades c = blade chord, m
Innocent aberrant renal vessels producing ureteropelvic junction obstruction

Hydronephrosis caused by a triad of weight loss, renal ptosis, and the presence of lower pole aberrant renal vessels in two adults, with review of literature and surgical approach to this problem, is discussed.
Combination delivery of TGF-β inhibitor and IL-2 by nanoscale liposomal polymeric gels enhances tumour immunotherapy

The tumour microenvironment thwarts conventional immunotherapy through multiple immunologic mechanisms, such as the secretion of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), which stunts local tumour immune responses. Therefore, high doses of interleukin-2 (IL-2), a conventional cytokine for metastatic melanoma, induces only limited responses. To overcome the immunoinhibitory nature of the tumour microenvironment, we developed nanoscale liposomal polymeric gels (nanolipogels; nLGs) of drug-complexed cyclodextrins and cytokine-encapsulating biodegradable polymers that can deliver small hydrophobic molecular inhibitors and water-soluble protein cytokines in a sustained fashion to the tumour microenvironment. nLGs releasing TGF-β inhibitor and IL-2 significantly delayed tumour growth, increased survival of tumour-bearing mice, and increased the activity of natural killer cells and of intratumoral-activated CD8(+) T-cell infiltration. We demonstrate that the efficacy of nLGs in tumour immunotherapy results from a crucial mechanism involving activation of both innate and adaptive immune responses.
Direct Growth of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes for the Characterization of Structural and Electronic Properties

Fabricating horizontally aligned single wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with controlled properties has been one of the significant challenges for field-effect transistor (FET) applications. This report demonstrates a novel procedure for the fabrication of horizontally aligned single walled CNTs using the focused ion beam (FIB) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). This method allows the morphologies, internal structures, and elemental compositions of CNTs to be directly analyzed in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) and avoids any sample preparation procedures that might alter the structure of the CNTs. The techniques of electron beam and ion beam induced deposition (EBID and IBID) of Pt electrodes to the CNT ends were compared and both were found to produce metal contamination around the target area. The fabrication of large area electrodes to assist in testing the CNT’s electronic properties, including contact resistance and I-V characteristics was investigated. Using this fabrication technique we were able to perform an I-V sweep on a CNT circuit as well as detect the metal contamination on the CNTs which occurred as a result of electrode deposition.
N-H-π hydrogen bonding in a norbornenyl diamide

Abstract IR data obtained in dilute CH 2 Cl 2 solution suggest that the predominant conformation of 1 contains an N-H--π hydrogen bond involving the carbon-carbon double bond. The dimethylamide moiety also appears to play a conformation-directing role, but not via a typical N-H--OC hydrogen bond.
Content and turnover of gangliosides in rat brain following behavioural stimulation.

— Rats were placed in a tank of deep water to swim until they learned to escape (Group E) or were lifted out (Group F). Controls (Group C) were left in their home cages. Specific radioactivities of purified gangliosides, other glycolipids and nonlipid carbohydrates were measured at 9 and 24 h after intracranial injection of D-[1-14C]glucosamine and the subsequent swimming trials. Nonspecific effects of behavioural stimulation (similar changes in Groups E and F) included decreased net incorporation of radioactivity into monosialogangliosides and nonganglioside carbohydrates, a relative increase in content of GT1 gangliosides and decreased content of GT1 gangliosides. Specific effects (different changes in Groupe E and F) included in Group E decreased net uptake of radioactivity into disialogangliosides. These results demonstrate that in rat brain: (1) ganglioside metabolism is affected by behavioural stimulation; (2) metabolism of other heteropolysaccharides is also affected; and (3) some biochemical changes are consequences of nonspecific stimulation whereas others are associated with specific elements of experience.
A two-dimensional numerical study of explosive events in the solar atmosphere with Ohmic heating and thermal conduction

Abstract The solar explosive events are further studied taking Joule dissipation and thermal conduction into account. The former heats up the plasmoid of the magnetic island, the latter cools it down. The results are consistent with S.-P. Jin's previous work that did not include either factors, and display more clearly the phenomenon of high-velocity flow in these events.
Regulation of beta-endorphin secretion by corticotropin-releasing factor in the intact rat testis.

CRF stimulates beta-endorphin (beta EP) secretion from adult rat Leydig cells in vitro. To evaluate the relevance of this action of CRF in a physiological context, we studied the effect of CRF on beta EP secretion in the testis in whole animals. In the pubertal rat, intratesticular infusion of CRF resulted in a 3-fold stimulation of immunoreactive beta EP (ir beta EP) levels in testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) compared with levels in contralateral saline-infused testes. Coadministration of the antagonist CRF-(12-41) resulted in TIF ir beta EP concentrations that were reduced compared to levels in paired saline controls. Infusion of the competitive antagonist CRF-(9-41) alone slightly stimulated ir beta EP concentrations in TIF. In adult animals, all of the peptides tested were without effect. These results suggest a developmental regulation of the action of CRF on beta EP levels in the pubertal rat testis. Our studies in conjunction with documented results demonstrate that in the testis, beta EP is act...
Emergency medicine resident scheduling and patient exposure.

Objectives As a result of increasing emergency department census and patient waiting times at the authors' institution, attending physician staffing was increased, followed by a change in resident shift schedule. A study was undertaken to ascertain any change in residents' exposure to patients during the times before and immediately following the staffing and scheduling changes. Methods The number and triage acuity of patients seen by residents were recorded and compared during four distinct time periods: two historical control periods with double attending coverage and two simultaneously scheduled residents; a period of triple attending coverage with two simultaneously scheduled residents; and a final period of triple attending coverage and staggered resident scheduling. Results Residents tend to see more patients per shift as the academic year progresses (mean increase of two per shift between fall and spring [95% CI = 1.5 to 2.4]). The increase to triple attending coverage during peak times did not alter the number or acuity of patients being seen by emergency medicine residents. However, a change in the resident's schedule from simultaneous day shifts to staggered day and night shifts was associated with a crude decrease in the number of patients seen by 0.7 per shift (95% CI = 0 to 1.3), and a decrease of 1.0 (95% CI = 0.4 to 1.2) when adjusted for patient census. Conclusions After an increase in attending coverage, there was no change in the number or triage acuity of patients seen by residents. Staggered scheduling may decrease residents' exposure to patients compared with simultaneous scheduling.
The association of water chemistry variables and fish condition in streams of Shenandoah National Park (USA)

As part of the “Shenandoah National Park: Fish in Sensitive Habitats” (SNP:FISH) project, the blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) was utilized as an indicator species to assess the susceptibility of the ichthyofaunal community of Shenandoah National Park (USA) to acidification. Water chemistry (ANC, conductivity, pH, and concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, and SiO2) was sampled every three months over the course of 3 1/4 years which represents the probable maximum lifetime of R atratulus. Condition factors (K=[g/mm3]*106) were calculated for samples of fish (age class 2+ yr; n=370) from nine montane, second/third order streams representing a range of ANCs. A principle components regression was performed on factor scores from a principle components analysis of the water chemistry variables and fish condition factor. Two factors, one associated with stream water ANC and ion concentrations, and another associated with SO42− concentration, collectively explained 84% of the variance in condition factor. The influence of variables other than water chemistry upon R atratulus K is addressed. The results show that environmental chemistry is highly associated with the K of R atratulus.