cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control of Widely Tunable Lasers With High-Q Resonator as an Integral Part of the Cavity

We have designed and fabricated widely tunable semiconductor laser with a high- Q resonator as an integral part of the laser cavity. Wide tuning is realized by utilizing the Vernier effect of two rings with slightly different circumferences. A third ring with considerably larger circumference, and, consequently, higher Q is introduced inside the laser cavity. We study the control of such a laser and show that it is straightforward provided that the integrated laser has on-chip monitor photodiodes. This further shows the benefits of full integration as inclusion of additional monitor photodetectors is straightforward with no extra processing steps. As the complexity of photonic-integrated chips increases, the inclusion of more monitor photodetectors for control is necessary.
Adenoidectomy in Children: What Is the Evidence and What Is its Role?

Review the current state of the adenoidectomy procedure in the pediatric population with up-to-date indications for surgery, operative techniques, adverse events, non-surgical management of adenoid hypertrophy, and future directions. Adenoidectomy is indicated in children for the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing, nasal airway obstruction, recurrent acute otitis media, and chronic rhinosinusitis. A new recommendation was released in 2016, not supporting adenoidectomy for a primary indication of otitis media in children under 4 years old, including those with prior tympanostomy tubes, unless a distinct indication exists such as nasal obstruction or chronic adenoiditis. Although adenotonsillectomy is the mainstay of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), recent studies have identified that non-obese patients with moderate OSA and small tonsils have comparable benefits with adenoidectomy alone with less complications. While conventional approaches such as indirect mirror-assisted curette and suction coagulation are still utilized, direct transnasal endoscope-assisted removal of the adenoids has proven to be a safe technique, with good short- and long-term outcomes. Novel non-surgical therapies including immunotherapy have been evaluated. Adenoidectomy is a safe procedure in the pediatric population and leads to excellent outcomes. Adverse events are rare, and hospitalization is uncommon. Children with sleep disturbance from nasal airway obstruction, ear disease, or chronic rhinosinusitis are the best operative candidates for this procedure.
Support and setback: how religion and religious organisations shape the incorporation of unaccompanied indigenous youth

Churches are recognised as pillars of solidarity and support within immigrant communities but rarely in regard to youths’ social incorporation. Drawing on 24 months of participant observation of tw...
Stoma creation through the stoma site: A rapid, safe technique

Stoma creation often involves a separate laparotomy incision. Recently, laparoscopy was suggested to minimize the morbidity associated with conventional open stomal techniques. We describe and evaluate a technique of stoma creation done directly through the stoma site, avoiding both laparotomy and laparoscopy. METHODS: Charts of 36 patients who underwent attempted stoma creation using this closed technique were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients had stomas successfully created in this fashion (closed group); although four patients failed and required laparotomy (open group), there was an overall success rate of 89 percent. Blood loss (17±5vs.350±130 ml;P<.001), operative time (52±8vs.169±35 minutes;P<0.001), and complications (3/32vs.4/4;P<0.001) favored the closed group. No factors, including diagnosis, obesity, or previous abdominal surgery were identified that contraindicated use of the closed technique. CONCLUSIONS: Stomas can be safely made in a high proportion of patients without the need for laparotomy or laparoscopy. Failure of the closed technique identifies a group of patients who have a high associated operative time, blood loss, and morbidity when laparotomy is used for stoma creation and in whom laparoscopic procedures may improve results.
Functional assays for the molecular chaperone cosmc.

Abstract Mucin type O-glycosylation involves sequential actions of several glycosyltransferases in the Golgi apparatus. Among those enzymes, a single gene product termed core 1 β3-galactosyltransferase (T-synthase) in vertebrates is the key enzyme that converts the precursor Tn antigen GalNAcα1-Ser/Thr to the core 1 structure, Galβ1-3GalNAcα1-Ser/Thr, also known as T antigen. This represents the most common structure within typical O -glycans of membrane and secreted glycoproteins. Formation of the active T-synthase requires that it interacts with Co re 1 β3Gal-T S pecific M olecular C haperone (Cosmc), which is a specific molecular chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). T-synthase activity is commonly measured by its ability to transfer [ 3 H]Gal from UDP-[ 3 H]Gal to an artificial acceptor GalNAcα-1- O -phenyl to form [ 3 H]Galβ1-3GalNAcα-1- O -phenyl, which can then be isolated and quantified. Because the primary function of Cosmc is to form active T-synthase, the activity of Cosmc is assessed indirectly by its ability to promote formation of active T-synthase when it is coexpressed with T-synthase in cells lacking functional Cosmc. Such cells include insect cells, which constitutively lack Cosmc, and Cosmc-deficient mammalian cell lines. Cosmc is encoded by the X-linked Cosmc gene (Xq24 in human, Xc3 in mice), thus, acquired mutations in Cosmc , which have been observed in several human diseases, such as Tn syndrome and cancers, cause a loss of T-synthase, and expression of the Tn antigen. The methods described here allow the functional activities of such mutated Cosmc (mCosmc) to be measured and compared to wild-type (wtCosmc) .
College degree attainment by age of first marijuana use and parental education

Background: Age of first marijuana use is a key predictor of later educational outcomes, but limited work has identified demographic factors that impact this association across continuous ages of f...
The Fighters: Americans in Combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, by C. J. Chivers

In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has dangled the prospect of a complete US pullout from Afghanistan and Syria, causing the waters of public attention to churn in response as journalists, sch...
Energy-Efficient ECG Signal Compression for User Data Input in Cyber-Physical Systems by Leveraging Empirical Mode Decomposition

Human physiological data are naturalistic and objective user data inputs for a great number of cyber-physical systems (CPS). Electrocardiogram (ECG) as a widely used physiological golden indicator for certain human state and disease diagnosis is often used as user data input for various CPS such as medical CPS and human–machine interaction. Wireless transmission and wearable technology enable long-term continuous ECG data acquisition for human–CPS interaction; however, these emerging technologies bring challenges of storing and wireless transmitting huge amounts of ECG data, leading to energy efficiency issue of wearable sensors. ECG signal compression technique provides a promising solution for these challenges by decreasing ECG data size. In this study, we develop the first scheme of leveraging empirical mode decomposition (EMD) on ECG signals for sparse feature modeling and compression and further propose a new ECG signal compression framework based on EMD constructed feature dictionary. The proposed method features in compressing ECG signals using a very limited number of feature bases with low computation cost, which significantly improves the compression performance and energy efficiency. Our method is validated with the ECG data from MIT-BIH arrhythmia database and compared with existing methods. The results show that our method achieves the compression ratio (CR) of up to 164 with the root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.48% and the average CR of 88.08 with the RMSE of 5.66%, which is more than twice of the average CR of the state-of-the-art methods with similar recovering error rate of around 5%. For diagnostic distortion perspective, our method achieves high QRS detection performance with the sensitivity (SE) of 99.8% and the specificity (SP) of 99.6%, which shows that our ECG compression method can preserve almost all the QRS features and have no impact on the diagnosis process. In addition, the energy consumption of our method is only 30% of that of other methods when compared under the same recovering error rate.
Elbow Arthrodesis—A Review:

Elbow arthrodesis is an uncommonly performed operation, but it has a specific and niche place in the management of difficult elbow pathology. Many indications and contraindications have been report...
Quest for Immortality: An Analysis of ISIS’s Dabiq

The digital communication strategy of terrorist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is an essential tool in recruiting new followers and for fomenting individual acts of violent extremism. Scholars have sought to understand how and why these publications prompt individuals to join such groups. This study explored this phenomenon using terror management theory as the theoretical lens for an analysis of 15 issues of Dabiq in an effort to discern how ISIS constructs death for its readers. The findings suggest a conceptualization of immortality promised to those who die in the name of Salafi jihadism.
Extraneous vowels and doctor productivity: an international comparison

George Bernard Shaw once quipped that the United States and the United Kingdom (and, by default, the Commonwealth) are “two nations, divided by a common language.” 1 We assume he was referring to the United States’ system of spelling, which began to diverge from Britain’s in the 1830s under the influence of dictionarian Noah Webster. 2 Based on 2005 estimates, the US has the highest worker productivity among English speaking nations: 67.32 as a ratio of gross domestic product to purchasing power.3 In contrast, Australian worker productivity is 55.87, followed by the UK at 51.38, Canada at 50.29, and New Zealand at 36.83. It is possible that, in the medical realm, time spent typing (or writing) the extraneous vowels in British English accounts for these differences. This becomes the proverbial albatross in inpatient and outpatient settings with heavy documentation burdens, reaching …
Volumetric light-shaping polymer-dispersed liquid crystal films for mini-LED backlights

Volumetric light-shaping polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films for mini-LED backlit liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are proposed and experimentally demonstrated. With proper material enginee...
Experimental Verification of Microwave Phase Shifters Using Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) Varactors

In this paper, parallel plate varactor based phase shifter circuits using Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) thin films are presented. A cascade of 10, 15 and 20 parallel plate varactors were able to produce (150°, 258°, 297°), (218°, 381°,443°) and (227°, 402°, 464°) phase shift at (5, 10, 12 GHz) respectively. The 360° phase shift is achieved with small device size, low bias voltages (0-8 V), low leakage currents, low insertion loss and high figure of merit (FOM). FOM of 40, 33, 24 Degrees/dB is achieved with 10, 15 and 20 shunt varactors at 12 GHz respectively. The proposed circuit is very easy to fabricate which uses a CPW transmission line configuration and can be easily integrated with other circuits on chip.
Teacher-student ratings of social, emotional, behavioural needs among high school freshmen students

Students’ social, emotional, and behavioural (SEB) needs are associated with their academics and school behaviours, and teachers are in proximal roles to address students’ needs. However, it is unc...
Predictors of disease duration and symptom course of outpatients with acute covid-19: a retrospective cohort study

ABSTRACT Objective Describe the disease course in a cohort of outpatients with covid-19 and evaluate factors predicting duration of symptoms Design Retrospective cohort study Setting Telemedicine clinic at a large medical system in Atlanta, Georgia Participants 273 patients with COVID-19. Exclusion criteria included: (1) intake more than 10 days after symptom onset, (2) hospitalization for covid-19, (3) symptoms at less than two visits. Main outcome measures Symptom duration in days Results Common symptoms at diagnosis are upper respiratory (64% cough, 53% loss of smell or taste, 50% sinus congestion, 22% sore throat), systemic (50% headache, 48% body aches, 36% chills, 22% dizziness, 18% fever). The most frequent remaining symptoms at 30 days were cough (7%), loss of smell or taste (5%), body aches (5%), nasal congestion (5%), shortness of breath with exertion (5%), and joint pain (5%). Day of symptom onset was earliest for upper respiratory symptoms (mean 1.26 days, 95% confidence interval 1.15 to 1.4), followed by systemic symptoms (1.54, 1.39 to 1.7), with later onset of lower respiratory (2.86, 2.54 to 3.22) and gastrointestinal symptoms (3.46, 3.07 to 3.89), when present. Cough had the longest duration when present with 12.2 days (10.9 to 13.6). Loss of smell or taste had the second longest duration with 11.0 days (9.9 to 12.2). Provider-Assessed Symptom Severity (PASS) is the best predictor of symptom duration (P Conclusions Covid-19 illness in outpatients follows a pattern of progression from systemic symptoms to lower respiratory symptoms and persistent symptoms are common across categories. Provider-assessed symptom severity is the best predictor of disease duration.
c-KIT oncogene expression in PRKAR1A-mutant adrenal cortex

Protein kinase A (PKA) regulatory subunit type 1A (PRKAR1A) defects lead to primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD). The KIT protooncogene (c-KIT) is not known to be expressed in the normal adrenal cortex (AC). In this study, we investigated the expression of c-KIT and its ligand, stem cell factor (SCF), in PPNAD and other cortisol-producing tumors of the adrenal cortex. mRNA and protein expression, by qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunoblotting (IB), respectively, were studied. We then tested c-KIT and SCF responses to PRKAR1A introduction and PKA stimulation in adrenocortical cell lines CAR47 and H295R, which were also treated with the KIT inhibitor, imatinib mesylate (IM). Mice xenografted with H295R cells were treated with IM. There was increased c-KIT mRNA expression in PPNAD; IHC showed KIT and SCF immunoreactivity within certain nodular areas in PPNAD. IB data was consistent with IHC and mRNA data. PRKAR1A-deficient CAR47 cells expressed c-KIT; this was enhanced by forskolin and lowered by PRKAR1A reintroduction. Knockdown of PKA's catalytic subunit (PRKACA) by siRNA reduced c-KIT levels. Treatment of the CAR47 cells with IM resulted in reduced cell viability, growth arrest, and apoptosis. Treatment with IM of mice xenografted with H295 cells inhibited further tumor growth. We conclude that c-KIT is expressed in PPNAD, an expression that appears to be dependent on PRKAR1A and/or PKA activity. In a human adrenocortical cell line and its xenografts in mice, c-KIT inhibition decreased growth, suggesting that c-KIT inhibitors may be a reasonable alternative therapy to be tested in PPNAD, when other treatments are not optimal.
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface water and sediments from two urban watersheds in Nevada, USA

Abstract This study measured 17 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface water and sediments collected from six locations along the Las Vegas Wash and Lake Mead and eight locations along the Truckee River, Lake Tahoe, and Pyramid Lake in Nevada, United States. Of the 17 PFAS analyzed, 12 were detected in the surface water (n = 18) and 14 were detected in the sediments (n = 21) of the two watersheds. The total concentration of PFAS in the Truckee River water was 441.7 ng/L and the PFAS detected in the Las Vegas Wash water was 2234.3 ng/L. The predominant PFAS species found in the water were perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (1.5–187.0 ng/L), followed by perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) (below detection limit [BDL] to 169.9 ng/L), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (BDL to 65.5 ng/L), and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) (BDL to 44.7 ng/L). The total PFAS in the sediments was 272.9 μg/kg (dry weight) for the Truckee River and 345.7 μg/kg for the Las Vegas Wash. The predominant species in the sediments were perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (PFDS) (BDL to 88.2 μg/kg), PFHxA (BDL to 20.3 μg/kg), PFBS (BDL to 29.1 μg/Kg), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUA) (BDL to 22.9 μg/kg). The results demonstrated that short-chain PFAS (C ≤ 8) were more prevalent in water, whereas long-chain PFAS (C > 8) were more detectable in sediments. The Las Vegas Wash water had much higher PFAS levels compared with the Truckee River water. The PFAS concentrations and detection frequencies also significantly decreased in summer compared with winter along the Las Vegas Wash.
S-Nitrosoglutathione-Based Nitric Oxide-Releasing Nanofibers Exhibit Dual Antimicrobial and Antithrombotic Activity for Biomedical Applications.

The novel use of nanofibers as a physical barrier between blood and medical devices has allowed for modifiable, innovative surface coatings on devices ordinarily plagued by thrombosis, delayed healing, and chronic infection. In this study, the nitric oxide (NO) donor S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) is blended with the biodegradable polymers polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polylactic acid (PLA) for the fabrication of hemocompatible, antibacterial nanofibers tailored for blood-contacting applications. Stress/strain behavior of different concentrations of PHB and PLA is recorded to optimize the mechanical properties of the nanofibers. Nanofibers incorporated with different concentrations of GSNO (10, 15, 20 wt%) are evaluated based on their NO-releasing kinetics. PLA/PHB + 20 wt% GSNO nanofibers display the greatest NO release over 72 h (0.4-1.5 × 10-10 mol mg-1 min-1 ). NO-releasing fibers successfully reduce viable adhered bacterial counts by ≈80% after 24 h of exposure to Staphylococcus aureus. NO-releasing nanofibers exposed to porcine plasma reduce platelet adhesion by 64.6% compared to control nanofibers. The nanofibers are found noncytotoxic (>95% viability) toward NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblasts, and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole and phalloidin staining shows that fibroblasts cultured on NO-releasing fibers have improved cellular adhesion and functionality. Therefore, these novel NO-releasing nanofibers provide a safe antimicrobial and hemocompatible coating for blood-contacting medical devices.
A Profile of SIGITE/RIIT Authors, 2nd Ed.

The Special Interest Group in IT Education (SIGITE) was formed in 2003 and includes an annual conference, paper proceedings and poster presentations. Many authors and presenters from the first conference have continued to regularly publish in SIGITE and the community has continued to grow since this time.In this paper we performed an updated study[1] of SIGITE authors and their institutions. We have identified the number of publications by year and venue, and identified top contributing authors and institutions.In addition to presenting and discussing our findings, we are making a spreadsheet of raw data available for further analysis and research.
Conflicts of Interest in Asset Management and Advising

This review addresses, from a unified perspective, the important role of conflicts of interest in various facets of asset management and advising, including managing individual portfolios, institut...
Assessment of climate variability and short-term land use land cover change effects on water quality of Cahaba River Basin

This study examines the short-term impacts of land use land cover (LULC) changes as well as climate variability on the water quality of the Cahaba River watershed in Alabama. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), in combination with spatial-temporal analysis were applied for evaluating contributions of dominant LULC patterns on changes in the sediment yields and nutrient loads. Optimised hot spot analysis with LULC change alone showed decreases in sediment yield and nutrient loads in the upper Cahaba watershed where forests and agricultural lands were replaced by urban development. Climate and LULC raised annual sediment yield and phosphorus load by 2.8% and 61% respectively and lowered nitrogen load by 17%. The combined changes in climate and land use posed a stronger impact on water quality in future. The findings of this study will provide useful information for future water and land management in the Cahaba River Basin.
The Value of OpenNotes for Pediatric Patients, Their Families and Impact on the Patient-Physician Relationship.

BACKGROUND OpenNotes, the sharing of medical notes via a patient portal, has been extensively studied in adults but not in pediatric populations. This has been a contributing factor in the slower adoption of OpenNotes by children's hospitals. The 21st Century Cures Act Final Rule has mandated the sharing of clinical notes electronically to all patients and as health systems prepare to comply, some concerns remain particularly with OpenNotes for pediatric populations. OBJECTIVES After a gradual implementation of OpenNotes at an academic pediatric center, we sought to better understand how pediatric patients and families perceived OpenNotes. This article presents the detailed steps of this informatics-led rollout and patient survey results with a focus on pediatric-specific concerns. METHODS We adapted a previous OpenNotes survey used for adult populations to a pediatric outpatient setting (with parents of children <12 years old). The survey was sent to patients and families via a notification email sent as a standard practice after a clinic visit, in English or Spanish. RESULTS Approximately 7% of patients/families with access to OpenNotes read the note during the study period, and 159 (20%) of those patients responded to the survey. Of the survey respondents, 141 (89%) of patients and families understood their notes; 126 (80%) found the notes always or usually accurate; 24 (15%) contacted their clinicians after reading a note; and 153 (97%) patients/families felt the same or better about their doctor after reading the note. CONCLUSION Although limited by relatively low survey response rate, OpenNotes was well-received by parents of pediatric patients without untoward consequences. The main concerns pediatricians raise about OpenNotes proved to not be issues in the pediatric population. Our results demonstrate clear benefits to adoption of OpenNotes. This provides reassurance that the transition to sharing notes with pediatric patients can be successful and value additive.
Heliobacterial photosynthesis

Heliobacteria contain Type I reaction centers (RCs) and a homodimeric core, but unlike green sulfur bacteria, they do not contain an extended antenna system. Given their simplicity, the heliobacterial RC (HbRC) should be ideal for the study of a prototypical homodimeric RC. However, there exist enormous gaps in our knowledge, particularly with regard to the nature of the secondary and tertiary electron acceptors. To paraphrase S. Neerken and J. Amesz (2001 Biochim Biophys Acta 1507:278–290): with the sole exception of primary charge separation, little progress has been made in recent years on the HbRC, either with respect to the polypeptide composition, or the nature of the electron acceptor chain, or the kinetics of forward and backward electron transfer. This situation, however, has changed. First, the low molecular mass polypeptide that contains the terminal FA and FB iron-sulfur clusters has been identified. The change in the lifetime of the flash-induced kinetics from 75 ms to 15 ms on its removal shows that the former arises from the P798+ [FA/FB]− recombination, and the latter from P798+ FX− recombination. Second, FX has been identified in HbRC cores by EPR and Mossbauer spectroscopy, and shown to be a [4Fe–4S]1+,2+ cluster with a ground spin state of S = 3/2. Since all of the iron in HbRC cores is in the FX cluster, a ratio of ∼22 Bchl g/P798 could be calculated from chemical assays of non-heme iron and Bchl g. Third, the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the FA/FB-containing polypeptide led to the identification and cloning of its gene. The expressed protein can be rebound to isolated HbRC cores, thereby regaining both the 75 ms kinetic phase resulting from P798+ [FA/FB]− recombination and the light-induced EPR resonances of FA− and FB−. The gene was named ‘pshB’ and the protein ‘PshB’ in keeping with the accepted nomenclature for Type I RCs. This article reviews the current state of knowledge on the structure and function of the HbRC.
Consent to Judicial Jurisdiction: The Foundation of 'Registration' Statuses

This Article demonstrates the continuing validity of “registration” as a basis for general personal jurisdiction over foreign corporations. All fifty states require foreign corporations to “register” with a designated official if they “do business” in the state. Registration typically requires the registering corporation to designate a state official as an agent for the service of process on the corporation. A few states interpret the registration and the concurrent designation as consent to the exercise of general jurisdiction over the registrant. While this method of obtaining jurisdiction was upheld by the Supreme Court one hundred years ago, two recent decisions by the Court sharply limit the situations in which corporations can be subjected to general jurisdiction. They hold that a corporation can be subject to general jurisdiction only where it is incorporated or has its principal place of business. Courts and commentators have subsequently differed as to whether registration-based general jurisdiction remains constitutional. The argument against general jurisdiction by registration is that it undermines the core holding of Goodyear and Daimler. Consent by registration, the argument goes, does not avoid the limitations of those cases because the consent is not freely given. Another objection is based on a prediction that many states that have not previously adopted registration jurisdiction will do so in order to “get around” the due process limitation of Goodyear/Daimler. Finally, objectors argue that potential registrants’ due process rights are violated because they do not get formal notice of the jurisdictional effect. None of these objections are sound. Neither Daimler nor Goodyear deal with the role of corporate registration. Nor do they in any way challenge the broad doctrine of consent to jurisdiction which continues to exist as an independent and viable means of exercising jurisdiction. (The Supreme Court has invariably upheld state judicial jurisdiction based on implicit or explicit consent. Second, consent by registration is not compulsory. Firms can and do decide whether to “do business” in a state, much as they consider other state laws, taxes, etc. Third, there is no empirical or other indication that the many states that have not adopted registration-based jurisdiction are likely to do so now. In fact, none have done so since Goodyear Dunlop was decided in 2011. Apparently, many states prefer not to have registration jurisdiction. Finally, the lack of explicit notice of registration’s jurisdictional effect can hardly be a constitutional impediment. There is no such constitutional requirement. For example, no explicit warning is given to an individual who enters a state, or a firm that incorporates in a state, or a corporation sets up a principal place of business in a state. Yet, general jurisdiction is a result of all of those acts. Jurisdiction by registration remains valid.
Coverage of Known Spaces: The Boustrophedon Cellular Decomposition

Coverage path planning is the determination of a path that a robot must take in order to pass over each point in an environment. Applications include de-mining, floor scrubbing, and inspection. We developed the boustrophedon cellular decomposition, which is an exact cellular decomposition approach, for the purposes of coverage. Essentially, the boustrophedon decomposition is a generalization of the trapezoidal decomposition that could allow for non-polygonal obstacles, but also has the side effect of having more “efficient” coverage paths than the trapezoidal decomposition. Each cell in the boustrophedon decomposition is covered with simple back and forth motions. Once each cell is covered, then the entire environment is covered. Therefore, coverage is reduced to finding an exhaustive path through a graph which represents the adjacency relationships of the cells in the boustrophedon decomposition. This approach is provably complete and experiments on a mobile robot validate this approach.
Ecological and genetic interactions between cyanobacteria and viruses in a low‐oxygen mat community inferred through metagenomics and metatranscriptomics

Summary Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencing was conducted on cyanobacterial mats of the Middle Island Sinkhole (MIS), Lake Huron. Metagenomic data from 14 samples collected over 5 years were used to reconstruct genomes of two genotypes of a novel virus, designated PhV1 type A and PhV1 type B. Both viral genotypes encode and express nblA, a gene involved in degrading phycobilisomes, which are complexes of pigmented proteins that harvest light for photosynthesis. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the viral-encoded nblA is derived from the host cyanobacterium, Phormidium MIS-PhA. The cyanobacterial host also has two complete CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) systems that serve as defence mechanisms for bacteria and archaea against viruses and plasmids. One 45 bp CRISPR spacer from Phormidium had 100% nucleotide identity to PhV1 type B, but this region was absent from PhV1 type A. Transcripts from PhV1 and the Phormidium CRISPR loci were detected in all six metatranscriptomic data sets (three during the day and three at night), indicating that both are transcriptionally active in the environment. These results reveal ecological and genetic interactions between viruses and cyanobacteria at MIS, highlighting the value of parallel analysis of viruses and hosts in understanding ecological interactions in natural communities.
Regulating the therapeutic translation of regenerative medicine

Regenerative medicine and stem cell research are exciting new fields. But as the fields progress toward clinical therapies, controversies emerge. Hype surrounding stem cell research has caused an increase in their use in interventions that are not clinically proven. Furthermore, the regulatory agencies have a lot of difficulty dealing with cell therapies, which are distinctly different from drugs and medical devices they more commonly approve. To move the field forward, advocates, regulators and scientists need to come together to find new options for stem cell research oversight that protects both the patients and the research field.
Reviews of Recent Antitrust Books (2006-2008)

The following is a compilation of book reviews and notices of notable books I have prepared over the past three years as U.S. Book Review editor for the World Competition Law & Economics Review and for the web site for the Institute for Consumer Antitrust Studies at Loyola University Chicago. All are short, none are deeply analytical. However, they all highlight recently published work that addresses different needs of the academic and practicing bar, and even includes a book or two of general interest to antitrust professionals. This is not intended as a comprehensive list of publications in the field but rather those that crossed my desk and appealed to me enough to delve into sufficiently to review. In particular, time did not permit me to review all the new publications by the ABA Antitrust Section or all the new casebooks and new editions of existing casebooks except where noted below. The reviews are arranged by date of publication and include:1) Einer Elhauge, United States Antitrust Law and Economics (Foundation Press 2008);Einer Elhauge & Damien Geradin, Global Antitrust Law and Economics (Foundation Press 2007).2) Handbook of Antitrust Economics (Paolo Buccirossi ed. The MIT Press 2008).3) Edwin Rockefeller, The Antitrust Religion (Cato Institute 2007).4) Thomas K. McGraw, Prophet of Innovation: Joseph Schumpeter and Creative Destruction (The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2007).5) William H. Page & John E. Lopatka, The Microsoft Case: Antitrust, High Technology, and Consumer Welfare (The University of Chicago Press 2007).6) ABA Section of Antitrust Law, Intellectual Property and Antitrust Handbook (2007).7) Gary Myers, The Intersection of Antitrust and Intellectual Property: Cases and Materials (Thomson/West 2007).8) Antitrust Policy and Vertical Restraints (Robert Hahn, ed. AEI, Brookings Joint Center for Regulatory Studies 2006).9) William C. Holmes, Antitrust Law Handbook 2007 Edition (Thomson/West 2006); William C. Holmes & Dawn E. Holmes, Antitrust Law Sourcebook for the United States and Europe 2007 Edition (Thomson/West 2006).10) Reza R. Dibadj, Rescuing Regulation (State University of New York Press 2006).11) Ky P. Ewing, Jr., Competition Rules for the 21st Century: Principles from America's Experience (2d ed. Kluwer Law International 2006).12) ABA Section of Antitrust Law, The Merger Review Process: A Step-by-Step Guide to U.S. and Foreign Merger Review (3d ed. 2006); ABA Section of Antitrust Law, Premerger Coordination: The Emerging Law of Gun Jumping and Information Exchange (2006); Joint Ventures: Antitrust Analysis of Collaborations Among Competitors (2006).
Visual Inspection Alone Produces a Decrement in the Horizontal-Vertical Illusion

Subjects inspected either inverted-T or L figures for 5 min. and then shortened the extended vertical lines of inverted-T figures in an attempt to make the vertical line equal in length to the horizontal line. Those who inspected inverted-T figures were more accurate on initial trials than controls (who did not inspect figures), those who inspected L figures, or those who inspected inverted-T figures and made adjustments on the inspected figures. The results indicate that visual inspection alone can produce a decrease in the Horizontal-Vertical illusion and may account, in part, for changes in strategic factors which have been hypothesized to underlie illusion decrement.
Formal features of cyberspace: relationships between Web page complexity and site traffic

Although the Internet is not without its critics, many popular and academic writers are particularly effusive in their praise of the World Wide Web's interactive features. A content analysis of the formal features of 496 Web sites, drawn randomly from a sample of the top 5,000 most visited sites determined by 100hot.com, was performed to explore whether the capabilities of the World Wide Web are being exploited by Web page designers to the extent that the literature suggests they are. Specifically, the study examines the differences between the formal features of commercial versus non-commercial sites as well as the relationship between Web page complexity and the amount of traffic a site receives. Findings indicate that, although most pages in this stage of the Web's development remain technologically simple and noninteractive, there are significant relationships between site traffic and home-page structure for Web sites in the commercial (.com) as well as educational (.edu) domains. As the Web continues to expand and the amount of information redundancy increases, it is argued that a site's information packaging will become increasingly important in gaining users' attention and interest.
A unifying framework for shoreline migration: 1. Multiscale shoreline evolution on sedimentary coasts

[1] A unifying framework for shoreline migration is presented which synthesizes problems from coastal engineering, geomorphology, and stratigraphy into a common quantitative basis. Consideration of characteristic problems from these fields reveals that multiscale shoreline evolution problems naturally break into three classes on the basis of the morphologic unit of evolution: shoreface bed versus shoreline planform versus stratigraphic shoreline trajectory. Shoreline evolution models correspondingly break into morphodynamic, morphokinematic, and hybrid approaches. A generalized shoreline continuity equation is derived, the shoreline Exner equation, which subsumes equilibrium profile models commonly used in geomorphology and engineering and provides a natural framework for interpreting shoreline trajectories preserved in the sedimentary record. The shoreline Exner equation provides a rigorous basis for geometric and moving boundary models, which have significant untapped potential for shoreline migration problems. Recent advances in computational methods for evolving interface problems make hybrid models particularly attractive for problems of large-scale planform shoreline dynamics, such as delta evolution.
Ordinal Position of Birth and Self-Disclosure in High School Students

To test the hypothesis that later-born individuals are more socially adept than firstborns, the Jourard and Lasakow (1958) Self-disclosure Questionnaire was administered to 30 male and 30 female high school students. The hypothesis that later-born individuals would score higher than firstborns since a high score indicates a breaking down of interpersonal barriers (Jourard, 1958) was confirmed. Results also indicated a high degree of similarity between the college sample used in the Jourard (1958) study and the present high school students. Not only did high school females disclose more about themselves than high school males, but they also disclosed more to their mothers and female friends.
Completion of the DNA sequence of mouse adenovirus type 1: sequence of E2B, L1, and L2 (18-51 map units).

Abstract The DNA sequence of 9991 nt, corresponding to 18–51 map units of mouse adenovirus type 1 (MAV-1), was determined, completing the sequence of the Larsen strain of MAV-1. The length of the complete MAV-1 genome is 30 946 nucleotides, consistent with previous experimental estimates. The 18–51 map unit region encodes early region 2B proteins necessary for adenoviral replication as well as late region L1 and L2 structural and packaging proteins. Sequence comparison in this region with human adenoviruses indicates broad similarities, including colinear preservation of all recognized open reading frames (ORFs), with highest amino acid identity occurring in the DNA polymerase and polypeptide III (penton base subunit) ORFs. Virus-assciated (VA) RNA is not encoded in the region where VA RNAs are found in the human adenoviruses, between E2B and L1, nor is it encoded anywhere in the entire MAV-1 genome. The MAV-1 polypeptide III lacks the arginin-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motif which is involved in an association with cell-surface integrins. Only one RGD sequence is found in an identified coding region in the entire MAV-1 genome. Similar to the porcine adenovirus, this RGD sequence is found in the C-terminus of the MAV-1 fiber protein.
Leading power corrections to the semiclassical approximation for gauge meson collisions in the one-instanton sector☆

Abstract The leading quantum corrections for the 2 → n process involving vector particles in QCD and in the electroweak theory are calculated in the one-instanton sector. That is, all corrections of the form ( αp 2 s ) N are calculated for a fixed N as s → ∞. The N th quantum correction is found to be part of an exponential series though it seems difficult to take N large enough to apply the result in the most interesting cases.
Adaptive and unbiased predictors in a change point regression model

Abstract Consider the problem of prediction in a change point regression model. That is, assume a simple linear regression model holds for all x (independent variable) less than γ k , and a different simple linear regression model holds for x #62; γ k . However, γ k , the change point, is unknown but can be one of m possible values (γ 1 ⩽ γ 2 ⩽ ⋯ ⩽ γ m ). For x = x 0 #62; γ m we want to predict a future value of the dependent variable. Adaptive predictors (estimators) and unbiased predictors (estimators) are studied. The adaptive estimator is one which estimates by least squares for the kth model, provided the residual sum of squares for the kth model is smallest. Some theoretical justification for the adaptive estimator is given through a decision theory formulation. A small simulation study comparing the adaptive estimator and unbiased estimator is also offered.
The relationship between binding of thiopental to plasma and its distribution into adipose tissue in man, as measured by a spectrophotofluorometric method

Abstract Binding in vitro of thiopental to human plasma was measured by a spectrophotofluorometric method as well as by radioactive procedures. At relatively high concentrations of thiopental, binding remains fairly constant. However, below 6 mg/1., per cent binding increases inversely with concentration. This phenomenon, occurring also in vivo hours after thiopental administration, alters the distribution of the drug between plasma and adipose tissue; eventually the adipose tissue to plasma concentration ratios become lower with diminishing plasma concentration. Such a decrease may be considered the result of a passive mechanism which reduces the effectiveness of certain drugs. Administration of dextran to human subjects was found to lower the concentration of thiopental in plasma mainly by increasing blood volume. A spectrophotofluorometric method for the assay of thiopental has been developed. Specificity has been proven by a quantitative thin-layer Chromatographie technique.
[Depression--cause or consequence of inability to work or disability?].

Gelegentlich mag es schwierig sein, eine klare Aussage uber den Zusammenhang zwischen Arbeitsunfahigkeit und Depression zu machen. Dennoch lohnt sich die Klarung: Sie dient nicht nur sekundaren Masnahmen wie Zeugnissen, sondern auch den primaren therapeutischen Interventionen. Der Artikel gibt einen kurzen Uberblick uber das notwendige Wissen und beschreibt das praktische Vorgehen. Er benennt aber auch die Probleme, die sich angesichts dieser Frage stellen. So mussen Zeugnisse neben ihrer administrativen Funktion auch als primare Masnahme, namlich als therapeutische Intervention in ihren Wirkungen und Nebenwirkungen betrachtet werden, und Depressionen konnen sich neben einem diagnostischen Konzept als besondere Verfasstheit in unserer Gesellschaft erweisen.
Rapid determinations of preference in multiple concurrent-chain schedules.

With concurrent chains arranged for a pigeon's key pecks, pecks on two concurrently available initial-link keys (left and right) respectively produce separately operating terminal links (A and B). Preferences for terminal link A over terminal link B are usually calculated as deviations of relative initial-link response rates (left divided by total pecks) from those during baseline conditions, when A equals B. Baseline preferences, however, are often variable and typically are determined indirectly (e.g., with unequal A and B, reversing left-right assignments of A and B over sessions and estimating the baseline from differences between the relative rates generated). Multiple concurrent-chain schedules, with components each consisting of a pair of concurrent chains, speed the determination of preferences by arranging A and B and their reversal within sessions. In two experiments illustrating the feasibility of this procedure, one component operated with circles projected on initial-link keys and the other with pluses; when left and right initial-link pecks respectively produced terminal links A and B in one component, they produced B and A in the other. Even as the baselines fluctuated, preference was observable within sessions as the difference between relative initial-link response rates in the two components. The first experiment demonstrated the rapid development of preferences when terminal links A and B consisted of fixed-interval 15-s and 30-s schedules. The second demonstrated the sensitivity of the procedure to preference for a fixed-interval 30-s schedule operating for pecks on either of two keys (free choice) over its operating for pecks on only a single key (forced choice).
Acetylcholine release from dissociated striatal cells.

Abstract To study the regulation of striatal acetylcholinee (ACH) release, adult male rat striata were dissociated and incubated with 3H-choline to synthesize 3H-ACH. Fractional 3H-ACH efflux per min during continuous perifussion was: (1) tightly regulated; (2) dependent on calcium influx; (3) stimulated by 10 mM K + and 1 mM glutamate; and (4) comparable to ACH release detected by HPLC. Thus, acutely dissociated striata exhibit calcium-sensitive, voltage-dependent secretion of 3H-ACH and direct receptor-mediated stimulation of release through the glutamate receptor family. This new approach toward cholinergic secretory physiology will help clarify complex striatal circuitry.
Synthesis of 14C-labeled levamisole and 13C-labeled tetramisole

The syntheses of 14 C-ring labeled levamisole ([-]-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-6-phenyl[ 14 C-UL]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole) from acetophenone-ring-UL- 14 C in 5 steps plus resolution with a 7.5% overall field, and 13 C 6 -ring labeled tetramisole ([±]-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-6-phenyl[ 13 C 6 ]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole) from benzene- 13 C 6 in 6 steps with a 9.0% overall veld are described.
Social institutions and the control of deviance: A cross‐national opinion survey

Representative samples were drawn from particular areas of five countries: New York, U.S.A.; Orani, Italy; Teheran, Iran; Djakarta, Indonesia; and Belgrade, Jugoslavia. Descriptions of behavior ranging from criminal through deviant to nondeviant acts were presented to the respondents who were asked to indicate to which agencies of social control they would refer the act. The social institutions of religion, party politics or education were rarely chosen. All country samples invoked the police and family, but the more industrialized countries also reported to government bureaucracy and the medical system. Less developed countries favored the family and village level of social control. Results were interpreted to suggest that the current view of labelling theory, that all social institutions are agencies of social control, needs to be reassessed. A distinction between socializing institutions and controlling institutions is suggested.
Metals and organic contaminants in northwest Atlantic deep-sea tilefish tissues

Abstract Data are presented on trace metal and organic hydrocarbon (PCBs, PAHs, and chlorinated pesticides) concentrations in muscle, liver, gonad, and other tissues from two small 1981–1982 collections of tilefish ( Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps ): from near Lydonia Canyon (on Georges Bank) and below Hudson Canyon (off New Jersey). Significant concentrations of trace metals and chlorinated hydrocarbons (PCBs and pesticides) were detected in the tissues, but these were generally within the ranges reported for other deep-sea and continental shelf fish in the Middle Atlantic Bight. Higher chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations were detected in fish from the Lydonia Canyon area, compared with concentrations detected in the fish from below the Hudson Canyon. The difference appears to be statistically significant for most compounds and no satisfactory explanation can be suggested.