cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance Tradeoffs of Spectrum Sensing and Target State Estimation and Fusion

We consider a scenario where a cognitive radio sensor performs spectrum sensing and target tracking alternately. Both tasks may impose certain performance guarantee requirements that necessitate considerations of how to schedule these tasks over time. In addition, multiple such cognitive radio sensors can perform collaborative spectrum sensing and target tracking, where a fusion center serves to collect the sensor estimates and their covariances to generate fused target state estimates. We study the performance tradeoffs of these two tasks from variable scheduling intervals. The effect of sensing errors on the target tracking performance due to induced loss from perceived channel unavailability is investigated and conclusions are drawn based on the observed performance tradeoffs.
Facile Synthesis of α-N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Boryl Ketones from N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Boranes and Alkenyl Triflates.

Reactions of readily available alkenyl triflates with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-boranes in the presence of diisopropyl ethyl amine provided about three dozen stable α-NHC-boryl ketones. Isolated...
Introduction: On Simon Gikandi's Slavery and the Culture of Taste

The critical conversation gathered here emerged from the venerable book “Review Forum” of the African Literature Association (ALA) at its annual meeting in Charleston, South Carolina, in March 20–24, 2013. The forum’s practice is to select one or two significant recent books in the field for focused critical discussions in dedicated panels, followed by responses from authors. Simon Gikandi’s Slavery and the Culture of Taste (2011) was a selection for the 2013 meeting. My gratitude to Gikandi for agreeing to participate in the forum. He was not able to be there physically and respond, but the large audience that showed up for the panel can now have their full reward in these pages. I am also grateful to the panelists—Adeleke Adeako, Kenneth Harrow, and Ato Quayson—for enthusiastically assenting to the task and for their stimulating engagements with Gikandi’s book. The Graduate Student Caucus heard about the planned book choice and requested to sponsor the panel and promote it in its conference activities. To underscore the significance of Gikandi’s book as a model to emulate, and to an audience at a stage of searching for examples of best practices, I took the request of the caucus seriously and oriented much of my remarks to its members.
Soluble CD23/BLAST-2 (S-CD23/Blast-2) and Its Role in B Cell Proliferation

The two chains (25 aid 12 Kd) of the S-CD23/Blast-2-complex both have activity as autocrine growth factors (AGF) for EBV-LCL however, the hulk of the activity is found in the 25 Kd chain. Several lines of evidence indicate that the 25 and 12 Kd chains are complexed and only the 25 Kd chain is related to the membrane bound CD23 molecule. Lastly, both EBV-LCL and BL use an AGF system, however, the BL factor lacks CD23 determinants and does not appear to require cell-to-cell contact whereas the EBV-LCL-AGF has CD23 determinants and the cells require cell-cell contact for growth. A model to account for these observations is presented.
Effect of smoking history on exercise ventilatory efficiency in heart failure patients

Aims: Patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) exhibit pulmonary abnormalities including reduced ventilatory efficiency. Specifically, HFrEF patients exhibit greater ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2) slope partially via greater physiologic dead space (VD/VT) than healthy controls. A common risk factor of HFrEF patients is smoking, which is independently associated increased VE/VCO2 slope and VD/VT during exercise. We hypothesized that HFrEF patients with smoking history (HFrEF+SH) will exhibit greater VE/VCO2 slope and VD/VT during peak exercise compared to HFrEF without SH. Methods: Ten HFrEF (53±10 yrs; left ventricular EF: 22±8%) and 13 HFrEF+SH (54±12 yrs; left ventricular EF: 22±7%) patients, without pulmonary disease, performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing to volitional fatigue. VE and gas exchange were measured via breath-by-breath open circuit. Measurements of arterial blood gases were used to derive VD/VT. All data from rest to peak exercise were used to calculate VE/VCO2 slope. Results: The mean pack years of the HFrEF+SH was 33 (range: 3-70). HFrEF and HFrEF+SH had similar FEV1 (% predicted) (HFrEF: 86±12 vs. HFrEF+SH: 85±10; p>0.05). VE/VCO2 slope was not different between HFrEF and HFrEF+SH (HFrEF: 38±10 vs. HFrEF+SH: 39±10; p>0.05). Peak exercise VD/VT (HFrEF: 0.36±0.13 vs. HFrEF+SH: 0.36±0.12; p>0.05) and PaCO2 (HFrEF: 36±9 vs. HFrEF+SH: 36±8; p>0.05) were not different between groups. Conclusions: These data suggest that smoking history does not accentuate ventilatory inefficiency in HFrEF patients.
CRISPR: The Revolutionary Gene Editing Tool with Far-Reaching Applications

In the realm of scientific research, there is an immense value for biological research tools, which can modify, insert, and delete DNA sequences of cells or organisms in order to understand the function of specific genes. One of the most revolutionary scientific revelations of the twenty-first century has been the development of the programmable CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering technology. The groundbreaking CRISPR-Cas9 gene modulating system is derived from the original type II CRISPR-Cas system, whose primary purpose was to endow bacteria with adaptive immunity to viral infections. CRISPR-associated protein 9 or simply Cas9 is an enzyme that belongs to the class endonuclease by function. In brief, Cas9 functions to introduce double-stranded breaks in the target DNA sequence by using a guide RNA sequence to form base pairs with target DNA sequences. The elegance and simplicity of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing system combined with its cost-effectiveness and efficiency in precisely targeting and editing genomic sequences have heralded a transformative phase in basic biological research. Scientists around the globe are using this technology for novel groundbreaking applications that range from improving human therapeutics, improving disease resistance of industrially important crops, and for basic biology research. This chapter aims to present the key milestones in the evolution of this revolutionary CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing tool and will also discuss the far-reaching impacts of this transformative technology in the domains of basic science, biotechnology, and medicine.
Racial/ethnicity differences when endorsing influential factors for prostate cancer treatment choice: An analysis of data from the personal patient profile-prostate (P3P) I and II trials.

351Background: Race and ethnicity impact the type of treatment received for localized prostate cancer in American men. We hypothesized that there may be differences in men’s influential values and ...
Comparative analysis of four maple species for syrup production in south-central Appalachia.

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum L.) is a key cultural and economic resource from eastern Canada to south-central Appalachia. Environmental uncertainties could create problems for this iconic species, in particular affecting the southern extent of its range and thus increasing the need for alternative species in maple syrup production. To mediate uncertain­ties, some producers tap additional species, including box elder (Acer negundo L.), red maple (Acer rubrum L.), and silver maple (Acer saccharinum L.). For viable marketability, sap from alternative species should be comparable to sugar maple in volume and sugar concentration. In the 2016 and 2017 tapping seasons, data were collected on sap volume and sap sugar concentration (SSC) for each of these maple species. Sap parameter performance data revealed box elder and to a lesser extent silver maple as the most appropriate alternative species for syrup production in the south-central Appa­lachian region, while red maple, which is a com­monly tapped species in northern regions, per­formed comparably in SSC but very poorly in sap volume in this study. Diversifying sap sources could provide additional sap and tree counts avail­able to producers, allowing for more varied man­agement strategies to mediate climatic variations and uncertainties. This diversification can also allow for industry expansion into areas without sufficient sugar maples and potentially create a new product niche in the maple industry, which can promote rural economic development in south-central Appalachia through ways compatible with other sustainable agroforestry and outdoor tourism efforts. See the press release for this article.
Determination of Metals in Tree Rings by ICP-MS Using Ash from a Direct Mercury Analyzer.

Elemental profiles in cores of tree trunks (bole wood) have been used for environmental monitoring and reconstruction of metal pollution history. Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant that can be accurately measured in tree rings in a simple and pragmatic fashion using a direct mercury analyzer (DMA) that is based on thermal decomposition, amalgamation, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In this feasibility study, we demonstrate that the ash remaining after the DMA analyses can be used to quantify a wide range of other non-volatile elements (Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Th, and U) in that same sample of wood by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave-assisted acid digestion. Other elements (Ag, Cd, Cs, Rb, Tl, and V) exhibited poor recoveries, possibly due to losses during sample preparation. We assessed the accuracy with reference materials, spikes, and by comparison with EPA Method 3052 (Microwave Assisted Acid Digestion of Siliceous and Organically Based Matrices). For the first group of elements (deemed suitable for the method), recoveries ranged between 80% and 120% and the relative standard deviation was generally Mg > Ba ≈ Sr ≈ Mn > Cr ≈ Cu > Ni ≈ Rb > Co > Ga ≈ Ag, with the other elements generally below the method detection limit (MDL). Overall, we showed that the DMA can be used to not only determine total Hg in segments of tree core, but can serve as the ashing step in the preparation of wood for ICP-MS analysis, thus allowing the determination of non-volatile elements along with Hg in the very same sample.
Integrating Genetic and Genomic Testing Into Oncology Practice.

Genetic information, both germline and somatic, is an increasingly important consideration in therapeutic decision-making in cancer. Germline mutations in genes associated with increased cancer ris...
Synthesis and Characterization of Linear, Homopolyester, Benzoyl-Protected Bis-MPA

Because of the growing interest in bis-MPA dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers, a linear, polyester equivalent is of great importance in understanding how this commercially viable family of branc...
A unified framework of continuous and discontinuous Galerkin methods for solving the incompressible Navier–Stokes equation

Abstract In this paper, we propose a unified numerical framework for the time-dependent incompressible Navier–Stokes equation which yields the H 1 -, H ( div ) -conforming, and discontinuous Galerkin methods with the use of different viscous stress tensors and penalty terms for pressure robustness. Under minimum assumption on Galerkin spaces, the semi- and fully-discrete stability is proved when a family of implicit Runge–Kutta methods are used for time discretization. Furthermore, we present a unified discussion on the penalty term. Numerical experiments are presented to compare our schemes with classical schemes in the literature in both unsteady and steady situations. It turns out that our scheme is competitive when applied to well-known benchmark problems such as Taylor–Green vortex, Kovasznay flow, potential flow, lid driven cavity flow, and the flow around a cylinder.
Influence of DMSO-Sr on the Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite by Hydrothermal Coupled Microemulsion Method

Hydroxyapatite (denoted as HAP), which is chemically represented as Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2), is an extensively used biocompatible ceramic material for the regeneration of hard tissue because of its crystallographic and chemical similarities with natural bone. In this paper, we report the preparation of strontium (Sr) incorporated nano-HAP powder by hydrothermal coupled microemulsion (HT-ME) method employing DMSO as a primary surfactant. This paper discusses the effect of DMSO as well as Sr in the synthesis of HAP powders. Strontium stimulates the bone formation and prevention of bone resorption while dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) aids in the formation of improved morphological features and structure of nano-crystalline hydroxyapatite powders. FTIR, XRD, SEM and TGA techniques were performed to analyse the chemical composition, crystallite structure and uniform morphology. XRD results have shown the presence of hexagonal structure in HAP while the scanning electron microscopic technique reveals that DMSO assisted Sr-substituted hydroxyapatite powders are not agglomerated and the particle nanostructure is homogeneous. The synthesised powder is to be studied further for its biocompatibility.
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Fibromyalgia is generally considered a pain disorder, but most patients have additional symptoms, most commonly fatigue, insomnia and dizziness. Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia overlap in symptoms and are associated with a variety of psychophysiological disorders, including depression, anxiety and migraine. Patients with fibromyalgia have central sensitization to pain which can be traced to several factors including genetic variants, prior exposure to pain and stressful life events. Although many people believe that chronic fatigue syndrome is caused by a viral infection, post-viral activation of the immune system or primary immune system dysfunction, to date there is no convincing evidence for any of these disease mechanisms. Large outbreaks of chronic fatigue syndrome in the UK and USA had features consistent with mass psychogenic illness, including a marked female predominance and the lack of objective neurological and laboratory findings.
Over-the-Counter versus Limit-Order Markets: The Role of Traders’ Expertise

Over-the-counter (OTC) markets attract substantial trading volume despite exhibiting frictions absent in centralized limit-order markets. We compare the efficiency of OTC and limit-order markets when traders’ expertise is endogenous. We show that asymmetric access to counterparties in OTC markets yields increased rents from expertise acquisition for a few well-connected core traders. When the existence of gains to trade is uncertain, traders’ higher expertise in OTC markets can improve allocative efficiency. In contrast, when expertise primarily causes adverse selection, competitive limit-order markets tend to dominate. Our model provides guidance for policy makers and empiricists evaluating the efficiency of market structures.
A virtual reality interface to test wearable electronic travel aids for the visually impaired

Visual impairment represents a critical challenge for our society with 285 million affect worldwide; alarmingly, the prevalence is expected to triple by 2050. Supporting mobility is a chief priority for assistive technologies. In recent years, the integration of computer vision and haptic technologies has led to a number of wearable electronic travel aids (ETAs). Previously, we have proposed an ETA comprised of a computer vision system and a wearable haptic device in the form of a belt. The belt encompasses a two-by-five array of piezoelectric-based macro-fiber composite (MFC) actuators, which can generate vibrations on the abdomen when an oscillating voltage is applied across their electrodes. The computer vision system identifies position and distance of surrounding obstacles egocentrically and drives the actuators relative to the salience of the potential hazard(s). Despite promising pilots, the design, control, and optimization of the ETA requires substantial, potentially high-risk, and tedious training and testing to accommodate patient-specific behavioral idiosyncrasies and a variety of visual impairments. To address these issues, we employ a virtual reality (VR) platform that offers simulations of visual impairment by disease type and severity with front-end control. We review our early work on the first three visual impairments piloted in the platform, each with three levels of severity: mild, moderate and severe. The VR environment is interfaced with the ETA, which provides feedback to the user based on the position of virtual obstacles. These simulations allow safe, controlled, repeatable experiments with ETAs that can be performed with varying degrees of visual perception. Our framework can become a paradigm for the development and testing of ETAs, with other potential applications in disability awareness, education, and training.
Curved Holographic Waveguide Combiner for HUD and AR Display

Waveguide combiners for head up display (HUD) and augmented reality (AR) have the unique advantage to decouple the field of view from the eye box size thanks to pupil replication. However, in order for the image to propagate without aberration in the waveguide, its surfaces have been kept flat and parallel. Here we are presenting a curved waveguide with pupil replication that takes advantage of holographic optical elements for light injection and extraction, while compensating for propagation aberration. Both ray tracing model and early experimental demonstrator are discussed.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Psychiatric Disorders

In this monograph, we briefly review the rationale for deep brain stimulation (DBS) for psychiatric illness, beginning with current noninvasive treatment options and progressing to the evolution and success of DBS as a therapy. This discussion will focus on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) particularly, as these are the only two diagnoses that have been subjected to adequately controlled DBS trials to date. The majority of the essay then describes the significant limitations that DBS is currently facing and emerging approaches to address them. This will lead into a discussion of new technologies such as patient-specific modeling of electric fields and closed-loop DBS systems and how we can best utilize these to increase our understanding of DBS and the overall efficacy of this novel therapy. Keywords: brain stimulation; neuromodulation; neural engineering; stimulations; psychiatry; mental illness; obsessive-compulsive disorder; depression
Some Thoughts about Natural Law

My first task is to define the subject. When I use the term "natural" law, I am distinguishing the category from other kinds of law such as positive law, divine law, or scientific law. When we discuss positive law, we look to materials like legislation, judicial opinions, and scholarly analysis of these materials. If we speak of divine law, we ask if there are any knowable commands from God. If we look for scientific law, we conduct experiments, or make observations and calculations, in order to come to objectively verifiable knowledge about the material world. Natural law-as I will be using the term in this essay-refers to a method that we employ to judge what the principles of individual morality or positive law ought to be. The natural law philosopher aspires to make these judgments on the basis of reason and human nature without invoking divine revelation or prophetic inspiration. Natural law so defined is a category much broader than any particular theory of natural law. One can believe in the existence of natural law without agreeing with the particular systems of natural law advocates like Aristotle or Aquinas. I am describing a way of thinking, not a particular theory. In the broad sense in which I am using the term, therefore, anyone who attempts to found concepts of justice upon reason and human nature engages in natural law philosophy. Contemporary philosophical systems based on feminism, wealth maximization, neutral conversation, liberal equality, or libertarianism are natural law philosophies. They start with assumptions about human nature and what is good for people, and they claim to employ reason to judge the relative justice or injustice of legal practices like slavery, the free market, patriarchy, and socialism. Like the man who was astonished to find that he had been speaking in prose all his life, we who make it our business to resolve differences about questions of morality and justice through the use of reason are surprised to find that we are expounding natural law. Next I should explain what I mean by reason, an ability available in theory to all humanity, however warped it may be in particular individuals or groups. Reason consists of two components: logic and clearheaded perception of reality. The rational mind must possess both qualities. For example, some paranoids have an impressive ability to think
Torsion Analysis of Heavy Box Beams in Structures

Heavier box sections with thicker walls without the need of longitudinal stiffeners are widely used to resist combined torsion and bending loads in machines such as earth-moving and mining equipment. To solve for the torsion stresses and the angle of twist for such boomless boxes, a part of the area of the wall cross section is assumed to be concentrated at the corners and to be equivalent stiffeners. The transformed box is then solved by the customary procedures. A new method of solving for the stresses and angles of twist in a heavy walled box is given. It is based upon the fact that the longitudinal and shearing streses associated with restraining a cross section from warping when pure torque is applied, consist of two separate but related self-equilibrating systems that are distributed throughout the walls. Both systems are completely determined, and these two systems are superposed on the St-Venant (Bredt-Batho) System that is based upon complete freedom of every cross section to warp.
Persistence of lung inflammation and lung cytokines with high-resolution CT abnormalities during recovery from SARS.

During the acute phase of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), mononuclear cells infiltration, alveolar cell desquamation and hyaline membrane formation have been described, together with dysregulation of plasma cytokine levels. Persistent high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) abnormalities occur in SARS patients up to 40 days after recovery. To determine further the time course of recovery of lung inflammation, we investigated the HRCT and inflammatory profiles, and coronavirus persistence in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of 12 patients at recovery at 60 and 90 days. At 60 days, compared to normal controls, SARS patients had increased cellularity of BALF with increased alveolar macrophages (AM) and CD8 cells. HRCT scores were increased and correlated with T-cell numbers and their subpopulations, and inversely with CD4/CD8 ratio. TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, RANTES and MCP-1 levels were increased. Viral particles in AM were detected by electron microscopy in 7 of 12 SARS patients with high HRCT score. On day 90, HRCT scores improved significantly in 10 of 12 patients, with normalization of BALF cell counts in 6 of 12 patients with repeat bronchoscopy. Pulse steroid therapy and prolonged fever were two independent factors associated with delayed resolution of pneumonitis, in this non-randomized, retrospective analysis. Resolution of pneumonitis is delayed in some patients during SARS recovery and may be associated with delayed clearance of coronavirus, Complete resolution may occur by 90 days or later.
Responses of isolated human uterine arteries to vasoactive drugs.

Abstract Isolated human uterine arteries were found to respond to several clinically important vasoactive drugs, i.e., l-isoproterenol, l-norepinephrine, nitroglycerin, and angiotensinamide (angiotensin). Human uterine arteries possess alpha and beta adrenergic receptors. The contractile potency of norepinephrine was greater than that of angiotensin. Tachyphylaxis occurred with the use of angiotensin. The reliability of isolated human uterine arteries was quite good, which suggests that it might serve as a model for the examination of the actions of drugs on human vascular tissue.
Violence against Women: A Disciplinary Debate and Challenge

Forty years of research, theory, legislation, and programming have not reduced the high rates of either violence against women or intimate partner violence. Social science researchers, polarized into Family Violence and Feminist perspectives, are mired in the debate over gender symmetry and its implications. Recommendations include (1) integrating the two perspectives, (2) incorporating the work on family strengths, youth resilience and developmental assets, (3) strengthening interdisciplinary connections including religious studies, and (4) integrating research, teaching, and activism for long-term, primary prevention. A three-model typology of activism includes education, common cause, and confrontation strategies.
Sensor signal clustering with Self-Organizing Maps

Contemporary sensor data are generally large data streams, possibly at a high sampling rate, making data analysis and visualization complex and computationally intensive. We present a novel clustering method for the evaluation of signal data. We are interested in clustering the signals based on the similarity of their behavior (shape), which contains more information than the signal intensity and the dominant frequencies. The signals are encoded into symbol strings. We use the edit distance to determine the similarity between strings. Based on this similarity, we cluster the data streams into a SOM-type network. This SOM is dynamic and adapts incrementally to the input sensor data stream. Incoming signals are processed on the fly and the system has the capability to “forget” old signals. Our method is particularly useful for the inspection of signal streams, both in the context of on-line monitoring and off-line analysis, and can be used as a component in a visualization dashboard.
Anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of the methadone metabolite 2-ethyl-5-methyl-3,3-diphenyl-1-pyrroline (EMDP).

The enhancement of GABAergic and monoaminergic neurotransmission has been the mainstay of pharmacotherapy and the focus of drug-discovery for anxiety and depressive disorders for several decades. However, the significant limitations of drugs used for these disorders underscores the need for novel therapeutic targets. Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) may represent one such target. For example, mecamylamine, a non-competitive antagonist of nAChRs, displays positive effects in preclinical tests for anxiolytic and antidepressant activity in rodents. In addition, nicotine elicits similar effects in rodent models, possibly by receptor desensitization. Previous studies (Xiao et al., 2001) have identified two metabolites of methadone, EMDP (2-ethyl-5-methyl-3,3-diphenyl-1-pyrroline) and EDDP (2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine), which are considered to be inactive at opiate receptors, as relatively potent noncompetitive channel blockers of rat α3β4 nAChRs. Here, we show that these compounds are likewise highly effective blockers of human α3β4 and α4β2 nAChRs. Moreover, we show that they display relatively low affinity for opiate binding sites labeled by [(3)H]-naloxone. We then evaluated these compounds in rats and mice in preclinical behavioral models predictive of potential anxiolytic and antidepressant efficacy. We found that EMDP, but not EDDP, displayed robust effects predictive of anxiolytic and antidepressant efficacy without significant effects on locomotor activity. Moreover, EMDP at behaviorally active doses, unlike mecamylamine, did not produce eyelid ptosis, suggesting it may produce fewer autonomic side effects than mecamylamine. Thus, the methadone metabolite EMDP may represent a novel therapeutic avenue for the treatment of some affective disorders.
Predictors of complications following adenotonsillectomy in children with severe obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract Objective To identify pre-operative risk factors predicting complications following adenotonsillectomy in children with severe OSA. Methods Retrospective chart review in an academic tertiary care center. Children with symptoms of OSA with overnight polysomnography (PSG) revealing apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) >10, who underwent adenotonsillectomy with overnight postoperative observation between 2008 and 2012. Univariate logistic regression was used to assess odds ratio (OR) of individual risk factors versus postoperative complications such as overnight desaturations 24 h, supplemental oxygen requirement, and transfer to a higher level of care. Results All patients ( n = 157) with severe OSA were observed overnight. Mean age was 5.3 ± 3.7 years. Twenty-five (15.9%) patients had LOS > 24 h. Forty-two (26.8%) had overnight desaturations 24 h. ( p 24 h. Preop PSG O2 saturation Conclusions Preoperative polysomnography yields significant independent predictors of post-op complications in children with OSA. While AHI is a significant independent predictor, minimum O2 saturation on preop PSG appeared the strongest predictor when 2 on PSG, warrant overnight observation with continuous pulse oximetry.
Invited commentary: Discharge prevalence estimation, high altitude and microtia in Ecuadorian patients

Microtia is a developmental malformation of the external ear, characterized by a small, abnormally shaped auricle [1]. The estimated prevalence varies between 0.8 and 4.2 per 10,000 births depending on the population [2]. Microtia is most often unilateral, observed more frequently in men, and is associated with atresia or stenosis of the ear canal in 55–93% of patients [3]. The most common system for grading of severity for this variable congenital anomaly is the Marx classification; there is a strong correlation between the degree of microtia and the presence of middle ear anomalies [4]. The better understanding of the etiopathogenic factors associated with microtia may lead toward the accrual of new techniques for the screening, prevention, and improved treatment of this common congenital anomaly. Gonzalez-Andrade et al, in their manuscript “Discharge prevalence estimation, high altitude and microtia in Ecuadorian patients” have attempted to more ful-
Eddy Heat Diffusivity at Maximum Dissipation in a Radiative-convective One-dimensional Climate Model

The hypothesis that the steady state of the climate is constrained to maximize its dissipation is investigated by using a one-dimensional radiative-convective model where the convective fluxes are parameterized following the mixing length theory. The eddy heat diffusivity is chosen to produce the maximum energy dissipation caused by convection (maximum dissipation principle). The state of maximum dissipation due to heat diffusion in a model atmosphere with a fixed vertical profile of specific humidity is obtained for a value of the eddy heat diffusivity, which is in close agreement with that expected for air in stirred conditions. By including the temperature—opacity feedback (i.e., condensable absorbing gas in the infrared with a fixed vertical profile of relative humidity), the state of maximum dissipation is attained for a value of the eddy heat diffusivity that lies within the range of the expected values. In this case, the vertical temperature profile is convectively stable and does not differ in excess from the observed one. Thus, it is suggested that the results here reported represent an ‘empirical’ support to the maximum dissipation principle.
The Economics of Delivering Mobile Wireless Value

As mobile wireless unfolds, the business-world looks for an assessment of the technical and competitive landscape, for a high return on investment opportunities, for sweet spots in the value chain, and for value propositions of the industry. In short, mobile wireless stakeholders must understand the economics of delivering mobile wireless value. This paper summarizes the mobile wireless economics to help the stakeholders discharge their responsibilities. Because customers' perception of mobile wireless value decides the success of the industry's offering, this paper describes the value propositions that the mobile wireless chain is evolving to offer. Then, it traces chronological roots of the chain to describe how fundamental drivers and key economic characteristics of the evolutionary phases have led the growth of the evolving industry. Mobile network operators' regulatory environment and spectrum acquisition strategies, and technology investment and subscriber penetration life cycles have been discovere...
A Synthetic Model of the Putative Fe(II)-Iminobenzosemiquinonate Intermediate in the Catalytic Cycle of o-Aminophenol Dioxygenases

The oxidative ring cleavage of aromatic substrates by nonheme Fe dioxygenases is thought to involve formation of a ferrous–(substrate radical) intermediate. Here we describe the synthesis of the trigonal-bipyramdial complex Fe(Ph2Tp)(ISQtBu) (2), the first synthetic example of an iron(II) center bound to an iminobenzosemiquinonate (ISQ) radical. The unique electronic structure of this S = 3/2 complex and its one-electron oxidized derivative ([3]+) have been established on the basis of crystallographic, spectroscopic, and computational analyses. These findings further demonstrate the viability of Fe2+–ISQ intermediates in the catalytic cycles of o-aminophenol dioxygenases.
The Racial Wealth Gap and the Borrower’s Dilemma

This article examines the relationship between the Black-White wealth gap and household borrowing. Financial markets have been applauded for making credit available to all U.S. households since the 1990s—for democratizing credit. This study finds that the rates charged to borrowers can differ substantially by race, however. Because a household’s wealth status is affected by both the value of its assets and its outstanding debt, the author argues that the natural operation of credit markets inevitably depresses African Americans’ ability to accumulate wealth. The implications for the position of African Americans within U.S. society are also discussed.
Measurements and simulations of particle dispersion in a turbulent flow

Abstract A particle imaging technique has been used to collect droplet displacement statistics in a round turbulent jet of air. Droplets are injected on the jet axis, and a laser sheet and position-sensitive photomultiplier tube are used to track their radial displacement and time-of-flight. Dispersion statistics can be computed which are Lagrangian or Eulerian in nature. The experiments have been simulated numerically using a second-order closure scheme for the jet and a stochastic simulation for the particle trajectories. Results are presented for non-vaporizing droplets of sizes from 35 to 160 μm. The simulations have underscored the importance of initial conditions and early droplet displacement history on the droplet trajectory for droplets with large inertia relative to the turbulence. Estimates of initial conditions have been made and their effect on dispersion is quantified.
On the recovery of transcription after inhibition by actinomycin D.

After pulse exposure to concentrations of actinomycin D (AMD) sufficient to abolish transcription, Vero cells recover RNA synthesis much more rapidly than most other cell types. This is only in part attributable to the remarkable capacity of Vero very promptly to excrete bound AMD, elimination of which, although necessary, is not a sufficient condition for resurgence of RNA synthesis. After elimination of higher concentrations of AMD from Vero, although over-all RNA synthesis resumes a normal rate within 24 hr, protein synthesis lags, and a long period of division-delay ensues. Division-delay lasting 2–3 days results from exposure of Vero to doses of AMD greater than those that suppress RNA synthesis by greater than 90% (e.g. 1 µg/ml for 2 hr) but not by lower doses, which permit almost immediate reentry into the cell cycle. In contrast, although L cells recover over-all RNA synthesis very slowly after pulse treatment with AMD, resumption of protein synthesis or cell division is not comparably delayed thereafter. These and other data suggest that the early restoration of RNA synthesis in Vero after relief of inhibition by AMD is qualitatively imperfect. The results reported herein are explainable by the hypothesis that the synthesis of those species of RNA which are involved, directly or indirectly, in reactivating the transcription of genes controlling progression in the cell cycle is relatively resistant to suppression by AMD. Decay of such RNA templates and their products, which differs in different cell types during inhibition by AMD, determines the duration of division-delay.
When knowledge married capital: the birth of academic enterprise

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate knowledge‐capital relationship through tracking the history of knowledge commercialization.Design/methodology/approach – Theoretical exploration, historical evidence and interviews are used in this research. Firstly it recalls the convergence of academic knowledge and industrial capital. Then the knowledge‐capital marriage is observed. Finally, the paper discusses the impact of the marriage on future enterprise development.Findings – The combination of knowledge and capital is inevitable; the knowledge‐capital marriage is the origin of contemporary academic enterprise; the future enterprise will more rely on knowledge‐capital combination.Originality/value – This study is helpful to policymaking: to promote the combination of knowledge and capital in less developed countries or regions, achieving knowledge‐capital interaction in innovation system.
Quantitative fits to the liquidus line and high temperature thermodynamic data for InSb, GaSb, InAs, and GaAs

Quantitatively satisfactory fits are obtained for the liquidus lines of the congruently-melting, “line-compounds”, InSb, GaSb, InAs, and GaAs using a recently derived basic liquidus equation. In addition the fits are consistent with 1) the relations imposed by a zero Gibbs free energy change on congruent melting and 2), except for GaAs, the experimental, compound-V element, eutectic temperature. The successful liquid phase model is a simple one in which the enthalpy and excess entropy of mixing are cubic functions of the atomic fraction. With all parameters fixed by these fits, other high temperature properties are calculated and agree satisfactorily with experiment. All fits are shown in tabular form. They appear so good that it seems likely the model will prove adequate for all the III–V systems. A small temperature dependence, consistent with the presently incomplete data, can be incorporated into the enthalpy and excess entropy without adversely affecting the fits obtained. On the other hand, extensive calculation and comparison with experiment conclusively shows that the two-parameter, quasiregular, or simple solution model does not give a satisfactory overall fit.
Genetically Encoding Unnatural Amino Acids in Neural Stem Cells and Optically Reporting Voltage-sensitive Domain Changes in Differentiated Neurons

Although unnatural amino acids (Uaas) have been genetically encoded in bacterial, fungal, and mammalian cells using orthogonal transfer RNA (tRNA)/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase pairs, applications of this method to a wider range of specialized cell types, such as stem cells, still face challenges. While relatively straightforward in stem cells, transient expression lacks sufficient temporal resolution to afford reasonable levels of Uaa incorporation and to allow for the study of the longer term differentiation process of stem cells. Moreover, Uaa incorporation may perturb differentiation. Here, we describe a lentiviral-based gene delivery method to stably incorporate Uaas into proteins expressed in neural stem cells, specifically HCN-A94 cells. The transduced cells differentiated into neural progenies in the same manner as the wild-type cells. By genetically incorporating a fluorescent Uaa into a voltage-dependent membrane lipid phosphatase, we show that this Uaa optically reports the conformational change of the voltage-sensitive domain in response to membrane depolarization. The method described here should be generally applicable to other stem cells and membrane proteins.
Half-Life of the Long-Lived Tc 99

The half-life of ${\mathrm{Tc}}^{99}$ has been determined on materials isolated both from fission products and from irradiated molybdenum. The determinations were made on aliquots of solutions prepared by dissolving weighed portions of compounds of known composition. The counts were made absolute by comparing them with ${\mathrm{Co}}^{60}$ and RaDEF standards. These determinations resulted in a value of 2.12\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{5}$ years for the half-life of ${\mathrm{Tc}}^{99}$. A detailed description of the absolute beta-counting techniques is given.
Quantitative dynamics of in vivo bone marrow neutrophil production and egress in response to injury and infection.

Production rates of blood cells from the bone marrow (BM) can be determined from pool size and residence time in the circulation only during steady state. We describe a method to evaluate changes in BM neutrophil production following severe injury. Male CD-1 mice underwent nonlethal cutaneous burn injury, a lethal burn injury with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, or sham treatment, and received bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to label proliferative cells. Rates of BM neutrophil production and release into the circulation were determined using a mathematical model that integrates BM neutrophil pool size and fraction of BrdU labeled cells as a function of time. Absolute rates could not be quantified without BrdU data for the neutrophil progenitor pool; however, relative rates could be determined. BM neutrophil production and release significantly increased after injury. After nonlethal burn, release transiently exceeded production, causing a temporary decrease in BM neutrophil stores followed by re-establishment of a steady-state BM neutrophil pool similar to sham controls. After lethal burn infection, release always exceeded production, causing complete depletion of BM neutrophils and suppression of BM neutrophil production. This method is generally applicable to estimating production rates of nonproliferating, terminally differentiated cells, arising from a stem cell pool in vivo.
Making Connections for Themselves and Their Students: Examining Teachers’ Organization of World History

AbstractThe ability to make connections is an important aspect of teaching history and a vital skill in our increasingly globalized world. This study examines how preservice and practicing teachers organize and connect world historical events and concepts for themselves and for instructional purposes. Findings are based on interviews with 2 card-sorting and think-aloud tasks. Analysis of card-sort maps found that participants made different kinds of connections that give insight into the types of knowledge needed for and the challenges involved with teaching world history. Participants were able to represent the most sophisticated historical processes when they discussed how to connect events to other events. All of the participants made fewer event-to-event connections in the second card-sort focused on instruction, and all but 1 changed the organizational scheme of the cards. This second finding indicates a shift in how participants represented their thinking of world history for themselves and how they...
Regular and stochastic dynamics in the real quadratic family

We prove the Regulat or Stochastic Conjecture for the real quadratic family which asserts that almost every real quadratic map Pc, c ∈ [−2, 1/4], has either an attracting cycle or an absolutely continuous invariant measure.
Kinetics of free‐radical decay reactions in polymeric solids

Kinetic equations for the decay of the free radicals in polymeric solids are given for the following assumptions on which they are based: (1) two simultaneous first-order but physically separated decay reactions; (2) two simultaneous noninteracting second-order decay reactions; (3) combined simultaneous but intermingled first- and second-order decay reactions; (4) the same but for independent, i.e., not intermingled, first- and second-order decay reactions; (5) a second-order decay reaction in the presence of some free radicals that do not decay; and (6) a first-order decay reaction in the presence of some free radicals that do not decay. In all of the above physical systems the total concentration only can be measured. Hence the above kinetic equations refer to the change of the total concentration with time. It is found that the data for the decay of the free radicals in irradiated isotactic polypropylene and 61% styrene-39% butadiene block copolymer agree best with the equations for the second-order decay in the presence of a fraction of nondecaying free radicals.
Claude Monet (1840-1926) "Nymphéas" (Water Lilies) 1916-1919.

Suggested citation: Potter P. Claude Monet (1840-1926) "Nympheas" (Water Lilies) 1916-1919 [about the cover]. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2002 Sep [date cited]. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol8no9/v8n9cover.htm
Preparative Separations using Optical Chromatography

Optical Chromatography, used for particle separation, involves loosely focusing a laser into a fluid flowing opposite the direction of laser propagation. When microscopic particles in the flow path encounter this beam they are trapped axially along the beam and are pushed upstream from the laser focal point to rest at a point where the optical and fluid forces on the particle balance. Because optical and fluid forces are sensitive to differences in the physical and chemical properties of a particle, fine separations are possible. An optical chromatography beam which completely fills a fluid channel can operate as an optically tunable filter for the separation of polymeric/colloidal and biological samples. We will show how the technique can be used to separate injected samples containing large numbers of colloids. The power of optical chromatographic separations will be illustrated through the combination with other analytical techniques.
Predictors of mid-term symptom recurrence, adverse cardiac events and mortality in 591 unselected off-pump coronary artery bypass graft patients.

Abstract Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting is gaining popularity; however, decreased mid-term graft patency and increased coronary reintervention rates are reported. Study Design: Five hundred and ninty-one consecutive unselected patients underwent OPCAB grafting from February 2000 to April 2004 (mean follow-up 38.54 ± 0.54 months). One hundred and thirteen patients had ≤2 grafts, and four hundred and seventy-eight had ≥3 grafts. At least one radial artery graft was present in 398 patients, 328 received postoperative Clopidogrel, and 391 received postoperative statins. History of at least one percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was present in 192 patients. Results: Twenty-nine patients developed recurrent angina, nine had myocardial infraction, and twenty underwent coronary reintervention. Five patients died of sudden cardiac death. Overall mortality was 4.9% during follow-up (29 patients). Postoperative Clopidogrel and statins as well as intraoperative shunt use significantly decreased symptom recurrence and adverse cardiac events. Diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, prior history of PCI, and utilization of radial artery grafts were positive predictors of symptom recurrence and adverse cardiac events. Utilization of radial artery grafts, history of PCI as well as low preoperative ejection fraction increased mortality. Number of bypass grafts, type of conduit, grafted territory, hyperlipidemia, or prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) did not influence symptom recurrence, adverse cardiac events or mortality. Conclusions: OPCAB grafting can be performed with low symptom recurrence, adverse cardiac events, and mortality rates. Modification of intra- and postoperative management strategies may improve outcomes.