cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Promises to Keep

Do members of Congress follow through on the appeals they make in campaigns? In other words, do they keep their promises? These questions may be simple, but their answers lie at the heart of assessments of democratic legitimacy. In representative democracies, election campaigns are intended to serve as the central linchpin, providing a venue for debate about issues, educating citizens about the activities of their elected representatives, and informing legislators about the interests of their constituents. Campaigns are, as Riker (1996) argued, “a main point – perhaps the main point – of contact between officials and the populace over matters of public policy” (3). The existence of strong links between elections and governing is therefore one of the most fundamental prerequisites for accountability. In short, in healthy democracies, candidates in campaigns should provide voters with information about the issues and policies they will pursue in Congress, and, once in office, should follow through on these appeals. The prevailing view among the public and many pundits, though, is that politics in the United States falls far short of this ideal. Instead, many believe that campaigns have little issue content and have devolved into nothing more than opportunities for candidates to launch personal attacks at one another. Moreover, the advantages of incumbency seem to free legislators from any pressures to be accountable for their past records or sincere about their future plans.
The New Racism and the Racial State

The weapons used in symbolic conflict are ideas, but the outcome can be measured only in terms of the impact of those ideas on government policy formation and the construction of popular opinion. The categories of meaning employed by government in defining an event or issue do not passively reflect an objective reality, but rather actively construct which social problems are significant and which insignificant, and accordingly, which political solutions are judged beneficial and which misguided. Thus, since every policy issue is contested in a symbolic arena, an analysis of the new racism of the New Right would be incomplete without an examination of the symbiotic relationship between it and the policy formation process in the era of Reaganism and Thatcherism and beyond.
13N-ammonia: A novel biomarker for blood flow-dependent imaging of brown adipose tissue in rodents and humans

1696 Objectives Brown adipose tissue proposes an attractive mechanism for weight loss by increasing energy expenditure. Currently, imaging modalities for detecting BAT and monitoring its physiological activity in humans are rare. BAT is a highly vascularized organ. Cold and pharmacological activation of BAT are associated with an immediate, marked increase of blood flow, which may play a role in nutrient and energy substrates supply. Yet, the mechanism(s) underlying the hyperemic response are far from clear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the established perfusion agent 13N-ammonia (NH3) is an appropriate probe to detect BAT and measure BAT activation by monitoring blood flow. Methods In Brown Norway rats, a 20-min dynamic 13N-NH3 (1 mCi, bolus injection) PET was acquired at ambient temperature and after 20 and 60 min of localized skin cooling. Human studies were carried out in 7 healthy volunteers. 20-min dynamic 13N-NH3 (10 mCi IV)-PET was carried out at ambient temperature and after 40 min of mild cold stimulation. At the completion of the 2ed 13N-NH3 scan, FDG (10 mCi) was administered and after 60-min uptake period, under cold condition, 40-min dynamic scan was acquired. Results In rodents, 20-min cold stimulation was sufficient to elevate blood flow and obtain clear visualization of interscapular BAT depots on 13N-NH3 image, co-localized with 18F-FDG BAT. Compartmental modeling (1-tissue, de Grado), using LV cavity activity as input function, revealed cold duration-dependent increase of blood flow (mL/min/g). This finding provides the first clue, in vivo, that BAT activation is not all-or-none event, but mediated by an ongoing mechanism. In humans, 13N-NH3 detected BAT depots in the upper shoulder area in 6/7 volunteers, co-localized with 18F-FDG-BAT uptake. Conclusions This study demonstrates the feasibility of detecting stimulated BAT, and quantifying the hyperemic response using 13N-NH3 and dynamic PET. 13N-NH3 affords a potent means for investigating the role of blood flow in BAT thermogenesis, by voxel-based comparison with glycolysis, measured by 18F-FDG PET, and mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, measured by 18F-FBnTP PET.
The Tactical Air Game: A Multimove Game with Mixed Strategy Solution

The interest in differential games is motivated to a large extent by the potential applications of the theory. We shall discuss several discrete time versions of differential games involving resource allocation. The games were developed over fifteen years ago to study the optimal employment of tactical air forces, and they are fairly realistic and complex. Complete mathematical solutions were then obtained and were of interest in the area of application. A significant feature of the solution in the most important model was that optimal play required the use of mixed strategies.
Fifty Years of Expert Advice - Pharmaceutical Regulation and the Legacy of the Drug Efficacy Study.

The role of panels of experts from outside government in the FDA's day-to-day work derives from the Drug Efficacy Study of the 1960s, which addressed many concerns that continue to shape discussions of pharmaceutical regulation.
Elevated brain lactate in schizophrenia: a 7 T magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

Various lines of evidence suggest that brain bioenergetics and mitochondrial function may be altered in schizophrenia. On the basis of prior phosphorus-31 (31P)-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), post-mortem and preclinical studies, this study was designed to test the hypothesis that abnormal glycolysis leads to elevated lactate concentrations in subjects with schizophrenia. The high sensitivity of 7 Tesla proton (1H)-MRS was used to measure brain lactate levels in vivo. Twenty-nine controls and 27 participants with schizophrenia completed the study. MRS scanning was conducted on a Philips ‘Achieva’ 7T scanner, and spectra were acquired from a voxel in the anterior cingulate cortex. Patients were assessed for psychiatric symptom severity, and all participants completed the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and University of California, San Diego Performance-Based Skills Assessment (UPSA). The relationship between lactate, psychiatric symptom severity, MCCB and UPSA was examined. Lactate was significantly higher in patients compared with controls (P=0.013). Higher lactate was associated with lower MCCB (r=−0.36, P=0.01) and UPSA total scores (r=−0.43, P=0.001). We believe this is the first study to report elevated in vivo cerebral lactate levels in schizophrenia. Elevated lactate levels in schizophrenia may reflect increased anaerobic glycolysis possibly because of mitochondrial dysfunction. This study also suggests that altered cerebral bioenergetics contribute to cognitive and functional impairments in schizophrenia.
Lipid Processing in the Brain: A Key Regulator of Systemic Metabolism

Metabolic disorders, particularly aberrations in lipid homeostasis, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), and hypertriglyceridemia often manifest together as the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Despite major advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of these disorders, the prevalence of the MetS continues to rise. It is becoming increasingly apparent that intermediary metabolism within the central nervous system (CNS) is a major contributor to the regulation of systemic metabolism. In particular, lipid metabolism within the brain is tightly regulated to maintain neuronal structure and function, and may signal-nutrient status to modulate metabolism in key peripheral tissues such as the liver. There is now a growing body of evidence to suggest that fatty acid-sensing in hypothalamic neurons via accumulation of fatty acids (FA) or FA metabolites may signal nutritional sufficiency and may decrease hepatic glucose production, lipogenesis and VLDL-TG secretion. In addition, recent studies have highlighted the existence of liver-related neurons that have the potential to direct such signals through parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system activity. However, to date whether these liver-related neurons are FA-sensitive remain to be determined. The findings discussed in this review underscore the importance of the autonomic nervous system in the regulation of systemic metabolism, and highlight the need for further research to determine the key features of FA-neurons, which may serve as novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of metabolic disorders.
David Oliver: What GPs told me about how they see the future.

In June I wrote a column that was very supportive of primary care but asked, in view of serious current problems and an uncertain future, for a consensus from GPs themselves on the future of primary care.1 An excellent collection of rapid responses helped me (and hopefully other non-GPs) to understand the current mood.2 One point of consensus seemed clear: there simply is no consensus about future models of general practice, and we shouldn’t expect one. General practices and the communities they serve are just too diverse, and different doctors want different things from their careers. That’s OK. Most respondents found delivery and employment models secondary considerations. Some were happy to work as salaried GPs in networks or integrated care providers and for others to take on partnership. There were points …
On the supersymmetrization of Galileon theories in four dimensions

Abstract We use on-shell amplitude techniques to study the possible N = 1 supersymmetrizations of Galileon theories in 3 + 1 dimensions, both in the limit of decoupling from DBI and without. Our results are that (1) the quartic Galileon has a supersymmetrization compatible with Galileon shift symmetry ( ϕ → ϕ + c + b μ x μ ) for the scalar sector and a constant shift symmetry ( ψ → ψ + ξ ) for the fermion sector, and it is unique at least at 6th order in fields, but possibly not beyond; (2) the enhanced “special Galileon” symmetry is incompatible with supersymmetry; (3) there exists a quintic Galileon with a complex scalar preserving Galileon shift symmetry; (4) one cannot supersymmetrize the cubic and quintic Galileon while preserving the Galileon shift symmetry for the complex scalar; and (5) for the quartic and quintic Galileon, we present evidence for a supersymmetrization in which the real Galileon scalar is partnered with an R-axion to form a complex scalar which only has an ordinary shift symmetry.
On the consistency of HNO 3 and NO 2 in the Aleutian High region from the Nimbus 7 LIMS Version 6 data set

Abstract. This study uses photochemical calculations along kinematic trajectories in conjunction with Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere (LIMS) observations to examine the changes in HNO3 and NO2 near 30 hPa in the region of the Aleutian High (AH) during the minor warming event of January 1979. An earlier analysis of Version 5 (V5) LIMS data indicated increases in HNO3 without a corresponding decrease in NO2 in that region and a quasi-wave 2 signature in the zonal distribution of HNO3, unlike the wave 1 signal in ozone and other tracers. Version 6 (V6) LIMS also shows an increase of HNO3 in that region, but NO2 is smaller than from V5. The focus here is to convey that V6 HNO3 and NO2 are of good quality, as shown by a re-examination of their mutual changes in the AH region. Photochemical model calculations initialized with LIMS V6 data show increases of about 2 ppbv in HNO3 over 10 days along trajectories terminating in the AH region on 28 January. Those increases are mainly a result of the nighttime heterogeneous conversion of N2O5 on background stratospheric sulfuric acid aerosols. Changes in the composition of the air parcels depend on the extent of exposure to sunlight and, hence, on the dynamically controlled history of the trajectories. Trajectories that begin in low latitudes and traverse to across the North Pole in a short time lead to the low HNO3 in the region separating the anticyclone from the polar vortex, both of which contain higher HNO3. These findings help to explain the observed seasonal evolution and areal extent of both species. V6 HNO3 and NO2 are suitable, within their errors, for the validation of stratospheric chemistry–climate models.
Human cerebrovascular function in health and disease: insights from integrative approaches.

The marked increase in the size of the brain, and consequently, in neural processing capability, throughout human evolution is the basis of the higher cognitive function in humans. However, greater neural, and thus information processing capability, comes at a significant metabolic cost; despite its relatively small size, the modern human brain consumes almost a quarter of the glucose and oxygen supply in the human body. Fortunately, several vascular mechanisms ensure sufficient delivery of glucose and oxygen to the active neural tissue (neurovascular coupling), prompt removal of neural metabolic by-products (cerebral vasoreactivity), and constant global blood supply despite daily variations in perfusion pressure (cerebral autoregulation). The aim of this review is to provide an integrated overview of the available data on these vascular mechanisms and their underlying physiology. We also briefly review modern experimental approaches to assess these mechanisms in humans, and further highlight the importance of these mechanisms for humans’ evolutionary success by providing examples of their healthy adaptations as well as pathophysiological alterations. Data reviewed in this paper demonstrate the importance of the cerebrovascular function to support humans’ unique ability to form new and different interactions with each other and their surroundings. This highlights that there is much insight into the neural and cognitive functions that could be gleaned from interrogating the cerebrovascular function.
Simplifying aortic arch surgery: open zone 2 arch with single branched thoracic endovascular aortic repair completion.

Background: Distal aortic complications from acute DeBakey I dissection repair are an important source of late morbidity and mortality. We present an early experience of using a novel single-branched thoracic aortic endograft in conjunction with open techniques to treat acute DeBakey I aortic dissection. Methods: The patients in this series include five hyperacute dissections managed with a combined zone 2 partial arch replacement and placement of a zone 2 single subclavian branch endograft Results: There were no perioperative mortalities, strokes, or spinal cord ischemia in any patients at either stage of the procedure. At follow-up imaging, no patients had anterograde flow into the false lumen. All patients experienced false lumen thrombosis in the stented portion of the aorta. Conclusions: This combination of open repair techniques and the use of a novel branched endograft resulted in excellent early outcomes in this pioneer series. Further investigation of these techniques in a prospective fashion is warranted.
Whaling Away at Leisure

This paper presents an argument, first articulated by the German thinker Friedrich Georg Juenger, that a direct and proportional relationship exists between the dwindling of a particular resource—h...
Changing the cardiac calcium transient: SERCA2 overexpression versus phospholamban inhibition

Congestive heart failure is a significant medical problem, and abnormalities in calcium handling leading to a delayed decline in the calcium transient have been identified in failing hearts. Calcium lowering during diastole in cardiac myocytes is markedly influenced by the activity of the calcium ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum which pumps 2 moles of calcium per mole of ATP split from the cytosol into the vesicle of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In patients with end-stage heart failure, decreases in the level of the SERCA pump have been identified in some reports, however, have not been found by other investigators. To determine if the SERCA2 pump could be overexpressed in the hearts of transgenic mice and what contractile alterations would result, such mice were constructed. No detrimental effects were identified in those animals and a 20% increase in SERCA pump protein lead to an increase in contractile behavior under in vivo conditions and to an accelerated calcium transient and contraction in isolated myocytes under not hemodynamically loaded conditions. Compensatory functions for a hypothyroidism-induced decrease in SERCA pump activity were identified in transgenic SERCA mice. The SERCA2 transgene lead to a functional improvement by compensating for the prolonged relaxation of papillary muscle identified in wild-type hypothyroid mice. Similarly, a compensatory effect could be identified using adenoviral vectors expressing a SERCA transgene upon infection of cardiac myocytes exposed to the phorbol ester PMA which leads to a decrease in endogenous SERCA levels. In addition to improving the calcium transient by increasing the expression of SERCA2 protein levels, diminishing the inhibitory effects of phospholamban should also lead to increased SERCA activity and corresponding improvements in calcium handling and in contractile function. To explore this in further detail a dominant negative mutant of phospholamban was constructed by changing the lysine of position 3 to glutamic acid and the arginine of position 14 to glutamic acid. Adenoviral vectors expressing antisense RNA to phospholamban were also used. Infecting neonatal and adult cardiac myocytes with dominant negative mutants of phospholamban or phospholamban antisense constructs lead to a significant increase in SERCA activity, acceleration of the calcium transient, and increased myo-cyte contractility. The decreased calcium transient occurring in end-stage congestive heart failure may therefore be improved in the future using viral vector-based increases in SERCA transgene expression or in increasing SERCA activity by using phospholamban mutants or antisense constructs.
Operative Surgical Management of Fetuses with CHAOS: Management at Delivery

Prenatal diagnosis has changed dramatically the outcome of fetuses with congenital high airway obstruction, (CHAOS). The thorough evaluation of the prenatal images allows categorizing fetuses with airway compromise in those who would require a special mode of delivery and those who can be delivered without any special resources. The EXIT approach allows accessing the airway while the fetus is under placental support, converting a potentially catastrophic situation into a controlled one.
National and state patterns of concept-flavoured cigar sales, USA, 2012–2016

Introduction Cigar sales have increased in the USA in recent years. A growing proportion of cigar sales are of flavoured varieties, many bearing ambiguous or ‘concept’ flavour descriptions (eg, Jazz). This study assessed US cigar sales by flavour category (ie, concept flavoured, characterising flavoured and tobacco), at national, regional and state levels. Methods Sales of cigarillos, large cigars and little cigars from chain, franchise and convenience stores, mass merchandisers, supermarkets, drug, dollar and club stores, and military commissaries during 2012–2016 were acquired from the Nielsen Company. US national-level and state-level sales, including District of Columbia, were analysed by flavour category. Flavour descriptors were classified as ‘tobacco9, ‘characterising’ or ‘concept9, based on Universal Product Code (UPC)-linked characteristics and brand website and consumer review descriptions. Results Cigar sales increased by 29% during 2012–2016, driven by a 78% increase in cigarillo sales. The proportion of concept-flavoured sales increased from 9% to 15%, while the proportion of sales decreased for tobacco (50% to 49%) and characterising flavours (eg, cherry) (41% to 36%). Cigarillos had the greatest increase in unique concept flavour descriptions (17 to 46 unique UPCs), with most sales occurring among Sweet, Jazz and Green Sweets concept flavours. By US region, total and concept-flavoured cigarillo sales were highest in the South. Conclusions Flavoured cigars are increasingly labelled with concept flavours, including in areas with flavoured tobacco sales restrictions. Cigarillos are driving recent increases in US cigar and concept-flavoured cigar sales. It is important to consider concept flavours when addressing flavoured tobacco product sales and use.
Trump's Tariff Wars and National Security: A Political and Historical Perspective

With President Trump’s recent imposition of USD 34 billion in new tariffs on imports from China and with China’s prompt retaliation, the US is now in its biggest trade war with China, as well as with other countries, since the 1930. President Trump’s policies focusing on threats, trade deficits and bilateral trade, as well as the movement away from the postwar international system, have been historical aberrations since 1945. The US trade diplomacy ought to concentrate on building coalitions and viable proposals to address trade issues including those concerning the WTO rule-making and dispute resolution. This would help to ensure a rules-based trading system. It is important to be careful. The president’s actions are rooted in the clash of competing domestic interests, going back to the founding of the US. These may very well take hold for the remainder of his term and perhaps beyond. Destructive forces are always lurking below the surface. Even though things have been somewhat stable for the last 75 years, it does not mean they will remain so. It will take very hard and serious work by the US and foreign leaders to help ensure a future in which we have not failed in overcoming our historical challenges.
Inverse polarity effect for electrical explosion of fine metal wires in vacuum

It has been experimentally demonstrated that the geometry of a high-voltage electrode strongly affects the magnitude and structure of energy deposition into a thin metal wire before breakdown in vacuum. Additionally, two-dimensional electrostatic simulations provide evidence that the direction and magnitude of the radial electric field on a wire surface are dependent on the geometry of the electrodes. Increasing the size of the ground electrode leads to an increase in the radial electric field, but does not affect the direction of this field. However, modifications of the high-voltage electrode geometry alter the direction and magnitude of radial electric fields on the wire surface. Thus, the hot and homogeneous electrical explosion of a thin metal wire in vacuum can be realized with proper design of the wire's holding electrodes and independent from the polarity of the high-voltage electrode.
Employment characteristics and cause-specific mortality at automotive electronics manufacturing plants in Huntsville, Alabama.

BACKGROUND This study was carried out in response to worker concerns over their exposure to lead solder and chlorinated solvents at automotive electronics manufacturing plants in Huntsville, Alabama. METHODS A study of 4396 United Autoworkers members ever-employed at the plants between 1972 and 1993 was conducted with mortality follow-up through 2016. Poisson regression was used to estimate mortality rate ratios (RR) according to employment characteristics, including calendar period of employment. RESULTS Pre-1977 hires exhibited elevated adjusted rates of all-cause (RR, 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.52), cardiovascular (RR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.03-1.86), and digestive system (RR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.04-5.10) disease mortality relative to the most recent hire group (1984-1993). Never- versus ever-employment in a skilled trade job was associated with elevated adjusted rates of all-cause, all-cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality. Nervous system disorder mortality was greatest among 1977-1983 hires. CONCLUSIONS Elevated mortality among pre-1977 hires is consistent with worker concerns over greater exposure to hazards at the original plant building.
Optimization of Miniaturized Wireless Power Transfer System to Maximize Efficiency for Implantable Biomedical Devices

Development in implantable biomedical devices leads to the need for improving the efficiency of wireless transmission of power as well as miniaturization. This paper presents an optimized WPT system for achieving maximum efficiency for miniaturized implantable sensors. For the optimization of the coil design to achieve the maximum efficiency taking into account all the design constraints (e.g., maximum allowable size, trace width, spacing, tissue losses), an optimization algorithm and tool is developed using the Python language. Unlike the conventional optimization approach, where the frequency is usually a user-defined input, the proposed optimization tool inputs the frequency as a variable and the efficiency is maximized by computing the optimum frequency. To improve the matching of the transmitting coil to a 50 Ω load and thus to improve the efficiency, an L-shaped matching network consisting of an inductor and a capacitor is designed in the TX module. The inclusion of the matching network shows an improvement of over 21% of the efficiency of the WPT system over 10 mm of distance through air. The analytic calculation and simulation results are also validated via measurements.
Comparison of the Short Test of Mental Status and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Across the Cognitive Spectrum.

Abstract Objective To compare the Short Test of Mental Status (STMS) with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for predicting and detecting mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Participants and Methods Participants from the community-based Mayo Clinic Study of Aging (MCSA) (November 24, 2010, through May 19, 2012) and an academic referral Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) (March 16, 2015, through September 5, 2018) were analyzed. All participants were evaluated using a standardized neuropsychological battery, and a multidisciplinary consensus diagnosis was assigned. The MCSA and ADRC samples included 313 and 106 stable cognitively normal (CN) participants, 72 and 8 CN participants at baseline who developed incident MCI or dementia, 114 and 96 participants with prevalent MCI, and 25 and 132 participants with dementia, respectively. Results There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 tests in 6 of 7 diagnostic comparisons across academic referral and community populations. The STMS had a better area under the curve (0.90; 95% CI, 0.87-0.93) for differentiating prevalent MCI from CN participants in the MCSA cohort compared with the MoCA cohort (0.85; 95% CI, 0.81-0.89; P=.01). In addition, 53% of the stable CN participants (222 of 419) scored less than 26 on the MoCA, with specificity of 47% for diagnosing prevalent MCI. Conclusion We provide evidence that the STMS performs similarly to the MoCA in a variety of settings and neurodegenerative syndromes. These results suggest that the current recommended MoCA cutoff score may be overly sensitive, consistent with previous studies. We also provide a conversion table for comparing the 2 cognitive tests.
Berglund–Hübsch–Krawitz mirrors via Shioda maps

We prove the birationality of multiple Berglund-Hubsch-Krawitz (BHK) mirrors by using Shioda maps. We do this by creating a birational picture of the BHK correspondence in general. We give an explicit quotient of a Fermat variety to which the mirrors are birational.
Modeling bivariate long‐range dependence with general phase

Bivariate time series models are considered that are suitable for estimation, that have interpretable parameters and that can capture the general semi‐parametric formulation of bivariate long‐range dependence, including a general phase. The models also allow for short‐range dependence and fractional cointegration. A simulation study to test the performance of a conditional maximum likelihood estimation method is carried out, under the proposed models. Finally, an application is presented to the U.S. inflation rates in goods and services where models not allowing for general phase suffer from misspecification.
Personality Processes and Sleep: An Overview and a Leitmotif for a Research Agenda

Personality traits, states, and processes describe how individuals behave consistently across situations and time, and in turn, how individuals select into, shape, and reinforce their social environments. Thus, personality is critical to understanding sleep and social behavior. Research within the Five Factor Model of personality demonstrates that high conscientiousness (self-control, planfulness, and persistence) and low neuroticism (emotional stability and low negative affect) are associated with morning chronotype and better sleep quality. Some reports also find roles for high extraversion (likely due to positive affect) and high agreeableness (likely due to trust and warm interpersonal behavior). Openness has not been reliably related to sleep. Additional research on sleep duration, sleep variability, social jetlag, sleep hygiene, and behaviorally- and objectively-assessed sleep is especially warranted. Disentangling when, how, and why personality and sleep are related across time span and developmental period, and whether personality and sleep are associated using multimethod measures of each, will provide insight into causal models linking personality and consequential outcomes, with important implications for public health efforts and interventions.
Ideological Polarization Over a China-as-Superpower Mindset: An Exploratory Charting of Belief Systems Among Chinese Internet Users, 2008-2011

This study explores ideological polarization among Chinese Internet users by examining both the structure of local belief systems, and temporal changes of opinions. It implements research tools investigating voters’ cognition and behavior in democratic societies, including those concerning Internet use and political polarization. To probe this sensitive terrain, it employs network and relational class analysis to a unique historical dataset — online records of the “Chinese Political Compass” self-assessment (中国政治坐标系测试; 2008-2011). Results demonstrate that the overarching ideological division of the Chinese Internet is split between nationalism and cultural liberalism. Groups of “ideologues” and “agnostics” that differentially contributed to overall rapid polarization were also identified. The study further speculates how, in nondemocratic societies, Internet use may influence people’s political views through different mechanisms.
Adverse Effects Associated with the Use of Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil Products on Adolescents and Young Adults

Background: Cannabidiol (CBD) has grown in popularity in the treatment of many medical conditions. CBD oil products are easily accessible to adolescents and young adults. The goal of this study was to examine the prevalence of CBD use amongst adolescents and young adults, determine an association to other risk-taking behaviors, identify symptoms that may be associated with CBD use and understand beliefs about CBD use that may contribute to its growing prevalence. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to adolescents and young …
California v. Texas - Ending the Campaign to Undo the ACA in the Courts.

California v. Texas In June, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected what will probably be the last major case seeking to uproot the ACA. The Court’s decision most likely marks an end to Republicans’ effor...
Rehabilitation After Geriatric Hip Fractures

The goal of rehabilitation after hip fracture is to improve mobility and physical function while reversing or preventing deconditioning (functional loss following a period of inactivity). The primary method by which this goal is achieved is immediate postoperative mobilization, when feasible. Rehabilitation also includes close monitoring of pain control, nutrition, and mental health.
Digital Voice Enhancement for Improved In-Car Communication

Abstract Cars are getting more and more comfortable. From the acoustical point of view there is the need to make the cars quieter. This could be achieved by using acoustically damping materials for the interior. But the materials also absorb voice. Especially in vans with three or more seat rows communication between passengers in the front and back is obstructed because of the large distance.olkswagen Research with our partner Digisonix has developed a digital system which improves the speech intelligibility using microphones and the standard audio speakers. It is also an interface for the voice-dial telephone.
CO2 Reduction and Utilization

As CO2 capture technology is employed extensively, the volume of CO2 that is released through various processes has potential to surpass the limited amount of storage capacity. One sustainable way to deal with CO2 is to convert it into a usable form, such as for energy. The major obstacle for CO2 reduction is that the reaction isn’t energetically favorable; therefore, it is necessary to use catalysts to incite this reaction. Photocatalytic reactions are performed in a variety of conditions, such as under UV light exposure or concentrated sunlight in the presence of a catalyst and water. A variety of transition metal complexes, such as TiO2, SiO2, and metal decorated nanoparticles have been studied for their potential as photocatalysts. Current research is being funded to expand our knowledge on how to best use or convert captured CO2.
The Limits of Offshoring-Why the United States Should Keep Enforcement of Human Rights Standards "In-House"

As the world becomes more integrated, the recognition that globalization constitutes a force with growing influence over a host of transnational problems has gained increasing traction. In response to these problems, many theorists have posited an emergent new world order as the construct most descriptive of how the world currently confronts all global problems or as prescriptive on how the world should confront these problems in the future. These theories often expressly or implicitly suggest that all the global problems can be solved through a single new framework or reconfiguration of existing frameworks. While the search for a unified solution can play an integral role in policy development, this Note rejects the view that any single panacea will bring relief to the myriad afflictions influenced by globalization. Rather, each problem requires a solution tailored to its own unique characteristics, such that a proposed solution for human rights abuses by private actors may prove poorly suited to confront human rights abuses committed by state actors. By examining the discrete global problem of corporations committing human rights abuses, Part I of this Note will first contend that no single strategy is currently being deployed on a global level to confront human rights abuses, corporate or otherwise. Next, Part II will argue that global economic and legal conditions foreshadow an increase in corporate human rights abuses because corporate actors can avoid liability under most existing legal theories while they simultaneously increase their operations across the globe. Finally, Part III will suggest that because globalization stands poised to exacerbate the abuse of human rights by private actors, Congress should modify existing legal theories and extend the jurisdiction of U.S. Courts as an effective and desirable method of stemming the proliferation of global misfeasance by private actors.
Circuitry of Primate Prefrontal Cortex and Regulation of Behavior by Representational Memory

The sections in this article are: 1 Essence of Prefrontal Function: Regulation of Behavior by Representational Knowledge 1.1 Subdivisions of Prefrontal Cortex 1.2 Global Nature of Prefrontal Syndrome in Humans 1.3 Animal Model for Prefrontal Function in Humans 1.4 Delayed-Response Tests and Varying Interpretations of Their Functional Significance 1.5 Distractability and Perseveration: Secondary Consequences of Basic Defect in Representational Memory 1.6 Representational Memory in Wisconsin Card Sort and Other Diagnostic Tests of Prefrontal Function in Humans 1.7 Localization of Delayed-Response Function: Principal Sulcus 1.8 Circuit Basis of Visuospatial Functions 2 Accessing and “On-Line” Processing of Representations in Visuospatial Domain: Parietal-Prefrontal Connections 2.1 Visuospatial Representational Memory in Humans 2.2 Spatial-Mnemonic Nature of Delayed-Response Deficit: Domain-Specific Memory Loss 2.3 Topography of Representational Memory in Prefrontal Cortex 2.4 Electrophysiological Evidence of Spatial-Mnemonic Processes in Principal Sulcus 2.5 Parietal-Prefrontal Connectivity 2.6 Columnar and Laminar Framework for Feedforward and Feedback Mechanisms 2.7 Functional Significance of Parietal-Prefrontal Collaboration 3 Long-Term Memory and “Off-Line” Processing: Prefrontal-Limbic Connections 3.1 Role of Hippocampus in Spatial Memory 3.2 Multiple Connections Between Principal Sulcus and Hippocampal Formation 3.3 Quadripartite Neural Network: Parietal-Temporal-Cingulate-Prefrontal Circuit 3.4 Limbic Contribution to Spatial Memory 4 Response Initiation and Inhibition: Projections to Striatum, Tectum, Thalamus, and Premotor Cortex 4.1 Motor-Control Functions of Prefrontal Cortex 4.2 Cortical-Striatal Pathway and Related Feedback Loops 4.3 Cortical-Tectal Pathway 4.4 Thalamic-Cortical Systems 4.5 Prefrontal-Premotor Connections: Anterior Supplementary Motor Cortex Relays 4.6 Functional Speculations 5 Modulatory Mechanisms: Brain Stem Catecholamine Projections 5.1 Activation of Cognitive Machinery 5.2 Concentration and Synthesis of Catecholamines in Primate Cortex 5.3 Brain Stem Innervation of Prefrontal Cortex 5.4 Delayed-Response Deficits and Recovery Produced by Catecholamine Loss and Replacement in Prefrontal Cortex 5.5 Circuit Basis for Neuromodulation in Principal Sulcus 6 Multiple Subsystems of Prefrontal Cortex: Unity or Diversity of Function 6.1 Unity or Diversity of Prefrontal Function 6.2 Frontal Eye Fields 6.3 Inferior Convexity 6.4 Orbital Prefrontal Cortices 6.5 Problem of Integration 7 Diseases Affecting Prefrontal Cortex 7.1 Schizophrenia: Loss of Corticocortical Processing and Regulation of Behavior by Representational Knowledge 7.2 Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome: Loss of Thalamocortical and Brain Stem Modulatory Mechanisms 7.3 Huntington's Chorea and Parkinson's Disease: Loss of Prefrontal-Striatal Mechanisms and Initiation or Inhibition of Motor Response 7.4 Overview of Neurobiology of Disease 8 Summary
Production Test of Energy Doubler Magnets

Development of the energy doubler/saver magnets has continued for the past several years [1]. Up to the present, several different types of prototype bending magnets have been developed (B, C, D, and E series) in 1-, 5-, and 10-ft magnets. In the past year production of 22-ft bending magnets was initiated. The final type of coils for bending magnets is now the E series, and two types of cryostats have currently been developed: the E22-1 and E22-14 series. Ten of the E22-1 series magnets have been constructed, and two of them have been tested for their magnetic field characteristics; results were reported earlier [2,3].
Stromal cell-derived factor-1α stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple focal adhesion proteins and induces migration of hematopoietic progenitor cells: roles of phosphoinositide-3 kinase and protein kinase C

The stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is an alpha chemokine that binds to the CXCR4 receptor. Knock-out studies in mice demonstrate that this ligand-receptor pair is essential in hematopoiesis. One function of SDF-1 appears to be the regulation of migration of hematopoietic progenitor cells. We previously characterized signal transduction pathways induced by SDF-1alpha in human hematopoietic progenitors and found tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion components, including the related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase (RAFTK), the adaptor molecule p130 Cas, and the cytoskeletal protein paxillin. To better understand the functional role of signaling molecules connecting the CXCR4 receptor to the process of hematopoietic migration, we studied SDF-1alpha-mediated pathways in a model hematopoietic progenitor cell line (CTS), as well as in primary human bone marrow CD34(+) cells. We observed that several other focal adhesion components, including focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the adaptor molecules Crk and Crk-L, are phosphorylated on SDF-1alpha stimulation. Using a series of specific small molecule inhibitors, both protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI-3K) appeared to be required for SDF-1alpha-mediated phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins and the migration of both CTS and primary marrow CD34(+) cells, whereas the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK-1 and -2 were not. These studies further delineate the molecular pathways mediating hematopoietic progenitor migration and response to an essential chemokine, SDF-1alpha. (Blood. 2000;95:2505-2513)
Three-Neutrino Vacuum Oscillation Solutions to the Solar and Atmospheric Anomalies

Full three-neutrino fits to the solar and atmospheric neutrino data seem to favor a decoupling of the parameters associated with the solar and atmospheric oscillations, and also indicate maximal or nearly maximal mixing for each type of experiment. There are many scenarios that could give bi-maximal or quasi bi-maximal mixing. Furthermore, the data strongly favors separate δm 2 scales for the solar and atmospheric oscillations, which means that apparently four neutrinos are required to also explain the LSND result. Once the solar and atmospheric oscillation scales are assumed, current beta decay limits on m ve, may be extended to include m vμ and m vτ in a three-neutrino model. Finally, future long-baseline and solar neutrino experiments should be able to greatly constrain the allowed ranges of the three–neutrino parameters.
Men's condom use resistance: Alcohol effects on theory of planned behavior constructs.

OBJECTIVE This study is a novel investigation of (a) the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to predict men's condom use resistance (CUR; i.e., attempts to avoid condom use with a partner who wants to use one and (b) the effects of alcohol on endorsement of TPB-CUR constructs. METHOD Using an alcohol administration protocol, a between- and within-subjects experiment was conducted with a community sample of 312 young male nonproblem drinkers who have sex with women. After assessing endorsement of TPB-CUR constructs (e.g., attitudes, norms, self-efficacy, control, and intentions) in a sober state, beverage condition was experimentally manipulated between subjects and endorsement of TPB-CUR constructs was reassessed. RESULTS Analyses included repeated measures multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) with beverage condition (no alcohol vs. alcohol) as the between-subjects factor and time (prebeverage vs. postbeverage) as the within-subjects factor. Between-subjects, intoxicated participants reported significantly stronger CUR intentions, more favorable CUR attitudes and normative perceptions, and greater CUR self-efficacy than sober participants. There were significant within-subject changes for CUR intentions, attitudes, normative perceptions, and self-efficacy. Neither between- nor within-subjects effects were found for CUR control. An exploratory multigroup path analysis indicated that the relationships among the TPB-CUR constructs were similar for alcohol and no alcohol groups. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicated that alcohol intoxication increased men's CUR intentions and self-efficacy and led to more positive CUR attitudes and norms, yet had no effect on CUR control. Future research should examine whether there are similar effects of intoxication on TPB constructs related to other sexual risk behaviors.
Prevalence of psychopathology in childhood epilepsy: categorical and dimensional measures

Few studies have utilized both categorical and dimensional measures of psychopathology in children with epilepsy. We evaluated 173 children (88 males, 85 females; mean age 11.7y [SD 1.8]; range 9-14y) who had epilepsy (generalized 36%, partial 61%) for at least 6 months. The primary caregiver completed a dimensional measure, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and a categorical measure, either the Child Symptom Inventory (CSI) or the Adolescent Symptom Inventory (ASI). Correlation coefficients were computed between the CBCL scores and CSI/ASI symptom scores. For all children, diagnostic risk was higher than norms on CSI/ASI for attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) inattentive type, ADHD combined type, oppositional defiant disorder, and dysthymic disorder. For children between 9 and 12 years, elevated scores were found on CBCL, total, internalizing, and attention problems, and on CSI, diagnostic risk for conduct disorder and Asperger syndrome. For children of 13 and 14 years, ASI diagnostic risk was higher for specific phobia, obsessions, posttraumatic stress disorder, motor tics, antisocial personality, panic attack, somatization disorder, and enuresis. CBCL and symptom scores on the CSI/ASI were significantly correlated. The conclusion was that children with epilepsy have high rates of behavioral difficulties on both dimensional and categorical measures. Concurrent validity for the CSI/ASI was supported.
Pediatric heart transplantation: demographics, outcomes, and anesthetic implications*

Summary The evolving demographics, outcomes, and anesthetic management of pediatric heart transplant recipients are reviewed. As survival continues to improve, an increasing number of these patients will present to our operating rooms and sedation suites. It is therefore important that all anesthesiologists, not only those specialized in cardiac anesthesia, have a basic understanding of the physiologic changes in the transplanted heart and the anesthetic implications thereof.
A three level hierarchical nonlinear model of cortical function for perception

Brains are characterized by every property that engineers and computer scientists detest and avoid. They are chaotic, unstable, nonlinear, nonstationary, non-Gaussian, asynchronous, noisy, and unpredictable in fine grain, yet undeniably they are among the most successful devices that a billion years of evolution has produced. No one can justifiably claim that he or she has modeled brains, but they are a flowing spring of new concepts, and they provide a gold standard of what we can aspire to accomplish in developing more intelligent machines. The most fertile source of ideas with which to challenge and break the restrictions that characterize modern engineering practice is the electroencephalogram (EEG). It was the action potential of single neurons that provided the foundation of neurobiology for the 20th century, and in its time it supported the development of digital computers, neural networks, and computational neuroscience. Now in the 21st century, the EEG will lead us in a remarkably different direction of growth for the computing industry, which will be dominated by highly parallel, hierarchically organized, distributed analog machines. These devices now exist in prototype form. They feed on noise in support of chaotic attractor landscapes, which are shaped by reinforcement learning through self-governed experience, not training by 'teachers', and they may solve many of the problems of interfacing between finite state automata and the infinite complexity of the real world.