cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stent-Graft Treatment of Patients with Acute Bleeding from Hepatic Artery Branches

Purpose To present a new treatment option in patients with acute bleeding from the hepatic artery branches.
Magnetic Reconnection in Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas

Magnetic reconnection is a topological rearrangement of magnetic field that converts magnetic energy to plasma energy. Astrophysical flares, from the Earth's magnetosphere to γ-ray bursts and sawtooth crashes in laboratory plasmas, may all be powered by reconnection. Reconnection is essential for dynamos and the large-scale restructuring known as magnetic self-organization. We review reconnection theory and evidence for it. We emphasize recent developments in two-fluid physics, and the experiments, observations, and simulations that verify two-fluid effects. We discuss novel environments such as line-tied, relativistic, and partially ionized plasmas, focusing on mechanisms that make reconnection fast, as observed. Because there is evidence that fast reconnection in astrophysics requires small-scale structure, we briefly introduce how such structure might develop. Several areas merit attention for astrophysical applications: development of a kinetic model of reconnection to enable spectroscopic predictions...
Making Communication Theory Matter

This article considers the role of theory in the development of communication as a field of inquiry. Arguing that the relationship between the parts and whole of the field has not been adequately understood, it suggests that embracing a fuller understanding of communication's singularity might work better for both communication scholars and those situated in other fields of inquiry
The Structure of a Full-length Membrane-embedded Integrin Bound to a Physiological Ligand.

Increased ligand binding to integrin (“activation”) underpins many biological processes, such as leukocyte trafficking, cell migration, host-pathogen interaction, and hemostasis. Integrins exist in several conformations, ranging from compact and bent to extended and open. However, the exact conformation of membrane-embedded, full-length integrin bound to its physiological macromolecular ligand is still unclear. Integrin αIIbβ3, the most abundant integrin in platelets, has been a prototype for integrin activation studies. Using negative stain electron microscopy and nanodisc-embedding to provide a membrane-like environment, we visualized the conformation of full-length αIIbβ3 in both a Mn2+-activated, ligand-free state and a Mn2+-activated, fibrin-bound state. Activated but ligand-free integrins exist mainly in the compact conformation, whereas fibrin-bound αIIbβ3 predominantly exists in a fully extended, headpiece open conformation. Our results show that membrane-embedded, full-length integrin adopts an extended and open conformation when bound to its physiological macromolecular ligand.
Evaluation of Whorl Damage by Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Field- and Greenhouse-Grown Sweet Sorghum Plants

Abstract The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an economically important pest of sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. However, resistance to fall armyworm in sweet sorghum has not been extensively studied. A collection of primarily sweet sorghum accessions were evaluated in the field for natural fall armyworm infestation. Fall armyworm damage ratings ranged from 1.88 ± 0.35 to 4.75 ± 0.37, suggesting that a range of response to fall armyworm feeding exists in this collection. Based on the results of field data from two planting dates, accessions with the highest and lowest fall armyworm damage ratings were selected for greenhouse evaluations. At 7 d after infestation, the sorghum accessions, excluding BTx623 and Plant Introduction (PI) 147573, had significantly higher fall armyworm damage than resistant control MP708. Furthermore, at 7 d after the infestation, genotype PI 147573 was the most resistant; whereas, genotypes 13, 22, ‘GT-IR8′, and ‘GT-IR6′ were th...
Low Grip Strength and Prediabetes in Normal-Weight Adults.

Introduction: Detection of prediabetes is an important step in diabetes prevention in primary care. Risk stratification of healthy-weight individuals for detection of prediabetes is necessary to avoid missed opportunities for diabetes prevention. Methods: Using data from the 2011 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we studied the relationship between combined handgrip strength, a proxy for lean muscle mass, and prediabetes among adults aged ≥20 years without diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes who had a healthy body mass index (18.5–24.9 kg/m2; unweighted n = 1340, weighted n = 58,360,690). Prediabetes was defined as having a glycohemoglobin level between 5.7% and 6.4%. Results: Of the healthy-weight adults, 20.5% had prediabetes. Combined mean grip strength was lower for individuals with prediabetes than those with normoglycemia in the full sample (63.8 vs 70.9 kg; P = .004). Similar results were seen among both men (87.9 vs 82.1 kg; P = .03) and women (51.8 vs 56.5 kg; P = .001) in subgroup analysis. Conclusions: Grip strength is associated with prediabetes among healthy-weight US adults. Grip strength may have utility as an indicator for screening healthy-weight individuals for prediabetes.
Toxicological evaluations of cyclopiazonic acid and ochratoxin A in broilers

The individual and combined effects of ochratoxin A (OA) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) were evaluated in Petersen x Hubbard broiler chickens from 1 d to 3 wk of age. The experimental design was a 2 x 2 factorial with treatments of 0 and 2.5 mg OA/kg feed and 0 and 34 mg CPA/kg feed. Production performance, serum biochemistry, and gross pathological observations were evaluated. Body weight gain was reduced (P < 0.05) by OA, CPA, and OA-CPA in combination at the end of 3 wk. Ochratoxin A significantly increased the relative weight of the kidney and serum concentrations of uric acid and triglycerides and decreased total protein, albumin, and cholesterol. The toxicity of CPA was expressed primarily through increased relative weights of the proventriculus and increased activity of creatine kinase. Exposure to OA-CPA was characterized by increased relative weights of the liver, kidney, pancreas, and proventriculus; decreased concentrations of serum albumin, total protein, and cholesterol; increased activity of creatine kinase; and increased concentrations of triglycerides and uric acid. Postmortem examination revealed that the chickens fed CPA or OA-CPA had thickened mucosa and dilated proventricular lumen. Data from this study demonstrate that OA, CPA, and the OA-CPA combination can limit broiler performance and adversely affect broiler health. The interaction of the compounds was primarily additive or less than additive in the parameter in which the interaction occurred.
Experimental characterization and numerical analysis of the weld-region material in friction stir welded thick AA2139-T8 plates

Purpose – The weld region obtained during friction stir welding (FSW) of metallic materials (including aluminum alloys) contains typically well-defined zones, each characterized by fairly unique microstructure and properties. The purpose of this paper is to carry out combined experimental and numerical investigations of the mechanical properties of materials residing in different weld zones of FSW joints of thick AA2139-T8 plates. Design/methodology/approach – Within the experimental investigation, the following has been conducted: first, optical-microscopy characterization of the transverse sections of the FSW joints, in order to help identify and delineate weld zones; second, micro hardness field generation over the same transverse section in order to reconfirm the location and the extent of various weld zones; third, extraction of miniature tensile specimens from different weld zones and their experimental testing; and finally, extraction of a larger size tensile specimen spanning transversely the FSW ...
Shape-Encoded Chitosan–Polyacrylamide Hybrid Hydrogel Microparticles with Controlled Macroporous Structures via Replica Molding for Programmable Biomacromolecular Conjugation

Polymeric hydrogel microparticle-based suspension arrays with shape-based encoding offer powerful alternatives to planar and bead-based arrays toward high throughput biosensing and medical diagnostics. We report a simple and robust micromolding technique for polyacrylamide- (PAAm-) based biopolymeric–synthetic hybrid microparticles with controlled 2D shapes containing a potent aminopolysaccharide chitosan as an efficient conjugation handle uniformly incorporated in PAAm matrix. A postfabrication conjugation approach utilizing amine-reactive chemistries on the chitosan shows stable incorporation and retained chemical reactivity of chitosan, readily tunable macroporous structures via simple addition of low content long-chain PEG porogens for improved conjugation capacity and kinetics, and one-pot biomacromolecular assembly via bioorthogonal click reactions with minimal nonspecific binding. We believe that the integrated fabrication-conjugation approach reported here could offer promising routes to programma...
Implementing a consultation-based service delivery system to decrease referrals for special education: A case study of organizational considerations.

The systems-level activities involved in implementing a consultation-based service delivery system to decrease referrals for special education are described. The approach is intended to facilitate ...
Cardiac Pacemaker Development from a Tertiary Heart Field

Rhythmic heartbeats are paced by electrical impulses that are autonomously generated by cardiac pacemaker cells. This chapter briefly summarizes our recent findings regarding the embryonic origin of and molecular mechanism delineating cardiac pacemaker cells, showing that pacemaker cells are physically segregated and molecularly programmed, in a tertiary heart field, prior to the onset of cardiac morphogenesis.
Understanding the determinants of hired skipper use in the Alaska Halibut individual fishing quota fishery.

AbstractThere is a growing body of literature evidencing the distributional impacts of leasing in catch-share fisheries but little research on the determinants of the leasing decision itself. This study addresses this gap by using a discrete-choice model to examine the determinants of the decision of quota shareholders to use hired skippers in the individual fishing quota (IFQ) fishery for Pacific Halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis in Alaska. Since the implementation of that Alaska IFQ program, there has been an increasing reliance on hired skippers by initial quota-share recipients in relationships that are often functionally equivalent to leasing. This has hampered the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s efforts to ultimately transition the IFQ catcher-vessel fleet to a group of owner-operators. This study shows that the probability of hiring a skipper is statistically significantly related to the residency and shareholdings of shareholders and identifies potential attributes of shareholdings, inclu...
Benefits of multidimensional fractionation for the study and characterization of natural organic matter.

Abstract The belief that chromatographic separation of complex environmental mixtures or natural organic matter (NOM) produces featureless humps from which little, if anything, can be learned is still pervasive. Meanwhile improvements in chromatography and the use of information-rich detection methods have led to meaningful fractionation and revealed consistent data. Here, we build on this work and developed a robust, facile two-dimensional separation with high orthogonality between dimensions. We illustrate that re-injections of fractions (both in the first and in the second dimension) leads to individual peaks at the expected retention times and use information-rich detection to investigate the basis on which NOM is fractionated. We demonstrate unprecedentedly feature-rich chromatograms are observed even with standard UV detection for polar NOM fractions. The second stage of fractionation is demonstrated to separate isomers, providing a direct look at isomeric complexity in NOM as well as a tool to reduce it. Consistent with expectation, but confirmed for the first time through mass spectral data, radicals were detected for NOM components that were generally nonpolar and grouped in the condensed aromatic structure – like region of van Krevelen plots. High-resolution tandem mass spectral data, furthermore, suggests that many higher-MW components of fulvic acids (especially the highly oxidized ones) have formulas that do not match any known compounds in the literature, supporting the hypothesis that fulvic acids are a unique compound-class. Combined, the data illustrate that meaningful reduction in complexity reveals new compositional and structural detail and avails new avenues of investigation.
Parity measurements versus dual-homodyne measurements in coherent-state Mach-Zehnder interferometry

Previous studies [J. Opt. Soc. Am. B27, A170 (2010)JOBPDE0740-322410.1364/JOSAB.27.00A170; J. Appl. Phys.114, 193102 (2013)JAPIAU0021-897910.1063/1.4829016] have asserted that a coherent-state Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) with parity-based phase estimation can achieve superresolution at the shot-noise limit (SNL). We show that these studies have ignored the need for repeated measurements in order to achieve root-mean-square accuracy at the SNL. Consequently, their superresolution claims need major revision. For comparison, we present the performance of a coherent-state MZI that uses dual-homodyne detection and show that it can achieve SNL scaling in a single measurement, albeit without superresolution.
Grade II Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease and Higher Nucleated Cell Graft Dose Improve Progression-Free Survival after HLA-Haploidentical Transplant with Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide.

Abstract Compared with standard graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis platforms, post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) after T cell–replete HLA-haploidentical (haplo) bone marrow transplantation (BMT) reduces the risk of grades III to IV acute (a) and chronic (c) GVHD, but maintains similar rates of grade II aGVHD. Given that mild GVHD has been associated with reduced treatment failure in HLA-matched BMT, we evaluated the risk factors for and effects of GVHD on survival in 340 adults with hematologic malignancies who engrafted after nonmyeloablative haplo-BMT with PTCy, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus. The cumulative incidence at 100 days of grade II and grades III to IV aGVHD were 30% (95% confidence interval [CI], 25% to 35%) and 2% (95% CI, 1% to 4%), respectively. The 1-year cumulative incidence of cGVHD was 10% (95% CI, 7% to 13%). In landmark analyses at 100 days, the 4-year probabilities of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were, 48% (95% CI, 41% to 56%) and 39% (95% CI, 32% to 47%) for patients without grades II to IV aGVHD, compared with 63% (95% CI, 53% to 73%) and 59% (95% CI, 50% to 71%) for patients with grade II aGVHD (P = .05 and P = .009). In multivariable modeling, when compared with patients who never experienced GVHD, the hazard ratio (HR) for OS and PFS in patients with grade II aGVHD was .78 (95% CI, .54 to 1.13; P = .19) and .69 (95% CI, .48 to .98; P = .04). Higher nucleated cell graft dose was also associated with improved OS (HR, .88; 95% CI, .78 to 1.00; P = .05) and PFS (HR, .89; 95% CI, .79 to 1.0; P = .05) and decreased risk of grades III to IV aGVHD (subdistribution HR, .66; 95% CI, .46 to .96; P = .03). PTCy reduces grades III to IV aGVHD and cGVHD, but retains similar incidence of grade II aGVHD, the development of which improves PFS. Higher nucleated cell graft dose goals may also improve survival after nonmyeloablative haplo-BMT with PTCy.
pH-Dependent Reactivity of a Water-Soluble Nickel Complex: Hydrogen Evolution vs Selective Electrochemical Hydride Generation

Mechanistic details for the aqueous hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst [Ni(DHMPE)2]2+ (DHMPE = 2-bis(bis(hydroxymethyl)phosphino)ethane) are reported. The proposed 2e– reduced catalytic intermediate [Ni(DHMPE)2] was added to solutions between pH 1 and 5. The two sequential protonation events leading to H2 evolution were monitored by 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy. The initial protonation event to generate the metal hydride [HNi(DHMPE)2]+ proceeds to completion within 1.5 min. In contrast, significant variation in the pH-dependent rate and reaction progress of the second protonation event to form the H–H bond is observed. The differences are discussed in the context of the free energy of each protonation event, which also defines the pH conditions under which H2 evolution is exergonic. The analysis provides useful information on the functional pH range of HER electrocatalysts that proceed through metal hydride intermediates. Reductive electrolysis of [Ni(DHMPE)2]2+ under conditions in which H2 evo...
Discussion of “Field-based numerical model investigation of wave propagation across marshes in the Chesapeake Bay under storm conditions” by Juan L. Garzon, Tyler Miesse and Celso M. Ferreira

Abstract In the recent paper by Garzon, Miesse, and Ferreira (Coastal Engineering, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2018.11.001 ), the authors collected field data from Chesapeake Bay, and numerically simulated the wave attenuation by vegetation using five different empirical drag coefficient formulas. The implementation of the formula from Jadhav (2012) was incorrect by Garzon et al. (2018), resulting in considerable under-prediction of wave height in comparison of the field data. This discussion aims to present the correct way to use the drag coefficient formula from Jadhav (2012). Our numerical results show that the drag coefficient formulas of Jadhav (2012) and Jadhav and Chen (2012) are suitable for modeling wave attenuation by salt marshes in Chesapeake Bay.
ACES: Automatic Configuration of Energy Harvesting Sensors with Reinforcement Learning

Many modern smart building applications are supported by wireless sensors to sense physical parameters, given the flexibility they offer and the reduced cost of deployment. However, most wireless sensors are powered by batteries today, and large deployments are inhibited by the requirement of periodic battery replacement. Energy harvesting sensors provide an attractive alternative, but they need to provide adequate quality of service to applications given the uncertainty of energy availability. We propose ACES, which uses reinforcement learning to maximize sensing quality of energy harvesting sensors for periodic and event-driven indoor sensing with available energy. Our custom-built sensor platform uses a supercapacitor to store energy and Bluetooth Low Energy to relay sensors data. Using simulations and real deployments, we use the data collected to continually adapt the sensing of each node to changing environmental patterns and transfer learning to reduce the training time in real deployments. In our 60-node deployment lasting 2 weeks, nodes stop operations only 0.1% of the time, and collection of data is comparable with current battery-powered nodes. We show that ACES reduces the node duty-cycle period by an average of 33% compared to three prior reinforcement learning techniques while continuously learning environmental changes over time.
From EHR Data to Medication Adherence Assessment: A Case Study on Type 2 Diabetes

Medication adherence is an important topic in chronic disease management. In this paper, we propose a framework from EHR data to cohort construction with drug ontology, to medication adherence assessment, and to data analytics based on adherence assessment. With a drug ontology based on Chinese guidelines for diabetes prevention and treatment, we construct a cohort of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, lipid-lowering, or anti-platelet drug treatment from a real world EHR data. We assess the medication adherence of the cohort with a multistate adherence measure. Multivariate logistic regression is used to find features that are associated with adherence to anti-diabetic drug treatment of T2DM patients. We also analyze the drug usage and hospital distribution at the first prescription. The experimental results show that patients visit to general hospital have better medication adherence than that of community healthcare centers (CHCs). The adherence to anti-diabetic drug treatment of T2DM patients is low, about 32.6%. Interventions should be made to help improve patients’ medication adherence and treatment effectiveness.
A National Study of the Financial Implications of Community College Baccalaureate Adoption

Community college baccalaureate (CCB) degree programs have become increasingly popular in recent years, with over 100 community colleges in 24 states currently offering at least one bachelor’s degr...
State Policies and Healthcare Use Among Transgender People in the U.S.

Introduction The introduction and passing of restrictive and protective transgender-specific state policies have increased during the past decade. These policies are critical for the health of transgender and other gender diverse people; however, little is known about the relationship between these policies and healthcare use, and the role that race/ethnicity plays in this relationship. Methods Analysis was conducted in 2018–2019 using multilevel modeling and data from the 2015 U.S. Trans Survey (conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality among nearly 28,000 transgender and other gender diverse people across the U.S.) to explore associations between transgender-specific state policies and healthcare avoidance because of fear of mistreatment. State policies included those related to experiences of discrimination, health insurance coverage, and changing legal documents. Restrictive and protective policies were measured individually and as a composite index. The relationship between race/ethnicity and healthcare use was also examined to determine whether there were differences in the association between race/ethnicity and healthcare avoidance by state. Results None of the individual policies were associated with healthcare use, but the composite index was significant, such that living in states with more protective policies was associated with reduced odds of avoiding health care because of fear of mistreatment. The relationship between race/ethnicity and health care also varied across states. Conclusions Findings suggest the importance of advocating for more protective transgender-specific policies to improve healthcare access for transgender and other gender diverse people in the U.S., particularly for transgender and other gender diverse people of color.
Processing bovine intestinal mucosa to active heparin removes spiked BSE agent

Heparin is an anticoagulant sourced from animal tissues. In the 1990s, bovine-sourced heparin was withdrawn from the U.S. market due to a theoretical concern that the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agent might contaminate crude heparin and spread to humans as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Only porcine intestinal heparin is now marketed in the U.S. FDA has encouraged the reintroduction of bovine heparin. We applied a scaled-down laboratory model process to produce heparin as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) starting from bovine intestinal mucosa. The process consisted of two phases. To model the first phase, we applied enzymatic proteolysis, anionic resin separation and methanol precipitation of crude heparin. Bovine intestinal mucosa was spiked with BSE or scrapie agents. We assayed BSE- or scrapie-associated prion protein (PrPTSE) using the Real-Time Quaking-Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) assay at each step. The process reduced PrPTSE by 4 log10 and 6 log10 from BSE-spiked and scrapie-spiked mucosa, respectively. To model the entire process, we spiked mucosa with scrapie agent and produced heparin API, reducing PrPTSE by 6.7 log10. The purification processes removed large amounts of PrPTSE from the final products. Heparin purification together with careful sourcing of raw materials should allow safely reintroducing bovine heparin in the U.S.
From Space to Battlefield: A New Breed of Multifunctional Fiber Sheets for Extreme Environments

Harvard scientists developed a multifunctional fiber sheet that provides protection in extreme environments. They use a dry-jet wet spinning method to create a porous network of thin, continuous fibers that overcomes the traditional trade-off between thermal insulation and mechanical strength.
A Retrospective Study of Infection in Patients Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support

Background Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in critically ill patients are a serious public health problem. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used increasingly for patients with severe cardiac or respiratory failure, but it may increase HAI risk. The goal of our study was to characterize HAIs in ECMO patients at an ECMO referral center. Methods This institutional review board–approved study identified all consecutive adult ECMO patients admitted to the cardiac surgery intensive care unit (CSICU) between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2017. Demographic data, diagnosis, ECMO cannulation technique, and survival were collected. Urinary tract infection, pneumonia, and bacteremia incidence during ECMO and within 3 months of decannulation were collected. Outcomes of patients with HAIs were compared with noninfected patients, the CSICU infection incidence, and overall Extracorporeal Life Support Organization survival data. Results There were 288 ECMO patients and 3396 CSICU admissions during this period. Survival was 72.3% for venoarterial ECMO, 85.3% for venovenous ECMO, and 57.1% for multimodality or veno-arteriovenous ECMO, with discharge survival of 60.2%, 72.0%, and 28.6%, respectively. Bacteremia incidence while cannulated was 6.8% for venoarterial ECMO and 9.3% for venovenous ECMO. Bacteremia occurred in 22 of 288 (7.6%) ECMO patients, compared with 48 of 3109 (1.5%) in non-ECMO CSICU patients, which was statistically significant (P Conclusions Nosocomial ECMO infections are significantly higher than in other CSICU patients. Infection risk remains significant even after decannulation. Infection is associated with increased mortality and longer duration of ECMO support. Further efforts are needed to determine HAI reduction strategies in this high-risk patient population.
Forward and backward stimulated Raman scattering in multi-speckled beams: Density dependence and effects on cross-beam energy transfer

Particle-in-cell simulations of cross-beam energy transfer (CBET) between multi-speckled beams reveal a potentially prominent energy loss from forward stimulated Raman scattering (FSRS) in the amplified seed beam [Yin et al., Phys. Plasmas 26, 082708 (2019)]. In this work, an intensity scan is used to examine this energy loss in the CBET-amplified seed beam at intensities of a few times 1014 W/cm2. Electron tracers demonstrate both the trapping in the electron plasma waves that is sustained over multiple speckles and the subsequent acceleration to velocities well beyond the phase velocity. Motivated by expanding our understanding of this energy loss mechanism, we isolate the FSRS density dependence by using a 2 × 10 14 W/cm2 pulse to scan densities between 0.06 n c r and 0.12 n c r; a spectral analysis characterizes the energy losses from scattering with the changing densities. At saturation, both greater beam attenuation is measured at the laser frequency and larger scattering FSRS angles are observed as density increases, along with a rapid transition to primarily backscatter SRS between 0.10 n c r and 0.12 n c r, earlier than predicted by linear theory. Density gradients are shown to effectively mitigate oblique FSRS and beam energy losses in the two lower density cases, whereas 0 ° forward scattering is primarily suppressed in the higher density cases. Finally returning to the two-beam CBET system of interest, the interplay and mitigation of the secondary instabilities at larger domain and beam spatial scales are discussed, here also examining backward stimulated Brillouin scattering.
The Rorschach and Trauma – An Update

Abstract. Early research on trauma employing the Rorschach found it to be an ideal instrument, with its red, black, gray, and vibrant colors, to elicit trauma content. Two patterns of Rorschach res...
STEM Faculty and Parental Leave: Understanding an Institution's Policy within a National Policy Context through Structuration Theory

Women continue to face barriers and unequal expectations in the academy. Parental leave policies have been instituted in many countries to help address some of these barriers. Nevertheless, many researchers have found that the presence of such policies is not enough to ensure they are used by those they were intended for. We conducted an in depth qualitative study of one midwestern university in the United States to better understand difficulties that arise with policy usage. The United States is an interesting case to study as it has a weak national policy for parental leave and some institutions with stronger policies, including the one we studied here. Our results suggest that the policy does not account for many aspects of academic careers and that the policy is under-utilized or undermined by contextual pressures, as other researchers have found around the globe. The results also demonstrate that structuration theory is a useful framework for analyzing how faculty members are constrained by and act within or transform a policy. Importantly, we find that the lack of a national policy and fragmented policies across institutions further complicates faculty members’ use of parental leave at this institution. This has implications for other national and institutional policy imbalances.
Characterization of the Growth of Herpes Simplex Virus in Human Lymphoid Cells

Abstract Herpes simplex virus was grown in a 6-liter suspended culture of an atypical permanent human lymphoid cell line, Roswell Park Memorial Institute no. 8226. The kinetics of virus replication were determined by counting viruses by electron microscopy, plaque formation, and tissue culture infectivity. Deoxyribonucleic acid-dependent deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase activity was determined during the course of infection. Electron microscopy studies substantiated the kinetics of the virus infection in lymphoid cells.
A self-training, self-repairing back-propagation environment

The author introduces a series of novel approaches to backpropagation: (1) the use of logic forms (classical, modal, and nonmonotonic) as training tools; (2) the construction of new nets through the responses of logically trained nets (weight sets); (3) the use of N2 as a reset mechanism for impermissibly slow or false responses by subnets; and (4) the retraining of failing subnets by the logically trained nets. A biologically plausible basis for the system is offered. >
Proliferative and morphological effects of endothelins in Schwann cells: roles of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase and Ca2+‐independent phospholipase A2

The regulation of Schwann cell (SC) proliferation and morphology is critical to nerve homeostasis. We have previously reported that endothelins (ETs) regulate the activity of different effectors in SC including adenylyl cyclase, phospholipases C and A2 and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). These effects imply a possible participation of ETs in the regulation of SC phenotype. We have now investigated the effects of endothelins on the proliferation and morphology of SC, and compared them with the responses to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a known mitogen in these cells. Both endothelin-1 (ET-1) and PDGF increased the incorporation of [3H]thymidine and the proportion of SC in S and G2/M, with a concomitant decrease in the G0/G1 stage cells. Treatment with ET-1 produced rapid changes in the morphology of the SC, characterized by the appearance of cell spreading with shorter processes. The response to ET-1 was considered to represent a proliferative phenotype, in contrast to the effects of forskolin, which decreased [3H]thymidine incorporation in immortalized SC (iSC) and lead to a differentiated morphology with longer extensions. While both ET-1 and PDGF displayed a proliferative effect on SC, treatment with PDGF did not affect the morphology of these cells to a significant extent. A role for p38 MAPK and Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 in the changes in morphology and proliferation of iSC driven by ET-1 was suggested by the effects of selective inhibitors of these pathways [SB202190 and HELSS, respectively]. The unique pattern of signaling pathways recruited by ET-1 and its combined effects on regulation of phenotype and proliferation of SC suggest an important role for this peptide during nerve degeneration/regeneration.
White: The Biography of Walter White, Mr. NAACP

White: The Biography of Walter White, Mr. NAACP AUTHOR: KENNETH ROBERT JANKEN NEW YORK: THE NEW PRESS, 2003 PRICE: $29.95 ISBN: 1-56584-3 The life and times of Walter White (1893-1955) is a very important study as it intersects directly with the history of segregation and racialized relations in the US. Fortunately, Kenneth Janken has captured much of White's background, racial ambivalence, and his involvement with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). This book is a timely and first biographical portrait of this controversial "race" man. Why should Walter White be a fascinating African American personality to cover in a biography? The answer to this question can be found in his phenotype. Walter White was in the average person's eyes: White. His blond hair and blue eyes only testified more to the assumption that he could never be of African heritage. However, within the context of the North American social order, Walter White was indeed a man of African heritage. He came out of a southern middle class, "mixed" heritage Atlanta, background that had ingrained the "one drop rule" and placed by law anyone with the smallest amount of African blood into the African American cultural group. Born just three years before the Plessey versus Ferguson Supreme Court decision that upheld social segregation between Blacks and Whites, as long as facilities were "equal" (which was hardly ever the case), Walter White's physical appearance was certainly ambiguous, but his mind and his heart remained unequivocally African American. Moreover, even though Walter White's parents and siblings may well have been able to "pass" into the dominant White society, Janken writes: "There is no suggestion that the White family tried to pass; indeed, the family was enmeshed in the city's principal African American institutions" (p. 15). The fact that White spent the majority of his adult years, nearly forty years (1918-1955), working for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) indicates his staying power in the cause for racial social justice. Janken gives a good account of his work and suggests that he has not been given enough recognition in the contemporary history books relating to African Americans (pp. 368-369). It is difficult to disagree with the perspective that still too little is known about Walter White's contribution to the African American struggle, yet he is not alone. Many significant contributors in the fight for civil and human rights have not been given enough recognition. In terms of Walter White's peers, one could mention Ella Baker as a perfect example of a person who has not received significant acknowledgement for her work in the struggle for civil rights. In point of fact, Janken provides a rare photograph of Ella Baker in the center pages of his book, along with a collection of other key personalities connected to Walter White's life and legacy. Arguably, Walter White had his finest hour for the NAACP as an undercover investigator following the contours of lynching and race riots. …
The Effect of Technology on the Supportability and Cost of Avionics Equipment

In keeping pace with recent advances in electronics, the military services have shifted from solid state devices (transistors) to micro-miniaturized devices (chips) in the design of avionics. By employing micro-miniaturized electronics, those who design military aircraft have sought to take advantage of the intrinsically higher reliability of chips. At the same time, designers have taken advantage of micro-miniaturized components to build more performance into avionics systems. However, in the views of some, the means used to increase performance have had negative effects on supportability, which counters the positive intrinsic effect.
Isolation from the Mushroom Agaricus bisporus and Chemical Synthesis of γ-l-Glutaminyl-4-hydroxybenzene

Abstract A new compound has been isolated from the common mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) which, on oxidation by a partially purified preparation of the enzyme "inhibitor synthetase," has been converted to a quinone present in this species. Chemical and spectral studies indicate that the structure of the quinone precursor is γ-l-glutaminyl-4-hydroxybenzene. This structure has been verified by synthesis.
Microheterogeneity within conformational states of ubiquitin revealed by high resolution trapped ion mobility spectrometry

The present work employs trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS) for the analysis of ubiquitin ions known to display a multitude of previously unresolved interchangeable conformations upon electrospray ionization. The conformational distributions of ubiquitin [M + 6H]6+ through [M + 13H]13+ ions observed by TIMS are nearly identical to numerous drift tube ion mobility spectrometry studies reported in the literature. At an experimental resolving power up to ∼300, many of the congested conformations within the well-known compact, partially folded, and elongated [M + 7H]7+ states are separated. Minimizing the voltages (RF and DC) in the entrance funnel results in exclusive observation of compact [M + 7H]7+ conformers. However, under these conditions, the mobility-dependent pseudopotential coefficient may discriminate against ions having larger collision cross sections—a universal effect for all RF ion guides, funnels, and traps operating in the presence of a gas. The data presented underscore the complications associated with direct comparison of collision cross section values that represent an ensemble average of multiple underlying conformations. As illustrated herein, the microheterogeneity within a particular conformational family and the relative state-to-state abundance can be altered by solvent memory, energetic, and kinetic effects.
Ultrafast photoinduced charge separation dynamics in polythiophene/SnO2 nanocomposites.

We present a study of photoinduced interfacial electron transfer (ET) dynamics of SnO2 nanocrystalline thin films sensitized by polythiophene derivatives (regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and regiorandom poly(3-undecyl-2,2‘-bithiophene) (P3UBT)). ET dynamics were measured by following the dynamics of injected electrons in SnO2 and polarons in the conjugated polymer using ultrafast mid-IR transient absorption spectroscopy. The rate of electron transfer from P3HT and P3UBT to SnO2 films was determined to occur on sub-picosecond time scale (120 ± 20 fs). In P3HT/SnO2 composite, interchain charge transfer was found to compete with and reduce the quantum efficiency of interfacial electron transfer at high polymer loading. This interchain charge separation processes can be reduced in non-regioregular polymer or at low polymer loading levels.
Comparison of ball and disc valves for mitral valve replacement.

Abstract Ball valves, because of their bulk, interfere with myocardial contraction and are responsible for the relatively high incidence of postoperative morbidity and mortality. As a consequence, a low-profile valve, such as a disc valve, interferes less with myocardial function and is less prone to complications. Resistance to forward flow over a disc or ball valve is dependent upon the size of the residual valve orifice (inflow area) and the size of the frustum (outflow area). An insertion ring of any artificial valve restricts the valve orifice. Those valves with the thickest insertion rings will have the least residual valve orifice for flow; the smaller the valve employed the greater this restriction and gradient. This accounts for the greater resistance over a Magovern valve than other prevalent types. The optimal design for a disc valve encompasses as narrow an insertion ring as possible to provide a large orifice area in addition to as large a frustum area as possible to reduce the resistance of the disc to forward flow and to allow a large free area for flow to escape between the disc and valve ring. Laboratory studies indicated that a ratio of approximately 1 to 1.5 for orifice area to frustum area was necessary to provide the least gradient. The proximity of the frustum area anatomically to the posterolateral myocardial wall further restricts the flow of blood in this area. To overcome this, the frustum area for the disc valves of various sizes provided for this additional factor. The clinical results in the use of the disc valve of our design have demonstrated that it is associated with a lower operative mortality and morbidity. The smaller cage has not interfered with myocardial contraction nor produced ventricular septal irritation. There has been a considerably lessened incidence of thromboembolism. Comparative hemodynamic studies have demonstrated a superior physiologic response following the use of the Kay-Suzuki disc valve as compared to the Starr-Edwards ball valve.
In the Beginning: Notes on the Social Construction of Historical Discontinuity

Beginnings are both theoretically and experientially anchored in a distinctively discontinuous conception of time. This paper examines the conventional nature of beginnings, calls attention to the politics of establishing official beginnings of historical narratives, and claims that the way groups (from families to nations) construct their historical beginnings ought to be at the heart of any study of the development of collective identity.
POLARIZED ATOMIC FERMI GASES

We review recent experimental studies on polarized atomic Fermi gases. The particular focus is on our own experiments of strongly interacting two-component Fermi gases with imbalanced populations. The real-space density distributions reveal a superfluid/normal phase separation at very low temperatures, accompanied by deformation of evenly paired core; at higher temperatures, a partially polarized phase is observed.
The CD1 size problem: lipid antigens, ligands, and scaffolds

Whereas research on CD1d has emphasized a few glycosyl ceramides, the broader family of four human CD1 antigen-presenting molecules binds hundreds of distinct self-lipids. Individual lipid types bind within CD1 grooves in different ways, such that they partially fill the groove, match the groove volume, or protrude substantially from the groove. These differing modes of binding can now be connected to differing immunological functions, as individual lipids can act as stimulatory antigens, inhibitory ligands, or space-filling scaffolds. Because each type of CD1 protein folds to produce antigen-binding grooves with differing sizes and shapes, CD1a, CD1b, CD1c, CD1d, and CD1e have distinct mechanisms of capturing self-lipids and exchanging them for foreign lipids. The size discrepancy between endogeneous lipids and groove volume is most pronounced for CD1b. Recent studies show that the large CD1b cavity can simultaneously bind two self-lipids, the antigen, and its scaffold lipid, which can be exchanged for one large bacterial lipid. In this review, we will highlight recent studies showing how cells regulate lipid antigen loading and the roles CD1 groove structures have in control of the presentation of chemically diverse lipids to T cells.
Infinite positive-definite quadratic programming in a Hilbert space

This note generalizes the results of Benson, Smith, Schochetman, and Bean (Ref. 1) regarding the minimization of a positive-definite functional over the countable intersection of closed convex sets in a Hilbert space. A finite approximating subproblem for the general case is shown to have the same strong convergence properties of the earlier work without any of the specialized structures imposed therein. In particular, the current development does not rely on any properties ofl2 and does not require the Hilbert space to be separable.
Re-entrant boundary conditions for toroidal transport and diffusion

Abstract Exact re-entrant boundary conditions are formulated for toroidal geometry with a circular cross section in both transport and diffusion theory. For a small inverse aspect ratio ϵ, both boundary conditions are put in a form well suited for use in computer calculations in toroidal geometry. It is shown that the integral of the scalar flux over the torus has a toroidal correction of order ϵ due to re-entrant particles. This is in contrast to the inherent toroidal effect in the transport equation itself, which gives an ϵ 2 toroidal contribution to the integrated flux. Numerical results are presented for a model diffusion problem which give an indication of the magnitude of the re-entrant current contribution to the integrated flux.
Metallothionein in carcinogenesis and cancer chemotherapy

Abstract 1. 1. Despite considerable progress, cancer continues to remain the number one health threat to human beings. Currently, the targeted antineoplastic therapy is based on an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern the normal proliferation and functioning of the cellular elements. Furthermore, the gene-directed therapies and antibody-based approaches are also based on modulating specific signalling processes influencing growth factors and oncogenes that alter cellular proliferation. 2. 2. The intracellular level of metallothionein, a low molecular weight metal binding protein consisting of 25–30% cysteine, containing no aromatic amino acids or disulfide bonds and binding between 5 and 7 g atoms of group II B heavy metals per mole protein, may play an important role in regulating cellular responsiveness to DNA interactive antineoplastic agents. For example, cells with acquired resistance to cisplatin or chlorambucil overexpress metallothionein, which tends to bind these alkylating agents to a higher extent than the non-resistant cells. Since humans synthesize several isoforms of metallothionein. It is not certain which isoforms are increased in cells with acquired resistance to anti-cancer drugs. In addition to sequestering electrophilic anti-cancer drugs, metallothionein, by regulating the activities of zinc-requiring metalloenzymes or scavenging radical species, may alter the therapeutic efficacy of antineoplastic agents.
Age differences in virtual environment and real world path integration

Accurate path integration requires the integration of visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular self-motion cues and age effects associated with alterations in processing information from these systems may contribute to declines in path integration abilities. The present study investigated age-related differences in path integration in conditions that varied as a function of available sources of sensory information. Twenty-two healthy, young (23.8 ± 3.0 yrs.) and 16 older (70.1 ± 6.4 yrs.) adults participated in distance reproduction and triangle completion tasks performed in a virtual environment and two “real world” conditions: guided walking and wheelchair propulsion. For walking and wheelchair propulsion conditions, participants wore a blindfold and wore noise-blocking headphones and were guided through the workspace by the experimenter. For the virtual environment (VE) condition, participants viewed self-motion information on a computer monitor and used a joystick to navigate through the environment. For triangle completion tasks, older compared to younger individuals showed greater errors in rotation estimations performed in the wheelchair condition; and for rotation and distance estimations in the VE condition. Distance reproduction tasks, in contrast, did not show any age effects. These findings demonstrate that age differences in path integration vary as a function of the available sources of information and by the complexity of outbound pathway.