cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developing States and the WTO: What's Wrong with Inactivity?

How can developing states' participation at the WTO be accurately measured? What are the benefits and drawbacks of activity? Is inactivity by developing states a rational strategy? This short essay questions conventional wisdom regarding the level of developing state participation at the WTO and the implicit assumption that more activity is desirable. It does so by exploring some of the methodological and normative questions that arise out of the study of developing state participation at the WTO. As a methodological matter, scholars have developed various quantitative measures of developing state participation, including participation in dispute settlement, staffing of Geneva trade missions, and number of submissions to various WTO bodies. However, these qualitative measurements, along with formal regression analyses, are of limited utility unless one assumes that formal participation rates are a proxy for meaningful influence. I argue that such an assumption is flawed, and describe several areas where developing states have had significant influence on WTO negotiations even in contexts where quantitative analyses suggest a lack of developing state participation. However, even if developing states are not active participants in WTO processes, this may be entirely rational behavior. Low participation rates can reflect resource constraints, or small stakes in trade issues. Although some development economists argue that openness to the world economy is an important determinant of development, others argue that growth depends more on domestic institutions and policies than on integration into the global economy. From this perspective, developing states might rationally devote their limited material and human resources to domestic policy rather than participation in WTO meetings.
Survey for Dacus latifrons (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The Malaysian fruit fly, Dacus latifrons (Hendel), is the fourth economically important tephritid to become established in Hawaii. A survey revealed D. latifrons to be widely distributed throughout Oahu in small urban and rural gardens. Of the solanaceous hosts sampled, pepper, Capsicum annuum L.; tomato, Lycopersicum esculentum Miller; wild tomato, L. pimpinellifolium (Juslinius) Miller; eggplant, Solanum melongena L.; and popolo, S. nigrum L., were infested. Mean infestation rates were high for pepper (79.6 flies per kg) and low for eggplant (12.7 flies per kg) and tomato (9.6 flies per kg). Although not a common weed, popolo (643 flies per kg) was heavily infested. The ability to utilize certain vegetables in small urban and rural gardens has made it possible for D. latifrons to fill a niche not occupied by D. cucurmtae Coquillett and D. dorsalis Hendel. In these small garden habitats, D. latifrons coexists with D. cucurmtae and D. dorsalis .
Path Integral Coarse-Graining Replica Exchange Method for Enhanced Sampling.

An enhanced conformational space sampling method is developed that utilizes replica exchange molecular dynamics between a set of imaginary time Feynman path integral replicas, each having an increasing degree of contraction (or coarse-graining) of the quasi-particle or “polymer beads” in the evaluation of the isomorphic ring-polymer potential energy terms. However, there is no contraction of beads in the effectively harmonic kinetic energy terms. The final replica in this procedure is the fully contracted one in which the potential energy is evaluated only at the centroid of the beads—and hence it is the classical distribution in the centroid variable—while the initial replica has the full degree (or even a heightened degree, if desired) of quantum delocalization and tunneling in the physical potential by the polymer necklace beads. The exchange between the different ring-polymer ensembles is governed by the Metropolis criteria to guarantee detailed balance. The method is applied successfully to several m...
Multicomponent Inorganic Janus Particles with Controlled Compositions, Morphologies, and Dimensions

We report a new protocol for the preparation of shape-controlled multicomponent particles comprising metallic (Au and Ti), magnetic (Ni), and oxide (SiO2, TiO2) layers. Our method allows for a precise control over the composition, shape, and size and permits fabrication of nonsymmetrical particles, whose opposite sides can be orthogonally functionalized using well-established organosilanes and thiol chemistries. Because of their unique geometries and surface chemistries, these colloids represent ideal materials with which to study nonsymmetrical self-assembly at the meso- and microscales.
Separation of Rotenoids and the Determination of Rotenone in Pesticide Formulations by High-Perf ormance Liquid Chromatography

The rotenoids deguelin, B-dihydrorotenone, dehydrorotenone, rotenone, 6alpha beta, 12alpha beta-rotenolone, and tephrosin were chromatographed on 8-12 mum silica. A mobile phase of chloroform-isooctane (35+65) pumped at a flow rate of 1 ml/min through a 30 cm column was used and the absorbance of the eluate was monitored at 294 nm. Rotenone, B-dihydrorotenone, deguelin, and dehydrorotenone are completely resolved while 6alpha beta, 12alpha beta-rotenolone and tephrosin chromatograph as one peak. This method has potential as a preparative separation technique for rotenoids. Also described is a procedure to quantitatively measure rotenone in pesticide formulations. Samples were extracted with chloroform and chromatographed at a flow of 2.5 ml/min. The method is rapid (rotenone is eluted in 12 min) and reproducible.
Living the healthy heart path. Rehabilitation after a cardiac event.

With shorter hospitalizations in recent years, it has become necessary to begin cardiac rehabilitation once the patient has been stabilized. The earliest phase of rehabilitation is contingent upon a thorough and accurate admission assessment of the patient's risk factors, medical history and presenting symptoms, and commences with thorough and accurate teaching about the cardiac event, hospital regimens, and follow-up care upon discharge. Although this is usually regarded as a standard for quality nursing care, it is nonetheless the initial phase of rehabilitation following cardiac event. It is essential for the critical care nurse to understand the focus and course of cardiac rehabilitation, and to understand cultural variants that impact the patient's level of participation in living a healthy heart path once a cardiac event has occurred.
Computing Influence Functions for 2-D Compound Regions of Complex Configuration

Utilization of influence (Green’s) functions may significantly increase the effectiveness of the existing softwares based on the boundary element method. In nowadays, however, practical use of Green’s functions is notably limited. One of the basic reasons for that is a lack of available representations of those functions in literature. The point is that their practical construction for partial differential equations is not a trivial exercise. In this paper, the emphasis is made on the developing the algorithm for computing influence functions to boundary value problems formulated for the equation of potential over compound regions of complex configuration. In many cases of great practical importance, media that are not homogeneous itself but consist of several zones each one being homogeneous (are referred to below as the compound media) must be analyzed. Some types of those problems formulated over compound media can be fruitfully studied by using the Green’s functions formalizm.
Interactive genetic algorithms for the traveling salesman problem

We use an interactive genetic algorithm to divide and conquer large traveling salesperson problems. Current genetic algorithm approaches are computationally intensive and may not produce acceptable tours within the time available. Instead of applying a genetic algorithm to the entire problem, we let the user interactively decompose a problem into subproblems, let the genetic algorithm separately solve these subproblems and then interactively connect subproblem solutions to get a global tour for the original problem. Our approach significantly reduces the computing time to find high quality solutions for large traveling salesperson problems. We believe that an interactive approach can be extended to other visually decomposable problems.
Management of Chyle Leak after Head and Neck Surgery: Review of Current Treatment Strategies

Chyle leak formation is an uncommon but serious sequela of head and neck surgery when the thoracic duct is inadvertently injured, particularly with the resection of malignancy low in the neck. The thoracic duct is the primary structure that returns lymph and chyle from the entire left and right lower half of the body. Chyle extravasation can result in delayed wound healing, dehydration, malnutrition, electrolyte disturbances, and immunosuppression. Prompt identification and treatment of a chyle leak are essential for optimal surgical outcome. In this article we will review the current treatment options for iatrogenic cervical chyle leaks.
Sternal stress fracture in a middle-aged woman.

A middle-aged premenopausal woman presented with 3 months of right chest wall pain after beginning a new weight training programme. Examination was significant only for mild-to-moderate tenderness to palpation over the right pectoral muscle and sternoclavicular joint. In-office musculoskeletal ultrasound scan, chest X-ray and shoulder X-rays were unremarkable. Subsequent MRI of the chest wall showed oedema in the sternum at the level of the sternoclavicular joint consistent with a sternal stress fracture. She was started on calcium and vitamin D supplementation and told to rest for 6 weeks. After this she began to gradually increase her activity and was pain free after 4 months.
PET/CTA detection of muscle inflammation related to cholesterol crystal emboli without arterial obstruction.

PET/CTA was used to evaluate the effect of cholesterol crystal emboli (CCE) on muscle injury. Cholesterol crystals (CCs) released during plaque rupture travel downstream and lodge in muscle triggering inflammation and tissue injury. Thigh muscles in three groups of rabbits (n = 22) were studied after intra-arterial injection of CCs, Group I (n = 10); polystyrene microspheres, Group II (n = 5); or normal saline, Group III (n = 7). After 48 hours, muscle inflammation and injury were measured by fluorodeoxy-glucose uptake using PET/CTA, serum tissue factor (TF), and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK). Macrophages were stained with RAM11 and CCs with Bodipy. SUVmax of thigh muscles was greater for Group I vs Group II and III (0.40 ± 0.16 vs 0.21 ± 0.11, P = .038 and 0.23 ± 0.06, P = .036). CPK levels rose significantly in Group I vs Group II and III (6.7 ± 6.0 vs 0.6 ± 0.4, P = .007 and 0.9 ± 0.4 mg·dL−1, P = .023). No arterial thrombosis was detected by CTA or histology of embolized arteries and TF did not rise significantly. There were extensive macrophage infiltrates surrounding muscle necrosis in Group I only. Cholesterol crystal emboli triggered muscle inflammation and necrosis with an intact circulation. PET/CTA may help in the early detection of inflammation caused by CCs.
A Computational Study of Role of Ascorbate in Improving Endothelial Dysfunction

Introduction Ascorbate (Asc) plays a critical role in maintaining of endothelial cell function through inhibition of apoptosis, stimulation of cell proliferation and improvement of endothelial derived NO bioavailability. A number of mechanisms including scavenging of free radicals, increase of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) levels and improving endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) coupling state have been proposed for Asc related NO bioavailability. Increase in cellular oxidative stress is associated with low cellular and plasma Asc levels. However, it is not certain which mechanisms and what optimal ascorbate levels are involved in the improvement of endothelial cell function in oxidative stress. Material and Methods In the present study, we developed a computational model that involves eNOS biochemical pathway, downstream reactions involving NO and various reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, cellular oxidative stress, BH4 synthesis and Asc supplementation. The model was simulated to investigate the changes in NO production and BH4 concentration with respect to Asc supplementation. Results and Discussions The model result shows that oxidative stress decreased the NO production. As shown in the below figure, supplementation of 50 µM Asc improved the NO production ~90 % under oxidative stress conditions, whereas Asc did not change NO production in control conditions (Figure A). Asc increased BH4 concentration in both control and oxidative stress condition (Figure B). This suggests Asc role in increasing BH4 bioavailability and keeping eNOS in coupled state. Experimental studies also confirm the role of ascorbate in replenishing the total antioxidant system of endothelial cells. Conclusion Our model result provides proof for the suggested role of Asc in replenishing BH4 and making it available for eNOS coupling. The results from this study provide quantitative understating of the role of ascorbate in the endothelial dysfunction and vascular diseases.
Formation and behavior of counter-rotating vortex rings

Concentric, counter-rotating vortex ring formation by transient jet ejection between concentric cylinders was studied numerically to determine the effects of cylinder gap ratio, $$\frac{\Delta R}{R}$$ , and jet stroke length-to-gap ratio, $$\frac{L}{\Delta R}$$ , on the evolution of the vorticity and the trajectories of the resulting axisymmetric vortex pair. The flow was simulated at a jet Reynolds number of 1000 (based on $$\Delta R$$ and the jet velocity), $$\frac{L}{\Delta R} $$ in the range 1–20, and $$\frac{\Delta R}{R}$$ in the range 0.05–0.25. Five characteristic flow evolution patterns were observed and classified based on $$\frac{L}{\Delta R} $$ and $$\frac{\Delta R}{R}$$ . The results showed that the relative position, relative strength, and radii of the vortex rings during and soon after formation played a prominent role in the evolution of the trajectories of their vorticity centroids at the later time. The conditions on relative strength of the vortices necessary for them to travel together as a pair following formation were studied, and factors affecting differences in vortex circulation following formation were investigated. In addition to the characteristics of the primary vortices, the stopping vortices had a strong influence on the initial vortex configuration and effected the long-time flow evolution at low $$\frac{L}{\Delta R}$$ and small $$\frac{\Delta R}{R}$$ . For long $$\frac{L}{\Delta R} $$ and small $$\frac{\Delta R}{R}$$ , shedding of vorticity was sometimes observed and this shedding was related to the Kelvin–Benjamin variational principle of maximal energy for steadily translating vortex rings.
Hierarchy Struggles: A Multistudy Examination of its Types

Social hierarchies in groups and organizations may at times be sources of contention - individuals lower on the ladder may struggle to improve their rank and those at the top may struggle to mainta...
Mitochondrial Dynamics in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Abstract Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis represent the most common and prevalent neurodegenerative diseases. With our aging population, this prevalence will increase dramatically and the associated burden on the caregivers, society, and the economy will be enormous. Currently, there is no cure or effective disease-modifying therapies for these disorders. To overcome this obstacle, a thorough understanding of the disease etiology and pathogenic mechanisms is necessary. In this chapter, we will discuss one emerging mechanism that is shared by these four neurological disorders: impaired mitochondrial dynamics—which refers to mitochondrial fission, fusion, and transport. Although neurotoxicology is the primary theme of this review, genetic mutations will also be discussed because this is where the initial pathogenic role of imbalanced mitochondrial dynamics was observed, and then subsequently reproduced in neurotoxic models. By examining side-by-side, how genetic mutations and neurotoxicants induce mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegeneration, we have a more comprehensive picture and appreciation for this converging pathway. It might be feasible, therefore, to find a common therapeutic target for these diseases.
Persianate Contribution to the Study of Antiquity: E'temad Al-Saltaneh's Nativisation of the Qajars

This essay discusses the contribution of the Iranians to the understanding of their own past and how the Qajars attempted to place themselves within the ancient history of their realm. The first Ir...
Tailoring uniform gold nanoparticle arrays and nanoporous films for next-generation optoelectronic devices

Abstract High-density arrays of gold nanodots and nanoholes on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass surfaces are fabricated using a nanoporous template fabricated by the self-assembly of diblock copolymers of poly (styrene-block-methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) structures. By balancing the interfacial interactions between the polymer blocks and the substrate using random copolymer, cylindrical block copolymer microdomains oriented perpendicular to the plane of the substrate have been obtained. Nanoporous PS films are created by selectively etching PMMA cylinders, a straightforward route to form highly ordered nanoscale porous films. Deposition of gold on the template followed by lift off and sonication leaves a highly dense array of gold nanodots. These materials can serve as templates for the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth of semiconductor nanorod arrays for next generation hybrid optoelectronic applications.
An Arabic Letter (ca. AH 6th/12th CE c.) Concerning the Production of a Manuscript of Ibn Sīnā’s al-Šifā

Among the unexplored documents at Columbia University’s Butler Library is an Arabic letter sent by a copyist to his patron informing the latter about the progress of work on a copy of Ibn Sīnā’s al-Sifāʾ . Datable to the 6th / 12th century, this document allows for a rare glimpse behind the curtain of manuscript production. This contribution consists of an edition and translation of the letter and seeks to provide the necessary context for its understanding.
Remote sensing analysis of vegetation at the San Carlos Apache Reservation, Arizona and surrounding area

Mapping of vegetation types is of great importance to the San Carlos Apache Tribe and their management of forestry and fire fuels. Various remote sensing techniques were applied to classify multitemporal Landsat 8 satellite data, vegetation index, and digital elevation model data. A multitiered unsupervised classification generated over 900 classes that were then recoded to one of the 16 generalized vegetation/land cover classes using the Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project (SWReGAP) map as a guide. A supervised classification was also run using field data collected in the SWReGAP project and our field campaign. Field data were gathered and accuracy assessments were generated to compare outputs. Our hypothesis was that a resulting map would update and potentially improve upon the vegetation/land cover class distributions of the older SWReGAP map over the 24,000 km2 study area. The estimated overall accuracies ranged between 43% and 75%, depending on which method and field dataset were used. The findings demonstrate the complexity of vegetation mapping, the importance of recent, high-quality-field data, and the potential for misleading results when insufficient field data are collected.
Understanding Rasch Measurement: Partial Credit Model and Pivot Anchoring.

This article contains information on the Rasch measurement partial credit model: what it is, how it differs from other Rasch models, when to use it, and how to use it. The calibration of instruments with increasingly complex items is described, starting with dichotomous items and moving on to polychotomous items using a single rating scale, and mixed polychotomous items using multiple rating scales, and instruments in which each item has its own rating scale. It also introduces a procedure for aligning rating scale categories to be used when more than one rating scale is used in a single instrument. Pivot anchoring is defined and an illustration of its use with the mental health scale of the SF-36 that contains positive and negative worded items is provided. It finally describes the effect of pivot anchoring on step calibrations, the item hierarchy, and person measures.
Temperature Measurements by Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering in Internal Combustion Engines

Broadband, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) measurements of unburned gas temperatures have been performed in an internal combustion engine (Lucht et al., 1987). The engine was fueled with n-butane and air and operated under both knocking and non-knocking conditions. Temperatures were determined by fitting calculated CARS spectra to experimentally obtained, cycle-averaged nitrogen CARS spectra. The estimated accuracy of the CARS temperatures is 5%, and was presently limited by long-term drift in the broadband dye laser frequency spectrum. The CARS temperatures are compared with the predictions of a heat release model for the engine (Ferguson et al., 1987).
Medicina y salud en Mesoamérica

La salud de una sociedad depende de su alimentacion, de la asistencia publica y de sus conocimientos medicos. Sin embargo, para un mejor entendimiento de la medicina mesoamericana se debe conocer su cosmovision, para comprender tanto las causas sobrenaturales como las naturales de las enfermedades que aquejaban a la poblacion.
Evolutionary tuning impacts the design of bacterial tRNAs for the incorporation of unnatural amino acids by ribosomes.

In order to function on the ribosome with uniform rate and adequate accuracy, each bacterial tRNA has evolved to have a characteristic sequence and set of modifications that compensate for the differing physical properties of its esterified amino acid and its codon–anticodon interaction. The sequence of the T-stem of each tRNA compensates for the differential effect of the esterified amino acid on the binding and release of EF-Tu during decoding. The sequence and modifications in the anticodon loop and core of tRNA impact the codon–anticodon strength and the ability of the tRNA to bend during codon recognition. These discoveries impact the design of tRNAs for the efficient and accurate incorporation of unnatural amino acids into proteins using bacterial translation systems.
Procedures to Promote Ethical Open Access Publishing: A Comment to Shaw and Elger.

Shaw and Elger (2018) have written a provocative article commenting on the unethical aspects of open access (OA) publishing. They outline three main issues: a misuse of research funds, discriminati...
The Feasibility and Urgency of Monitoring Human Populations for the Genetic Effects of Radiation: The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Experience

By actual account, this is the eighth symposium devoted to some aspect of risk assessment with reference to ionizing radiation and chemical agents in which I have participated in the past 5 years. All of these have resulted in impressive-appearing publications, as I presume, will this one. We are doing a tremendous amount of talking. I wish I felt the progress was proportional to the verbiage.
The Warden's Dilemma as Nested Game: Political Self-Sacrifice, Instrumental Rationality, and Third Parties

Inspired by the famous Prisoner's Dilemma game theory model, Karin Marie Fierke introduced the Warden's Dilemma to explain self-sacrifice and compromise in asymmetric interactions and to show that such an explanation requires a social ontology. She applied her model to Irish Republican Army hunger strikes in 1980–1981. Her model, however, closely resembles what game theorists call a ‘nested game’. This article (re)introduces the nested Warden's Dilemma, focuses on the tripartite relationship inherent to the model and examines hunger strikes as part of a strategy potentially informed by instrumental rationality and knowledge of the Warden's Dilemma dynamic. After briefly discussing the implications of approaching self-sacrificial behaviour from a rationalist perspective, a case study of strategic non-violence in Myanmar (Burma) demonstrates how third parties can both diffuse instrumental rationality regarding political self-sacrifice and facilitate patterns of resistance that appear to capitalize on the Warden's Dilemma dynamic.
An Ecological Investigation of Barriers and Facilitators Impacting Standing Desk Use in Real Working Conditions: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACTBackground: Workplace interventions have utilized standing desks to reduce sedentary behavior. However, minimal information is available concerning factors that impact use of standing desks...
Cerebellar Arteriovenous Malformation Rupture Despite Apparent Angiographic Obliteration.

Background Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) can occur in all regions of the brain and spinal cord, with clinical consequences and risks varying by location. Delayed AVM rupture despite digital subtraction angiography–confirmed obliteration post-radiation is exceedingly rare. Case Description To our knowledge, we present the first documented case of delayed hemorrhage associated with a cerebellar AVM 5 years after linear accelerator–based radiation in a man aged 31 years despite apparent angiographic obliteration. Conclusions Intracranial hemorrhage after radiosurgery in digital subtraction angiography–confirmed obliterated AVMs is rare, with limited understanding of risk factors, appropriate preventative management, and mechanisms of occurrence. This case serves to demonstrate the need for greater awareness of this rare complication, as well as the need for appropriate surveillance and management strategies.
Retrograde signaling mediates an adaptive survival response to endoplasmic reticulum stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

One major cause of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is homeostatic imbalance between biosynthetic protein folding and protein folding capacity. Cells utilize mechanisms such as the unfolded protein response (UPR) to cope with ER stress. Nevertheless, when ER stress is prolonged or severe, cell death may occur, accompanied by production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Using a yeast model, we describe an innate, adaptive response to ER stress to increase select mitochondrial proteins, O2 consumption, and cell survival. The mitochondrial response allows cells to resist additional ER stress. ER stress-induced mitochondrial response is mediated by activation of retrograde (RTG) signaling to enhance anapleurotic reactions of the TCA cycle. Mitochondrial response to ER stress is accompanied by inactivation of the conserved TORC1 pathway, and activation of Snf1/AMPK, the conserved energy sensor and regulator of metabolism. Our results provide new insight into the role of respiration in cell survival in the face of ER stress, and should help in developing therapeutic strategies to limit cell death in disorders linked to ER stress.
Moving fast and breaking things: Incidence and repair of DNA damage within ribosomal DNA repeats

The genes that code for ribosomal RNA are present in hundreds of tandemly arrayed copies in the human genome. Ribosomal DNA repeats transcribe vast amounts of ribosomal RNA in order to meet the cell's relentless demand for ribosome production. Intrinsic features of ribosomal DNA repeats render them uniquely vulnerable to DNA damage. Sensing and repairing damage to ribosomal DNA involves dramatic spatial reorganization of the nucleolus, the phase-separated nuclear subdomain where ribosomes are made. We highlight recent advances in detecting the incidence of DNA damage and defining the mechanisms of DNA repair on these essential genes.
Case report (Precis): Two telemedicine consultants miss foot drop: When to see patients in person

Background Telemedicine has been rapidly adopted due to COVID-19. In the earliest days, most screenings were performed by primary care/internal medicine consultants; referrals to subspecialists were minimized. Now, as the pandemic has evolved over 6 months, secondary telemedicine consultations should be limited, and earlier involvement of appropriate subspecialists should be reconsidered to optimize patient management. Case description An older individual spoke to an on-call general medical physician with the chief complaint of the acute onset of low back pain after moderately strenuous activity, with severe unilateral radiculopathy. The telemedicine physician recommended a non-steroidal. anti-inflammatory agent without any specific recommendations regarding follow-up. A few days later, with progression of unilateral pain and numbness, a second telemedicine medical consultation was performed; a Medrol dose pack and muscle relaxant were now recommended, again without any follow-up recommendations. Days later, with increased unilateral pain/ near anesthesia in the foot, the patient was seen by a spinal surgeon who found; unilateral SLR positive at 20 degrees, a 0/5 foot drop, loss of the Achilles Response, and decreased pin appreciation in the L5 distribution. The patient's emergent lumbar MR showed a large unilateral disc herniation with inferior migration at the appropriate level, warranting surgical consideration. Conclusion Here, we emphasized several points. First, telemedicine may be adequate for the initial screening, but further complaints would be better evaluated in person by either a medical or surgical subspecialist; here, both could have recognized the very clear unilateral foot drop. Second, the patient should have had a scheduled follow-up in-person consultation. Third, appropriate diagnostic studies should have been ordered at the time of the second telemedicine consultation to establish the correct diagnosis and direct treatment.
Corrosion Behavior and Hardness of Binary Mg Alloys Produced via High-Energy Ball-Milling and Subsequent Spark Plasma Sintering

In this work, nine nanocrystalline binary Mg alloys synthesized by high energy ball milling. The compositions, Mg-5wt.%M (M- Cr, Ge, Mn, Mo, Ta, Ti, V, Y, Zn) were milled with an objective of achie...
On wormholes in spacetimes of embedding class one

An $n$-dimensional Riemannian space is said to be of embedding class $m$ if $n+m$ is the lowest dimension of the flat space in which the given space can be embedded. A spherically symmetric spacetime of class two can be reduced to class one by a suitable transformation of coordinates. Applied to wormholes, given a well-defined shape function $b=b(r)$, the resulting wormhole has an event horizon and is therefore nontraversable. On a macroscopic scale, $b(r)$ can be replaced by $m(r)$, the effective mass of a spherical star of radius $r$ with $m(0)=0$, to yield a valid solution. Spacetimes of embedding class one have been used successfully for modeling compact stellar objects. On a microscopic scale, one can invoke noncommutative geometry to obtain a charged nontraversable wormhole, i.e., an Einstein-Rosen bridge, and hence a model for a charged particle.
Managing Members, Donors, and Member-Donors for Effective Non-profit Fundraising

Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) play a central role in many economies in the form of private entities discharging a public purpose. Strengthening the fundraising capabilities of NPOs can have a large impact on their survival and effective functioning. NPOs typically elicit financial contributions through multiple forms of giving, such as donation and membership. These options enable individuals to express their altruism by giving in one or multiple forms. The authors develop a utility-based multiple discrete-continuous model that provides insights into potentially large differences in individuals' giving behaviors. The model also incorporates via Bayesian Gaussian processes changes in givers’ preferences for forms of giving. The authors apply their model to five years of individual giving data. They find that the effects of lifetime, recency, seasonality, and appeals on donation and membership options change non-monotonically over time, and in distinctive ways. The authors demonstrate that the model estimates help to predict who will give in more than one form in the future, and to build appeal targeting strategies. Additional marketing insights that the model provides are that fundraising attempts should emphasize participation rather than amount, and that long-lapsed members are still worth pursuing for renewal, while long-lapsed donors are less productive for repeat giving.
Securing Embedded Medical Devices using Dual-Factor Authentication

This work provides an analysis of dual-factor authentication protocol for securing low-power medical devices. The dual-factor protocol incorporates voluntary physical action-based authentication in addition to traditional cryptographic methods for adding an extra layer of security. Along with touch signals, we propose and analyze the use of electromyographic (EMG) signals obtained from hand gestures for the second factor authentication. We demonstrate the feasibility of touch and EMG signals for dual-factor authentication by prototyping the medical device using off-the-shelf components. We also develop energy models for all these protocols, and analyze their overheads compared to traditional single-factor cryptographic authentication.
Toxicity of cryoprotective agents to semen from two closely related snake species: The endangered Louisiana pinesnake (Pituophis ruthveni) and bullsnake (Pituophis cantenifer).

Abstract Cryopreservation of sperm is an important tool for the conservation of threatened species. Many species of reptile are under considerable threat of extinction and there has been limited investigation of sperm cryopreservation in this taxonomic group. We performed a comparative test of toxicity to sperm of six commonly used cryoprotective agents (CPAs) at three concentrations (5%, 10%, 20%) from the Louisiana pinesnake, Pituophis ruthveni (n = 11), and the closely related bullsnake, Pituophis cantenifer (n = 8). Our objective was to determine the general toxicity of CPAs for cryopreservation in snakes and the cryoprotective ability of CPAs for sperm from the endangered Louisiana pinesnake. We conducted three experiments to: 1) evaluate the short-term in vitro toxicity of common CPAs in two closely related snake species, 2) determine the effectiveness of cryoprotectants for freezing and thawing semen in the Louisiana pinesnake, and 3) test the possible reduction in toxic effects of individual CPAs on semen of the Louisiana pinesnake by combining two of them. We used measures of motility including total motility, forward motility, and forward progressive motility index to characterize toxic effects and cryoprotective ability of each CPA. The results of our three experiments provide several important findings: 1) sperm of the bullsnake and Louisiana pinesnake responded differently to CPAs, 2) few CPAs provided any cryoprotection, as measured by percent recovered motility, in Louisiana pinesnakes, and 3) using mixtures of CPAs did not reduce toxicity relative to the best performing CPA on its own. Motility was best maintained at a concentration of 5% for CPAs tested; however, cryoprotection was best achieved with glycerol at 20% followed by DMA and DMF at 10%. These results provide further insight into the challenges faced by researchers attempting to cryopreserve sperm from snakes. Further comparative studies are required to determine the generality of cryopreservation methods in reptiles and suggest caution should be taken when developing cryopreservation protocols across species, particularly in snakes. All CPAs tested in this study were permeating CPAs and showed a significant acute toxic effect on motility at concentrations that provided cryoprotection. Future work in snakes might consider additional avenues of cryoprotection and combinations of multiple approaches.
Ventricular Ectopy as a Modifiable Risk Factor for Heart Failure and Death: "Déjà Vu All Over Again" May Be a Good Thing.

“Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies.” —Friedrich Nietzsche [(1)][1] The association between ventricular premature depolarizations (VPDs) and increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events in different clinical settings has long been recognized [(2–5)][2]. The
Quantifying the contribution of inflow on surface ozone over California during summer 2008

[1] Transported pollution has been recognized as making a potentially strong impact on air quality in the western U.S., but large uncertainties remain in quantifying its contribution. Assessing the role of pollution transport in relation to local emissions and meteorology is especially important in light of possibly lower ozone standards and projected increases in transpacific pollution transport. We apply the Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry model to analyze the role of upwind pollution (“inflow”) to surface ozone over California during the Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites campaign in June–July 2008 over California. Comparisons of the model to surface and aircraft observations, ozonesondes, and satellite retrievals show an overall good agreement; a low bias (~5 ppb) in free tropospheric ozone is attributed to low ozone at the boundaries and likely places our estimated inflow contribution on the lower side. Most other studies applied sensitivity analyses, while we use a synthetic ozone tracer, which provides a quantitative estimate of the budget. We estimate that on average 10 ± 9 ppb of surface afternoon ozone over California is attributed to ozone and ozone precursors entering the region from outside. This contribution features a significant spatial and temporal variability. While in most high ozone events, transported pollution plays a small role compared to local influences, for some instances, the impact can be substantial. Omitting data impacted by wildfires, we estimate the 90th percentile of the relative contribution of O3INFLOW to 8 h ozone >75 ppb as 10%. Our results also indicate that inflow might have a stronger impact on surface ozone in less polluted compared to polluted areas.
EtanaCMV: a visual browsing interface for ETANA-DL based on coordinated multiple views

Visual interfaces for digital libraries (DLs) provide support for insightful browsing, presentation of search results in a browsing platform, and analysis of records in the DL. We propose the demonstration of a visual interface to ETANA–DL, a growing union archaeological DL. Our interface EtanaCMV is based on a uniform multiple view design and facilitates browsing of DL records that are multidimensional, hierarchical, and categorical in nature. We use distinct panels to allow flexible browsing across multiple dimensions. Bars in each panel denote the various categories in each dimension. EtanaCMV will give the users a quick overview of the collections in the DL during browsing in addition to showing relationships in the harvested collections. Coordination between multiple views is used to present more insights into the data.
Clinical significance of recent lipid trials on reducing risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Current guidelines suggest lifestyle modification and at least a 30%–40% reduction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol with drug therapy, to a target level of
Asbestos control in steam-electric generating plants.

A program to control industrial work exposures to airborne asbestos fibers is presented. The program is consistent with OSHA standards and with current good industrial hygiene practice. The program includes methods of problem evaluation, the establishment of effective corporate standards, and provisions for environmental and medical surveillance. Hazard control measures and techniques are discussed and their merits related.
Getting students off on the right foot: one step toward building the future at ISU

The Connected@Iowa State program is in its third year in 2000, and we now have a comprehensive, year-long program to introduce students to computing at Iowa State University and to provide top-notch on-going support throughout their campus experience. Our annual program starts anew each April with a comprehensive booklet [3], Connected@Iowa State, mailed to all new incoming students. The 2000-2001 edition provides information about: • How students use a computer during their academic career at ISU. • Computer options ... labs vs. purchase. • Computing support available at ISU. • Minimum standards and levels of support. • Buying strategies when purchasing a personal computer for use at ISU. This booklet is followed closely by a mailing to parents about buying a computer for their student. Connected provides guidelines for purchasing a new computer, as well as a checklist to determine if a computer they already own will connect to the campus network and support the software distributed to students when they arrive at ISU. Students can visit our Back-to-School website beginning in June for information about special computer bundles. Our Easy Early Order Program [2] offers volume discounts for a wide range of pre-configured systems. These configurations can be ordered and waiting for students when they come to school in the fall. Once students return to campus, we have a variety of support options. Two sites are available to provide technical assistance. Our Solutions Center [6], open M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m., is a central resource to help students get connected to ISU’s network. It is staffed by fulltime and part-time AIT staff, and during especially busy times, e.g., the beginning of semesters, it is also supported by fulltime staff from the Administrative Data Processing Center (ADP) [1] and the Office of Telecommunications [7]. Our Solutions! CD contains our locally written Scout utility. Scout installs and configures software that is compatible with the campus network. For those who need hands-on assistance, we provide on-site service through our SNAP (Student Network Access Project) program. For applications support, our student-staffed Help Desk provides walk-in assistance on all operating systems supported by Academic Information Technologies – Macintosh, Windows, and UNIX. This service, available 24x7 including holidays and weekends, is housed in a large multi-platform computing lab in the Durham Center.
Changing Mathematics Teaching: Musings of an English Teacher

(1991). Changing Mathematics Teaching: Musings of an English Teacher. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 65, No. 1, pp. 48-50.
Translation of rabbit haemoglobin messenger RNA by thalassaemic and non-thalassaemic ribosomes.

Globin mRNA from rabbit reticulocytes can be translated equally well by human ribosomes from thalassaemic and normal reticulocytes. This implies that the defect in β-thalassaemia is not in the ability of ribosomes to translate mRNA but is probably in the mRNA itself.
SU‐E‐J‐31: MR Only Simulation for Radiation Therapy _ DRR Generation

Purpose: MRI only radiation therapy has been increasingly gaining research interests. Conventionally, MRIs are fused with CT to take advantage of its superior soft tissue contrast. Such an approach has drawbacks such as additional uncertainty from fusion and extra cost. To achieve MR‐based simulation for radiation therapy, bone imaging is an important challenge that needs to be overcome. The ultra‐short T2 and T1 of cortical bone Result in low signal intensity, which presents difficulty for both dose calculation and patient setup in terms of digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) generation. Current solutions will either require manual bone contouring or multiple MR scans. We present a technique to generate brain DRR using bone MRI with a single Ultra Short Echo Time (UTE) sequence. Methods: Healthy volunteers were scanned at 1.5 Tesla using a radial UTE sequence. The sequence acquires two images at two different echo times (0.07ms and 3.6ms). The two images were processed using in‐house software, which performs pixel‐by‐pixel magnitude subtraction of the two images. The difference image was subsequently divided pixel‐by‐pixel to the long TE (3.6ms) image. As the cortical bone has larger percentile difference between the UTE and long TE image compared with other tissues, the bone is bright in the processed image. The resultant bone images were subsequently loaded into commercial treatment planning system to generate DRRs. Results: The majority of cranial, facial and vertebral bones are well visualized in both volunteers. The fused image of the long TE image with the processed bone image demonstrates the accuracy of automatic bone identification using our technique. The generated DRR is of acceptable quality. Conclusion: This study shows the potential of DRR generation with single MR sequence. Further work will be needed on MR sequence development and post‐processing procedure to achieve MR bone image with comparable quality to CT.
Perceived mistreatment and attitude change by graduating medical students: a retrospective study

The goal of this study was to assess types and sources of perceived mistreatment, perceived attitude change, and academic performance of graduating medical students. A total of 87 of 143 (61%) students anonymously completed a mistreatment questionnaire, an attitude questionnaire, and questions about academic performance. The percentage of mistreatment was widespread (98.9%) with psychological mistreatment (shouting and humiliating) by residents/interns being most frequent. Over half of the students perceived sexual harassment, with women reporting greater harassment than men. There was a high incidence of disparaging remarks about doctors and medicine as a profession from a variety of sources. Increased mistreatment was positively associated with a perceived increase in cynicism. The potentially adverse effects of mistreatment on the individual student, the teacher-student relationship, and the doctor-patient relationship are discussed with recommendations for improving medical education.
Reduced Ia-afferent-mediated Hoffman reflex in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

In addition to reduced nerve conduction velocity, diabetic neuropathic patients often exhibit a reduction in the amplitude of the compound muscle action potential elicited by stimulation of the Ia-afferent-mediated reflex pathway (Hoffman or H wave) that can contribute to diminished or absent tendon reflexes. In contrast to nerve conduction velocity deficits, changes in H-wave amplitudes have not been reproduced in diabetic animal models. Using electrophysiological techniques developed for repeated recordings in individual animals, we report H-wave deficits in streptozotocin (STZ)-treated insulin-dependent diabetic rats. After 4 weeks of diabetes induced by STZ treatment, a 47% reduction in the H-wave amplitude was demonstrated by recording compound muscle action potentials in foot muscles after stimulation of Ia afferents. Interestingly, we also demonstrate that the H-wave amplitude gradually recovers to a 26% deficit after 12 weeks of experimental diabetes. The recovery of the H wave in STZ-treated rats distinguishes this deficit mechanistically from other STZ-induced electrophysiological changes and may model a similar recovery of the H wave reported in diabetic patients.