cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Courts without Borders: Law, Politics, and US Extraterritoriality

Courts without Borders is the first book to examine the politics of judicial extraterritoriality, with a focus on the world's chief practitioner: the United States. For much of the post-World War II era, the United States has been a frequent yet selective regulator of activities outside its territory, and US federal courts are often on the front line in deciding the extraterritorial reach of US law. At stake in these jurisdiction battles is the ability to bring the regulatory power of the United States to bear on transnational disputes in ways that other states frequently dislike both in principle and in practice. This volume proposes a general theory of domestic court behavior to explain variation in extraterritorial enforcement of US law, emphasizing how the strategic behavior of private actors is important to mobilizing courts and in directing their activities.
Key management considerations in sarcoidosis from the American Thoracic Society 2016 Conference

“The Sword of Damocles” is a story that resonates with sarcoidosis patients. It illustrates the sense of forecasting danger and worsening of their health in an unpredictable fashion. Fatigue, which is a major impediment to their quality of life, also contributes to their stress as family, friends and co-workers believe that these patients are feigning their illness, as they appear “normal.” A lingering question for many with sarcoidosis is how they developed the disease.
Socially Assistive Robot Moderators: Validation and Future Directions

Socially Assistive Robotics (SAR) is the field of study dedicated to developing algorithms and models that enable robots to assist users in goal-directed interactions, often in situations connected to improving health and wellness or enriching education. In this work, we address one extension of SAR into multi-party interactions: robots acting as moderators, facilitating group interactions. We impose a computational structure on this problem by defining moderation as the problem of assigning resources to users in an interaction in order to achieve some pre-defined goal or goals, related to either the task (what the group is trying to achieve, such as assembling widgets) or to social aspects of the interaction (how the group should do the task; for example, maximizing the number of intra-group interactions). These resources can include both social resources such as the conversational floor or participant attention, and physical resources such as task-related objects. The approach is summarized in Figure 1. We provide an overview of a validation study of robot moderators in a group interaction, and describe ongoing work on extending this approach to moderation using symbolic planning.
Marital Biography, Social Security Receipt, and Poverty:

Increasingly, older adults are unmarried, which could mean a larger share is at risk of economic disadvantage. Using data from the 2010 Health and Retirement Study, we chart the diverse range of marital biographies, capturing marital sequences and timing, of adults who are age eligible for Social Security and examine three indicators of economic well-being: Social Security receipt, Social Security benefit levels, and poverty status. Partnereds are disproportionately likely to receive Social Security and they enjoy relatively high Social Security benefits and very low poverty levels. Among singles, economic well-being varies by marital biography and gender. Gray divorced and never-married women face considerable economic insecurity. Their Social Security benefits are relatively low, and their poverty rates are quite high (over 25%), indicating Social Security alone is not sufficient to prevent these women from falling into poverty. By comparison, gray widoweds are the most advantaged singles.
Anthopleura and the phylogeny of Actinioidea (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Actiniaria)

Members of the sea anemone genus Anthopleura are familiar constituents of rocky intertidal communities. Despite its familiarity and the number of studies that use its members to understand ecological or biological phenomena, the diversity and phylogeny of this group are poorly understood. Many of the taxonomic and phylogenetic problems stem from problems with the documentation and interpretation of acrorhagi and verrucae, the two features that are used to recognize members of Anthopleura. These anatomical features have a broad distribution within the superfamily Actinioidea, and their occurrence and exclusivity are not clear. We use DNA sequences from the nucleus and mitochondrion and cladistic analysis of verrucae and acrorhagi to test the monophyly of Anthopleura and to evaluate the pattern of distribution of acrorhagi and verrucae. We find that Anthopleura is paraphyletic: although species of the genus cluster together, some groups also include members of genera like Bunodosoma, Aulactinia, Oulactis, and Actinia. This paraphyly is explained in part by the discovery that acrorhagi and verrucae are pleisiomorphic for the subset of Actinioidea studied.
Phenotypic alterations in breast cancer associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy: A comparison with baseline rates of change

Several studies have documented phenotypic alterations in breast cancer associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy [NACT], but many of these studies are limited by the fact that they did not account for the baseline rate of expected phenotypic change between biopsies and resections in the absence of NACT. Herein, we assess whether the NACT-associated rate of phenotypic change is significantly different than would be expected in a control population of patients that did not receive NACT. From a pathologic database, we documented the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/neu) phenotypes of consecutive invasive breast carcinomas (n=826), as well as the subset in which at least one of these tests was assessed in both the biopsy and resection (n=340). We then compared the rates of phenotypic change in the patients that did (n=65) and did not (n=275) receive NACT. Respectively, 49.2% and 36% of the NACT and non-NACT groups showed a biopsy-to-resection change in status for at least one biomarker (p=0.0005). The NACT and non-NACT groups showed the following respective rates of a biopsy-to-resection change in phenotype: ER (9.2% vs 2.5%, p=0.02); PR (30.7% vs 8%, p=0.000006); Her2/neu-IHC (25% vs 22.3%, p=0.7), Her2/neu-FISH (7% vs 3%, p=0.6). The direction of change in the NACT group was positive in the biopsy to negative in the resection in >70% of cases for all markers. For ER and PR, there was no statistically significant difference between cases that showed a biopsy-to-excision change in phenotype and those that were more phenotypically stable regarding a wide array of clinicopathologic variables. The average percentage of ER/PR-immunoreactive tumor cells in the pre-NACT biopsies was significantly lower in the phenotypically altered cases as compared to the phenotypically stable cases. Our findings confirm that phenotypic alterations in breast cancer occur after NACT, and that these changes are more pronounced for hormone receptors (especially PR); Significant NACT-associated alterations were not apparent for HER2/neu. A distinct pathologic profile for cases displaying a phenotypic change within the NACT group was not demonstrable. The pre-NACT levels of ER and PR may affect the likelihood of a phenotypic change. These results highlight the need for repeat testing in residual tumors after NACT.
Developing Computational Thinking through a Virtual Robotics Programming Curriculum

Computational thinking describes key principles from computer science that are broadly generalizable. Robotics programs can be engaging learning environments for acquiring core computational thinking competencies. However, few empirical studies evaluate the effectiveness of a robotics programming curriculum for developing computational thinking knowledge and skills. This study measures pre/post gains with new computational thinking assessments given to middle school students who participated in a virtual robotics programming curriculum. Overall, participation in the virtual robotics curriculum was related to significant gains in pre- to posttest scores, with larger gains for students who made further progress through the curriculum. The success of this intervention suggests that participation in a scaffolded programming curriculum, within the context of virtual robotics, supports the development of generalizable computational thinking knowledge and skills that are associated with increased problem-solving performance on nonrobotics computing tasks. Furthermore, the particular units that students engage in may determine their level of growth in these competencies.
Iterative methods for nonsymmetric linear systems

Abstract This paper will present a survey of polynomial methods for solving non-symmetric linear systems. An emphasis will be placed on generalizations of the classical conjugate gradient method for symmetric problems. To provide a framework for these methods, we will first outline a general theory of projection methods. Then, the more specific class of Krylov projection methods will be presented, including examples such as the classical conjugate gradient method, normal equations methods, the GCW method and the biconjugate gradient method. After this, truncated and restarted Krylov space methods will be discussed. An attempt will be made to expose open questions.
Data Management in Industry 4.0: State of the Art and Open Challenges

Information and communication technologies are permeating all aspects of industrial and manufacturing systems, expediting the generation of large volumes of industrial data. This paper surveys the recent literature on data management as it applies to networked industrial environments and identifies several open research challenges for the future. As a first step, we extract important data properties (volume, variety, traffic, and criticality) and identify the corresponding data enabling technologies of diverse fundamental industrial use cases, based on practical applications. Second, we provide a detailed outline of recent industrial architectural designs with respect to their data management philosophy (data presence, data coordination, and data computation) and the extent of their distributiveness. Then, we conduct a holistic survey of the recent literature from which we derive a taxonomy of the latest advances in industrial data enabling technologies and data centric services, spanning all the way from the field level deep in the physical deployments, up to the cloud and applications level. Finally, motivated by the rich conclusions of this critical analysis, we identify interesting open challenges for future research. The concepts presented in this paper thematically cover the largest part of the industrial automation pyramid layers. Our approach is multidisciplinary, as the selected publications were drawn from two fields; the communications, networking and computation field, and the industrial, manufacturing, and automation field. This paper can help the readers to deeply understand how data management is currently applied in networked industrial environments, and select interesting open research opportunities to pursue.
The politics of “usable” knowledge: examining the development of climate services in Tanzania

The field of climate services has arisen rapidly out of a desire to enable climate science to meet the information needs of society to respond to climate variability and change. In order for knowledge to be “usable” for decision-making, in the field of climate adaptation and beyond, it must meet the criteria of credibility, salience, and legitimacy (Cash et al., PNAS 100:8086–8091, 2003). Deliberate “co-production” of knowledge between “producers” and “users” has the potential to increase usability for decision-making and policy in some contexts. While co-production is increasingly advanced as an instrumental approach to facilitate the production of usable climate services, such efforts have paid scant attention to the role of power relations. In this article, we bring together literature on normative approaches to co-production—which treats co-production as an instrumental means to an end—with analytical interpretations of co-production within the field of Science and Technology Studies to examine efforts to develop usable climate services in Tanzania. We show that without reflexive processes that are explicitly attentive to power dynamics, normative co-production within climate services development can serve to reinforce, rather than overcome, power imbalances among actors.
Helveticin J, A Large Heat-Labile Bacteriocin from Lactobacillus Helveticus

Production of cheese and cultured dairy products relies largely on the fermentation of milk by the lactic acid bacteria. Of this group Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus serve as thermophilic starters in the processing of yogurt and of Swiss, Emmental, and Italian cheeses. Many lactobacilli are also natural inhabitants of the intestinal tract of mammals. The development of new, natural, and safe antimicrobial agents and preservative systems, as well as the construction of ‘food-grade’ cloning and expression vectors using bacteriocin determinants have recently been the focus of many research efforts.
Continuous Fabrication of Antimicrobial Nanofiber Mats Using Post-Electrospinning Functionalization for Roll-to-Roll Scale-Up

The facile fabrication of antimicrobial fiber mats with surface-attached quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) as the contact-killing antimicrobials was demonstrated. The entire process was designed...
Spatial and temporal patterns of genetic diversity in a fragmented and transient landscape

Anthropogenic disturbance has the potential to influence metapopulation dynamics by altering habitat quality and connectivity. In particular, species with limited vagility and specific habitat preferences, such as the Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi), are likely to be affected by landscape-altering events. In the Ocala National Forest (ONF) of central Florida, subpopulations of Florida scrub lizards encounter cycles of fire suppression, clear-cutting, and prescribe burning that give rise to a transient landscape and potentially lead to repeated colonization and founder events. As such, Florida scrub lizards in the ONF provide an ideal opportunity in which to explore metapopulation dynamics in a transient landscape. We predict that Florida scrub lizards quickly colonize newly clear-cut patches, disperse from fire-suppressed patches as vegetation density increases, and maintain stable populations in stands consistently managed with prescribe burning. Additionally, we predict that anthropogenically-maintained sand corridors facilitate Florida scrub lizard dispersal between patches. To this end, we used microsatellite markers to quantify genetic variation among Florida scrub lizard subpopulations at two time points separated by approximately six generations because habitat turnover can obscure connectivity-occupancy relationships when analyzed with snapshot data, and spatial analyses to test correlations between landscape metrics (e.g. patch area and proximity) and genetic diversity. Microsatellite markers revealed significant and varied temporal shifts in genetic differentiation among subpopulations, which our analyses indicate are linked to changes in landscape structure. Collectively, our results suggest that the spatial distribution of suitable patches of habitat (i.e. stands of quality habitat) can influence population genetic structure, and that corridors can facilitate gene flow between subpopulations in fragmented and transient landscapes.
The Underpricing of Sin Stocks

Sin firms engage in alcohol, tobacco, and game-related business activities. Using a sample of initial public offerings (IPOs), we examine the performance of sin and non-sin firm IPOs. We find that sin firm IPOs are more underpriced than non-sin firm IPOs after controlling for pre-issuance firm and issuance characteristics, such as asset size, firm age, lead underwriter’s reputation rank, listing exchange, and issuance size, providing further confirming evidence to the shunned-stock hypothesis and reasons for increased interest in alternative investments. Our research enriches the current literature on sin firms and IPOs. TOPICS:Portfolio theory, portfolio construction Key Findings • Sin firms have a unique return characteristic, which may be the result of investment firms’ focusing on more socially acceptable firms. • As the general sentiment surrounding socially responsible (or acceptable) investments continues to gain strength, investors who are willing to provide capital to sin firms may be able to obtain a reputational risk premium. • As social norms and the legal environment (e.g., cannabis and sports gambling legalization) continue to evolve, asset managers need to be aware of the potential return characteristics of new equity offerings from nontraditional firms.
Tax-Induced Inequalities in the Sharing Economy

The growth of sharing economy marketplaces like Airbnb has generated discussions on their socioeconomic impact and lack of regulation. As a result, most major cities in the United States have started to collect an “occupancy tax” for Airbnb bookings. In this study, we investigate the heterogeneous treatment effects of the occupancy tax policy on Airbnb listings, using a combination of a generalized causal forest methodology and a difference-in-differences framework. While we find that the introduction of the tax significantly reduces both listing revenues and sales, more importantly, these effects are disproportionately more pronounced for residential hosts with single shared-space (“non-target”) listings, versus commercial hosts with multiple properties or entire-space (“target”) listings. We further show that this unintended consequence is caused by customers’ discriminatory tax aversion against non-target listings. We then leverage these empirical results by prescribing how hosts should optimally set prices in response to the occupancy tax and also identify the discriminatory tax rates that would equalize the tax’s effect across non-target and target listings.
Discovering the DNA-Binding Consensus of the Thermus thermophilus HB8 Transcriptional Regulator TTHA1359

Transcription regulatory proteins, also known as transcription factors, function as molecular switches modulating the first step in gene expression, transcription initiation. Cyclic-AMP receptor proteins (CRPs) and fumarate and nitrate reduction regulators (FNRs) compose the CRP/FNR superfamily of transcription factors, regulating gene expression in response to a spectrum of stimuli. In the present work, a reverse-genetic methodology was applied to the study of TTHA1359, one of four CRP/FNR superfamily transcription factors in the model organism Thermus thermophilus HB8. Restriction Endonuclease Protection, Selection, and Amplification (REPSA) followed by next-generation sequencing techniques and bioinformatic motif discovery allowed identification of a DNA-binding consensus for TTHA1359, 5'-AWTGTRA(N)6TYACAWT-3', which TTHA1359 binds to with high affinity. By bioinformatically mapping the consensus to the T. thermophilus HB8 genome, several potential regulatory TTHA1359-binding sites were identified and validated in vitro. The findings contribute to the knowledge of TTHA1359 regulatory activity within T. thermophilus HB8 and demonstrate the effectiveness of a reverse-genetic methodology in the study of putative transcription factors.
Sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with depression, anxiety, and general mental health in people with multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) may be at increased risk for psychological distress during COVID-19. We study the self-reported mental health of U.S. PwMS during COVID-19, prior to vaccine rollout. Methods A cross-sectional survey was distributed online to PwMS through iConquerMS (12/18/2020-02/10/2021). Depressive and anxiety symptom burdens and general mental health status were measured via the Patient-Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and PROMIS Global Mental Health scales. Linear regression models assessed associations between mental health variables and age, sex, disability status, comorbidities, and social determinants of health. Results Of 610 U.S. PwMS (mean age 56 years, standard deviation 11, range 20-85; female, 81%; relapsing remitting disease, 62%; previous depression diagnosis, 40%), the prevalences of moderate-to-severe depressive and anxiety symptom burden were 27.4% and 14.7%, respectively; 55.1% endorsed fair/poor general mental health. PwMS who tested positive for COVID-19 (n = 47, 7.7%) reported higher depressive and anxiety symptom burdens (p < 0.05). Increased disability status score and social determinants of health were each associated with more depressive symptoms and worse general mental health. Younger age was associated with increased depressive and anxiety symptom burdens and worse general mental health. Female sex was associated with greater anxiety symptoms. Conclusion There are specific associations for worse mental health among PwMS during COVID-19 that reflect a combination of clinical, demographic, and social determinants of health. Multidisciplinary care teams and vigilance are important to address the ongoing mental health impacts of COVID-19 in PwMS.
Phase transformation and viscoplasticity coupling in polycrystalline nickel-titanium-hafnium high-temperature shape memory alloys

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the interactions between phase transformation and viscoplasticity during uniaxial constant force thermal cycling (UCFTC) of a Ti-rich Ni-Ti-20Hf (at.%) high-temperature shape memory alloy (HTSMA). These tests were conducted (up till failure) at 1, 10 and 50 ∘ C / min , to vary the duration of exposure to high temperatures, viz. the amount of viscoplasticity, and to examine the rate-dependency of actuation. The macroscopic results from the tests were used to investigate the evolution of transformation temperatures, hysteresis, transformation and irrecoverable strains for the cycles in which the effect of potential damage mechanisms could be assumed to be negligible. The phenomena that affected the behavior were: viscoplasticity at 1 ∘ C / min , transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) at 10 and 50 ∘ C / min , and accumulation of retained martensite at all the three rates. More interestingly, the response at 1 ∘ C / min indicated a unique interplay between the effect of viscoplasticity over phase transformation and static recovery. The retained martensite was identified through a series of DSC and XRD analyses, and its contribution to TRIP strain was quantified through a UCFTC test. Furthermore, a test involving alternating isothermal creep and UCFTC at 10 ∘ C / min was conducted to investigate an effect of viscoplasticity produced by creep on the behavior, while reducing the viscoplasticity during thermal cycling. The alternating test revealed an effect of phase transformation over the viscoplastic strain rate. The experimental investigations demonstrated a rate-dependent phase transformation behavior, and a two-way coupling between phase transformation and viscoplasticity, bringing out the importance of understanding viscoplastic deformations in phase-transforming materials.
Pilot Plant Studies of the Low Temperature Distillation of Hydrogen Isotopes

The distillation of liquid hydrogen as a means of separating the isotopes H2, HD, and D2 has been known for over twenty years.1 The fractionation of these isotopes is easy by ordinary distillation standards since the relative volatility of any two is quite favorable. Nevertheless, large scale distillation of liquid hydrogen to recover naturally occurring amounts of the heavier isotopes, although considered a number of times,2 has until recently3 been rejected either because of lack of design data, or because of the problems and hazards expected from the operation at 20°K.
Recent Progress In Particle Accelerators

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the developments in particle accelerators. Many new accelerators have been built in recent years, such as beam cooling, radiofrequency quadrupole, permanent magnets, linear induction accelerator, use of computers in accelerators, and free electron laser. Many accelerators have also been built for medical radiography and therapy. Electron accelerators for this application are available commercially, using the electrons directly or bremsstrahlung photons. Neutrons produced by accelerator beams have also been used for therapy with considerable success, and several proton accelerators built for physics research have been adapted for direct therapy with protons. The first proton accelerator specifically for therapy has been built. The chapter highlights the effects of environment on beam and environmental control. The effects of self-fields on a particle beam is an accelerator were seen very early by Kerst, who observed a saturation of accelerated intensity as injected intensity was increased. Collective instabilities have been observed in many accelerators and it behooves the designer of a system whose objectives require reasonably high beam intensities to take measures to combat them. Accelerator builders have always employed quality-control methods to improve the performance of their product. Quality control can be enhanced by careful measurements of component properties.
Studies on transport of macromolecules and small particles across mesothelial cells of the mouse omentum. I. Morphologic aspects.

Abstract The central portion of the mouse omentum is a fenestrated, membrane-like structure composed of two sheets of mesothelial cells enclosing a thin (1–2 μm) connective tissue space which contains collagen and a few mast cells and macrophages. The mesothelial cells are large and flat with a central elongated nucleus and a large expanse of thin cytoplasm. Mesothelial cells are connected to one another by junctions of the adherent type. The thin cytoplasmic regions contain huge numbers of small vesicles about 100 nm in size, many of which are connected to the connective tissue or the peritoneal surface by narrow necks. Various electron-opaque products were administered intraperitoneally, and observations were made on their transport into the omentum. At 5 min, Thorotrast was localized mainly at the peritoneal surface and in mesothelial cell vesicles connecting with or near to the peritoneal surface; 10–20 min after injection Thorotrast was also found in the connective tissue space and in mesothelial cell vesicles opening into this space. Similarly 10–20 min after ferritin injection, the particles were distributed in vesicles throughout the mesothelial cell and in the collagen layer. The observations indicate that certain macromolecules and small particles are transported by vesicles across mesothelial cells of the omentum.
Thermal conductivity measurements and molecular association in a series of alcohol vapors: Methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and t-butanol

Thermal conductivity measurements on the vapors of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and t-butanol are reported as a function of temperature (330–420 K) and pressure (11–240 kPa). The thermal conductivity versus pressure isotherms for all four alcohols exhibit upward curvatures at the lower temperatures and nearly linear increases at higher temperatures. This behavior is indicative of a dimeric species and one or more polymeric clusters in the vapor in addition to the monomer. Quantum mechanical calculations have indicated that tetramers are the most likely polymeric species. Detailed analyses of the data provide thermodynamic data (ΔH,ΔS) for the dimerization and tetramerization reactions and show interesting correlations with the size of the monomer unit.
Hints to accelerate Symbolic Traversal

Symbolic model checking is an increasingly popular debugging tool based on Binary Decision Diagrams (BDDs). The size of the diagrams, however, often prevents its application to large designs. The lack of flexibility of the conventional breadth-first approach to state search is often responsible for the excessive growth of the BDDs. In this paper we show that the use of hints to guide the exploration of the state space may result in orders-of-magnitude reductions in time and space requirements. We apply hints to invariant checking. The hints address the problems posed by difficult image computations, and are effective in both proving and refuting invariants. We show that good hints can often be found with the help of simple heuristics by someone who understands the circuit well enough to devise simulation stimuli or verification properties for it. We present an algorithm for guided traversal and discuss its efficient implementation.
Risky Business: Models of Risk in Transplant

The rapid expansion of the kidney transplant waiting list has heightened the awareness of the transplant and medical community tooptimize the use of donor organs. Despitethis, donors at increased risk of infectious transmission organs, organs that may be suitable for transplantation, are being discarded at significant rates (1‐4). Donors at increased risk of infectious transmission organs are those organs deemed by the OPTN to result in an increased risk of infectious transmission. Increasing the utilization of such organs may increase the number of patients who are able to receive a timely transplant. However, the use of infectious risk donor (IRD) organs, a new term coined by the authors, has appropriately come under additional scrutiny since the transmission of HIV and HCV to four transplant recipients in 2007 (5). The use of these high risk organs brings with it a rare, but potentially devastating risk. Transplant physicians as wellaspatientsmustmakeaconsidereddecisionontherisk/ benefit of accepting such an organ despite the fact that the trade off of risk and benefit is not fully known. In addition, the transplant community must also be mindful of the impact of infectious transmission on the public perception of the organ supply which may ultimately affect organ donation. In this issue Chow et al. (6) present a Markov decision process model designed to aid physicians (and patients) in the decision to accept or decline donors at increased risk of infectious transmission kidneys based on the estimated survival after accepting versus declining the offer. The ultimate goal of the model is to increase the utilization of donors at increased risk of infectious transmission kidneys. The authors are to be commended for the development of thismodelandforacknowledgingthelimitations.However, there are several aspects that require further study and consideration that may complement the model developed. Further it is important to acknowledge that any model predicatedonestimatedriskofaseverebutrareevent,may easily under or over estimate the risk depending on the accuracy of the assumptions made and changes in prevalence or by pure bad luck. Although the empirical model does illustrate the efficacy of utilizing donors at increased risk of infectious transmission organs (given the assumptions made), the model does not account for behaviors associated with accepting and rejectingdonors at increasedrisk of infectioustransmission organs at the physician and patient level. Specifically it assumesthatphysiciansoperateasperfectdecisionagents on behalf of their patients and that they understand the relevantprobabilitiesandutilizethemoptimally.Inessence,
Describing and Illustrating Data in Mixed Methods Research

Describing and illustrating the data in mixed methods research involves crafting coherent reports on results and inferences from the analysis of those data. Because mixed methods research has both qualitative and quantitative aspects, this can be a difficult process. This entry first addresses the common techniques for illustrating the results from data analysis in mixed methods reports. It continues with a more comprehensive analysis of the recommended ways to structure findings and discussion sections in those reports. Keywords: Methods; Mixed Methods; Research Report; Research Methods in Applied Linguistics
Introduction to the Special Issue: Communication Strategies to Reduce Health Disparities

An area of study that has attracted the attention of health communication scholars for the past several years is health disparities. Health disparities are differences in health outcomes between socially disadvantaged and advantaged groups. This special issue of the Journal of Communication is focused on communication strategies to reduce health disparities. It features 10 articles that report original empirical studies or literature reviews of health disparities-related research. Communication scholars working in this area have a distinct opportunity to conduct theory-driven applied research with the potential to promote the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable among us.
NCAA Meets Hurdles if it Changes the System, Pays Student-Athletes

This article discusses the recent scandals that have occurred in NCAA football programs involving players receiving extra benefits. It also discusses a radical approach to combating this issue which is a pay for play scheme. This article analyzes the pros and cons of such an approach as well as other solutions to approach the issue of student athletes receiving extra benefits from outside sources.
Archaeology and the Modern World: Colonial Transcripts in South Africa and the Chesapeake

Archaeology and the Modern World: Colonial Transcripts in South Africa and the Chesapeake. Martin Hall. New York: Routledge, 2000. 218 pp.
Soluble proteins isolated from Borrelia burgdorferi by extraction with Triton X-114 confer resistance to experimental infection

Abstract Fractionation of Borrelia burgdorferi was made by extraction of infectious spirochetes using the detergent Triton X-114. Gel electrophoresis analysis of hydrophilic and hydrophobic proteins demonstrated that detergent extraction resulted in two populations of proteins with nonoverlapping electrophoretic profiles. Immunoblot analysis with monoclonal antibodies reactive with two abundant membrane proteins demonstrated that hydrophilic proteins were uncontaminated with hydrophobic proteins. In addition, assay of thymidine incorporation into and secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α from splenocytes cocultured in vitro with either detergent or aqueous phase proteins showed that lymphocyte mitogenic and macrophage activation activities of B. burgdorferi were completely absent from the hydrophilic phase proteins. The Triton X-114 aqueous and detergent phase proteins were used to immunize BALB/c and separately μMT/μMT (B cell knockout) mice that were subsequently challenged with infectious B. burgdorferi. The hydrophilic phase proteins were able to induce protective resistance to infection in either strain of mice demonstrating that potential candidate vaccine antigens are contained in the biochemical class of antigens which is devoid of both lymphocyte mitogen activity and major outer surface proteins. Furthermore, the ability to vaccinate B cell knockout mice suggests that the humoral antispirochete immune response is not the exclusive basis for protective immunity.
Regional differences in awareness and attitudes regarding genetic testing for disease risk and ancestry.

Little is known about the lay public’s awareness and attitudes concerning genetic testing and what factors influence their perspectives. The existing literature focuses mainly on ethnic and socioeconomic differences; however, here we focus on how awareness and attitudes regarding genetic testing differ by geographical regions in the US. We compared awareness and attitudes concerning genetic testing for disease risk and ancestry among 452 adults (41% Black and 67% female) in four major US cities, Norman, OK; Cincinnati, OH; Harlem, NY; and Washington, DC; prior to their participation in genetic ancestry testing. The OK participants reported more detail about their personal ancestries (p = 0.02) and valued ancestry testing over disease testing more than all other sites (p < 0.01). The NY participants were more likely than other sites to seek genetic testing for disease (p = 0.01) and to see benefit in finding out more about one’s ancestry (p = 0.02), while the DC participants reported reading and hearing more about genetic testing for African ancestry than all other sites (p < 0.01). These site differences were not better accounted for by sex, age, education, self-reported ethnicity, religion, or previous experience with genetic testing/counseling. Regional differences in awareness and attitudes transcend traditional demographic predictors, such as ethnicity, age and education. Local sociocultural factors, more than ethnicity and socioeconomic status, may influence the public’s awareness and belief systems, particularly with respect to genetics.
Charge distributions of conjugated molecules.

POINT charges located at the atom centres of conjugated molecules can be calculated using the Del Re procedure for σ electrons, the Huckel procedure for π electrons and the principle of σ–π additivity. Such point charges, calculated by this and other procedures, have been used in biophysical problems1–4. Can the very simple Del Re—Huckel procedure give reasonable values for the charges ? This report provides a partial answer by comparing observed dipole moments with those calculated from Del Re–Huckel charges obtained with established sets of the necessary parameters5,6.
Arginine supplementation is well tolerated but does not enhance mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation in elderly nursing home residents with pressure ulcers.

Background: Immune function declines with age, increasing risk for infection and delaying wound healing. Arginine enhances immune function and healing of standardized wounds in healthy elderly persons. The purpose of this study was to determine what level of arginine supplementation was orally and metabolically tolerated and effective in enhancing immune function in elderly persons with pressure ulcers. Methods: Residents with one or more pressure ulcers were recruited from two local nursing homes. Subjects were randomized to receive 0 g (n = 10; age, 82 ± 3 years), 8.5 g (n = 11; 81 ± 3 years), or 17 g (n = 11; 87 ± 2 years) of supplemental arginine each day for 4 weeks. Oral tolerance, ie, absence of nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, or diarrhea, was assessed daily. Metabolic tolerance was assessed weekly by evaluating serum electrolytes. Lymphocyte proliferation to phytohemagglutinin and interleukin 2 production were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks of supplementation as indicators of immun...
Combinatorial Fibronectin and Laminin Signaling Promote Highly Efficient Cardiac Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Abstract Cardiomyocytes (CMs) differentiated from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a promising and potentially unlimited cell source for myocardial repair and regeneration. Recently, multiple methodologies—primarily based on the optimization of growth factors—have been described for efficient cardiac differentiation of hESCs. However, the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) signaling in CM differentiation has not yet been explored fully. This study examined the role of ECM signaling in the efficient generation of CMs from both H7 and H9 ESCs. The hESCs were differentiated on ECM substrates composed of a range of fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LN) ratios and gelatin and evaluated by the fluorescence activated cell scanning (FACS) analysis on day 14. Of the ECM substrates examined, the 70:30 FN:LN reproducibly generated the greatest numbers of CMs from both hESC lines. Moreover, the LN receptor integrin β4 (ITGB4) and FN receptor integrin β5 (ITGB5) genes, jointly with increased phosphorylated focal adh...
Studies on the C-24 configurations of Δ7-sterols in theseeds of Cucurbita maxima

Abstract Uncertainties surrounding the structures of the Δ 7 -sterols in the seeds of Cucurbita maxima have been resolved. Seven components were found by TLC, GLC, HPLC, mass spectrometry and 1 H NMR. They were 24β-ethyl-5α-cholesta-7,22,25(27)-trien-3β-ol, 24β-ethyl-5α-cholesta-7,25(27)-dien-3gb-ol, avenasterol, spinasterol, 24-dihydrospinasterol, 24ζ-methyllathosterol and 25(27)-dehydrofungisterol. The 1 H NMR spectra indicated that the sterols with an ethyl substituent at C-24 occurred in the absence of their C-24 epimers. This seems to be the first instance of the detection of 25(27)-dehydrofungisterol in a higher plant.
Simultaneous nitric oxide and dehydroascorbic acid imaging by combining diaminofluoresceins and diaminorhodamines

Spatial measurements of nitric oxide (NO) production are important to understand the function and metabolism of this molecule. The reagent, 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and several structurally similar probes are widely used for detection and imaging of NO. However, DAF-2 also reacts with dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) in biological samples, with both products having nearly indistinguishable fluorescence spectra. Measurements using fluorimetry and fluorescence microscopy cannot easily differentiate NO-related fluorescent signals from DHA-related signals. While DAFs and the structurally related diaminorhodamines (DARs) both react with NO and DHA, they do so to different extents. We report a multiderivatization method to image NO and DHA simultaneously by using both DAF and DAR. Specifically, DAF-2 and DAR-4M are used to image NO and DHA concentrations; after reaction, the solutions are excited, at 495 nm to measure fluorescence emission from DAF-2, and at 560 nm to measure fluorescence emission from DAR-4M. Using the appropriate calibrations, images are created that depend either on the relative NO or the relative DHA concentration, even though each probe reacts to both compounds. The method has been validated by imaging NO production in both undifferentiated and differentiated pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells.
Dynamic identity verification via keystroke characteristics

The implementation of safeguards for computer security is based on the ability to verify the identity of authorized computer systems users accurately. The most common form of identity verification in use today is the password, but passwords have many poor traits as an access control mechanism. To overcome the many disadvantages of simple password protection, we are proposing the use of the physiological characteristics of keyboard input as a method for verifying user identity. After an overview of the problem and summary of previous efforts, a research study is described which was conducted to determine the possibility of using keystroke characteristics as a means of dynamic identity verification. Unlike static identity verification systems in use today, a verifier based on dynamic keystroke characteristics allows continuous identity verification in real-time throughout the work session. Study results indicate significant promise in the temporal personnel identification problem.
Behaviorally conditioned changes in atrio-ventricular transmission in awake dog.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of behaviorally conditioned changes in autonomic activity on atrio-ventricular (AV) transmission in dog. To produce consistent activation of the cardiac nerves in the awake animal (n = 7), a classical appetitive conditioning paradigm was used. A conditioning trial consisted of a 30 s control period followed by one of two differing situations: (1) a 60-s conditional stimulus (CS +) tone wherein food (i.e. ‘UCS’ or unconditioned stimulus) was given during the last 30 s; or (2) at 30-s discriminative stimulus (CS −) tone which was never followed by food reward. Eight of each type trial were given daily until a stereotypic cardiovascular response was developed for the CS + but not the CS −. The hemodynamic conditional response (i.e. ‘CR’, the response to the CS +) consisted of a moderate tachycardia (+ 14.5%, P ≤ 0.05), a small pressor response (+6.7%, P ≤ 0.01), and a moderate increase in the first time derivative of left ventricular pressure (+14.9%, P ≤ 0.01) reflecting an increase in inotropic state. The unconditional response (i.e., ‘UCR’, the response to the food reward) consisted of a substantial increase in HR (25.7%, P ≤ 0.01) above CR values while left ventricular pressure (LVP) and d(LVP)/dt increased 5.0% and 10.0% (P ≤ 0.01 for both) above their CR values. The effect of the conditioned changes in neural activity on the AV node was observed by pacing the atrium from 110 to 180 bpm during the first 15 s of each trial period (i.e. control, CS +, UCS). The discrepancy between the atrial pace rate and the transmitted ventricular rate is expressed as a ‘mean difference score’ and serves as an index of the fidelity of the AV transmission process: the smaller the difference, the closer a 1 : 1 ratio of atrial vs ventricular beats is approached. The relatively large mean difference score for the control periods (46.0 ± 9 bpm) indicates that the paced atrial impulse did not faithfully precede ventricular contraction during these periods. The mean difference significantly decreased (34.6%, P ≤ 0.05) during the CS +, and approached an almost 1 : 1 ratio (75.6% decrease from CS + values, P ≤ 0.01) during food delivery. β-Adrenergic blockade (propranolol, 1 mg/kg, i.v.) eliminated the changes in mean difference during the CS + but not during food delivery. There were no statistically significant physiological changes during CS −. The results indicate that behaviorally mediated increases in sympathetic tone during the CS + improve the fidelity of the AV transmission process, whereas decreased parasympathetic tone appears to contribute to the increased AV transmission during the food reward period. Finally, sino-atrial and atrio-ventricular nodal function appear to be regulated in concert by the autonomic nervous system.
Superfluidity of the Lattice Anyon Gas and Topological Invariance

I consider a gas of free'' anyons with statistical parameter {delta}, with hard cores, on a two-dimensional square lattice. Using a recently derived Jordan-Wigner transformation, I map this problem onto a gas of fermions on the same lattice coupled to a Chern-Simons gauge theory with coupling {theta}=1/2{delta}. At the semiclassical level, the system is found to be equivalent to a gas of fermions, with the same density, in an average effective magnetic field {rho}/{theta}. I consider the case in which an integer number of the Landau bands of the saddle-point problem are completely filled. If {delta}={pi}/{ital m} and the density {rho}={ital r}/{ital q}, with {ital m}, {ital r}, and {ital q} integers, the system is a superfluid, provided that {ital q} is larger than twice the largest common factor of {ital m} and {ital r}. If {ital q} is even and the system is half filled, the state may be either a superfluid or a quantum Hall phase. For all other values of {rho} and {delta}, compatible with integer filling of the Landau bands, the system is in a quantum Hall phase. The dynamical stability of the superfluid state is ensured by the topological invariance of the quantized Hall conductancemore » of the fermion problem. I find a close analogy between anyon superconductivity and the Schwinger mechanism. The effective Lagrangian for the low-energy modes coupled to the electromagnetic field is derived. The energies of fermion and flux states are logarithmically divergent, but finite for the anyon state. The system has flux quantization, a zero-temperature Hall effect with a quantized Hall conductance, Meissner effect, charged vortices, screening with induced magnetic fields for static charges, and different masses for the longitudinal and transverse components of the electromagnetic field.« less