cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A bottom-up risk-based resource allocation methodology to counter terrorism

After September 11th, government officials have begun questioning the appropriateness of the current federal allocation formula to counter terrorism. Newly appointed Secretary Chertoff demanded the development of more rigorous risk-based mechanisms. This paper is one of the first addressing this request by developing the corresponding resource allocation optimisation model based on the current largely accepted rigorous definition of risk and suggesting a practical implementation of a decomposition methodology to solve it. It is shown how the proposed procedure works and can be carried out in practice within the current geographical hierarchical partitioning of the nation in a 'bottom-up' fashion: 'child' subsets provide their 'parents' with piecewise linear relationships indicating the cost-effectiveness of the allocated budget in reducing the overall risk. This information will be sufficient to solve the overall allocation problem. A successful implementation of the methodology would result in reducing the 'barrier' between theory and application, performing a better resource allocation to counter terrorism, ultimately using fewer resources more efficiently to make the nation safer.
Free fatty acids in the presence of high glucose amplify monocyte inflammation via Toll-like receptors

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is characterized by hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and increased inflammation. Previously, we showed that high glucose (HG) induces Toll-like receptor (TLR) expression, activity, and inflammation via NF-κB followed by cytokine release in vitro and in vivo. Here, we determined how HG-induced inflammation is affected by free fatty acids (FFA) in human monocytes. THP-1 monocytic cells, CD14+ human monocytes, and transiently transfected HEK293 cells were exposed to various FFA (0–500 μM) and glucose (5–20 mM) for evaluation of TLR2, TLR4, NF-κB, IL-1β, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and superoxide release. In THP-1 cells, palmitate increased cellular TLR2 and TLR4 expression, generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increased NF-κB activity, IL-1β, and MCP-1 release in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Similar data were observed with stearate and FFA mixture but not with oleate. Conversely, NADPH oxidase inhibitor treatment repressed glucose- and palmitate-stimulated ROS generation and NF-κB activity and decreased IL-1β and MCP-1 expression. Silencing TLR2, TLR4, and p47phox with small inhibitory RNAs (siRNAs) significantly reduced superoxide release, NF-κB activity, IL-1β, and MCP-1 secretion in HG and palmitate-treated THP-1 cells. Moreover, data from transient transfection experiments suggest that TLR6 is required for TLR2 and MD2 for TLR4 to augment inflammation in FFA- and glucose-exposed cells. These findings were confirmed with human monocytes. We conclude that FFA exacerbates HG-induced TLR expression and activity in monocytic cells with excess superoxide release, enhanced NF-κB activity, and induced proinflammatory factor release.
Constricting Bands: Manifestations of Possible Child Abuse Case Reports and a Review

Bands around extremities may be from congenital, infectious, accidental, or purposeful causes. The older child may reveal the cause of self-inflicted or caregiver-inflicted banding. Banding in a nonverbal child will challenge the diagnostic acumen of the physician. Bands of unknown cause, or bands that may have been placed purposefully by a caretaker, must be reported as possible child abuse. Failure of the caretaker to seek help for the consequences of a band may suggest that the bands were intentionally placed. This failure may also be construed as medical neglect. Four cases of banding, which were referred to a child abuse program for consultation, are described.
A Shear Band Analysis in Elastoplastic Granular Material

Based on the numerical simulations of an assembly of two-dimensional particles, the paper assesses the assumptions and limitations of the linear stability analyses proposed for shear bands in granular media. It shows that the linear stability analyses that are based on a micropolar generalization of flow and deformation theories of plasticity are capable of accounting for the thickness of shear bands, the rotations and tangential displacements of the particles within shear bands in idealized granular soils.
Stable and Responsive Fluorescent Carbon Nanotube Silica Gels

Here we report a general route to prepare silica nanocomposite gels doped with fluorescent single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT). We show that tetramethylorthosilicate (TMOS) vapors can be used to gel an aqueous suspension of surfactant-wrapped SWNT while maintaining fluorescence from the semiconducting nanotubes. The vapor phase silica process is performed at room temperature and is simple, reproducible, relatively quick, and requires no dilution of SWNT dispersions. However, exposure of aqueous SWNT suspensions to TMOS vapors resulted in an acidification of the suspension prior to gelation that caused a decrease in the emission signal from sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) wrapped SWNT. We also show that although the SWNT are encapsulated in silica the emission signal from the encapsulated SWNT may be attenuated by exposing the nanocomposites to small aromatic molecules known to mitigate SWNT emission. These results demonstrate a new route for the preparation of highly luminescent SWNT/silica composite materials that are potentially useful for future sensing applications.
Immune responses against Aβ1–42 in HLA class II transgenic mice: implications for Aβ1–42 immune-mediated therapies

Abstract We have investigated whether polymorphic differences in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules influence humoral and cellular immune responses against Aβ1–42. To analyze the effects of mouse MHC class II and tolerance effects of overexpression of human APP in mice, we immunized Tg2576 and non-transgenic littermates bred into two different MHC backgrounds with Aβ1–42 and compared both B and T cell responses. We found that in the presence of the mouse C57BL/6 background, both B and T cell responses against Aβ1–42 were significantly suppressed. To directly test the contribution of human MHC class II, we immunized various human HLA class II transgenic (TG) mice with Aβ1–42 and analyzed anti-Aβ immune responses. HLA-DR3 and HLA-DQ8 TG mice generated modest B and T cell responses against Aβ1–42. The presence of HLA-DR3/DQ8 in double TG mice enhanced the overall immune response against Aβ1–42. In contrast, HLA-DR4 TG mice mounted strong T cell responses but failed to generate high titer antibody responses against Aβ1–42, whereas, the HLA-DQ6 TG mice were not able to mount significant B or T cell responses against Aβ1–42. These studies in mice suggest that the presence of certain MHC class II molecules or combinations of class II molecules can potentially influence the overall immune response against Aβ1–42.
Oncogenic Function of SCCRO5/DCUN1D5 Requires Its Neddylation E3 Activity and Nuclear Localization

Purpose: To determine mechanisms by which SCCRO5 (aka DCUN1D5 ) promotes oncogenesis. Experimental Design: SCCRO5 mRNA and protein expression were assessed in 203 randomly selected primary cancer tissue samples, matched histologically normal tissues, and cell lines by use of real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. SCCRO5 overexpression was correlated with survival. The effect of SCCRO5 knockdown on viability was assessed in selected cancer cell lines. Structure–function studies were performed to determine the SCCRO5 residues required for binding to the neddylation components, for neddylation-promoting activity, and for transformation. Results: In oral and lung squamous cell carcinomas, SCCRO5 mRNA levels corresponded with protein levels and overexpression correlated with decreased disease-specific survival. Knockdown of SCCRO5 by RNAi resulted in a selective decrease in the viability of cancer cells with high endogenous levels, suggesting the presence of oncogene addiction. SCCRO5 promoted cullin neddylation while maintaining conserved reaction processivity paradigms involved in ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like protein conjugation, establishing it as a component of the neddylation E3. Neddylation activities in vitro required the potentiating of neddylation (PONY) domain but not the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) domain. In contrast, both the NLS domain and the PONY domain were required for transformation of NIH-3T3 cells. Conclusions: Our data suggest that SCCRO5 has oncogenic potential that requires its function as a component of the neddylation E3. Neddylation activity and nuclear localization of SCCRO5 are important for its in vivo function. Clin Cancer Res; 20(2); 372–81. ©2013 AACR .
MARINE AND CONTINENTAL FOOD WEBS: THREE PARADOXES?

Carbon stocks and flows give a picture of marine and continental biotas different from that based on food webs. Measured per unit of volume or per unit of surface area, biomass is thousands to hundreds of thousands of times more dilute in the oceans than on the continents. The number of described species is lower for the oceans than for the continents. One might expect that each species of organism would therefore feed on or be consumed by fewer other species in the oceans than on the continents. Yet in reported food webs, the average oceanic species interacts trophically with more other species than the average terrestrial or aquatic species. Carbon turnover times imply that the mean adult body length of oceanic organisms is 240 to 730 times shorter than that of continental organisms. By contrast, in reported food webs, marine animal predators are larger than continental animal predators, and marine animal prey are larger than continental animal prey, by as much as one to two orders of magnitude. Estimates of net primary productivity (NPP) per unit of surface area or per unit of occupied volume indicate that the oceans are several to hundreds of times less productive than the continents, on average. If NPP limited mean chain length in food webs, oceanic food chains should be shorter than continental chains. Yet average chain lengths reported in published food webs are longer in oceans than on land or in fresh water. In reconciling these unexpected contrasts, the challenge is to determine which (if any) of the many plausible explanations is or are correct.
Development of cortical and subcortical brain structures in childhood and adolescence: a structural MRI study

The purpose of the present study was to describe in greater anatomical detail the changes in brain structure that occur during maturation between childhood and adolescence. High-resolution MRI, tissue classification, and anatomical segmentation of cortical and subcortical regions were used in a sample of 35 normally developing children and adolescents between 7 and 16 years of age (mean age 11 years; 20 males, 15 females). Each cortical and subcortical measure was examined for age and sex effects on raw volumes and on the measures as proportions of total supratentorial cranial volume. Results indicate age-related increases in total supratentorial cranial volume and raw and proportional increases in total cerebral white matter. Gray-matter volume reductions were only observed once variance in total brain size was proportionally controlled. The change in total cerebral white-matter proportion was significantly greater than the change in total cerebral gray-matter proportion over this age range, suggesting that the relative gray-matter reduction is probably due to significant increases in white matter. Total raw cerebral CSF volume increases were also observed. Within the cerebrum, regional patterns varied depending on the tissue (or CSF) assessed. Only frontal and parietal cortices showed changes in gray matter, white matter, and CSF measures. Once the approximately 7% larger brain volume in males was controlled, only mesial temporal cortex, caudate, thalamus, and basomesial diencephalic structures showed sex effects with the females having greater relative volumes in these regions than the males. Overall, these results are consistent with earlier reports and describe in greater detail the regional pattern of age-related differences in gray and white matter in normally developing children and adolescents.
GTPase regulators and photoresponses in cones of the eastern chipmunk.

Vertebrate cone and rod photoreceptor cells use similar mechanisms to transduce light signals into electrical signals, but their responses to light differ in sensitivity and kinetics. To assess the role of G-protein GTP hydrolysis kinetics in mammalian cone photoresponses, we have characterized photoresponses and GTPase regulatory components of cones and rods from the cone-dominant retina of the eastern chipmunk. Sensitivity, based on the stimulus strength required for a half-maximum response, of the M-cone population was 38-fold lower than that of the rods. The relatively lower cone sensitivity could be attributed in part to lower amplification in the rising phase and in part to faster recovery kinetics. At a molecular level, cloning of chipmunk cDNA and expression of recombinant proteins provided standards for quantitative immunoblot analysis of proteins involved in GTPase acceleration. The ratio of the cGMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitory subunit γ to cone pigment, 1:68, was similar to the levels observed for ratios to rhodopsin in bovine retina, 1:76, or mouse retina, 1:65. In contrast, the ratio to pigment of the GTPase-accelerating protein RGS9-1 was 1:62, more than 10 times higher than ratios observed in rod-dominant retinas. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that, in contrast to rods, RGS9-1 in chipmunk retina is associated with both the short and long isoforms of its partner subunit Gβ5. The much higher levels of the GTPase-accelerating protein complex in cones, compared with rods, suggest a role for GTPase acceleration in obtaining rapid photoresponse kinetics.
Medicolegal Aspects of Iatrogenic Dysphonia and Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injury.

ObjectiveTo examine aspects of litigation involving iatrogenic dysphonia and injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve in the adult population.Study DesignLegal database review.SettingMedicolegal judicial system.Subjects and MethodsJury verdicts and settlement reports listing voice impairment or recurrent laryngeal nerve dysfunction as a primary injury in adult patients were identified in the Westlaw Database. Reports were examined for plaintiff demographics, defendant specialty, procedure performed, rates of settlements and verdicts, monetary awards, primary plaintiff symptoms, and common allegations.ResultsA total of 123 jury verdict and settlement reports were identified. General surgeons (24%), otolaryngologists (20%), and anesthesiologists (18%) were involved in the majority of cases. The procedure causing the alleged injury was primarily thyroidectomy (34%), followed by intubation (18%) and spinal instrumentation (10%). The majority of cases (70%) were decided in favor of the defendant. Where monetary...
Replication of Herpesvirus DNA

The genomes of the herpesviruses are large complex DNA molecules with several interesting and perhaps unique properties. In the past few years the structure of these genomes has generated considerable interest, and significant progress has been made in the elucidation of the structural organization of these DNA molecules. A particularly interesting feature is the presence within the molecules of tandem and inverted repeat sequences, as well as the presence in some of the herpesvirus genomes of components that differ in their orientations with respect to one another, giving rise to different isomers of the same molecule.
Kinesin-5 inhibitor resistance is driven by kinesin-12

The microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton bipolarizes at the onset of mitosis to form the spindle. In animal cells, the kinesin-5 Eg5 primarily drives this reorganization by actively sliding MTs apart. Its primacy during spindle assembly renders Eg5 essential for mitotic progression, demonstrated by the lethal effects of kinesin-5/Eg5 inhibitors (K5Is) administered in cell culture. However, cultured cells can acquire resistance to K5Is, indicative of alternative spindle assembly mechanisms and/or pharmacological failure. Through characterization of novel K5I-resistant cell lines, we unveil an Eg5 motility-independent spindle assembly pathway that involves both an Eg5 rigor mutant and the kinesin-12 Kif15. This pathway centers on spindle MT bundling instead of Kif15 overexpression, distinguishing it from those previously described. We further show that large populations (∼10(7) cells) of HeLa cells require Kif15 to survive K5I treatment. Overall, this study provides insight into the functional plasticity of mitotic kinesins during spindle assembly and has important implications for the development of antimitotic regimens that target this process.
Radio Access Network of WCDMA System

WCDMA (UTRA FDD), the main specification of the third generation mobile telecommunication, will be widely adopted in the most area of world . The standardization of WCDMA has deeply influenced on the research, development and services of radio access network (RAN). From the trend of the schedule of standardization, Release 99 must be implemented at the first step. In order to meet requirements of the mobile telecommunication environment and telecommunication services, the equipment of RAN and the corresponding software must have high spectrum efficiency, and flexible multi-service and multiform network configuration are also should be provided.
Restoring big sagebrush after controlling encroaching western juniper with fire: aspect and subspecies effects

The need for restoration of shrubs is increasingly recognized around the world. In the western United States, restoration of mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. vaseyana [Rydb.] Beetle) after controlling encroaching conifers is a priority to improve sagebrush-associated wildlife habitat. Conifers can be cost effectively removed with prescribed burning when sagebrush is codominant; however, burning removes sagebrush and natural recovery may be slow. We evaluated seeding mountain and Wyoming big sagebrush (A. tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young) on north and south aspects after western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis ssp. occidentalis Hook) control with prescribed burning. We included seeding Wyoming big sagebrush, a more drought tolerant subspecies of big sagebrush, because it might grow better than mountain big sagebrush on hot, dry south slopes, during drought, or after juniper encroachment. Seeding mountain big sagebrush increased sagebrush cover and density compared to unseeded controls. In mountain big sagebrush-seeded plots, sagebrush cover was 19 times greater on north compared to south aspects in the fourth year after seeding. At this time, sagebrush cover was also greater on mountain compared to Wyoming big sagebrush-seeded plots. Natural recovery (i.e. unseeded) of sagebrush was occurring on north aspects with sagebrush cover averaging 3% 4 years after fire. Sagebrush was not detected on unseeded south aspects at the end of the study. These results suggest that postfire sagebrush recovery, with and without seeding, will be variable across the landscape based on topography. This study suggests seeding sagebrush after controlling junipers with burning may accelerate sagebrush recovery.
Computerized decision support systems in primary care.

SUMMARY Computerized decision support can be passive or active. Passive decision support occurs when a computer facilitates access to relevant patient data or clinical knowledge for interpretation by the physician. Examples include CPR systems and reference texts or literature databases on CD-ROM. Effective passive decision support may ultimately prove to have a significant impact on physician decision making, but its potential to do so has been largely unexplored. Active decision support implies some higher level of information processing, or inference, by the computer. Examples include reminder/alert systems and diagnostic decision support systems. Inference processing in active decision support systems is generally rule-based, but probabilistic inference has been successfully used as well. Reminder systems have been consistently demonstrated to improve dramatically physician guideline compliance, generally by reducing oversight or error. The same potential for large-scale, systematic impact on physician decision-making by diagnostic decision support systems probably does not exist, but these systems may prove to be extremely useful in individual cases. Current applicability of diagnostic decision support systems to primary care is limited by the incompleteness and inaccuracies of the knowledge bases of these systems with respect to primary care. The applicability of computerized decision support in general to primary care is limited by more practical considerations. Widespread computerized decision support will not occur without CPR systems coupled with appropriate data standards and nomenclatures that will permit decision support tools to be accessed effortlessly during the routine process of patient care.
Differential diagnosis in archaeology

Diagnosing archaeological bone specimens can be likened to practices used in medical and veterinary medical health care. Increasing the rigor of archaeological diagnosis can be supported by a systematic approach derived from health care settings. The process of information synthesis and diagnosis can be viewed as being very similar among these disciplines. A first diagnostic step is developing an Initial Information Set (sometimes called an Initial Database in health care environments) from descriptive data about the archaeological specimen or the patient, accompanied by recording environmental and ecological observations. The second diagnostic step is to develop an Expanded Information Set that includes structured physical examination, constructing a problem list, and considering potential differential diagnoses for each recorded problem. Subsequently, a Diagnostics Information Set consists of outcomes of carefully selected diagnostic testing, and a Diagnostic Assessment is developed from an orderly mental synthesis of information across Information Sets. Critical aspects of a structured and orderly process are preparing inclusive differential diagnoses, thorough mental synthesis across Information Sets, and recognizing that a short list of the most plausible diagnostic alternatives may represent the furthest possible extent of the evaluation for many archaeological bone specimens.
Probability of error analysis of digital partial response continuous phase modulation with two bit differential detection and offset receiver diversity in fast Rayleigh fading

The performance of constant envelope digital partial response continuous phase modulation (PRCPM) with two-bit differential detection and offset receiver diversity is theoretically analyzed in fast Rayleigh fading AWGN (additive white Gaussian noise) channels. A simple closed-form expression for the probability of error is derived and evaluated for cases of practical interest to researchers and designers of land mobile radio systems. It is shown that the dynamic BER performance is considerably improved using the offset diversity scheme. Thus, many new PRCPM signals having compact power spectra can be used in future mobile radio systems. >
ALPS: accurate landmark positioning at city scales

Context awareness is crucial for ubiquitous computing, and position is an important aspect of context. In an ideal world, every stationary object or entity in the built environment would be associated with position, so that applications can have precise spatial context about the environment surrounding a human. In this paper, we take a step towards this ideal: by analyzing images from Google Street View that cover different perspectives of a given object and triangulating the location of the object, our system, ALPS, can discover and localize common landmarks at the scale of a city accurately and with high coverage. ALPS contains several novel techniques that help improve the accuracy, coverage, and scalability of localization. Evaluations of ALPS on many cities in the United States show that it can localize storefronts with a coverage higher than 90% and a median error of 5 meters.
A Neurophysiological Examination of Multi-robot Control During NASA’s Extreme Environment Mission Operations Project

Previous research has explored the use of an external or “3rd person” view in the context of augmented reality, video gaming, and robot control. Few studies, however, involve the use of mobile robot to provide that viewpoint, and fewer still do so in dynamic, unstructured, high stress environments. This study examined the cognitive state of robot operators performing complex search and rescue tasks in a simulated crisis scenario. A solo robot control paradigm was compared with a dual condition in which an alternate (surrogate) perspective was provided via voice commands to a second robot employed as a highly autonomous teammate. Subjective and neurophysiological measurements indicate an increased level of situational awareness was achieved in the dual condition along with a reduction in workload and decision oriented task engagement. These results are discussed in the context of mitigation potential for cognitive overload in complex and unstructured task environments.
"People Are Messy": Complex Narratives of Supervising New Professionals in Student Affairs.

This study explored how supervisors in student affairs narrate their experiences of supervising new professionals. Utilizing narrative inquiry methodology, data were obtained through in-depth interviews of 13 supervisors and analyzed using thematic and narrative analysis methods. Implications for graduate preparation programs, professional practice, and future research are discussed.
Age and testosterone mediate influenza pathogenesis in male mice.

Influenza severity increases with age, with hospitalization and mortality rates during seasonal influenza epidemics being higher in older men than age-matched women. As it is known that with age, c...
Oligoclonal expansion of CD45RO+ T lymphocytes in Omenn syndrome

Omenn syndrome comprises a rare form of combined immunodeficiency with TH2-type features of eosinophilia and elevated IgE. Previous studies have led to reports of restricted heterogeneity in the T lymphocyte repertoire, and in vitro cloned T lymphocytes have been shown to produce IL-4 and IL-5. We hypothesized that (1) T cell receptor beta V(D)J DNA sequence analysis would confirm and further define the putative restricted heterogeneity, and (2) increased production of IL-4 and IL-5 should be found in nonstimulated T lymphocytes, if the molecular pathogenesis of Omenn syndrome is an uncontrolled TH2 state. We report the results of molecular analyses of T lymphocytes from an untreated 3-month-old patient. Oligoclonal T cell receptor beta variable gene usage was found. Sequence analysis revealed sets of identical V(D)J sequences, each in-frame, with apparently normal N-diversification and no obvious antigen combining site motif. From fresh, nonstimulated lymphocytes, proinflammatory TH1 cytokines could be detected, but TH2 cytokines could not, so that a simple TH1/TH2 paradigm cannot explain the eosinophilia and elevated IgE in Omenn syndrome. Our studies fully document for the first time at the molecular level that clonally expanded populations of T lymphocytes are present in Omenn syndrome.
Fire and Season of Postfire Defoliation Effects on Biomass, Composition, and Cover in Mixed-Grass Prairie ☆

ABSTRACT North American prairies are acknowledged to have evolved with grazing following fire. Given this evolutionary fire-grazing interaction, our objective was to determine whether seasonal timing of defoliation following fire alters subsequent productivity and species composition. Following the April 2013 Pautre wildfire in the Grand River National Grasslands of South Dakota, we installed exclosures in three locations along the border of the fire. Grazing exclosures were paired across the fire line to create a burned and nonburned exclosure at each location. Four plots were demarcated in each exclosure. Three plots were defoliated via mowing to 6 cm either 2, 4, or 6 mo following fire, with the fourth maintained as a control. Productivity and species composition data were collected in November 2013, June 2014, August 2014, and July 2015. Fire increased productivity 56% during the 2013 growing season following fire.During the 2014 growing season, there was a tendency for burned sites to maintain greate...
Plasma assisted vapor deposition processes

Plasma Assisted Vapor Deposition Processes are used for the deposition of various compounds dielectric materials, novel materials (like diamond and cubic boron nitride) for a large number of applications in optics, microelectronics, tribology etc. This paper discusses these processes in terms of the interaction between the plasma parameters and the process parameters. Important distinctions between the various processes emerge. The all important role of plasma volume chemistry in these processes is discussed.
Natural Population Decline and Syrian Refugees: An Analysis of Political Theories and Resettlement by Nation

Over the last decade, there has been a growing trend of European nations with fertility rates below replacement levels, top-heavy population age structures, and, in turn, widespread natural population decrease. Meanwhile, the turmoil taking place in Syria has led leaders of nations around the world to host fleeing refugees. Many in the media claim these two components are connected—that is, those nations losing population seek refugees to resolve their crises. This article empirically tests whether the natural population change in thirty-three European nations is a significant predictor of the number of refugees the nation resettles.
"The Absorptive Capacity Spectrum: an Investment, a Capability, and a Process? Which Matters Most?"

The tremendous growth of the literature on absorptive capacity (AC) has given rise to diverse conceptual views and empirical measures to examine the construct. The literature is also fragmented in ...
Computer Simulation of Linear Acoustic Diffraction

Computer-aided acoustical imaging systems and computer simulations of other acoustic imaging techniques frequently require simulation of linear acoustic diffraction of large complex-valued data arrays. Computation efficiency requires the use of fast Fourier transform techniques. This paper compares two Fourier transform formulations of the propagation problem: the Fresnel integral and the spatial frequency domain approach. The following features are compared: restrictions on maximum and minimum propagation distances, sample sizes and number of samples required, adaptability to image processing techniques, and computational requirements.
How the Social Environment Gets Under the Skin

The impact of the social environment on human health and development is a common theme among demographers and population dynamics researchers. Less clear are the paths and mechanisms through which the social environment ‘gets under the skin.’ This special issue of Population Research and Policy Review presents five papers that address current scientific thinking on these paths and mechanisms.
miR-9 regulates basal ganglia-dependent developmental vocal learning and adult vocal performance in songbirds.

When a cell needs to make a protein, it makes a temporary copy of the corresponding gene so that the genetic code can be carried to its protein-making machinery. When the temporary copy of the code is no longer needed, the cell destroys it. This system is fine-tuned by other small stretches of genetic code called microRNAs, which speed up the destruction and so help to switch genes off faster. Two genes called FOXP1 and FOXP2 are known to have roles in speech and language development in humans. When these genes do not work properly, people have severe difficulties when speaking and understanding speech. But scientists know little about how the brain controls them. The brains of animals with backbones – like birds and mammals – make a microRNA called miR-9. Scientists thought miR-9 may control how active the FOXP1 and FOXP2 genes are in the brain. Like humans, zebra finches communicate vocally. Young male birds learn to sing by imitating the song of an adult tutor, usually their father. The process is controlled by a brain region called “Area X”. Now, Shi et al. report on the role of miR-9 in vocal learning and singing in zebra finches. First, the gene for miR-9 was inserted into a virus-based genetic tool. Shi et al. then injected this virus into Area X of juvenile zebra finches, which delivered the gene to the brain cells and forced them to make excess miR-9. A control group received empty virus with no miR-9 gene for comparison. The juvenile finches then grew up with an adult bird that taught them to sing. Shi et al. found that the birds that overproduced miR-9 did not learn as well as their normal counterparts. Their songs were shorter, they stuttered, and they missed out syllables, which meant that they simply sounded different to their tutors. These young birds also failed to change their tune in different situations, for example, when they met a female zebra finch. Examination of the birds’ brains four weeks after the viral injection showed that the bird versions of the FOXP1 and FOXP2 genes were less active. There were also changes in other genes involved in brain circuit development. Humans have a brain area like Area X, called the basal ganglia. The link between miR-9 and vocal learning provides a starting point to understand more about language in general. This could lead to improved understanding of conditions like stuttering, Tourette’s syndrome, dyslexia and autism spectrum disorders.
The Illusion of Design: Framing Decisions As a Creative Process Increases Perceived Customization

As technology and big data join forces, consumers are increasingly able to receive customized options. However, despite the abundance of available choice options, people may not necessarily view their choice options as customized to their wants and needs. Across five studies, we provide evidence for a possible psychological solution: Framing choices as a creative process increases a chosen option’s perceived customization, a phenomenon we refer to as the illusion of design. Specifically, even when keeping the choice set constant, choosing by (creative) attributes rather than choosing from all available options produces the illusion of design. Moreover, first providing a blank template further increases perceived customization of the chosen option. The illusion of design arises in part because people feel a greater sense of co-creation when choosing via a seemingly creative process, thereby heightening their perceived customization of the chosen option. Consequently, the illusion of design extends to choices that express preferences (e.g., liking blue over red) and is significantly diminished with choices that describe objective needs (e.g., needing a small versus large T-shirt). Finally, we find that the heightened perceived customization from the illusion of design ultimately results in greater willingness-to-pay for the chosen option.
Chemicals in the Environment, Diffusive Transport

Diffusion is mixing without stirring. It is mixing caused by Brownian motion, that is, by thermally induced random motion of molecules or small particles. Because diffusion is often slow, it frequently limits the overall rate of the process. Diffusion has the reputation of being a difficult subject, which it can be; however, the difficulty most often comes from complicated units, from interfaces, or from the combination of diffusion and convection. By itself, diffusion is not hard. It is easier than viscous flow and much easier than ideas like entropy or chemical potential.
A tissue culture method for the preservation of Soybean mosaic virus strains

The activity and longevity of Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) in soybean callus culture were investigated with 11 SMV strains which are distinguished by differential reactions on soybean cultivars [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Dual cultures (soybean callus and SMV) were initiated by direct culture of SMV-infected leaves from susceptible soybean plants on Msoy and MS agar medium. Established SMV-callus cultures were maintained at 25 °C under light, subcultured to fresh MS medium at 2-month intervals or as necessary, and assayed periodically for virus infectivity. The infected calluses on MS medium grew better and stayed active longer than those on Msoy medium. At 10–15 °C, calluses and SMV were viable and active for 13–15 weeks or longer without subculture. The infectivity of SMV from callus cultures was comparable with that of SMV from infected plants, and remained stable for more than a year through five successive subcultures. Callus tissues of dual cultures were uniformly infected by SMV, thus ensuring infectious subcultures by random transfers. Production of in vitro inoculum can be significantly increased by multiple subcultures. Biological integrity of the SMV cultures was maintained with no change of viral virulence and pathotype. The method is of value for preserving a collection of SMV strains in a highly infectious and readily available form and reduces the chance of contamination or loss in viability.
Delivery of the Oocyte from the Follicle to the Oviduct: A Time of Vulnerability

Ovulation is the complex process by which the follicle-enclosed oocyte is released from the ovary for transfer to the oviduct where it can be fertilized. To prepare for ovulation, the ovary undergoes a series of closely regulated events that are controlled by hormones, growth factors, and intrafollicular regulatory molecules. Small follicles must mature to the preovulatory stage during which time the oocyte, granulosa cells, and theca cells acquire specific functional characteristics. The oocyte becomes competent to undergo meiosis. Granulosa cells acquire the ability to produce estrogens and respond to luteinizing hormone (LH) via the LH receptor. Theca cells begin to synthesize increasing amounts of androgens that serve as substrates for the aromatase enzyme in the granulosa cells (for review, Eppig 1991; Richards 1994). Remarkably, many events are spatially restricted to specific microenvironments within the follicle or surrounding interstitial compartments to allow successful expulsion of the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) from the ruptured follicle (Hess et al. 1999; Hizaki et al. 1999; Sato et al. 2001; Zhou et al. 2001) (Fig. 1). Failure of any one of these events prevents ovulation. Ooocytes become entrapped in follicles or corpora lutea and eventually degenerate. In essence, ovulation is a unique biological event that is obligatory for reproductive success of all species. Our understanding of this process is critical for designing better ways to improve and regulate fertility. This text describes some recent results that document the specific roles of the granulosa cells in directing successful rupture of the follicle as well as the cumulus cells in synthesizing a matrix obligatory for the release of the oocyte from the follicle and its transport into the oviduct.
Florida's trauma surgeons: a vanishing breed.

The delivery of trauma and emergency surgical care is in a state of crisis. We hypothesized that this looming crisis was already manifested in Florida. The trauma medical directors of the 20 state designated trauma centers were surveyed for information pertaining to number of available surgeons for trauma call, number of night calls/month, age of the current trauma surgeons, and the estimated number of years each surgeon planned to continue taking call. We also queried trauma medical directors about recruitment of additional trauma surgeons. Fourteen directors responded. Each program had at least four surgeons taking trauma call on average 5.3 nights/month. Sixty-three per cent of surgeons taking call were less than 50-years-old. Thirty surgeons (39.5%) planned to discontinue trauma call within 10 years, leaving 46 surgeons (60.5%) presently committed to longer than 10 years of call. Nine programs were actively recruiting. Five programs (50%) were recruiting for 2 years. Florida's trauma surgeons are a vanishing breed. Given the recruiting difficulties, the diminishing numbers of Florida's general surgeons will have to fill the gaps.
Lyme borreliosis in genetically resistant and susceptible mice with severe combined immunodeficiency.

Abstract The evolution of Lyme borreliosis was examined in genetically resistant C.B.-17 and susceptible C3H/He(C3H) mice homozygous for the severe combined immune deficiency (scid) gene, or their immunocompetent counterparts. The C.B-17, C.B-17-scid, C3H, and C3H-scid mice were inoculated intradermally with 104 Borrelia burgdorferi and examined on days 14, 21, 30, 45, and 60 after inoculation. Spirochetemia was detected through 30 days, but was cleared in all groups by 45 days. Kidney and brain were inconsistently culture positive, but spleen and ear punch samples were positive in most mice. Immunocompetent C.B-17 and C3H mice seroconverted with equivalent IgG titers to B. burgdorferi, while C.B-17-scid and C3H-scid mice did not seroconvert. Arthritis occurred in nearly all joints examined in all genotypes on day 14, was of equal severity among C.B-17, C.B-17-scid, and C3H mice, but was more severe in C3H-scid mice. By days 30 and 45, arthritis began to resolve in immunocompetent mice, with C3H mice having more severe disease than C.B-17 mice. Arthritis persisted in C.B-17-scid and C3H-scid mice. Carditis occurred to an equal degree in all groups on day 14, remained active in scid mice, but regressed in immunocompetent mice at later intervals. Many spirochetes were visualized with silver stain in inflamed synovial tissues of scid mice, and were present in other tissues in smaller numbers. These studies show that specific immunity is not involved in arthritogenesis or genetically determined susceptibility to arthritis, but is involved in arthritis and carditis regression.
The presence of companions during emergency department evaluation and its impact on perceptions of clinician-patient communication.

Objectives Research in outpatient setting suggests that the presence of companions during a medical encounter can improve clinician–patient communication. It is not known if the presence of companions has a similar effect in the acutely stressful context of the ED. This study tested whether the presence of companions in the ED relate to stronger clinician–patient communication. We further explored effect modification by demographic factors (race/ethnicity, education and language) thought to compromise communication. Methods Participants were drawn from an observational cohort study of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (n=876) recruited from an urban academic medical centre between 2013 and 2016. Patient interviews occurred both in the ED and post-ED discharge; communication was assessed using the Interpersonal Processes of Care Survey with possible range of scores of 14–70. Companions were categorised as close others (ie, partner/spouse or child), non-close others (eg, neighbour) or no one. Results Perceptions of clinician–patient communication were high (mean=57.1, SD=10.6;). There was no association between companions (close/non-close/no one) and clinician–patient communication, p=0.262. Demographic factors were unrelated to communication. There was a significant interaction between education and companions. Having a close other in the ED was associated with stronger clinician–patient communication only for patients with high school education or less, p=0.027. Conclusions Neither the presence of companions nor demographic factors were related to clinician–patient communication. The interaction effect suggesting that patients completing high school or less have the most to gain from the presence of close others warrants further exploration.
Trends in Opioid Prescription in Children and Adolescents in a Commercially Insured Population in the United States, 2004-2017

This study uses data from the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart to evaluate trends in outpatient prescription of opioids to persons 18 years or younger in the United States from 2004 to 2017.
Veterans Treated with R-CHOP for Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Compared to Neighboring Hospital: An Interesting Discovery for Treatment Outcomes

Abstract BACKGROUND: Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) remains the standard of care for most advanced stage DLBCL. There is limited outcome data in DLBCL in Veteran population. Having unique health care access, our goal was to study basic characteristics of Veterans with DLBCL and to assess and compare treatment responses to similar patient population. METHODS: With IRB approval, we performed a retrospective analysis of DLBCL patients (n=55) who received R-CHOP at the VA Audie Murphy Hospital in San Antonio, Texas from 2007-2017. We compared the Veteran patients with DLBCL who received R-CHOP to Insured Community Setting ICS (n=58) and uninsured patients UCS (n=24) from 2007-2017 in the same zip code. Only patients who started and completed their care with respective institutions were included in this study. Rates of neutropenia, and use of hematopoietic support either pre-emptively or after infection were measured for VA patients. Other variables studied included LDH, stage, HIV status, age, time from definitive diagnosis to first R-CHOP treatment (TDT), treatment response (CR, PR, PD), relapse date, and morbidity/mortality. Similar variables were compared for patients at neighboring community stetting. Outcomes were compared based on health care access - Veterans (VA) vs Insured Community Setting (ICS) vs Uninsured Community Setting (UCS). Frequency among variables and predictive analysis were evaluated by the FREQ and NPAR1WAY procedures in SAS 9.4 using the Chi-squared Test of Independence and the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. RESULTS The median age of diagnosis was 64.5 years (yrs.), 57 yrs. and 58 yrs. for the VA patients, ICS and UCS patients respectively. TDT for VA vs ICS vs UCS was 20 days vs. 22 days vs. 21.5 days (p=0.66). VA patients had a higher rate of stage III/IV disease at 78% compared to ICS 53% and UCS 43% (p=0.0033). Accounting for the higher rate of Stage III/IV cancers in the VA population, there was a higher failure rate of 40 % among VA patients vs 18 % for ICS vs 20 % for UCS to initial chemotherapy(p=0.034). CONCLUSION Our comparison data of VA patients with DLBCL receiving R-CHOP to a neighboring community setting show similar TDT. Response to initial treatment was inferior in Veteran population as compared to patient population with similar demographics and having similar TDT. Also, in comparing VA patients to uninsured patients, VA patients still have worse outcomes for treatment of DLBCL with R- CHOP. Older patient population, advanced stage and multiple co-morbidities are the possible contributing factors for difference in treatment outcomes for DLBCL in the VA community. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.