cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global change—Local values: Assessing tradeoffs for coastal ecosystem services in the face of sea level rise

Abstract Anthropogenic climate change poses a significant threat to Texas’ coastal habitats and in the Galveston Bay region, there is just under 1200 square miles of freshwater marsh and undeveloped dry upland. These habitats provide residents with a variety of key ecosystem services but are threatened by global climate change. Effective management of these resources requires multidisciplinary knowledge, combining an understanding of the potential biophysical habitat alterations associated with sea level rise with the measurement of residents’ value for coastal resources. In this study, we utilize a discrete choice experiment to investigate individuals’ preferences for future conditions of Texas habitats within the Galveston Bay region. Utilizing modeled output for coverage of freshwater marsh and undeveloped dry upland in the year 2050, respondents are asked to make trade-offs between coastal conditions with no further management actions and outcomes associated with specific management interventions. From this framework, we estimate Galveston Bay regional residents’ value for freshwater marshes and undeveloped uplands. Our results indicate that individuals are willing to conserve habitat under threat from sea level rise, but that they are likely unaware of the dynamic nature of that change. As a result, residents may place less emphasis on the role of the habitat migration in response to sea level rise.
The battles of Germantown: Effective public history in America, by David W. Young: Philadelphia, PA, Temple University Press, 2019

Through waves of migration, demographic change, economic upturns and downturns, and growth and deterioration, cities and their neighborhoods are in constant flux. In the face of that persistent cha...
IN VIVO ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC DEMONSTRATION IN A RAT MODEL OF A NOVEL, NESTED PHASE-CHANGE CONTRAST AGENT WITH AN ACOUSTIC RESPONSE DEPENDENT ON MYOCARDIAL DEPOLARIZATION

Current microbubble contrast cannot distinguish myocardial microcirculation as the bright cavity creates unfavorable noise to signal. We present in vivo rat data for a novel nested phase-change agent with acoustic response dependent on electric field - the field generated by depolarizing myocardial
Analysis of monitoring results of drinking water-based fluorosis in the 17 diseased areas in Jiangsu Province in 2015

Objective To master the condition of drinking water fluorosis in Jiangsu Province and the operation of improved-water project, and to provide a scientific basis for further prevention and treatment of drinking water fluorosis. Methods In 2015, 17 drinking water fluorosis counties were selected in Jiangsu Province, and 3 villages in each county were selected as monitoring sites, when the number of drinking water fluorosis villages was less than 3, all of the drinking water fluorosis villages were selected as monitoring sites. To know the progress and running conditions of the improved-water facilities, water samples were collected to determine the fluorosis level. All children aged 8- 12 years were monitored for dental fluorosis. Two monitoring counties were selected to monitor the X-ray changes and urinary fluoride of adults with skeletal fluorosis. Results A total of 47 villages were surveyed, 46 of which had water improved, and 1 had water unimproved. The rate of water improved was 97.87% (46/47). The number of improved-water facilities that were operating normally was 45, and the rate was 97.83% (45/46). The number of intermittent operation was 1. The number of improved-water facilities with qualified water fluoride was 42, and the rate was 91.30% (42/46). In the villages with normal improved-water facilities, and qualified water fluoride, the total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was 15.56% (600/3 855), and the dental fluorosis index was 0.29. In the villages with normal improved-water facilities, but unqualified water fluoride, the total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was 57.30% (267/466), and the dental fluorosis index was 1.21. The range of water fluoride in water unimproved villages was 1.2- 2.0 mg/L, and the total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was 40.91% (36/88), and the dental fluorosis index was 0.66. The detection rate of skeletal fluorosis in adults was 5.16% (16/310), the geometric mean of urinary fluoride was 0.67 mg/L, and the range of urinary fluoride was 0.02- 2.76 mg/L. Conclusions The improved-water projects in drinking-water fluorosis areas in Jiangsu Province have achieved a certain effect, but water fluoride is unqualified in some water projects. We should strengthen the maintenance and supervision of the water projects to ensure the normal operation of water projects. Key words: Water; Fluorine; Dental fluorosis; Skeletal fluorosis
Organoid Models of Tumor Immunology.

Cellular interactions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly govern cancer progression and drug response. The efficacy of clinical immunotherapies has fostered an exponential interest in the tumor immune microenvironment, which in turn has engendered a pressing need for robust experimental systems modeling patient-specific tumor–immune interactions. Traditional 2D in vitro tumor immunotherapy models have reconstituted immortalized cancer cell lines with immune components, often from peripheral blood. However, newly developed 3D in vitro organoid culture methods now allow the routine culture of primary human tumor biopsies and increasingly incorporate immune components. Here, we present a viewpoint on recent advances, and propose translational applications of tumor organoids for immuno-oncology research, immunotherapy modeling, and precision medicine.
Deconstructing the Challenges Black Male Preservice Teachers Encounter in Rural Schools

Nationally, school districts and postsecondary institutions are developing and implementing a variety of initiatives to close the teacher diversity gap. Unfortunately, only 20% of teachers are from...
The Economics of Process Transparency

Problem Definition: We propose a novel framework to understand the role of non-instrumental information disclosure in service operations management, i.e., information that is shared by the service provider (firm) not to affect consumers' actions, but to better manage their experience in the firm's process. In contrast to prior literature that exclusively considers the role of information sharing in influencing consumers' actions, our setting is one where consumers take no action -- our goal is to study how the consumer-waiting experience is influenced by non-instrumental information disclosure. Academic/Practical Relevance: The process view of a firm and operational metrics for process analysis are basic ideas in OM. Our work in this paper is an attempt to understand the economics behind post-sales process transparency, i.e., how transparent should a firm design its process, as customers await the completion of their service. Methodology: Our work draws upon the literature on belief-based utility in Economics. We model the interactions between a firm and a consumer, and how consumers react to good and bad news (the shape of the belief-based utility). The firm’s service process consists of a sequence of tasks, each of random duration. We analyze and compare commonly observed information-disclosure strategies in real-life processes. Results and Managerial Implications: Interestingly, we find that complete transparency may be sub-optimal for the customer, even if available at no cost. We examine conditions under which less informative strategies such as opaque (where the service process becomes a black-box), current-task-identity (where the firm discloses the current task being performed) and next-task-information (where the firm discloses task duration at the beginning of each task) are preferred to complete transparency. As the number of tasks in the firm's process increases, the opaque strategy becomes more favorable. Consumer anxiety exacerbates the cost of waiting, and makes transparency more attractive.
Bodies of revolt: consuming and serving in Anne Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi

Scholarly work at the intersections of food and critical race studies has long articulated the historic and pervasive effects of racial hierarchy on the work and culture that surrounds food prepara...
An artificial gravity research facility for life sciences

To obtain data for the design of a Mars mission vehicle configured for artificial gravity, NASA is currently studying the design of a variable-gravity research facility (VGRF) in a low earth orbit. The VGRF could be flown as a coorbiting payload requiring periodic servicing, resupply, and contingency intervention from the Space Station. The reasons why artificial gravity is needed for long-term missions are discussed; preliminary designs of a Mars vehicle with artificial gravity (at a weight cost of about 20 percent) are described; and particular attention is given to the VGRF design and mission profile.
Dietary nitrate reduces the O2 cost of desert marching but elevates the rise in core temperature

Dietary nitrate (NO3 −) supplementation reduces the O2 cost of fixed-workload tasks performed in temperate environments but has not been examined in the heat. If this effect were retained it could reduce heatstroke risk in military personnel that are deployed for desert combat. Nine men completed three 45 min loaded battle marches at a standard cadence (4.83 km h−1/1.5 % grade) while wearing full combat gear [BDU, boots, body armor (8 kg), NBC suit] and carrying a loaded rucksack (16 kg). The 1st March (FAM) commenced in a temperate environment. The 2nd and 3rd commenced in simulated dry desert conditions (41 °C/20 % RH) and required subjects to ingest the beetroot juice equivalent of 8.4 mmol NO3 − (BRJ) or a NO3 − depleted placebo (PLA) for 6 days prior. VO2, VCO2, V E, core (T re), skin (T sk), and mean body (T b) temperatures, HR, and physiological strain index (PSI) were measured continuously. Thermal sensation, generalized discomfort, and perceived exertion (RPE) were measured at 5 min intervals. Heat storage (HS) was calculated. Blood markers of gastrointestinal permeability (TNF, Il-6, HO-1) were measured before and after exercise. VO2 in BRJ was lower than PLA from 1 to 12; 16 to 26; and 29 to 45 min of exercise (p < 0.05). VCO2 in BRJ was lower than PLA from 1 to 12 min (p < 0.05). V E in BRJ was lower than PLA from 1 to 20 min of exercise (p < 0.05). T re and T b in BRJ exceeded PLA from 16 to 45 min (p 0.05). Thermal sensation, generalized discomfort, and RPE were elevated in BRJ from 40 to 45, 25 to 45, and 10 to 45 min, respectively (p < 0.01). Metabolic efficiency was improved in BRJ. Paradoxically, body temperatures rose more. This was not due to gut permeability. Therefore, we speculate that based on elimination of other possibilities, blood redistribution from skin to skeletal muscle may have contributed to impaired heat exchange.
Study of membrane fouling and cleaning in spiral wound modules using ultrasonic time-domain reflectometry

ABSTRACT Better detection and control of fouling in liquid-separation processes is essential if membranes are to find increased use in a variety of industrial applications. Ultrasonic time-domain reflectometry (UTDR) is an in situ, noninvasive real-time technique that has been successfully utilized to quantify fouling and cleaning of flat sheet membranes. This study describes the extension of UTDR for the measurement of fouling and cleaning in commercial membrane modules employing spiral-wound elements. Experiments were conducted using a high-pressure separation system incorporating a commercial spiral-wound module. Calcium sulfate was utilized as the primary scalant in concentrations ranging from 1.2-1.8 g/L; ferric hydroxide colloidal fouling also occurred during the tests. A multi-cycle protocol was adopted whereby each cycle consisted of three stages: pure water equilibration, fouling and cleaning. Permeation rate as well as acoustic amplitude and arrival time measurements were made at regular intervals during three complete cycles on two modules. A new signal analysis protocol was developed such that systematic changes in the entire acoustic spectrum as a function of module operation time could be represented in terms of shift factors. In addition, gravimetric, microscopic and spectroscopic measurements were made at the end of the experiments so that the extent of the membrane fouling and cleaning could independently assessed. Results indicate that the overall decline in permeation rate is reasonably correlated with change in both the amplitude and arrival time shift factors. Overall, this work confirms the effectiveness of the UTDR technique and provides a sound basis for continued development with an ultimate goal of providing on-line sensors for the timely detection of fouling and cleaning of commercial liquid-separation membrane systems.
Is congenital bony stenosis of the cervical spine associated with lumbar spine stenosis? An anatomical study of 1072 human cadaveric specimens.

Object Congenital cervical and lumbar stenosis occurs when the bony anatomy of the spinal canal is smaller than expected, predisposing an individual to symptomatic neural compression. While tandem stenosis is known to occur in 5%–25% of individuals, it is not known whether this relationship is due to an increased risk of degenerative disease in these individuals or whether this finding is due to the tandem presence of a congenitally small cervical and lumbar canal. The purpose of the present study was to determine if the presence of congenital cervical stenosis is associated with congenital lumbar stenosis. Methods One thousand seventy-two adult skeletal specimens from the Hamann-Todd Collection in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History were selected. The canal area at each level was calculated using a formula that was verified by computerized measurements. Values that were 2 standard deviations below the mean were considered to represent congenitally stenotic regions. Linear regression analysis was used...
The first web theorist? Georg Simmel and the legacy of ‘The web of group-affiliations’

I first came upon Georg Simmel's Soziologie (1908; translated in English as Sociology [1908/2009]) in a classical theory course for my graduate studies in sociology at Rutgers University. Several o...
Synchronous Neuronal Activity Is a Signal for Axonal Sprouting after Cortical Lesions in the Adult

The ability of the adult brain to form new connections in areas denervated by a lesion (axonal sprouting) is more widespread than previously thought, but mechanisms remain unknown. We have previously demonstrated an unexpected, robust axonal sprouting of contralateral corticostriatal neurons into the denervated striatum after ischemic cortical lesions. We now take advantage of marked differences in the degree of axonal sprouting from contralateral homotypic cortex after two types of cortical lesions to define the role of neuronal activity in this response. Thermal-ischemic lesions (TCL) of sensorimotor cortex, which induce axonal sprouting, produced two sequential patterns of low-frequency, synchronized neuronal activity that are not seen after similarly sized aspiration lesions, which do not induce axonal sprouting. An early rhythm of synchronous neuronal activity occurred in perilesion cortex on day 1 after lesion, with a frequency range of 0.2-2 Hz. A later pattern of activity occurred on days 2 and 3 after lesion, with a frequency range of 0.1-0.4 Hz. This second rhythm synchronized neuronal activity across widespread areas, including the cortical areas that contain the cell bodies of the sprouting axons. TTX was used to block this patterned neuronal activity and determine whether axonal sprouting was prevented. Chronic TTX infusion into the lesion site blocked the synchronous neuronal activity after TCL as well as axonal sprouting. Thus, both after different types of lesions and in the blockade experiments axonal sprouting was strongly correlated with synchronous neuronal activity, suggesting a role for this activity in anatomical reorganization after brain lesion in the adult.
Antipsychotics as antidepressants

Three second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) agents have received FDA approval for adjunctive treatment, to antidepressant, of major depressive disorder: quetiapine, aripiprazole, and olanzapine. Additionally, quetiapine and lurasidone have been approved for the treatment of bipolar depression. There are data suggesting that quetiapine is effective for major depressive disorder as monotherapy. These agents are effective for depression only at subantipsychotic doses. Receptor profiles predict that all SGA will have anxiolytic effects as subantipsychotic doses but that all will be dysphorogenic at full antipsychotic doses (i.e., produce a depression-like clinical picture). The antidepressant effect appears to be unique to some agents, with direct evidence of insignificant antidepressant action for ziprasidone. Three general principles can guide the use of antipsychotics as antidepressants: (i) All SGAs may have anxiolytic effects; (ii) full antipsychotic doses are dysphorogenic, and therefore, subantipsychotic doses are to be used; and (iii) SGAs do not have a general antidepressant effect, rather, this appears to be unique to quetiapine and aripiprazole, and possibly lurasidone.
Leucaena-KX2 mulch additions increase growth, yield and soil C and N in a managed full-sun coffee system in Hawaii

One option to sustain full-sun coffee plantation is the use of a “cut-and-carry” system in which a stand of N-fixing trees is grown outside the coffee field and utilized as a source of mulch to capture the benefits of organic matter, nutrient additions, and continuous soil cover. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the potential of a cut-and-carry system of mulch additions from a multipurpose N-fixing tree for open-grown coffee in Hawaii to support high crop yield as well as improved soil organic matter and nitrogen. A stand of Leucaena variety KX2 trees were pollarded every 6 months, and the pollarded material was chipped and added to open-grown coffee plots. Approximately 65 Mg ha−1 of mulch dry matter was added over a 3-year period, including ~27.5 Mg ha−1 of C and ~530 kg ha−1 of total N. Plots without mulch addition were fertilized with equivalent amounts of inorganic N for comparison. Mulch decomposition averaged 64 % (weight basis) over the first year and followed first-order decay dynamics. Net N mineralization was positive by 3 months after addition. There was significant loss of all major biochemical components during the decomposition process. Mulching increased soil CO2 efflux by 2.89 Mg ha−1. Total soil C and N increased by 2.90 and 1.42 Mg ha−1, respectively. Mulch addition significantly increased all measures of coffee growth and yield over 2 years, except for average bean weight. Where space is available or shade is undesirable, a cut-and-carry mulching system using Leucaena-KX2 can increase soil C and N and achieve coffee yields similar to or greater than other full-sun systems.
Effect of annealing on the microstructure of NiFe1.925Dy0.075O4 thin films

Abstract Dysprosium-doped nickel-ferrite (NiFe 1.925 Dy 0.075 O 4 ) thin films were fabricated using RF sputter-deposition. Structural studies indicate that the effect of post-deposition annealing is significant on structural evolution in NiFe 1.925 Dy 0.075 O 4 films. As-grown NiFe 1.925 Dy 0.075 O 4 films were amorphous. Annealing (T a ) in air at 450–1000 °C results in the formation of nanocrystalline NiFe 1.925 Dy 0.075 O 4 films, which crystallize in the inverse spinel structure. The average grain size ( L ) increases from 5 to 40 nm with increasing T a from 450 to 1000 °C. Lattice constant of NiFe 1.925 Dy 0.075 O 4 films is higher compared to that of NiFe 2 O 4 due to partial substitution of Dy 3+ ions for Fe 3+ ions. The lattice parameter increases from 8.353 to 8.362 A with increasing T a from 450 to 1000 °C which is attributed to the lattice-strain developed in the NiFe 1.925 Dy 0.075 O 4 films with increasing T a . The corresponding density of NiFe 1.925 Dy 0.075 O 4 films increases from 3.2 to 3.9 g/cm 3 with increasing annealing temperature. Magnetization measurements indicate the ferromagnetic behavior of all the films while the coercive field values at 300 K are found to be 0.0134 T and 0.0162 T for as grown and T a = 1000 °C films, respectively.
Electro-optic and Raman coefficients in cubic semiconductors

Abstract The Raman and electro-optic coefficients are calculated for all the cubic semiconductors using an effective bond model. A relation between the Raman coefficient and the ionicity of the bond is obtained.
Modeling the Removal of Uranium U(VI) from Aqueous Solutions in the Presence of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria

The reduction kinetics of soluble hexavalent uranium (U(VI)) to insoluble tetravalent U(IV) by both a mixed culture of wild-type sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and a pure culture of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (ATCC 7757) were studied at variable cell concentrations. The SRB were grown in chemostats, and the uranium reduction kinetics were evaluated from batch experiments at 21 °C. The initial U(VI) concentration was 1 mM, while the initial cell concentration varied from 0.18 to 1.27 mg dry wt/mL. A modified nongrowth Monod model best fit the data across all cell concentrations. For the mixed culture, average values for the maximum specific reaction rate, kU, and for the half saturation constant, KU, are 0.023 mM U(VI)/min·mg cells and 0.25 mM U(VI); for D. desulfuricans, kU is 0.030 mM U(VI)/min·mg SRB and KU is 0.50 mM U(VI). A lag-time before enzymatic U(VI) reduction occurred was present for systems tested and was inversely correlated to cell concentration. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of t...
Automated Tracing and Integration of Security Functionality via Requirements Taxonomies, Annotations and Aspects

The investigation we describe here was motivated by our concerns relating to the time and expense of conducting such security evaluations for software intensive systems. Based on interviews we conducted with Common Criteria Laboratories (2006), we found that product evaluation times typically run in excess of 12 months and have starting costs that can easily exceed US$100,000. These figures are for initial evaluations. As software products change and evolve over time, new versions of such products are subject to re-evaluation, bringing additional time and expense.
Implementing a large-volume, scaleable backup system in a scientific research environment

The Beckman Center at Stanford University Medical Center houses five floors of research laboratories and approximately 80 research groups in Biochemistry, Developmental Biology, Cellular/Molecular Biology and other research areas. In past years a central 2TB disk array system connected to a Solaris Unix server and a separate multi-terabyte Retrospect Server for backing up desktop machines has worked well. However, the explosion of research data, fueled by DNA microarray analysis, realtime PCR, and confocal microscopy has created a demand for a tremendous amount of storage. Specific aspects of the research environment such the high turnover rate of graduate students and postdoctoral students and the demand that research groups be able to purchase computers at their discretion and according to budgetary opportunity set further parameters on the backup system.The system put in place is a BlueArc Titan 2200 with 9.75 TB of useable drive space. The array is expandable to 512 TB. The disk space on the array can be accessed directly by NFS or Samba mounting. Mac users can also access their data through AppleShare through a Xinet server running on our Sun server.This presentation reviews the parameters that defined the backup system and outlines challenges that we encountered in the Beckman Center and the Center for Molecular and Genetic Medicine in implementation, user authentication, and user education in the process of deployment.
Design of ergodic electromagnetic cavities

Cavity Q's and reflection coefficients for cavities excited by single “ergodic” eigenmodes are quantitatively calculated based on the available expressions derived from the Hamiltonian formulation. The results are compared with those obtained for multimode excitation in large, “untuned” resonant cavities. Applications relevant to the microwave and millimeter-wave regime are discussed. In addition to absorption spectroscopy and materials processing, ergodic cavities may used as radiation-beam dumps for high-power testing of millimeter-wave sources.
Early effects of retinol and retinoic acid on protein synthesis in retinol deficient rat testes

When an [35S] labeled mixture of methionine and cysteine was injected intratesticularly into retinol-deficient rats, two hours later more than 980 cytosolic proteins were detected by computer aided two dimensional gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, two hours after oral refeeding retinyl acetate as the source of retinol to retinol deficient rats, synthesis of 286 proteins was inhibited and that of 101 proteins was activated. Refeeding with retinoic acid leads in two hours to even higher inhibition of protein synthesis and the labeling patterns of proteins are not identical when compared to retinol refed rats. The results indicate that retinol or retinoic acid quickly influence expression of many proteins and suggest that retinol action in the testes is not identical to that of retinoic acid.
First-principles virtual-crystal calculations of AlxGa1-xAs disordered alloys and heterostructures: Band offsets and absolute alloy energies.

The results of first-principles virtual-crystal calculations of the band structures of ${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$As disordered alloys and the valence- and conduction-band offsets of ${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$As/GaAs (001) heterostructures are presented. We find that the variations of the band-edge states (${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{15\mathit{v}}$, ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}}_{1\mathit{c}}$, ${\mathit{X}}_{1\mathit{c}}$, and ${\mathit{L}}_{1\mathit{c}}$) with alloying predicted by the virtual-crystal calculations are in good agreement with experiments and exhibit only a very small amount of optical bowing. We also find that, to a good approximation, both the valence- and conduction-band offsets vary linearly with composition.
Preliminary X-ray crystallographic study of amicyanin from Paracoccus denitrificans.

Single crystals have been prepared of Paracoccus denitrificans amicyanin, a blue copper protein that serves as an electron acceptor for methylamine dehydrogenase. The crystals belong to the monoclinic space group P21, and have unit cell parameters a = 28.90 A, b = 56.61 A, c = 27.55 A and β = 96.41 °. There is one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The crystals diffract to beyond 1.5 A resolution.
Breastfeeding Support in Neonatal Care: An Example of the Integration of International Evidence and Experience

Abstract Breastfeeding in neonatal care is facilitated by a general positive attitude to breastfeeding in society, mothers' right to leave of absence from work and maternal allowance after childbirth, guidelines for early introduction of breastfeeding, and knowledge among professionals about preterm infants’ breastfeeding capacity. Models of care relevant for breastfeeding support are Kangaroo Mother Care, the Humane Neonatal Care Initiative, and developmentally supportive family-centered care using the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP). Hospital policies and practices should include unrestricted parental visiting, care-by-parent guidelines, early frequent breast milk expression, breastfeeding observation and individualized breastfeeding support, cup instead of bottle feeding, the use of a nipple shield when indicated, and early introduction of semi-demand feeding. Test weighing may facilitate early attainment of exclusive breastfeeding. Early discharge is recommended provided there is an adequate follow-up program.
The fair wage-effort hypothesis: Implications for the distribution of income and dual labor markets

Abstract This paper examines the impact of introducing considerations of fairness into the analysis of labor exchange. An efficiency wage model in which workers' efforts depend on their perceptions of the fairness of the treatment they receive is developed to explain real wages and unemployment. The model is then extended to provide a novel explanation of dual labor markets.
Transgenic sheep generated by lentiviral vectors: safety and integration analysis of surrogates and their offspring

The safety of HIV-1 based vectors was evaluated during the production of transgenic sheep. Vectors were introduced into the perivitelline space of in vivo derived one-cell sheep embryos by microinjection then transferred into the oviducts of recipient females. At 60–70 days of gestation, a portion of the recipients were euthanized and tissues collected from both surrogates and fetuses. Other ewes were allowed to carry lambs to term. Inadvertent transfer of vector from offspring to surrogates was evaluated in 330 blood and tissue samples collected from 57 ewes that served as embryo recipients. Excluding uterine contents, none of the samples tested positive for vector, indicating that that the vector did not cross the fetal maternal interface and infect surrogate ewes. Evaluating ewes, fetuses and lambs for replication competent lentivirus (RCL); 84 serum samples analyzed for HIV-1 capsid by ELISA and over 600 blood and tissue samples analyzed by quantitative PCR for the VSV-G envelopes revealed no evidence of RCL. Results of these experiments provide further evidence as to the safety of HIV-1 based vectors in animal and human applications.
Bone morphogenetic protein for sinus augmentation.

Bone morphogenic proteins (BMP) are members of the family of transforming growth factors. Fifteen different BMP have been identified, all with varying degrees of cellular activity, including cartilage- or bone-inductive properties. Two recombinant proteins are available: recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP)-2 and rhBMP-7. These products have been investigated as alternatives to autogenous bone grafts in a variety of clinical situations, including spinal fusions, fracture repair, treatment of bone defects, and reconstruction of maxillofacial conditions. Reconstruction in the maxillofacial region includes alveolar ridge augmentation, mandibular reconstruction, and maxillary sinus augmentation.
Managing mesh exposure following vaginal prolapse repair: a decision analysis comparing conservative versus surgical treatment

A decision analysis model was developed comparing conservative and surgical treatments in the management of synthetic mesh exposure following vaginal prolapse repair. We hypothesized that surgical excision would be favored. A Markov decision analysis model compared initial management with conservative versus surgical treatment allowing for the complexities of multiple attempts at conservative management and/or surgical mesh excision. Model assumptions were obtained from published literature or through surrogate values and expert consensus when not available in published resources. Transitions were made between Markov states at 6-week intervals and overall utility was compared over 2 years. Multiple one-way sensitivity analyses were performed. Initial surgical excision was favored, with an average yearly quality adjusted life year (QALY) value of 0.947 compared to 0.939 for conservative treatment. This difference is less than the published minimally important difference (MID) for utility values. One-way sensitivity analyses revealed that surgical excision is favored when the probability of being healed with conservative therapy is less than 80 % (base case 57.1 %) and when the probability of being healed from surgery is greater than 78 % (base case 93.2 %). Few thresholds confirmed model robustness. While our model favored surgical excision over conservative treatment in the initial management of mesh exposure following vaginal prolapse repair with synthetic mesh, the difference in QALYs between strategies was less than the MID. Therefore the strategies are likely similar overall. Individual patient characteristics may ultimately drive clinical decision-making for this surgical complication.
Making way for intelligence in case space

Courts should and eventually will adopt modern information systems that allow all transactions presently occurring on paper to be conducted and reviewed electronically. The widespread deployment and interconnection of such systems will pose dramatic opportunities and challenges for artificial intelligence and law. This paper describes an early effort to build a distributed system for computer-mediated litigation, and explores some of the issues involved in the intelligent use of such a system.
Shaking up the Salpêtrière Jean-Martin Charcot and mercury-induced tremor

Objective: To analyze Jean-Martin Charcot's studies of mercury-induced tremor. Methods: This study examines Charcot's original notes on mercury intoxication from the Bibliotheque Charcot, Paris, and his show-and-tell patient presentations that were hand-transcribed by his students and later published. Results: Using his standard method of presenting multiple patients with a similar disorder side by side, Charcot assembled a series of patients with mercurial intoxication from the clinics of Paris. He emphasized the rest and action components of mercury-induced tremor and stressed the value of using graphical tremor recordings rather than relying only on visual observation. He drew attention to the importance of air ventilation to avoid intoxication and of removal from intoxicating environments. He distinguished the characteristics of mercury-induced tremor from tremor associated with Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, and general paresis. Based on the similar intention tremor in multiple sclerosis and mercury intoxication, human pathology studies in multiple sclerosis, and animal experiments with mercury, he suggested that axonal demyelination underlay this form of tremor in both conditions, the former restricted to the CNS and the second to peripheral nerves. Conclusions: These cases illuminate Charcot's diagnostic strategy and his reliance on the clinico-anatomic method to correlate pathology with clinical signs. Whereas much of Charcot's work emphasized hereditary etiologies of neurologic disease, these examples allow an understanding of his views on environmental factors in neurologic disorders as well as treatment strategies.
Cardiovascular β-Adrenergic Receptor Subtype Physiology Studied by Targeted Gene Disruption • 95

Cardiovascular β-Adrenergic Receptor Subtype Physiology Studied by Targeted Gene Disruption • 95
Sensitizing Nurses for a Changing Environmental Health Role

This paper traces the evolution of a broader environmental health role for nursing by focusing on the health effects of exposure to environmental pollutants and of global environmental change. This evolving role is reviewed through the examination of selected community health nursing texts published during the last several decades. Key role strategies based on this expanded and evolving environmental role are proposed. Finally, a survey is described that is intended to heighten awareness of personal and professional attitudes and behaviors related to the environment.
Optimal detuning for writing warm-atomic-vapor quantum memory in the presence of collisional fluorescence and four-wave mixing

Atomic vapor cells with buffer gas have a number of advantages when employed as quantum memory blocks based on the DLCZ (Duan-Lukin-Cirac-Zoller) protocol: operation slightly above room temperature, ease of handling, as well as commercial availability. Nevertheless, the signal-to-noise ratio in the current implementations is severely limited by the simultaneous presence of collisional fluorescence and the four-wave mixing noise. In our previous work, we have shown how to minimize the influence of the former on the writing process and provided an unambiguous demonstration of quantum memory lasting for 4 μs. An elegant approach to suppress the four-wave-mixing noise by pre-pumping to the state with the hyperfine sublevel with the maximum value was proposed by Walther et al., Int. J. Quantum Inform. 5, 51 (2007). Here we show that this approach is fundamentally limited by the cancellation of the Raman matrix elements involving the Fˊ= 1 and Fˊ= 2 levels, which occurs for all experimental conditions in the S → P transitions of all alkali atoms. A detuning that maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio is shown to exist for a given detector dark-count rate.
Dynamic posturography: analysis of error in force plate measurement of postural sway

EquiTest, a framework for the analysis of error in dynamic posturography, is described. Results presented indicate that systematic errors may be present when force plate data are used to estimate body sway. The response parameters in EquiTest are derived from measured forces. Two of these parameters, equilibrium score (ES) and strategy score (SS), are analyzed. ES is shown to be affected by the dynamic component of body sway. The analysis of error for SS suggests that this score is a poor indicator of the relative movements of the upper and lower body. >
The final battle: soldiers of the western front and the German revolution of 1918

The final battle: soldiers of the western front and the German revolution of 1918, by Scott Stephenson, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2009, 354 pp., US$102 (hardback), ISBN 978-0-521-5-946...
Everywhere sparse approximately optimal minimum energy data gathering and aggregation in sensor networks

We consider two related data gathering problems for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The MLDA problem is concerned with maximizing the system lifetime T so that we can perform T rounds of data gathering with in-network aggregation, given the initial available energy of the sensors. The M2EDA problem is concerned with minimizing the maximum energy consumed by any one sensor when performing T rounds of data gathering with in-network aggregation, for a given T.We provide an effective algorithm for finding an everywhere sparse integral solution to the M2EDA problem which is within a factor of α = 1+ 4n/T of the optimum, where n is the number of nodes. A solution is everywhere sparse if the number of communication links for any subset X of nodes is O(X), in our case at most 4vXv. Since often T = ω(n), we obtain the first everywhere sparse, asymptotically optimal integral solutions to the M2EDA problem. Everywhere sparse solutions are desirable since then almost all sensors have small number of incident communication links and small overhead for maintaining state.We also show that the MLDA and M2EDA problems are essentially equivalent, in the sense that we can obtain an optimal fractional solution to an instance of the MLDA problem by scaling an optimal fractional solution to a suitable instance of the M2EDA problem. As a result, our algorithm is effective at finding everywhere sparse, asymptotically optimal, integral solutions to the MLDA problem, when the initial available energy of the sensors is sufficient for supporting optimal system lifetime which is ω(n).
Percentage points of the ratio of two ranges and power of the associated test

In testing the hypothesis that the variances of two populations are equal, a test based on the ratio F' of the ranges of two samples, one from each population, is simpler than the conventional F test based on the ratio of the sample variances, and it is only slightly less powerful. Table 1 gives percentage points of the ratio of the ranges of two samples from a normal population which are more extensive and more accurate than any previously published. Table 2 compares the power of the F' test with that of the F test. A description of the method of computation is given.
Re-shaping the geography of opportunity: place effects in global perspective

Studies of the effects of micro-level contexts on human development and socio-economic ‘opportunity’ run the risk of excluding important factors, including the dynamism of those contexts and the effects of globalisation on local places. Comparative analyses are particularly demanding, since varied elements of an ‘opportunity structure’ may operate, some directly and others indirectly, to affect behaviour and outcomes of interest. This paper connects concerns about local place effects on human life to the larger global conversation about increased social inequality and sharper economic competition among localities, in effect, addressing sorting at macro, inter-local, and intra-local levels. The European studies presented in this volume are discussed, and a typology of interventions (actions to re-shape local place effects) is proposed for further debate.
Sublingual immunotherapy: the U.S. experience.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW It is likely that approval of allergen preparations for sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) will soon occur in the United States. This article reviews experience with SLIT in this country, concentrating on the large, multicenter trials that will provide the evidence of safety and efficacy necessary to obtain that approval. RECENT FINDINGS Large multicenter trials have been conducted with both grass and short ragweed. In five single-season studies with sublingual grass tablets, usually starting 4 months prior to and continuing through the pollen season, the combined symptom medication score was improved 20-28% relative to placebo-treated individuals. Short ragweed tablets, initiated 4 months prior to and continued through the pollen season, reduced symptom/medication scores by 24-26%. Similar results have been reported with short ragweed aqueous extract administered sublingually. To date, there has been only one small study each with house dust mite and cat allergen extracts. All of these studies were conducted with a single allergen. One small study, comparing timothy alone to the same dose of timothy combined with nine other pollen extracts, raised still unanswered questions regarding the efficacy of SLIT with multiple allergen mixes. SUMMARY SLIT is coming to the United States. There will be approved allergen preparations for which the appropriate dosing for efficacy and safety has been established. It would be inappropriate to use the evidence generated by these large studies to justify off-label use of allergen extracts approved for injection or the administration of multiple allergen preparations sublingually.
Effect of bending on single-walled carbon nanotubes: A Raman scattering study

We describe microRaman studies of serpentine single-walled carbon nanotubes grown on single-crystal quartz. Local Raman spectra were collected from bent and straight segments of the same nanotube to elucidate the effects of bending. Bending radii as large as 1--2 $\ensuremath{\mu}\text{m}$ produce a measurable shift of the frequencies of the G, D, and 2D bands while the radial breathing mode remains nearly unaffected by bending. The frequency shift is approximately linear in the bending curvature $1/{R}_{\text{b}}$ for radii of curvature ${R}_{\text{b}}$ between 0.6 and $3.0\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\text{m}$. A very tightly bent bundle with ${R}_{\text{b}}\ensuremath{\sim}50\text{ }\text{nm}$ develops a very intricate G-band structure caused by new Raman modes that are activated by the broken cylindrical symmetry. These results show diverse behavior depending on the nanotube wrapping indices $(n,m)$ but are comparable in magnitude to those predicted by tight-binding calculations of the Raman response in bent tubes.
Electron stimulated desorption of H3O+ from 316L stainless steel

Abstract Surface ions generated by electron stimulated desorption from mass spectrometer ion source grids are frequently observed, but often misidentified. For example, in the case of mass 19, the source is often assumed to be surface fluorine, but since the metal oxide on grid surfaces has been shown to form water and hydroxides, a more compelling case can be made for the formation of hydronium. Further, fluorine is strongly electronegative, so it is rarely generated as a positive ion. A commonly used metal for ion source grids is 316L stainless steel. Thermal vacuum processing by bakeout or radiation heating from the filament typically alters the surface composition to predominantly Cr2O3. X-ray photoelectron spectral shoulders on the O 1s and Cr 2p3/2 peaks can be attributed to adsorbed water and hydroxides, the intensity of which can be substantially increased by hydrogen dosing. On the other hand, the sub-peak intensities are substantially reduced by heating and/or by electron bombardment. Electron bombardment diode measurements show an initial work function increase corresponding to predominant hydrogen desorption (H2) and a subsequent work function decrease corresponding to predominant oxygen desorption (CO). The fraction of hydroxide concentration on the surface was determined from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and from the deconvolution of temperature desorption spectra. Electron stimulated desorption yields from the surface show unambiguous H3O+ peaks that can be significantly increased by hydrogen dosing. Time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry sputter yields show small signals of H3O+, as well as its constituents (H+, O+ and OH+) and a small amount of fluorine as F−, but no F+ or F+ complexes (HF+, etc.). An electron stimulated desorption cross-section of σ+ ∼ 1.4 × 10−20 cm2 was determined for H3O+ from 316L stainless steel for hydrogen residing in surface chromium hydroxide.
Quantitative Validation of a Human Body Finite Element Model Using Rigid Body Impacts.

Validation is a critical step in finite element model (FEM) development. This study focuses on the validation of the Global Human Body Models Consortium full body average male occupant FEM in five localized loading regimes—a chest impact, a shoulder impact, a thoracoabdominal impact, an abdominal impact, and a pelvic impact. Force and deflection outputs from the model were compared to experimental traces and corridors scaled to the 50th percentile male. Predicted fractures and injury severity measures were compared to evaluate the model’s injury prediction capabilities. The methods of ISO/TS 18571 were used to quantitatively assess the fit of model outputs to experimental force and deflection traces. The model produced peak chest, shoulder, thoracoabdominal, abdominal, and pelvis forces of 4.8, 3.3, 4.5, 5.1, and 13.0 kN compared to 4.3, 3.2, 4.0, 4.0, and 10.3 kN in the experiments, respectively. The model predicted rib and pelvic fractures related to Abbreviated Injury Scale scores within the ranges found experimentally all cases except the abdominal impact. ISO/TS 18571 scores for the impacts studied had a mean score of 0.73 with a range of 0.57–0.83. Well-validated FEMs are important tools used by engineers in advancing occupant safety.
Creative collaboration between audiences and musicians in Flock

Flock is a full-evening work for saxophone quartet, dancers, audience participation, video and electronic sound. A computer vision system tracks the location of participants as they move around an open performance space, and custom software then uses that data to generate music notation, video animation and electronic sound. In this paper, we discuss the project's connection to previous work in large-audience creativity and multi-player gaming, and we outline the conception, design and implementation of its computer vision system, real-time notation architecture and collaborative structure. We evaluate the project's success as measured by audience surveys from performances at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami and the 01SJ Festival in San Jose, and we outline revisions to the work based on that feedback.