cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reproductive Coercion: Baby, If You Love Me.

Background and purpose Reproductive coercion involves behavior that interferes with the individual's unique ability to make decisions about their reproductive health. The concept was first recognized in 2010. Reproductive coercion is intended to maintain power and control in a relationship by someone past, present, or future wishing to be involved in an intimate or dating relationship with an adult or adolescent. Three forms of coercion have been identified: contraceptive sabotage, pregnancy pressure, and control of pregnancy outcomes. Methods A search for scientific literature was conducted examining studies involving reproductive coercion as well as evidence-based interventions that could be used by nurses in the clinic setting. Conclusions Prevalence of reproductive coercion is estimated to range from 8% to 16%. There is a high association between intimate partner violence (IPV), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancy. Adolescents are at greater risk for reproductive coercion than older women. Implications for practice There are interventions we can incorporate into our clinical practices to screen and assess women for reproductive coercion. Women experiencing reproductive coercion are at risk for unintended pregnancy, STIs, IPV, and forced pregnancy outcomes.
Methods for Measuring Atmospheric Acidic Particles and Gases

This chapter presents an overview of methods to measure atmospheric acidic particles and gases. The main formation mechanisms and physico-chemical properties of inorganic and organic acidic aerosols are discussed first. The second part is focused on the main methods of measuring these pollutants, with special emphasis spent on the shortcomings of using filters, the advantages and disadvantages of diffusion denuders, and the use of conventional impactors to obtain the size distribution of acidic particles in the atmosphere. The final part includes results from field studies conducted in the northern United States, presenting typical levels of ambient acidic pollutants, and discussion of their spatial and temporal concentration variations in urban and rural areas.
Nature Versus Nurture in Complex and Not-So-Complex Systems

Understanding the dynamical behavior of many-particle systems both in and out of equilibrium is a central issue in both statistical mechanics and complex systems theory. One question involves “nature versus nurture”: given a system with a random initial state evolving through a well-defined stochastic dynamics, how much of the information contained in the state at future times depends on the initial condition (“nature”) and how much on the dynamical realization (“nurture”)? We discuss this question and present both old and new results for low-dimensional Ising spin systems.
Assessing information sources to elucidate diagnostic process errors in radiologic imaging — a human factors framework

Objective To assess information sources that may elucidate errors related to radiologic diagnostic imaging, quantify the incidence of potential safety events from each source, and quantify the number of steps involved from diagnostic imaging chain and socio-technical factors. Materials and methods This retrospective, Institutional Review Board-approved study was conducted at the ambulatory healthcare facilities associated with a large academic hospital. Five information sources were evaluated: an electronic safety reporting system (ESRS), alert notification for critical result (ANCR) system, picture archive and communication system (PACS)-based quality assurance (QA) tool, imaging peer-review system, and an imaging computerized physician order entry (CPOE) and scheduling system. Data from these sources (January-December 2015 for ESRS, ANCR, QA tool, and the peer-review system; January-October 2016 for the imaging ordering system) were collected to quantify the incidence of potential safety events. Reviewers classified events by the step(s) in the diagnostic process they could elucidate, and their socio-technical factors contributors per the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) framework. Results Potential safety events ranged from 0.5% to 62.1% of events collected from each source. Each of the information sources contributed to elucidating diagnostic process errors in various steps of the diagnostic imaging chain and contributing socio-technical factors, primarily Person, Tasks, and Tools and Technology. Discussion Various information sources can differentially inform understanding diagnostic process errors related to radiologic diagnostic imaging. Conclusion Information sources elucidate errors in various steps within the diagnostic imaging workflow and can provide insight into socio-technical factors that impact patient safety in the diagnostic process.
A Min-transitive Fuzzy Left-Relationship on Finite Sets Based on Distance to Left

We first consider the “discrete” domain of non-empty finite subsets \(X = \{x_1, x_2, \ldots , x_m \}\) of \(\mathcal {R} = (-\infty , +\infty )\), where each \(x_i\) has a weight or probability \(P_X(x_i) > 0\). We define a min-transitive fuzzy left-relationship \(\varLambda _D(X, Y)\) on this domain, which accounts for the distance to the left L(x, y) = max(0, \(y-x\)) between points \(x \in X\) and \(y \in Y\). Then, we extend \(\varLambda _D(\cdot , \cdot )\) to finite intervals \(X \subset \mathcal {R}\) with arbitrary probability density function \(p_{ _X}\!(x)\) on them, and to fuzzy sets X with finite support, which may be a discrete set or an interval, and membership function \(\mu _{ _X}\!(x)\).
Voltage-Controlled Magnetization Switching in Spintronic Devices

Controlling the magnetic properties of solids by electric fields has been an interesting research subject, not only because of the intriguing correlation between the electric and magnetic orders in solid-state systems, but also the potential applications in ultra-low energy spintronic devices. In the past, research has mostly been carried out with multiferroic materials and magnetic semiconductors. Recently, more effort was focused on 3d transition ferromagnetic metals. Especially in heavy metal/ferromagnet/oxide (HM/FM/oxide) structures where the magnetic anisotropy has an interfacial origin, electric fields can cause a marked change on the magnetic anisotropy energy. This voltage-controlled anisotropy (VCA) can be understood by the electric field induced charge transfer among different $d$ orbitals of the FM. The order of this effect is around 100 fJ/Vm and it vanishes with the removing of the electric fields.
Associative structure of conditioned inhibition produced by inhibitory perceptual learning treatment

Exposure to a set of complex stimuli yields an enhanced ability to discriminate between these stimuli. In previous experimental studies, two distinguishable stimuli, X and A, were each repeatedly paired with a common Stimulus B to create compound Stimuli XB and AB. Prior evidence suggests that unique Features X and A form mutually inhibitory associations. This was evidenced by pairing Feature A with a biologically relevant stimulus (i.e., an unconditioned stimulus [US]) and observing that Stimulus X alone later serves to inhibit anticipatory behaviors for that US. These observations may reflect the mutually inhibitory nature of the two Features X and A. However, by assessing the influence of X on behavior that anticipates the US rather than Feature A, these experiments tested inhibition only indirectly. In the present experiments, a more direct measure of inhibition is proposed and tested with rats. We found evidence of retardation and negative summation of associations between unique Features X and A in their capacity to serve as competing cues during overshadowing treatments. Stimulus X was less susceptible to overshadowing by A (which is indicative of retardation of the establishment of an X–A within-compound association) and was able to suppress overshadowing by A of another stimulus (Y) when X was presented with Y at test (which is indicative of negative summation of the representation of A by X). Thus, XB/AB trials were seen to establish an inhibitory relationship between X and A.
Fatigue assessment of a complex welded steel bridge connection utilizing a three-dimensional multi-scale finite element model and hotspot stress method

Abstract Some novel complex structural components of steel bridges are not explicitly addressed in the existing fatigue design codes and require an alternative local fatigue assessment method. This paper proposes a fatigue assessment protocol for these complex critical components of steel bridges, using the hotspot stress method. A computationally efficient finite element model of a large-scale bridge is created to provide the local structural response of complex components, under simulated dynamic traffic loads. A multi-scale model is implemented to accommodate higher dimension elements, which are recommended for fatigue assessment via hotspot stress method. The multi-scale model is created for the case study, the Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth, NH, which is a vertical lift steel truss bridge with a novel gusset-less curve-welded connection. A truck load test is used to validate the multi-scale model by comparing numerical results to the field collected data through the structural health monitoring system of the bridge. The result shows that the multi-scale model can determine the critical hotspot stresses, to study the fatigue performance of the bridge’s critical components.
The Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Effects of Anger in Ultimatum Bargaining

Previous research on ultimatum bargaining suggests a central role of emotion. More specifically, it is posited that proposers are motivated by fear to make fair offers and that responders are motivated by anger to reject unfair offers. Based on this research, several studies have examined the effect of a responder’s anger in both the responder and proposer. Our objective is to examine these effects and the factors that influence them. Here, we review these studies investigating the intrapersonal and interpersonal effects of anger in ultimatum bargaining. Intrapersonal anger increases responders’ rejection rates. As in the broader literature on negotiation, the literature shows mixed effects of interpersonal anger in ultimatum bargaining. Studies have demonstrated that these effects might be influenced in part by the credibility of the responder’s anger and/or the relative power of the proposer. Results suggest that interpersonal anger is more effective when it is credible and when the responder is of a relatively high power position. Taken together, these studies suggest a clear effect of intrapersonal anger and mixed results regarding the interpersonal effects of anger. Those mixed results found within the extant literature might be explained, in part, by credibility and power. It is also suggested that other factors (i.e. threat potential and race) may also play a role in the effectiveness of interpersonal anger.
Chapter 26 – On the congruence of binary patterns generated by modular arithmetic on a parent array

Publisher Summary Because material microstructure plays a vital role at nanoscopic scales, studies on gaskets have become of considerable importance in materials science. Inevitably, these and similar developments in other fields have spawned interest in cellular automata and patterns for their own sake, and several reports have come forth. This chapter communicates the results of the investigations on congruence. A paper by Sakamoto and Takagi is also focused––on patterns with residue arithmetic that was brought to attention recently. Presented is the idea of the congruence of binary gaskets generated using modular arithmetic operations on a parent array. The binary gaskets of prime orders are nontrivial, while the binary gaskets of nonprime orders are congruences.
Clinical features of 3 patients from 1 family affected by ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency and gene analysis

目的 探讨鸟氨酸氨甲酰基转移酶缺乏症(OTCD)的临床及遗传特点。 方法 总结郑州大学附属儿童医院收治的1个OTCD家系中两姐弟及其母亲的临床诊疗经过，分析其临床及遗传特点。 结果 先证者，女，2岁2个月起间断呕吐，伴意识障碍，肝功能损伤，血氨增高，血精氨酸降低，尿乳清酸、尿嘧啶增高，疑似OTCD，给予低蛋白饮食、药物及血液透析等治疗，于2岁8个月时死于脑疝。期间先证者母亲再次妊娠，并于产后第4天出现精神异常，于产后15 d死于多器官功能衰竭。产下的男婴于出生第4天死亡。提取先证者死亡后冻存血液中白细胞DNA，基因检测证实鸟氨酸氨甲酰基转移酶(OTC)基因c．275G>A杂合突变。患儿母亲存在相同突变。 结论 OTCD男女均可发病，同一家族成员个体差异显著。对于呕吐、意识障碍、肝功能损伤的患者，均应注意监测血氨水平，及早行基因检测，争取治疗时机，降低病死率。明确致病基因有助于遗传咨询，指导下一胎同胞的产前诊断。
The Relationship Context of Early Transitions to Parenthood: The Influence of Arrest

In the U.S., many young adults who have had contact with the criminal justice system are parents. Using the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study (n = 1321), we drew on family demography and criminology literatures to examine the association between arrest, an understudied indicator of contact with the criminal justice system, and transitions to early parenthood. We also distinguished transitions to parenthood that occurred within four different relationship contexts: (1) single; (2) dating; (3) cohabiting; and (4) married. Using event history analyses, we found that young men and women who experienced an arrest transitioned to parenthood earlier than their counterparts who were not arrested. Further, men with an arrest, compared to men who had not been arrested, were more likely to report that they were dating the biological mother of their first child around the time of birth. In contrast, women with an arrest had an increased likelihood of having their first birth while cohabiting with the biological father. Our results highlighted the importance of a prior arrest for early transitions to parenthood and are relevant for understanding the intergenerational transmission of disadvantage and the diverging destinies of children and parents. Furthermore, the gender differences in the results illustrated the importance of including women in criminal justice analyses and men in fertility analyses.
Risk factors of skeletal-related events in patients with bone metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer undergoing treatment with zoledronate-a post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial

Skeletal-related events (SREs) are critical events for patients with bone metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Thus, bone-modifying agents are recommended in this population. However, the baseline risk factors of SREs in patients with bone metastasis from NSCLC are not well established. We analyzed the patient-level data from the zoledronate arm of a clinical trial comparing denosumab with zoledronate in patients with bone metastasis ( ClinicalTrial.gov ID: NCT00330759) available at Project Data Sphere, a broad-access research platform. The primary endpoint was the first SRE from the inclusion to the trial, and the time to the first SRE was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards model. We analyzed 302 patients with NSCLC without a documented history of osteopenia or osteoporosis included in the zoledronate arm of the trial. Ninety-eight patients (32%) had at least one SRE. The univariate analysis showed that low serum albumin and elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) are significant baseline risk factors for SREs (hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval (CI)]; 2.27 [1.43–3.61], and 1.91 [1.26–2.90], respectively). Additionally, osteoblastic and mixed type of bone metastasis showed a significantly lower risk of SREs compared with the osteolytic lesion (HR [95% CI]; 0.39 [0.21–0.72], and 0.31 [0.15–0.63], respectively). These factors also showed a significant association with the risk of SREs in multivariate analysis. We revealed that osteolytic bone metastasis, low serum albumin, and elevated serum ALP are risk factors for SREs in patients with bone metastasis from NSCLC.
Traumatic Optic Nerve Injury Elevates Plasma Biomarkers of Traumatic Brain Injury in a Porcine Model.

A diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is typically based on patient medical history, a clinical examination, and imaging tests. Elevated plasma levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP...
Validation Experiment of a Single-View Image-Sequence Algorithm to Identify Scale and Sea-State Characteristics

In applied science and engineering contexts, ocean free-surface wave-field characterization is an ongoing research area relevant to many diverse applications. The use of optical means for this characterization, in particular, is an appealing solution due to the promise of relatively high spatial resolution and modest cost (i.e., applying off-the-shelf still cameras or video cameras). This work investigates the validity of a previously published algorithm related to visible-wavelength ocean free-surface wave-field videos. The first part of the algorithm uses the video content to determine scale from a single-perspective, uncalibrated video. The second part of the algorithm applies the video content to determine sea-state characteristics, such as dominant wave period and wavelength. Due to the complications of obtaining well-characterized real-world data sets, algorithms proposed within the literature are not always validated experimentally, but the scientific community relies on the process of verification and validation to build confidence in emerging scientific contributions. This work addresses the need to assess the performance of the existing algorithm through validation experiments. Video recordings of approximate deep-water waves are collected in a controlled indoor environment to experimentally validate the algorithm, and a suite of postprocessing parameters is explored to identify the algorithm's sensitivities for a chosen unit problem. Recommendations for the algorithm parameter selection and an assessment of the algorithm efficacy are offered for researchers interested in the implementation of this algorithm.
Inkjet-Printed Graphene Sensors for the Bedside Detection of Tear Film pH.

Purpose To determine whether an inexpensive, graphene thin-film electronic pH sensor could be used to measure tear film pH. Methods The pH-sensitive electrolyte-gated graphene field-effect transistors (EG-GFETs) were fabricated by patterning graphene ink and ultraviolet-cured dielectric onto 125 µm-thick polyimide substrate using a nanomaterials inkjet printer. A flow-cell was used to exchange test solutions and record current flow through the EG-GFET. Laboratory reference pH test solutions were used to calibrate the sensor. Contrived tears with lipids were pH buffered using HCL (1 M) or NAOH (1 M) to produce tear solutions ranging in pH from 2.0 to 9.5. A laboratory-reference pH meter was used to verify the pH of each solution. Dirac curves that demonstrate pH-dependent changes in current flow through the EG-GFET were measured for each test solution, using dual sourcemeters. Results Graphene EG-GFET devices were highly sensitive to changes in artificial tear-film pH. The Dirac voltage was defined as the gate voltage at which minimum source drain current was measured. The relationship between Dirac voltage and tear film pH was highly linear with a slope of 17.2 mV per pH unit over the range of solutions tested, from pH 2.0 to pH 9.5 (r2 = 0.977). Conclusions Graphene field-effect transistors accurately measure tear film pH and may be useful in the emergency management of ocular adnexal exposure to acids or bases. Translational Relevance Thin-film graphene sensors are low cost and can rapidly map tear-film pH at multiple sites on the ocular surface and within the conjunctival fornices, avoiding subjective, colorimetric test-paper methods.
Dose Response of Dosimetric Materials

In this chapter we discuss theoretical and experimental aspects of the dose response of dosimetric materials, and use analytical equations to fit experimental data. We define the superlinearity index g(D), and the supralinearity index f(D), and discuss various functions commonly used to describe shape of dose response curves in TL, OSL, OA, and ESR signals: the saturating exponential, double saturating exponential, single exponential plus linear, and the recently derived equation using the Lambert W function. We show how to numerically integrate the equations for the irradiation stage in the OTOR model, and compare with the analytical solution based on the LambertW function. Several detailed R codes are given of fitting experimental data ESR, TL, OSL data, including situations with superlinear dose response. We simulate experiments in which the sample temperature is variable during the irradiation process, and which may affect the dose response of the material. We discuss superlinear dose response as the result of competition between two electron traps during the irradiation, and present experimental data analysis using the new analytical Pagonis–Kitis–Chen (PKC) equation which describes superlinearity effects. This chapter will conclude with an overview of the analytical dose response equations based on the Lambert function, and with a discussion of the importance of the Lambert function in the description of luminescence phenomena.
Abstract TP74: Aspects Scoring Applied to CTA Source Images is Predictive of Final Infarct Volume and Good Functional Outcome

Introduction: CTP and MRI are increasingly used to assess endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) candidacy in large vessel occlusion stroke. Unfortunately, availability of these advanced neuroimaging tech...
Evaluating rail transit's comparative advantages in travel cost and time over taxi with open data in two U.S. cities

Abstract This paper presents a comparative analysis of rail transit and taxi by travel cost and time based on the large-scale taxi trip data and public transit schedule information in two major U.S. cities. To quantify the relative advantage of one mode over the other, we introduce the notion of travel gradient, which is travel cost difference divided by travel time difference. Based on the signs of travel cost and time differences, we classify all trips into four quadrants. Quadrant II trips are selected for further analysis because rail transit is identified to be competitive with taxi for such trips. We also explore the relation between various trip characteristics and travel gradient with and without considering the spatial variation of such a relation. Main research findings include: (1) around 70% of the taxi trips in the considered datasets can be substituted with rail transit trips if the maximum walking distance is 0.5 miles at each trip end; (2) for around 10% of taxi trips with both modes being viable, rail transit dominates taxi in both travel cost and time; for the rest, rail transit is competitive with taxi; (3) the marginal travel cost saving due to mode switching from taxi to rail transit is about $70; and (4) there exist clearly spatial variations of the relation between trip characteristics and travel gradient. The main policy recommendation from this study is that rail transit can be better marketed by highlighting its relative advantage over taxi in travel time and cost, especially for travels in certain directions and time periods.
Ready or Not? The Affordable Care Act and Safety-Net Primary Care Clinic Capacity in Iowa

With the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as many as 25 million individuals are expected to gain insurance coverage over the next five years, creating an increase in demand for health care services. At the same time, as many as 31 million individuals will remain uninsured. Safety-net primary care clinics, including community health centers (CHCs) and rural health clinics (RHCs), are being counted upon to meet the anticipated increase in demand while also continuing to serve the remaining uninsured. While these clinics are afforded new opportunities under the ACA, they also face significant potential challenges. The research described in this issue brief aimed to determine the current capacity of CHCs and RHCs in Iowa and their expected capacity to respond to the opportunities and challenges of the ACA. We utlilized an online survey to gather data on current and future needs related to safety-net workforce, service provision, integrated care delivery, and organizational change. We found that both CHCs and RHCs have current staff vacancies that they report difficulty filling and that both report difficulties referring patients for specialty care. We also found that both groups anticipate the demand for their services to increase in the wake of the ACA, and that both CHCs and RHCs face resource constraints that may limit their ability to respond to the opportunities and challenges of the ACA.
Cocaine-Induced Lipidomic Alterations in Human Blood for the Study of Addictive Behaviors

While a majority of cocaine research focuses on identification of therapies targeting dependence, few detection strategies exist to aid in clinical determination of susceptibility or likelihood of relapse. To enhance our understanding of the full spectrum of cocaine-induced effects, we used a lipidomics approach to investigate the ability of cocaine to remodel the blood lipidome. Lipids were extracted from 190 human blood samples (123 drug users, 67 non-users) and analyzed using electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. The resulting data were assessed using multivariate analysis, which indicated differences in the lipid profiles of drug users compared to non-users. Identification of m/z features suggested alterations in glycerolipids, fatty acids, phosphatidylcholines, and phosphatidic acids. A subset of repeat abusers were asked to rate the positive and negative effects following their first cocaine exposure in comparison to their most recent use. These scores were used to assess the extent of enhanced...
SU-C-BRA-03: Prediction of Laser Induced Thermal Therapy: Results of Model Training and Cross Validation

Purpose: MR-guided laser induced thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is a minimally invasive surgery with applications in the brain, among other sites. In especially precise interventions, like neurosurgery, accurate planning may behoove surgical planning by aiding in the decision of where and how many laser ablations are required. Previous models of tissue heating have relied on literature values extrapolated primarily from normal brain animal research and ex vivo data. In this abstract, an inverse problem provides model parameter data from retrospective analysis of MR temperature imaging data in patient tumor tissue, which represent a training cohort. Within the same cohort, leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV) estimates the predictive accuracy of the trained model. Methods: The training has three parts: MR temperature datasets (n=20), a relatively simple steady state bioheat model, and a global optimization algorithm maximizing the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC). DSC ranges from 0 to one; >0.7 is considered a ‘successful’ prediction. DSC compares the regions exceeding 57 °C—i.e. ablated tissue regions—and measures accuracy. Blood perfusion and optical parameters are optimized according to DSC, creating a library of 20 pairs of parameters that are used in prediction. The predictive accuracy is estimated by using LOOCV. LOOCV begins by dropping an optimal parameter pair from the library and makes a model prediction, given the average from the remaining 19 pairs. This procedure is permuted so that every dataset is predicted using the other parameter pairs. Results: The distribution of DSC during predictive LOOCV is described by: mean=0.822; median=0.849; standard deviation=0.0872; minimum=0.583; maximum=0.930; 19/20 datasets pass (i.e. DSC>0.7). Best available literature values perform comparably worse: mean=0.668; median=0.656; standard deviation=0.115; minimum=0.455; maximum=0.857; 8/20 pass. Conclusion: Data strongly indicate population-based parameter optimization is potentially useful in treatment planning, as the model far outperforms available literature values in this preliminary study. Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number TL1TR000369. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Concept-controlled polymorphism

Concepts--sets of abstractions related by common requirements-- have a central role in generic programming. This paper proposes a general framework for using concepts to control polymorphism in different ways. First, concepts can be used to constrain parametric polymorphism, as exemplified by type classes in Haskell. Second, concepts can be used to provide fine-grained control of function and operator overloading. Finally, generic functions can be overloaded (specialized) based on concepts, rather than simply on types. We describe a C++ implementation of a new mechanism, which we call enable_if, and its role in concept-controlled polymorphism.
Disentangling Competitive Advantage and Superior Performance and Their Roles in Enterprise Transformation

Enterprise transformation is often triggered by financial performance deficiencies, i.e., anticipated or experienced transitions from superior performance to inferior performance. These deficiencies are due to a lack, or a loss, of competitive advantage. Transitioning back to superior performance usually requires that enterprises invest in regaining competitive advantage in one form or another. Unfortunately, the literature conflates advantage and performance, indicating that superior performance inherently implies competitive advantage, suggesting, for instance, that winning is due to the ability to win. This is akin to the ancient Greeks' assertion that objects fall to earth because they have tendencies to fall. To gain true strategic insight, we need to disentangle competitive advantage and superior performance. This article explores the way in which an enterprise accomplishes transitions in the financial performance space by investing in particular competitive strategies, such as refined market segmen...
Copper Protein Variants: “Type Zero” Sites

This article summarizes studies of the electron transfer reactivity, molecular structure, and electronic structure of the artificial “type zero” biological copper-binding site. Type zero Cu represents a unique case of an efficient, high potential Cu-based electron transfer site composed entirely of “hard” N and O-donor ligands. Detailed investigations reveal that both the reactivity and the electronic structure of type zero Cu are defined by constraints imposed by outer-sphere coordination on the geometry of an inner-sphere carboxylate ligand. Combined, the various studies of type zero Cu showcase the profound ability of the protein matrix to tune the physical properties of transition metal ions. Keywords: copper; electron transfer; spectroscopy; cupredoxins; protein variants; EPR ; XAS ; electronic structure; paramagnetic NMR
Discrete Liquid/Vapor Detectors for Use in Liquid Helium

Simple devices have been constructed and tested which can discriminate between liquid helium and its vapor. The devices are 0.25 mm doped silicon cubes suspended from 0.05 mm diameter stainless steel and manganin wires. Its resistance is strongly dependent on temperature and voltage. A small current is passed through the device heating it and lowering its resistance. The degree of self heating is dependent on whether the device is immersed in liquid or is surrounded by vapor. The voltage across the device then indicates the presence of liquid or vapor. The doping level is selected such that the liquid reading is a few volts and the vapor signal is < 0.5 volt over a wide range of current. The device is operated at a power sufficient to boil away any liquid helium film present, but not so large a power as to cause boiling in the bulk liquid. Typically the operating characteristics of a device are nearly independent of its operating temperature over a fairly wide range, for example, from 1.0 to 2.1 K. The devices are meant to operate in the milligravity environment of space. Tests simulating thick superfluid films which would be present in this case indicate less than 0.3 milliwatt per detector is sufficient to boil away these thick films. The detector response time under these conditions is less than 50 milliseconds.
Picosecond Studies of Ultrafast Molecular Processes in Liquids

Picosecond light pulses generated from a mode-locked Nd-glass or ruby laser have been used to study a number of ultrafast physical and chemical processes. Experiments on two such phenomena, namely, orientational relaxation and electron transfer in liquids are described here. The effects of hydrogen bonding and the structure of the liquids on the molecular rotational motion as well as the kinetics of the excited charge-transfer complex formation are discussed.
High power RF testing of dielectric loaded accelerating structures

A joint Argonne National Laboratory/Naval Research Laboratory program is under way to investigate X-band dielectric-loaded accelerating (DLA) structures, using high-power 11.424-GHz radiation from the NRL Magnicon Facility. DLA structures offer the potential of a simple, inexpensive alternative to copper disk-loaded structures for use in high-gradient RF linear accelerators. The purpose of the high-power tests is to find the RF breakdown limits of these structures and to test their ability to produce high accelerating gradients. We have recently tested two different dielectric tubes, one with alumina and another with MgCaTi liners. For alumina, we have shown no evidence of RF breakdown at up to 5 MW drive power (equivalent to 8 MV/m accelerating gradient). However, multipactor effect was found to absorb an increasing fraction of the incident microwave power, as the power level was increased, ultimately absorbing half of the incident power. Detailed experimental results and solutions for curing the multipactor will be discussed. We will also report on the most recent test results of MgCaTi dielectric tubes
Pneumonia incidence and risk factors in patients with acute leukemia

Background: Pneumonia is a major cause of death during induction chemotherapy for acute leukemia. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to quantify the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of pneumonia in acute leukemia patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) that underwent their first induction chemotherapy. Results: 801 patients received their first induction chemotherapy. The cumulative incidence of pneumonia at day 28 was 19.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.9% to 22.8%). On multivariate analysis, age greater than 60 years, lower baseline platelet counts, low albumin level, and neutropenia were associated with an increased incidence of pneumonia. ALL was associated with a decreased incidence of pneumonia compared to AML (HR: 0.42; CI: 0.22-0.82). Fifty deaths occurred among the 801 patients, 39 of these in patients with pneumonia. On multivariate analysis, pneumonia, age greater than 60 years, elevated creatinine, poor performance status, and treatment in 2005 were associated with an increased risk of death, but pneumonia showed the strongest association (HR: 10.66; 95% CI, 5.40-21.04). Patients with pneumonia spent more days in the ICU and in the hospital, and had a 51% increase in hospital costs as compared to patients without pneumonia (P Conclusion: Pneumonia is common during induction chemotherapy for acute leukemia and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and health care resource utilization. There is an association between the type of leukemia and the incidence of pneumonia even after adjustment for neutropenia.
Proportionality and Democratic Constitutionalism

As scholarship on proportionality has taken a welcome normative turn in the last few years, some of its proponents have portrayed it as an essential part of a broader “culture of justification.” Within this culture, as a condition of its legitimacy, all government action – and not only the basic structure of society – must be justifiable in terms of public reason to the individuals burdened by it. Proportionality analysis provides the analytical framework for this required exercise in justification. This account of proportionality emphasizes its strength as supplying the necessary “second pillar” of constitutional legitimacy; democracy is not enough. By contrast, critics of proportionality have emphasized its weakness rather than strength as a constraint on government action, particularly in the rights context. By placing constitutional rights on a par with governmental interests, engaging in “rights inflation,” and reducing rights analysis to the purely quantitative, critics claim that proportionality rejects the special normative force of constitutional rights. For them, protecting rights only against disproportionate infringements is not enough. In this chapter, I propose an alternative normative perspective to the influential culture of justification from which to understand and evaluate proportionality. From this perspective, proportionality should primarily be understood as enhancing, not constraining, democracy. Rather than the constitutionalist legitimacy of democracy, proportionality is centrally about the democratic legitimacy of a constitutionalized rights regime and an appropriate balance between judicial and legislative powers. It is part of a conception of constitutional rights and of a rights regime that seeks to accommodate and temper enduring and legitimate democratic concerns. This conception is typically institutionalized through the textual vehicle of the limitations clause, which grants to legislatures significant power and leeway in the resolution of rights issues. Accordingly, this alternative normative perspective can be thought of as promoting a “culture of democracy.” In claiming that proportionality can and should be viewed through the lens of democratic constitutionalism, I am not arguing that it is the only or best rights regime from this perspective. What I am suggesting is that a system of proportionality-based constitutional rights can be made less vulnerable to certain democratic critiques than alternative systems of strong-form judicial review, and that this should be taken into account in the normative debates about the merits of proportionality and institutional forms of constitutionalism more generally. If, as I argue, proportionality can properly be viewed as one version of democratic constitutionalism, the final section of the chapter broadens the picture by outlining the other major versions and offering some preliminary and tentative thoughts on their comparison and respective merits.
Effect of kinetic and electronic energy on the reactions of Cr+ with H2, HD, and D2

The reactions of atomic chromium ions with H2, HD, and D2 are examined using guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometry. The ground electronic state (6S) is found to react inefficiently. The thresholds of these data are analyzed to yield a 0 K bond dissociation energy for CrH+ of 1.37±0.09 eV (31.6±2.0 kcal/mol). In the reaction of Cr+(6S) with HD, formation of the metal deuteride ion is strongly favored over that of the metal hydride ion in the threshold region but not at higher energies. These results indicate that Cr+(6S) reacts largely via an impulsive mechanism. No evidence for reaction of Cr+(6D), the first excited state, is found but higher lying excited states, 4D and 4G (produced by electron impact), are found to react at their thermodynamic threshold. In reaction with HD, these states produce CrH+ preferentially by a factor of 2–4 over CrD+. The differences in reactivity among these states can be explained by using simple molecular orbital concepts which have been developed for other atomic transi...
Diuretics and urinary incontinence in community‐dwelling women

The relationship between diuretics and involuntary urine loss is poorly understood. This study presents data on 130 community-dwelling women with urinary incontinence. Forty-five of these women took diuretics and 85 did not. These groups were compared with regard to clinical and urodynamic characteristics and severity of urinary incontinence and of diurnal and nocturnal micturition frequency. Subjects on diuretics were heavier (P<0.01), had higher systolic blood pressure (P<0.001), and had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (P<0.001) and diabetes (P<0.001). In addition, they used cardiovascular medications more often (P<0.001) and had been treated for incontinence previously more frequently (P<0.001). Urodynamic variables showed essentially no significant differences other than the volume voided during uroflowmetry, with subjects on diuretics voiding significantly smaller volumes than subject not taking such drugs (P<0.05). Those on diuretics had significantly more incontinent episodes (P<0.01) and diurnal urinary frequency (P = 0.001). In addition, those subjects on diuretics who had bladder instability lost significantly larger quantities of fluid during testing (P<0.05) and had more episodes of nocturia (P<0.01). Although some findings can be explained by an increased diuresis, others cannot. A local pharmacologic effect is thought unlikely. Changes in sensitivity threshold due to habit, or behavior is considered possible. Diuretics and/or conditions associated with their use seem to influence the severity of the syndrome of urinary incontinence.
Mental Illness and the Body, Beyond Diagnosis

Louise Phillips began her career in mental health nursing at the Long Grove Hospital in Surrey, England. It was there that she first became interested in the body postures and gestures of the menta...
Selective oxidation of buried AlGaAs for fabrication of vertical-cavity lasers

The authors discuss the selective conversion of buried layers of AlGaAs to a stable oxide and the implementation of this oxide into high performance vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs). The rate of lateral oxidation is shown to be linear with an Arrhenius temperature dependence. The measured activation energies vary with Al composition, providing a high degree of oxidation selectivity between AlGaAs alloys. Thus buried oxide layers can be selectively fabricated within the VCSEL through small compositional variations in the AlGaAs layers. The oxidation of AlGaAs alloys, as opposed to AlAs, is found to provide robust processing of reliable lasers. The insulating and low refractive index oxide provides enhanced electrical and optical confinement for ultralow threshold currents in oxide-apertured VCSELs.
Comparative techniques: trenchless technology for sewer rehabilitation

This paper reviews the details of a sewer system, identifying the important aspects since any rehabilitation must be in conformance with the use and characteristics of the system. The discussion then reviews the general methods used to establish the condition of a sewer system and the need for repair. The paper closes with a review of the various methods currently used for rehabilitation of sewer systems and indicates the advantages of the use of such trenchless technologies.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Analysis of the left atrial appendage by magnetic resonance angiography in patients with atrial fibrillation

Background Recent interest has focused on the left atrial appendage (LAA) in the setting of atrial fibrillation as a potential source of thromboembolism and stroke, which may be amenable to permanent occlusion by a variety of investigational catheter-delivered devices. Precise anatomic characterization of the LAA is necessary to determine the suitability of a patient for device placement and for device selection and sizing. Objectives The purpose of this study was to perform detailed three-dimensional characterization of LAA size and geometry by magnetic resonance angiography. Methods Fifty patients with chronic atrial fibrillation undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance angiography in preparation for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation were analyzed for LAA volume, neck size, depth, and overall geometry. Results The average LAA volume was 17.3 ± 6.7 mL, with a depth of 26.6 ± 4.9 mm and a "neck" diameter of 20.0 ± 5.3 mm × 14.1 ± 4.7 mm. The average number of LAA lobes was 1.4 ± 0.7 (range 1–4). Substantial interpatient variability was present in the relative dimensions and morphology of the LAA. There was a significant correlation between left atrial size and LAA neck dimensions. Conclusion There is significant heterogeneity in LAA size and dimensions among patients with atrial fibrillation. Device occlusion of the LAA may require devices that are available in multiple sizes/shapes or that can adapt to this heterogeneity.
Nuclear receptors in inflammation control: Repression by GR and beyond

Abstract Inflammation is a protective response of organisms to pathogens, irritation or injury. Primary inflammatory sensors activate an array of signaling pathways that ultimately converge upon a few transcription factors such as AP1, NFκB and STATs that in turn stimulate expression of inflammatory genes to ultimately eradicate infection and repair the damage. A disturbed balance between activation and inhibition of inflammatory pathways can set the stage for chronic inflammation which is increasingly recognized as a key pathogenic component of autoimmune, metabolic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a large family of transcription factors many of which are known for their potent anti-inflammatory actions. Activated by small lipophilic ligands, NRs interact with a wide range of transcription factors, cofactors and chromatin-modifying enzymes, assembling numerous cell- and tissue-specific DNA–protein transcriptional regulatory complexes with diverse activities. Here we discuss established and emerging roles and mechanisms by which NRs and, in particular, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) repress genes encoding cytokines, chemokines and other pro-inflammatory mediators.
In vivo splicing products of the rabbit β-globin pre-mRNA

Abstract Analysis of the rabbit β-globin transcripts present in the steady-state RNA population of fetal liver reveals that there is no strict order in the removal of the two introns from the pre-mRNA, though IVS1 seems to be preferentially eliminated first. The population of RNA molecules contains, among other splicing products, two forms of full-length IVS2 (and presumably of IVS1), released from exon sequences. One of these forms is linear, while the other has a lariat structure (circle with tail), which results from looping of the intron sequence to itself and formation of a covalent bond between the 5′ end and an internal IVS2 position at a distance of 31 bases from the 3′ splice site. This branching point maps at the penultimate position of the heptamer TGCTAAC. Branched Y-forms of IVS2, presumably resulting from nicking of the lariat loop (in vivo or during purification) are also detected. Comparison of in vivo RNA with in vitro splicing products reveals corresponding lariat forms. However, the in vivo linear intron species are absent from the in vitro products, which, in contrast, contain more than one intron conformer.
Recovering information recipients in social media via provenance

In recent years, social media has changed the way we interact and communicate. Although the existing structure of social media allows users to easily create, receive, and propagate pieces of information, many a time, users do not have background knowledge about the received information, including the provenance (sources or originators) of information, and other recipients who may have retransmitted or modified the information. Providing such additional context to the received information can help users know how much value, trust, and validity should be placed in received information. To judge the credibility of the received piece of information, it is vital to know who are its sources, and how information propagates from sources to other social media users. In this paper, we are studying a novel research problem that facilitates a few known recipients to recover other unknown recipients, and seek the provenance of information. The experimental results with Facebook and Twitter datasets show that the proposed algorithm is effective in correctly recovering the unknown recipients and seeking the provenance of information.