cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rehearsal for War: Black Militias in the Atlantic World

This article challenges the notion that black militias were of little consequence in the antebellum United States. The establishment, personnel and equipment of these militia units, and their importance for local black organization, has largely escaped scholarly attention. The significance of armed companies of young black men at a time when they were not officially sanctioned by federal and state authorities has also not been explored. The article makes three arguments. First, there was a trajectory towards militarization from vigilance committees to independent companies to enrolment in union armies. Second, links between self-defence and rights of citizenship were already being struggled over at local and state levels before the more famous national expression in black union soldiers fighting for the union. Third, national narratives concerning the origins of the American civil war, African American slavery, and British Canadian history, obscure the multiple roles played by people of African descent du...
Cyclic AMP levels in alveolar bone of orthodontically-treated cats.

Abstract Specific biochemical changes in mechanically stressed bone were studied in cats, orthodontically treated for periods of time ranging from 1 hr to 28 days. Alveolar bone samples were obtained from compression and tension sites surrounding tipping maxillary and mandibular canines. The samples were extracted with water, boiled, homogenized and the supernatants were assayed for cyclic AMP by a protein-binding method. It was found that cyclic AMP levels in treated sites initially decreased, then increased after 1–2 days and remained elevated to the end of the experimental period. It was suggested that the initial decrease in cyclic AMP at the compression sites was due to periodontal ligament cell-necrosis, while at the tension sites the decrease was due to a rapid increase in the cell population. The elevation in the level of cyclic AMP observed 2 weeks after the initiation of treatment was probably due to increased bone remodelling activity by a maturing cell population with a slow rate of growth. The level of cyclic AMP in bone after application of orthodontic forces may be the result of increased phosphodiesterase activity, and/or the involvement of a relatively small number of cells. It is concluded that mechanical forces can act as a first messenger and facilitate bone formation and resorption by activation of the cyclic nucleotide system.
Vapor pressures and gas-film coefficients for ketones

Abstract Comparison of handbook vapor pressures for seven ketones with more recent literature data showed large differences for four of the ketones. Gas-film coefficients for the volatilization of these ketones from water determined by two different methods were in reasonable agreement.
What's an integrationist? A study of self-identified integrative and (occasionally) eclectic psychologists

We examined the views and practices of self-identified eclectic and integrative psychologists, particularly in the context of historical changes since 1977 and 1988. Results from 187 eclectic clinical psychologists indicated that 50% previously adhered to another theoretical orientation, the majority preferred the term integrative to eclectic, and 85% conceptualized eclecticism/integration as the endorsement of a broader orientation. The most common paths toward integration were theoretical integration, common factors, and assimilative integration, as opposed to technical eclecticism. The most frequent theoretical contributor to integrative practice was cognitive therapy.
Artifacts in portable electrocardiographic monitoring.

Summary The development of portable ECG monitoring techniques has brought with it new insights into the electrical activity of the heart, and new problems in interpretation of artifacts. This article summarizes and classifies 15 different types of artifacts observed from dynamic electrocardiography. The artifacts appear partly as pseudo-arrhythmias mimicking supraventricular, ventricular, junctional, and dissociative rhythms. There are also non-arrhythmic artifacts which can be misleading in the interpretation of Q-waves, S-T-segments, and T-waves. Eight of the 15 artifacts have potentially serious consequences if not understood, and in 2 instances an artifact almost led to the unnecessary implantation of an artificial cardiac pacemaker.
Western diamondback rattlesnakes demonstrate physiological and biochemical strategies for tolerating prolonged starvation.

Abstract Because of the uncertainty in food resources in nature, all animals face the possibility of imposed periods of fasting (i.e., starvation) at some point in their lives. I investigated physiological and biochemical responses to starvation that occur in a species of rattlesnake known to tolerate successfully prolonged periods of starvation in the wild. Sixteen subadult Crotalus atrox were fasted for up to 24 wk under controlled conditions simulating their active season. Snakes exhibited significant reductions in plasma glucose but increased circulating ketone bodies. Fasting snakes lost mass at a linear rate and increased their relative moisture content during the experiment. The bodies of fasting snakes demonstrated an increase in their fatty acid (FA) unsaturation index and were apparently able to “spare” essential FAs effectively from β‐oxidation. Endogenous essential and nonessential amino acids were used indiscriminately to fuel energetic requirements, suggesting that essential amino acids are ...
Organoboranes. 36. A Simple, General Synthesis of Alkynyl Ketones1 and [E]‐1,3‐Alkenynes via Thexylchloroborane‐Dimethyl Sulfide

Thexylchloroborane-dimethyl sulfide (1) hydroborates representative 1-bromo-1-alkynes in the presence of 10% boron tribromide as a catalyst to afford thexyl-(cis-1-bromo-1-alkenyl)-chloroboranes (2). Treatment of these intermediates with isopropyl alcohol provides the corresponding isopropyl thexyl(cis-1-bromo-1-alkenyl)borinates (3B). Subsequent treatment with alkynyllithium gives the corresponding “ate” complexes (4) which undergo intramolecular migration of the alkynyl group from boron to the adjacent carbon, displacing the bromine, producing the corresponding cis-vinylboranes (5). These intermediates (5) provide the corresponding alkynyl ketones (6) on oxidation and the corresponding stereodefined conjugated enynes (7) of high isomeric purity on protonolysis. Yields in the range of 60–65% were realized.
Applications of blue dextran and cibacron blue F3GA in purification and structural studies of nucleotide-requiring enzymes

Summary Cibacron Blue F3GA, the chromophore of Blue Dextran, interacted with all eight nucleotide-requiring enzymes that were examined. The conjugated chromophore (Blue Dextran) was more selective, interacting with enzymes including (but perhaps not restricted to) those known to possess the “dinucleotide fold”. The discriminating ability of these ligands should prove useful in elucidating the nature of nucleotide binding sites, and facilitate purification of selected nucleotide-requiring enzymes using affinity chromatography methods. Based on their comparable interactions with Cibacron Blue F3GA and weak interactions with Blue Dextran, it is suggested that neither yeast nor rat brain hexokinase contains the dinucleotide fold as a structural feature.
Confronting Management Challenges in Highly Uncertain Natural Resource Systems: a Robustness–Vulnerability Trade-off Approach

This paper presents a framework for the study of policy implementation in highly uncertain natural resource systems in which uncertainty cannot be characterized by probability distributions. We apply the framework to parametric uncertainty in the traditional Gordon–Schaefer model of a fishery to illustrate how performance can be sacrificed (traded-off) for reduced sensitivity and hence increased robustness, with respect to model parameter uncertainty. With sufficient data, our robustness–vulnerability analysis provides tools to discuss policy options. When less data are available, it can be used to inform the early stages of a learning process. Several key insights emerge from this analysis: (1) the classic optimal control policy can be very sensitive to parametric uncertainty, (2) even mild robustness properties are difficult to achieve for the simple Gordon–Schaefer model, and (3) achieving increased robustness with respect to some parameters (e.g., biological parameters) necessarily results in increased sensitivity (decreased robustness) with respect to other parameters (e.g., economic parameters). We thus illustrate fundamental robustness–vulnerability trade-offs and the limits to robust natural resource management. Finally, we use the framework to explore the effects of infrequent sampling and delays on policy performance.
Evidence of food-based competition among passerine migrants during stopover

Local concentrations of migrating, fat-depleted birds with similar diets can lead to increased competition for food at a time when energy demand is high. Results of a predator-exclosure experiment indicate that intercontinental passerine migrants depress food abundance during stopover following migration across the Gulf of Mexico. Moreover, migrants that stop when a high number of potential competitors are present replenish energy reserves more slowly than migrants that stop under low density conditions. Competition increase the rate of food depletion and may decrease the probability that a migrant will meet its energetic requirements and complete a successful migration.
Comirem: an intelligent form for resource management

Comirem (continuous, mixed-initiative resource management) is an "intelligent form" for resource management that is designed to more directly match the iterative, user-centered nature of planning and scheduling in practical domains. In this article, we provide an overview of the current Comirem system. Comirem promotes a graphical, spreadsheet-like model of user-system interaction. The user interacts with the system through Web-based forms that combine visual displays of the current plan and planning state with form-based editing capabilities so that the user can manipulate aspects of the solution and solution state.
Femtoscopy in relativistic heavy ion collisions and its relation to bulk properties of QCD matter

By using a viscous hydrodynamic model coupled to a hadronic cascade code, numerous features of the dynamics and equilibrium properties are explored for their impact on femtoscopic measurements. The equation of state, viscous parameters, and initial conditions are investigated. We find that femtoscopy is affected by numerous model features at the 10% level and that by including features and adjusting unknown parameters, one can explain experimental source size measurements to better than 10%.
The phenomenon of NGOs: a lateral reading from Latin America

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to ask what can be learned from contemporary resistance to neo‐liberal policies in Latin America, in terms of broadening the disciplinary understanding of civil society actors.Design/methodology/approach – Management, international management, and non‐profit management studies are reviewed and assessed through a lateral reading.Findings – The field of management studies and the sub‐field of international management are identified as parochial in orientation, ignoring the diversity of local management knowledge and the organizational settings where practiced.Originality/value – The paper demonstrates the narrow foci of the field of management, on Northern contexts, and large international business organizations. It calls for greater sensitivity to the diverse and significant efforts to resist and mitigate neo‐liberal policies globally.
Characterization of cytoplasmic motifs important in rhesus rhadinovirus gB processing and trafficking

Abstract Rhesus monkey rhadinovirus (RRV) is highly related to Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), a human γ-herpesvirus etiologically-linked with several cancers. Glycoprotein B (gB) homologues are encoded by all herpesviruses and play a role in virus attachment, entry, and in egress. We have found that RRV gB, like KSHV gB, is cleaved at a consensus furin cleavage site and is modified by both N-linked and O-linked glycosylation. Mutagenesis of three tyrosine- based trafficking motifs, a diacidic tyrosine motif, and a di-lucine motif in the cytoplasmic region revealed a role for these sequences in both ER export and endocytosis from the plasma membrane. These experiments provide a basis for further experiments looking at gB incorporation and role in γ-herpesvirus assembly and egress.
Increased incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting without additional analgesic effects when a low dose of intravenous fentanyl is combined with a caudal block

Summary Background: The use of opioids is known to increase the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). In spite of this, administration of low doses of an opioid during anaesthesia is common practice, even if a regional anaesthetic technique is used. This study was designed to estimate the effects of intraoperative intravenous administration of fentanyl on PONV in paediatric daycase surgery. Methods: PONV and pain were evaluated in 29 boys during the first 24 h after daycase penile surgery. Anaesthesia was standardized. The patients were allocated to two groups. Fentanyl 1 µg·kg−1 i.v. or placebo was administered in a randomized, double-blind design. A caudal block with ropivacaine 2 mg·ml−1, 0.5 ml·kg−1 was performed preoperatively and topical lidocaine gel 20 mg·ml−1 was applied over the wound area immediately after surgery. Results: The total incidence of PONV in hospital and at home during the first 24 h was 36% (5/14) when fentanyl was used, whereas no PONV was reported when placebo was given (P < 0.05). The median time to first administration of analgesics after the caudal block was approximately 6 h. It did not differ between groups. Intraoperative fentanyl did not result in any reduction in pain scores nor the incidence of pain. Fentanyl caused apnoea in one-half of the cases and decreased the breathing rates during the first 10 min of surgery. Conclusions: Intraoperative use of i.v. fentanyl 1 µg·kg−1 combined with a regional anaesthetic block is associated with an increased incidence of PONV without any significant contribution to the postoperative pain relief.
Aflatoxin B1 induced hepatic neoplasia in Great Lakes coho salmon

There is considerable interest in the development of fish models for carcinogen bioassays and the study of chemically induced cancer in wild fish species. Among salmonid species, rainbow trout have mainly been used for carcinogenesis research, in part due to the role played by this species in the discovery of the carcinogenic action of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Recently, apparatus and methodology for microinjection of salmonid fish embryos with chemical carcinogens has been described. Because eggs produced by Pacific salmon are relatively much larger than those of rainbow trout, they would provide an attractive subject for embryo microinjection. The Great Lakes are annually stocked with large numbers of coho salmon. It has been recommended to use coho salmon as an indicator for monitoring ecosystem health in the Great Lakes, because stockings throughout health in the Great Lakes, because stockings throughout the Great Lakes are from a common genetic strain and in the lake environment they have a defined food source and life cycle. These considerations led the authors to test coho salmon for their sensitivity to the potent hepatocarcinogen, AFB1. The present report describes in preliminary form, the results of these experiments.
Does drug abuse beget drug abuse? Behavioral analysis of addiction liability in animal models of prenatal drug exposure

Prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse is the single largest preventable cause of developmental compromise of American children today. In the clinical population, it is difficult to determine the independent effects of gestational exposure to a single drug on brain development, in part due to the confounding effects of additional risk factors that are encountered in the substance-abusing population. The enormous clinical and societal problem of gestational toxicity of drugs of abuse, both legal and illegal, has driven the need to develop and investigate animal models of gestational drug exposure in which these variables can be controlled. More specifically, as clinical data are gathered suggesting an increased liability to substance abuse among children of drug-abusing mothers, a mechanistic understanding of the lasting effects of early drug exposure on the developing brain and the behavioral repertoire of the developing animal is crucial. In this review we summarize experimental animal research that investigates the role of drug exposure in utero on the functional development of specific brain circuits that are involved in the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse, and on the behaviors that are mediated by these brain reward systems.
Retrievable Closed Cell Intracranial Stent for Foreign Body and Clot Removal

Endovascular coiling has become an accepted treatment for intracranial aneurysms, offering protection from rebleeding and satisfactory clinical outcomes (7). However, a recent review of a large case series has demonstrated that thromboembolic complications arising from coil embolization remain a significant concern for the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. In the treatment of 681 patients with ruptured aneurysms, procedural complications occurred in approximately 6% of patients (14). Of these complications, 80% were due to thromboembolism (14). An increase in thromboembolic complications has been reported with the use of temporary occlusion balloons to support the embolization of wide-neck aneurysms (11, 14). Moreover, detachable coil dislodgement from the aneurysmal sac or protrusion into the parent vessel could be a source of thromboembolic complications. These events are managed by surgical recanalization, use of stents to pin the material to the vessel wall, or use of various endovascular devices to retrieve the coil (2, 4, 9, 12, 13). In addition, a long series of devices has been proposed for mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke, culminating with the MERCI Retrieval System (Concentric Medical, Mountain View, CA), which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for intracranial clot extraction (8, 10). The MERCI device has offered patients with acute stroke a second opportunity for treatment if the narrow time window for pharmacological intervention has lapsed. However, the device is not optimal; successful vessel recanalization is achieved only in approximately half of the cases (10). In a different strategy to reconstitute flow in patients with acute stroke, Levy et al. (5, 6) demonstrated in a small patient series that intracranial stenting may be a viable option in patients resistant to standard acute stroke treatments. The technique we report demonstrates the potential use of a retrievable closed cell intracranial stent, beyond its approved use in stent-assisted coiling of wide-neck intracranial aneurysms, to extract both foreign material and thrombus in an in vivo aneurysm model.
Challenges in optimizing the histidine rich protein 2-detecting rapid diagnostic test

Malaria programs aimed at eliminating Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) incorporate active infection detection strategies to target the subclinical transmission reservoir. Currently available immunochromatographic lateral flow tests lack the sensitivity required for Pf malaria elimination; the limit of detection (LOD) of these rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) is above that which is required to identify all transmissible infections. Malaria RDTs with a significantly improved LOD would enable more effective elimination interventions while retaining the critical advantages of low cost, ease of use, and rural deployment capability. Histidinerich protein 2 (HRP2) is a high-priority target analyte for identifying individuals at risk of transmitting Pf. HRP2 protein is secreted by Pf parasites in relatively high concentrations, is widely conserved among Pf strains, and persists in human plasma for up to four weeks. These characteristics allow HRP2 antigen detection even in the absence of circulating parasites during cyclical sequestration. However, the highly polymorphic nature of HRP2 makes optimization of RDTs challenging. Current HRP2-detecting RDT reagents primarily target Type 2 (AHHAHHAAD) and Type 7 (AHHAAD) HRP2 motifs, and independent antibody discovery confirms the most common selection of a C1-13/PTL-3 antibody conjugate pair yields the best RDT performance for the majority of parasite strains. In scenarios where malaria transmission rapidly decreases, exclusive use of a diagnostic whose sensitivity varies with the number of HRP2 epitope repeats can result in single axis evolutionary pressure, increasing selection for less-detectable parasite strains. To evaluate the feasibility of developing an HRP2-based RDT that is highly effective in mass testing and treatment programs, we have assessed the technical characteristics of HRP2 reagents. Our aim is to facilitate the development of improved malaria HRP2 RDTs by: (1) incorporating an understanding of HRP2 structure-function relationships and their impact on epitope-antibody interactions and adaptation, (2) correlating HRP2 concentration levels (in pg/mL) with traditional malaria diagnostic metrics (parasites/mL) for comparative evaluation of tests, and (3) predicting optimal capture reagents to improve and sustain HRP2 RDT performance. Based on our ongoing analysis, we present a product development strategy that combines capture reagent and platform innovations that can be used to make highly sensitive Pf malaria RDTs. In addition, we present criteria for the rational selection of HRP2 protein and parasite culture controls to support the product lifecycle from development through commercialization and scale-up.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia: risk factors, microbiology, and treatment.

Pneumonia complicates hospitalization in 0.5 to 2.0% of patients and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) include mechanical ventilation for > 48 h, residence in an ICU, duration of ICU or hospital stay, severity of underlying illness, and presence of comorbidities. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterobacter are the most common causes of HAP. Nearly half of HAP cases are polymicrobial. In patients receiving mechanical ventilation, P aeruginosa, Acinetobacter, methicillin-resistant S aureus, and other antibiotic-resistant bacteria assume increasing importance. Optimal therapy for HAP should take into account severity of illness, demographics, specific pathogens involved, and risk factors for antimicrobial resistance. When P aeruginosa is implicated, monotherapy, even with broad-spectrum antibiotics, is associated with rapid evolution of resistance and a high rate of clinical failures. For pseudomonal HAP, we advise combination therapy with an antipseudomonal β-lactam plus an aminoglycoside or a fluoroquinolone (eg, ciprofloxacin).
Seasonal and annual modeling of reduced nitrogen compounds over the eastern United States: Emissions, ambient levels, and deposition amounts

[1] Detailed description of the distributions and seasonal trends of atmospheric nitrogen compounds is of considerable interest given their role in formation of acidic substances, tropospheric ozone and particulate matter and nutrient loading effects resulting from their deposition to sensitive ecosystems. While the oxidized nitrogen species have received considerable research and regulatory attention over the past several decades, little effort has been devoted toward quantifying the atmospheric budgets of reduced nitrogen compounds (NHx) associated with emissions of ammonia. The Regional Acid Deposition Model is enhanced to include detailed treatments of the physical and chemical processes regulating the fate of ammonia emissions and to model the interaction and chemical and thermodynamic coupling between atmospheric NOx-SOx-NHx species. To account for uncertainties in magnitude and seasonal variation of ammonia emissions, regional seasonal correction factors for ammonia emissions in the eastern United States are developed through successive model applications and comparison with measurements from regional networks of ambient concentrations and deposition amounts of various species. The resulting ammonia emissions show a distinct seasonal cycle with a maximum in summer followed by spring, fall, and winter. Our calculations suggest that the range between NH3 emissions during the cool and the warm season is a factor of 3–4. Correlations between model predicted ambient levels, gas/particle partitioning, and deposition amounts with measurements show good agreement on both an annual and seasonal basis with R2 in the 0.4–0.7 range for most species examined. Both model calculations and measurements indicate that during winter, large portions of the eastern U.S. are characterized by aerosols that are fully neutralized. Our model calculations for emission scenarios representative of the late 1980s–early 1990s period also indicate that reduced nitrogen species contribute 47(±8)% of the total nitrogen wet deposition in the eastern U.S.; this is in good agreement with 43(±9)% inferred from deposition measurements. These comparisons suggest that the model can capture the spatial and seasonal variability in distributions of various model species, the chemical interactions between reduced and oxidized nitrogen compounds in the troposphere, and the compositional characteristics of inorganic aerosol mass in the region.
Continuous dependence of fixed points of condensing maps

Many problems in analysis are concerned with the dependence upon parameters of fixed points of maps. For contraction mappings, criteria are relatively easy to obtain and have been known for some time. In the study of solutions of functional differential equations, more general results were needed. It is the purpose of this paper to give a rather general fixed-point theorem for condensing maps depending on a parameter, to prove continuous dependence and to indicate how many of the previous results are special cases.
Role of N- and L-type calcium channels in depolarization-induced activation of tyrosine hydroxylase and release of norepinephrine by sympathetic cell bodies and nerve terminals

Multiple types of voltage-activated calcium (Ca2+) channels are present in all nerve cells examined so far; however, the underlying functional consequences of their presence is often unclear. We have examined the contribution of Ca2+ influx through N- and L- type voltage-activated Ca2+ channels in sympathetic neurons to the depolarization-induced activation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in norepinephrine (NE) synthesis, and the depolarization-induced release of NE. Superior cervical ganglia (SCG) were decentralized 4 days prior to their use to eliminate the possibility of indirect effects of depolarization via preganglionic nerve terminals. The presence of both ω-conotoxin GVIA (1 μM), a specific blocker of N-type channels, and nimodipine (1 μM), a specific blocker of L-type Ca2+ channels, was necessary to inhibit completely the stimulation of TH activity by 55 mM K+, indicating that Ca2+ influx through both types of channels contributes to enzyme activation. In contrast, K+ stimulation of TH activity in nerve fibers and terminals in the iris could be inhibited completely by ω-conotoxin GVIA alone and was unaffected by nimodipine as previously shown. K+ stimulation of NE release from both ganglia and irises was also blocked completely when ω-conotoxin GVIA was included in the medium, while nimodipine had no significant effect in either tissue. These results indicate that particular cellular processes in specific areas of a neuron are differentially dependent on Ca2+ influx through N- and L-type Ca2+ channels. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 40: 137–148, 1999
The entrainment and migration controls of multiple-attractor systems

A method of imposing limited controls on systems which can generally have complex dynamics with many dynamic attractors, is illustrated using several map-dynamics and the Lorenz system. The two types of controls involve: (a) the entrainment of the system, x, to a class of “entrainment goals” g(t), meaning that limt→∞ |x-g| = 0, and (b) the transfer of the system from one attractor to another, using “migration-goals” in the control.
Effects of Sediments on the Development of Macrocystis pyrifera Gametophytes

Rocky ocean bottoms are covered from time to time with small amounts of fine sediments. This material may interfere with the development of germling stages of Macrocystis pyrifera. Tests were performed by introducing sediments before and after spores were dispersed in culture dishes. 10 mg cm-2 of sediment, enough to occlude the surface, prevents spore attachment, greatly reducing the probability of survival. Smothering of established germlings was severe at 108 mg sediment cm-2. Water motion further reduced spore success where sediments were present, probably because of abrasive scour. Mechanisms of natural and human interference with M. pyrifera reproduction are suggested.
Can Markov switching models replicate chartist profits in the foreign exchange market

Abstract In this paper we show that the Markov switching model is a relevant statistical alternative to the classical martingale model for exchange rates. By extending the standard Markov switching model we decisively reject the martingale model. Moreover, the model generates autocorrelations and linear structures in line with what is observed in reality. Subsequently, we test whether this model can explain chartist profits. We find that the extended Markov switching model is able to explain the profitability of a simple MA-30 rule. Finally, we decompose the profitability of the MA-30 rule into a linear and nonlinear part. We find that, although the implied linear structure of the Markov model explains a substantial part of the profitability, part of the profits of the MA-30 rule can be attributed to the specific nonlinearities implicit in the Markov model.
MOEMS applications at Sandia National Laboratories

MicroOptoElectroMechanical (MOEM) devices include both the application of micromechanics to control micro-optical systems and the application of micro-optical systems to provide monitoring and feedback for micromechanical systems. This paper presents microsystem applications at Sandia National Laboratories that require the integration of micromechanics with transmissive and reflective micro-optical systems to achieve specific functions. The goal of the presentation is to provide 'system pull' by discussing the enhanced functionality of MOEMS. In particular, this paper describes MOEM systems based on polycrystalline silicon sacrificial Surface MicroMachining (SMM) devices. In one example, an environmental sensor, a Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) is assembled with an SMM device and an Application- Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) to achieve a specific function. The PIC is used to monitor the SMM device. The PIC output is processed by the ASIC to generate a specific signal. The second system illustrates the micromechanical control of an optical beam. This system consists of an SMM shutter device that has been post-processed using High Aspect Ratio Silicon Etching (HARSE) to accept a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL). Another system in the early stages of development is an SMM mechanical timer, which illustrates the need for the development of compact, multi-channel micro- optical monitoring technologies.
Dealing With the Evidence Dilemma in Genomics and Personalized Medicine

In this commentary, I discuss how the promise of genomics and personalized medicine (GPM) is currently not matched by the evidence that supports its use in clinical practice. The mismatch between expectations and reality can be addressed by placing greater emphasis on multidisciplinary translation research and by stakeholder-driven collaboration that uses such research to address various and occasionally competing factors affecting the integration of genomic discoveries into clinical practice.
Automatic Identification of Artifact-Related Independent Components for Artifact Removal in EEG Recordings

Electroencephalography (EEG) is the recording of electrical activity produced by the firing of neurons within the brain. These activities can be decoded by signal processing techniques. However, EEG recordings are always contaminated with artifacts which hinder the decoding process. Therefore, identifying and removing artifacts is an important step. Researchers often clean EEG recordings with assistance from independent component analysis (ICA), since it can decompose EEG recordings into a number of artifact-related and event-related potential (ERP)-related independent components. However, existing ICA-based artifact identification strategies mostly restrict themselves to a subset of artifacts, e.g., identifying eye movement artifacts only, and have not been shown to reliably identify artifacts caused by nonbiological origins like high-impedance electrodes. In this paper, we propose an automatic algorithm for the identification of general artifacts. The proposed algorithm consists of two parts: 1) an event-related feature-based clustering algorithm used to identify artifacts which have physiological origins; and 2) the electrode-scalp impedance information employed for identifying nonbiological artifacts. The results on EEG data collected from ten subjects show that our algorithm can effectively detect, separate, and remove both physiological and nonbiological artifacts. Qualitative evaluation of the reconstructed EEG signals demonstrates that our proposed method can effectively enhance the signal quality, especially the quality of ERPs, even for those that barely display ERPs in the raw EEG. The performance results also show that our proposed method can effectively identify artifacts and subsequently enhance the classification accuracies compared to four commonly used automatic artifact removal methods.
Quantitative J correlation methods for the accurate measurement of 13C'-13Calpha dipolar couplings in proteins.

Methods are described for the precise and accurate measurement of one-bond dipolar 13 C � - 13 C α couplings in weakly aligned proteins. The experiments are based on the principle of quantitative J correlation, where 1 JCCα (or 1 JCCα + 1 DCCα ) is measured from the relative intensity of two interleaved 3D TROSY-HN(CO)CA or 3D TROSY-HNCO spectra recorded with dephasing intervals of zero (reference spectrum) and ∼3/(2 1 JCCα )( at- tenuated spectrum). In analogy to other quantitative J correlation techniques, the random error in the measured 1 JCC α value is inversely proportional to the signal-to-noise ratio in the reference spectrum. It is shown that for weakly aligned proteins, with the magnitude of the alignment tensor of D NH ≤ 10-15 Hz, the systematic errors are typically negligible. The methods are demonstrated for the third IgG-binding domain of protein G (GB3) and α-synuclein in complex with a detergent micelle, where errors in 1 DCCα of less than 0.1 Hz and ca. 0.2 Hz, respectively, are estimated. Remarkably, the dipolar couplings determined for GB3 are in even better agreement with the recently refined 1.1-A X-ray structure than the input 13 C � - 13 C α couplings used for the refinement.
Postexcision mammography is indicated after resection of ductal carcinoma-in-situ of the breast

Background: The adequacy of excision of ductal carcinoma-in-situ (DCIS) usually is confirmed with specimen mammography and histopathological assessment of specimen margins. Postexcision mammography of the involved breast is used at some centers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of postexcision mammography in DCIS. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients treated for DCIS at our institution from 1995 to 1998. Results: Sixty-seven patients had postexcision mammography performed. Residual microcalcifications were identified in 16 patients (24%). Further surgery was precluded by precise mammographic- pathological correlation by using sliced-specimen mammography in two patients. Twelve patients had repeat wide excision, and two patients underwent mastectomy. Residual DCIS was identified at re-excision in 9 of 14 patients (64%). The margin status of the initial resection was negative in three of nine patients (33%) and positive or unknown in six of nine patients (67%). Conclusions: Postexcision mammography is a valuable technique that complements specimen mammography and histopathological margin assessment in confirming that an adequate excision of DCIS has been performed. Postexcision mammography should be performed in all patients with DCIS associated with mammographic calcifications who are treated with breast-conserving therapy.
Fast image registration by hierarchical soft correspondence detection

A new approach, based on the hierarchical soft correspondence detection, has been presented for significantly improving the speed of our previous HAMMER image registration algorithm. Currently, HAMMER takes a relative long time, e.g., up to 80min, to register two regular sized images using Linux machine (with 2.40GHz CPU and 2-Gbyte memory). This is because the results of correspondence detection, used to guide the image warping, can be ambiguous in complex structures and thus the image warping has to be conservative and accordingly takes long time to complete. In this paper, a hierarchical soft correspondence detection technique has been employed to detect correspondences more robustly, thereby allowing the image warping to be completed straightforwardly and fast. By incorporating this hierarchical soft correspondence detection technique into the HAMMER registration framework, both the robustness and the accuracy of registration (in terms of low average registration error) can be achieved. Experimental results on real and simulated data show that the new registration algorithm, based on the hierarchical soft correspondence detection, can run nine times faster than HAMMER while keeping the similar registration accuracy.
A modified paper-binding procedure for the assay of nucleus-associated protein phosphokinases

Abstract Previously existing paper-binding assay procedures gave results with large variations when employed for the measurement of nucleus-associated protein phosphokinase activities. However, a modified method, utilizing the binding of 32 Plabeled phosphoprotein substrates to paper and employing washing procedures in 20% trichloroacetic acid at 60° to 70°C, gave highly reproducible results. This modified procedure was satisfactory with either chromatin or a nonhistone protein fraction derived therefrom as a source of enzyme, and dephosphophosvitin, lysine-rich histones, or casein as phosphoprotein substrates.
Trends, clinical outcomes, and cost implications of mitral valve repair versus replacement, concomitant with aortic valve replacement.

Objective This study evaluated national trends, clinical outcomes, and cost implications of mitral valve (MV) repair, versus replacement, concomitant with aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods Patients who underwent MV surgery concomitant with AVR, between 1999 and 2008, were identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) registry. Mitral stenosis, endocarditis, and emergency cases were excluded. Inpatient clinical outcomes and costs were compared. Costs were derived using cost-to-charge ratios supplied by the dataset for each individual hospital. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were used for risk adjustment. Results A total of 41,417 concomitant cases were identified, of which 11,472 (28%) were MV repairs. Repair rates increased from 15.3% in 1999 to 43.5% in 2008 ( P P = .54). Unadjusted inpatient mortality (7.9% vs 10.1%, P = .005); length of hospital stay (median: 8 vs 9 days, P P P Conclusions Mitral valve repair concomitant with AVR is associated with reduced inpatient mortality and costs, compared with MV replacement, supporting its use when technically feasible. Although use has increased substantially, MV repair continues to comprise a minority of concomitant AVR cases, in centers reporting to the NIS registry. Increasing repair rates, particularly in NIS-participating hospitals, seems prudent.
Adding God: Religious and Secular Press Framing in Response to the Insertion of “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance

Abstract This study examines how the issue of adding “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 was framed and influenced by two forces-the Catholic Knights of Columbus and the secular Hearst newspapers. The time period under consideration is 1951–1954, from the initial use of “under God” in the Pledge within the Knights of Columbus to passage of the change into federal law. The Knights fraternity has been documented as the originator of the concept, and an examination of major Hearst newspapers reveals an attempt by the chain to usurp credit for the “under God” campaign.
A c.t.d. adaptive inverse filter

An inverse filter, incorporating a charge-transfer-device (c.t.d.), tapped analog delay line and digitally programmed tap weights, is reported. This computer controlled analog processor performs a zero-forcing algorithm under software control. The inverse filter (or transversal equaliser) is demonstrated with an LC resonator as the distorting medium. The results show that this processor permits partially overlapping distorted impulses to be clearly discriminated.
Kinetic study of the deamidation of growth hormone and prolactin

Abstract 1. 1.|Pituitary growth hormore and prolactin are converted to more acidic electrophoretic components when they are allowed to stand in an alkaline medium. A quantitative study of this instability was made by measuring the first-order rate constant for the conversion of the major electrophoretic component to the faster-migrating bands. Changes in concentration of the components were determined by colorimetric assay of the stained disc-electrophoretic bands. 2. 2.|An increase in temperature, pH or ionic strength of the solution, or use of urea, increased the rate of alteration of bovine growth hormone, ovine prolactin and human growth hormone. Urea not only accelerated the conversion, but also increased the number of converted forms. 3. 3.|The rate constants for the conversion were greatest for ovine prolactin under all conditions. Human growth hormone was generally more stable to alteration than ovine prolactin. Bovine growth hormone was the least susceptible to conversion. 4. 4.|The rate of liberation of NH 3 from the hormones at pH 10 correlated with the rate of conversion of the major electrophoretic component. The data were consistent with the assumption that each faster-migrating component was formed by loss of one mole of NH 3 . 5. 5.|The multiple disc-electrophoretic forms of ovine prolactin were analyzed by isoelectric focusing in carrier ampholytes. The principal band behaved as a single component, whereas each of the faster-migrating bands was resolved into at least two components. 6. 6.|It was concluded that increased electrophoretic heterogeneity of the hormones, in the absence of proteinases, can be attributed to a nonenzymic deamidation.
Transit bus maintenance management in the United States

Abstract A review of transit bus maintenance shows that, as widely suspected, there are serious problems. The roots of these problems are shown to be largely institutional. The paper points out that solutions to parts of the problem along established disciplinary lines alone will not succeed to improve the effectiveness of transit bus maintenance. Instead, a total system approach is advocated. Elements of such an approach are outlined. The approach calls for treating the problem simultaneously from the top down and from the bottom up.
Next-generation lithography mask development at the NGL-MCOC

Masks for next generation lithographies present difficult technical processing, challenges for meeting the demanding requirements of future lithography. The Next Generation Lithography Mask Center of Competency is applying the proximity x-ray mask technology developed by the IBM advanced mask facility to all major NGL technologies. Mask fabrication has been demonstrated for proximity x-ray, scattering and stencil electron beam projection, and extreme UV lithographies. The imaging layer for these mask technologies differ significantly from one another and yet present similar processing challenges. This paper discuses the process technology developed at the NGL-MCOC associated with patterning the absorber layers. Issues with chemically amplified resist coating and baking and absorber etching are identified and associated with observed image size variations. The difficulty in the aspect ratio of. the absorber drives much of the processing requirements for the different NGL formats. High-aspect ratios on stencil and proximity x-ray masks require more difficult etch processes than those on lower-aspect ratio absorbers.
Limb reduction defects after prenatal inhibition of nitric oxide synthase in rats.

ABSTRACT: To determine the influence of nitric oxide (NO) on vascular tone during fetal development, timed pregnant rats received the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester for consecutive 4, 7, or 14 d before parturition (postorganogenesis). Offspring demonstrated limb reduction defects (incidence, 53%) involving either or both hindlimbs, whereas forelimbs were uniformly spared. Defects were dose-dependent but independent of the duration of administration occurring with equal frequency in 4-, 7-, and 14-d treatment groups. Histologic analysis revealed features characteristic of vascular disruption with hemorrhagic necrosis and loss of structure. The defects were prevented by concurrent maternal administration of L-arginine or the NO donors S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine and sodium nitroprusside. Defects were not seen after prenatal treatment with aminoguanidine. To study basal and agonist-mediated NO release, newborn femoral and brachial arteries were cannulated with a glass micropipette under constant pressure, and changes in intraluminal diameter (micrometers) were measured in response to acetylcholine and the NO synthase inhibitor Nω-nitro-L-arginine. Newborn femoral and brachial vessels demonstrated a dramatic (59%) decrease in resting diameter compared with adult vessels (16%). These findings suggest that basal NO release is upregulated during fetal development concurrent with the processes that increase maternal NO release. The data also suggest that up-regulation of NO release occurs throughout the fetal systemic circulation and is not restricted to hindlimbs. This is the first study to demonstrate inhibition of NO release in the pathogenesis of limb reduction defects.
Exposure to currency risk by US multinational corporations

Abstract Despite evidence that large US multinational corporations are hedging their exchange rate risk exposure, existing literature on the measurement of exchange rate risk does not give us a tool to measure the effect of such hedging activities of multinational firms. This paper revisited the measurement of exchange rate risk exposure using the cumulative translation adjustment as a trade-weighted dollar index faced by individual companies. We find that especially small multinational firms are exposed to foreign exchange risk and benefit from a weakening in the international value of the US dollar. The results also indicate that hedging activities by large firms are not so effective to eliminate exchange risk. Two industries in particular show a highly significant relation between changes in the cumulative translation account and equity returns, however, with an opposite sign, i.e. positive for electrical equipment and negative for primary metals.