cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Screening for Urinary Tract Infection With the Yellow IRIS

The Yellow IRIS Model 450 Urinalysis Workstation (International Remote Imaging Systems) was evaluated for its ability to detect abnormalities in urine that could predict urinary tract infection (UTI) in 392 specimens. The time allowed between collection and testing was limited to 2 hours. Patients yielding specimens containing 104 or more colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) with white blood cells (WBCs) present were considered to have UTI. Medical records were reviewed for clinical evidence of UTI when WBCs were absent in these specimens, and when WBCs were present, but less than 104 CFU/mL were isolated. The combination of factors that displayed optimum sensitivity and specificity was 2 WBCs or greater per HPF and/or 2 red blood cells or greater per HPF (92.8% and 60.1%, respectively).
Mode and Structure in The Merchant of Venice

Athough The Merchant of Venice ranks with Hamlet in theatrical popularity, it ranks low in critical esteem. A play that is difficult to classify, it is variously labeled tragi-comedy or romantic comedy; but neither label embraces nor harmonizes the seemingly disparate plots. Further, the plots are often condemned as preposterous and unrelated to life; and a fairly common view is that the play is a fairy tale: “There is no more reality in Shylock's bond and the Lord of Belmont's will than in Jack and the Beanstalk.” Critics adopting such a position find the chief merit of the play in its “flesh-and-blood characters” who triumph over the shortcomings of the story, with emphasis on Shylock, who is sometimes regarded as the protagonist. The approach to Shylock has been diverse, ranging from Stoll's notion of him as a comic butt in terms of Elizabethan conventions to the view that he is a tragic figure. Readers have shown a preoccupation with Shylock the Jew as scapegoat, stereotype, victim, or Elizabethan usurer; usually this interest has taken a realistic turn, with concern over questions of anti-Semitism and the legality of the trial.
Low Energy Ion Beam Modification of AlNxOy Thin Film for Insulated Gate Field Effect Transistors

Nitrogen ion implantation was performed to enhance the nitrogen content of non-stoichiometric AlNXOY film (x < 1.0), which was prepared via reactive RF sputtering. A method called plasma immersion ion implantation (P111) was employed to perform the nitrogen implants. The implanted films were studied for changes in film composition using Rutherford Backscattering (RBS). Optical absorption behavior of the films was analyzed using a Perkin-Elmer monochrometer, and electrical characteristics were measured using both high frequency capacitance-volltage (CV) and current-voltage (IV) measurements. The implanted films were subsequently rapid thermal annealed in a nitrogen atmosphere from 550°C to 1060°C, and the resulting effects on the AlNXOY film were investigated using the aforementioned techniques.
A Distributed transmission control method for weighted fairness in IEEE 802.11 WLANs

In wireless networks, a medium access control (MAC) protocol is sought to coordinate the transmissions of all nodes for the efficient utilization of the limited channel reception capability. When designing a MAC protocol, fair allocation of bandwidth is an important issue. However, achieving the design goal is difficult, especially for the IEEE 802.11 wireless local area networks (WLANs). In this paper, we propose a method that can properly control the transmission probability to reflect the relative weights among data traffic flows for the fair share. A closed-form expression of system throughput is derived for each class in a WLAN and numerically evaluated with different simulation scenarios. The results show that the proposed method can achieve the design goal of weighted fairness under the multi-class environment.
Predissociation measurements of bond dissociation energies: VC, VN, and VS

The abrupt onset of predissociation in the congested electronic spectra of jet-cooled VC, VN, and VS has been observed using resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy. It is argued that because of the high density of electronic states in these molecules, the predissociation threshold occurs at the thermochemical threshold for the production of separated atoms in their ground electronic states. As a result, the measured threshold represents the bond dissociation energy. Using this method, bond dissociation energies of D0(V C) = 4.1086(25) eV, D0(V N) = 4.9968(20) eV, and D0(V S) = 4.5353(25) eV are obtained. From these values, enthalpies of formation are derived as Δf,0KH°(V C(g)) = 827.0 ± 8 kJ mol−1, Δf,0KH°(V N(g)) = 500.9 ± 8 kJ mol−1, and Δf,0KH°(V S(g)) = 349.3 ± 8 kJ mol−1. Using a thermochemical cycle and the well-known ionization energies of V, VC, and VN, our results also provide D0(V+–C) = 3.7242(25) eV and D0(V+–N) = 4.6871(20) eV. These values are compared to previous measurements and to com...
Myosin MgADP Release Rate Decreases with Greater Sarcomere Length and Reduced Thick-to-Thin Filament Spacing in Skinned Soleus Muscle Fibers from Rats

The actin-myosin cross-bridge interaction uses chemical energy from MgATP hydrolysis to generate force and shortening in striated muscle. Previous studies have shown that increases in sarcomere length can reduce thick-to-thin filament spacing in skinned muscle fibers, thereby increasing force production at longer sarcomere lengths. However, it is unclear how changes in sarcomere length and lattice spacing affect cross-bridge kinetics at fundamental steps of the cross-bridge cycle, such as the MgADP release rate. We hypothesize that decreased lattice spacing, achieved through increased sarcomere length or osmotic compression of the fiber via Dextran T-500, could reduce MgADP release rate and increase cross-bridge attachment time (ton). To test this, we measured ton in skinned soleus fibers using stochastic length-perturbation analysis at 2.5 and 2.0 µm sarcomere lengths as pCa and [MgATP] varied. In the absence of Dextran, the force-pCa relationship showed greater Ca2+-sensitivity for 2.5 vs 2.0 sarcomere length fibers (pCa50=5.68±0.01 vs 5.60±0.01; pCa 4.8, 5.0 mM MgATP, 17° C). When fibers were compressed with 4% Dextran, the force-pCa relationships exhibited even greater Ca2+-sensitivities and the length-dependent increases in Ca2+-sensitivity were preserved (pCa50=5.84±0.03 vs 5.80±0.04). Without Dextran, longer sarcomere lengths also exhibited increased ton (86±5 vs 70±2 ms), resulting from a slower MgADP release rate at 2.5 vs. 2.0 sarcomere length (11.24±0.5 vs 13.14±0.7 s−1). Osmotic compression further increased ton at both sarcomere lengths (98±7 vs 73±4 ms) due to even slower MgADP dissociation from myosin (9.57±0.5 vs 12.6±0.5 s−1), yet length-dependent kinetic differences were preserved. These data suggest that skeletal muscle exhibits length-dependent changes in cross-bridge kinetics as a function of lattice spacing, which may impact overall muscle behavior as length varies.
Stereotypical Images, American Indians, and Prejudice

Fear and hatred and the feeling of being less than human—don’t these feelings occur for any group that has been subjected to rejection, isolation, persecution, incarceration, and extermination? And wouldn’t these feelings continue when every effort to subdue a group was met with active or passive resistance? Don’t these feelings reinforce and justify any effort to exclude a group from full participation in the pursuit of their inalienable rights? Answers to these questions demand more than mere academic inquiry; they demand answers that reflect the history of intergroup relations, especially ones in which one group forms to subdue another. In this chapter, we explore certain social-psychological elements that have fostered negative intergroup relations between Euro-Americans and American Indians. As we do so, some light may be shed on the feelings of fear, hatred, and inferiority cited above.
The Effects of the Physical Features Associated with Albinism on the Self-Esteem of African American Youths.

This study explored the effects of the physical features associated with albinism on three groups of African American youths with albinism: those with no identified disabilities, those with visual ...
TEL/PDGFβR Tyrosine Kinase Fusion Specifically Activates Myeloid Differentiation Programs, and Converts Lymphoid Progenitors into the Myeloid Lineage.

Acute leukemias are classified into myeloid and lymphoid subtypes according to their phenotypic characteristics. Leukemic cells, however, sometimes co-express myeloid and lymphoid phenotypes, or switch their phenotype from myeloid to lymphoid lineages and vice versa. The conventional classification of leukemias is based mainly upon the concept that leukemic phenotype reflects a progenitor stage at which leukemic transformation occurs, or that it represents a stage at which transformed hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) become incapable of further differentiation. Here we propose another possibility that phenotype of leukemias could be determined by instructive signals from the leukemic transformation mechanism itself. We found that TEL/PDGFβR (T/P), a tyrosine kinase fusion isolated from chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, can instruct myeloid lineage commitment and conversion at stem and progenitor stages of hematopoiesis. The T/P gene was transduced into purified progenitors or HSCs by using a retrovirus carrying a green fluorescent protein reporter. HSCs transduced with T/P (T/P+ HSCs) spontaneously formed GM colonies without cytokines. Furthermore, T/P+ HSCs were incapable of differentiation into B cells on OP9 stromal layer in the presence of IL-7. To test the effect of T/P on lymphoid commitment more precisely, we transduced T/P into purified common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) that normally differentiate only into T, B and NK lineages. In a limiting dilution assay, 1 in 7 control-GFP transduced CLPs generated B cell progeny in vitro, while only 1 in 500 T/P+ CLPs differentiated into B cells. Instead, surprisingly, the majority of T/P+ CLPs and even T/P+ thymic proT cells quickly differentiated into granulocytes and monocytes in vitro. We then transplanted T/P+ CLPs into lethally irradiated congenic mice. T/P+ CLPs again differentiated into Gr-1+ granulocytes and monocytes in vivo. Gene expression analyses showed that T/P+ CLPs upregulated GM-related molecules including C/EBPα and GM-CSFRα immediately after T/P transduction, while transduction of either C/EBPα or GM-CSFRα also reprogrammed CLPs into the myeloid lineage as we reported previously. Thus, T/P signaling can activate these critical GM-related molecules in lymphoid progenitors to convert them into the myeloid lineage. These data collectively suggest that at least some types of oncogenic tyrosine kinase fusions can specify leukemic phenotypes, through activating critical signals for lineage commitment.
A Call for Item-ordering Transparency in Online IS Survey Administration

Online survey applications typically offer the capability to individually randomize the order in which survey items are presented to subjects, a method that structurally eliminates several sources of method bias inherent to static surveys. IS researchers who use online surveys have a strong interest in knowing how prior surveys were administered in published research, however, we find this information is rarely available in current practice. This paper presents a call for increased transparency in reporting itemordering methodology in future online IS survey research. This call is based on 1) a literature review of online survey research published in the AIS Senior Scholars’ Basket of Journals, 2) results of new research comparing reliability and construct validity characteristics produced by individually-randomized vs. static survey administration methods, and 3) results of hypothetical structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses contrasting structural models following purification of the individually-randomized and static datasets.
Prayer, Protest, and Police Brutality: Black Muslim Spiritual Resistance in the Ferguson Era

This article is a localized ethnographic exploration of African American Muslims within the context of a broad and diverse national movement surrounding police violence and related issues of racial justice: “Black Lives Matter.” Through fieldwork conducted simultaneously in physical spaces in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and on social media platforms, this work explores some of the internal diversity of Black Lives Matter through a focus on the lived experiences of Black Muslims as they engage with the movement and their unique positioning in relationship with the issues it aims to address. Through attention to the ways that they are rendered doubly liminal and intersectionally impacted as a result of the prevalence of both anti-Black racism and Islamophobia, police violence as well as faith-based profiling and surveillance, I examine the fusion of spirituality and protest that informs the worship and activism of my interlocutors, the crafting of protest repertoires that draw upon the legacies of African American freedom struggles and Islamic mandates to social justice for the purposes of resisting, reimagining, and reshaping the marginalization that they experience.
The impacts of sexual media exposure on adolescent and emerging adults’ dating and sexual violence attitudes and behaviors: A critical review of the literature.

Dating violence (DV) and sexual violence (SV) are widespread problems among adolescents and emerging adults. A growing body of literature demonstrates that exposure to sexually explicit media (SEM) and sexually violent media (SVM) may be risk factors for DV and SV. The purpose of this article is to provide a systematic and comprehensive literature review on the impact of exposure to SEM and SVM on DV and SV attitudes and behaviors. A total of 43 studies utilizing adolescent and emerging adult samples were reviewed, and collectively the findings suggest that (1) exposure to SEM and SVM is positively related to DV and SV myths and more accepting attitudes toward DV and SV; (2) exposure to SEM and SVM is positively related to actual and anticipated DV and SV victimization, perpetration, and bystander nonintervention; (3) SEM and SVM more strongly impact men's DV and SV attitudes and behaviors than women's DV and SV attitudes and behaviors; and (4) preexisting attitudes related to DV and SV and media preferences moderate the relationship between SEM and SVM exposure and DV and SV attitudes and behaviors. Future studies should strive to employ longitudinal and experimental designs, more closely examine the mediators and moderators of SEM and SVM exposure on DV and SV outcomes, focus on the impacts of SEM and SVM that extend beyond men's use of violence against women, and examine the extent to which media literacy programs could be used independently or in conjunction with existing DV and SV prevention programs to enhance effectiveness of these programming efforts.
Review of breast screening: Toward clinical realization of microwave imaging

Microwave imaging (MI) technology has come a long way to introduce a noninvasive, inexpensive, fast, convenient, and safe screening tool for clinical breast monitoring. However, there is a niche between the existing understanding of MI by engineers versus clinicians. Our manuscript targets that niche and highlights the state of the art in MI technology compared to the existing breast cancer detection modalities (mammography, ultrasound, molecular imaging, and magnetic resonance). The significance of our review article is in consolidation of up-to-date breast clinician views with the practical needs and engineering challenges of a novel breast screening modality. We summarize breast tissue abnormalities and highlight the benefits as well as potential drawbacks of the MI as a cancer detection methodology. Our goal is to present an article that MI researchers as well as practitioners in the field can use to assess the viability of the MI technology as a competing or complementary modality to the existing means of breast cancer screening.
Facilitation of Energy Trapping by Different Forms of Chlorophyll

It is well known that chlorophyll a in green plants is present in forms that absorb at different wavelengths. These forms have been differentiated by derivative spectroscopy, curve fitting, and spectroscopy at low temperatures, and are often given names such as C67O, C680, C690 and C700 which designate a wavelength near the position of maximal absorption (BUTLER 1966, FRENCH et al. 1971). The reason for the existence of these various forms has not been entirely clear. Since there are usually thought to be two separate photochemical systems in green plants, it has been natural to try to associate each form of chlorophyll with one system or the other, but these attempts have usually come to the conclusion that most forms belong to both systems (CEDERSTRAND et al. 1966, BORISOV et al. 1969, CHO & GOVINDJEE 1970, MICHEL & MICHELWOLWERTZ 1970).
Midline nasal destruction in cocaine abusers.

Idiopathic midline destructive disease (IMDD) is a diagnosis of exclusion in patients who manifest midline nasal necrosis with no specific etiology such as infection, tumor, or Wegener's granulomat...
Cousins but Not Twins: Instructional Design and Human Performance Technology in the Workplace

Instructional design (ID) and human performance technology (HPT) stem from a common origin in systems thinking and behavioral psychology, but today the two fields employ different research bases, system foci, and methods. To contrast these fields, this chapter presents an idealized and abstracted discussion that examines the theoretical origins of the two fields, briefly describes their similarities, and focuses on their differences in terms of analytical frameworks and methods. We conclude that contemporary practice in most contexts combines elements of ID and HPT, particularly when working in cross-functional teams seeking to improve organizational performance. Practitioners of ID are likely to encounter HPT in their work, and they may be called upon to serve as part of a cross-functional team using HPT as a common conceptual framework.
Conclusion: Some Reflections on Method

In the conclusion, I foreground questions of method, elucidating the process through which the book came together and discussing the philosophy underpinning my approach. Through discussions of the work of Stanley Cavell and cinephilia theorists like Christian Keathley, my approach that begins with specific details in specific films and works describe a “bottom up” outward from there. Such an approach, I suggest, can be a useful tool for circumventing habituated responses and ways of thinking and for refreshing our understanding of apparently critically exhausted works.
An Algorithm Framework for the Exact Solution and Improved Approximation of the Maximum Weighted Independent Set Problem.

The Maximum Weighted Independent Set (MWIS) problem, which considers a graph with weights assigned to nodes and seeks to discover the "heaviest" independent set, that is, a set of nodes with maximum total weight so that no two nodes in the set are connected by an edge. The MWIS problem arises in many application domains, including the resource-constrained scheduling, error-correcting coding, complex system analysis and optimization, and communication networks. Since solving the MWIS problem is the core function for finding the optimum solution of our novel graph-based formulation of the resource-constrained Process Planning and Scheduling (PPS) problem, it is essential to have "good-performance" algorithms to solve the MWIS problem. In this paper, we propose a Novel Hybrid Heuristic Algorithm (NHHA) framework in a divide-and-conquer structure that yields optimum feasible solutions to the MWIS problem. The NHHA framework is optimized to minimize the recurrence. Using the NHHA framework, we also solve the All Maximal Independent Sets Listing (AMISL) problem, which can be seen as the subproblem of the MWIS problem. Moreover, building composed MWIS algorithms that utilizing fast approximation algorithms with the NHHA framework is an effective way to improve the accuracy of approximation MWIS algorithms (e.g., GWMIN and GWMIN2 (Sakai et al., 2003)). Eight algorithms for the MWIS problem, the exact MWIS algorithm, the AMISL algorithm, two approximation algorithms from the literature, and four composed algorithms, are applied and tested for solving the graph-based formulation of the resource-constrained PPS problem to evaluate the scalability, accuracy, and robustness.
My C.H.O.I.C.E: Choosing Healthy Options in the Childhood Experience, A Resident-Led School Based Health Education Program

Background: Childhood obesity is a major epidemic incurring high healthcare costs and health ramifications. During the 2012-2014 school years, 23.6% of the students attending the local school district studied were obese. In pre-adolescents, the targeted population, the national obesity rate in 2011-2015 was 25% for the Hispanic population. With the majority of the target student population comprising of students of Hispanic ethnicity, this is a community of need. Objective: My C.H.O.I.C.E. is a creative and sustainable 6-week health education program developed and led by pediatric residents from an academic …
Informal and Private: Veto Threats Over the Freedom of Information Act

Building from Azari and Smith’s (2012) work on informal institutions, we understand the veto bargaining function as informal, operating within the formal rules and constraints of the legislative development process, as there are no formal rules to govern presidential bargaining with Congress. The president’s power to persuade becomes contextual and situational to the issue, individual, and moment in time. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is employed as a case to examine a policy issue that presidents do not want, as it serves as a congressional check on executive power. Examining the development of FOIA, we can examine how and why presidents choose to employ a private bargaining strategy. Using the same policy issue across three administrations – Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford – provides consistency in examining the political contexts on an issue each president wanted to avoid but was forced to engage with by Congress.
Cytopathologic assessment of gloves and instruments after major head and neck surgery.

Abstract Purpose To investigate the potential for cancer cells to be transferred between anatomic sites via instruments and other materials. Materials and methods Pilot prospective study from April 2018–January 2019 at Rush University Medical Center. Glove and instrument washings were collected from 18 high-risk head and neck cancer resection cases (36 samples total). Each case maintained at least one of the following features in addition to a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma or sarcoma: palliative/salvage surgery, positive margins, extensive tumor burden, and/or extra capsular extension (ECE). Surgical gloves and four main instruments were placed through washings for blind cytological assessment (2 samples/case). Results 18 patients undergoing surgical tumor resection for biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma with at least one of the aforementioned characteristics were included. 26.7% of cases had ECE, 40.0% had positive final margins and 46.7% had close final margins. Tumor locations included: oral cavity (10), neck (4), parotid gland (2), and skin (2). Malignant cells were isolated on glove washings in 1 case (5.5%). No malignant cells were isolated from instrument washings. The single case of malignant cells on glove washings occurred in a recurrent, invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp with intracranial extension. Anucleated squamous cells likely from surgeon skin were isolated from 94.4% of washings. Squamous cells were differentiated from mature cells by the absence of nuclei. Conclusions Malignant squamous cells can be isolated from surgical glove washings, supporting the practice of changing of gloves after gross tumor resection during major head and neck cancer resections.
Abstract PS9-22: Supportive care needs and patient experience of women with metastatic breast cancer in a safety-net system

Background: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is an incurable, albeit treatable cancer affecting over 150,000 women in the US. Addressing supportive care needs has become increasingly important as women are living longer with MBC due to advances in treatment. However, most supportive care programs were developed for women with early stage breast cancer. The existing literature also offers limited understanding of the needs of patients receiving care in safety net settings, which are often under-resourced and treat medically underserved populations, who are more likely to be diagnosed with MBC. Methods: This study sought to understand the supportive care needs and experience of MBC patients receiving care in a safety net system. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 patients (average age = 42.8 years, SD = 19.5) who were undergoing treatment for MBC. Questions centered on the diagnosis and treatment experience, patient-provider communication, and perceived barriers to care. Interviews were digitally audio-recorded, transcribed and coded using a Grounded Theory approach. Results: Patients noted that a lack of familiarity with medical terminology and insufficient medical knowledge made it difficult for them to evaluate treatment options, make treatment decisions, and communicate their supportive care needs. Half (n=5) did not feel their healthcare concerns were validated when expressed and some even went so far as to exaggerate reports of physical symptom severity in order to receive more timely and attentive care. Patients were dissatisfied with the timeliness of information delivery, scheduling delays, and long wait times. Some also felt that seeing different providers (e.g., residents, fellows) each time they came into the clinic interfered with the doctor-patient bond and continuity of care. Conclusion: This study identified patient, provider, and system-level factors affecting MBC patients’ experience of care in a safety-net system. Our findings indicate a strong need for support services including outreach to address health literacy issues, treatment decision making, and symptom management concerns. They also indicate a need for improved disease and treatment information exchange between patients and healthcare providers. Citation Format: Ashley Buchanan, Ola El-Mubasher, Astrid Sarfo, Hoda Badr. Supportive care needs and patient experience of women with metastatic breast cancer in a safety-net system [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS9-22.
Hydrogen sulfide prevents ethanol-induced ZO-1 CpG promoter hypermethylation-dependent vascular permeability via miR-218/DNMT3a axis.

Ethanol (ET) causes cerebrovascular dysfunction by altering homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism and by causing oxidative stress. However, there are no strategies to prevent ET-induced epigenetic deregulation of tight junction protein (hyper-methylation) and endothelial cell permeability to date. Hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) has an antioxidative, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effect. Here, we investigated the protective role of H2 S in ET-induced endothelial permeability through epigenetic changes in mouse brain endothelial cells (bEnd3). The bEnd3 cells were exposed to 50 mM ET treatment in the presence or absence of 50 μM NaHS (H2 S donor). The result demonstrates that ET-induced cellular toxicity increased intracellular Hcy levels, which further intensified mitochondrial dysfunction and energy defects. Using miScript microRNA (miRNA) polymerase chain reaction array-based screening, we identified a particular miRNA, miR-218, as a novel target of ET-induced DNA methyltransferase-3a (DNMT3a) activation. miR-218 influences CpG island methylation of the zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) promoter in the endothelial cells. We discovered that ET suppressed miR-218 levels and induced endothelial permeability via DNMT3a-mediated ZO-1 hyper-methylation. Treatment with mito-TEMPO (mitochondria-targeted antioxidant), 5'-azacitidine (DNMT inhibitor), or miR-218 overexpression was shown to protect endothelial cells against ET-induced permeability. Also, bEnd3 cells pretreated with NaHS attenuated ET-induced vascular permeability and prevented CpG island methylation at the promoter. In conclusion, our data provide evidence that H2 S treatment protects vascular integrity from ET-induced stress by mitigating CpG (ZO-1 promoter) DNA hyper-methylation. This finding uncovers a new mechanistic understanding of NaHS/H2 S, that may have therapeutic potential in preventing or diminishing ET-induced brain vascular permeability and dysfunction induced by alcoholism.
A RE-EXAMINATION OF THE U.S. UNDERGROUND ECONOMY: SIZE, ESTIMATION, AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

We re-examine the size of the underground economy in the U.S. between 1972 and 2006, after properly adjusting for several statistical issues relating to its estimation. The dynamic error-correction-based currency demand approach confirms that income tax rates have no contemporaneous effect on currency demand, but they have positive and significant effects with a one-period lag. In addition, we observe that the size of the underground economy in the U.S. has grown considerably during the post-1990 period from $148.7 billion (3.4% of official GDP) in 1973 to $691.2 billion (6.0% of official GDP) in 2006. We also find that misspecified models have a propensity for overstating the size of the underground economy. During recessionary periods, the underground and official economies move in a same direction, although the growth rates of the underground economy are more unpredictable than those of the official economy. About the Authors: Dr. Kabir Hassan is a tenured professor at the University of New Orleans and also holds a visiting research professorship at Drexel University, Philadelphia. He is a financial economist with consulting, research and teaching experiences in development finance, money and capital markets, corporate finance, investments, monetary economics, macroeconomics and international trade and finance. He has published five books, over 70 articles in refereed academic journals and has presented over 100 research papers at professional conferences globally. Dr. Jung-Suk Yu is with the Global Studies Department of the Samsung Economic Research Institute in Korea.
Chapter 25. Brain Neurotransmitter Receptor Binding and Neuroleptic Drugs

Publisher Summary The molecular mechanism of a therapeutic drug is suggested by the biochemical event that correlates best with clinical potency. Binding is the recognition site of a receptor. The striatal dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase, encompasses both a recognition and an effector unit. The neuroleptic drugs exert their therapeutic actions and induce extrapyramidal side effects by blocking the dopamine receptors in the brain. Autonomic sympatholytic effect, such as orthostatic hypotension and sedation, are among the most prominent untoward actions of the neuroleptic drugs. The norepinephrine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in rat limbic forebrain indicates that the neuroleptics have a high affinity for norepinephrine areceptor sites. Stereospecificity and correlations between the clinical and the biochemical effects reveal the biochemical basis of neuroleptic drug action. Droperidol is one-fourth as potent as spiroperidol at the dopamine receptor. There is poor correlation between neuroleptic affinity for H-haloperidol binding sites and norepinephrine and epinephrine toxicity. While molecular modeling indicates how phenothiazines assume the preferred conformation of dopamine, the conformation of butyrophenones at their receptor sites is unclear. In extrapyramidal side effects and muscarinic binding, dopamine receptor blockade in the corpus striatum is responsible for the extrapyramidal side effects of neuroleptic therapy, while dopamine receptor blockade in the limbic forebrain, regions associated with emotional behaviors, is responsible for the antischizophrenic efficacy of the neuroleptic agents.
A model for characterizing annual flu cases

Influenza outbreaks occur seasonally and peak during winter season in temperate zones of the Northern and Southern hemisphere. The occurrence and recurrence of flu epidemics has been alluded to variability in mechanisms such temperature, climate, host contact and traveling patterns [4]. This work promotes a Gaussian-type regression model to study flu outbreak trends and predict new cases based on influenza-like-illness data for France (1985-2005). We show that the proposed models are appropriate descriptors of these outbreaks and can improve the surveillance of diseases such as flu. Our results show that limited data reduces our ability to predict unobserved cases. Based on laboratory surveillance data, we prototype each season according to the dominating virus (H3N2, H1N1, B) and show that high intensity outbreaks are correlated with early peak times. These findings are in accordance with the dynamics observed for influenza outbreaks in the US.
Increases in circulating megakaryocyte growth-promoting activity in the plasma of rats following whole body irradiation.

To gain insight into the regulation of megakaryocyte precursors in vivo, we assayed (in vitro) megakaryocyte growth-promoting activity (Meg-GPA) in plasma of rats in which both marrow hypoplasia and thrombocytopenia had been induced by irradiation. Rats received whole body irradiation of 834 rad from a 137Cs source. Plasma was collected at intervals of hours to days, up through day 21 postirradiation, and was tested, at a concentration of 30%, for Meg-GPA on bone marrow cells cultured in 1.1% methylcellulose with 5 X 10(-5) M 2-mercaptoethanol. With normal rat plasma, no megakaryocyte colonies (defined as greater than or equal to 4 megakaryocytes) were seen and only a few single megakaryocytes and clusters (defined as 2 or 3 megakaryocytes) were formed. Two peaks of plasma Meg-GPA were observed after irradiation. The first appeared at 12 hr, before any decrease in marrow megakaryocyte concentration or platelet count. The second occurred on days 10–14 after irradiation, after the nadir in megakaryocyte concentration and while platelet counts were at their lowest levels. A dose-response study of plasma concentration and megakaryocyte growth, using plasma collected 11 days postirradiation, demonstrated that patterns of megakaryocyte growth were related to plasma concentration; formation of single megakaryocytes was optimal over a range of 20%-30% plasma concentration, while cluster and colony formation were optimal at a plasma concentration of 30%. All forms of megakaryocyte growth were decreased with 40% plasma. There was a linear relationship between the number of bone marrow cells plated and growth of single cells, clusters, and colonies using a concentration of 30% plasma collected 11 days after irradiation. We conclude that irradiation causes time- related increases in circulating megakaryocyte growth-promoting activity. We suggest that the irradiated rat is a good model for studying the relationships between Meg-GPA and megakaryocyte and platelet concentration in vivo.
On 2-way neighbor discovery in wireless networks with directional antennas

Neighbor discovery is a crucial first step in configuring and managing a wireless network. Most existing studies on neighbor discovery are based on broadcast algorithms, where nodes send 1-way messages without getting response from their neighbors. However, when directional antennas are used, the ability to coordinate with a neighbor is crucial for later communication between nodes, which requires handshake-based (at least 2-way) protocols. In this paper, we provide a detailed analysis of neighbor discovery protocols with 2-way communication when using directional antennas. Based on this analysis, we present the design of a randomized 2-way neighbor discovery algorithm that uses a selective feedback. Our result shows that a node needs Θ(n2/k) time to discover its n neighbors with k antenna sectors, which yields a significant performance improvement over pure randomized algorithms. We also extend our schemes to practical cases, where the number of neighbors is unknown, and show a factor of no more than 4/3 slowdown in performance.
Criminal law and justice system practices as racist, white, and racialized

For close to a decade I have been engaged in research on the ways that gender and race structure the sentencing process in the New Haven felony court.' In the early phase of the research, I was particularly interested in how gender structured the court's response to those accused. In time, that question evolved to one that asked how the court's response to accused men and women, most of whom lived at society's margins, varied by race and ethnicity. Today it is difficult for me to think about race without also having in mind black, white, and latino masculinities. It is also difficult to write a sentence about race differences without recalling gender differences within racial and ethnic groups. As we discuss race and class in the criminal justice system, let us not forget that both have a gendered face
UV PENETRATION DEPTH IN LIQUID EGG WHITE AND LIQUID WHOLE EGG

Knowledge of penetration depth of ultraviolet light (UV) in liquid egg is crucial in designing nonthermal UV pasteurizers. An experimental method was developed to determine penetration depth of 254 nm UV in liquid whole egg (LWE) and liquid egg white (LEW). The UV that penetrated through the egg was measured by a radiometer. Penetration depth, where the intensity of the UV decreases to 37% of the value at the surface, was 0.0066 cm and 0.0085 cm for LWE and LEW, respectively. This study indicates that in order to process liquid egg products with UV, thin films of 0.01 cm to 0.02 cm depth may be required. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The safety and quality of liquid egg products could benefit from being nonthermally pasteurized by ultraviolet light (UV); however, data on the penetration depth of UV in egg are extremely limited. An experimental method was developed to determine the penetration depth of UV in liquid whole egg (LWE) and liquid egg white (LEW). The penetration depth was 0.0066 cm and 0.0085 cm for LWE and LEW, respectively. The results of this study indicate that thin films of 0.01 cm to 0.02 cm depth may be required to effectively process liquid egg products with UV. This information will aid in the design of nonthermal UV pasteurizers that may well produce egg products that have better quality than those currently available using thermal pasteurization.
Euclidean sections of protein conformation space and their implications in dimensionality reduction

Dimensionality reduction is widely used in searching for the intrinsic reaction coordinates for protein conformational changes. We find the dimensionality−reduction methods using the pairwise root−mean−square deviation (RMSD) as the local distance metric face a challenge. We use Isomap as an example to illustrate the problem. We believe that there is an implied assumption for the dimensionality-reduction approaches that aim to preserve the geometric relations between the objects: both the original space and the reduced space have the same kind of geometry, such as Euclidean geometry vs. Euclidean geometry or spherical geometry vs. spherical geometry. When the protein free energy landscape is mapped onto a 2D plane or 3D space, the reduced space is Euclidean, thus the original space should also be Euclidean. For a protein with N atoms, its conformation space is a subset of the 3N-dimensional Euclidean space R3N. We formally define the protein conformation space as the quotient space of R3N by the equivalence relation of rigid motions. Whether the quotient space is Euclidean or not depends on how it is parameterized. When the pairwise RMSD is employed as the local distance metric, implicit representations are used for the protein conformation space, leading to no direct correspondence to a Euclidean set. We have demonstrated that an explicit Euclidean-based representation of protein conformation space and the local distance metric associated to it improve the quality of dimensionality reduction in the tetra-peptide and β-hairpin systems. Proteins 2014; 82:2585–2596. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia--progress at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center over the past two decades and future directions: first Emil J Freireich Award Lecture.

The purpose of this study was to review the progress in clinical and translational research in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) over the past 20 years at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The CML database updating the clinical and basic research investigations was reviewed as the source of this report. Publications resulting from these investigations were summarized. The long-term results with intensive chemotherapy, IFN-alpha therapy alone or in combination, autologous stem cell transplantation, and new agents such as homoharringtonine and decitabine showed encouraging results. Biological studies related to the BCR-ABL molecular abnormality, other molecular events, and the detection of minimal residual disease were detailed. Future strategies with potential promise in CML were outlined. Significant progress in understanding CML biology and in treating patients afflicted with the disease has occurred. Several therapeutic and research tools are currently investigated, which should hopefully improve further the prognosis of patients with CML.
Pilot randomized study comparing two techniques of airway anaesthesia during curvilinear probe endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy (CP-EBUS).

Background and objective This study evaluates two different techniques for topically anaesthetizing the airway with lidocaine during curvilinear probe endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy (CP-EBUS): standard injection through the working channel and spray catheter application. Methods This was a randomized, non-blinded, single-centre pilot study. Patients with plans for CP-EBUS under moderate sedation were enrolled. All patients received nebulized lidocaine followed by posterior oropharyngeal lidocaine via atomizer and a cotton ball swab using McGill forceps. Patients were then randomly assigned to lidocaine administration using spray catheter instillation or direct application through the working channel. Lidocaine was administered in a uniform fashion by a single investigator throughout the study. The primary end-point was the number of significant coughing episodes in the first 30 min of bronchoscopy. Other end-points included lidocaine and intravenous sedation medication dosage; severe coughing session; and number of transbronchial needle aspirations. Results Forty patients were included in the study: 20 patients in each group. The median numbers of coughing episodes in the first 30 min were 1 (spray catheter group) and 2 (standard injection group) (P Conclusions Lidocaine delivery via the spray catheter reduced the number of significant coughing episodes compared with standard working channel injection during CP-EBUS. Larger studies are needed to confirm these exploratory findings.
Uncertainty in moral theory: An epistemic defense of rule-utilitarian liberties

The purpose of this essay is to defend utilitarianism from the popular objection that it makes moral theory depend improperly upon uncertain factual information and calculations which may produce violations of individual rights or liberties. This objection is a more subtle variant of the general Kantian complaint that utilitarianism makes morality improperly contingent upon empirical facts about historical, socioeconomic circumstances, the consequences of actions, institutions, etc., thereby allowing individual liberties to be sacrificed in order to maximize the collective welfare. Three main arguments connected with the uncertainty-objection are delineated in Rawls' work, and are seen to be fallacious. It is concluded that a suitably sophisticated form of rule-utilitarianism need not base liberty on any impermissible kind of uncertainty in moral theory. This analysis is contrary not only to what Rawlsians and other Kantians nowadays typically argue or assume in criticizing utilitarianism, but also to what some of the leading critics of Rawls have said about his anti-utilitarian stance.
Two Tests of the Effectiveness of Bilingual Education in Preschool

Abstract Three meta-analytic studies have shown that bilingual education is an effective method for teaching students who are English language learners. However, there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of bilingual education in preschool. This study used multiple years of data from the Manchester (New Hampshire) Even Start program and relevant comparison groups to conduct two separate tests of the effectiveness of bilingual education in preschool. The results support the effectiveness of bilingual education in preschool, but only at marginally significant levels of statistical inference. A fixed effects model of literacy outcomes comparing a cohort of students who had received bilingual education in preschool but English-only education in kindergarten with a cohort of students who received English-only education in both preschool and kindergarten showed evidence of an achievement gap (favoring the students receiving bilingual education) that emerged at the end of preschool but had closed by the end...
Radical Democracy: Hegemony, Reason, Time and Space

Taking her present essay as my point of departure, I elaborate key aspects of Chantal Mouffe's theorization of radical and plural democracy. In particular, I stress the importance of rearticulating...
Characterisation of transient outward current in young human atrial myocytes.

Objective: The aim was to characterise the development of the transient outward current (Ito) in atrial myocytes of infants and children. Methods: Whole cell voltage clamp was used to study outward currents in enzymatically isolated atrial myocytes from infants and children ranging in age from 3 days to 13.2 years. Results: A transient inactivating current characteristic of Ito was observed in 71 myocytes from 22 patients aged 3 days to 13.2 years, including a 10 day old infant born prematurely at 33 weeks gestation. There was no discernible developmental trend in Ito current density [10.74(SEM 0.65) pA·pF−1 at +40 mV, n = 71 cells from 22 patients] or voltage dependence of inactivation, newborn values being similar to those in older children, and in adults reported elsewhere. A developmental reduction in total outward current density was attributable entirely to diminution of the non-inactivating steady state current component. The Ito time course of inactivation showed an apparent maturational evolution, with the youngest infants having slightly but significantly slower inactivation kinetics. The kinetics of Ito recovery from inactivation were well described by a single exponential model with no appreciable developmental trend in time course. Conclusions: Ito is expressed in human atrial myocytes from early infancy and does not show significant developmental changes in current density. The relative contribution of Ito to myocyte repolarisation might increase with age as a result of diminution in the non-inactivating current component. There is an apparent slight maturational acceleration in the time course of Ito inactivation but not in recovery from inactivation, perhaps excluding the latter as a mechanism for the previously reported functional unavailability of Ito in young human atrial muscle.