cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Movement Patterns and Distributional Shifts of Dungeness Crab (Metacarcinus magister) and English Sole (Parophrys vetulus) During Seasonal Hypoxia

Hypoxia (dissolved oxygen < 2 mg L–1) has emerged as a worldwide threat to coastal and estuarine ecosystems. Beyond direct mortality, secondary ecological impacts caused by hypoxia-driven distributional shifts may be equally important. From July–November 2009 and June–September 2010, we quantified the movement patterns of Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) and English sole (Parophrys vetulus) in Hood Canal, Washington USA, a seasonally hypoxic estuary. Although highly mobile (mean cumulative distance ± SD = 11.0 ± 25.6 km, N = 60), there was little evidence of either species exhibiting large-scale directional movement out of the hypoxic region. However, Dungeness crab showed significant shifts towards shallower waters and elevation in activity in the hypoxic region, potentially increasing their vulnerability to crabbing and other indirect ecological consequences. Our findings suggest hypoxia could have a more localized impact on the mobile fauna in Hood Canal. However, more detailed information concerning the local-scale oxygen dynamics and responses of these species, such as English sole vertical movement, is essential for grasping the population and community level effects of hypoxia.
Rifaximin (Xifaxan) for traveler's diarrhea.

Rifaximin is safe and effective for treatment in most patients with traveler's diarrhea, but it offers no advantages over ciprofloxacin. At the same cost, it has a less convenient dosage interval than ciprofloxacin and has more limitations.
Patient perspectives on the barriers associated with medication adherence to oral chemotherapy.

PurposeAppropriate use of oral chemotherapy is a challenge for patients and clinicians. The purpose of this study was to analyze cancer patients’ use of oral chemotherapies and identify opportuniti...
The Voting Paradox

We now have a fairly clear sense of exactly what simple majority voting is and what a set of characteristic properties for that rule looks like. It is extremely important for you to see that simple majority voting has only been defined for the case of exactly two alternatives. Most of the problems with simple majority voting arise in a context of more than two alternatives and all interesting contexts have more than two alternatives. Sometimes this is disguised as when we are asked to make a final choice between two party-selected candidates. But the social choice process for filling office starts with many potential candidates and includes many preliminary narrowing procedures: decisions to run or not run, nominating petitions, primaries, withdrawals, conventions,.... So let’s explore what happens when we increase the number of alternatives to three or more, labeled x, y, z ....
Measurement Challenges for 5G and Beyond: An Update from the National Institute of Standards and Technology

In less than a decade since the mainstreaming of cellular wireless technology, spectrum has become saturated by data-intensive smartphones, driving the so-called spectrum crunch. As a solution, the wireless community is pursuing the use of alternatives to current wireless technologies, including multiple-input/multipleoutput (MIMO) antenna arrays that allow increased simultaneous transmission capacity; the millimeter-wave (mmW) spectrum (30-300 GHz) to alleviate the spectrum crunch in current frequency bands; and ultradense networks transmitting wide-band modulated signals to allow short-range, high-speed data transfer.
Resonance dynamics in compressible cavity flows using time-resolved velocity and surface pressure fields

The resonance modes in Mach 0.94 turbulent flow over a cavity having a length-to-depth ratio of five were explored using time-resolved particle image velocimetry (TR-PIV) and time-resolved pressure sensitive paint (TR-PSP). Mode switching was quantified in the velocity field simultaneous with the pressure field. As the mode number increased from one through three, the resonance activity moved from a region downstream within the recirculation region to areas further upstream in the shear layer, an observation consistent with linear stability analysis. The second and third modes contained organized structures associated with shear layer vortices. Coherent structures occurring in the velocity field during modes two and three exhibited a clear modulation in size with streamwise distance. The streamwise periodicity was attributable to the interference of downstream-propagating vortical disturbances with upstream-travelling acoustic waves. The coherent structure oscillations were approximately out of phase with the modal surface pressure fluctuations, analogous to a standing wave. Modal propagation (or phase) velocities, based on cross-correlations of bandpass-filtered velocity fields were found for each mode. The phase velocities also showed streamwise periodicity and were greatest at regions of maximum constructive interference where coherent structures were the largest. Overall, the phase velocities increased with modal frequency, which coincided with the modal activity residing at higher portions of the cavity where the local mean flow velocity was elevated. Together, the TR-PIV and TR-PSP provide unique details not only on the distribution of modal activity throughout the cavity, but also new understanding of the resonance mechanism as observed in the velocity field.
Resilience in Aging: Moving Through Challenge to Wisdom

Individuals at older ages have had many opportunities to develop resilience through challenges and adverse events across the life course. Do they all develop their capacity for resilience, or do some more vulnerable older adults “break” emotionally or mentally with the passage of time? Can one intentionally develop this capacity? In this chapter I discuss the meaning of resilience in aging and posit a practice-based definition. I also present a strengths-based perspective of aging well and positive aging, enhanced by the life course perspective. I address the unique capacity of intergenerational relations to build resilience in families. Empirical support for biopsychosocial emotional and spiritual factors that promote resilient outcomes is explored. A resilient approach also can be carried through the end of life, when attention may turn to death preparation. Finally, I present narrative gerontology and metaphor as models for assessing and expressing resilience in practice.
A Domain Analysis of Data Structure and Algorithm Explanations in the Wild

Explanations of data structures and algorithms are complex interactions of several notations, including natural language, mathematics, pseudocode, and diagrams. Currently, such explanations are created ad hoc using a variety of tools and the resulting artifacts are static, reducing explanatory value. We envision a domain-specific language for developing rich, interactive explanations of data structures and algorithms. In this paper, we analyze this domain to sketch requirements for our language. We perform a grounded theory analysis to generate a qualitative coding system for explanation artifacts collected online. This coding system implies a common structure among explanations of algorithms and data structures. We believe this structure can be reused as the semantic basis of a domain-specific language for creating interactive explanation artifacts. This work is part of our effort to develop the paradigm of explanation-oriented programming, which shifts the focus of programming from computing results to producing rich explanations of how those results were computed.
Overview and Issues in Human Auditory Development

This chapter provides an overview of the volume Human Auditory Development. In addition, this chapter summarizes some major findings in human auditory development discussed in detail in the remaining chapters, and in particular, emphasizes the interrelatedness of the material presented in the rest of the book. This extends from the relationship between peripheral and central responses to the relationship between the structural and physiological properties of the auditory pathway and auditory perception to the relationship between basic aspects of auditory perception and complex perceptual processes. Another important theme is how experience with sound influences auditory development at all levels of the system and for all types of perception.
Downgraded phenomenology: how conscious overflow lost its richness.

Our in-the-moment experience of the world can feel vivid and rich, even when we cannot describe our experience due to limitations of attention, memory or other cognitive processes. But the nature o...
Predicting Facebook addiction and state anxiety without Facebook by gender, trait anxiety, Facebook intensity, and different Facebook activities

Background and aimsAlthough social networking sites brought giant convenience, many negative effects on users’ psychological well-being need more investigation. This study used a survey to examine ...
The Metaphor of the Sacred, or the Allegory of Origin

The difficulty of theorizing metaphor — with regard to the paradoxes that such theorizing confronts — undoubtedly lies in the focal role and extreme complexity of the object under scrutiny. Paul Ricoeur postulates that metaphor is the symptom of a mysterious generativity, a generic vivacity in language. But his enterprise is hindered by his inscription of metaphor in the framework of traditional metaphysics (La metaphore vive, Seuil, 1975). For his part, Jacques Derrida suggests that metaphor encompasses metaphysics, that it is a motive which actually confers on metaphysics its configuration and tenor. But he offers no insight which would allow us to circumscribe metaphor’s extra-metaphysical posi-tivity (“La metaphore blanche” in Marges, Minuit, 1972, pp. 247–324). In fact, neither of these theoreticians explored the mythical antecedents of metaphor, and it is no doubt for that reason that they engaged in a polemic which, in the final analysis, only prolongs the antagonism between idealism and criticism which has characterized our tradition since its origins (“Le retrait de la metaphore” in Psyche, Gallilee, 1987, pp. 68–93). So the question is: will we be able to transcend our metaphysical tradition by bringing the genetic paradoxes of metaphor to the foreground?
Analysis on results of malaria surveillance in Anopheles anthropophagus remaining distribution zone of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region during 2000-2009

Objective To analyze the results of malaria surveillance in Anopheles anthropophagus distribution zone of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region during 2000-2009 so as to provide scientific basis for malaria surveillance at the late-stage of malaria control. Methods The data on blood smear examination of febrile patients among local residents, returned peasant-workers, immigrated population, vector and indirect immunofluorescence assay(IFA) surveillance data in 15 counties of An. anthropophagus distribution zones from 2000 to 2009 were collected,described and analyzed. Results 1 525 031 slides of febrile patients in local residents,58 502 slides of focus residents,38 252 slides in returned peasant-workers and 54 516 slides in immigrated population were examined from 2000 to 2009. The average positive rates of blood examination were 0. 0079% ,0,0.6902% and 0. 1962% in febrile patients,focus residents, returned peasant workers and immigrated population respectively. The total of 489 malaria cases was detected. The indigenous cases,imported cases in returned peasant-workers or in immigrated population accounted were 24.52% (120/489), 53.99%(264/489) and 21.47% (105/489) ,respectively. Population of An. anthropophagus accounted for 3.32%(227/6 832) of the total Anopheles vectors in Huanjiang County. The positive rate of IFA in focus residents was 0.092%(49/53 112). Conclusion The malaria incidence in 15 counties of An. anthropophagus distribution zone was under 1/10 000. The indigenous malaria cases were mainly distributed in Huanjiang, Nandan,Rongshui,Sanjiang and Shangsi counties. Imported malaria cases were scattered in 15 counties. The level of malaria antibody in population was coincident with malaria epidemical situation in this area. Key words: Anopheles anthropophagus distribution zone; Returned peasant-worker; Immigrated population; Malaria surveillance
Syrian Refugees in Turkey: (Un)Equal Opportunities in Education

The number of Syrian refugees seeking shelter in Turkey continues to rise as Syria enters its tenth year of violence. The ongoing crisis has resulted in more than 3.5 million registered Syrian refugees (UNHCR 2019). Although multiple social, economic, and security related debates have been studied by researchers in this field, the scope of this chapter focuses on the education of the Syrian refugees in Turkey. Despite the importance of such challenges, there is a much more pressing issue, which is providing education to all children who constitute 1.6 million Syrian refugees of which more than 430.000 are out of school (UNICEF 2018) in Turkey. In this chapter we provide a detailed review of the current situation of schooling Syrian refugee children in Turkey. We seek to investigate how Turkey responded to meet the Syrian refugees’ educational needs and how the continuing efforts are still in violation of the basic human rights of refugees because around half a million of them are still out of school (Karasapan and Shah 2018). In the conclusion section, we end with a discussion of how the responses thus far have not improved despite the many years that had passed and how this is in violation of basic human rights.
Green tea polyphenols inhibit photocarcinogenesis in mice through induction of IL-12, and IL-12-mediated immune responses in skin tumors

4303 Chronic exposure of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the major etiologic agent for over one million new cases of non-melanoma skin cancers in the United States each year. These cutaneous malignancies thus have a tremendous impact on public health and healthcare expenditures. The use of dietary botanical supplements has received considerable interest to protect human skin from adverse biological effects of UV radiation since the protective clothing and use of sunscreens are not adequate to protect the skin. The use of green tea polyphenols (GTP) is one of them, and has been shown to prevent UV carcinogenesis in animal models but their mechanism of photoprotection is not clearly understood specifically when administered in drinking water (d.w.). To determine the skin cancer chemopreventive mechanism of GTP in in vivo mouse model, the SKH-1 hairless mice were given GTP (0.2%, w/v) in d.w. throughout the photocarcinogenesis protocol. Oral administration of GTP resulted in prevention of UV carcinogenesis in mice in terms of tumor incidence, tumor multiplicity and tumor growth. Since UV-induced suppression of immune responses is considered as a risk factor for skin cancer, we examined the effect of GTP on various immunological parameters in tumors using immunostaining and Western blotting. Our data revealed that administration of GTP resulted in inhibition of immunosuppressive cytokine, interleukin (IL)-10, whereas increased the production of IL-12 in UV-induced tumors compared with non-GTP treated animals. The inhibition of IL-10 and induction of IL-12 was associated with the inhibition of PGE2 production in tumors. Since, IL-12 has been shown to have anti-tumor immune responses, we extended our study to examine its effect on various immunological and angiogenic biomarkers. We found that GTP down-regulated the expressions of vascular endothelial cell antigens, such as CD31 and VEGF, which are essential for tumor growth and angiogenesis. GTP inhibited the expression of PCNA in tumor cells. In further studies, GTP treatment markedly down-regulated UV-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 which play a crucial role in tumor growth, invasion and metastasis, however increased the expression of its inhibitor TIMP1. Additionally, a higher number of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+ T cells) were detected by immunofluorescence staining in GTP+UV treated tumors which indicated that GTP enhances the development of CD8+ T cells in tumor microenvironment. CD8+ T cells are tumoricidal and thus may result in the inhibition of tumor growth. Since anti-tumor immune response or activity of IL-12 has been associated with above mentioned biomarkers, our data suggest that skin cancer chemopreventive effect of GTP may be mediated through the induction of IL-12 in tumors.
The Reversed Fixation Test

This paper documented the reversed fixation test (RFT) as a determinative test for dissociated horizontal deviation (DHD), as first articulated by Michael Graf in 2001. Note that an equal amount of esotonus exerted by fixation with each of the two eyes would yield a negative reversed fixation test in the presence with DHD. Such cases would have equal exodeviations with each eye fixing. Thus, some cases of DHD will inevitably fly under our radar.
Benefits of combination therapy of hydrocortisone, ascorbic acid and thiamine in sepsis and septic shock: A systematic review.

Background:Sepsis and septic shock are severe medical conditions that can damage multiple organs with a higher risk of mortality. Recently, the combination of hydrocortisone, ascorbic acid and thia...
Evaluation of electronic health record-integrated digital health tools to engage hospitalized patients in discharge preparation

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of electronic health record (EHR)-integrated digital health tools comprised of a checklist and video on transitions-of-care outcomes for patients preparing for discharge. MATERIALS AND METHODS English-speaking, general medicine patients (>18 years) hospitalized at least 24 hours at an academic medical center in Boston, MA were enrolled before and after implementation. A structured checklist and video were administered on a mobile device via a patient portal or web-based survey at least 24 hours prior to anticipated discharge. Checklist responses were available for clinicians to review in real time via an EHR-integrated safety dashboard. The primary outcome was patient activation at discharge assessed by patient activation (PAM)-13. Secondary outcomes included postdischarge patient activation, hospital operational metrics, healthcare resource utilization assessed by 30-day follow-up calls and administrative data and change in patient activation from discharge to 30 days postdischarge. RESULTS Of 673 patients approached, 484 (71.9%) enrolled. The proportion of activated patients (PAM level 3 or 4) at discharge was nonsignificantly higher for the 234 postimplementation compared with the 245 preimplementation participants (59.8% vs 56.7%, adjusted OR 1.23 [0.38, 3.96], P = .73). Postimplementation participants reported 3.75 (3.02) concerns via the checklist. Mean length of stay was significantly higher for postimplementation compared with preimplementation participants (10.13 vs 6.21, P < .01). While there was no effect on postdischarge outcomes, there was a nonsignificant decrease in change in patient activation within participants from pre- to postimplementation (adjusted difference-in-difference of -16.1% (9.6), P = .09). CONCLUSIONS EHR-integrated digital health tools to prepare patients for discharge did not significantly increase patient activation and was associated with a longer length of stay. While issues uncovered by the checklist may have encouraged patients to inquire about their discharge preparedness, other factors associated with patient activation and length of stay may explain our observations. We offer insights for using PAM-13 in context of real-world health-IT implementations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NIH US National Library of Medicine, NCT03116074, clinicaltrials.gov.
Effectiveness of a Sexual Health Seminar at Improving Contraceptive and Perceived Sexually Transmitted Infection Knowledge Among First-Semester College Students

Most emerging adults enter college with little-to-no exposure to comprehensive sexual health education. College entry provides young adults with the freedom to explore sex and relationships, but many first-year students possess inaccurate sexual health knowledge. The purpose of our study was to examine the effectiveness of a sexual health seminar at improving contraceptive knowledge and perceived sexually transmitted infection (STI) knowledge (viral, bacterial, HIV/AIDS, and other STIs) among first-semester college students. Using a quasi-experimental design, we collected survey data at the beginning and end of the 2013 fall semester from students enrolled in our sexual health seminar (treatment group, n = 44) and students enrolled in other first-semester seminars (control group, n = 30). We expected the treatment groups’ contraceptive and perceived STI knowledge to improve from pre- to post-test. We also expected the treatment group to have higher knowledge scores than the control group at post-test. We conducted five two-way mixed ANOVAs to test our hypotheses. We found, with the exception of perceived bacterial STI knowledge, significant interaction effects. Follow-up simple main effect tests supported our hypotheses that treatment group participants’ knowledge increased from pre- to post-test and was higher than the control group at post-test. Our intervention successfully improved students’ contraceptive knowledge and perceived knowledge of viral STIs, HIV/AIDS, and other STIs. Our results have implications for research on sexual health program evaluation and policies regarding adolescent and young adult sexual health education.
Mutational analysis of the Golgi retention signal of bovine beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase.

To examine the role of the NH2-terminal region of the 402-residue-long beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta-1,4-GT), a series of mutants and chimeric cDNA were constructed by polymerase chain reaction and transiently expressed in COS-7 cells, the enzyme activities were measured, and the protein was localized in the cells by subcellular fractionation or indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. We showed earlier that the deletion of the amino-terminal cytoplasmic tail and transmembrane domain from GT abolishes the stable expression of this protein in mammalian cells (Masibay, A.S., Boeggeman, E., and Qasba, P.K. (1992) Mol. Biol. Rep. 16, 99-104). Further deletion analyses of the amino-terminal region show that the first 21 amino acids of beta-1,4-GT are not essential for the stable production of the protein and are consistently localized in the Golgi apparatus. In addition, analysis of hybrid constructs showed that residues 1-25 of alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase can functionally replace the beta-1,4-GT amino-terminal domain (residues 1-43). This fusion protein also showed Golgi localization. On the other hand, the alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase/beta-1,4-GT fusion protein (alpha-2,6-ST/beta-1,4-GT) needed additional COOH-terminal sequences flanking the transmembrane domain of the alpha-2,6-ST for stability and Golgi localization. Substitution of Arg-24, Leu-25, Leu-26, and His-33 of the beta-1,4-GT transmembrane by Ile (pLFM) or substitution of Tyr by Ile at positions 40 and 41 coupled with the insertion of 4 Ile residues at position 43 (pLB) released the mutant proteins from the Golgi and was detected on the cell surface. Our results show that (a) the transmembrane domains of beta-1,4-GT, alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase, and alpha-2,6-ST, along with its stem region, all play a role in Golgi targeting and participate in a common mechanism that allows the protein to be processed properly and not be degraded in vivo; (b) increasing the length of the transmembrane domain overrides the Golgi retention signal and directs the enzyme to the plasma membrane; and (c) the length of the hydrophobic region of the transmembrane domain of beta-1,4-GT is an important parameter but is not sufficient by itself for Golgi retention.
Tissue distribution of human chorionic gonadotropin

Abstract Tissue distribution of exogenous HCG was studied in adult female mice injecting the animals with HCG-I 125 , BSA-I 125 , and I 125 and determining in a scintillation counter the tissue radioactivity at various time intervals. The radioactive materials were extracted from the tissues and mixed with excess anti-HCG serum. It was found that the exogenous human chorionic gonadotropin concentrates preferentially in the ovarian tissues of nonhypophysectomized mice, the maximum concentration occurring at 2 to 4 hours after injection. Ovaries in hypophysectomized mice lack the ability to concentrate exogenous HCG to the same extent as the ovaries of nonhypophysectomized mice.
Optimization of distal landing zone for TEVAR in chronic dissection.

A 57-year-old male presented four years earlier with bilateral lower extremity pain with signs of malperfusion and hypertension. He was treated with emergency axillofemoral bypass followed by aortobifemoral reconstruction. He was then treated with anti-impulse therapy and followed with regularly scheduled imaging. Comorbidities include severe obstructive pulmonary disease, atrial fibrillation, and early stage prostate cancer. He was referred for evaluation of aneurysmal degeneration in the setting of this chronic dissection. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a distal aortic dissection with the proximal entry tear in the descending aorta just beyond the left subclavian artery. The dissection extends retrogradely into the arch to the level of the innominate artery and distally into the iliofemoral arteries. His ascending aorta was dilated to approximately 51 mm and the proximal descending aorta expanded to 60 mm but tapered down to a normal caliber at the level of the diaphragm.
Effect of hard segment chemistry and strain on the stability of polyurethanes: in vivo biostability

Abstract We investigated four polyurethanes that were synthesized with different hard segments and four commercial polyurethanes for in vivo biostability. The four polyurethanes with the varying hard segments were based on a 3:2:1 mole ratio of methylene diphenylene diisocyanate (MDI) or methylene dicyclohexane diisocyanate (H 12 MDI), butanediol (BD) or ethylene diamine (ED) and polytetramethylene oxide (PTMO) (MW = 1000). Four commercial polyurethanes were also used: Biomer ® , Pellethane ® , Medtronic experimental C-19 (C-19) and Medtronic experimental C-36 (C-36). Films of the polymers were implanted subcutaneously in rats for up to 12 wk to assess their biostability. Polymer films were implanted either with a 100% strain applied or in the unstrained state. Measurement of tensile properties, molecular weight and surface properties before and after implantation assessed the stability of each of the polymers. Surface cracking was observed with scanning electron microscopy and the extent and depth of cracking were determined. Pellethane ® , C-19 and C-36 showed the least evidence of degradation, although all underwent strain-induced phenomena that decreased their tensile elongation when an external force was applied. After implantation, the BD chain-extended polymers retained their tensile properties better than ED chain-extended polymers. H 12 MDI-based polyurethanes were more susceptible to surface cracking and molecular weight changes than MDI-based polyurethanes, possibly due to the lack of a crystallizable hard segment.
A Typology of University Ethical Lapses: Types, Levels of Seriousness, and Originating Location

Scandals ranging from NCAA violations to falsified research results have fueled criticism of America's universities. Sports violations, research manipulation, gender discrimination, and other ethical lapses affect an entire institution as they have a spillover effect on its reputation (Cullen, Latessa, Byrne, & Holman, 1990; Gerdy, 2002). The results of these problems include declining credibility and deteriorating public trust in universities since such lapses are difficult to resolve (Lederman, 1992; Turner, 1999). For example, American University's October 2005 $3.7 million severance package for Benjamin Ladner set off Senate Finance Committee and IRS investigations. In that same month, MIT dismissed Dr. Luk Van Parijs for falsifying research data. Schools manipulate admissions data for ranking purposes (Kersten, 2000) since rankers use school-provided data in their evaluations. Having ranked institutions provide this data creates a clear conflict of interest (Cressey, 1997). These and other problems increase public suspicion and criticism of universities (Knight & Auster, 1999). Some researchers believe that these ethical lapses spring from employees putting their own needs above honesty (e.g., Agle & Kelley, 2001; Howe & Moses, 1999). Others question whether universities have
The association between use of spermicides or male condoms and major structural birth defects.

Abstract Background Women may become pregnant while using contraceptives. Commonly used contraceptives containing spermicides may or may not be associated with an increased occurrence of structural birth defects. Study Design Utilizing data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, we assessed maternal reports of spermicide and male condom use 1 to 3 months following conception among case ( n =11,050) and control ( n =4723) mothers. We assessed the association between spermicide use and 27 types of birth defects and that between condom use and 32 types of birth defects. Results Maternal spermicide use during the first 3 months following conception was associated with a significant increase in the occurrence of only 1 of 27 birth defects, perimembranous ventricular septal defects (adjusted odds ratio=2.40, 95% confidence interval=1.25���4.62). There was no significant association between maternal use of male condoms during the first 3 months following conception and any of 32 types of birth defects. Conclusions The increased occurrence of perimembranous ventricular septal defects among spermicide users may be real or may be a chance finding. Overall, the findings are consistent with those of most previous studies that observed no increased risk for birth defects among spermicide users.
The Concept of Observation in Science and Philosophy

The solar neutrino experiment, designed to test our fundamental theories of the source of energy which sustains the stars and life, is one of the most sophisticated and important experiments of the past two decades. But it leads to some philosophical puzzles. For although the central core of the sun lies buried under 400,000 miles of dense, hot, opaque material, astrophysicists nevertheless universally speak of the experiment as providing “direct observation” of that central core. What can be meant by such talk? Is the puzzled philosopher simply ignorant of the ingenuity of modern science? Or are the astrophysicists using the term loosely or incorrectly or misleadingly, in a kind of sociological aberration that philosophers must gently tolerate while realizing that that usage has nothing to do with “real” observation? Or are the philosopher and astrophysicist perhaps interested in entirely different and unrelated problems, their respective usages being, from their respective points of view, equally legitimate? Or are the usages perhaps related, but in ways more complex than might be supposed from these or other usual alternatives?
Strategic self-presentation and the avoidance of aversive events : antecedents and consequences of self-enhancement and self-depreciation

Abstract Two experiments examined the use of strategic self-presentation as a means of avoiding an aversive event, as well as the effects of such self-presentations on the presenter's subsequent self-evaluation. The studies employed a job simulation paradigm in which subjects were led to believe that the more or less well-adjusted of two workers would perform an onerous task for the “company”. Subjects rated themselves on adjectives relevant to adjustment, then selected adjectives to show the supervisor who would ostensibly make task assignments. In both experiments, subjects self-depreciated to a greater extent when the well-adjusted worker was to perform the onerous task. As expected, strategic self-presentation was observed in Experiment 1 only when the supervisor's power was high. Results of Experiment 2 showed that subjects who were low versus high in self-esteem did not differ in their use of strategic self-presentation. As predicted, subjects who were induced to self-enhance subsequently evaluated theselves more favorably than those who were induced to self-depreciate, but Experiment 2 showed that this effect occurred only for subjects who were low in self-esteem.
Creative Language in a Student-generated Bioorganic Chemistry Wiki Textbook

We describe an approach to analyzing student-created content on wiki systems based on identifying creative linguistic content. We apply this approach to wiki entries written by students in an advanced chemistry course. We illustrate creative linguistic forms, how they change over time, and, based on in-depth student interviews, their value to student producers and consumers of wiki content.
Growth Values of Proteins from Commercial Animal Products III. A Commerial Meat Meal

Abstract In a previous paper1 data were presented which indicated that the brand of meat meal we used was deficient in the aminoacid tryptophane. The same brand of meat meal was used in the experiments reported in this paper. In view of the fact that so little was known concerning this meat meal, experiments were planned to test the growth value of its proteins for young chickens. EXPERIMENTAL Two trials were conducted with cross bred chicks in the first and Barred Plymouth Rock chicks in the second. The cross-bred chicks were from the same cross as described elsewhere.2 Only one brand of meat meal was used in these tests. The experimental procedure was the same for these trials as has been reported in the first paper of this series.2 Table 1 gives the composition of the rations which were fed as mash rations. RESULTS Trial I Seventeen newly hatched crossbred chicks . . .
Determination of queuosine modification system deficiencies in cultured human cells

Queuosine-deficient tRNAs are often observed in neoplastic cells. In order to determine possible sites for malfunction of the multistep queuosine modification system, comprehensive studies were performed on two human neoplastic cell lines, the HxGC(3) colon adenocarcinoma and the MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma, which are 100 and 50-60% queuosine deficient, respectively. These results were compared with data obtained from normal human fibroblast (HFF) cultures which maintain 100% queuosine-modified tRNA populations. Queuine uptake in all three cell types was similar and each demonstrated activation by protein kinase C (PKC). However, incorporation of queuine into tRNA by tRNA:guanine ribosyltransferase (TGRase; E.C. 2.4.2.24) and PKC-catalyzed activation of this enzyme occurred only in HFF and MCF-7 cells. The HxGC(3) cell line exhibited no TGRase activity as was expected. Treatment with 5-azacytidine (5-azaC) induced TGRase activity to a level 20% of that in HFF and MCF-7 cells; however, this 5-azaC-induced TGRase activity was not regulated by PKC. Salvage of the queuine base from tRNA degradation products has been shown in mammalian cells and was measured in the HFF cells. However, salvage activity in the MCF-7 cell line was deficient. Therefore, it was shown by direct measurements that the HxGC(3) cell line is completely lacking in queuosine-modified tRNA due to loss of functional TGRase, while the MCF-7 cell line has an inefficient queuine salvage mechanism resulting in a significant deficiency of queuosine-modified tRNA. These techniques can be applied to any cultured cell types to determine specific lesions of the queuosine modification system, which have been suggested to be associated with neoplastic progression.
On user interactions with query auto-completion

Query Auto-Completion (QAC) is a popular feature of web search engines that aims to assist users to formulate queries faster and avoid spelling mistakes by presenting them with possible completions as soon as they start typing. However, despite the wide adoption of auto-completion in search systems, there is little published on how users interact with such services. In this paper, we present the first large-scale study of user interactions with auto-completion based on query logs of Bing, a commercial search engine. Our results confirm that lower-ranked auto-completion suggestions receive substantially lower engagement than those ranked higher. We also observe that users are most likely to engage with auto-completion after typing about half of the query, and in particular at word boundaries. Interestingly, we also noticed that the likelihood of using auto-completion varies with the distance of query characters on the keyboard. Overall, we believe that the results reported in our study provide valuable insights for understanding user engagement with auto-completion, and are likely to inform the design of more effective QAC systems.
Occupational health and safety in Brazil.

BACKGROUND. Brazil is the world's fifth largest and sixth most populous nation. Its economy is varied, with strong manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and service sectors. Therefore, a wide variety of workplace hazards confronts its work force. This paper describes Brazil's occupational safety and health regulatory scheme, workers' compensation system, plant-level practices, training, and data collection. METHODS. We reviewed and analyzed Brazilian regulatory legislation and government and non-governmental organization (NGO) activity in occupational safety and health, as well as the structure and function of the workers' compensation system. We also reviewed available data on injuries and diseases from major sources, including the now-defunct Instituto Nacional do Previdencia Social (INPS) and the workers' compensation scheme, Seguro de Acidente de Trabalho (SAT). RESULTS. The incidence of workplace injuries has decreased in recent years and is now reported to be about 5 per 100 workers per year. The case fatality rate has been constant at about 5 fatalities per 1000 injuries. Less than 6% of reported injuries are classified as "diseases." Brazil's rates are comparable to those of Mexico and Zimbabwe, and two to four times higher than in most industrialized countries. CONCLUSIONS. Brazil has a high incidence of occupational injuries and diseases; these injuries and diseases are underreported; there is a large informal sector at special risk; and Brazil illustrates the disparity that exists in many countries between legislation on the books and legislation that is actually implemented.
Abstract 4986: Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) interacts with nuclear HOXA5 and inhibits p53 expression in glioma stem cells

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) participates in diverse physiological processes, including glioma progression. HOXA5 is a known regulator of p53 expression, and overexpression of HOXA5 has been shown to increase p53 expression. In this study, we have demonstrated that uPA not only translocates to the nucleus but also interacts with the transcription factor HOXA5. We used CD133- and CD44-enriched U87 human glioma cells and 4910 human glioma xenograft cells, which exhibit cancer stem cell properties. Nuclear localization of uPA was determined by western blot analysis of nuclear fractions and by immunocytochemistry. Glioma stem cells showed increased nuclear localization of uPA as compared to normal glioma cells. To determine the in vitro interaction of uPA with HOXA5, we initially used membrane immobilized transcription factors incubated with purified uPA protein and looked for strong protein-protein interactions. We observed that uPA binds preferentially to HOXA5 transcription factor. Subsequently, we immunoprecipitated uPA or HOXA5 from nuclear fractions of U87 and 4910 normal and stem cells and tested for co-precipitation of HOXA5 or uPA respectively. Again, the results showed that uPA binds preferentially to nuclear HOXA5. To determine the effect of uPA or HOXA5 downregulation on these glioma cells, we used RNAi-expressing plasmids targeting uPA or HOXA5. The results showed that downregulation of uPA alone induced overexpression of p53 in both normal and glioma stem cells. Glioma stem cells downregulated for uPA showed at least a 5-fold increase in p53 expression when compared to uPA downregulated normal glioma cells. Downregulation of HOXA5 alone did not show significant change in expression levels of p53; however, simultaneous downregulation of uPA and HOXA5 did not show change in expression levels of p53. To determine whether uPA interacts directly with HOXA5 binding sequences, we performed an electromobility shift assay (EMSA). We observed that uPA does not bind to HOXA5 sequences but rather forms a complex with HOXA5 bound to DNA. In vivo studies showed that subcutaneous tumors injected intratumorally with siRNA-expressing plasmids targeting uPA or HOXA5 either singly or simultaneously showed strong p53 expression in uPA downregulated tumors with no significant change observed in other treatment conditions. Taken together, these results demonstrate that uPA behaves as a negative regulator of p53 expression in glioma cells. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4986.
Rubber content in diploid guayuleParthenium argentatum: chromosomes, rubber variation, and implications for economic use

Guayule,Parthenium argentatum, is a well-known source of high quality natural rubber. Despite the fact that a wealth of information exists in the literature on polyploidy, aneuploidy, and apomixis of guayule, little is understood of the basis for rubber variation in the native shrub. Selective breeding continues in an attempt to enhance the human use of this economic plant against a background of disappointingly low rubber content in experimental germplasm. Successful economic development of the guayule resource depends, in part, upon the introduction of high rubber-containing diploid plants into the selection process. Other factors contribute to problems relating to human use of guayule. This paper reports high rubber-containing diploid plants from native stands in Mexico. Since our data indicate that ploidy is not related to rubber content per se, we suggest that observed rubber variation among naturally occurring plants may be a consequence of ecological factors, possibly mineral nutrition, water relations, geologic substrate, and clone longevity.
Test stimulus sequence effects on object orientation and line tilt generalization

Four pigeons, trained to discriminate the presence of an object in a tunnel vs. the object’s absence, were tested for generalization over orientations around the vertical axis of the object where the test orientations were presented in randomized blocks or in an ordered sequence. Gradients showed sharpening over repeated generalization test sessions, but only with the ordered test sequence. Final gradients were strongly peaked at the training orientation and were strongly asymmetrical. Gradients obtained with randomized sequences remained flat through all tests. Four other birds trained and tested in a parallel fashion with a line tilt continuum showed some sharpening across repeated generalization tests, although gradients obtained were clearly peaked in the first test session. No differences between random and ordered test stimulus sequences were seen. Both kinds of sequences produced clearly symmetrical gradients, with peaks at the training orientation of the line.
Optical spectroscopies diagnose cancer

Today's medical professional is looking beyond the conventional procedures of X-rays, nuclear radiation, magnetic resonance, chemical analysis, and ultrasound to diagnose diseases ranging from cancer to heart ailments. In view of the possible dangerous side effects of X-rays and nuclear radiation, a need exists for novel techniques in disease detection that can either eliminate or reduce their use in examinations. For more than half a century, fluorescence, absorption, and light scattering spectroscopies have been widely used as probes to acquire fundamental knowledge about various physical, chemical, and biological processes. Light may offer alternatives to X-rays and nuclear approaches, and in some cases is non-invasive. Optical spectroscopy and laser technology may offer techniques for the detection and characterization of physical and chemical changes that occur in diseased tissue on a microscopic level.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Groundwater flux as a determinant of coastal-zone upland loss: a case study from the Pennsylvania coast of Lake Erie, USA

Climate change in the Great Lakes Basin of North America over the next several decades is projected to lead to significant changes to coastal environments. Groundwater-driven coastal bluff recession should increase in areas where groundwater forcing is important and lead to increased loss of coastal uplands. The latter is an issue in NW Pennsylvania because of coastal development pressures, and because the state ranks within the top five US states in grape production, most of which occurs within 5 km of the Lake Erie coastline. In 2007, viticulture contributed almost $2.4 billion to the state economy. An analysis of a 20-km stretch of coast shows that bluff retreat is pervasive and variable under current climatic conditions. Over a 9-year time frame, bluff change rates ranged from −4.2 to +0.98 m/year. In general, higher retreat rates (−0.2 to −0.65 m/year) occurred along the sandy central beach–ridge sector which lacks significant surface drainage. Lower retreat rates (−0.10 to −0.25 m/year) occurred along coastal sectors where surface drainage networks are well developed. Conservative estimates of groundwater discharge at the bluff correlate strongly (r = 0.74, p < 0.001) with bluff retreat rate. Groundwater is inferred to be the principal driving mechanism for both bluff retreat and spatial variability in retreat rates on this coast. Other common factors that may spatially influence bluff retreat elsewhere (bluff height, land use, beach width) do not correlate strongly with retreat rate.
A BVAR model for the connecticut economy

A Bayesian vector autoregressive (BVAR) model is developed for the Connecticut economy to forecast the unemployment rate, nonagricultural employment, real personal income, and housing permits authorized. The model includes both national and state variables. The Bayesian prior is selected on the basis of the accuracy of the out-of-sample forecasts. We find that a loose prior generally produces more accurate forecasts. The out-of-sample accuracy of the BVAR forecasts is also compared with that of forecasts from an unrestricted VAR model and of benchmark forecasts generated from univariate ARIMA models. The BVAR model generally produces the most accurate short- and long-term out-of-sample forecasts for 1988 through 1992. It also correctly predicts the direction of change.
Time course of serum estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations during the menstrual cycle of the rhesus monkey.

Estradiol and LH levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in daily samples of peripheral serum of rhesus monkeys during 10 normal menstrual cycles. During the 4 days prior to the LH surge, serum estradiol values rose sharply, while the LH levels declined. The midcycle peak of estradiol and LH occurred simultaneously in 9 of the 10 cycles studied. These peaks were followed within 24 to 48 hr by an abrupt fall in estradiol levels, while LH levels declined over a 5-day period. Most animals showed no luteal phase peaks in serum estradiol concentration. A rapid and simple method for the measurement of serum “estrogen” concentrations is described which provides a good approximation of estradiol levels. (Endocrinology 89:177, 1971)