cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial Activity of the Lactoperoxidase System Against Salmonella typhimurium in Trypticase Soy Broth in the Presence and Absence of a Heat Treatment.

The antibacterial activity of the lactoperoxidase system (LP system) on the growth and survival of Salmonella typhimurium in tryptic soy broth (TSB) was determined. The LP system, consisting of lactoperoxidase (1 μg/ml), potassium thiocynante (KSCN) (5.9 mM) and H2O2 (2.5 mM), was found to have both bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities against strains of S. typhimurium . The bactericidal activity was clearly dependent on the initial inoculum level. Levels of 102 - 105 CFU/ml were killed at 37°C as opposed to the bacteriostatic activity with inoculum levels of 106 - 107 CFU/ml, which exhibited a 25-h lag. The LP system also enhanced thermal inactivation of S. typhimurium . D50°C-values were > 60 min (untreated broth) and 12 min (LP system activated); corresponding D52°c-values were 20 min and 7.5 min; corresponding D55°c-values were 14 min and 4 min; corresponding D60°C -values were 5 min and 2.5 min and corresponding Devalues were .31 min and .20 min.
Setting the conditions for others to succeed

As a Young Professional, you will be presented with the opportunity to lead others. True leadership, however, focuses on setting the conditions for others to succeed. This simple concept is an essential component of any successful leader. There are a few simple strategies you can employ to rapidly become an effective, inspiriting leader-and to ensure your team's success, and their growth and development as professionals
Customizing arrays of microplasmas for controlling properties of electromagnetic waves

Microplasma arrays are being investigated to manipulate the propagation of electromagnetic waves [1]. Such applications require control of plasma properties over large dynamic ranges across a large area, resulting in control of their absorption, dielectric and metamaterial properties. These microplasma arrays often operate at intermediate pressures of 10s to 100s of Torr, motivated by a tradeoff between obtaining fast response and having a high plasma density. pd scaling then implies plasma cavities of hundreds of microns, which are then replicated in arrays. Controlling cross-talk between microplasma units is a challenge since normally they are not physically isolated to reduce absorption or diffraction by structural components.
Correlation of BRAF and NRAS mutation status with tumor characteristics and treatment outcomes in melanoma patients with brain metastasis.

8584 Background: The management of melanoma has evolved rapidly with the identification of activating mutations in the majority of patients (pts). We reviewed characteristics and outcomes of molecularly characterized melanoma pts with brain metastasis (BM) to help design and interpret future clinical trials. Methods: We reviewed clinical and pathologic features of melanoma pts with known BRAF and NRAS mutation status and BM. Pt demographics, intra- (IC) and extra-cranial (EC) tumor characteristics, and IC/EC disease treatments were correlated to BM treatment outcomes (local and distant brain control [LC, DC]) and overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify significant associations between mutation status and outcome. Results: We identified 296 pts with melanoma BM and known BRAF/NRAS mutation status diagnosed from 2005 to 2011. Mutation prevalence was BRAF 57%, NRAS 17%, and wild-type for both genes (WT) 26%. The initial treatments given for BM were surgery/radio...
Revisiting Rome: Analyzing Capture and Governance – Strategy and Structure

The notion of resilience and sustainability has become a major theme in both academic and business-driven environments. Recent research by Carmeli and Markman (2011) elevates this theme by using an...
Effect of refined functional carbohydrates from enzymatically hydrolyzed yeast on the presence of Salmonella spp. in the ceca of broiler breeder females.

Abstract Broiler breeders hatched from Salmo-nella negative grandparents received either zero or 50 g/MT of refined functional carbohydrates (RFC) in their diets from d of placement to end of lay. There were no other treatments used. Pullets and cockerels were reared separately in an enclosed litter-floor house to 21 wk of age when 28 randomly selected pullets from each diet were transferred to individual cages for an additional 14 d before they were killed, and their ceca were excised aseptically and tested for Salmonella spp. The remaining birds were transferred to a two-thirds slat and one-third litter curtain-sided laying house. There were 8 pens of 60 to 65 females and 8 to 18 males, depending upon flock age and housing type, fed each diet, and there was no effort made to isolate pens from typical daily foot traffic between pens. At 51 wk of age, male progeny broiler chicks were hatched and received either zero or 50 g/MT of RFC to complete a 2 × 2 design with 4 replicate pens of 12 males per interaction. All broilers were tested for cecal Salmonella spp. at 34 d of age. Ceca were collected from 30 breeder hens from each treatment at 64 wk of age and tested for Salmonella spp. Of the ceca sampled at 23 wk from the control pullets, 71.4% were found to contain Salmonella spp., while none of the ceca from the RFC pullets tested positive. Of the ceca sampled from the control hens at 64 wk, 40% were found to contain Salmonella spp., while none of the ceca from the RFC hens tested positive. Salmonella spp. was isolated from broilers in one pen of the control broilers that were also progeny of control breeders out of 4 replicates but not from any pens in which the breeders had been fed RFC. These data demonstrated that RFC reduced natural Salmonella spp. colonization of broiler breeder hen and broiler progeny ceca during a complete production cycle.
A Calcium- and Diacylglycerol-Stimulated Protein Kinase C (PKC), Caenorhabditis elegans PKC-2, Links Thermal Signals to Learned Behavior by Acting in Sensory Neurons and Intestinal Cells.

ABSTRACT Ca2+- and diacylglycerol (DAG)-activated protein kinase C (cPKC) promotes learning and behavioral plasticity. However, knowledge of in vivo regulation and exact functions of cPKCs that affect behavior is limited. We show that PKC-2, a Caenorhabditis elegans cPKC, is essential for a complex behavior, thermotaxis. C. elegans memorizes a nutrient-associated cultivation temperature (Tc) and migrates along the Tc within a 17 to 25°C gradient. pkc-2 gene disruption abrogated thermotaxis; a PKC-2 transgene, driven by endogenous pkc-2 promoters, restored thermotaxis behavior in pkc-2−/− animals. Cell-specific manipulation of PKC-2 activity revealed that thermotaxis is controlled by cooperative PKC-2-mediated signaling in both AFD sensory neurons and intestinal cells. Cold-directed migration (cryophilic drive) precedes Tc tracking during thermotaxis. Analysis of temperature-directed behaviors elicited by persistent PKC-2 activation or inhibition in AFD (or intestine) disclosed that PKC-2 regulates initiation and duration of cryophilic drive. In AFD neurons, PKC-2 is a Ca2+ sensor and signal amplifier that operates downstream from cyclic GMP-gated cation channels and distal guanylate cyclases. UNC-18, which regulates neurotransmitter and neuropeptide release from synaptic vesicles, is a critical PKC-2 effector in AFD. UNC-18 variants, created by mutating Ser311 or Ser322, disrupt thermotaxis and suppress PKC-2-dependent cryophilic migration.
Variation in Extracellular Detoxification Is a Link to Different Carcinogenicity among Chromates in Rodent and Human Lungs.

Inhalation of soluble chromium(VI) is firmly linked with higher risks of lung cancer in humans. However, comparative studies in rats have found a high lung tumorigenicity for moderately soluble chromates but no tumors for highly soluble chromates. These major species differences remain unexplained. We investigated the impact of extracellular reducers on responses of human and rat lung epithelial cells to different Cr(VI) forms. Extracellular reduction of Cr(VI) is a detoxification process, and rat and human lung lining fluids contain different concentrations of ascorbate and glutathione. We found that reduction of chromate anions in simulated lung fluids was principally driven by ascorbate with only minimal contribution from glutathione. The addition of 500 μM ascorbate (∼rat lung fluid concentration) to culture media strongly inhibited cellular uptake of chromate anions and completely prevented their cytotoxicity even at otherwise lethal doses. While proportionally less effective, 50 μM extracellular asc...
Ultrasound Finding of Ischiofemoral Impingement Syndrome and Novel Treatment With Botulinum Toxin Chemodenervation: A Case Report.

Abstract Ischiofemoral impingement syndrome (IFIS) is a rare and poorly understood condition that leads to deep gluteal pain, groin, and/or medial thigh pain. It has unique diagnostic challenges, with limited nonoperative treatment options. It is caused by the impingement of the quadratus femoris by the lesser trochanter and the ischium. Currently, there are no validated physical examination maneuvers for IFIS, and the value of ischiofemoral interval for establishing IFIS is also uncertain. Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections have been reported. Here, we present a case of novel treatment of IFIS with botulinum chemodenervation that led to long-term symptomatic and functional improvement in this patient, with the unique ultrasound findings of the "eruption sign." Level of Evidence IV
Characteristics of Patients With Existing Advance Directives: Evaluating Motivations Around Advance Care Planning:

Introduction Although 80% of patients endorse an advance directive (AD), less than 35% of American adults have a documented AD. Much research has been done on barriers to creating ADs; however, there is a paucity of research addressing motivations for creating ADs. Previous research has identified 4 categories of influence for engaging in advance care planning (ACP). This study aimed to quantify the influence of these 4 motivating categories in creating an AD. Methods Participants included 238 adults with documented ADs. Participants completed an 11-item questionnaire addressing 1 of the 4 hypothesized categories of influence in addressing ACP: concern for self; concern for others; expectations about the impact of ACP; and anecdotes, stories, and experiences. Results Principle component analysis yielded 2 factors representing dignity and personal control (intrinsic factors) and societal and familial influence (extrinsic factors). Intrinsic factors were the primary and most influential motivating factors among participants. A regression analysis of individual motivating factors showed that prior to age 50, the desire to provide guidance about personal preferences for end-of-life care significantly predicted the creation of an AD, whereas after age 50, the urging of family members significantly predicted the creation of an AD. Discussion Results indicated that intrinsic factors were the most influential motivator among participants of all ages. Extrinsic factors appeared to be less influential in the decision to create an AD. Motivating factors were also found to vary by age. These results may help physicians be more targeted in discussions surrounding ADs, thus saving time, which physicians identify as the main barrier in engaging in such discussions, while meeting patients' wishes for their physicians to bring up the topic of ADs.
US health policy and prescription drug coverage of FDA-approved medications for the treatment of obesity

Obesity is now the most prevalent chronic disease in the United States, which amounts to an estimated $147 billion in health care spending annually. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) enacted in 2010 included provisions for private and public health insurance plans that expanded coverage for lifestyle/behavior modification and bariatric surgery for the treatment of obesity. Pharmacotherapy, however, has not been included despite their evidence-based efficacy. We set out to investigate the coverage of Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for obesity within Medicare, Medicaid and ACA-established marketplace health insurance plans. We examined coverage for phentermine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine, Benzphentamine, Lorcaserin, Phentermine/Topiramate (Qysmia), Liraglutide (Saxenda) and Buproprion/Naltrexone (Contrave) among Medicare, Medicaid and marketplace insurance plans in 34 states. Among 136 marketplace health insurance plans, 11% had some coverage for the specified drugs in only nine states. Medicare policy strictly excludes drug therapy for obesity. Only seven state Medicaid programs have drug coverage. Obesity requires an integrated approach to combat its public health threat. Broader coverage of pharmacotherapy can make a significant contribution to fighting this complex and chronic disease.
Domestic violence incidents with children witnesses: findings from Rhode Island surveillance data.

Abstract In this study we analyze factors associated with children witnessing police-reported domestic violence (DV) and determine the age distribution of children witnessing. Rhode Island Department of Health surveillance data (1996–1998) from police forms were used to assess demographic characteristics of victims, characteristics of incidents, whether children were present, and children’s ages. Victim gender, age, race/ethnicity, relationship to suspect, and whether the victim was assaulted were all strong predictors of children witnessing a DV incident. Almost half (48%) of the children who witnessed DV incidents were less than 6 years old. To reach these young children, prevention and intervention programs will need to target parents and caretakers of young children and/or pediatricians.
Kinetics of First-Row Transition Metal Cations (V+, Fe+, Co+) with OCS at Thermal Energies

The temperature-dependent kinetics for reactions of V+, Fe+, and Co+ with OCS are measured using a selected ion flow tube apparatus heated to 300–600 K. All three reactions proceed solely by C–S activation at thermal energies, resulting in metal sulfide cation formation. Previously calculated reaction pathways were employed to inform statistical modeling of these reactions for comparison to the data. As surmised previously, all three reactions at thermal energies require spin crossing, with the Fe+ reaction crossing once circumventing a prohibitive transition state, before crossing again to form ground state products. The Fe+ and Co+ reaction efficiencies increase with energy. For the Co+ reaction, and to a lesser extent the Fe+ reaction, the apparent activation energies are less than the reaction endothermicities, possibly indicating increasing diabatic behavior of the spin crossings with energy. The V+ reaction was well modeled assuming an entirely adiabatic spin crossing, such that the resultant avoide...
Organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) and structurally integrated photoluminescence based chemical and biological sensors excited by OLEDs

A new platform for luminescent chemical and biological sensors, integrating the excitation source, an OLED, with the sensing component, is described. The utility of the platform is demonstrated for an oxygen sensor and its potential is demonstrated for antibody-antigen immunoassays. The oxygen sensor is operable in two modes, i.e., photoluminescence (PL) intensity mode and lifetime mode, where changes in the PL intensity and lifetime, respectively, are correlated with the oxygen level. In the life time mode, the need for sensor calibration, which remains a challenge in real-world sensing applications, is eliminated. Attributes and issues related to sensor performance, including design and stability, are discussed.
1984: The Hill–Brown Theory is Replaced as the Basis of the Lunar Ephemerides

During the 1960s and until his death in August, 1971, Walter Eckert devoted his efforts to improving the precision with which the Moon’s position could be derived from the Hill–Brown theory.
The Influence of Family Firms on Related Party Transactions and Associated Valuation Implications

We investigate whether family firms are more likely to engage in related party transactions (RPTs) and the impact of RPTs on the previously documented family firm value premium (Anderson and Reeb 2003). While RPTs are strategic in some situations and opportunistic in others (Kohlbeck and Mayhew 2010; Ryngaert and Thomas 2012), family firms are particularly prone to opportunism through RPTs because family members tend to have more power than their ownership stakes predict. We expect RPTs to reduce the family firm premium due the existence of so called type II agency costs from agency conflicts between controlling and minority shareholders and the potential opportunistic behavior represented by RPTs. Based on an extensive hand-collected sample, we find that family firms are more likely to enter into RPTs and the family firm value premium declines when family firms report RPTs. Further, all RPTs are not the same as the declining value premium is only associated with 1) RPTs with directors, officers, and major shareholders, or 2) those considered more opportunistic (tone RPTs).
Safety and Health Programs in Alaska's Seafood Processing Industry: Interviews with Safety and Health Managers.

Background: The seafood processing industry is critical to Alaska’s economy and hazardous to workers; however, limited research has addressed workers’ safety and health. Safety and health program m...
Sensory Impairment: Taste and Smell Impairments with Aging

The sensory properties of foods influence food choices and provide cues about a food’s nutritional value. Sensory signals from food elicit salivary, gastric acid, and pancreatic secretions associated with digestion and ultimately absorption of nutrients. Taste and smell are especially important in activating these digestive secretions because the taste and olfactory systems have closer anatomical connections to the neural pathways involved in digestion than the other senses. Deficits in taste and smell perception as well as the other senses occur during the course of normal aging and are exacerbated by medical conditions and treatments including medications. When sensory signals are compromised, food selection and intake, absorption of nutrients, and ultimately nutritional status are negatively impacted.
Potential Effects of Coronaviruses on the Cardiovascular System: A Review.

Importance Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has reached a pandemic level. Coronaviruses are known to affect the cardiovascular system. We review the basics of coronaviruses, with a focus on COVID-19, along with their effects on the cardiovascular system. Observations Coronavirus disease 2019 can cause a viral pneumonia with additional extrapulmonary manifestations and complications. A large proportion of patients have underlying cardiovascular disease and/or cardiac risk factors. Factors associated with mortality include male sex, advanced age, and presence of comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and cerebrovascular diseases. Acute cardiac injury determined by elevated high-sensitivity troponin levels is commonly observed in severe cases and is strongly associated with mortality. Acute respiratory distress syndrome is also strongly associated with mortality. Conclusions and Relevance Coronavirus disease 2019 is associated with a high inflammatory burden that can induce vascular inflammation, myocarditis, and cardiac arrhythmias. Extensive efforts are underway to find specific vaccines and antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. Meanwhile, cardiovascular risk factors and conditions should be judiciously controlled per evidence-based guidelines.
Maternal knowledge, stimulation, and early childhood development in low-income families in Colombia.

Theoretical models assume that parental knowledge about child development and caregiving motivates parental stimulation, shaping child development. Evidence supporting these models is scarce in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study tests the relations between maternal knowledge, stimulation, and child development in a Colombian sample of 1,277 low-income mothers and their children under the age of five. Mothers showed diverse knowledge about child development and caregiving. Moreover, maternal knowledge when children were 9-26 months old indirectly predicted growth in children's cognitive, receptive language, and gross motor skills at ages 27-46 months, partially through maternal engagement in stimulating activities with the child.
Residents-as-Teachers Curriculum for Radiation Oncology: A Targeted Needs Assessment.

Purpose Achieving competency as educators is increasingly recognized as a critical part of residents’ training in graduate medical education across specialties. In addition to teaching medical students, radiation oncology residents often play a vital role in peer and interprofessional education. We conducted a survey to identify the needs of radiation oncology residents for developing skills in teaching. Methods and Materials An anonymous, web-based survey was developed and distributed to resident physicians at US radiation oncology programs. Analyses describe respondent demographics, experiences with teaching, and interest in various aspects of a formal “residents-as-teachers” curriculum. Results There were 171 completed survey responses (27.5% response rate). A total of 146 residents (85.4%) reported receiving no formal training in teaching before residency, and 121 (70.8%) reported no formal training during residency. Residents who had formal training in teaching were significantly more likely to be “quite” or “extremely” confident about teaching compared with residents who had no prior formal training (76.0% vs 51.4%; P = .022). Residents most commonly taught other residents and medical students (163 [95.3%] and 160 [93.6%] respondents, respectively). The most common settings for teaching were one-on-one teaching (164 respondents [95.9%]), small-group lectures (135 respondents [78.9%]), and intradepartmental lectures (136 respondents [79.5%]). In response to open-ended questions regarding desired teaching opportunities and domains for teaching development, many residents expressed a lack of confidence in teaching and were interested in improvement across many aspects of teaching. Conclusions Radiation oncology residents are expected and desire to teach in a multitude of settings across a wide variety of audiences. However, a significant proportion of radiation oncology residents lack formal training and rarely receive feedback for their teaching skills. The results of this national survey support the development of a residents-as-teachers curriculum for radiation oncology residents that would address the needs for and significant interest in this area.
Advances in 3D-Printed Surface-Modified Ca-Si Bioceramic Structures and Their Potential for Bone Tumor Therapy.

Bioceramics such as calcium silicate (Ca-Si), have gained a lot of interest in the biomedical field due to their strength, osteogenesis capability, mechanical stability, and biocompatibility. As such, these materials are excellent candidates to promote bone and tissue regeneration along with treating bone cancer. Bioceramic scaffolds, functionalized with appropriate materials, can achieve desirable photothermal effects, opening up a bifunctional approach to osteosarcoma treatments—simultaneously killing cancerous cells while expediting healthy bone tissue regeneration. At the same time, they can also be used as vehicles and cargo structures to deliver anticancer drugs and molecules in a targeted manner to tumorous tissue. However, the traditional synthesis routes for these bioceramic scaffolds limit the macro-, micro-, and nanostructures necessary for maximal benefits for photothermal therapy and drug delivery. Therefore, a different approach to formulate bioceramic scaffolds has emerged in the form of 3D printing, which offers a sustainable, highly reproducible, and scalable method for the production of valuable biomedical materials. Here, calcium silicate (Ca-Si) is reviewed as a novel 3D printing base material, functionalized with highly photothermal materials for osteosarcoma therapy and drug delivery platforms. Consequently, this review aims to detail advances made towards functionalizing 3D-printed Ca-Si and similar bioceramic scaffold structures as well as their resulting applications for various aspects of tumor therapy, with a focus on the external surface and internal dispersion functionalization of the scaffolds.
Adolescent Language Therapy: Syntax and Semantics for Reasoning and Planning

Purpose Adolescent students face increased expectations to successfully navigate academic, social, and vocational transitions. As demands increase and support systems fade, adolescents with develop...
A Case of Clostridium septicum Aortitis With Concomitant Adenocarcinoma of the Cecum.

AbstractClostridium septicum aortitis is a rare infection that is strongly associated with underlying adenocarcinoma of the colon. We report a case of a 73-year-old woman with peripheral vascular disease who presented after 4 weeks of severe abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography showed thick
Coupled Spin Torque Nano Oscillators for Low Power Neural Computation

We present coupled spin torque nano oscillators (STNOs) as electronic neurons for efficient brain-inspired computation. The coupled STNOs show two distinct outputs, depending on whether the frequencies are locked or not. The locking mechanisms are based on magnetic coupling or injection locking. The neuron firing threshold can be set by tuning the locking range of the coupled STNOs. We employ a crossbar array of programmable memory devices like memristors to implement electronic synapses that work seamlessly with the coupled STNOs for hardware implementation of neural networks. Results show that injection locking-based neuron model can be attractive from scaling point of view and computation like character recognition can be performed with energy consumption per neuron of $\sim $ 1.8X and $\sim $ 3X lower than the digital and the analog CMOS counterpart, respectively.
Specific Binding of 8-Anilinonaphthalene Sulfonate to Diphosphopyridine Nucleotide-linked Isocitrate Dehydrogenase from Bovine Heart

Abstract Bovine heart DPN-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase caused increased fluorescence intensity and a blue shift of emission maxima of 2-p-toluidinonaphthalene-6-sulfonate and of 8-anilinonaphthalene sulfonate (ANS); the effect was not observed with 7-(p-methoxybenzylamino)-4-nitrobenzene-2-oxa-1, 3-diazole, Auramine O, dansyl (N, N-dimethyl-5-naphthylamine-1-sulfonate)-Cys, dansyl-Gly, or dansyl-Trp. Dye binding to the enzyme and energy transfer were shown by a 10-fold increase in ANS fluorescence intensity at an excitation wavelength of 280 nm with emission maximum shifted from 515 nm for free ANS to 465 nm for bound ANS and concurrent decrease of protein emission at 317 nm. Fluorescence titration (at excitation and emission wavelengths of 374 and 465 nm, respectively) revealed the number of ANS binding sites (n) as one per subunit of enzyme (42,000 daltons). The binding of ANS to the enzyme was decreased by manganous isocitrate; in the presence of saturating substrate, n was reduced by one-half and the dissociation constant of the ANS-enzyme complex (Kd) was shifted from 16 to 76 µm. The increase in Kd suggested that manganous isocitrate induced a conformational change in the enzyme. When added singly, Mn2+, DPN+, DPNH, or ADP did not affect n or Kd; however, DPNH and ADP in the presence of manganous isocitrate reduced ANS binding to n = 0.21 to 0.38, indicating that the substrate increased binding of the nucleotides. ANS inhibited enzyme activity. The dissociation constant for the ANS-enzyme complex obtained in kinetic experiments was Ki = 154 µm when DPN+ varied and manganous isocitrate was constant; as compared to Kd = 16 µm with DPN+ present and manganous isocitrate absent. The inhibition constant for ANS (Ki = 70 µm) obtained with varying concentrations of manganous isocitrate agreed with the dissociation constant of the ANS-enzyme complex (Kd = 76 µm) determined in fluorescence titration experiments in the presence of saturating manganous isocitrate. The dissociation constant of the manganous isocitrate-enzyme complex has been estimated by a number of approaches. The shift of Kd for ANS (determined by fluorescence quenching) was one-half maximal at 78 µm manganous dl-isocitrate as compared to Km = 90 µm for manganous dl-isocitrate and a dissociation constant Ksp = 69 µm obtained from substrate protection experiments against inhibition by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (Fan, C. C., and Plaut, G. W. E. (1974) Biochemistry 13, 52–59).
St. Augustine to NREN: the tree of knowledge and how it grows

As a new age begins, it is important to know what age it is that ends. As we move to networked communicaton, it is not the age of writing that is ending, nor specially the age of the printed book. It is rather the end of the life span of the codex (the familiar form of rectangular pages sewn and gathered between covers), the invention that revolutionized the arrangement and processing of information in the earliest centuries of the common era. Consideration of the modes of storage and access (including early foreshadowings of hypertext) in the age of the manuscript codex will lead to reflections on what is likely to abide in the new forms of information processing and what is likely to pass away. Forms fade, structure abides
Intrinsic reproductive isolation between two sister species of Drosophila.

Drosophila santomea and D. yakuba are sister species that live on the volcanic African island of Sao Tome. Previous work has revealed several barriers to gene flow, including sexual isolation, hybrid sterility, and "extrinsic" ecological isolation based on differential adaptation to and preference for temperature. Here, we describe several new "intrinsic" barriers to gene flow-barriers that do not depend on the species' ecology. These include reduced egg number, reduced egg hatchability, and faster depletion of sperm in interspecific compared to intraspecific matings. Further, hatching interval and egg-to-adult development time are significantly longer in interspecific than intraspecific crosses. If a female of either species is initially mated to a heterospecific male, she lays fewer and less-fertile eggs than if she is first mated to a conspecific male, so that heterospecific matings permanently reduce female fertility. Finally, D. santomea females mated to D. yakuba males do not live as long as virgin or conspecifically mated females. The "poisoning" effects of heterospecific ejaculates may be byproducts of antagonistic sexual selection. Although these species diverged relatively recently, they are clearly separated by many isolating barriers that act both before and after mating.
American Exceptionalism, the French Exception, Intellectual Property Law, and Peer-to-Peer File Sharing on the Internet

A fundamental problem confronting policy makers is how to apply intellectual property rules and regulations developed for tangible intellectual property assets in real space to intangible, dematerialized intellectual property in cyberspace. The United States and France are self-described exceptionalist countries. American exceptionalism refers to the historical tendency of the United States to emphasize its unique status as the beacon of liberty, while l’exception francaise (the French exception) refers to the French ideological posture that emphasizes the specificity and superiority of French culture. American exceptionalism and l’exception francaise are functionally equivalent theoretical constructs that describe and explain how the United States and France highlight their respective political and cultural specificities vis-a-vis the rest of the world. The copyright regime of the United States reflects American exceptionalism, while the French regime de droit d’auteur (author’s right regime) reflects the French exception. The purpose of this article was to study the exceptional intellectual property regimes of the United States and France, using as a comparative case study application of intellectual property laws designed for the offline environment, to online peer-to-peer file sharing on the Internet. A comparative analysis of statutory and case law in the United States and France demonstrates that: 1) The American intellectual property regime has a presumption against the legality of peer-to-peer file-sharing networks that exchange copyrighted material without permission, and 2) the French intellectual property regime classifies peer-to-peer file-sharing on the Internet as piracy, a criminal offense. The American intellectual property regime often grants copyright holders the power to violate the due process and privacy rights of citizens accused of copyright infringement, while the French system allows law enforcement officials and royalty collection societies to violate the “presumption of innocence” and privacy rights of accused peer-to-peer file-sharers.
The Veteran Premium Problem and the Effects of the NFLCollective Bargaining Agreement on the League's Reserves

NFL franchises are extremely profitable and rank as the highest valued teams in all of sports. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) attempts to maximize the league's value and profitability and share the wealth equitably between players and management by creating, among other things, free agency, a salary cap, and mandatory retirement benefits. However, the main CBA provisions along with a tradition of not guaranteeing yearly salary disadvantage young players and veteran reserves. Players are not eligible for true free agency until their fourth year in the league, dead money from signing bonus cap charges attributed to players no longer on the team limits what organizations can spend on reserves, and rising minimum salaries and retirement benefit contributions make many veterans too expensive for teams to sign. Although teams should prefer having experienced players as backups and on special teams, the NFL regulatory structure gives teams the incentive to sign young and inexperienced players to those roles.
Angina and socio-economic status in Ontario: how do characteristics of the county you live in influence your chance of developing heart disease?

To assist in the development of community heart health programming and policy development, the Central West Health Planning Information Network (CWHPIN) was asked by its partners to collaborate in obtaining information that might clarify the relationships between socio-economic status (SES) and heart disease among residents of Ontario, Canada. The purpose of this component of the project was to explore, at the county level, how much of the variation in angina pectoris (angina) could be explained by SES variables. Linear regression modeling was used to identify key predictors of angina hospitalization rates in counties Ontario-wide. Results of the linear regression modeling showed that SES variables (most notably education and occupation) were key predictors of angina, even when traditional risk factors (i.e., smoking, etc.) were included in the analysis. This study demonstrates that, at the county level, socio-economic variables such as education and occupation have a significant relationship with rates of heart disease at the population level, even when including the traditional risk factors in the analysis.
Serotonin-induced production of a monocyte chemotactic factor by human peripheral blood leukocytes.

Serotonin and histamine are released during the early phase of inflammatory reactions. To determine if these vasoactive amines might play a role in the cell-mediated phase of inflammation, studies were undertaken to assess their influence on some immunologic functions of human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL). PBL were cultured with serotonin or histamine, and assayed for a proliferative response and their cell-free supernatants were assayed for the presence of a mediator with chemotactic activity for monocytes. Neither serotonin nor histamine were directly chemotactic for monocytes. When serotonin was cultured with PBL factors chemotactic for monocytes as well as polymorphonuclear leukocytes were produced in the absence of a proliferative response. Production of the factor chemotactic for monocytes was specifically blocked by methysergide, a serotonin antagonist and nonspecifically blocked by cycloheximide which interferes with leukocyte protein synthesis. Some decarboxylated precursors of serotonin also induced the monocyte chemotactic factor. This serotonin-induced chemotactic factor was demonstrated to be a product of mononuclear cells, and the majority of chemotactic activity was physicochemically similar to the previously characterized lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor, suggesting that this factor is a lymphocyte product. In contrast to serotonin, histamine did not stimulate the production of monocyte chemotactic factor, nor did it induce proliferation. However, when 10-5 M histamine was added to a substimulatory concentration of serotonin (10-5 M), chemotactic activity comparable to or greater than the peak activity of serotonin alone was measured. This synergistic effect between serotonin and histamine suggests that the combination of these two amines may contribute to the induction of monocyte exudation in inflammatory reactions.
Modulation of Tremor and Modulation of Noise: Same Natural Phenomenon?

One of the high‐profile developments in seismology over the past decade has been the observation of episodic tremor and slip (ETS) and nonvolcanic tremor (NVT) as a subset of the phenomenon (Peng and Gomberg, 2010; Vidale and Houston, 2012). Sensitivity of an NVT occurrence to very small, dynamic, low‐frequency stress perturbations in the Earth’s crust has been documented. For example, Rubinstein et al. (2007, 2008) reported pulsations of the envelope of the high‐frequency (generally above 1 Hz) tremors with much longer periods of Earth tides and surface waves from large earthquakes. The phenomenon has been termed modulation. In reading through the recurring reports of the phenomenon of triggered NVT, I was struck by the resemblance to much earlier observations that dated back to the 1970s and 1980s. Conceptually, very similar observations were conducted in the 1970s by Russian investigators Rykunov et al. (1978, 1979). For example, Figure 1 (from Rykunov et al. , 1978) shows the envelope of the background microseisms (which the authors termed “high‐frequency seismic noise” [HFSN] or “seismic emissions”) in a narrow passband of 30±0.1 Hz. The top two panels show a typical undisturbed level of the envelope. The authors discovered near‐periodic pulsations of the background microseism levels after the occurrence of distant M ∼7 earthquakes, shown in the bottom four panels, with periods coinciding with certain periods of the free oscillations of the Earth. As in the recent NVT observations, the phenomenon was called modulation.* Figure 1. Examples …
Introduction to Applied Statistical Signal Analysis

Introduction and Terminology. Empirical Modeling and Approximation. Fourier Analysis. Probability Concepts and Signal Characteristics. Introduction to Random Processes and Signal Correlation. Random Signals, Linear Systems, and Power Spectra. Spectral Analysis for Random Signals: Classical Estimation. Random Signal Modeling and Modern Spectral Estimation. Theory and Application of Cross Correlation and Coherence.
Teenage Pregnancy and the Influence of Paternal Involvement on Fetal Outcomes

Abstract Study Objective We sought to assess the impact of paternal involvement on adverse birth outcomes in teenage mothers. Design Using vital records data, we generated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess the association between paternal involvement and fetal outcomes in 192,747 teenage mothers. Paternal involvement status was based on presence/absence of paternal first and/or last name on the birth certificate. Setting Data were obtained from vital records data from singleton births in Florida between 1998 and 2007. Participants The study population consisted of 192,747 teenage mothers ≤ 20 years old with live single births in the State of Florida. Main Outcome Measures Low birth weight, very low birth weight, preterm birth, very preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA), neonatal death, post-neonatal death, and infant death. Results Risks of SGA (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03-1.10), low birth weight (OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.15-1.23), very low birth weight (OR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.41-1.67), preterm birth (OR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.17-1.25), and very preterm birth (OR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.38-1.62) were elevated for mothers in the father-absent group. When results were stratified by race, black teenagers in the father-absent group had the highest risks of adverse birth outcomes when compared to white teenagers in the father-involved group. Conclusions Lack of paternal involvement is a risk factor for adverse birth outcomes among teenage mothers; risks are most pronounced among African-American teenagers. Our findings suggest that increased paternal involvement can have a positive impact on birth outcomes for teenage mothers, which may be important for decreasing the racial disparities in infant morbidities. More studies assessing the impact of greater paternal involvement on birth outcomes are needed.
Electro-optical processor for optimal control

An iterative optical processor has been developed for applications in the optimal control of advanced sensor systems. The processor is designed for the realization of the Richardson algorithm on bipolar data, using as input a linear array of LEDs. The usefulness of the processor has been demonstrated by the solution of the linear quadratic regulator problem for the optimal control signals of the F100 turbofan engine. In this case study, the algebraic Riccati equation matrix was solved by the use of a modified Kleinman algorithm along with the Richardson algorithm applied to a system of linear algebraic equations. Preliminary experimental results demonstrate the gradual convergence of the processor.
Source Time Functions

INTRODUCTION Seismologists have always striven to determine earthquake parameters as soon as possible after an earthquake occurs. Now there are several research groups that routinely “broadcast” their rapid determinations of earthquake location, focal mechanism, size, and depth. We report on our efforts to produce and “broadcast” source time functions of earthquakes. The steady march of technical progress in seismology has provided first for the rapid determination of epicenter and magnitude (e.g., from the National Earthquake Information Center [NEIC] and various regional networks). Technical requirements for this effort are that several stations have their output telemetered to some location where the arrivals can be picked and that at least one of these stations be well-calibrated so that magnitude can be estimated. This technical level and service has been available for several decades. In some cases, this procedure has been completely automated with earthquake alarms issued with no human intervention. It is...
Spironolactone and Testicular Cytochrome P-450: Decreased Testosterone Formation inSeveral Species and Changes in Hepatic Drug Metabolism1

The daily administration of spironolactone caused a 40–90% decrease in the level of microsomal cytochrome P-450 in the testes of rat, guinea pig, rabbit, mouse and dog, but no reduction was detected in the amount of cytochrome b5. The loss of microsomal cytochrome P-450 was concomitant with a similar loss of both the microsomal heme associated with cytochrome P-450 and the activity of the microsomal 17α-hydroxylase. In contrast to its effects on the 17α-hydroxylase, spironolactone administration slightly increased the enzyme activity of the microsomal 17β-dehydrogenase. The extent of the destruction of cytochrome P-450 by spironolactone was dependent upon the dosegiven and upon the duration of the treatment. The decline in androgen formation in the testis resulted in a 30–35% decrease in the activity ofhepatic 3,4-benzpyrene hydroxylase in the rat, but an 80% increase in the guinea pig. The decrease inthe 3,4-benzpyrene hydroxylase activity in the rat could be prevented by the administration ofandrogens, ...
Carotid endarterectomy versus angioplasty/stenting for carotid stenosis

Carotid occlusive disease remains an important cause of ischemic stroke. The results of large, randomized clinical trials have established the benefit of surgical revascularization in selected patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenosis. The introduction of balloon angioplasty and stenting of the extracranial carotid artery as a potential alternative to surgery has been received with enthusiasm by patients and physicians alike. Whether or not this enthusiasm is fully justified has yet to be determined. This article reviews published data regarding the safety and clinical efficacy of carotid angioplasty and stenting. Particular focus is directed towards results from recently completed and ongoing prospective comparative trials of endarterectomy and carotid angioplasty and stenting.
Mutational investigation of the specificity determining region of the src SH2 domain

SH2 domains are protein modules which bind tyrosine phosphorylated sequences in many signaling pathways. These domains contain two regions with specialized functions: residues in one region form a deep pocket into which the phosphotyrosine of the target inserts, while the other region contains the so-called "specificity determining residues" which interact with the three residues C-terminal to the phosphotyrosine in the target. Here, titration calorimetry and site-directed mutagenesis have been used to probe the importance of eight specificity determining residues of the SH2 domain of the Src kinase involved in contacts with its tyrosine phosphorylated consensus peptide target (sequence pYEEI where pY indicates a phosphotyrosine). Mutating six of these eight residues to Ala individually, resulted in a threefold or less loss in binding affinity; hence the majority of the residues in the specificity determining region are by themselves of minimal importance for binding. Two residues were found to have significant effects on binding: Tyr betaD5 and Lys betaD3. Tyr betaD5 was the most crucial residue as evidenced by the 30-fold loss in affinity when Tyr betaD5 is mutated to Ile. However, while this mutation eliminated the specificity of the Src SH2 domain for the pYEEI peptide sequence, it was not sufficient to switch the specificity of the Src SH2 domain to that of a related SH2 domain which has an Ile at the betaD5 position. Mutation of Lys betaD3 to an Ala residue resulted in a modest reduction in binding affinity (sevenfold). It is interesting that this mutation resulted in a change of specificity affecting the selection of the +1 position residue C-terminal to the phosphotyrosine. Except for the Lys betaD3-+1 Glu interaction which is significantly coupled, only weak energetic coupling was observed across the binding interface, as assessed using double mutant cycles. The results of this study suggest that interactions involving the specificity determining region of SH2 domains may be insufficient by themselves to target single SH2 domains to particular phosphorylated sites.
Inhibition of gp120-CD4 interaction and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in vitro by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate.

Pyridoxal 59-phosphate and related compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit gp120-CD4 interaction and human immunodeficiency virus infection in vitro. The results show that pyridoxal 59-phosphate is a unique CD4 antagonist whose antiviral potency derives from the presence of both lysine-reactive and anionic substituents. Images
Serologic observations during an outbreak of rat borne plague in the San Francisco Bay area of California.

Results of a serologic study of a plague outbreak among rats (Rattus norvegicus) and associated wild rodents are presented. Bacteriologic and serologic evidence points toward mutual exchange of fleas and plague infection between the intermingled rat and wild rodent populations. Results emphasize the value of serologic methods for epizootiologic studies of plague in North American rat populations.