cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Writing in Cameroon, the first hundred years

German, French and British colonization, the advent of Christian missions, the fight for independence and the subsequent neocolonial regime, impacted greatly on the literature produced in Cameroon between 1889 and 1989. These factors determined where writers studied, the gender of those who did study, the European languages they used, the purposes for which they wrote, as well as where they were published and read. Witnesses to the absurdity and abuses of several colonial masters as well as a variety of approaches to Christianity, Cameroonians’ skepticism was evident in the oppositional stance that writers took in their fictional works. Early writers’ attention to the status of women anticipated some of the themes women writers would later use to denounce the impact of tradition, patriarchy and poverty on the lives of women. Later fiction revealed the post-independence restrictions on Cameroon’s progress towards freedom. In the process, Cameroonian writers made the French language theirs, adapting it to reflect the world they wrote about.
252 REVISITING RISK FACTORS FOR INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE IN PREMATURE INFANTS.

Background Previous studies have suggested several risk factors for the development of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in premature infants. However, studies to evaluate independent risk factors using multivariate analysis are very scant. Objective To determine risk factors associated with development of IVH in premature infants at a tertiary care center using multivariate analysis. Methods Retrospective cohort study of all infants who were born at Results 211 cases with IVH and 330 controls without IVH were identified. Stepwise logistic regression analysis adjusting for significant variables, such as birth weight and gestational age, revealed that only male gender (OR 1.53, CI 1.026-2.30), thrombocytopenia (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.34-3.5), and seizures (OR 2.90, CI 1.087-7.72) were associated with the development of IVH. Conclusions Among premature infants
Inhibitory Interactions Between Ferret Thalamic Reticular Neurons

The thalamic reticular nucleus (nRt) provides an important inhibitory input to thalamic relay nuclei and is central in the generation of both normal and abnormal thalamocortical activities. Althoug...
FTIR Ellipsometry Study on RF sputtered Permalloy-Oxide Thin Films

The optical properties of RF sputtered polycrystalline permalloy oxide (PyO) thin films were studied in the infrared by variable angle ellipsometry. The dispersion of PyO shows a Lorentzian dispersion peak at 381.5 cm-1. We attribute this peak to the transverse optical phonon of PyO. This peak is consistent with a rocksalt crystal structure for the Ni0.81Fe0.19O1-d thin films.
Guidelines for the provision of psychological evaluations for infertile patients at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Objective Because of the psychologically demanding nature of infertility treatment, it has been recommended that psychological services be made available to infertile patients. However, no specific guidelines for the scope or usage of those services has been proposed. Our objective was to formulate guidelines to be used at our institution to provide psychological evaluations to infertility patients. Design The guidelines were formulated through discussions between the division psychologist and attendings and then presented to and modified by the University Ethics, Risk Management, Legal, and Institutional Review Board departments. Setting The University of Connecticut Health Center Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility provides tertiary level care to infertility patients. Services include assisted reproductive technologies and donor gamete programs. Surrogate parenting is not a provided service. Results Guidelines for the provision and use of psychological services for infertility patients were formulated. Conclusions These guidelines are preliminary in nature and intended to provide a starting point for discussion among physicians, nurses, and mental health professionals regarding the psychological needs of infertility patients.
The Gospel as Politics in Africa

The reality of political violence in Africa poses a major theological challenge. There is no more pressing challenge for New Evangelization (NE) in Africa than the search for a different, nonviolent basis for social existence in Africa. The essay argues that for NE to meet this challenge it will have to move beyond the trap of “culture” and engage more explicitly the political vision of the gospel. The story of Archbishop Emmanuel Kataliko’s life and work exemplifies what this concretely looks like. Accordingly Kataliko’s story confirms that, pursued under the aegis of reconciliation, NE cannot but become deeply political in that it seeks nothing short of a new vision of society in Africa grounded in the story of God’s nonviolent and reconciling love.
Message strategies in smartphone patent battles: Ownership and innovation capability

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of message attributes on public opinion in regards to corporate reputation and communication intention. Design/methodology/approach – It conducted a 2×2 between-subject factorial experiment, manipulating media messages in terms of which company owns the patents, and the level of innovation emphasized through the companies’ marketing communication efforts. Findings – The two-way analysis of variance results showed that, for Samsung, the main effects of the two independent variables (ownership and innovation) were found on the perceived corporate reputation; while only a main effect of innovation capability attribute was found on the perceived secondary communication intention for Apple. Research limitations/implications – One main theoretical contribution of this current study is the exploration of the attribute level of agenda setting in the context of a business communication setting with an experimental study. Practical implications – This re...
Veterans Health Administration

ABSTRACTThe Veterans Health Administration (VHA) website is a comprehensive resource with health benefits information, resources, and medical facility information for veterans, their families and caregivers, active duty service members, National Guard and reserves, dependents and survivors, and clinical professionals and researchers. The website also provides extensive information on medical conditions and treatments, wellness programs, materials for special groups (such as rural veterans), and employment-related assistance. In addition to the wide variety of information for veterans and their families, the VHA site also includes links to careers at the Veterans Administration and tools for human resources professionals working with veterans.
Influence of “Stabilized” Ferrous Sulfate on the Flavor of Pasteurized Milk

Raw milk containing “stabilized” ferrous sulfate had an oxidized flavor after pasteurization. Negative correlation coefficients were found between the cooked flavor and the oxidized flavor present in those samples containing the added ferrous iron.
SAFETY PROFILES OF PERCUTANEOUS LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE CLOSURE DEVICES: AN ANALYSIS OF THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION MANUFACTURER AND USER FACILITY DEVICE EXPERIENCE DATABASE FROM 2009 – 2016

Background: Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is effective for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients unable to tolerate long-term oral anticoagulation. We analyzed the safety of two commonly used LAAC methods using surveillance data from the FDA MAUDE database.
Scrabble: converting unstructured metadata into brick for many buildings

Buildings traditionally consist of vertically integrated subsystems installed by multiple vendors without common understanding of the entire system. It results in unstructured metadata of thousands of data points, which third part vendors who seek to deploy applications like fault diagnosis need to map into a common schema. This mapping process requires deep domain expertise in both the schema and buildings with significant man-hours. Our framework, Scrabble, significantly reduces effort of mapping multiple buildings by introducing a two-stages active learning mechanism that exploits the structure present in a standard schema, Brick, and learns from buildings that have already been mapped to the schema. Scrabble maps characters of metadata into intermediate representation (IR) using conditional random fields and then to labels with a modified classifier chain. Introducing IR enables reusing the learned model for other buildings. Our model requires minimal input from domain experts for mapping. We have evaluated Scrabble reduces 60 % of samples to achieve 95% accuracy covering more labels with 2.54 times higher macro F1 at compared to a baseline.
A case study of problem-based learning in a middle school science classroom: lessons learned

Research on teacher thinking within a constructivist framework emphasizes the relationship between teacher beliefs about teaching and learning and effective classroom practices. A project sponsored by the EduTech Institute at Georgia Tech provides training and support to middle-school teachers using problem-based learning (PBL) in their science and math classes, seeking also to enhance the role of technology in learning. This report of an ethnographic case study in one 8th-grade science class discusses the specific difficulties encountered in implementing PBL and identifies coping strategies improvised by teacher and students in adapting to the unfamiliar roles and expectations of the PBL approach. Classroom observation and interviews with the teacher reveal the importance not only of training teachers in the appropriate classroom techniques but also of providing ongoing support as they develop context-sensitive PBL modules and acquire deeper understanding and acceptance of the philosophy underlying the new approach. Reflection infuses the teaching and learning processes, encouraging all participants to re-view both content knowledge and knowledge about learning.
Microsnowman Propagation and Robotics inside Synthetic Mucus

This paper introduces microrobot swimming of two bead ‘microsnowman’ swimmers inside synthetic mucus solutions. In Newtonian fluids, two beads bonded together would be unable to swim in low Reynolds number environments due to their apparent symmetry. The non-Newtonian interactions and heterogeneity of synthetic mucus allow microsnowman structures to maneuver under actuation from rotating magnetic fields without this geometric requirement. Two experiments were carried out in this paper, the first determined the directional controllability of these microsnowman swimmers inside synthetic mucus, while the other analyzed their velocity response to increasing frequency. The results indicate that microsnowman swimmers can swim omnidirectionally, however, their trajectories were offset due to self-generated internal flows. The velocity of the microsnowman swimmers increased linearly with frequency and were successful in overcoming small internal flows within the surrounding medium.
A Method of a Tangent Cylinder in the Theory of Wave Scattering by Convex Surfaces

The solution to the problem of wave scattering from an object requires the calculation of the total field at the surface of the object. This task generally does not have an exact, explicit solution. In 1952, L. M. Brekhovskikh put forward an approximate solution, so-called the tangent-plane approximation (TPA), which is also referred to as the Kirchhoff approximation. In the TPA at each point of a smooth surface, the latter is approximated by a tangent plane at the point. Since in the case of reflection from a plane, the total field can be readily calculated by Fresnel-type formulas, the scattering problem acquires, in this case, an explicit, approximate solution. A natural generalization of the TPA in 2-D follows when the scattering surface at each point is approximated by a tangent cylinder [a tangent-cylinder approximation (TCA)]. The TCA is considered, in this communication, in the simplest case of convex surfaces, a scalar field, and an impedance boundary condition in 2-D. It is demonstrated that the TCA possesses significantly better accuracy and provides better treatment of the shadowing associated with scattering from rough surfaces being only slightly more demanding than TPA computationally.
Sleep quality in cigarette smokers: Associations with smoking-related outcomes and exercise.

Abstract Introduction Compared to the general population, cigarette smokers report poorer sleep quality. Poor sleep quality in cigarette smokers is associated with greater nicotine dependence. While exercise is known to improve sleep quality in the general population, less is known about how exercise effects sleep in those who smoke. The goal of this study was to explore the relationships between exercise, sleep, and smoking in cigarette smokers. Methods Data on sleep quality (Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)), smoking-related outcomes (e.g., cigarettes/day, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, Minnesota Nicotine and Withdrawal Scale, and Questionnaire of Smoking Urges) and exercise (Fitbit activity measures) were collected for 32 participants (63% female, mean age 30.3 ± 1.0 years) participating in a 12-week clinical research study. Analyses included simple linear regression models. Results Overall, participants reported poor sleep quality at baseline (PSQI > 5). Poorer sleep quality at baseline was associated with increased withdrawal (β = 1.63 ± 0.53, p = 0.0043), craving (β = 0.51 ± 0.43, p = 0.2471), and total smoking urges (β = 1.10 ± 0.41, p = 0.0118). During follow-up (i.e., from baseline to week 12), a daily increase in exercise was associated with improved sleep quality over the same time period (PSQI: β = −0.82 ± 0.35, p = 0.0379). Conclusion Our data suggest that better sleep quality may be associated with lower levels of withdrawal, craving, and smoking urges. Further, exercise may be associated with better sleep quality in cigarette smokers. Future work should explore how increasing exercise and improving sleep quality could inform future smoking cessation interventions.
New barrier attire regulations in the operating room: A mandate without basis?

Abstract Background Recent AHRQ/Joint Commission guidelines mandate additional barrier attire for all operating room personnel to target infection. The scientific basis for this is unclear. Study design Patients undergoing abdominal surgery at our institution were identified from institutional NSQIP database before and after March 2016, when guidelines were implemented. Patient-level variables were compared for the pre- and post-implementation groups. Multivariable regression evaluated associations between implementation and surgical site infection (SSI) and other outcomes. Results 1122 patients (including 60.9% laparoscopic and 16.4% bowel resection procedures) were included. There were 607 patients post-implementation and 515 pre-implementation; cohorts were similar in risk factors for SSI. Fifty-seven patients developed SSI. On multivariable analysis, laparoscopy, bowel resection and operating duration, but not barrier attire, were associated with SSI. Implementation of attire did not significantly impact SSI (p = 0.4), hospital readmission (p = 0.4), or reoperation (p = 0.9). Conclusions These data question the rationale for the new more stringent operating room attire guidelines which burden hospitals with additional cost, time and resources, and could detract efforts to target important factors that really influence outcomes.
The Rh=ct universe

The backbone of standard cosmology is the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker solution to Einstein's equations of general relativity (GR). In recent years, observations have largely confirmed many of the properties of this model, which is based on a partitioning of the universe's energy density into three primary constituents: matter, radiation, and a hypothesized dark energy which, in LambdaCDM, is assumed to be a cosmological constant Lambda. Yet with this progress, several unpalatable coincidences (perhaps even inconsistencies) have emerged along with the successful confirmation of expected features. One of these is the observed equality of our gravitational horizon R_h(t_0) with the distance ct_0 light has traveled since the big bang, in terms of the current age t_0 of the universe. This equality is very peculiar because it need not have occurred at all and, if it did, should only have happened once (right now) in the context of LambdaCDM. In this paper, we propose an explanation for why this equality may actually be required by GR, through the application of Birkhoff's theorem and the Weyl postulate, at least in the case of a flat spacetime. If this proposal is correct, R_h(t) should be equal to ct for all cosmic time t, not just its present value t_0. Therefore models such as LambdaCDM would be incomplete because they ascribe the cosmic expansion to variable conditions not consistent with this relativistic constraint. We show that this may be the reason why the observed galaxy correlation function is not consistent with the predictions of the standard model. We suggest that an R_h=ct universe is easily distinguishable from all other models at large redshift (i.e., in the early universe), where the latter all predict a rapid deceleration.
Jews on the Frontier: Religion and Mobility in Nineteetn-Century America

Review of: "Jews on the Frontier: Religion and Mobility in Nineteetn-Century America" by Shari Rabin
The Food Safety Modernization Act and the FDA Facility Registration Program

The Food Safety Modernization Act that President Obama signed into law January 4, 2011 represents the most sweeping update to food safety regulation since the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938. As part of FSMA, registration is required of facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food for human or animal consumption. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Susanna Richardson, Renee Goodrich Schneider, Mark A. Ritenour, Michelle D. Danyluk, and Keith R. Schneider, and published by the UF Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, July 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs231
Protein Structure Prediction

The goal of protein structure prediction is to estimate the spatial position of every atom of protein molecules from the amino acid sequence by computational methods. Depending on the availability of homologous templates in the PDB library, structure prediction approaches are categorised into template-based modelling (TBM) and free modelling (FM). While TBM is by far the only reliable method for high-resolution structure prediction, challenges in the field include constructing the correct folds without using template structures and refining the template models closer to the native state when templates are available. Nevertheless, the usefulness of various levels of protein structure predictions have been convincingly demonstrated in biological and medical applications. Key Concepts: Evolution is a general principle to guide protein structure and function predictions. Proteins of similar sequence have similar 3D structure. Function of protein is decided by the 3D structure. TBM using homologous templates has the highest accuracy. Template structure can be refined by combining multiple templates. Current physics-based ab initio folding can only fold small proteins. Threading is an efficient tool for detecting distantly homologous templates. Membrane protein structure prediction is challenging due to the lack of templates. Disordered regions exist in protein which does not possess stable structure but has important function implications. Keywords: ab initio folding; fold recognition; comparative modelling; structure-based function annotation; membrane protein; CASP
An Innovative Early Field Experience for Preservice Secondary Teachers: Early Results from Shifting to an Online Model.

The COVID-19-induced closure of schools significantly impacted the field experiences of students enrolled in teacher preparation programs. We addressed this ongoing challenge by adapting an early field experience model for secondary teachers that shifted online mid-semester. The University Teaching Experience model deploys a cohort of preservice secondary mathematics teachers to support instruction in an introductory university mathematics course. When the designated mathematics course moved online, the preservice teachers were able to continue their field experience by facilitating small-group discussions in virtual breakout rooms. To understand the perspectives of the stakeholders participating in the online field experience, we conducted semi-structured one-on-one interviews with the preservice teachers, the mathematics course instructor, and the university mathematics students involved in this setting. Early results indicated that the preservice teachers were highly valued by both the course instructor and the undergraduate mathematics students. Additionally, the preservice teachers appreciated the opportunity to continue their field experience, albeit in the more limited format. We present themes which emerged from preservice teacher interviews and share guidance for teacher preparation program faculty interested in trying an online early field experience while access to K-12 classrooms is limited.
Additively manufactured novel Al-Cu-Sc-Zr alloy: Microstructure and mechanical properties

Abstract An in-depth understanding of microstructure and resultant properties is paramount in the design of a novel alloy system, especially for additive manufacturing (AM). The present investigation aims to characterize a prototypical AM Al alloy with great potential for structural applications. An Al-1.5Cu-0.8Sc-0.4Zr alloy designed using integrated computational material engineering was printed using the laser powder bed fusion AM process. This novel alloy shows promising combination of strength and ductility in as-built and peak-aged conditions. This improvement in the tensile properties is attributed to the presence of both coherent L12 Al3Sc/Al3(Sc,Zr) precipitates and Cu-rich regions. The microstructures were studied via extensive microscopy at different length scales using X-ray microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Fractography revealed that the columnar grain boundaries in as-built condition allow easy slip transfer as compared to the equiaxed grains, with the apex of the melt pool acting as the crack nucleation site. However, the peak aged condition resulted in improved strength while marginally sacrificing ductility due to precipitates decorating dislocations, grain boundaries and melt pool boundaries thus acting as obstacles to slip transfer.
7 – Discrete Quantum Mechanics

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the way to implement discrete quantum mechanics. The usual continuum quantum mechanics can be approximated arbitrarily closely by a discrete quantum mechanics. There are reasons for believing that natural phenomena are intrinsically discrete and should not be based upon a continuum spacetime model. Such continuum models are frequently plagued with infinities and singularities and they break down at small distances and high energies. An example of this can be seen in the path integral formalism. There is a speculation that there exists in nature an elementary length and an elementary time and that all length and time measurements should be integer multiples of these. As the existence of an elementary length does not automatically lead to a discrete spacetime, it is not clear whether discrete quantum mechanics will play the role of a fundamental physical theory.
CK2 phosphorylation of human papillomavirus 16 E2 on serine 23 promotes interaction with TopBP1 and is critical for E2 plasmid retention function

During the human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) life cycle, the E2 protein interacts with host factors to regulate viral transcription, replication and genome segregation/retention. Our understanding of host partner proteins and their roles in E2 functions remains incomplete. Here, we demonstrate that CK2 phosphorylation of E2 on serine 23 promotes interaction with TopBP1 in vitro and in vivo, and that E2 is phosphorylated on this residue during the HPV16 life cycle. We investigated the consequences of mutating serine 23 on E2 functions. E2-S23A activates and represses transcription identically to E2-WT (wild-type), and E2-S23A is as efficient as E2-WT in transient replication assays. However, E2-S23A has compromised interaction with mitotic chromatin when compared with E2-WT. In E2-WT cells, both E2 and TopBP1 levels increase during mitosis when compared with vector control cells. In E2-S23A cells, neither E2 nor TopBP1 levels increase during mitosis. We next tested whether this difference in E2-S23A levels during mitosis disrupts E2 plasmid retention function. We developed a novel plasmid retention assay and demonstrate that E2-S23A is deficient in plasmid retention when compared with E2-WT. siRNA targeted knockdown of TopBP1 abrogates E2-WT plasmid retention function. Introduction of the S23A mutation into the HPV16 genome resulted in delayed immortalization of human foreskin keratinocytes (HFK) and higher episomal viral genome copy number in resulting established HFK. Overall, our results demonstrate that CK2 phosphorylation of E2 on serine 23 promotes interaction with TopBP1, which is critical for E2 plasmid retention function and in HPV16 immortalization of keratinocytes. ImportanceHuman papillomaviruses are causative agents in around 5% of all cancers, with no specific anti-viral therapeutics available for treating infections or resultant cancers. In this report, we demonstrate that phosphorylation of HPV16 E2 by CK2 promotes formation of a complex formation with the cellular protein TopBP1 in vitro and in vivo. This complex results in stabilization of E2 during mitosis and mediates plasmid retention by E2. This function promotes the partitioning of viral genomes into the nuclei of daughter cells following mitosis. We demonstrate that CK2 phosphorylates E2 on serine 23 in vivo, and that CK2 inhibitors disrupt the E2-TopBP1 complex. Mutation of E2 serine 23 to alanine disrupts the HPV16 life cycle, demonstrating a critical function for this residue. Together, our results suggest that CK2 inhibitors may disrupt the E2-TopBP1 dependent HPV16 life cycle and potentially kill HPV16 positive cancers, which lays a molecular foundation to develop novel therapeutic approaches for combating HPV16 disease.
Progesterone Receptors Promote Quiescence and Ovarian Cancer Cell Phenotypes via DREAM in p53-Mutant Fallopian Tube Models.

Context The ability of ovarian steroids to modify ovarian cancer (OC) risk remains controversial. Progesterone is considered to be protective; recent studies indicate no effect or enhanced OC risk. Knowledge of progesterone receptor (PR) signaling during altered physiology that typifies OC development is limited. Objective This study defines PR-driven oncogenic signaling mechanisms in p53-mutant human fallopian tube epithelia (hFTE), a precursor of the most aggressive OC subtype. Methods PR expression in clinical samples of serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) lesions and high-grade serous OC (HGSC) tumors was analyzed. Novel PR-A and PR-B isoform-expressing hFTE models were characterized for gene expression and cell cycle progression, emboli formation, and invasion. PR regulation of the DREAM quiescence complex and DYRK1 kinases was established. Results STICs and HGSC express abundant activated phospho-PR. Progestin promoted reversible hFTE cell cycle arrest, spheroid formation, and invasion. RNAseq/biochemical studies revealed potent ligand-independent/-dependent PR actions, progestin-induced regulation of the DREAM quiescence complex, and cell cycle target genes through enhanced complex formation and chromatin recruitment. Disruption of DREAM/DYRK1s by pharmacological inhibition, HPV E6/E7 expression, or DYRK1A/B depletion blocked progestin-induced cell arrest and attenuated PR-driven gene expression and associated OC phenotypes. Conclusion Activated PRs support quiescence and pro-survival/pro-dissemination cell behaviors that may contribute to early HGSC progression. Our data support an alternative perspective on the tenet that progesterone always confers protection against OC. STICs can reside undetected for decades prior to invasive disease; our studies reveal clinical opportunities to prevent the ultimate development of HGSC by targeting PRs, DREAM, and/or DYRKs.
Robotic abdominal wall repair: adoption and early outcomes in a large academic medical center

Robotic-assisted abdominal wall repair (RAWR) has seen an exponential adoption over the last 5 years. Skepticism surrounding the safety, efficacy, and cost continues to limit a more widespread adoption of the platform. We describe our initial experience of 312 patients undergoing RAWR at a large academic center. A retrospective review of all patients undergoing any RAWR from July 1, 2016 to March 18, 2020 was completed. Patient specific, operation specific, and 30-day outcomes specific data were collected. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess fa﻿ctors associated with 30-day complications. There was a steady adoption of RAWR over the study period. A total of 312 patient were included, 138 (44%) were abdominal wall repairs and 174 (56%) were inguinal repairs. The mean age of the cohort was 54.2 years (SD 16), 69% were males, and the mean BMI was 29 kg/m2 (SD 4.8). There were two reported intraoperative events and nine operative conversions. 60 patients had at least one complication at 30-days. These include: 52 seromas, 4 hematomas, 2 surgical-site infections, 1 deep venous thrombus, and 1 recurrence at 30-days. BMI, type of hernia, and sex were not associated with complications at 30-days. The use of absorbable mesh, longer hospital stay, operative conversion, previous repair, and expert hernia surgeon were significant predictors of 30-day complications. Age, operative conversion, and previous repair were the only predictors of 30-day complications on multivariate regression. Our initial experience of 312 patients demonstrates the adoption and comparable short-term outcomes for a wide variety of robotic-assisted hernia repairs.
Do quasar X-ray and UV flux measurements provide a useful test of cosmological models?

The recent compilation of quasar (QSO) X-ray and UV flux measurements include QSOs that appear to not be standardizable via the X-ray luminosity and UV luminosity ($L_X-L_{UV}$) relation and so should not be used to constrain cosmological model parameters. Here we show that the largest of seven sub-samples in this compilation, the SDSS-4XMM QSOs that contribute about 2/3 of the total QSOs, have $L_X-L_{UV}$ relations that depend on the cosmological model assumed and also on redshift, and is the main cause of the similar problem discovered earlier for the full QSO compilation. The second and third biggest sub-samples, the SDSS-Chandra and XXL QSOs that together contribute about 30% of the total QSOs, appear standardizable, but provide only weak constraints on cosmological parameters that are not inconsistent with the standard spatially-flat $\Lambda$CDM model or with constraints from better-established cosmological probes.
On a heavy-tailed distribution and the stability of an equilibrium in a distributed delay symmetric network

Abstract We consider a static artificial neural network model endowed with multiple unbounded S-type distributed time delays. The delay kernels are described by the Pareto distribution, which is a heavy-tailed power-law probability distribution frequently employed in the characterisation of many observable phenomena. We give a characterisation of the effects of the shape and the scale of the Pareto delay distribution on the stability of an equilibrium of the network.
Perceived vulnerability to overdose-related arrests among people who use drugs in Maryland.

Abstract Background People who use drugs (PWUD) must weigh complex legal scenarios when seeking help during overdose events. Good Samaritan laws (GSL) offer limited immunity for certain low-level drug crimes to encourage PWUD to call 911. Drug-induced homicide laws (DHL) allow for criminal prosecution of people delivering drugs that result in overdose death and may exert opposing effects on the decision-making process. We examined whether perceptions of these laws were related to overall perceived vulnerability to overdose-related arrests, which can impact help-seeking and overdose mortality. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of PWUD (N = 173) in Anne Arundel County, Maryland and measured sociodemographic characteristics, structural vulnerabilities, and knowledge of GSL and DHL. Perceived vulnerability to overdose-related arrest was defined as self-reported concern arising from calling 911, receiving medical help, or supplying drugs in the event of an overdose. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify significant correlates of perceived vulnerability to overdose-related arrest. Results Most participants were aware of DHL (87%) and half were aware of GSL (53%). Forty-seven percent of PWUD expressed concern about arrest during or due to an overdose. After adjustment, positive correlates of perceived vulnerability to arrest were non-white race (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.5-2.5) and hearing of somebody charged with DHL (aOR 3.1, 95%CI 1.9-5.0), and negative correlates were history of drug treatment (aOR 0.6, 95%CI 0.4-1.0), receiving naloxone (aOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-1.0), and having made, sold or traded drugs in the past 3 months (aOR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9). Conclusions We report persisting concern about arrest during overdose events among street-based PWUD facing a complicated landscape of legal protections and liabilities. Findings demonstrate clear racial disparities of concern outside an urban centre, where impacts of policing on health are less studied, and present evidence that DHL may compromise overdose prevention efforts. Changes to drug policy and enforcement including police nonattendance at overdose scenes may be necessary to promote help-seeking among PWUD and reduce overdose fatalities.
An Examination of the Correlation Between Vehicle Performance in FMVSS 216 Versus Injury Rates in Rollover Accidents

The authors report on an examination of the relationship, or correlation, between performance in the roof crush test (FMVSS 216) and the likelihood of injury following rollover for different car models. Specifically, it has been asserted that roof crush test performance is a valid indicator of the protection afforded passengers in a rollover accident. If this is correct, it would be expected that cars which perform relatively "better" in the roof crush test will also perform relatively "better" in protecting passengers in rollover accidents on the road. Performance in the roof crush test is measured by inches of roof deflection for application of a load through a rigid, unyielding plate placed in specific orientation with respect to the automobile roof. Protection of passengers in rollover accidents is measured by actual injury rates obtained from accident/injury data from the state of Washington collected for multiple model and accident years. Three statistical indicators (rank correlation statistic, sample correlation coefficient, and linear regression) have been applied to the roof crush test and rollover accident data for a collection of twelve different car models. This analysis reveals that there is no apparent relationship between roof crush performance, as measured by the roof crush test specified in FMVSS 216, and occupant protection, as measured by injury rates reported in the Washington state accident data base.
Platelet-activating factor-induced homologous and heterologous desensitization in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

Intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations were monitored in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) using the Ca2+-sensitive dye fura II. Superfusion of VSMC with platelet-activating factor (S-PAF; 1-100 nM) increased cytosolic Ca2+ in a dose-dependent manner. The response was transient and returned to base line even though the agonist was still present. A second, higher dose of PAF did not elicit a response. The inactive optical isomer, R-PAF, was ineffective suggesting that the S-PAF response is specific and receptor-mediated. Pretreatment of VSMC with PAF attenuated angiotensin II-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization but not vasopressin-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization. Treatment of VSMC with PAF (10 nM) stimulated inositol trisphosphate and inositol tetrakisphosphate formation above control by 260 +/- 15% and 195 +/- 11%, respectively. Diacylglycerol levels also rose during PAF stimulation and remained increased over 15 min. Pretreatment of VSMCs with phorbol-12,13-myristate acetate (10 nM) for 30 min abolished both the PAF- and angiotensin II-induced increases in cytosolic Ca2+, but not the vasopressin-induced increase. Pretreatment of VSMC with dioctanoylglycerol (10 microM) abolished the S-PAF-, angiotensin II-, and vasopressin-induced elevation in cytosolic Ca2+. We propose that this desensitization is possibly mediated by diacylglycerol formed in response to PAF.
Acute Effects of Pathogenic Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Challenge on Vaccine-Induced Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses to Gag in Rhesus Macaques

Simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infection in macaques provides a convenient model for testing vaccine efficacy and for understanding viral pathogenesis in AIDS. We immunized macaques with recombinant, Salmonella typhimurium (expressing Gag) or soluble Gag in adjuvant to generate T-cell-dependent lymphoproliferative or serum antibody responses. Immunized animals were challenged by intrarectal inoculation with SHIV89.6PD. Virus infection was accompanied by rapid losses of lymphoproliferative responses to Gag or phytohemagglutinin. By 8 weeks, mitogen responses recovered to near normal levels but antigen-specific immunity remained at low or undetectable levels. Serum antibody levels were elevated initially by virus exposure but soon dropped well below levels achieved by immunization. Our studies show a rapid depletion of preexisting Gag-specific CD4+ T cells that prevent or limit subsequent antiviral cellular and humoral immune responses during acute SHIV infection.
Frederic Jameson, Valences of the Dialectic

Over the course of a nearly 50-year career, Fredric Jameson has maintained his devotion to dialectical thinking in the face of rejections of Hegelianism and Soviet-style Marxism from the Left and R...
Concentracion urbana y agrupacion de los asentamientos rurales en chile

Se analizan los determinantes ecologicos de las concentraciones urbanas y de las agrupaciones de poblados rurales en 69 comunas de las regiones del Maule y Bio-Bio. La concentracion urbana se define como la poblacion del lugar mas grande de la comuna, mientras que por agrupacion se entiende el numero de poblados rurales en el distrito que contiene el mayor numero de poblados rurales. Al hacer un analisis de regresion de las cifras del Censo de 1982 se demuestra que el aumento de la poblacion en la comuna y la cantidad de corporaciones de exportacion -tanto forestales como agricolas- predicen el tamano del lugar mas grande. La localizacion geografica, en cambio, no lo predice. De las cinco variables que se emplean para predecir el lugar mas grande, solo la cantidad de corporaciones forestales predice las agrupaciones. Sin embargo, una nueva variable que mide el nivel de desarrollo general de la comuna demuestra ser el predictor mas fuerte. Un diagrama elaborado de regresion, conocido como “path analisis”, esclarece aun mas estos resultados.
A low molecular weight proteome comparison of fertile and male sterile 8 anthers of Zea mays

Summary During maize anther development, somatic locular cells differentiate to support meiosis in the pollen mother cells. Meiosis is an important event during anther growth and is essential for plant fertility as pollen contains the haploid sperm. A subset of maize male sterile mutants exhibit meiotic failure, including ms8 (male sterile 8) in which meiocytes arrest as dyads and the locular somatic cells exhibit multiple defects. Systematic proteomic profiles were analysed in biological triplicates plus technical triplicates comparing ms8 anthers with fertile sibling samples at both the premeiotic and meiotic stages; proteins from 3.5 to 20 kDa were fractionated by 1-D PAGE, cleaved with Lys-C and then sequenced using a LTQ Orbitrap Velos MS paradigm. Three hundred and 59proteins were identified with two or more assigned peptides in which each of those peptides were counted at least two or more times (0.4% peptide false discovery rate (FDR) and 0.2% protein FDR); 2761 proteins were identified with one or more assigned peptides (0.4% peptide FDR and 7.6% protein FDR). Stage-specific protein expression provides candidate stage markers for early anther development, and proteins specifically expressed in fertile compared to sterile anthers provide important clues about the regulation of meiosis. 49% of the proteins detected by this study are new to an independent whole anther proteome, and many small proteins missed by automated maize genome annotation were validated; these outcomes indicate the value of focusing on low molecular weight proteins. The roles of distinctive expressed proteins and methods for mass spectrometry of low molecular weight proteins are discussed.
Stratified sampling of spherical triangles

We present an algorithm for generating uniformly distributed random samples from arbitrary spherical triangles. The algorithm is based on a transformation of the unit square and easily accommodates stratified sampling, an effective means of reducing variance. With the new algorithm it is straightforward to perform stratified sampling of the solid angle subtended by an arbitrary polygon; this is a fundamental operation in image synthesis which has not been addressed in the Monte Carlo literature. We derive the required transformation using elementary spherical trigonometry and provide the complete sampling algorithm. CR
WORLDWIDE PEDIATRIC EXPERIENCE WITH LOW-DOSE SULTAMICILLIN ORAL SUSPENSION

Abstract A total of 431 pediatric patients (233 boys [54%]and 198 girls [46%]) between the ages of 3 months and 16 years, with a diagnosis of upper or lower respiratory tract infections or skin and soft tissue infections, entered this international pediatric clinical program conducted by 14 investigators in nine countries in North, Central, and South Americas; Asia; and Europe. After informed consent was obtained from parents or legal guardians, all children were treated as outpatients and were to receive a daily dose of 25-mg/kg sultamicillin oral suspension, administered as two equally divided doses 12 hours apart. Four hundred eight children met all requirements for clinical efficacy evaluability and were included in the drug clinical efficacy assessment; 146 were both clinically and bacteriologically evaluable for efficacy. Three hundred eighty-two patients (94%) were reported as clinically cured, 15 (4%) as improved, and 11 (3%) as clinical failures. The bacteriologic eradication rate was 99%, or 153 of 155 isolated pathogens, including 38 of 39 beta-lactamase-producing strains. All 431 patients were evaluable for safety; 34 (8%) experienced 39 adverse drug reactions that were considered by the investigators to be drug-related or possibly drug-related. As expected with a beta-lactam antibiotic, side effects were mainly gastrointestinal in nature. The most frequent, diarrhea, was reported in 26 patients (6%). Drug discontinuation occurred in 9 patients (2%). Few laboratory abnormalities of potential clinical significance were recorded in any of the treated children. Sultamicillin pediatric suspension, administered orally twice daily at a dose of 25 mg/kg, confirms its efficacy and toleration in the treatment of mild-to-moderate bacterial pediatric infections.
Safety and efficacy of levetiracetam for patients with panic disorder: results of an open-label, fixed-flexible dose study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the safety and efficacy of the anticonvulsant levetiracetam in the treatment of patients with panic disorder. METHOD: In an open-label, fixed-flexible dose study, 18 patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (DSM-IV diagnostic criteria) were treated with levetiracetam for 12 weeks. Outcome was assessed with standard rating instruments (Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness scale [CGI-S], Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale [CGI-I], and the 14-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety [HAM-A]) and by the number of panic attacks during the previous week. The study was conducted in 2 outpatient clinics in New York City from January 2004 through July 2005. RESULTS: Of the 13 patients completing the study, 11 were rated "very much" or "much" improved on the CGI-I. Panic attack frequency, anxiety (HAM-A), and global severity (CGI-S) ratings also demonstrated significant improvement (all p < .00). For most patients, clinical benefits were apparent after only 1 to 2 weeks of treatment. Levetiracetam was well tolerated with minimal side effects. CONCLUSION: Given its favorable pharmacokinetics, side effect profile, and, if confirmed, early onset of action and efficacy, levetiracetam might represent significant progress in the pharmacologic management of panic disorder.
Myofibrillar protein synthesis in myostatin-deficient mice.

Either increased protein synthesis or prolonged protein half-life is necessary to support the excessive muscle growth and maintenance of enlarged muscles in myostatin-deficient mice. This issue was...
For the Love of Love: Neoliberal Governmentality, Neoliberal Melancholy, Critical Intersectionality, and the Advent of Solidarity with the Other Mormons

This article performs critical intellectual labor for social and political change against neoliberalism in three ways. First, it explores and connects neoliberal governmentality and neoliberal mela...
Increase in HIV Receptors/Co-receptors/α-defensins in Inflamed Human Gingiva

Transmission of HIV-1 through the oral cavity is considered to be a rare event. To identify factors in resistance/susceptibility to oral HIV-1 infection, we analyzed expression in human gingiva of HIV-1 receptors Langerin, DC-SIGN, MR, and GalCer, HIV-1 co-receptors CCCR5, CXCR4, and anti-microbial protein α-defensin-1. Our results show that healthy gingiva is infiltrated with cells expressing all HIV-1 receptors tested; however, there are very few CCR5+ cells and a complete absence of CXCR4+ cells in the lamina propria. In chronic periodontitis (CP), DC-SIGN, MR, CXCR4, and CCR5 increase, but this was accompanied by a ten-fold increase in α-defensin-1 mRNA. The CCR5+ cells were revealed to be T-cells, macrophages, and dermal dendritic cells. Moreover, epithelial expression of GalCer and CXCR4 together was not apical and showed no trend with underlying inflammation. Thus, low expression of HIV-1 co-receptors in health and high expression of α-defensin during CP may comprise endogenous factors that provide...
Feeding For Increased Milk Protein

Abstract Recent literature was reviewed to assess the influence of dietary energy, fiber, protein, and fat on the concentration of protein in milk. Percentage of milk protein increased .015 units per megacalorie of increased daily intake of net energy when the increased intake came from grain or roughage. Increasing dietary energy with fat decreased the concentration of protein in milk. Perhaps extra dietary energy is capable of increasing blood glucose to increase the concentration of protein in milk. Milk protein increased .02% for each increase of dietary crude protein of 1%. Experiments from which these regressions were calculated were not designed primarily for studying dietary effects on concentration of milk protein which suggests caution in use of these regressions. Experiments designed for measuring dietary effects on concentration of milk protein are needed.