cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of Seizure Spread With Surgical Failure in Epilepsy.

Importance Seizures recur in as many as half of patients who undergo surgery for drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Understanding why TLE is resistant to surgery in some patients may reveal insights into epileptogenic networks and direct new therapies to improve outcomes. Objective To characterize features of surgically refractory TLE. Design, Setting, and Participants Medical records from a comprehensive epilepsy center were retrospectively reviewed for 131 patients who received a standard anteromedial temporal resection by a single surgeon from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2015. Thirteen patients were excluded for having less than 1 year of follow-up. Patients at the highest risk for seizure recurrence were identified. Intracranial electroencephalogram (iEEG) analyses generated 3-dimensional seizure spread representations and quantified rapid seizure spread. The final analyses of seizure outcome and follow-up data were performed in June 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures The Engel class seizure outcome following surgery was evaluated for all patients, defining seizure recurrence as Engel class II or greater. Intracranial recordings of neocortical grids/strips and depth electrodes were analyzed visually for seizure spread. Fast β power was projected onto reconstructions of patients’ brain magnetic resonance imaging scans to visualize spread patterns and was quantified to compare power within vs outside resective margins. Results Of 118 patients with 1 year of follow-up or more (mean [SD], 6.5 [4.6] years), 66 (55.9%) were women and 52 (44.1%) were men (median age, 39 years [range, 4-66 years]). The cumulative probability of continuous Engel class I seizure freedom since surgery at postoperative year 10 and afterward was 65.6%, with 92% of recurrences in years 1 to 3. Multivariable statistical analyses found that the selection for iEEG study was the most reliable predictor of seizure recurrence, with a mixed-effects model estimating that the Engel score in the iEEG cohort was higher by a mean (SD) of 1.1 (0.33) (P = .001). In patients with iEEG results, rapid seizure spread in less than 10 seconds was associated with recurrence (hazard ratio, 5.99; 95% CI, 1.7-21.1;P Conclusions and significance Rapid seizure spread outside anteromedial temporal resection resective margins plays a significant role in the surgical failure of drug-resistant TLE. Seizure control after epilepsy surgery might be improved by investigating areas of early spread as candidates for resection or neuromodulation.
Comparing the effects of growing conditions on simulated Ethiopian tef and wheat yields

Abstract Tef and wheat are staple grains in Ethiopia and are an important part of Ethiopian food security. The DSSAT NWheat and DSSAT Tef models were used to examine the effects of nitrogen fertilizer, planting date, and atmospheric CO2 on tef and wheat grain yields across four locations in Ethiopia and a 30-year time period. Observed wheat yields were consistently higher than observed tef yields, but the models showed that tef could outproduce wheat in some low yielding scenarios. Wheat yields were more responsive to N fertilizer than tef, due to a higher harvest index causing more of the additional biomass to be allocated to grain yields. Frequently, high rainfall increased N leaching, exacerbated N stress, and reduced yields for both crops. Early planting was often detrimental to yields, except for regions and years with terminal drought and heat stress. With continuously increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations, wheat, as a C3 crop, will further outperform tef, a C4 crop, in the future, as long as N is not limiting. Breeding for lodging resistance and a higher harvest index could significantly improve future tef yields, while higher N applications and the use of split fertilizer applications to avoid leaching would improve both tef and wheat yields. As wheat has a higher N response than tef, is more responsive to future elevated atmospheric CO2 levels, and is generally higher yielding, wheat could add more to food security in Ethiopia. However, under low input, low yielding conditions, growing tef will likely remain the preferred cereal in Ethiopia due to its higher cultural, nutritional and economic value.
A reexamination of the metabolic response of Peromyscus to a climatic gradient

An earlier analysis demonstrated that the mass-independent energy expenditure of five species of the genus Peromyscus Gloger, 1841 decreased with increasing aridity along a mesic–xeric climatic gra...
Whitewashedness in Teacher Education: Intertextuality Between Colorblindness and the Ferguson Event:

Whitewashedness has been trickling down in language classrooms through assimilation and colorblind practices. These practices have irreversible effects on the psyche of immigrant and refugee learne...
Homologation of acids via carbon radicals generated from the acyl derivatives of N-hydroxy-2-thiopyridone. (The two-carbon problem).

Abstract Reaction of suitably substituted olefins with carbon radicals generated from the acyl derivatives of N-hydroxy-2-thiopyridone results in the formation of precursors for the corresponding homo-acids. These compounds can then be transformed to the desired end-products in high yield under mild conditions.
The Association Between Lung Function and Type 2 Diabetes in Koreans.

Objectives This study was performed to test the association between lung function and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Korean patients. Methods Data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013 to 2015) was used in this study. There were 3,466 individuals aged between 40 and 80 years, with T2DM, who had a smoking and alcohol status listed, and blood analysis (including blood pressure), were included in this study. Lung function, measured by spirometer ventilatory dysfunction was categorized into 3 patterns: normal, restrictive ventilatory dysfunction, and obstructive ventilatory dysfunction (OVD). Results Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, individuals with restrictive ventilatory dysfunction had an increased odds ratio (OR 1.615, 95% CI 1.137-2.294) for T2DM compared with individuals with normal ventilatory function, whereas OVD had no increase in the odds ratio (OR 1.169, 95 % CI 0.857-1.594). Model 1, which adjusted for age and gender, showed that the probability of having restrictive disorder was 1.559 times (95% CI 1.617-2.082) higher for prediabetes patients, and 2.320 times (95% CI 1.611-3.343) higher for T2DM patients, compared to normal individuals. For Model 4, which was fully adjusted for variables, the probability of having a restrictive disorder was 1.837 times higher for T2DM patients (95% CI 1.260-2.679). Conclusion Restrictive ventilatory dysfunction, but not OVD, was associated independently with T2DM.
Architecture of a distributed storage that combines file system, memory and computation in a single layer

Storage and memory systems for modern data analytics are heavily layered, managing shared persistent data, cached data, and non-shared execution data in separate systems such as a distributed file system like HDFS, an in-memory file system like Alluxio, and a computation framework like Spark. Such layering introduces significant performance and management costs. In this paper, we propose a single system called Pangea that can manage all data—both intermediate and long-lived data, and their buffer/caching, page replacement, data placement optimization, and failure recovery—all in one monolithic distributed storage system, without any layering. We present a detailed performance evaluation of Pangea and show that its performance compares favorably with several widely used layered systems such as Spark.
SYPHILITIC AORTITIS IN LATE SYPHILIS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Aortitis is a recognized complication of tertiary syphilis. Pathogen invades the aortic wall causing inflammation, lead to severe complications such as aortic aneurysm and valvular insufficiency. A 56-year-old man with a medical history of hypertension was evaluated for new-onset dyspnea, fatigue,
The use of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy in patients with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer in the US is infrequent and inconsistent.

Background Patients with chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer commonly develop exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and may not be adequately treated with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). Aims To estimate the frequency of diagnostic testing for exocrine insufficiency, and appropriate use of PERT, in a commercially insured population in the US. Methods We utilised a nationally representative administrative database representing 48.67 million individuals in over 80 US healthcare plans to assess testing for and treatment of exocrine insufficiency in patients who received a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis (n = 37 061) or pancreatic cancer (n = 32 461) from 2001 to 2013. We identified the details of any testing for exocrine insufficiency and PERT use. We defined appropriate PERT use as a dosage of ≥120 000 USP units of lipase daily. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify predictors of appropriate use of PERT. Results In patients with chronic pancreatitis, 6.5% had any testing for exocrine insufficiency, 30.4% filled a prescription for PERT, and 8.5% were prescribed an adequate dose. In those with pancreatic cancer, 1.9% had testing for exocrine insufficiency, 21.9% filled a prescription for PERT, and 5.5% were prescribed an adequate dose. Number of comorbidities, testing for exocrine insufficiency, pancreatic surgery and duration of enrolment were independent predictors for use and appropriate dosing. Conclusions Testing for exocrine insufficiency, and appropriate dosing of PERT in patients with chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer, is infrequent and inconsistent in an insured US population. Efforts are needed to educate medical providers on the best practices for managing exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in these patients.
"Emerging Concepts": New Article Category in Molecular Pharmacology.

No one involved in scientific research has to be told how quickly science moves these days. Keeping up in one’s own field remains a challenge despite the availability of digital tools to monitor the constantly changing scientific environment. From new applications of CRISPR technology to the
The nucleoid-associated protein IHF acts as a domainin protein coordinating the bacterial virulence traits with global transcription

Bacterial pathogenic growth requires a swift coordination of pathogenicity functions with various kinds of environmental stresses encountered in the course of host infection. Among the factors critical for bacterial adaptation are changes of DNA topology and binding effects of nucleoid-associated proteins transducing the environmental signals to the chromosome and coordinating the global transcriptional response to stress. In this study we use the model phytopathogen Dickeya dadantii to analyse the organisation of transcription by the nucleoid-associated protein IHF. We determine both phenotypic effects of ihfA mutation on D. dadantii virulence and the transcriptional response under various conditions of growth. For the first time in enterobacteria, we examine the transcriptome of an IHF-depleted mutant under conditions of DNA relaxation, revealing a subtle interplay between IHF and DNA topology. We show that this mutation reorganises the genomic expression by altering the distribution of DNA supercoils along the chromosome at different length scales, thus affecting many virulence genes involved in both symptomatic and asymptomatic phases of infection, including those required for pectin catabolism. Altogether, we propose that IHF is a "domainin" protein, the inactivation of which impairs the coordination of chromosomal stress-response domains harbouring various virulence traits, thus abrogating the pathogenicity of D. dadantii.
Using the Laboratory Approach to Relate Physical and Abstract Geometry.

A MAJOR difficulty of students of high school geometry is in realizing and ap preciating the difference and interrela tionship between conclusions reached by inductive procedures, such as measuring, and those reached by deductive proce dures. Part of this difficulty stems from the fact that geometric facts and princi ples are accepted as true on the basis of inductive techniques throughout the stu dents' K-8 geometry program. Then sud denly, in high school geometry, students are told that facts and principles can be accepted only on the basis of deductive reasoning. To help students overcome this difficulty, the following laboratory lesson was presented. The lesson came immediately after work with conditions that determine parallelism and the logical consequences of having two parallel lines. The lesson requires worksheets, pencils, rulers, and protractors. Students work in groups. Ini tially a student works with only one tri angle. Later he obtains data about the other triangles from other members of his group.
Spontaneous outflow efficiency of confined liquid in hydrophobic nanopores

The suspension of nanoporous particles in a nonwetting liquid provides a unique solution to the crux of superfluid, sensing, and energy conversion, yet is challenged by the incomplete outflow of intruded liquid out of nanopores for the system reusability. We report that a continuous and spontaneous liquid outflow from hydrophobic nanopores with high and stable efficiency can be achieved by regulating the confinement of solid-liquid interactions with functionalized nanopores or/and liquids. Full-scale molecular-dynamics simulations reveal that the grafted silyl chains on nanopore wall surfaces will promote the hydrophobic confinement of liquid molecules and facilitate the molecular outflow; by contrast, the introduction of ions in the liquid weakens the hydrophobic confinement and congests the molecular outflow. Both one-step and multistep well-designed quasistatic compression experiments on a series of nanopores/nonwetting liquid material systems have been performed, and the results confirm the outflow mechanism in remarkable agreement with simulations. This study offers a fundamental understanding of the outflow of confined liquid from hydrophobic nanopores, potentially useful for devising emerging nanoporous-liquid functional systems with reliable and robust reusability.
Giving Text Analytics a Boost

The amount of textual data has reached a new scale and continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. IBM's SystemT software is a powerful text-analytics system that offers a query-based interface to reveal the valuable information that lies within these mounds of data. However, traditional server architectures are not capable of analyzing so-called big data efficiently, despite the high memory bandwidth that is available. The authors show that by using a streaming hardware accelerator implemented in reconfigurable logic, the throughput rates of the SystemT's information extraction queries can be improved by an order of magnitude. They also show how such a system can be deployed by extending SystemT's existing compilation flow and by using a multithreaded communication interface that can efficiently use the accelerator's bandwidth.
Body mass index is not associated with embryo ploidy in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization with preimplantation genetic testing

Objective To assess the association between body mass index (BMI) and embryo aneuploidy and mosaicism in a cohort of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) with trophectoderm biopsy for preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) using next-generation sequencing technology. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Academic center. Patients Patients undergoing their first IVF cycle with trophectoderm biopsy and PGT-A at our center between January 1, 2017, and August 31, 2020. Patients classified as underweight on the basis of BMI (BMI Intervention None. Main Outcome Measures Number and proportion of aneuploid, mosaic, and euploid embryos. Results The patients were stratified according to the World Health Organization’s BMI classification: normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2, n = 1,254), overweight (25–29.9 kg/m2, n = 351), and obese (≥30 kg/m2, n = 145). Age-adjusted regression models showed no relationship between BMI classification and the number or proportion of aneuploid embryos. There were no statistically significant associations between BMI classifications and the number or proportion of mosaic or euploid embryos. A subgroup analysis of patients classified into age groups of 40 years similarly showed no relationships between BMI and embryo ploidy outcomes. Conclusion Body mass index was not associated with the number or proportion of aneuploid, mosaic, or euploid embryos in this large cohort of patients undergoing IVF with PGT-A, suggesting that the negative effect of excess weight on reproductive outcomes was independent of the ploidy status of the embryo cohort.
Rheological behavior & modeling of calcined kaolin-Portland cements

Abstract Low quality kaolins (LQK) were used as supplementary cementitious materials to investigate their influence on paste rheological performance. Flow properties incorporating 20 wt% calcined clay with/without fine aggregate were determined. Flow properties were significantly affected by metakaolin content rather than material particle size, surface area or porosity. Accurately analyzing paste rheology following the Reiner-Riwlin procedure allows for the construction of a linear yield stress model based on all solids’ Particle size distribution (PSD) and raw LQK kaolinite content. Models of this sort offer insight for mix design addressing the negative rheological influences caused by LQK with mineralogical and microstructural heterogeneity.
Drawing/thinking : confronting an electronic age

This book addresses the question Why draw? by examining the various dynamic relationships between media, process, thought and environment. Highly illustrated, the book brings together authors from the fields of architecture, landscape architecture and art and demonstrates that designing through drawing is fundamentally different from designing on a screen."
Designing representational architectures in recognition

Recognition is a deep and fundamental question in computer vision. If approached correctly, object recognition provides insight to several interesting problems with crucial applications. In a typical setting, recognition is defined as the problem of learning about a fixed set of categories from training examples provided for those categories. At test time, then the problem is to which of those learned categories a test image belongs. This thesis tries to question the typical settings of recognition and shows remarkable achievements as a result of shifting our point of view to fundamentals of recognition. In current settings, the final goal of recognition systems is to predict a list of category name tags for images. But there is more to recognition that a list of category names. Images exhibit a great deal of information that cannot be conveyed with a list of name tags. The main focus of this thesis is to produce richer descriptions for images. Inspired by how human describe images, our goal is to describe images with sentences. This thesis introduces a non-parametric approach for describing images with sentences that produces promising results. Exploring the idea of describing images with sentences raises deep and interesting concerns in recognition: how to deal with unfamiliar objects, how to describe objects, and how to recognize complex composites of objects. This thesis introduces visual attributes and shows how the attribute-based recognition can reason about unfamiliar objects. The attribute-based recognition also allows description of objects, the reporting of unusual properties of familiar objects, and learning about novel categories with few or even no visual training examples (from pure textual descriptions of categories). Analogous to phrases in machine translation, this thesis also introduces visual phrases; elements of recognition that correspond to a chunk of meaning bigger than objects and smaller than scenes. Visual phrases exhibit such a characteristic appearance that makes detecting them as one entity much simpler and significantly more accurate than detecting the participating objects. This thesis shows that including visual phrases in the vocabulary of recognition results in significant improvements in recognition. The work presented in this thesis tries to provide insight to deep and yet basic questions in recognition: What should we recognize? At what level should we recognize entities? What does learning about some objects reveal about other objects? What should we say when an unfamiliar object is presented? How can we learn to predict deviations from typicalities in categories? What should be the output of a recognition system? And what is the quantum of recognition?
Factors Contributing to Business Intelligence Success: The Impact of Dynamic Capabilities

Business Intelligence (BI) has become one of the highest priorities of CIOs today and a significant investment for many organizations. While there are a few models that are emerging to provide guidance as to factors that support successful BI implementations, how BI systems are used has not been extensively studied relative to the benefits realized. We test a proposed model that would account for the nature of BI system use on BI benefits, incorporating direct measures of those benefits, and present preliminary results.
Erkrankungsorientierte individuelle postoperative Therapie für Patientinnen mit Endometriumkarzinom

In den Industrielandern ist das Endometriumkarzinom (EK) das haufigste Malignom des weiblichen Genitaltrakts und die vierthaufigste Krebsart bei Frauen. Zum allgemein akzeptierten Management des Endometriumkarzinoms gehoren die radikale Hysterektomie, die Entfernung der Adnexe und ein angemessenes operatives Staging der Patientinnen, bei denen das Risiko eines extrauterinen Karzinoms besteht. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die moglichen Indikationen fur eine individuelle, erkrankungsorientierte postoperative Therapie bei Patientinnen mit Endometriumkarzinom diskutiert. Relevante Themen hierzu sind: Wege der lymphatischen Ausbreitung und operatives Staging bei EK, Definition verschiedener Arten der metastatischen Ausbreitung von EK, Einfuhrung in das Konzept der erkrankungsbasierten postoperativen Therapie sowie die Entwicklung von Leitlinien fur die postoperative Therapie von endometrioiden Endometriumkarzinomen auf der Basis von Erfahrungen mit der erkrankungsorientierten Therapie und retrospektiven Studien.
Flow cytometric analysis and FACS sorting of cells based on GFP accumulation

Publisher Summary The use of green fluorescent proteins (GFP) as a reporter in flow cytometry and cell sorting is in its infancy. A major benefit provided by GFP is that it can be measured noninvasively. Alterations to the primary structure of the molecule have provided variants that are readily detectable in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and within subcellular organelles. Further spectral variants that can be combined for multiparametric analyses will find considerable future utility in flow cytometry. In animal cell systems, GFP is particularly suited as an indicator of viral infection. When expressed in viruses, either as a gene fusion or when substituted for a nonessential viral gene, GFP fluorescence provides a sensitive and accurate measure of the proportions of infected cells and the progress of viral infection. Coupling this approach for viral detection with concerted mutagenesis of virus provides a screen for the roles of the various viral components within the infection process. Flow cytometric detection of GFP also finds practical application in gene therapy. By marking the viral vectors containing therapeutic gene products with GFP, the members expressing these products within a population of cells can be identified, selected, and used exclusively for the reconstitution of organisms.
Diabetes, obesity, and recommended fruit and vegetable consumption in relation to food environment sub-types: a cross-sectional analysis of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States Census, and food establishment data

This study was partially funded by a George Mason University-Inova Health System Research Grant for inter-organizational research collaboration. Publication of this article was funded in part by the George Mason University Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund.
Decline in hepatic microsomal monooxygenase components in middle-aged Fischer 344 rats.

Abstract Monooxygenase components and drug metabolism activities were determined in liver microsomes from young-adult (3–5 months) and middle-aged (14 months) male Fischer 344 rats. Several components of the monooxygenase system were decreased in middle-aged rats including total cytochrome P-450, cytchtomre b 5 , NADPH-cytochrome, reductase activity and phospholipids. However, the reduction of cytochrome P-450 by NADPH, thought to be rate-limiting for monooxygenase activity, was not decreased. Drug metabolism activities in microsomes from middle-aged rats were increased (nitroanisole O -demethylation), decreased (aniline hydroxylation) or unchanged (benzphetamine N -demethylation). Aging decreased the microsomal content of phospholipids and changed the relative percentages of several microsomal fatty acids. The substrate selectivity of the age-related changes in drug metabolism activities may be related to changes in the fatty acid composition of microsomal phospholipids.
An Assessment of Branch Technical Position 5-3 to Determine Unirradiated RTNDT for SA-508 Cl. 2 Forgings

10 CFR 50.61 and 10 CFR 50, Appendix G require the evaluation of the unirradiated nil ductility transition reference temperature (RTNDT) determined in accordance with ASME Section III, paragraph NB-2331. For extended operation, components outside of the traditional beltline may require evaluation of RTNDT per NB-2331. Many of these components do not have sufficient test data to determine RTNDT in accordance with NB-2331 due to different test requirements during fabrication. The US NRC has provided methods in Branch Technical Position (BTP) 5-3 of NUREG 0800 to estimate a bounding RTNDT for these components using available test data. This paper compares Branch Technical Position 5-3, paragraph 1.1(4) estimates of RTNDT using 10°F Charpy V-notch data to the ASME B&PV Section III, Paragraph NB-2331 values of RTNDT, for a sample of 35 SA-508 Cl. 2 reactor vessel shell forgings. The BTP 5-3, Paragraph 1.1(4) estimates underestimate NB-2331 values by an average of 13.8°F and by as much as 40°F. This non-conservatism is attributed to the use of 10°F Charpy V-notch data for the BTP 5-3, paragraph 1.1(4) estimate and the difficulty of using only Charpy V-notch data to estimate a parameter based on Charpy V-notch and dropweight data. If BTP 5-3, paragraph 1.1(4) estimates for RTNDT are to be used in 10 CFR 50.61 and 10 CFR 50 Appendix G calculations, the bias and measurement uncertainty of BTP 5-3, paragraph 1.1(4) should be accounted for, such that the estimate of RTNDT bounds the NB-2331 RTNDT with 2σ confidence, as shown in Regulatory Guide 1.99, Revision 2.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Virus assembly, allostery, and antivirals

Assembly of virus capsids and surface proteins must be regulated to ensure that the resulting complex is an infectious virion. In this review, we examine assembly of virus capsids, focusing on hepatitis B virus and bacteriophage MS2, and formation of glycoproteins in the alphaviruses. These systems are structurally and biochemically well-characterized and are simplest-case paradigms of self-assembly. Published data suggest that capsid and glycoprotein assembly is subject to allosteric regulation, that is regulation at the level of conformational change. The hypothesis that allostery is a common theme in viruses suggests that deregulation of capsid and glycoprotein assembly by small molecule effectors will be an attractive antiviral strategy, as has been demonstrated with hepatitis B virus.
The limiting temperature of the universe and superstrings

Abstract Some cosmological implications of superstring theories are discussed. In particular, the possible role of the limiting temperature in the early universe is examined.
Eppur Si Muove: Reflections on the Sin of Behavior Analysis

Although I both teach and advocate the use of behavior analysis, I confess I do not consider myself a behaviorist. Rather, I envision myself more as an engineer. If you can prove it works I'll use it and teach it; if you can't . . .. Therefore, I was pleased to be able to respond to Axelrod (1996) because, in my opinion, the problems he so lucidly spotlights are not confined simply to behaviorism. Rather, I see many of Axelroďs concerns and arguments as applicable to other empirically-based approaches to human behavior and learning. I have little to add to Axelroďs insightful presentation. I see his major thesisthat behavioral methods work but are often either neglected or disparagedas incontrovertible. Instead, I will examine in more detail one of Axelroďs threads. Specifically, I will discuss some of the forces that make it possible for critics such as Kohn to be take seriously. As I am a special educator by profession, I confine my remarks solely to the practice of education and cannot speak for therapy, although, I imagine many of the same arguments would hold true. First I will show how the constructs and questions in education differ fundamentally from those in the physical sciences. As Axelrod noted, social and philosophical influences are inextricably intertwined with the social sciences. This in turn results in different standards of proof for different professional groups which often mitigate against accepting empirically demonstrable facts. Second, I support Axelroďs assertion that behavioral rhetoric is a factor in the rejection of behavioral methods and present my opinion on forces that serve to maintain the present "ascientific" approach to educa-
DISENTANGLING PATTERNS OF A NOMADIC LIFE

As a corporate anthropologist who studies how work gets accomplished in the spaces and places workers inhabit, I have become keenly aware of the patterns of behaviors and emotions that arise from my experience as a nomadic worker. The term nomadic comprehends the multiple and geographically distributed sites across a landscape where work gets accomplished. The term suggests a rhythm of movement during which time workers are enabled by technology to pull away from a centralized core and travel across the landscape with homes and work on their backs. In this article, I explore reconceptualizations of physical space (e.g., home, away, and transitional) and the shifting changes in relationships (e.g., with communities, friends), which emerge with my increased mobility. I argue that although the media illustrates the seamlessness and ease of social integration and mobility that technology offers, it is often a distortion of a nomadic worker's reality. Personal conflict and tension often arise when trying to manage culturally valued concepts such as integration and mobility simultaneously. I deconstruct my conflict and identify areas for growth in my experience as a nomadic worker.
Effect of benzodiazepines and neurosteroids on ammonia-induced swelling in cultured astrocytes.

Astroglial swelling occurs in acute hyperammonemic states, including acute hepatic encephalopathy. In these conditions, the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), a receptor associated with neurosteroidogenesis, is up-regulated. This study examined the potential involvement of PBRs and neurosteroids in ammonia-induced astrocyte swelling in culture. At low micromolar concentrations, the PBR antagonist PK 11195, atrial natriuretic peptide, and protoporhyrin IX, which are known to interact with the PBR, attenuated (16–100%) the effects of ammonia, whereas the PBR agonists Ro5–4864, diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI51–70), and octadecaneuropeptide exacerbated (10–15%) the effects of ammonia. At micromolar concentrations, diazepam, which interacts with both the PBR and the central-type benzodiazepine receptor (CBR), increased swelling by 11%, whereas flumazenil, a CBR antagonist, had no effect. However, at 100 nM diazepam and flumazenil abrogated ammonia-induced swelling. The neurosteroids dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, tetrahydroprogesterone, pregnenolone sulfate, and tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC), products of PBR stimulation, at micromolar concentrations significantly enhanced (70%) ammonia-induced swelling. However, at nanomolar concentrations, these neurosteroids, with exception of THDOC, blocked ammonia-induced swelling. We conclude that neurosteroids and agents that interact with the PBR influence ammonia-induced swelling. These agents may represent novel therapies for acute hyperammonemic syndromes and other conditions associated with brain edema and astrocyte swelling. J. Neurosci. Res. 54:673–680, 1998. Published 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Open-Source Syringe Pump Library

This article explores a new open-source method for developing and manufacturing high-quality scientific equipment suitable for use in virtually any laboratory. A syringe pump was designed using freely available open-source computer aided design (CAD) software and manufactured using an open-source RepRap 3-D printer and readily available parts. The design, bill of materials and assembly instructions are globally available to anyone wishing to use them. Details are provided covering the use of the CAD software and the RepRap 3-D printer. The use of an open-source Rasberry Pi computer as a wireless control device is also illustrated. Performance of the syringe pump was assessed and the methods used for assessment are detailed. The cost of the entire system, including the controller and web-based control interface, is on the order of 5% or less than one would expect to pay for a commercial syringe pump having similar performance. The design should suit the needs of a given research activity requiring a syringe pump including carefully controlled dosing of reagents, pharmaceuticals, and delivery of viscous 3-D printer media among other applications.
A model of cortically induced synchronization in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat: a role for low-threshold calcium channels.

Abstract Recently Sillito et al. (Nature 1994;369:479–82) discovered correlations in the spike trains of a relatively distant pair of cat lateral geniculate nucleus cells when simultaneously stimulated by a drifting grating; no such correlation occurs when the visual cortex is removed. In a further analysis of the data, we have found that short, high-frequency bursts contribute substantially to the synchronization and we hypothesize that the origin of the bursts is the low-threshold calcium spike. Guided by this hypothesis, our model of the corticogeniculate pathway and early visual system reproduces the experimental data in nearly every detail, as well as making predictions about cortical activity during the synchronizing process. We also discuss the possible behavioral relevance of correlations in the geniculo-cortical loop as well as other neural systems.
A priori prediction of diffusion cage-trapping exponent in the dynamic Ising model

Abstract We address the problem of cage-trapping in diffusion through network structures exhibiting dynamic disorder using kinetic Monte Carlo Ising simulations to generate evolving network configurations. Diffusion is studied using blind random walkers (RWs) and we partition the net displacement of the RWs into two terms that represent contributions from transport through neighboring conducting clusters and self-diffusion of the site on which the RW finds itself, respectively. We propose a new scaling analysis for the diffusion cage-trapping time in this system and provide a theoretical analysis for estimating the trap-time scaling exponent that appears to universalize data obtained from computer simulations in both 2d and 3d Ising lattices.
Cellular immunity in myasthenia gravis. Response to purified acetylcholine receptor and autologous thymocytes.

To determine the potential importance of an immune response directed against the acetylcholine receptor in myasthenia gravis, we studied cell-mediated immunity to receptor as measured by lymphocyte stimulation in 21 myasthenic patients and 21 controls, including five with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The mean (+/- S.E.M.) stimulation index was 5.3 +/- 1.3 for patients and 1.2 +/- 0.3 for controls (P less than 0.005). Fourteen patients had indexes greater than 2.0 (nine of 11 males, five of 10 females, 10 of 11 elderly patients, and five of six with thymoma). Stimulation index correlated with disease activity (rs = 0.71, P less than 0.01). Peripheral blood lymphocytes from one of three young female myasthenic patients responded to autologous thymocytes but not to receptor; peripheral blood lymphocytes from the other two responded to receptor but not to autologous thymocytes. Our findings are further evidence that autoimmunity to the acetylcholine receptor plays a central part in myasthenia gravis.
Legacy integration-changing perspectives [Cobol]

Dusty Cobol card decks, difficult-to-maintain programs, and software generally incompatible with current state-of-the-art application frameworks: that's legacy. Or is it? Start with the cleansing effect of Y2K, add the Internet and e-commerce, and throw in component technologies such as Corba, COM, and Enterprise JavaBeans, the standardization effort behind XML, and the resurgent interest in data, and you'll find new meaning and vitality for the term legacy. Estimated at over 100 billion lines of code, most of it Cobol, it drives the world's infrastructure. The end result is a new appreciation of legacy and a search for ways to capitalize on its potential. Cobol programs and data are being viewed in a new positive light with options for interconnection and integration for both code and data.
Progress, prospects, and problems in Epstein-Barr virus vaccine development

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is responsible for a farrago of acute and chronic human diseases including cancer. A prophylactic vaccine could reduce this disease burden. Several EBV vaccines have been given to humans but none has been sufficiently studied to establish safety and efficacy. EBV vaccine development has been hampered by the lack of an animal model other than subhuman primates, proprietary issues, selection of an appropriate adjuvant, and failure to reach consensus on what an EBV vaccine could or should actually achieve. A recent conference at the U.S. National Institutes of Health emphasizing the global importance of EBV vaccine and advocating a phase 3 trial to prevent infectious mononucleosis should encourage research that could eventually lead to its licensure.
Enhancing aid effectiveness in education through a sector-wide approach in Cambodia

Since 2001 the government of Cambodia has striven to advance policy-led education reform based on a sector-wide approach. This paper critically reviews the status and progress of Cambodia’s education reform from the perspective of the aid’s effectiveness. The paper looks at the performance of the sector reform in the three priority areas highlighted in the Accra Agenda of Action on Aid Effectiveness: (a) strengthening country ownership; (b) building more effective and inclusive partnership; and (c) delivering and accounting for development results. The study finds that while substantial progress was made in the development of essential components of an effective sector programme, further consolidation and refinements are necessary in several priority areas in order to bring about tangible improvements in education outcomes. The study provides concrete policy recommendations to further enhance the effectiveness of aid to Cambodia’s education sector.
University Environment and Global Citizenship Identification

We examined the influence of the university environment (Study 1), and specific college courses (Study 2), on the antecedents and outcomes of global citizenship identification. In Study 1, participants’ perception of the university environment as prescribing a global citizen identity predicted the perception of one’s normative environment as prescribing this identity and global awareness (antecedents) leading to greater identification with global citizens. Global citizenship identification then predicted greater endorsement of prosocial values and behaviors (outcomes). In Study 2, participants’ perception of a class as encouraging greater global understanding influenced the antecedents, global citizenship identification, and its outcomes. The results highlight the importance of a university setting as a normative environment for development of global citizenship identification and related prosocial values.
Acceleration of Amide Bond Rotation by Encapsulation in the Hydrophobic Interior of a Water-Soluble Supramolecular Assembly

The hydrophobic interior cavity of a self-assembled supramolecular assembly exploits the hydrophobic effect for the encapsulation of tertiary amides. Variable-temperature 1H NMR experiments reveal that the free energy barrier for rotation around the C−N amide bond is lowered by up to 3.6 kcal/mol upon encapsulation. The hydrophobic cavity of the assembly is able to stabilize the less polar transition state of the amide rotation process. Carbon-13 labeling studies showed that the 13C NMR chemical shift of the carbonyl resonance increases with temperature for the encapsulated amides, which suggests that the assembly is able to favor a twisted form of the amide.
Template switching within exons 3 and 4 of KV11.1 (HERG) gives rise to a 5′ truncated cDNA

Abstract KV11.1 (HERG) channels contribute to membrane potential in a number of excitable cell types. We cloned a variant of KV11.1 from human jejunum containing a 171 bp deletion spanning exons 3 and 4. Expression of a full-length cDNA clone containing this deletion gave rise to protein that trafficked to the cell membrane and generated robust currents. The deletion occurred in a G/C-rich region and identical sequence elements of UGGUGG were located at the deletion boundaries. In recent studies these features have been implicated to cause deletions via template switching during cDNA synthesis. To examine this possibility we compared cDNAs from human brain, heart, and jejunum synthesized at lower (42 °C) and higher temperatures (70 °C). The 171 bp deletion was absent at the higher temperature. Our results suggest that the sequence and secondary structure of mRNA in the G/C rich region leads to template switching producing a cDNA product with a 171 bp deletion.
From the landscape lens to the planar lens: a reflection on teaching lens design

We review how optical aberration correction principles were applied in the design of classical photographic lenses. This makes the teaching of lens design more meaningful and interesting since a logical approach to understanding the increasing complexity of objective lenses is used.
Policy Questions: A Conceptual Study

A policy question is a request for a fairly stable, but modifiable authoritative line of action aimed at securing an optimal balance between different goods, all of which must be pursued, but cannot be jointly maximized. To such questions there are no purely technical solutions, a point that is revealed by the etiology of policy questions. They appear to arise from conflicts among humans over the distribution of goods, i.e., conflicts of interest. However, the deeper roots of such questions lie not in a conflict of human interests, but in the incompatibility of the actual goods that human beings seek. Policy questions ask how to allocate such goods. But this allocation is the business of politics. No policy without politics nor politics without polity.
Some Two-Layer Models of the Shelf-Slope Front: Geostrophic Adjustment and its Maintenance

Abstract Two conceptual models of a two-layered frontal system are presented to study the wintertime shelf-slope front. The first model examines the geostrophic adjustment over a step topography after the fall overturning and applies only over short time scale before the nonconservative processes become important. The second model, on the other hand, examines the thermodynamic balance over longer time scales when some dissipative and mixing effects are included. From the geostrophic-adjustment model, it is found that the flat-bottom solution of a less-dense shelf water with respect to the slope water is little modified by the presence of a step. But in the case of denser shelf water, the solution shows the detachment of the spillage when the depth ratio across the step is greater than two, resembling some regional observations. In the frictional model, the wind generated entrainment is demonstrated to provide a virtual momentum source to maintain the along-front current against friction and thus can accou...
A Study Of Texture Segmentation

In recent years, significant progress has been made in image segmentation and classification, but still no global theory of image segmentation exists. The wide variety of segmentation techniques used are basically ad hoc and are very dependent on the way the desired features are presented. The main local features used in various segmentation algorithms are image brightness, color and texture. One of the most important features for image segmentation by the human observer is texture, yet it has been difficult to measure and characterize. Actually, texture segmentation is at a very early stage of development at this time. This paper describes an experimental investigation into digital image segmentation using texture features. Texture features are extracted from a few widely different examples of image data. Several different feature sets are used, and the resulting files are input into an unsupervised clustering algorithm. Several variations on the clustering algorithm are explored: some partition the image into segments by using similarities only in the space of features, and others include spatial information such as the location of individual pixels. The various experimental results are also compared, and a new direction for investigation is described.
Interaction between Basic Research and Applied Engineering: A Personal Perspective

Examples from the personal experience of the author are used to illustrate the synergistic ways in which basic and applied research can interact in the field of hydraulics. While maintaining such a joint effort is not always easy, the intellectual rewards can be substantial.
Community Determinates of Volunteer Participation and the Promotion of Civic Health: The Case of Japan

Why are some communities more civically engaged than others? Why do some communities provide services with volunteer labor whereas others rely primarily on government provision? When communities pr...