cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A quantitative luminescence assay for measuring cell uptake of aqueous-based microcapsules in vitro.

We recently developed a system of microencapsulation consisting of aqueous-based polymers (e.g. alginate) and aqueous amines (e.g. spermine). We found that microencapsulation enhanced virus-specific protective immune responses. In addition, we found that microencapsulation may enhance virus-specific immune responses by selecting for antigen-presenting cells (APC) that are more efficient at processing and presenting viral antigens than those involved after natural infection. To determine the intracellular trafficking patterns and fate of microcapsules within APC, we developed a luminescence assay that permits the determination of specific quantities of proteins introduced into cells by microcapsules. We found that the time-dependent uptake of horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled microcapsules was accurately detected in lysates of peritoneal exudate cells using luminol. The amplitude of HRP-catalyzed chemiluminescence in cell lysates correlated with the capture efficiency and retention kinetics of HRP in three different microcapsule preparations. HRP was most efficiently captured and retained by linking biotinylated HRP to microcapsulses chemically modified at the amine moiety with egg avidin. This preparation yielded more accurate and sensitive quantitation of HRP contained within cells than preparations capturing HRP or HRP-conjugated goat antibody into the microcapsular matrix by ionic interactions.
In Pursuit of Institutional Legitimation: Structuration of an Offshoring Decision

This article applies structuration theory and institutional theory to analyze the organizational dynamics behind a financial services company’s decision to initiate information technology services offshoring. The analysis finds the decision to have been an emergent one, crystallizing from interactions between upper management’s actions and an evolving structural context. Further, their actions were driven more by a legitimation-oriented desire to adhere to various institutional norms rather than purely rational considerations. These findings of isomorphism question the notion that offshoring decisions result from straightforward objectives such as cost savings or quality enhancement. Particularly under uncertainty, they may be subtly shaped by institutional influences in antecedent contexts. The implication is that the planning, execution, and evaluation of offshored projects must take into account the dynamic imperatives embedded in these contexts, and not be anchored solely to static expressions of shor...
Multivariate interpolation of large sets of scattered data

This paper presents a method of constructing a smooth function of two or more variables that interpolates data values at arbitrarily distributed points. Shepard's method for fitting a surface to data values at scattered points in the plane has the advantages of a small storage requirement and an easy generalization to more than two independent variables, but suffers from low accuracy and a high computational cost relative to some alternative methods. Localizations of this method have reasonably low computational costs, but remain relatively inaccurate. We describe a modified Shepard's method that, without sacrificing the advantages, has accuracy comparable to other local methods. Computational efficiency is also improved by using a cell method for nearest-neighbor searching. Test results for two and three independent variables are presented.
The binding of NADH to succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase.

The enzyme succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase from pig brain is a tetramer composed of identical subunits of molecular weight 41000. Fluorometric titrations conducted on samples of enzyme in pyrophosphate buffer (pH 8.4) reveal the presence of two NADH binding sites characterized by a dissociation constant of 4 μM. The unusual stoichiometry of binding of NADH, i.e. two moles NADH/enzyme tetramer, as demonstrated by emission anisotropy measurements is not due to reversible association-dissociation of the oligomeric structure at pH 8.4. The results of the fluorometric titrations are consistent with a model of extreme negative cooperativity, i.e. the affinity of NADH for the enzyme is influenced by interactions between the protomers. The reaction catalyzed by succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase is inhibited by the substrate succinic semialdehyde with a Ki of 0.09 mM which is fivefold greater than the Km value. The binding of excess substrate to the catalytic site provides a direct and simple mechanism for regulation of the rate of product formation.
Impact of Health Insurance Status and a Diagnosis of Serious Mental Illness on Whether Chronically Homeless Individuals Engage in Primary Care

Objectives. We evaluated the impact of a diagnosis of serious mental illness on use of a primary care provider (vs the emergency department [ED]) as a source of care by people who were chronically homeless.Methods. We used data from 750 chronically homeless adults enrolled in the 11-site Collaborative Initiative to Help End Chronic Homelessness and identified demographic and clinical characteristics independently associated with using a primary care provider rather than an ED.Results. The factor most strongly associated with using the ED as a regular source of medical care was previous-year lack of health insurance. Despite high rates of serious mental illness, neither a diagnosis of serious mental illness nor increased severity of psychiatric symptoms was associated with such use.Conclusions. Findings suggest that people who are chronically homeless and have chronic medical illness would be more likely to access care if they had health insurance. Individual states’ deciding not to expand Medicaid coverag...
Tandem SAM domain structure of human Caskin1: A presynaptic, self-assembling scaffold for CASK

The synaptic scaffolding proteins CASK and Caskin1 are part of the fibrous mesh of proteins that organize the active zones of neural synapses. CASK binds to a region of Caskin1 called the CASK interaction domain (CID). Adjacent to the CID, Caskin1 contains two tandem sterile α motif (SAM) domains. Many SAM domains form polymers so they are good candidates for forming the fibrous structures seen in the active zone. We show here that the SAM domains of Caskin1 form a new type of SAM helical polymer. The Caskin1 polymer interface exhibits a remarkable segregation of charged residues, resulting in a high sensitivity to ionic strength in vitro. The Caskin1 polymers can be decorated with CASK proteins, illustrating how these proteins may work together to organize the cytomatrix in active zones.
A survey of carbon-carbon bond lengths

Abstract The operational definitions of bond length are discussed. The importance of using bond lengths determined by the same experimental method when looking for small variations is emphasized. A survey is given of recent measurements of CC and CC bonds and of the various types of CC single bonds. The single bond lengths may be fitted by a set of orbital radii which depend on the hybridization state of the carbon atom. Bonds between carbon and nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, and silicon are also discussed. While variations in CC bond lengths can be satisfactorily explained on the basis of hybridization being the major factor, it appears necessary to introduce electron delocalization effects when atoms with lone pairs are involved. It is shown that bond angles do not provide a reliable measure of the carbon hybridization.
On the fragmentation of rotating interstellar clouds

Simple physical arguments are used to estimate the time scale for fragmentation of a collapsing, rotating, isothermal, interstellar cloud. This time scale is compared with a similarly estimated time scale for the collapse upon itself of a transitory ring structure. It is shown to be plausible for a cloud with a given ratio of rotational to gravitational energy (beta) that as the ratio of thermal to gravitational energy (alpha) is varied, there is an intermediate range of alpha where a ring forms and collapses on itself, prior to fragmentation. For higher or lower alpha, however, the cloud fragments prior to ring self-collapse. The analysis is compared with the results of numerical multidimensional, gravitational, hydrodynamical collapse and shown to be in good agreement with them.
Wireless loops: What are they?

Several loop applications of wireless technology are aimed at reducing the cost of deploying communications services ranging from telephone to wideband video. In these applications, wireless links replace a portion of a wireline loop from a central location (a central office or cable headend) to a subscriber. The replacement of labor-intensive wireline technology by complex mass-produced integrated electronics in wireless transceivers is projected to reduce the overall cost of the resulting loop. These wireless loop applications attempt to provide existing communications services or small modifications to existing communications services. A different interpretation of a wireless loop makes use of low-power digital radio technology to provide the last thousand feet or so of a loop. Low-power low-complexity wireless loop technology in small base units can be integrated with network intelligence to provide the fixed-infrastructure network needed to support economical personal communications services (PCS) to small, lightweight, low-power personal voice and/or data communicators. Low-complexity communicators can provide many hours of “talk time” or data transmission time and perhaps several days of standby time from small batteries (≤ 1.5 oz). Because this application of wireless loop technology can reduce the inherent costs in several parts of a wireline loop, it has the potential to provide convenient widespread PCS at less costs than providing telephone services over conventional wireline loops. This low-power wireless loop application does not fit into any existing communications system paradigm. Wireless technology with tetherless access and wide-ranging mobility, e.g., the personal access communications system (PACS), does not fit the accumulated wisdom of the wireline telephony paradigm. It also does not fit the paradigm of existing cellular radio that has sparsely distributed expensive cell sites, and it is not targeted at fixed video services as is wireless cable. Because a significant change in thinking is required in addressing this new low-power low-complexity widespread wireless loop paradigm, its large economic advantages and service benefits have not yet been embraced by many of the existing communications providers, who appear to be more comfortable pursuing the better-known paradigms of video using wireless cable, or of cellular radio in the guise of high-tier PCS, or in the guise of rapid economical deployment of telephone services in developing nations. This paper discusses the inherent economic advantages and service benefits of low-power low-complexity wireless loop technology integrated with network intelligence aimed at providing economical low-tier PCS to everyone.
Hypodense eosinophils and interleukin 5 activity in the blood of patients with the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome.

Abstract The recent recognition of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) associated with the ingestion of L-tryptophan prompted an analysis of the peripheral blood eosinophil phenotypes and of the serum eosinophil hematopoietins in this disorder. Five patients with an illness characterized by the abrupt onset of aching skeletal muscles, edema, thickening and induration of the skin, and marked blood eosinophilia associated with L-tryptophan ingestion provided eosinophils, serum, or both, for evaluation. Gradient sedimentation density analysis of the peripheral blood eosinophils from four of these patients revealed that 43 +/- 13% (mean +/- SEM) of the cells had converted to the abnormal (hypodense) sedimenting phenotype. When normodense eosinophils from the reference donors were cultured for 3 days in medium supplemented with increasing concentrations of serum from the patients with EMS, their viability increased in a dose-dependent manner to 45%, which was significantly augmented over the effect of normal serum. This eosinophil viability-sustaining activity was inhibited by 76 +/- 7% (mean +/- SEM; n = 3) by the addition of anti-interleukin 5 (IL-5) but not by neutralizing antibodies monospecific for either granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or IL-3. IL-5, an eosinophilopoietic factor, converts normodense peripheral blood eosinophils in vitro to a hypodense sedimenting form with extended viability and augmented biologic responses to activating stimuli. Thus, the presence of IL-5 in the sera of patients with EMS may contribute to the development and maintenance of the eosinophilia and may regulate the conversion of the peripheral blood eosinophils to the hypodense phenotype with augmented pathobiologic potential.
Ex-Spouses' Relational Satisfaction as a Function of Coparental Communication in Stepfamilies

This study tested a series of actor-partner interdependence models of coparental communication and relational satisfaction among ex-spouses living in stepfamilies. Participants included 41 ex-spousal dyads (N = 82). Results revealed two actor-oriented models whereby ex-spouses' supportive and antagonistic coparental communication predicted their own (but not their ex-spouse's) relational satisfaction. A second set of models revealed that nonresidential parents' supportive and antagonistic coparental communication with the residential stepparent predicted their own satisfaction with their ex-spouses, as well as their ex-spouse's satisfaction with them (i.e., a partner effect). Importantly, the findings demonstrate the interdependence of coparenting relationships in stepfamilies, as supportive coparental communication between nonresidential parents and their ex-spouse's new partner (i.e., the stepparent) predicted meaningful variance in relational satisfaction for both ex-spouses.
Pasteurella pestis: Role of Pesticin I and Iron in Experimental Plague.

Loss of the genetic determinant for pesticin I in Pasteurella pestis results in concomitant loss of the plague coagulase and fibrinolytic factor. The median lethal dose for mice of an isolate lacking only these activities is increased by factors of about 101, 104, and 107 cells when administered by the intravenous, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous routes, respectively. Virulence of the aforesaid strain can be enhanced in mice treated with 40 µg of ferrous iron. This response resembles that of Pasteurella pseudotuberculosis, a closely related species that normally lacks pesticin I.
Implications of redefining independent student status

Abstract This paper explores the effects of redefining independent student status in determining eligibility for Pell grants to college and university students. The results show that recent proposals by the American Council on Education and the College Board would significantly increase both the numbers of independent students and the demand on student financial aid funds. Perhaps even more important, these proposals undercut the long-established principle of parental responsibility and would move toward making student financial aid grants an age-based entitlement program.
Phosphate induced swelling, inhibition and partial uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation in heart mitochondria in the absence of external calcium and in the presence of EGTA

Summary Inorganic phosphate (Pi) induced swelling of heart mitochondria and resulted in an inhibition and a partial uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation in an assay medium that contained 150 mM KCl and 1 mM pyruvate at 37°C. The swelling effect of Pi was partially inhibited and the uncoupling and inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation were completely prevented by ruthenium red (RR) but not by EGTA. The RR-insensitive swelling, on the other hand, was inhibited by rotenone, N-ethylmaleimide and 2,4-dinitrophenol but not by oligomycin. It is suggested that the Pi-induced swelling of mitochondria has two components. One component is insensitive to RR and related to the respiration-dependent uptake of potassium phosphate which by itself does not cause damage to oxidative phosphorylation. The other component of the swelling is RR- sensitive, may involve intramitochondrial calcium and results in inhibition and partial uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. Neither component, however, is inhibited by EGTA.
Profit maximization - does it matter?

Comparative hypotheses are statistically tested for a random sample of Texas producers who perceive themselves as profit maximizers and those who do not. Those who assert that they are in the cow—calf business primarily to maximize profits have on average larger herd sizes and acreage, they earn a greater percent of their total net income from farming and ranching, and they place more emphasis on supportive economic motivations and less on social reasons for owning cattle. Off-farm employment status and the qualitative response to changes in price expectations are not unambiguously related to perceived motivations.
The use of the chicken embryo screening test and brine shrimp (artemia salina) bioassays to assess the toxicity of fumonisin B1 mycotoxin

Abstract Chicken embryos and brine shrimp naulpii were utilized in short-term toxicity bioassays to assess their sensitivity to the mycotoxin fumonisin B 1 (FB 1 ). Fertile chicken eggs (Cobb x) were dosed with FB 1 on day 2 of incubation by the injection of 100 μl of aqueous solution into the air space of each egg. Eggs were incubated with mechanical rotation until hatch, at which time mortality was assessed. Probit transformation of the mortality data produced a linear line of best fit ( P 50 of 52 μg FB 1 /egg, equivalent to a concentration of 1.3 μM hatched in artificial seawater and exposed to FB 1 in an optimized 96-well plate assay with a 48 hr mortality endpoint. Probit transformation of the mortality data resulted in an LC 50 of 1.7 μM FB 1 , or 1.2 μg FB 1 /ml. Thus, at the cellular level, both bioassays appeared sensitive to FB 1 ; however, from the standpoint of use as a screening assay, the chicken embryo bioassay is limited by the relatively high dose of FB 1 required per egg. It is anticipated that the design and simplicity of the brine shrimp bioassay will accommodate screening for FB 1 toxicity in contaminated samples.
Comparing three simultaneous measurements of a sociocognitive network

Abstract Three data collection strategies are compared in their ability to measure a globally shared cognitive network representation, i.e. a sociocognitive network. Participant performances in data production using each of the three strategies are also assessed. Data were collected from 22 students in a graduate program. Each participant reported k out of 22 “ordinary” ties (Task 1, 0≤k≤22), m out of k “close” ties (Task 2, 0≤m≤k), and “top three” ties (Task 3) for every actor in the network. Results revealed that each of the three tasks were quite similar to each other in measuring the sociocognitive network. The estimated average shared information among the actors about the network’s structure, as revealed by each task, was highest for Task 2 and lowest for Task 1. Individual differences in performance indicate that the amount of shared knowledge as revealed by each task is not consistent across tasks. Overall, three-way data structures are shown to be sufficiently rich in information that any of the tasks are sufficient to capture the main features of a sociocognitive network.
Two claims about epistemic propriety

This paper has two main parts. In the first part, I argue that prominent moves in two related current debates in epistemology—viz., the debates over classical invariantism and the knowledge first movement—depend on one or the other of two claims about epistemic propriety: (1) Impropriety due to lack of a particular epistemic feature suffices for epistemic impropriety; and (2) Having justification to believe P suffices for having warrant to assert P. In the second part, I present and defend novel arguments against both claims.
Corrections to fringe distortion due to flow density gradients in optical interferometry

An analytical method is formulated to account for distortions of optical interferograms used for studies of flow over airfoils experiencing dynamic stall. It is shown that such distortions are generated primarily due to optical path deflections in the test flow, caused by large density gradients. Such in-flow optical path deflections are neglected in conventional optical techniques for flow studies. The present method employs a ray analysis to determine these in-flow optical path deflections, and accurately predicts the interferogram distortions.
Sacks forcing does not always produce a minimal upper bound

Abstract Theorem . There is a countable admissible set, Ol , with ordinal ω CK 1 such that if S is Sacks generic over Ol then ω 1 S > ω CK 1 and S is a nonminimal upper bound for the hyperdegrees in Ol . (The same holds over Ol for any upper bound produced by any forcing which can be construed so that the forcing relation for Σ 1 formulas is Σ 1 .) A notion of forcing, the “delayed collapse” of ω CK 1 , is defined. The construction hinges upon the symmetries inherent in how this forcing interacts with Σ 1 formulas. It also uses Steel trees to make a certain part of the generic object Σ 1 over the final inner model, Ol , and, indeed, over many generic extensions of Ol .
Abl tyrosine kinases are required for infection by Shigella flexneri

Infection by the opportunistic bacterial pathogen Shigella flexneri stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of host cell proteins, but the kinases involved and their effects on the regulation of cell signaling pathways during bacterial entry remain largely undefined. Here, we demonstrate a requirement for the Abl family of tyrosine kinases during Shigella internalization. Family members Abl and Arg are catalytically activated upon Shigella infection, accumulate at the site of bacterial entry, and are required for efficient bacterial uptake, as internalization is blocked upon targeted deletion of these kinases or treatment with a specific pharmacological inhibitor. We identify the adapter protein Crk as a target for Abl kinases during Shigella uptake, and show that a phosphorylation-deficient Crk mutant significantly inhibits bacterial uptake. Moreover, we define a novel signaling pathway activated during Shigella entry that links Abl kinase phosphorylation of Crk to activation of the Rho family GTPases Rac and Cdc42. Together, these findings reveal a new role for the Abl kinases, and suggest a novel approach to treatment of Shigella infections through inhibition of host cell signaling pathways.
Two models of brief group psychotherapy for herpes sufferers

The psychological consequences that often follow from contracting genital herpes fall into four general categories: sexual functioning, interpersonal relations, emotional life, and self-esteem. After detailing these, a rationale for treating genital herpes sufferers in group is offered, and then two models for the time-limited group treatment of this population are described. The first is a cognitive behavioral stress management program which has three component parts: relaxation training, rational-emotive training, and assertiveness training. The second is a dynamically oriented group in which the group focus shifts over time from the difficulties associated with the disease itself to general exploration of interpersonal styles and themes. Some comparisons between the two models are drawn.
Perceptual changes in taste mixtures

Three studies were conducted to quantify perceptual changes that occur when sapid chemicals are tasted in mixture solutions. The primary effect when mixing sweetness (glucose or fructose) with salt (NaCl), sour (citric acid), or bitter (quinine sulfate) was to reduce the intensity of each taste in the mixture. The reduction was not equal for the two components, although the overall (total) taste intensity of the mixture appeared to be approximately 50% of the sum of the intensities of the unmixed components. Mixtures of sweet and salt developed an “unblended” or “clashing” taste, in which the components alternated in attempting to dominate the taste percept. Sweet mixed with either sour or bitter blended in almost all proportions. The “flavor” of sweetness in mixtures differed from that of simple sugar sweetness, suggesting that the presence of a second taste modified the qualitative aspect of sweetness. The magnitude of change in sweetness quality depended upon the sugar being rated, and upon the quality and intensity of the second, or modifying, taste.
Satellite Radio Adoption Demand: Consumer Beliefs, Attitudes and Intentions

Subscription-based satellite radio services altered the economic fundamentals of the radio industry. To better understand the reasons behind radio audience adoption of satellite radio, this study examines the adoption process by exploring audience beliefs, perceptions, attitudes and intentions, in addition to economic and situational factors. Data were collected via a national telephone survey of radio listeners. The results are discussed in conjunction with implications for theory building and market dynamics.
Sterols block binding of COPII proteins to SCAP, thereby controlling SCAP sorting in ER

Sterols inhibit their own synthesis in mammalian cells by blocking the vesicular endoplasmic reticulum-to-Golgi transport of sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein (SCAP), a sterol-sensing protein that escorts SREBPs. Unable to reach the Golgi, SREBPs are not processed by Golgi-resident proteases, and they fail to activate genes required for cholesterol synthesis. The current studies were designed to reveal whether sterols block SCAP movement by inhibiting synthesis of special vesicles dedicated to SCAP, or whether sterols block SCAP incorporation into common coat protein (COP)II-coated vesicles. Through immunoisolation, we show that SCAP-containing vesicles, formed in vitro, also contain vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSVG) protein, a classic marker of COPII-coated vesicles. Sterols selectively block incorporation of SCAP into these vesicles without blocking incorporation of VSVG protein. We show that the mammalian vesicular budding reaction can be reconstituted by recombinant yeast COPII proteins that support incorporation of SCAP as well as VSVG into vesicles. Sterols block SCAP incorporation into vesicles by blocking Sar1-dependent binding of the COPII proteins Sec 23/24 to SCAP. These studies demonstrate feedback control of a biosynthetic pathway by the regulated binding of COPII proteins to an endoplasmic reticulum-to-Golgi transport protein.
Electron cooling of bunched beams in the IUCF cooler: intensity related effects

Abstract Electron cooled bunched proton beams in the IUCF cooler are nearly completely space charge dominated longitudinally, meaning that the longitudinal charge density of the bunch is, to first order, determined by the balance between the internal force of the electrostatic repulsion between particles and the external force of the applied radio frequency focusing field. This leads to a number of phenomena, which have not been observed before. In addition, the installation of a transverse beam profile monitor in the IUCF cooler allowed us to investigate various proton beam properties, such as space-charge tune shift, correlation between transverse and longitudinal beam profiles and transverse cooling rates as a function of beam current and energy.
Gas dynamic processes involving suspended solids

Basic gas dynamic equations involving suspended solid particles were formulated. Considerations include momentum and heat transfer between the gaseous and solid phases. Significance of these contributions was illustrated with the case of expansion through a de Laval nozzle. Duct flow and normal shock problems were also discussed. The extent of earlier methods of approximation was pointed out.
Pulse wave velocity and morphological changes associated with early atherosclerosis progression in the aortas of cynomolgus monkeys

To determine the time course of changes in arterial stiffness and corresponding morphology during atherosclerosis progression, we determined pulse wave velocity (PWV) in cynomolgus monkeys fed atherogenic (test) and control diets over an 18-month period. At 6-month intervals, thoracic and abdominal aortic PWVs were determined with a pressure transducer retracted down the aorta in 5 cm increments. Iliac artery PWV was determined from the abdominal aortic pressure to a noninvasive femoral pulse. Groups of individual cardiac cycles, triggered by the ECGs, were sampled on a computer and the velocities (PWV) of the pulse wave fronts were calculated. There was no significant difference between groups until 18 months when test animal PWVs in the thoracic (7.44±0.83 m·s−1) and abdominal (8.52±0.67 m·s−1) aorta were significantly greater than those of controls (5.02±0.51 and 6.24±0.53 m·s−1, respectively), indicating increased arterial stiffness. There was no change in iliac PWV, 10.96±0.74 m·s−1 for 18-month test compared with 9.44±0.89 m·s−1 for controls. Constant infusion of nitroprusside and noradrenaline lowered and raised blood pressure and PWV in all groups, and PWV changes due to drug-induced pressure changes were greater in atherosclerotic than in control arteries. Systolic pressure of 18-month test and pulse pressure of 12- and 18-month test groups were significantly greater than controls under all drug conditions, also indicating increased vessel stiffness. Morphometric evaluation of histological aortic cross sections revealed early, noncomplicated atherosclerosis showing gradual increases in the ratio of intimal to medial cross-sectional area in the thoracic (1.24±0.30 after 18 months) and abdominal (1.70±0.42 after 18 months) aortas, compared with control ratios of essentially zero. The fraction of the internal elastic lamina covered with atherosclerotic lesions, and maximal intimal thickness also showed significant increases during the test diet period. These data show that early atherosclerosis resulted in aortic but not iliac stiffening which was detected by increased PWV before development of significant stenotic lesions.
Summer Temperature Variations in the Arctic during Interglacials

Modelling the effects of orbital variations on temperatures in the Canadian Arctic during interglacials like the present is relevant to the question of the time of onset of the next glaciation. Summer temperature profiles were calculated for Yellowknife (62.5°N-114°W) for the intervals from 125 000 years BP to 115 000 years BP and 6 000 years BP to 8 000 years AP. The model used numerically-integrated absorbed insolation values at 65°N, 45°N and 25°N. Albedos were calculated as a function of solar zenith angle with parameters consistent with satellite observations. At Yellowknife, not far from the Keewatin glacial nucleation area, model temperatures for July fall 4°C below present at 117 000 years BP near the Wisconsin/Weichselian glacial onset, and rise from a minimum near present to about 1.5°C above present at 8 000 years AP. This temperature rise suggests a continuation of the present major interglacial to at least 8 000 years AP.
Diffuse Lung Disease: Classification and Evaluation

There are more than 200 clinical forms of diffuse lung disease (DLD) with a wide variety of causes and associations. The physician faced with a suspected case of DLD must therefore have an organized and systematic approach to the diagnostic evaluation. One such approach is to divide these processes into five broad clinical categories. These are: primary disease related, environmental exposure related, drug induced, collagen-vascular associated, and the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. The history and physical examination is of critical importance in identifying possible exposures to occupational and environmental substances known to cause DLD, documenting drug exposures, and eliciting symptoms and signs of collagen-vascular disease or other primary diseases. Radiographic, physiologic, and laboratory evaluation can often confirm the presumptive diagnosis. Importantly, a minority of patients will have no identifiable cause of DLD after careful clinical evaluation. These patients are considered to have idiopathic DLD, termed idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. The current ATS/ERS classification schema for the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias includes seven distinct subgroups associated with distinctive histopathological patterns of injury and repair: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, acute interstitial pneumonia, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease, and desquamative interstitial pneumonia.
Mate Choice and the Amazon Molly: How Sexuality and Unisexuality Can Coexist

One of the most complex and important problems in modern evolutionary biology remains to explain the evolution and persistence of sexual reproduction given the costs of sexuality. One way to study the relative strengths and weaknesses of sexuality and asexuality is to study the dynamics of the coexistence of sexual and asexual organisms. An excellent model system for such an approach is the unisexual Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa. This livebearing fish is clonal, but requires sperm to trigger embryogenesis. Amazon mollies need to obtain sperm from males of closely related species. In an effort to understand the apparently paradoxical coexistence of the Amazon molly with its sexual hosts, many theories were tested, but most seem to have little relevance to understanding stability, whereas male mating behavior is potentially very important.
The impact of irrelevant dimensional variation on rule-based category learning in patients with Parkinson's disease

This study examined the impact of irrelevant dimensional variation on rule-based category learning in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), older controls (OC), and younger controls (YC). Participants were presented with 4-dimensional, binary-valued stimuli and were asked to categorize each into 1 of 2 categories. Category membership was based on the value of a single dimension. Four experimental conditions were administered in which there were zero, 1, 2, or 3 randomly varying irrelevant dimensions. Results indicated that patients with PD were impacted to a greater extent than both the OC and YC participants when the number of randomly varying irrelevant dimensions increased. These results suggest that the degree of working memory and selective attention requirements of a categorization task will impact whether PD patients are impaired in rule-based category learning, and help to clarify recent discrepancies in the literature. (JINS, 2005, 11, 503–513.)
Achieving Traction for Ethical Principles in Climate Change Negotiation Outcomes after Durban

Preliminary elements of a practical strategy are described to achieve greater traction for ethical principles to guide international efforts to achieve a just global climate change solution. This paper begins with an ethical review of the major elements of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties 17 outcomes in Durban, South Africa that will be further considered at Conference of Parties 18 in Qatar, December 2012. This analysis then draws conclusions about how to generate greater consideration of the ethical issues that need to be faced if international climate change negotiations have any hope of creating a just global solution to climate change. It will then be argued that the key to obtaining greater traction of ethical principles in climate policy formation is to create greater global awareness of the unjust or ethically unsupportable positions of participants in climate change negotiations, rather than focusing on abstract arguments about what ethics and j...
3D Gestural Interaction: The State of the Field

3D gestural interaction provides a powerful and natural way to interact with computers using the hands and body for a variety of different applications including video games, training and simulation, and medicine. However, accurately recognizing 3D gestures so that they can be reliably used in these applications poses many different research challenges. In this paper, we examine the state of the field of 3D gestural interfaces by presenting the latest strategies on how to collect the raw 3D gesture data from the user and how to accurately analyze this raw data to correctly recognize 3D gestures users perform. In addition, we examine the latest in 3D gesture recognition performance in terms of accuracy and gesture set size and discuss how different applications are making use of 3D gestural interaction. Finally, we present ideas for future research in this thriving and active research area.
Called to Serve: Stories of Men and Women Confronted by the Vietnam War Draft

Called to Serve: Stories of Men and Women Confronted by the Vietnam War Draft Tom Weiner (Amherst: Levellers Press, 2011) It is undoubtedly a toss-up as to which the American people resent more – t...
Tremor quantification using digital actigraphy

A system has been developed that characterizes and calibrates actigraphs. This enables quantification and comparison of tremor measurements for physiologic, essential, and Parkinson's disease tremors.
Transfer of policies based on trajectory libraries

Libraries of trajectories are a promising way of creating policies for difficult problems. However, often it is not desirable or even possible to create a new library for every task. We present a method for transferring libraries across tasks, which allows us to build libraries by learning from demonstration on one task and apply them to similar tasks. Representing the libraries in a feature-based space is key to supporting transfer. We also search through the library to ensure a complete path to the goal is possible. Results are shown for the Little Dog task. Little Dog is a quadruped robot that has to walk across rough terrain at reasonably fast speeds.
A pilot study of rapid hepatitis C virus testing in the Rhode Island Department of Corrections

BACKGROUND The correctional population bears a heavy burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection necessitating expansion of HCV testing and treatment opportunities. Rapid HCV testing provides point-of-care antibody results and may be ideal for correctional facilities, particularly jails, where persons are often incarcerated for short periods of time, yet feasibility has not been established. METHODS We conducted a pilot study of a rapid HCV testing algorithm among short-term inmates with unknown HCV status. Participants completed a questionnaire, viewed an informational video and underwent rapid HCV testing and confirmatory testing, when indicated. Persons with chronic infection were referred to community care after release. Baseline characteristics, risk behaviors, test results and linkage were examined by descriptive analyses. RESULTS Two hundred and fifty-two inmates were enrolled and 249 completed all study activities. Twenty-five participants (10%) had reactive rapid tests and 23 (92%) completed confirmatory testing. 15/23 (65%) had detectable HCV RNA, but only 4 linked to care after release. Persons with reactive HCV tests were more likely to be White (P = 0.01) and to have ever injected (P < 0.0001) and/or recently injected (P < 0.0001) drugs. CONCLUSIONS Rapid HCV testing within jails is feasible, identifies previously unrecognized cases of HCV infection, and implementation should be considered. Low rates of linkage to care after release remain a barrier to care.
Gene networks: how to put the function in genomics

An increasingly popular model of regulation is to represent networks of genes as if they directly affect each other. Although such gene networks are phenomenological because they do not explicitly represent the proteins and metabolites that mediate cell interactions, they are a logical way of describing phenomena observed with transcription profiling, such as those that occur with popular microarray technology. The ability to create gene networks from experimental data and use them to reason about their dynamics and design principles will increase our understanding of cellular function. We propose that gene networks are also a good way to describe function unequivocally, and that they could be used for genome functional annotation. Here, we review some of the concepts and methods associated with gene networks, with emphasis on their construction based on experimental data.
Metazoan endoparasites of 14 species of skinks (Squamata: Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea

Three hundred and three individuals representing 14 species of lizards (Scincidae), collected in Papua New Guinea, were examined for metazoan endoparasites. Two species of Digenea, four species of Cestoda, 21 species of Nematoda (adults and larvae in cysts), two species of Acanthocephala and one species of Pentastomida were found. Forty-two new host records and two new locality records are reported. Skinks from Papua New Guinea are infected by “generalist” endoparasites, which parasitize a variety of reptile or amphibian hosts. Mean endoparasite species diversity per skink species was 5.0 ± 3.3 SD, range: 1–11.
A gentle introduction to quantile regression for ecologists

Quantile regression is a way to estimate the conditional quantiles of a response variable distribution in the linear model that provides a more complete view of possible causal relationships between variables in ecological processes. Typically, all the factors that affect ecological processes are not measured and included in the statistical models used to investigate relationships between variables associated with those processes. As a consequence, there may be a weak or no predictive relationship between the mean of the response variable (y) distribution and the measured predictive factors (X). Yet there may be stronger, useful predictive relationships with other parts of the response variable distribution. This primer relates quantile regression estimates to prediction intervals in parametric error distribution regression models (eg least squares), and discusses the ordering characteristics, interval nature, sampling variation, weighting, and interpretation of the estimates for homogeneous and heterogen...
Modified Lagrangian-Mean Diagnostics of the Stratospheric Polar Vortices. Part I. Formulation and Analysis of GFDL SKYHI GCM

Abstract An exact, two-dimensional (height–latitude type) diagnostic model of tracer transport in the stratosphere is formulated. The model is a generalization of the area analysis method devised by Butchart and Remsberg but uses the mass element enclosed by the contours of a quasi-conservative tracer on a given isentropic surface as a “meridional” coordinate. This modified Lagrangian-mean coordinate is transparent to the advective effects of the winds, and thus unambiguously extracts the nonconservative effects on the tracer distribution. The derived transport equation takes an equivalent advective form; that is, the tracer contours are “advected” by the mean nonconservative mass flow while them are no “eddy flux” contributions. Hence, the mass flux is implied in the motion of the tracer contours. Not only is this model conceptually simple, it is also computationally economical for analyzing large, high-resolution datasets since time averaging can be omitted to define a robust mean field of the tracer. T...
Effect of Parathyroidectomy Upon Left Ventricular Mass in Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Meta-Analysis.

Context: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has been associated with increased left ventricular mass (LVM) in many studies. Most studies have been inadequately powered to assess the effect of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on LVM. Objective: The objective was to evaluate whether PTX has a benefit on LVM in patients with PHPT. Data Sources: Sources included PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, review articles, and abstracts from meetings. Study Selection: Eligible studies included prospective studies of PTX vs observation or PTX alone in patients with PHPT who had LVM measured by echocardiography. Data Extraction: Two investigators independently identified eligible studies and extracted data. Random-effects models were used to obtain final pooled estimates. Data Synthesis: Fifteen studies (four randomized controlled trials and 11 observational) of 457 participants undergoing PTX were included. PTX was associated with a reduction in LVM (crude Hedges gu −0.290 ± 0.070, 95% confidence interval [CI...
Comparison of Three Morphine Regimens in Postsurgical Patients Using Patient-Controlled Analgesia

OBJECTIVE:To compare the efficacy and toxicity of three patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine regimens.DESIGN:A prospective, randomized, pilot study of three PCA morphine regimens: (1) 1 mg with 6-minute lockout (n=10), (2) 2 mg with 12-minute lockout (n=12), and (3) 2 mg with 20-minute lockout (n=12).SETTING:Large teaching institution.PARTICIPANTS:Thirty-four patients undergoing cholecystectomy or hysterectomy.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Pain scores (0 = no pain, 1 = mild pain, 2 = moderate pain, 3 = severe pain), sedation scores, analgesic consumption, and patient attempts (patient activation of PCA device) and injections (doses actually delivered) were evaluated using analysis of covariance. Distribution of pain and sedation scores and adverse effects were assessed using Fisher's exact test.RESULTS:Data on 24 patients were evaluable. Six patients withdrew for poor pain control (2 in group 1, 1 in group 2, and 3 in group 3). Three other patients withdrew because of adverse effects and 1 withdrew because...
Tempo and mode of speciation in Holacanthus angelfishes based on RADseq markers

In this study we estimated the timing of speciation events in a group of angelfishes using 1186 RADseq markers corresponding to 94,880 base pairs. The genus Holacanthus comprises seven species, including two clades of Panama trans-Isthmian geminates, which diverged approximately 3-3.5Mya. These clades diversified within the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP, three species) and Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA, two species) which our data suggest to have occurred within the past 1.5My in both ocean basins, but may have proceeded via different mechanisms. In the TEP, speciation is likely to have followed a peripatric pathway, while in the TWA, sister species are currently partially sympatric, thus raising the possibility of sympatric speciation. This study highlights the use of RADseq markers for estimating both divergence times and modes of speciation at a 1-3My timescale.
Transforming K-12 computing education: AP® computer science principles

This critical perspective focuses on the new Advanced Placement® Computer Science Principles course and its place in the larger CS10K Initiative. CS Principles as defined by the College Board is a framework; several different, aligned curricula have been created, each with its own model of teacher professional development. Together, these courses have been piloted with hundreds of teachers and thousands of students. This perspective provides context for those efforts and discusses their status entering the critical year leading to the first official AP CS Principles courses (beginning in Fall 2016) and the first official AP CS Principles exam (Spring 2017).