cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Computational Architecture for Coupling Heterogeneous Numerical Models and Computing Coupled Derivatives

One of the challenges in computational modeling is coupling models to solve multidisciplinary problems. Flow-based computational frameworks alleviate part of the challenge through a modular approach, where data flows from component to component. However, existing flow-based frameworks are inefficient when coupled derivatives are needed for optimization. To address this, we develop the modular analysis and unified derivatives (MAUD) architecture. MAUD formulates the multidisciplinary model as a nonlinear system of equations, which leads to a linear equation that unifies all methods for computing derivatives. This enables flow-based frameworks that use the MAUD architecture to provide a common interface for the chain rule, adjoint method, coupled adjoint method, and hybrid methods; MAUD automatically uses the appropriate method for the problem. A hierarchical, matrix-free approach enables modern solution techniques such as Newton--Krylov solvers to be used within this monolithic formulation without computational overhead. Two demonstration problems are solved using a Python implementation of MAUD: a nanosatellite optimization with more than 2 million unknowns and 25,000 design variables, and an aircraft optimization involving over 6,000 design variables and 23,000 constraints. MAUD is now implemented in the open source framework OpenMDAO, which has been used to solve aircraft, satellite, wind turbine, and turbofan engine design problems.
The Molecular Basis of β-Lactamase Catalysis and Inhibition.

The β-lactamases catalyze the hydrolysis of the lactam bond in β-lactams, thus rendering the β-lactam ineffective as an antibiotic. The increasing spread of resistance to β-lactam antibiotics is largely due to this class of enzyme. Mechanistically these enzymes appear to be related to the transpeptidases and carboxypeptidases involved in the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall. Interest in the basic mechanism of action of the β-lactamases has been spurred by the potential for mechanism-based drug design. The past seven years have seen a significant increase in our knowledge of the catalysis and inhibition of the β-lactamases. The presence of an essential, conserved, serine residue which participates in the formation of a covalent acyl-enzyme intermediate in catalysis, inhibition and inactivation by β-lactams has been established. Unfortunately, few additional details regarding the catalytic mechanism are well established. A generalized reaction pathway can be formulated for most β-lactam inhibitors (reversible or irreversible). This scheme involves partitioning of the initially-formed acyl-enzyme by three pathways: 1) hydrolysis leading to turnover, 2) transient inhibition probably involving formation of an imine or enamine acyl-enzyme, or possibly involving a substantial conformational change in some cases, and 3) imine formation followed by additional covalent modification of the enzyme leading to irreversible inactivation. The flux through each of these pathways varies with the nature of the “substrate” and the particular β-lactamase.
Der Personal Computer — heute und morgen

Bei der Definition des Begriffes “Prozessor” bezieht man sich in der Literatur gerne auf ein Arbeitspapier aus dem Jahre 1947, das vorzugsweise John von Neumann zugeschrieben wird und das einen stark konzeptionellen Charakter hat. Nach diesem Konzept sollte ein Prozessor zuerst einmal einen — und auch nur einen — Speicher haben, in dem Daten und Befehle (Programme) gemeinsam gespeichert sind. Aus diesem Speicher fliest sequentiell, also Befehl um Befehl, ein Instruktionsflus. Er geht zum Steuerwerk, das man auch Steuereinheit (Control Unit) nennt. Diese elektronische Einheit setzt die Instruktionen in Steuersignale um, die wiederum dazu da sind, uber Gatter Datenpfade zu schalten und die dem Befehlstyp entsprechende Elektronik zu aktivieren.
Improving Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination Rates at an Urban Pediatric Primary Care Center.

Introduction Despite compelling evidence regarding its safety and efficacy, human papilloma virus vaccination rates remain low nationally with high rates of missed vaccination opportunities. Provider recommendation is the most important factor in determining vaccine approval by families; yet, studies show that providers are hesitant to strongly recommend vaccination, especially at younger ages. We hypothesized that educational and quality improvement interventions targeting our clinical team would decrease rates of missed opportunities to vaccinate patients aged 11-13 years and improve vaccination rates among patients aged 9-10 years old. Methods This quality improvement project took place at an urban, academic pediatric primary care center in north Philadelphia, which serves as the medical home for over 22,000 patients. A multidisciplinary team performed a series of planned sequential interventions to improve human papilloma virus vaccination rates. The electronic health records of children aged 9-13 who presented to our center from September 2014 through December 2015 were queried. Statistical process control charts and established rules for detecting special cause variation were applied. Results Rates of missed opportunities to vaccinate 11- to 13-year-old patients decreased from 63% to 18% during the intervention period. Rates of immunization of 9- to 10-year-old patients increased from 56% to 84% during the intervention period. Conclusion This low-cost, multifaceted, interdisciplinary quality improvement project resulted in a decrease in missed opportunities to vaccinate among children aged 11-13 years old and improved the vaccination rates of 9-10 year olds. Ongoing interventions are needed to sustain these efforts and to ensure timely vaccine series completion.
Robust optical fiber patch-cords for in vivo optogenetic experiments in rats

In vivo optogenetic experiments commonly employ long lengths of optical fiber to connect the light source (commonly a laser) to the optical fiber implants in the brain. Commercially available patch cords are expensive and break easily. Researchers have developed methods to build these cables in house for in vivo experiments with rodents [1-4]. However, the half-life of those patch cords is greatly reduced when they are used with behaving rats, which are strong enough to break the delicate cable tip and to bite through the optical fiber and furcation tubing. Based on [3] we have strengthened the patch-cord tip that connects to the optical implant, and we have incorporated multiple layers of shielding to produce more robust and resistant cladding. Here, we illustrate how to build these patch cords with FC or M3 connectors. However, the design can be adapted for use with other common optical-fiber connectors. We have saved time and money by using this design in our optical self-stimulation experiments with rats, which are commonly several months long and last four to eleven hours per session. The main advantages are: •Long half-life.•Resistant to moderate rodent bites.•Suitable for long in vivo optogenetic experiments with large rodents.
Psychotropic Medication Side Effects in School-Aged Populations

The purpose of this chapter is to help inform risk-benefit analysis, treatment decision-making, and monitoring for unwanted outcomes when school-aged children are treated with psychotropic medication. This chapter reviews drugs with pediatric indications (i.e., those approved by the FDA for specific conditions and age ranges) that are currently marketed in the US and prescribed for pediatric emotional and behavioral disorders (EBDs). They include four drug classes and are presented in order of frequency of use within pediatric populations (i.e., 18 years and younger): ADHD drugs (stimulant and non-stimulant), antidepressants (ADs), second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), and the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and lithium. Most of the drugs reviewed have indications for a variety of pediatric EBDs, but the AEDs are only FDA-approved for a medical condition (i.e., pediatric epilepsy). To help guide the thought processes that undergird risk-benefit analysis, a framework for stakeholder’s (e.g., prescribers, parents, school professionals) communications is provided. A set of references and web-based materials are provided to readers for additional information.
Aquaporin-4 and MOG autoantibody discovery in idiopathic transverse myelitis epidemiology.

Objective Diagnostic criteria from 2002 classify transverse myelitis (TM) as idiopathic or disease associated but predate the discovery of aquaporin-4 (AQP4)–immunoglobulin G (IgG) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-IgG, which associate with TM. Prior incidence estimates of idiopathic TM (ITM) range from 1 to 6.2 per 1 million. We sought to determine whether the population-based incidence and prevalence of ITM were reduced by testing patients with ITM for AQP4/MOG-IgG and reclassifying seropositive cases as having disease-associated TM. Methods For this observational study, we retrospectively identified all cases of incident (January 1, 2003–December 31, 2016) and prevalent (December 31, 2016) ITM in Olmsted County (85% white) by using the Rochester Epidemiology Project medical records linkage system. ITM was defined by the 2002 Transverse MyelitisConsortium Working Group diagnostic criteria. Available sera were tested for AQP4-IgG and MOG-IgG. Results Twenty-four patients (incident 22, prevalent 17) initially met 2002 ITM criteria (longitudinally extensive TM [LETM] 6). Sera were tested for AQP4-IgG in 22 of 24 (92%) and MOG-IgG in 21 of 24 (88%). Three seropositive cases (AQP4-IgG 2, MOG-IgG 1) were identified and reclassified as having disease-associated TM, accounting for 14% of total incident and 12% of total prevalent cases. AQP4-IgG and MOG-IgG seropositive cases represented 50% (3 of 6) of idiopathic LETM. After reclassification of seropositive patients, the final ITM incidence was 8.6 per 1,000,000 and prevalence was 7.9 per 100,000. Three cases of ITM (14%) subsequently fulfilled multiple sclerosis criteria within the study period. Conclusions The availability of AQP4-IgG and MOG-IgG modestly reduced ITM incidence and prevalence, which remained higher than previously reported in this predominantly white population. Incorporation of these biomarkers into future revisions of TM diagnostic criteria should be considered.
Statistical evaluation of spectrophotometric determination of nickel(II) using Micelle-mediated extraction.

An organic reagent namely 2-(2-bromophenyl)imino)methyl)-4- (5,6-dimethylpyridin-2-yl)diazenyl)phenol was synthesized and used for the determination of nickel after preconcentration using Micelle-mediated extraction.In this precocentration method the ligand (2-(2-bromophenyl)imino)methyl)-4- (5,6-dimethylpyridin-2-yl)diazenyl)phenol was used as a chelating agent for the extraction of Ni(II), using the nonionic surfactant Triton X-114 medium. Uv-Vis spectrophotometry was applied for the quantitation of the analyte at λmax(650)nm. All factors affecting the extraction and determination of Ni(II) ion using micelle mediation extraction(e.g. pH, surfactant and reagent concentrations, incubation time and temperature) were executed by using a classical optimization, the calibration plot was subjected to the statistical evalution by using the analysis of variance (ANOVA), The method was applied to the determination of Ni (II) in invironmental samples.
Cytomegalovirus and cancer-related mortality in the national health and nutritional examination survey.

Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a common viral infection that shapes lifelong immunity. A history of infection with HCMV has been associated with many chronic diseases, including cancer. In addition, prospective cohort studies have established that HCMV is associated with all-cause mortality. However, there are limited data regarding HCMV and cancer mortality. Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III study (1988–1994): subjects aged 18 to 98, who had HCMV serology results, did not report having cancer at baseline, and were eligible for mortality follow-up (n = 14,498). Mortality was ascertained until December 2011 using National Death Index (NDI) linkage. The unadjusted risk of all-cancer mortality was higher in HCMV seropositive individuals (HR 2.74, 95% CI 2.05–3.64). This association was attenuated after adjusting for age (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.02–1.92), and other covariates (age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking status, BMI, education, and C-reactive protein (CRP); HR 1.21, 95% CI 0.91–1.81). There was a statistically significant interaction between HCMV and sex (p = 0.01): HCMV seropositivity was associated with increased cancer mortality in men (HR 1.65, 95% CI 0.99–2.73) but not in women (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.59–1.54). Consistent with prior reports, HCMV seropositivity may be associated with an increased risk of cancer-related mortality but the association is partially driven by socioeconomic status and other risk factors. Future research is needed to determine whether HCMV is a risk factor for cancer, as well as identify the specific cancer types where HCMV increases mortality.
Connecting to nature through tech? The case of the iNaturalist app:

Self-defined as ‘an online social network of people sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature’, iNaturalist is a mobile application whose primary goal is ‘to connect pe...
Make ours marvel: media convergence and a comics universe: edited by Matt Yockey, Austin, TX, University of Texas Press, 2017, 364 pp., US $29.95 (paperback), ISBN: 978-1477312506

In a recent interview with Empire magazine, director Martin Scorsese criticised Marvel Entertainment movies as he declared, ‘that’s not cinema’ (de Semlyen 2019). After fans responded to his interi...
Selective loss of the GABAAα1 subunit from Purkinje cells is sufficient to induce a tremor phenotype.

Animals with a global knockout of the GABAAα1 subunit show a tremor phenotype reminiscent of essential tremor. Here we show that selective knockout of GABAAα1 from Purkinje cells is sufficient to p...
Recreational therapy competencies, part 2: findings from the ATRA competencies study.

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association’s (ATRA) Competencies Study was the final phase of a two-part, multi-year study to better understand the competencies of Recreational Therapists (RTs) across treatment settings and service sectors. One thousand, three hundred and seventy seven RTs were assessed on 747 items within seven areas of RT practice identified in ATRA’s Delphi Study. Each RT rated the extent that each item is being treated, utilized, or provided in their RT practice, their perceived knowledge and skills in relation to the items, and if they were interested in gaining more knowledge related to each item. Results are reported regarding areas of RT practice that were highly, moderately, and lowly rated to further capture the scope of practice of RT as well as identify areas of strength and opportunity to bolster RT practice. Opportunities within the profession to apply these findings are discussed. Subscribe to TRJ
Renal Infarction in a Patient Found to Have a Dysproteinemia

A 70-year-old man with coronary artery disease, hypertension, and a history of repaired abdominal aortic aneurysm presented to the emergency room with sudden-onset abdominal pain and nausea. His blood pressure was 185/96 mm Hg with stable other vitals on presentation. Physical examination was notable for diffuse abdominal tenderness to palpation with no additional abnormalities. Laboratory investigation revealed hyponatremia (with normal plasma osmolality) and an elevated creatinine of 1.43 mg/dl (normal baseline, reference range 0.5–1.1). Complete blood count revealed leukocytosis, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. With a concern for acute intraabdominal process, abdominal computed tomography with intravenous contrast revealed “wedge-shaped” infarcts within the right kidney (Figure 1A) and a mural thrombus in the right renal artery (Figure 1B). Figure 1. (A) Abdominal CT revealing wedge-shaped infarcts within the right kidney. (B) A mural thrombus in the right renal artery. (C) Bone marrow core demonstrating hypercellular bone marrow …
Analysis of factors influencing casual sexual behavior among male college students in Zhejiang Province, China.

Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the situations and factors influencing casual sexual behavior among male college students, in order to provide scientific evidences and measures of the prevention and control for HIV/AIDS. Method Using the stratified cluster sampling method, male college students who self-reported sexual behavior were selected as survey subjects in 13 colleges and universities in 11 cities of Zhejiang Province from October to November 2018. We used a custom online questionnaire to collect information on the demographic characteristics, sexual attitudes, sexual behaviors, and HIV interventions of the respondents. The χ2 test was performed on the composition ratios between different groups. With the occurrence of casual sexual behavior as the dependent variable, logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing casual male sexual behavior. Results A total of 2734 male college students were surveyed, aged 20.20±1.41 years, of which 595 had casual sex, accounting for 21.7%. The rate of HIV prevention awareness among the participants was 85.1%. Multivariate analysis showed that receiving a self-assessment of HIV risk conducted by the school (Ajusted OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.14-1.84), knowing that HIV self-test kits were available at school (Ajusted OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.56-2.62), accepting one-night stands (Ajusted OR = 2.82, 95% CI = 2.18-3.66), accepting commercial sex (Ajusted OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.53-2.48), being a man who has sex with men (Ajusted OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.37-2.39), being a senior (Ajusted OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.30-0.71), having knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment (Ajusted OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.51-0.86), and knowing that the CDC provides HIV testing services (Ajusted OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.41-0.77) were factors influencing male college students' casual sexual behavior. Conclusion Male college students who have causal sexual behaviors have a high degree of openness in sexual attitudes, insufficient knowledge of AIDS prevention, and knowledge of HIV testing-related information but low testing rates. For male college students' HIV prevention education intervention, it is necessary to emphasize the establishment of correct sexual attitudes and concepts and promote safe sexual behaviors to prevent the spread of HIV.
Impact of Elective Case Postponement Secondary to COVID-19 on General Surgery Residents' Experience: Operative Cases Logged at Three Academic Teaching Hospitals.

Objective This study aims to characterize changes in the total operative cases logged by general surgery residents across three residency programs. Design Retrospective cohort study. De-identified case logs, divided by institution and post graduate year (PGY) level, were obtained from the general surgery training programs at three academic hospitals. Total cases logged were calculated over the pandemic period (start: beginning of residency, end: May 31st, 2020) and the control period (start: beginning of residency, end: May 31st, 2019). Setting Three academic tertiary hospitals (Mayo Clinic – Arizona, Mayo Clinic – Florida, and Mayo Clinic – Rochester) Participants All general surgery residents at these three hospitals, including 25 residents at Mayo Clinic – Arizona in both the pandemic and control period, 16 and 15 residents at Mayo Clinic – Florida in the control and pandemic period, respectively, and 81 and 77 residents at Mayo Clinic – Rochester in the control and pandemic period, respectively. Results Only PGY 4 general surgery residents at Mayo Clinic – Rochester had a decrease in operative cases logged in the pandemic period (759 cases on average compared to 1010 cases, p = 0.005), with no other changes in operative cases logged noted. Conclusions While elective cases were postponed secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic for around 1 month in the spring of 2020, the decrease in elective cases did not greatly impact overall resident operative cases logged for residents in three general surgery residency programs.
Second philosophy and testimonial reliability: Philosophy of science for STEM students

In this paper, I describe some strategies for teaching an introductory philosophy of science course to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students, with reference to my own experience teaching a philosophy of science course in the Fall of 2020. The most important strategy that I advocate is what I call the “Second Philosophy” approach, according to which instructors ought to emphasize that the problems that concern philosophers of science are not manufactured and imposed by philosophers from the outside, but rather are ones that arise internally, during the practice of science itself. To justify this approach, I appeal to considerations from both educational research and the epistemology of testimony. In addition, I defend some distinctive learning goals that philosophy of science instructors ought to adopt when teaching STEM students, which include rectifying empirically well-documented shortcomings in students’ conceptions of the “scientific method” and the “nature of science.” Although my primary focus will be on teaching philosophy of science to STEM students, much of what I propose can be applied to non-philosophy majors generally. Ultimately, as I argue, a successful philosophy of science course for non-philosophy majors must be one that advances a student’s science education. The strategies that I describe and defend here are aimed at precisely that end.
INSIDE ASSISTED LIVING: THE SEARCH FOR HOME By J. Kevin Eckert, Paula C. Carder, Leslie A. Morgan, Ann Christine Frankowski & Erin G. Roth: Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins Press, 2009 246 pages, $16.95 (Soft Cover) ISBN-13: 978-0-8018-9260-8

The preface of Inside assisted living: The search for home sets out the book's intent “to provide readers with an insider's perspective on assisted living through the experiences of those who resid...
Improved R70 Method for Evaluating Heat of Wetting Effects on Low Rank Coal’s Self-heating Process

Most of the reported coal spontaneous combustion events occur in surface and underground mines where low rank coals (i.e., subbituminous and lower for this particular studies) are extracted indicating their high propensities for spontaneous combustion. Low rank coals have high moisture content (15 to 45%) and are capable of absorbing more moisture in dried condition. However, it is hard to induce the initial stage of self-heating process for the low rank coal using the current laboratory R70 testing method — a method widely used in the coal industry. Like a sponge, dry low rank coals can absorb water vapor in the air while the heat contained in the moist air is transferred to coal and served as the required activation energy to initiate the coal self-heating process. In order to prove this theorem and quantify the effects, the R70 adiabatic oxidation testing method has been improved to introduce a controlled moist flow into the coal reaction vessel. Tests using the new method and its setup on low rank coals showed that the initial self-heating process of coal sample can be greatly accelerated by the added water vapor — impossible with the regular R70 method. Once the self-heating is sustained, the removal of air moisture can further accelerate the process.
Spontaneous absorption of congenital cataract in trisomy 21.

We report a case of spontaneous cataract absorption over a period of 19 weeks in a 5-week-old boy with trisomy 21. Ultrasound biomicroscopy images at 5 and 24 weeks of age showed that 71% of the initial lens thickness was absorbed during this period. At surgery, the lens thickness was 0.92 mm in the right eye and 0.91 mm in the left eye. Uncomplicated cataract extraction was performed. Trypan blue staining revealed an area of possible lens leakage through the anterior lens capsule in the left eye, suggesting a mechanism for cataract absorption.
Focused and Sustained Attention

The selection of stimuli and responses for cognitive processing is an essential element of attention. As we have discussed in the preceding chapters, the processes underlying selective attention has been a primary emphasis. Yet, as the cognitive science of attention evolved, it became evident that it was necessary to account for other important aspects of attentional phenomena. Kahneman’s capacity theory of attention was an early effort to address constraints on the amount of information that can be processed at any given point in time and the type of attentional limitations that emerge on concurrent task conditions [1]. Studies that demonstrated a distinction between controlled and automatic attentional processes [2–6] laid the groundwork for moving the cognitive science beyond its focus on attentional selection. The distinction between automatic and controlled attention provided an entree into consideration of the neurophysiological underpinning of attention as measured by arousal and activation and their relationship to effort [7]. The fact that controlled attentional processes were fundamentally different from automatic processes with respect to capacity limitation constraints, performance characteristics over time, as well as demands for attentional focus, led to more directed study of focused attention and the notion that besides being tuned to certain information over others (selectivity), attention typically has an intensity. Furthermore, tasks with high demands for focused attention are often effortful and difficult to sustain for long periods of time, provided a foundation for expanding the concept of sustained attention beyond the simple vigilance paradigms of the information-processing approaches of the 1950s and 1960s.
Biologic Theories of Homosexuality

Abstract A number of biological approaches have been taken to understand the origins of sexual orientation (both homosexual and heterosexual). Studies of hormone levels (both prenatal and postnatal), endocrinopathies, and exogenously administered hormones have failed to demonstrate any consistent effect on sexual orientation. Neuroanatomic studies have found some differences between homosexual and heterosexual men but the evidence is weak, confounded by sampling variation and lacking in consistent replication. The genetic evidence is stronger based on twin studies. Fifty-two percent of identical twins were found to be concordant for homosexuality in one study compared to a 4% incidence of homosexuality in the brothers of non-gay men. Studies by Hamer et al. found an 82% concordance between gay brothers of the Xq28 site on the X chromosome suggesting a maternally mediated genetic inheritance. The study has yet to be replicated. Even if all the biological factors governing sexual orientation were known, it ...
John Russell Rickford & Russell John Rickford , Spoken soul: The story of Black English . New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2000, xii + 267 pp. Hb. $24.95.

Spoken Soul is a very stimulating book to read, informative and solidly grounded in scholarship from several disciplines, including quantitative sociolinguistics, sociology, socioeconomic history, and African American literature. It exemplifies the contribution that linguistic research on African American English (AAE) can make to African American studies. It is also a model for how scholarly findings can be shared with the lay public in a language that is vivid and accessible. Those who are familiar with AAE will appreciate the fact that this vividness is borrowed from the subject matter itself. Thus, the authors demonstrate implicitly that AAE is not an impoverished vernacular, and even scholarly discourse can benefit from it.
The Effect of Prey Defenses on the Attack Behavior of the Southern Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys torridus)

Grasshopper mice attack crickets, stink beetles, and scorpions differently. To determine what aspects of the attack behavior represent adjustments to each prey's defense, attacks by inexperienced and experienced mice on prey capable or incapable of using its defenses were compared. Each defense caused different changes in the mouse's approach, seizure and orientation of bites. Learning was responsible for these changes and each of these adjustments specifically counteracted the prey's defenses. Zusammenfassung Es wird beschrieben, in welcher Weise die Sprungbeine der Hausgrille, die Stinkdruse eines Kafers und der Stachel eines Skorpions das Beutefang-Verhalten der Grashupfermaus (Onychomys torridus) beeinflussen. Unterschiede im Verhalten unerfahrener und erfahrener Tiere deuten darauf hin, das die Ansatzstellen fur Ergreifen und Beisen der Beute gelernt werden. Spezifische Anderungen im Beutefang-Verhalten machten die Verteidigung des jeweiligen Beutetieres weniger wirksam.
A Progressive's Silver Linings Playbook: Repeal Stepped-Up Basis

In this brief commentary, I argue that, now that we have no meaningful estate tax for the vast masses of even wealthy individuals and families, it is time to call for an end to stepped-up basis on death and to start doing something, somehow, to shut down the typical tax planning of the wealthy.
Energy and fluxes of thermal runaway electrons produced by exponential growth of streamers during the stepping of lightning leaders and in transient luminous events

[1] In the present paper, we demonstrate that the exponential expansion of streamers propagating in fields higher than the critical fields for stable propagation of streamers of a given polarity leads to the exponential growth of electric potential differences in streamer heads. These electric potential differences are directly related to the energy that thermal runaway electrons can gain once created. Using full energy range relativistic Monte Carlo simulations, we show that the exponential growth of potential differences in streamers gives rise to the production of runaway electrons with energies as high as ∼100 keV, with most of electrons residing in energy range around several tens of keVs. We apply these concepts in the case of lightning stepped leaders during the stage of negative corona flash. The computation of electric field produced by stepped leaders demonstrates for the first time that those energetic electrons are capable of further acceleration up to the MeV energies. Moreover, the flux of runaway electrons produced by streamers suggests that stepped leaders produce a considerable number of energetic electrons, which is in agreement with the number of energetic photons observed from satellites in terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs). The results suggest that previously proposed process of relativistic runaway electron avalanche is difficult to sustain in the low‐electric fields observed in thunderclouds and is generally not needed for explanation of TGFs. The present work also gives insights on relations between physical properties of energetic electrons produced in streamers and the internal electrical properties of streamer discharges, which can further help development and interpretation of X‐ray diagnostics of these discharges.
Soil science, development, and the "elusive nature" of Colombia's Amazonian plains

Resumen Desde el 2000, la gobernanza y capacidad productiva de los suelos Amazonicos surge como un asunto politico en la “Guerra contra las Drogas” de EEUU-Colombia. Los cientificos estatales son convocados a producir una entidad clasificable cuya definicion depende de sus cualidades productivas: un “buen suelo” es robustamente productivo, orientado al mercado, y una entidad perfectible mediante la accion humana. No obstante, agricultores en el departamento del Putumayo realizan practicas materiales donde los suelos son menos un objeto que un enredo de relaciones propagadoras de vida. Desde una perspectiva etnografica en fincas y laboratorios, este articulo reflexiona sobre como las practicas ‘cientificas’ y ‘locales’ con los suelos pueden (o no) posicionarse en simetria. Los suelos Amazonicos no solo cuestionan los sistemas de clasificacion del Estado y sus agentes humanos, sino que revelan limites a los imperativos del desarrollo donde la ‘produccion’ esta basada en una profunda division entre ‘naturaleza’ y ‘cultura’.
Equilibration of methionine into the Met-tRNA pool of rabbit reticulocyte lysates. Additional evidence that deacylation of ribosomal subunit-bound Met-tRNAf does occur in heme-deficiency.

We have measured the rate of equilibration of [35S]methionine into the Met-tRNA pool of rabbit reticulocyte lysate as in [FEBS Lett. (1982) 143, 301–305]. Our results indicate that hemin-deficiency inhibits the equilibration of methionine into the tRNA pool much less than protein synthesis or the equilibration of alanine into the tRNA pool, whereas cycloheximide inhibits these processes similarly. This finding is consistent with our previous data and supports the hypothesis that with hemin-deficiency much of the Met-tRNAf that becomes bound to 40 S subunits subsequently undergoes enzymatic deacylation.
A Bayesian calibration of a simple carbon cycle model: The role of observations in estimating and reducing uncertainty

[1] The strengths of future carbon dioxide (CO2) sinks are highly uncertain. A sound methodology to characterize current and predictive uncertainties in carbon cycle models is crucial for the design of efficient carbon management strategies. We demonstrate such a methodology, Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), by performing a Bayesian calibration of a simple global-scale carbon cycle model with historical carbon cycle observations to (1) estimate probability density functions (PDFs) of key carbon cycle parameters, (2) derive statistically sound probabilistic predictions of future CO2 sinks, and (3) assess the utility of hypothetical observation systems to reduce prediction uncertainties. We find that the PDFs of model parameter estimates are not normally distributed, and the residuals show statistically significant temporal autocorrelation. The assumption of normally distributed PDFs likely causes biased results, and the neglect of autocorrelation in the residual of the annual CO2 time series causes overconfidence in parameter estimates and predictions. Using interannually varying global temperature observations as forcing provides important information: terrestrial parameter PDFs are shifted and are more sharply constrained when compared to PDFs estimated when forcing the carbon cycle with a simple energy-balance model. Although CO2 observations provide a strong constraint on the total carbon sink, adding independent observations of terrestrial and oceanic fluxes has the potential to reduce uncertainty in predictions of this total sink more rapidly. Assimilating hypothetical annual observations of terrestrial and oceanic CO2 fluxes with realistic uncertainties reduces predictive uncertainties about CO2 sinks in the year 2050 by as much as a factor of 2 compared to assimilating CO2 concentrations alone.
A Scapelore Manifesto: Creative Geographical Practice in a Mythless Age

One role of geographers is giving meaning to places and landscapes. This is in contrast to the assumption that geography is about interpretation of others’ place-making and meaning-giving activities that shape the surface of the earth. A look into the constitution of meaning shows that meaning is layered onto places from a variety of sources. By doing geography, one can synthesize the plethora of produced scientific and cultural-historical information. In the case of doing what I call a Scapelore, the geographer’s role is to breathe life into landscapes—not only to interpret, but to boldly give meaning, enchanting and creatively mythologizing the world’s surface. To write a Scapelore one must be comfortable with factual description, but a Scapelorist must also add a poetics that is definitively his or her own. There is no pretend to objectivity in giving meaning to places and landscapes, nor a pretense that only one interpretation is available; Scapelore is firmly rooted in the postmodern. The rationale f...
A government agency's responsibility to the consumer.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Agricultural Biotechnology developed a proactive stance for informing consumers about biotechnology in 1987. Using a variety of information vehicles, the Office of Agricultural Biotechnology has developed a dialogue with various groups having different and sometimes very strident opinions about the use of genetic engineering in plants and animals. At the same time, the government agency has fulfilled its mandate to neither promote nor discourage the use of biotechnology methods in research, but rather to present the data and thus allow consumers to make an informed decision.
Meeting the JCAHO Challenge for Improving Pain Management: The Cedars-Sinai Approach

The federal Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research (AHCPR) published clinical practice guidelines on acute pain management in 1992 and cancer pain management in 1994. In 1998, the American Geriatrics Society published guidelines on the management of chronic pain in the growing elderly population. The fact that the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) has since developed and implemented standards for pain management further underscores and institutionalizes the importance of appropriate pain management in healthcare. At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, a Pain Management Steering Committee was convened in 1998 to meet the challenge of improving pain management within the health system. New policies and procedures were developed and implemented which support the appropriate care of patients with pain. A vigorous clinician education campaign was implemented to decrease common misconceptions about opioid use and to promote around-the-clock pain assessm...
The structure of DMC [dynamic Markov compression]

The popular dynamic Markov compression algorithm (DMC) offers state-of-the-art compression performance and matchless conceptual simplicity. In practice, however, the cost of DMC's simplicity and performance is often outrageous memory consumption. Several known attempts at reducing DMC's unwieldy model growth have rendered DMC's compression performance uncompetitive. One reason why DMC's model growth problem has resisted solution is that the algorithm is poorly understood. DMC is the only published stochastic data model for which a characterization of its states, in terms of conditioning contexts, is unknown. Up until now, all that was certain about DMC was that a finite-context characterization exists, which was proved in using a finiteness argument. This paper presents and proves the first finite-context characterization of the states of DMC's data model Our analysis reveals that the DMC model, with or without its counterproductive portions, offers abstract structural features not found in other models. Ironically, the space-hungry DMC algorithm actually has a greater capacity for economical model representation than its counterparts have. Once identified, DMC's distinguishing features combine easily with the best features from other techniques. These combinations have the potential for achieving very competitive compression/memory tradeoffs.
Introducing the LEAD Data Set

The Leader Experience and Attribute Descriptions (LEAD) data set provides a rich source of new information about the personal lives and experiences of over 2,000 state leaders from 1875–2004. For the first time, we can combine insights from psychology and human development with large-N data on interstate conflict for a new theory of leadership and interstate relations. The data set provides details about military experiences, childhood, education, personal and family life, and occupational history before leaders assumed power. The data are available in leader-year format and are compatible with existing tools for analysis such as EUGene (Bennett and Stam 2000). This research note discusses the motivation for the creation of the LEAD data set and discusses the coding decisions for most of the key variables. We provide a series of descriptive statistical illustrations of the data and illustrate the depth of the available information with cases from Latin American leaders, showing the durability of these per...
Apolipoprotein E4 allele presence and functional outcome after severe traumatic brain injury.

Presence of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) 4 allele has been associated with increased incidence and faster progression of neurodegenerative diseases, poorer recovery from neurologic insult, and decreased cognitive function in the well-elderly. The specific association between APOE genotype and recovery from severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is conflicting with many groups finding the APOE 4 allele to be associated with poorer outcome while others have found no association. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between APOE 4 allele presence and recovery during the two years after injury from severe TBI in light of other potential covariates, such as age, race, gender, hypotension or hypoxia before hospital admission and severity of injury. APOE genotype was determined for 123 subjects with severe TBI. Glasgow outcome score (GOS) and mortality were collected at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after injury. Results showed individuals improved over the two year period following injury and thos...
THE FRANK VECTORCARDIOGRAM IN MITRAL STENOSIS: A STUDY OF 29 CASES.

The vectorcardiographic findings in 29 patients with mitral stenosis are presented. Five patients had normal QRS loops, and five had classical loops of right ventricular hypertrophy with predominant anterior forces. The remaining 19 patients had posteriorly oriented loops with normal rotation. The characteristics of these latter loops were analyzed in detail and compared with the findings in series of normal subjects. The midportions of the horizontal plane QRS loops were found to be significantly more posterior in orientation. Posterior voltage was increased while maximum QRS voltage was decreased. It was thought that the findings represent early right ventricular hypertrophy, and quantitative criteria to differentiate these loops from normal are suggested.
ERCP in the management of biliary complications after cholecystectomy

Open cholecystectomy has been associated historically with 0.2% to 0.5% risk of postoperative biliary injury. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which has become the first-line surgical treatment of calculous gallbladder disease, has been associated with a 2.5-fold to fourfold increase in the incidence of postoperative bile duct injury. The biliary endoscopist can expect to see a varied spectrum of complications after cholecystectomy by either technique, including postoperative biliary strictures, bile leaks, and retained calculi in the biliary tree. Proper diagnosis and treatment are paramount in ensuring a satisfactory outcome after bile duct injury. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has become the primary modality for treatment and effectively manages most bile duct injuries.
Brief Buprenorphine Detoxification for the Treatment of Prescription Opioid Dependence: A Pilot Study

We examined the feasibility of brief outpatient detoxification as a treatment for prescription opioid (PO) abusers. Fifteen PO-dependent adults were enrolled to receive buprenorphine stabilization, a 2-week buprenorphine taper, and subsequent naltrexone for those who completed the taper. Subjects also received behavioral therapy, urinalysis monitoring, and double-blind drug administration. Subjects provided 83.8%, 91.7% and 31.2% opioid-negative samples during stabilization, taper and naltrexone phases, respectively. Inspection of individual subject data revealed systematic differences in whether subjects successfully completed the taper without resumption of illicit opioid use. Post-hoc analyses were used to examine the characteristics of subjects who successfully completed the taper (Responders, n=5) vs. those who failed to do so (Nonresponders, n=9). These pilot data suggest a subset of PO abusers may respond to brief buprenorphine detoxification, though future efforts should aim to improve outcomes, investigate individual differences in treatment response and identify characteristics that may predict those for whom longer-term agonist treatment is warranted.
Synthesis of π-(arene)metallocarboranes containing iron and ruthenium. Crystal structure of 3,1,2-(η6-1,3,5-(CH3)3C6H3)FeC2B9H11

Abstract The reaction of bis (arene)iron(II) salts (arene = mesitylene or hexamethylbenzene) or benzenedichlororuthenium(II) dimer with Tl[3,1,2-TlC 2 B 9 H 11 ] in THF produces neutral, air-stable π-(arene)(Fe, Ru)C 2 B 9 H 11 complexes in low or moderate yields. The metallocarboranes are formal analogues of [π-(arene)Fe, Ru) n+ (C 5 H 5 )] species, and a single crystal X-ray structure of the title compound has established the closo sandwich geometry expected for the molecule on the basis of electron counting rules. The carborane cage was found to be disordered in the crystal but the essential features of the molecular geometry were not obscured. The mesitylene is symmetrically bound to the iron, and the Fe-arene (centroid) distance of 1.60 A is similar to that found in the previously-characterized [(CH 3 ) 6 C 6 ]Fe I (C 5 H 5 ) complex, despite the difference in the metal electronic configurations (d 6 vs d 7 ) and the change from the B 9 C 2 H 11 2− cage to C 5 H 5 − . Crystals of 3,1,2-(η 6 -1,3,5-(CH 3 ) 3 C 6 H 3 )FeC 2 B 9 H 11 are orthorhombic, space group Pn2 1 a, with a = 12.638(4), b = 12.432(4), c = 9.686(3) A.
Magnetic resonance studies of the anthranilate synthetase-phosphoribosyltransferase enzyme complex from Salmonella typhimurium.

Abstract The binding of Mn 2+ to the anthranilate synthetase-phosphoribosyltransferase enzyme complex from Salmonella typhimurium was examined by electron paramagnetic resonance studies. Two types of binding sites were observed: one to two tight sites with a dissociation constant of 3–5 μ m and five to six weaker sites with a dissociation constant of 40–70 μ m . The activator constant for Mn 2+ was found to be 9 μ m for the glutamine-linked anthranilate synthetase activity and 4 μm for the phosphoribosyltransferase activity. These values are both in the range of the dissociation constant for the tight sites. Water proton relaxation rate measurements showed that the binary enhancement values for both classes of sites were equivalent, ϵ b = 10.7 ± 2.0. The addition of chorismate to the Mn 2+ -enzyme complexes when predominantly the tight Mn 2+ sites were occupied resulted in a large decrease in the observed enhancement ( ϵ T = 2.0). Addition of 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate to the enzyme-Mn 2+ complexes caused large decreases in the water proton relaxation rate ( ϵ T = 1.5) when tight or tight plus weaker Mn 2+ sites were occupied. No changes in the water proton relaxation rate were observed when glutamine, pyruvate, or anthranilate were added; a small decrease was observed when enzyme-Mn 2+ was titrated with tryptophan. Tryptophan significantly altered the effect of the binding of chorismate but not of 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate. The effect of tryptophan on the water proton relaxation rate of a Mn 2+ -enzyme-chorismate complex using a variant enzyme complex which is tryptophan hypersensitive ( P. D. Robison, and H. R. Levy, 1976 , Biochim. Biophys. Acta . 445 , 475–485) occurred at lower concentrations than for the normal enzyme complex. The uncomplexed anthranilate synthetase subunit was titrated with Mn 2+ and found to have one to two binding sites with a dissociation constant of 300 ± 100 μ m . This dissociation constant is much larger than the activator constant for Mn 2+ for uncomplexed anthranilate synthetase which was determined to be 4 μ m . These results indicate that the Mn 2+ -binding sites on anthranilate synthetase are altered when the enzyme complex is formed and that both chorismate and 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate interact closely with enzyme-bound Mn 2+ or cause a large effect upon its environment.