cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of glomerular mechanical strain in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy

Role of glomerular mechanical strain in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Glomerular rigidity limits the glomerular expansion and mesangial cell (MC) stretch induced by variations in intracapillary pressure. In tissue culture, MC stretch stimulates synthesis of extracellular matrix components (ECM). Therefore, altered glomerular rigidity in diabetes may influence ECM accumulation by modulating the glomerular distention and MC stretch associated with glomerular hypertension. An ambient of high glucose concentration per se also enhances MC formation of ECM, possibly altering the cellular response to mechanical stretch. In this study, compliance was measured in isolated perfused glomeruli from streptozotocin-injected rats at four days (4d-D), five weeks (5w-D) and six months (6m-D) after induction of diabetes. In addition, collagen metabolism induced by stretch was investigated in MC cultured in 8 and 35mM glucose concentrations. Glomerular compliance was normal in 5w-D rats and moderately increased in 4d-D (16%) and 6m-D animals (14%). As compared to static cultures, MC stretch increased total collagen synthesis (8mM, 50%; 35mM, 27%) and catabolism. However, while the fraction of newly formed collagen being catabolized increased in 8mM-stretched cultures, in 35mM-stretched it was unchanged. This resulted in marked increase in the net collagen accumulated in the incubation medium (4 vs. 24%) and cell layer (5 vs. 15%) only in the latter. In diabetes, the largely unaltered glomerular stiffness renders hypertension-induced MC stretch unopposed. More importantly, the accumulation of ECM caused by any degree of mechanical strain is greatly aggravated in a milieu of high glucose concentration.
Indirect effects of carbaryl on populations of the filbert aphid, Myzocallis coryli (Goeze) (Hom., Aphididae)

Field applications of carbaryl and other insecticides against the filbert aphid, Myzocallis coryli (Goeze), in hazelnut orchards of western Oregon resulted in initial population reductions for all chemical treatments. However, significant resurgences occurred on carbaryl treated trees. In some orchards the aphids rebounded to levels well above those on untreated trees. Other insecticides were as toxic to aphidophagous predators as carbaryl, indicating that natural enemy mortality was not the only factor leading to carbaryl induced resurgence. Laboratory tests showed that aphids exposed to 0.0012 g [AI]/l leaf residues of carbaryl for 24 h produced significantly greater numbers of offspring than did untreated aphids. Zusammenfassung Zur indirekten Wirkung von Carbaryl auf die Haselnuszierblattlaus, Myzocallis coryli (Goeze) (Hom., Aphididae) Eine Bekampfung der Haselnuszierblattlaus, Myzocallis coryli, mit Carbaryl und anderen Insektiziden fuhrte bei allen Insektiziden zu einer anfanglichen Reduktion der Lauspopulation. Jedoch trat nach der Carbaryl-Behandlung eine beachtliche Wiederbesiedlung auf. In einigen Plantagen war die Populationsdichte auf behandelten Baumen hoher als auf unbehandelten. Da die ubrigen verwendeten Insektizide die gleiche Toxizitat fur Blattlausrauber aufwiesen wie Carbaryl, konnte die Mortalitat der naturlichen Feinde nicht der einzige Grund sein, der zu dieser hohen Wiederbesiedlungsrate fuhrte. In Laborversuchen konnte nachgewiesen werden, das Lause, die 24 h auf zuvor mit 0,0012 g a.i./l behandelten Blattern gehalten wurden, eine signifikant hohere Vermehrungsrate hatten als Lause, die auf unbehandelten Blattern gehalten wurden.
The Effect of Age on Seizure Semiology in Childhood Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Summary: Purpose: Complex partial seizure is the characteristic seizure type observed in epilepsy arising from temporal lobe structures. The seizure evolution in adult patients is quite stereotyped and well characterized, manifesting initially with an aura, behavioral arrest, and oroalimentary and gestural automatism. A greater variability of semiology including motor features with tonic or myoclonic components, as well as a paucity of automatism, has been reported in young children with temporal lobe epilepsy. The aim of our study was to examine in more detail the effects of age on individual ictal features to be able to determine the critical age when lesional temporal lobe seizure semiology undergoes transition from the pediatric to the more adult-type clinical pattern. Methods: We performed a video analysis of 83 seizures from 15 children (aged 11–70 months) selected by post–temporal lobectomy seizure-free outcome, looking specifically at the motor and behavioral (nonmotor) manifestations in relation to age of the children. Results: All of the children younger than 42 months had seizures with early and marked motor features, which included tonic and myoclonic components and epileptic spasms. Parallel with age, the frequency of these motor components decreased, and in five of 11 children older than 3 years, motor features were totally absent. Analyzed quantitatively, we saw a linear and inverse correlation of the ratio of motor components with age at monitoring. Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that events in brain maturation significantly affect clinical seizure semiology and may override the more typical localizing features seen in adult-type temporal lobe epilepsy. These findings are important to consider in the early diagnosis of childhood temporal lobe epilepsy.
Membrane Lipid Physical Properties in Annuals Grown under Contrasting Thermal Regimes

Trans-parinaric acid was used to determine the order/disorder transition temperatures of phospholipids extracted from leaves of warm- and cool-season annuals grown under contrasting thermal regimes. All species were capable of adjusting this property, although there was considerable variation in the extent of the adjustment.
Inhibition of Toxoplasma gondii growth by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate is cell cycle specific and leads to population synchronization.

Abstract Successful completion of the Toxoplasma cell cycle requires the coordination of a series of complex and ordered processes that results in the formation of two daughters by internal budding. Although we now understand the order and timing of intracellular events associated with the parasite cell cycle, the molecular details of the checkpoints that regulate each step in Toxoplasma gondii division is still uncertain. In other eukaryotic cells, the use of cytostatic inhibitors that are able to arrest replication at natural checkpoints have been exploited to induce synchronization of population growth. Herein, we describe a novel method to synchronize T. gondii tachyzoites based on the reversible growth inhibition by the drug and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. This method is an improvement over other strategies developed for this parasites as no prior genetic manipulation of the parasite was required. RH tachyzoites blocked by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate exhibited a near uniform haploid DNA content and single centrosome indicating that this compound arrests parasites in the G1 phase of the tachyzoite cell cycle with a minor block in late cytokinesis. Thus, these studies support the existence of a natural checkpoint that regulates passage through the G1 period of the cell cycle. Populations released from pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate inhibition completed progression through G1 and entered S phase ∼2 h post-drug release. The transit of drug-synchronized populations through S phase and mitosis followed a similar timeframe to previous studies of the tachyzoite cell cycle. Tachyzoites treated with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate were fully viable and completed two identical division cycles post-drug release demonstrating that this is a robust method for synchronizing population growth in Toxoplasma .
Barriers to Local-Government Capacity in Nigeria:

Local governments play a crucial role in developing democratic regimes and establishing stable mechanisms for economic and social development. The level of management capacity is a key element of success. Nigeria, the most populous African nation, provides a case study in the difficulties of establishing viable local units of government. Among the potent barriers to local-government capacity in Nigeria are political instability, financial dependence, the power of traditional rulers, and an absence of a tradition of accommodation between elected and professional officials.
Measurement of surface deformation of soft tissue

Abstract A method is described for measuring the surface shape and deformations of soft tissue in three dimensions. The method uses close range stereophotogrammetry to record the three-dimensional locations of miniature optical targets applied to the tissue surface. This has been applied to study of the human lumbar intervertebral dise. Measurements of the strain along surface annular fibers have been made under varying loads. In this case the maximum expected errors are about 0.15 mm, which corresponds to a strain of less than 1%. Preliminary findings have differed from predictions made in published mathematical models for the disc in that they show very little strain of the annulus in compression loading, but confirm axial torsional loading as liable to produce mechanical disruption of the disc annulus.
Effects of Ampicillin-Amikacin and Ampicillin-Rifampin on Enterococci

Fifty-seven clinical isolates of enterococcus were tested for susceptibility to 10 antibiotics in a microtiter broth dilution system. Amoxicillin, ampicillin, vancomycin, and rifampin inhibited all strains at concentrations easily achievable in blood. Resistance to rifampin developed rapidly. Of the aminoglycosides, gentamicin was most active, followed in decreasing order by tobramycin, amikacin, kanamycin, and streptomycin. High-level resistance to streptomycin was present in 26% of the strains and to kanamycin in 23% of the strains. Growth curve studies of selected strains revealed synergy with ampicillin-amikacin and antagonism with ampicillin-rifampin. It is suggested that ampicillin-gentamicin constitutes adequate initial therapy for enterococcal infections until the results of tests for high-level resistance to kanamycin and streptomycin are known and that clinical trails of ampicillin-amikacin are warranted.
Type of cognitive modeling, imitation of modeled tactics, and modification of test anxiety

Effects of two types of cognitive modeling (problem-solving rules vs. coping self-instructions)on laboratory test anxiety were examined in two experiments. Both studies included assessment of observers' cognitive processes while working anagrams to evaluate modeling effects on cognitive tactics and to determine how they related to subsequent behavior. Experiment 1 investigated the influence of type of modeling and model reward on performance. Experiment 2 served to replicate any modeling effects and used a pre-post assessment of observers' strategies to clarify how modeling operated. Results from both studies offered some support for the multiple influence of cognitive modeling procedures over a model control, but were equivocal regarding the relative superiority of the two types in facilitating anagram performance. Modeling effects were limited by unequal difficulty among anagrams and perceived differences in relevance of particular tactics providing mixed support of Sarason's research. Assessment of observers' cognitive processes suggested that negative self-talk was task interfering and imitation of solution rules but not coping instructions was associated with quicker solution. Pre-post analysis revealed that college female observers possessed a repertoire of solution rules similar to modeled rules and that modeling acted to increase subsequent use of tactics in contrast to controls.
Strategies in the treatment of major tissue loss and gangrene: results of 100 consecutive vascular reconstructions.

To determine the features of a successful clinical strategy, we analyzed the results of 100 consecutive lower extremity vascular reconstructions performed exclusively for tissue loss and gangrene of the legs and feet. Eighty patients underwent 100 procedures on 80 limbs. Follow-up was 95% complete (every six months, mean 2.2 years). Forty inflow procedures to the femoral artery were performed with 13 simultaneous infrainguinal bypasses. Sixty bypasses were performed from the femoral artery to the popliteal (25) or tibial arteries (35). Sixty-eight percent of the identified ulcerations healed, and limb salvage was achieved in 70% of patients by life-table analysis. The cumulative patency for all reconstructions was 48% (five years), for tibial bypasses 60% (four years). Femoropopliteal bypasses had the poorest patency and healing rates (
Constitutive forms of rabbit-liver microsomal cytochrome P-450: Enzymatic diversity, polymorphism and allosteric regulation

1. Large, independent variations occur among New Zealand White rabbits in the 21-and 6β-hydroxylation of progesterone as catalysed by liver microsomes.2. These reactions are catalysed respectively by two electrophoretically distinct types of rabbit-liver microsomal cytochrome P-450, 1 and 3b, as judged by their catalytic efficiency and the capacity of specific monoclonal antibodies to extensively inhibit the respective microsomal hydroxylases.3. The relatively large variations in progesterone 6β-hydroxylase activity do not appear to be associated with differences in microsomal content of cytochrome P-450 3b, whereas differences in the microsomal concentration of cytochrome P-450 1 may underlie variations in 21-hydroxylase activity.4. Preparations of cytochrome P-450 3b contain at least two catalytically distinct subforms, one of which catalyses both 6β- and 16α-hydroxylation of progesterone with a low Km while the other subform catalyses predominantly 16α-hydroxylation with a significantly greater Km.5. T...
Letter: Importance of boundary reflections in the theory of diffusive light scattering [see 33(12)3849-3852(Dec1994)]

This PDF file contains the letter “Letter: Importance of boundary reflections in the theory of diffusive light scattering [see 33(12)3849-3852(Dec1994)]” for OE Vol. 34 Issue 11
Telecommunications Reform in India

Introduction The Policy Agenda by Shyamal Ghosh TRAI's Objectives and Policy Focus in a Changing Environment by M.S. Verma An Institutional View by Rafiq Dossani and S. Manikutty Unleashing Telecommunications and Internet in India by Ashok Jhunjhunwala The Institutional Environment and Effects of Telecommunication Privatization and Market Liberalization in Asia by J.P. Singh A New Approach to Service Provision by Vinod Khosla Toward an Indian Information Economy: Lessons in Telecommunications Policy and Practice by Heather E. Hudson Universal Service, Competition, and Economic Growth: The Case of the Hidden Subsidy by Gregory L. Rosston and Bradley S. Wimmer Regulation and the Opening of the Mexican Telecommunications Markets by Cristina Casanueva Pricing Interconnection and Universal Service in a Liberalized Network: Lessons for India by Yale M. Braunstein Provision of Universal Service for Telecommunications in Densely Populated Developing Countries by F. Gasmi, J.J. Laffont, and W.W. Sharkey Parvathagiri, Andhra Pradesh: A Case Study of Rural Telecom in India by Uday Kumar National Telecom Policy-1994 National Telecom Policy-1999 Index
Cios' Perspectives on Competitive Intelligence

Abstract Competitive intelligence (CI) has become an important source of information for business planning and other activities because it provides information about the present and future behavior of competitors, suppliers, customers, technologies, acquisitions, markets, and the general business environment. This article discusses the results of a recent survey of CIOs and CEOs about competitive intelligence practices in their firms. the authors anticipate an increase in competitive intelligence activities that will require the increased use of IT and suggest a heightened awareness that this spiraling situation is likely to place increasing demand on the IT function and the CIO.
Optical-to-microwave frequency comparison with fractional uncertainty of 10- 15

We report the technical aspects of the optical-to-microwave comparison for our recent measurements of the optical frequency of the mercury single-ion frequency standard in terms of the SI second as realized by the NIST-F1 cesium fountain clock. Over the course of six years, these measurements have resulted in a determination of the mercury single-ion frequency with a fractional uncertainty of less than 7×10-16, making it the most accurately measured optical frequency to date. In this paper, we focus on the details of the comparison techniques used in the experiment and discuss the uncertainties associated with the optical-to-microwave synthesis based on a femtosecond laser frequency comb. We also present our most recent results in the context of the previous measurements of the mercury single-ion frequency and arrive at a final determination of the mercury single-ion optical frequency: f(Hg+)=1 064 721 609 899 145.30(69) Hz.
Preparation and characterization of a plasma membrane fraction from isolated fat cells.

A rapid method of preparing plasma membranes from isolated fat cells is described. After homogenization of the cells, various fractions were isolated by differential centrifugation and linear gradients. Ficoll gradients were preferred because total preparation time was under 3 hr. The density of the plasma membranes was 1.14 in sucrose. The plasma membrane fraction was virtually uncontaminated by nuclei but contained 10% of the mitochondrial succinic dehydrogenase activity and 25–30% of the RNA and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide cytochrome c reductase activity of the microsomal fraction. Part of the RNA and NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity was believed to be native to the plasma membrane or to the attached endoplasmic reticulum membranes demonstrated by electron microscopy. The adenyl cyclase activity of the plasma membrane fraction was five times that of Rodbell's "ghost" preparation and retained sensitivity to epinephrine. The plasma membrane ATPase activity was five times that of the homogenate and microsomal fractions. Electron microscopic evidence suggested contamination of the plasma membrane fraction by other subcellular components to be less than the biochemical data indicated.
Hybrid multi-junction silicon solar cell simulation

Photon absorption is a primary cause of limited solar cell performance. A proposed solution is investigated in this paper through modeling and simulation of a hybrid multi-junction silicon (HMJ-Si) solar cell. HMJ-Si cells, which are stacked silicon solar cells with an insulating air gap between them, were designed with front and rear metal grating geometries that exploit interference patterns for enhanced light management. Interference patterns were investigated in MATLAB® by using the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld formula to model 31 distinct wavelengths from 800-1100nm. Also incorporated in the model were plane wave tilts from -0.005 to 0.005 radians to account for the maximum angle of light subtended by the sun. The exploration of various grating geometries showed that contact widths of 400μm spaced 900μm apart provided an optimal destructive interference pattern while maintaining a 69.2% throughput. This contact grating was selected for finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) analysis using Lumerical® FDTD Solutions. The resulting far-field projection verified that the destructive interference pattern reaches the bottom cell with negligible fringing effects. Further analysis of the data led to a nominal bottom cell front contact width of 200μm spaced 1100μm apart.
Establishing the Preliminary Validity of Spiritual Eco-Maps with Native Americans

The use of validated instruments is particularly important with populations of color such as Native Americans. Drawing upon the concept of social validity, this mixed method study validates an existing qualitative spiritual assessment instrument—spiritual eco-maps—using a sample of recognized experts in Native American culture (N = 50). The study identifies: (1) the degree of cultural consistency, strengths, and limitations of the spiritual eco-map concept, and (2) how the questions designed to help operationalize the concept might be improved to be more valid, relevant and consistent with Native culture. The results suggest that spiritual eco-maps are relatively consistent with Native American culture as long as they are operationalized appropriately. The paper concludes by providing a more culturally valid question protocol along with suggestions for administering the instrument in a culturally competent manner.
Eminent Structural Engineer: David B. Steinman (1886–1960)

(2008). Eminent Structural Engineer: David B. Steinman (1886–1960) Structural Engineering International: Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 95-97.
A new species of Acentrella Bengtsson (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from New York and New England (USA), redescription of the nymph of A. parvula (McDunnough), and key to known adult males of Nearctic Acentrella

A new species Acentrella rallatoma (type locality: Connetquot River, Oakdale, NY, USA) is described from nymphs and reared adults. Additional specimens were studied from southeastern New York, southeastern New Hampshire, coastal Connecticut, and Martha's Vineyard, MA, USA. Nymphs can be separated from those of other Nearctic species by: scraper-like outer incisors of mandibles, cerci alternately banded from bases to tips, and row of robust bristle-like setae (with modified tips) on dorsal edge of femora. Male imagos can be separated from those that lack hind wings by: distinctive colour pattern of abdominal terga, and genitalia with pigmented sclerotised penes cover. Comparative analysis of A. rallatoma with other Nearctic species revealed a lack of comparative data on nymphs of its presumptive sister species A. parvula. To facilitate future studies of this group, the nymph of A. parvula is redescribed and regional differences are discussed. Abdominal colour patterns of A. parvula that vary over its range...
The temperature, pressure and time dependence of lubricant viscosity

Abstract The general form of the pressure (Proc. Am. Acad. Arts Sci. 77 (1949) 117) and temperature (Physical properties of molecular crystals, liquids and glasses (1968) 350) dependence of viscosity has been known for at least 50 years. Viscosity varies with temperature in a greater than exponential manner and temperature–viscosity equations generally allow for an unbounded viscosity at some characteristic temperature. At high-pressures the pressure–viscosity response is likewise greater than exponential, often following a less than exponential response at low-pressures. In spite of this known behavior, tribologists working in EHL have generally assumed less than exponential pressure response as a means of applying the Eyring stress aided thermal activation theory to the viscous regime of EHL traction. As justification, time dependence of the lubricant properties in the response to a pressure transient has been advanced. We present acoustic, capillary and impact measurements for timescales less than EHL. While time dependence of properties may be important in the viscoelastic regime of traction, this paper will show that for the timescale of viscous response, a significant time dependence of viscosity is unlikely.
Effect of Retention in Elementary Grades on Grade 9 Motivation for Educational Attainment

This study investigated the effect of grade retention in elementary school on students' motivation for educational attainment in grade 9. We equated retained and promoted students on 67 covariates assessed in grade 1 through propensity score weighting. Retained students (31.55%, nretained=177) and continuously promoted students (68.45%, npromoted=384) were compared on the bifactor model of motivation for educational attainment (Cham, Hughes, West & Im, 2014). This model consists of a General factor (student's overall motivation for educational attainment), and three specific factors: student perceived Teacher Educational Expectations, Peer Educational Aspirations, and Value of Education. Measurement invariance between retained and promoted groups was established. Retained students scored significantly higher than promoted students on each specific factor but not on the General factor. Results showed that the retained and promoted students did not significantly differ on the General factor. The retained students had significantly higher scores on each specific factor than those of the promoted students. The results suggested that grade retention may not have the negative effects so widely assumed in the published literature; it is an expensive intervention with minimal evidence of benefits to the retained student.
Neutrino masses within the minimal supersymmetric standard model.

We investigate the possibility of accommodating neutrino masses compatible with the Mikheyev- Smirnov-Wolfenstein study of the solar neutrino deficit within the minimal supersymmetric standard model. The «gravity-induced» seesaw mechanism based on an interplay of nonrenormalizable and renormalizable terms in the superpotential allows neutrino masses m v ∞m u 2 /M I , with m u the corresponding quark mass and M I ≃ 4 × 10 11 GeV, while at the same time ensuring the grand desert with the gauge coupling unification at M U ≃ 2 × 10 16 GeV
An Evidence-Based Practice Model Across the Academic and Clinical Settings:

This tutorial is designed to provide academic communication sciences and disorders (CSD) programs, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with a comprehensive instructional model on evidence-based practice (EBP). The model was designed to help students view EBP as an ongoing process needed in all clinical decision making. The three facets of EBP (research, client/contextual factors, and clinical expertise) are addressed through explicit teaching practices and assignments in didactic coursework and considered in parallel with a concurrent clinical practicum. At the graduate level, the reciprocal nature between theory, research, and practice is emphasized using components such as structured EBP protocols in coursework and clinic, application of clinical case studies that emphasize EBP procedures, and the integration of authentic research assignments. Examples are provided, and ways in which academic faculty and clinical educators can actively engage in creating a shared language and culture at all l...
An approaching golden age of intelligent machines

Our definition of an intelligent machine is a system that uses: machines, sensors, models, intelligence and technologies for integration. These components are combined to carry out processes flexibly; i.e., the system has the capability to respond appropriately to uncertainty, lack of a priori knowledge, and change. A new era in the history of robotics is postulated and described. Reasons for its possible existence are put forth. Outcomes are speculated upon.
The role of arterial reconstruction in spontaneous renal artery dissection

Spontaneous renal artery dissection is an uncommon cause of renovascular hypertension, usually associated with fibromuscular dysplasia. Among reported nonautopsy cases (N = 80), arterial reconstruction has seldom been attempted (N = 21) and the outcome has frequently been poor (48% clinical failure rate). This is attributed in part to the frequent involvement of renal artery branches by the dissection. Furthermore, the report of spontaneous reversion to normotension among patients treated medically has also clouded the role of surgery in this disease. Since progress in the technique of renal artery repair now allows successful treatment of anatomically complex lesions, we reviewed our experience with arterial reconstruction in the management of spontaneous renal artery dissection to determine the frequency of and factors correlating with cure after operative repair. Ten patients (eight men, two women; mean age, 39.3 +/- 5.9 years) were admitted with severe hypertension (10/10), often associated with neurologic symptoms, hematuria, or flank pain (8/10). Serum creatinine was elevated in only two patients. Angiography demonstrated changes consistent with fibromuscular dysplasia in 7 of 10 patients and evidence of dissection in 6 of 10. Bilateral disease was present in three patients. Only five patients had a single renal artery on the involved side. The dissection extended into the primary branches in 8 of 10 patients and involved both renal arteries in four of the five patients with two arteries. Histologic study confirmed fibromuscular dysplasia in six and intramural dissection in all operative specimens. Five patients underwent revascularization (in one case requiring the ex vivo technique), with use of hypogastric artery as a conduit in four of five or resection and primary reanastomosis in one of five. Three patients became normotensive, and two returned to their previous level of blood pressure control. Follow-up averaged 14.5 years. Two patients underwent nephrectomy after exploration demonstrated nonreconstructible vessels, and two underwent nephrectomy when intraoperative assessment of the kidney showed that revascularization had failed to adequately reverse extensive renal ischemia. After a mean follow-up of 14.6 years these patients remain normotensive, although two require antihypertensive medications. One patient was treated medically and is currently hypertensive off all medications. Nine of 10 patients have maintained a normal serum creatinine during follow-up. We conclude that renal revascularization is frequently successful in spontaneous renal artery dissection (five of seven, 71.4%) and results in sustained relief of hypertension with maximal conservation of renal tissue. This is important because of the young age at onset and the not infrequent occurrence of bilateral fibromuscular dysplasia, and even of dissection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
An efficient and scalable analysis framework for variant extraction and refinement from population-scale DNA sequence data

The analysis of next-generation sequencing data is computationally and statistically challenging because of the massive volume of data and imperfect data quality. We present GotCloud, a pipeline for efficiently detecting and genotyping high-quality variants from large-scale sequencing data. GotCloud automates sequence alignment, sample-level quality control, variant calling, filtering of likely artifacts using machine-learning techniques, and genotype refinement using haplotype information. The pipeline can process thousands of samples in parallel and requires less computational resources than current alternatives. Experiments with whole-genome and exome-targeted sequence data generated by the 1000 Genomes Project show that the pipeline provides effective filtering against false positive variants and high power to detect true variants. Our pipeline has already contributed to variant detection and genotyping in several large-scale sequencing projects, including the 1000 Genomes Project and the NHLBI Exome Sequencing Project. We hope it will now prove useful to many medical sequencing studies.
Yuqul: Forest Nomads In a Changing World

Yuqul: Forest Nomads In. Changing World. Allyn Maclean Stearman. New York: Holt, Rlnehart and Winston, 1989. 164 pp. $8.00 (paper). ISBN0- 03-022702-X.
Chip-scale atomic devices: From atomic clocks to brain imaging and beyond

Over the last decade, miniature instruments based on microfabricated alkali vapor cells have emerged as a compelling technology for achieving small size and low-power operation while retaining much of the high precision afforded by the use of atomic spectroscopy. Chip-scale atomic clocks1 are now a commercial reality2 and achieve frequency instabilities below 10–11 at one hour of integration while consuming only 120 mW of power, 30 times less than any pre-vious commercial atomic clock. This improvement in the power consumption is enabled mainly by the use of a vertical-cavity surface emitting laser as the light source and by the small size and good thermal isolation of the physics package.
Relative effects of environment and direct species interactions on the population growth rate of an exotic ascidian

The success of exotic species can be influenced by both the abiotic environment and species interactions. Many studies have demonstrated significant effects of either type of factor on aspects of exotic success, but few have considered their relative effects on population growth rate, a more holistic measure of success. To quantify the relative effects of environment and direct competition on an exotic ascidian, Botrylloides violaceus, I manipulated direct contact interactions at four sites with different abiotic environments and tracked individual colonies over 3 years. I tested site and contact treatment effects on survival, growth and fecundity, and then conducted a life table response experiment on a periodic, size-structured population matrix model to test their effects on population growth rate. Both site and contact interaction were important to explaining variation in survival and growth. Contact interactions decreased the survival and growth of larger colonies but unexpectedly increased the survival of small colonies at some sites, which led to relatively weaker and spatially variable effects on overall population growth rates. Site effects on population growth rates were an order of magnitude larger than contact effects, and site variation in winter vital rates made the largest contributions to changes in population growth rate. The results of this study suggest that the abiotic environment plays a larger role in the success of B. violaceus. Thus, environmental variables, such as temperature and salinity, could be used to predict this exotic species’ success under different environmental scenarios, including global climate change.
Syntaxin 3 and SNAP-25 pairing, regulated by omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid, controls the delivery of rhodopsin for the biogenesis of cilia-derived sensory organelles, the rod outer segments

The biogenesis of cilia-derived sensory organelles, the photoreceptor rod outer segments (ROS), is mediated by rhodopsin transport carriers (RTCs). The small GTPase Rab8 regulates ciliary targeting of RTCs, but their specific fusion sites have not been characterized. Here, we report that the Sec6/8 complex, or exocyst, is a candidate effector for Rab8. We also show that the Qa-SNARE syntaxin 3 is present in the rod inner segment (RIS) plasma membrane at the base of the cilium and displays a microtubule-dependent concentration gradient, whereas the Qbc-SNARE SNAP-25 is uniformly distributed in the RIS plasma membrane and the synapse. Treatment with omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid [DHA, 22:6(n-3)] causes increased co-immunoprecipitation and colocalization of SNAP-25 and syntaxin 3 at the base of the cilium, which results in the increased delivery of membrane to the ROS. This is particularly evident in propranolol-treated retinas, in which the DHA-mediated increase in SNARE pairing overcomes the tethering block, including dissociation of Sec8 into the cytosol. Together, our data indicate that the Sec6/8 complex, syntaxin 3 and SNAP-25 regulate rhodopsin delivery, probably by mediating docking and fusion of RTCs. We show further that DHA, an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid of the ROS, increases pairing of syntaxin 3 and SNAP-25 to regulate expansion of the ciliary membrane and ROS biogenesis.
Female Student Perspectives on Training in Lesbian and Gay Issues

This study examined female counseling psychology doctoral students' perceptions of the type and extent of training they had received concerning lesbian and gay people. Participants, 213 female students from at least 31 counseling psychology programs, completed a 33-item survey designed to examine their perceptions of the frequency and manner in which lesbian and gay issues were addressed in their training. Results of the analyses indicated that female students receive little exposure to lesbian- or gay-related issues or to lesbian or gay clients and thus are not trained to work with these clients. Further results and implications are presented and discussed
What Saved the Indian Banking System: State Ownership or State Guarantees?

The global financial crisis which began in the fall of 2007 and progressively worsened in 2008, affected the Indian financial sector beginning only in 2008. While Indian financial firms have been fairly resilient compared with their global counterparts, we show that Indian private sector firms faced greater losses compared with public sector firms during the crisis period of 2008–09. We use a stock market-based measure of systemic risk, marginal expected shortfall (MES), to determine the systemic risk contributed by each Indian financial firm for the period preceding the crisis (January–December 2007) and compare it to its realised returns during the crisis (January 2008–February 2009). Our results show that public sector firms outperformed private sector firms despite having greater systemic risk during the crisis. We conclude that investors rewarded Indian public sector firms with greater systemic risk while penalising private sector firms with similar risk. We attribute this finding to the explicit and implicit government backing of public sector banks. We find that riskier public sector banks with high ex ante systemic risk and low Tier 1 capital received greater capital support from the government.
Reinvigorating and Enhancing Jury Trials Through an Overdue Juror Bill of Rights: WWJW — What Would Jurors Want? — A Federal Trial Judge's View

Juries are deeply enshrined by the U.S. Constitution and firmly embedded in our system of justice. Thus, it is surprising that jurors do not yet have something akin to their own widely adopted bill of rights. Regrettably, this is the result of too many trial judges failing to practice WWJW — “what would jurors want” — a jury centered approach to judging. The state of Arizona, with its launch in 1993 of the Arizona Jury Project, is the pioneering jurisdiction of a more jury-centered approach. If trial judges embraced WWJW it would engender greater respect for jurors and lead to trial innovations which would significantly enhance the juror experience. These innovations would also increase the fairness of jury trials. Adopting a bill of rights for jurors improves jurors’ positive experiences and feelings about trial by jury as they participate in the purest form of democracy in action. This article proposes five bill of rights that have been proven to achieve these goals. If adopted by courts and practiced by trial judges, jurors across the nation will exit courthouses as our greatest community ambassadors for the Sixth and Seventh Amendment rights to trial by jury. This is an important step to ensuring that vanishing civil jury trials are not, going, going, gone!
Two-dimensional superharmonic stability of finite-amplitude waves in plane Poiseuille flow

In recent work on shear-flow instability, the tacit assumption has been made that the two-dimensional stability of finite-amplitudes waves in plane Poiseuille flow follows a simple and well-understood pattern, namely one with a stability transition at the limit point in Reynolds number. Using numerical stability calculations we show that the application of heuristic arguments in support of this assumption has been in error, and that a much richer picture of bifurcations to quasi-periodic flows can arise from considering the two-dimensional superharmonic stability of such a shear flow.
Sensory integration with articulated motion on a humanoid robot

This paper describes the integration of articulated motion with auditory and visual sensory information that enables a humanoid robot to achieve certain reflex actions that mimic those of people. Reflexes such as reach-and-grasp behavior enables the robot to learn, through experience, its own state and that of the world. A humanoid robot with binaural audio input, stereo vision, and pneumatic arms and hands exhibited tightly coupled sensory-motor behaviors in four different demonstrations. The complexity of successive demonstrations was increased to show that the reflexive sensory-motor behaviors combine to perform increasingly complex tasks. The humanoid robot executed these tasks effectively and established the groundwork for the further development of hardware and software systems, sensory-motor vector-space representations, and coupling with higher-level cognition.
Molecular basis of cardiovascular drug metabolism: implications for predicting clinically important drug interactions.

The recent withdrawal of the calcium antagonist mibefradil from the market in the United States has refocused attention on drug interactions that involve cardiovascular drugs.1 It is appropriate to ask whether pharmacokinetic drug interactions like this that pose substantial clinical risk can be predicted and/or prevented. We believe that if the appropriate information is obtained during drug development and effectively communicated to physicians, many episodes such as that involving mibefradil will be predicted and prevented. Many known pharmacokinetic drug interactions with the potential for either excessive drug exposure, effect, and toxicity or decreased drug exposure and loss of drug effect are associated with phase I drug biotransformations.2 In addition, the importance of P-glycoprotein–mediated drug transport is currently being appreciated.3 Major improvements in the scientific tools available to study cytochrome P-450 (CYP)–mediated biotransformations over the past decade4 now permit prediction of potential drug interactions during drug development. In some cases, these tools can be used to determine which of a series of drug candidates should undergo clinical development. They can also be used to understand and identify interactions between drugs that are in clinical use. An important component of this understanding is the challenge to determine the patient risk associated with each potential drug interaction because many pharmacokinetic drug interactions have no meaningful clinical consequence.5 The CYP family of enzymes, located in the liver and gastrointestinal tract, is the major source of catalytic activity for drug oxidation in humans.6 This enzyme family consists of >30 isoforms, but only a few have importance in human drug metabolism. This immensely simplifies the understanding of the system for prescribers. Briefly, naming of the CYP enzymes includes designation of the family, subfamily, and gene so that CYP 1(family), A(subfamily), 2(gene) designates the CYP isoform most associated with theophylline biotransformation. …
Recent Trends in the Philosophy of Science: Lessons for Sociology

Auguste Comte's positivist claim of sociology was readily accepted by the succeeding generations of sociologists. Their efforts to vindicate this claim served to establish sociology on firm empirical foundations. Within a relatively short period, sociology succeeded in amassing a vast body of empirical data. Although meticulous attention was paid to methodology, most of it seemed to be misplaced, as it was mainly concerned with the tools and techniques of empirical research rather than with the logic of scientific procedure. It was however at the theoretical level that the limitations of sociology as a positivistic discipline were most apparent. Though some attempts had been made to develop general theories, these were far from satisfactory. In the natural sciences, whose model sociology has been trying to emulate, the terms science and scientific methodology have no longer the same meaning as in Newton's time. But unfortunately, the debate about the scientific status of sociology is still carried on in terms of an antiquated concept of science.
Mobile and Traditional Modes of Communication Among Male Latino Farmworkers: Implications for Health Communication and Dissemination

This analysis describes (1) cell phone and smartphone ownership, (2) continuity of phone numbers, (3) use of specific technologies while inside and outside the U.S., and (4) perceived adequacy of specific formats to receive health research results among Latino farmworkers. Telecommunications questionnaires were administered to 165 and 102 farmworkers in North Carolina in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Univariate and bivariate analyses were completed. Increasing numbers of Latino farmworkers own cell phones and smartphones. Talk and text functions are used frequently. Relatively few farmworkers maintain consistent phone numbers. They prefer to receive study results through low technology formats. Strategies to use cell phones to improve health or to share research findings will face obstacles in this population. Public health officials who identify and implement effective strategies to overcome these barriers may be able to harness mobile technologies to address the needs of Latino farmworkers.
College English in India: The first textbook

In her groundbreaking bookMasks of Conquest: Literary Study and British Rule in India (1989), Guari Viswanathan established that “the discipline of English came into its own” not in England but in India, as an instrument of cultural colonization: “As early as the 1820s, when the classical curriculum reigned supreme in England despite the strenuous efforts of some concerned critics to loosen its hold, English as the study of culture and not simply the study of language had already found a secure place in the British Indian curriculum” (2, 3). Pausing to summarize the English literary curriculum fostered by “government schools in midcentury India,” she lists the following poetical works, gleaned from a report reprinted for the House of Lords in 1853: “Richardson's Poetical Selections (Goldsmith, Gray, Addison, Pope, and Shakespeare), Otway's Venice Preserved, Shakespeare's Hamlet, Othello, and Macbeth, Pope's Iliad by Homer, [and] Milton's Paradise Lost (the first four books)” (54). Although Viswanathan does not identify Richardson or his Poetical Selections, she is right to head the list with that textbook, which is mentioned in many other government reports of the period, and which was instrumental in establishing a classroom canon of British poetry in India before any such curriculum had been determined in Great Britain.
Stable Solid-Phase Ohmic Contacts to n-GaAs with Diffusion Barriers

Contacts to GaAs substrates with n-type epilayers formed by GaAs/Ni/Ge/WN/Au, GaAs/Ni/Ge/Ni/WN/Au and GaAs/Ge/ Ni/WN/Au systems were investigated. Ohmic contacts in these systems were formed by a solid-phase reaction between Ni/Ge and GaAs. Interfacial reaction and electrical properties of these contacts are characterized by backscattering spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy and contact resistivity measurements. Resistivities in the 10−δ Ω cm range are achieved.
Elliptic Curves over ℂ

Evaluation of the integral giving arc-length on a circle, namely \( \int {1\sqrt {1 - {x^2}} } dx \) , leads to an (inverse) trigonometric function. The analogous problem for the arc-length of an ellipse yields an integral which is not computable in terms of so-called “elementary” functions. Due to the indeterminacy in the sign of the square root, the study of such integrals over ℂ leads one to look at the Riemann surface on which they are most naturally defined. For the ellipse, this Riemann surface turns out to be the set of complex points on an elliptic curve E. We thus begin our study of elliptic curves over ℂ by studying certain elliptic integrals, which are line integrals on E(ℂ). (In fact, the reason that elliptic curves are so named is because they are the Riemann surfaces associated to the integrals for the arc-length of ellipses. In terms of their geometry, ellipses and elliptic curves actually have little in common, the former having genus 0 and the latter genus 1.)
COATING OF VASCULAR SURFACES AND CELLS. A NEW CONCEPT IN PREVENTION OF INTRAVASCULAR THROMBOSIS.

SummaryInfused C-14 dextran adheres in vivo to circulating blood cells and also to intimal surfaces of arteries, and in the latter to a greater extent at sites of recent injury. Coating of circulating cells, as well as the intima by dextran molecules (apparently radially arranged on blood vessel surfaces) may participate in the antihemostatic effects of dextran, especially at sites of high concentration consequent on vascular damage.We would like to thank Doctor A. C. Corcoran for his scientific and editorial criticism of this work.