cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Innovative ground improvement techniques for expansive soils

Annual infrastructure damage expenses arising from expansive problematic soils cost millions of dollars. These damages signify the need to study the treatment methods in a much more comprehensive manner with a focus on resiliency and sustainability elements. Many advances are made in recent years with respect to chemical additive-based stabilization methods. This keynote paper covers innovative ground improvement advances majorly focusing on civil and transportation infrastructure. Four research studies highlighting the importance of additive soil stabilization are presented. Chemical stabilization advances ranging from shallow stabilization design guidelines with incorporation of fundamental soil chemistry principles, clay mineralogy, novel chemical additives, durability studies and resiliency elements are covered. Enhancement of soil strength due to the addition of lime and cement and the mixture’s resiliency to climatic changes are studied. Sustainable biopolymer treatments to arrest desiccation cracking on slopes have been addressed. In the case of deep soil treatment, deep soil mixing technologies are described for stabilization of soils to support pavement infrastructure. Future research directions related to sustainable ground improvement practices are presented.
Knowledge graphs: Venturing out into the wild

While we now have vast collections of knowledge at our disposal, it appears that our systems often need further kinds of knowledge that are still missing in most knowledge graphs. This paper argues that we need keep moving further beyond simple collections of encyclopedic facts. Three key directions are (1) aiming at more tightly integrated knowledge, (2) distilling knowledge from text and other unstructured data, and (3) moving towards cognitive and neural approaches to better exploit the available knowledge in intelligent applications.
A crowdsensing algorithm for imputing Zika outbreak location data

The Internet of Things is becoming an integral part of today's solutions to critical issues. In this paper, we consider applications to the field of Zika outbreaks. Current solutions are limited to preventative measures such as spraying pesticides, destruction of mosquito breeding grounds, and avoiding the outdoors in the evening. However, these current methods have significant limitations because the geographic areas of Zika-carrying mosquito infestation are not known in fine-grained detail and testing for these locations is difficult. However, through crowdsensing techniques there are ways to better identify and narrow location determination. Devices such as smartphones are very common among the majority of citizens, and these devices can collect a plethora of information. This paper will focus on the use of crowdsensing techniques coupled with medical professional's diagnosis of Zika virus to impute possible vector data to provide more fine-grained and sophisticated location determination for Zika outbreaks.
Studies on the Role of Protein Kinase C in Multistage Carcinogenesis and Their Relevance to Risk Extrapolation

One of the most intensively studied non-genotoxic carcinogens is the phorbol ester tumor promoter 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Since TPA appears to exert its biologic effects through protein kinase C (PKC), a key enzyme in signal transduction, we have studied this enzyme in considerable detail. To explore the role of PKC in carcinogenesis we developed various types of cell lines that overproduce the PKC βI isoform. To gain further insight into the relationship between PKC structure and its function in tumor promotion we expressed deletion mutants of PKC βI in a rat fibroblast cell line. These studies provide genetic evidence that PKC plays a critical role in growth control and the action of certain growth factors, tumor promoters and oncogenes. The findings are discussed within the context of multistage carcinogenesis, risk assessment, and cancer prevention.
Global isoform-specific transcript alterations and deregulated networks in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Extensive genome-wide analyses of deregulated gene expression have now been performed for many types of cancer. However, most studies have focused on deregulation at the gene-level, which may overlook the alterations of specific transcripts for a given gene. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the best-characterized and most pervasive renal cancers, and ccRCCs are well-documented to have aberrant RNA processing. In the present study, we examine the extent of aberrant isoform-specific RNA expression by reporting a comprehensive transcript-level analysis, using the new kallisto-sleuth-RATs pipeline, investigating coding and non-coding differential transcript expression in ccRCC. We analyzed 50 ccRCC tumors and their matched normal samples from The Cancer Genome Altas datasets. We identified 7,339 differentially expressed transcripts and 94 genes exhibiting differential transcript isoform usage in ccRCC. Additionally, transcript-level coexpression network analyses identified vasculature development and the tricarboxylic acid cycle as the most significantly deregulated networks correlating with ccRCC progression. These analyses uncovered several uncharacterized transcripts, including lncRNAs FGD5-AS1 and AL035661.1, as potential regulators of the tricarboxylic acid cycle associated with ccRCC progression. As ccRCC still presents treatment challenges, our results provide a new resource of potential therapeutics targets and highlight the importance of exploring alternative methodologies in transcriptome-wide studies.
Prediction of potential protein-protein interaction sites from amino acid sequence: Identification of a fibrin polymerization site

Identification of a protein-protein interaction site is an important step that has significant potential to clarify structure-function relationships of proteins and drug design. We propose here a unique predictive method to identify protein-protein interaction sites based on the observation that proline is the most common residue found in the flanking segments of interaction sites [Kini, R.M. and Evans, H.J. (1995) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 212, 1115-1124]. Accordingly, the interaction sites of proteins might be predicted directly from the amino acid sequence based on the presence of proline brackets. Using this strategy, we have predicted a polymerization site in the epitope of the Aalpha-chain of fibrinogen recognized by a monoclonal antibody, 9E9 which inhibits fibrin polymerization [Cierniewski, C.S. and Budzynski, A.Z. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 4248-4253]. The synthetic peptide comprising this predicted site inhibited the coagulation of human blood and allosterically interfered in fibrin polymerization. This is the first known allosteric polymerization site of fibrinogen. Thus the results validate the predicted site and the method for prediction. This unique predictive method should help in identifying the interaction sites of many proteins.
The Role of Interaction in a Group

Just as it is not possible to not communicate because the mere act of not saying anything communicates your reluctance or lack of participation to others, it is also impossible to not interact. Interaction is the process of influencing one another. If I walk into a group and engage you in conversation, I am interacting with you. If I walk into a room, stand against the wall, and simply watch other group ­members, I am still interacting, but the interaction may not be positive or supportive for the group. If, however, I walk in and announce the direction the group will take and the rules by which the group will function, then, yes, I am interacting; I am also dominating and controlling the group and my dominance will stifle and control the interactions of others.
Relationships Between DNA Repair and Transcription in Defined DNA Sequences in Mammalian Cells

Certain types of damage to DNA pose blocks to the process of transcription. In particular, the presence of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers has been shown to result in termination of transcription at the sites of the lesions (Sauerbier and Hercules, 1978). A predictable consequence of this fact is that the persistence of one or more pyrimidine dimers in the transcribed DNA strand of all copies of an essential, active gene will most certainly result in death of the cell. Thus, it might be considered a good strategy for cells to selectively repair the transcription blocking damage in their active genes and, in fact, to focus specifically upon the DNA strands that are being transcribed.
A Fingerspelling Sign Language Visualization

The goal of the Fingerspell Visualization Project is to research methods to improve learning of reading skills through sign language. The techniques are centered on Fingerspelling as the method to bridge stages of skill development. Visualization of a string of text in images of a hand performing the letters of the alphabet in standardized fingerspell sign language positions provide Full Motion Learning as opposed to learning from single pictures.
SCADET: a side-channel attack detection tool for tracking prime+probe

Microarchitectural side-channel attacks have posed serious threats to many computing systems, ranging from embedded systems and mobile devices to desktop workstations and cloud servers. Such attacks exploit side-channel vulnerabilities stemming from fundamental microarchitectural performance features, including the most common caches, out-of-order execution (for the newly revealed Meltdown exploit), and speculative execution (for Spectre). Prior efforts have focused on identifying and assessing these security vulnerabilities, and designing and implementing countermeasures against them. However, the efforts aiming at detecting specific side-channel attacks tend to be narrowly focused, which can make them effective but also makes them obsolete very quickly. In this paper, we propose a new methodology for detecting microarchitectural side-channel attacks that has the potential for a wide scope of applicability, as we demonstrate using a case study involving the Prime+Probe attack family. Instead of looking at the side-effects of side-channel attacks on microarchitectural elements such as hardware performance counters, we target the high-level semantics and invariant patterns of these attacks. We have applied our method to different Prime+Probe attack variants on the instruction cache, data cache, and last-level cache, as well as several benign programs as benchmarks. The method can detect all of the Prime+Probe attack variants with a true positive rate of 100% and an average false positive rate of 7.4%.
Pedagogía del arte dramático y aprendizaje en línea: ¿una herramienta potencial para aprender en una sociedad del conocimiento?

This paper presents some evidence that online learning has not differentiated itself significantly from face-toface learning and that both largely rely on didactic, lecture-centered pedagogy. It then presents as an alternative the use of pedagogies such as dramatic arts pedagogy that aligns nicely with 21st century skills and suggests that there are opportunities for further research on the application of such pedagogies to teach 21st century skills online.
A Reconfigurable UWB Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Antenna

This work presents a reconfigurable ultra-wideband (UWB) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna. The presented antenna covers 440 MHz to 5 GHz (11: 1) frequency range while keeping its size compact for MIMO applications. The ultrawideband functionality is obtained by integrating a UWB monopole antenna together with a tunable matching network via two different signal paths from a single feed point. The tunable section covers 440 MHz to 700 MHz frequency range while the UWB antenna operates over the rest of the band. Two identical UWB antennas are orthogonally placed on the same substrate to achieve polarization diversity and construct MIMO configuration. Reflection coefficient for entire operation region and MIMO diversity parameters are presented.
The Psychomotor Performance of Women in Cold Weather Clothing

Abstract : This study was conducted to determine the differential effects on women's psychomotor performance of wearing cold weather clothing designed for them vs. cold weather clothing designed for men. Twenty women performed a battery of tasks under each of 10 clothing conditions. The tasks were divided into the following categories: (1) body flexibility, (2) rate of movement, (3) psychomotor coordination, and (4) manual dexterity. The results indicate that certain features of women's cold weather clothing, particularly fit, contribute to higher performance levels than those attained in men's clothes. In addition, the women's items were rated more favorably by the users than the men's. Psychomotor performance level and user acceptance also decreased as the number of clothing layers worn was increased, but the layers were not equally deleterious in their effects on performance nor were all aspects of performance equally impaired by wearing a certain combination of layers.
Applying Molecular Communication Theory to Multi-Scale Integrated Models of Biological Pathways

The natural communication ability of cells is explored in this paper by providing preliminary results in the estimation of the Mutual Information (MI) of signaling pathway communication channels. These results, based on an application of Molecular Communication (MC) and information theory concepts to multi-scale integrated Flux-Balance Analysis (iFBA) models are a first step to evaluate the potential of cells and their biochemical processes as a substrate for enabling engineered MC channels for the future internet of Bio-Nano Things.
Unconventional Complex Coacervation between Neutral Polymer and Inorganic Polyoxometalate in Aqueous Solution via Direct Water Mediation

Water, specifically in a hydration shell, is critical for many biological supramolecular aggregations in nature, where water can directly mediate intermolecular association via hydrogen bonding and is regarded as “structured water”. Conversely, little has been reported on the biomimetic water-mediated supramolecular assembly with adequately high water content to date, because of the competing thermodynamic processes of water hydration and water as a building block to participate in self-assembly. In this work, we explore water-mediated complexation based on entropy-driven biphasic coacervate formation using highly hydrophilic neutral polymer and inorganic mineral-analogous nanoclusters. For the first time (to the best of our knowledge), nonelectrostatic liquid–liquid separating coacervate formation is demonstrated between polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyoxometalate (POM) nanoclusters in aqueous solutions of varied PEG and POM concentrations, POM types, and aqueous medium conditions. Comprehensive charac...
Do fitting emotions tell us anything about well-being?

In a recent article in this journal, Tobias Fuchs has offered a ‘working test’ for well-being. According to this test, if it is fitting to feel compassion for a subject because they have some property, then the subject is badly off because they have that property. Since subjects of deception seem a fitting target for compassion, this test is said to imply that a number of important views, including hedonism, are false. I argue that this line of reasoning is mistaken: seems fitting does not imply is badly off. I suggest that Fuchs's test can tell us little about well-being that we do not already know; and ultimately, tests of the sort he proposes can yield little insight into the nature of well-being.
Dihydromyricetin Protects the Liver via Changes in Lipid Metabolism and Enhanced Ethanol Metabolism.

Background Excess alcohol (ethanol, EtOH) consumption is a significant cause of chronic liver disease, accounting for nearly half of the cirrhosis-associated deaths in the United States. EtOH-induced liver toxicity is linked to EtOH metabolism and its associated increase in proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and the subsequent activation of Kupffer cells. Dihydromyricetin (DHM), a bioflavonoid isolated from Hovenia dulcis, can reduce EtOH intoxication and potentially protect against chemical-induced liver injuries. But there remains a paucity of information regarding the effects of DHM on EtOH metabolism and liver protection. As such, the current study tests the hypothesis that DHM supplementation enhances EtOH metabolism and reduces EtOH-mediated lipid dysregulation, thus promoting hepatocellular health. Methods The hepatoprotective effect of DHM (5 and 10 mg/kg; intraperitoneal injection) was evaluated using male C57BL/6J mice and a forced drinking ad libitum EtOH feeding model and HepG2/VL-17A hepatoblastoma cell models. EtOH-mediated lipid accumulation and DHM effects against lipid deposits were determined via H&E stains, triglyceride measurements, and intracellular lipid dyes. Protein expression of phosphorylated/total proteins and serum and hepatic cytokines was determined via Western blot and protein array. Total NAD+ /NADH Assay of liver homogenates was used to detect NAD + levels. Results DHM reduced liver steatosis, liver triglycerides, and liver injury markers in mice chronically fed EtOH. DHM treatment resulted in increased activation of AMPK and downstream targets, carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT)-1a, and acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC)-1. DHM induced expression of EtOH-metabolizing enzymes and reduced EtOH and acetaldehyde concentrations, effects that may be partly explained by changes in NAD+ . Furthermore, DHM reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in sera and cell models. Conclusion In total, these findings support the utility of DHM as a dietary supplement to reduce EtOH-induced liver injury via changes in lipid metabolism, enhancement of EtOH metabolism, and suppressing inflammation responses to promote liver health.
Internal Symmetry for Type I Strings in Oscillator Formalism

Since the late 1960’s, string theory has profited from the existence of an operator formalism for constructing scattering amplitudes, The idea of a vertex operator, generalizing the concept of a source current for point particles to an operator describing the emission of an extended object, was itself one of the greater contributions of string theory to physics and mathematics. However, up until recently, internal symmetry in type I string theories was incorporated by merely appending to the amplitudes certain traces of products of generators of the internal symmetry group (Chan-Paton factors.) Although this procedure was fully consistent mathematically, it always seemed a somewhat artificial treatment of what should have been a dynamical degree of freedom connected with the emission process. Within the last year a proposal(1) has been made to remedy this by associating to the vertex operators an internal symmetry piece which provides the Chan-Paton factors. The group at Alabama(2) has constructed a particular Fock space realization of this proposal including explicit construction of the twist operator in the internal symmetry space. The present report reviews these developments and discusses the status of the ξ parameter relating the internal symmetry factors of the Mobius loop to those of the planar loop. We also discuss some preliminary attempts to generalize the Chan-Paton ansatz using the oscillator formalism.
Is Obesity Related to Processing Speed Impairment in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Results of a Large-Scale, Multicenter Study

Background Obesity is linked to greater physical disability and increased comorbidities among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Its contribution to cognition in this group is unclear. This observational study examines the link between obesity and processing speed in a large sample of patients with MS (PwMS). Methods As part of routine clinical care at our center, PwMS completed the Processing Speed Test (PST), an electronic implementation of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Height and weight were used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Bivariate correlations were conducted to examine the association between PST and BMI in the group overall and in subgroups based on demographic and clinical variables. A one-way ANOVA examined differences in PST by BMI categories (normal weight, overweight, obese). Results The sample included 8,713 patients. No association between PST and BMI was found in the entire sample (r = .01), nor within subgroups based on demographic and disease variables. No difference in PST score was found between BMI categories. Conclusions No association between BMI and processing speed was found among PwMS regardless of demographic or disease-specific patient characteristics.
Deep sequencing as an approach to understanding the complexity and improving the treatment of multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is plasma cell dyscrasia with marked variability in its clinical presentation and outcome, both of which are dictated by its underlying genetics. Next-generation sequencing te...
Media Influences on Body Image & Eating Behaviors in Adolescents

Adolescence is the most susceptible life stage for developing life-long body image issues and eating disorders. Existing research points to the sociocultural pressures of narrow appearance and body ideals as powerful contributing factors. Traditional media, and now social media are potent channels for communicating and perpetuating such ideals and have major influence on adolescents’ sense of self-identity. Media can overtly or subtly prompts viewers to alter their bodies through changing food and nutrition choices. However, even when well-intentioned, such changes often increase risks for significant negative consequences in all areas of emotional, mental and physical health, including greater risk of eating disorders and mood disorders. As many clinicians and school-based providers working with adolescents do not feel well-equipped in understanding the mechanisms and extent of impact of media on body image development and eating disorders risk in adolescents, the goals of this chapter are to: (1) Provide a framework to discuss how different forms of media can impact body image, eating behaviors, identity development and self-esteem in adolescents; (2) discuss why adolescence is a highly susceptible period to media influences and the array of negative health risks; and (3) suggest what can be done to counter the harmful media influences and facilitate positive body image for better health outcomes in this population.
Racial Disparity in Liver Transplantation Listing

Background Previous studies have demonstrated disparities in transplantation for women, non-Caucasians, the uninsured or publicly insured, and rural populations. We sought to correlate transplant center characteristics with patient access to the waiting list and liver transplantation. We hypothesized that liver transplant centers vary greatly in providing equitable access to the waiting list and liver transplantation. Study design Center-specific, adult, deceased-donor liver transplant and waitlist data for the years 2013 to 2018 were obtained from the United Network for Organ Sharing. Waitlist race/ethnicity distributions from liver transplant centers performing ≥ 250 transplants over this period (n = 109) were compared with those of their donor service area, as calculated from 5-year US Census Bureau estimates of 2017. Center-specific characteristics correlating with disparities were analyzed using a linear regression model with a log transformed outcome. Results Non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs) are under-represented in liver transplant listing compared with center donation service area (88/109, 81%), whereas, non-Hispanic Whites are over-represented (65/109, 58%) (p Conclusions Non-Hispanic Blacks are listed for liver transplantation less than would be expected. Once listed, however, racial disparities in transplantation are greatly diminished. Improvements in access to adequate health insurance appear to be essential to diminishing disparities in access to this life-saving care.
Ultrafast vibrational dynamics of the tyrosine ring mode and its application to enkephalin insertion into phospholipid membranes as probed by two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy

Enkephalins are small opioid peptides whose binding conformations are catalyzed by phospholipid membranes. Binding to opioid receptors is determined by the orientation of tyrosine and phenylalanine side chains. In this work, we investigate the effects of different charged phospholipid headgroups on the insertion of the tyrosine side chain into a lipid bilayer using a combination of 2D IR spectroscopy, anharmonic DFT calculations, and third order response function modeling. The insertion is probed by using the ∼1515 cm−1 tyrosine ring breathing mode, which we found exhibits rich vibrational dynamics on the picosecond timescale. These dynamics include rapid intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR), where some of the energy ends up in a dark state that shows up as an anharmonically shifted combination band. The waiting-time dependent 2D IR spectra also show an unusual line shape distortion that affects the extraction of the frequency–frequency correlation function (FFCF), which is the dynamic observable of interest that reflects the tyrosine side chain’s insertion into the lipid bilayer. We proposed three models to account for this distortion: a hot-state exchange model, a local environment dependent IVR model, and a coherence transfer model. A qualitative analysis of these models suggests that the local environment dependent IVR rate best explains the line shape distortion, while the coherence transfer model best reproduced the effects on the FFCF. Even with these complex dynamics, we found that the tyrosine ring mode’s FFCF is qualitatively correlated with the degree of insertion expected from the different phospholipid headgroups.
2D Lattice FIR digital filter with alternate delays: Minimal circuit and state-space realization

This paper proposes a new two dimensional (2D) lattice structured digital filter, having a minimal number of delay elements. This filter, besides having a minimal number of delay elements, also has an absolutely minimal state-space vector. The new finite impulse response (FIR) digital filter is characterized by lattice structure having alternate delay element orientation. It is worth mentioning that the transfer function coefficients of the proposed 2D filter, are complements of the classic lattice filter. The results of this paper are directly applicable to one-dimensional (1D) lattice digital filters. First and second degree 2D examples are provided to show the features of the circuit and state-space realization structures.
Timescales of magma transport in the Columbia River flood basalts, determined by paleomagnetic data

Abstract Flood basalts represent major events in Earth History, in part because they are linked to large climate perturbations and mass extinctions. However, the durations of individual flood basalt eruptions, which directly impact potential environmental crises, are poorly constrained. Here we use a combination of paleomagnetic data and thermal modeling to create a magnetic geothermometer (MGT) that can constrain the active transport lifetime of magmatic conduits and intrusions. We apply the MGT technique to eight feeder dike segments of the Columbia River basalts (CRB), demonstrating that some dike segments were actively heating host rocks for less than one month, while other segments may have been active for several years. Results suggest that eruption rates, localized spatially along-strike of dike segments, were as high as 1–8 km3 day−1. These results help contextualize field evidence for contrasting CRB eruption durations and suggest a pathway for constraining the tempo of global flood basalt magmatism that is beyond the resolution of geochronology.
Spatially-Selective Incorporation of Bonded-Nitrogen into Ultra-Thin Gate Dielectrics by Low-Temperature Plasma-Assisted Processing

Incorporation of nitrogen atoms into gate dielectrics: i) reduces defect generation at the Si-SiO2 interface when incorporated at monolayer levels; ii) permits use of physically-thicker oxide-equivalent gate thicknesses when incorporated in the body of the dielectric; and iii) reduces boron penetration from p+ poly-silicon gate electrodes through the dielectric films when incorporated at the poly-Si-dielectric interface, or in the body of the dielectric. This paper demonstrates that nitrogen atoms can be selectively incorporated into these different parts of device-quality gate dielectrics by low-thermal budget remote plasma assisted processing followed by rapid thermal annealing.
Preparation of Soil Thin Sections for Contaminant Distribution Studies

Dynamic models of the transport and fate of radionuclides in ecosystems include many parameters that can not be easily estimated and often their estimates vary by many orders of magnitude. Estimation of these parameters requires knowledge of such factors as physical and chemical properties of soil, radionuclide depth distribution, concentration, bioavailability, migration mechanisms, root uptake, leaching into the deep soil and other factors. The physical location of radioactive contaminants in soils is an important factor in understanding contaminant migration mechanisms and estimation of models parameters. The common approach in parameters estimation is the assumption that the radionuclides are homogeneously distributed either uniformly or with some exponential depth profile under the ground surface. Soil, however consists of various size clay, sand, rock etc. particles bonded together by organic and inorganic materials [4]. The soil pores provide networks for vertical and horizontal transport of water, gases, dissolved nutrients etc. “A crushed or pulverized soil is related to the soil formed by nature like a pile of debris to a demolished building” [2]. The architecture of building can no more be determined from a pile of rubble than the structure or site-specific composition of a soil from a crushed bulk sample. Examination of soil thin sections having the original soil structure intact has developed over last three decades. The production of thin sections from hard rocks for examination under a microscope is one of techniques used in petrological laboratories. The production of thin soil sections from unconsolidated and/or radioactively contaminated soil is not a widely known or established technique and requires some different materials, safety measures and protocols.
Development of Paralinguistic and Kinesic Expression of Roles

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the development of paralinguistic and kinesic expression of roles. An infant's first communicative and cognitive experiences are expressed nonverbally. Rhythm is a basic element of life and behavior, and with the advent of technology scholars are at present able to record and film the rhythmic interactions of human beings. Studies that speak to this interactional synchrony are accruing, providing abundant proof that interactive behaviors and responses have their effect on learning and maturing. The relationship of physiology to communication is immediately evident when one observes extra-linguistic aspects of communication. The nominal dichotomy of the functioning of the brain is the origin of the apparent dichotomy of verbal and nonverbal behavior. The cognitive, social, and emotional development of an infant begins much earlier than speech development. It can be seen that paralinguistic and kinesic expression begin at birth and are essential to the development of language.
The Hutchins–Schelleng Violin Octet After 50 Years

Scientifically speaking, the Hutchins–Schelleng violin octet is the most interesting of all the bowed string instruments. We refer specifically to those instruments resulting from the first application of physics to the design of bowed string instruments, viz., the scientific resonance scaling process developed by John Schelleng to dimension the violin – certainly the most “successful” and mature bowed string instrument – to cover a 3½ octave range.
Concurrent Reading and Writing with Mobile Agents

This paper presents a method using which a set of reading and writing agents concurrently read and update the global state of the network. In addition to the consistency of the snapshot and the reset states, our protocol preserves the atomicity of the reads and writes, despite the fact these operations are non-blocking. Potential applications include the design of multi-agent protocols for self-stabilization, self-healing and adaptation.
Metabolism of Pentoses and Pentitols by Aerobacter aerogenes III. Physical and Immunological Properties of Pentitol Dehydrogenases and Pentulokinases

Mortlock, R. P. (Michigan State University, East Lansing), D. D. Fossitt, D. H. Petering, and W. A. Wood. Metabolism of pentoses and pentitols by Aerobacter aerogenes. III. Physical and immunological properties of pentitol dehydrogenases and pentulokinases. J. Bacteriol. 89:129–135. 1965.—Four pentulokinases and three pentitol dehydrogenases were purified from Aerobacter aerogenes PRL-R3, and the properties of the enzymes within each family were compared. d-Ribulokinase was purified from cells grown on ribitol, d-arabitol, and xylitol, and from a mutant constitutive for ribitol dehydrogenase; d-xylulokinase, from cells grown on d-xylose and xylitol; l-ribulokinase, from cells grown on l-arabinose; and l-xylulokinase, after growth on l-xylose. Similarly, ribitol dehydrogenase was purified after growth on ribitol, d-arabinose, and xylitol, and from the ribitol dehydrogenase-constitutive mutant. d-Arabitol dehydrogenase was obtained after growth on d-arabitol or d-xylose, and xylitol dehydrogenase was obtained after growth on xylitol. Except for l-xylulokinase, which also had a different S20 value, the pentulokinases had identical pH optima, Km for the ketopentose, and sedimentation constants, and fractionated identically by a number of procedures. These kinases could be distinguished only by their substrate and immunological specificity. Ribitol dehydrogenase and d-arabitol dehydrogenase could be distinguished by several properties, but the properties of xylitol dehydrogenase were always similar to ribitol dehydrogenase. In all cases, individual kinases or dehydrogenases produced by different inducers had identical properties. These data constitute evidence against multiple forms of the same enzyme being produced by different inducers and against the dehydrogenase family containing essentially identical proteins differing only at the active site. For the kinases, three of the four appear to differ only at the active site.
Protection against heterologous Streptococcus iniae isolates using a modified bacterin vaccine in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Streptococcus iniae is a significant pathogen impacting aquaculture production worldwide. The objectives of this study were to determine whether a developed modified S. iniae (ARS-98-60) bacterin vaccine is efficacious in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), against challenge with heterologous isolates from diverse geographical locations and to evaluate protein and antigenic variability among the isolates tested. Two groups of tilapia (approximately 5 g) were intraperitoneally (IP) vaccinated with 100 microL of the vaccine or sham vaccinated with 100 microL of sterile tryptic soy broth and held for 28 days. Fish were challenged with each isolate by IP injection of 2-3 x 10(7) CFU per fish using calcein to mark fish prior to cohabitation for challenge. The results demonstrated significant protection against all challenge isolates, and relative percent survivals ranged from 79% to 100%. SDS-PAGE analysis of whole-cell lysate proteins from the S. iniae isolates demonstrated similar protein profiles between 10 and 31 kDa and variation in profiles between 35 and 100 kDa. Western blot analysis using antiserum from vaccinated fish (ARS-98-60) demonstrated shared immunogenic proteins among all isolates in the molecular mass range of 22-35 kDa and high molecular mass material >150 kDa. The results suggest that the developed S. iniae vaccine has broad ranging protection among isolates exhibiting different protein profiles.
Consistent estimates from satellites and models for the first aerosol indirect forcing

[1] Satellite-based estimates for the aerosol indirect forcing are consistently smaller than those from models due, in part, to the use of present-day results that do not capture the temporal changes between present day and pre-industrial conditions. Here, we use results from a coupled aerosol-climate model to pick regions and seasons that are sufficiently pristine to represent pre-industrial conditions. Then we use results from MODIS and CERES to estimate the forcing between present and pre-industrial conditions. The estimated forcing in the North Pacific Ocean region ranges from −1.8 to −2.2 Wm−2 from observations. This range is similar to our modeled forcing for this region, −2.65 Wm−2, but is smaller than the modeled forcing using the same methodology as that used with the satellite observations, −3.6 W/m2. Nevertheless, a previous estimate based on satellite observations was a factor of 10 smaller, −0.2 to −0.5 Wm−2. Results demonstrate that while the estimated forcing from models may be somewhat larger than estimates based on satellite data, a judicious choice of analysis methods, yields results that are much closer than previous satellite and model-based comparisons.
Palliative Sedation in a Case of Severe Progressive Dystonia and Intractable Pain (P3.318)

OBJECTIVE: To review the core tenets of palliative sedation (PS) as they relate to a patient with an uncertain diagnosis. BACKGROUND: PS is a procedure designed to alleviate symptoms and relieve intolerable suffering refractory to all other interventions. PS is distinct from euthanasia and assisted suicide. When properly and proportionately applied PS does not accelerate the dying process, nor is death a means to achieve symptom relief. This is the first reported case of PS for management of dystonia in the setting of an uncertain diagnosis. DESIGN METHODS: Case report RESULTS: A 34 year-old woman developed a rapidly progressive generalized dystonia, resulting in limb contractures, joint subluxation and intractable pain. Symptoms resulted in profound functional impairment despite dopaminergic supplementation, intramuscular botulinum toxin injections, and deep brain stimulation. She was not a candidate for interventional pain procedures via neuraxial approaches due to concerns about unabated dystonia. Exhaustive diagnostic evaluation including genetic testing, did not reveal a specific etiology. Consequently disease-modifying therapies were not available. All providers concluded that she was suffering from an undefined, progressive, irreversible, neurodegenerative condition. Palliative Care was consulted and interdisciplinary meetings held. Despite diagnostic and prognostic uncertainty, providers agreed that her marked cachexia, bedfast state, delirium, and severe pain reflected that she was imminently terminal. Discussions with the patient and surrogate decision makers revealed patient expressed wishes to prioritize avoidance of suffering above survival. Providers agreed that PS was the only means to achieve this goal. PS was proportionally titrated to reduce her consciousness to the minimum level necessary to render her symptoms tolerable. She died six days later. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates the core tenets of PS: verification of a terminal prognosis, interdisciplinary evaluation, proportionality of sedation to symptom relief, and differentiation from Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. These tenets can be met despite an uncertain diagnosis. Disclosure: Dr. Kramer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Strand has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hocker has received personal compensation for activities with Continuum Pharma. Dr. Swetz has nothing to disclose.
Substitution Reactions Using Organocopper Reagents

Carbon-carbon sigma-bond formation one of the most fundamental operations in organic chemistry, is often accomplished by interaction of an organometallic reagent with an organic substrate having a suitable leaving group. Selective substitution of halogens and of alcohol derivatives by various hydrocarbon groups in many different types of organic substrates has been achieved most successfully using organocopper reagents. The wide scope and effectiveness of these reagents in coupling with halides and alcohol derivatives have made formation of the unsymmetrical coupling product R-R' a useful reaction in organic synthesis, allowing efficient and specific substitution of X by alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or aryl groups. Because selective coupling between organic substrate and organocopper reagent is usually achieved more effectively by stoichiometric than by catalytic organocopper reagents, and more effectively still by organocuprates(I) than by mono-copper or by complexed organocopper reagents, the emphasis in this chapter is on organocuprates (I). Consideration is given to possible mechanisms of substitution reactions using organocopper reagents, to scope, limitations, and synthetic utility of these reactions, and to optimal experimental considerations for their application. Keywords: substitution reactions; organocopper reagents; organic substrate; stereochemical stability; dimerization; structure; alcohol derivatives; epoxides; experimental procedures; organometallic compounds; synthetic utility
Electronic structure of pseudobinary semiconductor alloys Al x Ga 1 − x As , Ga P x As 1 − x , and Ga x In 1 − x P

A method for calculating detailed electronic properties of the pseudobinary III-V compound semiconductor alloys is presented. The technique begins with realistic band structures obtained for the constituent compounds by fitting the band-gap symmetry-point energies and effective masses to experimental data, where they are available, and to more sophisticated theoretical results. Then the coherent-potential approximation is used to calculate the alloy band structures and scattering rates. Detailed comparisons between the theoretical predictions and experimental data for three alloys ${\mathrm{Al}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{As}$, $\mathrm{Ga}{\mathrm{P}}_{x}{\mathrm{As}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$, and ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{x}{\mathrm{In}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{P}$ demonstrate the quantitative nature of the method. Bowing parameters for the $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$, $X$, and $L$ gaps and the direct-to-indirect band-gap crossover concentrations are all predicted to within the present degree of experimental certainty.
Improving the FASB's Requirements for Off-Balance-Sheet Market Risk Disclosures

This paper discusses the requirements and limitations associated with SFAS No. 105 market risk disclosures, empirically examines the current implementation of SFAS No. 105 in the financial disclosures of financial institutions, and proposes improvements to the market risk disclosures presently required by the FASB. The results of the empirical analysis of 35 large U.S. financial institutions show that (1) many firms indicated a concern that statement users are not able to clearly distinguish between required contract dollar amount disclosures and actual risks; (2) although most firms use instruments with OBS risk for proprietary hedging and trading, no firm provides a useful detailed breakdown of the degree of risk attributable to these different activities; (3) the greatest conformity in reporting occurs in those firms with the largest contract dollar volume (in absolute terms and as a percent of equity); and (4) very few firms take any initiative in the reporting of additional disclosures.In light of th...
‘Urban Christianity’ in the United States After World War II

This article examines recent scholarship on Christian leaders, churches, and organizations in Post-World War II Urban America. Despite the fact that the vast majority of Americans live in urban areas and that about three quarters of Americans still identify as Christian, a widespread belief that cities foster secularization has obscured the role played by urban Christianity in modern American history. In the last 15 years, numerous historians have challenged this secularization thesis by detailing the ways in which Christians attempted to build and maintain their communities within a changing metropolitan landscape after 1945. Their work makes a compelling argument for the relevance of Christianity to modern American urban history. Future scholarship on urban Christianity should build on this historiography, particularly by addressing the growth of non-denominational and evangelical churches in U.S. cities as well as the theological dimensions of Christian community-formation and activism.
Employment and retirement status of older cancer survivors compared to non-cancer siblings.

BACKGROUND: The effect of cancer on employment and retirement status in an older work force is not well understood. This study examines whether cancer survivors were less likely to be working than a sibling comparison group. OBJECTIVES: To compare work-related variables between older cancer survivors and a group of non-cancer sibling controls. A secondary objective was to evaluate the effect of cancer site and time since cancer diagnosis on work-related variables. METHODS: Data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) were used to assess work outcomes in cancer survivors (+CA, n = 539, mean age = 65.81, SD = 4.75 years) and non-cancer sibling controls (-CA, n = 539, mean age = 63.95, SD = 5.31 years). RESULTS: Survivors (+CA group) were more likely to report not working (61.8%) and to be completely retired (55%) than the -CA group (48.3% not employed; 42% retired). Controlling for age, gender and education, this effect persisted with the +CA group more likely to be not working (OR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.08 to 1.83) and completely retired (OR = 1.36; 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.77) than the -CA group. Neither time since diagnosis nor cancer site affected work outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, older +CA survivors were less likely to be working and more likely to be completely retired than -CA sibling controls. Future research should evaluate factors affecting work status among older cancer survivors.
Predicting the Likelihood of Future Sexual Recidivism: Pilot Study Findings From a California Sex Offender Risk Project and Cross-Validation of the Static-99

Pilot findings on 137 California sex offenders followed up over 10 years after release from custody (excluding cases in which legal jurisdiction expired) are presented. The sexual recidivism rate, very likely inflated by sample selection, was 31 percent at five years and 40 percent at 10 years. Cumulatively, markers of sexual deviance (multiple victim types) and criminality (prior parole violations and prison terms) led to improved prediction of sexual recidivism (receiver operating characteristic [ROC] = .71, r = .46) than singly (multiple victim types: ROC = .60, r = .31; prior parole violations and prison terms: ROC = .66, r = .37). Long-term Static-99 statistical predictive accuracy for sexual recidivism was lower in our sample (ROC = .62, r =.24) than the values presented in the developmental norms. Sexual recidivism rates were higher in our study for Static-99 scores of 2 and 3 than in the developmental sample, and lower for scores of 4 and 6. Given failures to replicate developmental norms, the Static-99 method of ranking sexual recidivism risk warrants caution when applied to individual offenders.