cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Doing Rawls Justice: An Experimental Study of Income Distribution Norms

Distributive justice has been the focus of political theory with the postwar rise of the social welfare state, and Rawls' A Theory of Justice (1971) is arguably the most important work of political philosophy during that period. Parallel to this theoretical literature is a body of empirical research into distributive justice. We offer a synthesis of the theoretical and empirical approaches with an experimental study of how individuals use allocation principles in making judgments concerning income distribution under conditions of strict impartiality. Our experiment is designed in part to examine the extent to which they prioritize them consistent with Rawls' theory. We find that distributive justice judgments are complex but structured, with individuals tending to use several principles simultaneously and weighing them according to predictable factors, with sex and race being particularly important. We also find that individuals use several strategies in using competing allocation principles and that a considerable minority prioritize them consistent with a Rawlsian maximin strategy.
A critique of Dennett

This essay is intended to be a systematic exposition and critique of Daniel Dennett's general views. It is divided into three main sections. In section 1 we raise the question of the nature of a plausible scientific psychology, and suggest that the question of whether folk psychology will serve as an adequate scientific psychology is of special relevance in a discussion of Dennett. We then characterize folk psychology briefly. We suggest that Dennett's views have undergone at least one major change, and proceed to discuss both his earlier and his later views. In section 2 we suggest that Dennett is correctly perceived as an instrumentalist in his earlier works. We think that Dennett later abandons this position because of general worries about instrumentalism and, more importantly, because Dennett became convinced that an instrumentalist conception of folk psychology will not enable us to vindicate the notions of personhood, moral agency, and responsibility. This left Dennett with a dilemma. On the one hand, he does not think that beliefs, etc., will turn out to be genuine scientific posits. On the other hand, he thinks that moral agency would be impossible if we could not treat beliefs, etc. as causally efficacious in some suitable sense. In section 3 we discuss Dennett's resolution of this dilemma. The key to his current view, we suggest, is the illata-abstracta distinction. Dennett holds that both illata and abstracta are real and have causal powers, even though only illata are genuine scientific posits. He suggests that beliefs etc. are abstracta, and are the subject matter of what he calls ‘intentional system theory’. The subject matter of another theory, what Dennett calls ‘subpersonal cognitive psychology’, are illata, which are subpersonal intentional states. The important point is that this distinction lets Dennett have it both ways: (i) Since beliefs are mere abstracta, we need not commit ourselves to the thesis that beliefs will turn out to be posits of an adequate scientific psychology. (ii) Since beliefs have causal power, we are assured of moral and rational agency. We shall argue that Dennett's current view is untenable. If we are right in our arguments, then Dennett's program to produce a scientifically plausible psychology, one that will turn out to vindicate folk psychology (in some suitable sense), is a failure. It fails in the following important ways: (i) What Dennett sketches — intentional system theory cum subpersonal cognitive psychology — is not a plausible scientific psychology. (ii) As a consequence, Dennett also fails to provide a satisfactory foundation for moral and rational agency.
Effect of oxygen tension on monoamine oxidase activity.

Abstract Increased oxygen tension increases the activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO) obtained from various tissues of rats, mice, and guinea pigs. The increase varies with tissue, species, and substrate. Per cent inhibition of MAO by iproniazid, d , l -amphetamine, and trans-2-phenylcyclopropylamine is not changed by altered oxygen tension. Finally, the response of the isolated right atrium of the rat to tyramine is altered by the oxygen tension of the bath. This effect can be explained on the basis of the change in intracellular MAO activity.
NMR Characterization of Elastomer-Carbon Black Interactions

Here we report the application of two-dimensional NMR double quantum filtered correlation spectroscopy to characterize the interactions between components in biphasic, heterogeneous media. The method was applied to model systems of carbon black reinforced rubber. The presence of filler particles induces local susceptibility fields while a local partial ordering of the elastomer at the surface prevents the complete averaging of the dipolar interaction. The separation of susceptibility and dipolar interactions allows for the direct observation of three elastomer components near the surface of filler particles: (1) encapsulated, (2) ordered surface layer, and (3) unordered layer near the surface. The NMR method permits one to quantify the amounts of elastomer in each of these regions and to estimate the thickness of the surface component. The method is applied to study several rubber samples for which the carbon black particle size distributions were determined from scanning electron microscopy measurements...
Organ-specific restriction of transcription in mammalian chromatin

Abstract RNA's extracted from several mammalian organs anneal with no more than 5 to 10% of DNA from the same animal. When chromatin preparations from individual organs are used as templates for the synthesis of RNA's in vitro , these also anneal with 5 to 10% of DNA; by contrast, when purified DNA is used as a template, the RNA formed anneals with 40 to 50% of DNA. In competition experiments, RNA made in the presence of chromatin behaves as if it is identical with natural RNA from the same organ. Natural and synthetic rabbit thymus RNA's are alike, so are natural and synthetic rabbit bone marrow RNA's; however, natural and synthetic RNA's from different organs are not identical. These observations lead to the conclusion that organ-specific masking of DNA is preserved in isolated chromatin. When protein is removed from calf thymus chromatin, the remaining material behaves exactly as DNA; when chromatin is extracted with acid, the remaining material (“dehistoned chromatin”) does not regain the full template activity of DNA. If histones alone are combined with pure DNA, no RNA is transcribed from the resulting nucleohistone; but when histones are restored to “dehistoned chromatin” the reconstituted nucleoprotein exhibits the same template activity as the original chromatin. If the whole proteins of chromatin are combined with DNA under controlled conditions, the reconstituted nucleoprotein exhibits the same template activity as the original chromatin. Moreover, when DNA is recombined with histones in the presence of a non-histone fraction from chromatin (pellicle residue), this reconstituted nucleoprotein exhibits the same template activity as the original chromatin. It is concluded that histones can mask DNA in chromatin and prevent it from acting as a template, but this effect is nonspecific. Other non-histone molecules are responsible for unmasking organ-specific DNA sequences; non-histone molecules may also mask some DNA.
Soil nitrification in a large forested watershed, Ranch Brook (Vermont), mirrors patterns in smaller northeastern USA catchments

Abstract Soil nitrification rates in northeastern USA forested ecosystems appear to be regulated by a number of factors and are likely influenced by continuing N deposition. Among other factors, rates across small watersheds have been found to relate to the soil C/N ratio and tree species composition. We measured potential net nitrification rates in the Ranch Brook watershed, a relatively large (9.6 km2) forested basin in north central Vermont, to determine if relationships found in smaller catchments were evident at a larger scale. The stream network was divided into eight reaches to determine the variability within the watershed. Sampling points (6–15 along each reach, total of 74) were established along transects that paralleled the major watershed tributaries. At each point, we measured net rates of nitrification and ammonification in the uppermost humified soil horizon (Oa or A), using a one-day lab incubation. The basal area and density of all tree species were measured in a 10-m radius plot, along with a number of topographic metrics such as slope, aspect and elevation. In a stepwise regression, 39% of the variability in net nitrification rates was explained by the density of Picea rubens, elevation and the thickness of the forest floor. When net nitrification rates were normalized to soil C concentration, 60% of the variability was explained by soil N concentration, C/N ratio, elevation and the density of P. rubens. The significant negative influence of P. rubens density, and not basal area, was consistent with a previous cross-site study of 10 smaller northeastern USA watersheds. No influence of sugar maple basal area or density was found. Other relationships, similar to those found in smaller watersheds, were net nitrification rates predicted by the fraction of inorganic N as NO 3 - , net nitrification predicted by the C/N ratio and the C/N ratio predicted by tree species. The consistent influence of tree species on potential net nitrification rates demonstrates a role for future forest management in influencing ecosystem processes.
Nd–Sr–Pb isotope constraints on the sources of West Maui volcano, Hawaii

The origin of the Emperor–Hawaiian volcanic chain is attributed to the northwesterly movement of the Pacific plate over a stationary mantle plume (hotspot)1. There has been considerable controversy as to the nature and number of sources of Hawaiian hotspot volcanism. Thus far, most geochemical models have been based on rock suites that are not representative of fully developed volcanoes. Nd and Sr isotope ratios and trace element concentrations of volcanics from Haleakala (Maui), where all three volcanic stages are developed, have been interpreted as reflecting a mixing process of two isotopically distinct sources2,3. In an attempt to test our earlier multiple-source model4, we have analysed Pb, Sr and Nd isotope ratios in volcanics from West Maui, the only other volcano with a complete volcanic record. Our results, presented here, indicate at least three isotopically distinct sources, one of which is heterogeneous with respect to Pb. Furthermore, the inferred depleted source for post-erosional volcanics has a Pb and Sr isotope composition intermediate between those of depleted and enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB, N-type and P-type), suggesting that this source is also heterogeneous.
Effect of selective media on loss of congo red binding inShigella flexneri

The effect of growth ofShigella flexneri on various selective media on retention of congo red (CR) binding ability was determined to evaluate the effectiveness of isolation techniques regarding maintenance of the virulence plasmid. WhenS. flexneri was surface-plated onto selective agars and the resulting colonies replica plated onto CR plates, no white colonies indicative of loss of virulence were found despite repeated trials. However, whenS. flexneri was grown in liquid media (agar was removed from agar-containing media by centrifugation), white colonies were found upon plating onto CR plates. Most common selective media for shigellae produced fewer than 5–10 white colonies/1000 red colonies. However, growth in broth prepared from violet red bile agar, desoxycholate citrate agar, and SS agar gave more than 100 white colonies/1000 red colonies. Loss of CR binding was demonstrated whenS. flexneri was grown in broth containing tergitol 7, sodium dodecyl sulfate, bile salts #3, crystal violet, eosin y or methylen blue. However, concentrations of selective agents that led to loss of CR binding were much higher than those used in selective media. Results indicate that under usual conditions of isolation ofS. flexneri from food and clinical specimens, CR binding appears to be a relatively stable character with most selective media; however, use of violet red bile agar, desoxycholate citrate agar, and SS agar may lead to substantial loss of congo red binding indicating that the isolates may not be virulent.
Far-field potential production by quadrupole generators in cylindrical volume conductors.

Far-field potentials have been observed clinically and recognized as such for approximately 30 years. Unfortunately a complete understanding of far-field potential generation is not yet at hand. An attractive model is the representation of an action potential by a quadrupole consisting of a leading and trailing dipole with respect to the direction of propagation. This investigation physically models an action potential by using a quadrupole constant current source and substantiates the concept that an action potential as modeled by two dipoles back-to-back is capable of producing far-field potentials in cylindrical volume conductors. The 4 postulated mechanisms of generating far-field potentials are validated, i.e., an action potential encountering (1) different size volume conductors, (2) the termination of excitable tissue, (3) a change in conducting medium conductivity, and (4) a bend in the nerve. A fifth postulated but previously not demonstrated method of far-field production, neural branching, is shown by the quadrupole model to also be capable of yielding far-field potentials. The termination of a volume conductor is also shown to be capable of generating a voltage difference across the quadrupole. Any of the above 6 conditions create an alteration in the symmetry of the leading and trailing dipole moments resulting in a transient potential difference across the quadrupole as recorded with a far-field recording montage. The potential difference produced by the asymmetric electric field between the leading and trailing dipoles recorded distantly in areas of low potential gradient is the so-called far-field potential. This investigation substantiates the utility of the leading/trailing dipole model of far-field production and offers a simple model of passive voltage distributions secondary to dipolar moment imbalances to better understand the generation of far-field potentials in cylindrical volume conductors.
MicroRNA-101 downregulates Alzheimer's amyloid-β precursor protein levels in human cell cultures and is differentially expressed

The full repertoire of regulatory interactions utilized by human cells to control expression of amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) is still undefined. We investigated here the contribution of microRNA (miRNA) to this regulatory network. Several bioinformatic algorithms predicted miR-101 target sites within the APP 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR). Using reporter assays, we confirmed that, in human cell cultures, miR-101 significantly reduced the expression of a reporter under control of APP 3'-UTR. Mutation of predicted site 1, but not site 2, eliminated this reporter response. Delivery of miR-101 directly to human HeLa cells significantly reduced APP levels and this effect was eliminated by co-transfection with a miR-101 antisense inhibitor. Delivery of a specific target protector designed to blockade the interaction between miR-101 and its functional target site within APP 3'-UTR enhanced APP levels in HeLa. Therefore, endogenous miR-101 regulates expression of APP in human cells via a specific site located within its 3'-UTR. Finally, we demonstrate that, across a series of human cell lines, highest expression of miR-101 levels was observed in model NT2 neurons.
Two surfaces of cytochrome b5 with major and minor contributions to CYP3A4-catalyzed steroid and nifedipine oxygenation chemistries.

Abstract Conserved human cytochrome b5 (b5) residues D58 and D65 are critical for interactions with CYP2E1 and CYP2C19, whereas E48 and E49 are essential for stimulating the 17,20-lyase activity of CYP17A1. Here, we show that b5 mutations E48G, E49G, D58G, and D65G have reduced capacity to stimulate CYP3A4-catalyzed progesterone and testosterone 6β-hydroxylation or nifedipine oxidation. The b5 double mutation D58G/D65G fails to stimulate these reactions, similar to CYP2E1 and CYP2C19, whereas mutation E48G/E49G retains 23–42% of wild-type stimulation. Neither mutation impairs the activity stimulation of wild-type b5, nor does mutation D58G/D65G impair the partial stimulation of mutations E48G or E48G/E49G. For assays reconstituted with a single phospholipid, phosphatidyl serine afforded the highest testosterone 6β-hydroxylase activity with wild-type b5 but the poorest activity with b5 mutation E48G/E49G, and the activity stimulation of mutation E48G/E49G was lost at [NaCl] > 50 mM. Cross-linking of CYP3A4 and b5 decreased in the order wild-type > E48G/E49G > D58G/D65G and varied with phospholipid. We conclude that two b5 acidic surfaces, primarily the domain including residues D58–D65, participate in the stimulation of CYP3A4 activities. Our data suggest that a minor population of CYP3A4 molecules remains sensitive to b5 mutation E48G/E49G, consistent with phospholipid-dependent conformational heterogeneity of CYP3A4.
Electron microprobe and neutron activation analysis for the determination of elemental distribution in hollow heart potato tubers

Electron microprobe and neutron activation analysis were used to evaluate the distribution of elements within potato tubers having the physiological disorder hollow heart. Both methods of analysis correlated well for all elements tested. In hollow heart tubers, there were significantly higher Ca++ levels in the stem end than in the bud end; however, a Ca++ gradient in the control was not evident. The stem to bud end ratios for Ca++ were highest in the hollow heart tubers. A Cl− gradient from stem to bud end was obvious in both the hollow heart and control tubers. In the control tubers, K+ was highest in the bud end and lowest in the stem end. There was no K+ gradient in hollow heart tubers, but in the area adjacent to the hollow it was higher than at both ends.
The Power of Triangulation: Applications to Problems of Visibility and Internal Distance

Abstract : It is well-known that the complexity of performing operations on a set depends heavily on the structure which we are allowed to put into its representation. For example, searching through a sequence of numbers can be performed more efficiently if the numbers appear in sorted order. In this paper, we take, as a case-study, the class of problems involving a simple N-gon P and, making the assumption that in addition to the usual description of the boundary of P, an arbitrary triangulation is also available, we investigate the computational power gained from having this additional information. Among other results, we give a very simple, optimal algorithm for computing the area visible from an arbitrary point in P. We also present several optimal algorithms for computing the internal distance between two points in P. Recall that the internal distance between A and B is defined as the length of the shortest path inside P between A and B.
The influence of prosodic and gestural cues on novel word acquisition by children with specific language impairment.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of prosodic and gestural cues on children’s lexical learning. Acquisition of novel words was examined under linguistic input conditions that...
Extracting and modeling the privacy requirements from HIPAA for healthcare applications

In the U.S. healthcare software applications, the patient privacy is protected under the public law 104-191, also known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). To ensure compliance with the law, it's crucial to extract and model the privacy requirements as early as possible in the software development life cycle, as the cost to implement in later stages will be higher. The main challenge for such a task is the ability to interpret the letter of the law in a format that can then be easily implemented due HIPAA rules being too complex and dense to be used as is by software developers. In this paper we propose a method to analyzes, extracts, and models the privacy requirements in HIPAA.
Angiopoeitin-2 modulates Survivin expression in OxLDL-induced endothelial cell apoptosis

Angiopoeitin-2 (Ang-2) antagonizes Angiopeitin-1 (Ang-1)-mediated Tie-2 signaling. Ang-1 is reported to up-regulate anti-apoptotic Survivin expression. Here, we investigated the interplay between Ang-2 and Survivin in response to oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL)-induced apoptosis. We demonstrate that treatment of human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) with 100 μg/ml of OxLDL down-regulated Ang-2 expression as early as 4h after treatment and persisted up to 24h (p<0.05, n=3), but did not down-regulate Survivin until the 24h point. Further, treatment of HAEC with recombinant Ang-2 up-regulated Survivin expression (at Ang-2 ≥200 ng/ml, p<0.05, n=3) and attenuated the OxLDL-mediated down-regulation of Survivin (p<0.05, n=3). Knockdown of Ang-2 further down-regulated Survivin expression, whereas over-expression of Survivin attenuated OxLDL-induced HAEC apoptosis (p<0.05, n=3). Hence, Ang-2 mediated Survivin expression in response to OxLDL-induced endothelial apoptosis.
Genistein Prevents Hyperglycemia-Induced Monocyte Adhesion to Human Aortic Endothelial Cells through Preservation of the cAMP Signaling Pathway and Ameliorates Vascular Inflammation in Obese Diabetic Mice

Hyperglycemia-induced vascular inflammation resulting in the enhanced monocyte-endothelial cell (EC) interaction is the key event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in diabetes. Here, we investigated the effect of isoflavone genistein on hyperglycemia-stimulated vascular inflammation. Human aortic EC (HAEC) were pretreated with genistein before the addition of high glucose (HG; 25 mmol/L) for 48 h. Genistein at a physiological concentration (0.1 μmol/L) significantly inhibited HG-induced adhesion of monocytes to HAEC and suppressed endothelial production of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and IL-8. Inhibition of adenylate cyclase or protein kinase A (PKA) significantly attenuated the antiadhesion effect of genistein. Consistently, genistein improved HG-impaired intracellular cAMP production and PKA activity in HAEC. Six-week-old diabetic db/db mice were untreated (db/db) or treated with a diet containing 1 g genistein/kg diet (db/db+G) for 8 wk. Their nondiabetic db/+ mice were used as normal controls. Circulating concentrations of MCP-1/JE and KC were significantly greater, whereas IL-10 concentrations were lower in db/db mice than those in normal mice. Dietary supplementation of genistein did not normalize but significantly suppressed the elevated serum concentrations of MCP-1/JE from 286 ± 30 ng/L to 181 ± 35 ng/L and KC from 321 ± 21 ng/L to 232 ± 20 ng/L while increasing that of IL-10 from 35 ± 4 ng/L to 346 ± 35 ng/L in db/db+G mice. Further, genistein treatment suppressed diabetes-induced adhesion of monocytes to EC by 87% and endothelial secretion of adhesion molecules. We conclude that genistein improves diabetes-caused vascular inflammation, which may be mediated through promoting the cAMP/PKA pathway.
Laser Space Communication Technology Status

A review is made of the present state of laser communications. The basic characteristics of lasercom are discussed, and the advantages and shortcomings are delineated. Potential application scenarios are given. A functional block diagram showing the major blocks is discussed, and each is described in terms of present performance parameters. Performance numbers are given in terms of range and bit error rate achieved. Discussion of the various available laser transmitters is given including the advantage and disadvantage of each. CO2 being a gas discharge device has potential lifetime problems and requires heterodyne detection - an added complexity. Nd:YAG requires either discharge lamp pumping or diode pumping. Diode pumping involves matching the diode emission line to a fairly narrow Nd:YAG pump band. There is an unresolved question of diode emission line shifting with age. A summary of the various shortcomings in the technology include, for example, the required heavy optical bench, lack of demonstration of 10-year required life, solid state detector response time, and photomultiplier tube lifetime.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The anthropology of an equation. Sieves, spam filters, agentive algorithms, and ontologies of transformation

This article undertakes the anthropology of an equation that constitutes the essence of an algorithm that underlies a variety of computational technologies—most notably spam filters, but also data-mining tools, diagnostic tests, predictive parsers, risk assessment techniques, and Bayesian reasoning more generally. The article foregrounds the ways ontologies are both embodied in and transformed by such algorithms. And it shows the stakes such ontological transformations have for one particularly widespread and powerful metaphor and device—the sieve. In so doing, this inquiry shows some of the complex processes that must be considered if we are to understand some of the key relations linking semiosis and statistics. Reflexively, these processes perturb some core ontological assumptions in anthropology, science and technology studies, and critical theory.
The N-9, C-1 dianion of tetrahydro-β-carbolines. Regioselective alkylation leading to indole alkaloid systems

Abstract By treatment of β-carboline formamidine (1) with potassium hydride followed by an alkyl lithium reagent, both the pyrrole proton (N-9) and the proton at C-1 are removed. The resulting dianion (3) alkylates cleanly at C-1 and ultimately at N-9 or N-2.
Mutagenicity of actinomycin D in mammalian cells due to clastogenic effects.

Abstract Actinomycin D was clastogenic and mutagenic in L5178Y/TK+/−-3.7.2C mouse lymphoma cells. The majority of the mutants were small colonies, indicating that actinomycin D acts primarily by a clastogenic mechanism.
CREB Transcriptional Activity in Neurons Is Regulated by Multiple, Calcium-Specific Phosphorylation Events

The transcription factor CREB mediates diverse responses in the nervous system. It is not known how CREB induces specific patterns of gene expression in response to different extracellular stimuli. We find that Ca(2+) influx into neurons induces CREB phosphorylation at Ser133 and two additional sites, Ser142 and Ser143. While CREB Ser133 phosphorylation is induced by many stimuli, phosphorylation at Ser142 and Ser143 is selectively activated by Ca(2+) influx. The triple phosphorylation of CREB is required for effective Ca(2+) stimulation of CREB-dependent transcription, but the phosphorylation of Ser142 and Ser143, in addition to Ser133, disrupts the interaction of CREB with its cofactor CBP. These results suggest that Ca(2+) influx triggers a specific program of gene expression in neurons by selectively regulating CREB phosphorylation.
A transmission model for the ecology of an avian blood parasite in a temperate ecosystem.

Most of our knowledge about avian haemosporidian parasites comes from the Hawaiian archipelago, where recently introduced Plasmodium relictum has contributed to the extinction of many endemic avian species. While the ecology of invasive malaria is reasonably understood, the ecology of endemic haemosporidian infection in mainland systems is poorly understood, even though it is the rule rather than the exception. We develop a mathematical model to explore and identify the ecological factors that most influence transmission of the common avian parasite, Leucocytozoon fringillinarum (Apicomplexa). The model was parameterized from White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) and S. silvestre / craigi black fly populations breeding in an alpine ecosystem. We identify and examine the importance of altricial nestlings, the seasonal relapse of infected birds for parasite persistence across breeding seasons, and potential impacts of seasonal changes in black fly emergence on parasite prevalence in a high elevation temperate system. We also use the model to identify and estimate the parameters most influencing transmission dynamics. Our analysis found that relapse of adult birds and young of the year birds were crucial for parasite persistence across multiple seasons. However, distinguishing between nude nestlings and feathered young of the year was unnecessary. Finally, due to model sensitivity to many black fly parameters, parasite prevalence and sparrow recruitment may be most affected by seasonal changes in environmental temperature driving shifts in black fly emergence and gonotrophic cycles.
Red cell 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid and methemoglobin levels in workmen occupationally exposed to automobile exhaust `

The effect of occupational exposure to automobile exhaust on a number of parameters of blood oxygen delivery was indirectly assessed in groups working at two tunnels and one bridge in New York City as part of a comprehensive evaluation of this occupational force. Workmen directly exposed to automobile exhaust had a slight but statistically significant elevation in methemoglobin levels as compared to their colleagues in less exposed areas. Red cell 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid levels also tended to be elevated in the groups with greater occupational exposure, but statistically significant differences were only observed in comparison with a normal control population. Cigarette smoking may possibly have contributed to the observed increases in red cell methemoglobin and 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid levels. No differences in the hematocrit was observed.
Surgical residents as medical student mentors

Abstract Background Medical students’ decreasing interest in surgery may be caused by the inadequate availability of role models. We believe that surgical residents show the qualities of outstanding surgical mentors and are in a key position to influence students’ career choices. Methods In 2004–2005, 117 medical students at Mount Sinai School of Medicine completed their third-year surgery clerkship. They were asked to complete an anonymous survey regarding a career in surgery and surgical mentors. Results A total of 107 students (91%) completed the survey. Seventy-nine percent were influenced positively toward a surgical career after the clerkship. A higher fraction of these students identified a mentor or role model than the students who did not increase their interest in surgery (95% vs 52%). Residents scored higher than attendings in 12 of 14 qualities describing outstanding clinical mentors ( P Conclusions Role models are crucial in bolstering medical students’ interest in surgical careers. Residents are identified as having qualities that are essential to being an outstanding mentor and residents may play a role in influencing students’ career choices.
Identification of sterols on filter paper and their separation by paper partition chromatography.

SummaryMethods for identification and separation of several non-keto steroids in 10 μg quantities on paper chromatograms are described.
The nucleation of vacancy condensation cavities on the (100), (111) and (110) metal-oxide interfaces of aluminum

Abstract The respective supercoolings required to nucleate vacancy condensation cavities on the (100), the (111) and the (110) metal-oxide interfaces of aluminum were directly observed with a hot-stage microscope. The critical supercooling was found to be significantly lower on the (110) metal—oxide interface than on either the (100) or the (111) metal-oxide interfaces. The relatively small supercooling on the (110) metal-oxide interface is believed to be the result of the heterogeneous nucleation of vacancy cavities on intersection points of screw dislocations with this interface. Cavity nucleation apparently occurs “homogeneously” on the other two interfaces, whose near-surface regions contain only edge-like dislocations.
Taurine in neonatal nutrition--revisited.

Recommendations for no minimal taurine content of infant formulas should be reconsidered. Taurine (2-aminoethanesulphonic acid) was isolated from ox ( Bos taurus ) bile in 18271 but, until the mid to late 1970s, it was thought to be merely a byproduct of sulphur amino acid metabolism. In 1975, it was noted that taurine deficiency in cats was associated with retinal degeneration, which was reversed by taurine supplementation.2 This observation coupled with the high concentration of taurine in the developing brain3 and mature retina4 raised suspicion that taurine may play an important role in brain development. This was supported by observations that brain taurine concentration of several species decreased during the weaning period3 and that taurine was the primary free amino acid in the milk of most mammals, including humans.5 Moreover, labelled taurine injected intraperitoneally into lactating rats was found in the milk of the dam as well as the brain of the suckling pups,6 suggesting that adequate intake of taurine was important for maintaining brain taurine content. Shortly after the observation that taurine deficiency in cats resulted in retinal degeneration, evidence that taurine may be …
Secant algorithm applied to the solution for the steady-state condition in nonlinear-circuit analysis

The use of the secant algorithm in the solution for the steady-state response of nonlinear circuits is described.
Social Symmetry through Participatory Education From Inclusion to Involvement

In India, most of the deliberations on social inclusion in higher education focus on enhancing the gross enrolment ratio (GER) among socially disadvantaged people. New colleges and universities are started in backward areas which are diagnosed with low GER and more deprived students get access to higher learning. A quantitative approach which merely focuses on increasing the number of students would not be sufficient in order to really effectuate an equitable society. A qualitative paradigm which addresses the content part of education too is necessary. Though the authorities enthusiastically work on renovating higher education, adequate attention is not given to reform the curricula in a representative/participatory manner. The article argues that the very concept of inclusive education is faulty and substitutes it with participatory education. Evoking Paulo Freire, the article sums up that authentic education is not carried on by ‘A’ for ‘B’ or by ‘A’ about ‘B’, but rather by ‘A’ with ‘B’.
The PLP mutants from mouse to man.

Research on the pathophysiology and possible therapy of Pelizaeus–Merzbacher disease (PMD) has been greatly aided by the availability of a significant number of models known as myelin mutants [1–3]. The majority of the Xlinked myelin mutants has been shown to have mutations in the proteolipid protein (PLP) gene. Like PMD and its allelic disorder, spastic paraplegia type II (SPG-II), the mutants have a variable phenotype ranging from those that die at 21– 25 days of age to those that can live almost indefinitely if hand-reared. The most severely affected mutants include the jimpy (jp) mouse and its alleles jp, jp, and the myelindeficient (md) rat. Moderately affected mutants include the shaking pup (shp) and the paralytic tremor (pt) rabbit, and mildly affected the rumpshaker (jp) mouse [3]. In addition to these naturally occurring models, several rodent models that overexpress or underexpress PLP have been generated. These animals provide ideal tools in which to examine the effects of abnormal or missing PLP on myelin formation and maintenance. The degree of severity of the phenotype correlates well with the severity of myelination defects. That is, early death at 3–4 weeks of age is reflected by an almost total absence of myelin in the central nervous system (CNS), such as in the jp mouse and md rat. In contrast, mutants that live longer, such as the shp and pt rabbits, have much more myelin yet substantially less than in wild type. Other features of the pathology of the mutants are particularly relevant to understanding how PLP deficiency affects myelination. In the severely affected mutants, a notable apoptotic death of oligodendrocytes is seen [4]. Whether this is the primary defect that causes disruption of myelination has been debated. Interestingly, it has been shown that in the most mildly affected mutant jp, cell death is not a feature [5]. Ultrastructural analyses have identified two important features of the mutants. First, disruption of PLP production results in a failure of
Standardization and denoising algorithms for mass spectra to classify whole-organism bacterial specimens

Motivation: Application of mass spectrometry in proteomics is a breakthrough in high-throughput analyses. Early applications have focused on protein expression profiles to differentiate among various types of tissue samples (e.g. normal versus tumor). Here our goal is to use mass spectra to differentiate bacterial species using whole-organism samples. The raw spectra are similar to spectra of tissue samples, raising some of the same statistical issues (e.g. non-uniform baselines and higher noise associated with higher baseline), but are substantially noisier. As a result, new preprocessing procedures are required before these spectra can be used for statistical classification. Results: In this study, we introduce novel preprocessing steps that can be used with any mass spectra. These comprise a standardization step and a denoising step. The noise level for each spectrum is determined using only data from that spectrum. Only spectral features that exceed a threshold defined by the noise level are subsequently used for classification. Using this approach, we trained the Random Forest program to classify 240 mass spectra into four bacterial types. The method resulted in zero prediction errors in the training samples and in two test datasets having 240 and 300 spectra, respectively. Availability: Fortran code for standardization and denoising is available at the supplementary information website. Supplementary information: http://www.stat.uga.edu/~datta/Massspec/supp.html
Narrative and the Cultural Construction of Illness and Healing

Narrative and the Cultural Construction of Illness and Healing. Cheryl Mattingly. and Linda C. Garro (eds.). Berkeley, CA, and London, UK: University of California Press, 2000. ix. 279 pp. (Paper USS17.95)
Microbial Utilization of Aqueous Co-Products from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata.

Hydrothermal liquefaction of algae biomass is a promising technology for the production of sustainable biofuels, but the non-oil, aqueous co-product of the process has only been examined to a limited extent. The aqueous phase from liquefaction of the alga Nannochloropsis oculata (AqAl) was used to make growth media for model heterotrophic microorganisms Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Growth rates, yields, and carbon/nitrogen/phosphorus uptake were measured. E. coli and P. putida could grow using AqAl as the sole C, N, and P source in media containing 10 vol.%-40 vol.% AqAl with the best growth occurring at 20 vol.%. S. cerevisiae could grow under these conditions only if the media were supplemented with glucose. The results indicate that in a biorefinery utilizing algae liquefaction, the aqueous co-product may be recycled via microbial cultures with significantly less dilution than previously published methods.
Qubit channels can require more than two inputs to achieve capacity.

We give examples of qubit channels that require three input states in order to achieve the Holevo capacity.
The Effects of Governing Board Configuration on Profound Organizational Change in Hospitals

This study extends the literature on governing boards and organizational change by examining how governing board configurations have influenced profound organizational change in U.S. hospitals, and the conditions under which such change occurs. Hospitals governed by boards that more closely resembled a corporate governance model were more likely to experience positive changes such as diversification and merger and less likely to undergo negative changes such as closure. Organizational performance influenced change, but largely independent of governance configurations. Only in the case of closure did we find that governance configuration operated jointly with organizational performance.
An investigation of hemispheric asymmetry in size and semantic discriminations and related visual ERPs.

The present study examined possible hemispheric differences in discriminations of different sizes of geometric shapes (rectangles) and different meanings of words, and determined whether left and right hemisphere derived visual event related potentials (ERPs) were related to performance. Eighteen right-handed subjects (10 male and 8 female) participated in two separate sessions conducted on different days. The visual ERPs were recorded from over left parietal (P3) and right parietal (P4) scalp locations. Subjects were required to make discriminations of three words (PARE, PAIR, PEAR) and three sizes of rectangles (small, medium, large). Each word and rectangle was singly presented for 40 msec at 1 degree 24 minutes of arc to the left and right of central fixation (LVF and RVF respectively). The major findings were as follows: 1) there were no performance and ERP differences between hemispheres in the verbal task; 2) the left hemisphere excelled in the spatial task; however, ERPs derived from the two hemis...
Empathy and error processing

Recent research suggests a relationship between empathy and error processing. Error processing is an evaluative control function that can be measured using post-error response time slowing and the error-related negativity (ERN) and post-error positivity (Pe) components of the event-related potential (ERP). Thirty healthy participants completed two measures of empathy, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and the Empathy Quotient (EQ), and a modified Stroop task. Post-error slowing was associated with increased empathic personal distress on the IRI. ERN amplitude was related to overall empathy score on the EQ and the fantasy subscale of the IRI. The Pe and measures of empathy were not related. Results remained consistent when negative affect was controlled via partial correlation, with an additional relationship between ERN amplitude and empathic concern on the IRI. Findings support a connection between empathy and error processing mechanisms.
Phospholipid Hydroxyalkenals Biological and Chemical Properties of Specific Oxidized Lipids Present in Atherosclerotic Lesions

Objective— Phosphatidylcholine hydroxyalkenals (PC-HAs) are a class of oxidized PCs derived from lipid peroxidation of arachidonate or linoleate at the sn -2 position to form terminal γ-hydroxy, α-, and β-unsaturated aldehydes. The aim of this study was to characterize some of their biological properties, ascertain the mechanism of their action, and assess whether they have in vivo relevance. Methods and Results— Combinations of cell biological approaches with radiolabels, mass spectroscopy, and immunochemical as well as immunohistochemical techniques were used to show that PC-HAs reduce the proteolytic degradation by mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPMs) of internalized macromolecules, such as maleylated bovine serum albumin, and that the activity of the lysosomal protease, cathepsin B, in MPMs form Michael adducts with MPM proteins and with N -acetylated cysteine in vitro form pyrrole adducts with MPM proteins and reduce the maturation of Rab5a, thereby impairing phagosome-lysosome fusion (maturation) in phagocytes; they are present unbound and as pyrrole adducts in human atherosclerotic lesions. Conclusions— PC-HAs are present in vivo and possess multiple functions characteristic of oxidized LDL and 4-hydroxynonenal.
Silicon Clathrates: Synthesis and Characterization

Two types of silicon clathrates, NaxSi136 (0 o x o 24) and Na8Si46 and a mixed clathrate (Na,Ba)Si46 were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, 23 Na NMR and high resolution TEM. Systematic changes in X-ray diffraction intensities enabled the sodium content and site occupancy in the NaxSi136 series to be followed and then refined by Rietveld profile analysis. 23 Na NMR spectra of Na8Si46 and NaxSi136 samples reveals two peaks with large paramagnetic shifts (1600-2000 ppm) for each phase, associated with the presence of Na atoms in two different environments. High resolution electron microscopy reveals the clathrate structures of these samples, and allows classes of defects to be characterized.
A fast mathematical programming procedure for simultaneous fitting of assembly components into cryoEM density maps

Motivation: Single-particle cryo electron microscopy (cryoEM) typically produces density maps of macromolecular assemblies at intermediate to low resolution (~5–30 A). By fitting high-resolution structures of assembly components into these maps, pseudo-atomic models can be obtained. Optimizing the quality-of-fit of all components simultaneously is challenging due to the large search space that makes the exhaustive search over all possible component configurations computationally unfeasible. Results: We developed an efficient mathematical programming algorithm that simultaneously fits all component structures into an assembly density map. The fitting is formulated as a point set matching problem involving several point sets that represent component and assembly densities at a reduced complexity level. In contrast to other point matching algorithms, our algorithm is able to match multiple point sets simultaneously and not only based on their geometrical equivalence, but also based on the similarity of the density in the immediate point neighborhood. In addition, we present an efficient refinement method based on the Iterative Closest Point registration algorithm. The integer quadratic programming method generates an assembly configuration in a few seconds. This efficiency allows the generation of an ensemble of candidate solutions that can be assessed by an independent scoring function. We benchmarked the method using simulated density maps of 11 protein assemblies at 20 A, and an experimental cryoEM map at 23.5 A resolution. Our method was able to generate assembly structures with root-mean-square errors <6.5 A, which have been further reduced to <1.8 A by the local refinement procedure. Availability: The program is available upon request as a Matlab code package. Contact:alber@usc.edu and m.topf@cryst.bbk.ac.uk Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Online.
Race, Disadvantage and Faculty Experiences in Academic Medicine

Background Despite compelling reasons to draw on the contributions of under-represented minority (URM) faculty members, US medical schools lack these faculty, particularly in leadership and senior roles.
Intercalation of Poly-acrylonitrile (PAN) into carbon nanotubes

The primary goal of this work is to fill 200 nm average diameter CVD Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with Poly-acrylonitrile (PAN) - a carbonizable polymer - with the diffusion process reported by Bazilevsky et al. and to control the thickness and structure of the PAN inside the CNTs. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used as a tool to monitor the morphology of polymer filled nanotubes. TEM images of CNTs that were filled using five different PAN concentrations of the PAN/DMF solution - 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 wt% - demonstrated that the intercalation process is independent of the initial PAN concentration in solution. Furthermore, a DMF rinse process was used to remove polymer that was clinging to the outer walls of the CNTs, allowing clearer visual of the PAN structure in the interior of the CNTs. Finally, TEM images of filled CNTs taken through a carbonization process demonstrated that the CNT samples were able to survive the high temperature, with some damage to the CNT walls.