cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CXCL13 and CXCR5 expression by Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (149.15)

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Chemokines and their corresponding receptor have been shown to play important role in tumor progression, including lung cancer. In this regard, we have previously shown that the chemokine receptor CXCR5 is involved in metastatic dissemination in breast and prostate cancers. In this study we show CXCR5 is highly expressed by lung cancer cell lines and non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) tissues, than compared to non-neoplastic lung tissue. CXCL13, which is the only natural ligand for CXCR5, is also expressed within the lung tumors. Retrospective analysis of CXCR5 expression in 45 patients specimens showed significantly higher expression of CXCR5 in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma samples. Interestingly, the nuclei of advanced tumor cells from these tissues were also positive for CXCR5 in more than 50% of these cases. Furthermore, ELISA showed significantly higher serum levels of CXCL13 by serum of patients with either adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma (n = 31), than compared to normal controls (n = 9). The mechanism underlying these clinically and biologically important findings need to be further explored.
Topologically protected edge states in mechanical metamaterials

Abstract Recent breakthroughs in condensed matter physics are opening new directions in band engineering and wave manipulation. Specifically, challenging the notions of reciprocity, time-reversal symmetry, and sensitivity to defects in wave propagation may disrupt ways in which mechanical metamaterials are designed and employed, and may enable totally new functionalities. Nonreciprocity and topologically protected wave propagation will have profound implications on how stimuli and information are transmitted within materials, or how energy can be guided and steered so that its effects may be controlled or mitigated. This chapter introduces one basic approach to generate topologically protected edge-bound wave propagation in mechanical metamaterials. The concept is based on breaking inversion symmetry within the geometry of a unit cell of a periodic media, and in joining periodic assemblies that are inverted copies of each other. Such inversion leads to topologically different structures, as quantified by associated dispersion topological invariants. A nontrivial interface is thus produced which supports the propagation of defect and backscattering-immune edge states. The concept is first illustrated in a one-dimensional spring mass lattice, which is the simplest configuration that supports the considered broken inversion symmetry and the resulting interface bound modes. Next, the presentation is extended to a conceptual discrete two-dimensional hexagonal lattice, which provides the required symmetries for the nucleation of isolated Dirac points in reciprocal space with inverted topological invariants at the high symmetry points. This lattice forms the basis for the design of a continuous elastic hexagonal lattice, whose dispersion topology is investigated first numerically and then probed experimentally to demonstrate the existence of the predicted edge modes. The results shown for this continuous lattice demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach followed for the generation of topology inverted lattices and the production of nontrivial interfaces. Such procedure can be extended to a variety of structural configurations which can be exploited for designs of components that are capable of guiding elastic waves along predefined paths, or isolate vibrations to specific spatial locations.
Neurobiology of Addiction: A Disorder of Choice

Severe substance use disorder (defined here as addiction) is in part a neurobiological disorder of decision-making driven in part by neurobiological changes in three separate anatomical and functional subunits of the brain: a salience detection system for what is important in the environment, a system for signaling stress and aversive states, and a cognition and control system. In concert with other factors—including genes, environment, properties of the substance being used, and downstream consequences of using—adaptations in these three neural systems during use of an addictive substance give rise to a persistent disorder of choice in which positive and negative reinforcement bias an individual toward use of the substance that is not effectively controlled by cognitive mechanisms such as response inhibition and planning. Addiction to opioids is a particularly striking example of how positive and negative reinforcement can conspire to drive substance use. A framework for understanding addiction as a disorder of choice with specific underlying pathophysiological mechanisms can be used to organize and innovate effective treatments that promote recovery.
A Tale of Two Solar Installations: How Electricity Regulations Impact Distributed Generation

While renewable energy and distributed generation has and will likely continue to grow, state policies have a significant effect on adoption rates. Renewable portfolio standards and tax credits could continue to encourage penetration of these technologies. Customers cite energy independence and control over energy bills as drivers for installing distributed generation. Net metering – the ability of customers to be paid for the excess electricity they generate – is typically thought of as easy to understand. However, state policies are inconsistent across a number of factors, which discourage adoption for a variety of reasons. In addition to discussing the sometimes absurd differences between state-level policies, the differences demonstrate best practices that all states should adopt. Interconnection – the ability to allow two-way electricity flows – goes along with net metering, and has its own set of state-level policy challenges. No state will consciously choose to be less resilient. However, many are doing precisely that with their distributed generation policies. The problem is how the public utility commissions and utilities themselves are responding to the challenges, mostly economic, posed by increased distributed generation. Using Germany and policies adopted by individual states, the paper proposes what policies states can implement to promote resiliency, both by their citizens and themselves.
Quantifying tinnitus suppression in cochlear implantation using tinnitus interval-limited tracking.

Objectives Quantify the effects of cochlear implants (CI) on tinnitus suppression in patients with previous cochlear implantation using a novel audiologic sequence: Tinnitus Interval Limited Tracking (TILT). Study design Prospective cohort study. Methods Consecutive patients with tinnitus and previous cochlear implantation for profound hearing loss underwent an audiologic testing sequence called TILT. Patients rated tinnitus severity using the validated Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) as well as a visual analog scale at baseline and in a variety of audiologic scenarios. Changes in tinnitus severity between scenarios allow for the isolation of the effects of masking and electrical stimulation on the reduction of tinnitus. Results Twenty patients were enrolled, 10 of whom have tinnitus with average THI 30.2 (standard deviation 22.6). Patients had an acute decrease in tinnitus severity when their CIs were turned on, even in the absence of noise in a soundproof booth. This effect reversed once the CIs were turned off. This effect was greater in magnitude than with masking that occurred with the presentation of soft speech. Acute tinnitus severity trended toward improvement with increased level of presented speech. Degree of improvement was not correlated with THI. Conclusion Acute tinnitus suppression in patients using CIs is multifactorial. Masking plays a role; however, it cannot sufficiently account for the totality of symptom improvement experienced by CI patients. Quantifiable tinnitus suppression observed when a CI is turned on, even in the absence of audiologic stimulation, suggests that electrical stimulation is involved in the mechanism of symptom improvement in these patients. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 130: 2047-2052, 2020.
Acute lung injury secondary to e-cigarettes or vaping.

As of October 2019, 1299 cases of “e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury” (EVALI) have been reported in the USA, with 26 deaths. Multiple patterns of lung injury have been repo...
Emi Nakamura: 2019 john Bates Clark Medalist

Emi Nakamura is the 2019 recipient of the John Bates Clark Medal from the American Economic Association. Emi is an empirical macroeconomist whose work has studied the nature of price-setting and the effects of monetary and fiscal policies, among other issues, and has been notable for using less aggregated data, while addressing central questions about the macroeconomy. We describe Emi's key research contributions, with particular emphasis on those identified by the Honors and Awards Committee of the American Economic Association in her Clark Medal citation, as well as her broader contributions to the field of economics.
A geospatial infodemic: Mapping Twitter conspiracy theories of COVID-19

Conspiracy theories have proliferated during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide an explanation for uncontrollable circumstances. Most conspiratorial explanations often ascribe disease to foreigners o...
Antimicrobial efficacy of white mustard essential oil and carvacrol against Salmonella in refrigerated ground chicken.

Abstract Essential oils in combination with other antimicrobials can be added to food products to reduce the levels of target microbes lower than the infectious dose required to cause human illness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of white mustard essential oil (WMEO) and carvacrol against Salmonella in ground chicken stored at 4 and 10°C. At 4°C, 0.75% WMEO +0.1% carvacrol treatment had significantly lower (P
Prediction of unconfined compressive strength and deformation modulus of weak argillaceous rocks based on the standard penetration test

Abstract Standard penetration test is often used as an index for prediction of geomaterial elastic and strength properties. It consists of releasing a 63.5 kg hammer from a specified distance of 762 mm on a series of connected drill rods. The N-value is defined after a total 457 mm of penetration is achieved by counting the below counts for the last 300 mm of penetration. This required penetration is not often achieved in weak rocks due to their relatively large compressive strength. To eliminate the need for achieving a total required 457 mm of penetration, a novel approach is introduced where the rate of penetration of the split spoon sampler is used for the characterization of the engineering properties of the weak argillaceous rocks. The rate of penetration is defined as the slope of the final segment of the blow count versus penetration plot. The test results show that the average penetration rate at each test depth approaches a relatively constant value as the penetration increases. It is found that penetration rate is affected by the unconfined compressive strength, deformation modulus, and water content of the rock mass as well as the mean effective stress at the elevation of each test. Using in situ tests from 21 weak rock sites in Illinois, United States, models are proposed for the prediction of deformation modulus and unconfined compressive strength based on the penetration rate. The models account for the influence of mean effective stresses and the in situ water content of rock.
Uncertainty-quantified parametrically homogenized constitutive models (UQ-PHCMs) for dual-phase α/β titanium alloys

This paper develops an uncertainty-quantified parametrically homogenized constitutive model (UQ-PHCM) for dual-phase α/β titanium alloys such as Ti6242S. Their microstructures are characterized by primary α-grains consisting of hcp crystals and transformed β-grains consisting of alternating laths of α (hcp) and β (bcc) phases. The PHCMs bridge length-scales through explicit microstructural representation in structure-scale constitutive models. The forms of equations are chosen to reflect fundamental deformation characteristics such as anisotropy, length-scale dependent flow stresses, tension-compression asymmetry, strain-rate dependency, and cyclic hardening under reversed loading conditions. Constitutive coefficients are functions of representative aggregated microstructural parameters or RAMPs that represent distributions of crystallographic orientation and morphology. The functional forms are determined by machine learning tools operating on a data-set generated by crystal plasticity FE analysis. For the dual phase alloys, an equivalent PHCM is developed from a weighted averaging rule to obtain the equivalent material response from individual PHCM responses of primary α and transformed β phases. The PHCMs are readily incorporated in FE codes like ABAQUS through user-defined material modeling windows such as UMAT. Significantly reduced number of solution variables in the PHCM simulations compared to micromechanical models, make them several orders of magnitude more efficient, but with comparable accuracy. Bayesian inference along with a Taylor-expansion based uncertainty propagation method is employed to quantify and propagate different uncertainties in PHCM such as model reduction error, data sparsity error and microstructural uncertainty. Numerical examples demonstrate the accuracy of PHCM and the relative importance of different sources of uncertainty.
Lysosomal Acid Lipase Is Required for Donor T Cells to Induce Graft-versus-Host Disease.

Summary Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) limits the success of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) mediates the intrinsic lipolysis of cells to generate free fatty acids (FFAs), which play an essential role in the development, proliferation, and function of T cells. Here, we find that LAL is essential for donor T cells to induce GVHD in murine models of allo-HCT. Specifically, LAL is required for donor T cell survival, differentiation, and alloreactivity in GVHD target organs, but not in lymphoid organs. LAL induces the differentiation of donor T cells toward GVHD pathogenic Th1/Tc1 and Th17 while suppressing regulatory T cell generation. LAL−/− T cells succumb to oxidative stress and become anergic in target organs. Pharmacologically targeting LAL effectively prevents GVHD development while preserving the GVL activity. Thus, the present study reveals the role of LAL in T cell alloresponse and pathogenicity and validates LAL as a target for controlling GVHD and tumor relapse after allo-HCT.
A preliminary investigation of childhood anxiety/depressive symptomatology and working memory across multiple units of analysis.

Abstract This exploratory study examined multiple units of working memory (WM) analysis in a transdiagnostic, treatment-seeking, pediatric sample. This included a) an electroencephalography marker of WM (coupling of theta and gamma oscillations [i.e., theta-gamma coupling] in frontal brain regions), b) WM test performance, and c) parent-reported WM symptoms. A composite score combining each of these units of analysis correlated with self-reported depressive and anxiety symptoms, with only theta-gamma coupling independently predicted anxiety/depressive symptoms. Results confirm prior findings on the association between WM and anxiety/depression, although the majority of this variance was explained by frontal theta-gamma coupling during WM demands.
Toxicokinetic evaluation of the common indoor air pollutant, α-pinene, and its potential reactive metabolite, α-pinene oxide, following inhalation exposure in rodents

Abstract The toxicokinetic behavior of α-pinene and its potential reactive metabolite, α-pinene oxide, was investigated following whole body inhalation exposure to 50 and 100 ppm α-pinene in rats and mice for 6 h per day for 7d. In both species and sexes, the maximum blood concentration (Cmax) increased more than proportionally while the increase in area under the concentration time curve (AUC) was proportional to the exposure concentration. When normalized to the calculated dose (D), both Cmax/D (male rats, 12.2–54.5; female rats, 17.4–74.1; male mice, 7.41–14.2; female mice, 6.59–13.0 (ng/mL)/(mg/kg)) and AUC/D (male rats, 28.9–31.1; female rats, 55.8–56.8; male mice, 18.1–19.4; female mice, 19.2–22.5 (h*ng/mL)/(mg/kg)) in rats were higher than in mice and in female rats were higher than in male rats; no sex difference was observed in mice. α-Pinene was eliminated from blood with half-lives between 12.2 and 17.4 h in rats and 6.18–19.4 h in mice. At the low dose, the ratio of α-pinene oxide to α-pinene, based on Cmax and AUC, respectively, was 0.200–0.237 and 0.279–0.615 in rats and 0.060–0.086 and 0.036–0.011 in mice demonstrating lower formation of the oxide in mice than in rats. At the high dose, the ratio decreased considerably in both species pointing to saturation of pathways leading to the formation of α-pinene oxide. α-Pinene and the oxide were quantified in the mammary glands of rats and mice with tissue to blood ratios of ≥23 demonstrating retention of these analytes in mammary glands. The findings of epoxide formation and species- and sex-differences in systemic exposure may be important in providing context and relating animal findings to human exposures.
A Novel Human-Machine Interface Framework for Improved System Performance and Conflict Resolution

This paper introduces a framework for the conceptualization and design of novel operator-aircraft/unmanned system automated interface concepts that will assist to enhance operator reliance on automated advisories. There is a need to explore new human-machine interface strategies stemming from the proliferation over the past years of accidents due to system complexity, failure modes and human errors. Concepts of autonomy establish the foundational elements of the work. We pursue a rigorous systems engineering process to analyze and design the tools and techniques for automated vehicle health monitoring, human-automation interface and conflict resolution enabled by innovative methods from Dempster- Shafer theory and reasoning algorithms. The emphasis in this contribution is on conflict resolution arising between the human operator (pilot) and on-system automated apparatus. The enabling technologies for conflict resolution borrow from Dempster-Shafer evidential theory, probabilistic and Game Theory for improved system autonomy and reasoning paradigms. The efficacy of the approach is demonstrated via an application to major drive subsystems of a helicopter and an autonomous hovercraft laboratory prototype.
Data Processing Thresholds for Abundance and Sparsity and Missed Biological Insights in an Untargeted Chemical Analysis of Blood Specimens for Exposomics.

Background : An untargeted chemical analysis of bio-fluids provides semi-quantitative data for thousands of chemicals for expanding our understanding about relationships among metabolic pathways, diseases, phenotypes and exposures. During the processing of mass spectral and chromatography data, various signal thresholds are used to control the number of peaks in the final data matrix that is used for statistical analyses. However, commonly used stringent thresholds generate constrained data matrices which may under-represent the detected chemical space, leading to missed biological insights in the exposome research. Methods : We have re-analyzed a liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry data set for a publicly available epidemiology study (n=499) of human cord blood samples using the MS-DIAL software with minimally possible thresholds during the data processing steps. Peak list for individual files and the data matrix after alignment and gap-filling steps were summarized for different peak height and detection frequency thresholds. Correlations between birth weight and LC/MS peaks in the newly generated data matrix were computed using the spearman correlation coefficient. Results : MS-DIAL software detected on average 23,156 peaks for individual LC/MS file and 63,393 peaks in the aligned peak table. A combination of peak height and detection frequency thresholds that was used in the original publication at the individual file and the peak alignment levels can reject 90% peaks from the untargeted chemical analysis dataset that was generated by MS-DIAL. Correlation analysis for birth weight data suggested that up to 80% of the significantly associated peaks were rejected by the data processing thresholds that were used in the original publication. The re-analysis with minimum possible thresholds recovered metabolic insights about C19 steroids and hydroxy-acyl-carnitines and their relationships with birth weight. Conclusions : Data processing thresholds for peak height and detection frequencies at individual data file and at the alignment level should be used at minimal possible level or completely avoided for mining untargeted chemical analysis data in the exposome research for discovering new biomarkers and mechanisms
Upper Cervical Spine MRI

Abstract Stability of the upper cervical spine is highly dependent on ligaments and membranes. These are best appreciated on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can reveal damage to these structures in traumatic, congenital, infectious, and inflammatory conditions. It can also be used to evaluate the spinal cord and spinal canal to assess neurologic compression and cord pathology. Given the potential for devastating neurologic consequences in the setting of upper cervical instability and neural structure compression or injury, MRI is an invaluable tool for evaluation of the craniocervical junction.
P45 Do “Natural” and Other Clean Labels Detract from more Regulated Food Labels?

Background “Clean labeling” is a food industry trend characterized by simpler ingredients and front of package marketing statements that attract health-oriented consumers looking for more natural foods. Many clean labels, including “all natural” are not clearly defined, nor regulated, and have the potential to detract from food labels that are regulated by the FDA and/or USDA. Objective To compare consumer use of federally regulated (organic) and unregulated (natural) food labels, and to determine whether use of these labels is associated with demographic characteristics. Study Design, Setting, Participants Computer-aided telephone interviews were collected (in February 2020) in a random, representative sample of Vermont residents (n = 574). Measurable Outcomes/Analysis Respondents were asked about their use of food labels, including whether they used organic and/or natural food labels when evaluating food products. Associations between use of each type of food label and demographic variables (age, gender, income, education, having children in the household) were compared using chi-squares, and logistic regression (P Results Most respondents indicated that they did use organic (70% of respondents) or natural (64% of respondents) labels when evaluating food products. Use of organic food labels was significantly higher among parents with children in the home (78%), women (77%), and those with a college degree or higher (75%). In contrast, use of natural labels was negatively associated with income, with the highest use (79%) seen in the lowest income category ( Conclusion The increasing use of unregulated marketing statements on packaged foods (including “natural,” “raw” and “minimally processed”) could be distracting consumers from using more regulated food labels, especially consumers with limited education or income. Nutrition education programs and federal labeling policies are needed to support consumer use of labels, and to prevent low-income consumers from potentially being deceived by unregulated food labels.
A Post-Brexit Framework for Electricity Markets

Electricity charges for households in England and Wales have risen by 50 per cent in real terms since 2001, partly as a result of policies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.The decarbonisation policies adopted have been complex and inefficient, and have also been contradicted by other measures such as the reduced rate of VAT imposed on domestic fuel. Emissions reduction objectives could be achieved at much lower cost. The government should phase out the Climate Change Levy, the Energy Company Obligation, the Warm Homes Discount and the Carbon Price Floor. Utility bills should be taxable at the full VAT rate (20%) rather than the reduced rate (5%). Any help to vulnerable households should be in the form of electricity vouchers. If the goal is to reduce emissions, decarbonisation should be undertaken under a single market-based mechanism such as a cap-and-trade scheme or a carbon tax, which would apply to all CO2 emissions. Climate-change policy should be technology-neutral. The government should establish a decarbonisation target and allow energy markets to adjust to it in the most efficient way.
p-adic Differential Equations

Preface Introductory remarks Part I. Tools of p-adic Analysis: 1. Norms on algebraic structures 2. Newton polygons 3. Ramification theory 4. Matrix analysis Part II. Differential Algebra: 5. Formalism of differential algebra 6. Metric properties of differential modules 7. Regular singularities Part III. p-adic Differential Equations on Discs and Annuli: 8. Rings of functions on discs and annuli 9. Radius and generic radius of convergence 10. Frobenius pullback and pushforward 11. Variation of generic and subsidiary radii 12. Decomposition by subsidiary radii 13. p-adic exponents Part IV. Difference Algebra and Frobenius Modules: 14. Formalism of difference algebra 15. Frobenius modules 16. Frobenius modules over the Robba ring Part V. Frobenius Structures: 17. Frobenius structures on differential modules 18. Effective convergence bounds 19. Galois representations and differential modules 20. The p-adic local monodromy theorem: Statement 21. The p-adic local monodromy theorem: Proof Part VI. Areas of Application: 22. Picard-Fuchs modules 23. Rigid cohomology 24. p-adic Hodge theory References Index of notation Index.
Work in Progress - A Statics Skills Inventory

This paper focuses on assessment of student skills in statics and provides details of development of a statics skills assessment tool. The use of only concept inventories to provide proof of student learning is an incomplete assessment as important engineering knowledge consists of both conceptual knowledge and skill intertwined. A multi-step Delphi process involving a group of engineering educators was used to reach consensus on the important skills of statics. These skills are currently grouped into 10 categories. The Delphi rankings included both the average importance of the skill as judged by the Delphi participants and their judgment of the average proportion of their students whom can perform the skill. Skill-based questions are being developed to probe these areas
Is the OVDP a Good Deal? Assessing the OVDP in Terms of FBAR Willfulness

This Note argues that the OVDP’s value depends on the taxpayer’s exposure to willful FBAR penalties. This Note also provides a guide to willfulness in FBAR violations. The OVDP is a program that the IRS adopted as part of its recent crackdown on taxpayers with undisclosed offshore bank accounts. The OVDP provides taxpayers with amnesty from willful FBAR penalties. On the other hand, entering the OVDP can be an expensive and protracted ordeal. For taxpayers with a high risk of facing willful FBAR violations, the OVDP is a good deal. For other taxpayers, the OVDP is an unnecessary ride. Deciding whether or not to enter the program is difficult because there is a dearth of guidance regarding what makes an FBAR violation willful. There are very few criminal FBAR cases and there are only two civil FBAR cases. This Note examines judicial guidance on willfulness in other contexts and extrapolates principles of willfulness that apply to FBAR violations. Using these principles, this Note examines the FBAR cases to identify current judicial thinking on FBAR willfulness. This exercise indicates that there is currently a strong inclination to find that FBAR violations are willful. This makes entering the OVDP more compelling and a better deal for taxpayers than it may seem.
An object oriented approach to automating patient medical records

It is pointed out that, in automating patient records, one must consider the conversion of existing paper records, the records generated by various heterogeneous departmental medical information systems, and the different media (graphics, image, and voice) output created by some modern automated medical instrumentations. In an attempt to solve this complex problem, an object-oriented medical record model is adopted. A catalyst solution called the personal medical disk is proposed which allows and induces medical institutions to develop an all-digital medical record system at their own pace. A conceptual model has been implemented on an intelligent workstation as a stand-alone system. It is believed that using an object-oriented approach will allow rapid development, easier modification, and simpler maintenance of software to be achieved. >
The Territorial Peace: Borders, State Development, and International Conflict

1. Introduction Part I. International Borders: 2. Territorial issues and international conflict 3. Individual, state, and territorial issues Part II. State Development: 4. Territorial threats and political behaviour 5. Territorial threats, standing armies, and state repression 6. Territorial threats and domestic institutions Part III. The Territorial Peace: 7. Territorial peace among neighbours 8. Territorial peace and negotiated compromises 9. Territorial peace and victory in conflict 10. Final thoughts.
Salivary MicroRNAs and Oral Cancer Detection

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in human saliva have recently become an emerging field in saliva research for -diagnostics applications and its potential role in biological implications. miRNAs are short noncoding RNA molecules that play important roles in regulating a variety of cellular processes. Dysregulation of miRNAs are known to be associated with many diseases. miRNAs were found present in the saliva of OSCC patients and could serve as potential biomarkers for oral cancer detection. Understanding the biological function of miRNAs in association with diseases is important towards utilizing miRNAs as diagnostic markers. There are currently a variety of profiling methods available for detecting miRNA expression levels. In this chapter, we overview the Applied Biosystem Stem-loop RT based Taqman MicroRNA Assay for salivary miRNA profiling. Using this highly sensitive and specific assay, miRNAs in saliva are profiled with only a few nanograms of starting RNA. This method is also applicable for studying biomarkers in other body fluids or clinical samples that contain small amounts of RNA.
Reflecting upon the Past: Discourse of Regret in Post-WWII Japan

What does it mean to regret? How do we react to our past deeds? This question may look simple: we did something wrong, and we regret it because now we know it to be wrong. We may have been wrong in doing something that we knew we should have not done. And the reason, for example, may be our lack of courage. Then in this case we regret our lack of courage and swear to be courageous the next time (or at least try to). In such case, the answer to the first question is simple at least in theory: to regret means to identify what precluded us from doing the right thing so as to be able to do right the next time. Regret in this case means to identify the correct answer and resolve to apply the correct answer in the future. However, there is another kind of regret. We may regret our past deed because it turns out to be wrong in retrospect while we judged our deed to be right at the moment. In this case, we may still swear not to make the same mistakes again. However, there is a critical difference between the first kind of regret and the second: the standards of right and wrong, which must be applied in the act of judging, have altered through the passage of time in the second case.
THE IMPACT OF INSTITUTIONAL CHOICE AND ENVIRONMENTS ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND WHITE STUDENTS' DEGREE EXPECTATIONS

This study examines the effects of individualcharacteristics, institutional characteristics andexperiences, and financial aid measures onAfrican-American and white college students' degreeaspirations. The main theoretical foundations for this studyare the status attainment models developed in the early1970s and Weidman's (1989) model of undergraduatesocialization. The study used the BeginningPostsecondary Students (BPS:90/92) data set, and the findingsshow that regression models between the two groups havemany similarities: Students' aspirations are mostly theresult of socioeconomic factors, initial degree aspirations, and institutional characteristics.Financial aid measures are not significant predictors ofaspirations for African-American students, although workstudy awards and fewer hours per week spent working significantly affect white students'aspirations. There are quite a few differences betweenthe groups' regression models. For instance,intellectual selfconfidence has opposite effects onaspirations for African-American and white students.African-American enrollment and faculty contactpositively affect AfricanAmerican students' aspirations,while tuition cost and peer contact have positiveeffects on white students' aspirations.
Separate and Unequal

Through an ethnographic examination of legal processes in Family Court, this article maps some of the circumstances which Indian Muslim women confront in the area of Family Law. It provides a portrait of the politically interested spaces which govern their lives, indicating the osmosis between ‘religious,’ cultural and legal realms, rather than essentialisms about the nature of Islam. It provides a reminder that we can no more separate religious practices fundamentally from patriarchal logic than we can separate jurisprudence and the workings of law, indeed the State, from its constitution in multiple embedded sites of patriarchal logic and race and imperial regimes. Optimal strategies for Indian Muslim women to be socioeconomically and legally empowered are also interrogated in this context, as the paper explores the ways in which gender equality and cultural difference and community support can, or not, protect women. It emphasizes the importance of problematizing both notions of ‘community’ and ‘gender...
Characterization of Leishmania colombiensis sp. n (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), a new parasite infecting humans, animals, and phlebotomine sand flies in Colombia and Panama.

Abstract Characterization of Leishmania colombiensis sp.n. is presented, which on the basis of biological and molecular criteria, appears to be a new member of the L. braziliensis complex. A total of nine isolates of the new parasite were made in Colombia and Panama between 1980 and 1986: two from human cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis, six from phlebotomine sand flies, and one from a sloth. Although most closely related to L. lainsoni, L. colombiensis sp.n. is clearly distinguishable from other members of the genus by its reactivity with monoclonal antibodies, isoenzyme electrophoresis, and restriction endonuclease fragment patterns of kinetoplast DNA (k-DNA).
EVOLUTION OF VIRULENCE IN HETEROGENEOUS HOST COMMUNITIES UNDER MULTIPLE TRADE-OFFS

Many pathogens and parasites are transmitted through hosts that differ in species, sex, genotype, or immune status. In addition, virulence (here defined as disease-induced mortality) and transmission can vary during the infectious period within hosts of different state. Most models of virulence evolution assume that transmission and virulence are constant over the infectious period and that the host population is homogenous. Here, we examine a multispecies susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) model where transmission occurs within and between species, and transmission and virulence varied during the infectious period. This allows us to understand virulence evolution in a broader range of situations that characterize many emerging diseases. Because emerging pathogens are by definition new to their host populations, they should be expected to rapidly adapt after emergence. We illustrate these evolutionary effects using the framework of adaptive dynamics to examine how virulence evolves after emergence in response to the relative strength of selection on pathogen fitness and mutational variance for virulence. We illustrate the role of evolution by simulating adaptive walks to an evolutionarily stable virulence. We found that the magnitude of between-species transmission and the relative timing of transmission and mortality across species were of primary importance for determining the evolutionarily stable virulence.
Aerodynamics of Gliding Flight of a Black Vulture Coragyps Atratus

1. A black vulture (mass = 1.79 kg) gliding freely in a wind tunnel adjusted its wing span and wing area as its air speed and glide angle changed from 9.9 to 16.8 m/s and from 4.8° to 7.9°, respectively. 2. The minimum sinking speed was 1.09 m/s at an air speed of 11.3 m/s. 3. The maximum ratio of lift to drag forces was 11.6 at an air speed of 13.9 m/s. 4. Parasite drag coefficients for the vulture are similar to those for conventional airfoils and do not support the contention that black vultures have unusually low values of parasite drag.
Cellular response in subretinal neovascularization induced by bFGF-impregnated microspheres.

Purpose To determine the sequence of cellular changes associated with a new rabbit model of subretinal neovascularization (SRN) induced by subretinal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-impregnated microspheres. Methods bFGF-impregnated gelatin microspheres, prepared by forming a polyion complex between gelatin and bFGF, were subretinally implanted into rabbit eyes. The eyes were studied by immunochemistry at 3 days to 8 weeks after implantation. Antibodies to CD4, CD8, cytokeratin, CD31, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and RAM11 were used. Results Cytokeratin-positive retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells appeared on day 3 and continued to increase in number in the subretinal space throughout the growth of the SRN membrane, becoming the predominant cell type. Macrophages (RAM11-positive) appeared early, but most disappeared within 7 days. GFAP-positive Muller cells were evident early in the retina but migrated into the subretinal space after 7 days; the gliotic adhesion they formed between the retina and the SRN membrane was prominent at 8 weeks. CD31-positive endothelial cells were first evident at 14 days and formed neovascular channels that were still present for up to 8 weeks. CD4- and CD8-positive lymphocytes appeared in the early stages but were few in number. Conclusions SRN membranes are primarily composed of RPE cells and vascular endothelial cells. The membrane adheres to the retina by a gliotic band. The cellular components involved in the membrane of this model resemble those found in SRN membranes removed from patients with age-related macular degeneration.
Reduced plasma ascorbic acid concentrations in nonsmokers regularly exposed to environmental tobacco smoke

Oxidants in cigarette smoke accelerate metabolic turnover of ascorbic acid (AA), and thereby deplete body stores of this potent antioxidant and putative anticarcinogen in active smokers. We examined plasma AA concentrations and vitamin C intakes in nonsmokers regularly exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ie, passive smokers; n = 44), as compared with active smokers (n = 47) and nonexposed nonsmokers (n = 50), to determine whether passive smokers also exhibit altered AA nutriture suggestive of oxidant exposure. Plasma AA concentrations in passive smokers were intermediate between those of active smokers (P = 0.0001) and nonexposed nonsmokers (P = 0.01) despite similar dietary vitamin C intakes. Hypovitaminosis C (< 23 mumol/L) was observed in 24% of active smokers and 12% of passive smokers but not in nonexposed nonsmokers. Reduced plasma AA concentrations were associated with low vitamin C intakes within smoke-exposed populations only. We conclude that chronic smoke exposure, particularly in association with low vitamin C intake, may reduce AA pools in both active and passive smokers.
Hierarchically Structured Superoleophobic Surfaces with Ultralow Contact Angle Hysteresis

Hierarchically structured, superoleophobic surfaces are demonstrated that display one of the lowest contact angle hysteresis values ever reported - even with extremely low-surface-tension liquids such as n-heptane. Consequently, these surfaces allow, for the first time, even ≈2 μL n-heptane droplets to bounce and roll-off at tilt angles. ≤ 2°.
Teaching Persistence in Social Initiation Bids to Children with Autism Through a Portable Video Modeling Intervention (PVMI)

Children with autism make and accept fewer social initiations and spend more time playing alone than with typical peers. Interventions that capitalize on technology have proven to be particularly successful in improving social initiation skills because they increase motivation, maintenance, and generalization of new social behaviors (Nikopoulos and Keenan 2004). In the present study, a portable video modeling intervention (PVMI) was used to teach persistence in social initiations to four children with autism. Two hypotheses were tested: 1) that children with autism would effectively learn persistence in social initiations to peers by using a PVMI and that this skill would 2) generalize and be maintained across people and settings. Results indicated that children with autism could learn persistence in social initiations through the PVMI. These behavior changes generalized across peers and settings and were maintained after a 1-month follow-up period. Results are discussed in terms of the effectiveness of interventions such as a PVMI as potential learning tools for children with autism.
Dose Finding for Continuous and Ordinal Outcomes with a Monotone Objective Function: A Unified Approach

In many phase I trials, the design goal is to find the dose associated with a certain target toxicity rate. In some trials, the goal can be to find the dose with a certain weighted sum of rates of various toxicity grades. For others, the goal is to find the dose with a certain mean value of a continuous response. In this article, we describe a dose-finding design that can be used in any of the dose-finding trials described above, trials where the target dose is defined as the dose at which a certain monotone function of the dose is a prespecified value. At each step of the proposed design, the normalized difference between the current dose and the target is computed. If that difference is close to zero, the dose is repeated. Otherwise, the dose is increased or decreased, depending on the sign of the difference.
The phospholipase A2 superfamily and its group numbering system

The superfamily of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) enzymes currently consists of 15 Groups and many subgroups and includes five distinct types of enzymes, namely the secreted PLA(2)s (sPLA(2)), the cytosolic PLA(2)s (cPLA(2)), the Ca(2+) independent PLA(2)s (iPLA(2)), the platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolases (PAF-AH), and the lysosomal PLA(2)s. In 1994, we established the systematic Group numbering system for these enzymes. Since then, the PLA(2) superfamily has grown continuously and over the intervening years has required several updates of this Group numbering system. Since our last update, a number of new PLA(2)s have been discovered and are now included. Additionally, tools for the investigation of PLA(2)s and approaches for distinguishing between the different Groups are described.
Motif content comparison between monocot and dicot species

While a number of DNA sequence motifs have been functionally characterized, the full repertoire of motifs in an organism (the motifome) is yet to be characterized. The present study wishes to widen the scope of motif content analysis in different monocot and dicot species that include both rice species, Brachypodium, corn, wheat as monocots and Arabidopsis, Lotus japonica, Medicago truncatula, and Populus tremula as dicots. All possible existing motifs were analyzed in different regions of genomes such as were found in different sets of sequences in these species: the whole genome, core proximal and distal promoters, 5' and 3' UTRs, and the 1st introns. Due to the increased number of species involved in this study compared to previous works, species relationships were analyzed based on the similarity of common motif content. Certain secondary structure elements were inferred in the genomes of these species as well as new unknown motifs. The distribution of 20 motifs common to the studied species were found to have a significantly larger occurrence within the promoters and 3' UTRs of genes, both being regulatory regions. Motifs common to the promoter regions of japonica rice, Brachypodium, and corn were also found in a number of orthologous and paralogous genes. Some of our motifs were found to be complementary to miRNA elements in Brachypodium distachyon and japonica rice.
γ‐Ray emission produced by a relativistic beam of runaway electrons accelerated by quasi‐electrostatic thundercloud fields

In an experiment described by Fishman et al. [1994], high energy photons of atmospheric origin were detected by the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) detectors, located on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO). In this paper we assess the possibility that the bursts may be bremsstrahlung produced by relativistic (>1 MeV) runaway electron beams accelerated in an avalanche process by quasi-electrostatic thundercloud fields. We consider the height-dependent density profile of the relativistic electrons specified as a function of time in the context of a previously reported runaway model [Bell et al., 1995]. The electron beam is modeled as a vertical cylinder with radius 10 km, and numerical estimates are provided of γ-ray fluxes which would be observed at the satellite. The predicted fluxes at the satellite altitude and at horizontal distances of up to 500 km from the source are found to be comparable to the experimental data.
Notch-associated gene expression in embryonic and adult taste papillae and taste buds suggests a role in taste cell lineage decisions.

The Notch signaling pathway is involved in cell fate decisions during development. To explore the role of this signaling cascade in the taste system, we investigated the expression patterns of Notch signaling genes in fetal and adult mouse tongues using in situ hybridization. Three of the four murine Notch receptors, their ligands, Delta-like 1 (Dll-1), Jagged1, and Jagged2, as well as three transcription factors, Hes1, Hes6, and Mash1, are expressed in the embryonic taste epithelium. Expression is first detected in the circumvallate papilla at embryonic day E14.5, when Notch1, Jagged1, and Jagged2 are expressed broadly in the papilla and general lingual epithelium. In contrast, Mash1 and Hes6 are restricted to only a few epithelial cells in the apical region of the developing papilla. By E18.5, many of the genes now exhibit a bimodal expression pattern in the papillary epithelium: apically and dorsally they are expressed in sparse clusters of cells, while more ventrally expression typically occurs throughout the lower regions of the trenches. The extent of papilla innervation was compared with Mash1 and Hes6 expression. At E14.5, when Hes6 and Mash1 are already expressed in small numbers of epithelial cells, PGP9.5 immunoreactive fibers have not yet invaded the epithelium, consistent with the specification of taste bud primordia prior to nerve contact. All of the genes examined (except Notch2) are also expressed in subsets of cells within circumvallate taste buds in adult mice, although Notch1 is restricted to basal cells adjacent to taste buds. The onset of embryonic Notch associated gene expression after the morphological differentiation of the circumvallate papilla argues that this signaling cascade may specify taste receptor cell lineages within an already specified taste papilla. Similarly, Notch gene expression in adult taste buds suggests continued roles in cell lineage determination and cell turnover.