cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Collaborative Problem Solving in an Open-Ended Scientific Discovery Game

Countless human pursuits depend upon collaborative problem solving, especially in complex, open-ended domains. As part of the growing technological support for such collaboration, an opportunity exists to design systems that actively guide and facilitate collaborative problem solving toward the most productive outcomes. A better understanding of the dynamics of open-ended collaboration on complex problems is needed to realize this opportunity. Motivated by this need for better understanding, we investigate the collaborative problem solving ecosystem of the scientific-discovery game Foldit. Our investigation is guided by two primary questions: how do the social aspects of Foldit impact an individual's behavior? and what factors have significant impact on group success? We find that collaboration and competition are associated with increased participation and that collaboration increases individual performance. We also find that measures of group skill, individual skill, and participation correlate with better group performance.
Honesty in Shared Decision Making When Last-Ditch Efforts Fail.

Open and honest communication with parents, and among intensive care unit (ICU) team members, is essential, particularly in cases when the chance of survival is low. Weiss and Fiester (2018) discus...
Le docufiction entre création originale et documentaire

Suite au succes mondial de la serie documentaire Walking with dinosaurs (Tim Haines, 1999), six millions de telespectateurs, diffuse sur la chaine anglaise BBC et face aux attentes des telespectateurs, le docufiction, apres avoir connu une longue histoire au cinema et a la television, a connu son apogee, dans les annees 2000, a la television francaise. Ce genre hybride melangeant fiction et codes du documentaire a su s’imposer au fil des annees comme un genre a part entiere. Cet article examine la situation du docufiction et suit son evolution dans le panorama televisuel et cinematographique francais.
Subnational Patterns of Participation: Compulsory Voting and the Conditional Impact of Institutional Design:

Cross-national studies of turnout find that compulsory voting has the strongest impact on participation, boosting turnout by 10 to 18 percent. We argue that in the absence of compulsory voting, oth...
Unstable Dynamics of Vector-Borne Diseases: Modeling Through Delay-Differential Equations

Vector-borne diseases provide unique challenges to public health because the epidemiology is so closely tied to external environmental factors such as climate, landscape, and population migration, as well as the complicated biology of vector-transmitted pathogens. In particular, this close link between the epidemiology, the environment, and pathogen biology means that the traditional view that many vector-borne diseases are relatively stable in numerous regions does not provide a complete picture of their complexity. In fact, several regions exist with low levels of endemicity most of the time, punctuated by severe, often explosive, epidemics. These regions are considered unstable transmission settings. Ordinary differential equation (ODE) models have thus far dominated the study of vector-borne disease and have provided considerable insight into our understanding of transmission and effective control in stable transmission settings. To address the short-­comings of autonomous ODE models, we present a class of models, differential-delay equation (DDE) models, that have the potential to better describe unstable endemic settings for vector-borne disease. These models develop naturally out of the biology of diseases transmitted by vectors because of the extrinsic and intrinsic incubation periods and vector maturation process necessary for successful transmission of vector-transmitted pathogens. In this chapter, we introduce five examples of vector-borne diseases that span the globe, and discuss the clinical implications of unstable transmission of these diseases. Next, we present the original ODE version of the Ross-Macdonald model for vector-borne diseases, modify this model by introducing different types of naturally occurring delays, then illustrate how these models can exhibit more complex behavior such as oscillations via Hopf bifurcation and chaos via period-doubling, that the ODE model cannot produce. Finally, we explore the possibility for delay-models to contribute to our understanding of unstable transmission settings, which in turn will inform the development of effective control strategies for these epidemic-prone regions.
A Brain-Enhanced Chemical Delivery System for Gonadal Steroids: Implications for Neurodegenerative Diseases

The brain is a primary target for the physiological and pharmacological actions of gonadal steroid hormones. These hormones exert two modes of action on the brain: (i) during the critical period of fetal/neonatal life these hormones affect permanently some features of the brain structure and function which result in neuronal differentiation and (ii) during the adult life exert their effects in a modulatory, reversible mode that influence adult brain function.
Dysfibrinogenemia and thrombosis.

Abstract Objectives.—To review the state of the art relating to congenital dysfibrinogenemia as a potential risk factor for thrombosis, as reflected by the medical literature and the consensus opinion of recognized experts in the field, and to make recommendations for the use of laboratory assays for assessing this thrombotic risk in individual patients. Data Sources.—Review of the medical literature, primarily from the last 10 years. Data Extraction and Synthesis.—After an initial assessment of the literature, key points were identified. Experts were assigned to do an in-depth review of the literature and to prepare a summary of their findings and recommendations. A draft manuscript was prepared and circulated to every participant in the College of American Pathologists Conference on Diagnostic Issues in Thrombophilia. Each of the key points and associated recommendations were then presented for discussion at the conference. Recommendations were accepted if a consensus of experts attending the conference...
Revisiting ETL Benchmarking: The Case for Hybrid Flows

Modern business intelligence systems integrate a variety of data sources using multiple data execution engines. A common example is the use of Hadoop to analyze unstructured text and merging the results with relational database queries over a data warehouse. These analytic data flows are generalizations of ETL flows. We refer to multi-engine data flows as hybrid flows. In this paper, we present our benchmark infrastructure for hybrid flows and illustrate its use with an example hybrid flow. We then present a collection of parameters to describe hybrid flows. Such parameters are needed to define and run a hybrid flows benchmark. An inherent difficulty in benchmarking ETL flows is the diversity of operators offered by ETL engines. However, a commonality for all engines is extract and load operations, operations which rely on data and function shipping. We propose that by focusing on these two operations for hybrid flows, it may be feasible to revisit the ETL benchmark effort and thus, enable comparison of flows for modern business intelligence applications. We believe our framework may be a useful step toward an industry standard benchmark for ETL flows.
The Tumor Microenvironment

After more than 30 yr of crusading against cancer, targeting mostly the tumor cell cycle, the need for novel therapeutic strategies has become increasingly clear. Survival and expansion of tumor cells cannot be achieved in the absence of a favorable microenvironment, the main components of which are leukocytes, vascular cells, and fibroblasts. This tumor microenvironment critically provides growth factors and survival signals for tumor cell proliferation, secretes angiogenic factors that control tumor vascularization, and directs invasion and metastasis through adhesion molecule interactions. In addition, a successful antitumor immune response is prevented by multiple mechanisms of evasion orchestrated by nontumorcells. Understanding how the tumor microenvironment modulates the immune response is vital to designing new potential ways of boosting anticancer immunity. This chapter is focused on providing a rationale for new prospects of manipulating the tumor microenvironment to minimize escape from natural anticancer immune response and targeted immunotherapies.
Synthetic Systems Powered by Biological Molecular Motors

Biological molecular motors (or biomolecular motors for short) are nature's solution to the efficient conversion of chemical energy to mechanical movement. In biological systems, these fascinating molecules are responsible for movement of molecules, organelles, cells, and whole animals. In engineered systems, these motors can potentially be used to power actuators and engines, shuttle cargo to sensors, and enable new computing paradigms. Here, we review the progress in the past decade in the integration of biomolecular motors into hybrid nanosystems. After briefly introducing the motor proteins kinesin and myosin and their associated cytoskeletal filaments, we review recent work aiming for the integration of these biomolecular motors into actuators, sensors, and computing devices. In some systems, the creation of mechanical work and the processing of information become intertwined at the molecular scale, creating a fascinating type of "active matter". We discuss efforts to optimize biomolecular motor performance, construct new motors combining artificial and biological components, and contrast biomolecular motors with current artificial molecular motors. A recurrent theme in the work of the past decade was the induction and utilization of collective behavior between motile systems powered by biomolecular motors, and we discuss these advances. The exertion of external control over the motile structures powered by biomolecular motors has remained a topic of many studies describing exciting progress. Finally, we review the current limitations and challenges for the construction of hybrid systems powered by biomolecular motors and try to ascertain if there are theoretical performance limits. Engineering with biomolecular motors has the potential to yield commercially viable devices, but it also sharpens our understanding of the design problems solved by evolution in nature. This increased understanding is valuable for synthetic biology and potentially also for medicine.
Impaired Myofibroblast Dedifferentiation Contributes to Nonresolving Fibrosis in Aging

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal age-associated disease with no cure. Although IPF is widely regarded as a disease of aging, the cellular mechanisms that contribute to this age-associated predilection remain elusive. In this study, we sought to evaluate the consequences of senescence on myofibroblast cell fate and fibrotic responses to lung injury in the context of aging. We demonstrated that nonsenescent lung myofibroblasts maintained the capacity for dedifferentiation, whereas senescent/IPF myofibroblasts exhibited an impaired capacity for dedifferentiation. We previously demonstrated that the transcription factor MyoD acts as a critical switch in the differentiation and dedifferentiation of myofibroblasts. Here, we demonstrate that decreased levels of MyoD preceded myofibroblast dedifferentiation and apoptosis susceptibility in nonsenescent cells, whereas MyoD expression remained elevated in senescent/IPF myofibroblasts, which failed to undergo dedifferentiation and demonstrated resistance to apoptosis. Genetic strategies to silence MyoD restored the susceptibility of IPF myofibroblasts to undergo apoptosis and led to a partial reversal of age-associated persistent fibrosis in vivo. The capacity for myofibroblast dedifferentiation and subsequent apoptosis may be critical for normal physiologic responses to tissue injury, whereas restricted dedifferentiation and apoptosis resistance in senescent cells may underlie the progressive nature of age-associated human fibrotic disorders. These studies support the concept that senescence may promote profibrotic effects via impaired myofibroblast dedifferentiation and apoptosis resistance, which contributes to myofibroblast accumulation and ultimately persistent fibrosis in aging.
Tetra-aqua-[3-oxo-1,3-bis-(pyridinium-2-yl)propan-1-olato]nickel(II) tribromide dihydrate.

The crystal structure of the title compound, [Ni(C13H11N2O2)(H2O)4]Br3·2H2O, contains an octa­hedral NiII atom coordinated to the enol form of 1,3-di­pyridyl­propane-1,3-dione (dppo) and four water mol­ecules. Both pyridyl rings on the ligand are protonated, forming pyridinium rings and creating an overall ligand charge of +1. The protonated nitro­gen-containing rings are involved in hydrogen-bonding inter­actions with neighoring bromide anions. There are many additional hydrogen-bonding inter­actions involving coordinated water mol­ecules on the NiII atom, bromide anions and hydration water mol­ecules.
Longitudinal relations of self-criticism with disordered eating behaviors and nonsuicidal self-injury.

OBJECTIVE Self-criticism has been proposed as a transdiagnostic predictor of disordered eating and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). First, this study explored cross-sectional associations of multiple disordered eating behaviors, NSSI, and self-criticism. Second, it tested longitudinal relations of self-criticism with disordered eating and NSSI, adjusting for baseline levels of both behaviors. METHODS In Sub-study 1, undergraduates (N = 251, 79.5% female, Mage = 19.1 years) completed self-report measures of disordered eating, NSSI, and self-criticism at baseline and after 8 weeks. In Sub-study 2, community-based young adults with histories of disordered eating, NSSI, or both (N = 517, 88.8% female, Mage = 24.7 years) completed measures of disordered eating, NSSI, and self-criticism at baseline and after 4 weeks. All measures were completed online. RESULTS In Sub-study 1, both disordered eating and NSSI showed significant cross-sectional associations with self-criticism, and self-criticism was significantly related to binge eating, fasting, and NSSI at follow-up. In Sub-study 2, both behaviors again showed significant cross-sectional associations with self-criticism. Self-criticism showed significant longitudinal relations with fasting, purging, and excessive exercise. Longitudinal relations of self-criticism with NSSI varied across disordered eating behaviors. DISCUSSION NSSI showed cross-sectional associations with a range of disordered eating behaviors. Self-criticism reflects a common correlate of both disordered eating and NSSI. Evidence supported transdiagnostic longitudinal impact of self-criticism across multiple forms of disordered eating but provided more limited support for impacts on NSSI.
Corporate Responsibility for Wealth Creation and Human Rights

Georges Enderle proposes a radically new understanding of corporate responsibility in the global and pluralistic context. This book introduces a framework that integrates the ideas of wealth creation and human rights, which is illustrated by multiple corporate examples, and provides a sharp critique of the maximizing shareholder value ideology. By defining the purpose of business enterprises as creating wealth in a comprehensive sense, encompassing natural, economic, human and social capital while respecting human rights, Enderle draws attention to the fundamental importance of public wealth, without which private wealth cannot be created. This framework further identifies the limitations of the market institution and self-regarding motivations by demonstrating that the creation of public wealth requires collective actors and other-regarding motivations. In line with the UN's Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, this book provides clear ethical guidance for businesses around the world and a strong voice against human right violations, especially in repressive and authoritarian regimes and populist and discriminatory environments.
Transition to multiple mini interview (MMI) interviewing for medical school admissions

The multiple mini interview (MMI) has been incorporated into the holistic review process in the selection of students to US medical schools. The MMI has been used to evaluate interpersonal and intrapersonal attributes which are deemed as necessary for future physicians. We hypothesized that there would be little difference in overall MMI evaluation data compared with traditional interview ratings. The University of North Carolina School of Medicine developed an interview process that included a traditional interview and MMI format during the 2019 admissions cycle. Evaluation data along with key demographic variables for 608 MD program applicants were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. The MMI format slightly favored female over male applicants (p = 0.002) but did not select for or against applicants based on age, race/ethnicity, underserved/rural area upbringing, or indicators of disadvantage. Out of 608 applicants, 356 (59%) completed a post-interview survey in which the experience was positively rated. Based on our experience, the use of a hybrid model of traditional interviews complemented with MMI stations provided greater details in the assessment of medical school applicants while obtaining equivalent data and acceptability amongst applicants.
Muslims and Christians Debate Justice and Love: by David L. Johnston, Bristol, Equinox, 2020, 193 pp., £24.95/$32.00 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-78179-935-2; £75.00/$100.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-1-78179-934-5

Muslims and Christians Debate Justice and Love challenges two dominant stereotypes in the study of justice in Muslim–Christian relations. The stereotypes are (1) justice and love are on opposite si...
Measurement of the Correlation and Coherence Lengths in Boundary Layer Flight Data

Wall pressure data acquired during flight tests at several flight conditions are analyzed and the correlation and coherence lengths of the data reported. It is shown how the frequency bandwidth of the analysis biases the correlation length and how the convection of the flow acts to reduce the coherence length. Coherence lengths measured in the streamwise direction appear much longer than would be expected based on classical results for flow over a flat plat.
Weight Functions of Radial Cracks Emanating from a Circular Hole in a Plate

Explicit nodal weight functions for a pair of symmetric radial cracks emanating from a hole in a plate are presented with special emphasis on the load-independent characteristics of the explicit weight functions that can obviate repeated calculations of the Mode I stress intensity factors (K I ) under different loading conditions. An analytical expression, which relates the explicit crack-face weight function component for Mode I deformation to the radial distance from the crack tip along the crack face, is also provided to facilitate K I evaluation by combining the uncracked stress field and the explicit crack-face weight functions through the use of the linear superposition principle. The utilization of the explicit weight functions, which are obtained from a simple loading, for calculating K I under complex loading conditions such as biaxial loading and pin-joint loading with and without interference pressure, is uniquely demonstrated by combining the superposition principle and the weight function concept.
Methods: A small-molecule SMASh hit.

There are many techniques that can be employed to control gene expression at the post-translational level. However, a novel system called SMASh (small molecule–assisted shutoff), which allows for chemically-induced degradation of target proteins, presents some distinct advantages.
Actinomycin and Nucleic Acid Function

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the current understanding of actinomycin action at the molecular level. This discussion is related particularly to a model recently proposed for the reaction of actinomycin with DNA and to the implications of this model for the template function of helical nucleic acids. Actinomycin blocks the expression of genetic potentialities in several ways. The most prominent of these involves suppression of the formation of the primary cellular gene products; the ribonucleic acids (RNAs). The antibiotic also affects gene action, by preventing the transport of gene products, from nucleus to cytoplasm. In some mammalian cells, exposure to actinomycin is associated with the breakdown of previously synthesized RNA and this may constitute a third form of interference, with the gene action, although such depolymerization of RNA may merely reflect the existence of a normal turnover cycle. The actinomycin has also been applied to the analysis of gene action and the role of RNA metabolism in many systems. The chapter also reviews briefly some of these areas. It has not been attempted to include all the relevant contributions, but was tried to cite representative studies that illustrate the nature of actinomycin action, within a particular experimental framework, or exemplify some current applications of the antibiotic to various biological problems and the kind of information it can help to obtain.
Analysis of jitter in ring oscillators due to deterministic noise

Noise in ring oscillators has both random and deterministic components. In this paper a new metric for measuring jitter due to deterministic noise sources, called peak jitter, is developed. Predictive jitter equations are presented for deterministic noise that is symmetrically/asymmetrically injected into the oscillator. These equations agree with direct simulation and highlight the difference between symmetric and asymmetric noise injection.
The 32-kilodalton envelope protein of vaccinia virus synthesized in Escherichia coli binds with specificity to cell surfaces.

Abstract The nature of interaction between vaccinia virus and the surface of host cells as the first step in virus infection is undefined. A 32-kDa virus envelope protein has been identified as a cell surface binding protein (J.-S. Maa, J. F. Rodriguez, and M. Esteban, J. Biol. Chem. 265:1569-1577, 1990). To carry out studies on the structure-function relationship of this protein, the 32-kDa protein was obtained from Escherichia coli cells harboring the expression plasmid pT7Ek32. The recombinant polypeptide was found to have structural properties similar to those of the native virus envelope protein. Binding studies of 125I-labeled 32-kDa protein to cultured cells of various origins revealed that the E. coli-produced 32-kDa protein exhibited selectivity, specificity, and saturability. Scatchard analysis indicated about 4.5 x 10(4) sites per cell with a high affinity (Kd = 1.8 x 10(-9) M), suggesting interaction of the 32-kDa protein with a specific receptor. The availability of large quantities of the 32-kDa virus protein in bacteria will permit further structural and functional studies of this virus envelope protein and facilitate identification of the specific cell surface receptor.
General order moments in set theoretic estimation

A description is given of how information pertaining to an arbitrary absolute moment of the noise process can be used in a general set-theoretic estimation framework. It is shown that for each such piece of a priori information, a set can be constructed in the solution space by constraining the corresponding sample statistics of the estimation residual to lie within some acceptable distance from the expected value. The geometrical and topological properties of these sets are investigated. The benefits of the simultaneous use of several such sets with regard to the synthesis of better set-theoretic estimates are discussed. Applications to signal restoration/reconstruction, speech prediction, spectral estimation, and radar signal processing are discussed. >
OPTICAL LINE AND BROAD-BAND EMISSION FROM ION-BOMBARDED TARGETS*

A variety of solid targets have been bombarded with 40 keV Ar+ ions. The resulting optical emission was studied with a grating monochromator. The observed spectra consist mainly of lines from sputtered target particles. For several elements also a continuum was present in the spectrum. When metals with filled or nearly filled d-shells were used as a target, the radiation intensity showed a transient behavior as a function of the time elapsed since the beam is switched on. A high initial intensity in these cases will be related to emission from a partly oxidized surface, since it has been observed before that an oxidized surface emits more light than a clean one, probably due to the absence of radiationless de-excitations near oxide surfaces.
Variational ansatz for gaussian + Yang-Mills two matrix model compared with Monte-Carlo simulations in 't Hooft limit

In recent work, we have developed a variational principle for large N multi-matrix models based on the extremization of non-commutative entropy. Here, we test the simplest variational ansatz for our entropic variational principle with Monte-Carlo measurements. In particular, we study the two matrix model with action Tr[{m^2 \over 2} (A_1^2 + A_2^2) - {1 \over 4} [A_1,A_2]^2] which has not been exactly solved. We estimate the expectation values of traces of products of matrices and also those of traces of products of exponentials of matrices (Wilson loop operators). These are compared with a Monte-Carlo simulation. We find that the simplest wignerian variational ansatz provides a remarkably good estimate for observables when $m^2$ is of order unity or more. For small values of m^2 the wignerian ansatz is not a good approximation: the measured correlations grow without bound, reflecting the non-convergence of matrix integrals defining the pure commutator squared action. Comparison of this ansatz with the exact solution of a two matrix model studied by Mehta is also summarized. Here the wignerian ansatz is a good approximation both for strong and weak coupling.
Genetic Test Indications and Interpretations in Patients With Hereditary Angioedema

Patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) present with recurrent, circumscribed, and self-limiting episodes of tissue or mucous membrane swelling caused by C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) deficiency. The estimated frequency of HAE is 1:50,000 persons. Distinguishing HAE from acquired angioedema (AAE) facilitates therapeutic interventions and family planning or testing. Patients with HAE benefit from treatment with attenuated androgen, antifibrinolytic agents, and C1-INH concentrate replacement during acute attacks. HAE is currently recognized as a genetic disorder with autosomal dominant transmission. Other forms of inherited angioedema that are not associated with genetic mutations have also been identified. Readily available tests are complement studies, including C4 and C1-esterase inhibitor, both antigenic and functional C1-INH. These are the most commonly used tests in the diagnosis of HAE. Analysis of C1q can help differentiate between HAE and AAE caused by C1-INH deficiency. Genetic tests would be particularly helpful in patients with no family history of angioedema, which occurs in about half of affected patients, and in patients whose C1q level is borderline and does not differentiate between HAE and AAE. Measuring autoantibodies against C1-INH also would be helpful, but the test is available in research laboratories only. Simple complement determinations are appropriate for screening and diagnosis of the disorder.
Effect of Metal Loading and Subcellular pH on Net Charge of Superoxide Dismutase-1

The net charge of a folded protein is hypothesized to influence myriad biochemical processes (e.g., protein misfolding, electron transfer, molecular recognition); however, few tools exist for measuring net charge and this elusive property remains undetermined--at any pH--for nearly all proteins. This study used lysine-acetyl "protein charge ladders" and capillary electrophoresis to measure the net charge of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1)--whose aggregation causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)--as a function of coordinated metal ions and pH. The net negative charge of apo-SOD1 was similar to predicted values; however, the binding of a single Zn(2+) or Cu(2+) ion reduced the net negative charge by a greater magnitude than predicted (i.e., ~4 units, instead of 2), whereas the SOD1 protein underwent charge regulation upon binding 2-4 metal ions. From pH5 to pH8 (i.e., a range consistent with the multiple subcellular loci of SOD1), the holo-SOD1 protein underwent smaller fluctuations in net negative charge than predicted (i.e., ~3 units, instead of ~14) and did not undergo charge inversion at its isoelectric point (pI=5.3) but remained anionic. The regulation of SOD1 net charge along its pathways of metal binding, and across solvent pH, provides insight into its metal-induced maturation and enzymatic activity (which remains diffusion-limited across pH5-8). The anionic nature of holo-SOD1 across subcellular pH suggests that ~45 different ALS-linked mutations to SOD1 will reduce its net negative charge regardless of subcellular localization.
Seed Size and Planting Depth Effects on Emergence and Yield of Pinto Bean

Seed size and planting depth affect plant performance of many crop species. Growers claim that large pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seeds emerge faster and produce higher seed yields than small seeds. A study was conducted during 1986 and 1987 on Billings silty clay loam soil (fine-silty, mixed [calcareous], mesic Typic Torrifluvents) at the Colorado State University Fruita Research Center to investigate the effects of seed size class (small, medium, and large), representing 30, 40, and 30% of the original bulk sample by weight, respectively, and a check; and planting depth (1-, 2-, and 3-in) and their interaction on seedling emergence and yield of pinto bean (...)
Do revisions improve forecasts

Abstract This study examines the effects of forecast revisions on accuracy using economic forecast survey data. Forecasts on the GDP growth rate and the short-term bond yield have been more extensively revised than forecasts on the inflation rate, the long-term bond yield, and the yen/dollar exchange rate. This study finds that revision produces significantly better forecasts for the short-term interest rate and the exchange rate, but not for the GDP growth or inflation rates. For the latter, the additional information available since the original forecasts appears to make little difference. The results on macroeconomic forecasting are in disagreement with an earlier finding that recently revised forecasts are superior to the originals.
Field Experiences in Teaching Computer Science: Course Organization and Reflections

A major challenge for broadening participation in computing within K-12 settings is the lack of trained teachers. While professional development programs provide opportunities for the development of knowledge, skills, and pedagogy in teaching computing, teachers need ongoing support throughout the academic year. In this paper, we describe a course-based model for partnering undergraduates with teachers and students in a field experience model. We describe the model focusing on learning objectives, curriculum, field component and partnership building. We subsequently report on the products that undergraduates were able to create with their partner teachers. Finally, we investigate the impact of the field experience model on undergraduates' content knowledge, pedagogical skills and career development.
Hepatitis C: evaluating the seropositive blood donor.

Objective: To determine the epidemiologic, clinical, serologic, and histologic importance of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in blood donors. Design: Cross-sectional identification and prospective evaluation of seropositive donors; retrospective assessment of infectivity; and nested casecontrol study for risk factors. Setting: Liver unit of a referral-based university hospital. Subjects: Of 30 231 consecutive donors, 368 (1.2%) were found to be anti-HCV-reactive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Two hundred and fifty-four of these 368 donors were evaluated for risk factors by comparison with 284 age- and sex-matched controls. Eighty-six spouses of seropositive donors were also evaluated. Measurements and Main Results: Twenty-four percent of the seropositive donors had a history of percutaneous exposure to blood. This rate increased to 45% when only those donors confirmed to be anti-HCV positive by a second-generation recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA-2) were considered. A family history of liver disease (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.6 to 4.8), previous blood transfusion (odds ratio, 6.1; 95% CI, 3 to 12.5), and a history of tattooing or intravenous drug abuse (odds ratio, 8.4; 95% CI, 2.3 to 31) were associated with anti-HCV seropositivity. An elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level was found in 58% of the seropositive donors. Of the 150 donors tested, 104 (69%; CI, 62% to 77%) were confirmed by RIBA-2 to be anti-HCV positive. Of the 105 donors who had a biopsy, 16% had normal histologic findings, 11% had minimal changes, 21% had chronic persistent hepatitis, 45% had chronic active hepatitis, and 7% had active cirrhosis. All 77 donors with RIBA-2-confirmed seropositivity had histologic abnormalities. Of 43 donors evaluated in an infectivity study, 82% were implicated in previous HCV transmission. Only 2.3% of the spouses were anti-HCV positive. The ELISA, RIBA-2, and ALT results correlated with infectivity and abnormal histologic findings. Conclusions: In our geographic area, almost 70% of donors who are anti-HCV positive by ELISA are confirmed to be positive by RIBA-2; most of these donors appear to be chronic carriers of HCV and have substantial liver disease.
Inconsistency and features of single nucleotide variants detected in whole exome sequencing versus transcriptome sequencing: A case study in lung cancer

Whole exome sequencing (WES) and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) are two main platforms used for next-generation sequencing (NGS). While WES is primarily for DNA variant discovery and RNA-Seq is mainly for measurement of gene expression, both can be used for detection of genetic variants, especially single nucleotide variants (SNVs). How consistently variants can be detected from WES and RNA-Seq has not been systematically evaluated. In this study, we examined the technical and biological inconsistencies in SNV detection using WES and RNA-Seq data from 27 pairs of tumor and matched normal samples. We analyzed SNVs in three categories: WES unique - those only detected in WES, RNA-Seq unique - those only detected in RNA-Seq, and shared - those detected in both. We found a small overlap (average ∼14%) between the SNVs called in WES and RNA-Seq. The WES unique SNVs were mainly due to low coverage, low expression, or their location on the non-transcribed strand in RNA-Seq data, while the RNA-Seq unique SNVs were primarily due to their location out of the WES-capture boundary regions (accounting ∼71%), as well as low coverage of the regions, low coverage of the mutant alleles or RNA-editing. The shared SNVs had high locus-specific coverage in both WES and RNA-Seq and high gene expression levels. Additionally, WES unique and RNA-Seq unique SNVs showed different nucleotide substitution patterns, e.g., ∼55% of RNA-Seq unique variants were A:T→G:C, a hallmark of RNA editing. This study provides an important evaluation on the inconsistencies of somatic SNVs called in WES and RNA-Seq data.
Folate-mediated targeting of therapeutic and imaging agents to cancers

The vitamin folic acid (FA) enters cells either through a carrier protein, termed the reduced folate carrier, or via receptor-mediated endocytosis facilitated by the folate receptor (FR). Because folate-drug conjugates are not substrates of the former, they penetrate cells exclusively via FR-mediated endocytosis. When FA is covalently linked via its gamma-carboxyl to a drug or imaging agent, FR binding affinity (KD approximately 10(-10)M) is not measurably compromised, and endocytosis proceeds relatively unhindered, promoting uptake of the attached drug/imaging agent by the FR-expressing cell. Because FRs are significantly overexpressed on a large fraction of human cancer cells (e.g., ovarian, lung, breast, endometrial, renal, colon, and cancers of myeloid hematopoietic cells), this methodology may allow for the selective delivery of a wide range of imaging and therapeutic agents to tumor tissue. Folate-mediated tumor targeting has been exploited to date for delivery of the following molecules and molecular complexes: (i) protein toxins, (ii) low-molecular-weight chemotherapeutic agents, (iii) radioimaging agents, (iv) MRI contrast agents, (v) radiotherapeutic agents, (vi) liposomes with entrapped drugs, (vii) genes, (viii) antisense oligonucleotides, (ix) ribozymes, and (x) immunotherapeutic agents. In virtually all cases, in vitro studies demonstrate a significant improvement in potency and/or cancer-cell specificity over the nontargeted form of the same pharmaceutical agent. Where live animal studies have been conducted, they also reveal significant promise.
Antigenic change and cell maturation in murine thymocytes

Abstract Changes in the expression of the differentiation antigen TL were studied in a cell-transfer model which segregates thymocytes on the basis of their ability to recirculate. The maturational steps which lead to the acquisition of recirculation are accompanied by a decreased expression of TL suggesting that the loss of this cell surface antigen normally occurs within the thymus prior to emigration to the periphery of “thymus-derived” lymphocytes. However, artificial peripheralization is inimical to the TL phenotype and rapid loss of detectable antigen occurs within 24 hrs. The mechanism underlying this in vivo change is unknown.
Preparation and characterization of tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrinatomanganese(III) cation supported covalently on poly(siloxane)

Abstract Tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrinatomanganese(III), [Mn III (TPyP)] + , has been covalently bonded to the surface of a chlorinated crosslinked poly(siloxane) which contains the immobilized chloropropyl group, -CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 Cl. The metalloporphyrin complex was found to react with the immobilized ligand via a quaternization reaction of the 4-pyridine N -atom. The porphyrin binding involves a chemical process rather than physical adsorption. There is evidence that two porphyrins species coexist, both bonded to the surface, one being [Mn III (TPyP)] + and the other (H 2 TPyP), both in the quaternary salt forms, when the quaternization reaction is carried out at higher temperature (150 °C). At moderate reaction temperatures (70–80 °C) the quaternization reaction resulted in only one species, supported [Mn III (TPyP)] + , as evident from electronic spectra of the solid. Also, visible absorption spectra taken of the solution remaining after the quaternization reaction showed no demetallated porphyrm. Solid state electronic absorption, dispersive IR and FT-IR spectra have been used for confirmation.
Tarasoff Duties in Prisons: Community Standards With Certain Twists

Because inmates' actions are restricted by incarceration, Tarasoff duties in prisons have certain unique aspects. There are two broad situations: (1) when the potential victim is located within the prison community; and (2) when the potential victim is located outside of prison. Although responsibilities vary widely from state to state, this paper discusses general principles of exercising Tarasoff duties in prison settings. In addition to duties to protect potential victims, correctional mental-health professionals have an ethical duty to protect patient confidentiality. Professionals should chose Tarasoff options that protect confidentiality to the fullest extent possible, and prisoners should be informed of situations where confidentiality does not exist. A caveat is that no Tarasoff statutes can be relied upon to offer tort protection to correctional clinicians until they have been tested in appellate courts.
THE ESTIMATION OF FREE CALCIUM WITHIN SYNAPTOSOMES AND MITOCHONDRIA WITH FURA-2; COMPARISON TO QUIN-2

The utility of the acetoxymethyl esters of two tetracarboxylic acids, fura-2 and quin-2, in the determination of ionic calcium levels within synaptosomes and mitochondria was compared. Synaptosomes and isolated mitochondria both accumulated the esters but mitochondria had a much more limited capacity to hydrolyze them. Dye-loaded synaptosomes maintain their external membrane potential of magnitude similar to values for unloaded controls and do not accumulate radioactive Ca(2+) in excess with time. Both fluorescent compounds yielded similar values (about 300-400 nM) for free intrasynaptosomal calcium [Ca(2+)](i). Mitochondrial Ca(2+) could be measured only with fura-2. Isolated mitochondria contained 0.9-1 ?M free Ca(2+) in a similar extrasynaptosomal medium. Fura-2 tended to overestimate [Ca(2+)](i) while quin-2 tended to underestimate it due to chelation of these dyes with intrasynaptosomal trace elements. Fura-2 requiring the use of two excitation wavelengths was significantly superior to the single wavelength method using quin-2. Advantages included reduced danger of erroneous readings due to (i) synaptosomal sedimentation, (ii) photobleaching of the dye, (iii) underestimation of intrasynaptosomal calcium during correction for dye leakage by manganese entry into synaptosomes. Fura-2 interfered less with synaptosomal Ca(2+) transients than quin-2, probably due to lower intrasynaptosomal concentration of dye needed. Both unstimulated and K(+)-stimulated (45)Ca(2+) uptake were increased in quin-2-loaded synaptosomes but only K(+)-stimulated uptake in fura-2 loaded ones. This series of advantages makes fura-2 of superior utility in the determination of free intrasynaptosomal calcium.
Stack-and-Denoise: A New Method to Stack Seismic Datasets

Stacking combines a collection of noisy seismic gathers, such as NMO-corrected CMP gathers or migrated gathers, into a single less noisy seismic section. Existing techniques stack each gather independently, and in the process, ignore the tremendous structure of seismic signals. We propose a novel technique called Stack-andDenoise (SAD) that exploits the structure of seismic signals to obtain an enhanced stack. SAD comprises the following steps: (1) Estimate the signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) for each trace in the gather using a new iterative algorithm called Leave-Me-Out; (2) Use the SNRs to perform a weighted stack of the noisy gathers (3) Attenuate the residual noise in the weighted stack using denoising in the wavelet, Fourier, or curvelet transform domain, for example. Though simple, SAD enjoys some desirable optimality properties. During synthetic and real data experiments, SAD significantly attenuated both multiples and random noise in the stacked estimate.
The thermal structure of free convection turbulence from inclined isothermal surfaces and its influence on heat transfer

Abstract A differential interferometer is used to provide flow visualization and measurement of the local heat-transfer coefficient for free convection from an inclined isothermal plate. The flow structure within the turbulent thermal boundary layer can be separated into a relatively constant thickness “thermal sublayer” and a core region that contains randomly fluctuating fluid typical of turbulent flow. The thermal sublayer is shown to contain “thermal waves” that traverse the surface of the heated plate and cause significant variations in the local heat-transfer coefficient. The frequency of occurance of the thermal waves increases in the transitional regime and is practically constant in the turbulent regime. The frequency of the thermal waves is decreased as the plate is inclined toward a horizontal position. Data for the time-average local Nusselt number for laminar, transitional and turbulent regimes are presented in addition to critical Rayleigh number values for the onset of transitional and turbulent flow.
Pearls & Oy-sters: Fragile X tremor/ataxia syndrome A diagnostic dilemma

Fragile X tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a progressive, adult-onset, X-linked genetic disorder caused by the CGG premutation FMR1 gene. The clinical features of the syndrome are diverse, as patients can present with parkinsonism, bilateral hand tremor, ataxia, and cognitive decline. The syndrome can mimic more common neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson disease or the atypical parkinsonian syndromes, Alzheimer disorders, essential tremor, or pure ataxia. Ultimately the diagnosis is supported by recognition of the clinical features, family history, neuroimaging clues, and finally confirmation with genetic testing.
642 DEMONSTRATION THAT HISTIOCYTOSIS-X MAY BE AN AUTO-IMMUNE DISORDER AND SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT WITH THYMIC HUMORAL FACTOR

To test the hypothesis that histiocytosis-X may be a primary autoimmune disorder and not a true cytoproliferative malignancy, we assayed the reactivity to autologous antigens of Ficoll-Hypaque separated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) from controls and patients with histiocytosis-X. The PBM of 4/4 patients demonstrated reactivity to autologous antigens in one or more assays. None of 10 controls demonstrated any autoreactivity in the assays. The assays used were: cytotoxicity of 14C labelled cultured autologous fibroblasts, cytotoxicity of 51Cr labelled autologous lymphocytes, and stimulation of PBM protein synthesis by actinomycin-D treated autologous lymphocytes. Pre-incubation of patients' PBM with thymic humoral factor (THF) eliminated the abnormal autoreactivity in all three assays. Because THF abolished in vitro reactivity, one patient, a chemotherapy failure, was treated with THF. He is now in complete remission, requires no additional THF therapy, and his PBM no longer demonstrates autoreactivity. Histiocytosis-X may be caused by inadequate regulation of autoreactive lymphocytes, whose response to autologous antigens produces the manifestations of the disease. The lack of regulation may be due to a thymic deficiency that can be corrected with THF replacement therapy.
Consistent MYC and FLT4 Gene Amplification in Radiation-Induced Angiosarcoma but not in other Radiation-Associated Atypical Vascular Lesions

Angiosarcoma (AS) is a distinct group of sarcomas characterized by upregulation of vascular-specific receptor tyrosine kinases, including TIE1, KDR, TEK, and FLT1. In keeping with the clinical heterogeneity, gene-expression profiling distinguishes two AS genomic clusters, which correlate with anatomical location and prior exposure to radiation. Furthermore, a high percentage of secondary AS, but not primary AS, shows distinct 8q24 chromosomal gains, due to MYC amplification. In this study, we mined the transcriptional output of 10 secondary and 11 primary AS to better define the dichotomy in the pathogenesis of these two clinical subsets. The oncogenic role of MYC was investigated further in secondary AS as well as in radiation-induced atypical vascular lesions (AVL) and other radiation-associated sarcomas. High-level MYC amplification was found in 100% of secondary AS, but in none of the AVL or other radiation-associated sarcomas. Coamplification of FLT4 (encoding VEGFR3) was identified in 25% of secondary AS, but not in other types. Our findings reinforce the distinct pathogenesis of AS subtypes, with MYC amplification being an early, but necessary event in secondary AS. Secondary genetic hits, such as FLT4 gene coamplification or KDR mutations, may play a role in tumor progression as well as potential therapeutic targeting.
Quality indicators for colorectal cancer screening for colonoscopy

The growing importance of colonoscopy in the prevention of colorectal cancer has stimulated an effort to identify and track quality indicators for this procedure. Several factors have been identified so far which are readily measurable and in many cases have been associated with improved patient outcomes. There is also ample evidence of variations in performance of this procedure. As a result, gathering data about quality indicators may play a vital role in the process of continuous quality improvement. Quality indicators for colonoscopy in colorectal cancer prevention are described along with the evidence that supports their use in benchmarking, quality reporting, and continuous quality improvement.