cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plans for a program in medical information science

Although the "information revolution" has pervaded nearly every other aspect of modern industrial life, the health care system---replete with an overdose of information---lags behind in management and control. Although there are isolated examples of the use of information technology in the health delivery system, these are fragmented and usually limited to isolated processes, rather than to an integrated information system.This underutilization is largely the result of an isolation of the health professional and the physician from any substantive knowledge of computing. "Computer ignorance" has led to overexpectation and consequent disappointment and failure. We propose that formal structured training of health professionals at the postgraduate level will provide the knowledge base that will lead to intelligent planning and practical implementation. The details of a graduate training program, with a strong embedded research component, are presented.
Whirling Disease Behavior and Its Relation to Pathology of Brain Stem and Spinal Cord in Rainbow Trout

Abstract A long-standing assumption about whirling disease is that the whirling pattern of swimming is caused by disequilibrium due to parasite-induced damage of the auditory–vestibular apparatus or dysfunction of the nervous system related to vertebral column damage. The behavior of rainbow trout infected with Myxobolus cerebralis as 18-d swim-up fry was studied at 90 or 240 d after parasite exposure. These fish displayed a behavioral syndrome consisting of (1) sequences of tight turns (whirling), (2) periods at rest in which the tail was elevated higher than the head, and (3) episodes of postural collapse and immobility. In spite of these behavioral disturbances, the infected fish showed virtually no behavioral indications of impaired vestibular system function, such as difficulty maintaining an upright posture. Histological examination of these infected fish revealed that parasite invasion of the skull and vertebral column was associated with granulomatous inflammation that extended into the perineural...
Social Media for Mental Illness Risk Assessment, Prevention and Support

Social media sites are continually creating rich repositories of information relating to our activities, emotion and linguistic expression. In this talk I will discuss how such trails of data may be harnessed to reason about our mental health concerns. First, I will discuss a series of studies that examined how cues derived from social media around major life events (e.g., childbirth) and societal disruptions (e.g., violence) may help infer risks to well-being. Second, I will discuss threads of research in which we investigated the role of social media systems in providing a platform of expression to distressed communities and communities exhibiting deviant health behaviors. Broadly, I will reflect on how this new line of research bears potential in informing the design of interventions for improved well-being, privacy and ethical considerations, and in this context, the challenges and opportunities of the increasing ubiquity of social media.
Personality and Political Culture in the American States

Differences in political culture have been observed at the cross-national and subnational levels, and political culture corresponds with a wide array of important social and political phenomena. However, possible psychological correlates of political culture are less clear. Building on research in personality psychology and cross-cultural psychology, this study contemplates whether aggregate personality measures compiled in the American states correspond with patterns in political culture. Using measures of personality traits provided by more than 600,000 survey respondents, parallels with state-level measures of citizen ideology, political culture, and civic culture are examined. Possible mechanisms linking personality and political culture are discussed.
Determination of the significance of in vitro blast cell [3H]thymidine labelling indices obtained initially and serially during induction therapy of acute non-lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract Serial measurements of the in vitro [3H]thymidine autoradiographic labelling indices (LI) of leukemic bone marrow blast cells were obtained in children with ANLL undergoing induction with a cell-cycle based sequential combination chemotherapy schedule. The median pretreatment blast LI, which was initially low (7.1%, n = 66), increased significantly to a median of 12.3% by 168 h (p
Structural tuning of the magnetic behavior in spinel-structure ferrite thin films

Epitaxial cobalt ferrite thin films provide a model system for understanding the magnetic properties of spinel structure ferrite thin films. We demonstrate that the anomalous magnetic behavior, observed in our antiphase-boundary-free films, can be explained in terms of cation distribution and lattice distortions. The magnetic anisotropy is a delicate balance between strain anisotropy, due to internal lattice strain or equivalent external strain effects, and magnetocrystalline anisotropy, due to cation distribution. By annealing the cobalt ferrite thin films and hence varying the cobalt cation distribution among the tetrahedral and octahedral sites and the strain state of the films, we are able to tune the symmetry and the magnitude of the magnetic anisotropy.
A combined O, Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic and trace element study of crustal contamination in central Andean lavas, I. Local geochemical variations

Systematic variations in O, Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic ratios and in Sr, Nd, Pb, and Rb trace element abundances in central Andean andesitic lavas are analyzed in terms of combined crustal assimilation and fractional crystallization. The results of integrated isotopic model calculations show that observed local isotopic and trace element variations within the Arequipa and Barroso volcanic groups of southern Peru are best fit by a simple model involving shallow or intermediate depth crustal assimilation of Charcani gneiss (or an equivalent rock) accompanied by dominantly plagioclase fractional crystallization. A consequence of this result is that the RbSr pseudoisochrons reported for the Arequipa and Barroso volcanics are wholly artifacts of the combined processes of assimilation and plagioclase fractionation, as are all of the Pb isotopic variations measured in the same lavas, already interpreted by Tilton and Barreiro [14] to be the result of crustal contamination. Isotopic and trace element compositions of the primary magmas for the Arequipa and Barroso volcanic series are obtained by correcting for assimilation and fractional crystallization. The starting magmas are characterized over the entire range of permissible primary compositions by high87Sr/86Sr ratios, low143Nd/144Nd ratios, and high Sr concentrations relative to “normal” island arc andesites. These results appear to require prior contamination of the magmas, but not involving plagioclase fractionation. The uncertainty in Pb and O isotope ratios computed for possible primary magmatic compositions is sufficiently large, however, that it is not possible to preclude a subcrustal origin for at least some regional variation in Sr and Nd isotopic ratios.
Group work publications, 1987

Abstract The author reviews nine books, published during 1987, from the literature of helping relationships in a group setting. Included are works from counseling and psychotherapy, growth groups, organization development, and social work.
Induction of monocytic suppression after stimulation of peripheral human mononuclear cells with staphylococcal protein A and Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcal protein-A (SPA) and Staphylococcus aureus are known to be polyclonal human B-cell activators. It was noted that they induced plaque-forming-cell (PFC) responses lower than those induced by pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and the possibility of early triggering of a suppressor cell was investigated in the present series of experiments. Peripheral mononuclear cells (MNC) were passed through Sephadex G-10 columns to eliminate monocytes. The PFC responses to SPA and S. aureus were thereby increased. PWM-driven PFC responses are suppressed by the simultaneous presence of SPA in a dose-related way, if present in the early phases of the cultures. MNC precultured with SPA or S. aureus have the ability to suppress the PFC response of autologous MNC to PWM. Interestingly this suppressor cell activity was radiation resistant and could not be abrogated by treatment with anti-T-cell monoclonal antibody plus complement. The above experiments clearly demonstrate that the observed low PFC responses of MNC after stimulation with SPA and S. aureus are due to the induction of suppressor cells by these stimulants. The suppressor cells are apparently of monocytic origin.
Resonance Selection Principle and Low Energy Resonances for a Radial Schrödinger Operator with Nearly Coulomb Potential

Abstract We study resonances for the radial Schrodinger operator with Coulomb potential perturbed by a compactly supported function. Resonances are defined as poles of an analytic continuation of the quadratic form of the resolvent to the second Riemann sheet through the continuous spectrum. We show that, like in the non-Coulomb case, resonances can be described as roots of the Jost function. Using this result we prove that zero cannot be a point of accumulation of resonances, i.e., for a given value of an angular momentum l there exists a disk on the second Riemann sheet centered at the origin which is free of resonances. The radii of these disks may tend to zero when l → ∞. In our next paper we show that these radii do tend to zero for a nonnegative perturbation with finite positive first moment. This means that the three-dimensional Schrodinger operator with Coulomb potential perturbed by a complactly supported spherically symmetric function of the above type has a sequence of resonances accumulating to zero.
Geometric estimation of the inherent dimensionality of a single material cluster in multi-and hyperspectral imagery

ABSTRACT The inherent dimensionality of a spectral image can be estimated in a number of ways, primarily based on statis-tical measures of the data cloud in the hyperspace. Methods using the eigenvalues from a Principal ComponentsAnalysis, a Minimum Noise Fraction transformation, or the Virtual Dimensionality algorithm are widely usedas applied to entire images typically with the goal of reducing the dimensionality of an image in its entirety.However, it is desirable to understand the dimensionality of individual components within a hyperspectral scene,as there is no a priori reason to expect all distinct material classes in the scene to have the same inherent dimen-sionality. Additionally, in complex scenes containing non-natural materials, the lack of multivariate normalityof the data set implies that a statistically based estimation is less than optimal. Here, a geometric approach isdeveloped based on the local estimation of dimensionality in the native data hyperspace. It will be shown thatthe dimensionality of a collection of data points ( k ) in the full n dimensions (where n is the number of spectralchannels measured) can be estimated by calculating the change in point density as a function of distance in thefull n dimensional hyperspace. Simple simulated examples to demonstrate the concept will be shown, as well asapplications to real hyperspectral imagery collected with the HyMAP sensor.Keywords: hyperspectral, inherent dimension, hyperspace
THE STAINING OF THIN SECTIONS OF MOUSE PANCREAS PREPARED BY THE FERNANDEZ-MORAN HELIUM II FREEZE-SUBSTITUTION METHOD.

Small pieces of mouse pancreas were rapidly frozen in helium II, substituted in methanol at -75°C., and embedded in methacrylate by ultraviolet polymerization in the cold. The unstained cells show a structure similar to that after OsO4 fixation, except that the RNP particles have little or no contrast and the mitochondria and Golgi zones appear as grey areas without internal structure. After staining the sections by floating them on solutions of lead acetate or osmium tetroxide, there is an increase in contrast of RNP particles, ergastoplasmic membranes, and zymogen granules. Mitochondrial and Golgi membranes, zymogen granule membranes, and a membrane along the outside of the ergastoplasmic cisterna appear in negative contrast. The structure of the ergastoplasm, the existence of RNP particles, and the production of negative contrast are discussed. A modification of Gomori's method for acid phosphatase produces a lead deposit around the periphery of the zymogen granules. Possibly this deposit does not represent the true site of the enzyme, but the results show the feasibility of histochemistry at the level of resolution of the electron microscope.
Effect of ethanol on lactic acid production by exercised normal muscle

Several studies have suggested that muscle lactic acid production is defective in alcoholic myopathy. However, normal controls have not been evaluated. To study the effects of ethanol on the production of lactic acid in normal exercised muscle, oral ethanol (1 g per kg body weight, 20% v/v) was given to eight nonalcoholic subjects. Forearm ischemic exercise with a total work load of 7.2 kg-m/min was performed just before and 90 min after ingestion of ethanol. At the time of exercise, the serum ethanol level was 95.7 +/- 15.1 mg% (mean +/- SD). Resting serum lactic acid was significantly higher after ingestion of ethanol (15.7 +/- 4.5 mg%) than before (8.5 +/- 4.7 mg%). Lactic acid generation with ischemic exercise was significantly lower after ethanol ingestion. The mean peak serum lactic acid level (expressed as percentage elevation above resting) was 330.5 +/- 118.2% before and 127.9 +/- 75.1% after (p less than .05). These results indicate that a single oral dose of ethanol decreases lactic acid production by exercised muscle in normal subjects.
Interleukin-2 in cancer therapy: uses and optimum management of adverse effects.

Recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) produces remissions in several human tumours, including metastatic renal cell cancer (RCC) and malignant melanoma. High-dose intravenous bolus rIL-2 is approved in the US in these 2 indications, based on evidence of rIL-2-induced durable remissions in a significant minority of patients. Due to the toxicity associated with high-dose rIL-2, alternative regimens were investigated in RCC, including low-dose intravenous bolus, subcutaneous outpatient regimens and continuous intravenous infusion, yielding similar response rates. A prospective randomised trial comparing different doses and routes of administration is underway. Because response rates to single agent rIL-2 are inadequate, combination therapies were studied. In RCC patients, a combination of rIL-2 and IFNα resulted in better response rates than either cytok-ine alone, with no apparent survival advantage. Combination with chemotherapy increased toxicity and had no proven benefit. Results of adoptive immunotherapy studies combining rIL-2 with either lymphokine-activated killer cells or tumour infiltrating lymphocytes were comparable to those of rIL-2 alone. In malignant melanoma, combination therapy of rIL-2 with chemotherapy was explored. Results of single-institution phase II combination studies of variable chemotherapy and rIL-2 and IFNα regimens were promising and randomised trials are underway. rIL-2 is being is evaluated in haematological malignancies. The rationale is based on pre-clinical evidence that a variety of leukaemic blasts are sensitive to cytolysis or growth inhibition mediated by rIL-2-activated immune effector cells. New immunotherapeutic strategies may ultimately improve the anti-tumour efficacy of rIL-2-based therapy. Early trials using rIL-2 as adjuvant therapy to vaccines or dendritic cell-based therapy have yielded promising results. rIL-2 therapy initiates a cytokine-mediated pro-inflammatory process leading to an adverse effect profile that is quite different from traditional chemotherapeutic agents. Dose-limiting toxicities are primarily cardiovascular and pulmonary and are dose-dependent in frequency and severity. Patients receiving high-dose regimens may require intensive care unit support, limiting its use to those with excellent performance status and adequate organ function. Patients receiving less intensive dose regimens may require less rigorous screening and monitoring. It has been postulated that rIL-2 related toxicity is mediated through the release of secondary cytokines, including TNF, IFNψ, IL-6 and IL-1. With the increasing understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of the effects of rIL-2, it is possible that concurrent administration of selective cytokine antagonists may reduce the toxicity associated with rIL-2 without interfering with its anti-neoplastic activity.
An ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization of hyalin in the sea urchin egg.

The fertilized sea urchin egg is invested by the hyaline layer, a thick extracellular coat which is necessary for normal development. On the basis of ultrastructural studies and the fact that hyalin is released during the time of the cortical reaction, it has been generally accepted that hyalin is derived from the cortical granules. However, this has never been proven definitely, and recently, it has been reported that hyalin is a membrane and/or cell surface protein. To determine where hyalin is stored, we carried out an ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization of hyalin in the unfertilized egg. Hyalin purified from isolated hyaline layers was used to immunize rabbits. Antisera so obtained were shown to be hyalin specific following absorption with a combination of sea urchin proteins. Immunocytochemical localizations were carried out on sections of Epon-embedded material using protein A-coated gold particles as an antibody marker. Our results demonstrate that, prior to fertilization, hyalin is stored in the homogeneous component of the cortical granule in Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis and Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Labeling of small cortical vesicles in both unfertilized and fertilized eggs, suggests that these vesicles may contain a secondary reservoir of hyalin.
Optimal fast tracking observer bandwidth of the linear extended state observer

In current industrial control applications, the proportional + integral + derivative (PID) control is still used as the leading tool, but constructing controller requires precise mathematical model of plant, and tuning the parameters of controllers is not simple to implement. Motivated by the gap between theory and practice in control problems, linear active disturbance rejection control (LADRC) addresses a set of control problems in the absence of precise mathematical models. LADRC has two parameters to be tuned, namely, a closed-loop bandwidth and observer bandwidth. The performance of LADRC depends on the quick convergence of a unique state observer, known as the extended state observer, proposed by Jinqing Han (1994). Only one parameter, observer bandwidth, significantly affects the tracking speed of extended state observer. This paper studies numerically the optimal fast tracking observer bandwidth and the absolute tracking error estimation for a class of non-linear and uncertain motion control probl...
Outcome after repair of tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve.

Abstract Background . Tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve (TOF/APV) is associated with pulmonary artery dilatation and airway compression. Methods . Since January 1, 1984, 28 patients with TOF/APV have undergone complete repair (median age 11 days, range 1 day to 16 years). Results . Thirteen patients were ventilated for respiratory failure preoperatively and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used in 3. Twenty-six patients underwent pulmonary artery plication (11 anterior, 15 anterior/posterior). The right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) was reconstructed with a patch (19), valved conduit (5), or monocusp valve (4). Early mortality was 21.4% (6/28), with 1 late death. All early deaths occurred in infants intubated preoperatively. Survival was 77% (95% confidence limit [CL] 56%, 89%) at 1 year and 72% (95% CL 50%, 86%) at 10 years. After surgery, 3 patients underwent reoperation for persistent respiratory symptoms, which resolved after repeat plication and placement of a valved conduit. Freedom from death or reoperation was 68% (95% CL 46%, 83%) at 1 year and 52% (95% CL 29%, 71%) at 10 years. In a multivariable analysis, only preoperative intubation was associated with a worse outcome ( p = 0.04). Conclusions . Long-term outcome for patients with TOF/APV who survive the initial repair is good. Repeat plication and pulmonary valve implantation may improve outcome in patients with persistent airway compression.
Characteristics of mid-IR-emitting deep-well quantum cascade lasers grown by MOCVD

Abstract Varying composition, deep-well quantum cascade (QC) laser structures are grown using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The compositions of the quantum wells and barriers in the active regions differ from those in the extractor/injector regions. Since the highly strained layers (i.e., In 0.68 Ga 0.32 As and Al 0.75 In 0.25 As) are not grown throughout the structure, the net cumulative strain can be lower than that in conventional QC lasers. Those layers’ thicknesses and compositions were calibrated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of strain-compensated superlattice (SL) structures. The XRD spectra from 30-stage, deep-well QC structures confirm that extremely accurate layer thicknesses and compositions can be achieved via MOCVD. Fabricated ridge-guide devices, lasing at ∼4.8 μm, exhibit ultra-low temperature sensitivity of their electro-optical characteristics by comparison to those of conventional QC lasers emitting in the 4.5–5.5 μm wavelength range.
Correlation-Aware QoS Routing With Differential Coding for Wireless Video Sensor Networks

The spatial correlation of visual information retrieved from distributed camera sensors leads to considerable data redundancy in wireless video sensor networks, resulting in significant performance degradation in energy efficiency and quality-of-service (QoS) satisfaction. In this paper, a correlation-aware QoS routing algorithm (CAQR) is proposed to efficiently deliver visual information under QoS constraints by exploiting the correlation of visual information observed by different camera sensors. First, a correlation-aware inter-node differential coding scheme is designed to reduce the amount of traffic in the network. Then, a correlation-aware load balancing scheme is proposed to prevent network congestion by splitting the correlated flows that cannot be reduced to different paths. Finally, the correlation-aware schemes are integrated into an optimization QoS routing framework with an objective to minimize energy consumption subject to delay and reliability constraints. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed routing algorithm achieves efficient delivery of visual information under QoS constraints in wireless video sensor networks.
Changes in valve morphology of Thalassiosira decipiens (Bacillariophyceae) cultured in media of four different salinities

The possible effect of different salinities on the valve morphology of the marine centric diatom Thalassiosira decipiens was investigated. Cultures were grown in media of salinities ranging from 2 to 35%. for 40 days. Only the 15, 20, 25, and 30%. cultures had sufficient growth for statistical analysis of population differences. Areola shape, pattern, and density changed significantly with decreasing salinity. Valves with areola patterns skewed off-centre were more frequent in the lower salinities. Valve diameter also showed a significant decrease. Valves having reduced or missing fultoportulae and rimoportulae were common in the 15 and 20%. cultures.
Non-collective parallel I/O for global address space programming models

Achieving high performance for out-of-core applications typically involves explicit management of the movement of data between the disk and the physical memory. We are developing a programming environment in which the different levels of the memory hierarchy are handled efficiently in a unified transparent framework. In this paper, we present our experiences with implementing efficient non-collective I/O (GPCIO) as part of this framework. As a generalization of the remote procedure call (RPC) that was used as a foundation for the Sun NFS system, we developed a global procedure call (GPC) to invoke procedures on a remote node to handle non-collective I/O. We consider alternative approaches that can be employed in implementing this functionality. The approaches are evaluated using a representative computation from quantum chemistry. The results demonstrate that GPC-IO achieves better absolute execution times, strong-scaling, and weak-scaling than the alternatives considered.
Low-Density Lipoprotein From Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice Induces Macrophage Lipid Accumulation in a CD36 and Scavenger Receptor Class A-Dependent Manner

Objective— To investigate the potential of circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL), isolated from apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice (E−/−LDL) and from LDL receptor-deficient mice (Lr−/−LDL), to induce foam cell formation. Methods and Results— Binding studies using COS-7 cells overexpressing CD36, J774 cells, and mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPMs) unexpectedly showed for the first time that E−/−LDL, which is enriched in cholesterol, is a high-affinity ligand for CD36 and exhibited greater macrophage uptake than Lr−/−LDL or normal LDL. Minimal copper-mediated oxidization of Lr−/−LDL or C57LDL in vitro resulted in increased ligand internalization, although cell uptake of these oxidized LDLs was lower than that of E−/−LDL, even at oxidation levels similar to that found in E−/−LDL. Treatment of MPMs with E−/−LDL and Lr−/−LDL (to a 2- to 3-fold lesser extent), but not normal LDL, resulted in significant cellular cholesteryl ester accumulation and foam cell formation. Experiments using MPMs lacking CD36, scavenger receptor class A (SR-A), or both, indicated a major contribution of CD36 (≈50%), and to a lesser extent, SR-A (24% to 30%), to E−/−LDL uptake. Conclusions— Because of its increased state of oxidation and high cholesterol content, LDL in apoE-deficient mice acts in a proatherogenic manner, without requiring further modification in the vascular wall, to induce foam cell formation through its uptake by scavenger receptors.
Publicity and Propaganda in 1930s Japan: Modernism as Method

Despite the apparent divide between modernism's sometimes recon dite aesthetic sensibilities and the more didactic needs of corporate advertising and political propaganda, the modernist artistic move ment was integral to the early development of modern Japanese promotional design, particularly in the sphere of photography As major Japanese corporations emerged in the 1920s, it was clear that they were not just product manufacturers, but arbiters of taste who often worked in tandem with the state in directing consumer life and consumption habits through compelling visual strategies. In the 1930s, when daily life rationalization trends melded into increasingly broad-based social mobilization, these same modernist pictorial strat egies began to be deployed concurrently in the dynamic realms of national publicity and propaganda (kokka senden or kokusaku senden) production, in both the graphic arts and exhibition display design. Through a close examination of the artistic production of some of the foremost commercial artists and photographers of the period, I will explore how the designers' integrative techniques exploited the affectivity of modernist manipulation of the image, effectively blur ring the line between publicity and propaganda through the 1930s and beyond. The burgeoning field of commercial design was profoundly influential in the transformation of Japanese social and cultural practices in the prewar period because the construction of recogniz able brand name products helped manufacturers forge a national consumer market by the late 1930s. Print advertisements for a range of newly emerging national Japanese corporations?Morinaga Confectionary Company, Matsushita Electric, and Ka? Soap among others?reveal the extensive use of modernist imagery to promote consumer products.2 Modernist styles were popular among advertis ing executives and designers precisely because of their close asso ciations with the modern, the new, the scientific, and the machine aesthetic. Not coincidentally the companies who employed modern ist aesthetics were largely (although not exclusively) companies marketing new types of modern consumer products like Western 1 (Arles: Editions Philippe Picquier, 2007), 47-70.
Variability of oceanic carbon cycle in the North Pacific from seasonal to decadal scales

Variability of upper-ocean carbon cycle in the North Pacific during 1958-2010 period is investigated using a physical-biogeochemical model. Comparisons with in situ data from five different oceanographic environments in the South China Sea, Monterey Bay, North Pacific gyre, northwestern Pacific, and Gulf of Alaska indicate that the model usually captures observed seasonal and interannual variability in both sea surface pCO(2) and sea-air CO2 flux. Seasonal variability of pCO(2) and CO2 flux in the North Pacific follows the change in sea surface temperature (SST) closely with high and low values in summer and winter, respectively. Total CO2 modifies pCO(2) seasonal pattern in an opposite manner with respect to SST, and surface wind speed modifies the magnitude of CO2 flux variations. On interannual and decadal time scales, sea surface pCO(2) is primarily controlled by anthropogenic CO2, followed by modulations by the El Nino-Southern Oscillation and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), while sea-air CO2 flux is significantly regulated by the PDO and the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO). We show that anthropogenic CO2 tends to amplify the influence on CO2 flux from the PDO but to damp the influence from the NPGO.
Research agenda for an integrated approach to infrastructure planning, design and management

Building on broad discussions between many universities, this paper presents a research agenda based on a holistic, comprehensive view of the issues. It proposes that our infrastructure is a system of systems involving different technical manifestations and social organisations. The implication is that we need a fundamental reconsideration of how we look at system design, away from traditional disciplinary considerations and toward a multi-domain, multi-disciplinary effort. To this end, it proposes an agenda of: comparative analyses across infrastructures and political structures, that would identify commonalities and larger lessons; creation of integrated socio-technical models that usefully describe the interactions between the technical infrastructure and its social context; methodological efforts, aimed largely at capturing the network characteristics, both technical and social, of the infrastructure system of systems; explicit testing and evaluation of the research through programs of collaboration with practitioners and governmental organisations.
Introduction: Population, Poverty, and Ecology

This section includes chapters addressing population growth, migration, and ­urbanization as they relate to the ecology–poverty nexus. The work in the field of population–environment studies has been the province of demographers, geographers, sociologists, economists, and, perhaps pre-eminently, ecologists, through the seminal works of Duncan (1964), Hardin (1968), and Ehrlich and Holdren (1971). In the ecological contributions to this literature, population size, density, growth, and re-distribution (in the form of urbanization) are often presented as primary drivers of environmental problems, and the solution proposed is to reduce or reverse growth rates, or to set aside ecologically sensitive areas in parks. In the extreme, Garrett Hardin (1974a, b) proposed that poverty be allowed to run its course, unfettered by foreign aid, so that rapidly growing developing countries would better experience the “positive checks” on population growth of famine, misery, plague, and war postulated by Malthus 200 years ago. This he termed “life boat ethics.”
Follistatin-like 1 regulates renal IL-1β expression in cisplatin nephrotoxicity

Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) is a secreted protein with homology to both Follistatin and the SPARC/BM40 family of matricellular proteins. In this study, we sought to determine the expression patterns...
On: ``THE Gravitational Attraction of a Right Rectangular PRISM,'' by DEZSÖ Nagy (geophysics, April, 1966, PP. 362 371)

The recent paper by Dezso Nagy, “The gravitational attraction of a right rectangular prism,” is certainly of great interest. It might be pointed out, however, that in his textbook published in 1930, MacMillan already gave a formula for computing the potential of this body, as well as an extremely simple method to compute the derivatives along a coordinate axis. The Dover reprint is widely available.
Factors Impacting the Enactment of a Functional Curriculum in Self-Contained Cross-Categorical Programs

Factors relating to curriculum use in general education have been studied in considerable depth, yet little research has been conducted on what factors impact the enactment of curriculum in special education. This study specifically studied the enactment of a functional curriculum in two rural, self-contained, cross-categorical programs. The data revealed that it was the intersection and union of seven factors (policy/legislation, community, school, teachers, paraprofessionals, students, and curriculum materials) that shaped the enacted functional curriculum in both programs. The association between the factors and the enactment of the functional curriculum holds implications for policy, research, and practice.
Learning-by-doing on both the demand and the supply sides: implications for electric utility investments in a Heuristic model

As new technologies enter the marketplace, and as experience is gained in both their production and use, costs tend to decline with each successive doubling of investment or production. A number of studies have indicated that the effects of including learning-by-doing in energy forecasting and simulation modelling may be substantial relative to modelling with only 'autonomous' or 'exogenous' technical change. However, these studies have focused almost exclusively on supply-side technologies. This paper instead examines learning-by-doing for demand-side technologies. Omitting the learning-by-doing demand-side perspective may introduce a bias into technology forecasts. We explore the implications of this observation through the application of a heuristic model that captures the anticipated electricity service demand within USA over the next 30 years. We examine how including demand as well as supply-side learning could impact technology investment patterns within the US electric utility industry.
Evaluation of a TaqMan PCR Assay To Detect Rabies Virus RNA: Influence of Sequence Variation and Application to Quantification of Viral Loads

Published assays that use TaqMan PCR are consistently sensitive, rapid, and readily transferable. Here we describe a TaqMan PCR-based method for the detection of rabies virus (RV) RNA in tissue samples. We show that the method has an acceptable linear range, is both sensitive and specific, and, importantly, correlates with the concentration of infectious virus. In addition, the levels of RV-specific amplification are adjustable according to the levels of an endogenous control (β-actin mRNA), allowing the calculation of comparable quantities. We tested the capacity of this assay to cope with target sequence variations. The number of sequence mismatches between gene-specific oligonucleotides and the target sequence significantly affects amplification (P < 0.001), and point mutations at the center of the probe can result in false-negative results through the prevention of probe binding and subsequent fluorescence. This study demonstrates that the genetic heterogeneity of RVs may prove a serious obstacle in the development of a diagnostic assay based on TaqMan PCR; however, the quantification of RV levels may prove to be a valuable application of this assay.
Discovery and Mechanism of Type III Secretion System Inhibitors

The Type III Secretion System (TTSS) is indispensable for virulence of many Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp., Vibrio spp., Chlamydia spp., Shigella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Xanthomonas spp., and Auromonas spp. Such pathogenic bacteria are responsible for diseases such as plague, shigellosis, chlamydia, cholera, pneumonia, and gastroenteritis. This review offers insights into the known inhibitors of the TTSS, their discovery, and their mode of action.
Thoraco lumbar junction syndrome: A case report

This case report describes a 46-year-old female who experienced symptoms of low back pain with pain radiating into the right gluteal area. Initial intervention addressed mechanical dysfunction at the lumbosacral junction. Reduction in symptoms was observed following manual therapy procedures that addressed the lumbosacral junction; however, the right gluteal pain persisted with recurrence of back pain. Subsequent examination revealed non-neutral dysfunction at the thoracolumbar junction. Treatment was continued with manual therapy procedures that addressed facet restriction and soft tissue dysfunction in the thoracolumbar junction. A marked relief in symptoms was reported thereafter, with a decrease in right gluteal pain and improved functional ability. The anatomical and clinical relevance to this scenario is described. The thoracolumbar junction is described as a predominant contributor to the symptomatology. Its complementary role to the lumbosacral junction is enumerated.
Numerical study of detection of a buried object under a single random rough surface with angular correlation function

The detection of an object buried under a random rough surface has important applications. The bistatic scattering intensity of the rough surface can be comparable to that of the object making it difficult to detect the buried object. The authors study the angular correlation functions (ACF) of scattering. They first study ACF of rough surface scattering. It is shown that a memory line is still exhibited for a single random rough surface of moderate extent based on frequency average. If the incident and scattered angles are away from the memory line of rough surface scattering, then the ACF of rough surface scattering is small. For the problem of buried object under a rough surface, numerical simulations indicate that even when the ratio of scattered intensities with and without the buried object is close to unity, the corresponding ratio of ACF can be 15 dB. Thus, using ACF is superior to using intensities in the detection of buried object.
Social Boundaries and Marital Assimilation: Interpreting Trends in Racial and Ethnic Intermarriage

Interracial/interethnic marriage in America is a barometer of racial/ethnic relations and intergroup social distance. Using data from the 5-percent Public Use Microdata Sample of the 1990 and 2000 censuses, we interpret trends in intermarriage in light of new assimilation theory, recent changes in racial classification, and rapid demographic changes in American society. Our results indicate that changes in marital assimilation have taken on momentum of their own; that is, America's growing biracial population has fueled the growth of interracial marriages with whites. Analyses also shed new light on the effects of rapid immigration, rising cohabitation, and educational upgrading on intermarriage patterns, and yield both continuities and departures from the past. Historic patterns of racial/ethnic differences in intermarriage persist—Hispanics and American Indians are most likely to marry whites, followed closely by Asian Americans. African Americans are least likely to marry whites. Yet, the 1990s brought...
THE POLITICAL NATURE OF DOCTRINE: A CRITIQUE OF LINDBECK IN LIGHT OF RECENT SCHOLARSHIP

This article argues that the power of religion to shape experience presupposes the mobilization of religious identity through social opposition. This thesis is developed through a critique of George Lindbeck's The Nature of Doctrine. The article first examines Lindbeck's thesis that religion shapes experience in light of Talal Asad's critique of Geertz's concept of religion. It argues that in order to understand how ‘religion’ shapes experience we must look outside the immanent sphere of cultural-religious meaning that Lindbeck, following Geertz, identifies with ‘religion’. Religious authority ultimately derives from the recognition of a social group. Next, looking at the nature of doctrine in light of Kathryn Tanner's thesis that Christian identity is essentially relational, it argues that church doctrines function to mobilize group identity through social opposition. In this respect they resemble the mobilizing slogans of political discourse more than, as Lindbeck's theory proposes, the grammatical rules governing Wittgensteinian language games.
Are we there yet? Tracking the development of new model systems

It is increasingly clear that additional ‘model’ systems are needed to elucidate the genetic and developmental basis of organismal diversity. Whereas model system development previously required enormous investment, recent advances including the decreasing cost of DNA sequencing and the power of reverse genetics to study gene function are greatly facilitating the process. In this review, we consider two aspects of the development of new genetic model systems: first, the types of questions being advanced using these new models; and second, the essential characteristics and molecular tools for new models, depending on the research focus. We hope that researchers will be inspired to explore this array of emerging models and even consider developing new molecular tools for their own favorite organism.
Automatic evaluation of summaries using N-gram co-occurrence statistics

Following the recent adoption by the machine translation community of automatic evaluation using the BLEU/NIST scoring process, we conduct an in-depth study of a similar idea for evaluating summaries. The results show that automatic evaluation using unigram co-occurrences between summary pairs correlates surprising well with human evaluations, based on various statistical metrics; while direct application of the BLEU evaluation procedure does not always give good results.
How Did Schooling Laws Improve Long-Term Health and Lower Mortality?

Although it is well known that there is a strong association between education and health much less is known about how these factors are connected, and whether the relationship is causal. Lleras-Muney (2005) provides perhaps the strongest evidence that education has a causal effect on health. Using state compulsory school laws as instruments, Lleras-Muney finds large effects of education on mortality. We revisit these results, noting that the effects are not statistically different from zero when we include state specific time trends. We also use a dataset containing a range of health outcomes and find that when using the same instruments, the pattern of effects for specific health conditions appears to depart markedly from prominent theories of how education should affect health. We also find suggestive evidence that vaccination against smallpox for school age children may account for some of the improvement in health and its association with education. Taken together, these sets of results raise concerns about using compulsory schooling laws to identify the causal effects of education on health.
Culturally Inclusive Assessments for Children Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Towards the goal of appropriate evaluation of all children having disabilities, a four part AAC assessment protocol is presented. Two aspects of the protocol are unique: the protocol is "inclusive"...
Comparison of the genome of the oral pathogen Treponema denticola with other spirochete genomes

We present the complete 2,843,201-bp genome sequence of Treponema denticola (ATCC 35405) an oral spirochete associated with periodontal disease. Analysis of the T. denticola genome reveals factors mediating coaggregation, cell signaling, stress protection, and other competitive and cooperative measures, consistent with its pathogenic nature and lifestyle within the mixed-species environment of subgingival dental plaque. Comparisons with previously sequenced spirochete genomes revealed specific factors contributing to differences and similarities in spirochete physiology as well as pathogenic potential. The T. denticola genome is considerably larger in size than the genome of the related syphilis-causing spirochete Treponema pallidum. The differences in gene content appear to be attributable to a combination of three phenomena: genome reduction, lineage-specific expansions, and horizontal gene transfer. Genes lost due to reductive evolution appear to be largely involved in metabolism and transport, whereas some of the genes that have arisen due to lineage-specific expansions are implicated in various pathogenic interactions, and genes acquired via horizontal gene transfer are largely phage-related or of unknown function.
A Peek into the Complex Realm of Histone Phosphorylation

Although discovered long ago, posttranslational phosphorylation of histones has been in the spotlight only recently. Information is accumulating almost daily on phosphorylation of histones and their roles in cellular physiology and human diseases. An extensive cross talk exists between phosphorylation and other posttranslational modifications, which together regulate various biological processes, including gene transcription, DNA repair, and cell cycle progression. Recent research on histone phosphorylation has demonstrated that nearly all histone types are phosphorylated at specific residues and that these modifications act as a critical intermediate step in chromosome condensation during cell division, transcriptional regulation, and DNA damage repair. As with all young fields, apparently conflicting and sometimes controversial observations about histone phosphorylations and their true functions in different species are found in the literature. Accumulating evidence suggests that instead of functioning strictly as part of a general code, histone phosphorylation probably functions by establishing cross talk with other histone modifications and serving as a platform for recruitment or release of effector proteins, leading to a downstream cascade of events. Here we extensively review published information on the complexities of histone phosphorylation, the roles of proteins recognizing these modifications and the resuting physiological outcome, and, importantly, future challenges and opportunities in this fast-moving field.
Successful treatment of livedoid vasculopathy with rivaroxaban.

Livedoid vasculopathy is a disorder which is thought to be caused by systemic dysregulation of coagulation, resulting in the formation of fibrin thrombi in the superficial dermal plexus. Chronic disease often results in painful, punched out ulcerations and atrophie blanche on the lower extremities, predisposing affected patients toward infection and high morbidity. Treatment of livedoid vasculopathy is controversial and often ineffective. Owing to the postulated pathophysiology, rivaroxaban recently was suggested as a treatment modality and seems to induce significant improvement in some patients. Herein, we report the successful treatment of recalcitrant livedoid vasculopathy in one patient with no identifiable coagulopathy and propose that a therapeutic trial of rivaroxaban may be helpful in patients with no detectable underlying coagulability disorders. Further evidence of clinical efficacy is needed to confirm the benefit of rivaroxaban in patients with livedoid vasculopathy.