cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
E-cigarette flavored pods induce inflammation, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and DNA damage in lung epithelial cells and monocytes.

E-cigarette flavored pods are increasing in use among young adults. Although marketed as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes, the health effects of e-cigarette flavored pods are unknown. We hypothesized that e-cigarette flavored pods would cause oxidative stress, barrier dysfunction, and an inflammatory response in monocytes and lung epithelial cells. JUUL pod flavors (Fruit Medley, Virginia Tobacco, Cool Mint, Creme Brulee, Cool Cucumber, Mango, and Classic Menthol) and similar pod flavors (Just Mango-Strawberry Coconut and Caffe Latte) were tested. These pod flavors generated significant amounts of acellular ROS and induced significant mitochondrial superoxide production in bronchial epithelial cells (16-HBE). Lung epithelial cells (16-HBE, BEAS-2B) and monocytes (U937) exposed to various pod aerosols resulted in increased inflammatory mediators, such as IL-8 or PGE2. JUUL pod flavors, Creme Brulee and Cool Cucumber, caused epithelial barrier dysfunction in 16-HBE cells. Moreover, tested flavors also showed DNA damage upon exposure in monocytes. We determined the chemical constituents present in various flavors. Our data suggest that these constituents in flavored pods induce oxidative stress, inflammation, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and DNA damage in lung cells. These data provide insights into the regulation of e-cigarette flavored pods, as well as constituents in these flavors.
83 – Pure Autonomic Failure

Publisher Summary Pure autonomic failure has most frequently been referred to as “idiopathic orthostatic hypotension (OH).” It affects men slightly more often than women, usually during middle age. Its onset is slow and insidious. Unsteadiness, lightheadedness, or faintness on standing, worse in the morning, after meals, during exercise, or in hot weather, usually demand the patient to seek medical advice. Lying down relieves all symptoms. A decreased ability to sweat may be apparent, particularly in hot climates. Men found to have pure autonomic failure may have sought advice about urinary-tract symptoms, including hesitancy, urgency, dribbling, and occasional incontinence. Other signs of autonomic disturbance, including impotence, erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction, an inability to achieve orgasm, and retrograde ejaculation may also be apparent. Women may experience urinary retention or incontinence as early symptoms. Definitive diagnosis of OH as the cause of symptoms is made when symptoms are reproduced while documenting a decline in systolic blood pressure of at least 20 mmHg and diastolic pressure of at least 10 mmHg, within three minutes of standing. The diagnosis cannot be excluded with a single measurement of upright blood pressure that does not fulfill these criteria.
A Comparison of Bidirectional Glenn vs. Hemi-Fontan Procedure: An Analysis of the Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial Public Use Dataset

Patients with single ventricle (SV) heart defects have two primary surgical options for superior cavopulmonary connection (SCPC): bidirectional Glenn (BDG) and hemi-Fontan (HF). Outcomes based on type of SCPC have not been assessed in a multi-center cohort. This retrospective cohort study uses the Single Ventricle Reconstruction (SVR) Trial public use dataset. Infants who survived to SCPC were evaluated through 1 year of age, based on type of SCPC. The primary outcome was transplant-free survival at 1 year. The cohort included 343 patients undergoing SCPC across 15 centers in North America; 250 (73%) underwent the BDG. There was no difference between the groups in pre-SCPC clinical characteristics. Cardiopulmonary bypass times were longer [99 min (IQR 76, 126) vs 81 min (IQR 59, 116), p < 0.001] and use of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) more prevalent (51% vs 19%, p < 0.001) with HF. Patients who underwent HF had a higher likelihood of experiencing more than one post-operative complication (54% vs 41%, p = 0.05). There were no other differences including the rate of post-operative interventional cardiac catheterizations, length of stay, or survival at discharge, and there was no difference in transplant-free survival out to 1 year of age. Mortality after SCPC is low and there is no difference in mortality at 1 year of age based on type of SCPC. Differences in support time and post-operative complications support the preferential use of the BDG, but additional longitudinal follow-up is necessary to understand whether these differences have implications for long-term outcomes.
Asynchronous Distributed Averaging: A Switched System Framework for Average Error Analysis.

This paper investigates an expected average error for distributed averaging problems under asynchronous updates. The asynchronism in this context implies no existence of a global clock as well as random characteristics in communication uncertainty such as communication delays and packet drops. Although some previous works contributed to the design of average consensus protocols to guarantee the convergence to an exact average, these methods may increase computational burdens due to extra works. Sometimes it is thus beneficial to make each agent exchange information asynchronously without modifying the algorithm, which causes randomness in the average value as a trade-off. In this study, an expected average error is analyzed based on the switched system framework, to estimate an upper bound of the asynchronous average compared to the exact one in the expectation sense. Numerical examples are provided to validate the proposed results.
Inter arma enim silent leges: Abraham Lincoln and Civil Liberties in Civil War Maryland

Abraham Lincoln is widely regarded as one of the nation's greatest Presidents. He is the subject of at least 15,000 books. A popular poem (later set to music) responded to Lincoln's call for troops in biblical terms: "We are coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more.…" Upon Lincoln's death, Bishop Horatio Potter wrote that "[a] glorious career of service and devotion is crowned with a martyr's death." Lithographs in the aftermath of the assassination depicted the apotheosis of Lincoln. In short, Lincoln has been venerated among both scholars and the public. Despite the mostly reverent treatment, little has been written about Lincoln's treatment of civil liberties during the Civil War. Even then, the few full-length scholarly works have generally excused Lincoln's conduct or otherwise justified his actions as necessary to conduct the war. One historian admitted "[t]he skimpiness of the serious literature suggests that historians have been more or less embarrassed by Lincoln's record on the Constitution." As a result, there is a gap in the scholarly work regarding President Lincoln's role regarding civil liberties. This paper seeks to fill that gap by examining Lincoln's conduct as he tried to keep Maryland in the Union in 1861. Ultimately, Abraham Lincoln succeeded through a deliberate campaign to suppress civil liberties, including the illegal suspension of habeas corpus, arbitrary arrests of elected officials, interference in Maryland's elections, and the shuttering of newspapers sympathetic to the Confederacy. Whether Maryland would have seceded may never well be known, but Lincoln's calculated conduct ensured that it would not happen.
Patterns of Care and Survival Outcomes for Odontogenic Cancers.

OBJECTIVES Our understanding of odontogenic cancers is limited primarily to case studies given the rarity of these head and neck neoplasms. Using the National Cancer Database, we report the treatment patterns and survival outcomes for one of the largest cohorts of patients with odontogenic cancers. METHODS Patients with odontogenic tumors who did not have metastatic disease and received at least part of their care at the reporting facility were included. Patient and treatment variables were assessed using logistic regression. Survival was assessed using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS We identified 437 patients with odontogenic cancers, the majority of which had malignant ameloblastoma (n = 203) or odontogenic carcinoma (n = 217). Median follow-up was 44.8 months. On multivariate analysis, improved survival was associated with age <57 years (Hazard ratios [HR] 0.44, P = .012), lower comorbidity scores (HR 0.40, P = .008), surgical resection (HR 0.08, P < .001) and absence of lymph node metastasis (HR 0.23, P < .001). The 5-year overall survival was 87.1% for debulking surgery, 88.6% for radical resection and 26.6% for no surgical resection (P < .001). Lymph node metastases were associated with tumor size ≥5 cm (P = .006), malignant odontogenic histology (P = .025), and moderate/poor differentiation (P < .001). CONCLUSION In this large series of odontogenic cancers, any type of surgical resection was associated with improved survival. Lymph node metastases, although infrequent, were associated with significantly worse survival. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 3 Laryngoscope, 131:E1496-E1502, 2021.
Outcomes of Laparoscopic Versus Open Ladd Procedures and Risk Factors for Conversion

Background: Malrotation is a common congenital anomaly that can lead to bowel obstruction and ischemia if not corrected with a Ladd procedure. Controversy exists between open and laparoscopic appro...
Mispair-bound human MutS-MutL complex triggers DNA incisions and activates mismatch repair

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) relies on MutS and MutL ATPases for mismatch recognition and strand-specific nuclease recruitment to remove mispaired bases in daughter strands. However, whether the MutS–MutL complex coordinates MMR by ATP-dependent sliding on DNA or protein–protein interactions between the mismatch and strand discrimination signal is ambiguous. Using functional MMR assays and systems preventing proteins from sliding, we show that sliding of human MutSα is required not for MMR initiation, but for final mismatch removal. MutSα recruits MutLα to form a mismatch-bound complex, which initiates MMR by nicking the daughter strand 5′ to the mismatch. Exonuclease 1 (Exo1) is then recruited to the nick and conducts 5′ → 3′ excision. ATP-dependent MutSα dissociation from the mismatch is necessary for Exo1 to remove the mispaired base when the excision reaches the mismatch. Therefore, our study has resolved a long-standing puzzle, and provided new insights into the mechanism of MMR initiation and mispair removal.
Localization in quantum field theory

In non-relativistic quantum mechanics, Born’s principle of localization is as follows: For a single particle, if a wave function ψK vanishes outside a spatial region K, it is said to be localized in K. In particular, if a spatial region K′ is disjoint from K, a wave function ψK′ localized in K′ is orthogonal to ψK. Such a principle of localization does not exist compatibly with relativity and causality in quantum field theory (QFT) (Newton and Wigner) or interacting point particles (Currie, Jordan and Sudarshan). It is replaced by symplectic localization of observables as shown by Brunetti, Guido and Longo, Schroer and others. This localization gives a simple derivation of the spin-statistics theorem and the Unruh effect, and shows how to construct quantum fields for anyons and for massless particles with “continuous” spin. This review outlines the basic principles underlying symplectic localization and shows or mentions its deep implications. In particular, it has the potential to affect relativistic quantum information theory and black hole physics.
On Mining Words: The Utility of Topic Models in Health Education Research and Practice.

Written language is the primary means by which scientific research findings are disseminated. Yet in the era of information overload, dissemination of a field of research may require additional eff...
Managing product transitions with learning and congestion effects

Abstract The introduction of a new product into an operating factory can have significant adverse impacts on the throughput and cycle time of all products produced in the factory, and thus needs to be managed carefully. In previous work we proposed a production planning model for new product introductions that captures the impact of additional variability caused by the new product and of learning as experience producing the new product is gained. This paper extends the earlier work by incorporating learning through deliberate experimentation using engineering lots and the impact of cycle time on line yield due to delays in detecting adverse events. We formulate a non-convex nonlinear optimization model to determine the mix of production and engineering lots to be processed, and obtain approximate solutions using a genetic algorithm. Numerical experiments with different scenarios show the importance of carefully managing the releases of production and engineering lots and of accelerating learning early in the time horizon through judicious use of engineering lots.
An Enriched Information-Theoretic Definition of Semantic Similarity in a Taxonomy

This paper addresses the notion of semantic similarity between concepts organized according to a taxonomy, based on the well-known information content approach. This approach has been widely experimented in the literature over the years and, in general, outperforms other proposals which do not originate from it. However, it shows some limitations related to the notion of generic sense of a concept. In this paper we illustrate the problem arising by using the traditional approach, and a novel information-theoretic definition of semantic similarity in a taxonomy is proposed which also takes into account the intended sense of a concept in a given context. This proposal has been applied to some among the most representative state-of-the-art similarity measures based on the information content approach, and the experiment shows that it achieves very high correlation values with human judgment.
Refugee Status, Settlement Assistance, and the Educational Integration of Migrants’ Children in the United States

Initial relations between the host society and migrants are likely to influence whether and to what degree migrants receive tangible and intangible settlement support that might affect their childr...
Catastrophic or Basic Health Care? Impacts of Two Pilot Experiments on Financial Risk Protection in Rural China

Providing financial risk protection for households is a major health policy objective of many countries. In developing countries where resources are limited, a key question is how to allocate resources in order to achieve this goal. Should resources be allocated for first dollar coverage, or should they be used to cover expensive hospital services with high deductibles? This paper answers this question by empirically evaluating two interventions in the poor western provinces of China: the Rural Mutual Health Care (RMHC) scheme which provides first dollar coverage with ceilings for both outpatient and inpatient services; and a catastrophic plan which covers only inpatient expenditures, with high deductibles and high ceilings. We conducted longitudinal household/individual survey for 2002-6 (with the intervention period being 2003-5), in both the intervention and comparable control sites. We estimated the "program effects" on financial burden and impoverishment using a difference-in-difference model together with propensity score matching methods. Our results through 2005 show that compared to the catastrophic plan, RMHC schemes are either more likely or equally likely to reduce financial burden and the probability of impoverishment. This is because a large number of individuals with chronic conditions incur high annual expenses because of frequent visits, but they did not qualify for reimbursement under the catastrophic plan. These results suggest that the conventional wisdom that catastrophic insurance schemes are more effective at reducing impoverishment does not necessarily apply to a population that is increasingly affected by chronic conditions. Schemes that provide first dollar coverage of outpatient and inexpensive inpatient services may be more effective.
HNFs—Linking the Liver and Pancreatic Islets in Diabetes

Understanding the transcriptional regulatory networks that operate in different tissues may provide some mechanistic insight into certain diseases. In their Perspective, [Kulkarni and Kahn][1] discuss new work ([ Odom et al .][2]) that identifies transcriptional regulatory networks in human liver cells and isletcells, and highlights a defect in one transcription factor in this circuitry that may contribute to late-onset type 2 diabetes. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/303/5662/1311 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/303/5662/1378
Kinetics of deoxyribonucleotide insertion and extension at abasic template lesions in different sequence contexts using HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Abstract Deoxyribonucleotide insertion efficiencies were measured opposite site-directed abasic template lesions using human immunodeficiency virus 1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1RT), and the efficiencies to continue primer synthesis beyond the lesion, by addition of the "next correct" deoxynucleotide, were measured as a function of sequence context. Insertion of purines was favored over pyrimidines, A > G > T approximately C. Primer extension past the lesion occurred by two distinct mechanisms, either by direct or by misalignment extension. An "A-rule" appeared to hold for the case of direct extension, where the abasic template moiety is intrahelical, aligned opposite the primer 3'-terminus. In misalignment extension, the primer terminus is realigned from a site directly opposite the lesion to a new position opposite a neighboring template base 5' to the lesion. Direct extension efficiencies were measured in 16 different configurations, by varying 4 bases at the primer 3'-termini and 4 at the 5'-side (downstream) of the lesion. The predominant order of direct extension was A > G > T approximately C, similar to that observed for insertion. Reduced primer extension rates were not caused by a reduction in HIV-1 RT-DNA binding. Primers terminating in C showed inefficient direct extension, but were readily extended via misaligned configurations. The ratios of direct-to-misalignment extension efficiencies were 27:1, 2.5:1, and 1:25 for A, G, and C opposite the lesion, respectively. For the case of primers terminating in T, misalignment extension was not observed. A striking result was that while primers were extended past an abasic lesion by HIV-1 RT in both direct and misalignment modes, avian myeloblastosis virus RT failed to catalyze significant extension by either mode.
Biphasic Ca2+ Responses in Human Basophils Evidence that the Initial Transient Elevation Associated with the Mobilization of Intracellular Calcium Is an Insufficient Signal for Degranulation

Human basophils exhibited biphasic cytosolic Ca2+ responses after stimulation with both the bacterial peptide, FMLP and IgE cross-linking agents such as goat polyclonal anti-IgE PS myeloma (anti-IgE) antibody and Ag. The biphasic response to anti-IgE antibody was not apparent unless supraoptimal concentrations of anti-IgE antibody were used to stimulate the cells. Biphasic response characteristics were also observed in single cells. As in many cell types, the first phase of the Ca2+ response appeared independent of extracellular Ca2+. Challenging basophils with anti-IgE in the presence of EGTA, added simultaneously or 3 to 5 min before the stimulus, had little effect on the first transient Ca2+ elevation while completely eliminating the second phase of the response. We noted that while simultaneous addition of EGTA had little effect on the histamine release after challenge with FMLP, there was no histamine release after the simultaneous addition of anti-IgE and EGTA. An examination of the kinetics of histamine release after anti-IgE also demonstrated that no histamine release occurs during the initial transient response. Since the initial Ca2+ transient was intact after both stimuli in the presence of EGTA, we concluded that the initial transient was not sufficient to induce histamine release. The hypothesis that distinct sources of calcium were responsible for the initial Ca2+ transient that followed challenge with FMLP peptide or anti-IgE antibody was also tested. We found that prior treatment of basophils with thapsigargin inhibited the initial Ca2+ response that followed both FMLP and anti-IgE antibody. Furthermore, stimulation with FMLP, in the presence of EGTA, depleted the calcium source responsible for the anti-IgE response. The experiment conducted in reverse order showed that anti-IgE antibody could discharge the calcium source responsible for the initial FMLP Ca2+ response. These experiments indicated that FMLP and anti-IgE antibody use the same internal source of calcium to produce the initial Ca2+ response. Taken together with previous studies on FMLP, anaphylatoxin split product of the C component, C5; and platelet activating factor-induced release in human basophils, these results suggest that the initial transient elevation, which is relatively independent of extracellular Ca2+, is not sufficient to induce degranulation.
The Nature of the Halide Complexes of Fe(III), Co(II), Ga(III) and In(III) Extracted from Aqueous Chloride Media by High Molecular Weight Substituted Alkyl Ammonium Compounds

The use of high molecular weight amines, amine salts and quaternary salts as extracting reagents for various anionic metal species has been exten — sively investigated in recent years. However, most of the studies have not included definitive experimentation on the nature of the extracted metal entity. In an attempt to obtain such specific information on several extracted species we have undertaken a series of studies on the organic extracts obtained when aqueous halide solutions of Fe(III), Co(II), Ga(III), or In(III) are extracted with various organic solutions of amine salts of quaternary compounds. The composition of the organic extract (including the concentration of the metal ion, the titratable hydrogen ion and the halide ion) and the infrared spectra of the extracted solutions have been determined. In addition, the usual extraction data including plots of log extractant concentration vs. log of the distribution coefficient and the determination of extraction isotherms have been obtained. All of this information has been correlated with other previously reported data and specific formulations of the extracted species have been postulated. Complete data were obtained only for the metal chloride systems extracted with tri-n-hexyl amine hydrochloride (TNH. HCl) or tricapryl-monomethylammo — nium chloride (Aliquat 336) in toluene; therefore only these systems will be reported on here.
Obesity management: physician practice patterns and patient preference.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess inner-city clinic patient attitudes about weight loss counseling and to assess practice behaviors of primary care physicians in residency training. Methods This is a cross-sectional survey of consecutive patients attending an outpatient internal medicine resident continuity clinic in the Bronx, New York. Participants completed a 30-item questionnaire; a 17-item Quick Weight, Activity & Excess Screener (WAVE); and 13 items to assess patients' attitudes about the physician's role in weight management. A chart review was conducted to ascertain resident practice patterns. Relationships of categorical data were evaluated using chi(2) analyses and odds ratios. Results Chart reviews (n = 84) indicated that 80% of patients were either obese or overweight; 21% of obese patients and 11% of overweight patients had the diagnosis documented. Of the obese patients (n = 42), 17% had dietitian referrals and 36% had an indication of physician weight loss recommendation. A patient survey indicated that 86% of obese patients wanted to lose weight, 64% wanted a dietitian referral, and 62% felt that their physician could help with weight loss. Obese patients were significantly more likely to receive weight loss recommendations than were overweight patients, but frequency of visits and the diagnosis of diabetes did not increase the likelihood that weight would be addressed. Conclusions Physicians need to address how to manage obesity including assessing patient attitudes about making lifestyle changes and using dietitian and other referrals for weight reduction counseling.
Fetal therapy for giant hepatic cysts.

Abstract Cystic mesenchymal hamartoma is an extremely rare, benign tumor. Rapid growth to a giant size can pose a threat not only in early childhood but also during fetal life. The experience with 2 antenatally diagnosed giant hepatic cysts with widely disparate approaches to management, treatment, and outcome is presented. A giant hepatic cyst was diagnosed on routine screening ultrasound scan. Because of its extremely massive size, the cyst was treated in utero with repeated aspirations, primarily for obstetric considerations. The infant did well, and the lesion was excised laparoscopically during the neonatal period. A second fetus with a giant hepatic cyst was not treated in utero, and the pregnancy continued to term. Nonimmune hydrops fetalis developed, and the fetus was delivered prematurely at 34 weeks. At birth, the infant was noted to have diffuse neurologic injury and no urine output despite normal-appearing kidneys. The lesion was excised during the neonatal period by open laparotomy. Observations at the time of surgery and pathologic studies of the placenta showed aneurysmal dilatation of the placental veins suggesting in utero compression of the fetal intraabdominal umbilical vein. The infant died shortly after birth. The experience with these 2 cases suggests the possibility that giant mesenchymal hamartoma diagnosed in utero may cause umbilical venous obstruction leading to ischemia during fetal life. Decompression of giant hepatic cysts may reverse this phenomenon and allow normal fetal development. J Pediatr Surg 37:E31. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
The Effect of Race‐Based Admissions in Public Universities: Debunking the Myths about Hopwood and Proposition 209

In the debates over the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decisions regarding race-based university admissions, speculation has focused on how affirmative action affects minority undergraduate enrollments. This paper uses a rational choice framework to test the conventional wisdom about the effect of race-based admissions, focusing on the landmark Hopwood judicial decision and California’s Proposition 209. This study offers more generalizable findings by incorporating all public universities bound under Hopwood and Proposition 209 using data spanning 1990–2000. Findings indicate that the effect of race-based admissions standards is not what might have been predicted: Shifts in minority enrollments that are attributable to affirmative action hinge on university-specific characteristics—namely, the level of selectivity.
Interaction of strong terahertz pulses with exciton-polaritons in quantum-well microcavity

Interaction of strong THz pulses with a QW microcavity reveals that exciton-polariton modes and 2p-exciton state form a Λ-type three-level system. THz pulses resonantly drive the transitions from the exciton-polariton states to the 2p-exciton state.
Causal attribution and dispositional inference: Evidence of inconsistent judgments

Abstract Two experiments examined whether individuals who ascribe the disparity in the performances of two actors to situational constraints adequately adjust their dispositional inferences to reflect their own perceptions of causality. Using the quiz-game format of L. D. Ross, T. M. Amabile, and J. L. Steinmetz (1977, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 35, 485–494), the effects of the subjects' awareness of the role-determined, self-presentation advantage of the questioner on their dispositional inferences concerning the quiz-game participants are noted. It is hypothesized that subjects who indicated full awareness of the determining force of the situation would nevertheless draw more favorable dispositional inferences about the questioner than about the contestant. The prediction is confirmed. Although the situationally aware subjects rate the questioner and contestant more similarly than do the other subjects, they still rate the questioner higher in knowledge, memory, and education. The results of Experiment 2 indicate that increasing the salience of the subjects' assessment of the situational advantage of the questioner does not eliminate the disparity. It is proposed that the fudamental attribution error represents more a failure to adjust trait inferences for causal attributions than a misperception of causality. Implications concerning the relationship between knowledge of causality and social judgment and the utility of the distinction between “perceived causality” and “higher order causal inferences” are discussed.
Path model of herd-level risk factors for calfhood morbidity and mortality in New York Holstein herds

Abstract A multivariable path model of the interrelationships between herd-management policies and herd-level calfhood morbidity and mortality was constructed. Data were from 25 farms in the vicinity of Cornell University, and comprised records from all 962 heifer calves born between 1 November 1983 and 30 April 1985 who lived longer than 24 h and were kept to be raised as replacements. Outcomes of interest were herd-season-year cumulative incidences of the following clinical signs as diagnosed by farmers and recorded on check-off forms: scours/diarrhea within 14 days of birth and from 15 to 90 days of age; dull, listless, droopy ears or off feed within 90 days of birth; cough, runny nose or eyes, or trouble breathing within 90 days of birth; death prior to 90 days of age. Herd-management risk-factor data were based on information from a personal-interview questionnaire administered by the senior author, and were measures of policy rather than of what individual calves actually experienced. Random-effects logistic regression (logistic-normal regression) was used to model incidence rates and to account for the extra-binomial variation due to heterogeneity of disease risk between herds. Herd-management policies directly and indirectly ‘affected’ the herd cumulative incidences of morbidity and mortality. Farms reporting that calves had periodic, or no, access to water (compared to continuous availability) had less scours from 15 to 90 days of age and less dullness. Damp (versus dry) bedding, tying calves ((by a collar and tether) versus not tying calves)), use of individual-calf hutches, and feeding milk once daily (versus twice daily) all ‘increased’ the chance of scours within 14 days of birth. Use of individual-calf stalls ‘increased’ the chance of scours from 15 to 90 days of age, but ‘decreased’ the chance of mortality. Feeding high-moisture ear corn to calves ‘increased’ the chance of scours from 15 to 90 days of age, suggesting that some of the later scours were of nutritional origin. Scours prior to 14 days of age and dullness (but not later scours) ‘increased’ the chance of respiratory illness. Only respiratory illness directly ‘increased’ the chance of mortality. Scours prior to 14 days of age and dullness were related to mortality indirectly via respiratory illness. Scours from 15 to 90 days of age were not related to mortality.
Osteoclasts Lacking Rac2 Have Defective Chemotaxis and Resorptive Activity

The role of the small Rho GTPase Rac2 in mature osteoclasts has not been extensively studied. Rac2−/− mice are of normal size and have normal tooth eruption. However, femoral cortical thickness was significantly greater in Rac2−/− compared to wild-type mice, while percent cortical porosity was lower. As assessed by histomorphometry, trabecular bone mass was significantly higher in male Rac2−/− than wild-type animals, although trabecular bone mass was similar when data from male and female animals were combined. There were no significant differences in the number of osteoblasts per bone surface; however, the number of osteoclasts per total bone area tended to be higher in Rac2−/− mice and was significantly higher in male Rac2−/− mice. In the aggregate, these data suggested a defect in osteoclast function and, consistent with that, rates of bone resorption were significantly reduced in Rac2−/− osteoclasts. In addition, Rac2−/− osteoclasts had a significantly delayed spreading response to treatment with CSF1 for 15 min. Phalloidin staining showed areas of abnormal actin accumulation and impaired actin ring formation in Rac2−/− osteoclasts. Finally, Rac2−/− osteoclasts showed a marked defect in chemotaxis toward a point source of CSF1, with a dramatic reduction in migratory rate. Together, these findings indicate an important role for Rac2 in mature osteoclasts.
Immobilized nicotinic receptor stationary phases: going with the flow in high-throughput screening and pharmacological studies

Abstract The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes α3β4-nAChR and α4β2-nAChR have been immobilized and the resulting stationary phases used to determine binding affinities. The α3β4-nAChR column was coupled to a C18 column and a mixture of 18 compounds was sorted into ligands and non-ligands for the α3β4-nAChR. The results demonstrate that the nAChR stationary phases can be used for on-line high-throughput screening (HTS).
Cellular mechanisms that determine selective RGS protein regulation of G protein-coupled receptor signaling.

Abstract Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS proteins) bind directly to activated Gα subunits to inhibit their signaling. However, recent findings show that RGS proteins selectively regulate signaling by certain G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in cells, irrespective of the coupled G protein. New studies support an emerging model that suggests RGS proteins utilize both direct and indirect mechanisms to form stable functional pairs with preferred GPCRs to selectively modulate the signaling functions of those receptors and linked G proteins. Here, we discuss these findings and their implications for established models of GPCR signaling.
Violations of expectations and social‐sexual communication in student/professor interactions

This study expands the literature on the educational role of immediacy by exploring the relationship between touch during student/professor interactions and students’ evaluations of the professor and the interaction. Specifically, the study attempts to explain the positive and negative influences of student/professor touch on student interactions from a nonverbal expectancy violations perspective. An experimental design in which the location of touch, reward value of the professor, and participant sex in scenarios depicting an office visit with a professor were controlled was utilized. While partially supporting predictions derived from nonverbal expectancy violations theory, the results indicate that student sex, professor reward . value, and location of touch have significant influence on student's evaluations of professors and interactions with professors. The limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Muzak: On functional music and power

This paper examines the phenomenon of “functional music” and its evolution as a social technology in the control and regulation of work, consumption, and public space. It argues that the practices of functional music articulate some of the characteristic ways in which power is exercised in capitalist societies and, moreover, that changes in the functional music industry indicate wider structural shifts in capitalism toward “post‐Fordist” regimes of production and consumption. Through an analysis of the history, forms, and discourses of functional music, this paper examines the cultural and political significance of these tranformations.
Extensional quotients for type theory and the consistency problem for NF

Quine's “New Foundations” (NF) was first presented in Quine [10] and later on in Quine [11]. Ernst Specker [15, 13], building upon a previous result of Ehrenfeucht and Mostowski [5], showed that NF is consistent if and only if there is a model of the Theory of Negative (and positive) Types (TNT) with full extensionality that admits of a “shifting automorphism,” but the existence of such a model remains an open problem. In his [8], Ronald Jensen gave a partial solution to the problem of the consistency of Quine's NF. Jensen considered a version of NF—referred to as NFU—in which the axiom of extensionality is weakened to allow for Urelemente or “atoms.” He showed, modifying Specker's theorem, that the existence of a model of TNT with atoms admitting of a “shifting automorphism” implies the consistency of NFU, proceeding then to exhibit such a model. This paper presents a reduction of the consistency problem for NF to the existence of a model of TNT with atoms containing certain “large” (unstratified) sets and admitting a shifting automorphism. In particular we show that such a model can be “collapsed” to a model of pure TNT in such a way as to preserve the shifting automorphism. By the above-mentioned result of Specker's, this implies the consistency of NF. Let us take the time to explain the main ideas behind the construction. Suppose we have a certain universe U of sets, built up from certain individuals or “atoms.” In such a universe we have only a weak version of the axiom of extensionality: two objects are the same if and only if they are both sets having the same members. We would like to obtain a universe U ′ that is as close to U as possible, but in which there are no atoms (i.e., the only memberless object is the empty set). One way of doing this is to assign to each atom ξ, a set a (perhaps the empty set), inductively identifying sets that have members that we are already committed to considering “the same.” In doing this we obtain an equivalence relation ≃ over U that interacts nicely with the membership relation (provided we have accounted for multiplicity of members, i.e., we have allowed sets to contain “multiple copies” of the same object). Then we can take U ′ = U /≃, the quotient of U with respect to ≃. It is then possible to define a “membership” relation over U ′ in such a way as to have full extensionality. Relations such as ≃ are referred to as “contractions” by Hinnion and “bisimulations” by Aczel.
Water masers in W49N - The youngest stellar jet?

Observations by Gwinn et al. (1992) of the proper motions of water masers in W49N show that they have an elongated distribution expanding from a common center. Features with high space velocity only occur far from the center, while low-velocity features occur at all distances. It is proposed that water masers in star-forming regions occur in expanding shells swept up by high-velocity winds from young, massive stars during the early phases of the expansion. In W49N, confinement of the bubble by a density distribution with an axial cavity can explain both the velocity field and the shape of the maser distribution. A fully dynamical calculation of the expanding bubble is presented which provides a satisfactory fit for the observations and suggests that this system is only about 250 yr old. Thus these observations may show the very first stages of the formation of a jet from a young stellar object.
The Monodelphis melanoma model: initial report on large ultraviolet A exposures of suckling young.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine whether exposure of early suckling young of the opossum Monodelphis domestica to ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation (320–400 nm) can lead to the development of melanocytic lesions similar to those induced after exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation (280–320 nm) to total doses as low as 380 J/m2. A total of 576 sucklings received nine exposures of 0.6, 2.6 or 15.5 kJ/m2 per dose (total doses ∼ 6, 23 and 140 kJ/m2 respectively) from a Blak Ray lamp source with a narrow range emission at 365 nm. A further 280 sucklings were exposed in the same way to doses of 2.6 kJ/m2 per dose (total ∼ 23 kJ/m2) broad-band UVA with visible wavelengths from a Dermalight lamp. Frequency of litter loss following all of the UVA-exposure protocols was similar to that within the same stocks in the colony at large. Only one of the 856 UVA-exposed individuals possessed a melanocytic lesion at the 5 month assessment point. No radiation-induced lesions of any type were evident on t...
Gender, Risk, and Religiousness: Can Power Control Provide the Theory?

Collett and Lizardo (2009) offer a model of gender differences that revisits and expands earlier research, in particular nascent ideas used by Miller and Hoffmann (1995) that were borrowed, in part, from a power-control theory of delinquency and crime. However, I am skeptical of their attempt to apply power-control theory as a general explanation of gender differences in religiousness. In this response piece, I first set the context by describing how Alan Miller and I initially approached our risk and religion work. I then point out where I think the research stream went awry and why recent studies of risk preferences and religion have failed to provide convincing evidence one way or the other. Finally, I offer an appraisal of Collett and Lizardo's work, with particular attention to why adopting power-control theory should be viewed with caution. I conclude with suggestions for future research on gender and religiousness.
Fully-coupled model for the direct and inverse effects in cubic magnetostrictive materials

A fully-coupled, nonlinear model is presented that characterizes the 3-D strain and magnetization response of magnetostrictive materials to magnetic fields and mechanical stresses. The model provides an efficient framework for characterization, design, and control of Galfenol (Fe 1- x Ga x ) devices with 3-D functionality subjected to combined magnetic field and stress loading. A thermodynamic approach is taken to determine possible domain orientations considering the magnetocrystalline anisotropy, magnetomechanical, and Zeeman energies. The domain configuration is determined through minimization of the total Gibbs energy of a collection of domains. To incorporate material texture, the orientation of the applied field and stress with respect to the local crystal orientation is included as a statistically distributed parameter. Hysteresis due to irreversible domain wall motion is modeled by accounting for the energy loss due to domain wall pinning sites.
The interrelationship between movement and cognition: Theta rhythm and the P300 event‐related potential

The relationship among brain electrophysiological activity, motor activity, and cognition has been a matter of great interest. For example, it has been discussed whether hippocampal theta rhythm reflects motor activity or cognitive activity, whereas it is widely accepted that the P300 event-related potential (ERP) reflects cognitive processes such as updating working memory. Here, we investigated the interrelationships among motor activity, hippocampal theta rhythm, and hippocampal P300 ERP using electrophysiological and behavioral data recorded from rats performing an auditory discrimination task (i.e., the auditory oddball paradigm) in a chamber with and without a running-wheel. We found that the hippocampal theta rhythm generated during locomotion codes information about self-motion, and event-related increases in hippocampal theta rhythm observed when rats performed the auditory discrimination cognitive task reflect a change in motor behavior after learning the cognitive task. Interestingly, the hippocampal P300 ERP occurred coincidently with increases in the power and frequency of hippocampal theta rhythm. In addition, we found that changes in theta rhythm observed during spontaneous wheel running without performing a cognitive task as well as when performing the cognitive task are associated with changes in delta- and gamma-band EEG activities. These major findings are discussed with respect to current hypotheses regarding P300 ERP and theta-, delta-, and gamma-band EEG activities in brain functions. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Thoracic approaches to anterior spinal operations: Anterior thoracic approaches

Abstract We performed a retrospective review of 36 patients aged 23 to 71 years (mean age, 52 years) who underwent 46 operations through a thoracic or thoracolumbar approach for orthopedic or neurosurgical procedures at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals. Pathologic indications for operation were metastatic disc disease in 10, herniated nucleus pulposus in 11, osteomyelitis in 6, vertebral fracture in 2, spinal deformities in 4, spinal abscess in 1, Pott's disease in 1, and liposarcoma in 1. Major indications for operation were infection and progressive paraparesis or paresthesias. Surgical approach consisted of a posterior lateral thoracotomy in 23, thoracotomy with retroperitoneal exposure in 6, thoracoabdominal exposure in 4, and cervical/upper sternotomy in 3. Diaphragmatic mobilization was required in 12. Surgical approach is dictated by the level of the lesion and its length. Lesions of T1 to T6 are approached through an upper sternotomy or right thoracotomy; lesions of T6 to L3, through a left thoracotomy with or without diaphragmatic mobilization. Specific techniques of segmental vessel division, diaphragmatic mobilization, and evaluation of artery of Adamkiewiz are emphasized. Rib grafts are harvested as needed. The thoracic surgeon can greatly enhance preoperative assessment, operative exposure and closure, and postoperative care for patients undergoing thoracotomy for spinal conditions
Fluctuations and ion isotropy in the solar wind

The reasons the solar wind seems to behave as a fluid in spite of the near-absence of collisions are investigated. The ion distribution, which is nearly isotropic even though magnetic moment ought to be conserved, is considered quantitatively. Fluctuations and waves are often invoked to replace collisions to provide the fluid properties. Calculations based on a theory of diffusion due to electric field fluctuations are used to estimate the important ranges of fluctuations. It appears that the probable fluctuations are in the neighborhood of 1 Hz, and that such electric fields have not been sufficiently investigated. However, estimates based on observations of density and magnetic fluctuations suggest that the electric fields might be sufficient to provide the required diffusion, and are worth further study.
Open Architecture Controllers for Machine Tools, Part 2: A Real Time Quintic Spline Interpolator

In Part 2 of this two-part paper, we describe a new quintic spline interpolator for real time trajectory generation during free form curve machining on the Open Architecture machine tool platform described in Part 1. The research provides new capabilities for advanced CAD/CAM systems. Complicated curves and shapes designed in a CAD system are usually represented by a set of discrete data points. Subsequently for manufacturing by a CAM system. these data points need to be converted into tool paths for machining. Therefore, the paper presents a new interpolation method that interpolates the designated data points with a quintic spline curve for real-time tool path generation. The resultant curve, generated by the proposed interpolation method, is nearly arc-length parametrized and has C 3 continuity. The near arc-length parametrization property makes the real time generation of the reference commands of the cutting tool path easier. The C 3 continuity guarantees the smooth motion of continuous speed, acceleration and even jerk during the machining. The combined properties of this new interpolation method enable a new quintic spline interpolator to be developed for real time tool path generation.