cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Speculative Performance Meets Immersive Learning: Lessons of Drylab2023

Drylab2023, an experiment in “immersive learning,” was conducted from May 13-June 11, 2017. Eight participants lived for 30 days in a remote desert outpost limited to 4 gallons of water per person per day to meet all water needs (drinking, cooking, washing, hygiene, etc) while subsisting on a water-wise diet. Participants were charged to live within a “near future scenario” of water scarcity (2023); modelling how to manage a limited vital resource: fresh water. During the experiment, narrative progress could be tracked as it unfolded through online posts at drylab2023.net. This article argues that: 1) speculative performance is a powerful form of knowledge creation that can prefigure and manifest alternate ways of living with climate change; 2) the participants, scenario, environmental stage, and audience collaboratively produced the performance; 3) through performance – an embodied form of knowledge – the participants came to understand what it means to live water-wise; and 4) the use of the speculative (the narrative frame of 2023) allowed participants to reflect on the past and present as well as imagine the future.
Comparing Auditory-Only and Audiovisual Word Learning for Children With Hearing Loss

Although reducing visual input to emphasize auditory cues is a common practice in pediatric auditory (re)habilitation, the extant literature offers minimal empirical evidence for whether unisensory auditory-only (AO) or multisensory audiovisual (AV) input is more beneficial to children with hearing loss for developing spoken language skills. Using an adapted alternating treatments single case research design, we evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of a receptive word learning intervention with and without access to visual speechreading cues. Four preschool children with prelingual hearing loss participated. Based on probes without visual cues, three participants demonstrated strong evidence for learning in the AO and AV conditions relative to a control (no-teaching) condition. No participants demonstrated a differential rate of learning between AO and AV conditions. Neither an inhibitory effect predicted by a unisensory theory nor a beneficial effect predicted by a multisensory theory for providing visual cues was identified. Clinical implications are discussed.
Utility of Individual Ability Measures and Public Policy Choices for the 21st Century.

(1997). Utility of Individual Ability Measures and Public Policy Choices for the 21st Century. School Psychology Review: Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 234-241.
A Holistic Essay-reading Composite as Criterion for the Validity of the Test of Standard Written English

It is recognized that class grading procedures are unreliable, yet grades are often used as the criterion to establish the relative validity of tests. The reliability of the criterion as well as th...
Viruses, Fungi and Plants: Cross-Kingdom Communication and Mutualism

Plants in natural ecosystems are symbiotic with fungal endophytes that have profound effects on host ecophysiology. In addition, symbiotic fungi may contain viruses that influence fungal physiology and alter the outcome of plant–fungal symbioses. For example, Dichanthelium lanuginosum is a plant that thrives in geothermal soils, tolerating root zone temperatures up to 60°C. Thermotolerance is dependent on the fungal endophyte Curvularia protuberata. Remarkably, the ability of C. protuberata to confer heat tolerance requires a double stranded RNA virus harbored by the fungus. When C. protuberata (containing the virus) and D. lanuginosum are grown independent of each other, they only tolerate temperatures up to 38°C. This is a clear example of how a symbiosis achieves something that the individual components cannot. In this chapter, we describe how this three-way symbiosis allows three organisms to survive in an environment they cannot tolerate on their own and explain what is known about the inter-organismal communication responsible for this mutualism.
The Impact of Default and Foreclosure on Housing Values: Rings Vs. Neighborhoods Approach

We use neighborhood boundaries, in addition to a concentric rings approach, to examine single family foreclosure spillover effects on residential sales in Shelby County, TN for 2001–16. We find that using more homogeneous neighborhoods provides better and more consistent results as compared to results of using conventional concentric rings boundaries. Applying hedonic modeling, 2SLS, two-way clustered residual models to account for spatial, temporal and locational effects, we control for market cycles, property characteristics and fixed effects including date of sale. We find significant negative non-linear convex foreclosure rate impacts on sales prices given different locational, shape and demographic neighborhoods. Neighborhoods with high chronic foreclosure rates sustain substantially higher negative price impacts, while those with both lower acute or chronic foreclosure rates show lower price impacts.
Why do employees break rules? Understanding organizational rule-breaking behaviors in hospitality

Abstract This study explores employees’ organizational rule-breaking behaviors in the hospitality industry. Unlike the majority of hospitality literature which suggest rule-breakers are deviant, a growing stream of management research suggested that intentions behind rule-breaking behaviors among organizational employees include self-interest, to increase work efficiency, to help a subordinate or a coworker, and to provide good customer service. Our study extends the research on rule-breaking not only by studying the intentions of hospitality employee rule-breaking behaviors, but also by exploring the types of rules broken and the possible consequences of such behaviors. Eighty hospitality workers studying at a public university in the U.S. were surveyed in a qualitative study. We transcribed, coded and analyzed the emerging themes in the qualitative data. Results show that while intentions of hospitality employees’ rule-breaking behaviors are consistent with existing management studies from other industries, the unique nature of the hospitality workforce shapes the nature of rule-breaking behaviors. We also showed that the consequences are different for the four types of rule-breaking behaviors. This study yields important implications on how hospitality organizations should manage employees’ rule-breaking behaviors.
RATES OF CLINICAL REPORTING AND ACTIONS TAKEN BASED ON CORONARY CALCIUM ON CANCER COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SCANS IN PATIENTS AT RISK FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AFTER POTENTIALLY CARDIOTOXIC CANCER TREATMENT

Cancer patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) after potentially cardiotoxic cancer treatment. Preexisting coronary artery disease (CAD) is an important risk factor for such CVD. Many cancer patients undergo computed tomography (CT) imaging for cancer staging prior to
First publication of subtests in the Stanford-Binet 5, WAIS-IV, WISC-V, and WPPSI-IV

Abstract In this article we describe the origins of the subtests that appear on the modern Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales (SB5), Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V), and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV). We found that the majority of these subtest formats were first created in 1908 or earlier and that only three have been created since 1980. We discuss the implications of these findings, which are that (1) many subtests have lengthy research histories that support their use in measuring intelligence; (2) many subtests have formats that predate modern theories of test creation, cognitive psychology, and intelligence; and (3) the history of many subtests is more complex than psychologists probably realize.
Nonrandom Two-Liquid Segment Activity Coefficient Model with Association Theory

Association theory has been extensively applied to equations of state such as statistical associating fluid theory and cubic plus association. This work presents an integration of association theory with the nonrandom two-liquid segment activity coefficient (NRTL-SAC) model. Replacing the four conceptual segments (hydrophobic, hydrophilic, polar attractive, and polar repulsive) in the original NRTL-SAC model, the association NRTL-SAC model represents interacting molecules with two conceptual segments (nonpolar and polar) and two association site types (hydrogen bond acceptor and donor). Given the molecule-specific parameters, the model shows much improved predictive capability than the original NRTL-SAC model for phase equilibria of chemical mixtures in which associations take place.
Systematic Diversity-Oriented Synthesis of Reduced Flavones from γ-Pyrones to Probe Biological Performance Diversity

Diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) has historically focused on the development of small-molecule collections with considerable chemical diversity with the hypothesis that chemical diversity will lead to diverse biological activities. We took a systematic approach to DOS to develop a focused library of reduced flavones from γ-pyrones with diversity of appendage, stereochemistry, and chemical properties to determine which features of small molecules are most predictive of biological performance diversity. The effects of these systematic modifications on biodiversity were determined using Cell Painting and cytotoxicity assays to compare the results of multiple methods of assessment. We observed that a greater fraction of sp3 hybridized atoms (fsp3) does not always lead to enhanced biodiversity, that stereochemistry and appendage diversity both contribute to biodiversity, and that lipophilicity of the pyrone class of compounds correlates with biodiversity. These results will contribute to the development of a general algorithm to predict which chemical features should be considered during the synthesis of DOS libraries to create biological performance-diverse collections of small molecules for probe and drug discovery.
Religion: Material Dynamics

Organised as a series of 15 key words, this book offers a critical lexicon that examines the materiality of religions through the lens of political economy. David Chidester is well known for his wo...
Using solenoid as multipurpose tool for measuring beam parameters.

Solenoids are frequently used for focusing low-energy beams. In this paper, we show how they can serve as multipurpose diagnostics tools to measure various beam parameters, including energy, emittance, the second moments of the transverse distribution, and the beam position and angle with respect to the solenoid’s axis. The energy measurement is based on rotation of the plane of the transverse motion, as opposed to generating dispersion with a dipole. Measurement of the beam trajectory with respect to the solenoid axis is done by analyzing the beam orbit downstream of the solenoid while varying its current. The second moments are calculated by analyzing the beam image on a profile monitor while accounting for the beam rotation caused by the solenoid. We describe in detail the corresponding procedures and the experimental results of these measurements.
Coherent Coupling of Multiple Transverse Modes in Quantum Cascade Lasers

Quantum cascade lasers are a unique laboratory for studying nonlinear laser dynamics because of their high intracavity intensity, strong intersubband optical nonlinearity, and an unusual combination of relaxation time scales. Here we investigate the nonlinear coupling between the transverse modes of quantum cascade lasers. We present evidence for stable phase coherence of multiple transverse modes over a large range of injection currents. We explain the phase coherence by a four-wave mixing interaction originating from the strong optical nonlinearity of the gain transition. The phase-locking conditions predicted by theory are supported by spectral data and both near- and far-field mode measurements.
Searching for metastable particles using graph computing

The reconstruction of charged particle trajectories at the Large Hadron Collider and future colliders relies on energy depositions in sensors placed at distances ranging from a centimeter to a meter from the colliding beams. We propose a method of detecting charged particles that decay invisibly after traversing a short distance of about 25 cm inside the experimental apparatus. One of the decay products may constitute the dark matter known to be 84% of all matter at galactic and cosmological distance scales. Our method uses graph computing to cluster spacepoints recorded by two-dimensional silicon pixel sensors into mathematically-defined patterns. The algorithm may be implemented on silicon-based integrated circuits using field-programmable gate array technology to augment or replace traditional computing platforms.
A national evaluation of the use and survival impact of adjuvant chemotherapy in Stage II colon cancer from the national cancer database.

AIM Stage II colon cancers are a heterogeneous category, with controversy over use of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). Patients with high-risk features may benefit from AC to improve overall survival (OS). Current guidelines do not routinely recommend AC in low-risk cases, but the actual use and benefit on OS in this cohort have not been fully examined on a national scale. We aimed to evaluate the use and impact of AC on OS in low-risk Stage II colon cancer. METHODS The national cancer database was reviewed for Stage II colon cancers undergoing curative resection (2010-2015). Cases with preoperative radio-chemotherapy or high-risk features were excluded. Cases were stratified into 'AC' and 'no AC' cohorts, and then propensity score matched. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysed OS. The main outcome measures were the incidence and impact of AC on OS in low-risk Stage II colon cancer. RESULTS Of 39 926 patients evaluated, 8.2% (n = 3275) received AC. Matching resulted in 3275 cases per cohort. AC significantly improved 1-, 3- and 5-year OS versus no AC (P = 0.0017). The 5-year absolute risk reduction was 2.6%, relative risk reduction 12%, with a number needed to treat of 38. In the Cox model, AC remained significantly associated with increased OS (hazard ratio 0.816; 95% CI 0.713-0.934; P < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS From this dataset, AC was associated with improved OS in low-risk Stage II disease. These findings from a large-scale sample question current guidelines and the need for better risk stratification. Further study with more robust variables is warranted to determine AC best practices.
PhacoTrainer: A Multicenter Study of Deep Learning for Activity Recognition in Cataract Surgical Videos.

Purpose To build and evaluate deep learning models for recognizing cataract surgical steps from whole-length surgical videos with minimal preprocessing, including identification of routine and complex steps. Methods We collected 298 cataract surgical videos from 12 resident surgeons across 6 sites and excluded 30 incomplete, duplicated, and combination surgery videos. Videos were downsampled at 1 frame/second. Trained annotators labeled 13 steps of surgery: create wound, injection into the eye, capsulorrhexis, hydrodissection, phacoemulsification, irrigation/aspiration, place lens, remove viscoelastic, close wound, advanced technique/other, stain with trypan blue, manipulating iris, and subconjunctival injection. We trained two deep learning models, one based on the VGG16 architecture (VGG model) and the second using VGG16 followed by a long short-term memory network (convolutional neural network [CNN]- recurrent neural network [RNN] model). Class activation maps were visualized using Grad-CAM. Results Overall top 1 prediction accuracy was 76% for VGG model (93% for top 3 accuracy) and 84% for the CNN-RNN model (97% for top 3 accuracy). The microaveraged area under receiver-operating characteristic curves was 0.97 for the VGG model and 0.99 for the CNN-RNN model. The microaveraged average precision score was 0.83 for the VGG model and 0.92 for the CNN-RNN model. Class activation maps revealed the model was appropriately focused on the instrumentation used in each step to identify which step was being performed. Conclusions Deep learning models can classify cataract surgical activities on a frame-by-frame basis with remarkably high accuracy, especially routine surgical steps. Translational Relevance An automated system for recognition of cataract surgical steps could provide to residents automated feedback metrics, such as the length of time spent on each step.
Heller and Constitutional Interpretation: Originalism's Last Gasp

The Author posits that the Supreme Court's opinions in Heller are "thick and pure" originalism: greater historical detail than ever before, and virtually no other basis is offered for the decision. But is this "originalism's last gasp"? That is, a deep and desperate attempt to give life to originalism, before it expires? Even as the majority proclaims textual originalism more loudly and purely than ever before, it ultimately and the Author argues necessarily leaves originalism behind. By summarily endorsing, without any historical support, the currently existing prohibitions on firearms possession by various categories of people or in various "sensitive" places, the Court implicitly applies a "living constitutionalism" approach for contemporary Second Amendment issues. This is, in fact, not inconsistent with the Court's constitutional interpretive approach for centuries. Indeed, even Justice Scalia has subscribed to it not in name, but in reality in recent Fourth and Sixth Amendment opinions (Kyllo and Blakely). As we move further away from the world that the Framers knew, pure originalism can succeed less and less reliably. In the end we are all "living originalists" because, as Chief Justice Marshall recognized almost 200 years ago in Cohens v. Virginia, the Framers intended the document to govern for many unseen generations beyond their own.
Polar lobe formation and cytokinesis in fertilized eggs of Ilyanassa obsoleta. I. Ultrastructure and effects of cytochalasin B and colchicine.

Abstract Formation of polar lobe constrictions and cleavage furrows in fertilized eggs of the marine mudsnail, Ilyanassa obsoleta , is associated with localized concentrations of microfilaments in the cortical cytoplasm. These microfilaments disappear after treatment with cytochalasin B, with concomitant regression of polar lobe constrictions and cleavage furrows. Microtubules are present in the noncortical cytoplasm of the polar lobe and disappear after treatment with colchicine. Colchicine application early in lobe development inhibits both polar lobe formation and cytokinesis; however, drug treatment later in lobe development, although still inhibiting cytokinesis, fails to inhibit the continued constriction of the polar lobe neck and subsequent lobe resorption. The data therefore suggest that separate colchicine-sensitive steps are required for the complete constriction of the polar lobe neck and for initiation of cytokinesis. Polar lobe necks constrict at two markedly different rates in contrast to the smooth, single-phase progression of cleavage furrows. As with cytokinesis, polar lobe formation may occur by the contraction of a microfilament ring whose polymerization or activity is regulated by microtubules.
Approximate Models and Error Analysis

Exogenous disturbances affect time series variables in complex and varied ways. Their relationships are usually only approximately captured by models. In the frequency domain, rational transfer functions of the models are best viewed as approximations to more complex rational, or possibly irrational, transfer functions. In the time domain, finite-dimensional state space (innovation) models merely approximate dynamic phenomena of greater complexity that cannot be conveniently captured. Model builders can only hope to reproduce some salient features of actual dynamics by judicious choice of the dimension and the values of model system matrices, and by analyzing the consequences of adding (deleting) a time series from the data vector, or of retaining (dropping) correlations between some of the data components.
Constitutional Convergence and Customary International Law

In Getting to Rights: Treaty Ratification, Constitutional Convergence, and Human Rights Practice, Zachary Elkins, Tom Ginsburg, and Beth Simmons study the effects of post-World War II human rights texts on domestic constitutions and create a comprehensive data set detailing how each right’s popularity has evolved over time. This response focuses on the consequences of the authors’ data on rights convergence for customary international law theory, arguing that future scholars advocating that a right has obtained customary or jus cogens status will need to address whether that right appears in a majority of domestic constitutions and whether it has risen or declined in popularity.
ATMOSPHERIC FACTORS IN PATHOGENESIS OF LUNG CANCER

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the atmospheric factors in pathogenesis of lung cancer. The rise in lung cancer incidence is consistent with the introduction of new etiological influences into the respiratory environment around the start of the 20th century. Because lung cancer, in common with other neoplasms, appears unlikely to be the result of a single initiating or promoting experience, it is necessary to assess the pathogenetic significance of polluted air both for the detection of the presence of carcinogens and determination of its role with reference to that of other known or suspected environmental factors, for example, cigarette smoking and chronic pulmonary infection. Assessment of the significance of environmental factors, including polluted air, in the pathogenesis of lung cancer is partly dependent on analyses of the nature, rate, and temporal characteristics of the observed increase. Experimental considerations have been discussed in the chapter. Bioassay studies discussed in the chapter include painting and injection studies, and inhalation studies. The section on clinical lung cancer covers pathological aspects. Data from several spheres of laboratory investigation lend support to the belief that the epidemiological association between urban residence and lung cancer is of pathogenetic significance.
FE II Emission Line Diagnostics of the Sun and Stars

Iron-group elements have a complex term structure owing to the incomplete 3d shell. The resulting line spectra are unique, although complex, spectral diagnostics since the lines span wide ranges of excitation conditions and optical depths. In this paper UV lines of Fe II, the most prominent ion of the iron group in astrophysical spectra, are examined in SKYLAB (SO82B) spectra of the Sun and IUE spectra of cool giant stars. The line excitation and formation are discussed and some implications for the structure of solar and stellar atmospheres are described.
W+Z and W+γ∗ backgrounds to strong W+W+ scattering at the LHC

Abstract Because of inevitable blind spots at high rapidity and low transverse momentum, the process q q → l + l − l + ν provides a surprisingly large background to the W+W+ → l+νl+ν signal associated with strong WW scattering. Previous calculations of the total background are approximately doubled, and the estimate of the “no-lose” luminosity at the LHC to observe manifestations of the electroweak symmetry breaking mechanism is increased to between ∼100 and ∼140 fb−1.
Labor Law 2.0: The Impact of the New Information Technology on the Employment Relationship and the Relevance of the NLRA

The NLRA system of collective bargaining was born during the industrial age of the early twentieth century. As a result, key terms in the statute such as “employee.” “employer” and “appropriate bargaining unit” were first interpreted in the context of long-term employment and large vertically integrated firms that dominated this era. Beginning in the late 1970’s, the new information technology wrought a revolution in the organization of production increasing short-term contingent employment and the organization of firms horizontally in trading and subcontracting relationships across the globe. To maintain the relevance of collective bargaining to the modern workplace, the interpretation of the key terms of the NLRA must be updated to recognize the changed circumstances of production and interpret union access and employee mutual support in light of the new technology. However, the new information technology promises further changes in the workplace with the accelerating mechanization of many jobs and perhaps a fundamental change in the relationship between labor and capital with the development of artificial intelligence. In this essay I explore the implications of the new information technology for the workplace, the interpretation of the NLRA and the continuing evolution of American labor policy.
Alternative mating tactics in the yellow dung fly: resolving mechanisms of small-male advantage off pasture.

Recent work suggests that the yellow dung fly mating system may include alternative patroller–competitor mating tactics in which large males compete for gravid females on dung, whereas small, non-competitive males search for females at foraging sites. Small males obtain most matings off pasture, yet the behavioural mechanism(s) giving rise to this pattern are unknown. We investigated the male and female behaviours that determine mating success in this environment by conducting field mating experiments and found small males to benefit from several attributes specific to the off-pasture mating environment. First, small males from foraging sites exhibited higher mating propensity, indicating that large males away from dung may be depleted of energy and/or sperm. Second, small males were more discriminating, being significantly less likely to attempt with non-gravid females, which are absent on dung but common off pasture. Third, non-gravid females were generally more likely to actively struggle and reject mating attempts; however, such behaviours occurred disproportionately more often with large males. Female Scathophaga stercoraria thus appear to preferentially mate with small males when off pasture. These findings challenge assumptions about male–female interactions in systems with alternative mating tactics and reveal hidden processes that may influence selection patterns in the field.
The Interactive Classroom: An Overview of SMART Notebook Software

Interactive whiteboards are increasingly used in school classrooms. SMART Boards have been adopted in many schools, including music classes taught by specialists. This article provides specific tips for using the most popular whiteboard application. The main features of the software as well as specific strategies for maximizing their use in the learning environment are emphasized, as well as new resources for SMART Notebook templates. Changes for next-generation whiteboards are discussed as well as suggestions for where teachers can find existing tools and templates as resources for classroom instruction. Online videos are provided to demonstrate how easily the whiteboard can be used by students to enhance the interactivity of music instruction.
Ecology, embodiment and aesthetics of death in Hurricane Katrina

Abstract In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, thousands of people died and millions were displaced from their homes. The deceased and displaced were portrayed as ‘expected losses,’‘collateral damage’ and ‘inconvenient bodies’ in need of disposal. Through discourse and media analysis, this paper will employ the theoretical constructs of embodiment and aesthetics to examine the relationship between historical and ecological patterns that contributed to the visual representations and memorialisation of death in Hurricane Katrina. In viewing the deaths that occurred as fundamentally biopolitical, this paper will propose that the continued displacement of New Orleans' predominantly African American residents inhibits their ability not only to resist neoliberal models of reconstruction currently taking place in New Orleans, but also their ability to engage in culturally familiar ways of grief and bereavement and incorporate the losses of their loved ones, homes and city within their emotional ecosystems.
Coital status and perceptions about sexual abstinence refusal skills.

Abstract Purpose: To compare perceptions and use of sexual refusal skills. Methods: A voluntary, anonymous sample of ninth and tenth grade students (N = 2256) reported their perceptions about and use of sexual refusal skills that had been taught in school. Forty-four percent of the students classified themselves as virgins, 18% reported one sexual partner, and 38% reported multiple sex partners. Coital status groups were compared on measures addressing refusal skills using Chi-square tests. Results: Approximately one-third of the students reported using refusal skills either a lot or a little, with virgins more likely to indicate that they used refusal skills a lot. Virgins also were least likely to say that they should have used the refusal skills or that they didn't feel like using refusal skills. Furthermore, virgins were most likely to state that they didn't need to use refusal skills. One partner and multiple partner groups were more likely to indicate that they had not been taught refusal skills. Conclusions: The majority of students did not use the refusal skills taught to them in school; however, all coital status groups used the refusal skills in some capacity. Differences between the virgin and sexually experienced groups present challenges for instructors and curriculum developers. Some of the commonly held assumptions about refusal skill curricula may not be true.
Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia: Report of a case with characteristic long-term progression******

There have been documented case series and reports over the past 2 decades of a distinctive form of oral leukoplakia. In 1985, Hansen et al1 coined the term “proliferative verrucous leukoplakia” (PVL) after a long-term study of 30 patients with this disease. The condition arises as clinical foci of hyperkeratosis that progressively spread and become multifocal. The lesions eventually assume an exophytic, verrucous appearance and are extremely resistant to treatment. Ultimately, many progress to invasive cancer, and 30% or more of patients with PVL die of this disease.2 Many potential etiologies have been hypothesized, but little has been proved about the origins of this disease process. PVL is a very aggressive form of oral leukoplakia with high morbidity and mortality rates due to its strong potential for malignant transformation. Oral leukoplakia is not uncommon. In dysplastic oral leukoplakias, the malignant transformation rate is approximately 5% over an average period of 5 years.3 The PVL form of oral leukoplakia specifically is characterized by a malignant transformation rate as high as 86.7% in some studies.1 The approach to treatment and follow-up for multifocal oral leukoplakias pose a challenge, because the aggressive and benign forms can appear histopathologically indistinguishable depending on when the biopsy samples are taken during the course of the disease. Among the complications encountered during follow-up of PVL is the potential for late progression to malignancy (ie, after a decade or longer). The following report describes the diagnosis, course, and management of a case of PVL with multiple recurrences that were unresponsive to surgical and medical therapy over a 15-year period and eventually led to the patient’s death.
The talking Greeks : speech, animals, and the other in Homer, Aeschylus, and Plato

Introduction Part I. Speech, Animals, and Human Status in Homer: 1. Bellowing like a bull: humans and other animals in Homer 2. Controlling language: Telemachus learns to speak 3. Talking through the heroic code: Achilles learns to tell tales Part II. Listening for the Other in Classical Greece: 4. Making a difference: the silence of otherness Part III. Speech, Animals, and Human Status in Classical Athens: 5. Disentangling the beast: humans and other animals in the Oresteia 6. Socratic silence: the shame of the Athenians Epilogue.
779 OXACILLIN TOLERANT STAPHYLOCOCCAL BACTEREMIA IN CHILDREN

Some staphylococcus aureus strains are deficient in autolytic enzyme activity, resist killing with oxacillin and are called “oxacillin tolerant”. These strains grown in culture with oxacillin, are inhibited, but are not killed. Since the clinical significance of this laboratory observation is not clear we have tested all staphylococcal isolates from 38 children for oxacillir tolerance and reviewed their hospital records. Their ages ranged from newborns to 19 years of age. Eighteen were females and 20 were males. Sixteen of the 38 patients had “oxacillin tolerant” staphylococcal infections. Eight were newborns, 4 had cancer, and 4 had no underlying disease. Six of the 16 died, 3 of the 4 were cancer patients and 3 of 8 were newborns. Twenty-two of 38 strains were non-tolerant. Six of these patients were newborns, 5 had cancer and 11 had no underlying disease. Six of these 22 patients died, one of the cancer patients, 3 of the 6 newborns and 2 with no underlying disease. Children with oxacillin tolerant organisms have a higher case fatality rate than children with non-tolerant organisms;the difference is more striking in children with cancer, indicating that children with severely impaired host defenses are at greater risk. The deficient autolytic enzyme in these strains may interfere with effective phagocytosis and antibiotic action. The usual antibiotic therapy with penicillinase resistant penicillins may not be adequate.
Computational analysis of beveled-tip fiber probes for selective detection of subsurface fluorophores in turbid media

Optimization of illumination-collection parameters may lead to an improvement in the efficacy of fluorescence spectroscopy devices for minimally invasive disease detection. While device-tissue interface geometry has been shown to have a strong influence on the origin of detected fluorescence, prior studies have tended to focus on systems which deliver and collect light at approximately normal incidence to the tissue surface. Optical fibers with beveled surfaces enable the delivery and/or collection of light at a range of angles. This feature may make it possible to interrogate subsurface tissue regions with a greater degree of spatial selectivity. In this study, simulations were performed using a Monte Carlo model of fluorescent light propagation in order to estimate the behavior and potential limitations of this approach. The effect of tissue optical properties, illumination angle, collection angle and illumination-collection fiber separation distance were investigated. Results indicated that beveled fiber probes may significantly improve the ability of fiberoptic probes to selectively interrogate specific tissue regions or layers, however, the advantage over flat fibers is reduced as tissue attenuation increases.
Will the seven-helix bundle be a common structure for integral membrane proteins?

Abstract A prediction algorithm, designed to detect lipid-embedded helical regions in membrane proteins, was applied to the amino acid sequence of a chloroplast thylakoid membrane protein important in photosynthesis. It is suggested that the thylakoid membrane protein consists of 7 transmembrane helices connected by exposed turn segments, similar to current models for bacteriorhodopsin and bovine rhodopsin. This basic structural feature, the 7-helical bundle, may prove to be shared by many integral membrane proteins.
Russian Palynology Today: Literature and Application to Exploration: ABSTRACT

A survey of available literature shows the result of a tremendous Soviet effort in the field of palynology. Russian work in this field was initiated in the early 1930s and began to be summarized in publications at about the time of the 1937 International Geological Congress in Moscow. The work has been extended and expanded many times since then. During the last ten years, palynological publications in Russian have appeared en masse. An analysis of available practices in palynology and policies regarding nomenclature and taxonomy in the literature are presented, even though conclusions must be regarded as tentative and personal. Any American viewpoint about the present development of palynology in the U.S.S.R. must be both incomplete and inadequate. However, the literatur reflects tremendous effort and a large source of information applicable to general paleontologic, paleogeographic, and paleoecologic problems. End_of_Article - Last_Page 278------------
Cord Blood Stem Cell-Mediated Induction of Apoptosis in Glioma Downregulates X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (XIAP)

Background XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein) is one of the most important members of the apoptosis inhibitor family. XIAP is upregulated in various malignancies, including human glioblastoma. It promotes invasion, metastasis, growth and survival of malignant cells. We hypothesized that downregulation of XIAP by human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (hUCBSC) in glioma cells would cause them to undergo apoptotic death. Methodology/Principal Findings We observed the effect of hUCBSC on two malignant glioma cell lines (SNB19 and U251) and two glioma xenograft cell lines (4910 and 5310). In co-cultures of glioma cells with hUCBSC, proliferation of glioma cells was significantly inhibited. This is associated with increased cytotoxicity of glioma cells, which led to glioma cell death. Stem cells induced apoptosis in glioma cells, which was evaluated by TUNEL assay, FACS analyses and immunoblotting. The induction of apoptosis is associated with inhibition of XIAP in co-cultures of hUCBSC. Similar results were obtained by the treatment of glioma cells with shRNA to downregulate XIAP (siXIAP). Downregulation of XIAP resulted in activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 to trigger apoptosis in glioma cells. Apoptosis is characterized by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and upregulation of mitochondrial apoptotic proteins Bax and Bad. Cell death of glioma cells was marked by downregulation of Akt and phospho-Akt molecules. We observed similar results under in vivo conditions in U251- and 5310-injected nude mice brains, which were treated with hUCBSC. Under in vivo conditions, Smac/DIABLO was found to be colocalized in the nucleus, showing that hUCBSC induced apoptosis is mediated by inhibition of XIAP and activation of Smac/DIABLO. Conclusions/Significance Our results indicate that downregulation of XIAP by hUCBSC treatment induces apoptosis, which led to the death of the glioma cells and xenograft cells. This study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of XIAP and hUCBSC to treat malignant gliomas.
Application of water quality control charts to spring monitoring in karst terranes

Presence of springs in karst terranes provides a unique opportunity to study the rather complex, multi-porosity, and multi-permeability system. When springs are used to evaluate the integrity of storage facilities for hazardous materials or waste disposal facilities constructed in karst areas, the spatial heterogeneity of karst aquifers makes intra-spring comparisons preferred statistical tests. One of the commonly used statistical tests is water quality control procedure such as Shewhart-CUSUM control charts. Appropriate application of the water quality control procedure to intra-spring monitoring depends on whether the assumptions can be justified about the aquifer that drains to the spring and the dataset collected at the spring. Violation of the assumptions would render the statistical tests invalid, which may result in a failure of the groundwater monitoring program. In intra-spring monitoring, it is the temporal variations of water quality at a karst spring need to be addressed, whereas the water quality at the spring is closely associated with the characteristics of the aquifer. The example datasets presented in the paper indicate that both false negative and false positive detections can occur if the temporal variation is not well characterized.
Two results on the asymptotic performance of quantizers

A necessary and sufficient condition is presented for the normalized asymptotic r th power distortion of a mismatched multidimensional quantizer to converge to a certain optimum constant known as Bennett's integral. The dimensionality of our results is allowed to approach infinity in order to make some universal source coding comparisons to quantization theory.
A year as AGU's Congressional Science Fellow

When I applied for AGU's Congressional Science Fellowship, I promised that I would be completed with my degree requirements before the fellowship began. Thanks to a flexible advisor, I defended my dissertation on August 28, packed my office on August 29, and drove to Washington the next day to participate in a two-week orientation for the fellowship. The orientation, organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for incoming Science and Technology Fellows, introduced us to various aspects of the federal government, science policy and life in Washington. During my first week in Washington, I thought my biggest challenge would be finding time to format my dissertation between all the receptions and dinners AAAS scheduled for the Fellows.
Is victimization chronic? a Bayesian analysis of multinomial missing data

Abstract This paper analyses, using Bayesian methods, a simple data set concerning successive criminal victimization drawn from the National Crime Survey. As in many surveys, not all the intended interviews could be conducted. Unlike many analyses, however, this paper takes that missing data explicitly into account, to see what difference it makes to the conclusions. This leads to very substantial (and apparently novel) computational difficulties. Hence this paper is partly addressed to victimization, and partly to statistical computation. However, the latter is addressed only to the extent necessary to support the former. Whether the computational methods used here are wise general strategies for such problems is left to further investigation.
THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC DIFFERENCES ON MARITAL INTIMACY: INTERMARRIAGE VERSUS INTRAMARRIAGE

The influence of religious and ethnic differences on marital intimacy was examined by administering the Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships and a demographic/attitudinal questionnaire to 25 Jewish couples (intramarried) and 25 couples with one Jewish partner (intermarried). All couples were childless and in the first 5 years of their first marriage. Results indicated that the groups did not differ regarding couple level of intimacy, similarity of intimate experience, or mutual understanding. However, in-depth interviews revealed differences in the pathways by which these two groups arrived at a similar level of intimacy. Intramarried couples appear to experience greater personal similarity and mutual understanding rooted in their ethnic bond, which aids the development of intimacy. Intermarried couples appear to find that the very process of negotiating ethnic differences leads to greater mutual understanding and intimacy. These findings indicate that clinicians and religious leaders should not assume that intermarriage constrains levels of intimacy. Nor should it be assumed that intramarriage assures high intimacy.
The Effect of Wave Shape on the Electric Breakdown of Nitrogen Gas

The electric breakdown of nitrogen gas is determined using direct and 60-Hz voltage and impulse waves of both positive and negative polarity over the range of ? × 10 to 550 × 9000 microseconds. The electrode system is composed of a 1-inch diameter brass sphere and a 1?-inch-diameter square-edged brass plane with a spacing between them of ? inch. The voltages are adjusted in small increments to give breakdown occurrences from 0 to 100 percent of the time. The change in voltage breakdown level for nitrogen gas as a function of time to voltage crest is shown to be markedly different from the generally accepted voltage-time curve for solid insulations. In the latter case the longer times to voltage crest invariably show lower voltage levels. By contrast, the voltage breakdown level for nitrogen gas for impulse waves of the order of switching surge length is even greater than that for an impulse wave reaching a crest around 0.5 us. In some cases the level of the 10 percent incidence of the voltage breakdown of nitrogen is found to be as low as one-half of that for the 90 percent incidence.
Technique for the Static Fatigue Testing of Fibers

An easy-to-use, low-cost method for static fatigue testing of fibers in harsh environments was developed. Stresses greater than 550 ksi (3791 MPa) are attainable yet the specimen is insensitive to external shock. The method gave good comparative results when used to test indium-coated fused silica fibers under distilled water or 2M NaCl solution.
Semaphorin3a signaling, podocyte shape, and glomerular disease.

Semaphorin3a (sema3a), a member of class 3 semaphorins, is a guidance protein that regulates angiogenesis, branching morphogenesis, axon growth, and cell migration, and has pleiotropic roles on organogenesis, immune response, and cancer. Sema3a is secreted by podocytes and is required for normal kidney patterning and glomerular filtration barrier development. We recently discovered that after completion of kidney development, Sema3a gain-of-function in podocytes leads to proteinuric glomerular disease in mice. Excess sema3a causes foot process effacement, glomerular basement lamination, and endothelial damage in vivo, and disrupts cell autonomously podocyte shape by down-regulating nephrin and inhibiting αvβ3 integrin. We identified a novel direct interaction between nephrin and plexinA1, the sema3a signaling receptor. Nephrin–plexinA1 interaction links the slit-diaphragm signaling complex to extracellular sema3a signals. Hence, sema3a functions as an extracellular negative regulator of the structure and function of the glomerular filtration barrier.
A high output, large acceptance injector for the NOSAMS Tandetron AMS system

Abstract We have completed a major upgrade of the National Ocean Sciences AMS Facility (NOSAMS) Tandetron AMS system in two stages. First, the simultaneous (recombinator) injector was replaced with a fast-cycling sequential injector and changes to the low-energy acceleration section. Data after the injector commissioning show an improvement in background, with mean machine background (commercial graphite) of Fm 0.0004 (62 ka). Second, we replaced the original ion source with a high-output 40 sample MCSNICS source. This improved beam currents and raw ratio fractionation, and increased sample to detection efficiency fivefold.
Safety and immunogenicity of acellular diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and Haemophilus conjugate vaccines given in combination or at separate injection sites

This prospective, double-blind, randomized trial compared the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of acellular diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine-diptheria toxoid conjugate, given at separate injection sites or at a single site, in 79 children 18 months of age who had received three prior immunizing doses of whole-cell diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine. No significant differences were observed.