cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
It's a protist-eat-protist world: recalcitrance, predation, and evolution in the Tonian–Cryogenian ocean

Predation, and how organisms respond to it, is an important ecological interaction across the tree of life. Much of our understanding of predation focuses on modern metazoa. However, predation is equally important in single-celled eukaryotes (commonly referred to as protists). In the fossil record, we see evidence of protists preying on other protists beginning in the Tonian Period (1000–720 Ma). In addition, the first evidence of eukaryotic biomineralization and the appearance of multiple unmineralized but recalcitrant forms are also seen in the Tonian and Cryogenian (720–635 Ma), potentially indirect evidence of predation. This fossil evidence, coupled with molecular clock analyses, is coincident with multiple metrics that show an increase in the diversity of eukaryotic clades and fossil assemblages. Predation, thus, may have played a critical role in the diversification of eukaryotes and the evolution of protistan armor in the Neoproterozoic Era. Here, we review the current understanding of predation in the Tonian and Cryogenian oceans as viewed through the fossil record, and discuss how the rise of eukaryotic predation upon other eukaryotes (eukaryovory) may have played a role in major evolutionary transitions including the origins of biomineralization.
Zirconium Modification Promotes Catalytic Activity of a Single-Site Cobalt Heterogeneous Catalyst for Propane Dehydrogenation.

The effect of Zr modification on the catalytic activity of Co/SiO2 was investigated for nonoxidative propane dehydrogenation. Isolated Zr on SiO2 surface sites were prepared by organometallic synthesis using Zr(OtBu)4 as a precursor. The resulting Zr/SiO2 support was functionalized with Co2+ ions via strong electrostatic adsorption. Spectroscopic (diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, UV–vis, electron paramagnetic resonance) and microscopic characterization (transmission electron microscopy, scanning transition electron microscopy) results are consistent with single-site cobalt that preferentially associates with the mono-dispersed Zr at a variety of loadings and Co/Zr ratios. The oxidation state of Co in the as-prepared Co/SiO2 and Co–Zr/SiO2 was both +2 with tetrahedral and octahedral geometries, respectively. In situ X-ray absorption near edge structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure results confirmed that the oxidation state of Co remained as +2 under reaction cond...
Individual interviews or focus groups? Interview format and women’s self-disclosure

Individual interviews have traditionally been an important method of data collection in multiple disciplines, including psychology. However, research comparing individual interviews with focus grou...
CD200 immune checkpoint reversal at the site of tumor vaccine inoculation: A novel approach to glioblastoma immunotherapy

Abstract Purpose Advances in immunotherapy have revolutionized care for some cancer patients. However, current checkpoint inhibitors are associated with significant toxicity and yield poor responses for patients with central nervous system tumors, calling into question whether cancer immunotherapy can be applied to glioblastoma multiforme. We determined that targeting the CD200 activation receptors (CD200AR) of the CD200 checkpoint with a peptide inhibitor overcomes tumor-induced immunosuppression. We have shown the clinical efficacy of the peptide inhibitor in a trial in companion dogs with spontaneous high-grade glioma; adding the peptide to autologous tumor lysate vaccines significantly increased overall survival relative to tumor lysate alone (median survival of 12.7 and 6.36 months, respectively). Experimental design: This study was developed to elucidate the mechanism of the CD200ARs and develop a humanized peptide inhibitor We developed macrophage cell lines with each of four CD200ARs knocked out to determine their binding specificity and functional responses. Using proteomics, we developed humanized peptide inhibitors to explore their effects on cytokine/chemokine response, dendritic cell maturation and CMV pp65 antigen response in CD14+ cells. GMP-grade peptide was further validated for activity. Results We demonstrated that the peptide specifically targets the CD200AR complex to induce an immune response. Moreover, we developed and validated our humanized peptides for inducing chemokine response, stimulating immature dendritic cell differentiation and significantly enhancing an antigen-specific response. We also determined that the use of the peptide downregulated the expression of CD200 inhibitory and PD-1 receptors. Conclusion These results support consideration of a CD200 peptide ligand as a novel platform for immunotherapy against multiple cancers including glioblastoma multiforme. Translational relevance This report evaluates the ability to modulate the CD200 immune checkpoint by employing synthetic peptides directed as ligands to its paired immune activation receptor. We previously reported the presence of CD200 in the sera and tumor vasculature of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We have also shown that a canine CD200 activation receptor ligand extends the lives of companion dogs with high grade glioma. The data we present here show that the human peptide ligand (hCD200ARL) directed to the CD200 activation receptor on CD14+ cells activates immune upregulation through induction of a cytokine response and dendritic cell differentiation. In addition, hCD200ARL downregulates the inhibitory CD200 and PD-1 receptors. These findings provide a basis to evaluate hCD200ARL as a novel immune therapy for patients with GBM. Downregulation of PD-1 suggests that hCD200ARL may also obviate the need for PD1 and PD-L1 directed therapies for GBM and other malignancies.
Nascent RNA analyses: tracking transcription and its regulation

The programmes that direct an organism's development and maintenance are encoded in its genome. Decoding of this information begins with regulated transcription of genomic DNA into RNA. Although transcription and its control can be tracked indirectly by measuring stable RNAs, it is only by directly measuring nascent RNAs that the immediate regulatory changes in response to developmental, environmental, disease and metabolic signals are revealed. Multiple complementary methods have been developed to quantitatively track nascent transcription genome-wide at nucleotide resolution, all of which have contributed novel insights into the mechanisms of gene regulation and transcription-coupled RNA processing. Here we critically evaluate the array of strategies used for investigating nascent transcription and discuss the recent conceptual advances they have provided.
Fostering health equity research: Development and implementation of the Center for Health Equity Research (CHER) Chicago

Introduction The purpose of this article is to describe the process of developing and implementing a transdisciplinary community-based research center, the Center for Health Equity Research (CHER) Chicago, to offer a model for designing and implementing research centers that aim to address structural causes of health inequality. Methods Scholars from diverse backgrounds and disciplines formed a multidisciplinary team for the Center and adopted the structural violence framework as the organizing conceptual model. All Center activities were based on community partnership. The Center activities were organized within three cores: administrative, investigator development, and community engagement and dissemination cores. The key activities during the first year were to develop a pilot grant program for early-stage investigators (ESIs) and to establish community partnership mechanisms. Results CHER provided more than 60 consultations for ESIs, which resulted in 31 pilot applications over the three application cycles. Over 200 academic and community partners attended the community symposium and discussed community priority. Some challenges encountered were to improve communication among investigators, to clarify roles and responsibilities of the three cores, and to build consensus on the definition and operationalization of the concept of structural violence. Conclusion There is an increasing need for local hubs to facilitate transdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement to effectively address health inequity. Building consensus around a shared vision among partners is a difficult and yet important step toward achieving equity.
Evaluating the Impact of Virtual Reality on Design Review Meetings

AbstractWith the help of virtual reality (VR), architectural design can be visualized interactively and at full scale. Viewers of VR models also gain an additional sense of spatial depth and volume...
Lasers in laryngeal surgery

The use of lasers in laryngology has evolved over the last several decades. With improving optics, instrumentation, and applications for treatment, lasers are now routinely used during laryngeal surgery performed in both the operating room and clinic settings. A variety of laser types, including carbon dioxide (CO2), potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP), and pulsed-dye lasers, are used to treat an array of benign laryngeal lesions. Otolaryngologists can now consider the use of lasers to treat benign vocal fold lesions including vocal fold polyps, varices/ectasias, scar, granulomas, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, Reinke's edema, and nodules, among others. Knowledge of available lasers and common uses aids in providing the most appropriate treatment for a variety of benign laryngeal lesions.
Water Quality For Zebrafish Culture

Abstract Water quality is one of the most frequently over-looked control variables in zebrafish research. Water quality affects most every aspect of fish physiology and is a significant source of non–protocol-based variation. Important water quality parameters include temperature, pH, conductivity, alkalinity, hardness, dissolved gases, and nitrogenous wastes. Research facilities, using zebrafish as a model, should filter municipal water using sediment and carbon pre-filters, reverse osmosis, and de-ionization to create a high- quality base- water. Small amounts of high- quality sea salts should be added to this base water to create “fish-ready” water for culture. Temperature, pH, and conductivity should be monitored daily and should be maintained at 26–29° C, 7–8, and 200–3000 micro-Siemens, respectively. Alkalinity, hardness, carbon dioxide, and dissolved oxygen should be measured weekly and maintained at 50–75 ppm, 100–200 ppm, 0–15 ppm, and 6–8 ppm, respectively. Nitrogenous wastes are toxic to fish at relatively low concentrations and can cause physiological problems. Three nitrogenous wastes should be monitored weekly and include: ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Ammonia and nitrite should be maintained as close to zero ppm as possible while less toxic nitrate should be maintained at less than 50 ppm. Biological filters utilize nitrifying bacteria such as ammonia- oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite- oxidizing bacteria to oxidize toxic ammonia to less toxic nitrate. Nitrate is reduced in recirculating culture systems through routine water exchanges. Water quality parameters should be checked using two different methods before adjustments should be made. Adjustments to water quality should be made slowly to reduce the effects of stress on research fish and biological filters.
The Groucho Corepressors, TLE1 and TLE4, Are Candidate Del(9q) AML Tumor Suppressor Genes That Can Complement AML1-ETO.

Deletion of the long arm of chromosome 9, del(9q), is one of the most common cytogenetic abnormalities seen with t(8;21) AML. This close association suggests that that the loss of a critical gene(s) on chr9q cooperates with the AML1-ETO ( RUNX1-MTG8 ) fusion gene produced by t(8;21) in leukemogenesis. We recently mapped the commonly deleted region of del(9q) AML to less than 2.4 Mb and identified all the genes mapping to this region. Extensive sequence analysis of these genes failed to reveal obvious mutations in del(9q) AML samples although the expression of a number of these genes appeared low specifically in del(9q) samples (Genes Chr and Ca 44, 279–291). To help determine the critical affected genes in the del(9q) CDR we used an siRNA expression library directed against all del(9q) CDR gene transcripts in an in vitro complementation assay with AML1-ETO . Inducible expression of AML1-ETO in U937 cells (U937T-A/E, Mol Cell Biol 21 , 5577–5590) leads to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. We introduced the del(9q) CDR siRNA library into U937T-A/E cells with the goal of finding siRNAs that rescued these cells after induction of AML1-ETO expression. The most commonly recovered siRNA using flanking PCR primers was directed against TLE1 . Transducin-like enhancer of split ( TLE ) 1 and TLE4 , are two members of the Groucho family of co-repressors that map adjacent to the del(9q) CDR. We subsequently demonstrated that knockdown of either TLE1 or TLE4 with specific siRNAs were able to overcome the induced cell cycle arrest in U937T-A/E cells. We further demonstrate that knockdown of either TLE in the AML1-ETO+ Kasumi-1 cell line increased cell division, increased expression of cyclin D1 and Ki67 and reduced the G0/G1 fraction, while expression of TLE1 or TLE4 in Kasumi-1 cells induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Understanding how various mutations work cooperatively to produce a malignant phenotype is one of the great challenges in oncology. The TLEs are known to inhibit NFKB as well as Wnt signaling, two pathways implicated leukemic stem cell expansion. TLE inhibition may represent an important cooperating mutation with AML11-ETO in AML that links Wnt signaling and core binding protein transcription factors. Studies are currently underway to demonstrate this cooperativity and more directly evaluate the role of TLE inhibition in leukemogenesis.
Field manipulation of competition among hybrids reveals dynamic and highly stable features of a complex fitness landscape driving adaptive radiation

Abstract The effect of the environment on fitness in natural populations is a fundamental question in evolutionary biology. However, experimental manipulations of environment and phenotype are rare. Thus, the relative importance of the competitive environment versus intrinsic organismal performance in shaping the location, height, and fluidity of fitness peaks and valleys remains largely unknown. We experimentally tested the effect of competitive environment on the fitness landscape driving the evolution of novelty in a sympatric adaptive radiation of a generalist and two trophic specialist pupfishes, a scale-eater and molluscivore, endemic to San Salvador Island, Bahamas. We manipulated phenotypes, by generating 2,611 F4/F5 lab-reared hybrids, and competitive environment, by altering frequencies of rare phenotypes between high- and low-frequency field enclosures, then tracked hybrid survival in two natural lake populations on San Salvador. We found no evidence of frequency-dependent effects on survival fitness landscapes, indicating robustness to the competitive environment. Although survival surfaces favored alternate phenotypes between lakes, joint fitness estimation across lake environments supported multiple fitness peaks for generalist and molluscivore phenotypes and a large fitness valley isolating the most divergent scale-eater phenotype, strikingly similar to a previous independent field experiment. The consistency of this complex fitness landscape across competitive environments, multivariate trait axes, and spatiotemporal heterogeneity provides surprising evidence of stasis in major features of fitness landscapes despite substantial environmental variance, possibly due to absolute biomechanical constraints on diverse prey capture strategies within this radiation. These results challenge competitive speciation theory and highlight the interplay between organism and environment underlying static and dynamic features of the adaptive landscape.
Data Use Among Principals and Teachers: Divergent Paths or Common Ground? : Implications for the Leadership Preparation Programs

This study examines teachers’ and administrators’ use of data to inform their practice in one south-central state. Using a qualitative research approach, the study involved 76 educators representing eight school districts. Data were collected using focus groups with teachers and in-depth interviews with school principals. Data were inductively and deductively analyzed using multiple cycles of coding. Analysis of data revealed three themes that exposed differences in the use of data by teachers and administrators: the challenges of data use, the “levels” at which data are viewed (micro and macro lenses), and the value placed on formal and informal data. Findings suggest that by understanding the differences between teachers’ and administrators’ perspectives on data use and recognizing the common ground that unites their perspectives, schools can create data cultures that foster shared expectations, collaboration, and trust between teachers and administrators.
The US–China Trade War: Deal or No Deal? (Japanese)

This is a Japanese translation of the March 17, 2020 version of UVA-GEM-0175. The USChina trade war in 2019 led to major shifts in global trade and supply chains, highlighting the recent trend in deglobalization. This case discusses the patterns of international trade and capital flows across the two countries, determinants of trade imbalances, and the role of national savings, policies, institutions, and exchange rates. The material allows for an examination of several factors, including the broader context of tech competition between China and the United States. The case raises a series of questions around the uncertainty the trade war created, the impact of tariffs on both economies, and diverging views from the two sides on who is winning. The case has been successfully taught in second-year MBA classes and executive training programs on global economies and markets. Excerpt UVA-GEM-0186 Mar. 17, 2020 米中貿易戦争、合意か、合意拒否か？ 簡潔に言えば、Ｇ20首脳会議の目的は、各国政府、中央銀行、国際機関、の間の協調を通じて、グローバルな経済成長を加速することにあった。首脳会議の原型はＧ６として知られる6か国の首脳が、経済問題を議論するために会談した時まで遡る。その後約45年を経て、これは20か国のリーダーと、メンバー以外の国と国際機関からの招待者による規模にまで拡大し、経済成長、紛争、持続可能な開発目標、技術革新、社会的基盤、世界の健康、自由貿易などの課題について、考え方や専門知識の意見交換を行った。2019年6月、G20の首脳会議では、2か国のリーダー 米国ドナルド・トランプ大統領と中国習近平国家主席は、両国間の貿易戦争が原因で多くの注目を浴びた。 貿易、ビジネス、経済、政治的な地位の優位性を確保するため、各国は相互に関税その他の障壁を設けた時、貿易戦争は保護貿易から経済的紛争に転換することになった。1947年以来、各国間の関税は、関税、貿易の一般協定（GATT：当初は22か国の協定）、その後継機関（WTO:2018年164か国）の設置に伴い、全体の平均で22％から5％以下まで低下してきた。貿易ブームは、グローバル化と言う造語を生んだ。これは、社会的、文化的要素を含む国家と地方の経済の統合を意味した。2010年の後半には、米国と中国２大経済大国が、関税、対抗関税、広範囲な輸出入の交渉における不確実性、構造的な貿易問題、の諸交渉を開始した時、保護主義は総括的な形態で、その存在が再度明らかとなった。 . . .
Distiboranes based on ortho-phenylene backbones as bidentate Lewis acids for fluoride anion chelation

As part of our efforts in the chemistry of main group platforms that support anion sensing and transport, we are now reporting the synthesis of anitmony-based bidentate Lewis acids featuring the o-C6F4 backbone. These compounds can be easily accessed by reaction of the newly synthesized o-C6F4(SbPh2)2 (5) with o-chloranil or octafluorophenanthra-9,10-quinone, affording the corresponding distiboranes 6 and 7 of general formula o-C6F4(SbPh2(diolate))2 with diolate = tetrachlorocatecholate for 6 and octafluorophenanthrene-9,10-diolate for 7, respectively. While 6 is very poorly soluble, its octafluorophenanthrene-9,10-diolate analog 7 readily dissolves in CH2Cl2 and undergoes swift conversion into the corresponding fluoride chelate complex [7-μ2-F]- which has been isolated as a [nBu4N]+ salt. The o-C6H4 analog of 7, referred to as 8, has also been prepared. Although less Lewis acidic than 7, 8 also forms a very stable fluoride chelate complex ([8-μ2-F]-). Altogether, our experiental results, coupled with computational analyses and fluoride anion affinity calculations, show that 7 and 8 are some of the strongest antimony-based fluoride anion chelators prepared to date. Another notable aspect of this work concerns the use of the octafluorophenanthrene-9,10-diolate ligand and its ablity to impart advantageous solubility and Lewis acidity properties.
A phoenix rises from the ashes of cardiac cell therapy.

The field of cardiac cell therapy is under siege. Legacies of excessive hype, scientific misconduct and dead ends have fuelled the prevailing scepticism. However, promising clinical data, along with more trenchant mechanistic understanding, together provide glimmers of hope for the future of cell therapy for the heart.
Beyond X-rays: an overview of emerging structural biology methods

Structural biologists rely on X-ray crystallography as the main technique for determining the three-dimensional structures of macromolecules; however, in recent years, new methods that go beyond X-ray-based technologies are broadening the selection of tools to understand molecular structure and function. Simultaneously, national facilities are developing programming tools and maintaining personnel to aid novice structural biologists in de novo structure determination. The combination of X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) and serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) now enable time-resolved structure determination that allows for capture of dynamic processes, such as reaction mechanism and conformational flexibility. XFEL and SFX, along with microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED), help side-step the need for large crystals for structural studies. Moreover, advances in cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) as a tool for structure determination is revolutionizing how difficult to crystallize macromolecules and/or complexes can be visualized at the atomic scale. This review aims to provide a broad overview of these new methods and to guide readers to more in-depth literature of these methods.
TORTS General Provisions: Provide Immunity to Dental Students

The Act immunizes dental students from tort liability for acts or omissions in providing dental treatment as part of their academic curriculum. Medical facilities, academic institutions, and dentists overseeing the work of the dental treatment are not provided immunity. The Act exempts willful of wanton conduct from the immunity.
THE EFFECT OF HEALTH IT INVESTMENTS ON REGIONAL HEALTH CARE COSTS

This paper analyzes the relationship between health IT investments and regional health care costs. We focus on the regional level effects, which take into account externalities that arise from patient mobility. We find that the relationship between health IT and costs are stronger at a regional level than hospital level, confirming the presence of externality of health IT investments. This finding has important implications: it suggests that hospital level analysis underestimates the benefits of health IT investments and can lead to suboptimal investment decision from the society’s point of view. We also find that cost reduction impacts of health IT investment are higher over the long term. We present evidence that advanced IT applications that enable within hospital communication are more beneficial in more urban areas. Higher software integration among the adopting hospitals further decreases the health care costs in the area by enabling electronic medical record sharing. In addition, we show that not all hospitals have to make same level of IT investment to obtain optimal reductions in health care costs. Instead, having some leading hospitals in health IT investments can be more beneficial.
Targeting Fyn in Ras-transformed cells induces F-actin to promote adherens junction-mediated cell-cell adhesion.

Fyn, a member of the Src family kinases (SFK), is an oncogene in murine epidermis and is associated with cell–cell adhesion turnover and induction of cell migration. Additionally, Fyn upregulation has been reported in multiple tumor types, including cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Introduction of active H-Ras(G12V) into the HaCaT human keratinocyte cell line resulted in upregulation of Fyn mRNA (200-fold) and protein, while expression of other SFKs remained unaltered. Transduction of active Ras or Fyn was sufficient to induce an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in HaCaT cells. Inhibition of Fyn activity, using siRNA or the clinical SFK inhibitor Dasatinib, increased cell–cell adhesion and rapidly (5–60 min) increased levels of cortical F-actin. Fyn inhibition with siRNA or Dasatinib also induced F-actin in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, which have elevated Fyn. F-actin co-localized with adherens junction proteins, and Dasatinib-induced cell–cell adhesion could be blocked by Cytochalasin D, indicating that F-actin polymerization was a key initiator of cell–cell adhesion through the adherens junction. Conversely, inhibiting cell–cell adhesion with low Ca2+ media did not block Dasatinib-induced F-actin polymerization. Inhibition of the Rho effector kinase ROCK blocked Dasatinib-induced F-actin and cell–cell adhesion, implicating relief of Rho GTPase inhibition as a mechanism of Dasatinib-induced cell–cell adhesion. Finally, topical Dasatinib treatment significantly reduced total tumor burden in the SKH1 mouse model of UV-induced skin carcinogenesis. Together these results identify the promotion of actin-based cell–cell adhesion as a newly described mechanism of action for Dasatinib and suggest that Fyn inhibition may be an effective therapeutic approach in treating cSCC. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sequential Order and Plasticity in Early Psychological Development

The philosophers of nature were exceedingly slow to recognize that organisms go through a series of changes in anatomical substance and structure during their embryonic development. The ancient aphorism that “hair cannot come from not-hair,” epitomizing the principle that no substance or structure can come from a substance or structure of a different nature, dominated human thought from the days of ancient Greece to nearly modern times. Over 2,000 years passed from the time of Aristotle’s first observations of some of the epigenetic changes that occur in chick embryos until Casper Friedrich Wolff (1759, 1768) detailed the transformations in the circulatory system and the intestine of chick embryos so clearly that he convinced at least those informed of biological matters, brought an end to the doctrine of preformationism, and established recognition of the epigenetic nature of embryonic development.
Portrait of My Son as an Early Reader II.

Scene I We are having dinner in a department store one evening in mid December. A table-hopping Santa asks my son Jed, age 2.5, what he wants for Christmas. His reply, "A book and a puzzle," surprises Santa, who asks, "Can you read?" To answer, Jed identifies the color words from his new box of crayons. Later, a woman at the next table asks, "Can he really read?" I say, "Not really. He can read some words and letters though."
A Tentative Proposal for a Rapid In-Plant Biological Monitoring System

Preliminary tests of a rapid biological monitoring system which measures changes in the movement and breathing of fish in order to provide an early warning of developing toxicity in the wastes of an industrial plant are reported. The system is designed to provide a continuous assessment of the toxicity of complex mixtures which vary through time, and it has been tested in the laboratory with simulated spills of copper and zinc. Fish detect potentially lethal zinc concentrations (8 mg/liter) rapidly enough so that they survive if zinc is removed at the time of detection, and they also detect sublethal concentrations (2 to 3 mg/liter).
El narco-folklore: narrativas e historias de la droga en la frontera

Lo que el gobierno de los Estados Unidos ha llamado “La guerra contra las drogas” se basa en la idea de que el consumo y trafi co de estupefacientes son inequivocamente actividades daninas y peligrosas que la poblacion del pais temera y rechazara. No obstante, los resultados de estudios etnografi cos en la frontera Estados Unidos- Mexico indican que el trafi co de drogas se ha convertido en una actividad tan comun que ha generado su propio estilo de subcultura, incluyendo musica y folklore. Hasta la fecha los estudios antropologicos de la narco-cultura en la frontera se han enfocado en los narcocorridos, un genero de musica mexicana popular que celebra y narra el comercio de los estupefacientes y las vidas de trafi cantes de alto nivel. Estos estudios proporcionan perspectivas valiosas sobre los funcionamientos internos de las organizaciones de la droga y del contexto cultural de los cuales emergen. Sin embargo, la mayoria de los trabajadores del narcotrafi co no son los superheroes o los bandidos ricos retratados en los narcocorridos. Es el pueblo, que tiene como principal motivacion para involucrarse en el mundo de los estupefacientes la supervivencia economica. La imagen de un rico folklore de trafi co de drogas se ha convertido en un perfi l comun en la region fronteriza de El Paso / Ciudad Juarez. Este estudio etnografi co muestra como este comercio se ha convertido en una parte “normal” de la vida diaria. El folklore cotidiano alrededor del trafi co de drogas indica el grado en el cual el comercio de estas afecta a los habitantes de la frontera en multiples niveles
Early impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on invasive pneumococcal disease in Singapore children, 2005 through 2010

Summary Background In a previous study covering the period 1998–2004, we estimated the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in Singapore to be 13.6 per 10 5 children aged Methods We retrospectively reviewed IPD cases from 2005 to 2010 and calculated separate serotype proportions and population-based incidence rates for 2005–2007 (early PCV period) and 2008–2010 (late PCV period). PCV-7 coverage was obtained from the National Immunisation Registry, and patients with PCV-7 vaccine-type IPD (VT IPD) and non-vaccine-type IPD (non-VT IPD) were compared. Results One hundred and eighteen patients, with a mean age of 46 months, were identified during 2005–2010. The incidence rate of IPD increased to 14.8 (for 2005–2007) and 15.2 (for 2008–2010) per 10 5 children Conclusions Although population coverage with PCV-7 has risen, it remains suboptimal and the incidence of IPD remains unchanged. Furthermore, significant serotype changes (especially increases in 19A) have occurred. We need to adopt newer PCVs with broader serotype coverage and increase the number of children vaccinated as a matter of urgency.
Walking in place using the Microsoft Kinect to explore a large VE

One way to permit free exploration of any sized virtual environment (VE) and provide some of the inertial cues of walking is to have users "walk in place" (WIP) [Williams et al. 2011]. With WIP, each step is treated as a virtual translation even though the participant remains in the same location. In our prior work [Williams et al. 2011], we had success in implementing a WIP method using an inexpensive Nintendo Wii Balance Board. We showed that participants' spatial orientation was the same as normal walking and superior to joystick navigation. There were two major drawbacks to this WIP algorithm. First, our step detection algorithm had a half--step lag. Second, participants found it slightly annoying to walk in place on the small board. Thus, the current work seeks to overcome these limitations by implementing an algorithm to WIP using two Microsoft Kinect sensors (150 USD each). Specifically, we are interested in seeing how well users can explore a large VE by WIP with the Kinect (WIP--K). Due to the large size of the VE, comparing these results to normal physical walking is not possible. Therefore, we directly compare WIP--K to joystick navigation. Also, we examine scaling the translational gain of WIP--K so that one "step" carries the user forward two steps (referred to as WIP--K x 2). Thus, this within--subject experiment compares subjects' spatial orientation as they navigate a VE in three conditions: Joystick, WIP--K, WIP--K x 2.
VMS Software for the Jorway-411 Interface

Traditionally, Fermilab fixed target experiments have read their CAMAC data into PDP-11 computers. They have used the VAX software to perform calibration and monitoring tasks on the experiment. At Fermilab we have modified the . Jorway-411 such that two interfaces may access (share) the same CAMAC branch. The new generationi of experiments will read data from several sub-systems into a MicroVax or VAX for logging to tape. The software reported in this paper allows them to read CAMAC data directly into the data stream on such systems.
Variable property turbulent heat and momentum transfer for air in a vertical rounded corner triangular duct

Abstract Experimental data over a limited Reynolds number range are reported for local friction and heat-transfer coefficients with constant heat flux for turbulent air flow in an electrically heated vertical, rounded corner triangular tube at local wall to bulk temperature ratios from 1.1 to 2.1. The test section was in fact a rounded corner, three equal sided duct, with a ratio of the corner radius of curvature to hydraulic diameter of 0.15. The Inconel test section had a 100-diameter entry section and a 180-diameter heated section. Bulk Reynolds numbers ranged from 10900 to 37000 at the inlet. Correlation in terms of the wall-modified Reynolds number is presented for the local friction factors. Correlations are presented for the local heat-transfer coefficients in terms of the wall-to-bulk temperature ratio with bulk properties; and also directly in terms of the wall-modified Reynolds number. Both the friction and heat-transfer results are shown to be significantly affected by the influence of variable properties. A noticeable deviation of about 10–15 per cent from similar correlations for circular tubes is noted in both the friction and heat-transfer results.
Honest exchanges with ET

Our messages to aliens are more likely to get a response if we stop being so boring, argues Douglas Vakoch
“Phenylpicrylhydrazyl” on n -type Oxidic Surfaces

MANY organic compounds have a relatively stable electron spin resonance signal1–6 even at room temperature when adsorbed on a surface. In all these cases, the radical is a positive ion formed as a result of charge transfer with an appropriate site on the adsorbent. Recently, we have found that 1-phenyl-2-picrylhydrazine adsorbed on an anatase sample of high area shows an electron spin resonance signal. The line shape, colour and chemistry of the adsorbed species strongly indicate that it is a phenylpicrylhydrazyl free radical and we wish to report here certain preliminary qualitative electron spin resonance results and its chemistry on oxidic surfaces.
Serum progesterone concentration in pyometritic and normal postpartum dairy cows.

Abstract Two studies were conducted to evaluate the concentration of serum progesterone in pyometritic cows and relate it to palpation of ovarian structures per rectum . In Trial 1, serum samples from 34 pyometritic cows were assayed for progesterone. Mean serum progesterone concentrations were 6.8 ± 0.7 ng/ml. In Trial 2, each of 54 pyometritic cows was paired with a control cow on the basis of days post partum (18–50 days). Mean concentration of progesterone was 9.7 ± 1.0 ng/ml for the pyometritic cows and 5.7 ± 0.8 ng/ml in control cows (P
Norepinephrine transporter sites are decreased in the locus coeruleus in Alzheimer's disease

The present study determined whether [3H]nisoxetine binding to norepinephrine transporter sites would be altered uniformly throughout the locus coeruleus in Alzheimer's disease. A significant decrease (P < 0.01) in [3H]nisoxetine binding was seen in the mid and caudal regions but not in the rostral region of the locus coeruleus. The loss of [3H]nisoxetine binding to norepinephrine transporter sites may be attributed to a loss of norepinephrine transporter sites located on terminals of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus in Alzheimer's disease.
Scaling criminal offending.

This paper reviews a century of research on creating theoretically meaningful and empirically useful scales of criminal offending and illustrates their strengths and weaknesses. The history of scaling criminal offending is traced in a detailed literature review focusing on the issues of seriousness, unidimensionality, frequency, and additivity of offending. Modern practice in scaling criminal offending is measured using a survey of 130 articles published in five leading criminology journals over a two-year period that included a scale of individual offending as either an independent or dependent variable. Six scaling methods commonly used in contemporary criminological research are demonstrated and assessed using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979: dichotomous, frequency, weighted frequency, variety, summed category, and item response theory ‘theta’. The discipline of criminology has seen numerous scaling techniques introduced and forgotten. While no clearly superior method dominates the field today, the most commonly used scaling techniques are dichotomous and frequency scales, both of which are fraught with methodological pitfalls including sensitivity to the least serious offenses. Variety scales are the preferred criminal offending scale because they are relatively easy to construct, possess high reliability and validity, and are not compromised by high frequency non-serious crime types.
Another layer of ventricular heterogeneity? α1 agonists prolong repolarization in Purkinje fibers but not M-Cells

See article by Burashnikov and Antzelevitch ([1], pages 901–908) in this issue. The heart is a complex organ and grows more so each day. Past research has firmly established the existence of multiple cell types that co-exist within the myocardium, each demonstrating a unique electrophysiological identity, regional localization, and coupling relationship with neighboring cells that specify the pattern of the heart beat. Within each cardiac cell type, the action potential waveform is determined by a delicate interplay among a variety of inward and outward currents flowing through distinct ion channels, pumps and transporters. The activity of each of these cellular components can in turn be modulated by drugs, hormones and neural stimulation, or modified by disease. While we are rapidly gaining an appreciation for the molecular and genetic events underlying this complexity, there remain significant gaps in our knowledge about how these events become integrated at the cell and tissue level, in health and disease. In this issue, Alexander Burashnikov and Charles Antzelevitch add another dimension to an already complex situation by describing dramatic differences in the way ventricular cells respond to alpha-1-adrenergic receptor agonists [1]. Using strips of tissue carefully isolated from different regions of the canine myocardium, these investigators studied the effects of alpha-1-agonists on action potential duration. For the first time, they demonstrate a major pharmacologic difference between Purkinje fibers and M-cells, the two cell types that figure most prominently in discussions on the mechanism of pause-dependent proarrhythmia. Their studies show that activation of the alpha-1-receptor by either methoxamine or phenylephrine prolongs repolarization in Purkinje fibers at concentrations and cycle lengths that shorten the action potential in M-cells. This finding carries important implications for understanding how arrhythmias associated with QT interval prolongation, either congenital or induced by drugs, might occur. Three different alpha-1-adrenergic receptors subtypes … * Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-609-987-1199, ext. 226; fax: +1-609-987-9393 tcolatsky{at}physiome.com
An improved branch and bound algorithm for mixed integer nonlinear programs

Abstract This paper describes an improved branch and bound code for zero-one mixed integer nonlinear programs with convex objective functions and constraints. The code uses Lagrangian duality to obtain lower bounds. The code also uses early branching to avoid solving some subproblems to optimality. Computational results show substantial performance improvements on many problems.
Cardiac and peripheral vascular effects of decaborane

Abstract Decaborane (4–10 mg/kg, iv) produced bradycardia and an initial transient hypertensive effect in the anesthetized dog. The compound produced an increase in perfusion pressure in the isolated denervated canine hind limb, which was antagonized by phentolamine and reserpine but not by P-286 ( N,N -diisopropyl- N -isoamyl- N′ -diethylamino urea HCl). Decaborane produced an immediate decrease in cardiac output without affecting stroke volume, whereas right ventricular contractile force gradually decreased to below basal levels in approximately 60 min in anesthetized dogs. The bradycardia produced by decaborane was partially antagonized in the initial stages by atropine and chlorisondamine. Subsequently, these agents had no effect on this response of decaborane. Carotid sinus denervation and bilateral vagotomy did not alter the bradycardiac response of decaborane. It was concluded that the initial hypertensive effect and increase in perfusion pressure to the denervated hind limb was due to the acute release of norepinephrine from peripheral adrenergic neurons and the myocardial depression was induced by cholinergic stimulation as well as by a direct, nonspecific depression of myocardial contraction produced by decaborane.
The role of platelets in the early and late vascular responses initiated by mechanical vascular injury

Summary Endothelium is the nonthrombogenic interface separating highly-reactive elements circulating in blood from highly-thrombogenic constituents comprising subendothelial vascular and adventitial connective tissues. Mechanical vascular disruption initiates complex hemostatic interactions among platelets, coagulation, and fibrinolysis that are regulated by endothelium. Platelets attach to bared subendothelial matrix adhesive proteins via an array of receptors. Exposed membrane-bound tissue factor (TF) forms a tight complex with Factor VII/VIIa that catalytically activates Factors IX and Factor X, giving rise to the explosive production of thrombin via the assembly of the enzyme-cofactor prothrombinase complex on activated phospholipid surfaces. Thrombin activates platelets, cleaves fibrinogen and Factor XIII, producing fibrin-stabilized hemostatic plugs. Activated platelets express fibrinogen receptors by altering membrane aIIbβ3, leading to platelet cohesion via interplatelet fibrinogen linkages. Platelet recruitment is mediated by at least three independent, interrelated agonists: thrombin (physiologically the most important), adenosine phosphate (ADP), and thromboxane A2. Endothelial mechanisms limit the extension of hemostatic plug formation and inhibit thrombotic complications, including: (1) rapid binding of thrombin to thrombomodulin on intact endothelium, leading to the production of activated protein C and its subsequent inactivation of activated factor V, a critical cofactor in thrombin production; (2) thrombin-regulated endothelial generation of antiaggregatory prostacyclin and nitric oxide; (3) thrombin-enhanced endothelial secretion of tissue plasminogen activator; (4) thrombin inactivation by endothelial heparin sulfate-facilitated complexing with plasma antithrombin; (5) inactivation of platelet-secreted ADP by endothelial ecto-ADPase. Genetic and acquired abnormalities involving these protective mechanisms predispose patients to hemostatic and thrombotic disorders.
A Customized Neural Network for Sensor Fusion in On-Line Monitoring of Cutting Tool Wear

A customized neural network for sensor fusion of acoustic emission and force in on-line detection of tool wear is developed. Based on two critical concerns regarding practical and reliable tool-wear monitoring systems, the minimal utilization of «unsupervised» sensor data and the avoidance of off-line feature analysis, the neural network is trained by unsupervised Kohonen's Feature Map procedure followed by an Input Feature Scaling algorithm. After levels of tool wear are topologically ordered by Kohonen's Feature Map, input features of AE and force sensor signals are transformed via Input Feature Scaling so that the resulting decision boundaries of the neural network approximate those of error-minimizing Bayes classifier. In a machining experiment, the customized neural network achieved high accuracy rates in the classification of levels of tool wear. Also, the neural network shows several practical and reliable properties for the implementation of the monitoring system in manufacturing industries
Turbulent micromixing parameters from reactive mixing measurements

Previously published conversion data for turbulent diffusion-controlled acid-base reactions in two different multijet reactors are used to extract the mixing parameters, tracer probability density function, and variance. The PDF is obtained with this instantaneous reaction method by differentiating twice the reactive mixing plot of mean reactant concentrations. The limiting behavior for the cases of complete segregation and complete mixing is derived and turns out to be piecewise linear on the reactive mixing plot. The variance is shown to be twice the area between the actual reactive mixing curve and the limiting curve for complete mixing; it can be computed by numerical integration without any foreknowledge of the PDF shape. The method, in principle, allows detection of Dirac delta functions (which represent unmixed virgin fluid) and indeed shows significant amounts of virgin fluid close to the inlet of one of the reactors.
Recurrent lumbar disc herniation after single-level lumbar discectomy: incidence and health care cost analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Same-level recurrent lumbar disc herniation complicates outcomes after primary discectomy in a subset of patients. The health care costs associated with the management of this complication are currently unknown. We set out to identify the incidence and health care cost of same-level recurrent disc herniation after single-level lumbar discectomy at our institution. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 156 consecutive patients undergoing primary single-level lumbar discectomy at one institution. The incidence of symptomatic same-level recurrent disc herniation either responding to conservative therapy or requiring revision discectomy was assessed. Institutional billing and accounting records were reviewed to determine the billing costs of all diagnostic and therapeutic measures used for patients experiencing recurrent disc herniation. RESULTS: Twelve months after surgery, 141 patients were available for follow-up. Of these patients, 124 (88%) were symptom free or had minimal symptoms not affecting their daily activity. Radiographically proven symptomatic same-level recurrent disc herniation developed in 17 patients (12%) a median of 8 months after primary discectomy. Eleven patients (7%) required revision surgery, whereas 6 (3.9%) responded to conservative therapy alone. Diagnosis and management of recurrent disc herniation were associated with a mean cost of $26,593 per patient, and the mean cost was markedly less for patients responding to conservative treatment ($2315) compared with those requiring revision surgery ($39,836) (P < 0.001). Of 141 primary lumbar discectomies performed at our institution with the patients followed for 1 year, the total cost associated with the management of subsequent recurrent disc herniation was $452,083 ($289,797 per 100 primary discectomies). CONCLUSION: In our experience, recurrent lumbar disc herniation occurred in more than 10% of patients and was associated with substantial health care costs. Development of novel techniques to prevent recurrent lumbar disc herniation is warranted to decrease the health care costs and morbidity associated with this complication. Prolonged conservative management should be attempted when possible to reduce the health care costs of this complication.