cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Everyone needs robust analytics: Integrating medical ontologies into the Dana-Farber Pathways.

304Background: The majority of clinical data is unstructured. Medical ontologies standardize the language used to communicate diagnoses, symptoms, and procedures used in healthcare. Incorporating m...
Numbers and norms: Robert René Kuczynski and the development of demography in interwar Britain

This article explores the effects of scientific governance on personal liberty in interwar Britain through the work and life of German-Jewish demographer Robert Rene Kuczynski. Kuczynski arrived in...
Electric Vehicle Battery Energy Information is Enough to Track You

Pure electric vehicles (EVs) are more and more popular in current automotive markets. Many services for EVs such as intelligent battery charging systems and mobile apps are developed to monitor battery energy information (energy consumption time series) for users. However, it is neglected that such EV energy consumption time series may lead to driver privacy related problems such as the disclosure of driving path. In this paper, we propose the first battery energy based path inference attacks (Bepath), which can estimate EV driving paths only based on EV energy consumption time series. Bepath firstly estimates appliance states of an EV including vehicle speed state, air condition state and intersection turn state based on EV energy consumption time series. And then, Bepath figures out the driving path based on the estimated appliance states and map information. We used real-life daily driving data with different participants to test the performance of Bepath and compared inferred path results between Bepath and an existing method to evaluate the path inference accuracy of Bepath. The experimental results show that Bepath can estimate appliance states accurately and infers 50% trips with distance errors within 0.5 km, while the previous work that infers paths based on vehicle speed from insurance companies can only infer 26% trips with distance errors within 0.5 km.
Was „denkt“ Künstliche Intelligenz? Wie wir sichtbar machen, wie intelligent KI wirklich ist

Die Diskussion um den Einsatz von KI in verschiedenen Anwendungsfeldern wird angeregt gefuhrt. Wie funktionieren diese Systeme, die in der Lage sind, unsere Emotionen zu erkennen oder unsere Musikvorlieben herauszufinden? Und wie kann man sich sicher sein, dass diese Systeme auch das Lernen, was sie sollen? Um solche Systeme sicher einsetzen zu konnen, muss fur Menschen nachvollziehbar sein, wie die KI zu ihren Entscheidungen kommt. Licht ins Dunkel bringt hier der Forschungsbereich der Erklarbaren Kunstlichen Intelligenz. Er zeigt, wieso KI manchmal kluger scheint als sie ist.
“Nos están matando!”: Professional Reflexivity on Violence Against Mexican Journalists in Contemporary Chronicles

Journalists have become one of the most vulnerable targets of criminal organizations and state violence in Mexico’s War on Drugs. Considering Laura Ahva’s concept of “professional reflexivity” to discuss journalists’ professional practices, I propose that the contemporary chronicle, or cronica, has incorporated risk and vulnerability within a larger reflection of journalists’ professional identity. This exercise of reflexivity in the chronicles of Javier Valdez, Vanessa Job, and John Gibler addresses two main concerns: journalists and online activists’ vulnerability due to the lack of state protection and ethical dilemmas about how to respond effectively to the coverage of the War on Drugs. Criminal and state violence against both groups evidence that the War on Drugs in these chronicles also manifests in the struggle for information.
Smoothed Particle Interpolation

Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) discretization techniques are generalized to develop a method, smoothed particle interpolation (SPI), for solving initial value problems of systems of non-hydrodynamical nature. Under this approach, SPH is viewed as strictly an interpolation scheme and, as such, suitable for solving general hyperbolic and parabolic equations. The SPI method is tested on (1) the wave equation with inhomogeneous sound speed and (2) Burgers equation. The efficiency of SPI is studied by comparing SPI solutions to those obtained with standard finite difference methods. It is shown that the power of SPI arises when the smoothing particles are free to move.
Visualizing and Understanding Ordered Surface Phases during the Ullmann Coupling Reaction

The more than century old copper metal-catalyzed Ullmann coupling reaction of aryl halides has seen renewed interest from the nanoscience community as a means to perform on-surface C–C coupling bas...
Decolonizing Nigeria, 1945–1960: Politics, Power, and Personalities: by Toyin Falola and Bola Dauda, Austin, TX, Pan-African University Press, 2017, xvii + 612 pp.

This book explores a critical period in Africa’s encounter with colonialism, focusing on Nigeria, one of Britain’s most important and complex colonial possessions in West Africa. The decolonization...
The Experiential Social Work Educator: Integrating Sociometry into the Classroom Environment

Social work education fully endorses experiential learning through its field placement component, while experiential teaching methods are only somewhat used in the classroom. This article outlines ...
A Centralized Program with Stepped Support Increases Adherence to Colorectal Cancer Screening Over 9 Years: a Randomized Trial

Screening over many years is required to optimize colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes. To evaluate the effect of a CRC screening intervention on adherence to CRC screening over 9 years. Randomized trial. Integrated health care system in Washington state. Between August 2008 and November 2009, 4653 adults in a Washington state integrated health care system aged 50–74 due for CRC screening were randomized to usual care (UC; N =1163) or UC plus study interventions (interventions: N = 3490). Years 1 and 2: (arm 1) UC or this plus study interventions; (arm 2) mailed fecal tests or information on scheduling colonoscopy; (arm 3) mailings plus brief telephone assistance; or (arm 4) mailings and assistance plus nurse navigation. In year 3, stepped-intensity participants (arms 2, 3, and 4 combined) still eligible for screening were randomized to either stopped or continued interventions in years 3 and 5–9. Time in adherence to CRC testing over 9 years (covered time, primary outcome), and percent with no CRC testing in participants assigned to any intervention compared to UC only. Poisson regression models estimated incidence rate ratios for covered time, adjusting for patient characteristics and accounting for variable follow-up time. Compared to UC, intervention participants had 21% more covered time over 9 years (57.5% vs. 69.1%; adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval 1.16–1.25, P<0.001). Fecal testing accounted for almost all additional covered time among intervention patients. Compared to UC, intervention participants were also more likely to have completed at least one CRC screening test over 9 years or until censorship (88.6% vs. 80.6%, P<0.001). An outreach program that included mailed fecal tests and phone follow-up led to increased adherence to CRC testing and fewer age-eligible individuals without any CRC testing over 9 years. Systems of Support (SOS) to Increase Colon Cancer Screening and Follow-up (SOS), NCT00697047, clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00697047
Free Poisson Elements Induced by Orthogonal Projections

In this paper, we construct-and-consider free (weighted-)Poisson elements in a topological noncommutative free \(*\)-probability space generated by countable-infinitely many mutually free, (weighted-)semicircular elements which are induced by mutually orthogonal countable-infinitely many projections in a fixed \(C^{*}\)-probability space.
Systems analysis of the familial cardiomyopathy signaling network

Familial cardiomyopathy is a precursor of heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Over the past several decades, researchers have discovered numerous gene mutations primarily in sarcomeric and cytoskeletal proteins causing two different disease phenotypes: hypertrophic (HCM) and dilated (DCM) cardiomyopathies. However, molecular mechanisms linking genotype to phenotype remain unclear. Here, we employ a systems approach by integrating experimental findings into a cohesive signaling network to scrutinize genotype to phenotype mechanisms. We developed a predictive model of the HCM/DCM signaling network utilizing a logic-based differential equations approach and evaluated model performance in predicting experimental data from four contexts (HCM, DCM, pressure overload, and volume overload). The model has an overall prediction accuracy of 83.8% with higher accuracy in the HCM context (90%) compared with DCM (75%). Global sensitivity analysis identified key reactions of the signaling network, with calcium activation of myofilament force development and calcium-calmodulin kinase signaling ranking the highest. We performed a structural revision analysis to identify missing interactions in HCM/DCM signaling and found some potential reactions controlling calcium regulatory proteins. Combination pharmacotherapy analysis predicted that downregulation of signaling components such as calcium, titin and its associated proteins, growth factor receptors, and PI3K-AKT could inhibit myocyte growth in HCM. In DCM, PI3K-AKT-NFAT downregulation combined with upregulation of Ras/ERK12 or titin or Gq protein could attenuate cardiac remodeling. The influence of existing medications on cardiac growth in HCM and DCM contexts was simulated by the model. This HCM/DCM signaling model demonstrates utility in investigating genotype to phenotype mechanisms in familial cardiomyopathy.
Perfecting Democracy through Holistic Education: Dewey's Naturalistic Philosophy of Growth Reconsidered

TENSION BETWEEN THE CHILD’S FREEDOM AND THE ADULT’S CONTROL IN MORAL EDUCATION In the face of cynicism, selfish individualism and the moral decline of the young, educators in contemporary democratic societies including the United States and Japan, are in search of a vision of education that can give direction to the growth of the young. The need for objective criteria, goals, and a solid foundation for the moral education of youth is more intense than ever. The issue, however, has its dark side, since dogmatism, exclusiveness, and authoritarianism are among the most effective, albeit the worst, means toward social stability. Freedom of the young can easily be suppressed by a demand for conformity to social rules and traditional values. Being aware of this danger, educators must try to keep a balance between freedom and control — all while listening to the voice of the young. A recent reform movement in Japanese moral education highlights this dilemma. The increase in alternative schools for the freedom of children in Japan is indicative of the struggle for freedom within the tightly controlled Japanese educational system.
Mode Aware Stream Query Processing

Many scientific applications including environmental monitoring, outpatient health care research, and wild life tracking require real-time stream processing. While state-of-the-art techniques for processing window-constrained stream queries tend to employ the delta result strategy (to react to each and every change of the stream sensor measurements), some scientific applications only require to produce results periodically - making the complete result strategy a better choice. In this work, we analyze the trade-offs between the delta and the complete result query evaluation strategies. We then design a solution for hopping window query processing based on the above analysis. In particular, we propose query operators equipped with the ability to accept either delta or complete results as input and to produce either as output. Unlike prior works, these flexible operators can then be integrated within one mode aware query plan - taking advantage of both processing methodologies. Third, we design a mode assignment algorithm to optimally assign the input and output modes for each operator in the mode aware query plan. Lastly, mode assignment is integrated with a cost-based plan optimizer. The proposed techniques have been implemented within the WPI stream query engine, called CAPE. Our experimental results demonstrate that our solution routinely outperforms the state-of-the-art single-mode solutions for various arrival rate and query plan shapes.
Ventricular aberration of A-V nodal escape beats: Comments concerning the mechanism of aberration

Abstract Ventricular aberration of nodal escape beats, whether of marked or minor degree, probably occurs more frequently than is generally realized and can be an actual aid to the clinician in identifying nodal escape beats. The relatively frequent occurrence of ventricular fusion beats in nodal escape beats or rhythms with ventricular aberration, in the author's opinion, provides inferential support of Pick's hypothesis 1 that aberration may result if “impulses arising in peripheral portions of A-V junctional tissue, in the vicinity of the point of origin of paraspecific fibers, reach part of the ventricular myocardium over preferential (paraspecific) pathways.” At the same time, this observation constitutes an exception to the general rule that ventricular fusion beats indicate that the ectopic ventricular beats present in the same electrocardiogram are of idioventricular origin.
5-Fluorocytosine-mediated apoptosis and DNA damage in glioma cells engineered to express cytosine deaminase and their enhancement with interferon

To explore the antitumor mechanism of bacterial cytosine deaminase plus 5-fluorocytosine (CD/5-FCyt) in combination with interferons (IFNs), glioma cells were transduced with recombinant retroviruses expressing CD. The transduced glioma cells become sensitive to the nontoxic prodrug 5-FCyt. Apoptosis, DNA damage, bystander effect, and inhibition of thymidylate synthase (TS) and DNA synthesis are associated with CD/5-FCyt-mediated glioma cell killing. Furthermore, IFNs enhance this effect by increasing DNA damage and further inhibiting TS activity. The bystander effect is mediated by the release of cytotoxic metabolites of 5-FCyt into the extracellular milieu triggering apoptosis and DNA damage. Our data indicate that the use of CD/5-FCyt in combination with IFNs may provide a more effective approach for the treatment of brain tumors.
A QUALIDADE DE VIDA E O EXERCÍCIO FÍSICO RESISTIDO NA TERCEIRA IDADE: UMA REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

O objetivo deste estudo foi revisar pesquisas atuais sobre a influencia do exercicio resistido para a qualidade de vida na terceira idade. Inicialmente, foi discutido o quanto a pratica de exercicios fisicos pode contribuir na manutencao e obtencao de saude tanto nos aspectos fisicos quanto psicologicos e a inclusao social explicita em grupos desta pratica. Foram discutidos, tambem, aspectos relacionados ao exercicio fisico resistido, sua relacao positiva com a capacidade funcional e independencia desta populacao retardando, assim, processos degenerativos do envelhecimento humano resultando em qualidade de vida.
Nancy Bockstael and Kenneth McConnell, Environmental and Resource Valuation with Revealed Preferences: A Theoretical Guide to Empirical Models

Revealed preference approaches to non market valuation of recreation, environmental quality and health have been widely accepted by economists for decades. However, often the empirical methods preceded the theory, leading to concerns about whether these empiricalmethods really delivered legitimatemeasures of economicwelfare. In this book, Bockstael and McConnell concisely synthesize the economic principles that must be followed for revealed preference methods to yield valid welfare measures. Their book guides the applied economist through the subtleties of consumer demand theory applied to quality changes that must be adhered to in empirical work in order for the resulting benefit measures to have the intended tie to utility. In this sense, reading this book is a reminder to many of us (the reviewer included) of what we learned in our Ph.D. program and sometimes forget as we undertake our latest empirical study. This book by Bockstael and McConnell provides the theoretical complement to Ted McConnell’s earlier book with TimHaab on the econometrics of non market valuation (Haab and McConnell 2002). Taken together these two books provide superb guides to the theory and practice of revealed preference methods. While excellent edited books on revealed preference methods exist, nothing can quite replace a book written by two authors who maintain consistency in nomenclature, equations, etc., that makes it easier for the reader to understand the concepts and methods without being befuddled by notational differences across chapters. The book takes the reader on a tour of welfare economics, comparing and contrasting the ease of evaluating price changes to the challenges faced in evaluating the benefits of quality changes. The theory is then applied to discrete choice models, hedonic property models, hedonic wage models and public goods as an input to household and firms’ production functions. Bockstael and McConnell spend two chapters guiding the reader through one of the key challenges of deriving valid welfare measures from many revealed preference methods: the necessary assumption of weak complementarity. They explore the necessity of imposing this restriction on preferences, what it implies for estimating Marshallian demands, and that
Forecasting with Mixed Frequency Samples: The Case of Common Trends

We analyze the forecasting performance of small mixed frequency factor models when the observed variables share stochastic trends. The indicators are observed at various frequencies and are tied together by cointegration so that valuable high frequency information is passed to low frequency series through the common factors. Differencing the data breaks the cointegrating link among the series and some of the signal leaks out to the idiosyncratic components, which do not contribute to the transfer of information among indicators. We find that allowing for common trends improves forecasting performance over a stationary factor model based on differenced data. The common-trends factor model" outperforms the stationary factor model at all analyzed forecast horizons. Our results demonstrate that when mixed frequency variables are cointegrated, modeling common stochastic trends improves forecasts.
The antimitogenic action of tumor necrosis factor is associated with increased AP-1/c-jun proto-oncogene transcription.

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) mediates its in vivo antineoplastic effect primarily through its action on the endothelial surfaces of tumor vessels. Among other changes, endothelial cells increase the expression of surface procoagulant molecules which allow for the genesis of microthrombi and the eventual anoxic killing of the tumor tissue. TNF is also a potent antimitotic factor for endothelial cells. We investigated the molecular basis for these diverse actions of TNF by differential screening of a cDNA library prepared from TNF and cycloheximide-treated human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells. One of the cDNA clones identified encodes the transcription factor and proto-oncogene AP-1/c-jun. The expression of AP-1/c-jun following TNF treatment is mediated largely at the transcriptional level. Neither c-myc nor c-fos transcripts were induced by TNF. Since AP-1/c-jun has been previously identified as one of the earliest transcripts expressed in quiescent cells that have been stimulated by growth factors, our results suggest that mitogenic and antimitogenic stimuli evoke distinct yet overlapping sets of molecular responses and that the coordinate expression of AP-1/c-jun and c-fos is not mandatory. AP-1/c-jun transcript induction is thus one of the initial events mediated by TNF treatment of HUVE cells.
Racial disparities in surgical outcomes: Does the level of resident surgeon play a role?

Background Despite recognition of racial/ethnic surgical disparities, few studies have considered the role of surgical residents. This study aimed to elucidate whether disparities in postoperative outcomes are associated with the presence/level of surgical residents involved in procedures. Methods Patients who were classified as having laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laparoscopic appendectomy, and open hernia repair in the 2005−2010 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database were compared by level of provider (junior residents postgraduate year 1–2, senior residents, attending alone) for differences in patient demographics, clinical case-mix, and postoperative outcome information by the use of descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression. Results A total of 196,770 patients met inclusion criteria. Attendings performed 43.0% of operations alone (senior residents 37.5%, junior residents 20.1%), They operated on 44.1% white, 30.1% black, and 43.9% Hispanic patients compared with 35.5%, 48.7%, and 41.3% and 20.4%, 21.3%, and 14.8% for senior and junior residents, respectively. Compared with attendings alone, senior residents were more likely to operate on black patients (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.02, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.95–2.09) and have major (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.06–1.21) and minor complications (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.11–1.31). Junior residents also were more likely to operate on black patients but did not experience significantly worse outcomes. Conclusion Greater risk-adjusted odds of complications among patients treated by senior residents need to be carefully weighed given the group's higher likelihood of operating on minority patients.
The Costs and Benefits of Financial Market Regulation

This paper revisits the controversy on regulation and applies its insights to the debate on corporate governance and mutual funds. The general result of this exercise is that a strong case can be made in favor of more mandatory disclosure. While theoretically there is scope also for other mandatory regulation, it is unclear whether its benefits exceed its costs. Furthermore, it is difficult to see how this ideal regulation could emerge from the political process, which tends to be dominated by incumbent firms. I propose a mechanism to reduce this bias.
Exploring the cytokine and endocrine involvement in narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a disabling neurological sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and abnormal REM sleep manifestations. Recently, the role of cytokines and growth hormone in the regulation of sleep and narcolepsy has been considered, and data suggest that proinflammatory cytokines may be involved in sleep and narcoleptic symptoms. Serum and clinical data were obtained from the Stanford Center for Narcolepsy Research for 39 Narcoleptics (22 Females, 17 Males, age 39+/-14.9) and 40 controls (13 Females, 27 Males, age 46+/-17.9). Plasma levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and human growth hormone (hGH) were measured by ELISA. TNF-alpha and IL-6 were significantly increased in narcoleptic subjects compared to controls (p=.001). Interestingly, hGH was significantly increased in narcoleptic subjects (p <.0001). There was also a significant difference in the epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) (17.7+/-4.6 vs. 5.5+/-3.2, p <.0001). These data indicate that narcoleptics, relative to controls, had higher serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and hGH. These data suggest that the dysregulation of sleep observed in narcoleptics correlates with the immune and endocrine dysregulation seen in these subjects, and the observed changes may in fact contribute to the higher likelihood of disturbed sleep and/or increased incidence of infection. Additional work is required to fully characterize connections between cytokines and narcoleptic symptomatology.
Requisite technical skills for technical support analysts: a survey

Technical skills are critical for computer related professions. Specific skills will often vary by job classification and may vary over time as new technology is developed and adopted. An understanding of skills for a given profession can be used to advantage by companies and educators in planning for future requirements and opportunities. The research reported in this paper examines twenty technical skills required of technical support analysts and system analysts. A survey questions a sample in both professions to determine the perceived importance of the different skills. The results confirm previous studies on skills required of system analysts and show that they differ from those required of technical support analysts. Both professions perceive hardware, communication, and software skills as being important while their perceptions differ on database and advanced application skills. Career training and hiring decisions would perhaps be improved by taking these differences into account.
Triamidoamine-supported zirconium complexes in the catalytic dehydrocoupling of 1,2-bisphosphinobenzene and -ethane

Abstract The readily prepared zirconium complex, [κ5-(Me3SiNCH2CH2)2NCH2CH2NSiMe2CH2]Zr (1), is an effective precatalyst in the dehydrocoupling of o-bisphosphinobenzene and 1,2-bisphosphinoethane to the known intercalated products. The phosphanido complex (N3N)Zr[κ2-1,2-PH(PH2)C6H4] (N3N=N(CH2CH2NSiMe3)33−), 2 was prepared independently by reaction of 1 with o-bisphosphinobenzene. Complex 2 was identified as an intermediate zirconium complex in the catalytic dehydrocoupling of o-bisphosphinobenzene. Likewise, previously reported (N3N)Zr(PHCH2CH2PH2) (3) was identified in the catalytic dehydrocoupling of 1,2-bisphosphinoethane. Investigation of the thermal decomposition of 2 and the reactivity of 2 with stoichiometric o-bisphosphinobenzene suggest that the catalysis proceeds via sequential P P bond forming steps. The solid state structure of 2, which features a six-coordinate (N3N)Zr-complex, is reported.
State Observer for Linear Time-Invariant Systems With Quantized Output

In this paper we introduce a state observer for linear time-invariant systems with quantized outputs. The observer employs an orthogonal projection operation at quantizer output discontinuities to enhance its convergence rate for stable systems. The increasing rate of convergence and stability has been proven by using Lyapunov second method. Some sufficient and necessary conditions of stability for the unstable systems are derived. The sufficient condition of noise stability is given and the maximal bound of noise stability is presented. The proposed methodology has been applied to state estimation of a DC-motor with optical encoder.
The late prehistoric Cahokia cultural system of the Mississippi River valley: Foundations, florescence, and fragmentation

The development, florescence, and subsequent demise of an organizationally complex cultural system in the American Bottom, part of the central Mississippi River valley, spanned a little over half a millennium. Cahokia, the largest Precolumbian site in the United States, is located within this segment of fertile floodplain, as are many other subsidiary settlements that varied greatly in terms of their size, internal structure, and occupational histories. Numerous projects over the past 30 years have resulted in the rapid accumulation of considerable information and divergent interpretations about the nature of the societies represented archaeologically by a series of superimposed settlement systems.
Crystal size distribution dynamics in a classified crystallizer: Part I. Experimental and theoretical study of cycling in a potassium chloride crystallizer

Cycles in particle size and slurry density were experimentally observed in a mixed suspension, potassium chloride crystallizer equipped with a fines dissolver and having nonrepresentative product withdrawal. Cycling behavior was achieved with a product crystal elutriator but was also observed with changes in the orientation of the product removal tube, indicating that instability was induced by product classification. Simulation of the unstable runs with a dynamic model showed crystal size distribution (CSD) limit cycles of similar period using nucleation kinetics and process conditions measured experimentally. The computer simulation showed no tendency towards cycling for the stable runs.
Financial accounting: A user perspective

Abstract Financial accounting serves to measure corporate and managerial performance. This paper presents the basic framework of financial accounting. It explains how the principal accounting statements are developed, and how they are interconnected. It discusses the meaning and reasons for the precisely constrained language of the CPA auditor's opinion, which heads a company's financial statements. And it examines the basic theory, underlying assumptions, and limitations of these statements.
Defending Place in the Google Earth Age

Virtual globes, like Google Earth, are increasingly being used by experts and lay publics in the process of ‘defending place’ against rapidly shifting energy geographies. Drawing upon the fields of visual studies, landscape architecture and geography, this article examines the use of geospatial tools by conservation campaigns challenging new developments. With a focus on wind energy, the article describes the strategic advantages and risks associated with using virtual globes in campaign work. The article suggests that conservation campaigns need to make more judicious use of visualization technologies. While Google Earth may enable distant viewers to ‘witness’ change, it may add limited value to how local citizens experience their own topographies.
Authoring the folk: the crafting of a rural popular music in South India

This is a case study of gramiya songs in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Gramiya songs are village folksongs collected and reworked into commercially viable music and marketed on audio cassettes. The songs are cultural vehicles, and also political vehicles, which allow villagers throughout the region to imagine and celebrate a shared Tamil rural culture. I examine how gramiya singer-producer-scholar Pushpavanam Kuppuswamy transforms a field recording of a folksong into a marketable product, and I conclude that the production style of his recordings follows fixed patterns which are themselves subservient to calculated aesthetic aims. The authoring of the rural Tamil folk which Kuppuswamy enacts through his folklore project has tangible effects on the performative variability of the songs, as villagers begin to perceive his studio recordings as fixed, authoritative encodings.
Structural studies of a crystalline insulin analog complex with protamine by atomic force microscopy.

Abstract Crystallographic studies of insulin–protamine complexes, such as neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin, have been hampered by high crystal solvent content, small crystal dimensions, and extensive disorder in the protamine molecules. We report herein in situ tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM) studies of crystalline neutral protamine Lys B28 Pro B29 (NPL), a complex of Lys B28 Pro B29 insulin, in which the C-terminal prolyl and lysyl residues of human insulin are inverted, and protamine that is used as an intermediate time-action therapy for treating insulin-dependent diabetes. Tapping mode AFM performed at 6°C on bipyramidally tipped tetragonal rod-shaped NPL crystals revealed large micron-sized islands separated by 44-A tall steps. Lattice images obtained by in situ TMAFM phase and height imaging on these islands were consistent with the arrangement of individual insulin–protamine complexes on the P4 1 2 1 2 (110) crystal plane of NPH, based on a low-resolution x-ray diffraction structure of NPH, arguing that the NPH and NPL insulins are isostructural. Superposition of the height and phase images indicated that tip-sample adhesion was larger in the interstices between NPL complexes in the (110) crystal plane than over the individual complexes. These results demonstrate the utility of low-temperature TMAFM height and phase imaging for the structural characterization of biomolecular complexes.
Selection and Characterization of Strains of Staphylococcus aureus Displaying Unusual Resistance to Aminoglycosides

Susceptibility tests with aminoglycosides against Staphylococcus aureus have revealed discrepancies between the minimal inhibitory concentrations and the minimal bactericidal concentrations. To further evaluate these discrepancies, kill curves were performed against a susceptible strain of S. aureus with five different aminoglycosides (amikacin, kanamycin, tobramycin, gentamicin, sisomicin) at concentrations up to 16-fold above the minimal inhibitory concentration. Results revealed the presence of small subpopulations of cells capable of growth within 24 h in concentrations of aminoglycoside up to eightfold above the minimal inhibitory concentration for the parent strain. These subpopulations occurred at a frequency of >/=10(-7) parent cells, were not physiologically different from the susceptible parent strains, and were present in approximately one-half of 30 strains of S. aureus tested. The resistance of these subpopulations was approximately eightfold higher than that of the parent for all five aminoglycosides and was independent of concentration or type of aminoglycoside used to select them. This resistance was not due to extracellular degradation of drug and was stable over eight transfers in drug-free medium, except when selected by gentamicin or sisomicin.
Response of beet and fall armyworm moths to different colored lamps in the laboratory and field

Abstract Results of electrophysiological studies of the visual and spectral sensitivity of the compound eye of Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) and S. frugiperda (J. E. Smith) indicated peak visual sensitivities in the green and ultraviolet regions. Field trapping studies with 15‐W lamps of different colors indicated that S. exigua and S. frugiperda responded in greatest numbers to ultraviolet radiation.
Myocardial catecholamine balance during angina: effects of calcium entry blockers, verapamil and nifedipine

To evaluate the effects of calcium entry blocking agents on cardiac sympathetic tone during angina pectoris, arterial and coronary sinus (CS) norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) concentrations and CS blood flow were determined at rest and during pacing-induced angina, both before and after verapamil in nine patients and after nifedipine in nine patients, all of whom had fixed obstructive coronary artery disease. Resting arterial NE and E concentrations and myocardial NE release and E uptake remained unchanged during angina before verapamil and nifedipine, suggesting unaltered systemic and cardiac sympathetic tone and myocardial E handling. Following verapamil and nifedipine, arterial NE and E concentrations remained unchanged. After verapamil, net myocardial NE release increased from 16,072 +/- 18,881 to 35,520 +/- 30,595 at preverapamil angina rate (p less than 0.01) and to 39,643 +/- 29,728 pg/min at postverapamil angina rate (p less than 0.01). NE release after nifedipine increased from -4207 +/- 8898 to 10,988 +/- 30,711 (p less than 0.05) at prenifedipine angina rate and to 19,942 +/- 26,644 pg/min (p less than 0.05) at postnifedipine angina rate. NE release was independent of changes in CS flow after verapamil or nifedipine. E uptake after verapamil and nifedipine remained unchanged. Although the precise mechanism is not known, myocardial alpha-adrenergic receptor blockage with verapamil and nifedipine remains a possible explanation for increased myocardial NE release.
Graphic voyages through the universe

Part of our romance with the universe is its sheer enormity. This fascination with our place and our origin transcends professional, cultural, and historical boundaries. Images are a particularly valuable currency of exchange across these boundaries. The paper considers how computer graphics makes the universe accessible, giving substance to voyages of the scientific imagination. It discusses the visualisation of scientific results. >
Identification of HLA-DQα and -DRβ residues associated with susceptibility and protection to epithelial ovarian cancer

Abstract Substantial evidence has been accumulated suggesting that T cells in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) exhibit an antigen-driven immune response directed against the tumor cells. In the context of human leukocyte antigen (HLA), this suggests its possible involvement in the disease. Therefore, we examined the distribution of the HLA-DRB1*, -DQA1*, and -DQB1* alleles in 47 patients with EOC and 67 healthy Caucasian women. The frequency of D 70 and E 71 polymorphic residues of the DRB1 alleles was significantly reduced in EOC patients versus controls ( p D 70 E 71 = 0.009), suggesting a protective role against the disease. The DQα residues R 52 and Y 11 R 55 were increased in the patients ( p = 0.008 and 0.012, respectively). Because residues 11 and 55 participate in the formation of pocket 1, they may be functionally important amino acid positions that influence disease susceptibility. The frequency of the DQα susceptibility epitope (R 52 Y 11 R 55 ) among the DRβD 70 E 71 -positive EOC patients was increased when compared with DRβD 70 E 71 -positive controls (EOC, 100%; control, 52%; p = 0.028). Among individuals without the DQα susceptibility epitope, the distribution of DRβD 70 E 71 -positive cases was significantly different between EOC patients and controls (EOC, 0%; control, 60%; p = 0.039). Therefore, it appears that the presence of DQα susceptibility elements overrides the protective effect of the DRβD 70 E 71 epitope and suggests an interactive relationship between DRβ and DQα epitopes that may be of importance for disease susceptibility. Because positions DRβ 70,71 and DQα 52 have been implicated in immunologic diseases, it is likely that besides being critical for T-cell recognition, they may also play a role in T-cell development and acquisition of the T-cell repertoire.
Time dependence in stimulated gamma-ray emission: Implications for GRASERs

We discuss the limitations of the cross-section concept in estimating the performance of a GRASER and the implications of this for evaluating conceptual systems and for experimental detection of stimulated gamma-radiation. We derive the time-dependent cross-section for stimulating emission of gamma-radiation from a nucleus and show, not only that the asymptotic cross-section is extremely small for transitions from a long-lived isomeric state to a shorter-lived excited lower state, but also that, forany transition from a long-lived state, the cross-section remains small compared with its asymptotic value for a time of the order of the reciprocal linewidth.
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibition Mimics FcεRI-Induced Anergy and Reveals the Immunomodulatory Role of Hydrogen Peroxide as a Signaling Molecule in Human Basophils

anergy induction for CD63 upregulation has the same characteristics reported for the suppression of histamine secretion CD203c is upregulated independently of CD63 and could be useful as a marker for desensitization Basophil anergy is pathway, but not antigen specific hydrogen peroxide is produced by oxidative burst in basophils and it can modulate the response to IgE-mediated activation hydrogen peroxide augments the phosphorylation of Syk, Btk, Erk by IgE cross-linking degranulation, however, is suppressed (as is 203 upregulation) – thought to be via PTPs (orthovanadate also has this effect). A distinct pathway for Erk phosphorylation is activated, and those cells are anergized for IgE, but not fMLP stim while peroxide effect is thought to be secondary to PTPs, neither lyn, nor syk are activated Word Count = 1701
Transport of groundwater-borne nutrients from watersheds and their effects on coastal waters

Anthropogenic activities on coastal watersheds increase nutrient concentrations of groundwater. As groundwater travels downslope it transports these nutrients toward the adjoining coastal water. The resulting nutrient loading rates can be significant because nutrient concentrations in coastal groundwaters may be several orders of magnitude greater than those of receiving coastal waters. Groundwater-borne nutrients are most subject to active biogeochemical transformations as they course through the upper 1 m or so of bottom sediments. There conditions favor anaerobic processes such as denitrification, as well as other mechanisms that either sequester or release nutrients. The relative importance of advective vs. regenerative pathways of nutrient supply may result in widely different rates of release of nutrients from sediments. The relative activity of denitrifiers also may alter the ratio of N to P released to overlying waters, and hence affect which nutrient limits growth of producers. The consequences of nutrient (particularly nitrate) loading include somewhat elevated nutrient concentrations in the watercolumn, increased growth of macroalgae and phytoplankton, reduction of seagrass beds, and reductions of the associated fauna. The decline in animals occurs because of habitat changes and because of the increased frequency of anoxic events prompted by the characteristically high respiration rates found in enriched waters.
A programmable acoustic recording tag and first results from free-ranging northern elephant seals

Abstract A hydrophone-equipped tag recorded exposure to noise, as well as physiological and behavioral sounds, on free-ranging northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris). The compact acoustic probe (CAP) consisted of the hydrophone, a thermistor, and a pressure transducer in a 36 cm long, 10 cm diameter cylindrical hydrodynamic housing capable of withstanding 2000 m depth. The enclosed logging electronics included a programmable “TattleTale 7” data acquisition engine and a 340 Mb hard disk. A custom low-power operating system supported multi-channel interrupt-driven sampling at 5 kHz. The complete tag weighed 0.9 kg in water and displaced 2.1 l. During five deployments on juveniles translocated from and returning to Ano Nuevo, California, CAP tags measured dive pattern, ambient and vessel noise exposure, oceanographic ranging (RAFOS) and thermometry (ATOC) beacons, acoustic signatures of swim stroke, surface respiration, and cardiac function, and possible vocalizations.
Weak lensing of the CMB: Sampling errors on B modes

The B modes generated by the lensing of cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization are a primary target for the upcoming generation of experiments and can potentially constrain quantities such as the neutrino mass and dark energy equation of state. The net sample variance on the small scale B modes out to $l=2000$ exceeds Gaussian expectations by a factor of 10 reflecting the variance of the larger scale lenses that generate them. It manifests itself as highly correlated band powers with correlation coefficients approaching 70% for wide bands of $\ensuremath{\Delta}l/l\ensuremath{\sim}0.25.$ It will double the total variance for experiments that achieve a sensitivity of approximately $4\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$ arcmin and a beam of several arcminutes or better. This non-Gaussianity must be taken into account in the analysis of experiments that go beyond first detection.
Vasopressin release by nicotine in the cat

Our goal in this study was to examine where nicotine acted on the neurohypophysial release of arginine vasopressin (AVP). In the chamber-isolated, unanesthetized cat, an IV infusion of nicotine (25--50 micrograms/kg/min for 10 min) produced a 54-fold rise in plasma AVP (65 +/- 12.5 microU/ml) and a behavioral sequence of restlessness, ear twitching, salivation, chewing and retching. Chloralose anesthesia and acute surgical preparation increased plasma AVP (9.4 +/- 3.8 microU/ml) 4-times the control level in the unanesthetized state (2.4 +/- 0.1 microU/ml). In the anesthetized cat, an IV infusion of nicotine produced a 140-fold rise in plasma AVP (802.7 +/- 289.0 microU/ml) and a biphasic response in mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) which rose to 32% above control in the first 5 min and fell to 25% below control during the last 5 min. Bilateral surgical section of the carotid sinus and vagus nerves increased plasma AVP (47.6 +/- 25.8 microU/ml) to 5-times the control level in the anesthetized state (9.4 +/- 3.8 microU/ml). In the anesthetized, baroreceptor-denervated cat, an IV infusion of nicotine produced a 3-fold rise in plasma AVP (141.5 +/- 31.3 microU/ml) and a biphasic MABP response. Hypophysectomy abolished the nicotine-induced rise in AVP but did not modify the biphasic MABP response. These data suggest that in the cat nicotine releases AVP from the neurohypophysis by multiple sites of action within the receptive fields of te carotid sinus and vagus nerves and at unknown loci within the central nervous system.
SU‐FF‐T‐663: Treatment Plan Comparison Generated by Volumetric Arc Modulation with Helical Tomotherapy and Conventional IMRT for Prostate Cancer Patients

Purpose: To compare the treatment plans generated by volumetric arc modulation with helical tomotherapy and conventional IMRT for prostate cancer patients. Method and Materials: This study was performed on 5 prostate patients originally planned using Tomotherapy Hi‐Art™ treatment planning system (TPS). To make the study comprehensive and to evaluate all the degrees of freedom available with volumetric modulation arc therapy (VMAT), six plans were generated other than the tomotherapy plan. These were conventional 7 fields IMRT, full and partial arc, each with constant and variable dose rate and full arc with constant dose rate having gantry spacing of 4 degrees. The VMAT and IMRT plans were developed using Philips Medical Systems Pinnacle3 TPS. The IMRT objectives were selected on the basis of standard protocols followed in the clinic. PTV coverage was prioritized so that the organs at risk (OAR) sparing can be compared uniformly. Results: The study shows that for prostate cases, VMAT can generate plans equivalent to conventional IMRT and Tomotherapy plans. However, conventional IMRT outperforms the rotational TPS when it comes to OAR sparing. VMAT treatment time typically takes about 1/5th the treatment time of a regular IMRT or Tomotherapy plan with equivalent target coverage and organ sparing. While comparing the plans within VMAT, better rectal wall sparing was achieved with either partial arc (with both constant and variable dose rate) or full arc with variable dose rate compared to full arc with constant dose rate. Conclusion: In this study we have found that in prostate, we can achieve plans comparable to Tomotherapy plans. Total treatment time is very crucial for Radiotherapy due to issues related to interfraction and intrafraction motion. Treatment time taken for VMAT is very less when compared to conventional IMRT and tomotherapy treatment times with same PTV coverage and comparable amount for OAR sparing.
Endotoxin activates T cell interferon-γ secretion in the presence of endothelium

T lymphocytes (T cells) and their secreted lymphokine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) play important mediator roles in endotoxin-induced inflammation. We sought to explore the necessary conditions for and degree of LPS-induced T cell activation for IFN-gamma secretion in a human syngeneic microvascular endothelial-T cell coculture system. Human peripheral blood T cells, with or without monocytes, were cocultured in the presence or absence of a syngeneic human adipose microvascular endothelial cell (HAMVEC) monolayer. Cocultures were stimulated with LPS (1 microgram/ml) and 3-day coculture supernatants assayed for IFN-gamma and IL-2 by ELISA. In the absence of HAMVEC, LPS-induced T cell activation for IFN-gamma secretion was only minimally demonstrated in the presence of monocytes. However, in the presence of HAMVEC, LPS activated T cells for IFN-gamma secretion in the absence of monocytes and markedly augmented the response in the presence of monocytes. A subset of donor cocultures showed no IFN-gamma response to LPS. IL-2 was not secreted as part of the LPS-induced T cell activation response. Our data support a hypothesis that endothelium serves as an accessory cell for T cell IFN-gamma secretion in endotoxin-induced inflammation. T cell-endothelial interactions may play a crucial role in promoting T cell activation during LPS-induced inflammation.