cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MixedPeds: Pedestrian Detection in Unannotated Videos Using Synthetically Generated Human-Agents for Training

We present a new method for training pedestrian detectors on an unannotated set of images. We produce a mixed reality dataset that is composed of real-world background images and synthetically generated static human-agents. Our approach is general, robust, and makes few assumptions about the unannotated dataset. We automatically extract from the dataset: i) the vanishing point to calibrate the virtual camera, and ii) the pedestrians' scales to generate a Spawn Probability Map, which is a novel concept that guides our algorithm to place the pedestrians at appropriate locations. After putting synthetic human-agents in the unannotated images, we use these augmented images to train a Pedestrian Detector, with the annotations generated along with the synthetic agents. We conducted our experiments using Faster R-CNN by comparing the detection results on the unannotated dataset performed by the detector trained using our approach and detectors trained with other manually labeled datasets. We showed that our approach improves the average precision by 5-13% over these detectors.
Muscarinic Inhibition of Hypoglossal Motoneurons: Possible Implications for Upper Airway Muscle Hypotonia during REM Sleep

Proper function of pharyngeal dilator muscles, including the genioglossus muscle of the tongue, is required to maintain upper airway patency. During sleep, the activity of these muscles is suppressed, and as a result individuals with obstructive sleep apnea experience repeated episodes of upper airway closure when they are asleep, in particular during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. Blocking cholinergic transmission in the hypoglossal motor nucleus (MoXII) restores REM sleep genioglossus activity, highlighting the importance of cholinergic transmission in the inhibition of hypoglossal motor neurons (HMNs) during REM sleep. Glutamatergic afferent input from neurons in the parahypoglossal (PH) region to the HMNs is critical for MoXII respiratory motor output. We hypothesized that state-dependent cholinergic regulation may be mediated by this pathway. Here we studied the effects of cholinergic transmission in HMNs in adult male and female mice using patch-clamp recordings in brain slices. Using channelrhodopsin-2-assisted circuit mapping, we first demonstrated that PH glutamatergic neurons directly and robustly activate HMNs (PHGlut → HMNs). We then show that carbachol consistently depresses this input and that this effect is presynaptic. Additionally, carbachol directly affects HMNs by a variable combination of muscarinic-mediated excitatory and inhibitory responses. Altogether, our results suggest that cholinergic signaling impairs upper airway dilator muscle activity by suppressing glutamatergic input from PH premotoneurons to HMNs and by directly inhibiting HMNs. Our findings highlight the complexity of cholinergic control of HMNs at both the presynaptic and postsynaptic levels and provide a possible mechanism for REM sleep suppression of upper airway muscle activity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea can breathe adequately when awake but experience repeated episodes of upper airway closure when asleep, in particular during REM sleep. Similar to skeletal postural muscles, pharyngeal dilator muscles responsible for maintaining an open upper airway become hypotonic during REM sleep. Unlike spinal motoneurons controlling postural muscles that are inhibited by glycinergic transmission during REM sleep, hypoglossal motoneurons that control the upper airway muscles are inhibited in REM sleep by the combination of monoaminergic disfacilitation and cholinergic inhibition. In this study, we demonstrated how cholinergic signaling inhibits hypoglossal motoneurons through presynaptic and postsynaptic muscarinic receptors. Our results provide a potential mechanism for upper airway hypotonia during REM sleep.
Genetic variation and fungal infection risk: State of the art

Fungal infections cause significant mortality in patients with acquired immunodeficiencies including AIDS, hematological malignancies, transplantation, and receipt of corticosteroids, biologics or small-molecule kinase inhibitors that impair key immune pathways. The contribution of several such pathways in antifungal immunity has been uncovered by inherited immunodeficiencies featuring profound fungal susceptibility. Furthermore, the risk of fungal infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiencies may be modulated by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in immune-related genes. This review outlines key features underlying human genetic fungal infection predisposition. The discovery of monogenic disorders that cause fungal disease and the characterization of immune-related gene SNPs that may regulate fungal susceptibility have provided important insights into how genetic variation affects development and outcome of fungal infections in humans. Recognition of individualized genetic fungal susceptibility traits in humans should help devise precision-medicine strategies for risk assessment, prognostication, and treatment of patients with opportunistic fungal infections.
Flourens, Marie-Jean-Pierre

Marie-Jean-Pierre Flourens (1794–1867), an early proponent of animal experimentation, provided experimental evidence that cognition occurred in the cerebral cortex, coordination arose in the cerebellum, and respiration and cardiac activity were centered in the medulla oblongata. He stridently opposed the theory of phrenology. Flourens believed in equipotentiality of the cerebral cortex because he concluded from his faulty experiments that visual function could be located anywhere in the cerebral cortex. Flourens correctly established that the cerebellum controlled coordination and was not the center of movement.
The neurobiology of innate and learned vocalizations in rodents and songbirds.

Vocalizations are an important medium for sexual and social signaling in mammals and birds. In most mammals other than humans, vocalizations are specified by innate mechanisms and develop normally in the absence of auditory experience. By contrast, juvenile songbirds memorize and copy the songs of adult tutors, a process with many parallels to human speech learning. Despite the centrality of vocal learning to human speech, vocal production in humans as well as in songbirds exploits ancestral circuitry for innate vocalizations, and effective vocal communication depends on the fluent blending of innate and learned elements. This review covers recent advances in our understanding of central mechanisms for learned and innate vocalizations in birds and mice, including brainstem mechanisms that help to ‘gate’ vocalizations on or off, cortical involvement in learned and innate vocalizations, and the delineation of circuits that evaluate and reinforce song performance to facilitate vocal learning.
Primary clinical application of JASPER electrolytically detachable coils in neurovascular intervention

Objective To report the primary clinical experience of JASPER electrolytically detachable coils in neurovascular intervention. Method 117 coils were used in 20 patients including 15 aneurysms ,4 dural arterio - venous fistula ( DAVF) and 1 CCF. Nine cases were embolized only with JASPER electrolytically detachable coils,and 11 cases were embolized by combined using of electrolytically detachable coils and other detachable coils. Results There was no significant difference between JASPER electrolytically detachable coils and other coils in visibility,flexibility,effect of forming a basket,uncoiling, dense packing and convenience of deployment The time needed for detachment was(41. 19 ± 8. 68) s. Ten aneurysms were totally embolized, the other 5 were subtotally occluded. Three DAVFs were totally embolized, the other one was subtotally occluded. One CCF was totally embolized. Seven cases of follow-up by DSA showed that there was no recurrence. Conclusions The efficiency and safety of JASPER electrolytically detachable coils are confirmed. The extensive use of JASPER electrolytically detachable coils could decrease the expense of patients for endovascular treatment. Key words: Electrolytically detachable coil; Embolism; Intracranial aneurysm
Music as an Organizational Metaphor: Deadpan and Expressive Organizations

Music serves as a form of transformative expression that creates harmony while delivering inspiring messages. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16 King James Version). Music is drenched in symbolism that manifests through the creative expression of the composer. This work explored how music parallels the degree of interchange between organizations and complex environments. Results found music parallels the expressive organization. Firstly, music genres and organizational culture utilize symbolism in expression. Secondly, the expressive organization and music composition remain in a state of becoming. Thirdly, the millennial cohort influences organizations and evolution in the delivery of music.
Untilting Line Bundles on Perfectoid Spaces

Let $X$ be a perfectoid space with tilt $X^\flat$. We construct a canonical map $\theta:\operatorname{Pic} X^\flat\to\lim\operatorname{Pic} X$ where the (inverse) limit is taken over the $p$-power map, and show that $\theta$ is an isomorphism if $R = \Gamma(X,\mathscr{O}_X)$ is a perfectoid ring. As a consequence we obtain a characterization of when the Picard groups of $X$ and $X^\flat$ agree in terms of the $p$-divisibility of $\operatorname{Pic} X$. The main technical ingredient is the vanishing of higher derived limits of the unit group $R^*$, whence the main result follows from the Grothendieck spectral sequence.
Thermal conductivity of ThO2: Effect of point defect disorder

Thoria (ThO2) has lately gained attention due to its potential for use as a nuclear fuel. From a physics standpoint, ThO2 is an actinide-bearing material with no 5f electrons and is thus ideally suited as a baseline material for future studies of the physical properties of actinide systems with correlated electrons. Current investigations of ThO2 as a nuclear fuel focus on the influence of radiation-induced lattice defects on its thermal properties, especially the conductivity. This work presents a first investigation of the impact of point defect disorder on phonon thermal conductivity of ThO2 by solving the Boltzmann transport equation within the single-mode relaxation time approximation. The relaxation times of intrinsic, three-phonon scattering are calculated by a rigorous sampling of k-points within the irreducible Brillouin zone of the face-centered cubic crystal structure. The effect of point defects on the thermal conductivity of ThO2 is predicted using the classic model by Klemens for phonon relaxation times that result from the change in mass and induced lattice strain associated with point defects. Within this model, the change in force constants and atomic radii are computed using input from an atomistic model of ThO2. The defects considered are uranium substitution at a thorium site, oxygen vacancies and interstitials, and thorium vacancies and interstitials. The results show that the conductivity of ThO2 is highly sensitive to intrinsic point defects and less sensitive to U substitution on the cation sublattice.
Intention to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine by U.S. Health Sciences University Employees.

Objectives:Understanding vaccine intentions and attitudes of health professionals is critical as the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna COVID19 vaccines are being administered throughout the United St...
Role of transforming growth factor-beta1/Smads in regulating vascular inflammation and atherogenesis.

Abstract Accumulating evidence supports the role of inflammation in the development of a variety of chronic vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, transplantation arteriosclerosis, and restenosis after vascular mechanical injury. Thus, identification of mechanisms to control inflammation may provide novel therapeutic targets to limit such disease states. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is a pleiotropic growth factor with potent immunomodulating effects on cells important to atherosclerotic lesion formation including endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages, and T cells. The mechanisms responsible for the protective, anti-inflammatory effects of TGF-beta1 have recently become elucidated. This review focuses on the emerging role of the downstream TGF-beta1 signaling mediators, termed Smads, as regulators of vascular inflammation. These findings are beginning to establish a mechanistic scaffold with which to understand the cell-type specific function of Smads in the development of chronic inflammatory vascular disease states.
MDC and path diversity in video streaming

Delivering multimedia content over the network pose several challenges that include higher bandwidth and sensitivity to packet losses resulting due to congestion and/or transmission errors. Multiple description coding (MDC) is one of the source coding approaches to alleviate the problems of packet loss in a network since MDC splits the source information into several descriptions which can then be transmitted over several paths in the network. Parallel delivery of descriptions over multiple paths should guarantee better quality of transmission. In this paper we investigate the performance of a generalized MDC scheme over multi-path and single path scenarios and compare its performance to a layered single description (SDC) scheme. In the multi-path case, multimedia content is delivered via k-shortest paths that are selected on the basis of the packet loss probability of overall links in that path. Our experimental results show that MDC scheme always outperforms the SDC scheme in terms of PSNR quality for both single and multi-path transmissions. The improvement varies from 7 dB at (5% packet loss) to 13 dB at (20% packet loss) for the single path and by 3 dB to 9 dB respectively for the multi-path transmission.
Movement time and brake pedal placement.

Optimum relocation of the brake relative to the accelerator can reduce stopping distance and may mean the difference between an accident and a near-accident. A driving simulator was used to examine...
Teaching Database Research Methods in Marketing Research Classes: A View from the Trenches

The opportunities provided by the continuous growth in computer storage capacity have led to the development of methods to investigate large databases. However, while industry is heavily involved in research using databases, primarily for marketing purposes, the university academic component of the marketing research discipline has not yet caught up with industry practice. This study discusses database research methods, along with the impact on the need for the teaching of business and marketing research using databases and their methodologies. Suggestions made, include team teaching and the formation of a university-wide Informing Sciences Department. This organization structure would be analogous to that currently found in most universities: a separate statistics department, while utilizing disciplinary specialists to teach statistical applications within the various disciplines.
Some Schur stability criterions for uncertain systems with complex coefficients

Two approaches for robust stability analysis of discrete-time interval polynomials with complex coefficients are presented. It is shown that in both approaches the number of polynomials whose stability has to be checked grows with the polynomial degree, in contrast to the continuous-time case. >
Open covers and partition relations

An open cover of a topological space is said to be an ω–cover if there is for each finite subset of the space a member of the cover which contains the finite set, but the space itself is not a member of the cover. We prove theorems which imply that a set X of real numbers has Rothberger’s property C′′ if, and only if, for each positive integer k, for each ω–cover U of X, and for each function f : [U ]2 → {1, . . . , k} from the two-element subsets of U , there is a subset V of U such that f is constant on [V ]2, and each element of X belongs to infinitely many elements of V (Theorem 1). A similar characterization is given of Menger’s property for sets of real numbers (Theorem 6). Gerlits and Nagy [3] introduced the notion of an ω–cover as defined above in the abstract. Let Ω be the set of all ω–covers of X . These authors call X an –space if each ω–cover has a countable subset which is an ω–cover. All separable metric spaces are –spaces. An open cover U of X is said to be a large cover if for each x ∈ X the set {U ∈ U : x ∈ U} is infinite. Let Λ be the set of all large covers and O the set of all open covers of X . For collections A and B of subsets of the set S the symbol S1(A,B) denotes the property that there is for each sequence (On : n = 1, 2, 3, . . . ) of elements of A a sequence (Tn : n = 1, 2, 3, . . . ) such that for each n Tn ∈ On, and {Tn : n = 1, 2, 3, . . .} ∈ B. Associated with this property we have the game G1(A,B): Two players, ONE and TWO, play an inning per positive integer. In the n–th inning ONE chooses a set On ∈ A, and TWO responds with Tn ∈ On. A play (O1, T1, O2, T2, . . . ) is won by TWO if {Tn : n = 1, 2, 3, . . .} is in B; otherwise, ONE wins. In the paper [9] where he introduced it, Rothberger used the symbol C′′ to denote the property S1(O,O). Galvin introduced the game G1(O,O) in [2] and Pawlikowski proved in [7]: Theorem 1 (Pawlikowski). X has property S1(O,O) if, and only if, ONE does not have a winning strategy in the game G1(O,O). For A and B as above the symbol Sfin(A,B) denotes the property that there is for each sequence (On : n = 1, 2, 3, . . . ) of elements of A a sequence (Tn : n = 1, 2, 3, . . . ) such that for each n Tn is a finite subset of On, and ⋃∞ n=1 Tn ∈ B. Received by the editors April 15, 1996 and, in revised form, May 16, 1997. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 03E05, 05D10.
Kathryn Kalinak, Film Music: A Very Short Introduction

Kathryn Kalinak’s Film Music: A Very Short Introduction combines incisive analysis with informative summaries of film music history and film theory, as well as increased coverage of non-Hollywood film/music traditions. Throughout, Kalinak provides the basis for both vigorous classroom discussion and scholarly discourse, and the text serves as a valuable resource for the film music instructor.
Water–gas shift modeling in coal gasification in an entrained-flow gasifier. Part 1: Development of methodology and model calibration

Abstract Most of the reaction rates for the water–gas shift (WGS) reaction were obtained from experiments under simplified laboratory conditions with specific catalysts. A few of the reaction rates without catalysts were obtained under supercritical (water) conditions with the pressure much higher than those in a typical gasifier. In either case, it is not clear how the published reaction rates can be used reliably to predict the actual WGS reaction rate in a gasifier without the presence of a catalyst and under different temperature and pressure conditions than those in the laboratory. Part 1 of this study focuses first on reviewing the published WGS reaction rates with and without the presence of catalysts, followed by calibrating the WGS reaction rate to match the experimental data taken from the quench section of an actual gasifier. Three different WGS reaction rates from Jones, Wade, and Sato are employed for calibration. The result shows that all of these published rates cannot work well in simulating the water quench process due to different ranges of temperature and pressure. The calibration is performed by adjusting the pre-exponential rate constant value (A) of each of the three reaction rates to match the experimental data. The advantage of this methodology is to obtain a global WGS reaction rates under water quench condition in less computational intensive way. However, it needs to be emphasized that the calibrated WGS reaction rates can only be applied in the range of water quench operation parameters for which it has been validated in this study. The calibrated results show that all three WGS reaction rates can be modified to match the experimental data within 2% points (or 6%) in both CO conversion rate and H2 generation. After calibrated rates are developed, complete gasification process is simulated, and the results are compared to experimental data taken from Japanese CRIEPI gasifier in Part 2.
The impact of multiparametric pelvic magnetic resonance imaging on risk stratification in patients with localized prostate cancer.

Objective To determine the impact of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MP-MRI) of the prostate on established risk stratification criteria in patients with clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate (ACP). Methods The cohort included 71 patients who underwent MP-MRI of the prostate at a tertiary care referral center as part of their initial workup for ACP. Tumor characteristics comprising traditional risk stratification criteria (prostate-specific antigen, clinical T stage, and biopsy Gleason score) were recorded, and the initial National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk group was calculated. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk group was then recalculated incorporating MRI findings. The impact of MRI findings on changes in risk group classification was evaluated using the Stuart-Maxwell test. For patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, MRI findings were correlated with pathologic findings. Results The cohort included 11 (15.5%), 39 (54.9%), and 21 patients (29.6%) with low-, intermediate-, and high-risk disease, respectively. MRI findings led to risk group upstaging in 12 cases (16.9%). The highest yield was demonstrated in patients with intermediate-risk disease, in whom MRI led to upstaging in 25.6% of patients. There was a significant difference between pre-MRI and post-MRI risk group classifications ( P Conclusion In our cohort of patients undergoing MP-MRI for previously untreated, clinically localized ACP, MRI findings led to changes in risk stratification in a substantial proportion of patients. Our findings support the use of MP-MRI in the workup of patients with localized ACP.
Production of orientation and alignment in heavy-ion-surface collisions

We have measured the alignment and orientation parameters of forward-scattered argon ions excited in grazing-incidence collisions with a Cu surface. The polarization of the light emitted from excited scattered ions has been measured simultaneously with a measurement of their spatial position relative to the interaction region. We have measured the dependence of the orientation with ion energy, incidence angle, scattering angle, and surface material. Total ion angular distributions are found to be independent of incident energies between 0.50 and 3.0 MeV. Possible excitation mechanisms for producing the observed charge states, excited states, alignment, and orientation are discussed. We compare this surface excitation with the excitation of ions passing through thin foils.
Properties of Liquid Crystal Epoxy Thermosets Cured in a Magnetic Field

Two liquid crystal diepoxides [1,4-phenylene bis(4-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)benzoate) (A) and 4,4‘-diglycidyloxydiphenyl (B)] were cured with a diamine [4,4‘-diaminobiphenyl (C)] in the nematic phase to obtain liquid crystalline thermoset (LCT) materials. The systems were studied using different curing conditions and different ratios of the compounds. The mechanical properties were investigated by stress/strain experiments to determine ultimate properties (break strength and elongation at break) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) to determine small strain properties as a function of temperature. An A/C mole ratio of 4/1 gave materials with the best combination of high strength and percent elongation. The addition of a small amount of diepoxide B to the system (with a mole ratio of A/B = 4/1) improves the mechanical properties. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis shows that increasing diamine content or curing time increases the cross-linking density. Macroscopic orientation of the LCTs was achieved b...
St Gertrude's Chapel, Hamburg, and the performance of polychoral music

The physical characteristics of the building for which a particular piece of music was written must be considered an essential element in any attempt to recreate the aesthetic impact of that piece. This article is concerned with a small building in Hamburg, not one of the four main churches (Hauptkirchen) or the Cathedral, but the St Gertrude's Chapel, or Gertrudenkapelle, which acted as an important centre of musical activity in the 17th century. Because it made particular provision for the performance of polychoral music, a study of its layout and of contemporary descriptions of performances can shed light on the performance practices associated with polychoral music elsewhere in the early Baroque period. The Gertrudenkapelle was built between 1391 and 1399, as a sister church to the nearby Jacobikirche, on cemetery land owned by the St Gertrude's Guild (see illus. 1).' The function of this body was to provide housing, health care and burial assistance for the poor and the sick (especially lepers); it was aided in this by
Thoughts on Engineering Education

Engineering curricula are in a process of dynamic change as a result of the rapidly accelerating rate of advance technology. The rapid accumulation of knowledge leads to a selection process of the materials to be included in the curriculum. If the emphasis in engineering education is on the imparting of facts even facts about "fundamentals" the engineer will soon be wallowing in the wake of the advancing technology. Major emphasis in engineering education should be placed on developing in the student the open-minded attitudes and the critical approach to the solving of problems be they technical, economic, political, or social problems-that is implicit in the phrase "method of science."
Usefulness of prestudy assessment of patient willingness to undergo tissue biopsy for correlative studies in a melanoma vaccine trial

BackgroundPerforming biopsies for correlative studies in cancer trials raises ethical and regulatory concerns and may impact trial accrual negatively. However, strategies to address these concerns remain largely unexplored.PurposeWe sought to assess the perceived risk of mandatory tissue biopsies to be performed for research purposes as part of a clinical trial of a melanoma vaccine by administering a pretrial accrual assessment questionnaire in the population of interest. Furthermore, we explored how such survey data may be used to address potential concerns of regulatory and funding organizations that may not be able to assess the risks of those biopsies.MethodA total of 91 melanoma patients, similar to potential participants in a melanoma vaccine pilot study, scored their willingness, on a 9-point Likert scale, to participate in vaccine trials involving no skin biopsy versus a skin biopsy resulting in a 3-, 6-, or 12-cm scar. The vaccine trial was performed with skin biopsies leaving a 6-cm scar. Accru...
Purification and Characterization of Pseudomonas putida Histidine Ammonia-Lyase Expressed in Escherichia coli

Histidine ammonia-lyase (HAL) from Pseudomonas putida PRS1 contains a catalytically important electrophilic center reported to be dehydroalanine. Little is known about the origin of this group or its linkage to the protein. To initiate structural studies on this enzyme, P. putida HAL was purified from an Escherichia coli high-expression clone in which the HAL gene (hutH) was under the control of the lambda PL promoter on a plasmid vector. In this clone from 6 to 10% of the soluble cell protein after heat induction was HAL and approximately 200 mg of 95% pure HAL could be obtained from 120 g wet weight of cells in a 40 to 60% yield. The overexpressed protein was identical to P. putida HAL in native molecular weight (220 kDa), subunit composition (four identical subunits of 53 kDa each), affinity for substrate (L-histidine Km of 5.3 mM at pH 9.0), and its sensitivity to inactivation by cyanide and bisulfite. The N-terminal amino acid sequence was in agreement with the DNA-predicted sequence, indicating proper translational initiation. These features make this enzyme an appropriate candidate for protein structure investigations regarding the nature of the electrophilic center and its association with the protein.
The colour of AIDS: an analysis of newspaper coverage of HIV/AIDS in the United States from 1992–2007

Although overall HIV rates have declined in the U.S. over the past two decades, these declines have been accompanied by steady growth in infection rates among African Americans, creating persistent racial disparities in HIV infection. News media have been instrumental in educating and informing the public about the epidemic. This content analytic study examines the frequency and content of coverage of HIV/AIDS in national and local U.S. daily newspapers from December 1992 through December 2007 with a focus on the presentation of risk by population subgroups. A computerized search term was used to identify HIV/AIDS-related news coverage from 24 daily U.S. newspapers and one wire service across a 15-year period (N = 53,934 stories). Human and computerized coding methods were used to examine patterns in frequency and content in the sample. Results indicate a decline in coverage of the epidemic over the study period. There was also a marked shift in the portrayal of risk in the U.S., from a domestic to an international focus. When coverage did address HIV/AIDS among groups with disproportionately high risk in the U.S., it typically failed to provide context for the disparity beyond individual behavioral risk factors. The meta-message of news coverage of HIV during this period may have reduced the visibility of the impact of HIV/AIDS on Americans. The practice of reporting the racial disparity without providing context may have consequences for the general public's ability to interpret these disparities.
DNA photodamage stimulates melanogenesis and other photoprotective responses.

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is a major source of environmental damage to skin. Melanin pigmentation protects against this damage by absorbing UV photons and UV-generated free radicals before they can react with DNA and other critical cellular components; and UV-induced melanogenesis or tanning is widely recognized as exposed skin's major defense against further UV damage. This simple-article reviews extensive data suggesting DNA damage or DNA repair intermediates directly triggers tanning and other photoprotective responses. Evidence includes the observations that tanning is enhanced in cultured pigment cells by accelerating repair of UV-induced cyclo-butane pyrimidine dimers or by treating the cells with UV-mimetic DNA-damaging chemicals. Moreover, small single stranded DNA fragments such as thymidine dinucleotides (pTpT), the substrate for almost all DNA photoproducts, also stimulates tanning when added to cultured pigment cells or applied topically to intact skin. In bacteria, single stranded DNA generated by DNA damage or its repair activates a protease that in turn de-represses over 20 genes whose protein products enhance DNA repair and otherwise promote cell survival, a phenomenon termed the SOS response. Interestingly, pTpT also enhances repair of UV-induced DNA damage in human cells and animal skin, at least in part by activating the tumor suppressor protein and transcription factor p53 and thus upregulating a variety of gene products involved in DNA repair and cell cycle regulation. Together, these data suggest that human cells have an evolutionarily conserved SOS-like response in which UV-induced DNA damage serves as signal to induce photoprotective responses such as tanning and increased DNA repair capacity. The responses can also be triggered in the absence of DNA damage by addition of small single-stranded DNA fragments such as pTpT.
Obesity, school obesity prevalence, and adolescent childbearing among U.S. young women.

Abstract In the United States, adolescent obesity reduces young women's odds of forming romantic and sexual partnerships but increases the likelihood of risky sexual behavior when partnerships occur. This led us to conduct a study examining the relationship between adolescent obesity and adolescent childbearing. Our study has two aims. We draw from prior research to develop and test competing hypotheses about the association between adolescent obesity and young women's risk of an adolescent birth. Drawing from risk regulation theory, we also examine whether the association between obesity and young women's risk of an adolescent birth may vary across high schools with different proportions of obese adolescents. Multilevel logistic regression models are used to analyze data from 4242 female students in 102 U.S. high schools who participated in Wave I (1994–1995) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Results are the first to show that obesity reduces female adolescents' odds of childbearing, but that this association is not uniform across schools with different proportions of obese students. As the obesity prevalence in a school increases, so do obese young women's odds of childbearing. We conclude that understanding whether and how obesity is associated with young women's odds of having an adolescent birth requires attention to the weight context of high schools.
A comparative study of correlation coefficients in spatially MRSI-observed neurochemicals from multiple sclerosis patients

In measuring the association between magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI)-observed neurochemicals from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, the classic correlation coefficients such as the Pearson's r, Spearman's A and Kendall's F do not take into account the spatial dependence of the observations. This paper reports a comparative study on these classic correlation coefficients (Pearson's r, Spearman's A and Kendall's F ) and some more recent correlation coefficients (Tjostheim's a, the modified t) that take into account the spatial dependence of the intensities of the concentrations of several neurochemicals in MS patients. Our study indicates that the use of the classic correlation coefficients that ignores the spatial dependence of the observations may overestimate the statistical significance of the results.
Toward a Theory of Innovation

The purpose of this article is to eliminate further conceptual obstacles to the develop ment of a workable theory of innovation and to move toward a better theoretic statement. The approach to overcoming the conceptual problems centers primarily around four ideas: (1) building a theory around the "innovation decision" as the unit of analysis, rather than either innovations or adopters: (2) lifting the level of general ity of independent variables so that a great deal of statistical interaction is avoided; (3) splitting the act of innovation into two stages, diffusion and adoption, to eliminate the confounding effects of time of awareness in studies of innovation; (4) introducing the idea of a "fair-trial point" into the conceptualization of innovation, solving sev eral additional problems at once.
Minimum-variance Deconvolution Using Artificial Neural Networks

In this paper, we provide some background material on artificial neural networks (ANN’s) and show how a modification of the Hopfleld type network structure can be used to solve the minimum-variance deconvolution (MVD) problem. One central issue involved ln the development and the specification of ANN focuses on the stability and the convergence of the entire network. Using the fact that an MVD result is the optimal solution of some quadratic objective function, the global Lyapunov stability function of ANN is used for the automatic mapping from a specific algorithm into the neural network configuration. Both the functional and structural equivalences are considered in the mapping. We have demonstrated that such mapping strategy guarantees the convergence. In our work, the uniqueness and existence of the solution are also investigated, Examples of the synthetic data are given as the validation of the theory.
Magnet System for a 4-MeV Experimental Separated Orbit Cyclotron

One of six sector-magnets for the 4-MeV Separated Orbit Cyclotron Experiment (SOCE) has been assembled and tested. The magnets for the SOCE are quite different and much simplified from previous SOC magnet concepts; all pole tips are of the same radius of curvature and each set is excited by a separate coil-pair. The pole-tip fields vary smoothly from 3.5 kilogauss at injection (1 MeV) to 6.6 kilogauss at full energy. The field index, n, varies from 0.58 to 0.52. A unique pole-tip design with an integral vacuum chamber has been developed. The ampere-turn requirements for the main pole-tip coils and trimming coils have been determined. A simple but highly precise magnetic field scanning device has been developed for use with the SOCE magnets.
Structural properties of the Ru(0001) surface.

The structural properties of the Ru(0001) surface are studied using the pseudopotential method within the local-density-functional approximation. This self-consistent calculation employs a periodic slab geometry and a Gaussian-orbital basis set. By comparing the total energies of the slab and the bulk crystal, we obtain a surface energy of 1.2 eV per surface atom (3.0 J/m/sup 2/). It is also found that the outermost atomic layer undergoes an inward relaxation of about 3% of the ideal interlayer distance, resulting in a relaxation energy of 20 meV per surface atom.
Mark Twain and the Nature of Twins

This essay examines the relationship between Mark Twain’s treatment of race in Pudd’nhead Wilson (1894) and Francis Galton’s investigations into the relative effects of "nature and nurture" in his influential 1875 twin study. While many readings of Twain’s novel assume a shared logic underlying Twain’s literary twin plot and Galton’s scientific study, the essay analyzes the terms and conditions of both to establish critical and meaningful points of disjuncture between the two plots. It argues that the differences between the functions of look-alikes in Twain and Galton provide more insight into each author’s thoughts on race than the presumed similarities. Both thinkers approach questions of the relationship between underlying character and physical appearance through the use of look-alikes, but while Galton’s study of biological twins brackets racial difference in order to prove the heritability of underlying human character, Twain obscures the inherited natures of his changelings in order to dramatize the explanatory appeal of the illusion of race. And while a unified "nurture" during childhood was critical for the longitudinal comparison of Galton’s twin study, Twain employs a changeling plot to dramatize the social difference that race makes. Ultimately, Twain’s "twins" tell us little about the relative effects of "nature and nurture," but the narrative set in motion by their virtual twinship dramatizes the thin difference upon which race is constructed.
Desiderata for a general or comprehensive catalog of the meteoritic falls of the world

The following 10 “desiderata” for a general or comprehensive catalog of the meteoritic falls of the world are discussed in order: (1) coordinate number; (2) name; (3) class; (4) time of fall or find; (5) total weight; (6) number etc. of individual masses; (7) additional data for a multiple fall or a shower; (8) physical and chemical characters; (9) depositories; and (10) bibliography. A set of abbreviations, for words most often used in the description of meteorites, meteoritic falls, etc., is recommended.
Even Moments and Moment-Based Distribution Functions of the Porod—Kratky Chain

A method is developed for calculating the even moments ‹r2k› of the end-to-end distance r of the Porod—Kratky wormlike chain, by adapting Hermans and Ullman’s recurrence-formula method to computer calculations. Actual calculations are extended to ‹r40›. The whole range of the argument t=L/(2a), (L and a being the contour and persistent lengths, respectively), is covered with an accuracy of 10−5 for up to ‹r12›. For higher moments there remains a range of t which is not effectively covered because of a loss of accuracy due to a serious cancellation in computational results. A good agreement is achieved by a proper adjustment of parameters between even moments (through ‹r12›) of the Porod—Kratky chain and of a realistic model for polyethylene. Exact distribution functions and some averages are calculated for t>10 with recourse to a previously developed method of the moment-based distribution function. Daniels’ distribution is found to be a satisfactory approximation. A further improved, closed distribution function is derived.
Acute illness behavior:A conceptual exploration and specieication

Abstract Illness behavior surrounding urgent and emergent illnesses has generally been ignored. Theseillnesses are thought to produce expedient care-seeking devoid of social process. On the basis of two studies of illness behavior associated with acute episodes of coronary artery disease, and studies of emergency medical systems (EMS) and emergency room (ER) utilization, tentative dimensions of acute illness behavior are explored and specified. The primary analytic scheme set forth focuses on the period from initial sign and symptom awareness to arrival at a definitive care hospital bed via six analytic care-seeking phases: the Prodromal Phase, the Self, Lay and Medical Evaluation Phases, the Hospital Travel Phase and the Hospital Evaluation Phase. The substantive nature of each phase is discussed and analytic care-seeking Paths to definitive medical care are specified. The primary behavioral process during the acute illness period is the development of a coping strategy to control the emerging illness. Following continual failure of coping resources and strategies to control signs and symptoms effectively, the individual experiences a health crisis for which more sophisticated medical resources are required—for example, physician consultation, EMS transport, and ER treatment. A sense of crisis is further generated by the organization and gatekeeping personnel of medical care resources, namely, office receptionists, EMS dispatchers, and ER clerks. Also, consideration is given to specifying the concepts of the lay referral system and the sick role to more adequately reflect the social processes and role relationships involved in the acute illness experience.
Comparative thermal evolution of Uranus and Neptune

We extend a Jovian convective-cooling model to Uranus and Neptune. The model assumes that efficient interior convection prevails, so that escape of interior heat is governed by the radiative properties of the atmosphere. A comparison of the thermal evolution of Uranus and Neptune indicates that the large amount of solar radiation absorbed in Uranus' atmosphere tends to differentially suppress the escape of interior heat. The model is shown to be consistent with recent infrared observations of the thermal balance of Uranus and Neptune, and with the presumed age of these planets.
A Three-Element Model for Binary Prediction:

Three element model for choice behavior binary prediction consisting of logical, experiential and error components
Cyclosporin A/VP-16 produced immunity to L1210 leukemia : the participation of cytotoxic CD8 T-lymphocytes

The role of the immune response in the chemotherapeutic cure of an intact host with neoplasia is not well defined. We have previously shown that the addition of cyclosporin A to VP-16 therapy of BDF/1 mice with L1210 leukemia produces immunity to leukemia in long-surviving host animals. We now characterize this immunity as being tumor specific and related to the participation of CD8 T-lymphocytes. Splenocytes derived from L1210 leukemia immune mice are cytotoxic to L1210 cells after in vitro restimulation, compared to splenocytes harvested from nonimmune control mice. This cytotoxicity is lost by CD8 T-lymphocyte depletion and persists in Ia antigen blocking experiments. Cytotoxicity is selective for L1210 leukemia compared to P388 leukemia, an alternate Ia antigen expressing methylcholanthrine-induced acute lymphoid leukemia, and L1210 leukemia-immune mice remain susceptible to P388 leukemia in vivo demonstrating specificity of the immune response generated by cyclosporin A/VP-16 therapy.
Let Them Eat During Dialysis: An Overlooked Opportunity to Improve Outcomes in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

In individuals with chronic kidney disease, surrogates of protein-energy wasting, including a relatively low serum albumin and fat or muscle wasting, are by far the strongest death risk factor compared with any other condition. There are data to indicate that hypoalbuminemia responds to nutritional interventions, which may save lives in the long run. Monitored, in-center provision of high-protein meals and/or oral nutritional supplements during hemodialysis is a feasible, inexpensive, and patient-friendly strategy despite concerns such as postprandial hypotension, aspiration risk, infection control and hygiene, dialysis staff burden, diabetes and phosphorus control, and financial constraints. Adjunct pharmacologic therapies can be added, including appetite stimulators (megesterol, ghrelin, and mirtazapine), anabolic hormones (testosterone and growth factors), antimyostatin agents, and antioxidative and anti-inflammatory agents (pentoxiphylline and cytokine modulators), to increase efficiency of intradialytic food and oral supplementation, although adequate evidence is still lacking. If more severe hypoalbuminemia (<3.0 g/dL) not amenable to oral interventions prevails, or if a patient is not capable of enteral interventions (e.g., because of swallowing problems), then parenteral interventions such as intradialytic parenteral nutrition can be considered. Given the fact that meals and supplements during hemodialysis would require only a small fraction of the funds currently used for dialysis patients this is also an economically feasible strategy.
Anti-ischemic effects of amlodipine in patients with stable angina pectoris and myocardial ischemia during daily life ☆

Ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring was used to assess the anti-ischemic effects of amlodipine in a subset of 56 patients enrolled in a 14-week withdrawal study; amlodipine therapy resulted in a marked decrease in the overall mean number of ischemic events and the average number of transient ischemic episodes (p <0.005). Amlodipine substantially reduced the number of ischemic events among all patients during the single-blind phase, with further significant reductions recorded among patients who remained on amlodipine during double-blind therapy, but the number of ischemic events increased almost to baseline levels in patients switched to placebo during double-blind therapy (p = 0.01 by analysis of variance).