cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extra-terra incognita: Martian maps in the digital age

Science and technology studies (STS) and critical cartography are both asking questions about the ontological fixity of maps and other scientific objects. This paper examines how a group of NASA computer scientists who call themselves The Mapmakers conceptualizes and creates maps in service of different commitments. The maps under construction are those of alien Mars, produced through partnerships that NASA has established with Google and Microsoft. With the goal of bringing an experience of Mars to as many people as possible, these maps influence how we imagine our neighbouring planet. This paper analyzes two attributes of the map, evident in both its representation and the attending cartographic practices: a sense of Mars as dynamic and a desire for a democratic experience of Mars in which up-to-date Mars data can be intuitively accessed not only by scientists but by lay users as well. Whereas a democratic Mars promises users the ability to decide how to interact with the map and understand Mars, dynamic Mars imposes a more singular sense of Mars as a target of continued robotic and maybe even human exploration. Because maps of Mars have a different (and arguably less complex) set of social and political commitments than those of Earth, they help us see how different goals contradict and complement each other in matters of exploration and state-craft relevant both to other worlds and our own.
Maximizing fluid delivered by bubble free electroosmotic pump with optimum pulse voltage waveform

In generating high electroosmotic (EO) flows for use in microfluidic pumps, a limiting factor is faradaic reactions that are more pronounced at high electric fields. These reactions lead to bubble generation at the electrodes and pump efficiency reduction. The onset of gas generation for high current density EO pumping depends on many parameters including applied voltage, working fluid, and pulse duration. The onset of gas generation can be delayed and optimized for maximum volume pumped in the minimum time possible. This has been achieved through the use of a novel numerical model that predicts the onset of gas generation during EO pumping using an optimized pulse voltage waveform. This method allows applying current densities higher than previously reported. Optimal pulse voltage waveforms are calculated based on the previous theories for different current densities and electrolyte molarity. The electroosmotic pump performance is investigated by experimentally measuring the fluid volume displaced and flow rate.
Identifying enzalutamide resistance mechanisms in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

TPS5104 Background: Multiple lines of evidence demonstrate that castration-resistant prostate cancers (CRPCs) remain reliant on androgens that activate the androgen receptor (AR). Treatment with th...
Application of machine learning methodologies to multiyear forecasts of video subscribers

The Market Intelligence division of S&P Global provides annual multiyear forecasts of United States subscribers for the video industry, which is comprised of cable, satellite, and telecommunication service providers. The current forecasts leave room for improvement as they are labor-intensive to generate and can be influenced by biases of subject-matter experts. The focus of this project is to explore the application of machine learning methods to these forecasts. We used demographic and subscriber data to assess the accuracy of different models, splitting it into training, validation, and testing sets. These models include support vector regression, artificial neural networks, and tree-based models, namely the traditional random forest and XGBoost. The training and validation sets were used to identify optimal parameters for each model. After identifying these parameters, we compared each model using the held-out testing set. These results indicated that the XGBoost model performed best, with a root mean squared error of 2,712. This initial exploration into machine learning shows promise and indicates it can be used as a tool to enhance S&P's current forecasting techniques. The industry is continuing to change as new technologies create disruption in the marketplace, which necessitates continued research into forecasting within this field.
Optimization of an Enzymatic Antibody–Drug Conjugation Approach Based on Coenzyme A Analogs

Phosphopantetheine transferases (PPTases) can be used to efficiently prepare site-specific antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) by enzymatically coupling coenzyme A (CoA)-linker payloads to 11–12 amino acid peptide substrates inserted into antibodies. Here, a two-step strategy is established wherein in a first step, CoA analogs with various bioorthogonal reactivities are enzymatically installed on the antibody for chemical conjugation with a cytotoxic payload in a second step. Because of the high structural similarity of these CoA analogs to the natural PPTase substrate CoA-SH, the first step proceeds very efficiently and enables the use of peptide tags as short as 6 amino acids compared to the 11–12 amino acids required for efficient one-step coupling of the payload molecule. Furthermore, two-step conjugation provides access to diverse linker chemistries and spacers of varying lengths. The potency of the ADCs was largely independent of linker architecture. In mice, proteolytic cleavage was observed for some C...
Promoting Vegetarianism through Moralization and Knowledge Calibration

This research extends the theories of moralization and knowledge calibration to vegetarianism. In two studies involving interviews with vegetarians, and meat-eaters; we investigated consumer attitu...
Residential energy consumer behavior modification via gamification

This paper aims to present an integrated platform to explore the role of society, culture, and behavior in energy efficiency uptake, and identify specific marketing techniques that may result in user behavior modification. We developed a consumer behavior modification framework which monitors consumer energy usage through the SDG&E Green Button API and make recommendations to the consumer. Behavior change is enforced through energy pricing and showing the impact of the individual consumer's CO 2 emissions when using energy at peak hours versus at non-peak hours. The focus is to improve the homeowner's “know” and “care”, aiming to influence actions through transformation of moral in addition to monetary savings. Following an engineering and economics model the system provides the tools for research in social variability, as well as the social and cultural context that shapes our habits and practices in energy consumption.
Pragma-dialectics and beyond

Pragma-dialectics is dynamic, context-sensitive, and multi-agent; it promises theories of fallacy and argumentative structure. But pragma-dialectic theory and practice are not yet fully in harmony. Key definitions of the theory fall short of explicating the analyses that pragma-dialecticians actually do. Many discussions involve more than two participants with different and mutually incompatible standpoints. Success in such a discussion may be more than success against each opponent. Pragma-dialectics does well at analyzing arguments advanced by one party, directed at another party; it does much less well at analyzing arguments directed at several opponents at once or at convincing an audience. I suggest a strategy of construing fallacies as defeasible arguments relying on reasonable default principles but applying them in circumstances in which they are undercut or overridden.
Program directors' perceptions of quality in NATA-accredited post-professional athletic training education programs

PROGRAM DIRECTORS’ PERCEPTIONS OF QUALITY IN NATA‐ACCREDITED POST‐ PROFESSIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINING EDUCATION PROGRAMS by Joshua B. Pendleton The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) is a member organization that oversees the health care profession of certified athletic trainers. A large body of research focused on the structure and content of curriculum for undergraduate programs has played a prominent role in the increase in their quantity and quality. Although attention has been called to graduate‐level athletic‐training education programs, there is currently a lack of research focused on NATA‐accredited post‐ professional athletic training education programs (PPATEPs). Using qualitative analysis, program directors’ perceptions of quality in these NATA‐accredited PPATEPs was assessed. In‐depth phone interviews were conducted regarding topics such at the accreditation standards, curricular content, perceived benefits of attending a program, and the future or sustainability of accredited PPATEPs. After these topics were discussed with participants, three main themes emerged. Program directors of NATA‐accredited PPATEPs undergo a special accreditation process that assesses and attempts to improve upon the quality of their program. Participants felt that there were specific benefits that accreditation serves to highlight. Participants also felt that the future of post‐ professional athletic training education was uncertain but on the right track.
A Method of Integrating the Equations of Motion of a Body Entering an Arbitrary Atmosphere with an Automatic Error Analysis

A Method of Integrating the Equations of Motion of a Body Entering an Arbitrary Atmosphere with an Automatic Error Analysis. A very simple method for the integration of ordinary differential equations is developed. The range of applicability is not restricted beyond the Cauchy-Lipschitz condition. Since the utilization of the method is dependent upon the use of digital, electronic computing machines, the manner of programming—and related questions—for an I.B.M. 704 is given.
Analyzing and Transforming Programs

Code transformations are useful for different purposes, such as improving performance, reducing memory used at runtime, reducing power consumed by the program, and so on. Usually, code transformations rely on code analysis applied either at static time or at runtime (i.e., code profiling). This chapter describes how to implement both code analysis and code transformations inside ILDJIT by describing the interface between them and the framework. Finally, several examples are both provided and described.
A New Method for Synthesizing RNA on Silica Supports

Until recently we perceived that there was only a minimal need for methods for chemical synthesis of RNA. This was because almost any RNA sequence could be synthesized using either the SP6 or T7 promoter and an appropriate DNA duplex (1,2). However, several recent developments primarily centered on studies of intron splicing mechanisms (3–6) have led us to initiate a program in this area. We now feel that eventually new chemical methods for synthesizing RNA will be very important as an aid to helping us understand a large number of biochemical processes such as mRNA and tRNA maturation (3–6), conformational analysis of RNA (7), and the mechanisms whereby proteins recognize and bind to RNAs (8). For example, we will probably want to construct mRNA, lariat and branched tetranucleotide structures, tRNAs, viroids, 5S RNA or even ribosomal RNA in such a way that sugar or base analogues are inserted at certain key sites so that their biochemical activity can be studied. We would envisage such a synthesis to involve first preparing the analogue portion of the RNA chemically and the remainder from DNA and either the T7 or SP6 promoter. These segments would then be joined with T4-RNA ligase (1) to form the RNA of interest.
Institutional Guidelines Can Decrease the Amount of Opioids Prescribed After Total Joint Replacement.

BackgroundIn the midst of the nationwide opioid epidemic, our institution began an effort to improve the education of opioid prescribers and disseminate procedure-specific guidelines for the number...
Nanoscale morphology of electrolessly deposited silver metal

Abstract Electroless deposition of silver was studied to determine how chemical and physical parameters affect the morphology of the deposited metal. The study was conducted using variations of a silver deposition bath originally described by Danscher. The standard bath produced reflective and electrically conductive metal films comprised of agglomerates of small spheroidal nanoparticles. Removing gum arabic from the bath increased the deposition rate and changed the shape of the agglomerates but did not significantly change the size of the constituent nanoparticles. Replacing the citrate buffer with a dicarboxylate or monocarboxylate, which is less able to chelate Ag+, produced surfaces comprised of larger, more faceted metal particles. The longevity of the bath varied with the choice of carboxylate. A new formulation buffered with maleate exhibited the highest stability, depositing silver for several hours without unwanted spontaneous formation of silver metal in solution. Optical measurements of electrolessly deposited films revealed absorptions associated with silver nanoparticles. Electrical measurements showed that the as-deposited films were five orders of magnitude less conductive than bulk silver, but low-temperature annealing increased the conductivity by four orders of magnitude.
High-Affinity Detection and Capture of Heavy Metal Contaminants using Block Polymer Composite Membranes.

Adsorptive membranes offer one possible solution to the challenge of removing and recovering heavy metal ion contaminants and resources from water supplies. However, current membrane-based sorbents suffer from low binding affinities, leading to issues when contaminants are present at trace concentrations or when the source waters have a high concentration of background electrolytes that compete for open binding sites. Here, these challenges are addressed in the design of a highly permeable (i.e., permeability of ∼2.8 × 104 L m–2 h–1 bar–1) sorbent platform based on polysulfone and polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid) composite membranes. The membranes possess a fully interconnected network of poly(acrylic acid)-lined pores, which enables the surface chemistry to be tailored through sequential attachment of polyethylenimine brushes and metal-binding terpyridine ligands. The polyethylenimine brushes increase the saturation capacity, while the addition of terpyridine enables high-affinity binding to a diversity ...
Abstract 582: Vascular Smooth Muscle-derived Macrophage are a Major Source of MCP1 in Atherosclerosis

Smooth muscle cells (SMC) are conventionally thought to promote atherosclerotic plaque stability by investing within the fibrous cap and protecting the blood flow from the harmful inflammatory plaq...
Inferring Robot Morphology from Observation of Unscripted Movement

Task sharing between heterogeneous robots currently requires a priori capability knowledge, a shared communication protocol, or a centralized planner. However, in practice, when two robots are brought together, the effort required to construct shared action and structure models can be significant. In this paper, we describe our approach to determining the kinematic model of a robot based purely on observation of unscripted movement. We describe construction of large-scale data simulating low-cost RGB-D camera output, and application of two different RNN-based methods to the learning problem. Our results suggest that this is an efficient and effective way to determine a robot’s morphological structure without requiring communication or pre-existing knowledge of its capabilities.
Unifying functional trait approaches to understand the assemblage of ecological communities: synthesizing taxonomic divides

Functional traits have long been considered the ‘holy grail’ in community ecology due to their potential to link phenotypic variation with ecological processes. Advancements across taxonomic disciplines continue to support functional ecology's objective to approach generality in community assembly. However, a divergence of definitions, aims and methods across taxa has created discord, limiting the field's predictive capacity. Here, we provide a guide to support functional ecological comparisons across taxa. We describe advances in cross‐taxa functional research, identify gaps in approaches, synthesize definitions and unify methodological considerations. When deciding which traits to compare, particularly response traits, we advocate selecting functionally analogous traits that relate to community assembly processes. Finally, we describe at what scale and for which questions functional comparisons across taxa are useful and when other approaches may be more constructive. Our approach promotes standardized methods for integrative research across taxa to identify broad trends in community assembly.
Abstract B061: A novel cell-mediated immunotherapy for treatment of lung and breast cancer

Cancer Immunotherapies designed to generate a cell-mediated immune response against tumors are emerging as frontline treatment options for cancer; however, concerns regarding efficacy, safety and cost efficacy have limited the use of these treatments. To address these weaknesses, we have developed a novel immunotherapy capable of delivering previously encountered antigenic peptides specifically to cancer cells and facilitating their presentation through the MHC class I pathway. Our therapy utilizes a modular synthetic nanoparticle delivery system comprising of three components: a neutral stealth liposome, encapsulated synthetic immunogenic HLA class I restricted peptides derived from measles virus (MV), and a tumor-targeting peptide on the external surface of the liposome. The targeting peptide results in accumulation of the liposomes specifically inside cancer cells and facilitates presentation of the MV-derived immunogenic peptides in HLA class I molecules. We refer to this system as TALL (Targeted Antigen Loaded Liposomes). Therefore, TALL can generate a secondary immune response specifically against the targeted tumor cells in a patient who has been previously vaccinated against or infected by MV. In short, we are attempting to trick the immune system into responding as though the cancer cell is infected with MV without the use of a viral particle. We have demonstrated that this approach leads to a cancer-specific CD8+ T cell response which requires all three components of the TALL system. The lead cancer-targeting peptide has been optimized for affinity, cellular uptake, hydrophobicity, and stability. The TALL liposomes home to tumors in vivo. We have demonstrated a significant reduction in subcutaneous tumor growth using P-TALL in aggressive LLC1 and 4T1 murine models. Citation Format: Indu Venugopal, Claire Gormley, Michael J McGuire, Kathlynn C Brown. A novel cell-mediated immunotherapy for treatment of lung and breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2019 Oct 26-30; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2019;18(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B061. doi:10.1158/1535-7163.TARG-19-B061
Personal formaldehyde exposure during the transportation of embalmed cadavers.

Occupational exposure to the known carcinogen formaldehyde during embalming (the preservation of cadavers) has been well documented. Cadavers may be transported to universities on loan for training...
A new tool for equating lexical stimuli across experimental conditions.

Abstract In cognitive psychology and psycholinguistics, lexical characteristics can drive large effects, which can create confounds when word stimuli are intended to be unrelated to the effect of interest. Thus, it is critical to control for these potential confounds. As an alternative to randomly assigning word bank items to stimulus lists, we present LIBRA (Lexical Item Balancing & Resampling Algorithm), a MATLAB-based toolbox for quickly generating stimulus lists of user-determined length and number that can be closely equated on any number of lexical properties. The toolbox comprises two scripts: a genetic algorithm that performs the inter-list balancing, and a tool for filtering/trimming long omnibus word lists based on simple criteria, prior to balancing. Relying on randomized procedures often results in substantially unbalanced experimental conditions, but our method guarantees that the lists used for each experimental condition contain no meaningful differences. Thus, the lexical characteristics of the specific words used will add an absolute minimum of bias/noise to the experiment in which they are applied. • Our toolbox balances word lists for arbitrary lexical properties to control confounds in cognitive psychology research. • Our toolbox performs more efficiently than pure randomization or balancing manually. • A graphical user interface is provided for ease of use.
Stabilization of Generator Frequency Under Pulsed Load Condition Using Regenerative Propeller Braking

In this paper, the effects and mitigation strategies of pulsed loads on medium voltage DC (MVDC) electric ships are explored. Particularly, the effect of high-powered pulsed loads on generator frequency stability are examined. As a method to stabilize a generator which has been made unstable by high-powered pulsed loads, it is proposed to temporarily extract energy from the propulsion system using regenerative propeller braking. The damping effects on generator speed oscillation of this method of control are examined. The impacts on propeller and ship speed are also presented.
Investigate the Correlation of Breast Cancer Dataset using Different Clustering Technique.

The objectives of this paper are to explore ways to analyze breast cancer dataset in the context of unsupervised learning without prior training model. The paper investigates different ways of clustering techniques as well as preprocessing. This in-depth analysis builds the footprint which can further use for designing a most robust and accurate medical prognosis system. This paper also give emphasis on correlations of data points with different standard benchmark techniques. Keywords: Breast cancer dataset, Clustering Technique Hopkins Statistic, K-means Clustering, k-medoids or partitioning around medoids (PAM)
Work-in-Progress: The Cyber-Physical Immune System

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are important components of critical infrastructure and must operate with high levels of reliability and security. We propose a conceptual approach to securing CPSs: the Cyber-Physical Immune System (CPIS), a collection of hardware and software elements deployed on top of a conventional CPS. Inspired by its biological counterpart, the CPIS comprises an independent network of distributed computing units that collects data from the conventional CPS, utilizes data-driven techniques to identify threats, adapts to the changing environment, alerts the user of any threats or anomalies, and deploys threat-mitigation strategies.
Immunotherapy and Radiation – A New Combined Treatment Approach for Bladder Cancer?

Recently, immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has been showing promise in clinical trials for stage IV bladder cancer. Herein, we review the literature regarding the role for radiation therapy, the role for immunotherapy, and the potential synergy of these treatments combined in bladder cancer. There is ample pre-clinical data in a number of different tumor models, coupled with a growing body of clinical evidence in melanoma and other malignancies to suggest combining radiation and immunotherapy could lead to substantial advances in treatment outcomes for bladder cancer. Yet, these data for bladder cancer remain at the pre-clinical stage, and further study is needed.
Emissions and Fuel Economy Test Methods and Procedures For Light Duty Motor Vehicles-A Critique

The statistical variability of CVS-CH exhaust emission tests for light duty motor vehicles and the relative magnitudes of the various factors affecting errors encountered during the tests are discussed. Additional questions concerning the affect of ambient temperature on exhaust emissions and data relating to the effectiveness of present evaporative HC emission test methods and procedures are considered. In addition, the critical elements in any standardized fuel economy test method and the statistical variability of present fuel economy measurements is presented. /GMRL/
Sigma domain structure: one down, one to go

The recent publication of the 2.6 A crystal structure of a portion of sigma70 provides insight into the role of sigma during transcription initiation. This high resolution picture unveils novel questions.
Systematics of f-electron hybridization in heavy fermion compounds

Abstract The role of hybridization of f-electrons with non-f-ligands is discussed asa primary cause for determining the electronic properties of Ce and U compounds. From this point of view, systematic variation of heavy-fermion and related behavior can be observed in isostructural compounds where the non-f-component is varied. A specific discussion of data for the UX 3 compounds is presented.
Porcine adrenal prolactin receptors: Characterization, changes during neonatal development and effects of hypoprolactinemia

1. 1. Adrenal prolactin (PRL) receptors were identified within the adrenal cortex of pigs (Sus domesticus), and found to be located specifically on isolated zona fasciculata/reticularis cells (6437 sites per cell). 2. 2. These PRL receptors were associated with binding to [125I]-oPRL which was characterized as being time and temperature dependent, specific for PRL, saturable, of high affinity (Ka = 1010/M) with a single class of binding sites, and irreversible except under extreme conditions. 3. 3. The concentration (fmol/mg protein) of PRL receptors decreased by 35% (P < 0.05) between 3 and 10 days of age, and subsequently remained constant until 30 days of age. Total content (fmol/paired adrenals) increased progressively (2-fold, P < 0.05) between 3 and 30 days of age. 4. 4. Short-term (< 16hr) and prolonged (7 weeks) hypoprolactinemia (46–64% of control levels, P < 0.05) were not associated with changes in numbers of porcine adrenal unoccupied PRL receptors.
Visionary Eschatology: Piers Plowman

In its later versions Piers Plowman is a long, complex poem of extraordinary formal, theological, and political complexity. It is one of the greatest Christian poems. Written in a period of unprecedented conflict in English polities, including the Church, it was passionately involved in exploring many of these conflicts while seeking to imagine projects of Reformation. The poem includes fascinating reflections on diverse eschatological traditions within the late medieval Church, including neo-Joachite ones. Subjecting both the contemporary Church and such eschatologies to sustained critique, the author evolves a profoundly Christocentric vision in the light of which triumphant narratives of the Church would emerge as among the opiates threatening the Church at the poem's close.
An in vitro system for study of effects of angiotensin I on cultured endothelial cells

Since certain non-vascular angiotensin II (AII) receptors may be activated by angiotensin I (AI), and since sustained increase in AI levels accompanies chronic treatment with converting enzyme inhibitors (CEI) which block conversion of AI to AII, the question of whether AI has significant biological effects is of clinical relevance. We therefore sought to develop an in vitro culture system in which effects of angiotensin I, independently of its conversion to AII, could be studied in cloned aortic vascular endothelial cells (VEC). This was complicated by peptide degradation during the period of observation, both by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) on the surface of VEC and by angiotensinases in either the serum component of culture media or associated with the cell monolayer. Accordingly, we examined the half life of AI under relevant cell culture conditions, with and without confluent fetal bovine aortic endothelial cells (FBAEC). Factors assessed included (1) fetal calf serum: commercial source, concentration in culture media, effects of converting enzyme inhibitor (CEI: MK422) and/or heat inactivation (superimposed on the commercially performed process); and (2) effect of FBAEC in monolayer culture, with and without CEI. Results showed that (1) in the absence of cells, loss of AI in culture media, when present, was solely due to the presence of fetal calf serum (FCS) and showed a dose dependent response; (2) FCS from differing sources may vary dramatically in capacity for AI breakdown; and (3) serum related AI disapperance included a heat resistant ACE like component (inhibitable by CEI) and a heat sensitive/CEI resistant component dominant at concentrations of FCS exceeding 5%. FBAEC dependent AI loss was solely due to CEI inhibitable ACE like activity, with no evidence for non-ACE angiotensin activity detectable in confluent monolayer cultures. Cloned FBAEC retained ACE like activity, which is compatible with persistence of a differentiated phenotype. Thus optimum conditions for study of effects of AI on vascular endothelial cells, with sustained AI levels over a 24 h period, can be achieved by inclusion of 10−6M MK422, provided that the culture medium is either serum free or contains FCS selected for low AI degrading activity.
Participatory Research's Contribution to a Conceptualization of Empowerment1

Empowerment has emerged in recent years as a popular strategy for addressing social issues. A potential intervention approach for applied researchers interested in studying empowerment is participatory research (PR). PR is a theory and intervention approach for involving oppressed people in the study of and solutions to social problems. It is a strategy that works to transform social structure to benefit oppressed people. This article examines PR's contribution to a conceptualization of empowerment on both a theoretical and applied level. First, PR literature and its conceptualization of empowerment are described. Following this, PR is proposed as an intervention approach for applied researchers interested in studying empowerment. A case study involving the formation of a Homeless Persons Union is provided as an example of applied PR.
Diet composition of larval Leiostomus xanthurus in and about the Mississippi River plume

The diet of the larvae of the sciaenid fish Leiostomus xanthurus collected within the Mississippi River plume differs from that of larvae collected in adjacent Gulf of Mexico shelf waters. Larvae collected in plume water had eaten twice as many food organisms as had larvae collected in shelf waters. Larvae collected within the plume had eaten mostly small food organisms (tintinnids, copepod nauplii, pelecypod veligers and invertebrate eggs), whereas larvae collected in shelf waters had eaten mostly larger food items (copepodite and adult copepods). Differences in the abundance of food organisms in and differences in the photic environments of these water masses may account for the differences in diet.
Effects of mass transfers between land-supported ice caps and oceans on the shape of the earth and on the observed mean sea level

In the first part of the paper, it is shown that if the present antarctic ice masses would melt, a large part in the present pearshapeness in the shape of the Earth would dissappear. In the second part of the paper, it is shown that should the present Antarctic ice masses melt, world oceans would not climb up to the present +65 meters elevation contour line as has appeared in the literature. The rise in the observed mean sea level at the shore lines of world oceans would only be 10 to 15 meters.
Testosterone therapy and mortality risk

Recent data suggest an increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality in men on testosterone therapy (TT). To date, there are no long-term, prospective studies to determine safety. In such cases, retrospective observational studies can be helpful. We examined our patient database to determine whether TT altered the risk of all-cause mortality in men. We queried our hormone database for all men with a serum testosterone level and then examined charts to determine testosterone status. In all, 509 men had charts available for review. We linked our patient records to the National Death Index to determine mortality. Of the 509 men who met inclusion criteria, 284 were on TT and 225 did not use testosterone. Age (mean 54 years) and follow-up time (mean 10 years) were similar for both groups. In all, 19 men died--10 (4.4%) men not on TT and 9 (3.2%) men on TT. After adjusting for age and year of evaluation, there was no significant difference in the risk of death based on TT (hazard ratio 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.36-2.35, P=1.0). There appears to be no change in mortality risk overall for men utilizing long-term testosterone therapy.
Impact of multiple caregiving roles on elevated depressed mood in early-stage breast cancer patients and same-age controls

The effect of caregiving roles on risk of elevated depressed mood over 12 months was examined in early-stage (0-IIA) breast cancer patients and same-aged women without breast cancer. Women were interviewed 4-6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months following definitive surgical treatment (patients) or routine screening mammogram (controls). The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale was administered at each interview and dichotomized for analysis ( or=16 [elevated depressed mood]). Participants were categorized as having no caregiving responsibilities, caregiving for children or other persons, or caregiving for both children and others (multiple caregiving roles). Two multivariable marginal logistic regression models with repeated measures were fit (one each for patients and controls) to examine the effect of caregiving roles on elevated depressed mood, using generalized estimating equations to account for intra-individual correlations. Of 1096 participants (mean age 58; 76% white), 1019 with caregiving data were included in the analysis. Compared with baseline, patients with multiple caregiving roles (23/521 patients) were at increased risk of elevated depressed mood at 6 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 7.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-44.46; P = 0.034), and controls with multiple caregiving roles (15/498 controls) were at decreased risk of elevated depressed mood at 12-month follow-up (aOR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02-0.97; P = 0.047). Patients with multiple caregiving roles were more likely while controls were less likely to report elevated depressed mood over time, suggesting a need to identify patients with multiple caregiving roles early during their treatment.
Synthesis of one-dimensional binary cellular automata systems from composite local maps*

A local map σ on an n -cell neighborhood of a 1-dimensional cellular automata system is decomposable if σ is equivalent to the application of σ 1 , followed by σ 2 , σ 3 ,…, σ m , where σ i is a local map on a two-cell neighborhood. In this paper, an algorithm is shown which decides whether σ is decomposable, and, if so, what decompositions are possible. In addition to the synthesis of decomposable maps, an analysis of such maps is shown. The existence of sequences of nontrivial local maps which produce a composite map independent of all neighbors is demonstrated. Also, it is shown that most sequences of m local maps on a two-cell neighborhood, for large m , produce a composite map realized by a shorter sequence.
Writing-Proficiency Tests and Remediation: Some Cultural Differences

M Increasingly, universities are establishing writing-proficiency standards for their students, be they native or nonnative speakers of English. The state board of education in the state of Florida, for example, requires that all students, no matter their national origin, pass the same holistically graded essay exam before they can receive an associate degree from a public community college or be accepted as a junior in a state-supported university. In addition, all students must fulfill what is known as the Cordon Rule by completing 12 hours of courses with a heavy emphasis on composition before they have completed 60 undergraduate hours. These requirements also apply to students transferring from out-of-state universities and from private schools. How do international students cope with the requirement that they compete with native speakers of English in writing? In order to find out, the academic records of international students accepted into the lower division of the University of Florida from August 1984 to August 1987 were examined. The results show some interesting differences among nationalities.
Cultural Intelligence (CQ): A Quest for Cultural Competence.

Professionals in the field of special education are constantly being asked about efficacy and outcome-based practice. The tragic event that took place at Virginia Tech shocked the world. This article uses the Virginia Tech tragedy as a base to discuss the need for all professionals to develop cultural competence. Furthermore, it discusses the topic of cultural reactions to communicative disorders and the need to develop cultural competence to decode each message in its cultural, linguistic, and social contexts and to provide culturally appropriate intervention when called for. It also builds on the notion that the world is flat and describes the challenges we face as we try to decode the messages from the world of English-language learners, the world of Englishes, and the codes shared by the e-generation. Finally, it advocates the need to develop cultural humility with the goal to quest for cultural competence.
On the Interfragment Exchange in the X-Pol Method

The inclusion of exchange repulsion terms in the explicit polarization (X-Pol) model is examined by antisymmetrizing the X-Pol Hartree product wave function; this yields X-Pol with full eXchange, called X-Pol-X. When the monomers are treated by Hartree−Fock theory, this calculation can be accomplished by using the formalism of block-localized wave functions (BLW) that has been used in a variety of applications. In this case the block-localized structure in the X-Pol-X wave function allows for decomposition of the full Fock matrix of a dimension of M blocks into M smaller Fock matrices. The method is illustrated by considering two trimer structures of water clusters, and it is found that the total exchange repulsion energies in these hydrogen-bonding test cases are adequately treated and—to a good approximation—are pairwise additive. We also present a formalism to yield a simplified Fock matrix by making use of the neglect of interfragment differential overlap (NIDO) approximation, which is less severe tha...
Pseudo A-V block associated with A-H and H-V conduction defects.

Abstract His bundle electrograms were recorded in a patient with tertiary syphilis whose ECG's showed right bundle branch block, junctional premature systoles, and episodes suggesting both Mobitz Type I and II second degree A-V block. Junctional premature depolarizations were found to cause: (1) ventricular systole, (2) retrograde atrial depolarizations with atrial fusion, and (3) nonconducted P waves of normal contour (pseudo A-V block). Nonconducted nonpremature P waves were also noted to occur secondary to both A-H and H-V forms of second degree A-V block in the absence of junctional premature activity. The presence of an H-V conduction defect may cause antegrade block of junctional premature depolarizations and enhance their expression as pseudo A-V block. This term should, therefore, not be meant to imply A-H and H-V conduction.
MR and CT assessment for ischemic cardiac disease

Magnetic resonance imaging and/or contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography may be used separately or, often more effectively, in an integrated fashion, to address important issues in patients with coronary artery disease causing ischemic cardiac disease (ICD). These issues include complications of myocardial infarction, such as ventricular dysfunction, myocardial wall rupture, aneurysm formation, intracavitary thrombus, mitral insufficiency, and pericarditis, as well as aspects of planning and monitoring therapy for ICD, such as revascularization and ventricular aneurysm repair.
Interaction of Transported Drugs with the Lipid Bilayer and P-Glycoprotein through a Solvation Exchange Mechanism

Broad substrate specificity of human P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) is an essential feature of multidrug resistance. Transport substrates of P-glycoprotein are mostly hydrophobic and many of them have net positive charge. These compounds partition into the membrane. Utilizing the energy of ATP hydrolysis, P-glycoprotein is thought to take up substrates from the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane and to transport them to the outside of the cell. We examined this model by molecular dynamics simulation of the lipid bilayer, in the presence of transport substrates together with an atomic resolution structural model of P-glycoprotein. Taken together with previous electron paramagnetic resonance studies, the results suggest that most transported drugs are concentrated near the surface zone of the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. Here the drugs can easily diffuse laterally into the drug-binding site of P-glycoprotein through an open cleft. It was concluded that the initial high-affinity drug-binding site was located in the interfacial surface area of P-glycoprotein in contact with the membrane interface. Based on these results and our recent kinetic studies, a “solvation exchange” drug transport mechanism of P-glycoprotein is discussed. A molecular basis for the improved colchicine transport efficiency by the much-studied colchicine-resistance G185V mutant human P-glycoprotein is also provided.
Intrahypothalamic microinfusion of corticotropin-releasing factor inhibits gastric acid secretion but increases secretion volume in rats.

Abstract Bilateral microinfusion of synthetic ovine corticotropin releasing factor (oCRF; 0–4.0 μg/rat [0–856 pmol/rat]) into the paraventricular nucleus or the ventromedial nucleus of the rat hypothalamus inhibited gastric acid secretion in a dose-related manner. Unexpectedly, these microinfusions both decreased acid concentration and increased secretion volume; total acid output (acid concentration multiplied by secretion volume) was strongly inhibited. In the lateral hypothalamus, CRF microinfusion also both decreased acid concentration and increased secretion volume, but total acid output did not change. oCRF microinfusion into the caudate-putamen did not significantly affect any measure of gastric acid secretion even at the highest dose used. The increased secretion volume seen after oCRF microinfusion is unique; all other centrally acting inhibitors of gastric acid secretion decrease secretion volume. It is possible that hypothalamic CRF may influence gastric secretory function.
Antibodies to polyadenylate-polyuridylate copolymers as reagents for double strand RNA and DNA-RNA hybrid complexes.

Abstract Rabbits were immunized with complexes of polyA-polyU and methylated bovine serum albumin, and the resulting sera were examined in two dimensional immunodiffusion and quantitative complement fixation. The sera reacted with the inducing copolymer, with polyl-polyC, with the double strand RNA of reovirus, and to a lesser extent with DNA-RNA hybrids. There was no reaction with polyA alone, polyU alone, polyG-polyC, or with a variety of non-duplex RNA or native or denatured DNA samples. Reactivity of double strand polyribonucleotides was abolished by effective thermal denaturation.
Associations of abdominal fat with perceived racism and passive emotional responses to racism in African American women.

Objectives. An excess in abdominal fat may predispose African American women to chronic health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Because stress may increase body fat in the center-body region, we used the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) to examine associations between excess abdominal fat and perceived racism (a chronic stressor) and daily stress. Passive emotional responses to perceived racism, hypothesized to have particularly adverse effects, were also examined.Methods. We controlled for body mass index in multiple logistic regression models among 447 African American women who completed a telephone interview on perceived racism.Results. Passive emotional responses were not related to WHR (odds ratio [OR]=1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.8, 2.4). High perceived racism was associated with a low WHR in this population (OR=0.4; 95% CI=0.3, 0.8). However, high daily stress was related to a high WHR (OR=2.7; 95% CI=1.1, 6.7).Conclusions. Findings support an association between daily stress...
Electron impact induced fragmentation of pyridyl macrocyclic polyethers (crown ethers)

The mass spectra of pyridyl-18-crown-6 and pyridyl-15-crown-5 were determined. The spectra of five deuterium labeled analogues of pyridyl-18-crown-6 coupled with high resolution data, allowed formulation of fragmentation pathways, which are dominated by several series involving the loss of C2H4O units.
Salmonella infection in an anterior mediastinal mass.

228 The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery ● Janu References 1. Zaroff JG, Rosengard BR, Armstrong WF, Babcock WD, D’Alessandro A, Dec GW, et al. Consensus conference report: maximizing use of organs recovered from the cadaver donor: cardiac recommendations. Circulation. 2002;106:836-84. 2. Antunes MJ, Vieira H, Ferrao de Oliveira J. Open mitral commissurotomy: the “golden standard.” J Heart Valve Dis. 2000;9:472-7. 3. Massad MG, Smedira NG, Hobbs RE, Hoercher K, Vandervoot P, McCarty PM. Bench repair of the donor mitral valve before heart transplantation. Ann Thorac Surg. 1996;61:1833-5. 4. Michler RE, Camacho DR. Ex-vivo mitral valve repair prior to orthotopic cardiac transplantation. Ann Thorac Surg. 2002;73:962-3. 5. Risher WH, Ochsner JL, Van Meter C. Cardiac transplantation after donor mitral valve commissurotomy. Ann Thorac Surg. 1994;57:221-2.
Tetrahydrodeoxyuridylate: a potent inhibitor of deoxycytidylate deaminase.

Abstract Deoxycytidylate deaminase is inhibited competitively by tetrahydrodeoxyuridine 5′-monophosphate with a Ki of 1.0–2.0 × 10−8 m . The potential effectiveness of the inhibition as revealed by the K m K i ratio is of the order of 3.0–6.0 × 104. Although the deamination of deoxycytidine and cytidine in a chick embryo mince system is impaired rather drastically by tetrahydrodeoxyuridine and tetrahydrouridine, respectively, DNA synthesis is not greatly affected. Tetrahydrodeoxyuridine appears to impose a sparing effect on deoxycytidine utilization and limits the incorporation of cytidine into the thymidylate of DNA. Tetrahydrouridine severely inhibits cytidine deamination, but does not affect its incorporation into DNA. The most probable site of action of these compounds in vivo is deoxycytidylate deaminase. Of the two known pathways for the formation of deoxyuridylate, the deamination of deoxycytidylate and the ribonucleotide reductase conversion of uridine diphosphate to deoxyuridine diphosphate, the results suggest that most of the DNA thymidylate is provided by the latter. Cytidine and deoxycytidine can still be deaminated in the chick embryo mince system, in spite of sufficient tetrahydrodeoxyuridine and tetrahydrodeoxyuridylate to inhibit deoxycytidine and deoxycytidylate deaminases completely, a result that suggests an alternate pathway for the formation of deoxyuridine nucleotides from deoxycytidine nucleotides.