cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Erratum to: Paying the cost of skeptical theism

Abstract In this paper I show that two arguments for the inconsistency of skeptical theism fail. After setting up the debate, I show why Mylan Engel’s argument (Engel 2004) against skeptical theism does not succeed. I then strengthen the argument so that it both avoids my reply to Engel and parallels Jon Laraudogoitia’s argument against skeptical theism (Laraudogoitia 2000). In the final section I provide three replies—one by an evidentialist theist, one by a closure-denying theist, and one by a necessitarian theist, and argue that the necessitarian’s reply successfully rebuts the inconsistency charge. I conclude that skeptical theism which accepts God’s necessary existence is immune to both kinds of arguments for its inconsistency.
Living Carbocationic Polymerization. LIX. The Synthesis of Novel Asymmetric Telechelic Polyisobutylenes

Abstract The synthesis of novel asymmetric telechelic polyisobutylenes (PIB) carrying a CH3OCO— headgroup and a —CH2C(CH3)2C1 tailgroup by the use of novel initiators mediating the living carbocationic polymerization (LC+Pzn) of isobutylene (IB) is described. Subsequently, the parent headgroup has been quantitatively converted into a HOCO— group, and the parent tailgroup into a —pC6H4OH group. Scheme 1 summarizes the synthesis routes to the initiators, as well as the polymerizations and functionalizations leading to various asymmetric telechelic PIBs. The CH3OCO— headgroup of the initiator most likely functions as an internal electron donor during the LC+Pzn of IB.
The end of the American avant garde

"By 1966, the composer Virgil Thomson would write, "Truth is, there is no avant-garde today." How did the avant garde dissolve, and why? In this thought-provoking work, Stuart D. Hobbs traces the avant garde from its origins to its eventual appropriation by a conservative political agenda, consumer culture, and the institutional world of art.
Tubulin subunit sorting: Analysis of the mechanisms involved in the segregation of unique tubulin isotypes within microtubule copolymers

Vertebrate cells contain biochemical and genetic isotypes of tubulin which are expressed in unique combinations in different tissues and cell types. To determine if mixtures of tubulin isotypes assemblein vitro to form different classes of microtubules, we analyzed the composition of microtubule copolymers assembled from mixtures of chicken brain and erythrocyte tubulin. During microtubule elongation brain tubulin assembled onto the ends of microtubules faster than erythrocyte tubulin, resulting in copolymers with continually changing ratios of isotypes along their lengths. Unlike examples of microtubule assembly where the rate of polymerization depends on the association rate constant (k+) and the subunit concentration, the rate and extent of sorting in copolymers appear to depend on the dissociation rate constant (k−), which governs the rate at which subunits are released from tubulin oligomers and microtubules and thereby made available for reassembly into copolymers. The type of microtubule seed used to initiate elongation was also found to influence the composition of copolymers, indicating that polymerization favors association of subunits of the same isotype.
Optimal culture conditions of Bacillus stearothermophilus JTS 859 for the production of a thermostable enzyme to synthesize 5-methyluridine

Abstract The optimal culture conditions of a thermophile, Bacillus stearothermophilus JTS 859, were examined for the production of a thermostable enzyme to synthesize 5-methyluridine from inosine and thymine in the presence of phosphate by the ribosyl transfer reaction. Elevation of the agitation velocity and the addition of inosine to the medium were effective in improving the production of the enzyme. By optimizing the culture conditions, the production amounts of cells and enzyme per volume of medium were increased by 4.6 and 10.1 times, respectively, compared to the initial results.
XLVIII. An experimental investigation into the ‘Skin’-effect in electrical oscillators

(1902). XLVIII. An experimental investigation into the ‘Skin’-effect in electrical oscillators. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 3, No. 16, pp. 425-444.
Precisely Tuning the Clay Spacing in Nanobrick Wall Gas Barrier Thin Films

The influence of clay-layer spacing on gas barrier thin films of sodium montmorillonite clay and polyelectrolytes, created via layer-by-layer assembly, is investigated. The alternate deposition of polymers and clay leads to the assembly of a nanobrick wall structure that is highly impermeable to gases. In an effort to tailor the thickness (or spacing) between clay layers, films with differing numbers of polymer layers between clay depositions were examined. Films analyzed for their thickness, clay concentration, transparency, nanostructure, and oxygen barrier as a function of layers (or spacing) between clay depositions reveal linear growth, optical clarity, and low OTR at 100 nm thick and containing only four clay layers. An optimal thickness between clay layers appears to exist for achieving the highest oxygen barrier LbL films (PO2 < 1 × 10–21 cc(STP)·cm/(cm2·s·Pa)). This knowledge can ultimately minimize deposition steps and lead to decreased thin film fabrication times.
Constitutive modeling and dynamic softening mechanism during hot deformation of an ultra-pure 17%Cr ferritic stainless steel stabilized with Nb

The hot deformation behavior of an ultra-pure 17%Cr ferritic stainless steel was studied in the temperature range of 750–1000 °C and strain rates of 0.5 to 10 s−1 using isothermal hot compression tests in a thermomechanical simulator. The microstructural evolution was investigated using electron backscattered diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. A modified constitutive equation considering the effect of strain on material constant was developed, which predicted the flow stress for the deformation conditions studied, except at 950 °C in 1 s−1 and 900 °C in 10 s−1. Decreasing deformation temperature and increasing strain was beneficial in refining the microstructure. Decreasing deformation temperature, the in-grain shear bands appeared in the microstructure. It is suggested that the dynamic softening mechanism is closely related to deformation temperature. At low deformation temperature, dynamic recovery was major softening mechanism and no dynamic recrystallization occurred. At high deformation temperature, dynamic softening was explained in terms of efficient dynamic recovery and limited continuous dynamic recrystallization. A drop in the flow stress was not found due to very small fraction of new grains nucleated during dynamic recrystallization.
Neural networks application in autonomous path generation for mobile robots

The problem of collision-free path generation for mobile robots is considered This task is formulated into an optimization problem for which a recurrent neural network similar to Hopfield''s is useiL The outputs of the units in the network correspond to the position of some intermediate points on the path which would be connected by straight lines. The steady-state values of the outputs of the units in the network correspond to the coordinates of the position of the intermediate points on the shortest collision-free path to the targets To derive the dynamics of the network first an eneri function corresponding to the distance from the target the total length of the path and the degree of closeness to the obstacles is derived1 The dynamics of the network is then derived according to a gradient descent algorithms 1 .© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Educational effects of multilingualism in Guatemala

In Guatemala, as in all the so‐called third world countries, the high illiteracy rate has direct consequences upon the underdevelopment of the country. According to studies conducted by the Human Resources Sector of the Secretariat for Economic Planning in the early 1970's, about 60% of the Guatemalan population over seven years of age were illiterate. The average educational level in that same population was 1.28 grades, that is to say, it didn't even reach the second grade (Herrera, 1973:25). This is a serious deficit in the preparation of the human resources necessary for the development of the country. The high proportion (50%) of Indian population is frequently mentioned as the main cause for illiteracy and the consequent underdevelopment of Guatemala. But this is by no means the only cause of this complex situation. Two other frequently mentioned factors are 1) the high proportion of rural population and 2) the ineffectiveness of the rural education programme.
Characteristic Flavor Constituents in Water Extract of Garlic

The flavoring effects of a water extract of garlic (Allium sativum L.) being added to common soups (Chinese soup and curry soup) were examined by a sensory evaluation. When a small amount (0.1 or 0.4% w/v) of the extract was added to the soups, it showed characteristic kokumi flavors (continuity, mouthfulness, and thickness), and other tests revealed that this effect was clearly recognized in the umami solution composed of 0.05% w/v of monosodium glutamate and 0.05% w/v of disodium inosinate.To find the key compounds which gave rise to the effect, the water extract was chromatographed on Duolite C-25 and the adsorbed fraction showed the activity. Further Chromatographic studies of the fraction showed that the key compounds were sulfur-containing components, such as alliin, (+)-S-methyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide, and γ-l-glutamyl-S-allyl-l-cysteine.
Some Aspects of the Political Geography of the Hungarian Basin

(1942). Some Aspects of the Political Geography of the Hungarian Basin. Journal of Geography: Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 69-72.
The Hall effect in quench-condensed Ti1-x V x thin films

Measurements of the Hall coefficient of as quenched (amorphous) and annealed (polycrystalline) Ti−V alloy films are reported. The Hall coefficient is positive for both amorphous and polycrystalline films. The electrical resistivity for the as quenched samples is large (≃190μΩ cm) and relatively independent of alloy concentration.
BIOLOGIC RHYTHMS IN CLINICAL AND LABORATORY MEDICINE.

Yvan Touitou and Erhard Haus (eds), Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1992. No. of pages: xviii+730. Price: DM168. ISBN: 3-540-57592-8
Activation of phosphates to substitution(II). A comparison of catalyses initiated directly by VO2+ and by oxidation of VO2+ by MnO4−

Abstract Vanadium(V)-induced hydrolyses of triphosphates in aqueous solutions were initiated in two ways: (1) oxidizing vanadium(IV)-polyphosphate complexes to produce metastable vanadium(V) complexes; (2) forming VO2+-polyphosphate complexes by acidification of solutions of VO43− and polyphosphate to yield equilibrium mixtures of V(V), polyphosphate, and their complexes. Hydrolysis rates for the complexes formed at 40°C ⩾ T ⩾ 25°C follow the order V2PPPi = 2(VPPPi) ≌ (VO2) ATP ⪢ V(PPPi)2 ≌ PPPi. The hydrolysis of (V(V))2(PPPi) was not very temperature sensitive; the activation enthalpy appears small and the activation entropy large and negative. Mechanistic studies reveal that requirements for the activated state in metal-ion-catalyzed hydrolysis of polyphosphates include monodentate polyphosphate ligated cis to H2O or OH− in the coordination sphere of the metal ion:
Structure of adeno-associated virus-2 in complex with neutralizing monoclonal antibody A20.

Abstract The use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a gene therapy vector is limited by the host neutralizing immune response. The cryo-electron microscopy (EM) structure at 8.5 A resolution is determined for a complex of AAV-2 with the Fab’ fragment of monoclonal antibody (MAb) A20, the most extensively characterized AAV MAb. The binding footprint is determined through fitting the cryo-EM reconstruction with a homology model following sequencing of the variable domain, and provides a structural basis for integrating diverse prior epitope mappings. The footprint extends from the previously implicated plateau to the side of the spike, and into the conserved canyon, covering a larger area than anticipated. Comparison with structures of binding and non-binding serotypes indicates that recognition depends on a combination of subtle serotype-specific features. Separation of the neutralizing epitope from the heparan sulfate cell attachment site encourages attempts to develop immune-resistant vectors that can still bind to target cells.
The hidden and implicit curricula in cultural context: new insights from Doha and New York.

AbstractThe authors report their longitudinal experience teaching a clerkship in clinical ethics and palliative care at the Weill Cornell Medical College campuses in New York and Doha. This course uses participant observation and reflective practice to counteract the hidden curriculum when learning
A Model for Interdisciplinary Discharge Planning in a University Hospital

This paper presents a model for an interdisciplinary discharge planning team, with emphasis on functional status and improved coordination and continuity among providers, along with a description of the design and implementation of such a program in a university hospital. Results show that more patients are discussed and served, with more emphasis on the functional ability of patients, in an interdisciplinary versus traditional setting. Communication and education between house staff and team members increased substantially with this approach.
Toward the next generation of air quality monitoring: Ozone

Abstract Dramatic changes in the global distribution of energy production and consumption have led to critical air quality challenges for developing and developed countries. The role of air quality constituents such as ozone in climate forcing require mitigation strategies that encompass more than short-term exposure. Advances are highlighted in the three essential elements of modern ozone air quality monitoring: observations, models, and assimilation. To meet the challenges of air quality and climate, a case is made that a next generation ozone air quality monitoring system can be built around a new generation of low-earth orbiting and geostationary satellites with the potential to estimate near surface ozone. A set of recommendations needed for this system to address global air quality and climate are made. The policy implications of such an international ozone AQ monitoring are considered in light of recent international initiatives.
From social trust assisted reciprocity (STAR) to utility-optimal mobile crowdsensing

Crowdsensing has been widely recognized as a promising paradigm for numerous applications in mobile networks. To realize the full benefit of crowdsensing, one fundamental challenge is to incentivize users to participate. In this paper, we leverage social trust assisted reciprocity (STAR), a synergistic marriage of social trust and reciprocity, to develop an incentive mechanism in order to stimulate users' participation. We investigate thoroughly the efficacy of STAR for satisfying users' sensing requests, for a given social tie structure among users. Specifically, we first show that all requests can be satisfied if and only if sufficient social credit can be transferred from users who request more sensing services than what they can provide to users who can provide more than what they request. Then we investigate utility maximization for sensing services, and show that it boils down to maximizing the utility of a circulation flow in the combined graph of the social graph and request graph. Accordingly, we develop an algorithm that iteratively cancels cycles of positive weights in the residual graph, and thereby finds the optimal solution efficiently.
Formation of a Stable Dihydrido(alkyl)platinum(IV) Complex by Water Activation

The novel air- and moisture-stable dihydrido(methyl)platinum(IV) complex TpPtH2Me (1; Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate) is formed as the sole product by the reaction of TpPtMeCO (2) with water. Complex 1 was characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and FTIR. The proposed mechanism of the reaction involves an initial nucleophilic attack by a water molecule on the coordinated carbonyl in 2 with subsequent release of CO2 followed by protonation at the platinum center to produce 1.
Kinetics of the reduction of nickel oxide by hydrogen

Abstract The reaction model for the reduction of NiO pellets by hydrogen has been postulated to consist of two simultaneous reactions, first, a reaction between NiO and hydrogen gas adsorbed on NiO, and second, a reaction at the boundary between the two solid phases NiO and Ni with hydrogen adsorbed on nickel. The first reaction rate varies with the 0·43 exponent of hydrogen pressure indicating a surface reaction with adsorbed hydrogen where surface coverage increases with pressure. The second reaction rate is nearly independent of pressure indicating that the surface of nicle is nearly completely covered with adsorbed hydrogen at atmospheric pressure and above. Reaction rates have been established as a function of temperature and pressure. At temperatures below 300°C the resistance offered to internal diffusion was negligible for pellets 4·3 mm in diameter but became significant at higher temperatures.
Digestibility, hormones and blood metabolites in dairy bucks subjected to underfeeding and refeeding

Abstract Sixteen mature dairy Alpine goat bucks (51 ± 7 kg) were selected and fed a concentrate diet (2.9 Mcal/kg, DE) for 3 wk to maintain their body weight. They were then stratified by BW and randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Treatment 1 bucks ( n = 8) were fed at maintenance for two consecutive periods of 21 d each while treatment 2 animals ( n = 8) were fed at maintenance for 21 d followed by 21 d of feeding at 25% of maintenance. During the third 21-d feeding period, animals in both treatment groups were allowed ad libitum feed consumption. At the end of each dietary treatment period, body weights (BWs) were recorded, blood samples were collected and serum was assayed for NEFA, plasma urea N (PUN), LH, GH, and testosterone. Total feces were collected for 4 d to assess digestibility. Sub-maintenance feeding decreased fiber, OM, and EE digestibility and BW. Overall, bucks fed at 25% of maintenance intake had greater ( P P P P P
Transport properties and defects in semi-insulating and Si-implanted InP

The transport properties and defect levels in Si-implanted semi-insulating and liquid phase epitaxial InP have been studied by Hall and photoconductivity measurements. Wide variations in the conductivity and Hall coefficient have been measured in semi-insulating InP:Fe and the results have been analyzed and interpreted by appropriate charge neutrality models. The energy position of the Fe and Cr acceptor levels have been determined to be 0.68 and 0.40 eV, respectively, below the conduction band minimum. The implantation studies indicate that the electrical properties of the layers are very sensitive to implant dose and energy, the type and thickness of encapsulant and the anneal temperature. High-resistivity or p-type conductivity was observed in layers implanted with 6.0 × 1011 to 4.0 × 1012 cm−2 Si+. In general, better results were obtained with sputtered Si3N4 encapsulation. Varying amounts of Fe and Cr outdiffused to the active layer during annealing and a dominant defect, 0.56 eV below the conduction band, was observed in the photoconductivity spectra.
Global Warming and the Future of the Earth

Abstract The globally averaged surface temperature of the Earth has increased during the past century by about 0.7°C. Most of the increase can be attributed to the greenhouse effect, the increase in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide that is emitted when fossil fuels are burned to produce energy.The book begins with the important distinction between weather and climate, followed by data showing how carbon dioxide has increased and the incontrovertible evidence that it is caused by burning fossil fuels (i.e., coal, oil, and natural gas). I also address the inevitable skepticism that global warming arouses and offer a number of responses to the global warming skeptics. After dealing with the skeptics, I analyze both the current and future effects of global warming. These future effects are based on scenarios or “storylines” put forth by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. In closing, I address the controversial (and grim) suggestion that we have already passed the “tipping...
Two proteins function in the regulation of photosynthetic CO 2 assimilation in chloroplasts

THERE is increasing evidence that products of the light reactions of photosynthesis govern the activity of enzymes involved in CO2 assimilation by chloroplasts1–15. Of these products, reductants formed photochemically seem to be of particular importance. Such reductants include the reduced form of ferredoxin2,6,10, a strongly electronegative chloroplast iron-sulphur protein (E′0=−0.42 V) that activates the two key chloroplast enzymes fructose 1,6-bis-phosphatase and sedoheptulose l,7-bis-phosphatase. Activation of both of these enzymes requires in addition to reduced ferredoxin a ‘protein factor’ that is indigenous to chloroplasts. In efforts to elucidate the nature of the ferredoxin-linked enzyme activation, we have separated the protein factor into two components16: (1) a partly purified protein, provisionally named “assimilation regulatory protein a” (ARPa) and (2) a highly purified chromophore-free protein called “assimilation regulatory protein b” (ARPb). Only the latter was required for activation when reduced ferredoxin was replaced by the non-physiological sulphydryl reagent dithiothreitol6,10.
Models of hydrothermal heat output from a convecting, crystallizing, replenished magma chamber beneath an oceanic spreading center

[1] The temperature and heat output of hydrothermal systems at oceanic spreading centers place strong constraints on the mechanism of heat transfer in oceanic crust. In this paper, we investigate time-dependent heat transfer from a vigorously convecting, crystallizing, and replenished magmatic sill beneath an ocean ridge axis, linked to an overlying hydrothermal system. We first consider two different crystallization scenarios, “crystals suspended” and “crystals settling,” coupled with crystallinity-dependent and temperature-dependent magma viscosity. The large-scale convection is assumed to rapidly homogenize the magma, resulting in a characteristic temperature Tm. In cases without magma replenishment, the simulation results for crystal-suspended models show that heat output and the hydrothermal temperature decrease rapidly and that crystallinity reaches 60% in less than 10 a. In crystal-settling models, magma convection may last for decades, but decreasing heat output and hydrothermal temperatures still occur on decadal timescales. When magma replenishment is included, the magmatic heat flux approaches steady state on decadal timescales, whereas the magma body grows to double its original size. The rate of magma replenishment needed ranges between 5 × 105 and 5 × 106 m3 a−1, which is somewhat faster than that required for seafloor spreading but less than that of fluxes to some terrestrial volcanoes on similar timescales. The heat output from a convecting, crystallizing, replenished magma body that is needed to drive observed high-temperature hydrothermal systems is consistent, with gabbro glacier models of crustal production at mid-ocean ridges.
The Human Element in Homeland Security Systems: Application Issues and Research Needs

Increased federal emphasis on homeland security in the past four years has created unprecedented monitoring and vigilance requirements for the people involved in operating and administering technologies used to detect and interdict potential terrorist activity. A broad range of agencies using a variety of non-destructive imaging and data synthesis systems have placed a variety of new mental demands on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel, such as TSA screeners, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and intelligence analysts from various agencies. This paper reviews selected DHS-administered technologies and systems based on open-source information, describes some of the human factors issues associated with these systems, and suggests potential interventions and research approaches to ensure acceptable human-system performance. The advantages of a DHS-wide programmatic focus on applied human-systems research is discussed.
THe triad of fuzzy theory

Much has been written concerning fuzzy theory in recent years. To the uninitiated, and to many of the initiated as well, the picture which emerges may appear unclear and often contradictory. This is frustrating, but not surprising. The following attempts to clarify some of the more befuddling aspects of fuzzy theory by presenting a representation of fuzzy theory and its relation to classical theory, illuminating semantic interpretations of fuzzy theory, discussing the assumption of burden of proof in fuzzy theory arguments by providing a trial law analogy, and concluding with a view toward the broad implications of fuzzy theory.
Monitor Viewing Distance for Younger and Older Workers

Rempel, Willms, Anshel, Jaschinski & Sheedy (2007) recommend 52–73 cm for eye distance to a computer monitor based on an experiment that manipulated viewing distance. Jaschinski (2002) found a pref...
Prediabetic Obese Adolescents have a More Atherogenic Lipoprotein Profile Compared with Normoglycemic Obese Peers

Objective To compare lipoprotein profiles of prediabetic to normoglycemic obese adolescents. Study design Cross-sectional study of 95 obese, pubertal adolescents (12-17 years), who underwent oral glucose tolerance test, lipid panel, and lipoprotein subclass particle analysis (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy). Univariate and linear regression analyses compared prediabetic and normoglycemic groups. Results Of 95 obese adolescents enrolled in the study, 22.1% (n = 21) had prediabetes. They were similar to normoglycemic adolescents (n = 74) in age, race, body mass index, standard lipids, total low-density lipoprotein particles (LDL-P), and total high-density lipoprotein particles (HDL-P). However, prediabetics had higher concentrations of small LDL-P (714.0 ± 288.0 vs 537.7 ± 266.5 nmol/L, P = .01) and smaller LDL-P size (20.73 ± 0.41 vs 21.18 ± 0.65 nm, P = .003), than normoglycemic youth. Prediabetics had higher small HDL-P (18.5 ± 3.8 vs 16.6 ± 3.9 umol/L, P = .046), lower large HDL-P (4.49 ± 2.0 vs 6.32 ± 2.6 umol/L, P = .004), and smaller HDL-P size (8.73 ± 0.31 vs 9.01 ± 0.39 nm, P = .003). After adjusting for demographics, Tanner stage, and body mass index using multiple linear regression, all differences remained significant except for small HDL-P. After additional adjustment for Homeostasis Model Assessment–Insulin Resistance Index, only LDL-P size difference remained significant. Conclusion Obese prediabetic adolescents have a significantly more atherogenic lipoprotein profile compared with obese normoglycemic peers. Prediabetic adolescents may benefit from more aggressive interventions to decrease future cardiovascular risk.
Convergence and stereoscopic depth shifts produced by interocular delays in stimulation

The possibility that changes in perceived stereoscopic depth resulting from interocular delays in stimulation are due to small increases in the convergence of the eyes during the delay intervals was examined. An indirect method involving the measurement of fixation disparity was used to indicate possible convergence movements. It was found that the magnitude of the shift in perceived stereoscopic depth increased with increasing interocular delay interval as did the magnitude of convergence, but that the magnitude of the former was twice that of the latter. Therefore, the possibility that convergence shifts were responsible for depth shifts was ruled out. The alternative hypothesis that such depth shifts are the result of a central equivalency of binocular disparity and temporal disparity is consequently still tenable.
Fully integraed droplet based point-of-care platform for molecular detection from crude biosamples

This paper reports a droplet microfluidic, sample-to-answer platform for the detection of disease biomarkers and infectious pathogens using crude biosamples. The platform exploited the dual functionality of silica superparamagnetic particles (SSP) for solid phase extraction of DNA and magnetic actuation. This enabled the integration of sample preparation and genetic analysis within discrete droplets, including the steps of cell lysis, DNA binding, washing, elution, amplification and detection. The microfluidic device was self contained, with all reagents stored in droplets, thereby eliminating the need for fluidic coupling to external reagent reservoirs. The device incorporated unique surface topographic features to assist droplet manipulation. Pairs of micro-elevations are created to form slits that facilitate efficient splitting of SSP from droplets. In addition, a compact sample handling stage, which integrated the magnet manipulator, the droplet microfluidic device and a Peltier thermal cycler, was built for convenient droplet manipulation and real-time detection. Feasibility of the platform was demonstrated by analysing ovarian cancer biomarker Rsf-1 and detecting Escherichia coli with the real time polymerase chain reaction and the real time helicase dependent amplification.
Characterization of XerC- and XerD-dependent CTX phage integration in Vibrio cholerae.

Summary CTX f is a filamentous bacteriophage that encodes cholera toxin and integrates site-specifically into the larger of the two Vibrio cholerae chromosomes. The CTX f genome lacks an integrase; instead, its integration depends on the chromosome-encoded tyrosine recombinases XerC and XerD. During integration, recombination occurs between regions of homology in CTX f and the V. cholerae chromosome. Here, we define the elements on the phage genome ( attP ) and bacterial chromosome ( attB ) required for CTX f integration. attB is a short sequence composed of one binding site for XerC and XerD spanning the site of recombination. Together, XerC and XerD bind to two sites within attP . While one XerC/D binding site in attP spans the core recombination region, the other site is a 80 bp away. Although integration occurs at the core XerC/D binding site in attP , the second site is required for CTX f f f integration, suggesting it performs an architectural role in the integration reaction. In vitro cleavage reactions showed that XerC and XerD are capable of cleaving attB and attP sequences; however, additional cellular processes such as DNA replication or Holliday junction resolution by a host resolvase may contribute to integration in vivo .
How Food Controls Aggression in Drosophila

How animals use sensory information to weigh the risks vs. benefits of behavioral decisions remains poorly understood. Inter-male aggression is triggered when animals perceive both the presence of an appetitive resource, such as food or females, and of competing conspecific males. How such signals are detected and integrated to control the decision to fight is not clear. For instance, it is unclear whether food increases aggression directly, or as a secondary consequence of increased social interactions caused by attraction to food. Here we use the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, to investigate the manner by which food influences aggression. We show that food promotes aggression in flies, and that it does so independently of any effect on frequency of contact between males, increase in locomotor activity or general enhancement of social interactions. Importantly, the level of aggression depends on the absolute amount of food, rather than on its surface area or concentration. When food resources exceed a certain level, aggression is diminished, suggestive of reduced competition. Finally, we show that detection of sugar via Gr5a+ gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) is necessary for food-promoted aggression. These data demonstrate that food exerts a specific effect to promote aggression in male flies, and that this effect is mediated, at least in part, by sweet-sensing GRNs.
Gaseous emission rates from natural petroleum seeps in the Upper Ojai Valley, California

The atmospheric fluxes of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and reactive organic gases (ROGs) were determined for natural terrestrial petroleum seeps in the Upper Ojai Valley, California, by measuring the emission rates from five vents and scaling these measurements with the known distribution of seeps within the valley. The Upper Ojai Valley seeps emit about 55 m3/day (1942 ft3/day) of gas, of which about 15 m3/day (529 ft3/day; 3.6 Mg/yr) is CH4, about 40 m3/day (1412 ft3/day; 27 Mg/yr) is CO2, and less than 0.05 m3/day (1.765 ft3/day; 0.04 Mg/yr) are ROGs. CH4 and ROG fluxes in the Upper Ojai Valley are, respectively, three and five orders of magnitude less than at the well-characterized Coal Oil Point field, a large offshore seep field located approximately 70 km (43 mi) to the west of the valley. The CO2 flux from these two fields is about the same. The compositions and 13C values of seep and reservoir gases were also quantified and indicate extensive biodegradation of gaseous hydrocarbons and the input of isotopically enriched CO2 during ascent from the reservoir. Unlike the nearby CH4-dominated marine seeps, the largest percentage of gas emitted by seeps in the Upper Ojai Valley is CO2.
Pseudoaneurysm Formation After Medtronic Freestyle Porcine Aortic Bioprosthesis Implantation: A Word of Caution

Background A growing literature describes aneurysmal deterioration after implantation of the stentless porcine aortic Medtronic Freestyle bioprosthesis (MFB; Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, MN), with some suggesting inadequate tissue fixation with immune response as a cause. However, disjointed reports make the significance of these findings difficult to interpret. We address this concern by aggregating available data. Methods We reviewed institutional data, the Food and Drug Administration's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience registry, and the medical literature for mention of aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm after MFB. Case details were aggregated, and the rate of aneurysmal deterioration was estimated. Immunohistopathologic examination of institutional explanted specimens was performed to elucidate a cause. Results We found 42 cases of aneurysmal deterioration with adequate detail for analysis; all occurred with full root replacement and valve sizes ranging from 23 to 29 mm. The rate of aneurysmal deterioration considering all data sources was 1.1% (9 of 851; 95% confidence interval, 0.5% to 2.0%) vs 4.7% (4 of 86; 95% confidence interval, 1.3% to 11.5%) at our institution, where yearly surveillance imaging is performed. Rate of aneurysmal deterioration appeared constant until 5 years after the operation; however, events are reported out to 10 years. Consistent with previous reports, histopathology demonstrated an immune cell infiltrate in areas of MFB wall breakdown. Conclusions Aneurysmal deterioration is an increasingly described complication of MFB implantation as a full root, with an incidence as high as 4.7%. Given the observed immune reaction and lack of occurrence in smaller (19-mm and 21-mm) valve sizes, inadequate pressure fixation of larger valves is a potential etiology. Patients with MFB require annual surveillance imaging, and consideration of this complication should factor into preoperative decision making because treatment mandates redo root replacement, which may not be feasible in high-risk patients.
Endocytosis of influenza viruses

Receptor-mediated endocytosis is known to play an important role in the entry of many viruses into host cells. However, the exact internalization mechanism has, until recently, remained poorly understood for many medically important viruses, including influenza. Developments in real-time imaging of single viruses as well as the use of dominant-negative mutants to selectively block specific endocytic pathways have improved our understanding of the influenza infection process.
Censorship 2.0

mined to limit Internet content. With current technology, the standard methods of Internet filtering—blacklist and block—are not as effective at identifying and limiting content hosted via Web 2.0 applications, diminishing the impact of regulatory action of this sort within the jurisdiction of states. In recognition of this, public-private transnational cooperation and coercion has been expanding to close gaps in the enforcement of state-mandated online content restrictions. These hybrid forms of filtering occupy gray zones of technological, political, legal, economic, and social policymaking and are fraught with contradictions and tensions. A consequence of the internationalization of filtering is the growing demand for international solutions, many of which call for greater transparency where filtering occurs. However, the growth of social media amplifies the difficult balancing of interests implicit in the technical filtering of online content, between the effectiveness of regulation, the legal specificity of regulation, and the transparency by which regulation is enacted. In this paper, we describe the regulatory approaches being developed in response to the emergence of social media, place evolving questions and policy issues in the context of prior efforts to regulate online content, and summarize the proposed international solutions. Without cooperation of the governments that are driving Internet filtering, legally compelling intermediaries to resist international filtering may prove to be counterproductive. Even demanding greater transparency—always worthy of protection—may have unintended negative consequences. Collective flexible approaches appear to be the more promising approaches at this pivotal time in the information wars between governments and their citizens.
How often do US-based human subjects research studies register on time, and how often do they post their results? A statistical analysis of the Clinicaltrials.gov database

Context The Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA) and the FDA Amendment Act of 2007 (FDAAA), respectively, established mandates for registration of interventional human research studies on the website clinicaltrials.gov (CTG) and for posting of results of completed studies. Objective To characterise, contrast and explain rates of compliance with ontime registration of new studies and posting of results for completed studies on CTG. Design Statistical analysis of publically available data downloaded from the CTG website. Participants US studies registered on CTG since 1 November 1999, the date when the CTG website became operational, through 24 June 2011, the date the data set was downloaded for analysis. Main outcome measures Ontime registration (within 21 days of study start); average delay from study start to registration; proportion of studies posting their results from within the group of studies listed as completed on CTG. Results As of 24 June 2011, CTG contained 54 890 studies registered in the USA. Prior to 2005, an estimated 80% of US studies were not being registered. Among registered studies, only 55.7% registered within the 21-day reporting window. The average delay on CTG was 322 days. Between 28 September 2007 and June 23 2010, 28% of intervention studies at Phase II or beyond posted their study results on CTG, compared with 8.4% for studies without industry funding (RR 4.2, 95% CI 3.7 to 4.8). Factors associated with posting of results included exclusively paediatric studies (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.9, 95% CI 2.1 to 4.0), and later phase clinical trials (relative to Phase II studies, AOR for Phase III was 3.4, 95% CI 2.8 to 4.1; AOR for Phase IV was 6.0, 95% CI 4.8 to 7.6). Conclusions Non-compliance with FDAMA and FDAAA appears to be very common, although compliance is higher for studies sponsored by industry. Further oversight may be required to improve compliance.
High-resolution MRI of excised human prostate specimens acquired with 9.4T in detection and identification of cancers: validation of a technique

Purpose: To evaluate feasibility of high-resolution, high-field ex vivo prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as an aid to guide pathologists' examination and develop in vivo MRI methods. Materials and Methods: Unfixed excised prostatectomy specimens (n = 9) were obtained and imaged immediately after radical prostatectomy under an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol. High-resolution T2-weighted (T2W) MRI of specimens were acquired with a Bruker 9.4 T scanner to correlate with whole-mount histology. Additionally, T2 and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were generated. Results: By visual inspection of the nine prostate specimens imaged, high-resolution T2W MRI showed improved anatomical detail compared to published low-resolution images acquired at 4 T as published by other investigators. Benign prostatic hyperplasia, adenocarcinomas, curvilinear duct architecture distortion due to adenocarcinomas, and normal radial duct distribution were readily identified. T2 was ≈10 msec longer (P < 0.03) and the ADC was ≈1.4 times larger (P < 0.002) in the normal peripheral zone compared to the peripheral zone with prostate cancer. Conclusion: Differences in T2 and ADC between benign and malignant tissue are consistent with in vivo data. High-resolution, high-field MRI has the potential to improve the detection and identification of prostate structures. The protocols and techniques developed in this study could augment routine pathological analysis of surgical specimens and guide treatment of prostate cancer patients. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
AMPA Receptor Trafficking and Synaptic Plasticity

Activity-dependent changes in synaptic function are believed to underlie the formation of memories. Two prominent examples are long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), whose mechanisms have been the subject of considerable scrutiny over the past few decades. Here we review the growing literature that supports a critical role for AMPA receptor trafficking in LTP and LTD, focusing on the roles proposed for specific AMPA receptor subunits and their interacting proteins. While much work remains to understand the molecular basis for synaptic plasticity, recent results on AMPA receptor trafficking provide a clear conceptual framework for future studies.
Social Ability in Online Groups: Representing the Quality of Interactions in Social Computing Environments

We propose Social Ability as a construct that will contribute to the development of social computing models. Completely online group experiences vary according to the composition of tools, tasks and individuals. This conditionality creates challenges for social computing researchers who seek to model social behavior online. We use social ability as a frame to describe how members of completely online groups (COGs) experience the social nature of their interaction and how the nature of their social computing changes over time. We show how social ability measures for COG participants change during collaboration and describe how two social ability factors - Social Presence and Perceived Written Communication Skills - are related to participation and contribution in online group activities. The findings from this mixed methods study show that members who participate in online groups experience increases in perceived written communication skills and peer social presence, suggesting that completely online group work influences social ability.
Lithium-Induced Polyuria: Effect of Lithium on Adenylate Cyclase and Adenosine 3',5'-Monophosphate Phosphodiesterase in Medullary Ascending Limb of Henle's Loop and in Medullary Collecting Tubules*

We investigated the effects of hyperosmolality, chronic treatment with lithium chloride (LiCl), and the addition of LiCl in vitro on vasopressin-sensitive (VP) adenylate cyclase (AdC) and cAMP phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDIE) activities in the medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (MAL) and medullary collecting tubule (MCT) microdissected from the outer medulla of the rat kidney. A hyperosmolar medium (800 mosmol) markedly enhanced AdC activity stimulated by 10(-6) M VP specifically in MCT, while having little effect or slightly decreasing VP-stimulated AdC in MAL, compared to activities under standard isotonic conditions. Hyperosmolality decreased cAMP-PDIE activity to about the same degree in MAL and MCT. Inclusion of LiCl in the incubation medium (15-20 mM) caused a significant dose-dependent inhibition of VP-stimulated AdC activity in both MAL and MCT, but had no effect on CAMP-PDIE in either segment. AdC and cAMP-PDIE activities in MAL and MCT from chronic LiCl-treated polyuric rats did not differ from controls when assayed under standard isotonic conditions. However, when assayed in a hyperosmolar (800 mosmol) medium, VP-sensitive AdC activity was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in MCT from LiCl-treated rats compared to control levels, while VP-sensitive AdC in MAL did not differ in LiCl-treated and control rats. The present results suggest that lowered VP-sensitive AdC activity in MCT of LiCl-treated polyuric rats may contribute to the observed lower concentrating ability and collecting tubule resistance to VP. Inhibition of VP-sensitive AdC in MAL as well as MCT by the acute addition of LiCl in vitro may explain the decreased urinary diluting ability observed with acute infusions of Li salts in vivo in the rat.
Endemic malaria in four villages of the Pakistani province of Punjab

The prevalence of malaria in 4 villages 60 km south of Lahore, Punjab, where Anopheles culicifacies is the vector was estimated from blood films made during three mass malaria surveys (MS) and at 204 clinics (CS) held over 18 consecutive months. The highest parasite rate occurred during October 1984 when 43% of the CS population had parasitaemias. Plasmodium vivax predominated early in the major transmission season (23% and 15% vivax parasitaemias in August 1983 and 1984 respectively) whereas P. falciparum was the most common species later in the transmission season (an average falciparum prevalence of 37% in October and November 1984) and following the transmission season through March. Despite the proximity and habitat similarity of the 4 villages, both total and species malaria prevalence rates showed inter-village differences. Asexual stage and gametocyte parasite rates in children were 2 to 5 times higher than in adults. No increased mortality due to malaria was detected among the 4000 study population. Malaria was stable and endemic, albeit seasonally transmitted, in these 4 villages during 1983 and 1984.
Religion in Culture: Religionism or Pragmatism?

The scientific creationist movement has been roundly criticized by a wide spectrum of religious leaders, theologians, and philosophers of religion for its attempts to have its idiosyncratic ideas about the physical world taught in the public schools as scientific alternatives to evolutionary ideas. These religious critics have typically agreed with their secular counterparts that the scientific creationists are guilty of a serious distortion of science.
Constraint preservation through loops

Abstract Program constraints are declarative statements expressing relations among programming objects such as reals, integers, and strings. Many problems in program analysis involve determining if a program constraint is satisfiable on all paths in a given collection. We give conditions that guarantee the satisfiability of a program constraint on all paths in a potentially infinite collection. Our conditions are necessary and sufficient to decide certain array dataflow problems, such as whether two array references refer to the same element on a potential infinity of paths, and determining the existence of a def-clear path.