cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Congo Basin Zonal Overturning Circulation

The Gulf of Guinea in the equatorial Atlantic is characterized by the presence of strong subsidence at certain times of the year. This subsidence appears in June and becomes well established from July to September. Since much of theWest African monsoon flow originates over the Gulf, Guinean subsidence is important for determining moisture sources for the monsoon. Using reanalysis products, I contribute to a physical understanding of what causes this seasonal subsidence, and how it relates to precipitation distributions across West Africa. There is a seasonal zonal overturning circulation above the Congo basin and the Gulf of Guinea in the ERA-Interim, ERA-40, NCEP2, and MERRA reanalyses. The up-branch is located in the Congo basin around 20°E. Mid-tropospheric easterly flows constitute the returning-branch and sinking over the Gulf of Guinea forms the down-branch, which diverges at 2°W near the surface, with winds to the east flowing eastward to complete the circulation. This circulation is driven by surface temperature differences between the eastern Gulf and Congo basin. Land temperatures remain almost uniform, around 298 K, throughout a year, but the Guinean temperatures cool rapidly from 294 K in May to about 290 K in August. These temperature changes increase the ocean/land temperature contrast, up to 8 K, and drive the circulation. I hypothesize that when the overturning circulation is anomalously strong, the northward moisture transport and Sahelian precipitation are also strong. This hypothesis is supported by ERA-Interim and PERSIANN-CDR (Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks-Climate Data Record) data.
An analysis on physical development of children under 7 in Guangzhou during 1985-2005

Objective To provide the reference data for health care and clinical and scientific research by investigating the physical growth and development in children under 7 in Guangzhou.Methods A survey of the physical development in children under 7 was conducted at the same sites where the similar investigation was carried out separately in 1985 and 1995.The healthy Han children aged 0 ～ 7 yrs were selected by cluster sampling.Data were collected through the measurement of physical development and self-designed questionnaires and then were analyzed by descriptive statistics,t-test,and multiple regression.Results The body height and weight of children in Guangzhou increased constantly from 1985 through 2005,having been reached to the world's average level.The urban children reached the NCHS/WHO standards for height and weight,so did the rural children younger than 8 months;those older than 8 months,however,were behind the standards.The nutrition-related factors were analyzed using stepwise regression and the final variants entering the equation were independent eating,regular eating,eating in a fixed place,and supplemental feeding with the nursing bottle.Conclusion A rapid rise in the physical development of children in Guangzhou is maintained presently but there are differences between urban and rural areas and also between the southern and the northern.Family income,parents' education level,and feeding behavior are the major factors influencing physical development.We should enhance the propaganda on scientific feeding and pay more attention to cultivation of child's eating habits,especially in the rural areas,to ensure enough nutritional intake for physical development.
Mycobacterium avium infection in freeliving hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus L)

Mesenteric lymph nodes were examined from five hedgehogs captured on the Berkshire Downs. The single culture obtained was identified as Mycobacterium avium type 2.
Virtual Learning Environments for Culture and Intercultural Competence

Many of the chapters in this volume focus on the problem of adapting computer systems to the culture of the user. In this chapter, we are concerned with the other direction: how to use computerbased learning environments to help the user learn to adapt to a new culture. The basic problem we address is how immersive learning environments can be used to teach cultural knowledge and provide experiential learning opportunities for intercultural communication. Virtual learning environments provide new and unique ways in which to convey cultural knowledge and develop intercultural communication skills. High-fidelity graphics, sound, and animation make it possible for them to simulate many tangible aspects of a specific culture, such as buildings, streets, art, dress, speech, gestures, and more. This enables the provision of more authentic computer-based ABSTRACT
Simulation-Based Training in Brain Death Determination Incorporating Family Discussion: A Pilot Project (P2.376)

Objective: To prepare neurology residents to be proficient in both the diagnosis and the empathetic family discussion of cessation of neurologic function (“brain-death”) Background: Studies have demonstrated a need for better medical education regarding end-of-life communication. Data also suggest that trainees find these end-of-life discussions a stressful experience. Determining brain death is an essential skill for the practicing neurologist and many residency programs have implemented a brain-death simulation, To date, none have incorporated family discussion utilizing standardized patients/caregivers. Design / Methods: In a pilot project, junior neurology residents completed a 32 item pre-simulation questionnaire to evaluate knowledge related to ‘brain-death’. The residents then participated in a simulation session using a Laerdal Sim-Man 3G and subsequent standardized family meeting. The residents were assessed via checklists consisting of 15 clinical skills, 9 apnea-test-related skills and 37 verbal skills related to family discussion. Intervention involved didactic teaching covering clinical and technical aspects of diagnosing brain death as well as communication skills and role-playing exercises related to family discussion. Then, a post-intervention assessment involved a repeat questionnaire, brain-death simulation and family discussion. Results: Mean evaluation assessment scores increased after intervention. Clinical assessment skills increasing by 17.19[percnt], apnea test scores by 27.02[percnt], and verbal skills by 31.29[percnt]. Conclusion: This was a small pilot demonstration project, but the positive results suggest there is benefit in simulation training about clinical assessment and family discussion on brain-death. We plan to expand out participant pool to include neurology residents, neurosurgery residents, and pulmonary critical care fellows. We suggest this type of brain death simulation training may be beneficially incorporated as part of Neurology (and other) Residency Milestone Assessments. Disclosure: Dr. Ortiz-Garcia has nothing to disclose. Dr. Doerrler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Douglas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schneck has received research support from NIH (POINT, COSS, ARUBA, ALIAS, Lundbeck (DIAS4), TIMI-50 Consortium, and Local PI Multicenter Clincial trials. Dr. McCoyd has nothing to disclose.
Hate the Sin, Love the Saints: Activities Versus Actors in Message Design

The reported study investigated the persuasive effects of nouns describing activities and their human actors in message design. Fictitious op-ed essays were created from the point of view of author...
Integral Robotic Mine Drift Roof Diagnosis

Abstract The technological components of a multisensory-based rock stability diagnosis method are described for applications in tunnels or other subsurface openings. The test bed containing four sensors is mounted on the end effector of a robot manipulator. Articulated robotic movement of the test bed along the roof and wall periphery provides a virtually simultaneous acquisition of four pertinent, complementary signals, namely sonic/ultrasonic, thermal, visual, and fracture images, relating to rock stability. The synergistic combination of information from these signals is used to evaluate the stability conditions of the rock formation. On the technological basis further developments will be possible applying multisensory integration techniques, neural networks, clustering of fuzzy sets, or fuzzy networks.
Exploring spatial meaning with a tangible map

In this paper, we describe the Tangible Map, an interactive, table-mounted tactile / digital display aimed at facilitating exploration of an environment and the data generated therein. For visitors in an urban setting, translating abstract map symbols into comprehensible information can be a challenging task due to the level of abstraction and the disconnect between flat displays and spatial information. We address this question by combining a tangible user interface (created with 3D-printed buildings) and dynamic spatial information. To explore these concepts, we designed and fabricated the Tangible Map to serve as an interactive centerpiece within the MIT campus. Through application of user-centered design principles, we demonstrate strategies for managing user attention across beyond-field-of-view displays.
Presynaptic inhibition decreases when estrogen level rises.

The objective was to determine estrogen's influence on control of a skeletal muscle through measurements of motorneuron excitability (H:M ratio) and presynaptic inhibition (PI). Estrogen serum concentrations were measured at menses and ovulation of female subjects and compared to male controls. Data were analyzed from 12 women and 13 men reporting no history of knee ligament injury. Women reported regular menstrual cycles and no hormone-based contraceptive use for the previous year. Women were tested at menses (Time1) and ovulation (Time2). Men were tested twice, approximately 14 days apart. Analysis indicated no difference in the H:M ratio between the sexes at either time point. A significant difference for the sexes was detected in the magnitude of estrogen change (∆EST) between observations. At Time1, the male and female estrogen concentrations were not different; however, they were different at Time2, primarily due to the large rise observed in the women. A significant difference between the sexes was also seen in the magnitude of change for PI (∆PI) between observations. As with EST, the levels of PI between the sexes at Time1 were not different; however, a difference existed at Time 2. Estrogen interacts with GABA at several nervous system locations affecting inhibition of synaptic transmission. This is the first study to investigate changes in PI of a skeletal muscle between times of low and high estrogen. Improving the understanding of estrogen's influence on skeletal muscles may provide answers to why noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries of the knee occur more frequently in women.
Neural stem cell therapy for subacute and chronic ischemic stroke

Neural stem cells (NSCs) play vital roles in brain homeostasis and exhibit a broad repertoire of potentially therapeutic actions following neurovascular injury. One such injury is stroke, a worldwide leading cause of death and disability. Clinically, extensive injury from ischemic stroke results from ischemia-reperfusion (IR), which is accompanied by inflammation, blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage, neural cell death, and extensive tissue loss. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is still the only US Food and Drug Administration–approved clot-lysing agent. Whereas the thrombolytic role of tPA within the vasculature is beneficial, the effects of tPA (in a non-thrombolytic role) within the brain parenchyma have been reported as harmful. Thus, new therapies are needed to reduce the deleterious side effects of tPA and quickly facilitate vascular repair following stroke. The Stroke Treatment Academic Industry Roundtable (STAIR) recommends that stroke therapies “focus on drugs/devices/treatments with multiple mechanisms of action and that target multiple pathways”. Thus, based on multifactorial ischemic cascades in various stroke stages, effective stroke therapies need to focus on targeting and ameliorating early IR injury as well as facilitating angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and neurorestorative mechanisms following stroke. This review will discuss the preclinical perspectives of NSC transplantation as a promising treatment for neurovascular injury and will emphasize both the subacute and chronic phase of ischemic stroke.
Nutrient Management Certification for Delaware: Developing a Water Quality Curriculum

Water quality is a critical environmental, social, and political issue in Delaware. In the late 1990s, a series of events related to water quality issues led to the passage of a state nutrient management law. This new law required nutrient management planning and established a state certification program for nutrient users in the agricultural and nonagricultural sectors. Extension Nutrient Management Specialists from University of Delaware Cooperative Extension had a lead role in the development and delivery of this program. The law requires affected individuals to attend between 6 and 12 credits (hours) of nutrient management certification classes. Classes focus on the specific requirements of the law, the relationship between nutrients and water quality, and best management practices for storing and applying nutrients. Since January 2001 more than 2300 individuals have attended certification classes. These classes have generally been very well received, which has helped to defuse the anxiety and animosity that characterized many early discussions with stakeholders and has set the stage for an effective program that can address important environmental issues in the state.
Monitoring the interactions of environmental agents by cell-dependent chemiluminescence: studies with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

The potential toxic effects of synthetic and naturally occuring substances on human health is of increasing concern. Thus, there is a great deal of interest in the development and application of techniques to monitor the cellular interactions of xenobiotics. The generation of chemiluminescence (CL) represents a potentially powerful probe for examining chemical-cell interactions, especially when it is correlated with other monitors of cellular function or used in conjunction with other analytical techniques.1
NATURAL AND ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY IN MARINE TELEOSTS TO BACTERIAL ISOLATES FROM SEWAGE SLUDGE

Publisher Summary The interaction of fish populations with bacteria found in sewage sludge has not been examined to any extent. These sludge-associated bacteria could be potentially pathogenic to fish and to humans. Summer flounder and tautog produce antibody to sludge-associated bacteria that is detectable after a period of over five months, even after wintering over at cold temperatures. Summer flounder have been shown to produce antibody to horse red-blood cells for long periods of time. In a study described in the chapter, cross-reactivity was seen in certain groups of fish by the direct bacterial agglutination technique using whole bacterial cells. Serological evidence of contact of fish with sludge-associated bacteria have been found in fish caught in various locations along the Atlantic coast of the United States. Contact of fish with bacteria in the water and sediment is sufficient to induce an immune response.
Medical Assessment and Therapy in Bone Marrow Failure Due to Radiation Accidents

With the increasing use of nuclear energy, it is important that physicians be aware of the principles of managing victims of radiation injuries. This chapter focuses on management of total-body radiation exposure.
Colonic lymphoma causing colo-colonic intussusception and chronic intestinal obstruction in a four-year-old German shepherd dog

Gastrointestinal lymphoma accounts for approximately 7 per cent of all canine lymphomas. It is typically associated with a poor prognosis when localised to the gastrointestinal tract. This case report describes a four-year 10-month-old, male intact German shepherd dog that experienced complications relating to the presence of colonic lymphoma lesion with colo-colonic intussusception and chronic gastrointestinal obstruction, leading to severe distention and enlargement of the proximal small intestine. Surgery was performed and this dog recovered well from surgery. The colonic mass was completely excised along with a grossly abnormal appearing colonic lymph node. Postoperatively, a multidrug chemotherapy protocol was administered with success. This case demonstrates a good outcome with surgery to remove a colonic lymphoma lesion that was causing obstruction followed by adjuvant multidrug chemotherapy.
Strategy diversity in early mathematics classrooms

Abstract Strategic processes are a form of procedural knowledge in which a child knows how to enact a given strategy that improves their capability in problem solving or learning. The solution strategies children use are critical components of their learning, especially in mathematics. Children vary substantially in their knowledge and use of different strategies, and much research has focused on intraindividual strategy variability. However, we do not know if classrooms that evince a broader variety of strategies across children are related to higher mathematics achievement. We investigated the diversity of arithmetical strategies within classrooms and examined the relations between strategy diversity and mathematical achievement as children moved from preschool to kindergarten and first grade. These analyses were applied to data from a large-scale experiment involving 1305 children from 42 schools and 106 classrooms. We created and applied a new method of measuring classroom strategy diversity and related this measure to children’s concurrent and subsequent math achievement. We found that early strategy diversity was strongly related to achievement, but in subsequently, less diversity was so related. We compared these results to the predictions of three theoretical categories and found that our results mainly supported one.
News cartography and epistemic authority in the era of big data: Journalists as map-makers, map-users, and map-subjects:

Although the destabilization of journalism’s epistemic authority has been widely discussed, one critical element has been underexplored—the role of place. For journalists, claiming provenance over ...
Gastrointestinal Disease and Nutrition in Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by an abnormal cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene which causes abnormal transport of chloride. The mutation in this gene creates tenacious secretions in the lung, pancreas, intestinal tract, and hepatobiliary systems. The focus in this chapter will be pancreatic insufficiency, intestinal diseases, hepatobiliary disease, and nutritional factors (Sabharwal S, Schwarzenberg SJ. Cystic fibrosis: overview of gastrointestinal disease. Up to Date. 2019. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/cystic-fibrosis-overview-of-gastrointestinal-disease. Accessed March 2019).
All-Inorganic Halide Perovskites as Potential Thermoelectric Materials: Dynamic Cation off-Centering Induces Ultralow Thermal Conductivity.

Halide perovskites are anticipated to impact next generation high performance solar cells because of their extraordinary charge transport and optoelectronic properties. However, their thermal transport behavior has received limited attention. In this work, we studied the thermal transport and thermoelectric properties of the CsSnBr3-xIx perovskites. We find a strong correlation between lattice dynamics and an ultralow thermal conductivity for series CsSnBr3-xIx reaching 0.32 Wm-1K-1 at 550 K. The CsSnBr3-xIx also possess a decent Seebeck coefficient and controllable electrical transport properties. The crystallography data and theoretical calculations suggest the Cs atom deviates from its ideal cuboctahedral geometry imposed by the perovskite cage and behaves as a heavy atom rattling oscillator. This off-center tendency of Cs, together with the distortion of SnX6 (X = Br or I) octahedra, produces a highly dynamic and disordered structure in CsSnBr3-xIx, which gives rise to a very low Debye temperature and phonon velocity. Moreover, the low temperature heat capacity data suggests strong coupling between the low frequency optical phonons and heat carrying acoustical phonons. This induces strong phonon resonance scattering that induces the ultralow lattice thermal conductivity of CsSnBr3-xIx.
A GPU-friendly Geometric Data Model and Algebra for Spatial Queries

The availability of low cost sensors has led to an unprecedented growth in the volume of spatial data. Unfortunately, the time required to evaluate even simple spatial queries over large data sets greatly hampers our ability to interactively explore these data sets and extract actionable insights. While Graphics Processing Units~(GPUs) are increasingly being used to speed up spatial queries, existing solutions have two important drawbacks: they are often tightly coupled to the specific query types they target, making it hard to adapt them for other queries; and since their design is based on CPU-based approaches, it can be difficult to effectively utilize all the benefits provided by the GPU. As a first step towards making GPU spatial query processing mainstream, we propose a new model that represents spatial data as geometric objects and define an algebra consisting of GPU-friendly composable operators that operate over these objects. We demonstrate the expressiveness of the proposed algebra and present a proof-of-concept prototype that supports a subset of the operators, which shows that it is orders of magnitude faster than a CPU-based implementation and outperforms custom GPU-based approaches.
Looking into the Personality Traits to Enhance Empathy Ability: A Review of Literature

Empathy is an innate capacity that can improve the potential to be creative and innovative in HCI education. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between empathy and personality traits through the review of empirical studies. Using the Five Factor Model, the study found that Agreeableness was strongly related to empathy. The rest four traits (Openness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Extraversion) showed moderate or inconsistent associations with empathy. This study also reviewed educational strategies to enhance students’ empathy ability for five personality traits. Academic achievement toward deep and achieving learning approaches was positively related to the most personality traits, except Neuroticism which is interrelated to the surface learning approach. The study suggested individualized learning experiences based on personality traits to enhance empathy ability in HCI education.
Impact of Interfacial Tension and Critical Micelle Concentration on Bilgewater Oil Separation

Abstract Oil-in-water emulsions created in shipboard bilgewater can be challenging to treat to hydrocarbon-limiting environmental discharge regulations. While emulsion behavior has been widely studied in other disciplines, research on bilgewater emulsions has been limited due to the variability of bilgewater composition. In this context, surfactant types and concentrations are generally unknown. Therefore, experimental properties of neat surfactants and commercial cleaners were evaluated for predicting bilgewater emulsion stability. Critical micelle concentration (CMC), CMC in the presence of oil (CMCIFT), and equilibrium interfacial tension (IFT) were investigated for emulsion stability using different surfactant types, oil concentrations, and homogenization energies. It was found that CMC was significantly larger in the presence of mineral oil. Γ ∞ values of all three surfactants were similar for the oil-water and air-water cases; however, the κ values were larger for the oil-water interface suggesting that, for a given surfactant, the adsorption of the surfactant molecules to the oil-water interface was more active than to the air-water interface. It was also determined that emulsion stability was most closely related to CMCIFT. Coalescence into a separated oil layer was only observed in emulsion samples with surfactant concentrations below CMCIFT. This relationship was observed for different homogenization intensities and oil concentrations. Experiments also validated the relationship between CMCIFT and oil separation in more complex formulations of commercial cleaners commonly found aboard ships. Four different cleaners with unique compositions all demonstrated separated oil at concentrations below CMCIFT. Overall, CMCIFT represents a practical way to evaluate a cleaner's likelihood of developing stable (> 72 h with no observable oil separation) emulsions in bilgewater.
Will Consumers Silence Themselves When Brands Speak up about Sociopolitical Issues? Applying the Spiral of Silence Theory to Consumer Boycott and Buycott Behaviors

To investigate boycott and buycott as responses to brand activism, this study adopted a 2 (consumer personal stance: consistent vs. inconsistent with the target company) × 2 (magnitude of public su...
Grade Expectations: The Role of First-Year Grades in Predicting the Pursuit of STEM Majors for First- and Continuing-Generation Students

Earning poor grades in early science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) college courses decreases the likelihood that a student will major in STEM. However, grades in first-year STEM ...
Ipilimumab and Nivolumab induced ventricular tachycardia in a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

The immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICIs) as Nivolumab and Ipilimumab is a novel class of medication used in the management of several metastatic malignancies. ICIs can cause immune-related adverse ev...
Coastal Climate Change Adaptation and International Human Rights

Legal claims related to coastal adaptation may play an important role in shaping international human rights law in the coming decades. Articulating stronger linkages between human rights law and coastal climate adaptation may help ensure that essential adaptation actions incorporate human rights considerations, thereby forestalling potential violations. Although the exact scope of the relationship between adaptation and human rights obligations is unsettled, a human rights-based approach to coastal climate change adaptation would not only reduce the risks of infringements but also contribute to improved adaptation planning and broader social development goals.This chapter discusses the relationship between coastal climate change adaptation and international human rights legal protections. Part I begins with a brief overview of coastal climate change vulnerability, impacts, and adaptation. Part II then outlines the international human rights and climate change legal regimes and their linkages. Part III evaluates the utility of existing and emerging legal tools in preventing and responding to some of the potential human rights impacts of coastal climate change adaptation, and proposes strategies that governments could employ to reduce the risk of human rights violations.
Ground-Based Infrared Astronomy

In this paper, I discuss ground-based infrared astronomy with emphasis on observations made during the last decade. I cover several topics including: 1) What makes a ground-based infrared telescope, 2) Coments on ground vs. space for infrared observations, 3) The science that has come from ground-based telescopes: star and planet formation, companions to newly formed stars, brown-dwarfs, luminous galaxies, and cosmology.
Russia and China Respond to Soft Power: Interpretation and Readaptation of a Western Construct:

This article examines the Russian and Chinese perspective of soft power. It argues that Russia and China are not simply authoritarian states; rather they are authoritarian states of a specialised sub-category that share a joint legacy of adherence to a Communist experience which significantly informs their behaviour and sense of national identity. As a consequence, both the Kremlin and Beijing consider that the soft power methods of the West present nothing less than an existential threat, and conceive of a soft power policy as the outcome of state initiatives rather than the product of an autonomous civil society.
Adjusting to trade policy reform

Virtually all of the studies that quantify the adjustment costs of trade liberalization relative to the benefits point to the conclusion that adjustment costs are small in relation to the benefits of trade liberalization. The explanation for low adjustment costs is that: These costs are typically short-term and end when workers find a job, but the benefits grow as the economy does. Unemployment doesn't last long, especially where workers' pay was not substantial in the original job. Normal labor turnover often exceeds job displacement from trade liberalization. Moreover, studies that examine the impact of trade liberalization on employment in developing countries find there is little decline--and usually an increase--in manufacturing employment in developing countries a year after trade liberalization, for three reasons: 1) Developing countries tend to have comparative advantage in labor-intensive industries, and trade liberalization tends to favor labor. 2) Inter-industry shifts occur after trade liberalization, which minimizes the dislocation of factors of production. 3) In many industries, normal labor turnover exceeds dislocation from trade liberalization, so downsizing, when necessary can be accomplished without much forced unemployment. The authors recommend a uniform tariff to minimize special-interest lobbying for protection since it diffuses the benefits of protection.
The eta carbides in the Fe−W−C and Co−W−C systems

The η carbides in Fe−W−C are Fe6W6C with an edge length of the cubic unit cella=10.956 to 10.958A and Fe3W3C witha=11.102 to 11.146A. In Co−W−C the η carbides solidity from the melt as Co6W6C and ∼Co2W4C. Co6W6C retains a narrow homogeneity range down to 1000°C with an observed range of lattice constants between 10.894 and 10.902A. The compositional range of Co2W4C spreads out between Co3W3C and Co2W4C at 1400°C and narrows back down to a small range around Co2W4C at 1000°C. Its lattice constants vary between 11.066 and 11.251A. In Fe-W-C a new hexagonal phase is found at FeW3C. It has the structure reported by Schonberg for Co3W9C4 and its lattice parameters area=c=7.806 to 7.810A.
David Lewis on Convention

A convention is a regularity in behavior, sustained by a system of preferences and expectations, that has a possible alternative: so claims David Lewis. That it is not, is what I hope to show. In Convention; A Philosophical Study^, Lewis gives an analysis of what he hopes is "our common, established concept of convention."2 In developing his analysis, Lewis extensively employs the technical vocabulary of game theory.3 According to Lewis conventions are established by "populations" in order to solve recurring "coordination problems." Lewis gives eleven examples of "coordination problems" which he claims are solved by convention. One example is the following: Suppose several of us are driving on the same winding two-lane roads. It matters little to anyone whether he drives in the left or the right lane, provided the others do likewise. But if some drive in the left lane and some in the right, everyone is in danger of collision. So each must choose whether to drive in the left lane or in the right, according to his expectations about the others: to drive in the left lane if most or all of the others do, to drive in the right lane if
Aspen Skiing Company (A)

Having begun improving the environmental performance of its own operations, Aspen Skiing Company is considering "greening" its supply chain and lobbying for greenhouse gas regulations. A world renowned ski resort vulnerable to global climate change, Aspen's activities often garner media attention, which can promote its causes. But these initiatives, which attempt to compel other firms to improve their environmental performance, risk a public relations backlash and charges of "greenwashing" given that Aspen's ski resorts are themselves environmentally intensive operations.
RNA-seq Profiles of Immune Related Genes in the Spleen of Necrotic Enteritis-afflicted Chicken Lines.

The study aimed to compare the necrotic enteritis (NE)-induced transcriptome differences between the spleens of Marek’s disease resistant chicken line 6.3 and susceptible line 7.2 co-infected with Eimeria maxima/Clostridium perfringens using RNA-Seq. Total RNA from the spleens of two chicken lines were used to make libraries, generating 42,736,296 and 42,617,720 usable reads, which were assembled into groups of 29,897 and 29,833 mRNA genes, respectively. The transcriptome changes were investigated using the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) package, which indicated 3,255, 2,468 and 2,234 DEGs of line 6.3, line 7.2, and comparison between two lines, respectively (fold change ≥2, p<0.01). The transcription levels of 14 genes identified were further examined using qRT-PCR. The results of qRT-PCR were consistent with the RNA-seq data. All of the DEGs were analysed using gene ontology terms, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database and the DEGs in each term were found to be more highly expressed in line 6.3 than in line 7.2. RNA-seq analysis indicated 139 immune related genes, 44 CD molecular genes and 150 cytokines genes which were differentially expressed among chicken lines 6.3 and 7.2 (fold change ≥2, p<0.01). Novel mRNA analysis indicated 15,518 novel genes, for which the expression was shown to be higher in line 6.3 than in line 7.2 including some immune-related targets. These findings will help to understand host-pathogen interaction in the spleen and elucidate the mechanism of host genetic control of NE, and provide basis for future studies that can lead to the development of marker-based selection of highly disease-resistant chickens.
Closed-Loop Asynchronous Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Prolongs Functional Movements in the Lower Body

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is commonly used in rehabilitative settings and is also used for assistive purposes to create functional movements, where it is termed functional electrical stimulation (FES). One limitation of NMES/FES is early onset of muscle fatigue. NMES-induced fatigue can be reduced by switching between multiple stimulation channels that target different motor units or synergistic muscles (i.e., asynchronous stimulation). However, switching stimulation channels introduces additional complexity due to the need to consider the switching dynamics and differing muscle response to stimulation. The objective of this study was to develop and test a closed-loop controller for asynchronous stimulation. The developed closed-loop controller yields asymptotic tracking of a desired trajectory for a person’s knee-shank complex despite switching between stimulation channels. The developed controller was implemented on four able-bodied individuals with four-channel asynchronous stimulation as well as single-channel conventional stimulation. The results indicate that asynchronous stimulation extends the duration that functional movements can be performed during feedback control. This result is promising for the implementation of asynchronous stimulation in closed-loop rehabilitative procedures and in assistive devices as a method to reduce muscle fatigue while maintaining a person's ability to track a desired limb trajectory.
Stratigraphic evidence for seven meters of dextral slip on the San Andreas fault during the 1857 earthquake in the Carrizo Plain

The smallest geomorphic offsets along a 35 km section of the San Andreas fault in the Carrizo Plain vary from 7 to 10 m. Our three-dimensional excavation of alluvial deposits a few km southeast of Wallace Creek confirms that at least 6.6 to 6.9 m of dextral slip occurred there during the latest large earthquake, in 1857. Dates on detrital charcoal suggest that the last event prior to the 1857 earthquake occurred before a date within the range A.D. 1305 to 1623. The 3-m range in smallest offsets along this portion of the fault may reflect either a 3-m variation in slip along the San Andreas in 1857, or 2 to 3 m of slip during an event prior to 1857. Observations made after the recent Landers earthquake are compatible with the hypothesis of large, local variations in slip during a single earthquake, but do not explain the cause of such variations. Off-fault dextral rotations would be one plausible explanation. However, paleoseismic data in the Carrizo Plain are too sparse to allow rejection of the alternative hypothesis that slip in the event prior to 1857 was only 2 to 3 m, an amount of slip which would be several times too small to fit a time-predictable model.
Chemoprevention of skin cancer through natural agents.

To reduce the occurrence of skin cancers, the use of sunscreens and wearing protective clothing while in the sun are emphasized. These are important strategies, but sadly these efforts are only partially effective. Thus, the development of novel strategies to reduce the occurrence of skin cancer is a highly desirable goal. One attractive approach is through chemoprevention which is the use of naturally occurring agents or synthetic compounds to prevent the occurrence and subsequent development of cancer. The ideal chemopreventive agent(s) for use for prevention of skin cancer must be available in its active form with none or minimal toxicity and a known mechanism of action. A wide range of synthetic and naturally occurring agents have been identified as a rich source of skin cancer chemopreventive agents. For a variety of reasons, there is a greater emphasis on the use of naturally occurring compounds for skin cancer chemoprevention, and many such agents have found a place in skin care products. This review focuses on the use of naturally occurring agents present in the diet and beverages consumed by humans for the chemoprevention of skin cancer.
Intraoperative Monitoring of Photodynamic Therapy Efficacy using Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy in Mesotheloma Patients: Focusing on the Effect of PDT-induced Hypoxia

We used Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy to measure the effect of PDT on hemoglobin concentration changes during intra-operative PDT for mesothelioma. Those with less PDT-created hypoxia had better prognosis than those with severe hypoxia.
Abstract 2960:TRIM29is a novel biomarker for basal-like breast cancer

Basal-like breast cancer is a subtype of tumors associated with aggressive clinical behavior and poor prognosis. The genes responsible for their aggressive phenotype have not been well characterized and may provide an opportunity for targeted therapies. Tripartite motif-containing 29 (TRIM29) is a member of the TRIM protein family. Microarray and RT-qPCR analyses shows TRIM29 overexpressed in Basal-like breast tumors and it is highly correlated to other basal tumor markers such as CK5/6, CK17, EGFR, and FOXC1. We recently observed using immunohistochemistry that TRIM29 predominantly localizes to the nucleus in basal tumor epithelial cells, in contrast to a cytoplasmic localization seen in ER-positive tumors. Thus, TRIM29 may act as a transcriptional regulatory factor involved in carcinogenesis. In order to investigate the role of TRIM29 in the initiation and progression of Basal-like breast cancer, we employed chromatin immunoprecipitation and massively parallel sequencing (ChIP-seq) to create a genome-wide profile of in vivo TRIM29-binding sites in MDA-MB-468 cells, a human breast cancer cell line. ChIP-seq analysis revealed 94 putative TRIM29 binding regions in the cancer genome of MDA-MB-468 cells with an estimated false discovery rate of less than 5%. One TRIM29 binding motif was found in the TRIM29 binding regions with a core consensus sequence of CTGTCTCC. We also identified some known cancer genes in close proximity to TRIM29 binding sites, including JUND, FBXO31, CCND3, EGFR, and FOXC1. In addition to mapping TRIM29-DNA binding sites, we used co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry to identify proteins that interact with TRIM29 in MDA-MB-468 cells. Proteins that co-precipitated with TRIM29 included splicing factor proline/glutamine-rich (SFPQ, a transcriptional co-repressor), poly(A) binding protein (PABPC4); FUS and TAF15 RNA polymerase II (both are proto-oncoproteins and transcriptional activators), and A kinase anchor protein 13 (AKAP13, an adaptor protein involved in protein kinase A signaling pathway). Confirmation of the initial co-IP results was achieved through several independent techniques, including detection of binding partners in TRIM29 precipitates by Western blot and reciprocal co-IP using antibodies to partner proteins and detection of TRIM29 in the precipitates. Overall, results from our studies indicated that besides functioning as a transcription factor, TRIM29 may also participate in signal transduction pathways by forming protein complexes. Our studies have identified new biomarkers for basal-like breast cancers and revealed kinases that could potentially be targeted by biologic therapies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2960.
Thyroxine interactions with transthyretin: a comparison of 10 different naturally occurring human transthyretin variants

Transthyretin (TTR) is a tetrameric protein that transports 15-20% of circulating T4. Alterations in TTR structure can manifest clinically as familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy or euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia. We have measured the relative affinity for T4 of several variant TTR molecules in human plasma. We have compared control plasma to plasma from a patient heterozygous for a [Thr109]TTR mutation associated with a 3-fold increased affinity for T4 and to plasma from patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy with different point mutations in TTR. Relative affinity was measured in an assay in which [125I]T4 bound by TTR was isolated by immunoprecipitation with an antibody specific for TTR. [Thr109]TTR displayed the highest affinity for T4, whereas homozygous [Met30]TTR did not bind appreciable amounts of [125I]T4. The rank order of affinity of the various TTR mutations for T4 was: Thr109 heterozygous > wild type = Ala60 heterozygous = Ile122 heterozygous > His58 heterozygous approximately Tyr77 heterozygous approximately Ser84 heterozygous approximately Ile122 homozygous approximately Met30 heterozygous >> Met30 homozygous TTR. Thus, different point mutations in TTR increase, decrease, or do not affect TTR's affinity for T4. The ability of TTR to form amyloid fibrils does not appear to be related to its affinity for T4. Further study is required to define the molecular basis of alterations in T4 binding induced by point mutations located along the TTR tetramer.
Relation between multidimensional radiative transfer in cylindrical and rectangular coordinates with anisotropic scattering

Abstract An exact integral equation is derived for the source function in a three-dimensional rectangular medium which scatters anisotropically. The upper boundary of the finite medium is exposed to collimated radiation, while the lower boundary has no radiation incident on it. The problem is multidimensional because the incident radiation varies spatially. The scattering phase function is represented by a series of Legendre polynomials. A double Fourier transform reduces the problem to a one-dimensional integral equation for the source function. The transformed equation is compared with the integral equation for a two-dimensional cylindrical medium which scatters anisotropically and is exposed to Bessel-varying collimated radiation. A simple relation is found between the two source functions which will greatly reduce the number of computations required for the three-dimensional case. The relation also illustrates the wide utility of the generalized one-dimensional source function. Simplification of the two-dimensional rectangular case to the generalized source function is also presented. The results are extended to problems with a strong anisotropic phase function which has a diffraction spike in the forward direction.
Photodynamic therapy stimulates anti-tumor immunity in a murine mastocytoma model

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the IV administration of photosensitizers followed by illumination of the tumor with red light producing reactive oxygen species that eventually cause vascular shutdown and tumor cell apoptosis. Anti-tumor immunity is stimulated after PDT due to the acute inflammatory response, recognition of tumor-specific antigens, and induction of heat-shock proteins, while the three commonest cancer therapies (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) all tend to suppress the immune system. Like many other immunotherapies, the extent of the immune response after PDT tends to depend on the antigenicity of the particular tumor, or in other words, whether the tumor contains proteins with the correct characteristics to provide peptides that can bind to MHC class I molecules and provide a target for cytolytic T lymphocytes. We have described certain mouse tumors containing defined or naturally occurring tumor associated antigens that respond particularly well to PDT, and potent immune responses capable of destroying distant untreated tumors can be induced. In this report we address the induction of immunity after PDT of the DBA2 mastocytoma known as P815. This tumor was the first mouse tumor to be shown to possess a tumor-rejection antigen capable of being recognized by cytotoxic T-cells.
How the Problem of Consciousness Could Emerge in Robots

I show how a robot with what looks like a hard problem of consciousness might emerge from the earnest attempt to make a robot that is smart and self-reflective. This problem arises independently of any assumption to the effect that the robot is conscious, but deserves to be thought of as related to the human problem in virtue of the fact that (1) the problem is one the robot encounters when it tries to naturalistically reduce its own subjective states (2) it seems incredibly difficult from the robot's own naturalist perspective and, most importantly, (3) it invites the robot to engage in the exact same metaphysical responses as humans offer to the problem of consciousness. Despite the fact that it invites the robot to consider extravagant metaphysical solutions, the problem I explore is purely algorithmic. The robot cannot complete its naturalist physicalist reduction as a matter of algorithmic fact, whether or not the naturalist physicalist reduction would be correct as a matter of metaphysical fact. It is hoped that by reproducing the familiar seeming problem in an artificial context, a greater understanding of the human problem of consciousness can be achieved.