cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emergence of pecking order in social Cognitive Radio societies

In the face of the exponential growth of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the limited capacity of radio spectrum is likely to reach saturation. Cognitive Radio technology has been proposed to relieve over-saturated channels by allowing for licensed channels to be opportunistically accessed by unlicensed users during periods of time when the license holder is absent from its channel. Un-coordinated competition over a limited number of resources among unlicensed spectrum users leads to complex co-existence challenges. Here we present a new bio-social inspired paradigm for cognitive radio, extending our previous work where we showed a plausible evolutionary trajectory of intra-groups dynamics over time as groups abide by two social behavioral rules, in-group deference and out-group avoidance. In this paper, we relax these social behavior rules in order to allow groups to organize into different social structures. More specifically, we observe how a hierarchical society compares to a classless society. We show that as the system scales, the hierarchical social structure is more likely to emerge in a distributed cognitive radio network. The bio-social paradigm presented here has consequences both in suggesting potential improvements for dynamic spectrum access, and in understanding the natural evolvement of social structures as cognitive radio devices form groups to gain advantage in the competition over resources.
A detector for efficient backscatter Mössbauer effect spectroscopy

Abstract A successful design for an efficient detector for backscatter Mossbauer Effect Spectroscopy is described.
Response mechanisms induced by exposure to high temperature in anthers from thermo-tolerant and thermo-sensitive tomato plants: A proteomic perspective

Constant global warming is one of the most detrimental environmental factors for agriculture causing significant losses in productivity as heat stress (HS) conditions damage plant growth and reproduction. In flowering plants such as tomato, HS has drastic repercussions on development and functionality of male reproductive organs and pollen. Response mechanisms to HS in tomato anthers and pollen have been widely investigated by transcriptomics; on the contrary, exhaustive proteomic evidences are still lacking. In this context, a differential proteomic study was performed on tomato anthers collected from two genotypes (thermo-tolerant and thermo-sensitive) to explore stress response mechanisms and identify proteins possibly associated to thermo-tolerance. Results showed that HS mainly affected energy and amino acid metabolism and nitrogen assimilation and modulated the expression of proteins involved in assuring protein quality and ROS detoxification. Moreover, proteins potentially associated to thermo-tolerant features, such as glutamine synthetase, S-adenosylmethionine synthase and polyphenol oxidase, were identified.
Abstract P193: Angiotensin-(1-7) Acutely Induces Browning of White Adipose Tissue in Mice

Angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) is a beneficial hormone of the renin-angiotensin system that is emerging as a promising target for obesity. We previously showed that chronic Ang-(1-7) treatment attenuates ...
Surface Water Microwave Product Series Version 3: A Near-Real Time and 25-Year Historical Global Inundated Area Fraction Time Series From Active and Passive Microwave Remote Sensing

This letter summarizes substantial modifications made to the Surface Water Microwave Product Series (SWAMPS), a coarse-resolution (~25 km) global inundated area fraction data record derived from active and passive microwave remote sensing. SWAMPS is the most temporally dense, long-term record of global surface water dynamics publicly available today. This update improves upon the original release by: 1) incorporating a customized, consistent resampling and assembly of the Special Sensor Microwave Imager and Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder brightness temperature record; 2) eliminating signal contamination from ocean waters along coastlines; 3) inclusion of permanent surface waters as a component of the data record; and 4) reducing anomalous inundation retrievals over arid and semiarid regions. This update provides for the enhanced scientific utility of the full 25+ years of data records. Remaining uncertainties in the surface water fraction retrievals are principally in areas with bare, sandy surface cover and in areas with dense vegetation cover that diminishes radiometric sensitivity to surface water. This data record and associated documentation are freely available through the Alaska Satellite Facility, Fairbanks, AK, USA.
On un-silencing voices: tarantismo and the gendered heritage of Apulia

How do we conceptualize women’s contributions to intangible cultural heritage in patriarchal societies? This article adds perspective to this question by examining the relationship of women’s voice...
Organische Phosphorverbindungen 41. Synthese und Eigenschaften von Polyphosphinaten und Polyphosphinsäuren [1]†

A process for the preparation of alkyl chloromethylphosphonites, ClCH2P(OR)2 (R = Et, Bu), diethyl β-chloroethylphosphonite, ClCH2CH2P(OEt)2, and their conversion to polyphosphinates with the back-bone structures [CH2PO2R]x and [CH2CH2P(O2R)]x, respectively, by an Arbuzov type reaction is described. Hydrolysis to the corresponding polyphosphinic acids is effected by refluxing the esters with conc. HCl for extended periods. The polyphosphinic acid with structure V is an excellent chelating agent for Ca ions.
Preconditioning hippocampal slices with hypothermia promotes rapid tolerance to hypoxic depolarization and swelling: Mediation by erythropoietin.

Abstract We suggested previously that hippocampal slices were protected from hypoxic depolarization and swelling by preincubating them at room temperature (Kreisman et al., 2000). We postulated that hypothermic preconditioning induced tolerance in our slices, which protected against hypoxic depolarization and swelling. Control hippocampal slices were incubated at 34–35 °C for two hours and the response to 10 min of severe hypoxia was compared to slices which were preconditioned for two hours at room temperature (22–23 °C) prior to warming to 34–35 °C. Recordings of the extracellular DC potential provided an index of tissue depolarization and changes in tissue light transmittance provided an index of swelling. Hypothermic preconditioning significantly reduced hypoxia-induced swelling, particularly in CA3 and the dentate inner blade. Since erythropoietin (EPO) had been shown to mediate hypoxic preconditioning, we tested whether EPO also mediated hypothermic preconditioning in our slices. Recombinant rat EPO (1–10 micromolar) mitigated hypoxia-induced swelling and depolarization in dentate inner blade of unconditioned slices in a dose-dependent manner. We also blocked the protective effects of hypothermic preconditioning on hypoxic depolarization and swelling in the inner blade of the dentate gyrus by administering soluble EPO receptor in the bath and treating slices with wortmannin to block phosphorylation of PI3 kinase, a critical step in the activation of the downstream neuroprotectant, Akt. These results suggest that EPO mediates tolerance to hypoxic depolarization and swelling induced by hypothermic preconditioning. They also emphasize that various preincubation protocols used in experiments with hippocampal slices may differentially affect basal electrophysiological and metabolic properties of those slices.
Measuring Water Flow Rate for a Fire Hose Using a Wireless Sensor Network for Smart Fire Fighting

A wireless sensor network was created to measure water-flow rate in a fire hose. An integrated electronic piezoelectric accelerometer was chosen as the sensor to measure the flow rate based on the vibrations generated by water flowing through a fire hose close to the hose nozzle. These sensors are small, lightweight, and they can attach to the outside of the hose, not obstructing the water’s flow path. A relationship between the dominant-frequency metric and the flow rate was applied and used to determine real-time water flow in a fire hose critical for improving fireground situational awareness. A nearly monotonic relationship of flow rate to the dominant frequency was established and then used in a custom graphical user interface for quick, real-time, visual referencing by fire personnel of flow rate in a fire hose. While more work is needed, such as improved physical robustness of the sensor-node assembly and increased robustness of the signal metric, this preliminary study shows the potential of a “smart” fire hose for improved situational awareness during a fire attack.
An unusual case of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma presenting in the skin by direct extension at a laparoscopic port site

Although renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is known for its propensity to metastasize widely throughout the body, cutaneous metastases are uncommon and seen in less than 3% of RCCs. A 56-year-old man presented with a painful red lesion with satellite nodules on his abdomen at a laparoscopic port site from a partial nephrectomy for a pT1a clear-cell RCC that was performed 28 months prior. The lesion was excised; however, after excision the lesion recurred with continued pain and drainage from the surgical site. This was treated with multiple courses of antibiotics. Because of the persistent nature of the lesion, it was re-biopsied, and an atypical, keratin-positive, spindle-cell proliferation was identified within the dermis. The patient's previous skin excision was reexamined, and the same atypical cells were identified within large areas of necrosis, granulation tissue, and fibrosis. Further workup was performed on the initial excision, and the atypical cells showed expression of CD10, CAIX, PAX8, EMA, and vimentin, consistent with cutaneous involvement by RCC. Because of the rarity of skin metastases in RCC and the location at a previous laparoscopic port site, this lesion is presumed to have resulted from direct extension of tumor at the time of surgery.
Multi-season analysis reveals the spatial structure of disease spread

Abstract Understanding the dynamics of infectious disease spread in a heterogeneous population is an important factor in designing control strategies. Here, we present a tensor-driven multi-compartment version of the classic Susceptible–Infected–Recovered (SIR) model and apply it to Internet data to reveal information about the complex spatial structure of disease spread. We develop an algorithm to estimate the model’s parameters in a high dimensional setting. The model and the algorithm are used to analyze state-level Google search data from the US pertaining to two viruses, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and West Nile Virus (WNV), independently. We fit the data with correlations of R 2 = 0 . 70 , and 0.52 for RSV and WNV, respectively. Although no prior assumptions on spatial structure are made, human movement patterns in the US explain 27%–30% of the estimated inter-state transmission rates. The transmission rates within states are correlated with known demographic indicators, such as population density and average age. Finally, we show that the patterns of disease load for subsequent season can be predicted using the model parameters estimated for previous seasons and as few as 7 weeks of data from the current season. Our results are applicable to other countries and similar viruses, allowing the identification of disease spread parameters and prediction of disease load for seasonal viruses earlier in season.
U, Pu, CEW and HEW: Securing Fissile Material

Ernest Lawrence’s electromagnetic method of enriching uranium was the only enrichment method discussed at the September, 1942, Bohemian Grove planning meeting. The late-1942 Lewis committee concluded that an electromagnetic plant capable of producing one kilogram of U-235 per day would require at least 22,000 vacuum tanks; to achieve the same output with a gaseous-diffusion plant would require a 4,600-stage installation. At its December 10, 1942, meeting, the Military Policy Committee opted to start with a 500-tank electromagnetic plant. While neither the electromagnetic nor the diffusion approaches to enrichment would be easy, the electromagnetic system had the advantage that its fundamental concepts were proven.
Satisfaction or Distraction: Exposure to Nonpreferred Music May Alter the Learning Curve for Surgical Trainees.

Objective There is growing evidence supporting the benefits of preferred music on task performance, however there is a paucity of data regarding the potential impact on surgical and procedural learners. This study aims to assess the effects of nonpreferred music on surgical and procedural learners. Design This was a single-blinded, randomized crossover trial in which each participant completed a survey regarding their demographic information and music preferences. Each participant then completed 3 training tasks, and 2 repetitions of the evaluative task while listen to music. Tasks were completed using a Da Vinci Skills Simulator Si. Setting All tasks were completed in a live operating room at the University of Kansas Hospital, a tertiary care center. Participants Medical students at the University of Kansas Medical Center were recruited by email to participate. In total, 31 medical students completed the experience. Results Thirty-one participants participated in this study. Group 2 (preferred music first, nonpreferred music second) showed no significant change in their test scores (72.73 vs 74.33, p = 0.34). However, Group 1 (nonpreferred music first, then preferred music) showed significant improvement between trial runs (70.31 vs 81.88, p Conclusions Participants showed expected improvement with task repetition. This improvement may have been offset by exposure to nonpreferred music during repeat runs. Our findings suggest that the impact of music was nearly as large as the impact of prior exposure to the task. This may have implications for environmental conditions during resident procedural training, especially early in residency training when new tasks are being introduced and the skill level of the learner is still low.
Increase in Detection of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Among Older Adults in Arizona: An Association With Changes in Testing Practices

OBJECTIVES Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory illness, health care visits, and hospitalizations. Arizona, which began conducting laboratory surveillance in 2004, has noted an increase in RSV cases (defined as a laboratory-positive result) among adults aged ≥65, concurrent with increasing reports from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. We assessed whether the shift in the age distribution of reported RSV cases resulted from a change in RSV testing practices. METHODS We used data on laboratory-confirmed RSV cases reported during 2013-2017 from the statewide surveillance system to assess the frequency of test types (rapid antigen, immunofluorescence assay, PCR, and viral culture) by age groups across RSV seasons, and we used logistic regression to estimate changes in odds of receiving a PCR test. We used statewide emergency department hospital discharge data for the same period to assess testing practices regardless of test result. RESULTS The overall proportion of PCR tests among RSV cases increased significantly, from 22% in 2013 to 55% in 2017 (P < .001). The percentage of RSV cases among adults aged ≥65 also increased significantly, from 4% in 2013 to 11% in 2017 (P < .001) of RSV cases. Adults aged ≥65 had more than 8 times the odds of positive PCR results than children aged <5, both in crude (odds ratio [OR] = 8.8; 95% CI, 7.6-10.2) and season-adjusted (adjusted OR = 8.1; 95% CI, 7.0-9.5) models. Hospital discharge data corroborated increased RSV PCR usage from 2013 to 2017. CONCLUSION Increasing RSV rates among adults aged ≥65 are likely a result of changes in testing practices. This age group may need more targeted intervention and future vaccination.
Perioperative Evaluation and Management of Living Donor Candidates

The evaluation and care of living kidney donor candidates must consider and minimize both perioperative and long-term risks for the donor. The comprehensive medical and psychosocial evaluation of living donor candidates is detailed across the chapters in this text. In this chapter, preoperative laboratory and testing recommendations are discussed along with the evidence for screening to reduce cardiac, pulmonary, venous thromboembolism and bleeding complications of donor nephrectomy surgery. Additionally, intraoperative and postoperative management to reduce adverse donor events, maintain high-quality outcomes, and improve efficiency is described. Finally, perioperative complications and expectations for return to predonation function for living kidney donors are reviewed.
The Suez Canal from 1854 to 1888: The International Canal

At the end of the first chapter, the question, left unanswered, was whether the Suez Canal was an international canal. It seems clear now, after what has been said in the preceding chapter, that an international canal is a canal subject to a regime of internationality. On the other hand, there is no doubt that the Constantinople Convention of 1888 purported to establish an international regime in the Suez Canal. The question remains, however, as to the status of the canal before that Convention took place. It is the purpose of the present chapter to inquire into the legal status of the Suez Canal between 1854 and 1888.
DNA Damage and Cell Cycle Regulation in S. Cerevisiae

The capacity to efficiently sense and respond to environmental stress is central to an organism°s ability to undergo complex developmental transformations and to successfully adapt to changing environmental conditions. Two fundamental types of sensory networks appear to be ubiquitous among organisms; the ability to recognize and respond to thermal shock (1–3), and the ability to recognize and respond to DNA damage (4–14). in addition, several genes have been identified which are transcriptionally activated in response to both types of stress (15, 16), suggesting a potential interaction between both sensory networks. in every organism which has been examined, cells respond to DNA damage in two distinct ways. They arrest the progression of the cell cycle at G1 or G2 and they induce the transcription of genes involved in repair of DNA damage. Damage induced cell cycle arrest, often referred to as the DNA damage checkpoint, is thought to provide additional time for DNA repair, allowing the cell to remove damaged DNA prior to entry into S-phase or mitosis. DNA damage present in S-phase may lead to increased frequencies of mutations or double strand breaks. Post-replicative recombinational repair in G2 can result in physical linkage of sister chromatids due to crossing over and if present during mitosis can produce chromosome breakage, translocations, rearrangements, aneuploidy and abnormal chromosome segregation. Therefore a mechanism that ensures DNA damage is absent prior to entry into S or M phase ensures the fidelity of inheritance of genetic information. A large number of genes are inducible in response to DNA damage. These include genes involved in excision repair, recombinational repair, DNA synthesis, and deoxyribonucleotide synthesis. Induction of these genes facilitates DNA repair and in theory, reduces the amount of time cells spend in the arrested state.
The Apparent Independence of the Phosphorylation and Water Formation Reactions from the Oxidation Reactions of Oxidative Phosphorylation

Abstract Relationships of the oxidation reactions to the phosphorylation and the water formation reactions of oxidative phosphorylation have been assessed by measurement of inhibitor effects on the Pi ⇄ ATP, Pi ⇄ HOH, and ATP ⇄ HOH exchange reactions. With mitochondria or with mitochondrial particles, additions of cyanide, Amytal, rotenone, or antimycin, with or without substrate addition, had no or only partial inhibitory effects on all exchanges. Particles oxidizing succinate or reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide without added adenine nucleotides showed no detectable Pi ⇄ HOH exchange. The conclusion is reached that the phosphorylation and the water formation reactions probably occur without concomitant oxidation or reduction. Some additive effects of combinations of respiratory inhibitors on the exchanges were noted. This might reflect nonspecific inhibitions, or possibly a compulsory coupling of the phosphorylation or water formation reactions to formation of combinations with or changes in conformation of respiratory components. Any such combination required most likely occurs with a reduced form of the respiratory carrier. A fat-soluble iron chelator, 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione, and p-mercuribenzoate were noted to have roughly similar effects in promoting ATPase, in inhibiting succinate but not DPNH oxidation, and in uncoupling phosphorylation from oxidation. The chelator effects were readily reversible. Emphasis is given to the important point that the apparent independence of the water formation reaction from the oxidation reactions of oxidative phosphorylation is difficult to reconcile with many schemes for oxidative phosphorylation.
Monitoring host responses to the gut microbiota

The gastrointestinal (GI) ecosystem is increasingly understood to be a fundamental component of health, and has been identified as a new focal point for diagnosing, correcting and preventing countless disorders. Shotgun DNA sequencing has emerged as the dominant technology for determining the genetic and microbial composition of the gut microbiota. This technology has linked microbiota dysbioses to numerous GI diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, obesity and allergy, and to non-GI diseases like autism and depression. The importance of establishing causality in the deterioration of the host-microbiota relationship is well appreciated; however, discovery of candidate molecules and pathways that underlie mechanisms remains a major challenge. Targeted approaches, transcriptional assays, cytokine panels and imaging analyses, applied to animals, have yielded important insight into host responses to the microbiota. However, non-invasive, hypothesis-independent means of measuring host responses in humans are necessary to keep pace with similarly unbiased sequencing efforts that monitor microbes. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics has served this purpose in many other fields, but stool proteins exist in such diversity and dynamic range as to overwhelm conventional proteomics technologies. Focused analysis of host protein secretion into the gut lumen and monitoring proteome-level dynamics in stool provides a tractable route toward non-invasively evaluating dietary, microbial, surgical or pharmacological intervention efficacies. This review is intended to guide GI biologists and clinicians through the methods currently used to elucidate host responses in the gut, with a specific focus on mass spectrometry-based shotgun proteomics applied to the study of host protein dynamics within the GI ecosystem.
Perceptions of faith and outcomes in faith-based programs for homeless youth: A grounded theory approach

Abstract This study sought to determine which “faith” elements exist in faith-based programs for homeless youth and how these concepts are defined according to staff and youth clients. Descriptions of client outcomes across programs are also explored. Quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 staff and 11 clients from 11 faith-based programs for homeless youth in Los Angeles. Common themes that emerged include using faith to instill hope in clients, non-church-related religious practices and spiritual growth in clients. Grounded theory is used to interpret findings and develop hypotheses to inform future research on faith and outcomes. Implications for social work are offered to guide practitioners and researchers in designing, implementing and evaluating effective faith-based practices for homeless youth. doi:10.1300/J079v33n04_03
The Political Hierarchy of Censorship: An Analysis of Keyword Blocking of CCP Officials’ Names on Sina Weibo Before and After the 2012 National Congress (S)election

As King, Pan, and Roberts write in their 2013 study on Chinese social media; research into the dynamics of internet censorship in China, “exposes an extraordinarily rich source of information about the Chinese government’s interests, intentions, and goals". This paper seeks to use the dynamics of internet censorship by China’s most important social media site, Sina Weibo, to achieve a better understanding of the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in November 2012. To this end, searches were performed daily on the names of all 2,270 delegates to the Party Congress on Sina Weibo for five weeks before and after the event. Data recorded included information on the number of results reported and whether the keywords were reported to be blocked or not. As a complement to work by researchers including Gary King, David Bamman, King-wa Fu, and Tao Zhu into Chinese social media censorship, our study concludes that Sina Weibo actively manipulated and filtered the search results of Communist Party delegates — particularly higher-ranked and incumbent officials — during the observation period, with an apparent decrease in search blocks after the Party Congress. This study offers evidence that the Party, through proxies like Sina Weibo, proactively attempts to shape public opinion online, just as they do in traditional media. The decrease in search blocks perhaps indicates that the Party is possibly still seeking to find a balance between utilizing the internet as a check on officials and suppressing the internet to prevent dissent; or perhaps it is a short-term effect due to a new wave of leaders taking office.
A bug with excess gastric avidity

The 1,667,867-base-pair genome of the bacterium that is responsible for peptic ulcers has been completely sequenced. Among the many features revealed is machinery for existence in an acidic environment.
Manual muscle test at C5 palsy onset predicts the likelihood of and time to C5 palsy resolution

The primary objective of this study was to identify time to and prognostic factors of C5 palsy resolution. All patients over a 7 year period who experienced C5 palsy following a posterior decompression and instrumented fusion surgery were retrospectively reviewed. C5 palsy resolution was defined as a recovery of deltoid muscle function equal to or greater than the preoperative condition as defined by the manual muscle test (MMT). Of the 511 patients who met the selection criteria, 8.6% (n=44) experienced C5 palsy. MMT information was available for 43 patients; 81.4% (n=35) had full resolution from their condition. Of the 35 patients who resolved, the median MMT score at onset was 3-. Following a discrete-time proportional hazards model, the hazards of C5 palsy resolution increased by 19% for every one-grade increase in MMT score at symptom onset (hazard ratio [HR]=1.19, p=0.005). Moreover, males displayed a 71% lower hazard of resolution than females (HR=0.29, p=0.003). Following an adjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis, the median time to C5 palsy resolution was between 6 months and 1 year. In a multiple linear regression, a lower MMT score at the onset of C5 palsy predicted a longer time to C5 palsy resolution (coefficient=-0.19, p=0.003). Time to C5 palsy onset was not statistically associated with hazards of palsy resolution (p=0.381) or time to resolution (p=0.121). A higher MMT score at the onset of C5 palsy statistically significantly predicted a higher chance of resolution and a shorter recovery time. Female sex was also associated with a higher hazard of resolution.
GeOx/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite as an Anode for Li-Ion Batteries: Enhanced Capacity via Reversible Utilization of Li2O along with Improved Rate Performance

A self-assembled GeOx/reduced graphene oxide (GeOx/RGO) composite, where GeOx nanoparticles were grown directly on reduced graphene oxide sheets, was synthesized via a facile one-step reduction approach and studied by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy elemental mapping, and other techniques. Electrochemical evaluation indicates that incorporation of reduced graphene oxide enhances both the rate capability and reversible capacity of GeOx, with the latter being due to the RGO enabling reversible utilization of Li2O. The composite delivers a high reversible capacity of 1600 mAhg-1 at a current density of 100 mAg-1, and still maintains a capacity of 410 mAhg-1 at a high current density of 20 Ag-1. Owing to the flexible reduced graphene oxide sheets enwrapping the GeOx particles, the cycling stability of the composite was also improved significantly. To further demonstrate its feasibility in practical applications, the synthesized GeOx/RGO composite anode was successfully paired with a high voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode to form a full cell, which showed good cycling and rate performance.
Mathematical performance and behavior of children with hyperactivity with and without coexisting aggression

An analysis was made of a basic skill deficit and collateral behavior that could differentiate youth with hyperactivity from children with both hyperactivity and aggression. A total of 92 boys (with hyperactivity, with hyperactivity and aggression, and without disorders) were assessed for their timed performance and accuracy of computer-generated math operations. Response time differences documented between disordered and nondisordered groups, and between the diagnostic groups, were not explained by the group differences that were also observed in behavior or motor response speed (typing). Conclusions derived from these findings, and from prior work, indicated that speed of addition may be a marker of academic and social dysfunction. The overall importance of this assessment is related to the potential sensitivity of math fluency data for assessment and treatment monitoring.
Constructing Social and Symbolic Boundaries during the Emergence of the Nanotechnology Field

Examining the boundaries of organizational fields is essential to understanding how fields function. Yet, we still do not understand how the social and symbolic boundaries of emerging fields are cr...
A retrospective assessment of National Centers for Environmental Prediction climate model-based ensemble hydrologic forecasting in the western United States

[1] We assess the potential forecast skill of a climate model–based approach for seasonal ensemble hydrologic and streamflow forecasting for the western United States. By using climate model ensemble forecasts and ensembles formed via the resampling of observations, we distinguish hydrologic forecast skill resulting from the predictable evolution of initial hydrologic conditions from that derived from the climate model forecasts. Monthly climate model ensembles of precipitation and temperature produced by the National Centers for Environmental prediction global spectral model (GSM) are downscaled for use as forcings of the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) hydrologic model. VIC then simulates ensembles of streamflow and spatially distributed hydrologic variables such as snowpack, soil moisture, and runoff. The regional averages of the ensemble forcings and derived hydrologic variables were evaluated over five regions: the Pacific Northwest, California, the Great Basin, the Colorado River basin, and the upper Rio Grande River basin. The skill assessment focuses on a retrospective 21-year period (1979–1999) during which GSM retrospective forecast ensembles (termed hindcasts), created using similar procedures to GSM real-time forecasts, are available. The observational verification data set for the hindcasts was a retrospective hydroclimatology at 1/8°–1/4° consisting of gridded observations of temperature and precipitation and gridded hydrologic simulation results (for hydrologic variables and streamflow) based on the observed meteorological inputs. The GSM hindcast skill was assessed relative to that of a naive ensemble climatology forecast and to that of ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP) hindcasts, a forecast baseline sharing the same initial condition information as the GSM-based hindcasts. We found that the unconditional (all years) GSM hindcasts for regionally averaged variables provided practically no skill improvement over the ESP hindcasts and did not lead to improved regional hydrologic variable or streamflow forecasts. GSM-based conditional (strong El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) years only) hindcasts, however, had higher skill in a number of hindcast months for surface air temperature, with mixed results (better and worse) for precipitation, depending on location and season. Consequently, for California and to a lesser extent the Pacific Northwest and Great Basin, hydrologic hindcast skill in winter and fall increased enough under the strong ENSO composite that streamflow hindcasts were measurably better than with ESP. The opposite was found, however, for the Colorado and upper Rio Grande River basins, where the ENSO teleconnection is somewhat weaker.
Pacemaker Reuse in a 65-Year-Old Woman in the Philippines with Severe Medical Need

As disparities in healthcare between the industrialized world and low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) continue to widen, novel methods of delivering cardiovascular therapies—specifically electrophysiological devices—must be explored. Post-mortem pacemaker donation is a safe and effective method of decreasing the morbidity associated with cardiovascular disease in LMIC. (PACE 2010; e8–e9)
Intestinal trefoil factor confers colonic epithelial resistance to apoptosis

Intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) is an essential regulator of colonic epithelial restitution, the rapid migration of colonocytes over mucosal wounds. High levels of ITF are frequently present in colorectal cancers and derived cell lines. Mucosal restitution requires the detachment of epithelium from substrate, which would be expected to induce apoptosis. However, mice deficient in ITF showed an increase in colonocyte apoptosis unaccompanied by changes in expression of receptor-related (TNFR/Fas) or stress-related (Bcl-family) cell death regulators. An ITF-expressing colonic (HT-ITF1) cell line was resistant to apoptosis induced by serum starvation and ceramide. Exogenous ITF also protected another human colonic carcinoma-derived cell line (HCT116) and a nontransformed rat intestinal epithelial cell line (IEC-6) from apoptosis. This effect was abrogated by wortmannin and tyrphostin A25, indicating the potential involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor activation. Expression of phosphorylated Akt, which lies downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation, was elevated in this HT-29-ITF line. p53-dependent cell death in the AGS human gastric cancer cell line after etoposide was similarly inhibited by transient expression of ITF but not a C-terminal truncation mutant of ITF, and it required functional phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and EGF receptor. These findings support a central role for ITF in the maintenance of intestinal mucosal continuity, and conversely demonstrate the potential for ITF expression to confer resistance of colorectal tumors to therapy.
Transgenic expression of cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase in the liver prevents high‐fat diet–induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice

Obesity and diabetes are closely associated with impaired lipid and glucose homeostasis, which significantly increases the risk of coronary heart disease.1 Obesity often results from a Western lifestyle with overnutrition and a lack of exercise. Visceral fat accumulation due to increased caloric intake is known to cause organ insulin resistance.2 It is believed that insulin resistance and overnutrition directly contribute to abnormal adiposity and hepatic very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) synthesis and thus lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and dyslipidemia.3 Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step in the bile acid biosynthetic pathway that converts cholesterol into bile acids and plays an important role in regulating cholesterol and bile acid homeostasis. The role of CYP7A1 in regulating cholesterol homeostasis has been well established. Patients with mutations in the CYP7A1 gene developed gallstones and premature atherosclerosis,4 whereas Cyp7a1 transgenic (Cyp7a1-tg) mice were protected from atherogenic diet–induced atherosclerosis.5 Bile acids are essential for the biliary secretion of cholesterol and phospholipids and the intestinal absorption of fats and nutrients. Bile acids also are versatile signaling molecules that activate nuclear receptors and cell signaling pathways, and they play critical roles in the regulation of lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism.6–8 The critical role of bile acids in the regulation of triglyceride (TG) metabolism has been recognized for many years. The administration of a bile acid sequestrant or ileal resection depletes the bile acid pool and increases serum TG levels. 9 On the other hand, increasing the bile acid pool by the administration of chenodeoxycholic acid reduces plasma TGs.10 Recent studies have revealed that bile acids may have a beneficial effect by improving obesity, insulin sensitivity, and whole body lipid and glucose homeostasis in mice.11, 12 Bile acids may also negatively regulate serum TG levels by activating the nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR), which induces small heterodimer partner (SHP) to inhibit sterol response element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) expression and its target genes in lipogenesis.11 It has been reported that FXR represses hepatic expression of the gluconeogenic genes, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), in the liver.13 Activation of FXR significantly improved insulin sensitivity, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia in db/db mice.12 Bile acids also prevent diet-induced obesity in mice by activating the membrane bile acid receptor TGR5 to promote energy expenditure in brown adipocytes.14 In this study, we show that overexpression of CYP7A1 in the liver prevents high-fat diet (HFD)–induced obesity, fatty liver, and insulin resistance in mice. These results underscore the importance of bile acid homeostasis in the regulation of whole body lipid, glucose, and energy homeostasis.
Evidentiary Boundaries and Improper Interventions: Evidence, Implications, and Illegitimacy in American Religious Studies

What is the evidence of American religions? This article documents how some evidence becomes suspect and illegitimate while other evidence is assumed to be worthy of scholarly trust. The assumed speciousness of popular culture, in this case zombies, as a source and the danger of sources from so-called fringe movements become important venues to problematize preferenced evidence. How is that some religious movements, labeled dangerous, produce evidence that cannot be trusted at face value? Why is there deep concern over the legitimacy of pop culture as a method to study religion? Relying upon Klan print and zombie culture, this article forces the issue of legitimacy and illegitimacy of evidence.
Politics and the linguistic sign: Vološinov's philosophy of language

MARXISM AND THE PHILOSOPHY, OF LANGUAGE By V.N. Volosinov translated by Ladislav Matejka & I.R. Titunik Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1986. 205 pp., $9.95 (paper) The contributions of Volosinov's theories of language are assessed and are contrasted to traditional Marxist philosophy, Saussurean linguistics and more recent developments in transformational grammar and sociolinguistics. Studying connections between language and politics in the 1920s, Volosinov explored the ways social reality enters verbal signs and their usage, anticipating many of the debates within modem linguistics.
Thailand's urban population reconsidered.

In lieu of any official definition of “urban population” in Thailand, researchers and policy makers have generally used a simple urban-rural dichotomy, relying upon the administratively designated municipal areas as urban and the remainder of the kingdom as rural. For administrative purposes, however, a more refined set of residence categories is available: the “urban” segment is subdivided into three categories of municipal areas; within the “rural” group, units of population concentration classified as sanitary districts are distinguished from the remainder of the rural population. Data from a 1970 census sample tape have been used to analyze a number of socioeconomic characteristics, as well as migration and fertility, for each of these five residence categories separately in an attempt to determine if the formerly used rural-urban dichotomy is valid. For each of the characteristics and for migration and fertility, a clear urban-rural continuum emerges, with the sanitary districts generally resembling the smaller urban places more than they do the rural areas under which they are usually subsumed. The evaluation thus suggests the importance to research and policy either of using an urban-rural continuum or of grouping sanitary districts with municipal areas when a dichotomy must be used. Doing so should facilitate evaluation of the interrelations between urbanization and demographic and development factors.
New estimates for Io eruption temperatures: Implications for the interior

Abstract The initial interpretation of Galileo data from Jupiter's moon, Io, suggested eruption temperatures ⩾ 1600 ° C . Tidal heating models have difficulties explaining Io's prodigious heat flow if the mantle is > 1300 ° C , although we suggest that temperatures up to ∼ 1450 ° C may be possible. In general, Io eruption temperatures have been overestimated because the incorrect thermal model has been applied. Much of the thermal emission from high-temperature hot spots comes from lava fountains but lava flow models were utilized. We apply a new lava fountain model to the highest reported eruption temperature, the SSI observation of the 1997 eruption at Pillan. This resets the lower temperature limit for the eruption from ∼1600 to ∼ 1340 ° C . Additionally, viscous heating of the magma may have increased eruption temperature by ∼ 50 – 100 ° C as a result of the strong compressive stresses in the ionian lithosphere. While further work is needed, it appears that the discrepancy between observations and interior models is largely resolved.
Iron-binding properties of plant phenolics and cranberry's bio-effects

The health benefits of cranberries have long been recognized. However, the mechanisms behind its function are poorly understood. We have investigated the iron-binding properties of quercetin, the major phenolic phytochemical present in cranberries, and other selected phenolic compounds (chrysin, 3-hydroxyflavone, 3′,4′-dihydroxy flavone, rutin, and flavone) in aqueous media using UV/vis, NMR and EPR spectroscopies and ESI-Mass spectrometry. Strong iron-binding properties have been confirmed for the compounds containing the “iron-binding motifs” identified in their structures. The apparent binding constants are estimated to be in the range of 106 M−1 to 1012 M−2 in phosphate buffer at pH 7.2. Surprisingly, quercetin binds Fe2+ even stronger than the well known Fe2+-chelator ferrozine at pH 7.2. This may be the first example of an oxygen-based ligand displaying stronger Fe2+-binding affinity than a strong nitrogen-based Fe2+-chelator. The strong Fe-binding properties of these phenolics argue that they may be effective in modulating cellular iron homeostasis under physiological conditions. Quercetin can completely suppress Fenton chemistry both at micromolar levels and in the presence of major cellular iron chelators like ATP or citrate. However, the radical scavenging activity of quercetin provides only partial protection against Fenton chemistry-mediated damage while Fe chelation by quercetin can completely inhibit Fenton chemistry, indicating that the chelation may be key to its antioxidant activity. These results demonstrate that quercetin and other phenolic compounds can effectively modulate iron biochemistry under physiologically relevant conditions, providing insight into the mechanism of action of bio-active phenolics.
Certain Uncorrelated Nonparametric Test Statistics

It is shown that odd translation invariant two sample statistics are uncorrelated with even translation invariant two sample statistics when the distribution function of the combined sample is equally symmetric. This is a generalization of a result of Hogg. It is used to establish conditions under which certain dispersion test statistics (including ones proposed by Lehmann, Mood, Ansari-Bradley-Freund-Barton-David, Klotz and Moses) are uncorrelated with certain location test statistics (including the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon and normal scores).
Middle School Students’ Attitudes Toward a Peer With Autism Spectrum Disorder Effects of Social Acceptance and Physical Inclusion

Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience peer conflict and social challenges, which likely relate to compounded characteristics of both the child with ASD and his or her peers....
Surface dilution kinetics using substrate analog enantiomers as diluents: Enzymatic lipolysis by bee venom phospholipase A2

A novel assay employing D-enantiomers of phospholipids as diluents for characterizing surface kinetics of lipid hydrolysis by phospholipases is introduced. The rationales of the method are (i) D-enantiomers resist hydrolysis because of the stereoselectivity of the enzymes toward L-enantiomers and (ii) mixtures of L+D-lipids at various L/D ratios but constant L+D-lipid concentrations yield a surface dilution series of variable L-lipid concentration with constant medium properties. Kinetic characterization of bee venom phospholipase A(2) activity at bile salt+phospholipid aggregate-water interfaces was performed using the mixed L+D-lipid surface dilution assay, and interface kinetic parameters were obtained. The assay applies to biomembrane models as well. Activity was measured by pH-stat methods. Aggregation numbers and interface hydration/microviscosity measured by time-resolved fluorescence quenching and electron spin resonance, respectively, confirmed that interface properties were indeed invariant in a surface dilution series, supporting rationale (ii), and were used to calculate substrate concentrations. Activity data show excellent agreement with a kinetic model derived with D-enantiomers as diluents and also that D-phospholipids bind to the enzyme but resist hydrolysis; underscoring rationale (i). The assay is significant for enabling determination of interface-specific kinetic parameters for the first time and thereby characterization of interface specificity of lipolytic enzymes.
Research on imitation in mentally retarded persons: Theory-bound or ecological validity run amuck?

Research on imitation in mentally retarded persons was examined to assess whether the bulk of the research had been aimed at theory confirmation and/or was ecologically valid. Sixty-seven studies, mostly published between 1975 and 1980, were reviewed within the framework of the Yando, Seitz, and Zigler (1978) two-factor developmental theory of imitation. It was concluded that most of the research on imitation in mentally retarded persons was not theoretical, but was ecologically valid. The failure of a dominant theoretical framework has led to a lack of systematicity and programmatic effort, thus hampering the applied potential of modeling and imitation in the education and training of mentally retarded individuals.