cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunological and molecular approaches to the study of basement membrane proteoglycan diversity.

It has been appreciated for some time that all mammalian basement membranes contain type IV collagen, laminin, entactin/nidogen and proteoglycans [ 11, but more recently it has become clear that there may be a high degree of tissue specificity in the expression of various forms of these molecules. For example, a chain of laminin known as s-laminin [2], is restricted to basement membranes which are present between two tissues, such as the kidney glomerular loop and the neuromuscular junction. In a similar way, it now appears that many forms of proteoglycan may be present in basement membranes, varying not only in core protein but also carbohydrate characteristics. Basement membrane heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG) was first isolated from the murine transplantable Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) tumour matrix [3, 41, and was found to have comparatively low buoyant density (approx. 1.3 g/ml), because of a high protein/carbohydrate ratio, the core protein being 400 kDa. As reported by us and others [ 3, 5, 61, antibodies against this HSPG showed widespread and uniform basement membrane staining of all tissues so far examined, including those of the human. Howcvcr, immunohistochemical analysis with polyclonal antibodies raised against a small HSPG with low protein/carbohydrate ratio and high buoyant density (approx. 1.5 g/ml), indicated this had a heterogeneous distribution in rat basement membranes 171. Although synthesized by most epithelia, including those of the skin and mammary gland, the small HSPG was apparently absent from visceral smooth muscle and cardiac muscle basement membranes. It is currently debated whether small basement membrane HSPGs are derived from the large HSPG by limited proteolysis. Evidence from the EHS tumour and studies on the kidney in vivo have lent support to this view [8, 91. Equally, other evidence has indicated that small HSPGs may be unique [6]. Our studies with antibodies support the case for at least some unique small HSPGs, but the problem can only clearly be resolved by protein sequence data. This is partially available for the large HSPG [lo], and we are currently cloning cDNAs from a mammary epithelial l g t l 1 library, screening with the antibodies against a small basement membrane HSPG [7]. So far, our sequence data do not coincide with those available for the large HSPG, and further important information has emerged from Northern blots. The mRNA encoding the small HSPG was found to be approximately 2.6 kb, whereas that for the large HSPG is 10I 1 kb. Therefore, we now have some evidence for the distinct nature of at least one small HSPG core protein. However, as we and others have indicated [6, 71, there may be some conservation of epitopes between members of this class of basement membrane component which can be detected immunologically. Whether these are protein or carbohydrate determinants is presently unknown. The complexity of basement membrane proteoglycans does not end with HSPGs. We have now identified a chon-
A second case of (de novo) paracentric inversion of the short arm of the X chromosome

A de novo paracentric inversion of the short arm of an X chromosome (p11.2p22.1) was observed in a 17-year-old girl studied because of primary amenorrhea and a Turner phenotype. To our knowledge this is only the second case of a paracentric inversion of the X chromosome short arm reported, the first having been briefly described in 1982, in a young lady with the Turner phenotype. In spite of its balanced appearance, there is little doubt that this rearrangement is the cause of the phenotypic anomalies of the patient, probably as the result of gene(s) modification(s) at the breakpoints on the X chromosome, or because the inverted gene sequence resulted in modifications by position effect. It has become increasingly difficult to recognize obvious phenotype-genotype correlations in Turner syndrome, given the multiplicity of chromosome rearrangements--some of them quite subtle--which are associated with ovarian dysgenesis.
The use of ketoconazole to treat systemic blastomycosis presenting as acute epididymitis.

AbstractWe report on a patient with systemic blastomycosis who presented with acute epididymitis that was followed by the appearance of typical skin and pulmonary lesions. An excellent clinical response was obtained with ketoconazole, a new oral antifungal agent. Only 2 cases of systemic blastomycosis that were treated with ketoconazole have been reported and neither patient had genitourinary involvement. The diagnosis and treatment of systemic blastomycosis with genitourinary involvement, and ketoconazole as the treatment of fungal infections are discussed.
Microwave-specific heating of crystalline species in nuclear waste glass

The microwave heating of a crystal-free and a partially trevorite-crystallized nuclear waste glass simulant was evaluated. Our results show that a 500-mg monolith of partially crystallized waste glass can be heated from room temperature to above 1600°C within 2 min using a single-mode, highly focused, 2.45 GHz microwave, operating at 300 W. Using X-ray diffraction measurements, we show that trevorite is no longer detectable after irradiation and thermal quenching. When a crystal-free analog of the same waste glass simulant composition was exposed to the same microwave radiation, it could not be heated above 450°C regardless of the heating time. The reduction in crystalline content achieved by selectively heating spinels in the presence of glass suggests that microwave-specific heating should be further explored as a technique for remediating crystal accumulation in a glass melt.
Client-Inflicted Violence and Coping Strategies Among Sex Workers in China

To date, very little research has focused on violence inflicted by clients on women working in the sex industry in China. This article examines the nature and extent of client-inflicted violence against sex workers in China and analyzes the coping strategies employed by the victims. It argues that violence is an integral part of sex work. Indoor sex workers are subject to more violence and harassment than their outdoor counterparts, mainly on account of the nature of the sex services provided. The article contends that the criminalization of prostitution places women in a vulnerable position and advocates decriminalization of prostitution to promote health and human rights for disadvantaged women in the sex industry.
Wavelet-Based Demodulation Design for Vehicular Communication Network

Wavelet-based Software-defined radios (SDRs), have become very important in both commercial as well as military applications that demand high Quality of Service (QoS) in hostile physical and spectral conditions. It could also be utilized in the vehicle to vehicle communication networks. This WD-based SDR is compose of a AMR and a modulation. This paper focus on the development of the WD-based Demodulation, which enables of obtaining original signal information by demodulation in the wavelet-domain without an inverse transform of a signal to its time-domain form. The development is proven analytically herein. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations also show that the Bit Error Rates (BERs) obtained from wavelet-based demodulation are very comparable with the optimal case of matched filter-based demodulation. The results of this work show the ability of wavelet transforms to enable the demodulation of communications signals in a single processing sequence by solely using the computationally-friendly mathematics of the Discrete Wavelet Transform.
Geopolymer reinforced with E-glass leno weaves

This study explores the viability of fiberglass-geopolymer composites as an intermediate temperature structural ceramic composite. E-glass fibers are cheap, readily available, resistant to heat, electricity and chemical attack. Geopolymers are refractory and can be processed at room temperature. However, pure geopolymers have low tensile strength and fracture toughness, as is typical of ceramics. In this work, tensile and flexure properties of metakaolin-based sodium and potassium geopolymers reinforced with E-glass leno weaves were measured and the data was analyzed by Weibull statistics. The average tensile and flexural strengths for sodium geopolymer reinforced with E-glass leno weaves were 39.3 ± 7.2 MPa and 25.6 ± 4.8 MPa, respectively. For potassium geopolymer reinforced with E-glass leno weaves, the average tensile and flexural strengths were 40.7 ± 9.9 MPa and 15.9 ± 4.0 MPa, respectively. The composites were heat treated for one hour at two temperatures, 300°C and 550°C and their flexure properties were studied at room temperatures. The average flexural strengths for sodium geopolymer reinforced with E-glass leno weaves were reduced to 6.6 ± 1.0 MPa after heat treatment at 300°C, and 1.2 ± 0.3 MPa after heat treatment at 550°C, respectively. For potassium geopolymer reinforced with E-glass leno weaves, the average flexural strengths were 6.1 ± 1.5 MPa and 1.3 ± 0.3 MPa after heat treatment at 300°C and 550°C, respectively. SEM and EDS were performed to observe the fiber-matrix interface. XRD was done to check if the geopolymer was amorphous as expected.
Abstract P180: Quantification of Substance P in Human Blood by Mass Spectroscopy

Background: Substance P (SP), a tachykinin, may contribute to the effects of ACE inhibitors. Measurement of SP has been limited by its short half-life and cross-reactivity with metabolites. Here we quantify SP in human blood using mass spectroscopy (MS). Methods: Venous blood was obtained from healthy subjects before and during arterial infusion of SP (2, 4, and 8 pmol/min). Venous blood (3 mL) was immediately added to 9 mL chilled ethanol to denature proteases. After 30 min at 4°C, samples were centrifuged and the supernatant stored at -70°C. 13 C 6 , 15 N 4 SP internal standard was then added to the ethanolic supernatant. Samples were purified with Nexus and C 18 Sep-Pak cartridges. Sample was further resolved by UPLC (40°C) on a C18 column using solvent mixture of 5% acetonitrile/0.1% formic acid at a flow rate 0.14 mL/min to 30% acetonitrile/0.1% formic acid in 7 min with a linear gradient, and quantified by positive ESI-MS/MS on a “Vantage” triple quadrupole MS with SRM. Results: The lower limit of detection of SP was 0.1 pg. Linearity was confirmed over a 100-fold concentration range. Precision was measured by analyzing five 2-mL aliquots of pooled ethanolic supernatant from 3 volunteers collected during SP 8 pmol/min. The coefficient of variation was 2.2%. The mean SP concentration was 2.3 pg/mL at baseline and increased with intra-arterial dose (Figure). Conclusion: SP can be measured in blood using MS. This assay can be used to study the effects of ACE, DPP4, and neprilysin inhibitors on SP.
Politics at the Cutting Edge: Intergovernmental Policy Innovation in the Affordable Care Act

In the eight years since the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), state governments have remained critical sites of contention over the law. Intense partisan conflict over ACA implementation has raised questions about traditional theories of intergovernmental relations, which posit that federal–state cooperation depends largely on policy design. Yet, few studies have examined how partisanship, as well as other important factors, shape state policy innovations under the ACA. This article examines the ACA’s State Innovation Models (SIM) initiative. SIM is specifically geared towards incentivizing states to experiment with new models of payment and delivery that can improve health outcomes and/or reduce health-care costs. Drawing on a combination of quantitative and qualitative evidence, we find that states’ participation in SIM is shaped by partisanship, administrative capacity, and state policy legacies. Our findings have implications for future efforts at intergovernmental health reforms.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a potentially disabling disease due to increased fracture fragility and spinal involvement. The molecular causes of osteogenesis imperfecta are frequently tested.
High-performance Optoelectronic and Nanophotonic Devices Enabled by Ultra-thin, Smooth, and Low-loss Doped Silver

We present a new plasmonic material termed ‘doped Ag’, and its applications in various optoelectronic and nanophotonic devices with improved performance, including organic solar cells, polymer light emitting diodes, hyperbolic metamaterials, and plasmonic interconnects.
Systems management of operational support systems applications

This paper discusses some of the challenges of providing systems management to BT‘s operational support systems (OSS). As the OSS evolve to exploit the three-tier distributed architecture, the provision of successful systems management solutions must overcome many problems, including those of scale, scope, functionality, integration, rate of change, and the relative immaturity of available solutions. The enterprise systems management framework (ESMF), BT‘s solution to the systems management requirements of three-tier distributed computing systems, is described. The ESMF takes a standards-based approach, integrating suitable tools into a management framework. This framework has then been extended in novel ways to provide the overall solution.
Promoting Mental Health in Early Childhood Programs: Serving Low-Income Ethnic Minority Families

Nearly 25% of young children in the United States are living in poverty, and a disproportionate number of those children are African American or Latino (Children’s Defense Fund, 2011). Living in poverty is stressful and it increases the likelihood that children will have more developmental, academic, and mental health problems than their more economically advantaged peers (Bauman, Silver, & Stein, 2006; Booth & Crouter, 2008; Guyer et al., 2009; National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, 2004).
GABA A Receptor Channels; Properties and Regulation

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) type A (GABA A ) receptors are the primary mediators of fast inhibition in the central nervous system (CNS). Although knowledge of their three-dimensional structure is incomplete, recent studies have facilitated construction of models to explain the molecular mechanisms of channel gating, drug binding, and drug modulation of receptor currents, and the effects of mutations in GABA A receptor subunit genes that cause diseases such as epilepsy. Expression of different GABA A receptor isoforms in different brain regions and cell types throughout development and rates of receptor biosynthesis and endocytosis are highly regulated in the CNS to control tightly inhibitory tone and actively modulate inhibitory networks.
Observation of collisionless-to-collisional transition in colliding plasma jets with optical Thomson scattering

This paper reports the results of an optical (526.5 nm) Thomson scattering investigation of low-Z (C5H8O2) plasma jets created on the OMEGA laser. We were able to measure the plasma parameters of individual jets and investigate the nature of the interaction when two jets were collided head-on. We found that the mass density of an individual jet increased from 10−7 to 10−4 g cm−3, while the velocity fell from 300 to 100 km s over the probed time period (12–18 ns). When two jets were collided, we were able to capture the transition from collisionless interaction (interpenetration) to collisional interaction (stagnation and shock formation). The timing of the collisionless-to-collisional transition was investigated with visible light self-emission images of the experiments, with streaked Thomson scattering of the interaction region, and by calculating the ion penetration depth based on the measured density and velocity of the jets. All three approaches broadly agree: the colliding jets transitioned from collisionless to collisional behavior around 16 ns after drive laser beams were fired.This paper reports the results of an optical (526.5 nm) Thomson scattering investigation of low-Z (C5H8O2) plasma jets created on the OMEGA laser. We were able to measure the plasma parameters of individual jets and investigate the nature of the interaction when two jets were collided head-on. We found that the mass density of an individual jet increased from 10−7 to 10−4 g cm−3, while the velocity fell from 300 to 100 km s over the probed time period (12–18 ns). When two jets were collided, we were able to capture the transition from collisionless interaction (interpenetration) to collisional interaction (stagnation and shock formation). The timing of the collisionless-to-collisional transition was investigated with visible light self-emission images of the experiments, with streaked Thomson scattering of the interaction region, and by calculating the ion penetration depth based on the measured density and velocity of the jets. All three approaches broadly agree: the colliding jets transitioned from coll...
Vicious circle principle, aggregates, and formation of sets in ASP based languages

Abstract The paper introduces an extension of the original Answer Set Prolog (ASP) by several set constructs including aggregates, defined as functions on sets. The new language, called A l o g allows creating sets based on the Vicious Circle Principle by Poincare and Russell which eliminates a number of problems found in existing extensions of ASP by aggregates. We argue that, despite the fact that A l o g is not as expressive as other extensions of ASP by aggregates, clarity of its syntax and semantics, addition of several new set-based constructs, and simplicity and the ease of use make it a viable competitor to these languages. We also study a number of important properties of the language and show how ideas used in its design can be utilized to generalize and simplify the definition of another important extension of ASP by aggregates.
A graphical model for skewed matrix-variate non-randomly missing data

Epidemiological studies on periodontal disease (PD) collect relevant bio-markers, such as the clinical attachment level (CAL) and the probed pocket depth (PPD), at pre-specified tooth sites clustered within a subject's mouth, along with various other demographic and biological risk factors. Routine cross-sectional evaluation are conducted under a linear mixed model (LMM) framework with underlying normality assumptions on the random terms. However, a careful investigation reveals considerable non-normality manifested in those random terms, in the form of skewness and tail behavior. In addition, PD progression is hypothesized to be spatially-referenced, i.e. disease status at proximal tooth-sites may be different from distally located sites, and tooth missingness is non-random (or informative), given that the number and location of missing teeth informs about the periodontal health in that region. To mitigate these complexities, we consider a matrix-variate skew-$t$ formulation of the LMM with a Markov graphical embedding to handle the site-level spatial associations of the bivariate (PPD and CAL) responses. Within the same framework, the non-randomly missing responses are imputed via a latent probit regression of the missingness indicator over the responses. Our hierarchical Bayesian framework powered by relevant Markov chain Monte Carlo steps addresses the aforementioned complexities within an unified paradigm, and estimates model parameters with seamless sharing of information across various stages of the hierarchy. Using both synthetic and real clinical data assessing PD status, we demonstrate a significantly improved fit of our proposition over various other alternative models.
c-Jun N terminal kinase signaling pathways mediate cannabinoid tolerance in an agonist-specific manner.

Abstract Tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of cannabinoids represents a significant limitation to their clinical use in managing chronic pain. Tolerance likely results from desensitization and down-regulation of the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R), with CB1R desensitization occurring via phosphorylation of CB1Rs by a G protein-coupled receptor kinase and subsequent association with an arrestin protein. Previous studies have shown that (1) desensitization-resistant S426A/S430A mice exhibit a modest delay in tolerance for Δ9-THC and (-)-CP55,940 but a more pronounced disruption in tolerance for WIN 55,212-2 and (2) that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling may selectively mediate antinociceptive tolerance to morphine compared to other opioid analgesics. In the current study, we found that pretreatment with the JNK inhibitor SP600125 (3 mg/kg) attenuates tolerance to the antinociceptive in the formalin test and to the anti-allodynic effects of Δ9-THC (6 mg/kg) in cisplatin-evoked neuropathic pain using wild-type mice. We also find that SP600125 causes an especially robust reduction in tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of Δ9-THC (30 mg/kg), but not WIN 55,212-2 (10 mg/kg) in the tail-flick assay using S426A/S430A mice. Interestingly, SP600125 pretreatment accelerated tolerance to the antinociceptive and anti-allodynic effects of (-)-CP55,940 (0.3 mg/kg) in mice with acute and neuropathic pain. These results demonstrate that inhibition of JNK signaling pathways delay tolerance to Δ9-THC, but not to CP55,940 or WIN55,212-2, demonstrating that the mechanisms of cannabinoid tolerance are agonist-specific.
Configuration Recognition with Distributed Information for Modular Robots

Modular robots are usually composed of multiple blocks with uniform docking interfaces that can be transformed into different configurations. It is a significant challenge to recognize modular robot configurations composed of hundreds of modules. Given a new configuration, it is important to match it to an existing configuration and, if true, map each module to the module in this matching configuration when applying many modular robot control schemes. An efficient algorithm is presented to address this matching and mapping problem by making use of distributed information from each module and new structure to design the configuration library. The cluster is discovered and the root module is determined first. Then the matching and mapping problem is solved simultaneously in polynomial time. The algorithm is demonstrated on real modular robots and shown to be efficient to solve this configuration recognition problem.
Digital Communications: Colonization or Rationalization?

This chapter evaluates the use of digital communication in contemporary Africa with the goal of rationalizing its effects on structural layers of African culture. Digital communication has impacted African culture, especially at the material and behavioral layers. This impact is arguably beneficial in terms of easing quality of life and enhancing communication. Nonetheless, the African reinvention of the use of telephone, which incorporates elements of African culture, demonstrates that cultural effect is not a one-way event where the inventor completely influences a passive culture. Instead, Africa has adopted digital communication through a process of rationalization and reinvention that has changed digital communication to satisfy Africa’s cultural needs. Thus, the changes that Africa experiences demonstrate this choice making that is not uninformed, passive, or without agency.
Man’s New Best Friend? Strengthening Human-Robot Dog Bonding by Enhancing the Doglikeness of Sony’s Aibo

Commercial robotic dogs, such as Sony’s Aibo, have recently been reimagined. Our goal with this research was to examine factors that influence human-robot dog bonding. We created a 2x2 between-subjects experiment, by framing the Aibo as a puppy or robot, and by adding fur to the Aibo or not. We hypothesized that bonding would be stronger when the robotic dog was framed to participants as a puppy rather than a robot, and it would be stronger when the robotic dog was dressed in a fur suit. Results showed that participants were less positive toward Aibo when framed as a puppy compared to when Aibo was framed as a robot. Adding fur had a positive effect: Aibo was considered less scary compared to having no fur. In addition, behavioral interaction results showed that asking the Aibo to “come here” was the most popular command with respect to the number of completed actions, failures, and social behavior, and the time spent. Our approach could inform design in a way that integrates dogs into the work force to help people relieve boredom, stress, and help them carry out their jobs more effectively and cost efficiently.
Bupivacaine local anesthetic to decrease opioid requirements after radical cystectomy: Does formulation matter?

Abstract Introduction Reduction of opioids is an important goal in the care of patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC). Liposomal bupivacaine (LB) has been shown to be a safe and effective pain reliever in the immediate postoperative period and has been reported to reduce postoperative opioid requirements. Since the liposomal formulation is predicated on slow systemic absorption, the amount of bupivacaine administered is notably higher than that typically used with standard bupivacaine (SB) formulations. In addition, LB is costly, not universally available, and studies comparing this formulation to SB are lacking. We sought to determine if there is a difference in postoperative opioid requirements in patients who receive LB vs. high dose SB at the time of RC. Methods In May 2019 we transitioned to administration of high-volume SB injected intraoperatively at the time of RC. This prospective cohort was compared to a historical cohort of patients who received injection of LB at the time of surgery. Primary endpoints included postsurgical opioid use measured in morphine equivalent dose (MED) and patient-reported Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores and length of stay. All patients were managed using principles of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). Results From May 2019 through August 2019, 28 patients underwent RC and met eligibility criteria to receive SB at the time of surgery. They were compared to a historical cohort of 34 patients who received LB between November 2017 and July 2018. There was no difference in MED exposure either in the postanesthesia care unit (SB 9.0 ± 8.9 MED vs. LB 6.5 ± 9.4 MED, P= 0.29) or during the remainder of the hospital stay (SB 36.8 ± 56.9 MED vs. LB 42.1 ± 102.5 MED, P= 0.81), no difference in NRS pain scores on postoperative day 1 (SB 2.6 ± 1.6 vs. LB 2.1 ± 1.7, P= 0.23), day 2 (SB 2.4 ± 1.8 vs. LB 1.9 ± 1.6, P= 0.19), or day 3 (SB 1.9 ± 1.8 vs. LB 1.7 ± 1.7, P= 0.69) and no difference in length of stay (SB 5.0 ± 1.7 days, LB 4.9 ± 3.3 days, P= 0.93). Subgroup analysis of open RC and robotic-assisted RC showed no significant difference in MED or pain scores between LB and SB patients. Conclusions Among patients undergoing RC under ERAS protocol there was no significant difference in postoperative opioid consumption, NRS pain scores, or length of stay among patients receiving SB compared to LB.
Allopurinol hepatotoxicity is associated with human leukocyte antigen Class I alleles.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Allopurinol can cause HLA class I-associated life-threatening severe skin reactions. However, HLA risk and association with clinical features in allopurinol hepatotoxicity are unknown. METHODS Eleven of 17 patients with suspected allopurinol hepatotoxicity enrolled into the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network were adjudicated as definite, highly likely, or probable. High-resolution HLA sequencing was undertaken in cases and compared with population and other DILI controls. RESULT Median age was 60 years, 54% were male, and 63% African- American, 27% Caucasian, and 9% Hispanic. Patients presented at a median of 52 days after starting allopurinol, all were hospitalized and six were jaundiced. The median peak ALT, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin were 525 U/L, 521 U/L, and 7.8 mg/dl, respectively, with a median R ratio of 2.7 at onset. During follow-up, nine patients were treated with corticosteroids including five of the six with suspected DRESS. Three patients died including two from liver failure at 38 and 45 days after onset, and the remaining eight recovered. Three HLA alleles were found to be overrepresented in allopurinol cases, particularly in African Americans: HLA-B*58:01, which has been previously linked to severe skin reactions, and HLA-B*53:01 and HLA-A*34:02, all of which are more frequently found in African Americans than European Americans or Latinos. CONCLUSIONS Allopurinol hepatotoxicity is associated with systemic hypersensitivity, a short latency to onset, African-American race and three HLA risk alleles, HLA-B*58:01, HLA-B*53:01, and HLA-A*34:02-58:01 testing may help confirm a diagnosis of hepatotoxicity in allopurinol-treated patients.
State Presence, Armed Actors, and Criminal Violence in Central America

This paper examines the relationship between the perceived presence of state forces and non-state actors and the levels of criminal violence affecting Central America. It contends that state presen...
Consistent Controls on Trace Metal Micronutrient Speciation in Wetland Soils and Stream Sediments

Abstract Trace metal are essential for microbially-mediated biogeochemical processes occurring in anoxic wetland soils and stream bed sediments, but low availability of these elements may inhibit anaerobic element cycling and transformations. Solid-phase speciation is likely a critical control on trace metal availability but has seen limited study in anoxic systems having concentrations similar to geological background levels, where metal limitations may be most prevalent. We have investigated trace metal concentrations and solid-phase speciation in three freshwater subsurface aquatic systems: marsh wetland soils, riparian wetland soils, and the sediments of a streambed. These systems displayed low solid-phase trace metal concentrations, generally at or below geological background levels, which generally followed the trend Zn > Cu ≈ Ni > Co and showed no correlation with major element compositions. All soils and sediments were dominated by quartz but varied in clay mineralogy as well as the organic matter, total sulfur, and total iron contents. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy shows that sulfur speciation in both wetlands is dominated by organic sulfur. Elemental sulfur and iron sulfides together made up
Do academic disciplines matter? An analysis of organizational responses to the accreditation of graduate programs by field of study and sector

Accreditation in higher education has become omnipresent and, on many occasions, has been used as a synonym for quality assurance. The establishment of accreditation agencies as a worldwide phenomenon, however, is relatively recent in the history of higher education. Through a predominantly qualitative approach, this paper aims to analyze how programs from different academic disciplines perform in terms of the accreditation of graduate programs in Argentina and how different programs respond to the same accreditation process. Additionally, it analyzes the performance of private sector programs. As expected, academic disciplines play a vital role in the accreditation process, programmatic performance, and responses to this quality assurance mechanism while sector may not play a vital role. Surprisingly, soft pure programs perform better than both hard and soft applied programs. The results highlight the importance of considering both the paradigm (hard or soft) and level application (pure or applied) when analyzing the role of academic disciplines in higher education studies.
Sets, Aggregates, and Numbers

(1985). Sets, Aggregates, and Numbers. Canadian Journal of Philosophy: Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 581-592.
Maternal prepregnancy body mass index and risk of spontaneous preterm birth

Background Findings from studies examining risk of preterm birth associated with elevated prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) have been inconsistent. Methods Within a large population-based cohort, we explored associations between prepregnancy BMI and spontaneous preterm birth across a spectrum of BMI, gestational age, and racial/ethnic categories. We analysed data for 989 687 singleton births in California, 2007–09. Preterm birth was grouped as 20–23, 24–27, 28–31, or 32–36 weeks gestation (compared with 37–41 weeks). BMI was categorised as <18.5 (underweight); 18.5–24.9 (normal); 25.0–29.9 (overweight); 30.0–34.9 (obese I); 35.0–39.9 (obese II); and ≥40.0 (obese III). We assessed associations between BMI and spontaneous preterm birth of varying severity among non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic Black women. Results Analyses of mothers without hypertension and diabetes, adjusted for age, education, height, and prenatal care initiation, showed obesity categories I–III to be associated with increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth at 20–23 and 24–27 weeks among those of parity 1 in each race/ethnic group. Relative risks for obese III and preterm birth at 20–23 weeks were 6.29 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.06, 12.9], 4.34 [95% CI 2.30, 8.16], and 4.45 [95% CI 2.53, 7.82] for non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, and Hispanics, respectively. A similar, but lower risk, pattern was observed for women of parity ≥2 and preterm birth at 20–23 weeks. Underweight was associated with modest risks for preterm birth at ≥24 weeks among women in each racial/ethnic group regardless of parity. Conclusions The association between women's prepregnancy BMI and risk of spontaneous preterm birth is complex and is influenced by race/ethnicity, gestational age, and parity.
Four steps toward open-ended evolution

In 1998, Bedau et al. defined a set of metrics for characterizing the long-term evolutionary dynamics of a system. They argued that no known artificial system demonstrates the unbounded evolutionary activity observed in the fossil record. In response we have developed a series of toy models that approach and eventually succeed in demonstrating unbounded evolutionary activity. The underwhelming success of the models suggests that there must be more to open-ended evolution than just unbounded evolutionary activity as the term is currently defined. We derive some potential extensions to the metrics and requirements for developing open-ended evolution in an artificial system.
Low-cost process creation and dynamic partitioning in Qlisp

Our experiments with Qlisp have led to two ways of improving the performance of parallel Lisp programs. One is to reduce the cost of process creation and scheduling; the other is to use a dynamic partitioning and scheduling method. We describe these techniques and present the results of several experiments that use them. We also present an analysis of the dynamic partitioning method to explain the reasons for its success.
Identifying Appropriate Recipients for CDC Infectious Risk Donor Kidneys

Over 10% of deceased donors in 2011 met PHS/CDC criteria for infectious risk donor (IRD), and discard rates are significantly higher for kidneys from these donors. We hypothesized that patient phenotypes exist for whom the survival benefit outweighs the infectious risk associated with IRDs. A patient-oriented Markov decision process model was developed and validated, based on SRTR data and meta-analyses of window period risks among persons with IRD behaviors. The Markov model allows patients to see, for their phenotype, their estimated survival after accepting versus declining an IRD offer, graphed over a 5-year horizon. Estimated 5-year survival differences associated with accepting IRDs ranged from -6.4% to +67.3% for a variety of patient phenotypes. Factors most predictive of the survival difference with IRD transplantation were age, PRA, previous transplant, and the expected time until the next non-IRD deceased donor offer. This study suggests that survival benefit derived from IRD kidneys varies widely by patient phenotype. Furthermore, within the inherent limitations of model-based prediction, this study demonstrates that it is possible to identify those predicted to benefit from IRD kidneys, and illustrates how estimated survival curves based on a clinical decision can be presented to better inform patient and provider decision-making.
Decision Analysis on Alternative Treatment Strategies for Favorable-Prognosis, Early-Stage Hodgkin's Disease

PURPOSE: To compare the therapeutic outcomes of various treatment strategies in early-stage, favorable-prognosis Hodgkin's disease (HD) using methods of decision analysis. METHODS: We constructed a decision-analytic model to determine the life expectancy and quality-adjusted life expectancy for a hypothetical cohort of clinically or pathologically staged 25-year-old patients with early-stage, favorable-prognosis HD treated with varying degrees of initial therapy. Markov models were used to simulate the lifetime clinical course of patients, and baseline probability estimates were derived from published study results. RESULTS: Among patients with pathologic stage (PS) I to II, mantle and para-aortic (MPA) radiotherapy was favored over combined-modality therapy (CMT), mantle radiotherapy, and chemotherapy by 1.18, 1.33, and 1.55 years, respectively. For patients with clinical stage (CS) I to II, the treatment options of MPA-splenic radiotherapy, CMT, and chemotherapy yielded similar survival outcomes. Sensit...
Not by technology alone: The “analog” aspects of online public engagement in policymaking

Abstract Between Twitter revolutions and Facebook elections, there is a growing belief that information and communication technologies are changing the way democracy is practiced. The discourse around e-government and online deliberation is frequently focused on technical solutions and based in the belief that if you build it correctly they will come. This paper departs from the literature on digital divide to examine barriers to online civic participation in policy deliberation. While most scholarship focuses on identifying and describing those barriers, this study offers an in-depth analysis of what it takes to address them using a particular case study. Based in the tradition of action research, this paper focuses on analysis of practices that evolved in Regulation Room—a research project of CeRI (Cornell eRulemaking Initiative) that works with federal government agencies in helping them engage public in complex policymaking processes. It draws a multidimensional picture of motivation, skill, and general political participation divides; or the “analog” aspects of the digital divide in online civic participation and policy deliberation.
Quadrupole Interactions of Vanadium and Manganese in Corundum

Hyperfine fields and quadrupole interactions have been measured for divalent vanadium and quadrivalent manganese in corundum by electron-nuclear-double-resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy. This work, together with previous work on trivalent chromium, provides a study of electronic properties of dilute impurities in an isoelectronic sequence. The results show that the internal magnetic field due to the paramagnetic electrons is the same for all ions and equal to about -200 kG. The quadrupole interaction is -0.021 Mc/sec for ${\mathrm{V}}^{51}$ and 0.138 Mc/sec for ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{55}$. This is to be compared with a value for the host aluminum nuclei of 0.180 Mc/sec. A theory based on the point-charge model is unable to account for this result in any simple way. The possible influence of covalent bonds on the observed field gradients is discussed.
Using Two-Way Datacasting to Deliver Real-Time Public Safety Information

Datacasting involves the use of the excess bandwidth in a digital terrestrial television station's stream to deliver broadcasted data to a variety of receivers. Initially developed as a stationary fixed technology, this project involves receiving this broadcast in a mobile environment. This one-way transmission allows the datacast receiver to decouple data packets at a rate of up to 2.5 Mbps. Utilizing these data rates, various real-time applications can play a major role in placing information in the field where the existing low-speed data transmission methods in use today cannot. Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have already reported in various papers the successes achieved in datacasting in the mobile environment, an implementation that the original developers of datacasting had not intended. The introduction of two-way communication using multiple channels coordinated with datacasting has allowed the datacasting system to achieve real-time, asymmetric broadband communication in the mobile environment that is both cost-effective and viable for delivering critical data to the field in a timely and reliable fashion. This paper explains the technical concepts jointly engineered to deliver the two-way datacasting model, as well as highlights the results of prototype applications and devices installed in a mobile environment. Further, future challenges and enhancements of the technology are highlighted.
The development of self-originated new drugs by Swiss pharmaceutical firms, 1960-1980.

This study of the development and regulation of self-originated new chemical entities (NCEs) in Switzerland between 1960 and 1980 is based on confidential data obtained through a survey of the three largest Swiss companies. Analyses of these data allowed description of the changes over time in (1) the number of NCEs introduced into clinical testing each year, (2) the time required to test and gain approval for a new drug, and (3) the success rate for NCEs, i.e., the proportion of those tested in man that received marketing approval. Because Swiss regulations may have an impact on these trends, the possible relationship between major regulatory events and changes in research activity is examined. Other factors such as regulatory requirements in major foreign markets and international economic influences are also considered.
SOX9 inhibits β-TrCP-mediated protein degradation to promote nuclear GLI1 expression and cancer stem cell properties

The high mobility group box protein SOX9 and the GLI1 transcription factor play protumorigenic roles in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). In Kras transgenic mice, each of these factors are crucial for the development of PDA precursor lesions. SOX9 transcription is directly regulated by GLI1, but how SOX9 functions downstream of GLI1 is unclear. We observed positive feedback, such that SOX9-deficient PDA cells have severely repressed levels of endogenous GLI1, attributed to loss of GLI1 protein stability. SOX9 associated with the F-box domain of the SKP1/CUL1/F-box (SCF) E3 ubiquitin ligase component, β-TrCP (also known as F-box/WD repeat-containing protein 1A), and suppressed its association with SKP1 and GLI1, a substrate of SCF-β-TrCP. SOX9 also tethered β-TrCP within the nucleus and promoted its degradation. SOX9 bound to β-TrCP through the SOX9 C-terminal PQA/S domain that mediates transcriptional activation. Suppression of β-TrCP in SOX9-deficient PDA cells restored GLI1 levels and promoted SOX9-dependent cancer stem cell properties. These studies identify SOX9–GLI1 positive feedback as a major determinant of GLI1 protein stability and implicate β-TrCP as a latent SOX9-bound tumor suppressor with the potential to degrade oncogenic proteins in tumor cells.
Physical and psychological correlates of fatigue and physical function: a Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR) study.

Abstract Fatigue is a multidimensional construct that has significant implications for physical function in chronic noncancer pain populations but remains relatively understudied. The current study characterized the independent contributions of self-reported ratings of pain intensity, sleep disturbance, depression, and fatigue to ratings of physical function and pain-related interference in a diverse sample of treatment-seeking individuals with chronic pain. These relationships were examined as a path modeling analysis of self-report scores obtained from 2,487 individuals with chronic pain from a tertiary care outpatient pain clinic. Our analyses revealed unique relationships of pain intensity, sleep disturbance, and depression with self-reported fatigue. Further, fatigue scores accounted for significant proportions of the relationships of both pain intensity and depression with physical function and pain-related interference and accounted for the entirety of the unique statistical relationship between sleep disturbance and both physical function and pain-related interference. Fatigue is a complex construct with relationships to both physical and psychological factors that has significant implications for physical functioning in chronic noncancer pain. The current results identify potential targets for future treatment of fatigue in chronic pain and may provide directions for future clinical and theoretical research in the area of chronic noncancer pain. Perspective Fatigue is an important physical and psychological variable that factors prominently in the deleterious consequences of pain intensity, sleep disturbance, and depression for physical function in chronic noncancer pain.
Convergent synaptic and circuit substrates underlying autism genetic risks

There has been a surge of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) over the past decade. While large, high powered genome screening studies of children with ASD have identified numerous genetic risk factors, research efforts to understanding how each of these risk factors contributes to the development autism has met with limited success. Revealing the mechanisms by which these genetic risk factors affect brain development and predispose a child to autism requires mechanistic understanding of the neurobiological changes underlying this devastating group of developmental disorders at multifaceted molecular, cellular and system levels. It has been increasingly clear that the normal trajectory of neurodevelopment is compromised in autism, in multiple domains as much as aberrant neuronal production, growth, functional maturation, patterned connectivity, and balanced excitation and inhibition of brain networks. Many autism risk factors identified in humans have been now reconstituted in experimental mouse models to allow mechanistic interrogation of the biological role of the risk gene. Studies utilizing these mouse models have revealed that underlying the enormous heterogeneity of perturbed cellular events, mechanisms directing synaptic and circuit assembly may provide a unifying explanation for the pathophysiological changes and behavioral endophenotypes seen in autism, although synaptic perturbations are far from being the only alterations relevant for ASD. In this review, we discuss synaptic and circuit abnormalities obtained from several prevalent mouse models, particularly those reflecting syndromic forms of ASD that are caused by single gene perturbations. These compiled results reveal that ASD risk genes contribute to proper signaling of the developing gene networks that maintain synaptic and circuit homeostasis, which is fundamental to normal brain development.
A comparison of attributions, health beliefs, and negative emotions as predictors of fluid adherence in renal dialysis patients: A prospective analysis

Excessive fluid intake in hemodialysis patients can lead to serious cardiovascular complications. However, previous studies have not investigated factors that affect fluid adherence over time. The influence of three sets of factors—attributions, health beliefs, and negative emotions—was examined to determine their influence on changes in fluid adherence over time. We assessed patient's fluid-intake changes across two time periods, as well as their absolute level. The results indicated that attributions, while predicting absolute fluid adherence, did not predict changes in fluid adherence. On the other hand, health beliefs predicted changes in fluid adherence but not absolute levels. Negative emotions predicted neither absolute nor changes in fluid adherence. It is suggested that attributions are more responsible for maintenance and control of stable fluid adherence levels, while health beliefs are more responsible for motivational factors related to changes in fluid adherence over time.
Modern Problems of Crime Prevention and Crime Detection and the United Nations

(1974). Modern Problems of Crime Prevention and Crime Detection and the United Nations. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences: Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 3-10.