cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deconstructing the association between abiotic factors and species assemblages in the global ocean microbiome

Abstract Recent work on microbial communities from various environments has shown that coexisting microorganisms with similar metabolic functions can be combined into high level “functional groups”, which explain a larger proportion of variance in abiotic parameters than any individual taxon. However, the general rules by which taxa should be aggregated into functional groups remain elusive. Here, we show that two conditions are required for species-assemblages to explain a higher percentage of variance in abiotic factors than single taxa. 1) consistent taxa-environment correlations, and 2) weak or negative correlations (i.e. complementarity) between taxa. Applying this recipe to the ocean microbiome, we found that the best grouping of taxa is one that partitions it into only two groups, a core and a flexible assemblage. The core assemblage is enriched in Cyanobacteria and oligotrophic heterotrophs, and was strongly correlated to the first principal component of the taxa-sample matrix. The flexible assemblage instead was enriched in metabolically versatile copiotrophs, abundant at higher depths. This simple core / flexible bipartition explained the most variance in abiotic parameters and outperformed annotation-based functional groups as well as individual taxa. It therefore represents the simplest and best grouping of taxa that can be extracted from current ocean microbiome surveys.
A Resource of High-Quality Nanobodies for Drug Delivery

Therapeutic and diagnostic efficacies of numerous small biomolecules and chemical compounds are hampered by poor pharmacokinetics. Here we developed a repertoire of distinct and high-affinity albumin-nanobodies (NbHSA) to facilitate drug delivery. Using biophysics and hybrid structural methods, we have systematically characterized the Nb repertoire, mapped the epitopes, and resolved the architecture of a tetrameric Nb-albumin complex. We employed quantitative proteomics for accurate and multiplex pharmacokinetic analysis of dozens of diverse and high-quality NbHSA and confirmed the most stable construct has a 771-fold T1/2 improvement compared to non-albumin binding Nbs. Interestingly, the pharmacokinetics of NbHSA is related to their biophysical and structural properties. To demonstrate the utility of NbHSA, we developed stable NbHSA-cytokine conjugates “Duraleukins” and confirmed the high anticancer efficacy of a Duraluekin in vivo. This high-quality Nb resource may help advance research into novel biotherapeutics.
Types of Psychological Assessments

When providers, educators, and/or parents or caregivers are making a psychological testing referral for children and adolescents, there is often question about whether to request a clinical psychological assessment, a neuropsychological assessment, or school psychoeducational testing. There is considerable overlap among these three types of evaluation, since all testing of young individuals must focus on documenting developmental status and progress. Yet, there are some important differences among these types in regard to their primary focus and to the nature of their recommendations. Each type has both advantages and drawbacks. Guidance is provided below about making suitable referral choices.
The “Haves, Have Some, and Have Nots:” a Latent Profile Analysis of Capacity, Quality, and Implementation in Community-Based Afterschool Programs

Implementation of evidence-based practices is a critical factor in whether afterschool programs are successful in having a positive impact upon risk reduction and positive youth development. However, important prevention research reveals that contextual and organizational factors can affect implementation (Bradshaw & Pas in School Psychology Review, 40, 530–548, 2011) (Flaspohler et al., in American Journal of Community Psychology, 50(3-4), 271-281, 2012) (Gottfredson et al., Prevention Science, 3, 43–56, 2002) (McIntosh et al., Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 18(4), 209-218, 2016) (Payne in Prevention Science, 10, 151–167, 2009). Using a latent profile approach (LPA), this paper examines multiple organizational and neighborhood contextual factors that might affect the degree to which afterschool programs effectively implement evidence-based practices in the context of a cluster-randomized trial of the Paxis Good Behavior Game (PaxGBG). The Interactive Systems Framework (ISF) explores dimensions of capacity that might matter for prevention efforts. As expected, we found that well-resourced and high-quality programs performed well in terms of implementation (the Haves) and, in neighborhood contexts rich in racial-ethnic diversity. Yet, we found that some programs with less physical and material capacity (the Have Nots), demonstrated greater program quality (i.e., supportive adult and peer relationships, engagement, a sense of belonging) and implementation, relative to programs with better capacity (e.g., space, material resources, staffing, and leadership, the Have Somes). While capacity matters, intentional prevention initiatives that seek to promote evidence-based practices are helpful to sites in supporting organizations that might otherwise fail to provide quality programming for youth. This paper addresses a conundrum in prevention science, namely, how to make programming accessible to those who need it with a focus on organizational processes, program quality, and implementation of evidence-based practices.
Acrobatic squirrels learn to leap and land on tree branches without falling

Arboreal animals often leap through complex canopies to travel and avoid predators. Their success at making split-second, potentially life-threatening decisions of biomechanical capability depends on their skillful use of acrobatic maneuvers and learning from past efforts. Here, we found that free-ranging fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) leaping across unfamiliar, simulated branches decided where to launch by balancing a trade-off between gap distance and branch-bending compliance. Squirrels quickly learned to modify impulse generation upon repeated leaps from unfamiliar, compliant beams. A repertoire of agile landing maneuvers enabled targeted leaping without falling. Unanticipated adaptive landing and leaping "parkour" behavior revealed an innovative solution for particularly challenging leaps. Squirrels deciding and learning how to launch and land demonstrates the synergistic roles of biomechanics and cognition in robust gap-crossing strategies.
Neutrophil Granule Proteins Inhibit Amyloid Beta Aggregation and Neurotoxicity.

Background A role for neutrophils in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is emerging. We previously showed that the neutrophil granule proteins cationic antimicrobial protein of 37 kDa (CAP37), cathepsin G (CG), and neutrophil elastase (NE) directly bind the amyloid-beta peptide Aβ1-42, a central player in AD pathogenesis. CAP37, CG, and NE are serine proteases that can cleave Aβ1-42 at different sites and with different catalytic activities. Objective In this study, we compared the effects of these three proteins on Aβ1-42 fibrillation and neurotoxicity. Methods Using mass spectrometry and in vitro aggregation assay, we found that NE and CG effi- ciently cleave Aβ1-42. This cleavage correlates well with the inhibition of Aβ1-42 aggregation into fi- brils. In contrast, CAP37 did not efficiently cleave Aβ1-42, but was still able to inhibit its fibrillation, most likely through a quenching effect. Inhibition of Aβ1-42 aggregation by NE and CG neutralized its toxicity measured in cultured neurons. In contrast, inhibition of Aβ1-42 aggregation by CAP37 did not inhibit its neurotoxicity. Results We found that a peptide derived from CAP37 could mimic the quenching and inhibition of Aβ1-42 aggregation effects of the full-length protein. Additionally, this peptide was able to inhibit the neurotoxicity of the most toxic Aβ1-42 aggregate, an effect that was not found with the full-length CAP37. Conclusion These results shed light on the mechanisms of action of neutrophil granule proteins with regard to inhibition of Aβ1-42 aggregation and neurotoxicity and open up a possible strategy for the discovery of new disease-modifying drugs for AD.
Gallium-Catalyzed Silicon Oxide Nanowire Growth

Silicon oxide nanowires tend to assemble into various complex morphologies through a metal-catalyzed vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth process. This article summarizes our recent efforts in the controlled growth of silicon oxide nanowire assemblies by using molten gallium as the catalyst and silicon wafer, SiO powder, or silane (SiH4) as the silicon sources. Silicon oxide nanowire assemblies with morphologies of carrotlike, cometlike, gourdlike, spindlelike, badmintonlike, sandwichlike, etc. were obtained. Although the morphologies of the nanowire assemblies are temperature- and silicon source-dependent, they share similar structural and compositional features: all the assemblies contain a microscale spherical liquid Ga ball and a highly aligned, closely packed amorphous silicon oxide nanowire bunch. The Ga-catalyzed silicon oxide nanowire growth reveals several interesting new nanowire growth phenomena that expand our knowledge of the conventional VLS nanowire growth mechanism.
Electrochemistry at carbon fibers

Carbon fibers are proposed as a support electrode for a mercury film electrode. The response of these electrodes is evaluated for use in differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The mercury film is deposited in situ in aqueous solution and used to quantify cadmium in solutions of cadmium salts and organo cadmium compounds in the 1–10 μg l-1 (ppb) concentration range. The good resolution and extremely low background current obtained allow a limit of detection at 0.04 μg Cd l-1.
XMI2USE: A Tool for Transforming XMI to USE Specifications

The UML-based Specification Environment (USE) tool supports syntactic analysis, type checking, consistency checking, and dynamic validation of invariants and pre-/post conditions specified in the Object Constraint Language (OCL). Due to its animation and analysis power, it is useful when checking critical non-functional properties such as security policies. However, the USE tool requires one to specify (i.e., "write") a model using its own textual language and does not allow one to import any model specification files created by other UML modeling tools. Hence, to make the best use of existing UML tools, we often create a model with OCL constraints using a modeling tool such as the IBM Rational Software Architect (RSA) and then use the USE tool for model validation. This approach, however, requires a manual transformation between the specifications of two different tool formats, which is error-prone and diminishes the benefit of automated model-level validations. In this paper, we describe our own implementation of a specification transformation engine that is based on the Model Driven Architecture (MDA) framework and currently supports automatic tool-level transformations from RSA to USE.
Micro and Nano Mechanical Testing of Materials and Devices

Principles and Applications of Indentation.- Size Effects in Nanoindentation.- Indentation in Shape Memory Alloys.- Adhesive Contact of Solid Surfaces.- Nanomechanical Characterization of One-Dimensional Nanostructures.- Deformation Behavior of Nanoporous Metals.- Residual Stress Determination Using Nanoindentation Technique.- Piezoelectric Response in the Contact Deformation of Piezoelectric Materials.- Mechanics of Carbon Nanotubes and Their Composites.- Microbridge Tests.- Nanoscale Testing of One-Dimensional Nanostructures.- Metrologies for Mechanical Response of Micro- and Nanoscale Systems.- Mechanical Characterization of Low-Dimensional Structures Through On-Chip Tests.
Is Smoking Still Important in the Pathogenesis of Peptic Ulcer Disease

The pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease is multifactorial, including the effects of Helicobacter pylori, gastric acid, pepsin, gastroduodenal motility, smoking and nicotine, and the complex interaction of an array of other so-called aggressive and protective factors. Since the discovery and acceptance of H. pylori as a major etiologic agent in peptic ulcer disease, the role of smoking has received less attention. Smokers are more likely to develop ulcers, ulcers in smokers are more difficult to heal, and ulcer relapse is more likely in smokers. These clinical observations may be explained by the adverse effects that smoking has on mucosal aggressive and protective factors. Of the aggressive factors, smoking appears to have no consistent effect on acid secretion. However, smoking impairs the therapeutic effects of histamine-2 antagonists, may stimulate pepsin secretion, promotes reflux of duodenal contents into the stomach, increases the risk for and harmful effects of H. pylori, and increases production of free radicals, vasopressin, secretion by the pituitary, secretion of endothelin by the gastric mucosa, and production of platelet activating factor. Smoking also affects the mucosal protective mechanisms. It decreases gastric mucosal blood flow and inhibits gastric mucous secretion, gastric prostaglandin generation, salivary epidermal growth factor secretion, duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion, and pancreatic bicarbonate secretion. These adverse effects of smoking on aggressive and protective factors quality it as an important contributor to the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease and indicate that smoking plays a significant facilitative role in the development and maintenance of peptic ulcer disease.
A further contribution to the knowledge of the blood lipid fractions from the african elephant Loxodonta africana

Abstract 1. 1. Plasma lipids from 5 African elephants were extracted and fractionated into cholesterol esters, free fatty acids, triglycerides, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, sphingomyelin and glycosphingolipids. The fatty acids of various individual fractions were investigated by gas-chromatography. 2. 2. All animals, except one, had a high linoleic acid content in cholesterol esters indicating an adequate supply of linoleic acid in the diet. 3. 3. Phosphatidyl choline had a strong saturated character originating from the presence of unusually high quantities of stearic acid. 4. 4. Phosphatidylethanolamine was present in small quantities and was characterized by a low content of arachidonic acid. 5. 5. Sphingomyelin did not contain any long chain saturated acids. Instead it contained 10.2–47.0% of a long chain acid which was most likely monounsaturated. 6. 6. The presence of significant quantities of glycosphingolipids was established.
Genetic and metabolic bases of two “albino” phenotypes in the leopard frog, Rana pipiens

Preliminary characterizations of albino Rana pipiens from two widely separated geographic origins, Mexico and Michigan, indicated that different metabolic bases underlie the albino phenotype. Albinism in the Mexican frogs was shown to result from a single Mendelian recessive gene, am (amelanotic), and appeared to involve a biochemical failure of the pigment synthesizing system. Melanophores were present in am/am integument which exhibited tyrosinase activity when provided with exogenous tyrosine or L-DOPA. The tyrosinase activity of am/am melanophores showed greater thermolability than did that of wild type malanophores. The “albinism” of tadpoles collected in Michigan was only partial, and was associated with a highly pleiotropic syndrome, abnormal patterning of chromatophore distributions, and metamorphic failure. Poor pigmentation of integumental melanophores appeared associated in part with inhibitors of melanogenesis. Genetic data on the possible mode of inheritance are not yet available.
α-Melanocyte-simulating hormone and interleukin-10 do not protect the kidney against mercuric chloride-induced injury

The anti-inflammatory cytokines α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) and interleukin (IL)-10 inhibit acute renal failure (ARF) after ischemia or cisplatin administration; however, these agents ha...
New family of algebraically designed optical orthogonal codes for use in CDMA fibre-optic networks

The construction of a new family of optical orthogonal codes (OOC) with nearly ideal auto- and crosscorrelation properties for use in fibre-optic networks is presented. The codes are proved to be ((p*(2p-1))) OOC codes and their construction is based on properties of quadratic congruences. The codes are named extended quadratic congruence (EQC) codes.
Data processing in the cat motoneuron system: averaging functions and rate limitation.

The variability in instantaneous frequency of cat motoneurons in response to various degrees of regularity and synchronization of input is used to examine several forms of data processing occurring in the cat motoneuron system. A theoretical basis is presented which distinguishes between spatial averaging and time averaging of information from muscle afferents and which suggests realizable experiments for assessing their relative strengths. The results of the experiments demonstrate spatial averaging to be a strong form of processing in the motoneuron system; time averaging is found to be much less so. Thus, temporal information is preserved to a greater extent by the motoneuron than is spatial information. Also, an inherent source of motoneuron variability is identified and linked with the process of rate limitation.
River–reservoir transition zones are nitrogen fixation hot spots regardless of ecosystem trophic state

Reservoir hydrodynamics may create heterogeneity in nitrogen (N) fixation along the riverine–transition–lacustrine gradient. In particular, N fixation may be highest in reservoir transition zones where phytoplankton biomass is also expected to be relatively high. We investigated spatial patterns of N fixation in three Texas (USA) reservoirs of varying trophic state. We sampled 6–9 stations along the longitudinal axes of the major inflows and measured N fixation using the acetylene reduction method. Total N, total phosphorus (P), and algal biomass (as chlorophyll-a) were also measured at each sample location. Measurable N fixation was observed in all reservoirs and was light-dependent. Nitrogen fixation was consistently low in the riverine zone, highest in the transition zone, and low in lacustrine zone of all reservoirs. The absolute magnitude of N fixation was similar in two relatively unproductive reservoirs and an order of magnitude higher in the eutrophic reservoir. A similar pattern was observed in mean nutrient and chlorophyll-a concentrations among reservoirs. However, chlorophyll-a concentrations were highest in the riverine zone of each reservoir and exhibited a monotonic decrease in the downstream direction. Maximum chlorophyll-a concentrations did not coincide with maximum N fixation rates. Results of our study indicate that reservoir transition zones can be biogeochemical hot spots for planktonic N fixation, regardless of trophic state. Therefore, transition zones may be the most at risk locations for water quality degradation associated with increased reservoir productivity. Water quality managers and aquatic scientists should consider the spatial heterogeneity imposed by unique hydrodynamic controls in reservoir ecosystems.
Poor kidney allograft survival associated with positive B cell – Only flow cytometry cross matches: A ten year single center study

Abstract The presence of donor specific antibody (DSA) to class 1 or class 2 HLA as detected respectively in T cell or B cell – only flow cytometry cross matches (FCXMs) are risk factors for renal allograft survival, though the comparative risk of these XMs has not been definitively established. Allograft survival and FCXM data in 624 microcytotoxicity (CDC) XM negative kidney transplants were evaluated. Short and long term allograft survival was significantly less in recipients with T− B+ FCXMs (1 year, 74%, 10 year, 58%) compared to T+ B+ FCXMs (1 year, 84%, 10 year, 68%) and to T− B− FCXM (1 year, 90%, 10 year, 85%). Risk factors were positive FCXM, deceased donor (DD) transplantation and donor age, but not race, gender, recipient age or previous transplant. Recipients with T− B+ and T+ B+ FCXMs were at 4.5 and 2.5 fold greater risk, respectively, of DD allograft failure compared to patients with T− B− FCXMs. The quantitative value of FCXM did not correlate with the duration of graft survival. We conclude that patients with DSA to class 2 HLA have a greater risk of early and late allograft failure compared to patients with DSA to class 1 HLA.
The influence of customer use of corporate websites: Corporate social responsibility, trust, and word-of-mouth communication

Abstract This study investigates the potential of organization websites from the customer's perspective. The findings include significant direct effects of customers’ use of corporate websites on their perceptions of a company's corporate social responsibility and their trust in the company, and indirect effects of their use of corporate websites on positive word-of-mouth through trust. The results also indicate a close link between perception of corporate social responsibility and trust.
First Generation Analogues of the Binuclear Site in the Fe-Only Hydrogenases: Fe2(μ-SR)2(CO)4(CN)22-

Hydrogenase enzymes are utilized by numerous microorganisms to produce dihydrogen or to take up dihydrogen in support of their metabolic activities. The two families of metallo-hydrogenases feature FeM({mu}-SR){sub 2}(CO){sub n}(CN){sub n} cores. Having cyanide and CO coligands as well as metal-metal bonding, the hydrogenase active sites represent a link between the otherwise disparate realms of organometallic and biological Fe-S chemistry.
Molecular determinants for PICK1 synaptic aggregation and mGluR7a receptor coclustering: role of the PDZ, coiled coil, and acidic domains

PSD-95/Disc-large/ZO-1 (PDZ) domain-containing proteins play a central role in synaptic organization by their involvement in neurotransmitter receptor clustering and signaling complex assembly. The protein interacting with protein kinase C (PICK1), a synaptic PDZ domain protein that also contains a coiled-coil and acidic domain, binds to several synaptic components including the metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR7a. Coexpression of PICK1 and mGluR7a in heterologous cells induces coclustering of these two proteins. To examine the role of the different structural motifs of PICK1 in synaptic aggregation of PICK1 and mGluR7a coclustering, several PICK1 mutants were generated to analyze their distribution in transfected hippocampal cultured neurons and to test their ability to induce coclusters with mGluR7a when coexpressed in fibroblast cells. The PDZ and coiled-coil domains are both required, whereas the acidic region plays an inhibitory role in these processes. Our data suggest that synaptic aggregation and receptor coclustering depend on PICK1 binding to a target membrane receptor, e.g. mGluR7a, by a PDZ-mediated interaction and on PICK1 oligomerization through the coiled-coil domain. This study defined three structural signals within PICK1 regulating its synaptic localization and receptor coclustering activity, which could represent molecular substrates involved in synaptic development and plasticity.
Citing cybersources: A challenge to disciplinary values

Abstract Citation styles serve as one means of codifying specific disciplines' values regarding knowledge making. Disputes over how to cite online sources using existing documentation styles, particularly those of the Modern Language Association and American Psychological Association, are reflective of larger questions about the value of those sources. One reason teachers question the value of cybersources for students' research is that the nature of cybersources challenges deeply held beliefs about authors, texts, and knowledge-making that teachers wish to pass on to students. A comparison of MLA and APA styles reveals the relationship between citation style and disciplinary values and helps reveal why online sources challenge those values. Although the Internet and World Wide Web will inevitably change the way we do research, they will not change the reasons why we do research. The real challenge is how to use online sources to engage students in the research process.
Vehicle theft along the Texas‐Mexico Border

An international boundary potentially contributes to criminal activity across a border region in at least two important ways. Where a boundary divides a market by restricting the exchange of goods and people, it can generate illicit crossborder traffic. For example, smuggling and blackmarket networks typically arise when commodities available in one nation are greatly desired, but prohibited or heavily taxed in the other. A boundary also sets jurisdictional authority, and consequently may constrain police responses to local crime by limiting essential investigation or by providing refuge in the other nation for lawbreakers. This is especially true where cultures, laws, and enforcement practices are divergent and intergovernment cooperation is tenuous. Thus, border communities frequently become both contraband staging centers and special havens for not only smugglers, but other criminal offenders. Although students of the U.S.-Mexico border are well aware of these observations, they have devoted little research attention to the organization of binational crime (Carter 1983). Notable exceptions include Lupsha's (1985) seminal conceptualization of the border underworld, and several studies concerning the smuggling of consumer goods (Miller, T. 1981), illegal Drugs (Craig 1978, 1980), and undocumented workers (Samora 1971, Stoddard 1976). However, the binational context of predatory crimes (violent or property offenses) has been ignored. This article addresses this neglected area by examining the problem of motor vehicle theft in Texas cities adjacent to Mexico.
A Framework of Cognitive Situation Modeling and Recognition

This paper scopes the issues of Situation Management in dynamic systems, defines the basic concepts, and identifies several key enabling technologies. Particular focus of the paper is given to situation modeling. The paper reviews the major aspects of situation modeling and discusses associated technologies, including Situation Calculus, Situation Semantics, Situation Control, Situation Awareness and others. In more detail, we present an approach to situation modeling and management which is based on combining multi-agent systems and event correlation.
Optical detection of sepsis markers using liquid crystal based biosensors

A liquid crystal based biosensor for the detection and diagnosis of sepsis is currently in development. Sepsis, a major clinical syndrome with a significant public health burden in the US due to a large elderly population, is the systemic response of the body to a localized infection and is defined as the combination of pathologic infection and physiological changes. Bacterial infections are responsible for 90% of cases of sepsis in the US. Currently there is no bedside diagnostic available to positively identify sepsis. The basic detection scheme employed in a liquid crystal biosensor contains attributes that would find value in a clinical setting, especially for the early detection of sepsis. Utilizing the unique properties of liquid crystals, such as birefringence, a bedside diagnostic is in development which will optically report the presence of biomolecules. In a septic patient, an endotoxin known as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is released from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and can be found in the blood stream. It is hypothesized that this long chained molecule will cause local disruptions to the open surface of a sensor containing aligned liquid crystal. The bulk liquid crystal ampli.es these local changes at the surface due to the presence of the sepsis marker, providing an optical readout through polarizing microscopy images. Liquid crystal sensors consisting of both square and circular grids, 100-200 μm in size, have been fabricated and filled with a common liquid crystal material, 5CB. Homeotropic alignment was confirmed using polarizing microscopy. The grids were then contacted with either saline only (control), or saline with varying concentrations of LPS. Changes in the con.guration of the nematic director of the liquid crystal were observed through the range of concentrations tested (5mg/mL - 1pg/mL) which have been confirmed by a consulting physician as clinically relevant levels.
Once blind and now they see.

The article discusses blind children in India and the Project Prakash which is designed to provide various eye-related medical tests and procedures to Indian children as of July 2013. Pediatric surgical procedures such as cataract removals are addressed, along with children suffering from sight-related conditions such as congenital aphakia. Visual functioning tests and optical treatments for blind children in India are examined, along with the World Health Organization and the U.S. National Eye Institute. Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital in New Delhi, India is also assessed.
SPACE-TIME VALIDATION OF A THUNDERSTORM RAINFALL MODEL†

A probability model for predicting the occurrence and magnitude of thunderstorm rainfall developed in the southwestern United States was tested in the metropolitan Chicago area with reasonable success, especially for the moderate to the extreme runoff-producing events. The model requires the estimation of two parameters, the mean number of events per year and the conditional probability of rain given that an event has occurred. To tie in the data from more than one gage in an area, an event can be defined in several ways, such as the areal mean rainfall exceeding 0.50 inch and at least one gage receiving more than 1.0 inch. This type of definition allows both of the model parameters to be obtained from daily warm-season rainfall records. Regardless of the definition used a Poisson distribution adequately described the number of events per season. A negative binomial distribution was derived as representing the frequency density function for rainfall where several gages are employed in defining a storm. Chicago data fit both distributions very well at events with relatively high return periods. The results indicate the possibility of using the model on a regional basis where limited amount of data may be used to estimate parameters for extensive areas.
Devastation in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as a state crime: social audience reactions

In the 5 years since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, scholars in many disciplines have speculated on the sources of the widespread devastation. While many of these studies have focused on objective evidence of the violation of human rights following Hurricane Katrina, this study reviews the human rights violations and goes a step further by examining social audience reactions (both victims and the general public) to the government’s response efforts. Relying on Green and Ward’s (Green 2009; Green and Ward Social Justice, 27, 101–115, 2000; 2004) human rights/organizational deviance definition, which sees state crime as human rights violations that result from state organizational deviance, we attempt to provide further evidence of this case as one of state crime. This article presents results from binary logistic regression analyses that assess the likelihood of respondents disapproving of the actions of officials from various levels of government after the hurricane using data from a survey of Hurricane Katrina evacuees completed by The Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard University (The Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard University 2005) in the weeks after the storm, and data from a special topics ABC News/Washington Post public opinion survey completed in September of 2005 (ABC News/The Washington Post 2006). Key findings in this study include a strong similarity of results across data sets for race, sex, and religion with regards to respondents disapproving responses to the storm devastation at the federal level. A clear majority of respondents in both data sets disapproved of the actions of some level of government, further implying negative audience reactions, and thus the need to recognize the government’s response to Hurricane Katrina as a state crime.
Surgical doping: a policy loophole?

A growing number of athletes have undergone largely elective surgery for performance-enhancing reasons. Treating so-called surgical doping as a policy arbitrage, this research note provides an overview of sport-related surgical enhancement within the context of anti-doping policies. Our findings reveal that such policies are silent on the issue of surgical doping, lending themselves to a loophole World Anti-Doping Agency and other governing bodies should consider addressing as a ‘prohibited method’.
Price discounts in exchange for reduced customer demand variability and applications to advance demand information acquisition

We consider a supplier and a customer operating under a service agreement that requires the supplier to cover the random customer demand with high probability. To fulfill the service agreement, the supplier carries a certain amount of safety stock. The customer has some bearing on its demand variability, possibly through activities such as acquiring advance demand information, employing more sophisticated forecasting techniques or smoothing its product consumption, but these activities bring an extra cost to the customer. Since a reduction in the customer demand variability helps the supplier reduce its safety stock, the supplier is willing to offer a price discount in exchange for reduced demand variability. We examine a pricing scheme where the supplier assesses its potential cost savings from a reduction in the customer demand variability and returns a fraction of these cost savings back to the customer through a price discount. We show that both parties realize cost savings under such a pricing scheme, examine the efficiency issues and consider the case where the customer does not reveal certain cost components accurately.
Response of algal metrics to nutrients and physical factors and identification of nutrient thresholds in agricultural streams

Many streams within the United States are impaired due to nutrient enrichment, particularly in agricultural settings. The present study examines the response of benthic algal communities in agricultural and minimally disturbed sites from across the western United States to a suite of environmental factors, including nutrients, collected at multiple scales. The first objective was to identify the relative importance of nutrients, habitat and watershed features, and macroinvertebrate trophic structure to explain algal metrics derived from deposition and erosion habitats. The second objective was to determine if thresholds in total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) related to algal metrics could be identified and how these thresholds varied across metrics and habitats. Nutrient concentrations within the agricultural areas were elevated and greater than published threshold values. All algal metrics examined responded to nutrients as hypothesized. Although nutrients typically were the most important variables in explaining the variation in each of the algal metrics, environmental factors operating at multiple scales also were important. Calculated thresholds for TN or TP based on the algal metrics generated from samples collected from erosion and deposition habitats were not significantly different. Little variability in threshold values for each metric for TN and TP was observed. The consistency of the threshold values measured across multiple metrics and habitats suggest that the thresholds identified in this study are ecologically relevant. Additional work to characterize the relationship between algal metrics, physical and chemical features, and nuisance algal growth would be of benefit to the development of nutrient thresholds and criteria.
Imaging Microscopic Pigment Chemistry in Conjunctival Melanocytic Lesions Using Pump-Probe Laser Microscopy

PURPOSE To report the application of a novel imaging technique, pump-probe microscopy, to analyze patterns of pigment chemistry of conjunctival melanocytic lesion biopsies. METHODS Histopathologic specimens of eight previously excised conjunctival melanocytic lesions were analyzed with pump-probe microscopy. The technique uses a laser scanning microscope with a two-color pulsed laser source to distinguish hemoglobin, eumelanin, and pheomelanin pigment based on differences in transient excited state and ground state photodynamics. The pump-probe signatures of conjunctival melanins were compared with cutaneous melanins. The distributions of hemoglobin, eumelanin, and pheomelanin were analyzed, and pump-probe images were correlated with adjacent hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections. RESULTS The pump-probe signatures of conjunctival melanins are similar, but not identical to cutaneous melanins. In addition, there are qualitative and quantitative differences in the structure and pigment chemistry of conjunctival benign nevi, primary acquired melanosis of the conjunctiva (PAM), and conjunctival melanomas. The pump-probe images correlated well with histopathologic features observed in the adjacent H&E-stained sections, and provided a label-free means of discerning conjunctival anatomic features and pathologic benign or malignant tissue. CONCLUSIONS Pump-probe laser microscopy shows promise as an adjuvant diagnostic tool in evaluation of ocular melanocytic lesions based on morphologic correlation with the histopathology results and pigment chemistry. This initial study suggests systematic differences in pigmentation patterns among conjunctival benign nevi, primary acquired melanosis, and melanomas. In addition, pump-probe microscopy has the potential for use as a noninvasive "in vivo" optical biopsy technique to aid clinical and surgical management of conjunctival melanocytic lesions.
Large-mode-volume stable resonators

An extension of previous work on mode competition is used to show that transverse modes can be suppressed at high power levels, provided that the ratio of the fundamental-mode-irradiance spatial minimum to maximum exceeds a minimum value. Fox–Li-type calculations are used to establish that spatial uniformity of irradiance may be achieved by using convex central mirrors, to spread out the mode volume, surrounded by annular concave mirrors, to produce stability and low diffraction loss. Amplitude and phase distributions have been obtained for Fresnel numbers up to eight and for a variety of mirror curvatures. An optimum choice of parameters is shown to be available for all Fresnel numbers investigated.
Development of a response-recognition training film in tennis.

A film was designed to shorten the time necessary to perceive the direction of a tennis return. A successful method of validation was conceived and experimentation conducted to determine whether training with the film significantly shortened response time. Preliminary controls were run to estimate the effects of practice and time on response time. All results indicated significant improvement in response time, thus the training device appears to be successful.
A trap for monitoring the sweetpotato weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) using pheromone or live females as bait.

A trap is described for surveying or monitoring the sweetpotato weevil, Cylas formicarius elegantulus (Summers), using virgin females or pheromone loaded onto rubber septa as bait. A dose-response in numbers of males captured was observed when rubber septa were baited with 10 ng, 100 ng, 1 μg, or 10 μg of pheromone. Traps baited with 100 ng or 10 μg caught more males than ones baited with one or three females which in turn caught more males than did light traps. Pheromone-baited traps caught males throughout the day and night, whereas light traps and those baited with females caught males only during the night. When traps were baited with 100 ng or 10 μg, >;90% of the males that came into contact with the trap were caught. When the opening to the trap was approximately the same height as the canopy of the sweet potato plants, traps baited with 10 μg captured more males than when the opening was either below or several centimeters above the canopy. The number of males caught per week followed an exponential curve for 22 weeks after sweet potato slips were planted.
Comparing Theories of Endogenous Protection: Bayesian Comparison of Tobit Models Using Gibbs Sampling Output

Bayesian inference and model comparisons are easily performed quite accurately using Gibbs sampling, even if (1) the likelihood is analytically intractable and (2) nonstandard prior probability density functions (pdfs) are required. In this study Bayesian model comparisons are performed among five competing theories of endogenous protection. Tariff and nontariff barrier data from 1983 between the United States and five OECD partner countries-Japan, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom-are used in the analysis. Posterior odds based on two priors show special-interest models to be more likely than other models in determining U.S. protection.
Mutations in embryonic myosin heavy chain ( MYH3 ) cause Freeman-Sheldon syndrome and Sheldon-Hall syndrome

The genetic basis of most conditions characterized by congenital contractures is largely unknown. Here we show that mutations in the embryonic myosin heavy chain (MYH3) gene cause Freeman-Sheldon syndrome (FSS), one of the most severe multiple congenital contracture (that is, arthrogryposis) syndromes, and nearly one-third of all cases of Sheldon-Hall syndrome (SHS), the most common distal arthrogryposis. FSS and SHS mutations affect different myosin residues, demonstrating that MYH3 genotype is predictive of phenotype. A structure-function analysis shows that nearly all of the MYH3 mutations are predicted to interfere with myosin's catalytic activity. These results add to the growing body of evidence showing that congenital contractures are a shared outcome of prenatal defects in myofiber force production. Elucidation of the genetic basis of these syndromes redefines congenital contractures as unique defects of the sarcomere and provides insights about what has heretofore been a poorly understood group of disorders.
Sustained Effect of an Intervention to Limit Ordering of Emergency Department Lumbosacral Spine Films

Attempts at modification of test-ordering practices among housestaff demonstrate reversion to prior behavior after relaxation of surveillance. To test the hypothesis that use of pre-specified criteria for obtaining emergency department (ED) lumbosacral spine (LSS) films would reduce LSS utilization, we designed a cross-sectional observational study, with 1-year follow-up. The primary endpoint was estimate of efficacy, expressed as a proportionate change in LSS films from 1982 to 1992, adjusted for ED volume. The secondary endpoint was estimate of safety of this protocol. We found a 28% proportionate decrease in LSS films from 1982 to 1992. Among 520 patients with back complaints not meeting criteria for films, 4 had serious back pathology on follow-up that may have been detected on the index ED visit if LSS films had been ordered. All four were HIV(+), three of whom initially denied, then subsequently admitted, to active intravenous drug use. We conclude that use of a simple requisition form is associated with a quantitatively and statistically significant sustained reduction in utilization of ED LSS radiography. This protocol appears to provide a safe, cost-efficient means of limiting LSS film ordering by housestaff, with the possible exception of HIV(+) individuals. Because the association between HIV and radiographic abnormalities may be confounded by intravenous drug use, we cannot determine, on the basis of our data, whether HIV(+) status should be considered an independent criterion for obtaining LSS films.
Non-myeloablative transplantation for severe congenital neutropenia.

Severe Congenital Neutropenia is a rare condition characterized by a very low neutrophil count, which pre-disposes the affected child to recurrent bacterial infections. Treatment with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) has dramatically improved the prognosis of these children; but in patients who have become G-CSF refractory, hematopoeitic stem cell transplant is still the only effective curative treatment. We describe a patient who was unresponsive to escalating doses of G-CSF and underwent a successful reduced intensity conditioning, matched unrelated donor allograft resulting in cure. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:920–921. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Thyroid cancer classification, clinical features, diagnosis and therapy

Summary The topic of thyroid cancer has been highly controversial in all its aspects, but most of all in its histologic classification and its management. The present section is an attempt to crystallize the vast literature in this area. The histology and the ultrastructure of thyroid tumors is discussed. The etiologic factors involved in the development of thyroid cancer are largely unknown; the high incidence of thyroid cancer in Hawaii points to important environmental factors causing malignancies in the thyroid. The importance of radiation to the neck area in childhood is another recognized etiologic factor in the development of thyroid tumors. Isotope scanning techniques are discussed. Ultrasonography is useful for the diagnosis of cystic lesions of the thyroid. Finally the variable surgical procedures used by various authors in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer is reviewed; the rationale for performing a total thyroidectomy in these cases, as advocated by the authors, is discussed. The use of radioiodine therapy following surgery', treatment with suppressive doses of thyroid hormone and the use of adriamycin as a treatment for thyroid cancer uncontrollable by other means are discussed.
Spatiotemporal expression of angiogenesis growth factor receptors during the revascularization of regenerating rat liver.

Regenerating liver was evaluated for the spatiotemporal expression of angiogenic growth factor receptors on endothelial cell (EC) membranes during revascularization resulting from 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx). Fractions enriched in EC membranes were examined by Western blot for angiogenic growth factor receptor expression from 1 to 14 days after PHx. Increases in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR, angiopoietin receptors Tie-1, Tie-2, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGF-R[beta ]), modest increases in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R), and no increase in hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met) or fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGF-R) were observed in isolated membranes during EC proliferation. All receptors were tyrosine phosphorylated, and therefore activated, during peak expression. Immunofluorescence staining of regenerating liver identified populations with increased receptor expression, indicating cells receptive to ligand signaling. EGF-R was upregulated evenly throughout the sinusoidal membrane, whereas c-Met was observed on hepatocyte canaliculae, bile duct epithelium, and large vessel EC. Tie-2 and PDGF-R[beta ] were increased on sinusoidal and large vessel EC, whereas Tie-1 was expressed in EC surrounding avascular hepatic islands. Flk-1/KDR was increased on large vessels with slight increases on sinusoidal EC, whereas Flt-1 was increased in arterioles, sinusoidal EC as well as in hepatocytes. Although Flt-1 was phosphorylated on isolated hepatocytes, vascular endothelial growth factor165 (VEGF165) did not induce a proliferative or motogenic response. Proliferation assays on isolated EC indicated responsiveness to VEGF165, but synergism among several growth factors including PDGF-BB was also observed. The data identify novel autocrine and paracrine interactions and indicate that each growth factor acts on a specific set of EC at specific times during revascularization of regenerating liver. (HEPATOLOGY 2001;34:1135-1148.)