cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The technique of microfracture for the treatment of articular cartilage defects in the knee

The premise of the microfracture technique is to stimulate the underlying bone marrow and rely on the stereotyped vascular response to injury to heal a full-thickness defect in articular cartilage. Microfracture is indicated for both traumatic and degenerative lesions. The technique is useful for both unipolar and kissing (bipolar) lesions and in both the primary treatment and revision settings. There are no contraindications to the technique based on the size or location of the lesion. The technique has been shown to result in statistically significant improvement ( P
Lamellar-to-hexagonal HII phase transitions in liposomes of rye plasma membrane lipids after osmotic dehydration

Abstract The plasma membrane of isolated protoplasts from non-acclimated but not from acclimated rye leaves undergoes lamellar-to-hexagonal H II phase transitions after freeze-induced dehydration (Gordon-Kamm, W.J. and P.L. Steponkus (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81, 6373–6377). An effort was made to determine whether plasma membrane lipid components show similar behavior when dehydrated. Liposomes were prepared from the total lipid mixture extracted from plasma membrane fractions isolated from non-acclimated (NA) or cold acclimated (ACC) rye leaves ( Secale cereale L. cv Puma). Freeze-fracture electron microscopy was used to identify phase changes in liposomes after osmotic dehydration. When NA liposomes prepared in 1.3 wt% sorbitol were incubated at 4°C in 73 wt% sorbitol for 15 h (overnight), hexagonal H II phase was observed in aggregates of apparently fused liposomes with H II observed in approximately 75% of the fracture faces. In contrast, neither aggregates of apparently fused liposomes nor H II phase was observed in ACC liposomes after dehydration under the same conditions Dehydration of NA or ACC liposomes in 40 or 60 wt% sorbitol resulted in the formation of intermediate morphologies such as loosely ordered cylinders and ripple structures. Lipidic particles and pits of various sizes and morphologies were observed after dehydraton of both NA and ACC liposomes in 40, 60, or 73 wt% sorbitol. These results indicate that lipid composition determines the propensity of the plasma membrane to undergo dehydration-induced phase transitions and that alterations in the lipid composition of the plasma membrane play a causal role in the process of cold acclimation.
Mechanical behavior of dual-rubber-modified SAN

The use of either an SBS block copolymer or an emulsion-made methyl-methacrylate-grafted rubber alone failed to give any significant increase in the toughness of brittle poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN), even at concentrations up to 50%. However, a combination of the two rubber modifiers produced a strong synergistic toughening. All specimens were prepared by injection molding; however, annealing to relax orientation did not significantly alter this synergistic effect. The use of mechanical dilatometry showed that post-yield deformation of blends containing both modifiers involved some crazing just after yielding but subsequent deformation was mostly due to shear yielding. Addition of SBS alone to SAN resulted in a mixed crazing/shear yielding mode of post-yield deformation with the relative proportions of the two mechanisms being constant up to failure. In contrast, the small emulsion graft particles alone gave rise to a predominant shear yielding deformation. A qualitative mechanism for the synergism is discussed.
Meeting service level objectives of Pig programs

Cloud computing offers a compelling platform to access a large amount of computing and storage resources on demand. As the technology matures, service providers have started shifting their focus to support additional user requirements such as QoS guarantees and tailored resource provisioning for achieving service performance goals. An increasing number of MapReduce applications associated with live business intelligence require completion time guarantees. We aim to solve the resource provisioning problem: given a Pig program with a completion time goal, estimate the amount of resources (a number of map and reduce slots) required for completing the program with a given (soft) deadline. We develop a simple yet elegant performance model that provides completion time estimates of a Pig program as a function of allocated resources. Then this model is used as a basis for solving the inverse resource provisioning problem for Pig programs. We evaluate our approach using a 66-node Hadoop cluster and a popular PigMix benchmark. The designed performance model accurately estimates the required amount of resources for Pig programs with completion time goals: the completion times of the Pig programs with allocated resources are within 10% of the targeted deadlines.
Beam Pointing Control System For Visible To Infrared Wavelengths

A dynamic beam pointing system capable of stabilization of beam motion has been assembled and partly tested. The system uses bismuth photopot position detectors, closed loop control elec-tronics, and a two-axis active mirror/mount. The system is capable of automatically maintaining a preset optical alignment. Measurements are presented that represent the system (position detector, electronics, and the dynamic mirror/mount) perfor-mance in terms of ability to stabilize a moving infrared beam in one axis (dc - 300 Hz). In addition, the frequency response and phase delay for the detectors tested are presented. A CO2 laser provided an infrared signal at 10.6 microns with adjustable power between .25 -1.0 watt. Controlled amounts of beam direction change (beam jitter) were induced by a second two-axis dynamic mirror/mount.
Mania following vagus nerve stimulation: A case report and review of the literature

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an increasingly used therapy for patients with treatment-refractory epilepsy and depression. Hypomanic and manic symptoms are a rare but recognized adverse effect of VNS treatment. Here we describe a case in which VNS treatment in a patient with epilepsy and unipolar depression was associated with the rapid development of manic symptoms. The patient's manic symptoms resolved with temporary discontinuation of the VNS current, and the patient was eventually able to resume VNS treatment with good effect and without further manic symptoms. Mania is a rare but serious side effect of VNS; however, in this case and in the majority of reported cases of VNS-associated mania, symptoms resolve and VNS can be safely administered.
Distinct roles for Ras-guanine nucleotide-releasing factor 1 (Ras-GRF1) and Ras-GRF2 in the induction of long-term potentiation and long-term depression.

NMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) contribute to many forms of long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). NMDARs are heteromers containing calcium-permeating neuronal receptor 1 (NR1) subunits and a variety of NR2 subunits. Evidence suggests that, in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, NR2A-containing NMDARs promote LTP whereas NR2B-containing receptors promote LTD. However, the calcium sensors that distinguish between these signals to promote the appropriate form of synaptic plasticity are not known. Ras-guanine nucleotide-releasing factor 1 (Ras-GRF1) and Ras-GRF2 are highly similar calcium-stimulated exchange factors that activate Ras and Rac GTPases. Here, using a set of Ras-GRF knock-out mice, we show that Ras-GRF2 contributes predominantly to the induction of NMDAR-dependent LTP, whereas Ras-GRF1 contributes predominantly to the induction of NMDAR-dependent LTD in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of postpubescent mice (postnatal days 25–36). In contrast, neither Ras-GRF protein influences synaptic plasticity in prepubescent mice (postnatal days 14–18). Ras-GRF2 mediates signaling from (R)-[(S)-1-(4-bromo-phenyl)-ethylamino]-(2,3-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxalin-5-yl)-methyl-phosphonic acid-sensitive (NVP-AAM077-sensitive) (NR2A-containing) NMDARs to the Ras effector extracellular signal-related protein kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, a promoter of NMDAR-induced LTP at this site. In contrast, Ras-GRF1 mediates signaling from ifenprodil-sensitive (NR2B-containing) NMDARs to the Rac effector p38 MAP kinase, a promoter of LTD. These findings show that, despite their similar functional domain organization, Ras-GRF1 and Ras-GRF2 mediate opposing forms of synaptic plasticity by coupling different classes of NMDARs to distinct MAP kinase pathways. Moreover, the postnatal appearance of Ras-GRF-dependent LTP and LTD coincides with the emergence of hippocampal-dependent behavior, implying that Ras-GRF proteins contribute to forms of synaptic plasticity that are required specifically for mature hippocampal function.
Evolutionary theories of schizophrenia must ultimately explain the genes that predispose to it

If alleles that predispose to schizophrenia have reduced Darwinian fitness, their persistence in modern times is puzzling. Burns identifies the evolutionary genetics of schizophrenia as a central issue, but his treatment of it is not clear. Recent advances in evolutionary genetics can help explain the persistence of alleles that predispose to debilitating disorders such as schizophrenia, and can buttress Burns' core argument.
ENHANCED REACTIVITY OF PENTACOORDINATED SILICON SPECIES. AN AB INITIO APPROACH

Abstract Molecular orbital calculations using GAUSSIAN 86 on tetracoordinated silicon species SiH n F4-n are compared with calculations on the anionic species formed by the addition of fluoride ion [SiH n F5-n ]. Similar calculations on isoelectronic tetra- and pentacoordinated phosphorus species [PHnF4-n ]+ and PH n F5-n are also carried out. All bond lengths in the pentacoordinated species are longer than in the related tetracoordinated species, with the greater increase in bond lengths occurring in the axial positions from both the silicon and phosphorus series. Fluoride ion addition results in only slight changes in the positive charge on silicon and phosphorus and in an increase in negative charge on all substituents. These calculations are used to elucidate the enhanced reactivity of pentacoordinated silicon observed in nucleophilic reactions.
The Implementation of the New Educational Policy in the Sudan, 1970‐85: promise and reality

The implementation of the New Education Policy in the Sudan, 1970‐85, was to have prepared the people for constructing a new socialist society by introducing a new kind of education in addition to an expansion of schooling. The successes of the Plan included the change in organisation of schooling from a 4‐4‐4 plan to a 6‐3‐3 plan which provided a longer period of primary schooling. Access to schooling expanded greatly, the examination system was regionalised, communities became very active in building schools, and a dual system of secular and religious Muslim Schools was ended. The NEP did not accomplish its aim to change the curriculum because its leadership was too unstable, and the government provided too small a resource base to provide a quality education for the expanded enrolments. Access for girls and rural children was not significantly improved. Teaching was not improved, a uniform school calendar resulted in high rural dropout in some areas, and the top‐down reform did not provide orientation ...
Deductive Hedonism and the Anxiety of Influence

This paper examines the undervalued role of Herbert Spencer in Sidgwick's thinking. Sidgwick recognized Spencer's utilitarianism, but criticized him on the ground that he tried to deduce utilitarianism from evolutionary theory. In analysing these criticisms, this paper concludes that Spencer's deductive methodology was in fact closer to Sidgwick's empiricist position than Sidgwick realized. The real source of Sidgwick's unhappiness withSpencer lies with the substance of Spencer's utilitarianism, namely its espousal of indefeasible moral rights.
The role of diet on intestinal microbiota metabolism: downstream impacts on host immune function and health, and therapeutic implications

Dietary impacts on health may be one of the oldest concepts in medicine; however, only in recent years have technical advances in mass spectroscopy, gnotobiology, and bacterial sequencing enabled our understanding of human physiology to progress to the point where we can begin to understand how individual dietary components can affect specific illnesses. This review explores the current understanding of the complex interplay between dietary factors and the host microbiome, concentrating on the downstream implications on host immune function and the pathogenesis of disease. We discuss the influence of the gut microbiome on body habitus and explore the primary and secondary effects of diet on enteric microbial community structure. We address the impact of consumption of non-digestible polysaccharides (prebiotics and fiber), choline, carnitine, iron, and fats on host health as mediated by the enteric microbiome. Disease processes emphasized include non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, IBD, and cardiovascular disease/atherosclerosis. The concepts presented in this review have important clinical implications, although more work needs to be done to develop fully and validate potential therapeutic approaches. Specific dietary interventions offer exciting potential for nontoxic, physiologic ways to alter enteric microbial structure and metabolism to benefit the natural history of many intestinal and systemic disorders.
Speciation of selenium in plant water extracts by ion exchange chromatography-hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry

Determination of selenium (Se) speciation in plants is important in studying the bioavailability and toxicity of Se in Se-contaminated soil/sediment. In this study, we used an anion exchange resin (Dowex 1-10X) to separate Se into non-amino acid organic Se, Se-amino acids, selenite (Se [IV]) and selenate (Se [VI]) in a plant (Stanleya pinnata) extract. The hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS) was used to determine concentrations of these Se compounds in plant extracts. Results showed that Se compounds can be quantitatively separated by the resin column. Recovery of five spiked standard Se compounds (trimethylselenonium ion (TMSe+), dimethylselenoxide (DMSeO), selenomethionine (Semet), Se [IV] and Se [VII]) in the plant extract ranged from 92.9 to 103%. Water extractable Se accounted for 60.4-72.6% of the total Se in the plant. Among the soluble Se compounds in the plant extract, Se-amino acids were 73-85.5%, Se [VI] ranged from 7.5 to 19.5% and non-amino acid organic Se was less than 7%. Se [IV] in most samples was below the detection limit (1 microg/g). This study showed that considerable amounts of the accumulated Se [VI] in the plant was metabolized to Se-amino acids during growth of the plant.
Does research during general surgery residency correlate with academic pursuits after pediatric surgery residency

A study was designed to evaluate whether successful candidates in pediatric surgery have performed laboratory research with publication, and if such preparation leads to continued investigations. We requested a curriculum vitae from the 248 pediatric surgeons who began their pediatric surgery residencies (PSR) between 1979 and 1992. For nonresponders, data were collected from physician directories. Indicators of academic status, personal information, and publication data were obtained. Responders had more publications before, during, and after PSR. Those who published during general surgery residency (GSR) had more research years during their residency. Among responders, 59% had spent time in the laboratory, and the percentage with laboratory time increased over the study period. Those with laboratory experience had more laboratory and clinical papers before PSR. Ninety-four percent were from university-based GSRs and 6% were from community GSRs. University general surgery residents did not have more publications during GSR or PSR but had a greater number of publications after PSR. University general surgery residents had more laboratory publications during GSR and after PSR, but did not have more clinical publications. Publications during GSR and after PSR increased during the study period, but not during PSR. Time in the laboratory during GSR did not independently predict continued laboratory research. Those with laboratory papers during GSR did not publish more basic science papers after PSR. Several surgeons had basic science publications that were initiated only after their PSR. In a recent study that compared successful and unsuccessful PSR candidates, the successful candidates were found to have more publications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Stability of reaction on a spherical particle

This paper presents a theoretical study of the stability of chemical reaction on the external surface of a single spherical particle in stagnant surroundings. The analysis, which invokes methods of linear stability theory, yields necessary and sufficient conditions for stability of a steady state solution to small disturbances for the cases of very small and very large solid thermal conductivity. It is shown that heat losses from the solid surface may lead to transient behavior which is characteristically different from that for adiabatic surfaces, and that the unsteady state is strongly affected by the thermal capacity of the solid material. A numerical example is employed to illustrate the possible significance of unstable situations.
The time of space and the space of time: the future of social science

Abstract Time and space are irremediably locked together and constitute a single dimension, TimeSpace. Social science, as invented between 1850 and 1914, has involved limited interpretations of TimeSpace emphasizing either eternal TimeSpaces (economics, sociology, political science) or episodic geopolitical TimeSpaces (history, anthropology, Oriental studies). The difficulty for establishing a successful discipline of geography was that it straddled these two kinds of TimeSpace. Social science neglected three other types of TimeSpace that were potentially subversive. The Annales school of history emphasized cyclic-ideological TimeSpace and structural TimeSpace which transcend the old choice between the idiographic and nomothetic through the study of historical systems. Historical systems are defined by structural TimeSpace and function through cyclico-ideological TimeSpace. Between structural TimeSpaces there is transformational TimeSpace and our historical social system is reaching such a moment of bifurcation. Intellectually, social science needs refashioning into a tool of this transformation and, politically, we have to dare to develop a sober utopia and to seek to construct it.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Health Program Evaluation:

The growing demand for prospective evaluation enhances the popularity of cost-effective ness analysis, a technique for identifying best uses of scarce resources. Defined in diverse ways during its short history, cost-effectiveness analysis is now seen as the evaluative comparison of monetary and nonmonetary dimensions of impact. The cost-effectiveness ratio for health programs divides monetary effects by health effects. Decisions on com peting alternative programs should be resolved by regarding cost-effectiveness ratios on the differences between programs.
Thymidine 3‘,5‘-Diphosphoric Acid Derived Cations and Radicals: Ab Initio Study

The relative stabilities of thymidine-3',5'-diphosphoric acid (1) derived isomeric cations and radicals were calculated and key geometric parameters were thoroughly analyzed. The most probable sites of a hydride-ion (1', 2', 5-Me) and H-atom (4', 5', 5-Me) abstraction were identified, thus allowing prediction of the regioselectivity of potential damage to the deoxyribose ring and thymine moiety caused by carcinogenic agents of electrophilic and radical nature. [structure: see text]
Identification of two-phase water–air flow patterns in a vertical pipe using fuzzy logic and genetic algorithm

Abstract An automatic and intelligent system to recognize the two-phase water–air flow regime in a vertical tube based on fuzzy logic and genetic algorithm is proposed. Two approaches, volume of fluid (VOF) and Eulerian model, were used for the numerical simulation of gas–liquid two-phase flow. Four different turbulence models, i.e., k–e RNG, k–e standard, Reynolds stress and k–e realizable, were employed. Image processing procedure was implemented to obtain the flow pattern. It was found that the k–e RNG gives best results for turbulence modeling and the fuzzy logic code predicts the flow pattern well.
Verification and validation of case-based systems

Abstract Verification and validation of artificially intelligent systems has been the focus of substantial recent research. However, little attention has been given in the literature to verification and validation for cased-based systems. The unique structure of cased-based systems is used to raised new validation issues, develop new approaches to generating comparative solutions for validation purposes, and investigate new approaches for examining the quality of the case base. In addition, this article presents new statistical and structural approaches designed to exploit unique aspects of case-based reasoning for verification purposes.
Breast Tumour Initiating Cell Fate Is Regulated by Microenvironmental Cues from an Extracellular Matrix

Cancer stem cells, also known as tumour-initiating cells (TICs), are identified as highly tumorigenic population within tumours and hypothesized to be main regulators in tumour growth, metastasis and relapse. Evidence also suggests that a tumour microenvironment plays a critical role in the development and progression of cancer, by constantly modulating cell–matrix interactions. Scientists have tried to characterize and identify the TIC population but the actual combination of extracellular components in deciphering the fate of TICs has not been explored. The basic unanswered question is the phenotypic stability of this TIC population in a tissue extracellular matrix setting. The in vivo complexity makes it difficult to identify parameters in a diverse milieu that affect TICs behaviour. Herein we studied how the TIC population would respond when subjected to a unique microenvironment composed of different extracellular proteins. The TIC-enriched population isolated from a Her2/neu-induced mouse mammary tumour was cultured on collagen, fibronectin and laminin coated substrates for one to two weeks. Our observations indicate that a laminin substrate can maintain the majority of the self-renewing and tumorigenic TIC population, whereas collagen induced a more differentiated phenotype of the cells. Also interestingly, fibronectin substrates dictated an invasive phenotype of TICs as evidenced from the EMT-related gene expression pattern. The results of this study signify that the microenvironmental cues play a considerable role in tumour relapse and progression by altering the cancer stem cell behaviour and thus this knowledge could be used to design novel cancer therapeutics.
Phosphatase inhibitors increase the open probability of ENaC in A6 cells

We studied the cellular phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid (OKA), calyculin A, and microcystin on the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in A6 renal cells. OKA increased the amiloride-sensitive current after ∼30 min with maximal stimulation at 1–2 h. Fluctuation analysis of cell-attached patches containing a large number of ENaC yielded power spectra with corner frequencies in untreated cells almost two times as large as in cells pretreated for 30 min with OKA, implying an increase in single channel open probability (P o) that doubled after OKA. Single channel analysis showed that, in cells pretreated with OKA,P o and mean open time approximately doubled. Two other phosphatase inhibitors, calyculin A and microcystin, had similar effects on P o and mean open time. An analog of OKA, okadaone, that does not inhibit phosphatases had no effect. Pretreatment with 10 nM OKA, which blocks protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) but not PP1 in mammalian cells, had no effect even though both phosphatases are present in A6 cel...
Phylogenetic Relationships among Highly Virulent Newcastle Disease Virus Isolates Obtained from Exotic Birds and Poultry from 1989 to 1996

Newcastle disease virus {NDV (avian paramyxovirus type 1 [APMV1])} isolates were recovered from imported exotic birds confiscated following importation into the United States, from waterbirds in the United States, and from poultry. The exotic birds probably originated from Central and South America, Asia, and Africa. The NDV isolates were initially characterized as highly virulent because of a short mean death time in embryonated chicken eggs. The isolates were typed as neurotropic or viscerotropic velogenic by intracloacal inoculation of adult chickens. Intracerebral pathogenicity index values for the virulent NDV isolates ranged from 1.54 to 1.90, compared to a possible maximum value of 2.0. These isolates had a dibasic amino acid motif in the fusion protein cleavage site sequence required for host systemic replication. Sequence differences were detected surrounding the fusion protein cleavage site and the matrix protein nuclear localization signal, indicating evolution of highly virulent NDV. Phylogenetically, these isolates were categorized with other highly virulent NDV strains that caused outbreaks in southern California poultry during 1972 and in cormorants in the north central United States and southern Canada during 1990 and 1992. These isolates are related to NDV that may have the APMV1 strain chicken/Australia/AV/32 or a related virus as a possible progenitor. Recent virulent NDV isolates and those recovered during disease outbreaks since the 1970s are phylogenetically distinct from current vaccine viruses and standard challenge strains.
From Sex as Sin to Sex as Work: COYOTE and the Reorganization of Prostitution as a Social Problem

COYOTE (an acronym for “Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics”) is the central organization in the social movement to challenge traditional definitions of prostitution as a social problem. Using historical documents, this work focuses on COYOTE's campaign to sever prostitution from its historical association with sin, crime, and illicit sex, and place the social problem of prostitution firmly in the discourse of work, choice and civil rights. COYOTE has done this through extended debate with law enforcement officials over discrimination and selective enforcement of the law, with the feminist movement over the freedom of women to control and use their bodies as they see fit, and with public health agencies over the role of prostitutes in the AIDS epidemic. Combined, these concerns form the foundation of COYOTE'S crusade to redefine prostitution as a social problem.
Low N-Ethylmaleimide Concentrations Activate Ryanodine Receptors by a Reversible Interaction, Not an Alkylation of Critical Thiols

Previous studies proposed that N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) alkylates 3 classes of thiols on skeletal muscle ryanodine receptors (RyRs) producing 3 phases of channel modification, as function of time and concentration. NEM (5 mm) decreased, increased, and then decreased the open probability (P(o)) of the channel by thiol alkylation, a reaction not reversed by reducing agents. We now show that low NEM concentrations (20-200 microm) elicit Ca(2+) release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles, but contrary to expectations, the effect was fully reversed by reducing agents or by washing SR vesicles. In bilayers, NEM (0.2 mm) increased P(o) of RyRs within seconds when added to the cis (not trans) side, and dithiothreitol (DTT; 1 mm) decreased P(o) in seconds. High (5 mm) NEM concentrations elicited SR Ca(2+) release that was not reversed by DTT, as expected for an alkylation reaction. A non-sulfhydryl reagent structurally related to NEM, N-ethylsuccinimide (0.1-0.5 mm), also elicited SR Ca(2+) release that was not reversed by DTT (1 mm). Other alkylating agents elicited SR Ca(2+) release, which was fully (N-methylmaleimide) or partially (iodoacetic acid) reversed by DTT and inhibited by ruthenium red. Nitric oxide (NO) donors at concentrations that did not activate RyRs inhibited NEM-induced Ca(2+) release, most likely by an interaction of NO with NEM rather than an inactivation of RyRs by NO. Thus, at low concentrations, NEM does not act as a selective thiol reagent and activates RyRs without alkylating critical thiols indicating that the multiple phases of ryanodine binding are unrelated to RyR activity or to NEM alkylation of RyRs.
Comparison of longterm greenhouse projections with the geologic record

Previous climate modeling studies suggest that temperature increases beyond 2100 AD due to greenhouse gas changes could be comparable to the Cretaceous. However, these projections have not been tested against a range of emission scenarios, nor have estimates of past temperature change been well restrained quantitatively. Herein we use a 1D energy balance model (EBM) with an upwelling-diffusion ocean model to explore the temperature response to extreme cases of unrestricted and severely restricted greenhouse gas increases. Results are compared against revised estimates of global temperature change over the last 100 million years. For four of the six scenarios, global temperature projections by the years 2400–2700 equal or exceed levels of the Eocene or Cretaceous warm periods. The two exceptions involve scenarios with relatively low climate sensitivity and stringent conservation measures, but even in these projections temperatures are as warm as any time in the last 30 million years. These calculations suggest that regardless of emission scenario or system sensitivity, future greenhouse warming will be large even on a geological scale.
Special Education Services for the "Mildly Handicapped": Beyond a Diagnostic and Remedial Model

This paper takes the position that the use of a diagnostic-remedial model to provide special education services to the "mildly handicapped" is often inappropriate. The inadequacies inherent in the diagnostic-remedial approach are presented from both philosophical and operational perspectives. At a philosophical level, the fallacious assumptions associated with the model are presented. Operational ramifications of these assumptions (e.g., the techniques and functions of assessment) are critiqued. The thrust of the argument is that special education must expand its role along the lines of an interactive model. In this vein, the teacher consultant role is suggested as a viable alternative to diagnostic-remedial services.
Introduction to the Special Issue on the 2004 Sumatra–Andaman Earthquake and the Indian Ocean Tsunami

The great Sumatra–Andaman earthquake of 26 December 2004 (UTC 00:58:53) was a momentous event, whether measured by scientific or human standards. Sadly, what is currently regarded as the third largest earthquake in recorded history led to the worst tsunami disaster in recorded history, with the loss of more than 200,000 lives and devastation throughout the Bay of Bengal. About three months later, on 28 March 2005, the Nias–Simeulue earthquake, near the southern end of the 2004 rupture, shocked the region again. Fortunately, this M_w 8.7 earthquake, the second largest earthquake in the past decade, was less destructive. These earthquakes and resulting tsunamis have been a sobering reminder to many in the community of earthquake scientists that the subject of our professional lives can have enormous impact on humanity. Hopefully, the legacy of the science presented in this volume will be a greater understanding of earthquake and tsunami processes that will be useful in advancing the resilience of our communities to Nature’s violence.
On the performance of a 3D flexible macroblock ordering for H.264/AVC

This paper investigates the performance of three-dimensional flexible macroblock ordering (3D FMO), shown to outperform traditional scatter slice FMO. We analyze the performance of the 3D FMO with respect to the additional delay at the decoder as well as the effect on coding efficiency. These analyses are useful in identifying conditions under which either of the two FMO schemes are applied.
Solution Structure of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus Heptad Repeat 2 Domain in the Prefusion State

The envelope glycoprotein, termed the spike protein, of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is known to mediate viral entry. Similar to other class 1 viral fusion proteins, the heptad repeat regions of SARS-CoV spike are thought to undergo conformational changes from a prefusion form to a subsequent post-fusion form that enables fusion of the viral and host membranes. Recently, the structure of a post-fusion form of SARS-CoV spike, which consists of isolated domains of heptad repeats 1 and 2 (HR1 and HR2), has been determined by x-ray crystallography. To date there is no structural information for the prefusion conformations of SARS-CoV HR1 and HR2. In this work we present the NMR structure of the HR2 domain (residues 1141-1193) from SARS-CoV (termed S2-HR2) in the presence of the co-solvent trifluoroethanol. We find that in the absence of HR1, S2-HR2 forms a coiled coil symmetric trimer with a complex molecular mass of 18 kDa. The S2-HR2 structure, which is the first example of the prefusion form of coronavirus envelope, supports the current model of viral membrane fusion and gives insight into the design of structure-based antagonists of SARS.
A Rapid Method for the Estimation of Bile Salts in Complex Tanning Brines by RPHPLC

Abstract To preserve bovine hides until they are processed into leather, they are often cured in large raceways of saturated brine. This process prevents the growth of most microorganisms, but under some conditions these hides are still susceptible to decomposition by halophilic archaebacteria. Low amounts of porcine bile added to the brine used for curing, have exhibited control of growth of these primitive microorganisms. Reversed‐phase high pressure liquid chromatography (RPHPLC) has been applied to monitor bile concentration in saturated brine mixtures containing contaminants associated with animal hides (bacteria, blood, dirt, fats, hair, manure, urine, etc.). With minimal sample preparation, this method can be used by either the hide curing, packing, or tanning industry to assess the need to charge brine solutions with additional porcine bile during the continuous process of hide addition and removal. Calibration curves of porcine bile added to highly contaminated raceway brine have demonstrated lin...
Remote intensity fluctuation measurements with a laser Doppler radar

A coaxial focused CW scanning laser Doppler velocimeter (SLDV) radar equipment applying heterodyne detection at 10.6 microns can measure intensity fluctuations under field conditions. The set includes a 20 W CO2 laser, a coaxial Cassegrainian telescope, standard heterodyne equipment, and a SAW spectrum analyzer with 100 kHz signal resolution. Operation of the equipment and techniques for taking remote measurements are described briefly. Applications to remote measurements of transverse component of wind speed, as a complement to the traditional Doppler method of determining axial velocity, are under study. SLDV equipment has been used in detection, tracking, and measurements of atmospheric turbulence associated with aircraft wing-tip vortices or with dust devils, and in measurement of general atmospheric wind profiles.
Ice Packs Reduce Postoperative Midline Incision Pain and Narcotic Use: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Postoperative pain is an unavoidable consequence of open abdominal surgery. Although cryotherapy, the application of ice to a surgical wound site, has been shown to be effective in reducing postoperative pain in orthopaedic, gynecologic, and hernia operations, it has not been assessed in patients who undergo major open abdominal operations. We hypothesized that patients who receive cryotherapy would report lower pain scores as a primary outcomes measure. Study Design Patients undergoing abdominal operations with midline incisions were randomized to receive cryotherapy for a minimum of 24 hours in time intervals dictated by patient preference vs no cryotherapy. The primary outcome of pain relief was assessed with visual analog pain scores (VAS). The study was powered to detect a clinically significant difference in VAS between the control and cryotherapy group. Comparisons between groups were measured by Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test for parametric and nonparametric data, respectively. Results There were 55 patients randomized: 28 to the control group and 27 to the cryotherapy group. For the primary measure, mean postoperative pain score on postoperative days (PODs) 1 and 3 after surgery was significantly lower between the control and cryotherapy groups on the visual analog pain scale (p Conclusions Ice packs are a simple, cost-effective adjuvant for decreasing postoperative pain and narcotic use in patients undergoing major abdominal operations.
Development of human dendritic cells and their role in HIV infection: antiviral immunity versus HIV transmission.

Although dendritc cells (DC) represent a small cell population in the body, they have been recognized as professional antigen presenting cells and key players of both innate and acquired immunity. The recent expansion of basic knowledge concerning differentiation and function of various DC subsets will greatly help to understand the nature of protective immunity required in designing AIDS vaccines. However, HIV not only targets CD4+ T cells but also myeloid cells, including macrophages and DC. When HIV infects DC, its replication is highly restricted in DC. Nevertheless, even a low level of HIV production is sufficient to enhance HIV replication in activated CD4+ T cells, through antigen presentation activity by HIV-infected DC. Considering how antiviral immunity is initiated and memory response is maintained, such efficient DC-T cell transmission of HIV should play an important role in the disturbed immune responses associated with HIV infection. Recently, accessory proteins encoded by HIV have been shown to interact with various proteins in DC, and thereby affect DC-T cell transmission. In this review, we summarize the current understanding about DC biology and discuss what needs to be known in order to successfully manipulate DC for the development of an effective AIDS vaccine in the future.
Reproductive Tissues Maintain Insulin Sensitivity in Diet-Induced Obesity

Reproductive dysfunction is associated with obesity. We previously showed that female mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO) exhibit infertility and thus serve as a model of human polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We postulated that differential insulin signaling of tissues leads to reproductive dysfunction; therefore, a comparison of insulin signaling in reproductive tissues and energy storage tissues was performed. Pituitary-specific insulin receptor knockout mice were used as controls. High-fat diet–induced stress, which leads to insulin resistance, was also investigated by assaying macrophage infiltration and phosphorylated Jun NH2-terminal kinase (pJNK) signaling. In lean mice, reproductive tissues exhibited reduced sensitivity to insulin compared with peripheral metabolic tissues. However, in obese mice, where metabolic tissues exhibited insulin resistance, the pituitary and ovary maintained insulin sensitivity. Pituitaries responded to insulin through insulin receptor substrate (IRS)2 but not IRS1, whereas in the ovary, both IRS1 and IRS2 were activated by insulin. Macrophage infiltration and pJNK signaling were not increased in the pituitary or ovary of lean mice relative to DIO mice. The lack of inflammation and cytokine signaling in the pituitary and ovary in DIO mice compared with lean mice may be one of the reasons that these tissues remained insulin sensitive. Retained sensitivity of the pituitary and ovary to insulin may contribute to the pathophysiology of PCOS.
Deception Detection Theory as a Basis for an Automated Investigation of the Behavior Analysis Interview

Although over 150,000 law enforcement personnel have been trained to use the Behavior Analysis Interview (BAI), the interview technique has been subjected to very little scrutiny in the laboratory setting. Building on theories of deception from communication and psychology literature, I propose to mine key lexical features from the verbal content of responses to the Behavior Analysis Interview. I expect to find that the responses from deceptive interviewees will differ from truthful responses across multiple lexical dimensions. In addition, I expect responses in high-stakes environments to differ from responses in low- or medium-stakes contexts.
Ideophones, rhemes, interpretants

This commentary considers the depictive quality of ideophones within the context of a general semiotic. I seek to expand the limited uptake of iconicity in linguistic theory from a resemblance between sign and object along Peirce’s second trichotomy (icon, index, symbol) to discuss iconicity from the often overlooked perspective of Peirce’s third trichotomy (rheme, dicent, argument). I examine ideophones as semiotic rhemes that affect iconic interpretants and suggest this shift in understanding iconicity unites lexical iconicity with depictive processes in interaction more generally, and beyond this with other rhematic linguistic signs. These parallels are illustrated by two examples of the expressive use of pitch, and throughout the discussion by reference to how the work of the authors of the present Special Issue help free a theory of iconicity from the bonds of it being considered a fixed, lexical relationship, to rather theorize iconicity as a poetic achievement designed for an interpreter’s active reception.
Interaction of CH4 with NO and NO2 over Pt-ZSM-5 in the absence of O2

The reduction of NO and NO2 with CH4 to form N2 catalyzed by Pt-ZSM-5 has been investigated. For both reactions the dependence of conversion on temperature is similar to that of CH4 combustion catalyzed by Pt. The conversion increases slowly before a sharp increase at the ignition temperature (∼300 °C for NO + CH4 and ∼475 ○C for NO2 + CH4). Based on results in which the mole ratios and partial pressures of NOx and CH4 were varied, it is suggested that the oxygen surface coverage determines the catalytic activity of Pt-ZSM-5. It is postulated that NO2 rapidly dissociates on Pt, covering the surface with oxygen adatoms. The interaction of oxygen adatoms with the Pt surface is sufficiently strong that CH4 cannot compete for adsorption sites. Thus, the catalytic activity is low at temperatures less than 475 °C, where oxygen desorption from the surface is unfavorable. However, NO has a lower sticking probability, and the slower rate of N–O bond dissociation results in a lower steady state oxygen coverage and, in turn, a higher activity in the NO + CH4 reaction. Experiments in which the CH4 + NO2 reaction temperature was cycled from 350 to 500 °C and back to 350 °C provides evidence that overstoichiometric CH4 dissociation on the Pt surface can occur, and the surface carbon that is formed enhances NO2 reduction to N2.
National Health Spending Rose 9.3 Percent in 2002; Sixth Consecutive Year of Faster Growth

National health expenditures increased 9.3 percent between 2001 and 2002, reaching nearly $1.6 trillion. As a percentage of gross domestic product, national health spending rose to 14.9 percent in 2002 from 14.1 percent in 2001 and 13.3 percent in 2000. In 2002, private-sector health spending accounted for 54.1 percent of national health spending, and the public sector accounted for 45.9 percent. The proportion paid for by private sources has decreased over time, while the proportion paid for by public sources has increased. In 1970, for example, private sources paid for 62.1 percent of national health expenditures, and public sources paid for 37.8 percent. The PDF for the above title, published in the March 2004 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the fulltext of another March 2004 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: "Health Insurance Coverage of Individuals Ages 55-64, 1994-2002."
Chemotherapy-Induced Inflammatory Gene Signature and Protumorigenic Phenotype in Pancreatic CAFs via Stress-Associated MAPK.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a characteristically dense stroma comprised predominantly of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). CAFs promote tumor growth, metastasis, and treatment resistance. This study aimed to investigate the molecular changes and functional consequences associated with chemotherapy treatment of PDAC CAFs. Chemoresistant immortalized CAFs (R-CAF) were generated by continuous incubation in gemcitabine. Gene expression differences between treatment-naive CAFs (N-CAF) and R-CAFs were compared by array analysis. Functionally, tumor cells (TC) were exposed to N-CAF– or R-CAF–conditioned media and assayed for migration, invasion, and viability in vitro . Furthermore, a coinjection (TC and CAF) model was used to compare tumor growth in vivo . R-CAFs increased TC viability, migration, and invasion compared with N-CAFs. In vivo , TCs coinjected with R-CAFs grew larger than those accompanied by N-CAFs. Genomic analysis demonstrated that R-CAFs had increased expression of various inflammatory mediators, similar to the previously described senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). In addition, SASP mediators were found to be upregulated in response to short duration treatment with gemcitabine in both immortalized and primary CAFs. Inhibition of stress-associated MAPK signaling (P38 MAPK or JNK) attenuated SASP induction as well as the tumor-supportive functions of chemotherapy-treated CAFs in vitro and in vivo . These results identify a negative consequence of chemotherapy on the PDAC microenvironment that could be targeted to improve the efficacy of current therapeutic regimens. Implications: Chemotherapy treatment of pancreatic cancer–associated fibroblasts results in a proinflammatory response driven by stress-associated MAPK signaling that enhances tumor cell growth and invasiveness. Mol Cancer Res; 14(5); 437–47. ©2016 AACR . This article is featured in Highlights of This Issue, [p. 409][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/14/409?iss=5
X-ray Parametric Down-Conversion in the Langevin Regime

We experimentally and theoretically study the coincidence count rate for down-converted x-ray photons. Because of photoionization, parametric down-conversion at x-ray wavelengths generally involves loss and the theoretical description requires a Langevin approach. By working in a transmission geometry (Laue) rather than in the Bragg geometry of previous experiments, we obtain an improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio of 12.5, and find agreement between experiment and theory.
Simultaneous Measurements of the Argon Metastable 1s3 and 1s5 Number Densities and Gas Temperature Using Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy

Diode laser absorption spectroscopic measurements of 1s3 and 1s5 metastable densities have been performed in a short pulse excited dielectric barrier argon discharge operating from 50 up to 500 Torr pressure. The metastable production efficiency was found to be about 20% over the entire pressure range with peak efficiency near 200 Torr. Two novel gas temperature measurement techniques have been developed for these high pressure discharges based on nonresonant collision line broadening and collisional frequency shifts of the transition from both 1s3 and 1s5 metastable states.
Control of Mites on Citrus with Chlorobenzilate

The citrus bud mite, Aceria sheldoni (Ewing), is one of the most serious pests of lemons in the coastal areas of California. In 1941, Boyce & Korsmeier found that petroleum oil sprays were effective in control of this mite pest, and since that time these sprays have been largely relied on for control. In citrus culture, however, there are many situations in which it is inadvisable to apply petroleum oil sprays. Therefore, studies directed toward findng a substitute chemical control have been in progress at this station for several years.