cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Philanthrocapitalism: Exacerbating the Antidemocratic, Paternalistic, and Amateuristic Nature of Philanthropy

The recent announcement by Mark Zuckerberg and Dr. Priscilla Chan to pledge Facebook stock worth $45 billion to various philanthropic efforts was met with more skepticism than praise. Most of the criticism concerned the couple’s decision to organize the CZI as a for-profit limited liability company (LLC), rather than the more traditional tax-exempt private foundation. Despite the tax benefits of private foundations, Zuckerberg and Chan were attracted to the fact that LLCs may freely engage in political activity, fund any type of entity, and participate in policy debates.This begs the question: why should we care how Zuckerberg and Chan engage in charitable activity? The Facebook stock is, after all, their property, and the general public does not generally have any say in how the wealthy dispose of their property. This Article argues that the criticisms are warranted. The reason the public does (and should) care, is that the decision presents troubling questions about the role of philanthropy in our society and the consequences of philanthropists using for-profit vehicles to engage in charitable work.For more than a century, sociologists have criticized philanthropy as antidemocratic, paternalistic, and amateuristic. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing private foundations ensure that the entities actually engage in publicly-blessed charitable activity, require numerous disclosures to increase accountability, and restrict certain political and lobbying activities. Although these mechanisms do not eliminate the negatives of philanthropy, they do limit their negative effect. As such, there is a convincing argument that philanthropy is worth these costs. The hope is that the mechanisms regulating private foundations result in a palatable balance between philanthropy’s negative and positive aspects.However, the recent trend of conducting charity through for-profit vehicles throws that balance off. The regulatory bulwarks designed to encourage the positive aspects of philanthropy do not exist in the for-profit realm. As such, philanthropy conducted through for-profit vehicles encourages entities to engage in matters of public concern free from meaningful regulation and limitations.This Article discusses each of the traditional critiques of philanthropy and explores how they are exacerbated when philanthropic efforts are conducted through a for-profit vehicles, such as LLCs.
Propagation of errors from skull kinematic measurements to finite element tissue responses

Real-time quantification of head impacts using wearable sensors is an appealing approach to assess concussion risk. Traditionally, sensors were evaluated for accurately measuring peak resultant skull accelerations and velocities. With growing interest in utilizing model-estimated tissue responses for injury prediction, it is important to evaluate sensor accuracy in estimating tissue response as well. Here, we quantify how sensor kinematic measurement errors can propagate into tissue response errors. Using previous instrumented mouthguard validation datasets, we found that skull kinematic measurement errors in both magnitude and direction lead to errors in tissue response magnitude and distribution. For molar design instrumented mouthguards susceptible to mandible disturbances, 150-400% error in skull kinematic measurements resulted in 100% error in regional peak tissue response. With an improved incisor design mitigating mandible disturbances, errors in skull kinematics were reduced to <50%, and several tissue response errors were reduced to <10%. Applying 30[Formula: see text] rotations to reference kinematic signals to emulate sensor transformation errors yielded below 10% error in regional peak tissue response; however, up to 20% error was observed in peak tissue response for individual finite elements. These findings demonstrate that kinematic resultant errors result in regional peak tissue response errors, while kinematic directionality errors result in tissue response distribution errors. This highlights the need to account for both kinematic magnitude and direction errors and accurately determine transformations between sensors and the skull.
Radiochemical separation of gallium by amalgam exchange

Abstract An amalgam-exchange separation of radioactive gallium from a number of interfering radioisotopes has been developed. A dilute ( ca. 0.3%) gallium amalgam is agitated with a slightly acidic solution of 72 Ga 3+ containing concentrations of sodium thiocyanate and either perchlorate or chloride. The amalgam is then removed and the radioactive gallium stripped by agitation with dilute nitric acid. The combined exchange yield of the perchlorate-thiocyanate system is 90±4% and that of the chloride-thiocyanate system is 75±4%. Decontamination yields of most of the 11 interfering isotopes studied were less than 0.02%. The technique is applicable for use with activation analysis for the determination of trace amounts of gallium.
Da’esh and Global Terrorism: Analyzing Nexus and Threats

After unsettling some of the leading regional countries, the ‘Arab Spring’ reached in Syria in 2011. The violent forces it unleashed had widespread and dangerous implications for the region and the...
Desedimentation of Minkowski Spacetime

Cosgrove here applies the historical findings of the previous two chapters to the concept of Minkowski spacetime. While the Minkowski spacetime interval is often called a “generalization” of the Pythagorean Theorem, Einstein himself always more correctly referred to a formal analogy between the four-dimensional spacetime continuum and the three-dimensional continuum of Euclidean space. Thus the physical reality of Minkowski spacetime depends on whether the squared terms in the expression c2dt2 − dx2 designate actual geometrical quantities. Cosgrove concludes that the aforementioned algebraic terms do not designate geometrical quantities but rather represent symbolically abbreviated compound ratios. The Minkowski spacetime interval and all four-vectors constructed upon it are thereby revealed as symbolic artifacts.
Templated dentin formation by dental pulp stem cells on banded collagen bundles nucleated on electrospun poly (4-vinyl pyridine) fibers in vitro.

Abstract Eventhough it is well established that materials can promote stem cell differentiation, hard tissue formation is a templated process for which little is known regarding the in vitro process. We have found that surface curvature enables self-assembly of triple helical collagen fibrils into banded bundle structures from rat tail and human collagen secreted by dental pulp stem cells. Collagen fibrils were adsorbed at 4 °C on spun cast flat P4VP films and electrospun fibers. Protein adsorption was observed on both surfaces, but large banded bundles with a uniform spacing of approximately 55 nm were present only on the fiber surfaces. SEM/EDS mapping showed that dental pulp stem cells plated on the same surfaces biomineralized copiously only along the electrospun fibers. Raman spectroscopy indicated that despite the presence of adsorbed collagen on the flat surfaces, only the deposits present on the fibrous surface had a protein to hydroxyl apatite ratio similar to natural dentin from human teeth. RT-PCR indicated up regulation of collagen, osteocalcin and dental sialophosphate protein, confirming that odontogenic differentiation is promoted only on the fiber scaffolds. Taken together the results indicate that, in addition to surface chemistry, the supermolecular structure of ECM collagen, which is essential in directing DPSCs differentiation and templating biomineralization, can be modified by the underlying surface morphology. Statement of Significance The past decade has been focused efforts in the use of dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) for dental regeneration. Eventhough the factors required for DPSCs differentiation have been well studied, actual mineral deposition, positively identified as dentin, has not been achieved in vitro. Hard tissue is known to be a templated process in vivo where the mineral to protein ratio is tightly controlled via proteins which aid in collagen conformation and mineral sequestration. Here we show that one can mimic this process in vitro via the combination of materials selection and morphology. The material chemistry is shown to induce genetic upregulation the genes responsible for collagen and osteocalcin, while Raman spectroscopy confirms the translation and adsorption the proteins on the substrate. But, we show that the simple presence of collagen is not enough to template actual biomineral deposition similar to that found in vivo. Mineral deposition is a complicated process templated on collagen bundles and mediated by specific sibling proteins that determine the protein to mineral ratio. Here we show that surface curvature can reduce the barrier to collagen bundle formation, directing DPSC differentiation along odontogenic lineage, and subsequently templating actual dentin, comparable to that found in vivo in human teeth.
Structural Characterization of 3Fe Clusters in Fe-S Proteins by EXAFS

Fe EXAFS data have been collected on solution samples of unactivated beef heart aconitase and a derivative of Azotobacter vinelandii ferredoxin I (Av Fd I) in which the [4Fe-4S] cluster has been removed. Single crystal polarized EXAFS studies of native Av Fd I are also reported. The data have been analyzed to determine the structural characteristics of the [3Fe-xS] cluster present in each protein. Evidence is presented for the existence of a common “compact” cluster structure in these two proteins (as well as Desulfovibrio gigas Fd II). This is not in agreement with the “extended” [3Fe-3S] cluster structure determined by x-ray crystallography on Av Fd I. Possible explanations for this discrepancy are discussed.
An Introduction to the Geometry of Agent Knowledge

This chapter provides an introduction to the geometry of knowledge. It briefly introduces important concepts and presents a summary of the contents of the book.
Hegemony and the Web

For five years, from 2001 to 2006, I worked as Director of Programme Development at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuirangi – one of three Maori Tertiary Institutes in New Zealand. Prior to that I taught and practised Architecture in Britain, the US and New Zealand, and completed my PhD in Architecture/Critical Pedagogy in 1997.
Comprehensive Updates in Network Synthesis Models to Create An Improved Benchmark for Network Alignment Algorithms

Network synthesis models in NAPAbench provide effective means to generate synthetic network families that can be used to rigorously assess the performance of network alignment algorithms. In recent years, the protein-protein-interaction (PPI) databases have been significantly updated, hence the network synthesis models in NAPAbench need to be updated to be able to create synthetic network families whose characteristics are close to those of real PPI networks. In this work, we present updated models based on an extensive analysis of real-world PPI networks and their key features.
High Performance Visual Inspection Service Architecture - Squeezing the Most Out of Commodity Servers

The success of deep neural networks (DNN) in solving general machine vision problems has agitated a wave of its adoption in automated visual inspection solutions. Especially, DNN is able to learn by itself those relevant image features to reach a model that is robust to image quality variation, which promises very scalable solutions. The correlation between image acquisition hardware and image processing software, which is typical in traditional solutions, is alleviated. On this basis, we propose a novel visual inspection service architecture that is scalable, economic and reliable. The realization challenges of the visual inspection service are analyzed and the corresponding designs in model composition and model scheduling are presented. Special focus is placed on the runtime performance of inspection models and the efficient use of the computing resources of contemporary commodity servers.
Combining the Advantages of Discrete- and Continuous-time Scheduling Models: Part 2. Systematic Methods for Determining Model Parameters

Abstract The Discrete-Continuous Algorithm (DCA) is a novel framework that harnesses the strengths of discrete- and continuous-time scheduling formulations (Lee and Maraveloas,2018). Its flexibility in the selection of two user-defined parameters, namely discretization step length (δ) and horizon relaxation (η), can lead to significantly improved computational performance and solution quality. In this paper, we propose systematic methods to determine these parameters. Specifically, we evaluate the parameters based on error evaluation functions and cumulative error functions that consider various aspects of the scheduling instances. Through an extensive computational study, we show that the proposed methods bring up to × 104 speedups, while leading to identical or better solutions in the majority of the instances compared to traditional methods.
Melanomas of the head and neck have high-local recurrence risk features and require tissue-rearranging reconstruction more commonly than basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma: A comparison of indications for microscopic margin control prior to reconstruction in 13,664 tumors.

Background On the basis of high–local recurrence risk features and tissue-rearranging reconstruction, consensus guidelines recommend microscopic margin control for keratinocyte carcinomas (KCs) but not for cutaneous melanoma. Objective To compare high–local recurrence risk features and frequency of tissue-rearranging reconstruction for head and neck KC with those for melanoma. Methods Retrospective cohort study of KC versus melanoma treated at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with Mohs micrographic surgery. Results A total of 12,189 KCs (8743 basal cell carcinomas and 3343 squamous cell carcinomas) and 1475 melanomas (1065 melanomas in situ and 410 invasive melanomas) were identified from a prospectively updated Mohs micrographic surgery database. Compared with KCs, melanomas were significantly more likely to have high–local recurrence risk features, including larger preoperative size (2.10 cm vs 1.30 cm [P Limitations This was a retrospective study, and it did not compare outcomes with those of other treatment methods, such as slow Mohs or conventional excision. Conclusion Melanomas of the head and neck have high–local recurrence risk features and require tissue-rearranging reconstruction more frequently than KCs do.
Towards photomechanical therapy: intracellular photodisruption of double-targeted cancer cells with microbubbles from laser induced optical breakdown of dendrimer nanocomposites

5604 We have reported that nanosized metal clusters in metal/dendrimer nanocomposites enhance nonlinear energy absorption from femtosecond lasers in and decrease breakdown threshold of organic materials by two magnitudes. Above the threshold, laser induced optical breakdown (LIOB) occurs and short-lived microbubbles form. We have also reported that dendrimers and dendrimer nanocomposites can be used to make composite nanodevices (CNDs) in regulated size, surface charge and with multiple targeting moieties that can deliver payloads to multiple types of cancer cells expressing specific surface receptors. Simultaneous geometrical and biochemical targeting of CNDs to cancer cells followed by CND internalization and laser irradiation offers selective destruction of cells by microbubbles that damage only those cells they formed at, but do not affect their neighbors. To distinguish from photodynamic therapy (PDT) and nanoshells or nanorods (photothermal therapy, PTT), we name this method photomechanical therapy (PMT). In this study we present the first in vitro demonstration of this principle. Purpose: To investigate the in vitro feasibility of selective destruction of cancer cells by intracellularly created microbubbles. Experimental Procedures: The surface of dendrimer templates was made biocompatible by partially reacting the terminal amines with glycidol then covalently attaching folic acid molecules as targeters. From the above templates, we fabricated folate targeted silver/dendrimer composite nanodevices (for short: FA-{Ag(0)}) and targeted these CNDs to KB cells (a human oral epidermoid cancer cell line that is known to overexpress folate receptors) followed by irradiation using a near IR femtosecond laser. To detect and characterize breakdown dynamics in cells, transient bubble events were monitored using a high-frequency ultrasonic system. Preferential uptake of the FA-{Ag(0)} was visualized with confocal microscopy and TEM. Images show that CND internal localization and distribution varies with treatment concentration and surface functionality. Cells that bind FA-{Ag(0)} demonstrate a reduction in LIOB threshold and much reduced laser fluences are needed to break down labeled cells. Results: We observed a considerable increase in the uptake of composite nanoparticles by KB cells as a result of targeting. CND localization and distribution varies with treatment concentration and surface functionality. Cells incubated with 500 nM of FA-{Ag(0)} exhibit a significant decrease of breakdown threshold when irradiated. Conclusions: Selective photodisruption of cancer cells targeted with silver/dendrimer composite nanodevices was demonstrated in vitro. After further in vivo validation, photomechanical therapy has potential use in many diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
46 ARGINASE AND UROKINASE IN CARDIAC FIBROSIS.

Objective The World Health Organization predicts that cardiovascular disease will be the number one cause of death by the year 2020. Cardiac fibrosis, a major finding in end-stage heart disease, contributes to impaired function and may lead to the development of arrhythmias. The mechanisms through which cardiac fibrosis develop are incompletely understood, and consequently there are no specific therapies for fibrosis. Mice with macrophage-targeted overexpression of urokinase plasminogen activator (SR-uPA+/o mice) develop macrophage accumulation and subsequent cardiac fibrosis. Arginase, an immunoregulatory enzyme produced by macrophages in response to stimulation by TH2 cytokines, promotes fibroblast proliferation and collagen production. Therefore, we hypothesized that SR-uPA+/o macrophages secrete increased levels of arginase protein, which could then act as a proximal mediator of the development of fibrosis. Methods Arginase activity in macrophage and heart lysates from SR-uPA+/o and SR-uPAo/o mice was determined by addition of l-arginine followed by reaction with α-isonitrosopropiophenone, producing a magenta product detected by spectroscopy at 562 nm. Arginase 1 was detected in macrophages by Western blot and normalized to beta-actin. Results SR-uPA+/o peritoneal macrophages showed increased arginase activity as compared to SR-uPAo/o macrophages (14.5 [11.8 to 17.4] vs 5.1 [4.3 to 7.8] mmol urea formed/mg protein/min, p = .029, n = 4). SR-uPA+/o heart lysates also showed more arginase activity than uPAo/o lysates (0.003 [0.000-0.018] vs 0.000 [0.000-0.001] mmol urea formed/mg protein/min, p = .049, n = 11). No significant difference was found in arginase protein production between SR-uPA+/o and SR-uPAo/o peritoneal macrophages (0.480 ± 0.272 vs 0.744 ± 0.197 normalized densitometry units, p = .246, n = 3). Conclusions Both SR-uPA+/o macrophages and hearts showed increased arginase activity without a corresponding increase in arginase protein production. Increased activity without changes in production could be due to changes in other factors influencing arginase availability. It will be important to determine if increased arginase activity in our model influences cardiac fibroblast collagen production.
Intelligent Maze Generation Based on Topological Constraints

Maze is a puzzle, in which players need to find a path from an entrance to a goal on the maze. Although maze is a puzzle itself, it is also used as a tool in different fields, such as computer game and robotics. Since maze users in different fields may have different purposes of using a maze, different desired properties may be wanted on the maze. This paper provides a method which generates the desired maze when users give desired properties. Our method uses search-based procedural content generation (SBPCG) approach, in which the process repeatedly generate-and-test mazes to obtain a satisfactory maze. Our research focuses on a perfect maze, and existing perfect maze generation algorithms can be used in the SBPCG approach. When the algorithms are used, to obtain a desired maze with a higher probability, our method chooses the best algorithm amongst intelligently. Lastly, we provide several use cases and demonstrate that our method generates desired mazes effectively for each use case.
Contract Mechanics: What They Can Teach Us About Contracts

Contracts often create arrangements in which one party has X days to respond to an action by the other party, or provide for adjustments in economic or other terms based on a party’s performance or financial condition, or set out a computation, allocation, or decision making process. These features — typically referred to as contract “mechanics,” “machinery” or “plumbing” — are central topics of attention: lawyers regularly “walk through the mechanics” as they negotiate deals, draft documents, and advise clients. What’s interesting, though, is that we don’t see mechanics as a contract feature. They’re second nature to experienced lawyers. They’re not components in the way we think of representations and covenants. They’re not associated with particular doctrinal principles. Mechanics are hard to capture as a “thing” and yet they’re everywhere in the documents and lawyers deal with them all the time. Which indicates that we might want to pause and think about them. That's the idea here. This Essay suggests why “mechanics,” however characterized, provide a useful angle of approach for understanding and working with contracts. Reflecting on mechanics help us see elements used in making deals, how contracts are constructed and operate, and realities clients deal with in implementation. These are useful things, especially for students and lawyers starting out in practice. The Essay begins with brief descriptions of commonly-observed mechanics. It then offers observations about their central place in dealmaking and deal performance, describes how they provide good windows for learning, and suggests a way of thinking about them. When we take such a look, we see that the vernacular is instructive. “Mechanics” means a branch of science that “deals with energy and forces and their effect on bodies, the “working parts of something,” or the “way in which something is done or operated.” As we will see, that’s what contract mechanics do. They transmit commercial and legal forms of force and motion. They facilitate coordinated activity. Mechanics are working parts: the pipes, fittings, and valves of a contract.
Molecular Orbital Insights of Transition Metal-Stabilized Carbocations

Transition metal-stabilized carbocations are characterized by synthetically valuable interactions, yet, to date there are no comprehensive reports of the many bonding modes that can exist between a metal and carbocation. This review summarizes developments in these complexes to provide a clear picture of their properties and reactivities. In order to strategically exploit them, we propose this summary of the different bonding modes for transition metal-carbocation complexes. These models will help chemists understand the orbital interactions involved in these compounds so that they can approach their synthetic goals most effectively. Multiple transition metals and carbocations will be discussed.
Benign Mass Lesions

Benign mass lesions, particularly vocal fold nodules, represent a common etiology of pediatric dysphonia. Traditionally, a minimalist approach to management has been employed, with observation and counseling that lesions will resolve with aging. With increased knowledge regarding the pathophysiology and natural history of these lesions as well as the psychosocial ramifications of persistent dysphonia, improved assessment and treatment strategies have been developed. Key to effective management of any benign mass lesion is accurate diagnosis, as some (e.g., nodules) are more responsive to behavioral modification and voice therapy than others (e.g., cysts).
Optimization Methods in Finance: Nonlinear programming: theory and algorithms

It is sometimes necessary to consider more general nonlinear programs than the ones we have already studied: linear, quadratic, or conic programs. We give a brief introduction to this vast topic, and we discuss an application to estimating a volatility surface. Nonlinear Programming Consider a very general optimization problem of the form or the equivalent more concise form where. In the special case when all functions , hi are linear, problem (20.1) is a linear program as discussed in Chapter 2. When some of the functions , are nonlinear, problem (20.1) is a nonlinear program . Many practical problems are naturally formulated as nonlinear programs. We already saw quadratic programming and conic programming in earlier chapters. However, the family of problems that can be formulated as nonlinear programs is enormous, as many, if not most, imaginable kinds of constraints and objectives can be cast in terms of nonlinear functions. (For some noteworthy examples, see the exercises at the end of the chapter.) The immense modeling power of nonlinear programming comes at a cost: unlike linear, quadratic, and conic programming, which have a solid theory and are solvable via a few algorithmic templates, both the theory and methods to solve general nonlinear programs are far more complicated. Different types of nonlinear programs, determined by structural properties of the objective and constraint functions, are amenable to different types of algorithms. The subsequent sections sketch the main theory and most popular algorithmic ideas. A comprehensive treatment of this vast topic is beyond the scope of this textbook. We refer the reader to the excellent references Bertsekas (1999), Guler (2010), and Nocedal and Wright (2006) for more details. Numerical Nonlinear Programming Solvers There are numerous software packages for solving nonlinear programs. The following are some popular ones. We list them according to the class of algorithms (discussed in Section 20.4) that they are based on: (1) CONOPT, GRG2, Excel SOLVER. These solvers are based on the generalized reduced-gradient method . (2) MATLAB optimization toolbox, SNOPT, NLPQL. These solvers are based on sequential quadratic programming. (3) MINOS, LANCELOT. These solvers are based on an augmented Lagrangian approach. (4) MOSEK, LOQO, IPOPT. These solvers are based on interior-point methods.
Stability and Evolution of Planar and Concave Slopes under Unsaturated and Rainfall Conditions

Abstract Natural slopes are often observed to have a concave, convex, or a combination concave/convex profile, yet constructed slopes are traditionally designed with planar cross-sectional geometry...
Mental representation of subjective pleasure of partnered experiences in women's brain conveyed through event-related fMRI

BACKGROUND: Functional neuroimaging demonstrates a combined role of central and peripheral mechanisms in human sexual response. Nevertheless, inter-individual subjective differences remain unresolved. Since Freud, controversy remains regarding the similarity of each type of partnered sexual pleasure experience. The authors hypothesized that the neural networks sustaining the memory of all types of subjective partnered sexual pleasure experiences might interact with the insula, a key brain area for integrating somatic experiences. MATERIAL/METHODS: Using a 3T Phillips MRI scanner, brain activity elicited when 29 healthy female volunteers were exposed to subliminal presentation of their sexual partner's names, an approach to investigating the brain network sustaining the mental representation of their partner, was assessed. This brain activity was compared with scores from the Female Sexual Functioning Index on satisfaction and the typologies of their partnered orgasmic experiences. No orgasmic responses were recorded during fMRI. This approach allowed the investigation of the memory of the different types of stored partnered orgasmic experiences. RESULTS: The memory of partnered pleasure obtained by clitoral stimulation correlated with brain responses in the left insula only, while that of partnered pleasure by sexual intercourse correlated with the left insula and also with the right superior temporal gyrus, thalamus, and right inferior prefrontal gyrus. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the memory of sexual experiences is integrated a posteriori at different levels (i.e. by different neural networks) in a woman's brain. The authors believe these findings will open a new avenue towards understanding inter- and intra-individual differences in woman's sexual mind.
Serum (1,3)-Beta-D-Glucan has suboptimal performance for the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in cancer patients and correlates poorly with respiratory burden as measured by quantitative PCR

Abstract Objective Non-HIV immunocompromised patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) have lower fungal load than those with AIDS, potentially affecting the accuracy of diagnostic biomarkers. Therefore, we investigated the performance of serum (1,3)-Beta-D-Glucan (BDG) in conjunction with quantitative Pneumocystis jirovecii PCR (qPCR) in non-HIV cancer patients. Methods We reviewed records of non-HIV cancer patients and classified them as definite, probable, or possible PCP cases, according to clinicoradiological features, microscopy findings, and qPCR results in bronchoscopy specimens. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of serum BDG and its correlation with qPCR results. Results We identified 101 PCP patients (73 definite/probable, 28 possible) and 74 controls. Correlation of BDG and qPCR was low among all 101 qPCR-positive patients (Spearman's=0.38) and in definite/probable PCP cases (Spearman's=0.18). Considering all qPCR-positive patients, BDG showed consistently low sensitivity at different cutoffs. Among definite/probable cases, the diagnostic accuracy of BDG remained poor, yet slightly improved with high qPCR thresholds (AUC=0.86 at ≥2000 DNA copies/mL). BDG had a low PPV but excellent NPV across different qPCR and BDG cutoffs. Conclusions BDG and qPCR levels correlate poorly in non-HIV cancer patients with PCP. BDG diagnostic performance is suboptimal but a negative test may be useful to rule out PCP in this population.
Phage-Phage Interactions

Often considered to be the most numerous and most diverse biological entities, phages are relatively simple forms of life. Despite this, phages have remarkably similar behaviors to those characterized in more complex organisms. When considering the biological development of phages from this perspective, new ideas and narratives can be explored to achieve a better mechanistic understanding of these biological systems. The interactions of phages underpin their development, so by leveraging the proper tools to focus on these processes, fascinating details can be discovered in these tiny lives.
Patterns and Correlates of Self-Management Strategies for Osteoarthritis-Related Pain Among Older Non-Hispanic Black and Non-Hispanic White Adults.

OBJECTIVE Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading source of pain and disability among older adults. Self-management (SM) strategies are recommended to manage OA symptoms. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, along with other factors, may influence SM utilization rate. This study sought to examine the prevalence and correlates of SM use for pain among non-Hispanic Black patients (NHB) and non-Hispanic White patients (NHW) older adults with or at risk for knee OA. METHODS A secondary data analysis was conducted on the Understanding Pain and Limitations in Osteoarthritic Disease multisite observational study, which included NHB (n = 104) and NHW (n = 98) community-dwelling older adults with or at risk for knee OA. Participants completed measures of sociodemographics, pain SM use, coping, and clinical and experimental pain. RESULTS Clinical and experimental pain were significantly greater among NHBs compared to NHWs. There were no significant differences in use of total SM by ethnicity/race. Interestingly, multiple linear regression revealed that clinical and experimental pain indices, as well as coping, number of pain sites, age, and sex were differentially associated with total SM use between NHBs and NHWs. There were significant ethnicity/race by type of pain management interaction effects for pain measures. CONCLUSION SM is common among older adults with or at risk for knee OA pain, and the prevalence of SM does not differ by ethnicity/race, but many guideline-recommended interventions for OA are underutilized. Importantly, different factors were associated with the use of SM, highlighting distinct biopsychosocial mechanisms contributing to SM use in NHBs and NHWs.
Overview of Recent Advances in Surgical Treatments for OSA

To review recent advances in diagnosis and surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Drug-induced sleep endoscopy allows for dynamic visual assessment of the upper airway in a sleep-like state. Definitive trials are underway to confirm its validity. Nasal surgery can decrease required continuous positive airway pressure pressures, improving its tolerability. Surgical techniques modifying the airway to prevent obstruction have advanced in recent years through improvements in technique and patient selection. A new and effective procedure employs an implantable nerve stimulation device to maintain airway tone. The literature supporting the safety and efficacy of upper airway diagnostics and surgery continues to grow. Advanced airway diagnostics provide a targeted anatomic evaluation which may help guide therapy. Reliable surgical techniques can address obstruction at the nasal, oropharyngeal, or hypopharyngeal airway. Upper airway stimulation and skeletal surgery target multiple levels of collapse and are particularly efficacious. Level of evidence/study design: Retrospective
Scar Formation and Debris Elimination during Hair Cell Degeneration in the Adult DTR Mouse

Abstract The auditory sensory epithelium of the mammalian inner ear is a highly organized structure that contains sensory hair cells (HCs) and non-sensory supporting cells (SCs). Following the partial loss of HCs after cochlear insults such as overstimulation or ototoxic drugs, SCs seal the luminal epithelial surface (reticular lamina) and reorganize its cellular pattern. Here we investigated the changes in the sensory epithelium following a rapid and severe cochlear insult in the diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) mouse, where diphtheria toxin (DT) injection leads to a HC-specific lesion resulting in a complete HC loss. We found that DT-induced selective HC ablation could lead to a pattern of scar formation and apical cell–cell adherens and tight junction reorganization similar to that occurring after other types of cochlear insult. Prestin, an outer HC-specific protein, was present in amorphous clumps at the sites where SCs had expanded to fill the spaces vacated by the dead HCs for up to 2 months after the DT induced lesion. Many of the prestin clumps appeared to occupy spaces within SCs, suggesting that SCs participate in the removal process of HC corpses in the DTR deafness model. Prestin clumps could be seen in different areas all along the length of the SCs, and appeared to be inside the SCs as well as in the inter-cellular spaces between SCs. The findings suggest that HC elimination in the DTR deafness model follows a mechanism similar to that in overstimulation or ototoxicity models, making the DTR mouse useful for understanding the process underlying HC elimination and the role of SCs in this process.
A comparison of the significant features of the marine boundary layers over the east central Arabian Sea and the north central Bay of Bengal during MONEX-79

Low-level mean and turbulence data from the National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Electra aircraft in conjunction with dropwindsondes and ship observations during MONEX.79 were used to compare the typical structures of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal monsoon boundary layers. Analysis indicates significant differences in-both mean and turbulence structures, The presence of a strong low level Somali jet over the east central Arabian Sea significantly increases turbulent fluxes and variances. Monsoon boundary layer over the north central Bay of Bengal in which wind speeds were significantly reduced showed a decrease in heat and momentum fluxes by approximately 10 to 30 % throughout the boundary layer as compared to the Arabian Sea region. Boundary layer heights over the Arabian Sea were two to three times greater than those observed over the Bay of Bengal. Shear and buoyancy production in the turbulent kinetic energy budget are found to be significant to roughly twice the height in the boundary layer over the Arabian Sea as against the Bay of Bengal.
Deadlocked; a Reaction to McDonagh and Ford on Abortion

With but one major exception, I am a strong supporter of McDonagh (1996), not so much Ford (2005). As the latter is a comment on the former, let me start with McDonagh.
Online cancer information seeking increases cancer worry

Online cancer information seeking increased cancer worry.The effects of cancer information varied depending on the type of online source.Only the most frequently used source of information influenced cancer worry. This study explored the effects of online cancer information seeking on cancer worry, which has been found to promote cancer screening. Although health information seeking models have used worry as a determinant of information seeking, the present study sought to demonstrate the reverse causality to show the psychological impact of the Internet in the health context. Study 1 (N=308), a cross-sectional survey, recruited U.S. participants using Amazon Mechanical Turk, a crowd-sourcing online marketplace, and detected a positive association between online cancer information seeking from professional health-related websites and cancer worry. To establish the causality, Study 2 (N=1130 at Wave 1 and 813 at Wave 2), a two-wave survey about stomach cancer in South Korea, was conducted. The results showed that online cancer information seeking from online news at Wave 1 increased cancer worry at Wave 2. Although the sources of cancer information seeking associated with cancer worry were different in Study 1 (professional health-related websites) and Study 2 (online news), the results were consistent in that each was the main source of cancer information for Study 1 and Study 2 participants, respectively. The findings suggested that online cancer information seeking from these frequently used sources can increase cancer worry, which plays a positive role in cancer prevention.
Prostaglandin cytoprotection of gastric mucosa.

Abstract The mechanisms by which prostaglandins protect the gastric mucosa against the erosive action of ulcerogenic drugs, such as indomethacin, is unknown. The hypothesis was tested that topical damaging agents inhibit the active transport of sodium in the gastric mucosa and that a cytoprotective prostaglandin will reverse this effect. Paired mucosal segments from the corpus of the dog stomach were mounted between bathing chambers to allow measurement of unidirectional fluxes of 22 Na, the electrical potential difference (PD) across the mucosa which is generated by the active transport of sodium, and the short-circuit current. The electrical resistance (R) was calculated from Ohm's law. The flux of 22 Na from serosa to mucosa (J Na s→m ) is an index of the passive transport of the ion and is a measure of membrane permeability. The difference between the two unidirectional fluxes (J Na net ) represents the rate of active transport of the ion. If a topical damaging drug acted exclusively by increasing membrane permeability one would anticipate the following responses to the agent: increased J Na s→m , little effect on J Na net , decreased PD and decreased R. Adding indomethacin to the mucosal bathing solution in a concentration of 2.2 × 10 −4 m caused no change in J Na s→m , decreases in both J Na net and PD, and an increase in R. These findings suggest a primary effect on active transport of sodium. Effects of indomethacin on J Na net , PD, and R were reversed by 16,16 dimethyl prostaglandin E 2 (8 × 10 −7 m) and by agents known to increase intracellular cyclic AMP content (theophylline and dibutyryl cyclic AMP). Incubation of mucosae with the prostaglandin increased measured cyclic AMP content 60% at a time before the full electrophysiological response. These data support the hypothesis that active transport of sodium is inhibited by a damaging agent and is stimulated by a protective agent, the latter appearing to act via increased accumulation of intracellular cyclic AMP.
Building 3-D Human Face Models from Two Photographs

This paper presents a working system for building 3-D human face models from two photographs. Rather than using expensive 3-D scanners, we show that frontal face models can be faithfully reconstructed from two photographs taken by consumer digital cameras in a totally non-invasive setup. We first rectify the image pair so that corresponding epipolar lines become coincident, by computing a dual point transformation. We then address the correspondence problem by converting it into a maximal surface extraction problem, which is then solved efficiently. The method effectively removes local extrema. Finally, a Euclidean reconstruction is achieved with the help of a novel factorization method for perspective cameras. Most of the computational steps are conducted in projective space. Euclidean information is introduced only at the last stage. This sets apart our system from the traditional ones which begin with metric information by using carefully calibrated cameras. We have collected a bank of face pairs to test our system, and are satisfied with its performance. Results from this image database are demonstrated.
Celebrity culture and the American Dream: stardom and social mobility, by Karen Sternheimer

Celebrity Culture and the American Dream does precisely what its title advertises: it shows the relation between shifting meanings of the American Dream and the manner in which entertainment celebr...
Energy release rate along a three-dimensional crack front in a thermally stressed body

Based on a line-integral expression for the energy release rate in terms of crack tip fields, which is valid for general material response, a (area/volume) domain integral expression for the energetic force in a thermally stressed body is derived. The general three-dimensional finite domain integral expression and the two-dimensional and axisymmetric specializations for the energy release rate are given. The domain expression is naturally compatible with the finite element formulation of the field equations. As such it is ideally suited for efficient and accurate calculation of the pointwise values of the energy release rate along a three-dimensional crack front. The finite element implementation of the domain integral corresponds to the virtual crack extension technique. Procedures for calculating the energy release rate using the numerically determined field solutions are discussed. For illustrative purposes several numerical examples are presented.
Stability aspects of diverging subsonic flow

The paper describes the computation of two-dimensional, subsonic, diverging internal flows and how they differ from the corresponding converging flows. Such diverging or decelerating flows occur in such obvious places as subsonic diffusers and inlets; however, such flows also occur in supersonic nozzles in the presence of a normal shock. The flow instability and its relation to the numerical method used, boundary conditions, and viscous effects are assessed both analytically and numerically. The inviscid flow is shown to be physically unstable and a poor representation of the true viscous flow.
Soil O2 controls denitrification rates and N2O yield in a riparian wetland

[1] Wetland soil oxygen (O2) is rarely measured, which limits our understanding of a key regulator of nitrogen loss through denitrification. We asked: (1) How does soil [O2] vary in riparian wetlands? (2) How does this [O2] variation affect denitrification rates and end products? and (3) How does [O2] variation and previous exposure to O2affect trace gas fluxes? We collected a continuous seven-month record of [O2] dynamics in a “wet” and “dry” riparian zone. In April 2009, soil [O2] ranged from 0 to 13% and consistently increased with increasing distance from the stream. [O2] gradually declined in all sensors until all sensors went anoxic in early September 2009. In mid-fall, a dropping water table increased soil [O2] to 15–20% within a 2–3 day period. We measured denitrification using the Nitrogen-Free Air Recirculation Method (N-FARM), a direct measurement of N2 production against a helium background. Denitrification rates were significantly higher in the wetter areas, which correlated to lower O2 conditions. Denitrification rates in the drier areas correlated with [O2] in the early spring and summer, but significantly decreased in late summer despite decreasing O2 concentrations. Increasing [O2] significantly increased core N2O production, and therefore may be an important control on nitrous oxide yield. Field N2O fluxes, however, were highly variable, ranging from 0 to 800 ug N m−2 hr−1 with no differences between the wet and dry sites. Future research should focus on understanding the biotic and abiotic controls on O2 dynamics, and O2 dynamics should be included in models of soil N cycling and trace gas fluxes.
The Constraints General Relativity Places on Physicalist Accounts of Causality

All accounts of causality that presuppose the propagation or transfer or some physical stuff to be an essential art of the causal relation rely for the force of their causal claims on a principle of conservation for that stuff. General Relativity does not permit the rigorous formulation of appropriate conservation principles. Consequently, in so far as General Relativity is considered and fundamental physical theory, such accounts of causality cannot be considered fundamental. The continued use of such accounts of causality ought not be proscribed, but justification is due from those who would use them.
Differentiation of alkaline phosphatase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in rat yolk-sac.

During early gestation in the rat, at the time of rapid embryonic differentiation and prior to the full formation of the chorioallantoic placenta, the function of ‘placental’ nutrition was attributed to the yolk-sac by Brunschwig (1927). Such a paraplacental function of the yolk-sac would assume that nutrients pass through the parietal wall into the yolk-sac cavity and thence into the embryo via the visceral yolk-sac epithelium and its underlying vitelline vessels. Supporting this concept were the findings of Everett (1935) who demonstrated in 13-day embryos that toluidine blue was able to pass into the omphalomesenteric vessels more rapidly than it could reach the umbilical veins via the chorioallantoic placenta. Furthermore, the visceral entodermal cells appeared to exert some selectivity in that trypan blue did not pass into the embryo but was localized in the apical cytoplasm. More recently, Padykula, Deren 9 Wilson (1966) demonstrated that the rat yolk-sac concentrated both vitamin B 12 and vitamin B 12 plus intrinsic factor throughout most of gestation.