cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Limitations of Screening Methods

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic cardiac disease with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance that has traditionally been characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in the absence of another cause for the increased cardiac mass.1 It may be associated with severe symptoms and occasionally masquerades as “heart attacks,” valvular heart disease, or arrhythmias of uncertain origin. HCM is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in otherwise healthy young individuals, such as athletes. Since the diagnosis is frequently made postmortem, there is a pressing need to investigate the prevalence of HCM and the methods by which it is detected. Recent advances in the molecular genetics of HCM have increased our understanding of its pathophysiology and heightened our awareness of the variable expression of the disease. The use of molecular markers (the genetic defects) has demonstrated the marked phenotypic variability of HCM even within the same family. Features associated with HCM, such as arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, and/or diastolic dysfunction, may be present in patients in the absence of LVH as determined by echocardiography.2 3 4 Hence, epidemiological studies that rely solely on echocardiographic parameters provide a restricted view of the prevalence and impact of HCM in the general population. Several echocardiographic studies have estimated the prevalence of HCM in the general population to be 0.2%.5 6 The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Adults (CARDIA) study investigators report an almost identical prevalence of HCM.7 The CARDIA study was initially designed to investigate the longitudinal influence of lifestyle and other factors on the risk of coronary heart disease in a biracial cohort population of adults 18 to 30 years old.8 Recruitment to the study was from four urban areas. In a subset of this population, the CARDIA investigators identified 7 patients with HCM out of 4111 …
The 5-HT3 antagonist zacopride attenuates cocaine-induced increases in extracellular dopamine in rat nucleus accumbens

Pretreatment with the serotonin-3 (5-HT3) antagonist racemic (+/-)-Zacopride hydrochloride (ZAC, 0.1 mg/kg, IP) has been previously found to completely abolish the locomotor activity induced by cocaine (10 mg/kg, IP). To determine if this effect was mediated by fluctuations in the extracellular levels of forebrain dopamine (DA), we examined the ability of ZAC to attenuate cocaine-induced increases in extracellular DA levels. Microdialysis samples were collected from the nucleus accumbens region (NAS) of awake, male, Sprague-Dawley rats. ZAC treatment alone (0.1 mg/kg, IP) did not alter DA levels relative to baseline. However, this dose of ZAC given 1 h prior to cocaine challenge (10 mg/kg, IP) caused a 27% reduction in the peak level of extracellular DA produced by cocaine, relative to saline-pretreated control animals. These results suggest that the ability of ZAC to attenuate cocaine-induced increases in extracellular DA levels may contribute to ZAC's ability to suppress cocaine-induced locomotor activity in the rat. However, additional neurochemical mechanisms are likely to be important in mediating the robust behavioral effects previously reported.
Transcriptional control of the inflammatory response

Inflammation is a multicomponent response to tissue stress, injury and infection, and a crucial point of its control is at the level of gene transcription. The inducible inflammatory gene expression programme--such as that triggered by Toll-like receptor signalling in macrophages--is comprised of several coordinately regulated sets of genes that encode key functional programmes; these are controlled by three classes of transcription factors, as well as various transcriptional co-regulators and chromatin modifications. Here, we discuss the mechanisms of and the emerging principles in the transcriptional regulation of inflammatory responses in diverse physiological settings.
Exploring the Use of the Medicinal Leech:A Clinical Risk-Benefit Analysis

The medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, has been used with increasing frequency for salvage of compromised pedicled flaps and microvascular free-tissue transfers. The data pertaining to 18 cases in which flap salvage with leeches was attempted were reviewed and contrasted with the data from 108 published cases from other centers. A further analysis isolated and examined 19 cases in which infection, secondary to leech utilization, supervened. Results suggested that successful salvage of tissue with leeches occurs in 70 to 80 percent of cases. In contrast, the infection rate of most series is between 7 and 20 percent and, when a clinically significant infection occurs, the flap salvage rate drops to 30 percent or less. In addition to infection, the risks of leech therapy include blood loss, which may require replacement transfusion, loss of leeches into body orifices and spaces, allergic reactions, and adverse psychological responses. Clinical indications and contraindications, and strategies to reduce the risks of leech usage, are discussed. Conclusions are that leeches are best used early, and in accordance with an accepted institutional protocol. For each case, the potential risks and benefits must be rigorously assessed and honestly applied.
The Oligomycin Sensitivity Conferring Protein of Rat Liver Mitochondrial ATP Synthase: Arginine 94 Is Important for the Binding of OSCP to F1†

The oligomycin sensitivity conferring protein (OSCP) is an essential subunit of the mitochondrial ATP synthase (F0F1) long regarded as being directly involved in the energetic coupling of proton transport to ATP synthesis. To gain insight into the function of OSCP, mutations were made in a highly conserved central region of the subunit, and the recombinant proteins were studied using several biochemical assays. Rat liver OSCP was expressed to high levels in Escherichia coli, solubilized from inclusion bodies, renatured, and purified to homogeneity. The recombinant protein was able to reconstitute oligomycin-sensitive ATPase activity to inner membrane vesicles depleted of F1 and OSCP, and bound to F1 with a stoichiometry of 1:1. A novel fluorescence anisotropy assay was developed to study the affinity of binding of F1 to OSCP, providing a Kd value of 51 ± 11 nM. Two highly conserved, charged residues (E91 and R94) which lie within the central region of OSCP were mutated, and the recombinant proteins (E91Q,...
What is Your Library Doing about Emerging Technologies? A Report of the LITA Emerging Technologies Interest Group Program, American Library Association Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, June, 2010

Library and information technology association (LITA) Emerging Technologies Interest Group presented a panel discussion program, “What is Your Library Doing about Emerging Technologies?” Bohyun Kim...
An unusual cause of inability to float a pulmonary artery catheter.

Un cas inhabituel de compression cardiaque intrinseque qui apparemment perturbe la voie d'ecoulement ventriculaire droite pour empecher le passage d'un catheter arteriel pulmonaire
Adaptive 3D ultrasonic data compression using distributed processing engines

Ultrasonic 3D imaging is an important tool in NDE applications for quality control, flaw detection, and material characterization. However, ultrasonic 3D images often encompass immense amounts of data, making it very challenging for volumetric image analysis, transmission and storage. In this study, a fast and scalable data compression System-on-Chip (SoC) architecture based on Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) is proposed. This compression SoC can process A-Scan, B-Scan and C-Scan signals and images in real-time and reduce the data and bandwidth requirements substantially without degrading the signal fidelity. A volumetric image of 128x128x2048 samples is compressed by 96.9% in less than one second by the proposed compression system implemented on a Virtex-5 FPGA.
Lean and agile capacity management

Although the topics of lean and agile manufacturing frequently focus on factory floor operations, these concepts can also be applied to capacity management. Changes to process volumes, product mixes, and productivity improvements can shift capacity requirements significantly: only through lean and agile practices can that capacity be captured and redeployed, resulting in cost savings. To address this, a process to achieve lean capacity was developed. This includes: identification of required and excess capacity, reassignment of capacity, and movement of equipment from one location to another when required. Ultimately, the process was automated to improve the efficiency and agility
Evaluation of scale shape for identifying spawning stocks of coastal Atlantic striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

Abstract We review a numerical method of associating fish of unknown stock affiliation with their respective spawning stocks on the basis of differences in quantified scale shape. Magnified images of fish scales are digitized and the shapes of the scales are transformed into a mathematical relationship (Fourier series), from which the original shape can be regenerated with little loss of resolution. A multiple, stepwise discriminant analysis is used to characterize each putative stock within a fishery on the basis of the shape of the scales from fish in the population. Also, classification criteria are developed by which individual fish can be assigned to their respective stocks on the basis of scale shape. The shape of scales of Atlantic striped bass, Morone saxatilis, was characterized to evaluate the use of the method for this fishery. Differences in scale shape between Hudson River and Chesapeake Bay fish were sufficient to allow classification of individuals to their area of origin with 80% accuracy. To demonstrate the use of the procedure, we estimated, from 89 striped bass scales taken in the Rhode Island November 1982 fishery, that 45% were from the Hudson River and 55% from Chesapeake Bay. Similarly, from 100 scales taken from fish in the eastern Long Island April–December 1982 fishery, 53% were of Hudson River origin and 47% were from Chesapeake Bay.
Improving Avionics Fiber Optic Network Reliability & Maintainability

Work is ongoing at NAVAIR to understand how avionics fiber optic BIT technology can help reduce military aviation platform fiber optic network life cycle and total ownership cost. Operational availability enhancements via comprehensive supportability programs combined with keen attentiveness to reliability and maintainability metrics are driving the avionics fiber optic BIT value proposition. Avionics fiber optic BIT technology is expected to reduce failure rate and mean time to repair by predicting link failure before link failure actually occurs, running post-maintenance stress screening upon aircraft start-up, improving fault isolation by reducing the troubleshooting ambiguity zone from three to one, and reducing the need for separate support equipment for system troubleshooting
Kantian Liberalism and the Collective Defense of Democracy in Latin America

liberal states and international organizations to promote democracy within states. This article examines the collective defense of democracy regime in the Americas to illustrate this political dynamic and applies Immanuel Kant's original formulation of the liberal pacific union to understand the contemporary interAmerican system. The combination of a stronger Organization of American States built on a liberal democratic consensus among member-states, increasing trade interdependence, and a more liberal regional hegemony has transformed the inter-American system. One of the principal manifestations of this enhanced liberalism is that states in the Americas have agreed to intervene collectively in the domestic affairs of member-states to ensure the continuation of democratic regimes. For elected leaders and economic elites throughout the region and US policymakers, this support for democratic rule reflects material self-interest more than liberal idealism. While this collective defense of democracy regime, codified in the 'Santiago Commitment' of 1991, clearly reflects the increasingly liberal character of the inter-American system, this regime also challenges the principled commitment to self-determination that was essential to Kant's original formulation of the liberal pacific union. We examine the regional response to the first three overt challenges to the Santiago Commitment, in Haiti (1991), Peru (1992), and Guatemala (1993) to show how the collective defense of democracy has become a crucial element of how liberalism shapes international politics in the Americas.
Reduction in Fluoroquinolone Use following Introduction of Ertapenem into a Hospital Formulary Is Associated with Improvement in Susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Group 2 Carbapenems: a 10-Year Study

We examined the effect of the addition of ertapenem to our hospital formulary on the resistance of nosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa to group 2 carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem, and doripenem). This was a retrospective, observational study conducted between 1 January 2000 and 31 January 2009 at a large, tertiary-care hospital. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) regression models were used to evaluate the effect of ertapenem use on the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to group 2 carbapenems as well as on the use of the group 2 carbapenems, ciprofloxacin, and other antipseudomonal drugs (i.e., tobramycin, cefepime, and piperacillin-tazobactam). Resistance was expressed as a percentage of total isolates as well as the number of carbapenem-resistant bacterial isolates per 10,000 patient days. Pearson correlation was used to assess the relationship between antibiotic use and carbapenem resistance. Following the addition of ertapenem to the formulary, there was a statistically significant decrease in the percentage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates resistant to the group 2 carbapenems (P = 0.003). Group 2 carbapenem use and the number of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates per 10,000 patient days did not change significantly over the time period. There was a large decrease in the use of ciprofloxacin (P = 0.0033), and there was a correlation of ciprofloxacin use with the percentage of isolates resistant to the group 2 carbapenems (ρ = 0.47, P = 0.002). We suspect that the improvement in susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to group 2 carbapenems was related to a decrease in ciprofloxacin use.
Enoxaparin-Induced Retroperitoneal Hematoma

OBJECTIVE:To report 2 cases of retroperitoneal hematoma in elderly patients receiving enoxaparin.CASE SUMMARIES:Two white men, aged 70 and 71 years, received enoxaparin 80 mg subcutaneously twice a day for 8 and 4 days, respectively. Baseline hemoglobin and hematocrit values were 9.5 g/dL and 28.9% and 11.2 g/dL and 32.8%, respectively. In both cases, after the hemoglobin and hematocrit values decreased to 6.6 g/dL and 20.4% and 5.1 g/dL and 15.2%, respectively, a computed tomography scan revealed a retroperitoneal hematoma.DISCUSSION:Enoxaparin is a frequently used anticoagulant. Major bleeding episodes are reported to occur at a rate of up to 5.2%. Factors that increase the risk of bleeding in patients receiving enoxaparin are the use of high doses of enoxaparin, advanced age, renal impairment, and the concomitant use of drugs affecting hemostasis. Both of these patients received relatively high doses of 0.80 and 0.94 mg/kg subcutaneously twice a day, were elderly, and had mild renal impairment; 1 recei...
Profiling of β-Lactam Selectivity for Penicillin-Binding Proteins in Streptococcus pneumoniae D39

Selective fluorescent β-lactam chemical probes enable the visualization of the transpeptidase activity of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) at different stages of bacterial cell division. To facilitate the development of new fluorescent probes for PBP imaging, we evaluated 20 commercially available β-lactams for selective PBP inhibition in an unencapsulated derivative of the D39 strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Live cells were treated with β-lactam antibiotics at different concentrations and subsequently incubated with Bocillin FL (Boc-FL; fluorescent penicillin) to saturate uninhibited PBPs. Fluorophore-labeled PBPs were visualized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and fluorescence scanning. Among 20 compounds tested, carbapenems (doripenem and meropenem) were coselective for PBP1a, PBP2x, and PBP3, while six of the nine penicillin compounds were coselective for PBP2x and PBP3. In contrast, the seven cephalosporin compounds tested display variability in their PBP-binding profiles. Three cephalosporin compounds (cefoxitin, cephalexin, and cefsulodin) and the monobactam aztreonam exhibited selectivity for PBP3, while only cefuroxime (a cephalosporin) was selective for PBP2x. Treatment of S. pneumoniae cultures with a sublethal concentration of cefuroxime that inhibited 60% of PBP2x activity and less than 20% of the activity of other PBPs resulted in formation of elongated cells. In contrast, treatment of S. pneumoniae cultures with concentrations of aztreonam and cefoxitin that inhibited up to 70% of PBP3 activity and less than 30% of other PBPs resulted in no discernible morphological changes. Additionally, correlation of the MIC and IC50s for each PBP, with the exception of faropenem, amdinocillin (mecillinam), and 6-APA, suggests that pneumococcal growth inhibition is primarily due to the inhibition of PBP2x.
The substrate object model and architecture

Operating system kernels are difficult to build, hard to change and a problem to adapt to new hardware. This is particularly true when the operating system tries to simulate a general-purpose multiprocessor on a cluster of workstations. The substrate architecture presented here uses lessons from language design to facilitate the evolution of existing operating systems. A reflective object model that clearly separates instances, interfaces and implementations is the basis of this architecture. The object-model implementation allows flexible and dynamic composition of interfaces and implementations. The language environment and object model is used to create substrates, building block components of a multiprocessor environment. >
Measurement of Herceptin uptake in vivo using a novel fluoresence sensor

3846 An in vivo sensor that can detect the uptake of fluorescently labeled antibodies has been tested in a mouse model of human breast cancer. The fluorescence sensor was used to probe human tumor xenografts implanted in nude mice. A MCF7Her2 cell line that overexpresses clinically relevant levels of Her2 was used. The mice were implanted with MCF7Her2 cells in either the flank or the mammary pad and estrogen pellets were implanted in the scapular region to facilitate tumor growth. The tumors were allowed to grow until they reached approximately 5 mm in diameter. Herceptin (Trastuzumab) was fluorescently labeled (Alexa Fluor 647, Molecular Probes) and introduced into the tail vein of the animals (n=8) at a concentration of 4 mg/Kg. A control group (n=5) was injected with a fluorescently labeled, isotype-matched IgG antibody. The sensor was then used to record relative fluorescence signal levels in the tumor and in the flank over time. The mice were not anesthetized and were allowed to go back into their cages between time points. The ratio of the signals from the tumor and normal tissue was seen to be higher in the mice treated with Herceptin versus the control antibody. Whereas the signals in the tumors exposed to Herceptin rose over time, peaking between 24-48 hours, signals in the flank and in both regions of the control animals simply decayed over time. There was variation in the tumor/normal ratio in the animals receiving Herceptin that seemed to correlate with IHC grading of the excised tumors (performed at the end of the study period). These preliminary findings are summarized in the Table below: It is proposed that the fluorescence sensor could be a useful tool for the study of in vivo pharmacokinetics of some therapeutic molecules of interest.
2D radiation magnetohydrodynamic calculations of a doped deuterium gas puff experiment on Z

Summary form only given. Recently, double-shell deuterium gas puff experiments were performed on the Z accelerator with the objective of investigating the production efficiency of thermal neutrons using a Z pinch approach. In order to learn more about the dynamics of the pinch and to differentiate each shell, the deuterium was doped with argon and Freon-12 (CCl2F2). In this work, we present 2D r-z simulations of the double-shell gas puff performed with the ALEGRA MHD code. Different methods were applied to model the doping (gas mixture vs. mix in each cell) and two radiation models were tested. A number of calculated parameters, such as radiation power pulse, X-ray yield, ion temperature, ion velocity and density profile are compared with experimental results and show reasonable agreement. Various results obtained using the two radiation models and the different doping techniques will be discussed
Elevated ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine levels during early development in the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana

Rehydrated Artemia cysts were assayed for ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and levels of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine during pre-emergent development, emergence and hatching. Low but detectable ODC activity levels increased significantly within 2 hr, suggesting de novo synthesis of ODC protein and representing one of the earliest enzymatic biochemical markers in post dormancy development. ODC activity increased 100-fold during preemergent development (occurring in the absence of an increase in tissue polyamine content). This increase in enzyme activity occurs in the relative absence of DNA synthesis but may be related to an enhanced polyamine synthetic capacity necessary for other physiological processes such as early transcriptional and translational activity. A second, higher ODC activity peak (correlated with a significant increase in polyamines) prior to hatching may be related to DNA synthesis and other biochemical processes associated with hatching of stage 1 nauplii and is correlated with increasing ecdysteroid titres reported previously. Putrescine and spermidine levels were significantly higher than spermine levels (2.5, 2.65, and 0.13 μmoles/g dry weight) at the onset of rehydration. High endogenous polyamines levels in encysted embryos are most likely available for use in metabolic processes associated with early differentiation. Polyamine levels increased significantly just prior to emergence and continued increasing throughout hatching. Spermidine to spermine ratios (>18) should reflect high rates of overall biosynthetic processes throughout preemergence, emergence, and hatching. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Feasibility and safety of combined percutaneous coronary intervention and therapeutic hypothermia following cardiac arrest.

Abstract Review Mild therapeautic hypothermia (MTH) has been associated with cardiac dysrhythmias, coagulopathy and infection. After restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), many cardiac arrest patients undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The safety and feasibility of combined MTH and PCI remains unclear. This is the first study to evaluate whether PCI increases cardiac risk or compromises functional outcomes in comatose cardiac arrest patients who undergo MTH. Methods Ninety patients within a 6-h window following cardiac arrest and ROSC were included. Twenty subjects (23%) who underwent PCI following MTH induction were compared to 70 control patients who underwent MTH without PCI. The primary endpoint was the rate of dysrhythmias; secondary endpoints were time-to-MTH induction, rates of adverse events (dysrhythmia, coagulopathy, hypotension and infection) and mortality. Results Patients who underwent PCI plus MTH suffered no statistical increase in adverse events (P = .054). No significant difference was found in the rates of dysrhythmias (P = .27), infection (P = .90), coagulopathy (P = .90) or hypotension (P = .08). The PCI plus MTH group achieved similar neurological outcomes (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤3 (P = .42) and survival rates (P = .40). PCI did not affect the speed of MTH induction; the target temperature was reached in both groups without a significant time difference (P = .29). Conclusion Percutaneous coronary intervention seems to be feasible when combined with MTH, and is not associated with increased cardiac or neurological risk.
Familial Patterns in Children With Neurologically Based Learning Disabilitie

Five hundred fifty-six children with the neurological learning disability syndrome were studied. Data were collected on prenatal and perinatal difficulties, medical problems, and family history of similar learning disabilities (for mother, father, sibling or siblings). In the total study, 29.6 percent of the children had a positive family history of similar learning difficulties. The data from September 1967 to September 1969 were more complete and accurate. In this group, 39.4 percent of the children had such a positive family history. In each of the families with a positive history of learning disabilities the history suggestive of central nervous system stress was made less significant by the total family data. This stress was not a contributing factor in producing this syndrome. Even though there was a history of prenatal, perinatal, or postnatal difficulties, siblings without a history of such difficulties also had learning disabilities. This study strongly suggests that the etiologic factor with som...
TEACHER ACQUISITION OF FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY

The current study examined methods for training teachers to use functional analysis methods. Teachers first received written and verbal instructions detailing attention and demand conditions. They then received training that included modeling, rehearsal, and performance feedback. Finally, probes were taken during ongoing class instruction. Results indicate that teachers acquired the skills and used them in classroom settings.
Recursive Definitions in Type Theory

The type theories we consider are adequate for the foundations of mathematics and computer science. Recursive type definitions are important practical ways to organize data, and they express powerful axioms about the termination of procedures. In the theory examined here, the demands of practicality arising from our implemented system, Nuprl, suggest an approach to recursive types that significantly increases the proof theoretic power of the theory and leads to insights into computational semantics. We offer a new account of recursive definitions for both types and partial functions. The computational requirements of the theory restrict recursive type definitions involving the total function-space constructor ($\rightarrow$) to those with only positive occurrences of the defined type. But we show that arbitrary recursive definitions with respect to the partial function-space constructor are sensible. The partial function-space constructor allows us to express reflexive types of Scott''s domain theory (as needed to model the lambda calculus) and thereby reconcile parts of domain theory with constructive type theory.
Papier-Mache: toolkit support for tangible input

Tangible user interfaces (TUIs) augment the physical world by integrating digital information with everyday physical objects. Currently, building these UIs requires "getting down and dirty" with input technologies such as computer vision. Consequently, only a small cadre of technology experts can currently build these UIs. Based on a literature review and structured interviews with nine TUI researchers, we created Papier-Mâche, a toolkit for building tangible interfaces using computer vision, electronic tags, and barcodes. Papier-Mache introduces a high-level event model for working with these technologies that facilitates technology portability. For example, an application can be prototyped with computer vision and deployed with RFID. We present an evaluation of our toolkit with six class projects and a user study with seven programmers, finding the input abstractions, technology portability, and monitoring window to be highly effective.
Exact Sampling from Perfect Matchings of Dense Regular Bipartite Graphs

We present the first algorithm for generating random variates exactly uniformly from the set of perfect matchings of a bipartite graph with a polynomial expected running time over a nontrivial set of graphs. Previous Markov chain results obtain approximately uniform variates for arbitrary graphs in polynomial time, but their general running time is Θ(n10 (ln n)2). Other algorithms (such as Kasteleyn's O(n3) algorithm for planar graphs) concentrated on restricted versions of the problem. Our algorithm employs acceptance/rejection together with a new upper limit on the permanent of a form similar to Bregman's theorem. For graphs with 2n nodes, where the degree of every node is γn for a constant γ, the expected running time is O(n1.5 + .5/γ). Under these conditions, Jerrum and Sinclair showed that a Markov chain of Broder can generate approximately uniform variates in Θ(n4.5 + .5/γ ln n) time, making our algorithm significantly faster on this class of graphs. The problem of counting the number of perfect matchings in these types of graphs is # P complete. In addition, we give a 1 + σ approximation algorithm for finding the permanent of 0–1 matrices with identical row and column sums that runs in O(n1.5 + .5/γ (1/σ2) log (1/δ))$, where the probability that the output is within 1 + \sigma$ of the permanent is at least 1 – δ.
Embodying Dixie: studies in the body pedagogics of Southern whiteness

Embodying Dixie is an important book that deserves a wide readership. It offers deep insights into the articulations of race and gender, place and memory, as well as culture and the body. A theoret...
The Vulgar Attempt to Achieve Perfect Identity

In this chapter, I make two major claims, which conflict with most, if not all readings of 1.4.2, First, the vulgar perspective should be divided into two sections, which correspond to, respectively, parts 2 and 3 of Hume’s system of identity. We may refer to these sections as vulgar perspective I, and vulgar perspective II. Second, neither vulgar perspective I nor II should be confused with the three accounts of perfect identity that were explicated in Part II of this book.
Cost‐effectiveness of preventing dental caries and full mouth dental reconstructions among Alaska Native children in the Yukon–Kuskokwim delta region of Alaska

Objective We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of five specific dental interventions to help guide resource allocation. Methods We developed a spreadsheet-based tool, from the healthcare payer perspective, to evaluate the cost effectiveness of specific dental interventions that are currently used among Alaska Native children (6-60 months). Interventions included: water fluoridation, dental sealants, fluoride varnish, tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and conducting initial dental exams on children <18 months of age. We calculated the cost-effectiveness ratio of implementing the proposed interventions to reduce the number of carious teeth and full mouth dental reconstructions (FMDRs) over 10 years. Results A total of 322 children received caries treatments completed by a dental provider in the dental chair, while 161 children received FMDRs completed by a dental surgeon in an operating room. The average cost of treating dental caries in the dental chair was $1,467 (∼258,000 per year); while the cost of treating FMDRs was $9,349 (∼1.5 million per year). All interventions were shown to prevent caries and FMDRs; however tooth brushing prevented the greatest number of caries at minimum and maximum effectiveness with 1,433 and 1,910, respectively. Tooth brushing also prevented the greatest number of FMDRs (159 and 211) at minimum and maximum effectiveness. Conclusions All of the dental interventions evaluated were shown to produce cost savings. However, the level of that cost saving is dependent on the intervention chosen.
Comparative effectiveness of water immersion and water exchange versus air insufflation for colonoscopy

Introduction: Water-aided colonoscopy can be categorized by the timing of removal of infused water, predominantly during withdrawal (water immersion) or during insertion (water exchange), respectively. Objective: To assess the impact of water immersion and water exchange on insertion pain and adenoma detection rate, when compared with air insufflation colonoscopy. Setting: published randomized controlled trial (RcT) that compared water immersion or water exchange with air insufflation. Patients: patients undergoing colonoscopy. Interventions: Medline, pubMed, Google searches (January 2008 to December 2011) to identify appropriate RcTs. Main Outcome Measurements: pain during insertion phase and adenoma detection rate. Method: Review Manager Software (Version 5.1, cochrane collaboration, UK). Results: pain scores of both water-aided methods are lower than that of the air insufflation method. Subgroup analysis shows that compared with air insufflation, the water exchange group had a greater mean reduction of maximum pain during insertion -2.73 (-3.29, -2.18) than the water immersion group -1.31 (-1.64, -0.97). There is no significant difference in overall adenoma detection rate between water-aided methods and air insufflation. Subgroup analysis shows that compared with air insufflation, the water exchange group had higher adenoma detection rate, OR 1.52, (95%cI: 1.08-2.14) than the water immersion group, OR 0.92, (95%cI: 0.70-1.21). Limitation: Unblinded colonoscopists exposed observations to uncertain bias. Conclusion: compared with air insufflation, the data presentation in a meta-analysis format show that both water immersion and water exchange significantly reduce insertion pain. Water exchange may be superior to water immersion in minimizing insertion pain and in increasing adenoma detection rate.
Selectivity enhancement for petroleum hydrocarbons using a smectic liquid crystalline stationary phase in supercritical fluid chromatography

L'utilisation d'une phase cristalline liquide de siloxane polymere comme phase stationnaire dans une colonne de chromatographie fluide supercritique permet d'accroitre la selectivite de l'analyse vis-a-vis des isomeres des composes aromatiques polycycliques contenus dans les produits petroliers
DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF PARAFFIN-BASED HYBRID ROCKET FUELS

The classical hybrid combustion theory is generalized to solid fuels that form a liquid layer on their burning surface. For several classes of liquefying fuels, the layer is hydrodynamically unstable leading to substantial droplet entrainment from the melt layer into the gas stream. The susceptibility of a given fuel to this shear driven instability increases with decreasing viscosity and surface tension of the melt layer. The entrainment mass transfer, which acts in addition to the conventional gasification mechanism, is not affected by the blocking phenomenon induced by blowing from the surface. For practical oxidizer flux levels encountered in hybrid rocket applications, droplet entrainment can dominate direct gasification. Such liquefying fuels can exhibit greatly increased surface regression rates compared to classical materials such as HTPB. One application of the theory is to solid cryogenic hybrids, which utilize frozen materials for the solid propellant. The theory successfully predicts why high regression rates are observed in tests of cryogenic solid pentane, solid pentane and solid oxygen. In addition, the theory explains the dependence of the burning rates of other tested cryogenic materials on the physical properties of the liquid layer. The theory also leads to the conclusion that certain non-cryogenic materials such as paraffin and PE waxes will also exhibit high regression rates. This important result is confirmed by lab scale tests performed at Stanford University on a paraffin-based fuel.
Biological Features of Human Papillomavirus-related Head and Neck Cancers Contributing to Improved Response

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are the sixth most common malignancy globally, and an increasing proportion of oropharyngeal HNSCCs are associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Patients with HPV-associated tumours have markedly improved overall and disease-specific survival compared with their HPV-negative counterparts when treated with chemoradiation. Although the difference in outcomes between these two groups is clearly established, the mechanism underlying these differences remains an area of investigation. Data from preclinical, clinical and genomics studies have started to suggest that an increase in radio-sensitivity of HPV-positive HNSCC may be responsible for improved outcomes, the putative mechanisms of which we will review here. The Cancer Genome Atlas and others have recently documented a multitude of molecular differences between HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumours. Preclinical investigations by multiple groups have explored possible mechanisms of increased sensitivity to therapy, including examining differences in DNA repair, hypoxia and the immune response. In addition to differences in the response to therapy, some groups have started to investigate phenotypic differences between the two diseases, such as tumour invasiveness. Finally, we will conclude with a brief review of ongoing clinical trials that are attempting to de-escalate treatment to minimise long-term toxicity while maintaining cure rates. New insights from preclinical and genomic studies may eventually lead to personalised treatment paradigms for HPV-positive patients.
A Reduced Formula for Point-Biserial Coefficient of Correlation

TWO OF THE most common types of correlation coefficients for the purpose of item analysis are biserial r and point-b i s e r i a 1 r. The first of these, biserial r, assumes that the item is represented by a dichotomization of a continuous and normally distributed variable and that the criterion is a continuous but not neces sarily normal variable. Whether or not the s e assumptions can be justified is often question able. Richardson and Stalnaker (5:463-64) in dicate that the biserial r is not a suitable meas ure for item analysis where the responses are dichotomized because it assumes:(l) that the distribution of the dichotomized variable is normal, and that (2) the dichotomized variable is continuous. They indicate that unless these conditions can be established and be shown to fit the case being studied, that use of the biser ial r is not warranted. In such cases the point biserial r is more suitable. The laborious computations which are re quired for most methods of item analysis hav e been a deterrent to their use. In order to re duce the labor of computing the biserial coeffi cient, Flanagan devised a procedure using on ly the upper and lower portions of the group (3: 674-80). Dunlap (2:51-58), Chapanis(l:297-304) and others have proposed methods for shorte n ing the amount of computation in determining the biserial index. Such shortened methods are pre ferable if they yield equally satisfactory results, and in some cases may be preferred because of the saving in time and effort even though a cer tain degree of accuracy may be sacrificed. A re duced formula for the point biserial coefficient is developed and shown below. The point-biserial coefficient of correlation is given by the following formula (4:353):
Strain Rate Dependent Inelastic Response of Triaxially Braided Fabric Composites via Multiscale Generalized Method of Cells

This paper presents the constitutive modeling of the viscoplastic response of triaxially braided composites. The constitutive model is determined through use of the Multiscale Generalized Method of Cells and considers three length scales in the analysis. The micro, meso, and macroscales are analyzed and the constituent constitutive model, fiber/tow repeating unit cell, and triaxial braid repeating unit cell are modeling at each length scale respectively. Results are presented for the in-plane tensile, compressive, and shear responses at various strain rates. Results show good correlation with available experimental data.
Global Dominance and Dependence, Post-Industrialism, and International Relations TheoryA Review

This review analyzes four premises of state-centric theories of international relations and contrasts them with two new global phenomena: dominance and dependency and post-industrialism. The two phenomena, it is claimed, are leading international politics in the direction of what some theorists call a global dominance system. The global future portrayed is wholistic, transnational, hierarchical, controlled via technocratic mechanisms, and culturally homogeneous. Such a view is diametrically opposed to state-centric, atomistic, decentralized, heterogeneous conceptions of international life prevalent in the literature of international relations. The challenge that new theory and data provide suggests the need for international relations scholars to abandon state-centric premises and to define their research in terms of the questions raised by the newer theorists discussed.
Light Enhanced Ion-Acoustic Signal Generation in Si and GaAs

Modulated beams of Ar+ ions have been used as acoustic sources for studies of ion-specimen interactions [1–3]. The technique is analogous to Scanning Electron Acoustic Microscopy (SEAM) [4] in using electrostatic beam blanking and piezoelectric detection. However, the ion-beam-specimen interactions differ from electron beams in causing surface erosion, ion implantation and,for reactive ion species, chemical reactions. This paper presents some preliminary information on the role of surface oxygen in elastic generation by rare gas ions on silicon and GaAs. Illumination of the specimens with unmodulated light above the semiconductor band gap changes the acoustic signal. The dependence of the acoustic signal on light wavelength, modulation frequency of the source, energy of the primary ion beam, and the electrical characteristics of the specimen are presented. A tentative model of the interactions which produce these effects in silicon is suggested. The model may be applicable to GaAs in revised form.
Biochemistry of bone induction and dystrophic calcification.

Abstract The propensity of crosslinked collagen matrices to calcify when implanted in animals and human beings is well documented. This article demonstrates that the covalent binding of the biphosphonate, 3-amino-1-hydroxy-propane-1-1-diphosphonic acid, to active bone matrix inhibits bone formation as well as dystrophic calcification. The inhibitory effects on calcium accumulation and alkaline phosphatase activity are greater than those achieved by inactivation of the matrix by protease digestion of the bone morphogenetic factors present in demineralized bone. Whereas bone formation is a cell-mediated effect, artificially crosslinked collagen matrices calcify extensively inside diffusion chambers, reflecting a non-cell-mediated nucleation process. The fundamental differences described should shed light on new modalities to modulate these processes in living systems.
Religious Transformations and Generalized Trust in Sub-Saharan Africa

Prominent versions of social capital theory presume a positive link between voluntary memberships—including religious memberships—and generalized trust in society. Yet this relationship has not been tested in sub-Saharan Africa, a region with low average levels of generalized trust and high levels of religious membership and participation, where the rise of Charismatic Evangelical churches has recently transformed the religious landscape. Contrary hypotheses based in a theory of oppositional subcultures would suggest that memberships in such churches could dampen generalized trust due to their oppositional discourse vis a vis the wider society. In this paper, I use 2008 Afrobarometer survey data from seven countries in the region to test these contrasting hypotheses, analyzing both the pooled data and the separate country datasets. I find mixed evidence for the link between religious membership and generalized trust, and more consistent evidence that affiliating with a Charismatic Evangelical group is negatively associated with generalized trust. The study supports the conclusion that the link between religious membership and generalized trust is dependent on both the context and the content of the discourse circulating in religious settings.
Aspirin inhibits glucose‑6‑phosphate dehydrogenase activity in HCT 116 cells through acetylation: Identification of aspirin-acetylated sites.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) catalyzes the first reaction in the pentose phosphate pathway, and generates ribose sugars, which are required for nucleic acid synthesis, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), which is important for neutralization of oxidative stress. The expression of G6PD is elevated in several types of tumor, including colon, breast and lung cancer, and has been implicated in cancer cell growth. Our previous study demonstrated that exposure of HCT 116 human colorectal cancer cells to aspirin caused acetylation of G6PD, and this was associated with a decrease in its enzyme activity. In the present study, this observation was expanded to HT-29 colorectal cancer cells, in order to compare aspirin-mediated acetylation of G6PD and its activity between HCT 116 and HT-29 cells. In addition, the present study aimed to determine the acetylation targets of aspirin on recombinant G6PD to provide an insight into the mechanisms of inhibition. The results demonstrated that the extent of G6PD acetylation was significantly higher in HCT 116 cells compared with in HT-29 cells; accordingly, a greater reduction in G6PD enzyme activity was observed in the HCT 116 cells. Mass spectrometry analysis of aspirin-acetylated G6PD (isoform a) revealed that aspirin acetylated a total of 14 lysine residues, which were dispersed throughout the length of the G6PD protein. One of the important amino acid targets of aspirin included lysine 235 (K235, in isoform a) and this corresponds to K205 in isoform b, which has previously been identified as being important for catalysis. Acetylation of G6PD at several sites, including K235 (K205 in isoform b), may mediate inhibition of G6PD activity, which may contribute to the ability of aspirin to exert anticancer effects through decreased synthesis of ribose sugars and NADPH.
Asymptotically Near-Optimal Is Good Enough for Motion Planning

Asymptotically optimal motion planners guarantee that solutions approach optimal as more iterations are performed. There is a recently proposed roadmap-based method that provides this desirable property, the PRM ∗ approach, which minimizes the computational cost of generating the roadmap. Even for this method, however, the roadmap can be slow to construct and quickly grows too large for storage or fast online query resolution. From graph theory, there are many algorithms that produce sparse subgraphs, known as spanners, which can guarantee near optimal paths. In this work, a method for interleaving an incremental graph spanner algorithm with the asymptotically optimal PRM ∗ algorithm is described. The result is an asymptotically near-optimal motion planning solution. Theoretical analysis and experiments performed on typical, geometric motion planning instances show that large reductions in construction time, roadmap density, and online query resolution time can be achieved with a small sacrifice of path quality. If smoothing is applied, the results are even more favorable for the near-optimal solution.