cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social conflict and sacrificial rhetoric: Luther’s discursive intervention and the religious division of labor

‘Sacrifice’ is a religious term whose use extends far beyond the church door. People from all walks of life speak of ‘sacrifice’ when they want to evoke an irreducible conflict in the relations between self, family, and society. In America, hardly a speech goes by without political leaders insisting upon the necessity and virtue of sacrifice, but rarely will they clarify who is sacrificing what, and to whom. Indeed, this is not only an American phenomenon, as a number of recent texts examining ‘sacrifice’ as a term in various national discourses have shown. Such a political and economic deployment of a religious figure demands interpretation, for not only does the rhetoric of sacrifice span the globe, it constitutes a problem with a long genealogy. As a key moment in the Western segment of this genealogy, this article examines the way that Luther’s exegetical work rhetoricalized sacrifice, and, in doing so, constructed a new discursive position, the pastor as anti-sophist, or parrhesiast , in the religious division of labor.
Phonon relaxation time reconstruction from transient thermal grating experiments and comparison with density functional theory predictions

Phonon relaxation time and free path distributions are reconstructed from experimental measurements on a two-dimensional transient thermal grating and compared with density functional theory (DFT) results for silicon. The reconstruction is performed using the inverse problem formulation of Forghani et al. [Phys. Rev. B 94, 155439 (2016)]. The discrepancies observed between reconstructed and DFT results are analyzed in terms of the ability of each set of data to reproduce the experimental temperature relaxation profiles; the reconstructed data are found to predict temperature profiles in closer agreement with the experimental data than the DFT results, possibly due to discrepancies between the actual material and the idealized model studied in the DFT calculations. The reconstructed phonon properties accurately predict temperature relaxation profiles at grating length scales smaller than those spanned by the experimental data. This is a very important feature since in a variety of experimental setups, including the one providing the data in the present study, measurements are not available at all scales spanned by the material free paths.
Did the Historical Jesus Prohibit All Oaths?: Part 1

The total prohibition of oaths (Mt. 5.34-37) come from the historical Jesus. The criterion of discontinuity argues that there is no parallel to Jesus' total prohibition of oaths in the Jewish Scriptures, the intertestamental literature prior to 70 CE, or the New Testament. The Jewish Scriptures take oaths for granted and impose them in a few cases. Apart from Jas 5.12, the New Tetsament knows of no prohibition; Paul uses oaths with abandon. The criterion of multiple attestation argues that Jas 5.12 represents an independent tradition of the prohibition; Jas 5.12 is parallel to Mt. 5.34-37 in both content and structure; James has other examples of Jesus' sayings woven into his epistle without attribution; and Jas 5.12 is at odds with James's treatment of the Law in the rest of his epistle. Hence Jas 5.12 qualifies as an independent witness to an isolated stream of oral tradition preserving Jesus' prohibition. This is Part 1 of a two-part essay.
Investigation of Approaches for Incorporating Smart Meter Data in Load and PV Models in Medium Voltage Power System Studies

The amount of data collected at the distribution level has grown exponentially due to the proliferation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Increasing penetration of embedded generation sources, many of which are renewable sources, is also changing the dynamics of distribution systems. How do we utilize the vast amount of data available to better understand the changing dynamics of the distribution networks to improve grid reliability? This paper presents different approaches for incorporating smart meter data in load models for power flow studies using time series simulation in OpenDSS. The paper also investigates the impact of photovoltaic distributed generators on distribution voltage stability using simulations in OpenDSS.
Will "combined prevention" eliminate racial/ethnic disparities in HIV infection among persons who inject drugs in New York City?

It has not been determined whether implementation of combined prevention programming for persons who inject drugs reduce racial/ethnic disparities in HIV infection. We examine racial/ethnic disparities in New York City among persons who inject drugs after implementation of the New York City Condom Social Marketing Program in 2007. Quantitative interviews and HIV testing were conducted among persons who inject drugs entering Mount Sinai Beth Israel drug treatment (2007–2014). 703 persons who inject drugs who began injecting after implementation of large-scale syringe exchange were included in the analyses. Factors independently associated with being HIV seropositive were identified and a published model was used to estimate HIV infections due to sexual transmission. Overall HIV prevalence was 4%; Whites 1%, African-Americans 17%, and Hispanics 4%. Adjusted odds ratios were 21.0 (95% CI 5.7, 77.5) for African-Americans to Whites and 4.5 (95% CI 1.3, 16.3) for Hispanics to Whites. There was an overall significant trend towards reduced HIV prevalence over time (adjusted odd ratio = 0.7 per year, 95% confidence interval (0.6–0.8). An estimated 75% or more of the HIV infections were due to sexual transmission. Racial/ethnic disparities among persons who inject drugs were not significantly different from previous disparities. Reducing these persistent disparities may require new interventions (treatment as prevention, pre-exposure prophylaxis) for all racial/ethnic groups.
The Living Cell

The living cell is the unit of life. Therefore, without knowing how the cell works on the molecular level, it would be difficult to understand how embryos develop or how species evolve (Waddington 1957; Gerhart and Kirschner 1997; West-Eberhard 2003). Most experimental data on the living cell have been obtained from “dead” cells, since living cells must be destroyed in order to isolate their components for purification and analysis ( Sect. 3.1.5). To determine how living cells (dissipatons) work based on the experimental data measured from “dead” cells (equilibrons), however complete, is not an easy task, just as reconstructing musical melodies from sheet music would not be easy if one does not know the rules of mapping sheet music to audio music or does not have the ability to sing from sheet music. It is probably fair to say that, despite the massive amount of experimental data on the cell that has accumulated in the literature and on the World Wide Web as of the first decade of the twenty-first century, we still do not understand how the myriad structural components of the cell interact in space and time to exhibit the dynamic phenomena we recognize as life on the cellular level. The major goal of this book is to propose, in the form of a model of the living cell called the Bhopalator ( Fig. 2.11), the theoretical concepts, molecular mechanisms, and physicochemical laws and principles that may facilitate uncovering the rules that map cell structures to cell functions.
Entrepreneurial Networking During Early Stages of Opportunity Exploitation: Agency of Novice and Experienced New Venture Leaders:

We examine how the prior experiences of new venture leaders (NVLs) affect networking behaviors during the early stages of opportunity exploitation. We argue that lack of prior experience increases ...
Relational Uncertainty and Interference from a Partner as Predictors of Demand/Withdraw in Couples with Depressive Symptoms

This study examines associations between mechanisms of relational turbulence and demand/withdraw in couples with depressive symptoms. One hundred twenty-six couples in which one or both partners we...
Studies on the role of expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene in the development of bovine lactation ketosis

117 INTRODUCTION 118 MATERIALS AND METHODS 119 Construction of synthetic primers 119 Conditions for PCR 119 Amplification of bovine cDNA 120 Sequencing 121 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 122 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 133 REFERENCES 134 GENERAL SUMMARY REFERENCES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 136
Draft Genome Sequence of the Griseofulvin-Producing Fungus Xylaria flabelliformis Strain G536.

ABSTRACT The draft genome of the ascomycete fungus Xylaria flabelliformis (previously known as Xylaria cubensis) was sequenced using Illumina paired-end technology. The assembled genome is 41.2 Mb long and contains 11,404 genes. This genome will contribute to our understanding of X. flabelliformis secondary metabolism and the organism’s ability to live as a decomposer as well as an endosymbiont.
Heavy Ion Single Event Latchup Measurements of a Focal Plane Imager at Room and Cryogenic Temperatures

Heavy ion-induced Single Event Latchup (SEL) is characterized in a CMOS focal plane array Readout Integrated Circuit (ROIC) at room temperature and 225 K. The LET threshold at room temperature is between 22 and 24 MeV-cm2/mg. The part is SEL immune at 225 K.
The Impact of KRAS Mutation on the Presentation and Prognosis of Non-Metastatic Colon Cancer: an Analysis from the National Cancer Database

Introduction Approximately 40% of colorectal cancers have a KRAS mutation. The prognostic significance of KRAS mutations in patients with non-metastatic colon cancer has not been well elucidated. The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was used to analyze factors associated with KRAS mutation as well as its impact on the presentation and survival of patients with stages I-III colon cancer. Methods The NCDB was queried to identify patients diagnosed with stages I-III adenocarcinoma of the colon from 2004 to 2015. Results A total of 19,877 patients with known KRAS status were identified: mutation rates were 33% in stage I, 35% in stage II, and 38% in stage III patients (p Conclusions KRAS-mutated colon cancers were more frequently observed in black patients, right-sided locations, and higher-stage tumors. These mutations had a negative prognostic impact for stage III patients, suggesting that the incorporation of genotypic data into colon cancer staging may help to guide systemic therapy and prognostication of colon cancer patients.
Performance and quality of life outcome in patients completing concomitant chemoradiotherapy protocols for head and neck cancer.

This study evaluated post-treatment performance and quality of life (QOL) outcome in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with organ preservat ion, intens ive chemoradiotherapy (FHX). Participants were 47 Stage II-IV HNC patients with no evidence of disease at least one year post-completion of organ preservation, concomitant FHX treatment. Patients were assessed via a semi-structured in-person interview, standardized measures of QOL (FACT-H, CES-D), performance (PSS-HN) and patients' perception of residual side effects. Disease, treatment and toxicity data were retrieved from medical charts and protocol records. The most salient performance impairment was inability to eat a normal solid food diet, with 50% of patients able to eat soft foods or take liquids only. This specific functional deficit was not related to global QOL, nor to specific quality of life dimensions. Dry mouth, the most frequent and severe residual effect, was not associated with outcome diet, depression or QOL. Residual pain, seen in only 15% of patients, appeared to influence both functional and QOL parameters as well as being a marker for other troublesome symptoms. Twenty-three per cent of patients were depressed; depression was associated with past problems related to alcohol abuse. Decreased QOL and increased depressive symptomatology were related to total number and severity of residual effects. The data highlight the importance of systematic study of QOL dimensions and caution against making assumptions about patients' experience of particular disease and treatment sequelae.
Fat distribution in short-stature children born small for gestational age.

Background Children born small for gestational age (SGA) with catch-up growth are at high risk for developing obesity; however, the characteristics of body composition, especially fat distribution, before and after growth hormone (GH) treatment in SGA children without catch-up growth remains largely unknown. Methods Anthropometric characteristics, body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorption, and fat distribution by computed tomography at the umbilical level were examined in 27 prepubertal short-stature children born SGA before and 1 year after GH treatment. Results Before GH treatment, short-stature SGA children had lean phenotypes, and both visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were significantly lower than the age- and sex-matched Japanese reference values. Growth hormone treatment significantly increased height standard deviation scores (SDS), without affecting body mass index SDS. Percentage fat mass decreased with GH treatment; however, fat mass was not altered. Both VAT and SAT were significantly lower than the reference values after GH treatment. The ratio of VAT over SAT significantly increased by GH treatment. Conclusions Both VAT and SAT were within or below the age- and sex-matched Japanese reference values in short-stature children born SGA before and after GH treatment, indicating that GH treatment may not have unfavorable effects on adiposity in short-stature children born SGA, although it may alter fat distribution.
Sociomaterial struggle: An ethnographic analysis of power, discourse, and materiality in a working class unemployment support organization

Using the ontological lens of sociomateriality with the theoretical notion of struggle, this critical ethnography explores interactions within an unemployment support organization run by white coll...
Investigation of Damping and Ladder Filter Synthesis for 3 GHz 20% Scandium-Doped Aluminum Nitride Cross-Sectional Lame Mode Resonators

This paper proposes and demonstrates a promising platform for Super High Frequency (SHF) Lateral Field Excitation Cross-sectional Lame Mode Resonators (LFE CLMRs) based ladder filters. These filters are simple to fabricate-relying on only 2 critical masks, have 2.5% fractional bandwidth, and allow different frequency bandpass filters to be fabricated on a single die. Individual resonators in AlN and 20% ScAlN operating at around 3 GHz are fabricated and compared, with electromechanical coupling coefficient (k t 2) and quality factor at series resonance (Qs) of 2.0-3.5% and 300–150 for AlN and 5.0-6.5% and 250–100 for ScAlN measured. 1, 2, and 3 stage ladder filters are demonstrated with ~2.5%fractional bandwidth and <2.5 dB per stage insertion loss for use in 50 Ω matched systems.
Predicting the risk of GenX contamination in private well water using a machine-learned Bayesian network model

Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging contaminants that pose significant challenges in mechanistic fate and transport modeling due to their diverse and complex chemical characteristics. Machine learning provides a novel approach for predicting the spatial distribution of PFAS in the environment. We used spatial location information to link PFAS measurements from 1207 private drinking water wells around a fluorochemical manufacturing facility to a mechanistic model of PFAS air deposition and to publicly available data on soil, land use, topography, weather, and proximity to multiple PFAS sources. We used the resulting linked data set to train a Bayesian network model to predict the risk that GenX, a member of the PFAS class, would exceed a state provisional health goal (140 ng/L) in private well water. The model had high accuracy (ROC curve index for five-fold cross-validation of 0.85, 90% CI 0.84–0.87). Among factors significantly associated with GenX risk in private wells, the most important was the historic rate of atmospheric deposition of GenX from the fluorochemical manufacturing facility. The model output was used to generate spatial risk predictions for the study area to aid in risk assessment, environmental investigations, and targeted public health interventions.
Robust Multimodal Vehicle Detection in Foggy Weather Using Complementary Lidar and Radar Signals

Vehicle detection with visual sensors like lidar and camera is one of the critical functions enabling autonomous driving. While they generate fine-grained point clouds or high-resolution images with rich information in good weather conditions, they fail in adverse weather (e.g., fog) where opaque particles distort lights and significantly reduce visibility. Thus, existing methods relying on lidar or camera experience significant performance degradation in rare but critical adverse weather conditions. To remedy this, we resort to exploiting complementary radar, which is less impacted by adverse weather and becomes prevalent on vehicles. In this paper, we present Multimodal Vehicle Detection Network (MVDNet), a two-stage deep fusion detector, which first generates proposals from two sensors and then fuses region-wise features between multimodal sensor streams to improve final detection results. To evaluate MVDNet, we create a procedurally generated training dataset based on the collected raw lidar and radar signals from the open-source Oxford Radar Robotcar. We show that the proposed MVDNet surpasses other state-of-the-art methods, notably in terms of Average Precision (AP), especially in adverse weather conditions. The code and data are available at https://github.com/qiank10/MVDNet.
Comparison of the dielectric and magnetocaloric properties of bulk and film of GdFe0.5Cr0.5O3

Reported here is a comparison of the magnetic, magnetocaloric, and dielectric properties of 50% iron substituted GdCrO3 (GdFe0.5Cr0.5O3) bulk pellet and 960 nm thick film of GdFe0.5Cr0.5O3 (GFCO). The 960 nm film was synthesized on a platinized-silicon substrate by chemical solution deposition and spin-coating methods. The X-ray diffraction scans of the bulk sample and the film as well as the morphology of the film as examined by the field-emission scanning electron microscope indicate phase-pure and polycrystalline nature of these samples. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to determine the valence states of Gd, Fe, and Cr. The temperature dependence of the dielectric constant from 225 to 700 K shows peaks at TC = 525 K for the bulk and ∼450 K for the film due to ferroelectric to paraelectric transitions, since electric polarization vs electric field hysteresis loops are observed at room temperature. The dielectric studies in the bulk GFCO for T > TC indicate a relaxor-like behavior. The measurements of the magnetization (M) of the samples as a function of temperature (5–350 K) and magnetic field (H) up to 7 T (=70 kOe) depict hysteresis behavior at low temperatures due to the canted antiferromagnetic order of Fe3+/Cr3+ below the Neel temperature of ∼275 K. The M vs H isotherms at various temperatures are used to determine and compare the magnetic entropy change (−ΔS) and relative cooling power (RCP) of the two samples, yielding (−ΔS) = 30.7 J/kg K (18.8 J/kg K) and RCP = 566.5 J/kg (375 J/kg) for the bulk (960 nm film) samples of GFCO at 7 K and 7 T, respectively. The plot of RCP vs T shows that magnetic cooling for this system is most effective for T < 30 K. Comparatively smaller magnitudes of (−ΔS) and RCP for the film vis-a-vis the bulk sample of GFCO scale with its reduced magnetization. This suggests that further improvements in the quality of the films are needed to improve their magnetization and hence their magnetocaloric properties, possibly making them useful for on-chip cooling in miniaturized devices.
Forms and frequency of vicarious racial discrimination and African American parents' health.

Abstract Background African Americans often witness or learn about others’ racial discrimination experiences (i.e., vicarious racial discrimination). Vicarious racial discrimination may contribute to adverse physical and psychological health outcomes for African Americans. We examined relations between four types of vicarious racial discrimination and depressive symptoms and self-rated health among African American parents. Methods Path analyses were conducted to examine the linkage between each type of vicarious racial discrimination and both depressive symptoms and self-rated health. Chi-square difference tests were conducted to determine if the four forms of vicarious racial discrimination significantly differed in their relations to both depressive symptoms and self-rated health. Results Witnessing or learning about their children's racial discrimination experiences was significantly related to higher parental depressive symptoms. Witnessing or learning about a racial discrimination experience of a stranger through the news or social media was significantly related to lower self-rated health. Conclusions The findings highlight the importance of examining the health implications of vicarious racial discrimination. Different types of vicarious racial discrimination experiences matter concerning depressive symptoms and self-rated health.
Lectures on Fractal Geometry and Dynamical Systems

Both fractal geometry and dynamical systems have a long history of development and have provided fertile ground for many great mathematicians and much deep and important mathematics. These two areas interact with each other and with the theory of chaos in a fundamental way: many dynamical systems (even some very simple ones) produce fractal sets, which are in turn a source of irregular 'chaotic' motions in the system. This book is an introduction to these two fields, with an emphasis on the relationship between them. The first half of the book introduces some of the key ideas in fractal geometry and dimension theory - Cantor sets, Hausdorff dimension, box dimension - using dynamical notions whenever possible, particularly one-dimensional Markov maps and symbolic dynamics. Various techniques for computing Hausdorff dimension are shown, leading to a discussion of Bernoulli and Markov measures and of the relationship between dimension, entropy, and Lyapunov exponents. In the second half of the book some examples of dynamical systems are considered and various phenomena of chaotic behaviour are discussed, including bifurcations, hyperbolicity, attractors, horseshoes, and intermittent and persistent chaos. These phenomena are naturally revealed in the course of our study of two real models from science - the FitzHugh - Nagumo model and the Lorenz system of differential equations. This book is accessible to undergraduate students and requires only standard knowledge in calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. Elements of point set topology and measure theory are introduced as needed. This book is a result of the MASS course in analysis at Penn State University in the fall semester of 2008.
Comparative efficacy of androgen analogues in suppressing lacrimal gland inflammation in a mouse model (MRL/lpr) of Sjögren's syndrome.

Recent research from our laboratory has demonstrated that testosterone therapy induces a precipitous decrease in autoimmune expression in lacrimal glands of female mouse models (MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr [MRL/lpr) and NZB/NZW Fl) of Sjogren’s syndrome.1–4 Thus, systemic administration of testosterone to autoimmune mice after the onset of disease may: [a] significantly reduce the mean area of focal lymphocytic infiltrates, the absolute number of immune foci, and the overall extent of lymphoid infiltration in lacrimal tissues;1–4 and [b] remove any apparent evidence of acinar or ductal cell destruction in infiltrate-free regions.1,2 In addition, testosterone treatment appears to stimulate the functional activity (e.g. protein secretion) of lacrimal glands in both mouse models of Sjogren’s syndrome.5 These combined effects of testosterone seem to be somewhat unique, in that exposure of female MRL/lpr mice to other pharmaceutical compounds, including 17β-estradiol, dexamethasone, danazol, cyclosporine A, or an experimental non-androgenic steroid, does not result in either immunosuppression in, or enhanced function of, lacrimal tissue.4
Detection of Heme Oxygenase 1 and 2 Proteins and Bilirubin Formation

It is possible to detect changes in the level of expression of the two isozymes of heme oxygenase (HO). The sequence differences allow the production of isozyme-specific antibodies that can be used in immunoblot analysis. Total HO activity in tissue microsomal fractions or extracts of bacteria transformed with an HO gene can be measured as described in this unit using a coupled assay employing biliverdin reductase, which converts the biliverdin product to bilirubin. Bilirubin is then quantified with a scanning spectrophotometer.
Underestimation of DNA Synthesis by [3H]Thymidine Incorporation in Marine Bacteria

A direct comparison of [3H]thymidine incorporation with DNA synthesis was made by using an exponentially growing estuarine bacterial isolate and the naturally occurring bacterial populations in a eutrophic subtropical estuary and in oligotrophic offshore waters. Simultaneous measurements of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA, fluorometrically determined DNA content, and direct counts were made over time. DNA synthesis estimated from thymidine incorporation values was compared with fluorometrically determined changes in DNA content. Even after isotope dilution, nonspecific macromolecular labeling, and efficiency of DNA recovery were accounted for, [3H]thymidine incorporation consistently underestimated DNA synthesized by six- to eightfold. These results indicate that although the relationship of [3H]thymidine incorporation to DNA synthesis appears consistent, there are significant sources of thymine bases incorporated into DNA which cannot be accounted for by standard [3H]thymidine incorporation and isotope dilution assays.
Isotropic nanocomposite Pr–Fe–Co–B ribbons with BH()max>20MGOe☆

Abstract We have studied the effect of wheel speed and ejection temperature on the magnetic properties and microstructure of melt-spun Pr9Fe80Co5B6 ribbons. The results obtained indicate a strong dependence of the microstructure and magnetic hardness on the melt temperature at ejection. The thickness of the optimum ribbons was found to be in the range of 36– 40 μ m . The as-made ribbon samples were found to be crystalline at an ejection temperature between 1300– 1400 ∘ C . The ribbons become amorphous at a higher ejection temperature (above 1500 ∘ C ). The ejection temperature for the best sample was 1360 ∘ C . At this temperature the maximum energy product obtained was 21 MGOe associated with a coercivity of 6.3 kOe for a wheel speed of 18 m/s. Microstructure studies on the optimum samples show a uniform distribution of magnetically hard 2:14:1 and soft α -Fe phases with a grain size of about 20 nm. The enhanced magnetic properties are attributed to an optimum inter-grain exchange coupling between the magnetic moments of the hard and soft grains in the sample with finer microstructure.
Biodiversity Mapping: The ‘John Gould’ Component of Tropical Biology

One can take a pessimistic or optimistic view of the future of tropical biodiversity and still find a strong rational for detailed ‘biodiversity mapping’. The maps should be detailed descriptions of species and their geographic ranges, based on real specimens in research collections, and all linked to extensive electronic resources. Support is needed for the makers of the biodiversity map, who are at the nexus of systematics and ecology. Biodiversity mapping should be accompanied by taxon-specific short courses that introduce students to specimen preparation and basic identification skills, fostering strong interactions among ecologists and systematists.
An Ethical Game-Theoretic Solution Concept for Two-Player Perfect-Information Games

The standard solution concept for perfect-information extensive form games is subgame perfect Nash equilibrium. However, humans do not always play according to a subgame perfect Nash equilibrium, especially in games where it is possible for all the players to obtain much higher payoffs if they place some trust in each other (and this trust is not violated). In this paper, we introduce a new solution concept for two-player perfect-information games that attempts to model this type of trusting behavior (together with the "ethical" behavior of not violating that trust). The concept takes subgame perfect equilibrium as a starting point, but then repeatedly resolves the game based on the players being able to trust each other. We give two distinct algorithmic definitions of the concept and show that they are equivalent. Finally, we give a fast implementation of one of the algorithms for solving the game, and show that it runs in time O (n logn + nh log(n /h )).
Hybrid Approach for Repair of Geometry with Complex Topology

A discrete geometry can have artifacts such as holes, intersections, non-manifold edges, mesh fragment among other defects depending upon its origin. These kinds of defects sometime cause the geometry to be unsuitable for any further use in computational simulation in absence of a satisfactory geometry repair technique. There are two main approaches to geometry repair, surface based and volume based. Surface based approaches, in general, provide better quality results when they work but require that the input model already satisfies certain quality requirements to be able to guarantee a valid output. Many of these requirements cannot even be met or checked automatically. Volume based approaches, in general, can guarantee watertightness but they usually significantly change the underlying model in this process and are computationally more expensive.
Values as an Obstacle to Economic Growth: The American Colonies

The story is told that Dean Donham of the Harvard Business School once asked Professor Schumpeter, after a lecture on the entrepreneur—Schumpeter's plumed knight of economic development–what was the most important single factor in accounting for the success of the businessman. Quick as a shot came the answer: “Good health.” For purposes of this inquiry into certain aspects of American social structure and American values which seem to have been of decisive importance in contributing to American economic growth, certain variables–like the health of the businessman and the endowment of the country with respect to natural resources –will not be considered.
Progesterone may play a protective role in the pathogenesis of SDB in pregnancy

Introduction: Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is common in the pregnant population. Progesterone stimulates the ventilatory drive and enhances the responsiveness of the upper airway dilator muscles during sleep, theoretically protecting against SDB. On the other hand, by increasing the negative inspiratory pressure, progesterone may cause collapse of the edematous upper airway in this population. We hypothesized that pregnant women with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may have altered levels of progesterone. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study comparing second trimester progesterone between pregnant OSA cases (n=22) and pregnant controls at low risk for OSA (n=66). Cases were identified using an ICD-9 code; Controls were identified from a convenience sample screened for symptoms of SDB at delivery. Levels of progesterone and HCG were determined using the automated Immulite 2000 immunoassay. Results: Mean age was similar in cases and controls (28.6 + 6.2 vs. 27.3 + 6.4, p=0.4). Mean body mass index (BMI) was 41.8 +8.3 in cases vs. 30.5 + 5.0 in controls, p Conclusion: Progesterone levels are lower in OSA cases compared to low risk controls, even after adjusting for confounders. Progesterone likely plays a protective role against the development of SDB. Conditions such as obesity may possibly predispose to SDB through lower levels of progesterone.
Comparative suitability of Trogoderma variabile and T. glabrum (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) as hosts for the ectoparasite Laelius pedatus (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae).

The ectoparasitic wasp Laelius pedatus (Say) had greater success parasitizing the dermestid host Trogoderma variabile Ballion than Trogoderma glabrum (Herbst), a species with similar morphology, behavior, and life history. When T. variabile and T. glabrum larvae or pupae were presented simultaneously, female wasps preferentially parasitized T. variabile. The total numbers of wasp eggs laid and adults eclosing, as well as the percentage of progeny surviving, were significantly reduced on T. glabrum larvae. The developmental periods extending from oviposition to detachment from the host and adult eclosion were significantly longer for wasps developing on T. glabrum than on T. variabile. The venom of L. pedatus also had a less potent effect on larval hosts of T. glabrum than on those of T. variabile. Over a 10-min observation period, a significant percentage of T. glabrum larvae were not paralyzed in spite of having been stung at least once, whereas all the T. variable larvae were paralyzed. Some T. glabrum larvae, representing 13% and 39% of the total numbers parasitized in two separate experiments (but no T. variabile larvae), overcame paralysis and parasitization and subsequently completed adult development. More than half of the “parasitized-recovered” T. glabrum adults failed to reproduce, and the fecundity of those producing progeny was significantly reduced in comparison with beetles from stock culture. The reduced success of L. pedatus in using T. glabrum as a host is likely because of multiple factors including marginal acceptability, resistance to venom, and poor suitability in fulfilling basic physiological requirements necessary for optimum wasp development.
Proteinuria as a surrogate end point—more data are needed

Surrogate end points have the potential to facilitate drug development because effects on surrogate end points can sometimes be demonstrated more rapidly and in smaller studies than can effects on clinical outcomes of interest. Proteinuria has been repeatedly proposed as a surrogate end point for renal outcomes in drug development; however, the FDA has generally not accepted effects on proteinuria as evidence of a drug's effectiveness. Proteinuria is an early marker of some kidney diseases and increases in proteinuria can predict risk of disease progression. Whether or not treatment effects on proteinuria can reliably predict treatment effects on renal outcomes is not known. Nevertheless, it may be reasonable to use effects on proteinuria as a basis for accelerated approval of a drug if certain conditions are met. Approval under this pathway carries with it a requirement to complete a study after drug approval that verifies the anticipated treatment benefit.
Prediction of the Probability of Eddy Current Flaw Detection

The validity of a nondestructive inspection method can be measured by two quantities, the probability that a given flaw size will be detected, and the probability that background noise will give rise to a false indication of the presence of a flaw. Unfortunately, experimental determination of the probability of detection (POD) and the probability of false alarm (PFA) requires a rather extensive set of measurements to obtain statistically sound estimates. Furthermore, if one or more of the parameters that define the method, such as the scan track spacing or probe configuration, are changed, then the full set of measurements must be repeated to obtain new estimates of the POD and PFA, thus adding to the time and expense of test validation. In some situations, where one is designing an inspection for a part or flaw size that is not yet available for testing, there is no way that the validity of a proposed inspection can be evaluated beforehand.
Mesh-based content routing using XML

We have developed a new approach for reliably multicasting time-critical data to heterogeneous clients over mesh-based overlay networks. To facilitate intelligent content pruning, data streams are comprised of a sequence of XML packets and forwarded by application-level XML routers. XML routers perform content-based routing of individual XML packets to other routers or clients based upon queries that describe the information needs of downstream nodes. Our PC-based XML router prototype can route an 18 Mbit per second XML stream.Our routers use a novel Diversity Control Protocol (DCP) for router-to-router and router-to-client communication. DCP reassembles a received stream of packets from one or more senders using the first copy of a packet to arrive from any sender. When each node is connected to n parents, the resulting network is resilient to (n − 1) router or independent link failures without repair. Associated mesh algorithms permit the system to recover to (n − 1) resilience after node and/or link failure. We have deployed a distributed network of XML routers that streams real-time air traffic control data. Experimental results show multiple senders improve reliability and latency when compared to tree-based networks.
Simulated Thermal Unfolding of the von Willebrand Factor A Domains

The A1 and A2 domains of von Willebrand factor (VWF) have important functions: A1 contains a binding site for platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) while A2 contains a cryptic proteolytic site for the VWF-cleavage enzyme, A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease with a ThromboSpondin type 1 motifs 13 (ADAMTS-13). Because the proteolytic site is fully buried in the native A2 structure, A2 needs to be unfolded to expose its proteolytic site for ADAMTS-13 cleavage. To study the unfolding mechanism of the VWF A domains, we used molecular dynamics (MD) to simulate in atomic details the thermal unfolding of A1 and A2 at high temperatures. The thermal unfolding of A1 and A2 appears very different from their unfolding by tensile forces. At 500 K, unfolding of the central β sheet of A2 starts from the two edges and propagates into the center. β4 and β5 in the center are structurally the most stable and unfolded the latest. However, A2 could be unfolded along different pathways and the unfolded A2 structure is highly flexible. By comparison, A1 is unfolded slower than A2 at 500 K. In even longer time, the unfolding of A1 is limited to the edges of the central β sheet, suggesting a protective role of the N–C terminal disulfide bond.
Insulin Detemir is Not Transported Across the Blood-Brain Barrier

Insulin detemir has a different profile of action on the central nervous system (CNS) than human insulin. It has been hypothesized that this is caused by an altered ability of insulin detemir to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Here, we measured the permeability of the BBB to insulin detemir. We labeled insulin detemir with radioactive iodine (I-Det) and examined its ability to cross the BBB of the mouse. Permeation was assessed after intravenous injection and by brain perfusion in the presence or absence of excess insulin detemir. The ability of insulin detemir to inhibit human insulin transport across the BBB was also assessed. I-Det did not cross the BBB either after intravenous injection or when studied by brain perfusion, a method which removes or reduces the influence of circulating proteins. Unlabeled detemir was about 10 times less potent than human insulin at inhibiting the transport of radioactive human insulin across the BBB. The altered CNS profile of insulin detemir may be caused by its poor access to CNS receptors and by a block of human insulin from crossing the BBB.
Titanium imido complexes utilizing orthometallated derivatized acetophenone and piperonal imine ligands: synthesis, isolation, and characterization

A series of five ortho-lithiated imines (Li-Ln; n = 1–5) was synthesized via the reaction of an aryl or alkyl acetophenone imine with n-butyllithium. The ortho-lithiated imines were subsequently reacted with Ti(NR)Cl2py3 (R = C(CH3)3, 2,6-Me2C6H3, 2,6-Et2C6H3, or 2,6-iPr2C6H3), yielding complexes of the form (Ln)2Ti(NR). Several of the resulting complexes [(L1)2Ti(NC(CH3)3), 1a; (L3)2Ti(N-2,6-Me2C6H3), 3b; and (L5)2Ti(NC(CH3)3), 5a] were structurally characterized using small molecule X-ray diffraction. The C2 symmetric complexes produced in these reactions displayed a distorted square pyramidal geometry. In each complex the titanium center was located above the square plane of the two coordinated bidentate ligands and the chelating C∼N ligands were folded away from the metal center. When a less sterically demanding alkylimine was used (L4), the resulting complex was isolated as an equilibrium mixture of cis and trans isomers of the empirical formula (L4)2Ti(NC(CH3)3)py (cis/trans4a).
Transport of 3-hydroxybutyrate by cultured rat brain astrocytes

It is well established that 3-hydroxybutyrate can serve as an energy source for the brain. Since substrate utilization may be regulated in part by transport across the cellular membrane, we investigated the uptake of 3-hydroxybutyrate by primary cultures of rat brain astrocytes. Measurement of the net uptake indicated a saturable system and a Lineweaver-Burke type plot was consistent with a single carrier-mediated mechanism with a Km of 6.03 mM and a Vmax of 32.7 nmol/30 seconds/mg protein. The rate of uptake at pH 6.2 was more than ten times the rate at pH 8.2, with the rate at pH 7.4 being intermediate between these values, suggesting the possibility of cotransport with H+ or exchange with OH− (antiport). Mersalyl had only a slight effect on the transport of 3-hydroxybutyrate, suggesting that sulfhydryl groups are not involved in the transport of this monocarboxylic acid. Phenylpyruvate and α-ketoisocaproate also attenuated the transport, but lactate had only a marginal effect. These results suggest that the utilization of 3-hydroxybutyrate as an energy source by astrocytes is regulated in part by carrier-mediated transport and that the uptake system is different from the lactate transport system.
Detecting False Positives in A-B Designs Potential Implications for Practitioners

This study evaluated the probability of generating false positives with A-B graphs. We generated 1,000 graphs consisting of three stable A-phase data points at 25% and three random B-phase data points; 1,000 graphs consisting of three stable A-phase data points at 50% and three random B-phase data points; and 1,000 graphs consisting of three random A-phase data points and three random B-phase data points. Results indicate that false positives were produced for (a) a relatively high percentage of graphs containing nonrandom data points in the A phase and (b) less than 2% of graphs containing random data points in both the A and B phases. These findings suggest that A-B designs may be a stronger clinical tool for evaluating the effects of interventions than previously recognized.
Selective separation of proteins by microfiltration with formed-in-place membranes

Abstract The separation of bovine serum albumin and bovine gamma globulin from their mixtures in solution by microfiltration with porous stainless steel supported titanium dioxide formed-in-place membranes was investigated. Strong dependencies of the separation factors on protein concentration, pH and ionic strength were observed. High separation factors were obtained for dilute solutions at pH near 8.3 and without added salt.
Th-234 applied to particle removal rates from the surface ocean: A mathematical treatment revisited

It has been recognized since the 1950's that radioisotopic disequilibrium between naturally occurring parent-daughter isotope pairs in seawater can provide information on the rate of processes segregating them. In the surface ocean, the U-238: Th-234 parent-daughter pair tends to display measurable disequilibrium that is attributable to the effects of scavenging on particle reactive thorium. A range of approaches has been applied to deriving quantitative information on particle scavenging and sinking rates from U-238:Th-234 measurements. Here, we review the mathematical underpinnings of a very basic conceptual model of the removal process in order to correct a misunderstanding that has arisen in recent literature.
Incorporating the Life Course Model into MCH Nutrition Leadership Education and Training Programs

Life course perspective, social determinants of health, and health equity have been combined into one comprehensive model, the life course model (LCM), for strategic planning by US Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau. The purpose of this project was to describe a faculty development process; identify strategies for incorporation of the LCM into nutrition leadership education and training at the graduate and professional levels; and suggest broader implications for training, research, and practice. Nineteen representatives from 6 MCHB-funded nutrition leadership education and training programs and 10 federal partners participated in a one-day session that began with an overview of the models and concluded with guided small group discussions on how to incorporate them into maternal and child health (MCH) leadership training using obesity as an example. Written notes from group discussions were compiled and coded emergently. Content analysis determined the most salient themes about incorporating the models into training. Four major LCM-related themes emerged, three of which were about training: (1) incorporation by training grants through LCM-framed coursework and experiences for trainees, and similarly framed continuing education and skills development for professionals; (2) incorporation through collaboration with other training programs and state and community partners, and through advocacy; and (3) incorporation by others at the federal and local levels through policy, political, and prevention efforts. The fourth theme focused on anticipated challenges of incorporating the model in training. Multiple methods for incorporating the LCM into MCH training and practice are warranted. Challenges to incorporating include the need for research and related policy development.
Radiation therapy and 5-fluorouracil in pancreatic cancer

Combination chemotherapy has not been shown to be superior to single-agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. Initial studies from Duke University suggest a role for radiation in the management of locally unresectable presentations of this disease. In vivo studies showed that 5-FU could act as a radiation sensitizer. This concept was subsequently tested in a randomized trial by the Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group (GITSG). In their studies, combined modality therapy using radiation and 5-FU-based chemotherapy prolonged survival in both adjuvant and locally unresectable settings and remains as a standard therapeutic option for appropriately selected patients. Variations on this approach designed to potentiate 5-FU efficacy are under active clinical investigation. This review discusses past and current studies involving 5-FU and radiation and examines some newer strategies involving 5-FU as well as other agents currently of interest.
Contributions of photosynthesis and phytochrome to the formation of anthocyanin in turnip seedlings

Turnip seedlings (Brassica rapa L.) irradiated for 24 hours with radiation at 720 nanometers synthesize chlorophyll a and anthocyanin. Antimycin A and 2,4-dinitrophenol, which are known to reduce cyclic photophosphorylation, also reduce anthocyanin synthesis. Noncyclic photophosphorylation is inhibited by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea and o-phenanthroline. These compounds promote cyclic photophosphorylation and anthocyanin synthesis. On the basis of these findings it is suggested that the photomorphogenic response of anthocyanin synthesis in turnip seedlings arises in part through photosynthetic activity.Phytochrome involvement in turnip seedling photomorphogenesis is evidenced by the photoreversibility of anthocyanin synthesis in response to 5-minute irradiations with red or far red light. The inhibition of anthocyanin synthesis by 2,4-dinitrophenol does not arise from a destruction of phytochrome photoreversibility.It is suggested that plant photomorphogenic responses to prolonged far red irradiations arise through the photochemical activation of at least two pigment systems; namely, the photosynthetic pigments and phytochrome.