cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cessation of menstruation improves the correlation of FPG to hemoglobin A1c in Caucasian women.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is known to cause spurious hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) results. The effect of menstruation on HbA1c was tested by correlating it to FPG in non-anemic premenopausal and in menopausal women. METHOD: Non-diabetic, non-obese middle-aged Caucasian women were classified as premenopausal or menopausal. Hemogram, FPG, and A1c results were obtained. RESULTS: Hemoglobin concentrations were lower in the premenopausal group. FPG showed a poor correlation to A1c value overall (r = 0.251, p = 0.001) which was improved by multiplying the A1c % by the total hemoglobin concentration to create an absolute A1c value (r = 0.362, p = 0.000). When the data was sorted by menopause status, the correlation of FPG to Absolute A1c improved (r = 0.463, p = 0.000) in the menopausal women, but remained low (r = 0.283, p = 0.005) in the premenopausal women. CONCLUSIONS: Menstruation may be a significant factor affecting the accuracy of A1c concentrations. ABBREVIATIONS: A1c = hemoglobin A1c; BMI = body mass index; CI = confidence interval, FPG = fasting plasma glucose; HbA1c = hemoglobin A1c; MBG = mean blood glucose; MCV: mean corpuscular volume; NGSP = National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program; RDW = red blood cell distribution width.
T cell-mediated regulation of the microbiota protects against obesity

The microbiota influences obesity, yet organisms that protect from disease remain unknown. During studies interrogating host-microbiota interactions, we observed the development of age-associated metabolic syndrome (MetS). Expansion of Desulfovibrio and loss of Clostridia were key features associated with obesity in this model and are present in humans with MetS. T cell-dependent events were required to prevent disease, and replacement of Clostridia rescued obesity. Inappropriate immunoglobulin A targeting of Clostridia and increased Desulfovibrio antagonized the colonization of beneficial Clostridia. Transcriptional and metabolic analysis revealed enhanced lipid absorption in the obese host. Colonization of germ-free mice with Clostridia, but not Desulfovibrio, down-regulated genes that control lipid absorption and reduced adiposity. Thus, immune control of the microbiota maintains beneficial microbial populations that constrain lipid metabolism to prevent MetS.
Dynamic hydrology and plant-mediated effects reduce greenhouse gas emissions and alter wetland microbial communities

While wetlands represent a small fraction (~7%) of the world9s land surface, it is estimated that one third of wetlands have been lost due to human activities. Wetland habitat loss decreases ecosystem functions such as improving water quality and mitigating climate change. These microbially mediated functions are dependent on particular soil redox conditions, which are altered by soil hydrology and the presence of plants. Differences in microbial physiology allow certain taxa (aerobes and facultative anaerobes) to adapt to fluctuating (dry/wet) hydrologic conditions, while other taxa (obligate anaerobes) are better adapted to continually saturated conditions. Therefore, the duration of hydrologic periods can affect soil microbial community structure and function. Further, plant-derived carbon, nutrients, and air are released by diffusion belowground which also impacts microbial activity in soils. In this study, we hypothesized that redox status due to continuous flooding would support greater abundance of microbial taxa involved in methanogenesis (obligate anaerobes), but plant-mediated oxygen transport would decrease methane emissions. Using a mesocosm design, we manipulated duration of hydrologic condition (i.e., stable dry, stable flooding, and alternating wet/dry) and presence of plants to induce soil redox changes in wetland soils. We measured soil redox status, used targeted amplicon sequencing to characterize the bacterial and archaeal communities, and measured greenhouse gas production to assess microbial function. Hydrology and to a lesser degree plant presence influenced soil redox conditions. Hydrologic history strongly influenced microbial community composition, but plant presence and hydrologic treatment altered microbial function to a great degree. As predicted, plant presence decreased greenhouse gas production in the wetland mesocosms. While previous studies do not often include plants when assessing greenhouse gas emissions, this study highlights that plant-mediated decreases in greenhouse gas emissions are significant. If plant-mediated effects are not considered when estimating the carbon balance of ecosystems, then wetland carbon storage could be underestimated.
Hip position influences shear wave elastography measurements of the hamstring muscles in healthy subjects

Abstract Ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) has recently emerged as a non-invasive tool for assessing muscle stiffness. The majority of studies utilizing SWE have focused primarily on upper-extremity muscles, with little attention attributed to lower-extremity muscles. In addition, of the studies that have been published, various joint and muscle positions have been examined, rendering it difficult to compare results across studies. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to examine lower extremity medial hamstring muscles (semitendinosus and semimembranosus) and to determine how hip position (0° versus 90°) and muscle position (knee flexed versus extended) impacted resulting shear modulus values. Ten subjects varying widely in age participated in this study, and their hamstring stiffness was assessed in four separate positions: seated with the knee flexed and extended, and lying prone with the knee flexed and extended. Higher shear modulus values were found at the group-level when participants were seated compared to prone (hip placed at 90° compared to 0°). In addition, higher values were also found when the knee was extended compared to flexed, but only when the hip was placed at 90° (not 0°). These results demonstrate that joint and muscle position, particularly when assessing the hamstrings, largely impact resulting shear modulus values. Therefore, joint and muscle position need to be systematically controlled for and reported when establishing normative ranges for shear modulus values across specific age groups. This will enable physicians to more precisely determine whether patients’ shear modulus values indicate clinically meaningful differences in comparison to normative data.
Tuning the Surface Charge of Self-Assembled Polydiacetylene Vesicles to Control Aggregation and Cell Binding

Polydiacetylene vesicles of various compositions were assembled using a two-part mixture of 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid (PCDA) and ethylenedioxy-bis-ethylamine (EDEA)-labeled PCDA in order to control surface charge and stability within a desired pH range. Investigation of the interaction of the vesicles with mammalian cells as a function of surface charge was carried out and identified a clear correlation in cell–vesicle association and corresponding cell death for vesicles with positive surface charge. The binding behavior of the vesicles was found to be tunable by regulating the proportion of anionic PCDA relative to cationic PCDA–EDEA content within vesicles as to control the surface charge as a function of pH. Association of vesicles with cells thus depended on the corresponding charge of the vesicles and cell surface. The prospect of this work may serve as a step toward future vesicle designs to allow triggered uptake of vesicles locally within low pH tumor microenvironments.
Designing in-app messages to nudge behavior change: Lessons learned from a weight management app for young adults

Abstract While mobile-based behavioral weight loss apps are increasing, little is known about factors associated with likelihood of viewing in-app messages. The objectives of this study were to examine, among 52 young adults participating in a microrandomized trial testing smartphone-delivered messages promoting weight management behaviors, the proportion of intervention messages viewed and behavioral predictors of message viewing. Two thirds of messages delivered were viewed. Messages were less likely to be viewed over time in the program and as participants’ total weight change in the program increased. Lapses in self-weighing and increased weight since the last weighing observation were associated with decreased probability of message viewing. Conversely, increased days of meeting dietary goals in the last 7 days were associated with increased likelihood that a message was viewed. These findings identified circumstances in which messages are less likely to be viewed and have implications for designing mobile approaches to enhance participant engagement.
Historical Experience: Essays on the Phenomenology of History

This volume brings together a collection of recent essays on the philosophy and theory of history. This is a field of lively interdisciplinary discussion and research, to which historians, philosophers and theorists of culture and literature have contributed. The author is a philosopher by training, and his inspiration comes primarily from the continental-phenomenological tradition. Thus the influence of Husserl, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty and Ricoeur can be discerned here. This background opens up a unique perspective on the issues under discussion. Phenomenology differs from other philosophical approaches, like metaphysics and epistemology. Phenomenology asks, of anything that exists or may exist: how is it given, how does it enter our experience, what is our experience of it like? Very broadly we can say: phenomenology is about experience. At first glance, this approach may seem ill-suited to history. In our language, “history” usually means either 1) what happened, i.e. past events, or 2) our knowledge of what happened. We can’t experience past events, and whatever knowledge we have of them must come from other sources—memory, testimony, physical traces. But the author maintains that we actually do experience historical events, and these essays explain how this is so. Sitting at the intersection of philosophy and history, and divided into three parts—Historicity, Narrative, and Time, Teleology and History, and Embodiment and Experience—this is the ideal volume for those interested in experience from a philosophical and historical perspective.
Inflation and Bitcoin: A descriptive time-series analysis

Abstract This study examines the time-series relation between Bitcoin and forward inflation expectation rates. Using a vector autoregressive process, we find that changes in Bitcoin Granger cause changes in the forward inflation rate. Furthermore, imposing an exogenous shock to Bitcoin’s price results in a persistent increase in the forward inflation rate. Our findings provide support for the notion that Bitcoin may be used as a hedge against inflation as changes in the price of Bitcoin tend to lead changes in the expected inflation.
Accuracy of fine-needle aspiration of thyroid: A review of 6226 cases and correlation with surgical or clinical outcome

Results.—The cytologic diagnoses were as follows: 210 (3.4%) malignant, 450 (7.2%) suspicious, 3731 (60%) benign, and 1845 (29.5%) unsatisfactory. Most of the cases with negative or unsatisfactory aspirates were followed clinically or by repeat fine-needle aspiration. We identified 11 false-negative and 7 false-positive diagnoses. For aspirates considered sufficient for diagnosis, the sensitivity and specificity levels were 93% and 96%, respectively. Conclusions.—Fine-needle aspiration of the thyroid gland is highly accurate and has a low rate of false-negative and false-positive diagnoses. The major diagnostic problems are caused by diagnosis using a marginally adequate specimen, diagnosis of malignancy based on just 1 or 2 atypical cytologic features, or overlapping cytologic features of follicular neoplasm with those of follicular variant of papillary carcinoma. (Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2001;125:484‐488)
Does Perceptual Acuity Matter? An Investigation of Entrepreneurial Orientation, Perceptual Acuity and Firm Performance

One critical proposition in normative strategic management research is that an accurate perception of the environment by top managers is a prerequisite to attaining better organizational performance. However, recent entrepreneurship studies suggest that entrepreneurs are often leading or even causing environmental changes, and thus they may perceive greater industrial instability than there actually is. In this project, we examine if an over-perception of industrial instability exists among entrepreneurs. If it does, which perceptual mode (accurate perception versus over-perception) will benefit firm performance? We conducted the study in a highly volatile environment - China - and found that entrepreneurial orientation (EO) had an inverse U-shape relationship with perceptual acuity of industrial instability, indicating that a greater level of EO indeed led to an over-perception of industrial instability. However, we found that although perceptual acuity of industrial instability improved firm sales, it was negatively associated with organizational effectiveness evaluated by top managers. Additional analyses were conducted and implications were provided in the end.
Toxicity and Local Control of Lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy With or Without Concurrent Molecularly Targeted Therapies.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Systemic therapy is often held during radiation treatment for metastatic lesions due to the risk for toxicity. However, holding systemic therapy can result in increased risk of disease progression. In this study, we investigated whether continuing targeted therapy during lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) leads to increased toxicity. MATERIALS/METHODS Using our institutional prospectively collected genome-marker database, we identified 67 patients who were treated with SBRT to the lung while receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) targeted therapies for stage IIIB/IV oncogene-driven lung cancers. We segregated patients based on whether they had continuation of TKI treatment during radiation or had TKI held until completion of radiation. We gathered demographic, treatment, toxicity, and outcome data and compared toxicity and local control between the two groups using multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS For our cohort, median age at radiation treatment was 61.3, 67% were females, and median follow up was 19.8 months. Karnofsky performance status of patients at the time of radiation ranged from 70-90 with the majority at 90. 94% of patients (n = 63) had adenocarcinoma histology. 6 patients had ALK translocation mutation, 1 patient had BRAF mutation, 57 patients had EGFR mutations, 1 patient had MET exon 14 skipping mutation, and 2 patients had ROS1 fusion. At the time of radiation, patients were on the following targeted therapies: afatinib (n = 10), alectinib (n = 1), brigatinib (n = 3), crizotinib (n = 5), dabrafenib/trametinib (n = 1), erlotinib (n = 20), gefitinib (n = 3), osimertinib (n = 23), and poziotinib (n = 1). 37 patients had continuation of TKI therapy during radiation, while 30 patients had TKI therapy held during radiation. The radiation regimens are shown in the table. No patients had grade 3 or higher toxicity. 2 patients in the concurrent group had grade 2 pneumonitis compared to 1 in the held group. Local control in the continuation group was 97% compared to 93% in the held group. On multivariate analysis including age, sex, KPS, fractionation, and type of TKI, holding TKI therapy was not a significant factor influencing the likelihood of grade 2 pneumonitis (P = 0.75) or local control (P = 0.87). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that continuing TKI therapy during lung SBRT does not result in increased pulmonary toxicity. Thus, patients may not necessarily require a break from TKI treatment while undergoing SBRT, but more work will be required to assess the toxicities of each TKI in combination with radiation.
Freedom of Expression in Post-Soviet Russia (Contribution to the Symposium Building BRICS: Human Rights in Today's Emerging Economic Powers)

This Article assesses the freedom of expression in Russia and prospects for its future: what has the Russian state promised its citizens, in what legal forms have those promises been made, and how well are those paper promises being kept in practice? The Article considers recent state actions and statutes enacted to regulate speech, association, and other forms of expression, and determines that these are possible because of the very weak separation of powers in the Russian Federation. The Article concludes by looking at the European Convention on Human Rights as one hope for a power capable of exerting influence on Russian practices, although it exists outside of Russia. Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights established under the Convention present a roadmap for future reform according to standards that Russia has already agreed to accept.
Laboratory Studies of Atmospheric Radical Reactions

Publisher Summary This chapter describes several aspects of the important environmental problems from the point of view of the chemical reactions that occur in the atmosphere. The SO 2 oxidation mechanism is discussed in the chapter. There have been a number of different proposals for a homogeneous mechanism, but the only step that is well established is the initial attack of OH on SO 2 . The bisulfite radical HOSO 2 is the product of this reaction. Unfortunately, this species has never been detected and nothing is known about its chemistry; therefore, the remaining steps in the mechanism are speculative. To model the homogeneous conversion of SO 2 to H 2 SO 4 , it is not necessary to know the rate coefficients for each of the steps as long as reaction is the rate-limiting step. However, it is important to know the number of radicals consumed in the overall mechanism.
Quantitative analysis of fetal electrophysiologic data.

Abstract The continuous fetal electroencephalogram, heart rate, and intrauterine pressure were analyzed with a digital computer. The results obtained with the described methods indicate their potential application to the investigation of the fetal effects of extrauterine influence.
A Review of “Homesickness: An American History”

Susan J. Matt's Homesickness: An American History examines the well-worn term Americans have used since the colonial era to describe a painful longing for home. The author traces a metamorphosis of...
CCPR 2008 Keynote Speech 3 and Keynote Speech 4

Firstly, we consider the space of small image patches, say 7times7 pixels, and show that patches cropped from natural images are distributed in a wide variety of manifolds from low dimensional manifolds for regular textons and image primitives, to high dimensional manifolds for textures. Secondly, we introduce a learning and modeling method which pursues these manifolds by information projection, and derive statistical models, such as the active basis model for the low dimensional manifolds and the MRF models for the high dimensional manifolds. Thirdly we show how these two types of manifolds are integrated in large images to form the primal sketch model in early vision, and how they are mixed to form complex objects in the high level vision. Fourthly we show the transition of these manifolds through information scaling. The objective of this work is to study the structures of the image space, based on which we can understand the connections and transitions of a number of classic models used in computer vision and pattern recognition.
Steady states of the Vlasov-Maxwell system

The Vlasov-Maxwell system models collisionless plasma. Solutions are considered that depend on one spatial variable, x, and two velocity variables, v 1 and v 2 . As x → -∞ it is required that the phase space densities of particles approach a prescribed function, F (v 1 , v 2 ), and all field components approach zero. It is assumed that F (v 1 , v 2 ) = 0 if v 1 < W 1 , where W 1 is a positive constant. An external magnetic field is prescribed and taken small enough so that no particle is reflected (v 1 remains positive). The main issue is to identify the large-time behavior; is a steady state approached and, if so, can it be identified from the time independent Vlasov-Maxwell system? The time-dependent problem is solved numerically using a particle method, and it is observed that a steady state is approached (on a bounded x interval) for large time. For this steady state, one component of the electric field is zero at all points, the other oscillates without decay for x large; in contrast the magnetic field tends to zero for large x. Then it is proven analytically that if the external magnetic field is sufficiently small, then (a reformulation of) the steady problem has a unique solution with B → 0 as x → +∞. Thus the downstream condition, B → 0 as x → +∞, is used to identify the large time limit of the system.
Two mechanisms of antigen-specific apoptosis of myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T lymphocytes derived from multiple sclerosis patients and normal individuals

Several stimuli induce mature T cells to undergo apoptosis or programmed cell death (PCD) including specific Ag. We have demonstrated previously that Ag induces the death of encephalitogenic T cells in vitro and deletion in vivo, leading to amelioration of autoimmune encephalomyelitis. We have now examined whether activated, myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific human T cells may be eliminated by Ag-induced PCD. We demonstrate that activated MBP-specific T cell lines (TCL) undergo the classic nuclear morphologic changes and DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis when given a TCR challenge. We found evidence that two mechanisms led to apoptosis: a propriocidal mechanism that was highly Ag-specific and dependent on the dose of exogenously added rIL-2, and a cytolytic mechanism in which MBP-specific TCL lysed B cell targets and engaged in considerable "fratricidal" cytolysis of other MBP-specific T cells. These two pathways leading to MBP-specific apoptotic death could be distinguished by their glucocorticoid sensitivity. Glucocorticoid treatment significantly blocked MBP-induced propriocidal apoptosis but had no effect on T cell cytolysis of B cell targets. Although it has been proposed that autoimmune disease could result from the failure of normal deletional mechanisms, this preliminary survey of MBP-reactive mature TCL from multiple sclerosis patients revealed that such cells are highly susceptible to TCR-induced PCD and comparable with TCL from normal subjects. Thus, therapeutic strategies based on Ag-induced PCD of T lymphocytes may be feasible in man.
Anthocyanidins and related compounds—XVII : Reactions of flavylium salts and 2-hydroxychalcones with hydroxylamine and hydrazine

Abstract Flavylium salts and 2-hydroxychalcones (1-phenyl-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-ones) react with hydroxylamine in pyridine to form 2,5-dihydroisoxazoles. These undergo thermal and acid-catalyzed rearrangements to isomeric 4,5-dihydroisoxazoles and chalcone oximes, respectively. With hydrazine, flavylium salts yield phenolic 4,5-dihydro-3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazoles. Since these readily condense with acetone to form cyclic acetonides, the hydrazination reaction involves initial nucleophilic attack at position 2 of the flavylium nucleus.
Questions for the geologic exploration of Venus

Venus is the last terrestrial planet to be mapped in the Solar System. This is an indication not of its relative importance for comparative planetary studies but of the previous lack of demonstrated, affordable technology. Venus is, in fact, the most important planet to study for improving our understanding of global terrestrial processes such as plate tectonics. The next NASA mission to Venus, in 1988, will map the planet at a resolution comparable to that of the Mars Mariner 9 mission. The objective is 70 percent coverage at 1 km per line pair or better. This is the minimum resolution that will allow analysis of tectonic, volcanic, aeolian, meteorite impact and other features. An altimeter will provide a global map of topography that will considerably improve our data base and, together with gravity field measurements, provide better interior geophysical models.
Predicting N-terminal myristoylation sites in plant proteins.

N-terminal myristoylation plays a vital role in membrane targeting and signal transduction in plant responses to environmental stress. Although N-myristoyltransferase enzymatic function is conserved across plant, animal, and fungal kingdoms, exact substrate specificities vary, making it difficult to predict protein myristoylation accurately within specific taxonomic groups. A new method for predicting N-terminal myristoylation sites specifically in plants has been developed and statistically tested for sensitivity, specificity, and robustness. Compared to previously available methods, the new model is both more sensitive in detecting known positives, and more selective in avoiding false positives. Scores of myristoylated and non-myristoylated proteins are more widely separated than with other methods, greatly reducing ambiguity and the number of sequences giving intermediate, uninformative results. The prediction model is available at http://plantsp.sdsc.edu/myrist.html . Superior performance of the new model is due to the selection of a plant-specific training set, covering 266 unique sequence examples from 40 different species, the use of a probability-based hidden Markov model to obtain predictive scores, and a threshold cutoff value chosen to provide maximum positive-negative discrimination. The new model has been used to predict 589 plant proteins likely to contain N-terminal myristoylation signals, and to analyze the functional families in which these proteins occur.
What Is International English

The number of people using English for international communication is increasing on an unprecedented scale and the spread of English shows no signs of stopping. There is a growing body of research on the phenomenon of international English, yet international English is defined variously in the literature and what is included in these definitions differs considerably. This review seeks to examine what is meant by the various terms employed in the literature and focuses on the international use of English by people for whom it is not a first or official, institutionalized second language, a population which is rapidly growing in number but whose linguistic behavior is still under-researched. The central questions posed are: (1) Does English used by this population constitute a new kind of English or is it simply an error-marred, simplified performance variety of English as a native language? (2) Is it possible that lingua franca English use will affect English as a native language? This paper will review recent empirically-based descriptive studies on international lingua franca English as well as two large-scale corpora currently being compiled in an attempt to shed light on the developing global use of the English language.
Human engineering study of information processing applicable to helmet-mounted displays.

The present investigation examined and compared the pilot's decision-making capabilities when visual stimuli, similar in nature to those used in helmet-mounted displays, were displayed separately in each visual field. Fifteen student subjects experienced three different combinations of spatial and verbal hemiretinal stimuli. On one third of the trials, the left hemiretinae received verbal information, while the right hemiretinae simultaneously received spatial-type information. On another third of the trials, each set of hemiretinae received the opposite type of stimuli. On the remainder of the trials, both hermiretinae simultaneously received the same verbal and spatial-type inputs. Results indicate that the performance measure of latency was significantly decreased under the condition of verbal input to the right hemiretinae and spatial-type input to the left. No accuracy effects were seen as a result of the varying hemifield of stimulation. It was concluded that responses to the verbal right presentati...
An algorithm for Gauss harmonic formulas

LetD be an open, bounded, simply-connected region inR 2 with boundaryB. Let (x*,y*) be an arbitrary point ofD. This paper constructs an algorithm for computing Gauss harmonic formulas forD and the point (x*,y*). Such formulas approximate a harmonic function at (x*,y*) in terms of a linear combination of its boundary values. Such formulas are useful for approximating the solution of the Dirichlet problem, especially when the problem is to be solved many times at the same point with different boundary values.
Polymerization of Kraft lignin via ultrasonication for high-molecular-weight applications.

Abstract Kraft lignin is an inexpensive and abundant byproduct of pulp mills that can be used in the synthesis of adhesives and carbon fibers along with energy production. Some of these material applications favor the utilization of high molecular weight (HMW) lignin. This study investigates the use of ultrasonics as a means to increase the degree of polymerization (DP) of highly purified Kraft lignin. Treated samples were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, 13C and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). After 15 min of sustained cavitation, ultrasonicated lignin generated a high molecular-weight fraction (∼35%) that had a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) over 450-fold greater than the initial Kraft lignin sample. 13C-NMR and 31P-NMR analysis indicated that the highly-polymerized fraction was enriched with C5 condensed phenolic structures.
Pre-crisis mouse cells show strain-specific covariation in the amount of 54-kilodalton phosphoprotein and in susceptibility to transformation by simian virus 40

Abstract We have used several inbred mouse strains to examine the role of the 54-kilodalton (kDa) cellular phosphoprotein in transformation by the papovavirus simian virus 40. We have measured the endogenous 54-kDa phosphoprotein in cells obtained from these inbred mouse strains. To study the effect of passage, cell cultures were measured for amount of the 54-kDa phosphoprotein at the 2nd and 12th passages. In the absence of any transforming agent, the amount of endogenous 54-kDa phosphoprotein in early pre-crisis mouse cells varied in a strain-specific way. Transformation frequency varied coordinately with endogenous 54-kDa expression. Mouse strains whose cells produced a high level of endogenous 54-kDa phosphoprotein on passage did not further increase its expression after simian virus 40 transformation.
Beyond Good and Evil: Exploring Medical Trainee Use of Social Media

Background: Medicine has struggled to integrate a new generation of social media technologies. Rather than focusing on the promise of these emerging tools, the academic literature is replete with admonishments of how social media pose a danger to medical professionals, and guidelines regarding social media are written with expectations of misuse rather than consideration of positive application. Summary: To better learn how new technology might be integrated into professional lives, it is imperative to seek perspectives from younger trainees who have already begun navigating the unique professional and ethical dilemmas posed by social media and might assist in identifying innovative uses of existing tools. Conclusions: The views and practices of current trainees can provide important insight into the proactive role social media can play in the delivery of more effective health care during an era in which social media usage is invariably increasing for medical professionals and patients.
A Pilot Study of Changes in Environmental Knowledge and Behaviors among Head Start Employees and Parents Following Environmental Health Training in Webb County, TX

Head Start centers in Webb County, Texas primarily serve low-income Hispanic families disproportionately affected by environmental exposures. A total of 560 parents and employees attended environmental trainings. Pre- and post-assessments measured whether the trainings were effective at improving related knowledge and behaviors. A total of 152 parents and 94 employees signed consent forms. Only the 64 parents and 50 employees who completed all questionnaires were included in the data analysis. Paired t tests and McNemar tests found significant improvements in knowledge and behaviors related to multiple environmental topics (p < 0.05). Mean scores out of eleven for knowledge before and immediately after were 9.69 (95 % CI 9.44, 9.94) and 10.58 (95 % CI 10.42, 10.74), respectively. Mean scores out of ten for behavior before and 1 month after training were 8.00 (95 % CI 7.71, 8.29) and 9.29 (95 % CI 9.10, 9.48), respectively. This pilot study found improved knowledge and behaviors following environmental health training.
Observation of intrinsic spin Hall effect in semiconductors

The intrinsic spin Hall effect is observed in undoped GaAs quantum-well samples by temporally resolving the current generation process in the ballistic regime, where the extrinsic spin Hall effect is absent.
Follow thy neighbor: Connecting the social and the spatial networks on Twitter

This paper compares the social properties of Twitter users’ networks with the spatial proximity of the networks. Using a comprehensive analysis of network density and network transitivity we found that the density of networks and the spatial clustering depends on the size of the network; smaller networks are more socially clustered and extend a smaller physical distance and larger networks are physically more dispersed with less social clustering. Additionally, Twitter networks are more effective at transmitting information at the local level. For example, local triadic connections are more than twice as likely to be transitive than those extending more than 500 km. This implies that not only is distance important to the communities developed in online social networks, but scale is extremely pertinent to the nature of these networks. Even as technologies such as Twitter enable a larger volume of interaction between spaces, these interactions do not invent completely new social and spatial patterns, but instead replicate existing arrangements.
Intimate Partner Violence: Implications for Counseling Self-Identified LGBTQ College Students Engaged in Same-Sex Relationships

A gap in research exists regarding intimate partner violence (IPV) in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals' relationships. The article begins with an overview of IPV victimization, perpetration, and related attitudinal differences between male and female LGBTQ college students. Study results found that females reported higher levels of psychological victimization than gay males. Additionally, the male participants reported greater attitudinal acceptance of IPV. Counseling implications regarding IPV victimization, perpetration, and attitudinal acceptance for IPV among LGBTQ populations are discussed.
Drosophila melanogaster troponin-T mutations engender three distinct syndromes of myofibrillar abnormalities.

Abstract In vertebrates troponin complexes interact co-operatively with tropomyosin dimers to modulate skeletal muscle contraction. In order further to investigate troponin assembly and function in vivo , we are developing molecular genetic approaches. Here we report characterization of the gene that encodes Drosophila tropinin-T and analyses of muscle defects engendered by several mutant alleles. We found that the Drosophila troponin-T locus specifies at least three proteins having sequences similar to vertebrate troponin-T. All are significantly larger than any avian or mammalian isoforms, however, due to a highly acidic carboxy-terminal extension. Comparisons of the chromosomal arrangements of vertebrate and Drosophila troponin-T genes revealed that the location of one intron-exon boundary is conserved. This observation and the similarity of vertebrate and Drosophila troponin-T primary sequences suggest that the respective proteins are homologous, and that troponin-T pre-dates the divergence of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. In situ hybridization of the Drosophila troponin-T gene to polytene chromosomes demonstrated that it resides within subdivision 12A of the X chromsome, precisely where upheld and indented thorax flight muscle mutations have been mapped previously. We determined the nucleotide sequences of troponin-T genes in five extant mutants. All have deleterious alterations, directly establishing that upheld and indented thorax muscle abnormalities are due to defective troponin-T. Two of the alleles, upheld 2 and upheld 3 , apparently disrupt RNA splicing and eliminate most or all troponin-T from flight and jump muscles, while the remaining three alleles change the identities of single amino acids of troponin-T. Electron microscopy of mutant muscles revealed that the two null alleles eliminate thin filaments, except where they are bound by electron-dense material presumed to be Z-disc proteins. Two of the point mutations, upheld 101 and indented thorax 3 , do not perturb assembly of myofibrils, but cause their degeneration within days after muscles begin to be utilized. The final mutation, upheld whu , reduces the diameter of the myofibril lattice by approximately one-half. We propose hypotheses to explain how each troponin-T mutation engenders the observed myofibrillar defects.
Effects of short-term stanozolol administration on serum lipoproteins in hepatic lipase deficiency

We have identified a kindred in Providence, RI, deficient in hepatic triglyceride lipase (HL). The two affected brothers have coronary heart disease and elevated levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and apolipoprotein [apo] A-I. The lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity is normal. We and others have postulated that the effects of oral anabolic steroids on HDL metabolism are mediated by HL. To test this hypothesis, we treated these two men and two controls with the oral androgen stanozolol (6 mg/d) for 2 weeks. Consistent with other reports, HL activity increased a mean of 277% in controls with a concomitant decrease in HDL cholesterol (49%), HDL2 cholesterol (90%), HDL3 cholesterol (16%), and apo A-I (41%) and no change in apo A-II. Although stanozolol failed to induce HL activity in the HL-deficient man, HDL cholesterol, HDL2 cholesterol, and apo A-I were reduced a mean of 20%, 48%, and 32%, respectively. In contrast to controls, HDL3 cholesterol (46%) and apo A-II (14%) increased in HL-deficient subjects. Stanozolol treatment also increased LPL activity (124% +/- 86%, n = 4) and decreased lipoprotein(a) ([Lp(a)] 66% +/- 3%, n = 3) in the three men with detectable levels. The data indicate that in addition to stimulation of HL activity, stanozolol treatment changes HDL cholesterol concentration and subfraction distribution by other mechanisms.
A prototype multiAgent network security system

Distributed Internet-based attacks on computer systems are becoming more prevalent. These attacks usually employ some form of automation and involve the compromise of many systems across the Internet; systems which are not necessarily owned by the same company or individual. The information needed to detect and neutralize these attacks is spread across many machines. A system administrator who wishes to detect and handle these distributed attacks must constantly monitor his systems and communicate with other administrators around the world-a challenging task. In this paper we present our design and implementation of a multi-agent system, built using FIPA-OS, in which agents responsible for different network realms communicate with each other in order to determine if certain suspicious events are actually part of a distributed attack, and to warn each other about possible threats.
Agent–based simulation and analysis of a complex adaptive supply network

Today's markets are entities of a rapidly changing business ecosystem. Sheer complexity and unpredictable nature of complex markets require enterprises to try different approaches to survive disturbances in this sensitive ecosystem. Previously, unpredictable nature of the markets is studied using equation–based approaches and traditional simulation based approaches. However, these modelling approaches fall short of capturing the dynamics of complex adaptive nature of the markets. Therefore, this work develops an agent based model of a realistic computer manufacturing enterprise ecosystem (CMEE) to gain insights into the behaviour of enterprises and interactions in their supply chain. The model studies the end result of the decisions and actions of computer manufacturing enterprises and their customers. It observes the changing trends in this environment and the effects of those trends on market life expectancy and performance measures.
Clinical presentations and standard therapy of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common HIV-associated malignancy. The incidence of KS has varied, rising steadily during the 1980s, followed by a significant decline over the subsequent decade. The drop in KS incidence has been more dramatic since the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Although the incidence of KS as an AIDS-defining illness has decreased, KS as a secondary AIDS diagnosis has continued to increase. The clinical course of KS remains unpredictable. For some patients, KS is an indolent disease, whereas for others, it may rapidly progress and contribute to morbidity and mortality. In spite of the apparent beneficial effect of HAART on KS incidence and natural history, there continue to be patients with well-controlled HIV infection (as measured by CD4 counts and HIV viral load) who develop progressive KS. Optimal therapy or long-term management strategies for progressive KS have not been defined. The degree of immune competence, the extent of KS and its rate of progression, HIV comorbidity, and patient goals, and preferences dictate the choice of treatment.
GRIP: a synaptic PDZ domain-containing protein that interacts with AMPA receptors

AMPA glutamate receptors mediate the majority of rapid excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system and play a role in the synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory. AMPA receptors are heteromeric complexes of four homologous subunits (GluR1-4) that differentially combine to form a variety of AMPA receptor subtypes. These subunits are thought to have a large extracellular amino-terminal domain, three transmembrane domains and an intracellular carboxy-terminal domain. AMPA receptors are localized at excitatory synapses and are not found on adjacent inhibitory synapses enriched in GABA(A) receptors. The targeting of neurotransmitter receptors, such as AMPA receptors, and ion channels to synapses is essential for efficient transmission. A protein motif called a PDZ domain is important in the targeting of a variety of membrane proteins to cell-cell junctions including synapses. Here we identify a synaptic PDZ domain-containing protein GRIP (glutamate receptor interacting protein) that specifically interacts with the C termini of AMPA receptors. GRIP is a new member of the PDZ domain-containing protein family which has seven PDZ domains and no catalytic domain. GRIP appears to serve as an adapter protein that links AMPA receptors to other proteins and may be critical for the clustering of AMPA receptors at excitatory synapses in the brain.
Gender Equality in the Public Mind

Abstract Most conceptual research on equality revolves around theoretical texts or legal theory and decisions, thus reflecting the thought of legal, political, or cultural elites. But in a democratic polity, we must attend to the political thought not just of politicos and academics, but ordinary citizens as well. In terms of its political significance, “What does equality mean” requires answering the question: what does equality mean to the mass public? We thus probe the meanings of “gender equality” in the public mind, using a unique set of questions included in the National Election Studies 1991 Pilot Study, and con-textualized within the literatures of feminist and legal theory and political psychology and public opinion. Most importantly, we distinguish among “empirical” and “normative” equality and discontent and among the domains of the polity, economy, and family; feature the problem of “equality” versus “sameness” and consider the relationship of these orientations to people's own structural circ...
The ethics of innovation : p2p software developers and designing substantial noninfringing uses under the sony doctrine

This essay explores the controversy over peer-to-peer (p2p) software, examining the legal and ethical dimensions of allowing software companies to develop p2p technologies. It argues that, under the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Sony betamax case, technology developers must be accorded the freedom to innovate and develop technologies that are capable of substantial noninfringing uses. This doctrine, known as the Sony doctrine, provides an important safe harbor for technological development, including p2p. The safe harbor, however, does not immunize conduct beyond the design, sale, or supply of the product. For other conduct that falls outside the Sony safe harbor, the traditional standards of secondary liability apply.
Photochemical ablation of organic solids

We have investigated by molecular dynamics simulations the ablation of material that is onset by photochemical processes. We compare this system with only photochemical processes to a system containing photochemical and photothermal processes. The simulations reveal that ablation by purely photochemical processes is accompanied by the ejection of relatively cold massive molecular clusters from the surface of the sample. The top of the plume exhibits high temperatures whereas the residual part of the sample is cold. The removal of the damaged material through big molecular cluster ejection is consistent with experimental observations of low heat damage of material.
Life-span Developmental Psychology and Education

The 1970's have seen a major growth of interest and work in the field of Life-span Developmental Psychology. To psychologists, the field known as Developmental Psychology, in 1970 and earlier, generally meant the study of child and adolescent development up to the age of 18 or 20. Now, the study of human development through the life cycle is bound to require major attention to the adult decades of life and Developmental Psychology must pay attention to those years. This paper will describe that work being done on the adult segment of the life
Carbonate chemistry of aquifer and stream water in Kentucky

Abstract The principal circulation of the limestone aquifer underlying the Sinkhole Plain of Kentucky is undersaturated with respect to calcite. Two sinking streams which recharge the aquifer are also undersaturated. The smaller stream is much more undersaturated than the larger, but at any one time the equilibrium carbon dioxide pressure of the two streams is the same. The carbon dioxide pressure of the aquifer is higher than that of the recharging streams, and the higher calcium content of the aquifer water indicates solution of limestone is occurring by the introduction of carbon dioxide into the aquifer. At a single site, saturation with respect to calcite varied considerably, with the changes apparently related more to discharge than to temperature or season (large undersaturation associated with high flow volumes). Saturation of the streams and aquifer with respect to dolomite was similar to that with respect to calcite, but the waters were always more undersaturated with respect to dolomite by an approximately constant amount.