cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
"Magical thinking" and the Emergence of New Social Movements: Cognitive Aspects of Reformation Era Debates over Ritual Efficacy

Sorensen’s (2007) cognitive theory of magic offers more precise tools for analysing the cognitive dimensions of novelty and change across a range of cultural domains if we extract it from academic discussions of “religion” and “magic” and recast it generically in terms of the attribution of non-ordinary powers within temporally structured event-frames. Focusing on the agreements required to generate new collective rituals reveals the chief limitation of Sorensen’s theory of magic and Lawson and McCauley’s theory of ritual for understanding the emergence of new groups with new rituals: neither attends sufficiently to the contestations surrounding the interpretation of presumed originatory events, either when the original attributions are made or when “reformers” reanalyse them. Reformation Era debates over the Eucharist illustrate how subtle shifts in the interpretation of originatory events can signal critical shifts in counterpart connections that in turn lay the foundation for new movements based on new or “reformed” rituals. Although the historical interactions that lead to or preclude such agreements are the basic “stuff” of historical analysis, use of cognitive tools to describe underlying shifts provides a more adequate basis for comparing processes of emergence within and across cultures and time periods.
Distributed Multi-Phase Distribution Power Flow

With the increasing installation of power electronics and automated devices, the possibilities for distributed control and operation schemes are becoming progressively more attractive and feasible. This paper presents a new method for calculating distribution power flow using physically remote distributed processors. The proposed method requires the distribution system network model to be partitioned with each subsystem distributed to a remote processor. Models have been developed to represent the remaining network not explicitly retained in each partition. Results show the proposed method will converge to the same solution as that of an un-partitioned centralized power flow validating the accuracy of the proposed models and algorithm.
Thermal stability of phosphine and phosphine oxide complexes of cobalt(ii) dihalides

Thermogravimetric measurements show that complexes of cobalt(II) dihalides with aryl and alkyl substituted phosphines and triphenylphosphine oxide in an oxygen containing atmosphere decompose to yield solid phases consisting of Co3O4 and P2O5.
Male Role Norms, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Colorectal Cancer Screening among Young Adult African American Men

Racial disparities in health among African American men in the United States are extensive. In contrast to their White counterparts, African American men have more illnesses and die younger. African American men have colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality rates 25% and 50% higher, respectively, than White men. Due to CRC’s younger age at presentation and high incidence among African American men, CRC screening is warranted at the age of 45 rather than 50, but little is known about younger African American men’s views of CRC screening. Employing survey design, the purpose of the study was to describe the male role norms, knowledge, attitudes, perceived subjective norms, and perceived barriers associated with screening for CRC among a non-random sample of 157 young adult African American men (ages 19-45). Sixty-seven percent of the study sample received a passing knowledge score (85% or better), yet no significant differences were found among the three educational levels (i.e., low, medium, high). More negative attitudes towards CRC screening correlated with the participants’ strong perceptions of barriers, but no extremely negative or positive male role norms and perceived subjective norms were found. The factors significantly associated with attitudes were family history of cancer (unsure), work status, and perceived barriers. Findings from this study provide a solid basis for developing structured health education interventions that address the salient factors shaping young adult African American men's view of CRC and early detection screening behaviors.
Reply: how is Home and Sengupta's noncontextuality condition related to locality?

In this discussion note, I explore the relationship between locality and Home and Sengupta's noncontextuality assumption, challenging some of the authors' claims.
Recurrent pancreatic carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT)

Although the current literature is limited, available data suggest that (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging improves the evaluation of patients with recurrent pancreatic carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. There is evidence that PET/CT is particularly useful in the setting of elevated tumor markers and negative or equivocal CT findings. This article reviews the nature of these carcinomas in the post-therapy setting and describes the strengths and limitations of PET/CT when used for monitoring recurrence.
Purification and characterization of homogeneous sunflower seed acid phosphatase

Abstract Acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) from sunflower seed was purified 1800-fold to homogeneity using both conventional and affinity chromatographic methods. The purified enzyme was a mixture of two enzyme forms distinguishable by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Gel exclusion chromatography, which did not distinguish between the two forms, gave an apparent M, of 103 000. Preparative PAGE permitted the separation of the two forms, and SDS-PAGE showed that they contained equivalent peptide subunits of apparent M, 56 000 and 52 000. Amino acid analysis indicated that both enzyme forms have similar amino acid compositions. Data on substrate specificity and pH dependence is presented. The kinetic constants for hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate as catalysed by sunflower seed acid phosphatase were independent of pH in the range 3-5. The enzyme was competitively inhibited by inorganic phosphate and non-competitively inhibited by phosphomycin.
Cytoprotective effect of estrogen on ammonium chloride-treated C6-glioma cells

The potential cytoprotective effects of estrogen in the brain are of special interest in aging, neurodegenerative diseases, exposure to toxins, and trauma. Estrogen effects on neurons have been widely explored, but less is known about estrogen effects on glia. Glial cells are primary targets of ammonia toxicity, which arises from liver disease or failure (such as from cirrhosis in alcoholics), urea cycle disorders, or inborn errors of metabolism. We examined the ability of estrogen to protect glial cells from ammonium chloride toxicity using an in vitro model system. C6-glioma cells in later passage have many astrocytic characteristics and provided a convenient and well established model system for this work. When C6-glioma cells were exposed to 15 mM ammonium chloride, we observed major cell death (only 32% cell survival relative to control) within 72 h. Pretreatment with 17β-estradiol (10 μM) significantly protected C6-glioma cells from ammonia toxicity (99% cell survival relative to control). In addition to enhancing the viability of C6-glioma cells against ammonia challenge, estrogen pretreatment was also found to protect mitochondrial function as assayed using the MTT reduction assay. Mitochondrial function was reduced to 39% of control levels in ammonia-challenged cultures and was mostly protected by estrogen (72% of control levels). The findings are potentially relevant for the development of therapeutic strategies to protect glial cells against ammonia toxicity resulting from hepatic failure or other causes.
Regional cerebral blood flow: Estimation by means of nonmetabolized diffusible tracers—An overview

Visualization and measurement of functional activity throughout the human brain has been made possible by position emission tomography (PET) using tracers, the accumulation of which in the various regions of the brain are functions of regional blood flow or energy metabolism. Certain principles and mathematical expressions describing the exchange of diffusible, nonmetabolized substances between capillary and brain, published nearly 40 years ago, have been useful in this development.
STRUCTURELAB: A heterogeneous bioinformatics system for RNA structure analysis

STRUCTURELAB is a computational system that has been developed to permit the use of a broad array of approaches for the analysis of the structure of RNA. The goal of the development is to provide a large set of tools that can be well integrated with experimental biology to aid in the process of the determination of the underlying structure of RNA sequences. The approach taken views the structure determination problem as one of dealing with a database of many computationally generated structures and provides the capability to analyze this data set from different perspectives. Many algorithms are integrated into one system that also utilizes a heterogeneous computing approach permitting the use of several computer architectures to help solve the posed problems. These different computational platforms make it relatively easy to incorporate currently existing programs as well as newly developed algorithms and to best match these algorithms to the appropriate hardware. The system has been written in Common Lisp running on SUN or SGI Unix workstations, and it utilizes a network of participating machines defined in reconfigurable tables. A window-based interface makes this heterogeneous environment as transparent to the user as possible.
Patterns of morphological variation insesamum indicum

Cultivars of sesame from 20 countries were sampled for morphological variability. Taximetric methods, including factor, cluster, discriminant, and principal components analyses, established patterns of similarities and were used to generate groupings among the taxa. The complementary results of the analyses indicate that 8 major groups can be discerned. Plants with tetracarpellate capsules have a distinctive form and comprise the initial separation from the entire collection on the dendrogram. The second branch is a group of purple-tinged plants from India that also includes the proposed progenitor. A short, bushy, early maturing genotype consists of predominantly Turkish cultivars. Another group, composed primarily of Korean accessions, consists of unbranched plants with strap-shaped leaves. Other groups are less easily typified. This characterization of the genetic variation in sesame can be used to identify sources of genetic materials for crop improvement, as well as to provide information about the evolution and genetic differentiation of the crop.
How do miRNAs mediate translational repression

Micro(mi)RNAs regulate gene expression by what are believed to be related but separate mechanistic processes. The relative contribution that each process plays, their mechanistic overlap, and the degree by which they regulate complex genetic networks is still being unraveled. One process by which miRNAs inhibit gene expression occurs through translational repression. In recent years, there has been a plethora of studies published, which have resulted in various molecular models of how miRNAs impair translation. At first evaluation, it appears that these models are quite different and incompatible with one another. In this paper, we focus on possible explanations for the various interpretations of these data sets, and provide a model that we believe is consistent with many of the observations published to date.
Equilibrium pool dimensions and sediment-sorting patterns in coarse-grained, New England channels

Abstract Pools and riffles are natural bedforms that produce variations in width and depth along channels deemed critical for aquatic habitat. An understanding of this morphology is necessary for the successful design of a reconstructed or restored channel. To better understand pool geometry and sorting characteristics of New England channels, characterizations of pool geometry were performed on 145 different pools strongly influenced by channel constrictions. Characterizations of channel-bed sediments were also performed at 34 of these locations. Data from 120 pools were used in least-squares, multiple-regression analysis with 19 different independent variables to develop prediction equations for pool depth, length, and exit-slope gradient. These equations were then tested using the 25 remaining pools. Eighteen different geometric variables were then used to predict sediment φ 50 values in pool centers, pool exit slopes, and riffles for the subset of 34 samples. The regression analyses for pool geometry indicate that pool depth is significantly influenced to a decreasing degree by pool exit-slope width, constriction gradient, constriction width, drainage area, upstream channel width, and the exit-slope expansion ratio, with an R 2 value of 0.53. Similarly, pool length is influenced by channel gradient, location of the channel constriction, pool width, drainage area and constriction length, with an R 2 value of 0.72. The gradient of pool exit slope is influenced by drainage area, channel gradient, and constriction gradient, with an R 2 value of 0.34. However, R 2 values for exit slope increased to 0.65 when sediment d 50 data were utilized. Using the resulting regression equations to predict dimensions for the 25 verification pools yields average residuals near zero, although moderate variations do exist. A Tukey–Kramer HSD comparison of the means for sediment φ 50 values indicates pool sediments are significantly coarser than pool exit-slope and riffle sediments for the subset of 34 pools. Regression analyses also suggest significant relations between the size of sediments in pools and riffles and a combination of geometric variables with R 2 values that range from 0.45 to 0.62. The results suggest that pool dimensions are related to basin-wide variability and local hydraulic conditions. The findings also suggest that the characteristics of constrictions and the downstream section of pools provide an important control on scouring and sorting characteristics throughout the pool–riffle morphology.
Retrospective review of cerebral mycotic aneurysms in 26 patients: focus on treatment in strongly immunocompromised patients with a brief literature review.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral mycotic aneurysms are a rare and deadly type of aneurysm that have no definitive treatment guidelines. Our purpose was to retrospectively review known or suspected cases of CMA in order to identify patient populations that may be associated with higher morbidity and mortality. We hope that the identification of patients with these risk factors will lead to early stratification upon presentation, and more urgent treatment of their CMAs. We also hoped to identify any benefit or complication that was specific to either the endovascular or neurosurgical repair of CMAs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective multi-institutional study was performed examining cases of CMA during a 15-year period. Patients were considered strongly immunocompromised if there were long-term severely immunocompromised states: AIDS, chemotherapy, or steroid immunosuppression. Patients were excluded if angiographic findings suggested an alternative diagnosis or if an infectious etiology was unknown. Antibiotics were considered “noninvasive treatment.” Endovascular and neurosurgical repair were considered “invasive treatment.” Data were recorded by reviewing electronic medical records and imaging reports. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients with 40 CMAs were included. Three patients were considered strongly immunocompromised and presented with 4 CMAs, which demonstrated larger average size and more rapid growth; 3 of these patients' aneurysms were treated invasively in the acute period, with the one that was not ruptured causing death. Technical success (aneurysm occlusion without rupture or recanalization) and clinical success (no neurologic complication attributable to the intervention) were obtained equally endovascularly and neurosurgically. Clipping was aborted in favor of coiling for 1 patient. Anticoagulation needed reversal before 2 patients underwent craniotomy for clipping after valve replacement. For CMAs treated with antibiotics alone with angiographic follow-up ( n = 11), initial aneurysm size was unrelated to persistence and 64% completely regressed. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend initial invasive treatment for CMAs in strongly immunocompromised patients. Testing for underlying immunocompromised states is warranted in patients with CMAs. Endovascular treatment is favored over neurosurgical treatment in patients requiring acute cardiac valve repair due to delays with anticoagulation reversal. CMA : cerebral mycotic aneurysms ECA : external carotid artery ICP : intracranial pressure IE : infective endocarditis IPH : intra-parenchymal hemorrhage
A new grid structure for domain extension

We present an efficient grid structure that extends a uniform grid to create a significantly larger far-field grid by dynamically extending the cells surrounding a fine uniform grid while still maintaining fine resolution about the regions of interest. The far-field grid preserves almost every computational advantage of uniform grids including cache coherency, regular subdivisions for parallelization, simple data layout, the existence of efficient numerical discretizations and algorithms for solving partial differential equations, etc. This allows fluid simulations to cover large domains that are often infeasible to enclose with sufficient resolution using a uniform grid, while still effectively capturing fine scale details in regions of interest using dynamic adaptivity.
Toward boxology: preliminary classification of architectural styles

Software archifecfs use a number of commonlyrecognized “styles” fo guide fheir design of system sfrucfures. We are beginning fo classify these sfyles. We use a fwo-dimensional classification sfrafegy wifh confrol and data issuesas fhedominanf organizingaxes. Weposition the major sfyles within this space and use finer-grained discriminations fo elaborate variafions on the sfyles. This provides a fiameworkfor organizing design guidance.
Position control of shape memory alloy actuators with internal electrical resistance feedback using neural networks

The development of a position control system for a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire actuator using an electrical resistance feedback is presented in this paper. A novel control scheme is implemented to eliminate the need for a position sensor to achieve stable and accurate positioning by utilizing the actuator's electrical resistance feedback. Experiments are conducted to investigate the relationship between electrical resistance and displacement using an SMA wire test set-up. Due to the highly nonlinear behavior of the SMA actuator, a neural network is employed to model the relationship and to predict the position of the actuator using only the electrical resistance. Feedback control of the SMA is achieved by using a proportional-derivative (PD) controller. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed position control system achieves good control performance without using a position sensor.
The Compromised Host and Infection. II. Deep Fungal Infection

community of a relatively new spectrum of infectious diseases. These infections, caused by opportunistic organisms, often create for the physician a dilemma in both diagnosis and treatment, and are frequently either major contributors to or are the actual cause of death of the patient. A testimonial to this unfortunate situation is our experience with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia [1, 2] in the compromised host. Fourteen of our patients have died with this infection during the past 6 years. Each was suffering from a severe underlying disease and was receiving high dose corticosteroids and/or cytotoxic drug therapy. Another group of organisms frequently encountered in the compromised host are the fungi. A number of workers have reviewed their experience with fungal infections in populations of compromised patients, but in large part have focused on patients with specific underlying diseases such as lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disorders and Hodgkin's disease [3-6], in addition to cases of organ transplantation [7]. It was considered of interest to review a total experience with deep fungal infections in an inpatient population, to compare the types of fungi encountered in the noncompromised and compromised patients, and to analyze specifically
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5-induced laminin γ1 transcription requires filamin A

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) has IGF-1-independent intranuclear effects that are poorly defined. Treatment of cells with IGFBP-5 induces migration, prevents apoptosis, and leads to increased laminin subunit transcription. Similarly, filamin A (FLNa), an actin-binding protein that participates in cell attachment, plays important additional roles in signal transduction and modulation of transcriptional responses. In this report, we show that IGFBP-5 leads to dephosphorylation of FLNa with subsequent FLNa cleavage. Following cleavage, there is enhanced recruitment of Smad3/4 to a C-terminal FLNa fragment with nuclear translocation and subsequent binding to the promoter region of the laminin γ1 (lamc1) gene. FLNa knockdown prevents IGFBP-5-mediated increases in lamc1 transcription. These data indicate that IGFBP-5 induces formation of a FLNa-based nuclear shuttle that recruits transcription factors and regulates transcription of IGFBP-5 target genes. These studies provide new insights into the mechanisms whereby IGFBP-5 and FLNa exert intranuclear effects.
Quality Teacher Induction: “Fourth-Wave” (1997–2006) Induction Programs

The purpose of this essay is to describe quality teacher induction that has evolved from “fourth-wave” (1997–2006) teacher induction program development and research. A definition of quality induction is proposed, and a set of induction goals and components are outlined. Understandings gained from fourth-wave programs are described, including ways in which quality induction programs are delineated by their comprehensive systems of organized, educative mentor assistance, professional development, and formative assessment of novice teachers in their first-through-third years of teaching. More empirical studies are needed on the effects of induction on novice teacher performance and student achievement, and on subject-based and urban teacher induction.
On the reliability of DSRC safety applications: A case of jamming

Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) is the wireless communication protocol of safety applications in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) using Vehicular ad hoc Networks (VANET). Due to the criticality of the ITS the reliability of its safety applications is of great concern. Much research has been dedicated to reliable message exchange in VANET, mainly focusing on the physical and Media Access Control (MAC) layers. In contrast, our research considers reliability from the safety application point of view, as it is adversely affected by malicious behavior, thus shedding light on application layer reliability. Specifically, the wireless communication shared medium can be used by jammers to launch Wireless Denial of Service (WDoS) attacks. This has great implications for Basic Safety Message (BSM), which is the most important message for safety applications as defined in the SAE J2735 Message Set Dictionary Standard. In this paper we study the impact of different jamming types, constant, random, and intelligent, on the reliability of BSM message exchanges. For the research we selected the Forward Collision Warning (FCW), which is one of the identified critical safety applications by the standard. We introduce survivability mechanisms, utilizing the concept of dissimilarity and redundancy, to increase reliability of the application. These mechanisms are strictly compliant with existing standards, and thus do not require any mechanisms outside of the standards. The impact of the different jamming types and the effectiveness of our solutions on the application reliability are demonstrated.
The role of taste in food selection by freshwater zooplankton

Laboratory experiments with flavored and untreated polystyrene spheres revealed major differences in taste discrimination among diverse taxa of freshwater zooplankton. Copepods showed the strongest responses to flavor treatments. Both nauplii and copepodites of calanoid (Diaptomus) and cyclopoid (Cyclops) copepods selected flavored spheres over untreated ones. Moreover, a small cyclopoid, Tropocyclops, actively fed on an alga (Chlamydomonas) but did not ingest untreated spheres of the same size. Taste tests with cladocerans verified an overall tendency to ingest inert particles but also demonstrated important differences between families. Daphnids (4 species), Chydorus (Chydoridae) and Diaphanosoma (Sididae) did not respond to flavor treatments, while 2 species of bosminids selectively ingested flavored spheres. Daphnia also fed nonselectively in mixtures of algae and untreated spheres while Bosmina preferred algae over untreated spheres. Different species of rotifers exhibited 3 distinct responses to the flavor treatments: 1) Brachionus fed nonselectively, 2) Filinia fed preferentially on flavored 6 μm spheres, and 3) Polyarthra, Keratella, Synchaeta, and Noltholca infrequently ingested any spheres.
Genetic control of lipoprotein phenotypes in the laboratory opossum, Monodelphis domestica

Introduction Monodelphis (Monodelphis domestica) shows 20-fold differences, that may be under genetic control, in individual responses to a high-fat challenge diet. Materials and methods Two partially inbred lines of animals were derived by selectively breeding among high responders and low responders and we analysed data from these pedigreed animals and their F1 progeny. A blood sample was taken from each animal while consuming the basal diet (basal sample). Each animal was then fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol challenge diet for 8 weeks prior to collection of a second blood sample (challenge sample). Lipoprotein measurements included cholesterol concentrations of high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C) and low-density lipoproteins (non-HDL-C) and particle size phenotypes for both. Results Quantitative genetic analyses indicated strong heritabilities (range, 0.382–0.827) for each of the eight traits. We also tested for single genes with large effects on each trait (major genes). Segregation analyses provided evidence of major genes for three traits: basal non-HDL-C, challenge non-HDL-C, and challenge HDL-C; no major genes were detected for the lipoprotein size traits. Tests for pleiotropy, using bivariate one-locus segregation analyses, showed that the major locus for challenge HDL-C had no effect on the basal HDL-C and that the major locus for challenge non-HDL-C had no effect on basal non-HDL-C. However, the major gene for basal non-HDL-C did significantly influence challenge non-HDL-C. Conclusion We have found evidence for at least three genes influencing lipoprotein phenotypes under two dietary regimes. Identification of these genes may provide valuable insights into lipoprotein metabolism in other species, including man.
Unfolded protein response genes regulated by CED-1 are required for Caenorhabditis elegans innate immunity.

Summary The endoplasmic reticulum stress response, also known as the unfolded protein response (UPR), has been implicated in the normal physiology of immune defense and in several disorders, including diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease. Here, we show that the apoptotic receptor CED-1 and a network of PQN/ABU proteins involved in a noncanonical UPR response are required for proper defense to pathogen infection in Caenorhabditis elegans . A full-genome microarray analysis indicates that CED-1 functions to activate the expression of pqn/abu genes. We also show that ced-1 and pqn/abu genes are required for the survival of C . elegans exposed to live Salmonella enterica , and that overexpression of pqn/abu genes confers protection against pathogen-mediated killing. The results indicate that unfolded protein response genes, regulated in a CED-1-dependent manner, are involved in the C . elegans immune response to live bacteria.
External lipids of adults of the giant whitefly, Aleurodicus dugesii

Abstract The external lipids of male and female adults of the giant whitefly, Aleurodicus dugesii , were found in three forms; as cuticular lipids, as waxy particles, and only on the females, as waxy filaments. Collectively, the external lipids consisted of long-chain aldehydes, long-chain alcohols and wax esters. Cuticular lipids consisted mainly of wax esters. The major wax esters were C44 (tetracosanyl icosanoate and docosanyl docosanoate) and C46 (mainly triacontanyl hexadecanoate and tetracosanyl docosanoate). Hydrocarbons, largely n -alkanes, were minor components of the cuticular surface lipids. Both sexes produced waxy particles soon after eclosion by breaking off extruding strands (or ribbons) from anterior wax plates on their abdomens; three pair on males and two pair on females. These particles coated the adults and their surroundings. The waxy particles produced by the anterior wax plates of the adults were a mixture of aldehydes and alcohols, predominantly C30. The wax esters were not part of the waxy particles despite being the major lipid class on the cuticular surface. In addition, the adult female has two pair of posterior abdominal wax plates which produce waxy filaments that are broken off during oviposition and form spiral trails on the leaf. These trails appear to function to camouflage the eggs which are laid horizontally in the waxy trail. The lipid obtained from the waxy filaments from the posterior abdominal wax plates of the female was largely wax esters. The predominant wax ester was C46 (mainly triacontanyl hexadecanoate).
Relationship between intercellular permeability and junction organization in the preimplantation mouse embryo.

Abstract Preimplantation mouse embryos were examined for intercellular permeability to molecules of different molecular weights. Using immunosurgery followed by immunofluorescence, none of the eight-cell embryos, approximately 10% of the early morulae, 50% of the late morulae, and 90% of the early blastocysts were found to block nonspecific anti-mouse thymocyte serum from diffusing into intercellular spaces. Diffusion of horseradish peroxidase and microperoxidase into intercellular spaces of viable embryos was also impeded by some morulae and by all early blastocysts maintained on ice. Peroxidase tracers found within the blastocoel cavity of some early blastocysts examined at 37°C appear to be a result of pinocytosis and transcellular movement. Intercellular diffusion of lanthanum into glutaraldehyde-fixed embryos was impeded only by early blastocysts. These results suggest that a permeability seal is established between external cells of the early mouse embryo prior to blastocoel formation. In addition, freeze-fracture electron microscopy revealed a correlated change in zonula occludens junction organization, indicating that formation of an intercellular permeability barrier and subsequent blastocoel formation may depend upon completion of assembly of these junctions.
A General Class of Semiparametric Transformation Frailty Models for Nonproportional Hazards Survival Data

We propose a semiparametrically efficient estimation of a broad class of transformation regression models for non-proportional hazards data. Classical transformation models are to be viewed from a frailty model paradigm, and the proposed method provides a unified approach that is valid for both continuous and discrete frailty models. The proposed models are shown to be flexible enough to model long-term follow-up survival data when the treatment effect diminishes over time, a case for which the proportional hazards or proportional odds assumption is violated, or a situation in which a substantial proportion of patients remains cured after treatment. Estimation of the link parameter in frailty distribution, considered to be unknown and possibly dependent on a time-independent covariates, is automatically included in the proposed methods. The observed information matrix is computed to evaluate the variances of all the parameter estimates. Our likelihood-based approach provides a natural way to construct simple statistics for testing the proportional hazards and proportional odds assumptions for usual survival data or testing the short-term and long-term effects for survival data with a cure fraction. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed inference procedures perform well in realistic settings. Applications to two medical studies are provided.
Stability of Model Membranes in Extreme Environments

The first forms of cellular life required a source of amphiphilic compounds capable of assembling into stable boundary structures. Membranes composed of fatty acids have been proposed as model systems of primitive membranes, but their bilayer structure is stable only within a narrow pH range and low ionic strength. They are particularly sensitive to aggregating effects of divalent cations (Mg+2, Ca+2, Fe+2) that would be present in Archaean sea water. Here we report that mixtures of alkyl amines and fatty acids form vesicles at strongly basic and acidic pH ranges which are resistant to the effects of divalent cations up to 0.1 M. Vesicles formed by mixtures of decylamine and decanoic acid (1:1 mole ratio) are relatively permeable to pyranine, a fluorescent anionic dye, but permeability could be reduced by adding 2 mol% of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon such as pyrene. Permeability to the dye was also reduced by increasing the chain length of the amphiphiles. For instance, 1:1 mole ratio mixtures of dodecylamine and dodecanoic acid were able to retain pyranine dye during and following gel filtration. We conclude that primitive cell membranes were likely to be composed of mixtures of amphiphilic and hydrophobic molecules that manifested increased stability over pure fatty acid membranes.
Ideas for Teaching History and Systems

This article presents some Ideas and activities (reaction journal, intellectual genealogy, textbook comparisons, and multiple timelines) for the history and systems class. Instead of formal testing, students prepared topic summaries that integrated their knowledge from lectures, text, and original articles. These activities can be used to increase the richness of students' experience.
Jermaine: A Critical Case Study of a Gifted Black Child Living in Rural Poverty:

Gifted students exist in the culture of rural poverty; however, these children often are not identified, and schools fail to provide appropriate educational programs, preventing young people from realizing their potential. In this account of a gifted Black child living in an impoverished rural environment, a university researcher and a classroom teacher collaborated in order to describe a young man's creativity, his resilience, his struggle to find a place for himself in his community, and the significant factors that influenced the early formation of a strong self-identity. The findings of the study offer educators helpful suggestions for identifying and addressing the educational needs of gifted Black children living in rural poverty.
Stem-Cell-like Qualities of Immune Memory; CD4+ T Cells Join the Party

Similar to hematopoietic stem cells, memory lymphocytes self-renew, while their clonally expanded effector progeny differentiate to fight infection and tumors. Recently, Muranski et al. (2011) report in Immunity that a subset of Th17 effector cells function as memory cells and retain stem cell properties.
Epidural Morphine for Relief of Postpartum, Postsurgical Pain

Epidural morphine for the relief of postpartum, postsurgical pain has been used as the analgesic of choice at the Medical Center at the University of California in San Francisco, California, since 1980. Maternal benefits observed by nursing staff include prolonged pain relief, uninterrupted bonding, early ambulation, improved respiratory ventilation, reduced sedation, and overall early recovery. Because the analgesic effects of epidural morphine last about 24 hours, nurses must provide close observations and assessments of potential side effects such as respiratory depression, pruritis, nausea/vomiting, and urinary retention.
Effect of Cell Growth on Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Replication and a Mechanism of Cell Confluence-Based Inhibition of HCV RNA and Protein Expression

An intimate relationship between hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication and the physiological state of the host liver cells has been reported. In particular, a highly reproducible and reversible inhibitory effect of high cell density on HCV replication was observed: high levels of HCV RNA and protein can be detected in actively growing cells but decline sharply when the replicon cells reach confluence. Arrested cell growth of confluent cells has been proposed to be responsible for the inhibitory effect. Indeed, other means of arresting cell growth have also been shown to inhibit HCV replication. Here, we report a detailed study of the effect of cell growth and confluence on HCV replication using a flow cytometry-based assay that is not biased against cytostasis and reduced cell number. Although we readily reproduced the inhibitory effect of cell confluence on HCV replication, we found no evidence of inhibition by serum starvation, which arrested cell growth as expected. In addition, we observed no inhibitory effect by agents that perturb the cell cycle. Instead, our results suggest that the reduced intracellular pools of nucleosides account for the suppression of HCV expression in confluent cells, possibly through the shutoff of the de novo nucleoside biosynthetic pathway when cells become confluent. Adding exogenous uridine and cytidine to the culture medium restored HCV replication and expression in confluent cells. These results suggest that cell growth arrest is not sufficient for HCV replicon inhibition and reveal a mechanism for HCV RNA inhibition by cell confluence.
Mineralization of phenanthrene and fluoranthene in yardwaste compost.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the potential of phenanthrene and fluoranthene biodegradation in yardwaste compost materials. These polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons were chosen for this work because they are relatively readily biodegradable and ubiquitous in the environment. Compost samples were incubated in biometers with 14C-labeled phenanthrene and the evolution of 14CO2 was assessed as a measure of mineralization. The 14CO2 evolution varied widely among replicate biometers, possibly as the result of (1) uneven and patchy colonization of phenanthrene-degrading microorganisms on compost particles, and (2) non-uniform dispersion of the labeled substrate spike into the yardwaste microenvironment. Mineralization of phenanthrene reached about 40% extent of 14CO2 evolution at best before leveling off, but the maximum varied from sample to sample and could be as low as 1% after three months. Active mineralization occurred at mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures. Methanol extraction was used to recover 14C from biometer samples that were spiked with 14C-labeled phenanthrene. Extraction for 24–48 h yielded 1–14% recovery of 14C, depending on the length of the preceding incubation. The low extraction yield and relatively low maximum mineralization (<40%) indicated that residual phenanthrene was sorbed and bound within the compost matrix in the biometer. Amendment of biometers with 0.05% Tween 80 or addition of water did not consistently enhance the mineralization. Variability in mineralization was greatly reduced in liquid samples taken from pre-enriched compost samples. Mineralization of 14C-labeled fluoranthene was negligible in biometers but could be stimulated by pre-enrichment with salicylate or naphthalene. Pre-enrichment also accelerated the mineralization of phenanthrene.
Field sampling method for quantifying volatile sulfur compounds from animal feeding operations

Abstract Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) are a major class of chemicals associated with odor from animal feeding operations (AFOs). Identifying and quantifying VSCs in air is challenging due to their volatility, reactivity, and low concentrations. In the present study, a canister-based method collected whole air in fused silica-lined (FSL) mini-canister (1.4 L) following passage through a calcium chloride drying tube. Sampled air from the canisters was removed (10–600 mL), dried, pre-concentrated, and cryofocused into a GC system with parallel detectors (mass spectrometer (MS) and pulsed flame photometric detector (PFPD)). The column effluent was split 20:1 between the MS and PFPD. The PFPD equimolar sulfur response enhanced quantitation and the location of sulfur peaks for mass spectral identity and quantitation. Limit of quantitation for the PFPD and MSD was set at the least sensitive VSC (hydrogen sulfide) and determined to be 177 and 28 pg S, respectively, or 0.300 and 0.048 μg m−3 air, respectively. Storage stability of hydrogen sulfide and methanethiol was problematic in warm humid air (25 °C, 96% relative humidity (RH)) without being dried first, however, stability in canisters dried was still only 65% after 24 h of storage. Storage stability of hydrogen sulfide sampled in the field at a swine facility was over 2 days. The greater stability of field samples compared to laboratory samples was due to the lower temperature and RH of field samples compared to laboratory generated samples. Hydrogen sulfide was the dominant odorous VSCs detected at all swine facilities with methanethiol and dimethyl sulfide detected notably above their odor threshold values. The main odorous VSC detected in aged poultry litter was dimethyl trisulfide. Other VSCs above odor threshold values for poultry facilities were methanethiol and dimethyl sulfide.
Vertical Differentiation with Variety-Seeking Consumers

We analyze price and quality competition in a vertically differentiated duopoly in which consumers have a preference for variety. The preference for variety is a consequence of diminishing marginal utility for repeated experiences with the same product. We find consumer variety seeking can either soften or intensify price competition, depending on the difference in firm qualities and the strength of consumer preference for variety. When the qualities are similar or the consumer preference for variety is strong, prices and profits are higher than would be obtained in the absence of variety seeking. On the other hand, if qualities differ enough or the preference for variety is weak, stronger preferences for variety are associated with more intense price competition and lower profits. When firms set their qualities before competing on price and the range of feasible qualities is restricted such that variety seeking softens competition, competing firms choose to minimally differentiate themselves from each other. The preference for variety can drive the firms to offer multiunit discounts, and the greater price flexibility from these discounts does not necessarily reduce profits relative to simple unit pricing. This paper was accepted by J. Miguel Villas-Boas, marketing.
Alcohol and Tobacco Use in Youth With and Without Chronic Pain

Objective To compare rates of alcohol and tobacco use in youth with and without chronic pain and to identify risk factors for use. Methods Participants included 186 youth (95 mixed chronic pain; 91 without chronic pain; 12-18 years old) who reported current alcohol and tobacco use, pain intensity, activity limitations, loneliness, and depressive symptoms. Results Adolescents with chronic pain were less likely to use alcohol compared with adolescents without chronic pain (7.4% vs. 22%), and as likely to use tobacco (9% vs. 8%). Across groups, youth with higher depressive symptoms, less loneliness, and fewer activity limitations were more likely to endorse alcohol and tobacco use. Exploratory analyses revealed that risk factors for substance use differed among youth with and without chronic pain. Conclusions Chronic pain may not increase risk for tobacco and alcohol use in adolescents. Research is needed to understand use of other substances in this medically vulnerable population.
Design of a foveated imaging system using a two-axis MEMS mirror

We present a novel foveated imaging system which consists of three major components: a foveated imager, a peripheral imager, and a 2D scanning sub-system. The foveated imager captures a narrow field of view (FOV) with high angular resolution to mimic the foveated region of interest (FRoI), and the peripheral imager captures a wide FOV with low angular resolution to provide the peripheral region for context. The scanning system, implemented with a single-element two-axis MEMS mirror, is capable of sweeping the FRoI across the entire FOV at a maximum speed of 100Hz. A bench prototype and experimental results are presented as verifications of our optical design concept and feasibility.
Virus encoding an encephalitogenic peptide protects mice from experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Abstract The association of vital infections with autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) diseases such as post-infectious encephalomyelitis and possibly multiple sclerosis (MS) prompted the investigation to understand how virus infection could modulate autoimmune responses. Recombinant vaccinia viruses encoding an encephalitogenic portion of myelin basic protein (MBP) were evaluated in an animal model for human demyelinating disease, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). We have determined that mice vaccinated with recombinant viruses encoding an encephalitogenic region of MBP were protected from EAE. In vivo depletion of CD8 + T cells did not abrogate this protection, suggesting lack of regulation by this cell type. These studies demonstrate that virus infection may be a means to modulate immune responsiveness to CNS disease.
Privatization, the World Water Crisis, and the Social Contract

To deny someone the right to water is tantamount to denying them the right to life, and to set a price on water is to set a price on life. It comes as no surprise then to find a good amount of anxiety and contention over who gets to set the price of water and how much they charge. And over the past two decades, throughout both the developed and developing world, setting the price of water has fallen increasingly to private companies at the same time as various demographic changes have increased water scarcity. Thus we hear water described simultaneously in terms of both a humanitarian crisis of global proportions—one standard though very rough figure is that more than one billion people lack access to safe drinking water (Davis 2005 , 146; Black 2004 , 28)—and as the “oil of the 21 st century” (Wessel 2005 ).
Efficient Computer-Aided Failure Analysis of Integrated Circuits using Scanning Electron Microscopy

A working, operational system for computer-aided failure analysis of integrated circuits using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) is described. Statistical data analysis and image-processing algorithms are applied to digitized SEM image data. Faults are automatically identified and characterized at the single transistor level. Data-storage requirements for locating and characterizing semiconductor device failures are evaluated. A working, operational method is presented which minimizes these requirements, increases throughput, and permits a high degree of automation.