cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preliminary Spectral and Geologic Analysis of Landsat-4 Thematic Mapper Data, Wind River Basin Area, Wyoming

A Landsat-4 Thematic Mapper (TM) image covering the Wind River Basin area, Wyoming, is under evaluation for stratigraphicand structural mapping, and for assessment of spectral and spatialcharacteristics using the six visible, near-infrared, and short-wavelengthinfrared bands.The image (path 36, row 30, ID # 40128-17232) was acquired on November 21, 1982. The data were obtained from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in radiometrically and geometrically correctedfullscene magnetic-tape format.To estimate equivalent Lambertian surface spectral reflectance, TMradiance data must first be calibrated to remove atmospheric andinstrumental effects. Reflectance measurements for homogeneousnatural and cultural targets in the scene were acquired during the period October 27-November 3, 1983, about one year after satellite dataacquisition. Scatterplots were prepared of image DN versus reflectancefor these sites. The scatterplots show the TM sensor system response islinear for the conditions of image acquisition and for the mix of terraincover types encountered.Low TM offset and gain settings result in encoded spectral data thatdo not occupy the full dynamic range (256 gray levels) of the TM.Calibration data acquired during the study were used to calculate new gainsand offsets that would improve scanner response for Earth scienceapplications.Analysis demonstrates that principal component images provideuseful structural and stratigraphic information. Principal componentscalculated from the correlation matix result from linear transformationsof ground reflectance. In images prepared from this transform, theseparation of spectral classes is largely independent of systematicatmospheric and instrumental factors.
Weight Gain in Older Adolescent Females: The Internet, Sleep, Coffee, and Alcohol

Increases in the prevalence of adolescent overweight during recent decades are extensively documented,1 as are associated health and social consequences.2–3 The rapid rise in prevalence suggests environmental factors are responsible.4 Physical activity has declined, sedentary activities have increased, and widespread changes in dietary patterns have taken place. Admittedly, genes play an important role in the development of obesity,5 but for any particular individual, his or her genes are not modifiable whereas some environmental factors are, though with difficulty. A review of longitudinal studies of weight gain and childhood inactivity included TV/video watching and playing videogames, not Internet time or sleep.6 In a cross-sectional study of adolescent girls, those who spent more time on the computer for email, writing and surfing the Internet were more likely to be overweight.7 Sleep may be displaced by Internet use; cross-sectional studies of children showed associations between less sleep and overweight.8–9 A longitudinal study found that British 3 yr-olds with short sleep duration were 45% more likely to be obese at age 7yr,10 and short sleep duration among US third graders was associated with being overweight in sixth grade.11 Coffee may be partly responsible for reduced sleep time, and thus weight gain, though a study of adolescent girls found no significant association between coffee/tea intakes and BMI.12 Alcoholic beverage intakes rise greatly throughout adolescence, at the same time that coffee use is increasing. A cross-sectional study of 16–17yo girls found significant correlation between high alcohol intake and percent body fat.13 We estimated the correlations among these exposures in adolescent girls, and investigated jointly their associations with BMI change over time. To our knowledge, no longitudinal studies of adolescents have studied any of these exposures with regard to excessive weight gain.
Effects of pre-harvest supplemental chlorate on beef carcass and meat quality

Effects of feeding sodium chlorate on carcass quality, tenderness and color stability were evaluated. Heifers (n=64) were fed chlorate at either 0.01% or 0.05% of body weight (BW) in the last feeding or 0.01% for the last 5d before harvest, while control cattle received no chlorate. During the 12h period between feed withdrawal and transport to the harvest facility, the cattle were provided water containing either no sodium chlorate or sodium chlorate (approximately 30mM). Feed treatments at 0.01% of BW produced higher marbling scores than feeding 0.01% of BW for 5d. However, neither of these treatments produced marbling scores that were different from non-treated controls. Water supplementation increased tenderness in cattle fed 0.01% of BW for 5d, but decreased tenderness in cattle fed 0.05% of BW at the last feeding. Although tenderness differences existed, it is not clear whether or not they were caused by the feed or water treatments or by pre-existing variation in the cattle. Neither feed nor water supplementation affected color stability. These data suggest that chlorate preparations could be used to reduce pathogens without adversely impacting meat quality or display life. However, further research is needed to further substantiate these findings.
Proposed Relationship Between Intravenous Immunoglobulin and Thrombosis in Renal Transplant Recipients

Objective:To report 2 cases of intravenous human immunoglobulin (IVIG)–associated thrombosis in kidney transplant patients.Case Summary:Both cases involved female patients presenting to Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit for renal transplantation. Patient 1 presented with systemic lupus erythematosus, positive for both anticardiolipin and anti-DNA antibody. Patient 2, post nephrectomy, was found to have moderate hyperhomocysteinemia, with a total plasma homocysteine level of 3.9 mg/L. Both patients were considered highly sensitized and at high risk for rejection due to the presence of either high panel reactive antibody or a positive B cell flow cytometry crossmatch, in addition to other risk factors. Therefore, IVIG was considered a viable treatment option to be included in induction therapy. IVIG was administered both peri- and postoperatively, and both patients experienced immediate graft function with good urine output. Within 24 hours following transplantation, elevations in serum creatinine and decrease...
Community-level physiological profiles of bacteria and fungi: plate type and incubation temperature influences on contrasting soils

Temperature sensitivity of community-level physiological profiles (CLPPs) was examined for two semiarid soils from the southwestern United States using five different C-substrate profile microtiter plates (Biolog GN2, GP2, ECO, SFN2, and SFP2) incubated at five different temperature regimes. The CLPPs produced from all plate types were relatively unaffected by these contrasting incubation temperature regimes. Our results demonstrate the ability to detect CLPP differences between similar soils with differing physiological parameters, and these differences are relatively insensitive to incubation temperature. Our study also highlights the importance of using both bacterial and fungal plate types when investigating microbial community differences by CLPP. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether or not the differences in CLPPs generated using these plates reflect actual functional differences in the microbial communities from these soils in situ.
Falsely Elevated Digoxin Level of 45.9 ng/mL Due to Interference from Human Antimouse Antibody

Case Report: We report the case of a 77-year-old man who was admitted to the intensive care unit with a serum digoxin level of 45.9 ng/mL. The patient was hemodynamically stable throughout his hospital course and did not require antidigoxin antibody fragments. The elevated digoxin level was determined by subsequent testing to be falsely elevated by interference from human antimouse antibodies in his serum. A repeat digoxin measurement using an assay not affected by human antimouse antibodies indicated a level of 1.3 ng/mL. Newer digoxin assays are not affected by human antimouse antibody interference, but clinicians should be aware of possible human antimouse antibody interference with older digoxin assays and in other tests utilizing mouse monoclonal antibody reagents.
Application of discrete/continuous signal-theory to discrete-time state-estimation problems for linear dynamical systems with intersample variations of inputs

This paper, a continuation of a discrete/continuous signal-theory presentation (for original paper see C.D. Johnson, ibid., (2003)), describes the application of discrete/continuous (D/C) signal ideas to the problem of discrete-time state-estimation for linear dynamical systems with intersample variations of system inputs. It is shown that the more general D/C signal representation of nonconstant system inputs leads to a new, generalized form of state-estimation algorithm (state-observer; Kalman filter) that can produce improved state-estimation performance compared to traditional discrete-time state-estimation algorithms which use zoh-type representations of system inputs. The results are generalized to include cases of non-periodic [event-driven] sampling.
Service Learning as Scholarship of Engagement and Its Relationship to the Academic Reward Structure

Service-learning is an emerging paradigm in undergraduate education benefitting students, universities, and communities. Students benefit from the practical, hands-on experience of service utilizing the education received through their academic work; universities benefit from the good will and good publicity garnered by successful projects; communities benefit, as service-learning projects often aim to address real and pressing needs. But what of the faculty member whose task it is to identify, formulate and oversee these community projects? In this paper, the argument is made that service-learning projects may potentially provide reward to tenure-track faculty members by inclusion in rank and tenure dossiers. Service-learning projects can be included within the Boyer Model of Scholarship under the scholarship classifications of Application, Teaching, or Engagement. The paper concentrates particularly on the Engagement classification. Additionally, risks to the faculty member choosing to use service-learning as a promotion or tenure tool are discussed. The authors’ own service-learning activities are described and discussed as an example.
Neighbors, Friends, and Other Nonkin Caregivers of Community-Living Dependent Elders

OBJECTIVES: To describe naturally occurring care relationships between unpaid, nonprofessional, nonkin (unrelated) caregivers and frail community-living older adults. METHODS: Face-to-face, semistructured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 114 caregivers and care recipients recruited from the community through a variety of organizations. Standard techniques for thematic analysis of qualitative data were used along with descriptive and other statistics as appropriate for numerate data. RESULTS: Nonkin caregiving proved to be heterogeneous in initiation of relationship, form, duration, tasks performed, and association with family caregivers. Partnerships ranged from 0.1 to 57 years in duration, with just over half (58%) starting with the provision of care. Many caregivers (47%) were themselves older adults, aged 65 or older. There was little variation in what motivated or rewarded caregivers, many of whom felt morally obligated to help. More than half the sample used kin terms to characterize their relationship. Four distinct styles of relationship were discerned, varying by degree of emotional intimacy and types of assistance given. All relationships, however, involved socializing and help with at least two instrumental tasks of daily life. DISCUSSION: This kind of caregiving is important for sustaining community living for about 10% of frail elderly persons. A greater understanding is needed, from both theoretical and practical perspectives, of when and how nonkin relationships are beneficial and why they in many ways successfully mirror the actions and sentiments of family caregivers.
Multifunction acousto-optic signal processor

A novel 2D acousto-optic processor is introduced for a variety of 2D signal processing tasks that include ambiguity function and range-doppler processing, 2D raster format high resolution signal spectrum analysis, and triple correlation function generation. The optical design is based on an optically efficient, in-line, high stability, 2D interferometer using four acousto-optic devices. Via the simple technique of Bragg cell carrier offset adjustments, the processor can generate the desired interferometric output on a chosen spatial carrier that is required for bias removal and electronic post-processing. The processor has bandwidth limitations based on the type of Bragg cells used in the system.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Participatory action research for high school students: Transforming policy, practice, and the personal with social justice education

The authors discuss how participatory action research (PAR) informs the pedagogy and epistemology of the social justice education. PAR facilitates students’ engagement in their social context and acquisition of knowledge to initiate personal and social transformation. The scope of research contains knowledge about social justice issues negatively influencing the students’ experiences. This knowledge is essential for what has been described as social justice youth development in which young people participate in practices geared toward achieving an egalitarian world with safe, vibrant neighborhoods that support healthy,positive youth identities.The article is based on program evaluation data collected for progress reports mandated by the project’s financial backers. Funding supports technical assistance provided by the university in the way of teaching students qualitative research methods. The authors’ roles involve both assisting the course instructor with teaching methodologies and collecting data for e...
Rate-distortion optimized video streaming using conditional packet delay distributions

We introduce a formulation for the rate-distortion optimized transmission scheduling of packetized video that incorporates a new, more accurate model for Internet packet delay and loss. The model assumes that delays at successive transmission times form a 1st order Markov random process. The model uses feedback to learn about delays in the recent past, and finds delay distributions for later transmissions by chaining together approximated conditional delay distributions. In prior work, this model has proved to be more accurate than the iid /spl Gamma/ delay model commonly used for rate-distortion optimized streaming. In this work, we show how to use the new delay and loss model to perform rate-distortion optimized packet transmission scheduling. Our results show a more than 1 dB gain in scheduling performance for our new delay model over the iid /spl Gamma/ model, for streaming simulations conducted with measured Internet delay and loss traces.
Factors associated with lowercase alphabet naming in kindergarteners

We investigated five hypotheses related to the successful naming of lowercase letters. Participants included 5,020 first-time kindergarteners from economically disadvantaged homes who previously attended publicly funded preschools. Results analyzed using three-level logistic regression showed that children have a higher probability of correctly identifying letters that appear in their own name and letters that appear frequently in print. In addition, lowercase letter shape similarity to its uppercase counterpart and letter order were also associated with the correct identification of the letter. Finally, if a lowercase letter had a visual and phonological resemblance to other letters, students had a lower probability of identifying the letter correctly. Implications for instruction are discussed.
Data mining in geosciences

In this paper we discuss various aspects of data mining in geosciences. We provide overview of data formats, public datasets and data mining algorithms that can be used for knowledge discovery in geoscience data.
High affinity DNA-binding Myc analogs: Recognition by an α helix

Myc and other basic-helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (b-HLH-ZIP) proteins bind the sequence CACGTG. Exhaustive mutagenesis in the basic domain identified four amino acids critical for DNA binding with spacing suggestive of an alpha-helical face. Surprisingly, two highly conserved amino acids were nonessential for DNA binding. Circular dichroism demonstrated a DNA-induced alpha-helical transition. A series of analogs were constructed with multiple simultaneous alanine substitutions at nonessential positions and a critical lysine for arginine substitution. In this way 35-fold higher specific affinity for CACGTG was obtained as compared with the basic domain of c-Myc. These b-HLH-ZIP proteins appear to bind the same palindromic sequence and may compete for common sites in vivo. Additionally, a C-terminal basic region clamp motif was identified that was also identifiable in crystal structures from several different families of DNA-binding factors.
D-LSMA: distributed link scheduling multiple access protocol for QoS in ad-hoc networks

The paper presents a novel medium access control (MAC) protocol for QoS support in multi-hop ad-hoc wireless networks. The proposed D-LSMA (distributed link scheduling multiple access) protocol uses an extension of the 802.11 CSMA/CA procedure as the basis for a distributed link scheduling algorithm which results in dynamic TDMA-like bandwidth allocation among neighboring wireless nodes without the need for global synchronization. In addition to supporting QoS, the proposed scheduling technique also solves the "exposed node" problem in ad-hoc 802.11, thus resulting in improved throughput in many scenarios. Simulation results from an ns-2 model are presented for a 15-node random ad-hoc network. The results demonstrate significant performance improvements relative to ad-hoc 802.11, with capacity increases typically /spl sim/20% for the example considered. Also, the D-LSMA network is shown to offer far better real-time packet delay and fairness properties than 802.11, particularly under overload and heavy contention conditions.
A New Decision-Diagram-Based Method for Efficient Analysis on Multistate Systems

Multistate systems can model many practical systems in a wide range of real applications. A distinct characteristic of these systems is that the systems and their components may assume more than two levels of performance (or states), varying from perfect operation to complete failure. The nonbinary property of multistate systems and their components makes the analysis of multistate systems difficult. This paper proposes a new decision-diagram-based method, called multistate multivalued decision diagrams (MMDD), for the analysis of multistate systems with multistate components. Examples show how the MMDD models are generated and evaluated to obtain the system-state probabilities. The MMDD method is compared with the existing binary decision diagram (BDD)-based method. Empirical results show that the MMDD method can offer less computational complexity and simpler model evaluation algorithm than the BDD-based method.
Thymidylate Kinase - An Nmr Based Approach For Drug Discovery

Thymidylate kinases (TMKs) play a central role in the production of nucleotide precursors that are required for the replication of DNA. Consequently, this enzyme is a potential drug target for the discovery of anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic drugs. In addition, TMKs are also involved in the activation of prodrugs. In particular, the anti-HIV drug AZT is activated by human TMK (huTMK) and the low efficiency of huTMK towards AZT is a significant problem in the use of AZT in the treatment of HIV. Finally, nucleotide precursors are required in large amounts by cancerous cells, thus the inhibition of huTMK by chemotherapeutic agents may enhanced the arsenal of drugs that are used to treat cancer. Although there has been some effort to develop inhibitors of TMKs, these efforts have been hampered by the difficulty in performing high throughput screening using compound libraries. In addition, the characterization of TMK-drug complexes has been limited to X-ray diffraction studies which provide static information about the enzyme-drug complex. There have been no attempts to apply high-resolution multi-nuclear NMR techniques to determine the fundamental dynamic properties of these enzymes and how the structure and dynamics of the enzyme are altered by the binding of substrates or inhibitors. As a preliminary step in characterizing these enzymes by NMR we have over-expressed TMKs from yeast, human, and two pathogens - Plasmodium falciparum and Candida albicans. Expression of these TMKs was optimized by the design of synthetic genes for expression in bacteria. In the case of the human enzyme, we are able to routinely produce 250 mg of the enzyme/L of culture. Preliminary NMR spectra of the yeast, human, and plasmodium enzyme show that the protein is a homo-dimer in solution, as anticipated from X-ray studies. The amide and methyl spectra are well resolved, indicating that resonance assignment by traditional TROSY based methods will be feasible for both the amides and the methyl resonances. In particular the high sensitivity and dispersion of the methyl spectra will facilitate characterization of the dynamic properties of these enzymes by carbon and deuterium relaxation. Ligand induced changes in the dynamics and structure of huTMK in solution will be characterized using NMR methods. These studies will provide additional insights into the inability to huTMK to effectively activate AZT. The entropic component of the thermodynamics of substrate binding to TMK from the parasite that causes malaria will also be characterized by determining dynamic changes by NMR methods. The development of NMR methods to study these enzymes also provides a method for high throughput screening of compound libraries by detecting chemical shift changes in the NMR spectral of the enzyme due to binding of a potential lead compound.
Species Effects on Ecosystem Processes

The nature and diversity of species traits and the interactions among organisms strongly affect ecosystems. This chapter describes the patterns of species effects on ecosystem processes.
Tear Strength of Black-Filled Natural Rubber Crosslinked via Conventional and Efficient Sulfur Cures

Abstract Two common types of sulfur cures for diene elastomers are so-called conventional and efficient systems. It is widely thought that the former results in higher tear strength, when vulcanizates are compared at the same crosslink density. However, using data taken from the literature, this behavior is shown to occur at higher crosslink density, while the opposite is true at lower crosslink density.
The design and performance of an automated observer deployment system for the Northeastern United States groundfish fishery

Abstract Historically, a dock intercept process was used to deploy observers in the Northeastern United States groundfish fishery. In this process, the selection of which fishing trips received observer coverage was manually accomplished using pre-defined specifications established by the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center. In May 2010, the management of the northeast groundfish fishery underwent major changes affecting the magnitude and complexity of observer deployment. These changes included: (a) a shift from input controls to a quota based catch-share system; (b) an approximate four-fold increase in the level of observer coverage; and (c) introduction of a new class of trained observers. The manual dock intercept process was insufficient to adequately address these new provisions and an automated observer deployment system, the Pre-Trip Notification System (PTNS), was implemented in the Northeastern United States groundfish fishery on 1 May 2010. The PTNS uses a self-adjusting probability-based, tiered selection process to randomly assign observer coverage across the groundfish fleet on a proportional basis for the purpose of monitoring discards. In this paper, we discuss the general design and performance of the PTNS over the first three years of use with a specific focus the self-adjusting properties of the system, and the impacts of vessel compliance.
Corporate change and integration as a result of a merger : an analysis of organizational culture within a large full-service law firm.

CORPORATE CHANGE AND INTEGRA nON AS A RESULT OF A MERGER: AN ANALYSIS OF ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE WITHIN A LARGE FULL-SERVICE LAW FIRM Ilker H. Onen November 17,2004 Previous research on organizational mergers has found that such a business activity bears an effect upon the structural and cultural foundations of organizations. Whether combining intellectual resources or capital, mergers combine workforces that have operated within very unique historical settings. This research focused on a merger between two law firms and the subsequent acquisition of an additional fiml. Interviews with a random stratified sample of employees were conducted to gain insight on the cultural aspects of workforce integration. Throughout the research, culture and structure were used as interrelated aspects when addressing the merger. The main result of the research revealed how the employees of three different organizations accustomed to different cultural and structuraillegacies were affected by workforce integration. With the conclusion of the study, an additional research setting is offered to a growing area of academic interest.
Using Robotics to Improve Retention and Increase Comprehension in Introductory Programming Courses

Several college majors, outside of computer science, require students to learn computer programming. Many students have difficulty getting through the programming sequence and ultimately change majors or drop out of college. To deal with this problem, active learning techniques were developed and implemented in a freshman programming logic and design course with the support of a 5-year $2-million Title III “Strengthening Institutions” grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This course includes a robotic component allowing students to own their learning and to collaborate in authentic and productive ways in the classroom. This article discusses the preliminary work and results from that course.
Justice Blackmun and the Good Physician

Justice Blackmun made unique contributions to law and medicine. In particular, he had a vision of the relationship between doctors and patients that respected both the professional integrity of the physician and the autonomy of the patient. Examination of several of Justice Blackmun's opinions yields a nuanced view of the complex ties between professional care givers and the patients whom they serve. In particular, the Justice valued maintaining the confidentiality of medical information, respecting the role played by allied health professionals in providing comprehensive care to patients, and ensuring that patients give informed consent to medical care. Most important, Justice Blackmun saw the patient as a whole person rather than as an assortment of disease processes. Justice Blackmun's sense of the individuality of patients and his compassion for those who had limited access to care gave him a powerful vision of the relationship between patients and physicians. His appreciation for the complexities of modern medicine was even more complete because his understanding of quantitative data gave him an unusual appreciation for the physician's obligation to tailor medicine to public health ends. The Justice's empirical jurisprudence, as evidenced in his opinions in Barefoot v. Estelle and McCleskey v. Kemp, demonstrates an ease with statistics and an understanding of the principles that govern the practices of evidence-based medicine and epidemiology. Justice Blackmun's unique perspective on physicians' obligations both to the individual patients for whom they care and to populations and public health made him appreciate the tensions between the physician's obligations to individual patients and his obligations to society.
Stakeholder Capitalism and Convergent Technologies

Technologies such as artificial-general-intelligence, nanotechnology and synthetic-biology are often considered to be emergent, but they are also convergent. Accordingly, one might expect that the principles of ethical governance would be essentially the same for all of them. It is duly argued in this paper that (i) those ethical principles are already embodied in the global stakeholder model (or variant of capitalism), and (ii) scientists and technologists who are employed by private corporations are in a good position to influence a wider transition towards stakeholder capitalism. More generally, there is a pressing need to inject scientific habits-of-thought into global governance and co-production processes.
Dilapidated Buildings as Symbols of the Breakdown of the American Dream in Gish Jen's TYPICAL AMERICAN

In her article examining Gish Jen's Typical American, Cristina Cheveresan states: “[New York] seems inextricably linked to and responsible for the shaping of human destinies” (117). Her examination...
Intracellular Requirements for Passive Proton Transport through the Na+,K+-ATPase

The Na+,K+-ATPase (NKA or Na/K pump) hydrolyzes one ATP to exchange three intracellular Na+ (Na+i) for two extracellular K+ (K+o) across the plasma membrane by cycling through a set of reversible transitions between phosphorylated and dephosphorylated conformations, alternately opening ion-binding sites externally (E2) or internally (E1). With subsaturating [Na+]o and [K+]o, the phosphorylated E2P conformation passively imports protons generating an inward current (IH), which may be exacerbated in NKA-subunit mutations associated with human disease. To elucidate the mechanisms of IH, we studied the effects of intracellular ligands (transported ions, nucleotides, and beryllium fluoride) on IH and, for comparison, on transient currents measured at normal Na+o (QNa). Utilizing inside-out patches from Xenopus oocytes heterologously expressing NKA, we observed that 1) in the presence of Na+i, IH and QNa were both activated by ATP, but not ADP; 2) the [Na+]i dependence of IH in saturating ATP showed K0.5,Na = 1.8 ± 0.2 mM and the [ATP] dependence at saturating [Na+]i yielded K0.5,ATP = 48 ± 11 μM (in comparison, Na+i-dependent QNa yields K0.5,Na = 0.8 ± 0.2 mM and K0.5,ATP = 0.43 ± 0.03 μM; 3) ATP activated IH in the presence of K+i (∼15% of the IH observed in Na+i) only when Mg2+i was also present; and 4) beryllium fluoride induced maximal IH even in the absence of nucleotide. These data indicate that IH occurs when NKA is in an externally open E2P state with nucleotide bound, a conformation that can be reached through forward Na/K pump phosphorylation of E1, with Na+i and ATP, or by backward binding of K+i to E1, which drives the pump to the occluded E2(2K), where free Pi (at the micromolar levels found in millimolar ATP solutions) promotes external release of occluded K+ by backdoor NKA phosphorylation. Maximal IH through beryllium-fluorinated NKA indicates that this complex mimics ATP-bound E2P states.
Publicando el placer: los gestos queer en la música y el performance de Kumbia Queers y Krudas Cubensi

La tension que ha surgido del discurso nacional relacionada con las fronteras del cuerpo y la sexualidad ha impulsado simultaneamente un empuje hacia la homonormatividad y tambien una explicita expresion de la sexualidad transgresiva queer . Este analisis se enfoca en dos grupos musicales que invierten la retorica gay neoliberal, homonormativa, que se basa en el dolor, la lucha, y el rechazo y, en cambio, resaltan el placer, el deseo, y el goce como principales caracteristicas de la identidad queer. Kumbia Queers, grupo musical de cumbia-punk de Mexico y Argentina, y Krudas Cubensi, grupo hip hop de Cuba, invierten generos musicales, papeles de genero, y expectativas homonormativas para centralizar el cuerpo, la sensualidad y el placer en su proyecto socio-politico. Este capitulo muestra como estos dos grupos musicales articulan una identidad transgresiva como inseparable del deseo y el goce en oposicion a la tendencia del movimiento gay neoliberal que se enfoca en la asimilacion de los homosexuales a la sociedad dominante: normativa, clase media y blanca. A traves de su letra, poesia y performance, estos dos grupos re-situan el discurso queer a uno localizado en el cuerpo y el placer.
Abstract 086: Estrogen Replacement Downregulates Cardiac Angiotensin II in an ACE-independent Manner in Oophorectomized mRen2.Lewis Rats

The cardioprotective effects of estrogen are well recognized, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. Accumulating evidence suggests that the local cardiac renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in the development and progression of left ventricle (LV) remodeling and diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). Estrogen attenuates the effects of an activated circulating RAS, however, its role in regulating the cardiac RAS is unclear. We hypothesized that estrogen replacement limits the development of the LVDD phenotype after ovarian hormone loss by shifting the RAS from the pro-fibrotic angiotensin II (Ang II)/ Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R)/converting enzyme (ACE) and aldosterone pathway to the anti-fibrotic, Ang-(1-7)/Mas/ACE2 pathway. Bilateral oophorectomy (OVX; n=17) or sham-operation (Sham; n=13) was performed in 4-week-old, female mRen2.Lewis rats. At 11 weeks of age, after the development of exacerbated hypertension, the rats were randomized and received either 17 β-estradiol (E2, 36 μg/pellet, 60 day release, n=8) or vehicle (OVX-V, n=9) for 4 weeks. E2 treatment attenuated the adverse effects of estrogen loss on tissue Doppler-derived diastolic indices, e′ and E/e′, without changing blood pressure. E2 treatment minimized the rise in circulating Ang II and aldosterone, following OVX. Chronic E2 also attenuated OVX-associated increases in cardiac Ang II, Ang-(1-7), and chymase expression, and in mast cell number as determined by real-time PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemical analyses. Neither OVX nor OVX+E2 altered cardiac expression of AT1R, or gene expression and activity of cardiac ACE. E2 treatment in OVX rats significantly decreased gene expression of MMP-9, ACE2, and Ang-(1-7) mas receptor, in comparison to sham-operated, intact and OVX littermates. In conclusion, E2 treatment inhibits upsurges in cardiac Ang II expression in the OVX-mRen2 rat, possibly in a non-ACE-dependent manner. Further studies are warranted to determine whether an E2-mediated reduction in cardiac chymase directly contributes to this response in OVX rats.
Exploring the association between renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and myeloid malignancies.

e13073Background: We observed several patients with a personal history of both RCC and myeloid malignancy, and aimed to explore a possible association, especially given the similarity in their epig...
Ceftriaxone reduces alcohol intake in outbred rats while upregulating xCT in the nucleus accumbens core

Alcohol addiction is a chronic disease characterized by an inability to regulate drinking. A critical brain region involved in alcohol consumption is the nucleus accumbens (NA). Glutamate transmission in this region regulates alcohol consumption and relapse to alcohol-seeking. Across multiple alcohol-administration rodent models, basal extracellular glutamate levels are increased in the NA during early withdrawal. Glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) and system xC-, containing the subunit xCT, regulate NA glutamate levels. Ceftriaxone (Cef) increases expression and function of both transporters following extinction from cocaine self-administration and here we sought to determine if Cef would similarly decrease alcohol consumption while increasing xCT and GLT-1 in the NA core. We used the intermittent access to alcohol (IAA) paradigm to induce drinking in outbred Sprague-Dawley rats; this paradigm permits rats access to alcohol (20%v/v) for 24-h without water deprivation, followed by 24-h of abstinence. Following 17 24-h drinking sessions, Cef treatment (200mg/kg IP) was initiated and continued for 5days while a control group received vehicle (0.9% saline IP). Alcohol consumption was assessed for two 24-h periods during Cef and two 24-h periods after cessation of Cef treatment. In a separate cohort of rats, Cef's ability to alter blood alcohol levels (BALs) after a non-contingent alcohol injection (1g/kg) was assessed. We found that Cef decreased alcohol consumption during the period of Cef treatment and on the two days following injections, and this was accompanied by an increase in NA core xCT expression. Furthermore, a history of alcohol consumption did not alter xCT and GLT-1 expression relative to alcohol-naive controls. Cef did not alter BALs, indicating that the reduction in alcohol consumption was not caused by altered alcohol clearance. These results indicate that while Cef reduces alcohol consumption in outbred rats, its ability to do so is not associated with an increase in GLT-1 expression.
Muscarinic receptor activated Ca2+ channels in non-excitable cells.

Publisher Summary This chapter provides preliminary characterization of a single channel Ca2+ conductance in CHO cells and demonstrates that the channel conducts Ca2+ is regulated by m5 receptors, is voltage independent, has an extremely low conductance, and is second messenger-independent. The physiological consequences of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor stimulation are determined by the receptor subtype, as well as the compliment of signal transduction proteins expressed within a cell. Muscarinic receptors utilize a variety of effector enzymes and ion channels to generate intracellular second messengers leading to a final biological response. This channel may be the receptor-operated channel required for downstream activation of several signaling events. It is possible that the receptor activated and Ca2+ influx-dependent phospholipases are integral membrane proteins located adjacent to receptors and channels. The phospholipases may also translocate to the membrane following the activation, where they would gain access to the continuous Ca2+ flow. Purification and cloning of this and other related channels should provide better insight into their role in cell signaling.
Beyond argumentation: Sense-making discourse in the science classroom

This chapter considers argumentation in science education in the larger context of discourse in science classrooms. While there has been a great deal of discussion and emphasis in science education research in the past decade on argumentation, this has come somewhat at the expense of a broader view of science discourse. While argumentation is clearly a critical component to the development of new knowledge in any field, there is much discipline specific discourse that falls outside of the area of argumentation. This broader use of discourse processes that we describe as sense making, is also critical to students’ development of a rich understanding of the cultural practices of science.
IL-11 Induces Th17-Cell Responses in Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) (P5.338)

Objective: To characterize the role of IL-11 in the development of the autoimmune response in RRMS. Background: IL-11 is the most upregulated cytokine in the serum and CSF of patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of MS and, which in the in-vitro studies induces Th17-cell differentiation. Methods: Intracellular cytokine staining was performed in PBMC and CSF samples from 6 untreated RRMS patients. Brain biopsy tissue obtained from 5 MS patients during diagnostic workup was used for immunohistochemistry studies. 44 SJL mice with PLP139-151-induced RREAE received one dose of IL-11 (25 ug/kg) i.p. or saline during the first or second clinical flare-up. 16 h later mice were sacrificed, and blood, spleen, lymph nodes, spinal cord and brain tissue was used for the intracellular cytokine staining, gene expression studies and ELISA cytokine measurements. Results: The percentage of IL-11 and IL-17A-expressing CD4+ T-cells was significantly increased in CSF (47.2[percnt]) from the RRMS patients in comparison to the corresponding blood sample (6.6[percnt]). The percentage of IL-11+CD4+ T-cells positively correlated with the percentage of IL-17A+CD4+ cells in blood samples. Immunohistochemistry studies of the active MS lesions revealed that 62.8[percnt] of CD4+ cells expressed IL-11, and 65.9[percnt] CD4+ cells expressed IL-17A. In EAE studies, IL-11 administration significantly increased the clinical disease activity, as well as the amount of the inflammatory infiltrates in the spinal cord. IL-11 administration during the first relapse increased the percentage of IL-17A+CD4+ cells in PBMCs and the spinal cord inflammatory infiltrates, while the IL-11 administration during the second relapse increased the percentage of IL-17A+CD4+ cells in PBMCs, spleen and spinal cord cell infiltrates. Conclusions: Our study has demonstrated that IL-11+CD4+ T cells accumulate in the CSF and active brain MS lesions. Studies of mice with RREAE confirmed the causal role of IL-11 in the induction of Th17 responses. Disclosure: Dr. Markovic Plese has received personal compensation for activities with Genzyme Inc. Dr. Zhang has received personal compensation for activities with EMD Serono. Dr. Khan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zelasky has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kurtoglu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cohen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Miller has nothing to disclose. Dr Sobel has received research support from the National Institutes of Health.
The Effect of Storm Driver and Intensity on Magnetospheric Ion Temperatures

Energy deposited in the magnetosphere during geomagnetic storms drives ion heating and convection. Ions are also heated and transported via internal processes throughout the magnetosphere. Injection of the plasma sheet ions to the inner magnetosphere drives the ring current and, thus, the storm intensity. Understanding the ion dynamics is important to improving our ability to predict storm evolution. In this study, we perform superposed epoch analyses of ion temperatures during storms, comparing ion temperature evolution by storm driver and storm intensity. The ion temperatures are calculated using energetic neutral atom measurements from the Two Wide-Angle Imaging Neutral-Atom Spectrometers (TWINS) mission. The global view of these measurements provide both spatial and temporal information. We find that storms driven by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) tend to have higher ion temperatures throughout the main phase than storms driven by corotating interaction regions (CIRs) but that the temperatures increase during the recovery phase of CIR-driven storms. Ion temperatures during intense CME-driven storms have brief intervals of higher ion temperatures than those during moderate CME-driven storms but have otherwise comparable ion temperatures. The highest temperatures during CIR-driven storms are centered at 18 magnetic local time and occur on the dayside for moderate CME-driven storms. During the second half of the main phase, ion temperatures tend to decrease in the postmidnight to dawn sector for CIR storms, but an increase is observed for CME storms. This increase begins with a sharp peak in ion temperatures for intense CME storms, likely a signature of substorm activity that drives the increased ring current.
A Precise Cdk Activity Threshold Determines Passage through the Restriction Point.

At the restriction point (R), mammalian cells irreversibly commit to divide. R has been viewed as a point in G1 that is passed when growth factor signaling initiates a positive feedback loop of Cdk activity. However, recent studies have cast doubt on this model by claiming R occurs prior to positive feedback activation in G1 or even before completion of the previous cell cycle. Here we reconcile these results and show that whereas many commonly used cell lines do not exhibit a G1 R, primary fibroblasts have a G1 R that is defined by a precise Cdk activity threshold and the activation of cell-cycle-dependent transcription. A simple threshold model, based solely on Cdk activity, predicted with more than 95% accuracy whether individual cells had passed R. That a single measurement accurately predicted cell fate shows that the state of complex regulatory networks can be assessed using a few critical protein activities.
An interactive big data processing/visualization framework

Big data applications continue to grow in number and are challenging our computing capabilities. Given the rate of data collection, which grows exponentially, we need enhanced software solutions to analyze this mountain of data. As data visualization becomes critical in analytics, we want to provide engineers and scientists with the ability to explore their datasets interactively, providing state-of-the-art machine learning analysis in a timely fashion. In this paper, we present our NICE framework, which provides interactive visualization/analytics of large datasets. The framework has been developed leveraging the best practices in software engineering standards. Our framework is composed of three parts: a computing engine in C++ and CUDA as backend, a Python-to-C++ support end-to-end communication and zero-overhead data transfer, and a Python front-end developed for visualization. We leverage optimized software libraries for BLAS operations, Python-C++ interactions, and acceleration. We also developed several efficient machine learning algorithms to support interactive data analytics, targeting both multi-core CPUs and many-core GPUs.
Self-disclosure in biblical perspective.

In recent years there has been a strong emphasis in mental health circles on the value of honesty and openness in interpersonal relationships. This emphasis has had considerable influence on evange...
Veterans' Perspectives on Fitbit Use in Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: An Interview Study.

Background: The increase in availability of patient data through consumer health wearable devices and mobile phone sensors provides opportunities for mental health treatment beyond traditional self-report measurements. Previous studies have suggested that wearables can be effectively used to benefit the physical health of people with mental health issues, but little research has explored the integration of wearable devices into mental health care. As such, early research is still necessary to address factors that might impact integration including patients' motivations to use wearables and their subsequent data. Objective: The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of patients’ motivations to use or not to use wearables devices during an intensive treatment program for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). During this treatment, they received a complementary Fitbit. We investigated the following research questions: How did the veterans in the intensive treatment program use their Fitbit? What are contributing motivators for the use and nonuse of the Fitbit? Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews with 13 veterans who completed an intensive treatment program for PTSD. We transcribed and analyzed interviews using thematic analysis. Results: We identified three major motivations for veterans to use the Fitbit during their time in the program: increase self-awareness, support social interactions, and give back to other veterans. We also identified three major reasons certain features of the Fitbit were not used: lack of clarity around the purpose of the Fitbit, lack of meaning in the Fitbit data, and challenges in the veteran-provider relationship. Conclusions: To integrate wearable data into mental health treatment programs, it is important to understand the patient’s perspectives and motivations in using wearables. We also discuss how the military culture and PTSD may have contributed to our participants' behaviors and attitudes toward Fitbit usage. We conclude with possible approaches for integrating patient-generated data into mental health treatment settings that may address the challenges we identified.