cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Digitalizing Tradition: Staging Postcolonial Elite School Identities in the Online Environment

This chapter probes deeply into the tangled historicities that animate British-bequeathed elite schools now operating in new competitive transnational educational markets in selected post-developmental states. The scenarios of this competition are increasingly moving online in photo and video-sharing websites such as YouTube, Facebook and Flicker and in the websites that individual schools are creating to consecrate their school heritages. Drawing from data gathered in a nine-country international study of schools across the world, the theoretical and methodological emphasis in this chapter is on extending the ethnographic focus of this research to a discursive and textual analysis of an emerging digital environment. We examine closely the work that elite institutions in two specific postcolonial societies are doing with their historical archives, preserved cultural objects, architecture, emblems, mottos and their school curricula as they marshal these cultural resources at the crossroads of profound change precipitated by globalization and attendant neoliberal imperatives. This change is articulated across the whole gamut of global forces, connections, and aspirations. It is in relation to and through these dynamics that postcolonial elite schools must now position and reposition themselves – acting and intervening in and responding to new globalizing circumstances that often cut at right angles to the historical narratives and the very social organization of these educational institutions with legacies linked to England. Globalizing developments have precipitated efforts on the part of these schools to mobilize their rich heritages and pasts as a material resource and not simply as a matter of indelible and inviolate tradition. History, then, we maintain in this context, cannot be reduced to the realm of epiphenomena of securely linear school chronologies. Instead, drawing on Walter Benjamin’s “Theses,” we look at the way in which postcolonial school histories are “active in the present” and the way in which schools in India and Barbados are adroitly and selectively managing their school identities in the light of globalization. The results of these interventions are not guaranteed. They often run up against the revolution of rising expectations of school youngsters and their parents, the taste for global cultures and global futures indicative of the global ambitions of the young, and the pressures of alumni and other stakeholder interests which must be navigated.
SOME ASPECTS OF SULFUR-INDUCED EMBRITTLEMENT OF STEELS AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

ABSTRACT Recent evidence that sulfur re-distribution can lead to brittle behavior in ferritic and austenitic steels which have been heated to high austenitizing temperatures and rapidly cooled is reviewed. The brittle behavior can take the form of either intergranular cavitation or truly brittle intergranular decohesion, the mechanism of which is discussed. Cracking due to these factors can occur in the heat-affected zones of welds or in stainless steels in which sigma phase is formed in service. It appears that these problems can be treated by sulfur removal or scavenging by rare earths and by not allowing the creep strength of ferritic steels to be higher than necessary.
Post-orchiectomy adjuvant therapy versus surveillance for stage IS testicular cancer.

406Background: To assess contemporary treatment patterns and survival for stage IS testicular cancer. Methods: Using the National Cancer Data Base, we identified 1,362 patients with AJCC stage IS testicular cancer (seminoma or non-seminoma) treated between 2004-2012 with either adjuvant therapy (AT) or initial surveillance. AT was defined as the receipt of chemotherapy, radiotherapy (RT), or retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) as part of first line treatment after orchiectomy. Annual percent change (APC) in the use of AT was calculated and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of receiving AT. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW)-adjusted Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analyses were used to compare overall survival (OS) between AT and initial surveillance groups. All analyses were stratified according to histologic type. Results: Overall, there were 581 (43%) and 781 (57%) men with seminoma and non-seminoma, respectively. Among men w...
The networked peace: Intergovernmental organizations and international conflict

Existing work has shown that membership in intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) can, among other outcomes, reduce conflict, promote democratization, and shape crisis bargaining. The traditional approach to studying how IGOs can reduce conflict has focused on the effects of dyads’ direct ties to IGOs. In doing so, these analyses use fairly simple counts of the number of IGOs to which the states in each dyad share membership. We argue that this approach is too narrow; we instead consider the effects of higher-order groupings within the IGO network, which we call IGO clusters. Within these IGO clusters, states share relatively many IGO connections with each other, both directly and through indirect links through third parties, fourth parties, and so on. The effects of indirect IGO ties are especially important within such structures. We use a modularity maximization approach to detect clusters within the IGO network. We find robust empirical support for our hypothesis that the pacifying effect of IGO membe...
Abstract 18641: An m-Health Application of Daily Text Messages to Address Forgetfulness as Contributor to Non-adherence to Medications Post-myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Forgetfulness has been consistently identified as a contributor to non-adherence to medications. In post myocardial infarction (MI) patients, up to 50% of patients may remain non-adhe...
Abstract #3070: Reduced PIAS3 levels in T47D breast cancer cells promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and generates stem-like cells

PIAS3 is an E3-like SUMO ligase that alters activity of several transcription factors involved in breast cancer. Our lab has recently shown that PIAS3 is upregulated in primary tumors and may contribute to primary tumor growth in part to its effects on prolactin-mediated signaling. Specifically, overexpression of PIAS3 has been shown to enhance PRL-mediated effects on factors that contribute to proliferation (CyclinD1, CISH) and survival (Bcl-6) while decreasing markers of differentiation (\#946;-casein). In this current study, we show that stable knockdown of PIAS3 in the T47D breast cancer cell line induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition. T47D cells that have reduced PIAS3 levels lose their hallmark cobblestone appearance and become more spindle-shaped with filopodia. Additionally, these cells express low or undetectable levels of the epithelial marker E-cadherin, while expressing high levels of the mesenchymal markers fibronectin and vimentin. We also show that reduced PIAS3 levels generates cells that have properties of stem cells. Approximately 10% of these cells form mammospheres in anchorage-independent conditions, which arise from a single cell. There are an increased number of cells in these mammospheres that are positive for the stem cell marker ALDH1. Furthermore, proteins that have been demonstrated to be indispensible for stem cell maintenance (Oct4 and Sox2) are increased. Finally, a large subset of cells stain CD44+/highCD24-/low, further indicating that reduction of PIAS3 generates stem-like cells. Assays measuring proliferation, migration, and invasion have demonstrated that cells with reduced levels of PIAS3 proliferate, migrate, and invade at a higher rate than normal T47D cells. Analysis of a breast cancer progression microarray containing patient-matched specimens has not only confirmed that PIAS3 is significantly upregulated in primary breast cancer, but has also revealed that PIAS3 is down-regulated in its metastasis. Collectively, our studies point to a dual role of PIAS3 in human breast cancer. Overexpression of PIAS3 appears to have a tumor-promoting effect, in part by driving PRL-induced cellular proliferation and survival. However, subsequent reduction of PIAS3 levels drives EMT and generates stem-like cells, resulting in enhanced migration, invasion, and colonization of distant sites. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 3070.
Multiscale modeling of carbon fiber/carbon nanotube/epoxy hybrid composites: Comparison of epoxy matrices

Abstract This study addresses the multiscale modeling of hybrid composites composed of carbon fibers (CFs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and three different epoxy systems (di-, tri-, and tetra-functional resin epoxies). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed to predict the molecular-level interfacial and mechanical behavior of CNT embedded in epoxy. Micromechanics calculations are implemented to translate the molecular phenomena observed to predict the mechanical properties of CNT/epoxy composites with randomly oriented CNTs and CF/CNT/epoxy systems with aligned CFs and randomly oriented CNTs. The model is validated with experimental Young's modulus values for CNT/epoxy available in the literature. The results demonstrate that the tri- and tetra-functional resin epoxies demonstrate comparably high moduli over the di-functional resin for CNT concentrations up to 5 wt%. For higher CNT loadings, the tri-functional resin epoxy is predicted to outperform the other resins with respect to stiffness due to its strong interaction with CNTs and high bulk stiffness.
Collaboration between an antimicrobial stewardship team and the microbiology laboratory can shorten time to directed antibiotic therapy for methicillin-susceptible staphylococcal bacteremia and to discontinuation of antibiotics for coagulase-negative staphylococcal contaminants.

Abstract Background Rapid identification of Gram-positive cocci in clusters (GPCC) in positive blood cultures (pBC) may limit exposure to unnecessary or inappropriate antibiotics. Methods Inpatients with pBC showing GPCC between October 2013 and December 2017 were included. In the baseline period (BL), final ID and susceptibility results were reported in the electronic medical record (EMR) within 48 h of telephoned Gram stain report. The laboratory introduced rapid phenotypic identification and direct susceptibility testing (INT1), later replaced by PCR (INT2). In the last Intervention (INT3), Antimicrobial Stewardship Response Team (ASRT) contacted providers with PCR results and recommendations. Results Time to directed therapy (TDT) for MSSA and coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) decreased from BL to INT3 (48.5–17.9 h, 50.3–16.4 h, respectively). Time to ID from BL to INT3 for MSSA and CoNS also decreased (23.2–1.9 h, 44.7–2.8, respectively). Conclusions TDT can be improved by modification of reporting methods with utilization of an ASRT.
Biostatistical resources in an academic medical center

Biomedical research published in peer-reviewed medical literature is necessary for promoting understanding, addressing novel clinical problems, and educating professionals on new surgical techniques and approaches.
Direct calculation of the information matrix via the EM algorithm

Summary. A simple explicit formula is provided for the matrix of second derivatives of the observed data log-likelihood in terms of derivatives of the criterion function (the conditional expectation of the complete data log-likelihood given the observed data) invoked by the EM algorithm.
Superiorization for Image Analysis

Many scientific, engineering and medical applications of image analysis use constrained optimization, with the constraints arising from the desire to produce a solution that is constraints-compatible. It is typically the case that a large number of solutions would be considered good enough from the point of view of being constraints-compatible. In such a case, an optimization criterion is introduced that helps us to distinguish the "better" constraints-compatible solutions. The superiorization methodology is a recently-developed heuristic approach to constrained optimization. The underlying idea is that in many applications there exist computationally-efficient iterative algorithms that produce solutions that are constraints-compatible. Often the algorithm is perturbation resilient in the sense that, even if certain kinds of changes are made at the end of each iterative step, the algorithm still produces a constraints-compatible solution. This property is exploited in superiorization by using such perturbations to steer the algorithm to a solution that is not only constraints-compatible, but is also desirable according to a specified optimization criterion. The approach is very general, it is applicable to many iterative procedures and optimization criteria. Most importantly, superiorization is a totally automatic procedure that turns an iterative algorithm into its superiorized version. This, and its practical consequences in various application areas, have been investigated for a variety of constrained optimization tasks.
Fertility Decline in the Muslim World, c. 1975–c. 2005: A Veritable Sea-Change, Still Curiously Unnoticed

There remains a widely perceived notion that “Muslim” societies are especially resistant to embarking upon the path of demographic and familial change that has transformed population profiles in Europe, North America, and other “more developed” areas. In reality, however, fertility levels are falling dramatically for countries and sub-national populations throughout the Ummah – and traditional marriage patterns and living arrangements are undergoing tremendous change. This brief chapter will highlight some of these changes, examine some of their correlates and possible determinants, and speculate about some of their implications.
“We Shall Be Outspoken”: Student Political Activism in Post-Independence Ghana, c.1957–1966:

This paper looks at student political activism in Ghana in the late 1950s and 1960s. Using Ghanaian and British archives, it examines how students of Ghana’s universities politically engaged with t...
Validation of VIIRS and MODIS reflectance data in coastal and oceanic waters: An assessment of methods

Abstract Satellite ocean color datasets have vast potentials for assessing and monitoring of marine environments. However, with the MODIS sensor aging and the VIIRS sensor reaching maturity, it is important to continuously evaluate the quality of reflectance data from both instruments. Here, we critically assess the statistical performance of both MODIS and VIIRS, including analysis of two separate (and commonly used) VIIRS processing routines. In addition, we note variability in the literature as to the methods used to identify and remove low-quality data during similar validation exercises. Although most studies use some implementation of satellite quality flags (L2 flags) and many exclude data based on spatial heterogeneity or large temporal gap from satellite overpasses, critical assessment of these methods indicates variable performance. Indeed, we found little improvement in validation statistics after implementation of these data culling techniques, with substantial variability in effectiveness between wavebands and sensors. Overall, these findings highlight the need to critically assess the impact (on both data quantity and quality) of exclusion criteria, towards more effective techniques to ensure quality and consistency of satellite ocean color datasets.
ARCH, GARCH and Time-Varying Variance

To this point, we have considered non-stationary means, but strictly speaking, non-stationarity could apply to any of the moments of a random variable: the mean, variance, skewness, kurtosis, etc… Finance especially is concerned with the non-stationarity of variance.
SPIRO LATSIS ON SITUATIONAL DETERMINISM

This chapter discusses the explanation of Spiro Latsis on situational determinism. Economic determinism is Latsis's term for the general principles that have characterized the neoclassical program in the theory of the firm, which attempts to explain market phenomena as the results of actions of rational agents who, in an attempt to maximize their profits, respond to the logic of the situation. Situational determinism seems to be the same as marginalism in as much as this term refers to the logical procedure of firms equating marginal revenue and marginal cost in attempting to maximise profits. The behavioral theory of the firm substitutes for the single goal of profit maximization a collection of different goals pursued by a collection of people in executive positions in a business organization. Latsis, in regarding marginalism and behavioralism as rival theories, or rival research programs, accepts the claims of the behavioralists who reject the marginalist program, or paradigm, and offer their own as a better or more promising substitute.
Physician-pharmacist collaboration on chronic non-cancer pain management during the opioid crisis: A qualitative interview study.

Abstract Background Management of chronic non-cancer pain is complex, requiring clinicians to balance pain management with the risk of opioid abuse. The role of ambulatory care pharmacists in chronic pain management is well-established, but little research has explored the feasibility of building collaboration on chronic pain and opioid management between physicians and community pharmacists. Objective To explore physician and pharmacist perspectives on the opioid crisis and the possibility of physician and community pharmacist collaborations to manage chronic non-cancer pain in the context of the opioid crisis. Methods Semi-structured interviews were performed with a snowball convenience sample 15 physicians and 25 pharmacists in North Carolina between November 2016 and April 2017. Transcribed data were analyzed using applied thematic analysis, and resulting codes were organized into themes and domains which emerged from analysis. Results Both physicians and pharmacists described current care deficiencies and steps needed to mitigate opioid abuse and diversion. Physicians discussed the need for additional supports and resources for chronic pain management and regarded positively the role of the community pharmacist in chronic pain management and mitigating opioid abuse. Pharmacists identified cost as the major barrier to implementing new services, and expressed willingness to participate in new chronic pain and opioid interventions. Conclusion Within the study sample, strong interest exists for collaboration between physicians and community pharmacists. This highlights a potential opportunity to expand care for patients with chronic non-cancer pain.
Exploring word embedding techniques to improve sentiment analysis of software engineering texts

Sentiment analysis (SA) of text-based software artifacts is increasingly used to extract information for various tasks including providing code suggestions, improving development team productivity, giving recommendations of software packages and libraries, and recommending comments on defects in source code, code quality, possibilities for improvement of applications. Studies of state-of-the-art sentiment analysis tools applied to software-related texts have shown varying results based on the techniques and training approaches. In this paper, we investigate the impact of two potential opportunities to improve the training for sentiment analysis of SE artifacts in the context of the use of neural networks customized using the Stack Overflow data developed by Lin et al. We customize the process of sentiment analysis to the software domain, using software domain-specific word embeddings learned from Stack Overflow (SO) posts, and study the impact of software domain-specific word embeddings on the performance of the sentiment analysis tool, as compared to generic word embeddings learned from Google News. We find that the word embeddings learned from the Google News data performs mostly similar and in some cases better than the word embeddings learned from SO posts. We also study the impact of two machine learning techniques, oversampling and undersampling of data, on the training of a sentiment classifier for handling small SE datasets with a skewed distribution. We find that oversampling alone, as well as the combination of oversampling and undersampling together, helps in improving the performance of a sentiment classifier.
Equity, Punishment, and the Company You Keep: Discerning a Disgorgement Remedy under the Federal Securities Laws

Since its inception in 1934, the Securities and Exchange Commission has wielded statutory authority to seek injunctive relief for violations of the federal securities laws. Since 1970 courts have, at the Commission’s behest and without much analysis, ordered violators to disgorge profits – in fact, lots and lots of profits – gained in the course of their wrongdoing. The existence of the disgorgement remedy has been regarded by the lower federal courts as well settled enough so as to result in SEC disgorgement recoveries of over $2.9 billion in 2017 alone. In that same year, however, the legitimacy of the remedy was cast into doubt by a footnote in Kokesh v. SEC, a Supreme Court case holding that disgorgement was punitive and thus a penalty for purposes of a statute imposing a five-year statute of limitations on government actions seeking penalties, forfeitures, and fines. The lower federal courts already are grappling with the fall-out as defendants in actions for disgorgement brought by the SEC and other agencies are making invocation of the illegitimacy issue de rigueur. Although Congress has never explicitly authorized the disgorgement remedy it has alluded to it several times, both in legislative history and in various statutory provisions that clearly assume its existence. Nonetheless, some commentators take the position that without express authorization disgorgement cannot exist as a legal remedy. They also have taken the position that it cannot exist as an equitable remedy, insofar as the Supreme Court has labeled it as a punishment. This article begs to differ. It challenges the promiscuous use of the word “equitable,” which appears to have greatly complicated any attempt to make sense of disgorgement. The confusion resulting from a sea of unexamined assumptions about “equity” that floats throughout the relevant cases and commentary has obscured a central issue. This is the difference between whether a remedy exists and whether, if it does, there are constitutional consequences. In the process of shedding light on this subject, this article also establishes that the Commission has the ability to seek disgorgement as an equitable remedy in many of the contexts in which it customarily is pursued. In addition, it demonstrates that the Commission has the power to seek disgorgement as a legal remedy. Finally, it reveals that the characterization as legal or equitable is really only important in determining whether the defendant has a right to jury trial. This is a question that is not practically important if the Commission seeks some additional remedy that clearly carries that right, but in any event it is one that should be determined by Seventh Amendment precedents applied on a case by case basis.
A finite $$\epsilon $$ϵ-convergence algorithm for two-stage stochastic convex nonlinear programs with mixed-binary first and second-stage variables

In this paper, we propose a generalized Benders decomposition-based branch and bound algorithm (GBDBAB) to solve two-stage convex mixed-binary nonlinear stochastic programs with mixed-binary variables in both first and second-stage decisions. In order to construct the convex hull of the MINLP subproblem for each scenario in closed-form, we first represent each MINLP subproblem as a generalized disjunctive program in conjunctive normal form (CNF). Second, we apply basic steps to convert the CNF of the MINLP subproblem into disjunctive normal form to obtain the convex hull of the MINLP subproblem. We prove that GBD is able to converge for the problems with pure binary variables given that the convex hull of each subproblem is constructed in closed-form. However, for problems with mixed-binary first and second-stage variables, we propose an algorithm, GBDBAB, where we may have to branch and bound on the continuous first-stage variables to obtain an optimal solution. We prove that the algorithm GBDBAB can converge to $$\epsilon $$-optimality in a finite number of steps. Since constructing the convex hull can be expensive, we propose a sequential convexification scheme that progressively applies basic steps to the CNF. Computational results on a problem with quadratic constraints, a constrained layout problem, and a planning problem, demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
The Association Between Perceived Electronic Health Record Usability and Professional Burnout Among US Physicians

Abstract Objective To describe and benchmark physician-perceived electronic health record (EHR) usability as defined by a standardized metric of technology usability and evaluate the association with professional burnout among physicians. Participants and Methods This cross-sectional survey of US physicians from all specialty disciplines was conducted between October 12, 2017, and March 15, 2018, using the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. Among the 30,456 invited physicians, 5197 (17.1%) completed surveys. A random 25% (n=1250) of respondents in the primary survey received a subsurvey evaluating EHR usability, and 870 (69.6%) completed it. EHR usability was assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS; range 0-100). SUS scores were normalized to percentile rankings across more than 1300 previous studies from other industries. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Results Mean ± SD SUS score was 45.9±21.9. A score of 45.9 is in the bottom 9% of scores across previous studies and categorized in the "not acceptable" range or with a grade of F. On multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, medical specialty, practice setting, hours worked, and number of nights on call weekly, physician-rated EHR usability was independently associated with the odds of burnout with each 1 point more favorable SUS score associated with a 3% lower odds of burnout (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.97-0.98; P Conclusion The usability of current EHR systems received a grade of F by physician users when evaluated using a standardized metric of technology usability. A strong dose-response relationship between EHR usability and the odds of burnout was observed.
Soilborne Phytophthora and Pythium Diversity From Rhododendron in Propagation, Container, and Field Production Systems of the Pacific Northwest

Rhododendron root rot is a severe disease that causes significant mortality in rhododendrons. Information is needed about the incidence and identity of soilborne Phytophthora and Pythium species causing root rot in Pacific Northwest nurseries in order to better understand the disease etiology and to optimize disease control strategies. The last survey focusing solely on soilborne oomycete pathogens in rhododendron production was conducted in 1974. Since then, advances in pathogen identification have occurred, new species may have been introduced, pathogen communities may have shifted, and little is known about Pythium species affecting this crop. Therefore, a survey of root-infecting Phytophthora and Pythium species was conducted at seven nurseries from 2013 to 2017 to (i) document the incidence of root rot damage at each nursery and stage of production, (ii) identify soilborne oomycetes infecting rhododendron, and (iii) determine whether there are differences in pathogen diversity among nurseries and production systems. Rhododendrons from propagation, container, and field systems were sampled and Phytophthora and Pythium species were isolated from the roots and collar region. Root rot was rarely evident in propagation systems, which were dominated by Pythium species. However, severe root rot was much more common in container and field systems where the genus Phytophthora was also more prevalent, suggesting that Phytophthora species are the primary cause of severe root rot and that most contamination by these pathogens comes in after the propagation stage. In total, 20 Pythium species and 11 Phytophthora species were identified. Pythium cryptoirregulare, Pythium aff. macrosporum, Phytophthora plurivora, and Phytophthora cinnamomi were the most frequently isolated species and the results showed that Phytophthora plurivora has become much more common than in the past. Phytophthora diversity was also greater in field systems than in propagation or container systems. Risks for Phytophthora contamination were commonly observed during the survey and included placement of potting media in direct contact with field soil, the presence of dead plants that could serve as continuous sources of inoculum, and the presence of excess water as a result of poor drainage, overirrigation, or malfunctioning irrigation equipment. In the past, research on disease development and root rot disease control in rhododendron focused almost exclusively on Phytophthora cinnamomi. More research is needed on both of these topics for the other root-infecting species identified in this survey.
Using the Post-Traumatic Growth Model to Explore Trauma Narratives in Group Work with African Refugee Youth

African American youth and African refugee youth encounter systemic racism in similar yet different ways. Because of the inherent traumatic experiences encountered by refugee youth, the added discr...
Antialcohol Effects of Dihydromyricetin in Combination With Other Flavonoids

Herbal remedies are consumed by approximately 50% of the population in the United States for health and wellness, including products promoted for liver health and alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]). Previous...
Functional characterization of salicylate hydroxylase from the fungal endophyte Epichloë festucae

Epichloe spp. are symbiotic fungal endophytes of many cool season grasses. The presence of the fungal endophytes often confers insect, drought, and disease tolerance to the host grasses. The presence of the fungal endophytes within the host plants does not elicit host defense responses. The molecular basis for this phenomenon is not known. Epichloe festucae, the endophyte of Festuca rubra, expresses a salicylate hydroxylase similar to NahG from the bacterium Pseudomonas putida. Few fungal salicylate hydroxylase enzymes have been reported. The in planta expression of an endophyte salicylate hydroxylase raised the possibility that degradation of plant-produced salicylic acid is a factor in the mechanism of how the endophyte avoids eliciting host plant defenses. Here we report the characterization of the E. festucae salicylate hydroxylase, designated Efe-shyA. Although the fungal enzyme has the expected activity, based on salicylic acid levels in endophyte-free and endophyte-infected plants it is unlikely that expression of the endophyte salicylate hydroxylase is a factor in the lack of a host defense response to the presence of the fungal endophyte.
The Protein Identification Resource (PIR): An On-Line Computer System for the Characterization of Proteins Based on Comparisons with Previously Characterized Protein Sequences

This conference is dedicated to examining new methods for the isolation and characterization of proteins. One extremely effective method for the characterization of a new protein involves the comparison of its amino acid sequence with the sequences of previously determined proteins. Although: this method is not new (but dates back to the early days of protein sequencing methodology), the wealth of information available is only recently being fully appreciated. The rapid increase in the accumulation of sequence data, owing to recombinant DNA technology, has greatly heightened interest in this area and has made large database searching a much more fruitful enterprise. The primary structures of well over 3, 000 proteins containing almost three quarters of a million residues are now known, more than double what was known just 5 years ago.
Targets for AD treatment: conflicting messages from γ-secretase inhibitors

Current evidence suggests that Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multi-factorial disease that starts with accumulation of multiple proteins. We have previously proposed that inhibition of γ-secretase may impair membrane recycling causing neurodegeneration starting at synapses (Sambamurti K., Suram A., Venugopal C., Prakasam A., Zhou Y., Lahiri D. K. and Greig N. H. A partial failure of membrane protein turnover may cause Alzheimer's disease: a new hypothesis. Curr. Alzheimer Res., 3, 2006, 81). We also proposed familal AD mutations increase Aβ42 by inhibiting γ-secretase. Herein, we discuss the failure of Eli Lilly's γ-secretase inhibitor, semagacestat, in clinical trials in the light of our hypothesis, which extends the problem beyond toxicity of Aβ aggregates. We elaborate that γ-secretase inhibitors lead to accumulation of amyloid precursor protein C-terminal fragments that can later be processed by γ-secretase to yields bursts of Aβ to facilitate aggregation. Although we do not exclude a role for toxic Aβ aggregates, inhibition of γ-secretase can affect numerous substrates other than amyloid precursor protein to affect multiple pathways and the combined accumulation of multiple peptides in the membrane may impair its function and turnover. Taken together, protein processing and turnover pathways play an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and unless we clearly see consistent disease-related increase in their levels or activity, we need to focus on preserving their function rather than inhibiting them for treatment of AD and similar diseases.
Input and output coupling in higher order mode fibers

We convert higher order fiber modes into Gaussian beams using binary phase plates, and characterize the resulting M2 and coupling efficiency to single-mode fiber (∼64%). Reciprocally, the system is used to excite modes in multi-mode fiber with purity >13dB.
Saving Private Remedies: Bell v. Cheswick Generating Station Arms Property Owners with a Private Cause of Action Against Energy Companies

This Casebrief asserts that the Third Circuit correctly preserved common law remedies to protect private property interests by holding the CAA does not preempt state common law.
Enzyme studies in thiamine-deficient pigeons.

SUMMARY White Carneau pigeons are significantlymore susceptible to thiamine-deficiencythan are pigeons of the Show Racer breed.When the two breeds were force-fed athiamine-deficient diet, the levels of thiamine in the brains and livers of bothbreeds decreased, but to about the sameextent.After feeding the deficient diet for approximately 14 days, the White Carneaupigeons exhibited deficiency signs, whereas those of the Show Racer breed did not.Nonetheless, neither the level of pyruvateoxidase (as measured by increases inblood pyruvate), nor of blood transketolasediffers significantly in the two breeds.Likewise, the activity of a-ketoglutarateoxidase decreases to the same extent inthe brains and livers of both breeds ofpigeons. On the other hand, the activityof brain transketolase in either breed didnot appear to change as the deficiencyprogresses.It is postulated that the appearance ofthe neurological signs of thiamine deficiency is related to factors other than thedecreased activity of the enzyme systemsstudied here.
Transients in A-C Motors and Generators

IN THE PAST, few electrical-engineering curricula have offered the under-graduate student more than the rudiments in the study of electric transients. Even today many engineering schools offer such courses only as graduate work. The result is that most engineering graduates confronted with such problems in connection with their work must acquire such information by self study and experience.
Electric and magnetic field detection in elasmobranch fishes

Sharks, skates, and rays receive electrical information about the positions of their prey, the drift of ocean currents, and their magnetic compass headings. At sea, dogfish and blue sharks were observed to execute apparent feeding responses to dipole electric fields designed to mimic prey. In training experiments, stingrays showed the ability to orient relative to uniform electric fields similar to those produced by ocean currents. Voltage gradients of only 5 nanovolts per centimeter would elicit either behavior.
The marginal utility of income transfers to the third world.

If the poor will be with us always, how poor must they be? Should we abandon hope of any significant improvement in living conditions for the hundreds of millions of terribly poor people in this world, and, instead, by some desperate notion of “triage,” concentrate our limited resources on trying to help those who, while still poor, nevertheless start from something a little better than the bare subsistence level of India, Bangladesh, or poorest Africa? Such questions raise innumerable further questions about morality, about the sources of global poverty, and about the organizational capacity of poor countries ever to cope with their problems. But they also raise some serious empirical questions about what improvement in living standards we can hope for when a minority of people, however rich, give up part of their income or wealth to try to help very much larger numbers of poor people. Recall such old antisocialist arguments in the United States that even if the richest 5 percent of the people were to give up half their income to the poor, that would only be enough to bring the poorest half of the population just one-third of the way toward the average income level for the country. In short, why should so few give up so much to help so many so little?
Effect of Epicardial Fat on Electroanatomical Mapping and Epicardial Catheter Ablation

Objectives The purpose of this study was to correlate 3-dimensional distribution of epicardial fat on computed tomography (CT) with electroanatomical (EA) voltage maps obtained during percutaneous epicardial mapping in order to determine the fat thickness cut-off that results in voltage attenuation and to establish normal ventricular epicardial voltage criteria in the absence of fat. Background Epicardial fat can mimic scar tissue when epicardial voltage mapping is performed, as both result in low epicardial voltage. Cardiac CT can differentiate epicardial fat from scar or muscle on the basis of their distinct attenuations. Methods Transcutaneous epicardial mapping was performed in a consecutive series of 14 patients. A cardiac CT was performed before the procedure and a 3-dimensional image of the epicardial fat was generated and registered with the epicardial EA voltage map. Results In patients without cardiomyopathy (n = 8), a voltage ≥1.5 mV best correlated with the absence of epicardial fat. A fat thickness ≥2.8 mm resulted in voltage attenuation and best separated low voltage ( 10 mm of fat were ineffective. Conclusions Cardiac CT identifies epicardial fat that can mimic scar tissue during epicardial EA voltage mapping, which is important during epicardial mapping and ablation.
A proposed solution to past differences in the classification of borderline personality disorder.

There has been considerable controversy surrounding the classification of the borderline personality disorder. Investigators disagree whether this illness constitutes an independent phenomenon (4) or is acmally a variant of schizophrenia (5) or major affective disorders ( 1). Despite improvements in diagnostic criteria (2) and validation procedures (3), the boundaries that. distinguish the borderline condition from other psychiatric disorders remain obscure. One methodological obstacle to establishing a consensus regarding borderline personality disorder has been the variety of dependent measures used to test its diagnostic validity. Two recent investigations serve to illustrate this point (6, 7). Both studies employed similar diagnostic groups whose identities were established on five to six different outcome variables. Unfortunately, only one of these variables was comparable across studies. Since outcome consists of more than a single discrete domain (a), it is not surprising that different results were obtained in each study. Pope, et A. (7) found that the borderline disorder was indistinguishable from schizophrenia while McGlashan (6) observed that borderlines were more closely affiliated with major affective disorders. It is clear that identifying a set of outcome measures is a prerequisite to assessing the diagnostic validity of the borderline disorder. This identification can be obtained by performing a multivariate discriminant analysis of outcome scores co achieve sequentially selected variables on the basis of their ability to differentiate groups and eliminate redundant variables that do not contribute to group separation. Such a multivariate approach would establish a statistically valid set of outcome criteria to assess the feasibility of labeling the borderline personality disorder as a separate entity.
Comparison of trifluralin, oryzalin, pronamide, propham, and colchicine treatments on microtubules

Abstract The mode of action of trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro- N,N -dipropyl- p -toluidine), oryzalin (3,5-dinitro- N 4 , N 4 -dipropylsulfanilamide), pronamide( N -(1,1-dimethylpropynyl) 3,5-dichlorobenzamide), and propham (isopropyl carbanilate) on purified microtubules from pig brains and on the ultrastructure of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. “Mediterranean,” C. I. 5303) and corn ( Zea mays L. “yellow dent, U. S. 13”) roots was compared with that known for colchicine. Colchicine disrupts the in vivo cortical and spindle microtubules of root cells. Like colchicine, the herbicides trifluralin, oryzalin, and pronamide caused the loss of both cortical and spindle microtubules of root cells. The rate of microtubule disappearance depended on the type of herbicide and length of exposure of roots to the herbicide. Unlike colchicine, cortical microtubules were present in propham-treated roots but they were disoriented within the cell. In vitro polymerization studies with pig brain microtubules ( Sus scrofa ) showed that the herbicides failed to inhibit the assembly of purified microtubular protein into microtubules and that radioactively labeled herbicides did not bind to the microtubular protein. Colchicine inhibited the polymerization of microtubular protein and readily bound to the microtubular subunits. These results indicate that the mode of action of the herbicides is not similar to that of colchicine and that the loss of microtubules from root tip cells treated with trifluralin, oryzalin, and pronamide may be caused by these herbicides interfering with synthesis of microtubular protein or metabolism of endoplasmic reticulum membranes involved in microtubule assembly. The mode of action of propham appears to be on the microtubular organizing centers rather than on microtubules per se .
One third of British oral surgeons selectively recall patients following third molar surgery

Objectives To ascertain practice relating to review following third molar surgery Method A questionnaire survey of Fellows of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Results There was an 86% response rate to the questionnaire, a small number of uncompleted questionnaires left 84.7% for analysis. While 62% of fellows routinely reviewed their patients 31% did not, calling only those patients for review who reported a neurological deficit or those with associated pathology. In 1992 the proportion of those requesting a regular review was 85.7%. Conclusions The paper does not have any specific conclusions but it does discuss a number of relevant issues and suggests a number of safeguards for those pursuing a policy of selective recall. Pratt C A, Hekmat M, Pratt S D, Zaki G A, Barnard J D W. Controversies in thirds molar surgery — the national view on review strategies. Br J Oral MaxFac Surg. 1997; 35: 319–322
Enhancing student interest by extending graphics applications (abstract only)

Computer science teachers strive for new examples and problems to interest millenials. The Media Computation approach has proven successful in attracting students in contexts from community colleges to R1 universities - students are clearly excited by writing programs that make images. In this workshop, we show how to go a step further and have write scripts and plug-ins in Python for open-source graphics programs such as the GNU Image Manipulation Program and Inkscape, open source alternatives to Photoshop and Illustrator. With this approach, students not only make images, they also write filters and features that they can share with others, even with non-programmers. For example, students have written filters that "fractalize" vector graphics or that turn images into something that looks like stained glass. The ability to make programs that others will use is particularly motivational.We will explore ways in which students can interact with both Inkscape and GIMP, from working with interactive programming consoles to writing plug-ins that can easily be shared with others. We will also consider the ways in which different models of image making can be used to motivate the major programming paradigms.The approach has been used with Python, Scheme, and C and for everything from a one-week module to a full course.
Size and Function of Mammalian Testes in Relation to Body Size

We have assessed the allometric relationship between mass of testes and body mass using data from 133 mammalian species. The logarithmically transformed data were fitted by a regression ( r 2 = 0.86) that is described by the power function: Y = 0.035X0.72, where Y is mass of both testes in grams and X is body mass in grams. The slopes and intercepts of the allometric relationship for rodents alone (62 species) and primates alone (28 species) do not differ significantly from the relationship for the 133 species all taken together. Smaller mammals must allocate a greater proportion of body mass and of energy expenditure to testicular tissue than larger mammals; according to our allometric equation the testes of a 10 g mammal should comprise 1.8 percent of body mass, whereas testes of a 10,000 kg mammal amount to only 0.04 percent. Among the smallest mammals, the range of relative testes size is great; the testes of some rodents are as large as 8 percent of body mass, whereas others are as small as 0.15 percent. The energy cost for growth, maintenance, and production by mammalian testes is proportional to mass of testes and is, therefore, in most cases negligible. Among mammals in general we found no correlation between size of the testes and their location (abdominal or scrotal) in the body, or between size of testes and body form and mode of locomotion (terrestrial, aquatic, aerial). A functional relationship exists in many mammals between relative size of testes and mating system. Testes are relatively small in single-male breeding systems (monogamy or cases of extreme polygyny in which a single male does all the breeding). Testes are relatively large in multi-male breeding systems (promiscuous or polygynous systems where several different males mate with each female at the same estrus). In these cases, the evolution of large testes can be attributed to high copulatory frequency and sperm production and the competition among sperm of different males for fertilization of the same female. Size of testes has undoubtedly evolved in each species in response to a variety of additional factors beyond the first-order influence of body size. Tests of further hypotheses (for example, degree of seasonality of mating) that may explain the additional variability in size of testes should be performed. This should involve multivariate analyses of large data sets or simpler analyses that use data sets restricted to animals of similar body size, lower-level taxon, mating system, etc.
Reciprocal relations for Theta-Function modulated plane-wave bases

Abstract We provide reciprocal relations for certain lattice sums appearing in Boon, Mueller, and Myron's application of Theta-Function modulated plane-wave bases to the band problem. The relations allow greater flexibility in the choice of the localization parameter for calculational convenience.