cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Signal sequence recognition and targeting of ribosomes to the endoplasmic reticulum by the signal recognition particle do not require GTP

Abstract The identification of GTP-binding sites in the 54-kDa subunit of the signal recognition particle (SRP) and in both the alpha and beta subunits of the SRP receptor has complicated the task of defining the step in the protein translocation reaction that is controlled by the GTP-binding site in the SRP. Ribonucleotide binding assays show that the purified SRP can bind GDP or GTP. However, crosslinking experiments show that SRP54 can recognize the signal sequence of a nascent polypeptide in the absence of GTP. Targeting of SRP-ribosome-nascent polypeptide complexes, formed in the absence of GTP, to microsomal membranes likewise proceeds normally. To separate the GTPase cycles of SRP54 and the alpha subunit of the SRP receptor (SR alpha), we employed an SR alpha mutant that displays a markedly reduced affinity for GTP. We observed that the dissociation of SRP54 from the signal sequence and the insertion of the nascent polypeptide into the translocation site could only occur when GTP binding to SR alpha was permitted. These data suggest that the GTP binding and hydrolysis cycles of both SRP54 and SR alpha are initiated upon formation of the SRP-SRP receptor complex.
Development, implementation, and results of the ASN in-training examination for fellows

The American Society of Nephrology and the fellowship training program directors in conjunction with the National Board of Medical Examiners developed a comprehensive assessment of medical knowledge for nephrology fellows in-training. This in-training examination (ITE) consisted of 150 multiple-choice items covering 11 broad content areas in a blueprint similar to the American Board of Internal Medicine certifying examination for nephrology. Questions consisted of case vignettes to simulate real-life clinical experience. The first examination was given in April 2009 to 682 fellows and six training program directors. Examinees felt that the examination was well structured and relevant to their training experience Longitudinal performance on the examination will be helpful in allowing training programs to utilize results from content areas in identifying deficits in medical knowledge as well as assessing the results of any curriculum changes.
Genetics and Pathology of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), characterized by the presence of neurofibrillary and astrocytic tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau, is believed to be one of the pathological consequences of repetitive traumatic brain injury (TBI). CTE has been diagnosed postmortem in numerous individuals, including professional boxers and American football players, with a history of repetitive TBI [1, 2••, 3–7]. Concomitant with the identification of these neurofibrillary and astrocytic tangles are retrospective reports from family members and friends of these individuals of memory problems and personality changes, suggesting that the observed pathological changes may underlie the reported behavioral changes. Multiple animal models have been developed to further explore how repetitive TBI results in these pathological findings and whether these alterations underlie behavioral changes. Defining CTE and Limitations of Diagnosis
Image reconstruction using vector quantized linear interpolation

A reconstruction technique for block-based transform-coded images transmitted over lossy packet networks is proposed and demonstrated. Lost blocks of transform coefficients are reconstructed via linear interpolation using the same coefficients from adjacent blocks, thus preserving high frequency details and local image characteristics. Determination of the interpolation coefficients, or weights, is combined with vector quantization in a single step at the encoder, and the resulting quantized weights are transmitted as overhead information. The required transmission overhead is less than 10% for typical JPEG-coded images, and the computation for reconstruction of a block is less than that required for simply decoding a block using an inverse discrete cosine transform. This technique is applicable to both luminance and chrominance components, and the reconstructed images maintain good visual quality at loss rates as high as 30%. >
Corrigendum: complete type interference for simple objects

An error has been pointed out in the author's paper (see Proc. 2nd IEEE Symp. on Logic in Computer Science, p.37-44 (1987)). It appears that there are programs without principal type schemes in the system in that paper. >
Lifetimes, branching, ratios, and absolute transition probabilities in Hg I

Radiative lifetimes for ten levels from five configurations of Hg are determined by using time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence on a Hg atomic beam. Branching ratios for UV and visible transitions from the levels are measured by using classical spectrophotometric techniques. A careful assessment of the total strength of IR transitions from the levels is performed by using both experimental and theoretical results. Lifetimes and branching ratios from this experiment are compared with results in the literature and with results from single-configuration calculations. Our experimental lifetimes and branching ratios are combined to determine accurate atomic transition probabilities for 23 lines that are commonly used to diagnose Hg plasmas.
Coherence of two interfering beams modulated by a uniformly moving diffuser

Coherence properties are discussed of light which emerges from two pinholes after it has passed through a moving diffuser. The results are used to show how the correlation function of the heights of the diffuser surface and the speed with which the diffuser is moving may be determined from simple interference experiments.
Against the Interpretation of Architecture

(2002). Against the Interpretation of Architecture. Journal of Architectural Education: Vol. 55, No. 3, pp. 194-196.
What Collins’s The Sociology of Philosophies Says about Sociological Theory

In Collins's latest book, we see an attempt to apply his sociological theories to the history of philosophy. While Collins's macrosociology of knowledge provides important insights into the role of...
Dopant Incorporation and Doping Efficiency in a-Si:H and a-Ge:H

Doping of hydrogenated amorphous silicon and germanium with boron, phosphorus, and arsenic is investigated. The incorporation of the dopants from the gas phase into the solid film is found to differ strongly for the various dopant-host systems. The doping efficiency is calculated from measurements of the density of dangling bond defects and of shallow band-tail states as a function of the doping level. A common square root dependence of the efficiency on dopant gas concentration is obtained.
The Realities of Building Information Modeling for Collaboration in the AEC Industry

In this paper, we will report on how the introduction of a new technology, Building Information Models (BIM), is in the process of changing collaboration among architects, engineers, and builders. Using a multi-method study of comparative case studies and triangulation interviews, we have observed two building projects over an eight-month period, interviewed architects, engineers, general contractors and subcontractors, and we are able to create generalizable grounded theory about technology-supported collaboration. This rich ethnographic data enables the analysis of the ramifications of the existing frameworks of standards of practice and occupational boundaries for collaboration, and allowed us to identify the potential of new technology to change these frameworks. Technology is always embedded in a social context, and its successful adoption depends upon that context. Some in the building design and construction industry are pushing for new technological advancements along side collaborative delivery methods, but there remain a number of organizational questions that must be addressed, particularly in how to engage second and third tier consultants, suppliers and subcontractors who are not part of the primary architect-owner-contractor agreements. Where delivery methods alone will not address the inter-organizational challenges, strategies such as co-location support a stronger team orientation to the project through informal communication.
Structural and metamorphic history of the Shuksan Metamorphic Suite in the Mount Watson and Gee Point areas, North Cascades, Washington

The blueschist-facies Shuksan Metamorphic Suite of the North Cascades has relict stratigraphy and sediment composition suggesting that it is of oceanic origin (broadly defined). The first metamorphic event affecting the rocks, which probably occurred on the sea floor, is a static epidote metasomatism of wide extent. The earliest penetrative structures (L 1 , S 1 ) formed during latest Jurassic–Early Cretaceous blueschist-facies metamorphism, which is inferred to have occurred during subduction. In this event recrystallization and intense penetrative strain were closely linked. Late metamorphic isoclinal fold axes (F 2 ) and later crenulations (L 3 ) formed at high angles to the L 1 lineation. F 2 folds reflect extreme shortening perpendicular to the axis of the Shuksan Belt. Microscopic textural relations indicate that Ca-amphibole, not Na-amphibole, was stable during the development of F 2 and suggest that these structures record events related to uplift of the suite. L 1 , and F 2 structures can be interpreted to indicate either that uplift was the result of a distinct tectonic event, or that metamorphism and uplift were part of a continuous tectonic process, with no change in the stress field. Final emplacement of the Shuksan Suite occurred along a fault system which at least locally is high-angle and includes zones of tectonic melange.
VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR AS A TARGET FOR CANCER GENE THERAPY

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), also known as vascular permeability factor (VPF), has drawn increasing attention as a candidate biological target for cancer therapy because it is one of the most important factors promoting angiogenesis, the process by which tumors recruit and expand the blood supply necessary to support their growth (Dvorak, H. F., Brown, L. F., Detmar, Dvorak, 1995; Folkman, J., 1995). Besides being a potent angiogenic factor, VEGF is the only one which acts specifically on endothelial cells and which increases microvascular hyperpermeability (Connolly, Heuvelman, Nelson, Olander, Eppley, Delfino, Siegel, Leimgruber, and Feder, 1989), which can lead to significant morbidity in certain cancer settings and may facilitate tumor invasion. Abundant data exists that inhibiting VEGF leads to dose-dependent suppression of tumor growth and metastasis. That VEGF is expressed and secreted by almost all solid tumors underscores its fundamental role in neoplasia and implies the broad applicability of its inhibition as an anti-cancer strategy.
Adapting surface sketch recognition techniques for surfaceless sketches

Researchers have made significant strides in developing recognition techniques for surface sketches, with realized and potential applications to motivate extending these techniques towards analogous surfaceless sketches. Yet surface sketch recognition techniques remain largely untested in surfaceless environments and are still highly constrained for related surfaceless gesture recognition techniques. The focus of the research is to investigate the performance of surface sketch recognition techniques in more challenging surfaceless environments, with the aim of addressing existing limitations through improved surfaceless sketch recognition techniques.
The Effect of Cross-Listing on CEO Compensation

This study investigates the effect of cross-listing on CEO compensation. Using a sample of Canadian firms that cross-listed on U.S. stock exchanges, we find that cross-listing has a significant positive influence on CEO compensation. CEOs receive significantly greater compensation after cross-listing compared to what they were paid before cross-listing. The study also found that firm size and board independence positively influences CEO compensation, but CEO duality does not have a significant influence on the pay of CEOs.
Limits of emmetropization and developmental vision disorders

During emmetropization both eyes of young infants grow in a highly coordinated manner toward the ideal refractive state.
Crystal structure of the thermochromic bis-(di-ethyl-ammonium) tetra-chlorido-cuprate(II) complex.

In the structure of the title complex salt, (Et2NH2)2[CuCl4], the asymmetric unit consists of four unique di­ethyl­ammonium cations and three unique tetra­chlorido­cuprate anions. Two of the three anions are located with their copper atoms on independent crystallographic twofold axes, while the remaining tetra­chlorido­cuprate is located at a general position of the ortho­rhom­bic space group P21212. Two of the three Cu atoms adopt a distorted square-planar/disphenoidal geometry and the third Cu atom has a regular square-planar coordination environment. The di­ethyl­ammonium cations form an extensive hydrogen-bonded network through N—H⋯Cl inter­actions with the tetra­chlorido­cuprate anions, resulting in a two-dimensional sheet-like hydrogen-bonded network parallel to the ab direction. The complex was observed to undergo a color shift from deep green at room temperature to pale yellow at temperatures above 328 K.
Democracy's Law: Arendt on Revolution and Civil Disobedience

In her essay 'On Civil Disobedience', Arendt revisits the concern with democratic law so evident in On Revolution. Critically, she emphasizes that the eighteenth-century revolutionaries in France and America 'ransacked' history, especially that of ancient Greece and Rome, in search of an alternative vision to that embodied in the legacy of Divine Command: 'they had in mind a concept of power and law whose essence did not rely on the command-obedience relationship and which did not identify power and rule or law and command' (Crises of the Republic). She explicitly identifies differing conceptions of law linked to the Greek nomos, Latin lex, and Hebrew torah. However, on her account, the founders of the American republic did not slavishly emulate these paradigms, but rather constructed the bricolage that would become the US Constitution. That said, the very expansiveness of Roman lex made it appealing for the Americans who aspired to found a republic but faced the difficulty of imagining one on a large scale. The Roman example held out the hope that law might connect diverse communities across wide spaces and that the principles inherent in a new beginning could extend in time across generations. For Arendt, following Machiavelli, it is crucial that Roman law resulted from the settlements that concluded wars both civil and imperial. Rejecting social contract theories of the emergence of the modern state, Arendt proposes instead a model of constituting power that emerges from political struggle. She underlines not only the continuing efficacy of the initial constitution-making but also its provision for ongoing augmentation through prescribed processes of amendment. The deployment of this paradigm culminates in her extraordinary proposal that the US Constitution might be amended to include a right of citizens to join together in acts of civil disobedience. I will try to recuperate from her analyses a positive conception of law as democratically produced.
The Business-Nonbusiness Income Distinction and the Case for Its Abolition

In this report, Professor Hellerstein explains why the distinction between "business" and "nonbusiness" income should be eliminated.
Testosterone Administration to Mares during Estrus: Duration of Estrus and Diestrus and Concentrations of LH and FSH in Plasma

To study the possible role of ovarian androgens in regulation of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion in the cycling mare, five mature, intact mares were treated with testosterone (20 micrograms/kg of body weight) daily during estrus; five control mares received safflower oil on the same schedule. Mares were teased for estrus and samples of jugular blood were drawn daily through one full estrous cycle. Concentrations of FSH in plasma were measured by a newly developed radioimmunoassay based on anti-ovine FSH serum and radioiodinated equine FSH. Testosterone treatment during estrus had no effect on duration of estrus, diestrus or the total cycle. Concentrations of FSH in plasma during estrus were unaffected by testosterone treatment. However, FSH concentrations in testosterone-treated mares were elevated (P less than .05) compared with controls during mid-diestrus (d 6 through 11). The magnitude and timing of the LH peaks were unaffected by treatment, as was the day on which the first elevated progesterone concentration occurred. These data are consistent with a model of FSH secretion in which ovarian androgens cause an accumulation of FSH in the pituitary during estrus in preparation for the surges that occur in FSH secretion during diestrus.
Problems in Radiocarbon Dating at Teotihuacan 1

Radiocarbon dating is a useful tool in archaeological research, but the precision hoped for by some is not attainable because of the nature of the radiocarbon assay itself, possible contaminations, the Suess effect, and especially the peculiar nature of wood structure and growth. Wood and charcoal, unlike animal remnants, will not necessarily give the age corresponding to the time when the tree died or was cut; they will give only the age of the particular fragment used in the radiocarbon assay. If wood comes from the central portion of a large tree stem, there may even be several hundred years difference between its radiocarbon date and the date of the corresponding archaeological level. Such discrepancies are common in the recent finds at Teotihuacάn. Even the apparently erroneous date of 1474 ± 230 B.C. for Teotihuacάn can thus be explained. Other radiocarbon dates should also be evaluated with this in mind.
High Tc Superconducting Y-Ba-Cu-O Thick Fim by Screen Printing

Superconducting film of ternary copper oxides from the Y-Ba-Cu-O system has been prepared by screen printing on 96% A1203 substrate with onset temperature at 95K and zero resistance at 85K. X-ray diffraction patterns show that film will react with the A1203 substrate. With decreasing film thickness the superconductivity is destroyed and may become a semiconductor.
Signal processing of vibration signals for cable tension monitoring

The stayed-cables of cable-stayed bridges aremain load-bearing components.Cables' tension is one of the most important criterion for judging if a cable-stayed bridge is in order.The random vibration method is often used to mensure the tension forces in the cables.In this paper,principles for measurement of cable tension based on frequency analysis are discussed.Signal processing of vibration signals for cable tension monitoring is studied.
Laboratory Monitoring of Infectious Diarrhea Pathogens in Futian District

Objective To understand the infection status of diarrhea in Futian district,analyze its epidemiological characteristics, and provide measures of treatment and prevention. Method Stool samples,rectal swabs or vomit samples were collected from diarrhea patients without using any antibiotics from the sentinel hospitals for the isolation and culturing the pathogenic bacteria and analysis of the molecular characteristics of the positive strains. Results The infection rate of pathogenic intestinal bacteria was 8.59%(80/931). The detected pathogens were Vibrio parahaemolyticus, diarrheagenic Escherichia coli of EPEC, EIEC and ETEC. The infection rates had no significance differences in gender, age or household register (P0.05). The infection rates of EPEC, EIEC and ETEC showed no seasonal differences, but that of Vibrio parahaemolyticus showed seasonal difference and more often in autumn (P=0.000). Conclusion Infectious diarrhea in Futian district was mainly caused by Escherichia coli of EPEC,EIEC and ETEC.
Fairness and efficiency in US Revolutionary War takings and post-war debt redemption

Many have noted the debate amongst Hamilton, Jefferson, and others on compensating original versus final US Revolutionary War debt holders upon federal assumption of state debts in 1790. However, to our knowledge the economics literature has not yet proposed a theoretical model of the argument. The purpose of this paper is to propose a simple household-level economic model to capture the most salient aspects of the debate, including the role of military impressment and the emergence of the Takings Clause of the US Constitution.
Insulin uptake and processing by cultured mouse glomerular endothelial cells

Endothelial cells isolated from a variety of vascular beds bind and transport insulin but exhibit relatively low insulin degrading activity. Because endothelial cells exhibit heterogeneity and since kidney is a major site of insulin degradation, we studied the processing of insulin by glomerular endothelial cells (GEC). When exposed to 2 x 10(-10) M 125I-labeled insulin, GEC associated with the hormone in a specific manner. This interaction was inhibited by insulin but not by a number of unrelated peptide hormones. Over a 90-min period, GEC degraded 42 +/- 3% of the 125I-insulin, as measured by solubility in trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Degradation was inhibited 90% by an excess of insulin or adrenocorticotropic hormone (10(-6) M) and 57% by glucagon, whereas growth hormone and calcitonin were without effect. Separation of plasma membrane bound from internalized insulin was achieved by decreasing extracellular pH. In the steady state, 43% of cell-associated insulin was membrane bound and 57% internalized. The fate of the internalized 125I-insulin was examined by incubating acid-washed cells at 37 degrees C for 60 min. Over this time 18% of the radioactivity was released as TCA insoluble- and 72% as TCA-soluble radioactivity. Release was increased by insulin (10(-6) M) but not by unrelated peptide hormones. In the presence of chloroquine, 125I-insulin release increased by one third while degradation fell. High-performance liquid chromatography revealed that GEC released both intact insulin and large intermediates and that chloroquine inhibited intermediate formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Utility of blood pressure genetic risk score in admixed Hispanic samples.

Hypertension is strongly influenced by genetic factors. Although hypertension prevalence in some Hispanic sub-populations is greater than in non-Hispanic whites, genetic studies on hypertension have focused primarily on samples of European descent. A recent meta-analysis of 200 000 individuals of European descent identified 29 common genetic variants that influence blood pressure, and a genetic risk score derived from the 29 variants has been proposed. We sought to evaluate the utility of this genetic risk score in Hispanics. The sample set consists of 1994 Hispanics from 2 cohorts: the Northern Manhattan Study (primarily Dominican/Puerto Rican) and the Miami Cardiovascular Registry (primarily Cuban/South American). Risk scores for systolic and diastolic blood pressure were computed as a weighted sum of the risk alleles, with the regression coefficients reported in the European meta-analysis used as weights. Association of risk score with blood pressure was tested within each cohort, adjusting for age, age2, sex and body mass index. Results were combined using an inverse-variance meta-analysis. The risk score was significantly associated with blood pressure in our combined sample (P=5.65 × 10−4 for systolic and P=1.65 × 10−3 for diastolic) but the magnitude of the effect sizes varied by degree of European, African and Native American admixture. Further studies among other Hispanic sub-populations are needed to elucidate the role of these 29 variants and identify additional genetic and environmental factors contributing to blood pressure variability in Hispanics.
Malware and Persistence

Chapter 2 shows how attackers can use browsers and software that provide active content for browsers such as Java and Adobe Flash as vectors to get an initial foothold in a network. Another option is malware. Malicious documents, like Word documents, can be used to provide an attacker with an initial shell on a target system.
Hear our stories: Relationships and transformations of women educators who work overseas

(2001). Hear our stories: Relationships and transformations of women educators who work overseas. Studies in the Education of Adults: Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 118-126.
The effect of interstitial carbon on the mechanical properties and dislocation substructure evolution in Fe40.4Ni11.3Mn34.8Al7.5Cr6 high entropy alloys

Abstract A systematic study of the effects of up to 1.1 at. % carbon on the mechanical properties and evolution of the dislocation substructure in a series of a high entropy alloys (HEA) based on Fe40.4Ni11.3Mn34.8Al7.5Cr6 is presented. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atom probe tomography (APT) were used to show that all the alloys are single-phase f.c.c. random solid solutions. The lattice constant, determined from synchrotron XRD measurements, increases linearly with increasing carbon concentration, which leads to a linear relationship between the yield strength and the carbon concentration. The dislocation substructures, as determined by a TEM, show a transition from wavy slip to planar slip and, at higher strains, and from cell-forming structure (dislocations cells, cell blocks and dense dislocation walls) to non-cell forming structure (Taylor lattice, microbands and domain boundaries) with the addition of carbon, features related to the increase in lattice friction stress. The stacking fault energy (measured via weak-beam imaging of the separation of dislocation partials) decreases with increasing carbon content, which also contributes to the transition from wavy slip to planar slip. The formation of non-cell forming structure induced by carbon leads to a high degree of strain hardening and a substantial increase in the ultimate tensile strength. The consequent postponement of necking due to the high strain hardening, along with the plasticity accommodation arising from the formation of microbands and domain boundaries, result in an increase of ductility due to the carbon addition.
Advocating for well-defined and validated procedures: Comment on Griffanti et al., Neuroimage 154:188-205.

Abstract Griffanti et al. (2017) provide a rich set of expert-consensus guidelines for how to label components derived from ICA as either belonging to signal of interest or noise to be filtered from fMRI data. These general hypotheses concerning procedures for “hand” classification of components are a good starting point that with further detail would improve reproduction of experiments and facilitate comparisons of alternative hypotheses/procedures. Empirical validation could help to resolve questions by supporting or disconfirming the proposed guidelines.
Management of the symptomatic fibroid in women older than 40 years of age. Hysterectomy or myomectomy

SUMMARY Although complications resulting from a myomectomy are infrequent, the overall risk is probably greater than a hysterectomy. The effect of hysterectomy on the specific woman is difficult to quantify, however. Supracervical hysterectomy is a reasonable alternative in the woman with a normal cervix. Moreover, repeated laparotomies are not particularly advisable. In a woman who has previously undergone a myomectomy and has had a recurrent symptomatic myomatous uterus, the decision must be made either to proceed with a repeat myomectomy or to perform a hysterectomy. The chance of successfully achieving a pregnancy after a second myomectomy may be less favorable than after a primary myomectomy. A myomectomy can be a difficult and often time-consuming procedure. With meticulous attention to technique, however, the procedure can be accomplished safely and effectively with relatively ensured hemostasis and minimal blood loss. A myomectomy affords the option of preserving the uterus in those patients with symptomatic uterine myomata who desire to preserve their reproductve organs. However, careful assessment with meticulous counseling of the patient is essential. The potential option for a hysterectomy must always be preserved. Hysteroscopic resection of submucous myomata with endometrial ablation has become the technique of preference in many cases. At the moment, abdominal myomectomy is the preferred technique for the removal of intramural and subserosal myomata. For the present, laparoscopic myomectomy must be viewed as being of very limited acceptibility.
Altered frontal interhemispheric and fronto-limbic structural connectivity in unmedicated adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Background Previous diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) have primarily used voxel- or tract-based methods to assess white matter microstructure in medicated patients. This is the first probabilistic tractography study to assess the structural connectivity of all major white matter tracts in unmedicated adults with OCD without comorbid psychopathology. We hypothesized that OCD compared to healthy participants would show reduced integrity in frontal interhemispheric and fronto-limbic tracts. Methods DTI data from 29 unmedicated adults with OCD were compared to that of 27 matched healthy control (HC) participants. TRACULA was used to assess probabilistic tractography and compare groups in the average fractional anisotropy (FA) of 8 bilateral tracts plus forceps minor and major, and explore group differences in axial (AD), radial (RD), and mean (MD) diffusivities in tracts where FA differed across groups. Results Significantly less FA was detected in OCD compared to HC participants in forceps minor, interhemispheric fibers of the frontal cortex, and right uncinate fasciculus (UNC), association fibers connecting frontal and limbic regions (p's < .05). FA in forceps minor was inversely associated with symptom severity in the OCD participants. Exploratory analyses revealed less AD in right UNC was inversely associated with OCD symptoms. Conclusions Structural connectivity of frontal interhemispheric and fronto-limbic circuits may be altered in unmedicated adults with OCD, especially those with the most severe symptoms. These findings suggest a microstructural basis for the abnormal function and reduced resting-state connectivity of frontal regions and fronto-limbic circuits in OCD.
Friendship and the Shortage of Time

On May 23, 2017, my oldest academic friendship ended when Peter Augustine Lawler passed away. We met in 1975 when I was going through a line to register for my first semester of graduate study. He ...
Perceptions about supervised injection facilities among people who inject drugs in Philadelphia

Abstract Background People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk for infectious diseases, skin and soft tissue infections, and overdose. However, these harms are all avoidable when sterile injection equipment, hygienic places to inject, and medical care are accessible. Unfortunately, many PWID in the U.S lack these resources. The most vulnerable are forced to inject in public spaces, where individual risks are high and communal harms are sometimes many. Supervised Injection Facilities (SIFs) are an established intervention for reducing these harms. Despite positive experiences in other countries, little research explores how PWID in the U.S. perceive the value of such facilities. Methods We conducted a freelisting exercise with PWID (n=42) and healthcare providers (n=20) at a syringe exchange program (SEP) that provides comprehensive clinical and social services in Philadelphia to inform in-depth semi-structured interviews with PWID (n=19) at the same location. Results Participants expressed support for a potential SIF as a valuable public health intervention. They suggested that an SIF would improve PWID health while reducing the public disorder associated with injecting drugs in public. The latter was especially important to participants without stable housing, whose decision to inject furtively in secluded places was often motivated by desire not to upset community members, and particularly children. These participants acknowledged that such seclusion elevated the risk of fatal overdose. Despite similarly positive perceptions about an SIF, participants with stable housing reported that they would prefer to continue injecting at home. Conclusion Results both confirm and extend prior research about PWID and SIFs. Participants expressed support for SIFs as in prior survey research in the U.S. and in other countries. Facility location and housing status were identified as important determinants of facility use. Results extend prior research by illuminating PWID perceptions in the U.S. including motivations grounded in concern for public order.
Learning Markov Blankets for Continuous or Discrete Networks via Feature Selection

Learning Markov Blankets is important for classification and regression, causal discovery, and Bayesian network learning. We present an argument that ensemble masking measures can provide an approximate Markov Blanket. Consequently, an ensemble feature selection method can be used to learnMarkov Blankets for either discrete or continuous networks (without linear, Gaussian assumptions). We use masking measures for redundancy and statistical inference for feature selection criteria. We compare our performance in the causal structure learning problem to a collection of common feature selection methods.We also compare to Bayesian local structure learning. These results can also be easily extended to other casual structure models such as undirected graphical models.
On the Determinants of Chinese Cross-Listings: Are B-Shares Different from H-Shares?

This study examines the relationship between cross-listing and managerial compensation of Chinese firms that concurrently issued A- & B-shares or A- & H-shares during 2001-2010. The results show that executive compensation is a positive factor to motivate Chinese A-share firms to cross-list as B- or H-shares; it implies that cross-listings could be employed as a way of asset appropriation at the managers’ discretion. The results also confirm that corporate governance is important in determining cross-listings. Under the weak corporate governance institution, Chinese firms were chosen to cross-list based on political considerations rather than on economic merits, serving as a vehicle to signal the quality of state owned enterprises (SOEs). The results are drawn on agency theory, signalling hypothesis and bonding hypothesis.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Asthma

A number of methods are available for the assessment of airways inflammation in asthma: (1) Large samples of airways can be studied in material sampled at autopsy or at surgery. (2) Bronchoscopy provides a means to both inspect and sample the lower respiratory tract. (3) Expectorated sputum contains inflammatory cells and mediators which can be characteristic of asthma.
THE SCIENCE OF WHOLENESS

Astronomy has played a key role in the development of science and in humanity’s view of the universe and our place in it. The view of the cosmos has always held a special place in the minds and hearts of cultures throughout the history of the world. In some sense, looking at the night sky reminds us of the depths of our own existence. It is not surprising then that as we attempt to search for the holy grail of science, the unification of diverse fields, that astronomy would find itself central. The universal diagrams provide glimpses of such unification and astronomical objects play a very important role. However, the future science of wholeness will need to go much further than any physical theory has gone so far and provide bold steps to unify everything in the human experience. We are referring to an approach that starts from a set of foundational principles that are universally applicable and can form the very roots of the science of wholeness. The first such steps are outlined in the present paper.
Response of the Macrocirculation

Shock is the physiologic evidence of cellular demand for energy exceeding mitochondrial capability to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) aerobically. With the notable exception of septic shock, most forms of shock result from decreases in systemic O2 transport (ṪO2) produced by loss of circulatory volume and heart or respiratory failure. These conditions alter distribution of cardiac output and blood flow (Q) within individual organs. These circulatory alterations are the expression of neural, humoral, and local metabolic mechanisms of vascular control that strive to maintain adequate tissue perfusion in vital organs, such as the heart, brain, adrenal glands, and skeletal muscle. Although our knowledge of blood flow redistribution during shock is incomplete, the determinants of organ blood flow during disease are examined in this chapter.
Data and Methods: Treaties, Power, Scarcity and Conflict

The primary datasets used in this analysis include: from the treaty data extracted from Oregon State University and International Water Management, (summarized as mechanisms), summary statistics of the GDP and stability indices for each country used to estimate power differences, a historical drought index for each basin, and historical conflict data from Oregon State University’s Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database. From the treaty data, specific components are summed to estimate a value for each of seven different mechanisms that together make up the strength, or resiliency, of a treaty. Projected water variability data extracted from global climate and runoff models is used in the case study analysis.
In Situ Spectroscopic Insights on the Molecular Structure of the MgO/SiO2 Catalytic Active Sites during Ethanol Conversion to 1,3-Butadiene

Ethanol is an important renewable chemical that allows for sustainable high-value product, such as 1,3-butadiene, catalytic synthesis. The MgO/SiO2 catalyst is typically utilized in a single-step ethanol-to-1,3-butadiene catalytic conversion, and the (by)product yields were shown to depend on the type, structure, and strength of the catalytic active sites. The fundamental factors describing the molecular structure and binding properties of these sites are thus of critical importance but not yet fully understood. We utilized a multimodal approach, including temperature-programmed surface-sensitive infrared mass spectrometry using probe molecules, such as CO2, NH3, and pyridine and propionic acids, to unravel the structure and persistence of these catalytic sites in situ. In particular, Mg–O–Mg, Mg–O(H)–Mg, Mg–O–Si, and Mg–O(H)–Si surface site binding configurations were proposed and scrutinized using spectroscopic methods in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A combination of NH...
Using Creative Arts in Trauma Therapy: The Neuroscience of Healing

Knowledge about the brain and the impact of trauma has increased significantly in recent years. Counselors must understand brain functioning and the effects of trauma in order to choose the most ef...
Incorporating process variation contours in design rule calculation and SRAM design optimization

At the early stage of a new technology development, Ground Rule (GR) calculations are performed assuming design targets are met, and all the process variations are within certain process assumptions. However, as technology matures, it is expensive, and time consuming to verify these assumptions for all the designs allowed by the rules. Thus, there’s a loop hole in the GRs if these assumptions are not met on the design. This issue becomes even worse for 2D dense design such as SRAM, where the design target and wafer image are so different due to all the corners, jogs, line ends etc, and the process variations are much larger for the 2D designs. As a result, SRAM designs almost never follow a standard GR approach but its own unique rules. In fact, for SRAM designs of slightly different style, the rules will be significantly different. On the other hand, Process Variation (PV) contours offer much more details of process variations even though their usage is very limited. One reason for that is that off-nominal conditions having larger risks from rule point of view but have lower probability at the same time, making it a dilemma for us. In this talk we propose a method to incorporate PV contours in GR calculation, and each PV contour are used in Monte-Carlo calculation in accordance with its own probability. We apply this method in SRAM layout optimization as an example. This work was performed at the IBM Semiconductor Research Center, Albany NY 12203
Short-Term Hypoxic Preconditioning Improved Survival Following Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation in Rats

Cardiac arrest and resuscitation produces delayed mortality and hippocampal neuronal death in rats. Hypoxic preconditioning has been to shown to protect the brain from ischemic insults. We have previously reported that with chronic hypobaric hypoxia, the accumulation of hypoxic-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and its target genes was increased for the first several days of hypoxic exposure, and returned to baseline level by 3 weeks when angiogenesis is completed. In this study, we investigated the effect of short-term (3 days) and long-term (21 days) hypoxic preconditioning on recovery from cardiac arrest and resuscitation in rats. Our data showed that the overall survival rate was considerably improved in the short-term hypoxic preconditioning group compared to the non-preconditioned controls (86 %, 6/7 vs. 54 %, 7/13); however, the survival rate in the long-term hypoxic preconditioning group was decreased. Our data suggest that hypoxic preconditioning provides protection after cardiac arrest and resuscitation more likely through increased accumulation of HIF-1α and its target genes rather than through successful vascular adaptation as a result of hypoxia-induced angiogenesis.
The Utility of Color Duplex Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis: A Prospective, Masked Study. (An American Ophthalmological Society Thesis).

Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic yield and concordance of color duplex ultrasound (CDU) of the superficial temporal artery (STA), temporal artery biopsy (TAB), and American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA). Methods Prospective, masked study of all patients evaluated in one institution suspected of having GCA. All patients with a suspected diagnosis of GCA were admitted for pulsed intravenous corticosteroids. Patients underwent serologic work-up and ACR criteria were documented. All patients had a CDU and TAB performed within 3 days of initiation of systemic corticosteroid therapy. Main outcome measure: Concordance of CDU and TAB. Secondary outcome measures: Concordance between unilateral and bilateral CDU and TAB by side and segment, concordance between TAB and ACR criteria, and statistical analysis of serologic markers for GCA. Results The diagnosis of biopsy-proven GCA was found in 14 of 71 (19.7%) patients. The sensitivity of CDU compared to the reference standard of TAB ranged between 5.1% and 30.8% depending on the signs studied on CDU and correlation of specific TAB parameters. Of the serologic studies, a platelet count threshold of 400,000μL had the highest positive (18.32) and lowest negative (0.37) likelihood ratios for a diagnosis of GCA. Conclusions In this study, CDU showed minimal value in diagnosing GCA compared to TAB. There was poor correlation between CDU results and ACR criteria for GCA. The threshold platelet count had higher positive and negative predictive values for GCA than CDU and is a useful serologic marker for GCA.
Glucocorticoids and immune checkpoint inhibitors in glioblastoma

Immunotherapy, activation of the immune system to target tumor cells, represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of cancer. Immune checkpoint therapies, which target immunomodulatory molecules expressed on T-lymphocytes, have demonstrated improved survival in a variety of malignancies. However, benefit in glioblastoma, the most common and devastating malignant brain tumor, remains to be seen. With several recent clinical trials failing to show efficacy of immunotherapy, concerns have been raised regarding the impact of glucocorticoid use in this patient population that may impair the ability for immune checkpoint inhibitors to affect a response. For this article we examined the mechanism by which immune checkpoint inhibitors activate, and glucocorticoids impair, T-lymphocyte function. In this context, we review the clinical data of immune checkpoint inhibitors in glioblastoma as well as the impact glucocorticoids have on immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy. Finally, we highlight key questions that remain in the field, and the potential benefit of further research for central nervous system tumors. More information on the extent, character and duration of glucocorticoids on patients treated with PD-(L)1 will better inform both clinical management and novel therapeutic development of immunotherapy in patients with CNS malignancies.
Comparison of within canopy deposition for a solid set canopy delivery system (SSCDS) and an axial–fan airblast sprayer in a vineyard

Abstract Solid set canopy delivery systems (SSCDS) are novel ways of pesticide spray applications in modern high–density orchards and vineyards. Through our prior efforts, SSCDS variants have been tested and adjusted to provide optimal system configurations for spray application in high–density apple orchards and vineyards. This present study compared two prior optimized variants of an SSCDS comprising treatments with 1–tier and 2–tier of emitters/nozzles and an axial–fan airblast sprayer for spray performance in a modified vertical shoot position (VSP) vineyard. Such vineyards have the vine canes constricted under trellis wires, with the top of canes being loose and more sprawling. SSCDS 1–tier had a pair of full–circle emitters installed per vine at 76 cm above the cordon. For SSCDS 2–tier, two hollow–cone nozzles were installed per vine near the drip line at 45 cm above ground level in combination with additional emitters as in 1–tier. The sprayate was a fluorescent tracer dissolved in water at 500 ppm. Spray deposition and coverage were quantified in different canopy zones and on either side of leaf surfaces using mylar cards and water sensitive papers (WSPs) as samplers, respectively. The samplers were respectively analyzed using fluorometry and image processing techniques. Analysis of deposition data indicated statistically similar mean deposition for different treatments, however, uniformity of distribution was higher for the airblast sprayer treatment. Similar and uniform deposition on the mylar cards on the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces was observed in all the treatments, indicating that emitters/nozzles placed within a canopy can deposit similar amounts of active ingredient as an airblast sprayer. Contrary to the deposition data, spray coverage was highest for the airblast sprayer (33.5 ± 2.8%) followed by SSCDS 1–tier (21.5 ± 2.9%) and 2–tier (19.9 ± 3.0%). Such differences could be because of the use of air-assist which was absent in SSCDS based application. In summary, SSCDS provided higher canopy deposition, however, the airblast sprayer provided higher spray coverage and better spray application uniformity. Prior biological efficacy studies in apple orchards have reported equivalent insect-pest control for SSCDS and airblast sprayer, notwithstanding the uniformity and heterogenous spray coverage. Therefore, future studies are warranted to collect season long pest management data in economically viable plot sizes in a vineyard.