cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hypnosis for treatment of HIV neuropathic pain: a preliminary report.

Objective Painful HIV distal sensory polyneuropathy (HIV-DSP) is the most common nervous system disorder in HIV patients. The symptoms adversely affect patients' quality of life and often diminish their capacity for independent self-care. No interventions have been shown to be consistently effective in treating the disorder. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether hypnosis could be a useful intervention in the management of painful HIV-DSP. Method Participants were 36 volunteers with HIV-DSP who received three weekly training sessions in self-hypnosis. Participants were followed for pain and its sequelae for 7 weeks prior to the intervention, and for 7 weeks postintervention. Participants remained on the same standard-of-care pain regimen for the entire 17 weeks of the protocol. The primary outcome measure was the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire cale (SFMPQ) total pain score. Other outcome measures assessed changes in affective state and quality of life. Results Mean SFMPQ total pain scores were reduced from 17.8 to 13.2 (F[1, 35] = 16.06, P < 0.001). The reductions were stable throughout the 7-week postintervention period. At exit, 26 out of 36 (72%) had improved pain scores. Of the 26 who improved, mean pain reduction was 44%. Improvement was found irrespective of whether or not participants were taking pain medications. There was also evidence for positive changes in measures of affect and quality of life. Conclusion Brief hypnosis interventions have promise as a useful and well-tolerated tool for managing painful HIV-DSP meriting further investigation.
Regulation von Zusammensetzung und Volumen der Extracellulärflüssigkeit

Dieses Kapitel bietet einen Uberblick uber die wichtigsten homoiostatischen Mechanismen, welche — hauptsachlich durch die Niere — Tonizitat, Volumen und spezifische ionale Zusammensetzung (insbesondere H+-Konzentration) der ECF aufrecht erhalten. Der extravasculare Anteil der ECF umgibt die Zellen und von der Konstanz dieses „inneren Mileolus“ hangen die Lebensvorgange ab (Kap. 1).
The Seattle Central District (CD) Over Eighty Years

The evolution of Seattle's “Central Area” or “” is traced for eighty years from 1930 through 2010. Relevant theory about social and economic discrimination and urban development is presented first....
Dietary patterns and non-communicable diseases in selected Latin American countries

To raise awareness among policymakers and health practitioners about unhealthy diets, this document examines dietary patterns in selected Latin American countries using household surveys. The analysis shows that a large percentage of households in the countries examined have inadequate diets. Not only are calorie intakes higher than recommended to maintain a healthy weight, but the diets are also rich in fats, particularly saturated fats, sugars and sodium, and poor in fruits and vegetables. These unhealthy diets are present in both rural and urban areas and in households at different income levels. These dietary patterns are likely to increase the risks for developing non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancer, and diabetes mellitus. These diseases are increasingly representing the main causes of death and disability in Latin America, and thus there is an urgent need to increase efforts to promote healthy diets. There are cost-effective interventions that have proven to improve diets, particularly to reduce sodium and trans fat intake, and there are promising examples in the region of the implementation of some of these cost-effective interventions. In addition, given the harmful effects of these dietary patterns, it is important to monitor the prevalence of unhealthy diets across different population groups as well as the intermediate risks factors linked to these diets, such as overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, and high fasting glucose in the blood. This will require better information than what is currently available and information that is comparable across time.
Use of near-infrared luminescent gold nanoclusters for detection of macrophages

We determined the effect of aggregation and coating thickness of gold on the luminescence of nanoparticles engulfed by macrophages and in gelatin phantoms. Thin gold-coated iron oxide nanoclusters (nanoroses) have been developed to target macrophages to provide contrast enhancement for near-infrared optical imaging applications. We compare the brightness of nanoroses luminescent emissions in response to 635 nm laser excitation to other nanoparticles including nanoshells, nanorods, and Cy5 conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles. Luminescent properties of all these nanoparticles were investigated in monomeric and aggregated form in gelatin phantoms and primary macrophage cell cultures using confocal microscopy. Aggregation of the gold nanoparticles increased luminescence emission and correlated with increased surface mass of gold per nanoparticle (nanoshells 37 ± 14.30 × 10(-3) brightness with 1.23 × 10(-4) wt of gold (g)/nanoparticle versus original nanorose 1.45 ± 0.37 × 10(-3) with 2.10 × 10(-16) wt of gold/nanoparticle, p<0.05). Nanoshells showed greater luminescent intensity than original nanoroses or Cy5 conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles when compared as nanoparticles per macrophage (38 ± 10 versus 11 ± 2.8 versus 17 ± 6.5, p<0.05, respectively, ANOVA), but showed relatively poor macrophage uptake (1025 ± 128 versus 7549 ± 236 versus 96,000 nanoparticles/cell, p<0.05, student t-test nanoshells versus nanoroses). Enhancement of gold fluorescent emissions by nanoparticles can be achieved by reducing the thickness of the gold coating, by clustering the gold on the surface of the nanoparticles (nanoshells), and by clustering the gold nanoparticles themselves.
Eulerian and Eddy-Induced Meridional Overturning Circulations in the Tropics

Abstract Inspired by recent measurements of the eddy-induced Meridional Overturning Circulation in the tropical North Pacific Ocean by Roemmich and Gilson, the authors analyze an oceanic general circulation model for its Eulerian and eddy-induced Meridional Overturning Circulations throughout the Tropics. The model representation for the mesoscale eddy-induced circulation is the parameterization by Gent and McWilliams, and there are also rectified contributions to the time-mean overturning circulation due to seasonal and interannual fluctuations. The eddy-induced circulation is similar in all tropical basins. It has a strength of about 10% of the Eulerian (mainly Ekman) circulation, and its contribution to the meridional heat flux is a similar fraction. The pattern of the meridional streamfunction is one of double cells in the vertical and antisymmetry about the equator. Near the equator there is downwelling above the undercurrent and upwelling below, with the return circulations closed within the upper 2...
Regulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the fetal and neonatal lamb. IV. Levels of LH releasing activity in the hypothalamus.

The relative levels of luteinizing hormone releasing factor (LRF) activity in hypothalami of lambs from 9.5 cm crown-rump (C-R) (day 55) to 49 cm C-R (day 148) of prenatal development and in neonates aged 14 to 18 days were determined by an in vitro system. Luteinizing hormone (LH) released from rat adenohypophyses in response to hypothalamic extracts was measured by a sensitive radioimmunoassay specific for murine LH. LRF activity was not detected in hypothalami of fetal lambs, but was readily measurable in hypothalami of neonates of both sexes; however, there was no significant difference between the levels in males and females. Because other studies suggest the existence of hypothalamic control of LH secretion prenatally, the failure to detect LRF activity in fetal hypothalami in the present investigation is attributed either to a loss of LRF activity from the tissue tested as a result of prolonged storage in an unextracted state, or to the possibility that LRF does not accumulate in the hypothalamus o...
The Study of Si, Se and O-Implanted GaAs by Slow Positrons

Variable-energy (0-30keV) positron beam studies have been carried out on 200 keV Se-implanted and 70 keV Si-implanted GaAs specimens before and after annealing for electrical activation. From the measurements of Doppler broadened profiles as a function of incident positron energy, it was found that vacancy clusters with high concentration were introduced in the annealed specimen after Se implantation. From the parallel measurement of electrical characteristics, a higher activation efficiency was found for the higher concentration of vacancy clusters. That fact implies that electrons supplied by the activation of Se also convert the charge state of As vacancies from positive to negative. In contrast, no vacancy clusters were introduced in the Si-implanted GaAs. On the other hand, oxygen clustering was found in annealed specimen after O implantation.
Dear Rin Tin Tin: An Analysis of William Safire's Dog-Naming Survey from 1985

This paper contributes to the study of how and why we bestow particular types of names upon companion animals, specifically dogs. The research is based on a cache of letters written in 1985 in response to a request from New York Times columnist, William Safire. Although the survey is in no sense scientific, it nonetheless taps trends in dog naming that have become steadily more prominent to the present day. Dog names as well as the criteria by which they are selected reflect central aspects of the relation- ship between pet owners and their canine companions. The letters reveal a growing preference for people names for dogs, which accords with the increasing treatment of companion animals as human. Dog nicknaming is common, particularly for those pedigree canines registered with the American Kennel Club. Dog naming provides pet owners a creative outlet, and a way to reinforce and communicate publicly a particular self-image.
Rhipicephalus microplus salivary gland molecules induce differential CD86 expression in murine macrophages

Background: Tick parasitism is a major impediment for cattle production in many parts of the world. The southern cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, is an obligate hematophagous parasite of domestic and wild animals that serves as vector of infectious agents lethal to cattle. Tick saliva contains molecules evolved to modulate host innate and adaptive immune responses which facilitates blood feeding and pathogen transmission. Tick feeding promotes CD4 T cell polarization to a Th2 profile usually accompanied by down-regulation of Th1 cytokines through as yet undefined mechanisms. Co-stimulatory molecules on antigen presenting cells are central to development of T cell responses including Th1 and Th2 responses. Tick induced changes to antigen presenting cell signal transduction pathways are largely unknown. Here we document the ability of R. microplus salivary gland extracts (SGE) to effect differential CD86 expression. Results: We examined changes in co-stimulatory molecule expression in murine RAW 264.7 cells in response to R. microplus SGE exposure in the presence of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligand, LPS. After 24 hrs, CD86, but not CD80, was preferentially up-regulated on mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells when treated with SGE and then LPS, but not SGE alone. CD80 and CD40 expression was increased with LPS, but the addition of SGE did not alter expression. Higher concentrations of SGE were less effective at increasing CD86 RNA expression. The addition of mitogen or extracellular kinase (MEK) inhibitor, PD98059, significantly reduced the ability for SGE to induce CD86 expression, indicating activation of MEK is necessary for SGE induced up-regulation. Conclusions: Molecules in SGE of R. microplus have a concentration-dependent effect on differential up-regulation of CD86 in a macrophage cell line activated by the TLR4 ligand, LPS. This CD86 up-regulation is at least partially dependent on the ERK1/2 pathway and may serve to promote Th2 polarization of the immune response.
Pluronic P105 sensitizes cholesterol-free liposomes to ultrasound

In this study, the ability of Pluronic P105 to sensitize liposomes to permeabilization by 20 kHz ultrasound (US) was investigated. Liposomes composed of egg phosphatidylcholine (PC) showed up to a ten-fold enhancement in US permeabilization when treated with low (/spl mu/M) concentrations of Pluronic, as measured by the rate of leakage of an entrapped fluorescent dye. However, when 50 mol% cholesterol was included in the liposome formulation, the Pluronic was unable to increase the US permeabilization. In the absence of Pluronic, cholesterol has almost no effect on ultrasound responsivity of liposomes; thus, cholesterol is able to "protect" liposomal membranes from Pluronic. Pluronic P105 was also incorporated into the liposomes during formation and extrusion, and these liposome-polymer complexes retained high ultrasound responsivity. Interestingly, the ultrasound responsivity of the Pluronic-liposome complex increased significantly with temperature. These studies may suggest mechanisms for observed anti-tumor activity of P105, and may also help in the design of controlled-release vehicles.
Migraines and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a dopamine connection

This case-control study shows a strong association between migraine history and development of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). We hypothesize there may be a similar gene variant that predisposes women to both migraines and OHSS and identification will lead to optimal therapy, not only for OHSS, but also for women who suffer from migraines.
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis DosR Regulon Assists in Metabolic Homeostasis and Enables Rapid Recovery from Nonrespiring Dormancy

Mycobacterium tuberculosis survives in latently infected individuals, likely in a nonreplicating or dormancy-like state. The M. tuberculosis DosR regulon is a genetic program induced by conditions that inhibit aerobic respiration and prevent bacillus replication. In this study, we used a mutant incapable of DosR regulon induction to investigate the contribution of this regulon to bacterial metabolism during anaerobic dormancy. Our results confirm that the DosR regulon is essential for M. tuberculosis survival during anaerobic dormancy and demonstrate that it is required for metabolic processes that occur upon entry into and throughout the dormant state. Specifically, we showed that regulon mechanisms shift metabolism away from aerobic respiration in the face of dwindling oxygen availability and are required for maintaining energy levels and redox balance as the culture becomes anaerobic. We also demonstrated that the DosR regulon is crucial for rapid resumption of growth once M. tuberculosis exits an anaerobic or nitric oxide-induced nonrespiring state. In summary, the DosR regulon encodes novel metabolic mechanisms essential for M. tuberculosis to survive in the absence of respiration and to successfully transition rapidly between respiring and nonrespiring conditions without loss of viability.
Development, Impact, and Measurement of Enhanced Physical Diagnosis Skills.

Evidence suggests that the quality and frequency of bedside clinical examination have declined. We undertook the study to (1) determine whether intensive instruction in physical examination enhances medical student skills and (2) develop a tool to evaluate those skills using a modified observed structured clinical examination (OSCE). This was a randomized, blinded, prospective, year-long study involving 3rd year students at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Students were randomized to receive intensive instruction in physical examination [study group (n = 46)] or usual instruction [control group (n = 75)] and evaluated by a modified OSCE. The OSCE consisted of 6 real patient stations: Head, ears, eyes, neck, throat; pulmonary; cardiovascular; gastrointestinal; neurology; musculoskeletal; and 2 computer imaging stations: genitourinary and dermatology. A faculty member present at each patient station evaluated student performance. Data were analyzed using t-tests for comparison of the mean scores between the two groups for each station and for average scores across stations. A total of 121 students were tested. The study group performed significantly better than the control group in the gastrointestinal station (p = 0.0004), the combined average score across the six real patient stations (p = 0.0001), and the combined average score across all eight stations (p = 0.0014). Intensive physical diagnosis instruction enhances physical examination skills of 3rd year medical students. The modified OSCE is a useful tool to evaluate these skills.
Measurements of triple- and double-spin parameters in elastic p-p scattering at 6 GeV/c

Toward the goal of experimentally determining the p-p elastic-scattering amplitudes at 6 GeV/c, we have measured a number of triple- and double-spin correlation parameters over the \ensuremath{\Vert}t\ensuremath{\Vert} range between 0.2 and 1.0 (GeV/c${)}^{2}$. These new data permit the first nucleon-nucleon amplitude determination in the multi-GeV energy range. Polarized beams from the Argonne Zero Gradient Synchrotron and polarized targets were utilized. The polarization of the recoil proton was measured with a carbon polarimeter. A total of 14 different spin observables were measured (five spin transfer, four depolarization, and five triple-spin correlation parameters). These have been combined with earlier results, resulting in a data set of typically 30 measurements of 20 different spin observables for each of six \ensuremath{\Vert}t\ensuremath{\Vert} values between 0.2 and 1.0 (GeV/c${)}^{2}$. A solution for the amplitudes has been found at each \ensuremath{\Vert}t\ensuremath{\Vert}, and comparisons are presented with several different models. The spin-nonflip helicity amplitudes are found to be much larger than the spin-flip amplitudes.
‘Are You Able … to Learn?’: Power and Access to Higher Education for African Refugees in the USA

Using discourse analysis focused on identity and politics, we analyze the narratives of two Congolese refugees to explore issues of access to higher education. Data for this analysis come from a larger ethnographic study of educational opportunities for refugees in one US city. The narratives that these participants tell reveal both the ways in which various institutional factors limited their access to higher education and the agentive ways in which these refugees advocated for themselves. Refugees' educational experiences and aspirations may be invisible to those in power in resettlement contexts, or those in power may question, doubt, or ignore such experiences and aspirations. As a result, various institutions act as gatekeepers to limit refugees' access to higher education.
Primary repair of open neural tube defect in adulthood: case example and review of management strategies.

Abstract Background Context Neural tube defects are congenital malformations that develop when the neural plate fails to close during embryogenesis. The most common open neural tube defect, myelomeningocele (MMC), is declining in frequency in North America. If identified, an MMC must be closed in the perinatal period to prevent lethal complications. Lesions presenting in older adults are, thus, very uncommon. Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe the surgical management of an adult with an unrepaired ulcerated lumbosacral MMC who presented with persistent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and to review the management strategies for adult patients with unrepaired MMC. Study Design A case report was used for this study. Methods The patient was a 62-year-old woman with an unrepaired ulcerated lumbosacral MMC and associated lower extremity weakness. She sought medical care for persistent lumbar tenderness and ulceration after sustaining a fall 4 months before admission. Physical and radiological assessment revealed a lumbosacral MMC at the L5 and S1 levels and a tethered cord. Surgical resection of the placode and de-tethering were performed. Results One week after repair of the lumbosacral MMC, the patient was readmitted for management of continued CSF leakage and hydrocephalus, requiring external ventricular drainage, wound revision, and placement of lumboperitoneal shunt. The patient experienced complete resolution of back pain without additional episodes of CSF leakage. Conclusions This rare case and review of management strategies suggests that proper surgical management of open MMC in adulthood can successfully be performed and improve patient symptoms and prevent further complications.
Temperature dependence of hot-electron-induced degradation in MOSFET's

The temperature dependence of MOSFET degradation due to hot-electron injection has been studied. The slower degradation rate at elevated temperature at fixed stressing bias follows the substrate current level which is reduced mainly by lower localized electric field rather than lower ionization coefficient (both are caused by enhanced phonon scattering). The actual degradation rate at the constant substrate current level is slightly higher at elevated temperatures, indicating an enhanced interface-state generation mechanism. This temperature dependence provides a simple relationship between device degradation and substrate current at various temperatures.
Measuring the effects of salinity stress in the red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle L.

The mangrove habitat exhibits many unique physical features, one of the most important of which is a salinity gradient. Photosynthetic rates, as measured by leaf stomatal conductance and leaf chlorophyll fluorescence induction, were tested as indicators of salinity stress in seedlings of the red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle, grown under five different salinity levels: 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 parts per thousand. Photosynthetic gas exchange (measured by stomatal conductance), as well as the light reaction of photosynthesis (measured by chlorophyll fluorescence) were found to decrease as salinity increased. The use of leaf stomatal conductance and chlorophyll fluorescence as a measure of photosynthesis allowed a rapid and reliable quantification of the known stressor, salinity, in seedlings of R. mangle. These non-destructive in-vivo techniques were found to be rapid and reliable for monitoring photosynthetic stress, an important physiological parameter determining survival and growth of mangrove plants. These techniques should be considered in forestry management and mangrove restoration projects to assess plant condition.
Supersaturation of Gases

This chapter presents information on the computation and reporting of gas supersaturation for oceanographic and for gas bubble disease applications. Gas supersaturation levels are reported in terms of several unique parameters such as Δ P , total gas pressure (TGP), or N 2 +Ar (%). Concentrations of gases in terms of μmol/kg, mg/L, or percent saturation are not too significant in gas supersaturation work because formation of gas bubbles depends on pressure rather than concentrations. The physics of dissolved gases and the physiological basis of gas bubble disease are reviewed. Information is presented on dissolved gas analysis for gas bubble disease applications and the computation and reporting of gas supersaturation levels. Equations are presented to estimate standard gas saturation parameters from concentration units and from older reported gas supersaturation data. The importance of depth on gas supersaturation levels is developed in terms of uncompensated Δ P (Δ P uncomp ) or uncompensated TGP (%) (TGP (%) uncomp ). The impacts of (a) heating and cooling waters and (b) mixing waters of different temperatures and salinities are presented for common water treatment applications. Sample problems are included to demonstrate how the various parameters are computed.
Molecular biology and cytogenetics of chronic myeloid leukemia

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasia characterized by the t(9;22)(q34;q11) balanced reciprocal translocation that causes the fusion of a portion of chromosome 9 to chromosome 22 (der22), thereby replacing a fragment of chromosome 22 which fuses to chromosome 9 (der9). The resultant minute chromosome der22, designated as the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph), is the hallmark of CML (Quintas-Cardama and Cortes, Blood 113(8):1619–30, 2009). The molecular event resulting from this translocation is the hybrid BCR-ABL1 oncogene, which encodes the constitutively active BCR-ABL1 protein kinase (Quintas-Cardama and Cortes, Blood 113(8):1619–30, 2009). The BCR-ABL1 protein can transform cells through phosphorylation of tyrosine residues on a variety of intermediary proteins that transmit signals from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. The ultimate proof that BCR-ABL1 kinase expression can induce CML was furnished by experiments in which murine bone marrow was transfected with a retrovirus encoding BCR-ABL1 and transplanted into irradiated syngeneic recipients. Transplanted recipients developed any of several hematologic malignancies, most frequently a myeloproliferative syndrome that resembles chronic-phase CML (Daley et al., Science 247(4944):824–30, 1990). The demonstration in animal models that BCR-ABL1 kinase activity was a causal event that recapitulated the development of CML cellular transformation provided the rationale for developing molecules that selectively inhibited the BCR-ABL1 kinase activity. Kinase-based assays demonstrated that imatinib, the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) developed for the treatment of CML, potently inhibited ABL1 kinase (Buchdunger et al., Cancer Res 56(1):100–4, 1996; Druker et al., Nat Med 2(5):561–6, 1996) and that this inhibitory activity translated into impressive clinical activity (O’Brien et al., N Engl J Med 348(11):994–1004, 2003). The remarkable clinical success of imatinib propelled the rational design and development of other TKIs (e.g., nilotinib, dasatinib, bosutinib, ponatinib) aided by structural biology and high-throughput medicinal chemistry methods. Despite these agents’ clinical activity, patients receiving TKI therapy frequently continue to have measurable amounts of residual disease and in some the TKI therapy eventually fails. Among patients with accelerated phase (AP) or blastic phase (BP) CML, responses are less frequent and often short-lived (Druker et al., N Engl J Med 344(14):1038–42, 2001). These shortcomings of TKI therapy have spurred efforts to understand the behavior of CML stem cells, and the mechanisms of resistance to TKIs and the molecular basis of transformation to AP and BP.
Sub-10 nm nanopantography

Nanopantography, a massively parallel nanopatterning method over large areas, was previously shown to be capable of printing 10 nm features in silicon, using an array of 1000 nm-diameter electrostatic lenses, fabricated on the substrate, to focus beamlets of a broad area ion beam on selected regions of the substrate. In the present study, using lens dimensional scaling optimized by computer simulation, and reduction in the ion beam image size and energy dispersion, the resolution of nanopantography was dramatically improved, allowing features as small as 3 nm to be etched into Si.
India's Worsening Uranium Shortage

As a result of NSG restrictions, India cannot import the natural uranium required to fuel its Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs); consequently, it is forced to rely on the expediency of domestic uranium production. However, domestic production from mines and byproduct sources has not kept pace with demand from commercial reactors. This shortage has been officially confirmed by the Indian Planning Commission’s Mid-Term Appraisal of the country’s current Five Year Plan. The report stresses that as a result of the uranium shortage, Indian PHWR load factors have been continually decreasing. The Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) operates a number of underground mines in the Singhbhum Shear Zone of Jharkhand, and it is all processed at a single mill in Jaduguda. UCIL is attempting to aggrandize operations by establishing new mines and mills in other states, but the requisite permit-gathering and development time will defer production until at least 2009. A significant portion of India’s uranium comes from byproduct sources, but a number of these are derived from accumulated stores that are nearing exhaustion. A current maximum estimate of indigenous uranium production is 430t/yr (230t from mines and 200t from byproduct sources); whereas, the current uranium requirement for Indian PHWRs more » is 455t/yr (depending on plant capacity factor). This deficit is exacerbated by the additional requirements of the Indian weapons program. Present power generation capacity of Indian nuclear plants is 4350 MWe. The power generation target set by the Indian Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is 20,000 MWe by the year 2020. It is expected that around half of this total will be provided by PHWRs using indigenously supplied uranium with the bulk of the remainder provided by breeder reactors or pressurized water reactors using imported low-enriched uranium. « less
Is urban greening for everyone? Social inclusion and exclusion along the Gowanus Canal

Abstract Focusing on the subthemes of how governance happens and processes of marginalization , this paper examines a case study in Gowanus, Brooklyn to explore inclusion and exclusion in urban environmental decision-making processes. This work gains support from theoretical considerations in urban political ecology and interdisciplinary research on green gentrification and how power differences and inequity impact civic involvement. The Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, New York became a Superfund site in 2010, after much debate between local, state, and federal government offices over how to pursue clean up. Private development, local and state initiatives are addressing the sewage and other contamination along the banks of the canal while the Superfund clean up in the waterway takes place. The area has become a site for enacting waterfront planning and economic development, green infrastructure creation, brownfield redevelopment, and other local and state green planning initiatives. Public forums on cleaning and greening Gowanus have engaged the community, and allowed space for discussing the possibilities for the future of the area. This paper will focus on interview responses in relation to the federal Environmental Protection Agency decision-making process. Why do some residents support or oppose the clean up processes in Gowanus, and what influences their ability or desire to take part in the decision-making processes? Further, for whom is this space being redeveloped, and how do inclusion and exclusion operate to create divisions in decision-making processes surrounding the clean up?
Smart Nanoscale Drug Delivery Platforms from Stimuli-Responsive Polymers and Liposomes

Since the 1960s, stimuli-responsive polymers have been utilized as functional soft materials for biological applications such as the triggered-release delivery of biologically active cargos. Over the same period, liposomes have been explored as an alternative drug delivery system with potentials to decrease the toxic side effects often associated with conventional small-molecule drugs. However, the lack of drug-release triggers and the instability of bare liposomes often limit their practical applications, causing short circulation time and low therapeutic efficacy. This Perspective highlights recent work in integrating liposomes and stimuli-responsive polymers together to achieve a targetable, triggerable nanoscale platform that fulfills all the characteristics of a near-ideal drug delivery system. Through a drop-in, post-synthesis modification strategy, a network of stimuli-responsive polymers can be integrated onto the surface of liposomes to form polymer-caged nanobins, a multifunctional nanoscale del...
Self and Body: How Known and Differentiated

I welcome the invitation of Eugene Freeman to contribute a paper on the subject of self, giving my own views. I have been devoted to comparative philosophy all my life, and I am naturally greatly influenced by Indian and Western thought. But I should warn both the Indian and Western readers against equating my views in their entirety with any of the past philosophies. It is also not possible to given an exhaustive theory of the self in a paper of the present size. What is noi given here may place my view in ? wrong light and the reader may draw wrong conclusions.1 I have already written quite a few papers on the problems of the self, which the reader may well consult. Following the Upanisads, I explained the concept of spirit (self) in "The Concept of the Spiritual in Indian Thought."2 There I tried to show the recognition in Indian thought of the self as the "I" in its identification with the physical body, life, mind, rational consciousness, and the Unconscious, all of which together can be treated also as the body, in which case what is called psychological in the West will also be part of the body. That the true particular is only the I-consciousness (self), which does not come under a universal or class concept was explained in "The Nature of the Individual."3 That the self is the I-consciousness and to isolate it for study from its relations to objects, we have to consider it as freeing itself from them in the three states of waking, dream, and deep sleep was discussed in "Die Struktur des Ich-Bewusstseins."4 It was shown that self-consciousness and consciousness of objects are two distinct types of consciousness in "The Ex istential and Phenomenological Consciousness in the Philosophy of R?m?nuja."5 That the self is not merely what appears as the "I" but also comprehends the Unconscious, and that the Unconscious is not merely ab normal as in Freud's psychology but also normal in every one of us was dis cussed in "Approaches to the I-consciousness: Its Depths, Normal and Abnormal."6 In "Man, Logos, and Philosophy,"7 I attempted to show that the identity of my empirical "I" with ultimate Being cannot be realized except through the Logos as Reason or Rational Consciousness and that Reason also has its ontological status?a truth missed or overlooked by many con temporary Western thinkers. In "Being: How known and How Expressed,"8 I attempted to show that at the final depths which can be reached by man's
A methodological analysis of canopy disturbance reconstructions using Quercus alba

Forest disturbance history reconstructions in the eastern US commonly rely on the analysis of a single tree-ring series per individual. However, this method can result in an underrepresentation of radial growth releases and canopy disturbance events. We analyzed paired tree-ring series from 884 Quercus alba L. individuals to quantify discrepant patterns of intratree release frequency, magnitude, and initiation years. We also developed a model for Q. alba that accounts for this underrepresentation of releases. Of the 884 trees analyzed, 216 exhibited radial growth releases. Only 13 of these 216 trees recorded the same canopy disturbance events in both series. Through analysis of a single growth-ring series per tree, a minimum of 39 and a maximum of 241 releases could be detected from the trees in the data set. Of the total number of release events, 238 (85%) occurred only in one of the paired tree-ring series. For stand development studies requiring the frequency of canopy disturbance alone, a multiplicati...
Natal Philopatry, Communal Nesting, and Kinship in Fox Squirrels and Gray Squirrels

Tree squirrels (Sciuridae: Sciurini) are considered to be asocial; however, communal nesting is reported for most species. I examined the sociality of uniquely marked fox squirrels ( Sciurus niger ) and gray squirrels ( S. carolinensis ) to investigate interspecific patterns of natal philopatry, communal nesting, and kinship. Natal philopatry was female-biased in gray squirrels, resulting in the formation of kin clusters, but no fox squirrels remained in their natal areas. Adult male and female squirrels interacted less than expected, suggesting that the social systems of the sexes are separate. Communal nesting occurred in all seasons, but was most frequent in winter. Unrelated adult males commonly nested together in both species. However, adult female fox squirrels rarely nested in groups, although communal nests were common among female gray squirrels. Amicable behaviors were directed only toward closely related females ( r = 0.5) within kin groups of gray squirrels; aggression was directed primarily at unrelated females. The female-female bond was important in the formation of groups in gray squirrels.
Real time PCR as a method to cletect virus inactivation and clearance efficiency

Aim To evaluate virus clearance efficiency in plasma product.Methods Using SYBR green I dye a Real Time PCR is applied to detect the virus quantity variety between samples which have been treated with different protocols.Inactivation efficiency is cvaluated by virus titer test.Results Detected copy numbers of virus is highly consistent with the exact amount of virus.Different protocols have highly different efficiency on virus removal.Conclusion It indicates the Real-time PCR technique can be engaged into the evaluation system of virus inactivation and removal.
Evaluating student performance in an obstetrics and gynecology clerkship.

The development of a comprehensive evaluation system for an obstetrics and gynecology clerkship at the University of Utah is described and the results of two years experience using it are presented. Seven different measurement procedures were developed and used with 111 junior medical students including pre- and post-tests, oral examination, clinical performance ratings by residents, and ratings by faculty on oral and written presentations and participation in tutorial sessions. Learning gains as measured by pre-post test scores were significant at the 0.001 level. Only six of 37 correlations among the evaluation measures were significantly related at the 0.01 level; furthermore, little relationship could be found between measures of student achievement in cognitive as compared to clinical skill areas. The need for multiple sources of information on student performance in clerkships is discussed
Screening for cervical cancer. Current terminology, classification, and technique.

PreviewThe Pap smear is one of the most successful of the screening tools for cancer. However, refinements are continually being made in the terminology used to define the gradations of disease, in the classifications used to describe test results, and in the appropriate technique for performing the test. Dr Fowler offers these guidelines to keep you up to date on the current state of cervical cancer screening methods.
What is nutritional anemia

“Nutritional anemia” is too broad a term to be clinically useful. The physician must establish which nutrient is deficient—iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12. In many cases, diagnosis of the deficiency is not the end of the work-up because the associated illness must be sought.
M. M. Schiffer, Explorer

My favorite objects of complex analysis and potential theory for a finitely connected region in the plane are the Bergman kernel and projection, the Szegő kernel and projection, the Garabedian kernel, the Poisson kernel, the Ahlfors map, the zeroes of the Szegő kernel, solution operators to the inhomogeneous Cauchy–Riemann equations, the harmonic measure functions and their derivatives, Green’s function and operator for the Laplacian, and the Neumann kernel and operator for the Laplacian.
Calming Meditation Increases Altruism, Decreases Parochialism

This research project attempts to answer the question of whether a socially learned calming practice increases altruistic behavior and/or decreases parochialism. In this context, altruism is defined as self-sacrifice in support of others, regardless of group affiliation or identity, and parochialism is defined as such prosocial self-sacrifice restricted to fellow members of a group. This question is examined via a formal behavioral experiment using a simple treatment and control format with a 5 minute calming breath awareness practice, with altruism and parochialism measured through anonymous play in Public Goods games performed with both in-group and out-group individuals. The in vs out group status is established through random assignment into groups, and PG games are played with and between these groups. The sum of contributions gives a measure of altruism, while the difference between the two is a measure of parochialism. The analysis of the results using Bayesian model comparison methods lend support to the hypothesis that calm both reduces parochialism and increases altruism.
Nutraceuticals in Arthritis

Currently, in the United States, every fifth adult dog or horse suffers from arthritis. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OA occurs with greater frequency than RA. OA is an inflammatory heterogeneous chronic degenerative joint disease (DJD) characterized by chronic and progressive degradation of the articular cartilage, osteophyte formation, thickening and sclerosis of the subchondral bone, bone marrow lesions, hypertrophy of bone at the margin, synovitis, synovial fluid effusion, and fibrosis. Common clinical signs and symptoms associated with OA in dogs and horses include limping, immobility, stiffness of joints, crepitus, periarticular swelling, palpable effusion, and pain upon manipulation of the joint and limb. The pathophysiology of OA is very complex because there are multiple etiologies for this disease, and as a result, treatment is complicated. Pain and inflammation associated with OA are often managed by pharmacological suppression or surgery among a few other modalities. NSAIDs are known to have severe side effects, and surgery is very expensive, so the use of nutraceuticals appears to be a viable alternative for prevention and treatment of OA. This chapter describes various nutraceuticals that have the potential to exert antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and chondroprotective effects in osteoarthritis.
Assessing the Effects of Training: SalesBuilders’ Training of Amalgamated Stores Sales Reps

Many firms purchase sales training from outside vendors, often with no sound data as to the effectiveness of the training. Training programs vary from totally useless to highly cost effective and worthwhile. This case provides students with an opportunity to examine the effectiveness of a training program along with its cost. It requires careful thinking about the meaning of numbers as well as the meaning of effectiveness claims.
Translating Babylonian Mathematical Astronomy: Neugebauer and Beyond

Otto Neugebauer’s involvement with Babylonian mathematical astronomy, one of the central topics of his research, can be traced through more than 30 publications stretching over the period from 1936 to 1991. In this paper I aim to discuss Neugebauer’s approach to the translation of Babylonian mathematical astronomy and assess it in the light of subsequent research. Apart from the editions of astronomical tablets contained in Astronomical Cuneiform Texts (Neugebauer 1955) and elsewhere we can hope to learn something about this topic from his other works, since he often displays a profound interest in methodological issues. However, Neugebauer rarely discussed his method of translation, focussing instead on the mathematical methods developed by him for analysing astronomical tables and reconstructing the underlying algorithms and empirical data. Nevertheless, these aspects of Neugebauer’s methodology turn out to be relevant for understanding his approach to translation. Before discussing his translations I will therefore begin by exploring the broader methodological framework underlying Neugebauer’s research on Babylonian mathematical astronomy.
Image-quality effects of system-matrix-formation statistics in SPECT iterative reconstruction

In SPECT imaging with iterative reconstruction, one potential source of image noise is the limited (data or MC) statistics used for the determination of the system matrix. In this paper we present a simulations study of the effect of the system-matrix statistics on the background and signal noise. We simulate a parallel-beam, hexagonal-hole collimator and we study hot cylindrical lesions with contrasts of 1, 2.3, and 9. We investigate 5 levels of projection statistics (1K, 5K 10K, 50K, 100K counts per head position) and 7 levels of system-matrix statistics (N/2k counts per head position, where N = 2M and k = 0–6). The levels and structure of reconstructed-image noise depends on both the projection and system-matrix statistics, for any given level of object contrast. We present plots that determine the minimum number of system-matrix counts required so that the background noise is not degraded more than a particular level. The better the projection statistics, the more system-matrix statistics we need to maintain the low levels of background noise. Similar effects are observed for the signal noise withing the hot lesions. Determining the appropriate system-matrix statistics (for a particular level of object contrast and projection counts) is critical for not canceling the diagnostic value of higher projection statistics (higher dose).
“Water Wars” and Water Reality: Conflict and Cooperation Along International Waterways

There are 261 international rivers, covering almost one half of the total land surface of the globe, and untold numbers of shared aquifers. Water has been a cause of political tensions between Arabs and Israelis, Indians and Bangladeshis, Americans and Mexicans, and all 10 riparian states of the Nile River. Water is the only scarce resource for which there is no substitute, over which there is poorly developed international law, and the need for which is overwhelming, constant, and immediate. As a consequence, water and war are two topics being assessed together with increasing frequency. This chapter investigates the reality of historic water conflict and draws lessons for the plausibility of future water wars. The data sets of conflict are explored for those related to water—only seven minor skirmishes are found in this century; no war has ever been fought over water. In contrast, 149 water-related treaties have been signed in the same period. These treaties, collected and catalogued in a computerized database along with relevant notes from negotiators, are assessed for patterns of conflict resolution. War over water seems neither strategically rational, hydrographically effective, nor economically viable. Shared interests along a waterway seem to overwhelm water’s conflict-inducing characteristics. Furthermore, once cooperative water regimes are established through treaty, they turn out to be tremendously resilient over time, even between otherwise hostile riparian states, and even as conflict is waged over other issues. These patterns suggest that the more valuable lesson of international water is as a resource whose characteristics tend to induce cooperation, and incite violence only in the exception.
SGK3 sustains ERα signaling and drives acquired aromatase inhibitor resistance through maintaining endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis

Many estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-positive breast cancers initially respond to aromatase inhibitors (AIs), but eventually acquire resistance. Here, we report that serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 3 (SGK3), a kinase transcriptionally regulated by ERα in breast cancer, sustains ERα signaling and drives acquired AI resistance. SGK3 is up-regulated and essential for endoplasmic reticulum (EnR) homeostasis through preserving sarcoplasmic/EnR calcium ATPase 2b (SERCA2b) function in AI-resistant cells. We have further found that EnR stress response down-regulates ERα expression through the protein kinase RNA-like EnR kinase (PERK) arm, and SGK3 retains ERα expression and signaling by preventing excessive EnR stress. Our study reveals regulation of ERα expression mediated by the EnR stress response and the feed-forward regulation between SGK3 and ERα in breast cancer. Given SGK3 inhibition reduces AI-resistant cell survival by eliciting excessive EnR stress and also depletes ERα expression/function, we propose SGK3 inhibition as a potential effective treatment of acquired AI-resistant breast cancer.