cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Core Clinical Content of Step 2 of the USMLE: Using Surgery as an Example

The purpose of Step 2 is to determine if examinees, most of whom are in their senior year of medical school, have the requisite medical knowledge and understanding of clinical science considered essential for provision of patient care under supervision. Questions are written by six discipline-based committees, each charged with developing questions appropriate for all new interns regardless of specialty. The challenge is to develop discipline-based questions that are relevant to all practitioners. This study investigated the extent to which questions that were designated as assessing core knowledge in surgery were designated as assessing core knowledge in other disciplines. All questions include a patient vignette and address one of four tasks: health and health maintenance, mechanisms of disease, diagnosis or principles of management. Consistent with the purpose of the examination, questions selected by surgeons are more likely to address indications for surgery and postoperative complications, than specific surgical techniques. The chairs of each discipline committee create subscores based on the test questions that they believe represent their discipline. On the March 1996 examination, 300 items were selected as surgery core items. Of these, 279 were also selected by at least one other discipline: 218 in medicine, 49 in pediatrics, 17 in obstetrics and gynaecology, 29 in preventive medicine and public health and 5 in psychiatry. Of the 279 items, 242 were selected by one additional committee, 35 were selected by two additional committees, and 2 were selected by three additional committees. Using questions originated as core surgery as an example, it is apparent that Step 2 is an integrated multidisciplinary examination.
Improving Advanced Directive Completion Rates: Utilizing Technology With a Virtual Platform

Paper approved May 2019 by the faculty of UMKC in partial fulfillment of the degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice
What would delegates do? When and how the delegate paradox affects estimates of ideological congruence

Abstract The consensus that American politicians are more ideologically extreme than voters has been challenged by the observation that issue delegates – who adopt voters’ majority position on each issue – can be more extreme than the median voter. We show that this difference is conditional. Issue delegates are much more extreme than the median voter in left- and right-leaning constituencies, but not in evenly divided or ideologically pure constituencies. This means that these preference aggregation assumptions have a large effect on ideological comparisons between legislators and their party constituents, but little effect on comparisons between legislators and their general election constituents. We demonstrate this finding’s implications by replicating and extending two prominent studies. Although issue delegates representing full states are not much more extreme than the median voter, party issue delegates have moved to the extremes at nearly twice the rate of party median voters and are just as extreme as legislators.
Nonlinear self-focusing in strongly magnetized pair plasma

An intense radiation field can modify plasma properties and the corresponding refractive index and lead to nonlinear propagation effects such as self-focusing. We estimate the corresponding effects in pair plasmas for circularly polarized waves, in both unmagnetized and strongly magnetically dominated cases. First, in the unmagnetized pair plasma the ponderomotive force does not lead to charge separation but to density depletion. Second, for astrophysically relevant plasmas of pulsar magnetospheres [and possible loci of fast radio bursts (FRBs)], where the cyclotron frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{B}$ dominates over the plasma frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}$ and the frequency of the electromagnetic wave ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{B}\ensuremath{\gg}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p},\ensuremath{\omega}$, we show that (i) there is virtually no nonlinearity due to changing effective mass in the field of the wave; (ii) the ponderomotive force is ${F}_{p}^{(B)}=\ensuremath{-}{m}_{e}{c}^{2}/4{B}_{0}^{2}\mathbf{\ensuremath{\nabla}}{E}^{2}$, which is reduced by a factor ${(\ensuremath{\omega}/{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{B})}^{2}$ if compared to the unmagnetized case (${B}_{0}$ is the external magnetic field and $E$ is the electric field of the wave); and (iii) for a radiation beam propagating along a constant magnetic field in the pair plasma with density ${n}_{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$, the ponderomotive force leads to the appearance of circular currents that lead to a decrease of the field within the beam by a factor $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}B/{B}_{0}=2\ensuremath{\pi}{n}_{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}{m}_{e}{c}^{2}{E}^{2}/{B}_{0}^{4}$. Applications to the physics of FRBs are discussed; we conclude that for the parameters of FRBs, the dominant magnetic field completely suppresses nonlinear self-focusing or filamentation.
Hazard analysis for identifying common cause failures of digital safety systems using a redundancy-guided systems-theoretic approach

Abstract Replacing the existing aging analog instrumentation and control (I&C) systems with modern safety control and protection, digital technology offers one of the foremost means of performance improvements and cost reductions for the existing nuclear power plants (NPPs). However, the qualification of digital I&C systems remains a challenge, especially considering the issue of software common-cause failures (CCFs), which are difficult to address. With the application and upgrades of advanced digital I&C systems, software CCFs have become a potential threat to plant safety because most redundant designs use similar digital platforms or software in the operating and application systems. With complex designs of multilayer redundancy to meet the single-failure criterion, digital I&C safety systems (e.g., engineered safety-features actuation system [ESFAS]) are of a particular concern in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing procedures. This paper applies a modularized approach to conduct redundancy-guided systems-theoretic hazard analysis for an advanced digital ESFAS with multilevel redundancy designs. Systematic methods and risk-informed tools are incorporated to address both hardware and software CCFs, which provide guidance to eliminate the causal factors of potential single points of failure in the design of digital safety systems in advanced plant designs.
LiV 2 O 4 : A Heavy Fermion Transition Metal Oxide

A crossover with decreasing temperature $T$ from localized moment magnetism to heavy Fermi liquid behavior is reported for the metallic compound ${\mathrm{LiV}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ with the fcc normal-spinel structure. At $T\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}1\mathrm{K}$, the electronic heat capacity coefficient $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\approx}0.42\mathrm{J}/\mathrm{mol}{\mathrm{K}}^{2}$ is exceptionally large for a transition metal compound, the Wilson ratio $\ensuremath{\approx}1.7$, and the Korringa ratio $\ensuremath{\approx}0.7$. Our sample with the lowest level of paramagnetic defects showed no static magnetic order above 0.02 K. Superconductivity was not observed above 0.01 K.
Novel 2D Dynamic Elasticity Maps for Inspection of Anisotropic Properties in Fused Deposition Modeling Objects.

In this study, a novel ultrasonic non-destructive and non-invasive elastography method was introduced and demonstrated to evaluate the mechanical properties of fused deposition modeling 3D printed objects using two-dimensional dynamical elasticity mapping. Based on the recently investigated dynamic bulk modulus and effective density imaging technique, an angle-dependent dynamic shear modulus measurement was performed to extract the dynamic Young’s modulus distribution of the FDM structures. The elastographic image analysis demonstrated the presence of anisotropic dynamic shear modulus and dynamic Young’s modulus existing in the fused deposition modeling 3D printed objects. The non-destructive method also differentiated samples with high contrast property zones from that of low contrast property regions. The angle-dependent elasticity contrast behavior from the ultrasonic method was compared with conventional and static tensile tests characterization. A good correlation between the nondestructive technique and the tensile test measurements was observed.
Sun Protective Clothing and Sun Avoidance: The Most Critical Components of Photoprotection in Patients With Melanoma.

Background Ultraviolet radiation is the main modifiable risk factor for melanoma which can be reduced by avoiding excess sun exposure. Objective We sought to explore (1) sun protective practices, (2) effectiveness of these sun protective practices, and (3) vitamin D supplementation in patients with melanoma. Methods Using the National Health Interview Survey, the authors conducted a cross-sectional analysis to investigate sun protective behaviors and sunburns among adults with melanoma compared with those without skin cancer. We calculated adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 95% confidence interval (95% CI), and p-values using logistic regression. Results Patients with melanoma reported increased use of sun avoidance, shade, sunscreen, long sleeves, and hats, but had similar sunburn rates compared with those without skin cancer. Only sun avoidance and long sleeves were associated with decreased odds of sunburn. Patients with melanoma also reported decreased vitamin D supplementation. Conclusion Although it is reassuring that patients with melanoma practice sun protective behaviors, this does not always translate into reduced sunburns. Physicians should emphasize the importance of photoprotection, especially sun avoidance and sun protective clothing, to reduce future melanoma risk.
Postoperative small bowel obstruction secondary to single malformed staple following laparoscopic total abdominal colectomy.

Surgical staplers are ubiquitous in gastrointestinal surgery, especially laparoscopy. Intraperitoneal staples are designed to be inert and are generally regarded as benign; however, complications from primarily malformed staples can rarely occur. Here, we present a case of early mechanical postoperative small bowel obstruction due to a surgical staple following laparoscopic total abdominal colectomy and end ileostomy creation performed for medically refractory ulcerative colitis. Management consisted of diagnostic laparoscopy and careful extraction of a malformed surgical staple tethering a loop of small bowel to the rectal stump. Eight similar cases following gastrointestinal surgery have been identified in the literature, all occurring in the first 2 weeks following laparoscopic appendectomy. To our knowledge, this is the first case described following laparoscopic total abdominal colectomy, with high-grade small bowel obstruction at the level of the rectal stump staple line.
Local electrical degradations of solid-state electrolyte by nm-scale operando imaging of ionic and electronic transports

Abstract We report on degradation mechanisms of solid-state electrolyte (SSE) based on insights from nm-scale ionic conduction and electronic leakage for solid-state batteries. The significantly different local degradations revealed by nm-scale ionic and electronic transport imaging demonstrate the need for this nm-scale investigation. State-of-the-art lithium-ion conductive glass ceramic (Li2O–Al2O3–SiO2–P2O5–TiO2-GeO2) SSE shows at least two types of degradations spatially separated within the SSE, namely: (1) ionic conduction blocking and slight electronic leaking and (2) highly electronic shunting. Degradation was significantly suppressed by application of a Li-containing polyacrylonitrile thin coating on both sides of the ceramic SSE. With this coating, the ionic conduction was not reduced by the extensive cycling; instead, it improved slightly, although accompanied by a slight increase in electronic leaking. Our nm-scale transport imaging was achieved using an atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based half-cell setup and a logarithmic-scale amplifier with current sensitivity down to the fA (10−15 A) range. This half-cell setup consisting of an AFM-probe/SSE/Li structure can distinguish the ionic from the electronic current by flipping the bias-voltage polarity. This nm-scale operando imaging opens up novel characterization of ionic and electronic transport in the field of solid-state batteries.
Payment Discrepancies and Access to Primary Care Physicians for Dual-eligible Medicare-Medicaid Beneficiaries.

BACKGROUND Physicians often receive lower payments for dual-eligible Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries versus nondual Medicare beneficiaries because of state reimbursement caps. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) primary care fee bump temporarily eliminated this differential in 2013-2014. OBJECTIVE To examine how dual payment policy impacts primary care physicians' (PCP) acceptance of duals. RESEARCH DESIGN We assessed differences in the likelihood that PCPs had dual caseloads of ≥10% or 20% in states with lower versus full dual reimbursement using linear probability models adjusted for physician and area-level traits. Using a triple-difference approach, we examined changes in dual caseloads for PCPs versus a control group of specialists in states with fee bumps versus no change during years postbump versus prebump. SUBJECTS PCPs and specialists (cardiologists, orthopedic surgeons, general surgeons) that billed fee-for-service Medicare. MEASURES State dual payment policies and physicians' dual caseloads as a percentage of their Medicare patients. RESULTS In 2012, 81% of PCPs had dual caseloads of ≥10% and this was less likely among PCPs in states with lower versus full dual reimbursement (eg, difference=-4.52 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, -6.80 to -2.25). The proportion of PCPs with dual caseloads of ≥10% or 20% decreased significantly between 2012 and 2017 and the fee bump was not consistently associated with increases in dual caseloads. CONCLUSIONS Pre-ACA, PCPs' participation in the dual program appeared to be lower in states with lower reimbursement for duals. Despite the ACA fee bump, dual caseloads declined over time, raising concerns of worsening access to care.
The Ethics of Transparency: A Review of Corrections Language in International Journalistic Codes of Ethics

Journalistic codes of ethics (N = 88) from 55 countries were analyzed for their discussions of errors and corrections. The sample includes codes from press councils, broadcast media outlets, newspa...
Applications of Machine Learning Techniques in Genetic Circuit Design

Construction of mathematical models to investigate genetic circuit design is a powerful technique in synthetic biology with real-world applications in biomanufacturing and biosensing. The challenge of building such models is to accurately discover flow of information in simple as well as complex biological systems. However, building synthetic biological models is often a time-consuming process with relatively low prediction accuracy for highly complex genetic circuits. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the utility of various machine learning (ML) techniques to accurately construct mathematical models for predicting gene expressions in genetic circuit designs. Specifically, classification and regressions models were built using Random Forrest (RF), Support Vector Machines (SVM), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). The obtained accuracy of the regression model using RF and ANN yielded R2 scores of 0.97 and 0.95, respectively, compared to the best score of 0.63 obtained in an earlier study. Furthermore, a classifier model was built using the green fluorescent protein (GFP) measurements obtained from the experiments conducted in this work. Biologists use GFP as an indicator of gene expression, enabling easy measurement of its protein level in the living cells. The measured GFP values were predicted with 100% accuracy by both RF and ANN classifier models while identifying various synthetic gene circuit patterns. The paper also highlights importance of the relevant data preparation techniques to ensure high accuracy is obtained by the utilized ML models.
Randomized FIFO Mechanisms

We study the matching of jobs to workers in a queue, e.g. a ridesharing platform dispatching drivers to pick up riders at an airport. Under FIFO dispatching, the heterogeneity in trip earnings incentivizes drivers to cherry-pick, increasing riders' waiting time for a match and resulting in a loss of efficiency and reliability. We first present the direct FIFO mechanism, which offers lower-earning trips to drivers further down the queue. The option to skip the rest of the line incentivizes drivers to accept all dispatches, but the mechanism would be considered unfair since drivers closer to the head of the queue may have lower priority for trips to certain destinations. To avoid the use of unfair dispatch rules, we introduce a family of randomized FIFO mechanisms, which send declined trips gradually down the queue in a randomized manner. We prove that a randomized FIFO mechanism achieves the first best throughput and the second best revenue in equilibrium. Extensive counterfactual simulations using data from the City of Chicago demonstrate substantial improvements of revenue and throughput, highlighting the effectiveness of using waiting times to align incentives and reduce the variability in driver earnings.
Esophageal Food Impaction and Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Retrospective Study, Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis.

Esophageal food impaction (EFI) can be the initial presentation of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). EoE is characterized by persistent esophageal eosinophilia (EE). Both EFI and EE are related to a variety of conditions. To date, the relationship between EFI, EE, and EoE remains unclear. To review our institutional experience with EFIs and combine our knowledge with the existing literature to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis for delineating the relationship between EFI, EE, and EoE. We reviewed medical records of 72 children with EFI presenting to our emergency center between 2007 and 2013. PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases were screened from inception until July 2014 to identify studies linking EFI and EoE. Included studies were methodically assessed for the quality and strength of association between EFI and EoE. Our institutional experience highlighted the possibility of proton-pump inhibitor therapy-responsive EE (PPI-REE) as an underrecognized risk factor for EFI. A systematic review of 14 studies, including ours, revealed that most studies did not eliminate other causes of EFI or EE. The meta-analysis revealed that esophageal biopsies were obtained from 54 % (40–68) of individuals presenting with EFI, and the overall EoE-attributable EFI among those who were biopsied was 54 % (43–65). Substantial heterogeneity was noted among the studies. PPI-REE is an underestimated risk factor for EFI. The quality of existing evidence linking EFI and EoE is limited by several important factors. Future studies with robust design are warranted to delineate the relationship between EFI, EE, and EoE.
Overall mortality in the program on the surgical control of the hyperlipidemias.

Abstract BACKGROUND: The Program on the Surgical Control of the Hyperlipidemias (POSCH), a secondary intervention trial, was the only lipid/atherosclerosis randomized clinical trial that used a surgical modality—partial ileal bypass. POSCH provided solid evidence for the clinical and arteriographic benefits of lipid profile normalization. Few longterm followup reports have been published in this field. This report concerns overall mortality, the primary endpoint of POSCH, with a mean followup of 18 years (range 15.5 to 23.0 years). STUDY DESIGN: Overall mortality data were compiled from reports to the POSCH clinics, followup telephone calls, death certificates, and the US National Death Index. RESULTS: There were 144 deaths in the control group (n = 417) and 120 deaths in the intervention group (n = 421), using intent-to-treat analysis. The risk reduction in the intervention group was 0.201 (20%); the risk ratio was 0.799, or 0.8 (95% confidence intervals, 0.628 to 1.018, p=0.07). The proportion of patients alive was 65.7% in the control group and 72.0% in the intervention group, for a difference of 6.3% in the intervention group (p = 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (p = 0.046) and disease-free intervals analysis at 70% survival (p CONCLUSIONS: Longterm followup POSCH data demonstrate that lipid profile normalization will decrease overall mortality and will maintain a persistent and constant increase in life expectancy.
Comparison of Two Hapten-specific Rabbit Antibodies

Abstract Individual rabbits received injections of bovine serum albumin (BSA) coupled with equivalent amounts of p-azophenylarsonate (As) and p-azophenyl-N-trimethylammonium (R4N) ions. Injection of the doubly labeled azoprotein ensured initial equal distribution of the two haptens among the cells involved in antibody formation. The immune sera of the injected animals contained hapten-specific antibodies of the types anti-As and anti-R4N, and a mixture of protein-specific antibodies directed against the various determinant groups of BSA. The hapten-specific antibodies were separated from each other and from anti-BSA by means of immunosorbents containing As or R4N residues bound to hydroxyphenylazobenzyl cellulose. Anti-As and anti-R4N were digested with trypsin and chymotrypsin. Peptide maps of the digests of the two antibodies were extremely similar. Usually, small differences in one or two peptide spots were observed. However, small differences were also found between antibodies produced by an individual rabbit at different times and between antibodies produced in various rabbits of the same injection series. Column chromatograms of the enzymatic digests of the two hapten-specific antibodies, anti-As and anti-R4N, showed only 20 to 25 peaks, most of them identical in both types of antibodies. Although differences in one or two peaks were observed, they were not the same when the two hapten-specific antibodies were prepared from an immune serum taken from the same animal at another time, or from the immune serum of another rabbit. Starch gel electrophoresis of the reduced and alkylated peptide chains of the purified hapten-specific antibodies at pH 8.2 revealed the presence of two cathodic bands produced by the A chains, and 6 to 8 narrow anodic bands of B chains. The A chains of anti-As migrated consistently faster cathodically than those of anti-R4N. The patterns of bands formed by the B chains of anti-As and anti-R4N were very similar; although differences in the intensity of some of the bands were observed, they were not found consistently, and they varied in the antibodies isolated from an individual rabbit at different times. Larger differences were produced by disk electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel. Our results show that each of the two purified hapten-specific antibodies consists of a mixture of antibody molecules differing from each other by 6 to 8 types of B chains, possibly also by heterogeneity of the A chains. The absence of any consistent difference between the peptide maps or column chromatograms of the digests of anti-As and anti-R4N raises the possibility that heterogeneity involves not only the non-specific parts of the antibody molecules but also the combining sites, and that the specific combining site of a hapten-specific antibody such as anti-As may be formed by various amino acid sequences, each of these resulting in a conformation which fits closely to the homologous hapten.
Chapter 11 Sediment Signatures of U- and Th-Series Nuclides and their Application as Paleoceanographic Tracers

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the long-lived U-series nuclides in sediments with an emphasis on their paleoceanographic applications. The chapter briefly discusses the short-lived nuclides and their application to modern sedimentation. The use of authigenic U as a proxy for sediment redox state, the applications of 230 Th as a means of reconstructing the vertical rain of sediment, corrected for bias because of lateral sediment focusing and winnowing, and the use of 231 Pa/ 230 Th ratios as tracers of particle flux and ocean circulation are presented subsequently. The U-series nuclides provide a critical set of tools for paleoceanographic research. They are used both for dating marine archives as well as understanding past particle flux, particle composition, and circulation in the ocean. The short-lived U-series nuclides 210 Pb and 234 Th are used extensively in studies of contemporary sedimentation, specifically in determining rates of sediment accumulation and rates of sediment mixing. The tendency for uranium to precipitate in marine sediments under reducing conditions has led to the use of authigenic U as a proxy of sediment redox state. An important application of 230 Th in paleoceanography is its use as a “constant flux proxy” to enable the reconstruction of sediment accumulation rates resulting from vertical deposition of material. As with all paleo-proxies, a thorough understanding of their behavior in the modern ocean is needed to properly interpret changes through time. At the same time, the generation of more paleo-records, particularly multi-proxy records, not only brings people closer to understanding Earth's climate on a variety of timescales, but can also reveal inconsistencies between tracers. Such inconsistencies prompt further investigation into the tracer's modern behavior.
Why Did China Reform It’s Death Penalty?

China recently reformed its death penalty procedures, and as a result the government has executed fewer prisoners. The author explores possible explanations for and policy concerns behind this change and evaluates their implications for the future of the death penalty in China. The influences for the change include international forces and domestic factors, such as academic criticism, the media, changed circumstances in society, compassion, and politics. Although hardly transparent, the underlying motivations for the revisions suggest that China eventually may abolish capital punishment, perhaps before the United States does so. However, recent signals indicate that officials may be ending the 'lenient' period, suggesting that the reforms may mean much less than thought initially.
Dextroamphetamine Enhances “Neural Network-Specific” Physiological Signals: A Positron-Emission Tomography rCBF Study

Previous studies in animals and humans suggest that monoamines enhance behavior-evoked neural activity relative to nonspecific background activity (i.e., increase signal-to-noise ratio). We studied the effects of dextroamphetamine, an indirect monoaminergic agonist, on cognitively evoked neural activity in eight healthy subjects using positron-emission tomography and the O15 water intravenous bolus method to measure regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Dextroamphetamine (0.25 mg/kg) or placebo was administered in a double-blind, counterbalanced design 2 hr before the rCBF study in sessions separated by 1-2 weeks. rCBF was measured while subjects performed four different tasks: two abstract reasoning tasks--the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST), a neuropsychological test linked to a cortical network involving dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and other association cortices, and Ravens Progressive Matrices (RPM), a nonverbal intelligence test linked to posterior cortical systems--and two corresponding sensorimotor control tasks. There were no significant drug or task effects on pCO2 or on global blood flow. However, the effect of dextroamphetamine (i.e., dextroamphetamine vs placebo) on task-dependent rCBF activation (i.e., task - control task) showed double dissociations with respect to task and region in the very brain areas that most distinctly differentiate the tasks. In the superior portion of the left inferior frontal gyrus, dextroamphetamine increased rCBF during WCST but decreased it during RPM (ANOVA F (1,7) = 16.72, p < 0.0046). In right hippocampus, blood flow decreased during WCST but increased during RPM (ANOVA F(1,7) = 18.7, p < 0.0035). These findings illustrate that dextroamphetamine tends to "focus" neural activity, to highlight the neural network that is specific for a particular cognitive task. This capacity of dextroamphetamine to induce cognitively specific signal augmentation may provide a neurobiological explanation for improved cognitive efficiency with dextroamphetamine.
Role of deep sea temperature in the carbon cycle during the last glacial

[1] To characterize the response of Earth's climate system to increases in atmospheric CO2, climate modelers define climate sensitivity as the change in global mean temperature in response to prescribed forcing. Here we turn this approach around and use estimates of ocean temperature change to investigate the mechanisms driving CO2 variations over the last glacial. New records provide evidence of a link between deep ocean temperature and atmospheric CO2 over the last glacial cycle. Two mechanisms simultaneously couple pCO2 and deep ocean temperature: the temperature-dependent solubility of CO2 in seawater and the atmospheric CO2-dependent radiative forcing of temperature. Each of these forcing mechanisms leaves a unique slope of covariation between CO2 and deep ocean temperature, which we estimate using numerical models of climate and the carbon cycle. The pCO2/T slopes derived from paleoclimate data differ between the deglaciation and shorter 5-kyr duration events in marine isotope stage 3 (MIS 3), revealing different mechanisms driving atmospheric CO2 variability. The amplitude of changes over the deglaciation coincides with estimates for CO2 forcing of temperature; however, CO2 changes during MIS 3 can be explained solely by temperature-dependent solubility driving variations in atmospheric pCO2. The deep water temperature changes during MIS 3 may reflect changes in the temperature or relative contribution of Antarctic Bottom Water and play a role in the “bipolar seesaw.”
On the Distant Horizon—Medical Therapy for Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit in developed societies. Hearing impairment in children, particularly of prelingual onset, has been shown to negatively affect educational achievement, future employment and earnings, and even life expectancy. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), which refers to defects within the cochlea or auditory nerve itself, far outweighs conductive causes for permanent hearing loss in both children and adults. The causes of SNHL in children are heterogeneous, including both congenital and acquired causes. This article identifies potential mechanisms of intervention both at the level of the hair cell and the spiral ganglion neurons.
Refractory period and adaptation in prolonged brain reward

Rats press a lever to halve the frequency of a prolonged rewarding brain stimulus. The rats are given a choice between a lever which halves the frequency and a second lever on which the overall frequency of pulses remains the same but each even pulse follows each odd pulse after a short interval. When the interval between odd and even pulses on this second lever is less than 0.5 msec, this lever is pressed as frequently as the first, as if the even pulses had no effect. However, if the even pulses are placed at an interval which exceeds 0.5 msec, preference shifts to the first lever. The opposite effect occurs at the same parameters if there is no prolonged brain stimulus and the rat works simply to turn on the stimulus, pointing to the same neural substrate for the turning on and turning off of the brain stimulus. This supports the notion that turning off of the stimulus is due to an adaptation of the neural pathway subserving reward.
Randomized Controlled Trial of a Low Animal Protein, High Fiber Diet in the Prevention of Recurrent Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones

Low protein diets are commonly prescribed for patients with idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis, who account for > 80% of new diagnoses of kidney stones. This dietary advice is supported by metabolic studies and epidemiologic observational studies but has not been evaluated in a controlled trial. Using 1983-1985 data from three Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers, the authors randomly assigned 99 persons who had calcium oxalate stones for the first time to a low animal protein, high fiber diet that contained approximately 56-64 g daily of protein, 75 mg daily of purine (primarily from animal protein and legumes), one-fourth cup of wheat bran supplement, and fruits and vegetables. Intervention subjects were also instructed to drink six to eight glasses of liquid daily and to maintain adequate calcium intake from dairy products or calcium supplements. Control subjects were instructed only on fluid intake and adequate calcium intake. Both groups were followed regularly for up to 4.5 years with food frequency questionnaires, serum and urine chemistry analysis, and abdominal radiography; and they were urged to comply with dietary instructions. In the intervention group of 50 subjects, stones recurred in 12 (7.1 per 100 person-years) compared with two (1.2 per 100 person-years) in the control group; both groups received a mean of 3.4 person-years of follow-up (p = 0.006). After adjustment for possible confounding effects of age, sex, education, and baseline protein and fluid intake, the relative risk of a recurrent stone in the intervention group was 5.6 (95% confidence interval 1.2-26.1) compared with the control group. The authors conclude that advice to follow a low animal protein, high fiber, high fluid diet has no advantage over advice to increase fluid intake alone.
Implicit Social Knowledge, Cultural Capital, and “Authenticity” among Puerto Ricans in Chicago

In their countries of origin, Latin American and Caribbean migrants to the United States have been designated by various terms suggesting their cultural impurity. In Venezuela, tabaratos were citizens who migrated to Miami in the midst of the 1970s oil boom because the change from bolivares to dollars favored them and found that everything "(es)ta barato" (is cheap). Pochos in Mexico, gusanos in Cuba, and, most recently, dominicayork' and brazucos in the Dominican Republic and Brazil, respectively, are terms adopted to create the migrant Others of the nation. Rather than being simple labels, these terms point to the political contexts, economic motivations, and essentialist notions of authenticity of transnational migratory flows. They also suggest the migrants' subsequent "Americanization" and their evolving relationship with the national territories they have left behind. The creation of national subjects sustains hegemonic notions of "authenticity," that is, of gradations of cultural purity and means of distinguishing a "true" national from contaminating hybrids. The creation of a social space in which to express belongingness and at the same time define the Other is the effect and practice of the social, political, and historical power relations of the nation. The territory-population relation is naturalized through the power enacted in the carving out of a unique national place from a variety of material environments and the conceptualization of that place as incomparable, "a
An interactive facility for symbolic mathematics

This paper describes a system designed to provide an interactive symbolic computational facility for the mathematician user. To carry out this objective, an experimental LISP system has been implemented for IBM System/360 computers. Using this LISP system as a base, portions of several systems have been combined and augmented to provide the following facilities to a user:(1) rational function manipulation and simplification; symbolic differentiation (Anthony Hearn's REDUCE)(2) symbolic integration (Joel Moses' SIN)(3) polynomial factorization, solution of linear differential equations, direct and inverse symbolic Laplace transforms (Carl Engelman's MATHLAB, including Knut Korsvold's simplification system)(4) unlimited precision integer arithmetic(5) manipulation of arrays containing symbolic entries(6) two-dimensional output on IBM 2741 terminals or IBM 2250 displays (William Martin's Symbolic Mathematical Laboratory, and Jonathan Millen's CHARYBDIS program from MATHLAB)(7) self-extending language facility (META/LISP).The user language created for the system incorporates a subset of "customary" mathematical notation. Data objects include sequences (both finite and infinite) and arrays of arbitrary rank. Assignment statements are the fundamental commands in the user language; they may contain "for"-clauses which restrict the domain for which the assignment is valid and permit "piecewise" and recursive definition of new operators and functions. The user may also enter syntax definition statements in order to introduce new notations into the system.Expressions appearing in assignment statements may include "where"-clauses which allow user control over the "environment" used in evaluation. Otherwise, evaluation of expressions occurs in the current environment created by the successive user commands, with certain operations such as integration, differentiation, and simplification performed automatically.Translators for the user language and for a resident higher-level procedural language facility are written in META/LISP, a new self-compiling translator-writing system. As a result, all input language facilities as well as the underlying manipulation routines may be interactively extended by an experienced user.
A method for the detection and estimation of aortic regurgitant flow in man.

When a diastolic murmur is present at the base of the heart, it may be difficult on clinical grounds to determine whether or not aortic insufficiency is present. Further, in patients in whom this lesion definitely exists, the magnitude of aortic regurgitant flow has been the subject of considerable speculation among both clinicians and physiologists. A technic has been devised that not only makes possible the detection of aortic insufficiency but also permits an estimate of the regurgitant volume to be made.
Dissociation of the metabolic from the contractile response to muscarinic stimulation in the rabbit urinary bladder.

The calcium dependence of contraction and NADH flurorescence was investigated in rabbit bladder stimulated with bethanechol or KCl. The absence of calcium in the bathing solution induced a rightward shift in the dose response to bethanechol for both contraction and NADH flurorescence. The contractile response was shifted to a greater degree than the fluorescence response and the maximal response to bethanechol was reduced by 80% for contraction but only 20% for NADH fluorescence. This rightward shift was also induced by the benzothiazepine calcium antagonist diltiazem (200 μM) and again the contractile response was shifted significantly more than the fluorescence response. The combination of zero calcium and 200 μM diltiazem virtually abolished contractions but only inhibited the NADH fluorescence by 65% at maximally effective bethanechol concentrations. Unlike the effect of diltiazem on the response to bethanechol, diltiazem (200 μM) shifted both the contraction and fluorescence curves to the right equally in response to KCl stimulation. These results indicate that a metabolic response to muscarinic stimulation (decreased NADH) can occur in the absence of any observable contractile response. This metabolic response may be due to post receptor signal processing events. For KCl stimulation, the NADH response is probably secondary to and a result of the contractile response.
Effect of pheromone concentration on organization of preflight behaviors of the male gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar(L.)

Male gypsy moths (Lymantria dispar L.) in a wind tunnel at 24° respond to decreasing dosages (1 μg to 0.1 pg) of (+)-cis-7,8-epoxy-2-methyloctadecane with a decrease in probability of wing-fanning, an increase in wing-fanning latency, and an increase in the number of behaviors (body jerks, antennal twitches, steps, and wing tremors) preceding fanning. Males initiating any behavior prior to wing-fanning had a 70% probability of wing-fanning and 97% of the males that wing-fanned eventually flew. The sequence of behaviors from quiescence to flight is not organized in a hierarchy, as this concept is used in ethology, nor is it dependent upon the concentration of pheromone. The time-average threshold concentration of pheromone for response of ca. 90% or more quiescent males is ca. 1.9 × 10−17 g/cm3 over < 0.3 min.
Autonomous management of a recursive area hierarchy for large scale wireless sensor networks using multiple parents

Large scale, duty-cycled, wireless sensor networks provide support for applications ranging from anomaly detection to vehicle tracking. In order meet the requirements of these applications an autonomous configuration and maintenance method that is efficient and effective is required. When selecting a management solution it is important to consider both the direct and indirect costs associated with the different solution. For example, the overhead associated with communication synchronization and scheduling is an example of an indirect cost that can significantly impact the network lifetime. Further, an effective solution needs to recognize that in-network data aggregation and analysis presents significant benefits and should configure the network with a structure that benefits application layer functions. NOA, the proposed network management protocol, utilizes a multi-parent hierarchical logical structure. The multi-parent structure provides application layer functions with significant inherent benefits such as, but not limited to: elimination of the single-parent network divisions, data resolution guarantees when comparisons are performed at data aggregation points, and redundancies for communication as well as in-network data aggregation, analysis and storage.
Inhibition of γG-mediated in vitro phagocytosis by the Clq component of complement

Abstract Highly purified Clq was found capable of inhibiting in vitro phagocytosis mediated by γG opsonin. Sheep erythrocytes were sensitized with rabbit anti-sheep cell γG. Ingestion of these sensitized erythrocytes by human monocytes and neutrophils was reduced to less than one third of control values when Clq was added to leukocyte monolayers with sensitized erythrocytes or preincubated with sensitized erythrocytes under conditions favoring the association of Clq and γG. No inhibition was noted when Clq alone was preincubated with leukocyte monolayers. These results suggest that attachment of Clq to the γG opsonin inhibited γG-mediated phagocytosis by interfering with the union of the Fc portion of the γG opsonin and its receptor on the surface of the phagocytic cell. Heat inactivation of Clq did not diminish its ability to inhibit γG-mediated phagocytosis. The inhibiting activity of Clq corresponded to the 11S protein peak in sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation while that of heat-inactivated Clq was found in the region including 11S-4S material.
Enzymic synthesis of L-ascorbic acid in different animal species.

Abstract The three enzymes or enzyme systems involved in the biosynthesis of l -ascorbic acid from d -glucuronic acid in animal tissues, catalyzing the following reactions: 1. (a.) d -glucuronate + TPNH + H+ l -gulonate + TPN+ 2. (b.) l -gulonate + DPN+→ [3-keto- l -gulonate] + DPNH + H+ 3. (c.) [3-keto- l -gulonate] → l -ascorbate have been assayed in extracts of various tissues of a number of different animal species. In mammals requiring no dietary ascorbic acid, the liver contains all three enzymes and thus can convert d -glucuronate to l -ascorbate. The kidney contains the first two enzymes but is apparently unable to carry out the last step. In two birds, chicken and pigeon, and in a reptile, the turtle, only the kidney contains all three enzymes. In mammals requiring dietary ascorbic acid, including man, two monkey species, and the guinea pig, the liver is unable to convert l -gulonate to ascorbate, although enzymes catalyzing the first two reactions are present. These findings indicate that the conversion of an oxidation product of l -gulonate, presumably 3-keto- l -gulonate, into l -ascorbate is defective. Failure to form ascorbic acid in the latter species is not caused by an excessively high rate of destruction of l -ascorbic acid.
On Abelian continuous groups

An abstract continuous group, G, is an abstract space whose points have a continuous associative multiplication law, with division. The object of this note is to sketch a proof, which will appear in full elsewhere, that if the space G is locally Cartesian and compact, and the group G is Abelian (commutative), then G is the ordinary closed translation group in n dimensions: i.e. the space is that obtained from the “cube”
Beliefs About Illness Causality Among Preschoolers with Cancer: Evidence Against Immanent Justice

Evaluated whether preschoolers with cancer are more or less likely than their healthy counterparts to consider illness a form of punishment for misdeeds (immanent justice). It was found that a sample of preschoolers with cancer (n = 17) rejected immanent justice as a general cause of illness, both in themselves and in others, just as frequently as healthy controls (n = 17). Both groups also rejected immanent justice in cases where misbehavior was prolonged. Children with cancer demonstrated a view of illness causality based on greater differentiation between themselves and other people, in that they were more likely than healthy controls to accept immanent justice as a cause of illness in themselves but not others, and vice versa. Finally, nearly all of the children with cancer who accepted immanent justice as a general cause of illness in themselves also attributed their cancer specifically to immanent justice.
Megaphone: Fault Tolerant, Scalable, and Trustworthy P2P Microblogging

Micro-blogging, or the posting of weblogs entries that have a small number of characters (160 characters or less), has recently become more mainstream. Services that implement micro-blogging such as Twitter are usually based on the client- server model. This limits their scalability and fault tolerance. In this paper, we present a new secure microblogging system that is based on a peer-to-peer network. The network is arranged based on user certificates and is scalable, does not have a single point of failure, and does not depend on a single vendor’s proprietary service. The paper outlines the protocol specifics and provides implementation details for a secure, scaleable microblogging system.