cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MCAM-expressing CD4+ T cells in Peripheral Blood Secrete IL-17A and are Significantly Elevated in Inflammatory Autoimmune Diseases

Th17 cells are a subset of CD4(+) T cells characterized by production of IL-17 and are known to be key participants in inflammatory reactions and various autoimmune diseases. In this study we found that a subset of human CD4(+) T cells expressing MCAM (CD146) have higher mRNA levels of RORC2, IL-23R, IL-26, IL-22, IL-17A, but not IFN-γ, compared to CD4(+) T cell not expressing CD146. Upon TCR stimulation with CD3/CD28, CD4(+)CD146(+) T cells secrete significantly more IL-17A, IL-6, and IL-8 than do CD4(+)CD146(-) T cells. Low frequencies of CD4(+)CD146(+) T cells are found in the circulation of healthy adults, but the frequency of these cells is significantly increased in the circulation of patients with inflammatory autoimmune diseases including Behcet's, sarcoidosis and Crohn's disease. Patterns of gene expression and cytokine secretion in these cells are similar in healthy and disease groups. In Crohn's disease, the increase in CD4(+)CD146(+) cells in the circulation correlates with disease severity scores. These data indicate that expression of CD146 on CD4(+) T cells identifies a population of committed human Th17 cells. It is likely the expression of CD146, an endothelial adhesion molecule, facilitates adherence and migration of Th17 cells through the endothelium to sites of inflammation.
Solid-phase synthesis of N-substituted 3,4-dihydroquinazolinone derivatives

An efficient solid-phase synthetic approach for the synthesis of N-substituted 3, 4-dihydroquinazolinone derivatives has been developed. Four different 2-nitrobenzoic acids and three different 2-phenylacetyl chlorides were employed in the synthesis of this library. After purification, all products were obtained in good yields.
Characteristics of the binding of human C‐reactive protein (CRP) to laminin

Human CRP binds to the basement membrane protein laminin in vitro in a Ca2+-dependent manner via the phosphorylcholine (PC) binding site of C-reactive protein (CRP). The binding was saturable at a molar ratio of 4 (CRP/laminin). The specificity of the binding was shown by inhibition of binding of labeled CRP to laminin by unlabeled CRP, but not by human IgG. Specific binding was optimal in the presence of 5 mM Ca2+, but did not occur in the absence of Ca2+ or in the presence of EDTA. The binding of Ca2+ to CRP causes a conformational change in the molecule, which is required for binding to PC and to laminin. The PC binding site of CRP was implicated in the binding to laminin on the basis of inhibition by both soluble PC and anti-idiotypic mAbs directed to the TEPC-15 PC-binding idiotype found on mouse antibodies to PC. In addition, mouse mAbs specific for the CRP PC binding site displayed decreased reactivity with CRP already bound to laminin. The binding of CRP to laminin provides a possible explanation for selective deposition of CRP at inflamed sites. The CRP-laminin interaction may serve as a means of concentrating CRP at sites of tissue damage so that the CRP might function as a ligand for leukocytes, an event that will result in removal of necrotic tissue and cell debris.
Endolymphatic hydrops in the rabbit: Auditory brainstem responses and cochlear morphology

A rabbit model of endolymphatic hydrops was studied using detailed functional and cytohistologic methods. Immediately following surgical destruction of the endolymphatic sac and the distal portion of the duct, measures of the evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR) revealed mild to profound losses specific to low- and high-frequency test stimuli while responses to mid-frequency signals remained unchanged for the majority of animals. Rabbits exhibited varying degrees of vestibular upset involving both overt behavior and reduced responses to caloric stimulation. Histologic processing of the plastic embedded cochleae demonstrated distended Reissner's membranes along with extensive damage to apical and basal turn sensory cells and myelinated afferent nerve fibers while the middle portion of the cochlear duct remained relatively unaltered. An atypical pattern of hair cell lesions involving a greater loss for inner than for outer hair cells was identified at the interface between damaged apical sensorineural elements and the normal appearing organ of Corti of the middle turns.
A thermodynamic and electron paramagnetic resonance study of structural changes in calmodulin induced by aluminum binding.

Bovine brain calmodulin binds 3 mol aluminum per mol protein with dissociation constants in the range of 10 −7 to 10 −6 molar. EPR spectra of spin-labelled calmodulin provide data indicating that aluminum binding causes decreased probe immobilization as compared to the effects of calcium binding. This result of aluminum binding indicates that Al-calmodulin is a more random, open polypeptide relative to the structure of Ca 2+ -calmodulin. Calorimetric measurements of aluminum binding provide data showing that the first mol of aluminum bound is accompanied by the largest enthalpic change (−3.9 kcal mol −1 ), whereas binding of the second and third mol of aluminum are each entropically driven.
Studies on the mechanism of fatty acid synthesis VI. Spectrophotometric assay and stoichiometry of fatty acid synthesis

Abstract A spectrophotometric assay for the synthesis of long-chain fatty acids from acetyl CoA which depends upon the oxidation of TPNH has been described. The oxidation of TPNH requires all the components of the system and correlates very well with the incorporation of radioactivity from [ I -14C]acetyl CoA to palmitate. The stoichiometry of the fatty acid synthesis has been studied and the results for the synthesis of palmitic acid may be expressed by the following equation.
The effects of equine somatotropin (eST) on follicular development and circulating plasma hormone profiles in cyclic mares treated during different stages of the estrous cycle

The effects of exogenous equine somatotropin (eST) administration on ovarian activity and plasma hormone levels were evaluated on horse and pony mares. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of eST on follicular development and circulating concentrations of leutinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, progesterone, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in cyclic horse and pony mares. Sixteen mares received daily injections (im) of eST at a concentration of 25 mg/kg body weight on either Days 6 through 12 (Treatment A) or 13 through 19 (Treatment B) postovulation. In addition, contemporary mares were similarly given the carrier vehicle and served as controls (Treatments C and D). Blood samples were collected at 24-hr intervals and ultrasonographic evaluations were performed on the ovaries of each mare at 48-hr intervals beginning on the first day of treatment and ending either on the day of ovulation or 5 d postovulation. Circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were increased in treated mares by Day 3 posttreatment (P , 0.05). Also, mares in Treatment B exhibited a decrease in plasma estradiol concentrations (P , 0.05) when compared with control mares on Days 1 through 5 postovulation of the post-treated estrous cycle. In addition, circulating leutinizing hormone levels were different for mares in Treatment A compared with controls on Days 28 through 21 pre-ovulation (P , 0.05). All follicles present on the ovaries of each mare were measured and placed into one of five categories based on their diameter. Neither the mean number of follicles per size category ˜ 8m m in diameter nor the mean follicular diameter within each size category differed among treatment and control mares. However, eST treatment significantly increased the number of follicles ¶ 7m m on the ovaries of mares treated early in the estrous cycle when compared with control mares on Days 3 and 7 post-treatment and at the onset of standing estrus. © Elsevier Science Inc. 1999
The Salience of Race in Everyday Life: Black Customers' Shopping Experiences in Black and White Neighborhoods

This article focuses on Black customers' shopping experiences in both Black and White neighborhoods, drawing on 75 in-depth interviews of Black shoppers in New York City and Philadelphia. Previous research focuses on the prejudicial attitudes of the business owners in predominantly Black neighborhoods, yet none of the studies include the customers' views. Customers report that most merchant-customer interactions in Black neighborhoods are positive rather than negative, and more poignantly, Blacks are treated worse when they shop in predominantly White neighborhoods. Black customers respond to the negative treatment by wearing their class, but this is no guarantee that they will be treated fairly.
Toward the study of women and politics in the Arab world: The debate and the reality

This article deals with the subject of political roles of women in the Arab world. It argues that, while the conditions of women are not uniform in the region, there are some general common factors that inhibit women’s participation in the political process. The article also addresses the subject of Islamic determinants—or lack thereof—of the status of women in Arab society. An analysis of the feminist debate is presented, and some trends are identified. The analysis focuses on the interaction between Islam and culture in an attempt to determine the role of each in the oppression of women. A critique of the antifeminist and “Islamic feminist’ viewpoints is included. The article offers some methodological suggestions for the comparative study of women and politics in the Arab world, with special emphasis on: voting, legalistic/constitutional method, informal vs. formal politics, and the impact of modernization. The conclusion is predicated on the belief in the limitations of a feminist struggle within the parameters of religion, any religion—in this case Islam.
Supervisors' performance feedback to subordinates: The impact of subordinate performance valence and outcome dependence☆

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two variables on supervisors' performance feedback to subordinates: (1) the valence of the subordinate's performance, that is, whether the subordinate has performed well or poorly, and (2) the degree to which the supervisor's monetary outcomes are dependent on the subordinate's performance. It was hypothesized that supervisors would give subordinates feedback less often about instances of poor performance than about instances of good performance, but that when given, their feedback about poor performance would be more specific than their feedback about good performance. It was also hypothesized that supervisors would give feedback more often under conditions of high outcome dependence than under conditions of low outcome dependence. The results strongly supported the two performance valence hypotheses. The outcome dependence hypothesis was also supported, but only when the subordinate exhibited a pattern of gradually worsening performance. The implications of these findings are discussed, as are directions for future research.
TRANSLOCATION IN THE GIANT KELP MACROCYSTIS I. RATES, DIRECTION, QUANTITY OF C14-LABELED PRODUCTS AND FLUORESCEIN

SUMMARY C14 tracer and fluorescein dye experiments on translocation through the stipes of Macrocystis are reported. Both dye and C14-labeled products move mainly in the sieve tubes acropetally and basipetally in variable amounts and at variable rates, frequently entering young developing blades en route. The maximum rate of transport of organic products of photosynthesis may reach 65-78 cm/hr, while that of fluorescein rarely exceeds 1.0 cm/hr in intact fronds. By their behavior, fluorescein and the C1J′-labeled products(s) resemble phloem translocation in vascular plants.
An investigation of the recommended immersion tin thickness for lead‐free soldering

Purpose – This paper describes the different thickness measurement techniques that enable reliable thickness assessments, and the determination of the recommended immersion tin thickness for lead‐free soldering.Design/methodology/approach – Immersion tin layers were prepared with systematically varying layer thicknesses. The samples were annealed at different reflow profiles, used in assembly for tin/silver/copper (SAC‐alloy) soldering. The layers were characterized with X‐ray fluorescence, electrochemical stripping coulometry, and by examining the cross sections using a scanning electron microscope. The solderability of the samples was determined with a solder balance (Solderability Tester Menisco ST60) using a SAC‐alloy (melting point 217°C) with T(max) at ΔT=28°C and ΔT=43°C above melting.Findings – If all pure tin is converted into the Sn/Cu IMC, so that no pure tin is left as solderable layer, the wetting behaviour will decrease dramatically. Especially for multiple soldering processes, two times ref...
Foreshock theories for the outer heliospheric radio emissions

Abstract Progress made on recent theories for the 2 – 3 kHz radio emissions in the outer heliosphere is summarized. The theories involve radiation produced near ƒ p and/or 2ƒ p , by nonlinear processes involving Langmuir waves, when solar wind density enhancements enter the foreshock region sunwards of the termination shock. Two classes of events have been detected by Voyager: transient drifting emissions and a relatively continuous 2 kHz component. Foreshock theories for both types of emissions are presented and discussed, with emphasis placed on the role of density inhomogeneities. Our conclusions are as follows. (1) The levels and characteristics of the transient events are consistent with the expectations of the foreshock theory. The source may be located outside 50 AU. (2) The higher foreshock wave levels and enhanced density regions associated with stream-stream interactions in the outer heliosphere provide rationales for McNutt's trigger hypothesis. (3) A foreshock theory cannot easily account for the 2 kHz component's almost constant frequency range. Explanations in terms of steady density enhancements or an alternative source region and/or emission mechanism should be sought.
Issue costs and regulated returns: A general approach

This paper sets forth a general, unified procedure for the treatment of flotation costs for the regulated utility, a method which reduces to standard treatments as special cases. In this approach, the regulated return becomes a weighted average of the required rates on different portions of equity capital, portions that are distinguished by whether or not issue costs are incurred in their acquisition. In addition, the method provides solutions for a host of financial environments, including solutions where past flotation costs are to be recognized, and where merged utilities with different flotation-cost recovery patterns must be combined.
The Woman in Yellow in Toni Morrison's TAR BABY

Much has been made of the fact that Jadine Childs, protagonist of Toni Morrison's Tar Baby (1981), circles back around to Europe, rather than North America or the Caribbean, at the close of the nov...
Intestinal lesions are associated with altered intestinal microbiome and are more frequent in children and young adults with cystic fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Background and Aims Cirrhosis (CIR) occurs in 5–7% of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We hypothesized that alterations in intestinal function in CF contribute to the development of CIR. Aims: Determine the frequency of macroscopic intestinal lesions, intestinal inflammation, intestinal permeability and characterize fecal microbiome in CF CIR subjects and CF subjects with no liver disease (CFnoLIV). Methods 11 subjects with CFCIR (6 M, 12.8 yrs ± 3.8) and 19 matched with CFnoLIV (10 M, 12.6 yrs ± 3.4) underwent small bowel capsule endoscopy, intestinal permeability testing by urinary lactulose: mannitol excretion ratio, fecal calprotectin determination and fecal microbiome characterization. Results CFCIR and CFnoLIV did not differ in key demographics or CF complications. CFCIR had higher GGT (59±51 U/L vs 17±4 p = 0.02) and lower platelet count (187±126 vs 283±60 p = 0.04) and weight (-0.86 ± 1.0 vs 0.30 ± 0.9 p = 0.002) z scores. CFCIR had more severe intestinal mucosal lesions on capsule endoscopy (score ≥4, 4/11 vs 0/19 p = 0.01). Fecal calprotectin was similar between CFCIR and CFnoLIV (166 μg/g ±175 vs 136 ± 193 p = 0.58, nl <120). Lactulose:mannitol ratio was elevated in 27/28 subjects and was slightly lower in CFCIR vs CFnoLIV (0.08±0.02 vs 0.11±0.05, p = 0.04, nl ≤0.03). Small bowel transit time was longer in CFCIR vs CFnoLIV (195±42 min vs 167±68 p<0.001, nl 274 ± 41). Bacteroides were decreased in relative abundance in CFCIR and were associated with lower capsule endoscopy score whereas Clostridium were more abundant in CFCIR and associated with higher capsule endoscopy score. Conclusions CFCIR is associated with increased intestinal mucosal lesions, slower small bowel transit time and alterations in fecal microbiome. Abnormal intestinal permeability and elevated fecal calprotectin are common in all CF subjects. Disturbances in intestinal function in CF combined with changes in the microbiome may contribute to the development of hepatic fibrosis and intestinal lesions.
The synthesis of E‐β‐[2‐14C] indol‐3‐ylacrylic acid

We report a two step synthesis of indoleacrylic acid with a 14C-label in the 2-position of the indole ring. [2-14C] Indole was formylated at the 3-position with phosphorous oxychloride and DMF. Subsequent condensation with malonic acid provided the title compound with specific activity and radiochemical purity of 112 μCi/mmol and 93% respectively.
Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of stable colchicine binding site tubulin inhibitors as potential anticancer agents.

To block the metabolically labile sites of novel tubulin inhibitors targeting the colchicine binding site based on SMART, ABI, and PAT templates, we have designed, synthesized, and biologically tested three focused sets of new derivatives with modifications at the carbonyl linker, the para-position in the C ring of SMART template, and modification of A ring of the PAT template. Structure–activity relationships of these compounds led to the identification of new benzimidazole and imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-fused ring templates, represented by compounds 4 and 7, respectively, which showed enhanced antitumor activity and substantially improved the metabolic stability in liver microsomes compared to SMART. MOM group replaced TMP C ring and generated a potent analogue 15, which showed comparable potency to the parent SMART compound. Further modification of PAT template yielded another potent analogue 33 with 5-indolyl substituent at A ring.
Dietary zinc restriction in rats alters antioxidant status and increases plasma F2 isoprostanes.

Approximately 12% of Americans do not consume the estimated average requirement for zinc and could be at risk for zinc deficiency. Since zinc has proposed antioxidant function, inadequate zinc consumption may lead to an enhanced susceptibility to oxidative stress through several mechanisms, including altered antioxidant defenses. In this study, we hypothesized that dietary zinc restriction would result in lower antioxidant status and increased oxidative damage. We fed weanling Sprague-Dawley rats (n=12 per group) a zinc-adequate (50 mg/kg of zinc) diet, a zinc-deficient ( .05) by zinc deficiency, but cytochrome P450 (CYP) 4F2 protein levels were elevated (P<.05) as compared with those in zinc-adequate rats. Collectively, zinc deficiency increased oxidative stress, which may be partially explained by increased CYP activity and reductions in hepatic alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol and in plasma uric acid.
Intraorganizational and interorganizational job change: A discriminant analysis

Using March and Simon's (1958) participation model as a framework, this study employs the 1973–77 Quality of Employment Survey panel data to compare the determinants of intraorganizational and interorganizational job change. Two discriminant functions were significant, the first distinguishing between intraorganizational changers and stayers and the second between interorganizational changers and stayers. Moreover, the variables that distinguished between intraorganizational changers and stayers were either different from or opposite in influence to those distinguishing between interorganizational changers and stayers.
The area between two item characteristic curves

Formulas for computing the exact signed and unsigned areas between two item characteristic curves (ICCs) are presented. It is further shown that when thec parameters are unequal, the area between two ICCs is infinite. The significance of the exact area measures for item bias research is discussed.
Analysis of a mask-based nanowire decoder

A key challenge facing nanotechnologies will be controlling nanoarrays, two orthogonal sets of nanowires that form a crossbar, using a moderate number of mesoscale wires. Three methods have been proposed to use mesoscale wires to control individual nanowires. The first is based on nanowire differentiation during manufacture, the second makes random doped connections between nanowires and mesoscale wires, and the third, a mask-based approach, interposes high-K dielectric regions between nanowires and mesoscale wires. All three addressing schemes involve a stochastic step in their implementation. In this paper, we analyze the mask-based approach and show that a large number of mesoscale control wires is necessary for its realization.
Multiple Residues Contribute to the Inability of Murine CCR-5 To Function as a Coreceptor for Macrophage-Tropic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Isolates

Infection of CD4-positive cells by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) requires functional interaction of the viral envelope protein with a coreceptor belonging to the chemokine receptor family of seven-membrane-spanning receptors. For the majority of macrophage-tropic HIV-1 isolates, the physiologically relevant coreceptor is the human CCR-5 (hCCR-5) receptor. Although the murine homolog of CCR-5 (mCCR-5) is unable to mediate HIV-1 infection, chimeric hCCR-5/mCCR-5 molecules containing single extracellular domains derived from hCCR-5 are effective coreceptors for certain macrophage-tropic HIV-1 isolates. Here, we have sought to identify residues in hCCR-5 critical for HIV-1 infection by substitution of mCCR-5-derived residues into the context of functional chimeric hCCR-5/mCCR-5 receptor molecules. Using this strategy, we demonstrate that residues 7, 13, and 15 in the first extracellular domain and residue 180 in the third extracellular domain of CCR-5 are important for HIV-1 envelope-mediated membrane fusion. Of interest, certain substitutions, for example, at residues 184 and 185 in the third extracellular domain, have no phenotype when introduced individually but strongly inhibit hCCR-5 coreceptor function when present together. We hypothesize that these changes, which do not preclude chemokine receptor function, may inhibit a conformational transition in hCCR-5 that contributes to HIV-1 infection. Finally, we report that substitution of glycine for valine at residue 5 in CCR-5 can significantly enhance the level of envelope-dependent cell fusion by expressing cells. The diversity of the mutant phenotypes observed in this mutational analysis, combined with their wide distribution across the extracellular regions of CCR-5, emphasizes the complexity of the interaction between HIV-1 envelope and coreceptor.
Comparative Performance of Comorbidity Indices for Estimating Perioperative and 5-Year All Cause Mortality Following Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer

Purpose: Radical cystectomy continues to be associated with a nonnegligible risk of perioperative death and all cause mortality in the years after surgery remains relatively high. We investigated the comparative ability of various comorbidity indices to predict perioperative and 5-year all cause mortality after radical cystectomy.Materials and Methods: We evaluated 891 patients who underwent radical cystectomy between 1994 and 2005. The associations of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, Charlson comorbidity index, Elixhauser index and ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) performance status with outcomes were assessed using Cox regression models. Model performance was compared with area under receiver operating curves.Results: A total of 33 (3.7%) patients died within 90 days of radical cystectomy. On multivariate analysis locally advanced pathological tumor stage (HR 4.86, p = 0.002) as well as Elixhauser index (HR 1.48, p = 0.002), ASA score (HR 3.17, p = 0.001) and ECOG (HR 2.40, p ...
Hydroxybenzaldoximes Are D-GAP-Competitive Inhibitors of E. coli 1-Deoxy-D-Xylulose-5-Phosphate Synthase

1-Deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) synthase is the first enzyme in the methylerythritol phosphate pathway to essential isoprenoids in pathogenic bacteria and apicomplexan parasites. In bacterial pathogens, DXP lies at a metabolic branch point, serving also as a precursor in the biosynthesis of vitamins B1 and B6, which are critical for central metabolism. In an effort to identify new bisubstrate analogue inhibitors that exploit the large active site and distinct mechanism of DXP synthase, a library of aryl mixed oximes was prepared and evaluated. Trihydroxybenzaldoximes emerged as reversible, low-micromolar inhibitors, competitive against D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (D-GAP) and either uncompetitive or noncompetitive against pyruvate. Hydroxybenzaldoximes are the first class of D-GAP-competitive DXP synthase inhibitors, offering new tools for mechanistic studies of DXP synthase and a new direction for the development of antimicrobial agents targeting isoprenoid biosynthesis.
Lawrence Perlman's “Buber's Anti-Kantianism”: A Reply

The essential argument of Lawrence Perlman's critique of my essay "Martin Buber's Epistemology: A Critical Appraisal"' is that I have misunderstood Buber insofar as I claim that his dialogical philosophy is largely Kantian in structure. In response it must be said that Perlman has worked hard to make his case-but finally it is unconvincing, even seriously misleading, because it rests on a triple misunderstanding, i.e., a misunderstanding of Kant, of Buber, and of Katz. Let me be clear, to begin, that my essay dealt primarily, as Perlman rightly notes, with structural issues. Here I repeat, for the sake of simplicity, my earlier comment that Perlman quotes on the first page of his essay.
Management of Hickman catheter sepsis.

Summary Hickman catheters have been shown to be efficacious and durable. We believe their performance can be safely prolonged with aggressive management of complications. One hundred sixty-five consecutive patients with catheters were followed prospectively and 28 episodes of sepsis in 24 patients were evaluated. At least 90 percent of septic catheters were salvaged with a combination of antibiotics and thrombolytic agents. When our protocol was followed, all episodes of sepsis were successfully treated. This included gram-positive and gram-negative organisms as well as one case of fungal sepsis. Since treatment can be handled mostly on an outpatient basis, there are benefits in regard to patient comfort as well as health care costs.
Absorption Microscopy of Enzymatically Treated Cell-Free Chloroplasts

Monochromatic light microscopy at 435 mµ shows in Euglena gracilis , the distribution of chlorophyll and the general orientation and geometry of chloroplasts in vivo . In addition it discloses, in swelling chloroplasts, a lamellar pigmented structure. Changes in this structure are observed in extruded swollen chloroplasts treated with lipolytic or proteolytic enzymes. Lipolytic enzymes produce an increase in the number of visible lamellae while proteolytic enzymes disrupt the lamellar array. Correlation of chloroplast swelling behavior and the effects of enzymatic degradation with current electron microscope observations support the following: (1) the pigment lamellae observed in vivo consist of component laminae; (2) the lamellae are separated by sites of swelling; and (3) the integrity of the lamellar structure is primarily dependent upon the intact state of the protein.
Baseline obesity status modifies effectiveness of adapted diabetes prevention program lifestyle interventions for weight management in primary care.

Objective. To examine whether baseline obesity severity modifies the effects of two different, primary care-based, technology-enhanced lifestyle interventions among overweight or obese adults with prediabetes and/or metabolic syndrome. Patients and Methods. We compared mean differences in changes from baseline to 15 months in clinical measures of general and central obesity among participants randomized to usual care alone () or usual care plus a coach-led group () or self-directed individual () intervention, stratified by baseline body mass index (BMI) category. Results. Participants with baseline BMI had greater reductions in mean BMI, body weight (as percentage change), and waist circumference in the coach-led group intervention, compared to usual care and the self-directed individual intervention ( for all). In contrast, the self-directed intervention was more effective than usual care only among participants with baseline BMIs between . Mean weight loss exceeded 5&#x25; in the coach-led intervention regardless of baseline BMI category, but this was achieved only among self-directed intervention participants with baseline BMIs . Conclusions. Baseline BMI may influence behavioral weight-loss treatment effectiveness. Researchers and clinicians should take an individual&#x2019;s baseline BMI into account when developing or recommending lifestyle focused treatment strategy. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00842426.
Use of portable ultrasonography as a nondestructive method for estimating reproductive effort in lizards

Obtaining population-level life history data such as egg and clutch size in reptiles has most often required that individuals be sacrificed. This prevents a reexamination of individuals over intra-annual and inter-annual time scales, limiting insight into the effects of varying environmental conditions on reproductive output. Here, we test the use of a laptop-sized portable ultrasound imaging system as a nondestructive means for quantifying reproductive investment in five species of lizards with a range of body sizes, forms and life histories. Ultrasound scans produced egg counts that were accurate for clutch sizes of two to seven eggs, and provided good estimates (within 5.5+/-1.69 eggs, mean +/- s.e.m., relative error 21%) for clutch sizes of between 18 and 41 eggs. Egg measurements using virtual calipers produced average egg volumes that deviated from actual volumes by 0.09+/-0.01 cm(3) (relative error 25.9%), and estimated clutch volumes that differed from actual volumes by 1.03+/-0.26 cm(3) (relative error 29.5%). We also monitored development in five lizard species and found that changes in follicle and egg size and degree of embryonic development can be measured over periods of just a few days.
Genregulation bei Bakterien

Im vorangegangenen Kapitel haben wir ausgefuhrt, das die Synthese eines Zellbestandteils aus einer Reihe von Einzelschritten besteht. Jeder Schritt wird durch ein anderes Enzym katalysiert, und jedes Enzym wird von einem oder mehreren Cistrons auf dem Chromosom codiert. Bei Bakterien und Phagen findet man die an einem bestimmten Synthese-oder Abbauweg beteiligten Gene (die schlieslich das Erbmerkmal bedingen) in einer Gruppe zusammengefast, die man als Operon bezeichnet. Wie wir sehen werden, erleichtert dies die Regulation der Expression der Gene als funktionelle Einheit. Dies ist im Gegensatz zu der Situation bei Eukaryonten, wo verwandte Gene gewohnlich uber das ganze Genom verteilt sind. In diesem Kapitel wollen wir einige Beispiele bakterieller Operons besprechen und die Regulation ihrer Expression diskutieren. Die besondere Bedeutung der Regulation wird klar, wenn man bedenkt, das Bakterien sich sehr schnell vermehren und, um uberleben zu konnen, schnell auf Veranderungen ihrer Umwelt reagieren mussen. Das ist beispielsweise notig, wenn sich die Zusammensetzung des Nahrmediums andert. Um sich schnell auf solche Veranderungen einstellen zu konnen, haben die Bakterien sehr effiziente Methoden entwickelt, um bestimmte Satze von Genen anoder abschalten zu konnen.
Diverse Circumstances Require Diverse Styles

What characterizes effective leaders and how can we train them so that the future of the healthcare field will be secure and successful" In the lead paper, Leatt and Porter do an excellent job of summarizing the leadership literature. They then comment on the challenges for the healthcare field. A problem with their analysis is the narrow focus on provider organizations and its attendant limited perspective. Also, further consideration should be given to graduate programs that are actively engaged in lifelong learning opportunities and the best educational practices they demonstrate.
Impactrank: A Study on News Impact Forecasting

In this paper we developed a framework and a measure for news impact forecasting. We proved the viability of our impact forecasting approach using a SVM based forecaster on six months of NYT corpus - consisting of 16,852 articles. We experimented with different feature selection and ranking algorithms including standard frequency based methods, as well as a new method named ImpactRank. Our ImpactRank based forecaster performed as the best feature ranking technique while providing a graph suitable for browsing and identifying the most influential topics, entities and inter-relationships going into its impact predictions.
Low complexity intra MB encoding in AVC/H.264

In this paper we introduce and evaluate a novel machine learning based approach to reduce the complexity of Intra macroblock (MB) coding. The proposed approach is based on the hypothesis that MB coding mode decisions in H.264/AVC video have a correlation with the intensities of adjacent MBs and sub-MBs. This paper also discusses and analyzes different approaches of using machine learning in Intra prediction. We discuss, amongst other features, slices, Intra prediction scheme for H.264 and data mining. We use data mining algorithms to develop decision trees for H.264 coding mode decisions. The proposed approach reduces the H.264/AVC MB mode computation process into a decision tree lookup with very low complexity. The proposed algorithm is implemented in reference software by modifying the source code and is compared with the JM reference software for H.264/AVC.
THE CARDIAC ION CHANNELS: Relevance to Management of Arrhythmias

The electrical activity of cardiac tissue is determined by the highly regulated flow of ions across the cell membrane during the cardiac action potential. Ion channels are pore-forming proteins through which these electric currents flow. In this review, the ion currents that underlie the action potential are first described. Then, the way in which expression of individual ion-channel genes results in such ion currents is discussed. Finally, the concept that arrhythmias may be due to abnormalities of structure, function, or number of ion channels, or the way in which they respond to abnormalities in their environment (such as acute ischemia), is reviewed. Further understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal cardiac electrophysiologic behavior should allow the development of safer and more effective antiarrhythmic interventions.
Combating Threats to Collective Attention in Social Media: An Evaluation.

Breaking news, viral videos, and popular memes are all examples of the collective attention of huge numbers of users focusing in large-scale social systems. But this self-organization, leading to user attention quickly coalescing and then collectively focusing around a phenomenon, opens these systems to new threats like collective attention spam. Compared to many traditional spam threats, collective attention spam relies on the insidious property that users themselves will intentionally seek out the content where the spam will be encountered, potentially magnifying its effectiveness. Our goal in this paper is to initiate a study of this phenomenon. How susceptible are social systems to collective attention threats? What strategies by malicious users are most effective? Can a system automatically inoculate itself from emerging threats? Towards beginning our study of these questions, we take a two fold approach. First, we develop data-driven models to simulate large-scale social systems based on parameters derived from a real system. In this way, we can vary parameters — like the fraction of malicious users in the system, their strategies, and the countermeasures available to system operators — to explore the resilience of these systems to threats to collective attention. Second, we pair the data-driven model with a comprehensive evaluation over a Twitter system trace, in which we evaluate the effectiveness of countermeasures deployed based on the first moments of a bursting phenomenon in a real system. Our experimental study shows the promise of these countermeasures to identifying threats to collective attention early in the lifecycle, providing a shield for unsuspecting social media users.
Using Infrared Thermography and Biosensors to Detect Thermal Discomfort in a Building’s Inhabitants

This paper lays the grounds for a new methodology for detecting thermal discomfort, which can potentially reduce the building energy usage while improving the comfort of its inhabitants. The paper describes our explorations in automatic human discomfort prediction using physiological signals directly collected from a buildings inhabitants. Using infrared thermography, as well as several other bio-sensors (galvanic skin response, heart rate tracker, respiration rate tracker), we record a building’s inhabitants under various thermal conditions (hot, cold, neutral), and consequently build a multimodal model that can automatically detect thermal discomfort.The paper makes two important contributions. First, we introduce a novel dataset, consisting of sensorial measurements of human behavior under varied comfort/discomfort conditions. The change in physiological signals of the human body are monitored for several subjects, for different comfort levels in an indoor environment. Second, using the dataset obtained in the first step, we build a model that identifies the relationship between human factors, as tracked through infrared thermography and other bio-sensors, and environmental conditions related to discomfort. Third, we measure the correlation between sensorial measurements collected from the user and self-reported levels of discomfort, and hence identify the sensorial measurements that are predictive of human discomfort. The final goal is to automatically predict the level of discomfort of a building inhabitant without any explicit input from the user.This human-centered discomfort prediction model is expected to enable innovative adaptive control scenarios for a built environment conditions in real time, as well as a significant reduction in building energy usage directly related to human occupancy and their desired comfort levels.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
“Rosy, Possum, Morning Star: African American Women’s Work and Play Songs”: An Excerpt From Put Your Hands on Your Hips and Act Like a Woman: Song, Dance, Black History, and Poetics in Performance

“Rosy, Possum, Morning Star: African American Women’s Work and Play Songs” is an excerpt from a book length inquiry into, and engagement with, the song and dance of 19th-century African American wo...
“Skilled Mentors” and Reliability

To the Editor: I am writing in response to the article by Riddle et al titled “Evaluation of the Presence of Sacroiliac Joint Region Dysfunction Using a Combination of Tests: A Multicenter Intertester Reliability Study” in the August 2002 issue of the Journal. The research design and statistical analysis used in this multi-center reliability study on examination of the sacroiliac region was impressive. The authors attempted to replicate an earlier study by Cibulka and colleagues,1 but they greatly increased the number of clinical sites and therapists involved, in an attempt to make the results more generalizable to therapists who might use the examination scheme advocated by Cibulka and colleagues. However, the results of the study by Riddle et al demonstrated poor reliability, whereas Cibulka et al had reported an excellent level of reliability. In comparing the 2 studies, it seems that one likely explanation for the disparity in results is the training process used in the studies. Cibulka et al1 developed the examination scheme and likely mentored their coworkers to perform the procedures exactly as they advocated in an attempt to maximize the consistency and reliability. In contrast, Riddle et al sent a written description of the examination procedures with illustrations to the participating physical therapists and asked them to practice the techniques on each other until they felt ready to participate in the study. Manual examination procedures are motor skills that must be practiced under the guidance of a mentor in order to be learned properly. The motor learning literature, I believe, suggests that practice of a motor skill is necessary for the skill to be learned. Petty2 contended that physical therapists in an advanced manual therapy residency program provided inaccurate and unreliable feedback to classmates when practicing manual therapy techniques. Watson and Radman3 showed …
Slavery and Abolition Before the United States Supreme Court, 1820–1860

INVIDIOUS contemporary opinions of Chief Justice Roger B. Taney have mischievously obstructed our efforts to understand the policymaking role of the antebellum United States Supreme Court. The judgment of the "five slaveholders who compose a majority of the Court," snorted Horace Greeley after the decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford, "is entitled to just so much moral weight as would be the judgment of a majority of those congregated in any Washington barroom."1 "The name of Taney is to be hooted down the page of history," hooted Charles Sumner in an often-quoted anti-eulogy. "He administered justice at last wickedly, and degraded the judiciary of the country, and degraded the age."'2 Greeley, Sumner, and others thereby fixed a proslavery image on the late antebellum Court, based almost entirely on the Dred Scott case, that endured for half a century. But in a landmark 1911 essay, Edward S. Corwin defended Taney's Dred Scott opinion as grounded in precedent.3 Charles Warren attacked Taney's Republican critics in his magisterial 1923 history of the Supreme Court.4 Charles Evans Hughes, Chief Justice of the United States, lent the prestige of his office to the rehabilitation of Taney's reputation in a widely noted 1931 dedicatory address.5 Finally, in 1937, Felix Frankfurter interred the "five slaveholders and two or three doughfaces" image. He refuted the view of Taney as "the leader of a band of militant 'agrarian,' 'localist,' 'pro-slavery' judges," and scorned the "dramatic conflict between Darkness and Light: [John]
Ensemble and Phase-Locked Averaged Loads Controlled by Plasma Duty Cycles

An experimental study of the active control of vortices over slender forebodies is performed on a 20 ◦ circular-cone-cylinder model using a pair of Single-Dielectric-BarrierDischarge (SDBD) plasma actuators combined with duty-cycle technique. The tests are carried out in a low-turbulence 3.0 m× 1.6 m low-speed wind tunnel at an angle of attack of 45 ◦ . The Reynolds number based on the cone base diameter is 50, 000. The results consist of measurements of circumferential pressure distributions over eight stations along the cone forebody, including one station using unsteady pressure tappings, under three different modes of controls: plasma-off, plasma port-on or starboard-on, and plasma duty-cycle actuation. The cross-sectional and overall side forces and yawing moments over the cone are calculated from the measured pressures. The ensemble and phase-locked averaged loads at various duty cycles are investigated. Nomenclature Cn = yawing moment coefficient about cone base, yawing moment/q∞SD Cp = pressure coefficient CY = overall side-force coefficient, overall side force/q∞S CY d = ensemble-averaged local side-force coefficient, local side force/q∞d cY d = phase-locked averaged local side-force coefficient D = base diameter of circular cone forebody d = local diameter of circular cone forebody F = frequency of a.c. voltage source f = frequency of duty cycle L = length of circular cone forebody q∞ = free-stream dynamic pressure Re = free-stream Reynolds number based on D S = base area of circular cone forebody T = period of duty cycle t = time of duty cycle U∞ = free-stream velocity Vp−p = peak-to-peak voltage of a.c. voltage source w = input power of a.c. voltage source x,y,z = body coordinates, x toward base, y toward starboard, right-hand system
Sexual Sorting in Hummingbird Flower Mites (Mesostigmata: Ascidae)

Hummingbird flower mites ( Rhinoseius Baker & Yunker and Tropicoseius Baker & Yunker, and certain Proctolaelaps Berlese species; Acari: Mesostigmata: Ascidae) feed on nectar and pollen, mate, and oviposit in the inflorescences of hummingbird pollinated plants and are phoretic in the nasal cavities of hummingbirds. Unlike many phoretic mites, males as well as females of most of these species disperse on the phoretic host (hummingbirds). Theory suggests that male dispersal may increase mating success in species in which breeding groups are small and males can seek groups with a more favorable (more female-biased) sex ratio by dispersing, a process we call sexual sorting. Laboratory experiments in which mites were confined to a lattice of interconnected capillary tubes, some with nectar present to simulate flowers, showed that both Proctolaelaps kirmsei Fain Hyland, & Aitken and Proctolaelaps sp. nov. #1 from La Selva, Costa Rica, demonstrate significant sexual sorting. Field census data from the same site for P. kirmsei showed that, consistent with theory and the laboratory results, sexual sorting also occurs in nature among incipient mite breeding groups on inflorescences, when these groups are small.
Event Detection in Social Streams.

Social networks generate a large amount of text content over time because of continuous interaction between participants. The mining of such social streams is more challenging than traditional text streams, because of the presence of both text content and implicit network structure within the stream. The problem of event detection is also closely related to clustering, because the events can only be inferred from aggregate trend changes in the stream. In this paper, we will study the two related problems of clustering and event detection in social streams. We will study both the supervised and unsupervised case for the event detection problem. We present experimental results illustrating the effectiveness of incorporating network structure in event discovery over purely content-based
Using Metaphors to Facilitate Exploration of Emotional Content in Counseling With College Men

Mental health professionals in college counseling centers are increasingly interested in understanding the challenges of effectively working with male college students. Not all men are difficult to...