cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control of spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, by specific insecticides and by conventional and organic crop protection programs

Spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, is an invasive insect pest that has spread into many fruit production regions of the world. Strategies to protect fruit from infestation by this insect are currently dominated by insecticide applications, so producers need information on relative efficacy and residual activity of insecticides to be able to select effective treatments. Semi-field bioassays in which highbush blueberry shoots with berries were treated then exposed to adult flies at different times after application revealed that fresh residues of organophosphate, pyrethroid, and spinosyn insecticides have strong initial activity on flies, with varying levels of residual protection against fruit infestation. An organic pyrethrum insecticide was not effective, whereas the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid was found to have activity for up to five days. Rainfall after application greatly reduced the level of control achieved by some insecticides. Field-scale evaluation of conventional and organic spray programs initiated in response to capture of D. suzukii flies in monitoring traps indicated that both types of management provide significant fruit protection compared to untreated fields, with less larval detection in the conventionallyproduced berries.
Recognition of DNA by VH and Fv domains of an IgG anti-poly(dC) antibody with a singly mutated VH domain.

Secondary antigen stimulation usually produces IgG antibodies with hypermutated V segments. Studying a strong secondary response to the polynucleotide antigen poly(dC), however, we found a highly selective IgG antibody (mAb dC7) with only one mutation (a conservative Leu to Ileu substitution) throughout the whole VH domain. To investigate the roles of VH and VL domains in selective binding by this mAb, we prepared its VH, VL and single-chain Fv (scFv) fragments. A bacterial expression system produced soluble monomeric V region proteins. CD spectra confirmed that they had the β-secondary structure expected for Ig domains. Both the scFv and VH fragments bound to single-stranded non-protonated poly(dC) and to ssDNA but not to protonated, more structured poly(dC) or dsDNA. The VL domain alone did not bind to nucleic acids, but VL association modified the VH binding, giving the scFv a 10-fold higher affinity than the VH for poly(dC) and greatly increasing the cytosine-dependent selectivity. Non-ionic interactions were prominent in the Fv reaction with a (dC)n sequence. Ionic interactions were revealed in Fv cross-reactions with ssDNA, and were more prominent in binding of either poly(dC) or ssDNA by VH alone, consistent with the lesser base selectivity of the VH. Thus, the Fv and VH alone bind to a single antigen, poly(dC), but mechanistic differences result from additional subsites in the Fv. Generation of a selective IgG with very few CDR mutations in either VH or VL, which was accompanied by IgM antibodies with unmutated V regions, also suggests that nucleic acid binding activity is a property of the B cell repertoire even before immunization. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Abbreviations used: CD circular dichroism CDR complementary determining region ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay GFC gel filtration chromatography mAb monoclonal antibody PBS phosphate buffered saline scFv single chain variable fragment SLE systemic lupus erythematosus SPA B-domain of protein A VH variable H chain domain of an antibody comprised of the recombined VH, DH and JH VL variable L chain domain of an antibody comprised of the recombined VL, and JL VH variable H chain gene segment VL variable L chain gene segment
Molecular Cloning and Functional Expression of a Phorbol Ester-inducible 8S-Lipoxygenase from Mouse Skin

One of the effects of topical application of phorbol ester to mouse skin is the induction of an 8S-lipoxygenase in association with the inflammatory response. Here we report the molecular cloning and characterization of this enzyme. The cDNA was isolated by polymerase chain reaction from mouse epidermis and subsequently from a mouse epidermal cDNA library. The cDNA encodes a protein of 677 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 76 kDa. The amino acid sequence has 78% identity to a 15S-lipoxygenase cloned recently from human skin and approximately 40% identity to other mammalian lipoxygenases. When expressed in vaccinia virus-infected Hela cells, the mouse enzyme converts arachidonic acid exclusively to 8S-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid while linoleic acid is converted to 9S-hydroperoxy-linoleic acid in lower efficiency. Phorbol ester treatment of mouse skin is associated with strong induction of 8S-lipoxygenase mRNA and protein. By Northern analysis, expression of 8S-lipoxygenase mRNA was also detected in brain. Immunohistochemical analysis of phorbol ester-treated mouse skin showed the strongest reaction to 8S-lipoxygenase in the differentiated epidermal layer, the stratum granulosum. The inducibility may be a characteristic feature of the mouse 8S-lipoxygenase and its human 15S-lipoxygenase homologue.
Cryo-EM of macromolecular assemblies at near-atomic resolution

With single-particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM), it is possible to visualize large, macromolecular assemblies in near-native states. Although subnanometer resolutions have been routinely achieved for many specimens, state of the art cryo-EM has pushed to near-atomic (3.3-4.6 A) resolutions. At these resolutions, it is now possible to construct reliable atomic models directly from the cryo-EM density map. In this study, we describe our recently developed protocols for performing the three-dimensional reconstruction and modeling of Mm-cpn, a group II chaperonin, determined to 4.3 A resolution. This protocol, utilizing the software tools EMAN, Gorgon and Coot, can be adapted for use with nearly all specimens imaged with cryo-EM that target beyond 5 A resolution. Additionally, the feature recognition and computational modeling tools can be applied to any near-atomic resolution density maps, including those from X-ray crystallography.
A novel route for the preparation of narrow particle size distribution emulsions and microcapsules

A process is described for making emulsions, and microcapsules derived from them, of known, narrow particle size distribution. This can greatly reduce problems of thermodynamic instability and degradation, and improve biological performance by permitting close control of the release rate of capsules.
Sodium and water balance in larvae of the predaceous diving beetle, Dytiscus verticalis: An air-breather resistant to acid-induced sodium loss

Abstract 1. 1. Sodium influx and efflux in artificial soft water were 0.05 and 3.15μmol/100g wet body mass·hr (μ mol/100gwm·hr) respectively, for larval Dytiscus verticalis. These rates are low in comparison with other freshwater animals, but are similar to rates measured for adult beetles. 2. 2. Sodium influx increased when larvae were put in successively more concentrated sodium solutions, but the change in influx failed to show saturation kinetics typical of active transport systems. 3. 3. Additionally, larvae failed to halt sodium loss even after body sodium levels declined by 9% and bath sodium concentration reached 68 μM. Thus larval D. verticalis, like the adults, are unable to utilize sodium from water to balance sodium losses. 4. 4. Tritium-labelled water influx into larvae (4.91 ml/100gwm · hr) was roughly half that of influx into a dragonfly naiad possessing rectal tracheal gills (9.31 ml/100 gwm · hr). Thus this air-breathing beetle larva is less permeable to water than an insect that respires aquatically. 5. 5. Sodium balance of beetle larvae was not affected by exposure to pH 3.0. In dragonfly naiads a similar exposure significantly decreased sodium influx and increased sodium efflux. 6. 6. Thus disruption in sodium balance of aquatic insects is likely to provide a useful bioassay for effects of acidic pollution only in forms using aquatic respiration. Air breathing forms are predicted to be more tolerant to acidic and metallic pollutants that specifically inhibit sodium balance.
Converting macromolecular regulatory models from deterministic to stochastic formulation

We describe procedures for converting a macromolecular regulatory model from the most common deterministic formulation to one suitable for stochastic simulation. To avoid error, we seek to automate as much of the process as possible. However, deterministic models often omit key information necessary to a stochastic formulation. In this paper we introduce how we implement conversion in the JigCell modeling environment. Our tool makes it easier for the modeler to include complete details. Stochastic simulations are known for being computationally intensive, and thus require high performance computing facilities to be practical. We provide the first stochastic simulation results for realistic cell cycle models, using Virginia Tech's System X supercomputer.
Effect of culture conditions on the production of ligninolytic enzymes by white rot fungi Phanerochaete chrysosporium (ATCC 20696) and separation of its lignin peroxidase

The present work was carried out to determine the optimum culture conditions of Phanerochaete chrysosporium (ATCC 20696) for maximizing ligninolytic enzyme production. Additionally, separation of its lignin peroxidase was conducted. After experiments, an optimized culture medium/condition was constructed (per liter of Kirk’s medium): dextrose 10 g, ammonium tartrate 0.11 g, Tween-80 0.5 g, MnSO4 7 mg, and veratryl alcohol 0.3 g in 10 mM acetic acid buffer pH 4.5. Under the optimized experimental condition, both lignin peroxidase (LiP) and manganese peroxidase (MnP) were detected and reach the highest yield at 30°C on the 8th day culture. Salt precipitation methods was used in the extraction and purification processes. Results show that salt precipitation with 60% (NH4)2SO4 yielded the best result, especially toward LiP. Enzyme separation was conducted and two fractions with LiP activity. LiP1 and LiP2 were produced using three columns sequentially: desalting column, Q FF ion exchange column and Sepharyl S-300 HR gel filtration. LiP1 and LiP2 had been purified by 9.6- and 7.6-fold with a yield of 22.9% and 18.6%, respectively. According to the data of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), the molecular weights of the enzymes are 38 kDa and 40 kDa, respectively.
Stress and strain distributions beyond general yield in the Charpy V-notched specimen

Abstract T he visioplasticity method has been used to obtain the stress and strain distributions during planestrain bending in a standard Charpy V-notched specimen of low carbon steel. The specimen was slit longitudinally through the notch with a square grid inscribed on the interface. The instantaneous grid distortion was obtained during a three-point incremental bending test. A computer program was developed for the calculation of the instantaneous stress and strain distributions using the experimentally determined displacement field and the true stress-strain curve of the steel.
Experimental investigation of bifurcation induced bandgap reconfiguration

By applying an asymmetric on-site restoring force in a 1D chain of oscillators, we demonstrate experimentally that a morphing in the bandgap structure or passive bandgap reconfiguration can be triggered by an increase in environmental excitation amplitude. Recent studies on wave propagation have focused on new capabilities and behaviors resulting from intrinsic nonlinearities. This paper details a bistable experimental design that achieves amplitude dependent filtering through passive bandgap reconfiguration, which is triggered by a bifurcation. The system studied comprises a 1D chain of axially aligned pendulums in dimer unit cells with geometrically nonlinear nearest neighbor coupling where bistability is induced through repulsive magnets. When the bistability is asymmetric, each potential well has a different linear spectra. Though this paper uses mechanically coupled oscillators as an example, the phenomenon itself could be used in any wave propagation media where asymmetric bistability can be implemented.
Identification of partial dislocations and faults in cubic Al3Ti

Dislocation dissociations in Al3Ti alloys modified with Mn to stabilize the L12 cubic structure have been studied with transmission electron microscopy and computer simulation of images. Dissociations of a〈110〉 superdislocations into pairs of a/2〈110〉 partials bounding APB’s were observed at all temperatures from room temperature to 700 °C. Asymmetrical image contrast, in which one of the a/2〈110〉 partials gives a much more intense image than the other, was observed at small separations of the partials. Although some investigators have taken such asymmetry to suggest SISF-type dissociations in similar alloys, the current work demonstrates that the asymmetry is fully consistent with APB-type dissociation. Further, the degree of image asymmetry decreases as the spacing of the partials increases. It is concluded that identification of the partial dislocations with “near-invisibility criteria” for fractional values of g · b is unreliable, and that computer simulation of images is useful for identification of the partials. However, as expected, the ability to distinguish simulated bright-field images of APB- and SISF-type dissociations also becomes difficult as the separation of the partials becomes very small. Under these conditions, both weak-beam imaging and simulations are necessary to identify the dissociations. Weak-beam simulations have shown that fringe contrast must be present under certain imaging conditions for SISF dissociations, and this contrast has never been observed in this study or in previously published studies of dissociated single superdislocations in cubic Al3Ti alloys. Finally, APB contrast formed with superlattice reflection imaging has been observed between partials on both (111) and (100) after deformation at 700 °C.
Is NSQIP Pediatric review representative of total institutional experience for children undergoing appendectomy

Abstract Background/purpose NSQIP Pediatric (NSQIP-P) is a robust quality improvement effort. A limitation of the NSQIP process lies in capturing a small proportion of the total case volume. This study examines whether appendectomies captured by NSQIP-P are concordant with all appendectomies, the most commonly captured procedure in 2011. Methods We compared case mix and 30-day outcomes between children undergoing an appendectomy who were included in NSQIP (n=80) and children not captured by NSQIP (n=276) during 2011 at a tertiary referral children's hospital. A single surgical case reviewer reviewed all cases using NSQIP-P methodology. Results NSQIP-P captured 80 of a total of 356 appendectomies (22%). The case mix was similar between NSQIP and non-NSQIP groups (e.g., 31% of each group had complicated appendicitis). Outcomes were also similar; post-operative occurrences, readmissions and return to the operation room occurred at rates of 7.5% vs. 7.6%, 5% vs. 4.7%, and 3.8% vs. 4.3% respectively. Conclusion Although NSQIP-P captured a minority of the total patient population that had an appendectomy, the case mix and outcomes were similar. Our results offer reassurance that NSQIP-P data are representative of the larger population for this procedure. Whether this concordance exists for procedures less commonly performed is unknown and a focus of ongoing work.
Impact of Media Messages about the Internet Internet Anxiety as a Factor in the Adoption Process in the USA

The study explores a concept defined as `internet anxiety', and uses mass communication theories to help explain it. Findings suggest we believe `other people' are responding to media messages about the internet, perpetuating beliefs that internet use is higher than it actually is, and that we are further behind other people than we actually are.Evidence of third-person perception and overestimation of internet use were found. An understanding of internet anxiety can help structure messages for mass audiences, and lead to more efficient and appropriate use of the internet by business.
A Novel Disk Layout Optimization for Networked Storage Systems

To achieve energy-conservation and prompt responses simultaneously, in this paper we propose a novel energy-saving data placement strategy, called striping-based energy-aware (SEA), which can be applied to RAID-structured storage systems to noticeably save energy while providing quick responses. Further, to illustrate the effectiveness of SEA, we implement two SEA-powered RAID-based data placement algorithms, SEA0 and SEA5, by incorporating the SEA strategy into RAID-0 and RAID-5, respectively. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that compared with three well-known data placement algorithms greedy, SP, and HP, SEAO and SEA5 reduce mean response time on average at least 52.15% and 48.04% while saving energy on average no less than 10.12% and 9.35%, respectively.
Classifying human brain tumors by lipid imaging with mass spectrometry

Brain tissue biopsies are required to histologically diagnose brain tumors, but current approaches are limited by tissue characterization at the time of surgery. Emerging technologies such as mass spectrometry imaging can enable a rapid direct analysis of cancerous tissue based on molecular composition. Here, we illustrate how gliomas can be rapidly classified by desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) imaging, multivariate statistical analysis, and machine learning. DESI-MS imaging was carried out on 36 human glioma samples, including oligodendroglioma, astrocytoma, and oligoastrocytoma, all of different histologic grades and varied tumor cell concentration. Gray and white matter from glial tumors were readily discriminated and detailed diagnostic information could be provided. Classifiers for subtype, grade, and concentration features generated with lipidomic data showed high recognition capability with more than 97% cross-validation. Specimen classification in an independent validation set agreed with expert histopathology diagnosis for 79% of tested features. Together, our findings offer proof of concept that intraoperative examination and classification of brain tissue by mass spectrometry can provide surgeons, pathologists, and oncologists with critical and previously unavailable information to rapidly guide surgical resections that can improve management of patients with malignant brain tumors.
Distributed average consensus: Beyond the realm of linearity

In this paper, we present a distributed average-consensus algorithm with non-linear updates. In particular, we use a weighted combination of the sine of the state differences among the nodes as a consensus update instead of the conventional linear update that just includes a weighted combination of the state differences. We show the non-linear average-consensus converges to the initial average under appropriate conditions on the weights. By simulations, we show that the convergence rate of our algorithm outperforms the conventional linear case.
A comparison of the Z, E/sub 8/ and Leech lattices for image subband quantization

Lattice vector quantization schemes offer high coding efficiency without the burden associated with generating and searching a codebook. The distortion associated with a given lattice is often expressed in terms of the G number, which is a measure of the mean square error per dimension generated by quantization of a uniform source. Subband image coefficients, however, are best modeled by a generalized Gaussian, leading to distortion characteristics that are quite different from those encountered for uniform, Laplacian, or Gaussian sources. We present here the distortion associated with Z, E/sub 8/, and Leech lattice quantization for coding of generalized Gaussian sources, and show that for low bit rates the Z lattice offers both the best performance and the lowest implementational complexity.
Low Rank Language Models for Small Training Sets

Several language model smoothing techniques are available that are effective for a variety of tasks; however, training with small data sets is still difficult. This letter introduces the low rank language model, which uses a low rank tensor representation of joint probability distributions for parameter-tying and optimizes likelihood under a rank constraint. It obtains lower perplexity than standard smoothing techniques when the training set is small and also leads to perplexity reduction when used in domain adaptation via interpolation with a general, out-of-domain model.
Isolation of Amplified and Overexpressed DNA Sequences from Adriamycin- resistant Human Breast Cancer Cells

An MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line was selected which was 200-fold more resistant to Adriamycin than the wild type cell line. This Adriamycin-resistant (AdrR) cell line exhibited a multidrug-resistant phenotype and was cross-resistant to a wide range of antineoplastic agents including Vinca alkaloids, anthracyclines, and epipodophyllotoxins. Cytogenetic analysis of the AdrR cell line showed the presence of homogeneously staining regions on several chromosomes which were not present in the parental cell line. Using the technique of in-gel renaturation, DNA sequences which were amplified 50- to 100-fold in the AdrR cell line and which covered a total of over 140 kilobases were isolated. In addition, AdrR cells were found to contain amplified and overexpressed sequences which were homologous to hamster P-glycoprotein gene sequences. A hamster cDNA P-glycoprotein gene probe was used to screen a lambda gt10 cDNA library made from human AdrR cell line mRNA and human cDNA sequences homologous to the P-glycoprotein gene were isolated. Hybridization studies with the cloned human cDNA (pADR1) showed that the AdrR MCF-7 cell line contained a 60-fold amplification of this DNA sequence and that polyadenylated mRNA from the AdrR cell line contained a 4.8-kilobase transcript which was overexpressed 45-fold. There was a direct correlation between DNA and RNA copy number of this sequence and level of resistance among several MCF-7 Adriamycin-resistant cell lines. In situ hybridization studies demonstrated that the human P-glycoprotein gene sequence was found on chromosome 7q21.1 in normal human lymphocytes and that amplified DNA sequences isolated from the AdrR MCF-7 cells by the in-gel hybridization technique were linked to the human P-glycoprotein sequences in the homogeneously staining regions in the AdrR cells.
Mindfulness and Interpersonal Communication

Many social problems can be traced to interpersonal communication difficulties,just as many proposed interventions to solve social ills also depend on effectiveinterpersonal communication. This article examines three potential relationshipsbetween states of mind and social interaction followed by illustrations fromresearch related to five exemplar social issues—developing effective programsfor solving workplace communication problems, training the public to detectscams and hoaxes, reducing stereotyping and cross-cultural misunderstanding,managing interpersonal conflict, and constructing effective public health cam-paigns. We conclude by considering the likely inhibiting and facilitating effects ofmindfulness-mindlessness on socially relevant transactions.That seemingly “mindless” communication occurs frequently comes as nosurprise to even the casual observer of human interaction. Illustrative of a remark-able capacity for humans to dissociate thought and talk are these nuggets minedfrom the world of work:
Electromagnetic and thermal evaluation of an applicator specialized to permit high-resolution non-perturbing optical evaluation of cells being irradiated in the W-band

To permit epi-illuminated, high-resolution optical microscopy of cells in monolayer culture during unperturbed W-band (75-110 GHz) irradiation, a new class of applicator has been developed based upon WR10 rectangular waveguide components: the cells are normally plated onto the underside of a coverslip which is then placed against the under side of a waveguide flange and receives a roughly circular exposure pattern, with the +/-1 dB central spot roughly 1 mm in diameter. Constructed and tested with 94 GHz millimeter waves, water-immersion optics, and free-convection cooling, the applicator works robustly and permits SARs at the cell layer as high as 4500 W/kg before the steady-state temperature rise at the cell layer exceeds 0.5 K.
Approximate voronoi cell computation on spatial data streams

Several studies have exploited the properties of Voronoi diagrams to improve the efficiency of variations of the nearest neighbor search on stored datasets. However, the significance of Voronoi diagrams and their basic building blocks, Voronoi cells, has been neglected when the geometry data is incrementally becoming available as a data stream. In this paper, we study the problem of Voronoi cell computation for fixed 2-d site points when the locations of the neighboring sites arrive as a spatial data stream. We show that the non-streaming solution to the problem does not meet the memory requirements of many realistic scenarios over a sliding window. Hence, we propose AVC-SW, an approximate streaming algorithm that computes (1 + e)-approximations to the actual exact Voronoi cell in O(κ) where κ is its sample size. With the sliding window model and random arrival of points, we show both analytically and experimentally that for given window size w and parameter k, AVC-SW reduces the expected memory requirements of the classic algorithm from O(w) to $$O(k \log (\frac{w}{k} + 1))$$ regardless of the distribution of the points in the 2-d space. This is a significant improvement for most of the real-world scenarios where w ≫ k.
Mass spectrometry in structural and stereochemical problems—CCXXII: Delineation of competing fragmentation pathways of complex molecules from a study of metastable ion transitions of deuterated derivatives†

Data on defocused metastable ions have been obtained for a series of structurally significant fragment ions in the mass spectra of the estrogenic steroid, estrone methyl ether and the alkaloid tropine. These data, in conjunction with measurements on defocused metastable ions in the mass spectra of isotopically labeled analogs and complete high resolution mass spectra provide important insights into the details of fragmentation processes, specifically: (a) an enumeration and determination of the frequent multiple origins of fragment ions in the mass spectra of such complex molecules, (b) specification of skeletal atoms lost and retained in concerted (one step) processes, and at each step of stepwise processes, leading to a particular fragment ion and (c) information on the relative contributions of concerted and stepwise processes resulting in the genesis of a given ion.
Bioproduction and Purification of Rubratoxin

Methods were developed for bioproduction and extraction of rubratoxin B from liquid cultures of Penicillium rubrum P-13 (NRRL A-11785). A maximum of 874.7 mg of toxin per liter of medium was attained in 21 days using stationary cultures of Mosseray's simplified Raulin solution enriched with 2.5% malt extract. Malt extract was required for rubratoxin production. Rubratoxin was not produced in either shake flasks or in fermentors with restricted aeration. Crystalline toxin was obtained by liquid-liquid extraction of concentrated culture medium with ethyl ether. Adhering colored impurities were removed by column chromatography and by recrystallization from acetone.
Ontogeny of androgen receptor immunoreactivity in lumbar motoneurons and in the sexually dimorphic levator ani muscle of male rats.

We documented the ontogeny of androgen receptor (AR) immunoreactivity for rat lumbar motoneurons of the sexually dimorphic motor pools, the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) and the dorsolateral nucleus (DLN), and for the sexually monomorphic retrodorsolateral nucleus (RDLN). We also assessed the ontogeny of AR immunoreactivity in the rat sexually dimorphic levator ani (LA), which is a target muscle for SNB motoneurons. Lumbar spinal cords and LAmuscles from gonadally intact males at ages postnatal days (P)7, P10, and P14 and as adults were incubated with the rabbit antiserum PG-21. Half of the prepubertal males (P7‐P14) received 200 µg of testosterone propionate (TP) 2 hours prior to death to enhance immunodetection ofARs. We found that SNB motoneurons developedAR immunoreactivityfirst and achieved adult levels by P10. In contrast, the number of RDLN motoneurons with AR-immunopositive nuclei during development remained well below the adult number. Development of AR immunoreactivity in the DLN shared characteristics with both the SNB and the RDLN. AR immunoreactivity developed in some DLN motoneurons by P10, although the percentage of labelled motoneurons remained below that in adulthood. Acute TP treatment significantly increased the number of SNB motoneurons withAR-positive nuclei at P7. The LA showed a robust pattern of AR immunostaining from P7 to adulthood. Immunostaining was present only in nuclei and constituted only a subpopulation of the nuclei present in muscle. The present results confirm and extend previous results based on steroid autoradiography and steroid binding assays regarding regional and developmental differences in the expression ofARs. J. Comp. Neurol. 379:88‐98, 1997. r 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Indexing terms: neuromuscular; motor pools; sexual differentiation; steroid hormones; spinal cord
Income Inequality, Equal Opportunity, and Attitudes About Redistribution*

Objective This article explores how income inequality and social mobility affect attitudes about redistribution in global perspective. Methods Individual-level data on over 50,000 individuals from 38 countries in the International Social Survey Programme are combined with country-level data from the World Bank, Standardized Income Inequality Database, and the Economic Freedom of the World data. OLS regression models with robust, clustered standard errors are estimated to account for the presence of unobserved, country-level effects in the error terms. Results Social mobility is found to be a more important predictor of preferences for redistribution than income inequality. Specifically, those who live in countries with greater social mobility are more supportive of redistribution while individuals who have experienced upward mobility themselves are less supportive, although an upwardly mobile individual in a more mobile society is more supportive of redistribution than an upwardly mobile individual in a less mobile society. Conclusions The central finding of this study is that the tangibility of redistributive social policies may bolster support for social spending. The structures and institutions that facilitate upward mobility—and potentially attenuate some of the detrimental effects of income inequality—are generally the products of more comprehensive redistribution policies, and public opinion may reflect this.
5 COMPETENCIES Needed by New Baccalaureate Graduates

Abstract As nurse educators prepare new graduates for practice, part of the challenge is to ensure that these nurses are capable of functioning in a broad continuum of care with increased responsibilities. To identify competencies needed by new baccalaureate graduates in today's health care environment and determine whether these competencies fall into particular dimensions, a cross-sectional survey design was used to query 363 nurse administrators from three health care settings. Nurse administrators rated the importance of 45 nursing competencies. Factor analysis was conducted on the competency items, and factor scores were calculated to determine the importance ratings by work setting groups. Findings revealed a simple six-factor competency structure (Health Promotion Competency, Supervision Competency, Interpersonal Communication Competency, Direct Care Competency, Computer Competency, and Caseload Management Competency). MANOVA indicated significant differences in the importance of these competence f...
Blood pressure target values: the saga continues

This editorial refers to ‘Cardiovascular outcomes at different on-treatment blood pressures in the hypertensive patients of the VALUE trial’[†][1], by G. Mancia et al ., on page 955. Blood pressure (BP) targets are practical objectives which aid clinicians in delivering rational and consistent treatment to patients with hypertension. The goal is to select targets which minimize overall cardiovascular risk when applied prospectively to hypertensive populations. Following critical reviews highlighting the inadequate evidence base of existing guidelines,1 investigators worldwide have focused attention on establishing optimal BP targets based on the results of clinical trials. The study by Mancia and colleagues which appears in this issue of the journal is an important continuation of these efforts.2 It is a retrospective analysis of on-treatment blood pressure data from VALUE, a clinical trial which randomized high-risk hypertensives to receive therapy initiated with valsartan or amlodipine. As occurrence of the primary endpoint did not differ between treatment groups, a pooled analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between on-treatment BP and cardiovascular outcomes, and compare the utility of <140/90 and <130/80 mmHg as treatment targets. The BP target set by the VALUE protocol was 75% of the time. When the data were analysed as if BP <130/80 mmHg had been the treatment target, the results suggest to the authors that consistent achievement of BPs below this cut-off did not improve overall outcomes and attenuated … [1]: #fn-2
Classifying Stocks using P-Trees and Investor Sentiment

For people who are not exposed to the financial markets but who would be interested to invest in stocks for them it is important to know which ticker symbols to follow, based on which investment decisions can be made. In this work, we propose how we can classify stock ticker symbols from tweets vertically using P-Trees. The solution described in this paper analyzes 3000 financial and news symbols vertically from the Twitter platform and finds the ticker symbols which are most frequently been discussed. It also provides an ability to scan through the tweet texts associated with the common ticker occurrences so that the context can be identified to help users make better informed business decisions. The paper also discusses on the bias of investors and the affect it has on the volatility of the stocks in the market.
Immanence and Transcendence: The Relationship between Patterns of Family Decision Making and Fertility among Catholics and Protestants

This analysis of patterns of decision making among Catholics and Protestants and childbearing behavior is conducted based on the general theoretical framework of Swansons mode of governance. The hypotheses are 1) that women living in families organized as social systems should have a higher fertility than women residing in families organized as associations; and 2) that the effect of type of family organization on fertility should be greater among Catholics than among Protestants. Data were obtained from the 1978 Detroit Area Study of 650 women of who for this study 477 white women were Catholics or Protestants. Variables include education years of marriage religion and pattern of decision making. Associational decision making was based on equality of decision making in at least 2 out of 5 questions pertaining to visitation with friends and relatives spending on food or major household items and frequency of entertainment activity. Dependent variables were number of live births and expected births. A mean response model is used in the analysis because it can accommodate ordinal characteristics and values of the response categories. The formulation is based on model estimation by Bhapkar and Williams and Grizzle and Agresti. The findings are that the 1st hypothesis is supported by results and the 2nd hypothesis is not. The effect of families organized as social systems is independent of the influence from years of marriage or religion. The separate effects of religion and years of marriage do have an effect on fertility; i.e. the middle aged marriage cohort and Catholics were more likely to have higher fertility. The insignificant association between religion and patterns of governance and the lack of support for the 2nd hypothesis may be attributed to historical change structural difference and a unique American religious experience of American civil religion. This civil religion is the more likely explanation as it may reduce the behavioral and social differences between Catholics and Protestants and promote a more universal and transcendent religious reality. Fertility differentials are not necessarily determined by type of family organizations characteristic of Catholics and Protestants.
DIRECT CELL CONTACT BETWEEN BRAIN ENDOTHELIAL CELLS AND GLIOMA STEM CELLS PROMOTES ENDOTHELIAL CELL MIGRATION

BACKGROUND: A histologic characteristic of glioblastoma tumors (GBM) is angiogenesis, which requires endothelial cell (EC) sprouting and migration. This is thought to be facilitated by signals in a specialized microenvironment, the perivascular niche, where glioma stem cells (GSC) reside in proximity to ECs. The goal of this study was to determine whether ECs and GSCs directly interact, the mechanism by which this occurs, and the effect on EC signaling and function. METHODS: We utilized multi-label immunofluorescence of GBM tissue and of co-cultured ECs and GSCs to evaluate the proximity of ECs to GSCs and effect of this interaction on signaling, respectively. Cell-cell binding assays, two-photon laser scanning microscopy of cells injected into brain slices in organotypic culture, live-video microscopy of 2D-migration analyzed by Cell Tracker and 3D-chemotactic migration assessed the mechanism of EC-GSC interaction and EC motility. In vivo effects of inhibiting EC interaction with GSCs were evaluated in an orthotopic mouse model of GBM. RESULTS: We found that GSCs were largely localized in very close proximity to ECs in GBM biopsies and bound to normal brain or GBM-derived ECs on Matrigel promoting EC network-formation. In multiple assays, we found that ECs and GSCs directly interact through a mechanism mediated by integrin αvβ3 on ECs binding the RGD-peptide in extracellular L1CAM on GSCs. Importantly, the direct interaction of ECs with GSCs increased the velocity and directional 2D motility of ECs, as well as the chemotactic migration of ECs. A cyclic RGD-peptide, neutralizing antibodies to integrin αvβ3 or L1CAM, and the downregulation of β3 on ECs or of L1CAM on GSCs all inhibited the EC-GSC direct interaction and the increased EC motility. Signaling studies showed that the EC-GSC interaction increased activation of integrin αvβ3, ERK and JNK in ECs and increased nuclear Akt in GSCs, suggesting bidirectional signaling. Soluble L1CAM also activated integrin αvβ3 on ECs. Cyclic RGD-peptide (Cilengitide) treatment of established mouse GBM tumors reduced the percent of Sox2-positive cells within 25-microns of vessels from 65%-to-29% and the percent Sox2-positive cells within 10-microns of vessels from 30%-to-17%. The ratio of Sox2-postiive cells/vessel was unaltered. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that (i) GSCs can promote EC motility and thereby angiogenesis through direct contact with ECs, and indicate a role for GSC L1CAM and EC αvβ3 in this interaction; and (ii) Soluble L1CAM activates integrin αvβ3 on ECs, thus circulating soluble L1CAM could interfere with the therapeutic effects of Cilengitide in patients. SECONDARY CATEGORY: Preclinical Experimental Therapeutics.
Genetic analysis of NA gene of influenza virus subtype A1 isolates in Zhejiang province from 2005 to 2009

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics,variation and evolution of NA gene of influenza virus subtype A1 isolates in Zhejiang province from 2005 to 2009.Methods:The NA gene of influenza virus subtype A1 isolates in Zhejiang province from 2005 to 2009 were sequenced,the molecular and evolution characterization of these virus strains were analyzed by BioEdit and Mega 3.0 bioinformatics software.Results:NA regions of all the isolates were all 1278 bp,encoding protein of 426 amino acids.Isolates shared amino acid homology is 96.0%～99.1% in NA regions.During the 5 years 4 to 10 amino acids on NA region were substituted respectively,but phylogenetic analysis showed that there is no absolutely different branches.Additionally,all the isolates have 7 N-linked glyeosylation sites in NA region,with no significant divergences.Conclusion: There is a certain antigenic variation on NA gene of influenza virus subtype A1 in Zhejiang province from 2005 to 2009.More attention should be paid to divergence of NA regions of influenza virus owning to the significant effect to influenza epidemic.
Treating patients' rights correctly in practice teaching

With advance in civilization and patients' law consciousness,the conflicts between patients and medical institutions occur increasingly.It is inevitable for us to meet the contradiction between noviciates and patients in practice teaching.So it is necessary for us to learn patients' rights and respect their dignity and privacy.At the same time,the methods of practice teaching must be improved to adapt the new situation.
Diverse Molecular Targets for Chalcones with Varied Bioactivities

Natural or synthetic chalconeswith different substituents have revealed a variety of biological activities that may benefit human health. The underlying mechanisms of action, particularly with respect to the direct cellular targets and the modes of interaction with the targets, have not been rigorously characterized, which imposes challenges to structure-guided rational development of therapeutic agents or chemical probes with acceptable target-selectivity profile. This review summarizes literature evidence on chalcones’ direct molecular targets in the context of their biological activities.
Communibiology and Humor: An Examination of Personality Predictors and Communicative Functions of Humor

Participants (N = 323) at a midsized university in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States completed self-report measures: personality factors (psychoticism, extraversion, and neuroticism) and...
Decreasing Complexity in Inductive Computations

Kolmogorov or algorithmic complexity has found applications in many areas including medicine, biology, neurophysiology, physics, economics, hardware and software engineering. Conventional Kolmogorov/algorithmic complexity and its modifications are based on application of conventional, i.e., recursive, algorithms, such as Turing machines. Inductive complexity studied in this paper is based on application of unconventional algorithms such as inductive Turing machines, which are super-recursive as they can compute much more than recursive algorithm can. It is possible to apply inductive complexity in all cases where Kolmogorov complexity is used. In particular, inductive complexity has been used in the study of mathematical problem complexity. The main goal of this work is to show how inductive algorithms can reduce complexity of programs and problems. In Sect. 8.2, we build the constructive hierarchy of inductive Turing machines and study the corresponding hierarchy of inductively computable functions. Inductive Turing machines from the constructive hierarchy are very powerful because they can build (compute) the whole arithmetical hierarchy. In Sect. 8.3, it is proved that inductive algorithms from the constructive hierarchy can essentially reduce complexity of programs and problems and the more powerful inductive algorithms are utilized the larger reduction of complexity is achievable.
Reflex Thyroglobulin Wash Testing in the Surveillance of Patients with Thyroid Carcinoma

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) with simultaneous thyroglobulin wash (TG-W) testing is a standard modality for follow-up of patients after thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma (TC). It is used for both lymph nodes and thyroid bed nodules. Although previous studies showed TG-W to increase sensitivity of detecting TC, the utility of the test in a …
Role of inferior vena cava filters in transplant patients.

Purpose This study evaluates the selection, use, and risks of permanent and retrievable inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) in patients who have undergone organ transplantation. Materials and Methods Single center retrospective review of 35 patients who had an IVCF placed following organ transplantation. Patient demographics, IVCF indication and eligibility for retrieval were reviewed. Computed tomography (CT) studies showing the filter (n=22) were evaluated independently for IVCF adverse effects. Results Thirty-two (91%) of 35 patients had retrievable IVCFs placed while 3 (9%) patients received permanent IVCFs. Filter retrieval was indicated in 3 of the 32 patients receiving retrievable filters and was performed in 2 cases. Patients were ineligible for retrieval due to short life expectancy, complications/contraindications to anticoagulation, extended filter dwell time, lost to follow up, and undetermined therapeutic value of anticoagulation. Conclusion Current practices of filter placement usually dictate placing a retrievable IVCF in transplant patients. However, transplant patients are unlikely to be eligible for filter retrieval especially in situations of advanced age and comorbidities. Given the low incidence of eligibility for retrieval in this patient population, these results suggest preferential placement of permanent filters may reduce the potential morbidity due to filter-related complications, such as strut perforation, in transplant patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Radiosurgery to the Postoperative Tumor Bed for Metastatic Carcinoma Versus Whole Brain Radiation After Surgery.

Background The treatment paradigm from postoperative whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) to post-operative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to the tumor bed has shifted with little data to evaluate whether each treatment modality confers equivalent tumor control and survival outcomes. Methods Patients with surgical resection of single brain metastases from January 2010 to December 2014 were treated postoperatively with either WBRT or SRS. Retrospective patient data was compared for local control, distant brain recurrence, overall survival, and radiation complications. Results Forty-six received WBRT, and 37 received tumor bed SRS. Twelve of 35 (34%) SRS patients experienced local recurrence compared to 17 of 31 (55%) WBRT patients (p = 0.09). The median survival was 440 days (14.7 months) for SRS and 202 days (6.7 months) for WBRT (p = 0.062, log-rank). SRS demonstrated improved survival benefit in the first six months (p = 0.0034; Wilcoxon). Radiation-related adverse changes after SRS (22%) were not statistically different from WBRT (8.7%) (p = 0.152). Age (p = 0.08), systemic cancer status (p = 0.30), Graded Prognostic Assessment (p = 0.28), number of brain metastases at diagnosis (p = 0.65), tumor volume at diagnosis (p = 0.13), new brain lesions (p = 0.74) and neurologic versus systemic cause of death (p = 0.11) did not differ between the groups. Conclusions Following surgical resection, tumor bed SRS can be used effectively in lieu of WBRT to treat brain metastases with comparable local control and distant control and without significantly more adverse events.
The Times of Ragnar Frisch

By the time Frisch began to lead the development of the new field of econometrics, Ronald Fisher ’s Handbook had been well reviewed by Harold Hotelling , and statistics groups were beginning to sprout across the USA, especially at the major land-grant universities that contained in their mission the need to perform research in support of agriculture. With a fresh PhD in hand by 1926, Frisch was about to join that fray among other founders of econometrics. In 1927 he was offered a Rockefeller Foundation scholarship to travel to the USA. One of his first collaborations came when he arrived at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, to work with the great mind Irving Fisher , just as Cowles was encouraging Fisher to bring to fruition the vision of an Econometric Society.