cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Model for Monocyte Migration Through the Blood-Brain Barrier during HIV-1 Encephalitis

HIV-1 invades the central nervous system early during viral infection, but neurologic impairment usually occurs years later. The strongest predictor for clinical dementia is the absolute numbers of immunocompetent brain macrophages. Thus, how monocytes penetrate the brain during disease remains critical for understanding the neuropathogenic mechanisms of HIV-1 encephalitis. To these ends, we constructed an artificial blood-brain barrier (BBB) consisting of a matrix-coated membrane with brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC) on one side and astrocytes on the other. Astrocyte endfeet contacted the monolayer of BMVEC that formed tight junctions. To determine the role of viral and immune factors in monocyte penetration across the BBB, HIV-infected or uninfected monocytes with or without immune stimulation were placed onto the upper chamber of the BBB model system. Placement of immune-stimulated (LPS-treated) cells onto the BBB construct elicited gaps between BMVEC, with bulging of nuclear zones and increased numbers of vesicular Golgi complexes and endoplasmic reticulum. This correlated with a profound increase (up to 20-fold) in the number of migrating cells. Viral infection did not enhance monocyte migration. The activated monocytes showed increased numbers of philopodia, lysosomes, and vesicular Golgi complexes and expressed large levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10). These data suggest that a major mechanism for the transendothelial migration of monocytes during HIV encephalitis is the immune activation that accompanies viral infection of the central nervous system.
The speed-accuracy tradeoff: history, physiology, methodology, and behavior

There are few behavioral effects as ubiquitous as the speed-accuracy tradeoff (SAT). From insects to rodents to primates, the tendency for decision speed to covary with decision accuracy seems an inescapable property of choice behavior. Recently, the SAT has received renewed interest, as neuroscience approaches begin to uncover its neural underpinnings and computational models are compelled to incorporate it as a necessary benchmark. The present work provides a comprehensive overview of SAT. First, I trace its history as a tractable behavioral phenomenon and the role it has played in shaping mathematical descriptions of the decision process. Second, I present a “users guide” of SAT methodology, including a critical review of common experimental manipulations and analysis techniques and a treatment of the typical behavioral patterns that emerge when SAT is manipulated directly. Finally, I review applications of this methodology in several domains.
Science Pedagogy as a Category of Historical Analysis: Past, Present, and Future

Historical studies of science pedagogy have flourished in recent years. This essay offers an assessment of the literature on science pedagogy from the 1930s to the present. It argues that rather than focusing on the work of Thomas Kuhn and Michel Foucault, historians of science pedagogy could with profit turn to the work of Ludwik Fleck. Fleck offers three categories of historical analysis – experience, sensation, and cognition – that are embedded in science pedagogy. He furthermore argues unequivocally for the central importance of considering the cultural context of science pedagogy. Fleck’s interpretation of the role of publishing in science is used in the final section of this essay to assess scientific publishing and textbook culture, topics that are the principal concern of the articles in this volume. Among the novelties of the articles in this volume on textbooks are (1) the connections they draw between textbooks and social structure; (2) the relationships they suggest between textbooks and the public sphere; and (3) their identification of the eighteenth century as the crucial transformative century in textbook production.
Code division multiple access with code assignments using information classes

The authors propose a new method of code allocation in code division multiple access, based on information classes. Transmitters choose spreading codes based on the type of message they are transmitting, and receivers listen to codes corresponding to the type of message they are interested in. The performance of this approach can exceed that of both receiver-directed codes or broadcast codes in environments where there are several multicast groups (in which a given message is of interest to more than one node), or where it is difficult to know what types of messages (out of a fixed set of message types) a receiver is interested in at any particular time. Performance is further enhanced when receivers can simultaneously attempt to correlate multiple spreading codes. >
Rap1 Affects the Length and Heterogeneity of Human Telomeres

Telomere length is controlled in part by cis-acting negative regulators that limit telomere extension by telomerase. In budding yeast, the major telomere length regulator scRap1 binds to telomeric ...
Expression of transforming growth factor alpha (TGFα) in breast cancer

Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) is one growth factor that has been circumstantially implicated in regulating the autocrine growth of breast cancer cells. Expression of TGF alpha can be modulated by activated cellular protooncogenes such as ras and by estrogens. For example, the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-responsive normal NOG-8 mouse and human MCF-10A mammary epithelial cell lines can be transformed with either a point-mutated c-Ha-ras protooncogene or with a normal or point-mutated c-neu (erbB-2) protooncogene. In ras transformed NOG-8 and MCF-10A cells but not in neu transformed cells there is a loss in or an attenuated response to the mitogenic effects of EGF. This response may be due in part to an enhanced production of endogenous TGF alpha that is coordinately and temporally linked to the expression of the activated ras gene and to the acquisition of transformation-associated properties in these cells. TGF alpha mRNA and TGF alpha protein can also be detected in approximately 50-70% of primary human breast tumors. In addition, approximately 2- to 3-fold higher levels of biologically active and immunoreactive TGF alpha can also be detected in the pleural effusions from breast cancer patients as compared with the TGF alpha levels in the serous effusions of noncancer patients. Over-expression of a full-length TGF alpha cDNA in NOG-8 and MCF-10A cells is capable of transforming these cells. Finally, expression of TGF alpha mRNA and production of biologically active TGF alpha protein is also found in normal rodent and human mammary epithelial cells.
Regulation of the Dopamine and Vesicular Monoamine Transporters: Pharmacological Targets and Implications for Disease

Dopamine (DA) plays a well recognized role in a variety of physiologic functions such as movement, cognition, mood, and reward. Consequently, many human disorders are due, in part, to dysfunctional dopaminergic systems, including Parkinson’s disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and substance abuse. Drugs that modify the DA system are clinically effective in treating symptoms of these diseases or are involved in their manifestation, implicating DA in their etiology. DA signaling and distribution are primarily modulated by the DA transporter (DAT) and by vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT)-2, which transport DA into presynaptic terminals and synaptic vesicles, respectively. These transporters are regulated by complex processes such as phosphorylation, protein–protein interactions, and changes in intracellular localization. This review provides an overview of 1) the current understanding of DAT and VMAT2 neurobiology, including discussion of studies ranging from those conducted in vitro to those involving human subjects; 2) the role of these transporters in disease and how these transporters are affected by disease; and 3) and how selected drugs alter the function and expression of these transporters. Understanding the regulatory processes and the pathologic consequences of DAT and VMAT2 dysfunction underlies the evolution of therapeutic development for the treatment of DA-related disorders.
Glipizide Results of a Multicentre Clinical Trial

This programme has included 177 patients and shown that glipizide is an effective high-potency oral sulphonylurea, which provides an overall satis­ factory control rate of 73-7% and a 45% satisfactory control rate in diabetics who have been failures on previous treatment. These comparative studies have shown the efficacy of glipizide to be at least equal to that of glibenclamide. It has been shown that the average daily dose of glipizide is about 12-3 mgl day with a range of from 1 · 25 mgjday to the maximum dose of 30 mgjday. The toleration and safety of glipizide is excellent; furthermore, no effect on the liver o'- renal function was detected and neither ophthalmological roentgenological nor electrocardiographical abnormalities were observed.
Steady state analysis of the parallel resonant converter with LLCC-type commutation network

A novel converter topology known as LLCC-type parallel resonant converter (PRC-LLCC), in which the tank circuit consists of two inductors and two capacitors, is introduced. Using the state-plane approach, the steady-state analysis of the PRC-LLCC operating in the continuous conduction model is carried out. It is shown that by using the state variable transformation technique the steady-state response of the converter can be represented by two state-plane diagrams. Using these diagrams and the circuit equations, a set of control characteristic curves which are useful for converter design is derived. Based on these curves, a design procedure along with a specific design example is given. The correctness of the analysis results is verified via computer simulations. >
Expressions for tidal conversion at seafloor topography using physical space integrals

The barotropic tide interacts with seafloor topography to generate internal gravity waves. Equations for streamfunction and power conversion are derived in terms of integrals over the topography in spatial coordinates. The slope of the topography does not need to be small. Explicit equations are derived up to second order in slope for general topography, and conversion by a bell-shaped topography is calculated analytically to this order. A concise formalism using Hilbert transforms is developed, the minimally converting topographic shape is discussed, and a numerical scheme for the evaluation of power conversion is designed that robustly deals with the singular integrand.
An ensemble approach for incremental learning in nonstationary environments

We describe an ensemble of classifiers based algorithm for incremental learning in nonstationary environments. In this formulation, we assume that the learner is presented with a series of training datasets, each of which is drawn from a different snapshot of a distribution that is drifting at an unknown rate. Furthermore, we assume that the algorithm must learn the new environment in an incremental manner, that is, without having access to previously available data. Instead of a time window over incoming instances, or an aged based forgetting - as used by most ensemble based nonstationary learning algorithms - a strategic weighting mechanism is employed that tracks the classifiers' performances over drifting environments to determine appropriate voting weights. Specifically, the proposed approach generates a single classifier for each dataset that becomes available, and then combines them through a dynamically modified weighted majority voting, where the voting weights themselves are computed as weighted averages of classifiers' individual performances over all environments. We describe the implementation details of this approach, as well as its initial results on simulated non-stationary environments.
Biochemical genetics and fishery management: an historical perspective

This paper traces the development of applications of biochemical genetic methods to problems of fishery management over a period of four decades. In the 1950s, details of presumed genetic structuring offish species appeared destined for revelation through Mendelian characters identified by immunogenetic procedures. In the 1960s, immunogenetic methods were displaced by protein electrophoresis, with a proliferation of reports of genotypic and allelic data for protein-coding loci. In the 1970s, disagreement about the biological significance of protein polymorphisms delayed acceptance of management applications of this variation. In the 1980s, management applications included identification of relationships among populations, analyses of mixed stock fisheries, and uses in fish culture, conservation biology and forensics. The complementary relationship between protein electrophoresis and nucleic acid technologies is stressed, with a plea to recognize the unique attributes of properly applied protein electrophoresis in fishery management.
Development of Novel Industrial Laminated Planks from Sweetgum Lumber

Industrial hardwood laminated planks were proposed, manufactured, and tested. The raw material was Number 2B common sweetgum lumber approximately 25 mm thick and 150 mm wide. The lumber was of random lengths and was assembled with nonstructural square endjoints. Waterproof phenol resorcinol formaldehyde adhesive was used to face laminate the lumber into 3.7 m long beams. Laminated beams were tested for modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity and bending design values for the laminated beams were developed. The product of this research has applicability as member stock for bolt laminating into construction bridges and mats.
Computerized polygraphic audiovisual monitoring in infants with apnea-bradycardia

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate that a comprehensive polygraphic audiovisual monitoring system supported by computerized heuristic algorithms can detect, analyze, predict and diagnose in a reproducible manner the onset and characteristics of apnea-bradycardia syndrome. The system will consist of three major components: an audiovisual polygraphic recording system, transducer banks, and associated computer systems. It is expected that this phase of the project will increase knowledge in both the monitoring and diagnosis of apnea-bradycardia episodes in infants. >
The noncompetitive inhibitor WW781 senses changes in erythrocyte anion exchanger (AE1) transport site conformation and substrate binding.

WW781 binds reversibly to red blood cell AE1 and inhibits anion exchange by a two-step mechanism, in which an initial complex (complex 1) is rapidly formed, and then there is a slower equilibration to form a second complex (complex 2) with a lower free energy. According to the ping-pong kinetic model, AE1 can exist in forms with the anion transport site facing either inward or outward, and the transition between these forms is greatly facilitated by binding of a transportable substrate such as Cl−. Both the rapid initial binding of WW781 and the formation of complex 2 are strongly affected by the conformation of AE1, such that the forms with the transport site facing outward have higher affinity than those with the transport site facing inward. In addition, binding of Cl− seems to raise the free energy of complex 2 relative to complex 1, thereby reducing the equilibrium binding affinity, but Cl− does not compete directly with WW781. The WW781 binding site, therefore, reveals a part of the AE1 structure that is sensitive to Cl− binding and to transport site orientation, in addition to the disulfonic stilbene binding site. The relationship of the inhibitory potency of WW781 under different conditions to the affinities for the different forms of AE1 provides information on the possible asymmetric distributions of unloaded and Cl−-loaded transport sites that are consistent with the ping-pong model, and supports the conclusion from flux and nuclear magnetic resonance data that both the unloaded and Cl−-loaded sites are very asymmetrically distributed, with far more sites facing the cytoplasm than the outside medium. This asymmetry, together with the ability of WW781 to recruit toward the forms with outward-facing sites, implies that WW781 may be useful for changing the conformation of AE1 in studies of structure–function relationships.
Intertidal marsh as a source of dissolved inorganic carbon and a sink of nitrate in the Satilla River-estuarine complex in the southeastern U.S.

Total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), total alkalinity (TA), pH, and nitrate + nitrite (NOx) data collected during the summer of 1996 in the Satilla River estuary in the southeastern U.S. were used to assess fluxes of DIC and NOx between intertidal marshes and estuarine waters and to model system NOx dynamics. Nitrate and nitrite are produced in the low-salinity portion of the estuary. The intertidal marshes are sites of intensive respiration that export DIC to the estuary and remove NOx. An integrated view is presented on the nitrification and denitrification processes in the marsh/estuarine complex and their relationship to CO2 generation rates. The distribution of NOx in the marsh and estuarine waters indicates that all NOx generated in the marsh-estuary system is removed in the intertidal marshes, most likely via denitrification. Model analysis of NOx and river flow data for three seasons indicates that NOx distribution in the estuarine water is also determined by river flow rates. Export fluxes of NOx to the coastal ocean are insignificant in all seasons when compared to NOx production rates in the entire system; however, they are significantly higher than NOx inputs from the river end member in October 1996. Although only a small fraction (~10%) of DIC generated in the marshes is exported to the coastal sea and around 90% is lost to the atmosphere, it represents a nearly threefold increase in riverine DIC flux to the ocean.
Experimental characterization of transmission lines in thin-film multichip modules

Signal propagation on transmission lines fabricated in thin polyimide films on silicon substrates is investigated. Series resistive and shunt conductive losses are separated and it is shown that the effective dielectric loss is much higher than that expected from bulk material properties.
Flight test of an integrated digital GPS translator

GPS translators are rugged sensors that relay GPS signals to a ground station for navigational processing. Analog translators have been in use for some time in missile tracking and range safety applications. They suffer, however, from very high cost and require a large bandwidth (>2 MHz) within the air-to-ground telemetry link. This paper describes a recently developed digital translator system with both performance and cost advantages over existing analog translators. The new translator combines the advantages of digital technology with a patented data compression technique to lower the telemetry bandwidth. The ground processing system hardware consists of a PC workstation with a commercial DSP card. Application software, including unique inertial-data aided tracking loops, compute the missile's trajectory. The complete system was tested on a Navy sponsored missile. The process of integrating a generic GPS translator with a missile's antenna and telemetry systems is described. This paper also compares the GPS computed trajectory with radar data.
Nitramine flame chemistry and deflagration interpreted in terms of a flame model

The diversity of chemical kinetic time scales associated with nitramine decomposition has led to incorporation of two simultaneous overall reactions in the vapor phase mode of deflagration. This allowed derivation of an asymptotic burning rate formula, showing variable pressure dependence. The comprehensive model considers a reacting melt layer, coupled to the gas field through conservation conditions satisfied by all chemical species and enthalpy, and is solved numerically. The structure of the deflagration wave near the propellant surface is obtained, along with the overall pressure dependence of the surface temperature and the flame speed eigenvalue, comparing RDX and HMX. A mechanism of coupling between secondary reactions and heat feedback to the surface is proposed, and a quantitative measure of the effect of condensed phase exothermicity on burning rate is demonstrated.
Catalytic Motors—Quo Vadimus?

Abstract Self-propelled, active colloidal systems are of great current interest from both fundamental as well as practical standpoints, with potential applications in nanomachinery, nanoscale assembly, robotics, fluidics, and chemical/biochemical sensing. This perspective focuses on chemically powered catalytic nano- and micromotors. We review the major advances to date in motor design, propulsion mechanisms and directional control, and inter-motor communication leading to collective behavior. We conclude by discussing the next steps in going forward: the fundamental questions that remain to be addressed and new design principles required for useful applications.
Routine Gas—Liquid Chromatographic Method for Simultaneous Assay of Major Urinary 17-Ketosteroids, and Pregnanediol and Pregnanetriol

Many methods of urinary steroid analysis have been used in evaluating endocrine function. Individual determination of particular metabolites and functional group analysis of steroid groups frequently involves extensive isolation and correction for interferences. By utilizing the separative and quantitative capabilities of gas-liquid chromatography, we have developed a method for the simultaneous analysis of certain clinically significant urinary steroids. Each analytical step has been made optimal, resulting in a simple and rapid method for determining these steroid metabolites in urine. Although it is a good technique for isolating and concentrating steroid conjugates, ammonium sulfate precipitation of the steroid conjugates is frequently unnecessary. Use of sulfatase and glucuronidase provides the most efficient and "clean" hydrolytic procedure.
Application of Generic Disposal System Models

This report describes specific GDSA activities in fiscal year 2015 (FY2015) toward the development of the enhanced disposal system modeling and analysis capability for geologic disposal of nuclear waste. The GDSA framework employs the PFLOTRAN thermal-hydrologic-chemical multi-physics code (Hammond et al., 2011) and the Dakota uncertainty sampling and propagation code (Adams et al., 2013). Each code is designed for massively-parallel processing in a high-performance computing (HPC) environment. Multi-physics representations in PFLOTRAN are used to simulate various coupled processes including heat flow, fluid flow, waste dissolution, radionuclide release, radionuclide decay and ingrowth, precipitation and dissolution of secondary phases, and radionuclide transport through the engineered barriers and natural geologic barriers to a well location in an overlying or underlying aquifer. Dakota is used to generate sets of representative realizations and to analyze parameter sensitivity.
Peptides used in the delivery of small noncoding RNA.

RNA interference (RNAi) is an endogenous process in which small noncoding RNAs, including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), post-transcriptionally regulate gene expressions. In general, siRNA and miRNA/miRNA mimics are similar in nature and activity except their origin and specificity. Although both siRNAs and miRNAs have been extensively studied as novel therapeutics for a wide range of diseases, the large molecular weight, anionic surface charges, instability in blood circulation, and intracellular trafficking to the RISC after cellular uptake have hindered the translation of these RNAs from bench to clinic. As a result, a great variety of delivery systems have been investigated for safe and effective delivery of small noncoding RNAs. Among these systems, peptides, especially cationic peptides, have emerged as a promising type of carrier due to their inherent ability to condense negatively charged RNAs, ease of synthesis, controllable size, and tunable structure. In this review, we...
Childhood obesity and coronary heart disease

Obesity is the most common nutritional problem among children in both developed and underdeveloped countries. Despite efforts over the past decade to prevent and control obesity, data from the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) show that 16.3% of children and adolescents, 2 to 19 years of age, are obese (i.e., have a body-mass index [BMI] above the 95th percentile for age and sex).1 There is strong epidemiologic evidence that obesity in childhood is associated with an increased incidence of atherosclerosis in adulthood. Postmortem studies have shown that obesity in childhood and adolescence is associated with increased evidence . . .
Pretreatment of QuEChERS coupled with SPE for the determination of pesticide residue

Objective To establish a method of pretreatment of QuEChERS coupled with SPE for the determination of pesticide residue.Methods Fruit and vegetable samples were pretreated using the method of QuEChERS coupled with SPE and pesticide residues were detected by gas chromatography.Results The recoveries of four pesticide residues of atrazine,γ-BHC,chlorothalonil,and CIS permethrin were 78.4～87.4%,and RSD were 2.95～7.23%.Conclusion The proposed method possesses good purification effect and allows effectively extending the service life of chromatography equipment with the advantage of accuracy,simplicity,solvent saving and stability.
Capturing/captured by stories of marginalized young people: Direct scribing and dialogic narrative analysis

Examining the results of the “narrative turn” in social work in their seminal article for Qualitative Research in 2005, Riessman and Quinney found themselves disappointed with the size and quality of the research corpus they reviewed. However, they also identified three exemplars of promising work, including the research of Faye Martin (Martin, 1998). Riessman and Quinney highlighted Martin’s narrative-gathering strategy, devised on the basis of her practice experience and dubbed “direct scribing.” The direct scribing method of narrative data collection disciplines the work of the researcher, who becomes the “scribe,” and elaborates the roles of the interviewees as authors of the narratives that they create.This article on capturing (and being captured by) the narratives of marginalized young people is situated in an increasingly significant movement in the social work literature that promotes giving voice to young people, so that they may have their views taken into account. We highlight the benefits of ...
GADD45a Is a Tumor Suppressor in BCR-ABL-Driven Leukemogenesis

The BCR-ABL fusion oncogene which encodes a fused deregulated tyrosine kinase causes chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in humans. Imatinib, a small molecule ABL kinase inhibitor has been highly effective in treating chronic phase (CP) CML patients. However, a substantial number of patients undergo relapse due to development of resistance to imatinib therapy that leads to blast crisis (BC-CML), which is invariably fatal within weeks to months. Additional genetic aberrations assist in progression and identification of key players that are responsible for transformation is of utmost importance from a therapeutic point of view. Growth arrest DNA damage 45a (Gadd45a) gene, a member in the gadd45 family of genes including Gadd45b & Gadd45g, was identified as a myeloid differentiation primary response gene. There is evidence consistent with it’s involvement in G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in response to multiple stressors, including genotoxic and oncogenic stress. To investigate the effect of Gadd45a in the development of CML, adaptive bone marrow transplantation experiments with either wild type or Gadd45a null myeloid progenitors expressing 210-kD BCR-ABL fusion oncoprotein revealed that loss of Gadd45a accelerated BCR-ABL driven CML resulting in the development of a more aggressive AML/BC like disease. Recent newly obtained data indicate that number of Gadd45a deficient Leukemic stem cells (LSC) harboring BCR-ABL increased as disease progressed confirming Gadd45a as a crucial tumor suppressor in CML. Recent data also indicate, that transformed Gadd45a deficient progenitors exhibit increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis, associated with enhanced PI3K-AKT-mTOR-4E-BP1 signaling and upregulated oncogenic p30C/EBPα. More importantly, newly obtained data indicate that Gadd45a transcript levels in peripheral blood of human blast crisis (BC-CML) samples was found to be reduced compared to accelerated phase (AP-CML), chronic phase (CP-CML) and normal controls, assessed by Quantitative real time PCR analysis. Collectivly these data strongly suggest that Gadd45a expression is a novel prognostic indicator of CML progression, implicating Gadd45a as a downregulated target of BCR-ABL associated with progression to more aggressive stages. To conclude, our findings provide novel evidence that Gadd45a functions as a suppressor of BCR/ABL driven myeloid leukemogenesis, & that suppresion of Gadd45a is associated with CML progression. These data provide the impetus to further elucidate the role Gadd45a plays in suppressing the development of CML, and explore how its loss contributes to the progression of CML to more aggressive leukemic phenotypes. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Income Distribution, Econophysics and Piketty

ABSTRACTPiketty, Atkinson and Saez have put the analysis of income distribution back on center stage. The distinction between property income and labor income plays a central role in this framework. Property income derives from the rate of return on stocks of income-earning wealth and is more unequally distributed than labor income. Piketty argues that, because the rate of return (r) is generally greater than the rate of growth of the economy (g), property income tends to grow more rapidly than labor income, so that rising income inequality is an intrinsic tendency of capitalism despite interruptions due to world wars and great depressions. This article argues the exact opposite. The rise of unions and the welfare state were the fruits of long-term historical gains made by labor, and the postwar constraints on real and financial capital arose in sensible reaction to the Great Depression. The ‘neoliberal’ era beginning in the 1980s significantly rolled back all of these. The article uses the econophysics t...
Aphid‐tending ants on introduced fennel: can resources derived from non‐native plants alter the trophic position of higher‐order consumers?

1. Although plant invasions often reduce insect abundance and diversity, non-native plants that support phytophagous insects can subsidise higher trophic levels via elevated herbivore abundance. 2. Here ant–aphid interactions on non-native fennel on Santa Cruz Island, California are examined. Fennel hosts abundant, honeydew-producing fennel aphids. The patchiness of fennel and the relative lack of honeydew-producing insects on other plants at our study sites suggest that assimilation of fennel-derived honeydew would increase the abundance and decrease the trophic position of the omnivorous, aphid-tending Argentine ant. 3. To assess the strength of the ant–aphid interaction, a comparison of ant abundance on and adjacent to fennel prior to and 3 weeks after experimental aphid removal was performed. Compared with control plants with aphids, ants declined in abundance on and around fennel plants following aphid removal. At the habitat scale, pitfall traps in fennel-dominated habitats captured more ants than in fennel-free scrub habitats. 4. To determine if assimilation of aphid-produced honeydew reduces the ant's trophic position, variation in δ15N values among ants, plants and other arthropods was analysed. Unexpectedly, δ15N values for ants in fennel-dominated habitats were higher than those of arthropod predators from the same sites and also higher than those of ants from fennel-free habitats. 5. Our results illustrate how introduced plants that support phytophagous insects appear to transfer energy to higher trophic levels via elevated herbivore abundance. Although assimilation of fennel-derived honeydew did not appear to reduce consumer trophic position, spatial variation in alternative food resources might obscure contributions from honeydew.
Simultaneous spatiotemporal tracking of multiple positron sources using spectral clustering

Tracking point-like objects in optically opaque environments has applications in studying flow in chemical systems, monitoring respiratory motion, and possibly investigating the trafficking of single cell at the whole-body level. One approach is to label the point-like object (particle, fiducial marker, or cell) with positron-emitting tracers. The information contained in the list-mode measurements can be utilized to directly track the motion of a single source, either frame-by-frame or continuously using a trajectory reconstruction algorithm. Applying this concept to multiple simultaneously moving sources is more challenging, in that detected pairs of coincident annihilation photons from different sources are not directly distinguishable. To tackle this problem, we applied spectral clustering methods to cluster the list-mode data into groups of coincidence lines corresponding to distinct sources. With this method, each individual source can then be independently tracked using existing techniques. Advantaged of this method are that the number of clusters can be extracted from the data, and that the method operates directly on the list-mode data, without needing to backproject the CLs into the spatial domain.
Race, the National Register, and Cultural Resource Management: Creating an Historic Context for Postbellum Sites

The Texas Historical Commission, Council of Texas Archeologists, and representatives from local cultural resource management (CRM) firms recently discussed the role of late-19th and early-20th century sites, including their educational value and fairness in representation of diverse social groups. I consider the dialogue regarding these sites as part of a national problem regarding the interpretation of National Register eligibility, especially in the realm of CRM work. The current interpretations are dependent upon site significance and integrity, often failing to consider a site’s historical context by utilizing single-level analytical methods and disregarding regional interpretations. This results in a considerable bias in the sites that are nominated to the NRHP, as the central issues of race and historical representation and variations in site type are ignored in favor of one-sided evaluation methods and a lack of regional interpretations. To address this bias, improved communication and education within and between CRM firms, government agencies, and academic institutions are needed to re-emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary research at historic sites.
Glenoid neck Hounsfield units on computed tomography can accurately identify patients with low bone mineral density.

Background Osteoporosis is a costly and morbid disease with the first presentation often with a fragility fracture. The purpose of this study was to assess whether Hounsfield unit (HU) measurements on shoulder computed tomography could identify patients at risk of osteoporosis and aid in its diagnosis. Methods We identified patients who had both a computed tomography scan of the glenoid and a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry results and HU measurements of the patients' glenoid were recorded. Differences in HU measurements between patients with normal and abnormal central bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed. Correlations were calculated, and receiver operating characteristics were examined. Results A total of 51 glenoids met the criteria. The mean glenoid HU measurement was 140.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 120.1-161.1) in the osteoporotic group, 168.1 (95% CI, 152.7-183.5) in the osteopenic group, and 233.2 (95% CI, 210.1-256.4) in the normal BMD group (P Conclusion A patient with an HU measurement below 197 has a 97% chance of having low BMD, and a patient with a measurement over 257 likely has normal BMD. In patients with measurements between these values, a definitive diagnosis should be aggressively pursued. Opportunistic screening for a modifiable disease that has significant morbidity and mortality rates at no additional cost, radiation, or time is of great value.
Pediatric proximal femur fractures.

Abstract Pediatric proximal femur fractures are rare injuries resulting from high-energy trauma. The Delbet classification is used when describing these injuries, and associates fracture type to the development of avascular necrosis. Historically, casting was utilized in the treatment of these injuries, but high complication rates following this approach have changed the treatment modality to early and anatomic fixation. Complications associated with these injuries including avascular necrosis, non-union, coxa-vara, and premature physeal fusion. Achieving anatomic reduction and performing internal fixation within 24 h from time of injury has become the standard of care in the treatment of pediatric proximal femur fractures.
Immigrants are not the cause of labour degradation.

Immigrant employment is not the cause but rather the consequence of growing inequality and deterioration in workers’ pay and working conditions. In fact, immigrants have revitalized labour-organizing efforts in recent decades, argues Ruth Milkman.
PRIORITIES IN FOREST RADIOECOLOGY: MODEL DEVELOPMENTS FOR INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT OF TOXIC ELEMENT TRANSPORT

An integrated conceptual model describing the fate and transport of toxicant metals and radionuclides from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems has been initiated. The model should provide information on the long time transport and predict toxicant distribution from atmospheric sources to geochemical sinks. Bio-geo-chemical process control the concentration of toxicants in temporary and permanent reservoirs. It is the concentration process which can cause excess chemical and radionuclide dose to the environment and ultimately to man. Forest models are being developed to describe the radionuclide distribution in plants and animals residing in the terrestrial environment. We believe that the next step in descriptive modeling is the upper soil layers of organic matter which provide an intermediate reservoir for radionuclides, but the hydrological effects of overland flow and infiltration have not yet been included nor demonstrated. The approach proposed here is a linked three sector model consisting of: 1) Terrestrial ecosystem-catchment basin, 2) Interface ecosystem including soil-water, the litter layer, peatlands, wetlands, and 3) Aquatic ecosystem including rivers, reservoirs, estuaries. The goals of the present study are to develop, test and validate integrated models for use in prediction and in establishing policies to limit excess chemical and radionuclide dose to the exposed population. Multimedia modeling using Geographical Information System and the latest computer software can provide a technical foundation and lead to predictions in assessing global industrial effluents, their effects on the ecosystem and on man.
Searching for the Higgs Boson at A Photon-Photon Collider

One of the prime pursuits of the particle physics community over the next decade will be the exploration of the spontaneous symmetry breaking sector the Standard Model of elementary particle physics. The initial task in such an exploration will of course be the search for, and hopefully study of, the Higgs boson or bosons.
Desmoid Disease in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

Desmoid disease is a feature of familial adenomatous polyposis, a dominantly inherited syndrome of cancer predisposition due to germline mutations in the tumor suppressor gene APC. About 30% of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis develop desmoid disease, especially women, those with a family history of desmoids, those with the extracolonic manifestations of Gardner’s syndrome, and those with a mutation 3′ of codon 1440. Most desmoids occur in the abdominal wall or inside the abdomen, usually developing after prophylactic colectomy. They may grow rapidly, causing pain, and bowel or ureteric obstruction. No treatment is predictably effective but options include nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antiestrogen drugs, chemotherapy, and excision. While desmoid disease can be lethal, patients usually live in equilibrium with their disease.
An Efficient Pruning Algorithm for Robust Isotonic Regression

We study a generalization of the classic isotonic regression problem where we allow separable nonconvex objective functions, focusing on the case of estimators used in robust regression. A simple dynamic programming approach allows us to solve this problem to within e-accuracy (of the global minimum) in time linear in 1/e and the dimension. We can combine techniques from the convex case with branch-and-bound ideas to form a new algorithm for this problem that naturally exploits the shape of the objective function. Our algorithm achieves the best bounds for both the general nonconvex and convex case (linear in log (1/e)), while performing much faster in practice than a straightforward dynamic programming approach, especially as the desired accuracy increases.
Addressing vaccine hesitancy requires an ethically consistent health strategy

Vaccine hesitancy is a growing threat to public health. The reasons are complex but linked inextricably to a lack of trust in vaccines, expertise and traditional sources of authority. Efforts to increase immunization uptake in children in many countries that have seen a fall in vaccination rates are two-fold: addressing hesitancy by improving healthcare professional-parent exchange and information provision in the clinic; and, secondly, public health strategies that can override parental concerns and values with coercive measures such as mandatory and presumptive vaccination. It is argued that such conflicting, parallel approaches seriously risk undermining trust that is crucial for sustaining herd immunity. Although public health strategies can be ethically justified in limiting freedoms, a parent-centered approach seldom acknowledges how it is impacted by contemporaneous coercive measures. In addition, the clinical encounter is not well suited to helping parents consider the public dimensions of vaccination, despite these being important for trust formation and informed decision-making. Efforts to address vaccine hesitancy require more consistent engagement of parental and citizen views. Along with evidence-based information, debates need to be informed by ethical support that equips parents and professionals to respond to the private and public dimensions of vaccination in a more even-handed, transparent manner. Efforts to address vaccine hesitancy need to avoid simple reliance on either parental values or coercive public policies. To do this effectively requires increasing citizen engagement on vaccination to help inform a parent-centered approach and legitimize public policy measures. In addition, cultivating a more ethically consistent strategy means moving beyond the current silos of health ethics - clinical and public health ethics.
Broadband Metasurfaces for Terahertz Polarization Conversion

We show metasurfaces consisting of few-layer anisotropic structures that allow for highly efficient and broadband terahertz linear polarization rotation and linear-to-circular polarization conversion, operating either in reflection or in transmission.
Ethical hacking

The explosive growth of the Internet has brought many good things: electronic commerce, easy access to vast stores of reference material, collaborative computing, e-mail, and new avenues for advertising and information distribution, to name a few. As with most technological advances, there is also a dark side: criminal hackers. Governments, companies, and private citizens around the world are anxious to be a part of this revolution, but they are afraid that some hacker will break into their Web server and replace their logo with pornography, read their e-mail, steal their credit card number from an on-line shopping site, or implant software that will secretly transmit their organization's secrets to the open Internet. With these concerns and others, the ethical hacker can help. This paper describes ethical hackers: their skills, their attitudes, and how they go about helping their customers find and plug up security holes. The ethical hacking process is explained, along with many of the problems that the Global Security Analysis Lab has seen during its early years of ethical hacking for IBM clients.
Tracing networked writing in an online community through resonance maps

Abstract Writing itself is important to examine in digitally connected spaces because it serves as one of the central ways people communicate and interact with each other. The method we outline in this paper brings together tools and frames from digital ethnography as well as visual arts and rhetoric in order to visually map emergent dimensions of youth's writing practices. We outline the creation of resonance maps that helped to visualize intertextual connections that were less immediately identifiable. Based on analysis of these resonance maps, we identified two patterns of habitual intertextuality in the Write4Change community - a common theme (persistence) and a common rhetorical practice (pairing image/text) - and how these patterns helped young people find common ground for their participation in the online community. Purposefully developing methods to trace both visible and less visible connections in online spaces helped us refocus attention on how writing moves and connects people and ideas – an important orientation in an increasingly divided world, as people must learn to communicate productively across physical, psychological, and ideological distances if they hope to address persistent issues facing the world.
Investigating age differences in the genetic and environmental structure of the tridimensional personality questionnaire in later adulthood.

In this study we examined cross-sectional age differences in means, phenotypic covariance structure, and the underlying genetic and environmental structure of four personality constructs from Cloninger's personality system: Novelty Seeking (NS), Harm Avoidance (HA), Reward Dependence (RD), and Persistence (PS). Study participants were same-sex female twins between the ages of 50 and 96, drawn from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) twin sample. We examined age differences by comparing younger (age 50–65) and older (age 661) cohorts (based on a median split of the sample) and by estimating biometrical model parameters as linear and quadratic functions of continuous age. Results indicated modest, but significant, mean-level declines across this age range for NS, RD, and PS. HA showed no significant mean differences. We found moderate heritability estimates for all of the TPQ higher-order personality dimensions, ranging from 0.16 to 0.62. No significant age differences in the proportion of genetic and environmental influences on the TPQ dimensions were found. For HA, RD, and PS there were no significant age-related differences in total variance. However, for NS we observed a decline in total phenotypic variance across age cohorts.
The Hidden Costs of a Life of the Mind

The endless toggling between fascination and suspicion—or what I call my love affair with visual culture—began in Boston after I emigrated from a sun-drenched peripheral town at the edge of a sugarcane plantation. I was thirteen when I landed in the stuffy eighth-grade classroom commandeered by