cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Visual search and mouse-pointing in labeled versus unlabeled two-dimensional visual hierarchies

An experiment investigates (1) how the physical structure of a computer screen layout affects visual search and (2) how people select a found target object with a mouse. Two structures are examined---labeled visual hierarchies (groups of objects with one label per group) and unlabeled visual hierarchies (groups without labels). Search and selection times were separated by imposing a point-completion deadline that discouraged participants from moving the mouse until they found the target. The observed search times indicate that labeled visual hierarchies can be searched much more efficiently than unlabeled visual hierarchies, and suggest that people use a fundamentally different strategy for each of the two structures. The results have implications for screen layout design and cognitive modeling of visual search. The observed mouse-pointing times suggest that people use a slower and more accurate speed-accuracy operating characteristic to select a target with a mouse when visual distractors are present, which suggests that Fitts' law coefficients derived from standard mouse-pointing experiments may under-predict mouse-pointing times for typical human-computer interactions. The observed mouse-pointing times also demonstrate that mouse movement times for a two-dimensional pointing task can be most-accurately predicted by setting the w in Fitts' law to the width of the target along the line of approach.
Spectral profile cues in comodulation masking release

Previous work on spectral shape discrimination has shown that detection of a level increment in one tone of a tonal complex is dependent on spectral position, with thresholds forming a “bowl” pattern for components spanning 200 to 5000 Hz [Green, D. M., (1988). Profile Analysis: Auditory Intensity Discrimination (Oxford University Press, New York)]. The current study examined whether a similar bowl occurs for comodulation masking release, a paradigm in which dynamic spectral cues could be used to detect an added signal. Maskers were logarithmically spaced 15-Hz-wide bands of noise. The signal was a tone or a copy of the on-signal masker band. When the masker was composed of one or more random bands, thresholds were relatively consistent across frequency. When the masker was a set of comodulated bands, thresholds for both signal types formed a bowl, but the minimum threshold occurred at a higher signal frequency for the tonal than for the narrowband noise signal. Results for additional conditions indicate that spectral effects depend on both absolute frequency and relative frequency of the signal within the masker. Data collected with flanking maskers presented contralateral to the signal and on-signal masker indicate that peripheral effects may play a role in threshold elevation at high signal frequencies with narrowband noise signals.
Effects of CPAP on Gastric Pouch Pressure After Bariatric Surgery

The purpose of this study was to determine if the routine use of postoperative continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is associated with an increase in transmural gastric pouch pressure, which may create the risk for anastomotic leak. Transmural gastric pressures (difference between gastric pouch and bladder pressures) were measured postoperatively [post-anesthesia recovery care unit (PACU) arrival (prior to initiation of CPAP), 5 min, 30 min, and PACU discharge] in 28 patients (19 patients used CPAP, 9 patients did not) following laparoscopic RYGB. Changes in pressure over time were assessed using a generalized estimating equation, taking into account the repeated measurements obtained for each subject. In all cases, two-tailed P values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. Among patients that used CPAP, there were no changes in transmural pouch pressure from baseline at any point in time (P = 0.628). However, in patients that did not use CPAP, there was a trend towards increased transmural gastric/pouch pressure (P = 0.053), which could be attributed to a transient decrease in bladder pressure at the 5-min measurement interval. Application of CPAP did not increase transmural gastric pouch pressure in our bariatric patients; therefore, its use in the post-RYGB patients does not pose a risk for pouch distension, which could lead to the disruption of anastomotic integrity.
Small cell carcinoma of the large intestine presenting as central nervous systems signs and symptoms. Two case reports with literature review.

Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma is rare. Small cell carcinoma of the colorectum has been reported in 73 patients. Patients with colorectal small cell carcinoma present with signs and symptoms related to the primary site. Usually patients present with advanced stage. Rarely do patients with colorectal small cell carcinoma present with signs and symptoms related to the central nervous system (CNS). We report two patients who presented with CNS signs. The two patients underwent craniotomy for definitive diagnosis and resection in one patient. In both cases, pathology was consistent with pure small cell carcinoma. Postoperatively, a search for a primary revealed the rectum and the hepatic flexure of the colon to be the sites. Patients were started on combination chemotherapy. One patient achieved a complete remission and the second is currently receiving chemotherapy with a partial response. This is the first report of colorectal small cell carcinoma presenting as CNS lesion(s).
Health care provider complaints to the emergency department: a preliminary report on a novel quality improvement instrument

Study objectives: Patient complaints to the emergency department (ED) are an important component in assessing patient satisfaction and quality of care and have been studied from a number of perspectives. However, no study has addressed complaints made to the ED by health care providers (HCPs) (physicians, nurses, and hospital administrators). Given their training, experience, and expertise, HCPs are uniquely positioned to provide detailed follow-up, present pointed inquiry, and give informed opinions about care in the ED. We present 1 year's data from a system initiated to capture HCP complaints to the ED, respond systematically, and integrate these into our quality management program. Methods: Complaints to our metropolitan, academic ED from HCPs during 1 calendar year were reviewed. Receipt of an HCP complaint to the ED generated a "care concern" alert, forwarded to the involved emergency physician, who responded within 7 days. All complaints were routed through 2 quality managers who reviewed them, assigned 1 of 8 categories to the primary complaint, and evaluated the need for formal peer review. Descriptive data are presented. Results: Of 185 complaints to the ED, 53 (29%) were from HCPs, representing 1 per 1,000 visits, or 3.3 for 1,000 admissions. Of these, 31 (58%) related to medical care in the ED: 8 (15%) to diagnostic workup, 9 (16%) to ED management, and 14 (26%) to consultations; 11 (21%) related to miscommunication; 7 (13%) related to disposition: 4 (8%) to admitting service, 2 (4%) inappropriate discharge, and 1 (2%) to inappropriate transfer; and 4 (8%) related to infraction of a hospital policy. Overall, 10 (19%) cases, on formal review, led to staff reeducation or clarification of policy, and 2 cases resulted in new ED operational policy. Conclusion: HCP complaints highlight an aspect of customer care in the ED that is sometimes overlooked: that which we provide to other services within the hospital. Compared to patient complaints, those from HCPs primarily relate to patient care issues, many of which raise significant concerns requiring intervention. This underused source of patient care information presents a wealth of opportunity for quality improvement and customer service in the ED.
Strategies for patient education

Patient behavior is a part of the problem of high blood pressure and is also a major part of the solution. As with physical diagnosis and medical care, patient education should be based upon a careful assessment, a correct diagnosis, and an individualized plan of care. Health care providers must be able to identify the specific needs of patients for information, skills, support, and reinforcement. They must meet those needs with a combination of educational strategies, adapting approaches as necessary over time. Providers can determine the quantity and quality of information, interaction, and office procedures that reinforce appropriate behavior. Efforts to increase the number of patients who remain in care, with controlled blood pressures, should include effective educational strategies which increase providers' skills, enhance patient-provider relationships and promote active patient participation.
Analysis of the Oxidative Damage-Induced Conformational Changes of Apo- and Holocalmodulin by Dose-Dependent Protein Oxidative Surface Mapping

Calmodulin (CaM) is known to undergo conformational and functional changes on oxidation, allowing CaM to function as an oxidative stress sensor. We report the use of a novel mass spectrometry-based methodology to monitor the structure of apo- and holo-CaM as it undergoes conformational changes as a result of increasing amounts of oxidative damage. The kinetics of oxidation for eight peptides are followed by mass spectrometry, and 12 sites of oxidation are determined by MS/MS. Changes in the pseudo-first-order rate constant of oxidation for a peptide after increasing radiation exposure reveal changes in the accessibility of the peptide to the diffusing hydroxyl radical, indicating conformational changes as a function of increased oxidative damage. For holo-CaM, most sites rapidly become less exposed to hydroxyl radicals as the protein accumulates oxidative damage, indicating a closing of the hydrophobic pockets in the N- and C-terminal lobes. For apo-CaM, many of the sites rapidly become more exposed until they resemble the solvent accessibility of holo-CaM in the native structure and then rapidly become more buried, mimicking the conformational changes of holo-CaM. At the most heavily damaged points measured, the rates of oxidation for both apo- and holo-CaM are essentially identical, suggesting the two assume similar structures.
Normalizing English language learner students: a Foucauldian analysis of opposition to bilingual education

This article uses Foucault’s (1977/1995) concept of normalization to analyze contemporary opposition to bilingual education in the United States. These contemporary movements have ‘normalized’ English language learner (ELL) students by appropriating the technology of language in order to become ‘Americanized.’ This has become urgent and emergent in educational research, in part, because of the growing number of ELL students in United States’ public schools. English‐language proficiency is an essential element for academic success in the US’s current English‐only, high‐stakes testing environment. This analysis questions the notion of an ideal American as the standard for how educators implement English‐only curriculum and pedagogy for ELL students. The article concludes with a critique of the impact and implications of ‘normalizing’ ELL students with an English‐only education.
The Effects of Adding Dynamic Assessment Components to a Computerized Preschool Language Screening Test

Currently available screening tools and procedures are lacking in one or more of the criteria necessary for early identification of potential language impairment in children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This article addresses the need to (a) explore the effectiveness of a new version of KIDTALK with preschoolers, including an additional ethnic/ linguistic group in the sample, and (b) determine the utility of adding more dynamic assessment features to the test. Results warranted further enhancement of this tool by incorporating dynamic assessment components throughout the test and continued investigation of its validity with culturally and linguistically diverse preschoolers.
Changes in Restricted Repetitive Behaviors with age: A study of high-functioning adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract The existing literature suggests that while impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) continue into adulthood, some behavioral symptoms tend to abate with age. However, there is a dearth of research examining changes in ASD symptoms from childhood to adulthood, especially for Restricted Repetitive Behaviors (RRBs). We examined age-related changes in RRBs in a sample of 34 high-functioning adults with ASDs at current age and retrospectively at age 4–5 years using the Autism Diagnostic Interview—Revised, and the Repetitive Behavior Scale—Revised. We found significant changes in all RRBs over time with the exception of the Self-injurious Behavior subscale of the RBS-R. In addition, the degree of change also differed for RRB subtypes. Based on the RBS-R, the highest proportion of participants showed improvements on the Compulsive Behavior subscale (75%), and the lowest proportion showed improvement on the Restricted Behavior subscale (44.1%). We also found a low base rate for certain symptoms (e.g., self-injurious behavior, unusual preoccupations, and unusual sensory interests) in this sample of higher-functioning individuals with ASDs. Future research should examine further changes in RRBs in late adulthood and also evaluate contextual variables that are likely to be related to symptom abatement over time.
Effect of cooling rate on human and murine hemopoietic precursor cell recovery

The effect of cooling rate on recovery of human and murine hemopoietic precursor cells was studied. In the presence of 10% Me2SO, a cooling rate of 7 degrees C/min from -4 to -30 degrees C was optimal for recovery of both human and murine precursor cells which give rise to colonies in diffusion chambers implanted in mice (CFU-DG). Cooling of human marrow at a rate between 3 and 7 degrees C/min resulted in the best CFU-C recovery, although no good correlation between the cooling rate and murine CFU-C recovery was demonstrated. These data suggest that recovery of the primitive hemopoietic precursor cells can be improved by changing the standard cryopreservation programs used presently. However, improved recovery of CFU-DG does not necessarily translate into faster reconstitution of hemopoiesis. No significant difference was observed in overall recovery of bone marrow cellularity in lethally irradiated mice following injection of untreated marrow and marrow cooled at a rate of 1 and 7 degrees C/min.
Aging and changes in phasic events during sleep

Changes in phasic events in the elderly are reviewed. Such phasic events may in part be determined by the macrostructure of sleep (sleep stages). Therefore, a brief description of sleep architecture and EEG morphology in the aged person is given. Second, there is a marked variability among individuals in the number of spindles and K-complexes and more so in older individuals than in younger. However, there is an overall decrease in these events with age. The characteristics of these events (amplitude, frequency content, and distribution) change simultaneously. Third, the number of rapid eye movement occurring during REM sleep decreases with aging, but important gender differences exist, in that women generally maintain a higher REM density. The degree of changes in phasic events might correlate with mental deterioration (sleep cognition theory), but physical factors might also be the underlying reason for the observed changes. Whether these changes are indicative of the individual's ability to maintain sleep remains to be determined.
global warming — uncertainties, effects, and policy options

Environmental policy making is a challenging task. Often the scope of an issue is not fully comprehended, and its future impact is even less well understood. Global warming is one of these environmental issues. The issue is made more complex because, first, there is a question of whether it is a problem at all and, second, unilateral policy making by one nation may not be sufficient or even significant to tackle the problem globally. This article outlines the scientific factors that contribute to global warming and discusses the uncertainties involved. The authors then discuss the ramifications of taking action (policy making) and failing to act (doing nothing) against the background of global warming, greenhouse gases, and cost-benefit analysis. The article concludes by reporting the results of a multidisciplinary panel of experts composed of scientists, economists, and policy analysts who commented on various policy options.
Specificity of light and electron microscopic features of hypertrophic obstructive and nonobstructive cardiomyopathy. Qualitative, quantitative and etiologic aspects

A review is presented of the histologic and ultrastructural abnormalities found in the hearts of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Evidence is presented to show that myocardial fiber disarray is found in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as well as in other conditions; however, in the latter it seldom involves more than 5% of the myocytes in transverse sections of ventricular septum. A new theory of morphogenesis is proposed to account for the asymmetric cardiac hypertrophy that characterizes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This theory is summarized as follows: (1) hypercontractility is the underlying abnormality affecting cardiac myocytes; (2) this hypercontractility is present during embryonic development and constitutes the stimulus to the inappropriate increase in cardiac mass that takes place in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; (3) during embryonic development this stimulus results in increased mitotic division (i.e. hyperplasia) rather than in increased size of individual myocytes (i.e. hypertrophy); (4) hyperplasia is preferentially increased in the ventricular septum (perhaps because of the mechanical forces exerted by left and right ventricular contraction on the ventricular septum), thus exaggerating the asymmetric growth that occurs normally in this area during prenatal development; (5) after birth, the septal asymmetry does not regress in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, as it does in normal individuals, because it is complicated by hyperplasia (i.e. increased numbers of myocytes are already present in the ventricular septum); (6) the prenatal phase of hyperplasia is followed by a postnatal phase of gradual, progressive hypertrophy in which myocytes enlarge, septal hypertrophy becomes exaggerated, and clinical symptoms eventually develop.
Association Between Inhaled β-Agonists and the Risk of Unstable Angina and Myocardial Infarction

Background: -Adrenoceptor agonists (-agonists) are commonly used to treat obstructive lung diseases, and preliminary studies have suggested they are associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We further examined the association between acute coronary syndromes and inhaled -agonist therapy. Methods: We performed a nested, case-control study using data that were collected as part of a larger, ongoing, prospective study of quality improvement in the primary care clinics of seven Veterans Administration Medical Centers. We identified 630 patients with unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction hospitalized between 1996 and 1999. We frequency matched these case patients to 10,486 control subjects according to clinic location, and randomly assigned each an “index date.” The computerized pharmacy database at each center was used to ascertain -agonist use. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed from mailed questionnaires and electronic medical records, which included inpatient and outpatient diagnoses, medications, and laboratory results. Results: In comparison with patients who had not filled a -agonist prescription during the 90 days prior to their index date, patients who had filled a -agonist prescription had an increased risk of experiencing an acute coronary syndrome. The increased risk of an acute coronary syndrome persisted after adjusting for age and cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, and smoking history. Moreover, there was a dose-response relationship with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.38 for one to two metered-dose inhaler (MDI) canisters (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86 to 2.23), an OR of 1.57 for three to five MDI canisters (95% CI, 1.01 to 2.46), and an OR of 1.93 for six or more MDI canisters (95% CI, 1.23 to 3.03). After stratifying for receipt of a -blocker prescription, the adjusted OR in subjects who did not receive a -blocker was 1.55 for one to two MDI canisters (95% CI, 0.60 to 3.99), an OR of 4.07 for three to five canisters (95% CI, 2.17 to 7.64), and an OR of 3.83 for six or more canisters (95% CI, 2.02 to 7.29). Subjects who had received both -blockers and -agonists had no increase in risk in acute coronary syndromes unless they had filled six or more -agonist MDI canisters. Conclusions: A prescription for inhaled -agonists may increase the risk of myocardial infarction and unstable angina in patients with COPD. (CHEST 2002; 121:846–851)
Comparison of Drug Utilization Patterns in Observational Data: Antiepileptic Drugs in Pediatric Patients.

Purpose Physicians require information on the comparative benefits and harms of medications for optimal treatment decisions. However, this type of data is limited, especially for pediatric patients.
Vasculoprotective Effects of Erythropoietin: New Developments and New Alternatives

The body of evidence demonstrating the vasculoprotective effects of direct cell-based therapies to inhibit the acute response to vascular injury continues to grow. Delivery of autologous circulation-derived cells capable of assuming an endothelial phenotype to an injured arterial segment results in early reendothelialization and normalization of vascular function.1–3 Current applications of this approach require cell isolation and modification in vitro, followed by direct delivery. However, novel approaches are being developed to avoid the inherent translational concerns of this strategy. Broadly, these new approaches include the mobilization and targeting of cell populations capable of augmenting reendothelialization of injured arteries while limiting neointimal formation. Multiple cytokines have been shown to mobilize cells capable of assuming an endothelial phenotype (broadly known as EPCs). These cytokines include VEGF, G-CSF, GM-CSF, and erythropoietin (Epo). The article by Urao et al4 in this issue of Circulation Research extends the observation that Epo can mobilize EPCs while demonstrating its ability to enhance reendothelialization and inhibit neointimal formation after vascular injury in an NO-dependent manner. Taken together, these findings extend our understanding of the role of Epo as a tissue protectant and apply it to the setting of acute vascular injury. The article by Urao tested the hypothesis that systemic delivery of recombinant human Epo would inhibit neointimal formation in a mouse carotid artery wire injury model.4 Epo (1000 IU/kg of body weight) was administered for 3 days beginning at the time of arterial injury. Morphometric analysis of serial arterial sections performed at 14 days after injury showed a 52% decrease in the neointimal area in the Epo-treated mice compared with the saline injected …
QUORUM SENSING: Cell-to-Cell Communication in Bacteria

AbstractBacteria communicate with one another using chemical signal molecules. As in higher organisms, the information supplied by these molecules is critical for synchronizing the activities of large groups of cells. In bacteria, chemical communication involves producing, releasing, detecting, and responding to small hormone-like molecules termed autoinducers. This process, termed quorum sensing, allows bacteria to monitor the environment for other bacteria and to alter behavior on a population-wide scale in response to changes in the number and/or species present in a community. Most quorum-sensing-controlled processes are unproductive when undertaken by an individual bacterium acting alone but become beneficial when carried out simultaneously by a large number of cells. Thus, quorum sensing confuses the distinction between prokaryotes and eukaryotes because it enables bacteria to act as multicellular organisms. This review focuses on the architectures of bacterial chemical communication networks; how c...
Pressure sensing system for the study of blast-induced traumatic brain injury

Due to extensive use of explosive weaponry, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have led to a significant increase in blast-induced injuries, which manifest as complicated neural cellular damage. This research is serving two purposes: 1. verifying a methodology to measure the physical characteristics of the blast waves by using a MEMS capacitor pressure sensor and 2. performing In-Vivo study for long term monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) in animal models exposed low-level blast.
Stochastic Continuum Modeling Self-Assembled Epitaxial Quantum Dot Formation

Semiconductor epitaxial self-assembled quantum dots (SAQDs) have potential for electronic and optoelectronic applications such as high density logic, quantum computing architectures, laser diodes, and other optoelectronic devices. SAQDs form during heteroepitaxy of lattice-mismatched films where surface diffusion is driven by an interplay of strain energy and surface energy. Common systems are Ge x Si 1-x /Si and In x Ga 1-x As/GaAs. SAQDs are typically grown on a (001) crystal surface. Self-assembled nanostructures form due to both random and deterministic effects. As a consequence, order and controllability of SAQD formation is a technological challenge. Theoretical and numerical models of SAQD formation can contribute both fundamental understanding and become quantitative design tools for improved SAQD fabrication if they can accurately capture the competition between deterministic and random effects. In this research, a stochastic model of SAQD formation is presented. This model adapts previous surface diffusion models to include thermal fluctuations in surface diffusion, randomness in material deposition and the effects of anisotropic elasticity, anisotropic surface energy and anisotropic diffusion, all of which are needed to model average SAQD morphology and order. This model is applied to Ge/Si SAQDs which are group IV semiconductor dots and InAs/GaAs SAQDs which are III-V semiconductor dots.
Failure of epoxide formation to influence carbamazepine-induced teratogenesis in a mouse model.

The teratogenic potential of the anticonvulsant drug carbamazepine was determined following chronic oral administration in two inbred mouse strains (SWR/J and LM/Bc). The drug was administered in the animal's diet in concentrations equivalent to 0, 1,000, 1,500, or 2,000 mg/kg body weight, with treatment starting 2 wks prior to mating and continuing throughout gestation. Fetal examination failed to reveal a significant pattern of malformation in either strain at any treatment level. Levels of plasma carbamazepine and its metabolite, carbamazepine-10, 11-epoxide, were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. There was no correlation with either of these compounds and the incidence of fetal abnormality. The inherent teratogenicity of carbamazepine is significantly lower than that of other anticonvulsant drugs that have been similarly tested in an animal model.
Comparative Effects of Sertraline and Nortriptyline on Body Sway in Older Depressed Patients.

This study examined effects of nortriptyline and sertraline on the balance and stability of depressed geriatric inpatients. Body sway was measured with a stable force-platform at three timepoints: before starting antidepressant medication, 5–7 days after medication was initiated, and 1 week later. A group of healthy, unmedicated older volunteers was evaluated under the same conditions as patients. In sertraline-treated patients (n = 10), significant differences (P
Algorithmic analysis of nonlinear hybrid systems

We present two methods for translating nonlinear hybrid systems into linear hybrid automata. Properties of the nonlinear systems can then be inferred from the automatic analysis of the translated linear hybrid automata. The first method, called clock translation, replaces constraints on nonlinear variables by constraints on clock variables. The second method, called linear phase-portrait approximation, conservatively overapproximates the phase portrait of a hybrid automaton using piecewise-constant polyhedral differential inclusions. Both methods are sound for safety properties. We illustrate both methods by using HYTECH, a symbolic model checker for linear hybrid automata, to automatically check properties of a nonlinear temperature controller and of a predator-prey ecology.
Indications for ICD Therapy

The role of ICD therapy has broadened significantly since its first clinical use in the early 1980s[1]. In its early era, ICD therapy was considered last resort and reserved only for patients with recurrent VTNF that was refractory to drug therapy or arrhythmia surgery. It was not uncommon that patients would suffer recurrent cardiac arrest episodes before being considered for an ICD therapy. Such reluctance in prescribing an ICD therapy stemmed from several factors. The one foremost factor was that the concept was new, lacking clinical data and considered unusual and also somewhat undesirable. To have a rescuing form of therapy was considered unacceptable and inferior to drug or surgical therapy. Other factors were merely logistical ones. The device was not readily available and its implantation required an open chest operation, either a thoracotomy or sternotomy. Such an operation carries a small but not insignificant morbidity and mortality rate, especially in the typical VTNF patients and thus further limiting the application of ICD therapy.
Course Materials for Authentic Sustainability - Navigating Pitfalls, Paradoxes, and Pathways in Conversations toward a Better World

Slide Deck for Authentic Sustainability Workshop hosted by the Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario.Slide notes are included. Contact the Author for Power Point Files.Working paper (optional pre-read) is available through SSRN here: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2210561.The flourishing of human and other life on earth forever. Sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it? It is a possibility that catches our attention, and inspires us amid the intense challenges of unsustainability in our economy and society. And at the same time, it makes us uneasy, like “is that really possible? How can we possibly get there?” What is the pathway? We might feel particularly skeptical if we’re in the muck as innovators and advocates, trying to convince people to “get on the bus” and facing all kinds of resistance and defense of the status quo.We’ve got some bad news and some good news. The bad news is that the doubt, resistance and defensiveness we encounter are our own fault. As much as we might think the enemy is a “they” – the 1%, the fossil fuel companies, the politicians, the climate deniers – we can be our own worst enemy. When people think of us as “environmental whackos” it may be… because we are! We lunge forward with our passion and dedication and we tumble into pitfalls of activism – self-righteousness, ideology, blame, and despair. How’s that for flourishing? The good news is that we think there are pathways around those pitfalls. These are habits of living, speaking, relating, organizing, and innovating that massively increase our effectiveness, take us beyond preaching and whining to “the choir,” and allow us to have a lot of fun in the process. But we’ve got to figure them out together.So this is a conversation. It is hosted by two young advocates for sustainability who are willing to poke fun at themselves, and inviting others to join in the fun. We’ll share the pitfalls and pathways we’ve identified, share our stories, and invite you to share yours. We believe the result of this conversation can be profound - a transformation of the sustainability movement, making it a context for the flourishing of our lives on the way to the flourishing of all life.This work exists in four forms: a working paper; an interactive presentation and workshop; an evolving classroom curriculum; and a train the trainer workshop.
The Historical Background of Japan's Antimonopoly Law

In this article, Professors Alex Seita and Jiro Tamura trace the historical background of a contentious issue in United States-Japan economic relation – Japan’s enforcement of its antimonopoly law. The perspective prevailing in the United States is well known: Japan has inadequately enforced its antimonopoly law and thereby impaired American access to the Japanese domestic trade and investment markets. Americans, however, remain largely uninformed about Japanese views on this subject. Professors Seita and Tamura endeavor to explain the apparent reluctance of the Japanese to enforce the antimonopoly law by exploring the history of prewar competition policies in Japan, the changing antitrust objectives of the American occupation in the years following World War II, and conditions within and without Japan during the early years of the antimonopoly law (1947-53). Japan’s largely favorable experiences with cartelization in the past, the manner in which the antimonopoly law was forced upon the Japanese, and the legal limitations of the antimonopoly law itself must all be addressed if future American criticism is to serve a constructive function.
Growing a Best Babies Zone: Lessons Learned from the Pilot Phase of a Multi-Sector, Place-Based Initiative to Reduce Infant Mortality

Purpose Infant mortality reduction in the U.S. has been addressed predominantly through clinical approaches. While these efforts have reduced the infant mortality rate overall, they have not reduced disparities between different racial/socioeconomic groups. To address the interrelated social, economic and environmental factors contributing to infant mortality, a place-based approach is needed to complement existing initiatives and clinical practices. Description Best Babies Zone (BBZ) is an early attempt to put life course theory into practice, taking a place-based approach to reducing infant mortality by aligning resources, building community leadership, and transforming educational opportunities, economic development, and community systems in concentrated neighborhoods. BBZ is currently in three neighborhoods: Price Hill (Cincinnati, OH), Hollygrove (New Orleans, LA), and Castlemont (Oakland, CA). Assessment In its first 4 years, each BBZ crafted resident-driven strategies for decreasing the root causes of toxic stress and poor birth outcomes. To address resident priorities, BBZ sites experimented with tools from other fields (like design thinking and health impact assessment), and emphasized existing MCH strategies like leadership development. Early challenges, including shifting from traditional MCH interventions and addressing health equity, point to areas of growth in implementing this approach in the maternal and child health field. Conclusion BBZ aims to elevate local voice and mobilize multiple sectors in order to address the social determinants of infant mortality, and other initiatives working to improve MCH outcomes can learn from the successes and challenges of the first 4 years of BBZ in order to bring life course theory into practice.
A comparison of the effects of thyrocalcitonin and glucagon on plasma calcium and phosphate.

SummaryThe effect of glucagon has been compared to rat thyrocalcitonin under experimental conditions which had produced information concerning the role of the latter hormone in bone metabolism. The dose-response curve shows that the minimum dose of glucagon needed to produce hypocalcemia produced a dramatic hypophosphatemia and a near-maximum glycogenolytic response. When intact, parathyroidectomized and thyroidectomized rats are treated with pharmacological doses of glucagon, plasma calcium and plasma phosphate changes are similar to those which occur after thyrocalcitonin treatment, thus eliminating the presence of parathyroid and thyroid glands as prerequisite for these effects. Since glucagon is effective in bilaterally nephrectomized animals, these changes can not be due solely to renal effects of the hormone. As with thyrocalcitonin, as the plasma phosphate rises, the hypocalcemic response to glucagon becomes more pronounced. In experiments using either 10-day or 18-hr radiophosphorus labels, glucag...
Complexes of the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane Protein MitoNEET with Resveratrol-3-Sulfate

Binding of the thiazolidinedione antidiabetic drug pioglitazone led to the discovery of a novel outer mitochondrial membrane protein of unknown function called mitoNEET. The protein is homodimeric and contains a uniquely ligated two iron-two sulfur cluster in each of its two cytosolic domains. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was employed to characterize solutions of the soluble cytosolic domain (amino acids 32--108) of the protein. Ions characteristic of dimers containing the cofactors were readily detected under native conditions. mitoNEET responded to exposure to solutions at low pH by dissociation to give monomers that retained the cofactor, followed by dissociation of the cofactor in a concerted fashion. mitoNEET formed complexes with resveratrol-3-sulfate, one of the primary metabolites of the natural product resveratrol. Resveratrol itself showed no tendency to interact with mitoNEET. The formation of complexes was evident in both electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and isothermal titration calorimetry measurements. Up to eight molecules of the compound associated with the dimeric form of the protein in a sequential fashion. Dissociation constants determined by micorcalorimetry were in the range 5-16 μM for the various binding sites. The only other known naturally occurring binding partner for mitoNEET at present is NADPH. It is very interesting that the iron-sulfur cluster containing protein interacts with two potentially redox active substances at the surface of mitochondria. These findings provide a new direction for research into two poorly understood, yet biomedically relevant, species.
Gastrointestinal Acute Radiation Syndrome in Göttingen Minipigs (Sus Scrofa Domestica)

In the absence of supportive care, exposing Gottingen minipigs to γ-radiation doses of less than 2 Gy achieves lethality due to hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome. Doses of 2 to 5 Gy are associated with an accelerated hematopoietic syndrome, characterized by villus blunting and fusion, the beginning of sepsis, and a mild transient reduction in plasma citrulline concentration. We exposed male Gottingen minipigs (age, 5 mo; weight, 9 to 11 kg) to γ-radiation doses of 5 to 12 Gy (total body; (60)Co, 0.6 Gy/min) to test whether these animals exhibit classic gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome (GI-ARS). After exposure, the minipigs were monitored for 10 d by using clinical signs, CBC counts, and parameters associated with the development of the gastrointestinal syndrome. Gottingen minipigs exposed to γ radiation of 5 to 12 Gy demonstrate a dose-dependent occurrence of all parameters classically associated with acute GI-ARS. These results suggest that Gottingen minipigs may be a suitable model for studying GI-ARS after total body irradiation, but the use of supportive care to extend survival beyond 10 d is recommended. This study is the first step toward determining the feasibility of using Gottingen minipigs in testing the efficacy of candidate drugs for the treatment of GI-ARS after total body irradiation.
Introduction: Comparing Historias de Éxito with Success Stories

This chapter works as an introduction to the manuscript because it sets the foundation to the manuscript. It does this by addressing how dominant discourses affect Mexican Americans. While addressing issues of discourse, the chapter also speaks to the racist discursive practices that commonly appear within the United States that marginalize Mexican Americans. A large section of this chapter also addresses the rhetorical situations of Mexican Americans and how they constantly fight against racist rhetorical practices.
The 8th American Conference on Neutron Scattering

The 10th American Conference on Neutron Scattering (ACNS), which was to have been held in Boulder, CO during the week of July 12–16, 2020, was instead held virtually for the first time because of t...
OPERATION EVEREST II AND THE 1978 HABELER/MESSNER ASCENT OF EVEREST WITHOUT BOTTLED O2: WHAT MIGHT THEY HAVE IN COMMON?

In 1978, Peter Habeler and Reinhold Messner climbed Everest without supplemental O2. Subsequently, Oelz et al. (Oelz O, Howald H, Di Prampero PE, Hoppeler H, Claassen H, Jenni R, Buhlmann A, Ferret...
Power-law distribution

Mark Newman describes a statistical distribution to represent data spanning many orders of magnitude, from the frequencies of words in human language to the sizes of craters on the moon
Requerimiento de nutrientes para gallinas ponedoras

Durante los ultimos anos los mejoramientos en genetica avicola y los valores de las proteinas, y la energia en las raciones para ponedoras han tenido como resultado aumentos seguros de eficiencia en la produccion de huevos. Al mismo tiempo, el resultado de un mas bajo consumo de alimento de las ponedoras hace imperativo el hecho de que las raciones para postura sean mas concentradas, especialmente en cuanto a aminoacidos, calcio y fosforo. Para una mayor produccion de huevos es necesario que la cantidad de alimento consumido por gallina cada dia, contenga los nutrientes necesarios para la produccion de un huevo, y que al mismo tiempo permita que el animal se mantenga en buen estado de salud y en buena condicion fisica.
Single-Surgeon Experience and Complications of a Fixed-Bearing Total Ankle Arthroplasty:

Background:Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) has historically resulted in inferior survivorship rates compared with total hip and knee arthroplasty, because of technical issues unique to ankle anatomy...
The choice of sequence homologs included in multiple sequence alignments has a dramatic impact on evolutionary conservation analysis.

Motivation The analysis of sequence conservation patterns has been widely utilized to identify functionally important (catalytic and ligand-binding) protein residues for over a half-century. Despite decades of development, on average state-of-the-art non-template-based functional residue prediction methods must predict ∼25% of a protein's total residues to correctly identify half of the protein's functional site residues. The overwhelming proportion of false positives results in reported 'F-Scores' of ∼0.3. We investigated the limits of current approaches, focusing on the so-far neglected impact of the specific choice of homologs included in multiple sequence alignments (MSAs). Results The limits of conservation-based functional residue prediction were explored by surveying the binding sites of 1023 proteins. A straightforward conservation analysis of MSAs composed of randomly selected homologs sampled from a PSI-BLAST search achieves average F-Scores of ∼0.3, a performance matching that reported by state-of-the-art methods, which often consider additional features for the prediction in a machine learning setting. Interestingly, we found that a simple combinatorial MSA sampling algorithm will in almost every case produce an MSA with an optimal set of homologs whose conservation analysis reaches average F-Scores of ∼0.6, doubling state-of-the-art performance. We also show that this is nearly at the theoretical limit of possible performance given the agreement between different binding site definitions. Additionally, we showcase the progress in this direction made by Selection of Alignment by Maximal Mutual Information (SAMMI), an information-theory-based approach to identifying biologically informative MSAs. This work highlights the importance and the unused potential of optimally composed MSAs for conservation analysis. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Rates and Mechanisms of Dissolution of Renal Calculi. I. Rates and Mechanism of Dissolution of Pure Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate in Acid and Edta Solution

In the past there has been varying degrees of clinical interest in dissolving renal calculi by some type of in situ irrigation technique. The physical-chemical rationale for the selection of the best irrigation solutions has been based on the equilibrium solubility of calcium oxalate or other stone minerals in the particular medium without regard to other possible factors which may govern the dissolution process.
Bearing Surfaces for Joint Replacement: New Materials or New Problems

Bearing surfaces for joint replacements have undergone many recent changes. The traditional metal-on-conventional polyethylene bearings, which were associated with a chronic inflammatory response to wear debris and osteolysis, have been replaced in many clinical scenarios, by highly cross-lined polyethylene, new ceramics, and metal-on-metal articulations. Each bearing couple has known advantages and disadvantages. The overall goal is to provide the patient with a long-lasting articulation that will allow full work and recreational activities, with minimal/no adverse events. Although we have not yet achieved this goal, highly cross-lined polyethylene and ceramic bearing couples in particular have facilitated new approaches to joint replacement that have demonstrated increased durability and improved patient outcomes.
Dictionary of Midwestern Literature, volume 2, Dimensions of the Midwestern Literary Imagination

Review of: Dictionary of Midwestern Literature, volume 2, Dimensions of the Midwestern Literary Imagination, general editor Philip A. Greasley
Introduction: The Search for Ultimate Meaning

The modern human mind confronts many existential questions as it contemplates the vast external reality of the universe in which it exists, and the internal reality of its own perception, thought and self-awareness. Humanity is faced with many unanswered questions about the origin of the universe, life and mind. Most significantly, owing to our faculty of advanced intelligence, humans are confronted with the daunting implications of mortality, and this is the stuff of which existential crises are made. Defense mechanisms protect against the fear of the ego’s annihilation in death, but fear of the ultimate unknown also provides motivation in the quest for understanding. This is inherently disquieting because it requires an admission of profound ignorance. Humility in the face of the unknown is essential, however, because without it the questions that lead to learning go unasked and unanswered. This chapter provides a broad overview of the scope of the epistemological, ontological and scientific questions that are addressed in succeeding chapters in the search for ultimate meaning.
Immunogenomic correlates of response to cetuximab monotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Mechanisms of resistance to immune-modulating cancer treatments are poorly understood. Using a novel cohort of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), we investigated mechanisms of immune escape from epidermal growth factor receptor-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy. METHODS HNSCC tumors (n = 20) from a prospective trial of neoadjuvant cetuximab monotherapy underwent whole-exome sequencing. Expression of killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) and human leukocyte antigen-C (HLA-C) and the effect of KIR blockade were assessed in HNSCC cell lines. RESULTS Nonresponders to cetuximab had an increased rate of mutations in HLA-C compared to responders and HNSCC tumors (n = 528) in The Cancer Genome Atlas (P < 0.00001). In vitro, cetuximab-activated natural killer (NK) cells induced upregulation of HLA-C on HNSCC cells (P < 0.01) via interferon gamma. Treatment of NK cells with the anti-KIR mAb lirilumab increased killing of HNSCC cells (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Alterations in HLA-C may provide a mechanism of immune evasion through disruption of NK activation.