cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transposon-encoded CRISPR–Cas systems direct RNA-guided DNA integration

Conventional CRISPR-Cas systems maintain genomic integrity by leveraging guide RNAs for the nuclease-dependent degradation of mobile genetic elements, including plasmids and viruses. Here we describe a notable inversion of this paradigm, in which bacterial Tn7-like transposons have co-opted nuclease-deficient CRISPR-Cas systems to catalyse RNA-guided integration of mobile genetic elements into the genome. Programmable transposition of Vibrio cholerae Tn6677 in Escherichia coli requires CRISPR- and transposon-associated molecular machineries, including a co-complex between the DNA-targeting complex Cascade and the transposition protein TniQ. Integration of donor DNA occurs in one of two possible orientations at a fixed distance downstream of target DNA sequences, and can accommodate variable length genetic payloads. Deep-sequencing experiments reveal highly specific, genome-wide DNA insertion across dozens of unique target sites. This discovery of a fully programmable, RNA-guided integrase lays the foundation for genomic manipulations that obviate the requirements for double-strand breaks and homology-directed repair.
A People’s History of Leisure Studies: Where the White Nationalists Are

What we are witnessing in these contemporary times isn’t just the interplay of a racialised-populist sentiment in the political sphere through the amassing of political influence (political parties...
6-Shogaol protects against ischemic acute kidney injury by modulating NF-κB and heme oxygenase-1 pathways.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) due to renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is a major clinical problem without effective therapy. Ginger is one of the most widely consumed spices in the world, and 6-shogaol...
The buffer zone of the quasi-biennial oscillation

AbstractThe quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) is a descending pattern of winds in the stratosphere that vanishes near the top of the tropical tropopause layer, even though the vertically propagating...
Clinical Research Improves Patient Care

Research impact is defined as the effect research has beyond academia, in one or more areas such as the economy, society, culture, public policy and services, health, production, environment, international development, or quality of life, whether locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally. In this chapter we summarize the data available to support investments into clinical research, the impact of research in healthcare, how to measure the impact of research, and if research activity by itself may impact the quality of healthcare.
Good Enough for Government Work? An Incomplete Contracts Approach to the Use of Nonprofits in U.S. Federal Procurement

This paper examines the use of the nonprofit organizational form to mitigate the impact of incomplete contracts in the public sector Transaction costs economics (TCE) predicts that the expense of incomplete contracts will rise with contract complexity and asset specificity. Previous research shows that government agencies increase their use cost-plus style contracts to economize on these costs. However, cost-plus style contracts may also increase the propensity to inflate procurement costs, also known as gold-plating, when relationally specific investments are required. Consistent with this expectation, we find that federal agencies reduce their use of cost-plus style contracts as asset specificity rises. The paper then explores the use of nonprofit organizations as an alternative tool to reduce contracting costs. Using data from the Federal Procurement Data System, we examine the choice of organizational form by federal agencies, as contracts become more or less incomplete. Consistent with our hypotheses, we find that the use of nonprofit organizations increases with contract complexity. In contrast to cost-plus style contracts, we find that the use of nonprofits also increases with asset specificity. We apply this finding to support the conjecture that the nonprofit organization form is used by government agencies to mitigate contract incompleteness without the associated risk of cost inflation. We conclude by offering suggestions for why nonprofit contracts appear relatively infrequently in federal procurement data.
Poly(methylmethacrylate) Microwave Processing: A Technique Paper

Microwave processing of a wax trial denture into a poly(methylmethacrylate) provides a viable alternative to conventional compression, injection, and digital techniques. This article briefly describes a processing technique that yields a complete dental prosthesis in under two hours using a combination of modern materials designed to reduce working and setting times without compromising the quality of the final prosthesis.
Video analytics from edge to server: work-in-progress

Deep learning algorithms are an essential component of video analytics systems, in which the content of a video stream is analyzed. Although numerous studies target optimizing server-based video analysis, partially processing videos on edge devices is beneficial. Since edge devices are closer to data, they deliver initial insights on data before sending it to cloud. In this paper, we present an edge-tailored video analytics system by using a multi-stage network designed to run on heterogeneous computing resources.
Fossil evidence for a Cretaceous rise of the mahogany family.

PREMISE The mahogany family (Meliaceae) is an angiosperm lineage comprising many species that are important elements in tropical ecosystems, and is often used as a study system to understand the evolution of tropical rainforests. While divergence time studies have estimated a Cretaceous origin for the family, no unequivocal fossils of that age have been described. Here, the first Cretaceous evidence for Meliaceae is reported, based on an exceptionally well-preserved fruit from the Upper Cretaceous (79-72 Ma, Campanian) of North America. METHODS The fossil fruit was prepared using traditional paleobotanical techniques. Bayesian phylogenetic analyses using morphological and molecular data were conducted to assess the phylogenetic position of the Cretaceous fruit in Meliaceae and to assess the effect of morphology for inferring the overall pattern of phylogeny for the family. RESULTS The fruit consists of a fleshy mesocarp and a woody endocarp with a hollow center, nine locules, loculicidal sutures, and one subapically attached seed per locule that has an enlarged sarcotesta near the hilum. The combination of characters in this fruit is strikingly similar to the genus Melia L. Phylogenetic analyses recover the Cretaceous fruit as being closely related to Melia and highlights the effect of fruit morphological data for inferring the overall pattern of phylogeny in Meliaceae. There are a few structural differences between the fossil fruit of this study and Melia; thus, the newly characterized Cretaceous taxon is named Manchestercarpa vancouverensis gen. et sp. nov. DISCUSSION These results clearly confirm a Cretaceous origin for Meliaceae and that important tropical families were present prior to the development of modern tropical ecosystems in the Cenozoic.
Jihadists of North Africa and the Sahel : Local Politics and Rebel Groups

Jihadist movements have claimed that they are merely vehicles for the application of God's word, distancing themselves from politics, which they call dirty and manmade. Yet on closer examination, jihadist movements are immersed in politics, negotiating political relationships not just with the forces surrounding them, but also within their own ranks. Drawing on case studies from North Africa and the Sahel - including Algeria, Libya, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania - this study examines jihadist movements from the inside, uncovering their activities and internal struggles over the past three decades. Highlighting the calculations that jihadist field commanders and clerics make, Alexander Thurston shows how leaders improvise, both politically and religiously, as they adjust to fast-moving conflicts. Featuring critical analysis of Arabic-language jihadist statements, this book offers unique insights into the inner workings of jihadist organisations and sheds new light on the phenomenon of mass-based jihadist movements and proto-states.
Postacute Management of Older Adults Suffering an Osteoporotic Hip Fracture: A Consensus Statement From the International Geriatric Fracture Society:

Background:The majority of patients require postacute care (PAC) after a hip fracture. Despite its importance, there is no established consensus regarding the standards of care provided to hip frac...
Batch adsorption of methylene blue dye using Enterolobium contortisiliquum as bioadsorbent: Experimental, mathematical modeling and simulation

Abstract Discoloration of cationic dyes in effluents is essential to reduce the impacts caused to the fluvial ecosystem. In this work, the adsorption of methylene blue was studied using Enterolobium contortisiliquum as bioadsorbent. The bioadsorbent showed structural and superficial potentiality in the process. The Langmuir model adjusted the experimental equilibrium data, presenting R² and R²adj > 0.98 and EMR
A Novel Multitemporal Approach for Satellite-Derived Bathymetry for Coastal Waters of Palau

Wei, C. and Theuerkauf, S.J., 2021. A novel multitemporal approach for satellite-derived bathymetry for coastal waters of Palau. Journal of Coastal Research, 37(2), 336–348. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.Shallow water bathymetry is important for understanding biogeophysical and socioeconomic processes in coastal areas. In recent years, satellite-derived bathymetry (SDB) methods have been increasingly used to provide high-resolution bathymetry estimation in different regions using single remote sensing images. To tackle the common issues of single-image SDB, such as data gaps due to cloud coverage and false bathymetry due to water turbidity, this study applied a novel multitemporal workflow for SDB estimation in Palau, a Pacific Island nation. This workflow implements the typical empirical SDB steps to calculate relative water depth (i.e. log ratio of the blue and green band) of 20 Landsat 8 images that were composited and subsequently related to in situ depth measurements to estimate true depth. Before composition, a histogram equalization approach was employed to normalize the images and identify clear water areas of each image pair by applying a 1% difference threshold. To achieve better performance, different methodological options at three key steps were evaluated, including temporal composition (mean vs. median), point data extraction (direct vs. bilinear interpolation), and regression (linear vs. piecewise vs. polynomial). Among 12 models, the polynomial model built upon bilinearly interpolated mean composition data performed the best, accurately estimating water depth up to the extinction depth of 13.7 m (45 ft), with a root mean square error of 1.76 m (5.77 ft). This multitemporal approach, with proper methodological choices according to local circumstances, could be applied to other regions to derive gap-free and accurate bathymetry estimations.
Structure of an Hsp90-immunophilin complex reveals cochaperone recognition of the client-maturation state

Summary The Hsp90 chaperone promotes the folding and activation of hundreds of client proteins in the cell through an ATP-dependent conformational cycle guided by distinct cochaperone regulators. The FKBP51 immunophilin binds Hsp90 with its tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain and catalyzes peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) activity during the folding of kinases, nuclear receptors and tau. Here we have determined the cryo-EM structure of the human Hsp90:FKBP51:p23 complex to 3.3 A that, together with mutagenesis and crosslinking analysis, reveals the basis for cochaperone binding to Hsp90 during client maturation. A helix extension in the TPR functions as a key recognition element, interacting across the Hsp90 C-terminal dimer interface presented in the closed, ATP conformation. The PPIase domain is positioned along the middle domain, adjacent Hsp90 client binding sites, while a single p23 makes stabilizing interactions with the N-terminal dimer. With this architecture, FKBP51 could thereby act on specific client residues presented during Hsp90-catalyzed remodeling.
Predictors of helminth parasite infection in female chacma baboons (Papio ursinus)

Abstract Helminth parasite infection can impose major consequences on host fitness. Several factors, including individual characteristics of hosts, environmental conditions, and patterns of coinfection, are thought to drive variation in parasite risk. Here, we report on four key drivers of parasite infection—phase of reproduction, steroid hormone profiles, rainfall, and patterns of coinfection—in a population of wild female chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) in South Africa. We collected data on reproductive state and hormone profiles over a 3-year span, and quantified helminth parasite burdens in 2955 fecal samples from 24 female baboons. On a host level, we found that baboons are sensitive to parasite infection during the costliest phases of the reproductive cycle: pregnant females harbored higher intensities of Protospirura eggs than cycling and lactating females; lactating and cycling females had a higher probability of Oesophagostomum infection than pregnant females; and cycling females exhibited lower Trichuris egg counts than pregnant and lactating females. Steroid hormones were associated with both immunoenhancing and immunosuppressive properties: females with high glucocorticoid concentrations exhibited high intensities of Trichuris eggs but were at low risk of Oesophagostomum infection; females with high estrogen and progestagen concentrations exhibited high helminth parasite richness; and females with high progestagen concentrations were at high risk of Oesophagostomum infection but exhibited low Protospirura egg counts. We observed an interaction between host reproductive state and progestagen concentrations in infection intensity of Protospirura: pregnant females exhibited higher intensities and non-pregnant females exhibited lower intensities of Protospirura eggs with increasing progestagen concentrations. At a population level, rainfall patterns were dominant drivers of parasite risk. Lastly, helminth parasites exhibited positive covariance, suggesting that infection probability increases if a host already harbors one or more parasite taxa. Together, our results provide a holistic perspective of factors that shape variation in parasite risk in a wild population of animals.
How are healthcare provider systems preparing for health emergency situations

Natural disasters, disease outbreaks, famine, and human conflict have strained communities everywhere over the course of human existence. However, modern changes in climate, human mobility, and other factors have increased the global community's vulnerability to widespread emergencies. We are in the midst of a disruptive health event, with the COVID-19 pandemic testing our health provider systems globally. This study presents a qualitative analysis of published literature, obtained systematically, to examine approaches health providers are taking to prepare for and respond to mass casualty incidents around the globe. The research reveals emerging trends in the weaknesses of systems' disaster responses while highlighting proposed solutions, so that others may better prepare for future disasters. Additionally, the research examines gaps in the literature, to foster more targeted and actionable contributions to the literature.
Spirituals and the Birth of a Black Entertainment Industry: Sandra Jean Graham, Urbana, IL, University of Illinois Press, 2018, 360 pp., 29.95 USD (paperback), ISBN 978-0-252-05030-5

That the words spirituals and Black entertainment industry co-exist in the same book title signals that musical and intellectual apprehension of the spiritual has reached a new phase. The music tha...
Unconstrained Endpoint Security System: UEPTSS

Modern information security management best practices dictate that an enterprise assumes full configuration control of end user computer systems (laptops, deskside computers, etc.). The benefit of this explicit control yields lower support costs since there are less variation of machines, operating systems, and applications to provide support on, but more importantly today, dictating specifically what software, hardware, and security configurations exist on an end user's machine can help reduce the occurrence of infection by malicious software significantly. If the data pertaining to end user systems is organized and catalogued as part of normal information security logging activities, an extended picture of what the end system actually is may be available to the investigator at a moment's notice to enhance incident response and mitigation. The purpose of this research is to provide a way of cataloguing this data by using and augmenting existing tools and open source software deployed in an enterprise network.
Evolution of a cytoplasmic determinant: evidence for the biochemical basis of functional evolution of the novel germ line regulator oskar.

Germ line specification is essential in sexually reproducing organisms. Despite their critical role, the evolutionary history of the genes that specify animal germ cells is heterogeneous and dynamic. In many insects, the gene oskar is required for the specification of the germ line. However, the germ line role of oskar is thought to be a derived role resulting from co-option from an ancestral somatic role. To address how evolutionary changes in protein sequence could have led to changes in the function of Oskar protein that enabled it to regulate germ line specification, we searched for oskar orthologs in 1565 publicly available insect genomic and transcriptomic datasets. The earliest-diverging lineage in which we identified an oskar ortholog was the order Zygentoma (silverfish and firebrats), suggesting that oskar originated before the origin of winged insects. We noted some order-specific trends in oskar sequence evolution, including whole gene duplications, clade-specific losses, and rapid divergence. An alignment of all known 379 Oskar sequences revealed new highly conserved residues as candidates that promote dimerization of the LOTUS domain. Moreover, we identified regions of the OSK domain with conserved predicted RNA binding potential. Furthermore, we show that despite a low overall amino acid conservation, the LOTUS domain shows higher conservation of predicted secondary structure than the OSK domain. Finally, we suggest new key amino acids in the LOTUS domain that may be involved in the previously reported Oskar-Vasa physical interaction that is required for its germ line role.
Effects of dietary selenium and vitamin E on hepatic mixed-function oxidase activities and in vivo covalent binding of aflatoxin B1 in rats.

Male weanling fischer-344 rats were fed a selenium (Se)-vitamin E (VE) deficient Torula yeast basal diet or that diet supplemented with a graded levels of SE (0.2-6.0 ppm as Na2SeO3) or VE (100 iu/kg as all-rac-2-tocopheryl acetate), or both, for 4 or 6 weeks. Se deficiency and excess (6.0 ppm) markedly depressed in vivo covalent binding of aflatoxin (AFB1) to macromolecules in livers of rats killed 2 hours after an i.p. dose of 1 mg/kg tritiated AFB1. VE supplementation had no effect. Prior phenobarbital (PB) treatment generally decreased adducts without changing diet-related trends. Some hepatic enzyme capabilities were also measured. Cytochrome b5 content and cytochrome c reductase activity were unaffected by diet. VE increased cytochrome P-450 content, ethylmorphine N-demethylase and benz(alpha)pyrene hydroxylase activities; all these were unaffected by Se levels. Se deficiency and excess (but not VE deficiency) increased glucuronyl transferase. PB induction affected all diet groups and was more in agreement with MFO activity than transferase. Adduct formation was more consistently related to transferase activity than to MFO activities. The contrasting effects of SE and VE on AFB1 adducts in rats and chicks are discussed.
The Dimension of Time in Protocol Specification

The importance — and even the necessity — of formal description techniques for computer-communication protocols is now widely accepted. A dimension usually neglected in formal protocol specification is that of time. When the dimension of time is included, protocols can be validated, including their timeout specifications, and performance (e.g., throughput and/or response time) can be estimated, direct from the formal specification. Here, the state-of-the art is summarized and a recent result wherein the distribution of response time is determined direct from the formal specification is presented. An extensive bibliography is included.
Early inhibition of the Na+/K+-ATPase ion pump during acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rat.

Abstract The status of Na+ regulation was examined during early stages of alkylation insult to rat liver. Na + K + -ATPase activity in plasma membranes declined by 52% within 3 hr of treatment with 850 mg/kg acetaminophen. This loss preceded the release of alanine aminotransferase (2880 ± 1550 U/ml) and necrosis (2+) seen at 24 hr. Activities of 5′-nucleotidase and Mg2+-ATPase and recovery of plasma membranes were comparatively unchanged at 3 hr. Because damage to Na + K + -ATPase appeared early in the pathogenesis of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, loss of hepatocellular Na+ regulation could represent one of the critical molecular consequences of lethal alkylation by acetaminophen.
Hidden Feature Removal

The sections in this article are 1 Background 2 Image-Precision Methods—The Z-Buffer 3 Object-Precision Methods 4 Hybrid Methods 5 Cell Decomposition In Architectural Models 6 Recent Advances In Hidden Feature Removal 7 Summary
TOM, a new aromatic degradative plasmid from Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia G4.

Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia PR1(23) has been shown to constitutively express to toluene catabolic pathway distinguished by a unique toluene ortho-monooxygenase (Tom). This strain has also been shown to contain two extrachromosomal elements of 100 kb. A derivative strain cured of the largest plasmid, PR1(23) Cure, was unable to grow on phenol or toluene as the sole source of carbon and energy, which requires expression of the Tom pathway. Transfer of the larger plasmid from strain G4 (the parent strain inducible for Tom) enabled PR1(23) Cure to grow on toluene or phenol via inducible Tom pathway expression. Conjugal transfer of TOM23c from PR1(23) to an antibiotic-resistant derivative of PR1(23) Cure enabled the transconjugant to grow with either phenol or toluene as the sole source of carbon and energy through constitutive expression of the Tom pathway. A cloned 11.2-kb EcoRI restriction fragment of TOM23c resulted in the expression of both Tom and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase in Escherichia coli, as evidenced by its ability to oxidize trichloroethylene, toluene, m-cresol, o-cresol, phenol, and catechol. The largest resident plasmid of PR1 was identified as the source of these genes by DNA hybridization. These results indicate that the genes which encode Tom and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase are located on TOM, an approximately 108-kb degradative plasmid of B. cepacia G4.
Temperature-Toxicity Model for Oil Refinery Waste

A continuous flow kinetic model to predict the effects of temperature on the toxicity of oil refinery waste to the algae \ISelenastrum capricornutum\N is presented. The model is based on enzyme inhibition kinetics and employs phenol as the controlling toxicant. Data from semicontinuous and continuous flow cultures grown between 20°C and 28°C are used to verify the model and to determine the type of inhibition exerted by phenol on \ISelenastrum capricornutum\N. The data are fitted to competitive, uncompetitive, and noncompetitive inhibition models. The results indicate that phenol exerts competitive inhibition on the growth of \ISelenastrum capricornutum\N. Comparison of the competitive inhibition constants, K\dI, developed for \ISelenastrum capricornutum\N exposed to phenol at 20°C, and 28°C, indicates that phenol toxicity increases with increasing temperature and can be described by the Arrhenius function.
How and Why Libraries Are Changing: What We Know and What We Need To Know.

In November 2000, the Digital Library Federation (DLF) and the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) commissioned a white paper to initiate discussion of how and why libraries are changing. Eight academic library directors met with representatives from the DLF and CLIR in March 2001 to discuss the issues. The outcome of this meeting was a proposal to conduct research that will begin to fill significant gaps in our understanding and to better position libraries to meet the needs and expectations of academic users and university and college administrators. The white paper and the forthcoming research should be of interest to anyone trying to cope with or make sense of transformational change in academic libraries. To reach a broader audience, the white paper has been revised and updated for publication in portal: Libraries and the Academy. The article examines the importance of understanding how and why libraries are changing, analyzes the limitations and difficulties of traditional library performance measures, and explores environmental factors that may help account for why library use is changing. It concludes with an overview of research designed to develop an understanding of how user behavior and preferences affect demand for and use of library collections, services, and facilities, and a call to contribute conscientiously to the legacy of academic libraries and librarianship.
Effect of ambient on electrical and optical properties of GaN

Photoluminescence (PL) and surface photovoltage (SPV) of GaN layers were studied in vacuum and air ambient. SPV transients were measured with two set-ups: traditional Kelvin probe attached to an optical cryostat and atomic force microscope in contact potential mode. It is found that upward band bending in GaN decreases from its dark value of about 0.9 eV to about 0.3 eV under intense UV light and then gradually increases in air ambient (due to photoadsorption of oxygen) and decreases in vacuum (due to photodesorption of oxygen). Manifestations of such changes were observed as changes in PL intensity and in SPV (both increased in vacuum and decreased in air). The effects were sample-dependent.
Failure of the hinge mechanism in total elbow arthroplasty

Hypothesis Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) has become an accepted means of dealing with intractable elbow arthritis. The Coonrad-Morrey elbow prosthesis has become the workhorse for management of elbow arthropathy. Its successful initial use in rheumatoid patients has evolved, as has its design, to allow use in osteoarthritic patients and patients with posttraumatic arthritis. More active patients with elbow arthropathy are also treated using TEA. Prior design flaws led to central bushing failure and resulted in a redesign of the implant. However, the newer design has been noted to demonstrate a new mode of failure that appears to be more prevalent in active patients with osteoarthritis and posttraumatic arthritis. The authors hypothesize that the mechanical properties of the second generation hinge mechanism are inadequate to resist the high stresses placed upon it by some active patients treated for osteo- and post-traumatic arthritis. Materials and methods Since 2000, 2 senior surgeons at Cleveland Clinic performed 82 TEAs, 64 in osteoarthritic or posttraumatic patients. Outcomes are reviewed. Results Five patients demonstrated failure of the central locking and bushing components, with instability and dissociation requiring revision surgery. Two of these patients had secondary failure and required repeat revision using a more substantial central axis with lock washer and set screw. Discussion The mode of failure and radiographic and clinical findings demonstrate that younger patients with a more active lifestyle are at risk for central axis and bushing failure. It is recommended that younger, more active patients be monitored indefinitely at 6-month intervals and counseled about the risk of potential failure and the need to limit forces across the reconstructed elbow. Results These failures indicate the need for alternative designs in younger, active patients.
Multidisciplinary Management of Small Cell Lung Cancer

The standard treatment of limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is concurrent cisplatin and etoposide with thoracic radiation therapy, whereas treatment of extensive-stage disease is typically chemotherapy alone with a platinum compound plus etoposide. Surgical resection of early disease is generally reserved for patients with small, node-negative disease. Prophylactic cranial irradiation reduces the development of brain metastases and prolongs survival in patients with both limited-stage and extensive-stage disease who have responded to chemotherapy. Further understanding of the molecular underpinnings of SCLC is necessary to develop better treatment options and improve outcomes for patients.
The impact of enzyme engineering upon natural product glycodiversification

Glycodiversification of natural products is an effective strategy for small molecule drug development. Recently, improved methods for chemo-enzymatic synthesis of glycosyl donors has spurred the characterization of natural product glycosyltransferases (GTs), revealing that the substrate specificity of many naturally occurring GTs as too stringent for use in glycodiversification. Protein engineering of natural product GTs has emerged as an attractive approach to overcome this limitation. This review highlights recent progress in the engineering/evolution of enzymes relevant to natural product glycodiversification with a particular focus upon GTs.
Alternative Strategies for the Development of Delinquency Theories Applicable to Other Cultures

Delinquency theories based upon observations of the United States may be irrelevant when applied to other populations. An example of the errors inherent in the uncritical application of U.S. theories is provided by an attempt to test Albert Cohen's theory in Cordoba, Argentina. Subcultural delinquency patterns different from those described by Cohen were found. In attempting preliminary theory-building to account for these patterns, the general structural and cultural characteristics of Argentina were used as a beginning point. Marginal institutional participation of the lower class was recognized as a key factor in accounting for delinquency in this setting.
On Mental Activity and Passivity: A Reply to Thalberg

In 'Mental Activity and Passivity' (Mind, July I978), Irving Thalberg searches for a satisfactory basis for distinguishing activity and passivity in mental occurrences. Unable to find one, he counsels finally that until better arguments for the distinction are found, we confine these notions to the physical world (p. 395). In the course of his discussion I am taken to task for holding, as Thalberg sees it, that all mental occurrences are activities (p. 384), and failing to support this thesis adequately.' In fact I was flirting with such a view at the time, though I no longer think it correct. But I never attempted anything like a full demonstration of it, and Thalberg's criticisms are based for the most part on a gross misunderstanding of what I was arguing for in the passages he cites. In what follows, I want to try to clear up the misunderstanding, and then to indicate a direction in which I think at least a start at a useful treatment of mental activity and passivity is to be found. i. What is at issue is thinking, in the broad sense that covers any mental process consisting in a conscious psychological attitude being exercised upon some abstract content. In this sense any instance of thinking counts as an occurrence, and since psychological attitudes can vary in type, there will be numerous sorts of thinking. An elementary sort also goes by the name 'thinking', but here the sense of the term is much narrower, signifying consciousness of some content, or perhaps attending to it in at least a minimal way. Other types of thinking involve attitudes that go beyond mere attention. Examples are judging that something is so, deciding one will do something, and on my account, willing that something occur. Traditionally, all of these would have been considered functions either of intellect or of will. But as Thalberg points out, there are other types of occurrent thought that appear to fall into neither of these categories, but have rather to do with emotion; these are the longings, fears, urgings, etc. of which he speaks. And the greatest failing in my alleged case for the view that all thinking is action is, according to Thalberg, that I fail to address these cases (p. 386). It was in fact not necessary to consider them, for I never committed myself to the view in question. My strongest suggestion was that most mental behaviour be understood as action (VBA, p. 473), and even this exceeded the needs of my main purpose. That purpose was to show that if bodily actions typically include an action of volition, we would have a solution to what I called the 'action-result problem'. To illustrate: if raising one's arm consists in an act of volition causing the arm's rising, we can account for the difference between the arm's rising and one's
Heat conduction in spheres packed in an infinite regular cubical array

Abstract Steady-state temperature solutions are sought for an infinite cubical array of spheres. Heat transfer is by conduction and constant properties are assumed. The problem is treated as a unit cube containing a sphere at the center. Due to symmetry the cube is further subdivided into a wedge representing the unit cell. Applying continuity and boundary conditions, the analytical temperature solutions are obtained. For the case in which the sphere is assumed to represent porosity in a solid, a porosity correction to thermal conductivity is obtained in the form: f(p) = e −2,14p 0.0 where p = fractional porosityf(p) = porosity correction factor, f(p) ≤ 1.
Soviet Influence in East Asia and the Pacific in the Coming Decade: Part I

In the years ahead, momentous decisions confront the Soviet Union with respect to its Asian-Pacific policies. Already, Soviet specialists on Asia, in and out of official positions, have been requested to re-examine Moscow’s Asian policies, exploring possible alternatives, especially in situations where matters have not gone well. Mikhail Gorbachev’s Vladivostok speech on 28 July 1986 is an indication of the first fruit of those efforts. How far innovations will go, how fully proposals will be translated into concrete agreements, remains to be seen. A major power always finds it difficult to execute bold new policies. Traditions accrue, weighing heavily not merely upon actions, but on the attitudes underwriting them. Bureaucracies in particular are uncomfortable with change. They do not want to tear down or even significantly alter the edifices they have so laboriously built and defended. And above all, the USSR is a bureaucratic polity. Thus, before effectuating genuine changes of policies, a leader must change officials, especially at the all-important middle levels where the ‘experts’ zealously defend their handiwork. Gorbachev recognizes this fact, as is illustrated by the personnel changes taken and in the offing. But it remains to be seen whether such changes will be sufficient to sustain fresh attitudes and policies.
Synthesis of pancratistatin models

Abstract Two model syntheses for the phenanthridone core of the cytotoxic alkaloid pancratistatin are reported. The key maneuver in these syntheses is 1,4-addition of an ortho-lithiated benzamide derivative to 1-nitrocyclohexene. The resulting 2-aryl-1-nitrocyclohexanes ( 6 and 11 ) are further transformed into the pancratistatin models 2 and 3 .
The Burnside problem for semigroups

Abstract We show that the strong Burnside problem has an affirmative answer for semigroups of finite dimensional matrices over a field. As a corollary of this result and the proof of a theorem of Procesi, it follows that a torsion semigroup embeddable in the multiplicative semigroup of an algebra over a field satisfying a polynomial identity is locally finite. We prove, more generally, that a torsion semigroup of matrices over a skew field all of whose subgroups are locally finite is locally finite.
COCORP; New York - New England and Kansas areas

The Consortium for Continental Reflection Profiling (COCORP) announces the availability of the data packages and tapes for the New York‐New England area and the Kansas area for the cost of reproduction and shipping. These data were produced by COCORP whose operation is part of the U.S. Geodynamics Project sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences and funded by the National Science Foundation. The executive group of the consortium consists of members from Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Princeton University, Rice University, and the University of Wisconsin. Cornell University is the operating institution.
ELASTIC SCATTERING FROM DEUTERIUM.

Scattering of elementary particles from deuterons at BeV energies is considered. Corrections to the Glauber theory, resulting from violations of its high-energy and small-momentum-transfer assumptions, are found significant for experiments already performed. The most important correction results from including the principal-value part of the propagator in double scattering. Triple and higher-order multiple scattering are calculated in a model and are predicted to be important at momentum transfers of $\ensuremath{-}tg4$ Be${\mathrm{V}}^{2}$. Available data on the energy dependence of the "screening correction" to deuteron total cross sections are shown to disagree with the Glauber theory, and a possible phenomenological treatment of that disagreement is discussed.
Densified aligned carbon nanotube films via vapor phase infiltration of carbon

Abstract We report a simple way to produce fully densified aligned carbon nanotube (ACNT) films. The simultaneous growth of nanotubes and densification of the ACNT films by carbon infiltration in the interstitial spaces between nanotubes are accomplished in a single step by the combination of the chemical vapor deposition and chemical vapor infiltration processes. Scanning electron microscope analysis and microbalance measurements showed that after infiltration, the diameters of nanotubes and bulk density of the ACNT films are increased by an order of magnitude (and hence the porosity of the ACNT films is decreased). Transmission electron microscope and Raman scattering analysis showed that after densification, the nanotubes are conformally coated by partially graphitized pyrolytic carbon. The compressive modulus of the densified ACNT films could be increased by three orders of magnitude compared to the pristine ACNT films. Electrical properties are also measured for the densified films showing marked differences with the ACNT films. The property enhanced densified ACNT films constitute a new form of carbon–carbon nanocomposites and could find applications as multifunctional nanocomposites.
NSAIDs enhance proteasomic degradation of survivin, a mechanism of gastric epithelial cell injury and apoptosis.

NSAIDs cause severe gastrointestinal injury, in part by suppressing survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis protein, both in cultured gastric epithelial cells and in human and rat gastric mucosa. The mechanism(s) of survivin down-regulation by NSAIDs is unclear. In this study, we examined whether NSAID treatment decreases survivin mRNA expression and/or enhances degradation of survivin protein via ubiquitin proteasome system in rat gastric mucosal, RGM-1 cells, and whether survivin overexpression prevents indomethacin-induced cell injury and apoptosis. Effects of indomethacin on survivin mRNA expression, survivin protein half-life and ubiquitination were examined in RGM-1 cells. Proteasome inhibitors were utilized to prevent indomethacin-induced survivin protein degradation in RGM-1 cells. The effects of stable overexpression of survivin on indomethacin-induced RGM-1 cell injury and apoptosis were examined. Results showed: (1) Indomethacin treatment did not alter survivin mRNA expression, but significantly reduced survivin protein half-life from 1.5 h to approximately 1 h and increased survivin ubiquitination. (2) Inhibition of ubiquitin proteasome prolonged survivin protein half-life to over 2 h and inhibited indomethacin-induced survivin degradation. (3) Overexpression of survivin significantly reduced indomethacin-induced cell injury and apoptosis. In conclusion, indomethacin treatment enhances degradation of survivin via the ubiquitin proteasome machinery in RGM-1 cells, and maintenance of survivin levels is important for prevention of gastric epithelial cell injury and apoptosis.
Enhancement-Mode m-plane AlGaN/GaN Heterojunction Field-Effect Transistors

The first demonstration of the m-plane AlGaN/GaN heterojunction field-effect transistor was reported. This transistor exhibited enhancement-mode operation, with the threshold voltage of +2.0 V owing to the nonpolar AlGaN/GaN heterojunction. The maximum drain–source current density and the maximum transconductance were 130 mA/mm at a gate–source voltage (Vgs) of +9 V and 25 mS/mm at Vgs = +8 V, respectively. The on-to-off ratio was over 106.
Atmospheric Chemistry of 1-Octene, 1-Decene, and Cyclohexene: Gas-Phase Carbonyl and Peroxyacyl Nitrate Products

Atmospheric reactions of 1-octene, 1-decene, and cyclohexene have been studied in laboratory experiments involving alkene−ozone mixtures in the dark and alkene−NO and aldehyde−NO mixtures in sunlight. Major carbonyl products of the alkene−ozone reaction (with sufficient cyclohexane added to scavenge OH) were heptanal from 1-octene, nonanal from 1-decene, formaldehyde from both, and pentanal from cyclohexene. For 1-octene and 1-decene, carbonyl formation yields were consistent with the simple mechanism: RCH = CH_2 + O_3 → 0.5(HCHO + RCHOO) + 0.5(RCHO + H_2COO). Other carbonyls were formed and accounted for ca. 0.10−0.20 of the subsequent reactions of the RCHOO biradical. Pentanal accounted for ca. 0.16 of the cyclohexene−O_3 reaction. Sunlight irradiation of alkene−NO and aldehyde−NO mixtures leads to carbonyls, alkyl nitrates, and peroxyacyl nitrates. Major carbonyl products of the OH−alkene reaction were heptanal from 1-octene, nonanal from 1-decene, and formaldehyde from both. Experimental data indicated that addition is an important pathway of the overall OH−1-alkene reaction, decomposition is important for the β-hydroxyalkoxy radicals that form following OH addition, and reaction with O2 is of some importance for the alkoxy radicals that form in several pathways in the alkene−NO (sunlight), aldehyde−NO (sunlight), and peroxyacyl nitrate−NO (dark) systems. The extent of isomerization of alkoxy and β-hydroxyalkoxy radicals could not be assessed. Several peroxyacyl nitrates [RC(O)OONO_2] were formed including those with R = n-C_4H_9 from cyclohexene, R = n-C_5H_(11) from hexanal, and R = n-C_6H_(13) from heptanal and from 1-octene. The thermal decomposition rates of n-C_5H_(11)C(O)OONO_2 and n-C_6H_(13)C(O)OONO_2, which were synthesized in the liquid phase and were characterized in a number of tests using electron capture gas chromatography, were (in units of 10^(-4) s^(-1)) 0.72−2.02 (T = 291−299 K) and 0.61−1.19 (T = 291−295 K), respectively, at p = 1 atm of air. Comparison with data for lower molecular weight homologues including PAN (R = CH_3) suggests that the thermal stability of peroxyacyl nitrates may increase with the size of the n-alkyl substituent. The atmospheric persistence of the atmospheric oxidation products of 1-octene, 1-decene, and cyclohexene is briefly discussed.
Smoking as an independent predictor of reoperation after lumbar laminectomy: A study of 500 cases

OBJECT This study aimed to identify the factors predicting an increased risk for reoperation in patients who had undergone a lumbar laminectomy. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of all patients who had undergone firsttime, bilateral laminectomy at 1, 2, or 3 levels for lumbar spondylosis at the authors' institution. Patients who underwent fusion, laminotomy, discectomy, or complete facetectomy were excluded. The patients' preoperative symptoms and comorbidities were also obtained from their medical records. RESULTS Over an average follow-up period of 46.8 months, of 500 patients who had undergone laminectomy at 1, 2, or 3 levels, 81 patients (16.2%) developed subsequent spinal disorders that required a reoperation. A multiple logistic regression analysis identified smoking as an independent predictor of reoperation (OR 2.15, p = 0.01). Smoking was also an independent predictor of reoperation after a single-level laminectomy (OR 11.3, p = 0.02) and after a multile...
Recurrent toxic shock syndrome in a man: possible role of iga deficiency

CASE REPORT The patient is a 26-year-old white man with profound mental retardation who presented to University Hospital with an l&hour history of fevers to 103.2”F and diffuse erythroderma (Table I). In addition, edema of his lips and hands and marked conjunctivitis had developed. Because of his non-verbal state, no history of headaches, sore throat, myalgias, or arthralgias could be elicited. He was said to have vomited once and to have had no diarrhea. The only past medical history was an episode of herpes stomatitis one month before admission. He had had no prior surgery. His medications included diazepam 2 mg twice daily and multivitamins. He received one 250-mg dose of erythromycin on the day of admission. Physical examination revealed an acutely ill man with a blood pressure of 80/40 mm Hg, pulse of 120 beats/minute, and an oral temperature of 103°F (39.4OC). He had a diffuse macular, blanching erythroderma with involvement of the palms and soles, conjunctivitis, hyperemia of the oropharynx and nasal mucosa, strawberry tongue, and edematous lips with fissuring. There was no adenopathy or other mucus membrane involvement. Firm nonpitting edema involved both hands. There were no cutaneous or subcutaneous lesions such as abscesses, ulcers!, or cellulitis. The remainder of the examination was non-contributory. Laboratory studies revealed a white blood cell count of 16,800/mm3, with 58 percent segmented polymorphonuclear cells, 39 percent band forms, and 3 percent lymphocytes. Hemoglobin and hematocrit values were 16.1 g/d1 and 46.3 percent, respectively. The platelet count was 180,000/mm3, and the prothrombin time was mildly prolonged at 12.5 seconds (control: 10.6 seconds). Urinalysis showed 100 mg/dl of protein, four to six white blood cells per high-powered field, and two to four red blood cells. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine values were normal. Serum protein was 6.4 g/d1 (normal: 6.4 to 8.2 g/dl), albumin 3.5 g/d1 (normal: 3.8 to 4.8 g/dl), calcium 7.3 mg/dl (normal: 8.5 to 10.5 g/ dl), and creatinine phosphokinase 649 Ill/liter (normal: 35 to 232 IU/liter).
Bibliography on data storage and recording

THIS bibliography contains 330 titles and abstracts on publications applicable to the fields of data storage, recording, analogue-to-digital conversion, data presentation, and telemetering.