cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Missing data in linear models with correlated errors

One common method for analyzing data in experimental designs when observations are missing was devised by Yates (1933), who developed his procedure based upon a suggestion by R. A. Fisher. Considering a linear model with independent, equi-variate errors, Yates substituted algebraic values for the missing data and then minimized the error sum of squares with respect to both the unknown parameters and the algebraic values. Yates showed that this procedure yielded the correct error sum of squares and a positively biased hypothesis sum of squares. Others have elaborated on this technique. Chakrabarti (1962) gave a formal proof of Fisher's rule that produced a way to simplify the calculations of the auxiliary values to be used in place of the missing observations. Kshirsagar (1971) proved that the hypothesis sum of squares based on these values was biased, and developed an easy way to compute that bias. Sclove
Nonsmokers’ responses to new warning labels on smokeless tobacco and electronic cigarettes: an experimental study

Graphic warning labels are a tobacco control best practice that is mandated in the US for cigarettes under the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. However, smokeless tobacco products are not required to carry graphic warning labels, and as of September 2014, electronic cigarettes in the US carry no warning labels and are aggressively marketed, including with “reduced harm” or “FDA Approved” messages. In this online experiment, 483 US adult non-users of tobacco were randomized to view print advertisements for moist snuff, snus, and e-cigarettes with either warning labels (current warning label, graphic warning label) or “endorsements” (a “lower risk” label proposed by a tobacco company, an “FDA Approved” label) or control (tobacco advertisement with no label, advertisement for a non-tobacco consumer products). Main outcome measures included changes in perceived harm, positive attitudes towards, openness to using, and interest in a free sample of moist snuff, snus, and e-cigarettes. The graphic warning label increased perceived harm of moist snuff and e-cigarettes. “Lower risk” and “FDA Approved” labels decreased perceived harm of moist snuff and snus respectively. Current warning label and graphic warning label significantly lowered positive attitudes towards e-cigarettes. In this sample of non-users of tobacco, 15% were interested in a free sample of alternative tobacco products (predominantly e-cigarettes). Proportion of participants interested in a free sample did not differ significantly across the conditions, but those interested in a free sample had significantly lower perceptions of harm of corresponding tobacco products. Regulatory agencies should not allow “lower risk” warning labels, which have similar effects to the “FDA Approved” label, which is prohibited, and should consider implementing graphic warning labels for smokeless tobacco products and e-cigarettes.
Comparative metagenomic analysis of bacterial populations in three full-scale mesophilic anaerobic manure digesters

While the use of anaerobic digestion to generate methane as a source of bioenergy is increasing worldwide, our knowledge of the microbial communities that perform biomethanation is very limited. Using next-generation sequencing, bacterial population profiles were determined in three full-scale mesophilic anaerobic digesters operated on dairy farms in the state of Vermont (USA). To our knowledge, this is the first report of a metagenomic analysis on the bacterial population of anaerobic digesters using dairy manure as their main substrate. A total of 20,366 non-chimeric sequence reads, covering the V1-V2 hypervariable regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, were assigned to 2,176 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at a genetic distance cutoff value of 5 %. Based on their limited sequence identity to validly characterized species, the majority of OTUs identified in our study likely represented novel bacterial species. Using a naive Bayesian classifier, 1,624 anaerobic digester OTUs could be assigned to 16 bacterial phyla, while 552 OTUs could not be classified and may belong to novel bacterial taxonomic groups that have yet to be described. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Chloroflexi were the most highly represented bacteria overall, with Bacteroidetes and Chloroflexi showing the least and the most variation in abundance between digesters, respectively. All digesters shared 132 OTUs, which as a "core" group represented 65.4 to 70.6 % of sequences in individual digesters. Our results show that bacterial populations from microbial communities of anaerobic manure digesters can display high levels of diversity despite sharing a common core substrate.
PARENCHYMAL SPARING SURGERY IN PATIENTS WITH HEREDITARY RENAL CELL CARCINOMA: 10-YEAR EXPERIENCE

Purpose: von Hippel-Lindau disease, hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma, the Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome and familial renal oncocytoma are familial renal tumor syndromes. These hereditary disorders are noteworthy for the development of multiple bilateral renal tumors and the risk of new tumors throughout life. One management strategy is observation of solid renal tumors until reaching 3 cm., then performing parenchymal sparing surgery. We present a 5-year update on our experience.Materials and Methods: From May 1988 to October 1998, 49 patients with hereditary renal cell carcinoma, including von Hippel-Lindau disease in 44, hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma in 4 and the Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome in 1, and 1 with familial renal oncocytoma underwent exploration to attempt renal parenchymal sparing surgery. Patients were followed prospectively with periodic screening for recurrence, metastasis and loss of renal function. Median followup was 79.5 months (range 0.7 to 205).Results: A total of 50 patien...
Electric resistance of carbon nanotube with a Cu chain: A first-principle calculation:

The electric resistance and transport properties of a carbon nanotube (5,5) adsorbed with a copper chain connected with two copper electrodes have been calculated by employing nonequilibrium Green’s functions and Density Functional Theory. The properties of the pure carbon nanotube (5,5) with the Cu junction electrodes have also been calculated as a reference. Both the equilibrium and nonequilibrium conditions have been investigated. The results show that the resistance of the metallic carbon nanotube (5,5) has been reduced by the adsorption of a Cu chain due to the interaction between the Cu and the carbon nanotube. The change of the current–voltage curve slope is also explained in terms of transmission spectrum.
Using a Teacher Rating Scale of Language and Literacy Skills with Preschool Children of English-Speaking, Spanish-Speaking, and Bilingual Backgrounds.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between a teacher report measure, the Teacher Rating of Oral Language and Literacy (TROLL; Dickinson et al. in Teacher rating of oral language and literacy (TROLL): a research-based tool. Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2001) and a direct behavioral measure of language development, the Preschool Language Scale-4 (PLS-4; Zimmerman et al. in Preschool Language Scale-4. The Psychological Corporation, San Antonio, 2002), among English-speaking (n = 210), Spanish-speaking (n = 34), and English/Spanish bilingual (n = 109) typically-developing preschool children. Three hundred and fifty-three preschool children who attended early childhood education programs in an urban area of the Southwestern United States participated. Preschool teachers completed the TROLL, and the PLS-4 was individually administered to the children at preschool centers. The TROLL and PLS-4 were significantly correlated for English-speaking children, but with small effect sizes noted. For Spanish-speaking children, the TROLL and the expressive subscale of the PLS-4 were not significant, and for bilingual children the TROLL and PLS-4 were not significant. English-speaking children scored higher on the TROLL than the Spanish-speaking and bilingual children. Finally, a higher proportion of Spanish-speaking and bilingual children received a TROLL score at or below the 10th percentile. Results suggest that the TROLL did not adequately capture typically developing children’s linguistic and literacy development in a uniform manner across language groups. Caution is recommended when relying upon a single instrument to describe the emergent literacy and language skills of preschool children from Spanish-speaking and bilingual backgrounds.
Facilitating Transformational Change

The authors offer a way to fashion radical change that is called for in an organizational transformation. In this approach, they show how a vision is required to trigger radical change and how to i...
Platform Tying Scissors

The use of forceps and scissors is an indispensible part of ophthalmic surgery. These two instruments are often used in tandum for tying then cutting, cutting then grasping. An ophthalmic instrument* has been designed to take advantage of the tandum use of these two instruments by incorporating their functional parts into one design. Such an instrument had been designed, 1 but was not developed for microsurgery. The platform tying scissors (Figure) is chiefly for microsurgical use. It has a fine platform tip, measuring 0.75 mm x 2.0 mm for use in tying microsurgical sutures (caliber 7-0 to 10-0). Proximal to the platform tip, microsurgical grade scissors blades are found.
Intensive Probing of a Clear Air Convective Field by Radar and Instrumented Drone Aircraft

An instrumented drone aircraft was used in conjunction with ultrasensitive radar to study the development of a convective field in the clear air. Radar data are presented which show an initial constant growth rate in the height of the convective field of 3.8 m/min, followed by a short period marked by condensation and rapid growth at a rate in excess of 6.1 m/min. Drone aircraft soundings show general features of a convective field including progressive lifting of the inversion at the top of the convection and a cooling of the air at the top of the field. Calculations of vertical heat flux as a function of time and altitude during the early stages of convection show a linear decrease in heat flux with altitude to near the top of the convective field and a negative heat flux at the top. Evidence is presented which supports previous observations that convective cells overshoot their neutral buoyancy level into a region where they are cool and moist compared to their surroundings. Furthermore, only that portion of the convective cell that has overshot its neutral buoyancy level is generally visible to the radar.
Distributed caching platforms

With the advances in processing, memory, and connectivity technologies, applications are becoming increasingly distributed, data-centric, and web based. These applications demand support for large number of users at high performance, requiring extreme scale, high availability, and low latency data access. Such applications are known as Extreme Transaction Processing (XTP) applications. Distributed Caching Platforms exploit the advances in the memory and networking technologies to fuse memory on multiple machines into a single unified global memory providing data access at low latencies. These Distributed Caching Platforms are evolving into in-memory data platforms for XTP applications. This tutorial provides a comprehensive overview of Distributed Caching Platform technologies and their usage.
A prototype laboratory model to predict TCE contamination of residence basements from polluted ground water

Abstract The widespread pollution of ground water by volatile organic compounds has led to the possibility of contamination of residences by migration of these compounds through the soil gas. Recent studies indicate that the pressure gradient existing between the soil and substructure is responsible for a large portion of soil gas infiltration into basements. This article describes a laboratory model which can be used to simulate a ground water system flowing beneath a basement structure, which is under negative pressure. Concentrations of trichloroethene (TCE) in the basement were found to be approximately 3 orders of magnitude less than that in the ground water, which is in the range of results found in the field. The model can be used to study the mechanisms involved in soil gas transport, and the effects of a pressure field on vapor flux. These results may also be helpful in calibrating mathematical models predicting levels of pollutants in residences overlying contaminated aquifers.
The strange case of the Freudian case history: the role of long case histories in the development of psychoanalysis.

Sigmund Freud’s five long case histories have been the focus of seemingly endless fascination and criticism. This article examines how the long case-history genre developed and its impact on the professionalization of psychoanalysis. It argues that the long case histories, using a distinctive form that highlighted the peculiarities of psychoanalytic theory, served as exemplars in the discipline. In doing so, the article extends John Forrester’s work on ‘thinking in cases’ to show the practical implications of that style of reasoning. The article illustrates how the form disappeared once the theoretical basis of the movement was set. The genre never became institutionalized, although the content of the five long case histories did, because of Freud’s accepted role as theoretician of psychoanalysis.
A source of false positives in cytologic interpretation

Abstract 1. In our laboratory in the past, the so-called "blue blobs" are known to have been responsible in 4 cases for a cytologic diagnosis of carcinoma and in 4 other cases for the diagnosis of moderately atypical squamous cells. In those cases where tissue study was available, the biopsy and/or surgical specimens were negative. 2. "Blue blobs" are found more frequently in postmenopausal women; this was true in 94.3 per cent of the cases in this study. 3. Trichomonas vaginalis were recognized cytologically in 86.8 per cent of our series of 53 patients whose smears contained "blue blobs." 4. Estrogenic stimulation appears to decrease the number of "blue blobs," or to eliminate them entirely. Therefore, the administration of estrogens might be utilized in making a differential diagnosis in the cases where the report was based on atypical free nuclei.
Gas-containing renal stones: findings from five consecutive patients.

Objective To describe the clinical course, microbiology, and metabolic findings of 5 patients presenting to our institution with gas-containing renal stones. Materials and Methods During a 20-month period beginning in 2009, 5 patients were identified by computed tomography scanning to harbor gas-containing renal calculi. Despite similar imaging and referral practice patterns, no such cases had been seen at our institution in the preceding 20 years. The records of these patients were reviewed to better characterize this unique condition. Results All 5 subjects were premenopausal women. One patient presented with urosepsis and 4 presented with flank pain. All had urinary tract infections, and Escherichia coli was isolated from a voided urine specimen in 3. Stone culture was positive in 2 and was concordant with the voided specimen in 1. The stones were solitary in 4 and multiple in 1 patient. All the stones were composed of calcium phosphate. Of the 5 patients, 3 had pure calcium phosphate stones and 2 had stones with calcium oxalate monohydrate components. Also, 3 subjects had diabetes mellitus, 3 had hypertension, and 1 had a history of gout. Two subjects underwent 24-hour urine metabolic testing, and abnormalities were identified in both. All patients were rendered stone free: 4 with percutaneous nephrostolithotomy and 1 using robotic pyelolithotomy. Conclusion Gas-containing renal stones are rare but might be increasing in prevalence. The pathophysiology is unknown but is most likely influenced by a combination of metabolic and infectious factors.
Relating Parent and Family Functioning to the Psychological Adjustment of Children with Chronic Health Conditions: What Have We Learned? What Do We Need To Know?

Reviewed research concerning the relationship of parent and family functioning to the psychological adjustment of children with chronic health conditions. More adaptive family relationships and parental psychological adjustment were associated with positive psychological adjustment while less adaptive family relationships (e.g., greater conflict and maternal psychological distress) consistently predicted problematic adjustment. Conclusions were limited by small, site-specific samples, reliance on self-report measures generally obtained from one parent, and general measures. Research progress would be enhanced by (a) more representative data sets; (b) process-oriented, illness-specific, and clinically relevant measures; (c) prospective analyses that clarify specific causal pathways between family functioning and children's adjustment; and (d) tests of interventions that modify risk and/or resistance factors.
OCEANIC METHANE HYDRATE: THE CHARACTER OF THE BLAKE RIDGE HYDRATE STABILITY ZONE, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR METHANE EXTRACTION

Oceanic methane hydrates are mineral deposits formed from a crystalline "ice" of methane and water in sea floor sediments (buried to less than about 1 km) in water depths greater than about 500 m; economic hydrate deposits are probably restricted to water depths of between 1.5 km and 4 km. Gas hydrates increase a sediment's strength both by "freezing " the sediment and by filling the pore spaces in a manner similar to water-ice in permafrost. Concentrated hydrate deposits may be underlain by significant volumes of methane gas, and these localities are the most favourable sites for methane gas extraction operations. Seismic reflection records indicate that trapped gas may blow-out naturally, causing large-scale seafloor collapse.
Distributed Bayesian algorithms for fault-tolerant event region detection in wireless sensor networks

We propose a distributed solution for a canonical task in wireless sensor networks - the binary detection of interesting environmental events. We explicitly take into account the possibility of sensor measurement faults and develop a distributed Bayesian algorithm for detecting and correcting such faults. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that 85-95 percent of faults can be corrected using this algorithm, even when as many as 10 percent of the nodes are faulty.
Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis Adjusted for Learning

A model is developed for cost-volume-profit analysis which incorporates a nonlinear cost function to express the effects of employee learning. Sensitivity analysis is applied to the model to assess the impact of estimation errors in the learning rate and steady-state production time on estimated profit and break-even quantities. The paper also examines the effects on the model of 1 alternative accounting treatments of production-related costs, and 2 continuous learning due to employee turnover.
Evolutionary dynamics of a conserved sequence motif in the ribosomal genes of the ciliate Paramecium

In protozoa, the identification of preserved motifs by comparative genomics is often impeded by difficulties to generate reliable alignments for non-coding sequences. Moreover, the evolutionary dynamics of regulatory elements in 3' untranslated regions (both in protozoa and metazoa) remains a virtually unexplored issue. By screening Paramecium tetraurelia's 3' untranslated regions for 8-mers that were previously found to be preserved in mammalian 3' UTRs, we detect and characterize a motif that is distinctly conserved in the ribosomal genes of this ciliate. The motif appears to be conserved across Paramecium aurelia species but is absent from the ribosomal genes of four additional non-Paramecium species surveyed, including another ciliate, Tetrahymena thermophila. Motif-free ribosomal genes retain fewer paralogs in the genome and appear to be lost more rapidly relative to motif-containing genes. Features associated with the discovered preserved motif are consistent with this 8-mer playing a role in post-transcriptional regulation. Our observations 1) shed light on the evolution of a putative regulatory motif across large phylogenetic distances; 2) are expected to facilitate the understanding of the modulation of ribosomal genes expression in Paramecium; and 3) reveal a largely unexplored--and presumably not restricted to Paramecium--association between the presence/absence of a DNA motif and the evolutionary fate of its host genes.
Conditioning on Post-treatment Variables

In this issue of the Causal, Casual, and Curious column, I compare several ways of extracting information from post-treatment variables and call attention to some peculiar relationships among them. In particular, I contrast do-calculus conditioning with counterfactual conditioning and discuss their interpre- tations and scopes of applications. These relationships have come up in conversations with readers, students and curious colleagues, so I will present them in a question-answers format.
Injection Rates for Neuroangiography: Results of a Survey

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Injection rates have attracted scrutiny because of an incident of an aneurysm rupturing during arteriography. We sought to determine the current injection rates for neuroangiography in the setting of aneurysm evaluation. METHODS: An e-mail survey was distributed to 90 neuroradiology program directors within the United States and Canada. The injection rates and total volumes of contrast material injected for the common carotid, internal carotid, and vertebral arteries were provided for an ‘‘average’’ adult individual evaluated for intracranial aneurysms. RESULTS: Sixty-three (70.0%) program directors replied to the survey. Of these, five perform hand injections only and provided approximate values. The mean injection rates (SD) and total volumes (SD) for common carotid arteries were 7.2 cm3 /s (1.8) and 9.9 cm 3 (2.0), respectively; for internal carotid arteries, 5.8 cm 3 /s (1.4) and 7.9 cm 3 (1.5); and for vertebral arteries, 5.4 cm3 /s (1.2) and 7.8 cm 3 (1.7). The modes (rate/total) for the common carotid, internal carotid, and vertebral arteries were 7/12, 6/8, and 5/8, respectively. Forty-eight (81.4%) of 59 respondents did not believe a reduction in current injection rates would lead to a diminution in complications of arteriography. CONCLUSION: The rates of injection of contrast material in the United States for neuroradiologic studies show great variability. It does not seem that reducing arteriographic complications is an impetus to reduce injection rates. The values in this survey can provide ‘‘industry norms’’ for injections in the common carotid, internal carotid, and vertebral arteries if these rates are challenged.
Quantitative detection of silicone in skin by means of electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA).

Abstract Background: Evaluation of silicone-induced morbidity in skin has been hampered by the difficulty of detecting silicone in tissue because conventional methods are nonquantitative and insensitive. Objective: We attempted to determine whether silicone could be identified and quantitated in skin by means of electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). Methods: Skin biopsy specimens were obtained from the nose, chin, malar region, and inner arm of a patient who had received injections of silicone gel in his nose and chin. Frozen sections were dried under vacuum and examined by means of ESCA. Contiguous sections were examined by light microscopy. Results: The surface concentrations of silicone were as follows: chin, 20.6% ± 3.6%; nose, 19.0%; malar region, 2.6% ± 1.6%; inner arm, 0.0% ± 0.0%. Light microscopy revealed homogeneous "globules" consistent with silicone in the chin and nose sections only; the malar region and inner arm sections showed no evidence of silicone. Conclusion: ESCA can be used to detect silicone in skin in a specific, highly sensitive, and quantitative manner. This is the first report of quantification of silicone in skin by means of ESCA.(J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;40:719-25.)
Ubiquitin Hydrolase Uch-L1 Rescues β-Amyloid-Induced Decreases in Synaptic Function and Contextual Memory

The neuronal ubiquitin/proteasomal pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We now show that a component of the pathway, ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (Uch-L1), is required for normal synaptic and cognitive function. Transduction of Uch-L1 protein fused to the transduction domain of HIV-transactivator protein (TAT) restores normal enzymatic activity and synaptic function both in hippocampal slices treated with oligomeric Abeta and in the APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. Moreover, intraperitoneal injections with the fusion protein improve the retention of contextual learning in APP/PS1 mice over time. The beneficial effect of the Uch-L1 fusion protein is associated with restoration of normal levels of the PKA-regulatory subunit IIalpha, PKA activity, and CREB phosphorylation.
Cathodoluminescence Deep Level Spectroscopy of Etched and In-Situ Annealed 6H-SiC

Through variable-energy electron beam excitation (0.5 keV-2.0 keV), we observe depth dependent differences in the cathodoluminescence spectra of 6H-SiC (0001) Si-terminated surfaces. The etched SiC exhibits three deep level defects in the near-surface region, including a defect peak observed at 0.92 eV, known to be associated with vanadium. In-situ annealing produces a dramatic relative decrease in the luminescence from vanadium impurities near the surface after annealing to 500 °C, and then the subsequent re-emergence of vanadium in the nearsurface regime after annealing to 810 °C. This temperature-dependent redistribution suggests either diffusion or segregation of vanadium from the bulk up toward the near-surface region.
Selenium and vit. E as related to growth and white muscle disease in lambs.

Summary1) Selenium, given pre-natally per os to ewes or post-natally by injection to lambs, prevented WMD and resulted in increased growth of lambs as compared to untreated controls. 2) Growth response to selenium fed pre-natally was greater than that to selenium injected post-natally. 3) Massive doses of Vit. E at birth protected lambs from WMD, but did not result in improved growth. 4) Evidence suggests an essential role for selenium in supporting growth of lambs.
Centriole distal appendages promote membrane docking, leading to cilia initiation

The distal appendages (DAPs) of centrioles have been proposed to anchor cilia to the plasma membrane, but their molecular composition, assembly, and exact function in ciliogenesis remain poorly understood. Using quantitative centrosome proteomics and superresolution microscopy, we identified five DAP components, including one previously described (CEP164), one partially characterized (CEP89 [ccdc123]), and three novel (CEP83 [ccdc41], SCLT1, and FBF1) DAP proteins. Analyses of DAP assembly revealed a hierarchy. CEP83 recruits both SCLT1 and CEP89 to centrioles. Subsequent recruitment of FBF1 and CEP164 is independent of CEP89 but mediated by SCLT1. All five DAP components are essential for ciliogenesis; loss of CEP83 specifically blocks centriole-to-membrane docking. Undocked centrioles fail to recruit TTBK2 or release CP110, the two earliest modifications found on centrioles prior to cilia assembly, revealing centriole-to-membrane docking as a temporal and spatial cue promoting cilia initiation.
Contexts of System Justification and System Evaluation: Exploring the Social Comparison Strategies of the (Not Yet) Contented Female Worker:

Those who are historic targets of discrimination seem surprisingly likely to accept their situation, a phenomenon Jost and Banaji (1994) call system justification. One assumption in system justification theory, however, is that the need to justify builds over time as individuals develop an investment in the system they have implicitly helped to perpetuate. This possibility was tested as it relates to social comparison of pay. An experimental study involving 100 participants (50 men and 50 women) found that women made intragroup comparisons with other women to gauge their satisfaction with a pay rate when it was framed as compensation for past work but they made intergroup comparisons with men to gauge their satisfaction with a pay rate when it was framed as part of an offer for future employment.
Serotonin Inhibition of in Vitro Insulin Release from Golden Hamster Pancreas

To assess the possible functional role of serotonin on insulin secretion, pieces of golden hamster pancreas were incubated in a modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer. In 10-4M concentration, serotonin suppressed basal insulin secretion and also insulin secretion that was stimulated by high glucose, tolbutamide, or dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Inhibition of insulin secretion by serotonin occurred over the entire range examined (1.0×10-4 to 5.8 ×10-4M). In a similar in vitro system, concentrations of serotonin as high as 5.8 ×10-4M were without significant effects on basal or high glucose (3 mg/ml) stimulated insulin release from mouse pancreas. Thus, serotonin effect on the pancreatic β cell has some species difference. Serotonin may have a role as a physiological inhibitor of insulin secretion in some species. (Endocrinology 86: 66, 1970)
Plutarch of Chaeronea and the Epistle of James on Communal Behaviour

Despite the obvious differences between Plutarch's parties and James's churches, a careful look at the opening προβληματα of Plutarch's Quaestiones convivales sheds a helpful light upon the issues addressed in the Epistle of James. In both texts, the problems of quarrels, equitable seating arrangements and communal leadership are brought to the fore out of an assiduous concern for harmony. Nonetheless, unlike Plutarch, James does not ground his prescriptions for congregational peace in the friendship of the community but in ethical norms set up by God.
Real-Time PCR Assay of Individual Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Variants in Coinfected Human Lymphoid Tissues

In the course of infection, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) mutates, diverging into a "swarm" of viral quasispecies, and the predominance of CCR5- or CXCR4-utilizing quasispecies is strongly associated with the pattern of disease progression. Quantification of CCR5- and CXCR4-utilizing viruses in viral swarms is important in the investigation of the mechanisms of this phenomenon. Here, we report on a new real-time PCR-based methodology for the evaluation of replication of individual CCR5- and CXCR4-utilizing variants. The assay is highly reproducible, with a coefficient of variation of <3%, and it accurately estimates the numbers of virus-specific RNA copies even when their difference in the mixture is 2 orders of magnitude. We demonstrate that replications of CCR5- and CXCR4-utilizing variants can be evaluated and distinguished in experimentally coinfected human lymphoid tissue. The assay we developed may facilitate study of the mechanisms of the R5-to-X4 switch in viral swarms in human tissues infected with HIV-1.
Regulative response of the cranial neural tube after neural fold ablation: spatiotemporal nature of neural crest regeneration and up-regulation of Slug

After unilateral ablation of the avian cranial neural folds, the remaining neuroepithelial cells are able to replace the missing neural crest population (Scherson et al., 1993). Here, we characterize the cellular and molecular nature of this regulative response by defining: (1) the time and location of neural crest cell production by the neuroepithelium; (2) rostrocaudal axial differences in the regulative response; and (3) the onset of expression of Slug, a transcription factor present in premigratory and migrating neural crest cells. Using DiI and HNK-1 antibody labeling techniques, we find that neural crest regeneration occurs only after apposition of the remaining neuroepithelium with the epidermis, suggesting that the developmental mechanism underlying regeneration of the neural crest may recapitulate initial generation of the neural crest. The regulative response occurs maximally at the 3–5 somite stage, and slowly declines thereafter. Surprisingly, there are profound regional differences in the regenerative ability. Whereas a robust regulation occurs in the caudal midbrain/hindbrain, the caudal forebrain/rostral midbrain regenerates neural crest to a much lesser extent. After neural fold removal in the hindbrain, regenerated neural crest cells migrate in a segmental pattern analogous to that seen in unablated embryos; a decrease in regulative response appears to occur with increasing depth of the ablation. Up-regulation of Slug appears to be an early response after ablation, with Slug transcripts detectable proximal to the ablated region 5–8 hours after surgery and prior to emergence of neural crest cells. Both bilateral and unilateral ablations yield substantial numbers of neural crest cells, though the former recover less rapidly and have greater deficits in neural crest-derived structures than the latter. These experiments demonstrate that the regulative ability of the cranial neuroepithelium to form neural crest depends on the time, location and extent of neural fold ablation.
Pelargonidin Is Absorbed and Metabolized Differently than Cyanidin after Marionberry Consumption in Pigs

Weaning pigs (7.9 +/- 1.7 kg) were fed a freeze-dried powder of marionberry (MB) by stomach tube to study the absorption and metabolism of anthocyanins. Four major anthocyanins (ACNs) were found in MB: cyanidin-3-glucoside (Cy-3-glc, 78%), cyanidin-3-rutinoside (Cy-3-rutin, 20%), pelargonidin-3-glucoside (Pg-3-glc, 0.4%), and 1 unknown acylated cyanidin-based ACN (UACy, 1.5%). In the urine, the 4 original ACNs and 11 metabolites were identified and quantified. The main metabolites were glucuronidated and/or methylated forms of the original anthocyanins. Total recovery of the 4 original ACNs plus their related metabolites was 0.087 +/- 0.034% for Cy-3-glc, 0.084 +/- 0.026% for Cy-3-rutin, 0.583 +/- 0.229% for Pg-3-glc and 0.036 +/- 0.011% for UACy (mean +/- SD, n = 3), respectively. For the individual ACNs, the amount of metabolites recovered from Cy-3-rutin was lower than that of the original intact Cy-3-rutin, whereas the amounts of metabolites from Cy-3-glc and Pg-3-glc in the urine were much higher than their original forms. In pig plasma, the 2 original ACNs, Cy-3-glc and Cy-3-rutin, and a trace of 1 metabolite (cyanidin monoglucuronide) were detected. The plasma concentration:dose ratio of Cy-3-rutin was higher than that of Cy-3-glc. Different aglycones and/or sugar moieties may influence the absorption and metabolism of ACNs. Cy-3-glc and Cy-3-rutin had similar apparent excretion rates relative to dose, whereas Pg-3-glc had a much higher total urinary excretion than cyanidin-based anthocyanins. Most of Cy-3-glc and Pg-3-glc were excreted in the form of metabolites, whereas most of the Cy-3-rutin was excreted in its original unmetabolized form. Urinary recovery of the acylated anthocyanin was lower than that of nonacylated anthocyanins.
cGMP inhibits TGF-beta signaling by sequestering Smad3 with cytosolic beta2-tubulin in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and TGF-β play counterregulatory roles in pulmonary vascular adaptation to chronic hypoxia. We have demonstrated that ANP-cyclic GMP (cGMP)-protein kinase G (PKG) signaling inhibits TGF-β signaling by blocking TGF-β-induced nuclear translocation of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad)3 in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC). The current study tested the novel hypothesis that activation of the ANP-cGMP-PKG pathway limits TGF-β-induced Smad3 nuclear translocation by enhancing Smad3 binding to cytosolic anchoring proteins in isolated pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Cells were pretreated with vehicle or cGMP and then exposed to TGF-β1 treatment. Cytosolic fractions were isolated and immunoprecipitated with a selective anti-Smad3 antibody. Differential proteomic analysis of the cytosolic Smad3-interacting proteins by two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis and mass spectroscopy followed by coimmunoprecipitation and immunostaining demonstrate...
Fetal Programming and Fetal Psychology

The introduction of the ‘fetal programming hypothesis’, first in epidemiology, subsequently in a broad range of disciplines concerned with developmental biology, has generated new interest in phenotypic plasticity, the mechanisms that govern it, and its place in evolutionary biology. A number of epidemiological studies link small size at birth, assumed to be a consequence of constrained prenatal energy availability, with adverse effects on the risk of chronic diseases later in life. The cluster of chronic diseases associated with the metabolic syndrome and alterations of glucose metabolism are particularly implicated. Recent evidence suggests that epigenetic modification of gene expression affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may be involved in these effects. In animal studies epigenetic alteration of HPA axis activity and responsiveness is associated with changes in adult behaviour and stress responsiveness. The potential for similar effects to contribute to psychological and psychiatric outcomes in humans has been explored in a number of contexts, including famine exposure, observed covariance with birth weight, and prenatal dexamethasone treatment of fetuses at risk of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. While fetal programming effects have now been widely demonstrated across species and human populations, the adaptive significance of these effects is still a matter of debate. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spontaneous variants of the [RNQ+] prion in yeast demonstrate the extensive conformational diversity possible with prion proteins.

Prion strains (or variants) are structurally distinct amyloid conformations arising from a single polypeptide sequence. The existence of prion strains has been well documented in mammalian prion diseases. In many cases, prion strains manifest as variation in disease progression and pathology, and in some cases, these prion strains also show distinct biochemical properties. Yet, the underlying basis of prion propagation and the extent of conformational possibilities available to amyloidogenic proteins remain largely undefined. Prion proteins in yeast that are also capable of maintaining multiple self-propagating structures have provided much insight into prion biology. Here, we explore the vast structural diversity of the yeast prion [RNQ+] in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We screened for the formation of [RNQ+] in vivo, allowing us to calculate the rate of spontaneous formation as ~2.96x10 -6 , and successfully isolate several different [RNQ+] variants. Through a comprehensive set of biochemical and biological analyses, we show that these prion variants are indeed novel. No individual property or set of properties, including aggregate stability and size, was sufficient to explain the physical basis and range of prion variants and their resulting cellular phenotypes. Furthermore, all of the [RNQ+] variants that we isolated were able to facilitate the de novo formation of the yeast prion [PSI+], an epigenetic determinant of translation termination. This supports the hypothesis that [RNQ+] acts as a functional amyloid in regulating the formation of [PSI+] to produce phenotypic diversity within a yeast population and promote adaptation. Collectively, this work shows the broad spectrum of available amyloid conformations, and thereby expands the foundation for studying the complex factors that interact to regulate the propagation of distinct aggregate structures.
Evaluation of parallel processors

Techniques to evaluate the performance of user applications on parallel processors are reported. Intricacies caused by multiple job interactions and contentions on parallel processors are highlighted. It is important to consider the environment in which an application is to be run when predicting its performance. Towards this end, a methodology which is capable of predicting the performance of an application in real multi-user workloads has been developed. >
Carcinosarcoma of the stomach.

Summary Fourteen cases of carcinosarcoma, primary in the stomach, have been reported and we are adding another. This type of neoplasm has been observed to occur more frequently in organs other than the stomach. There are many pitfalls inherent in making this diagnosis. However, it is our opinion that such an entity does exist. This case of carcinosarcoma occurred in the pyloric area of the stomach. There was an adenocarcinomatous ulcer and adjacent to it a sarcomatous polyp in which there were groups of squamous epithelial cells. In one of the metastases near the head of the pancreas there were squamous cells in the sarcomatous stroma. In another metastasis there was only adenocarcinoma.
Communal roosting of the Jamaican Crow ( Corvus jamaicensis )

Communal roosting is reported for the first time in the Jamaican Crow ( Corvus jamaicensis ). Crows roosted in an isolated cluster of tall trees ( Albizia falcataria ) that emerged from an area of mixed agriculture at the northern edge of Cockpit Country, Trelawny Parish, Jamaica. Evening roost counts, 21-23 February 2008, varied from 53 to 64 crows. Crows arrived at the roost after sunset in near darkness (1826-1841) and departed before sunrise (0600-0622). Crows roosted on thin branches high in the canopy, possibly as a defense against the nocturnal Jamaican boa ( Epicrates subflavus ). Dormtorios comunales se reportan por primera vez en el Cuervo de Jamaica ( Corvus jamaicensis ). Los cuervos dormian en un grupo aislado de arboles altos ( Albizia falcataria ) que emergian sobre un area de agricultura mixta en el borde norte de Cockpit Country, Trelawny Parish, Jamaica. Conteos vespertinos en el dormitorio, el 21-23 de febrero de 2008, variaron desde 53 hasta 64 cuervos. Los cuervos llegan al sitio despues de la puesta del sol, casi en la oscuridad (1826-1841) y se marchan antes del amanecer (0600-0622). Los cuervos dormian en ramas finas, altas en el dosel, posiblemente como una defensa contra la boa nocturna de Jamaica ( Epicrates subflavus ). Un regroupement en dortoir est signale pour la premiere fois chez la Corneille de la Jamaique ( Corvus jamaicensis ). Les oiseaux se sont regroupes dans un bosquet de grands arbres ( Albizia falcataria ) qui emerge d’une zone agricole a l’extremite nord de Cockpit Country, Trelawny Parish, en Jamaique. Des comptages en soiree, du 21 au 23 fevrier 2008, recensaient de 53 a 64 individus. Les corneilles sont arrivees au dortoir apres le coucher du soleil, dans l’obscurite presque complete (1826-1841) et reparties avant le lever du soleil (0600-0622). Elles etaient perchees sur de fines branches a la cime des arbres, peut-etre afin de se defendre contre le Boa de la Jamaique ( Epicrates subflavus ), predateur nocturne.
Assessing pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic risks in candidates for kidney transplantation

Purpose Pharmacotherapy concerns and other factors with a bearing on patient selection for kidney transplantation are discussed. Summary The process of selecting appropriate candidates for kidney transplantation involves multidisciplinary assessment to evaluate a patient’s mental, social, physical, financial, and medical readiness for successful surgery and good posttransplantation outcomes. Transplantation pharmacists can play important roles in the recognition and stratification of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic risks in prospective kidney transplant recipients and the identification of issues that require a mitigation strategy. Key pharmacotherapy-related issues and considerations during the risk assessment process include (1) anticoagulation concerns, (2) cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme–mediated drug interactions, (3) mental health–related medication use, (4) chronic pain–related medication use, (5) medication allergies, (6) use of hormonal contraception and replacement therapy, (7) prior or current use of immunosuppressants, (8) issues with drug absorption, (9) alcohol use, (10) tobacco use, (11) active use of illicit substances, and (12) use of herbal supplements. Important areas of nonpharmacologic risk include vaccine delivery, infection prophylaxis and treatment, and socially related factors such as nonadherent behavior, communication barriers, and financial, insurance, or transportation challenges that can compromise posttransplantation outcomes. Conclusion Consensus opinions of practitioners in transplantation pharmacy regarding the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic factors that should be considered in assessing candidates for kidney transplantation are presented.
Customary International Law, the Separation of Powers, and the Choice of Law in Armed Conflicts and Wars

After over thirteen years of continuous armed conflict, neither courts nor scholars are closer to a common understanding of whether, or how, international and U.S. law interact to regulate acts of belligerency by the United States. This Article articulates and defends the first normative theory regarding the general relationship of customary international law to U.S. legal system that fully harmonizes Supreme Court precedent. It then applies this theory to customary international laws of war to better articulate the legal framework regulating the armed conflicts of the United States. It demonstrates that the relationship of customary international law to U.S. law differs in cases involving war and other exercises of “external” sovereign powers from cases involving “internal” powers of domestic governance. In cases involving matters external to the sovereignty of the United States, including the exercise of external sovereign powers of war, the Supreme Court traditionally applied customary international law as an exogenous, non-federal rule of decision. The Court articulated its “external” choice-of-law framework based in the Constitution’s separation of foreign affairs powers in Paquete Habana: “where there is no treaty, and no controlling executive or legislative act or judicial decision, resort must be had to the customs and usages of civilized nations.” The Article then examines the Court’s wartime jurisprudence to more thoroughly explicate the Paquete Habana framework in the context of the nation’s armed conflicts, explaining the relationship of international laws of war to the Constitution and laws of the United States. This analysis not only confirms the Article’s general customary international law thesis, but also clarifies important implications of the Court’s use of international law as an exogenous rule of decision, importantly, that such rules need not be entirely consistent with the Constitution’s separation of domestic powers or the Bill of Rights. Given the range of issues this Article clarifies, it should significantly influence academic and judicial discourse regarding the relationship of customary international to U.S. law generally, and particularly in cases involving the armed conflicts of the United States.