cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diffusionism: A Uniformitarian Critique

Diffusionism assumes that (1) inventiveness is rare and therefore diffusion accounts for nearly all significant culture change and (2) certain places are permanent loci of invention and thus are more advanced and more progressive than other places. If, however, inventiveness and innovativeness are assumed to be uniformly distributed, different spatial models emerge, different diffusion processes gain salience, inadequacies of current diffusion-of-innovation theory become evident, and new hypotheses about broad-scale culture change are uncovered. This paper examines the structure of diffusionism, puts forward a nondiffusionist alternative structure, and employs the alternative to modify diffusion-of-innovation theory and to argue five nondiffusionist hypotheses for culture history and present-day rural development.
Effect of prenatal opioid exposure on cholinergic development

Opioid drugs such as methadone or buprenorphine are often used in the management of pregnant addicts. These drugs are generally thought of as nonteratogenic and preferable to repeated cycles of withdrawal in utero. However, evidence exists that perinatal exposure to these opioids delays and disrupts cholinergic development, particularly in the striatum. Acetylcholine (ACh) content and the expression of choline acetyltransferase protein and mRNA are reduced in the early postnatal period by prenatal opioid exposure in the rat. Although these indicators of the cholinergic phenotype return to normal levels over time, the activity of the cholinergic neurons remains disrupted, with a large increase in ACh turnover rate. The mechanism of these effects is unknown, but may involve changes in the expression of nerve growth factor, which is reduced by opioid exposure.
Vulnerability: Its Meaning and Value in the Context of Contemporary Bioethics

I fully agree with Eric Chwang's (2014) well-argued, logical position that while vulnerable populations demand special protections, we should not be more permissive of harmful human subjects resear...
Serogroup C meningococcal outbreaks in the United States. An emerging threat.

Objective. —Multiple outbreaks of serogroup C Neisseria meningitidis have recently been reported from diverse areas of the United States. To better define the characteristics of this increasingly important problem, we reviewed data on all known serogroup C outbreaks in the United States from January 1980 through June 1993. Data Sources. —MEDLINE searches, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention records, state health department officials, infectious disease experts, and the meningococcal vaccine manufacturer. Definition of an Outbreak. —Three or more cases of serogroup C meningococcal disease within a 3-month period, either among members of a community or persons attending a single school or other institution, for which those cases represented an attack rate of at least five per 100 000 population. Results. —Twenty-one outbreaks of serogroup C meningococcal disease were identified; eight occurred since 1991. In 1992 and the first half of 1993, approximately 180 000 doses of vaccine were administered for outbreak control, compared with approximately 34000 doses from 1980 to 1991. Approximately 50% of community-outbreak cases were between the ages of 5 and 24 years, compared with only 19% of sporadic serogroup C cases ( P Conclusions. —Serogroup C outbreaks are occurring more frequently in the United States. The effectiveness of preventive measures depends on early recognition; therefore, physicians should promptly report all cases of suspected meningococcal disease, and the causative serogroup should be established for every case. ( JAMA . 1995;273:383-389)
Maximal right congruences on semigroups

A right congruence p on a semigroup S is a relation on S, but also has an algebraic structure. This is perhaps more evident when one views S/p as an Soperand. In this paper we define the notion of isomorphism of two right congruences, and begin a description and classification of the isomorphism classes for those right congruences which are maximal with respect to the usual partial ordering. In particular we characterize completely the twenty-three nonisomorphic right congruences of order two by means of homomorphisms into a particular semigroup. If p is any right congruence on a semigroup S, we define the index of p, written JpJ, to be JS/pJ, the cardinality of S/p. p is said to be right reductive if (ac)p(bc) for all c in S implies apb. For other definitions, the reader is referred to [I]. i. Maximal riqht conqruences. The following result is known and will be useful in the sequel. It
Significant tricuspid regurgitation is a marker for adverse outcome in patients undergoing percutaneous ballon mitral valvuloplasty

Objectives, This study examined the association between the presence of tricuspid regurgitation and immediate and late adverse outcomes in patients undergoing balloon mitral valvuloplasty. Background. Significant tricuspid regurgitation has an adverse impact on morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery for mitral stenosis. Methods. We studied 318 consecutive patients (mean [± SD] age 54 ± 15 years) who underwent ballon mitral valvuloplasty and had color Doppler ecnocardiographic studies before the procedure. Patients were classified into three groups: 221 with no or mild (69%), 60 with moderate (19%) and 37 with severe (12%) tricuspid regurgitation. Clinical follow-up ranged from 6 to 62 months. Results. Before mitral valvuloplasty, increasing degrees of tricuspid regurgitation were associated with a smaller initial mitral valve area (p < 0.05), higher echocardiographic score (p < 0.05), lower cardiac output (p < 0.01) and higher pulmonary vascular resistance (p < 0.01). Although the initial success rate did not differ significantly between groups, patients with a higher degree of tricuspid regurgitation had less optimal results, as reflected by a smaller absolute increase in mitral valve area (1.02 vs. 0.9 vs. 0.7 cm2, p < 0.01). The estimated 4-year event-free survival rate (freedom from death, mitral valve surgery, repeat valvuloplasty and heart failure) was lower for the group with severe tricuspid regurgitation (68% vs. 58% vs. 35%, p < 0.0001). At 4 years, 94% of patients with mild tricuspid regurgitation were alive compared with 90% and 69%, respectively, of patients with moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation (p < 0.0001). Cox proportional analysis identified tricuspid regurgitation as an independent predictor of late outcome (p < 0.001). Conclusions. Patients with mitral stenosis and severe tricuspid regurgitation undergoing mitral valvuloplasty have advanced mitral valve and pulmonary vascular disease, suboptimal immediate results and poor late outcome.
Probabilistic reasoning for streaming anomaly detection

In many applications it is necessary to determine whether an observation from an incoming high-volume data stream matches expectations or is anomalous. A common method for performing this task is to use an Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA), which smooths out the minor variations of the data stream. While EWMA is efficient at processing high-rate streams, it can be very volatile to abrupt transient changes in the data, losing utility for appropriately detecting anomalies. In this paper we present a probabilistic approach to EWMA which dynamically adapts the weighting based on the observation probability. This results in robustness to data anomalies yet quick adaptability to distributional data shifts.
STUDYING THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BACK PAIN

Improved information on the natural history of back pain is needed to enable doctors and their patients to understand the likely course of back pain and to evaluate whether alternative interventions are preferred over self care or watchful waiting. The course of back pain is highly variable, occurring in transient, recurrent, and chronic phases. Recent longitudinal studies suggest that back pain is typically a recurrent condition and that chronic phases of back pain occur more often than previously believed. New methods of studying the course of back pain, standardized definitions of phases in the natural history of back pain, and improved outcomes data are needed to better understand the short-term and long-term course of back pain.
EMPLOYMENT SECTOR AND VOLUNTEERING: The Contribution of Nonprofit and Public Sector Workers to the Volunteer Labor Force

In capitalist societies, jobs are sorted not only by occupational status, but also by the employment sector in which they are situated. Research has demonstrated that public- and nonprofit-sector workers have more prosocial values than private-sector workers. We used recent data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) Special Supplement on Volunteering to examine sector differences in the likelihood of doing volunteer work and the number of hours volunteered. Regardless of occupation or education, nonprofit-sector employees are the most likely to volunteer and with the most hours, followed by public-sector workers and the self-employed. This finding is robust across most types of volunteer work.
The effects of a fungicide and chytrid fungus on anuran larvae in aquatic mesocosms

The amphibian disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has been linked to significant amphibian declines over the past three decades. The most severe effects of the pathogen have been primarily observed in relatively pristine areas that are not affected by many anthropogenic factors. One hypothesis concerning improved amphibian persistence with Bd in disturbed landscapes is that contaminants may abate the effects of Bd on amphibians. Recent laboratory studies have shown that pesticides, specifically the fungicide thiophanate-methyl (TM), can kill Bd outside of hosts and clear Bd infections within hosts. Using aquatic mesocosms, we tested the hypothesis that TM (0.43 mg/L) would alter growth and development of Lithobates sphenocephalus (southern leopard frog) tadpoles and Bd-infection loads in infected individuals. We hypothesized that the scope of such alterations and infection clearing would be affected by aquatic community variables, specifically zooplankton. TM altered zooplankton diversity (reduced cladoceran and increased copepod and ostracod abundances) and caused mortality to all tadpoles in TM-exposed tanks. In TM-free tanks, Bd-exposed tadpoles in high-density treatments metamorphosed smaller than Bd-unexposed, effects that were reversed in low-density treatments. Our study demonstrates the potential adverse effects of a fungicide and Bd on tadpoles and aquatic systems.
Perceptions of Contralateral Breast Cancer: An Overestimation of Risk

Introduction The rate of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) has recently increased. The aim of this study is to assess perceptions of contralateral breast cancer (CBC) risk among breast cancer patients and to evaluate tumor and patient factors associated with risk perception.
GEOGRAPHERS IN GOVERNMENT

Geographers are working in federal, state, and local government agencies in many diverse positions. Historically and presently, geographers have held key policy positions in government agencies. In recent years the employment base for geographers in government has been broadened. Geographers working in government generally must have a pragmattic outlook that enables them to do the tasks assigned regardless of how geographical those assignments may be.
Endothelial Cell Stimulation Overcomes Restriction and Promotes Productive and Latent HIV-1 Infection of Resting CD4+ T Cells

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is able to suppress human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to undetectable levels in the majority of patients, but eradication has not been achieved because latent viral reservoirs persist, particularly in resting CD4(+) T lymphocytes. It is generally understood that HIV-1 does not efficiently infect resting CD4(+) T cells, and latent infection in those cells may arise when infected CD4(+) T lymphoblasts return to resting state. In this study, we found that stimulation by endothelial cells can render resting CD4(+) T cells permissible for direct HIV infection, including both productive and latent infection. These stimulated T cells remain largely phenotypically unactivated and show a lower death rate than activated T cells, which promotes the survival of infected cells. The stimulation by endothelial cells does not involve interleukin 7 (IL-7), IL-15, CCL19, or CCL21. Endothelial cells line the lymphatic vessels in the lymphoid tissues and have frequent interactions with T cells in vivo. Our study proposes a new mechanism for infection of resting CD4(+) T cells in vivo and a new mechanism for latent infection in resting CD4(+) T cells.
“Rhetoric,”“Logic,” and “Poetics” in Burundi: Culture Patterning of Speech Behavior1

LEIKE other universal categories of human behavior, speech is the object of diverse, complementary specializations. In the context of the ethnography of speaking, not only the language spoken but also the uses of speech may be assumed to have distinctive culture patterns. Ideally, total anthropological description of the pattern of a culture could well' include its rules and uses of speech, their implementation and violation, and relevant sanctions, positive and negative. Conversely, when inquiry is focused on cultural patterns of speech behavior, the proper context is the whole culture pattern. Major intracultural variations in the uses of speech may be assumed to be systematically related to the constituents of culture patterns, including aspects of the social structure, cultural definitions of the situations of action, the cultural philosophy and value system, and their patterned interrelations. Speech is so important and pervasive in any society that at least those with a reputation for wisdom or success are probably capable of stating the norms that govern the uses of speech. Moreover, enculturation includes instruction of the young not only in the mechanics of speaking but also in the patterns of speech behavior. Hence, virtually any adult and probably many young people are potential sources of relevant information, direct or inferential. The traditional kingdom of Burundi2 offers a particularly fortunate case study of culture patterning of speech behavior. Speech is explicitly recognized as an important instrument of social life; eloquence is one of the central values of the cultural world-view; and the way of life affords frequent opportunity for its exercise. Sensitivity to the variety and complexity of speech behavior is evident in a rich vocabulary for its description and evaluation and in a constant flow of speech about speech. Argument, debate, and negotiation, as well as elaborate literary forms are built into the organization of society as means of gaining one's ends, as social status symbols, and as skills enjoyable in themselves. A highly secularized, sophisticated feudal kingdom with a population of approximately two million, traditional Burundi has well-defined criteria of rhetoric, logic, and poetics, and well-developed ideas about their uses and interrelations. The norms governing the uses of speech are explicitly differentiated according to caste, sex, and age, so that the relations of speech behavior to social structure are easily grasped by observers. Formalization and stylization of speech situations are extensive and elaborate, suggesting ways in which the uses of language are conditioned by culturally distinctive conceptions of situational appropriateness. Esthetic criteria are well developed and pervasive in their range of relevance. Explicit concern with the values of truth and falsity and their situa-
Moore's Law Past 32nm: Future Challenges in Device Scaling

This paper explores the challenges facing process generations past the 32 nm technology node and speculates on what new solutions will be needed. The challenges facing planar and multiple-gate devices are compared and contrasted. Resistance and capacitance challenges are reviewed in relation to past history and on-going research. Key enhancers such as high-k metal-gate (HiK-MG), substrate and channel orientation, as well as NMOS and PMOS stress are discussed in relation to the challenges of the coming transistor generations.
A unified toolkit for information and scientific visualization

We present an expansion of the popular open source Visualization Toolkit (VTK) to support the ingestion, processing, and display of informatics data. The result is a flexible, component-based pipeline framework for the integration and deployment of algorithms in the scientific and informatics fields. This project, code named "Titan", is one of the first efforts to address the unification of information and scientific visualization in a systematic fashion. The result includes a wide range of informatics-oriented functionality: database access, graph algorithms, graph layouts, views, charts, UI components and more. Further, the data distribution, parallel processing and client/server capabilities of VTK provide an excellent platform for scalable analysis.
Conformational Changes in the Adenovirus Hexon Subunit Responsible for Regulating Cytoplasmic Dynein Recruitment

Virus capsids provide genome protection from environmental challenges but are also poised to execute a program of compositional and conformational changes to facilitate virion entry and infection. The most abundant adenovirus serotype 5 (AdV5) capsid protein, hexon, directly recruits the motor protein cytoplasmic dynein following virion entry. Dynein recruitment is crucial for capsid transport to the nucleus and requires the transient exposure of AdV5 hexon to low pH, presumably mimicking passage through the endosomal compartment. These results suggest a pH-dependent capsid modification during early infection. The changes to hexon structure controlling this behavior have not been explored. We report that hexon remains trimeric at low pH but undergoes more subtle conformational changes. These changes are indicated by increased sensitivities to SDS-mediated dissociation and dispase proteolysis. Both effects are reversed at neutral pH, as is dynein binding by low-pH-treated hexon. Dispase cleavage, which we find maps to a specific site within hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of AdV5 hexon, has no apparent effect on virion entry but completely inhibits its transport to the nucleus. In addition, an AdV5 mutant containing HVR1 of AdV48 is unable to bind dynein and is strongly inhibited in the postentry transport step. These results reveal that conformational changes involving hexon HVR1 are the basis for a novel viral mechanism controlling capsid transport to the nucleus. IMPORTANCE The adenovirus serotype 5 (AdV5) capsid protein hexon recruits the molecular motor protein cytoplasmic dynein in a pH-dependent manner, a function critical for efficient transport toward the nucleus and AdV5 infectivity. In this work, we describe how low-pH exposure induces reversible structural changes in AdV5 hexon and how these changes affect dynein binding. In addition, we identified a pH-sensitive dispase cleavage site in hexon HVR1, which depends on the same structural changes and furthermore regulates dynein recruitment and capsid redistribution in infected cells. These data provide the first evidence relating long-known but subtle pH-dependent structural changes in hexon to a more recently established essential but poorly understood role in virus transport. These results have broad implications for understanding virus infectivity in general, and our ability to block the recruitment mechanism has potential therapeutic implications as well.
Change trajectories for parent-child interaction sequences during parent-child interaction therapy for child physical abuse

Abstract Objective Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) has been found to reduce future child abuse reports among physically abusive parents. Reductions in observed negative parenting behaviors mediated this benefit. The current study examined session-by-session interaction sequences in order to identify when during treatment these changes occur and how much the trajectory varies from case-to-case. Method Session-by-session parent-child interaction sequences, using the Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System-II (DPICS-II) categories, were coded for 22 child welfare involved parent-child dyads undergoing PCIT for child physical abuse. A total 5,436 interactions across PCIT were coded and analyzed using growth curve analysis. Results At pre-treatment baseline, negative and positive parental responses were about equally likely to follow a child positive behavior. This pattern changed rapidly during PCIT, with rapid increases in positive parental responses and decreases in negative parental responses to appropriate child behavior. A quadratic growth pattern accounted for 70% of observed variance and virtually all change occurred during the first three sessions. Conclusion Changes in observed abusive parent-abused child interaction patterns can occur early in PCIT, a parenting intervention that involves direct coaching and practice of skills. These benefits sustained throughout treatment. Practice implication Prior to receiving behavioral parent training (PCIT), parents who have physically abused their children failed to match their parental response to their children's behavior. This pattern of interaction improved rapidly and substantially during the first three sessions of PCIT. The changes in the patterns of interaction also remained relatively stable for the remainder of treatment while parents continued to practice positive parental responses as well as began practicing effective discipline techniques. This suggests that use of immediate parent feedback through coaching, explicit directions to parents in how to respond to child behavior, and customization of the application of skills to the problems that arise in session are important components to effective parenting programs with physically abusive parents. Targeting these behaviors with PCIT has been found to reduce rates of recidivism, further supporting clinical application of PCIT in these cases.
On the rational equivalence of full decomposable forms

Abstract Let k be any finite normal extension of the rational field Q and fix an order D of k invariant under the galois group G( k Q ) . Consider the set F of the full decomposable forms which correspond to the invertible fractional ideals of D. In a recent paper the author has given arithmetic criteria to determine which classes of improperly equivalent forms in F integrally represent a given positive rational integer m. These criteria are formulated in terms of certain integer sequences which satisfy a linear recursion and need only be considered modulo the primes dividing m. Here, for the most part, we consider partitioning F under rational equivalence. It is a found that the set of rationally equivalent classes in F is a group under composition of forms analogous to Gauss' and Dirichlet's classical results for binary quadratic forms. This leads us to given criteria as before to determine which classes of rationally equivalent forms in F rationally represent m. Moreover, by applying the genus theory of number fields, we find arithmetic criteria to determine when everywhere local norms are global norms if the Hasse norm principle fails to hold in k Q .
Decision to admit in an inner-city psychiatric emergency room: Beyond diagnosis—The psychosocial factors

A one week sample of all patients who presented to the psychiatric emergency room of a large general municipal hospial in an inner-city area were studied. Demographic make-up, clinical picture, nature of coping styles, support systems, social, work, and family adjustment were studied as they related to admission status. Diagnosis, psychiatric history, and clinical status predicted admission as well as the nature of the patient's social functioning, coping style, and community supports. The implications of the socioeconomics of mental health for treatment planning were discussed.
Explaining Responsiveness in Collaboration: Administrator and Citizen Role Perceptions

Between 2003 and 2006, researchers facilitated a collaborative learning process with representatives of Los Angeles neighborhood councils and officials from city agencies. In two cases, each involving a large city agency, the quality of responsiveness on the part of agency officials to participating citizens was substantially different. This study considers the reasons why agency officials differed in their responsiveness. Using an inductive qualitative and quantitative content analysis across three sources of data, the study develops theory pertaining to bureaucratic responsiveness to citizens in collaborative processes. Specifically, the case findings are generalized to theory through seven propositions for future study. The study’s key finding is that administrator and citizen perceptions of their own and the other party’s roles may influence the quality of responsive behavior in collaborative activity. The propositions identify subfactors or contingencies that may allow administrators to be more responsive to citizens in collaborative processes.
Maximizing Student Success with Differentiated Learning

Abstract Students tend to comprehend little and lose focus of classroom instruction when their teachers fail to use instructional strategies that match students’ learning styles. Differentiated instruction can alleviate or eliminate this disengagement. This article describes a case involving a child having difficulty learning and shows how differentiated instruction was used to help this student learn. The author describes the theories on which differentiated instruction is based and provides practical strategies teachers can use to implement this method of teaching.
Peptide-mediated activation of Akt and extracellular regulated kinase signaling prevents lymphocyte apoptosis

Lymphocyte apoptosis is a hallmark of sepsis and contributes to disease mortality. In other acute injuries, such as myocardial and cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, apoptosis plays a significant role in disease-associated morbidity and mortality. We previously showed that constitutive activation of the potent antiapoptotic Akt/protein kinase B signaling pathway in lymphocytes both reduces sepsis-induced lymphocyte apoptosis and confers a significant survival advantage compared to wild-type littermates. Here, we demonstrate a therapeutic approach to acutely augment Akt activity in a wild-type animal. A cell-permeable peptide conjugated to the Akt-binding domain of the endogenous Akt coactivator, Tcl-1, prolongs Akt activity, activates extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) signaling and protects lymphocytes from numerous apoptotic stimuli both in vitro and in vivo. Molecular approaches to activate the antiapoptotic Akt and ERK signaling pathways may provide a novel tool to study these signaling pathways, as well as a new antiapoptotic strategy for the treatment of sepsis and other acute injuries.
Postural Stability of Commercial Truck Drivers: Impact of Extended Durations of Whole-Body Vibration:

Falls from non-moving vehicles constitute a significant portion of fall related fatal occupational injuries, with a yearly average of 48.7 fatal falls, from 1992 to 2002. Whole-body vibration (WBV)...
Data Needs to Assess Environmental Quality Issues Related to Agricultural and Rural Areas: Discussion

Environmental quality issues are now prominent in virtually all comprehensive agricultural and rural policy discussions. The demand for data to analyze these issues, therefore, is strong, reflecting public concern about agriculture's diverse impacts on the environment. Moreover, the current era's environmental issues require new temporal and spatial data because of the prominent roles of uncertainty (e.g., groundwater quality, food safety) and broader geographic coverage (e.g., global change). It is within this context of volatile policy discussions and uncertain science that critical data choices must be made.
Touch your toes! Developing a direct measure of behavioral regulation in early childhood

Abstract Behavioral aspects of self-regulation, including controlling and directing actions, paying attention, and remembering instructions, are critical for successful functioning in preschool and elementary school. In recent years, several direct assessments of these skills have appeared, but few studies provide complete psychometric data and many are not easy to administer. We developed a direct measure of children's behavioral regulation, the Head-to-Toes Task, and report performance of participants aged 36–78 months, including a group of Spanish-speaking children, from two different sites ( N = 353; N = 92). We examined construct validity, examiner reliability, sources of variation, and associations between task scores and background characteristics. Results showed that the task was valid, reliable, and demonstrated variability in children's scores. A cross-classified hierarchical growth curve analysis indicated that girls, participants assessed in English, and higher-socioeconomic status (SES) children achieved slightly higher average scores than did boys, Spanish-speaking and lower-SES children, but effect sizes were small. Older participants achieved higher scores than did younger children, and there were no effects for site. Results suggest that the Head-to-Toes Task is an informative and easy-to-administer direct assessment of children's behavioral regulation. We discuss implications for its use in early childhood settings.
Optimum Bribing for Queue Position

In this paper we consider that relative position in queue is determined according to the size of a customer's bribe which is paid before the customer sees the queue length. Such a policy allows the customer himself to affect his own queue position, rather than the classical approach of assuming that a customer is preassigned to some possibly continuous priority class. For the case of Poisson arrivals, arbitrary service time distribution, and arbitrary distribution of customer bribe, we obtain the average waiting time for customers as a function of their bribe. We consider both preemptive and nonpreemptive disciplines. Examples are presented for various bribing distributions, which demonstrate that many well-known priority queuing systems are special cases of this bribing situation. Furthermore, a cost function is defined after we introduce the notion of an impatience factor which converts seconds of wait into dollars. Conditions for optimum bribing are then determined, where the optimization refers to minimizing the average cost subject to a mean bribe constraint. An example for exponential service and exponential bribing is carried out and the results are plotted.
Mechanisms of MHC class I-restricted antigen processing and cross-presentation

In this review, we discuss recent data from our laboratory that address two aspects of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted antigen processing. First, we consider the nature of the peptide-loading complex, which is the assembly of proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) into which newly synthesized MHC class I-beta(2) microglobulin (beta(2)m) heterodimers are incorporated, and the mechanisms involved in MHC class I assembly and peptide loading that are facilitated by the peptide-loading complex. Second, we discuss mechanisms of cross-presentation, the phenomenon whereby extracellular and luminal protein antigens can be processed by antigen-presenting cells, particularly dendritic cells, and presented by MHC class I molecules to CD8(+) T cells. The focus of the discussion is mainly on the human MHC class I system.
Essential chemical requirements for induction of allergic encephalomyelitis.

Several peptides related to the encephalitogenic tryptic peptide, Phe-Ser-Trp-Gly-Ala-Glu-Gly-Gln-Lys(Arg), which is derived from the Al protein, have been synthesized and tested for induction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. The Trp ----- Gln-Lys(Arg) relationship seems to be essential.
Keeping the noise down: common random numbers for disease simulation modeling

Disease simulation models are used to conduct decision analyses of the comparative benefits and risks associated with preventive and treatment strategies. To address increasing model complexity and computational intensity, modelers use variance reduction techniques to reduce stochastic noise and improve computational efficiency. One technique, common random numbers, further allows modelers to conduct counterfactual-like analyses with direct computation of statistics at the individual level. This technique uses synchronized random numbers across model runs to induce correlation in model output thereby making differences easier to distinguish as well as simulating identical individuals across model runs. We provide a tutorial introduction and demonstrate the application of common random numbers in an individual-level simulation model of the epidemiology of breast cancer.
Rapid, Nondestructive Denim Fiber Bundle Characterization Using Luminescence Hyperspectral Image Analysis

An investigation into the performance of luminescence-based hyperspectral imaging (LHSI) for denim fiber bundle discrimination has been conducted. We also explore the potential of nitromethane (CH3NO2) -based quenching to improve discrimination, and we determine the quenching mechanism. The luminescence spectra (450-850 nm) and images from the denim fiber bundles were obtained with excitation at 325 or 405 nm. LHSI data were recorded in less than 5 s and subsequently assessed by principal component analysis or rendered as red, green, blue (RGB) component histograms. The results show that LHSI data can be used to rapidly and uniquely discriminate between all the fiber bundle types studied in this research. These non-destructive techniques eliminate extensive sample preparation and allow for rapid hyperspectral image collection, analysis, and assessment. The quenching data also revealed that the dye molecules within the individual fiber bundles exhibit dramatically different accessibilities to CH3NO2.
Enhanced fibrinolysis in fingerstick blood samples: a possible role for matrix metalloproteinase-9.

Our understanding of fibrinolysis is largely based upon analysis of blood drawn by venipuncture directly out of the intraluminal space without exposure to extravascular tissue [1]. However, physiologic fibrinolysis occurs predominantly extravascularly, as part of the global process of wound healing, and might involve mechanisms not operative in intravascular thrombolysis. To test the hypothesis that clots of extravasated blood lyse differently from clots of intravascular blood, we have compared fibrinolysis in fingerstick (FS) blood samples (which have briefly passed through extravascular tissue) with fibrinolysis in blood drawn by atraumatic venipuncture (VP) (which has avoided exposure to extravascular tissue). Our observations support a role for matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) in extravascular fibrinolysis [2,3].
Comprehensive analysis of complex proteomes using microscale solution isoelectrofocusing prior to narrow pH range two-dimensional electrophoresis.

Comprehensive analysis of complex proteomes requires prefractionation of samples prior to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). This study demonstrates the utility of using a high resolution sample prefractionation method and slightly overlapping narrow pH range two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to enhance quantitative comparisons of complex proteomes. A key feature of this strategy is to prefractionate samples into a few well-defined pools using microscale solution isoelectric focusing (μsol-IEF) prior to 2-DE protein analysis. Sample prefractionation is achieved using a series of tandem small volume chambers (500 μL) separated by thin membranes containing immobilines at specific pH's. The resulting well-resolved fractionated samples are optimally separated on a series of slightly overlapping narrow pH range immobilized pH gradient (IPG) gels, which are approximately 0.1 pH units wider than the μsol-IEF fractionated pools. When μsol-IEF prefractionation was applied to proteome analyses of mouse serum, it resulted in the capacity to separate much higher protein loads on narrow pH range IPG gels while retaining good resolution and spot recovery. More importantly, the prefractionation of serum greatly enhanced the ability to detect low abundance proteins, because major interfering proteins were removed from most fractions. At least 6- to 30-fold higher protein loads were possible for nonalbumin fractions on narrow pH range IPG gels. The dynamic range of protein detection is substantially increased since higher protein loads can be applied to narrow pH range 2-DE gels, and duplicate gels can be stained with colloidal Coomassie and silver stains for quantitation of abundant and minor proteins, respectively. Finally, the ability to effectively fractionate complex proteomes into very narrow ranges (< 0.5 pH units) strongly suggests that μsol-IEF could be used to prefractionate complex samples for subsequent direct analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods as an alternative to using overlapping narrow pH range 2-DE gels.
Comparison of competitive protein binding analysis and radioimmunoassay for the determination of cortisol in serum and urine

The determination of serum and urinary free cortisol by competitive protein binding and radioimmunoassay were compared on patient samples using two commercially available kits. In addition, the Beckman RIA kit reagents were examined for precision and accuracy through the performance of reproducibility, recovery, cross reactivity and parallelism studies on serum and urine. Analytical recovery experiments with cortisol added to urine and serum showed 90% and 97% recovery respectively with the RIA reagents. Good reproducibility and parallelism criteria were also obtained using Beckman kit reagents. Antiserum specificity was documented and demonstrated no cross reactivity with structurally related steroids at clinically normal serum concentrations.
Reticulocytosis induced by serum from hypoxic animals.

Conclusions and Summary1. Once a day for 4 days 7 normal rabbits each received 50 ml of serum obtained from hypoxic rabbits, and 6 normal rabbits each received the same amount of serum obtained from normal rabbits. The hypoxic serum induced a reticulocytosis which was significantly different (p value < 0.01) from the response induced by injection of normal serum. At the level of hypoxia used (10% oxygen for 48 hours) the response in the recipient animals was as great as that seen in the animals directly exposed to hypoxia. 2. These results bolster the hypothesis that the erythropoietic response to hypoxia, or to blood loss anemia involves the production of a humoral factor.
Tissue culture evidence on the control of the switch from contact inhibition of cell movement to overlapping behavior in annual fish embryos of nothobranchius korthausae

Deep blastomeres of annual fish embryos exhibit contact inhibition of cell movement during epiboly and early dispersed stages before returning to self-cohering and overlapping behavior. Deep blastomeres were dissociated from embryos of several different ages and cultured in hanging drops and in sitting drops. In every culture the cells rapidly reaggregated, irrespective of whether the cells were aggregated or dispersed in the living embryo. In sitting-drop cultures, some cells subsequently flattened onto the plastic surface and assumed a fibroblastic shape. These results indicate that the contact inhibition and the overlapping behavior exhibited by deep blastomeres in vivo depend upon interactions of these cells with their embryonic environment, probably with the cell layers on which they are moving.
The Chicago Air Shower Array (CASA)

Abstract In order to improve the ultrahigh energy flux sensitivity beyond that of existing detectors a new class of very large detectors must be built. In this paper we will discuss one approach to this goal.
Cycling of volatile mercury in temperate lakes

The cycling of dissolved gaseous Hg (DGM) has been examined in our studies of the troposphericHg cycle, air-water exchange and their importance to the biogeochemical behavior and fate of Hg in temperate lakes. Five seepage lakes in northcentral Wisconsin, ranging in pH from 4.7 to 7.2, have been studied under a variety of limnological conditions which included the following seasonal periods: summer (peak stratification), fall (following turnover) and late winter (under ice). Analytically, DGM was determined after purging lake water with argon and collecting the volatile Hg fraction on gold coated sand. The Hg collections were analysed by pyrolysis in a two-stage Au amalgamation gas train with detection by atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS). In addition, chemical speciation of the volatile fraction has been achieved by trapping on a nondestructive substrate followed by gas chromatographic separation and AFS detection. The DGM consists principally of elemental Hg (Hgo) under all sampling conditions, with no significant contribution from volatile organic Hg species (detection limit of 3 femtomolar). Atmospheric gaseous Hg, which also consists principally of Hgo, was measured and the air-water partitioning determined. In general, the lake waters have been supersaturated with Hgo relative to the atmosphere. Supersaturation was greater in the summer, ranging from ca. 1.4 to 12 times (x) the saturation concentration. During the other sampling periods, Hgo ranged from saturation to ca. 7x the equilibrium concentration. The flux of Hg from the lakes due to gas evasion is significant and is estimated at approximately 10% of the annual atmospheric input of Hg to the lakes. An apparent relationship between Hgo and pH has been observed with lakes of lower pH having smaller Hgo concentrations.
Determination Of Constituent Concentration In Fluid Mixtures Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The primary application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been qualitative and anatomical evaluation of patient status. Recent efforts to analyze image information for quantitative evaluation centered on two relaxation parameters, Tl and T2, as the descriptors for the image data. In our work we have found that relaxation curves for biologic materials cannot be described by a monoexponential function and that, in a spin echo system, calculated Tl values are dependent on repetition time. This finding is not unexpected since, in physiologic imaging, any region of interest (ROI), is composed of a number of distinct substances and the response of that ROI will be a composite of the constituent materials. The purpose of our study was to develop a method by which the relaxation behaviors of a composite of physiological material might be characterized and use that characterization to determine its constituent materials. We created a phantom in which volumes of several "pure" materials (blood, plasma, saline and oil) were available as well as volumes which contained concentric enclosures of the pure materials. Images were formed at a number of repetition times, ranging from 160 milliseconds to 2 seconds. The image data was then transferred to a VAX 11/750 where regions of interest were marked and the mean image intensity for each ROI at each repetition time was calculated. The resultant relaxation curves of the pure materials formed basis vectors for the composite responses and the fractional content of each material was determined by a least-square error fit to the basis vectors. Excellent agreement was seen between known and measured mixture percentages. Ongoing work is centered around optimizing repetition time selection and accounting for the interaction between species in the mixtures.
̄4-quasi-phasematching in microdisks

We theoretically describe 4-quasi-phasematched second-harmonic generation in a GaAs microdisk for the cases when waves are on- or off-resonance with the cavity. 1.2%/mW conversion efficiency can be obtained when both waves are on-resonance.
fridgeTop: bringing home-like experience back to kitchen space

Owing to cultural and time zone differences, international students studying far away from their homes struggle to re-create home-like experiences. Living in a shared accommodation with new people further adds to this struggle, since common spaces become non-conducive to home-like activities. We study kitchen space in this context, and offer a solution called fridgeTop, which seeks to reduce the threshold of a kitchen's perceived public space in a shared accommodation by fostering familiar family interactions on a smart fridge surface.
A UNIVERSITY IN THE "FOURTH WORLD": THE SELF- DETERMINATION OF THE NORWEGIAN SAAMI

Les Saami de Norvege appartiennent au quart monde (peuple indigene vivant dans des etats-nations et qui recherchent un statut special plutot qu'une separation). Comme d'autres mouvements ethniques, celui des Saami depend d'une conscience, d'une ethnicite cognitive dans une lutte de pouvoir avec le groupe dominant pour obtenir des avantages sociaux et economiques ; l'un des moyens etait de demander des concessions dans le domaine de l'enseignement superieur (departement saami et espoir d'une universite saami). Ainsi, une fois que l'elite a pu participer aux comites gouvernementaux, son champ de relations sociales et politiques a ete redefini, ce qui a permis la preservation de la culture, de l'identite saami.
Software engineering at the high school level or taking a byte or two from an apple II

In the near future that many of the computing concepts we currently teach at the college level will be taught in the near future (some are doing it already) at the high school level. From our experience we are convinced that this can be done, but substantial changes will have to be made in the ways in which programming concepts are taught.In subsequent sections of this paper describe the original direction of our proposal, how we had to change it, and where we see it going in the future. As we continue to work with our colleagues in the secondary schools, we have developed an important feedback loop. They have been convinced of our sincerity in assisting them. Therefore, they have been very free and open with their comments and their criticisms. This in turn has given us a tremendous opportunity to continuously revise and our material. As a result, we are convinced of the validity of our approach.
Existence of solutions to the transonic pressure gradient equations of the compressible euler equations in elliptic Regions

We establish the existence of a smooth solution in tis elliptic region in the self—similar plane to the pressure—gradient system arisen from the wave—particle splitting of the two—dimensional compressible Euler system of equations. The pressure—gradient system takes the form Here (u,v) is the velocity, ρ is the density which is independent of time resulted from the splitting procedurep is the pressure, and is the energy. The natural (parabolically degenerate) boundary value is used.