cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On localizing urban events with Instagram

This paper develops an algorithm that exploits picture-oriented social networks to localize urban events. We choose picture-oriented networks because taking a picture requires physical proximity, thereby revealing the location of the photographed event. Furthermore, most modern cell phones are equipped with GPS, making picture location, and time metadata commonly available. We consider Instagram as the social network of choice and limit ourselves to urban events (noting that the majority of the world population lives in cities). The paper introduces a new adaptive localization algorithm that does not require the user to specify manually tunable parameters. We evaluate the performance of our algorithm for various real-world datasets, comparing it against a few baseline methods. The results show that our method achieves the best recall, the fewest false positives, and the lowest average error in localizing urban events.
Remittances and Economic Development in Africa: A Review of Empirical Evidence

This chapter presents a review of the literature on remittances and economic development with a focus on Africa. The chapter describes the importance of remittances relative to ODA and FDI in the continent, outlines the channels through which remittances are expected to influence economic development, and then reviews the related empirical evidence largely in the context of Africa. The review reveals that the evidence is thin and mixed, depending on the dimension of economic development examined. Overall, the evidence seems to suggest that remittances help alleviate poverty and improve living conditions but may worsen income inequality, with mixed effects reported with respect to economic growth and some of its determinants.
Diagnosis of Child Maltreatment: A Family Medicine Physician's Dilemma.

OBJECTIVES: Cases of child maltreatment (CM) in the United States remain high, and primary care providers lack the confidence and training to diagnose these cases. This study provides recommendations to improve family medicine physicians' confidence in diagnosing CM. METHODS: We e-mailed an electronic survey to family medicine residents and physicians practicing in the United States. Responses were collected during August and September 2015. Respondents were asked about their familiarity and competence level regarding the diagnosis of CM. They also were asked about the frequency of their correctly diagnosing CM, timeliness of diagnosis, barriers to a diagnosis or early diagnosis of CM, and receipt of adequate CM training. RESULTS: Of the 420 surveys emailed, 258 (61%) were completed. The majority of respondents stated their self-reported level of competence in diagnosing CM as average or below average, with few (8%) indicating a competence level of above average. A timely diagnosis of child maltreatment was reported by 46% of respondents, whereas 54% were either late (19.2%) in diagnosing or could not recall (34.6%). The barriers to diagnosis cited by responders were inexperience (58%), lack of confidence and certainty (50%), lack of diagnosis protocol (43.3%), lack of confidence in communicating with parents (38.3%), and inadequate training (34.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of CM training into the family medicine residency training curriculum, coupled with the development of a standardized CM diagnosis protocol, may improve self-reported family medicine physicians' confidence and competence levels in diagnosing CM. Language: en
Keynote 1: The Quest for Tau Ceti

When a group of like-minded individuals set out on an ambitious quest, they need a clear vision, well-defined goals, skills to overcome unforeseen problems, commitment, perseverance, momentum, and a sense of joint adventure to propel them through the challenges ahead. This was certainly the case for interstellar travelers in the novel ‘Aurora’ written by Kim Stanley Robinson. The story starts 160 years into a multi-generational quest to reach, populate and terraform a planet that is centuries of light-years away from earth. The goal is clear but the challenges immense.
Can Population Health Science Counter In-Kind Dangerous Oversimplifications? A Public Health of Consequence, October 2017

The article discusses the relation of the election of U.S. President Donald Trump in 2016 to public health issues. Topics include the complexity of public health in relation to causal patterns, the relation of political concerns to public health approaches to firearm suicide, and the nature of public health as a science.
Girls’ Spatial Skills and Arithmetic Strategies in First Grade as Predictors of Fifth-Grade Analytical Math Reasoning

ABSTRACTThis study investigated longitudinal pathways leading from early spatial skills in first-grade girls to their fifth-grade analytical math reasoning abilities (N = 138). First-grade assessments included spatial skills, verbal skills, addition/subtraction skills, and frequency of choice of a decomposition or retrieval strategy on the addition/subtraction problems. In fifth grade, girls were given an arithmetic fluency test, a mental rotation spatial task, and a numeric and algebra math reasoning test. Using structural equation modeling, the estimated path model accounted for 87% of the variance in math reasoning. First-grade spatial skills had a direct pathway to fifth-grade math reasoning as well as an indirect pathway through first-grade decomposition strategy use. The total effect of first-grade spatial skills was significantly higher in predicting fifth-grade math reasoning than all other predictors. First-grade decomposition strategy use had the second strongest total effect, while retrieval st...
Making Mistakes Empowers Cancer Cells

Lethal cancers have genomes that can reflect a jigsaw puzzle put together in a hurricane. The missing, misjoined, and extra pieces contribute to the driving forces behind the cancer phenotypes. But is this the only reason genomic instability is so prevalent in aggressive cancers? New findings support that the hurricane winds themselves, not just their aftermath, contribute to the cancer phenotype of metastasis.
Rapid Photothermal Processing of Dielectrics

Publisher Summary This chapter outlines the importance of dielectric processing for developing Si-based nanoelectronics as well as other semiconductor devices. Silicon-based dielectrics (Si02, Si3N4, SiOxNy) have been used as the key dielectrics in the manufacture of silicon integrated circuits (ICs) as well as many other semiconductor devices. By replacing these Si-based dielectrics by low- (k l) k dielectrics, the fundamental limitations of Si-based dielectrics can be overcome and it is possible to manufacture Si-based ICs with feature size as small as 25–30 nm. The chapter discusses important roles of rapid photothermal processing (RPP) of dielectrics in the development of microelectronics and other semiconductor devices for the 21st century . The fundamentals of rapid photothermal processing with specific emphasis on the application of chemical vapor deposition techniques are explored. In addition to the basics of RPP, new results of high-k and low-k dielectric materials are presented. The data presented in this chapter show that because of low processing temperature, low processing time, low microscopic defects, low thermal and residual stress, and low roughness of related surfaces and interfaces, RPP is ideally suited for process integration and manufacturability.
Leadership in Action: Sharing Leadership in an Engineering Research Center

AbstractThis case study employed a shared leadership framework to examine leadership in an engineering research center (ERC) during its first year. The Center for Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geot...
Impact Risk Communication Management (1998–2004): Has It Improved?

Although scares associated with potential Earth impacts by specific comets and asteroids date back to quite early in the eighteenth and twentieth centuries, respectively (e.g. Marsden 2004), the era of “modern” impact scares is frequently considered to have begun with the 1997 XF11 incident in early 1998 (cf. Morrison et al. 2004). Both cited papers discuss that particular incident, as well as some subsequent scares, but in my opinion the second account contains errors. In fact, I published a very detailed “discourse” on 1997 XF11 several years ago (Marsden 1999a). That paper fully acknowledges that mistakes were made, by several people, in the manner the 1997 XF11 situation was handled at that time.
Atomic Force Microscopy: General Principles and a New Implementation

Recently, Binnig, Quate, and Gerber developed the atomic force microscope (AFM), an instrument which senses minute (10-12 – 10-8 N) forces between a sharp tip and a sample surface [1], In addition to enabling the study of solid-solid interactions on a unprecedentedly small scale, the AFM provides a general method for doing non-destructive surface profilometry at a resolution better than 10 nm and perhaps down to the atomic level. In this paper we review the principles of the AFM, discuss its potential resolution and data rate, describe our new AFM design, and present some initial results. We have obtained three dimensional surface profiles with 20 nm lateral resolution, which to our knowledge is better than what has been attained previously by stylus profilometry.
Identification by transitive property: intermediated consubstantiality in the N.F.L.'s Salute to Service campaign

ABSTRACTAs both sport and war become increasingly mediated experiences in the U.S., the decades-long relationship between professional football and the U.S. military has evolved into a cross-promotional symbiosis. By examining several discursive strategies at play within the N.F.L.’s Salute to Service (S.T.S.) campaign we theorize an interesting extension of Kenneth Burke’s concept of identification. We argue that the S.T.S. campaign rhetorically constructs an intermediated consubstantiality that buffers identification between citizens and soldiers through the intermediating presence of N.F.L. players. It does this by rhetorically constructing N.F.L. players in a way that enables their identification with both citizen-fans and soldiers, while constraining citizen-fans from identifying directly with soldiers. This form of intermediated consubstantiality enables what we call identification by transitive property, which allows for a detached veneration of troops rather than subjective identification.
Virginia Tech Comprehensive Powered-based Fuel Consumption Model: Modeling Compressed Natural Gas Buses

The paper develops a compressed natural gas (CNG) bus fuel consumption model based on the Virgina Tech Comprehensive Power-based Fuel Consumption Model (VT-CPFM) approach. The model is calibrated using GPS data and MOtor Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES) energy inventory. Validation effort is first made by comparing model predictions against MOVES estimates at an instantaneous level, followed by analysis on the sensitivity of estimated optimum fuel economy cruise speeds to road grade and vehicle weight. The results demonstrate that calibrated models significantly differ from those of diesel buses. Model testing work demonstrates a good agreement between model estimates and MOVES results. The study also indicates that the optimum fuel economy cruise speed ranges between 40 to 50 km/h with road grade varying from 0% to 8%, which is similar to diesel buses. Sensitivity analysis provides valuable insights that steeper roads and heavier CNG buses result in lower optimum cruise speeds, and that optimum cruise speeds are more sensitive to vehicle weight at higher grade levels. The proposed model will greatly support ITS applications in terms of fuel efficiency improvement.
The Relationship of Child Temperament, Maternal Parenting Stress, Maternal Child Interaction and Child Health Rating

Considering the relationship between maternal and child factors that influence child health is key to understanding child wellbeing. Several studies have considered the contributions of familial and environmental factors on child health outcomes. Expanding on this research, this study examines child temperament, maternal parenting stress, and maternal–child interaction as predictors of child health, while controlling for poverty, parental relationship status, and the number of children in the household factors known to impact health. Multinomial regression analysis of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study year one data set, n = 3712, was conducted to test three hypotheses: higher child emotionality will be predictive of lower child health rating, higher parenting stress will be predictive of lower child health ratings, and, higher levels of maternal–child interaction will be predictive of higher child health ratings. Findings indicated that all study variables were significant predictors of child health ratings [− 2 Log likelihood = 6657.40, χ2 215.661, p < .001, Nagelkerke R2 .067], demonstrating the importance of temperament, parenting stress, and maternal–child interaction when considering child health. Social workers working with children and families in a variety of settings may want to target these factors to improve health outcomes of children.
The Problem of the Debt in Developing Countries

This paper examines the issues associated with the growing foreign indebtedness of the non-oil developing countries. Following a review of the principal changes that occurred in the debt situation of these economies between 1973 and 1983, it analyzes the experiences of countries pursuing different development strategies. It is shown that outward-oriented economies responded to the external shocks of the period largely by the application of output-increasing policies of export promotion and import substitution, limiting their reliance on foreign borrowing. In turn, countries applying inward-oriented policies borrowed extensively abroad, failed to use the borrowed funds efficiently, and eventually had to impose strong deflationary measures in order to improve their debt situation. The paper then examines the rationale for alternative debt indicators and reports the results of projections made in 1983 by the use of these indicators. The projections are compared to estimates for 1984. Finally, the paper considers alternative policies for the developing countries as well as possible future measures that may be taken by the international community to ease the process of adjustment and to minimize the chances of future debt crises.
Associations between prosocial behavior, externalizing behaviors, and internalizing symptoms during adolescence: A meta-analysis.

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis investigating the consistency and strength of relations between prosocial behavior, externalizing behaviors, and internalizing symptoms from preadolescence (i.e., 1–9 years) to late adolescence (i.e., 19–25 years). This study directly addresses inconsistencies and gaps in the available literature by providing the field with a detailed, synthesized description of these associations. Method Fifty-five studies met the inclusion criteria, containing 742 independent correlational effect sizes. Statistical information and other study information was coded and entered into Comprehensive Meta-analysis III software, which was used to analyze results. Results Results showed that higher levels of prosocial behavior were significantly associated with lower levels of externalizing behaviors, as expected. Additionally, more reported prosocial behavior was related to less reported internalizing symptoms. Follow-up analyses revealed specific relationships between prosocial behavior and aggression, deviant peer association, risky sexual behavior, substance use, delinquency/general externalizing behavior, depression, and general internalizing behaviors (i.e., emotional problems, negative emotionality). A variety of moderators of these associations were considered, including age and sex. Conclusions Findings are discussed in the context of the broader research literature, weaknesses in the field are noted, and numerous meaningful directions for future research are presented.
Providing Contextual Information to Ubiquitous Computing Applications

Abstract : Ubiquitous computing applications are increasingly leveraging contextual information from several sources to provide users with behavior appropriate to the environment in which they reside. If these sources of contextual information are used and deployed in an ad hoc manner, however, they may provide overlapping functionality, fail to provide needed functionality, and require the use of inconsistent interfaces by applications. To overcome these problems, we introduce a concise organization of services and a single service interface that provide applications with contextual information in a unified manner. We show, via example applications and services that we have implemented, how our service organization and interface can be used to allow proactive applications to adapt their behavior to match a user's current environment.
Analysis of kethoxal bound to ribosomal proteins from Escherichia coli 70S reacted ribosomes.

Abstract To investigate ribosome topography and possible function, 70S ribosomes of Escherichia coli were reacted with the dicarbonyl compound kethoxal. Ribosomal protein was extracted after reaction, and through two dimensional gel electrophoresis, the reactive proteins of the two subunits were identified. From the 30S subunit, the most reacted proteins were S2, S3, S4, S5 and S7 and from the 50S subunit, L1, L5, L16, L17, L18 and L27. The results with kethoxal are compared with other modifiers of ribosomal proteins.
Peace without Impunity: Worldview in the Settlement of Civil Wars

Peace processes can bring to the fore a host of normative and practical questions that produce heated public disagreement. These disagreements can generate political obstacles to the successful neg...
Coupling neuroscience and driving simulation: A systematic review of studies on crash-risk behaviors in young drivers.

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults. The aim of this study is to examine and discuss the state-of-the-art literature which uses neuroscience methods ...
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Statins in Animal Models of Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe form of stroke with limited treatment options. Statins have shown promise as a therapy for ICH in animal and human studies. We systematically reviewed and assessed the quality of preclinical studies exploring statin-use after ICH to guide clinical trial decision-making and design. Methods We identified preclinical trials assessing the efficacy of statins in ICH via a systematic review of the literature according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. In total, 16 studies were identified that described statin use in an animal model of ICH and assessed histological outcomes, behavioral scores, or both. Design characteristics were analyzed using Stroke Therapy Academic Industry Roundtable (STAIR) criteria modified for ICH. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model. Results Behavioral outcomes were assessed in 12 of the studies with 100% (n = 12) reporting that statins significantly improved ICH recovery. Histologic hematoma volume and brain water content outcomes were analyzed in 10 of the studies, with 50% (n = 5) reporting significant improvement. The ratio of means between experimental and control cases for modified Neurological Severity Score was 0.63 (95% confidence interval 0.49–0.82). The ratio of means between experimental and control cases for hemorrhagic volume was 0.85 (95% confidence interval 0.70–1.03). There was heterogeneity between studies (P Conclusions Behavioral outcomes in ICH were found to consistently improve with administration of statins in preclinical studies suggesting that statin therapy may be suitable for randomized clinical trials in humans. In addition, the STAIR criteria can be modified to effectively evaluate preclinical studies in ICH.
La percepción del aspecto en las Investigaciones Filosóficas

Resumen : Se ofrece una exegesis del analisis wittgensteiniano de la familia de nociones emparentadas con la percepcion del aspecto, centrada en las relaciones de este tema con la explicacion general del lenguaje ofrecida en la primera parte de las Investigaciones Filosoficas . La tesis exegetica fundamental es que los parecidos y diferencias involucrados en el ver como (y en el apercibimiento de aires de familia en general) estan fundamentados in re , y no son puestos o construidos por el sujeto. A la luz de esta exegesis, se exploran las posibilidades de aplicar el analisis wittgensteiniano a algunos problemas filosoficos contemporaneos. Palabras Clave : Wittgenstein, ver como, cambio de aspecto, figuras dobles, ilusiones opticas. Abstract : This paper provides an interpretation of Wittgenstein´s analysis of aspect perception and related notions. The main exegetic thesis is that similarities and differences involved in “see as” and the perception of family resemblance in general are founded in reality, and are not imposed or built by the perceiver. Some applications of Wittgenstein analysis according to this interpretation to contemporary philosophical issues are explored. Key Words : Wittgenstein, aspect seeing, change of aspects, optical illusions.
Abstract 079: (pro)renin Receptor Knockdown In The Paraventricular Nucleus Of Hypothalamus Attenuates The Development Of Doca-salt Hypertension

We previously reported that neuron-specific PRR deletion prevents the development of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt induced hypertension. However, it is not clear which brain region is responsible for the effect of PRR knockout on the development of hypertension. In present study, we bilaterally micro-injected adeno-associated virus (AAV2)-mediated Cre recombinase with an eGFP tag (AAV-Cre, 50 nl/side) into the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN) of PRR-Floxed mice to knockdown the PRR expression in this region. Deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt (DOCA, 50mg, 0.9%NaCl drinking solution, 21 days) treatment was started 3 days after AAV-Cre or control virus (AAV-eGFP) injection. Blood pressure (BP) was monitored using radio telemetric probes in conscious animals. Autonomic functions were also assessed using pharmacological methods. PVN was micro-punched for PRR real time PCR to verify PRR knockdown efficiency. Three days after virus injection, AAV-Cre significantly decreased PRR expression (fold change: 0.69 ± 0.1 vs. 1.0 ± 0.05) in the PVN compared to AAV-eGFP before DOCA-salt treatment. Three weeks after DOCA-salt treatment, PRR mRNA levels were increased in the AAV-eGFP group (fold change: 3.0 ± 0.1), and this increase was abolished by AAV-Cre (fold change: 1.2 ± 0.04, P
HIGHER-DIMENSIONAL VIRTUAL DIAGONALS AND IDEAL COHOMOLOGY FOR TRIANGULAR ALGEBRAS

We investigate the cohomology of non-self-adjoint algebras using virtual diagonals and their higher-dimensional generalizations. We show that infinite dimensional nest algebras always have non-zero second cohomology by showing that they cannot possess 2-virtual diagonals. In the case of the upper triangular atomic nest algebra we exhibit concrete modules for non-vanishing cohomology.
Abstract 14022: Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Does Not Impact Clinical Outcome in Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients

Background: The impact of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) on clinical outcome in patients with a continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is not well understood. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that ICD would improve survival in LVAD patients. Methods: We evaluated the effect of an ICD on all-cause mortality in 172 patients with a HeartMate II LVAD implanted between May 2008 and November 2013 at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester NY, enrolled in the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) Registry. The end point was all-cause mortality during the follow-up. Results: There were 113 of 172 (66%) LVAD patients with an ICD implanted before the LVAD implantation procedure, with a mean age of 56.9 ± 12.2 years, 15 of them were female. During the median follow-up of 25 months, 31 of 113 patients (27%) with an ICD died compared to 17 of 59 patients (29%) without an ICD. There was no significant difference in the cumulative probability...
Force, Inc.: The Privatization of Punishment, Policing, and Military Force in Liberal States

Should our punishment, policing, and military institutions be public, private, or both? Is there a special link between the project of government and the exercise of force? These two questions have vexed philosophers for several centuries, and lately, they have begun to present more practical problems as well. In the past three decades, private punishment, policing, and military markets have blossomed and boomed in liberal states. Private prisons, police, and armies have been popping up around the world, punishing criminals, fighting crimes, keeping peace, and waging war. The use of force has generated unprecedented profits, and the boundaries between public and private uses of force have become increasingly blurred. Observers of these trends expect them to continue and accelerate. This Article brings these three trends together under one rubric: the privatization of force. By bringing together fundamental categories of economic and political analysis, it develops a theory of the relationship between government and force in liberal states.
General Remarks on Orbit And Ephemeris Computation

Present and future requirements concerning ephemeris prediction for comets (particularly the short-period comets) are discussed, with reference to both positions and magnitudes.
Multimode SiC trampoline resonators manipulate microspheres to create Chladni figures

This digest paper describes the experimental demonstration of two dimensional (2D) microscale ‘Chladni figure’-like patterns [1] of populations of microspheres in liquid using SiC micromechanical resonators. SiC square trampoline resonators (size: 50µm×50µm) exhibit appreciable high frequency multimode resonances when operating in liquid. We are able to manipulate relatively small (1.7µm in diameter) and large (7.75µm in diameter) microspheres by resonant excitation of the trampolines and create a series of 2D microscale Chladni patterns (corresponding to specific mode shapes), from simple to complex. This SiC resonator platform may offer new opportunities for microparticle patterning by taking advantage of its straightforward device fabrication and engineerable multiple modes, and further facilitate cell manipulation, cellular interaction and behavior controlling, and other biophysical and biomedical studies in liquid.
TRPC channels function independently of STIM1 and Orai1

Recent studies have defined roles for STIM1 and Orai1 as calcium sensor and calcium channel, respectively, for Ca(2+)-release activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channels, channels underlying store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE). In addition, these proteins have been suggested to function in signalling and constructing other channels with biophysical properties distinct from the CRAC channels. Using the human kidney cell line, HEK293, we examined the hypothesis that STIM1 can interact with and regulate members of a family of non-selective cation channels (TRPC) which have been suggested to also function in SOCE pathways under certain conditions. Our data reveal no role for either STIM1 or Orai1 in signalling of TRPC channels. Specifically, Ca(2+) entry seen after carbachol treatment in cells transiently expressing TRPC1, TRPC3, TRPC5 or TRPC6 was not enhanced by the co-expression of STIM1. Further, knockdown of STIM1 in cells expressing TRPC5 did not reduce TRPC5 activity, in contrast to one published report. We previously reported in stable TRPC7 cells a Ca(2+) entry which was dependent on TRPC7 and appeared store-operated. However, we show here that this TRPC7-mediated entry was also not dependent on either STIM1 or Orai1, as determined by RNA interference (RNAi) and expression of a constitutively active mutant of STIM1. Further, we determined that this entry was not actually store-operated, but instead TRPC7 activity which appears to be regulated by SERCA. Importantly, endogenous TRPC activity was also not regulated by STIM1. In vascular smooth muscle cells, arginine-vasopressin (AVP) activated non-selective cation currents associated with TRPC6 activity were not affected by RNAi knockdown of STIM1, while SOCE was largely inhibited. Finally, disruption of lipid rafts significantly attenuated TRPC3 activity, while having no effect on STIM1 localization or the development of I(CRAC). Also, STIM1 punctae were found to localize in regions distinct from lipid rafts. This suggests that TRPC signalling and STIM1/Orai1 signalling occur in distinct plasma membrane domains. Thus, TRPC channels appear to be activated by mechanisms dependent on phospholipase C which do not involve the Ca(2+) sensor, STIM1.
Self-Specific MHC Class II-Restricted CD4−CD8− T Cells That Escape Deletion and Lack Regulatory Activity

In the presence of the I-Eα protein, transgenic (Tg) mice expressing the 1H3.1 αβ TCR that is specific for the Eα52–68:I-Ab complex display drastic intrathymic deletion. Although peripheral T cells from these mice remained unresponsive to the Eα52–68:I-Ab complex, they contained a subpopulation able to specifically react to this complex in the presence of exogenous IL-2, indicating that some 1H3.1 αβ TCR Tg T cells have escaped clonal deletion and efficiently populated the periphery. IL-2-dependent, Eα52–68:I-Ab complex-responsive T cells were CD4−CD8− and expressed the 1H3.1 αβ TCR. Such T cells could develop intrathymically, did not show sign of regulatory/suppressor activity, displayed a typical naive phenotype, and seemed to persist in vivo over time. CD4−CD8− TCR Tg T cells were also detected when the surface density of the deleting ligand was increased on MHC class II+ cells. In addition, the development of CD4−CD8− 1H3.1 αβ TCR Tg T cells could be supported by I-Ab molecules. These observations indicate that CD4 surface expression neither specifies, nor is required for, the thymic export of mature thymocytes expressing a MHC class II-restricted αβ TCR. The data also show that, although the avidity of the interaction involved in intrathymic deletion is significantly lower than that involved in mature T cell activation, its range can be large enough to be influenced by the presence or absence of coreceptors. Finally, the margin created by the absence of CD4 coreceptor was substantial because it could accommodate various amounts of the deleting ligand on thymic stromal cells.
Susan J. Wolfson. Romantic Interactions: Social Being and the Turns of Literary Action

With Romantic Interactions: Social Being and the Turns of Literary Action, Susan J. Wolfson provides a comprehensive and detailed vision for literary scholars. Her attention to the interaction conc...
Immunization for children traveling abroad.

Opportunities for children to travel abroad have increased, mainly because of the convenience of modern air travel. Students going abroad on group trips and children traveling with families need counseling and immunization for preventable infections. Also, with the United States experiencing a peak era of immigration, the number of recent immigrants visiting their countries of origin has increased. The immunization status of their children should be assessed well in advance of planned trips so that routine vaccines and travel vaccines can be administered in a timely manner. Pediatricians must be familiar with the many considerations of indications, dosing and route of administration, and adverse effects for travel vaccines for children, as well as age-specific recommendations. This article discusses the use of routine vaccines in traveling children and immunization against enteric fever, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, and cholera. Hepatitis A and meningococcal infections are mentioned only briefly because they are covered in detail in other articles in this issue. Other common travel medicine issues, such as traveler's diarrhea and malaria prevention, are beyond the scope of this article. It is hoped that specific listings of printed and on-line resources for travel medicine information are useful.
Analysis of the stereochemistry of enzymically formed pantoyl lactone or pantoic acid by gas chromatography and circular dichroism

Abstract Three methods for the analysis of the proportion of d -and l -pantoyl lactone in mixtures of these enantiomers are presented. They are: (a) the direct separation of the enantiomers by gas chromatography on a chiral stationary phase; (b) gas chromatographic separation of diastereoisomeric derivatives of pantoyl lactone; and (c) by calculation from circular dichroism measurements. The methods are applicable to the determination of the proportion of d -and l -pantoic acid in mixtures, after lactonization to pantoyl lactone. Results of the application of these methods to the determination of the stereochemistry of: (a) pantoyl lactone formed by ketopantoyl lactone reductases; and (b) pantoic acid formed by ketopantoic acid reductases of several microorganisms are presented.
Performance effects of mounting a helmet-mounted display on the ANVIS mount of the HGU-56P helmet

The U.S. Army, under the auspices of the Air Warrior Product Office, is developing a modular helmet-mounted display (HMD) for four aircraft series within its helicopter fleet. A design consideration is mounting the HMDs to the HGU- 56P Aviator's Night Vision Imaging System (ANVIS) mount. This particular mount is being considered, presumably due to its inherent cost savings, as the mount is already part of the helmet. Mounting the HMD in this position may have consequences for the daylight performance of these HMDs, as well as increasing the forward weight of the HMD. The latter would have consequences for helmet weight and center-of-mass biodynamic issues. Calculations were made of the increased luminance needed as a consequence of mounting the HMD in front of an HGU-56P tinted visor as opposed to mounting it behind the visor. By mounting in front of the helmet's visor, the HMD's light output will be filtered as light coming from the outside world. Special consideration then would have to be given to the HMD's light source selection process, as not to select a source that would differentially reduce luminance by a mounted visor (e.g., laser protection visors) compared to the ambient light in the aviator's field-of-view.
Recent advances on the use of biodegradable microparticles and nanoparticles in controlled drug delivery

Abstract The possibility of using biodegradable polymers as drug carriers was brought to the attention of many scientists when bioresorbable sutures entered the market two decades ago. Since that time, researchers in pharmacy, chemical engineering, and other disciplines have striven to design biodegradable polymers with desired degradation mechanisms and mechanical properties. Biodegradable polymers have advantages over other carrier systems in that they need not be surgically removed when drug delivery is completed and that they can provide direct drug delivery to the systemic circulation. The drug and polymer may be combined in a number of different ways depending upon the application of interest. Microparticulate formulations have the widest applicability to the widest variety of formulation needs: oral delivery, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, and targeted delivery. This review addresses recent work utilizing biodegradable polymers for controlled drug delivery, focusing on micro- and nanoparticulate delivery systems containing poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid) or their copolymers.
Driving diffusionless transformations in colloidal crystals using DNA handshaking

Many crystals, such as those of metals, can transform from one symmetry into another having lower free energy via a diffusionless transformation. Here we create binary colloidal crystals consisting of polymer microspheres, pulled together by DNA bridges, that induce specific, reversible attractions between two species of microspheres. Depending on the relative strength of the different interactions, the suspensions spontaneously form either compositionally ordered crystals with CsCl and CuAu-I symmetries, or disordered, solid solution crystals when slowly cooled. Our observations indicate that the CuAu-I crystals form from CsCl parent crystals by a diffusionless transformation, analogous to the Martensitic transformation of iron. Detailed simulations confirm that CuAu-I is not kinetically accessible by direct nucleation from the fluid, but does have a lower free energy than CsCl. The ease with which such structural transformations occur suggests new ways of creating unique metamaterials having structures that may be otherwise kinetically inaccessible.
Crystal and molecular structure of [Cd10(SCH2CH2OH)16](ClO4)4•8H2O. Correlations with 113Cd NMR spectra of the solid and implications for cadmium-thiolate ligation in proteins

/sup 113/Cd NMR chemical shifts in the solid state are reported for (Cd/sub 10/(SCH/sub 2/CH/sub 2/OH)/sub 16/)(SO/sub 4/)/sub 2/.4H/sub 2/O and (Cd/sub 10/(SCH/sub 2/CH/sub 2/OH)/sub 16/)(ClO/sub 4/)/sub 4/.8H/sub 2/O. The crystal structure of the latter salt has also been solved and is reported here in greater detail than was previously available for the sulfate salt.
Primary Adherence to Controller Medications for Asthma Is Poor

Rationale: Few previous studies have evaluated primary adherence (whether a new prescription is filled within 30 d) to controller medications in individuals with persistent asthma. Objective: To compare adherence to the major controller medication regimens for asthma. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of enrollees from five large health plans. We used electronic medical data on patients of all ages with asthma who had experienced an asthma-related exacerbation in the prior 12 months. We studied adherence measures including proportion of days covered and primary adherence (first prescription filled within 30 d). Measurements and Main Results: Our population included 69,652 subjects who had probable persistent asthma and were prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), leukotriene antagonists (LTRAs), or ICS/long-acting β-agonists (ICS/LABAs). The mean age was 37 years and 58% were female. We found that 14–20% of subjects who were prescribed controller medicines for the first time did not fill their prescriptions. The mean proportion of days covered was 19% for ICS, 30% for LTRA, and 25% for ICS/LABA over 12 months. Using multivariate logistic regression, subjects prescribed LTRA were less likely to be primary adherent than subjects prescribed ICS (odds ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.74–0.92) or ICS/LABA (odds ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.80–0.97). Black and Latino patients were less likely to fill the prescription compared with white patients. Conclusions: Adherence to controller medications for asthma is poor. In this insured population, primary adherence to ICSs was better than to LTRAs and ICS/LABAs. Adherence as measured by proportion of days covered was better for LTRAs and ICS/LABAs than for ICSs.
Approximate Bayesian inference for quantiles

Suppose data consist of a random sample from a distribution function F Y , which is unknown, and that interest focuses on inferences on θ, a vector of quantiles of F Y . When the likelihood function is not fully specified, a posterior density cannot be calculated and Bayesian inference is difficult. This article considers an approach which relies on a substitution likelihood characterized by a vector of quantiles. Properties of the substitution likelihood are investigated, strategies for prior elicitation are presented, and a general framework is proposed for quantile regression modeling. Posterior computation proceeds via a Metropolis algorithm that utilizes a normal approximation to the posterior. Results from a simulation study are presented, and the methods are illustrated through application to data from a genotoxicity experiment.
Variational design of finite-difference schemes for initial value problems with an integral invariant

Abstract A technique for deriving a finite-difference scheme to solve initial value partial-differential equations is presented. The set of partial-differential equations is assumed to possess one or more invariant integral quantities. In fluid dynamics, the integral of the total energy over the domain is frequently assumed invariant. This technique is based on the variational method and constrains the finite-difference scheme to satisfy the conservation law(s). The technique is discussed by considering, as an example, a set of linear, shallow-water equations on a rotating plane, and extending it to a nonlinear case.
Analytic orlicz-besov spaces and the duals of the bergman spaces

In this paper we prove that the Berezin transform is of type of weak (1,1) and bounded on the Orlicz space L φ(D,dA) if its Young function φ satisfies the -condition. Also we show that the dual of the Bergman space is the Besov space and its predual is the little Besov space if the Young function φ satisfies the Δ2-condition (here φ and ψ are a pair of complementary Young functions).
First Exit Times of Compound Poisson Processes with Parallel Boundaries

Abstract We consider distributions of several first exit times of compound Poisson processes (CPPs) with positive jumps from a region that is bounded by two parallel boundaries. Recursive formulas of exact distributions are given for a CPP with absolutely continuous jumps. Non-recursive formulas are given for a CPP with discrete jumps, and are used as a numerical approximation for the absolutely continuous case. The problem has applications in queueing and risk theory as well as sequential testing.
Intelligent Optical Disk Controller Architecture

Optical Disc Recorder parameters are examined with respect to data and control management. Data processing requirements discussed include sync timing recovery and error management. Control processing requirements discussed include disc drive interface and user computer interface. In addition, the approach to data handling using an intelligent control processor is presented. The modular hardware controller described is adaptable to disc drive configurations: 1) to support data rates exceeding 100 Mb/s 2) to support multiple turntables per drive, 3) to support a jukebox library and automatic disc loader mechanism. The controller design considerations will be given along with the selected architecture.
Characterization of the effect of the adenosine agonist cyclohexyladenosine on platelet activating factor-induced increases in [Ca2+]i in human platelets in vitro

Abstract Previous studies have shown that adenosine agonists acting at A-2 receptors Inhibit platelet aggregation. Since an increase in cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration (Δ[Ca 2+ ] i ) is closely associated with the time frame of platelet aggregation, we have examined the effect or adenosine receptor function on induced increases of [Ca 2+ ] i by a potent platelet activator, piatelet activating factor (PAF). We loaded washed platelets with Fura-2, then induced increases in [Ca 2+ ] i with various concentrations of PAF, and then determined EC50 values (PAF concentration at half-maximal response) and values for maximal response of Δ[Ca 2+ ] i (max-Δ[Ca 2+ ] i ). The EC50 for PAF-Δ[Ca 2+ ] i was 112 ± 37 (SD) pM and the max-Δ[Ca 2+ ] i was 284 ± 138 (SD) nM. Our results show that PAF-Δ[Ca 2+ ] i was inhibited in a non-competitive manner by the adenosine receptor agonist cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) with an IC50 of 14.9 μM. This inhibition was partially reversed by theophylline, an adenosine receptor antagonist, with an IC50 of 19 μM. Based on the results of these studies together with evidence from other research groups that platelets do not possess A-1 receptors, our results suggest that CHA inhibited PAF-Δ[Ca 2+ ] i in platelets through an activation of A-2 receptors.
Use of Xanax During MRI Procedures

The purpose of this poster is to determine appropriate amount of Xanax use for claustrophobic patients, with two outcomes, successful completion of exam and patient is not oversedated and reports satisfaction with the examination. This is a patient-focused study designed to improve patient satisfaction with radiological procedures as well as decrease complications and adverse outcomes of the use of Xanax in MRI studies. Other benefits include physician satisfaction with images and decreased use of staff resources by increasing success rate based on appropriate screening and medication use.
A role for Raptor phosphorylation in the mechanical activation of mTOR signaling

The activation of mTOR signaling is necessary for mechanically-induced changes in skeletal muscle mass, but the mechanisms that regulate the mechanical activation of mTOR signaling remain poorly defined. In this study, we set out to determine if changes in the phosphorylation of Raptor contribute to the mechanical activation of mTOR. To accomplish this goal, mouse skeletal muscles were subjected to mechanical stimulation via a bout of eccentric contractions (EC). Using mass spectrometry and Western blot analysis, we found that ECs induced an increase in Raptor S696, T706, and S863 phosphorylation, and this effect was not inhibited by rapamycin. This observation suggested that changes in Raptor phosphorylation might be an upstream event in the pathway through which mechanical stimuli activate mTOR. To test this, we employed a phospho-defective mutant of Raptor (S696A/T706A/S863A) and found that the EC-induced activation of mTOR signaling was significantly blunted in muscles expressing this mutant. Furthermore, mutation of the three phosphorylation sites altered the interactions of Raptor with PRAS40 and p70(S6k), and it also prevented the EC-induced dissociation of Raptor from p70(S6k). Combined, these results suggest that changes in the phosphorylation of Raptor play an important role in the pathway through which mechanical stimuli activate mTOR signaling.
Changes in brain serotonin levels affect leukocytes, lymphocytes, T-cell subpopulations and natural killer cell activity in rats

Abstract The intraventricular injection of 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine into desipramine-treated rats caused a marked reduction in serotonin levels 5 and 10 days after treatment without significantly affecting catecholamine levels. In these animals, total leukocytes were increased and lymphocytes decreased. The number of helper T-cells ( W 3 25 + ) was significantly decreased after 5 days, whereas the numbers of total T-cells ( W 3 13 + ) and suppressor T-cells (MRC OX8) were increased after 10 days. The percentages of total T-cells, helper T-cells and suppressor T-cells were significantly reduced after 5 days. Natural killer cell (NK) activity was markedly reduced after 5 days. This finding suggests that central serotonin-containing neurons might be involved in the regulation of certain parts of the peripheral immune system.
Tobacco chippers report diminished autonomy over smoking

We assessed tobacco chippers (n=35) for symptoms of diminished autonomy over tobacco use, which begins when symptoms present a barrier to smoking cessation. Although they reported each of the symptoms measured by the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist, chippers' level of autonomy was generally higher than that of regular smokers and their symptom intensity was low. The rank order of symptom prevalence in chippers and regular smokers was similar, and 40% of chippers had failed at least one cessation attempt. Only 23% of chippers reported full autonomy over their smoking. Although chippers may not warrant a dependence diagnosis, they may benefit from help with cessation. Autonomy over smoking may be a more useful basis than cigarette consumption rates for classifying smokers.