cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Five big questions with pretty simple answers

Under the roof of one controversial assumption about physics, we discuss five big questions that can be addressed using concepts from a modern understanding of digital informational processes. The assumption is called finite nature. The digital mechanics model is obtained by applying the assumption to physics. The questions are as follows: What is the origin of spin? Why are there symmetries and CPT (charge conjugation, parity, and time reversal)? What is the origin of length? What does a process model of motion tell us? Can the finite nature assumption account for the efficacy of quantum mechanics? Digital mechanics predicts that for every continuous symmetry of physics there will be some microscopic process that violates that symmetry. We are, therefore, able to suggest experimental tests of the finite nature hypothesis. Finally, we explain why experimental evidence for such violations might be elusive and hard to recognize.
Excitation of the 180mTa isomer in (γ,n) reactions and its astrophysical relevance

Abstract The yield has been determined for the excitation of 180g Ta ( J π =1 + ) from the 181 Ta(γ,n) reaction by measurements of γ rays emitted following the electron capture and β-decays of the 8.15 h ground state. The probability σ m /( σ m + σ g ) for the production of the 180m Ta isomer ( J π =9 − ) after γ absorption in the energy region from 8 to 13 MeV was deduced. The role of the initial and final spins on the reaction yield, along with the relevance for nucleosynthesis of 180m Ta, is discussed.
Differential rotation of short-lived solar filaments

We have measured the rotation rate of short-lived solar filaments as a function of their latitude. The resulting rotation curve appears to be somewhat flatter than the corresponding curve for long-lived filaments.
Disparate data fusion for protein phosphorylation prediction

New challenges in knowledge extraction include interpreting and classifying data sets while simultaneously considering related information to confirm results or identify false positives. We discuss a data fusion algorithmic framework targeted at this problem. It includes separate base classifiers for each data type and a fusion method for combining the individual classifiers. The fusion method is an extension of current ensemble classification techniques and has the advantage of allowing data to remain in heterogeneous databases. In this paper, we focus on the applicability of such a framework to the protein phosphorylation prediction problem.
Variable effects of dexamethasone on protein synthesis in clonal rat osteosarcoma cells.

We examined the effects of dexamethasone on protein synthesis in clonal rat osteoblastic osteosarcoma (ROS) cell lines by measuring the incorporation of [3H]proline into collagenase-digestible and noncollagen protein in the cell layer and medium of the cultures. In ROS 17/2 and subclone C12 of ROS 17/2.8, dexamethasone decreased collagen synthesis with no change in DNA content of the cultures. In ROS 17/2.8 and its subclone G2, dexamethasone stimulated collagen and noncollagen protein synthesis, with a concomitant decrease in the DNA content of the cells. These data indicate that ROS cell lines are phenotypically heterogeneous and suggest that in normal bone there may be distinct subpopulations of osteoblasts with varying phenotypic traits with respect to the regulation of protein synthesis. (Endocrinology 122: 2127–2133, 1988)
Thiophosphoester analogs of phosphatidic acids: spectrophotometric substrates for phosphomonoesterases.

Thiophosphoester analogs of dioctanoyl and didecanoyl phosphatidic acids were synthesized for use as substrates in spectrophotometric assays. These substrates are easily dispersable in aqueous media and release thiodiacylglycerols after phosphomonoesterase catalyzed hydrolysis. The free sulfhydryl of these thiodiacylglycerols reacts with the colorimetric reagent 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), allowing the reaction to be followed. These analogs were shown to be good substrates for calf intestine alkaline phosphatase (highest activity at alkaline pH) and phosphomonoesterases of partially purified beef brain cytosol (highest activity at physiologic pH). Cationic amphiphilic drugs inhibit the actions of alkaline phosphatase on the dioctanoyl analog, but did not inhibit enzymatic hydrolysis ofp-nitrophenyl phosphate. In contrast, the beef brain cytosolic fractionp-nitrophenyl phosphate hydrolysis was mildly inhibited, and the phosphatidic acid analog hydrolysis was increased slightly. Tetramisole inhibited all enzyme activities withp-nitrophenyl phosphate, but was inhibitory only to the alkaline-phosphatase activity with the phosphatidic acid analog.
Specifying optimum examinees for item parameter estimation in item response theory

Information functions are used to find the optimum ability levels and maximum contributions to information for estimating item parameters in three commonly used logistic item response models. For the three and two parameter logistic models, examinees who contribute maximally to the estimation of item difficulty contribute little to the estimation of item discrimination. This suggests that in applications that depend heavily upon the veracity of individual item parameter estimates (e.g. adaptive testing or text construction), better item calibration results may be obtained (for fixed sample sizes) from examinee calibration samples in which ability is widely dispersed.
The effect of a single dose of topical 0.005% latanoprost and 2% dorzolamide/0.5% timolol combination on the blood-aqueous barrier in dogs: a pilot study.

Objective To determine the effects of 0.005% latanoprost and 2% dorzolamide/0.5% timolol on the blood-aqueous barrier (BAB) in normal dogs. Animals studied Eight mixed-breed and pure-breed dogs. Procedures Baseline anterior chamber fluorophotometry was performed on eight normal dogs. Sodium fluorescein was injected and the dogs were scanned 60–90 min post-injection. Seventy-two hours following the baseline scan, one eye received one drop of latanoprost. Fluorophotometry was repeated 4 h after drug administration. Following a washout period, the identical procedure was performed 4 h after the administration of dorzolamide/timolol. The degree of BAB breakdown was determined by comparing the concentrations of fluorescein within the anterior chamber before and after drug administration. BAB breakdown was expressed as a percentage increase in the post-treatment fluorescein concentration over the baseline concentration: %INC [Fl] = {([Fl]post – [Fl]baseline)/[Fl]baseline} × 100. The percentage increase in fluorescein concentration in the treated eye was compared to that in the nontreated eye using a paired t-test with significance set at P ≤ 0.05. Results Following administration of latanoprost, the fluorescein in the treated eyes increased 49% (± 58%) from baseline compared to 10% (± 31%) in the untreated eyes (P = 0.016). Following administration of dorzolamide/timolol, the fluorescein concentration increased 38% (± 54%) compared to baseline vs. 24% (± 38%) in the untreated eyes (P = 0.22). Conclusions The results of this study show that topical latanoprost may cause BAB disruption in normal dogs while topical dorzolamide/timolol may have no effect on the BAB in normal dogs.
A STUDY ON THE GROWTH AND STRUCTURE OF TITANIA NANOTUBES

Titania nanotubes synthesized by a soft chemical process are described, having diameters of 8 nm to 10 nm and lengths ranging from approximately 0.1 μm to 1 μm. X-ray diffraction studies show the structure of the as-prepared nanotubes is the same as that of the starting anatase TiO2 nanoparticles. Energy-dispersive x-ray analysis and electron energy loss spectroscopy studies further indicate that the as-prepared nanotubes are composed of titania. Studies using transmission electron microscopy verified that the nanotubes are formed during alkali treatment, with subsequent acidic treatments having no effect on nanotube structure and shape.
Historical review: A brief history and personal retrospective of seven-transmembrane receptors

Pharmacologists have studied receptors for more than a century but a molecular understanding of their properties has emerged only during the past 30-35 years. In this article, I provide a personal retrospective of how developments and discoveries primarily during the 1970s and 1980s led to current concepts about the largest group of receptors, the superfamily of seven-transmembrane (7TM) receptors [also known as G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)]. Significant technical advances such as the development of methods for radioligand binding, solubilization and purification of the beta(2)-adrenoceptor and other adrenoceptors led to the cloning of receptor genes and the discovery of their 7TM architecture and homology with rhodopsin. A universal mechanism of receptor regulation by G-protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) and arrestins, originally discovered as a means of "desensitizing" G-protein-mediated second-messenger generation, was subsequently found to mediate both receptor endocytosis and activation of a growing list of signaling pathways such as those involving mitogen-activated protein kinases. Numerous opportunities for novel therapeutics should emerge from current and future research on 7TM receptor biology.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A Inhibition in Gastric Cancer

Angiogenesis is a vital process in the progression and metastasis of solids tumors including gastric adenocarcinoma. Tumors induce angiogenesis by secreting proangiogenic molecules such as vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), and VEGF-A inhibition has become a common therapeutic strategy for many cancers. Several drugs targeting the VEGF-A pathway have been approved for clinical use in selected solid tumors, and several anti-VEGF-A strategies have been examined for gastric cancer. Phase II studies suggested that bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF antibody, can increase the efficacy of chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer, but two international phase III trials failed to show an overall survival benefit. Two more recent international phase III trials have examined ramucirumab, an antibody targeting the primary receptor for VEGF-A, as second-line therapy for advanced gastric cancer and found a survival benefit both as single agent therapy and when combined with chemotherapy. Finally, correlative science studies suggest that the VEGF-A pathway may have varying importance in gastric cancer progression depending on ethnicity or race. This article will review the preclinical and clinical studies on the role of the VEGF-A pathway inhibition in gastric cancer.
Occupational Characteristics and Marital Leisure Involvement

This study examined the relationship between husbands' and wives' occupational characteristics, the extent of their involvement in three different types of leisure activities, and whether they engaged in these activities together or apart. The predictions of three models of the relationship between work and leisure—spillover, compensation, and neutrality—were tested using a sample of 66 dual-earner couples. Results revealed no consistent support for any of the three models but indicated that wives' occupational characteristics were important predictors of their independent leisure as well as couples' leisure companionship.
Episodic Action Memory for Real Objects: An ERP Investigation With Perform, Watch, and Imagine Action Encoding Tasks Versus a Non-Action Encoding Task

Cognitive research shows that people typically remember actions they perform better than those that they only watch or imagine doing, but also at times misremember doing actions they merely imagined or planned to do (source memory errors). Neural research suggests some overlap between brain regions engaged during action production, motor imagery, and action observation. The present study evaluates the similarities/differences in brain activity during the retrieval of various types of action and nonaction memories. Participants study real objects in one of four encoding conditions: performing an action, watching the experimenter perform an action, or imagining an action with an object, or a nonmotoric task of estimating an object's cost. At test, participants view color photos of the objects, and make source memory judgments about the initial encoding episodes. Event-related potentials (ERPs) during test reveal (1) content-specific brain activity depending on the nature of the encoding task, and (2) a hand tag, i.e., sensitivity to the hand with which an object had been manipulated at study. At fronto-central sites, ERPs are similar for the three action-retrieval conditions, which are distinct from those to the cost-encoded objects. At occipital sites ERPs distinguished objects from encoding conditions with visual motion (Perform and Watch) from those without visual motion (Imagine and Cost). Results thus suggest some degree of recapitulation of encoding brain activity during retrieval of memories with qualitatively distinct attributes.
Incorporation of Peptide Isosteres into Enantioselective Peptide-Based Catalysts as Mechanistic Probes.

Olefinic analogues of effective peptide-based catalysts for the kinetic resolution of functionalized racemic secondary alcohols have been synthesized. The isosteric replacement of the peptide amide bond in 1 with an (E)-alkene to form 2 has enabled the evaluation of the kinetic role of particular amides within these catalysts.
Pressureless Sintering of SiC‐Whisker‐Reinforced Al2O3 Composites: II, Effects of Sintering Additives and Green Body Infiltration

Pressureless sintering of SiC-whisker-reinforced Al2O3 composites was investigated. In Part II of the study, the effects of Y2O3/MgO sintering additives and green body infiltration on densification behavior and microstructure development are reported. Both sintering additives and green body infiltration resulted in enhanced densification. However, the infiltration approach was more effective for samples with high SiC whisker concentrations. Samples with 27 vol% whiskers could be pressureless sintered to ∼93% relative density and ∼3% open porosity. Fracture toughness values and microstructural features (e.g., grain size) for the infiltrated samples remained approximately the same as observed in the uninfiltrated samples.
Anticoagulation for cardioversion of atrial fibrillation

A trial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia associated with a broad spectrum of underlying diseases that include systemic hypertension, rheumatic heart disease and coronary artery disease.1 Several studies have documented the strong relation between chronic AF and emboli.2,3 In addition, an increased risk of embolism exists in the setting of cardioversion of AF to sinus rhythm.4,5 In the best study to date, Bjerkelund and Orning6 reported on 572 attempted cardioversions in 437 patients and observed a 0.8% incidence of embolization in long-term anticoagulated patients compared with 5.3% in a nonanticoagulated group. Shortcomings of this study included lack of randomization, no evaluation of shortterm therapy and inclusion of arrhythmias such as atrial flutter and atrial tachycardia. Based on such work, current recommendations include anticoagulation for 2 to 4 weeks before cardioversion to allow adherence and endothelialization of existing thrombus and 1 to 4 weeks after cardioversion to provide coverage for late resumption of atrial activity.7,8 The present report evaluates these recommendations in light of our experience over the past 10 years.
Pumping with electroosmosis of the second kind in mesoporous skeletons

Abstract This paper presents the use of mesoporous silica skeletons as substrates for electroosmotic (EO) micropumps. Mesoporous silica skeletons have bimodal pore size distributions consisting of macropores and cation-permselective mesopores. These materials have the potential for high flow rate per power because the cation-permselective mesopores can generate an induced charge layer (ICL) and electroosmosis of the second kind (EO-2) under high applied electric fields. The diffuse charge layers induced by the electric field result in an EO-2 flow rate that increases quadratically with increasing electric field. In contrast, the flow rate of the more common electroosmosis of the first kind (EO-1) is linearly proportional to electric field. Here, we investigate the impact of finite pressure loads on the EO-2 flow rate with experiments and an engineering model to evaluate the potential of mesoporous skeletons for micropumping applications. Our results include analyses of maximum flow rate, maximum pressure, and flow rate with intermediate pressure loads. The results indicate the existence of a critical pressure load at which reverse pressure-driven flow significantly diminishes the EO-2 flow. We also investigate the scaling of flow rate per power with respect to substrate thickness and area, demonstrating significant increases in flow rate per power with thinner substrates and favorable scaling for miniaturization of EO-2 pumps.
Cognitive Impairment and Depression Predict Mortality in Medically Ill Older Adults

Background Depression and cognitive impairment are common in medically ill older adults. Few studies, however, have investigated the roles of both in predicting mortality for medically ill older adults. Methods We used a cohort of consecutive patients aged 60 or older admitted to a rehabilitation hospital (N = 667) of whom 455 completed a standardized protocol measuring cognition (Dementia Rating Scale), depression (Geriatric Depression Scale), and disabilities (Functional Independence Measure). Burden of medical illnesses was measured with the Charlson Index. Vital status was assessed one year later. Results Those subjects who did not complete the screening were more likely to die (24% vs 17%; p = .02) during the one-year follow-up. Of those who completed the screening, male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.84), depression (mild OR = 1.64; moderate OR = 2.49), and more severe cognitive impairment (OR = 2.13) predicted mortality independent of age, medical illnesses, or disabilities. No interaction of cognitive impairment and depression was detected. In those subjects cognitively intact, moderate depression (OR = 4.95) and male sex (OR = 3.42) were independent risk factors for dying. In those subjects without depression, male sex (OR = 2.24) and elevated Charlson Index (OR = 1.42) predicted mortality. Conclusions Depression and cognitive impairment are independent predictors of one-year mortality in this subgroup of medically ill older adults.
Role of ubiquitination in retro-translocation of cholera toxin and escape of cytosolic degradation

Cholera toxin travels from the cell surface of affected mammalian cells to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where the A1 chain is released and retro-translocated across the ER membrane into the cytosol. We have tested whether, as in other cases, retro-translocation requires poly-ubiquitination. We show that an A1 chain mutant that lacks lysines and has a blocked N-terminus, and therefore cannot be ubiquitinated, remains active in vivo. The A1 chain is not degraded in the cytosol, as demonstrated by the fact that proteasome inhibitors do not stimulate its activity. When additional lysines are introduced into the A1 chain, moderate degradation by the proteasome is observed. The unfolded A1 chain rapidly refolds in vitro. These results show that poly-ubiquitination is not required for retro-translocation of all proteins across the ER membrane and indicate that the reason why the toxin escapes degradation in the cytosol may be both its paucity of lysines and its rapid refolding.
Shock isolation for mobile pointed satcom systems

Mobile high-bandwidth satellite communication (satcom) systems are now being deployed on a variety of military combat ground vehicles, including both rubber-tired and tracked vehicles. These systems use a directional dish antenna mounted to a gimbaled pedestal for pointing, stabilization, and tracking. In general, the shock and vibration profiles of rubber-tired vehicles are mild enough to allow direct mounting of the antenna system to the vehicle without the need for shock isolation. However, antenna shock-isolation systems are often required for tracked vehicles, vehicles supporting large-caliber cannons, and armored vehicles with aggressive ballistic-shock survival requirements. Shock-isolation systems introduce a potential source of error into the open-loop pointing accuracy of mobile satcom system. This paper discusses this error source and provides guidelines for configuration planning to ensure successful system installation and operation.
MutL homologs in restriction-modification systems and the origin of eukaryotic MORC ATPases.

The provenance and biochemical roles of eukaryotic MORC proteins have remained poorly understood since the discovery of their prototype MORC1, which is required for meiotic nuclear division in animals. The MORC family contains a combination of a gyrase, histidine kinase, and MutL (GHKL) and S5 domains that together constitute a catalytically active ATPase module. We identify the prokaryotic MORCs and establish that the MORC family belongs to a larger radiation of several families of GHKL proteins (paraMORCs) in prokaryotes. Using contextual information from conserved gene neighborhoods we show that these proteins primarily function in restriction-modification systems, in conjunction with diverse superfamily II DNA helicases and endonucleases. The common ancestor of these GHKL proteins, MutL and topoisomerase ATPase modules appears to have catalyzed structural reorganization of protein complexes and concomitant DNA-superstructure manipulations along with fused or standalone nuclease domains. Furthermore, contextual associations of the prokaryotic MORCs and their relatives suggest that their eukaryotic counterparts are likely to carry out chromatin remodeling by DNA superstructure manipulation in response to epigenetic signals such as histone and DNA methylation. This article was reviewed by Arcady Mushegian and Gaspar Jekely.
Narrating Dementia: Self and Community in an Online Forum

In this article, I examine how individuals diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease use illness narratives to construct community. The ability to narrate is a fundamental component of the self. Using 354 posts by 32 members of an Internet forum, I argue that people with Alzheimer’s, whose ability to narrate, and thus create a self, was compromised, nonetheless managed to tell stories of redemption out of which a salvaged self emerged. Narratives are essential for the construction of self, but as I show in this article, they are also essential for the construction of community. Forum members shared stories, gave advice, offered encouragement, and commiserated about their symptoms in ways that generated solidarity. Internet forums provide a venue for people with illnesses who are unable to leave the home to construct community.
Suez Reconsidered: Anthony Eden's Orientalism and the Suez Crisis

(2003). Suez Reconsidered: Anthony Eden's Orientalism and the Suez Crisis. The Historian: Vol. 65, No. 3, pp. 535-561.
Abrasion resistance of rayon/nylon composite fibers

Composite rayonlnylon skin/core fibers have been produced with the objective of combining synthetic and natural fiber properties. Acid etching of the core fiber is examined as a pretreatment to increase adhesion between skin and core layers. The adhesion between skin and core layers is assessed using the technique of a carrier fabric for abrasion testing. Fibers are stitched into a plain weave carrier fabric, which is then abraded. Results indicate that pretreatment with sulfuric acid, followed by a bleach rinse, improved adhesion over untreated core fibers. However, further improvement in adhesion is necessary to produce fibers with acceptable abrasion resistance. The carrier fabric method was effective in assess ing adhesion and abrasion resistance of single fibers.
Separation of proteins via semicontinuous pH parametric pumping

A semicontinuous pH parametric pump for separating proteins was experimentally investigated using the model system haemoglobin and albumin on a Sephadex ion exchanger. The pump considered had a center feed between an enriching column and a stripping column and was operated batchwise during upflow and continuously during downflow. Various factors affecting separations were examined. It was shown that parametric pumping is capable of separating proteins with high separation factors.
VACCINATION WITH HEAT-KILLED AND FORMALINIZED TUBERCLE BACILLI IN EXPERIMENTAL TUBERCULOSIS

1. Rabbits vaccinated with tubercle bacilli killed by exposure to formalin (0.4 per cent) did not show any acquired resistance to subsequent infection with bovine tubercle bacilli, while rabbits vaccinated with tubercle bacilli which had been killed by heating to 70° for 1 hour survived more than half as long again as their controls. 2. Intraperitoneal injection of either the formalin-killed vaccine or the heat-killed vaccine into guinea pigs made them skin-sensitive to tuberculoprotein MA-100. 3. The rate of absorption of the formalin-killed vaccine when introduced beneath the the skin was similar to that of the heat-killed vaccine. 4. Following the intravenous injection of heat-killed tubercle bacilli, it was found that rabbits developed a massive tubercular pneumonia. A study of the production and ultimate absorption of the cellular exudate showed that these processes were similar to those found after the injection of living bacilli. The lesions which followed the injection of heat-killed bacilli differed from the lesions found in active tuberculosis in that in any one animal they showed a striking uniformity in appearance, while in the active disease the lungs showed a great diversity in type of lesion. Studies of the blood cells during the period of injection of dead organisms showed that the changes which are characteristic of the period during which a tuberculous pneumonia develops in rabbits (30 to 40 days after inoculation) were faithfully reproduced. It is suggested that the process of regression described may be similar to that which occurs in childhood tuberculosis, in which rather extensive pulmonary lesions resolve without leaving evidence of damage to the parenchyma of the lung.
Garlic and Cardiovascular Disease

The goal of this review is to evaluate the current status of knowledge concerning cardiovascular effects of allium derivatives from garlic and to identify potential areas of future research. To date, the cardiovascular actions most studied include lipoprotein metabolism, hypertension, thrombosis, and antioxidant capacity. There are also some preliminary findings suggesting that garlic may lower elevated serum levels of homocysteine. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory studies have reported that garlic contains many biologically and pharmacologically active compounds. The majority of studies show that garlic lowers total serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol; inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase or squalene epoxidase appears to be the major mechanism. Lowering of blood pressure likely results from inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity. Antithrombosis effects may be related to inhibition of adenosine deaminase. Antioxidant effects may be related to the inhibition of lipoxygenase. The published studies in their aggregate suggest that appropriate usage of allium derivatives from garlic may potentially play a role in the maintenance of optimal cardiac function. Further research is needed to examine the structure-function relationships of the various allium derivatives of garlic, the amounts in foods and supplements required for efficacy, and the possible effects of combining garlic with other nutrients and medications. The mechanisms of action of allium derivatives on various aspects of cardiac function require further clarification.
An accurate, semi-empirical potential function for diatomic molecules

Abstract A new analytical potential function is proposed which is based on observed regularities in the Dunham potential coefficients. The potential is applied to the ground state of CO, I2, Mg2 and HCl and six electronically excited states of CO. In general the calculated eigenvalues of the potential are within 0.1 per cent of the experimental energy levels in the lower half of the potential wells tested. The computed wave functions are sufficiently accurate in this region to compute vibrational matrix elements to an accuracy rivaling the most precise determination of those quantities: however at large internuclear separations, the potential function diverges and is not applicable. The potential function is compared with other analytical potentials and in the range of applicability it typically reproduces the energy levels an order of magnitude more accurately than any of those tested.
High-speed transparent switch via frequency up-conversion

We present a novel mechanism to realize high-speed, transparent, low-loss phase-, intensity-, and polarization- modulators using frequency up-conversion in a non-linear crystal.
Factors associated with mortality in patients with tuberculosis.

Known risk factors for death following a diagnosis of tuberculosis may not be applicable to current U.S. cases. We evaluated the factors associated with all-cause mortality in patients with tuberculosis in Washington State. Using data from the Tuberculosis Information Management System of Washington State, we conducted a cohort study of all residents diagnosed with tuberculosis from 1993 through 2005. Death from any cause was ascertained through the Washington State Death Certificate Data Files. Proportional hazards models were used to estimate the independent effect on all-cause mortality of demographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics. During a median follow-up of 6 years in 3451 patients treated for tuberculosis, there were 417 deaths. Mortality was independently associated with increasing age, male gender, HIV-coinfection, and U.S. birth. Within 1 year of tuberculosis diagnosis, treatment by a private provider and the use of directly observed therapy were also independently associated with increased mortality. In addition, an interaction term of private provider times directly observed therapy was also significantly associated with mortality. We identified factors independently associated with increased all-cause mortality following a diagnosis of tuberculosis. The associations between mortality and provider type should be evaluated with more thorough adjustment for severity of illness, but suggest important directions for future research.
The Paradox of Patrick Santoro's At the Mercy of Ruin

Patrick Santoro's At the Mercy of Ruin, featuring a surrealistic dreamscape blending cinemascope images of ruin with live action, serves as a site for investigating loss, love, ruin, and mercy. This review focuses on Santoro's live performance that draws on his ethnographic fieldwork at Old Shawneetown, IL, on the banks of the Ohio river, images from the ancient city of Pompeii, and his evocative personal narratives.
Nonprofits and the Sales and Use Tax

States vary in the application of their sales and use tax regimes to nonprofit organizations. Some states grant broad exemptions, others limit exemptions to an enumerated list of organizations, and others treat nonprofits much like they would any other taxpayer. The purpose of this Article is to analyze ways that states might review, rationalize, and reform the way they apply their sales and use taxes to nonprofit organizations. The Article addresses the key issues of whether sales/use tax exemptions should be used to subsidize nonprofits and whether such subsidies create unfair competition. The Article analyzes the issues from a sales/use tax point of view and a nonprofit point of view – drawing on the practical realties and the theories underlying both areas of the tax law. The analysis highlights longstanding, well-known problems in the broader state sales/use tax systems, but also reveals issues that are unique to nonprofits. For good measure, the political issue of the taxation of Girl Scout Cookies, which seems to arise at nearly every turn, is addressed.
Durkheim's Internet: Social and Political Theory in Online Society

While the Internet has changed dramatically since the early 1990s, the legal regime governing the right to privacy online and Internet speech is still steeped in a myth of the Internet user, completely hidden from others, in total control of his online experience, and free to come and go as he pleases. This false image of the “virtual self” has also contributed to an ethos of lawlessness, irresponsibility, and radical individuation online, allowing the evisceration of online privacy and the proliferation of hate and harassment.I argue that the myth of the online anonym is not only false as a matter of technology, but also inaccurate – it does not reflect the sociology of the Internet: who we are online, what we want, and how we engage in Internet society. I argue that decreasing online anonymity, the mediation of our online experiences through intermediaries, and the involuntary nature of much of our online presence require us to reorient the way we think about the right to privacy and freedom of speech online.
Rapid Phytotransformation of Benzotriazole Generates Synthetic Tryptophan and Auxin Analogs in Arabidopsis

Benzotriazoles (BTs) are xenobiotic contaminants widely distributed in aquatic environments and of emerging concern due to their polarity, recalcitrance, and common use. During some water reclamation activities, such as stormwater bioretention or crop irrigation with recycled water, BTs come in contact with vegetation, presenting a potential exposure route to consumers. We discovered that BT in hydroponic systems was rapidly (approximately 1-log per day) assimilated by Arabidopsis plants and metabolized to novel BT metabolites structurally resembling tryptophan and auxin plant hormones; 60% of BT. Glycosylated BT was excreted by the plants into the hydroponic medium, a phenomenon not observed previously. The observed amino acid metabolites are likely formed when tryptophan biosynthetic enzymes substitute synthetic BT for native indolic molecules, generating potential phytohormone mimics. These results suggest that BT metabolism by plants could mask the presence of BT contamination in the environment. Furthermore, BT-derived metabolites are structurally related to plant auxin hormones and should be evaluated for undesirable biological effects.
Alien marine fishes in Cyprus: update and new records

The Mediterranean Sea, due to its connection to the Red Sea via the Suez Canal, its heavy maritime traffic, and the effects of climate change is a hotspot of invasion by alien species. A survey carried out around Cyprus during September 2014 documented the occurrence of 25 alien fishes. Seven Lessepsian migrants (Hippocampus fuscus Ruppell, 1838, Nemipterus randalli Russell, 1986, Ostorhinchus fasciatus (Shaw, 1790), Parupeneus forsskali (Fourmanoir & Gueze, 1976), Pomadasys stridens (Forsskal, 1775), Sphyraena obtusata Cuvier, 1829 and Spratelloides delicatulus (Bennett, 1832)) were recorded for the first time, increasing to 35 the number of alien fishes recorded around the island. Four of these first records can be considered as 'established', whereas the 2013 first record of Pterois volitans/miles is confirmed by new findings placing the species as newly 'established' in Cyprus. All the recorded alien fishes of Cyprus are Lessepsian migrants, 80% of which can be considered established and four of them are invasive. The rapid increase of alien fish species over time in Cyprus supports the accelerating tropicalisation process observed elsewhere in the Mediterranean over the last decades. Furthermore, the new finding of the tropical Atlantic immigrant Enchelycore anatina (Lowe, 1839) is documented.
Using treatment process data to predict maintained smoking abstinence.

OBJECTIVES To identify distinct subgroups of treatment responders and nonresponders to aid in the development of tailored smoking-cessation interventions for long-term maintenance using signal detection analysis (SDA). METHODS The secondary analyses (n = 301) are based on data obtained in our randomized clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy of extended cognitive behavior therapy for cigarette smoking cessation. Model 1 included only pretreatment factors, demographic characteristics, and treatment assignment. Model 2 included all Model 1 variables, as well as clinical data measured during treatment. RESULTS SDA was successfully able to identify smokers with varying probabilities of maintaining abstinence from end-of-treatment to 52-week follow-up; however, the inclusion of clinical data obtained over the course of treatment in Model 2 yielded very different partitioning parameters. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this study may enable researchers to target underlying factors that may interact to promote maintenance of long-term smoking behavior change.
When the Critically Ill Patient Requires Surgery: A Review of Perioperative Considerations for the Surgical Patient With ALI/ARDS

Patients with acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome present many challenges in the perioperative setting. Maintaining oxygenation and hemodynamic stability requires a comprehensi...
248 THE INTERACTION BETWEEN FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR AND SONIC HEDGEHOG IS NECESSARY FOR CHICK LIMB REGENERATION.

The ability to regenerate a lost body part during wound healing is largely restricted to amphibians and lower vertebrates. However, regenerative wound healing following human fetal surgery has exposed the potential for regeneration in higher vertebrates. Regeneration is dependent upon the activation of growth factors that drive cell proliferation and patterning factors that shape the growing tissue into the missing body part. Recently, an embryonic chick model has demonstrated that fibroblast growth factors (FGF) can drive regeneration of an amputated wing bud during development if applied to the posterior stump. Furthermore, the reactivation of sonic hedgehog (SHH), a potent patterning factor, surrounding the FGF-soaked bead was an early predictor of regeneration. In contrast, when FGF was introduced in the anterior stump no SHH induction or regeneration occurred. We hypothesized that the combined interaction between FGF and SHH was necessary for regeneration. To test this hypothesis we ectopically expressed both SHH (by electroporation) and FGF2-soaked beads to the anterior margin of stage 23 (HH) forelimb (wing) buds following amputation of the distal 500 μm. The chicks were grown to embryonic day 10; the wings were harvested and stained with alcian green for assessment of the skeleton. In limbs treated with ectopic SHH and FGF, 4 of 18 demonstrated regeneration with ulnarization of the radius, pattern reversal of the wrist, and a subsequent change in digit identity. The limbs treated with only SHH (10) or only FGF (11) failed to regenerate. These data demonstrate that both FGF and SHH are required for regeneration following wound healing and may indicate targets for reactivation in organisms that lack tissue regeneration.
Overview of the Conference

This statement will be rather a selective viewpoint than any kind of coherent summary of the papers. They have already been summarised by the chairmen of the individual sessions, and a further condensation would not be of much value. Rather I will comment on the general questions which underlay the papers, particularly, as may be in line with my own biases, the theoretical issues raised.
In vivo dendrite regeneration after injury is different from dendrite development

Neurons receive information along dendrites and send signals along axons to synaptic contacts. The factors that control axon regeneration have been examined in many systems, but dendrite regeneration has been largely unexplored. Here we report that, in intact Drosophila larvae, a discrete injury that removes all dendrites induces robust dendritic growth that recreates many features of uninjured dendrites, including the number of dendrite branches that regenerate and responsiveness to sensory stimuli. However, the growth and patterning of injury-induced dendrites is significantly different from uninjured dendrites. We found that regenerated arbors cover much less territory than uninjured neurons, fail to avoid crossing over other branches from the same neuron, respond less strongly to mechanical stimuli, and are pruned precociously. Finally, silencing the electrical activity of the neurons specifically blocks injury-induced, but not developmental, dendrite growth. By elucidating the essential features of dendrites grown in response to acute injury, our work builds a framework for exploring dendrite regeneration in physiological and pathological conditions.
Pediatric Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract: With the increase in the prevalence of obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become among the leading causes of chronic liver disease in the pediatric age group. Once believed to be a “two-hit process”, it is now clear that the actual pathophysiology of NAFLD is complex and involves multiple pathways. Moreover, NAFLD is not always benign, and patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are at increased risk of developing advanced stages of liver disease. It has also been shown that NAFLD is not only a liver disease, but is also associated with multiple extrahepatic manifestations, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and low bone mineral density. Although the data is scarce in the pediatric population, some studies have suggested that long-term mortality and the requirement of liver transplantation will continue to increase in patients with NAFLD. More studies are needed to better understand the natural history of NAFLD, especially in the pediatric age group.
HIV Testing at Visits to Physicians’ Offices in the U.S., 2009–2012

Introduction HIV testing serves as an entry point for HIV care services for those who test HIV positive, and prevention services for those who test HIV negative. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends routine testing of adults and adolescents in healthcare settings. To identify missed opportunities for HIV testing at U.S. physicians’ offices, data from the National Ambulatory Care Surveys from 2009 to 2012 were analyzed. Methods The mean annual number and percentage of visits with an HIV test among HIV-uninfected nonpregnant females and males aged 15–65 years was estimated using weighted survey data. Factors associated with HIV testing at visits to physicians’ offices were identified. Results The mean annual number of U.S. physicians’ office visits with an HIV test conducted was 1,396,736 (0.4% of all visits) among nonpregnant females and 986,891 (0.5% of all visits) among males. For both nonpregnant females and males, HIV testing prevalence was highest among those aged 20–29 years (1.3% of all visits by nonpregnant females; 1.7% of all visits by males) and non-Hispanic blacks (1.1% of all visits by nonpregnant females; 1.0% of all visits by males). An HIV test was not conducted at 98.5% of visits at which venipuncture was performed for both nonpregnant females and males. Conclusions Important opportunities exist to increase HIV testing coverage at U.S. physicians’ offices. Structural interventions, such as routine opt-out testing policies, electronic medical record notifications, and use of non-clinical staff for testing could be implemented to increase HIV testing in these settings.
Seasonality and pathogen transmission in pastoral cattle contact networks

Capturing heterogeneity in contact patterns in animal populations is essential for understanding the spread of infectious diseases. In contrast to other regions of the world in which livestock movement networks are integral to pathogen prevention and control policies, contact networks are understudied in pastoral regions of Africa due to the challenge of measuring contact among mobile herds of cattle whose movements are driven by access to resources. Furthermore, the extent to which seasonal changes in the distribution of water and resources impacts the structure of contact networks in cattle is uncertain. Contact networks may be more conducive to pathogen spread in the dry season due to congregation at limited water sources. Alternatively, less abundant forage may result in decreased pathogen transmission due to competitive avoidance among herds, as measured by reduced contact rates. Here, we use GPS technology to concurrently track 49 free-roaming cattle herds within a semi-arid region of Kenya, and use these data to characterize seasonal contact networks and model the spread of a highly infectious pathogen. This work provides the first empirical data on the local contact network structure of mobile herds based on quantifiable contact events. The contact network demonstrated high levels of interconnectivity. An increase in contacts near to water resources in the dry season resulted in networks with both higher contact rates and higher potential for pathogen spread than in the wet season. Simulated disease outbreaks were also larger in the dry season. Results support the hypothesis that limited water resources enhance connectivity and transmission within contact networks, as opposed to reducing connectivity as a result of competitive avoidance. These results cast light on the impact of seasonal heterogeneity in resource availability on predicting pathogen transmission dynamics, which has implications for other free-ranging wild and domestic populations.
Retention of morphological and ecological traits of Lake Superior cisco Coregonus artedi after translocation into inland lakes

Abstract Introductions of Coregonus artedi from Lake Superior into several inland lakes in Minnesota in the 1920s and 1930s constituted a natural experiment of how phenotypic plasticity and adaptation can shape cisco diversity. Genetic data were consistent with a Lake Superior origin for the introduced populations, which resembled contemporary Lake Superior cisco in possessing large, elongated bodies and short fins, and in maturing at older ages. Native inland cisco had smaller, deeper bodies, longer fins, and matured at younger ages. Introduced populations also retained the Lake Superior characteristic of inhabiting the upper portion of the water column and showed a high degree of planktivory. However, introduced cisco exhibited small but measurable shifts in body shape and fin lengths toward native inland forms. These morphological shifts were possibly associated with greater benthivory after translocation. Assuming that native inland populations were well adapted to inland lakes and that selective pressures on native and introduced populations were similar, these results indicated that substantial further phenotypic, behavioral, and life history change is required before the introduced populations become similarly adapted to their new environments. The findings suggest that anthropogenic environmental alterations such as climate change and eutrophication might occur at a faster pace than adaptive evolutionary responses. In addition, translocated Great Lakes coregonines could possibly maintain traits exhibited in their source lake, and may not fully restore ecological functions of extirpated populations.
Carbon Nanofiber Aerogel Converted from Bacterial Cellulose for Kilohertz AC-Supercapacitors

Compact-size kilohertz (kHz) AC-supercapacitors are being pursued for ripple current filtering and pulsed energy storage. However, their development is limited by a small areal capacitance density due to very thin electrode used for meeting frequency requirement. In our work, crosslinked carbon nanofiber aerogel (CCNFA) was investigated as freestanding electrode for kHz AC-supercapacitors with an areal capacitance density as large as 4.5 mF cm-2 at 120 Hz, 5-10 times larger than most reports. The CCNFA was obtained in a rapid plasma carbonization process of bacterial cellulose. The fabrication route adopted here is simple and straightforward, and the produced CCNFA electrode was found to be very suitable for high-frequency AC-supercapacitors. The operating voltage range of CCNFA based AC-supercapacitors can be expanded to 3 V by utilizing an organic electrolyte. In addition to AC-Supercapacitor performance, the morphology and material properties of bacterial cellulose aerogel and CCNFA were also reported.