cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A standardized novel method to measure radiographic root changes after endodontic therapy in immature teeth.

Abstract Introduction Outcome studies of endodontic treatment of necrotic immature permanent teeth rely on radiographic measures as surrogates of whether the treatment achieved regeneration/revascularization/revitalization. An increase in radiographic root length and/or width is thought to result in a better long-term prognosis for the tooth. In this study, a method to measure radiographic outcomes of endodontic therapies on immature teeth was developed and validated. Methods A standardized protocol was developed for measuring the entire area of the root of immature teeth. The radiographic root area (RRA) measurement accounts for the entire surface area of the root as observed on a periapical radiograph. Reviewers were given instructions on how to measure RRA, and they completed measurements on a set of standardized radiographs. Results The intraclass correlation between the 4 reviewers was 0.9945, suggesting a high concordance among reviewers. There was no effect of the reviewer on the measured RRA values. High concordance was also observed when 1 rater repeated the measurements, with an intraclass correlation value of 0.9995. There was no significant difference in RRA values measured at the 2 sessions by the same rater. Furthermore, significant differences in RRA were detectable between clinical cases that showed obvious continued root development and cases that did not demonstrate discernible root development. Conclusions These results suggest that RRA is a valid measure to assess radiographic outcomes in endodontically treated immature teeth, and RRA should be useful in future clinical studies of regenerative endodontic outcomes.
Carbon dioxide anaesthesia and succinic dehydrogenase in the corn earworm, Heliothis zea☆

Abstract Anaesthetic levels (30 per cent) of carbon dioxide produced 72 per cent inhibition of in vitro gut succinic dehydrogenase of Heliothis zea. At the 15 per cent level of CO2, competitive inhibition of the enzyme is demonstrated.
Avian proto-myc genes promoted by defective or nondefective retroviruses are single-hit transforming genes in primary cells.

Abstract Lymphomas of certain strains of chickens infected by retroviruses frequently contain recombinant transforming genes in which the promoter of the cellular proto-myc gene is replaced by that of a defective rather than an intact retrovirus. Here we ask whether the resulting hybrid genes are sufficient for tumorigenic transformation like viral myc genes. Further, we ask whether retroviruses must be defective in order to mutate proto-myc to a transforming gene or whether the defectiveness plays a transformation-independent function in tumorigenesis. For this purpose the defective provirus of proviral-proto-myc recombinants from lymphomas were repaired, or intact proviruses were recombined with proto-myc genes in vitro, and then compared to recombinant proto-myc genes with defective proviruses for transforming function in quail embryo fibroblasts. It was found that a single copy of a provirus-proto-myc recombinant gene with an intact provirus is sufficient to transform a quail embryo cell in vitro. Moreover, our analyses showed that multiple internal retroviral deletions [corrected] eliminate or inhibit provirus expression. The effect of these deletions [corrected] was detectable only because the inactive proviruses were linked to the selectable, transforming proto-myc gene marker. It is consistent with our results that proviral defectiveness of recombinant proto-myc genes is necessary in vivo for the clonal growth of a transformed cell into a tumor to escape antiviral immunity. The large discrepancy between the probabilities of provirus insertion and tumorigenesis is suggested to reflect the low probabilities of spontaneous deletion of the provirus and of rare, strain-specific defects of tumor-resistance genes of the host.
Philadelphia Infirmary for Nervous Diseases America's original model of institutional neurology

The role and contributions of the Philadelphia Orthopedic Hospital and Infirmary for Nervous Diseases in the development of neurology in 19th-century America are described. American neurology was largely born during the Civil War through the work of S.W. Mitchell at Turner9s Lane Hospital. With the closing of this military facility, the United States was left without an institution dedicated to neurologic research and the treatment of nervous system diseases. Nineteenth century archival data, including original Trustees9 minutes, annual board of managers reports, patient case books, and published research from the Philadelphia Orthopedic Hospital and Infirmary for Nervous Diseases were studied. The Philadelphia Orthopedic Hospital and Infirmary for Nervous Diseases promoted the development of Neurology in the United States through three main activities. First, it offered patients with primary nervous system diseases, arthritis, and orthopedic disorders specialized care that was unavailable at medical universities. Second, its medical staff, especially Mitchell, provided opportunities for advanced neurologic education. Postgraduate physicians interested in neurologic disease attended formal lectures and directly participated in the operation of outpatient clinics and inpatient rounds. Finally, its formalized record system in the form of case books facilitated neurologic research. These records formed the basis of landmark publications by Mitchell, Sinkler, Osler, and others on rest therapy, spastic palsies, chorea, and other topics. As America9s first and comprehensive peacetime neurologic facility, the Philadelphia Orthopedic Hospital and Infirmary for Nervous Diseases fostered the evolution of neurology as a separate, viable specialty in the post-Civil War period and provided a particular focus for the study of interactions among orthopedic, nutritional, and neurologic disorders.
Lipid metabolism in helminth parasites. VIII. Triglyceride synthesis in Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda)

Abstract Hymenolepis diminuta rapidly converted absorbed glycerol-2- 3 H, glycerol-1- 14 C and oleic acid-1- 14 C to triglycerides. Exposure to glycerol-1- 14 C for only a few seconds resulted in extensive labeling of diglycerides, and particularly that of phosphatidic acid. Specific activities of other phospholipids and of monoglycerides were relatively slight. The distribution of fatty acids in H. diminuta triglycerides was highly stereospecific, particularly at glycerol carbon 2, in which 96% of the esterified acids were unsaturated. The results suggest that following absorption of fatty acids, or absorption and hydrolysis of monoglycerides, triglycerides are synthesized by the α-glycerophosphate-phosphatidic acid-diglyceride pathway. Lysolecithin, which is believed to be a major source of dietary fatty acid for H. diminuta , was freely absorbed from micellar solution and almost completely converted to other phospholipids and to triglycerides.
Effects of temperature and dosage on Vairimorpha sp. 696 spore morphometrics, spore yield, and tissue specificity in Heliothis virescens

Abstract The effects of temperature and dosage on a new microsporidian species, Vairimorpha sp. 696, were examined in H. virescens . The pathogen was evaluated for tissue specificity, spore size, cumulative percentage mortality, and spore production. All tissues examined bore infection at 32°C. Spore length was significantly longer at 19°C (5.9 μm) than at 32°C (4.7 μm). Spore widths at these two temperatures did not differ significantly. Octospores were not found at either temperature at 8 or 12 days postinoculation. One hundred percent mortality was attained in all dosages administered, but the initial rate of mortaily was more rapid in the higher dosages. Finally, spore yield was greater in larvae administered lower dosages. Maximum spore yield at 27°C was 4.87 × 10 9 spores/larva.
Optimum beam steering of linear phased arrays

Abstract A model was developed to compute acoustic pressure distribution of the waves radiated from an ultrasonic linear phased array. Based on the model, beam directivity and steerability were studied for various transducer parameters such as number of elements, inter-element spacing, element width, and transducer frequency. Optimal transducer parameters were determined to obtain the best beam directivity by minimizing the main lobe width, eliminating grating lobes, and suppressing side lobes. It was shown that the solutions for the phased arrays can be reasonably approximated by the simple solutions of discrete line sources, if the element width is reasonably smaller than the wavelength or the steering angle is relatively small. The inter-element spacing as well as the number of elements plays an important role in determining transducer performances.
Self-described depression and scores on the MMPI D scale in normal subjects.

Summary The general hypothesis was that Ss with high D scores on the MMPI would show a greater tendency than low scorers to descri be themselves as depressed; also, that more females would report depression. In the first stage, it was found that the D score did not differentiate between two groups of normal male high school seniors grouped according to response to the questionnaire item, “Do you ever get very depressed?” In females a higher score was associated with an affirmative answer. The second stage compared normal adolescents, grouped according to high or low D scores, to determine if their responses to the same question differed. It was found that a high score was more likely to be accompanied by self-described depression in both sexes. In both high and low D groups, more than twice as many females than males gave affirmative responses.
Free radicals by mass spectrometry XLVI. Heats of formation of C5H7and C5H9 radicals and cations

Abstract Heats of formation of a number of isomeric C 5 H 7 + and C 5 H 9 + cations have been obtained from ionization potential measurements, using monoenergetic electron impact, on free radicals of known structure generated by thermal decomposition reactions. For comparison, the energetics for formation of C 5 H 7 + and C 5 H 9 + fragment ions from various precursors have also been determined. In general the fragment ion thresholds correspond to formation of the most stable isomer, even when extensive rearrangements are required, although excess energies up to 0.5 e.v. may be needed in exceptional cases.
Comparison of two instructional modalities for nursing student CPR skill acquisition

Abstract Aims The purpose of the study was to compare performance based measures of CPR skills (compressions, ventilations with bag-valve-mask (BVM), and single rescuer CPR) from two types of CPR courses: a computer-based course (HeartCode™ BLS) with voice advisory manikin (VAM) feedback and instructor-led (IL) training with traditional manikins. Methods 604 nursing students from 10 schools of nursing throughout the United States were randomized by school to course type. After successful course completion, students performed 3min each of compressions; ventilations with BVM; and single rescuer CPR on a Laerdal Resusci Anne ® SkillReporter™ manikin. The primary outcome measures were: (1) compression rate, (2) percentage of compressions performed with adequate depth, (3) percentage of compressions performed with correct hand placement, (4) number of ventilations/min, and (5) percentage of ventilations with adequate volume. Results There were no differences in compression rates between the two courses. However, students with HeartCode BLS with VAM training performed more compressions with adequate depth and correct hand placement and had more ventilations with adequate volume than students who had IL courses particularly when learning on hard molded manikins. During single rescuer CPR, students who had HeartCode BLS with VAM training had more compressions with adequate depth and ventilations with adequate volume than students with IL training. Conclusion Students who trained using HeartCode BLS and practiced with VAMs performed more compressions with adequate depth and ventilations with adequate volume than students who had IL courses. Results of this study provide evidence to support use of HeartCode BLS with VAM for training nursing students in CPR.
Abstract 2235: Epigallocatechin-gallate suppresses tumorigenesis by directly targeting Pin1.

The most active anticancer component in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The human peptidyl prolyl cis/trans isomerase (Pin1) plays a critical role in oncogenic signaling. Herein, we report the X-ray crystal structure of the Pin1/EGCG complex resolved at 1.9 A resolution. Notably, the structure revealed the presence of EGCG in both the WW and PP1ase domains of Pin1. The direct binding of EGCG with Pin1 was confirmed and the interaction inhibited Pin1 PP1ase activity. In addition, proliferation of cells expressing Pin1 was inhibited and tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model was suppressed. The binding of EGCG with Arg17 in the WW domain prevented the binding of c-Jun, a well-known Pin1 substrate. EGCG treatment corresponded with a decreased abundance of cyclin D1 and diminution of TPA-induced AP-1 or NFκB promoter activity in cells expressing Pin1. Overall, these results showed that EGCG directly suppresses the tumor promoting effect of Pin1. Citation Format: Darya V. Urusova, Jung-Hyun Shim, Dong Joon Kim, Sung Keun Jung, Tatyana Zykova, Andria Carper, Ann M. Bode, Zigang Dong. Epigallocatechin-gallate suppresses tumorigenesis by directly targeting Pin1. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2235. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2235
Reducing Relative Gain and Noise Response Variations for Phased-Array Feed Imaging of Radio Astronomical Sources

In comparison to a single horn-feed system, single dish radio astronomical imaging with a phased-array feed (PAF) has additional noise due to variations in the responses of the various beams used in the creation of the image. This increased noise may obscure weak sources of interest and discredit the ability of a PAF to increase sky survey speed. In order to reduce the beam-to-beam variations, we introduce several new PAF beamforming strategies. A dual constraint beamformer is designed to simultaneously satisfy uniform main beam and noise response constraints, eliminating one aspect of the variation. A rim constraint beamformer that relies on calibrator sources on the rim of the reflector dish to control the spillover pattern variations among beams with eigenvector constraints is introduced and shown to reduce beam-to-beam variations. Finally, by combining the dual constraint and rim constraint beamformers, we are able to construct a beamformer that provides spillover pattern control while meeting specified gain and noise response constraints to reduce the beam-to-beam variations and improve PAF imaging.
Calculations of linear and nonlinear optical properties of H-silsesquioxanes

We report the frequency dependence of linear and nonlinear optical susceptibilities of H−silsesquioxanes of various cage sizes and conformations using the INDO/CI method coupled with the SOS method. The average dynamic refractive index of silsesquioxanes is found to decrease as the cage size increases, and its variation is very small for the different conformations of the same cage size at the same incident wavelength. The calculated second-order susceptibilities show that small cages have a larger magnitude which is comparable to that of crystalline α-quartz. It is suggested here that H−silsesquioxanes of a smaller cage size can be a good candidate materials for nonlinear optical applications having low absorption, wide transparency and adequate susceptibility in ultraviolet or vacuum ultraviolet region of the spectrum.
Vaginal paravaginal repair in the surgical treatment of anterior vaginal wall prolapse.

Objective: To describe our technique and report our clinical experience with the vaginal paravaginal repair in the surgical treatment of displacement cystocele.Methods: Forty-five patients with bilateral paravaginal support defects underwent vaginal paravaginal repair during a 2-year period at our institution. The technique of vaginal paravaginal repair will be illustrated through the use of anatomic photographs taken at the time of surgery. Demographic data were collected for each patient. Preoperative evaluation, intraoperative parameters, and postoperative course were reviewed.Results: The technique of vaginal paravaginal repair was standardized with transvaginal entrance into the retropubic space bilaterally. The paravaginal defects were identified and repaired using permanent suture in a 3-point closure incorporating the pubocervical fascia, arcus tendineous, and vaginal wall. Concurrent repairs were performed as appropriate.Mean age of the patients was 65.9 +/- 2 years (range 35-76). Thirty-eight patients had advanced prolapse of the anterior vaginal wall beyond the introitus, and 21 patients had coexisting stress incontinence. Postoperatively, the length of stay was 2.6 +/- 1.1 days (range 1-6) and urethral catheterization was required for a median 7 days. Intraoperative complications included 1 case of bilateral ureteral obstruction, and postoperative morbidity included 1 retropubic hematoma requiring re-exploration, 2 vaginal abscesses, and 2 postoperative transfusions.Conclusion: The vaginal paravaginal repair is a safe and effective technique in the surgical correction of vaginal wall prolapse due to a displacement cystocele. The vaginal approach provides adequate exposure to the relevant anatomy and good clinical results.
Functional digestive disorders (FDD) in the year 2000—economic impact

Objective: The objective of this study is to quantify the future worldwide economic impact of functional gastrointestinal disease and to describe international differences that might exist between major industrialized countries. Design: This study employs an econometric projection using data from the only known survey of national economic impact of functional gastrointestinal disease. Economic costs from this survey are combined with country specific population estimates, health care spending characteristics, and growth rates to estimate economic impact for major industrial countries. Results: The estimated economic impact of functional gastrointestinal disease for eight major industrial countries is over 41 billion U.S. dollars annually. This estimate includes both direct and indirect costs of disease. Conclusion: The economic impact of functional gastrointestinal disease is large. Economic estimates are useful in policy decision making regarding the allocation of health care resources. Copyright © 1998 Taylor and Francis Ltd.
Management of Hepatitis B in Special Patient Populations

Hepatitis B virus is a common cause of acute liver failure. It can be especially problematic in patients coinfected with hepatitis C, hepatitis D or human immunodeficiency virus. In addition, immunosuppression-associated hepatitis B reactivation is being increasingly recognized following chemotherapy, biologic therapy, and organ transplantation. This article highlights treatment options in these special populations.
Learning the Latent Semantics of a Concept from its Definition

In this paper we study unsupervised word sense disambiguation (WSD) based on sense definition. We learn low-dimensional latent semantic vectors of concept definitions to construct a more robust sense similarity measure wmfvec. Experiments on four all-words WSD data sets show significant improvement over the baseline WSD systems and LDA based similarity measures, achieving results comparable to state of the art WSD systems.
Regression analysis based on stratified samples

SUMMARY Jewell (1985) described an iterative method of estimating parameters in the linear regression model from data collected from stratified samples of the dependent variable with no parametric assumptions on the residual distribution. The present paper considers an alternative iterative technique which is generally superior in terms of efficiency, often by a considerable amount. The method is extended to cover stratified sampling on a design variable which is correlated with the dependent variable but is not included as an independent variable. Regression analysis is often used in the analysis of survey data in situations where complex sampling designs are employed. We consider estimation of the p x 1 vector of parameters f3, in the assumed population model E ( Y I X) = X/3Jx under stratified sampling. If sample selection is based on values of the independent variables, standard regression methods apply. However, if selection is based on values of the dependent variable Y or on a design variable Z correlated with the dependent variable but not included as an independent variable, ordinary least-squares regression estimates are in general asymptotically biased. For examples and discussion of previous research see Holt, Smith & Winter (1980), Nathan & Holt (1980), Hausman & Wise (1982) and Jewell
Inverse Theory with Grossly Inadequate Data

Summary When only a few observations are available as data for an inverse problem, it is proposed that the best way to use them is to obtain bounds on various functionals of the structure. To do this, the model is found that has the smallest (or largest) value of the functional. In this way, for example, equations are derived for finding the model value that is exceeded somewhere by all structures satisfying the data, and thus this value must be exceeded in the Earth itself. The same techniques can be used to derive conditions for the existence of a solution, when a certain data set is given; this is an important problem in non-linear inverse theory. Three examples are given, including the non-linear problem of electrical conductivity in the mantle. There, one- and two-data problems are solved and, by means of the existence theory, self-consistency criteria are defined for amplitude and phase measurements and for amplitude measurements at two different frequencies.
Small-scale demographic variation in the stoplight parrotfish Sparisoma viride.

Age-based analysis of the stoplight parrotfish Sparisoma viride was used to examine whether observed differences in their abundance and size structure among reefs in a cross-shelf portion of the upper Florida Keys could be explained by variation in demographic rates. Annual and daily sagittal otolith increments were enumerated for 176 individuals collected from replicates of reefs in two strata, inshore and offshore reefs (2–6 m depth). von Bertalanffy growth functions fitted to size-at-age plots for each site were similar between reefs within each stratum (inshore and offshore), but differed between strata. Sparisoma viride on offshore reefs attained greater average standard length (LS) at age, greater mean asymptotic size and were longer lived than fish from inshore reefs. Fish on inshore reefs attained only half the maximum age observed on offshore reefs (4 v. 8 years, respectively). No terminal phase fish >4 years of age were found on either reef type. Estimates of mortality rates from age-frequency data of collected fish revealed higher mortality on inshore reefs. Demographic variables obtained in this study were similar to published values for S. viride from Caribbean reefs but differed significantly from published values from reefs at a similar latitude (Bahamas), reflecting high demographic plasticity on both local and regional
An MM-based maximum a posteriori algorithm for GPR image reconstruction

In this paper, we use the maximum a posteriori (MAP) method to develop an algorithm that reconstructs subsurface images from GPR datasets. The prior probability density function we have chosen is novel and enforces sparsity. The negative of the objective function resulting from the MAP method is minimized using a majorize-minimize algorithm. An advantage of the proposed method over the popular L1-regularized least-squares method is that there is a straightforward and computationally efficient way to determine the parameter for the prior distribution. We tested the algorithm on synthetic data and promising results were obtained.
Performance Optimization Using Exact Sensitization

A common approach to performance optimization of circuits focuses on re-synthesis to reduce the length of all paths greater than the desired delay t. We describe a new delay optimization procedure that optimizes only sensitizable paths greater than t. Unlike previous methods that use topological analysis only, this method accounts for both functional and topological interactions in the circuit. Comprehensive experimental results comparing the proposed technique to a state-of-the-art performance optimization procedure are presented for combinational and sequential logic circuits.
A magnetic imaging system for evaluation of material conditions using magnetoresistive devices

A new magnetic imaging system has been developed for nondestructive evaluation of structural and mechanical conditions of magnetic materials. The system produces a multiparameter contour plot of the spatial variations of a variety of magnetic properties such as coercivity, remanence, permeability, and the Barkhausen effect (BE) signal. These can then be used for the detection of material conditions such as residual stress or the presence of cracks, since the magnetic and mechanical properties of materials are closely related via the magnetoelastic coupling. An integrated sensor probe capable of measuring both magnetic hysteresis and Barkhausen effect signals was developed using magnetoresistive devices. Results of experimental studies show that the imaging system can be used to detect surface or subsurface notches, thickness variations in ferrous materials, and stress distribution.
Specifying and testing idealized bust surrogates for testing of female stab-resistant body armor

Manufacturers of stab-resistant body armor continually strive to improve the comfort of the armor wearer and maximize protection. As female officers make up a larger portion of the law enforcement and corrections workplace, armor manufacturers have begun to offer designs that accommodate contoured body shapes, such as the female bust region, which results in non-planar armor. Conventional test methodologies for body armor were designed for armor to be tested flat and do not accommodate contoured armor. This work reviews the available literature concerning common bust sizes and discusses the research performed to specify bust surrogate size, shape, and materials for testing stab-resistant female body armor. Two standard cup sizes, B and D, modeled as a paraboloid with a modified base, are recommended to meet breast volume requirements. Recommendations for manufacture of these surrogates for incorporation into standardized test methods are provided. Instrumented stab testing of these surrogates shows that i...
A class of do designs for two-way elimination of heterogeneity

In this paper we give a class of row-column designs with the property that the i-th row and the j-th column have precisely r treatments in common. A conjecture that such designs are quasi-factorial is disproved by showing that the designs given in this paper are not quasi-factorial. It is also shown that the designs given here are nearly optimal.
Estuarine Boundary Layers and Sediment Transport

Calculation of sediment transport in estuarine areas is used to evaluate deposition rates (typically in channels and fishery areas) and to predict removal rates (typically dredged material disposal sites). These calculations require accurate determination of stresses exerted on the bed by the flow and of velocity profiles near the bed.
Moltmann's dismissal of divine impassibility: Warranted?

A key feature of Jurgen Moltmann's doctrine of God is his dismissal of divine impassibility as a heretical importation of Hellenistic metaphysics. This argument is a broader one assumed among many detractors of this theological tenet that is illegitimate given its rushed historical judgements. By dismissing the important features divine impassibility provided by past articulations, Moltmann offers a doctrine of God that in many ways repeats or avoids problems within the (im)passibility debates. Rather than dismissing divine impassibility from the onset, Moltmann would have benefited from a more careful appraisal of this axiom, one that would have chastened and enlivened his project within the ongoing conversation of God's relationship to suffering.
Level-ordering in lexical development

Abstract This paper examines the claim that lexical word formation rules are ordered at three levels of application (Kiparsky, 1982) . Lexical rules of affixation and compounding differ with respect to phonological effects, semantic regularity and productivity. With respect to these properties, rules can be assigned to one of three “levels” and are applied sequentially. Level-ordering predicts that irregular plurals may be formed at level 1 prior to compounding at level 2. Thus, forms such as mice-infested are acceptable. However, regular plurals formed at level 3 may not precede compounding, therefore predicting that ∗rats-infested is not acceptable. A learnability problem arises since the child almost never hears compounds containing irregular plurals. Given that the input appears to underdetermine the relevant constraints, it is suggested that level-ordering is an innate structural property of the lexicon. It is predicted that children should show no evidence of having to learn the constraints of level-ordering with respect to pluralization and compounding. An experiment with 33 three- to five-year-olds elicited singular, plural and compound forms of regular, irregular and pluralia tantum nouns (also at level 1). Results showed that: (1) Children almost never produced regular plurals inside compounds (e.g., ∗rats-eater); (2) As soon as children used irregular plurals, they used them inside compounds (e.g., mice-eater); (3) Pluralia tantum nouns were also used inside compounds (e.g., clothes-eater) although for various phonological and semantic reasons there appeared to be a difference for the individual nouns within this class. The results strongly support the notion that level-ordering constrains the child's word formation rules, independent of the input received. Some possible mechanisms for assigning rules to their appropriate levels are discussed.
An experimental study of flow, bedload transport and bed topography under conditions of erosion and deposition and comparison with theoretical models

The nature of flow, sediment transport and bed texture and topography was studied in a laboratory flume using a mixed size-density sediment under equilibrium and non-equilibrium (aggradational, degradational) conditions and compared with theoretical models. During each experiment, water depth, bed and water surface elevation, flow velocity, bed shear stress, bedload transport and bed state were continuously monitored. Equilibrium, uniform flow was established with a discharge of about 0.05 m3 s−1, a flow depth of about 0.01 m, a flow velocity of about 0.81–0.88 m s−1, a spatially averaged bed shear stress of about 1.7–2.2 Pa and a sediment transport rate of about 0.005–0.013 kg m−1 s−1 (i.e. close to the threshold of sediment transport). Such equilibrium flow conditions were established prior to and at the end of each aggradation or degradation experiment. Pebble clusters, bedload sheets and low-lying bars were ubiquitous in the experiments. Heavy minerals were relatively immobile and occurred locally in high concentrations on the bed surface as lag deposits. Aggradation was induced by (1) increasing the downstream flow depth (flume tilting) and (2) sediment overloading. Tilt-induced aggradation resulted in rapid deposition in the downstream half of the flume of a cross-stratified deposit with downstream dipping pebbles (pseudo-imbricated). and caused a slight decrease in the equilibrium mean water surface slope and total bedload transport rate. These differences between pre- and post-aggradation equilibrium flow conditions are due to a decrease in the local grain roughness of the bed. Sediment overloading produced a downstream fining and thinning wedge of sediment with upstream dipping pebbles (imbricated), whereas the equilibrium flow and sediment transport conditions remained relatively unchanged. Degradation was induced by (1) decreasing the downstream flow depth (flume tilting) and (2) cutting off the sediment feed. Tilt-induced degradation produced rapid downstream erosion and upstream deposition due to flow convergence with little change to the equilibrium flow and sediment transport conditions. The cessation of sediment feed produced degradation and armour development, a reduction in the mean water surface slope and flow velocity, an increase in flow depth, and an exponential decrease in bedload transport rate as erosion proceeded. A bedload transport model predicted total and fractional transport rates extremely well when the coarse-grained (or bedform trough) areas of the bed are used to define the sediment available to be transported. A sediment routing model, MIDAS, also reproduced the equilibrium and non-equilibrium flow conditions, total and fractional bedload transport rates and changes in bed topography and texture very well.
Identification and characterization of amylase-binding protein C from Streptococcus mitis NS51.

Interactions between salivary components and oral bacteria are thought to play an important role in the ecology of the oral biofilms (5, 13, 14). Amylase, the most abundant enzyme in human saliva, specifically binds to several species of oral streptococci (4, 6, 8, 15). One or more bacterial receptors mediate the binding of amylase to the streptococcal surface (3, 16). Much of our current knowledge about the mechanism of interaction of amylase with oral bacteria derives from the study of two amylase-binding proteins (AbpA and AbpB) produced by Streptococcus gordonii (2, 9, 12). Both of these proteins appear to be expressed transiently on the cell surface before being released into the extracellular milieu in soluble form. AbpA is a 20-kDa protein that is unique to S. gordonii, and is essential for amylase binding to the cell surface (12). AbpB, a 82-kDa AbpB protein that shares sequence homology with other bacterial dipeptidases, and appears to play a crucial role in S. gordonii oral colonization (1, 20). To date, however, little is known about the amylase-binding proteins of other species of oral streptococci. Streptococcus mitis NS51 releases a 36-kDa amylase-binding protein into the culture medium during growth (7). The goal of this study was to identify the gene encoding this protein, express and purify the polypeptide andverify its function in vitro.This information advances knowledge of the structure and functions of streptococcal amylase-binding proteins.
A contribution to computer analysis of coupled-cavity traveling wave tubes

A flexible accurate large-signal computer program has been developed for the design of coupled-cavity traveling wave tubes. The program is written for a TSS-360 time sharing system. The beam is described by a disk model and the slow wave structure by a sequence of cavities or cells. The computational approach is arranged so that each cavity may have different geometrical or electrical parameters than its neighbors. This allows the program user to simulate a tube of almost arbitrary complexity. Input and output couplers, severs, complicated velocity tapers, and other features peculiar to one or a few cavities may be modeled by a correct choice of input data. The beam-wave interaction is handled by a new approach in which the RF fields are expanded in solutions to the TM wave equation retaining all significant space harmonics. The program was used to perform a design study of the TWT developed for the CTS satellite. Good agreement was obtained between the predictions of the program and the measured performance of the flight tube. The internal check on power balance was satisfied within ±0.2 percent of input beam power.
Cultural conflicts in the weight loss experience of overweight Latinos.

Objective: In spite of the high prevalence of obesity in the Latino population, there is limited recent information that can be used by health-care providers to develop culturally appropriate weight loss strategies for this population. Therefore, we describe weight loss experiences, attitudes and barriers in overweight Latino adults. Design: Qualitative study using focus group methodology Subjects: Twenty-one overweight adults (body mass index X25, age X20 years) self-identified as Latinos. Methods: Subjects participated in one of three focus groups. Reccurring themes within group discussions were identified by three independent investigators, one who was ethnicity concordant. Results: Themes included the presence of mixed messages when determining one’s appropriate weight, with participants’ desire to lose weight to be healthy (based on professional advice and personal experience) conflicting with the cultural idea that being overweight is healthy. Participants described discordance when adapting to the mainstream, leading to the loss of healthy traditional habits. Participants expressed interest in weight loss and familiarity with dieting and weight loss interventions. They desired culturally appropriate nutrition education and reassurance regarding healthy dieting from health-care providers. The importance of interactions with peers during education was another relevant theme, and participants were overwhelmingly positive about group education. Conclusions: To improve health promotion for Latinos, cultural factors distinctive to this underserved population, and barriers they articulate, should be considered when developing weight loss interventions. International Journal of Obesity (2007) 31, 328–333. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803387; published online 23 May 2006
Decreased N-acetylaspartate in motor cortex and corticospinal tract in ALS

The primary objectives of this study were to test whether 1) N-acetylaspartate (NAA), a neuronal marker, is reduced in motor cortex and corticospinal-tract (CST) brain regions of ALS patients; and 2) motor cortex NAA correlates to a clinical measurement of upper motor neuron function in ALS patients. Ten probable or definite ALS patients and nine neurologically normal control subjects were studied. Three axial planes of two-dimensional 1H MRSI data were collected, using a single spin-echo multislice sequence (TE140/TR2000). Two of the 1H MRSI planes were positioned superior to the lateral ventricles, and one plane was positioned at the level of the internal capsule. Spectroscopy voxels were selected from motor cortex, frontal cortex, parietal cortex, medial gray matter, centrum semiovale white matter, anterior internal capsule, and posterior internal capsule. Peak integrals were obtained for the three major 1H MRSI singlet resonances, NAA, creatine and phosphocreatine (Cr), and cholines (Cho). Maximum finger-tap rate was used as a clinical measurement of upper motor neuron function. In ALS, brain NAA/(Cho+Cr) was reduced 19% (p=0.024) in the motor cortex and 16% (p=0.021) in the CST (centrum semiovale and posterior internal capsule) regions. NAA/ (Cho+Cr) was not reduced in frontal cortex, parietal cortex, medial gray matter, or anterior internal capsule. There was a significant relation between ALS motor cortex NAA/(Cho+Cr) and maximum finger-tap rate (r=0.80; p=0.014). NAA/(Cho+Cr) was reduced in motor cortex and CST regions and unchanged in other brain regions of ALS patients when compared with controls. These findings are consistent with the known distribution of neuronal loss in ALS. The positive correlation between motor cortex NAA/(Cho+Cr) and maximum finger-tap rate suggests that reduced NAA/(Cho+Cr) is a surrogate marker of motor cortex neuron loss in ALS. These findings support the study of 1H MRSI NAA measurement as an objective and quantitative measurement of upper motor neuron dysfunction in ALS.
Identification of novel factors involved in colonization and acid tolerance of Vibrio cholerae

Despite over 100 years of study, the intestinal pathogen Vibrio cholerae still causes epidemic disease in areas of the world where there is poor sanitation. While cholera toxin and the toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP) are known to be essential for full virulence, the role that other factors play has remained ill-defined. Herein, we describe a large-scale signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM) screen utilizing 100 pools of 96 mutants each to identify factors involved in colonization of the infant mouse small intestine. A total of 164 mutants representing transposition events into 95 different open reading frames were shown to be recovered at greatly reduced numbers from the infant mouse model. Analysis of the sites of insertion revealed multiple independent mutations within the rfb gene cluster, needed for synthesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the tcp gene cluster, needed for synthesis of the TCP. More importantly, in addition to these previously known colonization factors, we identified many genes whose activity in colonization was not previously appreciated. These can be divided into a number of functional groups, which include production of factors involved in metabolic activities, regulation of cellular processes, transport, adaptation to stress and unknown functions. In addition, we describe the reiterative use of STM, whereby colonization-defective mutants were assembled into virulence-attenuated pools (VAPs), which were used to begin to reveal roles that the identified virulence factors play in the infection process. Nine new factors were shown to be crucial for the V. cholerae acid tolerance response, which has previously been hypothesized to be important for epidemic spread of cholera. Competition assays of these nine acid tolerance response (ATR)-defective mutants revealed that mutations in gshB, hepA and recO result in a 1000-fold reduction in colonization.
Observations in the E region ionosphere of kappa distribution functions associated with precipitating auroral electrons and discrete aurorae

Precipitating auroral electrons can produce discrete auroral arcs that contain signatures of the magnetospheric auroral source region. Differential number flux observations over two discrete aurorae were obtained by the Auroral Currents and Electrodynamics Structure sounding rocket mission, which successfully launched in 2009. These observations were made at E region altitudes of approximately 130 km. A model of precipitating auroral electrons as described by Evans (1974) was fit to the electron differential number flux obtained by the payloads, and parameters from the model were used to infer properties of the auroral source region. It is shown that the field-aligned precipitating electrons were better fit by a kappa distribution function versus a Maxwellian distribution function for the equatorward side of the first, quasi-stable, auroral arc crossing. The latter half of the first auroral arc crossing and second auroral crossing show that the precipitating electrons were better fit by a Maxwellian distribution function, which provides additional observational confirmation of previous studies. The low-energy electron population determined by the Evans (1974) model was within a factor of 2 of the observed differential number flux. The source region parameters determined from fitting the model to the data were compared with relevant studies from sounding rockets and satellites. Our observations are consistent with the results of Kletzing et al. (2003) that the plasma sheet electrons mapping to auroral zone invariant latitudes are characterized by kappa distribution functions.
Interactive Lung Segmentation Algorithm for CT Chest Images Based on Live-Wire Model and Snake Model

In this paper, an interactive lung parenchyma segmentation algorithm is put forward with improved Live-Wire model, Snake model and contour interpolation, which takes full advantage of lung contours' slow change in adjacent CT image layers and operators' professional knowledge. Firstly, we manually select key slices of lung parenchyma in serial CT images, then draw the lung's contours in key slices by Live-Wire model, get the lung's contours in other slices by contour interpolation, finally segment lung's accurate contours in all slices by Snake model and manual modification. Experiments showed that this algorithm can segment lung parenchyma in serial CT images quickly and accurately.
COMPULSORY SEAT BELT USAGE AND DRIVER RISK TAKING BEHAVIOR

The danger compensation principle contends that the use of certain vehicle safety features such as seat belts may induce drivers to take greater risks. To test for this hypothesized effect, observational data on seat belt usage and driver risk taking were collected on 4812 drivers in Ontario, Canada, where seat belt usage is required by law. These data were compared with the results of a similar study conducted in Michigan, which has no usage law. The measure of driver risk taking in both studies was the time duration of following headway maintained by seat belt users and nonusers in high flow freeway traffic. Seat belts were worn by 51% of the Ontario drivers and by 14% of the drivers in Michigan. The Ontario usage rate before the law took effect was similar to the rate observed in the Michigan study. The results of both studies taken together are incompatible with the danger compensation principle. In the two jurisdictions a smaller percentage of users than nonusers drove at close, risky headways of less than one second, and these differences were of the same general magnitude. In the Michigan study it was concluded that voluntary usage is associated with the avoidance of risk. Likewise, in the Ontario study mandatory usage, rather than producing a tendency for increased risk taking as suggested by the danger compensation principle, was also associated with the avoidance of risk. Since the results provide no evidence for a danger compensation effect in car following behavior, it was concluded that this study presents no evidence that the safety benefits of seat belts would be diminished or neutralized by greater driver risk taking. Language: en
International Students As Peer Tutors: Is It Lawful?

Students enrolled in Principles of Accounting courses might require peer tutoring services. Accounting Departments (schools) can assist these students by maintaining a list of students offering tutoring services for a fee. The opportunity to be included in the list of tutors must be offered to all university students, both domestic and foreign. Universities might be hesitant to maintain such a list in fear of a violation of employment and immigration laws of F-1 international students. Failure to assist in locating tutors for Principles of Accounting students can be disadvantageous for students needing help, as well as for potential tutors who would welcome extra income and who can benefit from “teaching what they know.” This paper discusses a system that universities can establish and manage where foreign students can serve as peer tutors and remain within legal requirements of campus employment.
Rapid and Affordable Seismic Retrofit of Substandard Confined Masonry

Confined masonry (CM) consists of unreinforced masonry walls confined with reinforced concrete tie columns and beams. Due to satisfactory performance during past earthquakes, CM has become the predominant construction style in several developing countries. However, poor construction practices and substandard materials may result in inadequate performance. This paper evaluates the feasibility and efficiency of an affordable and practical retrofit technology designed for CM constructions in developing areas. Corrosion-resistant aluminum strips are inserted into grooves and embedded in mortar along bed joints to enhance the in-plane shear resistance and deformability. Experimental evidence was obtained through in-plane cyclic load tests on full-scale CM walls. It is shown that a substandard CM wall can be transformed into a wall with acceptable strength and deformability, and the in-plane shear strength of a retrofitted wall can be estimated by means of a simple analytical model that accounts for the contribution of the horizontal reinforcement.