cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of lexical predictability on distributions of eye fixation durations

A word’s predictability in context has a well-established effect on fixation durations in reading. To investigate how this effect is manifested in distributional terms, an experiment was carried out in which subjects read each of 50 target words twice, once in a high-predictability context and once in a low-predictability context. The ex-Gaussian distribution was fit to each subject’s first-fixation durations and single-fixation durations. For both measures, the μ parameter increased when a word was unpredictable, while the τ parameter was not significantly affected, indicating that a predictability manipulation shifts the distribution of fixation durations but does not affect the degree of skew. Vincentile plots showed that the mean ex-Gaussian parameters described the typical distribution shapes extremely well. These results suggest that the predictability and frequency effects are functionally distinct, since a frequency manipulation has been shown to influence both μ and τ. The results may also be seen as consistent with the finding from single-word recognition paradigms that semantic priming affects only μ.
The Endothelial Cell Protein C Receptor CELL SURFACE EXPRESSION AND DIRECT LIGAND BINDING BY THE SOLUBLE RECEPTOR

Abstract Expression of the endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) gene in mammalian cells imparts the capacity to bind activated protein C (APC) or protein C. Immunochemical analysis of CCD41, apparently the murine homologue of EPCR, suggested centrosomal localization, raising questions about the location of the EPCR gene product and its role in protein C binding. In this study, we express a soluble form of EPCR, demonstrate EPCR expression on the cell surface, and direct binding between soluble EPCR and protein C/APC. Affinity purified polyclonal and a monoclonal antibody against EPCR bound to the cell surface of EPCR-transfected cells but not to control cells. A 49-kDa protein, a mass similar to soluble EPCR, was immunoprecipitated from the cell surface of endothelium and cells transfected with human EPCR but not from control cells. The FLAG™ antibody and APC bound to cells expressing an EPCR construct containing the FLAG™ epitope located in a putative extracellular domain, whereas an EPCR construct truncated just before the putative transmembrane domain produced only soluble EPCR antigen. Soluble EPCR inhibited APC binding to EPCR expressing cells in a concentration-dependent fashion, Kd(app) = 29 nM and bound to immobilized protein C in a Ca2+-dependent fashion. Thus, EPCR is a type 1 transmembrane protein that binds directly to APC.
Cell-Free Synthesis of Acetylcholine Receptor Polypeptides

Messenger RNA coding for acetylcholine receptor peptides has been identified. This polyadenylate [poly(A)+]RNA from Torpedo californica directs, in a cell-free system, the synthesis of peptides 60,000, 51,000, 49,000 41,000, and 35,000 daltons which account for approximately 2 percent of the total synthesized proteins. The results suggest that several different messenger RNA's code for the receptor subunits. These proteins react specifically to antiserum to native acteylcholine receptor, suggesting that the primary translational product has conformational features similar to the native receptor. Further, the results support the idea that there is post-translational modification of receptor subunits as the molecular weights of the cell-free synthesized proteins differ from those of purified receptor subunits.
Where should we begin? Political geography and international relations

Abstract Doing interdisciplinary work well requires an added form of knowledge. (Thompson Klein, 1996: 224) At a time when spatial metaphors are “becoming just as paradigmatic as was the use of mechanistic and biological metaphors in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries” ( Bruce, 1993 ), it is hardly surprising that geographers have launched an internal debate on the meaning and ramifications of this massive “rediscovery” of geography ( Abler, 1999 ). More surprising, and perhaps also more promising, is the considerable interest generated by this debate in scholarly audiences outside the spatial disciplines. Following a sustained lack of attention to their geographies, the political fields (international relations, in particular), for instance, seem seriously motivated to rethink some of their problematic spatial and territorial premises. The concurrence of a greater confidence among geographers in their ability and mandate “to help others see the geography in their own topics” ( Gould, 1997 ) with a clearer realization by “others” (in this case, political scientists) that they can use all the help they can get in this matter, should open the door for new fertile dialogues and collaborations between the spatial and the political disciplines. However, a record of missed opportunities and mismanaged prior encounters cautions against overly optimistic expectations regarding the anticipated payoffs of this long-overdue scholarly re-engagement. Incidental or transient rediscoveries are easy; the true challenge is, of course, to facilitate a sustained dialogue with long-standing beneficial effects for both scholarship and society. Elazar's suggestive essay derives its pertinence from this general context and offers a timely opportunity to carry such concerns and activities further down the road. In the following, I will address his contention that “a discussion of the relationship of political science and geography should begin with consideration of location” from the standpoint of International Relations (IR). Within this limited focus, I will acknowledge some merits of this thesis, yet offer an alternative starting point for new interdisciplinary ventures. My argument builds on Julie Thompson Klein's insistence that effective interdisciplinary work “requires an added form of knowledge”. To that extent, dialogue-oriented IR and geography scholars may want to preface their foregrounding of specific concepts, theories and/or methods (such as location) with some shared reflections on communicative competencies and skills needed to engage in productive disciplinary crossings at the end of this century. Such is the spirit of the alternative point of departure sketched in the second part of this short response.
Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulators : a new class of immunosuppressants

In this review, we summarize how FTY720 came from the lab bench to the bedside by examining its structural similarities to natural occurring sphingosine analogues, the mechanism of action, and clinical applicability to not only transplantation but also autoimmune, oncological, and neurobiological fields. FTY720, a sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) analogue, promotes the survival of human and animal allografts by sequestering T lymphocytes within peripheral lymphoid tissue. The mechanism of sequestration is three-fold: (1) T lymphocytes are driven into peripheral lymph nodes in a chemokine dependent manner by FTY720; (2) FTY720 downregulates sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors (S1PRs) on the T lymphocyte surface, rendering it unable to migrate along a S1P gradient; and (3) FTY720 closes stromal gates on the abluminal side of the lymphatic endothelium. Future areas of investigation include developing S1P analogues that have specific agonist binding to S1PRs avoiding side effects seen in non-specific binding.
Conditional monitoring policy under moral hazard

This paper extends the previous research on conditional monitoring by allowing the principal to choose the level of monitoring investment and by finding the properties of an interior optimal monitoring policy which is not of a bang-bang nature. We show that, under a concave monitoring technology, the optimal monitoring investment is decreasing in the observed outcome and lower-tailed in a variety of contexts.
Selenite toxicity, depletion of liver S-adenosylmethionine, and inactivation of methionine adenosyltransferase.

Abstract The possibility that dimethyl selenide production depletes liver S-adenosylmethionine was explored as a biochemical basis for selenite toxicity. Toxic doses of selenite (25 nmol/ g body weight) were found to rapidly decrease mouse liver S-adenosylmethionine and increase S-adenosylhomocysteine, indicative of an increased rate of transmethylation. However, S-adenosylmethionine levels remained depressed beyond the time when dimethyl selenide synthesis ceased, suggesting that selenite inactivated methionine adenosyltransferase. This was found to be the case in vivo by measuring the effect of graded doses of selenite on the conversion of the methionine analog, ethionine, to S-adenosylethionine. In vitro studies also indicated inactivation of this enzyme by selenite. Liver homogenates from mice injected with 25 nmol of selenite/g, as above, were found to have less than 50% of the methionine adenosyltransferase activity of saline-injected controls.
Coronary arteriographic appearances in patients with left bundle-branch block.

Left bundle-branch block (LBBB) was found to be associated with an unusually short left main coronary artery in 11 of 12 patients studied by selective coronary arteriography. The average length of the left coronary artery in this group of 12 patients with LBBB was 4.5 ± 1.7 mm as compared to 12.8 ± 0.8 mm in a control group. Four of the 12 had evidence of ischemic heart disease, one had mild aortic regurgitation, one had myocardiopathy, and one had a patent ductus arteriosus. No etiology was discovered for the LBBB in the remaining five patients. Mechanical and hemodynamic explanations for this association of a particular pattern of coronary anatomy with LBBB are proposed.
Strangeness production in relativistic heavy ion collisions

Kaon production in relativistic heavy-ion collisions is studied. Particular attention is paid to situations in which high densities are obtained, such as in the Brookhaven AGS experiments with 14.6 GeV/nucleon Si on Au. Because of the explicit chiral-symmetry breaking terms in chiral Langrangians, kaons acquire an effective mass m K * which goes to zero at the critical baryon density. Well before such densities, m K * is sufficiently reduced to greatly facilitate kaon production through processes likeππ →K¯K. Previous expressions for the decreasing kaon mass were arrived at by linear chiral perturbation theory. Whereas we cannot systematically proceed to higher order, we use physical models to suggest how relevant quantities will behave in higher order. We present arguments that m K * effectively goes to zero in the present AGS experiments.
Thermal degradation of blends of polystyrene and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) and the copolymer, poly(styrene-co-sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)

The thermal degradation of blends and copolymers of styrene with styrenesulfonic acid has been studied using thermogravimetric analysis, TGA/FTIR, and cone calorimetry. The blends have enhanced thermal stability relative to virgin polystyrene but there is no enhancement in thermal stability for the copolymers. Apparently, it is necessary to have adjacent sulfonic acid groups in order to permit the formation of a graphite-like char which can provide thermal protection to the polymer. It is necessary to have a good match in degradation temperatures of the two components if one is to have significantly enhanced thermal stability.
Microarray Technique, Analysis, and Applications in Dermatology

The Human Genome Project, completed in 2003, identified the sequence of the approximately 25,000 genes that comprise the human genome. Knowledge of the structure of the human genome opened the doors to studying the actual function of specific genes, which is necessary to understanding health and disease. DNA microarrays are one technique that advances understanding of the genome from structure to function. For the most part, every cell in the body contains a complete set of identical DNA. What makes a given cell different from another is that only certain genes are active, or “expressed,” within the cell. The information contained within the DNA in a given cell is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA), which is subsequently translated into proteins that allow the cell to exist and function. Diseased cells may fail to work properly because they do not express necessary genes, express the wrong genes, or express inappropriate amounts of a needed gene. The ability to detect these abnormalities provides researchers with key information that may be used to diagnose and manage diseases.
When (and how) to surgically treat asymptomatic renal stones

Asymptomatic renal stones are identified in 8-10% of screened populations. With the increasing utilization of CT, the number of patients seeking urologic care for incidentally diagnosed renal calculi is likely to increase. Such patients present an important management dilemma: differentiating those to treat surgically from those who can be safely observed. Observational studies have revealed that approximately 50% of asymptomatic stones will progress, but most will not require surgery. Stones >15 mm in diamater and located in the renal pelvis are at highest risk of progression. Although no guidelines exist for the optimal monitoring regimen for asymptomatic stones, follow-up studies may include serum creatinine, plain radiography, ultrasonography, and CT. Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) does not seem to offer significant benefit over observation for asymptomatic calyceal stones. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy does improve stone-free rates compared to SWL or observation. Additional research is needed to characterize the role of ureteroscopic management of asymptomatic renal stones.
Sensitivity and specificity of patient self-report of influenza and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccinations among elderly outpatients in diverse patient care strata

Abstract National surveys of adult vaccination indicate moderate self-reported immunization rates in the US, with limited validity data. We compared self-report with medical record abstraction for 820 persons aged ≥66 years from inner-city health centers, Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinics, rural and suburban practices. For influenza vaccine, sensitivity was 98% (95% CI: 96–99%); specificity was 38% (95% CI: 33–43%). For pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, sensitivity was 85% (95% CI: 82–89%) and specificity was 46% (95% CI: 42–50%). The VA had the highest sensitivity and lowest specificity for both vaccines while the converse was true in inner-city centers. High negative predictive values indicate that clinicians can confidently vaccinate based on negative patient self-report.
Endoscopic management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in 2012: What works and what doesn't

Gastroesophageal reflux disease results primarily from the loss of an effective antireflux barrier, which forms a mechanical barrier against the retrograde movement of gastric contents. Multiple devices have been developed for the endoscopic treatment of GERD, using approaches such as sewing, transmural fasteners, endoscopic staplers, and thermal treatment. Devices that are currently commercially available for the endoscopic treatment of GERD in the US include: EndoCinch; EsophyX; Stretta. This article will highlight the endoscopic therapy of gastroesophageal reflux disease with focus on Stretta and EsophyX.
The discrete Gould transform and its applications

We present a new discrete transform, the Gould transform (DGT). The transform has many interesting mathematical properties. For example, the forward and inverse transform matrices are both lower triangular, with constant diagonals and sub-diagonals and both can be factored into the product of binary matrices. The forward transform can be used to detect edges in digital images. If G is the forward transform matrix and y is the image, then the two dimensional DGT, GyGT can be used directly to detect edges. Ways to improve the edge detection technique is to use the "combination of forward and backward difference", GT(Gy) to better identify the edges. For images that tend to have vertical and horizontal edges, we can further improve the technique by shifting rows (or columns), and then use the technique to detect edges, essentially applying the transform in the diagonal directions.
A theory of laminar flame spread over flat surfaces of solid combustibles

Abstract A theory is developed for predicting the steady rate of spread of a flame over the surface of a solid in directions ranging from downward to horizontal. The model involves a diffusion flame in a boundary layer downstream from a point of flame inception, heat transfer by natural convection from this flame to the gasifying fuel which supports it, heat conduction through the solid to the cooler fuel ahead of the flame, generation of an upstream boundary layer due to entrainment into the flame plume, upstream gasification and diffusion of fuel into this boundary layer, and thermal runaway of an ignition for the resulting premixed gas in the upstream boundary layer. The calculations make use of asymptotic analysis of the limit of high activation energy for the gasification and ignition reactions. It is shown that the predictions of the model can be made to agree well with many experimental observations.
Aspen modeling for MEA–CO2 loop: Dynamic gridding for accurate column profile

Abstract This paper deals with modeling of post-combustion CO 2 removal by using a chemical solvent with an absorption–stripping loop. An Aspen Plus ® rate-based model is applied for the packed column. It has been found in the literature that there is a stability issue related to the number of stages used, especially with a tall column for a high capture efficiency and for a low specific heat duty (MJ/kg CO 2 ). For the same configuration and operating condition initial setup, the column temperature and concentration profile obtained shifts and varies dependent upon the number of stages. Mathematically, the number of stages applied for a packed column is equivalent to the number of cells (stages) used for solving the column model. It is well known that the stage size will play an important role in stability of the numerical solution. To improve the stability and to minimize the variation of column profile, a variable stage size has been applied which consists of varying the stage size dynamically for different parts of the column in correspondence to a varied temperature gradient and component profile, i.e., to the absorption rate profile. The resulting resolution provides more robust column profiles with additional details, especially with respect to the column temperature profile since absorption kinetics and chemical reaction enhanced mass transfer are all coupled together with temperature and reactant concentration profiles. The presented method of dynamic gridding is not only capable of successfully solving convergence problems, but also of mathematically generating more accurate column profiles for absorption performance analysis. This method can be applied for integration of CO 2 removal with a power plant in a complex system.
Alterations of Inositol Lipid Metabolism of Rat Sciatic Nerve in Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetes

: The composition and metabolism of rat sciatic nerve phospholipids were studied 20 weeks after induction of chronic diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). On a wet weight basis the nerves from the diabetic animals showed a 7% decrease in total phospholipid from that of controls and a relative decrease in phosphatidylinositol. Incubations of isolated sciatic nerves of diabetic rats in a medium containing [33P]orthophosphate gave decreased labeling of phosphatidylinositol and substantial changes in the labeling pattern of phosphatidylinositol phosphate and 4,5-bisphosphate from that of controls. The ratio of label in these polyphosphoinositides decreased from 2.5 for normal nerve to about 1.0 for diabetic nerve within a 2-h incubation period. These metabolic alterations were not observed in acutely diabetic animals 5 days after streptozotocin (100 mg/kg) administration. Because polyphosphoinositides may be involved in the control of membrane permeability during axonal conduction, alterations in their relative amounts or turnover rates could be related to the physiological changes of early diabetic neuropathy.
CD8+ and CD4+ T cells contribute to the exacerbation of class I MHC disparate graft-vs-host reaction by concurrent murine cytomegalovirus infection.

Concurrent infection with MCMV has been observed to result in the marked exacerbation of a P → F1 GVHR across a class I MHC only donor-recipient disparity. We have previously determined that MCMV induces several alterations characteristic of severe GvHR/D which are not observed during GvHR or MCMV infection alone. Most notable of these alterations is the enhanced development of donor anti-host cytotoxic T cell activity. The present studies were performed to examine the requirement of specific donor and host cell populations. Only depletion of donor CD8+ T cells (not NK1.1+ or CD4+) prevented development of severe GVHR/D. By in vivo antibody treatments, depletion of host CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells also abrogated the development of severe GVHR/D. These findings therefore support the hypothesis that MCMV-activated CD4+ T cells enhance the production of a donor anti-host class I CD8+ response. Thus, the present findings support hypotheses attributing the association of viral infection and GVHD development witch pathogen-induced immune responses.
Delirious Mania Associated with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome, an Inherited Ciliopathy

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder of cilial function that presents with post-axial polydactyly, obesity, retinopathy, renal dysfunction, hypogonadism, and mental retardation. It is commonly associated with psychomotor slowing, puerility or childishness, and reactive emotional lability. Psychiatric symptoms described in case reports of BBS include hallucinations, delusions, depressive and bipolar disorders, and retarded catatonia, but not delirious mania. We present a case of a blind patient with BBS who manifested delirious mania marked by agitation, disorientation, reduplicative paramnesia, and hallucinations at age 62, successfully treated with aripiprazole and valproic acid.
Dispersion of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes of Narrow Diameter Distribution

The dispersibility and bundle defoliation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) of small diameter (<1 nm) have been evaluated on CoMoCAT samples with narrow distribution of diameters. As previously observed by photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy, the CoMoCAT sample exhibits a uniquely narrow distribution of (n,m) structures that remains unchanged after different dispersion conditions. This narrow distribution allowed us to develop a method for quantifying the dispersability of the samples from their optical absorption spectra in terms of two ratios: the "resonance ratio" and the "normalized width." The former is defined as the quotient of the resonant band area and its nonresonant background. The latter is defined as the ratio of the width of the band at half-height to the peak height on a spectrum that has been normalized at 900 nm, making this an intensive property, rather than varying with the path length. In this study of the CoMoCAT sample, we have used the S22 transition corresponding to the (6,5) nanotube to do these calculations, which is the most abundant species. These two ratios provide a quantitative tool to compare different dispersion parameters (time of sonication, degree of centrifugation, etc.) on the same type of sample. From this comparison, an optimal procedure that maximizes the spectral features was selected; this procedure allowed us to contrast various surfactants at different pH values and concentrations. Several surfactants were as good or even better than the one we have used in previous studies, dodecylbenesulfonic acid sodium salt (NaDDBS). Despite differences in their dispersion abilities, none of the surfactants investigated generated new features in the absorption spectra nor changed the distribution of nanotube types, which confirms that the high selectivity of the CoMoCAT sample is in the original sample rather than caused by selective suspension of specific (n,m) nanotubes.
Generation of lymphokine-activated killer cell activity from non-NK precursor cells.

Abstract It is possible to generate high levels of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activity in short-term culture from cells enriched for natural killer (NK) activity. To determine whether LAK activity can also be generated from non-NK cells, we have depleted peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of NK cells prior to culture with IL-2. NK activity in PBL is correlated with the intensity of staining with the lysosomotropic vital dye quinacrine. Quinacrine dim PBL, which are devoid of lytic NK cells, are capable of developing LAK activity following culture with IL 2. We have also separated PBL using the NK-associated NKH-1 marker. Depleting NKH-1 + cells eliminates NK activity but the ability to develop LAK activity is retained. NKH-1-depleted cells generate less LAK activity than unseparated or NKH-1-positive cells and do not proliferate as well as unseparated cells to IL-2. When NK-depleted cells are subsequently examined for the expression of the NKH-1 antigen, this marker is absent from most cells at Day 3 of IL-2 culture, but is expressed on an increasing number of cells by Days 6–8. These results suggest that LAK derived from non-NK cells is functionally and phenotypically similar to LAK from PBL-containing NK cells, and may be the result of the activation of an NK precursor population.
Single and Two-Phase Heat Transfer in a Low-Density, 3-Dimensional Microchannel

A test section was developed to study 3-D microchannel surfaces made from copper strip. Selected results were presented for single and two-phase heat transfer through a low-density, 3-D micro channel using ethanol as the working fluid. Details of the single phase and two-phase heat transfer and fluid flow can be resolved from the experimental data. For 4 selected cases the total resistance was measured to be lower as the flow transitioned to two-phase flow for a given pressure drop. However, as the rate of two-phase heat transfer increased so did the pressure drop fluctuations.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Coupled dichotomies of apatite and fluid composition during contact metamorphism of siliceous carbonate rocks

The X C O 2 recorded by mineral-fluid equilibria in contact metamorphosed siliceous carbonates commonly defines two groups of rocks in the same aureole. One group records relatively low X C O 2 that results from infiltration of chemically reactive H 2 O-rich fluid. The other records relatively high X C O 2 , up to 0.99, that results from decarbonation reactions with little or no infiltration. A complementary dichotomy in apatite compositions exists in five contact aureoles in Italy, Scotland, and the U.S.A. Apatite in the low-X C O 2 group is close to an F-OH solid solution. Apatite in the high-X C O 2 group is a relatively Cl-rich Cl-F-OH solution. The halogen content of fluid coexisting with analyzed apatite was characterized in two aureoles to determine the origin and significance of the dichotomy in apatite composition. Calculated a H F /a H 2 O , a H F /a H C l , a H F , and m F T (the total F molality of fluid) are systematically higher in fluid coexisting with the low-X C O 2 group. In contrast, a H C l /a H 2 O in the high-X C O 2 group may be higher than or overlap with a H C l /a H 2 O in the low-X C O 2 group. Calculated a H C l and m C l T in the high-X C O 2 group are lower than or overlap with a H C l and m C l T in the low-X C O 2 group. The Cl-rich apatites in the high-X C O 2 group are explained by crystallization at relatively low a H 2 O , a H F , and m F T rather than at high a H C l or M C l T . In comparison, the F-OH apatites in the low-X C O 2 group formed by infiltration of rock by and equilibration with relatively H 2 O-rich, high m F T /m C l T fluid, reflecting the same metasomatic process responsible for F-rich humite-group minerals and skarns in many contact aureoles. Calculated halogen contents indicate that the non-CO 2 fraction of fluid in equilibrium with both groups had modest, seawater-like salinity, and that the reactive H 2 O- and F-rich fluid that infiltrated the low-X C O 2 group had a plutonic source.
J.H. King’s ‘Expansive’ Theology of Pentecostal Spirit Baptism

Bishop J.H. King, an early twentieth-century Pentecostal Holiness Church leader, in some respects explained Spirit baptism in more ‘expansive’ terms than characterized Classical Pentecostal tradition in the United States in his time and later. In his theological and devotional writings are some of the same ‘expansive’ emphases Frank D. Macchia enunciates in his 2006 groundbreaking work on Spirit baptism, Baptized in the Spirit: A Global Pentecostal Theology. Although King’s Spirit-baptismal theology was traditionally Pentecostal in important ways, there are some interesting thematic parallels between Macchia’s ‘expansive’ Spirit baptism theological proposal and the very modest (in comparison) treatments of the topic by King. The similarities relate to the baptism in the Holy Spirit as a Trinitarian act, as an infilling of divine love, and in connection with the latter, as a generator of a rich ecclesiastical corporate life of koinonia.
Knowledge and use of sublingual nitroglycerin and cardiac-related quality of life in patients with chronic stable angina.

Abstract Relationships among sublingual nitroglycerin (SLN) knowledge and use, general aspects of angina self-management, and quality of life were investigated in 95 patients with angina (age 63 ±11 years). Quality of life was measured using a reliable and valid questionnaire, the Seattle Angina Questionnaire. Older age (p = 0.04), male gender (p = 0.0001), more recent diagnosis with coronary artery disease (p = 0.02), and distant recall of SLN instruction (p = 0.02) predicted poorer SLN knowledge (R 2 = 0.26, p 2 = 0.15, p = 0.005). A "bad" experience with SLN was associated with poorer quality of life (r = −22, p = 0.047). Sixty-five percent lacked knowledge about using SLN to prevent symptoms and 32.6% took SLN for symptoms other than chest pain. Findings support the need for more frequent reinforcement of patient education, especially in the areas of preventive use of SLN and side effect management.
A case of no return(s)

Organizations need constructive interventions for resolving disputes in the workplace. Mediation is one possible intervention. This real‐life case study and an accompanying mediation exercise can help employees acquire and practice basic mediation skills. The exercise can also serve as a learning frame for generating discussions on current issues in any organization.
High-performance index-guided phase-locked semiconductor laser arrays

Using strongly coupled index-guided ridge-waveguide structures and tailoring the gain distribution to the fundamental eigenmode intensity distribution in a five-element coupled laser array, we greatly improve the performance over previously reported results. A stable single-lobe far-field pattern has been observed up to nearly three times threshold. This result is achieved by nonuniform pumping, which tends to excite the fundamental array eigenmode only by preventing spatial hole burning, which causes the excitation of higher-order modes.
The impact of a prior history of cardiovascular events on outcomes in patients on renal replacement therapy.

Renal transplant centers have evolved extensive cardiovascular evaluation protocols to screen potential candidates prior to initiation of dialysis. The risk of new cardiac events remains high even among patients initiating hemodialysis with no previous cardiac symptoms [1]. A key unanswered question remains whether prior thromboembolic events themselves have a role in prognosis for patients undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT). We followed stable diabetic patients on RRT to determine whether a history of previous cardiovascular events (PCVE) could predict subsequent cardiovascular events (SCVE) and all cause mortality. After approval by Institutional Review Boards, clinically stable patients undergoing RRT in participating dialysis units were consecutively enrolled. PCVE included myocardial infarction, coronary artery intervention, peripheral bypass or amputation surgery, cerebrovascular accident, or carotid artery intervention and the occurrence of subsequent events until July 15, 2010. Subjects lost to follow up were censored at last documented clinic visit. For patients receiving a transplant during the study, follow up was concluded at surgery. Information retrieved from the Social Security Death Index was considered valid for end-point with cause of death “unknown.” Dialysis patients were considered under entry mode of treatment with either hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) throughout the entire course of study. The Kaplan–Meier function was utilized to estimate years of event free interval (EFI); medians and 95% confidence limits are reported. Comparisons between function curves and medians were tested for significance using the log-rank test [2].
Inferring constraints from multiple snapshots

Many graphic tasks, such as the manipulation of graphical objects and the construction of user-interface widgets, can be facilitated by geometric constraints. However, the difficulty of specifying constraints by traditional methods forms a barrier to their widespread use. In order to make constraints easier to declare, we have developed a method of specifying constraints implicitly, through multiple examples. Snapshots are taken of an initial scene configuration, and one or more additional snapshots are taken after the scene has been edited into other valid configurations. The constraints that are satisfied in all of the snapshots are then applied to the scene objects. We discuss an efficient algorithm for inferring constraints from multiple snapshots. The algorithm has been incorporated into the Chimera editor, and several examples of its use are discussed.
Congressional Science Fellowship Applications Due 1 February

[1] The AGU Congressional Science Fellowship provides AGU scientists who are interested in public policy an opportunity to play an active role in the U.S. legislative process. Fellows spend 1 year as a staff member on Capitol Hill in either the office of a senator or representative or the office of a congressional committee. Fellows' responsibilities may include writing legislation, preparing for congressional hearings, meeting with lobbyists and constituents, and more. In the past, Fellows have been directly involved in policy regarding water, climate change, energy conservation, and a range of other issues of high priority to society.
Globalizing environmentalism: Threshold of a new phase in international relations

Abstract Sociologist Robert Nisbet conjectured that “when the history of the twentieth century is finally written, the single most important social movement of the period will be judged to be environmentalism”; (1982, p. 10). This assessment has been reinforced by subsequent events. Environmental concern has risen to the top of political agendas in the United States and many other countries, becoming a major consideration in international relations. A major force for the globalization of environmental politics in the United States has been the growing international concern of nongovernmental environmental organizations (NGOs). Almost all of the larger environmental NGOs now have significant international programs that attempt to influence public policies. Transnational collaboration between governments and NGOs on environmental issues has become a characteristic of contemporary politics in North America and Western Europe. Global issues such as climate change, ozone depletion, transboundary air and water ...
Nucleotide Release Provides a Mechanism for Airway Surface Liquid Homeostasis

Nucleotides within the airway surface liquid (ASL) regulate airway epithelial ion transport rates by Ca(2+) -and protein kinase C-dependent mechanisms via activation of specific P2Y receptors. Extracellular adenine nucleotides also serve as precursors for adenosine, which promotes cyclic AMP-mediated activation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator chloride channel via A(2b) adenosine receptors. A biological role for extracellular ATP in ASL volume homeostasis has been suggested by the demonstration of regulated ATP release from airway epithelia. However, nucleotide hydrolysis at the airway surface makes it difficult to assess the magnitude of ATP release and the relative abundance of adenyl purines and, hence, to define their biological functions. We have combined ASL microsampling and high performance liquid chromatography analysis of fluorescent 1,N(6)-ethenoadenine derivatives to measure adenyl purines in ASL. We found that adenosine, AMP, and ADP accumulated in high concentrations relative to ATP within the ASL covering polarized primary human normal or cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells. By using immortalized epithelial cell monolndogenayers that eously express a luminal A(2b) adenosine receptor, we found that basal as well asforskolin-promoted cyclic AMP production was reduced by exogenous adenosine deaminase, suggesting that A(2b) receptors sense endogenous adenosine within the ASL. The physiological role of adenosine was further established by illustrating that adenosine removal or inhibition of adenosine receptors in primary cultures impaired ASL volume regulation. Our data reveal a complex pattern of nucleotides/nucleosides in ASL under resting conditions and suggest that adenosine may play a key role in regulating ASL volume homeostasis.
Dexmedetomidine Controls Agitation and Facilitates Reliable, Serial Neurological Examinations in a Non-Intubated Patient with Traumatic Brain Injury

Introduction We report the effective use of dexmedetomidine in the treatment of a patient with a history of chronic alcohol abuse and an acute traumatic brain injury who developed agitation that was unresolved if from traumatic brain injury, or alcohol withdrawal or the combination of both. Treatment with benzodiazepines failed; lorazepam therapy obscured our ability to do reliable neurological testing to follow his brain injury and nearly resulted in intubation of the patient secondary to respiratory suppression. Upon admission to hospital, the patient was first treated with intermittent, prophylactic doses of lorazepam for potential alcohol withdrawal based upon our institution's standard of care. His neurological examinations including a motor score of 6 (obeying commands) on his Glasgow Coma Scale testing, laboratory studies, and repeat CT head imaging remained stable. For lack of published literature in diagnosing symptoms of patients with a history of both alcohol withdrawal and traumatic brain injury, a diagnosis of agitation secondary to presumed alcohol withdrawal was made when the patient developed acute onset of tachycardia, confusion, and extreme anxiety with tremor and attempts to climb out of bed requiring him to be restrained. Additional lorazepam doses were administered following a hospital-approved protocol for titration of benzodiazepine therapy for alcohol withdrawal. The patient's mental status and respiratory function deteriorated with the frequent lorazepam dosing needed to control his agitation. Dexmedetomidine IV infusion at a rate of 0.5 mcg/kg/h was then administered and was titrated ultimately to 1.5 mcg/kg/h. After 8 days of therapy with dexmedetomidine, the patient was transferred from the ICU to a step-down unit with an intact neurological examination and no evidence of alcohol withdrawal. Airway intubation was avoided during the patient's entire hospitalization. This case report highlights the intricate balance between the side effects of benzodiazepine sedation for treatment of agitation and the difficulties of monitoring the neurological status of non-intubated patients with traumatic brain injury. Conclusion Given the large numbers of alcohol-dependent patients who suffer a traumatic brain injury and subsequently develop agitation and alcohol withdrawal in hospital, dexmedetomidine offers a novel strategy to facilitate sedation without neurological or respiratory depression. As this case report demonstrates, dexmedetomidine is an emerging treatment option for agitation in patients who require reliable, serial neurological testing to monitor the course of their traumatic brain injury.
Client as counselor: self‐regulation strategies

Recent research in counseling suggests the efficacy of teaching the clients to be their own counselors through the use of self-regulation procedures. This article explores three primary steps involved in helping clients to control their own behavior change: self-observation, self-monitoring, and self-regulation strategies. Self-regulation provides an affirmative answer to the question: “Is the client a counselor?” by promoting client responsibility and independence in the counseling process.
Revision of the Sutter-Eyberg Student Behavior Inventory: Teacher Ratings of Conduct Problem Behavior

The Sutter-Eyberg Student Behavior Inventory (SESBI), a brief teacher-rating scale of externalizing, or conduct problem behavior at school, was completed by 38 teachers for 726 5th- through 12th-grade students. The inventory contained the original 36 items plus 17 experimental items. Item analyses led to retention of 10 experimental items and deletion of 8 original items with weaker psychometric properties. Scores on this revised, 38-item version of the SESBI had a high coefficient alpha. Factor analyses yielded a two-factor solution representing (a) oppositional behavior and (b) attentional difficulties.
Probabilistic Approach to Trajectory Conformance Monitoring

Trajectory conformance monitoring checks whether an aircraft is likely to deviate significantly from its contract trajectory in the near future. This paper presents a systematic procedure for the design and evaluation of probabilistic trajectory conformancemonitoring algorithms. Basic components of a conformancemonitoring system are decomposed into trajectory prediction, calculation of deviation metrics, and decision logics for declaring nonconformances. Likely causes of nonconformances are categorized and stochastic kinematic trajectory predictions are used. The deviation metric is defined as the probability with which predicted trajectories exceed a containment region around the contract trajectory. An algorithm is presented that can estimate the nonconformance probability over time for uncertainties with arbitrary probabilistic distributions. When this nonconformance probability reaches a predefined threshold within the decision interval, a nonconformance is declared. In this paper, performances of conformancemonitoring algorithms are evaluated in terms of rates of false alarm,missed detection, correct detection of nonconformance, and correct confirmation of conformance. In addition, the advance time from detection to occurrence of a nonconformance is also used to measure the timeliness of an alert in correct detections. Monte Carlo simulations of aircraft level turns are used to systematically study the effects of various algorithm parameters on conformance monitoring system performances.
Tracking human motion in structured environments using a distributed-camera system

This paper presents a comprehensive framework for tracking coarse human models from sequences of synchronized monocular grayscale images in multiple camera coordinates. It demonstrates the feasibility of an end-to-end person tracking system using a unique combination of motion analysis on 3D geometry in different camera coordinates and other existing techniques in motion detection, segmentation, and pattern recognition. The system starts with tracking from a single camera view. When the system predicts that the active camera will no longer have a good view of the subject of interest, tracking will be switched to another camera which provides a better view and requires the least switching to continue tracking. The nonrigidity of the human body is addressed by matching points of the middle line of the human image, spatially and temporally, using Bayesian classification schemes. Multivariate normal distributions are employed to model class-conditional densities of the features for tracking, such as location, intensity, and geometric features. Limited degrees of occlusion are tolerated within the system. Experimental results using a prototype system are presented and the performance of the algorithm is evaluated to demonstrate its feasibility for real time applications.
Immunoliposome Sandwich Assay for the Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7

We describe the development of a field-portable colorimetric immunoassay for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7, using antibody-directed liposomes (immunoliposomes) encapsulating dye as an analytical reagent. Antibodies (anti-E. coli O157:H7) thiolated by 2-iminothiolane were coupled to malemide-tagged liposomes encapsulating the marker dye, sulforhodamine B. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the immunoliposomes bound only to the serotype without any cross-reactivity with tested negative controls. A wicking reagent containing immunoliposomes and the test sample and a plastic-backed nitrocellulose strip with a measurement zone were used in a sandwich (noncompetitive) assay format. During the capillary migration of the wicking reagent, E. coli, with surface-bound immunoliposomes, was captured at the measurement zone on which antibodies to E. coli O157:H7 were immobilized. The color density of the measurement zone was directly proportional to the amount of E. coli O157:H7 in the sample. The detection limit of the current assay with pure cultures of the serotype was ca. 10(4) colony-forming units (CFU)/mL. The assay, which does not need washing and incubation steps, can be completed in 8 min. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using dye-encapsulating immunoliposomes in microporous membranes for the rapid detection of molecules with multivalent antigenic sites.
Statistically and perceptually motivated nonlinear image representation

We describe an invertible nonlinear image transformation that is well-matched to the statistical properties of photographic images, as well as the perceptual sensitivity of the human visual system. Images are first decomposed using a multi-scale oriented linear transformation. In this domain, we develop a Markov random field model based on the dependencies within local clusters of transform coefficients associated with basis functions at nearby positions, orientations and scales. In this model, division of each coefficient by a particular linear combination of the amplitudes of others in the cluster produces a new nonlinear representation with marginally Gaussian statistics. We develop a reliable and efficient iterative procedure for inverting the divisive transformation. Finally, we probe the statistical and perceptual advantages of this image representation, examining robustness to added noise, rate-distortion behavior, and artifact-free local contrast enhancement.