cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-Decoder Dprnn: Source Separation for Variable Number of Speakers

We propose an end-to-end trainable approach to single-channel speech separation with unknown number of speakers. Our approach extends the MulCat source separation backbone with additional output heads: a count-head to infer the number of speakers, and decoder-heads for reconstructing the original signals. Beyond the model, we also propose a metric on how to evaluate source separation with variable number of speakers. Specifically, we clear up the issue on how to evaluate the quality when the ground-truth has more or less speakers than the ones predicted by the model. We evaluate our approach on the WSJ0-mix datasets, with mixtures up to five speakers. We demonstrate that our approach outperforms state-of-the-art in counting the number of speakers and remains competitive in quality of reconstructed signals.
UAV-aided Localization and Quantification of Methane using CLaDS

We present localization and quantitative concentration analysis of controlled methane releases using chirped laser dispersion spectroscopy (CLaDS) in conjunction with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in an open-path sensing configuration. The system was operational with gusts up to 10 m/s, at distances up to 40 meters, and without using jacks to mechanically stabilize of the instrument vehicle.
Regulation by Covalent Modification

Covalent modifications are enzyme-catalysed alterations of synthesised proteins and include the addition or removal of chemical groups. Modifications can target a single type of amino acid or multiple amino acids and will change the chemical properties of the site. Consequences on the structure and functions of the protein modified are manifested providing a sensitive method for cellular regulation. The modification of the protein can be reversible or irreversible; in most instances, there are different enzymes responsible for the forward and reverse reactions. Reversible modifications typically associated with the regulation of signalling and metabolic processes and select critical targets can be modified by multiple types of modifications at multiple types of amino acids with multiple number of modifications. Irreversible modifications are more energetically costly requiring the synthesis of new protein before the functional modification can be accomplished if needed. Key Concepts: Select enzymes catalyse the transfer of a chemical group from a donor to a target protein. The target protein is modified on a specific amino acid consistent with the chemistry of the modifying group. Modifications can influence the properties of the target protein with changes in structure, charge and function. Enzyme-catalysed modifications can be reversible or irreversible; reversible modifications typically require different enzymes for the reverse reaction. Reversible modifications typically associated with regulatory processes or in regulatory steps of metabolic and signalling pathways. Select critical processes and proteins are targets of multiple types and sites of reversible modifications. Irreversible modifications require the synthesis of protein. Irreversible modifications typically associated with physiological cascade processes such as blood coagulation. Keywords: co-translation modification; post-translational modification
Searching for Dark Matter with the Future LHC Accelerator at CERN Using the CMS Detector

The fraction of visible matter may be as small as about 1% of the total mass of the universe1. The missing dark matter could be baryonic matter in the form of black holes, Jupiter-like planets, white dwarf stars, etc. (collectively called MACHO’s for MAssive, Compact Halo Objects). This type of dark matter could account for much of the discrepancy from galactic rotation curves, but would not be able to account for the amount of dark matter needed on larger scales to explain galactic clustering or the simplest inflationary cosmological models, which require the matter density of the universe to be at the critical density. The missing dark matter could also be composed of elementary particles. The latter come in two different forms: hot dark matter, such as massive neutrinos which would be moving at speeds close to the speed of light, and cold dark matter, such as axions or the lightest superpartner of supersymmetric (SUSY) theories, which would typically be moving at non-relativistic velocities. In R-parity conserving SUSY theories, the lightest SUSY particle (LSP) has to be stable. A neutral LSP would interact weakly, like a neutrino, and would be very difficult to observe directly. The new accelerator to be built at CERN, called the LHC, should have sufficient energy to produce SUSY particles in abundance. Two detectors, CMS2 and ATLAS3, should be able to detect the presence of SUSY particles, and will engage in the search for supersymmetry. Thus, if dark matter is primarily made up of LSP’s, experiments at LHC should be able to discover dark matter indirectly, by finding an excess of events with missing transverse energy, due to LSP’s that escape the detector.
Tense, propositions, and facts

This paper aims to clarify the connection between the logic of temporal distinctions and the temporal features of propositions. Contra Prior, it argues that the adoption of tense operators does not commit one to the view that propositions can change their truth value over time.
Irritable bowel syndrome: a concise review of current treatment concepts.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders causing patients to seek medical treatment. It is relatively resource intensive and the source of significant morbidity. Recent insights into the pathophysiology and treatment of IBS has given clinicians more options than ever to contend with this disorder. The purpose of our paper is to review older, “classic” treatments for IBS as well as newer agents and “alternative” therapies. We discuss the evidence base of these drugs and provide context to help develop appropriate treatment plans for IBS patients.
The historical uncanny: disability, ethnicity, and the politics of Holocaust memory

While the Holocaust functions as a lynchpin of memory studies, public and scholarly attention has scarcely been paid to convergences between Holocaust memory and disability studies. Through a compa...
The Epidemiology of Traumatic Brain Injuries Treated in Emergency Departments in North Carolina, 2010–2011

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a leading cause of injury morbidity and mortality in the United States. An estimated 1.7 million TBIs occur each year, and TBIs may lead to severe lifelong disability and death; even mild-to-moderate TBIs may have long-term consequences. North Carolina's population-wide data on TBIs are limited, so it is important to analyze the available data regarding TBI-related emergency department (ED) visits. METHODS: Statewide data on TBI-related ED visits were obtained from the North Carolina Disease Event Tracking and Epidemiologic Collection Tool (NC DETECT), an electronic public health surveillance system. Counts and rates were produced by sex, age, county of residence, disposition, mode of transport, and mechanism of injury. RESULTS: In 2010-2011, there were 140,234 TBI-related ED visits in North Carolina, which yields a rate of 7.3 ED visits per 1,000 person-years. The rate was higher for men (7.9 visits per 1,000 person-years) than for women (6.8 visits per 1,000 person-years). Rates were highest in individuals aged 0-4 years (13.1 visits per 1,000 person-years), 15-19 years (10.6 visits per 1,000 person-years), 75-79 years (11.3 visits per 1,000 person-years), 80-84 years (17.9 visits per 1,000 person-years), and 85 years or older (30.6 visits per 1,000 person-years). TBI-related ED visits were principally the result of falls (39.0%), being struck by a person or object (17.6%), or motor vehicle traffic-related crashes (14.1%). LIMITATIONS: This study utilizes data collected primarily for administrative purposes, such as hospital billing. CONCLUSION: TBIs are a common cause of ED visits in North Carolina. These descriptive statistics demonstrate needs for statewide ED surveillance to monitor the incidence of TBIs and for the development of prevention strategies. Language: en
Elevated levels and functional capacity of soluble CD40 ligand in systemic lupus erythematosus sera.

Objective To measure soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to study the functional capacity of sCD40L in mediating B cell activation. Methods A 2-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure sCD40L in the sera of 66 SLE patients, 30 disease control patients, and 23 healthy subjects. Induction of B cell activation antigen expression was used to assess the functional capacity of sCD40L in SLE sera. Results The mean concentration of sCD40L was statistically significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in SLE patients than in disease controls or healthy subjects, and segregation of SLE patients by severe, moderate, or mild extent of disease showed a relationship between disease severity and sCD40L concentration. Western blot analysis demonstrated the presence of the 18-kd band of sCD40L in SLE sera, and the results of a 1-site ELISA protocol suggested that some of the product in SLE sera was present in dimer or trimer form. Functional studies showed that 10 ng/ml of recombinant CD40L, a level present in some SLE sera, induced increased expression of CD95 on B cells. Several SLE sera also induced CD95 or CD86 on Ramos B cells, a result that was inhibited by anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies. Conclusion The soluble form of CD40L is present in the sera of most patients with SLE and may have the capacity to mediate B cell activation. Aberrant expression of CD40L might be predicted to result in activation of bystander B cells, including those that have encountered self antigens, and to contribute to autoantibody secretion.
Reporting peer wrongdoing in the healthcare profession: the role of incompetence and substance abuse information

This article reports an analysis of the thinking processes nurses use when making decisions to report peer wrongdoing. Nurses (N=120) were asked to provide subjective probability estimates of the likelihood that they would report a hypothetical coworker for substance abuse and/or incompetence related to practice. Data were analyzed using formal inference-based recursive modeling (FIRM). Findings confirm that when considering workplace wrongdoing, nurses view working under the influence of any type of substance to be a very serious offense. More interesting, nurses combined incompetence and substance-abuse cues in complex ways, possibly due to the critical-thinking skills acquired during their education and practice.
The Double Life of Ribosomal Proteins

Many integral proteins of the ribosome also carry out extra-ribosomal functions as independent polypeptides, raising questions as to their evolutionary derivation. In this issue of Cell, Mazumder et al. report a surprising new twist in the dual life of these molecules: as part of a cellular response to interferon, a large-subunit protein dramatically exits the ribosome to bind and inhibit the translation of a specific mRNA.
Known and suggested quaternary faulting in the midcontinent United States

Abstract The midcontinent United States between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains contains 40 known faults or other potentially tectonic features for which published geologic information shows or suggests Quaternary tectonic faulting. We report results of a systematic evaluation of published and other publicly available geologic evidence of Quaternary faulting. These results benefit seismic-hazard assessments by (1) providing some constraints on the recurrence intervals and magnitudes of large, prehistoric earthquakes, and (2) identifying features that warrant additional study. For some features, suggested Quaternary tectonic faulting has been disproved, whereas, for others, the suggested faulting remains questionable. Of the 40 features, nine have clear geologic evidence of Quaternary tectonic faulting associated with prehistoric earthquakes, and another six features have evidence of nontectonic origins. An additional 12 faults, uplifts, or historical seismic zones lack reported paleoseismological evidence of large, Quaternary earthquakes. The remaining 13 features require further paleoseismological study to determine if they have had Quaternary earthquakes that were larger than any known from local historical records; seven of these 13 features are in or near urbanized areas where their study could affect urban hazard estimates. These seven are: (1) the belt of normal faults that rings the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Texas, (2) the Northeast Ohio seismic zone, (3) the Valmont and (4) Goodpasture faults of Colorado, (5) the Champlain lowlands normal faults of New York State and Vermont, and (6) the Lexington and (7) Kentucky River fault systems of eastern Kentucky.
Quantifying «wave exposure»: a simple device for recording maximum velocity and results of its use at several field sites

Abstract Numerous studies have established that exposure to wave action can affect all aspects of the life history of a marine organism, and can thereby have an important role in the structuring of marine populations and communities. However, relatively few studies have attempted to quantify the aspect of water motion that is likely to be of interest. In many cases, an important source of disturbance or mortality is due to the hydrodynamic forces generated by moving water. As a result, the maximum water velocity to which an organism is exposed will determine whether it can survive in a given environment. Here we describe a maximum velocity recorder that is a modification of the described dynamometer. The device is simple and inexpensive to build and easily deployed in large numbers. A mathematical model is presented that describes the conditions under which the device provides accurate estimates of maximal water velocity, and when it should be used with caution. A number of recorders were used to quantify maximal daily water velocities at three intertidal habitats on the central coast of California. The correlation of these measurements with qualitative descriptions of each site is discussed.
Metabolism of chitin precursors by crayfish tissues during chitin synthesis

In order to follow changes in chitin precursors during chitin synthesis in the crayfish, Orconectes sanborni, tissue extracts were analyzed with an anion exchange column before and after injection of 14C-N-acetylglucosamine. Glucose concentration was found to be much lower in the blood than in the other tissues. Therefore, any movement into the tissues must occur against a steep concentration gradient. In the epidermis, most of the metabolites of the chitin synthetic pathway were absent in early premolt stage D0, and they were at their highest concentration in late premolt stage D3, when chitin synthesis was underway. Apparently the synthesis of these chitin precursors is initiated after premolt state D0. In epidermis, midgut gland, and muscle, the chitin precursors found in highest concentration, N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate and UDP-N-acetyl-glucosamine, decreased in concentration between stage D3 and postmolt stage C1-2, the stage when rate of chitin synthesis is highest. This suggests the early enzymes in the chitin synthetic pathway, but not the late enzymes, increase in activity in premolt, causing accumulation of these two compounds. Then the late enzymes increase in activity in postmolt, reducing the levels of accumulated precursors and raising the overall rate of chitin synthesis. Chitin precursors were found in midgut gland and muscle, but little incorporation of label into macromolecules was seen. This suggests the possibility that these tissues may synthesize chitin precursors for use in chitin synthesis by the epidermis. Some N-acetyl-glucosamine-6-phosphate was found in the blood, possibly en route from the tissues that synthesize it, such as midgut gland and muscle, to the epidermis, which uses it for chitin synthesis. Even late in premolt, the chitin of the old cuticle, soon to be shed, became labeled. Therefore, the cuticle may serve as a reserve food supply by its continual breakdown and resynthesis.
Experimental hybridization of Coelomomyces dodgei and Coelomomyces punctatus

Abstract Two closely related fungi, Coelomomyces dodgei and C. punctatus (Chytridiomycetes; Blastocladiales), showing considerable potential for mosquito control, have been hybridized. Both species have life cycles involving an obligate alteration of sexual and asexual generations between an intermediate copepod host and a definitive mosquito host, respectively. Hybridization was accomplished by making reciprocal crosses of gametes derived from infected copepods. In both cases, C. dodgei [unk] × C. punctatus [unk] and C. punctatus [unk] × C. dodgei [unk], zygotes infective for mosquito larvae were formed. Most sporangia produced by the hybrids in infected larvae were not typical of either parental species but resembled C. dodgei more than C. punctatus. Additionally, the majority of the sporangia formed in several larvae exhibited surface structures similar to C. lativittatus, indicating this species may be a naturally occurring hybrid of C. dodgei and C. punctatus. The experimental methods described provide a system to aid in the study of taxonomic relationships among closely related species of Coelomomyces, and furthermore they may contribute to the development of strains efficacious for mosquito control.
Spherically Symmetric Monopoles and Dyons With Spin

Abstract The collective coordinate method of semiclassical quantization is used to show that the dyonic excitations of certain magnetic monopoles found in unified gauge theories may have nonzero spin, even when the classical monopole fields are spherically symmetric. The magnetic monopoles in the SU(5) model which have three and six times the minimum Dirac magnetic charge provide examples of this phenomenon. The usual relation between spin and statistics is verified for the dyons.
Analogue of the Total Variation Denoising Model in the Context of Geometry Processing

We propose a new variational model for surface processing. It is the natural analogue, in the context of geometry processing, of the total variation based image denoising model of Rudin, Osher, and Fatemi. In particular, it admits as solutions surfaces that may have discontinuities in their normals and can reconstruct shapes with sharp ridges and corners. As the analogue of a perfectly well-posed image model, the proposed surface model differs from those based on ill-posed equations of image processing. Since the proposed geometry regularization is variational, it can be incorporated into a variety of applications, such as surface fairing, three-dimensional object reconstruction from multiple viewpoints, or shape optimization. Drawing on important previous work of geometers who were interested in extending certain classical theorems from smooth to polyhedral manifolds, we describe in detail the appropriate numerical implementation of the proposed model in the case of triangulated surfaces. We then demonst...
Oscillator strengths for the 2s2, 2p2, 2s3s(1S)-2s2p(1P) transitions of B(II)

Abstract Accurate configuration interaction wavefunctions for the 2 s 2 ( 1 S ), 2 p 2 ( 1 S ), 2 s 3 s ( 1 S ) and 2 s 2 p ( 1 P ) states of B(II) are calculated in a single optimized orbital basis of 7 s , 6 p and 4 d Slater-type orbitals. 95, 84, 57 and 90% of the correlation energies, respectively, are realized by these wavefunctions. Oscillator strengths for the three 1 S - 1 P transitions are calculated from these and from less accurate wavefunctions in the same orbital basis. The length values obtained from our most accurate wavefunctions, in order of increasing 1 S energy, are 0.9885, 0.202 and 0.007. The degree of accuracy of these oscillator strengths is estimated by noting the convergence to final values as increasing percentages of correlation energies are included in the wavefunctions together with the increasing agreement between length and velocity formulas. The exact theoretical oscillator strength for the resonant line is projected to be 0.985 with an error almost certainly not greater than ±0.015. The theoretical oscillator strengths for the other lines are considered to be 0.21±0.02 and less than 0.007, respectively.
Radiotherapy for sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC). Materials and methods The medical records of 23 patients treated with definitive or postoperative RT between 1992 and 2010 at the University of Florida were retrospectively reviewed. Fifteen patients (65%) received primary surgery and postoperative RT. Radiation doses ranged from 59.0 to 74.8 Gy (median, 70.2 Gy). The median follow-up time for all patients was 3.0 years (range, 0.9–19.9), and for living patients was 7.7 years (range, 2.5–19.9). Results The actuarial 5-year survival outcomes were as follows: progression-free survival, 42%; cause-specific survival, 43%; and overall survival, 32%. Actuarial 5-year disease control rates were as follows: local control (infield or marginal), 74%; local-regional control (excluding leptomeningeal spread), 58%, regional control 78%, freedom from leptomeningeal recurrence, 72%, and distant metastasis-free survival, 73%. Five of the 8 (62.5%) patients treated with definitive RT died with disease, and 6 of the 15 patients (40%) treated with primary surgery and postoperative RT died with disease. Three patients (13%) experienced severe complications including unilateral eye removal, osteoradionecrosis of the maxilla requiring hyperbaric oxygen and surgery, and brain necrosis. One patient died due to an infected bone graft and brain abscess. Conclusions A multimodal approach is best when treating SNUC patients. The prognosis for patients treated with definitive RT ± chemotherapy is less promising than for those who receive surgery and postoperative RT ± chemotherapy. Severe complications occur in about 17% of patients due to the high dose of RT alone or combined with surgery required for acceptable disease control.
Multiple Repetition Time Balanced Steady-State Free Precession Imaging

Although balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) imaging yields high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) efficiency, the bright lipid signal is often undesirable. The bSSFP spectrum can be shaped to suppress the fat signal with scan-efficient alternating repetition time (ATR) bSSFP. However, the level of suppression is limited, and the pass-band is narrow due to its non-uniform shape. A multiple repetition time (TR) bSSFP scheme is proposed that creates a broad stop-band with a scan efficiency comparable to ATR-SSFP. Furthermore, the pass-band signal uniformity is improved, resulting in fewer shading/banding artifacts. When data acquisition occurs in more than a single TR within the multiple-TR period, the echoes can be combined to significantly improve the level of suppression. The signal characteristics of the proposed technique were compared with bSSFP and ATR-SSFP. The multiple-TR method generates identical contrast to bSSFP, while achieving up to an order of magnitude higher stop-band suppression than ATR-SSFP. In vivo studies at 1.5 T and 3 T demonstrate the superior fat suppression performance of multiple-TR bSSFP.
Southeastern United States summer rainfall framework and its implication for seasonal prediction

A new rainfall framework is constructed to describe the complex probability distribution of southeastern United States (SE US) summer (June–July–August) rainfall, which cannot be well represented by traditional kernel fitting methods. The new framework is based on the configuration of a three-cluster finite normal mixture model and is realized by Bayesian inference and a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm. The three rainfall clusters reflect the probability distribution of light, moderate, and heavy rainfall in summer, and are linked to different climate factors. The variation of light rainfall intensity is likely associated with the combined effects of La Nina and the tri-pole sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) over the North Atlantic. Heavy rainfall concurs with a ‘horseshoe-like’ SSTA over the North Atlantic. In contrast, moderate rainfall is less correlated with the SSTA and likely caused by atmospheric internal dynamics. Rainfall characteristics and their linkages with SSTAs help improve seasonal predictions of regional climate. Such a new framework has an important implication in understanding the response of regional hydrology to climate variability and climate change; and our study suggest that it can be extended to other regions and seasons with similar climate.
Growth Hormone, Cardiomyocyte Contractile Reserve, and Heart Failure

In this issue of Circulation , Tajima et al1 report that recombinant human growth hormone (GH) (3.5 mg · kg−1 · d−1) given for 2 weeks, while not affecting baseline function, restored myocardial contractile reserve in cardiomyocytes isolated from rats 4 to 6 weeks after myocardial infarction (MI) compared with vehicle-treated post-MI rats. In addition, the peak of the Ca2+ transient, which was normal at baseline in both GH- and vehicle-treated rats, was depressed in response to increased external Ca2+ (3.5 mm/L) in vehicle-treated rats, whereas in the GH-treated group, increased Ca2+ restored the peak at the Ca2+ transient, as well as cardiomyocyte contractile function. Also, in the GH-treated post-MI hearts, mRNA and protein levels of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase 2 (SERCA-2) were increased,1 which lends support to the proposed mechanism for restoration of contractile reserve, because only a small increase in the expression of SERCA-2 protein was reported to enhance myocardial contractility in transgenic mice.2 The authors indicate that cardiomyocytes were used to obviate effects of altered loading on the heart by the vasodilator actions of GH, and the dose of GH used was said to be sufficiently low to avoid myocardial hypertrophy. This study is the first to analyze the effects of GH in cardiomyocytes from postinfarction rats and provides convincing data concerning a beneficial effect of GH on contractile reserve. It also begins to shed light on mechanisms involved in the effects of GH on myocardial function. However, some of the findings in this study raise questions about GH effects under differing study conditions. In recent years, interest in studying GH as a possible adjunctive treatment for severe heart failure has emerged as a result of a number of observations, including clinical studies showing marked improvements in …
Trypsin inhibition of photosystem II.

Abstract 1. Brief incubation of chloroplasts with trypsin accelerated (by uncoupling) while longer incubation inhibited the Hill reaction with 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP). When an uncoupler (NH 4 Cl or methylamine · HCl) was present, or when the reaction was light-limited, even brief incubation with trypsin inhibited the reaction. 2. Electron transport from ascorbate and DCIP to methyl viologen, in the presence of 3,4-dichlorophenyl-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), was unaffected by trypsin treatment. 3. Addition of 0.35 M Tris-HCl to normal chloroplasts severely inhibited the reduction of DCIP: after a brief transient reduction of DCIP in high light, the inhibition was virtually complete. DCIP reduction was partially restored (approx. 50%) by the donor, 1,5-diphenylcarbohydrazide. Trypsin treatment abolished both the transient observed in the presence of 0.35 M Tris-HCl, and the partial restoration by 1,5-diphenylcarbohydrazide. 4. Inhibition of DCIP reduction by trypsin occurred two to three times faster with water as donor as with 1,5-diphenylcarbohydrazide. In both cases, the inhibition developed with first order kinetics. 5. Both treatment with 0.35 M Tris-HCl and with trypsin lowered the relative fluorescence yield of otherwise untreated chloroplasts to the same level. After the Tris treatment alone, but not after both trypsin and Tris treatments, 1,5-diphenylcarbohydrazide addition raised the fluorescence yield. Nor could the yield of trypsin-treated chloroplasts be raised by DCMU. 6. It is concluded that trypsin(i) uncouples, (ii) does not inhibit Photosystem I between plastocyanin and ferredoxin, and (iii) inhibits at least two sites of electron transport on the oxygen producing side of Photosystem II. A more rapid inhibition occurs between the sites of water oxidation and 1,5-diphenylcarbohydrazide oxidation, and a slower inhibition occurs between the sites of 1,5-diphenylcarbohydrazide oxidation and Photosystem II.
High-grade sarcoma masquerading as growing teratoma syndrome after resection of ovarian immature teratoma: report of a case.

Summary A thorough literature search revealed no previous reports of this entity, and we are the first to describe a case of a high-grade sarcoma arising from a recurrent immature teratoma misdiagnosed as growing teratoma syndrome. The patient was a 23-yr-old female, diagnosed at the age of 20 with a Stage IIIB immature ovarian teratoma. After surgery and chemotherapy, the patient developed multiple liver and pelvic masses that were diagnosed as mature teratomas based on small samples obtained by computed tomography-guided core biopsy. Three years after diagnosis the patient presented with severe respiratory difficulty and following resection, the final pathology revealed multiple tumors with foci of high grade sarcoma compatible with primitive neuroectodermal tumor/extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma based on morphology and immunohistochemistry (CD99+, CD56+). However, on the basis of further immunostaining and fluorescent in situ hybridization studies negative for rearrangement of EWSR1, the final pathologic diagnosis was high-grade unspecified (undifferentiated) sarcoma. This case illustrates the pitfalls of biopsying 1 site in a patient with recurrence of a heterogeneous tumor such as immature ovarian teratoma, especially when rendering a benign diagnosis such as growing teratoma syndrome. It is of utmost importance to adequately sample large-volume recurrent teratomas, and we suggest biopsying several different sites, to increase the likelihood of detecting a malignant component.
Evidence for 2 × 1 building block in the atomic structure of Si{111} 7 × 7

Abstract The well known experimental Si {111} 7 × 7 LEED pattern is shown to exhibit systematic enhancement of diffracted intensity at the 1 2 -order positions, thus revealing the existence of 2 × 1 or 2 × 2 structural components in the 7 × 7 structure with a single domain Si {111} 2 × 1 cleaved structure reveals remarkable similarities. The conclusion is that the fundamental building block of the 7 × 7 structure is a 2 × 1 subunit which closely resembles the unit cell of the cleaved 2 × 1 structure.
Guanosine 5′-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS) Stimulation of GLUT4 Translocation is Tyrosine Kinase-dependent

Guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPgammaS) treatment of permeabilized adipocytes results in GLUT4 translocation similar to that elicited by insulin treatment. However, although the selective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin, completely prevented insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation, it was without effect on GTPgammaS-stimulated GLUT4 translocation. In addition, insulin was an effective stimulant, whereas GTPgammaS was a very weak activator of the downstream Akt serine/threonine kinase. Consistent with an Akt-independent mechanism, guanosine 5'-O-2-(thio)diphosphate inhibited insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation without any effect on the Akt kinase. Surprisingly, two functionally distinct tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein and herbimycin A, as well as microinjection of a monoclonal phosphotyrosine specific antibody, inhibited both GTPgammaS- and insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation. Phosphotyrosine immunoblotting and specific immunoprecipitation demonstrated that GTPgammaS did not elicit tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor or insulin receptor substrate-1. In contrast to insulin, proteins in the 120-130-kDa and 55-75-kDa range were tyrosine-phosphorylated following GTPgammaS stimulation. Several of these proteins were identified and include protein-tyrosine kinase 2 (also known as CAKbeta, RAFTK, and CADTK), pp125 focal adhesion tyrosine kinase, pp130 Crk-associated substrate, paxillin, and Cbl. These data demonstrate that the GTPgammaS-stimulated GLUT4 translocation utilizes a novel tyrosine kinase pathway that is independent of both the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the Akt kinase.
Late Recent Rise of Sea Level

Radiocarbon dating of marsh peats in south-central Louisiana permits interpretations of relationships between former positions of land and sea. Past marsh surfaces, now buried at depths ranging from 4 to 40 feet, indicate the positive change in level that has taken place since their origin. Abundant evidence for a stillstand in sea level during the past 2000–5000 years affords a fixed datum for differentiation between eustatic sea-level rise and subsidence. The rate of subsidence in the study area is 0.24 foot per century. Results show a eustatic sea-level rise of approximately 23 feet in the interval between 7000 and 3650 years B. P. when stillstand was reached. There is no indication that sea level was higher than at present at any time during the interval studied.
Pulmonary embolism in the patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A diagnostic dilemma

It is often difficult to distinguish pulmonary embolism from worsening underlying disease in the setting of severe chronic obstructive lung disease. We describe three patients with severe COPD and angiographically documented pulmonary embolus to stress that standard clinical and radioisotopic studies were of little value in establishing a diagnosis. All patients had acute increases in alveolar ventilation immediately following the embolus with a reduction in previously elevated levels of PaCO2, as well as hypoxemia. Such changes in arterial blood gases in the patient with severe COPD should suggest pulmonary embolus rather than increased obstruction.
SINUS ARRHYTHMIA IN PRETERM INFANTS

Sinus arrhythmia is the variation in heart rate attributable to respiration. Fox and Forges (1985) have found that the “amplitude” of sinus arrhythmia measured near birth is correlated with developmental outcome at 8 and 12 months of age. We wanted to determine if age and/or health significantly affected the manifestation of sinus arrhythmia in prmature infants while in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Thirteen preterm infants were monitored over a 2-6 week period from as early as 30 weeks oonoeptional age (CA) to 35 weeks CA. Heart rate respiration, body movements, eye movements, eye openings and crying were recorded for 48 continuous hours per week in these infants. From these variables, sleep-wake states and sinus arrhythmia were determined. Instantaneous heart rate (IHR) was determined for 1 minute epochs of quiet sleep using the method of Cheung and Forges (1977). Fast Fourier transforms of the IHR were used to evaluate sinus arrhythmia. Results indicate that sinus arrhythmia is evident in preterm infants, and individual differences in this phenomenon may reflect the infant's health status and sleep state organization. Sinus arrhythmia appears to reflect the degree of biological organization of the preterm infant and his vulnerability to environmental perturbations in the NICU.
Efficiency in foreign exchange markets: A vector autoregression approach

Abstract This paper examines and tests the ‘simple efficiency’ property of the forward exchange market by analyzing the linearly indeterministic covariance stationary propertoes of the vector stochastic proceess that governs the joint behavior of the spot exchange rate and forward rates wiht different maturity dates. A multivariate autoregressive methodology for testing the ‘simple efficiency’ hypothesis that relies upon a set of highly non-linear cross-equation restrictions is utilized. The results of the estimation and testing for the British pound and the Deutsche mark over the period September 1974 to November 1987 using monthly observation on the spot rate, the one-month forward rate and the three-month forward rates are presented. Special concern is given to the sensitivity of the tests' results to subsampling over the period.
Overcorrection: An overview

This paper reviews and evaluates the utilization of Overcorrection in the treatment of self-stimulatory, self-injurious, and agressive-disruptive behavior. It also examines certain issues related to the characteristics of Overcorrection and its effectiveness. For maximal effectiveness, it is suggested that the procedure be topography specific, be applied immediately, be extended in duration, and be actively performed by the individual.
Toward an outline of the topography of a realistic protein-folding funnel

Abstract Experimental information on the structure and dynamics of molten globules gives estimates for the energy landscape's characteristics for folding highly helical proteins, when supplemented by a theory of the helix-coil transition in collapsed heteropolymers. A law of corresponding states relating simulations on small lattice models to real proteins possessing many more degrees of freedom results. This correspondence reveals parallels between "minimalist" lattice results and recent experimental results for the degree of native character of the folding transition state and molten globule and also pinpoints the needs of further experiments.
Quality Meat Attributes Desirable to the Culinary Consumer

The purpose of this study is to examine factors affecting the culinary consumer's decision to purchase meat products when preparing and cooking food at home. A 5-point Likert scale by Loureiro and Umberger (2005) was used to collect information concerning aesthetic factors, nutrition and fat content, food safety, country-of-origin labeling, traceability, and demographic information from competitors and visitors at the 20th Annual Murphysboro Barbeque Cook-Off in Murphysboro, IL. Overall, freshness, food safety, U.S. produced, tenderness, and reasonably priced were rated as the most desirable attributes when purchasing meat. This information can be useful to stakeholders who want to market meat products to U.S. consumers, especially to those who are interested in carnivorous consumption, such as those individuals who attend barbecue competitions.
Molecular motors: turning the ATP motor.

A long-standing question regarding ATP synthase — a cellular energy-generator — has been which direction it spins in when generating ATP. Some elegant experiments have revealed the answer.
Calcium amelioration of cadmium-induced cytotoxicity in cultured rat hepatocytes.

Parenchymal hepatocytes from neonatal rats were isolated, cultured about 24 h, exposed to cadmium with or without calcium, and processed for scanning electron microscopy. To assess the severity of cadmium-induced changes, exposed hepatocytes were categorized based upon the extent of morphological damage. Differences in surface blebbing, alterations in microvilli, variations in the degree of swelling, and changes in cell shape were used to categorize the severity of cell damage. A double-blind morphometric analysis (a geometricostatistical processing of two-dimensional data for the collection of three-dimensional information) of cellular changes was conducted for each exposure time and for each concentration of cadmium in the presence or absence of calcium. Significant decreases occurred in the percent relative volume of normal, flattened cells present in cultures exposed for 30 min to 50 or 100 μM cadmium in the absence of calcium. In contrast, the percent relative volume of severely damaged spherical cells was significantly increased after exposure to solutions containing 50 or 100 μM cadmium and lacking calcium. Percent relative volume of intermediate cells (which were slightly swollen and showed changes in microvillar number) was significantly increased following a 30 min exposure to all cadmium concentrations in the absence of calcium. The examination of hepatocytes exposed for 60 min showed that the degree of cadmium-induced cytotoxicity was more severe in the absence of calcium than was the case for the hepatocyte cultures exposed for 30 min: approximately 30% more spherical cells and 30% fewer flattened cells were present if cultures were exposed in the absence of calcium for 60 min compared to those exposed for 30 min. The degree of blebbing was significantly greater at all cadmium concentrations in the absence of calcium. The presence of calcium, therefore, reduced cadmium-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes subjected to morphometric analysis after scanning electron microscopy.
New approach to the study of microchannel-plate-sensitive surface

A new approach to study the composition of microchannel plate sensitive surface by secondary ion mass spectrometry is described. The time-of-flight technique is implemented in an unconventional way which permits using the continuous probing beam and concurrent multichannel mass identification. This makes the technique relatively simple, and the low doses and low probing beam intensities provide the opportunity to perform nondestructive analysis of thin layers and fragile films.
The Element Effect Revisited: Factors Determining Leaving Group Ability in Activated Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution Reactions

The "element effect" in nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions (S(N)Ar) is characterized by the leaving group order, F > NO(2) > Cl ≈ Br > I, in activated aryl halides. Multiple causes for this result have been proposed. Experimental evidence shows that the element effect order in the reaction of piperidine with 2,4-dinitrophenyl halides in methanol is governed by the differences in enthalpies of activation. Computational studies of the reaction of piperidine and dimethylamine with the same aryl halides using the polarizable continuum model (PCM) for solvation indicate that polar, polarizability, solvation, and negative hyperconjugative effects are all of some importance in producing the element effect in methanol. In addition, a reversal of polarity of the C-X bond from reactant to transition state in the case of ArCl and ArBr compared to ArF also contributes to their differences in reactivity. The polarity reversal and hyperconjugative influences have received little or no attention in the past. Nor has differential solvation of the different transition states been strongly emphasized. An anionic nucleophile, thiolate, gives very early transition states and negative activation enthalpies with activated aryl halides. The element effect is not established for these reactions. We suggest that the leaving group order in the gas phase will be dependent on the exact combination of nucleophile, leaving group, and substrate framework. The geometry of the S(N)Ar transition state permits useful, qualitative conceptual distinctions to be made between this reaction and other modes of nucleophilic attack.
Building Process Theory with Narrative: from Description to Explanation

Narrative is especially relevant to the analysis of organizational processes because people do not simply tell stories—they enact them. Narrative data have surface features that are useful for description, but explanatory process theories must be based on deeper structures that are not directly observable. To address this problem and to facilitate better process theory, in this article I use concepts from narrative theory to create a framework for analyzing structural features in narrative data.
Ranch Apocalypse: A Pataphysical Inquiry into the Mount Carmel Siege

A total of 84 people were killed in the 1993 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) raid on Mount Carmel in Waco, Texas. Debates continue about who was responsible--e.g., was it a government conspiracy or cultist militants intent on mass suicide? What hasn't been fully considered, however, is the role the guns, tanks, toxic gases, and other "theater of war" accoutrements themselves played in the siege and resultant deadly inferno. Traditional metaphysical inquiries rest on the presupposition that the subject is separate from and sovereign over the object it examines. But as we have entered this intensely visual consumer culture, differences between subject and object disappear and the power of the subject collapses. Employing the postmodern metaphysics--here and elsewhere called "pataphysics"--of Jean Baudrillard to investigate this tragic battle, the author will argue that the ATF and the FBI were seduced by the compound's castle and arsenal as well as their own. The helicopters, snipers, tanks, and CS gas turned what had begun on February 28, 1993, as a raid to serve a search warrant into a full scale military-style attack on a fortress and its peoples. Could it be that the federal agents became and were subordinate to the tools they were using? Keywords: Baudrillard, Branch Davidians, metaphysics, pataphysics, postmodernism, sect, visual culture.
Exploring the Spiritual/Religious Dimension of Patients: A Timely Opportunity for Personal and Professional Reflection for Graduating Medical Students

Teaching about spirituality in medical school training is lacking. Spirituality is a dimension of humanity that can put experiences of health and illness into a meaningful context. Medical students might benefit from understanding how spirituality is an important element in learning to care for patients. Spirituality also provides a context for medical students to explore their own motivations for doctoring. This article describes a longitudinal senior elective course at the end of their medical school training to delve into matters of religion/spirituality surrounding patient care. The authors pose their own perspectives on what both students and faculty gained from the experience.
Identification of Functional Domains of the Human Glutamate Transporters EAAT1 and EAAT2

Abstract Glutamate transporters serve the important function of mediating removal of glutamate released at excitatory synapses and maintaining extracellular concentrations below excitotoxic levels. Excitatory amino acid transporter subtypes EAAT1 and EAAT2 have a high degree of sequence homology and similar predicted topology and yet display a number of functional differences. Several recombinant chimeric transporters were generated to identify domains that contribute to functional differences between EAAT1 and EAAT2. Wild-type transporters and chimeric transporters were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, and electrogenic transport was studied under voltage clamp conditions. The differential sensitivity of EAAT1 and EAAT2 to transport blockers, kainate,threo-3-methylglutamate, and (2S,4R)-4-methylglutamate as well asl-serine-O-sulfate transport and chloride permeability were employed to characterize chimeric transporters. One particular region, transmembrane domains 9 and 10, plays an important role in defining these functional differences. The intracellular carboxyl-terminal region may also play a minor role in conferring an effect on chloride permeability. This study provides important insight into the identification of functional domains that determine differences among glutamate transporter subtypes.