cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temperature effects on low-light vision in juvenile rockfish (Genus Sebastes) and consequences for habitat utilization

The absolute low-light sensitivity of four congeneric species of rockfish (genus Sebastes) was studied from analysis of electroretinograms measured in living fish. The purpose was: (1) to determine if temperature sensitive noise in rod photoreceptors affects the absolute limit to low-light sensitivity at environmentally realistic temperatures and light levels, and (2) to examine whether interspecific variations in habitat utilization within rockfish communities correlate with differences in visual sensitivity. It was found that the low-light sensitivity of individual retinae is inversely dependent on temperature, decreasing tenfold with a 10°C increase in temperature. While in all four species, temperature had a similar effect on sensitivity, the absolute sensitivity levels were different. The four species could be divided into two groups based on measured sensitivity. Kelp and olive rockfish form a high-sensitivity group capable of responding to light levels approximately 50-fold lower than blue and black rockfish. The sensitivity groups correlated with reported diel activity patterns; the high-sensitivity group forages nocturnally, whereas members of the low-sensitivity group are quiescent during twilight and night and forage during the day.
Mouse Chromosome 1

The first mouse Chromosome (Chr) 1 report includes: (1) extensive genetic linkage information; (2) a summary of cytogenetic relationships and listings of Robertsonian and inversion mice; (3) a brief synopsis of interesting gene families, visible mutations and diseases; (4) comparative mapping relationships with segments of the human genome; and (5) reference loci. The report includes both published and unpublished data. Unpublished data is attributed to the laboratory or individuals who have submitted data to the Committee for inclusion and does not preclude separate publication of this data. The Committee strongly encourages the formal presentation of the primary data.
Analysis of Sunspot Variability Using the Hilbert – Huang Transform

The Hilbert – Huang transform is a relatively new data analysis technique, which is able to analyze the cyclic components of a potentially nonlinear and nonstationary data series. Monthly sunspot number data from 1749 to 2010 were analyzed using this technique, which revealed the different variability inherent in the data including the 11-year (Schwabe), 20 – 50-year (quasi-Hale) and 60 – 120-year (Gleissberg) cycles. The results were compared with traditional Fourier analysis. The Hilbert – Huang transform is able to provide a local and adaptive description of the intrinsic cyclic components of sunspot number data, which are nonstationary and which are the result of nonlinear processes.
Effect of storage on NaI131 solutions upon the thyroid uptake by day-old chicks.

Several microcuries of two to three week old solutions of NaI131 were spotted on sheets of filter paper and developed one dimensionally in an ascending technique using n-Butanol saturated with 3N NH4OH. After 20 hours, the papers were air-dried and radioautographed. The “extraneous band,” which moves slightly faster than the NaI131 band, was cut out, eluted with 50% alcohol and concentrated to 5 microcuries⁄ml. Studies were conducted on the factors affecting the thyroid uptake of fresh NaI131 solution and of the extraneous band solution by day-old chicks. At all the dosage levels (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 microcurie) tested, the thyroid uptake of the extraneous band solution was significantly lower than that of fresh NaI131 solution. Administration of iodine (NaI127) either orally in the diet or by injection, lowers the uptake of fresh NaI131 solution. However, the thyroid uptake of the extraneous band solution is enhanced by simultaneous injection of 2 to 5 µg. of NaI127
Comparison of laparoscopic total and partial fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux.

Approximately 25% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux severe enough to be considered for surgical treatment have dysfunction of esophageal peristalsis in addition to dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter. A standard total (i.e., Nissen) fundoplication in these patients may be followed by dysphagia, so many experts recommend a partial fundoplication as an alternative. The goal of this study was to compare the clinical results and changes in esophageal function following laparoscopic total and partial fundoplication. Ninety-three patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease had laparoscopic antireflux operations. Total fundoplication was performed in 50 patients with normal esophageal peristalsis. Partial fundoplication was chosen for 43 patients with severe abnormalities of esophageal peristalsis. The same percentage of patients has resolution of heartburn (93%) and regurgitation (97%) after partial as compared to total fundoplication. Dysphagia developed in four patients (8%) after total fundoplication (one patient required dilatation) and in no patients after partial fundoplication. Both operations produced similar changes in lower esophageal sphincter function, but only partial fundoplication was associated with improvement in esophageal dysfunction. Esophageal acid exposure became normal in 92% of patients after total and in 91% of patients after partial fundoplication. Partial fundoplication improves lower esophageal sphincter pressure and esophageal body function and, in patients with abnormal esophageal peristalsis, it corrects reflux without producing dysphagia. Partial and total fundoplication are both indicated in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and the choice of which procedure to use should be based on each patient"s specific esophageal motor function abnormalities.
Solutions to the Fokker-Planck equations governing simultaneous diffusion and gravitational settling of aerosol particles from a stationary gas in a horizontal circular tube

Abstract A method is given for calculating the solution to the Fokker-Planck equation describing the deposition from a dilute suspension of aerosol particles due to the combined mechanisms of gravitational settling and diffusion in a horizontal cylindrical tube with perfectly adsorbing boundaries. For facilitation of numerical solutions, this method is most applicable to problems in which settling effects are not large compared to diffusive effects. This general technique is applied to a solution of a particular problem in which a spatially uniform initial concentration of aerosol particles within a cylindrical tube is considered. Solutions to a pure diffusion problem and a pure sedimentation problem are given and these results are compared to the solution in which simultaneous diffusion and sedimentation effects are considered. A criterion is given describing conditions for which the solution to the problem involving simultaneous gravitational settling and diffusive effects may be approximated by a solution to a simpler problem in which only the settling effect or only the diffusive effect is considered. The technique has been applied to a problem involving a cylindrical tube but is also applicable to similar problems involving deposition in spherical chambers.
Precision dies from elastic impressions

Abstract The procedure described has the following advantages: 1. Impressions may be poured in one step. 2. Duplicate impressions are not required. 3. Double pouring of an impression is not necessary. 4. All work is done on the master cast. 5. Interchanging of patterns and castings from one cast to another is not necessary. 6. The edentulous ridge area for a fixed partial denture may be made removable for convenience in waxing patterns without risk of losing the relationship between the abutment teeth. 7. It is not necessary to align dowel pins. 8. Separating strips and lock washers are not necessary. 9. The technique has a wide range of application from single inlays to major rehabilitation problems. 10. The method can be used in any quadrant or for full arch impressions. 11. Impressions can be made with removable appliances in position so that castings can be made to fit under such appliances whether they are of clasp or precision attachment design. The procedure has the disadvantage that it is not possible to mount a cast where all teeth in both the posterior and the anterior quadrants have been prepared at the same time.
The knowledge management strategy and its effect on firm performance: A contingency analysis

Abstract This study seeks to examine the impact of knowledge management strategy on strategic performance in Chinese High Technology firms drawing on the theory of resource-based view. The results from moderated regression analysis show that the knowledge management strategy—performance connection is contingent on both performance-driven strategies, (including reward system and process innovation) and knowledge management-based competencies, such as R&D from past projects, market intelligence, and intraorganizational knowledge sharing. The findings suggest that both performance-driven strategies and knowledge management-based competencies should be considered in the implementation of knowledge management strategy in Chinese High Technology firms. These results have important implications for researchers investigating the effectiveness of high technology firms’ adoption of knowledge management strategies in transitional economies as well as practitioners seeking to improve corporate strategic performance.
Attachment and the Use of Negative Relational Maintenance Behaviors in Romantic Relationships

The purpose of this study was to examine the link between adult attachment (i.e., secure, preoccupied, fearful-avoidant, and dismissive) and the use of negative relational maintenance behaviors (i.e., jealousy induction, avoidance, spying, infidelity, destructive conflict, and allowing control) in romantic relationships. Participants were 232 adults who completed a questionnaire and were currently involved in a romantic relationship. Results revealed inverse relationships between secure attachment and the use of negative relational maintenance behaviors, as well as positive relationships between dismissive and fearful-avoidant attachments and some negative relational maintenance behaviors. After controlling for the influence of relationship satisfaction, the dismissive and preoccupied attachment styles were the most salient predictors of negative relational maintenance.
Influence of interdiffusion on multilayered gradient refractive index (GRIN) lens materials

Abstract The interdiffusion of two materials used to fabricate polymeric gradient refractive index (GRIN) lenses was examined by varying contact time during multilayer films co-extrusion composed of alternating poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) with 17 mol% acrylonitrile (SAN17). The model applied successfully described their interdiffusion, and a reasonable mutual diffusion coefficient of 7.0 × 10 −13 m 2 /s was determined. Atomic force microscopy confirmed good agreement between modeled profiles and actual layer structure, and optical properties were investigated. Films with contact times of ≤160 s exhibited multiple refractive indices, while films with longer contact times, showed single refractive indices that followed an additive line. Though a single additive value requires layers ≤ a quarter-wavelength of light, these films exhibit such behavior with thicknesses 5× greater than expected, though layer resolution is still present. Using the model profiles, it was determined that only a 1% reduction in material purity is required to reduce the effective layer thickness.
A highly repeated retropseudogene-like sequence in DNA of the redbreasted merganser (Mergus serrator)

Two highly repeated nucleotide sequences (RBMI and RBMII) cloned from an EcoRI digest of DNA of the redbreasted merganser (Mergus serrator) account for approx. 5 to 10% of the DNA of M. serrator and the closely related Mergus merganser. Complete DNA digestion of seven members of the Mergini with EcoRI produces distinct, relatively species-specific patterns of a few high-Mr (greater than 1.5 kb) fragments of RBMI-like material. In such digests RBMII forms ladder-type patterns with monomers of approx. 200 bp. The sequence of a cloned 2.6-kb RBMI fragment from M. serrator contains several extended (up to 70 bp) and modified poly(dA) sequences, two open reading frames in opposite orientation to the longest poly(dA) sequence and two direct 10-bp repeats suggesting that RBMI is a rearranged retropseudogene-like element.
From Zipf's law to hypsometry: seeking the ‘signature’ of elevation distribution

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) users now have multiple options for using elevation data ranging from submeter to kilometers, owing to the rapid development and extensive use of geographic information technologies, such as light detection and ranging (lidar). However, such data are often provided ‘as is,’ creating a need for error propagation and validation of digital elevation data, which is the motivation for this research. We start by seeking the ‘signature’ of elevation distributions. Zipf's law and hypsometry both analyze the distribution of data by aggregation and ranking, the former for discrete data and the latter for continuous data. The objectives of this study are (1) to adopt Zipf's law for discrete nominal or ordinal data and apply it to continuous interval or ratio data; (2) to propose a uniform, parametric model of the elevation distribution of inland water basins for characterizing the overall topographic landscape; (3) to open discussion on another possible statistical method to gene...
Isolation and characterization of thymidine transport mutants of Chinese hamster cells.

In this paper a new system of checking mutation frequencies of the incorporation variety for cells in culture was presented. The mutation rate of a mutation in the thymidine incorporating system was determined by the fluctuation test to be 2.6 × 10−4 mutants/cell/generation. A cell line mutant for thymidine transport was isolated and studied by autoradiographic staining technique. Thymidine kinase was assayed in normal and Tp− cell lines and both were found to have substantial enzyme activity. Incorporation studies were performed to demonstrate the specific and facilitative nature of thymidine uptake by cells. From the results presented, it is clear that the thymidine incorporation system of Chinese hamster cells suffers a high rate of spontaneous mutation. Some of the mutations in the thymidine incorporation system of these cells are at the level of the thymidine transport system.
Hausdorff dimension of sets of non-differentiability points of Cantor functions

Each number a in the segment (0, ½) produces a Cantor set, Ca, by putting b = 1 − 2a and recursively removing segments of relative length b from the centres of the interval [0, 1] and the intervals which are subsequently generated. The distribution function of the uniform probability measure on Ca is a Cantor function, fa. When a = 1/3 = b, Ca is the standard Cantor set, C, and fa is the standard Cantor function, f. The upper derivative of f is infinite at each point of C and the lower derivative of f is infinite at most points of C in the following sense: the Hausdorff dimension of C is ln(2)/ln(3) and the Hausdorff dimension of S = {x ∈ C: the lower derivative of f is finite at x} is [ln(2)/ln(3)]2. The derivative of f is zero off C, the derivative of f is infinite on C — S, and S is the set of non-differentiability points of f. Similar results are established in this paper for all Ca: the Hausdorff dimension of Ca is ln (2)/ln (1/a) and the Hausdorff dimension of Sa is [ln (2)/ln (1/a)]2. Removing k segments of relative length b and leaving k + 1 intervals of relative length a produces a Cantor set of dimension ln(k + l)/ln(1/a); the dimension of the set of non-differentiability points of the corresponding Cantor function is [ln (k + l)/ln (1/a)]2.
Families' Perception of the Added Value of Hospice in the Nursing Home

OBJECTIVE: To determine if family members perceive that hospice improves the care of dying nursing home residents during the last 3 months of life. DESIGN: Mailed survey. PARTICIPANTS: Family members for all nursing home hospice enrollees in North Carolina during a 6-month period. MEASUREMENTS: After residents' deaths, family members answered questions about the quality of care for symptoms before and after hospice, the added value of hospice, the effect of hospice on hospitalization, and special services provided by nursing home staff or by hospice staff. RESULTS: A total of 292 (73%) of 398 eligible family members completed surveys. The average age of the nursing home residents who had received hospice was 79.5 years; 50% had cancer and 76% were dependent for self-care. In their last 3 months, 70% of decedents had severe or moderate pain, 56% had severe or moderate dyspnea, and 61% had other symptoms. Quality of care for physical symptoms was rated good or excellent by 64% of family before hospice and 93% after hospice (P < .001). Dying residents' emotional needs included care for moderate or severe depression (47%), anxiety (50%), and loneliness (35%). Quality of care for emotional needs was rated good or excellent by 64% of family before hospice and 90% after hospice (P < .001). Fifty-three percent of respondents believed hospice prevented hospitalizations. Family estimated the median added value of hospice to be $75 per day and described distinct special services provided by hospice and by nursing home staff. CONCLUSIONS: Family members believe that nursing home hospice improves quality of care for symptoms, reduces hospitalizations, and adds value and services for dying nursing home residents. J Am Geriatr Soc 48:879-882, 2000.
The elements of user experience: user-centered design for the Web

The Elements of User Experience: User-Centered Design for the WebJesse James GarrettNew Riders, 2003 ISBN 0735712026 $29.99
The Observed Construction of Teaching: Four Contexts

Abstract The purpose of this study was to discern, through observation, the different ways in which child care teachers constructed “teaching” in a program that included children with disabilities. Eleven teachers in a single high-quality child care program were repeatedly observed and videotaped in their interactions with 63 children. Qualitative methods used in interpreting the tapes included narrative notes, cross-researcher descriptions and discussions, data reduction into categories of teaching behavior, construction of explanatory effects matrices, and development of confirming and disconfirming tables. Four “contexts” were found to affect or contain teaching: environmental, planning, approach, and interaction. These contexts should be considered in policy development, management, personnel preparation, and teaching.
Correlated movement mobility model and constant acceleration model for EKF-based tracking applications

The extended Kalman filter (EKF) is an important tool in wireless sensor networks for localization and tracking of a dynamic target. The performance of the EKF is heavily dependent on the mathematical model used for target dynamics. Significant research has been done for finding an optimum state estimation model for target motion. In this paper we propose a new mobility model for target movement simulations. The correlated movement (CM) mobility model is presented for simulating of the natural movements of a real life target. It is shown to be more realistic for the purpose of performance testing, and it facilitates better comparisons of tracking algorithms. The use of this mobility model is demonstrated in conjunction with EKF-based target tracking algorithms based on constant velocity (CV) and constant acceleration (CA) assumptions. For larger fluctuations in the speed of a target, simulation results indicate that the performance of the CA algorithm is superior to that of the CV algorithm in terms of better tracking quality and reduced failure rates. The CA algorithm also allows for larger time intervals to be used in between distance measurements, thus increasing the efficiency of energy utilization in the wireless sensor network.
Monocyte-dependent serum suppression of lymphocyte blastogenesis in Hodgkin's disease: an association with nephrotic syndrome.

A factor inhibitory to PHA-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis was found to be present in the serum of a patient with advanced Hodgkin's disease and nephrotic syndrome. The inhibitory activity for both syngeneic and allogeneic lymphocytes was dependent on the presence of peripheral blood monocytes. The Raji-cell serum assay, as well as immunofluorescence and light and electron microscopy of the renal biopsy, showed no evidence of immune complexes. Nevertheless, a high serum IgE level as well as the finding that ultracentrifugation and heating at 56°C significantly reduced the inhibitory activity (P < 0.01) suggested the possibility that an immune complex might have mediated the suppressive activity. Treatment of the Hodgkin's disease with combined chemotherapy caused a marked reduction in the monocyte-dependent serum inhibitory activity which in turn coincided with a prompt remission of the nephrotic syndrome and marked regression of disease.
Old players in a new role: mitochondria-associated membranes, VDAC, and ryanodine receptors as contributors to calcium signal propagation from endoplasmic reticulum to the mitochondria.

Abstract In many cell types, IP3 and ryanodine receptor (IP3R/RyR)-mediated Ca2+ mobilization from the sarcoendoplasmic reticulum (ER/SR) results in an elevation of mitochondrial matrix [Ca2+]. Although delivery of the released Ca2+ to the mitochondria has been established as a fundamental signaling process, the molecular mechanism underlying mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake remains a challenge for future studies. The Ca2+ uptake can be divided into the following three steps: (1) Ca2+ movement from the IP3R/RyR to the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM); (2) Ca2+ transport through the OMM; and (3) Ca2+ transport through the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM). Evidence has been presented that Ca2+ delivery to the OMM is facilitated by a local coupling between closely apposed regions of the ER/SR and mitochondria. Recent studies of the dynamic changes in mitochondrial morphology and visualization of the subcellular pattern of the calcium signal provide important clues to the organization of the ER/SR–mitochondrial interface. Interestingly, key steps of phospholipid synthesis and transfer to the mitochondria have also been confined to subdomains of the ER tightly associated with the mitochondria, referred as mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs). Through the OMM, the voltage-dependent anion channels (VDAC, porin) have been thought to permit free passage of ions and other small molecules. However, recent studies suggest that the VDAC may represent a regulated step in Ca2+ transport from IP3R/RyR to the IMM. A novel proposal regarding the IMM Ca2+ uptake site is a mitochondrial RyR that would mediate rapid Ca2+ uptake by mitochondria in excitable cells. An overview of the progress in these directions is described in the present paper.
Bariatric surgery in cancer survivorship: does a history of cancer affect weight loss outcomes?

Abstract Background Weight loss is recommended for obese cancer survivors who are at increased risk of recurrence and non–cancer-related mortality. It remains unknown if this vulnerable population benefits from bariatric surgery to the same extent as those without a history of cancer. Methods A retrospective chart review of 1013 patients identified 29 bariatric surgery patients with a history of cancer who were then matched to patients without a history of cancer. Results At 1-year postsurgical follow-up, individuals with a history of cancer had lost less weight than those without a history of cancer (14.2 versus 14.8); however, this difference was not significant ( P = .76). Conclusion Cancer survivors appear to draw similar benefit from bariatric surgery as those without a history of cancer, although a larger study with greater statistical power to detect differences is needed to confirm these results. These preliminary results are encouraging in light of the increasing focus on weight loss among this population.
The Radiologic Manifestations of Legionnaire's Disease

Study objectives To study the serial radiographic manifestations of Legionnaire's disease from the initial presentation on admission to recovery using strict criteria for the diagnosis of infection. Materials and methods We prospectively studied the chest radiographs of patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia in Summit County, Ohio between November 1990 and November 1992. Forty-three patients fulfilled strict criteria for legionellosis. The diagnosis of infection was based on the criteria of "definite" diagnosis as defined by the Ohio Community-Based Pneumonia Incidence Study Group report. The criteria included the isolation of the microorganism, the presence of a significant antibody rise, or the presence of Legionella antigen in the urine. Results Forty of 43 patients had admission radiographs interpreted as compatible with pneumonia. In spite of appropriate antimicrobial therapy, worsening of the infiltrates was found in more than half of the patients within the first week. Twenty-seven patients were observed to have pleural effusion during the course of hospitalization: 10 effusions were found on admission, another 14 developed during the first week, and 3 new effusions were discovered after the first week. Cavitation was found in only one patient. None of the patients had apical involvement. Conclusion This study confirms previous reports using less stringent etiologic diagnosis criteria that chest radiographic findings in Legionnaire's disease are not specific. Even with appropriate therapy, more than half of the patients will have worsening of the infiltrates during the first week. Pleural effusion is common among our patients, and it is frequently detected during the serial radiographic studies during the first week of hospitalization. Chest radiography in Legionnaire's disease is useful only for the monitoring of disease progression and not for diagnostic purposes. In addition, worsening of infiltrates and pleural effusion are seen in more than half of the patients in spite of appropriate therapy and clinical improvement.
Differences between red and green color-mechanism characteristics: interaction or artifact.

Sine-wave threshold characteristics of human color mechanisms inferred by superimposing red and green stimuli in opposite phases have roughly the same curve shapes as those measured under intense chromatic adaptation, but the latter technique yields considerably greater overall sensitivity for the green mechanism. The adaptive-artifact explanation for this discrepancy offered by Cavonius and Estevez is shown to be untenable.
The use of verbal protocols to understand and design skill-based tasks

A study of the effects of increased levels of automation on the human operator illustrates the use of a computer-based approach to the use of verbal protocols as data in skill-based tasks, such as printed circuit board inspection. Subjects provided very detailed protocols at four automation levels, as well as generating performance and preference data. Although only one performance measure and one preference measure gave useful results, the use of verbal protocols provided many insights into the system-human interaction. Supplementing traditional performance measures with verbal protocols appears to be an appropriate strategy, even when the task is primarily at the skill level. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Are declines of an endangered mammal predation‐driven, and can a captive‐breeding and release program aid their recovery?

Declines of imperiled small mammals are often attributed to predation without investigating the relative influence of survival and reproductive parameters on population growth. Accordingly, declines in the endangered Key Largo woodrat Neotoma floridana smalli (KLWR) population have been attributed to predation by feral cats Felis catus, Burmese pythons Python molurus bivittatus and raccoons Procyon lotor. We estimated survival, recruitment and realized population growth rates from four capture‐mark‐recapture studies to determine if the pattern of demographic variation was consistent with predation as the primary cause of KLWR declines. Additionally, we evaluated the KLWR captive-breeding and release program by comparing survival of captive-born and released KLWRs to wild-born KLWRs. The realized population growth rate of wild-born KLWRs had a strong pattern of covariation with recruitment; covariation between the realized population growth rate and apparent survival was negligible. Consistent with demographic theory, our results suggest that KLWR population dynamics were driven primarily by variation in recruitment, and that periodic reductions in recruitment led to population declines. We found that the survival curve and the first month (S1) and first 3-month (S1‐3) survival estimates for the wild-born KLWRs [S1 = 0.929 (0.890‐0.968); S1‐3 = 0.942 (0.919‐0.965)] were considerably higher (c 2 = 33.9, 1 d.f., P < 0.001) than released KLWRs [S1 = 0.521 (0.442‐0.600); S1‐3 = 0.561 (0.493‐0.629)]. Low survival rates from predation limited the success of the captive-breeding and release program. This study illustrates the importance of pre-release conditioning of captive-bred animals and the importance of considering reproductive parameters in conjunction with survival estimates to understand the drivers of population decline.
MICROSCOPIC STUDIES OF REBOILING PHENOMONA

Photomicrographs of enameled sheets at high temperatures, giving the different stages of the reboiling cycle and observations and deductions therefrom, are presented.
Analysis of perinatal mortality rate in the Stockholm area.

. Ericson, A., Eriksson, M. and Zetterstrom, R. (Department of Paediatrics, Karolinska Institute, St. Goran's Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden). Perinatal mortality. During the period 1973–1976, a significant decrease in perinatal mortality from 14.2 to 10.4/10 newborns occurred in Sweden. In the Stockholm area, the mean perinatal mortality during the same period varied significantly between the different maternity hospitals, even when pre-term and high risk pregnancies were excluded from the comparison. The majority of hospitals with fewer deliveries and without pediatric wards had a perinatal mortality above the mean. Some explanations of these differences were also looked for in differences between the total population of the referral area of each maternity hospital. In the referral areas of the hospitals with a perinatal mortality above the mean, there were higher percentages of low-income households and overcrowded dwellings and fewer professional people than in the other area. The results suggest a need for analysis of individually-based data to find etiological factors which account for differences in perinatal mortality.
ROS accumulation in cotton ovule epidermal cells is necessary for fiber initiation

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fiber, an extremely elongated and thickened single cell of the seed epidermis, is the worlds most important natural and economical textile fiber. Unlike Arabidopsis leaf trichomes, fiber initials are randomly developed and frequently form in adjacent seed epidermal cells and follow no apparent pattern. Numerous publications suggested cotton fiber development shares a similar mechanism with Arabidopsis leaf trichome development. Here we show that H2O2 accumulation in cotton ovule epidermal cells by NBT staining ovules at different development stages between TM1 and N1n2, a lintless-fuzzless doubled mutant originated from TM1. In contrast, Arabidopsis and cotton leaf trichomes do not show H2O2 content. By adding DPI (H2O2 inhibitor) and SHAM (H2O2 activator) in vitro ovule cultures, we show fiber initiation directly involves with H2O2 accumulation. We propose that the directional accumulation of H2O2 in cotton ovule epidermal cell is the drive for fiber initiation, elongation.
The Roles of Quality and Intermediary Constructs in Determining Festival Attendees' Behavioral Intention

This study is an examination of the relationships between visitors' perceived service quality, perceived service value, satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Respondents were visitors who attended the Cajun Catfish Festival in Conroe, Texas and were systematically selected. Findings revealed that: (a) a structural model operationalizing perceived service quality as a set of attributes predicted visitors' intention to visit the festival better than an alternative model that measured quality by using a visitor's judgment about a service's overall excellence or superiority; (b) among the constructs analyzed, perceived service value appeared to be the best predictor of behavioral intentions; and (c) of the four dimensions of service quality of a festival, generic features and comfort amenities had the most influence on determining perceived service quality.
Advanced glycoxidation products and impaired diabetic wound healing

Impaired wound healing is an important diabetic complication associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It appears to be the net result of micro- and macrovascular disease. Diabetic neuropathy and the resulting loss of protective sensation (LOPS) has been recognized as one of the major causes for delayed healing in diabetic foot ulcer patients. In addition, hyperglycemia and a number of hyperglycemia-related factors have been linked to impaired diabetic wound healing, including advanced glycation end products (AGE). A large body of evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies and also data from studies using anti-AGE agents, indicate that AGE may play a role in the pathogenesis of impaired diabetic wound healing. AGE affect the wound healing process either directly by their interference with a variety of components involved or indirectly through their association with diabetic neuropathy and/or angiopathy. However, further studies need to be performed, mostly clinical studies, to evaluate the exact role of AGE in the impaired diabetic wound healing, suggesting new therapeutic approaches.
Markov chain local binary pattern and its application to video concept detection

Local binary pattern histogram (LBPH) is one of the popular and excellent image texture descriptor. However, conventional LBPH lacks of the description of spatial structure information. This paper proposes an extension of LBPH called Markov chain local binary patterns (MCLBP) to alleviate this limitation. We apply MCLBP to the task of TRECVID video concept detection. Experimental results demonstrate that MCLBP achieves significant performance improvement over conventional LBPH features and other widely used visual features such as Gabor texture.
Semantic Computing, Cloud Computing, and Semantic Search Engine

Semantic Computing extends Semantic Web both in breadth and depth. It bridges, and integrates, technologies such as software engineering, user interface, natural language processing, artificial intelligence, programming language, grid computing and pervasive computing, among others, into a complete and unified theme. Cloud Computing, the dream of computing as a utility, shifts user programs and data from personal computers to the clouds, providing all kinds of resources over the Internet as services to customers and letting customers pay for them in a way much like they pay for traditional utilities such as electricity. This paper analyzes both Semantic Computing and Cloud Computing, and introduces the Semantic Search Engine, an infrastructure and implementation of Semantic Computing, that demonstrates how Semantic Computing can benefit Cloud Computing.
Counseling Psychology and Welfare Reform Implications and Opportunities

The passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRA) of 1996 marked the beginning of reforms in the welfare system that promise to affect more than 20 million people in the next 5 years. Although many agree that reform was needed, efforts may be based on misconceptions about welfare recipients. The transition from welfare to work may be problematic for many, as they face individual factors (e.g., psychological disorders) and contextual variables (e.g., lack of well-paying jobs). Counseling psychology traditionally has rested on the foundations of the vocational guidance, psychological testing, psychotherapy, and mental hygiene movements. The context of welfare reform offers unique opportunities and obvious responsibilities for the profession. This article discusses the philosophies and values of counseling psychology in the context of realities and misconceptions of the past welfare system and implications of the PRA. Recommendations for points of entry for counseling p...
Hepatocyte Paraffin 1 Antigen as a Biomarker for Early Diagnosis of Barrett Esophagus

We evaluated hepatocyte paraffin 1 (HepPar1) antigen expression, a sensitive marker of small intestinal differentiation, in combination with morphologic features to demonstrate intestinal differentiation in cases equivocal for Barrett esophagus (BE). Clinicopathologic features and HepPar1 expression were recorded for 54 BE cases, 45 consistent with reflux esophagitis (RE) cases, and 65 “suspicious” for BE (SBE) cases. The SBE category included RE cases with 2 or more morphologic changes associated with BE or metaplastic reaction to injury (eg, multilayered epithelium, squamous islands, goblet cell mimickers, pancreatic metaplasia). HepPar1 was expressed in all 54 BE cases, 4 of 45 RE cases, and 24 of 65 SBE cases. In SBE cases, 2 or more morphologic changes were associated with HepPar1 expression in 37% of cases (24/65), 3 or more features in 59% (13/22), and 4 or more features in 100% (4/4) (P ≤ .004). The combination of certain morphologic changes and HepPar1 expression in clinically suspicious distal esophageal biopsy cases without goblet cells supports the presence of evolving intestinal metaplasia.
A simple formula to determine the bolus thickness on an oblique surface

For certain clinical situations such as breast treatments, a bolus is used and must be accounted for in monitor unit calculations. Because of the oblique incidence involved, the thickness of bolus traversed by the radiation beam, as opposed to its nominal thickness, must be used. Using principles of geometry, a simple method is derived to calculate the thickness of bolus for these calculations.
Obituaries online: new connections with the living--and the dead.

This study examines online obituary pages at nine major U.S. daily newspapers seeking to understand how these sites use new technologies, and how they publicly portray people's lives and deaths. These mainstream dailies provide a forum, and potentially large audiences, for mourners who send messages to the dead, express emotion, and tell stories. They also facilitate connections between readers and build new kinds of virtual communities. This represents a departure from traditional obituary content. Indeed, the “cyber obit” now allows the bereaved to help frame the death stories and build the memorials, liberated from the linear, non-interactive formats of the past. This study builds on work of bereavement scholars as well as literature in journalism and mass communication.
Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs (EBERs) do not modulate interferon effects in infected lymphocytes.

Abstract The recent derivation of otherwise isogenic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) recombinants carrying or lacking the EBV small RNA (EBER) genes enabled us to test whether EBERs are similar to adenovirus VA RNAs in modulating interferon (IFN) effects on virus infection. EBER-positive and -negative EBV recombinants did not differ in their sensitivity to alpha interferon (IFN-alpha)- or IFN-gamma-mediated inhibition of lymphocyte growth transformation. In addition, EBERs did not decrease the inhibitory effects of IFN on vesicular stomatitis virus replication in EBV-transformed lymphocytes. EBER deletion also did not render EBV-transformed B lymphocytes susceptible to an IFN effect on cell proliferation or EBV replication.
Contextual Features of Tax Decision‐Making Settings

Prior research in psychology and accounting suggests that features of the decision‐making task and context affect information processing, yet the decision‐making context is often ignored in tax judgment and decision‐making research. Two primary decision contexts in the tax setting are planning and compliance. If these two contexts differ on significant features, the information processing of tax professionals in the settings also is likely to differ. An analysis of the characteristics of tax planning and compliance contexts suggests that planning problems are generally characterized by greater complexity, ambiguity, and justifiability demands than are compliance problems. Experienced tax professionals' knowledge of these differences in complexity, ambiguity, and justifiability demands of problems in the planning and compliance contexts was tested in an experiment in which decision‐making context was manipulated. Each participant rated the complexity, ambiguity, and justifiability demands of six research c...
Extrapolative Delay Compensation Through Facilitating Synapses and Its Relation to the Flash-Lag Effect

Neural conduction delay is a serious issue for organisms that need to act in real time. Various forms of flash-lag effect (FLE) suggest that the nervous system may perform extrapolation to compensate for delay. For example, in motion FLE, the position of a moving object is perceived to be ahead of a brief flash when they are actually colocalized. However, the precise mechanism for extrapolation at a single-neuron level has not been fully investigated. Our hypothesis is that facilitating synapses, with their dynamic sensitivity to the rate of change in the input, can serve as a neural basis for extrapolation. To test this hypothesis, we constructed and tested models of facilitating dynamics. First, we derived a spiking neuron model of facilitating dynamics at a single-neuron level, and tested it in the luminance FLE domain. Second, the spiking neuron model was extended to include multiple neurons and spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), and was tested with orientation FLE. The results showed a strong relationship between delay compensation, FLE, and facilitating synapses/STDP. The results are expected to shed new light on real time and predictive processing in the brain, at the single neuron level.
Paravalvular regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: diagnosis, clinical outcome, preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Abstract Paravalvular regurgitation is a common, potentially life-threatening complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Previous studies report a 65%–94% rate of paravalvular leakage after transcatheter implantation, mostly of mild degree. The rate of significant (≥ + 2) paravalvular regurgitation varies in large clinical trials, and is associated with worse clinical outcome. There is less agreement regarding the significance of mild regurgitation (grade 1 +). There are anatomical and procedural correlates for paravalvular leak—most importantly, severe valve calcification, patient prosthetic mismatch, and device malposition. The following review details the current knowledge on paravalvular regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement, including diagnosis, correlates, clinical outcome, preventive and therapeutic strategies related to this complication.
Attenuating Mutations in nsP1 Reveal Tissue-Specific Mechanisms for Control of Ross River Virus Infection

Ross River virus (RRV) is one of a group of mosquito-transmitted alphaviruses that cause debilitating, and often chronic, musculoskeletal disease in humans. Previously, we reported that replacement of the nonstructural protein 1 (nsP1) gene of the mouse-virulent RRV strain T48 with that from the mouse-avirulent strain DC5692 generated a virus that was attenuated in a mouse model of disease. Here we find that the six nsP1 nonsynonymous nucleotide differences between strains T48 and DC5692 are determinants of RRV virulence, and we identify two nonsynonymous nucleotide changes as sufficient for the attenuated phenotype. RRV T48 carrying the six nonsynonymous DC5692 nucleotide differences (RRV-T48-nsP16M) was attenuated in both wild-type and Rag1−/− mice. Despite the attenuated phenotype, RRV T48 and RRV-T48-nsP16M loads in tissues of wild-type and Rag1−/− mice were indistinguishable from 1 to 3 days postinoculation. RRV-T48-nsP16M loads in skeletal muscle tissue, but not in other tissues, decreased dramatically by 5 days postinoculation in both wild-type and Rag1−/− mice, suggesting that the RRV-T48-nsP16M mutant is more sensitive to innate antiviral effectors than RRV T48 in a tissue-specific manner. In vitro, we found that the attenuating mutations in nsP1 conferred enhanced sensitivity to type I interferon. In agreement with these findings, RRV T48 and RRV-T48-nsP16M loads were similar in mice deficient in the type I interferon receptor. Our findings suggest that the type I IFN response controls RRV infection in a tissue-specific manner and that specific amino acid changes in nsP1 are determinants of RRV virulence by regulating the sensitivity of RRV to interferon. IMPORTANCE Arthritogenic alphaviruses, including Ross River virus (RRV), infect humans and cause debilitating pain and inflammation of the musculoskeletal system. In this study, we identified coding changes in the RRV nsP1 gene that control the virulence of RRV and its sensitivity to the antiviral type I interferon response, a major component of antiviral defense in mammals. Furthermore, our studies revealed that the effects of these attenuating mutations are tissue specific. These findings suggest that these mutations in nsP1 influence the sensitivity of RRV to type I interferon only in specific host tissues. The new knowledge gained from these studies contributes to our understanding of host responses that control alphavirus infection and viral determinants that counteract these responses.
Characterizing Free-Regions of Sensor Nodes

This paper considers the problem of relocating a sensor node for increasing the qiality of covarage. We present the notion of free-region of nodes in a sensor network. We investigate properties of free-regions and their characterizations in term of in-free region and out-free region. A centralized algorithm for constructing the free region of sensor node in presented. The algorithm runs in O(n^2) time, where n is the number of sensor nodes in the network.
IMMUNOMODULATORY IMPACT OF METAMITRON IN BLACK BENGAL GOATS FOLLOWING REPEATED ORAL ADMINISTRATION

The study was conducted to evaluate immunomodulatory effect of the herbicide, Metamitron in goats .Nine Black Bengal male adult goats were divided into three groups, each containing 3 animals. Control (Gr-I) group received carboxy methyl cellulose, while experimental control (Gr- II) group received levamisole at immunostimulating dose and experimental group (Gr-III) received Metamitron daily for 35 days. On day 36 all goats were immunized with 5% SRBC intraperitoneally. Animals were sacrificed for conducting Haemolytic Plaque Assay on day 5 post dosing SRBC. Total serum IgG level was estimated by Sandwitch ELISA. No significant variation in serum IgG level was observed at different days against 0 day in control and experimental group. But serum IgG level was increased significantly in experimental control group. No significant variation was observed in percentage of plaque formation in control and experimental group but the value was significantly higher in experimental control group. Results indicated that Metamitron had no effect on immunomodulation of goats during this observation period.