cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathogenic fungus contributes to amphibian losses in the pacific northwest

Abstract Worldwide declines in amphibian populations have been the subject of numerous recent reports, and numerous hypotheses have been constructed to address the causes. There is no evidence for a single cause for the declines. We identify and describe the spread of a pathogenic fungus that appears to be largely responsible for egg mortality in one population of western toad Bufo boreas. This is the first study documenting contemporary mortality in an amphibian population with identification of the attributed pathogenic species. The fungus we identify is circumglobally distributed and we suggest that this fungal infection could also be a major contributor to other amphibian populations declines.
Peripheral Information Extraction: Cognitive Load Effects

The functional field of view appears to be sensitive to various cognitive load manipulations of foveal portions of displays. Several studies are summarized which provide considerable evidence for a kind of tunnel-vision which is induced via cognitive loading.
Perspective: The Drawbacks in Using The Term ‘System of Systems’

Nancy Leveson, PhD, is a professor of aeronautics and astronautics and engineering systems at Massachussetts Institute of Technology, and is the author of several books on system concepts. E-mail: leveson.nancy8@gmail.com A few years ago, a new term, “system of systems,” was invented and has become quite popular. I’ve puzzled over this term because it doesn’t make any sense to me with respect to systems theory and systems engineering. Let’s start by reviewing some basic definitions in systems theory. A system can be defined as a set of components that act together as a whole to achieve some common goal, objective, or end. The components are all interrelated and are either directly or indirectly connected to each other. The system state at any point in time is the set of relevant properties describing the system at that time. The system environment is a set of components (and their properties) that are not part of the system, but whose behavior can affect the system state. The existence of a boundary between the system and its environment implicitly defines inputs or outputs as anything that crosses that boundary. It is important to understand that a system is always a model—an abstraction conceived by the viewer of the system. Systems and their boundaries do not exist in reality but only in the view of the beholder. One viewer may see a very different system than another in terms of where the boundaries are drawn, the relevant system properties and components, and even the purpose of the system. Abstractions are useful in that they help humans deal with complexity. One useful abstraction in understanding complex systems is to view them as hierarchical structures. A model of a complex system can be conceived in terms of a hierarchy of levels of organization, each more complex than the one below. Each level of the hierarchy can be thought of as a system, which is made up of components at a lower level. Each of these components (or subsystems) can itself be made up of subsystems, and so on. Figure 1 shows a depiction of a system labeled A (level 1 of the hierarchy) composed of three subsystems A1, A2, and A3 at level 2 of the hierarchy, each of which is made up of other components (level 3 of the hierarchy). Note that the term “system” is recursive in that a subsystem is itself a system, which is made
Site Directed Mutagenesis of Human GLTP: Role of Tryptophan Residues

Glycolipid transfer proteins (GLTPs) are small, soluble, ubiquitously expressed proteins that selectively accelerate the intermembrane transfer of glycolipids in vitro. Mammalian GLTPs (209 aa) are intrinsically fluorescent by virtue of having three tryptophans and ten tyrosines. The crystal structure of human GLTP (glycolipid-bound form) reveals the importance of W96 in the glycolipid liganding site where its aromatic indole ring acts as a stacking platform that facilitates hydrogen bonding of the initial ceramide-linked sugar with Asp48, Asn52, and Lys55. To gain insights into W96 functionality and to define the role of the other two Trp residues (i.e., W85 & W142), three GLTP Trp mutants (W96Y, W85Y-W96F, W96F-W142Y) were constructed by QuikChange™ site-directed mutagenesis, overexpressed (pET-30) in E. coli, purified by metal ion affinity and FPLC size exclusion chromatography, and characterized by glycolipid transfer activity measurements and by fluorescence and CD spectroscopy. Compared to wtGLTP, the single Trp mutant, W96Y, retained 65% activity; whereas the double Trp mutants, W85Y-W96F & W96F-W142Y, retained 22% and 110% activities. Quenching with acrylamide and potassium iodide at physiological ionic strength resulted in linear Stern-Volmer plots, suggesting accessibility of emitting Trp residues to soluble quenchers and consistent with wtGLTP native folding. However, CD measurements revealed significant differences in the secondary structure of W85Y-W96F-GLTP compared to wtGLTP; whereas W96F-W142Y-GLTP and W96Y-GLTP retained native secondary structure. We conclude that the negative consequences of conservative mutation of Trp 85 suggest a crucial role in proper folding of GLTP; whereas, the tolerance of Trp96 and Trp142 for conservative, but not radical, mutation is consistent with specialized roles in GLTP function, i.e. glycolipid liganding and membrane interaction. [Support: NIH/NIGMS GM45928 & GM34847, NIH/NCI CA121493, The Hormel & Mayo Foundations].
The Influence of Rainfall upon the Abundance of Cuban Hippelates (Diptera: Chloropidae)

Populations of Hippelates pusio Loew and H. impressus Becker increased in density 2 to 3 weeks after periodic rains in a nonagricultural, semiarid area in Cuba. Eggs of H. pusio were found capable of withstanding desiccation and hatching when subsequently moistened. Larvae, pupae, and adults appeared unable to aestivate. The suggestion is made that soil saturation stimulated the development of aestivating eggs and that this was reflected later in the observed increases in the numbers of Hippelates adults.
Application of a depolymerization model for predicting thermochemical hydrolysis of hemicellulose

Literature data were collected and analyzed to guide selection of conditions for pretreatment by dilute acid and water-only hemicellulose hydrolysis, and the severity parameter was used to relate performance of different studies on a consistent basis and define attractive operating conditions. Experiments were then run to confirm performance with corn stover. Although substantially better hemicellulose sugar yields are observed when acid is added, costs would be reduced and processing operations simplified if less acid could be used while maintaining good yields, and understanding the relationship between operating conditions and yields would be invaluable to realizing this goal. However, existing models seldom include the oligomeric intermediates prevalent at lower acid levels, and the few studies that include such species do not account for the distribution of chain lengths during reaction. Therefore, the polymeric nature of hemicellulose was integrated into a kinetic model often used to describe the decomposition of synthetic polymers with the assumption that hemicellulose linkages are randomly broken during hydrolysis. Predictions of monomer yields were generally consistent with our pretreatment data, data reported in the literature, and predictions of other models, but the model tended to overpredict oligomer yields. These differences need to be resolved by gathering additional data and improving the model.
Gendering the Varieties of Capitalism: A Study of Occupational Segregation by Sex in Advanced Industrial Societies

This article explores the unintended gendered consequences of employment protection and vocational training systems. It develops a micrologic of skill investment by workers and employers to identify the mechanism by which specific skills become disadvantageous for women. The central claim of the article is that institutions that encourage male investment in specific skills exacerbate occupational sex segregation. The article finds that coordinated market economies, because of their robust institutional protection of male skill investments, are generally more sex segregating than are liberal market economies. The empirical section provides cross-sectional analyses of advanced industrial countries.
Rapid Molecular Detection of Invasive Species in Ballast and Harbor Water by Integrating Environmental DNA and Light Transmission Spectroscopy

Invasive species introduced via the ballast water of commercial ships cause enormous environmental and economic damage worldwide. Accurate monitoring for these often microscopic and morphologically indistinguishable species is challenging but critical for mitigating damages. We apply eDNA sampling, which involves the filtering and subsequent DNA extraction of microscopic bits of tissue suspended in water, to ballast and harbor water sampled during a commercial ship's 1400 km voyage through the North American Great Lakes. Using a lab-based gel electrophoresis assay and a rapid, field-ready light transmission spectroscopy (LTS) assay, we test for the presence of two invasive species: quagga (Dreissena bugensis) and zebra (D. polymorpha) mussels. Furthermore, we spiked a set of uninfested ballast and harbor samples with zebra mussel tissue to further test each assay's detection capabilities. In unmanipulated samples, zebra mussel was not detected, while quagga mussel was detected in all samples at a rate of 85% for the gel assay and 100% for the LTS assay. In the spiked experimental samples, both assays detected zebra mussel in 94% of spiked samples and 0% of negative controls. Overall, these results demonstrate that eDNA sampling is effective for monitoring ballast-mediated invasions and that LTS has the potential for rapid, field-based detection.
Stimulax: psychological relationship modeling software student paper

An experiment known as "Stimulax" involves a person freely placing objects that represent different emotions, or ideals, onto a stimulus board. It utilizes a graphic rendering process to simulate pegs being placed on a physical board and model the data generated by the final placement of all the pegs as well as recording the series of moves made. Upon the completion of the experiment the final location of all stimuli in the experiment is recorded and processed into a comprehensive Excel document for record keeping purposes. The results allow the experimenter to understand how an individual or group feels about a certain topic or idea. Current experiments being done are how individuals in a certain location feel about world religions, how individuals see colors in respect to themselves, and childhood development through the use of farm animals.
Effects of H-2 and dietary vitamin A on the frequency of dorsoventral vaginal septum.

AbstractThe frequency of dorsoventral vaginal septum (DVS) in mice is determined in part by genes associated with the major histocompatibility complex H-2. Data presented here confirm that one locus (DVS-1) maps centromeric to Eα and that the second (DVS-2), previously shown to be associated with the S-to-D region, maps to the C4:B144 interval, most likely between Dcp-2 which contributes to glucocorticoid-induced cleft palate susceptibility and Acp which enhances cleft palate susceptibility through the action of vitamin A. Comparisons of data obtained in this laboratory in the periods 1981-1983 and 1985-1990 and observations from the production colony from which many of the strains were purchased revealed minor variations in frequencies of DVS within strains which may be due to differences in ascertainment and/or to environmental factors. The addition of vitamin A to the diet of pregnant mice at a dose that increases the frequency of cleft palate in susceptible strains had no effect on the incidence of DVS
Efficient EEG analysis for seizure monitoring in epileptic patients

Epilepsy is a crucial neurological disorder in which patients experience epileptic seizure caused by abnormal electrical discharges from the brain. It is highly common in children and adults at the age of 65-70. Around 1 % of the world's population is affected by this disease. The mechanism of epilepsy is still incomprehensible to researchers; however, 80% of the seizure activity can be treated effectively if proper diagnosis is performed. This disease mostly leads to uncontrollable movements, convulsions and loss of conscious and contends the patient to increased possibility of accidental injury and even death. As a result, monitoring the person with epilepsy from being exposed to the danger is among the basic death to life transformation solutions. In this paper, we propose the most important methodologies that could be implemented in hardware for monitoring an epileptic patient. Many studies show that, Electroencephalogram (EEG) is the most important signal used by physicians in assessing the brain activities and diagnosing different brain disorders. This study is based on different EEG datasets that were obtained and described by researchers for analysis and diagnosis of epilepsy. Butterworth bandpass filters are implemented and used to preprocess and decompose the EEG signal into five different EEG frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma). In addition, different features such as energy, standard deviation and entropy are then computed and extracted from each Δ, Θ, α, β and γ sub-band. Furthermore, the extracted features are then fed to a supervised learning classifier; support vector machine (SVM); in order to detect the epileptic events and identify if the acquired signal is corresponding to seizure or not according to the objective of this research. If seizure is experienced, appropriate monitoring should be taken in action. Experimental results on a number of subjects confirm 95% classification accuracy of the proposed work.
Models for present-worth analysis of selected industrial cash flow patterns

Abstract The present worth derivations of six continuous cash flow models are presented for common industrial economic applications. An approximation method is provided for calculating the present worth of cash flows for nonintegrable models. Two special limiting cases of particular use in engineering screening analyses are given for all six models. A practical example is presented for each of the cash flow models. These examples are drawn from the author's industrial and governmental experience and include the following applications: (1) manpower reductions because of computerized process control, (2) construction-period cash flows, (3) sales revenue forecasts for new polymers, and (4) cash flows for a pollution-abatement facility.
Alternative Models of Scientific Explanation

In response to archaeologists' interests in models of scientific explanation, this paper surveys several “covering-law” models. Primary emphasis is on a critical comparison of Hempel's deductive-nomological and inductive-statistical models, and Meehan's systems model, with the more recent statistical-relevance model. The crucial difference hinges on certain relevance conditions. Two advantages of the latter model—of possible interest to anthropologists and of especial interest to archaeologists—are its ability to incorporate explanations of low-probability events and its potential for furnishing an account of functional explanation. Advanced toward the end are suggestions for supplementing the statistical-relevance model with causal relevance factors. [scientific explanation, systems theory, covering-law, statistical relevance]
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering detection of lysophosphatidic acid

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering using silver nanoparticles was applied to detect various forms of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) to examine its potential application as an alternative to current detection methods of LPA as biomarkers of ovarian cancer. Enhancement of the Raman modes of the molecule, especially those related to the acyl chain within the 800–1300 cm−1 region, was observed. In particular, the C–C vibration mode of the gauche-bonded chain around 1100 cm−1 was enhanced to allow the discrimination of two similar LPA molecules. Given the molecular selectivity of this technique, the detection of LPA using SERS may eliminate the need for partial purification of samples prior to analysis in cancer screening.
ARTHROSCOPIC INTERPOSITION ARTHROPLASTY OF THE FIRST CARPOMETACARPAL JOINT

First carpometacarpal joint arthritis is a common condition encountered by hand surgeons. Traditionally, surgical approaches have included arthrodesis, trapeziectomy or reconstructive arthroplasty techniques. Previously, we described a technique for arthroscopic debridement and interposition arthroplasty of the first carpometacarpal joint. Patients with Eaton stages II and III symptomatic first carpometacarpal joint arthritis recalcitrant to >6 months of non-operative therapy underwent arthroscopic debridement of the first carpometacarpal joint with interposition of an acellular dermal matrix allograft (GRAFTJACKET). In this paper, we describe outcomes following this procedure. Postoperatively, all patients reported symptomatic relief and 94% stated that they were partially, or completely, satisfied. More than 70% of patients reported no to mild difficulty in performing activities of daily living (average grip strength = 18.5 kg, pinch strength = 3.9kg). Complications were minimal. Outcomes from this study compare favourably to those of other series, demonstrating that this technique is a viable option for treatment of Eaton stages II and III first carpometacarpal arthritis.
Parametrized variational principles encompassing compressible and incompressible elasticity

Abstract A parametrized five-field variational principle that can accommodate both compressible and incompressible hyperelasticity is presented. The primary variables are mean and deviatoric stresses, mean and deviatoric strains, and displacements. Through appropriate selection of parameters the functional of this general principle specializes to those previously presented by Atluri-Reissner, Herrmann and Franca.
Effects of hydrogen on the dynamics of the Mo0.95Re0.05(110) surface

Abstract The effect of adsorbed H on the Mo 0.95 Re 0.05 (110) surface has been investigated. Results obtained from low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and angle-resolved ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (ARUPS) are presented. A (2 × 2) LEED pattern is observed for H coverages around Θ ∼ 0.5 ML and is attributed to reconstruction of the substrate. At higher coverages, a (1 × 1) pattern is observed. Two peaks are observed at loss energies of 99 and 153 meV in the HREELS spectra for the H-saturated Mo 0.95 Re 0.05 (110) surface consistent with a quasi-trigonal adsorption site. Both peaks show an isotopic shift, confirming that they are due to hydrogen vibrational modes. A two-dimensional Fermi surface was determined using ARUPS for the H-saturated Mo 0.95 Re 0.05 (110) surface. Fermi-surface nesting vectors were observed at the momentum predicted by theoretical calculations for H-saturated Mo(110) where a phonon anomaly is observed.
The open-system geochemical evolution of alkalic cap lavas from Haleakala Crater, Hawaii, USA

Lavas ranging from alkalic basalt to mugearite are exposed in a continuous stratigraphic section in Haleakala Crater on the island of Maui. These lavas define a series of discrete magma batches separated by sharp compositional breaks characterized by upsection increases in incompatible element (e.g., K2O, Nb, REE, Th, Ba, Rb) contents, Al2O3/CaO ratios, and La/Sm ratios and complementary decreases in compatible element (e.g., MgO, Ni, Cr, V, Sc) contents. Within magma batches, there are systematic upsection decreases in incompatible element contents, Al2O3/CaO ratios, and La/Sm ratios and systematic increases in compatible element contents. The observed compositional cyclicity can be explained as the result of alternating periods of low and high magma chamber recharge rates. The upsection interbatch compositional breaks represent periods of low or negligible magma chamber recharge, during which eruption is suppressed and the geochemical effects of crystal fractionation dominate those imposed by magma mixing. At the initiation of recharge, the influx of mafic magma into the magma chamber produces an eruption, resulting in partial evacuation of the magma chamber. Following eruption, recharge magma mixes with magma remaining in the magma chamber. Continued recharge and mixing during these eruptive periods cause the compositions of lavas to become more mafic with time. Thus, during a recharge period, the bulk composition of the magma chamber approaches that of the recharge magmas. The most mafic lavas (i.e., the youngest lavas within each magma batch) typically are relatively evolved (Mg# < 48, MgO < 7 wt%) and, therefore, cannot represent primary magmas. Evidence for polybaric fractionation suggests that these lavas represent recharge magmas that have undergone crystal fractionation in a deeper-level reservoir prior to injection into the shallow-level Haleakala magma chamber. The observed fine-scale geochemical cyclicity is superimposed over the larger-scale, systematic changes in isotope ratios and highly incompatible trace element ratios that are attributed to time-dependent changes in the proportions of distinct mantle components in the source of these lavas. These contrasting scales of temporal geochemical variability illustrate how shallow-level magma chamber processes have imposed short time period (≈ 2000 years) compositional controls on magmas whose compositions were also changing over relatively long time periods (≈ 800,000 years) due to source-related effects. The decrease in magma supply rates during the alkalic cap phase of Hawaiian volcanism probably results in increased magma chamber residence times, thus creating the greater magmatic diversity observed. The specifics of the petrologic and geochemical evolution of individual Hawaiian volcanoes during this period differ at least in part because of differences in magma supply rates.
CRT-25 Young Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: How Are They Different?

The goal of the study is to investigate baseline risk factors, coronary artery angiogram results and interventions, and hospital outcomes in young patients with acute myocardial infarction (less than 45 years vs. older than 45 years of age). Retrospective analysis of 779 patients treated with PCI
Nicotine and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol withdrawal induce narp in the central nucleus of the amygdala

The central nucleus of the amygdala plays a key role in mediating aversive responses to drug withdrawal, effects thought to contribute to continued drug use. In previous studies, we found that the immediate early gene Narp, which encodes a secreted protein that binds to AMPA receptors, is induced in this nucleus following opiate withdrawal. Furthermore, Narp deletion alters the acquisition and extinction of aversive conditioning induced by opiate withdrawal. We now report that Narp is also induced in the central nucleus following withdrawal from other drugs of abuse, nicotine and Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, indicating that Narp is a common component of the transcriptional response triggered by drug withdrawal.
Timing of sentinel lymph node mapping after lymphoscintigraphy.

Abstract Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping is an effective technique for staging patients with melanoma. In an attempt to avoid reinjection of radiolabeled colloid and facilitate SLN mapping at the time of surgery, we examined whether residual radioactivity from preoperative lymphoscintigraphy could be used to accurately identify SLNs during surgery 18 to 24 hours later. Methods: Forty-six patients with newly diagnosed melanoma underwent injection of 0.22-μm filtered technetium 99m–labeled sulfur colloid followed by lymphoscintigraphy. Patients returned the next day for SLN biopsy with Isosulfan blue dye and the hand-held γ-probe to identify SLNs. Thirty of 46 patients underwent repeat imaging before operation. No patient had reinjection of radiocolloid. Results: Ninety-five SLNs were identified on initial lymphoscintigraphy, and repeat imaging on the day of surgery confirmed all SLNs previously identified. A total of 122 SLNs (2.65 per patient) were resected from 58 basins. Eighty-four (69%) of 122 SLNs stained blue, and 118 (97%) of 122 SLNs had in vivo γ-counts greater than 4 times background. Microscopic metastases were present in 13 (10.7%) of 122 SLNs in 12 (26.1%) of 46 patients. There have been no recurrences over a mean follow-up time of 320 days. Conclusions: Intraoperative γ-probe detection combined with blue dye injection is highly effective in identifying SLNs 18 to 24 hours after injection of 0.22-μm filtered 99m Tc-sulfur colloid. Reinjection of radiocolloid is not required. This technique avoids radiopharmaceutical administration in the operating room, minimizes radiation exposure, and increases scheduling flexibility. (Surgery 1999;126:156-61.)
Population momentum: its relation to the moments of replacement level fertility

Abstract This article examines the effects on population momentum of raising or lowering the first four cumulants of childbearing age, given that the initial population is stable. General relationships are found linking change in the second, third, or fourth cumulant of childbearing age and size of the ultimate stationary population. No such general relationship holding for all replacement level maternity functions appears to exist for the first cumulant. However, a relationship wherein an increased mean age of childbearing reduces population momentum when the initial population is growing, and increases momentum otherwise, is brought out both empirically and analytically for net maternity functions compatible with human populations. It is also found that the succeeding cumulants of childbearing age are of rapidly diminishing significance in determining population momentum. A knowledge of the mean and variance suffices to estimate the momentum with a high level of accuracy.
Natural cycle cryo-thaw transfer may improve pregnancy outcome

Objective: To compare natural vs. hormone replacement treatment (HRT) for cryo-thaw embryo transfer cycles in patients with frozen embryos from previous ART. Design and Settings: Retrospective chart review of 164 patients (242 cycles) who underwent natural or HRT cryo-thaw embryo transfer between January 2002 and April 2005. Main Outcome Measures: Pregnancy rates per transfer in natural and HRT cryo-thaw cycles. Results: The pregnancy rate per transfer was higher with natural cycles (36.76% vs. 22.99%, P = 0.0298). There was no statistical difference in mean age, endometrial thickness, and average embryo quality in successful cycles. Mean endometrial thickness prior to transfer was greater in natural cycles (9.95 vs. 8.89 mm, P < 0.001). Mean serum estradiol levels were higher in the HRT group prior to transfer (526.1 vs. 103.8 pg/ml, P < 0.001), and were found to be lower in women who achieved pregnancy (337.1 vs. 433.3 pg/ml, P = 0.0136). Conclusion: Hormone replacement in preparation for cryo-thaw transfer of embryos was found to be associated with decreased pregnancy rates in comparison to natural cycle cryo-thaw transfer. Greater endometrial thickness was achieved with lower serum estradiol levels in patients undergoing natural cycles, suggesting that higher estradiol levels during HRT cycle may interfere with the window of implantation.
The DNA Binding Protein BTEB Mediates Acetaldehyde-Induced, Jun N-Terminal Kinase-Dependent αI(I) Collagen Gene Expression in Rat Hepatic Stellate Cells

Alcohol-induced cirrhosis results partially from the excessive production of collagen matrix proteins, which, predominantly alphaI(I) collagen, are produced and secreted by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC). The accumulation of alphaI(I) collagen in HSC during cirrhosis is largely due to an increase in alphaI(I) collagen gene expression. Acetaldehyde, the major active metabolite of alcohol, is known to stimulate alphaI(I) collagen production in HSC. However, the mechanisms responsible for it remain unknown. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms by which alphaI(I) collagen gene expression is induced by acetaldehyde in rat HSC. In the present study, the acetaldehyde response element was located in a distal GC box, previously described as the UV response element, in the promoter of the alphaI(I) collagen gene (-1484 to -1476). The GC box was predominantly bound by the DNA binding transcription factor BTEB (basic transcription element binding protein), expression of which was acetaldehyde and UV inducible. Blocking BTEB protein expression significantly reduced the steady-state levels of the acetaldehyde-induced alphaI(I) collagen mRNA, suggesting that BTEB is required for this gene expression. Further studies found that acetaldehyde activated Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 1 and 2 and activator protein 1 (AP-1) transactivating activity. Inhibition of JNK activation resulted in the reduction of the acetaldehyde-induced BTEB protein abundance and alphaI(I) collagen mRNA levels, indicating that the expression of both genes is JNK dependent in HSC. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that BTEB mediates acetaldehyde-induced, JNK-dependent alphaI(I) collagen gene expression in HSC.
Treason and the State: Law, Politics and Ideology in the English Civil War

This study traces the transition of treason from a personal crime against the monarch to a modern crime against the impersonal state. It consists of four highly detailed case studies of major state treason trials in England beginning with that of Thomas Wentworth, first Earl of Strafford, in the spring of 1641 and ending with that of Charles Stuart, King of England, in January 1649. The book examines how these trials constituted practical contexts in which ideas of statehood and public authority legitimated courses of political action that might ordinarily be considered unlawful - or at least not within the compass of the foundational statute of Edward III. The ensuing narrative reveals how the events of the 1640s in England challenged existing conceptions of treason as a personal crime against the king, his family and his servants, and pushed the ascendant parliamentarian faction towards embracing an impersonal conception of the state that perceived public authority as completely independent of any individual or group.
How Sweet it is! Cell Wall Biogenesis and Polysaccharide Capsule Formation in Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogenic fungus responsible for severe opportunistic infections. The most prominent feature of this yeast is its elaborate polysaccharide capsule, a complex structure that is required for virulence. The capsule is intimately associated with the cell wall, which underlies the capsule and offers the organism strength and flexibility in potentially hostile environments. Both structures are primarily composed of polysaccharides, offering a glimpse of the tremendous variation inherent in natural carbohydrate structures and their multiple biological functions. The steps in cell wall and capsule biosynthesis and assembly pose fascinating questions of metabolism, enzymology, cell biology, and regulation; the answers have potential application to treatment of a deadly infection. This article reviews current knowledge of cryptococcal cell wall and capsule biosynthesis and outstanding questions for the future.
Understanding visual attention of teams in dynamic medical settings through vital signs monitor use

The purpose of this study was to understand how vital signs monitors support teamwork during trauma resuscitation -- the fast-paced and information-rich process of stabilizing critically injured patients. We analyzed 12 videos of simulated resuscitations to characterize trauma team monitor use. To structure our observations, we adopted the feedback loop concept. Our results showed that the monitor was used frequently, especially by team leaders and anesthesiologists. We identified three patterns of monitor use: (i) periods with a low frequency of short looks (glances) to maintain overall process awareness; (ii) periods with a medium frequency of long looks (scrutiny) to monitor trends in patient status; and (iii) peaks with a high frequency of glances to maintain attention on both the patient and monitor during critical tasks. Approximately 75% of looks were 3 seconds or shorter, but many looks (25%) ranged between 3 and 26 seconds. Our results have implications for improving displays by presenting the status of the patient's physiological systems and team activities.
Correction of intensity inhomogeneity in MR images of vascular disease

We are involved in a comprehensive program to characterize atherosclerotic disease using multiple MR images having different contrast mechanisms (T1W, T2W, PDW, magnetization transfer, etc.) of human carotid and animal model arteries. We use specially designed intravascular and surface array coils that give high signal-to-noise but suffer from sensitivity inhomogeneity and significant noise. We present here a new non-parametric method for correcting the images without assumption of the number of different tissues. Intensity inhomogeneity is modeled with cubic spline and is locally optimized using an entropy criterion. Validation has been performed on a specially design neck phantom as well as actual MR scans on patient neck. This same algorithm has been successfully applied to the correction of very high resolution, intravascular coil images. The steep bias is corrected sufficiently to aid human interpretation of gray scales. It should also make possible computerized tissue classification
Anxiety after miscarriage: a review of the empirical literature and implications for clinical practice.

Background Most practitioners now view a miscarriage as a significant psychosocial stressor that results in a high level of dysphoria and grief. Anxiety, although also commonly present, is less frequently considered and less frequently addressed. A review of the empirical literature was conducted to determine if anxiety after a miscarriage is elevated, and if risk is increased for particular types of anxiety syndromes. An attempt was also made to identify the types of interventions that have been found to be helpful in alleviating anxiety. Methods An electronic search of the Medline and Psych Info databases were conducted using the keywords "miscarriage," "perinatal loss," "pregnancy loss," "anxiety," "trauma," and "stress." The searches were not intentionally circumscribed by date. Further searches were then carried out using references. Studies were subsequently included only if most women in a study sample experienced the pregnancy loss before 20 weeks' gestation. Results The literature was relatively limited. With respect to level of anxiety after a miscarriage, 4 studies were located that employed a matched comparison group design, and 3 that employed a follow-up design. Three studies that used a matched comparison design were located with respect to an increased risk for particular anxiety syndromes. A significant percentage of women experience elevated levels of anxiety after a miscarriage up until about 6 months post-miscarriage, and they are at increased risk for obsessive-compulsive and posttraumatic stress disorder. Conclusions Practitioners, as part of routine care after a miscarriage, should screen for signs of anxiety as well as depression. When signs of anxiety are present, opportunities for catharsis, understanding, and legitimation are likely to be helpful, as is reassurance that the stress is likely to appreciably lessen over the next 6 months.
Minimum distance bounds for multiple-serially concatenated code ensembles

It has recently been shown that the minimum distance of the ensemble of repeat multiple accumulate codes grows linearly with block length. In this paper, we present a method to obtain the distance growth rate coefficient of multiple-serially concatenated code ensembles and determine the growth rate coefficient of the rate 1/2 double-serially concatenated code consisting of an outer memory one convolutional code followed by two accumulators. We compare both the growth rate of the minimum distance, as well as the convergence behavior, of this code with rate 1/2 repeat multiple accumulate codes, and we show that repeat multiple accumulate codes have better minimum distance growth but worse performance in terms of convergence.
Induction of apoptosis and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene 1 in pancreatic cancer cells by a glycyrrhetinic acid derivative

Methyl 2-cyano-3,11-dioxo-18beta-olean-1,12-dien-30-oate (CDODA-Me) is a synthetic triterpenoid derived from glycyrrhetinic acid, a bioactive phytochemical in licorice, CDODA-Me inhibits growth of Panc1 and Panc28 pancreatic cancer cell lines and activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma)-dependent transactivation in these cells. CDODA-Me also induced p21 and p27 protein expression and downregulates cyclin D1; however, these responses were receptor-independent. CDODA-Me induced apoptosis in Panc1 and Panc28 cells, and this was accompanied by receptor-independent induction of the proapoptotic proteins early growth response-1 (Egr-1), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene-1 (NAG-1), and activating transcription factor-3 (ATF3). Induction of NAG-1 and Egr-1 by CDODA-Me was dependent on activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3-K) and/or p42 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways but there were differences between Panc28 and Panc1 cells. Induction of NAG-1 in Panc28 cells was p38-MAPK- and PI3-K-dependent but Egr-1-independent, whereas induction in Panc1 cells was associated with activation of p38-MAPK, PI3-K, and p42-MAPK and was only partially Egr-1-dependent. This is the first report of the induction of the proapoptotic protein NAG-1 in pancreatic cancer cells.
Tournaments with near-linear transitive subsets

Let H be a tournament, and let ? ? 0 be a real number. We call ? an "Erd?s-Hajnal coefficient" for H if there exists c 0 such that in every tournament G not containing H as a subtournament, there is a transitive subset of cardinality at least c | V ( G ) | ? . The Erd?s-Hajnal conjecture asserts, in one form, that every tournament H has a positive Erd?s-Hajnal coefficient. This remains open, but recently the tournaments with Erd?s-Hajnal coefficient 1 were completely characterized. In this paper we provide an analogous theorem for tournaments that have an Erd?s-Hajnal coefficient larger than 5/6; we give a construction for them all, and we prove that for any such tournament H there are numbers c , d such that, if a tournament G with | V ( G ) | 1 does not contain H as a subtournament, then V ( G ) can be partitioned into at most c ( log ? ( | V ( G ) | ) ) d transitive subsets.
Experimental classification of multi-spin coherence under the full rotation group

Abstract The density operator of a coupled nuclear spin system often includes multi-spin coherences representing correlations between different spins. The generation and evolution of these coherences is governed by the dipole-dipole interactions between the spins and thus contains information about nuclear structure. Different multi-spin coherences may be distinguished by their behaviour under rotations. The maximum information extractable is determined by the irreducible representations of the full rotation group SO (3). By comparing the effect of rotation with various angles and rotation axes one can determine the expansion coefficients of the spin density operator in a basis of irreducible tensor operators. Experimentally, the rotation of the spins is achieved with rf pulses.
Load Shedding of Fatigue Fracture in Ship Structures

This paper presents a phenomenological theory to characterize load shedding during fatigue fracture in ship structure. Following an outline of linear fracture mechanics based fatigue analysis, the paper discusses load shedding mechanisms (load redistribution during crack propagation) in ship structural details. A phenomenological (semi-empirical) approach is then developed to characterize sources of load shedding. The phenomenological approach is used to calibrate a load shedding model for fracture mechanics analysis of ship structural details. An empirical formula is developed to describe the effects of load shedding. Finally, load shedding effects on ship durability design are discussed.
The physiology of dinosaurs: circulatory and respiratory function in the largest animals ever to walk the earth

The cardiopulmonary physiology of dinosaurs-and especially of the long-necked sauropods, which grew much larger than any land animals before or since-should be inherently fascinating to anyone involved in respiratory care. What would the blood pressure be in an animal 12 m (40 ft) tall? How could airway resistance and dead space be overcome while breathing through a trachea 9 m (30 ft) long? The last decade has seen a dramatic increase in evidence bearing on these questions. Insight has come not only from new fossil discoveries but also from comparative studies of living species, clarification of evolutionary relationships, new evaluation techniques, computer modeling, and discoveries about the earth's ancient atmosphere. Pumping a vertical column of blood 8 m (26 ft) above the heart would probably require an arterial blood pressure > 600 mm Hg, and the implications of this for cardiac size and function have led to the proposal of several alternative cardiopulmonary designs. Diverse lines of evidence suggest that the giant sauropods were probably warm-blooded and metabolically active when young, but slowed their metabolism as they approached adult size, which diminished the load on the circulatory system. Circulatory considerations leave little doubt that the dinosaurs had 4-chambered hearts. Birds evolved from dinosaurs, and the avian-type air-sac respiratory system, which is more efficient than its mammalian counterpart, may hold the answer to the breathing problems posed by the sauropods' very long necks. Geochemical and other data indicate that, at the time the dinosaurs first appeared, the atmospheric oxygen concentration was only about half of what it is today, and development of the avian-type respiratory system may have been key in the dinosaurs' evolutionary success, enabling them to out-compete the mammals and dominate the land for 150 million years.
Studies in medical psychology: a brief survey.

An understanding of the individual's personality structure may be used to help patients employ their strengths effectively in combating physical illness. Models of personality types based upon psyc...
Evaluation of SEGR threshold in power MOSFETs

Bias values, determined experimentally to result in single-event gate rupture (SEGR) in power metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), are used in 2-D device simulations, incorporating the experimental geometry. The simulations indicate that very short time oxide field transients occur for ion strikes when V/sub DS//spl ne/OV. These transients can affect SEGR through hole trapping and redistribution in the oxide. >
A novel non-invasive technique for measuring the residual lung volume by nitrogen washout with rapid thoracoabdominal compression in infants.

BACKGROUND—The functional residual capacity (FRC), the only lung volume to be routinely measured in infants, is an unreliable volume landmark. In addition to FRC, the residual volume (RV) was measured by nitrogen washout using rapid thoracoabdominal compression (RTC) in nine infants with cystic fibrosis aged 5-31 months. METHODS—A commercial system for nitrogen washout to measure lung volumes and a custom made system to perform RTC were used. Lung volume was raised to an airway opening pressure of 30 cm H2O (V30). RTC was performed from V30. The jacket pressure (Pj; 65-92 cm H2O) which generated the highest forced expiratory volume (mean 40.2 ml/kg; 95% confidence interval (CI) 33.03 to 47.33) was used during the RV manoeuvre. The infants were manually hyperventilated to inhibit the respiratory drive briefly. RTC was initiated during the last passive expiration. RV was estimated by measuring the volume of nitrogen expired after end forced expiratory switching of the inspired gas from room air to 100% oxygen while jacket inflation was maintained at the time of switching into oxygen during the post-expiratory pause. RESULTS—In each infant RV and FRC measurements were reproducible and did not overlap; the difference between mean values, which is the expiratory reserve volume, was statistically significant (p<0.05). Mean RV was 21.3 (95% CI 18.7 to 24.0), FRC was 25.5 (95% CI 22.8to 28.1), and TLC30 (total lung capacity at V30) was 61.5 (95% CI 54.4 to 68.7) ml/kg. These values were dependent on body length, weight and age. When measuring RV the period between switching to oxygen and the end of the Pj plateau was 0.301 (95% CI 0.211to 0.391) s. The washout duration was longer for RV than for FRC measurement (80.9 s (95% CI 71.3 to 90.4) versus 72.4 s (95% CI 64.9 to 79.8)) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS—A new non-invasive and reliable technique for routine measurement of RV in infants is presented.
Invariant factors under rank one perturbations

Let R be a principal ideal domain, i.e., a commutative ring without zero divisors in which every ideal is principal. The invariant factors of a matrix A with entries in R are the diagonal elements when A is converted to a diagonal form D = UAV, where U, V have entries in R and are unimodular (invertible over R), and the diagonal entries d1 …, dn of D form a divisibility chain: d1|d2| … |dn. Very little has been proved about how invariant factors may change when matrices are added. This is in contrast to the corresponding question for matrix multiplication, where much information is now available [6].
Pseudo-Chédiak–Higashi Anomaly

Pseudo-Chediak–Higashi (PCH) anomaly was seen in a patient with a myelodysplastic syndrome evolving from pancytopenia with normocellular marrow to a myeloblastic leukemia over a period of 72 months. This case is reported.
Soil-binding ability of vegetation roots in enhancing erosion resistance of a shallow slope

Research was undertaken to quantify the root effect of the Johnson grass roots on the resistance increase in resisting surface erosion, in an effort to evaluate soil-binding or anti-erosion ability of the roots. In this study, an innovative means was proposed to evaluate erosion resistance of rooted soils using the traditional slope stability method. The surface erosion was treated as a special slope stability problem on the shallow slip surfaces that are parallel to the slope surface. It was assumed that factors of safety (F.S.) against these shallow slip surfaces are a direct measure of resistance to the surface erosion and the overall slope stability is not our concern. The proposed method to evaluate the surface erosion resistance of rooted soils is simple, straightforward, feasible, and easily implementable. In the research, individual roots in different zones below the slope ground were tested for their tensile strengths, and capabilities to increase shear strength of soil were assessed accordingly....