cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distribution of cesium-137 in tree crop products collected from residence islands impacted by the U.S. nuclear test program in the northern Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands Program at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has completed a series of radiological surveys at Bikini, Rongelap, Utrōk, and Enewetak Atolls in the Marshall Islands designed to take a representative sample of food supplies with emphasis on determining 137Cs activity concentrations in common food plants. Coconuts (Cocos nucifera L.) are the most common and abundant food plant, and provided a common sample type to characterize the level and variability of activity concentrations of 137Cs in plant foods collected from different islands and atolls. Other dominant food types included Pandanus (Pandanus spp.) and breadfruit (Actocarpus spp.). In general, the activity concentration of 137Cs in food plants was found to decrease significantly between the main residence islands on Bikini, Rongelap, Utrōk, and Enewetak Atolls. The mean activity concentration of 137Cs measured in drinking coconut meat and juice was 0.72 (95 % CI 0.68–0.77) and 0.34 (95 % CI 0.30–0.38) Bq g−1, respectively, on Bikini Island; 0.019 (95 % CI 0.017–0.021) and 0.027 (95 % CI 0.023–0.031) Bq g−1, respectively, on Rongelap Island; 0.010 (95 % CI 0.007–0.013) and 0.007 (95 % CI 0.004–0.009) Bq g−1, respectively, on Utrōk Island; and 0.002 (95 % CI 0.0013–0.0024) and 0.002 (95 % CI 0.001–0.0025) Bq g−1, respectively, on Enewetak Island. High levels of variability are reported across all islands. These results will be used to improve the accuracy and reliability of predictive dose assessments, help characterize levels of uncertainty and variability in activity concentrations of fallout radionuclides in plant foods, and allow atoll communities to make informed decisions about resettlement and possible options for cleanup and rehabilitation of islands and atolls.
Application of regional strain energy in topology optimization with inertia relief analysis

In finite element analysis, inertia relief solves the response of an unconstrained structure subject to constant or slowly varying external loads with static analysis computational cost. It is very attractive to utilize it in topology optimization to design structures under unbalanced loads, such as in impact and drop phenomena. In this paper, regional strain energy formulation and inertia relief is integrated into topology optimization to design protective structure under unbalanced loads. For background, the equations of inertia relief are introduced and a commonly used solving method is revisited. Then the regional strain energy formulation for topology optimization with inertia relief is proposed and its sensitivity is derived from the adjoint method. Based on the solving method, the sensitivity is evaluated term by term to simplify the results. The simplified sensitivity can be calculated easily using the output of commercial finite element packages. Finally, the effectiveness of this formulation is shown in the first example and the proposed regional strain energy formulation for topology optimization with inertia relief are presented and discussed in the protective structure design examples.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
On stochastic context-free languages

In this paper, properties of normalized stochastic languages are discussed and alternative procedures for constructing the Chomsky and Greibach normal forms for normalized stochastic context-free grammar (nscfg) are presented. A normalized stochastic context-free language (nscf l) is defined in terms of a nscfg. Furthermore, stochastic languages accepted by stochastic pushdown automata (spda) are defined, and relationships between stochastic context-free languages and spda are studied. The class of languages accepted by a spda with a 0 cutpoint is precisely the class of scf l.
S-phase fraction by the labeling index as a predictive factor for progression and survival in low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Background. The purpose of this study was to learn if the bromodeoxyuridine labeling index (LI), a measure of the S-phase fraction, is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) for patients with newly diagnosed low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). In addition, the ability of the LI to predict time to progression (TTP) in a group of patients observed without therapy after initial diagnosis was determined. Methods. Patients eligible for this study had biopsy proven low grade NHL, adequate tissue to perform the LI, and were previously untreated. The bromodeoxyuridine LI was performed on fresh biopsy samples using a slide-based immunofluorescence procedure. Results. One-hundred twelve patients were followed prospectively for OS, and 50 of these patients who initially were observed without therapy were eligible for an analysis of TTP. The LI (≤1% vs. >1%) and presence of B symptoms were significant univariate prognostic factors for survival (P values of 0.004 and <0.001, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, the LI and symptoms retained independent prognostic significance, whereas disease stage, histologic subtype, and age did not. In the group who were observed after diagnosis, the LI was not an independent predictor of TTP. Conclusions. The LI at initial diagnosis is an independent prognostic factor for OS of patients with low grade NHL, but it does not help choose patients for observation without therapy. Measurements of the LI should be considered as part of the on-study evaluation of patients entering cooperative group trials evaluating new therapies for this group of lymphomas. Cancer 1995 ; 76 :1059-64.
How Recession and the Empowerment of Consumers Impact the Telecommunications Industry: A European Perspective

IBM's most recent global telecommunications consumer survey reveals that the deteriorating economic conditions in many European countries and the empowerment of the consumer exert negative pressure on the business of communications service providers. The results shed light on a budget-conscious, demanding consumer spending an increasing amount of time online, more apt to interface with their friends and family over social networks sites about their services rather than communicate directly with the provider. Many consumers' are growing less loyal as their expectations rise and as they take advantage of new channels of information. The paper gives recommendations how providers can gain competitive advantage by deepening their consumer insights, encourage interactions and create an emotional connection to their consumers as seen in other industries.
Functional activities of antibodies against brain-associated T cell antigens. II. Stimulation of T cell-induced B cell proliferation.

B cells could be stimulated to proliferate by mitomycin C-treated normal T cells that were activated by rabbit anti-mouse brain antiserum (RaMBr). The B cell proliferation peaked 48 h after the initiation of the cultures. The T cell subset involved was Lyt-1+, 2−. The B and T cells participating in the interaction did not need to be matched at the H-2 locus. A long-term T cell line (C.1.a), which was genetically restricted by the H-2 complex in its antigen (ovalbumin)-specific interaction with B cells, could also be induced by RaMBr to stimulate B cell proliferation. However, the RaMBr-mediated interaction of C.1.a with B cells was genetically unrestricted. This suggests that T cell activation by RaMBr can bypass the requirement for the recognition of I region antigens, which is a feature of antigen-specific interactions between T and B cells. In fact, RaMBr antibody appeared to function by bringing T cells into contact with B cells by the interaction of the B cell surface membrane Fc receptors with the Fc portion of RaMBr antibody bound to the T cell surface. Brain-associated antigen(s) appeared to play a unique role in T-B cell interactions because antibodies against other T cell surface antigens were inactive, e.g. those which remained in rabbit anti-mouse thymocyte antiserum at a high titer after absorption with mouse brain tissue. Furthermore, the brain-associated T cell antigen involved in the cellular interaction was differentiated from the Thy-1 antigen by the failure of xeno-anti-Thy-1.1 antisera to induce the interaction of B6.PL.Thy-12 T cells with B cells, and the presence of activity in rat anti-AKR mouse brain serum which did not contain antibodies against Thy-1.1 or Thy-1.2 determinants. The data appear to support the hypothesis that the brain-associated T cell antigen, as defined serologically in these studies, may represent a molecule which plays a role in the immunological functions of the Lyt-1+, Lyt-2− T cell subset.
Cellular enzyme-linked immunospecific assay (CELISA). I a new micromethod that detects antibodies to cell-surface antigens

A novel, indirect immunoassay capable of detecting human anti-HLA antibody bound to lymphocytes has been developed. This cellular enzyme-linked immunospecific assay (CELISA) utilizes an antiglobulin covalently linked to alkaline phosphatase to quantitate the amount of anti-HLA antibody bound to cell-surface HLA antigens. During the CELISA, V-bottom polyvinyl microplates served as the receptacle in which as little as 5 microliters of sera and as few as 25,000 lymphocytes per well were incubated. We devised a rapid and simple technique to transfer the cells from the original V-bottom plate to a flat-bottom plate before adding the enzyme substrate. Using this strategy, background noise because of the nonspecific adsorption of the different protein immunoreactants to plastic was eliminated. This strategy, the identification of an optimal cell concentration and an optimal conjugate source and dilution, enabled us to detect the anti-HLA activity in sera diluted out 250-fold more than their maximum titer as determined by the microdroplet cytotoxicity test. Since this assay is capable of sensitively and objectively quantitating antibody bound to cell-surface antigens, it may be of value in the areas of transplantation, blood banking, autoimmune disease, tumor immunology, and the study of cell-surface differentiation and viral antigens.
Influence of the method of Fluosol-DA administration on antipyrine metabolism in the rat

Antipyrine disposition has been determined in the rat following administration of Fluosol-DA by an intravenous infusion without blood removal or a haemodilution procedure, and compared with data from sham haemodiluted rats (blood removed and returned) and control rats which only received antipyrine. Antipyrine total body and renal clearance and the formation clearance of two of its metabolites were affected differently at 48 h by the pretreatments. The haemodilution procedure enhanced, the sham haemodilution reduced, and the intravenous infusion had no effect on the phenobarbitone inducible cytochrome P450 isoenzyme activity.
Safe maritime autonomous path planning in a high sea state

This paper presents a path planning method for sea surface vehicles that prevents capsizing and bow-diving in a high sea-state. A key idea is to use response amplitude operators (RAOs) or, in control terminology, the transfer functions from a sea state to a vessel's motion, in order to find a set of speeds and headings that results in excessive pitch and roll oscillations. This information is translated to arithmetic constraints on the ship's velocity, which are passed to a model predictive control (MPC)-based path planner to find a safe and optimal path that achieves specified goals. An obstacle avoidance capability is also added to the path planner. The proposed method is demonstrated by simulations.
Strangeness production with polarized protons at Saturne

Abstract At high energies, significant polarization effects have long been observed in inclusive Λ production from the collision of unpolarized hadrons. Although many experiments on hyperon production have been performed, very few used polarized hadron beams and none have involved exclusive measurements. An independent puzzle in the strangeness sector has been revealed by recent observations of a large violation of the Okubo-Zweig-Iizuka (OZI) rule in φ-meson production by anti-protons. These violations have been interpreted by some to indicate sizeable strange-quark content of the nucleon. Understanding these two problems constitutes the major goal of the DISTO program at Saturne. The DISTO experiment is designed to study hyperons (Λ,Σ) and vector mesons (φ,Ω) produced in p → p collisions at three incident proton momenta: 3.67, 3.31 and 2.94 GeV/c. Detection of all charged particles in the final state allows exclusive measurements for hyperons, while the use of polarized beam makes it possible to measure analyzing powers Ay and the spin transfer coefficient DNN, in addition to the polarization of the outgoing hyperon. An outline of the physics motivation and a brief description of the experimental setup is given. Some preliminary results from the data taken at 3.67 GeV/c are presented.
Identification of Key Sectors in a region of a developed economy

This paper attacks the problem of selection of a proper weighting system for a choice of Key Sectors to be emphasized by development policy for a region within a developed nation. The basic concept of the Rasmussen model is utilized and three weighting methods-unweighted (Rasmussen), weighted by shares of final demand (Hazari) and weighted by shares of output (Rao-Harmston)-are tested using models of the Missouri economy.
High survival in adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome treated by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, minimal sedation, and pressure supported ventilation

Objectives: To evaluate the results of treatment of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), minimal sedation, and pressure supported ventilation.
Characterization of ultrathin platinum overlayers deposited on A W(110) surface

Abstract The growth of platinum overlayers (sub-monolayer to multiple layer coverages) on a clean W(110) surface is studied by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). Based on Auger peak amplitudes, thermally evaporated platinum appears to grow in the Frank-van der Merve mode on W(110), at least for the first few layers. Annealing of platinum deposited at 90 K shows distinct changes in Auger ratios and adsorption states of molecular CO, providing evidence for changes in the electronic and structural properties of the overlayers. TPD of CO, combined with AES measurement, suggests that ennealing induces either agglomeration of the platinum atoms into large islands with a small cluster density, or the formation of a surface PtW alloy. Annealing above 1500 K produces a stable monolayer of platinum on the tungsten surface for all initial platinum coverages greater than one monolayer. Preliminary low energy electron diffraction (LEED) studies are consistent with the observed trends in the structure of the platinum overlayers on W(110).
The Sympathy Card as Cultural Assessment of American Attitudes toward Death, Bereavement and Extending Sympathy: A Replicated Study

In 1980, Marsha McGee conducted a study to evaluate the content of sympathy cards to view the American treatment of death, bereavement, and sympathy. She surveyed eighty-seven college students to d...
Theory of Fast and Slow Excitation Transfer Rates

The two limiting cases of dipole-allowed excitation transfer rates between molecules, $w\ensuremath{\sim}\frac{1}{{R}^{3}}$ (Perrin) and $w\ensuremath{\sim}\frac{1}{{R}^{6}}$ (F\"orster), where $R$ is the separation, may be obtained as well-defined limits of a single function $w(R)$. The demonstration is based on a model which allows the interaction strengths and relaxation rates to be compared explicitly and which has a generalization describing the situation in real molecules.
Africa's Rising Status in American Defence Policy

Since the last American troops withdrew from Vietnam during 1975, the strategic value of Africa to the United States has steadily risen. As a result of the renewal of cold-war hostilities between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. and an escalating series of crises for American foreign policy in the Third World, the African continent is now a principal battlefield for competition involving the United States, Western Europe (particularly France), Cuba, and the Soviet Union. After the end of the Vietnam war, direct American military intervention in Africa was precluded for a short time by legislative restraints – notably the ‘Clark Amendment’ of December 1975 that blocked involvement in Angola – and by the public's reluctance to become entangled in another military commitment overseas, a phenomenon often referred to in Washington as the ‘Vietnam syndrome’. Furthermore, the United States lacked the military capacity to engage in such adventures, having suffered such heavy losses in Indochina and being preoccupied with the creation of a new all-volunteer army. Over the past five years, however, two Administrations in Washington have worked assiduously to ‘cure’ the so-called ‘Vietnam syndrome’ and restore America's military position abroad.
A refined parameterization of the analytical Cd–Zn–Te bond-order potential

This paper reports an updated parameterization for a CdTe bond order potential. The original potential is a rigorously parameterized analytical bond order potential for ternary the Cd–Zn–Te systems. This potential effectively captures property trends of multiple Cd, Zn, Te, CdZn, CdTe, ZnTe, and Cd1-xZnxTe phases including clusters, lattices, defects, and surfaces. It also enables crystalline growth simulations of stoichiometric compounds/alloys from non-stoichiometric vapors. However, the potential over predicts the zinc-blende CdTe lattice constant compared to experimental data. Here, we report a refined analytical Cd–Zn–Te bond order potential parameterization that predicts a better CdTe lattice constant. Characteristics of the second potential are given based on comparisons with both literature potentials and the quantum mechanical calculations.
Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Antiepileptic Drugs for the Treatment of Status Epilepticus

Status epilepticus (SE) is a medical emergency with high mortality rate. Common causes of SE include noncompliance with antiepileptic medications, drug- and alcohol-related etiologies, and central ...
Special problems in limb-salvage surgery

Limb-salvage surgery is a safe and effective treatment for malignancies of the musculoskeletal system. Careful evaluation and planning are necessary to avoid both early and late complications. Biopsy must be carefully performed to avoid unnecessary contamination and to obtain adequate tissue for an accurate diagnosis. Pathologic fractures present both a diagnostic and a therapeutic challenge, and evaluation strategies depend on the age of the patient. Treatment of a pathologic fracture depends on the location and the histology of the lesion and many host factors. Limb salvage may or may not be indicated. Instability is another problem with certain limb-salvage situations, e.g., when it is necessary to resect the scapula. Various approaches may obviate the problem. The salvage of failed limb-salvage procedures requires careful evaluation and planning. Patients with infections and local recurrences often require amputation surgery. Correctable problems following failed allograft reconstructions include collapse of the articular cartilage, joint instability, nonunion, and fracture of the allograft. Correctable problems following prosthetic arthroplasty include aseptic loosening, prosthetic fracture, and polyethylene wear. Approximately two thirds of patients with failed limb-salvage procedures will obtain a functional limb following revision surgery. Attention to these special problems may allow for greater success with limb-salvage surgery.
Psychoeducation and relapse prevention

This paper reviews the rationale underlying psychoeducational programs designed to prevent or delay relapse in persons with schizophrenia. Since most of these programs have been oriented toward patients and their close relatives, the studies reviewed have tested the effect of these programs when added to maintenance pharmacotherapy. The results of the first generation of studies carried out in the late 1970s and 1980s confirmed the positive effects of a family-based psychoeducational program on delaying the recurrence of a schizophrenic episode. More recent studies, termed the second generation, have built on these findings to test more specific hypotheses concerning the most efficient format for delivery of such programs (relatives-only groups, single family-unit therapy, multiple-family groups). No clear advantage has been found for any one format, suggesting that intensive family involvement in the community care of schizophrenic, and other psychotic patients as well, may be a critical ingredient in successful relapse prevention programs.
Relationship of Serum ADMA With pulmonary hypertension in patients on hemodialysis

BACKGROUND Asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous nitric oxide (NO) inhibitor. Increased con-centrations of serum ADMA may also contribute to endothelial dysfunction in patients with pulmonary vascular dis-ease. Pulmonary hypertension in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis is a newly described entity. The pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is considered to be ESRD-related endothelial dysfunction. The aim of our study was to elucidate the possible relationship between serum ADMA and PH in patients undergo-ing hemodialysis (HD). METHODS The incidence of PH was prospectively estimated by Doppler echocardiography in 69 patients with ESRD undergoing long-term HD (2 hrs of completion of HD). Serum ADMA levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Pulmonary hypertension was deﬁned as pulmonary artery systolic pressure (sPAP) >35 mmHg as determined by Doppler echocardiography using the modiﬁed Bernouli equation. Then, the relationship between ADMA and pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) was analyzed. RESULTS Pulmonary hypertension was detected in 31.9% of patients receiving HD. Pulmonary artery systolic pressure was signiﬁcantly higher in patients with PH compared with patients without PH (40.79 ± 12.32 versus 24.81 ± 4.54 mmHg; p < .001), whereas the patients with PH had signiﬁcantly higher cardiac output (6.41 ± 0.74 versus 5.08 ± 0.61 mL/min/m2, p < .001). Serum ADMA levels were signiﬁcantly elevated in patients with PH compared with those without PH and 25 matched control subjects (1.32 ± 0.15 µmol/L versus 0.99 ± 0.19 µmol/L versus 0.22 ± 0.05 µmol/L; p < .001). Multiple regression analysis showed that sPAP was independently related to ADMA and arteriovenous ﬁstula (AVF) ﬂow (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS Increased ADMA levels and their positive association with PAP suggest that the NO pathway is involved in the development of pulmonary vascular disease.
A Back-Propagation Algorithm with Optimal Use of Hidden Units

This paper presents a variation of the back-propagation algorithm that makes optimal use of a network hidden units by decrasing an "energy" term written as a function of the squared activations of these hidden units. The algorithm can automatically find optimal or nearly optimal architectures necessary to solve known Boolean functions, facilitate the interpretation of the activation of the remaining hidden units and automatically estimate the complexity of architectures appropriate for phonetic labeling problems. The general principle of the algorithm can also be adapted to different tasks: for example, it can be used to eliminate the [0, 0] local minimum of the [-1. +1] logistic activation function while preserving a much faster convergence and forcing binary activations over the set of hidden units.
Remix and Robo: sampling, sequencing and real-time control of a tangible robotic construction system

We present Remix and Robo, new composition and performance based tools for robotics control. Remix is a tangible interface used to sample, organize and manipulate gesturally-recorded robotic motions. Robo is a modified game controller used to capture robotic motions, adjust global motion parameters and execute motion recordings in real-time. Children use Remix and Robo to engage in (1) character design and (2) competitive endeavors with Topobo, a constructive assembly system with kinetic memory.Our objective is to provide new entry paths into robotics learning. This paper overviews our design process and reports how users age 7-adult use Remix and Robo to engage in different kinds of performative activities. Whereas robotic design is typically rooted in engineering paradigms, with Remix and Robo users pursue cooperative and competitive social performances. Activities like character design and robot competitions introduce a social context that motivates learners to focus and reflect upon their understanding of the robotic manipulative itself.
Minimal genomes of mycoplasma-related endobacteria are plastic and contain host-derived genes for sustained life within Glomeromycota

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF, Glomeromycota) colonize roots of the majority of terrestrial plants. They provide essential minerals to their plant hosts and receive photosynthates in return. All major lineages of AMF harbor endobacteria classified as Mollicutes, and known as mycoplasma-related endobacteria (MRE). Except for their substantial intrahost genetic diversity and ability to transmit vertically, virtually nothing is known about the life history of these endobacteria. To understand MRE biology, we sequenced metagenomes of three MRE populations, each associated with divergent AMF hosts. We found that each AMF species harbored a genetically distinct group of MRE. Despite vertical transmission, all MRE populations showed extensive chromosomal rearrangements, which we attributed to genetic recombination, activity of mobile elements, and a history of plectroviral invasion. The MRE genomes are characterized by a highly reduced gene content, indicating metabolic dependence on the fungal host, with the mechanism of energy production remaining unclear. Several MRE genes encode proteins with domains involved in protein–protein interactions with eukaryotic hosts. In addition, the MRE genomes harbor genes horizontally acquired from AMF. Some of these genes encode small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteases specific to the SUMOylation systems of eukaryotes, which MRE likely use to manipulate their fungal host. The extent of MRE genome plasticity and reduction, along with the large number of horizontally acquired host genes, suggests a high degree of adaptation to the fungal host. These features, together with the ubiquity of the MRE–Glomeromycota associations, emphasize the significance of MRE in the biology of Glomeromycota.
Media Preferences That Facilitate Interpersonal Communication Regarding Sexual Health: Racial Differences Among College-Aged Females

Young women are increasingly diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. The aim of this study was to test various types of mass media and their associations with interpersonal communication about sex and HIV or AIDS among female college students, stratified by race. The study used a nonexperimental cross-sectional design and an electronic survey. The sample consisted of female college students (N = 776) at a 4-year public university in the southeast. We found that the race of college women influenced their preferred media source for reception of information about sex and HIV/ AIDS, which subsequently either motivated or was insignificant to communication with parents and/or partners.
New Phages Active Against Staphylococci that Are Resistant to the Conventional Phage Set.

Summary and ConclusionsThe isolation of 7 new staphylococcal phages is described: 5 of them appear to be quite distinct and specific and the other 2 are related to the 80, 81 phages. With the 5 new and specific phages and one of the others it was possible to type 73% of 158 strains which were recently isolated from infected lesions, nontypable with the conventional set of phages and most of them resistant to the most frequently used antibiotics. These new phages may, therefore, prove useful for phage typing of pathogenic staphylococci.
The Molecular Basis for Distinct β-Adrenergic Receptor Subtype Actions in Cardiomyocytes

Catecholamines exert physiologically important effects on the electrical properties and mechanical performance of the heart through the activation of adrenergic receptors. It has been 50 years since Ahlquist1 first postulated that the excitatory and inhibitory pressor responses to catecholamines must be mediated by distinct adrenergic receptors (ARs), then designated α (for excitatory) and β (for inhibitory). Ahlquist’s classification was expanded further by Lands et al,2 who recognized that both α- and β-ARs could be conveniently categorized into 2 distinct subtypes on the basis of their relative potencies for ligands available at that time. In the ensuing years, the predominant AR expressed by cardiomyocytes was shown to conform to the β1-AR subtype. Our understanding of the molecular basis for sympathetic modulation was advanced further by the observations that under normal physiological conditions catecholamines induce positive inotropic, chronotropic, and lusitropic (relaxant) responses in the heart through a β1-AR–activated pathway, which involves the stimulatory GTP regulatory protein (Gs), activation of adenylyl cyclase (AC), accumulation of cAMP, stimulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), and phosphorylation of key target proteins (including the L-type calcium channel [ I Ca,L], phospholamban [PLB], and troponin I [TNI]). Potential contributions of other AR subtypes to the mechanism(s) of catecholamine action in the heart were largely ignored in early studies. However, the traditional notion that only β1-ARs support cardiac contractile function has been challenged by recent research demonstrating that cardiac myocytes also express β2-ARs that link to important changes in cardiac contractile function. Although these β2-AR–dependent signals may represent only a relatively minor component of catecholamine responsiveness under normal physiological conditions, β2-ARs assume increased importance as a mechanism for inotropic support in the failing or aged heart, where there is a selective downregulation …
Peculiar distribution of adipose tissue in patients with congenital generalized lipodystrophy

Congenital generalized lipodystrophy (CGL) is a rare genetic disease with extreme paucity of fat from birth which is believed to be generalized, involving the whole body. Affected patients are characterized by severe insulin resistance. Sites of adipose tissue distribution in patients with CGL have not been studied systematically. Therefore, the fat distribution in three women (17-20 yr old) with CGL was investigated. Determination of body composition by underwater volume displacement suggested the complete absence of body fat (range, -3 to -7%; normal, 15-25%). Whole body magnetic resonance imaging, however, detected fat in particular anatomical sites, namely in orbits, palms and soles, and periarticular and epidural regions. Some fat was also localized in the tongue, breasts, vulva, and buccal area. Fat in other subcutaneous areas, intraabdominal and intrathoracic regions, and bone marrow was essentially absent. Thus, patients with CGL do not have a complete absence of body fat; of interest, fat is present in those sites where adipose tissue may be serving mainly a mechanical function. Patients with CGL, therefore, provided a unique opportunity to identify the various sites of localization of "mechanical" adipose tissue in the human body. Our study suggests that the genetic defect in CGL results in poor growth and development of metabolically active adipose tissue, whereas mechanical adipose tissue is well preserved.
Securing Health Care: Assessing Factors That Affect HIPAA Security Compliance in Academic Medical Centers

HIPAA security compliance in academic medical centers is a central concern of researchers, academicians, and practitioners. Despite increasing accounts of data security breaches, greater numbers of information technology implementations, and new HIPAA Security Rule requirements and audits, academic medical centers have shown limited HIPAA security compliance. Based on a literature review of technology acceptance and security effectiveness, this study investigated the factors that affect HIPAA security compliance. A theoretical model using management support, security awareness, security culture, and computer self-efficacy to predict security behavior and security effectiveness was proposed. Multiple linear regression and correlation analysis demonstrated that security awareness, management support, and security culture were significant predictors of security effectiveness and security behavior, with security awareness being the most significant predictor. The results of this research provide guidance to those involved with HIPAA security compliance initiatives in health care.
Accurate and fast computation of high order fringe-field maps via symplectic scaling

Abstract The fringe fields of particle optical elements often have a significant influence on particle motion, particularly on the higher order aberrations of instruments. Using DA methods, it is possible to compute high order transfer maps of the fringe-field region exactly by integration, but compared to the determination of the main field effects, the method is rather time consuming. Here we introduce an approximate calculation scheme which is very accurate and fast and is therefore particularly useful for efficient optimization of field parameters. It works to arbitrary order and yields order by order symplectic Taylor maps. With this method, the speed of computing fringe-field maps is typically increased by up to two orders of magnitude.
The form and function of headwater streams based on field and modeling investigations in the southern Appalachian Mountains

Headwater streams drain the majority of most landscapes, yet less is known about their morphology and sediment transport processes than for lowland rivers. We have studied headwater channel form, discharge and erosive power in the humid, moderate-relief Valley and Ridge and Blue Ridge provinces of the Appalachian Mountains. Field observations from nine headwater (< < < < 2k m 2 drainage area), mixed bedrock‐alluvial channels in a variety of boundary conditions demonstrate variation with respect to slope-area channel initiation, basic morphology, slope distribution, hydraulic geometry, substrate grain size and role of woody debris. These channels display only some of the typical downstream trends expected of larger, lowland rivers. Variations are controlled mainly by differences in bedrock resistance, from the formation level down to short-wavelength, outcrop-scale variations. Hydrologic modeling on these ungauged channels estimates the recurrence of channel-filling discharge and its ability to erode the channel bed. Two-year recurrence discharge is generally larger and closer to bankfull height in the Valley and Ridge, due to low soil infiltration capacity. Discharge that fills the channel to its surveyed bankfull form is variable, generally exceeding two-year flows at small drainage areas (< < < <0·5 km 2 ) and being exceeded by them at greater drainage areas. This suggests bankfull is not controlled by the same recurrence storm throughout a channel or physiographic region. Stream power and relative competence are also variable. These heterogeneities contrast relations observed in larger streams and illustrate the sensitivity of headwater channels to local knickpoints of resistant bedrock and armoring of channels by influx of coarse debris from hillslopes. The general lack of predictable trends or functional relationships among hydraulic variables and the close coupling of channel form and function with local boundary conditions indicate that headwater streams pose a significant challenge to landscape evolution modeling. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organizing principles of spectro-temporal encoding in the avian primary auditory area field L.

Summary The organization of postthalamic auditory areas remains unclear in many respects. Using a stimulus based on properties of natural sounds, we mapped spectro-temporal receptive fields (STRFs) of neurons in the primary auditory area field L of unanesthetized zebra finches. Cells were sensitive to only a subset of possible acoustic features: nearly all neurons were narrowly tuned along the spectral dimension, the temporal dimension, or both; broadly tuned and strongly orientation-sensitive cells were rare. At high stimulus intensities, neurons were sensitive to differences in sound energy along their preferred dimension, while at lower intensities, neurons behaved more like simple detectors. Finally, we found a systematic relationship between neurons' STRFs, their electrophysiological properties, and their location in field L input or output layers. These data suggest that spectral and temporal processing are segregated within field L, and provide a unifying account of how field L response properties depend on stimulus intensity.
K-SVD for HARDI denoising

Noise is an important concern in high-angular resolution diffusion imaging studies because it can lead to errors in downstream analyses of white matter structure. To address this issue, we investigate a new approach for denoising diffusion-weighted data sets based on the K-SVD algorithm. We analyze its characteristics using both simulated and biological data and compare its performance with existing methods. Our results show that K-SVD provides robust and effective noise reduction and is practical for use in high-volume applications.
No association between body mass index and β3-adrenergic receptor variant (W64R) in children with premature pubarche and adolescent girls with hyperandrogenism

Abstract Objective: To determine if the Trp 64 Arg (W64R) variant of the β 3 -adrenergic receptor ( ADRB3 ) could be used as a genetic marker to define risk for polycystic ovary syndrom (PCOS) and/or obesity in children and adolescents. Design: Association study. Setting: Academic research environment. Patient(s): Children referred for evaluation of premature pubic hair (n = 63), adolescent girls referred for evaluation of hirsutism and/or oligomenorrhea (n = 33), and healthy adult controls (n = 67). Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Relationship of body mass index (BMI) to presence or absence of W64R variant and frequency of W64R variant in our patient population. Result(s): Body mass index (kg/m 2 ) was determined for 63 children (55 girls and 8 boys) and 33 adolescent girls. Presence or absence of the W64R variant was assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification followed by allele-specific restriction fragment digest. Twelve subjects and 11 healthy controls were found to be heterozygous for the W64R variant. One subject was found to be homozygous for the W64R variant. Allele frequency for the W64R variant was comparable between patients and controls. Among the patients, mean BMI values were not different between carriers and noncarriers. Conclusion(s): Although other studies suggest that the W64R variant is associated with the development of obesity and insulin resistance, we cannot demonstrate that it has a major effect on BMI in children with premature pubarche or in adolescent girls with hyperandrogenism. Serial observations are necessary to determine if this variant predicts the development of obesity and/or PCOS in adulthood.
Virtual prototyping: a cost-effective emerging methodology

The development of modern optical instruments has evolved into a complex multi-disciplinary activity with the explosion of sophisticated applications. For specialized optical systems, the development of even a prototype has become a costly exercise. This paper presents a new concept of virtual prototyping for optical systems to minimize the development time, cost and risk. This process employs the computer-aided design and modeling tools to address the broad issues of system layout, optical and optomechanical design, structural and thermal analysis for the real operating environment, tolerance budgeting and optimization procedures. The Center for Applied Optics at the University of Alabama in Huntsville has developed the necessary computer interfaces between the various stages of optical system design, development and evaluation. As a common database is used for the optical and mechanical design and analyses, the possibility of a human error is eliminated while minimizing the time and effort required to accomplish these critical tasks. The virtual prototyping concept works in an iterative fashion to achieve the desired system performance at a minimum cost. This technique has been successfully employed in the design and development of several optical instruments for space, military and commercial applications, covering a broad spectrum from UV to IR. The performance specifications and the results of virtual prototyping for some typical systems are also presented.
Identification of new drug classification terms in textual resources

Knowledge about biological effects of small molecules helps in the understanding of biological processes and supports the development of new therapeutic agents. DrugBank is a high quality database providing such information about drugs that contains annotation of drug effects and classification of therapeutic effects. However, to broaden the scope of such a database in classifying and annotating drugs, systems for automatic extraction of classification terms and the corresponding annotation of drugs are needed. We have developed an approach for the identification of new terms used in unstructured text that provide information about drug properties. It is based on the identification and extraction of phrases corresponding to lexico-syntactic patterns-so-called Hearst patterns that contain drug names and directly related drug annotation terms. Such phrases could be identified with a high performance in DrugBank text (0.89 F-score) and in Medline abstracts (0.83 F-score). In comparison to DrugBank annotation terminology, a huge amount of new drug annotation terms could be found. The evaluation of terms extracted from Medline showed that 29–53% of them are new valid drug property terms. They could be assigned to existing and new drug property classes not provided by the DrugBank drug annotation. We come to the conclusion that our system can support database content update by providing additionally drug descriptions of pharmacological effects not yet found in databases like DrugBank. Moreover, we propose that automatic normalization of terms improves the annotation and the retrieval of relevant database entries. Contact: corinna.kolarik@scai.fraunhofer.de Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Improving Mention Detection Robustness to Noisy Input

Information-extraction (IE) research typically focuses on clean-text inputs. However, an IE engine serving real applications yields many false alarms due to less-well-formed input. For example, IE in a multilingual broadcast processing system has to deal with inaccurate automatic transcription and translation. The resulting presence of non-target-language text in this case, and non-language material interspersed in data from other applications, raise the research problem of making IE robust to such noisy input text. We address one such IE task: entity-mention detection. We describe augmenting a statistical mention-detection system in order to reduce false alarms from spurious passages. The diverse nature of input noise leads us to pursue a multi-faceted approach to robustness. For our English-language system, at various miss rates we eliminate 97% of false alarms on inputs from other Latin-alphabet languages. In another experiment, representing scenarios in which genre-specific training is infeasible, we process real financial-transactions text containing mixed languages and data-set codes. On these data, because we do not train on data like it, we achieve a smaller but significant improvement. These gains come with virtually no loss in accuracy on clean English text.
The Democratic Peace through an Interaction of Domestic Institutions and Norms: Executive Constraints and Rule of Law

In an attempt to explain the democratic peace phenomenon, existing studies postulate institutional and normative models but treat them as contending and mutually exclusive explanations. This approa...
Repulsed by violence: disgust sensitivity buffers trait, behavioral, and daily aggression.

Many models of aggression include negatively valenced emotions as common elicitors of aggressive behavior. Yet, the motivational direction of these emotions is not taken into account. The current work explored whether sensitivity to a negative emotion associated with behavioral avoidance-disgust-will predict lower levels of aggression. Five studies tested the hypothesis that disgust sensitivity predicts less aggression. In Study 1 (N = 92), disgust sensitivity predicted less trait physical and verbal aggression. In Study 2 (N = 268), participants high in disgust sensitivity were less likely to behave aggressively towards a stranger on a reaction-time task. In Study 3 (N = 51), disgust sensitivity was associated with less intimate partner violence inclinations. Study 4 (N = 247) replicated this effect longitudinally. In Study 5 (N = 166), each domain of disgust (i.e., moral, sexual, and pathogen disgust) had a buffering effect on daily aggression when daily experiences activated those specific domains. These results highlight the usefulness of considering the motivational direction of an emotion when examining its influence on aggression. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
The Science of Reading and Its Educational Implications

Research in cognitive science and neuroscience has made enormous progress toward understanding skilled reading, the acquisition of reading skill, the brain bases of reading, the causes of developmental reading impairments and how such impairments can be treated. My question is: if the science is so good, why do so many people read so poorly? I mainly focus on the United States, which fares poorly on cross-national comparisons of literacy, with about 25-30% of the population exhibiting literacy skills that are low by standard metrics. I consider three possible contributing factors, all of which turn on issues concerning the relationships between written and spoken language. They are: the fact that English has a deep alphabetic orthography; how reading is taught; and the impact of linguistic variability as manifested in the Black-White "achievement gap". I conclude that there are opportunities to increase literacy levels by making better use of what we have learned about reading and language, but also institutional obstacles and understudied issues for which more evidence is badly needed.