cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MMPI profiles as a function of chronological age.

MMPI and Otis mental ability scores were studied as a function of chronological age among 176 male job applicants who were referred to a psychological consulting firm for evaluation. Ss were divided into four groups, with mean ages of 24.8, 31.4, 37.7, and 45.1 yr., and the groups were relatively well matched in terms of formal education. Statistical analysis revealed that there were no significant differences among the scores made by the various age groups on any of the 13 basic scales of the MMPI or on the Otis. The results failed to support the popular notion that middle-aged workers are risky prospects for employment because, as compared with their younger counterparts, they are relatively defensive, threatened, rigid, subjective in their evaluations, difficult to get along with, and lacking in adaptability and mental alertness.
Time‐dependent liquid metal flows with free convection and a deformable free surface

The finite element method is employed to investigate time-dependent liquid metal flows with free convection, free surfaces and Marangoni effects. The liquid circulates in a two-dimensional shallow trough with differentially heated vertical walls. The spatial formulation incorporates mixed Lagrangian approximations to the velocity, pressure, temperature and free surface position. The time integration is performed with the backward Euler and trapezoid rule methods with step size control. The Galerkin method is used to reduce the problem to a set of non-linear equations which are solved with the Newton–Raphson method. Calculations are performed for conditions relevant to the electron beam vaporization of refractory metals. The Prandtl number is 0·015 and Grashof number are in the transition range between laminar and turbulent flow. The results reveal the effects of flow intensity, surface tension gradients, mesh refinement and time integration strategy.
Passive warming of airway gases (artificial nose) improves accuracy of esophageal temperature monitoring.

The most efficient site for monitoring heart and lung sounds by esophageal stethoscope is not the warmest segment of the esophagus. This study investigated the ability of passive warming of airway gases to increase the accuracy of temperatures measured at this site (i.e., to decrease their difference from core temperature). In 15 adult patients undergoing general anesthesia and endotrachcal intubation, esophageal temperatures were measured before and after use of a heat and moisture exchanger (an artificial nose) that passively warmed inspired gases. The resulting values were compared with nasopharyngeal temperatures, which represented core temperature. Before use of the heat and moisture exchanger, esophageal and nasopharyngeal temperatures differed significantly (mean difference ± SD, 0.9 ± 0.4‡C;P ≤ 0.001). After passive warming of inspired gases, esophageal temperatures increased significantly (mean increase ± SD, 0.5 ± 0.2‡C;P ≤ 0.001) but inconsistently (range, 0.1 to 1.2‡C). However, the mean difference between esophageal and nasopharyngeal temperatures was still significant (0.5 ± 0.3‡C;P < 0.001). Discrepancies between esophageal and core temperatures persist when a currently available esophageal stethoscope with adjacent auscultation chamber and temperature probe is used, despite passive warming of airway gases.
The recursive neural network and its applications in control theory

Abstract This paper introduces a new dynamical neural network and a corresponding learning algorithm based on a gradient search. A model-following controller using the network is presented and is shown to be useful in the identification and control of discrete nonlinear systems. A discussion of the advantages and limitations of the new network is also included.
Biochemical Mechanisms in Chronic Carbon Disulfide Poisoning

(1959). Biochemical Mechanisms in Chronic Carbon Disulfide Poisoning. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal: Vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 303-323.
Differentiation of Candida stellatoidea from C. albicans and C. tropicalis by temperature-dependent growth responses on defined media

C. stellatoidea differs from both C. albicans and C. tropicalis in its i) much greater growth differential on minimal and amino acid enriched media and ii) unique inability to grow on minimal medium containing glycerol as carbon source at 37C. The relative responses to amino acid enrichment occur on media containing either fermentative or oxidative carbon sources, at 25C or 37C. Under any given conditions of carbon source and temperature, different assortments of individual amino acids are stimulatory for each of the three species. All assortments include one or more members of the glutamic acid family. However, sulfur amino acids stimulate only C. stellatoidea on all three carbon sources. On minimal-glycerol medium, wild type strains of C. stellatoidea grow prototrophically at 25C but are auxotrophic for amino acids at 37C; the particular auxotrophies expressed vary from strain to strain. Slow growing, mycelial mutants, prototrophic on glycerol at 37C arise spontaneously in wild type strains at frequencies indicating nuclear gene mutation. Such mutants can be induced by both transition and frame shift mutagens. The implications of these observations for the taxonomic relationships between the three Candida species and for identification of C. stellatoidea in particular are discussed.
Mechanisms for transition in eruptive style at a monogenetic scoria cone revealed by microtextural analyses (Lathrop Wells volcano, Nevada, U.S.A.)

Explosive activity at Lathrop Wells volcano, Nevada, U.S.A. originated with weak Strombolian (WS) eruptions along a short fissure, and transitioned to violent Strombolian (VS) activity from a central vent, with lava effusion during both stages. The cause for this transition is unknown; it does not reflect a compositional change, as evidenced by the consistent bulk geochemistry of all the eruptive products. However, comparison of agglutinate samples from the early, WS events with samples of scoria from the later, VS events reveal differences in the abundance and morphology of groundmass phases and variable textures in the rims of olivine phenocrysts. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of thin sections from the WS samples show euhedral magnetite microlites in the groundmass glass and olivine phenocrysts show symplectite lamellae in their rims. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) depth profiles of these symplectites indicate they are diffusion-controlled. The calculated DFe-Mg allows an estimation of the oxygen fugacity (fO2) and indicates an increased fO2 during eruption of the WS products. Conversely, the VS samples show virtually no magnetite microlites in the groundmass glass, a lack of symplectites in the olivines, and a lower calculated fO2. These microtextural features suggest that the Lathrop Wells trachybasalt experienced increased oxidation during WS activity. As magma ascended through the original fissure, exsolved bubbles were concentrated in the wider part(s) (the protoconduit) and this bubble flux drove convective circulation that oxidized the magma through exposure to atmosphere and recirculation. This oxidation resulted in groundmass crystallization of magnetite within the melt and formation of symplectites within the olivine phenocrysts. Bubble-driven convection mixed magma vertically within the protoconduit, keeping it fluid and driving Strombolian bursts, while microlite crystallization in narrower parts of the fissure helped to focus flow. Development of a central conduit increased the magma ascent velocity (due to a greater product volume in the later eruptive stages) and caused the shift in eruption intensity. Consequently, variations in microtextures of the Lathrop Wells products reveal how a combination of fluid dynamic and crystallization processes in the ascending magma resulted in different styles of activity while the products maintained a consistent bulk composition.
Functional Compatibility, Markov Chains and Gibbs Sampling with Improper Posteriors

Abstract The members of a set of conditional probability density functions are called compatible if there exists a joint probability density function that generates them. We generalize this concept by calling the conditionals functionally compatible if there exists a non-negative function that behaves like a joint density as far as generating the conditionals according to the probability calculus, but whose integral over the whole space is not necessarily finite. A necessary and sufficient condition for functional compatibility is given that provides a method of calculating this function, if it exists. A Markov transition function is then constructed using a set of functionally compatible conditional densities and it is shown, using the compatibility results, that the associated Markov chain is positive recurrent if and only if the conditionals are compatible. A Gibbs Markov chain, constructed via “Gibbs conditionals” from a hierarchical model with an improper posterior, is a special case. Therefore, the ...
Aneurysmal acute subdural hemorrhage: prognostic factors associated with treatment.

Abstract Acute subdural hematoma is an uncommon presentation of aneurysmal hemorrhage that has been identified as a poor prognostic sign. Current series are small, have short follow-up, or were collected over a long period during which treatment evolved. To evaluate prognostic factors, we analyzed a large modern series of aneurysmal subdural hematoma (aSDH) with long-term follow-up. A prospectively maintained database was queried for patients presenting with aSDH from 2001–2013. Thirty patients met the study criteria. Statistical analysis was performed with unpaired t -test or Fisher’s exact test. Aneurysm treatment involved open clipping (n = 18), endosaccular coiling (n = 8), both (n = 1), or no treatment (n = 3). Good Glasgow Outcome Scale score at discharge was present in 20% and increased to 40% at 6–12 months postoperatively. Good clinical presentation was associated with good final outcome in 75%, whereas poor clinical presentation correlated with good outcome in 30%. Good outcome correlated with younger age ( p = 0.04), smaller aneurysm ( p = 0.04), and lower Hunt-Hess score (HH) at intervention ( p = 0.04). Favorable outcome did not correlate with sex, race, presence of subarachnoid or intraparenchymal hemorrhage, size or laterality of hemorrhage, midline shift, aneurysm treatment modality, or HH at admission ( p > 0.15). There was no difference between good and poor outcomes in terms of time to treatment or hematoma evacuation. Poor clinical presentation may be exaggerated by mass effect of hematoma; aggressive treatment is not futile. Presenting neurological status, age, and aneurysm size are predictors of outcome, while laterality and size of hematoma and extent of midline shift are not, suggesting that clinical status is more important than radiographic findings.
Interactions between Nebulin-like Motifs and Thin Filament Regulatory Proteins

Nebulin (600–900 kDa) and nebulette (107–109 kDa) are two homologous thin filament-associated proteins in skeletal and cardiac muscles, respectively. Both proteins are capped with a unique region at the amino terminus as well as a serine-rich linker domain and SH3 domains at the COOH terminus. Their significant size difference is attributed to the length of the central region wherein both proteins are primarily composed of ∼35 amino acid repeats termed nebulin-like repeats or motifs. These motifs are marked by a conserved SXXY sequence and high affinity binding to F-actin. To further characterize the effects that nebulin-like proteins may have on the striated muscle thin filament, we have cloned, expressed, and purified a five-motif chicken nebulette fragment and tested its interaction with the thin filament regulatory proteins. Both tropomyosin and troponin T individually bound the nebulette fragment, although the affinity of this interaction was significantly increased when tropomyosin-troponin T was tested as a binary complex. The addition of troponin I to the tropomyosin-troponin T complex decreased the binding to the nebulette fragment, indicating an involvement of the conserved T2 region of troponin T in this interaction. F-actin cosedimentation demonstrated that the nebulette fragment was able to significantly increase the affinity of the tropomyosin-troponin assembly for F-actin. The relationships provide a means for nebulin-like motifs to participate in the allosteric regulation of striated muscle contraction.
Beyond Mutations: Additional Mechanisms and Implications of SWI/SNF Complex Inactivation

SWI/SNF is a major regulator of gene expression. Its role is to facilitate the shifting and exposure of DNA segments within the promoter and other key domains to transcription factors and other essential cellular proteins. This complex interacts with a wide range of proteins and does not function within a single, specific pathway; thus, it is involved in a multitude of cellular processes, including DNA repair, differentiation, development, cell adhesion, and growth control. Given SWI/SNF’s prominent role in these processes, many of which are important for blocking cancer development, it is not surprising that the SWI/SNF complex is targeted during cancer initiation and progression both by mutations and by nonmutational mechanisms. Currently, the understanding of the types of alterations, their frequency, and their impact on the SWI/SNF subunits is an area of intense research that has been bolstered by a recent cadre of NextGen sequencing studies. These studies have revealed mutations in SWI/SNF subunits, indicating that this complex is thus important for cancer development. The purpose of this review is to put into perspective the role of mutations versus other mechanisms in the silencing of SWI/SNF subunits, in particular, BRG1 and BRM. In addition, this review explores the recent development of synthetic lethality and how it applies to this complex, as well as how BRM polymorphisms are becoming recognized as potential clinical biomarkers for cancer risk.
Application of Coping Strategies Developed by Older Deaf Adults to the Aging Process.

Adjustment to deafness in early life and its influence on adjustment to the aging process was a major premise for this study. Early life experiences, peer group relationships, social relations, feelings of discrimination and stigmatization, and treatment as a minority group which together have led to the development of adaptive strategies were examined. Using ethnographic research, data was gathered from 22 deaf adults aged 55 to 84. Results indicated the educational programs they attended as children had ramifications throughout their lives. The type of program they had attended was of paramount importance in the participants' development of adaptive strategies, particularly their peer-based society and lifetime friendships which maximized sociability. Participants reported feelings of discrimination, stigmatization and minority group treatment. Nonetheless, their early acceptance of their disability appeared to carry over as the deaf adults approached the aging process.
Keyboarding compared with handwriting on a high-stakes writing assessment: Student choice of composing medium, raters’ perceptions, and text quality

Abstract This article examines the influence of keyboarding versus handwriting in a high-stakes writing assessment. Conclusions are based on data collected from a pilot project to move Old Dominion University's Exit Exam of Writing Proficiency from a handwritten format into a dual-option format (i.e., the students may choose to handwrite or keyboard the exam). This test case is used to demonstrate the complex implications for a writing assessment tool when universities aim to accommodate students’ various methods of physically creating a text. Discussion includes speculation about the format of the writing component on the SAT. It is argued that by analyzing the differences in high-stakes exams when students keyboard and when they handwrite, researchers can better understand how the material conditions for composing influence students and raters. It is concluded that if handwriting and keyboarding represent even slightly different composing skills and cognitive processes, then high-stakes writing assessments should aim to accommodate students by providing methods of textual production with which students are most comfortable, even as this accommodation produces new challenges for the creators and managers of large-scale writing assessments.
Regulation of fibrinogen biosynthesis: glucocorticoid and interleukin-6 control.

Fibrinogen biosynthesis is regulated under normal and pathophysiological conditions by the constitutive, hormonal and cytokine-mediated mechanisms. As an acute-phase protein, fibrinogen biosynthesis is regulated by glucocorticoids and cytokines. Recent studies iawe defined glucococticoid-consensus s
Evidence for multisite allosteric interactions on the band 3 monomer

Abstract Pyridoxal-5′-phosphate is known to label the two integral, chymotryptic domains (CH17 and CH35) of the erythrocyte anion exchange protein known as band 3. The CH35 sites are mutually exclusive with stilbene disulfonate binding, while the CH17 sites are not. Selective, irreversible pyridoxal-5′-phosphate labeling of CH17, reduces the transport inhibitory potency due to reversible stilbene disulfonate binding to vacant, nonoverlapping CH35 sites. We conclude that multisite allosteric interactions can occur on one band 3 monomer.
Non‐isothermal rheological response in melt spinning and idealized elongational flow

Almost all polymer processing operations involve moving and shaping the polymer as a melt and then cooling it, usually quite rapidly, to a solid state. In order to develop models for such processes we have begun systematic studies in non-isothermal rheology; here we interpret the results in the context of melt spinning. Theoretical predictions of stress vs distance from the spinneret were calculated from generalized (non-isothermal) viscoelastic theory and compared with Dees' melt spinning data on high density polyethylene. Despite certain experimental and theoretical difficulties, the agreement is good. Surprisingly, an additional theoretical curve, based on a simple Trouton viscosity, also gave a reasonable approximation over much of the distance, despite the transient nature of the flow. To understand this phenomenon further, a more tractable theoretical problem was studied in detail; the problem, of constant elongational flow (Ė = constant) in the presence of a constant rate of temperature change (dT/dt = constant). The results depend on two dimensionless groupings; the first is the usual product of a relaxation time and Ė; the second involves the ratio of normalized dT/dt to Ė. When the second group is large, a quasi-viscous state exists. The melt spinning data for the HDPE may be near this state.
The Role of Interactions in the Evolution of Highly Star-forming Early-Type (Sa-Sab) Spiral Galaxies

We present a search for the signatures of galaxy-galaxy interactions in the neutral gas of early-type spirals. New neutral hydrogen observations for four highly star-forming early-type spirals are presented here, along with H I data for three additional galaxies from other sources. H I maps of six of seven galaxies reveal unambiguous signs of a recent encounter, via tidal tails and H I bridges. Most of these galaxies appear undisturbed in the optical, and these interactions probably would have gone unnoticed without H I mapping. Such high rates of interaction suggest that galactic encounters may play an important role in the evolution of early-type spiral galaxies.
A unique fold of phospholipase C-beta mediates dimerization and interaction with G alpha q.

GTP-bound subunits of the Gq family of Gα subunits directly activate phospholipase C-β (PLC-β) isozymes to produce the second messengers inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. PLC-βs are GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) that also promote the formation of GDP-bound, inactive Gβ subunits. Both phospholipase activation by Gα–GTP subunits and GAP activity require a C-terminal region unique to PLC-β isozymes. The crystal structure of the C-terminal region from an avian PLC-β, determined at 2.4 A resolution, reveals a novel fold composed almost entirely of three long helices forming a coiled-coil that dimerizes along its long axis in an antiparallel orientation. The dimer interface is extensive (∼3,200 A2), and, based on gel exclusion chromatography, full length PLC-βs are dimeric, indicating that PLC-βs likely function as dimers. Sequence conservation, mutational data and molecular modeling show that an electrostatically positive surface of the dimer contains the major determinants for binding Gβq. Effector dimerization, as highlighted by PLC-βs, provides a viable mechanism for regulating signaling cascades linked to heterotrimeric G proteins.
The p(4 × 2) surface reconstruction on epitaxial WO3 thin films

Abstract Surface reconstructions induced by reducing epitaxial WO 3 (1 0 0) thin films grown on LaAlO 3 (1 0 0) were studied using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and low energy electron diffraction (LEED). When the WO 3 (1 0 0) surface was annealed in either O 2 or NO 2 at 620 K, the surface was predominantly covered by a p(2 × 2) reconstruction with a low density of elongated (1 × 1) islands. Raising the annealing temperature to 800 K reduced the film and the surface was dominated by p(4 × 2) and p(2 × 4) reconstructions, although a few small patches of the p(2 × 2) surface could still be detected. Annealing the p(4 × 2) surface in ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) at 800 K resulted in a (1 × 1) LEED pattern. The STM images of the p(4 × 2) surface were dominated by 0.1 nm deep troughs separating bright rows. The appearance of the rows was sensitive to the imaging bias with a 2× periodicity along the rows seen at high biases and a 1× periodicity at low biases. These results could be explained by a structural model based on incomplete (1 × 1) terraces that form as reduced W 5+ ions migrate from the surface into the bulk.
The Linde Clinsulf® process for sulfur recovery: Modelling and simulation☆

Abstract Extending the adsorption simulation model ADLIN® to chemical reactions with catalysts we have designed a favourable modification to the Linde Clinsulf® process which converts H 2 S and COS to sulfur. Using a detailed precooling treatment before switching the hot and cold reactors we were able to reduce the typical lack in conversion to merely 0.5% which guarantees an overall sulfur recovery above 99.7% during the entire cycle time. The model calculations reveal the complex interaction of chemical reaction, adsorption, condensation and heat transfer for designing actual plants.
Large Deviations of Square Root Insensitive Random Sums

We provide a large deviation result for a random sum S Nxn=0 X n , whereN xis a renewal counting process and { X n } n=0are i.i.d. random variables, independent ofN x , with a common distribution that belongs to a class of square root insensitive distributions. Asymptotically, the tails of these distributions are heavier thane -vxand have zero relative decrease in intervals of length v x, hence square root insensitive. Using this result we derive the asymptotic characterization of the busy period distribution in the stable GI/G/1 queue with square root insensitive service times; this characterization further implies that the tail behavior of the busy period exhibits a functional change for distributions that are lighter thane -vx .
End-Stage Renal Disease in Nursing Homes: A Systematic Review

Abstract Objectives/Introduction Demand for nursing home (NH) care by patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is likely to increase with growing numbers of older adults initiating chronic dialysis. We completed a systematic review to summarize the literature on NH residents with ESRD. Methods MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and relevant conference proceedings were searched to identify articles using the following MESH terms or related key words in the title or abstract: “residential facilities”, “renal dialysis”, “renal replacement therapy”, and “chronic kidney failure”. We selected case control, cohort studies, and clinical trials that included older adults with ESRD (defined as those receiving chronic dialysis or those with stage 5 chronic kidney disease) living in residential care facilities. We abstracted information on study design, quality, and results. Results Of 198 unique citations identified by the search strategy, 14 articles met eligibility criteria. Most articles were multicenter studies that were conducted in the 1990s. One study focused on patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease, and the remaining 13 studies focused on patients receiving chronic dialysis, of which eight studies included only those receiving peritoneal dialysis, four studies included patients receiving both peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis, and one study included only patients receiving hemodialysis. All studies were observational, no clinical trials were identified, and study design limitations and heterogeneity within study populations were common. Summarizing results across these studies suggests that NH residents with ESRD have limited survival, particularly early after dialysis initiation. Functional impairment is highly prevalent in this population and independently associated with poor outcomes. Conclusions NH residents with ESRD appear to be a particularly vulnerable population, but current information on their prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes is limited. Further research is needed to provide a better understanding of modifiable predictors of survival and functional decline in this population.
Lipoma of the lip; report of a case.

Abstract A case of a large lipoma of the lower lip has been presented. This neoplasm started to grow two days after the patient bit his lower lip. The tumor slowly increased in size until, after a period of five years, the patient finally sought treatment because it interfered with his ability to chew. The tumor was excised surgically, and when the patient was seen two years later there were no signs of recurrence.
Infants' ability to distinguish between purposeful and non-purposeful behaviors

Prior studies (Gergely et al., 1995; Woodward, 1998) have found that infants focus on the goals of an action over other details. The current studies tested whether infants would distinguish between a behavior that seemed to be goal-directed and one that seemed not to be. Infants in one condition saw an actor grasp one of two toys that sat side by side on a stage. Infants in the other condition saw the actor drop her hand onto one of the toys in a manner that looked unintentional. Once infants had been habituated to these events, they were shown test events in which either the path of motion or the object that was touched had changed. Nine-month-olds differentiated between these two actions. When they saw the actor grasp the toy, they looked longer on trials with a change in goal object than on trials with a change in path. When they saw the actor drop her hand onto the toy, they looked equally at the two test events. These findings did not result from infants being more interested in grasping as compared to inert hands. In a second study, 5-month-old infants showed patterns similar to those seen in 9-month-olds. These findings have implications for theories of the development of the concept of intention. They argue against the claim that infants are innately predisposed to interpret any motion of an animate agent as intentional.
10/spl times/ improvement of power transmission over free space using integrated antennas on silicon substrates

This paper reports the techniques for improving the characteristics of integrated antennas fabricated on silicon substrates for communications over air. Using these, the pair gain (G/sub a/) of antennas on 20-/spl Omega/-cm substrates has been improved by /spl sim/10/spl times/ over the previously reported result. Lastly, the possibility of realizing single chip radios with integrated antennas for communication over air is suggested by picking up, amplifying, and frequency dividing a 15-GHz sine wave transmitted from a 2-mm long on-chip antenna located 40 cm away using a packaged clock receiver with a 2-mm long on-chip zigzag antenna.
Dispersive properties and large Kerr nonlinearities using dipole-induced transparency in a single-sided cavity

We calculate the dispersive properties of a single-sided cavity coupled to a single dipole. We show that when a field is resonant with the dipole and the Purcell factor exceeds the bare cavity reflection coefficient, the field experiences a phase shift relative to reflection from a bare cavity. We then show that optically Stark shifting the dipole resonance with a second field creates large Kerr nonlinearities. An approximate expression for the total number of photons needed to create a phase shift is derived.
Efficient privacy-aware search over encrypted databases

In recent years, database as a service (DAS) model where data management is outsourced to cloud service providers has become more prevalent. Although DAS model offers lower cost and flexibility, it necessitates the transfer of potentially sensitive data to untrusted cloud servers. To ensure the confidentiality, encryption of sensitive data before its transfer to the cloud emerges as an important option. Encrypted storage provides protection but it complicates data processing including crucial selective record retrieval. To achieve selective retrieval over encrypted collection, considerable amount of searchable encryption schemes have been proposed in the literature with distinct privacy guarantees. Among the available approaches, oblivious RAM based ones offer optimal privacy. However, they are computationally intensive and do not scale well to very large databases. On the other hand, almost all efficient schemes leak some information, especially data access pattern to the remote servers. Unfortunately, recent evidence on access pattern leakage indicates that adversary's background knowledge could be used to infer the contents of the encrypted data and may potentially endanger individual privacy.In this paper, we introduce a novel construction for practical and privacy-aware selective record retrieval over encrypted databases. Our approach leaks obfuscated access pattern to enable efficient retrieval while ensuring individual privacy. Applied obfuscation is based on differential privacy which provides rigorous individual privacy guarantees against adversaries with arbitrary background knowledge.
Microphallus: The Successful Use of a Prosthetic Phallus in a Nine-Year-Old Boy

Microphallus, also known as micropenis and partial agenesis of the penis, is a condition in which the corpora of the penis are agenetic or vestigial to a variable degree. There is no other defect of embryogenesis of the external genitalia.
Small-Molecule Screen in Adult Drosophila Identifies VMAT as a Regulator of Sleep

Sleep is an important physiological state, but its function and regulation remain elusive. In Drosophila melanogaster, a useful model organism for studying sleep, forward genetic screens have identified important sleep-modulating genes and pathways; however, the results of such screens may be limited by developmental abnormalities or lethality associated with mutation of certain genes. To circumvent these limitations, we used a small-molecule screen to identify sleep-modulating genes and pathways. We administered 1280 pharmacologically active small molecules to adult flies and monitored their sleep. We found that administration of reserpine, a small-molecule inhibitor of the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) that repackages monoamines into presynaptic vesicles, resulted in an increase in sleep. Supporting the idea that VMAT is the sleep-relevant target of reserpine, we found that VMAT-null mutants have an increased sleep phenotype, as well as an increased arousal threshold and resistance to the effects of reserpine. However, although the VMAT mutants are consistently resistant to reserpine, other aspects of their sleep phenotype are dependent on genetic background. These findings indicate that small-molecule screens can be used effectively to identify sleep-modulating genes whose phenotypes may be suppressed in traditional genetic screens. Mutations affecting single monoamine pathways did not affect reserpine sensitivity, suggesting that effects of VMAT/reserpine on sleep are mediated by multiple monoamines. Overall, we identify VMAT as an important regulator of sleep in Drosophila and demonstrate that small-molecule screens provide an effective approach to identify genes and pathways that impact adult Drosophila behavior.
Local and Systemic Reactions to Puncture Injuries by the Sea Urchin Spine and the Date Palm Thorn

Puncture wounds were caused in 9 patients by sea urchin spines and 1 patient by a date palm thorn. All 10 patients developed local inflammatory reactions, which were moderate to severe in 7. Two patients exhibited severe systemic illnesses, and a marked synovitis was present in 2 others. Several of the patients presented as difficult diagnostic problems with signs and symptoms suggestive of an arthritic disease. Six required surgical removal of the foreign body.
On Invertibility of Switched Linear Systems

We address a new problem - the invertibility problem for continuous-time switched linear systems, which is the problem of recovering the switching signal and the input uniquely given an output and an initial state. In the context of hybrid systems, this corresponds to recovering the discrete state and the input from partial measurements of the continuous state. In solving the invertibility problem, we introduce the concept of singular pairs for two systems. We give a necessary and sufficient condition for a switched system to be invertible, which says that the subsystems should be invertible and there should be no singular pairs. When all the subsystems are invertible, we present an algorithm for finding switching signals and inputs that generate a given output in a finite interval when there is a finite number of such switching signals and inputs
Semantically Enabled Media in Equipment Service Documentation Leads to Lower Cost Operations

This paper intends to show how an electronic system can be developed and implemented in large factory environments to solve critical problems with regard to storing and retrieving a wide variety of information and media. We show that with semantically enabled media presented via an electronic system, the business of maintaining complex machinery in a volume factory environment can become less costly and more efficient. Not by simply providing access to flat documents but by presenting the information or media, utilizing an application, in ways that fit the needs of the reader or user and allows the consumer of this information to become higher performing. This abstract also intends to articulate the importance of having equipment service information in a format that allows for the information to be utilized in innovative and cost effective ways
FOXO3a mediates signaling crosstalk that coordinates ubiquitin and atrogin-1/MAFbx expression during glucocorticoid-induced skeletal muscle atrophy

Muscle atrophy is a consequence of chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes) and glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance that results from enhanced activity of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The PI3K/Akt pathway inhibits the FOXO-mediated transcription of the muscle-specific E3 ligase atrogin-1/MAFbx (AT-1), whereas the MEK/ERK pathway increases Sp1 activity and ubiquitin (UbC) expression. The observations raise a question about how the transcription of these atrogenes is synchronized in atrophic muscle. We tested a signaling model in which FOXO3a mediates crosstalk between the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways to coordinate AT-1 and UbC expression. In rat L6 myotubes, dexamethasone (≥24 h) reduced insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 protein and PI3K/Akt signaling and increased AT-1 mRNA. IRS-2 protein, MEK/ERK signaling, Sp1 phosphorylation, and UbC transcription were simultaneously increased. Knockdown of IRS-1 using small interfering RNA or adenovirus-mediated expression of constitutively activated FOXO3a increased IRS-2 protein, MEK/ERK signaling, and UbC expression. Changes in PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling were recapitulated in rat muscles undergoing atrophy due to streptozotocin-induced insulin deficiency and concurrently elevated glucocorticoid production. IRS-1 and Akt phosphorylation were decreased, whereas MEK/ERK signaling and expression of IRS-2, UbC and AT-1 were increased. We conclude that FOXO3a mediates a reciprocal communication between the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt and IRS-2/MEK/ERK pathways that coordinates AT-1 and ubiquitin expression during muscle atrophy.—Zheng, B., Ohkawa, S., Li, H., Roberts-Wilson, T.-K., Price, S. R. FOXO3a mediates signaling crosstalk that coordinates ubiquitin and atrogin-1/MAFbx expression during glucocorticoid-induced skeletal muscle atrophy.
Time-Dependent Autoregulation of Renal Blood Flow in Conscious Rats

Response of renal vasculature to changes in renal perfusion pressure (RPP) involves mechanisms with different frequency characteristics. Autoregulation of renal blood flow is mediated by a rapid myogenic response and a slower tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism. In 25 male conscious rats, ramp-shaped changes in RPP were induced to quantify dynamic properties of autoregulation. Decremental RPP ramps immediately followed by incremental ramps were made for four different rates of change, ranging from 0.118 to 1.056 mmHg/s. Renal blood flow and cortical and medullary fluxes were assessed, and the corresponding relative conductance values were calculated continuously. During RPP decrements, conductance increased. With increasing rate of change of RPP decrements, maximum conductance increased from 10% to 80%, as compared with control. This response, which indicates the magnitude of autoregulation, was more pronounced in cortical versus medullary vasculature. Pressure at maximum conductance decreased with increasing rate of change of RPP decrements from 88 to 72 mmHg. During RPP increments, dependence of maximum conductance changes on the rate of change was enhanced (-20 to 110% of control). Thus, a hysteresis-like asymmetry between RPP decrements and increments, a resetting of autoregulation, was observed, which in direction and magnitude depended on the rate of change and duration of RPP changes. In conclusion, renal vascular responses to changes in RPP are highly dependent on the dynamics of the error signal. Furthermore, the method presented allows differentiated stimulation of various static and dynamic components of pressure-flow relationship and, thus, a direct assessment of the magnitudes and operating pressure range of active mechanisms of pressure-flow relationships.
Critical Reflection on Cultural Difference in the Computer Conference

Adult educators have a strong interest in designing courses that stimulate learning toward critical, more inclusive cultural perspectives. Critical reflection is a key component of both intercultur...
Attitudes of Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans toward Gay and Lesbian Service Members

U.S. policy banning openly gay and lesbian personnel from serving in its military rests on the belief that heterosexual discomfort with lesbian and gay service members in an integrated environment would degrade unit cohesion and readiness. To inform this policy, data from a 2006 survey of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are analyzed in this study. Views of these war veterans are consistent with prior surveys of military personnel showing declining support for the policy: from about 75 percent in 1993 to 40 percent in this survey. Among the demographic and military experience variables analyzed, comfort level with lesbian and gay people was the strongest correlate of attitudes toward the ban. War veterans indicated that the strongest argument against the ban is that sexual orientation is unrelated to job performance and that the strongest argument in favor of the ban is a projected negative impact on unit cohesion. However, analyses of these war veterans’ ratings of unit cohesion and readiness revealed that knowing a gay or lesbian unit member is not uniquely associated with cohesion or readiness; instead, the quality of leaders, the quality of equipment, and the quality of training are the critical factors associated with unit cohesion and readiness.
Context specificity in stability of hyperactivity–impulsivity

This paper exemplifies a secondary data analysis of context–specific differences in children's hyperactivity–impulsivity while controlling for informant–specific effects. Participants were boys and...
Hemolysins and other characteristics that help differentiate and biotype Staphylococcus lugdunensis and Staphylococcus schleiferi.

Reference strains and clinical isolates representing the newly defined species Staphylococcus lugdunensis and Staphylococcus schleiferi were examined with the battery of tests previously recommended (G.A. Hebert, C.G. Crowder, G.A. Hancock, W.R. Jarvis, and C. Thornsberry, J. Clin. Microbiol. 26:1939-1949, 1988) for other species of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). The Staph-Ident system (Analytab Products, Plainview, N.Y.) supplemented with tests for synergistic hemolysis, adherence to glass, pyroglutamyl-beta-naphthylamide hydrolysis, and susceptibility to a set of five antimicrobial disks differentiated each of these species from other species of CNS and separated strains within each species into several biotypes. Most strains (95%) of S. lugdunensis produced a delta hemolysin like that seen with nine other species of CNS. Most strains (91%) of S. schleiferi produced a beta hemolysin, which is a unique characteristic among CNS. Most (95%) of the S. schleiferi but very few (12%) of the S. lugdunensis were adherence positive. Both hemolysins and adherins are potential virulence factors among CNS. Some (29%) of the S. lugdunensis were beta-lactamase positive. The S. lugdunensis were resistant to polymyxin B and bacitracin (10 U), but the S. schleiferi were susceptible to both disks. Clinical isolates of S. lugdunensis were aligned in 18 biotypes because of eight biochemical profiles and eight physiologic subtypes; isolates of S. schleiferi were in 8 biotypes because of three biochemical profiles and subtypes. These tools for correctly identifying and then biotyping two more clinical species of CNS should enhance both epidemiologic and ecologic investigations.
The Heritability of Egg Weight: The Advantages of Mass Selection and of Early Measurements

Abstract IN RECENT years the success of family selection for the improvement of various economic traits has led to the advocacy of this method in preference and sometimes to the complete exclusion of individual or mass selection. It has been pointed out by Lush (1947), and, more specifically in application to poultry, by Lerner, Cruden and Taylor (1949) that the relative efficiency of family as compared to mass selection depends to a considerable extent on the heritability of the trait under selection. Thus, hen-housed egg production with a low heritability is more amenable to family than to mass selection. On the other hand, it can now be shown that the reverse is true for egg weight which possesses relatively high heritability. This trait, indeed, provides a concrete example of an economic trait in the improvement of which family averages may be virtually ignored. Furthermore, it can be demonstrated that selection based . . .
Expert/consultation system for a retrieval data-base with semantic network of concepts

This paper describes a development and implementation of an expert/consultation system for a retrieval data-base, that interfaces between the user and a retrieval system. The system's objective is to perform the information consultant's job in assisting a user to select the right vocabulary terms for his query. It is particularly useful for a novice user of a controlled-vocabulary, index-based retrieval system, who is not familiar with the vocabulary and the system Thesaurus. The user will enter his terms/keywords, that represent his information need, and the system will apply search procedures on its knowledge-base, and will find relevant concepts to be used as query-terms. The system is interactive; it can explain to the user why/how a concept was discovered/suggested, and it can back-track and try to find alternatives in case the user rejects a suggested concept. Two versions of the system were developed, utilizing two search and interaction strategies. Experiments will be conducted with the two alternatives in order to find out user preference and to compare performance. Performance will also be compard with an alternative "conventional" approach, which is an On-Line-Thesarus - developed as part of this study.
When Presidents Do Not Represent 'All the People': African Americans and Executive Budgets

When are presidents responsive to the policy preferences of a minority among the public? We examine the connection between presidential behavior and the preferences of African Americans as a special case of minority representation, a case with great normative significance in the context of American history. We spell out the conditions under which presidents have incentives to propose policies more in line with African Americans’ preferences. We then test the hypotheses by comparing the president’s annual budget proposal to the alternative budget proposed by Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) from 1980 to 2011. We find that presidents’ budgetary proposals are closer to the preferences of the CBC when 1) there is a Democrat in the White House, 2) there is not a presidential election imminent, 3) the size of the Democratic coalition is relatively large, and 4) the issue in question is of greater importance to African Americans than the rest of the public.
Management of Acute Stroke with Hyperosmolar Agents

This chapter discusses the treatment of acute stroke with hyperosmolar agents. Patients with the diagnosis of acute stroke require immediate and emergent medical treatment because cerebral edema begins within minutes after acute ischemic stroke and progresses during the first week, becoming maximal around the fourth day with high risk of fatal outcome. The majority of clinical trials, supplemented by abundant experimental studies utilizing animal models of acute stroke, report beneficial effects of hyperosmolar agents on cerebral edema due to acute cerebral infarction. Hyperosmolar agents commonly administered include: hypertonic glucose, sucrose, urea, mannitol, and glycerol. The clinical effectiveness of glycerol administration has been confirmed by a number of investigators utilizing controlled clinical trials and double-blind evaluations of clinical outcome among patients with acute cerebral infarction. Glycerol combined with dexamethasone also lowers intracranial pressure and decreases brain edema among patients with acute stroke as does the combination of glycerol plus low-molecular-weight dextran. Intravenous administration of mannitol has also been shown to reduce brain edema and intracranial pressure and to increase cerebral perfusion among patients with brain trauma, acute cerebral infarction, and hemorrhage. Mannitol, like glycerol, increases plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor among patients with cerebral infarction and hemorrhage.
E-commerce

Does anyone still remember, what happened, when a few years ago Pizza Hut announced their Internet service? Many of the purist Internet community were so outraged by such a bold commercializing invasion that some even suggested to boycott Pizza Hut (or even afflict electronic assault to their Web site for this "belligerent move"). Although, only a short time has passed since, it certainly looks like this incident happened ages ago. Today, no one will probably question the legitimacy of EC (electronic commerce) over the public Internet. New applications and EC Internet services are being deployed probably on a daily basis.