cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The conserved Drosophila SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complexes BAP and PBAP play separate roles in regulating growth and cell fate during regeneration

To regenerate, damaged tissue must heal the wound, regrow to the proper size, replace the correct cell types, and return to the normal gene-expression program. However, the mechanisms that temporally and spatially control the activation or repression of important genes during regeneration are not fully understood. To determine the role that chromatin modifiers play in regulating gene expression after tissue damage, we induced ablation in Drosophila imaginal wing discs, and screened for chromatin regulators that are required for epithelial tissue regeneration. Here we show that many of these genes are indeed important for promoting or constraining regeneration. Specifically, the two SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complexes play distinct roles in regulating different aspects of regeneration. The PBAP complex regulates regenerative growth and developmental timing, and is required for the expression of JNK signaling targets and the growth promoter Myc. By contrast, the BAP complex ensures correct patterning and cell fate by stabilizing expression of the posterior gene engrailed. Thus, both SWI/SNF complexes are essential for proper gene expression during tissue regeneration, but they play distinct roles in regulating growth and cell fate.
Presidential Unilateral Power

Contrary to stylized accounts of policy making in democracies, it is routine for presidents, governors, and other chief executives to issue directives such as decrees and executive orders to make l...
Endogenous Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Endophthalmitis: A Six-year Series at a Tertiary Care Center.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical outcomes of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) endophthalmitis.Methods: Clinical courses were reviewed for 17 eyes (15 patients) with endogenous MRSA endophthalmitis based on positive blood and vitreous culture or clinical suspicion between 2013 to 2019 at Duke University Hospitals.Results: Of 17 eyes, initial VA ranged from 20/40 to light perception. Of 15 patients, 9 had predisposing risk factors for bacteremia. All eyes received intravitreal vancomycin, 13 also received ceftazidime, and 2 also received amikacin instead of ceftazidime. Nine eyes developed retinal detachment; 6 underwent vitrectomy. Final VA ranged from 20/20 to no light perception and was ≥20/200 in 8 eyes. Eleven eyes had improved VA, 2 eyes were unchanged, and 4 were worse.Conclusions: This study is the largest series on endogenous MRSA endophthalmitis to date. Patients had a higher proportion of final VA ≥20/200, similarly high rate of RD, and fewer enucleations compared to prior reports.
Heteroanionic Ruddlesden-Popper ferroelectrics from anion order and octahedral tilts

We describe a strategy to design ferroelectric heteroanionic materials based on the coupling of anion order and octahedral tilts in $n=1$ Ruddlesden-Popper structures, which allows noncentrosymmetric and polar compounds to arise from centrosymmetric anion-ordered structures. We investigate the relative phase stabilities of the polymorphs of ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{ScO}}_{3}\mathrm{F}$ and ${\mathrm{Ca}}_{2}{\mathrm{ScO}}_{3}\mathrm{F}$ derived from this coupling using electronic structure calculations. We find that large degrees of octahedral tilting can stabilize different anion orders derived from assembly of $[{\mathrm{ScO}}_{5}{\mathrm{F}]}^{8\ensuremath{-}}$ octahedra. To further understand the link between octahedral tilting and anion order, we quantitatively separate the contributions of electrostatics and covalent interactions to the stability of tilts. We find that the tilts are driven primarily by covalent interactions and that local out-of-plane polar displacements, induced from the anion order, further stabilize the octahedral tilts through the pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect.
Cluster-Dynamical Treatment of Three-Nucleon Forces

Three-body-force contributions entering three-nucleon equations are discussed within the relativistic cluster-dynamical scattering formalism recently proposed by Haberzettl. It is argued that, in addition to the three-body forces usually taken into account, there is an effective enhancement of two-nucleon-force contributions in the medium of three nucleons. The dominant enhancement of this type, a one-pion-exchange three-body force, is included in a five-channel triton binding-energy calculation based on the Paris potential. It is found to provide an increased binding of about 0.6 MeV, a value which closely corresponds to the amount by which the binding energy obtained in coupled-channel calculations with explicit Δ degrees of freedom differs from experiment.
A Review of Identifying Plant Food Cells in Gastric Contents for Use in Forensic Investigations—A Laboratory Manual

This laboratory manual was developed to assist death investigators in determining what food, if any, was eaten prior to death by analysis of the gastric contents. It is intended for use by investigators not previously trained in histologic techniques. It is a step-by-step guide for the actual preparation of microscopic slides and identification of gastric materials.
Esophageal capsule endoscopy for evaluation of patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux symptoms: findings and its image quality

Esophageal capsule endoscopy (ECE) may offer an alternative approach to visualize esophageal lesions associated with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) disease. The objective of this study was to report the ECE findings in patients with GER symptoms and validate a new scoring system to assess ECE video quality. Five hundred two ECE were performed in patients with GER symptoms. We devised a new grading scale called ECE Utility score to assess the quality of images using five different parameters: anatomic landmarks visualized, esophageal transit time, image quality, illumination, and artifacts. The ECE cases were independently scored by two interpreters in a randomized, blinded fashion. Reflux esophagitis was diagnosed via ECE in 254 patients (50.5%). We identified 12 cases (2.4%) with suspected Barrett's esophagus and all of them had endoscopic evidence of Barrett's esophagus on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Histologic confirmation Barrett's esophagus was found in six patients and dysplasia was found in one patient. From the 502 cases, mean ± standard deviation total ECE Utility score was 8.89 ± 0.96 for interpreter 1 and 8.96 ± 0.93 for interpreter 2. The concordance rate between the two interpreters for the ECE Utility score ranged from 75.9-96.8% across the parameters and the Pearson correlation rate of the total score was 0.81. ECE is shown to be a simple noninvasive valuable technique for evaluating esophageal mucosa and producing high quality images in patients with GER symptoms. ECE can help as an alternative screening tool for diagnosing Barrett's esophagus.
Moving from Data to Knowledge: Challenges and Opportunities [Technical Committees]

Data has always been the cornerstone of science and the basis of our understanding of the world. But with advances in our ability to collect, record and generate data the challenges of managing and deriving knowledge from these data have now taken center stage Science now relies on both the enormous quantities generated by large planned science missions as well as the small amounts produced by individual researchers. Explores the migration from data analysis to knowledge acquisitions. The knowledge generation life cycle is highly dynamic, driven by numerous factors which can be categorized based on four different perspectives - Data, Technology,End User and Policy. While some these factors overlap, in this article we describe three key driving factors from each of these perspectives, along with important community activities taking place to address some of these issues. In addition, the article summarizes some ESI TC activities from the past year and planned for the future.
Contribution of the cortico-claustral loop to receptive field properties in area 17 of the cat.

The contribution of the cat9s claustrum to the response properties of cells in area 17 was studied by destroying the left claustrum and examining receptive field properties of cells in both the left and right area 17. For each cell we assessed sharpness of orientation tuning, degree of direction selectivity, length summation, end- stopping, ocular dominance, responsiveness, and several other properties. On the lesioned side, 462 cells were studied, and on the control side, 636 cells. All cats showed a reduction in the number of end-stopped cells in area 17 on the side of the lesion. This was particularly marked in layers 2 + 3 and 4, where end-stopped cells are normally most abundant. In the control hemisphere, 43% of the sample from these layers showed at least moderate end-stopping whereas, in contrast, only 21% exhibited this degree of end-stopping on the side of the lesion. There was no obvious change in other response properties. We conclude that one function of the cat9s claustrum is to help regulate the length selectivity of cells in area 17.
A novel approach for identifying the true temperature sensitivity from soil respiration measurements

[1] We propose a novel approach, called the “localized ratio fitting” (LRF), to estimating the true temperature sensitivity from soil respiration measurements, a task crucial to modeling terrestrial carbon cycle and climate but so far hindered by the inadequate conventional regression approach. LRF takes advantage of the different timescales of the pool dynamics–induced and environmental variation–induced changes in soil CO2 efflux. It first transforms the expression for soil respiration into a form suppressing the influence of soil carbon pool dynamics and then uses the transformed expression to infer the parameters of environmental sensitivities. LRF works best for high-frequency soil respiration measurements and thus is particularly suitable for analyzing time series produced by automated soil chambers and from soil incubation experiments. We evaluated the validity of LRF with both simulated (with a multipool soil organic carbon model driven by realistic plant litter input scenarios) and measured (with automated soil chambers) time series of soil respiration. LRF accurately retrieved the true temperature sensitivity from the simulated heterotrophic soil respiration while the conventional approach failed to do so. The simulation also revealed that LRF performed better than the conventional approach when a direct photosynthetic signal existed in the time series of soil respiration although even LRF could not completely eliminate the interference of photosynthetic contribution for estimating the true temperature sensitivity. Importantly, the simulation on the photosynthetic influence reproduced a typical seasonal pattern of apparent temperature sensitivity reported in the literature: higher sensitivity in winter (dormant season) and lower sensitivity in summer (growing season). Such pattern has been interpreted as an indication of temperature acclimation of soil respiration by previous studies. Our simulation now indicated that that interpretation may be incorrect. The validation with actual soil chamber data showed that the use of LRF led to more consistent estimates of temperature and moisture sensitivities from observations, indicating its better robustness against compounding effects of parallel processes on soil respiration. It was demonstrated that once the true environmental controls were properly accounted for, soil respiration measurements could be used to infer effects of biological processes on soil respiration.
Ecology of Staphylococci in a General Medical Service

Abstract Investigation of the ecology of Staphylococcus aureus on the medical service of the Cincinnati General Hospital was carried out from 1964 to 1970. S. aureus was cultured from 1,442 patients. Overall, there was a progressive increase in the susceptibility of S. aureus to commonly used antibiotics, but not to penicillin. Hospital-acquired S. aureus remained highly resistant to all antibiotics except penicillinase-resistant penicillins. There was a progressive decline in the percentage of hospital-acquired infections from January 1964 to September 1969, followed by a rise during September 1969 to September 1970. No single bacteriophage group predominated among nosocomially acquired S. aureus. Major changes in the hospital environment did not appear to influence the prevalence of nasal carriage or hospital acquisition of S. aureus. This study identified the continuing problem of acquisition of S. aureus in the hospital, but no specific „epidemic strain.”
Enhanced fluid intake by rats after capsaicin treatment

These studies examined stimulated fluid intake by rats in which vagally mediated signals of gastric distension were blunted by systemic treatment with the neurotoxin capsaicin, as verified by the loss of cholecystokinin-induced inhibition of feeding. After overnight food deprivation, intake of a 10% sucrose solution by capsaicin-treated rats was greater than that by control rats. Similarly, capsaicin-treated rats drank more water than did control rats when stimulated by plasma hyperosmolality after intraperitoneal administration of hypertonic NaCl or by isosmotic hypovolemia after subcutaneous administration of a hyperoncotic colloidal solution. Finally, during chronic administration of the mineralocorticoid deoxycorticosterone acetate, capsaicin-treated rats consumed more concentrated saline than did control rats. In all tests, intakes by capsaicin-treated rats were significantly greater than those by control rats within 5-15 min. These results suggest that early signals of gastric distension, such as those that occur during normal episodes of food, water, or NaCl intake, may modulate ongoing ingestion and that, with the attenuation of such general inhibitory signals, ingestion continues until gastric distension becomes larger and/or later postgastric signals are detected.
Improvements in the Generation of Quasi-Continuous, Tunable Ultraviolet Excitation for Raman Spectroscopy: Applications to Drug/Nucleotide Interactions

We demonstrate the generation of quasi-continuous ultraviolet excitation at wavelengths shorter than 240 nm using the frequency-doubled output of a synchronously pumped picosecond dye laser operating in the region of 420 nm. Owing to the relatively low peak power but high average power of the system, we obtain high-quality resonance Raman spectra at wavelengths as short as 209 nm. We apply the source to the study of the binding of anticancer drugs to DNA. In particular, we compare the binding of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cisplatin) and cis-diammine-1, 1-cyclobutane dicarboxylate platinum (II) (carboplatin) to certain mononucleotides.
Ras pathway signals are required for notch-mediated oncogenesis

The Notch genes of C. elegans, Drosophila melanogaster and vertebrates encode receptors responsible for cell fate decisions during development. These Notch receptors and their ligands, Delta and Jagged, have been implicated in several human diseases. Truncated, constitutively active mutant forms of the Notch receptor appear to be involved in human T-cell leukemia, mammary carcinomas in mice, and a tumorous germline phenotype in C. elegans. Since activated Notch induces solitary tumors in transgenic mice, it is highly likely that collaborating genetic events are required for tumor formation. We have assessed four signal transduction pathways to determine which might play additional roles in malignant transformation in concert with activated Notch4. Our results suggest that transformation by Notch does not, as might have been expected, depend on the Src-like kinases Lck and Fyn, nor upon signals from protein kinase A and C (PKA, PKC). Rather, transformation by Notch requires active signals from the Erk/MAP kinase and PI-3 kinase pathways downstream of Ras.
Visual methodology as a pedagogical research tool in geography education

This article offers an overview of visual methodology and its applications to geography in higher education. Drawings from an undergraduate mapping and map analysis course are used to concurrently highlight and deconstruct students' sense of place in the context of teaching and learning. As a pedagogical research tool, visual methods nurture self-reflection in learners, inform curriculum and instruction for diverse classrooms, and support the construction of meanings in geography.
Effects of Salt Brine Chilling and Hot Boning on Tenderness of Canned Fowl Light Meat

Abstract Two trials were conducted to determine the effects of hot boning and 5% NaCl brine chilling on the tenderness of canned spent hen light meat. Pectoralis superficialis muscles were precooked in water (90 C) to 71 C prior to retort processing [250 C, 1.76 kg/cm2 (25 psi), 30 min] in chicken bouillon. Shear force values for hot boned samples were significantly higher than those for conventionally processed, water-chilled samples. However, the difference in these values was significantly reduced by salt brine chilling the hot-boned fillets for 4 hr in 5% NaCl ice slush. Tenderization of hot-boned fillets was attributed to increased water holding capacity of the meat, which in turn increased tenderness. Salt brine chilling had no significant effect on the shear values of conventionally processed spent hen meat. Analysis showed significantly higher moisture and chloride values for brine-chilled samples, whereas sodium content of the hot-boned, brine-chilled samples was significantly higher than that for other treatments.
A Plastic Fracture Instability Analysis of Wall Breakthrough in a Circumferentially Cracked Pipe Subjected to Bending Loads

A method of analyzing internal surface circumferential cracks in ductile reactor piping is presented. The method utilizes an alternate but equivalent definition of the J-integral based on nonlinear structural compliance. The analysis is valid for situations where the cross section containing the crack is fully yielded. Results are obtained for radial and circumferential crack growth for pipes subjected to bending. The stability of radial crack growth (wall breakthrough) is assessed using the J-integral-based tearing modulus approach. The analysis is shown to be in agreement with experimental results on the stability of surface crack growth in Type 304 stainless stee pipes. Example quantitative results for fracture instability assessments for nuclear piping are presented. 23 refs.
Transforming Web Tables to a Relational Database

HTML tables represent a significant fraction of web data. The often complex headers of such tables are determined accurately using their indexing property. Isolated headers are factored to extract category hierarchies. Web tables are then transformed into a canonical form and imported into a relational database. The proposed processing allows for the formulation of arbitrary SQL queries over the collection of induced relational tables.
Fusion of digital breast tomosynthesis images via wavelet synthesis for improved lesion conspicuity

Full-field digital mammography (FFDM) is the most common screening procedure for detecting early breast cancer. However, due to complications such as overlapping breast tissue in projection images, the efficacy of FFDM reading is reduced. Recent studies have shown that digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), in combination with FFDM, increases detection sensitivity considerably while decreasing false-positive, recall rates. There is a huge interest in creating diagnostically accurate 2-D interpretations from the DBT slices. Most of the 2-D syntheses rely on visualizing the maximum intensities (brightness) from each slice through different methods. We propose a wavelet based fusion method, where we focus on preserving holistic information from larger structures such as masses while adding high frequency information that is relevant and helpful for diagnosis. This method enables the spatial generation of a 2D image from a series of DBT images, each of which contains both smooth and coarse structures distributed in the wavelet domain. We believe that the wavelet-synthesized images, generated from their DBT image datasets, provide radiologists with improved lesion and micro-calcification conspicuity as compared with FFDM images. The potential impact of this fusion method is (1) Conception of a device-independent, data-driven modality that increases the conspicuity of lesions, thereby facilitating early detection and potentially reducing recall rates; (2) Reduction of the accompanying radiation dose to the patient.
Comment on "New interpretation of the lowest K=0 collective excitations of deformed nuclei as a phonon excitation of the gamma band"

It is pointed out that the interpretation offered by the authors is not new. Essentially the same interpretation was published previously. Also, their statement concerning the lack of success of previous theories is questioned.
Spatial contrast sensitivity of monocularly deprived cats after removal of the non-deprived eye

Spatial contrast sensitivity was behaviorally determined for two monocularly lid-sutured cats. The spatial contrast sensitivity function for the non-deprived eyes matched previously reported functions obtained from normally reared cats. In comparison, sensitivity was significantly lower at all spatial frequencies for the deprived eye of both cats. In one cat, subsequent removal of the non-deprived eye resulted in a two to threefold increase in sensitivity at all spatial frequencies. However, no improvement in sensitivity was observed for the second animal. Single-unit electrophysiological recording in the striate cortex of these two animals revealed a postenucleation difference in the percent of visually influenced cells. In the cat for which no behavioral improvement occurred, only 13% of striate cortex cells could be driven by visual stimulation of the previously deprived eye. In contrast 38% of striate cortex cells were similarly influenced in the cat for which visual improvement was observed. These data suggest a correlation between the physiological effectiveness of the postcritical period enucleation procedure and the visual capacity of monocularly lid-sutured cats.
A unified near- and far-field imaging model for rotating modulation collimators

Abstract Rotating modulation collimators (RMCs) are a class of imaging devices that have been applied to both gamma ray astronomy (far field) and medical imaging (very near field). To reconstruct images from these devices, it is necessary to understand the imaging system model and how the radiation source is modulated. In both the near and far fields, simplifying approximations can allow for closed form transmission functions. This research presents a new method for identifying the RMC imaging system model. Results are compared to existing far field models as well as measured data. The new method removes many of the constraints assumed for previous models (infinite extent, uniform slits, black masks, etc.), allowing for potential studies on new classes of RMCs and mask designs.
Influence of contingent responding on schedule-induced activity in human subjects.

Abstract Contingent response requirement as well as payoff contingencies were manipulated to assess their influence upon schedule-induced activity in human subjects. Conditions which included various fixed-interval response topographies and a constant probability variable-interval reinforcement schedule were utilized to affect observation responding during a contingent detection task. Results obtained by the various manipulations indicated that the rates of schedule-induced activity in human subjects were inversely related to observation responding during fixed-interval detection intervals, while the variable-interval detection condition reduced the rates of schedule-induced activity to baseline levels. The time-course of schedule-induced activity in human subjects was demonstrated to be similar to that of infrahuman species.
Changing eastern broadleaf, southern mixed, and northern mixed forest ecosystems of the eastern United States

Abstract Recognition of changes in forests provides greater perspective about current trajectories of forests. I compared the newest USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) surveys to the oldest available surveys in the eastern United States to detect increasing and decreasing species and groups over large spatial extents. Species appeared to be increasing at the expense of decreasing species within each of the major forest ecosystems of the eastern United States. In eastern broadleaf forests, oaks and Virginia pine are decreasing and maples and eastern redcedar are increasing. In southern mixed forests, planted loblolly and slash pine are replacing shortleaf and longleaf pines, and longleaf pine wetland associates of swamp tupelo, pond cypress, and pond pine. In northern mixed forests of the Great Lake states, quaking aspen and paper birch are decreasing whereas red pine, later successional black spruce and northern white-cedar, and maples of eastern broadleaf forests are increasing. Indeed, red maple now is more frequent than aspen in northern mixed forests. The historical legacy of fire continues to affect forest composition. Without fire, fire-tolerant oaks and pines (that are not planted) still are decreasing, whereas fire-sensitive tree species are increasing. Forestry practices benefit planted pines but are not as effective at supporting quaking aspen against competition from red maple and species of the eastern broadleaf forest as in the past.
The Anarchical Stream in World Order Thinking

This essay attempts to discuss the relationships between political culture, functionalist political theory, and anarchical principles within the context of world order and global reform. It focuses upon the cultural element in world political action, emphasizing the significance of moral preferences and fundamental value orientations. It argues for serious consideration of the anarchical stream in world order thinking as discussion about global reform focuses on the formulation of alternative strategies.
Botulinum toxin therapy in hemifacial spasm: Clinical and electrophysiologic studies

Three patients with idiopathic hemifacial spasm were studied clinically and electrophysiologically before and after injections of botulinum toxin into the involved periocular and facial muscles. The spasms were improved for approximately 3 months, and the effect was repeatable on reinjection. The spasms diminished only as long as the muscles were clinically weak, and spasms were observed electromyographically even though therapy eliminated the clinical spasms. Uninjected muscles continued to have spasms. Transmission of excitation from the zygomatic branch to the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve and vice versa in all patients was unaltered after therapy, but the amplitude of the response was decreased. The efficacy of botulinum toxin in hemifacial spasm appears to be related to the production of muscle weakness; there is no demonstrable effect on phenomena believed to be ectopic excitation or ephaptic transmission in the facial nerve.
Characteristics of human chondrocyte cultures in completely defined medium

Chondrocytes derived from normal human adult articular cartilage were established and maintained for over 5 months in a completely defined medium without the addition of serum or any other growth factors. At the end of 5 months, these cells were still metabolically active. The cells incorporated [3H]thymidine into DNA, incorporated [35S]sulfate into proteoglycans, and exhibited lysosomal enzyme activities. The35S-labeled proteoglycans isolated from the culture medium had elution profiles on high pressure liquid chromatography (HPCL) similar to those observed from proteoglycans from other mammalian sources. This self-contained growth competence may reflect a need produced by the unusual avascular and alymphatic character of articular cartilage.
Is bitter better? The benefits of chocolate for the cardiovascular system.

Background and Aims: Cocoa, particularly dark chocolate, is rich in flavonoids, and recent studies have demonstrated blood pressure lowering effects of dark chocolate. Because limited data are available on the association of chocolate consumption and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), the investigators examined the association between chocolate consumption and prevalence of CHD. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, 4,970 participants 25to 93years ofage were studiedintheNationalHeart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Family Heart Study. Chocolate intakewasassessedthroughasemiquantitativefoodfrequency questionnaire. The workers generalized estimating equations to assess adjusted odds ratios. Results: Compared with subjects who did not report any chocolate intake at all, the odds ratios for CHD were 1.01 (95% CI, 0.76–1.37), 0.74 (95% CI, 0.56–0.98), and 0.43 (95% CI, 0.28–0.67) in subjects consuming chocolate 1–3 times per month, 1–4 times per week, or 5+ times per week, respectively (P for trend <0.0001), adjusting for age, sex, family CHD risk group, and a large number of other confounders. Interestingly, subjects who consumed nonchocolate candy 5+ times per week had a 49% higher prevalence of CHD than those with no such consumption (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.96–2.32). Discussion: The authors suggest that consumption of chocolate is inversely related with prevalent CHD in a general United States population.
Colon cancer in young Egyptian patients.

TO THE EDITOR: This is in reference to the letter published in the June issue of your Journal by Rubin et al.(1), about the case reports of three young ( 50% of the tumors located in the rectum (2). In a series of pilot studies, we investigated the possible risk factors for this unique disease pattern. We measured serum organochlorine pesticide levels because of the widespread use of pesticides in Egypt and because of the US case reports implicating organochlorine pesticides in early onset colorectal cancer (3, 4). We observed exceptionally high serum levels and large interindividual variability of pesticide levels among most subjects. However, these levels were up to 50 times the US rates for DDT and DDE and up to 300 times those for -HCH, with especially high levels among cases residing in rural areas (5).
Utilization of the t* Partial Switching Properties of Ferroelectrics in Memory Devices

Some ferroelectric materials exhibit a transition from stable to unstable partial switching at a critical pulsewidth t*. Schemes are proposed for utilizing this t* effect for coincident and successive addressing of a matrix memory, for a nondestructive readout from a matrix and for the simplification of a ferroelectric-electroluminescent display system. The practical limitations on these schemes are considered in terms of measurements made of t* in single crystal triglycine sulphate (TGS). Though the t* effect was observed to be a sharp rather than an absolute transition in the switching properties, the degree of sharpness was, however, sufficiently high to make t* devices feasible. For example, a coincidentally addressed t* TGS matrix can tolerate 105 disturb pulses. By comparison, a conventional matrix designed around the pseudocoercive field of TGS can only tolerate 10 disturbs. Even more impressive is that for the ``nondestructive'' type of readout operation 109 readouts can be made from a t* matrix before the stored information has to be rewritten.
Task-based model/human observer evaluation of SPIHT wavelet compression with human visual system-based quantization.

Rationale and objective The set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT) wavelet image compression algorithm with the human visual system (HVS) quantization matrix was investigated using x-ray coronary angiograms. We tested whether the HVS quantization matrix for the SPIHT wavelet compression improved computer model/human observer performance in a detection task with variable signals compared to performance with the default quantization matrix. We also tested the hypothesis of whether evaluating the rank order of the two quantization matrices (HVS versus default) based on performance of computer model observers in a signal known exactly but variable task (SKEV) generalized to model/human performance in the more clinically realistic signal known statistically task (SKS). Materials and methods Nine hundred test images were created using real x-ray coronary angiograms as backgrounds and simulated arteries with filling defects (signals). The task for the model and human observer was to detect which one of the four computer simulated arterial segments contained the signal, four alternative-forced-choice (4 AFC). We obtained performance for four model observers (nonprewhitening matched filter with an eye filter, Hotelling, Channelized Hotelling, and Laguerre Gauss Hotelling model observers) for both the SKEV and SKS tasks with images compressed with and without the HVS quantization matrix. A psychophysical study measured performance from three human observers for the same conditions and tasks as the model observers. Results Performance for all four model observers improved with the use of the HVS quantization scheme. Improvements ranged from 5% (at compression ratio 7:1) to 50% (at compression ratio 30:1) for both the SKEV and SKS tasks. Human observer performance improvement averaged across observers ranged from 6% (at compression ratio 7:1) to 35% (at compression ratio 30:1) for the SKEV task and from 2% (at compression ratio 7:1) to 38% (at compression ratio 30:1) for the SKS task. Addition of internal noise to the model observers allowed for good prediction of human performance. Conclusions Use of the HVS quantization scheme in the SPIHT wavelet compression led to improved model and human observer performance in clinically relevant detection tasks in x-ray coronary angiograms. Model observer performance can be reliably used to predict the human observer performance for the studied tasks as a function of SPIHT wavelet image compression. Our results further confirmed that model observer performance in the computationally more tractable SKEV task can be potentially used as a figure of merit for the more clinically realistic SKS task with real anatomic backgrounds.
Red wine consumption and risk of prostate cancer: The California Men's Health Study

Red wine contains polyphenol antioxidants that inhibit prostate cancer development in animal studies. We investigated the effect of red wine intake on the risk of prostate cancer using data prospectively collected in the California Men's Health Study (CMHS). CMHS is a multiethnic cohort of 84,170 men aged 45-69 years who were members of the Kaiser Permanente Southern and Northern California Health Plans. Information on demographic and lifestyle factors was collected using mailed questionnaires between 2002 and 2003. We used Cox models to estimate the effect of red wine on prostate cancer risk, adjusting for potential confounders. A total of 1,340 incident prostate cancer cases identified from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result-affiliated cancer registries were included in the analyses. We did not find a clear association between red wine intake and risk of prostate cancer. Hazard ratio (HR) estimates for consuming or =1 drink/week but or =1 drink/day were 0.89, 95% confidence interval (0.74-1.07), 0.99 (0.83-1.17) and 0.88 (0.70-1.12), respectively. Further, we observed no linear dose response. The lack of association for red wine intake was consistently observed when we restricted the analyses to those with and without a history of PSA screening. In addition, we also did not observe any association with prostate cancer for beer, white wine, liquor or combined alcoholic beverage intake (HR for combined alcoholic beverage intake of > or =5 drinks/day = 1.16 (0.83-1.63). Neither red wine nor total alcohol consumption were associated with prostate cancer risk in this population of moderate drinkers.
HETEROGENEITY AMONG NOCARDIA ASTEROIDES STRAINS

DNA hybridizations, base composition determinations, and tests for physiological reactions were performed on 10 isolates of Nocardia asteroids differing in microscopic colonial morphology, carbon compound utilization, and virulence for mice. One strain was eliminated from the species by all three methods and identified as N. otitidis-cavarium (N. caviae). Relatedness among the remaining 9 isolates, expressed as relative percentage binding at two temperatures, fell into two groups. The range of base composition of the DNA from these isolates was 67.7 to 69.2% GC. Formal subdivision of the taxon based on variations in physiological reactions and DNA homologies was judged to be premature.
Effect of Electromagnetic Field on the Micromorphology of Twin-roll Cast 7075 Alloy

Abstract The micromorphology and the grain size of 7075 Al alloys were investigated by optical microscopy (OM). The rolled sheets were fabricated by electromagnetic field. It is found that the dendritic crystal of 7075 alloy sheet by alternating oscillating twin-roll cast (TRC) is severely broken, stretched, refined and equiaxed under the condition of pouring temperature 670 °C, compared with that of traditional TRC sheets. Meanwhile, the microstructures of the rolled sheets by static magnetic field (MF) process are also refined and stretched to some degrees with exciting current of 100 A. Segregation bands in center of TRC sheets are dramatically alleviated under the conditions of DC magnetic field and alternating oscillation field, while the influence of alternating oscillation TRC process is much more powerful. Hardness of 7075 sheets both on transverse and surfaces increases in turn along with traditional, static MF and alternating oscillation TRC. With increasing of electromagnetic intensity, the hardness and the properties of sheets are further improved. No matter wherever in the sheets, the influence of electromagnetic field will be further improved by elevated temperature.
Temperature dependence of thermal conductivity and its impact on assessments of heat flux

The variability of sedimentary thermal conductivities with increasing temperature are explored for their impact on estimates of present-day heat flux and subsurface temperature gradient. For sand thicknesses less than about 10–20 km, or shale thicknesses less than about 40–80 km, the subsurface temperature is closely linearly proportional to the thermal resistance integral obtained in the absence of the temperature dependence of thermal conductivity. Estimates of heat flux should be increased (decreased) by about 5% for sands and decreased by about 1% for shales. For salt, because of the much shorter temperature range over which its thermal conductivity decreases, effects produced by the temperature dependence are more noticeable: heat flux should be increased by around 13%, salt thicknesses in excess of 5 km will yield major (around 30–100°C) changes in their temperature regimes solely as a consequence of the temperature-dependent thermal conductivity, and the linear increase of temperature with increasing thermal resistance is not an adequate approximation but has to be replaced with a more exact exponential increase.
The ND1 subunit constructs the inhibitor binding domain in bovine heart mitochondrial complex I.

The inhibitor binding domain in bovine complex I is believed to be constructed by multisubunits, but it remains to be learned how the binding positions of chemically diverse inhibitors relate to each other. To get insight into the inhibitor binding domain in complex I, we synthesized a photoreactive acetogenin [[125I](trifluoromethyl)phenyldiazirinylacetogenin, [125I]TDA], in which an aryldiazirine group serves as both a photoreactive group and a substitute for the γ-lactone ring that is a common toxophore of numerous natural acetogenins, and carried out photoaffinity labeling to identify the labeled subunit using bovine heart submitochondrial particles (SMP). When SMP were UV-irradiated in the presence of [125I]TDA, radioactivity was predominantly incorporated into an ∼30 kDa band on a SDS gel. Blue native gel electrophoresis of the [125I]TDA-labeled SMP revealed that the majority of radioactivity was observed in complex I. Analysis of complex I on a SDS gel showed a predominant peak of radioactivity at ...
Changing Children’s Attitudes Toward Autism: A Process of Persuasive Communication

The purposes of this paper are two-fold. First, the initial introduction of a child with autism to typically developing peers is conceptualized as a process of persuasive communication. Second, relevant literature is organized and reviewed according to important components and processes involved in persuasive communication, including effects of source, message, receiver, and channel. Research about perceptions of children with autism is highlighted when available. When findings for autism were unavailable, literature on children’s perceptions of peers with physical and medical disabilities is reviewed as well as perceptions of adults with severe mental illness. From the perspective of persuasion theory, limitations of the literature and future research questions are identified that are relevant to introducing children with autism to peers for the first time.
The effect of irrigating agents on in vitro dissolution of magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate

We tested the effect of irrigating agents on the in vitro dissolution of magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate at pH 4.0. In a sodium chloride solution, both Renacidin and Urologic G solution enhanced dissolution over control rates, with Renacidin being the more effective agent. In a sodium chloride-artificial urine mixture, both agents enhanced dissolution to a similar degree.
Conventional epidemiology and the link between SV40 and human cancers.

Summary Simian virus 40 (SV40) is known to cause tumourigenesis. The main types of tumour induced by SV40 in laboratory animals mirror the human cancers that have been found to contain SV40 DNA or the viral oncoprotein. Increasing amounts of data support the notion that SV40 may be an aetiological factor in the development of human cancers. Retrospective birth cohort studies have been used in attempts to refute the alleged causal link between SV40 and human cancers. However, these observational studies are affected by several important confounding factors, which mean that firm conclusions cannot be drawn. In this essay, we consider the unique features of SV40 infection in humans and examine the limitations of conventional studies that seek to disprove the aetiological link with human cancer.
Cohabitation, post-conception unions, and the rise in nonmarital fertility.

The majority of U.S. nonmarital births today are to cohabiting couples. This study focuses on transitions to cohabitation or marriage among pregnant unmarried women during the period between conception and birth. Results using the newly-released 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth show that nonmarital pregnancy is a significant precursor to cohabitation before childbirth (18%), exceeding transitions to marriage (5%) by factor of over three. For pregnant women, the boundaries between singlehood, cohabitation, and marriage are highly fluid. The results also reveal substantial variation in post-conception cohabiting and marital unions; e.g., disproportionately low percentages of black single and cohabiting women transitioned into marriage, even when conventional social and economic risk factors are controlled. The multivariate analyses also point to persistent class differences in patterns of family formation, including patterns of cohabitation and marriage following conception. Poorly educated women, in particular, are much more likely to become pregnant as singles living alone or as partners in cohabiting unions. But compared with college-educated women, pregnancies are less likely to lead to either cohabitation or marriage. This paper highlights the conceptual and technical challenges involved in making unambiguous interpretations of nonmarital fertility during a period of rising nonmarital cohabitation.
Inhibition of Na+ reabsorption in the rat parotid gland by prostaglandin E1 and kallidin: implications for cystic fibrosis.

Summary: Prostaglandin E1 caused a dose-related inhibition of sodium reabsorption in the rat parotid gland when injected by retrograde perfusion into the glandular ducts. The extent of inhibition ranged from 11.7 ± 2.4% at a dose of 2.5 μg to 63.8 ± 8.9% at a dose of 31.2 μg. Both phospholipase A2, an enzyme involved in prostaglandin synthesis, and arachidonic acid, a precursor of prostaglandins, also increased the Na+ concentration of parotid saliva in a dose-dependent fashion. With phospholipase A2 the inhibition ranged from 21.6 ± 4.4% at a dose of 3 μg to 73.5 ± 8.2% at a dose of 30 μg. With arachidonic acid, the degree of inhibition was 5.1 ± 3.0% at a 10-5 M dose and 57.7 ± 10.2% at a dose of 10-3 M. Lysine bradykinin (kallidin), a peptide present in salivary and other exocrine glands and their secretions, also caused a 30% inhibition of Na+ reabsorption when retroperfused at a concentration of 12.5 μg, as did kallikrein (176 μg) and trypsin (33.3 μg). These results indicate that prostaglandins and kinins can inhibit Na+ reabsorption in the rat parotid duct when present in the luminal side of the cells. Since they are normally present in exocrine glands and can presumably be secreted, they may have a role as luminal factors in the regulation of transductal transport of Na+. The possibility that they may be increased in the exocrine secretions of patients with cystic fibrosis and that they may act as the so-called cystic fibrosis “factors” is also raised by the findings of this study. Speculation: Prostaglandin El and, to a lesser extent, lysine-bradykinin (kallidin) markedly inhibit Na+ reabsorption in the rat parotid bioassay. These substances also enhance mucus secretion and it is speculated that they are present in abnormal amounts in the exocrine glands and secretions of patients with cystic fibrosis, where they alter both electrolyte and mucus secretion.
337 nm matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization of single aerosol particles.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectra were obtained from single particles injected directly into a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Aerosol particles were generated at atmospheric pressure using a piezoelectric single-particle generator or a pneumatic nebulizer and introduced into the mass spectrometer through a series of narrow-bore tubes. Particles were detected by light scattering that was used to trigger a 337 nm pulsed nitrogen laser and the ions produced by laser desorption were mass separated in a two-stage reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer. MALDI mass spectra of single particles containing bradykinin, angiotensin II, gramicidin S, vitamin B12 or gramicidin D were obtained at mass resolutions greater than 400 FWHM. For the piezoelectric particle generator, the efficiency of particle delivery was estimated to be 0:02%, and 50 pmol of sample were consumed for each mass spectrum. For the pneumatic nebulizer, mass spectra could be obtained from single particles containing less than 100 amol of analyte, although the sample consumption for a typical mass spectrum was over 400 pmol. Copyright ” 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dinuclear complexes of rhenium(V) with amine-phenol ligands: Synthesis, characterization and x-ray crystal structures

Abstract Rhenium(V) complexes from three amine-phenol ligands prepared by reducing Schiff bases derived from salicylaldehyde and 1,3-diaminopropane and 1,4-diaminobutane, as well as 1,3-diaminopropane and 2-hydroxyacetophenone, have been synthesized. 1H and 13C NMR and IR spectroscopy were used for characterization of two of the complexes. X-ray diffraction data of all the three complexes were collected by the θ–2θ scan method using Mo-Kα radiation. The structures were solved by Patterson and Fourier methods and refined to final R factors of 0.046, 0.032 and 0.052, respectively for the three complexes. The complexes are dinuclear with OREOREO backbones and near octahedral ReV coordination. Two of the structures of the complexes are isomorphous with the structures obtained earlier for corresponding technetium complexes.