cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PEPX: a query-friendly probabilistic XML database

Uncertain data widely exists in various applications due to several reasons. First, data generated by automated information extraction and data analysis tools is error-prone [5]. Second, data integrated from various sources is often uncertain or even conflicting, depending on the trustworthiness of its sources and the quality of the data mapping procedures [9]. Furthermore, experimental results and sensor data are observed in conditions that may be subject to a range of variability in natural environment, mechanical defects, contaminated samples, etc. [3]. The abundance of uncertain data demands an effective database management system that records our confidence about the data as probabilities, supports efficient query evaluation, and provides confidence indicators for query results. Toward this goal, a lot of work has been done to manage uncertain data in relational databases. Recently, there is a growing interest in designing XML-based models to represent uncertain data due to the following reasons [8, 9]. First, XML can represent data uncertainty of different levels more naturally and succinctly compared with the relational data models. Second, the semi-structure and flexibility of XML data model fits well in applications such as information extraction and data integration where data is often uncertain. Several XML-based probabilistic data models of different expressiveness have been proposed [8, 4, 9]. One common feature of those models is that the probability of a node is assigned conditioned on the existence of its parent node. Naturally, a node may exist only if its parent node exists, therefore these models present a good conceptual representation for uncertain data. However, as we will see, this intuitive model may incur big overhead on query processing performance.
Mathematical Models for Motile Bacterial Transport in Cylindrical Tubes

Abstract Mathematical models considering motile bacterial transport within a geometrically restrictive cylindrical tube were developed. Two macroscopic transport parameters, the random motility coefficient as a self-diffusion coefficient of the cell population and the chemotactic velocity as a chemical-induced velocity, were derived. The three-dimensional cell balance equation was reduced to forms similar to Segel's one-dimensional phenomenological cell balance equations with additional modifications for bacteria-wall interactions. Two conceptually different approaches accounting for such interactions were presented. The first approach parallels treatments in the gas kinetic theory by viewing bacterial interactions with walls as collisions and subsequent diffusive/specular reflections, which led to the Bosanquet formula for the bacterial diffusion coefficient. Based on the experimental observation that bacterial swimming motion is guided by a straight tube, the second approach considered modifications in the bacterial swimming orientation as a consequence of various long-range interactions with the tube surface. A phenomenological turning model capable of aligning bacterial motion along a tube axis was proposed. The model predicts that under the geometrical restriction of a small cylindrical tube, the macroscopic bacterial transport resulting from the proposed turning model can exhibit behavior that ranges from dimensionally reduced diffusion to pure wave propagation, depending on the influence of the tube diameter on the reversal probability in the bacterial swimming motion. Our theoretical model provides explicit equations that explain how such a transition can occur. The predicted results were then qualitatively compared with experimental data from the literature. As a preliminary comparison, we concluded that bacterial transport in cylindrical tubes of diameter 10 μm remains in the mode of a dimensionally reduced diffusion, and shifts to a wave motion when the tube diameter decreases to 6 μm.
Syndrome specificity and mother-child interactions: examining positive and negative parenting across contexts and time.

This study examined the extent to which child syndromes and observation context related to mothers’ parenting behaviors. Longitudinal observations were conducted of parenting behavior across ages 3, 4, and 5 years during structured and unstructured activities. The 183 participants included mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, undifferentiated developmental delay, or typical cognitive development. Negative parenting behaviors were higher in structured activities and higher in mothers of children in all developmentally delayed groups. Positive parenting was higher in unstructured activities and especially high for mothers of children with Down syndrome. Despite differences found through direct observation of parenting children in different diagnostic groups, they are not as strong as syndrome-group differences found through more commonly used self-report questionnaires assessing domains like parenting stress.
Kinetics of NO absorption in aqueous iron (II)thiochelate solutions

Ferrous thiochelate solutions were used to absorb NO from flue gas. The absorption rates were studied as a function of pH with a double-stirred reactor at 50°C. The rate constants of five ferrous thiochelates: Fe 2+ (dimercaptosuccinate) 2 , Fe 2+ (dithioloxalate) 2 , Fe 2+ (aminoethanethiol) 2 , Fe 2+ (cysteine) 2 , Fe 2+ (penicillamine) 2 , reacted with NO at pH 5.5 and pH 7.0, have been determined. The implications of the kinetic data on the use of these iron thiochelate additives in wet flue gas desulfurization scrubbers: limestone, lime, and sodium, for simultaneous SO 2 and NO x removal is discussed.
Induction and mechanism of action of transforming growth factor-beta-secreting Th3 regulatory cells.

Th3 CD4+ regulatory cells were identified during the course of investigating mechanisms associated with oral tolerance. Different mechanisms of tolerance are induced following oral antigen administration, including active suppression, clonal anergy and deletion. Low doses favor active suppression whereas high doses favor anergy/deletion. Th3 regulatory cells form a unique T-cell subset which primarily secretes transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, provides help for IgA and has suppressive properties for both Th1 and Th2 cells. Th3 type cells are distinct from the Th2 cells, as CD4+ TGF-beta-secreting cells with suppressive properties have been generated from interleukin (IL)-4-deficient animals. In vitro differentiation of Th3 cells from Th precursors from T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) transgenic mice is enhanced by culture with TGF-beta, IL-4, IL-10, and anti-IL-12. Th3 CD4+ myelin basic protein regulatory clones are structurally identical to Th1 encephalitogenic clones in TCR usage, MHC restriction and epitope recognition, but produce TGF-beta with various amounts of IL-4 and IL-10. Because Th3 regulatory cells are triggered in an antigen-specific fashion but suppress in an antigen-non-specific fashion, they mediate "bystander suppression" when they encounter the fed autoantigen at the target organ. In vivo induction of Th3 cells and low dose oral tolerance is enhanced by oral administration of IL-4. Anti-CD86 but not anti-CD80 blocks the induction of Th3 cells associated with low dose oral tolerance. Th3 regulatory cells have been described in other systems (e.g. recovery from experimental allergic encephalomyelitis) but may be preferentially generated following oral antigen administration due to the gut immunologic milieu that is rich in TGF-beta and has a unique class of dendritic cells. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cell function also appears related to TGF-beta.
An Abundance of Nodulation Factors

In this issue of Chemistry & Biology, Moron et al. [1] report that Rhizobium tropici CIAT899 produces different Nod factors in response to flavonoid induction under differing environmental conditions. This unanticipated environmental dependence has implications for altering or potentially improving the host-bacteria interaction in bean nodulation.
Stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity in adipose tissue and liver of the cardiomyopathic hamster

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity and the fatty acid composition of lipids of adipose tissue and liver were determined in 35- and 180-day-old cardiomyopathic hamsters and age-matched normal controls. Enzyme activity was unchanged in the adipose tissue of 35-day-old animals but was significantly depressed in the 180-day-old cardiomyopathic hamsters. In the liver, stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity was significantly lower in the 35-day-old disease animals but was unchanged in the 180-day-old animals. The analysis of the fatty acid composition of the lipids isolated from adipose tissue showed an increase in the relative percentage of saturated fatty acids accompanied by a decrease in the relative percentage of unsaturated fatty acids in both age groups of the cardiomyopathic hamsters. However, linoleic acid content was increased in the diseased animals. Similar changes in fatty acid composition of lipids from the livers of 35-day-old cardiomyopathic hamsters were observed, but no significant differences in the fatty acid composition between 180-day-old cardiomyopathic hamsters and normal controls were observed. The changes in the fatty acid composition appear to be related to the observed changes in desaturase activity. In is concluded that such changes in desaturase activity and fatty acid composition could affect the normal structure and functions of membranes and membrane-related processes.
Photolabile chelators for the rapid photorelease of divalent cations.

Abstract The properties of a recently synthesized photolabile chelator for divalent cations are described, the affinity of which for Ca2+ changes by some 5 orders of magnitude on illumination. The compound 1-(2-nitro-4,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N,N,N',N'-tetrakis[(oxycarbonyl)me thyl]-1,2-ethanediamine (DM-nitrophen) binds Ca2+ (Kd approximately 5.0 x 10(-9) M) and Mg2+ (Kd approximately 2.5 x 10(-6) M) with relatively high affinities. On exposure of the DM-nitrophen-Ca2+ complex to UV light in the 350-nm range, the chelator is cleaved yielding iminodiacetic products with a much lower affinity for Ca (Kd approximately 3 x 10(-3) M) and the free [Ca2+] increases. The quantum yield for Ca2+ release is 0.18. In experiments with chemically skinned skeletal muscle fibers, a fully relaxed fiber equilibrated with DM-nitrophen-Ca2+ complex produced maximal contraction after a single flash from a frequency-doubled ruby laser (347 nm). Half-maximal tension was achieved in approximately 40 ms, some 5 times faster than that obtained after a rapid solution change from a Ca2+-free to a Ca2+-containing solution. In experiments with resealed human erythrocyte ghosts, irradiation of ghosts containing the DM-nitrophen-Ca2+ complex activates a Ca2+-dependent K+ efflux pathway, which is not observed in the absence of illumination. DM-nitrophen is sufficiently stable and photolabile to be used as a caged Ca (or caged Mg) for the rapid photoinitiation of divalent cation-dependent processes over a wide concentration range with a significant increase in temporal resolution over conventional mixing methods.
Use of SSRIs during pregnancy was not associated with increased risk for stillbirth or neonatal mortality

Source Citation Jimenez-Solem E, Andersen JT, Petersen M, et al. SSRI use during pregnancy and risk of stillbirth and neonatal mortality. Am J Psychiatry. 2013;170:299-304. 23361562
Incidence, prevalence, costs, and impact on disability of common conditions requiring rehabilitation in the United States: stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, limb loss, and back pain.

Abstract Objective To determine the relative incidence, prevalence, costs, and impact on disability of 8 common conditions treated by rehabilitation professionals. Data Sources Comprehensive bibliographic searches using MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and UpToDate , (June, 2013). Data Extraction Two review authors independently screened the search results and performed data extraction. Eighty-two articles were identified that had relevant data on the following conditions: Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Limb Loss, and Back Pain. Data Synthesis Back pain and arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis) are the most common and costly conditions we analyzed, affecting more than 100 million individuals and costing greater than $200 billion per year. Traumatic brain injury, while less common than arthritis and back pain, carries enormous per capita direct and indirect costs, mostly because of the young age of those involved and the severe disability that it may cause. Finally, stroke, which is often listed as the most common cause of disability, is likely second to both arthritis and back pain in its impact on functional limitations. Conclusions Of the common rehabilitation diagnoses we studied, musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain and arthritis likely have the most impact on the health care system because of their high prevalence and impact on disability.
Systolic flow limitation in stenotic lower-extremity vein grafts

Purpose: Our purpose was to investigate the hemodynamic theory that the blood flow rate through a stenotic arterial graft is limited by the onset of turbulence, which acts as a barrier at peak systole against further increases in systolic flow. Methods: We used duplex ultrasonography to examine 25 stenotic infrainguinal vein grafts. Theory predicts that the flow limitation occurs at peak systole at a stenotic velocity greater than 250 cm/sec, which corresponds to a residual stenotic lumenal diameter of 0.36 cm (Reynolds No. 2000). These numbers are based on the assumption that the 68 ml/min blood flow is supplied by the femoropopliteal graft to the resting lower leg only during systole. When the lumen is smaller than 0.36 cm, peak systolic velocity (PSV) must exceed 250 cm/sec. The increased velocity results in poststenotic turbulence. This turbulent condition restricts the averaged graft systolic flow to less than the 68 ml/min required by the lower leg, so diastolic flow is needed to make up the deficit. Results: Twenty vein grafts with PSVs of 250 cm/sec or greater had end-diastolic velocities of 50 cm/sec or greater as predicted; three grafts with PSVs of 256 to 300 cm/sec and two grafts with PSVs of less than 250 cm/sec had no forward diastolic flow ( p = 0.03). None of 10 normal grafts had forward diastolic flow. Conclusion: The onset of turbulence in a stenotic vein graft supplying the lower leg occurs at a PSV of 250 cm/sec or greater. The appearance of diastolic flow maintains the average graft volume flow.
Effect of Feeding Frequency on Diurnal Dry Matter and Water Consumption, Liquid Dilution Rate, and Milk Yield in First Lactation

Abstract Four ruminally cannulated cows in first lactation (50 days postpartum) were assigned randomly to a 4 × 4 Latin square with the following feeding frequencies of the same total mixed ration: one, two, four, and eight times a day. Dry matter intake, water consumption, and ruminal pH were recorded hourly during 4-d collection (10-d adaptation between periods, Experiment 1). In Experiment 2, 30 animals were blocked by milk production on wk 4 postpartum and assigned to feeding one or four times a day through wk 19 postpartum. Individual feed consumption and milk production were recorded daily. Hourly consumption patterns of dry matter and water were variable over 24 h; once daily feeding tended to be more variable than other frequencies. Cows fed four times a day had higher ruminal liquid dilution rates than those fed eight times; feeding once and twice a day was not different from either. In Experiment 2, frequency of feeding total mixed ration had no significant influence on dry matter intake or milk yield; however, cows fed four times a day exhibited a consistent weekly tendency to be lower in dry matter intake and higher in milk yield than those fed once daily. Efficiency of fat-corrected milk production was slightly higher for cows fed four times than for those fed once daily.
Carbon XVV Auger lineshape analysis for alkali-intercalated graphite

Abstract A model calculation of the carbon XVV Auger lineshape for alkali-graphite intercalation compounds is presented and compared to the recent experiments of Oelhafen et al . The results provide only limited support for their proposal that new selection rules restrict the Auger self-convolution.
Hot-magnon sideband in the fluorescence spectrum of CsMn Cl 3 · 2 D 2 O

We report the observation of hot-magnon sidebands in the fluorescence spectrum of the $^{4}T_{1g}$ state of deuterated CsMn${\mathrm{Cl}}_{3}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}${2\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O. A simplified theoretical model similar to that used in an earlier study of CsMn${\mathrm{Cl}}_{3}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}${2\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O accounts well for the hot-magnon line shapes. Evidence is also presented for the existence of multimagnon sidebands in the cold-magnon emission of this compound.
Functionalization of nickel oxide using alkylphosphonic acid self-assembled monolayers

Self-assembled monolayer formation of alkylphosphonic acids on the native nickel oxide surface has been accomplished. These monolayers are the first formed on the native nickel oxide surface that did not require electrochemical reduction of the surface to metallic nickel. Two different deposition methods, immersion and aerosol spraying, were used to form monolayers on the oxide surface. Both methods led to complete monolayer formation, with the aerosol method requiring shorter deposition time, lower temperature and decreased solution concentration compared to the immersion method. These deposition methods now allow nickel oxide substrates to be functionalized easily. Monolayer formation was investigated by diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, non-contact mode atomic force microscopy, contact angle measurements and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies show that the monolayer increased surface resistance to oxidation.
Scalable photonic crystal chips for high sensitivity protein detection

Scalable microfabrication technology has enabled semiconductor and microelectronics industries, among other fields. Meanwhile, rapid and sensitive bio-molecule detection is increasingly important for drug discovery and biomedical diagnostics. In this work, we designed and demonstrated that photonic crystal sensor chips have high sensitivity for protein detection and can be mass-produced with scalable deep-UV lithography. We demonstrated label-free detection of carcinoembryonic antigen from pg/mL to μg/mL, with high quality factor photonic crystal nanobeam cavities.
Erosion of U.S. shorelines

We have assembled data on the rate of change of the U.S. shorelines, including those of the Great Lakes. Obtained from geologists and engineers, our data base covers 1689 sites. The national average (unweighted) shoreline erosion rate is 0.40 m/yr. Along the Atlantic coast the average rate of recession is 0.8 m/yr; the Gulf coast is 1.8 m/yr; and the Pacific coast rate, including Alaska, is 0.005 m/yr. Statistics for Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay, and the Great Lakes are also summarized.
A comparison of the phenomenology and treatment of youths and adults with bipolar I disorder in a state mental health system.

Background: Presenting symptoms of and treatments used for child/adolescent and adult patients diagnosed with bipolar I disorder in a state mental health system are described and compared. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for 267 cases of bipolar I disorder reported in the statewide patient information system. Results: The child/adolescent patients were significantly more likely to have irritability documented, be treated with stimulant medications, and meet the criteria for major depression while adults were significantly more likely to have a broader array of documented symptoms: euphoria, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and hyper-religiosity. Suicidality (thoughts and gestures) was higher in both age groups than previously reported in the clinical literature. No difference was evident in the mood-related pharmacotherapy. Child/adolescent cases were seen more often for re-evaluations, medication visits, and individual and family therapy sessions, whereas adult cases were more likely to receive case management services and less-frequent medication monitoring visits. Conclusions: Youths with bipolar I disorder were more likely to present with irritability and depressive symptoms, and be treated with stimulants and a range of therapeutic interventions, whereas adults with more broadly documented symptoms were receiving minimal treatment services.
Chemoselective tarantula toxins report voltage activation of wild-type ion channels in live cells

Electrically excitable cells, such as neurons, exhibit tremendous diversity in their firing patterns, a consequence of the complex collection of ion channels present in any specific cell. Although numerous methods are capable of measuring cellular electrical signals, understanding which types of ion channels give rise to these signals remains a significant challenge. Here, we describe exogenous probes which use a novel mechanism to report activity of voltage-gated channels. We have synthesized chemoselective derivatives of the tarantula toxin guangxitoxin-1E (GxTX), an inhibitory cystine knot peptide that binds selectively to Kv2-type voltage gated potassium channels. We find that voltage activation of Kv2.1 channels triggers GxTX dissociation, and thus GxTX binding dynamically marks Kv2 activation. We identify GxTX residues that can be replaced by thiol- or alkyne-bearing amino acids, without disrupting toxin folding or activity, and chemoselectively ligate fluorophores or affinity probes to these sites. We find that GxTX–fluorophore conjugates colocalize with Kv2.1 clusters in live cells and are released from channels activated by voltage stimuli. Kv2.1 activation can be detected with concentrations of probe that have a trivial impact on cellular currents. Chemoselective GxTX mutants conjugated to dendrimeric beads likewise bind live cells expressing Kv2.1, and the beads are released by channel activation. These optical sensors of conformational change are prototype probes that can indicate when ion channels contribute to electrical signaling.
Inside-outside Repair of an Isolated Meniscal Tear Results in Predictable Favorable Clinical and Functional Outcomes

Clinical and functional outcomes of eight males diagnosed with an isolated meniscal tear of the knee were evaluated at an average 3.8 years postrepair. Clinical and radiographic examination along with the Knee Ligament Standard Evaluation Form (KLSEF) and Cincinnati Knee Rating System (CKRS) were instruments used in the evaluation of subjects. Findings of this study indicate that meniscal repair for isolated meniscal tears results in clinically and radiographically intact knees with successful functional outcomes.
Foley catheter-assisted endoscopic treatment of severe anastomotic stenosis following anterior resection of the rectum.

Rectal stenosis following low anterior resection is common. Several methods of treatment have been described. We introduce a simple method for the treatment of anastomotic stenosis using a conventional proctoscope and an electric knife with a Foley® catheter as an anvil. Under direct vision, this technique can afford accurate and safe incision of stenosis.
The pathogenesis of heartburn in nonerosive reflux disease : A unifying hypothesis

Heartburn is a symptom complex that has traditionally been accepted as an acid-mediated event and a reliable indicator of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Recently, however, these concepts have been questioned because patients with endoscopy-negative "heartburn" have lower response rates to acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors than do patients with endoscopy-positive "heartburn," ie, erosive esophagitis. As explanation for this, 3 different mechanisms have been proposed to explain the occurrence of heartburn in the endoscopy-negative setting. They are: esophageal visceral hypersensitivity, sustained esophageal contractions, and abnormal tissue resistance. In this report, we review the observations in support of each concept and propose a means for reconciling them under one hypothesis: abnormal tissue resistance. Essential to this review and to the conclusions drawn about the pathogenesis of heartburn in nonerosive reflux disease is a reaffirmation of the definition of reflux-associated "heartburn" as an acid-mediated event requiring "relief by antacids" as a necessary component of the history.
A Multi-Modality Image Reconstruction Platform for Diffuse Optical Tomography

We present a software platform for image reconstruction and data analysis for diffuse optical tomography. The structure, algorithm and functionalities of the platform are reported together with the sample results produced by the platform.
Failure isolation using an associative memory algorithm

This paper proposes the application of an associative memory algorithm for the identification and isolation of system failures. It is assumed that the system is time-invariant and that prior to the occurrence of the failure all signals are stationary random processes. It is also assumed that the fact that a failure has occurred and its time of occurrence are both known, from some other method. The associative memory algorithm assumes that all possible failure modes are known their signatures have been Stored in a random-access memory and feedback is used to provide a search algorithm. The combination of the memory and the feedback loop produce a dynamic associative memory whose output is a "nearest neighbor" of the actual failure mode.
The use of 'CHOP' in the treatment of CLL.

In a paper published in this journal The French Cooperative Group on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia describe a median survival of 62 months in stage C patients with «CHOP» versus 22 months with «CVP». The group claims that the use of «CHOP» is the first documented treatment advance in CLL arising from a randomized clinical trial
An IRT Examination of the Psychometric Functioning of Negatively Worded Personality Items.

This study compared the functioning of positively and negatively worded personality items using item response theory. In Study 1, word pairs from the Goldberg Adjective Checklist were analyzed using the Graded Response Model. Across subscales, negatively worded items produced comparatively higher difficulty and lower discrimination parameters than positively worded items and yielded almost no information. Model fit was examined for two forms of each scale: parameters freely estimated versus parameters estimated with item pairs constrained to be equal. Greater misfit was found in the latter. In Study 2, positively and negatively worded items from a more commonly formatted personality assessment were compared. Parameters again differed, albeit to a lesser extent, and model fit was improved in four out of five scales by the removal of negatively worded items. These results indicated that positively and negatively worded items were not psychometrically interchangeable and that negatively worded items have lim...
Q344ter mutation causes mislocalization of rhodopsin molecules that are catalytically active: a mouse model of Q344ter-induced retinal degeneration.

Q344ter is a naturally occurring rhodopsin mutation in humans that causes autosomal dominant retinal degeneration through mechanisms that are not fully understood, but are thought to involve an early termination that removed the trafficking signal, QVAPA, leading to its mislocalization in the rod photoreceptor cell. To better understand the disease mechanism(s), transgenic mice that express Q344ter were generated and crossed with rhodopsin knockout mice. Dark-reared Q344terrho+/− mice exhibited retinal degeneration, demonstrating that rhodopsin mislocalization caused photoreceptor cell death. This degeneration is exacerbated by light-exposure and is correlated with the activation of transducin as well as other G-protein signaling pathways. We observed numerous sub-micrometer sized vesicles in the inter-photoreceptor space of Q344terrho+/− and Q344terrho−/− retinas, similar to that seen in another rhodopsin mutant, P347S. Whereas light microscopy failed to reveal outer segment structures in Q344terrho−/− rods, shortened and disorganized rod outer segment structures were visible using electron microscopy. Thus, some Q344ter molecules trafficked to the outer segment and formed disc structures, albeit inefficiently, in the absence of full length wildtype rhodopsin. These findings helped to establish the in vivo role of the QVAPA domain as well as the pathways leading to Q344ter-induced retinal degeneration.
Successful Aging and Gambling : Predictors of Gambling Risk Among Older Adults in Las Vegas

Using a sample of 449 Las Vegas and Clark County, Nevada, residents ages 55 and older, the authors examine predictors of past-year and lifetime risk for problem gambling behavior. They examine the salience of gambling opportunities for the respondents' decision to move to Las Vegas and whether they currently gamble as a significant part of their recreation. Bivariate analyses show the importance of gambling opportunities for predicting at-risk status. Logistic regression analyses demonstrate that those who currently use gambling as a significant part of their recreation are 4 times more likely than others to be at risk. Furthermore, respondents who primarily play video poker are twice as likely as others to be at risk. Respondents' race, income, and length of time living in Las Vegas also predict at-risk behavior. The authors discuss the implications of these findings and their relationships to the aging, gambling, and problem gambling literatures.
Abrupt climatic change related to unstable ice-sheet dynamics: toward a new paradigm

Ice streams are fast currents of ice that drain some 90% of present-day ice sheets, and probably drained a similar percent of ice from former ice sheets. Ice streams may have life cycles akin to, but much longer than, surge cycles of certain mountain glaciers. The floating tongues of marine ice streams coalesce to form floating ice shelves that buttress marine ice sheets, and the grounded lobes of terrestrial ice streams stabilize terrestrial ice sheets. Ice shelves and ice lobes form during the life cycles of ice streams, and disintegrate rapidly to initiate new life cycles. Successive life cycles continue until the ice sheet collapses. A new paradigm is postulated in which abrupt climatic change is driven by iceberg outbursts associated with life cycles of marine ice streams and dust storms associated with life cycles of terrestrial ice streams. For Pleistocene Northern Hemisphere ice sheets, these mechanisms regulated North Atlantic surface temperatures and salinity, and perhaps planetary albedo and atmospheric CO2, and thereby drove climatic change, which tended to be abrupt because ice-stream life cycles began and ended abruptly. Ice streams proliferated along the margins of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets after they advanced beyond the crystalline shields of North America and Eurasia, and spread over softer sedimentary rocks overlain by thick ice-cemented sediments that progressively thawed, especially along river valleys and marine troughs. An increasing fraction of these ice sheets was then subjected to the unstable life cycles of ice streams, as seen in the pronounced spikiness of the late glacial oxygen isotope stratigraphy in the Greenland ice core at Dye 3. Life cycles of Greenland ice streams during the Holocene seem to be linked to episodes of regional climatic cooling; most recently, the Little Ice Age. When superimposed on the present Milankovitch hemicycle of reduced insolation over the North Atlantic, this could abruptly initiate a new worldwide glaciation cycle in the aftermath of present-day CO2 “greenhouse” warming. Proliferation of Antarctic ice-stream life cycles during the period of “greenhouse” warming may also trigger global climatic change by forcing a reorganization of circumpolar thermohaline circulation in the Southern Ocean.
On the bromination of methyl 2-methyl-3-furoate

Abstract Methyl 2-methyl-3-furoate was subjected to bromination with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), a milder brominating reagent, under different reaction conditions to obtain a variety of selective brominated products.
Prevalence and correlates of physical and sexual abuse in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder

Abstract Objective Adult bipolar disorder (BP) has been associated with lifetime history of physical and sexual abuse. However, there are no reports of the prevalence of abuse in BP youth. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and correlates of physical and/or sexual abuse among youth with BP spectrum disorders. Methods Four hundred forty-six youths, ages 7 to 17 years (12.7 ± 3.2), meeting DSM-IV criteria for BP-I ( n = 260), BP-II ( n = 32) or operationalized definition of BP-NOS ( n = 154) were assessed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children—Present and Lifetime version (K-SADS-PL). Abuse was ascertained using the K-SADS. Results Twenty percent of the sample experienced physical and/or sexual abuse. The most robust correlates of any abuse history were living with a non-intact family (OR = 2.6), lifetime history of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (OR = 8.8), psychosis (OR = 2.1), conduct disorder (CD) (OR = 2.3), and first-degree family history of mood disorder (OR = 2.2). After adjusting for confounding demographic factors, physical abuse was associated with longer duration of BP illness, non-intact family, PTSD, psychosis, and first-degree family history of mood disorder. Sexual abuse was associated with PTSD. Subjects with both types of abuse were older, with longer illness duration, non-intact family, and greater prevalence of PTSD and CD as compared with the non-abused group. Limitations Retrospective data. Also, since this is a cross-sectional study, no inferences regarding causality can be made. Conclusion Sexual and/or physical abuse is common in youth with BP particularly in subjects with comorbid PTSD, psychosis, or CD. Prompt identification and treatment of these youth is warranted.
Clinical assessment and follow-up of functional capacity in patients with chronic congestive cardiomyopathy.

Abstract The presumption that the results of left ventricular systolic function tests performed at rest are related to the symptoms of chronic congestive heart failure or to exercise capacity is unproved. Thirty-three patients with chronic congestive Cardiomyopathy underwent serial exercise tests, determinations of ejection fraction and systolic time intervals, echocardiograms, assessment of symptom score, chest roentgenogram, and physical examination over a mean (± standard deviation) of 24.8 ± 14.1 months. Maximal exercise performance achieved correlation with symptoms (r = −0.66) but not with indexes of left ventricular function. Edema, elevated jugular venous pressure, rales and radiologic evidence of pulmonary venous hypertension were more common in patients with severe limitation of exercise capacity. In 17 patients whose functional capacity changed during the follow-up period, congruent changes in left ventricular function measured at rest were not consistently observed. Thus the findings on history, physical examination and radiologic examination correlate with exercise capacity, but indexes of left ventricular performance at rest do not and therefore are of limited use in assessing treatment. The clinical course of patients with chronic congestive cardiomyopathy can be followed up safely, effectively and economically by simple clinical observations. Serial laboratory testing of left ventricular function can be reserved for specific indications, research and patients with valvular heart disease.
Effect of maturity on competitive ability in soybeans

The effect of maturity on competitive ability in two cultivars of soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) was evaluated. Maturity dates within a genotype were simulated by removing half the plants from pure stands at end of flowering and twice later at approximately weekly intervals. Simulation of the early maturity of an equal competitor gave a significant competitive advantage to the late genotype only 2 out of 15 times. The average effect from simulation of earlier maturity within the genotype was statistically significant, but small, especially since the assumed difference in physiological maturity was 27 days. Most genotypic difference in competitive ability probably are due to characteristics other than maturity.
Molecular Forms of Human Rhodopsin Kinase (GRK1)

The G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) are critical enzymes in the desensitization of activated G protein-coupled receptors. Six members of the GRK family have been identified to date. Among these enzymes, GRK1 (rhodopsin kinase) is involved in phototransduction and is the most specialized of the family. GRK1 phosphorylates photoactivated rhodopsin, initiating steps in its deactivation. In this study, we found that human retina expressed all GRKs except GRK4. Based on results of molecular cloning and immunolocalization, it appears that both rod and cone photoreceptors express GRK1. This conclusion was supported by the cloning of only GRK1 from cone-dominated chicken retina. Human photoreceptors also transcribe a splice variant of GRK1, which differs in its C-terminal region next to the catalytic domain. This novel variant, GRK1b, is produced by retention of the last intron. mRNA encoding GRK1b is exported to the cytosol; however, the level of the protein is relatively low compared with GRK1 (now called GRK1a), and GRK1b appears to have very low catalytic activity. Thus, these studies suggest that rods and cones, express the same form of GRK1.
Michelson’s Role in the Development of Relativity

This Naval Academy Lecture, given at Annapolis on 11 May 1973 to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the graduation of Albert A. Michelson, discusses the role of the first American Nobel Laureate in Physics in the development of relativity.
Disease prevention as social change: The state, society, and public health in the United States, France, Great Britain, and Canada

Disease prevention as social change: The state, society, and public health in the United States, France, Great Britain, and Canada, by Constance A. Nathanson, New York, Russell Sage Foundation, 200...
Experimental and Analytical Studies of Reciprocating-Mechanism Driven Heat Loops (RMDHLs)

This paper conducts experimental and analytical studies of a novel heat-transfer device, reciprocating-mechanism driven heat loop (RMDHL) that facilitates two-phase heat transfer while eliminating the so-called cavitation problem commonly encountered by a conventional pump. A RMDHL normally includes a hollow loop having an interior flow passage, an amount of working fluid filled within the loop, and a reciprocating driver. The hollow loop has an evaporator section, a condenser section, and a liquid reservoir. The reciprocating driver is integrated with the liquid reservoir and facilitates a reciprocating flow of the working fluid within the loop, so that liquid is supplied from the condenser section to the evaporator section under a substantially saturated condition and the so-called cavitation problem associated with a conventional pump is avoided. The reciprocating driver could be a solenoid-operated reciprocating driver for electronics cooling applications and a bellows-type reciprocating driver for high-temperature applications. Experimental study has been undertaken for a solenoid-operated heat loop in connection with high heat flux thermal management applications. Experimental results show that the heat loop worked very effectively and a heat flux as high as 300 W/cm 2 in the evaporator section could be handled. A working criterion has also been derived, which could provide a guidance for the design of a RMDHL.
The Logic of Creative and Critical Thinking

The momentum and intensity of calls for educational reform are directly related to issues of creativity and critical thinking. The author's works on critical thinking have been written almost exclusively in terms of teaching for the “critical” rather than the “creative” dimension of thinking. This article holds the creative dimension of thinking is best fostered by joining it with the critical dimension.
Type 1 vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor expression in PC3/AR cells is evidence of prostate epithelial differentiation.

BACKGROUND Type 1 vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor (VIP1R) is expressed in many secretory epithelial cells. We investigated VIP1R expression as a marker of prostate secretory epithelial differentiation in normal and malignant prostate tissues and in PC-3 human prostate cancer cells either lacking or expressing a functional androgen receptor. METHODS VIP1R mRNA in rat prostate was assessed by in situ hybridization.VIP1R mRNA in human prostate tissue was identified by Northern blot hybridization. VIP1R mRNA expression in human prostate cancer cell lines in the presence or absence of androgen was determined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Human prostate cell lines were treated with VIP, and changes in intracellular cAMP were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS VIP1R mRNA was expressed only in epithelial cells in normal rat prostate. VIP1R mRNA was present in both normal and malignant human prostate. Well-differentiated LNCaP cells expressed functional VIP receptors, while poorly differentiated PC-3 cells did not. PC-3 cells stably expressing the androgen receptor (PC3/AR) did express functional VIP receptors, but VIP1R mRNA levels were not androgen-regulated. CONCLUSIONS VIP1R expression indicates epithelial differentiation in normal and malignant prostate. PC3/AR cells and LNCaP cells, both of which express VIP1R and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), are the only prostate cancer cell lines known to express these two markers of prostate epithelial differentiation. Prostate 42:137–144, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Michael J. Mahoney (1946–2006): A Life Celebration

On May 31st, 2006, I sadly lost my image of an idol, a teacher, a mentor, and a dear friend. The world lost the identity of Michael J. Mahoney, one of the most innovative and prolific thinkers in t...
Cultural factors impacting asthma management in Asian Indian children

Introduction: Asthma is the most common chronic disease found in young children. Asian Indians are second largest Asian immigrant population and the fastest growing group in the United States. As this segment of the population in the US grows and utilizes the health care system, more physicians will encounter increased burden of asthma cases. Objective: To outline the cultural factors and health beliefs in the Asian Indian population which impact the care and outcome of these patients. Methods: Three cases are described in which the care of the child with asthma had been impacted due to cultural factors or limitations resulting from health beliefs. The common cultural factors researched in the reported literature along with the experiences of various physicians are outlined. Result: Reported beliefs include concern and denial in Asian Indian mothers when given a diagnosis of asthma in their child. Due to the fear of use of preventive medications such as inhaled corticosteroids and not being completely confident in the medical system, they may not feel comfortable with the recommendations that are made for control of their asthma. Conclusion: Enhanced knowledge with empowerment of the provider will improve communication and compliance of the patient and an improved collaboration between the patient and health care provider leading to better health outcomes in Asian Indian patients with asthma.
Digital Filter Control of Remotely Operated Flexible Robotic Structures

This paper presents an infinite impulse response (IIR) filtering technique for reducing structural vibration in remotely operated robotic systems. The technique uses a discrete filter between the operator's joy stick and the robot controller to alter the inputs of the system so that residual vibration and swing are reduced. A linearized plant model of the system is analyzed in the discrete time domain, and the filter is designed using pole-zero placement in the z-plane. This technique has been successfully applied to a two link flexible arm and a gantry crane with a suspended payload.
On the Accuracy of Numerical Wave Simulations Based on Finite Methods

The numerical error associated with the simulation of linear wave phenomena using finite methods in both the frequency and time domain is considered. Both exact and numerically generated solutions of finite difference and finite element approximations to the scalar Helmholtz equation in one and two dimensions are used to demonstrate the dependence of the accuracy of the discrete solution on the number of nodes per wavelength, the electrical size of the computational domain, the order of the discretization, and the type of boundary conditions used. The results from these studies, as well as results from similar studies for finite difference approximations of Maxwell's equations in the time domain, are used to generate simple expressions for selecting the nodal density to maintain a desirable accuracy.
A Proposal for Extending the Theory of the Firm

I. Introduction, 87. — II. The business firm as organization, 89. — III. Control and costs, 91. — IV. Standard costs, 94. — V. Agent behavior, 98. — VI. Multiple commodity production and multiple agents — horizontal case, 103. — VII. Multiple agents — vertical case, 105. — VIII. Conclusion, 109.
Learning virtual equilibrium trajectories for control of a robot arm

The cerebellar model articulation controller (CMAC) (Albus 1975) is applied for learning the inverse dynamics of a simulated two joint, planar arm. The actuators were antagonistic muscles, which acted as feedback controllers for each joint. We use this example to demonstrate some limitations of the control paradigm used in earlier applications of the CMAC (e.g., Miller et al. 1987, 1990): the CMAC learns dynamics of the arm and not those of the feedback system. We suggest an alternate approach, one in which the CMAC learns to manipulate the feedback controller’s input, producing a virtual trajectory, rather the controller’s output, which is torque. Several experiments are performed that suggest that the CMAC learns to compensate for the dynamics of the plant, as well as the controller. Flash (1987) has shown that in the human arm, for moderate speed movements, the spring-like behavior of the neuromuscular system is such that by manipulating an equilibrium point model of the arm, the CNS can produce relatively accurate movements even without considering the dynamics of the moving limb. In order to produce a precise trajectory, however, the applied neuromuscular activity should take into account the dynamics of the skeleton, as well as those of the attached muscles and the segmental feedback system. In this paper we show how one might learn to produce such a virtual equilibrium trajectory (Hogan 1984a). The learning paradigm is based on the cerebellar model articulation controller (CMAC) as proposed by Albus (1975), and demonstrated in the works of MiIIer et al. (1987, 1990) and Kraft and Campagna (1990). The CMAC is a coarse-coding technique that is implemented as a look-up table for approximating a piece-wise continous function with multiple input and output variables. In Miller et al. (19871, for example, the function was the inverse dynamics of a robot, the input variables described