cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Substrate stiffness heterogeneities disrupt endothelial barrier integrity in a micropillar model of heterogeneous vascular stiffening

Intimal stiffening has been linked with increased vascular permeability and leukocyte transmigration, hallmarks of atherosclerosis. However, recent evidence indicates age-related intimal stiffening is not uniform but rather characterized by increased point-to-point heterogeneity in subendothelial matrix stiffness, the impact of which is much less understood. To investigate the impact of spatially heterogeneous matrix rigidity on endothelial monolayer integrity, we develop a micropillar model to introduce closely-spaced, step-changes in substrate rigidity and compare endothelial monolayer phenotype to rigidity-matched, uniformly stiff and compliant substrates. We found equivalent disruption of adherens junctions within monolayers on step-rigidity and uniformly stiff substrates relative to uniformly compliant substrates. Similarly, monolayers cultured on step-rigidity substrates exhibited equivalent percentages of leukocyte transmigration to monolayers on rigidity-matched, uniformly stiff substrates. Adherens junction tension and focal adhesion density, but not size, increased within monolayers on step-rigidity and uniformly stiff substrates compared to more compliant substrates suggesting that elevated tension is disrupting adherens junction integrity. Leukocyte transmigration frequency and time, focal adhesion size, and focal adhesion density did not differ between stiff and compliant sub-regions of step-rigidity substrates. Overall, our results suggest that endothelial monolayers exposed to mechanically heterogeneous substrates adopt the phenotype associated with the stiffer matrix, indicating that spatial heterogeneities in intimal stiffness observed with age could disrupt endothelial barrier integrity and contribute to atherogenesis.
Autonomous Inventory Monitoring through Multi-Modal Sensing (AIM3S) for Cashier-Less Stores

Auto-checkout technology could revolutionize physical retail by bringing down operating costs and enabling automated stores. The first step towards fully autonomous stores is automated live inventory monitoring. Existing automated approaches tend to focus on vision only and are cost prohibitive, slow, or inaccurate for practical real-world applications. To overcome these challenges we propose a novel sensor fusion framework through cameras, weight sensors and prior knowledge of item arrangement. Namely we focus on the tasks of event detection (i.e. when did customers pick up or return an item?), and robust item classification (i.e. what product was it?). In this demo we show the system can be implemented to accurately predict inventory in real-time.
Multi-channel Assignment and Link Scheduling for Prioritized Latency-Sensitive Applications

Current wireless networks mainly focus on delay-tolerant applications while demands for latency-sensitive applications are rising with VR/AR technologies and machine-to-machine IoT applications. In this paper we consider multi-channel, multi-radio scheduling at the MAC layer to optimize for the performance of prioritized, delay-sensitive demands. Our objective is to design an interference-free schedule that minimizes the maximum weighted refresh time among all edges, where the refresh time of an edge is the maximum number of time slots between two successive slots of that edge and the weights reflect given priorities. In the single-antenna unweighted case with k channels and n transceivers, the scheduling problem reduces to the classical edge coloring problem when \(k \ge \lfloor n/2 \rfloor \) and to strong edge coloring when \(k=1\), but it is neither edge coloring nor strong edge coloring for general k. Further, the priority requirement introduces extra challenges. In this paper we provide a randomized algorithm with an approximation factor of \(\tilde{O}\left( \max \left\{ \sqrt{\varDelta _p }, \frac{\varDelta _p}{\sqrt{k}} \right\} \log m \right) \) in expectation, where \(\varDelta _p\) denotes the maximum degree of the unweighted multi-graph, which is formed by duplicating each edge \(e_i\) for \(w_i\) times (\(w_i\) is \(e_i\)’s integral priority value), and m is the number of required link communications (\(f(n) \in \tilde{O}(h(n))\) means that \(f(n) \in O\left( h(n) \log ^k(h(n)) \right) \) for some positive constant k. The results are generalized to the multi-antenna settings. We evaluate the performance of our methods in different settings using simulations).
The Association Between Spousal Education and Cognitive Ability Among Older Mexican Adults.

OBJECTIVES Education and cognition are closely associated, yet the role of spousal education is not well understood. We estimate the independent effects of own and spousal education on cognitive ability in late-life in Mexico, a developing country experiencing rapid aging. METHOD We analyzed 4,017 married dyads (age 50+) from the 2012 Mexican Health and Aging Study. Cognitive ability for married adults was a factor score from a single factor model. Using seemingly unrelated regression, we test whether spousal education influences older adults' cognitive ability, whether associations are explained by couple-level socioeconomic position, health and health behaviors, and social support, and whether associations differed by gender. RESULTS Education and cognitive ability were correlated within couples. Higher spousal education was associated with better cognitive ability. Associations between spousal education and cognitive ability were independent of own education, did not differ by gender, and remained significant even after adjustment for couple-level socioeconomic position, health and health behaviors, and perceived social support. DISCUSSION In addition to own education, spousal education was associated with better cognitive ability, even at relatively low levels of education. We discuss the possibility that spousal education may improve cognition via transmission of knowledge and mutually reinforcing cognitively stimulating environments.
Development of Fashion Product Evaluation (FPE) Framework

The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive classification system that clarifies, integrates, and logically organizes the wide array of apparel evaluative criteria found in literature. Based on systematic review and analysis of the extant research on apparel evaluative criteria and following Hunt’s (2010) procedural steps for developing classification schemes, Fashion Product Evaluation (FPE) framework was developed. The framework integrates evaluative criteria into four mutually exclusive and clearly defined dimensions: Intrinsic, Marketing, Functional, and Social-Communicative. Law-like propositions were developed to define each dimension and guide the classification of evaluative criteria. This classification system can serve as a framework for new product development and holistic understanding of how consumers evaluate apparel products. The FPE framework clarifies the use of evaluative criteria and makes the concept more useful and applicable.
Tooth length and occlusion in four species of piscivorous fishes: getting a grip on prey

Fitness is in part determined by the success of prey capture, often achieved in marine piscivores using teeth to capture and process prey. In ram feeding piscivores, a pattern of monognathic heterodonty has been observed where tooth size either increases posteriorly (Scomberomorus maculatus), or anteriorly (Carcharhinus limbatus), with exceptions such as Trichiurus lepturus and Sphyraena barracuda which have large anterior fangs. Tooth size and placement, as related to prey capture, was examined in Atlantic Spanish Mackerel (S. maculatus), Great Barracuda (S. barracuda), Atlantic Cutlassfish (T. lepturus), and the Blacktip shark (C. limbatus) by quantifying tooth occlusion along the jaw. Percent gape at occlusion in S. maculatus decreased anteriorly in a linear fashion, indicating occlusion from posterior to anterior. Therefore, prey initially contact the posterior teeth with high puncture pressure during high velocity strikes, capitalizing the region of greatest bite force. For S. barracuda and T. lepturus, posterior teeth and premaxillary fangs occlude at similar percent gapes (within 10%). The premaxillary fangs are likely used for initial capture due to the high angular velocity of the anterior section of the jaw and then for cutting, due to their laterally compressed shape. In C. limbatus all teeth occluded within a narrow range of 1.4–8.8% gape, indicating that all teeth meet at almost complete jaw closure. Simultaneous puncture of teeth prevents prey escape while maximizing the cutting area during head shaking. Thus, various tooth size and dentition patterns may yield similar success in prey capture, serving the same function.
Pointillism: accurate 3D bounding box estimation with multi-radars

Autonomous perception requires high-quality environment sensing in the form of 3D bounding boxes of dynamic objects. The primary sensors used in automotive systems are light-based cameras and LiDARs. However, they are known to fail in adverse weather conditions. Radars can potentially solve this problem as they are barely affected by adverse weather conditions. However, specular reflections of wireless signals cause poor performance of radar point clouds. We introduce Pointillism, a system that combines data from multiple spatially separated radars with an optimal separation to mitigate these problems. We introduce a novel concept of Cross Potential Point Clouds, which uses the spatial diversity induced by multiple radars and solves the problem of noise and sparsity in radar point clouds. Furthermore, we present the design of RP-net, a novel deep learning architecture, designed explicitly for radar's sparse data distribution, to enable accurate 3D bounding box estimation. The spatial techniques designed and proposed in this paper are fundamental to radars point cloud distribution and would benefit other radar sensing applications
The Pecking Order and Financing Decisions: Evidence From Changes to Financial-Reporting Regulation:

We use the staggered introduction of a major financial-reporting regulation worldwide to study whether firms make financing decisions consistent with the pecking order theory. Exploiting cross-coun...
Examining Use of Low-Dose Ketamine Infusions During the Postoperative Period: A Retrospective Study Comparing Opioid-Tolerant and Nonopioid-Tolerant Patients

Ketamine is a well-known anesthetic that has been used since the 1970s. Despite its ubiquitous use as a postoperative analgesic, no studies have described dosing differences between opioid-tolerant (OT) and nonopioid-tolerant (NOT) patients or determined optimal dosing. The primary aim of this study was to assess whether OT and NOT patients had significant differences in ketamine infusion dosing requirements. We also aimed to measure the overall incidence of psychotomimetic adverse effects associated with low-dose ketamine infusions. We hypothesized that NOT patients would have lower ketamine infusion dosing requirements and a higher incidence of psychotomimetic adverse effects compared with OT patients. We performed a retrospective chart review and showed that the percentages of OT and NOT patients experiencing psychotomimetic adverse effects were similar (15.5% vs 15.3%; P=.93) and that increasing age was the only factor associated with increased odds of experiencing a psychotomimetic adverse effect potentially associated with ketamine (odds ratio, 1.29 [95% CI, 1.11-1.50]; P=.001). Optimal subanesthetic ketamine infusion dosing could not be established, and further research in this area may be warranted.
An investigation of log prices in the U.S. Pacific Northwest

Abstract Log prices can be volatile and hard to predict from month to month. For those tasked with managing timberland investments and the marketing of logs, however, short run predictions of price could be useful. This study shows that Douglas-fir log prices can be predicted with reasonable accuracy using only a small amount of readily available macro-economic information. For example, nearly half of the variation in log prices over time can be predicted using the number of housing permits issued in a month. Information about exchange rates and mortgage rates provide further refinement of estimates. An attribution experiment shows that expansionary U.S. monetary policy over the last decade has raised log prices by about 5% above what they otherwise would have been. A strengthening U.S. dollar increased the supply of Canadian softwood in U.S. markets, however, and had a depressing effect on U.S. log prices. The results illustrate how policies enacted in locations far from forest-dependent communities can nonetheless have outsized impacts.
Beck's Quadrad? A Rare Case of Pericardial Tamponade Presenting as Transient Pre-Excitation Early after Cardiac Transplantation

Introduction Cardiac tamponade is a potentially fatal complication after cardiac surgery. An acute accumulation of fluid generally presents as Beck's triad, however, a slowly accumulating pericardial effusion can have variable clinical presentations. We report a case of transient pre-excitation on post-operative electrocardiogram (ECG) after cardiac transplantation with resolution of aberrant conduction following pericardiocentesis for cardiac tamponade. Case Report A 46-year-old African American male with NICM HFrEF (EF 18%) presented in cardiogenic shock, COVID pneumonia requiring milrinone infusion and intra-aortic balloon pump support for stabilization. After clearance of his viral replicon, he underwent orthotopic heart transplantation. His postoperative course was complicated by monomorphic non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. His ECGs revealed a right bundle branch block with prominent delta waves concerning for pre-excitation through an accessory pathway. Electrophysiology was consulted and confirmed an accessory pathway localized to the right superior paraseptal region. He subsequently developed atrial fibrillation and his mean blood pressure dropped from 80 to 60mmHg. A bedside echocardiogram showed a large, circumferential pericardial effusion concerning for cardiac tamponade. He was emergently taken to the catheterization lab for pericardiocentesis with drainage of 500cc of serosanguinous fluid. Post-pericardiocentesis ECG revealed resolution of his atrial fibrillation, and unexpectedly, his wide QRS and pre-excitation pattern was replaced by narrow complex sinus rhythm. Summary This case illustrates the atypical presentation of cardiac tamponade in patients who have undergone orthotopic heart transplantation. The pre-excitation and wide QRS pattern may be secondary to pericardial irritation from the effusion leading to changes in the conduction properties of a previously concealed accessory cardiac pathway.
Genes derived from ancient polyploidy have higher genetic diversity and are associated with domestication in Brassica rapa.

Many crops are polyploid or have a polyploid ancestry. Recent phylogenetic analyses have found that polyploidy often preceded the domestication of crop plants. One explanation for this observation is that increased genetic diversity following polyploidy may have been important during the strong artificial selection that occurs during domestication. In order to test the connection between domestication and polyploidy, we identified and examined candidate genes associated with the domestication of the diverse crop varieties of Brassica rapa. Like all 'diploid' flowering plants, B. rapa has a diploidized paleopolyploid genome and experienced many rounds of whole genome duplication (WGD). We analyzed transcriptome data of more than 100 cultivated B. rapa accessions. Using a combination of approaches, we identified > 3000 candidate genes associated with the domestication of four major B. rapa crop varieties. Consistent with our expectation, we found that the candidate genes were significantly enriched with genes derived from the Brassiceae mesohexaploidy. We also observed that paleologs were significantly more diverse than non-paleologs. Our analyses find evidence for that genetic diversity derived from ancient polyploidy played a key role in the domestication of B. rapa and provide support for its importance in the success of modern agriculture.
Miconia vincentiana (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), a curious endemic to St. Vincent

The new combination Miconia vincentiana and a detailed description are provided for the species previously known as Clidemia vincentiana, a member of Miconia sect. Sagraea endemic to the island of St. Vincent in the Lesser Antilles. In addition, the curious supernumerary leaflets often borne on the distal portion of the petiole are described. Such structures have not been recorded from any other species of Miconieae.
OPELL and PM: A Case Study on Porting Shared Memory Programming Models to Accelerators Architectures

Limits on applications and hardware technologies have put a stop to the frequency race during the 2000s. Designs now can be divided into homogeneous and heterogeneous ones. Homogeneous types are the easiest to use since most toolchains and system software do not need too much of a rewrite. On the other end of the spectrum, there are the type two heterogeneous designs. These designs offer tremendous computational raw power, but at the cost of hardware features that might be necessary or even essential for certain types of system software and programming languages. An example of this architectural design is the Cell processor which exhibits both a heavy core and a group of simple cores designed as a computational engine. Even though the Cell processor is very well known for its accomplishments, it is also well known for its low programmability. Among many efforts to increase its programmability, there is the Open OPELL project. This framework tries to port the OpenMP programming model to the Cell architecture. The OPELL framework is composed of four components: a single source toolchain, a very light SPU kernel, a software cache and a partition / code overlay manager. To reduce the overhead, each of these components can be further optimized. This paper concentrates on optimizing the partition manager by reducing the number of long latency transactions. The contributions of this work are as follows.
Developing writing assignments and feedback strategies for maximum effectiveness in large classroom environments

How do you teach writing effectively when your classes have between 40-80 students? This work addresses the challenges of working in large classroom environments with engineering students in the CE 4101 and CE 4102 classes. We demonstrate WebCT peer review techniques, and feedback techniques for writing that we have been using in large classroom environments. We also discuss the successes and challenges that we have encountered as we try to engage students in active learning in large classroom environments.
Optimizing matrix multiplication with a classifier learning system

Compilers have been very successful on automating the process of program optimization, but there is still a significant difference in performance between the code generated by the compiler and the hand-optimized code. Library generators such as ATLAS, SPIRAL, and FFTW address this problem by using empirical search to find the parameter values of certain optimization such as degree of unroll. We have recently developed a generator of sorting routines. Sorting differs from the algorithms implemented by other library generators in that performance of sorting depends not only on the target platform but also on the characteristics of the input data. In our work we used a classifier learning system to generate sorting routines that are capable of adapting to the input data. In this paper we follow a similar approach and use a classifier learning system to generate high performance libraries for matrix-matrix multiplication. Our library generator produces matrix multiplication routines that use recursive layouts and several levels of tiling. Our approach is to use a classifier learning system to search in the space of the different ways to partition the input matrices the one that performs the best. As a result, our system will determine the number of levels of tiling and tile size for each level depending on the target platform and the dimensions of the input matrices.
Ignition and early soot formation in a DI diesel engine using multiple 2-D imaging diagnostics

Combined optical imaging diagnostics in the fuel jet of a direct-injection diesel engine to study the ignition and early soot formation processes. A diesel engine of the ``heavy-duty`` size class was operated at a representative medium speed (1200 rpm) operating condition. Two fuels were used, a 42.5 cetane number mixture of the diesel reference fuels and a new low-sooting fuel. Combustion and soot formation are almost identical for both fuels. Ignition and early combustion were studied by imaging the natural chemiluminescence using a calibrated intensified video camera. Early soot development was investigated via luminosity imaging and simultaneous planar imaging of laser-induced incandescence (LII) and elastic scattering. The latter provide relative soot concentrations and particle size distributions. Data show that ignition occurs at multiple points across the downstream region of all the fuel jets prior to first apparent heat release well before any soot luminosity occurs. Quantitative vapor-fuel/air mixture images in the leading portion of the jet are also presented and discussed with respect to the early combustion data. The first soot occurs at random locations, and shortly thereafter, small soot particles develop throughout the cross section of the leading portion of the jet. Data indicate that this soot arises frommore » the fuel-rich premixed burn. Then, significantly larger soot particles appear around the periphery of the jet, presumably from the initial diffusion combustion. By the end of the premixed burn, the soot has developed a distribution pattern of a higher concentration toward the front of the jet and a lower concentration upstream, with the larger-sized soot particles being generally confined to the periphery of the jet.« less
Selenium and Tellurium Heterocycles

Synthetic pathways leading to tellurium- and selenium-containing heterocycles are summarized for the period 1995 to the present. In addition, the utility of various tellurium- and selenium-containing heterocycles are summarized. Primarily, the synthesis of tellurium- and selenium-containing heterocycles of five- and six-membered rings are described with various degrees of unsaturation, as well as their benzo-fused analogues. In particular, the syntheses of selenophenes , tellurophenes and their mono- and dibenzo-fused analogues are described. Similarly, syntheses of tellurazoles, selenazoles, telluradiazoles, selenadiazoles and their benzo-fused analogues are described. Among the six-membered rings, synthetic routes to telluropyrans and selenopyrans and their benzo analogues are described. Further degrees of unsaturation provide the telluropyrylium and selenopyrylium compounds and their benzo- and dibenzo-fused analogues. Synthetic routes to chalcogenopyrylium compounds, chalcogenorosamine compounds and chalcogenorhodamine compounds are described and some of the uses of these materials are also provided. A review of synthetic routes to the core-modified porphyrins—21-chalcogenoporphyrins and 21,23-dichalcogenoporphyrins—is also provided. Porphyrin-like molecules with an expanded structure of five or six-membered rings in the porphyrin core are also reviewed. Keywords: chalcogenophenes; chalcogenazoles; chalcogenadiazoles; chalcogenapyrans; chalcogenopyrylium; chalcogenorosamines; chalcogenorhodamines; 21-chalcogenaporphyrins; 21,23-dichalcogenaporphyrins; core-modified porphyrins
Should Numerical Orbital Calculations be done with Basis Sets

The two most common methods of solving the Hartree-Fock equations, basis sets and numerical orbitals, are in many ways complementary. Today basis set calculations are relatively fast but for most molecular orbitals their accuracy is rather limited. In contrast, numerical orbital calculations are still relatively slow but they have been able to achieve highly accurate results in a diverse assortment of systems. We outline how the best properties of these two approaches could be combined.
Orbital-Ordering Transition in Sr 2 VO 4

Temperature-dependent dc susceptibility and x-ray powder diffraction on a pure tetragonal sample of ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{VO}}_{4}$ show an antiferromagnetic orbital-ordering transition at ${T}_{\mathrm{OO}}=97\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{K}$, in which the occupied orbitals lie along the $c$ axis. The unusual broadening of the x-ray Bragg peaks throughout the orbital-ordering transition temperature region indicates that this process occurs in stages, and the onset of short-range orbital ordering occurs at ${T}_{1}\ensuremath{\approx}122\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{K}$. The study of the order parameter associated with this transition by analyzing the spontaneous strain results in a critical exponent $\ensuremath{\beta}=0.35(2)$ consistent with 3D Heisenberg behavior. These results experimentally confirm the orbital-ordering state in ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{VO}}_{4}$ predicted by first-principles calculations using combinations of the local-density approximation and the $GW$ method.
Roles of the two lysyl-tRNA synthetases of Escherichia coli: analysis of nucleotide sequences and mutant behavior.

Abstract The complete nucleotide sequence of lysU, the gene for the heat-inducible lysyl-tRNA synthetase of Escherichia coli, was determined and compared with the published sequence of lysS (herC), the gene for the constitutive lysyl-tRNA synthetase. These unlinked genes were found to be identical over 72% of their lengths. The deduced amino acid sequences of the respective gene products, LysU and LysS, were identical over 85% and similar over 92% of their lengths. Accumulation of high levels of LysU during growth of strains carrying the wild-type allele of lysU on multicopy plasmids had no observable effect on growth or on the synthesis of LysS. A lysU deletion strain was constructed and was shown to grow normally at low temperature (28 degrees C) but poorly at 44 degrees C; the slow growth (45% of normal) at elevated temperature was fully reversed by plasmids bearing wild-type lysU. The implications of these findings for the existence of two aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases for lysine are discussed.
Geological and hydrological controls on the producibility of coalbed methane

Geological and hydrological comparison of two United States coalbed methane basins, the prolific San Juan Basin and the marginally producing Sand Wash Basin, indicates that coal distribution and rank, gas content, permeability, ground-water flow, and depositional and structural setting are critical controls on coalbed methane producibility. A complex interplay, and moreover, a synergy amongst these controls determines high productivity. This paper proposes a basin-scale explanation for the prolific and marginal production in the two basins and that can be applied to evaluation of coalbed methane potential in coal basins worldwide. High productivity is governed by (1) thick, laterally continuous coals of high thermal maturity, (2) basinward flow of ground water through coals of high rank and gas content orthogonally toward no-flow boundaries (regional hingelines, fault systems, facies changes, and/or discharge areas), and (3) conventional trapping along those boundaries to provide additional gas beyond that sorbed on the coal surface.
Identification of organic compounds by microscopy and X-ray diffractometry

Primary and secondary crystallographic constants can be utilized conveniently for identifications of crystalline organic and inorganic materials by microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Several specific properties can be measured under the petrographical microscope, including optic axial angle, character, dispersion, and in addition, refractive index directions can be established. The “d” spacings and their intensities as determined with the X-ray diffractometer serve to identify crystalline materials. The two instruments should be considered as supplementary tools for identifying crystals. Both instruments supply a means for identification and semiquantitative analysis of mixed crystal systems. Data are presented for the systems: acetic-propionic p-bromoanilides and acet-propion-2.4-dinitro-phenylhydrazones.
Metropolitan School Desegregation and Parent and Student Attitudes: A Longitudinal Case Study.

This study examines changes in the attitudes of parents and students coincident with desegregation in a new single unified school district, with reassignment of both suburban white students and inner-city minority students. Data are presented for the year immediately preceding desegregation implementation and for three years following implementation. The final sample presented includes only those parents and students for whom complete data were available for each of these four years. A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to examine overall changes in racial and educational attitudes across time and to determine the differential impact of several intervening variables, including race, sex, child's grade level at the time of desegregation, which of five former school districts the families were in prior to desegregation, and the parents' perceived social status. Overall changes were found for several parent and student attitudes, largely during the first year of desegregation implementation. Several of the intervening variables were also significantly related to attitude changes, notably race and child's initial grade level.
Cloning and analysis of the promotor region of the human fibronectin gene

Abstract Human fibronectin (FN) genomic clones were isolated by screening a human genomic library with a 75-base oligonucleotide. The sequence of the oligonucleotide corresponds to a region near the 5' end of the human FN cDNA clone pFH6 that contains the amino-terminal coding sequences but does not extend to the 5' end of the mRNA [Kornblihtt, A. R., Umezawa, K., Vibe-Pedersen, K. & Baralle, F. E. (1985) EMBO J. 4, 1755-1759]. The 5' end of the FN gene is found on a 3.7-kilobase-pair EcoRI fragment that contains about 2.7 kilobase pairs of flanking sequence. The first exon is 414 base pairs long, with a 5' untranslated region of 267 base pairs. As deduced on the basis of the position of the initiation codon, FN is synthesized with a 31-residue amino acid extension on the amino terminus that is not present in the mature polypeptide. This amino-terminal extension appears to contain both a signal peptide and a propeptide. The first 200 base pairs of 5'-flanking sequence is very G + C rich. Upstream of this the sequence becomes relatively A + T rich. The sequence ATATAA is found at -25 and the sequence CAAT is present at -150. The sequence GGGGCGGGGC at -102 exhibits homology to the binding site for the transcription factor SP1, and the sequence TGACGTCA at -173 exhibits homology to 5'-flanking sequences important for induction by cAMP.
Using a Developmental Action Research Strategy to Build Theory for Intervention into Homelessness Among Minority Women

This article illuminates the use of developmental action research (DAR) to create midline theory guiding intervention into homelessness among older African-American women. The authors identify the usefulness of DAR in designing, developing, and refining interventions to help participants get and stay out of homelessness. A multimodal intervention project, the Leaving Homelessness Intervention Research Project (LHIRP), demonstrates how DAR and midline theory were used to frame an understanding of how homelessness occurs among older African-American women. LHIRP is offered as an example of how social work practitioners, researchers, and participants can collaborate to address homelessness through team-based action. It also demonstrates how a number of promising interventions can be best undertaken to address this problem. The authors then illustrate how LHIRP formulates theory to guide the design and development of subsequent intervention models and procedures.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the human long myosin light-chain kinase 1-specific domain IgCAM3.

Myosin light-chain kinase-dependent tight junction regulation is a critical event in inflammatory cytokine-induced increases in epithelial paracellular permeability. MLCK is expressed in human intestinal epithelium as two isoforms, long MLCK1 and long MLCK2, and MLCK1 is specifically localized to the tight junction, where it regulates paracellular permeability. The sole difference between these long MLCK splice variants is the presence of an immunoglobulin-like cell-adhesion molecule domain, IgCAM3, in MLCK1. To gain insight into the structure of the IgCAM3 domain, the IgCAM3 domain of MLCK1 has been expressed, purified and crystallized. Preliminary X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.0 A resolution and were consistent with the primitive trigonal space group P212121.
Retrial queues with server subject to breakdown and repairs

In this paper we consider a single server retrial queue where the server is subject to breakdowns and repairs. New customers arrive at the service station according to a Poisson process and demand i.i.d. service times. If the server is idle, the incoming customer starts getting served immediately. If the server is busy, the incoming customer conducts a retrial after an exponential amount of time. The retrial customers behave independently of each other. The server stays up for an exponential time and then fails. Repair times have a general distribution. The failure/repair behavior when the server is idle is different from when it is busy. Two different models are considered. In model I, the failed server cannot be occupied and the customer whose service is interrupted has to either leave the system or rejoin the retrial group. In model II, the customer whose service is interrupted by a failure stays at the server and restarts the service when repair is completed. Model II can be handled as a special case of model I. For model I, we derive the stability condition and study the limiting behavior of the system by using the tools of Markov regenerative processes.
External Gravitational Interactions in Quantum Field Theory

Abstract We consider the renormalization of Green's functions of λφ 4 quantum field theory in an external gravitational field specified by the metric tensor g μν ( y ). Green's functions Γ ( n ,3) describing the interaction of j scalar particles to arbitrary order n in the gravitational field are shown to be made finite by the standard renormalizations of the flatspace theory and a renormalization of the coefficient of the improvement term in the action functional. These results in φ 4 theory can be extended to all renormalizable field theories.
Effect of Probiotic Treatment in Broiler Chicks on Intestinal Macrophage Numbers and Phagocytosis of Salmonella Enteritidis by Abdominal Exudate Cells

ABSTRACT Previous data have indicated that a Lactobacillus-based probiotic culture (FM-B11) is efficacious in reducing Salmonella Enteritidis colonization within 24 h when administered within 1 h of challenge. We hypothesized that the innate immune system, specifically macrophages, may play a role in the observed reduction of Salmonella Enteritidis colonization with probiotic treatment. Day-of-hatch chicks were challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis and then treated with the probiotic culture 1 h later. Three other treatment groups were not treated (negative control), challenged only, or treated with probiotic only. In all experiments, probiotic treatment on the day of hatch reduced (P
Expanding network video capacity with delay-cognizant video coding

Prior work on statistical multiplexing of variable-bit-rate network video shows higher video capacity (more video connections) can be supported if connections have smoother traffic profiles. For delay critical applications like videoconferencing, smoothing a compressed bit stream indiscriminately is not an option because excess delay would be introduced. In this paper, we presented an application of delay cognizant video coding (DCVC) to expand the network video capacity by performing traffic smoothing discriminatively. DCVC segments the raw video data and generates two compressed video flows with differential delay requirements, a delay-critical flow and a delay-relaxed flow. The delay-critical flow carries less video information and is thus less bursty. The delay-relaxed flow complements the first flow and the magnitude of its bursts can be reduced by traffic smoothing. We demonstrated that at equal visual quality measured in PSNR, the network video capacity could be increased by as mush as 50 percent through the two-flow discriminative traffic smoothing.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
ON THE QUESTION OF SEX REVERSAL IN MOLE CRABS (CRUSTACEA, HIPPIDAE)

Some early field studies of population structure in hippid crabs (Emerita analoga Stimpson and Hippa pacifica Dana) provided evidence in support of a protandry hypothesis for these animals. However, other lines of evidence could lead to the opposite interpretation. Evidence largely supportive of the sex reversal hypothesis is threefold. 1) Sex ratio curves (sex ratio plotted as a function of size), once believed characteristic of a species and/or population and perhaps indicative of sex reversal, are now seen to vary with season, between populations, and with the method or place of capture, 2) A removal of nearly all Hippa pacifica individuals from a beach at Enewetak Atoll, with replacement by a bimodal distribution of males, yielded a bimodal distribution 10 months later. Females comprised the upper size mode, but a possible emigration could not be excluded as the cause. 3) Results of early experiments with contained animals suggested a transition from male to female for some individuals. Repeats of those experiments with better controls have yielded no supportive evidence. Three other lines of evidence largely negated the sex reversal hypothesis. 1) Females and males apparently grow at different rates in both species; in laboratory conditions, males reached a maximum size, continued molting, but ceased growth. 2) Gross examination of internal structure revealed no sexually intermediate forms, except for Emerita asiatica Milne Edwards. 3) The mean size at which female Hippa pacifica individuals begin producing eggs is smaller than the supposed mean size of sex reversal, a severe contradiction for that species.
Cis and trans factors involved in apicoplast targeting in Toxoplasma gondii.

Ribosomal subunit protein 9 (rps9) is a nuclearly encoded protein that resides in the apicoplast organelle of Toxoplasma gondii. Two cis-acting regions within the rps9 transit domain (amino acids 38–49 and 79–86), when combined with the rps9 signal sequence, were necessary and sufficient for apicoplast targeting. To investigate proteins interacting with the rps9 leader sequence, parasites expressing rps9 leader constructs fused to a glutathione S-transferase (GST) reporter were prepared, and proteins associated with the leader constructs were purified from extracts by affinity chromatography. In addition to GST-containing peptides, proteins with apparent masses of 92, 90, 86, and 160 kDa were purified. Mass spectrometry data suggested that the 92- and 90-kDa polypeptides appear to be subtilisin-like proteins, whereas the 86-kDa polypeptide was identified as the molecular chaperone BiP of T. gondii.
‘A Child has Many Mothers’: Views of child fostering in northwestern Cameroon

This article examines 20 fostering arrangements in a growing urban community in northwestern Cameroon from the perspectives of those involved. Analysis of interviews with caregivers and birth mothers suggests that the nature of adult relationships is central to children’s living arrangements. Three caregiver-mother relationship profiles are described: the joint venture, the ambivalent takeover and the tug-of-war. These profiles are compared with views of the ideal fostering arrangement and subsequently discussed in relation to the adjustments sub-Saharan families have made and continue to make to contemporary realities.
Perceptions of school psychology services from a staff perspective

Abstract This investigation examined how staff in an elementary school district perceived their school psychologists and how these perceptions differed across components of service and staff groups. We developed a School Psychological Service Questionnaire and then analyzed responses from regular education teachers, special education teachers, principals, and school psychologists in an urban school district. Although the findings are numerous, most noteworthy are, first, that consumer groups in the district had different perceptions than school psychologists about how school psychologists allocate their time and how this time should be allocated in the future. Second, consumer perceptions of school psychologists' knowledge generally were favorable. Third, in terms of domains appropriate for involvement by school psychologists, a factor analysis of consumer ratings revealed three relatively clear dimensions of recommended service provision — special education activities, interpersonal or school-climate activities, and administrative responsibilities. Fourth, the helpfulness of school psychologists, as perceived by consumers, related positively to frequency of contact. Fifth, differences in perception of school psychological services were evident across staff groups. Finally, comparisons between master's level and doctoral level school psychologists suggested numerous differences in how the staff perceived these service providers.
Endophthalmitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae

Objective To investigate the clinical settings, management strategies, antibiotic sensitivities, and visual acuity outcomes for eyes with endophthalmitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae . Design Retrospective, noncomparative, consecutive case series. Methods The medical records were reviewed of all patients treated for culture-proven H. influenzae endophthalmitis at a single institution between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 2002. Main outcome measures Visual acuity and antibiotic sensitivities. Results The study included 16 eyes of 16 patients with a median age of 68 years (range, 6 months–83 years) and a median follow-up of 26 months (range, 2 months–15 years). Clinical settings included post-trabeculectomy (n = 7), post–cataract surgery (n = 6), post–pars plana vitrectomy (n = 1), post–secondary intraocular lens insertion (n = 1), and post–suture removal from an extracapsular cataract wound (n = 1). Eleven (69%) cases were of delayed onset (>6 weeks from surgery/event), with a median interval between surgery/event and presentation with endophthalmitis of 18 months (range, 44 days–21 years); 5 (31%) cases were of acute onset (median, 6 days; range, 2–14 days). Presenting visual acuity was hand movements or better in 7 (44%) eyes. A vitreous tap and inject was performed initially in 9 (56%) eyes, and a vitrectomy was performed initially in the remaining 7 (44%) eyes. All eyes received intravitreal antibiotics on the day of presentation, and 11 (69%) received intravitreal dexamethasone. In vitro testing of the H. influenzae isolates revealed that 14 of 16 (88%) were sensitive to vancomycin, ampicillin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole; 15 of 16 (94%) were sensitive to aminoglycosides (1 isolate was resistant to gentamicin); and all were sensitive to cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and carbapenems. The organisms were sensitive to at least 1 of the initial antibiotics administered in all cases. Final visual acuity was 5/200 or better in 6 (38%) eyes, and 6 (38%) eyes had a final visual acuity of no light perception. Conclusions Endophthalmitis caused by H. influenzae is generally associated with poor visual outcomes despite prompt treatment with intravitreal antibiotics to which the organisms were sensitive.
Fabrication of Screen-Printed Carbon Electrode Arrays for Sensing Neuronal Messengers

Deciphering the methods of communication between neurons and ensembles of neurons in the brain is a major area of interest in the field of neuroscience. An array of sensors designed to sense specific neuronal messengers or neurotransmitters should provide a better method to study their spatial and temporal activity across a tissue. Screen-printing is a simple and inexpensive technique for fabricating arrays of sensors that can be used to monitor neurotransmitter activity in the brain. One important neuronal messenger known to actively modulate neuronal excitability is nitric oxide (NO). Carbon has been shown to interact with NO in an oxidation-reduction reaction that produces a current proportional to the amount of NO present. The proposed design uses carbon polymer inks screen printed onto aluminum traces to form the sensors. A thick, photodefineable epoxy resin, known as SU-8, serves as an insulator and a mold for the carbon ink. A potentiostat is used to apply a 900 mV voltage between the carbon sensor and a reference electrode positioned in the bath of the experimental setup. The current produced indicates the concentration of NO in close proximity to the carbon site. The screen-printing technique provides an elegant way to produce an array of individual carbon sensors. The carbon sensor array promises a novel approach to mapping the distribution of neurotransmitters in brain tissue.
Effects of oral doses of fluoride on nestling European starlings.

Nestling European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), raised and fed by free-living adults, were given daily oral doses of either distilled water, 193 mg sodium as Na2CO3 per kg of body weight (sodium control group), or 6, 10, 13, 17, 23, 30, 40, 80, 160 mg of the fluoride ion as NaF in distilled water per kg of body weight (mg/kg). Dosing began when nestlings were 24–48 hr old and continued for 16 days. The 24-hr LD50 of fluoride for day-old starlings was 50 mg/kg. The 16-day LD50 was 17 mg/kg. The sodium control group did not differ from the water control group with respect to any of the measured variables. Growth rates were significantly reduced in the 13 and 17 mg of fluoride/kg groups; weights of birds given higher dose levels were omitted from growth comparisons because of high, fluoride-induced mortality. Although prefledging weights for the 10, 13, and 17 mg of fluoride/kg groups averaged 3.6 to 8.6% less than controls at 17 days, this difference was not significant. Feather and bone growth of the fluoride and control groups were not different, except for keel length measured at 17 days of age which averaged less in the fluoride groups. Liver and spleen weights were not affected by fluoride treatments. No histological damage related to fluoride treatments was found in liver, spleen, or kidney. The logarithm of bone fluoride and magnesium concentration increased with the logarithm of increasing fluoride treatment levels and were significantly correlated with each other. Fluoride treatments had no effect on percent calcium or phosphorus in bone or plasma alkaline phosphatase activity. Oral doses of fluoride appear to be more toxic than equivalent dietary levels. Most birds probably acquire fluoride through their diet. Therefore, the results of the study may overstimate the potential effects of fluorides on songbirds living in fluoride-contaminated environments.