cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in the tonotopic map of the dorsal cochlear nucleus following induction of cochlear lesions by exposure to intense sound

Hamsters were exposed to intense tones (10 kHz) at levels and durations sufficient to cause stereocilia lesions. The purpose was to determine how the tonotopic map of the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) readjusts to loss of receptor sensitivity. Neural population thresholds and tonotopic organization was mapped over the surface of the DCN in normal unexposed animals and those showing tone-induced lesions. The results indicate that cochlear lesions characterized mainly by loss of stereocilia in a restricted portion of the organ of Corti cause changes in a corresponding region of the tonotopic map which reflect primarily changes in the shape and thresholds of neural tuning curves. In many cases the center of the lesion was represented in the DCN as a distinct characteristic frequency (CF) gap in the tonotopic map in which responses were either extremely weak or absent. In almost all cases the map area representing the center of the lesion was bordered by an expanded region of near-constant CF, a feature superficially suggestive of map reorganization. These expanded map areas had abnormal tip thresholds and showed other features suggesting that their CFs had been shifted downward by distortion and deterioration of their original tips. Such changes in neural tuning are similar to those observed by others in the auditory nerve following acoustic trauma, and thus would seem to have a peripheral origin. Thus, it is not necessary to invoke plastic changes in the cochlear nucleus to explain the changes observed in the tonotopic map.
A comparison of interferometric SAR antenna options

Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IFSAR or InSAR) uses multiple antenna phase centers to ultimately measure target scene elevation. Its ability to do so depends on the antenna configuration, and how the multiple phase centers are employed. We examine several different dual-phase-center antenna configurations and modalities, including a conventional arrangement where a dedicated antenna is used to transmit and receive with another to receive only, a configuration where transmit and receive operations are ping-ponged between phase centers, a monopulse configuration, and an orthogonal waveform configuration. Our figure of merit is the RMS height noise in the elevation estimation. We show that a monopulse configuration is equivalent to the ping-pong scheme, and both offer an advantage over the conventional arrangement. The orthogonal waveform offers the best potential performance, if sufficient isolation can be achieved.
Influence of the law on risk and informed consent

Patients are now routinely given information on risks of treatment as part of informed consent. This has occurred partly in response to legal judgments, but further issues continue to be raised by modern medicine and research that need to be approached proactively
Preschool Democracy—Ideas from Montessori

(1984). Preschool Democracy—Ideas from Montessori. The Social Studies: Vol. 75, No. 4, pp. 178-181.
Assembly of Therapeutic pRNA-siRNA Nanoparticles Using Bipartite Approach

The 117-nucleotide (nt) RNA, called the packaging RNA (pRNA) of bacteriophage phi29 DNA packaging motor, has been shown to be an efficient vector for the construction of RNA nanoparticles for the delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) into specific cancer or viral-infected cells. Currently, chemical synthesis of 117-nt RNA is not feasible commercially. In addition, labeling at specific locations on pRNA requires the understanding of its modular organization. Here, we report multiple approaches for the construction of a functional 117-base pRNA using two synthetic RNA fragments with variable modifications. The resulting bipartite pRNA was fully competent in associating with other interacting pRNAs to form dimers, as demonstrated by the packaging of DNA via the nanomotor and the assembly of phi29 viruses in vitro. The pRNA subunit assembled from bipartite fragments harboring siRNA or receptor-binding ligands were equally competent in assembling into dimers. The subunits carrying different functionalities were able to bind cancer cells specifically, enter the cell, and silence specific genes of interest. The pRNA nanoparticles were subsequently processed by Dicer to release the siRNA embedded within the nanoparticles. The results will pave the way toward the treatment of diseases using synthetic pRNA/siRNA chimeric nanoparticles.
Malignant myxoid sarcoma of the Bartholin gland in pregnancy

A case of myxoid sarcoma of the Bartholin gland occurring during pregnancy is reported. This neoplasm possessed pathologic features consistent with a high-grade malignancy. The patient underwent a wide reexcision of the clinically negative operative site 8 weeks post partum, and no residual evidence of sarcoma was identified. In spite of this, a local recurrence occurred 10 months later. This was reexcised, and localized electron beam teletherapy was administered.
Magnetic Electron Deflection Tube

The deflection tube described here is used to harden the electron output spectrum of the Febetron 705 Flash X-ray (FXR) machine. The deflection tube is intended for use when performing electron-beam transient radiation effects on electronics (TREE) experiments. High-energy-electron dose rates in silicon are variable from 109 to 3 × 1010 rads(Si)/sec. A magnet is used to deflect all low-energy (E < 0.5 Mev) electrons out of the horizontal electron beam. The remaining high-energy electron spectrum can be used to irradiate test samples with more uniform dose-depth profiles in the test sample. More than 99.9 percent of the electrons are returned to the FXR machine via the deflection tube walls, thereby satisfying an operational requirement of the Febetron.
Synthesis and micellization of a long-chain β-hydroxyalkyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate

β-Hydroxyhexadecyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate micellizes in water at ∼4.5 × 10−5 M and is cleaved by added Eu3+ 7–11 times faster than its non-micellar β-hydroxypropyl analogue.
Complex coordinates and the Stark effect

The theories of the dilatation, r ..-->.. re/sup i theta/, and translation, x ..-->.. x + iq, transformations as related to the Stark problem are reviewed, and new results obtained. Results for the hydrogen atom n = 1 and n = 2 levels and the /sup 1/P/sup 0/, 2s2p H/sup -/ shape resonance in dc fields are presented, and the extension to the ac Stark effect made. Spectral estimates are made using the technique of the numerical range and via discussion of several model problems, using both coordinate rotation and coordinate translation. 45 references.
Expanding the Boundaries: Reconfiguring the Demographics of the "Typical" Eating Disordered Patient

Eating disorders have long been recognized as problems afflicting a narrow segment of select populations: Caucasian, adolescent or young adult women from high-income Western countries. This review highlights recent data that reexamine and revise this constricted view of eating disorders in two specific ways. First, data are steadily accumulating that document the increasing prevalence of eating disorders among younger and older individuals. Pre-pubertal children and women in middle and late adulthood are increasingly presenting for eating disorder treatment. Second, data from around the globe indicate that there is nothing uniquely “Western” about eating disorders. As highlighted in this review, eating disorders are a global health problem, and they are predictably on the rise in many parts of the world. The data are also clear that ethnic and racial minority groups and immigrants within North America are vulnerable to eating disorders. This growing knowledge base expands the boundaries of what has historically been considered the “typical” eating disordered patient and should raise awareness among health care providers of the needs of the broader community that is at risk for eating disturbances.
An Empirical Approach to Symmetry and Probability

We often rely on symmetries to infer outcomes’ probabilities, as when we infer that each side of a fair coin is equally likely to come up on a given toss. Why are these inferences successful? I argue against answering this question with an a priori indifference principle. Reasons to reject such a principle are familiar, yet instructive. They point to a new, empirical explanation for the success of our probabilistic predictions. This has implications for indifference reasoning generally. I argue that a priori symmetries need never constrain our probability attributions, even for initial credences.
Characterization of cell surface antigens of human mammary epithelial cells with monoclonal antibodies prepared against human milk fat globule

Hybridomas have been prepared that secrete monoclonal antibodies against three different surface antigens of normal human mammary epithelial cells by fusion of mouse myeloma cells with spleen cells from mice and rats immunized with delipidated human milk fat globules. Using a novel method for molecular weight determination, the three different monoclonal antibodies, BLMRL-HMFG-Mc3, BLMRL-HMFG-McR2, and BLMRLHMFG-Mc5, were found to identify molecules with apparent molecular weights of 46,000, 70,000, and 400,000 daltons, respectively. The latter is a mucin-like glycoprotein with a high sugar content and has not previously been described as a component of the human milk fat globule or of human mammary epithelial cell membranes. Single-cell quantitation of binding of monoclonal BLMRL-HMFG-Mc5 to three breast tumor cell lines using a Microscope Spectrum Analyzer and indirect immunofluorescence revealed a heterogeneous expression. Further, using a competitive radioimmunoassay, it was found that breast tumor cell lines differed by at least 10-fold in the 400,000-molecular-weight antigen content. None of the three antigens are detectable on several nonbreast cell lines, including normal breast fibroblasts.
Nucleic Acids as Growth Factors for the Folacin Deficient Chick

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION THE nucleic acids are important constituents of all animal tissues. In combination with protein, the nucleic acids are the building blocks for the nucleus and chromosomes of each cell. Despite the basic importance of nucleic acids to growth and reproduction, chicks fed purified rations practically devoid of nucleic acids grow well and elaborate their own tissue nucleic acids. Obviously then, the chick is capable of nucleic acid biosynthesis. That nucleic acid derivatives may serve as growth factors for certain microorganisms was demonstrated as early as 1936, when Richardson showed that uracil was essential for the anerobic growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Since that time, many investigators have reported on the interrelationships of nucleic acid derivatives to microbiological growth. In studies published by Snell and Cravens (1950) and Naber, Snell and Cravens (1952) it was found that aminopterin, a powerful antagonist of folacin, inhibited embryonic development of the chick when injected . . .
Reducing uncertainty in risk assessment

Abstract This article presents a summary of the proceedings of the Symposium and Workshop on Reducing Uncertainty in Risk Assessment, held at Michigan State University, on May 18–19, 1987. Participants addressed four topic areas: safety factors in noncarcinogen risk assessment; relevance of biological data in risk assessment; upper and lower bounds in carcinogenic risk assessment; and exposure assessment. One additional issue, risk communication, was discussed as a result of participant interest. Consensus recommendations in these five areas, resulting from the deliberations of the workshop groups, are presented. In addition to the specific recommendations, some general conclusions could be drawn. One was that the increased understanding of underlying mechanisms of toxicity, gained in the last decade, should be incorporated as much as possible into the risk assessment process. A second conclusion was that more effort should be devoted to increasing this understanding and developing the best methods for applying this knowledge to risk assessment. Last, more effort should be made to improve the communication of these assessments to the public and to policy makers so that the best and most complete information is utilized in risk management decisions.
A field programmable gate array-based location factor to improve the under-frequency load shedding

Automatic load shedding schemes can increase system reliability by preventing total system collapse during emergency operating situations when load exceeds generation. Large decreases in frequency can only occur when an area is separated from the interconnected system and is left with a generation-load imbalance. This may result from a major system disturbance that creates large power swings, causing protective equipment operation and system islanding. If the generation does not match the load in the isolated area, an automatic load shedding scheme based on system frequency can be used to maintain system stability and provide additional protection for remaining loads and other equipment. Underfrequency load shedding (UFLS) tripping frequency settings are selected for some specific emergency situation, which are considered more probable for a specific power system. It is not possible to predict all situations that can happen in the power system. The amount of the load value to be shed is the main issue. Redundant tripped load can create an over frequency situation, which is more dangerous than underfrequency problem. Therefore, a field programmable gate array-based location factor is proposed to determine where and how much load should be shed.
Blind MMSE combining for RAKE receivers

A blind MMSE multipath combining method for RAKE receivers in long-code CDMA systems is proposed. The method uses the data before and after the onset of the desired user's transmission. It shows that the generalized eigendecomposition of the autocorrelation matrices of the post-RAKE signals in these two intervals gives an MMSE combiner for the desired user signal, without the need of the channel state information. The method does not require precise models of the interference but still offers similar performance as that of the optimal RAKE combiner or even better under certain circumstances. An adaptive algorithm is also developed.
Locomotor behavior and skeletal morphology of two sympatric pitheciine monkeys, Pithecia pithecia and Chiropotes satanas.

Field observations of two sympatric pitheciine species reveal that the positional repertoire of the white-faced saki, Pithecia pithecia, is dominated by leaping behaviors, whereas the bearded saki, Chiropotes satanas, is predominantly quadrupedal. Examination and comparison of the postcranial skeletal morphologies and limb proportions of these species display numerous features associated with their respective locomotor behaviors. These observations accord with associations found in other primate and mammalian groups and with predictions based on theoretical and experimental biomechanics. Preliminary observations of the skeletal morphology of Cacajao calvus demonstrate a marked similarity to that of Chiropotes. The fossil platyrrhine Cebupithecia sarmientoi displays greater similarity to Pithecia, suggesting that its positional repertoire also included significant leaping and clinging behaviors.
Building a display of missing information in a data sieve

A data sieve filters a data stream to harvest data of interest and summarizes the harvested data in a multidimensional database (MDB). To build the data sieve, a designer supplies a list of filters. Each filter consists of a filter unit and category for each dimension. The filter unit specifies a pattern (a regular expression) to match as the data stream is filtered. The filter category is the system of measurement in which occurrences of that pattern are counted or otherwise aggregated. Since filtering discards some of the data, incomplete regions within the MDB are created. The missing data complicates querying. While a query on the filtered data can be automatically analysed to determine if sufficient information has been filtered to satisfy it, a better query construction strategy is to prevent users from formulating unsatisfiable queries. To aid users in formulating only satisfiable queries, the GUI for a data sieve needs to color or otherwise display regions of complete, partially complete, and missing data. As a user constructs a query, choosing categories and units, the displayed incomplete regions shift and change, curtailing future choices. For instance, if a user selects a spatial unit of Australia, the display for a temporal category of days may need to be colored as incomplete since no filters would satisfy both selections. We describe an algorithm that uses bit strings to create and maintain the display of incomplete information in a data sieve in real-time.
Built-In Self-Test of digital signal processors in Virtex-4 FPGAs

We present a Built-In Self-Test (BIST) approach for testing and diagnosing the embedded digital signal processors (DSPs) in Xilinx Virtex-4 series Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The BIST architecture and configurations needed to test these programmable DSPs in all of their modes of operation are presented along with fault injection and timing analysis of the BIST configurations.
Nonlinear and adaptive signal estimation

Kalman filter and its variations are commonly used to estimate signals observed under noise. The estimator is typically derived by minimizing the squared error between the observed and the estimated signals, and leads to a closed form optimal solution under Gaussian noise. However, such an approach leads to a solution where the Kalman gain is updated based on known noise statistics alone and not on the actual error. Hence the estimation could deviate from the actual if the noise statistics is different or time-varying, and could become unstable as well. In this paper we present a new nonlinear and adaptive signal estimator that introduces a closed loop between the error estimation and the gain adaptation and leads to an inherently robust estimator. Also, since nonlinear adaptive technique is utilized, complex error norms can as well be used. The design methodology basically involves making the combined estimator and the gain-update dynamics to resemble the dynamics of a nonlinear time varying (NLTV) electrical circuit having the required properties. This conceptually simple procedure leads to a new general class of complex nonlinear and adaptive estimation algorithms without the use of or the necessity for complex analytical tools, and hence can be understood and applied easily. We present below the basic methodology and simulation results to show the simplicity and the strength of the new approach.
Regulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis in transformed human endometrial cells.

Addition of the cholinergic agents acetylcholine or carbamylcholine (CCh) to suspensions of human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells (Ishikawa line) preincubated with [3H] myoinositol promoted a rapid concentration-dependent hydrolysis of labeled phosphoinositides to inositol tris-, bis-, and monophosphates with EC60 values (mean ± SE) of 3.5 ±1.6 and 26.5 ± 4.8 μM, respectively. Atropine inhibition of the CCh effects (Ki = 1.6 ± 1.3 nM) and the ineffectiveness of nicotinic antagonists indicate involvement of a muscarinic receptor. Both basal and CCh-stimulated production of inositol phosphates were higher in the presence of LiCl. The effect of LiCl on inositol monophosphate accumulation was concentration dependent (1–100 mM). Vasopressin, oxytocin, phenylephrine, histamine, and prostaglandin F2α, had no apparent affect on inositol phosphate levels. Phorbol esters inhibited up to 35% of the effect of CCh on inositol phosphate accumulation. Triphenylethylene antiestrogens at micromolar concentrations increas...
Histiocytosis X with catecholamine excess.

. A case of isolated histiocytosis X of the liver is described in a 12-month-old child. The patient's symptomcomplex were characterized by fever, tachycardia, hypertension and odd posturing resembling the clinical picture of pheochromocytoma. An extensive workup failed to demonstrate a catecholamine secreting tumor and only histiocytosis X of the liver was found.
Effects of correlation window length and reflection amplitude on axial displacement measurements using cone phantoms

Correlation based displacement estimation techniques are widely used in the field of ultrasound elastography. Changes in the underlying echo pattern due to mechanical excitation allow the detection of local displacements. In the presence of bright reflections due to an acoustic impedance mismatch, a displacement estimation bias may occur resulting in image blurring. The goal of this study was to measure the effects of correlation window length and boundary reflections on axial displacement measurements using a cone phantom. A 2D MATLAB simulation was developed to model this system. Displacements were estimated using windowed normalized cross-correlation. Windows ranged in length from 0.2 mm to 2.9 mm (1.3 λ to 20 λ given f = 5.33 MHz and c = 1540 m/s). A line of scatterers were located on the edge of the wedge and assigned a higher amplitude in order to simulate a bright reflection. The location on the wedge axis where the displacement was half the maximum displacement at the base of the wedge was identified. The axial wedge width at that location was reported as the resolution. Axial resolution measurements were linearly proportional to window length. Resolution was approximately 0.8 mm given a 0.6 mm window length with a reflection that was 5 times the amplitude of the surrounding speckle, and 0.4 mm without a reflection for our set of parameters. A preliminary experiment was also performed in which a tissue-mimicking cone phantom was imaged using an Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) Imaging system to measure the effects of the reflective boundary as a function of correlation window length.
Actin type I introns offer potential for increasing phylogenetic resolution in Asterochloris (Chlorophyta: Trebouxiophyceae )

Primers are presented to amplify an intron-containing portion of the actin type I locus from Asterochloris algae. The amount of variation and phylogenetic resolution provided by the ITS rDNA are compared with that from the actin locus. The number of variable and parsimony-informative sites within the actin locus was drastically higher than that of the ITS. Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS resulted in poorly resolved trees with low support values. In contrast, phylogenetic analyses of the actin locus yielded trees with better support and resolution. It is concluded that the actin type I introns will be useful for studies investigating species concepts and population genetics.
Motion control of mobile manipulators

Presents a simple and computationally efficient approach of online coordinated control of mobile robots consisting of a manipulator arm mounted on a mobile base. The effect of base mobility on the end-effector manipulability index is discussed. The base mobility and arm manipulation degrees of freedom are treated equally as the joints of a kinematically redundant composite robot. The redundancy introduced by the mobile base is exploited to satisfy a set of user-defined additional tasks during the end-effector motion. A simple online control scheme is proposed which allows the user to assign weighting factors to individual degrees-of-mobility and degrees-of-manipulation, as well as to each task specification. The computational efficiency of the control algorithm makes it particularly suitable for real-time implementations. A computer simulation study is presented for a spatial three-jointed manipulator mounted on a one-DOF mobile platform, and demonstrates the online coordination of mobility and manipulation.
Expression of inducible cAMP early repressor is coupled to the cAMP-protein kinase A signaling pathway in osteoblasts

We previously showed that parathyroid hormone (PTH) induces inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) in osteoblastic cells and mouse calvariae. PTH signaling in osteoblastic cells is transduced by PTH receptor 1, which is coupled to cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), and calcium signaling pathways. In the present study, we examined the role of these pathways in mediating PTH-induced ICER mRNA and protein expression in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Using RT-PCR, we found that PTH(1-34), forskolin (FSK), and 8-bromo-cAMP (8Br-cAMP) induced ICER expression, while phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), ionomycin, and PTH(3-34) did not. Similar results were found for the induction of ICER protein. PKA inhibition by H89 markedly reduced PTH- and FSK-induced ICER expression, while PKC depletion by PMA had little effect. We also tested ICER induction by other osteotropic signaling agonists. Other cAMP-PKA pathway activators, such as PTH-related protein (PTHrP), induced ICER expression, while agents that signal through other pathways did not. PTHrP maximally induced ICER mRNA at 2-4 h, which then returned to baseline by 10 h. Finally, PTH, FSK, and PTHrP induced ICER in cultured mouse calvariae and osteoblastic ROS 17/2.8, UMR-106, and Pyla cells. We conclude that ICER expression in osteoblasts requires activation of the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway.
Beyond answers: dimensions of the advice network

In this paper, we report the result of a research project investigating social aspects of knowledge sharing and development. Prior research in a consulting firm revealed that respondents recognized five kinds of informational benefits when consulting others: solutions, meta-knowledge, problem reformulation, validation and legitimation. We employed these dimensions in a systematic network analysis of a different sample of people (human resource managers in a large conglomerate), using each of the five benefits as kinds of social relations. Two general research questions guided the analysis. First, how are these relations related to each other (multiplexity)? Do individuals obtain all of the benefits from the same individuals, or do they create balanced portfolios of complementary contacts that provide different benefits? Second, what properties and shapes do the networks induced by these relations form (structure)? What is the basis for who is tied to whom on each relation? The fundamental result emerging from both research questions is that the five relations seem to form a unidimensional scale such that a contact who provides any given benefit is also very likely to provide all the benefits that are lower on the scale. Position on this scale seems to index underlying dimensions of social solidarity rather than individual attributes such as status. Consequently, relations at the end of the scale (e.g. legitimation) were more homophilous and proved to be strongly diagnostic of subgroup boundaries, a fact which could be quite useful in consulting or other applied contexts. This research contributes to the literature on knowledge management by revealing diverse ways that consulting others facilitates knowledge creation and utilization. The research also contributes to social network analysis by examining meanings and relationships among social relations, an area that is understudied. We found that the five benefits, treated as social relations, formed an entailment structure consistent with a Guttman scale. We also found that relations lower in the scale flowed smoothly across historical organizational boundaries whereas relations higher in the scale did not. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Bending rules for animal propulsion

Animal propulsors such as wings and fins bend during motion and these bending patterns are believed to contribute to the high efficiency of animal movements compared with those of man-made designs. However, efforts to implement flexible designs have been met with contradictory performance results. Consequently, there is no clear understanding of the role played by propulsor flexibility or, more fundamentally, how flexible propulsors should be designed for optimal performance. Here we demonstrate that during steady-state motion by a wide range of animals, from fruit flies to humpback whales, operating in either air or water, natural propulsors bend in similar ways within a highly predictable range of characteristic motions. By providing empirical design criteria derived from natural propulsors that have convergently arrived at a limited design space, these results provide a new framework from which to understand and design flexible propulsors.
Special purpose automatic programming for hidden surface elimination

In many applications of three dimensional computer graphics, the appearance of the same scene must be computed repeatedly for many different positions of the viewer. This paper concerns a scheme for exploiting this property of an application for the purpose of improving the efficiency of the hidden surface computation. The scheme involves a kind of automatic programming: for each scene to be considered, a different special purpose program is automatically constructed. The special purpose program then takes the position of the viewer as input, and generates a suitable description of the scene with hidden surfaces removed as output. Since the special purpose program has a very limited task to perform - it is adapted to handling just one scene - it can be much faster than any general purpose algorithm would be for the same scene. The paper describes a method by which special purpose programs for hidden surface elimination can be constructed in a fully automatic manner. The method has been implemented, and results of experiments are given.
Diagnostic yield of electromyography in children with myopathic disorders.

Abstract Background Interpretation of pediatric electromyography interpretation in myopathic disorders is technically challenging. We assessed our electromyographic experience with respect to sensitivity and specificity in pediatric myopathy. Methods We did a retrospective chart review of patients ≤18 years between 2009 and 2013. Two hundred twenty-four electromyographic studies were reviewed with the following referral diagnoses: myopathy, muscle weakness, neuromuscular disorders, myositis, myalgia, myoglobinuria, myasthenia, myotonia, cramps, periodic paralysis, hypotonia, and developmental delay. Only children who had an electromyography and muscle biopsy were included for analysis. Patients with neurogenic electromyography and neuromuscular junction disorders were excluded. Myopathic electromyography was defined as short duration, low amplitude, polyphasic motor unit potentials with rapid recruitment. Results Seventy-two patients were included (age range, 6 months-18 years). The following observations were made: group A: myopathic electromyography or pathognomonic of muscle disease and biopsy or genetically confirmed myopathy (32 cases); group B: myopathic electromyography but biopsy normal or nondiagnostic (12 cases); group C: normal electromyography but biopsy or genetically confirmed myopathy (three cases, all with metabolic myopathy); and group D: electromyography normal and biopsy normal or nondiagnostic (25 cases). The most common diagnoses were congenital myopathy (seven cases), metabolic myopathy (six cases), muscular dystrophy (six cases), genetically confirmed myopathy (five cases), myopathy, undefined (five cases), and inflammatory myopathy (four cases). Conclusions Pediatric electromyography was 91% sensitive and 67% specific in myopathic disorders. The metabolic myopathies were commonly missed by electromyography.
The NAS Risk Paradigm as a Medium for Communication

Many journalists, public interest groups and other recipients of risk assessment information are familiar with the National Academy of Sciences risk assessment paradigm. From time to time, paradigm concepts appear in news features or community group discussions on environmental issues. With knowledge of the paradigm common to scientists, journalists, and other interested parties, the paradigm is a potentially important medium for communication between risk scientists, journalists, and the public. Specifically, the paradigm offers widely-accepted organizing principles for presenting risk information, a common language for addressing a variety of issues and concepts, and a flexible analytical system that accommodates the diversity of scientific information and policy perspectives that characterize the risk assessment process. In addition, the paradigm outlines important relationships and distinctions between risk assessment and risk management. Informed and creative use of these features of the paradigm can guide and simplify interviews between journalists or community groups and their expert sources, clarify presentation of risk information, and promote collaboration between risk scientists, journalists, and others to assure complete, objective and fair comment on risk issues of interest to the public.
Mathematical models for explaining the emergence of specialization in performing tasks

In an evolving community consisting of many individuals, it is often the case that the individuals tend, over time, to become more specialized in performing the tasks necessary for survival and growth of the community as a whole. In this work, linear and nonlinear mathematical models are presented for providing insights as to when and why this functional specialization emerges.
A novel domain in histone deacetylase 1 and 2 mediates repression of cartilage-specific genes in human chondrocytes

The role of histone deacetylase 1 and 2 (HDAC1 and HDAC2) in regulating cartilage-specific gene expression was explored in primary human chondrocytes. HDAC1 and HDAC2 protein levels were elevated in chondrocytes from osteoarthritic patients, consistent with a down-regulation of some cartilage marker genes. When expressed in these cells, HDAC1 and HDAC2 repressed aggrecan and collagen 2(α1) expression but differed in their repression of collagen 9(α1), collagen 11(α1), dermatopontin, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). To identify the basis of these differences between HDAC1 and HDAC2, their carboxy-terminal domains (CTDs) were deleted, which led to proteins that retained enzymatic activity but were unable to repress cartilage gene expression. Further, exchange of the CTDs between HDAC1 and HDAC2 led to proteins that were enzymatically active but displayed altered target gene specificity, indicating that these CTDs can function independently of HDAC enzymatic activity, to target the HDACs to sp...
Vocal tract area based formant tracking using particle filter

This paper presents a novel method for estimating formant frequencies and bandwidths based on an underlying vocal tract model. A novel statistical model for vocal tract cross-sectional areas is developed which allows computation of full likelihood functions. Modifications to the basic particle filter algorithm have also been developed to help combat both diversity depletion and convergence problems. The performance of the method is evaluated against hand labeled formant database (L. Deng et al., 2003).
A prototype control document analyst for the Space Station program

Using techniques for natural-language understanding, a prototype called the Control Document Analyst (CDA) was developed to assist engineers checking interface descriptions and functional requirements in Space Station architectural control documents. The authors describes the background, objectives, approach, and implementation of the CDA. Finally, conclusions are drawn from its development and possible future work is described. It is concluded that the implementation of the CDA has shown that it is possible to textually analyze natural-language interface descriptions from technical documents and extract important information which can be used to fill slots within a frame-based representation of the documents. It is then relatively simple to highlight potential inconsistencies, thus saving a skilled systems engineer from a necessary but tedious task. >
Genetic slippage in response to sex

It is widely held that sexual reproduction enhances the potential for evolution by expanding the range of variation on which selection can act. However, when nonadditive gene action contributes to the expression of traits under selection, sexual reproduction can also result in slippage of the mean genotypic value in the direction contrary to selection. We show how the magnitude of genetic slippage depends on the extent to which segregation and recombination create maladapted genotypes. We also show how random mating can induce a change in the expressed genetic variance for a quantitative trait by eliminating Hardy-Weinberg disequilibria and reducing gametic-phase disequilibria. Depending on whether genes of like effects are in repulsion or coupling disequilibrium, this change will be positive or negative. Thus, depending on the mode of gene action and the form of the selection function, sexual reproduction can either enhance or impede the short-term response of quantitative characters to selection. Although this issue is relevant to all sexual populations, it is most easily investigated in species that infre- quently engage in sex, since prolonged phases of clonal propagation can greatly exaggerate genetic disequilibria. We describe a population of the cyclical parthenogen Daphnia pulex in which sexual reproduction induced average changes in the means of life-history characters equivalent to approximately one-tenth of a phenotypic standard deviation. Contrary to the usual expectation, sex also caused a significant reduction in the expressed genetic variance for several traits in this population. A large fraction of the genetic variance in Daphnia appears to be due to dominance, and in the study population, clonal selection appears to cause a buildup of coupling disequilibrium between genes and gene combinations of like effects.
Grief, healing, and love: engaging in hermeneutic reflection as a doctoral mentor

In our hermeneutic reflection, we explore an assistant professor’s transformation, the cognitive, affective, and conative changes relative to her experience teaching a newly formed, doctoral qualitative research course. We illuminate her perspective shifts: disorientation, grief, and soulful renewal amid the infusion of corporate practices in higher education. Accordingly, we share our reconstructions of doctoral mentorship, representing new ways of knowing and living in the academy.
Fundamental features of a unified trust model for distributed systems

Trust and trustworthiness are significant measurements of a distributed sensing system or a heterogeneous network comprised of sources of information, knowledge, hardware and software. In an effort to design a unified trust model that can be made adaptable to changing application environments, we present fundamental features and rules extracted from literature pertaining to wireless sensor networks, social networks, e-commerce, mobile ad-hoc, peer-to-peer, and distributed network services. The design constraints are: it must (a) support a heterogeneous network, (b) obtain and evaluate multiple trustworthiness measures, (c) be carried out with computational ease without extensive computational power from the sensor network, and (d) be conceptually simple but have a firm basis in theory.
The longitudinal associations between discrimination, depressive symptoms, and prosocial behaviors in U.S. latino/a recent immigrant adolescents

The links between discrimination and adjustment in U.S. Latino/a immigrant adolescents is an important but understudied phenomenon. We aimed to investigate the longitudinal associations (across 1 year) among discrimination, prosocial behaviors, and depressive symptoms in U.S. Latino immigrant adolescents using two competing models: associations between discrimination and prosocial behaviors via depressive symptoms (mental health strain model), and associations between discrimination and depressive symptoms via prosocial behaviors (prosociality strain model). Participants were 302 Latino/a recent immigrant adolescents (53.3 % boys, M age = 14.51 years at Time 1, SD = .88 years) who completed measures of discrimination, depressive symptoms, and prosocial behaviors at 6-month intervals. The results provided support for both proposed models. The discussion examines the importance of prosocial behaviors in understanding adjustment and effects of discrimination among recently immigrated U.S. Latino adolescents.
Urine Control in Patients with Chronic Degenerative Brain Disease

Normative influences have determined that in Western culture people will empty their bladders at designated toileting facilities and in private. The ability to control the flow of urine is taken for granted by individuals and expected by society. Urine control, however, is a complex phenomenon. It may be defined as the ability to inhibit the passage of urine until a culturally determined time. This requires the presence of an adequate stimulus to initiate the micturition reflex, neuromuscular and structural integrity of the genitourinary system, the cognitive ability to adequately interpret and know how to respond to the sensation of a full bladder, and the motivational basis to want to inhibit the passage of urine. At the same time, the individual must be mobile enough to be able to react to a full bladder before the urge to urinate overwhelms inhibiting ability. Finally, the person must attend to body sensations and environmental cues in order to know when and how the flow of urine should be controlled.
Hospital Academic Status and Value of Care for Nonmetastatic Colon Cancer

The authors found no survival differences for elderly patients with stage II or III colon cancer, treated by a medical oncologist, between academic and nonacademic hospitals.
Clinical Implantation of Retinal Prostheses: What Have We Learned in 3 years?

The Argus II (US/Europe) and Alpha IMS (Europe) retinal implants have been approved for clinical use, and with over 100 implantees we report benefits compared to blindness, but limitations compared to actual restored vision.
Adverse effects of chlorpromazine metabolites on isolated hepatocytes.

SummaryChlorpromazine (CPZ) and several of its metabolites were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity, as measured by the efflux of aspartate aminotransferase to the surrounding medium, toward isolated rat hepa-tocytes. Exposure of liver cells to CPZ, at a concentration of 9 × 10-5M, led to enzyme leakage. The demethylated metabolites, mono- and didesmethyl-CPZ, were three and six times, respectively, more potent than CPZ. Hydroxylation of the tricyclic ring at the 7 or 8 position gives rise to compounds that were slightly less active than the parent compound, while oxidation of the sulfur atom resulted in inactive analogs. The presence of calcium in the medium had no apparent effect on the response of the hepatocytes to CPZ.
Blood Group Substances as Tumor Antigens in the Distal Colon

Adenocarcinomas of the sigmoid colon and rectum were studied for the presence of blood group substances of the A, B, H system using the method of specific erythrocytic adherence. Of 17 adenocarcinomas studied, eight were found to have reactivity for blood group substances. All eight tumours showing reactivity for blood group substances were from patients of the blood group type A, whereas no blood group substances reactivity could be found in any of the adenocarcinomas from patients of the B blood group type. The epithelial cells of the entire colon contain blood group substances in the fetal period; however, shortly after parturition the epithelial cells of the distal colon and rectum rapidly lose the substances. The reappearance of the substances in adenocarcinomas of the distal colon suggests that these neoplastic cells are expressing certain characteristics of fetal colonic epithelial cells.
On Viewing a Portrait by Otto Dix.

> > A broad schmiss across his cheek, > > > > full lips, pursed > > > > as if to suppress a smile, > > > > Dr. Hans Koch wears pince nez, > > > > a white coat, collar up, > > > > sleeves rolled to the elbows. > > > Standing by a chair …
The Three Trials

There was a new District Attorney in town. Edmund Dinis had been beaten by a Republican named Phillip Rollins. It was now mid-March, and Judge Frank Smith wanted to start the trial of the 10 Black Panthers who were still under indictment from the raid of their headquarters at the end of last July.
Single-branch Er:fiber frequency comb for precision optical metrology with 10 −18 fractional instability

The comparison of optical atomic clocks with frequency instabilities reaching 1 part in 1016 at 1 s will enable more stringent tests of fundamental physics. These comparisons, mediated by optical frequency combs, require optical synthesis and measurement with a performance better than, or comparable to, the best optical clocks. Fiber-based mode-locked lasers have shown great potential for compact, robust, and efficient optical clockwork but typically require multiple amplifier and fiber optic paths that limit the achievable fractional frequency stability near 1 part in 1016 at 1 s. Here we describe an erbium-fiber laser frequency comb that overcomes these conventional challenges by ensuring that all critical fiber paths are common mode and within the servo-controlled feedback loop. Using this architecture, we demonstrate a fractional optical measurement uncertainty below 1×10−19 and fractional frequency instabilities less than 3×10−18 at 1 s and 1×10−19 at 1000 s.
Limitation of Rights Under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights: The Contribution of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

(2001). Limitation of Rights Under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights: The Contribution of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. South African Journal on Human Rights: Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 109-118.
Tasking Robots through Multimodal Interfaces: The "Coach Metaphor"

This paper presents multimodal interfaces to task and control multiple robots controlled by an agent-based architecture. For the past few years, SRI International have followed an approach based on the “Coach Metaphor”. In sports or business, coaches are meant to apply predefined strategies to their teams, or, if something goes wrong, to find new means and plans during an ongoing game, so as to retask either the entire team or specific players. This is also the challenge facing a robot's operator. SRI's agent-based framework, the Open Agent ArchitectureTM (OAA), provides communication between the members of a team and the external world. The coach, or the robot's operator, who is an active member of the team, is provided with a multimodal interface that uses pen and voice. The analogy of a coach talking and drawing on a white clipboard representing the virtual world where the players are developing their game reinforces the metaphor. We present several interfaces specifically developed for SRI's robots, and we show an example (controlling robots on a soccer field) where the metaphor matches, one to one, the real world. To clarify our views, we will give an overview of the technologies in use, such as the agent architecture, the speech and gesture recognizers, and the robot controller.
Lethality of the Entomogenous Fungus Beauveria bassiana Strain NI8 on Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae) and its Possible Impact on Beneficial Arthropods

Abstract Bioassays were conducted to examine the pathogenicity of the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales), strain NI8, against Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) and its impact on beneficial arthropods including Apis mellifera L., Crysoperla rufrilabris Burmeister, Orius insidiosus Say, Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), Coleomegilla maculata De Geer, and field-collected Aranea spiders Salticidae and Thomisidae. Insects were treated with four concentrations of NI8 (3.9 × 104, 2.3 × 105, 4.2 × 106, and 1.5 × 107 spores/ml) directly via topical spray. Median lethal concentration (LC50), sporulation response, and resistance ratio were estimated for all species except for the two groups of spiders. No significant differences in mortality (10 d after application) were observed among L. lineolaris, A. mellifera, and C. rufilabris, and all three species were highly affected when exposed to the highest concentrations of B. bassiana with 99.0...