cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proteomic Detection of Non-Annotated Protein-Coding Genes in Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf0-1

Genome sequences are annotated by computational prediction of coding sequences, followed by similarity searches such as BLAST, which provide a layer of possible functional information. While the existence of processes such as alternative splicing complicates matters for eukaryote genomes, the view of bacterial genomes as a linear series of closely spaced genes leads to the assumption that computational annotations that predict such arrangements completely describe the coding capacity of bacterial genomes. We undertook a proteomic study to identify proteins expressed by Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf0-1 from genes that were not predicted during the genome annotation. Mapping peptides to the Pf0-1 genome sequence identified sixteen non-annotated protein-coding regions, of which nine were antisense to predicted genes, six were intergenic, and one read in the same direction as an annotated gene but in a different frame. The expression of all but one of the newly discovered genes was verified by RT-PCR. Few clues as to the function of the new genes were gleaned from informatic analyses, but potential orthologs in other Pseudomonas genomes were identified for eight of the new genes. The 16 newly identified genes improve the quality of the Pf0-1 genome annotation, and the detection of antisense protein-coding genes indicates the under-appreciated complexity of bacterial genome organization.
On the Marcus model of electron transfer at immiscible liquid interfaces and its application to the semiconductor/liquid interface

Abstract We report calculations for electron transfer rates at immiscible liquid interfaces with new models closely related to a model originally developed by R.A. Marcus. We compare our modified models both with the original Marcus model and with an adaptation of it by N.S. Lewis to electron transfer at the semiconductor-liquid interface. On the basis of these comparisons and a thorough examination of the foundations of both the Marcus and Lewis models, we find no basis for the assertion in the literature that the Lewis model can be used to calculate an upper limit for the electron transfer rate constant at the semiconductor-liquid interface. Features we discuss of the Lewis model and a related model by H. Gerischer show that these semiconductor-liquid interface ET models are evidently not physically plausible. We also conclude that while the Marcus model appears to be a physically plausible first order model for immiscible liquid systems, in its present form it does not seem that it can produce reliable quantitative estimates for real liquid-liquid systems. Our enhancement, both suggested and implemented here, of the Marcus model appear to offer the potential for constructing augmented and better defined models for immiscible liquid ET.
Dosage of chloramphenicol in premature infants

Summary 1. Chloromycetin acid succinate in a doseof 25 mg. per kilogram per day appears to be insufficient to maintain effective blood levels in premature infants if given intramuscularly in divided doses every 8 hours. 2. Chloromycetin acid succinate, 25 mg.per kilogram per day, given in a single dose intramuscularly produces effective blood levels within 3 hours which persist for at least 9 hours in premature infants, but only rarely for 21 hours in infants over 6 days of age. 3. A good method of administering chloramphenicolto newly born premature infants to maintain an effective and not unduly high blood level is with a dose of 25 mg. per kilogram Chloromycetin acid succinate and 25 mg. per kilogram of Chloromycetin intramuscular given intramuscularly in separate syringes; these administrations are repeated in 48 hours. None of the infants thus treated in the present study manifested toxic symptoms. 4. Premature infants over 4 days of agemay require the same dosage every 24 to 36 hours to maintain similar levels. Further study will be necessary to confirm this assumption, however.
The complete spectral response for EDXRF systems—calculation by Monte Carlo and analysis applications. 2—heterogeneous samples

The Monte Carlo model for predicting the complete spectral response from homogeneous samples has been extended to heterogeneous samples which may be considered to be spherical particles suspended in a homogeneous matrix. The spherical particles may have any distribution of size and spatial position as specified input. The particle compositions are either: Model 1-a homogeneous mixture of all the sample elements present or Model 2-a single pure element appropriately chosen at random from those present. These two sample compositions should represent extremes of the matrix interferences encountered in practice and should, therefore, bound the x-ray and source scattering spectral responses observed. The sample Monte Carlo results reported here for both heterogeneous models approach the limiting values predicted by the homogeneous model when used for decreasingly small particle sizes and generally exhibit a smooth relationship with particle size. Although comparisons with two sets of experimental results are not entirely satisfactory, the general trends are properly predicted. It is concluded that the models are accurate within our present capability of testing them (at present we only have available two particle spatial distributions for packing fractions of 0.4 and 0.6, both for particles of uniform size).
Adaptive helical computed tomography reconstruction for MIP artifact reduction

Helical computed tomography has become the preferred patient scanning mode in many clinical applications. A number of comparative studies have been performed to evaluate its performance parameters, such as the noise and the slice sensitivity profile. The objective of this paper is to examine the non-stationary noise characteristics of helical images and demonstrate its impact on the 3D image artifacts. We first derive an analytical equation that relate the interactions between the helical reconstruction scheme and the fan-beam filtered backprojection algorithm. We demonstrate that for many popular helical weights, the nose variation within the field of view of the reconstruction is close to a factor of 3. An adaptive approach to the reduction of the artifacts is proposed.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The impact of co-morbidity burden on preference-based health-related quality of life in the United States.

Background: Many statistical analyses, clinical trials and cost-utility analyses designed to measure the impact of a particular disease on utility scores often overlook the important influence of co-morbidity burden.
Aspects of reproduction in the southern flying squirrel in Florida

Breeding season, litter size, nestling sex ratio, and breeding histories of individual females of the southern flaying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) in south-central peninsular Florida were studied by use of nest boxes from July 1979 through May 1984.
When and how to use mood stabilizers during breastfeeding

For many women with bipolar disorder, treatment with mood stabilizers is indicated to decrease the risk of a recurrence of depression, mania, or psychosis during the postpartum period. Because breastfeeding during this time exposes infants to these medications, a risk-benefit analysis is crucial for the mother and her physician when deciding whether to breastfeed. This article reviews the risks and benefits to mothers and nursing infants with regard to untreated mental illness, breastfeeding, and medication exposure during breastfeeding. Reports of breast milk and infant serum drug concentrations are summarized. Adverse events reported with lithium, valproate, and carbamazepine are also described. The current available data and their limitations are further summarized to allow physicians to assess more accurately the risks and benefits of the use of mood stabilizers during breastfeeding. Finally, a list of practical recommendations is provided.
Cinoxacin and nalidixic acid in treatment of urinary tract infections

Abstract Cinoxacin and nalidixic acid are urinary antibacterials which have a very low rate of resistance against the organisms found in uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Their use as an agent for the original “blind” treatment of these infections is worthy of consideration.
Medical management of Peyronie's disease.

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a fibrotic disorder of the tunica albuginea of the penis. It affects between 3% and 7.1% of adult men worldwide, making it a significant male health concern. Manifestations of PD include penile pain, varying degrees of curvature, penile plaques, and erectile dysfunction. Comprehensive assessment by subjective and objective evaluation is essential for both diagnosis and appropriate treatment. There are a variety of medical treatment options offering benefits of disease stabilization, pain reduction, plaque modulation, curvature correction, and improved sexual function. These medical treatment options include oral agents, intralesional injection therapy, topical drugs with or without iontophoresis, and combination therapy. While a plethora of medical treatments have been tried, no single medical management or common guideline has been proven to be superior. Radiation has been used to reduce penile pain associated with PD, but is not recommended because of theoretical cellular damage to cavernosal smooth muscle cells leading to erectile dysfunction. Surgical correction still remains the gold standard. This overview presents current information about the medical treatment of PD.
Digoxin antibody fragment, antigen binding (Fab), treatment of preeclampsia in women with endogenous digitalis-like factor: a secondary analysis of the DEEP Trial.

Objective Endogenous digitalis-like factors (EDLFs) are elevated in women with preeclampsia, and the use of an anti-digoxin antibody Fab (DIF) in women with preeclampsia who were remote from term reduced maternal blood pressure and preserved renal function. The objective was to determine whether DIF treatment in women with severe preeclampsia in association with positive EDLFs in maternal serum improves maternal-perinatal outcomes. Study Design This was a planned secondary analysis from a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of DIF in women with severe preeclampsia with positive EDLF status that was managed expectantly between 23 weeks 5 days and 34 weeks' gestation (19 women received placebo, and 17 women received DIF). Primary outcome variables were a change in creatinine clearance and the use of antihypertensives. Secondary outcomes were maternal and perinatal complications. Results Women with positive EDLFs who received DIF had an attenuated decline in creatinine clearance from baseline compared with placebo (–4.5 ± 12.9 vs –53.2 ± 12.6 mL/min; P = .005). In this same group, the use of antihypertensives (the other primary outcome) was lower but not significantly so (41% vs 63%; P = .12). However, women who were treated with DIF had a lower rate of pulmonary edema (1/17 vs 6/19 women; P = .035) and lower rates of neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage (DIF: 0/17 women vs placebo: 5/19 women; P = .015). Conclusion In women with severe preeclampsia who were remote from term who were EDLF positive, the use of DIF was associated with improved maternal and neonatal outcome. These findings suggest the need for a large multicenter trial that would evaluate the benefits of DIF in the treatment of women with severe preeclampsia who are remote from term and with positive EDLF status.
The historical acceleration of the earth

In this paper, we review the current state of knowledge about the acceleration of the Earth's spin, and about the closely related acceleration of the Moon. It is now established at a high confidence level that the acceleration of the Moon, when taken respect to Universal time, has changed by a large amount, and that it has even changed sign, within historic times. This almost certainly means that the acceleration of the Earth's spin has also changed by a large amount. At present we do not have enough information to say whether the changes have been in the contributions from tidal friction, in the contributions that do not arise from tidal friction, or both. Further, we do not know yet whether or not the variations in the Earth's rotation can account for the observed fluctuations in the longitudes of the Sun, the Moon, and the planets.
A study of alterations in body sensations during hypnoanalysis.

Abstract Alterations in body sensations are experienced by subjects in hypnosis and it is possible to evaluate and to understand many of them when the subjects are patients in hypnoanalysis. A collection of such phenomena which appeared in a patient in treatment is presented now. The total number exceeds that reported previously and supplies longitudinal as well as cross-sectional perspectives because the data were gathered over a period of several months. Comparisons are made of this material with findings in other patients. The large variety of sensory phenomena are representations of conscious and unconscious experiences, many of which can be understood in relation to the individual's conflicts or his total personality functioning at the time the phenomena appeared. Additional areas for investigation include evaluation of hypnotic sensory phenomena in relation to a variety of symptoms in the form of somatic complaints by patients seeking psychotherapy, the study of sensory experiences in therapists in ...
Nursing Students and Intimate Partner Violence Education: Improving and Integrating Knowledge Into Health Care Curricula

This study measured intimate partner violence (IPV) curriculum content exposure; knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and self-reported behaviors; and IPV prevalence within doctor of nursing practice and doctor of philosophy nursing programs at a university in the southern United States. The survey instrument was an adaptation of the Physician Readiness to Manage Intimate Partner Violence Survey modified with language that focused on students in the health care arena. Three summary scales—Perceived Preparedness, Perceived Knowledge, and Actual Knowledge—were also created. Mann–Whitney U tests and exploratory multivariable and logistic regression analyses were employed to analyze the data. Results indicated that nursing students who received IPV training prior to graduate school had significantly higher perceived preparation and perceived knowledge ratings than those reporting no IPV training prior to graduate school. Results also showed that 40% of nursing students surveyed had personally experienced some type of domestic violence including IPV. Identifying and responding to curricular shortcomings and ascertaining student IPV prevalence are critical steps in strategizing and implementing comprehensive curriculum revision, enabling students to enter the nursing profession with the capacity to directly impact the care and treatment of IPV victims.
Two-way traffic: centrosomes and the cell cycle

The well recognized activities of the mammalian centrosome--microtubule nucleation, duplication, and organization of the primary cilium--are under the control of the cell cycle. However, the centrosome is more than just a follower of the cell cycle; it can also be essential for the cell to transit G1 and enter S phase. How the centrosome influences G1 progression is a mystery.
Asymptotic Queuing Analysis for Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks in the Presence of Heavy Tails

The heavy tailed nature exhibited in both primary and secondary users' traffic fundamentally challenges the performance limit of dynamic spectrum access (DSA) networks under the conventional light tailed assumptions. This paper provides an asymptotic analysis of the steady-state queue length distribution of secondary users (SUs) under the heavy tailed network environment. Specifically, two network scenarios are investigated. In the first scenario where each SU has its exclusive access to a primary user (PU) channel, it is shown that the heavy tailed nature of either the PU traffic or the SU traffic can make SUs experience heavy tailed queue length with unbounded moments. In the second scenario where multiple SUs share a single PU channel, the queuing performance under throughput optimal scheduling policies is studied. It is proven that if the PU traffic has a heavier tail than any SU traffic, the queue length of each SU is at least one order heavier than the PU traffic under any scheduling policy. Otherwise, if the traffic from at least one of the SUs has a heavier tail than the PU traffic, it is proven that the celebrated throughput-optimal maximum weight scheduling leads to the worst possible asymptotic queuing performance for SUs by letting each SU queue have the heaviest possible tail. On the contrary, it is shown that there always exists a feasible set of β parameters such that the maximum weight-β scheduling yields the best asymptotic performance for the SU queues by letting each queue have the lightest possible tail.
COMMENTARIES: Darwinian Creativity in the Classroom?

The present article considers the debate between Darwinian and non-Darwinian accounts of creativity from the perspective of little-c (or everyday) creativity. Specifically, the basic arguments found in both positions are highlighted by juxtaposing Simonton's (this issue) empirical analysis of Picasso's Guernica sketches with Weisberg's and Hass's (this issue) analysis. Unresolved issues in this debate are identified and discussed. The body of the article is focused on developing an argument for how these lingering issues might be addressed by expanding empirical studies of Big C (eminent) creative processes to include little c (or everyday) levels of creative magnitude.
Risk Assessment for Juvenile Justice: A Meta-Analysis

Risk assessment instruments are increasingly employed by juvenile justice settings to estimate the likelihood of recidivism among delinquent juveniles. In concert with their increased use, validation studies documenting their predictive validity have increased in number. The purpose of this study was to assess the average predictive validity of juvenile justice risk assessment instruments and to identify risk assessment characteristics that are associated with higher predictive validity. A search of the published and grey literature yielded 28 studies that estimated the predictive validity of 28 risk assessment instruments. Findings of the meta-analysis were consistent with effect sizes obtained in larger meta-analyses of criminal justice risk assessment instruments and showed that brief risk assessment instruments had smaller effect sizes than other types of instruments. However, this finding is tentative owing to limitations of the literature.
Lipolysis of Butter Oil by an Immobilized Kid Goat Pregastric Esterase

: A kid goat pregastric esterase immobilized in a continuous flow, hollow-fiber reactor was employed to hydrolyze anhydrous milkfat, producing lipolyzed butter oil. The effects of temperature and pH on the rate of lipolysis were monitored by titration of the effluent stream for total acidity. The overall rate of hydrolysis was fastest at 40 °C and pH 6.0. The reaction rate was modeled by an expression of the general Michaelis-Menten form based on a ping pong bi bi mechanism. Nonlinear regression analyses indicated that the experimental data were consistent with the form of the ping pong bi bi mechanism that assumes that the rate-controlling step is acylation of the enzyme.
The changing geopolitics of space activities

Abstract Traditional space relations among civilian space actors are undergoing in the post-cold war era a rapid evolution with a growing number of new institutional entities. The cold war era and its resulting political environment, which limited space cooperation to ‘intra-bloc’ cooperation has disappeared, allowing the development of new axes and mechanisms of cooperation. The internationalization and regionalization of space activities witnessed in recent years is foreseen to gain momentum, leading therefore to a new geography of civilian space activities.
Emerging interplay of genetics and epigenetics in gliomas: a new hope for targeted therapy.

Diffusely infiltrating gliomas are inherently heterogeneous tumors, and there are ongoing efforts to establish a classification scheme that incorporates new molecular and traditional histologic features. In less than a decade, high-throughput sequencing of gliomas has transformed the field, uncovering several pivotal, highly prevalent genetic alterations that stratify patients into different prognostic and treatment-response categories. We highlight the genetic aberrations recently discovered in isocitrate dehydrogenase , alpha thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked , death-domain–associated protein , histone H3.3 , and telomerase reverse transcriptase and discuss how these mutations lead to unexpected changes in the epigenetic landscape in gliomas. We describe the opportunities these discoveries might provide for the development of novel targeted therapy aimed at reversing early epigenetic aberrations in glioma precursor cells. Finally, we discuss the challenges for effective treatment of this fatal disease posed by intratumoral heterogeneity and clonal evolution.
Photoreduction at λ 705 mμ in adapted algae

Results are reported from studies on the mechanism of oxygen evolution from water in the light in green algae. Relative rates of photosynthesis and photoreduction at various light intensities were measured in the same cell in Ankistrodesmus and in a mutant of Scenedesmus that is incapable of evolving oxygen but retains all other properties necessary to achieve CO 2 reduction. Results indicate that the long wave length region is responsible for the production of a strong reductant and that the short wave length region is responsible for the production of a strong oxidant that eventually will yield oxygen. A combination of the two primary systems is necessary for the photolysis of water, It is suggested that in complete photosynthesis the production of a strong reductant and a weak oxidant with one quantum would be coupled by the quinone system to the mechanism that produces a weak reductant and a strong oxidant. Examples of this scheme are outlined.
A Nuclear Protein in Mesangial Cells That Binds to the Promoter Region of the Platelet-derived Growth Factor-A Chain Gene INDUCTION BY PHORBOL ESTER

Abstract Mesangial cells predominantly express platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A chain mRNA and release PDGF. Mesangial cell PDGF-A chain mRNA abundance is regulated by several agents including phorbol esters. We have recently demonstrated that induction of PDGF-A chain mRNA abundance in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate is primarily due to gene transcription. We have now analyzed the 5′-flanking region of the PDGF-A chain promoter to identify DNA binding protein(s) which have the potential to regulate PDGF-A chain gene transcription in human mesangial cells. DNase I footprint analysis of the 5′-flanking region of the PDGF-A chain promoter identifies a DNase I protected region at the location −82 to −102 corresponding to the sequence 5′-GGCCCGGAATCCGGGGGAGGC-3′. Therefore, nuclear extracts from human mesangial cells contain a protein, PDGF-A-BP-1, that binds to a DNA sequence (−82 to −102) in the promoter region of the PDGF-A chain gene. Gel mobility shift analysis using labeled oligomer corresponding to the binding site for PDGF-A-BP-1 indicates that PDGF-A-BP-1 is induced by phorbol ester in mesangial cells as well as fat-storing cells (>20 fold). Egr-1 protein does not bind to labeled PDGF-A-BP-1 oligomer and does not compete with the binding of PDGF-A-BP-1. In addition, SP-1 binding sequence does not compete with the binding sequence of the mesangial cell protein. PDGF-A-BP-1 appears to represent a novel protein which is induced by phorbol ester and thus has the potential for an important role in the transcriptional regulation of the PDGF-A chain gene in mesangial cells and other vascular pericytes.
Computational Modeling of Ligaments and Tendons: A Tribute to Dr. Savio Lau-Yuen Woo

Tendons and ligaments are soft connective tissues that play an important role in the musculoskeletal system. The tendon transmits the concentrated tensions generated by the muscle to the bone, and the ligaments stabilize and guide the movement between bones connected at the articulating joints. To perform these tasks, these soft connective tissues are uniquely built to bear load transmission, but are flexible enough to allow the changing direction in their paths of alignment. To accomplish these requirements, the tendons and ligaments have a hierarchy of highly aligned collagen structures consisting of fibrils, fascicles and fibers, along with the ground substance of proteoglycans and glycolipids to form the tendon and ligament tissues.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Interaction-mediated surface state instability in disordered three-dimensional topological superconductors with spin SU(2) symmetry

We show that arbitrarily weak interparticle interactions destabilize the surface states of 3D topological superconductors with spin SU(2) invariance (symmetry class CI) in the presence of nonmagnetic disorder. The conduit for the instability is disorder-induced wave function multifractality. We argue that time-reversal symmetry breaks spontaneously at the surface, so that topologically protected states do not exist for this class. The interaction-stabilized surface phase is expected to exhibit ferromagnetic order, or to reside in an insulating plateau of the spin quantum Hall effect.
Biosynthesis of docosa-4,7,10,13,16-pentaenoic acid in Euglena gracilis

Abstract 1. 1. Polyenoic acids, including arachidonic and docosa-4,7,10,13,16-pentaenoic (22:5n-6) acids, comprise a large portion of the total fatty acids of Euglena gracilis grown in the dark. 2. 2. 14C from 1-[14C]-acetate, 1-[14C]-linoleate, and 1-[14C]-arachidonate was incorporated into 22:5n-6 in cultures grown in the dark in the presence of these substrates. 3. 3. 1-[14C]-linoleate and 1-[14C]-arachidonate were elongated and desaturated to 5-[14C]-22:5n-6 and 3-[14C]-22:5n-6, respectively, with little reutilization of acetyl units produced by oxidation. 4. 4. 1-[14C]-acetate was utilized to form the entire chain of 22:5n-6, with the carbons nearer the methyl group having a richer isotope content than the carbons nearer the carboxyl group. 5. 5. Some 14C from 1-[14C]-acetate apparently entered the even carbon positions of the polyene by some unexplained process.
Recurring controversies about P values and confidence intervals revisited

The paper focused primarily on certain charges, claims, and interpretations of the P value as they relate to CIs and the AIC. It as argued that some of these comparisons and claims are misleading because they ignore key differences in the procedures being compared, such as (1) their primary aims and objectives, (2) the nature of the question posed to the data, as well as (3) the nature of their underlying reasoning and the ensuing inferences. In the case of the P value, the crucial issue is whether Fisher's evidential interpretation of the P value as "indicating the strength of evidence against H0" is appropriate. It is argued that, despite Fisher's maligning of the Type II error, a principled way to provide an adequate evidential account, in the form of post-data severity evaluation, calls for taking into account the power of the test. The error-statistical perspective brings out a key weakness of the P value and addresses several foundational issues raised in frequentist testing, including the fallacies of acceptance and rejection as well as misinterpretations of observed CIs: see Mayo-Spanos (2011). The paper also uncovers the connection between model selection procedures and hypothesis testing, revealing the inherent unreliability of the former. Hence, the choice between different procedures should not be "stylistic" (Murtaugh 2013), but should depend on the questions of interest, the answers sought, and the reliability of the procedures.
A Reliability Study of Case Manager Assessments of Activities of Daily Living

Abstract This report discusses issues of validity and reliability that arose when activity of daily living (ADL) items from Residential Assessment Instrument (RAI) were used by case managers in the State of Washington to determine care needs of elders in a community-based long-term care system funded by Medicaid. It describes methods for and results from an interrater reliability study of these ADL items and discusses strengths and limitations of the study. Also, it recommends ways (1) to improve the study methods, (2) to integrate reliability studies into routine operations, and (3) for case managers to improve the accuracy of assessments.
Hire and Fire Teachers to Raise Test Scores

In Radical: Fighting to Put Students First, former Washington, DC, public schools chancellor Michelle Rhee tells both a personal and a career story about family, culture, and education policy in th...
The status of occupational therapy education in the 90s

This review of the literature examines the status of occupational therapy education in the 90s'. As the millennium approaches, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) continues to play a pivotal role in supporting and monitoring occupational therapy (O.T.) training. There continues to be strong growth in the movement toward graduate occupational therapy education. The discipline of occupational science has been established, and serves as an academic basis for the profession of occupational therapy. Research efforts over the last decade have looked at a number of other areas of O.T. education. These include admissions, prerequisites, core requirements, instructional strategies, and clinical fieldwork training. There is evidence of a continued need for more research and monitoring in the area of occupational therapy education. This will assure the continued survival of the profession into the next century.
Timing of space: Some thoughts on building economics

Abstract The emerging field of building economics is gradually penetrating both professional practice and academic curricula in architectural design. This essay focuses on the contribution of building economics to architectural design. This contribution hinges on the notion of time. Building economics offers a systematic framework for the representation of time. An economic evaluation of a building is in fact impossible without the time-profile of the economic process it contains. This can be perceived as a problem of finding some numbers to “plug in” the prescribed formulae, but it can also be perceived as a valuable framework for design and building in time. The latter perspective is undeniably more challenging and exciting. The scope of architectural design is thereby considerably widened and enriched.
Four-wave mixing in ultracold atoms using intermediate Rydberg states

Ultracold Rb atoms were used to demonstrate nondegenerate four-wave mixing through a Rydberg state. Continuous $5S\text{\ensuremath{-}}5P\text{\ensuremath{-}}nD$ two-photon excitation to the Rydberg state was combined with an $nD\text{\ensuremath{-}}6P$ tuned laser in a phase-matched geometry. The angular dependence, spatial profile, and dependence on detuning were investigated, showing good agreement with theory. Under optimum conditions 50% of the radiation was emitted into the phase-matched direction. The directional emission is promising for studying quantum effects in blockaded atom clouds.
Improved plating media for simplified, quantitative detection of Listeria monocytogenes in foods

Abstract Moxalactam, nalidixic acid and bacitracin were found to be an effective combination of selective agents that permitted growth of Listeria while suppressing most foodborne genera. These selective agents were used to formulate Modified Vogel Johnson Agar which permitted the quantitative detection of Listeria from foods. Listeria were characteristically tellurite + /mannitol − and could be readily differentiated without the need to view the colonies with oblique reflected light. The combination of selective agents was also effective when employed in conjunction with Modified McBride Agar. Modified Vogel Johnson Agar proved highly effective for isolation of Listeria and should significantly enhance its detection in foods.
Acceptability and Cultural Fit of Spiritual Self-Schema Therapy for Puerto Rican Women with Addiction Disorders: Qualitative Findings

We present findings on the (1) acceptability of Spiritual Self-Schema (3-S) therapy with Puerto Rican women and (2) fit with women's cultural, gender, literacy, clinical, and religious backgrounds. 3-S is a well-documented efficacious intervention for substance use and HIV risk behaviors. Participants were 13 urban, low-income Puerto Rican women in a residential treatment program in a large Northeastern city. Findings from therapy session videotapes, focus groups, and clinician memos indicate high acceptability and fit of 3-S therapy for Puerto Rican women. However, lack of fit in several areas indicates the need for modification of specific aspects of 3-S for Latinas.
A power SIPOS MISS device

Power metal-insulator-silicon-switch (MISS) devices fabricated using semi-insulating polysilicon (SIPOS) for the insulator layer are discussed. The SIPOS MISS devices have an active area of 4.5 mm/sup 2/ and can carry in excess of 8 A. The typical switching voltage of these devices is 20 to 25 V with a negative temperature coefficient. They have a typical switching time of 200 ns and a very fast turn-off time. No degradation in device performance is observed after high current pulsing. Power SIPOS MISS devices offer an alternative to conventional four-layer switching devices, yielding faster switching characteristics while maintaining process compatibility. >
A Graphics Processing Unit Accelerated Motion Correction Algorithm and Modular System for Real-time fMRI

Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) has recently gained interest as a possible means to facilitate the learning of certain behaviors. However, rt-fMRI is limited by processing speed and available software, and continued development is needed for rt-fMRI to progress further and become feasible for clinical use. In this work, we present an open-source rt-fMRI system for biofeedback powered by a novel Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) accelerated motion correction strategy as part of the BioImage Suite project (www.bioimagesuite.org). Our system contributes to the development of rt-fMRI by presenting a motion correction algorithm that provides an estimate of motion with essentially no processing delay as well as a modular rt-fMRI system design. Using empirical data from rt-fMRI scans, we assessed the quality of motion correction in this new system. The present algorithm performed comparably to standard (non real-time) offline methods and outperformed other real-time methods based on zero order interpolation of motion parameters. The modular approach to the rt-fMRI system allows the system to be flexible to the experiment and feedback design, a valuable feature for many applications. We illustrate the flexibility of the system by describing several of our ongoing studies. Our hope is that continuing development of open-source rt-fMRI algorithms and software will make this new technology more accessible and adaptable, and will thereby accelerate its application in the clinical and cognitive neurosciences.
Studies of polypeptide structure by fluorescence techniques. III. Interaction between dye and macromolecule in fluorescent conjugates

The effects of pH on the polarization of fluorescence of dyes dissolved in media of high viscosity or conjugated to polypeptides that undergo no structural transitions indicate that DNS is useful for studying pH-dependent molecular transition over the range pH 2.5–14, whereas fluorescein is useful only over the range pH 6–8. Heating and cooling in aqueous solutions cause no change in the polarization of fluorescein or of DNS; therefore, the dyes themselves do not introduce artifacts into heating studies of the dye conjugates. The interaction between fluorescein or DNS and the molecule to which it is conjugated varies and thus may affect the measurements made with the conjugates: the rotational relaxation times of polylysine, of a copolymer of glutamic acid and lysine, and of lysozyme are approximately twice as long when measured with DNS-conjugates as when measured with fluorescein-conjugates. The explanation for this observation is postulated to lie in the tighter binding between fluorescein and the molecule to which it is conjugated, presumably around the point of its covalent attachment, which makes it a better indicator of the behavior of the rotational kinetic unit of the polypeptide chain. The stronger binding of fluorescein is inferred from two lines of evidence: (1) the fluorescent intensity and ultraviolet spectra of a fluorescein–polylysine conjugate are less susceptible to changes in solvent than those of the DNS conjugate, and (2) the net charge of the polypeptide affects the ionization of fluorescein much less than it affects the ionization of DNS. Additional evidence from previous studies corroborates this conclusion. Thus, it is important to establish the relationship between the fluorescent dye and the molecule to which it is conjugated before using the fluorescence data to calculate rotational relaxation times and other molecular parameters.
Investigation of the hygroscopic growth of self-assembled layers of N-alkyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bromides at the interface between air and organic salt

Abstract We report on the hygroscopic growth of self-assembled lamellae, composed of N -alkyl- N -methylpyrrolidinium bromide (C n MPB; n = 10, 12, 14, 16, 18) surfactant molecules, spontaneously formed at the interface between ambient air and the low-melting organic salt tetrabutylammonium acetate (TBAAc). The organization process to form well-defined hygroscopic bilayer patterns at the air/TBAAc interface was investigated using a combination of time-dependent X-ray diffraction (XRD) and carbon-13 cross-polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance ( 13 C CP/MAS NMR) spectroscopy. C n MPB surfactants containing the highest alkyl chain lengths studied ( n = 16, 18) formed highly ordered, fully interdigitated bilayer patterns with an all- trans conformation of interior methylene carbons. In contrast, C n MPB surfactants with shorter alkane chains ( n = 10, 12, 14) in this series formed less-ordered bilayer arrangements with mixed trans / gauche aliphatic character. The lamellar patterns became increasingly ordered with longer exposure to humid air at the air/salt interface.
Occupant engaged fast demand responses for commercial buildings: poster abstract

Occupants are excluded from traditional commercial building Demand Responses (DR) control loop. During the DR events, utility companies send DR requests to commercial building facility managers (FMs), who often send emails to occupants with generic instructions. Unless the buildings are equipped with advanced hardware, office building FMs have limited means to reduce significant pick load in the DR periods. We present a software-based, occupant-engaged fast DR system for commercial office buildings. Our collaborative DR (cDR) module is built upon our collaborative energy management and control (CEMC) platform. Through the web portal, occupants can submit their temperature range and schedule. Then, utilizing our "4 point arbitration" system, we can shed significant peak load without scarificing occupants' comfort. During field experiments on a mid-size office building at Pittsburgh, we observed 1.6% load reduction for the traditional email-based DR method and 19% load reduction using our cDR system.
Hypergeometric Similarity Measure for Spatial Analysis in Tissue Imaging Mass Spectrometry

Tissue imaging mass spectrometry (TIMS) is a data-intensive technique for spatial biochemical analysis. TIMS contributes both molecular and spatial information to tissue analysis. We propose and evaluate a similarity measure, based on the hyper geometric distribution, for comparing m/z images from TIMS datasets, with the goal of identifying m/z values with similar spatial distributions. We compare the formulation and properties of the proposed method with those of other similarity measures, and examine the performance of each measure on synthetic and biological data. This study demonstrates that the proposed hyper geometric similarity measure is effective in identifying similar m/z images, and may be a useful addition to current methods in TIMS data analysis.
An analysis of online messages about probiotics

Internet websites are a resource for patients seeking information about probiotics. We examined a sample of 71 websites presenting probiotic information. We found that descriptions of benefits far outnumbered descriptions of risks and commercial websites presented significantly fewer risks than noncommercial websites. The bias towards the presentation of therapeutic benefits in online content suggests that patients are likely interested in using probiotics and may have unrealistic expectations for therapeutic benefit. Gastroenterologists may find it useful to initiate conversations about probiotics within the context of a comprehensive health management plan and should seek to establish realistic therapeutic expectations with their patients.
Grazing the commons: an empirical analysis of externalities, subsidies and sustainability

Abstract An empirical means of measuring externalities in the fifty states of the US is presented and the relationship between externalities, subsidies and sustainability is investigated. Firms seeking to maximize profits create externalities thus securing implicit internal subsidies. The subsidies are generally supported by those less well off and the socioeconomic, energy and environmental indicators of the public sector worsen as externalities and subsidies increase. Implicit subsidies, due to externalities in pollution control, energy consumption and taxes are quantified, the amount of subsidy is calculated by state, and statistically compared to socioeconomic, energy, environmental and economic variables. Poverty, unemployment and income disparity are found to increase significantly while income, economic development attractiveness, energy efficiency and environmental quality decline with increasing externalization across states. An empirical method of operationalizing sustainability is presented and the relationship of sustainability to subsidies is investigated and found to be significant and negative. Recommendations are presented for minimizing the effects of externalities.
Wavelets in the Bayesian change-point analysis

A Bayesian analysis based on the empirical wavelet coefficients is developed for the standard change-point problem. This analysis is considered first for the piecewise constant Haar wavelet basis, then extended to using smooth and orthogonal boundary wavelets. The analysis, though developed for use in the standard change-point model, can be applied to estimating a discontinuity in an otherwise smooth function by using only higher level coefficients in the computation of the posterior distribution, thereby effectively removing a `smooth' of the function. The procedure is illustrated with simulated data examples.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Economic Psychology and Fashion Marketing Theory Appraising Veblen’s Theory of Conspicuous Consumption

Abstract The study here serves to examine customer choice and firm profitability outcomes from the conjoining of four perspectives: economics, fashion, marketing, and psychology. This article describes core tenets of fashion marketing theory (FMT) from the perspective of economic psychology. The study here is unique and valuable in proposing empirically testable hypotheses that follow from FMT and in describing evidence from available literature testing these hypotheses. The core tenets reflect the view that impactful fashion marketing moderates the relationships among price and consumer demand for the firm’s offering (i.e., brand) by psychological customer segments, and subsequently firm profitability. Relating to fashion marketing, “psychology” in “economic psychology” includes the influences of chronic desire for conspicuous consumption (CC) and desire for rarity as relative human conditions, that is, humans vary in these desires; consumers relatively very high versus very low in these desires are more...
Do smokers of menthol cigarettes find it harder to quit smoking

Introduction: Menthol cigarette smokers may find it harder to quit smoking than smokers of nonmenthol cigarettes. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of published studies examining the association between menthol cigarette smoking and cessation. Electronic databases and reference lists were searched to identify studies published through May 2010, and results were tabulated. Results: Ten studies were located that reported cessation outcomes for menthol and nonmenthol smokers. Half of the studies found evidence that menthol smoking is associated with lower odds of cessation, while the other half found no such effects. The pattern of results in these studies suggest that the association between smoking menthol cigarettes and difficulty quitting is stronger in (a) racial/ethnic minority populations, (b) younger smokers, and (c) studies carried out after1999. This pattern is consistent with an effect that relies on menthol to facilitate increased nicotine intake from fewer cigarettes where economic pressure restricts the number of cigarettes smokers can afford to purchase. Conclusions: There is growing evidence that certain subgroups of smokers find it harder to quit menthol versus non menthol cigarettes. There is a need for additional research, and particularly for studies including adequately powered and diverse samples of menthol and nonmenthol smokers, with reliable measurement of cigarette brands, socioeconomic status, and biomarkers of nicotine intake.
CRESP: Towards Optimal Resource Provisioning for MapReduce Computing in Public Clouds

Running MapReduce programs in the cloud introduces this unique problem: how to optimize resource provisioning to minimize the monetary cost or job finish time for a specific job? We study the whole process of MapReduce processing and build up a cost function that explicitly models the relationship among the time cost, the amount of input data, the available system resources (Map and Reduce slots), and the complexity of the Reduce function for the target MapReduce job. The model parameters can be learned from test runs. Based on this cost function, we can solve a number of decision problems, such as the optimal amount of resources that can minimize monetary cost within a job finish deadline, minimize time cost under a certain monetary budget, or find the optimal tradeoffs between time and monetary costs. Experimental results show that the proposed approach performs well on a number of sample MapReduce programs in both the in-house cluster and Amazon EC2. We also conducted a variance analysis on different components of the MapReduce workflow to show the possible sources of modeling error. Our optimization results show that with the proposed approach we can save a significant amount of time and money, compared to randomly selected settings.