cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Sublethal Hypoxia on the Immune Response and Susceptibility of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, to Enteric Septicemia

The effect of sublethal hypoxia exposure on stress and immune responses and susceptibility to Edwardsiella ictaluri infection in juvenile channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, was investigated. Fish were monitored for temporal changes in glucose and cortisol concentrations before, during, and after 2 h exposure to sublethal hypoxia (<2 mg/L dissolved oxygen [DO]) and when maintained under normoxic conditions (6.0 ± 0.3 mg/L DO). Both blood glucose and plasma cortisol increased significantly in response to hypoxic conditions. Fish exposed to hypoxic or normoxic conditions were challenged with a high dose (1.3 × 107 colony-forming units [CFU]/mL) or a low dose (1.3 × 105 CFU/mL) of E. ictaluri or sterile culture broth by 30-min immersion bath. Approximately 1% of fish in both the normoxic and the hypoxic groups died when challenged with the low dose of E. ictaluri. However, when challenged with the high dose of E. ictaluri, catfish exposed to hypoxic conditions had significantly higher cumulative mortality (36 ± 12.1%) than those maintained under normoxic conditions (12 ± 1.1%). Total hemolytic complement and bactericidal activities and antibody response were lower in hypoxia-exposed channel catfish, indicating that increased susceptibility of channel catfish to E. ictaluri may be the result of the immunosuppressive effects of the stress response to hypoxia.
Feedback of college grades to high schools

The conventional way for colleges to furnish high schools with the college performance information on their former students is to send grade reports on these students. This practice raises some important questions regarding the ethics, utility, and reliability of releasing the grades without the student's permission. The purpose of this paper is to describe an expectancy table method of communication which surmounts many of the limitations associated with the traditional practice of providing individual grade reports.
MUC 5AC mucin expression in adenoid tissue in relation to otitis media with effusion

Abstract Background : Mucins function in the normal physiology of the middle ear and in the pathophysiology of otitis media with effusion (OME). The adenoid is felt to play a role in otitis by serving as a bacterial reservoir and propagating the inflammatory state of the middle ear. We wished to determine the MUC 5AC mucin gene expression in the adenoids of children with and without OME. Methods : Adenoid specimens were collected from children with and without OME ( n =14) and MUC 5AC expression quantitated using RT-PCR. Results : This demonstrated a normalized value of 44.8 au±53.8 for MUC 5AC in children with OME and 159.8 au±97.2 for MUC 5AC in children without OME ( p =0.02). Conclusions : Although mucin accumulation in the middle ear causes morbidity (hearing loss) in children, our results suggest there is less MUC 5AC expression in the adenoids of children with OME as compared to those without OME. These results emphasize the role of mucin in normal physiology and host defense, and may implicate defects in mucociliary transport, Eustachian tube function, or quality of mucin rather than quantity of mucin produced in the pathophysiology of otitis media.
Comparison of continuous versus intermittent sucking in very-low-birth-weight infants.

Objective To examine the effects of continuous and intermittent sucking on breathing and sucking during oral feedings in very-low-birth-weight infants. Design A quasi-experimental, within-subjects design with random assignment. Infants were observed twice in 1 day, once with a nasogastric tube and once without, in random order. Setting A Midwestern university-affiliated tertiary neonatal medical center. Participants Eighteen very-low-birth-weight infants without severe neurologic problems or physical anomalies. On the day of the study, postnatal days were 17–82 days ( M = 47.7, SD = ± 19.3). Interventions Continuous sucking and intermittent sucking periods. Main Outcome Measures Breathing parameters from prefeed to continuous sucking, and intermittent sucking to postfeed periods; and sucking parameters from continuous sucking to intermittent sucking were examined. Results Continuous sucking had more detrimental effects on infants’ breathing ( p p p Conclusions Nurses who feed very-low-birth-weight infants should learn to observe different sucking periods and breathing pauses during continuous sucking periods, particularly during the 1 st minute of bottle feeding.
Bat mortality: pesticide poisoning and migratory stress

Organochlorine residues in the fat of young Mexican free-tailed bats, Tadarida brasiliensis, reached the brain and caused symptoms of poisoning after the fat mobilization that takes place during migratory flight was simulated. These chemical body burdens were obtained naturally under free-living conditions at the maternity roost. The data obtained support the hypothesis that pesticides have contributed to recent declines in populations of this bat.
Surface waves in a rotating anisotropic elastic half-space

Abstract The Stroh formalism for surface waves in an anisotropic elastic half-space is extended to the case when the half-space rotates about an axis with a constant rotation rate. The sextic equation for the Stroh eigenvalues, the eigenvectors, the orthogonality and closure relations are obtained. The Barnett–Lothe tensors are no longer real, but two of them are Hermitian. Taziev’s equation is generalized and used to derive the polarization vector and the secular equation without computing the Stroh eigenvalues and eigenvectors. An alternative derivation using the method of first integrals by Mozhaev and Destrade yields new invariants that relate the displacement and stress and are independent of the depth from the free surface. Explicit expression of the polarization vector and the secular equation for monoclinic materials with the symmetry plane at x 3 = 0 with the rotation about the x 3 -axis obtained by Destrade is re-examined, and new results are presented. Also presented is the one-component surface wave in the rotating half-space.
Structure-activity studies of the melanocortin peptides: discovery of potent and selective affinity antagonists for the hMC3 and hMC4 receptors

We have designed and synthesized several novel cyclic SHU9119 analogues (Ac-Nle4-[Asp5-His6-DNal(2‘)7-Arg8-Trp9-Lys10]-NH2) modified in position 6 with nonconventional amino acids. SHU9119 is a high affinity nonselective antagonist at hMC3R and hMC4R with potent agonist activity at hMC1R and hMC5R. We measured the binding affinity and agonist potency of the novel analogues at cloned hMC3R, hMC4R, and hMC5R receptors and identified several selective, high affinity hMC3R and hMC4R antagonists. Compound 4 containing Che substitution in position 6 is a high affinity hMC4R antagonist (IC50 = 0.48 nM) with 100-fold selectivity over hMC3R antagonist. Analogue 7 with a Cpe substitution in position 6 is a high affinity hMC4R antagonist (IC50 = 0.51 nM) with a 200-fold selectivity vs the hMC3R. Interestingly, analogue 9 with an Acpc residue in position 6 is a high affinity hMC3R antagonist (IC50 = 2.5 nM) with 100-fold selectivity vs the hMC4R antagonist based on its binding affinities. This compound represents the...
Manometry of the upper esophageal sphincter and pharynx is not useful in unselected patients referred for esophageal testing

Manometry of the upper esophageal sphincter and pharynx is not useful in unselected patients referred for esophageal testing
Approximate joint probabilistic data association algorithms

The crucial problem in multiple target tracking is the hit-to-track data association. A hit is a received signal from a target or background clutter which provides positional information. If an incorrect hit is associated with a track, that track could diverge and prematurely terminate or cause other tracks to also diverge. Most methods for hit-to-track data association fall into two categories: Multiple Hypothesis Tracking (MHT) and Joint Probabilistic Data Association (JPDA). Versions of MHT use all or some reasonable hits to update a track and delay the decision on which hit was correct. JPDA uses a weighted sum of the reasonable hits to update a track. These weights are the probability that the hit originated from the target in track. The computational load for the joint probabilities increase exponentially as the number of targets increases and therefore, is not an attractive algorithm when expecting to track many targets. This paper reviews the JPDA filter and two simple approximations of the joint probabilities which increase linearly in computational load as the number of targets increase. Then a new class of near optimal JPDA algorithms is introduced which run in polynomial time. The power of the polynomial is an input to the algorithm. This algorithm bridges the gap in computational load and accuracy between the very fast simple approximations and the efficient optimal algorithms.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Mexican American Woman Encounters Sociology: An Autobiographical Perspective.

I attempt to show how my ideas about bureaucracy and Mexican American culture are a product of my life history and how I worked out key features of these ideas in teaching sociology at a small university. This was made possible because strategic sponsors helped me as an “outsider” to become a kind of “insider” within that social milieu.
Effects of β-naphthoflavone on hepatic biotransformation and glutathione biosynthesis in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

We are investigating the effects of in vivo exposure of prototypical enzyme inducing agents on hepatic biotransformation enzyme expression in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), a predatory game fish found throughout the United States and Canada. The current study targeted those genes involved in biotransformation and oxidative stress that may be regulated by Ah-receptor-dependent pathways. Exposure of bass to beta-naphthoflavone (beta-NF, 66 mg/kg, i.p.) elicited a 7-9-fold increase in hepatic microsomal cytochrome P4501A-dependent ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities, but did not affect cytosolic GST catalytic activities toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) or 5-androstene-3,17-dione (ADI). Glutathione S-transferase A (GST-A) mRNA expression exhibited a transient, but non-significant increase following exposure to beta-NF, and generally tracked the minimal changes observed in GST-CDNB activities. Expression of the mRNA encoding glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), the rate-limiting enzyme in glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis, was increased 1.7-fold by beta-NF. Changes in GCLC mRNA expression were paralleled by increases in intracellular GSH. In summary, largemouth bass hepatic CYP1A-dependent and GSH biosynthetic pathways, and to a lesser extent GST, are responsive to exposure to beta-NF.
Induced bad habits: Adjunctive ingestion and grooming in human subjects

Male subjects tracked on a pursuit rotor at either 7 or 55 r/min. More “off-task” adjunctive behaviors such as eating, soda-drinking and facial grooming occurred in the aftermath of tracking at the higher speed. Eating was the dominant adjunctive behavior among the best trackers whereas grooming was dominant among the worst, suggesting a fundamental difference among subjects in their reactivity to external stimuli. It was suggested that uncertainty (HT) about reinforcement provides a more general task metric for inducing adjunctive behavior than does reinforcement rate.
Associations of prenatal maternal blood mercury concentrations with early and mid-childhood blood pressure: a prospective study.

Background Childhood blood pressure (BP) is an important determinant of adult cardiovascular disease. Prenatal exposure to methylmercury through maternal fish consumption has been reported to increase the BP of children years later.
Transient partial response to sorafenib treatment in an adolescent patient with MEN2B Syndrome and end‐stage medullary thyroid carcinoma

Metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is an aggressive malignancy with an extremely poor prognosis. Currently no effective conventional systemic therapies exist to treat pediatric MTC. We describe an adolescent female with newly diagnosed MEN2B syndrome who presented with advanced stage metastatic MTC and demonstrated a partial transient response to sorafenib monotherapy. This clinical result supports further research into the use of sorafenib in the treatment of pediatric MTC. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 98–100. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biomechanics and performance when using a standard and a vertical computer mouse.

Objective: to compare the biomechanics and performance while using a vertical computer mouse (VM) and a standard mouse (SM). Methods: muscle activation (electromyography), forearm movements (electrogoniometers), performance (Fitts' Law test) and satisfaction (questionnaire) of 16 subjects were evaluated. Results: there were significant differences between the VM and the SM, respectively, on motion (28° vs. 42° pronation, p = 0.001; 5° ulnar vs. 7° radial deviation, p = 0.016) and muscle activity (13% vs. 16% of extensor carpi activity, p = 0.006; 10% vs. 13% extensor digitorum activity, p = 0.001). VM user satisfaction was good (68); however, time to target was longer (4.2 vs. 3.4 s, p < 0.001). Conclusions: using the VM decreased wrist pronation and lowered wrist extensor muscle activity, but additional training and familiarisation time may be required to improve user performance. Practitioner Summary: Using a vertical mouse can decrease the exposure to biomechanical risk factors for computer mouse use-...
The genome-centric concept: resynthesis of evolutionary theory.

Modern biology has been heavily influenced by the gene-centric concept. Paradoxically, this very concept – on which bioresearch is based – is challenged by the success of gene-based research in terms of explaining evolutionary theory. To overcome this major roadblock, it is essential to establish new theories, to not only solve the key puzzles presented by the gene-centric concept, but also to provide a conceptual framework that allows the field to grow. This paper discusses a number of paradoxes and illustrates how they can be addressed by the genome-centric concept in order to further resynthesize evolutionary theory. In particular, methodological breakthroughs that analyze genome evolution are discussed. The multiple interactions among different levels of a complex system provide the key to understanding the relationship between self-organization and natural selection. Darwinian natural selection applies to the biological level due to its unique genetic and heterogeneous features, but does not simply or directly apply to either the lower non-living level or higher intellectual society level. At the complex bio-system level, the genome context (the entire package of genes and their genomic physical relationship or genomic topology), not the individual genes, defines the system and serves as the principle selection platform for evolution.
Uranium logging with prompt fission neutrons

Abstract This paper descirbes a uranium logging probe which can assay U3O8 concentrations as low as 100 ppm at 0.5 m/min. The probe sends 100 pulses per second of 14 MeV neutrons (2 × 106 neutrons/pulse) into the formation surrounding a borehole, and detects prompt epithermal neutrons returning from fissioning 235U. Various models of the probe have logged hundreds of boreholes in the Western United States since 1976. The neutron generator is now commercially available and the probe design is available to the public.
Validation of RAPD Markers for White Mold Resistance in Two Snap Bean Populations Based on Field and Greenhouse Evaluations

White mold [Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary] is a fungal disease that can reduce yield of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). A recombinant inbred line population and an independent inbred backcross population were developed that share a common white mold resistant donor parent, G122. Both populations were evaluated for physiological resistance in the greenhouse using the oxalic acid test and a modifi ed straw test (ST). The populations were also fi eld evaluated for disease incidence (DI) and disease severity (DS). The heritabilities for physiological resistance based on greenhouse tests were higher than those based on fi eld evaluations in both populations. Low rank correlations, ranging from r = 0.17 to r = 0.44, were observed between greenhouse and fi eld-based evaluations over years and populations. Of 10 quantitative trait loci previously identifi ed in independent dry bean populations for fi eld resistance based on either DI or DS and the ST, only three markers, OJ09.950, Phs, and OC07.850, were associated with both the fi eld (DI or DS) and the ST in the G122 × Astrel population. The results suggest that direct selection in the greenhouse based on the modifi ed ST for physiological resistance, though higher in heritability, will result in a negligible correlated response for improved fi eld performance for white mold resistance in snap bean populations where architectural traits and avoidance mechanisms may be more important than physiological resistance.
Models and artificial intelligence

The Art and Science of modeling and simulation is rapidly changing. Recently there has been an increasing interest in the possibilities of incorporating the technologies developed by the artificial intelligence research community into the modeling and simulation process. This paper addresses: (a) the nature of artificial intelligence, (b) it's present and potential applications in the design and management of modeling systems, (c) the potential benefits of this technology over existing approaches, and (d) the current state-of-the-art as it applies to simulation.
CARDIAC TAMPONADE, PERICARDITIS, ACUTE SYSTOLIC HEART FAILURE AND ELEVATED TROPONIN DUE TO ACUTE EOSINOPHILLIC MYOCARDITIS

Eosinophilic myocarditis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with hypereosinophilic syndromes (HES), which are marked by overproduction of eosinophils (≥1,500/uL), causing damage to multiple organs. It is rare, with estimated prevalence of 0.36-6.3 per 100,000. 52-year-old
CYP2C19 variation, not citalopram dose nor serum level, is associated with QTc prolongation

Recently, a FDA Safety Communication warned of a dose-dependent risk for QTc prolongation with citalopram, which is metabolized by CYP2C19 of the cytochrome P450 system. We investigate associations between citalopram and escitalopram dose, serum concentration, CYP2C19 phenotype, and QTc. We undertook a retrospective chart review of citalopram or escitalopram patients with the inclusion criteria of consistent medication dose, CYP2C19 phenotype (extensive metabolizers [EM], intermediate metabolizers [IM], poor metabolizers [PM]), and QTc interval on ECG. We further identified 42 citalopram users with citalopram serum concentration measurements and ECG. Regression and one-way ANOVA were used to examine the relationship between citalopram dose, citalopram serum concentration, CYP2C19 phenotype, and QTc interval. Of 75 citalopram patients, the EM group had significantly shorter QTc intervals than a combined IM+PM group (427.1±23.6 ms vs. 440.1±26.6 ms, one-tailed t-test, p=0.029). In the 80 escitalopram cohort...
Numerical linear algebra techniques for large scale matrix problems in systems and control

The author discusses a number of numerical linear algebra techniques for large scale problems in systems and control. Attention is focused on special matrix-problems, i.e. matrices which are either sparse, patterned or structured. The topics considered all point to the significant role linear algebra problems play in the control, optimization and model reduction of multivariable linear systems. The individual topics discussed all pertain to the common problem of designing low-order robust controllers for large scale plants, and the techniques are closely related. >
Analysis of transtheoretical model of health behavioral changes in a nutrition intervention study—a continuous time Markov chain model with Bayesian approach

Continuous time Markov chain (CTMC) models are often used to study the progression of chronic diseases in medical research but rarely applied to studies of the process of behavioral change. In studies of interventions to modify behaviors, a widely used psychosocial model is based on the transtheoretical model that often has more than three states (representing stages of change) and conceptually permits all possible instantaneous transitions. Very little attention is given to the study of the relationships between a CTMC model and associated covariates under the framework of transtheoretical model. We developed a Bayesian approach to evaluate the covariate effects on a CTMC model through a log-linear regression link. A simulation study of this approach showed that model parameters were accurately and precisely estimated. We analyzed an existing data set on stages of change in dietary intake from the Next Step Trial using the proposed method and the generalized multinomial logit model. We found that the generalized multinomial logit model was not suitable for these data because it ignores the unbalanced data structure and temporal correlation between successive measurements. Our analysis not only confirms that the nutrition intervention was effective but also provides information on how the intervention affected the transitions among the stages of change. We found that, compared with the control group, subjects in the intervention group, on average, spent substantively less time in the precontemplation stage and were more/less likely to move from an unhealthy/healthy state to a healthy/unhealthy state.
The Acoustics of Muslim Striving: Loudspeaker Use in Ritual Practice in Pakistan

The protagonist of Intizar Hussain's novel Tazkira (1987) is a hapless muhajir, or refugee, in Lahore, Pakistan in the period shortly after the 1947 Partition of India, which witnessed the pell-mell transfer of Hindus and Sikhs to India and Muslims to Pakistan. He writes that while others were busy seizing abandoned sites in which to live, he was unable to feel at home anywhere. To compound his sense of dislocation, bu amma, his elderly companion, complains bitterly that she misses the sound of the azan, the call to prayer, in the first house they rent in an outlying area of Lahore, as yet forested and relatively un-peopled. Bu amma recollects how the call used to punctuate her days in her haveli, or mansion, in a busy neighborhood back in India. Without it, her days stretch out ahead of her, running uneventfully one into the other. How is it possible, she wonders, that one could be in this place created for Muslims and not hear the azan? In their next house, bu amma quickly realizes what it means to live in the shadow of a mosque. It was once a barkat (blessing), she grumbles, that has been turned into a curse by that satanic instrument (shaitani ala), the loudspeaker. The protagonist describes bu amma's efforts to shut out the sounds from the mosque that now invade her thoughts, shred her concentration, and make her efforts to say her prayers a daily battle. They eventually have to leave this house as well.
The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Decisions to Leave Dating Relationships A Test of the Investment Model

This study explored the impact of violence exposure on investment-model constructs within a sample of college women involved in heterosexual dating relationships. Results generally supported the "common sense" hypothesis, suggesting that violence negatively impacts satisfaction for and commitment to one's relationship and is positively associated with intentions to leave. Exposure to psychological abuse uniquely impacted intentions to leave relationships above and beyond other model factors, suggesting that this may be a particularly important factor in determining college women's decisions. In a series of analyses examining the investment model within each of two groups (e.g., those exposed or not exposed to physical violence), results showed that the model predicted victimized women's decisions to leave as well as it predicted nonvictimized women's decisions. Taken together, results of this study suggest that victimized women base their relationship termination decisions on the same information as nonvictimized women do.
Structure and rheology of hyperbranched and dendritic polymers. I. Modification and characterization of poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers with acetyl groups

Commercially available fourth and fifth generation poly(propyleneimine) (PPI) dendrimers were functionalized with acetyl chloride and deuterated acetyl chloride. Their solution properties in water and D2O were measured with dilution viscometry, densitometry, rheology, and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and compared to molecular modeling. Both the acetylated and PPI dendrimers exhibited Newtonian rheology in solution at all concentrations, but the functionalized dendrimers were less viscous than the nonacetylated dendrimers at an equal weight fraction (50 wt %). The acetylated dendrimers exhibited a pronounced structure peak in SANS, however, that was not evident for PPI in solution and a greatly enhanced solubility. This structure peak, evident at concentrations as low as 0.2 wt %, was evidence for long-range electrostatic interdendrimer forces, which were screened by added salt. A quantitative agreement was obtained between the dilute-limiting absolute scattering spectra of both the nonacetylated and acetylated dendrimers in solution with model calculations via a homogeneous spherical model and input parameters independently obtained from dilution viscometry or direct calculation. The combined measurements verified significant solvent penetration for both dendrimer types. The form factors measured in this manner were also in good quantitative agreement with the results of molecular dynamics simulations, which pointed to significant backfolding of the terminal groups. SANS and rheology measurements at higher concentrations suggested dendrimer clustering and interpenetration with increasing concentration, leading to less structure and lower viscosity than would be predicted from the dilute-limiting behavior. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 857–873, 2000
Fast and Slow Magnetization Processes in Magnetic Recording Media

Information loss due to thermal activation is a major concern in ultrahigh-density magnetic recording media. The usually considered mechanism is thermally activated magnetization reversal over micromagnetic energy barriers. However, micromagnetic approaches ignore local anisotropy fluctuations, which translate into a time-dependent reduction of the remanent magnetization. The effect is negligibly small in macroscopic magnets but becomes important on a scale of a few nanometers.
Characterization of Influenza Vaccine Immunogenicity Using Influenza Antigen Microarrays

Background Existing methods to measure influenza vaccine immunogenicity prohibit detailed analysis of epitope determinants recognized by immunoglobulins. The development of highly multiplex proteomics platforms capable of capturing a high level of antibody binding information will enable researchers and clinicians to generate rapid and meaningful readouts of influenza-specific antibody reactivity.
Transcriptional Regulation of the Human Cytomegalovirus US11 Early Gene

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) US11 early gene encodes a protein involved in the down-regulation of major histocompatibility complex class I cell surface expression in HCMV-infected cells. Consequently, this gene is thought to play an important role in HCMV evasion of immune recognition. In this study, we examined the transcriptional regulation of US11 gene expression. Analysis of deletions within the US11 promoter suggests that two sequence elements are important for activation by the viral immediate-early (IE) proteins. Deletion of a CREB site located at -83 relative to the cap site resulted in a reduction in promoter activity to 50% of the wild-type level. Deletion of an additional ATF site immediately upstream of the TATA box resulted in abrogation of responsiveness to the IE proteins. To confirm the role of the CREB and ATF sites within the US11 promoter, mutagenesis of these two sites, both individually and in combination, was carried out. Results indicate that both the CREB element and the ATF site were required for full promoter activity, with the ATF site critical for US11 promoter activation. The loss of transcriptional activation correlated with a loss of cellular proteins binding to the mutated US11 promoter elements. In combination with the viral IE proteins, the HCMV tegument protein pp71 (UL82) was found to up-regulate the US11 promoter by six- to sevenfold in transient assays. These results suggest that pp71 may contribute to the activation of the US11 promoter at early times after infection. Up-regulation by pp71 required the presence of the CREB and ATF sites within the US11 promoter for full activation. The role of the ATF and CREB elements in regulating US11 gene expression during viral infection was then assessed. The US11 gene is not required for replication of HCMV in tissue culture. This property was exploited to generate US11 promoter mutants regulating expression of the endogenous US11 gene in the natural genomic context. We generated recombinant HCMV that contained the US11 promoter with mutations in either the CREB or ATF element or both regulating the expression of the endogenous US11 gene. Northern blot analysis of infected cell mRNA revealed that mutation of the CREB element reduced US11 mRNA expression to approximately 25% of that of the wild-type promoter, with identical kinetics of expression. Mutation of the ATF site alone reduced US11 mRNA levels to 6% of that of the wild-type promoter, with mRNA detectable only at 8 h after infection. Mutation of both the CREB and ATF elements in the US11 promoter reduced US11 gene expression to undetectable levels. These results demonstrate that the CREB and ATF sites cooperate to regulate the US11 promoter in HCMV-infected cells.
THE CAPITAL MARKET VALUE OF A MULTIPERIOD INVESTMENT WITH THE OPTION OF PREMATURE ABANDONMENT

Conventional approaches to determining optimal abandonment of a project under uncertainty either assume risk-neutrality or impose a mean-variance criterion. Risk-neutrality is unrealistic while the mean-variance criterion precludes determination of the optimal strategy without consideration of covariances of returns among projects. Further, the use of variance of present value as a risk measure may result in the “optimality” of a time 0 strategy that involves maintaining a position at time t that will be “suboptimal” and would not be maintained. The use of the multiperiod capital asset pricing model (CAPM) as a decision criterion is consistent with contemporary theory of market behavior and remedies the deficiencies of the mean-variance approach noted above. Computationally, the optimal strategy for abandonment, when the commitment must be made at time 0 (a lease, say), can be determined with little difficulty beyond that of mean-variance models. When time of abandonment can remain unspecified, the value of the prospect that abandonment will occur at the optimal time can be determined, though the technique necessary is considerably more complicated. In both cases, the marginal costs of commitments that limit discretion over abandonment can be determined and attributed to those commitments.
Anterior EEG asymmetries and opponent process theory

The opponent process theory of emotion [Solomon, R.L., and Corbit, J.D. (1974). An opponent-process theory of motivation: I. Temporal dynamics of affect. Psychological Review, 81, 119-143.] predicts a temporary reversal of emotional valence during the recovery from emotional stimulation. We hypothesized that this affective contrast would be apparent in asymmetrical activity patterns in the frontal lobes, and would be more apparent for left frontally active individuals. The present study tested this prediction by examining EEG asymmetries during and after blocked presentations of aversive pictures selected from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS). 12 neutral images, 12 aversive images, and 24 neutral images were presented in blocks. Participants who were right frontally active at baseline did not show changes in EEG asymmetry while viewing aversive slides or after cessation. Participants left frontally active at baseline, however, exhibited greater relative left frontal activity after aversive stimulation than before stimulation. Asymmetrical activity patterns in the frontal lobes may relate to affect regulatory processes, including contrasting opponent after-reactions to aversive stimuli.
Interactive effects of in vitro binge-like alcohol and ATP on umbilical endothelial nitric oxide synthase post-translational modifications and redox modulation

Alcohol dysregulates the regulation of reproductive vascular adaptations. We herein investigated chronic in vitro binge-like alcohol effects on umbilical endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) multi-site phosphorylation and related redox switches under basal (unstimulated) and stimulated (with ATP) states. Alcohol decreased endothelial excitatory (Pser1177)eNOS (P<0.001), whereas excitatory (Pser635)eNOS exhibited a main effect of alcohol (↓P=0.016) and ATP (↑P<0.001). Alcohol decreased (Pthr495)eNOS (P=0.004) levels, whereas inhibitory (Pser116)eNOS exhibited an alcohol main effect in both basal and stimulated states (↑P=0.005). Total eNOS was reduced by alcohol (P=0.038). In presence of ATP, alcohol inhibited ERK activity (P=0.002), whereas AKT exhibited no alcohol effect. Alcohol main effect on S-nitroso-glutathione reductase (↓P=0.031) and glutathione-S-transferase (↓P=0.027) were noted. Increased protein glutathiolation was noted, whereas no alcohol effect on GSH, GSSG, NOX2 or SOD expression was noted. Thus, alcohol effects on multi-site post-translational modifications and redox switches related to vasodilatory eNOS underscore the necessity for investigating alcohol-induced gestational vascular dysfunction.
A Computer Method for Determination of Valid Focal Mechanisms Using P Wave First Motions

Most techniques for determining focal mechanisms attempt to find a unique focal mechanism. However, for the usual case in which only a limited number of P–wave first motions are available, the focal mechanism can only be limited to a domain in which any solution will be equally valid. If the data contain incorrect readings then only domains with a limited number of errors can be found. A computer program to facilitate the defining of domains in which the P, T or B axis define valid focal mechanisms is presented and evaluated. The shape of the domain gives insight into the influence of recording station locations on the focal mechanisms. P–wave amplitudes or S–wave polarization, if available, could be used to indicate a preferred focal mechanism within the domain of valid solutions.
Fine grained silicon-tungsten calorimetry for a linear collider detector

A fine grained silicon-tungsten calorimeter is ideal for use as the electromagnetic calorimeter in a linear collider detector optimized for particle-flow reconstruction. We are designing a calorimeter that is based on readout chips which are bump bonded to the silicon wafers that serve as the active medium in the calorimeter. By using integrated electronics we plan to demonstrate that fine granularity can be achieved at a reasonable price. Our design minimizes the gap between tungsten layers leading to a small Moliere radius, an important figure of merit for particle-flow detectors. Tests of the silicon detectors to be used in a test beam prototype as well as timing measurements based on similar silicon detectors are discussed.
Film cooling effectiveness and mass/heat transfer coefficient downstream of one row of discrete holes

A special naphthalene sublimation technique is used to study the film cooling performance downstream of one row of holes of 35 deg inclination angle with 3d hole spacing and relatively small hole length to diameter ratio (L/d = 6.3). Both film cooling effectiveness and mass/heat transfer coefficient are determined for blowing rates from 0.5 to 2.0 with density ratio of 1.0. The mass transfer coefficient is measured using pure air film injection, while the film cooling effectiveness is derived from comparison of mass transfer coefficients obtained following injection of naphthalene-vapor-saturated air with those from pure air injection. This technique enables one to obtain detailed local information on film cooling performance. The laterally averaged and local film cooling effectiveness agree with previous experiments. The difference between mass/heat transfer coefficients and previous heat transfer results indicates that conduction error may play an important role in the earlier heat transfer measurements.
What Is Direct Patient Care

To the Editor: After reading Bohannon's “Productivity Among Physical Therapists: An Evaluation of One Department” (Phys Ther 64:1242–1244, 1984) and Raynaud's “Productivity: Efficiency? Effectiveness? or Both?” (Clinical Management 4(4): 12–14,1984), I am convinced that the term “direct care” requires redefinition. The term most often means those services provided during face-to-face contact with the patient. Services provided by the physical therapist in a non-face-to-face situation are called indirect services or other titles descriptive of the behaviors performed. As a clinician and direct provider of physical therapy services, I am required to perform many functions that directly benefit the patient. Yet, many of these functions/services are performed within a nonface-to-face situation. Such services range from meetings with interdisciplinary team members to expenditure of personal time, money, and effort in fabricating tools and equipment needed by an individual in my direct care. Most indirect services are not currently recognized as chargeable units of time. [ ARTICLE][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/64/1242?iss=8
Empfehlungen zur Durchführung der hochdosierten i.v. Stoßtherapie mit Prednisolon bei multipler Sklerose

Die Indikationen zur Durchfuhrung der hochdosierten i.v. Stostherapie mit Prednisolon oder Methylprednisolon wurden in den bislang vorliegenden Studien unterschiedlich gestellt. Die meisten Autoren beschranken diese Therapieform auf Patienten mit schubformig verlaufender MS (Dowling et al. 1980; Barnes et al. 1985). Tatsachlich spricht diese Ver-laufsform der MS am besten auf die Therapie an, insbesondere wenn es sich um die ersten Schube handelt, die Behandlung innerhalb von 4 Wochen nach Schubbeginn einsetzt und die Krankheitsdauer unter 10 Jahren liegt. Die besseren Therapieergebnisse beim Vorliegen dieser Voraussetzungen sind jedoch kein hinreichender Grund, den ubrigen Patienten diese Therapie vorzuenthalten; immerhin erbringt die Prednisolonstostherapie selbst bei einer Krankheitsdauer von uber 10 Jahren noch in der Halfte der Falle ein positives Resultat (s. Tab. 2.10), so das u.E. ein Behandlungsversuch auch bei dieser Patientengruppe naheliegt.
Understanding Auditors’ Sense of Responsibility for Detecting Fraud Within Organizations

The objective of this study is to evaluate auditors’ perceived responsibility for fraud detection. Auditors play a critical role in managing fraud risk within organizations. Although professional standards and guidance prescribe responsibility in the area, little is known about auditors’ sense of responsibility for fraud detection, the factors affecting perceived responsibility, and how responsibility affects auditor performance. We use the triangle model of responsibility as a theoretical basis for examining responsibility and the effects of accountability, fraud type, and auditor type on auditors’ perceived fraud detection responsibility. We also test how perceived responsibility affects auditor brainstorming performance given the importance of brainstorming in audits. A sample of 878 auditors (241 external auditors and 637 internal auditors) participated in an experiment with accountability pressure and fraud type manipulated randomly between subjects. As predicted, accountable auditors report higher detection responsibility than anonymous auditors. We also find a significant fraud type × auditor type interaction with external auditors perceiving the most detection responsibility for financial statement fraud, while internal auditors report similar detection responsibility for all fraud types. Analysis of the triangle model’s formative links reveals that professional obligation and personal control are significantly related to responsibility, while task clarity is not. Finally, the results indicate that perceived responsibility positively affects the number of detection procedures brainstormed and partially mediates the significant accountability–brainstorming relation.
Tax Loss Harvesting in Quarter 1

This paper is among the first to look systematically at the timing of the tax loss harvesting decision faced by investors. A conceptual explanation of the trade-off between tax savings and incremental transaction costs, which underlies the tax loss harvesting decision, is offered. A simulation study is used to show how three variables - the investor's tax rate and transaction costs, and the time of year that a loss is incurred - interact to determine the potential benefit of harvesting a loss early (i.e., not waiting until year-end). The results show that tax loss harvesting can be highly beneficial early in the year (e.g., January) while it is often counter-productive later in the year, contrary to the way that tax loss harvesting is widely understood and practiced. Suggestions for future research, including the need to test the generalizability of these findings to fixed income assets, and implications for investment management are provided.
Projectibles: Optimizing Surface Color For Projection

Typically video projectors display images onto white screens, which can result in a washed out image. Projectibles algorithmically control the display surface color to increase the contrast and resolution. By combining a printed image with projected light, we can create animated, high resolution, high dynamic range visual experiences for video sequences. We present two algorithms for separating an input video sequence into a printed component and projected component, maximizing the combined contrast and resolution while minimizing any visual artifacts introduced from the decomposition. We present empirical measurements of real-world results of six example video sequences, subjective viewer feedback ratings, and we discuss the benefits and limitations of Projectibles. This is the first approach to combine a static display with a dynamic display for the display of video, and the first to optimize surface color for projection of video.
Caught in the Middle: Urban Principals' Attempts to Achieve School Autonomy and Devolve Decision-Making.

Based on two years of extensive data collection in four urban elementary schools, this paper examines the role of principals in the implementation of the Together Initiative (TI), a school reform model for schools labeled lowperforming per state accountability standards. The reform model aims to increase school autonomy from district mandates and devolve decisionmaking to include teachers, parents, and community members. The differences in the manner in which principals implemented TI appear to be influenced by the level of support at the district level, as well as principals’ own commitment to the tenets of the initiative. Balancing devolved school leadership with district relationships requires reimagining the boundaries between responsibilities of the principalship, teaching, and administration.
Marine injuries. Prevention and treatment.

Penetrating wounds, stings, and inoculation of venom are common marine injuries to unwary walkers during the summer season. In many circumstances, foreign bodies such as wood splinters or small shards of glass can be removed readily with fine-pointed forceps. Other times, objects may not be noticed until radiographic examination of the injured area. With deeply penetrated foreign bodies, attempts at removal must often be weighed against the likelihood of continued symptoms and damage should the object be left in the foot. This review presents methods of prevention and treatment for common sources of marine foot injuries. Language: en
Initial experience and study of learning curves for robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

diabetes, vascular or neurologic comorbidities. Total operation time (77 28.8 vs 124 48.4 vs 101 48.3 minutes, p < 0.0001) and length of hospital stay (1 1.06 vs 3 2.08 vs 2 3.2 days, p < 0.0001) were different between groups. Mortality was 0.7% and overall morbidity was 5.8%. The case mix reflected a decrease in LB procedures from 45.5% to 23.3% from 2006-09 to 2010-11 and an increase in LSG procedures from 9.1% to 24.7% (p<0.006).
Spatial and Temporal Profiling of Griseofulvin Production in Xylaria cubensis Using Mass Spectrometry Mapping

A large portion of natural products research revolves around the discovery of new, bioactive chemical entities; however, studies to probe the biological purpose of such secondary metabolites for the host organism are often limited. Mass spectrometry mapping of secondary metabolite biosynthesis in situ can be used to probe a series of ecological questions about fungi that may be lost through traditional natural products chemistry extraction protocols. A griseofulvin-producing fungal culture of the Xylariaceae family, isolated as an endophyte of the tree Asimina triloba, was analyzed through a series of spatial and temporal mapping experiments. This fungus produced unique fungal characteristics, such as guttates and stroma, both of which were explored spatially. The distribution of griseofulvin on this culture in isolation was compared to its dispersal when grown in co-culture with a competing Penicillium species via a droplet–based surface sampling system. The fungistatic properties of griseofulvin were visualized, including the consequences for biosynthesis of polyhydroxyanthraquinones in a rival culture.
Application of ANN to predict heat supply loads

The paper discussed the basic mechanism of artificial neural network(ANN),all-purpose ANN program was compiled,and the program was used in predicting some heat supply loads,the fact that the predicted data is confirm with the actual loads shows itself that it is a new,reliable kind of means to predict heat supply loads.
Investigation on pesticide residues in some vegetables and teas in Quanzhou city in 2010

Objective:To investigate the contamination status of pesticide residues in some vegetable and tea in QuanZhou since the food pollution surveillance was carried out for ten years.Methods: All of collected samples were detected with the method of "Determination of Multi Pesticide Residues in Fruits and Vegetables"(GB/T5009.218-2008),and "The Maximum Residue Limits of Pesticides in Food"(GB2763-2005).Results: In 2010,104 samples in 25 different kinds of vegetables and teas were collected.And 40 items of pesticide residues were detected.The detection result shows that 28 samples have been detected pesticide residues and 4 of them exceed the national standard.The total detection rate and exceeding standard rate of pesticide residues in foods were 26.9% and 3.8% respectively and the quality rate was 96.2%.Conclusion: There were various degrees of pesticide contamination on vegetables and teas in Quanzhou market and the detection rate increased slightly.The illegal use of methamidophos,carbofuran and dicofol was found in vegetables and teas.The pesticides management and monitoring network in foods should be strengthened to control food safety effectively in the source.