cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multicellularity and Biofilms

The authors argue that multicellularity is chiefly characterized by extensive intercellular interactions that lead to coordination of the cells’ activities. They also argue that the evidence collected on biofilms thus far only partially supports the assertion that biofilms are multicellular organisms. In addition to extensive intercellular interactions, the classical examples of bacterial multicellularity also feature coordination of the activities of constituent cells. The chapter focuses on multicellularity of biofilms. Intercellular signaling is likely involved in establishing the division of labor, because quorum-sensing signals are known to be required for efficient sporulation. This division of labor could benefit the biofilm as a whole, because one can speculate that Bacillus subtilis fruiting bodies play a role in spore dispersal, a function proposed for myxococcal fruiting bodies and the aerial hyphae of streptomycetes. In this way B. subtilis biofilms can be said to show all the features characteristic of multicellularity: intercellular interactions that lead to a coordination of cell activities that benefits the community. Perhaps the most daunting challenge in studies relating to bacterial multicellularity will be to determine whether an observed coordination of cell activities actually benefits the biofilm community as a whole. In large part, this is because biofilms typically lack an obvious function. A potential solution to this problem is suggested by the observation that terminal differentiation is a feature common to several of the examples of bacterial multicellularity discussed in this chapter (e.g., heterocysts, aerial hyphae, and myxobacterial fruiting bodies).
A Method for Recommending Computer-Security Training for Software Developers: Leveraging the Power of Static Analysis Techniques and Vulnerability Repositories

Security breaches in software systems are often caused by vulnerable code, which result in loss of confidential data in addition to reputation and financial damages. To achieve robust software security, developers must be given proper training on secure coding practices. Conventional training methods are limited as they do not take the prior code written by the developers into account. We propose a Computer Security Training Recommender to help identify focused and narrow training areas for software developers. The proposed system leverages the power of public vulnerability repositories, static analysis techniques, and mapping algorithms. The public vulnerability repositories, hosting community accepted solutions to several security problems, serve as the knowledgebase for the proposed system. We use static analysis techniques to uncover vulnerabilities present in developers' code. Finally, the mapping algorithms use information about flagged vulnerabilities to retrieve the most relevant articles from the knowledgebase. Hence, the mitigation strategies given in the articles can be used as a resource to train the individual developers. This paper presents an architecture of the proposed recommender system and a proof -- of -- concept case study. Preliminary empirical evaluation indicates that the proposed system is promising.
Oncogenic Transformation of T Cells by Herpesvirus saimiri

Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) is a ubiquitous agent of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus); this virus can be reproducibly isolated from the peripheral blood of apparently healthy animals.(1) The most intriguing feature of HVS is its ability to induce acute T-cell lymphomas or lymphoid leukemias. These experimental malignancies develop within a few months after inoculation of the virus into New World monkeys and New Zealand white rabbits.(2–4) Most T lymphocytes transformed in vivo or in vitro by HVS are CD8 positive,(5–9) although some CD4 cell lines have been reported,(9) suggesting that HVS encodes genes responsible for the preferential and efficient immortalization of CD8 T cells.
Estimation/detection in impulsive noise/multiuser interference environment

For arbitrary distribution of the additive interference at the communication receiver, we propose a new approach for the signal estimation/detection problems in the FIR channel. By applying the Bayesian law, the MAP estimator/detector are obtained. The complexity of the proposed algorithms are lower than the Viterbi decoder. As an example, the binary signal sequence is recovered from the measurement data corrupted by a highly impulsive noise process with symmetric /spl alpha/-stable distribution.
Interactions of pathogen-containing compartments with the secretory pathway.

Summary A subgroup of intracellular pathogens reside and replicate within membrane-bound compartments often termed pathogen-containing compartments (PCC). PCCs navigate around a wide range of host cell vesicles and organelles. In light of the perils of engaging with vesicles of the endocytic pathway, most PCCs modulate their interactions with endocytic vesicles while a few avoid those interactions. The secretory pathway constitutes another important grouping of vesicles and organelles in host cells. Although the negative consequences of engaging with the secretory pathway are not known, there is evidence that PCCs interact differentially with vesicles and organelles in this pathway as well. In this review, we consider three prokaryote pathogens and two protozoan parasites for which there is information on the interactions of their PCCs with the secretory pathway. Current understandings of the molecular interactions as well as the metabolic benefits that accompany those interactions are discussed. Not unexpectedly, our understanding of the extent of these interactions is variable. An underlying theme that is brought to the fore is that PCCs establish preferential interactions with distinct compartments of the secretory pathway.
Novel N,N ′‐diacyl‐1,3‐diaminopropyl‐2‐carbamoyl bivalent cationic lipids for gene delivery – synthesis, in vitro transfection activity, and physicochemical characterization

Novel N,N′-diacyl-1,3-diaminopropyl-2-carbamoyl bivalent cationic lipids were synthesized and their physicochemical properties in lamellar assemblies with and without plasmid DNA were evaluated to elucidate the structural requirements of these double-chained pH-sensitive surfactants for potent non-viral gene delivery and expression. The highest in vitro transfection efficacies were induced at +/− 4 : 1 by the dimyristoyl, dipalmitoyl and dioleoyl derivatives 1,3lb2, 1,3lb3 and 1,3lb5, respectively, without inclusion of helper lipids. Transfection activities were reduced in the presence of either 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine alone or in combination with cholesterol for all derivatives except 1,3lb5, which maintained reporter gene expression levels at +/− 4 : 1 and yielded increased lipofection activity at a lower charge ratio of +/− 2 : 1. Ethidium bromide displacement indicated efficient plasmid DNA binding and compaction by the transfection-competent analogs. Dynamic light-scattering and electrophoretic mobility studies revealed lipoplexes of the active lipids with large particle sizes (mean diameter ≥ 500 nm) and zeta potentials with positive values (low ionic strength) or below neutrality (high ionic strength). Langmuir film balance studies showed high in-plane elasticity of these derivatives in isolation. In agreement with the monolayer experiments, fluorescence polarization studies verified the fluid nature of the highly transfection-efficient amphiphiles, with gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transitions below physiological temperature. The active compounds also interacted with endosome-mimicking vesicles to a greater extent than the poorly active derivative 1,3lb4, as revealed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments. Taken together, the results suggest that well-hydrated and highly elastic cationic lipids with increased acyl chain fluidity and minimal cytotoxicity elicit high transfection activity.
Extension, Variability, and Normativity: Deniz Peters on Musical Experience

In his essay, “Musical Empathy, Emotional Co-Constitution, and the ‘Musical Other,’” Deniz Peters aims to present a non-reductive account of musical empathy in musical experience that takes seriously the contributions of bodily experience through what he terms “emotional co-constitution.” I set Peters’ view in the context of what I call the Structural Object Model of musical experience and elaborate on some of the challenges Peters’ essay raises for both theoretical and empirical research on musical experience, concentrating on implications concerning ranges of cases covered by the theory, the variability of listeners’ experiences, the normativity of the theory, musical sophistication, and the cultural roots of musical experience.
Internal auditory canal mass in a 46-year-old woman.

A 46-year old woman presented with unilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a nodule in the left distal internal auditory canal; T1-weighted images showed a hyperintense and nonenhancing nodule, and the T2-weighted images showed an isointense nodule. Pathologic studies showed adipose tissue separating nerve bundles and ganglion cells.
Characteristics of families who attend free vaccine fairs.

Objective. To determine the health care resources and perceived barriers to care of families attending free vaccine fairs. Design. A cross-sectional survey. Setting. Twelve free vaccine fairs in Denver, Colorado, in 1994. Participants. A total of 533 consecutive parents or guardians of children receiving vaccine at the fairs. Interventions. None. Measurements/Results. Survey respondents reported that their children received regular health care through a private physician or health maintenance organization (HMO) (47%), a public clinic (20%), or a hospital-based clinic (14%); 18% had no regular site for health care. Twenty-seven percent of the families carried private insurance, although less than half of these plans covered children9s vaccines: 9% were enrolled in an HMO or a preferred provider organization and 13% had Medicaid, whereas 50% had no health insurance. Families who received primary care at a private physician9s office (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.01–2.7) and those with no regular site for health care (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.01–4.0) were more likely than those who went to a public clinic or hospital clinic to report free vaccine as the most important reason for attending a vaccine fair. Conversely, families who received well-child care at a hospital clinic were more likely to identify no appointment needed as the most important reason (OR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.4–5.1). Families with private health insurance (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.05–4.0) or no health insurance (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1–4.6) were more likely to identify free vaccine as the most important reason for attending a vaccine fair, whereas those enrolled in an HMO or preferred provider organization identified convenient time as the most important reason (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.2–8.3). Families with Medicaid (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.3–8.3) or with no insurance (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.02–4.6) were more likely than were those with private insurance to identify no appointment needed as the most important reason for attending a vaccine fair. Conclusions. Most families attending free vaccine fairs have a regular source of health care. For families with private health insurance or with no health insurance, the availability of free vaccine is the major reason to bring their children to a vaccine fair, whereas for families whose insurance routinely covers the cost of childhood vaccine (HMO, Medicaid), convenience is the major determinant.
Antibiotic policy and prescribing strategies for therapy of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae: the role of piperacillin–tazobactam

Therapy of infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria with an antimicrobial to which they are resistant results in treatment failure, higher cost and increased mortality. The CLSI recommends reporting ESBL-producing strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Proteus spp. as resistant to all penicillin, true cephalosporin and monobactam antimicrobials, but as susceptible to beta-lactam-beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations, including piperacillin-tazobactam, when they test as such. Current literature supports the action of piperacillin-tazobactam against susceptible strains of ESBL-producing bacteria based on the structure-activity relationship between inhibitors and the ESBLs, as well as on recent clinical outcome studies.
The Role of Trait Anxiety in Nicotine Dependence1

Studies point to an association between anxiety and smoking. However, the mechanisms linking trait anxiety and nicotine dependence have not been evaluated fully. Potential mediators include self-medication variables (e.g., use of nicotine to manage anxiety) and cognitive variables (e.g., lower levels of self-efficacy). The present study explored these mechanisms in a sample of 352 male and female smokers. The results showed that trait anxiety correlated significantly with negative affect smoking (r= .29, p= .0001), stimulation smoking (r=.15, p = .007), and nicotine dependence (r= .20, p= .0003). Trait anxiety also correlated significantly with self-efficacy (r =-.22, p = .0003). Regression analyses revealed that trait anxiety predicted nicotine dependence after controlling for depression, education, race, age, and marital status (R2= .09, p = .0001). Path modeling indicated that both negative affect smoking and quitting self-efficacy mediated the relationship between trait anxiety and nicotine dependence. Interventions that emphasize the management of anxious mood and quitting confidence may benefit anxious smokers.
Loss of Gender Agreement in L1 Attrition: Preliminary Results.

Abstract The purpose of the present investigation was to obtain preliminary data on the effects of first language (LI) loss on the Spanish of bilingual children, particularly with respect to noun phrase (NP) gender agreement. Two children, bilingual in English and Spanish, were followed longitudinally and their use of gender agreement was examined. Data on incidence and type of NP gender agreement errors were obtained. Results of the investigation suggest that Spanish gender agreement morphology may be vulnerable to language loss. Nevertheless, differences in relative impact of L1 loss on gender agreement varied among the children. In contrast to previous research with Spanish-speaking children who are learning English as a second language and who have language impairment, it appears that gender errors are the result of the language contact situation, and not because of language learning deficits. Possible reasons for the observed patterns and directions for future research are presented.
CCPM Symposium I ‐ 01: Anatomic, functional, and molecular imaging using optical coherence tomography

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a novel biomedical imaging technique which uses low‐coherence optical interferometry to obtain micron‐scale resolution tomographic images of sub‐surface tissue structure noninvasively. OCT has become a standard diagnostic tool in clinical ophthalmology, and is under investigation for other clinical applications including cancer detection and evaluation of cardiovascular disease. Within the past few years, dramatic technology advances have increased the performance of OCT systems many‐fold, and have also demonstrated the potential for micron‐scale functional and molecular imaging in living systems for the first time. We have developed spectral domain OCT scanners capable of imaging up to several times video rate, and applied them for real‐time two‐dimensional and near real‐time three dimensional imaging in human and small animal models. The applications of this new technology for high‐throughput noninvasive phenotyping and rapid 3D imaging in small animals and developmental biology models is particularly compelling. In addition, we have developed novel functional imaging extensions to OCT which take advantage of the altered spectral content of elastic and inelastically backscattered light to provide enhanced image contrast. These include the first demonstrations of molecular imaging with OCT, in which an imaging form of pump‐probe spectroscopy has been used to image the distributions of genetically expressed proteins with micron resolution in living animals, with sensitivity comparable to multiphoton microscopy.
[Microbial biosynthesis and biotransformation of indigo and indigo-like pigments]

Indigo and indigo-like pigments are widely used in the industry of textile, food and medicine. Now people pays more and more attention to developing an alternative method of indigo production which is "environment-friendy", especially microbial biosynthesis of indigo. Many microorganisms involved in the biosynthesis of indigo have been isolated and characterized, and monooxygenase and dioxygenase have been identified to catalyze indigo biosynthesis. Some genes encoding for these enzymes have been cloned and used to construct "engineering bacteria". With this kind of bacteria, more efficient fermentation systems for indigo production have been exploited. In the meantime, biotransformation of the indigo produced by microorganisms has been under investigation. These progresses will bring us a greener method of indigo and indigo-like pigments production.
An exotic sphere with positive curvature almost everywhere

In this article we show that there is an exotic sphere with positive sectional curvature almost everywhere.
APPLICATION OF TWO-LEVEL NEGATIVE EXPONENTIAL MODEL TO CHILDREN'S LEARNING CURVE IN READING

This paper attempts to model the development of children's reading skills using the negative exponential curve with mixed effects model. The model describes the nature of growth in children's reading skills and accounts for intra-individual and inter-individual variations. In addition, we propose methods including cross-validation, regression, and graphing to determine an appropriate curve for the data, to find good initial values for parameters, and to select potential covariates. We illustrate with an example that motivated this research: a longitudinal study of academic reading skills from grade 1 to grade 12 in Connecticut public schools.
Radiation-induced trismus in head and neck cancer patients.

To determine the incidence of trismus in patients who had previously received curative doses of radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer. In addition, we assessed if trismus was associated with quality of life deficits and radiation toxicity. Between February, 2005 and December, 2006, 40 patients with histologically confirmed head and neck cancer who had received curative doses of RT to the area(s) of the masticatory muscles and/or the ligaments of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were enrolled in this study. Differences in trismus incidence were compared between cancer treatment modalities [i.e., RT vs RT/chemotherapy (CT) and conventional RT vs intensity modulated RT]. Quality of life (QOL) was measured by using four questions from the EORTC QLQ-C30 that address pain and difficulty opening the jaw. Scores regarding impaired eating as a result of decreased range of motion of the mouth were derived from the Modified Common Toxicity Criteria (CTCAE Version 3.0). Trismus was identified in 45% of subjects who had received curative doses of RT. No differences were noted in the incidence of trismus between RT and RT/CT or between conventional RT and intensity modulated RT (IMRT). Those with trismus demonstrated more QOL deficits than the non-trismus group. Curative doses of RT for head and neck cancer result in trismus in a high percentage of patients, independent of other treatment modalities. Trismus has a negative impact on quality of life in this population.
Effect of pharmacologically-induced arousal on the evoked potential in the unanesthetized rat.

Abstract Three positive-negative wave complexes of the visually evoked response (VER) in the unanesthetized rat were examined following iterative photic stimulation. EEG activation was induced by physostigmine, amphetamine, or pilocarpine in order to compare the peak latency and amplitude values of the VER components during arousal. It was served that the peak latency of only one component, a late negative wave occurring at approximately 160 msec was affected by the drug treatments. Except for one negative-positive amplitude measure occurring between 70 and 90 msec, the effect of drug-induced activation was to suppress the amplitude excursion of the remaining wave components. These observations agree with other VER studies in which arousal level was modified by type of behavioral task. It is suggested that the late negative wave peaking at 160 msec comprised the first wave of a photically evoked after-discharge burst.
Volunteerism in engineering outreach: Motivations and surprising outcomes for undergraduate mentors

The motivations for volunteering of former DREAM Head Mentors is investigated. DREAM is an engineering outreach program at Rice University in collaboration with underserved Houston, Texas high schools. The existing Volunteer Functions Inventory and Volunteer Motivation Inventory have been adapted for this study. The internally developed Mentors Self-Assessment Survey has been improved with new qualitative items, and scale items from another outreach program (TEAMS). Results indicate that volunteer undergraduate Head Mentors were overwhelmingly motivated by the Values function or category, related to humanitarian concern for others. There is no volunteer requirement at Rice University and no mentors have ever requested certification of volunteer hours to maintain scholarships or fellowships, supporting the findings of highly altruistic motivations. Among former Head Mentors, 47% have pursed STEM graduate degrees — approximately twice the rate of Rice alumni. Half of these are women and half are Hispanic. Head Mentors are leaders at the schools and often participate in research and publication of findings. This study suggests that leadership development and introduction to research through engineering outreach may be an untapped pathway to diversify the undergraduate engineering pipeline and simultaneously encourage the pursuit of graduate degrees in engineering, particularly among women and underrepresented students.
Original Contribution: A learning rule based on empirically-derived activity-dependent neuromodulation supports operant conditioning in a small network

Activity-dependent neuromodulation has been proposed as a cellular mechanism for classical conditioning in Aplysia. Previously, we developed a mathematical model of an Aplysia sensory neuron that reflects the subcellular processes underlying this form of associative plasticity. This model could simulate features of nonassociative learning and classical conditioning. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that activity-dependent neuromodulation could also support operant conditioning. We used a network of six neurons, two of which were adaptive elements with an associative learning rule based on activity-dependent neuromodulation. A two-neuron central pattern generator (CPG) drove the network between two output states. We simulated operant conditioning by delivering reinforcement when one selected output occurred. The network exhibited several features of operant conditioning, including extinction and sensitivity to reversed contingencies, the magnitude of reinforcement, the delay of reinforcement, and contingency.
Waves in the Jovian upper atmosphere

We examine a propagating wave interpretation of the temperature profile features observed in the Jovian upper atmosphere by Veverka et al. (1974). Inertia-gravity waves with frequencies on the order of .003 per sec are consistent with the data. If the interpretation is correct, and if the waves carry energy upward, it implies (1) that there is excitation of such waves at lower levels, (2) that eddy diffusivities on the order of 1,000,000 sq cm/sec are probably generated by the waves, and (3) that the energy carried by waves is important to the upper atmospheric heat balance.
Methods of the algebraic theory of machines

In previous papers, Krohn and Rhodes exploited the natural connection between finite semigroups and finite-state sequential machines to prove a ptime decomposition theorem for finite semigroups and machines. The present paper uses the methdos of this algebraic approach to obtain a prime decomposition theorem for generalized machines together with the determination of properties preserved under siries and parallel (or cascade) composition of sequential machines.
An inverse approach to constraining strain and vorticity using rigid clast shape preferred orientation data

Abstract We describe a three-part approach for modeling shape preferred orientation (SPO) data of spheroidal clasts. The first part consists of criteria to determine whether a given SPO and clast shape are compatible. The second part is an algorithm for randomly generating spheroid populations that match a prescribed SPO and clast shape. In the third part, numerical optimization software is used to infer deformation from spheroid populations, by finding the deformation that returns a set of post-deformation spheroids to a minimally anisotropic initial configuration. Two numerical experiments explore the strengths and weaknesses of this approach, while giving information about the sensitivity of the model to noise in data. In monoclinic transpression of oblate rigid spheroids, the model is found to constrain the shortening component but not the simple shear component. This modeling approach is applied to previously published SPO data from the western Idaho shear zone, a monoclinic transpressional zone that deformed a feldspar megacrystic gneiss. Results suggest at most 5 km of shortening, as well as pre-deformation SPO fabric. The shortening estimate is corroborated by a second model that assumes no pre-deformation fabric.
Protein kinase C activation modulates reversible increase in cortical blood–brain barrier permeability and tight junction protein expression during hypoxia and posthypoxic reoxygenation

Hypoxia (Hx) is a component of many disease states including stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs when there is a restriction of cerebral blood flow and oxygen to part of the brain. During the ischemic, and subsequent reperfusion phase of stroke, blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity is lost with tight junction (TJ) protein disruption. However, the mechanisms of Hx and reoxygenation (HR)-induced loss of BBB integrity are not fully understood. We examined the role of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes in modifying TJ protein expression in a rat model of global Hx. The Hx (6% O2) induced increased hippocampal and cortical vascular permeability to 4 and 10 kDa dextran fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and endogenous rat-IgG. Cortical microvessels revealed morphologic changes in nPKC-θ distribution, increased nPKC-θ and aPKC-ζ protein expression, and activation by phosphorylation of nPKC-θ (Thr538) and aPKC-ζ (Thr410) residues after Hx treatment. Claudin-5, occludin, and ZO-1 showed disrupted organization at endothelial cell margins, whereas Western blot analysis showed increased TJ protein expression after Hx. The PKC inhibition with chelerythrine chloride (5 mg/kg intraperitoneally) attenuated Hx-induced hippocampal vascular permeability and claudin-5, PKC (θ and ζ) expression, and phosphorylation. This study supports the hypothesis that nPKC-θ and aPKC-ζ signaling mediates TJ protein disruption resulting in increased BBB permeability.
Carbon Bed Fires and the Use of Carbon Canisters for Air Emissions Control on Fixed-Roof Tanks.

Fixed-roof tanks are used extensively at manufacturing, waste management, and other facilities to store or process liquids containing volatile organic compounds. Federal and state air standards require the control of organic air emissions from many of these tanks. A common practice used for some fixed-roof tanks that are required to use controls is to vent the tank through an activated carbon canister. When organic vapors are adsorbed on activated carbon, heat is released. Under certain conditions, the temperature of the carbon bed can increase to a level at which the carbon or organic vapors spontaneously ignite, starting a fire in the carbon bed. Bed fires in carbon canisters are not uncommon and can present a significant safety hazard at facilities if proper safety measures are not implemented. This article discusses how carbon adsorber bed fires occur and presents general guidance on safety measures for carbon canisters installed on fixed-roof tanks to reduce the likelihood of a carbon bed fire and to minimize the impact in the event of a fire.
Boundary element analysis of cracks

This paper presents a boundary element formulation that can be used for traction free or pressurized central, edge or branch cracks. The problems associated with the evaluation of integrals containing higher order singularities, which have forced many researchers to modify the boundary integral equations, are overcome in this paper. This permits the use of traction boundary conditions with no modification or addition to the number of unknowns. Comparison of results for conforming and non-conforming elements in modeling of cracks reveals that the oscillation in stresses near the crack tip for non-conforming elements used in the past makes the stress intensity factor dependent on the points used in its calculation. Stress intensity factors are calculated using three different methods. Numerical results for central, edge and branch cracks validate the ideas presented in this paper.
Regulation of naturally occurring autoantibody secretion by a radiosensitive lymphocyte: Initial characterization and ontogeny

Low level irradiation (400-500 R) of normal mice or of murine spleen cells resulted in the detection of an enhanced number of plaque-forming cells against bromelain-treated autologous red cells (Br MRBC) 1 day later. The mechanism responsible for the increased numbers of plaques is apparently the elimination of a suppressor T cell since the addition of thymocytes or of Lyt 1+2+ splenic cells to cultures of irradiated cells reversed the radiation-induced increase. Studies on the ontogeny of the phenomenon indicate that anti-Br MRBC plaques can be formed by spleen cells taken from mice shortly after birth although adult levels are not reached until after 3 weeks of age. Radiation-induced increases in the number of plaques were not seen until 3 weeks of age, thus, suggesting a temporal developmental sequence of the ability to produce autoantibodies and to regulate such production.
Increasing Personal Agency Through Classical Mythology

Narrative letter writing is used in therapy as a powerful therapeutic tool. Letters written to the client can help rewrite his or her story, as well as help clients realize that they are their own agent of change. Women, feeling powerless in a male dominant society, may need to feel that they have the strength within to change. Providing the client a nickname can help maintain confidentiality, and can also strengthen his or her drive. Mythology can serve as a tool for therapists in selecting a nickname for the client. Matching a God or Goddess to a client can be a therapeutic tool.
Hamilton Decomposable Graphs with Specified Leaves

In this paper, a simple proof is given of a result that provides necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a hamilton decomposition of G−E(H) for any non-bipartite r-regular complete multipartite graph G and for any 2-factor H of G. Such conditions were originally obtained by Buchanan for complete graphs (ie when r=|V(G)|−1), and in some cases by Leach and Rodger otherwise (Leach and Rodger also settled the bipartite case). This result is extended to consider hamilton decompositions of G−E(H∪F), where F is a 1-factor of G.
Long-term effects of two interventions with the aged: An ecological analysis

Abstract The short- and long-term results of two intervention programs (Longer & Rodin, 1976; Schulz, 1976), conducted independently with the institutionalized aged, were reviewed. Short-term results were highly similar and positive in direction, but the long-term results diverged markedly. Critical differences between the programs are identified in an attempt to account for this divergence. These differences are then viewed from an ecological perspective. It is shown that enduring intervention effects are associated with systematic alterations in the social ecology of aged residents, whereas short-lived effects result from manipulations by which the social ecology is affected only minimally. An application of Bronfenbrenner's ecological model of human development suggests some directions in which progress can be made by both researchers and policymakers concerned with development among high-risk populations.
Surface characterization, microstructure, and wetting of networks from α,ω-dihydroxy(polydimethylsiloxane) and 1,1,2,2-tetrahydrotridecafluoro octyltriethoxysilane

Surface-modified siloxane networks were prepared using the dibutyltin diacetate catalyzed reaction of α,ω-dihydroxy(polydimethylsiloxane), HO(Me 2 SiO) n H, with tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl triethoxysilane, [CF 3 (CF 2 ) 5 (CH 2 ) 2 Si(OC 2 H 5 ) 3 , FTEOS]. Surface characterization of these elastomers was carried out using electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Surface phase separation occurs as a function of increasing ratio of FTEOS to HO(Me 2 SiO) n H. Dynamic contact angle (DCA) analysis with water as the interrogating fluid showed that water contamination affects DCA data in the compositional range 4x-8x, where x is the ratio of ethoxy groups from FTEOS to OH groups in HO(Me 2 SiO) n H. Diffusion of polydimethylsiloxane oil species from the coatings is blocked in compositions of 10x or greater. Chemical stability is also enhanced for 10x and 12x compositions.
Practical management for productivity

This article presents a review of the book “Practical Management for Productivity,” by John R. Hinrichs.
The need for microstructural control in coatings exposed to severe environments

Abstract Very fine grained or amorphous microstructures often improve the performance of coatings exposed to severe environments. Several examples are discussed to illustrate the desirability of controlling processing conditions to achieve microstructural control. In some cases, better environmental resistance is obtained from amorphous materials that exist in a metastable state of equilibrium. Since metastable phases are typically in a higher energy state, this observation is not intuitively obvious. For example, metastable glassy metal alloys exhibit significantly improved aqueous corrosion resistance. Here, the absence of grain boundaries appears to be the predominant factor. Very fine grained and amorphous optical coatings demonstrate improved laser damage resistance and better stability in the presence of humidity. It is suggested that compositional homogeneity is a principal factor in this performance. At high temperatures, the formation of protective glassy SiO2 provides better oxidation protection than the stable, higher melting point refractories do because the concentration of lattice defects in the crystalline oxides allows unacceptably high oxygen diffusion rates. Amorphous silica performs better until higher temperatures lower the viscosity and offset its advantage. Many of the coating microstructures used for illustration purposes were obtained by sputtering. However, it is the resultant microstructure that is of importance and not the process by which it was achieved. Process parameters can frequently be used to control the microstructure and thereby provide a means of improving coating performance under exposure to severe environments.
Eight Mondays: a parliamentary group ends the silence on population.

In the summer of 2006 the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Population Development and Reproductive Health held a series of Monday hearings at Westminster London UK on population growth and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). For a joyous moment good science and sound politics came together. Thirty to forty years ago population had the salience on the international agenda that global warming now receives. In 1967 British economist and Nobel laureate James Meade drew attention to the extra investment required to build additional infrastructure and create new jobs in a country with a rapidly growing population. In the late 1980s however the subject of population growth began to be pushed off the policy agenda and largely disappeared from public discussion. The press began to treat population with a mixture of scepticism and silence and most articles and books written about poverty or the environment did not even mention the population factor. Dr Chris Rapley Director of the British Antarctic Survey frequently points out that demographers are notable by their absence at scientific meetings on climate change. (excerpt)
On combining diagnostic ‘forecasts’: Thoughts and some evidence

Abstract The combining of forecasts involves more than issues of statistical aggregation. This comment focuses on situations where people have to combine forecasts in the form of diagnostic opinions concerning different states of nature. Taking a descriptive or psychological viewpoint, it is argued that people act upon the information they obtain and engage in considerable interpretation and imagination. Three specific problems are discussed: (1) the level at which opinions are aggregated; (2) the effects of redundancy and credibility of different sources; and (3) the manner in which the structure of information from multiple sources can lead to different diagnostic interpretations. The discussions are illustrated with experimental data.
Hierarchical Photo Stream Segmentation Using Context

Photo stream segmentation is to segment photo streams into groups, each of which corresponds to an event. Photo stream segmentation can be done with or without prior knowledge of event structure. In this paper, we study the problem by assuming that there is no a priori event model available. Although both context and content information are important for photo stream segmentation, we focus on investigating the usage of context information in this work. We consider different information components of context such as time, location, and optical setting for inexpensive segmentation of photo streams from common users of modern digital camera. As events are hierarchical, we propose to segment photo stream using hierarchical mixture model. We compare the generated hierarchy with that created by users to see how well results can be obtained without knowing the prior event model. We experimented with about 3000 photos from amateur photographers to study the efficacy of the approach for these context information components.
Maculoplasty for age-related macular degeneration: reengineering Bruch's membrane and the human macula

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the western world. Over the last decade, there have been significant advances in the management of exudative AMD with the introduction of anti-VEGF drugs; however, many patients with exudative AMD continue to lose vision and there are no effective treatments for advanced exudative AMD or geographic atrophy. Initial attempts at macular reconstruction using cellular transplantation have not been effective in reversing vision loss. Herein we discuss the current status of surgical attempts to reconstruct damaged subretinal anatomy in advanced AMD. We reinforce the concept of maculoplasty for advanced AMD, which is defined as reconstruction of macular anatomy in patients with advanced vision loss. Successful maculoplasty is a three-step process that includes replacing or repairing damaged cells (using transplantation, translocation or stimulation of autologous cell proliferation); immune suppression (if allografts are used to replace damaged cells); and reconstruction or replacement of Bruch's membrane (to restore the integrity of the substrate for proper cell attachment). In the current article we will review the rationale for maculoplasty in advanced AMD, and discuss the results of initial clinical attempts at macular reconstruction. We will then discuss the role of Bruch's membrane damage in limiting transplant survival and visual recovery, and discuss the effects of age-related changes within human Bruch's membrane on the initial attachment and subsequent proliferation of transplanted cells. We will discuss attempts to repair Bruch's membrane by coating with extracellular matrix ligands, anatomic reconstitution of the inner collagen layer, and the effects of Bruch's membrane reconstruction of ultrastuctural anatomy and subsequent cell behavior. Lastly, we will emphasize the importance of continued efforts required for successful maculoplasty.
Managing the Online Bibliographic Database for an Integrated Library System

The distinction between a bibliographic database for an online catalog of records for items in a library's collection and a database for an integrated system including order and holdings records is discussed. The initial database load, reorganization, and authority control are discussed in relation to their effect on database management and maintenance.
Abstract 4702: Effects of smoking on the molecular pathology of urinary bladder cancer and its prognostic importance

INTRODUCTION: Urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder develops through alterations in several cellular processes. Previous UC multimarker studies do not account for risk factor exposure that can influence clinical outcome. Cigarette smoking is the most well established risk factor for UC in the U.S. This study sought to identify molecular alterations associated with smoking and their prognostic value in a population-based cohort. METHODS: 212 UC patients from the Los Angeles County Cancer Surveillance Program, a NCI/SEER cancer registry, were included. Median follow up was 13.2 years. To analyze the biologic and molecular impact of smoking, we introduced novel variables - “smoke exposure” considered smoker status and duration of smoking, and “smoking intensity” considered number of cigarettes smoked daily in addition to the above smoking parameters. For ex-smokers, the “relative cessation measure” considered duration of smoking cessation until diagnosis and duration of smoking. Bax, caspase-3, Apaf-1, Bcl-2, p53, p21, COX-2, VEGF, and ECAD immunohistochemical expressions were analyzed on archival UC sections. Covariate and clinical outcome (overall survival) associations were examined. RESULTS: Stage was associated with p53 (P CONCLUSION: The study confirms the detrimental effect of smoking on UC prognosis and identifies key molecules that are deregulated by the carcinogenic exposure. Apaf-1, ECAD and p53 were important individual predictors of outcome, with Apaf-1 being prognostic after stratifying for stage and/or smoking. Number of altered markers was the most robust outcome predictor, independent of standard clinicopathologic and epidemiologic criteria, and can be used as a tool to identify patients who are in need of more aggressive treatment. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4702.
L_{2}-gain analysis and control of saturated switched systems with a dwell time constraint

This paper investigates the $$L_{2}$$ -gain analysis and control problem for switched systems with actuator saturation. A minimal dwell time constraint is first introduced, which avoids possible arbitrarily fast switching. Then, to satisfy the mentioned constraint, a switching strategy depending only on a lower bound of the dwell time and partial measurable states of the closed-loop system is developed in output feedback framework, which extends previous results in state feedback framework. Further, under the proposed switching strategy, time-varying hull controllable regions and saturated output feedback controllers working on them are constructed such that the closed-loop system has a prescribed $$L_{2}$$ -gain. Meanwhile, the states of the system starting from the origin will remain inside a time-varying ellipsoid determined by a discretized Lyapunov matrix function. In addition, the resulting ellipsoid is also proven to be between two time-invariant ellipsoids. A solution of the considered problem is given via a linear matrix inequality formulation. Finally, an example is exploited to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Ultrafast-pulse self-phase modulation and third-order dispersion in Si photonic wire-waveguides

By propagating femtosecond pulses inside submicron-cross-section Si photonic-wire waveguides with anomalous dispersion, we demonstrate that the pulse-propagation dynamics is strongly influenced by the combined action of optical nonlinearity and up to third-order dispersion with minimal carrier effects. Because of strong light confinement, a nonlinear phase shift of a few π due to self-phase modulation is observed at a pulse peak-power of just ~250 mW. We also observe soliton-emitted radiation, fully supported by theoretical analysis, from which we determine directly the third-order dispersion coefficient, β3=-0.73±0.05 ps3/m at 1537 nm.
EFFECT OF PENTOBARBITONE ON HYPOXIC VENTILATORY DRIVE IN MAN: Preliminary study

SUMMARY The effect of an intramuscular injection of pentobarbitone 2 mg/kg on the hypoxic ventilatory drive was measured in 10 volunteers. Five subjects showed significant depression of the ventilatory response to hypoxia 30 min after administration. This depression persisted for 90 min. The other five subjects showed no change from control responses. The two groups appeared to differ in their levels of physical fitness as measured by differences in resting heart rate and maximal oxygen uptake.
Resolving the relationships of apid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) through a direct optimization sensitivity analysis of molecular, morphological, and behavioural characters

Phylogenetic analyses that incorporate the most character information also provide the most explanatory power. Here I demonstrate the value of such an approach through a direct optimization sensitivity analysis of apid bee phylogeny. Whereas prior studies have relied solely on one class of data or the other, this analysis combines previously published molecular, morphological, and behavioural characters into a single supermatrix. The final dataset includes 191 ingroup and 30 outgroup taxa, and includes data from seven unaligned gene sequences (18S, 28S, wingless, EF1-α, polII, Nak, LW rhodopsin), 209 adult and larval morphological characters, and two behavioural characters. Nine different sets of transformation cost parameters are evaluated, along with their relative degrees of character incongruence. The preferred parameter set returns a strict consensus tree somewhat similar to, but more resolved than, a previous parsimony tree based on molecules alone. I also describe the effects of including EF1-α and LW rhodopsin intron sequences on the outcome of the direct optimization analysis. By accounting for more evidence, this study provides the most comprehensive treatment yet of apid phylogenetic relationships.