cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comprehending quantified sentences: The relation between sentence-picture and semantic memory verification

Abstract People were timed as they decided whether quantified sentences like All (some) of the round figures are red were true or false of an accompanying picture. The response latency was a function of the quantifier and the relation between the sets mentioned in the subject and predicate of the sentence. The pattern of latencies was similar to the pattern found for sentences that refer to concepts in semantic memory, e.g., All (some) dogs are animals ( Meyer, 1970 ). This result suggests that the same process may be operating in both domains. Two alternative models of the process are considered. One model assumes that the common process consists of computing the relation between the two sets mentioned in the sentence. The other model assumes that the common process consists of comparing the representation of the sentence to the representation of information computed from the second source. Both models are integrated with broader theories of performance in various comprehension tasks.
Accurate identification of HER2-positive patients is essential for superior outcomes with trastuzumab therapy.

Purpose/objectives To review the clinical significance, methods of testing, and outcomes of trastuzumab (Herceptin) treatment for HER2 gene amplification and HER2 protein overexpression in breast cancer. Data sources Published articles and abstracts, online resources, a clinical handbook, and product information. Data synthesis HER2 gene amplification or HER2 protein overexpression can be found in 20%-25% of breast cancers and is important pathogenic and prognostic information. HER2 also predicts patient response to trastuzumab. Patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer benefit from trastuzumab whether selected by immunohistochemistry, which measures the HER2 protein, or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), which measures the HER2 oncogene. However, patients who are identified accurately as HER2 gene-amplified by FISH derive the greatest benefit. Conclusions Accurate testing is crucial for appropriate identification of patients for trastuzumab therapy. FISH is the most reproducible and accurate method. Implications for nursing Education regarding HER2 testing and trastuzumab helps patients to make informed decisions and facilitates active participation in their care as well as enhances dialogue with physicians.
Pulse dispersion in a clad lens-like medium

The effects of a homogeneous cladding on the dispersion of a square-law dielectric guide are investigated using a perturbation technique. Assuming a Gaussian, band-limited input it is shown that for single mode operation the waveguide dispersion is of the order of the material dispersion. For multimode operation the effect of the cladding on the uniformly polarized modes is examined and it is shown that a significant interaction occurs only for the two modes closest to cut-off. Comparison is made between theoretical and experimental results. The perturbation technique is used to analyse the optimum index profile proposed by Okamoto and Okoshi. It is shown that this variation reduces the dispersion to below that of the infinite medium approximation.
Uses of Expression Microarrays in Studies of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Asthma, Acute Lung Injury, and Emphysema: Roger S. Mitchell Lecture

Expression microarrays are a powerful tool that could provide new information about the molecular pathways regulating common lung diseases. To exemplify how this tool can be useful, selected examples of informative experiments are reviewed. In studies relevant to asthma, the cytokine interleukin-13 has been shown to produce many of the phenotypic features of this disease, but the cellular targets in the airways and the molecular pathways activated are largely unknown. We have used microarrays to begin to dissect the different transcriptional responses of primary lung cells to this cytokine. In experiments designed to identify global transcriptional programs responsible for regulating lung inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis, we performed microarray experiments on lung tissue from wild-type mice and mice lacking a member of the integrin family know to be involved in activation of latent transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. In addition to identifying distinct cluster of genes involved in each of these processes, these studies led to the identification of novel pathways by which TGF-β can regulate acute lung injury and emphysema. Together, these examples demonstrate how careful application and thorough analysis of expression microarrays can facilitate the discovery of novel molecular targets for intervening in common lung diseases.
A note on wave-induced set-up by obliquely incident waves

Abstract Water level variations due to obliquely incident, shoaling and breaking waves on a plane sloping beach were discussed recently by Hsu et al. (Coastal Engineering, 53, 865–877, 2006). An inconsistency in this work with respect to the set-down, and its implications to circulation offshore of the breakpoint, was pointed out by Shi and Kirby (Coastal Engineering, 55, 1246 – 1249, 2008). Here we extend that discussion to include the surfzone momentum balance and wave-induced set-up. We discuss some remaining inconsistencies in the approximation of the surfzone momentum balance, derive and present a consistent approximation, and validate the new approximation through numerical comparison to a more exact model.
Lifted p-adic homology with compact supports of the Weierstrass family and its zeta endomorphism

Abstract The relations among the generators for the lifted p -adic homology with compact supports of the various subfamilies of the Weierstrass family in characteristic p > 0 ( p ≠ 2, 3) are explicitly given in Section 2. Then, the universal coefficient spectral sequence and the zeta endomorphism in Section 3 enable one to compute explicitly the lifted p -adic homology with compact supports of all fibres, including all the elliptic curves and all their singular degenerations in the family.
Acyl-coenzyme A:Cholesterol acyltransferase in human liver. In vitro detection and some characteristics of the enzyme

The enzyme, acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), is responsible for the intracellular esterification of cholesterol. Although it has been detected in the liver from a variety of animals and in human skin fibroblasts and human intestine, it has been reported to be absent from human liver. Since this enzyme may play an important role in cholesterol homeostasis, evidence for its presence in human liver was again sought. Using labeled oleoyl CoA and the endogenous cholesterol as reactants, ACAT was detected in fresh samples of human liver obtained from patients undergoing staging laparotomy for Hodgkin's disease. The enzyme is present almost exclusively in membrane fractions with little activity detected in cytosol. Microsomal ACAT activity was linear with incubation time for up to 10 min. After this, the rate of cholesterol esterification remained constant despite the fact that adequate acyl CoA was present as judged by the continued incorporation of oleate into triglyceride. ACAT activity is destroyed by heating at 100 degrees C for 10 min. It was inhibited only up to 20%-30% by 1 mM 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid), which completely inactivates the serum cholesterol esterifying enzyme, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT). Like ACAT in human skin fibroblasts, human liver ACAT was also inhibited by progesterone in vitro. ACAT activity averaged 10.3 +/- 5.1 pmole cholesteryl oleate/min/mg microsomal protein for 3 normal livers and 39.0 +/- 12.5 for 2 fatty livers. Thus, the level of ACAT activity estimated for the whole liver was 2.1-35.8 mumol/hr in the fasting state. This activity may account for some portion of the cholesterol esters present in plasma VLDL in fasting normolipidemic individuals. However, it is likely that the major role of hepatic ACAT is in the regulation and maintenance of hepatic cholesterol homeostasis.
Polyurethane-based leukocyte-inspired biocidal materials

During the neutrophil respiratory burst myeloperoxidase uses hydrogen peroxide and chloride ion to generate hypochlorite which kills pathogens. Synthetic antimicrobial materials based on this chemistry are described herein. The oxidizing enzymes glucose oxidase (GOX) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) catalyze two reactions in tandem using glucose, hydrogen peroxide and sodium halide (iodide or bromide). The final product of these two consecutive enzymatic reactions is either iodine or bromine. HRP, acting as haloperoxidase, utilizes the H(2)O(2) generated by GOX to oxidize halide ions into free halogens. Typically, 15 units/ml HRP and 25 units/ml GOX reacted with 0.8mm NaI and 5mm glucose to generate 5-7 ppm free iodine within 30 min. Medical grade polyurethane ChronoFlex AR (CF) was electrospun together with GOX and HRP. The electrospun fibers were collected as a uniform, water-insoluble, flexible elastomeric matrix with an average fiber diameter of 1+/-0.2 microm. Biocidal activity of CF/enzyme fibers resulted in >6-log unit reduction of both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus challenges. A time-course of biocidal activity displayed a 3-4 log reduction of E. coli and S. aureus within the first 5 min and complete kill (>6 logs) within 15 min. A dose-response study of fiber weight (0.5-30 mg/ml) exhibited complete kill of E. coli (>6 logs) and at least 99.99% S. aureus kill (>4 logs) with as little as 1mg fiber. The fibers were reusable with slightly less activity on the second use and significant activity after continuous soaking in buffer for up to 7 days. Electrospun CF/GOX/HRP fibers adhered to a thin film with embedded NaI and glucose caused a complete kill of E. coli (>7-log units) and MRSA (6-log unit reduction) within 1h at 37 degrees C.
Vertical ozone fluxes and related deposition parameters over agricultural and forested landscapes

The spatial variability and temporal behavior of the vertical flux of ozone have been investigated from turbulence measurements collected on aircraft flight legs in the daytime period during two consecutive summer experimental field programs. The data were obtained during horizontal flight legs conducted over agricultural crops and forested land in three different regions of the eastern United States.
Proprioceptive information about target location suppresses autokinesis.

An experimental study of autokinesis perceived by subjects who had proprioceptive information about target locations was conducted. When subjects were permitted to grasp the target light mount, their perceptions of autokinesis were found to be fewer and of smaller magnitude than when only visual information about the target location was available. The decrease in autokinesis was correlated with an enhancement of oculomotor control.
Comparison of the Young-Laplace Law and Finite Element Based Calculation of Ventricular Wall Stress: Implications for Postinfarct and Surgical Ventricular Remodeling

Background Both the Young-Laplace law and finite element (FE) based methods have been used to calculate left ventricular wall stress. We tested the hypothesis that the Young-Laplace law is able to reproduce results obtained with the FE method. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging scans with noninvasive tags were used to calculate three-dimensional myocardial strain in 5 sheep 16 weeks after anteroapical myocardial infarction, and in 1 of those sheep 6 weeks after a Dor procedure. Animal-specific FE models were created from the remaining 5 animals using magnetic resonance images obtained at early diastolic filling. The FE-based stress in the fiber, cross-fiber, and circumferential directions was calculated and compared to stress calculated with the assumption that wall thickness is very much less than the radius of curvature (Young-Laplace law), and without that assumption (modified Laplace). Results First, circumferential stress calculated with the modified Laplace law is closer to results obtained with the FE method than stress calculated with the Young-Laplace law. However, there are pronounced regional differences, with the largest difference between modified Laplace and FE occurring in the inner and outer layers of the infarct borderzone. Also, stress calculated with the modified Laplace is very different than stress in the fiber and cross-fiber direction calculated with FE. As a consequence, the modified Laplace law is inaccurate when used to calculate the effect of the Dor procedure on regional ventricular stress. Conclusions The FE method is necessary to determine stress in the left ventricle with postinfarct and surgical ventricular remodeling
A note on redistribution

A consequence of income redistribution may well be to make everyone (including lower-income groups to which redistribution takes place) worse off after a period of years. Possibly income redistribution might gain consent because of risk aversion. The paper also draws attention to the tendency for people to be more concerned about poverty close at hand rather than far away.
High‐Performance Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes Based on Intramolecular Charge‐Transfer Emission from Donor–Acceptor Molecules: Significance of Electron‐ Donor Strength and Molecular Geometry

Organic light-emitting diodes based on intramolecular-charge-transfer emission from two related donor-acceptor (D-A) molecules. 3,7-[bis(4-phenyl-2-quinolyl)]-10-methylphenothiazine (BPQ-MPT) and 3,6-[bis(4-phenyl-2-quinolyl)]-9-methylcarbazole (BPQ-MCZ), were found to have electroluminescence (EL) efficiencies and device brightnesses that differ by orders of magnitude. High brightness (>40000 cd m -2 ) and high efficiency (21.9 cd A -1 , 10.8 lm W -1 , 5.78 % external quantum efficiency (EQE) at 1140 cd m -2 ) green EL was achieved from the BPQ-MPT emitter, which has its highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level at 5.09 eV and a nonplanar geometry. In contrast, diodes with much lower brightness (2290 cd m -2 ) and efficiency (1.4 cd A -1 , 0.66 lm W -1 , 1.7 % EQE at 405 cd m -2 ) were obtained from the BPQ-MCZ emitter, which has its HOMO level at 5.75 eV and exhibits a planar geometry. Compared to BPQ-MCZ, the higher-lying HOMO level of BPQ-MPT facilitates more efficient hole injection/transport and a higher charge-recombination rate, while its nonplanar geometry ensures diode color purity. White EL was observed from BPQ-MCZ diodes owing to a blue intramolecular charge-transfer emission and a yellow-orange intermolecular excimer emission, enabled by the planar molecular geometry. These results demonstrate that high-performance light-emitting devices can be achieved from intramolecular charge-transfer emission, while highlighting the critical roles of the electron-donor strength and the molecular geometry of D-A molecules.
Abstract P4-16-11: Impact of receptor status on prognosis among breast cancer patients with brain metastases treated with Cyberknife radiosurgery

Purpose: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is increasingly used in the management of brain metastases. Receptor status is an important prognostic factor among women with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of receptor status on clinical outcomes in breast cancer patients with brain metastases treated with SRS. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 102 primary breast cancer patients with brain metastases treated with Cyberknife radiosurgery at Stanford University Medical Center between 2004 and 2011. The clinical characteristics, pathologic features, treatment details and clinical outcomes were reviewed. Median follow-up time was 18 months from the date of treatment with Cyberknife radiosurgery. All analyses were performed using SAS software, version 9.3 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Results: Patients with Her-2/neu positive receptor status treated with trastuzumab had a significantly improved median overall survival after treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery compared to patients with Her-2/neu negative receptor status (27 months vs 7 months, p = 0.002) or patients with Her-2/neu positive receptor status who did not receive trastuzumab (27 months vs 12 months, p = 0.04). In contrast, patients with estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and Her-2/neu negative receptor status had significantly worse median overall survival after treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery compared to patients with at least one positive receptor (8 months vs 17 months, p = 0.02). On multivariable analysis, Her-2/neu status emerged as the only significant predictor of survival ( p = 0.01). Conclusions: Her-2/neu receptor status was found to be a significant prognostic factor influencing survival among breast cancer patients with brain metastases treated with SRS. Importantly, the addition of treatment with trastuzumab among Her-2 neu positive patients significantly improved clinical outcomes. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-16-11.
Regulation of guanylate cyclase activity by atrial natriuretic factor and protein kinase C.

The putative ‘second messenger’ of certain atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) signal transductions is cyclic GMP. Recently, we purified a 180-kDa protein, apparently containing both ANF receptor and guanylate cyclase activities, and hypothesized that this is one of the cyclic GMP transmembrane signal transducers. The enzyme is ubiquitous and appears to be conserved. Utilizing the 180-kDa membrane guanylate cyclase, we now show that the 180-kDa guanylate cyclase is regulated in opposing fashions by two receptor signals—ANF stimulating it and protein kinase C inhibiting it. Furthermore, protein kinase C phosphorylates the 180-kDa enzyme. This suggests a novel ‘switch on’ and ‘switch off’ mechanism of the cyclic GMP signal transduction. ‘Switch off’ represents the phosphorylation while ‘switch on’ the dephosphorylation of the enzyme.
Determination of zearalenol and zearalenone using electrochemical detection

Abstract A method is described for the determination of zearalenol and zearalenone in corn using electrochemical detection. the sample is extracted with chloroform, and the extract is cleaned up by liquid-liquid partition. Zearalenol and zearalenone are resolved by liquid chromatography (LC), using a C18 column and a mobile phase consisting of 35 + 25 + 40 CH3 CN + MeOH + H2O and 0.02 mole/L sodium acetate buffered at pH 6.5. Zearalenol and zearalenone were detected with an electrochemical detector at an applied potential of +0.95V vs Ag/AgCl. Average recoveries of zearalenol and zearalenone in corn samples spiked at levels of 25–1000 ng/g were 104,2 and 97.5%, respectively. the coefficients of variation for the proposed method were 10.8% for zearalenol and 8.8% for zearalenone.
Injuries in Youth Ice Hockey: A Pilot Surveillance Strategy

Objective To determine the incidence and type of injuries in youth hockey players during practice and games as well as to test the applicability of the current methods to a national surveillance study of youth hockey injuries. Design During the 1993 to 1994 season, we undertook a prospective observational analysis of youth hockey players on four competitive teams at three levels of participation: Squirt, Peewee, and Bantam. Material and Methods In a study group of 66 youth hockey players, types and anatomic sites of injury, mechanisms of injury, player position affected, and occurrence of injuries during practice or games were determined and analyzed statistically. An injury was strictly defined, standardized reporting strategies were used, and a single physician examined all injured athletes and made the diagnoses. Results A total of 14 injuries occurred during the season. The on-ice injury rate (per 1,000 player- hours) was 1.0 at the Squirt level (ages 9 and 10 years), 1.8 at the Peewee level (ages 11 and 12 years), and 4.3 at the Bantam level (ages 13 and 14 years). No game injuries and only one mild practice injury occurred in Squirt players (N = 16), and only two mild injuries occurred during practice sessions for Peewees (N = 17). No differences were noted between practice injury rates at the various levels; all recorded game injuries occurred only in Bantam players (N = 33). The most common types of injuries were contusions, fractures, strains, and sprains. The arm and shoulder were most frequently injured. Conclusion Further research is necessary to determine whether injuries in youth ice hockey can be reduced by changes in playing rules, enforcement of existing rules, improvements in protective equipment, alteration in coaching techniques, and institution of educational programs.
The origin of multiple quadrupole couplings in the deuterium NMR spectra of the 2 chain of 1,2 dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine

1. Introduction Deuterium NMR studies of labeled lipids have pro- vided important details about the conformations and motions of the hydrocarbon chains (reviewed in [ 1,2]). In most cases, the deuterium NMR spectrum of a lipid dideuterated at a single methylene segment shows a powder pattern characterized by a single quadrupole coupling constant. The derived coupling has commonly been used to calculate a single Saupe order parameter, S, [3], describing the angular excursions of the meth- ylene segment about an axis normal to the bilayer plane. The deuterium NMR spectra of lipid dideuter- ated at the C-2 position in the ~2-2 chain generally contain two quadrupole coupling constants. These are observed in bilayer dispersions of DPPC [ 1,4] and of several other 1,2-acyl phospholipids [5,6] and also when lipids are incorporated into membranes in bac- teria [6-91. The two splittings could be explained either by the existence of two long-lived conformers, as has been observed in the crystal structure of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine [lo], or by the non- equivalence of the motions of the
An x-ray and Raman study of the diffuse transition in SrCl2☆

Abstract The temperature dependence of X-ray scattering and Raman scattering in SrCl2 to temperatures above the region of the diffuse transition is reported. The lattice parameter increases quite smoothly with increasing temperature; however the intensity of certain X-ray reflections changes drastically at temperatures above the transition region. The frequency of the Raman active vibrational mode decreases with increasing temperature. At high temperatures a background appears in the Raman spectrum which is attributed to Cl sublattice disorder.
Minimally invasive sinus technique: what is it? Should we consider it?

Purpose of review To understand the theory and application of the surgical model for endoscopic sinus surgery termed minimally invasive sinus technique (MIST). In simple terms: What is MIST? When should we use it? Does it work? Recent findings Several recent publications have addressed the efficacy of MIST. Using reliable outcome instruments and a 23-month follow-up period, results following MIST were found to equal or surpass those following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). These results were valid across the spectrum of disease severity. Other reports address the reduced revision rate (compared with FESS) following initial intervention with MIST, the potential to markedly reduce the rate of intranasal synechiae, and the reduction in immediate postoperative morbidity. Summary The authors believe that MIST should be considered as the initial surgical intervention offered to patients undergoing surgery for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis.
Echocardiography at the Point of Care: An Ultra Sound Future

In the past half century, numerous imaging modalities have contributed to cardiologic practice and research, revealing heretofore unimaginable detail. Among these modalities, echocardiography has distinguished itself for its safety, power, and versatility: it is noninvasive, it presents no radiation risk, and it is powerful enough for numerous applications and yet portable enough to be performed at the point of care. Evolutions in image quality, anatomic definition, physiologic data, and the breadth of applications have derived from advances in technology, incorporation of the Doppler principle, and, more recently, speckle tracking. Perhaps most impressively, the revolution in electronics has positioned echocardiography to go miniature: it is now possible to make devices small and light enough to be carried by physicians and health care professionals in their daily encounters with patients. In fact, a hand-carried ultrasound (HCU) device was conceived as early as 1978, but we now have ready access to ‘‘ultrasound stethoscopes.’’ Such tools could exert a significant impact on cardiovascular health care delivery. But are portable devices sufficiently accurate? Will portability and apparent simplicity of use lead to the ‘‘democratization’’ of echocardiography and a loss of standards? The current issue of JASE presents three complementary studies that assess the accuracy, utilization, and impact of HCU devices in real-world clinical practice. Prinz and Voigt compared the feasibility and accuracy of a new HCU device, as used by an experienced cardiologist, with high-end studies performed by an experienced sonographer. Among 349 patients examined, the authors found that image quality was similar in those patients with adequate images; the advantage of the higher end instrument appeared most notable in the technically difficult patient. There was a very good agreement in simple cardiac chamber linear measurements (dimension, wall thickness) and comparable evaluation of regional and global left ventricular (LV) function. HCU captured all cases of pericardial effusion and valve stenosis, the latter being detected by valve structure and color Doppler, as no spectral Doppler is available on the HCU device used for this study. Valve regurgitation was mildly overestimated by HCU, with an overall very good concordance in detection of regurgitation with color Doppler. In the study conducted by Cardim et al., 189 patients referred for their first outpatient cardiology consultations were evaluated by physical examination followed by HCU. The scanning time per patient averaged 3 6 1.5 min. After physical examination alone, 9% of patients were managed without further testing and were discharged from the clinic. Normal results on HCU increased discharge from the clinic without need for further testing by another 19.6%. After the physical exam, 50.3% of patients were referred for echocardiography, but this figure was lowered to 33.9% after HCU. The reasons for the lingering need for referral to full echocardiography after HCU
Integrating Field Data with Laboratory Training Research to Improve the Understanding of Expert Human-Agent Teamwork

Because the execution of many complex tasks is increasingly relying on human-agent teams it is critical that we understand the processes arising from such interaction and the specific conditions affecting them. Despite findings surrounding effective interaction and coordination for expert teams in general, little is known about what is important in expert human-agent teams. Paramount to the effective utilization of human-agent teams is the appropriate blend of research to investigate the boundary conditions within which training must be tailored and delivered. In this paper we describe a representative framework through which the research community can investigate human-agent teams. Our framework involves a blending of laboratory and field research methods with training research. We describe how coordination demand analysis in conjunction with lessons learned systems can be used to capture critical incidents and data from expert human-agent teams performing in context and how this information can form the foundation for effective human-agent team training.
Finite element analysis of advanced composite structures containing mechanically fastened joints

Abstract Although the usual engineering practice is to ignore joint effects in finite element models of overall structures, there are times when the inclusion of fastener effects in a model is necessary for accurate analysis. This paper describes some simple but accurate methods for accommodating this modeling requirement. The approach involves correlation of test results from a few composite mechanically fastened joints with finite element analyses of joints. It is assumed that if the fastener actions in the test articles can be properly predicted by simple finite element techniques, then these same techniques can be applied to large overall structure models. During the course of this test-analysis effort it was determined that it is possible to obtain correct results for overall structure-joint analyses by using simple modeling concepts provided special care is employed. Also, some emphasis is given in this paper to the importance of properly reducing test data in order to obtain meaningful correlations with finite element analysis. Finally, for those interested, the appendix contains brief descriptions of the test results and failure modes explored in the test program.
Partitioning of Minimotifs Based on Function with Improved Prediction Accuracy

Background: Minimotifs are short contiguous peptide sequences in proteins that are known to have a function in at least one other protein. One of the principal limitations in minimotif prediction is that false positives limit the usefulness of this approach. As a step toward resolving this problem we have built, implemented, and tested a new data-driven algorithm that reduces false-positive predictions. Methodology/Principal Findings: Certain domains and minimotifs are known to be strongly associated with a known cellular process or molecular function. Therefore, we hypothesized that by restricting minimotif predictions to those where the minimotif containing protein and target protein have a related cellular or molecular function, the prediction is more likely to be accurate. This filter was implemented in Minimotif Miner using function annotations from the Gene Ontology. We have also combined two filters that are based on entirely different principles and this combined filter has a better predictability than the individual components. Conclusions/Significance: Testing these functional filters on known and random minimotifs has revealed that they are capable of separating true motifs from false positives. In particular, for the cellular function filter, the percentage of known minimotifs that are not removed by the filter is ,4.6 times that of random minimotifs. For the molecular function filter this ratio is ,2.9. These results, together with the comparison with the published frequency score filter, strongly suggest that the new filters differentiate true motifs from random background with good confidence. A combination of the function filters and the frequency score filter performs better than these two individual filters.
Does the Frequency of Soft Sonographic Aneuploidy Markers Vary by Fetal Sex

OBJECTIVE To determine whether the frequency of soft sonographic aneuploidy markers varies by fetal sex. METHODS We identified all singleton fetuses with known sex undergoing genetic sonography at 17 weeks' to 21 weeks 6 days' gestation in a single perinatal center from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2003. Markers studied were biparietal diameter/femur length, transcerebellar diameter, ear length, echogenic bowel, femur length, humerus length, absent middle fifth phalanx, nuchal fold, renal pelvis dilatation, echogenic cardiac focus, and choroid plexus cysts. Additional information extracted from the prospectively ascertained database included maternal age, referral indications, and chromosomal analyses. Multiple gestations and fetuses with structural or chromosomal abnormalities were excluded. The study received exempt review status by the Institutional Review Board. Dichotomous variables were compared by the chi(2) or Fisher exact test; continuous variables were compared by the unpaired t test. RESULTS In total, 4057 eligible fetuses, 2103 male and 1954 female, were examined at 18.9 +/- 0.9 weeks (mean +/- SD). Referral indications included maternal age of 35 years or older (n = 2983), abnormal second-trimester serum screen results (n = 610), soft marker on sonography (n = 583), prior aneuploid offspring (n = 24), and other (n = 125). More than 1 referral indication was possible for a given fetus. Overall, male fetuses exhibited echogenic fetal bowel (odds ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-2.72; P = .009) and renal pelvis dilatation (odds ratio, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.30-3.09; P = .001) significantly more often than female fetuses. However, when fetuses were evaluated for single isolated markers, only male predominance of renal pelvis dilatation persisted (odds ratio, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.32-4.09; P = .003). No markers had increased frequency in female offspring. CONCLUSIONS Male fetuses exhibit a significantly increased frequency of renal pelvis dilatation compared with female fetuses. Sex-specific adjustment of sonographically derived aneuploidy risk does not appear to be indicated. However, a larger series of fetuses with trisomy 21 and pyelectasis is required to assess sex-specific risk adjustment for this marker.
The polyglutamine neurodegenerative protein ataxin-3 binds polyubiquitylated proteins and has ubiquitin protease activity.

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is critically involved in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by protein misfolding and aggregation. Data in the present study suggest that the polyglutamine neurodegenerative disease protein, ataxin-3 (AT3), functions in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. AT3 contains an ubiquitin interaction motif (UIM) domain that binds polyubiquitylated proteins with a strong preference for chains containing four or more ubiquitins. Mutating the conserved leucine in the first UIM (L229A) almost totally eliminates binding to polyubiquitin chains while a similar mutation in the second UIM (L249A) also inhibits binding to polyubiquitin chains but to a lesser extent. Both wild-type and pathological AT3 increase cellular levels of a short-lived GFP that is degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. AT3 has several properties characteristic of ubiquitin proteases including decreasing polyubiquitylation of 125 I-lysozyme by removing ubiquitin from polyubiquitin chains, cleaving a ubiquitin protease substrate, and binding the specific ubiquitin protease inhibitor, ubiquitin-aldehyde. Mutating the predicted catalytic cysteine in AT3 inhibits each of these ubiquitin protease activities. The ability to bind and cleave ubiquitylated proteins is consistent with AT3 playing a role in the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This raises the possibility that pathological AT3, which tends to misfold and aggregate, may be exposed to aggregateprone misfolded/denatured proteins as part of its normal function.
A New Nonlinear Dimensionality Reduction Technique for Pose and Lighting Invariant Face Recognition

One of the goals of biometrics research is to develop new techniques and/or algorithms for the automatic recognition of humans. In this paper, we propose the concept of a manifold of facial perception based on the observation that a perceived face in a set of similar face images-subjected to variations in pose, illumination and expression-defines a manifold in the high dimensional space. Such a manifold representation can be learned from images in a database of similar facial feature characteristics. This learned manifold can then be used as a basis for facial recognition. Development of a mathematical model for a nonlinear line attractor that represents a pattern manifold in the feature space is presented in this paper. The non-convex pattern manifolds in the feature space may be extremely complex and difficult to model. Therefore an adaptive divide and conquer modular approach which divides complex manifolds into smaller sub-manifolds in the feature space is also proposed for accurate modeling of the nonlinear line of attraction. A nonlinear dimensionality reduction technique using the learned matrices of the nonlinear line attractor network is then used to embed a set of related observations into a low-dimensional space that preserves the intrinsic dimensionality and metric structure of the data for fast and accurate face recognition. Results based on the proposed work from the first experiment of the FRGC version 2 database have shown promising performance in improving the accuracy in the face recognition.
Novel approaches to the pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia

Numerous attempts to extend the pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia beyond conventional neuroleptics are reviewed. Clozapine and melperone are atypical neuroleptics that produce few extrapyramidal side effects during acute usage and possible less tradive dyskinesia with prolonged use. Decreasing dopamingeric activity with a tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor or dopamine autoreceptor agonists may also be of value. Neuroleptics that block voltage-sensitive calcium channels or calcium channel blockers per se have been advocated for treatment of negative symptoms or the deficit state. Among other possible clinical approaches reviewed are: beta adrenergic blockers, clonidine, tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, fenfluramine, GABA drugs, including high dose benzodiazepines, lithium, carbamazepine, opioid agonists and antagonists, gamma-endorphins, TRH analogs and vasopressin. Most studies indicate these agents produce inconsistent or slight-to-modest benefits, either in comparison with standard neuroleptic drugs or inaddition to neuroleptics, in groups of schizophrenic patients, including some double blind placebo-controlled trials. Those individuals who do respond sometimes, but not always, fail to relapse when the experimental drug is discontinued or fail to respond to it in subsequent trials. Consistent with the presumed heterogeneity of schizophrenia, there is some evidence supporing non-neuroleptic drug treatment for specific schizophrenic subtypes. The various stages of this usually life-long disorder, together with the possible mutability of the underlying etiological factors over time, requires the utmost care in clinical trials.
Inversion of stratospheric aerosol and gaseous constituents from spacecraft solar extinction data in the 0.38-1.0-micron wavelength region

The paper discusses a possible data retrieval technique for the spaceborne Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE). The SAGE instrument has four radiometric channels located at selected intervals in the 0.38-1.0-micron wavelength range. A data reduction procedure is described for minimization of experimental errors on the basis of a detailed simulation of the measurement sequence. An efficient and accurate inversion method is then used for the retrieval of all the constituent vertical profiles. Also, the effects of horizontally inhomogeneous distributions of the constituent vertical profiles are studied based on available data of their global distributions. A simple horizontally inhomogeneous model of stratospheric aerosol and ozone is employed to estimate the perturbation on the retrieval accuracies.
Analysis of wild-type and rad50 mutants of yeast suggests an intimate relationship between meiotic chromosome synapsis and recombination

The RAD50 gene of S. cerevisiae is required during meiosis for both recombination and chromosome synapsis and is also required for repair of double strand breaks during vegetative growth. We present below the isolation and analysis of several types of rad50 mutants. We show that null mutations block both meiotic recombination and formation of synaptonemal complex (SC) at early stages, while nonnull mutations block both processes at intermediate stages. These observations suggest that recombination and SC formation involve a series of intimately related events. Furthermore, all rad50 mutants block formation of tripartite SC structure but permit other aspects of SC development, i.e., formation of axial cores. In light of this and other observations, the meiotic and mitotic defects of rad50 mutants can be accounted for economically by the proposal that meiotic recombination, meiotic chromosome pairing, and vegetative DNA repair all use a common chromosomal homology search that involves RAD50 function.
Differentially coherent blind multiuser receiver for Rayleigh fading CDMA channels

This paper studies the performance of a blind adaptive multiuser receiver in slow and fast fading channels. The receiver consists of fractionally spaced equalizer, adaptive weight mechanism, matched filter, and differential decoder. Thus, the complexity of the receiver is slightly higher than the conventional receiver. The main problem of an adaptive multiuser receiver is the requirement of training sequences for the adaptation process. Due to time-varying interference and fading effect in time-correlated channels, the training sequence is difficult to obtain or becomes defective. The blind multiuser receiver considered in this paper does not require any training sequences, but retains all the advantages that adaptive receivers have. Simulation results show that the receiver is effective in fading channels with perfect power control and with near-far effect. The blind adaptive multiuser receiver is an attractive alternative to the conventional receiver in Rayleigh fading CDMA channels.
Is there a standard default keyword operator? A bibliometric analysis of processing options chosen by libraries to execute keyword searches in online public access catalogs

Online catalogs from 67 libraries using NOTIS software were searched using Internet connections to determine the positional operators selected as the default keyword operator on each catalog. The diverse results indicated that there is no standard default positional operator.
Ascribing Societal Benefit to Environmental Observations of the Earth from Space: The Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (Misr)

At the request of managers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, this paper describes frameworks for and illustrates societal benefits associated with Earth observations from an experimental satellite known as the Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR). MISR is a unique camera that images Earth's atmosphere and other characteristics simultaneously from nine angles. This multiangle perspective enhances our ability to measure and monitor dimensions of climate, weather, air quality, natural hazards, and the biosphere. "Societal benefit" in this paper generally refers to practical applications of data and data products beyond their intrinsic science merit. The paper has two objectives: to demonstrate how several societal benefit frameworks work, and to highlight some of these benefits in the case of MISR. Such consideration of practical benefits is timely, as their realization is becoming a prominent objective of future space remote sensing activities. At least four groups of experts recommend that societal benefit serve as a heavily weighted criterion for prioritizing Earth science research opportunities. The National Academy of Sciences' forthcoming decadal survey for U.S. Earth science applications from space, the U.S. Climate Change Research Program, the framework for the international Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS), and the new world water program of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) all argue that societal benefit should be a determining factor in selecting the next Earth-observing spacecraft missions and instruments. If these recommendations are implemented, the frameworks and illustrations below may prove useful in guiding benefit descriptions in future space-derived Earth observation programs.
Understanding the Work Dynamic of the Reference Night Shift

We are used to the spaces where the books cast the shadow. We are used to the long rows of books that rise so high even the fluorescent lights fail to illuminate all of the sundried titles of volum...
Analysis of exponential time-differencing for FDTD in lossy dielectrics

We determine the stability condition and analyze the accuracy of the exponential and centered time-differencing schemes for finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) in an isotropic, homogeneous lossy dielectric with electric and magnetic conductivities /spl sigma/ and /spl sigma/*, respectively. We show that these schemes are equivalent and determine that, for accuracy, both schemes must be used with a time step that finely resolves the electric and magnetic conduction current relaxation time scales. The implications of these results for perfectly matched layer (PML)-type absorbing boundary conditions are discussed.
Potential associations between chronic respiratory disease and periodontal disease: analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III.

Background: Associations between poor oral health and chronic lung disease have recently been reported. The present study evaluated these potential associations by analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III), which documents the general health and nutritional status of randomly selected United States subjects from 1988 to 1994. Methods: This cross-sectional, retrospective study of the NHANES III database included a study population of 13,792 subjects ≥20 years of age with at least 6 natural teeth. A history of bronchitis and/or emphysema was recorded from the medical questionnaire, and a dichotomized variable combined those with either chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema, together considered as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Subject lung function was estimated by calculating the ratio of forced expiratory volume (FEV) after 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC). Oral health status was assessed from the DMFS/T index (summary of cumulative c...
Staphylococcus aureus recovery from cotton towels.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is an emerging pathogen afflicting healthy individuals without known risk factors, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has been shown to colonize multiple family members sharing households. Because household items such as towels are often shared by family members, this study investigated whether cotton towel absorbency or washing conditions affect Staphylococcus aureus cell viability or cell retention, and whether the levels may be sufficient for person-to-person transmission. Methodology: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 was added to a 48 mm2 template area on three cotton towel types (terry, pima, and Egyptian), and subjected to hand washing, without manual wringing, in three conditions (water only, bleach addition, or liquid detergent addition). Serial dilutions plated onto mannitol salt plates quantified bacteria for inoculations, pre- and post-wash water samples, towel surfaces, and hand transfer. Hand transfer of bacteria was determined on towels immediately, one, 24, and 48 hours post inoculation. Results: Bleach (p ≤ .05) was the most effective at reducing bacterial viability on all towel types compared to detergent and water. Although not statistically significant, more Staphylococcus colonies were recovered from higher absorbency towels and from inside directly inoculated template areas. A paired t-test showed a difference between immediate and one-hour CFUs versus 24- and 48-hour recoveries (0.0002) for hand transfers. Conclusions: Cell viability decreased for over 48 hours on towels, but sufficient quantities may remain for colonization. More absorbent towels may harbor more Staphylococci than less absorbent ones, and may serve as a transmission mechanism for the bacterium.