cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Antibiotic‐Sensitive and Insensitive Isolates of Orientia tsutsugamushi

Scrub typhus, caused by infection with Orientia tsutsugamushi, is probably the most common severe rickettsial disease. Early diagnosis followed by treatment with antibiotics such as doxycycline or chloramphenicol usually quickly decreases fever in patients, and they often recover well from other symptoms of the disease. However, poorly responsive cases have been reported from northern Thailand and southern India. In order to identify protein factors that may be partially responsible for differential drug sensitivity of isolates of Orientia, we compared the protein profiles of doxycycline sensitive (Karp) versus (vs.) insensitive (AFSC4 and AFSC7) isolates. Tryptic peptides from both total water-soluble proteins and from protein spots separated by 2D-PAGE were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. The identity of each protein was established using the published genomic sequence of Boryong strain O. tsutsugamushi. The profiles of protein released into water from these isolates were quite different. There were 10 proteins detected only in AFSC4, 3 only in Karp, and 1 only in AFSC7. Additionally, there were 2 proteins not detected only in AFSC4, 4 not found only in Karp, and 3 not found only in AFSC-7. A comparison of 2D-PAGE protein profiles of drug sensitive strain versus (vs.) insensitive isolates has led to the identification of 14 differentially expressed or localized proteins, including elongation factor Ts and Tu, DNA-directed RNA polymerase alpha-subunit, ATP synthase beta-subunit, and several hypothetical proteins. These data confirm the tremendous proteomic diversity of isolates of Orientia and suggest that drug insensitivity in this species may arise from multiple mechanisms.
Salt‐Induced Depression of Lower Critical Solution Temperature in a Surface‐Grafted Neutral Thermoresponsive Polymer

Young K. Jhon, Rajendra R. Bhat, Changwoo Jeong, Orlando J. Rojas, Igal Szleifer, Jan Genzer* 1 Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7905, USA Fax: 919-515-3465 or 1-435-304-8021; E-mail: Jan_Genzer@ncsu.edu 2 Forest Biomaterials Laboratory, College of Natural Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8005, USA 3 Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1393, USA
Work hours restrictions as an ethical dilemma for residents: a descriptive survey of violation types and frequency.

Background The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) implemented requirements regarding allowable duty hours for resident training in the United States in July 2003. In a previous pilot study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a significant number of residents reported violation of requirements. In addition, almost half of those individuals admitted under-reporting their hours worked. The authors’ goal was to further delineate the type and frequency of violations and under-reporting. Methods A survey tool was designed to assess specific types of violations as well as factors that influence the number of hours residents worked and reported. Approval was obtained from the Vanderbilt Institutional Review Board and Office of Graduate Medical Education before enrollment of subjects. The program directors of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Medicine-Pediatrics, and General Surgery supported the participation of their residents. A voluntary anonymous survey of these residents was conducted 1 year after the pilot study. Results Of 263 eligible residents, 175 were surveyed. Of 175 residents, 125 (71%) residents responded. Eighty-five percent of residents reported violation of duty-hour requirements within the preceding 3 months. Residents reported violation of specific requirements as follows: 1 day off in 7, 28%; 80-hour weekly average, 65%; and “24+6” consecutive hours, 85%. Residents were asked to estimate the number of hours by which they exceeded requirements. Hours over the 80-hour weekly requirement were reported as follows: 1 hour, 12%; 2 hours, 15%; 3 hours, 21%; 4 hours, 5%; 5 hours, 14%; and 6 or more hours, 33%. Hours over the “24+6” requirement were reported as follows: 1 hour, 30%; 2 hours, 42%; 3 hours, 18%; 4 hours, 7%; 5 hours, 1%; and 6 or more hours, 2%. Forty-eight percent of respondents admitted under-reporting violations to their program director. Conclusions Eighty-five percent of residents reported at least 1 violation, and 48% admitted under-reporting violations. These results support the previous findings of 80% and 49%, respectively. Of the various requirements, the “24+6” rule was most frequently violated. Of those in violation of the “24+6” requirement, the majority (90%) exceeded limits by no more than 3 hours. Of those in violation of the 80-hour weekly average requirement, the majority (57%) exceeded limits by no more than 5 hours. Per the ACGME website, “an RRC may grant exceptions for up to 10% of the 80-hour limit, to individual programs based on a sound educational rationale.” Although the overall percent of residents reporting violation remains high, the number of excess hours worked is small relative to established standards (within 10%). The authors propose that systems adaptations could be developed to improve compliance. Special attention is warranted to investigate the activities of residents in the post-call period.
PROPERTIES OF THE W BOSON FROM THE FERMILAB TEVATRON

The experimental knowledge of the charged intermediate vector boson, the W, is reviewed. Measurements of the electroweak properties of the W boson, such as its mass, decay width, couplings to fermions, and leptonic branching ratios, are summarized. As well, I review production properties of the W as measured in $p\bar{p}$ collisions and how they can be used as tests of perturbative QCD. I also discuss new particle searches that make use of the W signature, such as new charged electroweak bosons and the now-confirmed discovery of the top quark.
Advances in Pediatric Neuroradiology: Highlights of the Recent Medical Literature

OBJECTIVE. This review is an attempt to bring some of the best articles in the recent pediatric neuroradiology literature to the attention of the AJR readership.CONCLUSION. Many advanced imaging capabilities are being brought to bear to noninvasively monitor physiologic changes in the abnormal pediatric brain. Furthermore, novel forms of analysis that are evidence-based are being used to better understand how imaging studies are used and the impact they have on clinical decision making. The reader is encouraged to read these articles in their entirety in order to better understand the lines of inquiry contained in them.
Shedding new light on the role of the sunshine vitamin D for skin health: the lncRNA-skin cancer connection

Throughout evolution, vertebrates including humans have depended on the sunshine vitamin D for their calcified skeletons. As our hunter gatherer forefathers ventured from the equator, their skin tone became much lighter in order to permit an adequate amount of ultraviolet B radiation to enter the skin to produce the vitally important vitamin D. Although sensible sun exposure does not significantly increase risk of skin cancer, it has remained a mystery as to why. Jiang and Bikle in their viewpoint provide a novel insight as to how Mother Nature was able to balance the need for receiving adequate sun exposure to produce vitamin D while limiting damage caused by the DNA absorbing the ultraviolet B radiation. Long non-coding RNAs which are plentiful in cells have a dual personality. Some enhance malignancy, while others act as tumor suppressors. Jiang and Bikle provide compelling evidence that these long non-coding RNAs in skin cells are responsive to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 by decreasing their carcinogenic activity while enhancing their tumor suppression function presumably as a strategy for reducing ultraviolet-induced non-melanoma skin cancer. Mother Nature got it right. Sensible sun exposure is important for maintaining an adequate vitamin D status. Once formed in the skin, vitamin D can exit into the circulation to carry out its physiologic functions on calcium and bone metabolism. Some vitamin D however remains in the skin and is activated to interact with its vitamin D receptor to control cell proliferation using a variety of strategies including interacting with long non-coding RNAs to reduce risk of photocarcinogenesis.
The Clinical Value of Negative Temporal Artery Biopsy Specimens

• The clinical course of patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of temporal arteritis but with negative temporal artery biopsy specimens was evaluated. Ninety-one patients undergoing a biopsy formed the basis of this study. Of these, 63 patients had no evidence of arteritis on biopsy, and 28 patients had biopsy specimens showing granulomatous inflammation. False-negative findings from biopsy specimens occurred in 5% of patients who had the disease. Cancer was the final diagnosis in 21% of patients with negative biopsy specimens v 3% of patients with temporal arteritis. Various chronic systemic inflammatory diseases were found in 16% of patients with negative biopsy specimens, while none of the patients with temporal arteritis had additional systemic inflammatory diseases. Patients with proven arteritis were notably older and had higher ESRs than patients without the disease. However, no laboratory test or frequently observed symptom or sign noted on initial examination, considered alone or in combination with other findings, had diagnostic sensitivity or specificity as high as temporal artery biopsy.
Estimating equivalent dose functions for alternative routes of exposure

Abstract Humans are exposed to some compounds by more than one route. This occurs incidentally with environmental pollutants, and intentionally in the medical use of drugs. Dose-response functions given estimates of the received dose as a function of dose applied (and typically time) may be available for each route separately. Under mild regularity conditions, the two functions can be combined (numerically or analytically) to provide a function giving dose pairs for the alternative routes which are equivalent in terms of received dose. With Gaussian errors, the estimation is maximum likelihood and, more generally, asymptotically unbiased and least squares. The same approach may be applied to characteristics such as the maximum response level and area under the curve. Confidence limits are available for the difference between responses. Finally, other applications are discussed. The methods can also be used to compare compounds or species.
Rotational analysis of the A2Π-X2Σ system of SrF using a CW tunable dye laser☆

Abstract A rotational analysis of the (0, 0), (1, 1), and (2, 2) bands of the B 2 Σ + -X 2 Σ + system of SrF at 580 nm has been performed using single-mode cw dye laser excitation spectroscopy. Spectroscopic constants (cm −1 ) obtained from a weighted least-squares fit of the data are given below. Numbers in parentheses refer to 95% confidence limits in the last digit. X 2 Σ + B 2 Σ + T e 0 17267.42 (1) ω e 502.4 (7) 495.8 (7) ω e x e 2.27 (21) 2.34 (21) B e 0.25075 (9) 0.24961 (9) D e 2.50 (1) × 10 −7 2.53 (1) × 10 −7 α e 0.00174 (9) 0.00175 (9) γ (spin-rotation) 0.004 (6) −0.134 (6) Franck-Condon factors were calculated from RKR potentials constructed from our spectroscopic data and compared with those derived from line intensity measurements. Discrepancies are attributed to the approximate nature of the line intensity expressions used. Anomalies in the rotational branch intensities provide evidence for the perturbed nature of the B 0 Σ state by the close-lying A 2 Π state.
CLINICAL ASPECTS OF AUTOIMMUNE HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA IN CHILDREN (AIHA)

Fourteen patients with AIHA between the ages of 10 weeks to 18 years were investigated. Of these 10 had warm reactive autoantibodies (6 anti-dl, 1 anti-nl, 1 anti-Rho, 1 non-specific, 1 Coombs negative IgGl antibody) and 4 had cold reactive autoantibodies (3 anti-l and 1 non-specific antibody). At the time of initial diagnosis the hemoglobin levels varied from 2.8 to 8.7 gm/dl. Four patients had reticulocytopenia at the onset. In 2 patients the haptoglobin levels were normal. One patient received no treatment, one only required a blood transfusion and 12 were treated with corticosteroids of which 11 responded successfully. The patient who failed to respond to corttcosteroids also did not respond to exchange transfusion and immunosuppresslve drugs but responded following splenectomy. Eleven were idiopathic and 3 had the following associated conditions: mycoplasma pneumonitis, systemic lupus erythematosus and a “panhematoimmunopathy” (anti-neutrophii autoantibody, anti-platelet autoantibody and anti-dl). In most of these patients the course of AIHA was transient, due to warm autoantibodies and responsive to steroids. Coombs negative AIHA is an uncommon entity requiring detailed immunohematologic investigations including the use of the autoanalyzer and elution studies for its identification.
Somatic chromosomes of the native African pig.

Cytogenetic analysis of the native African pig revealed the presence of auto-somal mosaicism (38/37) in bone marrow tissue. The population of cells with 37 chromosomes show unbalanced karyotype, lacking on large autosomal acrocentric chromosome. The significance of this finding in relation to the karyotype of the European domestic pig (Sus scrofa) and intraspecies hybrids is discussed.
The socioeconomic effects of a landslide in Western Washington

Landslides can create permanently unstable sites that cannot be repaired or developed, and as a result, can cause severe economic and social consequences for families and communities. This study examines the economic and social effects of a landslide that struck Western Washington in February 1999. Two years after the landslide, property owners completed a confidential questionnaire. Property owners experienced significant personal financial losses and received little financial assistance to recover. Most (93%) did not receive any relief from their insurance policies, and 7% received only temporary rental assistance. Participants reported a variety of monetary and personal losses that were associated with emotional distress. They also reported a variety of gains and new perspectives on life. In this paper, we consider mechanisms to reduce the economic losses of landslides as well as implications and future research directions.
Hearing loss among HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative men and women.

Importance Age-related hearing loss affects quality of life. Data on hearing loss among aging human immunodeficiency virus–seropositive (HIV+) adults are limited. Objective To evaluate pure-tone hearing thresholds among HIV+ and HIV-seronegative (HIV−) adults and to determine whether HIV disease variables and antiretroviral therapy are associated with pure-tone threshold levels. Design, Setting, and Participants A total of 262 men (117 HIV+) from the Baltimore, Maryland/Washington, DC, site of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study and 134 women (105 HIV+) from the Washington, DC, site of the Women’s Interagency HIV Study participated. Pure-tone air conduction thresholds were collected in a sound-treated room for each ear at frequencies from 250 through 8000 Hz. Linear mixed regression models tested the effect of HIV on hearing after adjustment for age, sex, race, and noise exposure history. Main Outcomes and Measures Low-frequency pure-tone average (LPTA) at 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz and high-frequency PTA (HPTA) at 3000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz. Differential HIV effects for LPTA and HPTA and better/worse ear were also examined. CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell counts, log 10 plasma HIV RNA concentrations, receipt of AIDS diagnosis, and cumulative duration of antiretroviral therapy were included in the models for HIV+ participants only. Results HPTA and LPTA were significantly higher (18%: estimated ratio, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.02-1.36]; P = .02; and 12%: estimated ratio, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.00-1.26]; P = .05, respectively) for HIV+ participants compared with HIV− participants for the better ear. The direction of the effect was consistent across both the better and worse ears. There were no significant associations between HIV disease variables or treatment variables and LPTA or HPTA. Conclusions and Relevance The HIV+ adults had significantly poorer lower-frequency and higher-frequency hearing than HIV− adults. High-frequency hearing loss is consistent with an accelerated aging (presbycusis); low-frequency hearing loss in middle age is unexpected. Because some vowels and consonants have predominantly low-frequency acoustic energy, poor low-frequency hearing may impair communication in HIV+ individuals.
Palaeo-altimetry of the late Eocene to Miocene Lunpola basin, central Tibet

The elevation history of the Tibetan plateau provides direct insight into the tectonic processes associated with continent-continent collisions. Here we present oxygen-isotope-based estimates of the palaeo-altimetry of late Eocene and younger deposits of the Lunpola basin in the centre of the plateau, which indicate that the surface of Tibet has been at an elevation of more than 4 kilometres for at least the past 35 million years. We conclude that crustal, but not mantle, thickening models, combined with plate-kinematic solutions of India-Asia convergence, are compatible with palaeo-elevation estimates across the Tibetan plateau.
An evaluation of the various claims for the control of dental decay

Abstract The use of ammonia-urea dentifrices of lower concentrations has not been proved to be of value. Those of higher concentrations may or may not be useful. We need more and better proof. Penicillin dentifrices have not been shown to be of enough value to overshadow the possibility of the production of penicillin-resistant bacteria as a result of their use. There is no proof of the usefulness of so-called chlorophyll dentifrices. Any dentifrice used immediately after meals can, on the basis of our present knowledge, reduce caries activity. The customary cleaning night and morning is probably rather useless as a caries-reducing factor. Topical fluoride when applied in a 1 to 2 per cent aqueous solution according to the United States Public Health Service technique, has been proved effective. Any variations of this method of fluoride treatment should be proved clinically before we can make the same statement about it. The use of this method on adults is questionable, but may show a lesser effect than on those under 18 years of age. The fluoridation of water supplies has been shown to reduce caries in children whose teeth have developed on such water. There is to date no evidence of systemic damage attributable to water fluoridation. There is much vociferous objection on the part of some to what has been called forced medication. Dietary control by the restriction of sugar is a difficult but effective means of caries control in the individual who will cooperate. The use of any one or any possible combination of these proved effective means constitutes a most valuable preventive service which is available and should be utilized to the fullest extent by the dental profession.
Structural biomechanics of the foot bones

The structure of the tarsal and metatarsal bones reflects the functional demands placed on them. Their shape and the arrangement of compact and trabecular bone within them help them resist the normal forces of everyday life. When the limits of their strength are exceeded, failure can occur.
Reliability and Validity of the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability Behavioral Tool in Assessing Acute Pain in Critically Ill Patients

BACKGROUND Few investigators have evaluated pain assessment tools in the critical care setting. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Behavioral Scale in assessing pain in critically ill adults and children unable to self-report pain. METHODS Three nurses simultaneously, but independently, observed and scored pain behaviors twice in 29 critically ill adults and 8 children: before administration of an analgesic or during a painful procedure, and 15 to 30 minutes after the administration or procedure. Two nurses used the FLACC scale, the third used either the Checklist of Nonverbal Pain Indicators (for adults) or the COMFORT scale (for children). RESULTS For 73 observations, FLACC scores correlated highly with the other 2 scores (rho = 0.963 and 0.849, respectively), supporting criterion validity. Significant decreases in FLACC scores after analgesia (or at rest) supported construct validity of the tool (mean, 5.27; SD, 2.3 vs mean, 0.52; SD, 1.1; P < .001). Exact agreement and kappa statistics, as well as intraclass correlation coefficients (0.67-0.95), support excellent interrater reliability of the tool. Internal consistency was excellent; the Cronbach alpha was 0.882 when all items were included. CONCLUSIONS Although similar in content to other behavioral pain scales, the FLACC can be used across populations of patients and settings, and the scores are comparable to those of the commonly used 0-to-10 number rating scale.
Uncertainty Quantification and Polynomial Chaos Techniques in Computational Fluid Dynamics

The quantification of uncertainty in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions is both a significant challenge and an important goal. Probabilistic uncertainty quantification (UQ) methods have been used to propagate uncertainty from model inputs to outputs when input uncertainties are large and have been characterized probabilistically. Polynomial chaos (PC) methods have found increased use in probabilistic UQ over the past decade. This review describes the use of PC expansions for the representation of random variables/fields and discusses their utility for the propagation of uncertainty in computational models, focusing on CFD models. Many CFD applications are considered, including flow in porous media, incompressible and compressible flows, and thermofluid and reacting flows. The review examines each application area, focusing on the demonstrated use of PC UQ and the associated challenges. Cross-cutting challenges with time unsteadiness and long time horizons are also discussed.
Kinetics and Deformation during the Reaction of Yttrium‐Aluminum Perovskite and Alumina to Yttrium‐Aluminum Garnet

The kinetics of the reaction of directionally solidified eutec-tics of yttrium-aluminum perovskite and alumina to yttrium-aluminum garnet were measured between 1150° and 1550°C for times as long as 20 000 min. Deformation from the 11 vol% increase was observed. Samples were characterized by optical microscopy, SEM, and extensively by TEM. Surface displacements from self-stress relaxation were measured by atomic force microscopy. YAG nucleated at yttrium silicate impurities as 20-nm-thick plates. For nucleation to occur, the 20-GPa self-stress must relax. YAG growth was parabolic with a 550-kJ/mol activation energy. Self-stress relaxation caused creep polygonization in YAG, forming short-circuit diffusion pathways that may have increased the growth rate. The maximum flow stress in YAG was estimated to be 1–3 GPa and decreased as the reaction progressed. The inferred flow stresses should not have significantly decreased the reaction driving force. Eventually, off-axis creep of alumina dominated self-stress relaxation because its flow stress was much lower than that of YAG.
Thermal and Quantum Noise in the Inner Ear

General theories of thermal and quantum fluctuations are used to calculate the levels of noise in models of inner ear mechanics. In each case considered, the calculated levels of thermal noise are much too large to be consistent with the detection of sub-angstrom motions at the threshold of hearing. Quantum noise levels are comparable to these threshold signals, implying that the inner ear is not a classical system. Some implications of these results for theories of hearing are noted.
Mechanistic insights derived from retardation and peak broadening of particles up to 200 nm in diameter in electrophoresis in semidilute polyacrylamide solutions

Rigid spherical particles in the size range of 5-200 nm diameter were subjected to capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) in semidilute solutions of uncross-linked polyacrylamide of M(r) 5, 7 and 18 x 10(6) (PA-5, -7 and -18, respectively) of varying concentrations up to 1.6% and at field strengths varying from 68 to 270 V/cm. For all particles under study, the experimental Ferguson plots, log(mobility) vs. polymer concentration, permit a linear approximation. Their slope, the retardation coefficient KR = delta log (mobility)/delta (concentration), for particles smaller than 30 nm in diameter increased with particle size in PA-5 and -7 independently of electric field strength and polymer M(r). The KR of particles of 30 nm in diameter or more was found to be independent of particle size at the lowest field strength used but to decrease with it at the higher values of field strength. The decrease was parallel but shifted to higher values of retardation when the polymer M(r) increased from 5 to 7 x 10(6). With a decreasing ratio of average mesh size of the polymer network, zeta, to particle radius, R, the approach to "continuity" of the polymeric medium (zeta/R << 1) with both increasing particle size and polymer concentration does not result in the retardation behavior expected according to the macroscopic (bulk) viscosity of the solution. These experimental observations were hypothetically interpreted in terms of a transition to a retardation mechanism comprising the formation of a polymer depletion layer near the particle surface--polymer solution interface. Peak width exhibited an overall increase with PA-7 concentration for all particles studied. For particles of 30 nm in diameter or less, the increase was steepest when the radius of the particle was approximately commensurate with zeta at a given polymer concentration. For the largest particle, 205 nm in diameter, peak broadening with polymer concentration was found to correlate linearly with peak asymmetry. CZE of the particles in PA-18 solutions revealed abnormal behavior, with both mobility and peak width remaining near-constant up to a concentration of 0.08% and sharply declining at higher concentrations. The decline of relative mobility is the same-for the entire particle size range used, while peak width declines in direct relation to particle size.
Supportive Care in Multiple Myeloma

Significant progress in the treatment of multiple myeloma has resulted in improvement of disease control with a trend toward overall and progression-free survival benefit. With the availability of several new therapeutic agents and combinations, a careful emphasis should be placed in the management of disease- and therapy-associated complications. Aggressive management of these complications can impact patients' quality of life as well as treatment outcome. This review highlights some of the critical supportive care measures integral to the optimal care of patients with multiple myeloma.
Adolescent Psychosocial Growth and Development

Adolescence is a relatively brief life period during which tremendous psychosocial change occurs Individuals must successfully make this transition from childhood to become content and productive adults Effective health care providers understand the process of adolescence and work with adolescents and their parents within its framework II. Goals of Adolescence: Achievement of autonomy and independence: 1. Separation from family; 2. Development of vocational skills; 3. Become financially self-sufficient. B. Establishment of self-identity: 1. Acceptance of body; 2. Formation of values and morals; 3. Acceptance of sexual identity. (excerpt)
DOE’s SECA and FutureGen programs: Progress and plans

The U.S. Department of Energypsilas (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy (FE) is sponsoring the development of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) under the Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) and advanced ldquozero-emissionrdquo coal-based power technology - technology that is capable of producing power and other products such as hydrogen while capturing over 90 percent of potential carbon dioxide emissions for permanent geologic storage - under the FutureGen Alliance.
Unfair Treatment, Racial/Ethnic Discrimination, Ethnic Identification, and Smoking Among Asian Americans in the National Latino and Asian American Study

OBJECTIVES: We examined the relations of self-report of general unfair treatment and self-report of race/ethnicity-specific discrimination with current smoking among Asian Americans. We investigated whether ethnic identification moderated either association. METHODS: Weighted logistic regressions were performed among 1977 Asian Americans recruited to the National Latino and Asian American Study (2002-2003). RESULTS: In weighted multivariate logistic regression models including both general unfair treatment and racial/ethnic discrimination, odds of current smoking were higher among Asian Americans who reported high levels of unfair treatment (odds ratio [OR]=2.80; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.13, 6.95) and high levels of racial/ethnic discrimination (OR=2.40; 95% CI=0.94, 6.12) compared with those who reported no unfair treatment and discrimination, respectively. High levels of ethnic identification moderated racial/ethnic discrimination (F(3) =3.25; P =.03). High levels of ethnic identification were associated with lower probability of current smoking among participants reporting high levels of racial/ethnic discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that experiences of unfair treatment and racial/ethnic discrimination are risk factors for smoking among Asian Americans. Efforts to promote ethnic identification may be effective in mitigating the influence of racial/ethnic discrimination on smoking in this population.
A proposal for the development of a study to determine the effectiveness of a creativity-centered unit of study in the advancement of spatial abilities of American and Japanese female engineering students

The purpose of this project is the development, evaluation and implementation of a creativity-centered unit of study in the advancement of spatial abilities of American and Japanese female engineering students. This project is envisioned as a partnership between the author and colleagues in universities in Japan. The benefits will include international cooperation between Japanese universities and Purdue University in developing spatial ability research. Female engineering students will also hopefully benefit from the findings of this research. This paper discusses the project and the theoretical foundation upon which it was based. The experimental treatment will consist of exposure or no exposure to a unit of study in creativity in an engineering graphics course.
Inability of Transforming Growth Factor-β to Cause SnoN Degradation Leads to Resistance to Transforming Growth Factor-β–Induced Growth Arrest in Esophageal Cancer Cells

It is well established that loss of a growth inhibitory response to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a common feature of epithelial cancers including esophageal cancer. However, the molecular basis for the abrogation of this key homeostatic mechanism is poorly understood. In esophageal cancer cell lines that are resistant to TGF-β–induced growth inhibition, TGF-β also fails to decrease transcription of c- myc despite the presence of functional signaling components. Consequently, to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to resistance to TGF-β–induced growth arrest, the basis for the inability to decrease c- myc transcription was investigated. Regardless of sensitivity to TGF-β–induced growth arrest, TGF-β enhanced the ability of Smad3-protein complexes to bind c- myc regulatory elements. However, in a growth inhibition–resistant esophageal cancer cell line, the Smad3-protein complexes contained the SnoN oncoprotein. Furthermore, in esophageal cancer cell lines that are resistant to TGF-β–induced growth arrest, TGF-β does not cause degradation of SnoN. Analyses of the effect of modulating SnoN expression in both growth inhibition–sensitive and growth inhibition–resistant cell lines showed that degradation of SnoN is a prerequisite for both TGF-β–induced repression of c- myc transcription and growth arrest. The data indicate that SnoN-Smad3 complexes do not cause repression of c- myc transcription but rather prevent functionality of active repressor complexes. Thus, these studies reveal a novel mechanism for resistance to TGF-β–induced growth inhibition in esophageal cancer, namely the failure to degrade SnoN. In addition, they show that SnoN can block TGF-β repression of gene transcription.
PRML performance estimation considering medium noise down track correlations

Application of partial-response maximum-likelihood (PRML) sequence detection in magnetic recording has been demonstrated with substantial increase in the linear density. This method achieves optimal performance when the noise is white and Gaussian. In a recording channel dominated by medium noise, the noise is correlated due to inter-granular interactions. The characteristics of the noise strongly affect the PRML performance. The signal dependent medium noise is characterized approximately by the cross track average magnetization in the presence of transitions. Error rates for detecting a single bit, a dibit, and a tribit with medium noise correlations included are calculated. It is found that errors in detecting a dibit or a tribit are mainly induced by the magnetic noise addition of adjacent transitions. >
Sexual Abuse of Older Adults: APS Cases and Outcomes

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a profile of sexual abuse cases among adults aged 60 and older receiving attention from Adult Protective Services units in Virginia over a 5-year period. Design and Methods: We used bivariate analysis to characterize older adults (n = 82) experiencing sexual abuse and the circumstances of the abuse. We used multiple correspondence analysis, a multivariate method, to explore relationships between characteristics of the older adults and the type of sexual abuse experienced. Results: Most victims of sexual abuse were women, between the ages of 70 and 89, residing in a nursing home. Typically, sexual abuse involved instances of sexualized kissing and fondling and unwelcome sexual interest in the person’s body. The majority of perpetrators were nursing home residents who were 60 years of age and older. In most situations, witnesses to the sexual abuse were facility residents. Implications: Orientation affects the invasiveness of the sexual abuse experienced by older adults. Our data reveal a small but persistent number of cases identifying individuals who are especially vulnerable to this form of abuse. These findings establish a baseline for future research and set the stage for further examination in both domestic and institutional settings as well as possible interventions and staff training.
Capstone Project: From Software Engineering to Informatics

Abstract—This paper reports on experiences in transitioning a capstone course from a single-quarter to three-quarters. A singlequarter project course in software design and development had been offered by our department for over twenty years. More recently, upon formation of a new undergraduate degree in Informatics, this course was transformed into a three-quarter capstone course taken by students in their final year. Correspondingly, some aspects of the course projects, such as the business scope and software complexity, grew in proportion to the increase in the project duration. At the same time, a number of “costs” were reduced, including the time and effort required to set up the development infrastructure and development environments, and learn new tools and languages. Most importantly, several other factors experienced substantial growth. The longer project duration allowed significant increase in the effort and attention paid to usability engineering and user-centered design, leading to systems that were deployable and more usable for the target users. It also enabled better software testing, deployment and release management. As a result, the final outcome was much closer to production quality than the prototypes and proof-ofconcept systems typical of earlier single-quarter projects.
Q-band GaAs MESFET oscillator with 30% efficiency

Microstrip GaAs MESFET oscillators using 75 × 0.25 μm devices have achieved record efficiencies and power densities at Q-band. At 34 GHz, an efficiency of 30% was obtained with an output power of 33 mW. A similar output power was achieved at 40 GHz with an efficiency of 25%. The corresponding power densities are in excess of 0.4 W per millimetre of gate width.
Visualization of the Drosophila dKeap1-CncC interaction on chromatin illumines cooperative, xenobiotic-specific gene activation

Interactions among transcription factors control their physiological functions by regulating their binding specificities and transcriptional activities. We implement a strategy to visualize directly the genomic loci that are bound by multi-protein complexes in single cells in Drosophila. This method is based on bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analysis of protein interactions on polytene chromosomes. Drosophila Keap1 (dKeap1)-CncC complexes localized to the nucleus and bound chromatin loci that were not bound preferentially by dKeap1 or CncC when they were expressed separately. dKeap1 and CncC binding at these loci was enhanced by phenobarbital, but not by tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) or paraquat. Endogenous dKeap1 and CncC activated transcription of the Jheh (Jheh1, Jheh2, Jheh3) and dKeap1 genes at these loci, whereas CncC alone activated other xenobiotic response genes. Ectopic dKeap1 expression increased CncC binding at the Jheh and dKeap1 gene loci and activated their transcription, whereas dKeap1 inhibited CncC binding at other xenobiotic response gene loci and suppressed their transcription. The combinatorial chromatin-binding specificities and transcriptional activities of dKeap1-CncC complexes mediated the selective activation of different sets of genes by different xenobiotic compounds, in part through feed-forward activation of dKeap1 transcription.
Antiplatelets Versus Anticoagulation for Cervical Arterial Dissection.

3 (3%) 2 (2%) 0.673 (0.055e5.983) 1.0 Any stroke 3 (2%) 1 (1%) 0.335 (0.006e4.233) 0.63 Ipsilateral stroke/TIA/ death 4 (3%) 5 (4%) 1.280 (0.268e6.614) 0.98
DNA ligase-mediated translation of DNA into densely functionalized nucleic acid polymers.

We developed a method to translate DNA sequences into densely functionalized nucleic acids by using T4 DNA ligase to mediate the DNA-templated polymerization of 5′-phosphorylated trinucleotides containing a wide variety of appended functional groups. This polymerization proceeds sequence specifically along a DNA template and can generate polymers of at least 50 building blocks (150 nucleotides) in length with remarkable efficiency. The resulting single-stranded highly modified nucleic acid is a suitable template for primer extension using deep vent (exo-) DNA polymerase, thereby enabling the regeneration of template DNA. We integrated these capabilities to perform iterated cycles of in vitro translation, selection, and template regeneration on libraries of modified nucleic acid polymers.
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Trouessart, 1897) in mattress and floor dust in a temperate climate (Acari : Pyroglyphidae)

The arthropod fauna of mattress dust, bedroom dust and living-room dust was sampled during a 1-year period in a center for asthmatic children (near Nijmegen, The Netherlands) with the aid of a vacuum cleaner, Berlese funnels and a flotation method. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was most abundant; Psychodinae, Cheyletidae and Gamasina were present in numbers high enough to allow ecological consideration. Separate counts were made for living and dead specimens. Populations of D. pteronyssinus were detected throughout the year only in mattresses. In June–July the infestation spread to the bedroom floors where the microclimate was then suitable for development; this population died out in October. Livingroom floors were not infested due to the unsuitable microclimate, the absence of food and the distance from the bedrooms. There was a strong correlation between the weather (outdoors and indoors) and the numbers and distribution of D. pteronyssinus within the home. Microorganisms and fibers of plant origin (most likely from the cotton bed sheets) were found frequently in the alimentary canal of these mites. As a site for control of pyroglyphid infestations in the environment of house dust atopics, mattresses are much more important than living-room floors which have been sampled most frequently in other studies.
Induction of Cross-Reactive Antibodies by Immunization of Healthy Adults with Types Ia and Ib Group B Streptococcal Polysaccharide-Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate Vaccines

Types Ia and Ib group B streptococcal (GBS) capsular polysaccharides (PSs) are structural isomers but are antigenically distinct. Immunization of healthy adults with GBS type Ia PS– tetanus toxoid (Ia-TT) or Ib-TT glycoconjugate vaccines induced >4-fold increases in specific immunoglobulin G to the heterologous PS in more than two-thirds of subjects. Ib-TT vaccine– induced IgG bound with substantially higher affinity to homologous (Ib) than to heterologous (Ia) PS and promoted opsonophagocytic killing of GBS type Ib but not type Ia organisms. The failure of the Ib-TT– and Ia-TT–i nduced human antibodies to kill bacteria of the cross-reactive serotype contrasts with the results of previous studies in animals. Inhibition enzyme–l inked immunosorbent assays demonstrated that Ib-TT–i nduced IgG to the homologous PS bound mainly to native Ib PS, whereas the cross-reactive antibodies recognized both native and derivative PSs. These results indicate that GBS Ia and Ib PSs should be included in a multivalent conjugate vaccine to prevent GBS disease. Group B streptococci (GBS) are a leading cause of invasive infections in neonates and young infants in the United States [1]. The widespread implementation of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis in this country has coincided with a decrease in the incidence of early-onset GBS disease in neonates , 7d ays old from 1.7 (1993) to 0.6 (1998) per 1000 live births; in contrast, the incidence of late-onset disease (7– 89 days) has remained unchanged at 0.4 per 1000 live births [1]. Nine serotypes of GBS have been identified on the basis of capsular polysaccharides (PSs) [2–4]. Together, serotypes Ia and Ib account for �40%
The value of glioma extent of resection in the modern neurosurgical era

Objective: There remains no general consensus in the neurosurgical oncology literature regarding the role of extent of glioma resection in improving patient outcome. Although the value of resection in establishing a diagnosis and alleviating mass effect is clear, there is less certainty in ascertaining the influence of extent of resection. Here, we review the recent literature to synthesize a comprehensive review of the value of extent of resection for gliomas in the modern neurosurgical era. Methods: We reviewed every major peer-reviewed clinical publication since 1990 on the role of extent of resection in glioma outcome. Results: Thirty-two high-grade glioma articles and 11 low-grade glioma articles were examined in terms of quality of evidence, expected extent of resection, and survival benefit. Conclusions: Despite limitations in the quality of data, mounting evidence suggests that more extensive surgical resection is associated with longer life expectancy for both low- and high-grade newly-diagnosed gliomas.
Responses of larval dragonflies to conspecific and heterospecific predator cues

1. In cannibalistic populations, smaller individuals are subject to predation by larger conspecifics, and small individuals commonly alter their behaviour in response to cannibals. Little is known, however, about the underlying cues that trigger such responses and how the behavioural responses to conspecific cannibals differ from heterospecific predators. 2. This study tests which cues are used for the detection of conspecific predators in the larva of the dragonfly Plathemis lydia and how the behavioural response to cannibals differed from the response to heterospecific predators. 3. Individuals were exposed to chemical cues, visual cues, and a combination of both cues from conspecifics as well as no predator and heterospecific predator controls during which their activity and feeding rates were observed. 4. Individuals increased their activity, spatial movement and feeding behaviour in response to either visual or chemical cues from conspecific predators, which was opposite to responses displayed with cues from heterospecific predators. Interestingly, the responses to visual and chemical cues from conspecifics combined were weaker than to either cue in isolation and similar to the no cue control. 5. The results clearly indicate that individuals are able to use chemical and visual cues to detect even very subtle differences in phenotype of conspecific predators. 6. The opposite response in behaviour when exposed to conspecific cannibals vs. heterospecific predators suggests that the presence of cannibals will increase the mortality risk of small individuals due to heterospecific predation. This risk-enhancement is likely to have important consequences for the dynamics of predator–prey interactions.
Attribution of Responsibility for Sexual Assault: The Influence of Observer Empathy and Defendant Occupation and Attractiveness

Summary This study investigated the influence of two separate components of defendant attractiveness (physical attractiveness and occupation), subject sex, and subjects' pre-trial empathic biases on attributions of responsibility for rape. Subjects were presented with one of four descriptions of a hypothetical rape case, in which the defendant was described as either a physically attractive or unattractive janitor or scientist. Dependent measures consisted of 12 questions, based upon the hypothetical rape case, and included attributions of responsibility for the incident, social perceptions of the rape victim and defendant, certainty of the defendant's guilt, and proposed sentence for the defendant. In accord with previous research, both components of defendant attractiveness, as well as observer sex, were predictive of subjects' perceptions of the rape victim and defendant. However, evidence for Berscheid and Walster's contention that attractiveness operates as a main effect was moderated by the finding ...