cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oral Contraceptives and Cigarette Smoking: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions.

Introduction Evidence continues to mount indicating that endogenous sex hormones (eg, progesterone and estradiol) play a significant role in smoking-related outcomes. Although approximately one out of four premenopausal smokers use oral contraceptives (OCs), which significantly alter progesterone and estradiol levels, relatively little is known about how OCs may influence smoking-related outcomes. Thus, the goal of this review article is to describe the state of the literature and offer recommendations for future directions. Methods In March 2017, we searched seven databases, with a restriction to articles written in English, using the following keywords: nicotine, smoker(s), smoking, tobacco, cigarettes, abstinence, withdrawal, and craving(s). We did not restrict on the publication date, type, or study design. Results A total of 13 studies were identified. Three studies indicated faster nicotine metabolism in OC users compared to nonusers. Five of six laboratory studies that examined physiological stress response noted heightened response in OC users compared to nonusers. Three studies examined cessation-related symptomatology (eg, craving) with mixed results. One cross-sectional study observed greater odds of current smoking among OC users, and no studies have explored the relationship between OC use and cessation outcomes. Conclusions Relatively few studies were identified on the role of OCs in smoking-related outcomes. Future work could explore the relationship between OC use and mood, stress, weight gain, and brain function/connectivity, as well as cessation outcomes. Understanding the role of OC use in these areas may lead to the development of novel smoking cessation interventions for premenopausal women. Implications This is the first review of the relationship between oral contraceptives (OCs) and smoking-related outcomes. The existing literature suggests that the use of OCs is related to increased nicotine metabolism and physiological stress response. However, the relationship between OC use and smoking-related symptoms (eg, craving) is mixed. Further, no published data were available on OC use and smoking cessation outcomes. Therefore, we recommend additional research be conducted to characterize the relationship between OC use and smoking cessation outcomes, perhaps as a function of the effect of OC use on mood, stress, weight gain, and brain function/connectivity.
Chlamydia trachomatis and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: Meta-analysis of Patients With and Without Infection.

We conducted a meta-analysis to determine the association between Chlamydia trachomatis and adverse perinatal outcomes. Electronic databases were searched between 1970 and 2013. Included studies reported perinatal outcomes in women with and without chlamydia. Summary odds ratios were calculated using fixed- and random-effects models. Study bias was assessed using a Funnel Plot and Begg’s test. Of 129 articles identified, 56 studies met the inclusion criteria encompassing 614,892 subjects. Chlamydia infection in pregnancy was associated with preterm birth (OR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.05, 1.54) with a large quantity of heterogeneity (I2 = 61%). This association lost significance when limiting the analysis to high-quality studies based on the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Chlamydia infection in pregnancy was also associated with preterm premature rupture of membranes (OR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.0, 3.29), endometritis (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.20, 2.38), low birthweight (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.21, 1.48), small for gestational age (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.05, 1.25) and intrauterine fetal demise (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.06, 1.94). This review provides evidence that chlamydia in pregnancy is associated with a small increase in the odds of multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes. The literature is complicated by heterogeneity and the fact that the association may not hold in higher quality and prospective studies or those that use more contemporary nucleic acid testing.
Communication Efficient Coreset Sampling for Distributed Learning

Distributedly learning through wireless network becomes one of the future features with the growth of computation power for devices. Communication becomes the bottleneck for such distributed framework. In this paper, distributed learning is studied using the approach of coreset. In the context of classification, an algorithm of coreset construction is proposed to reduce the redundancy of data and thus the communication requirement, similarly to source coding in traditional data communications. The coreset based sampling is robust to adversary distribution, thus leading to potential applications in distributed learning systems. Both theoretical and numerical analyses are provided to demonstrate the proposed framework.
C2 Selectivity Enhancement in Chemical Looping Oxidative Coupling of Methane over a Mg–Mn Composite Oxygen Carrier by Li-Doping-Induced Oxygen Vacancies

Chemical looping oxidative coupling of methane (CLOCM) is a promising process for direct methane conversion to C2 products. Under the chemical looping approach, the oxygen carrier that provides lattice oxygen, in place of molecular oxygen, is used for methane oxidation. This study performs redox experiments that probe the C2 selectivity enhancement properties of a Mg–Mn composite oxygen carrier through the use of a low concentration of Li dopant. It was found that the C2 selectivity of the Li-doped oxygen carrier in CLOCM is universally higher than that of the undoped Mg6MnO8 oxygen carrier with a maximum improvement in selectivity of ∼50%. Density functional theory simulation reveals that the Li dopant has a short-range effect on the formation of oxygen vacancies. The Li-doping-induced oxygen vacancy reduces the adsorption energy of methyl radicals and increases the C–H activation barrier. These findings provide a catalytic dopant screening strategy for CLOCM, which will substantially enhance the C2 sele...
WIZER: An Automated Intelligent Tool for Model Improvement of Multi-Agent Social-Network Systems.

Multi-agent social-network models are becoming increasingly used due to their power and flexibility in capturing emergent behaviors in complex socio-technical systems and their ability to link to real data. These models are growing in size and complexity which requires significant time and effort to calibrate, validate, improve the model, and gain insight into model behavior. In this paper, we present our knowledge-based simulation-aided approach for automating model-improvement and our tool to implement this approach (WIZER). WIZER is capable of calibrating and validating multi-agent social-network models, and facilitates model-improvement and understanding. By employing knowledge-based search, causal analysis, and simulation control and inference techniques, WIZER can reduce the number of simulation runs needed to calibrate, validate, and improve a model and improve the focus of these runs. We ran WIZER on BioWar – a city-scale multi-agent social-network model capable of simulating the effects of weaponized biological attacks on a demographically-realistic population against a background of naturally-occurring diseases. The results show the efficacy of WIZER.
CHORIORETINAL CHANGES IN A GENETICALLY CONFIRMED CASE OF BOUCHER-NEUHÄUSER SYNDROME.

PURPOSE To describe the retinal findings in a 25-year-old white woman in whom a diagnosis of Boucher-Neuhauser Syndrome (BNS) was supported by genetic testing, which identified a missense and novel nonsense mutation in the PNPLA6 gene. METHODS Observational case report of a 25-year-old woman who presented with primary amenorrhea, cerebellar ataxia, and mild retinal pigmentary abnormalities. Neurologic, endocrine, and genetic evaluations established a diagnosis of BNS. RESULTS Clinical examination and multimodal imaging documented focal outer retinal and retinal pigment epithelium changes including bilateral foveal stippling and a circular area of hypopigmentation in the superior macula of the left eye. Optical coherence tomography showed a linear area of outer retinal attenuation superonasal to the fovea and multiple foci of pinpoint outer retinal defects in the temporal macula of the left eye. Humphrey visual field 24-2 testing showed nonspecific defects in both eyes. Full-field electroretinography showed no evidence of a generalized retinal dysfunction. CONCLUSION Recognition that the chorioretinal abnormalities occurring in BNS can be rather subtle is essential because the diagnosis of BNS may depend on their detection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the ophthalmic literature of mild chorioretinal changes in a patient with BNS testing positive for a mutation in the PNPLA6 gene.
Laser-Induced Precursor Decomposition for Nanoparticle Modification in Polymer Matrix Nanocomposites

This work investigates processes involved in the modification of palladium nanoparticles in polymer matrix nanocomposites (PMNCs) using continuous wave laser irradiation. Optical excitation of PMNC...
Selling Plants through Horticultural Distribution Centers

Abstract The services most frequently provided by horticultural distribution centers (HDCs) were delivery (98%), credit (90.2%) and information (84.3%). Only a small percentage (29.4%) of HDCs communicate with landscape architects and most HDCs try to influence their plant selection. The primary criteria in selection of plant suppliers is the ability of nurseries to supply consistent plant quality. When making decisions on which plants to purchase, HDCs rely on sales records or previous purchase history (87.8%), customer requests for plants (71.4%) and availability list from growers (55.1%). The projected changes in plant material requirements include larger plant sizes (24.1%), more color items (22.4%) and more container plants, especially trees (22.4%). The primary opportunities for plant producers to assist HDCs are in marketing support (21.3%), more frequent deliveries (19.7%) and meeting commitments for product (18.0%). The most common complaints from landscapers, the primary customer of HDCs, regard...
Algorithms detecting stability and Morseness for finitely generated groups

Abstract The notions of stable and Morse subgroups of finitely generated groups generalize the concept of a quasiconvex subgroup of a word-hyperbolic group. For a word-hyperbolic group G, Kapovich [31] provided a partial algorithm which, on input a finite set S of G, halts if S generates a quasiconvex subgroup of G and runs forever otherwise. In this paper, we give various detection and decidability algorithms for stability and Morseness of a finitely generated subgroup of mapping class groups, right-angled Artin groups, toral relatively hyperbolic groups, and finitely generated groups discriminated by a locally quasiconvex torsion-free hyperbolic group (for example, ordinary limit groups).
Writing Together: Reclaiming Dialogue Journals as a Mutually Humanizing Teaching Practice.

This article builds on the work of adult literacy scholars to explore how dialogue journals might be used to enact a mutually humanizing pedagogy within adult English for Speakers of Other Language...
An Investigation of Habitual Dietary Supplement Use Among 557 NCAA Division I Athletes.

Background: Supplements may expose athletes to dangerous ingredients, banned substances, toxins or contaminants; however, few investigations assess use among collegiate athletes in the U.S.Objectiv...
What's on trial? The making of field experiments in international development.

In the last 20 years, the drive for evidence-based policymaking has been coupled with a concurrent push for the use of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as the "gold-standard" for generating rigorous evidence on whether or not development interventions work. Drawing on content analysis of 63 development RCTs and 4 years of participant observation, I provide a rich description of the diverse set of actors and the transnational organizational effort required to implement development RCTs and maintain their "scientific status." Particularly, I investigate the boundary work that proponents of RCTs-also known as randomistas-do to differentiate the purposes and merits of testing development projects from doing them, as a way to bypass the political and ethical problems presented by adopting the experimental method with foreign aid beneficiaries in poor countries. Although randomistas have been mostly successful in differentiating RCTs from the projects evaluated, I also examine cases where they were not able to do so, as a means to highlight the controversies associated with implementing RCTs in international development.
Sins of the Father Poetic Representation of the Inscrutable Life and Secrets of a Sicilian Immigrant

These poems are a representation of the early life of my paternal grandfather, a reluctant immigrant from Sicily. I am emboldened and inspired by H. L. Goodall’s writings on the (secret) life of his father, and the toxicity and disorientation of family secrets as well as Laurel Richardson’s description of using poetic inquiry to “concretize emotions, feelings and moods – the most private kinds of feelings, so as to creative experience itself to another person”.
Conceptual Abstraction and Analogy in Artificial Intelligence

In 1955, John McCarthy and colleagues proposed an AI summer research project with the following aim: “An attempt will be made to find how to make machines use language, form abstractions and concep...
Autoencoder Architecture for Predicting Dynamic Graphs

Dynamic graphs are a type of time series data used to describe a variety of social interactions and other forms of human behavior. Long-term short-term (LSTM) neural networks, an industry standard model for time series forecasting, excel at the prediction of stationary data. Alternatively, LSTM models perform poorly in the presence of more complex graphical data. To address this, we developed and implemented a "predictive autoencoder". For sequential (i.e. linearly processed data representing graph growth) and nonsequential based temporal graphical data, predictive autoencoder architectures outperformed the classical LSTM in total accuracy by a slight margin, and a custom metric used to assess edge weight prediction.
At-risk mental states for bipolar disorder

Abstract The strong genetic basis of bipolar spectrum disorders renders the offspring of bipolar parents, known as bipolar offspring, or at-risk individuals, an informative resource for understanding the development of bipolar disorder. In this chapter, we begin with a clinical overview of at-risk psychiatric presentations and discuss the development of a bipolar clinical staging model. Then, we review extant at-risk neuroimaging findings. Next, we provide an overview of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments in at-risk youth and explore risk factors for manic conversion. Finally, we examine the development of risk calculators to predict manic conversion and their clinical utility to inform individualized treatment and prevention.
Thirty-day Hospital Readmissions Following Cardiac Surgery are Associated With Mortality and Subsequent Readmission.

The aim of the current study was to assess the impact of hospital readmissions within 30-days of discharge, on long-term postoperative outcomes. All patients who underwent cardiac surgery from 2011 – 2018 were included. Patients who had transcatheter procedures, VAD, and transplant were excluded. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) propensity scoring was used for population risk adjustment. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify association with long-term mortality and readmission. The total risk adjusted (propensity scoring with IPTW) patient population consisted of 14,538 patients divided into those who were not readmitted in 30-days (nonreadmitted) (n = 12,627) and patients who were readmitted within 30-days (30-day readmitted) (n = 1911). Following IPTW, all baseline characteristics and postoperative complications were equivalent between cohorts (SMD
Port-Hamiltonian Flight Control of a Fixed-Wing Aircraft

This brief addresses the problem of stabilizing steady, wing level flight of a fixed-wing aircraft to a specified inertial velocity (speed, course, and climb angle). The aircraft is modeled as a port-Hamiltonian system and the passivity of this system is leveraged in devising the nonlinear control law. The aerodynamic force model in the port-Hamiltonian formulation is quite general; the static, state feedback control scheme requires only basic assumptions concerning lift, side force, and drag. Following an energy-shaping approach, the static state feedback control law is designed to leverage the open-loop system's port-Hamiltonian structure in order to construct a control Lyapunov function. Asymptotic stability of the desired flight condition is guaranteed within a large region of attraction. Simulations comparing the proposed flight controller with dynamic inversion suggest it is more robust to uncertainty in aerodynamics.
Sensitivity of cellular automata grain structure predictions for high solidification rates

Abstract Understanding as-solidified grain structure development during constrained (G > 0) alloy solidification conditions is a necessary component of understanding the larger process-microstructure relationships during additive manufacturing (AM) processing. This study applies a cellular automata (CA) model, for static solidification velocities and thermal gradients on the order of those expected in AM melt pools, to investigate grain shape development across ranges of input parameters governing temperature field evolution, nucleation, and growth. Variation in nucleated grain shape from columnar to equiaxed as a function of thermal gradient and nucleation density is modeled with CA and verified against the established transition model of Hunt and Gaumann. While thermal conditions and nucleation density are shown to have the largest roles on microstructure development, the sensitivity of grain structure was very unevenly distributed across parameter space. In particular, it was found that microstructure is very sensitive to mean nucleation undercooling and the interfacial response function in process space regimes near grain structure transitions, but entirely controlled by a combination of thermal gradient, solidification velocity, and nucleation density away from such transitions. The understanding of grain shape sensitivity obtained through CA modeling, particularly at large thermal gradient and nucleation density, will be necessary for accurate microstructure prediction during the extreme processing conditions and large input parameter uncertainty common to AM.
Motivation and Problem Solving Versus Mobile 360° Videos to Promote Enrollment in the National Diabetes Prevention Program’s Lifestyle Change Program Among People With Prediabetes: Protocol for a Randomized Trial

Background: More than 88 million Americans are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The National Diabetes Prevention Program’s Lifestyle Change Program (DPP LCP) has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of progressing from prediabetes to T2DM. However, most individuals who could benefit from the program do not enroll. Objective: The aim of this trial is to test the real-world efficacy of 3 mobile phone–based approaches to increasing enrollment in the DPP LCP including a best-practice condition and 2 novel approaches. Methods: We will conduct a 3-armed randomized clinical trial comparing enrollment and 1-month engagement in the DPP LCP among adults with prediabetes from 2 health care settings. Participants in the best-practice condition will receive SMS-based notifications that they have prediabetes and a link to a website that explains prediabetes, T2DM, and the DPP LCP. This will be followed by a single question survey, “Would you like the DPP LCP to call you to enroll?” Participants in the 2 intervention arms will receive the same best-practice intervention plus either 2 mobile 360° videos or up to 5 brief phone calls from a health coach trained in a motivational coaching approach known as Motivation and Problem Solving (MAPS). We will collect measures of diabetes-related knowledge, beliefs in the controllability of risk for T2DM, risk perceptions for T2DM, and self-efficacy for lifestyle change pre-intervention and 4 weeks later. The primary outcomes of the study are enrollment in the DPP LCP and 4-week engagement in the DPP LCP. In addition, data on the person-hours needed to deliver the interventions as well as participant feedback about the interventions and their acceptability will be collected. Our primary hypotheses are that the 2 novel interventions will lead to higher enrollment and engagement in the DPP LCP than the best-practice intervention. Secondary hypotheses concern the mechanisms of action of the 2 intervention arms: (1) whether changes in risk perception are associated with program enrollment among participants in the mobile 360° video group and (2) whether changes in self-efficacy for lifestyle change are associated with program enrollment among participants in the MAPS coaching group. Finally, exploratory analyses will examine the cost effectiveness and acceptability of the interventions. Results: The project was funded in September 2020; enrollment began in February 2021 and is expected to continue through July 2022. Conclusions: We are conducting a test of 2 novel, scalable, mobile phone–based interventions to increase enrollment in the DPP LCP. If effective, they have tremendous potential to be scaled up to help prevent T2DM nationwide. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04746781; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04746781
Association between sports participation history and age of first exposure to high-risk sports with concussion history.

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between sports participation history, including estimated age of first exposure (eAFE) to high-risk sports, and concussion history in first year (i.e., freshmen) collegiate athletes. Athletes increased their odds of sustaining a pre-college concussion by 5% [odds ratio(OR) = 1.05 (95%CI:1.05-1.06)] for each additional year of contact sports participation - 24% of all student athletes reported one or more pre-college concussions. When eAFE was analysed dichotomously at age 12, a greater proportion of those who started playing football before age 12 reported a positive concussion history compared to those who started playing football at age 12 or later (Х2 = 4.483, p = 0.034, Phi = 0.049). When eAFE was analysed continuously, later eAFE to women's high-risk sports was associated with a lower likelihood of sustaining a pre-college concussion [OR = 0.93 (95%CI:0.88-0.98)]. Our findings suggest that there is a relationship between eAFE to football and to women's high-risk sports and concussion history.
Computational vector fiducial for deflectometry system alignment.

One of deflectometry’s cardinal strengths is its ability to measure highly dynamically sloped optics without needing physical null references. Accurate surface measurements using deflectometry, however, require precise calibration processes. In this Letter, we introduce an alignment technique using a computational fiducial to align a deflectometry system without additional hardware equipment (i.e., algorithmic innovation). Using the ray tracing program, we build relationships between the plane of the screen and detector and algorithmically generate a fiducial pattern for the deflectometry configuration. Since the fiducial pattern is based on ideal system geometry, misalignment of the unit under test with its target position causes a discrepancy between the actual image on the camera detector and the ideal fiducial image. We leverage G and C vector polynomials to quantify misalignment and estimate the alignment status through a reverse optimization method. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can align the 195mm×80mm of a rectangular aperture freeform optic within 10 µm of peak-to-valley accuracy. The computational fiducial-based alignment algorithm is simple to apply and can be an essential procedure for conventional methods of deflectometry system alignment.
Jonathan Borwein: Renaissance Mathematician

The death of Jonathan M. Borwein in August 2016, at the age of 65, in London, Ontario, Canada (where he had been visiting from the University of Newcastle, Australia), came as a huge shock to many ...
Chronic heart failure: what does the horizon look like?

Purpose of review This review highlights the most recent developments in the field of heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF and HFpEF). Recent findings The largest trial to date in patients with HFrEF demonstrated that LCZ696, a novel combination drug of valsartan and a neprilysin inhibitor, as compared with enalapril, significantly reduced the death rates from any cause and from cardiovascular causes and the rates of hospitalizations for worsening heart failure. Both ivabradine, a novel heart rate lowering therapy, currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and coenzyme Q10, a powerful antioxidant, when used as adjunctive treatment in HFrEF have also been shown to be efficacious in reducing important heart failure-related cardiovascular adverse events. In contrast, clinical trials in HFpEF remain disappointing; however, the recent FDA approval of a novel pulmonary artery pressure monitoring device has the potential to reduce heart failure readmissions in patients with HFpEF or HFrEF. Summary Novel therapies including LCZ696 and ivabradine have the potential to help curb the burden of heart failure in patients with HFrEF. For now, there continues to remains no clear evidence that novel therapeutic interventions modify the natural history of HFpEF.
12.21 Interactions among Hydrogeomorphology, Vegetation, and Nutrient Biogeochemistry in Floodplain Ecosystems

Hydrogeomorphic, vegetative, and biogeochemical processes interact in floodplains resulting in great complexity that provides opportunities to better understand linkages among physical and biological processes in ecosystems. Floodplains and their associated river systems are structured by four-dimensional gradients of hydrogeomorphology: longitudinal, lateral, vertical, and temporal components. These four dimensions create dynamic hydrologic and geomorphologic mosaics that have a large imprint on the vegetation and nutrient biogeochemistry of floodplains. Plant physiology, population dynamics, community structure, and productivity are all very responsive to floodplain hydrogeomorphology. The strength of this relationship between vegetation and hydrogeomorphology is evident in the use of vegetation as an indicator of hydrogeomorphic processes. However, vegetation also influences hydrogeomorphology by modifying hydraulics and sediment entrainment and deposition that typically stabilize geomorphic patterns. Nitrogen and phosphorus biogeochemistry commonly influence plant productivity and community composition, although productivity is not limited by nutrient availability in all floodplains. Conversely, vegetation influences nutrient biogeochemistry through direct uptake and storage as well as production of organic matter that regulates microbial biogeochemical processes. The biogeochemistries of nitrogen and phosphorus cycling are very sensitive to spatial and temporal variation in hydrogeomorphology, in particular floodplain wetness and sedimentation. The least-studied interaction is the direct effect of biogeochemistry on hydrogeomorphology, but the control of nutrient availability over organic matter decomposition and thus soil permeability and elevation is likely important. Biogeochemistry also has the more documented but indirect control of hydrogeomorphology through regulation of plant biomass. In summary, the defining characteristics of floodplain ecosystems are determined by the many interactions among physical and biological processes. Conservation and restoration of the valuable ecosystem services that floodplains provide depend on improved understanding and predictive models of interactive system controls and behavior.
A 13.8-kV 4.75-MVA microgrid laboratory test bed

Microgrid concepts and applications have become more promising during recent years because of the potential for improving system operation, particularly, under emergency conditions. The design and hardware realization of a microgrid laboratory test bed enabling research and development for microgrids, smart-grid systems, and distributed energy integration is presented in this paper. The state-of-the-art regenerative back-to-back voltage source converter topology is used for implementing and emulating the testing capabilities in the MVA range which are defined by IEEE Std 1547.7TM-2011. An overview of the proposed 13.8-kV microgrid test bed functions and goals are shown. Detailed power electronic circuit hardware, experimental prototype design, and control algorithms are addressed. Hardware test results of case study are shown which display the uniqueness of the proposed test bed which is planned for the research of future microgrids.
Meeting the Training Needs of Practicing Software Engineers at Texas Instruments

Much has been written about software engineering programs from the view-point of the academician, but do these programs really reflect the needs of industry? This paper provides some insight into the needs of practicing software engineers at Texas Instruments who are developing software according to military specifications and requirements for embedded real-time systems. The needs of our environment are compared to the entering skills of a typical new-hire, with the differences noted. These differences can be satisfied by internal training that covers all aspects of software engineering, from communicating with co-workers to understanding the system life cycle.
Coordinate control of oxidative stress tolerance, vegetative growth, and fungal pathogenicity via the AP1 pathway in the rough lemon pathotype of Alternaria alternata.

Abstract Successful pathogenesis by the necrotrophic pathogen Alternaria alternata in citrus has been thought to be dependent on the production of host-specific toxins. This study determined whether the fungal pathogen can modulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the host plant by cloning and characterizing an RLAP1 gene in the rough lemon pathotype of A. alternata, which encodes a polypeptide that resembles many YAP1-like transcription activators of yeasts and fungi. Expression of the RLAP1 gene in a wild-type strain was responsive to many ROS-generating compounds. Mutants disrupted at the RLAP1 locus were hypersensitive to H2O2 and ROS-generating oxidants, showed reduced vegetative growth, were less effective in detoxifying H2O2, were non-pathogenic to rough lemon, and yet were unaltered in conidial formation or toxin production. When inoculated through wound sites, the mutants failed to incite any lesions. However, co-inoculation of the mutants with an NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin or diphenylene iodonium slightly restored fungal pathogenicity; introduction of the RLAP1 gene to a null mutant fully restored all phenotypes to wild type. Upon activation by H2O2, RLAP1::sGFP fusion protein is localized to the nucleus. Overall, the results reveal the essential role of effective detoxification via an RLAP1-mediated pathway in oxidative stress response and pathogenicity in A. alternata. It is proposed that the function of RLAP1 in A. alternata is to protect the pathogen from the toxicity of ROS generated by the citrus host.
Induction of lipoxygenase activity in immunized cucumber plants

Abstract Lipoxygenase (LOX) activity increased in cucumber leaves (leaf 1) inoculated with either Colletotrichum lagenarium or tobacco necrosis virus (TNV) or sprayed with dipotassium phosphate. LOX activity also increased in noninoculated leaves above inoculated or treated leaves (leaf 2, systemic). The increase in LOX activity in leaf 1 and leaf 2 was evident at the time when systemic induced resistance became apparent, i.e. 2, 3 and 4 days after induction with dipotassium phosphate, TNV and C. lagenarium, respectively. Detection of LOX after electrophoretic separation in native gels indicated that inoculation or treatment with dipotassium phosphate caused the accumulation of a major LOX isozyme which was not apparent in noninoculated control leaves. The increase in LOX activity correlated with a decrease in the amount of LOX substrates, linoleic and linolenic acids, and in the total fatty acid fraction in cucumber leaves. The possible involvement of LOX and fatty acid metabolism in the induction of systemic resistance is discussed.
Distribution of folates and modified folates in extremely thermophilic bacteria.

Abstract Analyses were made of the structures and levels of folates and modified folates present in extremely thermophilic bacteria. These procedures involved the chemical analysis of products resulting from the oxidative cleavage of the 6-substituted, folatelike tetrahydropterins present in the cells. Air-oxidized cell extracts of extreme thermophiles from two members of the archaebacterial order Thermococcales, Thermococcus celer and Pyrococcus furiosus, contained only 7-methylpterin, indicating that these cells contain a modified folate with a methylated pterin. Cell extracts also contained 6-acetyl-7-methyl-7,8-dihydropterin, another product derived from the oxidative cleavage of a dimethylated folate, demonstrating that both the C-7 and C-9 carbons of the pterin were methylated. Extracts, however, contained neither p-aminobenzoylpolyglutamates nor methaniline, the oxidative cleavage products of folates and methanopterin, respectively, indicating that they contain a previously undescribed C1 carrier(s). On the basis of the level of the 7-methylpterin isolated, the levels of modified folate were 2 to 10 times higher than those typically found in mesophilic bacteria and 10 to 100 times less than the level of methanopterin found in the methanogenic bacteria. Oxidized cell extracts of Sulfolobus spp. of the archaebacterial order Sulfolobales contained only pterin, and, like members of the order Thermococcales, they contained neither-p-aminobenzoylpolyglutamates nor methaniline. Oxidized cell extracts of the extreme thermophiles Pyrobaculum sp. strain H10 and Pyrodictium occultum, from the archaebacterial orders Thermoproteales and Pyrodictiales, respectively, and Thermotoga maritima from the eubacterial order Thermotogales, contained pterin and p-aminobenzoylpolyglutamates, indicating that these cells contained unmodified folates. The levels of p-aminobenzoylpolyglutamates in these archaebacterial cell extracts indicate that the folates were present in the cells at levels 4 to 10 times higher than generally found in those mesophilic eubacteria which do not folates in energy metabolism. The levels and chain lengths of the of p-aminobenzoylpolyglutamates present in Thermotoga maritima were typical of those found in mesophilic eubacteria.
Implementing radial basis functions using bump-resistor networks

Radial basis function (RBF) networks provide a powerful learning architecture for neural networks. The author has implemented a RBF network in analog VLSI using the concept of bump-resistors. A bump-resistor is a nonlinear resistor whose conductance is a Gaussian-like function of the difference of two other voltages. The width of the Gaussian basis functions may be continuously varied so that the aggregate interpolating function varies from a nearest-neighbor lookup, piece-wise constant function to a globally smooth function. The bump-resistor methodology extends to arbitrary dimensions while still preserving the radiality of the basis functions. The feedforward network architecture needs no additional circuitry other than voltage sources and the 1D bump-resistors. >
Modeling and traffic evaluation of an integrated ATM-wireless network

We introduce an integrated ATM-wireless network and evaluate the traffic performance of this network. The wireless section is comprised of five base stations each with a number of hand-sets. The data rate generated by each hand-set is 64 kbs while base stations communicate with one another at 384 kbs. In the ATM section, there are six nodes each is connected to a number of workstations. We assume 50% of the packets generated at hand-sets are destined for ATM section while the rest are forwarded to destinations within the wireless network. A fixed base station is connected to the ATM network in addition to other hand-sets and mobile base stations. The combined ATM-Wireless network was simulated and the simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of buffers used in base stations. On all radio links, packets transmitted by any hand-set or base station, are dynamically defined by the radio frequency. The performance evaluation results show the communication delay within the wireless network, and between the ATM and the wireless networks.
Ultrasonic Guided Waves for Aging Wire Insulation Assessment

Environmentally aged wire insulation can become brittle and crack and thus expose the underlying conductive wire to the potential for short circuits and fire. The feasibility of using ultrasonic guided waves to measure insulation condition was examined. First a simple model to study guided wave propagation in a bare and thin plastic coated wire was examined and then some aviation grade wire samples that had been heat-damaged. Initial measurements indicate that ultrasonic guided wave velocity can be used to monitor insulation stiffness.
Untersuchungen zum zeitlichen Verlauf der Weisheitszahnmineralisation bei einer deutschen Population

In den letzten Jahren war in Deutschland ein sprunghafter Anstieg an forensischen Altersschatzungen bei Lebenden zu verzeichnen. Fur die relevante Altersgruppe ist die radiologische Beurteilung des Mineralisationsstandes der dritten Molaren von besonderer Bedeutung. Bislang unzureichend geklart ist der Einfluss der Ethnie auf die Mineralisationsgeschwindigkeit. Es wurden 1.437 Orthopantomogramme von 860 weiblichen und 577 mannlichen Angehorigen einer deutschen Population im Alter von 12–26 Jahren untersucht. Der Mineralisationsstand der dritten Molaren wurde mit Hilfe der Stadieneinteilung nach Demirjian beurteilt. Fur die jeweiligen Mineralisationsstadien werden geschlechtergetrennt Mittelwerte und Standardabweichungen prasentiert. Statistisch signifikante Unterschiede im zeitlichen Verlauf der Weisheitszahnmineralisation zwischen den Kiefern bzw. Seiten wurden nicht festgestellt. Auch ein Geschlechtsvergleich erbrachte keine signifikanten Unterschiede.
The Value of Web Search Privacy

A pioneering study of behavioral economics examines the value of search engine privacy features to consumers, particularly compared with convenience and search result quality.
IL‐Y, a synthetic member of the IL‐12 cytokine family, suppresses the development of type 1 diabetes in NOD mice

The IL-12 family of heterodimeric cytokines, consisting of IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35, has important roles in regulating the immune response. IL-12 family members are comprised of a heterodimer consisting of α and β chains: IL-12 (p40 and p35), IL-23 (p40 and p19), IL-27 (Ebi3 and p28), and IL-35 (Ebi3 and p35). Given the combinatorial nature of the IL-12 family, we generated adenoviral vectors expressing two putative IL-12 family members not yet found naturally, termed IL-X (Ebi3 and p19) and IL-Y (p40 and p28), as single-chain molecules. Single chain IL-Y (scIL-Y), but not scIL-X, was able to stimulate significantly a unique cytokine/chemokine expression profile as well as activate STAT3 in mice, in part, through a pathway involving IL-27Rα in splenocytes. Adenoviral-mediated, intratumoral delivery of scIL-Y increased tumor growth in contrast to the anti-tumor effects of scIL-12 and scIL-23. Similarly, treatment of prediabetic NOD mice by intravenous injection of Ad.scIL-Y prevented the onset of hyperglycemia. Analysis of cells from Ad.scIL-Y-treated NOD mice demonstrated that scIL-Y reduced expression of inflammatory mediators such as IFN-γ. Our data demonstrate that a novel, synthetic member of the IL-12 family, termed IL-Y, confers unique immunosuppressive effects in two different disease models and thus could have therapeutic applications.
cAMP‐dependent phosphorylation associated with activation of motility of Ciona sperm flagella

Demembranated spermatozoa of Ciona do not become motile when provided with MgATP, unless their motility is activated in vivo before demembranation or unless the demembranated spermatozoa are activated in vitro with cAMP or with the catalytic subunit of a cAMP-dependent protein kinase. CAMP causes a greater than fivefold enhancement of 32P incorporation by demembranated spermatozoa. Analysis by one-dimensional PAGE and autoradiography shows several axonemal protein bands that become 32P-labeled during in vitro activation with cAMP and identifies protein bands whose labeling is specifically reduced if motility of the spermatozoa is activated before demembranation, suggesting that these proteins also become phosphorylated during activation of motolity in vivo. These phosphorylated proteins appear to include dynein heavy-chain components, but axonemal tubulin is not phosphorylated. Partially phosphorylated spermatozoa can be activated by an increase in KCI concentration, which appears to dissociate one phosphorylated component from the axoneme.
Osteoblast Interactions Within a Biomimetic Apatite Microenvironment

Numerous reports have shown that accelerated apatites can mediate osteoblastic differentiation in vitro and bone formation in vivo. However, how cells interact within the apatite microenvironment remains largely unclear, despite the vast literature available today. In response, this study evaluates the in vitro interactions of a well-characterized osteoblast cell line (MC3T3-E1) with the apatite microenvironment. Specifically, cell attachment, spreading, and viability were evaluated in the presence and absence of serum proteins. Proteins were found to be critical in the mediation of cell-apatite interactions, as adherence of MC3T3-E1 cells to apatite surfaces without protein coatings resulted in significant levels of cell death within 24 h in serum-free media. In the absence of protein-apatite interaction, cell viability could be "rescued" upon treatment of MC3T3-E1 cells with inhibitors to phosphate (PO(4) (3-)) transport, suggesting that PO(4) (3-) uptake may play a role in viability. In contrast, rescue was not observed upon treatment with calcium (Ca(2+)) channel inhibitors. Interestingly, a rapid "pull-down" of extracellular Ca(2+) and PO(4) (3-) ions onto the apatite surface could be measured upon the incubation of apatites with α-MEM, suggesting that cells may be subject to changing levels of Ca(2+) and PO(4) (3-) within their microenvironment. Therefore, the biomimetic apatite surface may significantly alter the microenvironment of adherent osteoblasts and, as such, be capable of affecting both cell survival and differentiation.
A view of approximation theory

This is a selective survey of Approximation Theory which touches on the concepts of best approximation, good approximation, approximation of classes of functions, approximation of functionals, and optimal estimation.
Generation and characterization of neurogenin1-GFP transgenic medaka with potential for rapid developmental neurotoxicity screening

Fish models such as zebrafish and medaka are increasingly used as alternatives to rodents in developmental and toxicological studies. These developmental and toxicological studies can be facilitated by the use of transgenic reporters that permit the real-time, noninvasive observation of the fish. Here we report the construction and characterization of transgenic medaka lines expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the zebrafish neurogenin 1 (ngn1) gene promoter. Neurogenin (ngn1) is a helix-loop-helix transcription factor expressed in proliferating neuronal progenitor cells early in neuronal differentiation and plays a crucial role in directing neurogenesis. GFP expression was detected from 24 h post-fertilization until hatching, in a spatial pattern consistent with the previously reported zebrafish ngn1 expression. Temporal expression of the transgene parallels the expression profile of the endogenous medaka ngn1 transcript. Further, we demonstrate that embryos from the transgenic line permit the non-destructive, real-time screening of ngn1 promoter-directed GFP expression in a 96-well format, enabling higher throughput studies of developmental neurotoxicants. This strain has been deposited with and maintained by the National BioResource Project and is available on request (http://www.shigen.nig.ac.jp/medaka/strainDetailAction.do?quickSearch=true&strainId=5660).
Voiding urges perceived by patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

Aims Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is a symptom-based diagnosis. We studied the IC/PBS symptom commonly referred to as “urgency” and its relationship to IC/PBS pain in a group of women with recent onset of the disease. Methods As part of a case control study to identify risk factors for IC, cases completed a questionnaire including two statements regarding the perceived cause of their urge to void. One was related to fear of incontinence and the other was linked with relief of pain. A Likert scale indicating level of agreement/disagreement comprised the response options. Results Most respondents (65%) agreed with the statement linking urge with pain relief. A minority (21%) concurred with the fear of incontinence statement. Disagreement for both was found in 19%. A substantial proportion (46%) agreed with pain relief but also disagreed that urge is related to fear of incontinence. Those who reported urge to relieve pain were significantly more likely to report worsened pain with bladder filling and/or improved pain with voiding. There were no such associations with urge to prevent incontinence. Overactive bladder or diabetes prior to IC onset did not confound these results. Conclusions At least two distinct experiences of urge to urinate are evident in this population. For most, urge is linked with pain relief and is associated with bladder filling/emptying. About 1/5 reported urge to prevent incontinence. A similar portion did not agree with either urge, indicating that they may experience something altogether different, which requires further inquiry. Neurourol. Urodynam. 27:287–290, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.