cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Internet and Political Mobilization

This article examines the extent of Internet-based political mobilization during the 1996 election season. Using a sample of politically engaged Internet users from an online survey, along with data from random-digit-dial phone surveys, the article analyzes the extent of political use of the Internet and the nature of contacts with citizens made by eight categories of organization during the campaigns. It compares the extent of contacts made through electronic mail with contacts by phone, by mail, and in person. The article suggests that traditionally influential, national political organizations were apparently the most active in using the Internet for contacting voters and potential voters, but also that nontraditional, alternative mobilizers were comparatively more reliant on electronic mail and used it to reach a proportionately larger fraction of people not otherwise contacted.
Respiratory measurement: Overview and new instrumentation

Construction and application of a new device for obtaining accurate human respiration frequency measures and approximate respiration amplitude measures are described. The instrumentation required is small and unobtrusive and poses no hazard to the subject. Other devices commonly used for obtaining similar respiratory metrics are briefly reviewed and contrasted as to their limitations. Previous research efforts involving application of the new respiration instrumentation to dynamic environments are also discussed.
Student academic achievement and the degree of market concentration in education

Abstract There is a considerable literature concerned with the relationship between student achievement and various explanatory variables relevant to the educational process. This paper differs from the previous literature in that it includes a measure of the degree of concentration in educational markets. To the extent that school administrators face increased competition for students and their associated subsidies, school administrators would be expected to behave more consistently with respect to the maximization of educational utility from the viewpoint of school clients. We find that increases in the degree of market concentration lead to decreases in student achievement. Policy issues are addressed.
Late quaternary vegetation development in south-central Illinois

Pollen and macrofossil evidence for the nature of the vegetation during glacial and interglacial periods in the regions south of the Wisconsinan ice margin is still very scarce. Modern opinions concerning these problems are therefore predominantly derived from geological evidence only or are extrapolated from pollen studies of late Wisconsinan deposits. Now for the first time pollen and macrofossil analyses are available from south-central Illinois covering the Holocene, the entire Wisconsinan, and most probably also Sangamonian and late Illinoian time. The cores studied came from three lakes, which originated as kettle holes in glacial drift of Illinoian age near Vandalia, Fayette County. The Wisconsinan ice sheet approached the sites from the the north to within about 60 km distance only. One of the profiles (Pittsburg Basin) probably reaches back to the late Illinoian (zone 1), which was characterized by forests with much Picea. Zone 2, most likely of Sangamonian age, represents a period of species-rich deciduous forests, which must have been similar to the ones that thrive today south and southeast of the prairie peninsula. During the entire Wisconsinan (14C dates ranging from 38,000 to 21,000 BP) thermophilous deciduous trees like Quercus, Carya, and Ulmus occurred in the region, although temporarily accompanied by tree genera with a more northerly modern distribution, such as Picea, which entered and then left south-central Illinois during the Woodfordian. Thus it is evident that arctic climatic conditions did not prevail in the lowlands of south-central Illinois (about 38°30′ lat) during the Wisconsinan, even at the time of the maximum glaciation, the Woodfordian. The Wisconsinan was, however, not a period of continuous forest. The pollen assemblages of zone 3 (Altonian) indicate prairie with stands of trees, and in zone 4 the relatively abundant Artemisia pollen indicates the existence of open vegetation and stands of deciduous trees, Picea, and Pinus. True tundra may have existed north of the sites, but if so its pollen rain apparently is marked by pollen from nearby stands of trees. After the disappearance of Pinus and Picea at about 14,000 BP (estimated!), there developed a mosaic of prairies and stands of Quercus, Carya, and other deciduous tree genera (zone 5). This type of vegetation persisted until it was destroyed by cultivation during the 19th and 20th century. Major vegetational changes are not indicated in the pollen diagram for the late Wisconsinan and the Holocene. The dating of zones 1 and 2 is problematical because the sediments are beyond the14C range and because of the lack of stratigraphic evidence. The zones dated as Illinoian and Sangamonian could also represent just a Wisconsinan stadial and interstadial. This possibility, however, seems to be contradicted by the late glacial and interglacial character of the forest vegetation of that time.
Single-channel mixed speech recognition using deep neural networks

In this work, we study the problem of single-channel mixed speech recognition using deep neural networks (DNNs). Using a multi-style training strategy on artificially mixed speech data, we investigate several different training setups that enable the DNN to generalize to corresponding similar patterns in the test data. We also introduce a WFST-based two-talker decoder to work with the trained DNNs. Experiments on the 2006 speech separation and recognition challenge task demonstrate that the proposed DNN-based system has remarkable noise robustness to the interference of a competing speaker. The best setup of our proposed systems achieves an overall WER of 19.7% which improves upon the results obtained by the state-of-the-art IBM superhuman system by 1.9% absolute, with fewer assumptions and lower computational complexity.
Very low temperature T32 magnetization of dilute AuMn

The magnetization of the dilute spin glass AuMn (x=22.6−216 at ppm) has been investigated to temperatures T=0.01K. At low temperature the deviation of the magnetization from its extrapolated zero temperature value follows a T32 law. These results are compared with the similar behavior observed in AgMn and CuMn spin glasses.
Analysis of Factors Contributing to Common-Base Avalanche Instabilities in Advanced SiGe HBTs

Factors contributing to the observed bias-dependent features in common-base (CB) dc instability characteristics are examined for advanced SiGe HBTs. Parameters relevant to CB instabilities are identified and extracted from data to yield improved physical insight, a straightforward estimation methodology, and simple comparison between samples.
Acute type A aortic dissection complicated by aortic regurgitation: composite valve graft versus separate valve graft versus conservative valve repair.

Abstract Objective To clarify the merits of various surgical approaches, we studied the outcome after composite valve graft versus separate valve and graft replacement versus conservative valve treatment with replacement of the ascending aorta in patients with acute type A aortic dissection complicated by aortic regurgitation. Methods Between 1967 and 1999, 123 patients (mean age 56 ± 15 years) underwent composite valve graft replacement (n = 21), separate valve and graft replacement (n = 20), or conservative valve treatment (n = 82 [commissural resuspension in 46]); follow-up averaged 6.5 years (95% complete). Results The 30-day, 1-year, and 6-year survival estimates of 85% ± 4%, 79% ± 5%, and 69% ± 5% (±1 standard error of mean), respectively, after conservative valve treatment were similar to 86% ± 8%, 81% ± 9%, and 65% ± 16%, respectively, with composite valve graft replacement and better (but insignificantly so) than 70% ± 10%, 70% ± 10%, and 45% ± 11%, respectively, with separate valve and graft replacement. The 6-year freedom from proximal reoperation was 95% ± 3%, 89% ± 10%, and 100% in conservative valve graft, separate valve and graft, and composite valve graft subgroups, respectively ( P = not significant). Cox regression multivariable analysis identified that previous sternotomy (hazard ratio [or e β ] 95% confidence interval 1.4-10.9, P = .006), hypertension (0.99-2.9, P = .05), cardiac tamponade (1.1-4.0, P = .03), and stroke (1.7-7.0, P = .001) increased the hazard of death. No factors predicting a higher likelihood of late proximal reoperation were identified. Conclusions In patients with acute type A aortic dissection and aortic regurgitation, there was no significant difference in overall survival or reoperation rates among these surgical approaches. We try to save the valve whenever possible unless the aortic root is pathologically dilated (eg, Marfan syndrome or annuloaortic ectasia) or destroyed by the dissection process, when composite valve graft or valve-sparing aortic root replacement is indicated.
Information-sharing in social networks

We present a new model for reasoning about the way information is shared among friends in a social network and the resulting ways in which the social network fragments. Our model formalizes the intuition that revealing personal information in social settings involves a trade-off between the benefits of sharing information with friends, and the risks that additional gossiping will propagate it to someone with whom one is not on friendly terms but who is within oneʼs community. We study the behavior of rational agents in such a situation, and we characterize the existence and computability of stable information-sharing configurations, in which agents do not have an incentive to change the set of partners with whom they share information. We analyze the implications of these stable configurations for social welfare and the resulting fragmentation of the social network.
Silicotungstate negative staining of Acholeplasma laidlawii membranes and lipids.

Acholeplasma membranes rich in oleic or crucic acids display extensive irregularly shaped filamentous structures 100–400 A in diameter after negative staining with silicotungstate (STA). The same membranes appear vesicular when examined by other negative stains and other preparative techniques. Membranes rich in palmitic or stearic acid appear predominantly vesicular when stained with STA. Acetone-extracted lipid fractions from oleate-rich membranes show extensive arrays of uniform 100 A diameter filaments after STA staining; by contrast, similar preparations from palmitate-rich membranes show predominantly globular material with rare regions of regular filaments. Proteolysis of oleate-rich membranes followed by STA staining produces regular filaments resembling those seen in lipid preparations. These results suggest the tentative conclusion that lipids rich in unsaturated fatty acids undergo a relatively specific phase transition when dried in the presence of STA, which may explain some of the unusual properties associated with STA-membrane interactions.
Experimental induction of freckles by ultraviolet‐B

SUMMARY Freckles were induced experimentally by single exposures of lower back skin to ultraviolet radiation. The minimal freckling dose was between 6 and 10 times the minimal erythema dose. Repeated less intense exposures did not induce freckles. Freckles could be induced only in subjects with natural freckles on exposed skin. Freckles induced by single exposures to ultraviolet radiation have distinctive characteristics which enable their clinical recognition. We have called these 'sunburn freckles'.
Busulfan and Cyclophosphamide (Bu/Cy) as a Preparative Regimen for Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Single-Institution Experience

High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been established as a standard form of therapy for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). While many high-dose chemotherapy combinations are used, no single regimen has proved superior over another. Here, we report our single center's experience in patients with NHL undergoing ASCT with the combination of busulfan and cyclophosphamide (Bu/Cy). This study is a retrospective analysis of 78 consecutive patients with NHL who underwent ASCT with Bu/Cy at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. Data were collected through review of electronic medical records. A total of 78 patients with NHL underwent ASCT with Bu/Cy preparative therapy between 1996 and 2006. Median follow-up for survivors was 5.0 years (range, 6 months to 12 years). Significant transplantation-associated complications included 9 documented bacterial infections, 4 cases of engraftment syndrome, 3 cases of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), 6 cases of cardiac complications, and 2 cases of pulmonary fibrosis. The 100-day treatment-related mortality (TRM) was 1%. At 3 years, progression-free survival (PFS) was 48% (95% confidence interval [CI]=37% to 59%) and overall survival (OS) was 65% (95% CI=53% to 74%). Our data indicate that in patients with NHL undergoing ASCT, Bu/Cy has efficacy and toxicity comparable to that of other reported regimens.
A graph-theoretic approach to explicit nonlinear pipe network optimization

Abstract An explicit algorithm for nonlinear constrained pipe network optimization is developed. The explicit approach can be effectively used for directly determining a variety of pipe network characteristics to exactly satisfy defined values of quasi-linear boundary equality constraints. The constraint set represents stated supply pressure and volumetric flow requirements at designated critical nodes and pipes throughout the pipeline system for a range of operating conditions. The solution of the problem is based on an analytical reformulation of the quasi-linear steady-state network equilibrium equation set and the corresponding boundary specifications in terms of selected pipe system parameters. Owing to the presence of nonlinearity in these equations, the incremental Newton-Raphson method is utilized as the basic solution procedure. The solution, which is defined in a continuous variable space, is optimal in the sense that the decision parameters are calculated to meet the specified pressure and flow constraints. Every type of pipe conveying system can be optimized with this method. The solution space is secured through a well-arranged interaction between network topology, boundary constraints, and decision parameters. In order to illustrate the developed algorithm an example application is presented.
Limited Feedback for Temporally Correlated MIMO Channels With Other Cell Interference

Limited feedback improves link reliability with a small amount of feedback from the receiver to the transmitter. In cellular systems, the performance of limited feedback will be degraded in the presence of other cell interference, when the base stations have limited or no coordination. This paper establishes the degradation in sum rate of users in a cellular system, due to uncoordinated other cell interference and feedback delay. A goodput metric is defined as the rate when the bits are successfully received at the mobile station, and used to derive an upper bound on the performance of limited feedback systems with delay. This paper shows that the goodput gained from having delayed limited feedback decreases doubly exponentially as the delay increases. The analysis is extended to precoded spatial multiplexing systems where it is shown that the same upper bound can be used to evaluate the decay in the achievable sum rate. To reduce the effects of interference, zero forcing interference nulling is applied at the receiver, where it is shown that the effect of the interference on the achievable sum rate can be suppressed by nulling out the interferer. Numerical results show that the decay rate of the goodput decreases when the codebook quantization size increases and when the Doppler shift in the channel decreases.
Design, Simulation, Fabrication and Testing of Flexible Bow-Tie Antennas

Design, simulation, fabrication and measurement of two different novel flexible bow-tie antennas, a conventional and a modified bow-tie antenna with reduced metallization, are reported in this paper. The antennas are mounted on a flexible substrate fabricated at the Flexible Display Center (FDC) of Arizona State University (ASU). The substrate is heat stabilized polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) which allows the antennas to be flexible. The antennas are fed by a microstrip-to-coplanar feed network balun. The reduction of the metallization is based on the observation that the majority of the current density is confined towards the edges of the regular bow-tie antenna. Hence, the centers of the triangular parts of the conventional bow-tie antenna are removed without compromising significantly its performance. The return losses and radiation patterns of the antennas are simulated with HFSS and the results are compared with measurements, for bow-tie elements mounted on flat and curved surfaces. The comparisons show that there is an excellent agreement between the simulations and measurements for both cases. Furthermore, the radiation performance of the modified bow-tie antenna is verified, by simulations and measurements, to be very close to the conventional bow-tie.
Angiofibroma of the larynx: Report of a case with clinical and pathologic literature review

Background Angiofibromas are uncommon vascular tumors with a strong predilection for the nasopharynx of adolescent males. Although they are slow growing and histologically benign, they have the potential to cause significant morbidity with laryngeal involvement. Methods We describe the clinical characteristics, histopathologic findings, differential diagnosis, preoperative evaluation, and management of a case of laryngeal angiofibroma. Results The patient was initially seen with a 2½-year history of progressive dyspnea and dysphagia. Preoperative evaluation suggested a vascular mass involving the left supraglottic larynx. A partial laryngopharyngectomy was performed without complication. The patient is alive and disease free 3 years postoperatively. Final histopathologic diagnosis is consistent with angiofibroma. Conclusions Laryngeal angiofibroma is an extremely rare entity. Adequate preoperative imaging is necessary to confirm the vascularity of this lesion, because ill-planned biopsy may lead to significant blood loss. The role of preoperative embolization of other laryngeal vascular lesions has been well documented and may be useful in the management of laryngeal angiofibroma. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 24: 805–809, 2002
Path-Diversity Overlay Retransmission Architecture for Reliable Multicast

IP-multicast is a bandwidth efficient transmission mechanism for group communications. Reliability in IP-multicast, however, poses a set of significant challenges. To address the reliability and scalability issues in IP-multicast, this paper proposes a novel overlay retransmission architecture that exploits path-diversity by taking advantages of both IP multicast and an overlay network. We show that the proposed path diversity overlay retransmission architecture has the potential to significantly improve the reliability, delay, playback quality, and scalability of IP-multicast based multimedia applications. The general concept of using P2P overlay networks to help improve the QoS performance of multimedia applications as illustrated in this paper is expected to have significant impact on the deployment of next generation multimedia services.
Comparative Effectiveness of Three Techniques for Salamander and Gastropod Land Surveys

Abstract We compared the effectiveness and efficiency of three terrestrial salamander and gastropod trapping techniques: pitfall traps, ground searches and cover boards. The study was conducted on 18 stands with three management histories in the Umpqua National Forest, southern Oregon Cascades. A total of 648 pitfall traps were open for 28 consecutive days in fall 1999. Two hundred twelve amphibians (eight species) and 202 gastropods (six species) were captured. Also in fall 1999, 36 h of ground searches covering 3600 m2 resulted in the detection of 19 amphibians (two species) and 130 gastropods (six species). Four cover boards (100 × 100 cm) in stacks of two were placed in each stand and checked four times in fall 1999 and once in spring 2000 after snow melt. Cover boards concealed no amphibians and only two gastropods (one species). Pitfall traps were more efficient at capturing amphibians than ground searches (0.41 vs. 0.25 captures per hour of effort), but less efficient at capturing gastropods than g...
Using habitat guilds to develop habitat suitability criteria for a warmwater stream fish assemblage

The diversity of fish species found in warmwater stream systems provides a perplexing challenge when selecting species for assessment of instream flow needs from physical habitat analyses. In this paper we examined the feasibility of developing habitat suitability criteria (HSC) for the entire fish community of a warmwater stream using habitat guilds. Each species was placed a priori into a guild structure and habitat data were collected for depth, velocity, Froude number, distance to cover, embeddedness and dominant and subdominant substrate. Correct guild classification was tested with linear discriminant analysis for each species. Correct classification based on habitat-use data was highest for riffle and pool-cover guilds, whereas the fast-generalist and pool-run classes, the broader niche guilds, were more frequently misclassified. Variables most important for discriminating guilds were Froude number, velocity and depth in that order. Nonparametric tolerance limits were used to develop guild suitability criteria for continuous variables and the Strauss linear index was used for categorical variables. We recommend the use of a wide array of variables to establish more accurate habitat analysis. Additionally, guild HSC can be developed with similar effort to that needed to develop HSC for a small number of individual species. Results indicate that a habitat guild structure can be successfully transferred to another river basin and that habitats for a diverse fish assemblage can be adequately described by a small number of habitat guilds. This approach represents an alternative for incorporating entire fish assemblages into habitat analyses of warmwater stream systems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multidisciplinarity and cognitive science

Abstract The aim of Schunn, Crowley and Okada’s (1998) study is to address the question of whether the current state of cognitive science, as represented by Cognitive Science and the Cognitive Science Society, “reflects the multidisciplinary ideals of its foundation.” To properly interpret and respond to their results, we need to ask a prior question: What is cognitive science’s multidisciplinary ideal? There are at least two conceptions—a “localist” conception, which seems to be implicit in Schunn, Crowley and Okada’s discussion, and a “holist” conception. I argue that while both have been endorsed by some cognitive scientists, there are reasons for preferring the holist conception. I then consider what Schunn, Crowley and Okada’s findings tell us about the state of cognitive science in light of a holist approach and report on an analysis of the journal’s contents which looks at the domain, subdomain, and cognitive capacity investigated.
Attractive interactions between rodlike polyelectrolytes: Polarization, crystallization, and packing

We study the attractive interactions between rodlike charged polymers in solution that appear in the presence of multivalence counterions. The counterions condensed to the rods exhibit both a strong transversal polarization and a longitudinal crystalline arrangement. At short distances between the rods, the fraction of condensed counterions increases, and the majority of these occupy the region between the rods, where they minimize their repulsive interactions by arranging themselves into packing structures. The attractive interaction is strongest for multivalent counterions. Our model takes into account the hard-core volume of the condensed counterions, and their angular distribution around the rods. The hard-core constraint strongly suppresses longitudinal charge fluctuations.
A Compensatory Nutrition Regimen during Gestation Stimulates Mammary Development and Lactation Potential in Rats

The proper nutritional status during the hormone-sensitive growth phases preceding first parturition can affect mammary development and subsequent lactation performance. We developed a compensatory nutrition regimen (CNR), which is designed to stimulate mammary growth by exploiting the biological characteristics of the energy restriction and compensatory growth phenomenon. In the present study, we examined the effect of compensatory growth induced only once during late gestation upon mammary development and subsequent lactation potential over 2 lactation cycles. Female rats were mated and randomly assigned to either the control or the CNR group. Control rats were offered the control diet (AIN-93G) throughout the experiment. CNR rats were subjected to 40% energy restriction during the first 10 d of gestation followed by free access to the control diet for the remainder of the experiment. Dams on the CNR produced 14% more milk than control dams (P = 0.12). Mammary cell proliferation rates were approximately 46% (P < 0.05) and 27% (P = 0.07) higher in the CNR group than in the control during late gestation and early lactation of the first lactation cycle, respectively. Caspase-3 enzyme activity was decreased 15% (P < 0.05) and 22% (P = 0.11) in mammary tissues from the CNR group compared with that from the controls during the first and second lactation cycles, respectively. These results indicate that compensatory growth induced only once during late gestation increases mammary cell proliferation and differentiation and decreases regression of mammary cells throughout consecutive lactation cycles.
Non-pharmacological management of psychiatric disturbances after traumatic brain injury

Persons who suffer traumatic brain injury (TBI) often demonstrate a variety of psychiatric and neuropsychiatric disturbances. Some of those disturbances may be managed by non-pharmacological methods. The methods draw heavily on established principles of psychotherapy and behavioral modification. However, the unique problems imposed by neurocognitive deficits must be factored into any form of non-pharmacological intervention with this patient group. A simple model consolidates information about the important ingredients in the non-pharmacological management of psychiatric disturbances in TBI patients.
Exploring Intergenerational Discontinuity in Problem Behavior: Bad Parents With Good Children

Using data from the Rochester Youth Development Study, a series of regression models are estimated on offspring problem behavior with a focus on the interaction between parental history of delinquency and the parent-child relationship. Good parenting practices significantly interact with the particular shape of parental propensity of offending over time, functioning as protective factors to protect against problematic behaviors among those who are most at risk. The moderation effects vary slightly by the age of our subjects. Accordingly, it is important to distinguish the effect of not only the level of parental delinquency at one point in time, but also the shape of the delinquency trajectory on outcomes for their children. Good parenting holds the hope of breaking the vicious cycle of intergenerational transmission of delinquency. Language: en
Simplified Fluorescent Multiplex PCR Method for Evaluation of the T-Cell Receptor Vβ-Chain Repertoire

Rationale: evaluation of the T-cell receptor (TCR) Vβ-chain repertoire by PCR-based CDR3 length analysis allows fine resolution of the usage of the TCR Vβ repertoire and is a sensitive tool to monitor changes in the T-cell compartment. A multiplex PCR method employing 24 labeled upstream Vβ primers instead of the conventionally labeled downstream Cβ primer is described. Method: RNA was isolated from purified CD4 and CD8 T-cell subsets from umbilical cord blood and clinical samples using TRI reagent followed by reverse transcription using a Cβ primer and an Omniscript RT kit. The 24 Vβ primers were multiplexed based on compatibility and product sizes into seven reactions. cDNA was amplified using 24 Vβ primers (labeled with tetrachloro-6-cardoxyfluorescein, 6-carboxyfluorescein, and hexachloro-6-carboxyfluorescein), an unlabeled Cβ primer, and Taqgold polymerase. The fluorescent PCR products were resolved on an automated DNA sequencer and analyzed using the Genotyper 2.1 software. Results: Vβ spectratypes of excellent resolution were obtained with RNA amounts of 250 ng using the labeled Vβ primers. The resolution was superior to that obtained with the labeled Cβ primer assay. Also the numbers of PCRs were reduced to 7 from the 12 required in the Cβ labeling method, and the sample processing time was reduced by half. Conclusion: The method described for T-cell receptor Vβ-chain repertoire analysis eliminates tedious dilutions and results in superior resolution with small amounts of RNA. The fast throughput makes this method suitable for automation and offers the feasibility to perform TCR Vβ repertoire analyses in clinical trials.
A Role for Nuclear Envelope Bridging Complexes in Homology-Directed Repair

Unless efficiently and faithfully repaired, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) cause genome instability. We implicate a Schizosaccharomyces pombe nuclear envelope-spanning linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex, composed of the Sad1/Unc84 protein Sad1 and Klarsicht/Anc1/SYNE1 homology protein Kms1, in the repair of DSBs. An induced DSB associates with Sad1 and Kms1 in S/G2 phases of the cell cycle, connecting the DSB to cytoplasmic microtubules. DSB resection to generate single-stranded DNA and the ATR kinase drive the formation of Sad1 foci in response to DNA damage. Depolymerization of microtubules or loss of Kms1 leads to an increase in the number and size of DSB-induced Sad1 foci. Further, Kms1 and the cytoplasmic microtubule regulator Mto1 promote the repair of an induced DSB by gene conversion, a type of homology-directed repair. kms1 genetically interacts with a number of genes involved in homology-directed repair; these same gene products appear to attenuate the formation or promote resolution of DSB-induced Sad1 foci. We suggest that the connection of DSBs with the cytoskeleton through the LINC complex may serve as an input to repair mechanism choice and efficiency.
PspA Family Distribution, unlike Capsular Serotype, Remains Unaltered following Introduction of the Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are recommended for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in young children. Since the introduction of the heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7) in 2000, IPD caused by serotypes in the vaccine has almost been eliminated, and previously uncommon capsular serotypes now cause most cases of pediatric IPD in the United States. One way to protect against these strains would be to add cross-reactive protein antigens to new vaccines. One such protein is pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA). Prior to 2000, PspA families 1 and 2 were expressed by 94% of isolates. Because PCV7 vaccine pressure has resulted in IPD caused by capsular serotypes that were previously uncommon and unstudied for PspA expression, it was possible that many of the new strains expressed different PspA antigens or even lacked PspA. Of 157 pediatric invasive pneumococcal isolates collected at a large pediatric hospital in Alabama between 2002 and 2010, only 60.5% had capsular serotypes included in PCV13, which came into general use in Alabama after our strains were collected. These isolates included 17 serotypes that were not covered by PCV13. Nonetheless, pneumococcal capsular serotype replacement was not associated with changes in PspA expression; 96% of strains in this collection expressed PspA family 1 or 2. Continued surveillance will be critical to vaccine strategies to further reduce IPD.
Inert Medication Ingredients Causing Nonadherence Due to Religious Beliefs

OBJECTIVETo report 4 cases of medication nonadherence due to presence of inert ingredients forbidden by the patients’ religion.CASE SUMMARIESWe describe 4 cases in which religious concerns about prescribed medications’ inert components led to discontinuation of these medications. These inert components are gelatin and stearic acid, which might be derived from pork or beef products. In these 4 cases, patients of Muslim, Orthodox Christian, and Seventh Day Adventist faiths, who consider it against their religion to consume pork products, stopped their medications on discovering this possibility. This led to relapse of their illnesses.DISCUSSIONThese cases demonstrate that, for some patients, inert medication components that are forbidden by their religion may lead to discontinuation of medications. This could lead to relapse of symptoms and might even lead to hospitalization. Therefore, it is important for prescribers to inform patients of this possibility when treating patients whose religious background m...
Marine Forecasting at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games

Abstract A team of meteorologists from the United States, Canada, and Australia provided marine weather support to the sailing events of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, held in Wassaw Sound near Savannah, Georgia. The team conducted research on the weather and climate and developed a set of forecast products designed to inform athletes, volunteers, and race managers of the wind, tidal current, wave, and weather behavior expected each day during the pre-Olympic and Olympic periods. The Olympic period proved to be a challenge with thunderstorms delaying, abandoning, or postponing races on half of the days. Thunderstorm development and movement was linked to the timing and strength of the sea breeze as well as the direction and speed of the gradient wind. Numerous thunderstorm warnings were issued with the assistance of the WSR-88D radar and the Warning Decision Support System. Frequent lightning was a legitimate safety concern due to the long distances between race courses and lack of suitable shelter; f...
Exkretionssystem und Osmoregulation

Nieren sind die primaren adulten Exkretionsorgane. Andere Organe, die zur Beseitigung von Stoffwechselendprodukten aus dem Korper beitragen konnen, sind die Kiemen, die Lungen, die Haut, Teile des Verdauungssystems und verschiedene Salzdrusen. Zusammen ubernehmen diese Organe zwei miteinander in Verbindung stehende und essentiell wichtige Funktionen: • Sie entfernen die stickstoffhaltigen Stoffwechselendprodukte des Proteinstoffwechsels und viele andere schadliche Substanzen. • Sie eliminieren kontrollierte Mengen von Wasser und Salzen und halten so das innere Milieu innerhalb enger Grenzwerte, die fur das Leben wichtig sind.
Studies on the function of the denervated rabbit ovary: human chorionic gonadotropin induced ovulation

The described method for selective sympathetic denervation of the in vivo rabbit ovary involved stripping the ovarian artery of its nerve bundles and adventitial tissue. The ovary was then entirely free of fluorescent-staining adrenergic nerves. This technique was used to study the effects of ovarian denervation on HCG-induced ovulation. After HCG was administered to 22 rabbits which had previously undergone unilateral ovarian denervation, the ovaries were observed for follicular maturation and rupture. Control ovaries demonstrated a mean of 5.6 stimulated follicles/ovary; denervated ovaries had a mean of 5.4. An average of 3.5 follicles/control ovary ruptured; an average of 3.1 follicles/denervated ovary ruptured. Furthermore, the time course of ovulation after HCG did not differ between denervated and intact ovaries. These results indicate that HCG-induced ovulation in the rabbit is not interrupted by ovarian denervation.
Bis(1-tosyl-2-pyrrol-yl)ethyne.

The title mol­ecule, C24H20N2O4S2, has crystallographic inversion symmetry with a triple-bond distance of 1.206 (2) A. The alkyne is not quite linear, with a C—C≡C angle of 175.78 (16)°. The planar pyrrole rings are parallel but offset from coplanarity by 0.318 (1) A. The conformation of the sulfonyl group with respect to the pyrrole ring is such that an O atom is nearly eclipsed with this ring, having an O—S—N—C torsion angle of 3.48 (11)°. C—H⋯O inter­actions [C⋯O 3.278 (2) A, 136° about H] between pyrrole H and sulfonyl O atoms lead to the formation of ladder-like chains.
Comparison of Linear Regression Methods When Both Variables Contain Error: Relation to Clinical Studies

Five common linear regression methods were evaluated for their ability to determine the correct values of slope and intercept of a known function after random errors were added to x and y. The error variances were controlled to simulate research problems commonly studied by linear regression. The total error of each method was assessed by the absolute value of the bias in the estimate of slope. Whenever differences among methods were observed, the mean of the slope determined by two reciprocal techniques performed as well as or better than orthogonal regression, regression of y upon x, or x upon y. All the methods studied appeared to perform equally well when x and y errors were heteroscedastic or when the data set was small (n = 7). Regression of y upon x was equal or superior to other methods when n = 7 or n = 20 and y and x errors were homoscedastic. When the data set was large (n = 50) and the error in x greater than that in y, the standard method (regression of y upon x) was inferior to all other met...
Perspectives on Cybersecurity: A Collaborative Study

Almost everyone recognizes the emergence of a new challenge in the cyber domain, namely increased threats to the security of the Internet and its various uses. Seldom does a day go by without dire reports and hair raising narratives about unauthorized intrusions, access to content, or damage to systems, or operations. And, of course, a close correlate is the loss of value. An entire industry is around threats to cyber security, prompting technological innovations and operational strategies that promise to prevent damage and destruction. This paper is a collection chapters entitled 1) "Cybersecurity – Problems, Premises, Perspectives," 2) "An Abbreviated Technical Perspective on Cybersecurity," 3) "The Conceptual Underpinning of Cyber Security Studies" 4) "Cyberspace as the Domain of Content," 5) "The Conceptual Underpinning of Cyber Security Studies," 6) "China’s Perspective on Cyber Security," 7) "Pursuing Deterrence Internationally in Cyberspace," 8) "Is Deterrence Possible in Cyber Warfare?" and 9) "A Theoretical Framework for Analyzing Interactions between Contemporary Transnational Activism and Digital Communication."
A novel technique using hydrophilic polymers to promote axonal fusion

The management of traumatic peripheral nerve injury remains a considerable concern for clinicians. With minimal innovations in surgical technique and a limited number of specialists trained to treat peripheral nerve injury, outcomes of surgical intervention have been unpredictable. The inability to manipulate the pathophysiology of nerve injury (i.e., Wallerian degeneration) has left scientists and clinicians depending on the slow and lengthy process of axonal regeneration (~1 mm/day). When axons are severed, the endings undergo calcium-mediated plasmalemmal sealing, which limits the ability of the axon to be primarily repaired. Polythethylene glycol (PEG) in combination with a bioengineered process overcomes the inability to fuse axons. The mechanism for PEG axonal fusion is not clearly understood, but multiple studies have shown that a providing a calcium-free environment is essential to the process known as PEG fusion. The proposed mechanism is PEG-induced lipid bilayer fusion by removing the hydration barrier surrounding the axolemma and reducing the activation energy required for membrane fusion to occur. This review highlights PEG fusion, its past and current studies, and future directions in PEG fusion.
Endogenous and therapeutic nitrates in healthy and arteriosclerotic blood vessels

Nitrates belong to the most potent drugs for treatment of angina pectoris. Patients with this disease always show arteriosclerotic changes in their coronary arteries. In arteriosclerotic vessels endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by the endogenous vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) is markedly reduced. This article introduces a theory, whereby NO production is not reduced in arteriosclerotic vessels (in the arteriosclerotic aorta of the rabbit it is even enhanced) but that the activity of superoxide dismutase, which normally metabolizes free oxygen-radicals (O2-) is reduced and that NO is metabolized by accumulating superoxides. It is interesting that only endogenous nitrate (NO) can be metabolized by this pathway, whereas in arteriosclerotic vessels exogenous nitro-vasodilatators remain fully effective. For the clinical use of nitrates it is of particular importance that these exhibit different potencies for epicardial coronary vessels and the myocardial microcirculation. Nitroglycerin causes extensive relaxation in isolated large coronary arteries but has only a limited effect on middle-sized vessels and almost none on arteries in the microcirculation. These differences in efficacy of nitroglycerin in the coronary micro- and macrocirculation is probably due to the inability of microvessels to transform nitroglycerin into active metabolites such as S-nitroso-L-cysteine. Comparing vascular and clinical effects of nitroglycerin (in particular dilatation of coronary vessels) and of adenosine (acting in particular on the coronary microcirculation) discloses the great importance of the aforementioned effects on epicardial coronary vessels for treatment of angina pectoris. In this context a vasodilatating effect on the coronary microcirculation might not only be disadvantageous but could even trigger angina pectoris itself.
Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA) Cycle

Overview • Genetic abnormalities in TCA cycle enzymes are generally incompatible with life.
Antibiotic Resistance in Endophthalmitis Pathogens

Resistance to antimicrobial agents used to treat human infections is a major public health threat that results from the broad use of antibiotics in medicine, veterinary care, and agriculture. Exposure to antibiotics promotes the selection of successful resistant bacterial lineages possessing molecular mechanisms that lead to variable levels of resistance. Increasing use of antibiotics for treatment and prophylaxis of eye infections has resulted in the emergence of resistant ocular organisms. The use of topical antibiotics for prophylaxis of postoperative endophthalmitis, especially fluoroquinolones, has paralleled the recent increase in the number of patients undergoing intraocular procedures. This has resulted in the upsurge of antibiotic-resistant organisms colonizing the ocular microbiota and also as significant causes of postoperative infections. Contemporary ocular staphylococci isolates, the leading causes of bacterial endophthalmitis, are becoming increasingly resistant to the most commonly used topical fluoroquinolone agents. Despite the widespread use of these agents for prophylaxis, current evidence does not support the efficacy of topical fluoroquinolones in preventing endophthalmitis, but does support an association with their use and the selection of spontaneous resistant mutants in the ocular surface microbiota. Studies of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics have demonstrated that due to reduced penetration in association with increasing levels of resistance, none of the currently used topical fluoroquinolones are likely to be effective in eliminating staphylococci isolates in the anterior chamber. This highlights the need for prospective randomized studies to evaluate whether or not these topical antibiotics are really needed for preventing postoperative or post-injection endophthalmitis. The development of new strategies to increase regimens or delivery mechanisms that would optimize the intraocular concentration of antibiotics may help prevent the selection and spread of resistant mutants and improve clinical effectiveness.
Identification and characterization of the missing phosphatase on the riboflavin biosynthesis pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary Despite the importance of riboflavin as the direct precursor of the cofactors flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), the physiologically relevant catalyst dephosphorylating the riboflavin biosynthesis pathway intermediate 5-amino-6-ribitylamino-2,4(1H,3H) pyrimidinedione 5′-phosphate (ARPP) has not been characterized from any organism. By using as the query sequence a previously identified plastidial FMN hydrolase AtcpFHy1 (At1g79790), belonging to the haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) superfamily, seven candidates for the missing ARPP phosphatase were found, cloned, recombinantly expressed, and purified. Activity screening showed that the enzymes encoded by AtcpFHy1, At4g11570, and At4g25840 catalyze dephosphorylation of ARPP. AtcpFHy1 was renamed AtcpFHy/PyrP1, At4g11570 and At4g25840 were named AtPyrP2 and AtGpp1/PyrP3, respectively. Subcellular localization in planta indicated that AtPyrP2 was localized in plastids and AtGpp1/PyrP3 in mitochondria. Biochemical characterization of AtcpFHy/PyrP1 and AtPyrP2 showed that they have similar Km values for the substrate ARPP, with AtcpFHy/PyrP1 having higher catalytic efficiency. Screening of 21 phosphorylated substrates showed that AtPyrP2 is specific for ARPP. Molecular weights of AtcpFHy/PyrP1 and AtPyrP2 were estimated at 46 kDa and 72 kDa, suggesting dimers. pH and temperature optima for AtcpFHy/PyrP1 and AtPyrP2 were ~7.0 – 8.5 and 40 – 50 °C. T-DNA knockout of AtcpFHy/PyrP1 did not affect the flavin profile of the transgenic plants, whereas silencing of AtPyrP2 decreased accumulation of riboflavin, FMN, and FAD. Our results strongly support AtPyrP2 as the missing phosphatase on the riboflavin biosynthesis pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana. The identification of this enzyme closes a long-standing gap in understanding of the riboflavin biosynthesis in plants. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.