cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of acetylene plasma treatment on the torsional fatigue of carbon-fiber-reinforced composite strands

Abstract Plasma treatments of high-performance fibers have been found to improve the adhesion at the fiber/matrix interface without deteriorating the strength of the fibers. However it is not always clear how much this improvement affects the performance of the composite material. To study the possible effects, a 3 k tow of carbon fibers was exposed for one minute to an acetylene/oxygen (2:1) plasma treatment. The tow was then impregnated in epoxy to form a 500 μm diameter strand ( V f =0.52). The strands were subjected to fully reversed torsion at a frequency of 3 Hz for up to 10 6 cycles. The fatigue, measured as the decay in torsional modulus, was recorded and compared with the decay observed in untreated fiber-reinforced strands; both showed logarithmic decay. The mean normalized torsional modulus after 10 6 cycles for the treated strands was 0.79 compared with 0.71 for the untreated. This difference was significant at α =0.04.
Amino acids in fossil corals: racemization (epimerization) reactions and their implications for diagenetic models and geochronological studies

Abstract Thirty-eight fossil coral samples of known age from late Pleistocene uplifted reef terraces have been analyzed for amino acid composition and for the degree of racemization of selected amino acids. Particular attention has been given to the epimerization (racemization about the α-carbon) of isoleucine. The D L ratios observed in many of these samples do not conform to the concept of increasing racemization being associated with increasing fossil age. It is shown that sixteen of the samples demonstrate concordance between their known age and the age estimated from racemization data. Racemization ages are based upon a kinetic model derived from the kinetics observed in foraminifera in marine sediments and published estimates of the temperature dependence of the isoleucine epimerization reaction. Lack of concordance for the remaining samples is explained by either of two separate diagenetic phenomena: extensive leaching of free amino acids from the fossil, or contamination by ‘young’ amino acids. Ambiguities observed in many of the results may be due to the fact that coralline organic matter can have a complex history because of variations in its source and in its relation to the mineral phase. Neither of these factors has been observed to exert such a significant effect on racemization kinetics observed in fossil foraminifera or molluscs. Fossil corals are of only modest value as specimens for amino acid geochronological studies.
Job Satisfaction and Intent to Leave

Abstract In this study, meta-analytic procedures were applied to determine the gen- eralizability of the relationship between job satisfaction and intent to leave. The results were consistent with the hypotheses: The relationship between job satisfaction and intent to leave was significantly different from zero and consistently negative. Furthermore, across levels of job satisfaction, employees from a large U.S. federal agency were less likely than employees within the private sector to leave the organization. Subsequent analyses on the federal agency studies showed that career stage indicators (age and tenure) moderated the relationship between job satisfaction and intent to leave.
Control of intracellular pH and growth by fibronectin in capillary endothelial cells

The aim of this work was to analyze the mechanism by which fibronectin (FN) regulates capillary endothelial cell proliferation. Endothelial cell growth can be controlled in chemically-defined medium by varying the density of FN coated on the substratum (Ingber, D. E., and J. Folkman. J. Cell Biol. 1989. 109:317-330). In this system, DNA synthetic rates are stimulated by FN in direct proportion to its effect on cell extension (projected cell areas) both in the presence and absence of saturating amounts of basic FGF. To investigate direct growth signaling by FN, we carried out microfluorometric measurements of intracellular pH (pHi), a cytoplasmic signal that is commonly influenced by soluble mitogens. pHi increased 0.18 pH units as FN coating densities were raised and cells progressed from round to spread. Intracellular alkalinization induced by attachment to FN was rapid and followed the time course of cell spreading. When measured in the presence and absence of FGF, the effects of FN and FGF on pHi were found to be independent and additive. Furthermore, DNA synthesis correlated with pHi for all combinations of FGF and FN. Ethylisopropylamiloride, a specific inhibitor of the plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter, completely suppressed the effects of FN on both pHi and DNA synthesis. However, cytoplasmic pH per se did not appear to be a critical determinant of growth since DNA synthesis was not significantly inhibited when pHi was lowered over the physiological range by varying the pH of the medium. We conclude that FN and FGF exert their growth-modulating effects in part through activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger, although they appear to trigger this system via separate pathways.
Testing interplanetary transfer of bacteria between Earth and Mars as a result of natural impact phenomena and human spaceflight activities

Abstract Interplanetary transport of microbes between Earth and Mars can be envisioned to occur either naturally as a consequence of impacts (lithopanspermia) or as a result of human and robotic spaceflight. In either case, the considerations for modeling successful transfer of microbial life are similar. The probability of microbes surviving either natural or human-mediated transfer is a function of: the initial population size and composition (i.e., the bioload); survival of launch, transit through space, entry and deposition; and ability to survive and proliferate on the recipient planet. Modeling this process for testing lithopanspermia and for mitigation of forward and back contamination for planetary protection purposes calls for accurate simulation of all aspects of transfer.
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron: a dynamic, niche-adapted human symbiont.

The coevolution of humans with their intestinal microflora has resulted in cooperative relationships that have shaped the biology and the genomes of these symbiotic partners. Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron is one such bacterial symbiont that is a dominant member of the intestinal microbiota of humans and other mammals. The recent report of the genome sequence of B. thetaiotaomicron is the first reported for an abundant Gram-negative organism of the human colonic microbiota and, as such, provides the first glimpse on a genomic scale of the genetic arsenal used by a Gram-negative symbiont to dominate in this ecosystem. The genome has revealed large expansions of many paralogous groups of genes that encode products essential to the organism's ability to successfully compete in this environment. Most noteable is the organism's abundant machinery for utilizing a large variety of complex polysaccharides as a source of carbon and energy. The proteome also reveals the organism's extensive ability to adapt and regulate expression of its genes in response to the changing ecosystem. These factors, as well as others highlighted below, suggest an incredibly flexible and adaptable organism that is exquisitely equipped to dominate in its challenging and competitive niche.
Slow crack growth in single-crystal silicon.

Time-dependent crack growth has been measured on a precracked, single-crystal silicon cantilever beam 75 micrometers long that was excited at resonance. Growth of the precrack changes the resonant frequency of the beam, which is correlated to crack length. The measured steady-state crack growth rate was as slow as 2.9 x 10–13 meter per second, although the apparatus can measure crack growth rates as low as 10–15 meter per second. It is postulated that static fatigue of the native surface silica layer is the mechanism for crack growth. These experiments demonstrate the possibility of rate-dependent failure of silicon devices and the applicability of linear elastic fracture mechanics to small-scale micromechanical devices. The results indicate that slow crack growth must therefore be considered when evaluating the reliability of thin-film silicon structures.
Active Electrolocation for Underwater Target Localization

We explore the capabilities of a robotic sensing system designed to locate objects underwater through active movement of an electric field emitter and sensor apparatus. The system is inspired by the biological phenomenon of active electrolocation, a sensing strategy found in two groups of freshwater fishes known to emit weak electric fields for target localization and communication. An analytical model for the observation of simple targets is used to qualitatively predict some characteristics of the sensor including the detection distance as a function of sensor noise. We characterize the performance of the robot using different automatic electrolocation controllers, objects and water salinities. We demonstrate successful electrolocation both in the conditions in which it is naturally observed (i.e. in low conductivity water) as well as in conditions in which it is not observed (i.e. in water of ocean salinity). For the electrolocation experiments using an active controller based on a probabilistic sensor model, the median positional estimation error for spheres is 1 3% of sphere diameter. Spheres were detected at distances similar to the distance between the two field electrodes.
Impact of sea ice on the marine iron cycle and phytoplankton productivity

Abstract. Iron is a key nutrient for phytoplankton growth in the surface ocean. At high latitudes, the iron cycle is closely related to the dynamics of sea ice. In recent decades, Arctic sea ice cover has been declining rapidly and Antarctic sea ice has exhibited large regional trends. A significant reduction of sea ice in both hemispheres is projected in future climate scenarios. In order to adequately study the effect of sea ice on the polar iron cycle, sea ice bearing iron was incorporated in the Community Earth System Model (CESM). Sea ice acts as a reservoir for iron during winter and releases the trace metal to the surface ocean in spring and summer. Simulated iron concentrations in sea ice generally agree with observations in regions where iron concentrations are relatively low. The maximum iron concentrations simulated in Arctic and Antarctic sea ice are much lower than observed, which is likely due to underestimation of iron inputs to sea ice or missing mechanisms. The largest iron source to sea ice is suspended sediments, contributing fluxes of iron of 2.2 × 108 mol Fe month−1 in the Arctic and 4.1 × 106 mol Fe month−1 in the Southern Ocean during summer. As a result of the iron flux from ice, iron concentrations increase significantly in the Arctic. Iron released from melting ice increases phytoplankton production in spring and summer and shifts phytoplankton community composition in the Southern Ocean. Results for the period of 1998 to 2007 indicate that a reduction of sea ice in the Southern Ocean will have a negative influence on phytoplankton production. Iron transport by sea ice appears to be an important process bringing iron to the central Arctic. The impact of ice to ocean iron fluxes on marine ecosystems is negligible in the current Arctic Ocean, as iron is not typically the growth-limiting nutrient. However, it may become a more important factor in the future, particularly in the central Arctic, as iron concentrations will decrease with declining sea ice cover and transport.
Viral Encephalitis Transmitted From Donor to Organ Recipients

BackgroundThree patients received solid organ transplants from a common donor and were subsequently discharged from the hospital following an uneventful hospital course. Within 30 days, all 3 organ recipients returned to the hospital with varying symptoms that progressed to rapid neurological deterioration, coma, and death.ObjectiveTo describe the clinical, neuroradiological, and pathological findings of rabies virus infection in organ transplant recipients infected from a common donor.DesignCase series involving a common donor and 3 organ recipients ascertained through review of clinical course and autopsy findings. A fourth case was determined by review of pending autopsy cases in which death occurred within the same time interval. Portions of postmortem central nervous system and organ tissues were frozen and formalin-fixed. Fluids and tissues were also collected for cultures, serology, and molecular studies. Postmortem fluids and tissues and antemortem fluids and tissues from all 4 transplant recipients and serum and banked lymphocyte or spleen cells from the donors were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further evaluation.SettingTransplant unit of an urban teaching hospital.ResultsAntemortem cerebrospinal fluid analysis for 3 of the 4 recipients was consistent with a viral etiology. Neuroimaging and electroencephalogram studies were suggestive of an infectious encephalitis or a toxic encephalopathy. Initial laboratory testing did not demonstrate an infectious etiology. Postmortem histologic analysis, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and direct fluorescence antibody testing revealed rabies virus infection. Serological testing done postmortem confirmed rabies virus infection in the common donor.ConclusionsThese cases demonstrate a risk for transmitting rabies virus infection through solid organ and tissue transplantation, and this diagnosis should be considered in any rapidly progressing neurological disease.
Effect of pre- and postnatal nicotine exposure on vasopressinergic system in rats

Timed pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were infused subcutaneously either with nicotine (NIC, 6 mg kg-1 day-1; n=17) or saline (control, n=15) on the 3rd day of gestation, via Alzet osmotic pumps, for 28 days. After the parturition, the pups of both, control and NIC infused dams, were each randomly divided into 2 groups and placed to be nursed as following: (1) control dams nursing pups born to control mother (control group); (2) control dams nursing pups born to NIC-infused mother (prenatal NIC group); (3) NIC-infused dams nursing pups born to control mother (postnatal NIC group); (4) NIC-infused dams nursing pups born to NIC-infused mother (pre- and postnatal NIC group). Vasopressin (VP) was measured by RIA in plasma, neurointermediate lobe (NIL) and hypothalamus (HT) in the pups of both sexes, at the following age: 0 (within 24 h after birth); 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 weeks. At the age of 3, 4 and 6 weeks, the isolated NILs were individually superfused and VP was measured as a basal release and the response to a 10-min 56 mM potassium stimulation. A marked suppression in the activity of VP-ergic system was observed in both sexes of offspring exposed to NIC prenatally, being first detectable at the age of 3 weeks, when the HT-NIL system becomes fully developed. However, the significant changes were observed at the age of 6 weeks: decreased serum VP concentration, lower VP contents in the HT and NIL, and suppressed VP release, basal and stimulated, from the isolated NIL. Postnatal exposure to nicotine was ineffective.
Principles Supporting Dynamic Clinical Care Teams: An American College of Physicians Position Paper

The U.S. health care system is undergoing a shift from individual clinical practice toward team-based care. This move toward team-based care requires fresh thinking about clinical leadership and responsibilities to ensure that the unique skills of each clinician are used to provide the best care for the patient as the patient's needs dictate, while the team as a whole must work together to ensure that all aspects of a patient's care are coordinated for the benefit of the patient. In this position paper, the American College of Physicians offers principles, definitions, and examples to dissolve barriers that prevent movement toward dynamic clinical care teams. These principles offer a framework for an evolving, updated approach to health care delivery, providing policy guidance that can be useful to clinical teams in organizing the care processes and clinician responsibilities consistent with professionalism.
Cerebral embolus following chiropractic manipulation in a patient with a calcified carotid artery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Dissection of the cervicocranial vessels is the principal cause of ischemic brain injury following cervical spinal manipulation. Cervical spinal manipulation leading to cerebral embolus in the absence of dissection is not described in the literature. Current case documents cerebral embolism originating from extensively calcified internal carotid artery immediately following cervical spinal manipulation in the absence of dissection. METHODS We describe a case and imaging findings of a 63-year-old male who underwent cervical spinal manipulation and developed sudden onset of left-arm numbness and weakness. RESULTS Computed tomography angiography demonstrated extensively calcified right internal carotid artery at the site of redone carotid endarterectomy as well as calcified embolus in the right inferior middle cerebral artery. CONCLUSIONS Calcified carotid artery may be at risk for embolization following cervical spinal manipulation. Our recommendation is that, patients with extensively calcified carotid arteries should refrain from aggressive neck maneuvers and cervical spine manipulation therapy to avoid liberation of cerebral embolus.
The Relationship between Exercise Intensity, Caloric Intake, and Weight

Abstract Two studies are presented assessing the relationship between exercise intensity, caloric intake and weight. In study I 17 college student women participated in a daily aerobics exercise program over a 5 week period. Running times were assessed throughout the study as estimates of activity level and were related to pre-exercise weights and daily self-reported caloric intake. Results suggested no relationship between activity level and weight, but strong positive relationships between activity level assessed by daily running times or a pre-exercise 12 min test and self-reported caloric intake. The second study was designed to examine the consistency of the relationship between 12 min test performance, caloric intake and weight by using a new group of 16 female college students, and to analyze the relationship between 12 min test performance and several other measures of activity including general and specific activity logging procedures and daily pedometer measures. Results showed the exercise, weight, caloric intake relationships were reproducible. In addition, 12 min test performance correlated with daily pedometer readings and specific logging procedures. These results suggest the previous epidemiological relationship between weight, caloric intake and activity level can be replicated using an estimate of activity level obtained during endurance exercise, and that performance on 12 min test is indicative of differences in general activity levels.
Optimising portfolio loss reduction using a first-order reliability method sensitivity analysis

Advancements in loss estimation methodologies for building portfolios provide an opportunity for pre-disaster risk mitigation, particularly through structural retrofit. Budget constraints, however, limit which vulnerable buildings within a region are to be retrofitted to desirable levels of seismic resistance. This paper presents a new reliability-based approach to prioritise retrofit strategies to support regional earthquake risk mitigation efforts. The proposed framework uses the first-order reliability method (FORM) to evaluate a probability distribution of repair costs for a suite of spatially distributed buildings. Sensitivity measures computed within the FORM analysis are paired with retrofit costs. The proposed method is applied to a San Francisco neighbourhood building inventory, and results suggest which building categories should be upgraded to minimise estimated post-earthquake repair costs. The importance of spatial correlation as well as the level of loss to be minimised is investigated relat...
Abietadiene Synthase from Grand Fir (Abies grandis): Characterization and Mechanism of Action of the “Pseudomature” Recombinant Enzyme†

The oleoresin secreted by grand fir (Abies grandis) is composed of resin acids derived largely from the abietane family of diterpene olefins as precursors which undergo subsequent oxidation of the C18-methyl group to a carboxyl function, for example, in the conversion of abieta-7,13-diene to abietic acid. A cDNA encoding abietadiene synthase has been isolated from grand fir and the heterologously expressed bifunctional enzyme shown to catalyze both the protonation-initiated cyclization of geranylgeranyl diphosphate to the intermediate (+)-copalyl diphosphate and the ionization-dependent cyclization of (+)-copalyl diphosphate, via a pimarenyl intermediate, to the olefin end products. Abietadiene synthase is translated as a preprotein bearing an N-terminal plastidial targeting sequence, and this form of the recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli proved to be unsuitable for detailed structure−function studies. Since the transit peptide−mature protein cleavage site could not be determined directly,...
Exosomes secreted from GATA-4 overexpressing mesenchymal stem cells serve as a reservoir of anti-apoptotic microRNAs for cardioprotection

Abstract Background Exosomes play an important role in intercellular signaling and exert regulatory function by carrying bioactive molecules. This study investigated (1) the cardioprotective capabilities of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) overexpressing GATA-4 (MSC GATA-4 ) and (2) its underlying regulatory mechanisms for expression of target proteins in recipient cells. Methods and results Exosomes were isolated and purified from MSC GATA-4 (Exo GATA-4 ) and control MSCs (Exo Null ). Cell injury was investigated in primary cultured rat neonatal cardiomyocytes (CM) and in the rat heart. Exosomes contributed to increased CM survival, reduced CM apoptosis, and preserved mitochondrial membrane potential in CM cultured under a hypoxic environment. Direct intramyocardial transplantation of exosomes at the border of an ischemic region following ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery significantly restored cardiac contractile function and reduced infarct size. Real-time PCR revealed that several anti-apoptotic miRs were highly expressed in Exo GATA-4 . Rapid internalization of Exo GATA-4 by CM was documented using time-lapse imaging. Subsequent expression of these miRs, particularly miR-19a was higher in CM and in the myocardium treated with Exo GATA-4 compared to those treated with Exo Null . The enhanced protective effects observed in CM were diminished by the inhibition of miR-19a. The expression level of PTEN, a predicted target of miR-19a, was reduced in CM treated with Exo GATA-4 , which resulted in the activation of the Akt and ERK signaling pathways. Conclusions Exo GATA-4 upon transplantation in the damaged tissue mediate protection by releasing multiple miRs responsible for activation of the cell survival signaling pathway.
Influence of Relaxing Retinotomy on Surgical Outcomes in Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy

Purpose This study sought to determine the influence of relaxing retinotomy (RR) incisions upon surgical outcomes in the repair of recurrent retinal detachment (RD) attributable to proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Design Retrospective, consecutive, nonrandomized, single-center series. Methods Eighty-one eyes with recurrent RD attributable to PVR were retrospectively reviewed. Exclusion criteria were giant retinal tear, uveitis, trauma, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and age under 18 years. A total of 52 eyes underwent RR at the time of surgery (64.2%); 29 eyes were repaired without this technique. Perfluorocarbon gas (n = 34) or silicone oil (n = 47) was used as postoperative tamponade. Statistical analyses were performed using the Fisher exact test. Results Eyes that received RR had significantly higher rates of anterior PVR (P = .009). Eyes receiving silicone oil for postoperative tamponade had worse baseline characteristics compared with those receiving gas. The use of RR in eyes receiving gas tamponade had no marked influence on the initial anatomic outcomes, with recurrent retinal detachment occurring in five of 14 eyes that received an RR and seven of 20 eyes that did not receive an RR (P = .62). Eyes in which silicone oil was used as a postoperative tamponade had a significantly lower rate of recurrent RD requiring additional surgery when RR was employed (one of 38 eyes) when compared with eyes that did not receive an RR (three of nine eyes, P = .02). Ultimately, surgical reattachment was attained in all eyes except one. Eyes that received gas tamponade without RR had significantly better median vision (P = .008). Conclusions Surgical management of PVR often results in ultimate retinal reattachment. An RR incision does not appear to influence initial anatomic repair when gas tamponade is used after vitrectomy surgery for PVR. However, RR may increase the initial surgical success rate in eyes receiving silicone oil tamponade for PVR. In eyes undergoing RR for the treatment of severe PVR, the use of silicone oil may increase the initial rate of reattachment compared with the use of gas tamponade.
Characterization of AAT1: a gene involved in the regulation of amino acid transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

SUMMARY: A new class of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants (aatl - amino acid transport) has been identified. These mutants are unable to grow on rich medium or on minimal medium supplemented with certain amino acids (isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine or valine). This phenotype is directly linked to the presence of the leu2 allele in these strains: aat1 LEU2 organisms grow normally on all media tested. Leucine uptake through the leucine-specific permease is inhibited to < 35% of wild-type levels in aat1 cells preincubated in nonpermissive media, and the activity of the general amino acid permease is also low in these conditions, aat1 cells are therefore unable to grow on rich media because they cannot take up enough leucine to supplement their auxotrophic requirement.
Physiological Effects of a Constitutive Tryptophanase in Bacillus alvei

Abstract Hoch, J. A. (University of Illinois, Urbana), and R. D. DeMoss. Physiological effects of a constitutive tryptophanase in Bacillus alvei. J. Bacteriol. 90:604–610. 1965.—Tryptophanase synthesis in B. alvei is not under the control of tryptophan and is not subject to catabolite repression. Exogenously supplied tryptophan was converted to indole by tryptophanase, and was excreted into the culture medium. The amount of indole excreted was dependent upon the concentration of tryptophan supplied. At intermediate levels of tryptophan (5 to 15 μg/ml), the excreted indole was completely reutilized by the cell, in contrast to the result with higher levels. Indole reutil zation was shown to be dependent upon a functional tryptophan synthetase. In the absience of exogenous tryptophan, indole was excreted into the culture medium at an earlier physiological age. The early indole was shown not to be a consequence of tryptophanase action. The early indole accompanied uniformly the normal process of tryptophan biosynthesis, and the fission of indole-3-glycerol phosphate was suggested as the origin of the excreted indole.
Turn-Around-Point Long-Period Fiber Gratings Fabricated by CO $_{2}$ Laser Point-by-Point Irradiations

High order mode long-period fiber gratings (LPFGs) were fabricated for the first time, to our knowledge, by point-by-point CO2 laser irradiations. With this method, turn-around-point LPFGs working in various circumstances can be easily fabricated by adjusting the inscription period. Effects of fabrication parameters on the characteristics of the resulted LPFGs have been studied. Tenth-order LPFGs have been fabricated and demonstrated for temperature sensing.
Balancing reducer skew in MapReduce workloads using progressive sampling

The elapsed time of a parallel job depends on the completion time of its longest running constituent. We present a static load balancing algorithm that distributes work evenly across the reducers in a MapReduce job resulting in significant elapsed time reductions.Taking a user-specified model of reducer performance, our load balancer uses a progressive objective-based cluster sampler to estimate the load associated with each reduce-key. It balances the workload using Key Chopping, to split keys with large loads into sub-keys that can be assigned to different distributive reducers, and Key Packing, to assign keys with medium loads to reducers to minimize the maximum reducer load. Keys with small loads are hashed as they have little effect on the balance. This repeats until the user specified balancing objective and confidence level are achieved.The sampler and load balancer have been implemented in the Oracle Loader for Hadoop (OLH), a commercial MapReduce application that employs Apache Hadoop to perform parallel data formatting and data movement into partitioned relational tables. We present the performance improvements we achieve in both OLH and in a MapReduce program for inverted index creation. The balancer works for arbitrary IID key distributions, the time used for sampling is small and our solution is very effective at reducing the elapsed time for the MapReduce jobs we explored.
Opportunities to improve end-of-life care in ESRD.

With their 1986 publication, Neu and Kjellstrand acknowledged that some dialysis patients choose to stop dialysis ([1][1]). At the time, their report was provocative because the topic had not been acknowledged. Since then, stopping dialysis is recognized as a common practice that is a leading cause
Changing times: DNA resequencing and the “nearly normal autopsy”

No matter how meticulous the autopsy, non-traumatic deaths in the young go unexplained from 5–10% of the time. The percentage is higher in children and young adults. Advances in molecular biology and DNA technology now make it possible to explain many of those deaths. This development is not without irony. At the same time that many clinicians are expressing frustration about the lack of tangible gains provided by the Human Genome Project [Greenhalgh T. The Human Genome Project. J R Soc Med. Dec 2005;98(12):545], and pathologists are wondering about the viability of their field, DNA technology is about to reshape the field of forensic pathology. Emerging evidence suggests that the underlying cause of death in many is genetic, and that both the heart and liver abnormalities can both play a role. The problem is that death from a wide variety of genetic defects may leave no histological markers. The ability to identify these ‘‘invisible diseases’’ with postmortem genetic testing has become a reality far more quickly than anyone had ever imagined. The US Food and Drug Administration is about to place ‘‘black box’’ warnings on warfarin advising doctors screen potential recipients for the ability to metabolize that drug and the American Heart Association has recently editorialized that because of genetic-induced variations in electrical conduction that all newborns should have a screening electrocardiogram before they leave the hospital. The introduction of largescale genetic screening will have an enormous effect on the practice of forensic pathology, far beyond anything seen in our lifetimes. It will also change the practice of medicine as we know it. This paper reviews the current status of the problem. 2007 Elsevier Ltd and FFLM. All rights reserved.
Asymmetrical interactions in the perception of face identity and emotional expression are not unique to the primate visual system

The human visual system appears to process the identity of faces separately from their emotional expression, whereas the human visual system does not appear to process emotional expression separately from identity. All current explanations of this visual processing asymmetry implicitly assume that it arises because of the organization of a specialized human face perception system. A second possibility is that this finding reflects general principles of perceptual processing. Studying animals that are unlikely to have evolved a specialized face perception system may shed fresh light on this issue. We report two experiments that investigated the interaction of identity and emotional expression in pigeons' perception of human faces. Experiment 1 found that pigeons perceive the similarity among faces sharing identity and emotion, and that these two dimensions are integral according to a spatial model of generalization. Experiment 2 found that pigeons' discrimination of emotion was reliably affected by irrelevant variations in identity, whereas pigeons' discrimination of identity was not reliably affected by irrelevant variations in emotion. Thus, the asymmetry previously reported in human studies was reproduced in our pigeon study. These results challenge the view that a specialized human face perception system must underlie this effect.
Silicon Vertically Integrated Nanowire Field Effect Transistors

Silicon nanowires have received considerable attention as transistor components because they represent a facile route toward sub-100-nm single-crystalline Si features. Herein we demonstrate the direct vertical integration of Si nanowire arrays into surrounding gate field effect transistors without the need for postgrowth nanowire assembly processes. The device fabrication allows Si nanowire channel diameters to be readily reduced to the 5-nm regime. These first-generation vertically integrated nanowire field effect transistors (VINFETs) exhibit electronic properties that are comparable to other horizontal nanowire field effect transistors (FETs) and may, with further optimization, compete with advanced solid-state nanoelectronic devices.
Noninvasive assessment of bone architecture by magnetic resonance micro-imaging-based virtual bone biopsy

The mechanical competence of trabecular bone, the type of bone constituting the vertebrae and ends of the long bones, is largely determined by the bone's volume fraction and architectural make-up. Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that up to 50% of trabecular bone strength is determined by parameters characterizing the network's architecture. Although rarely clinically indicated because of its invasiveness, a bone biopsy can provide detailed insight into the bone's structural arrangement. Recent advances in magnetic resonance micro-imaging (/spl mu/MRI), in conjunction with new image processing and feature extraction approaches, now allow detailed structural information to be obtained by what we refer to as "virtual bone biopsy" (VBB). Governed by signal-to-noise, the voxel size achievable in vivo is of the same order as trabecular thickness (100-150 /spl mu/m). Therefore, methods had to be conceived to deal with the inherently fuzzy nature of the objects to be extracted. It is shown that a cascade of image processing steps, starting with noise deconvolution of the images to yield bone volume fraction maps, followed by what we refer to as "subvoxel processing" for resolution enhancement, are essential for evaluating topology and scale of the trabecular network. Digital topological analysis of the binarized and skeletonized images can provide a detailed picture of network connectivity and the nature of the structural elements (plate and strut architecture). In addition to its complicated topological make-up, trabecular bone is highly anisotropic since bone adapts to the stresses to which it is subjected (Wolff's law). Therefore, evaluation of structural orientation or fabric is of interest as well. Several methods are discussed to quantify structural anisotropy, including digital topological analysis. Although connectivity is an important determinant of the bone's mechanical behavior, the thickness of the structural elements is equally relevant. Here again, the limited spatial resolution achievable in vivo precludes the use of the classical histomorphometric approaches for thickness measurement. A method conceived recently in the authors' laboratory is the fuzzy distance transform, which obviates the need for binarization and which is shown to provide accurate measurements of structural thickness. Excerpts are provided from applications of the VBB to the study of postmenopausal osteoporosis, male hypogonadism, and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Finally, the serial reproducibility achievable suggests the VBB to be suited for assessing treatment efficacy longitudinally.
Semi-supervised learning improves gene expression-based prediction of cancer recurrence

Motivation: Gene expression profiling has shown great potential in outcome prediction for different types of cancers. Nevertheless, small sample size remains a bottleneck in obtaining robust and accurate classifiers. Traditional supervised learning techniques can only work with labeled data. Consequently, a large number of microarray data that do not have sufficient follow-up information are disregarded. To fully leverage all of the precious data in public databases, we turned to a semi-supervised learning technique, low density separation (LDS). Results: Using a clinically important question of predicting recurrence risk in colorectal cancer patients, we demonstrated that (i) semi-supervised classification improved prediction accuracy as compared with the state of the art supervised method SVM, (ii) performance gain increased with the number of unlabeled samples, (iii) unlabeled data from different institutes could be employed after appropriate processing and (iv) the LDS method is robust with regard to the number of input features. To test the general applicability of this semi-supervised method, we further applied LDS on human breast cancer datasets and also observed superior performance. Our results demonstrated great potential of semi-supervised learning in gene expression-based outcome prediction for cancer patients. Contact: ude.tlibrednav@gnahz.gnib Supplementary Information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Skills development: Technical writing, presentation, and teamwork through engineering graphics

Physics Enterprises, Andrews University, was desirous of documenting their designs and updating the equipment manuals and designs. No engineering drawings existed for the equipment they develop, manufacture and sell internationally. For the course engineering graphics, it was desired to have a class project in a real life experience in technical briefing, technical writing, presentation and team building. The two needs perfectly matched. This paper demonstrates how engineering graphics can be used to develop skills and team building in undergraduate freshmen and between university departments. A mixed freshman class was organized into a team and subgroups and using freehand sketching and CAD software, through a process of reverse engineering, successfully developed final engineering drawings. The results were presented to a new engineering graphics class by the previous class. Valuable lessons were learnt in instructor and client availability, balance of work and significance of real life experience.
The diagnosis and understanding of schizophrenia. Part II. Expanded perspectives for describing and comparing schizophrenic patients

In part I of this series of reports, we outlined the use of key symptoms as criteria for a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The classification of a patient as schizophrenic on the basis of these symptoms is only the beginning of a more complete description. The next step is to define more broadly the characteristics of patients who have these symptoms and to evaluate from the broader perspective the ways in which they form a single homogeneous group or subgroups, and the ways in which they are similar to or different from other types of patients. These issues involve consideration of several alternative diagnostic principles. Most fundamental is a decision about the criteria to be used for defining similarity and difference. Will "discriminating symptoms" be the only criteria for determining diagnostic groups? Will other symptoms be given any importance? Will severity of symptoms as well as type of symptoms be included as a criterion for diagnosis? Will the characteristics of the data play a role in establishing diagnostic criteria, or will these criteria be established before the patient group is evaluated? Finally, will diagnostic subgroups be established, and if so, what criteria of similarity and difference will determine the nature of these groups?
Imaging and diagnostic testing: diastolic dysfunction after coronary artery bypass grafting: a frequent finding of clinical significance not influenced by intravenous calcium.

Abstract Background Diastolic dysfunction is common immediately after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). The duration of this phenomenon is unknown. Intravenous calcium is frequently administered during separation from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We sought to determine whether intravenous calcium influences perioperative diastolic function and whether diastolic dysfunction persists into the postoperative period. Methods and results Patients undergoing first-time elective CABG (n = 29) were randomly assigned to receive intravenous calcium chloride (n = 13) or placebo (n = 16) during separation from CPB. Diastolic function was assessed by the pressure-area relation with transesophageal echocardiography and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) measured simultaneously. Left ventricular end-diastolic area (LVEDA) and Doppler indexes were measured at comparable PCWP (within 2 mm Hg) at baseline, after separation from CPB, after sternal closure, and 3 hours after surgery. After CABG, both groups had a significant decrease in LVEDA and mitral E-wave deceleration time that persisted at 3 hours. Because there were no significant differences between the calcium and control groups at any time point, the data for the entire study cohort was analyzed. The LVEDA decreased (stiffness increased) progressively from 16.9 ± 3.4 cm 2 at baseline to 15.8 ± 2.9 cm 2 after CPB, 14.9 ± 2.5 cm 2 after sternal closure, and 14.3 ± 3.1 cm 2 at 3 hours after surgery ( P P = .0001). Conclusions An increase in left ventricular diastolic chamber stiffness is nearly universal after CABG, and it persists for at least 3 hours after surgery. An intravenous bolus of calcium chloride given during separation from CPB has no measurable negative effect on diastolic function. In the setting of increased chamber stiffness, the PCWP alone does not adequately reflect the volume status and effective preload of the left ventricle.
Formal verification of a superscalar execution unit

Many modern systems are designed as a set of interconnectedreactive subsystems. The subsystem verification task is toverify an implementation of the subsystem against the simple deterministichigh-level specification of the entire system. Our verificationmethodology, based on Symbolic Trajectory Evaluation, is ableto bridge the wide gap between the abstract specification and theimplementation specific details of the subsystem. This paper presentsa detailed description of an industrial application of this methodologyto the fixed point execution unit of the PowerPC processor.We were able to verify a representative instruction under all possiblestall, bypass, pipeline conditions and under all possible timingsfor interface to other functional units in the processor.
To Play or Not to Play: Interactions between Response Quality and Task Complexity in Games and Paid Crowdsourcing

Digital games are a viable alternative to accomplish crowdsourcing tasks that would traditionally require paid online labor. This study compares the quality of crowdsourcing with games and paid crowdsourcing for simple and complex annotation tasks in a controlled exper-iment. While no difference in quality was found for the simple task, paid contributors’ response quality was sub-stantially lower than players’ quality for the complex task (92% vs. 78% average accuracy). Results suggest that crowdsourcing with games provides similar and potentially even higher response quality relative to paid crowdsourcing.
Inelastic Bending of Wood Beams

The bending stress analysis of wood beams in the plastic range is presented and a new theoretical method of predicting the ultimate load is developed. The method is based on the approach known as the bending theory of beams, but the pattern of stress distribution at failure in the critical cross-sectional area is now mathematically formulated on the basis of the stress-strain diagram obtained by the tests. The validity of the theoretical method is verified by a testing program using three full-size specimens. The test results agreed favorably with the theoretical predictions. The actual ultimate bending moment closely coincides with that obtained by the theory presented, as does the downward shifting of the neutral axis. Wood beams of any species can be computed by this theory if the mathematical equation for the stress-strain diagram is known. This theory is verified through tests on glue laminated beams using wood of the best quality.
Scientific concepts of human nature and their implications to bioethics in a Scientific and Technologically-Altered World

of ecological, psychosocial and individual moral crises caused by the proliferation and misuse of scientific knowledge and technological advances in our culture by examining each one in isolation of the larger “global” issues, fails to recognize the underlying philosophical basis for the plethora of moral dilemmas we are witnessing. In essence, it has to be said that the ecological, cultural and individual psycho-social problems of today cannot be ameliorated by recycling pop bottles, training more psychiatrists, imposing traditional philosophical and religious indoctrination on everyone or arranging “pre-emptive strikes” on tyrants perceived as abusing human rights. We must attack the cause not the symptoms. The cause, I propose, resides in our head in the form of a bankrupt philosophy of human nature. Moreover, I make the assumption, as others have,1,2,3 that each individual holds a view of human nature, which shapes policies and practices of human intervention, which, in turn, influence biological and psycho-social development. How does one begin to deal with the challenge of finding a “moral compass” in a world in which individuals must: “make sense of the senseless”; do the right thing on a daily basis to deal with short-term needs while not understanding the long-term consequences; find a psychological rationale for surviving in one’s cultural environment which suppresses fundamental human needs; deal with frightening unknowns created by new technological advances which challenge outmoded world views; not use knowledge and powerful technologies to deny basic human needs and rights of individuals ; and search for some “universal” truths to assist moral judgments in a pluralistic world of conflicting religious ethical values? Try to imagine, if one is a member of one of the few remaining primitive tribes, how you could cope with the changes demanded of you when you are confronted with new experiences, choices and challenges to eons of unchanging traditional values? How can any one of us, in a growing population of over 6 billion people, deal with the stresses Journal of the