cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Will, Obligatory Ends and the Completion of Practical Reason: Comments on Barbara Herman's Moral Literacy

This paper discusses three inter-related themes in Barbara Herman's Moral Literacy – the idea that, for Kant, the will is a ‘norm-constituted power’ whose activity is guided by its own internal norm, that the obligatory ends are reasonably viewed as the ends of all rational choice, and that morality ‘completes’ practical reason or rational agency.
Race, Ethnicity, and Racism in Medical Anthropology, 1977–2002

Researchers across the health sciences are engaged in a vigorous debate over the role that the concepts of “race” and “ethnicity” play in health research and clinical practice. Here we contribute to that debate by examining how the concepts of race, ethnicity, and racism are used in medical–anthropological research. We present a content analysis of Medical Anthropology and Medical Anthropology Quarterly, based on a systematic random sample of empirical research articles (n =283) published in these journals from 1977 to 2002. We identify both differences and similarities in the use of race, ethnicity, and racism concepts in medical anthropology and neighboring disciplines, and we offer recommendations for ways that medical anthropologists can contribute to the broader debate over racial and ethnic inequalities in health.
Iron L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy of oxy-picket fence porphyrin: experimental insight into Fe-O2 bonding.

The electronic structure of the Fe–O2 center in oxy-hemoglobin and oxy-myoglobin is a long-standing issue in the field of bioinorganic chemistry. Spectroscopic studies have been complicated by the ...
Diesel effects on human health: a question of stress?

in this issue in one of the current articles in focus (Ref. [3][1], see p. L724 in this issue), Pourazar et al. provide the first human in vivo evidence to support the concept that air pollutants target the airways through induction of oxidative stress ([3][1]). The last decade has seen a deluge of
The effects of ambient flow velocity, colony size, and upstream colonies on the feeding success of bryozoa. I. Bugula stolonifera Ryland, an arborescent species

Abstract The effects of ambient flow velocity, colony size, and the presence of upstream colonies on the feeding success of the arborescent bryozoan, Bugula stolonifera (Ryland), were studied. Faster ambient flow velocities were found to reduce feeding of zooids of small colonies but not of large colonies. Zooids from different regions of colonies dominated in feeding at different ambient flow velocities: upstream zooids dominated in feeding from slow ambient flow: zooids from central regions dominated in feeding from fast ambient flow. These results are interpreted with respect to the branching morphology of colonies. Finally, evidence that upstream colonies interfere with the feeding success of zooids of colonies downstream was obtained.
MUAP number estimates in surface EMG: Template-matching methods and their performance boundaries

Estimates of the number of motor unit action potential (MUAP)s appearing in the surface electromyogram (EMG) signal, which offers potentially valuable information about motor unit recruitment and firing rates, are likely to provide a more accurate reflection of the neural command to muscle than are current EMG quantification methods. In this paper, we show that the basic shapes of surface MUAPs recorded from the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle can ideally be represented by a small number of waveforms. On the basis of this, we seek to estimate the number of MUAPs present in standard surface EMG records, using template-matching techniques to identify MUAP occurrences. Our simulation study indicates that the performance of template-matching methods for MUAP number estimation is mainly constrained by the MUAP superposition in the signal, and the maximum number of MUAPs allowed in the signal for a good estimation is determined by the duration of MUAPs. To further explore this from experimental surface EMG signals, we compare the recordings from a selective multiple concentric ring electrode against those derived from a standard differential EMG electrode situated over the same muscle. We conclude that the ring surface electrode only slightly reduces the MUAP duration and the less MUAP superposition rate contained in the signal is mainly achieved by reducing the pick up area of the electrode. Using a template-matching method, although the number of MUAPs can be approximately estimated based on a very selective surface EMG recording at low force levels, the maximum number of MUAPs correctly estimated from the surface EMG is constrained by the MUAP duration.
Diverse sources of reward value signals in the basal ganglia nuclei transmitted to the lateral habenula in the monkey.

The lateral habenula (LHb) plays an important role in motivational decision making. Neurons in the primate LHb signal negative ‘reward prediction errors’ and inhibit midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons. These negative reward prediction error signals in the LHb are, at least partly, provided by a distinct group of neurons in the border region of the globus pallidus internal segment (GPb). However, it is still unclear whether other basal ganglia nuclei provide the LHb with reward signals, either through the GPb or through different circuits. As a first step to answer this question, we electrically stimulated various parts of the basal ganglia and monitored the neural activity in the LHb in the awake monkey. First, we found that low intensity stimulations in the GPb and the internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi) evoked a short latency (5 ms) excitatory response in LHb neurons. Second, LHb neurons were inhibited by stimulations in the ventral pallidum (VP). These results suggest that reward-related signals are transmitted to the LHb mainly through excitatory connections from the GPb and inhibitory connections from the VP. Finally, excitations or inhibitions are induced in LHb neurons from diverse but patchy regions in the striatum. These effects have considerably longer latencies, suggesting that they may be mediated by the GPb or the VP. The patchy nature of the stimulation effect raises the possibility that the striosomes are the source of reward-related signals transmitted to the LHb.
Aortic root replacement with a novel decellularized cryopreserved aortic homograft: postoperative immunoreactivity and early results.

Objective Novel antigen-reduction SynerGraft technology (CryoLife Inc, Kennesaw, Ga) reduces the cellular components of a cadaver homograft with an enzymatic and washing process, leaving the extracellular matrix intact. We report the immunoreactivity (positive panel reactive antibody assay) and early operative results of the CryoLife SynerGraft aortic valve conduit homograft. Methods Twenty-two patients (age 53 ± 14 years, range 31-80 years) from April 2002 to July 2003 underwent aortic root replacement with a CryoLife SynerGraft aortic valve conduit homograft (CryoLife Inc, Kennesaw, Ga) for congenital or acquired aortic valve disease, aortic aneurysm with aortic valve disease, or native or prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis. Baseline percentage positive panel reactive antibody results were negative ( Results Early mortality was 0%. Two late deaths at 1 postoperative year were unrelated to homograft function. At 1 postoperative month, panel reactive antibody results were negative in 20 patients (91%). At 3 months, 19 of 22 patients (86%) had negative results, including 1 with previous positive results. At 1 year, 19 of 20 patients (95%) had negative results, including 2 of the 3 with previous positive results. The mean aortic valve gradients were 12 ± 8 mm Hg (n = 21) at discharge and 11 ± 7 mm Hg (n = 18) at 1 year. At a mean follow-up of 30.3 ± 5.2 months, the mean gradient was 8.8 ± 6.3 mm Hg. Conclusion The SynerGraft decellularization technology successfully removed antigens from an aortic valve homograft conduit. Aortic root reconstruction with the CryoLife SynerGraft aortic valve homograft resulted in low transvalvular gradients, similar to those seen with standard cryopreserved homografts. These early results suggest an advancement in homograft technology. The low panel reactive antibody response may enhance durability by eliminating immune complex–mediated reaction against the homograft. The lack of allosensitization in patients who may require organ transplantation in the future is an added benefit.
Theory of Mind Predicts Emotion Knowledge Development in Head Start Children.

Research Findings: Emotion knowledge (EK) enables children to identify emotions in themselves and others, and its development facilitates emotion recognition in complex social situations. Sociocognitive processes, such as theory of mind (ToM), may contribute to developing EK by helping children realize the inherent variability associated with emotion expression across individuals and situations. The present study explored how ToM, particularly false belief understanding, in preschool predicts children's developing EK in kindergarten. Participants were 60 Head Start children ages 3 to 5 years. ToM and EK measures were obtained from standardized child tasks. ToM scores were positively related to performance on an EK task in kindergarten after we controlled for preschool levels of EK and verbal ability. Exploratory analyses provided preliminary evidence that ToM serves as an indirect effect between verbal ability and EK. Practice or Policy: Early intervention programs may benefit from including lessons on To...
Tumor antigens and tumor vaccines: Peptides as immunogens

Tumor antigens recognized by human cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) have been identified for multiple types of solid tumors. These include both shared and unique antigens. Unique antigens are those expressed uniquely by one patient's tumor, and shared antigens are those present on tumor cells from many different patients. Many of the shared antigens are derived from tissue-specific differentiation antigens, oncogenes, or a set of antigens expressed only in tumors or in testis. In addition to advances in understanding tumor antigens that stimulate CTL and T-helper cell responses, there have been advances in understanding immunity in general, including the characterization of cytokines, the recognition of the dendritic cell as an optimal antigen-presenting cell (APC), and the characterization of costimulatory molecules as critical components of antigen presentation. Together, these developments have breathed new life into tumor immunology, and they promise to lead to a new generation of peptide- and cell-based tumor vaccines.
Experimental and Numerical Studies of Heat Transfer From a Liquid Bath due to an Impinging Gas Jet

An impinging gas jet on a liquid surface is found in many industrial systems. In electric arc furnaces and in welding processes, a highly energetic gas jet impinges on a liquid bath/pool. In many metal processing operations, a gas jet (top-blown) is used to carry out alloying and purification operations. A fundamental understanding of the interaction of a gas jet and a liquid bath can provide important insights into process behavior, resulting in improved efficiency in such systems. There have been extensive heat transfer studies of impinging gas jets on solid surfaces, but few on impinging gas jets on a liquid bath. In this paper, air-jet-induced transport in a heated liquid bath is considered. Two different liquids having widely different Prandtl numbers (silicone oil and a molten metal alloy, Amalloy-203{reg_sign}) were used as bath liquids. Both numerical calculations and experimental measurements were carried out to characterize the jet-induced flow and heat transfer in the liquid bath. The numerical model developed considers the interaction of the jet flow and the liquid bath circulation. The mixing and thermal behavior of the heated bath were determined as functions of the air-jet characteristics (inlet temperature, Reynolds number) and the bath liquid properties (liquid Prandtlmore » number and a bath Grashof number).« less
Hydraulics of two-layer arrested wedge flows

An experimental and analytical study of the hydraulics of two layer exchange flows in and beyond the limit of arresting barotropic net flow is presented. These arrested wedge flows are a limiting case of the inviscid, one dimensional, two-layer theory. The two-layer equations are modified to include the effects of friction and flow nonuniformity. A boundary layer model, along with the resultant Coriolis coefficients, was used with the modified hydraulic theory to compare with laboratory experiments.
Requirement of α4β1 and α5β1 Integrin Expression in Bone-Marrow-Derived Progenitor Cells in Preventing Endotoxin-Induced Lung Vascular Injury and Edema in Mice

The goal of this study was to determine the role of integrin-mediated adhesion of bone-marrow-derived progenitor cells (BMPCs) as a requirement for the endothelial barrier protection in a lung injury model. C57BL mice were used as the source for BMPCs, which were characterized as CD34(+) and fetal liver kinase-1 (Flk1)(+) and also an expression of a repertoire of integrins. We used a mouse model of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung vascular injury and edema formation to test the effects of BMPC integrin expression in preventing endothelial barrier injury. Adhesion of BMPCs to purified extracellular matrix proteins induced focal adhesion kinase (Fak) phosphorylation and formation of branching point structures in a alpha(4) and alpha(5) integrin-dependent manner. BMPCs expressing red fluorescent protein (RFP) were administered via the retro-orbital venous route in mice treated intraperitonially with LPS (7.5 mg/kg body weight). We observed increased retention of RFP-labeled Flk1(+) and CD34(+) BMPCs for up to 8 weeks in mice injured with LPS. BMPC transplantation increased survival by 50% (at 72-96 hours after LPS) and reduced lung vascular injury and extravascular water content induced by LPS. However, blocking with anti-alpha(4) or anti-alpha(5) integrin antibody or shRNA-mediated silencing of alpha(4) or alpha(5) integrins in donor BMPCs failed to prevent the vascular injury or edema formation and mortality. Thus, alpha(4) and alpha(5) integrin-dependent adhesion of BMPCs in lung tissue plays a critical role in preventing lung vascular injury and increasing survival in a mouse model of LPS-induced acute lung injury.
Microstructural, compositional, and microhardness variations across a gas-metal arc weldment made with an ultralow-carbon consumable

An experimental gas-metal arc (GMA) weldment of HSLA-100 steel fabricated with an ultralowcarbon (ULC) consumable of interest for United States Navy applications, designated “ARC100,” was studied to determine the relationships among the microstructure, the solute redistributions at various positions across the weldment, and the local properties (microhardness). These relationships were investigated by a variety of techniques, including microhardness mapping, optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) (including compositional X-ray mapping), and parallel electron energy-loss spectroscopy (PEELS). The microconstituents observed in this weld include lath ferrite, degenerate ferrite, lath martensite, retained austenite, and oxide inclusions; no carbides or other solid-state precipitates are present within the weld metal. Microhardness mapping indicates an undermatched weld metal (lower hardness as compared to the base plate) in which the hardest regions are in the first and last top beads, the root passes, and between highly ferritic soft bands associated with the outer portion of each weld bead’s heat-affected zone (HAZ) (within the fusion zone). The majority of the gradient in the substitutional alloying elements (Ni, Cu, Mn, and Cr) occurs within a region of less than about 0.5 mm of the fusion boundary, but the composition still changes even well into the fusion zone. Appreciable segregation of Ni and Cu to solidification cell boundaries occurs, and there is appreciable enrichment of C, Ni, Cu, and Mn in thin films of interlath retained austenite. This ULC weld metal is softer than the base plate due to the preponderance of lath ferrite rather than lath martensite, even at the high cooling rates experienced in this low-heat-input weld. Alternatively, the strength of the weld metal is due to the presence of at least some untempered lath martensite and the fact that the majority of the ferrite is lath ferrite and not polygonal ferrite. The interlath retained austenite might enhance toughness, but might also serve as a source of hydrogen in solution, which could potentially contribute to hydrogen-assisted cracking.
Bilateral Footdrop After Treatment of an Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE Footdrop designates weakness of the ankle as well as toes dorsiflexion. Peripheral causes of unilateral footdrop are well established. Bilateral footdrop originating from pathologies in the central nervous system are rare and include a number of unexplored etiologies. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A case of bilateral footdrop is presented. The patient presented with a grade IV subarachnoid hemorrhage with intraventricular extension. He was treated with coil embolization of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm. Postoperatively, he was found to have weakness of both ankle and toe dorsiflexion. Findings on magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine were negative for abnormal cord signal, cord infarction, and compressive lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed parasagittal bifrontal and right greater than left convexity foci of acute infarction. CONCLUSION Central causes of acute footdrop are rare. However, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis, particularly in the presence of upper motor neuron signs on physical examination.
Neurotrophin receptors in the somatosensory cortex of the mature rat: co-localization of p75, trk, isoforms and c-neu

Abstract Trk immunoreactivity is expressed by a discrete population of cortical neurons, primarily those with cell bodies in layer Vb and dendrites in supragranular cortex. We tested the hypothesis that neurons co-express multiple isoforms of trk receptors. The distribution of neurons expressing specific high affinity neurotrophin receptors was determined immunohistochemically. Multiple antibodies directed against each trk isoform and an antibody directed against an epitope shared by all three trk isoforms were used. The distribution of neurons expressing each of the three receptors was virtually identical. Each anti-trk antibody primarily labeled neurons with cell bodies in layer V. More than one-third of layer V neurons was positive for a high affinity trk receptor. Few immunoreactive somata (1%–5%) were in the other layers. In addition, the neuropil in the supragranular laminae was immunopositive for each trk isoform. Recent data show that layer V neurons in the mature somatosensory cortex express the tyrosine kinase receptor c-erbB2, also known as c-neu. Immunofluorescence double labeling shows that ∼80% of the c-neu-immunolabeled neurons in layer V co-expressed pan-trk immunoreactivity and two-thirds of all c-neu-positive neurons expressed a specific trk isoform. We concluded from these data that there is significant co-expression of trk isoforms in layer V neurons. In summary, trkA, trkB, trkC, and c-neu were primarily expressed by cortical projection neurons in layer V and co-expression among these receptors was common. This implies that cortical growth factor systems are redundant and that cortical neurons are responsive to more than one growth factor.
Dolichol kinase and the regulation of dolichyl phosphate levels in developing brain

The developmental changes of dolichol kinase activity and dolichyl phosphate levels have been studied in rat brain. Because both dolichol kinase activity and dolichyl phosphate were enriched in microsomes, detailed study of this subcellular fraction was carried out. Dolichol kinase specific activity in brain microsomes increased postnatally 3-fold to a maximum at ca. 30 days of age. This increase was observed whether exogenous dolichol was present or not and whether Zn2+ or Ca2+ was utilized as the cation for the enzyme. Zn2+ was the most effective cation in developing brain, as we have shown previously for adult brain (Sakakihara, Y. and Volpe, J.J., J. Biol. Chem., 260 (1985) 15413-15419). Although the Vmax for the enzyme increased by three-fold with development, the Km for dolichol and for CTP did not change, indicating that the developmental increase was not related to an alteration in catalytic efficiency of the enzyme. A striking and parallel increase in dolichyl phosphate levels in brain microsomes was defined with development. Levels were lowest in one-day-old animals and then increased ca. 13-fold to a maximum at 30 days of postnatal age. The parallel increase in dolichol kinase activity and dolichyl phosphate levels in microsomes of developing brain suggests that dolichol kinase is the principal determinant of cellular levels of dolichyl phosphate, the critical intermediate in the dolichol-linked pathway to glycoproteins.
The role of vegetation in methane flux to the atmosphere: should vegetation be included as a distinct category in the global methane budget?

Currently, the global annual flux of methane (CH4) to the atmosphere is fairly well constrained at ca. 645 Tg CH4 year−1. However, the relative magnitudes of the fluxes generated from different natural (e.g. wetlands, deep seepage, hydrates, ocean sediments) and anthropogenic sources remain poorly resolved. Of the identified natural sources, the contribution of vegetation to the global methane budget is arguably the least well understood. Historically, reviews of the contribution of vegetation to the global methane flux have focused on the role of plants as conduits for soil-borne methane emissions from wetlands, or the aerobic production of methane within plant tissues. Many recent global budgets only include the latter pathway (aerobic methane production) in estimating the importance of terrestrial vegetation to atmospheric CH4 flux. However, recent experimental evidence suggests several novel pathways through which vegetation can contribute to the flux of this globally important, trace greenhouse gas (GHG), such as plant cisterns that act as cryptic wetlands, heartwood rot in trees, the degradation of coarse woody debris and litter, or methane transport through herbaceous and woody plants. Herein, we synthesize the existing literature to provide a comprehensive estimate of the role of modern vegetation in the global methane budget. This first, albeit uncertain, estimate indicates that vegetation may represent up to 22 % of the annual flux of methane to the atmosphere, contributing ca. 32–143 Tg CH4 year−1 to the global flux of this important trace GHG. Overall, our findings emphasize the need to better resolve the role of vegetation in the biogeochemical cycling of methane as an important component of closing the gap in the global methane budget.
Superweak contribution to B0B̄0 mixing

Abstract A reasonable extension of the superweak theory for the K 0 system allows the possibility that the B 0 B 0 mass difference is primarily due to a superweak interaction. In contrast to the standard model this possibility does not require the B s B s mass difference to be greater than B 0 B 0 . With this explanation the CP violation associated with B 0 B 0 mixing is likely to be much smaller than in the standard model.
Superior vena cava perforation and cardiac tamponade after filter placement in the superior vena cava--a case report.

The purpose of this paper is to report the complication of perforation of the superior vena cava (SVC) leading to cardiac tamponade after the insertion of a Trapease IVC filter in the SVC position. A 29-year-old man was hit by a motor vehicle and sustained numerous injuries including a left skull fracture, intracerebral hemorrhage, and left open tibial shaft fracture. During his hospitalization, he developed an extensive symptomatic right upper extremity deep venous thrombosis involving the brachial, axillary, subclavian, internal jugular, and brachiocephalic veins. Owing to an intracerebral bleed, anticoagulation was contraindicated. Therefore, a Trapease filter (Cordis Inc.) was placed in the SVC via the left subclavian vein. Four hours later, the patient became hypotensive with associated tachycardia and tachypnea. Computed tomography of his chest revealed a hematoma around the SVC, a moderate amount of fluid within the pericardium, and a moderate-sized right pleural effusion. The patient was taken to ...
Spirituality as a Cultural Asset for Culturally Diverse Youth in Urban Schools.

Spiritual issues are culturally important for many youth in urban schools. In this article, the authors describe how spirituality is associated with cultural values, mental health, coping strategies, and adjustment among culturally diverse youth. Using the case of a 17-year-old Samoan high school student, the authors demonstrate how spiritual issues related to faith, meaning making, and cultural identity can be addressed in a school counseling context.
A forest management gaming model of the nitrogen cycle in appalachian upland oak forests

Abstract A forest management gaming model of the nitrogen cycle, NITCOMP, was developed to simulate changes in gross site nitrogen capital resulting from intensive harvesting on sites of different quality. Version 2.1 of this model provides a user-friendly simulation model of the nitrogen cycle in Appalachian upland oak forest ecosystems. The model incorporates current hypotheses concerning nitrogen cycling in forest ecosystems into a system of 16 differential equations, defined by 47 flow equations with 41 parameters. By design, any of the equations and parameter values which implement current hypotheses may be readily changed to reflect new knowledge or user preferences. Yield table data, which synthesize the effects of climate, soil, and competition, are a major external driving function of the model. The use of yield table data allows the user to account for differences in site quality. The model may be used to portray a single site for which site-specific data are available, or an idealized “average” site when only off-site data are available. NITCOMP allows forest managers to estimate, through a gaming strategy, the harvesting intensity a given site can support without depleting the gross nitrogen capital. The more site-specific information available, the better the forest manager can estimate non-depleting harvesting intensity.
μSETL: A set based programming abstraction for wireless sensor networks

Programming wireless sensor networks is a major challenge, even for experienced programmers. To alleviate this problem, prior work has proposed a paradigm shift from node-level microprogramming to macroprogramming, where the user specifies a distributed application using a single macroprogram that is automatically translated into a set of node-level microprograms. This paper makes the case that node-level microprogramming itself can be made much easier by using the right set of programming abstractions. To support this claim, this paper presents μSETL, a programming abstraction for sensor networks based on set theory. Sets offer a powerful formalism and high expressiveness, yet are a natural way of thinking about resource abstraction in sensor networks. In addition to the set abstraction, μSETL features programming constructs that enable event-driven programming at a high level of abstraction, thereby significantly simplifying node-level microprogramming. μSETL consists of a set-based programming language, a compiler that translates μSETL programs into node-specific application code, and a runtime environment that provides various services to support the set-based programming abstraction. μSETL has been implemented using the Contiki operating system and runs on the Telos motes. Experimental results demonstrate that μSETL enables programmers to write various sensor network applications in a natural and highly compact manner with minimal overheads.
Rural economic restructuring and farm household income in Jiangsu, People's Republic of China

Abstract Economic reform and restructuring in China have resulted in substantial changes in how farmers earn their livings and how much they earn. Based on a neoclassical model of economic development and structural change as interpreted by Oshima (1983) for East Asia, we hypothesize that farmers in Jiangsu Province earn greater incomes from off-farm jobs associated with nearby cities and urban market centers. This income pattern, we believe, results in distinctive household types associated with specific employment and economic activities of family members and reflects a sequence of change in the farm economy suggestive in part of the farm evolution model posed by Weitz (1971). A 167-farm-family sample was surveyed in four agricultural regions in Jiangsu in 1986–87. Sample data identified sources of family income and determined the significance of activity types and proximity to cities for family income. Variables of income, farm, and family size were cross-correlated to determine those with the most sig...
Bacillus subtilis Spore Coat

In response to starvation, bacilli and clostridia undergo a specialized program of development that results in the production of a highly resistant dormant cell type known as the spore. A proteinacious shell, called the coat, encases the spore and plays a major role in spore survival. The coat is composed of over 25 polypeptide species, organized into several morphologically distinct layers. The mechanisms that guide coat assembly have been largely unknown until recently. We now know that proper formation of the coat relies on the genetic program that guides the synthesis of spore components during development as well as on morphogenetic proteins dedicated to coat assembly. Over 20 structural and morphogenetic genes have been cloned. In this review, we consider the contributions of the known coat and morphogenetic proteins to coat function and assembly. We present a model that describes how morphogenetic proteins direct coat assembly to the specific subcellular site of the nascent spore surface and how they establish the coat layers. We also discuss the importance of posttranslational processing of coat proteins in coat morphogenesis. Finally, we review some of the major outstanding questions in the field.
TagAssist: Automatic tag suggestion for blog posts

In this paper, we describe a system called TagAssist that provides tag suggestions for new blog posts by utilizing existing tagged posts. The system is able to increase the quality of suggested tags by performing lossless compression over existing tag data. In addition, the system employs a set of metrics to evaluate the quality of a potential tag suggestion. Coupled with the ability for users to manually add tags, TagAssist can ease the burden of tagging and increase the utility of retrieval and browsing systems built on top of tagging data.
Aggression and Cardiovascular Response in Children

Objective: To examine cardiovascular response as a function of children’s aggression after controlling for the effects of known risk factors. Method: Participants were 140 children in second, fourth, and sixth grades. Teachers completed the Matthews Youth Test for Health, a measure that includes questions pertaining to children’s aggression. Measures of blood pressure and heart rate were obtained during baseline, academic quiz, and recovery. Results: Increasing age and body mass index were associated with increased cardiovascular responses. Aggressive children exhibited higher heart rates at baseline and lower heart rate reactivity. Aggressive children with a positive parent history of hypertension exhibited the greatest cardiovascular response. Conclusions: These results provide further support for the identification of behavioral factors that increase cardiovascular risk in children.
The Regulation of Methane Oxidation in Soil

The atmospheric concentration of methane, a greenhouse gas, has more than doubled during the past 200 years. Consequently, identifying the factors influencing the flux of methane into the atmosphere is becoming increasingly important. Methanotrophs, microaerophilic organisms widespread in aerobic soils and sediments, oxidize methane to derive energy and carbon for biomass. In so doing, they play an important role in mitigating the flux of methane into the atmosphere. Several physico-chemical factors influence rates of methane oxidation in soil, including soil diffusivity; water potential; and levels of oxygen, methane, ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, and copper. Most of these factors exert their influence through interactions with methane monooxygenase (MMO), the enzyme that catalyzes the reaction converting methane to methanol, the first step in methane oxidation. Although biological factors such as competition and predation undoubtedly play a role in regulating the methanotroph population in soils, and thereby limit the amount of methane consumed by methanotrophs, the significance of these factors is unknown. Obtaining a better understanding of the ecology of methanotrophs will help elucidate the mechanisms that regulate soil methane oxidation.
Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs with increased frequency in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Effectiveness of surveillance recommendations for HCC is controversial, and data are lacking in patients with PBC. In this study, we attempt to (1) establish the importance of surveillance for HCC in patients with PBC; (2) identify a target population of patients with PBC for HCC surveillance; and (3) propose surveillance recommendations for patients with PBC. We retrospectively identified 36 patients seen at the Mayo Clinic between 1976 and 2007 with a diagnosis of both PBC and HCC. Five patients (14%) were diagnosed incidentally, 17 patients comprised our surveillant population, and 14 patients were diagnosed outside a surveillance program. Patients in the surveillant population were more likely to undergo therapy (88% versus 43%; P = 0.01) and had improved survival (P = 0.002) compared with the nonsurveillant population. All cases of HCC except one were predicted to be at significant risk for HCC based on age, sex, evidence of portal hypertension, and history of blood transfusion using a previous predictive model. Conclusion: We established the importance of surveillance for HCC in patients with PBC. We demonstrated adequate performance of a predictive model and propose it should be refined and used to identify patients with PBC who should be screened for development of HCC. Further studies are needed so that optimal HCC surveillance recommendations in this population can be determined and included in the practice guidelines for PBC. (HEPATOLOGY 2008.)
Changes in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption of Third-Grade Students in Body Quest: Food of the Warrior, a 17-Class Childhood Obesity Prevention Program

Objective: To increase fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption of youth in Body Quest: Food of the Warrior (BQ), a childhood obesity prevention program. Design: Quasi-experimental. Setting: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education eligible schools (n ¼ 60). Participants: Third-grade students (n ¼ 2,477). Intervention: Treatment groups (n ¼ 1,674) self-reported foods consumed through the School Lunch Program for 17 weekly assessments; they participated in BQ curriculum, iPad app education, and weekly FV tastings. Control groups (n ¼ 803) completed only pre- and post-assessments. Main Outcome Measure: Weekly FV consumed through School Lunch Program. Analysis: ANCOVA and growth modeling. Results: From before to after the program, the treatment group demonstrated significant, moderate increases in fruit(P<.01) and vegetable(P<.001) consumptions, increasing from 7 to8 weekly FV servings. After the program, the treatment group consumed significantly (P < .001) more FV than the control group. Fruit and vegetable consumption increased to class 10 and then stabilized. From before to after the program, all FV predictors were significantly higher and included gender (vegetables), race (FV), and free/reduced lunch (fruit). Conclusions and Implications: Nutrition programs can increase FV intake. Even moderate increases in FV intake can be an initial step for the prevention of chronic disease.
The relationship among gastroparetic symptoms, quality of life, and gastric emptying in patients referred for gastric emptying testing.

Symptoms suggestive of gastroparesis are non-specific and conflicting reports exist regarding the ability of symptoms to predict the presence of gastroparesis. Our aim, therefore, was to evaluate the relationships between gastroparetic symptoms and their impact on quality of life and determine their relationship with clinical factors and gastric emptying.Gastric emptying scintigraphy, sociodemographic features, health care resource utilization, gastroparetic symptoms, and quality of life using validated questionnaires were obtained from consecutive patients referred for gastric emptying testing (GET). Descriptive analyses were conducted and logistic regression was performed to evaluate associations with abnormal gastric emptying after controlling for other covariates.Two hundred and sixty-six patients participated (195 females; mean age, 49.1 ± 17.6 years); 75% met Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia. Gastric emptying was delayed in 28.2% at 4 h; the delay was mild in 48%, moderate in 20% and severe in 32%. Nausea/emesis and postprandial fullness, but not bloating, were significantly greater in those with delayed emptying. Postprandial fullness was most severe. Weak correlations were identified between symptom severity and the severity of gastric emptying delay. Quality of life was also lower in the delayed emptying group. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated associations between delayed gastric emptying and lower quality of life and increased symptom severity.In patients referred for GET, gastroparetic symptoms were more severe in those with delayed emptying. A decrease in quality of life in those with delayed gastric emptying was also present; this was not related to the severity of the delay in gastric emptying.
Planning and Development of the Better Bites Program A Pricing Manipulation Strategy to Improve Healthy Eating in a Hospital Cafeteria

The Better Bites program, a hospital cafeteria nutrition intervention strategy, was developed by combining evidence-based practices with hospital-specific formative research, including key informant interviews, the Nutrition Environment Measures Study in Restaurants, hospital employee surveys, and nutrition services staff surveys. The primary program components are pricing manipulation and marketing to promote delicious, affordable, and healthy foods to hospital employees and other cafeteria patrons. The pricing manipulation component includes decreasing the price of the healthy items and increasing the price of the unhealthy items using a 35% price differential. Point-of-purchase marketing highlights taste, cost, and health benefits of the healthy items. The program aims to increase purchases of healthy foods and decrease purchases of unhealthy foods, while maintaining revenue neutrality. This article addresses the formative research, planning, and development that informed the Better Bites program.
Competition of giant smutgrass (Sporobolus indicus) in a bahiagrass pasture

Abstract Field experiments were established in 1998 and 1999 to evaluate the effect of giant smutgrass competition and hexazinone application on bahiagrass forage yield. The experimental design was a split-plot, with low ( 70% groundcover) giant smutgrass density as the main plot factors and hexazinone application or no hexazinone application as the subplot factors. In 1998, without hexazinone, bahiagrass biomass accumulation was 1,164 kg ha−1 mo−1 under low giant smutgrass infestation but 590 and 154 kg ha−1 mo−1 under medium and high giant smutgrass densities, respectively. From harvests occurring 1 yr after hexazinone application, bahiagrass yield in the weed-free area was similar to that growing under low giant smutgrass density. However, as giant smutgrass density increased to moderate or high levels, bahiagrass yield was reduced relative to the weed free. Giant smutgrass biomass accumulation was also measured over time. Giant smutgrass b...
Personalizing pancreatic cancer organoids with hPSCs.

A new study using human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived human pancreatic organoids to model neoplastic transformation and cancer-derived human pancreatic tumor organoids for drug testing provides new personalized approaches to modeling and treating this malignancy.
The Epstein-Barr virus nuclear protein 2 acidic domain forms a complex with a novel cellular coactivator that can interact with TFIIE

Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA 2) activates transcription of specific genes and is essential for B-lymphocyte transformation. EBNA 2 has an acidic activation domain which interacts with general transcription factors TFIIB, TFIIH, and TAF40. We now show that EBNA 2 is specifically bound to a novel nuclear protein, p100, and that p100 can coactivate gene expression mediated by the EBNA 2 acidic domain. The EBNA 2 acidic domain was used to affinity purify p100. cDNA clones encoding the p100 open reading frame were identified on the basis of peptide sequences of the purified protein. Antibody against p100 coimmunoprecipitated p100 and EBNA 2 from Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocyte extracts, indicating that EBNA 2 and p100 are complexed in vivo. p100 overexpression in cells specifically augmented EBNA 2 acidic domain-mediated activation. The coactivating effect is probably mediated by p100 interaction with TFIIE. Bacterially expressed p100 specifically adsorbs TFIIE from nuclear extracts, and in vitro-translated p56 or p34 TFIIE subunit can independently bind to p100. p100 also appears to be essential for normal cell growth, since cell viability was reduced by antisense p100 RNA and restored by sense p100 RNA expression.
Modeling phytoplankton growth rates

Mathematical models of planktonic ecosystems use a variety of different formulations to relate phytoplankton growth rates to environmental conditions. Does the formulation influence the model result? We have modified the model of Fasham, Ducklow and McKelvie (/. Mar. Res., 34,591- 639, 1990) to test how its results would respond to changes in algal growth rate formulations. The original model uses a Monod relationship between nutrient concentration and relative growth rate, and a multiplicative rule to combine light and nutrient effects. Use of a Droop formulation for algal growth rate or a threshold (Blackman's law) mechanism to combine light and nutrient limitation produced significant changes in simulation results. One important effect was to increase zooplankton population and, as a result, the regenerated production. While there are aesthetic reasons to prefer these alternate formulations, a more accurate formulation will require more laboratory work on algal physiology. Such laboratory work should be encouraged as an adjunct to modeling work.
Reliability and validity of an assessment instrument for anxiety, depression, and mood among individuals with mental retardation.

A review of the literature revealed that there was no adequate assessment instrument available that screens comprehensively for anxiety and depression in persons with mental retardation. The purpose of this research was to develop the Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Scale (ADAMS), an instrument intended to fill this gap. We developed a preliminary rating scale that included 55 symptom items. We examined the factor structure of these items by an exploratory factor analysis of behavior ratings on 265 individuals. A five-factor solution emerged that was both statistically sound and clinically meaningful. These factors were labeled “Manic/Hyperactive Behavior,” “Depressed Mood,” “Social Avoidance,” “General Anxiety” and “Compulsive Behavior.” We validated this solution by conducting a confirmatory factor analysis on ratings of 268 additional individuals. Model fit was acceptable. Internal consistency of the subscales and retest reliability for both the total scale and the subscales was high. Interrater reliability was satisfactory. The validity of the ADAMS was assessed with a clinical sample of 129 individuals with mental retardation who were seen in a psychiatric clinic; this provided additional support for the subscales. The ADAMS appears to be a psychometrically sound instrument for screening anxiety, depression and mood disorders among individuals with mental retardation.
Investigating the significance of insurance and income on health service utilization across generational cohorts

Ensuring access to health services is critical to consumers’ well-being across generational cohorts. Based on pre-disposing characteristics (that is, gender, ethnicity) and financial resources (that is, insurance and income) certain consumers may face barriers to access. In attempt to improve access to health care, this article presents an empirical investigation into how health service utilization can be affected by enabling variables, namely insurance and income. Utilizing proprietary secondary data from a major metropolitan hospital in the United States, the article investigates the following questions: How does insurance and income enable service utilization? How do pre-disposing characteristics of a consumer hinder service access? How does the effect of income and insurance moderate the effect of pre-disposing factors on service utilization? Finally, how do these effects on service utilization vary across generational cohorts? Results indicate that insurance and income may enable access to service, yet this effect is varied among different demographic cohorts and generational groups. The article concludes by offering implications for marketers and policymakers.
Characteristic Improvement of Velopharyngeal Function in a Secondary Adult Cleft Palate Patient Whose Mother Language is Portuguese

ポルトガル語を母国語とし, 来日後初めて日本語を学習した日系ブラジル人の成人口蓋裂二次症例の口蓋形成術後の改善経過を報告する.この症例は, ポルトガル語に先んじて日本語において良好な鼻咽腔閉鎖機能を獲得した.この過程における日本語の発話分析を行うと, 次のような特徴が見出された.1) 絵の叙述において, 破裂音, 摩擦音, 破擦音の総数における正しい構音の出現率は, 日本語で95%, ポルトガル語で61%であり, x2乗検定で有意差がみられた.2) 単語の語尾が上昇し, 助詞が脱落して電文体となる傾向があった.3) 単語と単語の間に約1秒のポーズが出現する傾向があった.4) 単語の一部が鼻音化するなどの誤りがある場合, 自発的に修正を繰り返し, 目標とする正しい単語へ到達することが観察された.5) 使用頻度が高く流暢に産生できる単語は, 開鼻声が出現しやすい傾向が一過性にみられた.しかし, 術後3年目の言語評価では, こうした傾向も消失し, 日・ポ両言語で, 良好な鼻咽腔閉鎖機能が獲得されていた.以上の経過から, 本症例が日本語を習得する過程で必然的に行っていたであろう自発話に対するモニターが, 鼻咽腔閉鎖機能の活用を促進し, 正しい語音の産生力を高めたのではないかと推測された.さらにポルトガル語の母音体系が日本語に類似し, 音節構成も開音節であることなどから, 本症例にとって日本語は認知しやすく, 目標語の正しい音印象を持ち得た可能性がある.こうしたことが, 母国語であるポルトガル語に先んじて日本語が改善した理由と考えられた.
Polynomial Roots and Matrices

Let p(x) be a monic polynomial with coefficients in a field F. Suppose that h(x) is another polynomial whose roots can be expressed in terms of the roots of p(x). A large part of the theory of equations is devoted to methods for computing the coefficients of h(x) in terms of the coefficients of p(x). The problem is not a trivial one because in general it is impossible to express the roots of a polynomial of degree greater than four in terms of its coefficients. The usual way to solve this problem is to use the fundamental theorem of symmetric polynomials [4, p. 3531. For example, suppose that p(X) = X2+pX +p2 has roots Al,A2 and that we want to compute the coefficients of a polynomial h(x) having roots Al, A. It follows from the equation x2+pIX + p2 = (XAx)(x A2) that p= (A, + A2) andp2= AxA2. Thus