cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Practical Model for Live Speech-Driven Lip-Sync

This article introduces a simple, efficient, yet practical phoneme-based approach to generate realistic speech animation in real time based on live speech input. Specifically, the authors first decompose lower-face movements into low-dimensional principal component spaces. Then, in each of the retained principal component spaces, they select the AnimPho with the highest priority value and the minimum smoothness energy. Finally, they apply motion blending and interpolation techniques to compute final animation frames for the currently inputted phoneme. Through many experiments and comparisons, the authors demonstrate the realism of synthesized speech animation by their approach as well as its real-time efficiency on an off-the-shelf computer.
Dynamic shielding in optical absorption of metals

Abstract The role of the metallic electron gas in phonon-aided optical transitions is reexamined. The approach differs from previous treatments in that the interaction of the electrons with the lattice vibrations and the radiation are treated concurrently rather than in sequence, and that the Swada-Brout expression rather than the self-consistent field is used for describing the coulomb interaction of the electrons. The principal result is that in one of the absorption processes the electron-phonon interaction is shielded by a dielectric constant that depends on the frequency and on the overall process. A suggestion for handling the problem in terms of the external rather than the internal electro-magnetic field is made.
Degradable hydrogels for spatiotemporal control of mesenchymal stem cells localized at decellularized bone allografts.

Abstract The transplantation of cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), has numerous applications in the field of regenerative medicine. For cell transplantation strategies to be successful therapeutically, cellular localization and persistence must be controlled to maximize cell-mediated contributions to healing. Herein, we demonstrate that hydrolytic degradation of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels can be used to spatiotemporally control encapsulated MSC localization to decellularized bone allografts, both in vitro and in vivo. By altering the number of hydrolytically degradable lactide repeat units within PEG- d,l -lactide-methacrylate macromers, a series of hydrogels was synthesized that degraded over ∼1, 2 and 3 weeks. MSCs were encapsulated within these hydrogels formed around decellularized bone allografts, and non-invasive, longitudinal fluorescence imaging was used to track cell persistence both in vitro and in vivo. Spatiotemporal localization of MSCs to the exterior of bone allograft surfaces was similar to in vitro hydrogel degradation kinetics despite hydrogel mesh sizes being ∼2–3 orders of magnitude smaller than MSC size throughout the degradation process. Thus, localized, cell-mediated degradation and MSC migration from the hydrogels are suspected, particularly as ∼10% of the total transplanted MSC population was shown to persist in close proximity (within ∼650 μm) to grafts 7 weeks after complete hydrogel degradation. This work demonstrates the therapeutic utility of PEG-based hydrogels for controlling spatiotemporal cell transplantation for a myriad of regenerative medicine strategies.
Dictator Perpetuus: Julius Caesar—Did he have seizures? If so, what was the etiology?

The "Dictator Perpetuus" of the Roman Empire, the great Julius Caesar, was not the one for whom the well-known cesarean operation was named; instead, this term is derived from a Latin word meaning "to cut." Caesar likely had epilepsy on the basis of four attacks that were probably complex partial seizures: (1) while listening to an oration by Cicero, (2) in the Senate while being offered the Emperor's Crown, and in military campaigns, (3) near Thapsus (North Africa) and (4) Corduba (Spain). Also, it is possible that he had absence attacks as a child and as a teenager. His son, Caesarion, by Queen Cleopatra, likely had seizures as a child, but the evidence is only suggestive. His great-great-great grandnephews Caligula and Britannicus also had seizures. The etiology of these seizures in this Julio-Claudian family was most likely through inheritance, with the possibility of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) in his great grandfather and also his father. Our best evidence comes from the ancient sources of Suetonius, Plutarch, Pliny, and Appianus.
Performance of Turbulence Modeling in Simulation of the HIFiRE-1 Flight Test

Pressure and heat transfer data from the HIFiRE-1 flight test are employed to evaluate the performance of a k-ω turbulence model at different Mach and Reynolds numbers along the flight path. A sequence of three-dimensional structured meshes is employed to discretize the domain consisting of a cone (transition experiment) and a flare (shock–boundary layer interaction experiment) with channel cutouts (mass capture experiment). Variations in model parameters are also explored and the effects are discussed. The overall flow structure agrees with expectations and observations from earlier ground tests, including laminar-to-turbulent transition on the cone, strong shock–boundary layer interactions at the compression corner, and a complex flow in the channel. Trends in predicted surface pressure generally compare well to the flight test data, although the point of separation at the flare is upstream of observation by about 2% of body length, or 20% of separation length in all cases. Heat transfer agreement is go...
Layer I of primary sensory neocortex : where top-down converges upon bottom-up

A fundamental paradigm shift is underway in the behavioural neurosciences which promotes renewed discussion of neural correlates of conscious sensation. A growing body of evidence that the primary sensory areas are central to conscious processing is inconsistent with conventional bottom-up models of passive sensory transformation. The new paradigm emphasizes the interaction of top-down corticocortical influences with bottom-up sensory feedback. This review develops the new interactive paradigm with respect to the behaviourally relevant N1 component of the somatosensory evoked response in primary somatosensory neocortex which is only observed during conscious states and predicts touch discrimination behaviour. N1 is generated by layer I excitation apparently in response to backward projections from higher order cortical areas. The backward corticocortical projections mediating top-down influences are anatomically concentrated in layer I where they strongly excite the subpopulation of pyramidal neurons with extensive distal apical dendrites. This subpopulation includes the forward-projecting pyramids subserving corticocortical reentrance as well as the corticobulbar projections mediating cortical control over fine sensory-oriented movements. This interactive paradigm views conscious sensation as an active behaviour with the optimal spatial resolution of primary areas serving as the sensory-motor interface at the major convergence point between reentrant bottom-up and top-down pathways. A device is proposed for the reconstruction of cortical sensory processing based upon the central importance of the primary area as the focus of convergent top-down cortical projections.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Their Effects on Relationship Satisfaction

This article postulates the impact the use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) may have on relationship satisfaction. Three phases are represented in romantic love: attraction, lust, and attachment. Both the use of SSRIs and each of these stages of love affect the brain's neurochemistry. However , relationship satisfaction may be impaired due to the chemical changes induced from ingestion of the SSRI medication. Neurotransmitters influenced by romantic love—dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin—may be hindered from the increase in serotonin, thus decreasing relationship satisfaction in romantic partners. Therefore, couples therapists need to be cognizant of all variables that may be influencing relationships such as medications and cultural and gender differences.
Effect of sediment spatial variance and collection method on cladoceran toxicity and indigenous microbial activity determinations

Quantitative assessments of sediment quality frequently are based on data derived from sediments collected by grab sampling. Often only one sediment or one composited sediment is collected at a sample site, thereby preventing any determination of spatial variance. The significance of spatial variance and collection method on cladoceran toxicity and indigenous microbial activities was determined at a creosote contaminated site in the Little Scioto River in Marion County, Ohio. Replicate sediments were collected on two occasions from a horizontal sample grid (110 m2 and 1.4 m2) using an Ekman dredge and hand core. Sediment particle size fractions did not vary significantly between replicate grab samples. Survival of Daphnia magna and Ceriodaphnia dubia in 48-h solid phase exposures varied, however, from 0 to 100% horizontally and vertically at the test site. Percent survival and β-glucosidase activity decreased in sediment sections below a 4 to 5 cm depth. Dredged sediments produced less toxicity to the daphnids than did core collected samples. The coefficient of variance was high (>40%) for both survival and hydrolase activities (alkaline phosphatase, β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase) between horizontal sediment replicates collected by either dredge or core. Subsample variance, however, was small (<20%). These results highlight the important role that sediment heterogeneity and collection method have on sediment quality assessments.
“The Distorting Mirror of Hell (On the Interpretation of Pluto's Words in Dante's Inferno VII,1)”

The article proposes a new interpretation of a passage in Dante's Inferno VII, 1–2, of the enigmatic phrase “pape Satan aleppe,” one of the famous “cruces dantesche.” The first section of the paper lays out certain assumptions that lie behind Dante's description of hell. The second section reviews the main existing interpretations of the passage. Finally, in the third section I bring forward a new interpretation, which I support with further evidence. The key passage that helps to explain the lines in question is Inf. III, 5–6. The parallelism between Pluto's “oscure parole” in Inf. VII, 1–2 and the inscription on the infernal gates can be clearly seen once the intrinsic reflection of the divine within the created and the distorting character of hell are both taken into account. By linking the verses to implicit theological and philosophical presuppositions underlying the entire structure of the Comedy, their meaning is thereby established.
Home Care of the Patient With Gynecologic Cancer

This article discusses the major issues in the provision of home care to patients with gynecologic cancer. Nursing roles, including coordination of patient/family services, guidance and support, patient/family teaching, and direct care, are described. Specific needs of patients with gynecologic cancer at home, such as nutrition, pain control, care during radiation and chemotherapy treatments, postoperative recovery and convalescence, and care of the terminally ill, are addressed.
The Antimicrobial Peptide Histatin-5 Causes a Spatially Restricted Disruption on the Candida albicans Surface, Allowing Rapid Entry of the Peptide into the Cytoplasm

Antimicrobial peptides play an important role in host defense against microbial pathogens. Their high cationic charge and strong amphipathic structure allow them to bind to the anionic microbial cell membrane and disrupt the membrane bilayer by forming pores or channels. In contrast to the classical pore-forming peptides, studies on histatin-5 (Hst-5) have suggested that the peptide is transported into the cytoplasm of Candida albicans in a non-lytic manner, and cytoplasmic Hst-5 exerts its candicidal activities on various intracellular targets, consistent with its weak amphipathic structure. To understand how Hst-5 is internalized, we investigated the localization of FITC-conjugated Hst-5. We find that Hst-5 is internalized into the vacuole through receptor-mediated endocytosis at low extracellular Hst-5 concentrations, whereas under higher physiological concentrations, Hst-5 is translocated into the cytoplasm through a mechanism that requires a high cationic charge on Hst-5. At intermediate concentrations, two cell populations with distinct Hst-5 localizations were observed. By cell sorting, we show that cells with vacuolar localization of Hst-5 survived, while none of the cells with cytoplasmic Hst-5 formed colonies. Surprisingly, extracellular Hst-5, upon cell surface binding, induces a perturbation on the cell surface, as visualized by an immediate and rapid internalization of Hst-5 and propidium iodide or rhodamine B into the cytoplasm from the site using time-lapse microscopy, and a concurrent rapid expansion of the vacuole. Thus, the formation of a spatially restricted site in the plasma membrane causes the initial injury to C. albicans and offers a mechanism for its internalization into the cytoplasm. Our study suggests that, unlike classical channel-forming antimicrobial peptides, action of Hst-5 requires an energized membrane and causes localized disruptions on the plasma membrane of the yeast. This mechanism of cell membrane disruption may provide species-specific killing with minimal damage to microflora and the host and may be used by many other antimicrobial peptides.
Characteristic length scale of critical ventilation velocity in tunnel smoke control

This paper investigates the characteristic length scale in an analytical correlation of critical ventilation velocity. The critical ventilation velocity is defined as the minimum airflow velocity to prevent smoke backlayering and is often used for smoke control in tunnels. Using a one-dimensional assumption of uniform mixing, the correlation of critical ventilation velocity was derived from the Froude number, which considered tunnel height as the characteristic length scale. Using numerical modelling, this study examines the effects of enclosure blockage ratio and tunnel width or aspect ratio on critical ventilation velocity. In particular, the results suggest that the correlation with tunnel hydraulic diameter may provide a better characterization of critical ventilation velocity. This is supported from the experimental data reported by others on the effect of tunnel width. The practical implications of using hydraulic diameter in determining critical ventilation velocity are discussed.
« Le Premier Cercle » : le Kruzhok de Heidelberg et la nationalisation de la chimie russe

Resume Au cours des annees 1860 et 1870, la chimie russe fut secouee par une serie de vives polemiques nationalistes, accusant les chimistes allemands de chauvinisme, de partialite, et de piller les decouvertes de chimistes russes. Ces attaques, emanant de membres eminents de la Societe chimique russe (fondee en 1868), furent au cœur de la contribution russe aux theses les plus anciennes et les plus affirmees selon lesquelles la connaissance scientifique revetait un caractere national. Le present article fait remonter les origines de ces controverses a un moment et un lieu precis : l'Heidelberg de la fin des annees 1850 et du debut des annees 1860. Apres la cuisante defaite des forces russes durant la guerre de Crimee (1854-1856), le gouvernement russe se resolut a « moderniser » ses principales institutions de facon a concurrencer plus efficacement ses anciens adversaires. Alexandre II et ses ministres deciderent ainsi d'envoyer des post-doctorants russes dans les meilleures universites occidentales (pour la plupart dans les Etats allemands) en esperant qu'a leur retour, ces diplomes reussiraient a eriger en Russie des institutions scientifiques modernes. La presente etude se concentre sur le cas des chimistes, dont la plupart se retrouverent a l'Universite de Heidelberg (a l'instar de leur plus celebre representant, D. I. Mendeleiev, qui s'illustra en 1869 par son systeme de classification periodique des elements chimiques). Ces chimistes firent a Heidelberg l'experience d'une profonde coupure les separant de leurs homologues allemands, et ils s'isolerent dans leurs propres milieux – en particulier au sein de l'institution urbaine russe du kruzhok ou « cercle ». Ce kruzhok, forme en reaction a une xenophobie allemande percue, constitua l'institution sociale majeure a partir de laquelle les Russes – une fois rentres a Saint-Petersbourg – parvinrent a fonder une Societe chimique russe et a etablir les bases d'une organisation academique a l'occidentale. Cette incursion en Europe occidentale ne se traduisit donc pas par une soumission hegemonique aux institutions academiques allemandes, mais bien plus par la renaissance d'une forme culturelle russe, qui s'avera adaptable aux exigences d'une professionnalisation technique et constitua en meme temps le cœur d'un nationalisme germanophobe qui allait impregner les sciences au cours des decennies suivantes. L'article se conclut par l'analyse de trois styles differents de nationalisme scientifique en chimie : le style representatif, pronant la preference a l'emploi dans les institutions publiques en faveur des Russes et contre les Allemands ; le style linguistique, qui concerne la (ou les) langue(s) appropriee(s) pour la science ; et le style internationaliste, grâce auquel les Russes se firent les defenseurs du cosmopolitisme dans les sciences afin de s'en prendre a ce qu'ils percevaient comme du chauvinisme allemand.
Robust, efficient computational methods for axially symmetric optical aspheres.

Whether in design or the various stages of fabrication and testing, an effective representation of an asphere’s shape is critical. Some algorithms are given for implementing tailored polynomials that are ideally suited to these needs. With minimal coding, these results allow a recently introduced orthogonal polynomial basis to be employed to arbitrary orders. Interestingly, these robust and efficient methods are enabled by the introduction of an auxiliary polynomial basis.
All three potential N-glycosylation sites of the dog kidney (Na+ + K+)-ATPase β-subunit contain oligosaccharide

Abstract The β-subunit of dog kidney (Na + + K + )-ATPase is a sialoglycoprotein and contains three potential N -glycosylation sites. In this study, the oligosaccharide chains of purified dog kidney β-subunit were labeled with tritium by oxidation with sodium periodate or galactose oxidase followed by NaB 3 H 4 reduction. The β-subunit was extensively digested by trypsin and the radioactive peptides were purified by HPLC. The enzyme, glycopeptidase A, which catalyzes the removal of N -linked oligosaccharide chains and the conversion of the glycosylated Asn residue to Asp, was used to demonstrate that a number of purified β-subunit tryptic peptides were glycosylated. Amino-acid analysis of these β-subunit peptides following glycopeptidase-A treatment revealed the expected Asn to Asp conversion for Asn-157, Asn-192 and Asn-264, demonstrating that all three potential N -glycosylation sites of the dog kidney β-subunit are glycosylated. In addition, amino-acid sequence data suggest that a disulfide bond exists between Cys-158 and Cys-174.
Comparative mapping of human chromosome 10 to pig chromosomes 10 and 14.

Summary Identification of predictive markers in QTL regions that impact production traits in commercial populations of swine is dependent on construction of dense comparative maps with human and mouse genomes. Chromosomal painting in swine suggests that large genomic blocks are conserved between pig and human, while mapping of individual genes reveals that gene order can be quite divergent. High-resolution comparative maps in regions affecting traits of interest are necessary for selection of positional candidate genes to evaluate nucleotide variation causing phenotypic differences. The objective of this study was to construct an ordered comparative map of human chromosome 10 and pig chromosomes 10 and 14. As a large portion of both pig chromosomes are represented by HSA10, genes at regularly spaced intervals along this chromosome were targeted for placement in the porcine genome. A total of 29 genes from human chromosome 10 were mapped to porcine chromosomes 10 (SSC10) and 14 (SSC14) averaging about 5 Mb distance of human DNA per marker. Eighteen genes were assigned by linkage in the MARC mapping population, five genes were physically assigned with the IMpRH mapping panel and seven genes were assigned on both maps. Seventeen genes from human 10p mapped to SSC10, and 12 genes from human 10q mapped to SSC14. Comparative maps of mammalian species indicate that chromosomal segments are conserved across several species and represent syntenic blocks with distinct breakpoints. Development of comparative maps containing several species should reveal conserved syntenic blocks that will allow us to better define QTL regions in livestock.
Chilling Tolerance during Emergence of Cowpea Associated with a Dehydrin and Slow Electrolyte Leakage

Seeds of annual warm season crops are sensitive to chilling temperatures during emergence often encountered during spring sowings in subtropical regions. Mechanisms for genotypic differences in emergence of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] seedlings were investigated under chilling field and controlled growth chamber conditions. Rate of emergence was slower and extent of maximal emergence was less under chilling (15°C) compared with more favorable (28°C) soil temperatures. Under chilling conditions, deeper sowing (7.5 vs. 2.5 cm) resulted in slower as well as less maximal percentage emergence. Reducing seed moisture content to 50 g kg -1 resulted in decreased percentage emergence and faster electrolyte leakage from seeds compared with seeds at moisture contents of 120 and 150 g kg -1 , which had similar emergence. In all studies under chilling conditions, cowpea line 1393 -2-11 consistently attained greater maximal percentage emergence than the genetically similar line 1393-2-1. A 35-kDa dehydrin protein [late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) D-11 family] was found in 1393-2-11 seeds that was absent in 1393-2-1, and leakage of electrolytes during seed imbibition at low temperature was slower from 1393-2-11 seeds. Studies with reciprocal hybrids indicated nuclear inheritance and a dominant effect for the gene controlling the presence of the dehydrin, and a maternal effect on the extent of electrolyte leakage from seeds at chilling temperature. An additive model was developed for the dependence of the chilling tolerance of 1393-2-11 on the presence of the dehydrin (positive nuclear effect) and the extent of electrolyte leakage from seeds (negative maternal effect), which accounted for 96% of the variation between observed and calculated percentage emergence values of the hybrids.
POLITICIANS, SCANDALS, AND TRUST IN GOVERNMENT

In this paper we examine the role that political scandals play in eroding regard for government and political institutions in general. We know that scandals can lower regard for individual politicians and government leaders. Yet, less is known about how scandal influences attitudes toward institutions and the political process. It has been widely assumed that such attitudes are influenced by factors that lie largely beyond the control of individual politicians. Using data from the U.S. and the U.K. we show that scandals involving legislators can have a negative influence on their constituent’s attitudes toward institutions and the political process. One consequence of this finding is that, instead of looking for scapegoats in Hollywood or among the failings of voters themselves, politicians should first get their own House in order.
The Role of the Endothelium in HPS Pathogenesis and Potential Therapeutic Approaches

American hantaviruses cause a highly lethal acute pulmonary edema termed hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Hantaviruses nonlytically infect endothelial cells and cause dramatic changes in barrier functions of the endothelium without disrupting the endothelium. Instead hantaviruses cause changes in the function of infected endothelial cells that normally regulate fluid barrier functions of capillaries. The endothelium of arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels is unique and central to the function of vast pulmonary capillary beds, which regulate pulmonary fluid accumulation. The endothelium maintains vascular barrier functions through a complex series of redundant receptors and signaling pathways that serve to both permit fluid and immune cell efflux into tissues and restrict tissue edema. Infection of the endothelium provides several mechanisms for hantaviruses to alter capillary permeability but also defines potential therapeutic targets for regulating acute pulmonary edema and HPS disease. Here we discuss interactions of HPS causing hantaviruses with the endothelium, potential endothelial cell-directed permeability mechanisms, and therapeutic targeting of the endothelium as a means of reducing the severity of HPS disease.
Subnuclear development of the zebrafish habenular nuclei requires ER translocon function

The dorsal habenular nuclei (Dh) of the zebrafish are characterized by significant left-right differences in gene expression, anatomy, and connectivity. Notably, the lateral subnucleus of the Dh (LsDh) is larger on the left side of the brain than on the right, while the medial subnucleus (MsDh) is larger on the right compared to the left. A screen for mutations that affect habenular laterality led to the identification of the sec61a-like 1(sec61al1) gene. In sec61al1(c163) mutants, more neurons in the LsDh and fewer in the MsDh develop on both sides of the brain. Generation of neurons in the LsDh occurs more rapidly and continues for a longer time period in mutants than in WT. Expression of Nodal pathway genes on the left side of the embryos is unaffected in mutants, as is the left sided placement of the parapineal organ, which promotes neurogenesis in the LsDh of WT embryos. Ultrastructural analysis of the epithalamus indicates that ventricular precursor cells, which form an epithelium in WT embryos, lose apical-basal polarity in sec61al1(c163) mutants. Our results show that in the absence of sec61al1, an excess of precursor cells for the LsDh exit the ventricular region and differentiate, resulting in formation of bilaterally symmetric habenular nuclei.
SPATIAL PROPERTIES OF LIGHTNING-CAUSED FOREST FIRES

Some 2088 lightning-caused forest fires that occurred between 1960 and 1971 in northern Idaho are described and analyzed relative to the properties of pattern, central tendency, and spatial variability. Pattern analysis reveals that randomness characterizes both the distribution of total fires and of annual mean areal centers. A model is proposed relating the latitudinal and longitudinal behavior of mean areal centers to shifts in storm tracks and resultant adjustments in fuel-moisture conditions. Rank correlation analysis reveals that northwest shifts in mean areal centers are associated with higher fuel-moisture conditions whereas southeast movements in mean areal centers are related to reduced fuel-moisture conditions. No significant differences were revealed in the variability of the annual standard distances of fire distribution, nor was there any association between temperature and azimuthal adjustments in mean areal centers.
An atomistic and non-classical continuum field theoretic perspective of elastic interactions between defects (force dipoles) of various symmetries and application to graphene

Abstract Force multipoles are employed to represent various types of defects and physical phenomena in solids: point defects (interstitials, vacancies), surface steps and islands, proteins on biological membranes, inclusions, extended defects, and biological cell interactions among others. In the present work, we (i) as a prototype simple test case, conduct quantum mechanical calculations for mechanics of defects in graphene sheet and in parallel, (ii) formulate an enriched continuum elasticity theory of force dipoles of various anisotropies incorporating up to second gradients of strain fields (thus accounting for nonlocal dispersive effects) instead of the usual dispersion-less classical elasticity formulation that depends on just the strain (c.f. Peyla, P., Misbah, C., 2003. Elastic interaction between defects in thin and 2-D films. Eur. Phys. J. B. 33, 233–247). The fundamental Green's function is derived for the governing equations of second gradient elasticity and the elastic self and interaction energies between force dipoles are formulated for both the two-dimensional thin film and the three-dimensional case. While our continuum results asymptotically yield the same interaction energy law as Peyla and Misbah for large defect separations (∼1/ r n for defects with n -fold symmetry), the near-field interactions are qualitatively far more complex and free of singularities. Certain qualitative behavior of defect mechanics predicted by atomistic calculations are well captured by our enriched continuum models in contrast to classical elasticity calculations. For example, consistent with our atomistic calculations of defects in isotropic graphene, even two dilation centers show a finite interaction (as opposed to classical elasticity that predicts zero interaction). We explicitly find the physically consistent result that the self-energy of a defect is equivalent to half the interaction energy between two identical defects when they “merge” into each other. The atomistic, classical elastic and the enriched continuum predictions are thoroughly compared for two types of defects in graphene: Stone-Wales and divacancy.
Mid-IR distributed feedback interband cascade lasers

We report mid-IR distributed feedback interband cascade lasers operating in continuous-wave mode at temperatures up to 175 K with single longitudinal mode emission and side mode suppression ratio greater than 30 dB.
The politics of EPSDT policy in the 1990s: policy entrepreneurs, political streams, and children's health benefits.

The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program, which was designed to ensure that Medicaid-eligible children receive comprehensive health services, is the only national attempt to provide a right to these services. The political factors that have shaped national EPSDT policy during the past decade are described, based on a conceptual framework developed by John W. Kingdon. The analysis focuses on the roles of two distinct sets of policy entrepreneurs: child health advocates and fiscally conservative governors. Their activities are described in relation to the larger political environment, or “political stream,” from the period of the expansion of Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women and children in the late 1980s to the enactment of a new State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in 1997. The relative saliency of eligibility and benefit issues in children’s health policies had a major influence on the politics and outcomes.
PHOTOREACTIVATING ENZYME FROM ESCHERICHIA COLI

—Escherichia coli photoreactivating enzyme (PRE) has been purified in large amounts from an E. coli strain lysogenic for a defective Λ bacteriophage carrying the phr gene. The resulting enzyme has a pH optimum of 7.2 and an ionic strength optimum of 0.18. It consists of an apoprotein and cofactor, both of which are necessary for catalytic activity. The apoprotein has a monomer molecular weight of35,200 and shows stable aggregates under denaturing conditions. The amino acid analysis of the E. coli enzyme is very similar to that of the photoreactivating enzyme from orchid seedlings (Cattelya aurantiuca). Both have arginine at the amino terminus. The cofactor, like the holoenzyme, shows absorption, magnetic circular dichroism, and emission properties indicative of an adenine moiety. Although the isolated enzyme has an action spectrum which peaks at about 360 nm, neither the cofactor, apoenzyme nor holoenzyme shows any detectable absorption between 300 and 400 nm.
Evaluation of corneal collagen shields as a drug delivery device for the treatment of experimental Pseudomonas keratitis.

Purpose: To clarify the role of corneal collagen shields as a drug delivery device for the treatment of bacterial keratitis, the authors studied the effectiveness of topical gentamicin treatment, with and without the use of corneal collagen shields, in a rabbit model of Pseudomonas keratitis. Methods: Forty-eight New Zealand white rabbits were infected by injecting 500 colony-forming units (CFU) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa into the corneal stroma, and treatment was begun 24 hours later. A 13.6 mg/ml solution of gentamicin was topically administered during a 24-hour period. Collagen shields were soaked in gentamicin 13.6 mg/ml for 5 minutes before placing them on the cornea. Corneas were quantitatively cultured 1 hour after the treatment period ended. Six different groups of rabbits were tested, with the results analyzed as the mean logo of bacterial CFU. Results: An untreated control group had significantly more bacteria (7.96 ± 0.74) than any of 5 treatment groups. No difference was found between groups given a loading dose of antibiotic drops at the beginning of treatment, either with (4.90 ± 2.41) or without (6.25 ± 0.54) an antibiotic-impregnated collagen shield. A group treated with a collagen shield augmented with gentamicin drops every 3 hours had fewer bacteria (1.52 ± 1.82) than a group receiving drops alone (4.15 ± 1.83) ( P P Conclusion: These results show that antibiotic-impregnated collagen shields should not replace traditional antibiotic drop therapy as the mainstay of treatment but may be a useful adjunct to treatment with topical antibiotics.
Evaluation of remodeling process in small-diameter cell-free tissue-engineered arterial graft.

Objective Autologous grafts are used to repair atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases; however, many patients lack suitable donor graft tissue. Recently, tissue engineering techniques have emerged to make biologically active blood vessels. We applied this technique to produce arterial grafts using established biodegradable materials without cell seeding. The grafts were evaluated in vivo for vessel remodeling during 12 months. Methods Poly(l-lactide-co-e-caprolactone) scaffolds reinforced by poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fiber were prepared as arterial grafts. Twenty-eight cell-free grafts were implanted as infrarenal aortic interposition grafts in 8-week-old female SCID/Bg mice. Serial ultrasound and micro computed tomography angiography were used to monitor grafts after implantation. Five grafts were harvested for histologic assessments and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis at time points ranging from 4 months to 1 year after implantation. Results Micro computed tomography indicated that most implanted mice displayed aneurysmal changes (three of five mice at 4 months, four of five mice at 8 months, and two of five mice at 12 months). Histologic assessments demonstrated extensive tissue remodeling leading to the development of well-circumscribed neovessels with an endothelial inner lining, a neointima containing smooth muscle cells and elastin, and a collagen-rich extracellular matrix. There were a few observed calcified deposits, located around residual PLA fibers at 12 months after implantation. Macrophage infiltration into the scaffold, as evaluated by F4/80 immunohistochemical staining, remained after 12 months and was focused mostly around residual PLA fibers. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that gene expression of Itgam, a marker for macrophages, and of matrix metalloproteinase 9 was higher than in native aorta during the course of 12 months, indicating prolonged inflammation (Itgam at 8 months: 11.75 ± 0.99 vs native aorta, P P Conclusions In this study, we demonstrated well-organized neotissue of cell-free biodegradable arterial grafts. Although most grafts experienced aneurysmal change, such findings provide insight into the process of tissue-engineered vascular graft remodeling and should allow informed rational design of the next generation of arterial grafts.
Nonreflecting absorbers for microwave radiation

The absorption of very short electromagnetic waves by absorbing systems, which avoid reflection of the incident wave is a problem of practical interest. Three different methods are applicable: 1. Complete absorption of the incident energy can be obtained for one wavelength by using resonance systems of relatively small thickness; e.g., a resistance card having a surface resistivity equal to the wave impedance of free space and placed a quarter of the wavelength in front of a metal sheet; a dielectric layer of lossy material on a metal sheet, with the thickness of the layer equal to about a quarter of the wavelength in the material; a two-dimensional periodic structure of concentric resonant circuits arranged within the metal sheet itself. 2. The reflecting object can be covered by a thick layer of absorbing material, so that in a wide wavelength range most energy of the incident wave will be absorbed before reaching the reflecting surface. To avoid reflection, the absorption material can be tapered or arranged in different layers in such a manner that the loss tangent steadily increases towards the base plate. 3. The bandwidth of resonance absorbers can be widened without an increase of its thickness by combination of two specially dimensioned resonant circuits.
Advances and Controversies in Clinical Nutrition: The Education Outcome of a Live Continuing Medical Education Course

Background: The aim of this study was to assess participants' nutrition knowledge and practice behavior before and after completing a live continuing medical education (CME) nutrition course designed for practicing nutrition clinicians. Methods: Electronic surveys were sent to the first 100 registered participants before and after attending the course. The curriculum consisted of 16.75 hours of live education. The curriculum was revised when the precourse surveys identified a gap in medical knowledge or practice behavior. Knowledge change was assessed by a 15-question survey given before and 1 week after the course. Change in practice behavior was accessed by a 10-question survey administered 2 months after the course. Results: Dietitians were the predominant discipline group attending the course. Sixty-three percent of those surveyed practiced hospital nutrition, 19% outpatient nutrition, and 18% an equal mix. Forty-eight percent indicated that they write parenteral nutrition (PN) orders and 51% write en...
Duplication of the Genome in Normal and Cancer Cell Cycles

It is critical to discover the mechanisms of normal cell cycle regulation if we are to fully understand what goes awry in cancer cells. The normal eukaryotic cell tightly regulates the activity of origins of DNA replication so that the genome is duplicated exactly once per cell cycle. Over the last ten years much has been learned concerning the cell cycle regulation of origin activity. It is now clear that the proteins and cell cycle mechanisms that control origin activity are largely conserved from yeast to humans. Despite this conservation, the composition of origins of DNA replication in higher eukaryotes remains ill defined. A DNA consensus for predicting origins has yet to emerge, and it is of some debate whether primary DNA sequence determines where replication initiates. In this review we outline what is known about origin structure and the mechanism of once per cell cycle DNA replication with an emphasis on recent advances in mammalian cells. We discuss the possible relevance of these regulatory pathways for cancer biology and therapy.
Authority and Democracy in Organizations

Participativeness as a style of supervision is considered as a dependent variable. The data do not directly support the initial hypotheses in any important way, but severalfindings of interest emerge indirectly from a more detailed, multivariate analysis. First, supervisory behavior in these terms is probably influenced significantly by affect between supervisor and subordinates. Second, when affect is not a factor, supervisory style is more rational, with participativeness depending on the training of the subordinates and their perceived capacity to contribute constructively to decision-making. Third, the measurement of participativeness in research affects theoretical development in an important way, since the technical and professional level of subordinates probably has a significant effect upon their objective level of participation but not upon the degree of participation as reported by them. Fourth, the latter finding is significant for the much more common body of research in which participation is...
Desensitization regimens for drug allergy: state of the art in the 21st century

Adverse reactions to drugs are increasingly being recognized as important contributions to disease in their own right as well as impediments to the best treatment of various conditions, including infectious, autoimmune, and neoplastic maladies. Rapid drug desensitization (RDD) is an effective mechanism for safely administering important medications while minimizing or entirely circumventing such adverse reactions in sensitized patients. We reviewed the literature on RDD in the last 10 years, including our experience from the Brigham and Women's Hospital Desensitization Program with hundreds of patients desensitized to a broad variety of drugs. RDD in our programme has been uniformly successful in patients with hypersensitivity reactions to antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, and monoclonal antibodies. Any reactions that occur during desensitization are generally much less severe than the initial hypersensitivity reaction to the drug, and patients have received the full dose of the desired medication 99.9% of the time out of (796) desensitizations. To date, there have been no fatalities. RDD is a safe and highly effective method for treating sensitized patients with the optimal pharmacologic agents. Its use should be expanded, but because patient safety is paramount, protocols must be created, reviewed, and overseen by allergist-immunologists with special training and experience in modern techniques of desensitization.
Avoiding early study attrition in adolescent girls: impact of recruitment contextual factors.

This descriptive study examined factors associated with adolescent girls continuing in a randomized controlled trial of an HIV-prevention intervention after enrollment based on an analysis of locat...
Breast feeding and HIV

Breast feeding has been recognized as a mode of HIV transmission since 1985. It is estimated that infants run 1-in-3 risk of being infected with HIV when breast fed by mothers who were initially infected with HIV after delivery. Breast feeding however is unlikely to confer such as a high risk to the child when the mother is infected before delivering the child. Acknowledging the risk of infection the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987 nonetheless recommended that mothers continue to breast feed. An analysis subsequent to that recommendation however suggested that breast feeding may increase the rate of perinatal HIV transmission by 14% and may be the cause of higher perinatal HIV transmission rates seen in some developing countries. Even so WHO/UNICEF still recommend that in a setting of high infant mortality associated with infectious disease or malnutrition all women should breast feed their infants. Breast feeding is not recommended in more affluent settings. This recommendation is made and maintained as the less of 2 evils; bottle feeding infants in some settings may threaten child survival more than breast feeding them with potentially infected milk. The paper describes the attempt of HU et al to compare the hazards of bottle feeding and the risks of perinatal acquisition of HIV through a decision analysis model. It remains to be seen which approach should be adopted to truly maximize the long-term potential survival of these infants.
Optimal Prediction of Forecast Error Covariances through Singular Vectors

Abstract Optimal perturbations, also referred to as singular vectors (SVs), currently constitute an important guideline for the generation of initial ensembles to be used for ensemble prediction. The optimality of these perturbations refers to their property of maximizing prespecified quadratic measures of error growth, given that tangent-linear error evolution is assumed. The goal of ensemble prediction is the accurate prediction of the uncertainty of forecasts made with dynamical numerical weather prediction models. In the present paper the theoretical justification for the use of SVs in ensemble prediction systems is investigated. It is shown that, in a tangent-linear framework, SVs—constructed using covariance information valid at the initial time—evolve into the eigenvectors of the forecast error covariance matrix valid for the end of the optimization interval. As such, SVs represent the most efficient means for predicting the forecast error covariance matrix, given a prespecified number of allowable...
Project Managers: Born Or Made?

As the world of project management expands, good project managers are becoming a valuable asset to have in an organization. These project managers must not only have an outstanding grasp of the basic project management principles, but the overall leadership skills to be successful. This paper will discuss the skills a project manager must have to be proficient and whether these skills are innate or can be imbibed over time. This paper will also examine personality traits of the exceptional project manager and whether personality assessments are able to predict the possibility of a career in project management. With this information, organizations can understand the value what good project managers can bring to their organization and why it is essential to find project managers that have the capabilities of leading projects successfully.
Evaluation of the Atria, Atrioventricular Valves, and Veins

One should begin cardiac CT evaluation by assessing the atria, the systemic and pulmonary veins draining to them, and the atrioventricular (AV) valves. Examine the following:
Effects of biosolids and compost amendment on chemistry of soils contaminated with copper from mining activities

Several million metric tons of mining wastes, called stamp sands, were generated in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan during extensive copper (Cu) mining activities in the past. These materials, containing large amounts of Cu, were discharged into various offshoots of Lake Superior. Due to evidences of Cu toxicity on aquatic organisms, in due course, the materials were dredged and dumped on lake shores, thus converting these areas into vast, fallow lands. Erosion of these Cu-contaminated stamp sands back to the lakes is severely affecting aquatic life. A lack of uniform vegetation cover on stamp sands is facilitating this erosion. Understanding the fact that unless the stamp sands are fertilized to the point of sustaining vegetation growth, the problem with erosion and water quality degradation will continue, amending the stamp sands with locally available biosolids and composts, was considered. The purpose of the reported study was to assess potential effects of such organic fertilizer amendments on soil quality. As the first step of a combined laboratory and greenhouse study, a 2-month-long incubation experiment was performed to investigate the effects of biosolids and compost addition on the soil nutrient profile of stamp sands and organic matter content. Results showed that both biosolids and compost amendments resulted in significant increase in nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations and organic matter contents of stamp sands. Sequential extraction data demonstrated that Cu was mostly present as bound forms in stamp sands, and there was no significant increase in the plant available fraction of Cu because of fertilizer application.