cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sonochemistry of volatile and non-volatile solutes in aqueous solutions: e.p.r. and spin trapping studies.

Recent spin trapping studies of the free radical intermediates generated by the sonolysis of aqueous solutions are reviewed. Studies of rare gas saturated solutions of volatile solutes (e.g., methanol and ethanol) and of non-volatile solutes (acetate, amino acids, sugars, pyrimidines, nucleotides and surfactants) are consistent with the theory of three reaction zones in aqueous sonochemistry. The very high temperatures and pressures induced by acoustic cavitation in collapsing gas bubbles in aqueous solutions lead to the thermal dissociation of water vapour into hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals. Reactions take place in the gas phase (pyrolysis reactions), in the region of the gas-liquid interface, and in the bulk of the solution at ambient temperature (similar to radiation chemistry reactions). By use of the rare gases with different thermal conductivities, the contributions of individual reaction steps with widely different energies of activation can be evaluated.
Precipitation data merging using artificial neural networks

Precipitation is an important parameter in hydrologic and climate research. In addition to gauge and radar observations, there are several satellites providing spaceborne observations. Effectively merging these data products can improve the rainfall estimation accuracy. In this paper, we investigate the use of neural networks, i.e., multi-layer backpropagation neural network and radial basis function neural network in precipitation data merging. We also investigate the performance improvement from training sample selection via principal component analysis. The preliminary results show that our data merging approaches can outperform other linear methods such as weighted sum and the data preprocessing can also improve the performance.
Unexpected infant deaths associated with use of cough and cold medications

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to determine whether caregivers had given infants who died unexpectedly over-the-counter cough and cold medications before the infant deaths to identify sociodemographic risk factors for their use. METHODS. The Arizona Child Fatality Review Program reviews the circumstances surrounding every child death that occurs in the state each year. By statute, the multidisciplinary review teams have access to all medical charts, autopsy reports, law enforcement reports, and other records for their review and use these data to determine the cause of death and its preventability. The data on all infants who died unexpectedly in 2006 and had an autopsy and postmortem toxicologic studies were reviewed for this analysis. RESULTS. Ten unexpected infant deaths that were associated with cold-medication use were identified. The infants ranged in age from 17 days to 10 months. Postmortem toxicology testing found evidence of recent administration of pseudoephedrine, antihistamine, dextromethorphan, and/or other cold-medication ingredients in these infants. The families who used these medications were poor and publicly insured, and 50% of them had limited English proficiency. Only 4 of these infants had received medical care for their current illness before their death. The over-the-counter cough and cold medication had been prescribed by a clinician for only 1 of these infants. CONCLUSIONS. Review of these infants9 deaths raises concern about the role of the over-the-counter cough and cold medications in these deaths. These findings support the recommendation that such medications not be given to infants. In addition, these findings suggest that warnings on these medications “to consult a clinician” before use are not being followed by parents. Educational campaigns to decrease the use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in infants need to be increased.
Lack of specificity of DA/DAPI fluorescence.

Cytogenetic studies showed 47,XY, + mar in a developmentally retarded child with some features of Prader-Willi syndrome, and 46,XX in his mother. The marker chromosome showed a single subterminal primary constriction, bisatellites, and two C-bands. DA/DAPI staining showed two intense bands in the marker chromosome, which most likely was derived from chromosome 15. Intense DA/DAPI fluorescence was also found in one chromosome 13 in the child, and one 13 and one 10 in his mother. The present results confirm the reports of DA/ DAPI heteromorphism in acrocentric chromosomes other than the 15, and demonstrate a pericentric DA/DAPI heteromorphism in chromosome 10.
Influence of the state of stress on the brittle-ductile transition in granitic rock: Evidence from fault steps in the Sierra Nevada, California

Left-lateral strike-slip faults in the Lake Edison granodiorite (central Sierra Nevada, California) are composed of en echelon segments. Relative displacements across the faults apparently are transferred between segments by ductile shearing at right steps, and by extensional fracturing at left steps. The granodiorite within right steps displays mylonitic foliation, and thin sections show textures in quartz associated with dislocation glide, recovery processes, and dynamic recrystallization, whereas textures in feldspar are related to fracturing. Only centimetres outside the right steps, the rock fabric is approximately isotropic and deformation is accommodated by mineralized opening- mode fractures. The stress field calculated for the right-step geometry, when a boundary element model is used, shows an increase in mean compressive stress of up to 25 MPa within the step relative to that outside. This difference in stress apparently produced the contrasting behaviors of the granitic rock. Experimentally derived power-law flow laws do not predict these behaviors.
Simple models and powerful tools for seeking a comprehensive understanding of the magnetic properties of molecular magnets

The Heisenberg model provides a simple but powerful theoretical platform for modelling magnetic molecules. In this article, we demonstrate that—despite its simplicity—an isotropic Heisenberg model successfully provides a comprehensive description of the magnetic properties of the {Fe8}-cubane and the {Cr12Cu2} magnetic molecules. However, in order to achieve this success, it is necessary to employ a variety of sophisticated experimental and theoretical techniques. These include the use of pulsed-field measurements to observe a high-field (41 T) ground-state level crossing in the {Fe8}-cubane system, and tunnel-diode oscillator measurements, which we use to observe excited-state level crossings in the {Cr12Cu2} ring. For these two systems, the theoretical modelling was carried out using matrix diagonalization and quantum Monte Carlo calculations, respectively.
Dynamics Based Time-Optimal Path Navigation for a Skid-Steer Robot

We use dynamics formulation of skid-steer robot with an arc-length parametrized path description for path navigation of the robot in least possible time. We use Lagrangian formulation to derive dynamics of the robot and add the kinematic constraint to the dynamics using a parameter corresponding to internal force. This necessary conditions for the trajectory are established in terms of the path variable. The proposed methodology is experimentally evaluated for a circular and a custom trajectory. For the circular trajectory, it is demonstrated that the constraint can be removed by the choice of parameters. Moreover, the nature of the enforced constraint is demonstrated for the custom trajectory.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
The differential impact of social integration on participation in the diffusion of innovations

Abstract Answers were sought to two theoretical questions which are fundamental to our further understanding of the impact of social integration on the diffusion process: (1) Is there a differential influence exercised by social integration on participation in the diffusion process?, and (2) Is such influence, if found, significant above that exerted by other important diffusion relevant variables? An analysis of data gathered in El Salvador demonstrated that there are two distinguishable social networks operating in the diffusion process, one concerned with the transfer of information, the other concerned with the transfer of social influence. The differential impact of these two dimensions of social integration remained significant even after controlling for influence from the demographic and innovation related characteristics of the potential adopters.
Stochastic theory of line shape. I. Nonsecular effects in the strong-collision model

Starting from a general stochastic-theory result in which the Hamiltonian is taken to jump at random between a number of forms, due, for example, to spin-spin or spin-lattice relaxation, we treat a model for the matrix which describes the relaxation process. In this, it is assumed that the probability of jump of the Hamiltonian from one state to another does not depend on the initial state. This simplifies calculations considerably and the result can be used to study some physical cases. A specialization of this model yields a simple closed-form expression for the line shape which is quite useful in experimental situations.
Flexible Nd:YAG laser palliation of obstructive tracheal metastatic malignancies

Flexible Nd:YAG endoscopic laser surgery may become an effective new modality for palliation in patients with obstructive endotracheal metastatic malignancies. We report the results of the treatment of two patients with severely obstructing intraluminal tracheal metastatic melanoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma, using the neodymium-YAG laser via the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. Both patients complained of significant dyspnea, orthopnea, cough, and hemoptysis and were not candidates for rigid bronchoscopy because of underlying medical contraindications and anatomical problems. Multiple treatment sessions were used with treatment intervals of 1 to 2 weeks. All treatments were performed in the operating room under sedation, without intubation, with topical lidocaine and standard superior laryngeal nerve block. Successful relief of airway obstruction with complete regression of the endotracheal masses was achieved and no recurrences were seen after 9 months' follow-up. Flexible Nd:YAG laser bronchoscopy offered an alternative for the relief of obstructing endotracheal or bronchial malignancies in patients in whom the rigid bronchoscope could not be passed. it seemed to prolong survival in selected cases, and provided definite improvement in quality of life.
Spatial resolution limits of multislice computed tomography (MS-CT), C-arm-CT, and flat panel-CT (FP-CT) compared to MicroCT for visualization of a small metallic stent.

Rationale and Objectives Small metallic stents are increasingly used in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms and for revascularization in ischemic strokes. Realistic three-dimensional datasets of a stent were obtained by using three x-ray–based imaging methods in current clinical use. Multislice-CT (MS-CT), C-arm flat detector-CT (C-arm CT, ACT), and flat panel-CT (FP-CT) were compared with high-resolution laboratory MicroCT scans that served as a reference standard. The purpose was to assess and compare the quality and accuracy of current clinical three-dimensional reconstructions of a vascular stents. Material & Methods A 3 × 20 mm Cypher stent was deployed in a straight polytetrafluoroethylene tube and filled with nondiluted iodine contrast and BaSO4. MS-CT images of the static tube phantom and stent were acquired using GE LightSpeed VCT Series, C-arm CT images were obtained using Artis (DynaCT, Siemens), FP-CT were obtained using a preclinical research CT (GE), and MicroCT images were obtained using eXplore Locus SP (GE). DICOM datasets were analyzed using Amira and Matlab. Results Because of blooming effects, the maximum intensity projections (MIPs) and volume renderings generated from MS-CT showed significantly increased strut dimensions with no distinction between the regular struts and connector struts while the lumen diameter is artificially reduced. The shape of the reconstructed stent surface differed remarkably from the real stent. C-arm CT and FP-CT volume renderings more accurately represented the struts. Consistently capturing the structure of the connectors and the strut shape definition was highly threshold dependent. The stent lumen was about 30% underestimated by MS-CT when compared to MicroCT. Conclusion The spatial resolution of current clinical CT for imaging of small metallic stents is insufficient to visualize fine geometrical details. Further improvement in the spatial resolution of clinical imaging technologies combined with better software and hardware for image postprocessing will be necessary for detailed structural analysis, evaluation of the stent lumen in vivo, and to permit accurate assessment of stent patency and early detection potential in-stent stenosis.
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Ischemic Brain Injury Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage—A Critical Review”

We thank Drs Arsava and Topcuoglu for their letter and insights on obliterative arteriolar spasm at onset of intracererbral hemorrhage (ICH) as a potential mechanism of ischemia after ICH. It is difficult, however, to confirm or refute its existence on the basis of the available data. Most patients are asymptomatic before hemorrhage onset, arguing against the occurrence of ischemia before ICH onset. Coexisting ischemia and hemorrhage at onset is plausible and …
International differences in patient and physician perceptions of "high quality" healthcare: A model from pediatric cardiology

Although the quality of health care would logically seem to be a universal concept, this study hypothesized that physicians and their patients could differ in their perceptions of "high-quality care" and that those beliefs might vary by country. Such a mismatch in beliefs may be especially important as clinical practice guidelines developed in the United States are globalized. A survey of 20 statements describing various components of health care delivery and quality was sent to pediatric cardiologists in 33 countries, who ranked the statements in order of priority for ideal health care. Each participating physician administered the questionnaire to the parents of children with congenital heart disease; 554 questionnaires were received and analyzed. A subanalysis of 9 countries with the largest number of responses was done (Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States). Doctors and parents rated the same 4 statements among the top 5: "the doctor is skillful and knowledgeable"; "the doctor explains health problems, tests, and treatments in a way the patient can understand"; "a basic level of healthcare is available to all citizens regardless of their ability to pay"; and "treatment causes the patient to feel physically well." Overall, parents' responses differed more among countries than those of physicians; the magnitude of the difference between parents and physicians varied by country. This discrepancy highlights a potential mismatch between patients' and physicians' views about the desired components of health care delivery, in particular the application of American quality standards for health care to systems in other countries.
The Branding Analysis Pattern

Abstract. Branding is a concept that spans multiple areas of application. It is used to create identifiable associations between any type of entity and its brands, with the sole purpose of differentiating it from its peers. This paper introduces the Branding analysis pattern. This pattern focuses on providing a conceptual model that represents any type of branding need in any domain. To achieve this, we used Software Stability Models “SSMs” [1, 2, 3, 4] as the main recipe. This paper also provides full pattern documentation. Additionally, in order to demonstrate the application of this pattern, we provide two examples: one related to HCI, and the other one related to Marketing. Keywords: Branding, Branding Analysis Patterns, Software Stability Models. I. Introduction Branding is a mental construct that establishes a connection between your desires and a particular entity. This connection is achieved through the use of a combination of logos, names, trademarks, tag lines, color palettes, sounds and tones, and physical and behavioral features in a manner that reflects the emotional make-up of any entity. Branding’s origin references to the earliest shepherds that branded their cattle to identify them and differentiate them from other shepherds’ cattle. Nowadays, this activity has found great acceptance in areas as diverse as Marketing and Forensics. In Marketing, branding has emerged as the means for both enhancing customers’ perception with respect to an identifiable product, establishing a pervasive means to communicate information and mark differences among this product and its peers, i.e. Nike,
Europium(III) reduction and speciation within a Wells-Dawson heteropolytungstate.

The redox speciation of Eu(III) in the 1:1 stoichiometric complex with the α-1 isomer of the Wells−Dawson anion, [α-1-P2W17O61]10−, was studied by electrochemical techniques (cyclic voltammetry and bulk electrolysis), in situ XAFS (X-ray absorption fine structure) spectroelectrochemistry, NMR spectroscopy (31P), and optical luminescence. Solutions of K7[(H2O)4Eu(α-1-P2W17O61)] in a 0.2 M Li2SO4 aqueous electrolyte (pH 3.0) show a pronounced concentration dependence to the voltammetric response. The fully oxidized anion and its reduced forms were probed by Eu L3-edge XANES (X-ray absorption near edge structure) measurements in simultaneous combination with controlled potential electrolysis, demonstrating that Eu(III) in the original complex is reduced to Eu(II) in conjunction with the reduction of polyoxometalate (POM) ligand. After exhaustive reduction, the heteropoly blue species with Eu(II) is unstable with respect to cluster isomerization, fragmentation, and recombination to form three other Eu-POMs as...
Schedule-induced attack as a function of length of exposure to a fixed-time 90-sec schedule

Twenty-four White King pigeons were exposed to a fixed-time (FT) 90-sec schedule of food presentation. For half of the subjects, a pictorial target was presented during the second session with the FT 90-sec schedule and throughout the remainder of the experiment. For the remaining subjects, the target was not made available until Session 26 with the FT 90-sec schedule. During early target availability, more subjects attacked in the late introduction condition. After extended exposure to the reinforcement schedule, however, similar numbers of subjects attacked in the two groups, eight in the early and nine in the late introduction group. The data suggest that when subjects are exposed only to a reinforcement schedule of moderate density, extended exposure with or without the target increases the probability that they will subquently attack the target.
Pragmatic and Ethical Challenges of Incorporating the Genome into the Electronic Health Record

Recent successes in the use of gene sequencing for patient care highlight the potential of genomic medicine. For genomics to become a part of usual care, pertinent elements of a patient’s genomic test must be communicated to the most appropriate care providers. Electronic health records may serve as a useful tool for storing and disseminating genomic data. Yet, the structure of existing EHRs and the nature of genomic data pose a number of pragmatic and ethical challenges in their integration. Through a review of the recent genome-EHR integration literature, we explore concrete examples of these challenges, categorized under four key questions: What data will we store? How will we store it? How will we use it? How will we protect it? We conclude that genome-EHR integration requires a rigorous, multi-faceted, and interdisciplinary approach of study. Problems facing the field are numerous, but few are intractable.
Sensitization and individual differences to IP amphetamine, cocaine, or caffeine following repeated intracranial amphetamine infusions

Rats that have a high locomotor response to novelty (HR) sensitize more readily to IP-administered amphetamine than rats with a low locomotor response (LR) to novelty. This experiment compared sensitization in HR and LR rats following amphetamine (3.0 micrograms/side for 5 days) infused bilaterally into either the nucleus accumbens (NACC), ventral tegmental area (VTA), or the medial frontal cortex (MFC). The subsequent locomotor response to IP-administered d-amphetamine sulfate (1 mg/kg), cocaine HCl (15 mg/kg), and caffeine benzoate (20 mg/kg) was also examined. No differences were observed between HR and LR rats following amphetamine infusion into either the MFC, NACC, or VTA. However, HR rats showed greater locomotor activity compared to LR rats following either IP amphetamine, cocaine, or caffeine for subjects cannulated in the NACC, MFC, or the VTA. Repeated infusions of amphetamine into the VTA increased the locomotor response to both IP amphetamine and cocaine, but not to IP caffeine, while repeated infusions of amphetamine into the NACC or MFC had no effect on locomotor response to any drug subsequently administered IP. The results support previous findings that changes induced by intra-VTA infusions, but not intra-NACC or MFC infusions, of amphetamine induce sensitization to IP-administered amphetamine and cocaine. Findings from the present experiment indicate the ability of the dopamine cell body region, but not the dopamine terminal fields, to produce locomotor sensitization to amphetamine and cocaine. The results from the present experiment also indicate the lack of localization to one of studied regions of individual differences.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effects of ion species and adsorbed gas on dry etching induced damage in GaAs

Dry etching techniques which induce minimum damage on the etched surfaces are essential for submicrometer device fabrication. In this study, damage induced in GaAs by ion‐beam etching and ion‐beam‐assisted etching was found to be affected by ion energy, ion mass, and adsorbed gas on the sample surfaces during etching. The etching characteristics of Ne, Ar, and Xe ions with energies ranging from 250 to 2000 eV were studied. The effect of gas adsorption was investigated by using Cl2 (reactive gas for GaAs) and NO2 (nonreactive gas for GaAs) with gas fluxes equivalent to pressures between 2 and 50×10−4 Torr. Dry etching induced damage was evaluated by measuring electrical characteristics of Schottky diodes fabricated on the etched GaAs surfaces. Our results indicated that damage in GaAs can be minimized by reducing the ion penetration distance into the substrate by using low ion energy and heavy ion species, and by introducing adsorbed gas, such as Cl2 or NO2, on the sample surface as a protective layer.
Design and field testing of a Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control system

This paper describes the development of an Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) experimental system with vehicle-to-vehicle communication based on a car with factory installed ACC system. The controller design will be introduced in detail on how to incorporate the information shared through wireless communication link. The structure of the proposed CACC controller and an indirect adaptive Model Predictive Control (MPC) based gap regulation controller are presented. Experimental results from field testing at both vehicle proving ground and public highway are shown to verify the effectiveness of the proposed controller design.
Disparities in Educational Opportunities and Outcomes: What Do We Know and What Can We Do?

This article examines disparities based upon poverty and race/ethnicity. After framing the issues by looking at national, state, and local data, it illustrates ways that social scientists can be involved in shaping educational practices and policies, focusing on the types of skills that are useful and on ways of thinking about the types of collaboration that are needed. Skills discussed are methodological as well as substantive; both types draw from existing knowledge bases. For collaboration, the model described is that of action research. Approaches are illustrated through personal examples drawn from collaborations with urban public schools. They include defining expected growth for students at different achievement levels, school accountability issues, and setting up long-term collaboration.
Ventral striatum activation to prosocial rewards predicts longitudinal declines in adolescent risk taking

Adolescence is a period of intensified emotions and an increase in motivated behaviors and passions. Evidence from developmental neuroscience suggests that this heightened emotionality occurs, in part, due to a peak in functional reactivity to rewarding stimuli, which renders adolescents more oriented toward reward-seeking behaviors. Most prior work has focused on how reward sensitivity may create vulnerabilities, leading to increases in risk taking. Here, we test whether heightened reward sensitivity may potentially be an asset for adolescents when engaged in prosocial activities. Thirty-two adolescents were followed over a one-year period to examine whether ventral striatum activation to prosocial rewards predicts decreases in risk taking over a year. Results show that heightened ventral striatum activation to prosocial stimuli relates to longitudinal declines in risk taking. Therefore, the very same neural region that has conferred vulnerability for adolescent risk taking may also be protective against risk taking.
The New Deal's Theory of Practice

This article explores the New Deal's theory of political practice and how it managed to institutionalize a progressive agenda in a country structurally and often ideologically resistant to change. In the process it offers lessons for, and critique of, the Obama administration. It focuses on four central areas. The first is the overarching philosophy of political pragmatism that informed the New Deal, which finds its inspiration in Machiavelli. It examines the theory of symbolic politics articulated by New Deal theorist Thurman Arnold, in particular his argument that political actors must be willing to abandon the myth of the rational voter and situate their appeals within the resonant folklore of the electorate, even as they work to redefine its meaning. Particular attention is paid to the limitations philosophic liberalism places on progressive reform. Finally, it looks at the importance of political mobilization as a way to force progressive agendas on recalcitrant institutions.
Impact of Recurrent Copy Number Alterations and Cancer Gene Mutations on the Predictive Accuracy of Prognostic Models in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: Several recently reported recurrent genomic alterations in clear cell renal cell carcinoma are linked to pathological and clinical outcomes. We determined whether any recurrent cancer gene mutations or copy number alterations identified in the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) clear cell renal cell carcinoma data set could add to the predictive accuracy of current prognostic models.Materials and Methods: In 413 patients who underwent nephrectomy/partial nephrectomy we investigated whole exome, copy number array analyses and clinical variables. We identified 65 recurrent genomic alterations based on prevalence and combined them into 35 alterations, including 12 cancer gene mutations. Genomic markers were modeled using the elastic net algorithm with preoperative variables (tumor size plus patient age) and in the postoperative setting using the externally validated Mayo Clinic SSIGN (stage, size, grade and necrosis) prognostic scoring system. These models were subjected to internal validation using boo...
First-principles study of metal-carbide/nitride adhesion: Al/VC vs. Al/VN

Abstract We have performed density functional calculations to investigate the adhesion and electronic structure at interfaces between Al and the refractory transition metal nitrides/carbides VN and VC in order to understand the significance of the ceramic's metalloid component upon interfacial properties. We find that for both systems the preferred bonding site places the metal interfacial atoms above the ceramic's metalloid atoms, and that adhesion energies are comparable to those found for other metals (Ti, Ag) on MgO. The differences in magnitude and rank-ordering of the adhesion energies for the two interfaces are rationalized in terms of the the surface energies of the ceramics. Analysis of the charge density and density of states reveals that covalent Al–C/N bonds constitute the dominant metal–ceramic interaction.
Earthquake prediction: the null hypothesis

SUMMARY The null hypothesis in assessing earthquake predictions is often, loosely speaking, that the successful predictions are chance coincidences. To make this more precise requires specifying a chance model for the predictions and/or the seismicity. The null hypothesis tends to be rejected not only when the predictions have merit, but also when the chance model is inappropriate. In one standard approach, the seismicity is taken to be random and the predictions are held fixed. ‘Conditioning’ on the predictions this way tends to reject the null hypothesis even when it is true, if the predictions depend on the seismicity history. An approach that seems less likely to yield erroneous conclusions is to compare the predictions with the predictions of a ‘sensible’ random prediction algorithm that uses seismicity up to time t to predict what will happen after time t. The null hypothesis is then that the predictions are no better than those of the random algorithm. Significance levels can be assigned to this test in a more satisfactory way, because the distribution of the success rate of the random predictions is under our control. Failure to reject the null hypothesis indicates that there is no evidence that any extra-seismic information the predictor uses (electrical signals for example) helps to predict earthquakes.
Differential Regulation of the TRAIL Death Receptors DR4 and DR5 by the Signal Recognition Particle

TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) death receptors DR4 and DR5 facilitate the selective elimination of malignant cells through the induction of apoptosis. From previous studies the regulation of the DR4 and DR5 cell-death pathways appeared similar; nevertheless in this study we screened a library of small interfering RNA (siRNA) for genes, which when silenced, differentially affect DR4- vs. DR5-mediated apoptosis. These experiments revealed that expression of the signal recognition particle (SRP) complex is essential for apoptosis mediated by DR4, but not DR5. Selective diminution of SRP subunits by RNA interference resulted in a dramatic decrease in cell surface DR4 receptors that correlated with inhibition of DR4-dependent cell death. Conversely, SRP silencing had little influence on cell surface DR5 levels or DR5-mediated apoptosis. Although loss of SRP function in bacteria, yeast and protozoan parasites causes lethality or severe growth defects, we observed no overt phenotypes in the human cancer cells studied--even in stable cell lines with diminished expression of SRP components. The lack of severe phenotype after SRP depletion allowed us to delineate, for the first time, a mechanism for the differential regulation of the TRAIL death receptors DR4 and DR5--implicating the SRP complex as an essential component of the DR4 cell-death pathway.
Ultrastructure of the fetal membranes of the oviparous kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula (Colubridae) as revealed by scanning electron microscopy

In reptilian sauropsids, fetal (extraembryonic) membranes that line the eggshell sustain developing embryos by providing for gas exchange and uptake of water and eggshell calcium. However, a scarcity of morphological studies hinders an understanding of functional specializations and their evolution. In kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula), scanning electron microscopy reveals two major fetal membranes: the chorioallantois and yolk sac omphalopleure. In early development, the chorioallantois contains tall chorionic epithelial cells, avascular connective tissue, and enlarged allantoic epithelial cells. During its maturation, the chorionic and allantoic epithelia thin dramatically and become underlain by a rich network of allantoic capillaries, yielding a membrane ideally suited for respiratory gas exchange. Yolk sac development initially is like that of typical lizards and snakes, forming an avascular omphalopleure, isolated yolk mass (IYM), and yolk cleft. However, unlike the situation in most squamates studied, the omphalopleure becomes transformed into a "secondary chorioallantois" via three asynchronous events: flattening of the epithelium, regression of the IYM, and vascularization by the allantois. Progressive expansion of chorioallantois parallels growing embryonic needs for gas exchange. In early through mid-development, external surfaces of both the chorionic and omphalopleure epithelium show an abundance of irregular surface protrusions that possibly increase surface area for water absorption. We postulate that the hypertrophied allantoic epithelial cells produce allantoic fluid, a viscous substance that facilitates water uptake and storage. Our findings are consistent with a previous study on the corn snake Pantherophis guttatus, but include new observations and novel functional hypotheses relevant to a reconstruction of basal squamate patterns.
The Impact of Media Richness, Suspicion, and Perceived Truth Bias on Deception Detection

As new media channels, with varying degrees of richness, become more necessary to communicate efficiently, it is important to be able to detect deception in communication. This study is designed to look at the level of media richness and its resulting impact on the level of suspiciousness of the receiver. This suspiciousness in turn impacts one's tendency to use the truth-bias in assessing this communication. All of these relationships were found to be significant.
DEM construction and calibration of hyperspectral image data using pairs of radiance images

In lunar remote sensing, the analysis of the spectral reflectance of iron-bearing minerals is a widely used method. For an accurate calibration, elevation information about the surface has to be known. In this paper we present a framework for the reconstruction of digital elevation maps (DEM) from hyperspectral imagery and preexisting elevation data of lower lateral resolution. The reconstruction algorithm consists of a combined photoclinometry and shape from shading scheme, which is extended towards photometric stereo using multiple images. In order to register images of the same surface region acquired under different illumination conditions, an image registration approach is derived from the DEM construction methods. Image registration is performed in the illumination-invariant surface gradient space and is therefore able to cope with images taken under different illumination conditions. Finally, the calibration of hyperspectral imagery based on the DEM is demonstrated by the analysis of extracted spectral features.
Treatment of hepatitis C and anemia in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

Because of shared modes of transmission, co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common. Co-infection with HIV increases HCV virus load, liver-related mortality, and the risk of sexual and perinatal transmission of HCV, and it may accelerate HCV disease progression. With combination interferon (IFN)-α2b/ribavirin or pegylated IFN-α2b/ribavirin therapy, long-term remission is possible for HCV-infected patients. Preliminary evidence suggests that the combination of IFN-α2b/ribavirin can achieve similar response rates in HCV/HIV-co-infected individuals with no adverse effect on HIV RNA concentrations. Although adverse effects are more frequent with combination therapy than with IFN-a monotherapy, most are manageable. In addition, few instances of drug-drug antagonism have been reported among drugs used to treat each disease, although further study is necessary. Ribavirin-associated hemolytic anemia is a potential problem in a patient population that is already susceptible to anemia but is manageable with recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin alfa).
A Study of Ochratoxin Toxicity in Hens

Abstract OCHRATOXIN, a mold metabolite, was first isolated and characterized from Aspergillus ochraceus (van der Merwe et al., 1965a) and subsequently was reported formed from Penicillium viridicutum (van Walbeek et al., 1969) and other species of the Aspergillus ochraceus group [A. melleus, A. quercinus, and A. sulphureus (Lai et al., 1968 and 1970), including A. alliaceus (Semeniuk, unpublished)]. The toxin is represented by three similar compounds of which ochratoxin A (C20 H18 O6 NCl) is the most toxic and abundant. The molds producing the toxin are widely distributed in soil and decaying organic matter and frequently are associated with molding feed. The toxin has been found in some samples of commercial corn (Shotwell et al., 1968, 1969) and wheat (Scott et al., 1970). Limited reports are available regarding the toxicity of ochratoxin, van der Merwe et al. (1965b) reported acute toxicity and death by feeding several levels of ochratoxin in excess of 100 mg.…
Preliminary Findings on the Use of Session Questionnaires to Improve Clinician-Client Alliance With Special Consideration to Clinical Education

ASHA's focus on evidence-based practice (EBP) includes the family/stakeholder perspective as an important tenet in clinical decision making. The common factors model for treatment effectiveness pos...
Rectovaginal fistula: a common diagnostic error with significant consequences in girls with anorectal malformations.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Rectovaginal fistula is a term that continues to be used frequently to describe girls with anorectal malformations. This study attempts to evaluate the true frequency of this anomaly and the consequences of its misdiagnosis. Methods: A retrospective review of all girls with anorectal malformations treated by the senior author from 1980 through September 2000 was performed, and the pertinent literature was reviewed. Results: Of the 617 patients identified, only 6 were found to have a true rectovaginal fistula, an incidence of 1%. A total of 139 of the 617 patients were referred after a previous repair. Of these, 42 had a diagnosis of recto-vaginal fistula originally. The diagnosis was incorrect in all 42. Twelve patients had a rectovestibular fistula, and 30 had a cloaca. The 30 cloaca patients, because of the misconception that they had a rectovaginal fistula, underwent an initial repair of only the rectal component of the malformation, leaving all patients with a urogenital sinus necessitating a second complete repair. Conclusions: The use of the term rectovaginal fistula is common, despite a true incidence of 1% in girls with anorectal malformations. The majority of girls will have either a rectovestibular fistula or a cloaca. Such diagnostic errors may lead to the use of inappropriate surgical techniques, incomplete repair, and unnecessary morbidity. J Pediatr Surg 37:961-965. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Evolutionary theory and psychopathy

Abstract Psychopathy represents a unique set of personality traits including deceitfulness, lack of empathy and guilt, impulsiveness, and antisocial behavior. Most often in the literature, psychopathy is described as pathology — a disorder that has been linked to a variety of biological deficits and environmental risk factors. However, from an evolutionary perspective, psychopathy, while it could be a disorder, has been construed in the context of an adaptive strategy. In this article we will examine the strengths and weaknesses of two models suggesting that psychopathy is an adaptive strategy, and one model suggesting that it is a form of pathology resulting from accumulated mutations. Overall, we do not find that there is strong enough evidence to draw firm conclusions about one theory over another, but we highlight some areas where future research may be able to shed light on the issue.
Non-Linearities in Chemical Reactions. Temporal and Spatial Structures; Efficiency

Experiments and theory are reviewed on systems with multiple stable states, stabilization of unstable stationary states, oscillations, inverted Hopf bifurcations, the velocity and structure of chemical fronts and waves including the constancy of the profile in time, and structure formation in precipitation processes. Reduction of dissipation is shown possible in nonlinear systems compared to stationary state operation, by means of external periodic perturbations or oscillatory conditions, and is illustrated with thermal and biochemical engines (glycolysis).
Circuits for wide-window superscalar processors

Our program benchmarks and simulations of novel circuits indicate that large-window processors are feasible. Using our redesigned superscalar components, a large-window processor implemented in today's technology can achieve an increase of 10-60% (geometric mean of 31%) in program speed compared to today's processors. The processor operates at clock speeds comparable to today's processors, but achieves significantly higher ILP.To measure the impact of a large window on clock speed, we design and simulate new implementations of the logic components that most limit the critical path of our large-window processor: the schedule logic and the wake-up logic. We use log-depth cyclic segmented prefix (CSP) circuits to reimplement these components. Our layouts and simulations of critical paths through these circuits indicate that our large-window processor could be clocked at frequencies exceeding 500MHz in today's technology. Our commit logic and rename logic can also run at these speeds.To measure the impact of a large window on ILP, we compare two microarchitectures, the first has a 128-instruction window, an 8-wide fetch unit, and 20-wide issue (four integer, branch, multiply, float, and memory units), whereas the second has a 32-instruction window, and a 4-wide fetch unit and is comparable to today's processors. For each, we simulate different window reuse and bypass policies. Our simulations show that the large-window processor achieves significantly higher IPC. This performance increase comes despite the fact that the large-window processor uses a wrap-around window while the small-window processor uses a compressing window, thus effectively increasing its number of outstanding instructions. Furthermore, the large-window processor sometimes pays an extra clock cycle for bypassing.
Experimental evidence for UNC-6 (netrin) axon guidance by stochastic fluctuations of intracellular UNC-40 (DCC) outgrowth activity

How the direction of axon guidance is determined is not understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans the UNC-40 (DCC) receptor mediates a response to the UNC-6 (netrin) guidance cue that directs HSN axon development. UNC-40 becomes asymmetrically localized within the HSN neuron to the site of axon outgrowth. Here we provide experimental evidence that the direction of guidance can be explained by the stochastic fluctuations of UNC-40 asymmetric outgrowth activity. We find that the UNC-5 (UNC5) receptor and the cytoskeletal binding protein UNC-53 (NAV2) regulate the induction of UNC-40 localization by UNC-6. If UNC-40 localization is induced without UNC-6 by using an unc-53 mutation, the direction of UNC-40 localization undergoes random fluctuations. Random walk models describe the path made by a succession of randomly directed movement. This model was experimentally tested using mutations that affect Wnt/PCP signaling. These mutations inhibit UNC-40 localization in the anterior and posterior directions. As the axon forms in Wnt/PCP mutants, the direction of UNC-40 localization randomly fluctuates; it can localize in either the anterior, posterior, or ventral direction. Consistent with a biased random walk, over time the axon will develop ventrally in response to UNC-6, even though at a discrete time UNC-40 localization and outgrowth can be observed anterior or posterior. Also, axon formation is slower in the mutants than in wild-type animals. This is also consistent with a random walk since this model predicts that the mean square displacement (msd) will increase only linearly with time, whereas the msd increases quadratically with time for straight-line motion.
A Primer on Tobacco Production: Implications for Health Promotion Practice

In the late 1990s, there has been unprecedented attention to issues that affect tobacco farmers and tobacco-dependent communities. During this time, relationships between public health professionals and organizations and tobacco producers have been established. At the same time, some growers have questioned tobacco company loyalty to the American tobacco farmer. Despite these burgeoning relationships, most public health professionals know little about tobacco production and the host of factors that play a role in shaping the tobacco culture. This overview article attempts to fill this gap in knowledge so that health professionals are in an informed position when they speak about intersections between public health and tobacco farming. An increased understanding of these background issues will enable the public health community to achieve the dual goals of reducing disease caused by tobacco products and ensuring the prosperity of rural farming communities historically dependent upon tobacco.
Teacher beliefs about their work activities: Policy implications

(1988). Teacher beliefs about their work activities: Policy implications. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 27, Research, Policy, Practice: Where are we Headed?, pp. 137-144.
Unfolded protein response is activated in aged retinas

An unfolded protein response (UPR) in addition to oxidative stress and the inflammatory response is known to be activated in age-related ocular disorders, such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether healthy aged retinas display UPR hallmarks, in order to establish a baseline for the activated UPR markers for age-related ocular diseases. Using western blotting, we determined that the hallmarks of the UPR PERK arm, phosphorylated (p) eIF2a, ATF4, and GADD34, were significantly altered in aged vs. young rat retinas. The cleaved pATF6 (50) and CHOP proteins were dramatically upregulated in the aged rodent retinas, indicating the activation of the ATF6 UPR arm. The UPR activation was associated with a drop in rhodopsin expression and in the NRF2 and HO1 levels, suggesting a decline in the anti-oxidant defense in aged retinas. Moreover, we observed down-regulation of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and IL-13 and upregulation of pro-inflammatory RANTES in the healthy aged retinas, as measured using the Bio-plex assay. Our results suggest that cellular homeostasis in normal aged retinas is compromised, resulting in the concomitant activation of the UPR, oxidative stress, and inflammatory signaling. This knowledge brings us closer to understanding the cellular mechanisms of the age-related retinopathies and ocular disorders characterized by an ongoing UPR, and highlight the UPR signaling molecules that should be validated as potential therapeutic targets.