cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Central Nervous System–Invading Eccrine Gland Carcinoma: A Clinicopathologic Case Series and Literature Review

Background Eccrine carcinoma involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) is exceedingly rare. The prognosis and response to treatment of this pathology remain poorly characterized. Methods A retrospective case series and literature review were conducted. Results CNS-invading eccrine carcinoma was diagnosed in 3 patients (2 male and 1 female; age range, 60–79 years), including 2 cases of brain metastases and 1 case of brain-invading skull metastasis with subsequent spinal metastasis. The interval from primary tumor to CNS invasion was 18–51 months. All patients received multimodal therapy following diagnosis of CNS involvement. One patient who harbored a NOTCH1 mutation demonstrated a durable oncologic response after treatment with the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab and lived 39 months after CNS invasion. The other 2 patients were discharged to hospice care within 1 month after the diagnosis of eccrine carcinoma brain metastasis. Including this case series, 23 cases of eccrine carcinoma invasion or metastasis to the CNS have been reported, with survival after diagnosis of CNS involvement ranging from a few weeks to 4 years. Conclusions We present 3 cases of eccrine carcinoma metastatic to the CNS, including the first reported case to our knowledge of eccrine carcinoma treated with immunotherapy. This case, harboring a NOTCH1 mutation, demonstrated the longest durable oncologic response reported in this rare disease. Genomic and molecular testing may play increasingly important roles in the evaluation of these metastases.
The Goldilocks Rule—Too Little, Too Much, and “Just Right”: Curvilinear Effects of Sleep Duration on Delinquency

Studies increasingly highlight that poor sleep is associated with harmful health and behavioral outcomes, including delinquency. Theory and research suggest that sleep effects may be curvilinear an...
Mutually exclusive dendritic arbors in C. elegans neurons share a common architecture and convergent molecular cues

Stress-induced changes to the dendritic architecture of neurons have been demonstrated in numerous mammalian and invertebrate systems. Remodeling of dendrites varies tremendously among neuron types. During the stress-induced dauer stage of Caenorhabditis elegans, the IL2 neurons arborize to cover the anterior body wall. In contrast, the FLP neurons arborize to cover an identical receptive field during reproductive development. Using time-course imaging, we show that branching between these two neuron types is highly coordinated. Furthermore, we find that the IL2 and FLP arbors have a similar dendritic architecture and use an identical downstream effector complex to control branching; however, regulation of this complex differs between stress-induced IL2 branching and FLP branching during reproductive development. We demonstrate that the unfolded protein response (UPR) sensor IRE-1, required for localization of the complex in FLP branching, is dispensable for IL2 branching at standard cultivation temperatures. Exposure of ire-1 mutants to elevated temperatures results in defective IL2 branching, thereby demonstrating a previously unknown genotype by environment interaction within the UPR. We find that the FOXO homolog, DAF-16, is required cell-autonomously to control arborization during stress-induced arborization. Likewise, several aspects of the dauer formation pathway are necessary for the neuron to remodel, including the phosphatase PTEN/DAF-18 and Cytochrome P450/DAF-9. Finally, we find that the TOR associated protein, RAPTOR/DAF-15 regulates mutually exclusive branching of the IL2 and FLP dendrites. DAF-15 promotes IL2 branching during dauer and inhibits precocious FLP growth. Together, our results shed light on molecular processes that regulate stress-mediated remodeling of dendrites across neuron classes.
A Channel Domain Higher-Order SVD Clutter Rejection Filter for Small Vessel Ultrasound Imaging

For robust blood flow imaging, filters are used to suppress undesirable noise and clutter signals. In this work, we present a higher-order singular value decomposition (HOSVD) filtering framework. This method is based on a HOSVD applied to a tensor of aperture data, with spatial, slow-time, and channel dimensions. We demonstrate that this HOSVD filtering method can outperform conventional singular value decomposition filters. Preliminary validation of this technique is shown using Field II simulations and in vivo data.
A novel method for visualizing and tracking endogenous mRNA in a specific cell population in pathological neovascularization

Diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and retinal vein occlusion are potentially blinding conditions largely due to their respective neovascular components. The development of real-time in vivo molecular imaging methods, to assess levels of retinal neovascularization (NV), would greatly benefit patients afflicted with these conditions. mRNA hybridization techniques offer a potential method to image retinal NV. The success of these techniques hinges on the selection of a target mRNA whose tissue levels and spatial expression patterns correlate closely with disease burden. Using a model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), we previously observed dramatic increases in retinal endoglin that localized to neovascular structures (NV), directly correlating with levels of neovascular pathology. Based on these findings, we have investigated Endoglin mRNA as a potential marker for imaging retinal NV in OIR mice. Also of critical importance, is the application of innovative technologies capable of detecting mRNAs in living systems with high sensitivity and specificity. To detect and visualize endoglin mRNA in OIR mice, we have designed and synthesized a novel imaging probe composed of short-hairpin anti-sense (AS) endoglin RNA coupled to a fluorophore and black hole quencher (AS-Eng shRNA). This assembly allows highly sensitive fluorescence emission upon hybridization of the AS-Eng shRNA to cellular endoglin mRNA. The AS-Eng shRNA is further conjugated to a diacyl-lipid (AS-Eng shRNA-lipid referred to as probe). The lipid moiety binds to serum albumin facilitating enhanced systemic circulation of the probe. OIR mice received intraperitoneal injections of AS-Eng shRNA-lipid. Ex vivo imaging of their retinas revealed specific endoglin mRNA dependent fluorescence superimposed on neovascular structures. Room air mice receiving AS-Eng shRNA-lipid and OIR mice receiving a non-sense control probe showed little fluorescence activity. In addition, we found that cells in neovascular lesions labelled with endoglin mRNA dependent fluorescence, co-labelled with the macrophage/microglia-associated marker IBA1. Others have shown that cells expressing macrophage/microglia markers associate with retinal neovascular structures in proportion to disease burden. Hence we propose that our probe may be used to image and to estimate the levels of retinal neovascular disease in real-time in living systems.
Comparison of College Faculty and Business Professionals as Evaluators of Student Business Letters

This article reports on assessments of business letters assigned to students in a business communication course. Assessments were performed by faculty in other disciplines and local business profes...
Out-of-Pocket Spending for Health Care Within 90 Days of COVID-19 Hospitalization

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Millions of U.S. patients have been hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). After discharge, these patients often have extensive health care needs, but out-of-pocket burden for this care is poorly described. Using national data, we assessed out-of-pocket spending during the 90 days after COVID-19 hospitalization among privately insured and Medicare Advantage patients. METHODS In May 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus for Academics Database, a national de-identified claims database. Among privately insured and Medicare Advantage patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between March-June 2020, we calculated mean out-of-pocket spending for care within 90 days of discharge. To contextualize results, we repeated analyses for patients hospitalized for bacterial pneumonia. RESULTS Among 1,465 COVID-19 patients included, 516 (35.2%) and 949 (64.8%) were covered by private insurance and Medicare Advantage plans. Among these patients, mean (SD) post-discharge out-of-pocket spending was $ 534 (1,045) and $ 680 (1,360); spending exceeded $ 2,000 for 7.0% and 10.3%. Compared with patients with pneumonia, mean post-discharge out-of-pocket spending among COVID-19 patients was higher among the privately insured ($ 534 vs $ 445) and lower among Medicare Advantage patients ($ 680 vs $ 918). CONCLUSIONS Out-of-pocket spending for immediate post-discharge care can be substantial for many patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Among Medicare Advantage patients, post-discharge out-of-pocket spending was higher after pneumonia hospitalizations, potentially because insurer cost-sharing waivers fully covered the costs of COVID-19-related readmissions during the study period. As many insurers allowed such waivers to expire in 2021, it is important to repeat analyses among patients more recently hospitalized for COVID-19.
PSAF: a probabilistic surrogate-assisted framework for single-objective optimization

In the last two decades, significant effort has been made to solve computationally expensive optimization problems using surrogate models. Regardless of whether surrogates are the primary drivers of an algorithm or improve the convergence of an existing method, most proposed concepts are rather specific and not very generalizable. Some important considerations are selecting a baseline optimization algorithm, a suitable surrogate methodology, and the surrogate's involvement in the overall algorithm design. This paper proposes a probabilistic surrogate-assisted framework (PSAF), demonstrating its applicability to a broad category of single-objective optimization methods. The framework injects knowledge from a surrogate into an existing algorithm through a tournament-based procedure and continuing the optimization run on the surrogate's predictions. The surrogate's involvement is determined by updating a replacement probability based on the accuracy from past iterations. A study of four well-known population-based optimization algorithms with and without the proposed probabilistic surrogate assistance indicates its usefulness in achieving a better convergence. The proposed framework enables the incorporation of surrogates into an existing optimization algorithm and, thus, paves the way for new surrogate-assisted algorithms dealing with challenges in less frequently addressed computationally expensive functions, such as different variable types, large dimensional problems, multiple objectives, and constraints.
Catheter-directed interventions for pulmonary embolism: Institutional trends over a decade, 2010 to 2019.

Abstract Objective Catheter-directed interventions (CDIs) are commonly performed for acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The evolving catheter types and treatment algorithms impact the use and outcomes of these interventions. This study aimed to investigate the changes in CDI practice and their impact on outcomes. Methods Patients who underwent CDIs for PE between 2010 and 2019 at a single institution were identified from a prospectively maintained database. A PE team was launched in 2012, and in 2014 was established as an official Pulmonary Embolism Response Team. CDI annual use trends and clinical failures were recorded. Clinical success was defined as physiologic improvement in the absence of major bleeding, perioperative stroke or other procedure-related adverse event, decompensation for submassive or persistent shock for massive PE, the need for surgical thromboembolectomy, or death. Major bleeding was defined as requiring a blood transfusion, a surgical intervention, or suffering from an intracranial hemorrhage. Results There were 372 patients who underwent a CDI for acute PE during the study period with a mean age of 58.9 ± 15.4 years; there were males 187 (50.3%) and 340 patients has a submassive PE (91.4%). CDI showed a steep increase in the early Pulmonary Embolism Response Team years, peaking in 2016 with a subsequent decrease. Ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis was the predominant CDI technique peaking at 84% of all CDI in 2014. Suction thrombectomy use peaked at 15.2% of CDI in 2019. The mean alteplase dose with catheter thrombolysis techniques decreased from 26.8 ± 12.5 mg in 2013 to 13.9 ± 7.5 mg in 2019 (P Conclusions CDIs for acute PE have rapidly evolved with high success rates. Multidisciplinary approaches among centers with appropriate expertise are advisable for the safe and successful implementation of catheter interventions.
Community Cardiovascular Screening to Identify Middle School Children atRisk of Sudden Cardiac Death: The Houston Early Age Risk Testing andScreening (HEARTS) Study

Purpose: Sudden cardiac arrest in school children is often associated with an underlying cardiac abnormality and can be triggered by athletic activity. We tested the feasibility and efficacy of an onsite four-point 15-minute preparticipation cardiac screening of school children to improve detection of cardiac abnormalities. Methods: Two hundred and fifty four sixth-grade students were screened at their schools for cardiac abnormalities by onsite focused history, focal cardiovascular physical exam, 12-lead electrocardiogram, and limited echocardiogram. Results: Subjects were primarily African American and Hispanic; 54.7% were girls. We identified 103 (40.6%) subjects with abnormalities on history and physical exam, 50 (19.7%) with hypertension, 80 (31.5%) with electrocardiographic abnormalities, and 32 (13.0%) with echocardiographic abnormalities. Based on these findings, 25 subjects (9.8%) were advised not to participate in rigorous exercise pending further evaluation. The ability to detect abnormalities increased 36.0% with addition of electrocardiograms and 40.0% with addition of echocardiograms. Conclusion: Our onsite four-point screening system is feasible and effective in detecting undiagnosed cardiac abnormalities and identifying false-positive results. Both athletic and non-athletic children had undiagnosed cardiac abnormalities, which suggests the utility of screening all schoolchildren for cardiac abnormalities.
Curses and Conditionality: Do Oil and Aid Affect Democratization Differently?

Recent research treats foreign aid and oil revenue as similar non-tax resources that hurt the prospects of democratization. Building on theories of state finance and democratization, this paper examines one avenue through which these resources affect democratization: government spending during times of economic crisis. Consistent with the resource curse literature, this paper argues that oil revenue props up government spending during times of crisis, helping autocratic regimes stay in power. Aid dependency, however, often entails conditionality that involves reducing the size of the state. During times of crisis, aid dependency increases spending cuts and thus exacerbates the democratizing effect of crisis. The empirical analysis employs data on transitions to democracy from non-democracy to examine how aid and oil affect democratization. Empirical results indicate that aid-dependency increases the likelihood that economic crisis precipitates democratization; oil wealth, on the other hand, attenuates the crisis effect. Analysis of government spending and calorie consumption in non-democracies is also consistent with the argument.
Surface Gravities and Masses in Substellar Objects

Using high-resolution optical spectra, we determine effective temperatures and gravities for a sample of very low-mass stellar and substellar PMS cluster objects. Masses and radii are then derived using known cluster distance and photometry; two of our targets seem to have planetary masses. Our results are independent of theoretical evolutionary tracks. While our results agree with the track predictions for hotter, higher mass objects, discrepancies appear for the coolest, lowest mass ones. This may be due to track uncertainties related to formation effects, and/or internal conditions, in these very young, ultra-low-mass objects.
COMBAT: search rapidly for highly similar protein-coding sequences using bipartite graph matching

Comparing vertebrate genomes requires efficient cross-species sequence alignment programs. We describe COMBAT, a new mer-based method which can search rapidly for highly similar translated genomic sequences, with the stable-marriage algorithm with incomplete lists (SMI) as a filter scheme. We apply the COMBAT program to the comparative analysis of the human with the most recent bovine genome assemblies, and 84%~95% of the homologous blocks identified by this program are confirmed by BLASTZ.
Decoding the androgen receptor splice variants.

In the past five years, multiple structurally and functionally distinct androgen receptor (AR) splice variants have been decoded and characterized. The mature transcripts for the majority of the fully decoded AR splice variants contain a transcribed “intronic” sequence, capable of encoding a short variant-specific peptide to replace the AR ligand-binding domain (LBD). Functionally, AR splice variants represent a diverse group of molecules often demonstrating cell context-specific genomic functions that may or may not be coupled with the functions of the canonical full-length AR (AR-FL). However, the full spectrum of their functional diversity and the underlying mechanistic basis remains very poorly characterized. In clinical specimens derived from men treated with a variety of hormone therapy regimens, AR splice variants are almost always expressed at detectable, yet lower levels when compared to that of AR-FL. In spite of the collective in vitro data supporting the putative role of AR splice variants in therapeutic resistance to hormone therapies, the extent to which AR splice variants mediate resistance to each individual regimen is not known and awaits thorough investigations in a clinically relevant setting using specimens from men undergoing treatments. Among the AR splice variants, AR-V7 is more abundantly and frequently expressed in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and remains the most important variant identified so far. The relative importance of different AR molecules, including AR-FL, should be functionally dissected in the setting of castration-resistant prostate cancer, particularly in tumors resistant to more potent inhibitors of AR-FL recently approved by the FDA. In this review, we will focus on the discovery and characterization of AR splice variants, their putative functions and roles in mediating constitutively active AR signaling, and key areas of investigation that are necessary to establish their clinical relevance.
Evaluation of discrepancies in patients' results--an aspect of computer-assisted quality control.

A computer program has been devised to select those clinical chemistry results that have a high probability of error for inclusion on a discrepancy report, which is printed on demand throughout the day. Each report entry is evaluated by a supervisor, who decides whether to accept the result or to re-assay. With this program, 8.4% of all results were included on the report, 1.9% were re-assayed, and 0.83% were judged to be in error and corrected. Checking results at the time of their release to the computer has led to earlier report delivery and more convenient timing of re-assays without compromise of patient safety.
Linearization ofin situ stress change formulae for gauges at arbitrary down-hole orientation

The vibrating wire stress gauge is a borehole device for measuring stress changes in situ. Three gauge arrays are required for determining changes in the secondary principal stresses. Standard data reduction formulae that use the principal axes for reference are in error because of possible changes in the principal directions. Data reduction formulae that allow for such changes and for arbitrary gauge orientations within an array are presented here. This is of considerable practical importance when installing gauges because of scheduling restrictions and hole irregularities that may preclude installation at the planned angles for which data reduction formulae exist. Linearization and thus direct inversion of the resulting system of equations, is achieved in a fixed but otherwise arbitrarily oriented Cartesian system of reference.
Calorimetric and structural studies of 1,2,3-trisubstituted cyclopropanes as conformationally constrained peptide inhibitors of Src SH2 domain binding.

Isothermal titration calorimetry and X-ray crystallography have been used to determine the structural and thermodynamic consequences associated with constraining the pTyr residue of the pYEEI ligand for the Src Homology 2 domain of the Src kinase (Src SH2 domain). The conformationally constrained peptide mimics that were used are cyclopropane-derived isosteres whereby a cyclopropane ring substitutes to the N-Cα-Cβ atoms of the phosphotyrosine. Comparison of the thermodynamic data for the binding of the conformationally constrained peptide mimics relative to their equivalent flexible analogues as well as a native tetrapeptide revealed an entropic advantage of 5−9 cal mol-1 K-1 for the binding of the conformationally constrained ligands. However, an unexpected drop in enthalpy for the binding of the conformationally constrained ligands relative to their flexible analogues was also observed. To evaluate whether these differences reflected conformational variations in peptide binding modes, we have determined...
Moderately concentrated solutions of polystyrene. II. Integrated-intensity light scattering as a function of concentration, temperature, and molecular weight

Integrated-intensity light scattering data are reported for moderately concentrated solutions of polystyrene in benzene and in cyclopentane. The benzene system is one for which the second virial coefficient A2 is large; data obtained over the range 0.5 < A2Mc < 30, with c the polymer concentration, are analyzed in terms of the (extrapolated) intensity at zero angle and the angular dependence of the intensity. The former is discussed in terms of power law representations based on scaling relations, which are found to represent the data. The latter is discussed in terms of the dependence of the chain dimensions on concentration. With cyclopentane, the behavior is similar for temperatures for which A2 is near its maximum, but for T near either ΘU or ΘL, for which A2 is zero or small, the angular dependence of the scattering is distinctly different, with the intensity exhibiting a maximum as a function of scattering angle.
The attachment of metal-chelating groups to proteins: Tagging of albumin by diazonium coupling and use of the products as radiopharmaceuticals

The ability to attach firmly chelated metal ions or powerful chelating agents to sites on biological molecules can enhance the utility of a number of physical techniques now used in the study of biological systems. A “bifunctional” chelating agent, containing both an EDTA group and a diazonium group, has been prepared and coupled to human serum albumin. The extent of labeling under various conditions and the amino-acid sidechains labeled have been investigated. The reaction of protein-bound chelating groups with added metal ions has been studied, with the finding that only about 40–50% of these groups are available to bind metal ions. Proteolysis of the products leads to recovery of full metal-binding capacity. Properties of the products in vivo are discussed.
Prostaglandin E1 causes sedation and increases 5-hydroxytryptamine turnover in rat brain.

Summary 1 Administration of prostaglandin E1 (1 mg/kg, i.p.) to rats induced sedation and a decrease in muscular tone. Prostaglandin E1-induced sedation was accompanied by the low voltage—high frequency E.E.G. pattern characteristic of the waking animal. 2 Administration of prostaglandin E1 also increased the turnover rate of 5-hydroxytryptamine and raised the concentration of acetylcholine in brain. 3 The behavioural effects of prostaglandin were blocked by prior administration of p-chlorophenylalanine or pargyline, drugs which lowered the brain concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and was potentiated by pretreatment with probenecid, which elevated the 5-HIAA concentration. Pretreatment with atropine sulphate failed to alter prostaglandin E1-induced sedation. 4 The results are compatible with the possibility that prostaglandin E1 induces a state resembling paradoxical sleep through an action on 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism in brain.
Response of Acanthaster planci (L.) to partial stimuli

Abstract Acanthaster planci (L.) were presented with fractions of coral extract on plaster tablets. Fractions were tested in sequence in two groups of starfish, each fraction being presented daily for between 5 and 12 days. Changes in the response of the starfish were noted. The starfish became negatively adapted to the fractions, and eventually to the whole extract. It appears that Acanthaster responds to specific olfactory stimuli released by coral, but can learn to associate these with inadequate dietary requirements.
Generating Symbolic Interaction Production System Models

Production systems are ordered sets of if-then rules linking knowledge and action. The authors show how these systems, developed and applied in artificial intelligence and cognitive science, can be used to construct empirically based symbolic interactionist models of situated human interaction. The authors argue that production system models enhance the conceptual clarity and formal analytic capabilities of key ideas in Herbert Blumer's methodological directives for sociology's symbolic interactionist perspective. The authors present both a general discussion and outline of production system model building and a case study in which they evaluate a model for the detailed analysis of customer-waitperson interactions in a restaurant setting.
A five-year clinical study of factors affectingfirst dentition

Summary A group of children attending a health center from infancy has beenstudied and compared for the presence of caries in the first dentition. Pertinent data were recorded on family and maternal history, pregnancy,and child's eating habit. Just before the first teeth were “shed,” the children were grouped into three groups, depending on the number and extent of caries, and then Group A with near perfect teeth was compared with Group C, suffering with rampant caries. The factors in Groups A and C showing a positive high correlationwere: 1. The condition of the mothers' teeth. 2. Adverse factors in the maternal history, such as elderly mothers, ill health, etc. 3. Adverse factors during pregnancy, such as poor diet, vomiting,toxemia. 4. Adverse environmental factors, such as poverty, poor hygiene, casual care. 5. There was a high correlation between sugar intake and caries anda less marked one between the low intake of vitamins A and D and caries. There was no correlation between childhood illnesses, nutrition as gauged by height, width, weight charts, breast feeding, or diet per se in the A and C groups. The attendance at the center of the two groups was comparable.
Erbium-doped fiber ring laser strain sensor

We describe a fiber ring strain sensor configuration which incorporates an active fiber gain section to allow lasing within the ring. Analysis of the beating between modes of this ring laser provides a measure of the optical path length in the ring, and thus strain applied to the fiber. The sensor provides an output frequency which can be tracked to determine the integrated strain over the length of the fiber ring. Results are presented showing the sensor response up to a fiber strain of approximately 4000 micro-strain.
SU‐E‐T‐390: Impact of Collimator Angles During VMAT Planning and Delivery

Purpose: To evaluate the dosimetric impact from collimator angles during the VMAT planning and delivery. Methods: An early stage lung cancer treatment with Pinnacle SmartArc™ planning system was evaluated, for both planning and delivery with dosimetric differences on an Elekta Synergy™ platform. Conventional planning process was utilizing 450 collimator angle to maximize the necessary PTV margins. A single 3590 arc with 10 MV photons were adopted. We compared three various collimator angles (00, 450 and 900) with generated planning and delivery variations; SunNuclear 3DVH™ module was also implemented to review the dose delivery discrepancy associated with the VMAT techniques corresponding to various collimator angle settings. Results: VMAT delivery with various collimator setting introduces dosimetric differences. PTV D95% dose coverage for all angles is comparable (00, 450, 900 = 93.3%, 92.9%, 92.7%) while 450 collimator introduces more leakage doses through the superior/inferior directions. OARs of 00 and 900 collimators have different distributions such as 1% of cord volume doses of 47.9 cGy and 40.7 cGy per fraction, but all within clinical tolerances. Total lung doses are within limits with V20 values of 17.2%, 17.8%, 16.7% for 00, 450, 900 collimator, respectively. Treatment MUs for all collimators are within 2% variation due to the similar control point distributions. Conclusion: 450 collimator may not the best choice for VMAT delivery with tumor size less than the MLC limitation. The convention was defined to suit the LINAC limitation with compromise at initial implementation. To avoid extra MLC leakage, 00 or 900 collimator may be a proper choice. Conformity with target shape or avoidance with the OAR locations with BEV optimization in initial planning stage is also important to validate the collimator angles. Currently there is no optimum collimator choice built in the planning system, user experience is also an influential factor.
Vaginal response to adrenal stimulation.

SummaryIn partially hepatectomized young female rats the administration of ACTH induces the release of small amounts of hormone from the adrenal cortex, affecting the sex organs.
Role of chromatin during herpesvirus infections

DNA viruses have long served as model systems to elucidate various aspects of eukaryotic gene regulation, due to their ease of manipulation and relatively low complexity of their genomes. In some cases, these viruses have revealed mechanisms that are subsequently recognized to apply also to cellular genes. In other cases, viruses adopt mechanisms that prove to be exceptions to the more general rules. The double-stranded DNA viruses that replicate in the eukaryotic nucleus typically utilize the host cell RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) for viral gene expression. As a consequence, these viruses must reckon with the impact of chromatin on active transcription and replication. Unlike the small DNA tumor viruses, such as polyomaviruses and papillomaviruses, the relatively large genomes of herpesviruses are not assembled into nucleosomes in the virion and stay predominantly free of histones during lytic infection. In contrast, during latency, the herpesvirus genomes associate with histones and become nucleosomal, suggesting that regulation of chromatin per se may play a role in the switch between the two stages of infection, a long-standing puzzle in the biology of herpesviruses. In this review we will focus on how chromatin formation on the herpes simplex type-1 (HSV-1) genome is regulated, citing evidence supporting the hypothesis that the switch between the lytic and latent stages of HSV-1 infection might be determined by the chromatin state of the HSV-1.
Self-localization based on a short-term memory of bearings and odometry

In this paper we introduce a localization method which is based on a memory of horizontal bearings to landmarks and odometry. The approach is perfectly suited for mobile robots equipped with a camera because bearings can be extracted from images with high accuracy. In contrast to existing approaches, our method does not need any internal representation of the robot's position which is updated by alternating motion and sensor updates. In our approach the location is calculated by applying constraints on the robot's position which are derived from the observations and performed actions that are stored in a short-term memory. We give a detailed description of the method and analyze the properties of different observation selection mechanisms. Results of experiments done in simulation and conducted on a Sony Aibo robot are presented in this paper demonstrating the precision of the method.
Extension of the generalized Hebbian algorithm for principal component extraction

Principal component analysis (PCA) plays an important role in various areas. In many applications it is necessary to adaptively compute the principal components of the input data. Over the past several years, there have been numerous neural network approaches to adaptively extract principal components for PCA. One of he most popular learning rules for training a single-layer linear network for principal component extraction is Sanger's generalized Hebbian algorithm (GHA). We have extended the GHA (EGHA) by including a positive-definite symmetric weighting matrix in the representation error-cost function that is used to derive the learning rule to train the network. The EGHA presents the opportunity to place different weighting factors on the principal component representation errors. Specifically, if prior knowledge is available pertaining to the variances of each term of the input vector, this statistical information can be incorporated into the weighting matrix. We have shown that by using a weighted representation error-cost function, where the weighting matrix is diagonal with the reciprocals of the standard deviations of the input on the diagonal, more accurate results can be obtained using the EGHA over the GHA.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Impression formation in children: influence of gender and expectancy.

The effect of expectancy-congruent and -incongruent information on subsequent impression formation and recall of a target peer was examined. 64 boys and 50 girls (ages 8 to 12) were given an expectancy that a stimulus child was either shy or outgoing. Subjects rated the target on several dimensions (e.g., friendly, shy) and then watched a videotape of a boy or girl confederate acting out a script containing both expectancy-congruent and -incongruent information. Subjects then rated the target child again and freely recalled as much of what the target said as they could remember. Results revealed that when children are presented with both expectancy-congruent and -incongruent information, impression formation appears largely attribute based, and the influence of the initial expectancy appears mitigated. However, ratings of liking appeared to be more influenced by the initial expectancy than by subsequent behavioral information. In addition, the results indicated that many of Maccoby's conclusions regarding the effects of gender on social interactions also apply to children's social information processing, indicating a strong bias toward same-sex peers.
A developmentally regulated position effect at a telomeric locus in Trypanosoma brucei

Trypanosoma brucei undergoes antigenic variation in the mammalian host. This can be achieved by activation and inactivation of telomeric variant-specific surface glycoprotein genes (vsg). In procyclic (insect midgut stage) cells, Vsg is not expressed. The mechanisms that regulate transcription of vsg expression sites (ESs) are unknown. Here we demonstrate that transcription from three different promoters was repressed when they were inserted at a transcriptionally silent telomere-proximal locus in bloodstream-form cells. This position effect was stable and heritable. Only transcription from an ES promoter was repressed in procyclic cells. The observed position effect and the promoter-specific developmental regulation suggest that these phenomena reflect the mechanisms that regulate vsg expression.
Age, breed, sex and seasonality as risk factors for equine laminitis

Abstract A case-control study was conducted at the Texas Veterinary Medical Center between January 1, 1986 and December 31, 1991. Logistic regression was used to assess age, breed, sex, and seasonality as risk factors for equine laminitis. There were 70 acute cases, 183 chronic cases, and 779 controls. No statistical association was found between age, breed, sex, or seasonality and the diagnosis of acute laminitis. For chronic cases, the estimated odds ratio was statistically significant for age ( OR = 1.05, 95% CI (1.02,1.08)) and for the diagnosis of laminitis in the third quarter of the year ( OR = 2.57, 95% CI (1.55,4.25)) relative to the first quarter. There was no statistical association between breed or sex and chronic laminitis.
Capitalizing on Students' Perceptual Strengths to Ensure Literacy while Engaging in Conventional Lecture/Discussion.

The purpose of this manuscript is to review the aptitude/treatment/ interaction studies concerned with perceptual learning styles and to recommend experimentation which capitalizes on their findings. Those investigations revealed that when students were introduced to difficult, new material through their strongest perception and reinforced through a secondary or tertiary channel, significantly higher test scores resulted. Thus, this manuscript provides the research basis for an experimental procedure which permits teachers to use large‐group instruction while, simultaneously: (a) having each student introduced to the new information through the strongest modality; (b) reinforcing through multisensory assignments; and (c) having the information internalized through application in a creative activity
Anisotropic damage evolution in unidirectional fiber reinforced ceramics

Abstract Damage transverse to the loading direction of a unidirectionally reinforced ceramic matrix composite has been observed and characterized by ultrasonic methods and acetate replicas. A laser-ultrasonic technique approach was developed and used to measure the ultrasonic velocity anisotropy, thus the complete elastic stiffness tensor, during uniaxial tensile loading/unloading of calcium aluminosilicate (CAS) composites reinforced by Nicalon™ SiC fibers. Acoustic emission and surface replica observations link degradation of the axial stiffness to the accumulation of matrix cracks normal to the loading (and fiber) direction. The substantial loss of transverse stiffness is proposed to originate from the fiber/matrix interface debonding near matrix cracks. These observations may significantly impact the constitutive models used to design multiaxially loaded ceramic matrix composites.
Soil pH Variation Within a Soil. III. pH Variation in Limed Soil

Abstract There are many methods for determining lime requirement, but no single method is suitable for all soils. A fast and efficient method to evaluate lime effect is needed. Soil buffering capacity tests and column-leaching tests were applied to the limed Van Rockel soil at the depth of 0–30 cm to evaluate pH distribution after liming. Two groups of the Van Rockel soil were taken for soil buffering capacity test and two replicates were applied to each column-leaching test. The objective of this study was to evaluate some relationships in pH variation in soil after liming. The buffering capacity of a soil depends on the rate of acidification of the soil. Equilibrium of pH value was reached at about collector #7 after which there was no change of pH value. It was concluded that pH differentials of the lowest and the highest fractions of 0.5 units indicated that liming had an influenced effect. Although adequate, more lime decreased soil pH differential not less than 0.3 units in all fractions.
Time-compression: systems concerns, usage, and benefits

With the proliferation of online multimedia content and the popularity of multimedia streaming systems, it is increasingly useful to be able to skim and browse multimedia quickly. A key technique that enables quick browsing of multimedia is time-compression. Prior research has described how speech can be time-compressed (shortened in duration) while preserving the pitch of the audio. However, client-server systems providing this functionality have not been available.In this paper, we first describe the key tradeoffs faced by designers of streaming multimedia systems deploying time-compression. The implementation tradeoffs primarily impact the granularity of time-compression supported (discrete vs. continuous) and the latency (wait-time) experienced by users after adjusting degree of time-compression. We report results of user studies showing impact of these factors on the average- compression-rate achieved. We also present data on the usage patterns and benefits of time compression. Overall, we show significant time-savings for users and that considerable flexibility is available to the designers of client-server streaming systems with time compression.
The Schur Algorithm and Its Applications

The Schur algorithm and its time-domain counterpart, the fast Cholseky recursions, are some efficient signal processing algorithms which are well adapted to the study of inverse scattering problems. These algorithms use a layer stripping approach to reconstruct a lossless scattering medium described by symmetric two-component wave equations which model the interaction of right and left propagating waves. In this paper, the Schur and fast Chokesky recursions are presented and are used to study several inverse problems such as the reconstruction of nonuniform lossless transmission lines, the inverse problem for a layered acoustic medium, and the linear least-squares estimation of stationary stochastic processes. The inverse scattering problem for asymmetric two-component wave equations corresponding to lossy media is also examined and solved by using two coupled sets of Schur recursions. This procedure is then applied to the inverse problem for lossy transmission lines.
Time-Resolved Fluorescence Investigation of Energy Transfer in Compact Phenylacetylene Dendrimers†

Excitation energy transfer dynamics in light-harvesting dendritic macromolecules has generated a great deal of interest due to the fact that such systems can be used in photovoltaic and light-emitting devices. Studies on phenylacetylene-based dendrimers played a key role in stimulating this interest and extensive theoretical as well as experimental investigations have been carried out to get a better insight into the phenomena behind the excitation energy transfer dynamics of these dendrimers. In this manuscript, time-resolved femtosecond fluorescence and fluorescence anisotropy dynamics as well as temperature dependent steady state spectral studies of a second generation homogeneous (compact) phenylacetylene dendrimer are reported. The low-temperature fluorescence spectrum of the dendrimer showed two distinctive emission peaks that can be related to the existence of two closely spaced electronic states of the chromophore. Time-resolved fluorescence results suggest delocalization of the excitation energy ...
Haemodynamic changes induced by submaximal isometric contraction in painful and non-painful human masseter using near-infra-red spectroscopy

Although mechanisms underlying chronic muscle pain are poorly understood, one prevalent theory is that it is due, in part, to localized hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this theory using non-invasive near-infra-red spectroscopy that monitors relative changes in intramuscular haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and oxygen saturation levels. Data were collected for the human masseter muscle during and following three isometric 30-s trials at 50% maximum voluntary contraction. Ten females, with a history of chronic muscle pain in the jaw, and eight matched healthy females without muscle pain (controls) participated. Results showed that, upon initiation of masseter muscle contraction, there was a rapid reduction in the intramuscular Hb concentration concomitant with a reduction in oxygen saturation levels. After cessation of the contraction, the Hb concentration increased rapidly and then fell toward the baseline. Significant differences in the recovery profile for oxygen saturation were found between the first trial and the following two trials for both the muscle pain- and control group. Looking at the first trial only, and adjusting for covariates of height, weight and bite-force in the analysis, revealed a marginally significant postcontraction difference between the two groups with a lower level of oxygen saturation during recovery in the group with chronic muscle pain. Significant group differences were found in Hb concentrations without any significant trial effect. It is likely that the well-known changes in intramuscular blood flow that occur during and after contraction in human muscles are reflected in these altered relative Hb concentrations. The group with chronic muscle pain showed a clearly reduced magnitude of the Hb concentration change in the postcontraction recovery period. The results support the concept that patients with chronic muscle pain have a slower intramuscular reperfusion during the recovery phase after sustained isometric contractions.
The Diverse Nature of Dodecahedral Cages in Clathrate Hydrates As Revealed by 129Xe and 13C NMR Spectroscopy: CO2 as a Small-Cage Guest†

In this contribution it is shown that 129Xe NMR chemical shift parameters accurately reflect the relative size and geometry of the small dodecahedral cages in different hydrate structures. The relative sizes and geometric relationships were explored with CO2 as a probe molecule. Whereas CO2 is a relatively poor guest for the D cage in structure I hydrate, it appears to be a very efficient guest for the somewhat larger and asymmetric D cage in structure II hydrate. On the basis of an approximate CO2 distribution over the cages in structure I hydrate a lower limit on the hydration number of CO2 hydrate is determined to be 7.0. On the basis of Xe chemical shift parameters for structure H hydrate, it was predicted that CO2 should also be a reasonable small-cage guest for this structure. Experimental results are presented that support this prediction and show that CO2 indeed can serve as a helpgas for structure H hydrate.
A Law of Their Own: Native Challenges to American Law

Native Americans are often classed with members of subordinated racial and ethnic groups for purposes of antidiscrimination law, multicultural studies, and affirmative action programs; but it doesn't follow that the Native American experience challenging American law can be generalized to these other groups as well. What Native Americans share with African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and many other racial or ethnic minorities is a history of discrimination, economic marginalization, and forced assimilation. Nonetheless, legal strategies that Native Americans may pur-
Aligned electrospun PVDF-TrFE nanofibers for flexible pressure sensors on catheter

In the present paper, we report the development of electrospun PVDF-TrFE (polyvinyledenedifluoride-tetrafluoroethylene) nanofibers based sensor. In order to boost the sensitivity of the sensors, highly aligned nanofibers were directly deposited on a custom patterned flexible substrate. The complete process from optimization of electrospinning parameters to fabrication of sensors and testing of the sensors has been described. Preliminary results showed that devices were capable of generating 300 mV signal with 0.45 s recovery time on manual mechanical deformation.