cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genome cross-referencing and XREFdb: Implications for the identification and analysis of genes mutated in human disease

Comparative genomics approaches and multi-organismal biology are valuable tools for genetic analysis. Cross-species connections between genes mutated in human disease states and homologues in model organisms can be particularly powerful, as model-organism gene function data and experimental approaches can shed light on the molecular mechanisms defective in the disease. We describe a project that is systematically identifying novel expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences that are highly related to genes in model organisms and mapping them to positions on the mouse and human maps. This process effectively cross-references model organism genes with mapped mammalian phenotypes, facilitating the identification of genes mutated in human disease states via the positional candidate approach. A public database, XREFdb (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ XREFdb/), disseminates similarity search, mapping and mammalian phenotype information and increases the rate at which these cross-species connections are established.
Evaluation of congenital limb reduction defects in upstate New York.

Limb reduction defects (LRD), reported to the Congenital Malformations Registry in upstate New York between 1983–1987, were invetigated in terms of LRD classification, parental demographics, and LRD characteristics. After excluding LRD with chromosome abnormalities, we followed guidelines developed by the European Congenital Anomaly Surveillance Consortium (EUROCAT) to classify 271 LRD into six groups based on similar patterns of embryological failure. The descriptive analysis indicated a prevalence of 0.45 per 1,000 births (stable over 5 years) for LRD diagnosed during the first 2 years of life. Among 271 LRD cases, 95 were classified as terminal transverse (35.1%), 71 as split limbs (26.2%), 36 as preaxial (13.3%), 32 as postaxial (11.8%), 26 as intercalary (9.6%), and 11 as multiple types (4.1%). In cases with multiple limb involvement (28.4%), two thirds had the same type of LRD in each limb. The multiple types and preaxial groups showed the most distinctive characteristics: they had the highest frequency of suspected syndromes, other birth defects, and syndactyly compared to the other LRD. There were no significant differences in the distribution of demographic variables among different LRD types. Consideration of the incidence and characteristics of LRD by classifying them into these distinct subgroups may be useful for evaluating possible mechanisms of malformation. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Trust as a process : A three-dimensional approach

What is trust? Should trust be used as a variable or as a process? Is trust in people similar in nature to trust in institutions? These are three main questions I address in this article. I argue t...
Germanate glass as a window for high energy laser systems

A modified Barium Gallo-Germanate glass has been developed as an exit window for high energy lasers operating in the mid-infrared wavelength region. All the physical properties, for application as a window for high energy laser systems have been measured. Absorption loss and thermo-optic coefficient were identified as key in developing the Barium Gallo-Germanate glass for high energy laser applications. A purification method was developed to reduce the absorption loss of the glass from 6×10-2 cm-1 to 2×10-3 cm-1 at 3.8 µm. Manufacturability in large size windows has been demonstrated with the fabrication of an 18″ diameter prototype window. Modified Barium Gallo-Germanate glasses have also been developed with lower thermo-optic coefficient resulting in lower optical path distortion.
Mining and Environmental Change in Sierra Leone, West Africa: A Remote Sensing and Hydrogeomorphological Study

This paper evaluates the environmental changes in southwestern Sierra Leone, West Africa from rutile (titanium dioxide) between 1967 and 1995. Mining in peripheral parts of the world economy is a consequence of larger global economic interests. Historically, long-distance trade and export production of minerals and other natural resources primarily for the benefit of core countries are responsible for transforming the natural environment and landscapes of peripheral sectors of the world economy. Tracking environmental change in developing countries such as Sierra Leone is challenging because of financial and infrastructural constraints on the use of ground methods of evaluation and monitoring. Remote sensing data are invaluable in assessing the human dimensions of Land Use and Land Cover Change (LULCC) with implications for political ecology. Using available multi-date infrared Landsat images supplemented with field hydrological and biophysical data, we monitored the rapid temporal and spatial dynamic characteristic of mining areas in the study area with a focus on physical changes to the landscape. Reservoir construction for mining has caused flooding of alluvial lowlands, deforestation, and the creation of tailings and stockpiles over mined-out portions of the lease. Although the study was conducted at a local scale, it represents the broad, regional, past-to-present manner by which global economic interests exploit natural resources and impact the environment in distant places.
Ocean tide height calculation — Horizontal forces

If the inadequacies of the classical ocean tide theory are acknowledged, it is appropriate to seek modifications of the usual formulation with a view to calculations in better agreement with the behavior of the observed heights. One long-standing objection is the total neglect of the horizontal components of fluid forces. By considering the total forces acting on the entire ‘tidal layer’ in the same manner that is customary in the so-called momentum integral analysis of viscous boundary layers, it is shown that horizontal forces account for a tidal distortion identical to that usually attributed to the vertical forces. An interesting feature of the calculation is that results are obtained from the force balance directly, without the standard but somewhat obscure integration that is employed when the vertical forces are studied.
His bundle recording in progressive external ophthalmoplegia

Summary A teen-age girl with a 5 year history of PEO was noted to have a progressive disturbance of atrioventricular conduction with LAD, RBBB, and intermittent second degree heart block of Mobitz type II. His bundle recordings revealed a prolongation of the H-V conduction time interval and the development of Mobitz type II second degree block following atropine administration. A permanent demand cardiac pacemaker was implanted and successfully paced the patient during episodes of complete heart block which subsequently developed.
Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change in the Mississippi Delta: Considerations for Evaluation Design

Community-level policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change strategies may offer an economical and sustainable approach to chronic disease prevention. The rapidly growing number of untested but promising PSE strategies currently underway offers an exciting opportunity to establish practice-based evidence for this approach. This article presents lessons learned from an evaluation of a community-based PSE initiative targeting stroke and cardiovascular disease prevention in the Mississippi Delta. Its purpose is to describe one approach to evaluating this type of PSE initiative, to stimulate discussion about best practices for evaluating PSE strategies, and to inform future evaluation and research efforts to expand practice-based evidence. The evaluation used a descriptive mixed-methods design and focused on the second year of a multisectoral, multiyear initiative. Cross-sectional data were collected in the summer and fall of 2010 using four data collection instruments: a grantee interview guide (n = 32), a health council member survey (n = 256), an organizational survey (n = 60), and a grantee progress report (n = 26). Fifty-eight PSE changes were assessed across five sectors: health, faith, education, worksite, and community/city government. PSE strategies aligned with increased access to physical activity opportunities, healthy food and beverage options, quality health care, and reduced exposure to tobacco. Results showed that grantees were successful in completing a series of steps toward PSE change and that sector-specific initiatives resulted in a range of PSE changes that were completed or in progress. Considerations for designing evaluations of community-based PSE initiatives are discussed.
Recruitment for a Diabetes Prevention Program Translation Effort in a Worksite Setting

Abstract Background The success of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) lifestyle intervention has led to community-based translation efforts in a variety of settings. One community setting which holds promise for the delivery of prevention intervention is the worksite; however, information regarding recruitment in this setting is limited. The current effort describes the initial processes surrounding provision of an adapted DPP lifestyle intervention at a corporate worksite. Methods Investigators and key management at the worksite collaborated to develop and implement a recruitment plan for the intervention focusing on 1) in-person onsite activities and 2) implementation of a variety of media recruitment tools and methods. Results Adult, non-diabetic overweight/obese employees and family members with pre-diabetes and/or the metabolic syndrome were eligible for the study. Telephone pre-screening was completed for 176 individuals resulting in 171 eligible for onsite screening. Of that number, 160 completed onsite screening, 107 met eligibility criteria, and 89 enrolled in the study. Support from worksite leadership, an invested worksite planning team and a solid recruitment plan consisting of multiple strategies were identified as crucial elements of this effective workplace recruitment effort. Conclusion A worksite team successfully developed and implemented a recruitment plan using existing mechanisms appropriate to that worksite in order to identify and enroll eligible individuals. The results of this effort indicate that employee recruitment in a worksite setting is feasible as the first step in offering onsite behavioral lifestyle intervention programs as part of a widespread dissemination plan to prevent diabetes and lower risk for cardiovascular disease.
The effect of widowhood on husbands’ and wives’ physical activity: the cardiovascular health study

This prospective study examined the effect of widowhood on physical activity by comparing widowed elders to health status-, age-, and sex-matched married controls. Participants included 396 married controls and 396 widows/widowers age 64–91 (M age = 72.7 years) who experienced the death of their spouse while participating in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Compared to married controls, widowed men, but not women, were more likely to increase their physical activity following the death of their spouse. However, this increased level of activity was not sustained and declines as time since spousal death passes. Moreover, during the year before spousal death, soon-to-be widowed men, but not women, increase their physical activity. Our results suggest that widowed men experience significant changes in physical activity and that the transition to widowhood contribute to these changes.
Dwelling and Seeking in Late Adulthood: The Psychosocial Implications of Two Types of Religious Orientation

SUMMARY This article summarizes quantitative findings and presents two illustrative case studies showing how religious dwelling and spiritual seeking evolve over the adult life course and relate to psychosocial functioning in late adulthood. The data come from the Institute of Human Development (IHD) longitudinal study of men and women. Religious dwellers tend to emphasize traditional forms of religious behavior whereas spiritual seekers emphasize innovative religious practices. In the IHD study, the religious involvement of the dwellers tended to be highly stable over the life course whereas spirituality gained in salience in the second half of adulthood. In late adulthood, religious dwelling was associated with maintaining close and warm relations with others and communal involvement, and during times of adversity, religiousness served as a buffer against the loss of life satisfaction. Spiritual seeking was associated with an emphasis on personal growth, creativity, and acquiring new knowledge. Spiritua...
From neuroanatomy to behavior: central integration of peripheral signals regulating feeding behavior

Over the past two centuries, prevalent models of energy and glucose homeostasis have emerged from careful anatomical descriptions in tandem with an understanding of cellular physiology. More recent technological advances have culminated in the identification of peripheral and central factors that influence neural circuits regulating metabolism. This Review highlights contributions to our understanding of peripheral and central factors regulating food intake and energy expenditure.
Implementation of smart photonic bandgap structures using Langmuir-Blodgett films

ABSTRACT This paper reports the results of our study on structure configurationsand material compositions for the construction of smart photonic bandgap structures. The study focuses on the deposition of various Langmuir-Blodgett films for realizing these structures. Multilayer polymeric L-B films usingdifferent materials have been deposited and their physical properties studiedusing atomic force microscopy. Possible causes of film non-uniformity areinvestigated. 1. INTRODUCTIONIt is highly desirable to design sensor and vision protection systems or devices which can sense high-intensity laser beams and control their transmittance to block harmful radiation. Such a system should possess fastresponse time, and reject high-intensity radiation over a broad wavelength range. The system should also be transparent to low-intensity radiation. Nonlinear one-dimensional photonic bandgap structure (PBS) appears to be apromising candidate for novel protection devices [1]. PBS is an analogy photonic material that performs the same functionwith light that semiconductors do with electrons, since the wave nature ofthe electron gives rises to allowed energy bands and forbidden gaps for itsmotion in the solids. The width of bandgap and the central frequency can be
Interpretation of epsilon Aurigae. II - Infrared excess, secondary light variations, and plausible formation of a planetary system

Infrared excess based on the disk model proposed in a previous paper was computed. It was found that the disk alone will emit infrared radiation below the margin of detection. However, if individual condensations are present, the combined result of the disk proper and the condensations yields results of infrared excesses that are consistent with observations. The presence of condensations also makes the secondary light variation understandable. An elementary theory is developed that analyzes such light variations. The result of the analysis yields the size of the orbit of the condensation around the secondary component.
Oral inflammatory response to a sting from a Portuguese man-of-war.

A careful history was taken in an attempt to document an unusual delayed inflammatory reaction involving the ears and oral cavity. Severe oral and auricular inflammations have been described as apparent reactions to stings on the patient's foot by a Portuguese man-of-war (P physalia). Toxin was injected into the right foot and resulted in a delayed type of severe swellings and inflammation. The soft palate, cheek, periodontal tissues, and lower lip were primarily involved. Oral inflammations coincided with massive, acute, inflammatory lesions behind the ears. Delayed oral and ear inflammations suggest an unusual reaction to the toxin of the sting of P physalia; it was possibly hypersensitive in nature. The described pathology seems unique to medical reports concerning the Portuguese man-of-war. The foot responded rapidly to topical application of ammonia solution. Antibiotic therapy taken orally apparently helped resolve the oral and ear lesions in approximately 11 days. Language: en
A Microanalytic Method for Exploring Adolescent Emotional Expression

This article presents a newly constructed observational coding system which assesses emotional expression operationalized through voice cues and speech content. In order to explore its interrater r...
Evaluation of the high pressure oxidizer turbopump (HPOTP) vacuum drying procedures

Tests carried out on the HPOTP to determine the effects of surface finish on the rate at which water vapor could be removed from the bearing/spacer cavity are described. Data from these tests are used to evaluate the effects of a lower drying temperature on the flow rate of water vapor from the bearing/spacer cavity as well. It was found that, if the normality nut is torqued, there is no evidence of moisture entering the bearing/spacer cavity from external sources.
Jeepers: an interface perception research tool

Jeepers is a software tool for conducting empirical studies of user perception of graphical interface features. It was developed in the context of a research program on dynamic interactive graphical techniques for data visualization and exploration. The tool was effectively applied in researching the problem of discerning point cloud highlighting patterns such as those that would be displayed in interactive data "painting". Other potential research uses for the software are discussed.
A Comparison of the Effect of Music Therapy and Medical Play Therapy on the Verbalization Behavior of Pediatric Patients

Therapeutic play activities are designed to help children verbalize their hospital experiences so they can cope with the trauma of hospitalization. The purpose of the study was to determine whether a music therapy session was more effective than a medical play therapy session in facilitating this verbalization. Forty school-aged subjects were randomly selected to receive an individual music therapy or play therapy session. The two groups were equated on the following variables: sex, age, socioeconomic status, length of present hospitalization, session interruptions, type of illness and related number of prior hospitalizations, and prior Child Life involvement. The last two variables were thought to influence verbalization. The dependent variable was comprised of each patient's response to four critical incidence questions about hospitalization. Content analysis was employed to code each response as a three-digit number with numbers increasing as the verbalization became more involved. The chi square statistic revealed that music therapy elicited significantly more involved verbalization about hospitalization than did the play therapy session for each of the seven variables. Verbalization was unrelated to the patient's diagnosis and prior hospitalizations. Patients without prior Child Life involvement had more involved verbalization than patients with prior involvement.
Gas holdup in bubble columns at elevated pressure via computed tomography

Abstract Gas holdup in a pressurized bubble column (pressures from 0.1 to 0.7 MPa) was studied in a laboratory scale vessel (diameter 0.162 m) with air–water system over a range of superficial gas velocities (0.02–0.18 m/s) using non-invasive γ-ray based Computed Tomography (CT). It was found that the cross-sectional average gas holdup increases with pressure, as well as with superficial gas velocity. At all operating conditions, the azimuthally averaged radial gas holdup profiles exhibit a characteristic shape with greater gas holdup in the column center than by the walls. It is also observed that with an increase in pressure, the transition to churn-turbulent regime characterized by the change of the radial gas holdup profile from relatively flat to almost parabolic, is delayed to higher superficial gas velocities. The average cross-sectional gas holdup at each operating condition was compared with predictions of existing correlations and large discrepancies in predictions (as high as 300%) were found.
Bisphenol‐A‐polycarbonate‐bisphenol‐A‐polysulfone block copolymers

Multiblock , block copolymers of bisphenol-A-polycarbon ate and bisphenol-A-polysulfone were prepared by three different synthesis routes. The in situ method consisted of forming the polycarbonate block in the presence of hydroxyl terminated polysulfone oligorner. The coupled oligomer technique utilized phosgene to link up the two preformed oligomers to high molecular weight. In one case, a perfectly alternating block copolymer was formed by reacting a ∼9, 000 Mn chloroformate terminated polycarbonate with a ∼9, 000 Mn hydroxyl terminated polysulfone. Block sizes from ∼4, 000 to ∼26, 000 were investigated. The oligomers and copolymers were characterized by potentiometric titrations and UV end group analysis. Membrane osmometry and gel permeation chromatography were also employed. Dynamic mechanical behavior of solvent cast and compression molded films was assessed via rheovibron measurements. The copolymers were ductile and transparent and displayed essentially only a single intermediate glass transition temperature, that is, microphase separation was not observed. This is in contrast to simple physical blends of the homopolymers or oligomers, which are opaque and display two glass transition temperatures.
A crystalliferous bacterium associated with a “blister disease” in the earthworm, Eisenia foetida (Savigny)

Abstract Several specimens of the earthworm Eisenia foetida (Savigny) afficted with a “blister disease” were found to contain crystalliferous bacteria in all the lesions. Two strains of bacteria were isolated, identified, and typed according to their H-antigen and their vegetative cell esterases. Both strains appeared to be Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis Berliner. The association of this bacterium with the lesions suggests that it may cause this serious condition.
From roadside to bedside: the regionalization of trauma care in a remote rural county.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the current role of rural hospitals and prehospital agencies in the care of motor vehicle crash victims in a remote, rural county prior to the statewide regionalization of trauma care. Specifically, we determined the proportion of crashes that required a response by emergency medical services (EMSs), the timeliness of the response, the proportion of patients treated in local hospitals, and the factors that predicted referral to trauma centers. DESIGN: Population-based retrospective cohort study linking emergency medical services, emergency department, and hospital discharge data to police motor vehicle crash reports and coroner data. SETTING: Okanogan County, Washington. SUBJECTS: All motor vehicle occupants, pedestrians or pedalcyclists who were involved in a motor vehicle collision with a response by emergency medical system personnel or the county coroner. INTERVENTION: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: EMS response times, emergency department and hospital discharge disposition, Injury Severity Scores, hospital length of stay, procedures, deaths. RESULTS: Twelve percent of 669 crashes reported to the police led to the dispatch of EMS. Crashes with EMS involvement were more likely to include occupants without restraints, who were ejected from the vehicle or who had alcohol as a contributing circumstance. The median interval between crash and EMS dispatch was 5 minutes (95th percentile: 40 minutes), the median scene time was 15 minutes (95th percentile: 35 minutes), and the median interval between dispatch and emergency department arrival was 48 minutes (95th percentile: 95 minutes). Among the 210 patients treated by EMSs, 67 (32%) were admitted to local hospitals, and 19 (9%) were referred to a distant trauma center. Of these, 17 were referred directly from the emergency department, one from the scene, and one after local admission. Compared with patients who were admitted locally, referred patients had a significantly higher mean Injury Severity Score (14.4 vs. 5.1), hospital length of stay (9.1 vs. 1.8 days), and rate of operative procedures (37% vs. 9%). Of the 13 crash-related deaths during the year, nine were declared dead at the scene before EMS arrival, three were asystolic at the time of EMS arrival at the scene, and one died at a referral hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The linkage of data from police, prehospital agencies, and hospitals can reveal important information about the sequence of health care for trauma patients. The rural hospitals in this county currently play a major role in the stabilization and treatment of motor vehicle crash victims. Language: en
Mechanism of the mixed alkali effect based upon the thermodynamic state of glass

Abstract A new mechanism for the mixed alkali effect of dc conductivity is proposed. It was shown earlier that the high frequency conductivity shows very little mixed alkali effect and that mixed alkali glasses show a much larger dielectric relaxation strength than single alkali glasses, indicating that the mixed alkali effect in dc conductivity is related to the difference in the dielectric relaxation strength. An expression for dielectric relaxation strength in terms of the thermodynamic state was experimentally verified for single alkali glasses. An analogous equation for dielectric relaxation strength of mixed alkali glasses was derived. Using the regular solution model, it was shown that the dielectric relaxation strength for mixed alkali glasses can show a large maximum if the enthalpy of mixing between the two alkalis is negative. A large negative enthalpy of mixing between the two alkali species was found experimentally from ion-exchange equilibrium, which, it is suggested, originates from the stress due to their ionic size difference. The proposed mechanism appears to be consistent with many experimental observations.
Molecular simulations of methane adsorption in silicalite

Abstract Grand canonical ensemble Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulatios of methane in the zeolite silicalite have been used to predict adsorption isotherms over a wide range of occupancies at several temperatures. The zeolite has been modeled using a detailed atomistic description, as have the methane molecules. Lennard-Jones parameters for the atomic interactions have been taken from the literature. Adsorption isotherms and heats of sorption have been predicted in good agreement with experiment. Structural features of the intracrystalline fluid have also been studied. In a complementary study, the test particle insertion method has been used to generate isotherms from molecular dynamics simulations. The results are in excellent agreement with those from GCMC.
Impact of monozygotic twinning on multiple births resulting from in vitro fertilization in the United States, 2006-2010.

Objective To determine the contribution of monozygotic twining to in vitro fertilization multiple births. Study Design We performed a retrospective analysis of the incidence of monozygotic twining in multiple births resulting from fresh embryo transfers using 2006-2010 data from the Society for Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcome Reporting System. Results The number of embryos transferred were fewer than the number of births in 0.5% (223/40950) of twin, 29% (659/2289) of triplet, and 64% (43/67) of quadruplet births resulting from transfer of fresh embryos from 2006 to 2010. In 2010, 37% of triplets and 100% of quadruplet births occurred when fewer than 3 and fewer than 4 embryos respectively were transferred. Conclusion Monozygotic twinning plays a key role in the development of triplet and quadruplet pregnancies achieved through in vitro fertilization.
Cetuximab in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is frequently overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EGFR activation results in phosphorylation of several downstream intracellular substrates involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and inhibition of apoptosis. Cetuximab (C225, Erbitux), a monoclonal antibody directed against ligand binding in the extracellular domain of EGFR, inhibits tumor growth and is synergistic with chemotherapy and radiation. Cetuximab has been studied in combination with chemotherapy in previously untreated metastatic NSCLC. The response rates in preliminary reports range from 29% to 53%. In patients with refractory/recurrent NSCLC, the combination of docetaxel and cetuximab resulted in a promising response rate of 28%, higher than the typical response rates seen with docetaxel monotherapy in this setting. Addition of cetuximab to chemotherapy is generally well tolerated. Molecular mechanisms predicting response to cetuximab therapy are currently not well understood. Studies are ongoing to assess the single-agent activity of cetuximab in metastatic NSCLC.
The TRPC2 channel forms protein-protein interactions with Homer and RTP in the rat vomeronasal organ

The signal transduction cascade operational in the vomeronasal organ (VNO) of the olfactory system detects odorants important for prey localization, mating, and social recognition. While the protein machinery transducing these external cues has been individually well characterized, little attention has been paid to the role of protein-protein interactions among these molecules. Development of an in vitro expression system for the transient receptor potential 2 channel (TRPC2), which establishes the first electrical signal in the pheromone transduction pathway, led to the discovery of two protein partners that couple with the channel in the native VNO. Homer family proteins were expressed in both male and female adult VNO, particularly Homer 1b/c and Homer 3. In addition to this family of scaffolding proteins, the chaperones receptor transporting protein 1 (RTP1) and receptor expression enhancing protein 1 (REEP1) were also expressed. RTP1 was localized broadly across the VNO sensory epithelium, goblet cells, and the soft palate. Both Homer and RTP1 formed protein-protein interactions with TRPC2 in native reciprocal pull-down assays and RTP1 increased surface expression of TRPC2 in in vitro assays. The RTP1-dependent TRPC2 surface expression was paralleled with an increase in ATP-stimulated whole-cell current in an in vitro patch-clamp electrophysiological assay. TRPC2 expression and channel activity is regulated by chaperone- and scaffolding-associated proteins, which could modulate the transduction of chemosignals. The developed in vitro expression system, as described here, will be advantageous for detailed investigations into TRPC2 channel activity and cell signalling, for a channel protein that was traditionally difficult to physiologically assess.
Immunization against the observational conditioning of snake fear in rhesus monkeys.

The effects of extensive prior exposure to snakes on subsequent observational conditioning of snake fear in rhesus monkeys were examined. Three groups of monkeys (n = 8 per group) were given one of three kinds of pretreatment: (a) An immunization group spent six sessions watching a nonfearful monkey behave nonfearfully with snakes; (b) a latent inhibition group spent six sessions by themselves behaving nonfearfully with snakes with total exposure time to snakes equal to that for the immunization group; and (c) a pseudoimmunization group spent six sessions watching a monkey behave nonfearfully with neutral objects. All groups were then given six sessions of observational conditioning in which they watched fearful monkeys behave fearfully with snakes. When subsequently tested for acquisition of snake fear, the pseudoimmunization and latent inhibition groups showed significant acquisition, but 6 out of 8 subjects in the immunization group did not. Thus, it seems that for a majority of subjects, prior exposure to a nonfearful model behaving nonfearfully with snakes can effectively immunize against the subsequent effects of exposure to fearful models behaving fearfully with snakes. The implications of these results for possible modes of preventing the acquisition of human fears and phobias are discussed.
Evaluation of COBAS AMPLICOR (Roche): Accuracy in Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae by Coamplification of Endocervical Specimens

We evaluated further the accuracy of the COBAS AMPLICOR (Roche) (CA) PCR-based system in detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in endocervical specimens. Endocervical specimens collected for any indication for testing for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae among a university hospital health system population were included. Testing for C. trachomatis was done by two PCR methods, CA and manual microwell AMPLICOR (Roche) (MWA), and by culture; testing for N. gonorrhoeae was done by CA and culture. Discrepancy resolution was performed. Reproducibility testing and hands-on labor time measurements for CA were done. Among 654 C. trachomatis samples, the prevalence of true positivity was 9.2%, and among the 618 N. gonorrhoeae samples, the prevalence of true positivity was 4.4%. For detection of C. trachomatis, the sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values were, respectively, as follows for each test: CA, 93.3, 99.7, 99.3, and 96.4%; MWA, 91.7, 99.7, 99.2, and 96.5%; and culture, 65.0, 100, 96.6, and 100%. For detection of N. gonorrhoeae those values were as follows: CA, 96.3, 100, 99.8, and 100%; and culture, 92.6, 100, 99.7, and 100%. Hands-on labor time for each clinical result was estimated to be at 7.5 min. The prevalence of inhibitory specimens was 3.5%, including two positive C. trachomatis samples which would have been missed otherwise. The direct cost of each clinical result with CA was estimated to be $9.09. Our methods include a diverse range of indications for testing among women, using endocervical swabbing samples, 2 M sucrose phosphate transport medium, and discrepancy resolution for comparison. Under our test conditions, the CA system is an accurate, rapid, and cost- and labor-efficient method for detection of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae.
In vitro cytotoxicity of amorphous calcium phosphate composites

Calcium phosphate-based biomaterials are being increasingly used as bone substitutes in dentistry and in reconstructive and orthopedic applications because of their good biocompatibility, osteoconductivity and/or bone-bonding properties. In this study, the in vitro cytotoxicity of the amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) filler, the copolymer matrix derived from the polymerization of a resin system and the corresponding ACP composite was analyzed utilizing cell culture techniques. The photo cured polymer was derived from an activated resin comprised of an ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate, urethane dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. The resin was admixed with a zirconia-ACP filler to prepare the composite. Specimens were extracted in media overnight and then MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells were cultured in the extracts for 3 days. Cytoxicity was evaluated by phase contrast microscopy and an enzymatic assay for mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity (Wst-1). ...
Noninstructional Spending Improves Noncognitive Outcomes: Discontinuity Evidence from a Unique Elementary School Counselor Financing System.

Abstract Children's noncognitive skills, mental health, and behavior are important predictors of future earnings and educational attainment. Their behavior in the classroom also affects their peers' behavior and achievement. There is limited prior evidence, however, concerning the impact of school resources on student behavior. Some elementary schools employ counselors whose primary purpose is to help improve students' behavior, mental health, and noncognitive skill acquisition. This article estimates regression discontinuity models exploiting Alabama's unique financing system for school counselors. Alabama fully subsidizes counselor appointments for all elementary schools, with the number of appointments based on schools' prior year enrollments using discrete enrollment cutoffs. The results suggest that greater counselor subsidies reduce the frequency of disciplinary incidents but do not strongly influence mean student achievement test scores. Increases in counselors moderate relatively severe behavioral...
Laser-powered dielectric structure as a micron-scale electron source

We describe a resonant laser-powered structure, measuring 1 mm or less in every dimension, that is capable of generating and accelerating electron beams to low energies (~ 1-2 MeV). Like several other recently investigated dielectric-based accelerators, the device is planar and resonantly excited with a side-coupled laser; however, extensive modifications are necessary for synchronous acceleration and focusing of nonrelativistic particles. Electrons are generated within the device via a novel ferroelectric-based cathode. The accelerator is constructed from dielectric material using conventional microfabrication techniques and powered by a 1 -mum gigawatt laser. The electron beams produced are suitable for a number of existing industrial and medical applications.
Food restriction in female Wistar rats. I. Survival characteristics, membrane microviscosity and proliferative response in lymphocytes.

Abstract The effect of food restriction on the survival characteristics, membrane microviscosity and proliferative response in lymphocytes of female Wistar undernourished rats has been evaluated. Diet restriction was applied starting from the age of 3.5 months by feeding the animals on an every-other-day schedule (EOD). Diet restricted animals showed an increase of both mean, median and maximal life span as compared to the rats fed ad libitum (AL). Analyzing the survival curves by a parametric model, it emerged that undernutrition increased the individual resistance to environmental insults. In particular, it could be speculated that the positive influence was more pronounced in individuals with the lowest physiological capacities. The membrane microviscosity of lymphocytes was lower in EOD animals as compared to the AL ones even if one assumes a decrease in body temperature of 1–2°C in EOD groups. The improvement of membrane microviscosity due to diet restriction may in part explain the improvement of proliferative response of lymphocytes from EOD groups.
Engineering education electronic information exchange

The purpose of an engineering education electronic information exchange is sharing ideas and advancing the state-of-the-art of teaching and learning in engineering. The author proposes that setting-up, monitoring, and maintaining an electronic conversation network be investigated. An electronic exchange could help initiate and maintain a conversation focused, among other things, on the following topics: new directions in engineering education in the United States and in other countries; reviews of research and practice; improving teaching and learning effectiveness and efficiency; and sharing ideas from classroom research. Particular attention is given to bulletin board systems, BITNET (Because It's Time Network), and information utilities. >
Development, Characterization, and Diagnostic Applications of Monoclonal Antibodies against Bovine Rotavirus

Hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the Nebraska calf diarrhea strain of bovine rotavirus (BRV) were characterized. Indirect fluorescent-antibody assay, immunodot assay, and immunoprecipitation were used to select hybridomas that produced anti-BRV MAbs. Seven of the MAbs were shown by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot assay to be reactive with the BRV outer capsid protein, VP7, which has a molecular mass of 37.5 kDa. None of the seven MAbs were reactive with canine rotavirus, bovine coronavirus, or uninfected Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells. Two clones, 8B4 (immunoglobulin G2a [IgG2a]) and 2B11 (IgG1), were found suitable for use in an antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting BRV in bovine fecal samples. Both were subtype A specific (G6 subtype) but did not react with all isolates of BRV group A.
Age-related differences in neuroinflammatory responses associated with a distinct profile of regulatory markers on neonatal microglia

The perinatal period is one in which the mammalian brain is particularly vulnerable to immune-mediated damage. Early inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) is linked with long-term impairment in learning and behavior, necessitating a better understanding of mediators of neuroinflammation. We therefore directly examined how age affected neuroinflammatory responses to pathogenic stimuli. In mice, susceptibility to neurological damage changes dramatically during the first few weeks of life. Accordingly, we compared neuroinflammatory responses to pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) of neonatal (two day-old) and weanling (21 day-old) mice. Mice were inoculated intracerebrally with PAMPs and the cellular and molecular changes in the neuroinflammatory response were examined. Of the 12 cytokines detected in the CNS following toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) stimulation, ten were significantly higher in neonates compared with weanling mice. A similar pattern of increased cytokines in neonates was also observed with TLR9 stimulation. Analysis of cellular responses indicated a difference in microglial activation markers in the CNS of neonatal mice and increased expression of proteins known to modulate cellular activation including CD11a, F4/80 and CD172a. We also identified a new marker on microglia, SLAMF7, which was expressed at higher levels in neonates compared with weanlings. A unique neuroinflammatory profile, including higher expression of several proinflammatory cytokines and differential expression of microglial markers, was observed in brain tissue from neonates following TLR stimulation. This increased neuroinflammatory response to PAMPs may explain why the developing brain is particularly sensitive to infection and why infection or stress during this time can lead to long-term damage in the CNS.
Reacquisition of eyeblink classical conditioning following large cerebellar cortical lesions in dutch belted rabbits

Abstract The effects of cerebellar lesions on a classically conditioned eyeblink response was examined using Dutch Belted rabbits as subjects. Results confirmed our previous findings, using New Zealand White rabbits, that cerebellar cortical lesions do not abolish conditioned responding if the interpositus is intact. However. However, unlike our previous studies using New Zealand White rabbits, Dutch Belted rabbits failed to reach a pre-lesion level of performance. These results suggest a possible important strain difference in this paradigm.
Statistical detection of chromosomal homology using shared-gene density alone

Motivation: Over evolutionary time, various processes including point mutations and insertions, deletions and inversions of variable sized segments progressively degrade the homology of duplicated chromosomal regions making identification of the homologous regions correspondingly difficult. Existing algorithms that attempt to detect homology are based on shared-gene density and colinearity and possibly also strand information. Results: Here, we develop a new algorithm for the statistical detection of chromosomal homology, CloseUp, which uses shared-gene density alone to fully exploit the observation that relaxing colinearity requirements in general is beneficial for homology detection and at the same time optimizes computation time. CloseUp has two components: the identification of candidate homologous regions followed by their statistical evaluation using Monte Carlo methods and data randomization. Using both artificial and real data, we compared CloseUp with two existing programs (ADHoRe and LineUp) for chromosomal homology detection and found that in general CloseUp compares favorably. Availability: CloseUp and supplementary information are available at http://www.igb.uci.edu/servers/cgss.html Contact: pfbaldi@ics.uci.edu
The user in experimental computer systems research

Experimental computer systems research typically ignores the end-user, modeling him, if at all, in overly simple ways. We argue that this (1) results in inadequate performance evaluation of the systems, and (2) ignores opportunities. We summarize our experiences with (a) directly evaluating user satisfaction and (b) incorporating user feedback in different areas of client/server computing, and use our experiences to motivate principles for that domain. Specifically, we report on user studies to measure user satisfaction with resource borrowing and with different clock frequencies in desktop computing, the development and evaluation of user interfaces to integrate user feedback into scheduling and clock frequency decisions in this context, and results in predicting user action and system response in a remote display system. We also present initial results on extending our work to user control of scheduling and mapping of virtual machines in a virtualization-based distributed computing environment. We then generalize (a) and (b) as recommendations for incorporating the user into experimental computer systems research.
Enhancing patient-centered care: pilot study results of a community care team intervention.

Health care reform focuses on primary care and development of Health Care Homes to improve patient-centered chronic illness care. This pilot study evaluated a community care team intervention that linked chronically ill older patients, support persons, and nurse care coordinators from a Health Care Home with community resources using an adaptation of the Wraparound process. A pragmatic clinical trial design was used. Patient-centered chronic illness care; physical, mental, and social health; service use; and study feasibility were evaluated. Differences between groups were compared using two-sample t, Wilcoxon rank sum, chi-square, or Fisher’s exact tests. At 3 months, the intervention group reported higher patient-centered chronic illness care (mean total Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care change scores were 0.39 for the intervention group and −0.11 for the control group, p = .03). Results indicate that the integrated community care team intervention is a promising strategy to support patient-cen...