cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ST waveform analysis versus cardiotocography alone for intrapartum fetal monitoring: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the effectiveness of intrapartum ST waveform analysis (STAN) versus cardiotocography (CTG) alone in prevention of metabolic acidosis. STUDY DESIGN Meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing intrapartum fetal monitoring utilizing STAN with CTG versus CTG alone. Primary outcome was neonatal metabolic acidosis, defined as umbilical arterial pH 12 mmol/L. RESULTS Five randomized trials including 15,303 singletons, vertex, term, or near-term pregnancies met inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Compared with CTG alone, STAN with CTG was associated with similar incidences of metabolic acidosis (0.81% versus 1.12%, relative risk [RR] 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.44 to 1.47), perinatal death, neonatal encephalopathy, Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, and cesarean delivery. Operative vaginal delivery (OVD) was lower in the STAN with CTG compared with CTG alone (13.56% versus 15.20%; RR 0.89; 95% CI 0.83 to 0.97). CONCLUSION There is no difference in perinatal outcomes between STAN with CTG compared with CTG alone, except for lower rate of OVD.
Breathhold duration and response to marijuana smoke

Abstract Marijuana smokers are frequently observed to hold the smoke in their lungs for prolonged periods (10–15 sec) apparently in the belief that prolonged breathholding intensifies the effects of the drug. The actual influence of breathhold duration on response to marijuana smoke has not been studied. The present study examined the effects of systematic manipulation of breathhold duration on the Physiological, cognitive and subjective response to marijuana smoke in a group of eight marijuana smokers. Subjects were exposed to each of three breathhold duration conditions (0, 10 and 20 sec) on three occasions, scheduled according to a randomized block design. A controlled smoking procedure was used in which the number of puffs, puff volume and postpuff inhalation volume were held constant. Expired air carbon monoxide levels were measured before and after smoking to monitor smoke intake. Typical marijuana effects (increased heart rate, increased ratings of “high” and impaired memory performance) were observed under each of the breathhold conditions, but there was little evidence that response to marijuana was a function of breathhold duration.
Regulating tension in three-dimensional culture environments

The processes of development, repair, and remodeling of virtually all tissues and organs, are dependent upon mechanical signals including external loading, cell-generated tension, and tissue stiffness. Over the past few decades, much has been learned about mechanotransduction pathways in specialized two-dimensional culture systems; however, it has also become clear that cells behave very differently in two- and three-dimensional (3D) environments. Three-dimensional in vitro models bring the ability to simulate the in vivo matrix environment and the complexity of cell–matrix interactions together. In this review, we describe the role of tension in regulating cell behavior in three-dimensional collagen and fibrin matrices with a focus on the effective use of global boundary conditions to modulate the tension generated by populations of cells acting in concert. The ability to control and measure the tension in these 3D culture systems has the potential to increase our understanding of mechanobiology and facilitate development of new ways to treat diseased tissues and to direct cell fate in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications.
Stimulus correlates of tachistoscopic discrimination-recognition performance: Compactness, jaggedness, and areal asymmetry

The utility of three physical dimensions (compactness, jaggedness, and areal asymmetry) of four-sided random forms on discrimination-recognition performance was examined. Six experimental conditions were defined by constructing discrimination-recognition problems wherein forms were paired on the basis of a high or low value on each of the three physical dimensions. Twenty-six Ss were randomly assigned to each experimental condition and were tested on five problems, four times at each of five single form duration times. Each problem presentation consisted of selecting which of two forms had been previously exposed at the selected duration. Analyses of the number of correct responses indicated support for the existence of a selective attention process and the utility of the compactness physical dimension.
Acute doses of d-amphetamine and bupropion increase cigarette smoking.

Rationale: Bupropion is used clinically as a treatment for smoking cessation, but the processes by which it reduces smoking are poorly understood. Bupropion shares some neurochemical actions and behavioral effects with the psychostimulant amphetamine, and it has been shown that amphetamine increases smoking when administered acutely. The effects of single doses of bupropion on smoking have not been studied but, based on its similarities to amphetamine, we postulated that acute bupropion would also increase smoking. Objective: To measure the effects of single doses of amphetamine and bupropion on smoking and craving for cigarettes in smokers. Methods: Cigarette smokers who were not trying to quit participated in a three-session study in which they received placebo and a single dose of either d-amphetamine sulfate (10 and 20 mg; n=10) or bupropion hydrochloride (150 and 300 mg; n=12) after overnight abstinence. The three outcome measures were: i) subjective and behavioral effects of amphetamine and bupropion after a period of acute abstinence, ii) effects of amphetamine and bupropion on subjective responses to a single, smoked cigarette, and iii) effects of the drugs on number of cigarettes smoked during an ad libitum smoking period. Results: After the acute abstinence and before smoking, both amphetamine and bupropion increased self-reported mood and euphoria, but did not change ratings of craving or withdrawal. After subjects smoked a single smoked cigarette, they reported that bupropion reduced ratings of "buzzed" and "intensity". During the period of ad libitum smoking both amphetamine and bupropion increased the number of cigarettes smoked. Conclusion: Acute doses of both bupropion and amphetamine increase smoking in non-treatment-seeking smokers without altering ratings of craving or withdrawal. Bupropion reduced some of the sensory responses to the smoked cigarette. It remains to be determined why bupropion increases smoking when administered acutely under controlled conditions, while it helps to reduce smoking in patients trying to quit.
Effect of different daytime and night‐time temperature regimes on the foliar respiration of Pinus taeda: predicting the effect of variable temperature on acclimation

The objectives of this study were to determine the acclimation of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) foliar respiration to different night-time low temperatures, daytime high temperatures, and daily mean temperatures, and then to use the responses of temperature acclimation to various temperature regimes to predict acclimation under fluctuating temperatures. Experiments were conducted on two-year-old seedlings in growth chambers using different combinations of day and night-time temperatures. The first experiment exposed trees to 22/22, 29/22, 22/15, and 29/15 degrees C day/night (d/n). When measured at a common temperature (15, 22 or 29 degrees C), respiration rates were lower for trees exposed to higher treatment temperatures and acclimation was influenced by both day and night-time temperature. However, the extent of acclimation did not relate to mean temperature, i.e. respiration rates measured at a common temperature ranked as follows for seedlings exposed to different temperature regimes, 22/15>22/22>29/15 congruent with29/22 degrees C d/n. Rather, acclimation of foliar respiration was linearly related to mean daily respiration rate, where mean daily respiration rate is the average of the respiration rates measured at the day and night-time treatment temperatures. The discrepancy between mean daily respiration rate and mean daily temperature occurred because respiration increased exponentially with increasing temperature. In a second experiment, the same seedlings were exposed to 22/22, 15/15, 25.5/18.5, and 25.5/15 degrees C d/n to test the relationship between mean daily respiration rate and acclimation. As in the first experiment, acclimation was linearly related to mean daily respiration rate. The concept of effective acclimation temperature, which is the temperature at which the mean daily respiration rate occurs, was derived from these results as a means to predict the extent that foliar respiration acclimates to treatment temperature.
An Ongoing Professional Development Program and Its Impact on Teacher Effectiveness

Professional development (PD) has been identified as a critical mechanism that helps teachers increase students' achievement. However, the content and form of this mechanism varies widely. This study examines an ongoing PD for school teachers, which has been explicitly founded on a set of guiding principles associated with quality professional development. The effects of participation in this program on three domains of teacher effectiveness, measured through classroom observations, are tested in a sample of 153 teachers. The domains of teacher effectiveness are planning and preparation, classroom environment, and instruction. Regression results indicate that participation in this program is significantly related to teachers' scores on instruction only. The implications of this finding indicate that high-quality professional development does not always address all domains of teaching. Other implications derived from the findings point to the need for professional development opportunities to be ongoing an...
Optoacoustic tomography of breast cancer with arc-array transducer

The second generation of the laser optoacoustic imaging system for breast cancer detection, localization and characterization using a 32-element arc-shaped transducer array was developed and tested. Each acoustic transducer was made of 110-micrometers thick SOLEF PVDF film with dimensions of 1mm X 12.5mm. The frequency band of transducer array provided 0.4-mm axial in-depth resolution. Cylindrical shape of this 10-cm long transducer array provided an improved lateral resolution of 1.0 mm. Original and compact design of low noise preamplifiers and wide band amplifiers was employed. The system sensitivity was optimized by choosing limited bandwidth of ultrasonic detection 20-kHz to 2-MHz. Signal processing was significantly improved and optimized resulting in reduced data collection time of 13 sec. The computer code for digital signal processing employed auto- gain control, high-pass filtering and denoising. An automatic recognition of the opto-acoustic signal detected from the irradiated surface was implemented in order to visualize the breast surface and improve the accuracy of tumor locations. Radial back-projection algorithm was used for image reconstruction. Optimal filtering of image was employed to reduce low and high frequency noise. The advantages and limitations of various contrast-enhancing filters applied to the entire image matrix were studied and discussed. Time necessary for image reconstruction was reduced to 32 sec. The system performance was evaluated initially via acquisition of 2D opto-acoustic images of small absorbing spheres in breast-tissue-like phantoms. Clinical ex-vivo studies of mastectomy specimen were also performed and compared with x-ray radiography and ultrasound.
Analysis of flow effects in echo-planar imaging.

The effects on the phase of spins moving during echo-planar imaging (EPI) acquisition were studied. Standard single-shot and interleaved multishot blipped EPI acquisitions were considered, assuming either high gradient strength and slew rates or standard gradient strength and slew rates. A spiral k-space trajectory was also considered. Flow components in the section-select and phase- and frequency-encoding directions were analyzed separately. While the effect of flow in the section-select direction is identical to that in a standard two-dimensional Fourier transform (2DFT) acquisition, flow in the phase- or frequency-encoding directions can have substantial effects on the image, different from that in 2DFT imaging. The magnitude of these effects, which include displacement, distortion, and/or ghosting of vascular structures, is analyzed and predicted for a given velocity and direction of flow, the specific acquisition sequence, and the strength and slew rate of the gradients. For example, 50-cm/sec flow along the phase-encoding direction can cause a blurring of 1.25 cm full width at half maximum for blipped EPI with high-strength gradients, assuming a 40-cm field of view and 64 × 64 matrix.
Chimeric peptides as implant functionalization agents for titanium alloy implants with antimicrobial properties

Implant-associated infections can have severe effects on the longevity of implant devices and they also represent a major cause of implant failures. Treating these infections associated with implants by antibiotics is not always an effective strategy due to poor penetration rates of antibiotics into biofilms. Additionally, emerging antibiotic resistance poses serious concerns. There is an urge to develop effective antibacterial surfaces that prevent bacterial adhesion and proliferation. A novel class of bacterial therapeutic agents, known as antimicrobial peptides (AMP's), are receiving increasing attention as an unconventional option to treat septic infection, partly due to their capacity to stimulate innate immune responses and for the difficulty of microorganisms to develop resistance towards them. While host- and bacterial- cells compete in determining the ultimate fate of the implant, functionalization of implant surfaces with antimicrobial peptides can shift the balance and prevent implant infections. In the present study, we developed a novel chimeric peptide to functionalize the implant material surface. The chimeric peptide simultaneously presents two functionalities, with one domain binding to a titanium alloy implant surface through a titanium-binding domain while the other domain displays an antimicrobial property. This approach gains strength through control over the bio-material interfaces, a property built upon molecular recognition and self-assembly through a titanium alloy binding domain in the chimeric peptide. The efficiency of chimeric peptide both in-solution and absorbed onto titanium alloy surface was evaluated in vitro against three common human host infectious bacteria, S. mutans, S. epidermidis, and E. coli. In biological interactions such as occurs on implants, it is the surface and the interface that dictate the ultimate outcome. Controlling the implant surface by creating an interface composed chimeric peptides may therefore open up new possibilities to cover the implant site and tailor it to a desirable bioactivity.
On the norms of metric projections

Abstract It is shown that a Banach space is uniformly non-square if and only if the supremum of the norms of the metric projections onto proximinal subspaces is less than 2; it is also shown that a Banach space of dimension at least 3 is a Hilbert space if and only if the same supremum is equal to 1. Some examples are given of Banach spaces that contain Chebyshev subspaces whose metric projections are linear and have norm 2.
REPRESENTATIONAL VALUE, MEANINGFULNESS, AND PRONUNCIABILITY IN SERIAL LEARNING.

60 Ss were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 verbal learning conditions involving a serial task. The differential effects on learning of stimuli representing referent dimensions (representational value) ...
Performance study of hybrid DS/FFH spread-spectrum systems in the presence of frequency-selective fading and multiple-access interference

Hybrid spread-spectrum (HSS) systems have recently received considerable interest in commercial, Smart Grid, and military communication systems because they accommodate high data rates with high link integrity, even in the presence of significant multipath effects and interfering signals. A highly useful form of this modulation scheme is the specific code-related combination of standard direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) with fast frequency-hopping (FFH) spread spectrum, denoted hybrid DS/FFH, wherein multiple frequency hops occur within a single data-bit time. In this paper we perform a simulation-based study of the DS/FFH performance as compared to the existing standard DSSS and FHSS wireless networks. The performance metrics are biterror probability and multiple-access capability. The parameter space of DS/FFH, including the DS spreading rate, frequency hopping rate, carrier frequencies, and numbers of users, is explored to show its performance under frequency-selective Rayleigh fading environments and multiuser interference. Direct digital synthesizers to achieve fast hopping speeds are also considered in our study.
q-Generalization of the inverse Fourier transform

A wide class of physical distributions appears to follow the q-Gaussian form, which plays the role of attractor according to a q-generalized Central Limit Theorem, where a q-generalized Fourier transform plays an important role. We introduce here a method which determines a distribution from the knowledge of its q-Fourier transform and some supplementary information. This procedure involves a recently q-generalized representation of the Dirac delta and the class of functions on which it acts. The present method conveniently extends the inverse of the standard Fourier transform, and is therefore expected to be very useful in the study of many complex systems.
Thrombolysis in Young Adults

Obstacles to thrombolytic treatment could be unique in young stroke patients and identifying and addressing them would potentially enhance outcomes. However, it has not been well studied how age affects the time to presentation, diagnosis or treatment of acute strokes. Although studies suggest that younger patients may be more aware of stroke symptoms and signs than older ones, they may be less likely to use emergency medical services. Importantly, for strokes of similar severity, younger patients have more favorable outcomes with thrombolysis than older patients. On the other hand, young patients who experience extensive middle cerebral artery strokes are more likely to develop fatal brain edema than older patients. Current data support the use of thrombolytics for all ischemic stroke etiologies, including entities such as cervical artery dissection that are more common in young patients.
Spatial correlations of optical fields near interfaces of random media

Second-order statistical properties of the intensity in the close proximity of various highly scattering, randomly inhomogeneous media were investigated. We found that they relate to the physical characteristics of the random medium.
Domestic violence and aging women.

Abstract Abstract: Domestic violence against women is a significant health problem in this country and worldwide. A group that has been neglected, however, in discussions of this problem are older women. Although one might assume that domestic violence against older women is included in discussions of elder abuse, that body of literature actually may obscure the problem for several reasons. This article discusses the background of domestic violence against older women in two contexts: long-standing wife abuse and abuse of aging caregivers. Suggestions for assessment and intervention are included. (Geriatr Nurs 2000;21:188-93)
Nicotine Treatment Alters NF-κB Expression in Human Cytomegalovirus-Infected ARPE-19 Cells

Purpose: To test if nicotine counteracts the dampening effect of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection of NF-κB in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, thereby increasing the permissiveness of RPE cells for HCMV replication. Methods: Human ARPE-19 cells were transfected with NF-κB luciferase DNA, inoculated with HCMV at 24 hr post-transfection, and maintained in the absence or presence of a physiologic dose of nicotine at 1 hr prior to HCMV inoculation. Results: Whereas HCMV-infected ARPE-19 cells without nicotine treatment showed a dramatic decrease in NF-κB levels, nicotine treatment reduced this decrease but did not abolish it completely. Nicotine treatment of uninfected ARPE-19 cells had no effect on baseline NF-κB levels. Conclusions: Treatment of HCMV-infected ARPE-19 cells with nicotine at a physiologic dose dampened the downregulation of NF-κB observed in HCMV-infected ARPE-19 cells without nicotine treatment. We conclude that nicotine can serve as a cofactor to stimulate productive, lytic rep...
Learning “America” Hmong American High School Students

First- and second-generation Hmong American youth gather much of their information about America and “being American” from their experiences attending school. This ethnographic study explores the w...
A physiological theory of depth perception from vertical disparity

It has been known since the time of Helmholtz that vertical differences between the two retinal images can generate depth perception. Although many ecologically and geometrically inspired theories have been proposed, the neural mechanisms underlying the phenomenon remain elusive. Here we propose a new theory for depth perception from vertical disparity based on the oriented binocular receptive fields of visual cortical cells and on the radial bias of the preferred-orientation distribution in the cortex. The theory suggests that oriented cells may treat a vertical disparity as a weaker, equivalent horizontal disparity. It explains the induced effect, and the quadrant and size dependence of vertical disparity. It predicts that horizontal and vertical disparities should locally enhance or cancel each other according to their depth signs, and that the effect of vertical disparity should be orientation dependent. These predictions were confirmed through psychophysical experiments.
INFERENCE IN DYNAMIC DISCRETE CHOICE MODELS WITH SERIALLY CORRELATED UNOBSERVED STATE VARIABLES

This paper develops a method for inference in dynamic discrete choice models with serially correlated unobserved state variables. Estimation of these models involves computing high-dimensional integrals that are present in the solution to the dynamic program and in the likelihood function. First, the paper proposes a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo estimation procedure that can handle the problem of multidimensional integration in the likelihood function. Second, the paper presents an efficient algorithm for solving the dynamic program suitable for use in conjunction with the proposed estimation procedure.
Pyramid based depth from focus

A method is presented for depth recovery through the analysis of scene sharpness across changing focus position. Modeling a defocused image as the application of a low pass-filter on a properly focused image of the same scene, the authors can compare the high spatial frequency content of regions in each image and determine the correct focus position. Recovering depth in this manner is inherently a local operation, and can be done efficiently using a pipelined image processor. Laplacian and Gaussian pyramids are used to calculate maps which are collected and compared to find the focus position that maximizes high spatial frequencies for each region. >
An investigation of chaotic behavior of PD activity in power generator insulation systems

An experimental study on the chaotic behavior of the partial discharge (PD) activity in sample stator bars in laboratory multistress conditions is reported. The main theme of the paper is a demonstration of the possibilities and experiences in correlating the aging process of the epoxy mica dielectric material in power generators with the frequency and shape of PD signals with the help of chaos and fractal theory. In order to analyze the aging process and its correlation with the patterns of PD activity in insulation systems, the chaotic aspects of the amplitude-time characteristics of discharges are investigated. The fractal dimensions of a time series of PD amplitude were studied using the correlation dimension. It is intended to establish a linkage between the noninteger fractal dimension to the frequency and shape of PD in order to permit characterization of chaotic behavior of discharges as the insulation system ages.
Service-Oriented Methodology for Systems Development

Despite advances in software development practices, organizations struggle to implement methodologies that match the risk in a project environment with needed coordination capabilities. Plan-driven and agile software development methodologies each have strengths and risks. However, most project environments cannot be classified as entirely "risky" or "stable," suggesting the need for hybrid approaches. We leverage a design science approach to implement a novel hybrid methodology based on concepts from the service-oriented paradigm. We motivate the approach using theory on interdependence and coordination, and design the methodology using theory on modularity and service-dominant logic. We also examine the effects of its adoption at a large electrical power company over a three-year period. The results imply that service-oriented theory should be applied to the human processes involved in systems development in order to achieve better fit between project risk, interdependencies, and the selected methodolog...
Palaeomagnetism and magnetic anisotropy of Carboniferous red beds from the Maritime Provinces of Canada: evidence for shallow palaeomagnetic inclinations and implications for North American apparent polar wander

SUMMARY A palaeomagnetic and magnetic anisotropy study was conducted on the lower-middle Carboniferous Maringouin and Shepody red bed formations of the Maritime Provinces of Canada to detect and correct inclination shallowing. Because of the shallow inclinations commonly observed in red beds and the strong dependence of North America's Palaeo-Mesozoic apparent polar wander (APW) on red beds, inclination shallowing may substantially affect large portions of North America's APW path. Hematite is the primary magnetic mineral carrier in these red beds, accompanied by secondary magnetite, maghemite, goethite and pigmentary hematite. Thermal and chemical demagnetization of the Shepody Fm. successfully isolated characteristic remanence directions of D= 177°, I= 20.4°, α95= 6.5°, N= 19 and D= 177.8°I= 17.7°, α95= 6.9°, N= 16, respectively. Thermal demagnetization of the Maringouin Fm. isolated a characteristic remanence direction of D= 178.7°, I= 24.9°, α95= 14.5°, N= 9. High field anisotropy of isothermal remanence followed by alternating field and thermal cleaning on leached samples was used to isolate the fabric of hematite. Individual particle anisotropy was measured directly from magnetic separates using a new technique. Hematite's magnetic fabric and particle anisotropy were used to apply an inclination correction. Our inclination corrections indicate up to 10° of inclination shallowing, corresponding to corrected palaeopole positions of 27.2°N, 118.3°E, A95= 6.2° and 27.4°N, 117.2°E, A95= 13.1° for the Shepody and Maringouin formations, respectively. This correction corresponds to a ∼ 6° increase in colatitude for Carboniferous North America, which translates into approximately a 650 km change in North America's palaeogeographic position. The proposed position of North America supports a Pangea B-type reconstruction.
Venezuela, proyecto nacional y poder social

Reconocer la existencia de esta secreta articulacion arroja ya los primeros rasgos del tipo de historia y de historiador que tenemos al frente. Mas alla de la recopilacion de datos del pasado vaciados de contenido o de la exaltacion de la epopeya historica, la figura del historiador critico domina la escena de las paginas que siguen. Identificar un problema subyacente a toda sociedad y, luego, reconocer que sus pares de oficio, apenas le rozan deja un cierto aire de intima insatisfaccion que ha de ser resuelto. Para eso no le han bastado cincuenta largos anos de vida intelectual. Nuestro autor no ha cesado de indagar la condicion historica de la realidad social sobre las bases del inmenso edificio del saber por el mismo construido. Es que esta articulacion secreta no vale la pena analizarla con rigidas posturas racionales, como quien busca cerrar un capitulo olvidando lo observado para apresurarse a abrir otro. Hay que acariciar sus distintos costados y estar alerta a las nuevas formas en que la cosa se despliega una y otra vez, sin que la frase desborde el contenido, siempre de cara a su responsabilidad. Los vinculos entre individuo, grupo y clase social contienen en si mismos la logica de la propia historia. Pensar esos vinculos implica concebir la historia en terminos de fuerzas sociales, lo cual no ha sido muy comun entre nosotros. Mas bien ha prevalecido la historia epica, heroica; historia de biografias, de batallas, de grandes nombres vaciados de su contenido politico y social.
Experimental Investigation of the Effective Foam Viscosity in Unsaturated Porous Media

Foam has the potential to effectively carry and distribute either aqueous or gaseous amendments to the deep vadose zone for contaminant remediation. However, the transport of foam in porous media is complicated because flow characteristics such as the effective viscosity are affected not only by foam properties but also by the sediment properties and flow conditions. We determined the average effective foam viscosity via a series of laboratory experiments and found that the effective foam viscosity increased with the liquid fraction in foam, the injection rate, and sediment permeability. These impacts are quantified with an empirical expression, which is further demonstrated with data from literature. The results show that the liquid fraction in foam and sediment permeability are two primary factors affecting effective foam viscosity. These results suggest that, when foam is used in deep vadose zone remediation, foam flow will not suffer from gravitational drainage and can distribute amendments uniformly in heterogeneous sediments.
Control of CpNpG DNA methylation by the KRYPTONITE histone H3 methyltransferase

Gene silencing in eukaryotes is associated with the formation of heterochromatin, a complex of proteins and DNA that block transcription. Heterochromatin is characterized by the methylation of cytosine nucleotides of the DNA, the methylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3 Lys 9), and the specific binding of heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) to methylated H3 Lys 9 (refs 1-7). Although the relationship between these chromatin modifications is generally unknown, in the fungus Neurospora crassa, DNA methylation acts genetically downstream of H3 Lys 9 methylation. Here we report the isolation of KRYPTONITE, a methyltransferase gene specific to H3 Lys 9, identified in a mutant screen for suppressors of gene silencing at the Arabidopsis thaliana SUPERMAN (SUP) locus. Loss-of-function kryptonite alleles resemble mutants in the DNA methyltransferase gene CHROMOMETHYLASE3 (CMT3), showing loss of cytosine methylation at sites of CpNpG trinucleotides (where N is A, C, G or T) and reactivation of endogenous retrotransposon sequences. We show that CMT3 interacts with an Arabidopsis homologue of HP1, which in turn interacts with methylated histones. These data suggest that CpNpG DNA methylation is controlled by histone H3 Lys 9 methylation, through interaction of CMT3 with methylated chromatin.
Moore on Causing, Acting, and Complicity

In Michael Moore's important book Causation and Responsibility, he holds that causal contribution matters to responsibility independently of its relevance to action. We are responsible for our actions, according to Moore, because where there is action, we typically also find the kind of causal contribution that is crucial for responsibility. But it is causation, and not action, that bears the normative weight. This paper assesses this claim and argues that Moore's reasons for it are unconvincing. It is suggested that sometimes a person's responsibility for that to which he causally contributes depends on his recognition of an identity between himself and the protagonist of the event for which he is held responsible. Since this fact about identity is not captured by causal contribution, action matters to responsibility for reasons that are not exhausted by the fact that action involves causal contribution. The relevance of this idea for accomplice liability is also briefly discussed.
PROTOTHECA: AN ALGA OR A FUNGUS?1

SUMMARY Although Prototheca is generally considered to be a colorless member of the Chlorococcales, there have been a number of attempts to relate it to the fungi. However, our ultrastructural observations support the conclusion that it is indeed a nonphotosynthetic alga and not a fungus. One such structural feature that is of special interest is the presence of membrane-bounded starch granules which are considered to be storage plastids. Fungi are not known to produce plastids.
Optimal Aggregation of Classifiers and Boosting Maps in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

We study a method of optimal data-driven aggregation of classifiers in a convex combination and establish tight upper bounds on its excess risk with respect to a convex loss function under the assumption that the solution of optimal aggregation problem is sparse. We use a boosting type algorithm of optimal aggregation to develop aggregate classifiers of activation patterns in fMRI based on locally trained SVM classifiers. The aggregation coefficients are then used to design a "boosting map" of the brain needed to identify the regions with most significant impact on classification.
Molecular Sieve Mechanism of Selective Release of Cytoplasmic Proteins by Osmotically Shocked Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli cells, the outer membrane of which is permeabilized with EDTA, release a specific subset of cytoplasmic proteins upon a sudden drop in osmolarity in the surrounding medium. This subset includes EF-Tu, thioredoxin, and DnaK among other proteins, and comprises approximately 10% of the total bacterial protein content. As we demonstrate here, the same proteins are released from electroporated E. coli cells pretreated with EDTA. Although known for several decades, the phenomenon of selective release of proteins has received no satisfactory explanation. Here we show that the subset of released proteins is almost identical to the subset of proteins that are able to pass through a 100-kDa-cutoff cellulose membrane upon molecular filtration of an E. coli homogenate. This finding indicates that in osmotically shocked or electroporated bacteria, proteins are strained through a molecular sieve formed by the transiently damaged bacterial envelope. As a result, proteins of small native sizes are selectively released, whereas large proteins and large protein complexes are retained by bacterial cells.
Formation of fluorocarbon films by ultraviolet surface photopolymerization

The formation of surface-photopolymerized films from six fluorocarbon monomers in the gas phase at low pressure is described. Transparent, low surface-energy films from 250 to 300 A thick readily formed on glass microscope slides on exposure to an UV source in the presence of the monomer vapor. These films were characterized by water and hydrocarbon contact angles and by surface analysis by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Although these films strongly adhered to the surface under normal conditions, they could be removed by exposure to an oxygen plasma for a few minutes. Surface analysis by XPS revealed that the fluorocarbon was converted to fluoride ion by plasma treatment.
Long-term non-progression of HIV-1 in a patient coinfected with HTLV-II.

A 37 year-old man coinfected with HIV-1 and human T-lymphotropic virus type II presumably through injection drug use had a high CD4+ count and low HIV viral load without anti-retroviral therapy for over six years. As an HIV long-term non-progressor, his case supports the hypothesis that coinfection with HTLV-II does not adversely affect the course of HIV disease.
Development and characterization of potent and specific peptide inhibitors of p60c-src protein tyrosine kinase using pseudosubstrate-based inhibitor design approach

The cytoplasmic protein p60c-src, an ubiquitous non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) is a potential anticancer target as it is over-expressed and/or constitutively active in several cancer types. In addition, the phenotype of c-src knock-out mice is consistent with osteopetrosis, which suggests that inhibitors against this enzyme may also be therapeutic for osteoporosis. Using a known peptide substrate for c-src, MIYKYYF, as a template, we have developed a series of pseudosubstrate-based peptide inhibitors. Structure-activity relationship studies have been performed on one of these inhibitors, CIYKYYF. In a kinase assay using YIYGSFK as the substrate, CIYKYY has been demonstrated to inhibit p60c-src, with an IC50 of 0.6 microm. Further truncation has led to the determination that even the smaller peptide, CIYK, is a moderately potent inhibitor with IC50 of 15 microm. Some improvement in inhibitory potency (IC50 = 11.8 microm) has been observed with the replacement of Tyr3 in CIYK with beta-phenylalanine (beta-Phe). The tetrapeptide CI(beta-Phe)K will be used as a lead compound for future development of peptidomimetics and small molecule inhibitors that have the capacity to penetrate the plasma membrane of intact cells.
Stabilization of nonlinear systems with limited information feedback

This note is concerned with the problem of stabilizing a nonlinear continuous-time system by using sampled encoded measurements of the state. We demonstrate that global asymptotic stabilization is possible if a suitable relationship holds between the number of values taken by the encoder, the sampling period, and a system parameter, provided that a feedback law achieving input-to-state stability with respect to measurement errors can be found. The issue of relaxing the latter condition is also discussed.
Is operating room resuscitation a way to save time

Background Direct admission to the operating room (OR) can shorten the time to incision. A protocol for operating room resuscitation was established with patient triage based on (1) cardiac arrest, (2) hypotension unresponsive to field fluid resuscitation, or (3) uncontrolled external hemorrhage. Methods Operating room resuscitation over 11 years was reviewed to determine whether the triage criteria correctly identified patients requiring operation. Survival was analyzed and compared with the probability of survival (Ps) determined at the scene. Results Operating room resuscitation patients were more likely to require a major operation regardless of mechanism of injury. Of 476 patients with penetrating injury, 170 patients had persistent low blood pressure ( Conclusions Field triage criteria are able to reliably identify patients who require immediate major operative intervention. Direct admission to the OR results in a more timely initiation of operative therapy for patients requiring emergency surgical procedures.
Heavy Drinking, Perceived Discrimination, and Immigration Status Among Filipino Americans

Filipino American drinkers (N = 1,443) in Honolulu and San Francisco were selected from the 1998–1999 Filipino American Community Epidemiological Survey to examine the association between perceived discrimination and heavy drinking behavior by immigration status. Results indicate that living in San Francisco, lower religious participation, and higher perceived discrimination were associated with increased odds for heavy drinking among US-born individuals, whereas being male was a risk factor among foreign-born individuals. Thus, perceived discrimination and immigration status should be considered when designing prevention and intervention strategies to address heavy drinking behavior in this population.
A Humanoid Foot with Polypyrrole Conducting Polymer Artificial Muscles for Energy Dissipation and Storage

This paper describes the design and analysis of a humanoid foot constructed using polypyrrole (PPy) conducting polymer (CP) actuators. The compliance and damping of natural muscles plays an important role in natural human gait. Conducting polymers actuators and other smart structure actuators can store energy by means of inherent mechanical compliance that traditional DC motor actuators do not possess. This paper presents a method for optimizing the inherent compliance and damping of the actuators in order to minimize the active control effort required to generate a natural human gait. A simplified kinematic model of the design is evaluated using biomechanical joint angle and ground reaction force (GRF) data to yield the desired force versus displacement characteristics of the posterior and dorsal actuators. Numerical simulations illustrate the multifunctional nature of the PPy actuators and the overall power requirements of the system during the stance phase of walking gait.
The Effect of Exercise on D-Dimer Levels

ABSTRACTObjective: Many health care providers encounter patients with complaints of calf pain, swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath, and syncope after intense exercise. Unfortunately, these symptoms alone or in constellation could represent an underlying venous thromboembolism. A negative D-dimer can often exclude moderate-risk patients. We examined the change in D-dimer levels following strenuous exercise. Methods: In a prospective study of 42 sailors, D-dimer levels were drawn before and after a workout that simulated the standardized Navy Physical Readiness Test. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests. Results: No significant change was found between pre- and postexercise levels. Conclusion: Findings indicate that neither level of conditioning, nor short, intense exercise affected D-dimer levels in participants who were considered extremely at low risk for thromboembolic disease. In essence, this allowed us to test the test, and therefore adds to our understanding...
Mental Illness as a Career: Sociological Perspectives

The concept of a mental illness career is used to describe the social patterning of the onset and course of mental illness. Rather than positing a single career path that is traversed by all persons thought to have mental illness, several distinct career paths are distinguished. Most careers begin with a vague sense that something is wrong, but this is not always the case. For some, this nebulous state proceeds to a key juncture, illness onset—the identification of the problem as a mental illness—which may lead to treatment and the adoption of the identity of patient, but often does not. Treatment may result in remission and recovery, but relapse may presage a chronic or recurrent course. Many people who are symptomatic, however, do not identify their problem as mental illness, nor do they seek or receive treatment for it; their symptoms may abate over time, or they may develop a chronic or recurrent undiagnosed disorder. Thus, there is no single mental health career, but rather multiple ways of enacting the social role of a person with mental illness.
Assessment of Visually Impaired Infants and Preschool Children

Vision plays a massive and critical role in children’s early cognitive development. Vision provides information that is far more extensive, more specific, and more rapid than any other sense; Padula (1983) maintained that some 80% of a child’s ability to discern relationships, and to establish the perceptual experience necessary for normal development, occurs through the visual sense. Indeed, vision is frequently considered the mediator of all other sensory information, the principal avenue of incidental learning, and even the factor that stabilizes a child’s interaction with his or her world (Barraga, 1983).
Primary pancreatic neuroblastoma presenting with opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome.

Although neuroblastoma is a common solid organ malignancy in children, primary pancreatic neuroblastoma is a rare entity in children, with very few cases reported in the literature. The case discusses the presentation of a 21-month-old female presenting to the neurology clinic with ataxia and erratic eye movements. Our case illustrates the computed tomography, ultrasound, and scintigraphic findings of primary pancreatic neuroblastoma presenting as opsoclonus–myoclonus syndrome. Computed tomography and ultrasound demonstrated a vascular, enhancing mass in the pancreatic body clearly separate from the adrenal gland. Metaiodobenzylguanidine scan demonstrates focal intense uptake in the pancreatic body. The patient's diagnosis was confirmed with biopsy, and her malignancy responded well to conventional chemotherapy. The case is important in that it demonstrates the unusual imaging appearance of a primary pancreatic neuroblastoma.
Racial/ethnic variations in the prevalence of selected major birth defects, metropolitan Atlanta, 1994-2005.

Objectives Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality and are responsible for substantial child and adult morbidity. Documenting the variation in prevalence of birth defects among racial/ethnic subpopulations is critical for assessing possible variations in diagnosis, case ascertainment, or risk factors among such groups. Methods We used data from the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program, a population-based birth defects registry with active case ascertainment. We estimated the racial/ethnic variation in prevalence of 46 selected major birth defects among live births, stillbirths, and pregnancy terminations at >20 weeks gestation among mothers residing in the five central counties of metropolitan Atlanta between 1994 and 2005, adjusting for infant sex, maternal age, gravidity, and socioeconomic status (SES). We also explored SES as a potential effect measure modifier. Results Compared with births to non-Hispanic white women, births to non-Hispanic black women had a significantly higher prevalence of five birth defects and a significantly lower prevalence of 10 birth defects, while births to Hispanic women had a significantly higher prevalence of four birth defects and a significantly lower prevalence of six birth defects. The racial/ethnic disparities in the prevalence of some defects varied by SES, but no clear pattern emerged. Conclusions Racial/ethnic disparities were suggested in 57% of included birth defects. Disparities in the prevalence of birth defects may result from different underlying genetic susceptibilities; exposure to risk factors; or variability in case diagnosis, ascertainment, or reporting among the subpopulations examined. Policies that improve early diagnosis of birth defects could reduce associated morbidity and mortality.
93-nm multiphoton pumped XUV laser

High spectral brightness excimer lasers have been used to produce extreme ultraviolet radiation (XUV) either by harmonic generation mechanisms or direct multiquantum excitation of appropriate gain media with recent results indicating that the latter method is superior for the generation of short-wavelength radiation.
Modeling Diffusion-Induced Bubble Growth in Polymer Liquids:

Accurate modeling of diffusion-induced bubble growth is essential for the development of efficient polymer foaming processes. Consequently, a large number of transport models of this complex phenom...
Down to the Nitty-Gritty: A case study of Collection Policies and Procedures in the Ethnology Department at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History

Abstract Although most museum professionals understand the differences between a Collection Management Policy (CMP) and collection procedures, many find it difficult to create, update, and implement these different documents. The creation of a procedural manual for the Ethnology Department at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (SNOMNH) at the University of Oklahoma and an update of SNOMNH’s CMP led to an examination of the differences between policies and procedures, the varying processes of creating and/or updating these different documents, the difficulties of policy/procedure implementation, and the ultimate necessity of both types of documents.