cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temporal and spectral study of a newly discovered spiking phenomenon in the pre-eclipse and anomalous dip states of Hercules X-1

A new phenomenon has been detected in observations of Hercules X-1 at times consistent with the preeclipse and anomalous dips. The X-ray intensity does not drop for the duration of the dip but is punctuated by short spikes that appear to repeat with a period of approximately 108 minutes. Spectral fits during the on-state, the spike-state, and the low-state suggest a single, constant intrinsic source spectrum which becomes partially covered by an absorbing medium during the spike and low states. All three states can be fitted with the same flat power law between 1 and 20 keV with an absorber of varying covering fraction. Since the morphology and spectrum of the spikes are similar during both the preeclipse and the anomalous dips, and the possible 108 minute period is seen in both states, there is for the first time strong support for a common origin for the preeclipse and anomalous dips.
Solution of the inverse spectral problem for an impedance with integrable derivative part II

The inverse eigenvalue problem for a Sturm-Liouville equation in impedance form with Dirichlet boundary conditions on a unit interval is solved. The solution of this nonlinear problem requires the investigation of a combined map from the logarithmic derivative of the impedance, assumed to be square integrable, to two sequences of spectral data. The first is the sequence of Dirichlet eigenvalues, shown to be locally bounded with square roots differing from the sequence of integral multiples of π by a square summable sequence. The second sequence has as first term the mean of the logarithmic derivative of the impedance. Each term in the remainder of the sequence is the logarithm of the product of the impedance and the derivative of an eigenfunction evaluated at an endpoint. It is shown that this second sequence is a locally bounded square summable sequence. The combined map is a real analytic isomorphism. A uniqueness result follows from the asymptotics and analyticity shown in the first paper and properties of Riesz bases. The existence is shown by giving a closed form of the solution. It is also shown that the same map solves the inverse Sturm-Liouville problem in impedance form with Neumann boundary conditions. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Deafferentation pain resulting from cervical posterior rhizotomy is alleviated by chromaffin cell transplants into the rat spinal subarachnoid space.

Objective Deafferentation pain is common after posttraumatic brachial plexus avulsion in humans. Alleviation of such pain is poorly achieved by most therapeutic interventions; the only efficient neurosurgical procedure currently available is lesioning of the dorsal root entry zone. Previous work has demonstrated that adrenal medullary transplants into the lumbar spinal subarachnoid space can alleviate neuropathic pain behavior resulting from peripheral nerve or spinal cord injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of adrenal medullary transplants on brachial plexus deafferentation pain. Methods The cervical posterior rhizotomy model was selected as an upper segmental deafferentation model because it mimics the pathological situation after traumatic brachial plexus avulsion in humans. Animals underwent a right posterior cervical rhizotomy extending from C5 to T1 and received either adrenal medullary transplants or control striated muscle transplants into the cervical subarachnoid space. The clinical evolution was evaluated daily for self-directed behaviors indicative of ongoing pain, including onset, dermatomal extent, and severity. Results In animals with muscle control transplants, self-directed behaviors appeared in 83.3% of the group, with a mean delay between rhizotomy and onset of self-directed behaviors of 8 days. In contrast, only 30.8% of the animals implanted with chromaffin cells exhibited any signs of self-directed behaviors, and these had a mean onset delay of 14 days. Conclusion The suppression of self-directed behaviors by adrenal medullary transplants is similar to that observed after dorsal root entry zone lesioning and suggests that this approach may offer a nonablative alternative in the management of deafferentation pain resulting from dorsal root avulsion.
Age affects escape behavior by the zebra-tailed lizard (Callisaurus draconoides) more strongly than in other lizards

Prey of different ages may exhibit differences in escape behavior, including flight initiation distance (FID – predator-prey distance when escape begins) and distance fled before stopping (DF). Escape theory predicts FID and, in some circumstance, DF, based on trade-offs between conflicting cost of not fleeing (predation risk) and cost of fleeing (primarily opportunities to enhance fitness lost by fleeing). The prey’s expected lifetime fitness when an encounter begins also affects escape decisions. Because hatchling and adult lizards may differ in ways that affect all three of these factors, a priori prediction of age differences is not possible without measurements of all three. In a field study I found that hatchling zebra-tailed lizards (Callisaurs draconoides) had much shorter FID and DF than adults. These relationships were not affected by distance to refuge, which did not differ between ages, and refuge use was infrequent. The findings agree with those of all but one previous study of age differences, suggesting that hatchling lizards typically have shorter FID and DF than adults because they 1) assess risk as being lower due to lower attractiveness to or detectability by predators, lack of experience or greater maneuverability, 2) have greater opportunity cost due to the need for rapid growth and good body condition before winter, and possibly 3) have lower residual reproductive value due to higher mortality rate than adults. Effects of age and size are confounded, and smaller size may be the major reason for the shorter FID and distance fled of hatchlings.
Catechol Polymers for pH-Responsive, Targeted Drug Delivery to Cancer Cells

A novel cell-targeting, pH-sensitive polymeric carrier was employed in this study for delivery of the anticancer drug bortezomib (BTZ) to cancer cells. Our strategy is based on facile conjugation of BTZ to catechol-containing polymeric carriers that are designed to be taken up selectively by cancer cells through cell surface receptor-mediated mechanisms. The polymer used as a building block in this study was poly(ethylene glycol), which was chosen for its ability to reduce nonspecific interactions with proteins and cells. The catechol moiety was exploited for its ability to bind and release borate-containing therapeutics such as BTZ in a pH-dependent manner. In acidic environments, such as in cancer tissue or the subcellular endosome, BTZ dissociates from the polymer-bound catechol groups to liberate the free drug, which inhibits proteasome function. A cancer-cell-targeting ligand, biotin, was presented on the polymer carriers to facilitate targeted entry of drug-loaded polymer carriers into cancer cells. Our study demonstrated that the cancer-targeting drug-polymer conjugates dramatically enhanced cellular uptake, proteasome inhibition, and cytotoxicity toward breast carcinoma cells in comparison with nontargeting drug-polymer conjugates. The pH-sensitive catechol-boronate binding mechanism provides a chemoselective approach for controlling the release of BTZ in targeted cancer cells, establishing a concept that may be applied in the future toward other boronic acid-containing therapeutics to treat a broad range of diseases.
Psychiatric symptoms and substance use disorders in a nationally representative sample of American adolescents involved with foster care.

Abstract Purpose To ascertain the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and substance use disorders among adolescents with a lifetime history of foster care placement, using data from a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescents. Methods We studied adolescents aged 12–17 years in the public use file of the 2000 National Household on Drug Abuse (n = 19,430, including 464 adolescents with history of foster care placement). Psychiatric symptoms and substance use disorders were ascertained through direct interviewing of adolescents. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the odds of past-year psychiatric symptoms and substance use disorders among adolescents involved with foster care, as compared to those without a lifetime history of foster care placement (comparison group). Results Adolescents involved with foster care had more past-year psychiatric symptoms, and especially more conduct symptoms, and past-year substance use disorders than those never placed in foster care. Adolescents involved with foster care were about four times more likely to have attempted suicide in the preceding 12 months (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.95; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.78, 5.61), and about five times more likely to receive a drug dependence diagnosis in the same period (AOR 4.81; 95% CI 3.22, 7.18). Conclusions Adolescents involved with foster care have a higher prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and drug use disorders than those never placed in foster care. Additionally, the results of this study suggest that they may be at elevated risk for suicide attempts.
Novel cellulose derivatives. Part VI. Preparation and thermal analysis of two novel cellulose esters with fluorine-containing substituents

Abstract Two novel cellulose esters were prepared with fluorine (F)-containing substituents using homogeneous phase reaction chemistry in DMAc/LiCl. The partially substituted derivatives and their corresponding perpropionates proved to be thermoplastic polymers. The 2,2-difluoroethoxy and 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentoxy substituents were easily identified by 1H- and 19F-NMR spectroscopy without disclosing their precise location on the anhydroglucose unit. Thermal analysis revealed modest or no crystallinity; glass transition temperatures between 53 and 113°C; and improved thermal stability as compared to their F-free counterparts.
Characteristics of Prenatal Interviews Provided by Pediatricians

A questionnaire regarding use of pediatric prenatal interviews was mailed to 235 pediatricians. From 197 responses, we identified 118 practicing pediatricians who see a minimum of 25 newborns per year. Eighty-six (73%) of this group of 118 physicians conduct prenatal visits. In the practices of these physicians, an average of 22% of mothers (or couples) have a prenatal visit. Physicians unanimously favored fathers' presence at the visit. Prenatal visits were more frequently done by urban than by nonurban physicians. Only 15% charge for a prenatal visit, despite spending an average of 20 office minutes as compared to 16 office minutes for a well-baby visit. Pediatricians have positive attitudes about the use of prenatal interviews, regardless of whether or not they conduct them. High consensus regarding the importance of these visits combined with the low prevalence of their actual use suggest the need for more parent and physician education on this aspect of pediatric care.
Three-dimensional craniofacial reconstruction with electronic optical contouring

The authors present an electronic optical contouring method and its biomedical application to three-dimensional quantitation of the craniofacial surface. These optical but noninterferometric contours, representing depth of a surface, are generated by projection optics, which utilize incoherent light and are thus relatively inexpensive. With the aid of digital image processing techniques, the process of contour mapping is automated for improved speed and accuracy. Preliminary experiments on a volunteer demonstrate the capability for accurate three-dimensional real-time cephalometry. >
the second annual Corsican spelling contest: orthography and ideology

In this article, I interpret a broadcast Corsican spelling contest as evidence of both resistance and accommodation to dominant models of language as an autonomous, authoritative code. First, the broadcast illustrates that efforts to promote the minority language by focusing on written standards conflict with everyday linguistic practices and cultural values and can create new forms of cultural alienation. Second, broadcast participants powerfully assert the countervalues of intimacy and egalitarianism associated with Corsican. This resistance, however, is only partial in that it does not escape the diglossic compartmentalization of domains of linguistic use and value; it therefore fails to take into account the mixed nature of both Corsican identity and everyday language practices. [orthography, Corsica, language ideology, minoritized languages, language planning]
The pivotal role of carbonic anhydrase in malaria infection

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is essential for the growth of intraerythrocytic malaria parasites to synthesize pyrimidine through CO2 fixation and to regulate intracellular pH. CO2 transport across the plasma membrane of erythrocytes is facilitated by carbonic anhydrase (CA). With the use of electron microscopy and CA-specific Hansson's stain, CA is found also in all the intraerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum. When CA inhibitors, including acetazolamide, potassium iodide, and sodium deoxycholate, were added to continuous culture of P. falciparum, they, particularly sodium deoxycholate, produced a marked reduction in parasitemia. These results explain the biochemical basis of some of the clinical conditions associated with malaria and strongly suggest that CA inhibitors have potential as a new class of antimalarials.
CONSTANT, SHIFT, AND NATURAL TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON SEX DETERMINATION IN PODOCNEMIS EXPANSA TURTLES

Environmental sex determination may yield biased sex ratios, as is the case in many reptilian species with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Determin- ing TSD thermal ecology is important to understanding sex ratio evolution in those species, as TSD systems may pose a challenge to Fisherian models that predict the production of 1:1 sex ratios through frequency-dependent selection. Unfortunately, the relationship be- tween fluctuating temperatures and sex in nature remains poorly understood. Here I present a novel statistical model of TSD in the endangered Amazonian freshwater turtle, Podocnemis expansa, designed to account for heterogeneous daily fluctuations of natural nest temper- atures by comparing laboratory and field data on sex ratios, developmental stages, cu- mulative temperature units (CTUs), and time spent below the survival threshold (288C). Experiments encompassed constant, shift-once, and shift-twice temperatures in the labo- ratory, plus depth and shading treatments in the field. A constant temperature of 32.68C produced 1:1 males : females, the highest pivotal temperature ever reported for a turtle species. The thermosensitive period for sex determination (TSP) roughly occurs during developmental stages 17-24 as determined from shift experiments. The CTUs during the TSP plus the number of hours below 288C prior to the TSP significantly explained sex ratio production in the combined laboratory and field data set (positive and negative effects, respectively). However, the relationship for field nests only was not significant. Higher temperatures had a disproportionately larger effect on female production in the combined field and laboratory data set. Depth and shading had drastic effects on nest temperature, embryonic development, and sex ratio. Seasonal climate changes can override the effect of nest depth via differences in oviposition time. Two of the shaded nests experienced the coldest temperatures of all field nests but yielded the highest female proportion, according to a TSDII pattern (when females are produced at low and high temperatures and males are produced at intermediate temperatures). Thus Podocnemis expansa may be a TSDII species, but this intrinsic system seems to be realized as TSDIa in nature (males produced at low temperatures and females produced at high temperatures), because of the general lethality of cold temperatures which precludes the production of low-temperature females.
STRAP PTM: Software Tool for Rapid Annotation and Differential Comparison of Protein Post-Translational Modifications.

The identification of protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) is an increasingly important component of proteomics and biomarker discovery, but very few tools exist for performing fast and easy characterization of global PTM changes and differential comparison of PTMs across groups of data obtained from liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry experiments. STRAP PTM (Software Tool for Rapid Annotation of Proteins: Post-Translational Modification edition) is a program that was developed to facilitate the characterization of PTMs using spectral counting and a novel scoring algorithm to accelerate the identification of differential PTMs from complex data sets. The software facilitates multi-sample comparison by collating, scoring, and ranking PTMs, and by summarizing data visually. The freely available software (beta release) installs on a PC and processes data in protXML format obtained from files parsed through the Trans-Proteomic Pipeline. The easy-to-use interface allows examination of results at protein, peptide, and PTM levels, and the overall design offers tremendous flexibility that provides proteomics insight beyond simple assignment and counting. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 44:13.22.1-13.22.36. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: post-translational modifications; PTMs; proteomics; mass spectrometry; spectral counting; software; biomarkers
Efficient spin injection using tunnel injectors

Summary form only given, as follows: semiconductor spintronics aims to develop novel sensor, memory and logic devices by manipulating the spin states of carriers in semiconducting materials. This talk will focus on electrical spin injection into semiconductors, which is a prerequisite for spintronics and, in particular, on tunnel based spin injectors that are potentially operable above room temperature. The spin polarization of the electron current within the semiconductor is detected by measuring the circular polarization of the electroluminescence from a quantum well light emitting diode structure. The temperature and bias dependence of the electroluminescence polarization provides insight into the spin relaxation mechanisms within the semiconductor heterostructure.
Numerical investigation of axonal cargo rerouting in a dendrite: A three kinetic state model

The purpose of this paper is to develop a three-kinetic state model to investigate axonal cargo rerouting in a dendrite. It is assumed that axonal cargos are transported by kinesin motors; they can enter dendrites riding on plus-end-out microtubules (MTs). If this happens, cargos are rerouted by dissociating from these MTs and associating with minus-end-out MTs. The same kinesin motors then move axonal cargos out of the dendrite. The model predicts how far axonal cargos can penetrate into the dendrite, concentrations of various populations of axonal cargos, and cargo fluxes.
The case for elastic operating system services in fos

Given exponential scaling, it will not be long before chips with hundreds of cores are standard. For OS designers, this new trend in architectures provides a new opportunity to explore different research directions in scaling operating systems. The primary question facing OS designers over the next ten years will be: What is the correct design of OS services that will scale up to hundreds or thousands of cores, and adapt to the unprecedented variability in demand of the system resources? A fundamental research challenge addressed in this paper is to identify some characteristics of such a scalable OS service for next multicore and cloud computing chips. We argue that the OS services have to deploy elastic techniques to adapt to this variability at runtime. In this paper, we advocate for elastic OS service, illustrate their feasibility and effectiveness in meeting the variable demands through providing elastic technologies for OS services in the fos operating system. We furthermore showcase a prototype elastic file system service fos and illustrate its effectiveness in meeting variable demands.
Inverse iteration method for finding eigenvectors

An iteration method which is not sensitive to small errors in the eigenvalues is developed for finding eigenvectors. The method finds the eigenvector of both the normal and transposed matrix. These eigenvectors can then be used in the Rayleigh quotient to improve the value for the eigenvalue.
Tooth mobility measurements following two methods of eliminating nonworking side occlusal interferences

Abstract The objective of this study was to compare tooth mobility following two methods of eliminating nonworking side interference (NWSI). The first method involved the complete elimination of any tooth contact on the NWS. The second method involved the reduction of the NWSI to a level which was harmonious with the occlusion on the working side. Thirty-three clinically healthy individuals having nonworking side interferences and no pathological signs of occlusal trauma, participated in the study. After 1 month of intensive training in oral hygiene, the volunteers were divided into three groups of 11 each. The first two groups were experimental and the third group received no occlusal adjustment to serve as a control. In the first group tooth mobility measurements and periapical x-ray films of teeth with nonworking interferences were taken. Occlusal interferences were then totally eliminated by selective tooth grinding. Two months later mobility and x-ray recordings of same teeth were repeated. In the second group the same procedure was performed, but nonworking side interferences were adjusted to harmonious contacts with occlusion on the working side. Tooth mobility was measured in hundredths of a millimeter, using the microperiodontometer designed by Muhlemann (1954). Data were subjected to statistical analysis and the following conclusions were drawn: 1Tooth mobility was significantly (P < 0.001) reduced after complete elimination of nonworking side interferences, as well as after adjusting the nonworking side interferences to harmonious contacts with occlusion on the working side (P < 0.01). 2The reduction in mobility was significantly (P < 0.001) greater when occlusal interferences were completely eliminated than when harmonious contacts were achieved. 3There were no detectable radiographic changes, either in the interproximal alveolar bone level or periodontal ligament spaces, 2 months following occlusal adjustment.
Subclinical chronic lymphocytic leukaemia associated with a 13q deletion presenting initially in the skin: apropos of a case

Introduction: B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) represents a low grade B cell lymphoproliferative disease with overlapping features with small lymphocytic lymphoma. The neoplastic cell is an autoreactive CD5 CD23 B lymphocyte. B-CLL may involve the skin, typically in the context of known disease. We present a case of subclinical B-CLL presenting initially in the skin. Results: A 73-year-old male developed a lesion on his right cheek in April 2003 compatible with basal cell carcinoma. The re-excision specimen contained a well differentiated atypical lymphocytic infiltrate consistent with B-CLL along with residual carcinoma. Subsequent laboratory studies revealed slight thrombocytopenia and mild peripheral blood lymphocytosis. A diagnosis was made of stage 0 CLL. Chromosomal studies on peripheral blood showed a deletion at 13q14.3. Conclusion: This case represents a cutaneous presentation of subclinical B-CLL. There are two prior reports describing B-CLL presenting initially in the skin. In one case the infiltrates were incidental on a re-excision specimen. The second report suggests 16% of B-CLL patients have cutaneous manifestations as the first sign of disease. Data indicates that 13q14 deletion in B-CLL in early stage disease may portend a more aggressive course, possibly explaining its early presentation in the skin in our case.
On the issue of decoupled decoding of codes derived from quaternion orthogonal designs

Quaternion orthogonal designs (QODs) have been previously introduced as a basis for orthogonal space-time polarization block codes (OSTPBCs). This note will serve to correct statements concerning the optimality of a decoupled maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding algorithm. It will be shown that when compared to coupled decoding, the decoupled decoding is only optimal in certain cases. This raises several open problems concerning the decoding of OSTPBCs.
Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter in antimicrobial-free and conventional pig production systems.

The objectives of this study were to determine and compare the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter species in swine reared in conventional and antimicrobial-free (ABF) production systems. Campylobacter coli was the predominant species, with 1,459 isolates (99%) in the study. We found significantly higher prevalence of C. coli on the ABF farms (77.3%) than on the conventional farms (27.6%) among pigs at the nursery stage (P 4 mg/liter) was also found on farms in both systems. Multidrug-resistant C. coli strains were detected in both the conventional (7%) and ABF (4%) herds. This is the first report of ciprofloxacin-resistant strains of C. coli in ABF pigs in the United States. These findings highlight the high prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant C. coli in both conventional and ABF pig production systems and have significant implications for the persistence of antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter in the pig production environment regardless of levels of antimicrobial use.
Complexity and performance of computational arrays

The authors use a case study to analyze the tradeoffs between speed and complexity in systolic array operation. First, a theoretical lower bound for performance is established. The use of currently available systolic arrays is considered. These arrays feature advanced characteristics such as nonplanar interconnections and multimode processing elements The arrays are provided with additional features to increase computational speed. The best performance obtained is still inferior to the theoretical optimum. To complement the study, the requirements of an architecture to achieve optimal performance are established. >
An approximate Bayesian computation approach to parameter estimation in a stochastic stage‐structured population model

Complex population processes may require equally complex models, which can lead to analytically intractable estimation problems. Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) is a computational tool for parameter estimation in situations where likelihoods cannot be computed. Instead of using likelihoods, ABC methods quantify the similarities between an observed data set and repeated simulations from a model. A practical obstacle to implementing an ABC algorithm is selecting summary statistics and distance metrics that accurately capture the main features of the data. We demonstrate the application of a sequential Monte Carlo ABC sampler (ABC SMC) to parameter estimation of a general stochastic stage-structured population model with ongoing reproduction and heterogeneity in development and mortality. Individual variation in demographic traits has considerable consequences for population dynamics in many systems, but including it in a population model by explicitly allowing stage durations to follow a realistic distribution creates a complex model. We applied the ABC SMC to fit the model to a simulated representative data set with known underlying parameters to evaluate the performance of the algorithm. We also introduced a systematic method for selecting summary statistics and distance metrics, using simulated data and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves from classification theory. Evaluations suggest that the approach is promising for model inference in our example of realistic stage-structured population models.
A Bayesian design and analysis for dose-response using informative prior information.

We wish to use prior information on an existing drug in the design and analysis of a dose-response study for a new drug candidate within the same pharmacological class. Using the Bayesian methodology, this prior information can be used quantitatively and the randomization can be weighted in favor of the new compound, where there is less information. An E max model is used to describe the dose-response of the existing drug. The estimates from this model are used to provide informative prior information used for the design and analysis of the new study to establish the relative potency between the new compound and the existing drug therapy. The assumption is made that the data from previous trials and the new study are exchangeable. The impact of departures from this assumption can be quantified through simulations and by assessing the operating characteristics of various scenarios. Simulations show that relatively modest sample sizes can yield informative results about the magnitude of the relative potency...
Finding the Twitter users who stood with Wendy.

Abstract Objective I examine Twitter discussion regarding the Texas omnibus abortion restriction bill before, during and after Wendy Davis’ filibuster in summer 2013. This critical moment precipitated wide public discussion of abortion. Digital records allow me to characterize the spatial distribution of participants in Texas and the United States and estimate the proportion of participants who were Texans. Study design Building a dataset based on all hashtags associated with the bill between June 19th and July 14th, 2013, I use GPS locations and text descriptions of locations to classify users by county of residence. Mapping tweets from accounts within the continental United States by day, I describe the residential composition of the conversation in total and over time. Using indirect estimation, I compute an estimate of the number of Texans who participated. Results About 1.66 million tweets were sent using hashtags associated with the bill from 399,081 user accounts. I estimate counties of residence for 160,954 participants (40.3%). An estimated 115,500 participants (29%) were Texans, and Texans sent an estimated 48.8% of all tweets. Tweets were sent from users estimated to live in every region of Texas, including 189 of Texas’ 254 counties. Texans tweeted more than non-Texans on every day except the filibuster and the day after. Conclusion The analysis measures real-life responses to proposed abortion restrictions from people across Texas and the United States. It demonstrates that Twitter users from across Texas counties opposed HB2 by describing the geographical range of US and Texan abortion rights supporters on Twitter. Implications The Twitter discussion surrounding Wendy Davis’ filibuster revealed a geographically diverse population of individuals who strongly oppose abortion restrictions. Texans from across the state were among those who actively voiced opposition. Identifying rights supporters through online behavior may present a new way of classifying individuals’ orientations regarding abortion rights.
Candida Infections of Medical Devices

The number of indwelling medical devices is escalating, and an increasing proportion of device-related infections are being caused by Candida spp. Candida spp. produce biofilms on synthetic materials, which facilitates adhesion of the organisms to devices and renders them relatively refractory to medical therapy. Management of device-related Candida infections can be challenging. Removal of the infected device is generally needed to establish cure of Candida infections of medical devices. However, since the pathogenesis of Candida bloodstream infection is complicated, more studies are necessary to determine the role of catheter exchange in patients with both gastrointestinal tract mucositis and indwelling catheters. The medical and economic impact of these infections is enormous.
Retrospective analysis of data in youth evaluated for attempted suicide

Abstract BACKGROUND: Suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescents and a major contributor to morbidity in this age group. The objective of this study was to study the demographics, major stressors and factors leading to attempting suicide as well as the methods of attempted suicide in adolescents admitted to two hospitals in a medium size city. METHODS: Medical records review of adolescents admitted to two area hospitals for attempted suicide between 7/1/97-12/31/99. Coroner's data on completed suicide were also reviewed. RESULTS: In the period above a total of 287 patients 21 years of age or under were admitted for attempted suicide. Mean age was 16.9 and age range between 7-21. 53.4% of the total were females and 46.6 were males with the majority of the total being Caucasians (75.6%). Interpersonal conflicts were the most common stressors preceding the attempt; fight with parents 20%, end of a relationship 12%, fight with a significant other 8%. Financial difficulties were the culprit in 10% of the cases. Abuse was not clearly recorded in 64% of cases. In cases where documentation was clear, 60% reported sexual and 67% physical abuse. Nearly half of the patients had a prior psychiatric diagnosis with prior suicide attempt and depression being most common at 27 and 18% respectively. Overdose was the most common method utilized. There were 20 completed adolescent suicides in the area with firearms as the method used in all of them. CONCLUSION: Suicide continues to be a major problem in adolescents. Access to guns may be a detrimental factor in completing suicide. Health care providers may help identify those at risk by routinely screening all adolescents for depression and suicide.
Activity of the Distal Positive Element of the Peripherin Gene Is Dependent on Proteins Binding to an Ets-like Recognition Site and a Novel Inverted Repeat Site

Next Section Abstract The peripherin gene, encoding a neuron-specific intermediate filament protein, is transcriptionally induced when PC12 cells begin to terminally differentiate into neurons in response to nerve growth factor. Previously we identified two regulatory sequences of the peripherin gene: a proximal negative element (centered at −173), which prevents peripherin expression in undifferentiated PC12 cells, and a distal positive region (−2660 to −2308) necessary for full induction of peripherin in differentiated PC12 cells (Thompson, M., Lee, E. Lawe, D., Gizang-Ginsberg, E., and Ziff, E.(1992) Mol. Cell. Biol. 12, 2501-2513). Here we define a distal positive element (DPE, −2445 to −2337) within the distal positive region. Methylation interference footprinting of the DPE identified DNA-protein contact points at a novel inverted repeat sequence (AACCACTGGTT) and an Ets-like recognition sequence (CAGGAG). Functional analysis using site-directed mutagenesis demonstrates that both sites are necessary for the activity of the DPE. In addition, ternary complex formation at the DPE is dependent on both sites. Antibody competition assays confirm that an Ets family member participates in the DNA-protein complex. We have indirect evidence that the inverted repeat binding protein and the Ets-related protein interact directly with each other. Finally, we demonstrate that the DPE is constitutively active and that neuron-specific regulation of peripherin expression may be due to interaction with distal and proximal negative regulatory elements.
A Broader Understanding of the Ethics of Listening: Philosophy, Cultural Studies, Media Studies and the Ethical Listening Subject

This article recognizes the importance of traditional, empirical research on listening but questions whether that research is adequate to ground a theory of ethical listening. By focusing on listening as an activity and cognitive process, that research undermines our recognition of listening's role as a practice in the ethical constitution of the subject. This essay looks at philosophical history (e.g., Foucault, 1997), cultural studies of sound (e.g., Schafer, 1977, revised 1994; Corbin, 2003; Smith, 2001) and of music (e.g., Adorno, 2001; Wong, 2001; Botstein, 1992) and media and communication texts (e.g., Finucane & Horavath, 2000) to articulate the ways that listening structures our subjectivity and yields limited agency to the individual in constituting our own ethical being. That research in listening is used to refine Ratcliffe's metaphorical model for Rhetorical Listening with reference to the empirical experiences of the ear. The essay closes by generating five key choices we all make in ethical ...
Hierarchical digital modulation classification using cumulants

A simple method, based on elementary fourth-order cumulants, is proposed for the classification of digital modulation schemes. These statistics are natural in this setting as they characterize the shape of the distribution of the noisy baseband I and Q samples. It is shown that cumulant-based classification is particularly effective when used in a hierarchical scheme, enabling separation into subclasses at low signal-to-noise ratio with small sample size. Thus, the method can be used as a preliminary classifier if desired. Computational complexity is order N, where N is the number of complex baseband data samples. This method is robust in the presence of carrier phase and frequency offsets and can be implemented recursively. Theoretical arguments are verified via extensive simulations and comparisons with existing approaches.
The transcription factors Nkx6.1 and Nkx6.2 possess equivalent activities in promoting beta-cell fate specification in Pdx1+ pancreatic progenitor cells

Despite much progress in identifying transcriptional regulators that control the specification of the different pancreatic endocrine cell types, the spatiotemporal aspects of endocrine subtype specification have remained largely elusive. Here, we address the mechanism by which the transcription factors Nkx6.1 (Nkx6-1) and Nkx6.2 (Nkx6-2) orchestrate development of the endocrine alpha- and beta-cell lineages. Specifically, we assayed for the rescue of insulin-producing beta-cells in Nkx6.1 mutant mice upon restoring Nkx6 activity in select progenitor cell populations with different Nkx6-expressing transgenes. Beta-cell formation and maturation was restored when Nkx6.1 was expressed in multipotential Pdx1(+) pancreatic progenitors, whereas no rescue was observed upon expression in committed Ngn3(+) (Neurog3(+)) endocrine progenitors. Although not excluding additional roles downstream of Ngn3, this finding suggests a first requirement for Nkx6.1 in specifying beta-cell progenitors prior to Ngn3 activation. Surprisingly, although Nkx6.2 only compensates for Nkx6.1 in alpha-but not in beta-cell development in Nkx6.1(-/-) mice, a Pdx1-promoter-driven Nkx6.2 transgene had the same ability to rescue beta-cells as the Pdx1-Nkx6.1 transgene. This demonstrates that the distinct requirements for Nkx6.1 and Nkx6.2 in endocrine differentiation are a consequence of their divergent spatiotemporal expression domains rather than their biochemical activities and implies that both Nkx6.1 and Nkx6.2 possess alpha- and beta-cell-specifying activities.
Adaptive Learning Agents for Sustainable Building Energy Management.

Nearly 20% of total energy consumption in the United States is accounted for in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Smart sensing and adaptive energy management agents can greatly decrease the energy usage of HVAC systems in many building applications, for example by enabling the operator to shut off HVAC to unoccupied rooms. We implement a multimodal sensor agent that is nonintrusive and low-cost, combining information such as motion detection, CO2 reading, sound level, ambient light,and door state sensing. We show that in our live test bed at the USC campus, these sensor agents can be used to accurately estimate the number of occupants in each room using machine learning techniques, and that these techniques can also be applied to predict future occupancy by creating agent models of the occupants. These predictions will be used by control agents to enable the HVAC system increase its efficiency by continuously adapting to occupancy forecasts of each room.
Therapy of AVMs: a decision analysis.

A DA tree representing the possible outcomes of a real-life scenario of decision-making with an AVM has been constructed and presented. Baseline values for a young female with a grade 2 (Spetzler) AVM were drawn from the literature, and when computed in a decision tree, favor open surgical resection. Sensitivity analysis was performed by dividing lesions into small ( or = 3 cm) categories. With small and large AVMs that were Spetzler grade 3 or less, open surgery was favored over SRNS, delayed therapy, embolization plus therapy, or the natural history of the disease. However, with increasing risk of anesthesia (ASA grade 3 or greater), SRNS becomes a more reasonable therapy for small AVMs (less than 3 cm.). For large AVMs (greater than 3 cm), open surgical resection is favored for Spetzler grade 2 and 3 AVMs, depending on the patient's age and anesthesia risk. However, for large and complex lesions (Spetzler grades 4 and 5), SRNS is favored despite low cure rates (50%). At no time were natural history, delayed therapy, or embolization therapy favored. In the future, cost may be factored into the analysis as well. The complexity of that evaluation is beyond the scope of this report; however, DA is especially equipped to deal with financial analysis of such questions, because the technique has been borrowed from the business community. In the spirit of the "winds of change," techniques will continue to improve, and other modalities may be found for therapy, requiring further analysis of the therapy of AVMs. As more difficult and complex alternatives become available, DA may play an integral role in sorting these complex issues of patient care.
‘North Sea’ or ‘German Ocean’? Britain and Germany in the Wider World

Although as late as the turn of the twentieth century, the chief producers of maps and atlases in Britain were more inclined to depict Germany politically as a federal nation made up of disparate elements, the sudden and unexpected expansion of the German Empire into the wider world created a new set of conventions to be adhered to. The expansion of German colonies coincided with, and was an integral part of, one of the most comprehensive redrawings of the world map in history. The lonely death of David Livingstone in 1873, deep in the African interior, has been seen by many commentators as the key event in initiating what is now called the ’Scramble for Africa’, but the event which is recognised to have prompted the ‘most feverish phase’ of expansion was the German annexation of Bell Town and of the whole of the adjoining Cameroons, in 1884. 1 The subsequent carving-up of the Dark Continent was an imperial process immediately visible to the British public via the maps and atlases of the time, just as the process of German Unification had been.
Sinovenous Thrombosis: Anticoagulation Therapy

The value of anticoagulant therapy in a consecutive cohort 5 year study of 30 children with 32 episodes of sinovenous thrombosis (SVT) was assessed at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
Major pathways to electron distribution function formation in regions of diffuse aurora

This paper discusses the major pathways of electron distribution function formation in the region of diffuse aurora. The diffuse aurora accounts for about of 75% of the auroral energy precipitating into the upper atmosphere, and its origin has been the subject of much discussion. We show that an Earthward stream of precipitating electrons initially injected from the Earth1s plasmasheet via wave-particle interactions degrades in the atmosphere toward lower energies and produces secondary electrons via impact ionization of the neutral atmosphere. These electrons of magnetospheric origin are then reflected back into the magnetosphere along closed dipolar magnetic field lines, leading to a series of reflections and consequent magnetospheric interactions that greatly augment the initially precipitating flux at the upper ionospheric boundary (700-800 km). To date this systematic magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling element has not been included in auroral research models, and, as we demonstrate in this article, has a dramatic effect (200-300%) on the formation of the precipitating fluxes that result in the diffuse aurora. It is shown that wave particle interaction processes that drive precipitating fluxes in the region of diffuse aurora from the magnetospheric altitudes are only the first step in the formation of electron precipitation at ionospheric altitudes, and they cannot be separated from the atmospheric “collisional machine” that redistributes and transfers their energy inside the magnetosphere-ionosphere-atmosphere coupling system.
Synthesizing memory models from framework sketches and Litmus tests

A memory consistency model specifies which writes to shared memory a given read may see. Ambiguities or errors in these specifications can lead to bugs in both compilers and applications. Yet architectures usually define their memory models with prose and litmus tests—small concurrent programs that demonstrate allowed and forbidden outcomes. Recent work has formalized the memory models of common architectures through substantial manual effort, but as new architectures emerge, there is a growing need for tools to aid these efforts. This paper presents MemSynth, a synthesis-aided system for reasoning about axiomatic specifications of memory models. MemSynth takes as input a set of litmus tests and a framework sketch that defines a class of memory models. The sketch comprises a set of axioms with missing expressions (or holes). Given these inputs, MemSynth synthesizes a completion of the axioms—i.e., a memory model—that gives the desired outcome on all tests. The MemSynth engine employs a novel embedding of bounded relational logic in a solver-aided programming language, which enables it to tackle complex synthesis queries intractable to existing relational solvers. This design also enables it to solve new kinds of queries, such as checking if a set of litmus tests unambiguously defines a memory model within a framework sketch. We show that MemSynth can synthesize specifications for x86 in under two seconds, and for PowerPC in 12 seconds from 768 litmus tests. Our ambiguity check identifies missing tests from both the Intel x86 documentation and the validation suite of a previous PowerPC formalization. We also used MemSynth to reproduce, debug, and automatically repair a paper on comparing memory models in just two days.
Toward a New Test for Insanity

When we typically speak about “culpability” in connection with insanity cases, we usually, if not exclusively, focus on the moment of the act. In lay terms, we ask, “Was the accused totally out of his or her mind at the moment of the act, such that he or she should not be held culpable, or was the accused capable of exercising rationality, and therefore culpable?” This is the question that has been asked by judges and answered by juries over 250 years of Anglo-American jurisprudence regarding insanity. In the traditional schema of things, the possible answers are two: nonculpable or culpable, with the verdict being either NGRI or guilty. If we add “partial insanity” to the discussion, a third question is asked: “Was the accused’s capacity for rational conduct only partially impaired, such that, at the moment of the act, he or she was to some degree culpable?” If the answer is “Yes,” then a verdict of GBMI or diminished responsibility or diminished capacity follows. But notice that the crucial focal point is the moment of the act, regardless of whether two verdicts or three are being weighed.