cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distinct imaging patterns of pseudoprogression in glioma patients following proton versus photon radiation therapy

Criteria by the Radiologic Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) group outline the diagnosis of pseudoprogression (Ps) after photon therapy for gliomas based on timing and location. We noted that patients receiving proton therapy manifested radiographic changes that appear different than Ps after photon therapy, which could be interpreted as tumor progression. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed MR imaging after proton or photon radiation for gliomas. We propose criteria to characterize proton pseudoprogression (ProPs) as distinct from Ps seen after photons. Post-treatment MR imaging, clinical and pathological data of low grade glioma patients were reviewed. Overall, 57 patients receiving protons were reviewed for the presence of ProPs, and 43 patients receiving photons were reviewed for any equivalent imaging changes. Data collected included the location and timing of the new enhancement, tumor grade, molecular subtype, chemotherapy received, and clinical symptoms. Fourteen patients (24.6%) had new enhancement following radiation therapy that was unique to treatment with protons. The mean time to development of the ProPs was 15.4 months (7–27 months). We established the following criteria to characterize ProPs: located at the distal end of the proton beam; resolves without tumor-directed therapy; and subjectively multifocal, patchy, and small (< 1 cm). In the group receiving photons, none had changes that met our criteria for ProPs. Patients who receive protons have unique imaging changes after radiation therapy. ProPs could be mistaken for tumor progression, but typically resolves on follow up. Further studies are needed to understand the radiobiology and pathophysiology underlying these imaging changes.
Efficacy of a Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire for the Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children.

Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a source of significant morbidity in children. Polysomnography (PSG), the gold standard diagnostic tool for OSA, is often unavailable due to patient financial and geographic constraints. Our objective is to analyze the relationship between a patient's subjective complaints and the results from their PSG to determine the diagnostic value of the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) for detecting OSA in children. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted for pediatric patients with suspected OSA from March 2012 to January 2014. Preoperative PSQ scores were compared with the results from PSG in the form of Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI) values. AHI and RDI values ranging from 1 to 5 were classified as mild OSA while values ranging from 5 to 10 were classified as moderate OSA. Results A total of 161 patients were recruited for this study with 63 patients (39%) both completing the PSQ and undergoing PSG. Sensitivity of the positive questionnaire was higher in patients with AHI and RDI values indicative of moderate OSA (95% and 100% respectively) versus values indicative of mild OSA (83% and 86% respectively). Conversely, the positive predictive value of the positive questionnaire (n=49) was lower in patients with AHI and RDI values indicative of moderate OSA (39% and 46% respectively) versus values indicative of mild OSA (70% and 80% respectively). Conclusion The PSQ has high diagnostic value for screening patients with suspected OSA. We recommend the use of the PSQ in the primary care setting for children with suspected OSA.
50. Development and Validation of the Reproductive Health Knowledge Index (RHKI)

Background Reproductive knowledge is important for promoting fertility, preventing pregnancy, and adhering to contraceptive and medical treatment regimens. To date there are no studies that broadly assess reproductive knowledge in females largely due to the absence of a validated tool. Extrapolating from studies in female adults utilizing several limited tools, it is likely that reproductive knowledge is low in all females, including adolescents. Thus, the objective of this study is to develop and validate a tool that reliably measures reproductive knowledge among female adolescents. Methods Development and validation of the reproductive health knowledge index (RHKI) was achieved as follows. 1. Instrument Development: Multiple answer questions were written at a fifth-grade reading level to assess: female pelvic anatomy and function, menstrual physiology, conception, gestation, and contraception. The multiple answer format was selected to undermine the advantage of the process of elimination and allow detection of partial knowledge. 2. Content Validity: The RHKI was reviewed by an expert panel (pediatricians, general and pediatric OB/GYNs, and OB/GYN residents) for comprehensiveness, accuracy, and length. IRB approval was obtained. The tool was reviewed by 10 female adolescents to ensure readability. A 20-item tool was finalized according to all suggestions. 3. Internal validity: Two groups with perceived differences in knowledge level, namely adolescents and medical students, were queried to investigate internal validity. Forty female adolescents age 13 to 19 awaiting an appointment at a pediatric gynecology clinic as well as 20 female medical students rotating at the same site were recruited to participate in the study. The REALM-TEEN tool was used to exclude adolescents reading below a fifth-grade reading level to limit confounding from poor comprehension. A Pearson correlation coefficient with p value was then calculated between age and performance with a goal metric of r = 0.7 supporting internal validity. Results Thus far, 26 adolescents and all 20 medical students have been surveyed. Preliminary analysis of performance by age yields a correlation coefficient of 0.82 with a p value of 0.0001. Overall, the content validity and internal validity support the ability of the RHKI to measure reproductive knowledge in female adolescents. Conclusions As noted, reproductive knowledge is important for many reasons. Further study in this area requires a valid tool, like the RHKI, capable of measuring said knowledge. Such a tool will allow us to identify factors influencing reproductive knowledge, inform sexual education courses, and educate adolescents with eventual impact on their overall well-being and health.
Effects of library size variance, sparsity, and compositionality on the analysis of microbiome data

Background: Data from 16S amplicon sequencing present challenges to ecological and statistical interpretation. In particular, library sizes often vary over several ranges of magnitude, and the data contains many zeroes. Also, since researchers sample a small fraction of the ecosystem, the observed sequences are relative abundances and therefore the data is compositional. Here we evaluate methods developed in the literature to address these three challenges in the context of normalization and ordination analysis, which is commonly used to visualize overall differences in bacterial composition between sample groups, and differential abundance analysis, which tests for significant differences in the abundances of microbes between sample groups. Results. Effects of normalization on ordination: Most normalization methods successfully cluster samples according to biological origin when many microbes differ between the groups. For datasets in which clusters are subtle and/or sequence depth varies greatly between samples, or for metrics in which rare microbes play an important role, rarefying outperforms other techniques. For abundance-based metrics, rarefying as well as alternatives like DESeq and metagenomeSeq’s cumulative sum scaling (CSS), seem to correctly cluster samples according to biological origin. With these normalization alternatives, clustering by sequence depth as a confounding variable must be checked for, especially for low library sizes. Effects of differential abundance testing model choice: We build on previous work to evaluate each statistical method using rarefied as well as unrarefied data. When the mean library sizes in the differential abundance groups differ by more than 2-3x, or the library sizes differ in distribution, our simulation studies reveal that each statistical method improved in its false positive rate when samples were rarefied. However, when the difference in library size mean is less than 2-3x, and the library sizes are similarly distributed, rarefying results in a loss of power for all methods. In this case, DESeq2 has the highest power to compare groups, especially for less than 20 samples per group. MetagenomeSeq’s fitZIG is a faster alternative to DESeq2, although it does worse for smaller sample sizes ( 50 samples), rarefying paired with a non-parametric test, such as the Mann-Whitney test, can also yield equally high sensitivity. Based on these
The Spelling and Seduction of Michael Dukakis

“We have not compromised our honor,” said Euterpe Dukakis, the mother of Michael Dukakis, to the television reporter as she stepped down from the podium following the concession speech given by her son on election night, 1988. In an age when political analysts both admire and lament the importance of “political handlers,” this comment by Euterpe Dukakis, literally the first handler of Michael Dukakis, may offer a clue to the personality of the Democratic party’s presidential nominee of 1988 and his campaign behavior. This chapter will attempt to provide an understanding of the intersecting personal and political dreams and realities of the last presidential election. The emphasis will be on the self-proclaimed, “proud son of immigrants” and “product of the American dream,” and his inability to confront George Bush, the Republican party’s presidential nominee. By doing so, it is my hope that another view of mutually regulating aspects of the personal and the political will be established.
Differences in Late-Stage Diagnosis, Treatment, and Colorectal Cancer-Related Death Between Rural and Urban African Americans and Whites in Georgia

Purpose: Disparities in health outcomes due to a diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been reported for a number of demographic groups. This study was conducted to examine the outcomes of late-stage diagnosis, treatment, and cancer-related death according to race and geographic residency status (rural vs urban). Methods: This study utilized cross-sectional and follow-up data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program for all incident colon and rectal tumors diagnosed for the Atlanta and Rural Georgia Cancer Registries for the years 1992-2007. Findings: Compared to whites, African Americans had a 40% increased odds (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.30-1.51) of late-stage diagnosis, a 50% decreased odds (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.37-0.68) of having surgery for colon cancer, and a 67% decreased odds (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.25-0.44) of receiving surgery for rectal cancer. Rural residence was not associated with late stage at diagnosis or receipt of treatment. African Americans had a slightly increased risk of death from colon cancer (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.00-1.24) and a larger increased risk of death due to rectal cancer (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.14-1.35). Rural residents experienced a 15% increased risk of death (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.01-1.32) due to colon cancer. Conclusions: Further investigations should target African Americans and rural residents to gain insight into the etiologic mechanisms responsible for the poorer CRC outcomes experienced by these 2 segments of the population.
Feasibility study and roadmap to improve residential hot water distribution systems

Residential building practice currently ignores the losses of energy and water caused by the poor design of hot water systems. These losses include: the waste of water while waiting for hot water to get to the point of use; the wasted heat as water cools down in the distribution system after a draw; and the energy to reheat water that was already heated once before. A feasibility study and an action plan for a proposed research project involving residential hot water distribution systems is being developed. The feasibility study will use past work to estimate of hot water and energy loses caused by current hot water distribution systems in residences. Proposed research project, or roadmap, will develop recommendations for improvements to residential hot water distribution systems. The roadmap addresses the technical obstacles and gaps in our knowledge that prevent water and energy reductions and market adoption of water- and energy-efficient technologies. The initial results of the feasibility study are presented here along with a discussion of a roadmap to improve the efficiency of residential hot water distribution systems.
Effect of Variation of Number of Bays on the Seismic Vulnerability of Masonry Infilled Steel and Reinforced Concrete (RC) frame Structures

In general practice, buildings can range from small residential houses to large commercial plazas. Size of the structure may change at base with the type of building and availability of area. Bay analysis has been performed to analyze the effect of variation in number of bays on infilled frames. Four three storey models (Bare and Masonry infilled) with number of bays varying from one to four have been considered in this study. Non-linear static analysis or pushover analysis has been performed in Perform-3D and capacity spectrum method of ATC-40 followed by seismic vulnerability assessment framework proposed by Kyriakides (2007) have been used to derive the vulnerability curves for all models considered in this study. Results of seismic vulnerability assessment have been used to determine the effect of variation of number of bays on the seismic vulnerability of masonry infilled steel and RC frames. Vulnerability curves of bare frames have also been compared with the vulnerability curves of infilled frames for both steel and RC frame structures to determine the percentage decrease in the seismic vulnerability of masonry infilled frames as compared to bare frames.
Colonization of paediatric lower respiratory tract with genital Mycoplasma species.

Background and objective: Recently, much attention has been given to the possible role played by pathogens that colonize neonatal or paediatric airway and their potential involvement in chronic respiratory disease. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence of Mycoplasma organisms in the BAL fluid of paediatric patients suffering from a variety of chronic respiratory diseases to determine if there was any clear disease association with bacterial presence. Methods: We examined 319 paediatric BAL samples for the presence of M. genitalium, M. hominis, U. urealyticum, U. parvum and M. pneumoniae DNA with species-specific PCR. Results: Mycoplasma DNA was found in 32.6% (104/319) of patient samples; 10% (32/319) for M. pneumoniae, 8.8% for U. parvum, 2.8% for U. urealyticum; 4.7% for M. hominis and 9.1% for M. genitalium. There were no significant clinical and laboratory differences except serum IgE in asthmatics according to Mycoplasma colonization or not. Elevated levels of IgE were found more often in Mycoplasma DNA-negative patients than patients with bacterial DNA, 85/109 versus 24/109 respectively (P < 0.0001). There was no difference in the frequency of Mycoplasmas between the asthmatics and the non-asthmatics; 30.6% (69/225) versus 37.2% (35/94) for Mycoplasma 16S DNA, and 8% versus 14.9% for M. pneumoniae, respectively. Conclusions: Our data indicate that in addition to M. pneumoniae, urogenital Mycoplasma species may colonize the airway of patients with chronic respiratory diseases. There was, however, no association between chronic asthma diagnosis and Mycoplasma colonization in this study.
Positive‐Strand RNA Virus Replication in Vertebrate Hosts

1 Common Characteristics Across Families 2 The Intracellular Replicative Cycle 3 Conclusions Keywords: positive-strand RNA virus replication in vertebrate hosts; limited coding capacity of small genomes; conservation of amino acid sequences; initiation of intracellular replicative cycle; translation of viral-specific RNAs; flavivirus virions; viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase; negative-strand RNA synthesis
Determining Structures of RNA Aptamers and Riboswitches by X-Ray Crystallography

Structural biology plays a central role in gaining a full understanding of the myriad roles of RNA in biology. In recent years, innovative approaches in RNA purification and crystallographic methods have lead to the visualization of an increasing number of unique structures, providing new insights into its function at the atomic level. This article presents general protocols which have streamlined the process of obtaining a homogeneous sample of properly folded and active RNA in high concentrations that crystallizes well in the presence of a suitable heavy-atom for phasing. Of particular importance are approaches toward RNA crystallography that include exploring “construct space” as opposed to “condition space”. Moreover, development of a highly flexible method for experimentally phasing RNA crystals may open the door to a relatively simple means of solving these structures.
Temperature dependence of cesium carbonate-doped electron transporting layers on organic light-emitting diodes

Abstract The temperature dependence and electronic transport properties of 1, 3, 5- tri (1-phenyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) phenyl (TPBI) and 8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum (Alq) electron transporting layers (ETL) have been investigated as a function of cesium carbonate (Cs 2 CO 3 ) doping for organic light emitting devices. The current-voltage and light emission characteristics were measured as a function of the Cs 2 CO 3 doped ETL thickness at both room temperature and cryogenic (10–300 K). The current density (J) for the Alq:Cs 2 CO 3 ETL device increased for an ETL thickness between 100 and 300 A, with no further increase in the ETL beyond 300 A, indicating an electron injection limited contact. Conversely, the J for the TPBI:Cs 2 CO 3 ETL device did not saturate for increasing ETL thicknesses confirming the TPBI:Cs 2 CO 3 devices have a near-ohmic cathode contact. The correlation of current density–voltage ( J – V ) and luminance-voltage ( L – V ) for both Alq:Cs 2 CO 3 and TPBI:Cs 2 CO 3 devices were studied over temperatures from 10 to 300 K. Both increased with increasing temperature; however, Cs 2 CO 3 -doped TPBI devices were more effective than Cs 2 CO 3 -doped Alq devices. The observed differences between Alq and TPBI may be attributed to the exposed nitrogen electron pair in the electronic structure.
Role of nutrient fluctuations and delayed development in gametophyte reproduction by Macrocystis pyrifera (Phaeophyceae) in Southern California.

Organisms occurring in environments subject to severe disturbance and/or periods of poor environmental quality that result in severe adult mortality can survive these periods by relying on alternate life stages that delay their development in a resistant state until conditions improve. In the northeast Pacific, the forest-forming giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. Agardh periodically experiences widespread adult mortality during extended periods of extremely low nutrients and high temperatures, such as those associated with El Nino. Recovery following these periods is hypothesized to occur from microscopic life stages that delay their development until the return of favorable conditions. In the laboratory, we experimentally examined the environmental conditions responsible for regulating delayed development of the microscopic stages of M. pyrifera from Southern California, USA. Nutrients controlled the delay and resumption of gametophyte growth and reproduction, perhaps linked to the large fluctuations in nutrients occurring seasonally and interannually in this region. Although growth of gametophytes proceeded in the virtual absence of nitrate, both nitrate and other trace nutrients were necessary for gametogenesis. Upon exposure to elevated nutrients, delayed gametophytes produced sporophytes more quickly (5–20 d) and at smaller sizes (10–200 μm) than gametophytes that had never been delayed (18–80 d, 80–400 μm, respectively), reducing negative density-dependent effects. This finding demonstrates that delayed gametophytes of M. pyrifera rapidly utilize increased resources to consistently produce sporophytes. Further work is needed to assess their potential role in population recovery following periods of poor environmental quality.
Is the spacetime metric Euclidean rather than Lorentzian

My answer to the question in the title is "No". In support of this point of view, we analyze some examples of saddle-point methods, especially as applied to quantum "tunneling" in nonrelativistic particle mechanics and in cosmology. Along the way we explore some of the interrelationships among different ways of thinking about path-integrals and saddle-point approximations to them.
Coumestrol Antagonizes Neuroendocrine Actions of Estrogen via the Estrogen Receptor α

The phytoestrogen coumestrol has estrogenic actions on peripheral reproductive tissues. Yet in the brain this compound has both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects. We used estrogen receptor α knockout mice (ERαKO) to determine whether coumestrol has estrogenic actions in mice and also if these effects are mediated by the classic ERα. Female wild-type (WT) and ERαKO mice were ovariectomized and treated with estradiol (E2), dietary coumestrol, both, or neither compound. Ten days later the animals were sacrificed, blood was collected, and brain tissues were perfused. Fixed brains were sectioned and immunocytochemistry was employed to quantify progesterone receptors (PR) in the medial preoptic (POA) and ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN). Plasma was assayed for luteinizing hormone (LH). Estrogen treatment induced PR immunoreactivity in both regions in brains of WT females. In ERαKO mice, lower levels of PR were induced. The stimulatory effects of E2 on PR were attenuated in the POA by cotreatm...
The First-Person Feeling Theory of Musical Expression

What’s going on when we hear music’s emotional expressiveness? Views proliferate. The one that I shall consider here holds that when listeners encounter emotion in music they engage in a fundamentally imaginative or make-believe-oriented activity.
Molecular modeling of cellulose in amorphous state part II: effects of rigid and flexible crosslinks on cellulose

It is essential to understand the molecular level response of crosslinked cellulose chain segments upon deformation, in order to develop new agents which convey high durable-press (DP) rating to cellulose fibers with minimal strength loss. In this work models of amorphous cellulose crosslinked with both rigid and flexible crosslinks were constructed computationally for this purpose. Rigid crosslinks bound cellulose molecular segments together and blocked the chain slippage, providing cellulose models with a higher initial modulus and better elastic response. However, the loss of the chain slippage led to stress being distributed unevenly among cellulose chains. Chains in some regions were subjected higher stress and these regions were opened up much more than the rest of the cellulose, which presumably caused models to fail. When conformationally flexible crosslinks were used, breaking strain of cellulose was not significantly reduced but deformation recovery was not improved either, in comparison with the models of untreated cellulose. Conformational transitions were observed in the flexible crosslinks during extension. These results help to explain how and why rigid crosslinks work to provide wrinkle resistant properties and why they also lower tensile strength, and that just using a conformationally flexible crosslinking will not provide any recovery.
Electrophysiological and pharmacological validation of vagal afferent fiber type of neurons enzymatically isolated from rat nodose ganglia

An unavoidable consequence of enzymatic dispersion of sensory neurons from intact ganglia is loss of the axon and thus the ability to classify afferent fiber type based upon conduction velocity (CV). An intact rat nodose ganglion preparation was used to randomly sample neurons (n=76) using the patch clamp technique. Reliable electrophysiological and chemophysiological correlates of afferent fiber type were established for use with isolated neuron preparations. Myelinated afferents (approximately 25%) formed two groups exhibiting strikingly different functional profiles. One group (n=10) exhibited CVs in excess of 10 m/s and narrow ( 2 ms) APs that closely approximated those identified as unmyelinated afferents (n=57) with CVs less than 1m/s. A cluster analysis of select measures from the AP waveforms strongly correlated with CV, producing three statistically unique populations (p<0.05). These groupings aligned with our earlier hypothesis (Jin et al., 2004) that a differential sensitivity to the selective purinergic and vanilloid receptor agonists can be used as reliable pharmacological indicators of vagal afferent fiber type. These metrics were further validated using an even larger population of isolated (n=240) nodose neurons. Collectively, these indicators of afferent fiber type can be used to provide valuable insight concerning the relavence of isolated cellular observations to integrated afferent function of visceral organ systems.
A quantitative trait locus on chromosome 18 is a critical determinant of excitotoxic cell death susceptibility

C57BL/6J (B6) and FVB/NJ (FVB) mice are phenotypically distinct in their susceptibility to seizure-induced cell death after kainate administration. Previous studies using quantitative trait loci (QTLs) mapping established that the distal region of mouse chromosome 18 contains a gene(s) that is probably responsible for the difference in seizure-induced cell death susceptibility between two inbred strains, B6 and FVB, that are relatively resistant and susceptible, respectively, to seizure-induced cell death. The genetic locus has been mapped to a approximately 12-centimorgan region of chromosome 18, designated as seizure-induced cell death 1 (Sicd1). In order to confirm the Sicd1 QTL, we have developed congenic mouse strains containing the relevant donor segment from the resistant B6 strain on the susceptible FVB background, also referred to as the FVB.B6-Sicd1 congenic strain. Congenic and FVB littermate controls were tested in a seizure-induced cell death paradigm. The presence of B6 chromosome 18 alleles on an FVB genetic background conferred protection against seizure-induced cell death, as compared with FVB littermate controls. To further localize the Sicd1 QTL, new congenic lines carrying overlapping intervals of the B6 segment were created [interval-specific congenic lines (ISCLs)-1-4] and assessed for seizure-induced cell death phenotype. All of the ISCLs exhibited reduced cell death associated with the B6 phenotype, as compared with the parental FVB strain. The most dramatic of these, ISCL-4, showed a nearly four-fold reduction in the extent of seizure-induced cell death. This suggests that ISCL-4 contains the putative gene(s) of the Sicd1 QTL.
Field populations of cereal aphids in South Dakota spring grains.

Studies of field populations of cereal aphids in spring small grains in South Dakota (1963–72) showed that Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), Macrosiphum avenae (F.), and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) commonly colonized wheat, barley, and oats; R. maidis (Fitch) was found only in barley and only while the developing leaf blades were still furled. S. graminum often was present during a greater proportion of the season than the other species. Populations of all species were predominantly nymphal throughout the season with substantial numbers of alatae (migrant) only present as founders of colonies early in spring. S. graminum was distributed nearly randomly within fields, but M. avenae and R. padi were distinctly aggregated.
Effects of oxygen and hydrogen adsorption on the electron energy loss features of diamond surfaces

Electron energy loss spectroscopy has been used to study the surface of diamond and other states of carbon. Other authors have suggested that a loss feature observed at approximately 9 eV may be due to oxygen adsorption on the diamond surface. We report electron energy loss spectroscopy data, in combination with Auger electron spectroscopy data, that shows a correlation of a loss feature at 8.5 eV with adsorbed oxygen on diamond surfaces. Surfaces were oxygenated by low‐energy oxygen ion bombardment and oxygen removed by annealing in vacuum and atomic hydrogen. The atomic hydrogen was used to suppress the π loss feature by etching nondiamond carbon and passivating the diamond surface.
The Association between Bullying and Psychological Health among Senior High School Students in Ghana, West Africa.

BACKGROUND: School-based bullying, a global challenge, negatively impacts the health and development of both victims and perpetrators. This study examined the relationship between bullying victimization and selected psychological variables among senior high school (SHS) students in Ghana, West Africa. METHODS: This study utilized data from the 2008 Ghana Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS). Prevalence rates of being bullied (95% confidence intervals [CI]) were calculated by each demographic group, as well as each psychological variable. Multiple logistic regression was used to model the relationship of being bullied (physical/nonphysical) on the linear combination of demographic variables. RESULTS: A total of 7137 students participated in the 2008 GSHS with 40.1% reporting being bullied. Senior high school-level 1 (lowest grade) students were 3 (95% CI: 2.45-3.68) times more likely to be bullied compared with SHS level 3 (highest grade) students. Victims of bullying were significantly more likely to report negative psychological health compared with those who reported not being bullied. Odds ratios were as follows: signs of depression, 1.97 (95% CI: 1.75-2.21); suicide ideation, 1.72 (95% CI: 1.45-2.05); being so worried that it affects sleep, 2.10 (95% CI: 1.77-2.49); and loneliness, 1.82 (95% CI: 1.49-2.22). There was no significant difference in self-reports of negative psychological health when comparing students who experienced physical forms with those who were bullied in nonphysical ways. CONCLUSION: Bullying victimization is a major problem among SHS students. We recommend strengthening of existing proactive anti-bullying programs by taking into account the association between bullying and the psychological health of students. Language: en
The world at stage III, but the net at stage II

This article proposes that there is a recognizable and predictable life cycle to important general enabling technologies such as the railroad, or the telephone, or the Net. This life cycle, in simple terms, consists of three stages: A stage of experimentation and development; a stage of societal concern with issues of equity and access, with concomitant regulations; and a stage when the emphasis shifts to efficiency and effectiveness, with concomitant emphasis upon competition and deregulation. The point of this life cycle analysis is that it illuminates the phenomenon that while the great previous general enabling technologies of the 19th and 20th centuries have all recently entered their third, deregulatory, stage, creating a Stage III mind-set, the Net is only just entering its second, regulatory, stage. From this analysis, from the tension thereby revealed, some issues and paradoxes can be illuminated and understood, and others revealed for further analysis. The thrust of this article derives from the thesis that the Net is entering a very different phase in its likely life cycle than that of the society around it. An examination of some of the characteristics of this phenomenon will, we hope, be illuminating.
Demonstration of a specific dynorphin receptor in guinea pig ileum myenteric plexus.

Although the opioid peptide dynorphin contains the pentapeptide Leu-enkephalin as its amino-terminal sequence1, the two opioid peptides differ in their potency and sensitivity to antagonism by the specific opiate antagonist naloxone. In the guinea pig myenteric plexus–longitudinal muscle assay, dynorphin(1–13) is 700 times more potent and 13 times less sensitive to naloxone antagonism than Leu-enkephalin1. We have identified the specific amino acids in the dynorphin(6–13) sequence responsible for this higher potency2. One explanation for the difference in naloxone sensitivities is that dynorphin and Leu-enkephalin act through different types of opiate receptors, as first suggested by Goldstein et al.1. This hypothesis has been strongly supported by recent results3 showing that vasa deferentia of mice infused with both D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin (DADLE) and the opiate alkaloid sulfentanil become tolerant to the effects of Leu-enkephalin and sulfentanil, whereas sensitivity to dynorphina(1–13) remains unchanged. Here we report that the guinea pig ileum myenteric plexus contains two physically distinct classes of opiate receptors: the μ receptor, with which leu-enkephalin (or normorphine) interacts, and a separate dynorphin receptor.
Improving the Activity of Immobilized Subtilisin by Site-Specific Attachment to Surfaces

Understanding the properties of immobilized proteins is critical to the optimal design of biosensors, bioseparations, and bioreactors. The protease subtilisin BPN' was used as a model protein to study how the orientation of immobilized enzyme molecules on surfaces affects their catalytic properties. To achieve this goal, a single cysteine residue was introduced into the cysteine-free enzyme by site-directed mutagenesis. This cysteine residue was designed to be away from the active site of the enzyme. The enzyme molecules were immobilized through the side-chain sulfhydryl group of the cysteine residue on several supports. This site-specific immobilization method leads to ordered two-dimensional arrays of enzyme molecules on the support surface with the active sites of the enzyme oriented toward the solution phase. Such oriented immobilized subtilisin demonstrated a higher catalytic efficiency compared to subtilisin that was immobilized by a conventional method that leads to random immobilization.
The Vocalizations of Some Hybrid Treefrogs: Acoustic and Behavioral Analyses

The vocalizations of natural hybrids between various species of treefrogs (Hylidae) are compared with the vocalizations of the parental species : 1. In most respects, the calls of two males of H. avivoca X H. chrysoscelis and of six males of H. cinerea X H. gratiosa are intermediate. 2. The vocalizations of three males of H. femoralis X H. clarysoscelis tend to be similar to those of males of H. chrysoscelis. 3. The calls of each of the hybrids are composed, however, of some features which are intermediate, some which are similar to one of the parental species, and others which are unique to hybrid calls. Differentiation of the calls of males of H. avivoca, H. chrysoscelis, H. femoralis, and hybrids in this group is mainly in the temporal domain. Females of H. chrysoscelis and H. femoralis responded only to the calls of males of their own species in discrimination experiments where hybrid calls were alternative stimuli. The calls of males of H. cinerea, H. gratiosa and hybrids between these two differ primarily in their spectral composition : the two spectral peaks have different locations in each kind of call. In discrimination experiments, females of H. gratiosa responded only to conspecific calls when the calls of hybrids were equally accessible. Females of H. cinerea showed partial discrimination against the calls of hybrids. Females of both kinds often responded to the calls of hybrids when conspecific signals were unavailable. In general, the closer the spectrum of a natural call resembled that of conspecific calls, the more attractive was the acoustic signal.
Distinct Structural and Functional Properties of the ATPase Sites in an Asymmetric Abc Transporter.

The ABC transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) shuttles cytosolic peptides into the endoplasmic reticulum for loading onto class I MHC molecules. Transport is fueled by ATP binding and hydrolysis at two distinct cytosolic ATPase sites. One site comprises consensus motifs shared among most ABC transporters, while the second has substituted, degenerate motifs. Biochemical and crystallography experiments with a TAP cytosolic domain demonstrate that the consensus ATPase site has high catalytic activity and facilitates ATP-dependent dimerization of the cytosolic domains, which is an important conformational change during transport. In contrast, the degenerate site is defective in dimerization and ATP hydrolysis. Full-length TAP mutagenesis demonstrates the necessity for at least one consensus site, supporting our conclusion that the consensus site is the principal facilitator of substrate transport. Since asymmetry of the ATPase site motifs is a feature of many mammalian homologs, our proposed model has broad implications for ABC transporters.
Differential transcriptional activation by Oct-1 and Oct-2: Interdependent activation domains induce Oct-2 phosphorylation

The ubiquitous Oct-1 and lymphoid Oct-2 POU homeodomain transcription factors bind to the same DNA sequence but differ in their activation potential. Oct-2 is a positive, negative, or neutral regulator of beta-globin transcription depending on the position and sequence of multimerized binding sites. To activate transcription, Oct-2 relies on two interdependent nonacidic domains, an N-terminal glutamine-rich region and a C-terminal serine-, threonine-, and proline-rich region. Oct-1 also contains a functional glutamine-rich region but fails to activate beta-globin transcription in our assay because the Oct-1 C-terminus is inactive, indicating that differential activation by Oct-1 and Oct-2 is determined by the combination of multiple activation domains. Oct-2 displays a unique phosphorylation pattern that is absent from molecules lacking one or the other activation domain, suggesting the activation domains have a role in inducing protein phosphorylation.
Evaluation of chromogenic technologies for use in Australian potable water.

Aims: To compare the use of MI agar, Membrane Lactose Glucoronide Agar (MLGA), CM1046 agar and Colilert®-18 (Defined Substrate Technology®, IDEXX Laboratories Pty. Ltd., Sydney) on Australian potable water. Methods and Results: Both potable (n = 369) and nonpotable waters (n = 35) were analysed by membrane filtration using chromogenic agars as well as Colilert®-18 over a period of 12 months. Recoveries of stressed organisms on these chromogenic media were also investigated. Agar-based chromogenic technologies compared favourably to Colilert®-18 for chlorinated waters, but there are possible limitations when using these agars for chloraminated waters. Additionally, the breakthrough of problematic organisms, especially oxidase positive organisms, may lead to misrepresentation or over-estimation of E. coli and total coliforms, particularly on MLGA and CM1046. The recovery of stressed organisms was favoured in the Colilert®-18 system when compared to chromogenic agars. Conclusions: MI agar performed better than the other chromogenic agars with respect to recovery and colour identification and discrimination of organisms, and compared favourably with Colilert®-18. The use of chromogenic agars in chloraminated waters should be done cautiously. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study provides comparison data for laboratories looking to adopt chromogenic technologies, and is especially important for Australian laboratories wanting to uptake the use of MI agar (as used in USEPA method 1604) for routine use and for gaining accreditation. Additionally, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported evaluation of these agars in chloraminated waters and is especially timely as the use of this disinfection agent is increasing.
Dynamic Model of Mechanisms With Highly Compliant Members

The dynamic model for links in most mechanisms has often based on small deflection theory without considering geometrical nonlinearity. For applications like light-weight links or high-precision elements, it is necessary to capture the large deflection caused by bending forces. A complete dynamic model is presented here to characterize the motion of a compliant mechanism capable of large deflection with shear and axial deformation. We derive the governing equations from Hamilton’s principle along with the essential geometric constraints that relate deformation and coordinate variables, and solve them using a semi-discrete method based on the Newmark scheme and shooting method. The dynamic model has been validated experimentally. We also extend the model for analyzing compliant mechanisms. It is expected that the dynamic model will serve as a basis for analyzing a wide spectrum of compliant multi-link mechanisms.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Whose interests? Problems in planning for women's practical needs

Abstract Projects focusing on practical gender needs can undermine strategic gender interests. This is because practical gender interventions often seek to change existing activities and women's involvement in directly productive activities. The activities and enterprises that women are currently involved in are a manifestation of an existing culture. This culture reflects and determines women's relations with men and the way that women perceive themselves. Case study material from Northeast India illustrates the complexity of male/female relations across different social and economic groups. This demonstrates how practical interventions may be of only short-term benefit to some women, and may actually have a negative impact on their position in society relative to men.
Circulating Ly-6C+ myeloid precursors migrate to the CNS and play a pathogenic role during autoimmune demyelinating disease

Mature myeloid cells (macrophages and CD11b+ dendritic cells) form a prominent component of neuroinflammatory infiltrates in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The mechanism by which these cells are replenished during relapsing and chronic neuroinflammation is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that CD11b+CD62L+Ly6Chi monocytes with colony-forming potential are mobilized into the bloodstream by a granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-dependent pathway immediately before EAE relapses. Circulating Ly6Chi monocytes traffic across the blood-brain barrier, up-regulate proinflammatory molecules, and differentiate into central nervous system dendritic cells and macrophages. Enrichment of Ly6Chi monocytes in the circulating pool is associated with an earlier onset and increased severity of clinical EAE. Our studies indicate that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor–driven release of Ly6Chi precursors from the bone marrow prevents exhaustion of central nervous system myeloid populations during relapsing or chronic autoimmune demyelination, suggesting a novel pathway for therapeutic targeting.
Inhibited hydroxyl radical degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons in the presence of dissolved fulvic acid

Abstract Degradation of aqueous aromatic compounds with hydroxyl radical produced by Fenton chemistry is inhibited by dissolved fulvic acid. The degree of inhibition is significantly greater than that expected, based on a simple model in which the fraction of aromatic compound bound to fulvic acid is considered to be unreactive. The reaction of three aromatic compounds (phenol, fluorene, and phenanthrene) with hydroxyl radical was monitored as a function of Suwannee River fulvic acid concentration. Steady state hydroxyl radical concentration was produced by Fenton chemistry (H 2 O 2 +Fe 2+ →Fe 3+ +HO − +HO·) with continuous addition of hydrogen peroxide to Fe 2+ solutions. Separation of the hydroxyl radical formation sites from the location of the aromatic compound is believed to be the reason for the observed reduction in rate constants, indicating that these systems are heterogeneous on a microenvironmental scale. The larger than expected inhibition of Fenton degradation by fulvic acid indicates that natural organic matter presents a significant impediment to remediation of pollutants in natural waters and soils.
Nonlinear parameter estimation technique for kinetic analysis of thermal desorption data

We introduce the use of statistical methods to the analysis of thermal desorption data. With this approach, any arbitrary model (mechanism) for desorption may be evaluated by fitting each model directly to the untransformed data for the flux and temperature versus time from thermal desorption experiments. Advantages of the nonlinear parameter estimation method over other methods requiring transformation of the pressure/temperature versus time data include: (i) straightforward quantitative comparison of arbitrary competing models, (ii) the ability to estimate nuisance parameters in the model that must be assumed or known in other methods, (iii) the estimates obtained have minimum bias, (iv) meaningful error estimates may be readily obtained, and (v) information about parameter interactions obtained from the shape of the joint confidence region can show that more data are needed. Simulated data are used to demonstrate some capabilities of the approach, and temperature-programmed desorption data for diethylsilane- and hydrogen-exposed Si(100) surfaces are analyzed. Good agreement is found between the estimates presented here for the doubly-occupied dimer model for monohydride desorption from hydrogen-covered Si(100) (56 kcal mol−1 < Ea < 58.5 kcal mol−1, 3 × 1014s−1 < A < 2 × 1015s−1, 4.8 kcal mol−1 < ΔHpair < 6.5 kcal mol−1) and the preponderance of estimates presented elsewhere, but a significant departure from these kinetics is observed for the diethylsilane-exposed Si(100) that remains unexplained.
A locally adaptable iterative RX detector

We present an unsupervised anomaly detection method for hyperspectral imagery (HSI) based on data characteristics inherit in HSI. A locally adaptive technique of iteratively refining the well-known RX detector (LAIRX) is developed. The technique is motivated by the need for better first- and second-order statistic estimation via avoidance of anomaly presence. Overall, experiments show favorable Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves when compared to a global anomaly detector based upon the Support Vector Data Description (SVDD) algorithm, the conventional RX detector, and decomposed versions of the LAIRX detector. Furthermore, the utilization of parallel and distributed processing allows fast processing time making LAIRX applicable in an operational setting.
Grinding Mechanisms for Ceramics

Abstract The widespread utilization of high strength ceramic materials has been limited by the high cost of machining these materials by grinding. A technological basis for cost-effective ceramic machining requires a fundamental understanding of the prevailing grinding mechanisms. The present paper is intended to provide an overview of what happens during grinding as abrasive grains cut through ceramic workpiece materials. Most past research on grinding mechanisms for ceramics has followed either the “indentation fracture mechanics” approach or the “machining” approach. The indentation fracture mechanics approach likens abrasive workpiece interactions to idealized small-scale indentations. The machining approach typically involves measurement of cutting forces together with microscopic observations of grinding debris and surfaces produced. Both approaches provide important insights into the grinding mechanisms for ceramic materials.