cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CHOP is dispensable for lens transparency in wild-type and connexin50 mutant mice.

Purpose CCAAT/enhancer-binding homologous protein (CHOP), a transcription factor that has been implicated in differentiation, apoptosis, and autophagy, is greatly elevated in lenses with cataracts due to mutations of several different lens proteins. To test the possible role of CHOP in the cataractous lens, we studied the effect of knocking out Chop in mice that were homozygous for the Cx50D47A mutation of the lens fiber gap junction protein connexin50 (Cx50). Methods Mouse lenses were examined by dark-field microscopy. Lens equatorial diameters and intensities of the opacities were quantified using ImageJ. Transcript levels were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR. Protein levels were determined by immunoblotting. Results Homozygous Chop knockout lenses were transparent. Deletion of Chop in Cx50D47A mice did not improve lens transparency and had no effect on lens size. In Chop null-Cx50D47A lenses, the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-dependent pathway was activated similarly to Cx50D47A lenses. In Cx50D47A mice, Chop deletion did not improve connexin levels or lens fiber cell differentiation, and it did not decrease the levels of Trib3 or Irs2 transcripts to wild-type values. However, homozygous Chop knockout significantly diminished the increased levels of Cebpb transcripts of Cx50D47A lenses. Conclusions The results show that CHOP is not required for lens transparency. They also suggest that CHOP is not the critical etiological factor for the cataracts observed in homozygous Cx50D47A lenses, further supporting a major role for connexins in the disease.
“It'd Be Great to Have the Options There”: A Mixed-Methods Study of Gender Identity Questions on Clinic Forms in a Primary Care Setting

Abstract Purpose Transgender youth experience significant barriers to health care. Asking patients about gender identity on clinic intake forms is recommended to improve care in adult populations. Little is known about how to implement these recommendations in adolescent populations. This study aimed to evaluate the addition of gender-related questions in an adolescent primary care setting and to determine if adding these questions to clinic forms could improve documentation of gender identity in the electronic health record (EHR). Methods We conducted cognitive interviews with 21 adolescents (n = 11 transgender, n = 10 cisgender) to examine gender-related questions (name, pronoun, gender identity, assigned sex at birth). These questions were added to a clinic intake form. We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who came to the clinic for a physical examination visit three months before (n = 615) and after (n = 827) the form change and used chi-square tests to examine the differences in EHR documentation of gender identity. Results In interviews, the new questions were acceptable and interpretable to adolescents of diverse gender identities. Participants described the questions as beneficial to all patients and perceived them as an indicator of a welcoming clinic environment. The retrospective chart review found that provider documentation of gender identity in the EHR significantly increased after the form change from 51.3% to 66.3% (p Conclusions This intervention was acceptable to adolescents and associated with a significant increase in EHR documentation. Future studies should investigate how the form change may have facilitated discussion about gender and health and implications for provider training and support.
Asymptotic Analysis of Boltzmann Equation in Bounded Domains

Consider 3D Boltzmann equation in convex domains with diffusive-reflection boundary condition. We study the hydrodynamic limits as the Knudsen number and Strouhal number $\epsilon\rightarrow 0^+$. Using the Hilbert expansion, we rigorously justify that the solution of stationary/evolutionary problem converges to that of the steady/unsteady Navier-Stokes-Fourier system. This is the first paper to justify the hydrodynamic limits of nonlinear Boltzmann equations with hard-sphere collision kernel in bounded domain in the $L^{\infty}$ sense. The proof relies on a novel analysis on the boundary layer effect with geometric correction. The difficulty mainly comes from three sources: 3D domain, boundary layer regularity, and time dependence. To fully solve this problem, we introduce several techniques: (1) boundary layer with geometric correction; (2) remainder estimates with $L^2-L^{6}-L^{\infty}$ framework. Keywords: boundary layer; Milne problem; geometric correction; remainder estimates.
A dancing nickel in asymmetric catalysis: Enantioselective synthesis of boronic esters by 1,1-addition to terminal alkenes

Abstract Chiral benzylic boronic esters were synthesized through a simple three-component reaction involving a terminal alkene, an aryl bromide and B2pin2 using a nickel catalyst. Interestingly, the reaction yielded a 1,1-difunctionalized alkane instead of a 1,2-difunctionalized product. Mechanistic investigations supported a 1,2-Ni migration to achieve the 1,1-difunctionalized product. The 1,1-addition addition products were obtained in good yields and high chemo and regio-selectivity without the need for directing groups. When a chiral Ni catalyst was employed, the resulting boronic esters were prepared with excellent enantioselectivity.
A systems‐theoretic articulation of stakeholder needs and system requirements

The literature shows disparities in how fundamental systems engineering concepts in the area of requirements engineering, such as stakeholder needs, system requirements, requirements elicitation, requirements derivation, and requirements decomposition, are used within the communities‐of‐practice and in research. Such disparities can lead to conceptual and application inconsistencies, which have been shown to contribute to the formulation of poor requirements. In this paper, such concepts are articulated using systems theory as the underlying theoretical framework. The concepts of problem space, solution space, open system, and closed system are central to this work. It is argued that the proposed articulations facilitate avoiding usage disparity, ultimately resulting in better formulation of requirements. These articulations are supported by in‐depth examples that comprehensively cover different types of needs and requirements, and provide step‐by‐step insights into how elicitation, derivation, and decomposition occur within a problem formulation effort.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hypertension, Diabetes, and Dyslipidemia among Adults in Northwest China.

Objective. To understand the prevalence and its risk factors of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia among adults aged over 18 years in Northwest China and provide data for the prevention and control of chronic diseases in Northwest China. Methods. Three waves of survey on chronic diseases and nutrition monitoring with multistage stratified cluster random sampling were conducted in 10 counties of Northwest China in 2013, 2015, and 2018, respectively. Personal information, socioeconomic status (SES), and behavioral risk factors (cigarettes smoking, alcohol consumption, diets, and physical activity) were collected by face-to-face interview. Height, weight, and blood pressure were measured, and blood glucose and serum lipid were tested. Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia of the three waves was estimated, and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze their risk factors. Results. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia was 41.59%, 11.16%, and 32.48%, respectively. Their standardized prevalence was 29.31%, 7.94%, and 31.54%. Univariate analysis showed that the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia was significantly different among educational levels, marital status, occupation, smoking, drinking, central obesity, and BMI classification ( ). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that factors like male gender, central obesity, overweight, and obesity were associated with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia ( ). High BMI index is one of the risk factors of the three diseases. The odds ratio (OR) of general overweight associated with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia was 1.663, 1.206, and 1.579 compared to normal body weight, respectively. And that was 3.094, 1.565, and 2.285 for obesity. Age was one of the risk factors for hypertension and diabetes ( ). Age groups of 45–59 years and 60 years and above were more associated with hypertension than of 18–44 age group (OR45-59 group = 2.777, OR60 years and above = 6.948), similar to their association with diabetes (OR45-59 group = 2.357, OR60 years and above = 3.521). Daily smoking is associated with diabetes and dyslipidemia (OR for diabetes = 1.217, OR for dyslipidemia = 1.287) and alcohol drinking associated with hypertension and dyslipidemia (OR for hypertension = 1.014, OR fordyslipidemia = 1.034). Hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were also associated with each other ( ). The number of participants with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia accounted for 2.33% of all the participants, 15.60% for participants with hypertension and dyslipidemia, 4.58% for hypertension and diabetes, and 3.57% for diabetes and dyslipidemia, respectively. Conclusion. Factors like male, smoking, drinking, central obesity, overweight, and obesity were associated with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in northwest China. Interventions on these risk factors and coexistence of the three diseases may help improve public health in this area.
Application of Wavelet Denoising for Phasic Classification in Pick and Place Task

The efficiency of the electromyography signals acquired from the muscles is dependent on the processing of the signals. Factors such as electrode movements, electronic disturbances, and working environment often result in the addition of noise to the EMG signal acquired. To counter these noises; a wavelet denoising method is used in this paper. The denoised signals are subjected to time-domain feature extraction. The features used in this study are root mean square value, mean absolute value, integrated EMG, and waveform length. The features extracted are compared by using 3 different machine learning techniques. These are decision tree, linear discriminant analysis, and k-nearest neighbor (k-NN). The RMS feature tends to show the optimal classification result using the k-NN algorithm. Lastly; the pros and cons of the wavelet denoised signal are discussed by comparing it to the uncleaned signals.
Moral framing and information virality in social movements: A case study of #HongKongPoliceBrutality

Guided by moral foundation theory and information virality theory, this study explored how moral framing, operationalized as the use of one of the five moral dimensions in tweets (i.e., care, fairn...
Using logic regression to characterize extreme heat exposures and their health associations: a time-series study of emergency department visits in Atlanta

Short-term associations between extreme heat events and adverse health outcomes are well-established in epidemiologic studies. However, the use of different exposure definitions across studies has limited our understanding of extreme heat characteristics that are most important for specific health outcomes or subpopulations. Logic regression is a statistical learning method for constructing decision trees based on Boolean combinations of binary predictors. We describe how logic regression can be utilized as a data-driven approach to identify extreme heat exposure definitions using health outcome data. We evaluated the performance of the proposed algorithm in a simulation study, as well as in a 20-year time-series analysis of extreme heat and emergency department visits for 12 outcomes in the Atlanta metropolitan area. For the Atlanta case study, our novel application of logic regression identified extreme heat exposure definitions that were associated with several heat-sensitive disease outcomes (e.g., fluid and electrolyte imbalance, renal diseases, ischemic stroke, and hypertension). Exposures were often characterized by extreme apparent minimum temperature or maximum temperature over multiple days. The simulation study also demonstrated that logic regression can successfully identify exposures of different lags and duration structures when statistical power is sufficient. Logic regression is a useful tool for identifying important characteristics of extreme heat exposures for adverse health outcomes, which may help improve future heat warning systems and response plans.
Demographic and policy-based differences in behaviors and attitudes towards driving after marijuana use: an analysis of the 2013-2017 Traffic Safety Culture Index.

Objective Marijuana policies in the United States have become more permissive, motivating research on demographic and policy-based differences in behaviors and attitudes towards driving after marijuana use. The Traffic Safety Culture Index is an annual survey with national scope and multiple measures relevant to driving after marijuana use. We tabulated responses to questions about driving after marijuana use from the Traffic Safety Culture Index based on demographic factors, recreational and medical marijuana policies, and per-se marijuana laws. Results Male, younger, lower-income, and lower-education respondents self-reported driving after marijuana use more than their demographic counterparts, more often reported such behavior to be personally acceptable, and exhibited lower support per-se laws. Drivers in states that legalized medical marijuana self-reported driving after marijuana use slightly more than drivers in states where both medical and recreational were illegal. Support for per-se laws was higher among those in states that legalized recreational marijuana and in states with per-se laws. Demographic differences in our outcomes were consistent and cohesive. On the other hand, we found no predominant pattern suggesting that those in states with liberal marijuana policies were more tolerant of driving after marijuana use.
Long-Term Application of Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Does Not Improve Motor Learning in Parkinson’s Disease

Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (c-tDCS) enhances motor skill acquisition and motor learning in young and old adults. Since the cerebellum is involved in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD), c-tDCS may represent an intervention with potential to improve motor learning in PD. The primary purpose was to determine the influence of long-term application of c-tDCS on motor learning in PD. The secondary purpose was to examine the influence of long-term application of c-tDCS on transfer of motor learning in PD. The study was a randomized, double-blind, SHAM-controlled, between-subjects design. Twenty-one participants with PD were allocated to either a tDCS group or a SHAM stimulation group. Participants completed 9 practice sessions over a 2-week period that involved extensive practice of an isometric pinch grip task (PGT) and a rapid arm movement task (AMT). These practice tasks were performed over a 25-min period concurrent with either anodal c-tDCS or SHAM stimulation. A set of transfer tasks that included clinical rating scales, manual dexterity tests, and lower extremity assessments were quantified in Test sessions at Baseline, 1, 14, and 28 days after the end of practice (EOP). There were no significant differences between the c-tDCS and SHAM groups as indicated by performance changes in the practice and transfer tasks from Baseline to the 3 EOP Tests. The findings indicate that long-term application of c-tDCS does not improve motor learning or transfer of motor learning to a greater extent than practice alone in PD.
Uniqueness implies existence and uniqueness criterion for nonlocal boundary value problems for third order differential equations

For the third order differential equation, y''' = f(x,y,y',y"), we consider uniqueness implies existence results for solutions satisfying the nonlocal 4-point boundary conditions, y(x 1 ) = y 1 , y(x 2 ) = y 2 , 9(x 3 ) - v(x 4 ) = v3. Uniqueness of solutions of such boundary value problems is intimately related to solutions of the third order equation satisfying certain nonlocal 3-point boundary conditions. These relationships are investigated as well.
Correlates of sport participation among adolescent girls.

Abstract Most research on the correlates of sport involvement has utilized male samples. The present study focuses on a sample of high school girl gymnasts, basketball players, track participants, and a control group of nonathletes. The correlates of participation investigated include familial factors, peers, teachers and coaches' encouragement to participate in sports, and the social psychological variables of perceived femininity, self-reported athletic ability, and body image. The findings indicate that socialization into sport begins in childhood and continues into high school with considerable encouragement from significant others. The basketball players reported somewhat less encouragement and tend to see themselves as less feminine than the other athletes. Athletes had higher self-perceptions of athletic ability than the nonathletes. The athletes' perceptions of their body image were generally more positive than the nonathletes. This latter finding suggests a reduction of stigma formerly associated...
Distributed Multi-Robot Exploration and Mapping

Efficient exploration of unknown environments is a fundamental problem in mobile robotics. As autonomous exploration and map building becomes increasingly robust on single robots, the next challenge is to extend these techniques to large teams of robots. This talk will provide an overview of our approach to multi-robot exploration and mapping, which we developed within the CentiBots project. This project aimed at fielding 100 robots in an indoor exploration and surveillance task. A general solution to distributed exploration must consider some difficult issues, including limited communication between robots, no assumptions about relative start locations of the robots, and dynamic assignments of processing tasks. The focus of this talk will be on our current solutions to the problems of robot localization, map building, and coordinated exploration. As part of the CentiBots project, our system was evaluated rigorously by an outside team. We present results from this evaluation that demonstrate that the system is highly robust and that the maps generated by our robots are more accurate than maps generated by a human.
Development of the method of specific volume electrical resistance measurement for semi-conductive materials and testing semi-conductive fiberglass epoxy composites under simultaneous action of vibration and electrical current load

A method of electrical volume resistance measurement of semiconductive plane-parallel materials-specific volume resistance in perpendicular plane direction for materials and production units without removing specimens from tested material, or damaging test material was developed. This method allows control of specific volume resistance of 100% materials and units with high accuracy during production, during long-term testing and before using. This method was applied during the process of evaluating changes of mechanical and electrical properties of semi-conducting materials as well as evaluating equipment reliability on long-term aging.
Evolution of cancer of the uterine fundus in the rabbit.

This study investigates the sequential relationship in the origin of cancer by comparing the transplantability and growth rate of cancers at different phases of development. To this end laparotomies were performed at various intervals after the discovery of the tumor; histological studies were done and homologous and autologous transplants made with the remaining tissue. In the morphological development of the tumor changes occur in a definite sequence suggesting a gradual loss of organization from inception to metastasis; such changes have been utilized in developing a system of grading from Grade 1 tumors which consist of simple reduplication of well-formed endometrial glands to Grade 4 tumors in which cellular growth is diffused disorganized and lacking any indication of glandular pattern. In the series presented here in 13 out of 18 animals the tumors progressed from a Grade 2 growth to a Grade 3 or 4. Only 5 tumors remained comparatively static and 6 animals were free of metastases at death. A study of the results of homologous transfer gives an index of the biological development of the tumors the criteria being the incidence of takes and the growth rates. Tumors were not constant in biological behavior; extreme changes in biological behavior were generally associated with an advance in tumor grade; development of tumor apparently entailed continued residence in the primary host. Results from autologous transplants showed that tumor development occurred in as remote and diverse regions as the subcutaneous space and the anterior chamber of the eye. Data obtained from this study show that cancer is not a sudden transformation of normal cells but rather the final stage in a developmental process. Moreover development into cancer will not occur in normal animals but is dependent on factors peculiar to the spontaneous host. Specific factors present in the primary host and in tumor-bearing animals but not supplied by normal animals are concerned in tumor development.
Use of endoluminal ultrasound to evaluate gastrointestinal motility

The use of high-frequency ultrasound transducers in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) has already yielded remarkable findings concerning the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the GI tract and o
Central places in a square

Revisiting Hotelling and Central Place Theory in a bounded square surface seems to still be quite insightful and productive. In this short note, it is shown that agglomeration at the center occurs under market conditions involving duopolistic competition, as expected. In an optimum framework, a hierarchy of centers emerges in a number of ways qualitatively different from the classical Central Place Theory structure. Superimposed on this hierarchy of central places an optimum road system takes shape with certain interesting features in it.
Rotational motion under pressure in the solid molecular hydrogen isotopes

Rotational states as functions of pressure for H2, D2, T2 HD, and HT molecules are calculated in the corresponding molecular solids. Sudden transitions from spherically symmetric rotational states occur in para-H2, para-T2, ortho-D2, and in HD and HT as the pressure increases. Only the predicted T2 transition pressure of about 24 kbar lies within current experimentally accessible ranges. All other transitions occur in the region 150–300 kbar.
Fuzzy community detection in social networks using a genetic algortihm

Community structure in a network usually is an indicator of some important hidden pattern, and thus can deepen our understandings of some phenomenon and also enable useful applications. Even though the introduction of Newman's modularity stimulates a magnitude of modularity-based community detection methods, only a few of them are designed for uncovering fuzzy overlapping communities in a network, which in practice are really common in social networks. Considering that modularity maximization is NP-hard and that a genetic algorithm's ability to find fairly good solutions of an NP-hard problem, an O (n 2 ) genetic algorithm for fuzzy community detection (GAFCD) is proposed based on the generalized modularity, a one-step extension of Newman's modularity. Crossover in GAFCD works as an outer-layer search framework that statistically determines sub search spaces with which a novel mutation operator finds the best partition in each sub search space. We compare our proposed GAFCD method with an existing fuzzy community detection algorithm, MULTICUT spectral FCM (MSFCM), and GALS, one of the most effective disjoint (or crisp) community detection, on 10 real world data sets; it is observed that GAFCD outperforms the other algorithms in terms of finding max-modularity communities. Furthermore, GAFCD is able to find both fuzzy partitions and crisp partitions while MSFCM can only find fuzzy partitions and GALS can only find crisp partitions. This unique feature makes GAFCD the first genetic algorithm for finding truly fuzzy (i.e., inclusive of both fuzzy and crisp communities) max-modularity community structure in a network.
Decreased ratios of lateral to medial patellofemoral forces and pressures after lateral retinacular release and gender knees in total knee arthroplasty

To demonstrate that lateral to medial patellofemoral force and pressure ratios could be a surrogate marker of retinacular tension and patellar tracking. The patellofemoral forces of six knees from three fresh-frozen half-body female cadavers were evaluated with a capacitive sensor under simulated operative conditions in six staged clinical scenarios: native knees, knee arthroplasty without patellar resurfacing, resurfaced knee and patella, resurfaced knee and patella with lateral release, gender-specific knee arthroplasty with patella resurfacing, and gender-specific knee arthroplasty with lateral release. Maximum force and peak pressure were simultaneously recorded during three to four ranges of motion. Average values were compared between lateral and medial patellofemoral compartments as an objective measure of patellar tracking for the different settings. Significant differences in lateral and medial force and pressure differentials were seen in most scenarios despite clinically normal patellar tracking. Lateral to medial ratios of maximum force and peak pressure significantly increased after TKA (2.9, 2.1) and after patella resurfacing (2.8, 2.6) compared to the native knee (1.6, 1.8). Addition of a lateral release in resurfaced knees decreased the ratio of lateral to medial patellofemoral forces and pressures as did gender knee arthroplasty (1.5 and 1.1, 2 and 1.3, respectively). Pressure and force values most closely resembled the native knee in the resurfaced knee/resurfaced patella with lateral release and in the gender knee arthroplasty scenarios. Use of lateral to medial patellofemoral force ratios as a surrogate objective marker for patellar tracking was validated in this study by decreasing ratios observed after lateral release in TKA and with gender-specific implants.
On the use of the generalized t and generalized rank‐sum statistics in medical research

We have used Monte Carlo methods to compare the type I error properties of the conditional and unconditional versions of the generalized t and the generalized rank-sum tests to those of the independent samples t and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results showed inflated type I errors for the conditional generalized tests but not for the unconditional tests. We also compared the power of the unconditional generalized tests to that of the t and Wilcoxon tests under a variety of conditions. Results showed the generalized tests to be much more efficient than their traditional counterparts in some circumstances, but substantially less powerful in others. Based on these and other considerations, we conclude that the application of these newer statistics in medical research needs further consideration.
Increase in DNA replication sites in cells held at the beginning of S phase.

CHO cells were pulse labeled with 3H-thymidine after synchronization and blockage at the beginning of S phase for various intervals. The distribution of initiation sites for DNA replication and rates of chain growth were measured in autoradiographs prepared from these cells. Origins used for replication are widely distributed at or near the beginning of S phase, but usable origins increase continuously for many hours when FdU is used to block the synthesis of thymidylate. Potential origins are located about four microns apart, but in normal replication in these fibroblasts only one in 15 to 20 potential origins are used for initiation. On the other hand, when cells are held at the beginning of S phase for 12–14 h, about one-half of the potential origins are activated in part of the DNA and utilized when the cell is released from the block by supplying 3H-thymidine (10−6M). Chain growth during a short pulse decreases with time of the blockage at what appears to be a linear rate. However, cells can replicate long continuous stretches of their DNA with only 2×10−8M thymidine available in the medium for several hours when synthesis is blocked by FdU. The total amount of DNA replicated is, however, much less than when a concentration of 10−6 M thymidine is supplied for the same period. The origins which are finally used under any experimental condition appear to be a random sample of the total potential origins which are distributed in a regular repeating sequence along the DNA at about 12 kilobase intervals.
Building early relationships: a review of caregiver–child interaction interventions for use in community-based early childhood programmes

Children's early relationships with their caregivers are important for later developmental outcomes, both proximally and distally, and enhanced caregiver–child relationships may promote positive outcomes at both the individual and family levels. In this article, we review six evidence-based caregiver–child interaction interventions that can be translated for use by staff in community-based early childhood programmes serving children between the ages of birth and five years. Early childhood programmes selecting a parenting intervention have opportunities to set priorities across a number of relevant criteria, ranging from the theoretical basis of the intervention to more practical issues such as the time commitment for families and staff requirements. To provide a starting point for such considerations, we compare the interventions' approaches and associated training requirements, summarise the evidence base for each intervention, and identify areas of divergence and common themes across the six selected i...
TREND OF ADENOVIRUS TYPE 7 INFECTION, AN EMERGING DISEASE IN JAPAN

Abstract The program of the National Epidemiological Surveillance of Infectious Diseases under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Welfare started in 1981 apprehended in 1995 emergence of adenovirus type 7 in Japan. We analyzed the reported data of type 7 comparing with those of type 3, both belonging to the same subgenus B, and the following results were obtained: After 1981, the main serotypes in the reports of adenovirus isolation/detection were types 3, 2, and 1 in this order. The reports of isolation of adenovirus type 7 used to be extremely few, however, suddenly increased in 1995. In 1997, reports of isolation of adenovirus type 3 decreased and those of type 7 acquired the third place after those of types 2 and 3. Type 7 infection occur almost every month, but most frequently during May-September. The ages of cases from which type 7 was isolated were 0-4 years accounting for 55%, 5-9 years 35%, teens 6.3% and adults 4.0%, being similar proportions to those yielding type 3. Clinical diagnoses of cases yielding adenovirus type 7 were pharyngo-conjunctival fever (PCF) and influenza-like illness, these two accounting for half. The symptoms were severe, being characterized by higher maximum body temperature during the feverish period and severe pneumonia. Encephalitis and arthro-muscular pain were seen in only type 7-infected cases, although such cases were few.
LINES JOINING COMPONENTS OF A LINK

We estimate from below the number of lines meeting each of given 4 disjoint smooth closed curves in a given cyclic order in the real projective 3-space. We obtain also a similar lower bound for the number of lines meeting each of given 4 disjoint smooth closed curves in a given linear order in ℝ3. The estimates are formulated in terms of linking numbers of the curves and obtained by orienting of the corresponding configuration spaces and evaluating of their signatures. This involves a study of a surface swept by lines meeting 3 given disjoint smooth closed curves. Higher-dimensional generalizations of these results are outlined.
Considerations on the Propagation and Generation of Magnetostatic Waves and Spin Waves

A discussion is given of the dispersion relation, magnetization distribution, and group velocity of magnetostatic waves in an infinite circular cylinder with the static magnetic field parallel to the cylinder axis. The dispersion relation of the modes with ${e}^{i\ensuremath{\phi}}$ angular dependence is, for $\mathrm{kR}\ensuremath{\gg}1$, $\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\cong}\ensuremath{\gamma}{H}_{0}+\ensuremath{\gamma}2\ensuremath{\pi}{M}_{s}{(\frac{{x}_{i}}{\mathrm{kR}})}^{2}+(\frac{D}{\ensuremath{\hbar}}){k}^{2},$ where ${x}_{i}$ is a root of ${J}_{0}(x)=0$; $R$ is the cylinder radius; and $D$ is the exchange constant. The group velocity of magnetostatic pulses at low wave vectors is shown to be considerably higher than magnon velocities.
Entropy of coupled map lattices

The entropy of coupled map lattices with respect to the group of space-time translations is considered. We use the notion of generalized Lyapunov spectra to prove the analogue of the Ruelle inequality and the Pesin formula.
The Perceptron Algorithm Is Fast for Non-Malicious Distributions

Within the context of Valiant's protocol for learning, the Perceptron algorithm is shown to learn an arbitrary half-space in time O(n2/e3) if D, the probability distribution of examples, is taken uniform over the unit sphere Sn. Here e is the accuracy parameter. This is surprisingly fast, as "standard" approaches involve solution of a linear programming problem involving Ω(n/e) constraints in n dimensions. A modification of Valiant's distribution independent protocol for learning is proposed in which the distribution and the function to be learned may be chosen by adversaries, however these adversaries may not communicate. It is argued that this definition is more reasonable and applicable to real world learning than Valiant's. Under this definition, the Perceptron algorithm is shown to be a distribution independent learning algorithm. In an appendix we show that, for uniform distributions, some classes of infinite V-C dimension including convex sets and a class of nested differences of convex sets are learnable.
The Determinants of State Spending on Higher Education: How Capital Project Funding Differs from General Fund Appropriations

Our fixed-effects panel data analysis of state spending on higher education fills a near void of studies examining capital expenditures on higher education. In our study, we found that political characteristics (e.g., interest group activity, organizational structure, and formal powers) largely account for differences between general fund and capital appropriations for higher education.
Caudillos and the crisis of the Colombian state: fragmented sovereignty, the war system and the privatisation of counterinsurgency in Colombia

Abstract This article examines the rise of private militias within the historical context of the crisis of the Colombian nation-state. Taking a political economy approach, the paper attempts to assess the consequences of the emergence of the United Auto Defenses of Colombia (auc) for the country's political trajectory. It argues that the auc and the narco-bourgeoisie have created a new ‘reactionary class configuration’ that has regenerated a ‘labour-repressive’ mode of capital accumulation best characterised as a rentier-based political economy. Hence the counterinsurgency in Colombia is not the typical military instrument of the state, but rather an instrument for class articulation and socioeconomic and political transformation beyond the state. Although these transformations were consistent with the neoliberal economic path that the Colombian government had adopted in earnest by the late 1980s, they also deepened the political crisis of the state and accentuated ‘fragmented sovereignty’ and the ‘war sy...
Calculation of statistical attributes in small regions of separations: Variation of overlap probability along the separation coordinate

Theory based on the extended statistical model of overlap (SMO) is proposed to predict the numbers of components in small regions of separations and the likelihood of overlap along the separation coordinate. The extended SMO is an expansion of theory begun a decade ago and, unlike its predecessor, allows one to estimate statistical parameters from separations containing peaks of variable density. These estimations are made possible by frequencies that scale the relative density of peaks. Using a frequency determined from a complex separation, one can critique overlap in small regions of the separation containing as few as five components. The ability to quantify overlap in small regions allows one to characterize local overlap patterns that would be obscured by interpretation of large regions. Furthermore, with the frequency, the probability of forming singlet and multiplet peaks can be calculated along the separation coordinate. Unlike with earlier theory, the frequency allows the values of these probabilities to change continuously throughout the separation. Applications of theory are made to four gas chromatograms of lime oil, which were developed by different temperature programs to vary the peak density therein.
Economic analysis in support of broad scale land management strategies

Abstract The US has a century of experience with the development of forest policies that have benefited from or been influenced by economic research activities in the forest sector. At the same time, increasing rigor in policy debates stimulated economics research. During the past four decades economic research has evolved to include increased understanding of consumer demands, producer behavior, landowner behavior and timber resource conditions. Bio-economic models have evolved that combine economic and resource models; these have been used in the US to provide the basis for forecasting future resource and market trends and to shape public perceptions. Economics research has also contributed frameworks for policy analysis using approaches like scenario planning to help decision-makers gauge uncertainty.
Family characteristics of binge‐eating disorder patients

Binge-eating disorder (BED) has been described and proposed as a new eating disorder diagnosis. Although studies have examined the characteristics of the family members of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), little is known about the characteristics of family members of BED patients. The Family Environment Scale (FES) was administered to 88 patients with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of an eating disorder (23 AN, 45 BN, 20 BN+AN), as well as 43 patients with BED as defined by DSM-IV criteria. Statistically significant differences were found among the groups on the cohesion, expressiveness, and active-recreational subscales of the FES by analysis of variance (ANOVA). On the cohesion subscale, significant differences were noted between AN and BED, p < .019, with AN scoring higher than BED. On the expressiveness subscale, significant differences were noted for BED and BN, p < .016, with BN scoring higher than BED. On the active-recreational subscale, there were significant differences for BED versus BN, BED versus AN, and BED versus AN+BN (p < .0001), with BED scoring lower than all other groups. Comparison of BED data to existing normative data yielded significant differences on the cohesion, expressiveness, conflict, independence, intellectual-cultural, active-recreational, and control subscales, with BED patients scoring higher than controls on the conflict and control subscales and lower than controls on all others. These data represent the first study of family characteristics of BED patients utilizing DSM-IV criteria, and provide a beginning understanding of family factors that may be useful in treatment. © 1998 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 23:145–151, 1998.
Correlations between circadian changes in serum amino acids or brain tryptophan and the contents of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in regions of the rat brain

Abstract Circadian changes in tryptophan, serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were investigated in the cerebral cortex and the brain stem of male Sprague-Dawley rats previously exposed to a 14:10 light-dark (LD) lighting regimen. Control rats were provided food and water ad libitum while experimental rats were given food daily only between 10.00 and 14.00 h. Statistically significant circadian changes in 5-HIAA were observed in the cerebral cortex of the control and the experimental animals and in the brain stem of the experimental animals. Circadian changes in tryptophan were observed in the cortex and brain stem of control animals, but the magnitude of the daily changes in tryptophan in experimental animals was comparatively reduced so that a statistically significant change was observed only in the brain stem. Highly statistically significant correlations were demonstrated between brain tryptophan and 5-HIAA suggesting a possible interrelationship between these parameters. Circadian changes in 5-HT were observed in the cerebral cortex of the experimental and in the brain stem of control animals. The inconsistency of the 5-HT rhythms may be a reflection of the daily disturbance of the animals. Significant circadian changes in free and also total plasma tryptophan were observed in both the control and experimental animals. Levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid or tryptophan in the brain were not consistently correlated with free plasma tryptophan or free plasma tryptophan/tyrosine in either control or experimental rats.
Analytical constraints on acidic functional groups in humic substances

Abstract Four standard fulvic acids and two standard humic acids from the International Humic Substances Society (IHSS) were analyzed to quantify the in situ generation of new acidity during direct titrations, as observed by hysteresis between tandem forward and reverse titration curves. The resulting concentrations of carboxyl and phenolic groups were then corroborated by analytical constraints imposed by elemental data and 13C NMR data. Collectively, carboxyl groups in the IHSS samples, as determined by rapid forward direct titrations, consistently accounted for 69% (±6) of the maximum possible carboxyl-like structures that were estimated by 13C NMR spectra. The concentrations of carboxyl groups in the samples increased for two separate reverse titrations initiated at 30 min and 24 h after the completion of the forward titrations, representing 73% (±7) and 84% (±8) of the maximum carboxyl-like groups, respectively. Conversely, the concentrations of phenolic groups were invariant between forward and reverse titrations. Elemental constraints coupled with titration data predicted that the IHSS samples have, on average, one acidic hydroxyl group per every two phenyl rings, as constrained by 13C NMR estimates of aromatic carbon.
New host defense mechanisms against Candida species clarify the basis of clinical phenotypes

Chronic Candida species infection of the skin and mucosal membranes is viewed as a group of disorders all sharing a similar clinical condition, the susceptibility to localized fungal infections, which can be isolated or as a feature associated with various other entities. Although the pathogenesis underlying such a tendency had previously been poorly understood, the last decade has witnessed significant progress in revealing the molecular and immunologic mechanisms involved in antifungal immunity. T H 17 cells and their specific cytokines (IL-17A and IL-17F cytokines and IL-22) are the main players in conferring antifungal protection. Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy and ectodermal dystrophy and hyper-IgE syndrome are 2 entities caused by different genetic mutations affecting distinct immune pathways but eventually share a similar clinical phenotype of Candida species infection. Impaired T H 17 responses, although mediated by different mechanisms, seem to underlie this common feature: neutralizing autoantibodies against IL-17A and 1L-22 are involved in patients with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy and ectodermal dystrophy syndrome, whereas abnormal T H 17 proliferation and IL-17 production are observed in the latter. Although various degrees of T H 17 dysfunction were also observed in most cases of isolated chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, only in very few families was a distinct mutation detected (caspase recruitment domain family, member 9 [CARD9] ), thus indicating certain forms of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis as monogenic with a Mendelian pattern of inheritance. Hopefully, these data will open the way for further searches for other genes and for introducing new treatment modalities.
Albumin causes increased myosin light chain kinase expression in astrocytes via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) plays an important role in the reorganization of the cytoskeleton leading to disruption of vascular barrier integrity in multiple organs including the blood brain barrier (BBB) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). MLCK has been linked to transforming growth factor (TGF) and rho kinase signaling pathways, but the mechanisms regulating MLCK expression following TBI are not well understood. Albumin leaks into the brain parenchyma following TBI, activates glia and has been linked to TGF-β receptor signaling. We investigated the role of albumin in the increase in MLCK in astrocytes and the signaling pathways involved in this increase. Following midline closed-skull TBI in mice, there was a significant increase in MLCK-immunoreactive (IR) cells and albumin extravasation, which was prevented by treatment with the MLCK inhibitor ML-7. Using immunohistochemical methods, we identified the MCLK-IR cells as astrocytes. In primary astrocytes, exposure to albumin increased both isoforms of MLCK, 130 and 210. Inhibition of the TGF-β receptor partially prevented the albumin-induced increase in both isoforms, which was not prevented by inhibition of smad3. Inhibition of p38 MAPK, but not ERK, JNK or rho kinase also prevented this increase. These results are further evidence of a role of MCLK in the mechanisms of BBB compromise following TBI, and identify astrocytes as a cell type, in addition to endothelium in the BBB which express MLCK. These findings implicate albumin, acting through p38 MAPK, in a novel mechanism by which activation of MLCK following TBI may lead to compromise of the BBB.
Effect of environmental experience on spatial ability in an East African society.

(1971). Effect of Environmental Experience on Spatial Ability in an East African Society. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 83, No. 1, pp. 15-22.
An observational technique for physical work stress analysis

This paper describes an observational method of physical work stress analysis which has the ease of application of traditional work study techniques but with greater account of human and task variables. The technique involves the process of activity sampling of various physical components of work, including body location, support base, orientation, hand position, acceleration and thermal load. Component weighting is achieved by expert judgement, and the results of investigations indicate good correlations with both subjective and physiological predictors of physical work stress. A final facility of this method is the adoption of a novel polar graph display medium in which the sector angles represent the component weights and the radii represent the measured values. Thus, the physical work stress profile is represented both by area and shape characteristics of the display to indicate the instantaneous load and static / dynamic load balance.