cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Legal Guidance on When Schools Can Remove Students for Exhibiting Dangerous Behaviors Through Injunctive Relief

Violence in schools remains a complex and challenging issue. In this article, we examine schools’ responsibilities in placement and the provision of services for students who have chronically exhib...
Bidirectional associations between acceptability of violence and intimate partner violence from adolescence to young adulthood.

Objective Beliefs about the acceptability of intimate partner violence (IPV) are associated with the perpetration of IPV among adolescents. However, minimal research has examined whether this association persists across time or whether there is a bidirectional association between acceptability of IPV and the perpetration of IPV. The purpose of the present study was to examine bidirectional associations between acceptability of IPV and the perpetration of IPV from adolescence into young adulthood. Method A sample of diverse high school students (N = 1,042; 56% female) from the Southwestern United States were assessed each year for six consecutive years. At each assessment, participants completed measures of the acceptability of IPV and psychological and physical IPV perpetration. The mean age of the sample at the first assessment was 15.09 (SD = .79). Results Structural equation modeling demonstrated that acceptability of male-to-female and female-to-male IPV were not consistent predictors of one's own IPV perpetration over time. In addition, minimal evidence was found for a bidirectional association between acceptability of IPV and one's own IPV perpetration over time. Moreover, minimal gender differences were evident and there were no differences based on race/ethnicity. Conclusion Despite the stability of beliefs about the acceptability of IPV over time from adolescence to young adulthood, findings suggest that acceptability of IPV is not a robust predictor of one's own IPV perpetration during this developmental time period. The implications of targeting beliefs about IPV in prevention and intervention programs are discussed.
Environmental Risks in Fetal and Neonatal Life as Biological Determinants of Infant Intelligence

The infant who is at risk for intellectual impairment because of environmental events in fetal or neonatal life is the special concern of this chapter. Investigators who study the underlying causes of impairment approach the question from varied perspectives. Both medical and social science research will be reviewed here to provide the reader with some synthesis, examine what is known, and consider research methods that offer promise for investigating unresolved questions.
8 – Conservation Laws

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses conservation laws applicable to partial differential equations. These laws yield quantities that remain invariant during the evolution of the partial differential equation. Given an evolution equation, which is a partial differential equation of the form ut = F(u, ux, uxx,….) a conservation law is a partial differential equation of the form ∂T/∂t (u(x, t) + ∂X/∂x (u(x, t) = 0 which is satisfied by all solutions of ut = F(u, ux, uxx,….). Conservation laws allow estimates of the accuracy of a numerical solution scheme. Not all partial differential equations have an infinite number of conservation laws, there may be none or a finite number. A conservation law for an evolution equation is called trivial if T is itself, the x derivative of some expression. If the equation ut = F(u, ux, uxx,….) has an infinite sequence of nontrivial conservation laws, then the equation is formally integral. If a given partial differential equation is not written in conservation form, there are a number of ways of attempting to put it in a conserved form.
Competition between the Electron-Electron and Electron-Phonon Mechanisms in the Electrical and Thermal Resistivities of Simple Metals

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the use of the thermal (and electrical) resistivities as tools for studying the electron-electron interaction in metals. We focus on the simple and noble metals, where only tentative evidence exists at present, and we hope to indicate where further evidence might best be sought. The difficulty in observing electron-electron scattering is that it tends to be dominated by electron-phonon scattering, particularly in the simple metals. To observe the electron-electron mechanism, one is thus pushed to extremes of temperature (high or very low) where it tends to compete more favorably: Electron-electron contributions to p and WT increase quadratically with temperature, while the electron-phonon contributions increase linearly at high temperatures (T ≳ θD), but much faster (ρ ~ T5 and WT ~ T3) at extremely low temperatures T << θD. The competition in the high and low temperature regimes will be discussed in sections II and III.
Demand for Labor

The demand for labor encompasses the determinants of the number of workers that firms and others wish to employ along with the intensity with which they are utilized, particularly their hours of work. Included is the demand for workers treated as a single group and for workers differentiated by their demographic characteristics and level of skill. Among the major issues are how employers react to changes in the cost of labor, or the cost of particular group(s) of workers; how cuts in costs of employing one type of worker lead employers to substitute them for others, and how the relative costs of workers and hours affect employers' choices between them. The theory underlying these issues is discussed and an evaluation of the state of knowledge on all of them is provided. The evidence is relevant for evaluating the impact of a wide variety of labor-market policies, including minimum wages, overtime restrictions and penalties, and payroll taxes. Labor demand takes time to adjust, with the path of adjustment determined by impediments imposed by the costs of hiring and firing and by government regulations. The article summarizes the evidence on the effects of these costs and on the role of government regulations in altering the level and time path of employment.
Cuban Underground Hip Hop: Black Thoughts, Black Revolution, Black Modernity by Tanya Saunders

Cuban Underground Hip Hop (CUHH) goes from how to study Cuba in U.S. Academia, the challenges that can come up first as an undergraduate, then a graduate student, to strategies on how to navigate the politics after one makes a choice to study, as a black, queer, American in the regional sense, scholar. This is a work of black, queer, American in the regional sense of the word, a hemispheric black feminist and queer of color hip-hop studies work . Not a book.
Transmission of waterborne fish and plant pathogens in aquaponics and their control with physical disinfection and filtration: a systematized review.

Abstract The objective of this systematized review was to collect and analyze information about the waterborne spread of fish and plant pathogens through aquaponics systems, as well as investigate physical disinfection or filtration methods used to control transmission. Information gathered from comparable aquaculture and hydroponics systems was also considered for its applicability to aquaponics, and a bias assessment of accepted literature was conducted. One-hundred and forty sources were included in the review, with 85 from aquaculture systems, 55 from hydroponics, and 0 from aquaponics. Transmission was studied using cohabitation of naive and infected organisms or direct inoculation of the water. Pathogen control methods included ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, blue light-emitting diodes, media filtration, membrane filtration, heat, sonication, and three methods that fell outside these categories. Water quality and flow rate were identified as important factors influencing disinfection efficacy, along with parameters specific to each disinfection method. The lack of studies on pathogen transmission and control in aquaponics systems, paired with the risks associated with a disease outbreak, make this an important, yet neglected, area of research.
Ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure deserves more than a IIb guidelines recommendation

The current evidence and guidelines for rhythm management of AF in HFrEF were examined. We propose updates of rhythm management (catheter ablation and antiarrhythmic drugs) of AF in HFrEF incorporating this most uptodate evidence.
Genetic-epidemiological methods in anthropological research.

Traditionally, the goals of genetic epidemiology have been disease oriented, seeking to quantify the genetic components of disease and of complex traits associated with disease. However, there are many complex quantitative and qualitative traits not related to disease that are amenable to analysis using genetic-epidemiological methods. These include the morphological and physiological traits that have formed the basis for much anthropological research. Our goal in this symposium issue is to highlight some recent applications of genetic-epidemiological approaches to anthropological problems. Genetic epidemiology has generated a wealth of statistical methods for assessing the genetic determinants of complex traits. Genetic factors influencing normal phenotypes include major genes (genes having large detectable effects on variation), minor genes (genes having small but individually detectable effects on traits), and polygenes (numerous genes with small effects that are not individually detectable). Most phenotypes are due to a combination of two or more of these classes of genes acting and/or interacting with environmental factors. Genetic effects can be detected through two general statistical approaches. The first approach uses quantitative genetic analysis to determine whether there is familial patterning, consistent with polygenic inheritance, to the trait in question. This approach has been used most extensively in anthropology, in part because of a pervasive assumption that most morphological traits are polygenically determined and also because this variance decomposition method is relatively easy to implement. However, the quantitative genetic approach provides a limited view of the genetic architecture of a trait and primarily addresses the question of whether or not genetic factors are involved. Segregation analysis is a more extensive methodology that allows one to refine the genetic model for inheritance of a trait. For example, using segregation analysis techniques, one can determine whether a major gene, a major gene in combination with several minor genes, or the cumulative effects of many polygenes best accounts for the population
Gray-Molasses Optical-Tweezer Loading: Controlling Collisions for Scaling Atom-Array Assembly

A new technique for loading atoms into an optical trap does so with 90% efficiency in traps much shallower than in standard techniques, enabling efficient preparation of large, ordered single-atom arrays that are key for large-scale quantum simulation and computation.
Laser and Light-Based Treatments

Chronic ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure from sunlight results in photoaging of the skin. Damage from UV exposure results in lines and wrinkles (rhytids), coarse texture, pigmentation changes, and thinning of the epidermis and dermis. Additional manifestations of chronic sun exposure include telangiectasias, actinic keratosis, and malignancies of the skin.
Reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA: Will we be better prepared next time?

Abstract The United States (US) spends more on healthcare than any other country with little evidence of better, or even comparable, outcomes. We reflect on the US and the COVID-19 pandemic and focus on cultural, economic and structural barriers that threaten both current and future responses to infectious diseases emergencies. These include the US healthcare delivery model, the defunding of public health, a scarcity of infectious diseases physicians, the market failure of vaccines and anti-infectives and the concept of American exceptionalism. Without institutionalizing the lessons learned, the US will be positioned to repeat the missteps of COVID-19 with the next pandemic.
Dietary Sodium Intake and Sodium Density in the United States: Estimates From NHANES 2005-2006 and 2015-2016.

BACKGROUND In the United States, current guidelines recommend a total sodium intake <2,300 mg/day, a guideline which does not consider kilocalorie intake. However, kilocalorie intake varies substantially by age and sex. We hypothesized that compared with sodium density, total sodium intake overestimates adherence to sodium recommendations, especially in adults consuming fewer kilocalories. METHODS In the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we estimated the prevalence of adherence to sodium intake recommendations (<2,300 mg/day) and corresponding sodium density intake (<1.1 mg/kcal = 2,300 mg at 2,100 kcal) by sex, age, race/ethnicity, and kilocalorie level. Adherence estimates were compared between the 2005-2006 (n = 5,060) and 2015-2016 (n = 5,266) survey periods. RESULTS In 2005-2006, 23.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.5, 24.9) of the US population consumed <2,300 mg of sodium/day, but only 8.5% (CI: 7.6, 9.4) consumed <1.1 mg/kcal in sodium density. In 2015-2016, these figures were 20.9% (CI: 18.8, 23.2) and 5.1% (CI: 4.4, 6.0), respectively. In 2015-2016, compared with 2005-2006, adherence by sodium density decreased more substantially (odds ratio = 0.59; CI: 0.48, 0.72; P < 0.001) than adherence by total sodium consumption (odds ratio = 0.85; CI: 0.73, 0.98; P = 0.03). The difference in adherence between total sodium and sodium density goals was greater among those with lower kilocalorie intake, namely, older adults, women, and Hispanic adults. CONCLUSIONS Adherence estimated by sodium density is substantially less than adherence estimated by total sodium intake, especially among persons with lower kilocalorie intake. Further efforts to achieve population-wide reduction in sodium density intake are urgently needed.
Evaluating Patient Benefit From Laryngochondroplasty.

Objectives/hypothesis To elucidate and review current literature on the surgical technique for laryngochondroplasty in male-to-female transgender patients. To determine the degree of benefit afforded to male-to-female transgender patients by laryngochondroplasty using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI). Study design Retrospective case series. Methods After institutional review board approval was obtained, the GBI survey was given to patients who underwent laryngochondroplasty by the author. Demographic information was analyzed including age, race, wait time to surgery, distance traveled, median zip code income, and concomitant gender-affirming surgeries such as vaginoplasty, breast augmentation, or facial feminization. Results From April 2016 to April 2020, 209 patients received laryngochondroplasty within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Medical System. Of those, 91 received laryngochondroplasty with the author and were given the GBI, with 73 patients (80%) responding. Patients were on average 31.4 years old, traveled 45.4 miles to the surgical site, lived in a zip code with a median income of $86,793.61, and waited 95.7 days for surgery. Patients had a statistically significant improvement in all three subscores (general, social, and physical) of the GBI as well as in their overall score. Conclusions Laryngochondroplasty is a safe and effective procedure to reduce thyroid cartilage prominence (Adam's apple) in male-to-female transgender patients. There was a statistically significant improvement in the overall score and all subscores of the GBI after laryngochondroplasty LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:S1-S14, 2020.
ON-State Gate Stress Induced Threshold Voltage Instabilities in p-GaN Gate AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

In this study, the transient threshold voltage behavior of p-GaN capped AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) is evaluated, by monitoring the threshold voltage from $10 \mu \mathrm{s}$ up to 100 s during positive gate bias stress, as well as during recovery. It is found that the threshold voltage transients are highly dependent on the current distribution in the metal/p-GaN/AlGaN/GaN gate stack. Two different gate processes are evaluated in terms of ON-state gate current, gate conduction mechanism and threshold voltage stability. Devices with perimeter-dependent gate current show large threshold voltage shifts; devices in which the gate current is due to uniform thermionic (field) emission over the Schottky interface into the bulk p-GaN demonstrate stable behavior for $V_{g}\, \lt $5V.
Double and Charge-Transfer Excitations in Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory

Time-dependent density functional theory has emerged as a method of choice for calculations of spectra and response properties in physics, chemistry, and biology, with its system-size scaling enabling computations on systems much larger than possible otherwise. While increasingly complex and interesting systems have been successfully tackled with relatively simple functional approximations, there has also been increasing awareness that these functionals tend to fail for certain classes of approximations. I review the fundamental challenges the approximate functionals have in describing double-excitations and charge-transfer excitations, which are two of the most common impediments for the theory to be applied in a black box way. At the same time, I describe the progress made in recent decades in developing functional approximations that give useful predictions for these excitations.
Rateless Codes for Distributed Non-linear Computations

Machine learning today involves massive distributed computations running on cloud servers, which are highly susceptible to slowdown or straggling. Recent work has demonstrated the effectiveness of erasure codes in mitigating such slowdown for linear computations, by adding redundant computations such that the entire computation can be recovered as long as a subset of nodes finish their assigned tasks. However, most machine learning algorithms typically involve non-linear computations that cannot be directly handled by these coded computing approaches. In this work, we propose a coded computing strategy for mitigating the effect of stragglers on non-linear distributed computations. Our strategy relies on the observation that many expensive non-linear functions can be decomposed into sums of cheap non-linear functions. We show that erasure codes, specifically rateless codes can be used to generate and compute random linear combinations of these functions at the nodes such that the original function can be computed as long as a subset of nodes return their computations. Simulations and experiments on AWS Lambda demonstrate the superiority of our approach over various uncoded baselines.A full version of this paper is accessible at [1]
Using injectable hydrogel markers to assess resimulation for boost target volume definition in a patient undergoing whole-breast radiotherapy

Abstract Several publications have recommended that patients undergoing whole-breast radiotherapy be resimulated for boost planning. The rationale for this is that the seroma may be smaller when compared with the initial simulation. However, the decision remains whether to use the earlier or later images to define an appropriate boost target volume. A patient undergoing whole-breast radiotherapy had new, injectable, temporary hydrogel fiducial markers placed 1 to 3 cm from the seroma at the time of initial simulation. The patient was resimulated 4.5 weeks later for conformal photon boost planning. Computed tomography (CT) scans acquired at the beginning and the end of whole-breast radiotherapy showed that shrinkage of the lumpectomy cavity was not matched by a corresponding reduction in the surrounding tissue volume, as demarcated by hydrogel markers. This observation called into question the usual interpretation of cavity shrinkage for boost target definition. For this patient, it was decided to define the boost target volume on the initial planning CT instead of the new CT.
Electronic Structure: Density functional theory: foundations

E Pluribus Unum Summary The fundamental tenet of density functional theory is that any property of a system of many interacting particles can be viewed as a functional of the ground state density n 0 ( r ); that is, one scalar function of position n 0 ( r ), in principle, determines all the information in the many-body wavefunctions for the ground state and all excited states. The existence proofs for such functionals, given in the original works of Hohenberg and Kohn and of Mermin, are disarmingly simple. However, they provide no guidance whatsoever for constructing the functionals, and no exact functionals are known for any system of more than one electron. Density functional theory (DFT)would remain a minor curiosity today if it were not for the ansatz made by Kohn and Sham, which has provided a way to make useful, approximate ground state functionals for real systems of many electrons. The subject of this chapter is density functional theory as a methodology for many-body systems; Ch. 7 describes the Kohn–Sham ansatz that replaces the interacting problem with an auxiliary independent-particle problem with all many-body effects included in an exchange–correlation functional; Ch. 8 deals with widely used approximations for the exchange–correlation functional; and Ch. 9 is devoted to solution of the Kohn–Sham independent-particle equations in a general form useful for all Kohn–Sham calculations. Following chapters in this volume are devoted to algorithms for actual calculations, and applications to problems in atomic, molecular, and condensed matter physics.
Contributions of Interlocus Exchange to the Structural Diversity of the H-2K , D, and L Alleles

The nature of diversity that distinguishes alleles form each other and from sequences of other class I loci was analyzed using 24 H-2K, D and L sequences, providing statistical evidence that alleles of the K and D/L loci are evolving independently throughout most of their coding regions. However, sequences determining the structure of the antigen binding domains of both allelic series appear to be co-evolving. Sequence motifs that distinguish alleles in these series are present at both the K and D/L loci, a pattern of diversity that is reminiscent of the class I mutants that have been described in the mouse.
THE HAIRPIN RIBOZYME : DISCOVERY, TWO-DIMENSIONAL MODEL, AND DEVELOPMENT FOR GENE THERAPY

This review chronicles the discovery of the hairpin ribozyme, its characterization, and determination of the two-dimensional structure, culminating with its use for human gene therapy as an AIDS therapeutic. The minimal sequence constituting the hairpin ribozyme catalytic domain was identified from a small plant viral satellite RNA. Biochemical characterization showed it to be among the most efficient of all known ribozymes. Mutagenesis determined that the two-dimensional structure had four helices, consisting of 17 Watson–Crick base pairs and one A:G pair for a total of 18 bp. The helices were interspersed with five single-stranded loops. Helices 1 and 2 were located between the ribozyme and substrate, allowing the ribozyme to recognize the substrate. The substrate had a sequence preference of BN*GUC where * is the site of cleavage and N*GUC the substrate loop between these two helices. By using sequences of this type, it was possible to design the ribozyme to base pair with the substrate and cleave heterologous RNA substrates–leading to design of the hairpin ribozyme for gene therapy. The HIV-1 sequence was searched for suitable target sites, and ribozymes were designed, optimized, catalytically characterized, and tested in vivo against HIV-1 targets. Two ribozymes had excellent in vitro catalytic parameters and inhibited in vivo expression of viral proteins by 3–4 logs in tissue culture cells. Viral replication was inhibited as well. They have been developed as human AIDS therapeutics, and will likely be the first ribozymes to be tested as human drugs in clinical trials. © 1998 Academic Press
General Bidding Model

The general model of competitive bidding is not limited by the assumptions on which Friedman's and Gates' models depend. It is applicable to competition for which a contractor's cost distribution and opponents' bid distributions can be estimated. Historical data of contractor's cost and competitors' bids on different projects produce a distribution for the ratio between them, the bid/cost ratio. Standardized distributions for contractors' cost and competitors' bids, estimated to have respective means of one and the mean bid/cost ratio and to have equal variance, are inserted into the general model. Results are compared with Friedman's and Gates' models for competition against average competitors. Because markup adjustments are counterbalanced by shifts in probability of winning, contractor expected value is not very sensitive to markup, or its method of selection. However, the models vary considerably in their estimates of expected value. Gates' model is always more accurate than Friedman's model where variance of bids is due to variance of costs.
An evaluation of the effect of library instruction as an external guided research experience on product design team performance

This work discusses the details of an analysis regarding the potential effects of several independent variables on the performance of design project teams, with a special effort towards explaining the relative importance of "library instruction," as a guided research experience, on engineering design education. Although both the literature and a preliminary study suggest that library instruction can make a difference in the performance of engineering design teams, the results of our study do not support this idea. Thus, having results, which do not align with the dominant belief about the effectiveness of library instruction, we conclude that shortcomings of the study design might have played an important role. Techniques to refine the research design and possible factors that contributed to the statistical insignificance are discussed in this paper. The suggestions for further research include: (1) using a larger sampling, (2) revision of measurement criteria and/or instruments, and (3) inclusion of other variables that were not included in the original regression model.
Cerebrospinal fluid pressures during labor.

Abstract Cerebrospinal fluid pressures were recorded throughout the course of labor in 10 normal parturients and one primigravida with pre-eclampsia. Measurements were made with the patients in the right lateral recumbent and in the supine positions. Bearing down efforts were evaluated during and between myometrial contractions. The influence of various methods of anesthesia on cerebrospinal fluid pressure was studied. In the normal parturient, resting cerebrospinal fluid pressures are within normal limits in the lateral recumbent and in the supine positions; in the pre-eclamptic parturient, the pressure is equally elevated in both postures. Increases in cerebrospinal fluid pressure during myometrial contractions are not related to contracting uterine musculature per se, but to movements of skeletal muscles occurring in response to the pain of myometrial contraction. Therefore, rises in cerebrospinal fluid pressure during uterine contraction may be prevented by any means affording abolition of pain perception. This may be light third-stage inhalation anesthesia or regional block anesthesia above a sensory level of T 12 . However, most of the commonly used inhalation agents lead to elevations in the cerebrospinal fluid pressure base line. Regional block techniques, on the other hand, do not alter cerebrospinal fluid pressure. The problem of additional cerebrospinal fluid pressure increases during uterine contractions and during inhalation anesthesia are discussed with regard to the patient with pathologically elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure.
Mycotoxin production by Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium sporotrichioides isolated from Baccharis spp. from Brazil.

Abstract Fusarium oxysporum isolated from roots of and soil around Baccharis species from Brazil produced the trichothecenes T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, and 3'-OH T-2 (TC-1), whereas Fusarium sporotrichioides from the same source produced T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, acetyl T-2, neosolaniol, TC-1, 3'-OH HT-2 (TC-3), iso-T-2, T-2 triol, T-2 tetraol, and the nontrichothecenes moniliformin and fusarin C. Several unknown toxins were found but not identified. Not found were macrocyclic trichothecenes, zearalenone, wortmannin, and fusarochromanone (TDP-1).
The effects of visual and verbal coding mnemonics on learning Chinese characters in computer-based instruction

The effects of different approaches to learning Chinese characters were investigated. Ninety-two high-school students were randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups: translation, verbal mnemonics, visual mnemonics, dual coding mnemonics, or self-generated mnemonics. All groups received instruction and completed posttests in a computer-based environment. The results indicate that participants who generated their own mnemonics demonstrated higher posttest performance than those in visual coding, verbal coding, and translation groups; subjects in the dual coding group scored higher than those in the translation group. Those who generated their own mnemonics spent more time on task than any other group, and those in the verbal coding group took more time than those in the translation group. Survey and qualitative data suggest that learners' interpretations of the Chinese characters were rooted in their cultural backgrounds and personal experiences.
Impact of TimeSlips creative expression program on behavioral symptoms and psychotropic medication use in persons with dementia in long-term care: a cluster-randomized pilot study.

Objectives To evaluate whether involvement in TimeSlips, a creative storytelling program, reduced mood and behavioral symptoms as well as psychotropic medication use in persons with dementia. Methods A cluster-randomized pilot study compared two discrete dementia care units in one nursing home. The control cohort (N = 10) received standard-of-care activity programming, and the intervention cohort (N = 10) received standard-of-care plus two one-hour TimeSlips sessions per week for six weeks. Data on mood and behavioral symptoms and psychotropic drug prescriptions were collected, and within-group and between-group comparisons were performed. Results Between-group comparisons did not reveal statistically significant differences in mood and behavioral symptoms. No differences in psychotropic drug prescriptions were found. Conclusions Larger trials of longer duration are needed to determine whether involvement in TimeSlips reduces mood and behavioral symptoms that compromise quality of life for persons with dementia.
Classification Of Complex Cell Images Using Pyramid Node Linking

There is a growing need to study and examine microscope slides in various fields of science. However, this task can be cumbersome and vulnerable to human error. This is especially true when large numbers of slides have to be examined. It is apparent that the existing computer and image processing technology should be utilized to speed up the process of cell examination. In our research, an existing method of image segmentation, called pyramid node linking, has been applied with a few modifications to cell segmentation. In pyramid node linking, a pyramid is constructed by successively reducing the resolution of the original image by factors of two to obtain the first and subsequent levels, until there are four pixels left on the top most level. In a bottom-to-top iterative process, the pixels from level to level are linked using information from the level above, the level below, and from the neighbor pixels on the same level. This results in several trees with roots at one of the upper levels and leaves on the original image. This process results in smooth simply-connected regions with well-defined boundaries on the bottom level. We have applied pyramid node linking to complex images consisting of clusters of rat liver cells grown in culture and damaged to different degrees by exposure to various chemicals. The algorithm has been applied to classify the rat liver cells in three categories: undamaged, slightly damaged, and disintegrated.
Evaluation of endothelial barrier damage in lungs

It is well known that sepsis, periods of lung ischemia followed by reperfusion, various ventilation regimens, elevation of cerebral spinal fluid pressure, and ischemia/ reperfusion of the small bowel cause extensive pulmonary edema [1–4]. However, the mechanisms associated with producing edema under these conditions are difficult to ascertain when studying the lung in situ, since both elevations in microvascular pressure and damage to the endothelial barrier act synergistically to produce pulmonary edema. Unfortunately, the measures needed to determine the biophysical permeability characteristics of the endothelial barrier in the lung require either measurement of lung weight changes with known increments in microvascular pressure, evaluation of lung lymph flow and its protein content, or the protein content of the lung’s extravascular tissue. The latter two of these measures are difficult to obtain for in situ rat lung preparations, but have been used successfully in both chronic and acute sheep and dog lung models where lymph flow and vascular pressures can be obtained [5–7]. Over the last ten years, isolated rat lung models have been used to study various lung pathologies, such as the inflammatory response associated with ischemia and reperfusion. Using these experimental models, numerous mechanisms have been identified that modulate the selectivity of the endothelial barrier [3,4]. However, it is also important to understand how the lung endothelial barrier behaves in situ in response to injury. This information is necessary in order to determine how various clinical interventions and drugs can prevent or reverse the damage. Though isolated organs are important models to identify mechanisms associated with lung injury, there is no guarantee that the same mechanisms identified in the ex vivo lung apply when the lung is in situ and affected by numerous substances released from tissues other than lung. In this review, we will present the basic biophysical parameters that define the transvascular flux of proteins and solvent in the lung. These measures will be discussed relative to their applicability to in situ lung studies.
Chemistry of 2-bromoleptoclinidinone, structure revision

Abstract The structure of 2-bromoleptoclinidinone has been revised on the basis of selective long-range 1 H/ 13 C polarization transfer experiments and chemical correlation with ascididemin. Both alkaloids have the same pentacyclic aromatic skeleton.
Corrosion protection of aluminum by solution-deposited oxide films

Abstract We have extensively studied the use of solution-deposited oxide coatings to enhance the corrosion resistance of aluminum and aluminum alloys. Most of the oxides that offer improved corrosion resistance were found to contain more than one cation species. The oxides studied are broadly categorized according to whether or not the valence of the depositing cation undergoes a formal change during film formation. We discuss film deposition and formation procedures from both aqueous and nonaqueous solutions of various metal salts and metal organic compounds. Deposited coatings were characterized using Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the corrosion resistance of these coatings was evaluated in a salt-spray chamber. The general suitability of new types of oxide systems for the corrosion protection of aluminum is discussed. Baseline data obtained on widely employed chromate coating formulations are used for comparison. The interpretation of experimental Auger depth profiles in terms of the existence of a mixed oxide layer is also discussed.
Enhanced Detection of Autoantibodies on Protein Microarrays Using a Modified Protein Digestion Technique

High-throughput studies to determine differential immune (humoral) response to diseases are becoming of increasing interest because the information they provide can help in early diagnosis as well as monitoring of therapeutics. Protein microarrays are a high-throughput and convenient technology that can be applied to the study of the humoral response. Proteins can be arrayed on slides and then probed with serum from different classes of patients to observe differences that may exist among autoantibodies that reflect differences in disease states. However, such studies may be difficult to interpret due to the weak overall signal response of such protein microarrays. We propose that this weak signal response is due to the physical positioning of the disease proteins that renders them sterically hindered from binding partners in the serum. In this study, we hypothesize that reducing the complexity and size of the disease proteins by chemical digestion using cyanogen bromide (CNBr) may enhance the overall signal from the humoral response and facilitate visualization of disease-specific responses in various classes of serum. A modified protein microarray methodology using CNBr digestion is presented here. The new workflow was applied to a set of 10 serum samples from healthy subjects, 10 from patients with chronic pancreatitis and 10 from patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and the results were compared to results obtained in the absence of CNBr digestion. CNBr digestion allowed the identification of 10 additional autoantibodies that responded to serum, 5 of which were unique to pancreatitis and cancer sera. This new methodology may increase the sensitivity of microarray studies measuring autoantibodies in serum.
A new phenomenological Marxism

Every generation of modern philosophy sets for itself the task of reinvent? ing the master thinkers of its tradition. In this century, this phenomenon has been borne out by repeated substantial reinterpretations of Marx, par? ticularly so in France where since 1945 emergent philosophical movements have infused new philosophical concepts into Marxism. As hermeneutics informs us, such infusion is a condition for the possibility of the continued vitality of any tradition, whether political, philosophical or otherwise. This interplay with other philosophical movements and their new vocabularies has been a particular strength of Western European, non-orthodox Marxism. "Existential" Marxism in France is perhaps the greatest expression of the lack of orthodoxy in Western Marxism.1 Its most influential works came after World War II, written by Merleau-Ponty and Sartre in the face of the situation of post-War Europe. The various versions of Existential Marxism influenced the interpretation of Marx in the entire post-war generation and introduced a rich phenomenological vocabulary into historical materialism, replacing its abstract, large-scale sociological descriptions with ones more adequate to phenomena of subjectivity, intersubjectivity and everyday life. However, with the rise of Althusser and now post-structuralism, the influence of existentialism has waned considerably. Against the trend toward anti-humanism in reaction to phenomenology and existentialism, Henry's work represents a revitalization of this important Western Marxist philosophical tradition, informing it with the criticism of Western metaphysics that has been developed by Levinas and Heidegger. While in some ways it is a return to this older movement, Henry's book is more importantly a new phenomenological Marxism appropriate to the contem? porary philosophical situation in France. Existential Marxism fell out of favor primarily because of its humanism.
Identification of homoeologous chromosomes in hexaploid oat (A. byzantina cv Kanota) using monosomics and RFLP analysis.

The use of RFLP markers, together with a partial set of monosomics available in Avena byzantina cv Kanota, has enabled us to identify putative homoeologous chromosome sets in hexaploid Avena species (2n = 6x = 42, AACCDD). We first identified probes producing distinct three-band patterns on Southern blots that possibly reflect orthologous loci of the three genomes present in the hexaploid. Using monosomic analysis, 51 different restriction fragments that hybridized to 26 probes were localized to 12 different chromosomes for which monosomic stocks were available. These DNA restriction fragments were localized to specific monosomics using image analysis to quantify band intensity relative to other bands in the same lane. From these data, we have tentatively identified two complete homoeologous sets of three chromosomes each and two partial sets of two of the three chromosomes. The results indicate that RFLP dosage analysis is useful in the characterization of homoeologous chromosomes in hexaploid oat where nullisomics for many of the chromosomes are not available.
Overconsumption as an Ethical Challenge for Engineering Education

One of the most important and yet most difficult of the ethical challenges facing technological civilization is ‘excessive’ consumption in the affluent nations. This includes dissipative use of raw...
Spatio-temporal evolution of Yellowstone deformation between 1992 and 2009 from InSAR and GPS observations

In this study, the spatio-temporal evolution of Yellowstone deformation between 1992 and 2009 is monitored using interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data acquired by the European Remote-Sensing Satellites (ERS-1 and ERS-2) and the Environmental Satellite (ENVISAT). These data are combined with continuous global positioning system (GPS) measurements to identify four discrete episodes of caldera subsidence and uplift, these episodes are: 1992–1995 (subsidence of 2.7 cm/year), 1996–2000 (subsidence of 0.5 cm/year, with local uplift of 1.7 cm/year at Norris), 2000–2004 (subsidence of 0.7 cm/year, with local uplift of 0.6 cm/year at Norris), and 2004–2009 (uplift of 3–8 cm/year, with local subsidence of 1–4 cm/year at Norris). We construct the full three-dimensional velocity field of Yellowstone deformation for 2005–2006 from ascending and descending ENVISAT orbits. The InSAR three-dimensional velocity field and three-component GPS measurements indicate that the majority of the observed deformation (3–8 cm/year) across the Yellowstone caldera and near Norris Geyser Basin (NGB) occurred in the vertical direction between the summers of 2005 and 2006. During this time, significant lateral displacements of 3–7 cm/year also occurred in the east–west direction at the southeastern and western rims of the Yellowstone caldera and in the area between Hebgen Lake and NGB. Minor north–south displacements of about 0.2 cm/year also occurred, however, in the southwestern section of the caldera and near Yellowstone Lake during the same period. The calculated three-dimensional velocity field for 2005–2006 implies the existence of two pressure-point sources, beneath the two structural resurgent domes in the Yellowstone caldera, connected by a planar conduit, rather than a single, large sill as proposed in previous studies. Furthermore, no measurable displacements occurred along any fault zone across the caldera during the entire period of observation (1992–2009). Therefore, we infer that magmatic and hydrothermal processes beneath the Yellowstone caldera and NGB were the main sources of deformation.
Initiator RNA of nascent DNA from animal cells.

Abstract Nascent DNA synthesized by intact cells has been examined for the presence of RNA that may function as a primer in the discontinuous synthesis of DNA. A low molecular weight fraction that contains nascent DNA was isolated from a human lymphoblastoid cell line in logarithmic growth. After labeling the 5′ ends with bacteriophage T4 polynucleotide kinase and [γ- 32 P]ATP, and digestion of the DNA with DNAase, a DNAase-resistant oligonucleotide was isolated. This fragment consisted of approximately 9 ribonucleotide residues, with 5′ terminal purines ( A G = 3·5 1 ), plus one to three 3′ terminal deoxynucleotides resulting from incomplete removal by DNAase. Approximately 10% of short nascent DNA chains contained the nonanucleotide molecule. An additional 20% of the nascent DNA contained ribooligomers shorter than 9 residues, with 5′ termini substantially increased in pyrimidines, which may result from degradation of the nonanucleotide. These results extend previous studies that demonstrated a similar ribooligonucleotide present at the 5′ end of most or all short nascent DNA chains synthesized in broken cell systems. Together with the results obtained by Reichard and co-workers (Reichard et al. , 1974) with polyoma virus, the data support a mechanism by which a short initiator RNA serves as primer for discontinuously synthesized DNA in animal cells.
Peak Activation Time, Extraversion, and Students' Achievement

Ninety-five men and women enrolled in three sections of a junior course on organizational behavior were differentiated with respect to peak activation time, extraversion, sleep patterns, and cumulative grade point average. Analyses indicate that those 19 most alert in the morning awoke earlier in the day, went to bed earlier at night, and had higher grade point averages than those 36 most alert in the afternoon or in the evening. Those most alert in the morning appeared to be more introverted than those most alert in the afternoon, who seemed to be more introverted than those most alert in the evening.
A Mouse Model of Post-Arthroplasty Staphylococcus aureus Joint Infection to Evaluate In Vivo the Efficacy of Antimicrobial Implant Coatings

Background Post-arthroplasty infections represent a devastating complication of total joint replacement surgery, resulting in multiple reoperations, prolonged antibiotic use, extended disability and worse clinical outcomes. As the number of arthroplasties in the U.S. will exceed 3.8 million surgeries per year by 2030, the number of post-arthroplasty infections is projected to increase to over 266,000 infections annually. The treatment of these infections will exhaust healthcare resources and dramatically increase medical costs.
Control of prolactin release and its role in color change in the teleost Gillichthys mirabilis

The degree of pigment dispersal in the xanthophores and melanophores of Gillichthys mirabilis matched the animal to its background. Hypophysectomy did not affect the melanophores, which appear to be under nervous control, but did cause concentration of the pigment in the xanthophores so that the fish could no longer adapt to a yellow background. Acetyl choline had no effect on the pigment cells but epinephrine concentrated the pigment in the melanophores. Prolactin and high doses of ACTH dispersed the pigment in the xanthophores; the main effect of ACTH was indirect and probably due to stimulation of the interrenal tissue. Cortisol dispersed pigment in the xanthophores and concentrated it in the melanophores. β-MSH also had an indirect effect in dispersing pigment in the xanthophores. Metyrapone reduced the indirect effect of β-MSH and ACTH but had no effect on the yellowing of fish to match a yellow background. Thus prolactin, rather than the other hormones, appears to be involved in the normal response to a yellow background. The subcutaneous implantation of a single pituitary provided sufficient hormone to affect the overlying xanthophores. Reserpine resulted in pigment dispersal in the xanthophores of intact Gillichthys but had no effect in hypophysectomized fish. This suggests that the release of prolactin is normally controlled by an inhibitory factor from the brain.