cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prostate Cancer Radiotherapy: Increased Biochemical Control and Late Toxicity in Men With Medication Allergies.

Background Given similarities in the mediators of medication allergy (MA) and tissue response to radiotherapy, we assessed whether outcomes following prostate radiotherapy differ in patients with MAs. Methods A total 587 men with known MA history and nonmetastatic prostate cancer underwent radiotherapy from 1989 to 2006. Clinicopathologic and treatment variables were analyzed for association with freedom from biochemical failure (FFBF) and late treatment-related, physician-defined Radiation Therapy Oncology Group gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity. Covariates identified on univariate analysis for toxicity and disease control were examined on multivariable analysis. All statistical tests were 2-sided, and a P less than .05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 155 of 587 men (26.4%) had 1 or more MAs, most commonly to penicillin (n = 71), sulfa (n = 35), and aspirin or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (n = 28). On univariate analysis, men with MAs had superior 10-y FFBF (71.5% vs 63.5%, P = .02) and higher incidence of late GI grade 2 or higher (G2+; 20.6% vs 13.2%, P = .04) and grade 3 or higher (G3+; 7.5% vs 3.9%, P = .08) as well as late GU G2+ (42.5% vs 33.2%, P = .04) and G3+ (7.5% vs 3.0%, P = .02) toxicity than men without MAs. On multivariable analysis, MA history remained a statistically significant predictor of FFBF (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.43 to 0.93, P = .02), late G2+ GI (HR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.06 to 2.90, P=.03), and G3+ GU (HR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.16 to 6.27, P = .02) toxicity after controlling for corresponding covariates in each model. Conclusions Men with MAs had improved FFBF and increased treatment-related toxicity following radiotherapy for prostate cancer. MA history could be a relevant consideration in the management of men with localized prostate cancer.
A National Survey of Obstetrician/Gynecologists' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs Regarding Adult Human Papillomavirus Vaccination.

Background: Many women see an obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) annually and receive their primary care from an OB/GYN. Understanding OB/GYNs' human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination practices, inc...
The Moral Behavior of Ethicists: Peer Opinion

If philosophical moral reflection tends to improve moral behaviour, one might expect that professional ethicists will, on average, behave morally better than non-ethicists. One potential source of insight into the moral behaviour of ethicists is philosophers’ opinions about ethicists’ behaviour. At the 2007 Pacific Division meeting of the American Philosophical Association, we used chocolate to entice 277 passers by to complete anonymous questionnaires without their knowing the topic of those questionnaires in advance. Version I of the questionnaire asked respondents to compare, in general, the moral behaviour of ethicists to that of philosophers not specializing in ethics and to non-academics of similar social background. Version II asked respondents similar questions about the moral behaviour of the ethics specialist in their department whose name comes next in alphabetical order after their own. Both versions asked control questions about specialists in metaphysics and epistemology. The majority of respondents expressed the view that ethicists do not, on average, behave better than non-ethicists. While ethicists tended to avoid saying that ethicists behave worse than non-ethicists, non-ethicists expressed that pessimistic view about as often as they expressed the view that ethicists behave better.
Poll: 62% of Americans Say They Have Political Views They’re Afraid to Share

A new Cato national survey finds that self‐​censorship is on the rise in the United States. Nearly two-thirds — 62% — of Americans say the political climate these days prevents them from saying things they believe because others might find them offensive. The share of Americans who self‐​censor has risen several points since 2017 when 58% of Americans agreed with this statement. These fears cross partisan lines. Majorities of Democrats (52%), independents (59%) and Republicans (77%) all agree they have political opinions they are afraid to share.
Black Women’s Labor and White Ally Development in an Urban Teacher Education Program

The article uses events and narratives from the perspectives of Black women professors as examples of how allyship can be birthed and to illustrate the roles, responsibilities, and risks inherent in allyship development and work. It focuses on the labor needed to establish and sustain allyships as critical anti-racist educators in an Urban Teacher Preparation Program at a Historical White Institution. Dispositions of White allies are discussed, in addition to the various tentions allies may face in creating and sustaining equitable spaces and practices. Considerations for reciprocity are also offered to better support faculty of color.
Towards a catalog of pome tree architecture genes: the draft 'd'Anjou' genome (Pyrus communis L.)

The rapid development of sequencing technologies has led to a deeper understanding of horticultural plant genomes. However, experimental evidence connecting genes to important agronomic traits is still lacking in most non-model organisms. For instance, the genetic mechanisms underlying plant architecture are poorly understood in pome fruit trees, creating a major hurdle in developing new cultivars with desirable architecture, such as dwarfing rootstocks in European pear (Pyrus communis). Further, the quality and content of genomes vary widely. Therefore, it can be challenging to curate a list of genes with high-confidence gene models across reference genomes. This is often an important first step towards identifying key genetic factors for important traits. Here we present a draft genome of P. communis 9d9Anjou9 and an improved assembly of the latest P. communis 9Bartlett9 genome. To study gene families involved in tree architecture in European pear and other rosaceous species, we developed a workflow using a collection of bioinformatic tools towards curation of gene families of interest across genomes. This lays the groundwork for future functional studies in pear tree architecture. Importantly, our workflow can be easily adopted for other plant genomes and gene families of interest.
MAGNEBOTS - A MAGNETIC WHEELS BASED OVERHEAD TRANSPORTATION CONCEPT

Abstract This paper presents “Magnebots”, a simple yet novel concept for overhead transportation. The system consists of vehicles with magnetic wheels that move on trackless ferromagnetic walls and ceilings, driven by on-board controllers and commanded by a central computer. Magnebots is designed to be a fundamentally simple technology that can fulfill many generic transportation needs including factory and hospital material handling and positioning of overhead equipment, with straightforward extension to use as overhead and floor-based toys. Robust mechanical hardware, performance enhancement by controls, and vehicle coordination by wireless communication illustrate a synergistic integration of various disciplines in the true spirit of mechatronics.
Balance Performance Measurment in a Phase Shifted Feedback Environment

BALANCE PERFORMANCE MEASURMENT IN A PHASE SHIFTED FEEDBACK ENVIRONMENT By Craig Alan Hoovler, B.S. Applied Sciences, Concentration in Biomedical Engineering; B.A. Mathematics A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2008 Director: Peter E. Pidcoe, P.T., D.P.T., Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy Commercial technologies for the objective assessment of balance exist in clinical settings. Training requires integration of sensory information to produce a coordinated motor response related to balance. These systems have had measurable phase delays of up to 250ms in the visual feedback provided to the patient. This provokes an unnatural response, requiring prediction from the subject. The proposed research investigates the impact of visual feedback phase delays on the performance of weight shift tracking tasks in a population of individuals with no known balance deficits. Visual feedback delays were investigated by simulating popular balance training software which utilizes force plates to measure center of pressure and display the results in a stimulus and response study. Ten healthy young-adult subjects with no known balance deficits were recruited to participate in this study. Subjects were asked to stand on a pair of force platforms that were linked to a computer. The system was designed to provide visual feedback corresponding to lateral weight shifts. A computer generated target provided a moving stimulus the subjects attempted to match. The stimulus files presented approximately 20 seconds of movement in a periodic (sinusoidal) or nonperiodic pattern. Stimulus frequencies ranged between 0.2 and 1.0 Hz with amplitude sufficient to require the subject to move safely within 50% of his/her base of support. Stimulus presentation was randomized and included both normal (control) and phase delayed (experimental) trials. Results of the experiment point to a noticeable improvement of performance with repeated trials. Regardless of introduced phase delays, study participants improved their performances as they were exposed to more trials, suggesting learning and predictive behavior. Random stimuli produced no noticeable improvements in performance across days of testing, as expected. Visual biofeedback systems may skew performance assessments of balance training because they contain periodic stimuli that are predictable.
Psychometric evaluation of a standardized set of alcohol cue photographs to assess craving

Abstract Introduction Research using alcohol-related visual stimuli has been limited due to a lack of published studies examining the psychometric properties of alcohol cues. The primary aim of the current study was to examine the factor structure, validity, and reliability of craving ratings following exposure to alcohol cues (including beer, wine, hard liquor, and mixed drinks) in an alcohol cue-reactivity paradigm. Methods U.S. adults ages 21-69 [N = 195; Mage = 32.19, SD = 10.63; 74.4% male; 56.4% Asian/Pacific Islander, 34.9% White (non-Hispanic), 4.6% Other, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, 1.5% Native American/Alaskan Native, and 0.5% African-American] completed questionnaires and provided craving, arousal, and valence ratings following alcohol, positive, negative and neutral cues in a web-based study. Results The alcohol craving ratings following alcohol cues formed one internally consistent factor. Convergent and incremental validity was supported as alcohol cue craving ratings were positively correlated with general craving, past-year hazardous alcohol use, and behavioral activation facets, even while controlling for neutral cue craving ratings and other related variables. Alcohol craving was significantly higher following alcohol cues compared to neutral cues and unrelated to behavioral inhibition, supporting discriminant validity. Conclusions These findings provide support that the alcohol cues we developed are reliable and valid stimuli for the use in alcohol cue reactivity paradigms. Future research assessing alcohol cue reactivity using this validated photographic cue set may facilitate a greater understanding of the affective processes associated with alcohol use and allow for more targeted behavioral change interventions for alcohol-related problems.
Alterations in repolarization of cardiac Purkinje fibers recovering from ischemic-like conditions: genesis of early afterdepolarizations.

Abnormal Repolarization. Introduction: Triggered activity initiated from delayed after-depolarizations has been proposed as a possible cause of arrhythmias during reperfusion of ischemic myocardium. However, the potential for abnormal repolarization and early afterdepolarizations (EADs) to develop under similar conditions has not been fully explored. Methods and Results: Repolarization of the cell membrane during recovery from ischemic-like conditions was analyzed from transmembrane recordings in isolated rabbit Purkinje fibers paced at different basic cycle lengths. Preparations were exposed to conditions of hypoxia (defined as oxygen tension < 30 mmHg, high potassium, and zero substrate) plus lactic acidosis (pH 6.7) for 45 minutes followed by recovery in normal Tyrode's solution. Compared to control, action potentials during recovery at basic cycle length of 3,000 msec (n = 11) were characterized by a: (1) −7.2 ± 2.1 mV shift in plateau potential (P < 0.01); (2) 126.1 ± 63.6 msec increase in plateau duration (P < 0.05); and (3) 0.29 ± 0.07 V/sec slowing of the maximum rate of terminal repolarization (phase 3; P < 0.01). These changes were larger when 10 to 20 μM amiloride was added to the hypoxic, acidotic lest solution hut were smaller when tissues were conditioned with hypoxia alone (zero lactate, pH 7.4). Following hypoxia plus acidosis, with or without amiloride, repolarization at long basic cycle lengths was often accompanied by EADs predominantly generated from potentials positive to −40 mV. These afterpotentials were blocked by Ca2+ channel antagonists and exhibited an activation threshold of −26.3 ± l.8 mV (n = 7). Conclusion: These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the combined negative voltage shift in the plateau and increase in its duration lead to the genesis of low membrane potential EADs by allowing reactivation of Ca2+ channels. Moreover, these results suggest that bradycardia-dependent EADs in Purkinje tissue may underlie arrhythmias in the intact heart during reperfusion of ischemic myocardium by mechanisms that are related in part to the acidosis established during the preceding ischemic conditions.
Efficient Representations for Lifelong Learning and Autoencoding

It has been a long-standing goal in machine learning, as well as in AI more generally, to develop life-long learning systems that learn many different tasks over time, and reuse insights from tasks learned, “learning to learn” as they do so. In this work we pose and provide efficient algorithms for several natural theoretical formulations of this goal. Specifically, we consider the problem of learning many different target functions over time, that share certain commonalities that are initially unknown to the learning algorithm. Our aim is to learn new internal representations as the algorithm learns new target functions, that capture this commonality and allow subsequent learning tasks to be solved more efficiently and from less data. We develop efficient algorithms for two very different kinds of commonalities that target functions might share: one based on learning common lowdimensional and unions of low-dimensional subspaces and one based on learning nonlinear Boolean combinations of features. Our algorithms for learning Boolean feature combinations additionally have a dual interpretation, and can be viewed as giving an efficient procedure for constructing near-optimal sparse Boolean autoencoders under a natural “anchor-set” assumption.
Aqua­tetrakis(2‐methyl­pyrazine‐κN)(nitrato‐κO)copper(II) nitrate

The copper(II) ion in the title compound, [Cu(NO3)(mepyz)4(H2O)]NO3, where mepyz is 2-methyl­pyrazine (C5H6N2), has a distorted octahedral geometry with four N atoms of the methyl­pyrazine ligands in the equatorial positions and two O atoms from water and semi-coordinated nitrate moieties in the axial sites.
Superhelix Density Heterogeneity of Intracellular Simian Virus 40 Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Covalently closed intracellular and viral simian virus 40 (SV40) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were separately isolated from infected African green monkey cells (BSC-1) grown in culture. The two DNA species form overlapping bands centered at different positions in a propidium di-iodide-cesium chloride (PDI-CsCl) buoyant density gradient capable of separating closed DNA species with different superhelix densities. When the dense side of a 32P-labeled intracellular DNA band was mixed with the light side of a 3H-labeled intracellular DNA band and again centrifuged in a PDI-CsCl density gradient, two overlapping bands formed with modes displaced from each other. Similar band-splitting experiments performed with viral DNA always gave superimposable bands. The foregoing experiments demonstrate that the intracellular DNA is heterogeneous in superhelix density, whereas, by the same criteria, the viral DNA is homogeneous. The mean superhelix density of the intracellular closed DNA is approximately three-fourths as large as the superhelix density of the viral DNA. These results rule out the possibility that closed SV40 DNA is drawn randomly from the intracellular pool and assembled without a further nicking-closing step into virions. When the cells were grown and infected in the presence of ethidium bromide (EB), the intracellular closed DNA was found to be homogeneous in superhelix density and to have the same superhelix density as the viral DNA which, in turn, was unaffected by the presence of the drug. The foregoing results were explained by postulating that the intracellular DNA is formed with a homogeneous superhelix density and becomes heterogeneous in the absence of EB as a result of a nicking-closing cycle that occurs in a spacially or temporally heterogeneous environment. The drug EB would inhibit this action by inhibiting the nicking enzyme(s).
Host behaviour drives parasite genetics at multiple geographic scales: population genetics of the chewing louse, Thomomydoecus minor

Pocket gophers and their symbiotic chewing lice form a host–parasite assemblage known for a high degree of cophylogeny, thought to be driven by life history parameters of both host and parasite that make host switching difficult. However, little work to date has focused on determining whether these life histories actually impact louse populations at the very fine scale of louse infrapopulations (individuals on a single host) at the same or at nearby host localities. We used microsatellite and mtDNA sequence data to make comparisons of chewing-louse (Thomomydoecus minor) population subdivision over time and over geographic space where there are different potential amounts of host interaction surrounding a zone of contact between two hybridizing pocket-gopher subspecies. We found that chewing lice had high levels of population isolation consistent with a paucity of horizontal transmission even at the very fine geographic scale of a single alfalfa field. We also found marked genetic discontinuity in louse populations corresponding with host subspecies and little, if any, admixture in the louse genetic groups even though the lice are closely related. The correlation of louse infrapopulation differentiation with host interaction at multiple scales, including across a discontinuity in pocket-gopher habitat, suggests that host behaviour is the primary driver of parasite genetics. This observation makes sense in light of the life histories of both chewing lice and pocket gophers and provides a powerful explanation for the well-documented pattern of parallel cladogenesis in pocket gophers and chewing lice.
Prophage carriage as a molecular epidemiological marker in Streptococcus pneumoniae

The great majority of clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae carry prophages that may be identified through their hybridization with a DNA probe specific for the pneumococcal lytA gene (M. Ramirez, E. Severina, and A. Tomasz, J. Bacteriol. 181:3618–3625, 1999). We now show that the lytA hybridization pattern of chromosomal SmaI digests is stable for a given strain during extensive serial culturing in the laboratory; the pattern is specific for the strain’s clonal type, as defined by pulsed-field gel electrophoretis (PFGE) pattern, and variations in PFGE subtypes may be explained by changes in the number and chromosomal localization of this prophage(s). These observations indicate that the lytA hybridization pattern may be used as a molecular epidemiological marker that offers additional resolution of the genetic background of S. pneumoniae strains.
The Cash Nexus: Money and Power in the Modern World, 1700–2000 . By Niall Ferguson. New York: Basic Books, 2001. Pp. xix, 552.

In this wonderful book, Niall Ferguson takes us back to the origins of marketable national debt at the end of the seventeenth century in Europe, deftly laying out the conditions for its success. These comprise what he calls “the square of power,” which reduces to a parliament (for credible tax backing of the debt), a tax bureaucracy (for collecting the taxes needed to service the debt), a central bank (for maintaining the market value of the debt), and, of course, the national debt itself (for fighting and winning wars). Ferguson then demonstrates the effectiveness of the power emanating from this base, by showing how it won wars for its possessors over the past three centuries. So effective is this combination of institutions, achieved first by Britain in the eighteenth century and then perfected by the United States in the twentieth, that it could have been used even more effectively in winning wars, past and present. Far from imperial “overstretch,” as argued by Paul Kennedy, Ferguson argues that both Britain in the nineteenth century and the United States today suffer from self-inflicted problems of imperial “understretch.” His conclusion will generate a lot of attention, as intended, but his critics will have their work cut out for them.
Abutment emergence modification for immediate implant provisional restorations.

UNLABELLED In their stock form, some titanium provisional implant abutments are not ideally designed for use in immediate placement/immediate provisional restoration treatment. This is largely due to the apical flare design that applies excessive pressure to the peri-implant soft tissue complex and crestal bone. This appears to have the undesirable effect of increasing peri-implant bone resorption and severely impeding the potential for increases in gingival volume. This type of stock titanium abutment will therefore benefit significantly from recontouring. The subgingival portion of the abutment is recontoured from the flared stock shape to a straight or parallel design. This modification minimizes pressure on the surgical site and provides additional space around the subgingival portion of the provisional restoration, within which the gingiva has the potential to remodel and fill. This allows the potential formation of additional peri-implant gingival volume and a coronal maintenance or migration of the soft tissue complex. In order to minimize the "graying effect" of titanium abutments, the retentive portion is opaqued by the technician or clinician. These modifications will improve the potential outcomes for both the peri-implant gingiva and the provisional restoration. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Narrowing the emergence profile of implant abutments for use in immediate implant provisional restorations appears to allow for creation of greater peri-implant volume. Thus resulting in increased esthetic potential and predictability of the peri-implant gingiva.
Flammable Fabrics and the Cost of Consumer Protection

Since the passage of the Flammable Fabrics Act Amendment in 1967, there has been considerable interest in the problem of apparel burn injuries and actions which might be taken to reduce them. Decision theory was employed in this study to evaluate alternative courses of action such as protective clothing and education. The results indicate the necessity for improvements in technology for textile fire retardance, if protective clothing is to become a feasible alternative for many consumers. More information concerning the relationship between program costs and effectiveness is also needed, if the decision maker is to select the appropriate course of action.
Health disparities among African-American and Hispanic drug injectors--HIV, AIDS, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus: a review.

Disparities in healthcare access, medical outcomes, and specific chronic diseases have been documented for African-American and Hispanic individuals in comparison with non-Hispanic whites. What may be less well known are those health disparities related to common blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Several studies have shown that African-American and Hispanic injection drug users (IDU) have higher prevalence rates of these blood-borne pathogens, in addition to higher prevalence rates of HIV infection and AIDS cases. These blood-borne pathogens may contribute to the increased morbidity and mortality among African-American and Hispanic IDU, and perhaps also that: of their sexual partners. This article reviews some of what is currently known about the epidemiology of HIV, AIDS, HBV, and HCV among African-American and Hispanic individuals, in general, and IDU in particular. In order to reduce or eliminate these health disparities a comprehensive approach is required that includes case finding, pre and post-test counseling, clinical treatment and management, and community-based behavioral or structural interventions.
Evidence of strong hydration and significant tilt of amphiphilic [2]rotaxane molecules in Langmuir films studied by synchrotron X-ray reflectivity

Surface sensitive X-ray techniques have been used to elucidate the structures of amphiphilic [2]rotaxane and dumbbell monolayers at the air/water interface. The [2]rotaxanes were found to adopt highly hydrated tilted and/or folded conformations on the water surface largely due to the hydrophilic nature of their tetracationic ring component. This conformation was less pronounced in monolayers of the dumbbell precursors. Increasing the surface pressure resulted in an expansion of [2]rotaxane monolayers in the vertical direction and decreased hydration.
MHC Polymorphism and the Design of Captive Breeding Programs

A goal of captive breeding programs for endangered species and of programs to maintain populations of such species in nature is the preservation of genetic diversity. Here I argue that, although loss of genetic diversity is inevitable in small populations, at most loci loss of diversity should not be a cause for concern because the vast majority of genetic polymorphisms are selectively neutral. Rather, efforts should be concentrated on preserving diversity at the small number of loci on which balancing selection operates in nature. In vertebrates, the primary example of such loci are the loci of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (Hughes & Nei 1988, 1989). Therefore, all captive breeding programs for endangered vertebrate species should be designed with the preservation of MHC allelic diversity as their main goal. Currently design of captive breeding programs is based on maintaining an effective population size (Ne) which will minimize loss of heterozygosity (Soule et al. 1986). For an isolated population having an initial average heterozygosity Ho, the expected average heterozygosity after t generations is given by
Circadian changes in resting heart rate and body temperature, maximal oxygen consumption and perceived exertion

To investigate the existence, magnitude and interplay of rhythmic 24-hour variations in human functions, maximal O2 uptake (VO2max), resting heart rate (ƒH), body temperature (Tb) and rated perceived exertion (RPE) during exercise were measured twice every 2hours over a full day-night cycle. Thirty-one subjects were randomly administered a treadmill test on 24 separate occasions, 48 hours apart. RPE was observed at heart rates of 130, 150 and 170beats/min. Resting T b, and/H were lower (p< 005) in the morning than afternoon or evening. Measurement of [Vdot]O2 max revealed no significant differences throughout 24 hours. RPE was higher (p< 0-05)at 130, 150 and 170HR at 02.00 and 04.00hours than at 20.00, 22.00 and 24.00 hours. T b and ƒH were apparently in phase.and show a sine wave pattern when expressed on a 24-hour scale. These data demonstrate the significance of the circadian variation for the application of functional tests.
Use of procainamide with rapid atrial pacing for successful conversion of atrial flutter to sinus rhythm.

Abstract Rapid atrial pacing is a useful technique and often the therapy of choice to terminate atrial flutter in patients. However, interruption of atrial flutter by rapid atrial pacing may not always produce sinus rhythm, but rather may result in atrial fibrillation. Twelve patients with spontaneous atrial flutter that had been present for >24 h were studied to assess the efficacy of atrial pacing, alone and in combination with procainamide, to convert atrial flutter to normal sinus rhythm. Rapid atrial pacing for ⩾ 15 s from selected atrial sites at selected pacing rates were performed during atrial flutter. The initial pacing rate was always at a cycle length 10 ms shorter than the atrial flutter cycle length. If atrial flutter persisted after cessation of pacing, it was repeated at progressively shorter cycle lengths until either a rate of 400 beats/min was achieved or atrial fibrillation was induced. In two patients, atrial Rutter was converted to sinus rhythm with pacing alone. Three patients developed sustained atrial fibrillation as a result of the rapid atrial pacing, this rhythm ultimately reverting back to atrial flutter in two. Ten patients received procainamide and 9 of the 10 had lengthening of the atrial flutter cycle length by a mean of 68 ms (1 patient continued to have atrial fibrillation). Then, using the same atrial pacing protocol, high right atrial pacing alone at a mean cycle length of 227 ms interrupted atrial flutter in all these patients, returning their rhythm to sinus rhythm. It is concluded that intravenous procainamide effectively augments the efficacy of rapid atrial pacing to convert atrial flutter to sinus rhythm.
Charge-state dependent dissociation of a trypsin/inhibitor complex via ion trap collisional activation

Abstract Ion trap collision-induced dissociation (CID) of a non-covalent complex formed between porcine trypsin and bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) has been studied for charge states +10 to +5. Fragmentation of the +10 and +9 complexes formed directly from solution shows separation of the two subunits as the predominant dissociation channel. Lower charge states of the complex were formed by ion/ion (or, in one case, ion/molecule) proton transfer reactions. The +8 complex shows a mixture of fragmentation behavior, including subunit separation and losses of small neutral and charged species. The neutral loss is also a dominant pathway for the +7 to +5 charge states and the loss of a small cation is also common to the +7 and +6 charge states. The identity of the small cation lost was investigated and is likely to be the b 2 + ion from the BPTI subunit. This identification was supported by examination of fragmentation of various charge states of BPTI cations and a “fast” collisional activation experiment performed on the +7 complex. These results suggest that precursor ion charge state can play a dramatic role in the gas phase dissociation of protein–protein complexes such that covalent bond dissociation can come to dominate over subunit separation when Coulombic repulsion is decreased.
Robot soccer: an ideal senior design experience

This paper describes an innovative approach to the senior design experience that is mutually beneficial to students, industrial partners and faculty members. In addition, the program provides a fresh approach to the ABET 2000 requirements. At the heart of the program is a robot soccer competition, where teams of senior engineering students design robots to autonomously play soccer. Control engineering plays a central role at several stages of the project.
SOME DYNAMICAL PROPERTIES OF SEQUENTIALLY ACQUIRED INFORMATION

Abstract In this article we obtain two closely related theorems that essentially say that, no matter what information metric is used, on the average the value of the accumulated information at stopping time is bounded by a multiple of the expected stopping time. These results are also independent of the particular stopping strategy employed, although they do require that the expected stopping time be finite. These results, along with a general type of stopping strategy based on incremental information, are given. Later we apply our general theorem to a specific stopping strategy associated with the GIS model. Although we concentrate on the problem of stopping, the information function on which this stopping decision is based can also be used to choose the COA for the next cycle of the feedback loop. We will apply our results to an estimation problem involving the well-known Shannon-Wiener measure of information. Since our theorems require that the expected stopping times be finite, some time is devoted to a discussion of necessary and sufficient conditions for finite expected stopping times.
Heteroatom effects in heterocyclic ring chain polymers

Abstract Recent experimental results for the heterocyclic ring chain polymers, such as polythiophene and polypyrrole, have been most frequently interpreted in terms of their carbon backbone structure. Previous theoretical studies have assumed that the heteroatom in these systems has negligible effect on the π-band structure of the chain, except for effects on the σ-bond structure. We demonstrate, using concepts similar to those of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model, that the converse is true. The dominant effect of the heteroatom on the π-band structure is via the direct interaction of the heteroatom p-orbital lone pair with the carbon backbone π-band structure.
Mime: compact, low power 3D gesture sensing for interaction with head mounted displays

We present Mime, a compact, low-power 3D sensor for unencumbered free-form, single-handed gestural interaction with head-mounted displays (HMDs). Mime introduces a real-time signal processing framework that combines a novel three-pixel time-of-flight (TOF) module with a standard RGB camera. The TOF module achieves accurate 3D hand localization and tracking, and it thus enables motion-controlled gestures. The joint processing of 3D information with RGB image data enables finer, shape-based gestural interaction. Our Mime hardware prototype achieves fast and precise 3D gestural control. Compared with state-of-the-art 3D sensors like TOF cameras, the Microsoft Kinect and the Leap Motion Controller, Mime offers several key advantages for mobile applications and HMD use cases: very small size, daylight insensitivity, and low power consumption. Mime is built using standard, low-cost optoelectronic components and promises to be an inexpensive technology that can either be a peripheral component or be embedded within the HMD unit. We demonstrate the utility of the Mime sensor for HMD interaction with a variety of application scenarios, including 3D spatial input using close-range gestures, gaming, on-the-move interaction, and operation in cluttered environments and in broad daylight conditions.
Effect of Pathogen Aggressiveness and Vinclozolin on Efficacy of Rhodotorula glutinis PM4 Against Botrytis cinerea on Geranium Leaf Disks and Seedlings.

ABSTRACT Efficacy of the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis isolate PM4 as a biological control agent against 29 isolates of Botrytis cinerea obtained from greenhouse-grown ornamentals was assessed in vitro on geranium leaf disks. Isolates of B. cinerea varied in aggressiveness in the absence of either biological or chemical controls; diameters of lesions produced on leaf disks ranged from 0.8 to 12.3 mm. Efficacy of R. glutinis PM4 against the different isolates of B. cinerea varied greatly; lesion diameters ranged from 0.2 to 10.3 mm when the yeast was present. The yeast significantly reduced lesion development by 16 B. cinerea isolates in each of two replicate trials and by 9 isolates in one of the trials; however, 3 isolates were not inhibited by the yeast on geranium leaf disks. The yeast significantly reduced lesion development by B. cinerea isolate 01, used as a standard for comparison, in four of six trials. Fourteen of the B. cinerea isolates were inoculated onto geranium seedlings and produced a range o...
Subsampled vector quantization with nonlinear estimation using neural network approach

An intraframe block coding scheme which is devoted to using interblock redundancy and reducing the block effect is proposed. The scheme is based upon a combination of a nonlinear interpolation with transform and vector quantization techniques. Interblock redundancy is removed by extracting a pixel from each block as a common seed to interpolate the rest of the pixels of the neighboring blocks. The estimation error signals are reduced by nonlinear interpolation, which often results in no further processing requirements for some blocks. This saving compensates for the cost of transmitting the overhead of the estimation parameters.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Non-accidental Paracetamol Poisoning in an Eleven Month-old Child

1 Although accidental poisoning of children with drugs and chemicals is a common precipitant for admission to hospital, the possibility of deliberate poisoning as an extension of 'the battered baby syndrome' is rarely considered.2 Most children admitted following accidental ingestions require little active management other than induction of emesis. Reports of relatively large overdoses in infancy are rare, and protocols for management of such cases largely untried. This case report demonstrates the successful application of a current treatment regimen to an infant who had ingested a substantial quantity of paracetamol.
Nuclear and mitochondr1al DNA synthesis during yeast sporulation

Abstract Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA synthesis during sporulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been studied in a wild-type ( aα ) strain and 3 sporulation deficient strains. We find that in a strain carrying a dominant mutation which prevents sporulation, nuclear DNA synthesis is initiated but not completed; mitochondrial DNA synthesis, on the other hand, does take place. In aa and αα diploids no initiation of nuclear DNA synthesis is seen to occur, and only a very low level of mitochondrial DNA synthesis is observed. We conclude that mitochondrial DNA synthesis in sporulation medium is uncoupled from nuclear DNA synthesis. In addition, the steps at which the sporulation process is arrested in aa and αα cells and in the dominant mutant can be ordered in time as being before and after the initiation of nuclear DNA synthesis.
Occupational screening for neurotoxicity: computerized techniques.

Abstract Computer-administered testing systems for assessing the functional consequences of neurotoxicant exposure in the workplace have recently been developed. Mainly, they have been applied in laboratory studies of acute exposures, quasi-experimental field studies of acute and sub-acute exposures, and cross-sectional epidemiologic investigations of chronic exposures. Some automated tests appear quite sensitive and reliable in these situations where group comparisons are made. However, testing methods suitable for the purpose of clinical evaluation are not yet well developed. Programs of neurobehavioral surveillance in industry are necessry to provide reference data for clinical, screening and epidemiologic purposes and to provide essential baseline data for individuals at risk.
Necturus gallbladder epithelial cell volume regulation and inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism

Inhibition of the metabolism of arachidonic acid by the epoxygenase (cytochrome P-450) pathway with the inhibitor ketoconazole results in excessive cell swelling upon exposure to hyposmolality instead of the rapid and complete regulatory volume decrease (RVD) normally observed. NaCl entry from bathing solutions to cell interior was shown to cause this swelling, with Na influx occurring across the basolateral membrane and electrically silent Cl influx across the apical membrane. Ion substitution experiments show that the KCl efflux mediating RVD was unimpaired by ketoconazole, but was overwhelmed by the NaCl influx. Measurements of transepithelial fluid flux, Cl concentration, osmolality and pH showed that gallbladders treated with ketoconazole transiently secreted fluid rather than the normal absorption. We conclude that inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism does not directly affect RVD by Necturus gallbladder, but that blockade of the epoxygenase pathway can have a profound influence on NaCl entry into gallbladder epithelial cells.
Molecular structure effects on carbonyl photophysics: phosphorescence yields for n-alkyl benzoate esters

Abstract Dispersed phosphorescence and phosphorescence excitation spectra were obtained for gas-phase methyl benzoate. Relative phosphorescence quantum yields for methyl, ethyl, and n -butyl benzoate were determined for five excitation energies above the 0,0 band and of the second 1 (π, π*) transition. The emitting state was assigned as the 3 (n, π*) state. Relative phosphorescence yields were found to be inconsistent with trends expected for variation in either intersystem crossing rates or photodissociation rates as a function of alkyl chain length, strongly suggesting a competing molecular elimination process.
Imaging of a glucose analog, calcium and NADH in neurons and astrocytes: Dynamic responses to depolarization and sensitivity to pioglitazone

Abstract Neuronal Ca2+ dyshomeostasis associated with cognitive impairment and mediated by changes in several Ca2+ sources has been seen in animal models of both aging and diabetes. In the periphery, dysregulation of intracellular Ca2+ signals may contribute to the development of insulin resistance. In the brain, while it is well-established that type 2 diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for the development of dementia in the elderly, it is not clear whether Ca2+ dysregulation might also affect insulin sensitivity and glucose utilization. Here we present a combination of imaging techniques testing the disappearance of the fluorescent glucose analog 2-(N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino)-2-deoxyglucose (2-NBDG) as an indication of glycolytic activity in neurons and astrocytes. Our work shows that glucose utilization at rest is greater in neurons compared to astrocytes, and ceases upon activation in neurons with little change in astrocytes. Pretreatment of hippocampal cultures with pioglitazone, a drug used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, significantly reduced glycolytic activity in neurons and enhanced it in astrocytes. This series of experiments, including Fura-2 and NADH imaging, provides results that are consistent with the idea that Ca2+ levels may rapidly alter glycolytic activity, and that downstream events beyond Ca2+ dysregulation with aging, may alter cellular metabolism in the brain.
Meshfree based multiresolution solver for PDEs with large gradients

We introduce a multilevel PDE solver for equations whose solutions exhibit large gradients. Expanding on Ami Harten's ideas, we construct an alternative to wavelet-based grid refinement, a multiresolution coarsening method capable of capturing sharp gradients across different scales and thus improving PDE-based simulations by concentrating computational resources in places where the solution varies sharply. Our scheme is akin to Finite Differences in that it computes derivatives explicitly and then uses the derivative information to march the solution in time. However, we utilize meshfree methods to compute derivatives and integrals in space-time to increase the robustness of our solver and tailor the basis functions to the Kd-tree structure provided by the multiresolution analysis.
H-infinity based integrated flight/propulsion control design for a STOVL aircraft in transition flight

This paper presents results from an application of H(infinity) control design methodology to a centralized integrated flight/propulsion control (IFPC) system design for a supersonic STOVL fighter aircraft in transition flight. The overall design methodology consists of a centralized IFPC design with controller partitioning. Design and evaluation vehicle models are summarized, and insight is provided into formulating the H(infinity) control problem such that it reflects the IFPC design objective. The H(infinity) controller is shown to provide decoupled command tracking for the design model. The controller order could be significantly reduced by modal residualization of the fast controller modes without any deterioration in performance.
Social information sharing in a CSCL community

This study is designed to clarify important features of social network analysis for analyzing community-based activities in a CSCL setting. The theoretical and methodological background is social/communication network analysis, which is employed to identify and understand students' communication and interaction patterns when collaborating through wireless computer networking tools. Thirty-two students were given high-end laptops with access to the wireless Internet, and their use of and communicative patterns via these systems were gathered through a proxy server. Findings show that social influences, in the form of network prestige effects, strongly affected the likelihood and the extent to which information posted in the CSCL environment was shared by peers in this learning community.
Dynamic responses in hollow concrete cylinders under hazardous thermal loads

Abstract Prediction of the structural integrity of high temperature nuclear reactors under hostile thermal environments is of considerable concern in safety assessments of reactors. A mathematical model, simulating the coupled heat and mass transfer in concrete structures exposed to extremely high temperatures, has been developed and numerically solved. With the prediction of the pore pressure, temperature, and moisture redistribution, the effect of various rates of thermal loads on the concrete response is investigated. The rate of moisture clog penetration into the concrete cylinder and hence the locations of the maximum pore pressure peaks developed under different rates of the severe thermal loads are determined. Thus, the possibilities of concrete spallings occurring under these conditions are studied and predicted.
Foreign and second language education: Marching to different drummers?

Building on Community Bilingualism. Rebecca Freeman. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon Publishing, 2004. Pp. 368. ISBN 0-9727507-0-3 Gender, Participation and Silence in the Language Classroom: Sh-shushing the Girls. Allyson Jule. London: Palgrave Macmillan. 2004. Pp. 180. ISBN 1-4039-1583-0 (hbk). Study Abroad and Second Language Use: Constructing the Self. Valerie Pellegrino Aveni. New York: Cambridge University Press. 2005. Pp. 188. ISBN 0-521-53494-1 (pbk) New Insights into Foreign Language Learning and Teaching. Kees van Esch, Oliver St. John (eds). Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang. 2004. Pp. 240. ISBN 3-631-52639-3
Geothermal: Energy for development—The World Bank and Geothermal development

The World Bank views geothermal energy as one of a variety of natural resources which can be developed to supply the energy needs of a country. Since the World Bank Group finances projects in developing countries. This paper discusses geothermal energy only in that context. Geothermal power is generated in nine developing countries today, which represent nearly 40% of worldwide geothermal generating capacity. The World Bank has helped finance geothermal investments in six of these countries-the Phillippines, Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Indonesia and Kenya.