cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cellular origins of dsRNA, their recognition and consequences

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is associated with most viral infections - it either constitutes the viral genome (in the case of dsRNA viruses) or is generated in host cells during viral replication. Hence, nearly all organisms have the capability of recognizing dsRNA and mounting a response, the primary aim of which is to mitigate the potential infection. In vertebrates, a set of innate immune receptors for dsRNA induce a multitude of cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic immune responses upon dsRNA recognition. Notably, recent studies showed that vertebrate cells can accumulate self-derived dsRNAs or dsRNA-like species upon dysregulation of several cellular processes, activating the very same immune pathways as in infected cells. On the one hand, such aberrant immune activation in the absence of infection can lead to pathogenesis of immune disorders, such as Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome. On the other hand, the same innate immune reaction can be induced in a controlled setting for a therapeutic benefit, as occurs in immunotherapies. In this Review, we describe mechanisms by which immunostimulatory dsRNAs are generated in mammalian cells, either by viruses or by the host cells, and how cells respond to them, with the focus on recent developments regarding the role of cellular dsRNAs in immune modulation.
The Politics of History: India and China, 1949-1962

A sense of proportion is required about the history of the relationship between India and China in the period before the border conflict of 1962 between these two nations. The lessons learnt from that history can be instructional for the future of their relationship. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister was a devoted friend of China but he was also not blind to the “threat” from China. The first stress test in the relationship between the two countries came with the Chinese entry into Tibet in 1950. China was deeply suspicious of India’s relations with Tibet although India felt it could not influence the course of events in Tibet or wrest the territory from Chinese control. Nehru withstood opposition from his Cabinet colleagues like Sardar Patel in this regard. The 1954 Agreement between China and India on Tibet saw India giving up all rights that savored of extra-territoriality there. However, the non-affirmation by China of the boundary between the two countries, particularly the McMahon Line, came at a significant future cost for India. By 1959, with the revolt in Tibet and the flight of the Dalai Lama to India, the high noon of friendship in the nineteen fifties between India and China had been consigned to history. Nehru’s strategy of bringing the People’s Republic of China into the international arena was not destined to succeed. Chinese leaders, particularly the Premier, Zhou Enlai avoided speaking with sufficient transparency about Chinese border claims and misread India’s approach to events in Tibet. Once the fact of contested territorial claims became evident, the national mood in India hardened against China reducing the scope for action by the Government to negotiate a settlement with China that would have involved a degree of compromise. India’s so-called “forward policy” was aimed to defensively block “lines of further Chinese advance” into territory regarded by India as sovereign, but had consequences that were unforeseen. The border war was engineered by China as a “warning and a punishment” to India. On the Indian side, the Chinese were seen as having deceived India. It is the clear and rational reading of the history of the period between 1949 and 1962 that provides pointers to the understanding of even the current relationship between India and China and will enable the charting of new paths.
Histopathologic studies of pigmented nevi in children.

Pigmented nevi in children are common, but are not usually removed, except for reasons of growth, trauma, or increase of pigmentation, or occasionally for cosmetic purposes. Such nevi, except those excised for the last-mentioned reason, cannot be considered quiescent from the statistical standpoint. Although histopathologic study of routine surgical specimens of nevi in children has been performed in one series of 30 and another series of 50, no large group of nevi in children has ever been taken at random and examined. The purpose of this investigation is to demonstrate the normal histopathologic variation in 100 prepubertal nevi and to determine whether any of these showed evidences of malignancy, or signs which might erroneously be diagnosed as malignant, such as Spitz's (1, 2) juvenile melanoma giant cells, and increased cellularity at the basal layer. This project was stimulated by the work of Lund and Stobbe (3), who demonstrated the variations in nevi of all ages.
The interaction of body mass index and race in predicting biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE • To examine the interaction of body mass index (BMI) and race in predicting biochemical failure (BCF) after radical prostatectomy (RP). The relative contribution of BMI and race to BCF after RP has not been well characterized. PATIENTS AND METHODS • From 1988 to 2008, 969 white and black men underwent RP and BMI data were available. In all, 168 (17.3%) were black and 801 (82.7%) were white men. • BCF was defined as a post-surgery PSA level ≥0.2 ng/mL on ≥2 measurements. Cox regression methods were used to model the relationship between race, BMI and BCF. RESULTS • The 969 men had a mean age of 59.8 ± 7.2 years. There was no significant difference in BMI between black and white men (P= 0.32). • The 5-year disease-free survival for black obese men was the lowest at 48%, compared with non-obese black (73%), obese white (82%) and non-obese white men (83%, P < 0.001). • BMI did not have a significant impact on BCF. In a multivariate analysis, black race remained an independent predictor of BCF [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.76, P= 0.01]. • BMI does not affect the risk of BCF in black men differently than white men (P value for interaction 0.93). CONCLUSIONS • Black race is an independent predictor of biochemical failure after adjusting for pathological factors. The impact of BMI on BCF did not vary among different races. • These findings suggest that elevated BMI does not affect the BCF rates of black men more than in other races, and that other factors may influence the racial variability in disease-free survival and BCF risk.
Abstract P216: Fatty Liver Index and Stroke Risk: the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition driven by the obesity epidemic. It is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors including diabetes, obesity, and hyperlipidemia, but also cardiovascular disease events, independent of these factors. No prospective studies have investigated the association of NAFLD with stroke risk. Hypothesis: NAFLD is associated with the risk of stroke in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) case-cohort study. Methods: The REGARDS study recruited 30,239 participants from the contiguous U.S., in order to study the reasons for regional and racial differences in stroke mortality. The REGARDS case-cohort study consists of 569 cases of incident stroke with 5.4 years follow up and a cohort random sample of 1,104. The Fatty Liver Index (FLI) was used a surrogate marker for NAFLD. It is calculated as e X /(1 + e X ) x 100, where x = 0.953*log(triglycerides) + 0.139*BMI + 0.718*log(γ-glutamyltransferase) + 0.053*waist circumference - 15.745. An FLI >60 is considered a positive score, 20-60 an intermediate score, and Results: In the cohort sample, 44% of participants had NAFLD based on the FLI and 19% had a negative score. Compared to those without NAFLD, individuals with a positive score were more likely to be male (51% vs. 28%), have hypertension (69% vs. 40%), dyslipidemia (68% vs. 37%) diabetes (35% vs. 8%), and higher BMI (mean 33.7 vs. 23.0 kg/m 2 ; all p 2 had NAFLD by FLI. NAFLD was not associated with risk of stroke in a model adjusted for age, race and sex; HR 1.00 (95% CI 0.69-1.46), or a model further adjusted for Framingham stroke risk factors; HR 0.71 (95% CI 0.45-1.11). Stratifying by BMI group (20-30 kg/m 2 ), there was no association between NAFLD and stroke risk in those with BMI 20- 2 . We were unable to analyze NAFLD in the BMI >30 group, due to low number of negative scores. When analyzed as a continuous variable among those with BMI 30 kg/m 2 , the HRs for a 10 unit higher FLI score were 0.92 (95% CI 0.84-1.01) and 1.17 (95% CI 0.97-1.42), respectively, adjusted for age, sex, race, and stroke risk factors. Discussion: NAFLD, as determined by a positive FLI score, was not associated with risk of stroke although FLI score was borderline associated with stroke risk in those with a BMI >30. Results raise the possibility that NAFLD represents end organ damage from an adverse metabolic profile, and is not a mediator of stroke risk.
Noise Hedging and Executive Compensation

We address two apparent paradoxes of risk management: (1) managers hedge in order to avoid negative earnings surprises, yet they tend to hedge risks uninformative of the value of the company; and (2) the presence of options in managers’ compensation distorts their incentive to hedge, inducing them to expose the company to too much risk. Our model is based on informational asymmetry between insiders (managers) and outsiders (investors). Investors derive information about company value from net cash flows (earnings), but the information revealed through earnings depends on the risk management strategy pursued by managers. Fully revealing earnings information is in the investors’ interest, so they design a compensation package to induce managers to make the earnings fully informative. With appropriate assumptions, we show that managers will select the efficient hedge strategy if their compensation includes stock options. Our model also provides a rational explanation for the observed vigorous response of stock prices to modest earnings surprises. Results based upon the analysis of Compustat and Execucomp data provide empirical support for our model; other things equal, firms that offer their CEO’s proportionately higher options-related compensation exhibit stronger stock price responses to changes in earnings and tend to have higher Tobin’s q’s.
Determining the net energy value of wet and dry corn gluten feed in beef growing and finishing diets.

One growing and two finishing trials evaluated the feeding value of corn gluten feed for cattle. In the growth trial, calves were fed (DM basis) one of two control diets (44% dry-rolled corn [DRC], 50% alfalfa hay, 5% molasses, 1% supplement or 33% DRC, 33% alfalfa hay, 33% corn silage, 1% supplement), diets containing 49 or 65% wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) with alfalfa hay and supplement, or a diet containing 61% WCGF with cornstalks and supplement. Calves fed diets containing 49 or 65% WCGF with alfalfa hay gained faster (P .10) to those of steers fed DRC. Inclusion of water in the 70% DCGF diet reduced DMI (P .10) feed efficiency. In Trial 2, WCGF replaced either 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100% of the DRC and molasses (DM basis). Feed efficiency was not different (P > .10) among diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Validation of CALIPER (Computer-aided lung informatics for pathology evaluation and rating) for the non-invasive assessment of pulmonary nodules of the adenocarcinoma spectrum

Rationale: The growing utilization of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for clinical diagnosis and lung cancer screening results in identification of pulmonary nodules of unknown clinical significance. Non-invasive strategies for the individualized management of these lesions are required. In a pilot study we have demonstrated the consistent classification of pulmonary nodules of the adenocarcinoma spectrum using CALIPER. Methods: Two pumonary patholgists independently assessed histopathologic tissue invasion in 72 surgically resected pulmonary nodules (≤ 3cm) of adenocarcinoma spectrum from 68 patients. Based on consensus, all lesions were categorized as either NINV-“non-invasive” (≤5mm invasion), n=6 or INV-“invasive” (>5mm invasion), n=66. CALIPER mapped the individual HRCT voxels (pre-operative HRCT) within all the nodules to one of the previously identified 9 unique radiological patterns. The nodules were categorized as INV or NINV based on the relative distribution of the patterns. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for CALIPER-based detection of tissue invasion were calculated. Results: Sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV were respectively 98.5%[90.7-99.9%], 66.7%[24.1-94%], 97%[88.7-99.4%] and 80%[30-98%]. Only one case was identified as NINV by CALIPER and as INV by the pulmonary pathologists. Conclusion: CALIPER represents a promising tool for non-invasive risk stratification of pulmonary nodules of the adenocarcinoma spectrum. Further prospective and retrospective validation of our data is currently ongoing.
Prevalence of pain in a university veterinary intensive care unit.

Objective The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of pain in veterinary ICU patients, to determine if there are predictors for patients to be painful, and to relate 3 commonly used pain scoring systems with each other. Design Cross-sectional observational study. Setting The study was conducted in the small animal ICU at the University of Georgia Veterinary teaching hospital. Animals All dogs admitted during June 1, 2010–August 5, 2010 were eligible for inclusion. Exclusion criteria included patients receiving supplemental oxygen, comatose animals, aggressive animals, and animals with a zoonotic disease. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results Twice daily, at randomly generated times, an independent observer assessed every eligible dog for pain using three different methods: the Glasgow composite pain scale (Glasgow), a visual analogue scale (VAS), and a simple descriptive scale (SDS). Six hundred twenty-nine observations were made on 230 individual dogs over a 63-day time period. Dogs who were receiving hydromorphone or were on the orthopedic or neurosurgical service were more likely to be described as painful. Overall, 22% of dogs were described as painful, and this was not different depending on time of day or day of the week. There was no difference in slope between VAS and Glasgow scores depending on order. The kappa statistic was 0.58 between Glasgow and SDS, 0.70 between VAS and SDS, and 0.47 between Glasgow and VAS. Conclusions In this study population, dogs undergoing surgery needed a more intense analgesic approach to ensure that they were nonpainful. The SDS identified the highest number of painful observations of the scoring systems, at the given levels for defining pain.
Neural Correlates of Stress and Favorite-Food Cue Exposure in Adolescents: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Adolescence is a critical period of neurodevelopment for stress and appetitive processing, as well as a time of increased vulnerability to stress and engagement in risky behaviors. This study was conducted to examine brain activation patterns during stress and favorite-food-cue experiences relative to a neutral-relaxing condition in adolescents. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was employed using individualized script-driven guided imagery to compare brain responses with such experiences in 43 adolescents. Main effects of condition and gender were found, without a significant gender-by-condition interaction. Stress imagery, relative to neutral, was associated with activation in the caudate, thalamus, left hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus, midbrain, left superior/middle temporal gyrus, and right posterior cerebellum. Appetitive imagery of favorite food was associated with caudate, thalamus, and midbrain activation compared with the neutral-relaxing condition. To understand neural correlates of anxiety and craving, subjective (self-reported) measures of stress-induced anxiety and favorite-food-cue-induced craving were correlated with brain activity during stress and appetitive food-cue conditions, respectively. High self-reported stress-induced anxiety was associated with hypoactivity in the striatum, thalamus, hippocampus, and midbrain. Self-reported favorite-food-cue-induced craving was associated with blunted activity in cortical-striatal regions, including the right dorsal and ventral striatum, medial prefrontal cortex, motor cortex, and left anterior cingulate cortex. These findings in adolescents indicate the activation of predominantly subcortical-striatal regions in the processing of stressful and appetitive experiences and link hypoactive striatal circuits to self-reported stress-induced anxiety and cue-induced favorite-food craving.
The Baby Doe Regulations: Another View of Change

Weil, chairman of the Bioethics Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics, maintains that many changes that are occuring in the medical care of newborns and infants are not mandated by the Child Abuse and Neglect Amendments of 1984 or by the Department of Health and Human Services' April 1985 final rule regarding the Act, but are derived from social forces that have increased public awareness of the interests of the disabled. Other changes will result from state regulations required by the federal action. The author considers the "Baby Doe" rules to be guidelines, not requiring specific acts or decisions and subject to broad interpretation. The intent of the federal and state regulations is to safeguard infants in rare life-and-death situations where parents and physicians undervalue the interests of the child and the hospital ethics committee cannot resolve the issue. Language: en
Computer Use in Small U.S. Firms: Is There a Digital Divide?

This article uses data from the 1998 Survey of Small Business Finances to explore the use of computers and the Internet by small firms. Results reveal that firms owned by black men and firms owned by Asian men were significantly less likely to use computers for business purposes than firms owned by white men. There were no significant differences between firms owned by white men and those owned by white women or by Hispanic men. Other significant predictors of computer use included measures affirm size, firm age, organizational status, owner age, and the educational level of the owner.
Potassium-43 Myocardial Perfusion Scanning for the Noninvasive Evaluation of Patients with False-Positive Exercise Tests

Twelve patients with false-positive ECG exercise tests presented with ischemic ECG responses (greater than one mm ST segment depression) during graded maximal treadmill exercise testing in the absence of exercise-induced chest pain or clinical coronary heart disease. Coronary arteriography, left ventriculography and hemodynamic evaluation revealed no significant abnormality in these patients. Transmyocardial lactate analysis during atrial pacing revealed a normal extraction (mean 21%) during pacing stress in five patients. Nine of 12 patients were evaluated with exercise potassium-43 myocardial perfusion imaging whereby the radioactive tracer was administered intravenously during exercise at a time when abnormal ECG changes were present. Myocardial images in these nine patients all showed a normal homogeneous pattern of radioisotope distribution. These results are in direct contrast to findings in patients with coronary heart disease in whom reproducibly demonstrable abnormal regions of decreased potassiu...
Data-driven design process in adoption of marking menus for large scale software

This case study presents the iterative design process where usage data and feedback played key role in successful adoption of the marking menu to Autodesk's major mechanical engineering software, Inventor.
Immunologically privileged sites in studies of polyoma tumor antigens.

Two polyoma tumors in mice were found to have a 1,000-fold increased transplantability if the IC or IT routes of inoculation are used instead of SC. When polyoma virus-immune mice were challenged by the IC or IT routes, the degree of demonstrable resistance was 10/sup 5/ and 10/sup 4/ minimal transplantable numbers of cells as compared to 10/sup 1/ by the SC route. Mice immunized IC or SC with a single dose of x irradiated tumor cells and later challenged IC showed protection in the IC but not the SC immunized group. The ability of in vitro polyoma transformed tissue culture cells to produce tumors on inoculntion of isologous adult mice was most markedly enhanced by whole-body x irradiation, but best results were obtained if IC inoculation was made into irradiated animals. (auth)
Gas-to-particle partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an urban atmosphere

Abstract Semi-volatile organic compounds (SOCs) are present in the atmosphere as vapors and are adsorbed to particulate matter. Knowledge of the gas-to-particle distribution of these compounds is important in understanding their atmospheric fate and transport. A baseline experimental study to estimate the vapor- and particle-phase-associated concentrations of the SOCs (specifically, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHS) in the Baton Rouge (Louisiana) air was carried out. A comparison of the levels of concentrations of PAHs obtained in Baton Rouge to those obtained in other parts of the world is made. The sampling artifacts associated with a traditional high-volume sampler introduced errors in the estimation of the partition coefficient. Different air sampling procedures (a modified. low-volume sampler and an annular denuder) were evaluated in order to obtain a more accurate measure of the gas-to-particle partition coefficient. The effects of temperature and precipitation on the partitioning of PAHs between the vapor and particulate phase were ascertained.
Using case-based reasoning to improve the quality of feedback generated by automated grading systems

My research is focused on developing e-learning systems that provide high-quality feedback on student submitted programming exercises. To create such systems we use a new approach of applying case-based reasoning (CBR) techniques which proved to be successful in other areas such as technical support departments and financial institutions. The increased quality of feedback delivered by our system will help to keep students engaged, which in turn will reduce attrition rates. A prototype system has been tested in several undergraduate Computer Science courses with promising preliminary results. The effectiveness of the completed system will be thoroughly evaluated in CS classrooms.
Discovering Frequent Embedded Subtree Patterns from Large Databases of Unordered Labeled Trees

Recent years have witnessed a surge of research interest in knowledge discovery from data domains with complex structures, such as trees and graphs. In this paper, we address the problem of mining maximal frequent embedded subtrees which is motivated by such important applications as mining â€œhotâ€ spots of Web sites from Web usage logs and discovering significant â€œdeepâ€ structures from tree-like bioinformatic data. One major challenge arises due to the fact that embedded subtrees are no longer ordinary subtrees, but preserve only part of the ancestor-descendant relationships in the original trees. To solve the embedded subtree mining problem, in this article we propose a novel algorithm, called TreeGrow, which is optimized in two important respects. First, it obtains frequency counts of root-to-leaf paths through efficient compression of trees, thereby being able to quickly grow an embedded subtree pattern path by path instead of node by node. Second, candidate subtree generation is highly localized so as to avoid unnecessary computational overhead. Experimental results on benchmark synthetic data sets have shown that our algorithm can outperform unoptimized methods by up to 20 times.
Use of endoscopic band ligation in the treatment of ongoing rectal bleeding

Lower GI bleeding is self-limiting in the majority of cases and only 15% of patients require further diagnostic evaluation and treatment. Although surgery has been the treatment of choice in severe ongoing bleeding of the colon and rectum, new endoscopic treatment modalities are being evaluated as alternatives. One of these is endoscopic band ligation. We report two patients with severe ongoing rectal bleeding successfully treated by band ligation as an alternative to surgery.
Stabilization of acidic refinery sludges

Abstract Petroleum refineries historically have generated large quantities of acidic oil sludge, a waste product from the production of fine lubricating oils. The refining process included adding sulfuric acid to crude oil to remove impurities. The waste product that remained behind after filtration was customarily disposed of in open lagoons. The physical and chemical characteristics of this sludge vary from lagoon to lagoon and with depth. The material ranges from a solid, charcoal-like material at the bottom of the lagoons to a liquid mixture of sulfuric acid and rainwater at the surface. The sludge utilized for this study varied in pH from less than two to six and has an average loss on ignition of 78.2%. Results are presented from almost 200 separate stabilization tests.
Electrochemically Generated Acid and Its Containment to 100 Micron Reaction Areas for the Production of DNA Microarrays

An addressable electrode array was used for the production of acid at sufficient concentration to allow deprotection of the dimethoxytrityl (DMT) protecting group from an overlaying substrate bound to a porous reaction layer. Containment of the generated acid to an active electrode of 100 micron diameter was achieved by the presence of an organic base. This procedure was then used for the production of a DNA array, in which synthesis was directed by the electrochemical removal of the DMT group during synthesis. The product array was found to have a detection sensitivity to as low as 0.5 pM DNA in a complex background sample.
A variational real-space renormalisation-group transformation based on the cumulant expansion

The first order cumulant expansion of Niemeijer and van Leeuwen (1974) is combined with a variational method to find the 'best' value of a fixed point Hamiltonian depending upon a parameter, p. A new method for calculating eigen values near this fixed point is proposed, based upon the neglect of terms proportional to the error neglected at the fixed point. This approach determines delta p/ delta K unambiguously. Calculations are carried out for a few simple models. The results are more accurate than those of most other comparably simple approaches.
Growth and Development of Lungs in Siblings with Nonimmune Hydrops

Postmortem findings in the lungs of two siblings with nonimmune hydrops and lung hypoplasia are presented. In one, a girl, the hypoplasia was severe, with reduced numbers of airway generations and markedly reduced radial alveolar counts. In the other, a boy, the hypoplasia of both airway and alveolar development was mild. The reason for the difference in the growth of the lungs in these two children is unknown. The additional finding of Noonan's syndrome in the male sibling with mild hypoplasia and in the father is of interest.
An expanded model of logistics service quality: Incorporating logistics information technology

Abstract This paper discusses recent developments in understanding and measuring logistics service quality (LSQ) and incorporates a framework (technology acceptance model (TAM)) to assess logistics information technology use and acceptance as an essential component of an expanded model of LSQ. The results of our empirical test of the expanded model of LSQ provide an interesting contrast to earlier TAM research with respect to the relationship of the two main TAM constructs of perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) of information technology with intentions to use information technology tools. Whereas previous TAM research has demonstrated PU as the stronger of the two constructs, our results provided evidence of approximately equal relationships between these two constructs and intentions to use information technology tools. Theoretical and managerial implications of these and other findings are discussed, along with suggestions for future research in this important area.
An update on Uniform Resource Locator (URL) decay in MEDLINE abstracts and measures for its mitigation.

For years, Uniform Resource Locator (URL) decay or "link rot" has been a growing concern in the field of biomedical sciences. This paper addresses this issue by examining the status of the URLs published in MEDLINE abstracts, establishing current availability and estimating URL decay in these records from 1994 to 2006. We also reviewed the information provided by the URL to determine if the context that the author cited in writing the paper is the same information presently available in the URL. Lastly, with all the documented recommended methods to preserve URL links, we determined which among them have gained acceptance among authors and publishers. MEDLINE records from 1994 to 2006 from the National Library of Medicine in Extensible Mark-up Language (XML) format were processed yielding 10,208 URL addresses. These were accessed once daily at random times for 30 days. Titles and abstracts were also searched for the presence of archival tools such as WebCite, Persistent URL (PURL) and Digital Object Identifier (DOI). Results showed that the average URL length ranged from 13 to 425 characters with a mean length of 35 characters [Standard Deviation (SD) = 13.51; 95% confidence interval (CI) 13.25 to 13.77]. The most common top-level domains were ".org" and ".edu", each with 34%. About 81% of the URL pool was available 90% to 100% of the time, but only 78% of these contained the actual information mentioned in the MEDLINE record. "Dead" URLs constituted 16% of the total. Finally, a survey of archival tool usage showed that since its introduction in 1998, only 519 of all abstracts reviewed had incorporated DOI addresses in their MEDLINE abstracts. URL persistence parallels previous studies which showed approximately 81% general availability during the 1-month study period. As peer-reviewed literature remains to be the main source of information in biomedicine, we need to ensure the accuracy and preservation of these links.
Reliability and Validity of the Aggregate Method of Determining Number of Cigarettes Smoked Per Day

The authors evaluated the reliability of two pretreatment assessments (screening and intake) of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) by the commonly used aggregate method. The validity of the aggregate method was also determined by comparison with results of the timeline followback (TLFB) method for the identical periods. The study participants were 49 outpatients undergoing nicotine patch treatment. The reliability of the two aggregate method evaluations of CPD was quite high by Pearson product-moment correlation (r) and good when based on the intraclass correlation. Correspondence between the CPD assessments based on the aggregate and TLFB methods for the two time-points ranged from fair (screening) to good (intake). Overall, the study findings indicate that the aggregate method provides reasonably consistent data.
Changes in doctor/patient communication of a terminal prognosis: a selective review and critique.

Abstract Numerous studies have examined the willingness of physicians to communicate a terminal prognosis to a patient. The pattern of results suggests that there has been a shift from a widespread tendency not to tell patients of such a prognosis in the 1950s to a widespread tendency to tell in the 1980s. This paper reviews ien articles which document this apparent shift. In addition, this review reveals methodological, statistical, and theoretical shortcomings of the literature. These shortcomings seriously undermine the ability to use this literature as a basis for supporting what might otherwise be a reasonable claim concerning the shift in physicians' behavior. Hence, the present paper examines the nature of these shortcomings and makes suggestions for rectifying such problems in future research.
Diversity of antinuclear antibodies in progressive systemic sclerosis

Antinuclear antibodies wer demonstrated in the sera of 43 of 45 (96%) patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (22 of 24 with diffuse scleroderma and 21 of 21 with the CREST syndrome variant). This high percentage of positive reactions resulted from the use of a tissue culture substrate (Hep-2) to detect antinuclear antibodies by the indirect immunofluorescent method. Patterns of nuclear staining included diffuse fine speckles, large coarse speckles, nucleolar and centromere staining. When organ sections such as mouse kidney were used as substrate for the detection of antinuclear antibodies, nucleolar staining and centromere staining were the two patterns most frequently overlooked. Three types of antibodies appeared to be highly specific for scleroderma: antibody to Sc1-70 antigen, antibody to centromere, and antinucleolar antibody. The anti-centromere antibody appeared to be highly selective for the CREST variant of progressive systemic sclerosis.
Multiple regulatory sites in large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels

Large conductance, Ca(2+)- and voltage-activated K(+) channels (BK) respond to two distinct physiological signals -- membrane voltage and cytosolic Ca(2+) (refs 1, 2). Channel opening is regulated by changes in Ca(2+) concentration spanning 0.5 micro M to 50 mM (refs 2-5), a range of Ca(2+) sensitivity unusual among Ca(2+)-regulated proteins. Although voltage regulation arises from mechanisms shared with other voltage-gated channels, the mechanisms of Ca(2+) regulation remain largely unknown. One potential Ca(2+)-regulatory site, termed the 'Ca(2+) bowl', has been located to the large cytosolic carboxy terminus. Here we show that a second region of the C terminus, the RCK domain (regulator of conductance for K(+) (ref. 12)), contains residues that define two additional regulatory effects of divalent cations. One site, together with the Ca(2+) bowl, accounts for all physiological regulation of BK channels by Ca(2+); the other site contributes to effects of millimolar divalent cations that may mediate physiological regulation by cytosolic Mg(2+) (refs 5, 13). Independent regulation by multiple sites explains the large concentration range over which BK channels are regulated by Ca(2+). This allows BK channels to serve a variety of physiological roles contingent on the Ca(2+) concentration to which the channels are exposed.
Facilitative interactions among the pelagic community of temperate migratory terns, tunas and dolphins

We studied habitat and behavioral interactions among the marine community of top pelagic predators over the Atlantic continental shelf, observed from shipboard surveys off the northeastern United States. We hypothesized that foraging seabirds, specifically common terns Sterna hirundo and roseate terns S. dougallii, associate positively with the distribution and abundance of large, easily-detected subsurface marine predators, as a result of facilitative interactions. Few rigorous tests examine the effect of interspecific interactions on seabird distributions, though many papers note the importance of environmental influences. Fewer, still, assess facilitation, defined as positive interactions among multiple taxa (birds, fish, mammals), where individuals use foraging neighbors for improved prey detection or enhanced prey availability. Our use of spatiotemporal-structured Bayesian hierarchical models allowed us to test for fine-scale associations of common and roseate terns with aggregations of tunas and cetaceans, and with standard oceanographic parameters. High tern abundance was linked to relatively high tuna densities and low dolphin densities, as well as high sea surface temperatures, shallow water, and proximity to shore. The fact that terns foraged when in the presence of tunas or relatively dense dolphin pods supports our hypothesis that the mechanism behind this spatial association involves positive interspecific interactions (attraction), a phenomenon that has been described but rarely quantified. This study reveals that community structure depends on static and dynamic covariates alike, ranging from bathymetry to the movement of other guild members. To improve the efficacy of predictive modeling, ecosystem approaches to applied conservation management should integrate not only habitat, but also behavior and community factors into analyses, especially in the case of marine spatial planning.
Aging, Encoding Fluency, and Metacognitive Monitoring

ABSTRACT Encoding fluency (how rapidly one generates a mediator for a new association) may be a cue used to judge one's own learning. To evaluate age differences in utilization of this cue, older and younger adults were instructed to use interactive imagery to study paired associates, pressing a button to indicate when an image had been formed for a given pair. A judgment of learning (JOL) was also made immediately after each pair had been studied. Hence, at least two cues pertaining to encoding fluency—whether an image had been formed (a diagnostic cue) and the latency of formation (a nondiagnostic one)—were available when making JOLs. Age equivalence was found in JOL accuracy, and JOLs for both age groups were positively related to imagery formation and were negatively related to the latency of image formation. Moreover, subjectively judged latency correlated higher with JOLs than actual (objective) latency, supporting the hypothesis that perceived fluency is a cue used in constructing JOLs.
After Safety, What is the Goal of Child Welfare Services: Permanency, Family Continuity or Social Benefit?

Child welfare services have multiple goals, including child protection, family continuity, and achievement of legal permanency so children can end their involvement with child welfare services and have a lifetime family. These goals are not all achievable to the same extent in all cases. American child welfare policy has, in the last few years, become more definitive about the priority of child protection above family preservation. Now, situations which involve safety risks that are too great do not require any efforts at reunifying children to their biological homes. Less clear in American child welfare policy and practice is the value to be placed on other factors – particularly when a child cannot return home and will need an alternative adoptive family. Practitioners often emphasize family continuity– that is, the opportunity to maintain contact with the biological parent and extended family members – as a key decision making consideration. Yet, family continuity does not necessarily predict a successful transition to adulthood that is healthy for children or provides social benefits to the community. This paper explores the rationale for expanding child welfare decision making criteria by adding longer-term outcomes and the likelihood that children will eventually generate social benefits.
No Child Left Behind: Implications for college student learning

What does No Child Left Behind (NCLB) have to do with higher education? Turns out plenty, according to Teniell L. Trolian and Kristin S. Fouts. They argue that NCLB has signifcant consequences for college learners.
Microbial assimilation of hydrocarbons. I. The fine-structure of a hydrocarbon oxidizing Acinetobacter sp.

1. The fine-structure analysis of the hydrocarbon oxidizing microorganism, Acinetobacter sp., demonstrated a cytoplasmic modification resulting from growth on paraffinic and olefinic hydrocarbons. 2. Intracytoplasmic hydrocarbon inclusions were documented by electron microscopy with chemical identifications obtained by gas chromatography and X-ray diffraction. 3. These results demonstrate the ability of a micro-organism to accumulate hydrocarbon substrates intracellularly which, in turn, indicates transport across the cell membrane.
Syndactyly type V.

We report a mother and three of her four children with type V syndactyly. All the patients had metacarpal 4-5 fusion. The other hand anomalies consisted of abnormal origin of the fifth fingers, anomalies of digits 4 and 5, brachydactyly, syndactyly, camptodactyly, absent distal interphalangeal creases, and unusual palmar dermatoglyphics. Anomalies of the feet consisted of varus deviation of the metatarsals, valgus deviation of the toes, hyperplasia of the first ray, and hypoplasia of the third to fifth rays. None of the patients had metatarsal fusions. The anomalies were similar in the mother and her two older sons far less severe in her daughter. This daughter also had a congenital anomaly of the urinary tract. Anomalous and/or defective muscle and tendon insertions were demonstrated in one patient during an operation. Syndactyly V is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait.
PHOTOINHIBITION OF MECHANICALLY STIMULABLE BIOLUMINESCENCE IN THE HETEROTROPHIC DINOFLAGELLATE PROTOPERIDINIUM DEPRESSUM (PYRROPHYTA)

Photoinhibition of mechanically stimulable bioluminescence (MSL) in the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Protoperidinium depressum Bailey was investigated using samples collected from the Massachusetts and southern Texas coasts. The times for both photoinhibition of MSL (ca. 10 min) and dark recovery from photoinhibition of MSL (ca. 45 min) in this species were similar to those reported for autotrophic dinoflagellates. The degree of photoinhibition of MSL was a linear function of the logarithm of photon flux density (PFD). The threshold PFDs for the photoinhibition of MSL were 0.02, 0.6, and 21 μmol photons · m−2· s−1 for broad-band blue, green, and red light, respectively. These PFDs are lower than those required for photoinhibition of MSL by the autotrophic dinoflagellates Pyrocystis lunula and Ceratium fusus. We speculate that photosynthetic pigments in autotrophic dinoflagellates shield the photoreceptor that causes photoinhibition of MSL, thus lowering the sensitivity of these dinoflagellates to light. When field-collected P. depressum were kept in the laboratory without growth for a week, photoinhibition of MSL's sensitivity to light increased progressively along with 1) a decrease in its bioluminescence capacity (BCAP), 2) a decrease in the ratio of MSL to BCAP (MSL/BCAP), and 3) a decrease in the orange pigmentation (probably carotenoid) of the dinoflagellate. The action spectrum for photoinhibition of MSL in P. depressum was characterized primarily with a broad peak in the blue extending into the green. We suggest that carotenoid was not a photoreceptor for the photoinhibition of MSL in P. depressum because the peak of the action spectrum was too broad and extended too far into the green part of the spectrum, and because the orange pigment present decreased as photoinhibition of MSL became more sensitive to light.
Calculation of far-field scattering from nonspherical particles using a geometrical optics approach

A numerical method was developed using geometrical optics to predict far-field optical scattering from particles that are symmetric about the optic axis. The diffractive component of scattering is calculated and combined with the reflective and refractive components to give the total scattering pattern. The phase terms of the scattered light are calculated as well. Verification of the method was achieved by assuming a spherical particle and comparing the results to Mie scattering theory. Agreement with the Mie theory was excellent in the forward-scattering direction. However, small-amplitude oscillations near the rainbow regions were not observed using the numerical method. Numerical data from spheroidal particles and hemispherical particles are also presented. The use of hemispherical particles as a calibration standard for intensity-type optical particle-sizing instruments is discussed.
On the Virtues of Parameterized Uniform Crossover

Abstract : Traditionally, genetic algorithms have relied upon 1 and 2-point crossover operators. Many recent empirical studies, however, have shown the benefits of higher numbers of crossover points. Some of the most intriguing recent work has focused on uniform crossover, which involves on the average L/2 crossover points for strings of length L. Theoretical results suggest that, from the view of hyperplane sampling disruption, uniform crossover has few redeeming features. However, a growing body of experimental evidence suggests otherwise. In this paper, we attempt to reconcile these opposing views of uniform crossover and present a framework for understanding its virtues.
Spectrophotometric determination of nitrite with p-nitroaniline and 2-methyl-8-quinolinol in hexadecyl-trimethylammonium bromide solution

Abstract Nitrite ion at low concentrations is determined spectrophotometrically by diazotization of p -nitroaniline and coupling of the diazonium salt with 2-methyl-8-quinolinol. The resulting dye is solubilized in hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide micelles. The molar absorptivity is 4.72 × 10 4 l mol -1 cm -1 , and the Sandell sensitivity is 9.7 × 10 -4 μg cm -2 . Some interferences are reported, and preconcentration by evaporation is evaluated. The solubility of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide in water was determined as a function of temperature; the Krafft point is 19.6°C. Salting-in of the surfactant by potassium nitrate is described.
Lorentz invariance, momentum-energy tensors and the MHD problem

Abstract The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, we obtain the rigorous consequences of Lorentz invariance for arbitrary tensor fields. Second, under a precise definition of the momentum-energy tensor, we obtain a system of equations for the determination of this tensor in terms of the energy density T 00 and a system of equations for the determination of the arguments of T 00 . A formulation of MHD problems is then given and is shown to be well set. This is accomplished by means of an extension of the classical existence theorems for linear partial differential equations whereby a collection of state variables can be said to be complete. Lastly, we present an alternative formulation in which the momentum-energy tensor is derived from the equations of motion and a variational principle. The latter corresponds to the Lagrangian approach to field theory, while the presentation in terms of Lorentz invariance and the generation of the momentum-energy tensor from T 00 corresponds to the Hamiltonian approach.
Tidal Forces and the Formation of Hurricanes

MAY I raise the following question: “Do tidal forces affect the formation of hurricanes?” If one examines the changing direction of the tidal force due to the sun and a moon near new (or full) on an August day, say, as this force acts on a small element of air located at a point south of the sub-solar latitude and north of the equator, one finds the tidal force would tend to make the atmospheric element move in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed from above. Furthermore, as the sun moves southward in August and early September, the latitudes where the highest atmospheric tides would be expected (here considered semi-diurnal), would fall alternately north and south of the equator, the successive points on either side approaching the equator. Might there not be one time at which the separation of these two latitudes would correspond to a natural frequency of oscillation of the atmosphere? If these arguments have any validity, the hurricanes in the North Atlantic should show an increase in number shortly before September 23 and a decrease shortly after that date.
An inside look at education and poverty

47 Carol M. Swain professor of political science and law at Vanderbilt University, and founding director of the Veritas Institute, Nashville, TN. This article and the previous one by David Armor are updated and adapted from remarks delivered as part of a panel titled “Closing the Racial Gap in Education” at the NAS’s eleventh national conference. Professor Swain is author of Black Faces, Black Interests: The Representation of African Americans in Congress (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1993, 1995), among other books. An Inside Look at Education and Poverty