cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Left ventricle transcriptomic analysis reveals connective tissue accumulation associates with initial age-dependent decline in V̇O2peak from its lifetime apex

Peak oxygen consumption (Vo2peak) strongly predicts morbidity and mortality better than other established risk factors, yet mechanisms associated with its age-associated decline are unknown. Our l...
An Argument for Contrarian Thinking

Probing widely circulating truisms has been a hallmark of Michael Schudson’s work on the press, citizenship, and democracy. Schudson has eloquently warned us about misreading the past to criticize the present, and invited us to recognize advances in news and democracy during the past half century. His work has poked many normative convictions underpinning studies in political communication: the centrality of civic conversation for democracy, the viability of participatory citizenship, the role of experts in democracy, the analytical rigor and normative horizons of the public sphere, and the contributions of the press to public life. He has been hopeful about the present without being sentimental about the past. Schudson has alerted us to the pitfalls of unwarranted pessimism and giddy celebration, and urged us to bring historical rigor and clear-minded analysis to confront conventional wisdoms. His distinctive revisionist voice has charted fresh paths for sober and critical analysis.
Abstract Objects, Causal Efficacy, and Causal Exclusion

Abstract objects are standardly taken to be causally inert, but this claim is rarely explicitly argued for. In the context of his platonism about musical works, in order for musical works to be audible, Julian Dodd argues that abstracta are causally efficacious in virtue of their concrete tokens participating in events. I attempt to provide a principled argument for the causal inertness of abstracta by first rejecting Dodd’s arguments from events, and then extending and generalizing the causal exclusion argument to the abstract/concrete distinction. For reasons of parsimony, if concrete tokens or instantiations of abstract objects account for all causal work, then there is no reason to attribute causal efficacy to abstracta, and thus reason to maintain their causal inertness. I then consider how one of the main arguments against causal exclusion, namely Stephen Yablo’s notion of “proportionality”, could be modified to support the causal efficacy of abstracta. I argue that from a few simple premises Yablo’s account in fact supports their causal inertness. Having a principled reason for the causal inertness of abstracta appears to entail that the musical platonist must admit that we never literally hear the musical work, but only its performances. I sketch a solution to this problem available to Dodd, so that the musical platonist can maintain that musical works are abstract objects and are causally inert while retaining their audibility.
Plasmonic Nanoparticle Dimers with Reversibly Photoswitchable Interparticle Distances Linked by DNA

We report the assembly and optical characterization of stimulus-responsive gold nanoparticle dimers using azobenzene-modified hairpin DNA. We demonstrate a reversible, light-triggered actuation of the interparticle distance using reversible trans-to-cis photoisomerization of azobenzene. UV exposure leads to an extension of the dimers and concomitant blue shift of their scattering spectra, whereas blue light reverses the process. We use single-particle dark-field scattering spectroscopy to quantify the interparticle distances of the DNA-hairpin-linked nanoparticle heterodimers in the open and closed hairpin states. Analyzing the plasmon peak shifts for nearly 100 dimers with the plasmon ruler equation yields an average interparticle distance of 14.3 ± 1.7 nm in the closed (trans-azobenzene) and 17.7 ± 1.5 nm in the open (cis-azobenzene) state, which are in good agreement with finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) electrodynamic simulations of the dimers. We conclude that larger photoreversible plasmon shift...
Repair of heteroduplex DNA in bacteriophage T4.

Evidence is presented that T4 phage posesses a system which repairs “loops” in heteroduplex DNA. The T4 v gene (endonuclease V) is required for repair.
Global gray matter morphometry differences between children with reading disability, ADHD, and comorbid reading disability/ADHD

Abstract Extensive, yet disparate, research exists elucidating structural anomalies in individuals with Reading Disability (RD) or ADHD. Despite ADHD and RD being highly comorbid, minimal research has attempted to determine shared patterns of morphometry between these disorders. In addition, there is no published research examining the morphometry of comorbid RD and ADHD (RD/ADHD). Hence, we conducted voxel-based morphometry on the MRI scans of 106 children, ages 8–12 years, with RD, ADHD, or RD/ADHD, and typically developing controls. We found right caudate and superior frontal regions in both RD and ADHD, along with areas specific to RD and to ADHD that are consistent with current theories on these disorders. Perhaps most importantly, we found a potential neurobiological substrate for RD/ADHD. Further, our findings illustrate both shared and specific contributors to RD/ADHD, supporting two current theories on the comorbidity of RD and ADHD, thereby facilitating future work on potential etiologies of RD/ADHD.
Overlapping patterns of gene expression between gametophyte and sporophyte phases in the fern Polypodium amorphum (Polypodiales)

Ferns are unique among land plants in having sporophyte and gametophyte phases that are both free living and fully independent. Here, we examine patterns of sporophytic and gametophytic gene expression in the fern Polypodium amorphum, a member of the homosporous polypod lineage that comprises 80% of extant fern diversity, to assess how expression of a common genome is partitioned between two morphologically, ecologically, and nutritionally-independent phases. Using RNA-sequencing, we generated transcriptome profiles for three replicates of paired samples of sporophyte leaf tissue and whole gametophytes to identify genes with significant differences in expression between the two phases. We found a nearly 90% overlap in the identity and expression levels of the genes expressed in both sporophytes and gametophytes, with less than 3% of genes uniquely expressed in either phase. We compare our results to those from similar studies to establish how phase-specific gene expression varies among major land plant lineages. Notably, despite having greater similarity in the identity of gene families shared between P. amorphum and angiosperms, P. amorphum has phase-specific gene expression profiles that are more like bryophytes and lycophytes than seed plants. Our findings suggest that shared patterns of phase-specific gene expression among seed-free plants likely reflect having relatively large, photosynthetic gametophytes (compared to the gametophytes of seed plants that are highly reduced). Phylogenetic analyses were used to further investigate the evolution of phase-specific expression for the phototropin, terpene synthase, and MADS-box gene families.
Construct Validity of the Theory of Grief Recovery (TOGR): A New Paradigm toward Our Understanding of Grief and Loss.

Background: Many grief-based Health Education programs have not been theoretically examined to show how and why beneficial effects have been reported with their use and implementation. Purpose: We ...
Optical Characterization of High Refractive Index Glass Wafers for Augmented Reality Wearables

Refractive index and optical thickness homogeneities of 99.979% and 99.984% were determined by using wafer-size metrologies. SiO2 & Nb2O5 based low loss anti-reflective coatings in the visible were realized for augmented reality wearables.
Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms

With ever-increasing use of cross-sectional abdominal imaging, there has been a rise in the number of asymptomatic pancreatic cysts that are detected incidentally, the management of which poses a major issue. A large proportion of these asymptomatic pancreatic cysts are believed to comprise of branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). Depending upon the involvement of the branch ducts and/or main pancreatic duct, IPMNs can be subdivided into branch duct IPMN, main duct IPMN, and mixed- or combined-type IPMN. Main duct IPMNs are associated with the highest rate of malignancy (mean frequency, 61.6%). Four distinct histologic subtypes of IPMNs are recognized based on the type of epithelial lining: gastric, intestinal, pancreatobiliary, and oncocytic. Based on the highest degree of architectural and cytologic atypia, the epithelial dysplasia is graded as low, intermediate, and high. The preoperative diagnosis of IPMNs is based on a multimodal approach comprising of clinical and imaging findings and cyst fluid analysis with cytologic examination. This chapter will discuss various aspects of IPMNs including the clinical features, imaging findings, pathologic features, molecular genetics, and management recommendations.
Managing Information Technology Investments With Outsourcing

This work is designed to help managers conduct an investigation of the issues that influence the outsourcing decisions. An examination of the topics related to outsourcing is enhanced with prescriptive frameworks and recommendations based on empirical evidence.
Integrating evidence-based practices into early childhood mental health clinics: A dynamic approach to strengthening the resilience of children birth to five and families

This paper describes a dynamic process of workforce development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) within an early childhood mental health (ECMH) network serving chi...
State Capacity and the Post Office: Evidence from 19th Century Quebec

The theory of state capacity predicts that states with powerful abilities—as long as they are constrained—can promote economic growth if these abilities are used to support market development. Some scholars, especially in economic history, argue that post offices are a proxy for government effectiveness and state capacity (Chong et al., 2014; Acemoglu et al., 2016; Rogowski et al., 2017; Jensen and Ramey, 2019), because a well-functioning communication network helps markets operate. Our aim here is modest: is this relationship generalizable? We answer this question by using agricultural data from nineteenth century Quebec which was the poorest area of North America (and which stood to gain the most from the expansion of postal services). We use a difference-in-difference method to estimate the effect of gaining, or losing, a post office on the value of agricultural output per acre in 1831, 1851, and 1861. We find no treatment effect, implying that post offices had no relationship with agricultural productivity.
The Human Face of ABCC6.

Researchers working on basic and translational clinical science related to ABC transporters are enthusiastic and dedicated investigators. As the field has grown, so has its contribution to human disease. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) International, an advocacy organization established by non-scientists, began supporting research and convenings on these transporters, specifically ABCC6, the gene associated with PXE, 20 years ago. As a patient advocacy organization, we have spent more than 25 years creating a large research consortium, initiating, funding and conducting research. Years of basic modelling and vigorous hypothesis testing have resulted in some important advances leading to clinical trials. The synergy of basic scientists, lay advocates, clinicians and translational scientists has dramatically accelerated research on PXE and progress towards better and more effective treatments for PXE patients.
Harnessing Visible Representation to Mitigate Bias

Numerous attempts to improve diversity by way of changing the hearts of decision makers have fallen short of the desired outcome. One underappreciated factor that contributes to bias resides not in...
Flexible work arrangements and employee health: A meta-analytic review

Flexibility regarding where and when work is completed is becoming increasingly available to employees, especially following the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent shift in the nature of work. There is a plethora of research linking various flexible work arrangements (FWA) to a variety of positive outcomes across domains including reduced work–family conflict, better psychological health, and increased role satisfaction. While several studies have suggested that FWA are related to positive health, others have found no relationship between flexible work arrangements and health outcomes. To clarify these inconsistent findings, the current meta-analytic review (k = 33, n = 90,602) examines the relationship between flexible work arrangements available to employees and health behaviours and outcomes, specifically physical health, absenteeism, somatic symptoms, and physical activity. Results demonstrate that FWA are associated with better physical health, reduced absenteeism, and fewer somatic symptoms, suggesting that flexible work arrangements can facilitate employees in maintaining their health. There was no association between FWA and physical activity, though these results should be interpreted cautiously given the limited number of primary studies examining this relationship. These findings hold implications for future research and practice, including support for offering individualised flexible work arrangements as means of promoting employee health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Work & Stress is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Inertial Measurement Unit-Derived Ergonomic Metrics for Assessing Arm Use in Manual Wheelchair Users With Spinal Cord Injury: A Preliminary Report.

Background Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who use manual wheelchairs (MWCs) have a higher rate of rotator cuff pathology progression than able-bodied individuals. Objectives This study aimed to test the ability of risk and recovery metrics of arm use to differentiate between (1) MWC users with SCI and matched able-bodied participants (cross-sectional matched-sample study) and (2) MWC users with rotator cuff pathology progression over 1 year from those without pathology progression (longitudinal study). Methods Thirty-four MWC users and 34 age- and sex-matched able-bodied individuals were recruited. Upper arm risk (humeral elevation >60°) and recovery (static ≥5 seconds and humeral elevation Results The frequency of risk events (p = .019), summated duration of recovery events (p = .025), and duration of each recovery event (p = .003) were higher for MWC users than able-bodied participants. The summated duration of risk events (p = .047), frequency of risk events (p = .027), and risk to recovery ratio (p = .02) were higher and the summated duration of recovery events (p = .036) and frequency of recovery events (p = .047) were lower for MWC users with rotator cuff pathology progression (n = 5) compared to those without progression (n = 11). Conclusion IMU-derived metrics quantifying arm use at postures >60° and risk to recovery ratios may provide insights of potential risk factors for rotator cuff pathology progression.
Observing Freeze-Thaw Transitions Over Land Using Cygnss Measurements

Measuring freeze-thaw (F/T) changes over land plays a crucial role in various climate, ecological and hydrological processes. Active and passive microwave measurements of land surface have shown a potential to monitor land surface F/T conditions. Especially at L-band, the measurements have previously been shown to be effective in estimating soil freeze-thaw. In this work we plan to look at the GNSS-R reflections over land, captured by the CYGNSS observatories, for this purpose. Though CYGNSS constellation was initially developed for ocean surface roughness measurements, it has shown sensitivity to changes in soil moisture over land, thereby making it a potential candidate for observing freeze-thaw transitions as well. We plan to look for changes in signal SNR during Freeze-thaw transitions due to the changes in the dielectric property of the surface during those events and develop machine learning based empirical regression models to understand the relationship between F/T events and GNSS-R reflections.
Maximum Entropy Applications in Radar

Some radar signal processing applications of maximum entropy methods are reviewed, and radar problems amenable to these methods are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the problem of radar imaging. Radar imaging, in the interest of obtaining practically interesting resolutions, is coherent. The radar measurements bear a linear relationship to a complex object. As a result, regularization techniques such as MAXENT, as applied successfully in reconstruction of images of real non-negative objects, are not directly applicable. Some alternative MAXENT approaches to reconstruction of the magnitude of complex objects are presented.
Applications of Vacuum Arc Plasmas to Neuroscience

To understand how large systems of neurons communicate, we need to develop, among other things, methods for growing patterned networks of large numbers of neurons. Success with this challenge will be important to our understanding of how the brain works, as well as to the development of novel kinds of computer architecture that may parallel the organization of the brain. Large in vitro networks could show, for example, the emergence of stable patterns of activity and could lead to an understanding of how groups of neurons learn after repeated stimulation. We have investigated the use of metal ion implantation using a vacuum arc ion source, and plasma deposition with a filtered vacuum arc system, as a means of forming regions of selective neuronal attachment on surfaces. Lithographic masks created by treating surfaces with ion species that enhance or inhibit neuronal cell attachment allow subsequent proliferation and/or differentiation of the neurons to form desired patterns. Plasma deposition of optically transparent, electrically conducting, ultra-thin metal films can also be used to form electrodes for extra-cellular electrical stimulation of neurons. Substrates tested in our work were primarily glass microscope slides; some of the experiments made use of simple masks to form patterns of ion beam or plasma deposition treated regions. PC- 12 rat neurons were then cultured on the treated substrates coated with Type I Collagen, and the growth and differentiation was monitored. Particularly good results were obtained, for example, for the case of plasma deposition of carbon to form a diamond- like carbon film of thickness about one hundred Angstroms. Neuron proliferation and the elaboration of dendrites and axons after the addition of nerve growth factor both showed excellent contrast, with prolific growth and differentiation on the treated surfaces and very low growth on the untreated surfaces. Here we describe our preliminary investigations, and summarize the results to date.
Spin relaxation in n-type multivalley semiconductors

In this digest, we discuss a robust mechanism for electron spin relaxation in a broad range of materials, which have a substantial part of conduction electrons in different valleys that are not connected by time reversal (see Fig. 1 for examples). While the intervalley phonon scattering is important at relatively pure material and high temperature [1,2], we show that the intervalley scattering driven by donor impurities again is more significant than their intravalley counterpart. These leading-order spin flips are dictated by the crystal and band structure symmetry. Further, we find out the microscopic mechanism to be the spin-orbit interaction with the central cell region of the donors rather than due to the ions' long-range electric field, and associate the interaction strength with the fine spectrum of the donor states.
A Grading System for Iris Neovascularization: Prognostic Implications for Treatment

A retrospective study of 34 eyes of 30 patients who had neovascularization of the anterior segment and who received panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) and/or panretinal cryotherapy was performed. The eyes were all classified preoperatively and postoperatively as to the grade of neovascularization of the iris and the anterior chamber angle according to the system devised by Weiss and Gold. The grading system of Weiss and Gold was useful in predicting the response to treatment of iris neovascularization. Almost all eyes in angle grades 0 through 2 did well. Eyes with angle grade 3 had an intermediate response. Eyes in angle grade 4 almost uniformly did poorly. Eyes with iris neovascularization secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or hemiretinal branch vein occlusion (HBVO) had a more rapidly progressive disease than that of eyes with rubeosis secondary to diabetes alone. The patients with the most advanced rubeosis initially, however, were those diabetics with ischemic-type CRVO.
Progressive Volume Models for Rectilinear Data using Tetrahedral Coons Volumes

We present a new technique for modeling rectilinear volume data. The algorithm produces a trivariate model, F(x,y,z), which is piecewise defined over tetrahedra that fits the volume data to within a user specified tolerance. The technique is adaptive leading to an efficient model that is more complex where the data demands it. The novelty of the present technique is that a valid tetrahedrization is not required. Tetrahedral cells are subdivided as required by the error condition only. This type of cellular decomposition leads to a continuous model by the use of a tetrahedral Coons volume which has the ability to interpolate to arbitrary boundary data.
Control barrier function based quadratic programs with application to bipedal robotic walking

This paper presents a methodology for the development of control barrier functions (CBFs) through a backstepping inspired approach. Given a set defined as the superlevel set of a function, h, the main result is a constructive means for generating control barrier functions that guarantee forward invariance of this set. In particular, if the function defining the set has relative degree n, an iterative methodology utilizing higher order derivatives of h provably results in a control barrier function that can be explicitly derived. To demonstrate these formal results, they are applied in the context of bipedal robotic walking. Physical constraints, e.g., joint limits, are represented by control barrier functions and unified with control objectives expressed through control Lyapunov functions (CLFs) via quadratic program (QP) based controllers. The end result is the generation of stable walking satisfying physical realizability constraints for a model of the bipedal robot AMBER2.
AU-rich intronic elements affect pre-mRNA 5' splice site selection in Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract cis-spliced nuclear pre-mRNA introns found in a variety of organisms, including Tetrahymena thermophila, Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, and plants, are significantly richer in adenosine and uridine residues than their flanking exons are. The functional significance of this intronic AU richness, however, has been demonstrated only in plant nuclei. In these nuclei, 5' and 3' splice sites are selected in part by their positions relative to AU-rich elements spread throughout the length of an intron. Because of this position-dependent selection scheme, a 5' splice site at the normal (+1) exon-intron boundary having only three contiguous consensus nucleotides can compete effectively with an enhanced exonic site (-57E) having nine consensus nucleotides and outcompete an enhanced site (+106E) embedded within the AU-rich intron. To determine whether transitions from AU-poor exonic sequences to AU-rich intronic sequences influence 5' splice site selection in other organisms, alleles of the pea rbcS3A1 intron were expressed in Drosophila Schneider 2 cells, and their splicing patterns were compared with those in tobacco nuclei. We demonstrate that this heterologous transcript can be accurately spliced in transfected Drosophila nuclei and that a +1 G-to-A knockout mutation at the normal splice site activates the same three cryptic 5' splice sites as in tobacco. Enhancement of the exonic (-57) and intronic (+106) sites to consensus splice sites indicates that potential splice sites located in the upstream exon or at the 5' exon-intron boundary are preferred in Drosophila cells over those embedded within AU-rich intronic sequences. In contrast to tobacco, in which the activities of two competing 5' splice sites upstream of the AU-rich intron are modulated by their proximity to the AU transition point, D. melanogaster utilizes the upstream site which has a higher proportion of consensus nucleotides. The enhanced version of the cryptic intronic site is efficiently selected in D. melanogaster when the normal +1 site is weakened or discrete AU-rich elements upstream of the +106E site are disrupted. Selection of this internal site in tobacco requires more drastic disruption of these motifs. We conclude that 5' splice site selection in Drosophila nuclei is influenced by the intrinsic strengths of competing sites and by the presence of AU-rich intronic elements but to a different extent than in tobacco.
INTEGUMENTAL LESIONS CAUSED BY ECTOPARASITES IN A WILD POPULATION OF THE SIDE-BLOTCHED LIZARD (UTA STANSBURIANA)

Histopathological effects of ectoparasites on integument were examined for a wild population of the side-blotched lizard Uta stansburiana. These included the trombiculid Neotrombicula californica, the pterygosomatid mite Geckobiella texana; the macronyssid mite Ophionyssus natricis (Macronyssidae) and the ixodid tick Ixodes pacificus. A diffuse inflammatory response occurred at the site of chigger and tick attachment which consisted of histiocyte, heterophil, fibroblast and lymphocyte infiltration that often extended into the dermis. Granuloma formation also was noted. The most prevalent parasite was N. californica which frequently occurred in large aggregations above the eyelids. Ectoparasites were most abundant from February through April.
Separate Photosensory Pathways Co-Regulate Blue Light/Ultraviolet-A-Activated psbD-psbC Transcription and Light-Induced D2 and CP43 Degradation in Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Chloroplasts

We studied the effects of spectral quality and fluence on the expression of several chloroplast-encoded photosynthesis genes and on the stability of their protein products in barley (Hordeum vulgare). During light-dependent chloroplast maturation, mRNA levels for psbD-psbC and psbA were maintained at higher levels compared with mRNAs encoding proteins for other photosynthesis functions (atpB, rbcL). Maintenance of psbD-psbC mRNA levels was accounted for by differential activation of the psbD-psbC light-responsive promoter by high-irradiance blue light and, secondarily, ultraviolet A (UV-A) radiation. Promoter activation was fluence dependent and required continuous illumination for 2 h at threshold fluences of 1.3 (blue light), 7.5 (white light), or 10 (UV-A) mumol m-2 s-1. From immunoblot analysis experiments, we showed that the psbD-psbC gene products D2 and CP43 undergo light-mediated turnover similar to light-labile D1. Other photosynthesis proteins such as the beta subunit of ATP synthase and the large subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase were relatively stable. In the absence of protein synthesis, D2 degradation paralleled the degradation of D1 (relative half-lives, 9.5-10 h). CP43 decay was about half of D2 and D1 decay. In contrast with activation of the light-responsive promoter, the fluence-dependent degradation of D1, D2, and CP43 required 50- to 100-fold higher fluences of photosynthetically active white, red, blue, or UV-A irradiation. We interpret the different fluence and wavelength requirements to indicate that separate photosensory systems regulate activation of psbD-psbC transcription and turnover of D1, D2, and CP43. We propose that a blue light/UV-A photosensory pathway activates the psbD-psbC light-responsive promoter, differentially maintaining the capacity of mature chloroplasts to synthesize D2 and CP43, which are damaged and turned over in illuminated plants.
Genomic representation of the Hind II 1.9 kb repeated DNA

The genomic representation and organization of sequences homologous to a cloned Hind III 1.9 kb repeated DNA fragment were studied. Approximately 80% of homologous repeated DNA was contained in a genomic Hind III cleavage band of 1.9 kb. Double digestion studies indicated that the genomic family, in the majority, followed the arrangement of the sequenced clone, with minor restriction cleavage variations compatible with a few base changes. Common restriction sites external to the 1.9 kb sequence were mapped, and hybridization of segments of the cloned sequence indicated the 1.9 kb DNA was itself not tandemly repeated. Kpn I bands which were homologous to the sequence contained specific regions of the repeat, and the molecular weight of these larger fragments could be simply explained. Mapping of common external restriction sites indicated that in some but not all cases the repeat could be organized in larger defined blocks of greater than or equal to 5.5 kb. In some instances, flanking regions adjacent to the repeat may contain common DNA elements such as other repeated DNA sequences, or possibly rearranged segments of the 1.9 kb sequence. It is suggested that although the 1.9 kb sequence is not strictly contiguous, at least some of these repeated sequences in the human genome are arranged in clustered or intercalary arrays. A region of the 1.9 kb sequence hybridized to a mouse repeated DNA, indicating homology beyond the primates.
Applications of lasers to imaging of distant objects

The problem of imaging distant objects through atmospherically-induced aberrations has attracted considerable attention is recent years. Such imaging often requires active laser illumination for two reasons: the received signal must be enhanced, and specific spatial and temporal coherence properties are required to obtain an image. Many different active illumination techniques are available: these include Doppler, range, and angle-angle imaging, as well as techniques from stellar speckle interferometry and holography. The various techniques are compared in terms of illuminator power and waveform requirements.
A linguistic based preliminary procedure for qualitative polymer process design

Abstract A new methodology for polymer process qualitative design in the conceptual or preliminary engineering phase is presented. This method relies on fuzzy theories in order to investigate the effect of fuzzy-type uncertainty on both single and multiple output performance parameters, such as desired material properties, resulting from the polymer processing through the use of language computations. The proposed linguistic design of experiments involves a three-stage procedure comprising linguistic fuzzification, inference and defuzzification. For illustration, the implementation procedure is detailed through the study of a compression molding process in the presence of vagueness. The proposed method is expected to enhance the quality of the polymer processing and also to save both time and cost during the course of the process development.
Structure of nonpremixed reaction zones in numerical isotropic turbulence

Results from direct numerical simulation of low heat release, turbulent nonpremixed reacting flows modeled using single-step reactions with constant and temperature-dependent rate laws are discussed, and compared with laminar predictions. The mixture fraction and its dissipation rate are statistically independent in regions of intense reaction, partially supporting a commonly made assumption in flamelet-based models. In the presence of a finite rate reverse reaction, the reaction zone spans the entire range of mixture fraction. The joint pdf of the reactive scalars evolves to an equilibrium that is dictated by a balance between the reactive and mixing fluxes in composition space. When the temperature-dependent rate law is implemented, strain-induced extinction is observed for a Zel'dovich (modified) number of 10. As the ratio of local flow to chemical time scale is decreased below unity, a larger fraction of the flow field experiences this mode of extinction. The critical turbulent scalar dissipation rate is compared with laminar values and asymptotic predictions.
Interference with major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted antigen presentation in the brain by herpes simplex virus type 1: a possible mechanism of evasion of the immune response.

Abstract Host survival of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection depends on the establishment of latent infections in both peripheral and central nervous systems. Strains of HSV-1 that are successful in escaping the immune response produce a lethal infection. We now report a possible mechanism of immune response evasion used by HSV-1. After intraocular inoculation of mice, HSV-1 strain F established a latent infection in the brain, whereas strain KOS did not. The immune response to HSV-1 infection (strains KOS and F) in the brain was characterized by induction of major histocompatibility complex class II expression and recruitment of CD4+ and CD8+ cells to highly restricted sites of intracerebral viral infection. Major histocompatibility complex class II antigen expression was primarily intracellular in strain KOS infection centers and at the cell surface in strain F infection centers. We propose that major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted viral-antigen presentation to T cells is interrupted during strain KOS infections, thereby allowing KOS infection to evade T-cell-mediated events that would normally protect the host from a lethal infection. Immunocompromised mice (athymic or irradiate mice) could not survive strain F infections; however, latent F infections were established in irradiated mice reconstituted with naive lymph node and spleen cells. These data suggest that class II-restricted presentation of viral antigens is required for the control of HSV-1 infections in the nervous system.
Pica, iron deficiency, and the medical history

We describe two new forms of pica associated with iron deficiency and a new variant of a third. Previous reports on pica are tabulated. The value of a sympathetic, nonjudgmental approach to eliciting the medical history is emphasized.
Egalitarian Liberalism and Justice in Education

Though dominant in political philosophy, and highly influential in other normative disciplines such as law and medical ethics, the egalitarian liberal theory of justice has been neglected by education scholars. Harry Brighouse argues that egalitarian liberalism is committed to two principles of educational justice - the principles of autonomy and of educational equality. He explores what these principles mean, and shows they conflict with some widely held educational dogmas. He goes on to reveal why it is difficult to evaluate existing policies and practices in the light of justice, but attempts to overcome these difficulties in his discussions of selective schooling, faith schools and parental choice.
Efficacy of static magnetic field therapy in chronic pelvic pain: a double-blind pilot study.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of static magnetic field therapy for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) by measuring changes in pain relief and disability. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-two patients with CPP completed 2 weeks and 19 patients completed 4 weeks of randomized double-blind placebo-controlled treatment at a gynecology clinic. Active (500 G) or placebo magnets were applied to abdominal trigger points for 24 hour per day. The McGill Pain Questionnaire, Pain Disability Index, and Clinical Global Impressions Scale were outcome measures. RESULTS: Patients receiving active magnets who completed 4 weeks of double-blind treatment had significantly lower Pain Disability Index ( P P P P CONCLUSION: SMF therapy significantly improves disability and may reduce pain when active magnets are worn continuously for 4 weeks in patients with CPP, but blinding efficacy is compromised. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:1581-7.)
Borderline mucinous cystic ovarian tumor with mural nodules (carcinosarcoma)

Carcinosarcoma mural nodules arising form a mucinous ovarian neoplasm is very rare and only two published cases have been reported. We report a case of a 29-year-old female patient who suffered from severe lower abdominal pain unrelated to menstruation for 1 year. She came to our (Shin-Kong Hospital) gynecology outpatient department in February 2010. The CT scan revealed a large cystic tumor, measuring approximately 36 cm in greatest dimension and at least 2 solid foci were noted. The patient underwent left salpingo-oophorectomy. A carcinosarcoma mural nodule arising within a mucinous ovarian neoplasm was diagnosed. The patient was treated by further chemotherapy and was free of the disease at time of publication. We reviewed the published studies, and in particular looked at the histology and immunohistochemistry of tumors, in which sarcomatoid carcinoma and carcinosarcoma like nodules were diagnosed. We also discussed the differential diagnosis of the mural nodule in a mucinous cystic neoplasm.
The formation and origin of the IRAS zodiacal dust bands as a consequence of single collisions between asteroids

Debris fom the single collisions between asteroids that are presently suggested as an explanation for zodiacal dust bands discovered by IRAS is distributed about the plane of the ecliptic, as particles undergo differential precession of their ascending nodes because of their semimajor axes' dispersion. On time scales of 100,000 to 1,000,000 yr, two bands are formed on each side of the ecliptic for each collision; the IRAS band pairs are probably due to collisions of aproximately 15-km diameter asteroids which occurred within the last several million yr. The model presented suggests that asteroid collisions suffice as a basis for most of the observed zodiacal emission.
Psychologists' Involvement with Terminally Ill Individuals Who are Making End-of-Life Decisions

Psychologists and other mental health professionals have much to offer when terminally ill individuals are considering and making choices near the end of life. This article highlights ways in which psychologists can assist dying people and their loved ones, with an emphasis on facilitating end-of-life decision making through psychological assessment and intervention. In addition, the authors discuss the importance of professional competence and awareness of the psychologist's own biases when providing services to dying people and their loved ones.
Genomic technologies in leukemia and lymphoma: a review series.

The identification and molecular characterization of critical oncogenes and tumor suppressor pathways has dramatically improved our understanding of the molecular basis of leukemias and lymphomas over the last two decades. Most notably, as the number of functional and structural interactions involved in the transformation of hematopoietic progenitors increases we have started to appreciate the interrelationship between different oncogenic lesions leading to the construction of increasingly complex models that represent our current understanding of the molecular circuitry governing cell growth, proliferation and survival in the malignant clone. In this context, the complete sequencing of the human genome represents the most critical step forward towards the elucidation of the molecular networks that control the multistep process of oncogenic transformation in leukemia and lymphoma cells. Instrumentally, the complete sequencing of the human genome has led to the development of high-throughput technologies for the global analysis of gene expression, and protein–protein and protein–DNA interactions. Genome-wide approaches provide a more inclusive view of the molecular circuitries governing the proliferation and survival of malignant cells. As a result, we have gradually changed the framework in which we interpret our experimental data, forcing us to consider the role of each gene in the context of increasingly larger and more complex genetic networks.
APPLICATION OF THE BRUNAUER- EMMETT-TELLER ISOTHERM TO THE WATER-NITRIC ACID SYSTEM FOR THE DETERMINATION OF MEAN IONIC ACTIVITY COEFFICIENTS

The application of the BET model to determine ionic activity coefficients of the aqueous nitric acid system is investigated. BET parameters are determined from published data and the model is applied to predict activity coefficients up to very high concentrations. It is shown that the BET model can be used on systems where the reference state is not a regular solid crystal and which exhibit strong hydrogen bonding. Additionally, it is demonstrated that the BET model shows a good potential for application at concentrations an order of magnitude higher than previously investigated. It is revealed that the most important parameter in the BET model at very high concentrations is the choice of a reference state. The focus of this ongoing study is outlined.
Observations and comments on the thermal behavior of 7-silanorbornadienes

Abstract Evidence for a radical mechanism in the thermal decomposition of a 7-silanorbornadiene is presented. It is demonstrated that 2-car☐y-7-silanorbornadienes undergo a formal 1, 5-migration of silicon to form O -silyl enol ethers. An earlier suggested rearrangement of a 7-silanorbornadiene to a silepin or silanorcaradiene is excluded. A recent report of thermal and photochemical epimerization of 7-silanorbornadienes is shown to be incorrect.
Providing Economics Content for the 21st Century BSW Student

Abstract A social issues-related economics course is more crucial than ever for baccalaureate social work students. Understanding the economic system and its relationship to poverty, health care, crime, and other social issues can empower BSW students to more effectively assist and advocate for their clients. This article (1) examines the rationale for including an economics “topics” course in the BSW curriculum, (2) suggests a relevant economics course and describes several content areas within such a course that specifically relate to the educational needs of BSW students, and (3) illustrates ways in which an undergraduate social welfare course utilizes and benefits from students' increased knowledge of economics.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering by pyridine on a copper electrode

Donnees sur la diffusion Raman sur des electrodes polycristallines de cuivre, immergees dans du KCl 0,1M contenant de la pyridine 0,05M et comparaison de la relation entre le spectre et le potentiel avec les donnees obtenues dans le cas d'electrodes d'argent
A Higgs conundrum with vector fermions

Many models of beyond the standard model physics involve heavy colored fermions. We study models where the new fermions have vector interactions and examine the connection between electroweak precision measurements and Higgs production. In particular, for parameters that are allowed by precision measurements, we show that the gluon fusion Higgs cross section and the Higgs decay branching ratios must be close to those predicted by the standard model. The models we discuss thus represent scenarios with new physics that will be extremely difficult to distinguish from the minimal standard model. We pay particular attention to the decoupling properties of the vector fermions.
SPAR: a security- and power-aware routing protocol for wireless ad hoc and sensor networks

Wireless Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks (WAHSNs) are vulnerable to extensive attacks as well as severe resource constraints. To fulfill the security needs, many security enhancements have been proposed. Like wise, from resource constraint perspective, many power aware schemes have been proposed to save the battery power. However, we observe that for the severely resource limited and extremely vulnerable WAHSNs, taking security or power (or any other resource) alone into consideration for protocol design is rather inadequate toward the truly "secure-and-useful" WAHSNs. For example, from resource constraint perspective, we identify one of the potential problems, the Security-Capable-Congestion (SCC) behavior, for the WAHSNs routing protocols where only the security are concerned. On the other hand, the design approach where only scarce resource is concerned, such as many power-aware WAHSNs protocols, leaves security unconsidered and is undesirable to many WAHSNs application scenarios. Motivated by these observations, we propose a co-design approach, where both the high security and effective resource consumption are targeted for WAHSNs protocol design. Specifically, we propose a novel routing protocol, Security- and Power- Aware Routing (SPAR) protocol based on this co-design approach. In SPAR, the routing decisions are made based on both security and power as routing criteria. The idea of the SPAR mechanism is routing protocol independent and therefore can be broadly integrated into any of the existing WAHSNs routing protocols. The simulation results show that SPAR outperforms the WAHSNs routing protocols where security or power alone is considered, significantly. This research finding demonstrates the proposed security- and resource- aware co-design approach is promising towards the truly "secure-and-useful" WAHSNs.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A numerical model of the Uranian dust rings

The present numerical simulations of the Uranian rings discovered by Voyager 2 indicate that they may be the visible component of low optical depth moonlet belts made up of 10 to 100,000 cm objects; these objects would serve as the sources of dust, via both micrometeoroid bombardment and the collisional release of ejecta. It is proposed that the dust bands are generated by continuous ejection and reabsorption of micron-scale regolith material within the hypothesized moolet belts, and it is noted that numerical simulations of such a system in a Markov-chain formalism can reproduce Uranian dust ring characteristics.
Par-4, a proapoptotic gene, is regulated by NSAIDs in human colon carcinoma cells.

Abstract Background & Aims: Many reports indicate that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have antineoplastic effects, but the precise molecular mechanism(s) responsible are unclear. We evaluated the effect of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors (NSAIDs) on human colon carcinoma cells (HCA-7) and identified several genes that are regulated after treatment with NS-398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor. Methods: Differential display polymerase chain reaction cloning techniques were used to identify genes regulated by treatment with NSAIDs and selective COX-2 inhibitors. Results: A prostate apoptosis response 4 (Par-4) gene was up-regulated after NSAID treatment. Par-4 was first isolated from prostate carcinoma cells undergoing apoptosis, and expression of Par-4 sensitized cancer cells to apoptotic stimuli. Par-4 levels were increased in cells treated with COX inhibitors such as NS-398, nimesulide, SC-58125, and sulindac sulfide. Treatment of HCA-7 cells with these agents also induced apoptotic cell death. Conclusions: The results suggest that regulation of Par-4 contributes to the proapoptotic effects of high-dose COX inhibitors (NSAIDs) by serving as a downstream mediator leading to initiation of programmed cell death. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2000;118:1012-1017