cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Picture Communication Symbols on the Verbal Comprehension of Commands by Young Children With Autism

The diagnosis of autism, although a source of discussion and occasional controversy, has consistently included poor communication as an essential component. Both the text revision of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) and the 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (World Health Organization, 1993) cite qualitative impairments in communication as central diagnostic criteria. Some researchers have even indicated that the communication deficits associated With the disability of autism are its most significant deficit (Rutter & Schopler, 1988).
Lattice calculation of I = 2 pion scattering length

We present results for the I=2 pion scattering length calculated using staggered fermions in the quenched approximation. The calculation uses the finite volume dependence of the energy of a two pion state. We find good agreement with current algebra predictions for scattering of Goldstone pions, and reasonable agreement for the non-Goldstine pions.
Reasons With Rationalism After All

Reason: New Essays on the Philosophy of Normativity, ed. Simon Robertson. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Bratman, M.E. Forthcoming b. Intention, Practical Rationality, and Self-Governance. Ethics. Broome, J. 2005. Have we reason to do as rationality requires? — a comment on Raz. Journal of Ethics and Social Philosophy, Symposium 1. Harman, G. 1999. ‘Practical Reasoning’. Reprinted in Reasoning, Meaning, and Mind, 46–74. Oxford University Press. Paul, S. (forthcoming). Intention, belief, and wishful thinking: Setiya on ‘practical knowledge’. Ethics. Raz, J. 1999. When we are ourselves: the active and the passive. In Engaging Reason, 5–21. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Setiya, K. 2007a. Reasons Without Rationalism, Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press. Setiya, K. 2007b. Cognitivism about instrumental reason. Ethics 117: 649–73. Setiya, K. 2008. Practical knowledge. Ethics 118: 388–409. Smith, M. 1987. The humean theory of motivation. Mind 96: 36–61. Stocker, M. 1979. Desiring the bad. Journal of Philosophy 76: 738–53. Velleman, J.D. 1989. Practical Reflection. Princeton: Princeton University Press (reissued by CSLI Publications, Stanford, California in 2007). Velleman, J.D. 2000. The Possibility of Practical Reason. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Watson, G. 1975. Free agency. Journal of Philosophy 72: 205–20. Williams, B. 1995. Replies. In World, Mind and Ethics, eds J. Altham and R. Harrison, 185–224. Cambridge University Press.
Primzahlen, Teilersummen und die Riemannsche Vermutung

Wir betrachten die Arbeiten von Robin und Lagarias zum Wachstum der Teilersummenfunktion. Diese enthalten eine uberraschend einfache Formulierung der Riemannschen Vermutung. Wir erlautern wichtige grundlegende Ideen, insbesondere den Zusammenhang zwischen der Lage der Nullstellen der Riemannschen Zetafunktion und der Primzahlfunktion \(\pi(x)\).
The structure of the decamethylborocenium cation: the most tightly-squeezed metallocene?

X-Ray crystallographic analysis along with DFT calculations on the decamethylborocenium cation provide definitive structural and electronic information about this most tightly-squeezed main group metallocene—the first to adopt the elusive σ/π geometry in the solid state.
The Drosophila Clock Gene double-time Encodes a Protein Closely Related to Human Casein Kinase Iε

L) the period of the Summary behavioral rhythm, and each mutation has period-altering effects on molecular oscillations of PER and TIM The cloning of double-time (dbt) is reported. DOUthat are correlated with the mutant behavioral rhythms. BLETIME protein (DBT) is most closely related to hu- A third, P-element-induced mutation (dbt P ) is associated man casein kinase Ie. dbt S and dbt L mutations, which with pupal lethality but blocks circadian molecular alter period length of Drosophila circadian rhythms, rhythms of per and tim gene products in pacemaker produce single amino acid changes in conserved re- cells of the larval brain. Therefore, dbt is an essential gions of the predicted kinase. dbt P mutants, which component of the Drosophila clock (Price et al., 1998). eliminate rhythms of per and tim expression and con- In both short- and long-period dbt mutants, the kinetics stitutively overproduce hypophosphorylated PER pro- of PER protein phosphorylation and degradation are teins, abolish most dbt expression. dbt mRNA appears altered, and dbt P mutants constitutively produce unusuto be expressed in the same cell types as are per ally high levels of a hypophosphorylated PER protein. and tim and shows no evident oscillation in wild-type In contrast to wild-type larvae, PER protein accumulaheads. DBT is capable of binding to PER in vitro and tion in dbt P larvae is not dependent on accumulation in Drosophila cells, suggesting that a physical associa- of TIM. All of these observations suggested that DBT tion of PER and DBT regulates PER phosphorylation regulates circadian rhythmicity through effects on stabiland accumulation in vivo.
496 CYSTIC FIBROSIS CAMP: AN EDUCATIONAL MODEL FOR A HEALTH CARE TEAM

We believe that a camping experience is an ideal instructional model for the team concept of health care delivery. During our two week stay at a regular children's camp with 17 children with cystic fibrosis (CF), the team consisted of physicians, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, pediatric residents and interns, physical therapists, and CF parents. The first benefit was the opportunity to live with chronically ill children and to understand the ramifications of providing all aspects of their care twenty-four hours each day. Each professional gained an enriched understanding of the demands placed on patient and parent in terms of time and of the emotional and physical stresses of complying with prescribed and extensive regimens of home treatment. The second benefit was that information and expertise were exchanged over a long period, allowing for a depth of interchange between disciplines not usually possible in a hospital setting. This was a particularly valued dividend for the pediatric interns and residents as well as for the pharmacy and dietetic residents included All members of the team realized the value of expanding the groups dimensions to include child psychologists and play therapists. Finally, since the group included a number of CF parents, the health team had the experience of seeing their directions and advice applied by nonprofessionals. As a consequence all members of the team realized anew the importance of communication between the team, the parents, and the CF children.
Buccal mucosal urethroplasty in patients who had multiple previous procedures.

Abstract Objectives To review the success rate of ventral onlay buccal mucosal grafts for anterior bulbar urethroplasty in patients who had undergone multiple procedures before repair. Methods We performed a retrospective review of one surgeon’s experience performing 58 consecutive buccal mucosal urethroplasties on 57 patients from September 1999 to September 2004. The cause of the anterior urethral stricture was unknown in 33, trauma in 20, and urethritis in 4. Most of these patients had undergone multiple procedures before urethroplasty. An American Urological Association symptom score questionnaire was sent to all patients. Results The average patient age was 40.7 years (range 17 to 72). The average follow-up was 29.6 months (range 6 to 66). Of the 57 patients, 48 responded to the American Urological Association questionnaire (84%), and the average symptom and bother score was 4.8 and 1.3, respectively. Three patients had treatment failure, for a 94% success rate. Conclusions The results of this study confirm the efficacy of buccal mucosal urethroplasty for anterior urethral strictures, especially in a tertiary referral setting in which a number of our patients had undergone repeat endoscopic procedures and multiple urethral dilations.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Pigmentary Disorders in Asian Skin

Individuals of Asian heritage are predisposed to congenital and acquired pigmentary disorders. Cosmetic enhancement is frequently the primary treatment goal for these benign lesions. Accurate diagnosis of the nature of the pigmentary disorder is fundamental for administering safe and effective therapy. Before the advent of modern laser technology, such reported treatments as cryotherapy, dermabrasion, chemical peeling, and surgical excision resulted in unpredictable results. This article focuses on the diagnosis of disorders of pigmentation in Asian patients and reviews laser and light treatment modalities.
Throughput Scaling of Uplink SDMA with Limited Feedback

In a multi-antenna system with a large number of users, combining space division multiple access (SDMA) and scheduling achieves high throughput. The implementation of joint SDMA and scheduling requires limited feedback of channel sate information (CSI) from users to a base station. In this paper, an uplink SDMA system with limited feedback and a large number of users is considered. The scaling of uplink throughput with different system parameters is analyzed. These parameters include the numbers of users, feedback bits and antennas. Our results provide guidelines for designing uplink SDMA to achieve optimum throughput scaling. For instance, in the high SNR regime, scheduling should select users with small CSI quantization error.
Chondroitin Sulfatases in Oral Bacteria

A possible function of bacteria in the etiology of periodontal disease may involve production of mucopolysaccharidases. The gel phase of ground substance of connective tissue contains acid mucopolysaccharides including chondroitin and chondroitin sulfates A, B, and C. These substrates, especially chondroitin sulfates, may be attacked by mucopolysaccharidases. By attacking the intercellular cementing substances of tissue, these enzymes could be a factor in the inflammation and destruction of the gingiva; they could increase tissue permeability to toxic substances in the oral cavity or destroy connective tissue. Several investigators have demonstrated the presence of such enzymes among a small number of poorly classified bacterial strains isolated from the oral cavity (PEPPER ET AL, J Dent Res 37:623, 1958; SCHULTZ-HAUDT ET AL, J Dent Res 33:624, 1954; SCHULTZ-HAUDT ET AL, J Dent Res 35:299, 1956.) The purpose of this study was to investigate more carefully the correlation between oral bacteria implicated in the production of periodontal disease and their ability to produce chondroitin sulfatase. Twenty bacterial strains were chosen. Eighteen were considered representative of the human oral microflora. Of these, 13 (Streptococcus mutans, strains BHT, 6715, 134, GS-5, FA-1, 20, HS-6; S faecalis, strains 547, 539; S sanguis, strain ATCC 10556, Actinomyces viscous, strain ATCC 74187, and Actinomyces spp strains I, J) have been implicated in formation of dental plaque, induction of periodontal disease, or etiology of dental caries. Three oral staphylococci were included (Staphylococcus aureus, strains HL-1, HL-2 and Staph epidermidis). Two strains of Proteus vulgaris, strain ATCC 6896 which produces chondroitin sulfatase and strain ATCC 13315 which does not produce the enzyme, were chosen to verify the methods of enzyme preparation and assay. The other oral strains were Actinomyces naeslundii, ATCC 12104 and Rothia dentocariosa, ATCC 14191. All strains were grown in appropriate media of minimal carbohydrate content with 0.1% chondroitin sulfate added as an enzyme inducer. Cells were separated by centrifugation at 37,000 X g and washed in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.2), then resuspended in buffer and broken by homogenization with plastic beads. The broken cells were separated from the beads by passing
Amalgamating Oncolytic Viruses to Enhance Their Safety, Consolidate Their Killing Mechanisms, and Accelerate Their Spread

Oncolytic viruses are structurally and biologically diverse, spreading through tumors and killing them by various mechanisms and with different kinetics. Here, we created a hybrid vesicular stomatitis/measles virus (VSV/MV) that harnesses the safety of oncolytic MV, the speed of VSV, and the tumor killing mechanisms of both viruses. Oncolytic MV targets CD46 and kills by forcing infected cells to fuse with uninfected neighbors, but propagates slowly. VSV spreads rapidly, directly lysing tumor cells, but is neurotoxic and loses oncolytic potency when neuroattenuated by conventional approaches. The hybrid VSV/MV lacks neurotoxicity, replicates rapidly with VSV kinetics, and selectively targets CD46 on tumor cells. Its in vivo performance in a myeloma xenograft model was substantially superior to either MV or widely used recombinant oncolytic VSV-M51.
Long-term changes in striatal D1 dopamine receptor distribution after dopaminergic deafferentation.

Abstract The morphochemical disposition of the adenylate cyclase-linked dopamine receptor (D 1 type) in the rat striatum has been assessed at various time points after a neurotoxic lesion of the dopaminergic afferent pathway to the caudate nucleus. D 1 receptor binding sites in the caudate nucleus were determined by in vitro autoradiography of the substituted benzazepine D 1 antagonists, [ 3 H]SCH 23390 or [ 125 I]SCH 23982, and contrasted to the pattern of striatal immunohistochemical reactivity of the second messenger compound, cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate. The results demonstrate that the specific association of this dopamine receptor type with cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate-stained neurons is abolished at 7 days following chemical interruption of the nigrostriatal pathway, and the receptor disruption is persistent for durations as long as 20 weeks. This investigation suggests that once the postsynaptic receptor pathology is produced by deafferentation, it does not recover the selective morphochemical relationship normally established with the target cell containing the second messenger. This is in contrast to modest biochemical recuperation in D 1 dopamine receptor binding seen using this experimental paradigm. This change in D 1 dopamine receptor morphochemistry is discussed in relation to the neurochemical deficits produced by dopaminergic denervation and in Parkinson's disease.
Back to Fundamentals for a Successful Lean Six Sigma Enterprise Transformation: An Introduction to Jet Special Issue on Case Studies of Lean Enterprise Transformation

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has been implemented repeatedly in various industries and forms (Pepper and Spedding, 2010). Not all implementations are successful and sustainable, but a majority of them brin...
SU-GG-J-21: Direct Investigation of Geometric Coincidence among Calypso System, Onboard KV Imaging, and MV Treatment Beam Imaging

Purpose: The Calypso 4D localization system and onboard kV imaging systems have been developed and applied clinically to improve accuracy of tumor localization for radiation therapy, particularly for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy(SBRT). However, the accuracy of the treatment and the dose delivery depends on the coincidence of both the treatment beam and localization systems. These are calibrated separately, and nominally to the room lasers which have additional sources of uncertainty. The purpose of this study is to investigate a direct method for determining the geometric accuracy and coincidence of treatment beam and localization systems. Method and Materials: A CIRS prostate phantom with three Calypso Beacons was imaged by both MV and kV beams at a series of gantry angles on a Synergy accelerator while the Beacon positions were simultaneously tracked using the Calypso system. A kV cone‐beam CT(CBCT) scan was also performed to locate the Beacons. Beacons were automatically detected on kV and MV projection images using in‐house software and their 3D positions were calculated from MV orthogonal pairs (MV‐pair), kV orthogonal pairs (kV‐pair), and CBCT scans, and then compared with Calypso. A special geometric QA procedure was developed to assess geometric accuracy of MV and kV imaging systems at every gantry angle. Geometric parameter deviations, particularly detector center offsets, were applied to correct the 3D position calculations. Results: Systematic differences among Calypso, kV‐pair, kV CBCT, and MV‐pair results were observed. Using geometric QA corrected MV‐pair results as treatment positions, averaged deviation of Calypso results is 1.1 mm. Deviations from MV‐pair, kV‐pair, and CBCT results drop from 1.7 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.0 mm to 0, 0.1 mm, and 0.2 mm, respectively, after geometric QA correction. Conclusion: Systematic deviations among Calypso, kV pairs, kV CBCT, and MV results were directly and quantitatively evaluated with a geometric QA.
On combining dose—response data from epidemiological studies by meta-analysis

Using data from a meta-analysis of the effects of oestrogen replacement therapy on the development of breast cancer, we compared alternative methods for combining dose-response slopes from epidemiological studies. We evaluated issues related both to summarizing data from single studies and to combining results from multiple studies. Findings related to the analysis of individual dose-response studies include: (1) a method of weighing studies that gives greater influence to dose-response slopes that conform to the linear relation of relative risk to duration can lead to large differences in calculated weights as a function of non-linearity; (2) a regression model using a variable-intercept resulted in a mean dose-response slope that increased as much as threefold when compared with the values obtained with a zero-intercept model. When combining results from multiple studies, we found: (1) calculating standard errors of mean dose-response slopes by methods that allow for both among-study and within-study variability (a random-effects type model) gave values different from a method that assumes homogeneity and equal within-study precision (a fixed-effects model); (2) the random-effects model gives mean and standard error results most similar to a bootstrap resampling method as increasing heterogeneity is observed (however, this model could give biased mean estimates compared with the bootstrap method); (3) a components-of-variance model compares favourably with the bootstrap and is easier to apply than the random-effects model. Based on these findings, we recommend the use of methods which incorporate heterogeneity to guard against underestimating the standard error. However, caution is urged because bias in point estimates can occur if extreme heterogeneity is present. Two other observations affect the interpretation of data combined from multiple studies. First, inclusion into a model of quality scores assigned by blinded reviewers had little effect on the mean dose-response slope and its standard error. Second, the number of studies required to achieve desired statistical power, varies with effect size.
Assemblin homolog of herpes simplex virus type 1 retains proteolytic activity when expressed as a recombinant two-chain enzyme.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV) maturational proteinase is synthesized as a precursor that undergoes two autoproteolytic cleavages; one at its (M)aturational site, which eliminates its carboxyl ‘‘tail,’’ and a second at its (R)elease site, which separates the amino proteolytic half of the precursor from its nonproteolytic carboxyl half. In cytomegalovirus (CMV) the proteolytic half of the precursor, called assemblin, undergoes a third cleavage at an (I)nternal site that converts it from a single-chain to a two-chain enzyme that retains activity. The HSV assemblin homolog has no I site and therefore does not form a counterpart two-chain enzyme. In the work reported here we have cloned and expressed HSV sequences that encode mimics of the An and Ac subunits of two-chain CMV assemblin. We show that when these HSV sequences are coexpressed in eukaryotic cells, the resulting subunits associate spontaneously to form an active two-chain enzyme. We also show that the two-chain HSV enzyme, like the natural one-chain form, retains its marked preference for HSV over CMV substrates, and that intertypic recombinant two-chain assemblin (e.g., HSV An/CMV Ac) does not form because the cross-species subunits do not interact. We conclude from these results that (i) there are not intrinsic structural differences in the HSV assemblin homolog that preclude its functioning as a CMV-like two-chain enzyme, (ii) the substrate selectivity shown by the single-chain HSV enzyme was not noticeably relaxed in the HSV two-chain mimic, and (iii) the interactive domains, through which the An and Ac portions of the single-chain enzymes associate, differ between HSV and CMV. q 1997 Academic Press
Transient Behavior in Transformer Oils: Prebreakdown and Breakdown Phenomena

A quantitative correlation between streamer velocities and impulse breakdown voltages has been established for point-plane geometries. We have extended these studies to less divergent fields (rod-plane) where we have identified two regions for impulse breakdown in liquids, oneiationinitiation-Inintrolled and a second controlled by streamer propagation rate. Which controls breakdown is determined by electrode geometry (field divergence), liquid composition, and wave shape. The influence of these parameters has been determined and a general model for the prediction of impulse breakdown voltage is proposed.
Developing and evaluating a machine learning based algorithm to predict the need of pediatric intensive care unit transfer for newly hospitalized children

a b s t r a c t Background: Early warning scores (EWS) are designed to identify early clinical deterioration by combining physiologic and/or laboratory measures to generate a quantified score. Current EWS leverage only a small fraction of Electronic Health Record (EHR) content. The planned widespread implementation of EHRs brings the promise of abundant data resources for prediction purposes. The three specific aims of our research are: (1) to develop an EHR-based automated algorithm to predict the need for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) transfer in the first 24 h of admission; (2) to evaluate the performance of the new algorithm on a held-out test data set; and (3) to compare the effectiveness of the new algorithm's with those of two published Pediatric Early Warning Scores (PEWS). Methods: The cases were comprised of 526 encounters with 24-h Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) transfer. In addition to the cases, we randomly selected 6772 control encounters from 62516 inpatient admissions that were never transferred to the PICU. We used 29 variables in a logistic regression and compared our algorithm against two published PEWS on a held-out test data set. Results: The logistic regression algorithm achieved 0.849 (95% CI 0.753-0.945) sensitivity, 0.859 (95% CI 0.850-0.868) specificity and 0.912 (95% CI 0.905-0.919) area under the curve (AUC) in the test set. Our algorithm's AUC was significantly higher, by 11.8 and 22.6% in the test set, than two published PEWS. Conclusion: The novel algorithm achieved higher sensitivity, specificity, and AUC than the two PEWS reported in the literature. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-SA license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/).
Noise propagation in resolution modeled PET imaging and its impact on detectability

Positron emission tomography imaging is affected by a number of resolution degrading phenomena, including positron range, photon non-collinearity and inter-crystal blurring. An approach to this issue is to model some or all of these effects within the image reconstruction task, referred to as resolution modeling (RM). This approach is commonly observed to yield images of higher resolution and subsequently contrast, and can be thought of as improving the modulation transfer function. Nonetheless, RM can substantially alter the noise distribution. In this work, we utilize noise propagation models in order to accurately characterize the noise texture of reconstructed images in the presence of RM. Furthermore we consider the task of lesion or defect detection, which is highly determined by the noise distribution as quantified using the noise power spectrum. Ultimately, we use this framework to demonstrate why conventional trade-off analyses (e.g. contrast versus noise, using simplistic noise metrics) do not provide a complete picture of the impact of RM and that improved performance of RM according to such analyses does not necessarily translate to the superiority of RM in detection task performance.
Zirconium and Titanium Complexes Supported by Tridentate LX2 Ligands Having Two Phenolates Linked to Furan, Thiophene, and Pyridine Donors: Precatalysts for Propylene Polymerization and Oligomerization

Zirconium and titanium complexes with tridentate bis(phenolate)-donor (donor = pyridine, furan and thiophene) ligands have been prepared and investigated for applications in propylene polymerization. The ligand framework has two X-type phenolates connected to the flat heterocyclic L-type donor at the 2,6- or 2.5- positions via direct ring-ring (sp^2-sp^2)linkages. The zirconium and titanium dibenzyl complexes have been prepared by treatment of the neutral bis(phenol)-donor ligands with M(CH_2Ph)_4 (M = Ti, Zr) with loss of 2 equiv of toluene. Titanium complexes with bis(phenolate)pyridine and -furan ligands and zirconium complexes with bis(phenolate)pyridine and -thiophene ligands have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The solid-state structures of the bis(benzyl)titanium complexes are roughly C_2 symmetric, while the zirconium derivatives display C_s and C^1 symmetry. The bis(phenolate)pyridine titanium complexes are structurally affected by the size of the substituents substituents (CMe_3 or CEt_3) ortho to the oxygens, the larger group leading to a larger C_2 distortion. Both titanium and zirconium dibenzyl complexes were found to be catalyst precursors for the polymerization of propylene upon activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO). The activities observed for the zirconium complexes are particularly notable, exceeding 10^6 g polypropylene/mol Zr center dot h in some cases. The bis(phenolate)pyridine titanium analogues are about 10^3 times less active, but generate polymers of higher molecular weight. When activated with MAO, the titanium bis(phenolate)furan and bis(phenolate)thiophene systems were found to promote propylene oligomerization.
Concussion detection system: Reducing Second Impact Syndrome

The overall purpose of this project is to develop an unobtrusive device that measures the force of an impact or series of impacts on the head. The device uses accelerometers programmed to read and calculate the force of the impact to help warn athletic coaches and trainers of the danger of head trauma to an athlete. The goal here is to minimize the risk of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Second Impact Syndrome (SIS) for athletes. A transmitter and receiver are attached to the main board to send signals of the impact to a computer system on the athletic sideline. Additionally, an audible signal will notify the athlete and teammates that a dangerous impact or series of impacts was delivered.
Interferometric construction of circular gratings

Low noise diffraction gratings are constructed with the aid of a circular grating interferometer illuminated with a polychromatic or extended source.
A Simple and Exact Method of Constructing Tolerance Intervals for the One-Way ANOVA with Random Effects

Abstract This article gives a simple and exact method of constructing one-sided tolerance intervals for the case of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with random effects when the variance ratio is known. Because the method developed does not involve any approximations and it retains the maximum possible degrees of freedom, it is superior to any existing methods. Further, the method is applicable for both unbalanced and balanced designs. When the variance ratio is unknown, we suggest an approximate unbiased estimator to be used. Simulations are conducted to indicate the loss in precision with respect to the coverage and the confidence. An example is given to illustrate the methodology.
Intercellular signalling in Drosophila segment formation reconstructed in vitro

Genetic studies show that intercellular signalling is involved in key steps in Drosophila melanogaster development, but it has not previously been possible to investigate these processes in simplified in vitro systems. Analysis of engrailed (en) and wingless (wg) and other segment polarity genes suggests that two or more intercellular signalling processes may be involved in intrasegmental patterning. Expression of en and wg begins about three hours after egg laying, in adjacent rows of cells in the posterior half of each segmental primordium. In wg- embryos and in conditional mutants in which wg function is inactivated during a critical period between three and five hours after egg laying, early en expression begins normally but then disappears within several hours. The wg gene encodes a protein highly similar to the product of the mouse Wnt-1 proto-oncogene, a secreted glycoprotein; wg protein is proposed to function as an extracellular signal, maintaining en expression and activating other molecular and morphogenetic processes in nearby cells. Several lines of evidence support the model, including the secretion of wg protein in the embryo, genetic mosaic experiments and cell lineage studies. We tested this model using purified embryonic cells isolated by whole animal cell sorting, and validated three key predictions: (1) when en-expressing cells from early embryos are grown alone in culture, they rapidly and selectively lose en expression; (2) purified wg-expressing cells provide a locally active signal that prevents this loss; (3) heterologous cells engineered to express wg also show signalling activity, indicating that wg protein alone, or in conjunction with more generally expressed factors, is the signal.
Seismic fragility increment functions for deteriorating reinforced concrete bridges

Fragility increment functions are developed to estimate the seismic fragility of reinforced concrete (RC) bridges subject to deterioration due to the onset and progression of corrosion of the reinforcement. For each mode of failure considered, the fragility at time t of a deteriorating bridge is obtained by multiplying the initial fragility of the undeteriorated bridge by a corresponding increment function expressed in terms of the environmental conditions, the original material properties, time, a measure of the seismic demand, and a set of unknown model parameters. The developed increment functions account for the effects on the fragility estimates of the loss of the reinforcement and of the increasing uncertainty over time. As an application, the developed increment functions are used to estimate the seismic fragility of an example RC bridge. The proposed fragility increment functions are useful to estimate the fragility of deteriorating bridges without any extra reliability analysis once the fragility...
A critical review of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 trials in spinal surgery: emerging safety concerns and lessons learned

Abstract Background context Increasingly, reports of frequent and occasionally catastrophic complications associated with use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in spinal fusion surgeries are being published. In the original peer review, industry-sponsored publications describing the use of rhBMP-2 in spinal fusion, adverse events of these types and frequency were either not reported at all or not reported to be associated with rhBMP-2 use. Some authors and investigators have suggested that these discrepancies were related to inadequate peer review and editorial oversight. Purpose To compare the conclusions regarding the safety and related efficacy published in the original rhBMP-2 industry-sponsored trials with subsequently available Food and Drug Administration (FDA) data summaries, follow-up publications, and administrative and organizational databases. Study design Systematic review. Methods Results and conclusions from original industry-sponsored rhBMP-2 publications regarding safety and related efficacy were compared with available FDA data summaries, follow-up publications, and administrative and organizational database analyses. Results There were 13 original industry-sponsored rhBMP-2 publications regarding safety and efficacy, including reports and analyses of 780 patients receiving rhBMP-2 within prospective controlled study protocols. No rhBMP-2–associated adverse events (0%) were reported in any of these studies (99% confidence interval of adverse event rate Conclusions Level I and Level II evidence from original FDA summaries, original published data, and subsequent studies suggest possible study design bias in the original trials, as well as a clear increased risk of complications and adverse events to patients receiving rhBMP-2 in spinal fusion. This risk of adverse events associated with rhBMP-2 is 10 to 50 times the original estimates reported in the industry-sponsored peer-reviewed publications.
Structural consequences of railgun augmentation

There are structural consequences to railgun augmentation which must be overcome before the advantages of lower plasma arc currents can be realized. To investigate these consequences, a bolted V-block supporting structure is considered with two cores: unaugmented (a single pair of conducting rails) and augmented (conducting rails augmented by a second tandem set of conductors). The mechanical load on the cores consists of the static bolt preload, the plasma pressure behind the projectile, and the magnetic pressure induced by currents flowing in the rails of the augmenting conductors. The maximum rail current is found at which the unaugmented railgun can be repetitively fired without detrimental gaps forming at the bore. For the augmented railgun at the same projectile acceleration, large permanent deformations can occur. Thus, successful implementation of railgun augmentation will require improvement of the supporting structure. >
Origin of the dielectric dead layer in nanoscale capacitors

New theoretical work nails down the microscopic origin of 'dead layers' in nanometre-scale capacitors and demonstrates that it is an intrinsic effect. The results provide practical guidelines for minimizing the deleterious effects of the dielectric dead layer, for example regarding the choice of electrode. Capacitors are a mainstay of electronic integrated circuits and devices, where they perform essential functions such as storing electrical charge, and blocking direct current while allowing alternating currents to propagate. Because they are often the largest components in circuits, extensive efforts are directed at reducing their size through the use of high-permittivity insulators such as perovskite-structure SrTiO3 (refs 1, 2), which should provide more capacitance per unit area of device. Unfortunately, most experiments on thin-film SrTiO3 capacitors have yielded capacitance values that are orders of magnitude smaller than expected3. The microscopic origin of this reduced capacitance, which is often discussed in terms of a low-permittivity interfacial ‘dead layer’4, is not well understood. Whether such a dead layer exists at all, and if so, whether it is an intrinsic property of an ideal metal–insulator interface or a result of processing issues such as defects and strains, are controversial questions. Here we present fully ab initio calculations of the dielectric properties of realistic SrRuO3/SrTiO3/SrRuO3 nanocapacitors, and show that the observed dramatic capacitance reduction is indeed an intrinsic effect. We demonstrate the existence of a dielectric dead layer by calculating the dielectric profile across the interface and analyse its origin by extracting the ionic and electronic contributions to the electrostatic screening. We establish a correspondence between the dead layer and the hardening of the collective SrTiO3 zone-centre polar modes, and determine the influence of the electrode by repeating our calculations for Pt/SrTiO3/Pt capacitors. Our results provide practical guidelines for minimizing the deleterious effects of the dielectric dead layer in nanoscale devices.
The effectiveness of direct graphical entry of topological and geometric data

A study is described that was carried out to determine the feasibility of making interactive graphics terminals available for computer-aided instruction (CAI) in engineering and science courses.
Thermodynamics of flow-induced phase separation in polymers. II. The effect of molecular weight distribution

A thermodynamic analysis of flow-induced phase transformations in polymers is presented. Calculations are based on the assumption that stresses on the polymer coils lower their effective flexibility. This leads to the possibility of a spontaneous liquid separation in which the more concentrated phase contains chains having a lower flexibility relative to those in the more dilute phase. The effects of molecular weight distribution are included, and calculations demonstrate that reducing the flexibility also enhances fractionation in that the more concentrated phase is preferentially enriched with the higher molecular weight fraction of the original polydisperse system. These results offer a quantitative basis for understanding flow-induced structure formation and phase transformation phenomena in polymers in general and the phenomena of precursor formation and polymer fractionation in flow-induced crystallization in particular. Application to the latter phenomenon is also discussed.
Multicolor Fluorescence Microscopy Using the Laser-Scanning Confocal Microscope

Abstract Neurons and glia can be labeled using fluorescence immunocytochemistry, fluorescent tract-tracers, and a variety of other techniques that use fluorescence. Combining these methods to label tissue with two or more fluorescent probes can increase the power of an experimental design. The present paper examines the issues related to the use of laser-scanning confocal microscopy to image combinations of fluorescent labels and recommends specific combinations of lasers, filters, and fluorophores.
SAC1 lipid phosphatase and growth control of the secretory pathway

Phosphoinositide lipids play a dual role in cell physiology. Specific sets of these molecules are short-lived downstream mediators of growth signals, regulating cell survival and differentiation. In addition, distinct classes of phosphoinositide lipids function as constitutive mediators of membrane traffic and organelle identity. Recent work has provided the first direct evidence that phosphoinositides also play a direct role in linking protein secretion with cell growth and proliferation. This review focuses on SAC1 lipid phosphatase and how this enzyme operates in an evolutionary conserved mechanism to coordinate the secretory capacity of ER and Golgi during cell growth.
The challenge of responsibilities: Confronting the revolution in workplace rights in modern organizations

The contemporary world of work is experiencing a revolution in workplace rights thinking and practices. Included among factors related to this are professionalization and technocracy, management orthodoxy, corrupt organizational structures, the moral ineptitude of business education, the increasing size of the working population, worker mobility, worker diversity and the variegated cultural milieu, the growth of highly paid and very powerful workers, favorable solons, and supportive justices. Demands for protection and respect of rights are expressed in a variety of ways ranging from the statutory or economic to the ethical or psychological. Because of the correlative link between rights and responsibilities, organizational researchers and practitioners should be concerned with identifying various responsibilities implied by various employer and employee rights. Of equal importance is the challenge of examining in detail these responsibilities and how the strategies suggested by them can be used to manage specific employee rights in the contemporary workplace.
Ethical Issues in Family Medicine

In this issue, the JABFP inaugurates a series of case studies raising ethical questions of interest to family physicians. Cases with accompanying invited commentaries will appear on an occasional basis, depending on the availability of suitable cases. These will be edited by the staff of the Center
A novel computer algorithm allows for volumetric and cross-sectional area analysis of indirect decompression following transpsoas lumbar arthrodesis despite variations in MRI technique

Many patients present for neurosurgical spine evaluation with MRI studies conducted at facilities outside of the treating medical center. These images often vary widely in technique, for example, variation in slice thickness, number of slices, and gantry angle. While these images may be sufficient in conjunction with a physical exam to make surgical evaluations, we have found they are often incapable of being used for objective post-operative volumetric comparisons. In order to overcome this, we created a computer program that compensates for these variations in MRI technique. For this study, we examined patients who had undergone outside MRI pre-operatively and were deemed appropriate for a lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas lumbar interbody arthrodesis procedure. Volumetric analysis was performed on sagittal and axial T2-weighted pre- and post-operative MRI. The percentage change of central canal volume and foraminal area was calculated for each level. The authors identified five levels with MRI sufficient for volumetric analysis and eight levels (16 foramina) sufficient for foraminal cross-sectional analysis. Through use of our computer algorithm, average central canal volume and foraminal cross-sectional area was calculated to increase by 32.8% and 67.6% respectively following the procedure. These results are consistent with previous study findings and support the idea that restoration of the anterior column via a lateral approach can result in significant indirect decompression of the neural elements. Additionally, the novel algorithm created and used for this study suggests that it can achieve quick measurement and comparison of MRI studies despite variations in pre- and post-operative technique.
PreDatA – preparatory data analytics on peta-scale machines

Peta-scale scientific applications running on High End Computing (HEC) platforms can generate large volumes of data. For high performance storage and in order to be useful to science end users, such data must be organized in its layout, indexed, sorted, and otherwise manipulated for subsequent data presentation, visualization, and detailed analysis. In addition, scientists desire to gain insights into selected data characteristics ‘hidden’ or ‘latent’ in these massive datasets while data is being produced by simulations. PreDatA, short for Preparatory Data Analytics, is an approach to preparing and characterizing data while it is being produced by the large scale simulations running on peta-scale machines. By dedicating additional compute nodes on the machine as ‘staging’ nodes and by staging simulations' output data through these nodes, PreDatA can exploit their computational power to perform select data manipulations with lower latency than attainable by first moving data into file systems and storage. Such intransit manipulations are supported by the PreDatA middleware through asynchronous data movement to reduce write latency, application-specific operations on streaming data that are able to discover latent data characteristics, and appropriate data reorganization and metadata annotation to speed up subsequent data access. PreDatA enhances the scalability and flexibility of the current I/O stack on HEC platforms and is useful for data pre-processing, runtime data analysis and inspection, as well as for data exchange between concurrently running simulations.
Response of the left ventricle to stress: Effects of exercise, atrial pacing, afterload stress and drugs

Abstract A variety of tests are being utilized today to diagnose the presence of ischemie heart disease, assess the prognosis of myocardial and valvular heart disease and evaluate the effects of various pharmacologic agents on cardiac performance. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the response of left ventricular performance and size to atrial pacing, afterload stress and various forms of exercise. The response in normal persons and in subjects with coronary heart disease is reviewed and, when applicable, the effects of various pharmacologic agents on exercise performance in these patient groups are examined.
Information Asymmetry and Cross-sectional Variation in Insider Trading*

This study investigates the relationship between insiders’ trades and a ﬁrm’s infor-mation environment. We address the basic question: Are candidate measures for thedegree of information asymmetry between a ﬁrm’s managers and other market par-ticipants associated with insiders’ trades in the manner predicted by theories ofinformed trading? Speciﬁcally, we analyze how six candidate measures of infor-mation asymmetry explain cross-sectional variation in insiders’ trades.Although some insiders’ trades are due to insiders’ liquidity and portfoliorebalancing objectives, a component of insiders’ trades is driven by insiders’ infor-mation advantage over other market participants.
PHAGE FORMATION IN STAPHYLOCOCCUS MUSCAE CULTURES: II. THE RELEASE OF THE VIRUS FROM THE BACTERIAL CELL

1. The release of S. muscae phage in veal infusion medium is correlated with lysis of the host. 2. The release of the bacterial virus in Fildes' synthetic medium occurs in a step-wise manner before observable lysis of the cells occurs. This result has been confirmed by both turbidimetric readings and direct microscopic examination of the infected cells.
Genetic and metabolic status of NGF-deprived sympathetic neurons saved by an inhibitor of ICE family proteases.

Sympathetic neurons undergo programmed cell death (PCD) when deprived of NGF. We used an inhibitor to examine the function of interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE) family proteases during sympathetic neuronal death and to assess the metabolic and genetic status of neurons saved by such inhibition. Bocaspartyl(OMe)-fluoromethylketone (BAF), a cell-permeable inhibitor of the ICE family of cysteine proteases, inhibited ICE and CPP32 (IC50 approximately 4 microM) in vitro and blocked Fas-mediated apoptosis in thymocytes (EC50 approximately 10 microM). At similar concentrations, BAF also blocked the NGF deprivation-induced death of rat sympathetic neurons in culture. Compared to NGF-maintained neurons, BAF-saved neurons had markedly smaller somas and maintained only basal levels of protein synthesis; readdition of NGF restored growth and metabolism. Although BAF blocked apoptosis in sympathetic neurons, it did not prevent the fall in protein synthesis or the increase in the expression of c-jun, c-fos, and other mRNAs that occur during neuronal PCD, implying that the ICE-family proteases function downstream of these events during PCD.NGF and BAF rescued sympathetic neurons with an identical time course, suggesting that NGF, in addition to inhibiting metabolic and genetic events associated with neuronal PCD, can act posttranslationally to abort apoptosis at a time point indistinguishable from the activation of cysteine proteases. Both poly-(ADP ribose) polymerase and pro-ICE and Ced-3 homolog-1 (ICH-1) appear to be cleaved in a BAF-inhibitable manner, although the majority of pro-CPP32 appears unchanged, suggesting that ICH-1 is activated during neuronal PCD. Potential implications of these findings for anti-apoptotic therapies are discussed.