cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coherence in text, coherence in mind

This paper suggests that text coherence is a multi-factored affair that, ultimately, pertains to the mental organization of episodic memory, most likely as a partially-hierarchic mental structure. What text researchers usually describe as coherence is merely an artifact of the cognitive phenomenon. The role of grammatical clues in signalling text coherence is investigated, and it is suggested that the grammar processing channel merely supplements an evolutionarily older channel of lexically-guided (content-based) coherence. Coherence is both local and global, and both properties can be signalled by both processing channels (lexicon and grammar). Finally, the establishement of text coherence is a flexible, negotiable process, and this is true of both conversation and narrative.
Planarization for reverse-tone step and flash imprint lithography

Understanding the dynamics of thin film planarization over topography is a key issue in the reverse-tone step and flash imprint lithography (SFIL-R) process. Complete planarization of a film over large, isolated topography poses an enormous challenge, since the driving force for planarization, the capillary pressure, continuously weakens as the film becomes more planar. For SFIL-R, only a specific degree of planarization (DOP) needs to be achieved before pattern transfer is possible. This paper presents the derivation of an inequality statement describing the required extent of planarization for successful pattern transfer. To observe how this critical DOP value (DOPcrit), and its corresponding leveling time (Tcrit) vary with materials and topographic properties, finite difference simulation was utilized to model planarization of a thin film over isolated topography after the spincoating process. This model was verified experimentally for various film thickness to substrate height ratios using interferometry to monitor silicon oil planarization over isolated trenches and lines. Material and topographic parameters were shown to not have a dramatic impact on DOPcrit; however, the critical leveling time increased considerably at DOPcrit values above 60 percent.
Effects on Productivity and Aggressive Behavior of Laying Hens of Solid Versus Wire Cage Partitions and Bird Density

Abstract The effects of solid metal cage partitions or wire mesh cage partitions and two cage densities (5 or 7 birds/60.9 cm × 35.6-cm shallow cage) on production performance traits, aggressive behavior, and feather covering of White Leghorn layers were assessed from 20 to 60 wk of age. Type of cage partition had no significant effects on any of the traits measured. Higher cage density, however, was associated with significantly lower hen-day egg production, feed usage, final body weights, and feather covering. No differences were observed for egg weights, egg loss, mortality, or aggressive head pecking activity of birds housed in the two cage densities.
Enhanced desalination via functionalized carbon nanotube immobilized membrane in direct contact membrane distillation

Abstract In this paper, for the first time we report the development of carbon nanotube immobilized membrane (CNIM) on porous polypropylene support for direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) desalination application. We also describe the effect of specific interaction of functional group of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with water moisture on the enhancement of water vapor flux in DCMD via alteration of polar–non polar nature of membrane surface. The incorporation of carboxylic acid (−COOH) functional group on carbon nanotubes alters the hydrophilic–hydrophobic interaction of water moistures with the membrane surface that provides additional pathway for enhanced water vapor transport. The water vapor flux was obtained 36.8 kg/m2 h at 70 °C for CNT–COOH–PP, which is 51.5% higher than unmodified polypropylene membrane at salt concentration 10,000 ppm in feed. The salt rejection was found greater than 99.9% at salt concentration 10,000 ppm in feed solution. An increase in mass transfer coefficient about 1.5 times was also observed for CNT–COOH–PP membrane. The CNIM also exhibits higher thermal stability at elevated temperatures.
Female Participation Rates and the Occupational Prestige of the Professions: Are They Inversely Related?.

Abstract Contradictory empirical evidence concerning the impact of increasing numbers of women on the prestige and desirability of selected high-status professions is examined. It is concluded that, when alternative methodological issues are considered, the existing empirical literature does not definitively address the question of whether or not an increasing female participation rate in high-status professions will erode the prestige and desirebility of those professions. A 2 × 2 × 3 factorial design was used to control for the sex of the subjects (132 males, 132 females) and simultaneously manipulate the professions studied and the participation rate of women in those professions (constant, significant increase). The results indicate that the prospect of increasing numbers of women entering high-status professions does not result in a decline in either the prestige or desirability of those professions for the sample used in this study.
Hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy: Evidence for genetic homogeneity and mapping to chromosome 17q25

Hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy (HNA) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder on chromosome 17q, associated with recurrent, episodic, painful brachial plexus neuropathy. Dysmorphic features, including hypotelorism, long nasal bridge and facial asymmetry, are frequently associated with HNA. To assess genetic homogeneity, determine the cytogenetic location, and identify flanking markers for the HNA locus, six pedigrees were studied with multiple DNA markers from distal chromosome 17q. The results in all pedigrees supported linkage of the HNA locus to chromosome 17. A maximum combined lod score (Ζ = 10.94, £ = 0.05) was obtained with marker D17S939 and the maximum multipoint lod score was 22.768 in the interval defined by D17S802– D17S939. An analysis of crossovers placed the HNA locus within an approximate 4.0-cM interval flanked by D17S1603 and D17S802. Analysis of DNA from a human/mouse somatic cell hybrid with linked markers suggests that band 17q25 harbors the HNA locus. These results support genetic homogeneity within HNA and define a specific interval and a precise cytogenetic location in chromosome 17q25 for this disorder.
Urban Poverty Reborn A Gender and Generational Analysis

This article draws on a longitudinal study of a poor neighborhood in Lima, Peru, to question received wisdom concerning the intergenerational transmission of poverty. The research follows a sample of 56 families over nearly 30 years. It focuses on the efforts of parents to launch their children on what they hope will be different and superior life courses (compared to their own), despite their limited resources. Members of the second generation are still likely to begin their adult lives in poverty, with notable differences in the positions and trajectories of men and women. The sources of second generation poverty are different from that of the parents, however. The case demonstrates how poverty is a dynamic and contingent process that must be related to the specific historical, political, social and cultural factors contributing to its rebirth in successive generations.
3D printing and the library

Purpose – The purpose of this column is to examine the current environment of 3D printing and its suitability for use in the library.Design/methodology/approach – Literature review and commentary on this topic that has been addressed by professionals, researchers and practitioners.Findings – The library is more than its collection. As 3D printing joins the technology selections available in the library, it offers patrons the opportunity to create and further develop their skills, in order to explore and potentially innovate, in a welcoming environment of intellectual stimulation and experimentation.Originality/value – The value in addressing this issue is to present the basic details around this new technology and suggest that it has value for its inclusion into the current array of library services.
Modeling and observations of phase-mask trapezoidal profiles with grating-fiber image reproduction.

We report on an investigation of the trapezoidal design and fabrication defects in phase masks used to produce Bragg reflection gratings in optical fibers. We used a direct visualization technique to examine the nonuniformity of the interference patterns generated by several phase masks. Fringe patterns from the phase masks are compared with the analogous patterns resulting from two-beam interference. Atomic force microscope imaging of the actual phase gratings that give rise to anomalous fringe patterns is used to determine input parameters for a general theoretical model. Phase masks with pitches of 0.566 and 1.059 microns are modeled and investigated.
Are horses responsible for introducing non-native plants along forest trails in the eastern United States?

Abstract Non-native plant species pose a serious ecological and economic threat to managed and natural ecosystems; therefore, there is a great need to identify sources for the introduction of non-native species and develop management plans to reduce or eliminate their introduction. Horses have been suggested to be an important source for the introduction of non-native plant species along trails, but the conclusions were based on anecdotal evidence. In this study, horse hay, manure, and hoof debris samples were collected from 12 to 24 horses at five endurance ride events in North Carolina, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. One sub-sample of each material from each horse was sown in pots and grown under ideal conditions to determine if horse hay, manure, and hoof debris samples contained seeds from non-native species. A second sub-sample of each material from each horse was placed back on their respective trail to determine what plants would germinate and establish on the trail. Vegetation surveys were also conducted along 50 m transects perpendicular to horse and hiking (horses not permitted) trails at three of the five sites to compare species composition of native and non-native plant species. On average, non-native plant species germinated in 5.2% of the hay samples in the pots, but non-native species did not germinate from the manure or hoof debris samples. Only 3 of the 288 (≈1% of total samples) hay, manure, and hoof debris plots established on horse trails at the five sites contained plants, all of which were native plants, at the end of the first growing season and no plants were observed at the end of the second growing season. Non-native species composition and percent of total plants species did not differ significantly (p = 0.56) between horse and non-horse trails, and non-native plant species were only found within 2 m of the trail. The results of this and another study [Campbell, J.E., Gibson, D.J., 2001. The effect of seeds of exotic species transported vie horse dung on vegetation along trail corridors. Plant Ecology 157, 23–35] demonstrate that horse hay and manure does contain seeds of non-native plant species, but native and non-native plant species rarely become established on horse trails because of the harsh environmental conditions. Management and policy implication of this study are discussed.
Characterization of Plant β-Ureidopropionase and Functional Overexpression in Escherichia coli

Pyrimidine bases are rapidly catabolized in growing plant tissues. The final enzyme of the catabolic pathway, β-ureidopropionase (β-UP; EC 3.5.1.6), was partially purified from the shoots of etiolated maize ( Zea mays ) seedlings. The enzyme had a K m for β-ureidopropionate (the substrate derived from uracil) of 11 μm. Only one enantiomer of racemic β-ureidoisobutyrate (derived from thymine) was processed with a K m of 6 μm. The enzyme was inactivated by dialysis against 1,10-phenanthroline and activity could be partially restored by addition of Zn 2+ . Maize β-UP was very sensitive to inactivation by iodoacetamide. This could be prevented by addition of substrate, indicating the presence of an active site Cys. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by short chain aliphatic acids and aryl propionates, the most potent inhibitor of which was 2-(2, 6-dinitrophenoxy)-propionate ( I 50 = 0.5 μm). A gene for Arabidopsis β-UP encodes a polypeptide of 405 amino acids and has about 55% homology with the enzymes from other eukaryotic organisms. Several highly conserved residues link the plant β-UP with a larger class of prokaryotic and eukaryotic amidohydrolases. An Arabidopsis cDNA truncated at the N terminus by 14 residues was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli . The recombinant enzyme (43.7 kD) was soluble, functional, and purified to homogeneity with yields of 15 to 20 mg per 30 g fresh weight of E. coli cells. The recombinant enzyme from Arabidopsis and the native enzyme from maize had molecular masses of approximately 440 kD, indicating the enzyme is a decamer at pH 7.
Treatment of posttransplantation recurrence of hepatitis C with interferon and ribavirin: lessons on tolerability and efficacy.

Recurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after orthotopic liver transplantation is a major cause of graft failure. The aim of our study was to determine the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin in the treatment of recurrent hepatitis after liver transplantation. Twenty-six patients (18 men) with histologically established HCV recurrence after liver transplantation for cirrhosis secondary to chronic HCV infection were treated with a combination of interferon alfa-2b (3 million units three times weekly) and ribavirin (800 to 1,000 mg/d). Dosage modifications were according to a standard protocol incorporating laboratory values and clinical side effects. Fifty percent of patients completed 1 year or more of therapy. On an intention-to-treat basis, nine patients (35%) showed an end-of-treatment virological response. Six of these nine patients completed greater than 6 additional months of follow-up, and all have had sustained virological responses. A histological response (decrease in histological activity index ≥ 2) was seen in 75% of virological responders and 67% of nonresponders. Adverse events requiring dose modification or cessation of therapy occurred in 66% of patients. Adjuvant therapies used to support hemoglobin levels included erythropoietin and red blood cell transfusions. There were no independent pretreatment predictors of a virological response, perhaps because of the small sample size. Combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin may be beneficial in patients with recurrent HCV after liver transplantation. The majority of patients require dose modifications because of side effects. Histological response is common in virological nonresponders. (Liver Transpl 2002;8:623-629.)
The role of the YMCA in the origins of U.S. nonprofit management education

The given narrative of the origins of nonprofit management education tends to begin in the 1970s or 1980s, recognizing earlier efforts that were limited to individual professional disciplines, such as social work administration. This historical inquiry examines whether the origins of generic nonprofit management education can be traced further back. It identifies the 1911 bachelor of association science degree from the Chicago YMCA College as at least a proto-nonprofit management degree and a 1935 text by Ordway Tead, issued by the YMCA's publishing house, as a contender for the first text in generic nonprofit management.
Thermodynamics of tropical cyclogenesis in the northwest Pacific

[1] This paper presents analyses of five tropical disturbances of various types, derived from observations made over the northwest Pacific in August and September of 2008. Various dynamic and thermodynamic products were derived from dropsonde and airborne Doppler radar data, with the goal of increasing our understanding of tropical cyclogenesis. From these analyses we draw the following tentative conclusions: The formation of a strong midlevel circulation, with its associated cold core at low levels and warm core aloft, greatly aids the spin-up of a tropical cyclone by changing the vertical mass flux profile of deep convection from top heavy to bottom heavy. This has two effects: (1) the enhancement at low levels of the convergence of mass and hence vorticity, thus aiding the spin-up of a warm-core vortex and (2) the suppression of the lateral export of moist entropy by deep convective inflows and outflows from the core of the developing system. This allows the relative humidity to build up, resulting in more intense convection and further development. Our results also suggest that strong horizontal strain rate at middle levels, as measured by a form of the Okubo-Weiss parameter, is detrimental to tropical cyclogenesis. Not only can such flow tear apart the midlevel vortex, it can also import air with low moist entropy. In our small sample, the Okubo-Weiss parameter was the best indicator of the potential for development. Vertical shear appeared to play a less important role in the systems we investigated.
A three-port Photovoltaic (PV) micro-inverter with power decoupling capability

This paper presents a new micro-inverter topology that is intended for single-phase grid-connected PV systems. The features of the proposed topology are: (1) eliminating the double-frequency power ripple using small film capacitor; (2) improving the maximumpower-point tracking (MPPT) performance; (3) using long life-time film capacitors, which will improve the reliability of the inverter; and (4) requiring no additional circuitry to manage the transformer leakage energy.
Volume expansion and coloration in x-irradiated sodium chloride☆

Abstract The growth and thermal annealing of the volume expansion produced in NaCl by prolonged exposure to penetrating X-rays at room temperature has been studied by a photoelastic technique. Growth and annealing of the visible optical absorption bands were also measured. The growth curves for volume expansion and coloration are mutually consistent, within experimental error and theoretical uncertainties. The latter are, however, too large to permit unambiguous determination of the types of defects generated by irradiation. The F-center growth curve is of the type reported for KC1, that is, it contains an inflection point. The M- and F-band absorption constants are quadratically related in a manner consistent with previous evidence for the double F-model of the M-center. Annealing of the volume expansion and the optical absorption is in general agreement with the earlier results of Kobayashi on NaCl bombarded with high energy protons but in our case better resolution is obtained. The annealing is highly structure sensitive and details of the annealing curves were not completely reproducible. Kinetic analyses indicate that the annealing of volume expansion is limited initially (200–250°C) by diffusion of negative ion vacancies or by close pair vacancy-interstitial recombination. An interesting after effect in the annealing of the volume expansion may be connected with radiation enhanced impurity precipitation. Profiles of the photoelastically measured strain as a function of distance from the crystal midplane were obtained experimentally and compared with those calculated from the one dimensional theory.
A comparison study of body dysmorphic disorder versus social phobia

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) shares many characteristics with social phobia (SP), including high levels of social anxiety and avoidance, but to our knowledge no studies have directly compared these disorders' demographic and clinical features. Demographic and clinical features were compared in individuals with BDD (n=172), SP (n=644), and comorbid BDD/SP (n=125). SP participants had a significantly earlier age of onset and lower educational attainment than BDD participants. BDD participants were significantly less likely to ever be married than SP participants, had a greater likelihood of ever being psychiatrically hospitalized, and had significantly lower mean GAF scores than SP participants. The two groups had different comorbidity patterns, which included a greater likelihood for BDD participants to have comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or an eating disorder, vs. a greater likelihood for SP participants to have a comorbid non-OCD anxiety disorder. The comorbid BDD/SP group had significantly greater morbidity across several domains than the SP only group, but not the BDD only group. In summary, although BDD and SP were similar across many demographic and clinical features, they had important differences. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings and address similarities and differences between these disorders across a broader range of variables.
Periodontopathic Bacteria in Young Healthy Subjects of Different Ethnic Backgrounds in Los Angeles

Background: The present study determined risk indicators for oral colonization by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Bacteroides forsythus, and Treponema denticola in 150 children and adolescents, 4 to 16 years of age, living in Los Angeles, California. Methods: Fifty Caucasians, 50 Hispanics, and 50 Asian-Americans completed a questionnaire on demographic characteristics. 16S rRNAbased polymerase chain reaction identification was employed to determine the presence of test bacteria in unstimulated saliva. Step-wise logistic regression analysis identified explanatory variables (risk indicators) accounting for the salivary presence of periodontopathic bacteria. Results: A. actinomycetemcomitans occurred in 15%, P. gingivalis in 15%, B. forsythus in 14%, and T. denticola in 18% of all subjects. Two or more pathogens were detected in 20% of Hispanic subjects and in 12% of Asian-American subjects but not in any Caucasians (P = 0.0005, chi square test). However, no stable multivaria...
Plasma and intracellular population pharmacokinetic analysis of tenofovir in HIV-1-infected patients

The relationships among the dose of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), tenofovir (TFV) plasma concentrations, and intracellular TFV diphosphate (TFV-DP) concentrations are poorly understood. Our objective was to characterize TFV and TFV-DP relationships. Data were pooled from two studies in HIV-infected persons (n = 55) on stable antiretroviral therapy. TFV and TFV-DP were measured with validated liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) methods. Nonlinear mixed effects modeling (NONMEM 7) was used to develop the population model and explore the influence of covariates on TFV. A sequential analysis approach was utilized. A two-compartment model with first-order absorption best described TFV PK (FOCEI). An indirect stimulation of response model best described TFV-DP, where formation of TFV-DP was driven by plasma TFV concentration. Final plasma population estimates were as follows: absorption rate constant, 1.03 h(-1); apparent clearance (CL/F), 42 liters/h (33.5% interindividual variability [IIV]); intercompartment clearance, 181 liters/h; apparent central distribution volume (Vc/F), 273 liters (64.8% IIV); and apparent peripheral distribution volume (Vp/F), 440 liters (46.5% IIV). Creatinine clearance was the most significant covariate on CL/F and Vc/F. The correlation between CL/F and Vc/F was 0.553. The indirect response model for TFV-DP resulted in estimates of the maximal intracellular concentration (E(max)), the TFV concentration producing 50% of E(max) (EC(50)), and the intracellular elimination rate constant (k(out)) of 300 fmol/10(6) cells (82% IIV), 100 ng/ml (106% IIV), and 0.008 h(-1), respectively. The estimated k(out) gave an 87-h TFV-DP half-life. A predictive check assessment indicated satisfactory model performance. This model links formation of TFV-DP with plasma TFV concentrations and should facilitate more informed investigations of TFV clinical pharmacology.
Facilitated diffusion in the dissolution of carboxylic polymers

Carrier-mediated transport plays an important role in the dissolution of carboxylic polymers in aqueous solutions. Experiments with a rotating disk apparatus showed that the rate of polymer dissolution increased significantly with the addition of proton-carriers over the pH range of 6 to 13. The facilitated diffusion phenomenon in the dissolution of carboxylic polymers differs from that in membrane and biological systems in that the transport of polymer chains is not directly facilitated by any carriers. Proton-carriers facilitate the diffusion of hydrogen ions away from the polymer interface. As the concentration of hydrogen ions at the polymer interface decreases, the polymer solubility at the interface increases significantly, leading to a substantial increase in the polymer concentration driving force and, hence, the diffusion rate. A homogeneous chemico-diffusion model that elucidates the effects of the solution pH, the concentration and acidity of carriers, and the polymer acidity on the facilitated diffusion was developed. Good agreement between experimental and theoretical results was achieved. There are optimum values of the carrier's pKa, and of the solution pH which give a maximum facilitation effect. As the diffusion rate of the polymer is increased by the carrier, the overall polymer dissolution process changes from diffusion-limited to disentanglement-limited. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 51: 415–425, 2005
Vision and Optimism: Empowering New Educators.

For the past three decades I have taught graduate students who are preparing to be Jewish educators or rabbis at the Hebrew Union College. It has been an extraordinary journey, encountering passion...
Incidence of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Retinitis in Second Eyes of Patients With the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and Unilateral CMV Retinitis

Purpose To evaluate the risk and risk factors for developing cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in previously uninvolved second eyes among patients with unilateral CMV retinitis. Design Cohort study. Methods settings : Single-center academic AIDS ophthalmology practice. patient population : Three hundred seventy-six consecutive patients with AIDS and unilateral CMV retinitis were followed from the time of CMV retinitis diagnosis for the development of second-eye retinitis. experimental procedures : Demographic and clinical characteristics were noted at baseline. Use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and immune recovery in response to HAART were noted prospectively. main outcome measure : Development of CMV retinitis in a previously uninvolved eye. Results Ninety-one percent of subjects received systemic anti-CMV treatment. Second-eye retinitis occurred in 26.1%/person-year (19.6% within the first 6 months), less than half the rate previously reported in untreated groups. Initial CD4+ T cell count >12 cells/μl, use of HAART, and initial posterior pole involvement were associated with 64%, 46%, and 41% reductions in incidence vis-a-vis comparison groups. Benefit from HAART was limited to that subset who developed immune recovery of a degree expected to restore innate control of CMV (a rise in the CD4+ T cell count by >50 cells/μl to a level >100 cells/μl). Conclusions The risk of second-eye retiniti is substantial in patients with unilateral CMV retinitis but appears to be reduced by anti-CMV therapy and by HAART-induced immune recovery. Patients are at highest risk when CD4+ T cell counts are very low and in the months immediately after CMV retinitis diagnosis.
Conservative cascade interpolation on the sphere: An intercomparison of various non-oscillatory reconstructions

Various new polynomial and non-polynomial approximations to a subgrid distribution have been adapted for use in the conservative cascade scheme (CCS) and applied to conservative grid-to-grid interpolation on a latitude--longitude grid. These approximations include the following: piecewise parabolic method (PPM), piecewise hyperbolic method (PHM), piecewise double hyperbolic method (PDHM), power-limited piecewise parabolic method (P-PPM), piecewise rational method (PRM), third-order weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO23), fifth-order weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO35), and a modified piecewise parabolic method (M-PPM). A series of test cases are performed in which initial gridded data are interpolated between T42 and 2° grids and compared against analytical values. Four initial data profiles are used: smooth harmonic, high-frequency harmonic, quasi-polar vortex data and slotted cylinder data. In general, PDHM (WENO35) had the lowest error norms of the three-(five-)cell stencil methods. Quite often, M-PPM gave accuracy comparable to WENO35 at significantly lower cost. Monotonicity violations generally only occurred when interpolating to a finer grid with a maximum violation of 1.8% of the data range. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Reducing the Risk of Accidental Death Due to Vehicle-Related Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) from motor vehicles cause several hundred accidental fatal poisonings annually in the United States. The circumstances that could lead to fatal poisonings in residential settings with motor vehicles as the source of CO were explored. The risk of death in a garage (volume = 90 m3) and a single-family dwelling (400 m3) was evaluated using a Monte Carlo simulation with varying CO emission rates and ventilation rates. Information on emission rates was obtained from a survey of motor vehicle exhaust gas composition under warm idle conditions in California, and information on ventilation rates was obtained from a summary of published measurements in the U.S. housing stock. The risk of death ranged from 16 to 21% for a 3-hr exposure in a garage to 0% for a 1-hr exposure in a house. Older vehicles were associated with a disproportionately high risk of death. Removing all pre-1975 vehicles from the fleet would reduce the risk of death by one-fourth to two-thirds, depending on the exposure scenario. Significant efforts have been made to control CO emissions from motor vehicles with the goal of reducing CO concentrations in outdoor air. Substantial public health benefit could also be obtained if vehicle control measures were designed to take account of acute CO poisonings explicitly.
Spatial/temporal coding for involuntary concept abstraction using linear dynamic systems

The main purpose of biological memory is to robustly recognize objects and concepts, not to reconstruct their copies. For this the memory should mostly record the relations among the constituents of the incoming signals, rather than the constituents themselves. Relational memories can be stored in the form of network connectivity between neurons. However, similarity testing for such spatial representations is difficult. We suggest that the spatial representations are converted to temporal representations for similarity testing, so as to enable a large scale approximate content addressable memory. This not only proposes a new way for automatic concept abstraction in data analysis, but also explains some of the mysteries in the behaviors of human and animal minds.
Screening a mushroom extract library for activity against Acinetobacter baumannii and Burkholderia cepacia and the identification of a compound with anti-Burkholderia activity

Background Acinetobacter baumannii and species within the Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) are significant opportunistic bacterial pathogens of humans. These species exhibit a high degree of antibiotic resistance, and some clinical isolates are resistant to all currently available antimicrobial drugs used for treatment. Thus, new drugs are needed to treat infections by these species. Mushrooms could be a potential source for new drugs to treat A. baumannii and BCC infections.
Cystourethropexy to correct refractory urinary incontinence due to urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence: Preliminary results in ten bitches

Cystourethropexy was performed in 10 bitches with refractory urinary incontinence due to urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence. All animals had an abnormally shaped vesico-urethral junction. The bladder neck was located in the pelvic canal in nine dogs (pelvic bladder). Surgery alone restored urinary continence in two cases and markedly improved incontinence in two cases. Surgery combined with medical therapy (phenylpropanolamine, 1.5 mg/kg orally once or twice a day, using a sustained-action preparation) restored urinary continence in four cases and markedly improved continence in one case. Surgery, with medical therapy, was completely ineffective in one case. No major complications were encountered in any dogs. In four cases, histopathologic evaluation of the dorsal bladder wall and neck revealed the presence of a single, perinuclear, clear vacuole in the cytoplasm of smooth muscle fibers. Electron microscopic examination showed that the vacuoles represented a dilatation of normal membrane organelles. Such abnormalities have the potential to alter the smooth muscle motility. This study indicates that cystourethropexy alone restored urinary continence only temporarily in the majority of the patients. The significance and frequency of the histopathologic findings requires further investigation.
Raman spectroscopic signature of vaginal fluid and its potential application in forensic body fluid identification

Traces of human body fluids, such as blood, saliva, sweat, semen and vaginal fluid, play an increasingly important role in forensic investigations. However, a nondestructive, easy and rapid identification of body fluid traces at the scene of a crime has not yet been developed. The obstacles have recently been addressed in our studies, which demonstrated the considerable potential of Raman spectroscopy. In this study, we continued to build a full library of body fluid spectroscopic signatures. The problems concerning vaginal fluid stain identification were addressed using Raman spectroscopy coupled with advanced statistical analysis. Calculated characteristic Raman and fluorescent spectral components were used to build a multidimensional spectroscopic signature of vaginal fluid, which demonstrated good specificity and was able to handle heterogeneous samples from different donors.
Eighth International Conference on Grey Literature: Conference Report

Purpose–To report on the Eighth International Conference on Grey Literature held 4‐5 December 2006 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Design/methodology/approach–Describes the main points of the conference. Findings–Conference continues to offer a global platform for discussions about changes in grey literature. Originality/value–New applications are shared, deeper understandings about power of Internet and electronic publishing and collection intensities.
A slow-adapting microfluidic-based tactile sensor

We present a microfluidic-based tactile sensor mimicking the human slow-adapting mechanoreceptor such as Merkel's disc. The sensor is composed of a polyimide (PI)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) multilayer structure. The device uses a hemispherical reservoir filled with electrolyte solution in the PDMS layer, a microchannel in the PI layer and a pair of sensing electrodes below the microchannel as the force transducer. The tactile signal is detected as the impedance change resulting predominantly from the resistance variance due to the electrodes coverage by the 1M NaCl solution and is measured across the electrode pair. The sensor response is linear and the working range is shown to be in the range of 0–1.8 N. The characterization results also demonstrate the sensing of various levels of forces and its long-term signal stability.
Single-molecule visualization of a formin-capping protein ‘decision complex’ at the actin filament barbed end

Precise control of actin filament length is essential to many cellular processes. Formins processively elongate filaments, whereas capping protein (CP) binds to barbed ends and arrests polymerization. While genetic and biochemical evidence has indicated that these two proteins function antagonistically, the mechanism underlying the antagonism has remained unresolved. Here we use multi-wavelength single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to observe the fully reversible formation of a long-lived 'decision complex' in which a CP dimer and a dimer of the formin mDia1 simultaneously bind the barbed end. Further, mDia1 displaced from the barbed end by CP can randomly slide along the filament and later return to the barbed end to re-form the complex. Quantitative kinetic analysis reveals that the CP-mDia1 antagonism that we observe in vitro occurs through the decision complex. Our observations suggest new molecular mechanisms for the control of actin filament length and for the capture of filament barbed ends in cells.
Effects of a Large-Scale Unconditional Cash Transfer Program on Mental Health Outcomes of Young People in Kenya

Abstract Purpose This study investigates the causal effect of Kenya's unconditional cash transfer program on mental health outcomes of young people. Methods Selected locations in Kenya were randomly assigned to receive unconditional cash transfers in the first phase of Kenya's Cash Transfer Program for orphans and Vulnerable Children. In intervention locations, low-income households and those with orphans and vulnerable childrens began receiving monthly cash transfers of $20 in 2007. In 2011, 4 years after program onset, data were collected on the psychosocial status for youth aged 15–24 years from households in intervention and control locations (N = 1960). The primary outcome variable was an indicator of depressive symptoms using the 10-question Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Secondary outcomes include an indicator for hopefulness and physical health measures. Logistic regression models that adjusted for individual and household characteristics were used to determine the effect of the cash transfer program. Results The cash transfer reduced the odds of depressive symptoms by 24 percent among young persons living in households that received cash transfers. Further analysis by gender and age revealed that the effects were only significant for young men and were larger among men aged 20–24 years and orphans. Conclusions This study provides evidence that poverty-targeted unconditional cash transfer programs, can improve the mental health of young people in low-income countries.
Two sides of the same coin: tyrosine kinase inhibition in cancer and neurodegeneration

Cancer and neurodegeneration include a group of diseases that are mechanistically distinct but may share common therapeutic targets. Autophagy is a common quality control mechanism shared by mitotic and post-mitotic cells and it can be exploited to accelerate clearance of unwanted oncogenes and reduce accumulation of toxic proteins in cancer and neurodegeneration, respectively. Tyrosine kinase inhibition is a therapeutically relevant strategy that can induce autophagy, leading to normal cell survival. This article provides insights into how tyrosine kinase inhibition is clinically used to arrest mitotic cell division and tumor growth, and may promote survival of post-mitotic neurons in neurodegeneration.
Micro-mutual-dipolar model for rapid calculation of forces between paramagnetic colloids

Typically, the force between paramagnetic particles in a uniform magnetic field is calculated using either dipole-based models or the Maxwell stress tensor combined with Laplace's equation for magnetostatics. Dipole-based models are fast but involve many assumptions, leading to inaccuracies in determining forces for clusters of particles. The Maxwell stress tensor yields an exact force calculation, but solving Laplace's equation is very time consuming. Here, we present a more elaborate dipole-based model: the micro-mutual-dipolar model. Our model has a time complexity that is similar to that of other dipole-based models but is much more accurate especially when used to calculate the force of small aggregates. Using this model, we calculate the force between two paramagnetic spheres in a uniform magnetic field and a circular rotational magnetic field and compare our results with those of other models. The forces for three-particle and ten-particle systems dispersed in two-dimensional (2D) space are examined using the same model. We also apply this model to calculate the force between two paramagnetic disks dispersed in 2D space. The micro-mutual-dipolar model is demonstrated to be useful for force calculations in dynamic simulations of small clusters of particles for which both accuracy and efficiency are desirable.
Phosphate responsive regulation provides insights for ESX-5 function in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Pathogenic microbes commonly respond to environmental cues in the host by activating specialized protein secretion systems. Mycobacterium tuberculosis uses the specialized Type VII ESX protein secretion systems to transport a subset of effector proteins. The ESX-5 secretion system is involved in virulence, but both the mechanism of regulation and activating signal were unknown. Our work, reviewed here, has established that the phosphate sensing Pst/SenX3-RegX3 system directly activates ESX-5 secretion in response to phosphate limitation, a relevant environmental signal likely encountered by M. tuberculosis in the host. This review focuses on how elucidation of the ESX-5 regulatory network provides insight into its biological roles, which may include both phosphate acquisition and pathogenesis.
Study on SF_6 Gas On-line Monitoring Technology for 10 kV Ring Main Unit and System Development

According to affection factor on insulation performance of 10 kV ring main unit SF6 gas,this paper selects gas density and micro-water content as on-line monitoring quantity for SF6.By analyzing relations between gas density and pressure and transformation relations between gas relative humidity and dew point temperature,it determines detection method for monitoring quantity.Aiming at characteristic and installation environment of ring main unit,it designs structure of SF6 gas on-line monitoring system and proposes technical realization scheme for acquisition unit,concentration unit and background main station.Meanwhile,it plans practical application of the system.
Mn4Ca Cluster in Photosynthetic Water Oxidation

In natural photosynthesis, the water oxidation reaction takes place in the oxygen evolving complex (OEC) in Photosystem II (PSII), that cycles through a series of five intermediate S-states. Mechanistic studies of this catalytic reaction have been carried out with various spectroscopic methods, structural analysis, and theoretical studies. Among them, the structural information of the metal cluster has been obtained largely from the X-ray techniques that include X-ray crystallography and X-ray spectroscopy. This chapter describes the recent studies of the OEC in PSII with X-ray spectroscopy and crystallography.
Evolving Augmented Graph Grammars for Argument Analysis

Augmented Graph Grammars are a robust rule representation for rich graph data. In this paper we present our work on the automatic induction of graph grammars for argument diagrams via EC. We show that EC outperforms the existing grammar induction algorithms gSpan and Subdue on our dataset. We also show that it is possible to augment the standard EC process to harvest a set of diverse rules which can be filtered via a post-hoc Chi-Squared analysis.
Signaling pathways mediating spontaneous tumor promotion in BK5.IGF-1 transgenic mice skin

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 5721 Overexpression of human IGF-1, using the bovine keratin 5 (BK5) promoter induces a persistent epidermal hyperplasia and leads to spontaneous skin tumor promotion. In previous work, MAPK, PI3K, and Akt activities were found to be elevated in the epidermis of BK5.IGF-1 transgenic mice compared to non-transgenic littermates. In the present study, we have examined the importance of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in mediating the skin phenotype and the skin tumor promoting action of IGF-1 in these mice. Western blot analyses using epidermal lysates showed that signaling components downstream of PI3K/Akt were altered in BK5.IGF-1 mice. In this regard, increased serine 9 phosphorylation of GSK-3beta and hypophosphorylation and increased protein levels of beta-catenin were observed in the epidermis of BK5.IGF-1 transgenic mice. These data suggested that components of downstream of Akt might be affected including cell cycle machinery. Expression of cell cycle related proteins, particularly cyclin D1, E, and A, E2F and E2F4 protein levels were all elevated as well as higher cdk4/cyclin D1 and cdk2/cyclin E complex formation in the epidermis of BK5.IGF-1 transgenic mice. In addition, levels of Mdm-2, a major regulator of p53, were also elevated in epidermis of BK5.IGF-1 mice. Transgenic mice that overexpress a wild-type form of Akt using the BK5 promoter displayed strikingly similar biochemical changes in the epidermis. These mice also showed spontaneous skin tumor promotion and heightened sensitivity to skin tumor promotion by TPA similar to BK5.IGF-1 transgenic mice. In further studies, the PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, significantly blocked IGF-1-mediated epidermal hyperplasia and skin tumor promotion in DMBA initiated BK5.IGF-1 mice. Furthermore, inhibition of PI3K/Akt with LY294002 reversed many of cell cycle related changes. Collectively, the current results support the hypothesis that elevated PI3K/Akt activity and subsequent activation of one or more downstream effector pathways contribute significantly to the tumor promoting action of IGF-1 in the epidermis of BK5.IGF-1 mice. Supported by NIH Grant CA37111, UTMDACC Core Grant CA16672, and NIEHS Center Grant ES07784.
Category learning judgments in the classroom: Can students judge how well they know course topics?

Abstract A category learning judgment (CLJ) involves judging one’s learning or performance for a given topic or category. The present study was the first to investigate CLJs in a classroom, where students’ judgments of how well they have learned topics may be particularly relevant for guiding their study decisions. In an undergraduate statistics class, students predicted their performance on six different exam topics, as well as predicting their global exam performance, for each exam during the semester. Regarding the absolute accuracy of CLJs, we observed slight overestimation (bias), substantial deviation from accuracy (absolute bias), and little improvement across exams. Students’ CLJs varied among topics, but they were less variable than actual topic performance and were poor at discriminating well-learned from poorly-learned topics (i.e., low relative accuracy). We examined two factors predictive of CLJ accuracy: topic difficulty and student mastery of the topics. Regarding topic difficulty, a hard-easy effect was observed, such that more difficult topics produced greater overestimation and easier topics produced more underestimation. A hard-easy effect also extended to absolute bias: difficult topics produced larger deviations from accuracy than easy topics did. Regarding student mastery of topics, we found that lower mastery predicted CLJ overestimation and higher mastery predicted CLJ underestimation. Lower mastery was also associated with larger absolute bias. Compared to global judgments, CLJs were less accurate, although students were more confident in their CLJs. In sum, developing methods to improve the accuracy of CLJs in classrooms is an important direction for future research.