cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding the molecular mechanisms of transcriptional bursting

In recent years, it has been experimentally established that transcription, a fundamental biological process that involves the synthesis of messenger RNA molecules from DNA templates, does not proceed continuously as was expected. Rather, it exhibits a distinct dynamic behavior of alternating between productive phases when RNA molecules are actively synthesized and inactive phases when there is no RNA production at all. The bimodal transcriptional dynamics is now confirmed to be present in most living systems. This phenomenon is known as transcriptional bursting and it attracts significant amounts of attention from researchers in different fields. However, despite multiple experimental and theoretical investigations, the microscopic origin and biological functions of the transcriptional bursting remain unclear. Here we discuss the recent developments in uncovering the underlying molecular mechanisms of transcriptional bursting and our current understanding of them. Our analysis presents a physicochemical view of the processes that govern transcriptional bursting in living cells.
Ambiance In and Around the Virtual Reality Headset

Ambient perception in virtual reality is split between perceiving the virtual space inside the headset and perceiving the surrounding physical environment. While promises of VR “immersion” frequently ignore the surrounding space, an ambient perspective reveals how immersion in VR is always at least double: any immersion in virtual space comes nested within an immersion in the atmospheres already surrounding VR use. This essay seeks to understand how these two layers cohere both spatially and temporally across the interface of the VR headset. An ambient perspective on VR demonstrates how even the most immersive media must be understood as shaped by the spaces surrounding the interface itself.
The Induction of Sulfatide, Ganglioside and Cerebroside Storage in Organized Nervous System Cultures

Although a number of animal models exist for the sphingolipidoses, tissue culture offers advantages in studying the development of the inclusion bodies characteristic of these diseases.
82 – Eating Disorders

This chapter focuses on well-defined eating disorders of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorectic patients' fear of gaining weight exists even when they are emaciated. Although these patients are disinterested in and even resistant to treatment, they often deny this fear, which must then be inferred by observation of their behavior. When bulimia nervosa was identified as a separate entity, three criteria were proposed: a powerful and intractable urge to overeat, resulting in episodes of overeating; avoidance of fattening effects of food by inducing vomiting or abusing purgatives or both; and a morbid fear of becoming fat. These criteria do not distinguish bulimia nervosa patients from anorexia nervosa patients who have the binge-purge subtype. There are many variations of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa that do not meet criteria for these disorders. Unfortunately, there is not enough information on response to treatment and temporal course to specifically identify them. Prospective longitudinal studies should provide more information on the course of these maladaptive eating behaviors in order to help to determine if they can be identified as a specific diagnostic entity.
Proceedings of the 1st ACM SIGCHI/SIGART conference on Human-robot interaction

It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the first ACM SIGCHI/SIGART Conference on Human-Robot Interaction -- HRI'06. This year's inaugural conference is the first step toward becoming the premier interdisciplinary forum for the presentation of research results on leading edge issues of human robot interaction. The three goals of the conference are to promote the inherently interdisciplinary field of HRI, to provide a single track forum for the dissemination of excellent research in the field, and to provide high quality evaluations of mature and emerging research. HRI'06 gives researchers and practitioners a unique opportunity to share their perspectives with others interested in the various aspects of human robot interaction.
Ipsilateral gonarthrosis and stress fracture of the tibia

Insufficiency fractures of the proximal tibia with non-union, are relatively rare and difficult to treat with ipsilateral osteoarthritis of the knee. We report a case of symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee, with non-union of a stress fracture of the ipsilateral proximal tibia treated with posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty with a long stemmed tibial component to stabilize the non-union fragments.
Hydrocephalus secondary to diffuse villous hyperplasia of the choroid plexus: Case report and review of the literature

Diffuse villous hyperplasia of the choroid plexus, which is distinct from bilateral choroid plexus papillomas, is extremely rare and is often associated with hydrocephalus due to the overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The authors describe an infant with hydrocephalus, diagnosed by computerized tomography scanning, who developed ascites following placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and, subsequently, demonstrated excessive CSF production when the shunt was externalized. The patient was later successfully treated by placement of a ventriculoatrial shunt. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated diffuse villous hyperplasia of the choroid plexus as the cause of the patient's hydrocephalus. The literature on diffuse villous hyperplasia of the choroid plexus is reviewed.
Internal Factor Structure and Convergent Validity Evidence: The Self-Report Version of Self-Regulation Strategy Inventory.

Using a sample of 348 middle school students, we gathered evidence regarding the internal consistency of scores, as well as the internal factor structure and convergent validity evidence for inferences from a self-report questionnaire called the Self-Regulation Strategy Inventory–Self Report. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the fit indexes for a hierarchical model (composite, three factors) and a single-level, three-factor model were highly similar but mixed. Respecification of the hierarchical model based on conceptual overlap of items led to substantial improvement in the overall fit of the model, as indicated by the root mean square error of approximation, chi-square/df, and the comparative fit index. Correlational analyses also provided strong convergent validity evidence, as the three subscales exhibited statistically significant relations with four motivation beliefs (i.e., self-efficacy, perceived instrumentality, task interest, perceived responsibility) and two distinct markers of regulation-related behaviors (i.e., teacher ratings, office discipline referrals).
The Validity of a Holistically Scored Retell Protocol for Determining the Reading Comprehension of Middle School Students.

In this study, the authors examined the validity of a holistically scored retell within a confirmatory factor analysis framework by comparing the fit of a three-factor model of reading with the data from a diverse sample of seventh and eighth graders. The final model demonstrated adequate fit, χ2(32) = 97.316; comparative fit index = .96; Tucker–Lewis index = .94; and root mean square error of approximation = .08. Retell’s chi-square difference, Δχ2(1) = 16.652, p < .001, and factor loading (.250, p < .001) were higher for the comprehension construct. Similarly, retell’s correlation to comprehension measures (r = .155–.257, p < .01) was stronger than its relationship to measures of fluency (r = .158–.183, p < .01) or word identification (r = .132, p < .05). However, retell had a large residual variance (.938) and low interrater reliability (κ = .37), suggesting that improvements to the instrument are needed. Despite overall latent differences, retell did not demonstrate differential item functioning.
2-benzylpyridine N-oxide complexes with transition metal perchlorates[1]

Abstract 3 d metal perchlorate complexes with 2-benzylpyridine N-oxide(L) were prepared and characterized by means of spectral, magnetic and conductance studies. Interaction of ligand and salt in ethanol-triethyl orthoformate at a 4:1 or a 6:1 molar ratio led to the formation of the following complexes: M 2+ perchlorates yielded solid complexes of the types [ML 5 ](ClO 4 ) 2 (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn) and [CuL 4 ](ClO 4 ) 2 , regardless of the ligand to metal ratio employed. Cr 3+ and Fe 3+ perchlorates formed oily or gummy precipitates, at the 4:1 L to salt ratio; although these products were not sufficiently pure for characterization studies, it was established that they involve between four and five L molecules per metal ion (analytical results). A complex of the type [FeL 6 ](ClO 4 ) 3 was obtained in small yields, when L and Fe(ClO 4 ) 3 were allowed to interact at a 6:1 molar ratio. The benzyl substituent of the ligand obviously introduces significant steric hindrance during coordination, as demonstrated by the fact that 5:1 complexes of L with M 2+ (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn) perchlorates are readily obtained, whilst Cr 3+ and Fe 3+ perchlorates also yield complex species clearly involving L to M 3+ ratios of less than six; furthermore, the isolation of a 6:1 L to Fe 3+ cationic complex is difficult, as suggested by poor yields.
Electromechanical effects on tether formation from lipid membranes: a theoretical analysis

The material properties of biomembranes can be measured by forming a tether, a thin bilayer tube that extends from the membrane surface. Recent experiments have demonstrated that the force required to maintain a tether is sensitive to the transmembrane potential. As a first approach towards understanding this phenomenon, a thermodynamic analysis of the influence of electrical fields on tether formation from an aspirated lipid vesicle is developed. The analysis considers contributions from Maxwell stresses as well as two forms of electromechanical coupling: coupling between the electric field and curvature strain (flexoelectric coupling) and between the electric field and areal strain (piezoelectric coupling). Predictions of equilibrium tether conformations are obtained numerically. For expected values of the dimensionless coupling parameters, flexoelectric coupling alters the force required to form a tether of a given length, while piezoelectric coupling and Maxwell forces do not greatly change the force versus tether length behavior. The results of this analysis indicate that tether experiments have the potential to characterize electromechanical coupling in both synthetic and cellular membranes.
Participative Case Studies: Integrating Case Writing and a Traditional Case Study Approach in a Marketing Context

Case-based pedagogy is a valuable tool for applying business concepts and theories to organizational contexts. Traditional case-based pedagogy offers such learning opportunities. What this pedagogy...
Interpersonal Aspects of Justice in Relationships Between Consumers and Service Providers: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis

There is a controversy in the justice literature as to whether interpersonal aspects of justice are best represented as one construct (interactional justice) or two (interpersonal justice and informational justice). Using confirmatory factor analysis, we tested competing models of these constructs on a sample of healthcare consumers (n = 1919) with respect to their justice judgments of primary care physicians. We found that the single factor model (interactional justice) represented a better fit to the data. Our results do not necessarily contradict those of prior studies that have found a better fit for a bi-dimensional model in organizational settings, however. Instead, we are suggesting a contingency approach: the results may be due in part to the halo effect, which may manifest itself where consumers are unfamiliar with the service provider and with the complexities of that person’s role.
Placental Involvement in Congenital Hepatoblastoma

We describe extensive placental involvement by hepatoblastoma in a 2600 g, 33-week estimated gestational age (EGA) hydropic female fetus with the hepatoblastoma otherwise limited to the liver. The placenta weighed 1190 g and histopathologic examination revealed diffuse tumor emboli in chorionic villous vessels. The placental tumor exhibited a cytologic appearance similar to the primary tumor and showed strong alpha-fetoprotein staining. Although unusual, other congenital tumors, including neuroblastoma and leukemia, have also been described metastatic to the placenta. This case emphasizes the important role of careful histopathologic examination of the placenta which, combined with immunohistochemistry and clinicopathologic correlation, may establish a diagnosis and possibly obviate the need for invasive neonatal diagnostic procedures.
Does parenting affect children's eating and weight status?

Background Worldwide, the prevalence of obesity among children has increased dramatically. Although the etiology of childhood obesity is multifactorial, to date, most preventive interventions have focused on school-aged children in school settings and have met with limited success. In this review, we focus on another set of influences that impact the development of children's eating and weight status: parenting and feeding styles and practices. Our review has two aims: (1) to assess the extent to which current evidence supports the hypothesis that parenting, via its effects on children's eating, is causally implicated in childhood obesity; and (2) to identify a set of promising strategies that target aspects of parenting, which can be further evaluated as possible components in childhood obesity prevention.
Acute colitis and the hemolytle-uremic syndrome

A case of acute colitis as the initial manifestation of the hemolytic-uremic syndrome in an 8-year-old boy is described. The incidence, significance, and therapeutic implications of gastrointestinal tract complications in this disorder, which may simulate infectious or inflammatory bowel disease, are discussed.
Mammary-vertebral microsurgical anastomosis.

Interest in extra-anatomic grafts or bypasses for cerebral arterial insufficiency is increasing, although the indications for surgical therapy in many clinical situations remain unclear. Seventy percent of patients with atherosclerotic cerebrovascular insufficiency will have occlusion or significant stenosis of major brachiocephalic vessels between the aortic arch and carotid bulb [2,6, 11, 14, 261. At present, no specific surgical techniques for revascularizing these occluded or stenotic segments exist. Endarterectomy, except for internal carotid stenosis, has not been particularly safe or effective for the larger, more proximal brachiocephalic vessels (including the vertebrals [7, 12, 20, 211. Common carotid to subclavian artery bypass using vein graft or dacron is an established, effective treatment for the syndrome of proximal subclavian occlusion [lo]. The “subclavian steal” syndrome, although relatively uncommon [8, 9, 121, is often amenable to corrective vascular surgery [9, 101. To our knowledge, the internal mammary artery has not been utilized either clinically or on a research basis for anastomosis to the carotid or vertebral arteries. The internal mammary does not supply an extremity or vital organ and can be safely mobilized for use as a donor artery. It has a proven clinical record as a highly successful donor artery for coronary artery bypass surgery [4,5, 19, 221. Initial evaluation of a large series of mammary-coronary anastomoses reveals a patency rate considerably superior to that obtained with saphenous vein bypass grafts [4, 181. Recent advances in microsurgical technique now permit anastomosis of vessels l-3 mm in size with good success [7-171. Acute occlusion of the canine brachiocephalic and subclavian systems is uniformly lethal [23]. We have used this ischemia model to examine the functional postoperative courses of the mammary-carotid and mammary-vertebral anastomosis groups, respectively. This same thoracotomy affords adequate exposure for microsurgical mammary-carotid or mammary-vertebral anastomoses.
Structure, reactivity, and energetics of covalently bound carbon cluster ions, C5+ to C11+: Experiment and theory

Laser ablation from a rotating, translating graphite rod is used to create a broad distribution of internally energized carbon cluster ions C{sub n}{sup +}. These energized clusters are accelerated, size selected by a magnet, and allowed to undergo unimolecular decay in a field-free region. The decay products are mass and energy analyzed by a high-resolution electrostatic analyzer. In this work they are interested in clusters in the range 5 {<=} n {<=} 11. The shapes of the kinetic energy distributions strongly suggest there are no energy barriers along the reaction coordinates. A detailed analysis of the kinetic energy distributions and metastable branching ratios was accomplished using the transition-state switching form of statistical phase space theory. The analysis yielded binding energies for each of the fragmentations observed. In general these are in excellent agreement with the ab initio calculations of Raghavachari and Binkley. It is also unambiguously shown for parent cluster ions with 5 {<=} n {<=} 10 that the observed fragmentation are due to linear clusters decaying to linear products. A cyclic parent ion structure for C{sub 11}{sup +} could not be ruled out. Excellent agreement between experiment and theory is obtained in those cases where more than one productmore » channel is observed.« less
Does High BMI Influence Hospital Charges in Children Undergoing Adenotonsillectomy

b ackground: Obesity is a highly prevalent chronic problem with health and fiscal consequences. Data from adults and nonsurgical pediatric patients suggest that obesity has serious implications for the US economy. o bjective: Our goal was to describe the impact of BMI on hospital charges in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy (AT). Methods and Procedures: We carried out a retrospective comparative analysis of the electronic anesthesia record and the charges from billing data from a large tertiary institution on children aged 3–18 years who had AT during the year 2005–2007. The main outcome measures were mean total hospital charges, likelihood of admission, and length of hospital stay (LOS). Results: Of 1,643 children, 68.9% were aged <10 years, 76% were whites, and 74.1% had private commercial insurance. Most (75.3%) children were discharged on the day of surgery. Obese and overweight children were more likely to be admitted than their normal-weight peers (X 2 = 26.3, P < 0.001). Among those admitted, BMI showed a positive correlation with LOS (r = 0.20, P < 0.001). Obese and overweight patients had significantly higher total hospital charges than their healthy-weight counterparts (P = 0.001). Anesthesia, postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and pharmacy and laboratory charges were also higher for obese than normal-weight children (P < 0.05). Discussion: Overweight and obese children undergoing AT accrued higher hospital charges and had longer postoperative LOS than their healthy-weight peers. If these findings are extendable to other surgical procedures, they could have far-reaching implications for the US economy.
Microprocedure for the isolation and quantification of phospholipids from tissue culture derived cells

A microprocedure allowing reproducible extraction and separation of nanomolar quantities of polar lipids from small numbers of cells grown in tissue culture is described. The method, using chloroform and methanol as extraction solvents ensures maximal sample recovery with minimal lipid manipulations, which allows additional identification of phospholipid subclasses on a submicroscale.
Spatial variation in the structure of kelp forest communities along a wave exposure gradient

Abstract. Four sites were sampled in kelp (Macrocysiis pyrifera) forests occupying rocky bottom habitats along a wave exposure gradient in central California. Consistent betwecn-site differences were found in the three major structural elements - the surface canopy, the undcrstory assemblage, and the ground cover/turf assemblage - of kelp forest communities. Macrocysiis pyrifera was found at all four sites. Nereucyslis tuelkeana only at the most exposed site. The understory kelps Laminaria setchellii and Pterygopltora californica were also characteristic of exposed sites. Articulated coralline algae were more abundant at exposed sites than protected, while fleshy red algae showed the opposite pattern. All four study sites were located along 8.5 km of coastline, and thus were assumed to have available to them the same species pool for colonization. The substrate composition was the same and the amount of unconsolidated substrate was similar at all four sites. We suggest that exposure to wave-generated water motion, through its influence on the surface canopy and therefore on the amount of light reaching the bottom, is responsible for these between-site differences.
A MODEL FOR SIMPSON’S 17 keV NEUTRINO

Recent studies of β-decay spectra seem to confirm Simpson’s earlier findings that the electron neutrinos contain a small (1%) admixture of a 17 keV Dirac neutrino. An unconventional model with SU(2)L×SU(2)R×U(1)B−1 gauge interactions is presented in which all neutrinos are Dirac particles. Electron and muon neutrinos acquire seesaw Dirac masses of order 10−3eV for the MSW solution for the solar neutrino problem. The τ neutrino is identified as Simpson’s 17 keV neutrino. Constraints coming from cosmology and particle physics are shown to be satisfied.
A Crime Forecasting Tool for the Web-Based Crime Analysis Toolkit

In this paper, we outline the development of a crime forecasting tool for law enforcement applications. This tool implements a spatial discrete choice model (DCM) that takes into account the attributes of locations and the preferences of criminals in selecting target locations. Other steps required for development were the acquisition of data and the selection of suitable software components. Once these design decisions were made the components were integrated with the Web-Based Crime Analysis Toolkit to make the tool available to crime analysts throughout Virginia.
Cannabis and cancer chemotherapy. A comparison of oral delta‐9‐thc and prochlorperazine

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and prochlorperazine (Compazine) were found to be equally efficacious in reducing nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy across a wide range of chemotherapeutic regimens and tumor types. Both drugs were administered orally one hour before chemotherapy, then every four hours for a total of four doses. Compazine was administered in a fixed dose of 10 mg; THC was administered by body surface area (BSA): BSA less than 1.4 m2 = 7.5 mg; BSA 1.4-1.8 m2 = 10- mg; and BSA greater than 1.8 m2 = 12.5 mg. Two hundred and fourteen subjects (75% of whom had previously received Compazine with varying results) were evaluated employing a double-blind, crossover design. Additional parameters evaluated were study drug effects on appetite, food intake, mood, activity, relaxation, interaction, and concentration. There were significant drug effects with THC: less ability to concentrate (P less than 0.01), less social interaction (P less than 0.05), and less activity (P less than 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two drugs in the level of food intake or appetite. Patients of all ages did equally well on both drugs. Neither past marijuana use nor past Compazine use were related to study the drug efficacy. Those patients who correctly identified their THC cycle did better on THC versus those who could not correctly identify which antiemetic they had received (P less than 0.05). There were more drug-related effects associated with THC, but these did not reduce the patients' preference for the drug, and were associated with nausea reduction (P less than 0.05).
Activation of H2 by chlorocarbonylbis(trimethylphosphine)rhodium(I) labilizes CO and produces the new binuclear complex H(Cl)Rh(PMe3)2(µ-H)(µ-Cl)RH(PMe3)(CO)

The oxidative addition of H2 to [RhCl(CO)(PMe3)2] is followed using NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with para-enriched hydrogen and leads to CO labilization and formation of an unusual binuclear complex.
Active investors and management turnover following unsuccessful control contests

Abstract We report that 34% of targets of unsuccessful control contents between 1983 and 1989 experience a change in top manager within two years following the contest. Management turnover is concentrated among poorly performing firms in which outside blockholders acquire an ownership stake. These blockholders appear to facilitate post-contest asset restructurings that increase the value of the target and improve operating performance. In the absence of an outsider blockholder, managers typically retain their positions despite poor pre-contest performance and the use of value-reducing defensive tactics during the control contest. We conclude that monitoring by active outside investors facilitates valuable internal control efforts.
On graphs containing a given graph as center

We examine the problem of embedding a graph H as the center of a supergraph G, and we consider what properties one can restrict G to have. Letting A(H) denote the smallest difference ∣V(G)∣ - ∣V(H)∣ over graphs G having center isomorphic to H it is demonstrated that A(H) ≤ 4 for all H, and for 0 ≤ i ≤ 4 we characterize the class of trees T with A(T) = i. for n ≥ 2 and any graph H, we demonstrate a graph G with point and edge connectivity equal to n, with chromatic number X(G) = n + X(H), and whose center is isomorphic to H. Finally, if ∣V(H)∣ ≥ 9 and k ≥ ∣V(H)∣ + 1, then for n sufficiently large (with n even when k is odd) we can construct a k-regular graph on n vertices whose center is isomorphic to H.
Doping induced enhancement of the critical currents of grain boundaries in High-Tc superconductors

Abstract Appropriate doping of the grains provides a means to optimize the transport properties of grain boundaries in high- T c superconductors. This is demonstrated for the exemplary case of grain boundaries in bicrystalline Ca- and Co-doped YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ films. By Ca-doping the critical current density is strongly increased and the normal state resistivity significantly reduced as compared to the values obtained for equivalent junctions in undoped films.
The effects of training and effortfulness on rats’ choice behavior in a modified T-maze

Rats were trained and tested in a modified T-maze in which one path to a goalbox was twice as long as the other. Both goal boxes contained food. One group of four rats received 60 training trials in the short alley alternated with 60 trials in the long alley before choice testing. Another group of six rats received 45 training trials in the short alley followed by 90 trials in the long alley. All animals received 120 choice trials in which both paths were available, conducted in eight blocks of 15 trials each. The equal-training group chose the short alley in all choice blocks, gradually increasing this preference. The second group, which received unequal training, chose the short path on only20% of the first 15 choice trials and then preferred the short alley in subsequent blocks. The results are compared to studies of contrafreeloading.
Embedding the Ni-SOD mimetic Ni-NCC within a polypeptide sequence alters the specificity of the reaction pathway.

The unique metal abstracting peptide asparagine-cysteine-cysteine (NCC) binds nickel in a square planar 2N:2S geometry and acts as a mimic of the enzyme nickel superoxide dismutase (Ni-SOD). The Ni-NCC tripeptide complex undergoes rapid, site-specific chiral inversion to dld-NCC in the presence of oxygen. Superoxide scavenging activity increases proportionally with the degree of chiral inversion. Characterization of the NCC sequence within longer peptides with absorption, circular dichroism (CD), and magnetic CD (MCD) spectroscopies and mass spectrometry (MS) shows that the geometry of metal coordination is maintained, though the electronic properties of the complex are varied to a small extent because of bis-amide, rather than amine/amide, coordination. In addition, both Ni–tripeptide and Ni–pentapeptide complexes have charges of −2. This study demonstrates that the chiral inversion chemistry does not occur when NCC is embedded in a longer polypeptide sequence. Nonetheless, the superoxide scavenging reac...
Pleuritic chest pain in a postpartum woman.

A 26-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 2, came to the emergency room complaining of pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. Twelve days prior, she had a vaginal delivery induced by pitocin. Her recovery was uneventful until the morning of admission when she awoke with bilateral pleuritic chest pain radiating to her shoulders, accompanied by dyspnea at rest. She also described mid-epigastric pain with nausea and anorexia. She denied fever, chills, rhinorrhea, cough, sputum production, haemoptysis, vomiting, change in bowel habits, constipation, diarrhea, or leg pain. The patient did not smoke, did not use oral contraceptives, and was on no medications. She had never had abdominal or gynaecologic surgery. She appeared comfortable with normal respirations. The heart rate was 80 beats min-1, the respiratory rate 16min-1, the blood pressure 120/90mm-1 of mercury, and the temperature 37-1°C. The chest was clear. Cardiac auscultation revealed regular rhythm with no murmur, gallop, click or rub. Jugular venous pressure was normal. The abdomen was flat and nondistended with normal bowel sounds. There was mild upper abdominal tenderness with no guarding or rebound. No organomegaly was detected. Arterial blood gas determination showed a pH of 7-42, P02 of 93mm of mercury, pCO2 of 37mm of mercury, with a carbon dioxide content of 25mmolli-1. A chest radiograph showed no infiltrates or effusions, but demonstrated a large amount of subdiaphragmatic, extraluminal air (Fig. 1). Further history revealed that on the night before her illness began, the patient had engaged in sexual intercourse for the first time in 4 months, including oral-vaginal insufflation. In view of the possiblity of a ruptured viscus, a surgical consultation was obtained. Subsequent laboratory tests included haemoglobin 139 grams litre-1 leukocyte count of 7-1 x 109 litre-1 with 0-64 segmented neutrophils and no bands. Electrolytes, trasaminases, and amylase were normal. KUB showed a non-specific bowel gas pattern and confirmed the presence of free subdiaphragmatic air. The patient was admitted to the hospital for observation. Chest X-rays over the next 48h showed diminution of the amount of free air. Her pleuritic chest pain improved, and she was discharged.
Discerning Biomolecular Interactions Using Kelvin Probe Technology

Biomolecular conformational differences of oligomeric nucleic acids were discerned using scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) analysis in an array format on gold-coated silicon substrates. Variations in work function, measured as contact potential difference, of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), and dsDNA with internal mismatches were clearly distinguished under ambient conditions without the use of an external label. We propose that the effectiveness of SKP analysis is based upon subtle changes in biomolecular conformation resulting from variations in molecule polarizability and induced dipole properties. This sensing technique can be readily incorporated into microarray format for discrimination of specific biological and chemical molecular interactions.
A Retrospective Analysis of Temporomandibular Joint Reconstruction With Free Fibula Microvascular Flap

Objectives The temporomandibular joint is occasionally encountered in extirpative surgery of the head and neck. It presents a difficult management issue. Little has been reported on functional outcomes after resection and reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint. Design A retrospective analysis consisting of chart reviews and phone interviews was performed on 17 patients who underwent fibular free flap reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint from 1993 to 1998. Results Mean follow-up in surviving patients (10) was 41.3 months. Mean age of the group was 62; male-to-female ratio was 11:6. Average hospital stay was 11.6 days. Four patients had no radiation therapy, 2 had preoperative and 11 had postoperative treatment. Five patients had one osteotomy, seven had two, one had three, and one had four. Ten patients could chew, one could not, and none were recorded for the remaining. Diet consisted of regular food for two patients, soft food for seven, full liquids for four, and tube feeds for four. Cosmesis was judged as excellent by eight patients, acceptable by two, and unacceptable by two. Five patients did not describe cosmesis. Most patients stated that bony contour was excellent, but that the soft tissue defect was noticeable. Speech was judged as intelligible by seven and moderately understandable by one. Nine patients did not describe speech. Two patients had postoperative displacement of the fibular head out of the fossa. Conclusion Primary reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint with microvascular fibular flaps is a viable and effective means of restoring function. The majority of patients are able to resume oral feeds, obtain excellent or pleasing cosmetic results, and maintain intelligible speech.
Perinatal Methanol Exposure in the Rat I. Blood Methanol Concentration and Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules

Abstract Although the acute toxicity of methanol is well documented, few studies have addressed the consequences of perinatal exposures to the low concentrations that are expected to arise from its proposed use as a component of automobile fuel. This report describes the general research design of a series of studies, the effects of methanol exposures on blood concentrations in dams and neonates, and indices of brain development. Four cohorts of Long–Evans pregnant rats, each cohort consisting of an exposure (n= 12) and a control (n= 12) group, were exposed whole-body to 4500 ppm methanol vapor or air for 6 hr daily beginning on Gestation Day 6. Both dams and pups were then exposed through Postnatal Day 21 (PND 21). Blood methanol concentrations determined by gas chromatography from samples obtained immediately following a 6-hr exposure reached approximately 500–800 μg/ml in the dams during gestation and lactation. Average concentrations for pups attained levels about twice those of the dams. Selected offspring from Cohort 4 were exposed for one additional 6-hr session at ages that extended out to PND 52. Regression analyses showed that the blood methanol concentrations of the pups declined until about PND 48, at which time their levels approximated those of their dams. Such pharmacokinetic differences might increase the risks posed to developing organisms. Light-microscopic analysis showed no significant abnormalities in the brains of the methanol-treated animals. However, assays of neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAMs) in brains of pups sacrificed on PND 4 showed staining for both the 140 and the 180 kDa isoforms to be less intense in the cerebellum of exposed animals. NCAM differences were not apparent in animals sacrificed 15 months after their final exposure.
Epigenetic Alterations and an Increased Frequency of Micronuclei in Women with Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM), characterized by chronic widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive/mood disturbances, leads to reduced workplace productivity and increased healthcare expenses. To determine if acquired epigenetic/genetic changes are associated with FM, we compared the frequency of spontaneously occurring micronuclei (MN) and genome-wide methylation patterns in women with FM (n = 10) to those seen in comparably aged healthy controls (n = 42 (MN); n = 8 (methylation)). The mean (sd) MN frequency of women with FM (51.4 (21.9)) was significantly higher than that of controls (15.8 (8.5)) (χ (2) = 45.552; df = 1; P = 1.49 × 10(-11)). Significant differences (n = 69 sites) in methylation patterns were observed between cases and controls considering a 5% false discovery rate. The majority of differentially methylated (DM) sites (91%) were attributable to increased values in the women with FM. The DM sites included significant biological clusters involved in neuron differentiation/nervous system development, skeletal/organ system development, and chromatin compaction. Genes associated with DM sites whose function has particular relevance to FM included BDNF, NAT15, HDAC4, PRKCA, RTN1, and PRKG1. Results support the need for future research to further examine the potential role of epigenetic and acquired chromosomal alterations as a possible biological mechanism underlying FM.
Semantic and associative factors in probability learning with words

Using a probability-learning technique with a single word as the cue and with the probability of a given event following this word fixed at .80, it was found (1) that neither high nor low associates to the original word and (2) that neither synonyms nor antonyms showed differential learning curves subsequent to original learning when the probability for the following event was shifted to .20. In a second study when feedback, in the form of knowledge of results, was withheld, there was a clear-cut similarity of predictions to the originally trained word and the synonyms of both high and low association value and a dissimilarity of these words to a set of antonyms of both high and low association value. Two additional studies confirmed the importance of the semantic dimension as compared with association value as traditionally measured.
Overproduction of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Related to von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Gene Mutations and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Expression in Renal Cell Carcinomas.

ABSTRACTPurpose: The von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene is frequently inactivated in the common type of sporadic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) as well as RCCs associated with VHL disease. The VHL protein targets hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), a transcription factor that can induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, for ubiquitination and degradation. Accumulation of HIF-1α caused by mutant VHL protein in tumor cells may result in VEGF over expression, which has been used to explain the increased vascularity of RCC. However, quantitative analyses of VEGF production and its correlation with VHL mutations and HIF-1α expression in authentic tissues from patients with RCC are lacking.Materials and Methods: We analyzed VHL gene mutations by direct DNA sequencing and methylation specific polymerase chain reaction in 31 paired RCC tissue samples. HIF-1α protein expression detected by immunoblotting and immunohistochemical staining, and VEGF protein measured by enzyme-l...
Structural adjustment: A survey of the issues and options

Abstract The article raises and attempts to answer questions such as: adjustment for what purpose? to what shocks? of what factors or forces? by whom? who loses and who benefits from adjustment? and adjustment how? It also discusses the question of adjustment when? The distinction between external and internal shocks is rejected as neither helpful for the allocation of blame nor for the justification of raising finance. An analysis of the impact on the poor is sketched out. After a brief discussion of the role of the market and government intervention in adjustment policy and the fallacy of aggregating country policies, there follows a discussion of the double paradox of conditionality: why should a donor impose conditions that are in the best interest of the recipient, and why, instead of paying for getting good advice, is the recipient rewarded with extra money? Ten possible reasons are given. The paper ends with proposals as to how to overcome the conflict between national sovereignty and assuring that donor money is well spent.
Information integration in judgements of time to contact

Time to contact (TTC) is specified optically by tau, and studies suggest that observers are sensitive to this information. However, TTC judgements also are influenced by other sources of information, including pictorial depth cues. Therefore, it is useful to identify these sources of information and to determine whether and how their effects combine when multiple sources are available. We evaluated the effect of five depth cues on TTC judgements. Results indicate that relative size, height in field, occlusion, and motion parallax influence TTC judgements. When multiple cues are available, an integration (rather than selection) strategy is used. Finally, the combined effects of multiple cues are not always consistent with a strict additive model and may be task dependent.
Facial warming increases the threshold for shivering

A decrease of 1-2 degrees C core temperature provides protection against cerebral ischemia. However, shivering usually prevents reduction in core temperature in unanesthetized patients. Therefore, it was tested whether facial and airway heating increases the shivering threshold and enables core cooling in unanesthetized patients. Nine trials were performed on seven healthy male volunteers. Each subject was positioned supine on a circulating-water mattress (8-15 degrees C) with a convective-air coverlet (15-18 degrees C) extending from the neck to the feet. A dynamic study protocol governed by individualized physiological responses was used. Focal facial (and airway) warming was employed to suppress involuntary motor activity (muscle tensing, shivering) and, thereby, enabling noninvasive cooling to lower the core temperature. The following parameters were monitored: 1) heart rate, 2) blood pressure, 3) core temperature (tympanic, axilla, and rectal), 4) cutaneous temperatures, and 5) a subjective shiver index (scale 1-10). In three, electromyograms and infrared thermographs were also obtained. Upon cooling without facial and airway warming, involuntary motor activity increased until it was widespread. This vigorous motor activity prevented any significant lowering of core temperature or caused it to slightly increase. Subsequently, in all subjects, within seconds after the application of facial focal warming, motor activity was suppressed almost completely, and within minutes core temperatures significantly decreased. Preliminary studies described here indicate that focal facial warming applied during active whole body cooling to initiate mild hypothermia might minimize the need to pharmacologically suppress involuntary motor activity. Such a procedure might be useful for initiating as soon as possible (such as during emergency transport), cerebral mild hypothermia in order to maximize protection and thus improve outcome in neurologically injured patients (head trauma, stroke).
Skin color detection in low bit-rate 3-D multiwavelet-based videos

There is a growing thrust of studies on exploring applications of multiwavelets in image compression, denoising and recognition. For compression, multiple scaling functions and multiple wavelets provide more flexible approximation of the original signal at high compression ratio than a comparable single scaling function and single wavelet, leading to potential improvement in the detection of some features even in low bit-rate videos. This paper presents a study on detection of human skin colors in low bit-rate videos as a performance evaluation of low bit-rate videos encoded using spatio-temporal 3-D multiwavelets.
‘Today we shall drink blood’: internal unrest in Nigeria

Despite some tentative internal peace agreements, Nigeria continues to face violence from multiple groups. This violence feeds upon itself, with segments of the population being mobilized both for self defense and for pressing their ideological and practical goals. These multiple sources of violence, which the Nigerian government appears unable to control to any significant degree, have a long term corrosive effect on the country's internal stability. There are few reasons to be sanguine as to any rapid changes to the level of overall violence or the relative number of armed groups, although their specific identities may shift. Nigeria represents a good case study of a country in which relatively low but persistent violence by a multiplicity of groups can have major impacts on internal security.
Automating software design and configuration for a small spacecraft

The Open Prototype for Educational NanoSats (OPEN) is a framework for the development of low-cost spacecraft. It will allow users to build a 1-U (10 cm x 10 cm x 11 cm, 1.33 kg) CubeSat-class spacecraft with a parts budget of approximately $5,000. Work is underway to develop software to assist users in configuring the spacecraft and validating its compliance with integration and launch standards. Each prospective configuration requires a unique software configuration, combining pre-built modules for controlling base components, custom control software for custom developed and payload components and overall mission management and control software (which, itself will be a combination of standard components and mission specific control logic). This paper presents a system for automating standard component configuration and creating templates to facilitate the creation and integration of components that must be (or which the developer desires to be) custom-developed for the particular mission or spacecraft.
The calculation of Lp(1, X)

Abstract We give a short and elementary version of Leopoldt's calculation of L p (1, X .
Increased production of functional recombinant human clotting factor IX by baby hamster kidney cells engineered to overexpress VKORC1, the vitamin K 2,3-epoxide-reducing enzyme of the vitamin K cycle.

Some recombinant vitamin K-dependent blood coagulation factors (factors VII, IX, and protein C) have become valuable pharmaceuticals in the treatment of bleeding complications and sepsis. Because of their vitamin K-dependent post-translational modification, their synthesis by eukaryotic cells is essential. The eukaryotic cell harbors a vitamin K-dependent γ-carboxylation system that converts the proteins to γ-carboxyglutamic acid-containing proteins. However, the system in eukaryotic cells has limited capacity, and cell lines overexpressing vitamin K-dependent clotting factors produce only a fraction of the recombinant proteins as fully γ-carboxylated, physiologically competent proteins. In this work we have used recombinant human factor IX (r-hFIX)-producing baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells, engineered to stably overexpress various components of the γ-carboxylation system of the cell, to determine whether increased production of functional r-hFIX can be accomplished. All BHK cell lines secreted r-hFIX into serum-free medium. Overexpression of γ-carboxylase is shown to inhibit production of functional r-hFIX. On the other hand, cells overexpressing VKORC1, the reduced vitamin K cofactor-producing enzyme of the vitamin K-dependent γ-carboxylation system, produced 2.9-fold more functional r-hFIX than control BHK cells. The data are consistent with the notion that VKORC1 is the rate-limiting step in the system and is a key regulatory protein in synthesis of active vitamin K-dependent proteins. The data suggest that overexpression of VKORC1 can be utilized for increased cellular production of recombinant vitamin K-dependent proteins.