cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From blooming, buzzing confusion to media literacy: The early development of television viewing

Television comprehension is a surprisingly demanding task for very young children. Based on a task analysis of television viewing and review of research, we suggest that by 6 months of age, infants can identify objects and people on screen. By 24 months they can comprehend and imitate simple actions contained in single shots and begin to integrate information across shots. Toddlers nevertheless suffer from the video deficit whereby their comprehension is less than from equivalent real life displays. During the preschool years they learn much of the grammar of filmic montage and can comprehend straightforward narrative productions. Essentially adult comprehension appears to be in place by 13 years of age.
Age-related qualitative differences in auditory cortical responses during short-term memory.

Abstract Objective : To examine the affects of aging on auditory cortical activity during a short-term memory task. Methods : Young and elderly subjects performed a working memory task using acoustically presented digits while evoked potential components (N100, P200) generated by auditory cortex were recorded. Reaction time and N100/P200 amplitudes and latency were analyzed as a function of memory load. Results : N100 amplitude to probes decreased as a function of memory load in young subjects, but increased as a function of memory load in the elderly. Young subjects also exhibited changes in N100 latency during memorization of list items, a result not found in elderly subjects. Conclusions : We conclude that normal aging is associated with a qualitatively different pattern of N100 responses during memory retrieval, and a static N100 response during encoding. The findings suggest that aging is accompanied by functional reorganization of the neural network that supports retrieval in auditory working memory.
Comparison of automated and manual segmentation of hippocampus MR images

The precision and accuracy of area estimates from magnetic resonance (MR) brain images and using manual and automated segmentation methods are determined. Areas of the human hippocampus were measured to compare a new automatic method of segmentation with regions of interest drawn by an expert. MR images of nine normal subjects and nine schizophrenic patients were acquired with a 1.5-T unit (Siemens Medical Systems, Inc., Iselin, New Jersey). From each individual MPRAGE 3D volume image a single comparable 2-D slice (matrix equals 256 X 256) was chosen which corresponds to the same coronal slice of the hippocampus. The hippocampus was first manually segmented, then segmented using high dimensional transformations of a digital brain atlas to individual brain MR images. The repeatability of a trained rater was assessed by comparing two measurements from each individual subject. Variability was also compared within and between subject groups of schizophrenics and normal subjects. Finally, the precision and accuracy of automated segmentation of hippocampal areas were determined by comparing automated measurements to manual segmentation measurements made by the trained rater on MR and brain slice images. The results demonstrate the high repeatability of area measurement from MR images of the human hippocampus. Automated segmentation using high dimensional transformations from a digital brain atlas provides repeatability superior to that of manual segmentation. Furthermore, the validity of automated measurements was demonstrated by a high correlation with manual segmentation measurements made by a trained rater. Quantitative morphometry of brain substructures (e.g. hippocampus) is feasible by use of a high dimensional transformation of a digital brain atlas to an individual MR image. This method automates the search for neuromorphological correlates of schizophrenia by a new mathematically robust method with unprecedented sensitivity to small local and regional differences.
Will α-Fetoprotein Analysis Be Useful in Detecting Fetal Anomalies in the First Trimester?

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine if maternal serum (MSAFP) or amniotic fluid (AF-AFP) α-fetoprotein analysis might he useful in detecting fetal structural defects in the first trimester. During a 5-year period, 20 fetal anomalies were diagnosed at 11–13 weeks by transvaginal ultrasound scanning. A MSAFP sample was obtained in all 20 patients and 17 patients had AF-AFP results obtained by an early amniocentesis. Ten of 20 patients (50%) had elevated MSAFP levels, and 6 or 17 patients had elevated AF-AFP samples (35%). MSAFP was elevated in 4 of 5 cases of anencephaly (80%), in one fetus with the combined malformations of anencephaly and omphalocele, in one fetus with a large encephalocele, in 2 of 3 fetuses (67%) with an omphalocele, and in two cases of cystic hygroma with an abnormal karyotype. AF-AFP was elevated in 3 of 3 cases of anencephaly, in one fetus with the combined defects of anencephaly and omphalocele, in 1 of 3 cases (33%) of omphalocele, and in one fetus with an ence...
Respiratory impedance spectral estimation for digitally created random noise.

Measurement of respiratory input mechanical impedance (Zrs) is noninvasive, requires minimal subject cooperation, and contains information related to mechanical lung function. A common approach to measure Zrs is to apply random noise pressure signals at the airway opening, measure the resulting flow variations, and then estimate Zrs using Fast-Fourier Transform (FFT) techniques. The goal of this study was to quantify how several signal processing issues affect the quality of a Zrs spectral estimate when the input pressure sequence is created digitally. Random noise driven pressure and flow time domain data were simulated for three models, which permitted predictions of Zrs characteristics previously reported from 0–4, 4–32, and 4–200 Hz. Then, the quality of the Zrs estimate was evaluated as a function of the number of runs ensemble averaged, windowing, flow signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and pressure spectral magnitude shape |P(jω)|. For a |P(jω)| with uniform power distribution and a SNR 200 and 10 runs were averaged, the minimum γ2 >0.95. However, when |P(jω)| was matched to |Zrs|, γ2 > 0.91 even for 5 runs and a SNR of 20. For data created digitally with equally spaced spectral content, the rectangular window was superior to the Hanning. Finally, coherence alone may not be a reliable measure of Zrs quality because coherence is only an estimate itself. We conclude that an accurate estimate of Zrs is best obtained by matching |P(jω)| to |Zin| (subject and speaker) and using rectangular windowing.
Comparison of DNA binding between the carcinogen 2,6-dinitrotoluene and its noncarcinogenic analog 2,6-diaminotoluene

Abstract We used 32 P-postlabelling to compare DNA binding between the potent hepatocarcinogen 2,6-dinitrotoluene and its noncarcinogenic analog 2,6-diaminotoluene. The two compounds were compared to determine whether differences in DNA binding could partly explain the differences in their carcinogenicity. Fischer-344 rats were administered 1.2 mmol/kg of a compound by single i.p. injection and examined for DNA adduct formation in the liver. Four adducts were detected following administration of 2,6-dinitrotoluene, with a total adduct yield of 13.5 adducted nucleotides per 10 7 nucleotides. Qualitatively identical adducts were also detected after treatment with the derivative 2-amino-6-nitrotoluene. Adduct yields from 2,6-dinitrotoluene were 30 times greater than from 2-amino-6-nitrotoluene. No adducts were observed following treatment with 2,6-diaminotoluene. 2,6-Dinitrotoluene and 2,6-diaminotoluene were also compared for qualitative differences in hepatotoxicity. 2,6-Dinitrotoluene produced extensive hemorrhagic necrosis in the liver, whereas no evidence of hepatocellular necrosis was detected following administration of the latter. The differences between the two compounds in both DNA binding and cytotoxicity were consistent with the differences in their carcinogenicity.
2042 Reduction in pulmonary vein size after atrial fibrillation ablation in the absence of pulmonary vein stenosis

Methods Twelve consecutive patients with a mean age of 60 years old undergoing PVI by a single operator underwent cardiac MRI pre and post ablation. PVI was performed using standard ablation techniques and MRI scans were conducted on a 1.5 Telsa system with a protocol optimized for pulmonary venography using a 3D CE MRA sequence. All analysis was performed using a ViewForm workstation. All four pulmonary vein diameters were measured pre and post procedure.
Structures, Energetics, and Electronic Properties of Layered Materials and Nanotubes of Cadmium Chalcogenides

Geometric structures, energetics, and electronic properties of single-layer sheets, multilayer stacks, and single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) of cadmium chalcogenides CdX (X = S, Se, Te) have been studied using ab initio density functional theory, along with spin–orbit coupling, van der Waals (vdW) interactions, and the GW approximation. Methodologies applied to the rationally designed materials have been validated through the experimental structural parameters and band gaps of 3D bulk zinc blende and wurtzite phases of CdX. The 2D single-layer sheet of CdS is found to be completely planar, while those of CdSe and CdTe are slightly corrugated, all showing a honeycomb lattice. The 2D sheets are destabilized with respect to the bulk zinc blende and wurtzite phases, but can be significantly stabilized by forming 3D multilayer stacks as a result of interlayer interactions. 1D (5,5) armchair and (9,0) zigzag SWNTs are also stabilized from their single-layer sheet counterparts. Both SWNTs consist of two concentric...
Lifetime measurements in 56Co

Abstract Lifetimes of six excited states in 56 Co below 1.75 MeV have been measured by the Doppler-shift attenuation method. The levels were excited via the 54 Fe( 3 He, pγ) reaction with 10.4 MeV 3 He particles. Gamma rays were measured in a 45 cm 3 Ge(Li) detector in coincidence with protons backscattered near 180°. Reduced transition probabilities extracted from measured lifetimes compare favourably with shell model predictions of McGrory.
Spectral sensitivity in some marine crustacea.

Abstract The relation between habitat and the presence of multiple pigment systems in compound eyes of marine crustaceans has been examined. Electroretinographic determinations of spectral sensitivity during selective adaptation have been performed on three quasi-terrestrial crabs and compared to intracellular measurements in a swimming crab. The results indicate that all four possess a single pigment system with a similar absorption spectrum. These spectra agree with electrophysiological and microspectrophotometric data from other investigators. We conclude that the capacity for color vision is not necessarily related to the habitat in which these animals are found.
Tax Law Bans on Political Campaign Speech by Houses of Worship: Inappropriate Government Censorship and Intrusion on Religion

To ensure their legitimacy, western liberal democracies depend on the fullest protection for freedom of political and electoral speech. Governments should not interfere with or chill these fundamental rights of democratic participation without sufficiently compelling reasons to do so. In the US, however, despite the majestic protections of the First Amendment, anomalously there remains a large class of nonprofit entities that are statutorily precluded from this type of crucial political involvement, and this exceptional restriction on speech is incongruously based in the federal tax code. In particular, spiritual leaders who feel theologically compelled to speak out on critical moral and political issues of the day risk the tax-exempt status of their houses of worship if they cross an amorphous line into explicit or implicit political campaign speech. Both freedom of expression and religious freedom are at stake, and the tax system is a particularly inapt and inept mechanism for restricting speech and influencing the political activity of houses of worship.
Do markets react to required and voluntary disclosures associated with auditor realignments

Abstract This manuscript investigates whether required and voluntary Form 8-K (Item 4.01) auditor realignment disclosures in 2004 and 2005 convey information content to investors in a post SOX era. Unlike prior research, our results indicate that internal control material weakness and non-reliance on management representation disclosures convey negative information content, while audit scope limitation, earnings restatement and client–auditor disagreement disclosures do not convey information content in a post SOX era. Also, unlike prior research, voluntary disclosures such as fee disputes do not convey information content. Similar to prior research, auditor resignation disclosures convey information content. Our results also indicate that other required disclosures such as when an auditor realignment occurs after a company has received a going concern opinion and when a company switches to a larger audit firm (e.g., from a local/regional firm to a Big 4 firm) are associated with positive CARs.
On the yield condition for anisotropic porous materials

The plastic yield condition for a porous material that explicitly reflects pore shapes and orientations is constructed. The cases of plastic isotropy and transverse isotropy are analyzed in detail. The agreement with the available experimental data is reasonably good.
300-580 Nanometer Long-Slit Spectroscopy of Comet Tabur (C/1996 Q1)

Comets Liller (C/1988 A1) and Tabur (C/1996 Q1) have similar orbits and are thought to have been a single comet until they split at a previous perihelion passage. Long-slit spectra of comet Tabur were obtained on consecutive nights around 45 days before perihelion. Nuclear production rate ratios for NH/CN, C3/CN, and C2/CN, determined from Haser model fits to the emission-line profiles, are consistent with a gas composition for comet Tabur identical with that measured by A'Hearn et al. for comet Liller. In a region between the photocenter and a projected position 5300 km sunward, the continuum light scattered from dust in the coma of comet Tabur was bluer than the light of solar-analog stars. Continuum flux in this region declined more steeply with projected distance from photocenter than is consistent with a uniform expansion. Farther sunward, the continuum was reddish with respect to solar analogs, while from the photocenter antisunward, it was neutral. The color profiles are similar in spectra obtained 24 hr apart, while the flux profiles differ. These data are difficult to explain by the action of solar radiation pressure on a population of long-lived grains of a single composition.
Transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor and tissue-type plasminogen activator gene expression in HTC rat hepatoma cells by glucocorticoids and cyclic nucleotides

We have reported previously that incubation of HTC rat hepatoma cells with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone causes a 90% decrease in tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) activity secondary to a 4-fold increase in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) mRNA accumulation. Dexamethasone also induces a modest and transient increase in tPA mRNA. The cyclic nucleotide analog 8-bromo-cAMP (cA) causes a greater than 50-fold increase in PA activity, the result of a 90% decrease in PAI-1 and a sustained 2-fold increase in tPA mRNA accumulation. Dexamethasone and cA in combination cause a 150-fold increase in PA activity, the result of an 80% decrease in PAI-1 and a synergistic 15-fold increase in tPA mRNA. To determine the mechanism of this complex hormonal regulation, we have examined rates of synthesis and decay of PAI-1 and tPA mRNAs. Here we report that dexamethasone induces a 5-fold increase in PAI-1 gene transcription and does not significantly alter PAI-1 message decay; PAI-1 mRNA has a half-...
Acute and delayed neurotoxicity of leptophos analogs

Abstract Nineteen O -halogenated-phenyl O -methyl phenylphosphonothionates were evaluated for acute toxicity (LD 50 ) to the female house fly Musca domestica L. and to the male Swiss white mouse, and for delayed neurotoxicity to the White Leghorn hen. The electron-withdrawing power of the phenyl substituents (Σσ − values) correlate with the LD 50 values to house fly and mouse, with departures from linearity attributable to the steric hindrance of di- ortho -Cl substitution and by variations in the accessibility of the anionic site of acetylcholinesterase in the two species. The relationship with delayed neurotoxicity is less predictable although it clearly depends on suitable electron-withdrawing capacity. Delayed neurotoxicity also relates to a high degree of lipophilicity and prolonged residence time of the inhibitor in the nerve axon.
The initiation of eukaryotic and prokaryotic protein synthesis: A selective accessibility and multisubstrate enzyme reaction

An extension of our unique accessibility hypothesis for the initiation of protein synthesis is proposed following a review of the initiation of protein synthesis. The E. coli model initiation sequence generated by computer from 68 initiation sequences and the eukaryotic consensus initiation sequence derived by non-computer analysis of 211 initiation sequences do not contain a specific base in any position; they are only assigned preferred bases. The initiation site, in other words, is a varied sequence of preferred bases and its sequence is non-unique. This indicates that the ribosomal recognition of the initiation site may be the result of multiple interactions that are cooperative and cumulative and typical of multisubstrate enzymes. Because of this characteristic, the model of multisubstrate enzymes with broad substrate specificity is proposed as a paradigm for the initiation of protein synthesis. As predicted by this model, changes in the leader and downstream sequences that improve the agreement with the preferred base sequence do indeed enhance the rate of protein synthesis. The eukaryotic/prokaryotic hybrid studies show a considerable overlap in the specificities of the two groups of ribosomes. The scanning of the mRNA from the 5'-end postulated by the scanning hypothesis is not a necessary step since eukaryotic ribosomes are able to bind to internal mRNA sites and initiate synthesis. Our unique accessibility hypothesis, which is extended by coupling cooperative and cumulative specificity in ribosomal function, is referred to for brevity as the cumulative specificity hypothesis. The hypothesis actually postulates a selective accessibility and cooperative-cumulative specificity mechanism; it is able to account for the behavior of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic initiation of protein synthesis. From another perspective, the hypothesis can be regarded as providing a mechanism that enables ribosomes to recognize the IS in the absence of a unique initiation sequence.
Mass loss from carbon stars

The present consideration of the circumstellar envelopes around carbon stars on the basis of IRAS data indicates that the grains are composed of amorphous carbon rather than graphite, with an extrapolated outflowing material opacity that is large enough for the radiation pressure on the grains to drive the matter to infinity. At least 10 percent of the carbon stars have a mass loss rate that has changed by a factor of 2 during the past 1000 years. The stars that are losing large amounts of mass are generally long period variables. All these results are consistent with a two-step process of mass loss from most of the stars with substantial mass-outflow rates.
Transport in Graphene: Studying Layers of BN, SiC, and SiO2

We will examine the mobility and high-field velocity in graphene placed upon various substrates, such as boron nitride (BN), silicon carbide (SiC), or silicon dioxide (SiO2). The transport is subject to the intrinsic phonons in graphene as well as flexural modes, but it is the remote polar modes from the substrate and impurities sited between the substrate layer and graphene that dominate the mobility and velocity.
Pharmacotherapy for allergic contact dermatitis.

Allergic contact dermatitis is a highly prevalent, potentially chronic disease, with a significant economic and quality of life impact. Culprit causal allergen(s) can be identified though patch testing, the ‘gold-standard’ diagnostic method. For most people, identification and subsequent avoidance of their clinically relevant allergens will results in resolution of the dermatitis. However, when an avoidance regimen is not possible, or an allergen is not identified, patients potentially require symptomatic and immunosuppressive therapy to diminish the manifestations of their disease. This article reviews a therapeutic approach to allergic contact dermatitis.
On the structure of the cubic crystals: Ca(NO3)2, Sr(NO3)2 Ba(NO3)2 and Pb(NO3)2. An infrared and Raman study

Abstract Raman spectra have been obtained for oriented single crystals of Sr(NO 3 ) 2 , Ba(NO 3 ) 2 and Pb(NO 3 ) 2 at 300 and 80°K and for polycrystalline samples of Ca(NO 3 ) 2 at 300°K. Infrared transmission, multiple internal reflection and polarized specular reflection techniques were used to determine transverse optical (TO) and longitudinal optical (LO) mode frequencies. The observed vibrational spectra were assigned on the basis of the T h 6 space group rather than the recently suggested T 4 structure. Noncoincidence of infrared and Raman bands for modes of F symmetry together with the failure to observe F (LO) modes in the Raman spectra support the centrosymmetric structure and cast doubt on the recent claim for a nonplanar nitrate group in Ba(NO 3 ) 2 crystals.
A COMPARATIVE CHROMOSOME STUDY IN THE INCIPIENT SPECIES OF THE DROSOPHILA PAULISTORUM COMPLEX

The gene arrangements in the chromosomes of the races or incipient species of the Drosophila paulistorum complex have been compared in the interracial hybrids. The results are correlated with those obtained by Dobzhansky and Pavlovsky (1962), and also with data on the intraracial polymorphisms, to be published elsewhere. A Standard strain was chosen arbitrarily, the Palmira stock of the Transitional race, and other races and strains described in terms of comparison with the Standard. The minimal number of inverted sections differentiating the Andean race from the Standard is 1, Centroamerican 5, Orinocan 3, Amazonian 6. Little chromosome pairing takes place in the hybrids between the Standard and the Guianan strains. These strains may well be regarded as belonging to a full-fledged species distinct from D. paulistorum complex. The results of the present study furnish little support to the Mayr-Carson hypothesis, according to which diverging incipient species are expected to share few or no intrapopulational polymorphisms.
Off-axis response measurement of the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) telescope

The Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument is a 10-channel earth limb-viewing sensor that measures atmospheric emissions in the spectral range of 1.27 μm to 16.9 μm. SABER is part of NASA's Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) mission, which was successfully launched in December 2001. Uncommon among limb-viewing sensors, SABER employs an on-axis telescope design with reimaging optics to allow for an intermediate field stop and a Lyot stop. Additional stray light protection is achieved by an innovative inner Lyot stop, which is placed conjugate to the secondary obscuration and support structure. Presented in this paper is the off-axis response of SABER as measured in the Terrestrial Black Hole off-axis scatter facility at the Space Dynamics Laboratory. The measurement was made at visible wavelengths; thus, the response is only representative of SABER's short wavelength channels. The measurement validated the stray light design and complemented the APART software model, which predicts that mirror scatter is the dominant stray light mechanism at short wavelengths. In addition, estimates of the mirror bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) were made. The off-axis response measurement indicates that SABER is an exceptional stray light suppression telescope.
Regulation of Tendon Tissue Engineered Construct Stiffness by Culture Time, Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Mechanical Stimulation

More than 57.2 million episodes of musculoskeletal injuries were recorded in 2004 in the United States, costing the US economy more than $254 billion [1, 2]. Approximately 45% of these are tendon, ligament and joint capsule related injuries [3]. Tissue engineering approaches have emerged as an attractive alternative to conventional and oftentimes ineffective treatment methods. Implanting MSC-seeded collagen tissue engineered constructs (TECs) in the central defects of patellar tendon (PT) has significantly improved repair biomechanics compared to natural healing as well as acellular repairs in the rabbit model [4, 5]. Mechanically stimulating these MSC-collagen TECs further improved repair outcome, and TEC stiffness at the time of surgery positively correlated with and predicted repair stiffness twelve weeks after surgery [6, 7]. Although these improvements were observed twelve weeks after surgery, repairs were still not strong enough to withstand forces that might arise during more strenuous activities.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Oral microbiota and host innate immune response in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

Bacterial biofilms have emerged as potential critical triggers in the pathogenesis of bisphosphonate (BP)-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) or BRONJ. BRONJ lesions have shown to be heavily colonized by oral bacteria, most of these difficult to cultivate and presents many clinical challenges. The purpose of this study was to characterize the bacterial diversity in BRONJ lesions and to determine host immune response. We examined tissue specimens from three cohorts (n=30); patients with periodontal disease without a history of BP therapy (Control, n=10), patients with periodontal disease having history of BP therapy but without ONJ (BP, n=5) and patients with BRONJ (BRONJ, n=15). Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments revealed less bacterial diversity in BRONJ than BP and Control cohorts. Sequence analysis detected six phyla with predominant affiliation to Firmicutes in BRONJ (71.6%), BP (70.3%) and Control (59.1%). Significant differences (P<0.05) in genera were observed, between Control/BP, Control/BRONJ and BP/BRONJ cohorts. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results indicated that the levels of myeloperoxidase were significantly lower, whereas interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were moderately elevated in BRONJ patients as compared to Controls. PCR array showed significant changes in BRONJ patients with downregulation of host genes, such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing protein 2, and cathepsin G, the key modulators for antibacterial response and upregulation of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, proteinase 3 and conserved helix-loop-helix ubiquitous kinase. The results suggest that colonization of unique bacterial communities coupled with deficient innate immune response is likely to impact the pathogenesis of ONJ.
Teaching by analogy: the switch statement

Many beginning programming students have difficulty mastering the C++/Java concept of the switch statement. This paper provides a classroom tested analogy that allows students to map a "real world" concept that they already understand to the switch statement, thus making comprehension much easier.
Moment theory bounds on long-range casimir—polder interactions

Abstract Quantum-mechanical sum rules and results from the theory of moments are employed in the construction of rigorous bounds on the long range Casimir—Polder interactions of atoms and molecules.
Interference Alignment for Secrecy

This paper studies the frequency/time selective K-user Gaussian interference channel with secrecy constraints. Two distinct models, namely the interference channel with confidential messages and the interference channel with an external eavesdropper, are analyzed. The key difference between the two models is the lack of channel state information (CSI) of the external eavesdropper. Using interference alignment along with secrecy precoding, it is shown that each user can achieve non-zero secure degrees of freedom (DoF) for both cases. More precisely, the proposed coding scheme achieves [(K-2)/(2K-2)] secure DoF with probability one per user in the confidential messages model. For the external eavesdropper scenario, on the other hand, it is shown that each user can achieve [(K-2)/(2K)] secure DoF in the ergodic setting. Remarkably, these results establish the positive impact of interference on the secrecy capacity region of wireless networks.
Cardiovascular risk factors among Asian Americans: results from a National Health Survey.

Purpose We assessed the prevalence of major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among Chinese, Asian Indian, Filipino, and other Asian populations compared to non-Hispanic Whites in the United States. Methods We analyzed aggregated data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 2003 to 2005. Bivariate analyses were used to determine differences in the prevalence of CVD risk factors among Asian subgroups and white adults. Logistic regression analyses were also conducted to compare each Asian subgroup with white adults after taking sociodemographic variables into account. Results The unadjusted prevalence of physical inactivity was highest among Asian Indians and other Asians. After we controlled for covariates, Asian Indians still had higher odds of physical inactivity than Whites (odds ratio [OR] = 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22–1.84). All Asian ethnic groups were significantly less likely than Whites to report smoking, obesity, and binge drinking. Compared with Whites, Filipinos were more likely to have hypertension (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.02–1.44) and Asian Indians were more likely to have diabetes (OR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.63–3.20). Conclusion Although Asian race was generally associated with lower risk for CVD, certain risk factors were particularly high among some Asian subgroups. Future interventions should specify the needs of specific subgroups and design culturally specific programs to reduce health risk behaviors in each Asian subpopulation.
“FRANCOPHONIE” IN THE 1990S: PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES. Dennis Ager. Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters, 1996. Pp. 215. $26.95 paper.

A landscape of popular perceptions increasingly indifferent to French has sent teachers around the United States scurrying for new books that will draw students to the language they love. In many cases, the profession has fixed on Francophonie as a solution, offering, it seems, the practical, down-to-earth usefulness that the profession thinks students want and providing, at the same time, a neat link to popular and sometimes simple-minded notions of multiculturalism. Ager's new book, 6 years after his excellent Sociolinguistics and Contemporary French, demonstrates that Francophonie is far more problematic than many have thought. Less technical than the earlier book, this emphatically interdisciplinary work ought to be required reading for all prospective teachers of French.
Neuron-Specific Expression in Vivo by Defined Transcription Regulatory Elements of the GnRH Gene

The GnRH-expressing neurons are the ultimate regulator of reproductive function. GnRH gene expression is limited to this small population of neurons in the hypothalamus. Transfections using 3 kb of the rat or mouse 5'-regulatory region provide specific gene expression in the hypothalamic cell line GT1-7. The combination of two elements, a 300-bp enhancer and a 173-bp promoter, recapitulates specificity in GT1-7 cells. It was not known whether these elements could specifically target gene expression throughout development in the whole animal. We demonstrate that the 3-kb rat GnRH regulatory region provides a higher degree of specificity than the equivalent mouse sequence in a mouse hypothalamic cell line. Moreover, combination of the enhancer and the promoter of the rat gene targets expression to GnRH neurons in transgenic mice in a developmentally appropriate manner. Transgene expression is regulated by activin A, a known activator of GnRH gene expression. In contrast, the enhancer on a heterologous promoter produces inappropriate expression in vivo. We conclude that the enhancer and promoter regions of the rat GnRH gene are necessary for targeted expression to hypothalamic neurons and are sufficient to confer regulated, cell type-specific expression to a reporter gene in vivo.
Automatic knowledge acquisition and maintenance for semantic query optimization

The authors present an approach to acquiring knowledge from previously processed queries. By using newly acquired knowledge together with given semantic knowledge, it is possible to make the query processor and/or optimizer more intelligent so that future queries can b processed more efficiently. The acquired knowledge is in the form of constraints. While some constraints are to be enforced for all database states, others are known to be valid for the current state of the database. The former constraints are statistic integrity constraints, while the latter are called dynamic integrity constraints. Some situations in which certain dynamic semantic constraints can be automatically extracted are identified. This automatic tool for knowledge acquisition can also be used as an interactive tool for identifying potential static integrity constraints. The concept of minimal knowledge base is introduced, and a method to maintain the knowledge base is presented. An algorithm to compute the restriction (selection) closure, i.e. all deductible restrictions, from a given set of restrictions, join predicates (as given in a query), and constraints is given. >
Decoder error probability of bounded distance decoders for constant-dimension codes

Constant-dimension codes (CDCs) have been considered for error correction in random linear network coding, and low-complexity bounded distance decoders have been proposed. However, error performance, decoder error probability (DEP) in particular, of these bounded distance decoders has received little attention. In this paper, we first establish some fundamental geometric properties of the projective space. In particular, we show that the volume of the intersection of two spheres depends on only the two radii as well as the distance between and the dimensions of the two centers. Using these geometric properties, we then consider bounded distance decoders in both subspace and injection metrics and derive analytical expressions of their DEPs for CDCs over a symmetric operator channel, which ultimately depend on their distance distributions. Finally, we focus on CDCs obtained by lifting rank metric codes since their distance distributions are known, and obtain two important results. First, we obtain asymptotically tight upper bounds on the DEPs of bounded distance decoders in both metrics; the upper bounds decrease exponentially with the square of the minimum distance. Second, we show that the DEP for KK codes, obtained by lifting Gabidulin codes, is the highest up to a scalar among all CDCs obtained by lifting rank metric codes.
The role of cake structure in the dewatering of fine coal by filtration

Cake structure is a controlling factor in fine coal dewatering by filtration. The effects of cake structure, as defined by the distributions of pore size and shape, are reviewed. A simple model for relating cake structure to feed-particle characteristics is presented and applied to a practical case of fine coal dewatering.
Enhanced pyroelectric crystal D–D nuclear fusion using tungsten nanorods

Summary Thin films of vertically aligned tungsten nanorods were used to enhance field ionization in pyroelectric crystal D–D fusion experiments resulting in increased neutron production. The tungsten nanorods were deposited on a single LiTaO3 crystal using sputter deposition at glancing angles. The combination of a single tungsten tip with a thin film of nanorods on the face of the crystal yielded about four times the number of neutrons than did either a single tip or nanorods alone.
Discussion of Luisa: A Clinical Presentation by Anne Alvarez

This article is a reaction to the clinical report of Alvarez of a treatment of an anxious, somatizing late adolescent. Approaching this clinical dyad from a relational perspective, transference elements, projected identifications to analyst and to reader are considered. The issues of intergenerational transmission of trauma in work with children from histories of migration and separation are considered, the roles of class and money as barriers to treatment engagement are considered. The disguised hostilities and envies in the treatment are also explored.
Resonance: dynamic access control for enterprise networks

Enterprise network security is typically reactive, and it relies heavily on host security and middleboxes. This approach creates complicated interactions between protocols and systems that can cause incorrect behavior and slow response to attacks. We argue that imbuing the network layer with mechanisms for dynamic access control can remedy these ills. We propose Resonance, a system for securing enterprise networks, where the network elements themselves enforce dynamic access control policies based on both flow-level information and real-time alerts. Resonance uses programmable switches to manipulate traffic at lower layers; these switches take actions (e.g., dropping or redirecting traffic) to enforce high-level security policies based on input from both higherlevel security policies and distributed monitoring and inference systems. We describe the design of Resonance, apply it to Georgia Tech's network access control system, show how it can both overcome the current shortcomings and provide new security functions, describe our proposed deployment, and discuss open research questions.
Distribution of protein-bound zinc in normal and cirrhotic serum.

The distribution of 65 Zn among the serum proteins of 18 cirrhotic patients and 10 normal individuals was studied. Total zinc was measured in each serum. Zinc was bound to albumin, transferrin and α 2 -macroglobulin in all subjects. It was bound to IgG in all cirrhotics and five of ten normals. Utilizing the percentage distribution of 65 Zn and total serum zinc, the amount bound in each fraction was calculated. Albumin-bound zinc correlated well with total serum zinc (r = 0.97). Total serum zinc was lower in cirrhotics than in normals (p α 2 -macroglobulin. The total amount bound to these proteins (Tf- α 2 M) was of remarkably constant and equivalent size in normals and cirrhotics. Transferrin concentration was significantly lower (p α 2 -macroglobulin was higher in cirrhotics although the difference was not significant (p α 2 -macroglobulin. However, the total amount bound to Tf- α 2 M remains remarkably constant even when total serum zinc falls as low as 12 μg./ml. The constancy of the amount of zinc bound to Tf- α 2 M implies metabolic control of this fraction. When serum zinc falls to very low levels, it may account for nearly one-half of the total serum zinc. It is suggested that transferrin and α 2 -macroglobulin may have an important role in internal zinc exchange.
Magnetic Ion Exchange (MIEX) Treatment of Surface Water, Groundwater, and Landfill Leachate Wastewater: Effect on Organic Matter Fluorescence

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is increasing in many drinking water supplies, which can have adverse impacts on treatment. Magnetic ion exchange (MIEX) is an advanced treatment process that has been shown to effectively remove DOM from different water sources. DOM removal efficiency is typically determined through dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and ultraviolet absorbance (UVA) measurements, but these methods can be limited in the amount of information they provide on DOM. Fluorescence spectroscopy has been suggested as a more robust characterization technique for monitoring DOM, but there remain gaps in knowledge between DOM removal processes and fluorescence characterization of DOM. Accordingly, the goal of this research was to evaluate the impact of MIEX treatment on DOM fluorescence for diverse water sources. MIEX jar tests were conducted using surface water, synthetic water, groundwater, and landfill leachate wastewater, and analyzed for DOC, UVA, and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM). Flu...
Ellipsoidal lists and maximum-likelihood decoding

We study an interrelation between the coverings generated by linear (n,k)-codes and complexity of their maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding. First , discrete ellipsoids in the Hamming spaces E/sub 1//sup n/ are introduced. These ellipsoids represent the sets of most probable error patterns that need to be tested in soft-decision ML decoding. We show that long linear (n,k)-codes surrounded by ellipsoids of exponential size 2/sup n-k/ can cover the whole space E/sub 2//sup n/. Then it is proven that ML decoding of most long (n,k)-codes needs only about 2/sup n-k/ most probable error patterns to be tested on any quantized memoryless channel. Finally, ML decoding complexity is bounded from above by 2/sup k(n-k)/n/. This substantially reduces the general trellis complexity 2/sup min{n-k,k}/.
Preparing computer science students to question and improve a software development process

Shippensburg University offers a B.S. in Computer Science degree with a concentration in software engineering. In addition to a core of computer science classes, this concentration contains three four credit software engineering courses. The main goal of this concentration is to prepare the students to be able to measure the software development process and enact appropriate modifications. This requires that they must be aware that there are a variety of software process alternatives and when various aspects of each process might be beneficial. In addition, they need to be able to apply appropriate statistical analysis to assess the process. In order to accomplish this, our software engineering concentration includes three software engineering specific courses: traditional lifecycle, testing & extreme programming, and software metrics/project management. In the first two courses, the students work in teams to develop products for customers using two disciplined, but very different, processes (a variation of TSP and XP). By comparing these experiences, the students learn about making the choices that software engineers have to make regularly. In software metrics, we study methods of assessing risks, the process, and modifications to the process. This paper describes these courses and the results of our assessment of these courses.
ACTH inhibits bTREK-1 K+ channels through multiple cAMP-dependent signaling pathways.

Bovine adrenal zona fasciculata (AZF) cells express bTREK-1 K+ channels that set the resting membrane potential and function pivotally in the physiology of cortisol secretion. Inhibition of these K+ channels by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or cAMP is coupled to depolarization and Ca2+ entry. The mechanism of ACTH and cAMP-mediated inhibition of bTREK-1 was explored in whole cell patch clamp recordings from AZF cells. Inhibition of bTREK-1 by ACTH and forskolin was not affected by the addition of both H-89 and PKI(6–22) amide to the pipette solution at concentrations that completely blocked activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in these cells. The ACTH derivative, O-nitrophenyl, sulfenyl-adrenocorticotropin (NPS-ACTH), at concentrations that produced little or no activation of PKA, inhibited bTREK-1 by a Ca2+-independent mechanism. Northern blot analysis showed that bovine AZF cells robustly express mRNA for Epac2, a guanine nucleotide exchange protein activated by cAMP. The selective Epac activator, 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP, applied intracellularly through the patch pipette, inhibited bTREK-1 (IC50 = 0.63 μM) at concentrations that did not activate PKA. Inhibition by this agent was unaffected by PKA inhibitors, including RpcAMPS, but was eliminated in the absence of hydrolyzable ATP. Culturing AZF cells in the presence of ACTH markedly reduced the expression of Epac2 mRNA. 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP failed to inhibit bTREK-1 current in AZF cells that had been treated with ACTH for 3–4 d while inhibition by 8-br-cAMP was not affected. 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP failed to inhibit bTREK-1 expressed in HEK293 cells, which express little or no Epac2. These findings demonstrate that, in addition to the well-described PKA-dependent TREK-1 inhibition, ACTH, NPS-ACTH, forskolin, and 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP also inhibit these K+ channels by a PKA-independent signaling pathway. The convergent inhibition of bTREK-1 through parallel PKA- and Epac-dependent mechanisms may provide for failsafe membrane depolarization by ACTH.
Topographically organized projections from the nucleus subceruleus to the hypoglossal nucleus in the rat: a light and electron microscopic study with complementary axonal transport techniques.

Projections from the nucleus subceruleus (nSC) to the hypoglossal nucleus (XII) were investigated with complementary retrograde and anterograde axonal transport techniques at the light and electron microscopic level in the rat. Injections of WGA-HRP into XII resulted in labeling of neurons in and around the nSC. Labeled nSC neurons were few in number (<4 per 40–60 μm sections) and variable in size and shape. Most labeled nSC neurons were medium-sized (X = 16.89 μm), fusiform, triangular, or oval, with 3–4 dendrites typically oriented dorsomedially and ventrolaterally. These neurons were found throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the nSC but were most numerous medial, dorsomedial, and ventromedial to the motor trigeminal nucleus. Others were observed rostral to the motor trigeminal nucleus and ventral to the parabrachial nuclear complex. Confirmation of retrograde results was obtained following injections of tritiated amino acids or WGA-HRP into the nSC. This resulted in labeling throughout the rostrocaudal extent of XII mainly ipsilaterally. Labeled fibers descended the brainstem in the dorsolateral and, to a lesser extent, in the ventromedial component of Probst's tract. Fibers entered XII mainly rostrally along the lateral border of the nucleus. All regions of XII were recipients of nSC afferents, but the caudoventromedial quadrant contained the greatest density of terminal labeling. Electron microscopic evaluation confirmed that nSC afferents synapsed on motoneurons in XII. Axon terminals containing WGA-HRP reaction product were found contacting dendrites and somata, but primarily the former (81.3% versus 10.6%). Axodendritic terminals synapsed mainly on medium-to-small sized dendrites (<3 μm in diameter). The majority of labeled axodendritic terminals (90.1%) contained small, round, and clear synaptic vesicles (S-type: 20–50 nm) and were associated with an asymmetric (60.6%), symmetric (11.4%), or no (18%) postsynaptic specialization. By contrast, most axosomatic terminals contained flattened vesicles (F-type) and formed a symmetric or no postsynaptic specialization (75%). Large dense core vesicles (55–90 nm) were observed within a small proportion of all labeled axon terminals (1.3%). The results from this study demonstrate that the nSC projects to XII, preferentially targets a specific subgrouping of protrusor motoneurons, and synapses on both somata and dendrites, although mainly on the latter. The implications of these data are discussed relative to tongue control.