cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Similar photosynthetic response to elevated carbon dioxide concentration in species with different phloem loading strategies

Species have different strategies for loading sugars into the phloem, which vary in the route that sugars take to enter the phloem and the energetics of sugar accumulation. Species with passive phloem loading are hypothesized to have less flexibility in response to changes in some environmental conditions because sucrose export from mesophyll cells is dependent on fixed anatomical plasmodesmatal connections. Passive phloem loaders also have high mesophyll sugar content, and may be less likely to exhibit sugar-mediated down-regulation of photosynthetic capacity at elevated CO2 concentrations. To date, the effect of phloem loading strategy on the response of plant carbon metabolism to rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations is unclear, despite the widespread impacts of rising CO2 on plants. Over three field seasons, five species with apoplastic loading, passive loading, or polymer-trapping were grown at ambient and elevated CO2 concentration in free air concentration enrichment plots. Light-saturated rate of photosynthesis, photosynthetic capacity, leaf carbohydrate content, and anatomy were measured and compared among the species. All five species showed significant stimulation in midday photosynthetic CO2 uptake by elevated CO2 even though the two passive loading species showed significant down-regulation of maximum Rubisco carboxylation capacity at elevated CO2. There was a trend toward greater starch accumulation at elevated CO2 in all species, and was most pronounced in passive loaders. From this study, we cannot conclude that phloem loading strategy is a key determinant of plant response to elevated CO2, but compelling differences in response counter to our hypothesis were observed. A phylogenetically controlled experiment with more species may be needed to fully test the hypothesis.
A Simplified Model of Impact

The standard Signorini contact condition is integrated against a given function ψ over the boundary to obtain a simplified model of contact suitable for impact problems. An implicit method (implicit mid-point rule for elasticity, and implicit Euler for the contact conditions) is proposed to numerically solve the simplified model, and some properties of the solution are obtained. The results are only partial at this stage, but they seem to indicate that contact forces in elastic impacts are considerably more regular than general measures.
Pancreatic pseudocysts. When and how should drainage be performed

A better definition of a pseudocyst that clearly separates it from acute fluid collection, improvements in imaging studies, and a better understanding of the natural history of pseudocysts have changed the concepts regarding their management. The old teaching that cysts of more than 6 cm in diameter that have been present for 6 weeks should be drained is no longer true. Indications for drainage are presence of symptoms, enlargement of cyst, complications (infection, hemorrhage, rupture, and obstruction), and suspicion of malignancy. The available forms of therapy include percutaneous drainage, transendoscopic approach, and surgery. The choice of procedure of depends on a number of factors, including the general condition of the patient; size, number, and location of cysts; presence or absence of communication of the cyst with the pancreatic duct; presence or absence of infection; and suspicion of malignancy. Expertise of the radiologist and the endoscopist is also a major deciding factor in the choice of therapy. Percutaneous catheter drainage is safe and effective and should be the treatment of first choice in poor-risk patients, for immature cysts, and for infected pseudocysts. Contraindications include intracystic hemorrhage and presence of pancreatic ascites. For mature cysts, in skilled endoscopic drainage should be given the first preference. It is less invasive, less expensive, and easier to perform with better outcomes in smaller pseudocysts and pancreatic head pseudocysts. Endoscopic expertise is limited, however, and at present endoscopic drainage cannot be advocated as the procedure for general use. In the absence of endoscopic expertise, percutaneous catheter drainage is the procedure of choice. Surgical treatment has been the traditional approach and is still the preferred treatment in most centers. Multiple pseudocysts, giant pseudocysts, presence of other complications related to chronic pancreatitis in addition to pseudocyst, and suspected malignancy are best managed surgically. Surgery is also the backup management in the event that percutaneous or endoscopic drainage fails. Because radiologic diagnosis of pseudocyst may be inaccurate in 20%; it is imperative to be sure that the cystic structure is not a neoplasm before percutaneous or endoscopic drainage. There have been no prospective, randomized trials that have evaluated the results of the three major modalities of therapy (percutaneous, endoscopic, and surgical), and before one can definitely recommend percutaneous drainage or endoscopic approach as the preferred initial mode of therapy, further studies are needed.
Tissue localization of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in human periodontitis. I. Light, immunofluorescence and electron microscopic studies.

Recent immunohistological studies have suggested that Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is present in the gingival tissues in juvenile periodontitis lesions. The present study examined tissue bound A. actinomycetemcomitans by bacterial culture and immunohistological demonstration of antigen in tissue. A total of 14 periodontitis lesions were examined. Eleven biopsies were obtained from gingiva adjacent to A. actinomycetemcomitans infected pockets, while the remaining three control biopsies were obtained from gingiva adjacent to pockets where subgingival A. actinomycetemcomitans infection could not be detected. Each biopsy was hemisected, one half was used for immunofluorescence microscopic examination while the other half was processed for culture of A. actinomycetemcomitans. The latter section was surface-disinfected, repeatedly washed and then minced to release bacteria from within the tissues. Aliquots from the serial washings and the minced tissue suspension were cultured on medium selective for A....
Holarctic Evolution and Dispersal of Squirrels (Rodentia: Sciuridae)

Members of the rodent family Sciuridae occur on all continents except Australia. Squirrels are one of the few families of mammals to have such a nearly cosmopolitan distribution. However, patterns of dispersal and evolution within the family have only recently come under study (Moore, 1959, 1961; Black, 1963; Gromov eta L, 1965). Recent paleontolegical data (Black, 1963, 1965b, 1966; Bruijn and Mein, 1968; Mein, 1970; Sulimski, 1964) and chromosome studies of living squirrels (see Nadler, 1969; Voronstov and Lyapunova, 1970), taken together with Moore’s (1959) morphological studies and his classification of living squirrels exclusive of flying squirrels, now provide a basis for a reconstruction of “historical processes and events” within the family. Such is the intent of the present paper. Evolution within the Sciuridae and exchange between the Nearctic and Palearctic will be considered for the most part at the generic level. This is done for two reasons: fossil and living genera are more nearly equivalent taxonomic categories; and, too little is known about mid- and late-Pleistocene species of squirrels in Eurasia to allow for discussion of species dispersal in most groups.
Understanding Technological Design

In Science and the Modern World (1925), philosopher Alfred North Whitehead identified “the invention of invention” as the greatest invention of the late nineteenth century. Invention ceased to be an accidental or rare event and became a methodologically pursued and economically promoted process. In American Genesis (1989), historian Thomas P. Hughes even went so far as to compare the achievements of such inventors as Thomas Edison and Henry Ford to those of Renaissance artists. During the late twentieth century something similar happened with technological design, a human activity much more directly related to the Renaissance. According to the lead story in an early twenty-first-century issue of Business Week: When people talked about innovation in the ‘90s, they invariably meant technology. When people speak about innovation today, it is more than likely they mean design. Consumers, who are choking on choice, look at design as the new differentiator. In a sea of look-alike products and services, design creates the “Wow!” factor. Managers, facing fierce global competition, look to design for the kind of innovation that generates organic growth, new revenues, and wider profit margins. (Nussbaum, 2005: 62)
Influences of nitrogen oxides and isoprene on ozone-temperature relationships in the Amazon rain forest

Abstract As human encroachment increases in the Amazon rain forest, it is important to determine how anthropogenic emissions of reactive gases affect regional atmospheric chemistry. In the present study, we investigate the extent to which urban air plumes modify the levels of ozone (O3) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) in the downwind rain forest. The median mixing ratios of the background O3, NOX, and NOX oxidation products (NOZ) were 20 (15 parts per billion on a volume basis, ppbv), 0.6 ppbv (0.6 ppbv), and 1.0 ppbv (0.5 ppbv) during the dry (wet) season at the study site. Compared to the background environment, air plumes from the city of Manaus had enhanced median mixing ratios for O3 and NOZ by 30–50% and 40–90%, respectively. However, the enhancements of NOX in the air plumes were less than 20%, indicating that the majority of NOX was chemically converted to O3 and NOZ during transport. Results from a photochemical model showed that an injection of 8 ppbv of NOX into the rain forest can cause up to 260% and 150% increases in O3 and hydroxyl radical (OH) levels compared to the background conditions, indicating the likely extent that NOX can modify the air quality and oxidative capacity in the Amazon rain forest. Slopes of the O3-temperature linear relationships increased with NOX levels from 3.7 to 6.5 ppbv per degree Kelvin during the dry season and 1.7–5.5 ppbv per degree Kelvin during the wet season. Average rates of change of the slope with respect to NOZ were approximately 1.8 and 2.3 times higher than those with respect to NOX for the dry and wet seasons. One key conclusion of this study is that NOZ substantially contributed to the O3 formation in response to temperature under enhanced NOX conditions in the forested environment.
An infection control journey in hospital based practice conversion

BACKGROUND Outpatient care is provided in hospital-based (HB) outpatient clinics, non-HB clinics and physician offices, ambulatory surgical centers, and other settings. Some settings may have minimal infection control (IC) oversight based on hospital-affiliated status. Whatever the designation, it is essential that care is provided under conditions that minimize or eliminate risks of healthcare-associated infections. The project goals are to effectively bring physician based practices (PBPs) under hospital licensure, ensure safe delivery of care, and produce successful regulatory surveys. METHODS In 2016 at an urban academic medical center, a number of operational PBPs began converting to HB. They included a wide range of clinical specialties that provided a multitude of services (including urology, otolaryngology and dermatology), many of which were at high risk for transmitting infection from person to person if IC breaches occurred. During this time, IC hired a full time practitioner dedicated to PBP/ outpatient and was fully integrated into the practices. Initial assessments of each practice was done, including a full review of infection control processes. Identified needs and risks were addressed. IC presence was established through regular and continuous education, rounding, and auditing. Existing hospital policies and procedures were adjusted and adopted by the practices. RESULTS 100% of the 30 practices achieved HB status and fared well to very well during numerous regulatory activities. There has been a great improvement in following infection control expectations. Adherence to hospital policy and procedure was seen in all settings, including increased adherence to standard and isolation precautions, increased compliance to standards for low, intermediate, high level disinfection and sterilization. CONCLUSIONS The IC journey to HB conversion was successful. A collaborative approach including all levels of personnel was vital in this change. Also, leadership and staff buy-in was critical in moving forward with making and sustaining IC improvements in practice and to maintain survey readiness.
Evolution and Conceptual Foundations of Nonhospice Palliative Care

The term nonhospice palliative care was developed to describe and differentiate palliative care that is delivered prior to the end of life. The purpose of this article is to better define and clari...
Reconstruction of complex hemipelvectomy defects: A 17-year single-institutional experience with lower extremity free and pedicled fillet flaps.

Summary Introduction Hemipelvectomy procedures result in massive soft tissue defects. The standard approach is to reconstruct the defect with anterior or posterior hemipelvectomy flaps. Certain situations preclude the use of local tissue flaps, and an alternative is the use of leg fillet flaps, circumferential pedicled or free flaps harvested from the amputated part. The purpose of this study is to present our institution's experience with using pedicled and free fillet flaps to reconstruct hemipelvectomy soft tissue defects. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent hemipelvectomy and fillet flap reconstruction from 2001 to 2018. Demographics, clinical and surgical characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and complications of patients were reviewed. Results Ten patients were identified and included. Their mean age was 51 ± SD 12.4 years. Six patients underwent standard external hemipelvectomy and 4 patients underwent extended external hemipelvectomy. Seven lower extremity fillet flaps were performed as free tissue transfers, and 3 were pedicled flaps. The mean flap size was 1,153 ± SD 1137 cm2. The mean follow-up was 5 months (range: 1–24 months). Five patients developed postoperative complications; none of them required operative intervention. There were no partial or total flap losses postoperatively. Conclusion Reconstruction with pedicled or free lower extremity fillet flaps is a valuable reconstructive approach, for managing large soft tissue defects following hemipelvectomy when the standard anterior and posterior thigh flaps are unavailable or inadequate for complete soft tissue coverage. This useful technique mitigates donor site morbidity, while simultaneously achieving massive soft tissue coverage with an acceptable complication profile.
Learning Human Cognition via fMRI Analysis Using 3D CNN and Graph Neural Network

Human cognitive control involves how mental resources are allocated when the brain processes various information. The study of such complex brain functionality is essential in understanding different neurological disorders. To investigate cognition control, various cognitive tasks have been designed and functional MRI data have been collected. In this paper, we study uncertainty representation, an important problem in human cognition study, with task-evoked fMRI data. Our goals are to learn how brain region of interests (ROIs) are activated under tasks with different uncertainty levels and how they interact with each other. We propose a novel neural network architecture to achieve the two goals simultaneously. Our architecture uses a 3D convolutional neural network (CNN) to extract a high-level representation for each ROI, and uses a graph neural network module to capture the interactions between ROIs. Empirical evaluations reveal that our method significantly outperforms the existing methods, and the derived brain network is consistent with domain knowledge.
The Technical Committee on Physical Acoustics: Who are we and what do we do?

The Technical Committee on Physical Acoustics (TCPA) of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) includes scientists and engineers interested in the underlying physics of acoustical phenomena or in using acoustic waves to study the physical properties of matter. TCPA is broad: computational, experimental, and analytical methods are used across the entire frequency range—from infrasound through ultrasound—to study wave propagation through liquids, solids, and gases. This presentation introduces new students to some of the facets of TCPA and its intersection with other ASA technical areas.The Technical Committee on Physical Acoustics (TCPA) of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) includes scientists and engineers interested in the underlying physics of acoustical phenomena or in using acoustic waves to study the physical properties of matter. TCPA is broad: computational, experimental, and analytical methods are used across the entire frequency range—from infrasound through ultrasound—to study wave propagation through liquids, solids, and gases. This presentation introduces new students to some of the facets of TCPA and its intersection with other ASA technical areas.
Estimating mutual information under measurement error

Mutual information is widely used to characterize dependence between biological signals, such as co-expression between genes or co-evolution between amino acids. However, measurement error of the biological signals is rarely considered in estimating mutual information. Measurement error is widespread and non-negligible in some cases. As a result, the distribution of the signals is blurred, and the mutual information may be biased when estimated using the blurred measurements. We derive a corrected estimator for mutual information that accounts for the distribution of measurement error. Our corrected estimator is based on the correction of the probability mass function (PMF) or probability density function (PDF, based on kernel density estimation). We prove that the corrected estimator is asymptotically unbiased in the (semi-) discrete case when the distribution of measurement error is known. We show that it reduces the estimation bias in the continuous case under certain assumptions. On simulated data, our corrected estimator leads to a more accurate estimation for mutual information when the sample size is not the limiting factor for estimating PMF or PDF accurately. We compare the uncorrected and corrected estimator on the gene expression data of TCGA breast cancer samples and show a difference in both the value and the ranking of estimated mutual information between the two estimators.
ASSESSMENT OF SERVICE QUALITY OF LOW-COST AIRLINES GROUND STAFF AT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS IN THAILAND

ABSTRACT: The rapid development of sophisticated technology has changed the global dynamic of aviation and increased the demand for service quality and passenger aviation. Thailand, one of the fast-growing countries in terms of tourism airline industries and economy in the Asia-Pacific region. Country has seen a noticeable growth over the past decade. This industry is in the budding and mushrooming stages and sooner gets far better in the coming years. Industry. Under the new global dynamic, airlines have shifted and are now focusing on gaining competitive advantage by becoming a world-class company. Reputation and strategy are vital to the success of aviation business. Due to economic and socio-political aviation is sensitive. All of the above are noteworthy for passengers to choose to travel, and the obstacles that can completely affect aviation business operations. In order to survive in this business, global airlines, including Thailand, have to evolve mechanisms and change their operations and human resource management to make it stronger and more-unusual. Study has revealed that the services at international terminals are up to the expectations of the passengers. However, Check-in staff with all necessary equipment services parameter showed an average satisfaction. Key words: Service Quality, Ground Staff, Low-Cost, Airlines, and Thailand
On the Edges: Influences, Encounters, Relations, and Conviviality

The essays gathered in this special issue pay tribute to Rebecca West and her four decades-long career in Italian Studies. Two award-winning studies plot prime coordinates in our esteemed colleague...
Crystal and Molecular Structures of 2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-dicarboxylate Complexes: [M(II)(O2CC10H6N2CO2)(H2O)4] (M = Co, Ni)

The reaction of 2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-dicarboxylic acid (HO2CC12H6N2CO2H, H2bpydicarb) with the appropriate metal salt in water provided the mononuclear complexes [M(II)(bpydicarb)(H2O)4]·2H2O where M(II) = Co and Ni. The isomorphous materials exhibit neutral six-coordinate metal–ligand complexes with MN2O4 geometry. Charge balance is achieved through deprotonation of the carboxylate groups. The Co compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 12.696(4) A, b = 9.195(4) A, c = 13.207(5) A, β = 93.78(1)°; the isomorphous Ni compound exhibits cell parameters a = 12.477(4) A, b = 9.818(3) A, c = 12.658(4) A, β = 92.099(6)°. The six coordinate structure of [Co(II)(bpydicarb)(H2O)4] achieves charge balance through deprotonation of the carboxylate residues of the bipyridine-based ligand.
Reconstruction of Mastoid Cortex Defects with Hydroxyapatite Cement for Negative Sequelae of Mastoidectomy.

Objectives Mastoid cortex defects resulting from mastoidectomy surgery can rarely lead to negative sequelae, including unsightly post-auricular depression and discomfort. This study sought to evaluate the use of hydroxyapatite cement (HAC) to reconstruct mastoidectomy cortex defects. Methods Retrospective chart review was undertaken for all patients that underwent reconstruction of the mastoid cortex using HAC at a single tertiary medical center between 2013 and 2019. Collected data included demographics, indications for mastoidectomy, complications, and associated symptom status. Results Twenty-nine patients that underwent mastoid cortex repair using HAC were included, and ten of these underwent mastoid revision in a secondary procedure to reconstruct the mastoid cortex with a specific goal to eliminate negative signs and symptoms. There were no associated postoperative complications and no instances of post-auricular depression following repair. All cases of secondary reconstruction resolved the primary signs and symptoms that prompted mastoid revision. Conclusions HAC mastoid cortex reconstruction may be a safe and effective method to resolve negative sequelae resulting from previous mastoidectomy defects. Also, upfront HAC mastoid cortex reconstruction appears viable in select instances as an option to prevent potential future complications.
Fragmented Ownership and Natural Resource Use: Evidence from the Bakken

Does land fragmentation impair spatially expansive natural resource use? We conduct empirical tests using ownership variation on the Bakken, one of the world's most valuable shale oil reserves. Long before shale was discovered, US policies created a mosaic of private, jointly owned and tribal government parcels on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. We find that all three forms of fragmentation reduced production during the 2010–15 oil boom, especially joint ownership and the interspersion of small parcels of government and private land. We estimate implied gains from consolidation and discuss implications for the use (or conservation) of other spatially expansive resources.
Preliminary Investigation of the Psychometric Properties of the Parent Version of the Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children (BPFS-P)

There is growing evidence that features of borderline personality disorder (BPD) emerge in childhood and present long-term risk for the development of BPD. Thus, valid and reliable assessments of B...
Reinventing Cotton Mather In The American Renaissance: Magnalia Christi Americana in Hawthorne, Stowe, and Stoddard

The author uses Thomas Robbins' 1820 edition of Mather's work to show how a Puritanical political sentiment prompted American Renaissance writers to address the implications of democracy. Hawthorne, Stoddard, and Stowe used Mather's work to discover the importance of democratic concepts and categori
Effect of Marine Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Vitamin D Supplementation on Incident Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disturbance, continues to increase in incidence, and results in significant morbidity and mortality. The marine omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and vitamin D have been reported to have both benefits and risks with respect to incident AF, but large-scale, long-term randomized trial data are lacking. Objective To test the effects of long-term administration of marine omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D on incident AF. Design, Setting, and Participants An ancillary study of a 2 × 2 factorial randomized clinical trial involving 25 119 women and men aged 50 years or older without prior cardiovascular disease, cancer, or AF. Participants were recruited directly by mail between November 2011 and March 2014 from all 50 US states and were followed up until December 31, 2017. Interventions Participants were randomized to receive EPA-DHA (460 mg/d of EPA and 380 mg/d of DHA) and vitamin D3(2000 IU/d) (n = 6272 analyzed); EPA-DHA and placebo (n = 6270 analyzed); vitamin D3and placebo (n = 6281 analyzed); or 2 placebos (n = 6296 analyzed). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was incident AF confirmed by medical record review. Results Among the 25 119 participants who were randomized and included in the analysis (mean age, 66.7 years; 50.8% women), 24 127 (96.1%) completed the trial. Over a median 5.3 years of treatment and follow-up, the primary end point of incident AF occurred in 900 participants (3.6% of study population). For the EPA-DHA vs placebo comparison, incident AF events occurred in 469 (3.7%) vs 431 (3.4%) participants, respectively (hazard ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.96-1.24;P = .19). For the vitamin D3vs placebo comparison, incident AF events occurred in 469 (3.7%) vs 431 (3.4%) participants, respectively (hazard ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.96-1.25;P = .19). There was no evidence for interaction between the 2 study agents (P = .39). Conclusions and Relevance Among adults aged 50 years or older, treatment with EPA-DHA or vitamin D3, compared with placebo, resulted in no significant difference in the risk of incident AF over a median follow-up of more than 5 years. The findings do not support the use of either agent for the primary prevention of incident AF. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers:NCT02178410;NCT01169259
Factors Contributing to Teacher Burnout During COVID-19

As teachers returned to the classroom for the 2020–2021 school year, they faced new and challenging environments, instructional approaches, and roles as educators. The current study is one of the f...
Experimental Study on 3D Fractal Base Antennas Design for Efficient Wi-Fi Energy Harvesting

The future, as we see it now, is wireless everything, and we are at a point where wired devices are becoming obsolete. The goal of wireless technology for wireless charging is contactless charging. In this research, a Wi-Fi harvesting circuit is used to harvest RF signals using 3D fractal antenna designs and store the energy in a capacitor. The harvesting circuit is a hybrid circuit of a bridgeless converter and bridge rectifier. The Antenna used for this research is DL-30A and a fractal base 3D antenna. Multiple routers, load capacitors, and load resistors were used to increase the harvesting circuit's efficiency. In this paper, different antenna designs were tested with multiple router orientations and distances while also changing the wire gauge and the load resistors which showed significant changes in efficiency of harvesting energy. The optimal performance in orientation, distance, time, and load resistance was when placing the Antenna at a 180-degree angle at a 0-feet distance from the Wi-Fi router. It took 20 seconds to charge the $4.7\ \mu\mathrm{F}$ capacitor up to 2.46V with a 100 ohms load resistance.
Improving Evidence Retrieval with Claim-Evidence Entailment

Claim verification is challenging because it requires first to find textual evidence and then apply claim-evidence entailment to verify a claim. Previous works evaluate the entailment step based on the retrieved evidence, whereas we hypothesize that the entailment prediction can provide useful signals for evidence retrieval, in the sense that if a sentence supports or refutes a claim, the sentence must be relevant. We propose a novel model that uses the entailment score to express the relevancy. Our experiments verify that leveraging entailment prediction improves ranking multiple pieces of evidence.
Vitamin E Deficiency Intensifies the Myocardial Injury of Coxsackievirus B3 Infection of Mice

Feeding a vitamin E-deficient diet increases pathology in hearts of mice infected with a myocarditic coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3/20). Hearts from infected mice fed a vitamin E-deficient diet rich in highly unsaturated fat (menhaden oil) exhibited more severe pathology than hearts from infected mice fed a vitamin E-deficient diet based largely on saturated fat (lard). Furthermore, a cloned and sequenced amyocarditic coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3/0), which caused little or no pathology in the hearts of vitamin E-supplemented mice, induced extensive cardiac pathology in vitamin E-deficient mice. In infected mice, both mitogen and antigen responses were depressed by vitamin E deficiency, although neutralizing antibody responses were unaffected. Natural killer cell responses were comparable in infected mice fed a lard-based diet with or without supplemented vitamin E. However, a menhaden oil-based diet, whether supplemented with vitamin E or not, significantly depressed natural killer cell activity in infected mice compared with mice fed the lard-based diet. Coxsackievirus B3/0 recovered from the heart of a vitamin E-deficient donor mouse, passaged one time onto HeLa cells, caused significant heart damage when passed back into vitamin E-supplemented recipient mice, demonstrating that the amyocarditic CVB3/0 had changed to a virulent phenotype. Enhanced virulence was also seen with CVB3/20 virus similarly passaged in a vitamin E-deficient donor. Our work demonstrates the important role of host nutritional antioxidant status in determining the severity of certain viral infections.
Longevity of dehydrated violet red bile agar.

The length of storage in sealed containers at room temperature did not affect the plating efficiency of violet red bile agar.
Spaciotemporal neural networks for shortest path optimization

This paper describes a new approach for shortest path optimization using a recurrent neural network. Network temporal and spacial properties are independently exploited in a manner which generalizes upon earlier Hopfield net optimization approaches. The new spaciotemporal method encodes constraints as a spacially distributed energy and costs as time delays incurred during network convergence. This approach yields a robust recurrent neural network for solving single-source shortest path problems. The approach is suitable for the determination of unique solutions as well as the case where multiple solutions exist. In addition, the new method exhibits better space and time complexity than a Hopfield network approach to the same problem.
3 A self-organizing connectionist model of bilingual processing

Abstract Current connectionist models of bilingual language processing have been largely restricted to localist stationary models. To fully capture the dynamics of bilingual processing, we present SOMBIP, a self-organizing model of bilingual processing that has learning characteristics. SOMBIP consists of two interconnected self-organizing neural networks, coupled with a recurrent neural network that computes lexical co-occurrence constraints. Simulations with our model indicate that (1) the model can account for distinct patterns of the bilingual lexicon without the use of language nodes or language tags, (2) it can develop meaningful lexicalsemantic categories through self-organizing processes, (3) it can account for a variety of priming and interference effects based on associative pathways between phonology and semantics in the lexicon, and (4) it can explain lexical representation in bilinguals with different levels of proficiency and working memory capacity. These capabilities of our model are due to its design characteristics in that (a) it combines localist and distributed properties of processing, (b) it combines representation and learning, and (c) it combines lexicon and sentences in bilingual processing. Thus, SOMBIP serves as a new model of bilingual processing and provides a new perspective on connectionist bilingualism. It has the potential of explaining a wide variety of empirical and theoretical issues in bilingual research.
B̄–B mixing constrains topcolor-assisted technicolor

We argue that extended technicolor augmented with topcolor requires that all mixing between the third and the first two quark generations resides in the mixing matrix of left-handed down quarks. Then, the anti-B_d--B_d mixing that occurs in topcolor models constrains the coloron and Z' boson masses to be greater than about 5 TeV. This implies fine tuning of the topcolor couplings to better than 1percent.
End-stage renal disease in African Americans with lupus nephritis is associated with APOL1.

Objective Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that exhibits familial aggregation and may progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). LN is more prevalent among African Americans than among European Americans. This study was undertaken to investigate the hypothesis that the apolipoprotein L1 gene (APOL1) nephropathy risk alleles G1/G2, common in African Americans and rare in European Americans, contribute to the ethnic disparity in risk.
Possible serotonin syndrome associated with tramadol and sertraline coadministration.

ObjectiveTo report a possible case of serotonin syndrome associated with coadministration of tramadol hydrochloride and sertraline hydrochloride.Case SummaryA 42-year-old woman developed atypical c...
A Distributed Wake-Up Scheduling for Opportunistic Forwarding in Wireless Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), sensor nodes are typically subjected to energy constraints and often prone to topology changes. While \emph{duty cycling} has been widely used for energy conservation in WSNs, \emph{random walks} have been popular for many delay-tolerant applications in WSNs due to their many inherent desirable properties. In this paper, we consider an opportunistic forwarding under an asynchronous and heterogeneous duty cycling. We first show that its resulting packet trajectory can be interpreted as a continuous-time random walk, and then provide an analytical formula for its end-to-end delay. Since the extremely large end-to-end delay is still undesirable even for most delay-tolerant applications, we develop a \emph{distributed} wake-up scheduling algorithm in which each node autonomously adjusts its (heterogeneous) wake-up rate based \emph{only} on its own degree information so as to improve the worst-case end-to-end delay. In particular, we prove that our algorithm outperforms pure homogeneous duty cycling, where every node uses the same wake-up rate, in its guaranteed asymptotic upper bound of the worst-case delay for \emph{any} graph. In addition, we show that our proposed algorithm brings out more than $35\%$ performance improvement on average when compared with pure homogeneous duty cycling, under various settings of random geometric graphs via numerical evaluations and independent simulation results.
CD4(+) cells regulate fibrosis and lymphangiogenesis in response to lymphatic fluid stasis.

Introduction Lymphedema is a chronic disorder that occurs commonly after lymph node removal for cancer treatment and is characterized by swelling, fibrosis, inflammation, and adipose deposition. Although previous histological studies have investigated inflammatory changes that occur in lymphedema, the precise cellular make up of the inflammatory infiltrate remains unknown. It is also unclear if this inflammatory response plays a causal role in the pathology of lymphedema. The purpose of this study was therefore to characterize the inflammatory response to lymphatic stasis and determine if these responses are necessary for the pathological changes that occur in lymphedema.
LRP promotes endocytosis and degradation, but not transcytosis, of the amyloid-β peptide in a blood–brain barrier in vitro model

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is characterized by aggregation of the amyloid-beta protein (Abeta) into neurotoxic plaques. Recent in vivo studies have suggested the non-proteolytic clearance of Abeta via receptor-mediated transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) in Abeta efflux across the BBB. We developed an in vitro BBB-like model using Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells seeded on filters separating apical (blood) and basolateral (brain) compartments. MDCK cells were stably transfected with Pgp or mLRP4, an LRP mini-receptor. When compared to empty vector-transfected cells, MDCK-Pgp cells did not transcytose radiolabeled Abeta in the basolateral-to-apical direction. MDCK-mLRP4 cells were found to endocytose and degrade, but not to trasncytose intact radiolabeled Abeta. These results implicate LRP as a mediator of Abeta degradation, but indicate that overexpression of LRP or Pgp alone is insufficient for non-proteolytic transcytosis of intact Abeta.
Cell death/apoptosis : normal, chemically induced, and teratogenic effect

Cell death is an integral part of a variety of biological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, and morphogenesis. We review here the morphological and biochemical nature as well as the genetic basis for cell death during normal and abnormal development. Most often referred to in normal development as programmed cell death, this controlled process determines the size, patterning, and function of many tissues. The importance of its proper genetic regulation is demonstrated by the discovery of cell death-specific genes and the several disorders including cancer and teratogenesis that result from repression or enhancement of cell death. In our studies we employed the developing mouse limb, which provides a defined window of active cell death, to elucidate mechanisms of cell death. We have developed markers that reveal in the developing normal limb an apoptotic morphology with phagocytosis and DNA fragmentation. In the limb deformity mutant Hammertoe there is a defective (restricted) cell death pattern, but the morphology remains apoptotic. By the use of these markers, we were able to observe that the teratogen retinoic acid produced enhanced apoptotic cell death. Most interestingly, retinoic acid-induced cell death in the Hammertoe mutant resulted in correction of the mutant phenotype. Future studies will determine the relationship between exogenous agents and endogenous signaling pathways as well as indicate how these interactions can alter the fate of a given cell and potentially ameliorate a genetic abnormality.
Theoretical investigation of random Si-C alloys.

We have performed a first-principles investigation of the microscopic properties of random crystalline Si-C alloys. An ab initio tight-binding molecular-dynamics method is used to determine the microscopic atomic structure of the alloys. For small to moderate concentrations of C in Si, we find that the electronic structure shows a decrease of the band gap from that of pure Si. This result is unexpected since both ordered SiC and pure carbon (diamond) have much larger band gaps than Si. Plane-wave calculations were also done on ordered structures to further check this result and to determine the effeats of ordering. For the atomic structure, it is found that there are two different types of Si-A bonds. The first type is the Si-C bond near 1.7 A\r{} as in bulk SiC, and the second type is a much shorter 1.65-A\r{} bond for a carbon atom in a near-planar ${\mathit{sp}}^{2}$ configuration with its Si neighbors.
Effects of different acquisition procedures on response variability

In three experiments with college students, the effects of different acquisition procedures on response variability were studied. The computer keypressing task involved learning a sequence with a minimum number of presses on a subset of the keyboard. Procedures differed in type of training and in the number, size, and sequence of training steps. Experiment 1 showed that instructions and shaping in three steps generated less variability in the number of responses made in each keypress sequence than shaping in six steps. Subsequent experiments showed that a large increase in the response requirement early in shaping increased variability. Postacquisition variability remained unchanged in the number of responses per sequence—the aspect of responding on which reinforcement was contingent—but declined in location and timing of keypressing. The results are discussed in terms of the implicit reinforcement of variability and how the acquisition of qualitatively different response strategies could influence variability.
A new model for mitochondrial membranes based on structural and on biochemical information

On the basis of recent electron microscopic observations by Sjostrand and Barajas23 and available biochemical information, a model describing the molecular structure of mitochondrial membranes was designed. In addition to accounting for the structural features of those membranes as revealed by electron microscopy, this model also pays due attention to the fact that a large number of enzymes and electron carrier molecules are basic components of the membranes. The fundamental justification for such a model which is to assist in an understanding of membrane function is satisfied as far as general principles are concerned. The other justification of such a model concept is to allow predictions regarding additional properties of the membrane. Such predictions have made it possible to design future experiments which can add further information regarding the molecular structure of cellular membranes.
Future directions in lung cancer research and therapeutics.

Lung cancer is preventable, common, lethal once it comes to clinical attention, and relatively resistant to current therapeutics. Much invasive and toxic therapy is offered in the name of hope. Should we discourage our present therapeutic incrementalism and instead concentrate our resources entirely on measures to prevent the development of overt lung cancer? Should we place every patient with lung cancer on clinical translational trials because standard therapy does not deserve its name? What can we afford? These are hard questions. Ultimately the field of oncology can only proceed with a sense of purpose and be optimistic that these obstacles to cure and prevention are surmountable.
Multistrange baryon production in relativistic heavy ion collisions

Abstract Using a multiphase transport model, we study the production of multistrange (anti)baryons from the hadronic matter formed in relativistic heavy ion collisions. The mechanism we introduce is the strangeness-exchange reactions between antikaons and hyperons for strange particle production and between kaons and antihyperons for strange antiparticle production. We find that these reactions contribute significantly to the production of multistrange baryons and antibaryons in heavy ion collisions at SPS energies, which has been found to be appreciably enhanced. We have also made predictions for multistrange baryon and antibaryon production in heavy ion collisions at RHIC and found a similar enhancement. The (anti)particle mass dependence of inverse slope parameters extracted from their transverse mass spectra in the transport model exhibit similar trend as in the available experimental data at both SPS and RHIC energies.
An analysis of software development environments

Software development environments are now being proposed as a way to solve problems of software development such as high costs and hidden errors. These environments have tremendous potential to structure the programming process, making it more reliable and error free. The potential also exists to ignore important costs associated with these environments. The large impact of software development environments makes them worthy of discussion. Topics of interest include 1) the package of a software development environment and 2) recurring dilemmas associated with the use of software development environments in organizations. A definition of a software development environment is provided and the dominant trends, with respect to costs, benefits and users, are discussed.
HPV vaccine acceptability in Ghana, West Africa.

OBJECTIVE: Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in Ghana. As of this writing no data are available concerning knowledge attitudes and acceptability of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination by women in Ghana. METHODS: Between November and December 2009 a self-administered survey was used to elicit information from 264 Ghanaian women ages 18-65. RESULTS: Overall 40% had heard about HPV vaccine and 94% were willing to vaccinate themselves or their daughters. Ideal age for vaccination was 12.7 years. Most women (75%) thought the vaccine should be received regardless of ones number of sex partners. The most prevalent concerns were whether the vaccine would be administered safely using clean needles (82%) and possible future side effects (77%). Concerns about cost and vaccine encouraging earlier sex were reported by nearly half. Significant barriers to vaccine acceptance were womens lack of knowledge about the gravity of cervical cancer in Ghana and utility of Pap test in detecting it low perceived risk for cervical cancer low social support to vaccine use and low self-efficacy to find a doctor or clinic to get vaccinated (p<05). About 55% of the women did not know the vaccine only works among those who are not yet infected with HPV. Schools and television were the most preferred methods of educating the public and cervical cancer prevention ranked as the ideal message (80%). Most respondents believed the decision to vaccinate their daughter should be made by both parents (34%) or in conjunction with the daughter (37%) as opposed to the government (17%). CONCLUSIONS: Educational programs addressing specific barriers identified in the current study have the potential to significantly improve HPV vaccine uptake in Ghana. Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Structure of the calcareous gunite-coatings of the linings of converters

A study of the structure of the calcareous gunite coatings before and after bringing them into contact with a lime-fayalite melt showed that due to the effect of high temperatures, a dense refractory coating forms at the surface of the lining. The obtained coating corresponds to the lime-periclase refractories with respect to composition. It exhibits high slag resistance, thermal shock resistance, and mechanical strength and improves the service life of the converters. The optimum specific consumption of oxygen was determined for carrying out guniting.