cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring Transfer Learning between Scripted and Spontaneous Speech for Emotion Recognition

Internet of Things technologies yield large amounts of real-life speech data related to human emotions. Yet, labelled data of human emotion from spontaneous speech are extremely limited due to the difficulties in the annotation of such large volumes of audio samples. A potential way to address this limitation is to augment emotion models of spontaneous speech with fully annotated data collected using scripted scenarios. We investigate whether and to what extent knowledge related to speech emotional content can be transferred between datasets of scripted and spontaneous speech. We implement transfer learning through: (1) a feed-forward neural network trained on the source data and whose last layers are fine-tuned based on the target data; and (2) a progressive neural network retaining a pool of pre-trained models and learning lateral connections between source and target task. We explore the effectiveness of the proposed approach using four publicly available datasets of emotional speech. Our results indicate that transfer learning can effectively leverage corpora of scripted data to improve emotion recognition performance for spontaneous speech.
Rapid On-Site Evaluation With Telecytology Significantly Reduced Unsatisfactory Rates of Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration.

Objectives We evaluated telecytology rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) for thyroid ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first case-control clinical trial of thyroid telecytology. Methods We introduced on-site ROSE in our institution's thyroid clinic for 6 months, followed by telecytology for 12 months. Our institution's ultrasound clinic, where ROSE is not provided, was used as a control group for each period. Results Both groups had similar initial unsatisfactory rates (thyroid clinic: 8.8%; ultrasound clinic: 8.0%) before the study began. The thyroid clinic's unsatisfactory rate was significantly reduced to 1.6% after on-site ROSE (P = .001) and to 3.8% after telecytology ROSE (P = .010), with no significant difference between on-site and telecytology ROSE periods (P > .05). The ultrasound clinic's unsatisfactory rate was unchanged for both periods. Concordance between telecytology ROSE and final adequacy was 97% (κ = 0.699). Conclusions Telecytology ROSE reduces unsatisfactory rates for ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration without compromising patient care.
Large-scale Cost-Aware Classification Using Feature Computational Dependency Graph

With the rapid growth of real-time machine learning applications, the process of feature selection and model optimization requires to integrate with the constraints on computational budgets. A specific computational resource in this regard is the time needed for evaluating predictions on test instances. The joint optimization problem of prediction accuracy and prediction-time efficiency draws more and more attention in the data mining and machine learning communities. The runtime cost is dominated by the feature generation process that contains significantly redundant computations across different features that sharing the same computational component in practice. Eliminating such redundancies would obviously reduce the time costs in the feature generation process. Our previous Cost-aware classification using Feature computational dependencies heterogeneous Hypergraph (CAFH) model has achieved excellent performance on the effectiveness. In the big data era, the high dimensionality caused by the heterogeneous data sources leads to the difficulty in fitting the entire hypergraph into the main memory and the high computational cost during the optimization process. Simply partitioning the features into batches cannot give the optimal solution since it will lose some feature dependencies across the batches. To improve the high memory and computational costs in the CAFH model, we propose an equivalent Accelerated CAFH (ACAFH) model based on the lossless heterogeneous hypergraph decomposition. An efficient and effective nonconvex optimization algorithm based on the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) is developed to optimize the ACAFH model. The time and space complexities of the optimization algorithm for the ACAFH model are three and one polynomial degrees less than our previous algorithm for the CAFH model, respectively. Extensive experiments demonstrate the proposed ACAFH model achieves competitive performance on the effectiveness and much better performance on the efficiency.
The Role of Ceramide in the Cellular Stress Response

The cellular response to stressful environmental conditions is complex and only partially understood. Cells can be stressed by nutritional starvation, infection, physical or chemical conditions (e.g. heat, extreme pH), genotoxic drugs, or other conditions. During evolution, various stress responses were preserved to allow cells or organisms to withstand different forms of stress by organizing the repair of proteins and DNA that had been damaged by the particular stressful event. The specific stress response is probably determined and regulated by the nature of the insulting condition. Despite the importance of these processes, our knowledge remains limited1-3.
Liquid-Loaded Piezo-Silicon Micro-Disc Oscillators for Pico-Scale Bio-Mass Sensing

In this work, we report on the implementation of a closed-loop liquid-loaded resonant mass sensor as a test vehicle for the realization of highly sensitive miniaturized biomarker assays. Using thin-film piezoelectric-on-silicon (TPoS) contour-mode disc resonators that are specifically designed and optimized for liquid-phase operation, a liquid-loaded low power (~1.6 mW) oscillator at ~17 MHz is demonstrated with a single transistor. By proper placement of the electrodes and the supporting tethers, a high liquid-loaded quality factor (~380) and a low insertion loss (~19 dB) are concurrently achieved which enable the accurate frequency tracking of the potential mass microbalance. The frequency shifts due to the liquid-loading and the preliminary characterized frequency stability of the oscillator imply a minimum mass detection resolution in the picograms range. [2020-0177]
Leadership Programs for Academic Women: Building Self-Efficacy and Organizational Leadership Capacity.

Background: Although numerous programs have evolved to develop leadership skills in women, few have conducted rigorous longitudinal evaluation of program outcomes. The purpose of this evaluation st...
Potentially life‑threatening severe cutaneous adverse reactions associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Review)

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have emerged as a new frontier of cancer therapy. These agents include inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), BRAF, mitogen‑activated protein kinase kinase (also referred to as MEK), bcr‑abl, c‑KIT, platelet‑derived growth factor (PDGFR), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Along with the evolving applications of TKIs, there has been an increased recognition of the breadth of potential cutaneous toxicities to these agents. In this review, we provide an overview of potentially life‑threatening severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) that may occur during therapy with TKIs. These toxicities include Stevens‑Johnson Syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP).
Progressive Amplitude Fatigue Performance of Additively Manufactured Stainless Steel Superalloy

Advances in aerospace component manufacturing design are being achieved through the additive manufacturing (AM) technology. Variations in cyclic loads (i.e. variable amplitude fatigue) is a common phenomenon experienced by aerospace components during in-service use, hence the need for AM components to withstand fatigue failure under these conditions. This study has performed progressive strain amplitude fatigue tests at increasing strain ranges with the intent to capture the fatigue failure life, hardening/softening response, and fracture response of as-built direct metal laser sintered (DMLS) Stainless Steel GP1. Preliminary results indicate fatigue failure in specimens prior to reaching strain ranges where plasticity effects become more pronounced. Also, evident is variation in cyclic softening/hardening response to stabilization at elastic versus plastic strain ranges. Scanning electron microscopy was used to identify the precursors for fatigue crack initiation and propagation under progressive amplitude fatigue loading.
Structural and biochemical studies of an iterative ribosomal peptide macrocyclase.

Microviridins, tricyclic peptide natural products originally isolated from cyanobacteria, function as inhibitors of diverse serine-type proteases. Here we report the structure and biochemical characterization of AMdnB, a unique iterative macrocyclase involved in a microviridin biosynthetic pathway from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. The ATP-dependent cyclase, along with the homologous AMdnC, introduce up to nine macrocyclizations on three distinct core regions of a precursor peptide, AMdnA. The results presented here provide structural and mechanistic insight into the iterative chemistry of AMdnB. In vitro AMdnB-catalyzed cyclization reactions demonstrate the synthesis of the two predicted tricyclic products from a multi-core precursor peptide substrate, consistent with a distributive mode of catalysis. The X-ray structure of AMdnB shows a structural motif common to ATP-grasp cyclases involved in RiPPs biosynthesis. Additionally, comparison with the non-iterative MdnB allows insight into the structural basis for the iterative chemistry. Overall, the presented results provide insight into the general mechanism of iterative enzymes in ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide biosynthetic pathways.
Using Contraceptives for Gynecologic Conditions

Contraceptive medications commonly serve as therapy for gynecologic conditions other than pregnancy prevention. For the treating clinician, it is important to understand the data supporting the use of contraception for such indications. In some cases, research investigations have demonstrated clear benefits for using certain contraceptives for various gynecologic conditions. In others, only limited published research exists to guide treatment options or the use of a contraceptive for a particular disease remains unstudied. What follows is a contemporary review of the available evidence concerning several common disorders seen by women’s health care providers. In doing so, it is our goal that this text may serve as a reference for clinicians faced with gynecologic treatment dilemmas. As is appropriate in all medical fields, the use of contraceptives for gynecologic conditions should be as evidence based as possible.
An apparatus for resuscitation of newborn infants

Abstract 1. 1. The Dann resuscitator is a safe, efficient, positive pressure respirator. 2. 2. It is simple and virtually foolproof in design, having only two controls. 3. 3. The rate and volume of respiration are independently adjusted to the physiologic needs of the infant. 4. 4. Once adjusted the machine is entirely automatic. Its rhythmic, gentle insufflations simulate natural respiration. Exhalation occurs spontaneously. 5. 5. The attached aspirator may be used before full delivery of the infant and should always be used before starting resuscitation. In use, it may be readily alternated with the resuscitator. 6. 6. The simplicity of this machine makes it easily operated by almost anyone.
Enhanced Oral Cyclosporine Absorption With Water‐Soluble Vitamin E Early After Liver Transplantation

We evaluated the effect of Liqui-E, a water-soluble vitamin E preparation, on cyclosporin A (CyA) whole blood concentration in liver transplant recipients, and its impact on the cost of CyA. Patients were 26 liver transplant recipients (19 adults, 7 children) who were unable to achieve and maintain therapeutic CyA whole blood concentrations with the standard recommended oral daily dose in the early post-transplant period. Liqui-E 6.25 IU/kg orally was administered with CyA every 12 hours (median time of starting Liqui-E day 14.5). With Liqui-E, the daily oral CyA requirements (mean ± SD) were decreased in adults from 22.6 ± 8.9 to 16.2 ± 7.3 mg/kg/day (p<0.001) and in children from 78.6 ± 34.1 to 53.7 ± 35.0 mg/kg/day (p<0.02) ; intravenous administration of CyA was unnecessary. The CyA trough concentrations (mean ± SD) before and after Liqui-E were 670 ± 186 and 1012 ± 216 ng/ml, respectively, in adults (p<0.001) and 732 ± 187 and 1052 ± 166 ng/ml, respectively, in children (p<0.01). When given with Liqui-E, the daily cost of CyA decreased by 26% in both adults and children. No clinical or biochemical evidence of Liqui-E toxicity was observed. Thus its administration in the early post-transplantation period can enhance CyA absorption in adults and children who are unable to achieve adequate whole blood concentrations with the usual recommended oral dosages. In addition, a significant cost saving can be realized by coadministration.
Hyperproduction of dihydrofolate reductase in Diplococcus pneumoniae by mutation in the structural gene

Abstract A unique group of mutations (amer) in the dihydrofolate reductase (5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate:NADP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.5.1.3.) structural gene of Diplococcus pneumoniae determine a marked overproduction of the corresponding enzyme protein. Since findings with these mutations relate to a key metabolic function and may be important to the regulation of folate coenzyme synthesis in general, the same group of multations were also examined for their effects on a number of related enzymic activities. Mutant and wild-type cell-free extracts, in addition to dihydrofolate reductase activity, exhibited both dihydropteroate and dihydrofolate synthetic activities under the conditions employed. Four folate coenzyme-related enzyme activities could also be demonstrated with the same preparations. These are mediated by the following enzymes, serine hydroxymethyl transferase ( l -serine: tetrahydrofolate 10-hydroxymethyl tranferase, EC 2.1.2.1), 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate: NADP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.5.1.5), 10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (formate: tetrahydrofolate ligase (ADP-forming), EC 6.3.4.3) and glutamate formiminotransferase ( N- formimino- l -glutamate: tetrahydrofolate 5-formiminotransferase, EC 2.1.2.5). The amer mutations examined in the current study determined 3–80-fold increases in dihydrofolate reductase in comparison to the wild type. However, none of the other folate-related enzyme activities were altered. The possible significance of these findings in light of previous results is discussed.
Cortical Surface Registration Using Texture Mapped Point Clouds and Mutual Information

An inter-modality registration algorithm that uses textured point clouds and mutual information is presented within the context of a new physical-space to image-space registration technique for image-guided neurosurgery. The approach uses a laser range scanner that acquires textured geometric data of the brain surface intraoperatively and registers the data to grayscale encoded surfaces of the brain extracted from gadolinium enhanced MR tomograms. Intra-modality as well as inter-modality registration simulations are presented to evaluate the new framework. The results demonstrate alignment accuracies on the order of the resolution of the scanned surfaces (i.e. submillimetric). In addition, data are presented from laser scanning a brain's surface during surgery. The results reported support this approach as a new means for registration and tracking of the brain surface during surgery.
The obstetrician, fetal asphyxia, and cerebral palsy

In the current legal climate, the recognition of cerebral palsy or other major brain dysfunction in a child is likely to lead to a malpractice action against the obstetrician who delivered the child. Perinatal asphyxia is usually considered the most likely cause of the brain damage, and the obstetrician is presumed by the lawyer either to have failed to recognize the fetal asphyxia or to have ignored it. In this essay, the illogic in this reasoning is discussed. While fetal asphyxia clearly can cause fetal brain damage, the infrequency of this relationship is stressed. The dilemma faced by the obstetrician as a result of modern perinatal care is discussed.
Photochemical transformations—VIII: The isomerization of Δ2,5-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptadiene to quadricyclo[2.2.1.02,6·03,5]heptane (quadricyclene)☆☆☆★

Abstract Δ2,5-Bicyclo[2.2.1]heptadiene (III) upon ultraviolet irradiation was isomerized in 67 per cent yield to the valence tautomeric quadricyclene (IV) which, in turn, upon being heated, reformed III. The reactions of IV with hydrogen, with acetic acid and with bromine were studied.
Les lanternes rouges: the race for information about cycling-related female sexual dysfunction

Abstract Introduction Cycling is growing in popularity among women. As in men, it is associated with genital neuropathies and decreased sensation in female riders. However, there is a gap in research and information addressing the relationship between cycling and female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in women. Aims To review the literature investigating pelvic floor injuries and sexual dysfunction in female cyclists. Methods Searches in several electronic databases were conducted, and relevant articles that met the inclusion criteria were identified for critical review. Main Outcome Measures The main outcome measure to be determined was the strength of the current body of evidence in published literature of a correlation between cycling‐related pelvic floor injuries and FSD. Results Data on FSD from cycling‐related injuries in women are limited. Research indicates that bicycle setup and riding equipment may be contributing factors. Women's ergonomics and physiology interact differently with the bicycle than men's. Current evidence offers insufficient foundation to recommend various effect‐mitigating equipment and products. Conclusions While gender‐specific cycling products offer a promising direction for protecting women riders, studies addressing FSD and pelvic floor injuries in women cyclists are inadequate to indicate clear etiology or provide treatment recommendations. Current evidence is also insufficient to recommend effect‐mitigating equipment and products. Partin SN, Connell KA, Schrader SM, and Guess MK. Les lanternes rouges : The race for information about cycling‐related female sexual dysfunction. J Sex Med 2014;11:2039–2047.
Confronting Oppression not Enhancing Functioning: The Role of Social Workers within Postmodern Practice

This article represents a philosophical hermeneutic endeavor to explore the meaning of oppression as it expresses itself within social work practices based in both modern and postmodern thought. Practices based within the Modern Discourse, drawing from an authority base of scientific expertise, exhibit a disconnect between the goal of enhancing functioning and social work values and concerns such as confronting oppression; this disconnect must be bridged by the social worker. Practices based within the Postmodern Discourse are founded upon the notion of confronting oppressive narratives as their main goal; social work values are an essential component in this process.
D‐Lactate production as a function of glucose metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Methylglyoxal, a reactive, toxic dicarbonyl, is generated by the spontaneous degradation of glycolytic intermediates. Methylglyoxal can form covalent adducts with cellular macromolecules, potentially disrupting cellular function. We performed experiments using the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, grown in media containing low, moderate and high glucose concentrations, to determine the relationship between glucose consumption and methylglyoxal metabolism. Normal growth experiments and glutathione depletion experiments showed that metabolism of methylglyoxal by log-phase yeast cultured aerobically occurred primarily through the glyoxalase pathway. Growth in high-glucose media resulted in increased generation of the methylglyoxal metabolite D-lactate and overall lower efficiency of glucose utilization as measured by growth rates. Cells grown in high-glucose media maintained higher glucose uptake flux than cells grown in moderate-glucose or low-glucose media. Computational modelling showed that increased glucose consumption may impair catabolism of triose phosphates as a result of an altered NAD⁺:NADH ratio.
Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Expression in Breast Cancer

One of the most prevalent of cancers, breast cancer, is characterized by hormonal control of its growth. Expression of the estrogen receptor (ER) in MCF-7 breast cancer cells appears to be a complex process involving multiple steps subject to hormonal regulation by estrogen. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with estradiol results in the suppression of estrogen receptor protein. By 6 hours, the receptor protein declined by about 60% from a level of approximately 3.6 to 1.2 fmol/ug DNA and remained suppressed for 24–48 hours. Similar results were obtained with an estrogen receptor binding assay. Estrogen treatment also resulted in a decrease of receptor mRNA to approximately 10% of control values by 6 hours. Estrogen receptor remained at the suppressed level for up to 48 hours. Transcription run-on experiments demonstrated a transient decrease of about 90% in receptor gene transcription after 1 hour. By 3–6 hours transcription increased approximately 2-fold and remained elevated for at least 48 hours. These data suggest that estrogen suppresses ER mRNA by inhibition of ER gene transcription at early times and by a post-transcriptional effect on receptor mRNA at later times. To determine whether post-transcriptional regulation of ER gene expression is mediated by an ER-dependent mechanism independent of protein synthesis, we used the competitive estrogen antagonist, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, and the inhibitor of protein synthesis, cycloheximide, to study the regulation of ER mRNA by estradiol. 4-Hydroxytamoxifen had no effect on the steady-state level of receptor mRNA and effectively blocked the suppression of ER mRNA by estradiol. The metabolic inhibitor, cycloheximide, was unable to prevent the estrogen induced decrease in ER mRNA. These data provide evidence that the post-transcriptional suppression of ER expression through estradiol is mediated through the ER independent of protein synthesis.
The financial impact of employment decisions for individuals with HIV.

OBJECTIVE: Individuals living with HIV face challenging employment decisions that have personal, financial, and health impacts. The decision to stay or to leave the work force is much more complicated for an individual with HIV because the financial choices related to potential health benefits are not clearly understood. To assist in the decision-making process for an individual with HIV, we propose to develop a decision model that compares the potential costs and benefits of staying in or leaving the work force. PARTICIPANTS: A hypothetical cohort of HIV-infected individuals was simulated in our decision model. Characteristics of these individuals over a one-year period were extracted from the medical literature and publicly available national surveys. Men and women between the ages of 18 and 59 were included in our simulated cohort. METHODS: A decision tree model was created to estimate the financial impact of an individual's decision on employment. The outcomes were presented as the cost-savings associated with the following employment statuses over a one-year period: 1) staying full-time, 2) switching from full-to part-time, 3) transitioning from full-time to unemployment, and 4) staying unemployed. CD4 T cell counts and employment statuses were stratified by earned income. Employment probabilities were calculated from national databases on employment trends in the United States. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the robustness of the effects of the variables on the outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, the decision outcome that resulted in the least financial loss for individuals with HIV was to remain at work. For an individual with CD4 T cell count > 350, the cost difference between staying employed full-time and switching from full-time to part-time status was a maximum of $2,970. For an individual with a CD4 T cell count between 200 and 350, the cost difference was as low as $126 and as great as $2,492. For an individual with a CD4 T cell count 350 to stay employed full-time because it resulted in the least financial loss. On the other hand, for an individual with a CD4 T cell < 350, the financial cost loss was much more variable. Our model provides an objective decision-making guide for individuals with HIV to weigh the costs and benefits of employment decisions.
Working with the family of the psychiatrically disabled young adult

Family crisis intervention on an inpatient unit can be a point of departure for work in either a psychoeducational or a family systems model.
Primary structure and synthesis of a blocked myotropic neuropeptide isolated from the cockroach, Leucophaea maderae.

Abstract 1. 1. A peptide which stimulates the contractile activity of the cockroach hindgut was isolated from head extracts of the cockroach, Leucophaea maderae . 2. 2. The inability of aminopeptidase M to degrade the peptide and the presence of glutamic acid in the hydrolysate suggested N -terminal blocking by pyroglutamic acid. 3. 3. The N -terminal pGlu was removed enzymatically and the unblocked fragment was sequenced with an automated gas-phase peptide sequencer. The structure determined (pGlu-Thr-Ser-Phe-Thr-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH 2 ) was synthesized and shown to be both chemically and biologically identical with the natural product.
A Theory of Exact Solutions for Plane Viscous Blobs

We present a new general theory of exact solutions for a simply connected, plane, slow viscous fluid blob with surface tension. The formulation reveals the existence of an infinite number of conserved quantities associated with the exact solutions. This new theoretical approach simplifies the calculation of concrete solutions.
Same-different judgments under high speed stress: missing-feature principle predominates in early processing.

Three well-practiced subjects madesame-different judgments of letter pairs under varying degrees of speed stress. In contrast to the preponderance of false-different errors found using the same method without speed stress (Chignell & Krueger), there were more false-same responses, particularly on similardifferent pairs. The early, or developing, percept looks very similar from one letter to another, apparently because real differences between letters frequently are missed, whereas spurious differences due to missing or unresolved features at encoding or comparison are simply disregarded (missing-feature principle) rather than interpreted as featural mismatches (internal-noise principle). Distinguishing features are added quite late (300 + msec) in processing, just as Eriksen, O’Hara, and Eriksen proposed.
Functional Subdomains of Yeast Elongation Factor 3 LOCALIZATION OF RIBOSOME-BINDING DOMAIN

Elongation factor 3 (EF-3) is an essential requirement of the fungi for translational elongation. EF-3 is an ATPase, and the hydrolytic activity is stimulated 2 orders of magnitude by yeast ribosomes. Limited trypsinolysis of EF-3 results in the cleavage of a single peptide bond between residues 774 (Arg) and 775 (Gln), generating polypeptides of approximate molecular mass 90 and 30 kDa. The 90-kDa fragment is relatively resistant to proteolysis and retains ribosome-independent ATPase activity. The 30-kDa fragment is further proteolyzed into smaller fragments and retains the specificity for binding to yeast ribosomes. Both the intact EF-3 and the 30-kDa fragment are protected from proteolysis by yeast ribosomes. EF-3 is NH2 terminally blocked, and so is the 90-kDa fragment. The COOH terminally derived 30-kDa fragment contains glutamine (residue 775) at the NH2-terminal end. A construct was designed representing the COOH-terminal domain of EF-3 (30-kDa fragment), subcloned, and expressed as a glutathione S-transferase fusion in yeast. The glutathione S-transferase-30-kDa peptide remains stringently associated with ribosomes. Isolated fusion peptide rebinds to yeast ribosomes with high affinity. Based on these results, we propose that at least one of the ribosome-binding sites of EF-3 resides at the COOH-terminal end of the protein.
Vitamin C Status of an Outpatient Population

Objective: To determined the prevalence of vitamin C deficiency (plasma vitamin C concentrations less than 11.4 μmol/L) and vitamin C depletion (plasma vitamin C concentrations from 11.4 to less than 28.4 μmol/L) in an outpatient population.Subjects and Methods: A consecutive sample of patients presenting at a health maintenance organization laboratory for outpatient procedures was utilized. Plasma vitamin C concentrations were determined in 350 females and 144 males, aged 6 to 92 years (mean ± SD: 46.7 ± 18.7 years).Results: The mean plasma vitamin C concentration for all subjects was 32.4 ± 13.6 μmol/L. Mean plasma vitamin C did not vary by sex, race, or fasted state. Diabetics had a significantly lower mean plasma vitamin C concentration (25.6 ± 10.8 μmol/L) compared to patients presenting for general check-up/gynecological exams (33.5 ± 14.8 μmol/L) or pregnancy exams (32.4 ± 9.7 μmol/L). Six percent of subjects had plasma vitamin C concentrations indicative of vitamin C deficiency (n=31), and 30.4% o...
HLA-A, -B, and -Dr Antigenic Factors in Ocular Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem, idiopathic granulomatous disease characterized by diverse immunologic abnormalities. Ocular sarcoidosis is more common in American blacks than in whites; hence, environmental and genetic factors have been investigated in evaluations of the role of immunogenetic factors.
Relating student recall to expert and novice teachers’ instructional communication: an investigation using receiver selectivity theory

Background: Research indicates expert and novice teachers communicate differently during instruction. However, these differences have yet to be investigated in relation to student learning. Receiver selectivity theory offers an interpretive framework for understanding how expert-novice communication differences might function to discriminate student learning when it is defined as the student's ability to recall the most important information the teacher intended to communicate. Purpose: This study examined expert and novice golf instructors’ communication and student learning using receiver selectivity as a theoretical framework. Specifically, student recall was investigated in relation to the teachers’ communication behaviors and the perceived outcomes of these behaviors. Participants and setting: Stage theory guided the selection of four expert and four novice female golf instructors (n = 8). Eight students, who were male and female and varied in age (19–26) and skill level, were also recruited for part...
Bone consequences of epilepsy and antiepileptic medications.

Childhood and adolescence are critical periods of skeletal mineralization. Peak bone mineral density achieved by the end of adolescence determines the risk for later pathological fractures and osteoporosis. Chronic disease and medication often adversely affect bone health. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions occurring in persons under the age of 21. Epilepsy may affect bone in a number of ways. Restrictions of physical activity imposed by seizures, cerebal palsy or other coexisting comorbidities adversely affect bone health. It has been observed that treatment with phenytoin and phenobarbital can be associated with rickets. More recently, established agents such as carbamazepine and valproate have been shown to be associated with decreased bone mineral density. The literature related to bone health in pediatric epilepsy is reviewed.
Accessibility vs Security: The Challenge to Airport Security Systems

Ideally, an airport security system should be transparent, yet reliable; it should provide both a high degree of accessibility to the travelling public and an equally high level of security. However, airport security in the United States is often compromised due to technical and/or legal limitations. This paper examines the technical and strategic measures that have been implemented to address the key issues in providing optimum levels of security without compromising the public's accessibility to airports. It focuses on the technical and organisational initiatives implemented in the eleven years since the Pan Am Flight 103 disaster on 21 December 1988. A literature review provides evidence that a variety of screening techniques must be used to provide reliable security, yet most airports do not apply such techniques. Current security systems at most airports are single-layered, and so they act at best as a deterrent. The paper concludes that the classic law of requisite variety (an intelligent enemy requires an intelligent fortification) applies to airport security systems. The paper therefore presents a dynamic model of aviation security systems, to help ensure the continuous safety and security of the travelling public.
VI: The Place of Religion in Institutions of Higher Learning

(1953). VI: The Place of Religion in Institutions of Higher Learning. Religious Education: Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 242-247.
Magnetic properties of nickel-copper and nickel-cobalt alloys

Influences de la composition de l'alliage et de la contrainte appliquee sur les proprietes magnetiques du nickel, des alliages nickel-cuivre et nickel-cobalt
A Numerical Investigation of Bolt Underhead Temperature Evolution Under Various Fastening Conditions

The temperature rise that occurs due to frictional heating under a turning fastener head during the tightening process of bolted joints can have a significant effect on surface and thread wear and galling. In the present study, the spatial and temporal temperature rise in a bolt during the tightening process is numerically investigated for a variety of sliding and loading conditions. The effect of tightening speed, angle of turn, and frictional energy input is numerically investigated. Tightening speeds were varied between 1 rpm and 3000 rpm and the angle of turn was varied between 15 and 720 degrees past free spinning. Significant temperature rises of the bolt underhead were observed computationally for higher tightening speeds and angles of turn and the potential for localized melting or near-melting temperatures was shown. In the case of lower tightening speeds, the temperature rise was not as dramatic, but temperature increases are then observed along the length of the shank, showing the possibility o...
Search facilities for internet relay chat

The Internet encompasses a diverse array of information sources that have been indexed for efficient search, including the Web, Usenet, and email (both personal mail and specialized mailing lists). One information source, publicly accessible over the Internet, yet unarchived and unindexed, is the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) system. We are archiving several of the more useful technical-support-oriented IRC channels, with the goal of extracting, archiving, and indexing information that would help satisfy users' information needs.
Systems are not solutions: Issues in creating information systems that account for the human organization

Abstract The results of two “action research” projects involving the creation of new information systems in organizations are reported. One involved the collection and public reporting of measures of quality of work life in an organization; the other linked survey measures with other performance indicators for feedback purposes within a firm. In neither case did the information system yield the expected results. The implications of this for creating organizational changes through information systems are considered and the point is made that systems are not solutions - although they can be a part of them.
Target tracking and surveillance by fusing Stereo and RFID information

Ensuring security in high risk areas such as an airport is an important but complex problem. Effectively tracking personnel, containers, and machines is a crucial task. Moreover, security and safety require understanding the interaction of persons and objects. Computer vision (CV) has been a classic tool; however, variable lighting, imaging, and random occlusions present difficulties for real-time surveillance, resulting in erroneous object detection and trajectories. Determining object ID via CV at any instance of time in a crowded area is computationally prohibitive, yet the trajectories of personnel and objects should be known in real time. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) can be used to reliably identify target objects and can even locate targets at coarse spatial resolution, while CV provides fuzzy features for target ID at finer resolution. Our research demonstrates benefits obtained when most objects are "cooperative" by being RFID tagged. Fusion provides a method to simplify the correspondence problem in 3D space. A surveillance system can query for unique object ID as well as tag ID information, such as target height, texture, shape and color, which can greatly enhance scene analysis. We extend geometry-based tracking so that intermittent information on ID and location can be used in determining a set of trajectories of N targets over T time steps. We show that partial-targetinformation obtained through RFID can reduce computation time (by 99.9% in some cases) and also increase the likelihood of producing correct trajectories. We conclude that real-time decision-making should be possible if the surveillance system can integrate information effectively between the sensor level and activity understanding level.© (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cluster analysis of evoked potentials from behaving cats

A recently developed branch of statistical pattern recognition, cluster analysis, is discussed in the context of behavioral electrophysiology. Data obtained from chronically implanted cats, trained to a differential discrimination of light flicker, were analyzed by both varimax factor analysis and a particular cluster analytic method (nonlinear mapping). This comparative data analysis was then used to illustrate the approach of cluster analysis with regard to evoked potentials as well as the possible advantages of the cluster analytic paradigm as an adjunct to the methods of behavioral electrophysiology.
Stress-induced changes in the analgesic and thermic effects of morphine administered centrally.

Abstract Stress (e.g. restraint) potentiates analgesia and changes in body temperature induced by morphine administered systemically to rats. In order to determine if stress-induced potentiation of these effects of morphine are mediated within the central nervous system, restrained and unstressed groups of rats were injected in the lateral ventricle (i.c.v.) with graded doses of morphine, and their analgesic and body temperature responses were measured. Compared to unstressed animals, restrained rats had a greater analgesic response at each dose of morphine, characterized by an increase in both the magnitude and duration of the drug effect. The unstressed group of rats responded consistently to 1.0–100 μg of morphine with a 1.5–2.0 °C increase in core temperature. Restrained rats had either a smaller increase in body temperature or a hypothermia at these doses of morphine. Thus, restraint stress can modify the effects of morphine administered i.c.v. on analgesia and body temperature in a manner similar to that seen after systemic administration of morphine, indicating that this phenomenon is mediated centrally.
Growth response, reproductive activity, and serum growth hormone in fine-wool ewe lambs treated with triiodothyronine.

Abstract Forty-four 6-mo-old, fine-wool ewe lambs were randomly allotted to one of three triiodothyronine (T3) treatment groups (14 or 15 ewe lambs/group). Treatments (0, 200, and 400 μg T3) were administered daily by subcutaneous injection during a 30-d treatment period in September. Following the treatments, ewe lambs were allowed to mate with Debouillet rams during a 34-d breeding season. Animal weights did not differ (P > 0.10) among treatment groups throughout the study. However, ewe lambs receiving 400 μg T3/d gained less (P 0.10) among treatment groups. Serum growth hormone (GH) values in blood samples collected on Days 7 and 28 of the 30-d treatment were similar (P > 0.10) before treatments were administered and on Day 7 after treatments were administered. However, on Day 28 after treatments were administered, serum GH was lower (P 0.10) among treatments. Preweaning performance of offspring was not altered by maternal treatment with 200 or 400 μg T3/d (P > 0.10). These data indicate that 200 and 400 μg T3/d will not enhance GH production or improve reproductive performance of ewe lambs.
The Equity Premium Puzzle and the Federal Reserve’s Stock Valuation Model

We test a model to estimate the equity risk premium based on a stock valuation model suggested by former Federal Reserve Chairman, Alan Greenspan. The model suggests that the stock market is fairly priced when the price of the market portfolio is equal to the ratio between market earnings and the yield on the 10-year Treasury bond. From this stock valuation model and extensions to it, we derive an equation for the expected market risk premium. Ex post we find that a model which accounts for corporate bond yields and the inherent differences between common stocks and Treasury bonds (most notably risk) provides a good estimate of the equity risk premium.
Age-related alterations of cardiac tissue microstructure and material properties in Fischer 344 rats

The cardiac aging process is accompanied by global mechanical dysfunction that reflects increased myocardial stiffness. Accordingly, age-related changes in microscopic material properties of myocardium were delineated with high-frequency ultrasound (US) (30 to 44 MHz) tissue characterization methods for aging Fischer 344 rats at 6 (adult), 18 (aged), and 24 (senescent) months of age. The excised lateral wall of the left ventricle of rats (n = 10 per group) was insonified with a 50-MHz acoustic microscope for determination of integrated backscatter, backscatter coefficient and attenuation coefficient. Histological and biochemical analyses for collagen content and cardiac myocyte diameter were performed. Collagen concentration increased progressively with age, with the greatest increments occurring from 6 to 18 months (38.0 ± 6.3 to 53.0 ± 7.1 mg/g dry wt), and leveling off at 24 months (60.0 ± 7.4 mg/g dry wt). Tissue microscopic material properties also changed progressively from 6 to 24 months of age, as determined by US methods: integrated backscatter increased (−44.7 ± 1.8 vs. –40.8 ± 1.9 dB, p < 0.05), attenuation increased (47.1 ± 5.9 to 65.3 ± 7.8 dB/cm, p < 0.05), and the backscatter coefficient increased (0.73 ± 0.16 × 10−5 to 3.76 ± 1.6 × 10−5 cm-1, p < 0.05), from 6 to 24 months of age in each case. Age-related alterations in indices of cardiac microscopic material properties were closely correlated with the changes in cardiac microstructure. Ultrasonic tissue characterization may prove to be a sensitive tool to monitor changes in the cardiac microstructure, such as increased collagen deposition, that occur within age-related diastolic dysfunction. (E-mail: saw@howdy.wustl.edu)
Insect responses to plant water deficits. II. Effect of water deficits in soybean plants on the growth and survival of Mexican bean beetle larvae.

. 1. We examined the effect of water deficits in soybean, Glycine max [L.] Merr., on the growth and survival of Mexican bean beetle larvae, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). 2. Larvae were reared under growth chamber, glasshouse, and field conditions on foliage from plants that were either well-watered or subjected to water deficits. 3. Larval survival, growth rate and pupal weight were reduced, and development time was increased when larvae were reared on foliage from plants subjected to water deficits. These results are contrary to White's (1974) hypothesis that water deficits in plants cause increased growth and survival of herbivorous insects. 4. Changes in foliage chemistry caused by water deficits, possibly in the concentration of free amino acids, are the most likely causes of the observed effects on growth rate and development time. However, under glasshouse and field conditions, physical changes in foliage and/or the foliage's environment that accompany water deficits are also important.
An unusual effect of selenium substituents on the regiochemistry of a baeyer-villiger rearrangement

Abstract The regioselectivity of a Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of a cyclobutanone is dependent upon the oxidation state of a proximal selenium substituent.
Hypoglycaemia-induced changes in regional brain volume and memory function

Background Hypoglycaemic events can be a serious complication of insulin therapy in Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Severe hypoglycaemic exposure can lead to episodic memory impairments, including anterograde amnesia. However, relatively little is known regarding the long-term impact of severe hypoglycaemia on brain structure in Type 1 diabetes mellitus. The goals of the present study were to gain a greater understanding of the long-term effects of severe hypoglycaemia exposure on brain structure and the neural correlates of memory impairments in Type 1 diabetes mellitus.
IPF Fibroblasts Are Desensitized to Type I Collagen Matrix-Induced Cell Death by Suppressing Low Autophagy via Aberrant Akt/mTOR Kinases

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, lethal interstitial lung disease in which the aberrant PTEN/Akt axis plays a major role in conferring a survival phenotype in response to the cell death inducing properties of type I collagen matrix. The underlying mechanism by which IPF fibroblasts become desensitized to polymerized collagen, thereby eluding collagen matrix-induced cell death has not been fully elucidated. We hypothesized that the pathologically altered PTEN/Akt axis suppresses autophagy via high mTOR kinase activity, which subsequently desensitizes IPF fibroblasts to collagen matrix induced cell death. We found that the autophagosome marker LC3-2 expression is suppressed, while mTOR activity remains high when IPF fibroblasts are cultured on collagen. However, LC3-2 expression increased in response to IPF fibroblast attachment to collagen in the presence of rapamycin. In addition, PTEN over-expression or Akt inhibition suppressed mTOR activity, thereby increasing LC3-2 expression in IPF fibroblasts. Furthermore, the treatment of IPF fibroblasts over-expressing PTEN or dominant negative Akt with autophagy inhibitors increased IPF fibroblast cell death. Enhanced p-mTOR expression along with low LC3-2 expression was also found in myofibroblasts within the fibroblastic foci from IPF patients. Our data show that the aberrant PTEN/Akt/mTOR axis desensitizes IPF fibroblasts from polymerized collagen driven stress by suppressing autophagic activity, which produces a viable IPF fibroblast phenotype on collagen. This suggests that the aberrantly regulated autophagic pathway may play an important role in maintaining a pathological IPF fibroblast phenotype in response to collagen rich environment.
Surface recordings of respiratory muscle activity during speech: some preliminary findings

Bipolar electromyographic (EMG) recordings were made from six chest wall and nasal sites with disk electrodes attached to the skin. Electrode locations were based on previous studies of nonspeech b...