cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A National Study of Medical Students' Attitudes Toward Sexual and Gender Minority Populations: Evaluating the Effects of Demographics and Training.

Purpose: Evaluating medical students' attitudes toward sexual and gender minority (SGM) people is important to identify negative attitudes early in education and to design curriculum to mitigate biases. The purpose of this study was to investigate medical students' attitudes toward SGM people as a whole as well as specific populations within the SGM community. We sought to determine whether attitudes toward SGM people differed between students' demographics and training. Methods: We conducted an online survey-based study among 1007 medical students at 12 U.S. medical schools. Participants completed the Attitudes Toward LGBT People Scale and were randomized to complete another scale specific to one group within the SGM community. We evaluated the association between student demographics and medical training and attitudes toward SGM people overall and toward specific SGM populations. This study was conducted between January and June 2020. Results: Overall, we found that medical students had positive attitudes toward SGM people and specific SGM groups. The most important factor affecting medical students' attitudes on all scales was religiosity, as very religious students held less positive attitudes toward SGM people. In addition, cisgender female students held more positive attitudes toward SGM people overall and toward specific SGM populations. Conclusion: Medical education must ensure that future physicians receive comprehensive and culturally competent training to prepare them to care for SGM patients. Based on our findings, this training should include specific content to help medical students identify potential biases toward SGM people, as well as strategies to acknowledge and confront these biases.
Interlude: Client Data Acquisition

In Chap. 20, we learned the syntax of HTTP, and how to use the requests module to issue GET and POST request messages that allow us to obtain results from a web server. In this chapter, we explore variations of taking the results and transforming the data into an in-memory structure usable in our client programs.
Multi-species consensus network of DNA strand displacement for concentration-to-strand translation

We propose novel chemical reaction networks to translate levels of concentration into unique DNA strand species, which we call concentration translators. Our design of the concentration translators is based on combination of two chemical reaction networks, consensus network and conversion network with any number of chemical species. We give geometric analysis of the proposed CRNs from the viewpoint of nonlinear dynamical systems and show that the CRNs can actually operate as translator. Our concentration translators exploit DNA strand displacement (DSD) reaction, which is known for a universal reaction that can implement arbitrary chemical reaction networks. We demonstrate two specific types of concentration translators (translator A and B) with different switching behavior and biochemical cost and compared their characteristics computationally. The proposed concentration translators have an advantage of being able to readout the concentration of targeted nucleic acid strand without any fluorescence-based techniques. These characteristics can be tailored according to requirements from applications, including dynamic range, sensitivity and implementation cost.
Genes with 5' terminal oligopyrimidine tracts preferentially escape global suppression of translation by the SARS-CoV-2 NSP1 protein.

Viruses rely on the host translation machinery to synthesize their own proteins. Consequently, they have evolved varied mechanisms to co-opt host translation for their survival. SARS-CoV-2 relies on a non-structural protein, Nsp1, for shutting down host translation. However, it is currently unknown how viral proteins and host factors critical for viral replication can escape a global shutdown of host translation. Here, using a novel FACS-based assay called MeTAFlow, we report a dose-dependent reduction in both nascent protein synthesis and mRNA abundance in cells expressing Nsp1. We perform RNA-Seq and matched ribosome profiling experiments to identify gene-specific changes both at the mRNA expression and translation level. We discover a functionally-coherent subset of human genes are preferentially translated in the context of Nsp1 expression. These genes include the translation machinery components, RNA binding proteins, and others important for viral pathogenicity. Importantly, we uncovered a remarkable enrichment of 5' terminal oligo-pyrimidine (TOP) tracts among preferentially translated genes. Using reporter assays, we validated that 5' UTRs from TOP transcripts can drive preferential expression in the presence of NSP1. Finally, we found that LARP1, a key effector protein in the mTOR pathway may contribute to preferential translation of TOP transcripts in response to Nsp1 expression. Collectively, our study suggests fine tuning of host gene expression and translation by Nsp1 despite its global repressive effect on host protein synthesis.
Ideology, Censorship, and Propaganda: Unifying Shared Mental Models

In this paper, I utilize and expand on Douglass North and colleagues’ conceptual framework for understanding ideology to investigate the nature of ideological intervention. I argue that ideological intervention is ultimately about unifying the shared mental models of the individuals being ruled. Ideological intervention, such as censorship and propaganda, contains both positive and passive means. The positive means select, modify, and issue the information and feedback, while the negative ones limit and filter the information that choosers can access during the learning process. Jointly, an “information wall” consisting of censorship and propaganda can help unify the shared mental models of ordinary individuals in a society. The fall of the wall does not necessarily guarantee, but does provide a possibility for a successful transition from a natural state to an open-entry order.
What Fatigue Means to Persons Living with Parkinson's Disease? A Qualitative Study.

Background Fatigue is one of the most prevalent non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Research is hampered by imprecise terminology and the lack of case definition criteria. Objectives To elicit the experiences of persons living with PD-related fatigue and provide ecological validation for case definition criteria. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 individuals and 4 focus groups, and analyzed using an inductive qualitative method. Results Six core themes emerged: (i) difficulty initiating and completing important tasks; (ii) desire for others to understand their fatigue experience; (iii) heterogeneity of experiences and descriptions of fatigue; (iv) complex relationships with other non-motor symptoms; (v) variable self-management strategies; and (vi) general alignment with proposed case definition criteria. Conclusions PD-related fatigue impacts function, is subjectively distinguishable from other non-motor symptoms, has heterogeneous descriptions, and may be mitigated by various self-management strategies. Proposed case definition criteria appear ecologically valid and warrant further optimization and testing.
A Differential-Privacy-Based Blockchain Architecture to Secure and Store Electronic Health Records

As humanity enters the information age, the amount of digitized personal information grows daily. With growing connections between the digital and real-world, privacy information becomes more and more at risk, most especially information pertaining to one's electronic health records, or EHRs. The consequences of improper EHR security are shown in [12] and [13]. Innovations in security, namely Blockchain and differential privacy, provide data centers a powerful tool to combat would-be belligerents and secure patient data. We propose a novel blockchain architecture that utilizes the discrete M-band wavelet transform with Laplace-Sigmoid noise that allows connected centers to perform relevant research while also securing sensitive EHRs and protecting patient identities. We then simulate training machine learning models using our system and show that they perform with high accuracy.
Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Testing Options

A review of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) dynamics is followed by a review of test efficiency measures. BVDV diagnostic challeneges are then discussed with attention to its pathogenesis during pregnancy and fetal effects. Economic decision theory methods are then applied to evaluate BVDV testing efficiencies and outcomes given certain herd BVDV characteristics.
Evaluating driver comprehension of the roadway environment to retain accountability of safety during driving automation

Abstract Driver comprehension is a substantial component of situation awareness that involves the ability of an individual to understand the significance of an object, traffic sign, or hazard while driving. An increase in crashes related to autonomous driving systems has raised a concern regarding the safety of other roadway users due to the diminishing accountability resulting from a general lack of understanding of the limitations or disregard of the safety protocols by users. To keep drivers vigilant when engaged in partial automated systems, a methodology to monitor real-time driver comprehension was proposed. A driving simulator study consisting of 90 participants, equally split between males and females, was executed to establish driver comprehension in six different variations of driving difficulty. Joint probability density functions were created by considering percent time spent gazing, answers to probe questions, and driving performance. Based on these density functions, five levels of comprehension were devised and assigned thresholds. Overall, as task difficulty increased, a non-linear deterioration in driving speed along with an increase in total gaze duration was observed before comprehension was attained. A two-step validation protocol was also proposed to ensure similar levels of comprehension to non-automated driving from the human driver, when engaged in early forms of automation. The proposed real-time driver comprehension monitoring constitutes a first step toward developing a methodology to reinstate the accountability of safety of other roadway users when engaged in driver-in-the-loop automation systems.
Concussion in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that occurs in association with repetitive mild traumatic brain injury. It is associated with a variety of clinical symptoms in multiple domains, and there is a distinct pattern of pathological changes. The abnormal tau pathology in CTE occurs uniquely in those regions of the brain that are likely most susceptible to stress concentration during trauma. CTE has been associated with a variety of types of repetitive head trauma, most frequently contact sports. In cases published to date, the mean length of exposure to repetitive head trauma was 15.4 years. The clinical symptoms of the disease began after a mean latency of 14.5 years with a mean age of death of 59.3 years. Most subjects had a reported history of concussions with a mean of 20.3. However, 16 % of published CTE subjects did not have a history of concussion suggesting that subconcussive hits are sufficient to lead to the development of CTE. Overall, the number of years of exposure, not the number of concussions, was significantly associated with worse tau pathology in CTE. This suggests that it is the chronic and repetitive nature of head trauma, irrespective of concussive symptoms, that is the most important driver of disease. CTE and exposure to repetitive head trauma is also associated with a variety of other neurodegenerations, including Alzheimer disease. In fact, amyloid β peptide deposition is altered and accelerated in CTE and is associated with worse disease. Here, we review the current exposure, clinical, and pathological associations of CTE.
The Fallacy of “Competition” in Agriculture

Agriculture has long been viewed by economists as the best example of an industry characterized by perfect competition. However, the history of modern agriculture is marked with differences about just how competitive the industry is and whether competition is in fact a desirable thing. Present debates about competition in agriculture rally discontent with the competitive environment around the mantra of “free and fair competition.” But this populist ideal presents problems of its own. First, what is the economic meaning of “free and fair” competition? Second, how does the argument about the need for free and fair competition meet with the facts of how the agricultural industry behaves? And finally, what are the ethical implications of arguments for government intervention in the agricultural economy?
Formal Theories and Software Systems: Fundamental Connections between Computer Science and Logic

A formal Theory of Logics is sketched using concepts from a modern proof development system (like Nuprl, Coq or other such software systems). The Theory can be applied to understanding these software systems, and the application suggests a design principle called the theories-as-systems notion. Applications of the Theory to automated reasoning have led to an empirical study of the notion of obvious inference. Experimental results are cited to explain key constants of a scientific theory of obvious inference. The constants appear in what is called here the deBruijn equation.
Relationship of Glycolytic Intermediates, Glycolytic Enzymes, and Ammonia to Glycogen Metabolism During Sporulation in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

To identify the factors which control glycogen synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we have studied the regulation of glycogen metabolism during sporulation, since in vivo glycogen has been reported to undergo significant changes in concentration during this process. We examined the concentration of a number of key glycolytic intermediates and enzymes in strains that sporulate at different rates and those that are deficient in sporulation. There were no significant changes found in the adenylate energy charge or cyclic AMP levels throughout sporulation. Although significant alterations occurred in the levels of glucose-6-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, phosphoenolpyruvate, and ATP during sporulation, only the fourfold increase in fructose-1,6-bisphosphate appeared to correlate with glycogen synthesis in all of the strains examined. Only limited changes occurred in the level of a number of glycolytic and gluconeogenic enzymes which were examined during this process. Intracellular glucose content underwent a dramatic 30- to 40-fold increase in sporulating cells. Comparison of strains with different rates of sporulation demonstrated that this increase in glucose content coincides with the time of glycogen degradation in each strain. Both the increase in glucose content and the degradation of accumulated glycogen were not observed in nonsporulating alpha/alpha strains, or in cells incubated in NH(4) (+) supplemented sporulation medium. Although glucose appears to be the direct product of glycogen degradation, a 10-fold increase in a nonspecific alkaline phosphatase occurs at this time, which may be degrading phosphorylated sugars to glucose. All of the strains examined released extracellular glucose while suspended in acetate sporulation medium. It is concluded that most of the changes in the glycolytic pathway that occur during sporulation, with the exception of glycogen degradation and the concomitant increase in intracellular glucose pools, are a response to the transfer to sporulation medium and are independent of sporulation-specific processes. Inhibition of sporulation with ammonium ions resulted in a different pattern of change in all of the glycolytic intermediates examined, including a twofold increase in cyclic AMP levels. Ammonia did not interfere with glycogen synthesis, but prevented sporulation-specific glycogen degradation. The levels of the glycolytic enzymes examined were not affected by ammonia.
Constrained least squares vs. maximum likelihood reconstructions for Poisson data

Using very small, well-conditioned systems of equations, the performance of least-squares solutions has been compared to the performance of the maximum likelihood solution for Poisson data. It is shown that, at count rates normally encountered in PET (positron emission tomography) or SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) least-squares methods employing appropriate error weighting perform nearly equivalently to the maximum likelihood method. This suggests that simple schemes for estimating appropriate weights may lead to reconstruction methods having performance equivalent to maximum likelihood using the expectation maximization algorithm but with greatly reduced computation. >
The Hubble Space Telescope: Year One

The first year of in-orbit operations of the Hubble Space Telescope has produced a variety of exciting scientific discoveries, despite the fact that the primary mirror suffers from spherical aberration. The resulting image quality is considerably below the design specifications, and causes a loss of sensitivity of approximately 2.5 magnitudes. Fortunately, the HST point spread function retains a sharp core having almost the nominal diffraction-limited resolution. Through the judicious use of image restoration algorithms and model fitting, a number of the scientific objectives of the HST mission can still be met. Following the installation of corrective optics on the first shuttle servicing mission, with the subsequent installation of second-generation scientific instruments with built-in corrective optics, the full scientific potential of HST should be realized.
Are Primary Care Practices Ready to Become Patient‐Centered Medical Homes?

Purpose: To measure the readiness of rural primary care practices to qualify as patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs), one step toward participating in changes underway in health care finance and delivery. Methods: We used the 2008 Health Tracking Physician Survey to compare PCMH readiness scores among metropolitan and nonmetropolitan primary care practices. The National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) assessment system served as a framework to assess the PCMH capabilities of primary care practices based on their services, processes, and policies. Findings: We found little difference between urban and rural practices. Approximately 41% of all primary care practices offer minimal or no PCMH services. We also found that large practices score higher on standards primarily related to information technology and care management. Conclusions: Achieving the benefits of the PCMH model in small rural practices may require additional national promotion, technical assistance, and financial incentives.
Concurrent Aggregates: Supporting Modularity in Massively Parallel Programs

"Concurrent Aggregates" addresses a key problem in programming languages for massively parallel machines: how to write programs that are both modular and highly concurrent. It describes a novel approach for managing program complexity, based on multi-access data abstractions and combining ideas from object-oriented and data-parallel approaches, that allows programmers to build modular programs without sacrificing concurrency. The concepts are developed and, using application kernels, evaluated for effectiveness and implementability. The programming language called Concurrent Aggregates incorporates innovative data abstraction tools that allow unlimited concurrency. Concurrent Aggregates surpasses existing data-parallel languages in its support for arbitrary concurrent abstractions, not simply arrays or sets, as well as its support for heterogeneous concurrency. By adapting a proven complexity management and code re-use technique, data abstraction, to massively parallel systems, Chien produces a language suited for high degrees of concurrency and modular programs. The data abstraction tools, aggregates, permit exploitation of both homogeneous data and heterogeneous concurrency (operations against a parallel abstraction) in uniform and efficient style. Aggregates can encapsulate arbitrary amounts of data and concurrency, thus limiting the complexity of Concurrent Aggregates programs. Concurrent Aggregates even supports efficient composition of concurrent data abstractions. Concurrent Aggregates is designed for machines of the future. Chien presents a vision of how to organize computations on massively parallel MIMD machines and program them in modular fashion while facilitating efficient execution by allowing tuning within each abstraction. His unique perspective as a designer of the processor, network, and operating systems for the J-Machine prototype results in a language design that reflects the costs of computation in future systems.
Improving the performance of packet radio networks with adaptive array antennas

The authors propose a novel method to improve the performance of packet radio networks, namely, using adaptive array antennas on the packet radio units instead of omnidirectional antennas. An adaptive array can acquire a packet arriving from one direction and then null packets from other directions to prevent them from interfering with the acquired packet. By protecting the acquired packet, an adaptive array allows one packet to be received, even when interfering packets are present. To investigate the effect of an adaptive array on packet radio network performance, the authors consider a simple two-hop packet radio network with an adaptive array at the station. These preliminary results show that an adaptive array can greatly increase the throughput. >
Use of overlapping buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty for complex anterior urethral strictures

Complex anterior urethral stricture disease typically manifests as a symptomatic, severely narrowed, long stricture (or multiple strictures) in which conventional excision and/or augmentation is not feasible. Overlapping buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (OBMGU) is an innovative hybrid technique, combining the well-established principles of dorsal and ventral graft augmentation to allow single stage reconstruction of complex anterior urethral strictures. In this review, we discuss the rationale, techniques, and outcomes of OBMGU for complex anterior urethral strictures.
Effect of the AIN-93M Purified Diet and Dietary Restriction on Survival in Sprague-Dawley Rats: Implications for Chronic Studies

Survival, growth and dietary intake (DI) variables were monitored in a chronic 114-wk study in which male Sprague-Dawley rats [n = 120; National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) colony] consumed the AIN-93M purified diet ad libitum (AL), or an amount reduced by 31% of total AL intake inclusive of all macro- and micronutrients. The main objectives were to ascertain the survival characteristics of rats fed the AIN-93M diet and to determine whether dietary restriction (DR) increases longevity of rats fed this casein-based diet compared with the use of mixed-protein sources of the NIH-31 cereal-based diet in an earlier study. Body, liver, brain, the brain/body ratio, spleen, thymus and kidney weights, body length and body density were decreased (P < 0.05) by DR, whereas testis weight and skull length were not altered by DR. Significant age effects at 58 and 114 wk were found for body, brain, the brain/body ratio, liver and testis weights, and body density. Survival rates for the AL and 31% DR groups were 43.3 and 57.5%, respectively. Survival curves were not significantly different. The survival rate for AL rats fed the AIN-93M diet was not different from that of AL rats fed the NIH-31 diet (43.3 and 51.7%, respectively). However, the survival rate for 31% DR rats fed the AIN-93M diet was significantly lower than 25% DR rats fed the NIH-31 diet (57.5 and 87.5%, respectively) although both groups had similar body weights and energy intake at various ages. Nutritional components in the NIH-31 diet that are missing and/or reduced in the AIN-93M diet may interact with DR to increase 114-wk survival. Although the survivability, growth and anatomical results of this study suggest that the AIN-93M diet is suitable for chronic rodent studies, additional studies such as comprehensive histopathologic and physiologic investigations must be undertaken to complete the evaluation process.
Analysis of muscle fiber clustering in the diaphragm muscle of sarcopenic mice.

Introduction Sarcopenia likely comprises muscle fiber denervation and re-innervation, resulting in clustering of muscle fibers of the same type (classified by myosin heavy chain isoform composition). Development of methodology to quantitatively evaluate clustering of muscle fibers according to fiber type is necessary. Methods Fiber type specific immunofluorescence histology was used to quantify fiber clustering in murine diaphragm muscle (n = 15) at ages 6 and 24 months. Results With age, fiber type clustering is evidenced by fiber type specific changes in distances between fibers, specifically a 14% decrease to the closest fiber for type I and 24% increase for type IIx and/or IIb fibers (P < 0.001). Additionally, a 34% increase to the 3 closest type IIx and/or IIb fibers was found (P < 0.001). Conclusions This novel method of analyzing fiber type clustering may be useful in examining pathophysiological conditions of motor unit loss in neuromuscular disorders, myopathies, dystrophies, injuries, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve 52: 76–82, 2015
Analysis and Simulation of the Left Ventricular Response to Autonomic Nervous Activity

Statistical experimental design techniques and a hybrid computer simulation have been used to quantitate the left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) response to simultaneous stimulation of both autonomic divisions in the isolated, isovolumic heart. A quadratic regression response surface was derived which clearly indicates the extent of the vagal–sympathetic amplitude interaction. Dynamically, the vagal-LVSP response is essentially first order for increasing and decreasing nervous activity; the sympathetic-LVSP response is well represented by parallel first and second order components for increasing activity, and parallel first order components for decreasing activity.
PTH-induced osteoblast contraction is mediated by cysteine proteases.

PTH-induced osteoblast contraction is mediated by cysteine proteases. E-64d, a membrane-permeable cysteine protease inhibitor, was tested for its ability to inhibit PTH-induced contraction in intact mouse MC-3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. Incubation of MC-3T3-E1 cells with vehicle (DMSO) or E-64c, a nonpermeant cysteine protease inhibitor, in the presence or in the absence of PTH had no effects on cAMP production or on morphology from 0 to 90 minutes after addition. In contrast, treatment with E-64d markedly attenuated PTH-induced contraction in these cells. These findings suggest that cysteine proteases, such as the calcium-activated neutral proteases (calpains), are involved in PTH-induced osteoblastic contraction. The observation that cysteine protease activity mediates PTH-induced osteoblastic contraction also suggests that endogenous inhibitors, such as calpastatin, may also be present in the osteoblast and play a role in the regulation of stimulus-response coupling in bone. This mechanism may provide another regulatory point at which bone cells may be pharmacologically manipulated in clinical situations characterized by excessive bone resorption.
Enhanced Cd2+-selective root-tonoplast-transport in tobaccos expressing Arabidopsis cation exchangers

Several Arabidopsis CAtion eXchangers (CAXs) encode tonoplast-localized transporters that appear to be major contributors to vacuolar accumulation/sequestration of cadmium (Cd(2+)), an undesirable pollutant ion that occurs in man largely as a result of dietary consumption of aerial tissues of food plants. But, ion-selectivity of individual CAX transporter types remains largely unknown. Here, we transformed Nicotiana tabacum with several CAX genes driven by the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV) 35S promoter and monitored divalent cation transport in root-tonoplast vesicles from these plants in order to select particular CAX genes directing high Cd(2+) antiporter activity in root tonoplast. Comparison of seven different CAX genes indicated that all transported Cd(2+), Ca(2+), Zn(2+), and Mn(2+) to varying degrees, but that CAX4 and CAX2 had high Cd(2+) transport and selectivity in tonoplast vesicles. CAX4 driven by the CaMV 35S and FS3 [figwort mosaic virus (FMV)] promoters increased the magnitude and initial rate of Cd(2+)/H(+) exchange in root-tonoplast vesicles. Ion selectivity of transport in root-tonoplast vesicles isolated from FS3::CAX4-expressing plant lines having a range of gene expression was Cd(2+)>Zn(2+)>>Ca(2+)>>Mn(2+) and the ratios of maximal Cd(2+) (and Zn(2+)) versus maximal Ca(2+) and Mn(2+) transport were correlated with the levels of CAX4 expression. Root Cd accumulation in high CAX4 and CAX2 expressing lines was increased in seedlings grown with 0.02 muM Cd. These observations are consistent with a model in which expression of an Arabidopsis-gene-encoded, Cd(2+)-efficient antiporter in host plant roots results in greater root vacuole Cd(2+) transport activity, increased root Cd accumulation, and a shift in overall root tonoplast ion transport selectivity towards higher Cd(2+) selectivity. Results support a model in which certain CAX antiporters are somewhat more selective for particular divalent cations.
Enantiopure α-hydroxy-β-lactams via stereoselective glycosylation

Abstract Stereospecific glycosylation via the Ferrier rearrangement catalyzed by iodine has been used to obtain both enantiomers of a trans 4-aryl-3-hydroxy-2-azetidinone. Unexpectedly, a rhamnal derivative had to be employed for this reaction since a glucal derivative failed to work. This synthesis complements our previously described preparation of the corresponding cis isomers by the same methodology. Thus, convenient access has become available to all four homochiral stereoisomers of α-hydroxy-β-lactams some of which are synthons for Taxol ® and analogs.
RADIOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF CANINE HEARTWORM DISEASE COEXISTING WITH RIGHT HEART FAILURE

Thoracic radiographs of 28 dogs with heartworm disease and right heart failure were evaluated subjectively and objectively. Radiographs of all dogs were abnormal. Abnormalities were consistent with those previously reported for heartworm disease but were more severe than those identified in another group of heartworm dogs that did not have right heart failure. The right ventricle and right caudal labor pulmonary artery were enlarged in every dog. The main pulmonary artery, right cranial lobar pulmonary artery, and caudal vena cava were enlarged in 24, 25, and 17 dogs, respectively. Radiographically apparent pathologic pulmonary conditions were present in 25 dogs. Pleural effusion was not identified.
Cross sections for resonant vibrational excitation of N 2 by electron impact

We report the results of a theoretical study of resonant vibrational-excitation of ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ by low-energy electrons. The vibrational-excitation cross sections were calculated using ab initio fixed-nuclei resonance parameters in the complex-potential or "boomerang" model of Dub\'e and Herzenberg. The electronic resonance energy and decay width were extracted from several ab initio calculations of the $^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{g}$ shape resonance of ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$. The good agreement between the present cross sections and those obtained recently with the $R$-matrix technique indicates that the assumptions underlying the complex-potential model are valid for the case of ${{\mathrm{N}}_{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}(^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{g})$. The present results also show the sensitivity of the computed vibrational-excitation cross sections to the fixed-nuclei resonance parameters employed in the calculations. The differential vibrational-excitation cross sections at 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and the total integrated cross section which we have obtained agree resonably well with the available experimental data.
Rotationally driven ‘zebra stripes’ in Earth’s inner radiation belt

The distributions of energetic electrons across the entire spatial extent of Earth’s inner radiation belt are found to be organized in regular, highly structured and unexpected ‘zebra stripes’, produced by Earth’s rotation. Earth's radiation belts are populated by electrons and ions that are held in place by a magnetic field. Structured features in these belts have previously been attributed to enhanced solar wind activity. Although planetary rotation is considered to have an important role in driving belt dynamics around Jupiter and Saturn, it has been thought inconsequential for Earth's radiation belts, where the forces involved are much smaller. A new analysis of data from the Van Allen Probes mission shows that the distributions of energetic electrons across the entire spatial extent of Earth's inner radiation belt are organized in regular, highly structured, and unexpected 'zebra stripes' even when the solar wind activity is low. Modelling reveals that the patterns are produced by planetary rotation, which induces global diurnal variations of magnetic and electric fields that resonantly interact with electrons whose drift period is close to 24 hours. Structured features on top of nominally smooth distributions of radiation-belt particles at Earth have been previously associated with particle acceleration and transport mechanisms powered exclusively by enhanced solar-wind activity1,2,3,4. Although planetary rotation is considered to be important for particle acceleration at Jupiter and Saturn5,6,7,8,9, the electric field produced in the inner magnetosphere by Earth’s rotation can change the velocity of trapped particles by only about 1–2 kilometres per second, so rotation has been thought inconsequential for radiation-belt electrons with velocities of about 100,000 kilometres per second. Here we report that the distributions of energetic electrons across the entire spatial extent of Earth’s inner radiation belt are organized in regular, highly structured and unexpected ‘zebra stripes’, even when the solar-wind activity is low. Modelling reveals that the patterns are produced by Earth’s rotation. Radiation-belt electrons are trapped in Earth’s dipole-like magnetic field, where they undergo slow longitudinal drift motion around the planet because of the gradient and curvature of the magnetic field. Earth’s rotation induces global diurnal variations of magnetic and electric fields that resonantly interact with electrons whose drift period is close to 24 hours, modifying electron fluxes over a broad energy range into regular patterns composed of multiple stripes extending over the entire span of the inner radiation belt.
The boundary map and the connecting orbits

Abstract The purpose of this article is to show that the image of the homological boundary map attached to a filtration for an attractor–repeller pair of a smooth flow on a compact manifold is a submodule of the Alexander cohomology of certain order of the connecting set (some restrictions have to be imposed in order to have a valid argument). In particular, this gives an affirmative answer to a conjecture in Conley index theory which states that if the boundary map is not zero in two dimensions, the connecting set cannot be contractible.
Oxide interfaces: watch out for the lack of oxygen.

Interfaces between certain insulating perovskite oxides show unexpected properties, such as high conductivity and magnetism. Oxygen vacancies seem to be important in these structures, but the puzzle is far from being understood.
Variability of passively recorded centric relation

1. Centric relation in patients without clinical signs or symptoms of mandibular dysfunction is a small range of mandibular positions. 2. The average range of shift was 0.302 mm mediolaterally and 0.278 mm anteroposteriorly for all five subjects. 3. There is no significant difference between the ranges of mandibular positions recorded using chin-point guidance, chin-point guidance with ramus support, or bimanual manipulation. 4. This technique of comparing mandibular positions dictated by centric relation records is sufficiently sensitive to reveal minimum ranges of biologic variation.
A New Race of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis Causing Fusarium Wilt of Muskmelon in the Central Valley of California

In 1996, cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. cv. Durango) vines in two fields exhibited wilt, vascular discoloration, and necrotic streaks on the stems. Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend.:Fr. was isolated from the stems of vines from both fields. One isolate from each field was compared with known isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis (Leach & Currence) W.C. Snyder & H.N. Hansen races 1 and 2 in a differential host range experiment in the greenhouse. Three-week-old seedlings were root-dip inoculated with monoconidial isolates at a concentration of 5 × 105 spores per ml. Control plants were dipped in water. In two experiments, the test isolates killed the susceptible varieties Top Mark and Magnum .45 and the race 2 resistant varieties Durango, Gold Mine, and Perlita FR. Seedlings of variety Charentais with the Fom2 gene conferring resistance to race 1 were resistant to both test isolates. It was determined that both of these isolates are associated with vegetative compatibility group (VCG) 0134 (1). This is the first report of race 1 and VCG 0134 of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis causing Fusarium wilt of muskmelon in the Central Valley of California, and the first reported occurrence of race 1 in California since 1973 (2). Cantaloupe varieties currently grown in California are susceptible to race 1 of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis References: (1) D. J. Jacobson and T. R. Gordon. Phytopathology 78:668, 1988. (2) J. V. Leary and W. D. Wilbur. Phytopathology 66:15, 1976.
Defects in reversal of serial order of symbols.

Abstract Many patients with aphasia or an organic mental syndrome who can spell a five-letter word or recite a five-digit number forward fail to do so backwards. Errors also occur in reading letters of a printed word backwards whereas no errors appear in reading conventionally. Memory defects, dysnomia, dyscalculia, learning disorders, and perseveration may co-exist with an impaired ability to reverse a serial order of symbols. It would appear that a defect in the ability to reverse a serial order may be similar to defects in other faculties observed in aphasia, e.g. anomia, acalculia, and alexia. Reversability is probably a characteristic of normal cognitive function and language processes. A defect in RS of two-, three-, or four-letter words may be considered a significant sign of cerebral dysfunction due to either a localized lesion in the dominant hemisphere or a diffuse bilateral encephalopathy.
Spectrum and Eigenfunctions for a Hamiltonian with Stochastic Trajectories

Quantum stochasticity (the nature of wave functions and eigenvalues when the short-wave-limit Hamiltonian has stochastic trajectories) is studied for the two-dimensional Helmsholtz equation with "stadium" boundary. The eigenvalue separations have a Wigner distribution (characteristic of a random Hamiltonian), in contrast to the clustering found for a separable equation. The eigenfunctions exhibit a random pattern for the nodal curves, with isotropic distribution of local wave vectors.
A software pipelining algorithm of streaming applications with low buffer requirements

Abstract Stream programming languages have become popular owing to their representations that enable parallelization of applications via static analysis. Several research groups have proposed approaches to software pipeline streaming applications onto multi/many-core architectures, such as CELL BE processors and NVIDIA GPUs. In this paper, we present a novel scheduling algorithm that software-pipelines streaming applications onto multi/many core architectures. The algorithm generates software pipeline schedules by formulating and solving MILP (Mixed Integer Linear Programming) problems. Experimental results show that compared to previous works, our approach generates schedules that use up to a 71% smaller amount of buffers needed for communication between kernels.
The intracellular distribution of natural and synthetic glucocorticoids in the AtT-20 cell.

Both natural and synthetic glucocorticoids suppress ACTH production by AtT-20 mouse pituitary cells. However, the degree of suppression is not clearly related to cytosol receptor affinity. These studies were done to test whether the synthetic and natural glucocorticoids might differ in the efficiency with which they caused nuclear translocation of the cytosol receptor. If so, this parameter as well as receptor affinity might contribute importantly to steroidal potency. To accomplish these studies, a rapid method of assaying glucocorticoid binding to whole cells and to isolated nuclei was developed. Whole cell and nuclear binding of triamcinolone acetonide (9α-fluoro-11β,16α, 17,21-tetrahydroxypregna-1,4- diene-3,20-dione cyclic 16,17-acetal with acetone), dexamethasone, and corticosterone were measured after incubation of the steroids with intact cells at 25 C. Uptake of all three steroids reached apparent equilibrium by 1 h at 25 C. A Scatchard analysis of binding over a concentration range of 0.1–50 nM ...
Random Response of Symmetric Cross-Ply Composite Beams with Arbitrary Boundary Conditions

A generalized modal approach is presented to solve the equations of motion of a laminated composite beam obtained with a third-order shear deformation theory. The biorthonormal eigenfunctions of the differential equations expressed in the state form are used to decouple the equations. To obtain these eigenfunctions for beams with any arbitrary beam boundary conditions, a method is presented. The solution obtained by this approach is used to calculate the beam response for spatially and temporally correlated random loads. Several sets of numerical results are presented to demonstrate the importance of shear deformations in the dynamic analysis of composite beams.
Association between hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and race. a case-control study.

Abstract Objective A higher prevalence of type II diabetes mellitus (DM) has been reported in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, in most of these studies, the control population was not matched for body mass index, race, and severity of liver disease, known risk factors for the development of type II DM. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of type II DM in patients with HCV cirrhosis compared with a control population matched for age, sex, body mass index, and severity of liver disease. Methods We conducted a case-control study in a University Hospital setting. We compared 97 cirrhotic patients with HCV (cases) with 194 HCV-negative patients with cirrhosis from other causes (controls). We sought to determine the prevalence of pre- and post-transplant type II DM in cases and controls. Results The age, sex, and severity of liver disease were similar in both groups, but there were more blacks in the HCV group (24 of 97, 25%) compared with controls (16 of 194, 8%). The prevalence of pretransplant DM was higher in the HCV group (19.6%) compared with controls (11.5%) ( p = 0.06, OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 0.9–3.8). Blacks with HCV had a significantly higher prevalence of pretransplant DM (33.3%) compared with whites with HCV (13.2%) ( p = 0.03) and black controls (6.3%) ( p = 0.05). Among whites, the prevalence of DM was similar in the HCV group (13.2%) and controls (11.9%). Logistic regression showed that age was the only independent predictor for pretransplant DM (odds ratio = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.01–1.11, p = 0.01). New onset DM was similar in the HCV group (16.7%) and controls (10.1%, p = ns). The new onset of DM was similar in blacks with HCV (31.3%) and black controls (20.0%). However, by logistic regression, black race was an independent predictor for the development of new onset DM (odds ratio = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.2–9.8, p = 0.02). Conclusions Our study shows that the prevalence of type II DM is higher in patients with HCV cirrhosis compared with a control group of patients with cirrhosis from other causes, and this was because of a higher prevalence of DM in blacks with HCV infection.
Isothermal kinetic studies using a thermomechanical analyzer I. Rates of polymer swelling and dissolution

The use of a commercially available thermomechanical analyzer (TMA) operated in its isothermal mode is illustrated for studies of polymer-swelling and dissolution in liquids. Results for a variety of polymer-swelling agent systems demonstrate that information usually requiring more sophisticated experimental techniques can be readily obtained with the TMA. In particular rates of swelling and penetrant diffusion coefficients can be determined for selected systems. Dissolution measurements, exemplified here for polystyrene in three different solvents, can be utilized to obtain steady state rates of solvent penetration and rough estimates of the interdiffusion coefficient for a system. The experimental limitations involved in both types of measurement are discussed.
America revisited: 150 years after Tocqueville

This article presents a review of the book “America Revisited: 150 Years after Tocqueville,” by Eugene J. McCarthy.
The Ca40(d, p)Ca41 reaction

The spectra and angular distributions of protons emitted in the Ca40(d, p)Ca41 reaction have been measured with low-energy resolution at bombarding energies of 4.1 and 4.7 MeV. Eight peaks were resolved in the spectra which four are identified with transitions to well-known states of large reduced widths at energies of 0, 1.95, 2.47 and 3.95 MeV in Ca41. The four remaining peaks and a fifth for which weaker evidence exists, are identified with transitions to groups of states in Ca41 at mean energies of 4.79, 5.08 (weak evidence), 5.48, 5.76 and 6.04 MeV. The angular distributions of the protons identified with seven of the prominent peaks have been measured. Those obtained for the four states of lower energy are compared to the angular distributions given by the DWBA calculations of Tobocman and Gibbs. The l values of the captured neutrons required to fit the data in these calculations were (beginning with the ground state) 3, 1, 1 and 1, respectively, confirming assignments made or suggested in earlier investigations. Unique l value assignments for the composite states of higher energy were not possible, the angular distributions generally showing only broad maxima at forward angles. Some understanding of the nature of the states responsible for the gross features of the data at excitation energies above 4 MeV has been obtained by comparison with states in the mirror nucleus Sc41.