cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increasing physical activity in postpartum multiethnic women in Hawaii: results from a pilot study

Mothers of an infant are much less likely to exercise regularly compared to other women. This study tested the efficacy of a brief tailored intervention to increase physical activity (PA) in women 3–12 months after childbirth. The study used a pretest-posttest design. Sedentary women (n = 20) were recruited from a parenting organization. Half the participants were ethnic minorities, mean age was 33 ± 3.8, infants' mean age was 6.9 ± 2.4 months, 50% were primiparas, and mean body mass index was 23.6 ± 4.2. The two-month intervention included telephone counseling, pedometers, referral to community PA resources, social support, email advice on PA/pedometer goals, and newsletters. The primary outcome of the study was minutes per week of moderate and vigorous leisure-time physical activity measured by the Godin physical activity instrument. All women (100%) returned for post-test measures; thus, paired t-tests were used for pre-post increase in minutes of moderate and vigorous leisure-time physical activity and comparisons of moderate and vigorous leisure-time physical activity increases among ethnic groups. At baseline participants' reported a mean of 3 ± 13.4 minutes per week moderate and vigorous leisure-time physical activity. At post-test this significantly increased to 85.5 ± 76.4 minutes per week of moderate and vigorous leisure-time physical activity (p < .001, Cohen's d = 2.2; effect size r = 0.7). There were no differences in pre to post increases in minutes of moderate and vigorous leisure-time physical activity among races. A telephone/email intervention tailored to meet the needs of postpartum women was effective in increasing physical activity levels. However, randomized trials comparing tailored telephone and email interventions to standard care and including long-term follow-up to determine maintenance of physical activity are warranted.
Time sequence ordering extensions to the Entity-Relationship model and their application to the automated manufacturing process

Moyne, J.R., T.J. Teorey and L.C. McAfee, Jr., Time sequence ordering extensions to the entity relationship model and their application to the automated manufacturing process, Data & Knowledge Engineering 6 (1991) 421-443. New extensions to the entity-relationship (E-R) model have been developed to represent time sequencing and ordering aspects of information flow, and to represent the integration of control (programming) information into a database. The model constructs specify an implementation ordering of records in a relational database table. Time sequencing refers to an implementation of process information flow as a result of this ordering. The modeling constructs are needed to more completely model process recipe information flow in a typical automated manufacturing facility. The development of these E-R extensions is pursued using a data model for the factory of the future as a motivation and development vehicle. The extensions are defined formally and possible variations of the constructs are given. Further, the incorporation of the constructs into the existing E-R model semantics and the transformation of these extensions to ordering properties and integrity constraints on a corresponding database implementation is discussed.
Kalman filter data assimilation: Targeting observations and parameter estimation

This paper studies the effect of targeted observations on state and parameter estimates determined with Kalman filter data assimilation (DA) techniques. We first provide an analytical result demonstrating that targeting observations within the Kalman filter for a linear model can significantly reduce state estimation error as opposed to fixed or randomly located observations. We next conduct observing system simulation experiments for a chaotic model of meteorological interest, where we demonstrate that the local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF) with targeted observations based on largest ensemble variance is skillful in providing more accurate state estimates than the LETKF with randomly located observations. Additionally, we find that a hybrid ensemble Kalman filter parameter estimation method accurately updates model parameters within the targeted observation context to further improve state estimation.
The effects of alcohol on visual and somato-sensory evoked responses.

Abstract Nine subjects, all moderate drinkers, imbibed various amounts of alcohol or a placebo, after which visual and somato-sensory evoked responses were recorded. The 95% alcohol doses were 0.41 g and 1.23 g/kg of body weight, the equivalent of 1 and 3 ounces of alcohol, respectively, for a 160 pound man. After ingestion of 3 ounces of alcohol the amplitude of a number of a late waves of both visual and somatosensory evoked responses recorded from central areas was attenuated significantly. Evoked responses recorded from the occipital area showed no such changes. With some subjects, a hemispheric asymmetry of amplitude, generally noted with recordings from central areas, disappeared after alcohol ingestion.
Epidemiology of congenital heart disease in the United States

Data from the National Center for Health Statistics were examined to aid in assessing the burden of congenital heart disease in the United States. In 1979 through 1988 combined, 46,450 deaths were attributed to CHD, 26,319 occurring in the first year of life. Another 14,283 deaths were attributed to other congenital anomalies of the circulatory system. In 1988 through 1990 combined, there were > 300,000 hospital discharges with any diagnosis of CHD, with 2.7 million days of care provided. For infants aged 700,000 persons reported a history of CHD. In 1989, heart malformations were reported on the birth certificate of 4621 live births in 45 states and the District of Columbia. In 1988 through 1990 there were an estimated 37,445 repairs of atrial and ventricular septa. In addition, 45,635 cardiac catheterizations were performed in patients aged < 5. Average annual percentage declines in infant mortality rates for the period 1979 through 1988 were consistent with an effect of improvements in surgical technique and intensive care. The average annual infant mortality rate for hypoplastic left heart syndrome increased 1.3%, and rates for five causes amenable to treatment such as transposition of great vessels declined. Infant mortality rates in nonmetropolitan areas were higher than in metropolitan areas, suggesting that limited access to care might be associated with mortality.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Parents' Perception of the Effects of Church Involvement on Adolescent Substance Use

The study utilized qualitative methods to study protective factors among middle school students who were at risk for substance use. Three focus groups (consisting of 6-7 parents each) were conducted to learn more about parent's perceptions of protective factors within the neighborhood, school, family, and the individual. In terms of spirituality, parents stressed the importance of church involvement in preventing high-risk behaviors. These findings will be highlighted to provide information that may serve as a basis for further examining church involvement and spirituality as protective factors in adolescent substance use.
LXII. The fatigue of metals subjected to Röntgen radiation

(1907). LXII. The fatigue of metals subjected to Rontgen radiation. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 13, No. 78, pp. 708-721.
Tuning of SFOAEs Evoked by Low-Frequency Tones Is Not Compatible with Localized Emission Generation

Stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs) appear to be well suited for assessing frequency selectivity because, at least on theoretical grounds, they originate over a restricted region of the cochlea near the characteristic place of the evoking tone. In support of this view, we previously found good agreement between SFOAE suppression tuning curves (SF-STCs) and a control measure of frequency selectivity (compound action potential suppression tuning curves (CAP-STC)) for frequencies above 3 kHz in chinchillas. For lower frequencies, however, SF-STCs and were over five times broader than the CAP-STCs and demonstrated more high-pass rather than narrow band-pass filter characteristics. Here, we test the hypothesis that the broad tuning of low-frequency SF-STCs is because emissions originate over a broad region of the cochlea extending basal to the characteristic place of the evoking tone. We removed contributions of the hypothesized basally located SFOAE sources by either pre-suppressing them with a high-frequency interference tone (IT; 4.2, 6.2, or 9.2 kHz at 75 dB sound pressure level (SPL)) or by inducing acoustic trauma at high frequencies (exposures to 8, 5, and lastly 3-kHz tones at 110–115 dB SPL). The 1-kHz SF-STCs and CAP-STCs were measured for baseline, IT present and following the acoustic trauma conditions in anesthetized chinchillas. The IT and acoustic trauma affected SF-STCs in an almost indistinguishable way. The SF-STCs changed progressively from a broad high-pass to narrow band-pass shape as the frequency of the IT was lowered and for subsequent exposures to lower-frequency tones. Both results were in agreement with the “basal sources” hypothesis. In contrast, CAP-STCs were not changed by either manipulation, indicating that neither the IT nor acoustic trauma affected the 1-kHz characteristic place. Thus, unlike CAPs, SFOAEs cannot be considered as a place-specific measure of cochlear function at low frequencies, at least in chinchillas.
Teleworker knowledge sharing and the role of altered relational and technological interactions

Given the growing importance and complexities of telework and the challenges associated with knowledge sharing, in this study we investigate teleworkers and their propensity to share knowledge. We do so by investigating if the relational qualities of teleworkers in the form of trust, interpersonal bond, and commitment, act to impact teleworker knowledge sharing. We also investigate how telework's altered spatial and technical interactions shape knowledge sharing, by testing the contingent role of technology support, face-to-face interactions, and electronic tool use. Results using matched data from 226 teleworkers support the role of teleworker trust, interpersonal bond, and commitment in predicting knowledge sharing. Moreover, the impact of trust on knowledge sharing is found to be moderated by technology support, face-to-face interactions, and use of electronic tools, whereas the impact of commitment is contingent upon the use of electronic tools. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Communication Research and the Task–Oriented Grosup

Central to the problem of theory development in group communication is the inconsistent frame of reference evident in small group research which often overlooks the overt study of communicative behavior. Process–oriented definitions of two key terms—“group” and “task”—provide a theoretical perspective which considers communication central to group research. “Group” is defined as a system of interstructured behaviors—interacts and double interacts—which form predictable patterns through time. A group “task” is a decision–making task for which no externally correct decision exists and whose completion, therefore, is dependent on acceptance. Thus, it is concluded that the task and socio–emotional dimensions of a group are inseparably interdependent in that both are grounded in the process of group formation and maintenance. Guidelines are recommended for direct observation of connnunicative behavior in future research. The guidelines are directed toward the cumulative development of new knowledge grounded in empirical research.
Effects of altered nitric oxide availability on rat muscle microvascular oxygenation during contractions.

AIM: To explore the role of nitric oxide (NO) in controlling microvascular O2 pressure (P(O2)mv) at rest and during contractions (1 Hz). We hypothesized that at the onset of contractions sodium nitroprusside (SNP) would raise P(O2)mv and slow the kinetics of P(O2)mv change whereas l-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) would decrease P(O2)mv and speed its kinetics. METHODS: We superfused the spinotrapezius muscle of female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 7, body mass = 298 +/- 10 g) with SNP (300 microM) and L-NAME (1.5 mm) and measured P(O2)mv (phosphorescence quenching) during contractions. RESULTS: SNP decreased mean arterial pressure (92 +/- 5 mmHg) below that of control (CON, 124 +/- 4 mmHg) and L-NAME (120 +/- 4 mmHg) conditions. SNP did not raise P(O2)mv at rest but it did elevate the P(O2)mv-to-MAP ratio (50% increase, P < 0.05) and slow the kinetics by lengthening the time-delay (TD, 14.0 +/- 5.0 s) and time constant (tau, 24.0 +/- 10.0 s) of the response compared with CON (TD, 8.4 +/- 3.3 s; tau, 16.0 +/- 4.5 s, P < 0.05 vs. SNP). L-NAME decreased P(O2)mv at rest and tended to speed tau (10.1 +/- 3.8 s, P = 0.1), while TD (8.1 +/- 1.0 s) was not significantly different. L-NAME also caused P(O2)mv to fall transiently below steady-state contracting values. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that NO availability can significantly affect P(O2)mv at rest and during contractions and suggests that P(O2)mv derangements in ageing and chronic disease conditions may potentially result from impairments in NO availability.
World population problems: an overview.

PIP: Over 50% of the world's population is below the age of marriage, which indicates rapid expansion of the population into the next century. The developing countries produce 85% of the births, 95% of infant deaths, and in some, 99% of maternal deaths. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) will slow population growth but will not reverse the trend. Family planning programs have worked as evidenced by declining fertility rates. In the US there was a total fertility rate decline of 6 to 3.5 in 58 years. In Sri Lanka the same change took 30 years, in Thailand 15 years and in China 7 years. Family planning programs that are successful provide condoms cheaply, provide community distribution of pills, offer sterilization to male and females, and promote long periods of lactation. Abortion rates are often higher in countries where they are illegal and family planning is usually not offered. Social marketing and voluntary sterilization are the most cost effective birth control methods as proven in less developed countries. Management is the vital factor in more cost effective family planning programs. In sub-Saharan Africa and India there will be a need to subsidize contraceptives well into the next century. If the world is to be serious about family planning, many industrialized countries will have to contribute resources. Private sector involvement needs to be emphasized more in developing countries. Resources are low because of a lack of political will caused by a lack of understanding of the facts of demographic growth. There have been estimates that it will take $7.5 billion to satisfy the developing countries' birth control needs: there is only $1.5 billion being spent now. Many countries are not providing family planning quickly enough and may be forced to give up the freedom to choose family size. The choice of policy makers now is to increase the resources for contraceptive research, or to settle with abortion and sterilization as backup to inadequate methods.
Free vibrations of a thin-walled cylindrical shell subjected to a bending moment

The effect of a bending moment on the free vibrations of a thin-walled cylindrical shell is investigated by means of a modified Donnell equation. An experimental investigation was performed in conjunction with the analysis. The results indicate that, as the bending moment increases, some frequencies increase in magnitude while others decrease which is contrary to results obtained for symmetric loadings.
Light and electron microscopic observations on a ganglioneuroma

This report describes some additional morphologic observations on a mediastinal ganglioneuroma. The neoplastic neurons contained argentaffin cytoplasmic granules presumably representing neurosecretory granules. Cytoplasmic inclusions resembling Pick's bodies were frequently observed in the neuronal components of the tumor. These inclusions consisted of neurofilaments mixed with a variable number of microtubules, dense core vesicles and other organelles. These findings expand the range of conditions in which Pick's bodies are found.
The return of the house call.

This commentary discusses the decline of the house call and its resurgence in the form of telemedicine and virtual visits. While acknowledging that a “digital divide” persists, the authors emphasiz...
Priorities for Future Research on Planetary Dunes Planetary Dunes: Workshop: A Record of Climate Change; Alamogordo, New Mexico, 28 April to 2 May 2008

Landforms and deposits created by the dynamic interactions between granular material and airflow (eolian processes) occur on several planetary bodies, including Earth, Mars, Titan, and Venus. To address many of the outstanding questions within planetary dune research, a workshop was organized by the U.S. Geological Survey, the Planetary Science Institute, the Desert Research Institute, and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute and was sponsored by the Lunar and Planetary Institute and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The workshop brought together researchers from diverse backgrounds, ranging from image analysis and modeling to terrestrial analog studies. The group of approximately 45 international researchers had intense discussions in an attempt to identify the most promising approaches to understanding planetary dune systems.
Tracking nucleolar dynamics with GFP-Nopp140 during Drosophila oogenesis and embryogenesis.

We expressed two green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Nopp140 isoforms in transgenic Drosophila melanogaster to study nucleolar dynamics during oogenesis and early embryogenesis. Specifically, we wanted to test whether the quiescent oocyte nucleus stored maternal Nopp140 and then to determine precisely when nucleoli formed during embryogenesis. During oogenesis nurse cell nucleoli accumulated GFP-Nopp140 gradually such that posterior nurse cell nucleoli in egg chambers at stage 10 were usually brighter than the more anterior nurse cell nucleoli. Nucleoli within apoptotic nurse cells disassembled in stages 12 and 13, but not all GFP-Nopp140 entered the oocyte through inter-connecting cytoplasmic bridges. Oocytes, on the other hand, lost their nucleoli by stage 3, but GFP-Nopp140 gradually accumulated in oocyte nuclei during stages 8–13. Most oocyte nuclei at stage 10 stored GFP-Nopp140 uniformly, but many stage 10 oocytes accumulated GFP-Nopp140 in presumed endobodies or in multiple smaller spheres. All oocyte nuclei at stages 11-12 were uniformly labeled, and GFP-Nopp140 diffused to the cytoplasm upon nuclear disassembly in stage 13. GFP-Nopp140 reappeared during embryogenesis; initial nucleologenesis occurred in peripheral somatic nuclei during embryonic stage 13, one stage earlier than reported previously. These GFP-Nopp140-containing foci disassembled at the 13th syncytial mitosis, and a second nucleologenesis occurred in early stage 14. The resulting nucleoli occupied nuclear regions closest to the periphery of the embryos. Pole cells contained GFP-Nopp140 during the syncytial embryonic stages, but their nucleologenesis started at gastrulation.
Laboratory determination of coastal sediment mechanical properties

This article describes a laboratory testing program on a very soft, fine‐grained coastal sediment to investigate methods for characterizing both the physicochemical properties of the sediment and its stress‐strain‐strength properties in the laboratory. The very soft consistency of these coastal sediments presents a significant obstacle to obtaining valid mechanical properties from laboratory tests. Such properties are needed to develop constitutive models for interpretation of in‐situ tests, prediction of penetrating object behavior, and estimation of landslide and erosion potential. After physical and chemical characterization, the sediment from the Gulf of Mexico was tested using one‐dimensional consolidation and consolidated‐undrained triaxial and direct simple shear tests. Testing problems associated with the high compressibility and low strength of this material were identified and some solutions developed to mitigate their effects. The results indicate that, while better sampling procedures need to ...
Shearing interferometer as an interferometric filter for the reduction of scattered light

The background radiation problem encountered in astronomical observations is reviewed, and it is observed that a considerable reduction of the background radiation can be achieved by using interferometric techniques. A longitudinal radial shearing interferometer is described which meets the requirements of this application. The formal development of its properties as well as the results of preliminary tests are presented. It is shown that for a small region of the telescope field, this interferometer can be expected to reduce the background radiation originating in the telescope by a factor of 50 to 500, to reduce the background radiation produced by Mie type scattering external to the telescope to a level below that produced by Rayleigh scattering, and to reduce the background radiation from Rayleigh scattering by a factor of two. These properties can be extended to broadband spectral operation and can be achieved without degrading the astrometric qualities of the telescope. The size of the interferometer is quite small making it easy to add to an existing telescope.
Possible role of phospholipase A2 action and arachidonic acid metabolism in angiotensin II-mediated aldosterone secretion.

When [3H]arachidonic acid-labeled calf adrenal glomerulosa cells are stimulated by angiotensin II (All), free [3H]arachidonic acid is released. All treatment significantly decreases radioactivity in phosphatidylinositol but not in other phospholipids. Inhibitors of phospholipase A2 (PL–A2) activity, quinacrine and p–bromophenacyl bromide, inhibit All–stimulated aldosterone secretion from glomerulosa cells in a dosedependent manner. The effect of these inhibitors is irreversible when used at high concentration, but not when employed at lower concentration. Exogenous PL–A2 as well as arachidonic acid stimulates both radiocalcium efflux and aldosterone secretion. Unlike All, stimulation of aldosterone secretion by PL–A2 is only transient. Radiocalcium efflux induced by PL–A2 is greater than that induced by All and is not inhibited by either nitrendipine or dantrolene. Pretreatment with PL–A2 abolishes the radiocalcium efflux response to subsequent All, whereas All pretreatment does not abolish the subsequent...
Evaluating alternative monetary policy rules

Abstract This paper examines monetary policy from an optimal control perspective. Five loss functions are minimized for each of five models, and the results are compared. The basic (‘true’) loss function targets inflation and unemployment. The other loss functions target, respectively, inflation alone, unemployment alone, nominal growth alone, and real growth alone. The five models are two small structural models, two VAR models, and a large structural model. A numerical procedure is presented that can handle a variety of loss functions and models.
Net carbon atom loss from 5,6-(9',10'-dihydro-9',10'-anthraceno)-1,2,4,6-cycloheptatetraene

Abstract The photolysis of the sodium salt of 4,5-(9′,10′-dihydro-9′,10′-anthraceno)-2,4,6-cycloheptatrien-1-one ( 13 ) in THF or the reaction of KO t -Bu with 1-chloro-4,5-(9′,10′dihydro-9′,10′-anthraceno)-1,3,5-cycloheptatriene ( 14 ) in THF produced triptycene ( 2 ) in up to 30 % yield. Neither 1-triptycenyl carbene ( 7 ) nor 2-triptycenyl carbene ( 5 ) formed triptycene.
A Yudin-type short form of the WISC-R: two aspects of validation.

Provided validity data for a Yudin-type short form of the WISC-R for N equal to 70 middle-class children (34 males and 36 females, X age equal to 7.6 years, SD equal to 2.58 months) of above-average intelligence (means: VIQ equal to 115.55, PIQ equal to 122.27, FIQ equal to 121.02). Short- to long-form validity coefficients were all above .90 for Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale IQ scores. Highly similar predictive validity coefficients were found for the short and long forms of the WISC-R when compared with the Metropolitan Achievement and Otis Lennon Mental Ability tests. In contrast, little support was found for the validity of the short-form profile data as assessed by Cattell's rp coefficient of profile similarity.
Gating and Conductance Properties of Bk Channels Are Modulated by the S9–S10 Tail Domain of the α Subunit: A Study of Mslo1 and Mslo3 Wild-Type and Chimeric Channels

The COOH-terminal S9-S10 tail domain of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channels is a major determinant of Ca(2+) sensitivity (Schreiber, M., A. Wei, A. Yuan, J. Gaut, M. Saito, and L. Salkoff. 1999. Nat. Neurosci. 2:416-421). To investigate whether the tail domain also modulates Ca(2+)-independent properties of BK channels, we explored the functional differences between the BK channel mSlo1 and another member of the Slo family, mSlo3 (Schreiber, M., A. Yuan, and L. Salkoff. 1998. J. Biol. Chem. 273:3509-3516). Compared with mSlo1 channels, mSlo3 channels showed little Ca(2+) sensitivity, and the mean open time, burst duration, gaps between bursts, and single-channel conductance of mSlo3 channels were only 32, 22, 41, and 37% of that for mSlo1 channels, respectively. To examine which channel properties arise from the tail domain, we coexpressed the core of mSlo1 with either the tail domain of mSlo1 or the tail domain of mSlo3 channels, and studied the single-channel currents. Replacing the mSlo1 tail with the mSlo3 tail resulted in the following: increased open probability in the absence of Ca(2+); reduced the Ca(2+) sensitivity greatly by allowing only partial activation by Ca(2+) and by reducing the Hill coefficient for Ca(2+) activation; decreased the voltage dependence approximately 28%; decreased the mean open time two- to threefold; decreased the mean burst duration three- to ninefold; decreased the single-channel conductance approximately 14%; decreased the K(d) for block by TEA(i) approximately 30%; did not change the minimal numbers of three to four open and five to seven closed states entered during gating; and did not change the major features of the dependency between adjacent interval durations. These observations support a modular construction of the BK channel in which the tail domain modulates the gating kinetics and conductance properties of the voltage-dependent core domain, in addition to determining most of the high affinity Ca(2+) sensitivity.
Image processing and understanding for automatic inspection

This paper reviews the techniques and methodologies that have been proposed for industrial applications of image processing. The application considered here is related to its use in automatic inspection, where techniques for the detection and identification of manufacturing defects are used to support decisions for product quality control. It describes fundamental principles and techniques that have become apparent over the past 20 years giving examples mainly from research perfomed at the Measurement and Instrumentation Centre.
Using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle to Track a Coastal Upwelling Front

Coastal upwelling is a wind-driven ocean process. It brings cooler, saltier, and usually nutrient-rich deep water upward to replace surface water displaced offshore due to Ekman transport. The nutrients carried up by upwelling are important for primary production and fisheries. Ocean life can aggregate at the boundary between stratified water and upwelling water-the upwelling front. In an upwelling water column, temperature, salinity, and other water properties are much more homogeneous over depth than in stratified water. Drawing on this difference, we set up a key measure for differentiating upwelling and stratified water columns-the vertical temperature difference between shallow and deep depths. The vertical temperature difference is large in stratified water but small in upwelling water. Based on this classifier, we developed a method for an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to autonomously detect and track an upwelling front. During the Controlled, Agile, and Novel Observing Network (CANON) Experiment in April 2011, the Tethys long-range AUV ran the algorithm to autonomously track an upwelling front in a dynamic coastal upwelling region in Monterey Bay, CA. The AUV transected the upwelling front 14 times over two days, providing a very high-resolution depiction of the front.
Growth inhibition of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal by linear aspartic acid enantiomers investigated by in situ atomic force microscopy

The inhibitory effect of linear enantiomers of L- and D-Asp6 on the growth of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal has been investigated using in situ atomic force microscopy. The inhibitory magnitude of D-Asp6 on the growth of the [00] step on the (010) face is about 10% larger than that of L-Asp6. While no chiral effect is observed or expected on the growth of the [0] step on the (01) face by both enantiomers, their inhibitory effect on this step is much stronger than that on the [00] step on the (010) face. In both cases, the step morphology indicates that these enantiomers create the impurity pinning along the steps, while the dependence of step speed on supersaturation shows that they also produce a reduction of the step kinetic coefficients. Analysis of the step speed data within the context of an existing model for step pinning and kink blocking shows that the major impact of Asp6 is to block active kink sites. The larger inhibition of the [00] step growth by D-Asp6 over L-Asp6 and the substantially larger inhibition of the [0] step over the [00] step by both enantiomers both result from larger affinity for adsorption to the (010) face and the (01) face, respectively. This is because the larger adsorption leads to a higher density of blocking kink sites along the steps. The estimated difference in binding energy of L- and D-Asp6 to the respective faces from the kinetics model is consistent with the trend predicted by our molecular modeling of the enantiomer binding to the faces.
The Chorion Layer of Fetal Membranes Is Prematurely Destroyed in Women With Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes

Preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) is an important etiology of preterm birth and source of significant neonatal morbidity. We propose that PPROM occurs in the setting of long-standing altered tissue remodeling, which creates a vulnerable environment for the fetal membranes and pregnancy. We tested the hypothesis that PPROM is the result of tissue remodeling in the fetal membranes, specifically the chorion, and this weakening of the chorion compromises the protection provided to the amnion. The purpose of this study was to quantify thickness and apoptosis in the choriodecidua of fetal membranes in patients with PPROM, preterm labor (PTL), preterm no labor (PTNL), and women with term labor (TERM). We conducted a retrospective evaluation of fetal membrane samples from 86 placentas. Immunohistochemistry was performed using a cytokeratin antibody, and mean chorion cellular thickness was compared between each clinical group. To evaluate chorion apoptosis, fetal membranes from patients with PPROM, PTL, and TERM were stained with the M30 antibody, and the degree of cellular apoptosis was determined. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance with corrections for multiple comparisons. The chorion cellular layer was thinner in patients with PPROM compared to patients with PTNL and TERM (62, 140, and 169 µm, respectively, P .05). The percentage of apoptotic cells within the chorion among the patients with PPROM was greater compared to PTL and TERM (24.2%, 13.1%, and 8.4%, respectively, P < .001). The chorion cellular layer is thinner and demonstrates increased apoptosis in PPROM compared to patients with PTL, PTNL, and TERM, suggesting differential remodeling between clinical phenotypes.
Optimal content placement for en-route web caching

This paper studies the optimal placement of web files for en-route web caching. It is shown that existing placement policies are all solving restricted partial problems of the file placement problem, and therefore give only sub-optimal solutions. A dynamic programming algorithm of low complexity which computes the optimal solution is presented. It is shown both analytically and experimentally that the file-placement solution output by our algorithm outperforms existing en-route caching policies. The optimal placement of web files can be implemented with a reasonable level of cache coordination and management overhead for en-route caching; and importantly, it can be achieved with or without using data prefetching.
Cux/CDP Homeoprotein Is a Component of NF-μNR and Represses the Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Intronic Enhancer by Antagonizing the Bright Transcription Activator

Nuclear matrix attachment regions (MARs) flanking the immunoglobulin heavy chain intronic enhancer (Em) are the targets of the negative regulator, NF-mNR, found in non-B and early pre-B cells. Expression library screening with NF-mNR binding sites yielded a cDNA clone encoding an alternatively spliced form of the Cux/CDP homeodomain protein. Cux/CDP fulfills criteria required for NF-mNR identity. It is expressed in non-B and early pre-B cells but not mature B cells. It binds to NF-mNR binding sites within Em with appropriate differential affinities. Antiserum specific for Cux/CDP recognizes a polypeptide of the predicted size in affinity-purified NF-mNR preparations and binds NF-mNR complexed with DNA. Cotransfection with Cux/CDP represses the activity of Em via the MAR sequences in both B and non-B cells. Cux/CDP antagonizes the effects of the Bright transcription activator at both the DNA binding and functional levels. We propose that Cux/CDP regulates cell-type-restricted, differentiation stage-specific Em enhancer activity by interfering with the function of nuclear matrix-bound transcription activators. The immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus has been studied extensively as a model of tissue-specific gene expression. Transcription of IgH is controlled by promoters, located 59 of the individual variable (VH) gene segments, and downstream enhancer elements which cooperate to regulate tissue-restricted expression (reviewed in references 56, 66, and 84). The IgH intronic enhancer (Em), which is located in the intron between the joining (J) and constant (C) region gene segments,
Studying Injury Prevention: Practices, Problems, and Pitfalls in Implementation

This prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted to determine feasibility and effectiveness of a chronic care model approach to injury prevention compared with standard anticipatory guidance. Enrolled caregivers of children aged 0 to 5 years received focused counseling from a physician and health assistant, educational handouts, phone follow-up, and access to free safety devices and automobile restraint evaluations. Only 35.1% of eligible parents participated. Home visits were completed at 6 months to observe safety practices. Injuries were gleaned from parent report and medical record review. Safety practices were evaluated in 27 households. Chart review showed no significant difference in the number of medically attended injuries between groups (P = 0.6). The impact of the chronic care model on injury prevention in primary care could not be determined with certainty. Evaluating effectiveness of injury prevention strategies on actual safety practices with direct observation is challenging.
Linguistic Fundamentals for Natural Language Processing: 100 Essentials from Morphology and Syntax

Many NLP tasks have at their core a subtask of extracting the dependencieswho did what to whomfrom natural language sentences. This task can be understood as the inverse of the problem solved in different ways by diverse human languages, namely, how to indicate the relationship between different parts of a sentence. Understanding how languages solve the problem can be extremely useful in both feature design and error analysis in the application of machine learning to NLP. Likewise, understanding cross-linguistic variation can be important for the design of MT systems and other multilingual applications. The purpose of this book is to present in a succinct and accessible fashion information about the morphological and syntactic structure of human languages that can be useful in creating more linguistically sophisticated, more language-independent, and thus more successful NLP systems. Table of Contents: Acknowledgments / Introduction/motivation / Morphology: Introduction / Morphophonology / Morphosyntax / Syntax: Introduction / Parts of speech / Heads, arguments, and adjuncts / Argument types and grammatical functions / Mismatches between syntactic position and semantic roles / Resources / Bibliography / Author's Biography / General Index / Index of Languages
Clonal Variants of Plasmodium falciparum Exhibit a Narrow Range of Rolling Velocities to Host Receptor CD36 under Dynamic Flow Conditions

ABSTRACT Cytoadhesion of Plasmodium falciparum parasitized red blood cells (pRBCs) has been implicated in the virulence of malaria infection. Cytoadhesive interactions are mediated by the protein family of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1). The PfEMP1 family is under strong antibody and binding selection, resulting in extensive sequence and size variation of the extracellular domains. Here, we investigated cytoadhesion of pRBCs to CD36, a common receptor of P. falciparum field isolates, under dynamic flow conditions. Isogeneic parasites, predominantly expressing single PfEMP1 variants, were evaluated for binding to recombinant CD36 under dynamic flow conditions using microfluidic devices. We tested if PfEMP1 size (number of extracellular domains) or sequence variation affected the pRBC-CD36 interaction. Our analysis showed that clonal parasite variants varied ∼5-fold in CD36 rolling velocity despite extensive PfEMP1 sequence polymorphism. In addition, adherent pRBCs exhibited a characteristic hysteresis in rolling velocity at microvascular flow rates, which was accompanied by changes in pRBC shape and may represent important adaptations that favor stable binding.
A pathway linking oxidative stress and the Ran GTPase system in progeria

Maintaining the Ran GTPase at a proper concentration in the nucleus is important for nucleocytoplasmic transport. Previously we found that nuclear levels of Ran are reduced in cells from patients with Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), a disease caused by constitutive attachment of a mutant form of lamin A (termed progerin) to the nuclear membrane. Here we explore the relationship between progerin, the Ran GTPase, and oxidative stress. Stable attachment of progerin to the nuclear membrane disrupts the Ran gradient and results in cytoplasmic localization of Ubc9, a Ran-dependent import cargo. Ran and Ubc9 disruption can be induced reversibly with H2O2. CHO cells preadapted to oxidative stress resist the effects of progerin on Ran and Ubc9. Given that HGPS-patient fibroblasts display elevated ROS, these data suggest that progerin inhibits nuclear transport via oxidative stress. A drug that inhibits pre–lamin A cleavage mimics the effects of progerin by disrupting the Ran gradient, but the effects on Ran are observed before a substantial ROS increase. Moreover, reducing the nuclear concentration of Ran is sufficient to induce ROS irrespective of progerin. We speculate that oxidative stress caused by progerin may occur upstream or downstream of Ran, depending on the cell type and physiological setting.
Human Adenovirus Infection in Kawasaki Disease: A Confounding Bystander?

Background. Human adenovirus (HAdV) infection mimics Kawasaki disease (KD) but can also be detected in KD patients. Evidence suggests that HAdV-C species can persist in pediatric adenoids and/or tonsils. We sought to determine (1) the frequency of HAdV detection by real-time polymerase chain reaction in KD patients, (2) the differences in HAdV semiquantitative nasopharyngeal viral loads between KD patients with detectable HAdV vs those with HAdV disease, and (3) whether nasopharyngeal HAdV-C shedding is occurring in KD. Methods. From August 2009 through April 2011, HAdV-positive patients were identified in 1 of the following groups: group I, complete or incomplete KD as defined by the American Heart Association (AHA); group II, treated for incomplete KD but not fulfilling AHA criteria; and group III, otherwise healthy children with some KD-like features ultimately diagnosed with HAdV disease. Results. Among 77 KD patients diagnosed, 8.8% (5/57) of group I and 25% (5/20) of group II KD patients had HAdV detected. Viral loads were significantly lower in group I (n = 5) vs group III (n = 26; P = .034). Of the 13 specimens available for HAdV typing, 7 of 7 group III and 1 of 3 group II specimens were determined to be HAdV-B using viral culture. The remaining 5 KD samples were unable to be cultured and molecular typing showed either HAdV-C (n = 3) or were nontypeable (n = 2). Conclusions. In KD, molecular-based HAdV detection is not uncommon, may represent persistence of HAdV-C, and should be interpreted with caution. Together, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and HAdV typing may aid in distinguishing HAdV disease mimicking KD from KD with concomitant HAdV detection.
The Accretion History of Supermassive Black Holes

We discuss the history of energy production by Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) and how this relates to the present-day mass density of supermassive black holes. We first consider the evolution with redshift of the hard X-ray energy production in the universe. This may now be determined in the rest-frame 2 – 8 keV band using recent X-ray samples with relatively complete optical spectroscopic identifications. However, Compton-thick and near—Compton-thick sources will be missing from this accounting. We next discuss the bolometric luminosities of the sample in the optical and infrared. We find that the bolometric correction from 2 – 8 keV to total luminosity for the unobscured AGN is about 35, and for the obscured AGN, it is about 85. Finally, we derive the accretion rate density with time and intergrate it to show that the total matches the locally determined supermassive black hole density, as long as the average energy release effciency is high (> 0.1).
Giant fusiform aneurysm in an adolescent with PHACES syndrome treated with a high-flow external carotid artery–M3 bypass: Case report and review of the literature

The acronym PHACES describes a rare neurocutaneous syndrome that comprises posterior fossa malformations, facial hemangiomas, arterial anomalies, coarctation of the aorta and cardiac defects, eye abnormalities, and sternal defects. Facial hemangiomas constitute the hallmark of this disorder. Giant intracranial aneurysms have not been previously reported in the literature as manifestations of PHACES syndrome and can present difficult therapeutic challenges. The authors describe a unique case of a 13-year-old adolescent boy with an incomplete phenotypic expression of PHACES syndrome who harbored diffuse cerebral angiodysplasia and a giant fusiform internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm extending from the distal cavernous segment to the supraclinoid segment. The aneurysm was successfully treated with a high-flow saphenous vein graft bypass from the external carotid artery to the distal middle cerebral artery followed by proximal ICA occlusion. This case represents a unique vascular manifestation of PHACES syndrome that required a complex management strategy. The authors review the literature on this rare disorder and emphasize the importance of considering the diagnosis of PHACES syndrome in child with a facial hemangioma.
Finite-Dimensionality of Attractors Associated with von Kármán Plate Equations and Boundary Damping

Abstract Asymptotic behavior of solutions to a fully nonlinear von Karman system is considered. The existence of compact attractors in the presence of nonlinear boundary damping is established. It is also shown that in the case of linear boundary dissipation, this attractor is of finite Hausdorff dimension (with explicit estimates of the dimension).
Revolutionary innovations in power discrete devices

During the last five years, revolutionary advances in power semiconductor devices have occurred. At the start of this decade, discrete power devices consisted of bipolar devices such as the thyristor and bipolar junction transistor, and unipolar devices such as the power MOSFET and JFET. The recent merger of these technologies to create a new class of devices--the MOS-bipolar family--has been responsible for a resurgence in power electronics because these devices operate at a high current density leading to a low chip cost and because they can be controlled by using low cost integrated drive circuitry. This paper reviews the progress in MOS-bipolar discrete device technology. Trends in cell design and power handling capability are provided as a guide to forecasting technological advances.
An Overview of Starch-Based Plastic Blends from Reactive Extrusion

The North American market for biodegradable plastics in 2005 was estimated to be around 60 million pounds (27 kt). Starch-based polymer blends were expected to account for 30 million pounds (14 kt) with significantly lower growth rates than other biodegradable polymers such as polyesters. The main hurdle in the growth of starch-based products is the thermodynamic immiscibility and non-wetting of starch with other polymers which leads to serious deterioration of mechanical properties at >25-30 wt% starch. Higher amounts of starch in the blends entail adding suitable functional groups on starch and other polymers in the blend to make them more compatible. The primary challenge is to develop fast reaction chemistries that can be transformed into viable processes and integrated into existing process lines with economically viable formulations. This article briefly reviews some of the most promising chemistries available for the reactive extrusion of starch-based polymer blends (biodegradable/non-biodegradable).
Identification of new genes positively regulated by Tri10 and a regulatory network for trichothecene mycotoxin production.

ABSTRACT Tri10, a regulatory gene in trichothecene mycotoxin-producing Fusarium species, is required for trichothecene biosynthesis and the coordinated expression of four trichothecene pathway-specific genes (Tri4, Tri5, Tri6, and Tri101) and the isoprenoid biosynthetic gene for farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase (FPPS). We showed that six more trichothecene genes (Tri3, Tri7, Tri8, Tri9, Tri11, and Tri12) are regulated by Tri10. We also constructed a cDNA library from a strain of Fusarium sporotrichioides that overexpresses Tri10 (↑Tri10) and used cDNA derived from the ↑Tri10 strain and a non-Tri10-expressing strain (ΔTri10) to differentially screen macroarrays prepared from the cDNA library. This screen identified 15 additional Tri10-regulated transcripts. Four of these transcripts represent Tri1, Tri13, and Tri14 and a gene designated Tri15. Three other sequences are putative orthologs of genes for isoprenoid biosynthesis, the primary metabolic pathway preceding trichothecene biosynthesis. The remaining eight sequences have been designated Ibt (influenced by Tri10) genes. Of the 26 transcripts now known to be positively regulated by Tri10, 22 are positively coregulated by Tri6, a gene that encodes a previously characterized trichothecene pathway-specific transcription factor. These 22 Tri10- and Tri6-coregulated sequences include all of the known Tri genes (except for Tri10), the FPPS gene, and the other three putative isoprenoid biosynthetic genes. Tri6 also regulates a transcript that is not regulated by Tri10. Thus, Tri10 and Tri6 regulate overlapping sets of genes that include a common group of multiple genes for both primary and secondary metabolism.