cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GDAP1-Related Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: Additional Evidence for the c.692C>T Variant as a Pathogenic Mutation (P3.4-045)

Objective: To report a rare homozygous mutation in GDAP1 (Ganglioside-induced differentiation-associated protein 1) as a cause of autosomal recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). Background: Mutations in GDAP1 represent up to 1% of all forms of CMT and 2–4% of autosomal recessive CMT (AR CMT). These mutations are associated with 4 CMT subtypes: CMT4A, CMT2H, CMTRIA and CMT2K. The most common phenotype is characterized by early onset of a motor predominant neuropathy with vocal cord paralysis and loss of ambulation by the second decade. The c.692C>T variant has only been reported in 3 siblings from a single Amish family with AR CMT. Design/Methods: Case report and review of the literature. Results: A 33 year-old man from Puerto Rico presented with weakness. He had normal motor milestones during early childhood but started falling at age 6. Symptoms progressed slowly over time. He developed hand weakness and bilateral foot drop a few years before his presentation. There was no family history of similar symptoms. Examination demonstrated distal weakness and atrophy involving the arms and legs, areflexia, and distal sensory loss. There was no extraocular, facial, bulbar or respiratory muscle weakness, and no upper motor neuron signs. An electrodiagnostic study demonstrated a non-length dependent, sensorimotor, primarily axonal neuropathy. Workup for acquired causes of neuropathy led to a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (Hemoglobin A1C 10.6%, normal T (p.Pro231Leu) in GDAP1. Conclusions: The c.692C>T mutation in GDAP1 is associated with AR CMT. Our case suggests that the mutation is not restricted to the Amish population. The phenotype seems to be milder compared to other forms of GDAP1-related AR CMT. In our case, diabetes likely contributed to the neuropathy but did not fully explain the phenotype. Disclosure: Dr. Vivar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Avila has nothing to disclose.
SAMPL: Scalable Auditability of Monitoring Processes using Public Ledgers

Organized surveillance, especially by governments poses a major challenge to individual privacy, due to the resources governments have at their disposal, and the possibility of overreach. Given the impact of invasive monitoring, in most democratic countries, government surveillance is, in theory, monitored and subject to public oversight to guard against violations. In practice, there is a difficult fine balance between safeguarding individual's privacy rights and not diluting the efficacy of national security investigations, as exemplified by reports on government surveillance programs that have caused public controversy, and have been challenged by civil and privacy rights organizations. Surveillance is generally conducted through a mechanism where federal agencies obtain a warrant from a federal or state judge (e.g., the US FISA court, Supreme Court in Canada) to subpoena a company or service-provider (e.g., Google, Microsoft) for their customers' data. The courts provide annual statistics on the requests (accepted, rejected), while the companies provide annual transparency reports for public auditing. However, in practice, the statistical information provided by the courts and companies is at a very high level, generic, is released after-the-fact, and is inadequate for auditing the operations. Often this is attributed to the lack of scalable mechanisms for reporting and transparent auditing. In this paper, we present SAMPL, a novel auditing framework which leverages cryptographic mechanisms, such as zero knowledge proofs, Pedersen commitments, Merkle trees, and public ledgers to create a scalable mechanism for auditing electronic surveillance processes involving multiple actors. SAMPL is the first framework that can identify the actors (e.g., agencies and companies) that violate the purview of the court orders. We experimentally demonstrate the scalability for SAMPL for handling concurrent monitoring processes without undermining their secrecy and auditability.
Youth anti‐racism action: Contributions of youth perceptions of school racial messages and critical consciousness

The current study examined whether youth perceptions of school racial messages that acknowledged the reality of racism (critical consciousness [CC] messages) or denied racism (color-blind messages) predicted youth anti-racism action through interpersonal and communal/political means. We further tested whether youths' critical reflection of perceived inequality and anger toward social injustice-psychological aspects of CC development-mediated relations between school messages and youth actions. These questions were explored using structural equation modeling with 372 racially/ethnically diverse adolescents (Mage = 17.00; standard deviation = 1.29; female = 51.0%). Results indicated that youth perceptions of CC messages predicted their involvement in both interpersonal and communal/political anti-racism action. Youths' anger toward social injustice mediated links between school racial messages and anti-racism action, albeit in unique ways. These findings underscore the power of schools in prompting youth anti-racism action. Implications of the importance of partnerships between schools and youth community organizing groups to stimulate youth anti-racism action were discussed.
How do Moral Values Differ in Tweets on Social Movements

In this paper, we analyze and compare the representation of social movements on social media from the perspective of morality. Following previous research, which found associations between morality, collective action, and social decision-making, we postulate that moral values are distinct across different movements since these movements represent moral values of those who support or oppose them. The result of our analysis of four movements as represented on Twitter (#BlackLivesMatter, #WhiteLivesMatter, #AllLivesMatter, and #BlueLivesMatter) reveal that \#BlueLivesMatter represents values such as Care, Harm, Loyalty, and Authority, while \#WhiteLivesMatter features Harm and Fairness. Moreover, we find that Harm is the most prominent moral value in all of our datasets. Our analysis provides a robust understanding of authors' moral stances, which contextualizes the influence of movements on people, and how these movements are perceived in society.
Scam Augmentation and Customization: Identifying Vulnerable Users and Arming Defenders

Why do "classical" attacks such as phishing, IRS scams, etc., still succeed? How do attackers increase their chances of success? How do people reason about scams and frauds they face daily? More research is needed on these questions, which is the focus of this paper. We take a well-known attack, viz. company representative fraud, and study several parameters that bear on its effectiveness with a between-subjects study. We also study the effectiveness of a coherent language generation technique in producing phishing emails. We give ample room for the participants to demonstrate their reasoning and strategies. Unfortunately, our experiment indicates that participants are inadequately prepared for dealing with even the company representative fraud. Participants also could not differentiate between offers written by human or generated semi-automatically. Moreover, our results show attackers can easily increase their success rate by adding some basic information about the sender, so defenders should focus more on such attacks. We also observed that participants who paid attention to more clues were better in distinguishing legitimate messages from phishing, hence training regimes should check for reasoning strategies, not just who did not click on a link or download an attachment. Thus, insights from our work can help defenders in developing better strategies to evaluate their defenses and also in devising more effective training strategies.
An Algebraic Construction of Duality Functions for the Stochastic $${\mathcal{U}_q( A_n^{(1)})}$$ U q ( A n ( 1 ) ) Vertex Model and Its Degenerations

A recent paper (Kuniba in Nucl Phys B 913:248–277, 2016) introduced the stochastic $${\mathcal{U}_q(A_n^{(1)})}$$ vertex model. The stochastic S-matrix is related to the R-matrix of the quantum group $${\mathcal{U}_q(A_n^{(1)})}$$ by a gauge transformation. We will show that a certain function $${D^+_{\vec{m}}}$$ intertwines with the transfer matrix and its space reversal. When interpreting the transfer matrix as the transition matrix of a discrete-time totally asymmetric particle system on the one-dimensional lattice $${\mathbb{Z}}$$ , the function $${D^+_{\vec{m}}}$$ becomes a Markov duality function $${D_{\vec{m}}}$$ which only depends on q and the vertical spin parameters $${\{\mu_x\}}$$ . By considering degenerations in the spectral parameter, the duality results also hold on a finite lattice with closed boundary conditions, and for a continuous-time degeneration. This duality function had previously appeared in a multi-species ASEP(q, j) process (Kuan in A multi-species ASEP(q, j) and q-TAZRP with stochastic duality, 2017). The proof here uses that the R-matrix intertwines with the co-product, but does not explicitly use the Yang–Baxter equation. It will also be shown that the stochastic $${\mathcal{U}_q(A_n^{(1)})}$$ is a multi-species version of a stochastic vertex model studied in Borodin and Petrov (Higher spin six vertex model and symmetric rational functions, 2016) and Corwin and Petrov (Commun Math Phys 343:651–700, 2016). This will be done by generalizing the fusion process of Corwin and Petrov (2016) and showing that it matches the fusion of Kulish and yu (Lett Math Phys 5:393–403, 1981) up to the gauge transformation. We also show, by direct computation, that the multi-species q-Hahn Boson process (which arises at a special value of the spectral parameter) also satisfies duality with respect to $${D_{\infty}}$$ , generalizing the single-species result of Corwin (Int Math Res Not 2015:5577–5603, 2015).
Introduction: Global Darwinism in Asian Cultural, Historical, and Religious Contexts

The Introduction places various Asian religious responses to Darwinism in their cultural, historical, and religious contexts, in the process indicating similarities between and differences from Anglo-European, especially Christian, responses. Especially noted are three fundamental challenges to Christian traditions that also exercised the minds of Asian respondents, but from different cultural and religious perspectives. These three were (1) that the universe was merely the product of chance; (2) that natural selection/survival of the fittest negated any transcendent moral template; and (3) that humans are not unique, physically or spiritually. The essay argues that the first challenge, of a universe without transcendent purpose, is the most fundamental, underlying the other two. For instance, animal-human continuity was deeply troubling to Western traditions, including the Islamic, but was of relatively little concern to Chinese and Japanese traditions. The essay also notes several critical factors for understanding the Asian religious responses such as the colonial and imperialistic contexts, the various meanings of the term evolution, and the ancient concepts within the religious traditions that were often seen as resembling or even anticipating modern evolutionary theory. The thirteen essays in the volume cover many of the major traditions in the Middle East, South Asia, and East Asia, but the Sikh tradition is absent, in part due to the relative indifference of Sikhs to Darwinism. The Introduction provides a very brief summary of Sikh responses as seen in Sikh-authored internet blogs.
Impact of universal health care on trends of incidence and mortality of cancers with screening recommendations in North America. A GLOBOCAN 2020 study.

e18513Background: Cancers with screening recommendations in general population include breast, colorectal, cervical and prostate cancers. Our study is aimed at comparing the current and future tren...
The Power of Weekly Group Video Recordings in Asynchronous Courses

Learning modalities and technology offer dozens of ideas on how to teach online, but still, two things often seem to be missing in the online classroom: class interaction and efficient grading and ...
Statues of Fraud: Confederate Monuments As Public Nuisances

The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless other African Americans have capitulated a new wave of social activism throughout the United States. Notwithstanding the existence of one of the most infectious diseases of the 21st century, racist and unrestrained police violence continues to plague American society. The unprecedented national uprisings resulting from the brutal killings of African Americans have positioned the U.S. on the precipice of immense social and political change. This transitory period is marked by an amalgamation of social, political, and cultural influences. However, the continued exhibition of Confederate monuments inexorably stymies the ability to remedy the brutal injustices resulting from this country’s racist and oppressive past. In a time where public health and safety is at the forefront of American news and politics, the ongoing Confederate monument controversy and the inability of governments to uniformly decide the fate of these divisive objects undoubtedly impacts the public’s health and safety. Various localities have declared Confederate monuments as “public nuisances,” and despite legal challenges, have been successful in the removal of these offensive objects. Within this context, this Article proposes that the doctrine of public nuisance may be utilized as a vehicle for the removal of Confederate statues in public spaces. This Article further argues that the memorialization of the Confederacy, slavery, and the subordination of Black Americans through Confederate monuments continues the significant “cultural trauma” sustained by Black Americans for centuries. Ultimately, the removal of Confederate monuments serves to erase the false narrative propagated by Lost Cause enthusiasts, and most notably, to begin to cure the deep fissures of systematic racism and oppression in the United States.
Developments in the Law - International Criminal Law (Pt. 2): The Promises of International Prosecution

The wave of accountability is gathering strength. At no point in the last fifty years has so much international attention been focused on human wrongs: by global media, by nongovernmental organizations, and by the organs of national and international law. One means of holding individuals accountable for these wrongs - nternational criminal prosecution - has become particularly popular of late. The institutions currently commanding the most attention for ongoing international prosecutions are the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda. With an eye to designing the institutions of the future, this paper examines how well these vehicles for international prosecution achieve their purported goals. The judges, prosecutors, and politicians affiliated with these tribunals state many goals for prosecution but may ultimately promise too much. The paper finds that prosecution - the familiar domestic solution to crime - may be an imperfect mechanism to achieve many of the objectives they propose, and inflated expectations for what international tribunals can accomplish may distract attention and divert resources from other worthy endeavors. It recommends that those who wish to address effectively violations of international humanitarian law examine more rigorously the realistic goals of prosecution and to seek a closer fit between their chosen means and their stated ends.
Science and the Ideals of Liberal Education

This article examines the influence of mathematics and science on theformation of culture. It then examines several definitions of liberaleducation, including the notion that languages and fields of study constitutethe substrate of articulate intelligence. Finally, it examines the linkagesbetween science, scientific culture, liberal education, and democracy, andproposes that science cannot be taught merely as a body of facts andtheories, but must be presented to students as integral with culturalstudies. The use of a contextualist approach to science education isrecommended.
DNA Polymorphism in Lycopersicon and Crossing-Over per Physical Length

Surveys in Drosophila have consistently found reduced levels of DNA sequence polymorphism in genomic regions experiencing low crossing-over per physical length, while these same regions exhibit normal amounts of interspecific divergence. Here we show that for 36 loci across the genomes of eight Lycopersicon species, naturally occurring DNA polymorphism (scaled by locus-specific divergence between species) is positively correlated with the density of crossing-over per physical length. Large between-species differences in the amount of DNA sequence polymorphism reflect breeding systems: selfing species show much less within-species polymorphism than outcrossing species. The strongest association of expected heterozygosity with crossing-over is found in species with intermediate levels of average nucleotide diversity. All of these observations appear to be in qualitative agreement with the hitchhiking effects caused by the fixation of advantageous mutations and/or “background selection” against deleterious mutations.
Cortical bone thickness and bone depth of the posterior palatal alveolar process for mini-implant insertion in adults.

Introduction Cortical bone thickness and bone depth are important factors when placing an orthodontic mini-implant. The objective of this study was to investigate both variables for the palatal alveolar process. Methods Thirty dry human skulls were imaged by using cone-beam computed tomography technology. Two-dimensional slices bisecting the posterior interdental sites were generated, and cortical bone thickness and bone depth were measured at 4, 8, and 12 mm from the alveolar crest. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the measurements. Results Interdental site and measurement level had a significant impact on both cortical bone thickness and bone depth. Cortical bone thickness was typically greatest at the 8-mm measurement level and more anterior interdental sites. Bone depth decreased with higher measurement levels and was smallest at the most posterior-superior measurement points. Conclusions Cortical bone thickness and bone depth of the palatal alveolar process are, on average, favorable for the insertion of orthodontic mini-implants; however, some sites should routinely be avoided to prevent damage to the maxillary sinus unless 3-dimensional imaging is available.
The distal pole complex: a novel membrane domain distal to the immunological synapse

While much interest has focused on the finding that T cell-antigen presenting cell (APC) interaction induces the recruitment of proteins to the immunological synapse (IS), we have recently discovered that APC binding induces the formation of a novel protein complex distal to the site of T-cell receptor ligation. This 'distal pole complex' (DPC) is important for appropriate T-cell activation, functioning either to remove proteins from the synapse or as a signaling complex in its own right. The first component of the DPC to be identified was CD43, a cell-surface mucin that has been proposed to function as a negative regulator of T-cell signaling. CD43 movement was found to depend on ezrin and moesin, members of the ERM family, which serve to link CD43 and other cargo molecules to the actin cytoskeleton. ERM proteins interact with several other important surface receptors and cytoplasmic signaling molecules, some of which we have identified as additional components of the DPC. Disruption of the DPC leaves early T-cell activation events intact but affects cytokine expression. Here, we review what is currently known about the formation and function of the DPC and speculate on how this novel protein complex serves to facilitate T-cell activation.
Metastasis of maternal cancer to the placenta and fetus.

The occurrence of metastasis of maternal cancer to the products of conception is numerically inconsequential but offers an opportunity for significant biological research into the behavior of cancer. More extensive investigation, both clinical and experimental, is necessary before any firm conclusions can be established. The surprisingly infrequent occurrence of this condition allows speculation that biological protective mechanisms may exist for the placentofetal unit. Circulatory or immunologic responses may play a role in this defense. The possibility of an intrinsic trophoblastic property achieving this result warrants investigation.
Oxalate metabolism by tobacco leaf discs.

The turnover rate of oxalate in leaf discs of Nicotiana tabacum, var Havana Seed, during photosynthesis was estimated to be 1 to 2 micromoles per gram fresh weight per hour. Radioactivity from the enzymic oxidation of [14C]oxalate rapidly appeared in neutral sugars (mainly sucrose), organic acids (mainly malate), and amino acids. Only 5% of the radioactivity was released to the atmosphere as 14CO2, and no formate or formaldehyde could be detected. The metabolism of oxalate was not increased by raising the O2 concentration from 1% to 21% to 60%, nor was the formation of [14C]oxalate from [2-14C]glyoxylate changed under the same conditions as was previously observed in vitro (Havir 1983 Plant Physiol 71: 874-878). While oxalate is not an inert end product of the glycolate pathway, it contributes little to the formation of photorespiratory CO2.
The sustained release coating of solid dosage forms : a historical review

AbstractThe continued development of sustained release technology over the past forty years has provided countless ways of producing long acting dosage forms. Of all the methods proposed, coating has proven to be one of the most enduring. Although many have attempted to introduce new sustained release coatings to the marketplace, only three have been widely accepted. This paper seeks to provide the reader with a historical review of sustained release coating and examine the reasons why three materials, cellulose acetate, ethylcellulose and methacrylic acid copolymer have dominated this technology.
Optical design for high-fidelity imaging spectrometry

In this talk, the techniques for achieving high response uniformity from a pushbroom imaging spectrometer are discussed, and spectrometer system examples are given that maximize SNR and uniformity.
Enhanced tritium transport and release by solids modification

Abstract In order to improve the tritium release characteristics of lithium ceramics, we are investigating the effects of dopants on tritium transport and release. Prior work has suggested a correlation between tritium and lithium diffusion in lithium-containing ceramics. This correlation has led us to propose a mechanism for tritium diffusion in which the tritium diffuses in the form of a lithium-vacancy/tritium complex. If this is the case, one should be able to increase the tritium diffusivity by increasing the number of lithium vacancies and thereby increasing the number of lithium-vacancy/tritium complexes. The size of the increase in the diffusivity, however, will be dependent upon several parameters, including the binding energy of the lithium-vacancy/tritium complex. Our calculations indicate that, under conditions comparable to those in some in-pile irradiation experiments, a binding energy of around 84 kJ/mol should increase the diffusivity and lead to a decrease in the steady-state tritium inventory by about a factor of six.
Metabolism of (+)- and (−)-abscisic acid by somatic embryo suspension cultures of white spruce

Abstract Somatic embryo suspension cultures of white spruce in medium containing (+)-abscisic acid [(+)-ABA], at an initial concentration of 15 μM, metabolized the ABA essentially completely within seven days. The metabolites accumulated in the liquid medium. The (+)-ABA was converted almost quantitively to phaseic acid, with little further transformation into dihydrophaseic acid. The sum of the concentrations of the two metabolites in the medium closely approximated the concentration of (+)-ABA initially supplied. (−)-ABA remained essentially unchanged under the same culture conditions, and when the cells were supplied with racemic (±)-ABA, only the (+) enantiomer was metabolized. When (+)- or (±)-ABA was present in the medium, the size of the embryos and their suspensors increased during the culture period, a development consistent with somatic embryo maturation. Embryos in control cultures lacking exogenously supplied ABA, and embryos in cultures provided with only (−)-ABA, did not increase in size. The early disappearance of the (+)-ABA from the suspension medium, and the completeness of its conversion to phaseic acid, raises the question of the relative roles of ABA and phaseic acid in the maturation of conifer somatic embryos.
Diagnosing diabetes in disadvantaged populations: the role of social participation.

OBJECTIVE Extensive social networks improve health and reduce mortality. Our aim was to investigate the effect of social participation on the probability that people with diabetes are diagnosed by health care providers and whether these effects differ in disadvantaged populations. METHODS Using the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) 1988-1994, we included 1642 adults with diabetes. Diagnosed people with diabetes reported a provider diagnosis of diabetes; undiagnosed people with diabetes had a fasting plasma glucose over 125 mg/dl. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the effect of social participation on diabetes diagnosis. RESULTS Increased social participation led to a higher probability of being diagnosed among people with diabetes who were low-income (OR = 1.19, P < 0.10) and who did not graduate from high school (OR = 1.21, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS People with diabetes who had low incomes and who did not graduate from high school were more likely to know they had diabetes if they had more frequent social interaction. Clarifying the mechanisms through which social participation affects the diagnosis of diabetes may help in developing strategies to improve diabetes identification.
Brief paper: Nonlinear singularly perturbed optimal control problems with singular arcs

A third-order, nonlinear, singularly perturbed optimal control problem is considered under assumptions which assure that the full problem is singular and the reduced problem is nonsingular. The separation between the singular arc of the full problem and the optimal control law of the reduced one, both of which are hypersurfaces in state space, is of the same order as the small parameter of the problem. Boundary-layer solutions are constructed which are stable and reach the outer solution in a finite time. A uniformly valid composite solution is then formed from the reduced and boundary-layer solutions. The value of the approximate solution is that it is relatively easy to obtain and does not involve singular arcs. To illustrate the utility of the results, the technique is used to obtain an approximate solution of a simplified version of the aircraft minimum time-to-climb problem. A numerical example is included.
Non-Newtonian Gravity and New Weak Forces: an Index of Measurements and Theory

The precise measurement of weak effects plays a pivotal role in metrology and in the determination of the fundamental constants. Hence, the possibility of new weak forces, and the related question of non-Newtonian behaviour of the gravitational force, have been of special interest to both measurement scientists and those involved in precise tests of physical laws. To date there is no compelling evidence for any deviations from the predictions of Newtonian gravity in the nonrelativistic weak-field regime. A significant literature on this question has developed over the past few years, and a host of experiments and theoretical scenarios have been discussed. Moreover, a very close relationship exists between the experimental methodologies used to determine the absolute value of the Newtonian gravitational constant G, and those employed in searches for new weak forces and for breakdowns in the inverse-square law of gravity. We have therefore prepared a new index of measurements of such effects, using the original bibliographic work of Gillies as a starting point, but also including citations to the appropriate theoretical papers in the field. The focus of the present version of the index is then studies of the "fifth force", measurements of gravitational effects on antimatter, searches for a spin-component in the gravitational force, and related phenomena.
A variable power dual mode network for reconfigurable shaped beam antenna

A three output port variable power dual mode network is described. This network can be useful in driving a three element feed array feed of a communication satellite antenna to provide a dual mode reconfigurable shaped beam pattern.
Irradiation and Packaging Affect the Nitrate‐Nitrogen Concentrations of Potatoes

Russet Burbank and Kennebec potato cultivars were irradiated with dosages of 0.1 and 1.0 KGy and stored in polyethylene or paper bags for 1 or 3 mo at 5°C or 20°C. Tubers receiving irradiation showed a significant (p<0.01) increase in nitrate-nitrogen concentration as compared to controls. Those receiving the 1.0 KGy dose had the highest nitrate-nitrogen concentration. Tubers stored in polyethylene bags were significantly (p<0.01) higher in nitrate-nitrogen concentration than those stored in paper bags. Tubers stored at 20°C were significantly (p<0.01) higher in nitrate-nitrogen than those stored at 5°C. These trends were consistent for both cultivars. The cortex region was significantly (p<0.01) higher in nitrate-nitrogen concentration than the pith region. Kennebec tubers were significantly (p<0.01) higher in nitrate-nitrogen than the Russet Burbank tubers for all irradiation doses and storage temperatures.
Reproduction in the viviparous South African clinid fish Fucomimus mus

Description of the reproductive anatomy, histology and seasonality of reproduction of the viviparous clinid fish, Fucomimus mus, was based on a collection of 227 specimens from various intertidal localities off the south-east coast of South Africa. Males produce sperm throughout the year and have an efficient sperm transmission system consisting of a muscular intra-abdominal ampulla and a prominent urogenital papilla. Paired ducts pass sperm from the testes to a highly coiled epididymus located within the ampulla. Gestation occurs within the ovarian follicles. The follicular epithelium consists of an outer squamous layer and a hypertrophied inner columnar layer. A capillary network between these layers supplies the follicle with compounds required for egg maturation and for the nutrition and maintenance of developing embryos and young. Histological sections show that sperm is stored in pockets within the ovarian stroma. Parturition occurs at regular intervals throughout most months of the year, with an ap...
Visualizing algorithms and processes with the aid of a computer

Communicating algorithms and processes is an integral part of computer science education yet in many instances is difficult to carry out effectively using traditional techniques. Using the computer as an aid in visualizing and understanding an algorithm is one way to improve this communication process. With the computer technology available to us today, it would be unfortunate if we did not make effective use of it in computer science education. (We don't want to be like the shoemaker's children.)The prototype systems described in this paper exemplify how a computer might be used as an instructional aid; the observations resulting from their application suggest further experimentation and use.
Ecology: Mechanisms for consumer diversity

Arising from: W. A. Nelson, E. McCauley & F. J. Wrona , 413–417 (2005)10.1038/nature03212 ; Nelson et al. reply . A variety of mechanisms can theoretically produce competitive coexistence in nature1, making it hard to identify a single explanation for the maintenance of diversity in any particular system. Based on laboratory experiments with a consumer–resource system of crustacean Daphnia eating algae, Nelson et al.2 suggest that maintenance of genetic diversity in the consumer populations they studied depends only on the dynamics of the population structure of the consumer. We suggest that the differences in Daphnia genetic diversity that they find for different experimental treatments could equally be explained by a simple, well known mechanism: the number of coexisting competitors cannot exceed the number of shared resources3,4,5. Here we confirm this possibility by using a simple mathematical model and suggest that more than one mechanism may account for the maintenance of genetic diversity observed by Nelson et al. in their system.
Excellent progression-free survival with liposomal doxorubicin for a patient with recurrent ovarian malignant mixed müllerian tumor: case report and literature review.

Abstract Introduction . Ovarian malignant mixed mullerian tumor (MMMT) is a rare, highly aggressive, fatal disease. Patients have a median survival of 18 months and a 5-year survival rate of only 8%. Optimal cytoreduction surgery plus platinum-based combination chemotherapy are associated with better outcomes. Case Report . A 65-year-old patient of stage IIIc ovarian MMMT having obtained a 41-month remission after four courses of aggressive surgical debulking procedures, platinum-containing chemotherapy, and intraoperative radiotherapy suffered from multi-focal recurrences and obtained another 22-month progression-free survival after treatment with monthly liposomal doxorubicin (Lipo-Dox) for 14 courses and Lipo-Dox/carboplatin for subsequent 6 courses without obvious toxicity. Discussion . Liposomal doxorubicin might be useful as salvage chemotherapy for heavily pretreated, recurrent ovarian MMMT. A prospective trial is needed for more proof.
ASSESSING THE ATTITUDE OF VETERANS TOWARD A SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM IN A HOSPITAL SETTING

Summa~y.-110 male patients in a V. A. Hospital were surveyed in regard to their smoking behavior, attitudes toward smoking, and their willingness to participate in a treatment program designed to eliminate smoking. Some of the more important findings were that 68% of the patient population smoked as compared to 50% for the general male population. Only 57% of the smokers felt that smoking was harmful to their health. Many of the smokers (60%) had tried to stop smoking but were unsuccessful. 58% of the smokers stated that they would participate in a smoking treatment program. The results of this survey are interpreted to indicate the need for hospital and institutional treatment programs for elimination of smoking. A 28-item questionnaire was developed to assess the smoking behavior and attitudes of male patients in a Veterans Administration Hospital prior to the development of a hospital treatment program designed to eliminate smoking. The questionnaire was distributed by the authors. An attempt was made to reach as many patients as possible, both smokers and nonsmokers. Prior to distributing the questionnaire, the ward medical personnel were asked to identify patients they thought appropriate to participate in terms of their medical and physical condition. These patients were then approached by the authors and asked if they would be interested in completing the questionnaire on smoking. Completion of the questionnaire was voluntary. All wards were surveyed with the exception of the cardiology, neurology, tuberculosis and hemodialysis units. Out of a total approximate hospital population of 500, approximately 350 patients were left on the remaining wards. Of this 350, a sample of 110 respondents was obtained. The present survey was carried out to obtain information useful in the development of a hospital program designed to eliminate smoking. Of primary interest was the determination of the percentage of smokers and their willingness to participate in a program designed to eliminate their smoking. RESULTS Thirty-eight percent of the patients in this survey were between the ages of 51 and 61 yr.; 29 percent were between the ages 40 and 50, and 20% were age 62 or above. There were few young patients in the sample; only 13% of the patients were below 40 yr. of age. Sixty-eight percent of the respondents were - for reprints are to be directed to Harold H. Dawley, Jr., Ph.D., Psychology
Bladder erosion by an intraperitoneal chemotherapy catheter resulting in catheter protrusion through the external urethral meatus

Abstract Background Chemotherapy remains an essential part of the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. Intraperitoneal (IP) administration has been demonstrated to provide a survival advantage over intravenous chemotherapy in three phase 3 studies. However, IP catheter complications have been a significant factor in aborting IP therapy. Case A 42-year-old woman receiving IP chemotherapy for carcinoma of the ovary presented with complaints of incontinence. Examination revealed the catheter protruding through the external urethral meatus. The reservoir was intact, and the catheter was immobile. Laparoscopic and cystoscopic evaluation demonstrated that the catheter tip had eroded through the dome of the bladder. The catheter was re-secured to the abdominal wall, and the bladder was laparoscopically repaired. IP chemotherapy was resumed 16 days postoperatively without incident. Conclusion This is the first report of an IP catheter eroding through the bladder. Increased usage of IP chemotherapy may offer new challenges in the diagnosis and management of catheter-related complications.
Rapid vs. standard HIV testing in bathhouses: what is gained and lost?

Previous research demonstrates that standard voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) in bathhouses is feasible, and is an effective means for identifying new HIV cases and producing short term change in risk and precautionary behaviors. Less is known about whether the promise shown in standard VCT will be maintained as rapid testing is disseminated into outreach settings such as bathhouses. This study aimed to compare the risk and demographic profiles of men presenting for rapid vs. standard VCT in a bathhouse setting, and to explore the effectiveness of rapid VCT in identifying new infections and changing risk and precautionary behaviors. Bathhouse-based VCT was conducted over the course of two years—in the first year, 492 men participated in standard testing, and in the following year 528 men from the same venue participated in rapid testing. Similar percentages of men were found to be positive using rapid and standard testing (2.5% and 3.7%, respectively), although rapid testing delivered results to more individuals than standard testing (97% vs. 71%). Convenience samples of 133 of the standard testers and 161 of the rapid testers were obtained and assessed at two points: immediately prior to and 3 months after testing. The risk and demographic profiles of men participating in standard vs. rapid testing were similar, suggesting that rapid testing is as feasible an approach as standard testing for attracting men with recent histories of HIV-related risk behavior. In the 3 months following rapid VCT, some risk and precautionary behaviors were changed compared to pre-VCT, but effects were smaller than in the previous study of standard VCT.
Electron microscopic observations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Preparative techniques were developed for the purpose of visualizing, by negative contrast, some of the cytological characteristics of unsectioned cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Concentrated fimbriae free from cells had a length of approximately 1.5 μm and a diameter of 6 nm. Pyocin-like structures ranging in length from 32-64 nm with a width of 8.6 nm were “attached” to the terminal ends of a small percentage of these fimbriae. Microtubules and ringlets having a diameter of 10-20 nm were also visualized in the bacteria. Budding or evagination of cell wall material in multiple units up to 135 nm in length was frequently observed in older cultures grown on agar media.
Comparison of color doppler sonography and radionuclide imaging in different degrees of torsion in rabbit testes

Rationale and Objectives. We compared color Doppler sonography and radionuclide imaging in an animal model of variable torsion of the testes. Methods. The testes of 19 rabbits with unilateral 0° (nontorsion), 180°, 360°, or 540° torsion and contralateral nontorsion were evaluated by sonography serially over 24 hr. Color Doppler sonography and radionuclide imaging at 24 hr were compared and correlated with pathology in a subset of testes. Results. Nontorsion (n = 16 testes) and 540° torsion (n = 7 testes) were always correctly diagnosed at 24 hr by color Doppler sonography and radionuclide imaging. Torsion at 180° (n = 2) was indistinguishable from non-torsion. With 360° torsion (n = 6 testes), four testes had reduced or absent flow with color Doppler sonography, whereas only one testis was abnormal with radionuclide imaging. Conclusion. Nontorsion and extreme torsion of rabbit testes are well documented by radionuclide imaging and color Doppler sonography. Torsion at 360° can result in variable flow alterations that are better detected by color Doppler sonography than by radionuclide imaging.
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS RELEASED FROM A NATURAL POPULATION OF EPIBENTHIC BLUEGREEN ALGAE1

Extracellular release of dissolved organic compounds by the bluegreen algal community of a brackish marsh was studied using 14C techniques. Mannitol and trehalose were identified as the most commonly released compounds. The proportions of these two extracellular compounds varied in response to light intensity and the water potential of the environment. The presence of mannitol, in particular, suggests that excretion of organic compounds in natural situations is a function of osmotic adjustment.
Prostaglandin E2 synergistically with interleukin-23 favors human Th17 expansion

Microenvironment molecular cues direct T helper (Th) cell differentiation; however, Th17 fate determination is still imprecisely understood in humans. To assess the role of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in Th expansion, we activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells by CD3 cross-linking. In the presence of exogenous PGE2, peripheral blood mononuclear cells produced higher interleukin-17 (IL-17), C-C chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20)/macrophage inflammatory protein 3α (MIP-3α), CXC chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8)/IL-8, and lower interferon-γ and IL-22 levels than in control cultures. Exogenous PGE2 and IL-23 synergized in inducing IL-17, whereas indomethacin and IL-23 blockade drastically reduced IL-17 but not interferon-γ production. Furthermore, IL-1 but not tumor necrosis factor was absolutely required for IL-17 production. PGE2 doubled the frequency of CD4+ T cells producing IL-17 and within the CD4+ subset enhanced C-C chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) and CCR4 while decreasing CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) expression. Furthermore, in CD4+ T-cell lines, the production of IL-17 segregated with the CCR6+ subset. In the presence of CCR6+ compared with CXCR3+ Th cells, monocytes/macrophages produced much higher levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1, -3, and -9 but similar levels of CXCL10 and IL-1β. These results identify PGE2 and IL-23 as participating in the expansion of CD4+ T cells endowed with high IL-17 production capacity, which in turn favors monocyte production of mediators important for host defense and tissue destruction.
BAYSIAN INFERENCE FOR ORDERED RESPONSE DATA WITH A DYNAMIC SPATIAL‐ORDERED PROBIT MODEL

Many databases involve ordered discrete responses in a temporal and spatial context, including, for example, land development intensity levels, vehicle ownership, and pavement conditions. An appreciation of such behaviors requires rigorous statistical methods, recognizing spatial effects and dynamic processes. This study develops a dynamic spatial-ordered probit (DSOP) model in order to capture patterns of spatial and temporal autocorrelation in ordered categorical response data. This model is estimated in a Bayesian framework using Gibbs sampling and data augmentation, in order to generate all autocorrelated latent variables. It incorporates spatial effects in an ordered probit model by allowing for interregional spatial interactions and heteroskedasticity, along with random effects across regions or any clusters of observational units. The model assumes an autoregressive, AR(1), process across latent response values, thereby recognizing time-series dynamics in panel data sets. The model code and estimation approach is tested on simulated data sets, in order to reproduce known parameter values and provide insights into estimation performance, yielding much more accurate estimates than standard, nonspatial techniques. The proposed and tested DSOP model is felt to be a significant contribution to the field of spatial econometrics, where binary applications (for discrete response data) have been seen as the cutting edge. The Bayesian framework and Gibbs sampling techniques used here permit such complexity, in world of two-dimensional autocorrelation.
Temperature dependence of excess volumes for simple liquid mixtures: Ar + CH4, N2 + CH4

Excess volumes VE of liquid mixtures have been experimentally determined at temperatures between 90 and 115 K for nitrogen + argon at nearly equimolar composition and for nitrogen + argon + methane at selected compositions. For equimolar N2 + Ar, VE was found to be −0.25 cm3 mol−1 at 90 K and to decrease with increase of temperature to −1.38 cm3 mol−1 at 113 K. All the ternary mixtures exhibited negative VE, with temperature dependence similar to that for N2 + Ar. The model of hard spheres in a uniform potential field has been tested on the available VE, GE, and HE data for mixtures containing nitrogen, argon, and methane. By allowing deviations from both the arithmetic-mean mixing rule for size parameters and the geometric-mean mixing rule for energy parameters, all three excess properties can be accounted for in the binary mixtures. The one-fluid theory for mixtures is slightly superior to the two-fluid theory for prediction of the temperature dependence of VE for these mixtures. Significant deviations are encountered between prediction and experiment for nitrogen-containing mixtures at temperatures above 105 K. Excess volumes for the ternary system are satis-factorily predicted using parameters determined from binary data alone.
Carpal bone analysis in bone age assessment

A computer-aided-diagnosis (CAD) method has been previously developed in our Laboratory based on features extracted from regions of interest (ROI) in phalanges in a digital hand atlas. Due to various factors, including, the diversity of size, shape and orientation of carpal bones, non-uniformity of soft tissue, low contrast between the bony structure and soft tissue, the automatic identification and segmentation of bone boundaries is an extremely challenging task. Past research work on carpal bone segmentation has been done utilizing dynamic thresholding. However, due to the discrepancy of carpal bones developments and the limitations of segmentation algorithms, carpal bone ROI has not been taken into consideration in the bone age assessment procedure. In this paper, we present a method for fully automatic carpal bone segmentation and feature analysis in hand X-ray radiograph. The purpose of this paper is to automatically segment the carpal bones by anisotropic diffusion and Canny edge detection techniques. By adding their respective features extracted from carpal bones ROI to the phalangeal ROI feature space, the accuracy of bone age assessment can be improved especially when the image processing in the phalangeal ROI fails in younger children.
A new Gustavia (Lecythidaceae) from Panama and Colombia

Gustavia grandibracteata is newly described and compared withGustavia superba (H.B.K.) Berg, a more common, sympatric species.