cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distinct MUNC lncRNA structural domains regulate transcription of different promyogenic factors

Many lncRNAs have been discovered using transcriptomic data, however, it is broadly unclear what fraction of lncRNAs are functional and what structural properties affect their phenotype. MUNC lncRNA, also known as DRReRNA, stimulates skeletal muscle differentiation. The prevailing hypothesis is that MUNC stimulates the Myod1 gene in cis as an enhancer RNA and stimulates expression of several other promyogenic genes in trans by recruiting the cohesin complex to their promoters. Experimental probing of the RNA structure revealed that MUNC contains multiple structural domains not detected by RNA structure prediction algorithms in the absence of experimental information. We discovered that these specific and structurally distinct domains are required for induction of different promyogenic genes, for binding at different genomic sites to regulate the expression of adjacent genes, and for binding the cohesin complex. Moreover, we found that induction of Myod1 or interaction with cohesin comprise only a subset of the broad regulatory impact of this lncRNA. Our study thus reveals unexpectedly complex, structure-driven functions for the MUNC lncRNA and emphasizes the importance of experimentally determined structures for understanding structure-function relationships in lncRNAs.
Postnatal Development of a Mammalian Retina: Neurotransmitters as Physiological and Anatomical Probes

The emergence and maturation of specific neurotransmitter systems in different neurons is a characteristic feature of neural differentiation. In adult nervous systems, neurons which use γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine as neurotransmitters have been shown to contain high concentrations of these substances and their synthetic enzymes, to possess high-affinity transport mechanisms for the accumulation of these substances and to release them upon appropriate stimulations. In addition, putative glycinergic neurons also possess a specific high-affinity uptake mechanism for glycine and release it in response to depolarizing stimuli. We have recently used some of these transmitter-specific properties as physiological and anatomical probes to follow the emergence and maturation of identified neurons in Xenopus and rabbit retinas. (Hollyfield et al., 1979; Rayborn et al., 1981; Sarthy et al., 1981; Lam et al., 1980, 1981; Kong et al., 1980). This article summarises our studies to-date on the postnatal development of putative GABA-ergic, glycinergic and dopaminergic neurons in the rabbit retina.
Plant Mitosis, Cytokinesis and Cell Plate Formation

Cell division in plants involves nuclear division and cell plate formation. These two processes ensure a steady supply of new cells for the growing and developing plant. Keywords: cell division; plant; cytoskeleton; development; microtubules
Model-assisted coding of video teleconferencing sequences at low bit rates

We present a novel and practical way to integrate techniques from computer vision to low bit rate coding systems for video teleconferencing applications. Our focus is to locate and track the faces of persons in typical head-and-shoulders video sequences, and to exploit the face location information in a "classical" video coding/decoding system. The motivation is to enable the system to selectively encode various image areas and to produce psychologically pleasing coded images where faces are sharper. We refer to this approach as model-assisted coding. We propose a totally automatic, low-complexity algorithm, which robustly performs face detection and tracking. A priori assumptions regarding sequence content are minimal and the algorithm operates accurately even in cases of occlusion by moving objects. Face location information is exploited by a low bit rate 3D subband-based video coder which uses a model-assisted dynamic bit allocation with object-selective quantization. By transferring a small fraction of the total available bit rate from the non-facial to the facial area, the coder produces images with better-rendered facial features. The improvement was found to be perceptually significant on video sequences coded at 96 kbps for an input luminance signal in CIF format. The technique is applicable to any video coding scheme that allows for fine-grain quantizer selection (e.g. MPEG, H.261), and can maintain full decoder compatibility. >
Postformal Thought and Multiperson Groups

Just as individuals in the workplace must coordinate multiple realities postformally at least some of the time, if they are to succeed in working together, individuals in intimate couples and in families must also do so. We do not have as much success coordinating family realities as we do coordinating work realities. We find it more difficult to bridge cognitive realities that are so emotionally important to us. Intimate relationships by definition involve intense interactions with emotions weaving through each interaction and often contributing heat to any light that cognition may shed. Framing actions of family members in one cognitive context rather than another has implications for daily encounters and decisions, far more so than anything that might happen on the job (unless the work group is “family”). For a couple or a family that remains together for a relatively long time, the entire enterprise is colored by the history of past cognition, emotion, and action.
Regulation of envelope protein composition during adaptation to osmotic stress in Escherichia coli.

Adaptation to osmotic stress alters the amounts of several specific proteins in the Escherichia coli K-12 envelope. The most striking feature of the response to elevated osmolarity was the strong induction of a periplasmic protein with an Mr of 31,000. This protein was absent in mutants with lambda plac Mu insertions in an osmotically inducible locus mapping near 58 min. The insertions are likely to be in proU, a locus encoding a transport activity for the osmoprotectants glycine betaine and proline. Factors affecting the extent of proU induction were identified by direct examination of periplasmic proteins on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels and by measuring beta-galactosidase activity from proU-lac fusions. Expression was stimulated by increasing additions of salt or sucrose to minimal medium, up to a maximum at 0.5 M NaCl. Exogenous glycine betaine acted as an osmoregulatory signal; its addition to the high-osmolarity medium substantially repressed the expression of the 31,000-dalton periplasmic protein and the proU-lac+ fusions. Elevated osmolarity also caused the appearance of a second periplasmic protein (Mr = 16,000), and severe reduction in the amounts of two others. In the outer membrane, the well-characterized repression of OmpF by high osmolarity was observed and was reversed by glycine betaine. Additional changes in membrane composition were also responsive to glycine betaine regulation. Images
Hospitalists and Their Impact on Quality, Patient Safety, and Satisfaction

The forces promoting the hospitalist model arose from the need for high-value care; therefore, improving quality and cost has been part of the hospitalist formula for success. The factors driving the rapid growth of generalist and subspecialty hospitalists include nationally mandated quality and safety measures, increasing age and complexity of the hospitalized patient, reduced residency duty hours, increased economic pressures to contain costs and reduce length of stay, and also primary care physicians, and specialists, relinquishing hospital privileges to focus on outpatient practices. Hospitalists are playing key roles in patient safety and quality as either leaders or practitioners in the field.
Ecological niche conservatism in North American freshwater fishes

There are many hypotheses of relationships, and also of speciation processes, in North American freshwater fishes, although, to date, there have been no direct tests of whether there is evidence of ecological niche conservatism. In the present study, ecological niche modeling is used to look for evidence of ecological niche conservatism in six clades of freshwater fishes: the starheaded topminnows, sand darters, black basses, Notropis rubellus species group, Notropis longirostris species group, and the Hybopsis amblops species group. This is achieved by evaluating the reciprocal predictivity of distributional predictions based on ecological niche models developed for each individual taxon in a clade under the assumption that high reciprical predictivity between sister species can be taken as evidence of niche conservatism. Omission percentages, total and average commission, and the area under the curve in a receiver operating characteristic analysis, where calculated, are used to evaluate predictive ability. Occurrence data for each species were subset into a training and independent validation data set where possible. Across all clades and species, models predicted the validation data for a given species well. Ecological niche conservatism was found generally across the starheaded topminnows, the sand darters, and the N. longirostris species group. There was some inter-predictivity within the N. rubellus group, but almost no inter-predictivity within the black basses, indicating a lack of conservatism. These results demonstrate that ecological niches generally act as stable constraints on freshwater fish distributions in North America.
Ultrastructural localization of tyrosine hydroxylase in the rat ventral tegmental area: relationship between immunolabeling density and neuronal associations.

Dopaminergic neurons of the A 10 cell group in the rat ventral tegmental area (VTA) exhibit electrical and dye coupling. Also, the activity of these neurons at least partially reflects their content of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis. We examined the ultrastructural localization of TH to determine the morphological features of dopaminergic neurons in the VTA and the relationships between their TH immunoreactivity content and afferent input. Antiserum against the trypsin-treated form of TH was localized using peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) and immunoautoradiographic methods. Immunoreactivity was detected in perikarya, dendrites, and terminals. The perikarya contained the usual organelles, as well as cilia, lamellar bodies, and subsurface cisterns. Qualitative evaluation of peroxidase reaction product and quantitative analysis of the number of silver grains/unit area revealed varying amounts of TH immunoreactivity in nuclei and cytoplasm. Lightly or intensely labeled nuclei were not necessarily associated with corresponding cytoplasmic labeling density. However, cytoplasmic labeling directly corresponded to the relative frequencies of neuronal appositions and synaptic input. Those neurons with less dense cytoplasmic PAP product received fewer synaptic contacts and were less frequently in apposition to other TH-labeled soma and dendrites than neurons displaying relatively more dense cytoplasmic PAP product. Analysis of single sections revealed that 67% (n = 71) of all TH- labeled somata and 15% (n = 2431) of all TH-labeled dendrites were in apposition to other TH-labeled soma or dendrites. TH-labeled terminals were rarely detected and contained relatively low levels of immunoreactivity. The majority of labeled terminals (n = 29/46) formed synapses with labeled soma and dendrites. Unlabeled terminals (n = 2424) in contact with TH-labeled dendrites appeared to form predominantly symmetric synapses. Ten percent (n = 248) of the unlabeled terminals dually synapsed onto adjacent immunoreactive dendrites, perikarya, or dendrite and perikaryon. We conclude that in the rat VTA, (1) detected TH immunoreactivity in cytoplasm, but not nucleus, corresponds to the level of feedback principally from nondopaminergic afferents; (2) dendrodendritic as well as axodendritic synapses between TH-immunoreactive neurons may mediate dopaminergic autoinhibition; and (3) gap junction-like appositions between neurons and convergent inputs from unlabeled terminals onto TH-immunoreactive profiles provide an anatomical substrate whereby cellular activities might be coordinated under certain conditions.
Daily pain in adolescents with CF: Effects on adherence, psychological symptoms, and health‐related quality of life

Summary Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive, life-shortening disease currently treated symptomatically. Among the consequences of daily treatments and long-term progression of the disease is significant discomfort and pain. This study measured pain systematically in adolescents with CF using a pain diary, and evaluated its associations with treatment adherence, psychological symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Methods This study was part of a larger, multi-center study. Ninety-five adolescents with a mean age of 15.8 were enrolled. A total of 413 online pain diaries were completed for 6 days following a routine clinic visit. Diaries measured pain intensity, location, duration, affective ratings, and coping responses. Adherence to pulmonary medications was measured using prescription refill data; other measures included ratings of depression, anxiety and HRQOL. Results Pain was reported by 74.5% of participants, generally in the mild range, averaging 2.1 on a 10-point scale. Daily pain ratings were highly variable both within and between participants. Pain was significantly associated with worse adherence, more psychological distress, and worse HRQOL. Conclusions Results indicated that pain is a common problem for adolescents with CF and negatively affects their disease management, psychological symptoms and health outcomes. Routine assessment of pain and systematic studies of interventions to treat pain are recommended. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:244–251. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of the effects of cold expansion of holes using thermoelasticity and image correlation

Although cold expansion has been shown to have a positive effect on fatigue life, little work to date has been performed to evaluate the evolution of the strain field surrounding the crack tip on the mandrel entry and exit faces in cold-expanded coupons. Full-field strain measurements using both digital image correlation (DIC) and thermoelastic stress analysis (TSA) were used to compare the strains during crack growth around holes that had and had not been cold-expanded by 4%. Simple rectangular fatigue coupons were machined from 2024-T3 aluminium sheet, half had simple open, unexpanded holes and half had cold-expanded open holes. A DIC system was used to monitor the (mandrel) entry face of the coupon while a TSA system was used to monitor the (mandrel) exit face of the coupon during cyclic tensile loading (R-ratio = 0.1). These two systems provide the first published measurements of the simultaneous mandrel entry and exit surface strains surrounding a crack initiating from a cold-expanded hole. The cracks originating from the unexpanded hole exhibit a strain field around the crack tip which is characteristic of a mode I fatigue crack while those emanating from the cold-expanded holes show a significantly lower distribution of strains around the crack tip. Crack opening displacements evaluated from the strain data obtained from DIC, are substantially reduced by the residual compressive stresses from cold expansion, while the overall fatigue data show the life improvement achieved at various applied stress levels.
Matchmakers and cultural compatibility: Arranged marriage, South Asians, and American television

The article addresses the questions: How do popular representations of South Asian/American marriage traditions in American media comment on American dating and matching practices, and how does this influence American cultural and racial identity in relation to cultural assimilation? Television shows with Indian American characters such as Apu from The Simpsons often feature narratives of arranged marriage as an important part of the story. The article discusses how the representations of arranged marriage in mainstream American television present Indians and Indian Americans as culturally and racially foreign to the US but also suggests an alternative reading of these stereotypes that theorizes compatibility as a narrative that expands American cultural definitions and practices of marriage and partnership.
SEX-REVERSED AND NORMAL TURTLES DISPLAY SIMILAR SEX STEROID PROFILES

In many oviparous reptiles, incubation temperature determines hatchling sex. Manipulation of the embryonic hormonal environment can result in sex reversal. We measured circulating estradiol 17-β (E2) and testosterone (T) levels in temperature-determined and sex-reversed snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina). Eight-month-old turtles have sex steroid profiles that are sex specific and are consistent with gonadal sex. Males had higher levels of T than females, both before and after treatment with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). In males, T levels increased approximately 11-fold after FSH challenge, whereas in females, T levels remained low. In contrast, levels of E2 after FSH challenge were higher in females than in males, but showed no difference before treatment. Sex-reversed individuals appear to have normal sex steroid profiles of T and E2, both at basal levels and in response to gonadotropin challenge. Our study indicates that the steroidogenic capability of these juvenile turtles was consistent with gonadal morphology and suggests that these sex-reversed individuals have normal gonadal function. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Process Improvement Methods Increase the Efficiency, Accuracy, and Utility of a Neurocritical Care Research Repository

Reliable and efficient data repositories are essential for the advancement of research in Neurocritical care. Various factors, such as the large volume of patients treated within the Neuro ICU, their differing length and complexity of hospital stay, and the substantial amount of desired information can complicate the process of data collection. We adapted the tools of process improvement to the data collection and database design of a research repository for a Neuroscience intensive care unit. By the Shewhart–Deming method, we implemented an iterative approach to improve the process of data collection for each element. After an initial design phase, we re-evaluated all data fields that were challenging or time-consuming to collect. We then applied root-cause analysis to optimize the accuracy and ease of collection, and to determine the most efficient manner of collecting the maximal amount of data. During a 6-month period, we iteratively analyzed the process of data collection for various data elements. For example, the pre-admission medications were found to contain numerous inaccuracies after comparison with a gold standard (sensitivity 71 % and specificity 94 %). Also, our first method of tracking patient admissions and discharges contained higher than expected errors (sensitivity 94 % and specificity 93 %). In addition to increasing accuracy, we focused on improving efficiency. Through repeated incremental improvements, we reduced the number of subject records that required daily monitoring from 40 to 6 per day, and decreased daily effort from 4.5 to 1.5 h/day. By applying process improvement methods to the design of a Neuroscience ICU data repository, we achieved a threefold improvement in efficiency and increased accuracy. Although individual barriers to data collection will vary from institution to institution, a focus on process improvement is critical to overcoming these barriers.
Quasiparticle dynamics in YBCO and YBCO/LSMO measured using femtosecond optical spectroscopy

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and temperature dependent femtosecond optical pump-probe spectroscopy are used to track quasiparticle dynamics at the interface between superconducting and ferromagnetic oxide layers.
VERBAL MEMORY DEFICIT FOLLOWING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY: ASSESSMENT USING ADVANCED MRI METHODS

Traumatic axonal injury resulting in disruption of functional networks in the brain is thought to be a major contributor to cognitive dysfunction in survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI).1 However, the true significance of this disruption is not known as current clinical imaging modalities do not directly assess axonal injury or functional network connectivity. Modern MRI techniques such as resting-state fMRI correlation analysis may overcome this limitation.2,3 A 21-year-old right-handed woman presented to the outpatient TBI clinic because she was “having trouble in school and remembering things.” At 15, she was a passenger in a head-on motor vehicle collision. She had a severe TBI, clavicle fracture, and pulmonary contusions. Her initial Glasgow Coma Score was 4 (range: 3, deeply comatose, to 15, normal). Her initial head CT revealed a large left subdural hematoma with 1 cm left-to-right shift, bifrontal hemorrhagic contusions, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage, and punctate hemorrhages in the subcortical white matter, pons, and splenium of the corpus callosum. A left craniotomy was performed and the subdural hematoma was evacuated. She made a progressive neurologic recovery over 2 months. At discharge she was able to speak complete sentences and had no cranial nerve, motor, or sensory deficits. However, she has experienced persistent difficulties with memory and concentration affecting school performance and everyday life. Neuropsychological testing at age 21 revealed a moderately severe verbal memory deficit for auditory information but otherwise generally …
Advanced Forward Methods for Complex Wire Fault Modeling

This paper presents a novel implementation of forward modeling methods for simulating the reflectometry responses of faults in the shields of coaxial cable or other shielded lines. First, a cross-sectional modeling was used to determine the characteristic impedance of various wire sections. These values were then incorporated into longitudinal models to simulate the overall reflectometry response. The finite-difference method is a cross-sectional modeling method that was used to simulate cross-sectional characteristic impedance. Results obtained using this method are accurate within 1% of analytical solutions, and can be simulated very quickly using in-house codes. The finite-integral technique (FIT) is also used to model chafes on wires with TEM and higher order modes. Because FIT is computationally slow, a curve-fitting technique is used to predict the chafe profile within 0.01% of the simulated values. Modified transmission matrix and S-parameter methods are used to provide responses with accuracies within 0.3% of the measured profiles.
A novel interventional approach to sigmoid volvulus

Abstract We report a case of a 96-year-old gentleman who presented with recurrent sigmoid volvulus and was deemed inoperable by either operative or endoscopic means due to his prohibitively high cardiac risk. The volvulus was managed with a computed tomography (CT)-guided sigmoidopexy using two gastrostomy tubes to affix the sigmoid colon to the abdominal wall by means of T-fasteners. The procedure was tolerated well by the patient.
Mapping the intellectual impact of library and information science research through citations: A tale of two databases – Scopus and Web of Science

This study uses citations to a group of 42 LIS faculty members to examine the differences between Scopus and WoS in mapping the faculties' intellectual impact, focusing on the sources of their citations by universities, journals, and countries. The study also examines the effects of adding Scopus data on results obtained from WoS. Findings show that while Scopus does not significantly influence the rankings of the top citing journals, institutions, or countries, the database is necessary to use in addition to WoS in order to accurately map the intellectual impact of the faculty members examined and identify more correctly the extent of their research influence on the wider scientific community.
Career Choices of Recent Special Education Graduates Holding Doctoral Degrees

The supply of and demand for special education professionals in institutions of higher education (IHEs) has been studied since 1986, and the results of these studies indicate a great imbalance in the supply and demand for special education faculty. Because the field faces a substantial shortage, this research facused on the career choices of new special education doctoral graduates. Doctoral graduates from 3 year period were surveyed to determine their demographic make-up, where they took positions, and their relocation patterns to attend doctaral pragrams and to take their first positions We found that 42% of new graduates did not take positions in IHEs after completing their doctoral studies. Although 58% took jobs in IHEs, only 37% accepted positions as tenure-track faculty members. Also, new graduates did not change their career goals from their admission into their doctoral pragram, and those taking positions in IHEs were more likely to move to accept a position.
Design, fabrication, and testing of VDP MEMS pressure sensors

In this paper, a four-terminal piezoresistive sensor commonly known as a van der Pauw (VDP) structure is presented for its application to MEMS pressure sensing. In a recent study, our team has determined the relation between the biaxial stress state and the piezoresistive response of a VDP structure by combining the VDP resistance equations with the equations governing silicon piezoresistivity and has proposed a new piezoresistive pressure sensor. It was observed that the sensitivity of the VDP sensor is over three times higher than the conventional filament type Wheatstone bridge resistor. To check our theoretical findings, we fabricated several (100) silicon diaphragms with both the VDP sensors and filament resistor sensors on the same wafer so both the sensor elements have same doping concentration. Several diaphragms had VDP sensors of different sizes and orientations to find out their geometric effects on pressure sensitivity. The diaphragms were subjected to known pressures, and the pressure sensitivities of both types of sensors were measured using an in-house built calibration setup. It was found that the VDP devices had a linear response to pressure as expected, and were more sensitive than the resistor sensors. Also, the VDP sensors provided a number of additional advantages, such as its size independent sensitivity and simple fabrication steps due to its simple geometry.
TBT in California coastal waters: monitoring and assessment

Butyltins were monitored at over eighty sites, primarily marinas, in surface waters and sediments of the California coast. Values of tributyltin (TBT) in marina waters ranged from 20 to 600 ppt while lower values were usually found in harbors and on the coast. The origin of the tributyltin is in its use as an antifouling agent in marine paints. In those marinas where the concentrations are greater than about 100 ppt, there is usually a conspicuous absence of native organisms, especially molluscs, which are among the most sensitive animals to the highly toxic TBT. The impact of TBT upon not-target organisms recalls the DDT episode of the 1970s. Increasing uses of TBT-containing antifouling paints in the future may have even more drastic effects on coastal organisms than those observed today. The conclusion is inescapable that TBT should be banned for use in commercially available marine paints.
Diversity, Multiculturalism, and Pluralism: Moving From Hospitality and Appreciation to Social Inclusion on Campus and Beyond

AbstractThree of the most important contemporary educational approaches to teaching students about major human differences in college today are diversity, multiculturalism, and pluralism. Each of these educational approaches offers a perspective on human differences that promotes an implicit set of ethical values intended to guide moral conduct and encourage pro-social behaviors. The first calls for hospitality, the second for appreciation, and the third for inclusion. Each approach also affirms a social and political vision of community with different expectations for commitment and responsibility. Not surprisingly, these three educational approaches can also generate varying levels of social stress and conflict. This article examines the characteristics of these three educational approaches for addressing human differences on campus and the strengths and weaknesses each offers, especially for student affairs staff engaged in preparing students for an increasingly diverse campus and global society.
Loss of Passive External Rotation at 90° Abduction Is Predictive of a Medially Healed Bankart Lesion

Purpose: This prospective study correlates passive range of external rotation with arthroscopic findings in patients with anterior instability for the purpose of defining criteria that can be used to detect a medially healed Bankart lesion. Methods: External rotation at 90° abduction (ER 90 ) was assessed on examination with the patient under anesthesia in bilateral shoulders of 46 consecutive patients with unidirectional, anterior glenohumeral instability. Arthroscopy was used to identify 22 patients with a detached Bankart lesion (group I) and 24 patients with a medially healed Bankart lesion (group II). Differences in ER 90 between symptomatic and asymptomatic shoulders for both groups were compared. The t test and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test measured significance. Results: In group I, mean ER 90 in the symptomatic shoulder was 5° greater than in the asymptomatic shoulder; in group II, mean ER 90 in the symptomatic shoulder was 7.4° less than in the asymptomatic shoulder ( P 90 was highly sensitive (92%) and specific (95%), with a positive predictive value of 96% for detection of a medially healed Bankart lesion. Conclusions: If a loss of 5° or more of ER 90 in the affected shoulder is found on examination under anesthesia, one should have a high degree of suspicion for the presence of a medially healed Bankart lesion. Level of Evidence: Level II, development of diagnostic criteria on basis of consecutive patients.
Changes in risk perception following a smoking cessation intervention: the role of acculturation in a sample of Latino caregivers

The present exploratory study examined the role of acculturation in the perception of the risks of smoking following a smoking cessation induction intervention among Latino caregivers of children with asthma. The sample consisted of 131 Latino smokers (72.9 % female; 18.3 % born in the U.S.) who were caregivers of a child with asthma. Caregivers were randomized to one of two smoking cessation interventions that were part of a home-based asthma program. Self-report measures of risk-perception were assessed at baseline, end of treatment (2 months after baseline), and 2- and 3-months post-treatment. At baseline, caregivers, regardless of level of acculturation, reported moderate to high levels of concern about the effects of secondhand smoke on their child’s health as well as perceived risk regarding the effect of smoking on their own health. However, caregivers who were low in acculturation had a greater increase in concern about the effects of smoking on their child from pre-to post treatment compared to those who were high in acculturation (p = .001). Lastly, level of acculturation moderated the association between caregivers’ concern about smoking on their child’s health and their motivation to quit smoking (p .05). Specifically, motivation to quit at 3 months was greater for those with low acculturation. Though exploratory, these findings suggest that risk perception may be more easily influenced in low versus high acculturated populations and this should be considered in the design of clinical interventions and potentially mass media campaigns seeking to influence risk of caregiver behavior on child health with ethnic and racial minorities.
Light-enhanced perception of gravity in stems of intact pea seedlings.

Dark-grown, 6-d-old pea seedlings (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska) do not respond gravitropically to brief (approx. 3 min) horizontal presentations, but seedlings given a pulse of red light (R) 16–24 h earlier respond to such stimuli by vigorous curvature of the epicotyl. With continuous horizontal stimulation (approx. 100 min), the kinetics and extent of the gravitropic response are almost identical in irradiated and dark-control plants. Prior R thus increases graviperception without altering the rate-limiting steps underlying the generation of curvature. This effect of R on graviperception develops slowly; seedlings studied only a few hours after R show differences in the kinetics of the gravitropic response, but not in presentation time. Neither the kinetics nor the extent of gravitropic curvature should be used as criteria for establishing changes in primary processes in gravitropism.
Effect of yttria-stabilized zirconia sintering temperature on mixed potential sensor performance

Abstract In this article, the influence of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) sintering temperature on a Pt/YSZ/La0.8Sr0.2CrO3 mixed potential sensor performance is reported. The sintering temperature of YSZ was varied from 1000 to 1200 °C. Mercury porosity measurements were performed to estimate the porosity and tortuosity of the YSZ sample as a function of sintering temperature. Further, the surface area of YSZ was computed by the BET method. After YSZ characterization, the unbiased and biased sensor response was recorded. The 1000 °C sintered YSZ sample was taken as the reference for comparison purposes. Experimental results indicated a 30% reduction in porosity for the 1200 °C sintered YSZ sample, resulting in a 14-fold increase in the sensor response rise time. In addition, for the same sample, a 13-fold increase in sensitivity was observed upon exposure to propylene (100 ppm), associated with a 76% reduction in surface area. The slow response time of the sensor with YSZ sintered at higher temperatures has been attributed to higher tortuosity (delay in gas permeation to the three-phase interface). Whereas, reduced heterogeneous catalysis induced by lower surface area accounts for the rise in sensitivity levels. The optimum YSZ sintering temperature was found to lie between 1100 and 1150 °C.
Opposing Trends of Religious Attendance and Religiosity in Predicting Elders’ Functional Recovery after an Acute Myocardial Infarction

This study examined the role of religion and spirituality in older adults’ functional recovery following an AMI. Participants were interviewed within 2 weeks of the AMI about their religious beliefs. Functional recovery was evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) at one month and seven months. We found that those who reported attending religious services more frequently had better functional recovery. In contrast, those who considered themselves more spiritual had worse functional recovery. These findings remained after controlling for age, gender, co-morbidity (Charlson Co-Morbidity Scale), depression (CES-D), social support (MOS Social Support Survey), and grip strength in Linear Mixed Models. The implications of the findings are discussed.
PLD2 has both enzymatic and cell proliferation-inducing capabilities, that are differentially regulated by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation.

Phospholipase D2 (PLD2) overexpression in mammalian cells results in cell transformation. We have hypothesized that this is due to an increase of de novo DNA synthesis. We show here that overexpression of PLD2-WT leads to an increased DNA synthesis, as measured by the expression levels of the proliferation markers PCNA, p27{sup KIP1} and phospho-histone-3. The enhancing effect was even higher with phosphorylation-deficient PLD2-Y179F and PLD2-Y511F mutants. The mechanism for this did not involve the enzymatic activity of the lipase, but, rather, the presence of the protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45, as silencing with siRNA for CD45 abrogated the effect. The two Y{yields}F mutants had in common a YxN consensus site that, in the phosphorylated counterparts, could be recognized by SH2-bearing proteins, such as Grb2. Even though Y179F and Y511F cannot bind Grb2, they could still find other protein partners, one of which, we have reasoned, could be CD45 itself. Affinity purified PLD2 is indeed activated by Grb2 and deactivated by CD45 in vitro. We concluded that phosphorylated PLD2, aided by Grb2, mediates lipase activity, whereas dephosphorylated PLD2 mediates an induction of cell proliferation, and the specific residues involved in this newly discovered regulation of PLD2 are Y{sup 179} and Y{sup 511}.
Statistical characteristics of transitional queue conditions in signalized arterials

The performance of signalized arterials is related to queuing phenomena. The paper investigates the effect of transitional traffic flow conditions imposed by the formation and dissipation of queues. A cross-recurrence quantification analysis combined with Bayesian augmented networks are implemented to reveal the prevailing statistical characteristics of the short-term traffic flow patterns under the effect of transitional queue conditions. Results indicate that transitions between free-flow conditions, critical queue conditions that exceed the detector's length, as well as the occurrence of spillovers impose a set of prevailing traffic flow patterns with different statistical characteristics with respect to determinism, nonlinearity, non-stationarity and laminarity. The complexity in critical queue conditions is further investigated by introducing two supplementary regions in the critical area before spillover occurrence. Results indicate that the supplementary information on the transitional conditions in the critical area increases the accuracy of the predictive relations between the statistical characteristics of traffic flow evolution and the occurrence of transitions.
Allocation of attention: uncertainty effects when monitoring one or two visual gratings of noncontiguous spatial frequencies.

When an observer is visually presented with a sinusoidal grating, he will often do worse in detecting a given grating when he is uncertain about its spatial frequency than when he is certain. Theoretical explanations of such uncertainty effects assume that the observer has attentional control over multiple spatial-frequency channels. This attentional control can be selectively allocated. If one grating is presented on most of the trials, randomly intermixed with trials of gratings of other spatial frequencies, an experienced observer will use a stationary single-band attention strategy. If two gratings, separated in spatial frequency by four octaves, are randomly presented on most of the intermixed trials, an experienced observer will use a more complex attention strategy; he can monitor the spatial frequencies of the two extreme stimuli with little or no monitoring of intermediate spatial frequencies.
Esophageal spasm following propranolol overdose relieved by glucagon

Abstract A case of propranolol overdose complicated by esophageal spasm preventing extrication of an orogastric lavage tube and relieved by intravenous glucagon is presented. Esophageal spasm is an infrequent complication of beta-adrenergic overdose. Possible mechanisms of esophageal spasm and its relief with glucagon are discussed.
Unexplored directions in spoken language technology for development

The full range of possibilities for spoken-language technologies (SLTs) to impact poor communities has been investigated on partially, despite what appears to be strong potential. Voice interfaces raise fewer barriers for the illiterate, require less training to use, and are a natural choice for applications on cell phones, which have far greater penetration, in the developing world than PCs. At the same time, critical lessons of existing technology projects in development still apply and require careful attention. We suggest how to expand the view of SLT for development, and discuss how its potential can realistically be explored.
Computational analysis of dynamic crack propagation along a bimaterial interface

Abstract Several features of the characteristics of a crack dynamically propagating along a bimaterial interface are investigated and their results are presented in this paper. The stress intensity factors of interface crack dynamics are accurately extracted from finite element field solutions using a new conservation integral. This integral is based on the steady-state solution for a dynamically propagating interface crack. It extracts the Mode I and II contributions of the mixed-mode cracktip field. The ratio of the mixed-mode factors, or the phase angle is an essential parameter in defining the fracture resistance of dynamic interface cracks. A computational analysis is carried out for an interface crack in an infinite plane under either remote tensile or shear loading. The phase angle and the energy release rate of the growing interface crack with different crack-tip velocities are obtained for several bimaterial combinations. For a short time after the initiation of a growth, the energy release rate and the phase angle are found to be very sensitive to the crack-tip velocity. They are much less sensitive to the mismatch in bimaterial properties. At late time, the phase angle merges closer to the corresponding quasi-static values. A toughness formula based on critical energy release rate is proposed for the dynamic interface crack. This toughness criterion is implemented in a newly developed iterative procedure for computing crack propagation. With this procedure, the simulation of crack propagation exactly follows the condition specified by the toughness function. No artificial input or prior knowledge of the crack-tip velocity history is necessary. This is an effective method which can be used to interpret experimental data. We have employed this iterative technique in the simulation of published data for dynamic interface crack propagation to identify a correct toughness formula. The analysis shows that the resulting velocity history agrees well with the experimental record when appropriate parameters are chosen for the proposed toughness criterion.
Radar interferogram filtering for geophysical applications

The use of SAR interferometry is often impeded by decorrelation from thermal noise, temporal change, and baseline geometry. Power spectra of interferograms are typically the sum of a narrow-band component combined with broad-band noise. We describe a new adaptive filtering algorithm that dramatically lowers phase noise, improving both measurement accuracy and phase unwrapping, while demonstrating graceful degradation in regions of pure noise. The performance of the filter is demonstrated with SAR data from the ERS satellites over the Jakobshavns glacier of Greenland.
A dynamic system for controlling the head movement and gaze of virtual characters

Creating virtual characters with natural movements is a challenging problem. Users are very aware of how people in general move when interacting based on a lifetime of experience. Unintentionally unnatural movements can adversely affect the experience of the participant. Computationally intensive techniques for calculating dynamic movements can cause the system to run slowly, reducing the frame rate or the performance of the avatar within the simulation. Our system provides a simple implementation that enables precise individual control of multiple avatars.
Inter-class synergy by design

Most often curricula are defined in university catalogs according to course prerequisite structures. Formal linkages between individual courses are typically first-order relationships based on prerequisite knowledge or discipline maturity. This paper describes a second-order, collaborative relationship that was established between two computer science courses that has greatly benefitted the students of both classes and has added another dimension to a combined computer and information sciences curricula.
Structural consistency in moral judgement

Principal axis factor analysis and LISREL were used to test the hypothesis that moral stages form ‘structured wholes’. The data analysed come from a new study of male and female students from three racial groups and also from Colby, Kohlberg, Gibbs & Lieberman's (1983) longitudinal study of moral judgement. These analyses supported the structural-wholeness hypothesis.
A theoretical study of As4S4: Bonding, vibrational analysis and infrared and raman spectra

Abstract The structure, bonding, electron distribution, normal mode frequencies and the corresponding vibrational assignments of tetrarsenic tetrasulfide (As4S4) in D2d symmetry are examined theoretically using the gaussian 98 set of quantum chemistry codes at the HF, MP2 and B3LYP(DFT) levels of theory using the standard 6-311G* basis. By comparison to experimental normal mode frequencies deduced by Chapman [Spectrochim. Acta 24A(1968)1687] correction factors for predominant vibrational motions are determined and compared. Normal modes were decomposed into four nonredundant motions {As– As stretch, As– S stretch, As–S–As bend, and As–S–As wagging modes}.
A closed-form identification of multichannel moving average processes by ESPRIT

In this paper, a closed-form identification of possibly nonminimum phase multichannel moving average (MA) processes is derived by exploiting the eigenstructures of the observation cumulant matrices using the ESPRIT algorithm. The proposed approach allows the combination of statistics of different orders for better performance and offers reduced computation complexity when compared with existing iterative approaches. Simulations are also presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm.
Unstable angina pectoris: morbidity and mortality in 57 consecutive patients evaluated angiographically.

Fifty-seven consecutive patients presenting with unstable angina pectoris or so-called pre-infarction angina were prospectively evaluated by clinical and angiographic studies. One patient died during angiography and another died of acute myocardial infarction 11/2 hours after cardiac catheterization. Forty-five patients had significant obstruction in two or three coronary arteries. The average left ventricular ejection fraction was 59 percent. Of 15 patients treated medically, 10 were potential candidates for surgery. One of these 10 died during hospitalization and 9 survived. The nine survivors were followed up for an average of 10 months; six reported symptomatic improvement, and one had an uncomplicated myocardial infarction 6 months after study. Aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass was performed in 40 patients, of whom 9 died during hospitalization and 31 survived operation. Of the 31 survivors, 1 had an uncomplicated myocardial infarction 9 months postoperatively; there were no late deaths in this group during a follow-up period averaging 16.7 months. Thirty of the 31 survivors reported marked symptomatic improvement, and 21 of these survivors were pain-free.
Gene Therapy for Myocardial Angiogenesis : Initial Clinical Results With Direct Myocardial Injection of phVEGF165 as Sole Therapy for Myocardial Ischemia

Background—We initiated a phase 1 clinical study to determine the safety and bioactivity of direct myocardial gene transfer of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as sole therapy for patients with symptomatic myocardial ischemia. Methods and Results—VEGF gene transfer (GTx) was performed in 5 patients (all male, ages 53 to 71) who had failed conventional therapy; these men had angina (determined by angiographically documented coronary artery disease). Naked plasmid DNA encoding VEGF (phVEGF165) was injected directly into the ischemic myocardium via a mini left anterior thoracotomy. Injections caused no changes in heart rate (pre-GTx=75±15/min versus post-GTx=80±16/min, P=NS), systolic BP (114±7 versus 118±7 mm Hg, P=NS), or diastolic BP (57±2 versus 59±2 mm Hg, P=NS). Ventricular arrhythmias were limited to single unifocal premature beats at the moment of injection. Serial ECGs showed no evidence of new myocardial infarction in any patient. Intraoperative blood loss was 0 to 50 cm3, and total chest ...