cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 12 – Advanced Plotting Techniques

The chapter continues with more on the plot functions introduced in Chapter 3. Different two-dimensional plot types, such as logarithmic scale plots, pie charts, and histograms are introduced, as is customizing plots using cell arrays and string functions. Three-dimensional plot functions as well as some functions that create the coordinates for specified objects are demonstrated. Core graphics objects and their use by higher-level plotting functions are demonstrated. Applications that involve reading data from files and then plotting use both cell arrays and string functions.
Pesticide-induced Alterations to Phytoplankton Abundance and Community Structure Alter Ecosystem Respiration: Implications for the Carbon Cycle?

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWCurrent predictions of the effects of synthetic chemicals on freshwater ecosystems are hampered by the sheer number of chemical contaminants entering aquatic systems, the diversity of organisms inhabiting these systems, and uncertainties about how contaminants alter ecosystem metabolism. We conducted a mesocosm experiment that elucidated the responses of ponds composed of phytoplankton and zooplankton to standardized concentrations of 12 pesticides, nested within four pesticide classes and two pesticide types. We show that the effects of the pesticides on algae were consistent within herbicides and insecticides and responses of over 70 phytoplankton species and genera were consistent within broad taxonomic groups. Insecticides generated top-down effects on phytoplankton community composition and abundance, which were associated with persistent increases in ecosystem respiration. Herbicides reduced phytoplankton abundance, which was associated with decreases in primary productivity and ecosystem respiration. These results suggest that widespread pesticide use could have underexplored implications for the global carbon cycle. While these effects on ecosystem respiration were mediated through complex effects on communities, taxonomic groups of organisms responded similarly to pesticide types, suggesting opportunities to simplify ecological risk assessment.
Cell growth is an omniphenotype

Genotype-phenotype relationships are at the heart of biology and medicine. Numerous advances in genotyping and phenotyping have accelerated the pace of disease gene and drug discovery. Though now that there are so many genes and drugs to study, it makes prioritizing them difficult. Also, disease model assays are getting more complex and this is reflected in the growing complexity of research papers and the cost of drug development. Herein we propose a way out of this arms race. We argue for synthetic interaction testing in mammalian cells using cell growth - changes in cell number that could be due to a number of factors - as a readout to judge the potential of a genetic or environmental variable of interest (e.g., a gene or drug). That is, if a gene or drug of interest is combined with a known perturbation and causes a strong cell growth phenotype relative to that caused by the known perturbation alone, this justifies proceeding with the gene/drug in more complex models like mouse models where the known perturbation is already validated. This recommendation is backed by the following: 1) Genes required for cell growth involve nearly all classifications of cellular and molecular processes; 2) Nearly all genes important in cancer - a disease defined by altered cell number - are also important in other complex diseases; 3) Patient condition and patient cell growth responses to many drugs are comparable. Taken together, these findings suggest cell growth could be broadly applicable phenotype for understanding gene and drug function. Measuring cell growth is robust, and requires little time and money. These are features that have long been capitalized on by pioneers using model organisms that we hope more mammalian biologists will recognize.
Towards Scalable Spectral Embedding and Data Visualization via Spectral Coarsening

This paper proposes a scalable multilevel framework for the spectral embedding of large undirected graphs. The proposed method first computes much smaller yet sparse graphs while preserving the key spectral (structural) properties of the original graph, by exploiting a nearly-linear time spectral graph coarsening approach. Then, the resultant spectrally-coarsened graphs are leveraged for the development of much faster algorithms for multilevel spectral graph embedding (clustering) as well as visualization of large data sets. We conducted extensive experiments using a variety of large graphs and datasets and obtained very promising results. For instance, we are able to coarsen the "coPapersCiteseer" graph with 0.43 million nodes and 16 million edges into a much smaller graph with only 13K (32X fewer) nodes and 17K (950X fewer) edges in about 16 seconds; the spectrally-coarsened graphs allow us to achieve up to 1,100X speedup for multilevel spectral graph embedding (clustering) and up to 60X speedup for t-SNE visualization of large data sets.
Diabetes Identity: A Mechanism of Social Change:

Historically, diabetes identity has been examined at the individual level as it relates to clinical outcomes and self-management practices. Yet, identity is not experienced as an individually isola...
Electronic Spectra of Molecules and Ions in Crystals Part I. Molecular Crystals

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses electronic spectra of molecules and ions in crystals. Radiative transitions involving quanta having energies of the order of volts are referred to as optical transitions to distinguish them from other electronic transition processes such as those which occur in the microwave or x-ray region. The optical spectra of molecules and ions in solids normally are observed in the range from a few thousand to about a hundred thousand wave numbers. The purpose of this chapter is to show the extent to which optical spectra have been, and can be, interpreted and the useful information they contain. The parts of this chapter labeled theoretical are limited to the theory needed for the interpretation of spectra and for the derivation of useful empirical constants from the spectra. For example, crystal field theory is developed in sufficient detail to show the methods of finding crystal field constants from spectra; however, the interpretation of these constants is considered to be another subject and is not discussed in any detail. The main emphasis is, therefore, on the results of group theoretical considerations and on the approximate magnitudes of the numbers to be expected. The units of a molecular crystal are held together by weak van der Waals forces, which affect the electronic states of each molecule only slightly. Typical molecular crystals include organic compounds such as the aromatic hydrocarbons or inorganic compounds, of which VCl4 is an example.
A putative DNA helicase and novel oligoribonuclease in the Diachasmimorpha longicaudata entomopoxvirus (DlEPV).

Diachasmimorpha longicaudata entomopoxvirus (DlEPV) is a symbiotic entomopoxvirus (EPV) of the parasitic wasp Diachasmimorpha longicaudata. It has a double-stranded DNA genome of 250–300 kb and is >60% A-T rich. We describe ten ORFs (RI-35-1 to -10) contained within a 5.64 kb clone, RI-35, from a DlEPV EcoRI genomic library. Our goal was to identify unique motifs and compare them with others in the database, particularly those of poxviruses. Two ORFs (RI-35-1 and RI-35-7, respectively) encode putative proteins (113 aa and 219 aa) that are probably involved in regulating gene expression based on their predicted nuclear localization and the presence of SPxx motifs, leucine-zipper like sequences (113 aa), and a basic domain (219 aa). The largest gene (RI-35-3) is under the control of an intermediate/late promoter and is presumed to encode a cytoplasmic 480 aa DNA-dependent DNA helicase with conserved motifs that are characteristic of DExH helicases. Amino acid analysis of the DNA helicase sequence showed that DlEPV is close to but distinct from the Genus B EPVs. The DlEPV helicase is also distinct from that of the Diadromus pulchellus ascovirus 1a from the D. pulchellus parasitic wasp, with less than 10% amino acid identity. DlEPV encodes a 207 aa oligoribonuclease (RI-35-8) of the DEDDh family of exoribonucleases. The second largest ORF (RI-35-9) is under the control of a poxvirus early promoter and encodes a protein of 329 aa that is likely DlEPV-specific. Three ORFs (RI-35-4, -5, and -6) overlap (in the anti-sense strand) with ORFs encoding putatively important virus replication proteins (which were also under the control of intermediate promoters) and are presumably not expressed in DlEPV. These results support earlier reports that DlEPV is a member of the sub-family Entomopoxvirinae, most likely in Group C, and is the first symbiotic EPV described to date from a parasitic wasp.
Mechanism of Action of Guinea Pig Liver Transglutaminase II. THE ROLE OF METAL IN ENZYME ACTIVATION

Abstract The activator constant, Ka, of calcium in the transglutaminase reaction has been estimated from kinetic studies as 6.9 ± 1.5 x 10-3 m at pH 6 in 0.1 m tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane-acetate, 25°. The dissociation constant, Kd, for the calcium-transglutaminase complex, determined by two direct binding experiments, was found to be 8 ± 2 x 10-3 m at pH 6 in 0.1 m Tris-acetate containing 0.5 m NaCl, 25° (ultraviolet difference spectrophotometry), and 7.9 ± 1.5 x 10-3 m at pH 6 in 0.1 m Tris-acetate, 25° (protection against irreversible inhibition). The Km for carbobenzoxy-l-glutaminylglycine with the fully activated calcium enzyme and the maximum turnover number with this substrate were found to be 21.7 ±4 x 10-3 m and 3600 ± 300 min-1, respectively. The Ka of strontium and the Kd (difference spectrophotometry) for the strontium-transglutaminase complex have been determined as 80 ± 20 x 10-3m and 90 ± 25 x 10-3m, respectively. The maximum turnover number for carbobenzoxy-l-glutaminylglycine is essentially that observed for the calcium-activated enzyme, while the Km for this substrate with the fully strontium-activated enzyme was found to be 75 ± 10 x 10-3 m. Carbobenzoxy-l-phenylalanine inhibits transglutaminase in a reversible competitive manner. The apparent inhibitor constant for this compound is a function of the calcium concentration at less than saturating levels of metal ion. The inhibitor constant, Ki, for carbobenzoxy-l-phenylalanine with the fully activated calcium enzyme was estimated as 8 ± 3 x 10-3 m. At less than saturating levels of calcium ion, the degree of protection against irreversible inhibition of transglutaminase by 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) was observed to be a function of carbobenzoxy-l-phenylalanine concentration. No protection by carbobenzoxy-l-phenylalanine against this irreversible inhibitor was observed in the absence of activating metal ion. The reversible competitive inhibition afforded by chloracetic acid was characterized by the same observed Ki value at two low levels of calcium ion. This competitive inhibitor showed no protection against irreversible enzyme inhibition either in the presence or absence of calcium ion. These facts are consistent with a mechanism in which transglutaminase functions in combination with the divalent cation as a metal-enzyme complex. The results also suggest that a conformational change in the enzyme protein occurs upon combination with activator metal.
Marker-exchange mutagenesis and complementation strategies for the Gram-negative bacteria Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae.

Marker-Exchange MCS for Xoo Marker-Exchange Mutagenesis and Complementation Strategies for the Gram-Negative Bacteria Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae Sang-Won Lee and Pamela C. Ronald Summary This chapter describes methods for targeted knockouts using marker exchange mutagenesis and complementation of the Gram-negative bacteria Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. We have used these methods to demonstrate that type I secretion and modifica- tion systems are involved in avrXa21 activity of X. oryzae pv. oryzae. Key Words: Marker-exchange mutagenesis; overexpression; Gram-negative bacteria; Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. 1. Introduction Innate immunity provides a first line of defense against pathogen attack and is activated rapidly after infection. In contrast to the adaptive immune system that depends on somatic gene rearrangements for the generation of antigen receptors with random specificities, the innate immune system uses a set of defined receptors for pathogen recognition (1). Although it is now widely appreciated that pathogen recognition receptors play a key role in innate immu- nity in plants and animals, very little is known about the bacterial molecules recognized by such receptors. Components of innate immune systems in both plants and animals share many conserved features. Most notably, they sense the presence of pathogen- associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which represent conserved molecular structures, and avirulence (Avr) factors that are strain-specific molecules pro- duced by phytopathogens. Recognition by the host is via cell surface or cyto- plasmic receptors (2,3). These receptors share common protein domains such as leucine-rich repeats (LRRs), which act as ligand recognition domains, and From: Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 354: Plant–Pathogen Interactions: Methods and Protocols Edited by: P. C. Ronald © Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ
Experimental Study of Boundary Layer Behavior in a Simulated Low Pressure Turbine

A detailed investigation of the flow physics occurring on the suction side of a simulated Low Pressure Turbine (LPT) blade was performed. A contoured upper wall was designed to simulate the pressure distribution of an actual LPT blade onto a flat plate. The experiments were carried out at Reynolds numbers of 100,000 and 250,000 with three levels of freestream turbulence. Freestream turbulence levels ranging from 0.8% to 3% was used in this experiment. Smoke-wire flow visualization data was used to confirm that the boundary layer was separated and formed a bubble. Hot-wires (single and x-wire) and surface mounted hot-film gases and static pressure taps were used to map the flowfield. The transition process over the separated flow region is observed to be similar to a laminar free shear layer flow with the formation of a large coherent eddy structure. For each condition, the locations defining the separation bubble were determined by careful examination of pressure and mean velocity profile data. Transition onset location and length determined from intermittency profiles decrease as freestream turbulence levels increase. Additionally, the length and height of the laminar separation bubbles were observed to be inversely proportional to the levels of freestream turbulence.
Semi-supervised learning of user-preferred travel schedules

We present a graph-based semi-supervised approach for learning user-preferred travel schedules. Assuming a setting in which a user provides a small number of labeled travel schedules, we classify schedules into desirable and non-desirable. This task is non-trivial since only a small number of labeled points is available. It is further complicated by the fact that each schedule is comprised of multiple components or aspects which are different in nature. For instance in our case arrival times are modeled by probability distributions to account for uncertainty, while other aspects such as waiting times are given by a feature vector. Each aspect can thought of as a different type of observation for the same schedule While existing label propagation approaches can exploit vast amounts of unlabeled data, they cannot handle multi-aspect data. We propose Multi-Aspect Label Propagation (MALP), a novel approach which extends label propagation to handle multiple types of observations.
The Induction of Hepatic Cholesterol Synthesis in the Rat by Lecithin Mesophase Infusions

Abstract A 4-hour intravenous infusion of egg lecithin in the rat produced a significant increase in hepatic cholesterol synthesis from acetate in both liver slices and homogenates. Direct in vitro additions of lecithin to the homogenates produced no change in the conversion to acetate to cholesterol. Mevalonate conversion to cholesterol in both homogenates and slices was unchanged by lecithin infusions. An increase of similar magnitude in the activity of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase was seen after the lecithin infusion. This increase in enzyme activity was associated with a significantly lower microsomal cholesterol content. The increase in cholesterol synthesis was prevented when the infused lecithin was made to molar ratios of cholesterol to lecithin greater than 0.5:1. Cholesterol-lecithin infusions with molar ratios of 1:1 appeared to inhibit conversion of acetate to cholesterol. The cholesterol content of the microsomes following these infusions was greater than control. Pretreatment of the animals with cycloheximide abolished the activation of cholesterol synthesis by lecithin, but actinomycin D had no effect.
Education and the Ethics of Democratic Citizenship

In this essay, I situate public education within a vision of its special role in enabling critical citizenship within a participatory, pluralistic democracy. I provide a framework for analyzing the current predominant practices of public education, and assess the degree to which they support individual self-development toward that democratic vision. Finally, I suggest that the ethics of democratic citizenship can guide the reform of public education to enhance its capacity to realize a dream of a democracy committed to justice and the full participation of all its members.
Three‐dimensional multi‐fluid simulations of Titan's interaction with Saturn's magnetosphere: Comparisons with Cassini's T55 flyby

[1] We describe a new multi-fluid model of Titan's interaction with Saturn's magnetosphere that includes finer resolution in Titan's ionosphere, photoionization, electron-impact ionization, dissociative recombination, and ion-neutral coupling in the momentum and energy equations. We compare simulation results to data from Cassini's T55 flyby to show that including magnetospheric electron-impact ionization in Titan's nightside ionosphere is necessary to calculate electron densities, electron temperatures, and ion velocities that are consistent with Cassini observations. However, similar to other studies, we find that the electron-impact ionization rate calculated by the model needs to be significantly reduced to produce an electron density that is in agreement with the observations. We also find that an upstream plasma flow with significant components northward and radially outward from Saturn is needed to reproduce the gradual increase in electron density observed during the ingress portion of T55. This suggests that Titan was in a nonideal environment with a plasma flow oriented away from the direction of corotation during T55 and likely during the subsequent flybys T56, T57, T58, and T59 when similar electron density enhancements were seen on the inbound portion of Cassini's trajectory.
OVERLOOKED TEMPORAL ISSUES IN STATUTORY INTERPRETATION

There is an important but chronically overlooked problem in statutory interpretation. Courts frequently create and modify the rules of statutory interpretation in common law fashion. They never consider, however, whether these new or modified rules should be applied only prospectively to statutes enacted after the judicial decisions that created or modified the rules. The failure of courts to consider these temporal issues undermines the assumption, fundamental to statutory interpretation, that Congress chooses statutory language in light of established rules of interpretation and thus risks delegitimizing statutory interpretation. Indeed, as this Article illustrates, the Supreme Court's failure to consider these temporal issues has arguably resulted in erroneous statutory interpretations. Notwithstanding the enormous attention given statutory interpretation by scholars over the past couple of decades (including the proposal and examination of various sophisticated, high-level interpretive methodologies), the temporal issues the retroactive application of new or modified rules of interpretation raises have been virtually ignored in statutory interpretation scholarship. This Article fills the void by providing a theory of when courts should apply new or modified rules only prospectively. Despite the plausibility of an argument that all new or modified rules should be applied only prospectively, the Article argues that only the most powerful rules should be considered for prospective only application and describes when it is appropriate for even these rules to be applied retroactively. The Article also argues that the judicial consideration of temporal issues will bring much needed clarity and transparency to statutory interpretation, as well as potentially causing courts to reexamine their proper role in light of legal realist insights about the nature of statutory interpretation.
Surface roughness effects on the stress analysis of adhesive joints

Abstract A finite element program was used to perform a parametric analysis of stresses generated by adherend surface roughness in lap and butt joints. Roughness asperities were idealized as having tip radius of curvature R1, height H1, and slopes A1. Failure criteria (maximum stress, yield, and fracture) were related to the geometric parameters by functions of the form: σ = σ o + cR r H h A a The specific material properties used for the analysis were those of tooth enamel and an orthodontic cement. Qualitatively however, these results are applicable to all structural adhesives.
Limb preference after unilateral pyramidotomy in adult and neonatal rats

Abstract As previously reported, unilateral pyramidotomy in newborn rats results in the development of an aberrant ipsilateral corticospinal tract that originates from the intact side. In the present study, limb preference after unilateral pyramidotomy in adult and neonatal rats was examined in search of differences that might correlate with this aberrant tract. However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups. Postoperatively, adult animals preferred the limb corresponding to the intact corticospinal tract in spite of a pre- and postoperative testing bias toward the opposite limb. Similarly, the animals that sustained neonatal lesion followed by testing at maturity also preferred the limb corresponding to the normal crossed corticospinal tract.
Surgical Management of Limited Mouth Opening Associated With Congenital Suprabulbar Paresis: Report of a Case

a m s m p a i t u ongenital suprabulbar paresis (Worster-Drought synrome) is a form of cerebral palsy that affects mainly he muscles that control the movement of the lips, ongue, palate, pharynx, and esophagus. Although he jaw muscles may also be affected, difficulty in pening the mouth is generally not one of the comon findings. This report describes the management f a patient with congenital suprabulbar paresis who ad limited mouth opening as part of his symptoms.
Performance evaluation of a texture-based segmentation algorithm

Texture segmentations are crucial components of many remote sensing, scene analysis, and object recognition systems. However, very little attention has been paid to the problem of performance evaluation in the numerous algorithms that have been proposed by the image understanding community. In this paper, a particular algorithm is introduced and its performance is evaluated in a systematic manner on a wide range of scene and scenarios. Both the algorithm and the methodology used in its evaluation have significance in numerous applications in the computer-based image understanding field.
Self-consistent calculations of finite temperature nuclear response function

Abstract The nuclear response function of 40Ca is studied at finite temperature using self-consistent RPA. We find that the isovector dipole strength function is quite independent of temperature up to T≈6 MeV. In contrast, the quadrupole strength function is much affected, showing a softening of the nucleus with increased temperature.
Psychological approaches with deaf-blind persons: Strategies and issues in research and treatment

Abstract The assessment and treatment of deaf-blind persons has received increased attention in the past 2 decades. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of work done in this area, thus creating an impetus to further consideration of the unique and multifaceted problems presented by this population. Characteristics of the deaf-blind are presented first and then procedures for assessment of basic skill levels are described. Finally, interventions for management of inappropriate behavior, self-help and social skill acquisition, and adaptation to vocational situations are reviewed. Issues related to research with deaf-blind individuals are also discussed. Although limited, early research provides groundwork for future efforts necessary to encourage independence and productivity in deaf-blind persons.
Endoscopic Treatment of Benign Biliary Strictures Using Covered Self-Expandable Metal Stents (CSEMS)

Traditional endoscopic management of benign biliary strictures (BBS) consists of placement of one or more plastic stents. Emerging data support the use of covered self-expandable metal stents (CSEMS). We sought to assess outcome of endoscopic temporary placement of CSEMS in patients with BBS. This was a retrospective study of CSEMS placement for BBS between May 2005 and July 2012 from two tertiary care centers. A total of 145 patients (81 males, median age 59 years) with BBS were identified; 73 of which were classified as extrinsic and were caused by chronic pancreatitis, and 70 were intrinsic. Main outcome measures were resolution of stricture and adverse events (AEs) due to self-expandable metal stents (SEMS)-related therapy. Fully covered and partially covered 8–10 mm diameter SEMS were placed and subsequently removed in 121/125 (97 %) attempts in BBS (failure to remove four partially covered stents). Stricture resolution occurred in 83/125 (66 %) patients after a median stent duration of 26 weeks (median follow-up 90 weeks). Resolution of extrinsic strictures was significantly lower compared to intrinsic strictures (31/65, 48 % vs. 52/60, 87 %, p = 0.004) despite longer median stent duration (30 vs. 20 weeks). Thirty-seven AEs occurred in 25 patients (17 %), with 12 developing multiple AEs including cholangitis (n = 17), pancreatitis (n = 5), proximal stent migration (n = 3), cholecystitis (n = 2), pain requiring SEMS removal and/or hospitalization (n = 3), inability to remove (n = 4), and new stricture formation (n = 3). Benign biliary strictures can be effectively treated with CSEMS. Successful resolution of biliary strictures due to extrinsic disease is seen significantly less often than those due to intrinsic disease. Removal is successful in all patients with fully covered SEMS.
ROLE OF GASTRIC SECRETION IN IRON ABSORPTION.

SummaryExperimental evidence is presented for the existence of a substance in gastric juice from anemic dogs which facilitates iron absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract of normal dogs. These data would be consistent with the theory that iron may be absorbed in a manner similar to Vit. B12. An intrinsic substance, secreted by the stomach, may be necessary for absorption of iron.
Quantitative trait loci regulating sugar moiety of acylsugars in tomato

Acylsugars are broad-spectrum insect resistance sugar esters produced at very high levels by some accessions of the wild tomato, Solanum pennellii. Transferring acylsugar production from S. pennellii LA716 to cultivated tomato through traditional breeding developed the benchmark acylsugar breeding line CU071026. The base moiety of acylsugars (sucrose vs. glucose) can vary among S. pennellii accessions. Additionally the accession S. pennellii LA716 produces almost exclusively acylglucoses, but the breeding line CU071026 derived from S. pennellii LA716 produces exclusively acylsucroses. This study uses a BC1F1 and a BC1F2 population derived from the cross CU071026 × (CU071026 × S. pennellii LA716) to identify and confirm the action of three quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosomes 3, 4, and 11. The QTL on chromosomes 3 and 11 are both required for acylglucose production, while addition of the chromosome 4 QTL affects the level of acylglucose produced in the presence of the QTL on chromosomes 3 and 11. A three-way interaction between these acylglucose QTL was confirmed with a post hoc ANOVA. Identification of these three QTL provides a blueprint for breeding to shift acylsucrose production to acylglucose production in tomato breeding lines. The implications of these QTL and two additional QTL affecting total acylsugar level in the BC1F2 are discussed.
An improved, computer-based method to automatically track internal and external diameter of isolated microvessels.

Objective: To develop an automated diameter tracking method suitable for studies of isolated, perfused microvessels (< 100 μ m internal diameter (ID)). Methods: A diameter tracking method was implemented in conjunction with a standard PC workstation and video card. Within a user-defined window, the algorithm combined thresholding and iterative regression procedures to detect the average outer diameter (OD) of a vertically oriented microvessel. After an initial ID measurement by the user, the program continuously calculated ID based on the assumption of an incompressible vessel wall.Results: The program, Vessel Track, was tested against a manual video caliper and two analog video dimension analyzers. Vessel Track was capable of accurately following arteriolar dimensions during extreme vasodilation and vasoconstriction. It provided more accurate, lower-noise recordings than either of the video dimension analyzers, particularly after strong vasoconstriction during which lumenal folds developed. Vessel Track ...
Discourses of Worry, Stress, and High Blood Pressure in Rural South Louisiana

Purpose: To explore how a sample of rural Louisiana residents constructed accounts about worry and stress in relationship to their high blood pressure. Design: Qualitative study combining critical social theories, African American studies, and critical discourse concepts. Study participants consisted of a convenience sample (N=30) of African American women (n=15) and men (n=15) with high blood pressure. Methods: Over a 4-month period in 1999 a community-based population sample was interviewed twice. Field experiences in the community and the assistance of community consultants were critical to data analysis. Based on 60 interviews, 191 passages about worry and 58 passages about stress were analyzed using discourse analysis. Findings: Participants not only distinguished between worry and stress in their everyday lives, but they also highlighted how those concepts were interrelated. Participants' concerns about themselves as well as their children, kin, and community were emphasized in passages about worry. Stress was primarily associated with doing multiple tasks and confronting multiple prejudices in the workplace and surrounding community. Conclusions: Participants perceived worry and stress as important health-related concepts that affected their high blood pressure. Nursing strategies designed to address these concerns may better facilitate holistic health.
Dynamic four-dimensional microscope system with automated background leveling

This paper describes recent advances in developing an automatic background leveling algorithm for a new, novel interference microscope system and presents images and data of live biological samples. The specially designed optical system enables instantaneous 4-dimensional video measurements of dynamic motions within and among live cells without the need for contrast agents. "Label-free" measurements of biological objects in reflection using harmless light levels are possible without the need for scanning and vibration isolation. This instrument utilizes a pixelated phase mask enabling simultaneous measurement of multiple interference patterns taking advantage of the polarization properties of light enabling phase image movies in real time at video rates to track dynamic motions and volumetric changes. Optical thickness data are derived from phase images. This data is processed with an automatic background leveling routine which separates the objects from the background by thresholding the calculated gradient magnitude of the optical thickness data. Low-order Zernike surfaces are fit to the unmasked background pixels and the resulting background shape is removed. This method effectively eliminates background shape for datasets containing both large and small objects. By applying this method to many sequential frames, it results in all the frames having the same mean background value across all frames which is essential for quantitatively montoring time-dependent processes.
Multiresolution separated representations of singular and weakly singular operators

Abstract For a finite but arbitrary precision, we construct efficient low separation rank representations for the Poisson kernel and for the projector on the divergence free functions in the dimension d = 3 . Our construction requires computing only one-dimensional integrals. We use scaling functions of multiwavelet bases, thus making these representations available for a variety of multiresolution algorithms. Besides having many applications, these two operators serve as examples of weakly singular and singular operators for which our approach is applicable. Our approach provides a practical implementation of separated representations of a class of weakly singular and singular operators in dimensions d ⩾ 2 .
Markov regression models for time series: a quasi-likelihood approach.

This paper discusses a quasi-likelihood (QL) approach to regression analysis with time series data. We consider a class of Markov models, referred to by Cox (1981, Scandinavian Journal of Statistics 8, 93-115) as "observation-driven" models in which the conditional means and variances given the past are explicit functions of past outcomes. The class includes autoregressive and Markov chain models for continuous and categorical observations as well as models for counts (e.g., Poisson) and continuous outcomes with constant coefficient of variation (e.g., gamma). We focus on Poisson and gamma data for illustration. Analogous to QL for independent observations, large-sample properties of the regression coefficients depend only on correct specification of the first conditional moment.
Partial trisomy 2q

An infant with unusual facies and anomalies of brain, heart, and kidney was found to have a simple duplication of the distal long arm of chromosome 2. The clinical features of this case refine the phenotypic spectrum of partial trisomy 2q; prior cases had more complicated chromosomal rearrangements.
WEAKLY PERTURBED SYSTEMS OF LINEAR INTEGRO-DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

We establish conditions for the bifurcation (at the point e = 0) of solutions of weakly perturbed systems of linear integro-differential equations on a segment [a, b]. A convergent iterative procedure is proposed for finding solutions in the form of partial sums of Laurent series.
Warm-season grass diversity in yield, plant morphology, and nitrogen concentration and removal in northeastern USA.

Six genera of warm-season grasses were grown in Pennsylvania for 9 yr on a fine-loamy, mixed mesic, Aquic Fragiudult, to determine their potential as forage grasses on droughty sites. Effects of applied N on yield, plant morphology, and N composition of forages were studied during Years 4 through 7, when N was applied to half of each plot area. (...)
Utilitarianism in Media Ethics and Its Discontents

Utilitarianism has dominated media ethics for a century. For Mill, individual autonomy and neutrality are the foundations of his On Liberty and System of Logic, as well as his Utilitarianism. These concepts fit naturally with media ethics theory and professional practice in a democratic society. However, the weaknesses in utilitarianism articulated by Ross and others direct us at this stage to a dialogic ethics of duty instead. Habermas's discourse ethics, feminist ethics, and communitarian ethics are examples of duty ethics rooted in the dialogic relation that enable us to start over intellectually.
Patterns of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and social function in schizophrenia

Research has alternately found that obsessive and compulsive (OC) symptoms in schizophrenia are associated with graver and lesser levels of negative symptoms. One possible explanation is that there are two distinct groups of persons with OC symptoms: those with cognitive deficits and high levels of negative symptoms and those who generally function well and have low levels of negative symptoms. To examine this question, we performed a cluster analysis on 66 persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders on the basis of their level of obsessive-compulsive phenomena and global psychosocial function. Four groups were found: high OC/good function (n=9), non-OC/poor function (n=25), non-OC/moderate function (n=20), and high OC/poor function (n=12). A MANCOVA controlling for age found significant group differences on assessments of negative symptoms, executive function and attention among groups. As predicted, the high OC/poor function group had significantly poorer attention than any other group and poorer executive function than either non-OC group. The high OC/good function had lower levels of negative symptoms than either non-OC group. Implications for research and rehabilitation are discussed.
PROTEINS IMMUNOLOGICALLY RELATED TO DEHYDRINS IN FUCOID ALGAE

Adult fucoid algae on Atlantic shores have well-characterized, species-specific tolerances to the varying levels of desiccation that occur from the low to high intertidal zones; however, less is known about embryonic tolerances and their mechanistic basis. We investigated this by 1) exposing embryos of Fucus evanescens C. Agardh, F. spiralis L., and F. vesiculosus L. from the Maine shore to osmotic desiccation in hypersaline seawater and 2) examining whether these embryos contain species-specific dehydrins, proteins first identified in higher plants that are hypothesized to confer tolerance to dehydration. Embryonic survival when cultured in hypersaline seawater >100 practical salinity units (psu) correlated with the position of these species in the intertidal zone (F. spiralis > F. vesiculosus > F. evanescens), but all 1-day-old embryos of these species tolerated treatment with 100 psu or lower seawater. Proteins (17–105 kDa) immunologically related to dehydrins were detected on western blots with dehydrin antibodies raised against a synthetic peptide representing the conserved motif of dehydrins in higher plants. These proteins were constitutive and unstable when subjected to prolonged (>15 min) temperatures above 55° C, unlike most higher plant dehydrins, which are inducible and remain soluble at 75°–100° C. The presence of these proteins was species- and stage-specific. Sperm of F. vesiculosus had a characteristic protein of 76 kDa, whereas eggs and embryos (6 h to 3 days old) had a 92-kDa protein. By 1 week of age, expression of the 92-kDa protein decreased, and the 35-kDa protein of adults was present. Embryos of A. nodosum L. and Pelvetia compressa J. Agardh DeToni contained an 85-kDa protein rather than the 92-kDa protein of Fucus embryos (F. distichus L., F. evanescens, F. spiralis, and F. vesiculosus). The 92-kDa protein became more abundant in embryos exposed to hyperosmotic seawater at 50 psu (F. evanescens and F. vesiculosus) or 150 psu (F. spiralis); however, dehydrin-like proteins of some molecular masses decreased in abundance simultaneously. Further characterization of these proteins is required to establish whether they protect embryos against intertidal desiccation.
Improving Linear Test Data Compression

The output space of a linear decompressor must be sufficiently large to contain all the test cubes in the test set. The ideas proposed in this paper transform the output space of a linear decompressor so as to reduce the number of inputs required thereby increasing compression while still keeping all the test cubes in the output space. Scan inversion is used to invert a subset of the scan cells while reconfiguration modifies the linear decompressor. Any existing method for designing a linear decompressor (either combinational or sequential) can be used first to obtain the best linear decompressor that it can. Using that linear decompressor as a starting point, the proposed methods improve the compression further. The key property of scan inversion is that it is a linear transformation of the output space and, thus, the output space remains a linear subspace spanned by a Boolean matrix. Using this property, a systematic procedure based on linear algebra is described for selecting the set of inverting scan cells to maximize compression. A symbolic Gaussian elimination method to solve a constrained Boolean matrix is proposed and utilized for reconfiguring the linear decompressor. The proposed schemes can be utilized in various design flow scenarios and require no or very little hardware overhead. Experiments indicate that significant improvements in compression can be achieved
A rapid protocol for isolation of RNA from mycobacteria

Isolation of total cellular RNA from members of mycobacteria has been a labour-intensive task involving large volumes of cells, multiple extractions of cell lysates with phenol–chloroform followed by caesium chloride centrifugation. A simple and rapid procedure is reported for isolation of RNA from mycobacteria using as few as 1 times 107 cells. The RNA thus isolated when analysed on ethidium bromide gels contained 16S and 23S RNA as major species. Further, the RNA was used for amplification of an internal segment of hsp65 gene by reverse transcription followed by PCR.
Planning a probing voyage to Jupiter: The adroit Galileo spacecraft, crammed with advanced instrumentation, should answer some age-old questions about the mysterious planet

The design of the Galileo spacecraft is described. To accommodate the instruments that require continuous scanning as well as those that need accurate pointing, the orbiter will have two sections, one spinning and the other stationary. A brief summary is given of the mission's scientific goals. The tasks that will be performed by the spacecraft's command and data subsystem and attitude and articulation control subsystem are described. Attention is given to the steps that were taken to ensure that the probe will be able to communicate with the orbiter through the atmosphere of Jupiter. Some of the planned measurements are briefly described, along with the instruments that will be used.
Optimal cutter selection and machining plane determination for process planning and NC machining of complex surfaces

Abstract This paper deals with the optimal cutter selection and machining plane determination problems for NC machining and process planning. Two optimization methods, an integer programming (IP) method and a dynamic programming (DP) method, are presented. While the IP method provides an upper bound for such a problem, the DP method provides an optimal solution at the cost of longer computational time. Both methods can be used to automate the traditional, experience-based cutter selection tasks and to reduce the total machining time in NC machining operations. Numerical examples are included to illustrate both methods.
Hand-grip dynamometry predicts future outcomes in aging adults.

ABSTRACTBackground and Purpose:One use of clinical measures is the prediction of future outcomes. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the literature addressing the value of grip strength as a predictor of important outcomes.Methods:Relevant literature was located using 4 bibliogra
The tragedy of torture: a global concern for mental health nursing.

Torture, a tool of aggressive political regimes, exists in over 100 nations around the world and, as documented in archaeological evidence, has been a part of the dark side of human history, since at least 1500 B.C. In 1864, the first Geneva Convention aimed at protecting wounded soldiers in wartime, and 120 years later, in 1984, the United Nations adopted a specific Convention against Torture. Earlier, in 1975, nurses, through the International Council of Nursing (ICN), adopted a position on caring for people who had been tortured. Danish nurses and physicians have been leaders in advocating the elimination of torture in the world. Yet, nurses in the United States, until the adoption of a resolution by the American Academy of Nurses, October, 2001, had been quite silent about this human pain. With the tragedy of 9/11 still fresh in our minds, nurses are urged to be vigilant in curtailing any torture of prisoners associated with this event. Treatment plans for victims follow many of the interventions used with posttraumatic stress disorder, yet there are unique differences as well.
1525 CELL FUNCTIONS IN UREMIA IMPROVED BY DIALYSIS AND AMINO ACID INFUSIONS

Chronic uremia is often associated with impaired utilization of glucose, presumably intracellularly, since it is not dependent on insulin or insulin redeptors. Using the circulating polymophonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) as a cell model, 9 nondialyzed & 26 stable, maintenance hemodialyzed adults with chronic uremia (residual Ccr < 5ml/min) had significantly reduced levels of glycolytic enzyme activities pyruvate kinase (PK) & glucose -6-PO4 dehydrogenese (G6PDH), ATP, & adenylate kinase (AK), protein (3 H Leu) & RNA (3H-URI) synthesis, compared to 32 normal control subjects (blood donors). Following in vitro incubation of isolated PMNL in Krebs-Henseleit medium with 5mM glucose, cell levels of the glycolytic metabolites G6P, F6P, & F-1-6-P were reduced, while DHAP, 3-PGA & PEP were increased, indicating a perturbation in glycolytic flux (GF), although lactate production was not impaired. Hemodialysis improved AK activity & protein synthesis (PS), but G6PDH & ATP decreased. Lactate production by incubated PMNL fell. The postdialysis changes reverted to predialysis values within 1 week. Stable maintenance hemodialysis patients got 500ml amino acid infusions (AAI) (Aminosyn 10%) at the end of each 3×/week dialysis. After 12 infusions (1 month), predialysis ATP levels & PS reached normal levels. GF lactate production was unaffected but triose phosphate levels increased. To the extent that PMNL s reflect cell metabolism, the data is consistent with a cellular defect in glycolysis & protein synthesis in chronic uremics. Dialysis, coupled with AAI, improves cell functions.
The Effects of Reciprocal Peer Tutoring on Graduate Students' Achievement, Test Anxiety, and Academic Self-Efficacy.

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of reciprocal peer tutoring (RPT) on graduate students' academic achievement, test anxiety, and academic self-efficacy. In Experiment 1, students were assigned to one of two conditions—RPT or non-RPT. RPT students developed questions on specific course topics; they then used these questions to quiz other students before taking midterm and final course examinations. Contrary to previous research findings, the RPT and control groups did not differ significantly on lower cognitive or higher cognitive achievement measures. Students who used RPT generally reported that RPT improved their understanding of course content In Experiment 2, the RPT procedures were modifled to better match the procedures used in earlier studies whose authors had found RPT to be superior to non-RPT conditions. Also, the instruments were expanded to include course-relevant outcome measures of student academic self-efficacy and test anxiety. As in Experiment 1, the RPT an...