cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blending the real and virtual in games: the model of fantasy sports

Fantasy sports provide participants with the opportunity to play the role of coach for a team of athletes they select. The better the athletes perform in their real-world competitions, the better the virtual teams they are on will perform. Leagues for fantasy sports started almost 50 years ago and have grown to the point that there are now approximately 30 million participants. Intially using paper and pencil, fantasy sports are now growing rapidly due to the ease of organizing and playing in on-line leagues. The use of computers has changed fantasy leagues from being mostly a group of friends or acquaintances in a local community to potentially being anonymous players from around the world. Newer software is countering the trend towards anonymity with the inclusion of features, such as league newspapers, that provide a greater context surrounding the fantasy leagues. The rhetoric found in descriptions and advertising for fantasy sports emphasizes competition, empowerment, and participation. Looking at the activities of current fantasy sports and the rhetoric surrounding them yields a framework based on their use of real versus virtual action and player versus external control. It is the integration of activity in a virtual game and spectatorship of a real sport that makes fantasy sports a model to explore how other entertainment combining virtual and real world activities may be constructed.
Dilatational Rheology of BSA Conformers at the Air/Water Interface

To elucidate the role of protein conformation at the air/water interface, we measured the interfacial dilatational rheology of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and β-casein adsorbed over long time periods using a modified dynamic pendant-drop tensiometer. Companion long-time dynamic surface pressure and ellipsometry measurements are also reported. BSA has well-characterized structural isomers (conformers) whose structural transitions depend on solution pH. It is, therefore, possible to establish a connection between protein structure and interfacial rheology without the ambiguity of comparing different proteins. We also studied β-casein to verify the conclusions obtained from BSA. Adsorbed BSA and β-casein protein layers are primarily elastic with the dilatational elastic modulus arising from two contributions: (1) conformational rearrangement following adsorption that leads to formation of an interconnected, sample-spanning interfacial protein network (i.e., an interfacial gel), and (2) the intrinsic structur...
The Cognitive Styles of Reflection/Impulsivity and Field Independence/Dependence and ESL Success

or unsuccessful language learners. Characteristics of the learner that are unchangeable (age, sex, native language) or predispositions (motivation, attitude, anxiety, tolerance of ambiguity, and cognitive style) have all been examined in varying degrees. The focus of this study is narrowed to one characteristic-cognitive style-and finally, narrowed even further to only two cognitive styles, Reflection/Impulsivity and Field Independence/Dependence. Field Independence/Dependence has received greater attention in language learning research th n has Reflection/Impulsivity. What is the role of the cognitive style of Reflection/Impulsivity when adults are learning E glish as a second language? I believe that Reflection/Impulsivity will provide a method for classifying successful and unsuccessful language learners within a construct that is easy to understand and easy to work with in instructional settings. This is theoretically and empirically important because it will provide construct-related evidence validating a model of SLA that includes cognitive style as a source of individual variation. Pragmatically, underst nding the predispositions of language learners in terms of cognitive style could provide a basis for materials development both for the classroom and computer lab-training in strategies to adapt performances, altering natural tendencies (7; 32; 36).
Crohn's disease: Cost-effectiveness of reducing radiation in Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease is a life-long illness, with patients increasingly being exposed to diagnostic medical radiation. Diagnostic strategies are being re-evaluated after concerns were raised over the long-term effects of medical radiation. A recent study explored the cost-effectiveness of a magnetic resonance enterography program in patients with Crohn's disease, which could reduce the risk of radiation-induced neoplasia.
A Chandra Observation of the Globular Cluster Terzan 1: The Neutron Star X-Ray Transient X1732–304 in Quiescence

We present a short (~3.6 ks) Chandra/HRC-I observation of the globular cluster Terzan 1. This cluster is known to contain the bright neutron star low-mass X-ray binary X1732-304, which was active during the 1980s and most of the 1990s. But a BeppoSAX observation performed in 1999 only showed a very weak source, indicating that the source had become quiescent. During our Chandra observation, we detect one source with a 0.5-10 keV luminosity of approximately × 1033 ergs s-1 (for an assumed distance of 5.2 kpc). However, its position is not consistent with that of X1732-304. We do not conclusively detect X1732-304 with a 0.5-10 keV luminosity upper limit of × 1033 ergs s-1. This limit is consistent with the luminosities observed for several neutron star X-ray transients in our Galaxy when they are quiescent, strongly suggesting that X1732-304 was still quiescent during our Chandra observation. If the quiescent emission in neutron star X-ray transients is due to the thermal emission from the neutron star, then it is expected that the quiescent luminosity depends on the time-averaged accretion rate of the source. However, the upper limit on the quiescent luminosity of X1732-304, combined with its very long accretion episode prior to the current quiescent episode, indicates that the quiescent episodes of the source have to be longer than ~200 yr. This would be the second system after KS 1731-260 for which quiescent episodes longer than several hundreds of years have been inferred. We discuss this possibility and alternative quiescent models to explain our results.
Quality of informal care for persons with dementia: dimensions and correlates

Objectives: The majority of persons with dementia live in the community where most of their care is provided by family members. We aimed to expand our limited knowledge about the styles of high-quality care, such as person-centered care, and poor-quality care adopted by these informal caregivers and the characteristics of those who provide better care.Method: We conducted a mail survey of 148 family caregivers. Caregiving styles were measured with items from existing scales that had not been analyzed together before. Factor analysis of these items was used to identify styles of caregiving, and structural equation modeling was used to identify their relationships with caregiver and care-recipient characteristics.Results: Three high quality-of-care factors (personalized, respectful, and compensatory) and three poor quality-of-care factors (punitive, controlling, and withdrawing) were found. The personality traits of agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism were related to higher quality o...
Ultrasound molecular imaging with targeted microbubble contrast agents

Microbubbles have shown significant promise as molecular imaging agents for ultrasound contrast imaging in the detection of intravascular targets, such as inflammation, ischemia-reperfusion injury, ischemic memory, atherosclerotic plaque detection, and angiogenic vasculature (currently all in the animal-model setting). Combining these preparations with the widespread use of ultrasound imaging equipment and the increasing popularity of circulating nontargeted contrast agents, the success of targeted ultrasound contrast material could be achieved.
The effects of chronic hypercapnia on blood phosphofructokinase activity and the adenine nucleotide system.

Abstract Phosphofructokinase activity and adenine nucleotide levels were determined in blood of guinea pigs exposed to 15% CO2 in 21 % O2, balance N2, for varying periods of time up to one week. Acute exposure produced a decrease in enzyme activity while the chronic phase increased activity without attainment of control values. These alterations in blood phosphofructokinase activity strikingly paralleled the biphasic changes in blood pH during acute and chronic hypercapnia. These findings demonstrate that blood phosphofructokinase activity is capable of responding to in vivo fluctuations in blood pH. Arterial ATP, ADP, and AMP concentrations and the energy charge were virtually unchanged during both phases indicating that hypereapnia is characterized by conservation of high-energy phosphates.
Complexation of 6-ACYL-O-β-Cyclodextrin derivatives with steroids - effects of chain length and substitution degree

AbstractThis study was designed to test a hypothesis that the esterification of the primary 6-hydroxyl groups on β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) may disrupt its crystallinity, thereby enhancing its aqueous solubility and increasing its ability to solubilize water-insoluble compounds. 6-acyl-o-β-CD derivatives with different chain length and substitution degree were synthesized by esterifying the primary hydroxyl groups at 6-position of β-CD with various acyl chlorides. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the existence of 6-acyl-o-β-CD derivatives as amorphous solid. Effects of chain length and substitution degree of the acyl groups on 6-acyl-o-β-CD/steroid complexation and solubilization were investigated with the phase solubility method. The results indicated that the solubilities of 6-acyl-o-β-CD derivatives were significantly higher than that of β-CD itself, which resulted in an increase in their ability to solubilize poorly water-soluble drugs such as steroids. The addition of side chains to β-CD did not chang...
Multicolor CRISPR labeling of chromosomal loci in human cells

The intranuclear location of genomic loci and the dynamics of these loci are important parameters for understanding the spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression. Recently it has proven possible to visualize endogenous genomic loci in live cells by the use of transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), as well as modified versions of the bacterial immunity clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system. Here we report the design of multicolor versions of CRISPR using catalytically inactive Cas9 endonuclease (dCas9) from three bacterial orthologs. Each pair of dCas9-fluorescent proteins and cognate single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) efficiently labeled several target loci in live human cells. Using pairs of differently colored dCas9-sgRNAs, it was possible to determine the intranuclear distance between loci on different chromosomes. In addition, the fluorescence spatial resolution between two loci on the same chromosome could be determined and related to the linear distance between them on the chromosome's physical map, thereby permitting assessment of the DNA compaction of such regions in a live cell.
Duration and Timing of Exposure to Neighborhood Poverty and the Risk of Adolescent Parenthood

Theory suggests that the impact of neighborhood poverty depends on both the duration and timing of exposure. Previous research, however, has not properly analyzed the sequence of neighborhoods to which children are exposed throughout the early life course. This study investigates the effects of different longitudinal patterns of exposure to disadvantaged neighborhoods on the risk of adolescent parenthood. It follows a cohort of children in the PSID from age 4 to 19 and uses novel methods for time-varying exposures that overcome critical limitations of conventional regression when selection processes are dynamic. Results indicate that sustained exposure to poor neighborhoods substantially increases the risk of becoming a teen parent and that exposure to neighborhood poverty during adolescence may be more consequential than exposure earlier during childhood.
Pea2 protein of yeast is localized to sites of polarized growth and is required for efficient mating and bipolar budding.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibits polarized growth during two phases of its life cycle, budding and mating. The site for polarization during vegetative growth is determined genetically: a and alpha haploid cells exhibit an axial budding pattern, and a/alpha diploid cells exhibit a bipolar pattern. During mating, each cell polarizes towards its partner to ensure efficient mating. SPA2 is required for the bipolar budding pattern (Snyder. M 1989. J. Cell Biol. 108:1419-1429; Zahner, J.A., H.A. Harkins, and J.R. Pringle. 1996. Mol. Cell. Biol. 16:1857-1870) and polarization during mating (Snyder, M., S. Gehrung, and B.D. Page. 1991. J. Cell Biol. 114: 515-532). We previously identified mutants defective in PEA2 and SPA2 which alter cell polarization in the presence of mating pheromone in a similar manner (Chenevert, J., N. Valtz, and I. Herskowitz. 1994. Genetics, 136:1287-1297). Here we report the further characterization of these mutants. We have found that PEA2 is also required for the bipolar budding pattern and that it encodes a novel protein with a predicted coiled-coil domain. Pea2p is expressed in all cell types and is localized to sites of polarized growth in budding and mating cells in a pattern similar to Spa2p, Pea2p and Spa2p exhibit interdependent localization: Spa2p is produced in pea2 mutants but fails to localize properly; Pea2p is not stably produced in spa2 mutants. These results suggest that Pea2p and Spa2p function together as a complex to generate the bipolar budding pattern and to guarantee proper polarization during mating.
Principal cluster values of continuous functions

Let f be a funct ion cont inuous in the open unit disc D ( = { l z l < 1}) with range the Riemann sphere ~. We shall study the behavior o f f on curves in D that tend to a point of the circumference C ( = { ] z [ =1}). We say that a is an arc at e ~a if a c D and a u { e is} is a Jordan arc. For an arc oat e ~a, we write Co(f, eia)={aet?: there exists a sequence { z , } c a such that z~-~e ia and f ( z , ) ~ a } ; and we set I I ( f , e i a ) = { a e ~ : for each arc oat e ia, aeC~( f , e~a)}. The set II ( f , e ia) of principal cluster values o f f at e ia appears in the theory of prime ends, and has also been studied by GROSS [9 and 10] 1). We consider the set {e~a: I I ( f , e~a)+0}, which we denote by P ( f ) .
Survival of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Cheese

Abstract Persistence of foot-and-mouth disease virus during the manufacture of Cheddar, Mozzarella, and Camembert cheese prepared from milk of cows experimentally infected with the virus was studied. Cheese samples were made on a laboratory scale with commercial lactic acid starter cultures and the microbial protease MARZYME as a coagulant. Milk was heated at different temperatures for different intervals before it was made into cheese. Foot-and-mouth disease virus survived the acidic conditions of Cheddar and Camembert cheese processing but not that of Mozzarella. Foot-and-mouth disease virus survived processing but not curing for 30 days in Cheddar cheese prepared from heated milk. However, the virus survived curing for 60 days but not for 120 days in cheese (pH 5) prepared from unheated milk. Foot-and-mouth disease virus survived in Camembert cheese (pH 5) for 21 days at 2 C but not for 35 days.
A comparison of the Maillard reactivity of proline to other amino acids using pyrolysis-molecular beam mass spectrometry

Abstract Maillard chemistry, or the low temperature condensation of amino acids and carbohydrates, is shown to be relevant to the practical regime of biomass pyrolysis and leads to dramatic changes in low-temperature volatile products and residual solid structure. Mixtures of amino acids and glucose were subjected to a two-temperature heating sequence (5 min each at 170 and 325 °C) and the volatile products analyzed by molecular beam mass spectrometry. Significant volatile yield was observed from the mixtures at 170 °C where neither amino acids nor glucose generated volatile material in the time frame studied. Proline was the most active of the amino acid studied. Volatile products at low temperature included the diketopiperazine, which were generated in higher yields than from proline alone. Also generated were Maillard condensation such as 1-(1′-pyrrolidinyl)-2-propanone. These products were also generated at 325 °C, but in addition, the mass spectra included evidence for the direct formation of nitrogen-containing aromatics. These observations are discussed in relation to known Maillard chemistry.
Uptake and Depuration of PCB 77, PCB 169, and Hexachlorobenzene by Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha)

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) were examined for their ability to take up and depurate hexachlorobenzene (HCB), 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 77), and 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 169) in the laboratory. The intent was to investigate response to acute exposure at high contaminant levels and to observe the time course of depuration. Tissue loads of all three compounds taken up from food increased rapidly and peaked after 10 (PCB 169), 14 (PCB 77), and 21 (HCB) days followed by rapid depuration to equilibrium levels. Peak tissue loads were 3.7, 3.4, and 3.6 micrograms/g for PCB 169, PCB 77, and HCB, respectively (wet weight basis). Equilibrium levels were approximately 1.0 microgram/g for both PCB 169 and HCB. Uptake rate of PCB 77 followed the order: sediment > food > water. Dreissena sampled from five Great Lakes field sites had tissue Aroclor loads ranging from 120 to 530 ng/g for Aroclor 1242 and 33 to 270 ng/g for Aroclor 1254 (wet weight basis). PCB 77 was detected at 1.9 ng/g at one site. Tissue levels for both Aroclors in Dreissena were approximately 10 times those of Lampsilis siliquoidea, a unionid bivalve to which they were attached. Where Dreissena reaches high densities, it is likely to play a significant role in contaminant dynamics.
A fine grained parallel smooth particle mesh Ewald algorithm for biophysical simulation studies: Application to the 6-D torus QCDOC supercomputer

Abstract In order to model complex heterogeneous biophysical macrostructures with non-trivial charge distributions such as globular proteins in water, it is important to evaluate the long range forces present in these systems accurately and efficiently. The Smooth Particle Mesh Ewald summation technique (SPME) is commonly used to determine the long range part of electrostatic energy in large scale molecular simulations. While the SPME technique does not give rise to a performance bottleneck on a single processor, current implementations of SPME on massively parallel, supercomputers become problematic at large processor numbers, limiting the time and length scales that can be reached. Here, a synergistic investigation involving method improvement, parallel programming and novel architectures is employed to address this difficulty. A relatively simple modification of the SPME technique is described which gives rise to both improved accuracy and efficiency on both massively parallel and scalar computing platforms. Our fine grained parallel implementation of the modified SPME method for the novel QCDOC supercomputer with its 6D-torus architecture is then given. Numerical tests of algorithm performance on up to 1024 processors of the QCDOC machine at BNL are presented for two systems of interest, a β -hairpin solvated in explicit water, a system which consists of 1142 water molecules and a 20 residue protein for a total of 3579 atoms, and the HIV-1 protease solvated in explicit water, a system which consists of 9331 water molecules and a 198 residue protein for a total of 29508 atoms.
Update on Fungal Diagnostics

Invasive fungal disease (IFD) is becoming more prevalent in transplant and oncology patients as a result of the potent immunosuppressive therapies used to prevent allograft rejection and/or the use of cytotoxic chemotherapy to treat cancer. Mortality attributable to IFD remains high despite advances in antifungal therapies. There is a continued need for laboratory diagnostics to help improve clinical outcomes. In recent years, culture-based detection strategies and histopathology have been supplemented with molecular and proteomic techniques as well as antigen detection methods. Refinements in these assays are improving the diagnosis of IFD, with the greatest strides made within the molecular and proteomic arenas. This review highlights recent laboratory developments in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis, cryptococcosis, opportunistic molds, and endemic fungal infections.
Exploring the Perceived Usefulness of System Documentation

The objective of this research is to determine whether there is a difference among computer system users in the perceived usefulness of online system documentation versus printed system documentation. Recent trends in the computer software industry have seen printed system documentation replaced by online system documentation. This has resulted in a debate among computer software system users with regard to whether or not they can successfully learn and use the software with only online system documentation. A survey was conducted of information systems professionals. The survey respondents completed a survey that asked them to rate online system documentation and printed system documentation for the mainframe and PC platforms and also for specific tasks. It was found that system developers on PC platforms had a strong preference for using online system documentation versus printed system documentation. On both PC platforms as well as mainframe platforms, there was a significant difference in the perceived usefulness between online documentation and printed documentation for performing specific tasks. For tasks that involved searching for specific information, users preferred the online documentation. For tasks that involved initial learning about the system, and for tasks that involved a significant amount of reading, the users preferred the printed documentation.
Spectrum of genitourinary malformations in patients with imperforate anus

A retrospective review of 244 cases of imperforate anus demonstrated a 48% incidence of associated genitourinary (GU) anomalies. The incidence and severity of associated GU anomalies was directly related to the level of the fistula between the blind-ending rectum and the GU tract. High-level fistulae to the bladder neck in males and the cloaca in females demonstrated a 90% incidence of associated genitourinary anomalies. In contrast, lower-level fistule to the perineum revealed only a 14% incidence of associated GU anomalies. Classification of anorectal anomalies by fistula level provides an accurate means of predicting the likelihood of an associated GU malformation.
Finite element methods for the multi-scale modeling of softening hinge lines in plates at failure

Abstract This paper presents a multi-scale framework for the modeling of softening hinge lines in inelastic plates and its finite element implementation. The proposed framework considers the Reissner–Mindlin problem of thick plates as the large-scale problem with the hinge introduced locally in small neighborhoods modeling the small scales of the material response. The hinges are defined as strong discontinuities of the generalized displacements describing the plate deformations. The consideration of the large-scale limit of vanishing small scales leads to a large-scale model of these localized failures of plates, involving the solution of a problem in terms of those large-scale generalized displacements with the standard regularity conditions. Enhanced finite elements define the natural framework for the numerical implementation of these considerations. The new finite elements are enhanced with the singular strain fields associated with the discontinuities or hinge lines, which given their local character are statically condensed at the element level. We present a general strategy for the definition of these local strain fields so the kinematics of the hinge lines are captured correctly, allowing in particular their fully softened state with no stresses and hence avoiding the so-called stress locking. We present several particular finite elements formulated in this framework, including triangular and quadrilateral finite elements. Several numerical simulations are presented illustrating their performance.
Neonatal isoimmune purpura: Response to platelet infusions

Neonatal isoimmune thrombocytopenia is a self-limited disease of antigenic incompatibility and platelet destruction caused by transplacentally acquired maternal antibody. Because of a mortality rate of 10 to 15 per cent due to hemorrhage initiated by the birth process, immediate therapy is advocated. Infusion of compatible platelets obtained from the mother is a safe therapeutic procedure which also helps to confirm the diagnosis. When compatible platelets cannot be obtained, exchange transfusion is the recommended treatment. Corticosteroids also appear to be beneficial, but few controlled studies are available. In milder forms of thrombocytopenia, isoimmune disease can usually be differentiated from other causes of neonatal purpura by comparing survival of maternal platelets to those obtained from the father or an incompatible random donor.
Anomalous absorption by multi-layered media☆

Abstract Recent studies have shown that an anomalously strong absorption occurs if a plane wave is incident on specialized layered configurations that exhibit slight losses. By studying the reflectance properties of multi-layered media, we show that such effects may occur in all structures that support leaky waves. This result implies that total or nearly total absorption of energy is possible in a much broader class of layered configurations than was recognized hitherto.
Community, Family, and Peer Influences on Alcohol, Marijuana, and Illicit Drug Use Among a Sample of Native American Youth: An Analysis of Predictive Factors

Using a cross-sectional sample of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade Native American public school children, this study examines hypotheses pertaining to the ability and influence of measures drawn from social bonding, social learning, and social disorganization theories to account for variations in self-reported lifetime and 30 day use of alcohol, marijuana, and illicit drugs. Results derived from ordinary least squares regression equations show significant associations, most notably with variables from the social learning tradition. In addition, comparisons across equations show significant differences in the impact of the theoretical indicators on substance use between respondents in the sub-samples of those residing on and off reservations. The findings suggest that existing theories offer a promising framework for understanding the process of Native American substance use, and that the role of these in some cases differ for adolescents who reside on and off reservations. Contributions to the literature along with suggestions for future research are discussed.
The demography of Howler Monkeys (Alouatta palliata) on Barro Colorado Island, Panamá

Chronological ages of Alouattaon Barro Colorado Island (BCI) were estimated from longitudinal dental wear. Combining these data with visual censuses, we approximated the study population’s age profile. A stable model was then constructed; from it we derived agespecific mortality rates. Mortality of immature animals is high, with 88% of the males and 65% of the females dying before 5 years. Adult mortality is low until 11 years, when it accelerates. The average adult life span is 16.6 years for males and 15.5 for females. The maximum life span is over 20 years. A pubertal male growth spurt occurs from 3 to 5 years, at which time females are primiparous. Sexual size differences develop primarily during this time. The 1976 age profile had anomalously few animals aged 7 years and males aged 8–9 and 15–16 years. With corroborating evidence, we hypothesize that these deficits resulted from excessive rainfall in 1963 and 1971, which reduced the fall fruit crop and led to a high juvenile mortality. Within half of our study troops, some adult males have nearly identical ages, suggesting an active process of agemate coalition. We hypothesize a form of kin selection, wherein peripheral male cohorts from the same natal troop have greater survival and social success than solitary animals. The stable model suggests an annual growth rate of 1.5% during the 1970s. Estimates of 16.7 and 4% for the previous two decades, following a yellow-fever epidemic, imply that the BCI population is becoming stationary. A very different age structure existed on neighboring Orchid Island in 1976, suggesting general food limitation. By contrast, the lowered, but continuing growth on BCI suggests a less drastic limiting mechanism. We hypothesize that intratroop social competition limits population growth by regulating subadult survival rates during food scarcity cycles.
Positioning and clock synchronization through entanglement

A method is proposed to employ entangled and squeezed light for determining the position of a party and for synchronizing distant clocks. An accuracy gain over analogous protocols that employ classical resources is demonstrated and a quantum-cryptographic positioning application is given, which allows only trusted parties to learn the position of whatever must be localized. The presence of a lossy channel and imperfect photodetection is considered. The advantages in using partially entangled states is discussed.
Analytical modeling for life extension of aging equipment

Abstract Rising replacement costs for all types of structures continue to pressure the technical community to find methods for reliably extending the useful lifetime of existing structures. Structures having significantly long remaining lives from reliably detectable levels of damage are the best candidates for lifetime extension. Methods for identifying the best candidates, methods for developing and validating analytical life prediction models, and areas which need improvement are discussed.
The Current State of Advertising Ethics: Industry and Academic Perspectives

Given the dynamic change and radical transformation of the advertising industry, we interviewed industry and academic leaders to seek their perspectives on the current state of advertising ethics. We also analyzed advertising agency Web sites, reviewed advertising textbooks, and surveyed the academic literature. We distinguish the ethics of the advertising message from the ethics of the advertising agency business. New and perplexing ethical issues related to advertising messages have emerged with the advent and growth of new and nontraditional media. Because of the more complex organizational structures of global communication agency networks, the temptations, risks, and rewards of unethical behavior in the business of advertising are greater than ever. We recommend that both industry and academia become more proactive, individually and in consultation with one another, in dealing with ethical problems and in setting norms.
The visual backward masking deficit in schizoaffective disorder

1. Subjects with schizoaffective disorder have an impairment in early visual information processing known as backward masking. 2. Backward masking studies in schizoaffective disorder have not established if the deficit: is state- or trait-related; is associated with negative symptoms or neuroleptic treatment; or is partially attributable to lithium treatment. 3. Integration and interruption are mechanisms of backward masking in schizoaffective disorder, but experiments maximizing interruption only, have not been performed. 4. Studies isolating the transient visual channels have not been performed in patients with schizoaffective disorder.
Increased Expression of Glutathione Peroxidase 4 Strongly Protects Retina from Oxidative Damage

Abstract Oxidative damage contributes to cone cell death in retinitis pigmentosa and death of rods, cones, and retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells in age-related macular degeneration. In this study, we explored the strategy of overexpressing components of the endogenous antioxidant defense system to combat oxidative damage in RPE cells and retina. In transfected cultured RPE cells with increased expression of superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1) or SOD2, there was increased constitutive and stress-induced oxidative damage measured by the level of carbonyl adducts on proteins. In contrast, RPE cells with increased expression of glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1) or Gpx4 did not show an increase in constitutive oxidative damage. An increase in Gpx4, and to a lesser extent Gpx1, reduced oxidative stress-induced RPE cell damage. Co-expression of Gpx4 with SOD1 or 2 partially reversed the deleterious effects of the SODs. Transgenic mice with inducible expression of Gpx4 in photoreceptors were generated, and in three...
Time course of seroconversion by HerpeSelect ELISA after acquisition of genital herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or HSV-2.

Background HerpeSelect HSV-1 and HSV-2 ELISAs are glycoprotein G-based, type-specific antibody detection tests that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for diagnosis of genital herpes. Goal The goal was to determine seroconversion times by means of HerpeSelect ELISAs. Study design Four-hundred thirteen sera from 113 patients with recently acquired genital herpes were tested by HerpeSelect ELISAs and Western blot (WB). Thirty-one patients had primary genital HSV-1 (group 1), 56 had primary HSV-2 (group 2), and 26 had prior HSV-1 antibodies and newly acquired HSV-2 (group 3). Results Median interval from onset of symptoms to seroconversion was 25 days, as determined by HerpeSelect HSV-1, versus 33 days by WB for group 1; 21 days by HerpeSelect HSV-2 versus 40 days by WB (group 2; P = 0.0005); and 23 days by HerpeSelect HSV-2 ELISA versus 47 days by WB (group 3; P = 0.02). In long-term follow-up, transient reversion to HerpeSelect negativity occurred in 3 of 31 HSV-1-infected subjects (10%) and in 2 of 82 HSV-2-infected subjects (2%). Conclusion Seroconversion to HSV-2 was determined faster by HerpeSelect than by WB.
Factor Uses and the Pattern of Specialization

Abstract We show that in the setting of multiple goods and factors, the factor proportions theory has the followingprediction: across industries ,theimpactsoftheendowmentofagivenfactoronindustryoutputshavepositiveco-variancewiththerelativeusesofthisfactor.Theintuitionisthat,onaverage,theindustriesthatuseagivenfactor heavily have positive output responses, following an increase in the endowment of this factor. Thisco-variation condition is robust to Hicks neutral- and factor-augmenting productivity differences, and con-stitutesadirecttestoftheproductionsideofthefactorproportionstheory.Wealsoshowthattheco-variationcondition ﬁnds empirical support.This is evidence that is consistent with the factor proportions theory. 1. Introduction It is important to understand why and how countries specialize.The pattern of special-izationiscriticaltounderstandingthepatternoftrade(Harrigan,2003)andtheimpactsof globalization on wages (Schott, 2003), and may contribute to the dispersion of theworld income distribution (Acemoglu and Ventura, 2002). It helps shed light on therelationbetweentradeandgrowth(Redding,2002)andthemechanismsthroughwhichcountries absorb immigrants (Hanson and Slaughter, 2002). It may also answer thequestion of whether developing countries become more agricultural after opening totrade, as suggested by the infant industry argument (Dodzin and Vamvakidis, 2004).Furthermore, governments all over the world routinely talk about policies that mayenhance the competitiveness of domestic industries.
Treatment of Enzyme Kinetic Data II. THE MULTISITE CASE: COMPARISON OF ALLOSTERIC MODELS AND A POSSIBLE NEW MECHANISM

Abstract Various methods of plotting allosteric data are discussed with the conclusion that plots of initial velocity divided by substrate concentration (v/S) versus the initial velocity are most convenient. This type of plot is discussed in terms of the information which can be obtained from it with respect to the parameters of an equation analogous to that proposed by Monod, Wyman, and Changeux. The model proposed by these authors is also discussed in terms of its meaning with respect to enzyme kinetic, rather than ligand binding, data. A simple extension of this model is provided by considering the possibility that different conformational forms of an enzyme may have different intrinsic activities. Other models for describing allosteric kinetic data are discussed and compared. The inconsistencies between various models are pointed out. A somewhat different mechanism from those which have previously been discussed in the literature is presented. This mechanism is for the situation which corresponds to polymerization of an enzyme in a reversible fashion and for which the polymer and monomer differ with respect to kinetic parameters such as ligand binding. An equation describing this situation for dimerization is presented and the mechanism is briefly discussed.
The epidemiology of multiple sclerosis : a general overview

Epidemiological studies of multiple sclerosis (MS) have shown the importance of genetic susceptibility factors that are modified by as yet unknown environmental influences. The often-cited interrelation between prevalence and latitude is no longer viable, with the important but unexplained exception of Australia and New Zealand. The standardization and increasing use of uniform diagnostic criteria lend new credibility to the results of MS surveys. More precise criteria are offered for symptoms of disease onset, Devic's syndrome, and progressive disease. The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of MS, and the pitfalls of its abuse, are reviewed. Reports of epidemics of MS are examined and discarded because they are based on the biologically meaningless date of diagnosis or that of onset, rather than when MS was probably acquired, that is, before puberty. The concept of onset-adjusted prevalence suggests that patients who are symptomatic should be included retrospectively in epidemiological surveys, even before they have been formally diagnosed as having MS, but individuals who were symptomatic before moving to a study area should not. The importance of ethnic homogeneity of patients and control subjects cannot be overemphasized in prevalence and risk factor studies. In the latter, close attention must be paid to biological plausibility and to prudent statistical interpretation. The hypothesis of the MS trait describes a systemic, asymptomatic condition that does not affect the nervous system, and may explain the low concordance of the disease in monozygotic twins.
Inflammation modulates expression of laminin in the central nervous system following ischemic injury

Ischemic stroke induces neuronal death in the core of the infarct within a few hours and the secondary damage in the surrounding regions over a long period of time. Reduction of inflammation using pharmacological reagents has become a target of research for the treatment of stroke. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), a marker of inflammation, is induced during stroke and enhances inflammatory reactions through the release of enzymatic products, such as prostaglandin (PG) E2. Wild-type (WT) and COX-2 knockout (COX-2KO) mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Additionally, brain slices derived from these mice or brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions. The expression levels of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins were assessed and correlated with the state of inflammation. We found that components of the ECM, and specifically laminin, are transiently highly upregulated on endothelial cells after MCAO or OGD. This upregulation is not observed in COX-2KO mice or WT mice treated with COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, suggesting that COX-2 is associated with changes in the levels of laminins. Taken together, we report that transient ECM remodeling takes place early after stroke and suggest that this increase in ECM protein expression may constitute an effort to revascularize and oxygenate the tissue.
A contribution to optimal lamp design in rapid thermal processing

Recent studies of wafer temperature control in rapid thermal processing systems have indicated that a multiring circularly symmetric lamp configuration with independent (multivariable) control of the power applied to each ring is likely to be more successful than the earlier lamp design approaches. An important issue in such multiring lamp systems is the optimal shaping of the output heat flux profile (HFP) of each ring to provide maximum controllability of the wafer temperature. In this paper we seek to optimize the ring HFP's via the lamp design parameters: ring positions and widths. We start by determining the heat loss profiles over the wafer surface for a variety of temperature setpoints and processing conditions. In order to maintain temperature uniformity across the wafer at a given setpoint, the lamp system should provide a compensating HFP. The total lamp HFP is the sum of the individual ring HFPs weighted by their respective applied powers. The HFP's are, in turn, functionally dependent on the lamp design parameters and this dependence can be measured through a calibration process. Therefore, the resulting optimization problem reduces to determining the lamp design parameters that result in lamp HFP's which best approximates the collection of the wafer heat loss profiles. Our method provides a practical technique for determining the optimal lamp design parameters. >
Factors Associated With Exercise Behavior in People With Parkinson Disease

Background The benefits of exercise for reducing disability in people with Parkinson disease (PD) are becoming more evident. Optimal benefit, however, requires regular and sustained participation. Factors associated with engaging in regular exercise have received little scientific scrutiny in people with PD. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore factors associated with exercise behavior in patients with PD using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a guiding framework. Design This was a cross-sectional study. Methods The participants in this study were 260 patients with PD from 4 institutions. Participants were designated as “exercisers” or “nonexercisers” based on responses to the Stages of Readiness to Exercise Questionnaire. Exercise status was validated using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly and an activity monitor. Factors potentially associated with exercise behavior included measures of body structure and function, activity, participation, environmental factors, and personal factors. Their relative contributions were analyzed using logistic regression and quantified with odds ratios. Results One hundred sixty-four participants (63%) were designated as exercisers. Participants with high self-efficacy were more than twice as likely to engage in regular exercise than those with low self-efficacy (adjusted odds ratio=2.34, 95% confidence interval=1.30–4.23). College educated and older participants also were more likely to exercise. Disabling influences of impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions were not associated with exercise behavior. Limitations The cross-sectional nature of the study limited the ability to make causal inferences. Conclusions Self-efficacy, rather than disability, appears to be strongly associated with whether ambulatory, community-dwelling people with PD exercise regularly. The results of this study suggest that physical therapists should include strategies to increase exercise self-efficacy when designing patient intervention programs for patients with PD.
PET Imaging of Proliferation with Pyrimidines

Several new tracers are being developed for use with PET to assess pathways that are altered in cancers, including energy use, cellular signaling, transport, and proliferation. Because increased proliferation is a hallmark of many cancers, several tracers have been tested to track the DNA synthesis pathway. Thymidine, which is incorporated into DNA but not RNA, has been used in laboratory studies to measure tumor growth. Because thymidine labeled with 11C undergoes rapid biologic degradation and has a short physical half-life, tracers labeled with 18 F have been preferred in PET imaging. One such tracer is 18F-labeled 39-deoxy-39-fluorothymidine ( 18 F-FLT). 18 F-FLT is trapped after phosphorylation by thymidine kinase 1, whose expression is increased in replicating cells. Several studies on breast, lung, and brain tumors have demonstrated that retention of 18 F-FLT correlated with tumor proliferation. Although 18 F-FLT has been used to image and stage several tumor types, the standardized uptake value is generally lower than that obtained with 18 F-FDG. 18 F-FLT can be used to image many areas of the body, but background uptake is high in the liver, marrow, and renal system, limiting use in these organs. 18F-FLT PET imaging has primarily been studied in the assessment of treatment response. Rapid declines in 18F-FLT retention within days to weeks have been demonstrated in several tumor types treated with cytotoxic drugs, targeted agents, and radiotherapy. Further work is ongoing to validate this approach and determine its utility in the development of new drugs and in the clinical evaluation of standard treatment
The life cycle and fitness domain of gregarine (Apicomplexa) parasites

Abstract Theoretical demographic models with accompanying experimental programs provide an important framework to study the life history of organisms. In this paper we examine the fitness characteristics of gregarine parasites (Apicomplexa) and how these evolutionary long-lived parasites are shaped by their own life cycle stages inside and outside a definitive insect host. Although gregarines have been investigated in experimental works, their fitness and population characteristics have not been subject to modeling efforts to help understand their longevity or interactions with their host species. We develop a dynamic, mechanistic population model represented by a system of two differential equations for two of the parasite stages: the mature parasite, or trophont, inside a definitive insect host, and the infectious oocyst stage in the water environment of the host. In contrast to many classical macroparasite models, the force of infection between oocysts and hosts is of sigmoid type. Inside the host, production of the water borne infectious state is modeled by linear production rate in the trophont population with a density-independent trophont mortality. We examine stability of model's equilibria for different parameter values and different host populations. This leads to the definition of a fitness parameter that acts as a bifurcation parameter for the model. The model shows good cause for the establishment and long-time persistence of this common, widespread parasite. It is parameterized by extensive data gathered at Cedar Point Biological Station, and numerical calculations based on those parameters illustrate the dynamics. Possible applications include parasite control in aquacultures.